//------------------------------// // The Raid // Story: Soren the Alicorn Part 3: A True Hero? // by KingNyroc15 //------------------------------// The next day, Soren, Twilight, Rainbow Dash, and Spike started the training program, along with many others. It wasn't too hard at first, but after three days of training passed, Twilight and Spike were barely managing to keep up. Everypony ran miles, performed vigorous acts of agility and endurance, and had to practice hoof-to-hoof combat. Not only was the training exhausting, it also prohibited Soren and Twilight from leaving the community, thus preventing them from working on the TARDIS. When the one week mark arrived, ponies were starting to be dismissed from training since they could no longer keep up. Dismissals were inevitable since a team cannot have unfit ponies. After ten days passed, Twilight Sparkle and Spike were dismissed, along with five more ponies. Soren and Rainbow Dash tried to convince the trainers to let them stay, but their plea failed. Twilight and Soren didn't complain any further, for they soon realized that this would give Twilight time to work on the TARDIS. The training was nearing its two week mark when the remaining twelve recruits were addressed by The Leader, as he liked to be called. The Leader, once again, spoke with great authority to the crowd. "I would like to congradulate you all for enduring your training. You are nearing the end; the two week mark signals the completion of this program. You all didn't think the training was that hard on accident, did you? We had to make sure you were all physically and mentally enduring. Tomorrow, the remainder of you will be asked to investigate and/or invade the bandits' campsite. I know this may be a lot to ask for your first assignment, but the future of this community rests in your hooves. Sleep well tonight, for tomorrow will be the start of your assignment." After the Leader finished his speech, Soren and Rainbow rushed to meet their friends. The pair found the unicorn and dragon in the girls' tent. Although Rainbow Dash was excited when they burst inside the tent, Soren remained silent. "Hey guys," Spike greeted, "how was training today? I still can't believe you two are about to finish two weeks of that exhausting workout." "Yeah, it's tough," Rainbow Dash replied, puffing out her chest, "but it'll all be worth it tomorrow. Can't wait to finally go into action." Twilight became more interested. "Action? What's happening tomorrow?" Soren decided to answer this one. "We're receiving our jobs tomorrow. Anyway, how are the repairs coming along?" he asked, quickly changing the subject. "I've made a little progress, but she's not doing too well. The console is pretty damaged, and I can't figure out the problem. It seems like the Master's laser did more than just damage it. I did figure out what year we're in though." "And that would be..." "6,005. We went about five thousand years into the future. How this civilization came to be I'll never know, but I'm more interested in the community and its 'jobs.'" Again, Soren wanted to change the subject. He was very reluctant to talk about this topic, and his friends noticed it. "Let's not talk about the team right now. I just want to relax and think." "What's up, Soren?" Rainbow asked. "This is going to be exciting, and you're acting like you don't want to be a part of it. What gives?" "I have to agree with Rainbow," Twilight added. "You haven't been acting like yourself, Soren." The mares continued to ask Soren to explain himself. He tried to ignore their questions by coming up with fake answers, but eventually, he snapped. "I hate this place, alright?!" Soren yelled over his friends. The tent became silent. "This place is terrible! There's basically a war going on between this place and these bandits, and we got stuck in the middle of it! I don't know about you all, but I'm sick and tired of being dragged into conflicts all the time. I just want some time to relax, but nooo, now I can't even go one week without some evil pony or crazy Time Lord threatening me and my friends. I'm sick of it all!!!" Soren extended his wings and stormed out of the tent. He could be heard taking off into the sky as the strong silence slowly lifted. Rainbow attempted to follow Soren, but Twilight stopped her. "Don't. It'll only make things worse. The Doctor went through something like this, and the only way to help him is t–" BOOM! An explosion rocked the entire community like an earthquake. The three of them quickly exited their 'home' and saw what chaos awaited them outside. Random explosions could be seen and heard in the background as ponies fought each other to defend their community. The bandits were invading! "We need to find Soren, now!" Twilight commanded over the mayhem. Rainbow took to the sky while Twilight and Spike kept to the ground. They decided to split up to cover more ground, or whatever ground wasn't destroyed. As she flew, Rainbow Dash couldn't see anything but the complete destruction that was happening below her. She saw dog fights happening between the pegasi but not too many were occuring. All she could see was a battle. A battle that took everypony by surprise. She was about to go reunite Twilight and Spike when something bright-ish caught her eye. Rainbow looked down once again and saw a familiar pony fighting. He was a blue-coated stallion with a blonde mane and a grin that could make anypony wince in fear. 'The Master!' she realized. Filling with rage, Rainbow shot like a bullet straight at him... Meanwhile, at the edge of the community, away from the chaos happening, a white pony was flying above everything, looking down at it with a disgusted expression. 'This is what the world has come to?' he thought. 'Lies about hope and victory? It's time to give this place my final piece of help.' The white alicorn's horn started glowing with such intensity that the princesses themselves would have to shield their eyes from the raw power of the spell. With a deep breath, the pony cast his spell. ------------- In the center of the community, Twilight and Spike met up with The Leader and were now defending themselves against bandit after bandit. It wasn't particularly difficult for Twilight Sparkle and The Leader, but the bandits weren't push-overs. While Twilight held down a bandit with magic, another BOOM erupted around them. The boom created a wave of green fire in the sky. 'A Sonic Fireblast!' Twilight thought as her and Spike's mouths opened in awe. Everypony stopped and stared at the sky. 'What could cause such a thing?' some were probably wondering, but two mares and a dragon already knew the answer. As the fireblast departed, a green comet smashed into the center of the community, near enough for Twilight, Spike, and The Leader to have front row seats. When the comet landed, everypony soon saw that it wasn't a comet that was surrounded in green fire, it was a pony; an alicorn to be more precise. The fire disappeared, and the white alicorn stood tall and angry. His mane and tail were flowing like fire, and his eyes were pure white. It was a terrifying sight to most, even for the ponies who knew the alicorn. The alicorn looked around and addressed the community and bandits. "THIS VIOLENCE WILL END NOW!" he shouted in the Royal Voice. "YOU BANDITS WILL LEAVE THIS GUARDED COMMUNITY AT ONCE OR FACE DIRE CONSEQUENCES!" Most bandits already wanted to obey this angered alicorn, so they started to back away. As the bandits were leaving, Twilight slowly walked towards Soren. Soren stared intensely at her, so she froze. They continued to stare at each other as the last of the bandits began to retreat. Once all of the bandits were gone, Soren ended his spell. His eyes and hair returned to normal, then he almost tumbled over from the exhausting use of magic. He steadied himself as Twilight stepped up to him. "Are you alright?" she asked. Soren didn't answer, instead he looked around at the unconscious, injured, or probably dead ponies that lay everywhere around the area. Some were bleeding, some were breathing heavily, and some were too weak to get up. He sighed and began. Any dolt with half a brain Can see that ponykind has gone insane To the point where I don't know if I'll upset the status quo If I throw poison in the watermain Listen close to everypony's heart And hear that breaking sound Hopes and dreams are shattering apart And crashing to the ground I cannot believe my eyes How the world's filled with filth and lies But it's plain to see evil inside of me Is on the rise As Soren sang, he started becoming slightly angry again. Seeing this as the only way to get through to him, Twilight decided to sing as well. Look around We're living with the lost and found Just when you feel you've almost drowned You find yourself on solid ground And you believe there's good in everypony's heart Keep it safe and sound With hope you can do your part To turn a life around I cannot believe my eyes Is the world finally growing wise? Because it seems to me Some kind of harmony Is on the rise Twilight looked at Soren the whole time as she sang. Looking into his eyes, Twilight could tell that Soren didn't agree with what she was singing to him. He then stood next to her, side-by-side, as the two faced opposite directions. At this point, the two sang their thoughts simultaneously. Anyone with half a brain Take it slow Could spend their whole life howling in pain He looks at me and seems to know Because the dark is everywhere and The things that I'm afraid to show Twilight doesn't seem to care that soon the dark in me is all that will remain And suddenly I feel this glow Listen close to everypony's heart And I believe there's good in everypony's heart And hear that breaking sound Keep it safe and sound Hopes and dreams are shattering apart With hope you can do your part And crashing to the ground To turn a life around I cannot believe my eyes, how the world's filled with filth and lies I cannot believe my eyes, how the world's finally growing wise But it's plain to see evil inside of me is on the rise And it's plain to see rapture inside of me is on the rise After their song ended, Soren and Twilight continued to stare at each other. Eventually, Rainbow Dash limps into view. Spike is the first to notice her. "Hey, you two!" he yelled at Twilight and Soren. "Rainbow Dash looks hurt!" Soren merely looked in the direction, but Twilight rushed over to help her. "Oh my gosh, Rainbow Dash, what happened to you?! How many ponies did you fight?" She looked straight at Soren as she responded. "Only one...and it was the Master." Soren eyes widened. Making a growling expression, he became angrier than before. 'Now he's crossed the line,' Soren thought.