//------------------------------// // Conditions // Story: League of Bronies // by darkironpony //------------------------------// [In the Darkness. Velocity's P.O.V] "I'm not going," Blaze said childishly folding his arms. "It is stupid." "I hate to say so, but I agree with this jerk," Gilda puffed. "I never expected you to say something so stupid." "I'll go on my own then," I said frustrated. Blaze sighed. "We shouldn't be surprised." "He was the one who wanted us to go back and save that bug," Gilda added harshly. "I don't care what you guys say. I'm doing it and that is final," I said, staring them down. "I just felt you two deserved to know." They both looked away. Blaze swatted his claw at me. Gilda stood beside him absolutely still. I walked past them. I shouldn't be surprised I guess. It is dangerous. "You know you could die for this, right?" Gilda asked coldly. I took a big gulp. "I do. I also realize I may never get this kind of chance again. I need to see him. Now that he is so close. I have to let him know. One more time before..." I said, tensing up. "That is why I have to ask." I continued walking. "I wanted you two to come. To support me. But if this is how you two feel then I don't want to see either of you ANYWHERE near him," I threatened. "Or..." "’Or’ what?!" Blaze asked irritatedly. "OR," I turned around staring into his reptilian irises. "I'll kill you." "You couldn't, even if you tried!!" Blaze roared at me. "I could. IF I was willing to put my life on the line I could do it," I said not backing down. Blaze flexed his claws as I formed my arm into a blade. A griffin stepped in-between us. She turned towards me angrily. "Just go already you dweeb!!" she screamed her eyes moist. Gilda... I nodded and turned back. At least now I know. I know I'm alone on this. If they don't understand, then no one else here possibly could. I listened to my hooves as I walked. It sounded much smaller than it ever had before. [Adven's P.O.V.] "You sure Bass will be okay?" Rhino asked as we walked home. "Of course. Shadow is with him," I answered. "Actually I'm more concerned about after," Rhino admitted. "What do you mean?" "I've heard his master is Martial Art. He is renowned as a strict and strong teacher. Which means tomorrow morning he is going to get an earful for tonight," he joked. "A nonstrict master is shameful," I chuckled. "What makes you say that?" "You went to a school for gifted unicorns right?" I asked. "Yeah. To the second most distinguished one," he replied proudly. "How were the classes?" "They were hard. Still, I managed to pass every class with high marks. Except for one," he admitted. "Oh, what was it?" "History," he answered. The most boring subject. I feel for you, Rhino. That class is tough anywhere. "Originally, I failed it." "Then what?" "I got so frustrated I went up to the teacher and demanded to know why. What he said was harsh and cruel." "Go on," I muttered. "But it was also true. He told me I had to study more. That I had the potential to surpass even students from Celestia's school, but if I didn't apply myself I'd be dumber than a rock." "He used such colorful language," I chuckled. "Well he was a history teacher," Rhino joked back. We stood there laughing for a while; If any pony passed us by, they'd think we were a couple of insane ponies. "So, you get it?" "Yeah. I get it." "So how is life at the library?" I asked changing the subject. "Fine..." Rhino lied his face turning red. "I see. So you haven't made your move yet," I observed. "I'm waiting for the right time," he said defensively. "Here is a little secret, Rhino, there is never a right time. If you wait too long you'll lose your chance to strike while the iron is hot," I explained. "If that happens, then you'll get burned." "It’s not time yet, I know it!" Rhino replied stubbornly. I opened my mouth to say something when I saw Spectre emerge from Rhino's mane. He held out a little paw signaling me to not go on; That my advice would fall on deaf ears. I decided to do as he suggested. "Well, you should be happy," Rhino said. "Why?" "Because you're almost home," he said pointing at Sugar Cube Corner. Rhino turned suddenly and began walking away. That was weird. Why would he leave just like that? As I approached my dwelling, I noticed something. A mare was there to greet me. She wore a big grin and was waving wildly at me. She was also yelling something. I was still too far away to hear exactly what. She is too kind. She raised a hoof revealing a cupcake. I better not keep her waiting. I took a powerful step sending myself flying forward. I was aiming for the mare before me. I couldn't wait to hold that kind mare in my legs again. {Velocity's P.O.V.] "You want time off?!" Infinite asked shocked. I nodded. "A couple of weeks." "Why?" "There is somepony important that I need to see. He is in Canterlot," I explained. "So you assume the short distance will convince the master to let you go for a short time?" he deduced. "Yes." "Well that is tough," Infinite said. "There is no way we could spare your presence. You aren't going anywhere." "But," I urged desperately," I have to do this!" "I will allow it," the master said from his seat. "Master, why?" Infinite asked puzzled. "I have my reasons. Besides I haven't given him a duty in ages. Clearly he has grown restless. This trip will relieve him of his boredom," the master explained. "Very well sir." "Thank you sir," I said opening a portal. I began walking to it. Before I could, however, it closed on me. I turned around quickly.Why would he do this? Is he mocking me? "I have two conditions for your little trip, of course," the master said calmly. "If you fail to meet either, you'll be eradicated; Not one piece of you will remain." I took a large gulp. "What are the conditions?" "Scrapper has not been doing much of anything," the master explained. "That is, other than complain," Infinite clarified. "We both need a break from her whining." "So, you want me to take her with me?" "That is correct," the master confirmed. "What is the other condition?" "You are to infiltrate Canterlot Castle and listen in on news from the princess," he said calmly. "Hasn't Chrysalis been giving you regular reports?" "She hasn't reported anything as of yet," Infinite answered. "Not even a report of nothing." "Which means she is plotting against me," the master said surely. "However, she can not make her move just yet." "We need information on what she can be planning. If we do we'll be better prepared to crush it." So in order to go to Canterlot I have to spy on an ally?! Could she really be willing to do that?... Of course she would be. She is the queen of the Changelings. Her basic instinct is to deceive ponies. Still how can I spy on somepony like that?! Suddenly, a portal reopened in front of me, in which case I stared at it numbly. "Okay. We'll do it!" I heard Scrapper say as I felt my view change. She picked me up?! "Go then," Infinite said, irked. Scrapper nodded. She ran through the portal while she carried me. Well, now I have no choice. If I can't deceive the master of deception...I'm dead; This mare has killed me! [Adven's P.O.V.] "So how was the ‘stallion’s night out’?" she asked as we walked inside. "It was more fun than I anticipated," I answered. "That is super!" she yelled excitedly. "Yeah it is. I don't know if you've noticed, Pinkie," I started. "That you've been sad; I've noticed," she interrupted me. She turned quickly around showcasing the cupcake,"That is why I baked you one of my super special awesome Pinkie Pie cupcakes!" She dropped the cupcake into my hoof as she then looked up at me expectantly. "I just had some cider," I said trying to make an excuse. "This one doesn't have any hot sauce," she said draping a leg over my neck. "I know how much of a light weight you are." I eyed Pinkie skeptically. She simply responded with a large grin, in which I shrugged and tossed the cupcake into my mouth. "So? How is it? Amazing?! Fantastic?! Amazingly fantastic?!? Fantastically amazing?!?!" she said growing more excited. "All of the above." She puffed out her chest proudly. I don't know why you have to ask me that every time I eat one of your cupcakes. It’s like asking if the sky is blue. The answer is always ‘Yes’. "Listen Pinkie, I'm tired. I got to get some sleep," I yawned. "Okay." I walked to the stairs. As I made it, I heard Pinkie mutter something. "What was that?!" I asked, not wanting to go back. "I said you got mail! I put it on your bed!" she said using a megaphone. "Okay!" I yelled, partially for the distance and partially because I was afraid she made me lose my hearing. I made it to the room. Just like Pinkie said, there was a box on the bed. It was rectangular. What the hell is this? Well, I won't know until I open it. I clicked my watch; It transformed into a dagger. With my new weapon, I went to cutting the thing open. It had several layers of tape. I made it through. I opened the flaps of the box excitedly. What I found was weird. It looked like a stand or a table of some kind. While I was pulling it out, one thing continually crossed my mind. Who the hell would send me a table? After a few minutes of fidgeting, I managed to free the object from its imprisonment. I decided to inspect the item; That way, I could get an idea of where to place it. If it was a really elegant table I could set it up downstairs. As a sort of VIP table or something. Maybe for birthdays. I had heard there were two foals whose birthdays were nearing. I smiled at the thought. My smile drained from my face when I looked at the object. I grew pale as I continued to stare at it. "Adveny?" In what felt like slow motion, I pressed my watch. My two handed blade felt lighter than ever before. "Adveny?" Both sides of my blade cut against the object. However, that didn't satisfy me. My blade cut again and again at the object until nothing remained. "Adveny?!" Pinkie yelled grabbing me from behind. "What is wrong?" "That thing is wrong," I said; my eyes growing moist. "Why is it wrong?" "Because it reminds me of what I did. ," I said falling down. Pinkie held me tight. Good thing too. If she hadn't, I'd break into dozen of pieces like that thing. As she held me I looked at the mess, chuckling bitterly. To the winner of the Iron Hoof Tournament, Adven Turer. The pony that let his friend be banished.