//------------------------------// // Chapter 8: Overwhelming Plans // Story: Avatar: The Last Alicorn. Book 2: Earth Pony // by Jeweled Pen //------------------------------// Starswirl stared into Twilight's eyes as he spoke, his voice soft, yet so firm the mare couldn't help but hear each word. “The elements of harmony are what give us avatars our great power, and enable us to enter the avatar state. Without them, we would just be powerful benders, but nowhere near capable of battling the horrors that face our world. Horrors such as Discord.” “What are these elements though?” the alicorn asked as she stared at the stallion. “I've never seen them and I've entered the avatar state plenty of times.” “There are six in all. Kindness, loyalty, laughter, honesty and generosity are the five elements you must find in others. The avatar is the sixth, the magic that binds them together. When you enter the avatar state and call on the power of the five others, the elements can appear. Unfortunately, until you find all five the power is only a fraction of what it could be. Calling on it will also be far more difficult.” Twilight let out a little squeak of delight as her hooves moved up to her face. “Ohmigosh! Are you going to tell me how to enter the avatar state? How? Howwww?” The stallion sighed before smiling. “It can only be entered when those you care about are truly in danger. There have been times of great distress when an avatar has managed to tap into the power to save their lives, but it usually only for the protection of others.” Twilight nodded before frowning. “Okay... so... how do I get these elements together? Who are they?” “That changes from avatar to avatar,” he whispered as a little tear formed in his left eye. “I... it took me years to find the ones who... who were to be mine. When you manage to find them though... you'll know.” He placed a hoof over his heart. “You'll feel it through your core. The connections you'll eventually form with them will be like nothing you've ever felt before. The feeling if those connections are broken...” he choked as tears fell down his face. He quickly brought a hoof up to wipe them away. “Like what happened between you and-” “Y-yes,” he said softly. “She was the element of generosity. A wonderful ruler of her people... and that monster twisted her. Turned her into a greedy, selfish pony that hungered only for what others had. That's what he does to ponies. He twists their values around, subtly at first, until they eventually become something even their closest friends could never recognize.” Starswirl wiped another tear from his eye. “That is why the avatar is the only pony who can stand against him. Once you find those who can bear the other elements, no force of chaos will be able to oppose you.” He paused for a moment before shaking his head. “When the time comes, if you should ever face him... do not believe things are always as they appear. He is a monster of trickery and deceit. He will use anything at his disposal to defeat you. DO NOT ALLOW HIM TO!” the stallion yelled as his hooves quivered with rage. He quickly took a step back and sighed. “I... I am sorry. It is... hard to not get emotional after what that... that monster has done.” Twilight nodded as she moved in to pat his back. She then sighed. “Actually though, I think I tapped into these elements once. I tried using them in the spirit realm, to defeat Trixie. Unfortunately it didn't... quite work as well as I hoped it would. It barely fazed her.” Starswirl nodded. “Of course. Until you create those connections, the bonds are weak. With every element you discover, your power will grow. You may even know a number of them now.” Twilight blinked as she thought for a moment. “I... I think you're right. I may know a few. Five of them to be exact.” “Then you are well on your way. You must learn to manifest these elements and give them to those who are to wear them. It will be difficult and, before you grant one, you must be sure the pony you choose is correct. Giving an element to the wrong bearer can cause great damage.” Twilight nodded with a smile. “Of course. Thank you,” she said as she looked up at the imposing pony. A grin formed on her lips as she leaned up and gave him a tight hug. “Thank you very much... I'm happy I'm not alone with this.” “Avatar,” the stallion whispered. “So long as you have your friends, you will never truly be alone.” ------ Blueblood hmphed as he walked besides the large Water Nation tank. Water benders surrounded him on all sides, but he didn't care. He was certain if the need arose he could crush them in one hoof. The foals had kept him from their leader for a while now, insisting that he stand and wait while they gathered their supplies, and then having the audacity to make him march with them as they traveled, as if he was some common mule! The only thing that stopped him from turning and blasting the lot of them back to their country was the thought of vengeance. A small white unicorn slowly made her way to him as the guards quickly moved aside. He glanced down at her with contempt. “Are you another one of their 'captains'?” he asked, his voice dripping with scorn. “Listen, child, I will speak with none, but your leader. I will not lower myself to speaking with some wet behind the ears soldier who thinks she can speak for her nation about things beyond her understanding.” Sweetie merely chuckled as she held up a hoof. The entire herd stopped instantly, even the tank. “Indeed. Now, Prince Blueblood, allow me to introduce myself. Princess Sweetie Belle of the Water Nation, and the future Nightmare Moon.” She bowed her head politely. Blueblood went slightly wide eyed, but slowly lowered his head to return the gesture. “Ah. My apologies. I hope you can understand why I am so... testy,” the stallion grumbled as he raised his head and looked around. “Having these useless soldiers surrounding me as if I am some sort of prisoner. If I wished to run, I would have never sought you out in the first place.” “Of course, of course. I do apologize, but we cannot be too careful. Please join me in my vehicle.” She turned and trotted towards the tank as stairs popped out from the side. She quickly hopped inside. The guards around the prince quickly moved aside as he followed. Soon he was inside the tank and it was once again moving. Inside was quite warm, with three clear containers filled with boiling water, being monitored by a single water bender. One wall was lined with soft, padded dark blue chairs. Sweetie and her two friends were sitting and waiting for him, as he was motioned to sit between her and Scootaloo. He quickly took a seat and hmphed. “An interesting vehicle. Now, onto business. I believe the two of us have a common enemy.” He glanced around, it was huge, able to hold all of the troops, though most were now outside on a forced march. “Oh? Do we now?” Sweetie asked as her horn glowed. A small bowl of grapes hovered over as she popped one in her mouth. “Would you like one?” “No!” he snapped as he glowered at her. “Please, remain serious. What I mean, is the avatar. A nasty, despicable mare. I know how you can lure her to you and remove her blight, once and for all.” “Oh? How is that?” the unicorn asked with a smirk. “Before that, my terms. I wish to join your nation, as ruler of the fire benders.” “Ruler of the fire benders? But we have no such benders,” Sweetie said with the most innocent face, her eyes wide and confused. “Oh, you will,” he snickered as he held up his hooves. “Those foals betrayed me, but I will have the last laugh. I want the lot of them captured and to be joined with your nation, with me at their head as your partner. I'm sure you can imagine just how unstoppable we would become. Our fire bending combined with your water bending. Both the moon and sun would be within our control.” The unicorn let out a gasp. “But how? I mean, there aren't any more fire benders, aside maybe from you. The avatar was the one who raised the sun, wasn't she?” Blueblood just laughed. “She was, the first time. But the raising and lowering it? That is all us. Or rather, that is the work of those traitors. Those foals.” He glanced to Sweetie and smiled. “Though, they are weak compared to me. I will have no trouble controlling them and bending them to following the Water Nation.” The water bender smiled. “Wow... well... I guess if you're willing to help us so much, I see no reason why we can't come to an agreement.” A wicked grin formed on her face. “I can guarantee you a noble position among the elite of my nation. As well as make you the most powerful fire bender in our nation. Does that satisfy your desires?” The stallion chuckled as he rubbed his hooves together. “Yes. I can get you to them, easily. It will be dangerous, however. There is a reason we've remained hidden for so long.” “Of course,” Sweetie said with a nod. “You're really quite brave and wise to come to us. I will reward it accordingly. Do not worry, I am a pony of my word. We have business to attend to first, but once we arrive at this... sleepy empty, or whatever it was called, if the avatar is not there we will gather our forces and launch an assault on these ponies. I trust they are in the fire tribe's lands?” “Barely. Near the border of the Earth Kingdom,” the prince chuckled as he smiled to the princess. “Wonderful. We shall have a minor feast in celebration, and you may tell us your plans on conquering these traitors, and your soon-to-be subjects. Tell me, prince Blueblood, what is your favorite food?” “Huh? Oh, blueberries.” “Wonderful. Flowerbloom, head outside and tell the cooks to prepare their greatest blueberry dishes when we stop in a few hours. We have a wonderful victory to celebrate...” ------ Twilight groaned as her eyes slowly opened, the world a blur to her. She held her head with her hoof as she looked around. It took her a few seconds to realize she could see things in the room, despite the fact she wasn't lighting the room with her horn. “She's waking up!” a nearby purple blur said. “Twilight! Oh dear, oh dear, a-are you okay?” the yellow blur asked. She shook her head and the blurs slowly came into view. Her friends all stood over her, a torch held in Spike's paws. “W-what... happened?” the alicorn asked as she tried to sit up. Pain shot through her hoof as she let out a shriek of agony. “AGHHH!” “Careful!” Fluttershy squeaked as she helped the mare lay back down. “Your hoof is hurt,” the pegasus slowly lifted it up, gently blowing on it as the pain dulled to a weak ache. “I think it's broken. I can tend it but-” “No time,” Twilight groaned as she tried pushing the mare away. “W-we need to keep going. I k-know what I need now. We're m-missing one of the elements and-” “You're not going anywhere until I say you are, understand?!” Fluttershy snapped as she glared defiantly into the avatar's eyes. The alicorn let out a soft whimper and nodded, before holding out her hoof. “That's better. Poor dear... Now, I'll need to make a wrap to keep the hoof from getting any more hurt. Rainbow, could you please go find a few straight sticks, not too long?” “On it!” the rainbow-maned pegasus said with a salute, before running out of the room through a tunnel she swore hadn't been there before. Twilight groaned. “I-I don't think all this is necessary. We still have a long way to go...” “We'll go a lot faster if you're properly tended to,” Fluttershy mumbled as she looked to Pinkie. “Can you get me some streamers?” “Oh, sure! I always keep some for a streamer emergency,” the happy earth pony said as she held out a colorful assortment of the papery party decoration. “How did you know she'd have those?” Spike asked as he stared at the excitable mare. “I didn't,” Fluttershy admitted. “But I figured it was worth a shot. When in need, use what you have...” She slowly gripped the hoof before gulping. “O-Okay, T-twilight. T-this is going to hurt. I-I'm sorry... I-I really am.” The alicorn gulped and nodded. “I-it's okay. I- AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!” she screamed at the top of her lungs as her leg was forced back into alignment. As the pain finally died down her head rolled back, tears in her eyes. “Grgglmss...” “I-I'm r-really sorry,” Fluttershy squeaked as she tried to hide herself behind her wings. “I-I didn't want to. I-I understand i-if you're mad at me...” “N-no... i-it's fine,” the avatar said softly as she tried taking deep breaths. “T-the pain was just... t-temporary. Y-you can fix it, right?” “Well, yes,” the pegasus mumbled. “But... it... it could take a few days. Maybe a week. But you won't be able to travel.” “WHAT?!” Twilight shrieked and shook her head. “No. Nuh uh. No way. No chance. We don't have a week. Do you know how many ponies could end up dying if I delayed a week?” Fluttershy sighed before nodding. “I... can probably make a crutch when we get back to town. But, uhhh... we'll be traveling slowly. It could take even longer to heal then...” “I'll just have to make do,” the avatar said firmly. “Just... make whatever you have to. But please, be quick.” The pegasus nodded slowly. Twilight sighed again before looking around. “Where did that tunnel come from?” “After the collapse we had to run outside,” Spike said with a sigh. “The entire thing fell apart behind us, so we tried looking for another way in. Rainbow even tried digging you out, but she couldn't move the stones. Then she started yelling about seeing two ponies and she chased after them. We didn't see any pony, but she found the staircase. We just popped it open from there.” The alicorn nodded, “Heh. Two ponies... I saw them too. They led me here... I wonder where they went.” “So, where's the alicorn amulet?” Pinkie asked as she hopped around. “It wasn't here.” The earth pony froze. “W-what? Of course it's here, silly. That's where it was hidden. We need it for the finale of the book.” “The what?” Twilight stared at the pony and shook her head. “I looked. It was gone. Well, it wasn't in its box. I don't know-” “It has to be there!” Pinkie turned and ran up the stairs. “What's with her?” Twilight asked. “I don't know,” Spike said with a shrug. “That was a little weird even for her. I guess she really wanted you to find the amulet, maybe?” ------ Sweetie smiled as she gingerly nibbled at her blueberry tart. They had finally stopped and, as she watched, Blueblood ate his blueberry pie with the greatest of poise. He refused to speak of the information on his home until after their meal, but she was patient. She merely nibbled at her own food as she watched him take his sweet time nipping and chewing at a third of the pace of a normal pony. Flowerbloom and Scootaloo were sitting a few feet from them, their food already long devoured. They watched with fascination as the two royal ponies seemed to fight over who could eat with more refinery and poise. It wasn't long before the rest of the guards had gathered to watch the display as well, their meals finished. The two unicorns would slowly cut off a small chunk of their food before, gingerly nipping at it a few times. They'd then slowly pop it in their mouths and begin the long, slow, mind numbing process of chewing and then swallowing. Finally, Scootaloo snapped. “WILL YOU TWO KNOCK IT OFF AND JUST FINISH YOUR DINNER ALREADY?! I've seen three legged turtles find and eat a weeks supply of food faster than this!” Sweetie snickered as she looked to the prince. “Ah, it seems they are getting impatient. Shall we move onto business?” The stallion hmphed as he placed the remains of his pie down. “Very well, if we must. Now, gathering the fire benders is a simple process, it's getting to them that is difficult. You see, they reside within the Everfree Forest.” “Oh?” the young princess asked as she lowered her tart to a nearby plate. “I believe I've heard of such a place. We lost a great general there, I imagine your little tribe eliminated them?” “Hmph, hardly,” Blueblood said with a snort. “None of those ponies are fighters. Cowards, the lot of them. The woods are what protect them. Sadly, getting through the woods would be impossible. While I imagine you are not short on pony power, as the only guide I would never be able to get such a large force through the dangers.” “What dangers could a single forest hold?” “The Everfree Forest is... a strange place. The magic there changes things. Helpless animals become pony eating monsters. The trees themselves try to destroy you.” “Interesting,” Sweetie mumbled as she rubbed her chin. “So, what do you suggest?” “Easy,” the prince said with a chuckle. “Our home is located close to Thunder Valley. In fact, it is partially through our efforts that the place has become so dangerous. A sufficiently large force could land in the valley and tear the forest apart. The fire benders would be helpless. Most of them would never leave their home, for fear of what resides in the woods. Many of those who would pose any credible threat would be to busy trying to help the others escape to be able to do anything. With their homes occupied and the forest surrounded, they would either die or be forced to surrender. Simple.” The mare nodded slowly as she continued to rub her chin. “Your plan is an interesting one.” She hopped to her hooves and motioned to Scootaloo. “But I do believe you're telling the truth. Yes, once we make it to our next destination we will head towards this location. I will send a message home for my forces to gather in the Thunder Valley. Disable him.” The pegasus suddenly darted in close. Her hooves darted out, one clipping the tip of his horn as another hit him right above the temple. A second later a third clipped his back. The pony wobbled for a moment before regathering his footing. “W-what? What was that? Traitor!” he yelled as he thrust his horn forward. Nothing happened. His eyes went wide as he looked up at his horn. “What... my horn... how did you... but... how... what?” “I took away your bending,” Scootaloo said with a smirk. “Fire benders use their bending through the tip of their horn and the upper part of the back. Easy to remove, once you know the points.” The unicorn backed away as his eyes went wide. “W-what? Why? You made an oath!” he yelled as he pointed an accusing hoof at the princess. “Oh, and I intend to keep it,” Sweetie said as she got to her hooves. “You will be the most powerful fire bender in the Water Nation. No, in the world.” She stepped towards him as her soldiers moved in to grab him. “For perhaps an hour. I will allow you the privilege of having your horn removed last. Then, for your loyalty to the Water Nation, I will allow you to live out your days as an earth pony subject.” “You can't do this!” the prince welled as he struggled against the ponies holding him. “W-we had a deal! I am giving them to you!” Sweetie growled as her horn glowed. Water shot out from a nearby glass and formed long, narrow shards of ice under his throat. “Do not deem yourself worthy of telling me what I can or cannot do. If you wish to push my generosity to the limits, perhaps I can slay you now,” her eyes glowed a dark purple as she glowered at the pony. “Well?” Blueblood trembled as he slowly lowered his eyes. “Y-yes...” “Yes, what?” “B-becoming an... earth pony,” he struggled to say the word as it left a foul taste on his mouth. “Is... is acceptable.” “Good,” Sweetie said as she turned. “Now, have him thrown in the storage on the back of the tank. I'd like to see him try to fire bend his way out of that,” she snickered. The soldiers instantly obeyed as they dragged the broken prince off. Flowerbloom watched the princess nervously. “Was that necessary? I mean, why take his bending away?” “He is a bender,” the unicorn said quickly. “We cannot allow his kind to remain. I would do the same to any like him.” “I-I see,” the earth pony said as she squeaked and looked down at the ground. She quickly made her way back to the tank, to prepare for their departure.