Rarity was awoken by a coughing fit. “Grglll...” she grumbled as she slowly got to her hooves. “What's going on?” She caught sight of their patient as she gasped. “You're awake!”
The white unicorn groaned, laying by the river with the water going down his face. “S-sorry... I just needed... GAHHHH!” he yelled as he looked to her, backing away as quickly as he could. He tripped, tumbling into the water and letting out a pained cry. “Oww...”
“You're hurt!” Rarity said as she quickly moved to help him, her aunt slowly awakening as well. “You shouldn't be moving so much,” the mare growled as she brought him to his hooves. “Why are you jumping around like that? Are you trying to worsen your condition?”
“S-sorry. I just, I mean, you looked like someone I met... recently. You're a bit taller, shorter hair and... sorry, it was the coat. Startled me,” he mumbled gently as he lowered his gaze.
“I see. You seem to be doing much better at least,” Rarity mumbled as she brought him back to dry land. “It's been a few days since we found you, we were worried you weren't going to make it.”
“I apologize for... troubling you,” he mumbled as he laid down and closed his eyes. “Thank you for your help... but you should have just left me to die.”
“Well, your welcome and, what? Die? Why?” the princess asked as she stared at him. Celestia cocked an eye, but laid back down and pretended to sleep.
“I... I've... these wounds were my fault. I did a lot of bad things and just decided to finish it up with doing something stupid. Dying would have been the least I- ow!”
“Don't talk like that,” the mare snapped, before smacking him upside the head again. “We worked hard trying to keep you alive, saying such things just insults all our work.”
“S-sorry. Thank you very much,” the stallion mumbled as he lowered his head.
“You were one of the fire benders, weren't you? Blueblood?” Rarity asked. The stallion cringed and she shook her head. “D-don't worry, we aren't with the Water Nation. We're just travelers on our way to Fillydelphia. We have nothing to do with the war.”
“... Yes, then. My name is Blueblood, and I am a firebender,” the stallion said with a defeated sigh. “I am... was a fire bender. No, I still am. It's just...” he sighed and lowered his head lower. “Things have happened. The Water Nation has over run the tribe by now and... I was a fool.”
“The fire tribe is safe,” the mare said as she reached out to pat his head. “The Earth Kingdom came and helped them escape. There was a battle, and many ponies lost their lives, but the fire benders are not yet extinct.”
“They aren't?” the stallion mumbled as a smile formed on his face. “That... that's good.”
“However, if you weren't there, where were you all this time?”
He frowned and lowered his gaze. “That... that is a long story. It doesn't particularly paint me in the greatest light. But, if you wish to know it...”
“I see,” Rarity said softly as she patted his head again. “Well, I won't force you to tell me if you don't wish to. It'll be dark for many more hours, you should get some rest. If... you'd like, you may travel with us. I mean, we're on our way to Fillydelphia still. If you'd like to meet with the rest of your tribe, it is for the best.”
“I doubt they'd want that,” the stallion muttered. “It's... my fault that the Water Nation knew where they were.”
She froze, her hoof hovering in mid air over his mane. “You... you told them?” she squeaked out as she trembled. “But they...”
“They tricked me!” the stallion said as he pulled away. “I was... I was foolish and naive and I thought it was all for the best. I was too busy looking at my... at my own desires to... I was a fool. I would not do it again, I assure you,” he said as he tried to puff out his chest and look as regal as he could from his laying position. He quickly gave it up and laid back down. “What's the point, I am such a fool...”
Rarity looked down, before slowly reaching out to pat his side. “I... I don't know what happened. But I'm sure you didn't intend to cause harm to your tribe. I'm certain they'd forgive you.”
The stallion scoffed as he laid his head down. “I... doubt that. But, I will come with you. To Fillydelphia. It's not as if there is anywhere else I could go.”
------
The sun slowly rose, a comforting sight as its warm glow spread across the land. Spike remained still on his back, Fluttershy's wing laying flat over his body. Angel laid nestled close to the yellow pegasus's chest, dreaming of delicious salads with cherries.
Rainbow and Twilight hovered slightly above the air, a small bed of cloud holding them comfortably as they dreamed of their own little adventures. Applejack slept curled up on a small rock, Pinkie nestled with her head against the other earth pony's side.
Twilight let out a shriek as she fell out of her cloud suddenly, laying on the ground while her hooves kept running. “What? Who? Where is, what? The thing, where did, what? Hey!” she shrieked.
“Riveting... go back to bed...” Rainbow grumbled as she nestled in with her cloud.
“No!” the alicorn cried as she jumped to her hooves and looked around. “I can't believe, I mean, I had a dream about Discord. He was here, and he was trying to get all of us, and I tried to use the elements, but I didn't have the elements! I hadn't done that yet!”
“Yah're still learning two, we'll find yah a water bender somehow. Just git back tah sleep,” Applejack grumbled, her hat over her head. “Confounded alicorn... it's a day ah rest, yah know...”
“No, not those elements! Well, yes, I still need to learn those elements. But the other elements, the elements of harmony! Everypony, wake up!”
“Elements a what now?” the earth pony groaned as she tugged her hat back and glowered at the loud mare.
“Har-mo-ny!” Pinkie said as she hopped off her friend and began to trot around the camp. “Laughter, kindness, loyalty, generosity, honesty and the magic that holds them together!”
“Exactly! I have all six of us together, it's obvious we're the six elements. I just need to find out how to... well, which element belongs to who. Laughter is obviously Pinkie Pie. Generosity must be Fluttershy. Loyalty...” She glanced down to the dragon and smiled. “I couldn't imagine a more loyal friend. Which must mean... Applejack, you must be kindness and Rainbow must be honesty.”
“The what now?” Applejack asked with a cocked eye. “Ah'd hardly call her honest. Ah don't think sayin' dah first thing that pops into your head is so much honesty as it is not thinkin' things through. What's all this elements and thingies gotta do with anything? Yah all aren't makin' a licka sense.”
“Oh. Right, well you see there's this evil spirit of chaos that is currently sealed, thanks to the previous avatar, but may be released by the Water Nation within a year or so, if I don't stop it. The big problem is that I currently lack the capabilities to stop him, so my main plan is to master the elements and take down the Water Nation before then. Now, the elements of harmony may still be needed and to use those I need to find the five others who represent the elements, which I believe are you five. Now, I need to figure out how to use them and well... give them to you. It's... confusing, I know. But hey, we're all together now! In fact, if this works we might even be able to stop the Water Nation now, instead of trying to find a water bender.”
“Ah see... that's... a mite interestin'. So, how does it all work?” Applejack asked as she got to her hooves. “Yah jus' wave your hooves about an' all this element thing comes out, or is it like bendin'?”
“I... I'm not sure. Honestly. I've never done this before...” Twilight mumbled as she tapped her hooves together. “I... I guess everypony just form a circle around me? I'll see if I can... send the elements into you?”
“Mmmm hmmm... I'll get right on that,” Rainbow grumbled as she rolled her back to the mare. “Just as soon as I wake up and have breakfast. Night...”
“... Fine. I'll see if I can sense them or something... I don't know,” the alicorn mumbled as she trotted away from them, hanging her head.
“Ah, buck up,” Applejack said with a chuckle. “We still got plenty a time. No need tah worry if it doesn't work right away.”
“... You're right. I guess... yeah, you're right,” the avatar said with a smile. “I'm going to go try to get it to work though. Or at least... see if I can feel these elements. When it's time for breakfast, let me know, okay?” The mare trotted away.
After a few moment Spike rolled over and grumbled. “Who's turn is it to make breakfast anyway?”
“... That clever girl,” Applejack said with a chuckle. “Well, ah'll make it this time, she can go ahead an' make lunch.”
------
“Are you going to be okay to stand?” Rarity asked Blueblood as they began to pack up camp.
“I'll be fine,” he said with a hmph. “It'll be a sad day when I am unable to walk on my own. If you wish to make a servant of yourself, you may carry my bags.”
“Excuse me?” the young princess snapped.
“You can... oh. Right, I'm sorry,” the stallion mumbled as he lowered his head. “I'll be fine to carry whatever you need me to. Some habits just... die hard.”
“I see,” Rarity mumbled softly as she started packing up, though the smallest bag she left aside for him. “You know, If you worked on that behavior, you'd be a much more attractive pony. Your mane and coat are just fabulous, how many times a night do you comb it?”
“Hmmm? Oh. I used to brush it every night and every morning,” he mumbled as he rubbed a hoof through it. “It's become... a bit more wild since then, but I ensure that I still clean it regularly. Being out in this wilderness and grime well... sometimes I wonder how you common ponies do such things.”
“Do such... what did your life used to consist of?” the princess asked as she held the small sack out to him.
“When I lived with the fire tribes? I... I led them. Food, water, combs, anything I required they supplied for me. The only things I ever did was practice my fire bending and... cause problems.” He lowered his gaze as they began walking. “When I... left them, I blamed them for everything. Every stick that got stuck in my mane, every bruise from when I tripped, every time it rained and I got cold, or when I couldn't feed myself... everything was their fault,” he growled as he stomped a hoof into the ground, before letting out a pained yelp and shaking it.
“You need to be more careful, you're still hurt,” Celestia warned. “Why did you leave your home?”
“I... I really don't want to talk about it,” he mumbled as he hung his head again. “Let's just say... I wasn't ready for what life had in store for me. I didn't know, or want to learn, how to deal with it. So I made mistakes... so many mistakes...”
“Is that how you ended up captured by the Water Nation?” Rarity asked as she looked him over, fortunately none of his bandages had yet turned red.
“Yes, captured. It was... no. I did not deserve that,” he growled as he shook his head. “That mare who led them, Sweetie Belle, she was a monster. She seemed so young, easy to manipulate... but she used me in the end. I shouldn't have underestimated her,” he then glanced to the ponies and smiled. “Take it from me. If you ever end up standing face to face with the leader of the Water Nation, run. Just... run. She'll tell you whatever you want to hear, then stab you in the back.”
“I... I see,” Rarity growled as she ground her teeth together. “I've heard of her. Quite an... intimidating presence. Mother? May I speak with you?” she asked as she began walking faster. “Privately?”
“Yes, Diamondeye?” Celestia said as she stopped and motioned for the stallion to walk off ahead. He gave them a questioning look, but kept trotting.
“I don't know how much more of this I can take,” she hissed as she glared at the stallion. “Can you believe the way he is talking about my sister?”
“No. Not your sister, the changed version of her. Discord's influence, not her. You must remember that.”
“Fine,” the unicorn growled. She then looked up. “I... will have to face her again, won't I?”
“... As much as I wish you wouldn't, most likely you will.”
“Auntie... how can I possibly fight her? Her poison bending is too strong. Is... is it possible for you to teach me how to-”
“We'll talk more about it tonight,” Celestia interrupted as she glanced to Blueblood. “It's best we don't... alert our guest of who we really are.”
“O-of course. Right, sorry. I was just... thank you, auntie,” Rarity mumbled as she quickly trotted after the stallion. “Sorry about that.”
“I understand,” Blueblood said with a nod of his head. “I understand that you have women problems. It's best I don't bother you during them,” he said with a hint of smugness in his voice.
“Women problems...” the mare's face turned bright red.
Celestia cringed as a scream filled the air. “Diamondeye! Be calm, he is still wounded! Beating on him is not the answer!” she shrieked as she galloped towards the two.
------
Twilight's eyes remained closed as she felt the world move around her. She reached out with her power, feeling every curve of the grass and movement of the bugs. Well, not so much the curves of the grass as the big lump of grass together. Her breath was soft and steady as she felt the spirit world begin to gently nudge its way into her control. She pushed it aside, instead of reaching out to the other world, she reached deep within herself.
To her surprise, they were there. Like five gems embedded in a crown, they glimmered and glittered deep within her, telling her of their presence and waiting to be polished and brought out for the world to see. Once they were touched, they tried to force their way out, shoving up from within her as they struggled to be released into the world.
She felt them wash over her. The feeling that she'd never be left without somepony by her side. The sensation of always having one to trust to tell her the truth, be it good or bad. The soothing love that made even the biggest hurts fade away. The generosity of one who was willing to sacrifice themselves. Finally, the joy brought even in one's darkest hour. She felt them flow through her, from hoof to tail, knocking away her pains and fears as her own magic bound them together as one.
Her eyes opened and, to her surprise, her friends were standing in front of her. “Huh? Did you come to check on me?”
“We came tah see what the light show was all about,” Applejack said as she looked the alicorn over. “Where'd the fancy crown come from?”
“Huh?” Twilight asked as she reached up. On her head a golden tiara, bearing a single purple star like her cutie mark. A grin formed on her lips as she nodded. “These are the elements. Well, this is mine. They are... I can feel them. Within me. It's so easy, they're just waiting for those who are meant to bear them. They're waiting for you. It's time.”
“It's all... shiny,” Rainbow mumbled as she poked the crown. “We'll get something like this? A little tiara thing?”
“I think it's beautiful,” Fluttershy said softly.
“I don't know if I want a tiara. A spiked collar though, that could be awesome,” Spike said with a chuckle.
“Hee hee,” Pinkie said as she hopped around. “Let's get ours, let's get ours!”
“Well, might as well,” Applejack said as she sat down. The others moved to circle the alicorn, and waited.
Twilight nodded as she closed her eyes and began focusing on those feelings once again. With her magic she gripped the joy and happiness that laughter brought. She smiled and slowly guided it out, directing it to Pinkie. It shot out, enveloping the earth pony in its power. She opened her eyes as a blinding pink light radiated out from the mare and, after a few seconds, it disappeared. Around the pony's neck, a golden necklace had formed with a light blue balloon shaped gem in the center, just like the hyper pony's cutie mark.
“Hee hee, it tickles!” Pinkie said as she nudged the gem.
“One down, time for number two,” Twilight said as she kept her eyes closed. She gripped the feeling of loyalty, of never being abandoned. With one of the five gone, the others pushed and prodded, trying to come out on their own as she struggled to hold them back. “One at a time,” she whispered. She then pushed loyalty towards Spike. As it went, it tore away from her grip, racing around the dragon a moment before pushing its way into Rainbow. “Huh?” the alicorn squeaked as she turned to her blue friend. A blinding blue light filled the air as her friend hovered in the air for a moment. As the pegasus lowered, a golden necklace with a red lightning bolt, again like the bearer's cutie mark, had formed around her neck.
“W-wow. It's... warm. It looks... heh. You know what? This is pretty neat!” Rainbow said as she nudged the necklace.
“Okay. Eek, calm down, calm down!” Twilight shrieked as the other three within her tried pushing out as well. The warmth of kindness spread out from her and forced its way into her yellow pegasus friend, enveloping her. Yellow light blinded them for a moment, before the pegasus had a golden necklace with a pink butterfly around her neck.
“O-oh my,” Fluttershy squeaked as she rubbed the necklace.
“Calm down, I can't, stop!” the avatar shrieked as honesty forced out from her now, slipping through her magic and into the orange earth pony. Applejack let out a shriek as an orange glow enveloped her and, after a few seconds, she stood before them with her own necklace, complete with an orange apple on the front.
“Well, whaddaya think?” the earth pony asked with a smile as she nudged her own.
“Gotcha!” Twilight squeaked as she wrapped her magic around generosity. It struggled in her control, wishing to slip out and leave with its brethren. “Hold on, hold on! Everypony okay?”
“Of course, Twilight,” Rainbow said with a smirk. “Don't just leave us hanging. One more, right?”
“Yep. Spike, are you ready?”
The dragon nodded, gulping nervously. “Of course. I'm ready for mine. I can handle it just as well as them,” he said with a hint of jealousy.
“Okay,” Twilight said as she released the element and sent it towards Spike. It entered the dragon and she quickly focused her eyes on him. Nothing happened. “Errr, Spike?”
“What?” the dragon asked as he stared at her.
“Is it... can you feel it?”
“I don't feel anything,” Spike mumbled. He looked down in confusion, before letting out a loud howl as he crumbled to his knees. His paws clawed at his scales as he collapsed onto the ground, rolling around as agonizing screams spewed forth. “Get it out! Get it out! It burns!”
“Spike!” Twilight shrieked as she moved to his side. White light enveloped the dragon as the screams stopped. After a few seconds the light stopped and the five ponies stared in horror.
The dragon was laying on his back, unmoving with eyes open and face contorted in pain. Every pigment in his scales had disappeared, leaving him completely white and colorless from head to toe. Twilight got on her knees and gently shook the baby dragon. “S-Spike?” she squeaked. He didn't move. “O-oh by the stars... w-what have I done?”
“Let me look at him,” Fluttershy said as she moved to gently place a hoof to the dragon's head. She then leaned in and closed her eyes, placing her head to his chest. “He... he's alive. I don't know if I can heal him though. We need... we need to find a healer. A better healer than me. We need to find Spitfire.”
“Then let's go,” Rainbow said as she reached for the dragon, but was blocked by Twilight's hoof.
“No. I'll carry him. This... this is my fault. My responsibility. I shouldn't have...” Tears formed in her eyes as she slowly reached down to stroke his ears. “Don't worry, Spiky. We'll... we'll cure you. I promise. We'll find a way to make sure you're okay. You're my number one assistant...” she whispered as she slowly picked up the dragon and laid him on her back. “Let's go. Cloudsdale would be... west. South west. Right?”
“Yes,” Rainbow mumbled and shook her head. “I'll fly off ahead, see if she can meet us.”
“No!” Fluttershy squeaked. “L-last time we separated, w-we got attacked by pirates and... and...”
“Relax,” the rainbow-maned pegasus said with a chuckle. “Seriously, what are the chances of pirates causing us problems again? Besides, Gilda got the job done. Like you told me before. No way she'd come again.” Not waiting for any more arguments, the mare took off into the sky, leaving them behind.
------
The sun dipped behind the mountains as Rarity roasted their dinner over a small fire. She occasionally glanced to Blueblood, who was laying on his side and soaking his hooves in the tiny stream they had found.
“I don't know how you mares manage to walk like this all day, it must be your bulk that allows you so much energy,” the stallion mumbled as he shook his hooves. Most of his wounds had healed and his fur was coming in nicely.
“We didn't walk that much,” the young princess grumbled. “What with us having to take constant breaks so you could catch your breath. Over. And over. And over.”
“Still. You both must be descended from earth ponies, with such thick legs for walking. I'm amazed you- ow!”
Rarity hmphed as she glanced at the fallen rock. “Hmmm. Wonder where that came from. Dinner is almost finished,” she said with an innocent smile.
“G-good...” the stallion grumbled as he rubbed the back of his head. He got up and walked towards them, dropping down by the fire. “You all must be so thankful that...” he froze mid sentence and slowly lowered his gaze. “No... Thank you very much for allowing me to come with you on this trip. For helping me when you had no need to.”
The young princess stared for a moment before smiling. “It was no problem. As a matter of fact, aside from the... many times you're rather condescending and rude, you're practically a delight.”
“What do you mean?” he snapped. “You should be thankful I... I... mean... sorry. It's... it is difficult at times.”
“You're getting there,” Rarity said as she held out a few roasted carrots. “Eat up and then go to bed. We'll see you in the morning.”
“Okay,” he mumbled as he took the carrots and curled up into a small ball, nibbling on them. The two mares ate as well, taking their time and occasionally glancing towards the stallion until, eventually, he dropped off into sleep, his meal finished.
“Well, he's done, are you ready?” the young princess asked.
“Patience, Diamondeye. At least wait until I've finished my dinner,” Celestia said with a smile as she slowly nibbled her carrots, taking her sweet time. “You always did make the best ones. So warm and juicy.”
“They're just carrots,” Rarity grumbled as she got to her hooves and trotted away. She moved upstream, laying down besides it with a sigh as she reached a hoof out and let the water cool it. After a few moments the gentle lull of the trickling liquid made her eyes heavy. She didn't know how long she had laid there when a hoof gently shook her shoulder.
“Niece?”
“W-what? I'm up!” Rarity said as she rolled on her back and looked up at her smiling aunt.
“I see. Now, shall we?” Celestia moved into the water and gathered some in front of her with her bending. “Now, poison bending is... different from normal bending. It is mixing the water with the most vile and dark of magics in order to create something new and evil. In fact, I am amazed that Trixie never knew how to use it.”
Rarity snorted, but nodded.
“Nightmare Moon and those who... share her corruption usually know how to use it. Discord's presence makes it far simpler. However, a normal pony can create it as well,” Celestia said as her eyes began to glow solid green as black and purple magic covered her horn and leaked from her eyes. The water began to shift and change, soon turning a dark purple. She cast the liquid aside, where it splashed against a few strands of grass, which quickly wilted and died. The elder unicorn panted as she lowered her head, groaning. “Such... such magic is dangerous and deadly. Countering it can be near impossible. While the effects on the skin are slight and do burn, the effects from it entering your body are far worse.”
“Of course. So, how do I perform it?”
“Patience,” the elder unicorn mumbled as she closed her eyes. “This spell is dangerous and deadly. You must... I don't wish to...” She shook her head. “You must... focus on anger. Hatred. A moment that causes the worst, darkest images imaginable to your mind. Thoughts that make you want to hurt a pony. Destroy a pony. Make you want... make you want to make them suffer. To scream.”
Rarity slowly looked up at her aunt. “What... what is your focus?”
“I don't want to speak of it,” Celestia snapped, before sighing. “Just... you must... focus on it. Gather the feelings and mix them with your magic. Feed the corruption into your very being. However... you must temper it. Control it. Direct it. You cannot allow it to overwhelm you. That is how you poison bend.”
“I... I see. I will... I will try my hardest,” the princess said as she closed her eyes and began her training. Her aunt watched for a moment, before turning away, tears in her eyes.
------
Blueblood awoke with a groan, blinking blearily as he looked around. Soft sobs reached his ears and he slowly got to his hooves. “Hmmm? Diamondeye? Jademane?” He didn't receive a response, so he began to walk towards the sounds.
The stallion found the two, the younger mare sobbing into the elder's coat.
“I'm a failure, I've never done anything right, I'm never going to do anything right. All I do is screw up everything and make it worse!” Rarity sobbed as she held onto her aunt's leg. “I can't even do a simple spell, I'm useless! I never should have been born... even when I finally have success and victory in my grasp, I constantly just let it slide through my hooves!”
Blueblood slowly walked towards them. “What's wrong? Why is she-”
“GO AWAY!” Rarity screamed as she turned to him, her eyes bloodshot and eyelashes matted with tears. “This... this is none of your business! Just go away!”
Anger flared in the stallion as he puffed his chest out. “How dare you speak to me like that, I'm... I'm...” he trailed off as he glanced into her hurt eyes and he slowly lowered his gaze. “I... I don't know what has you so upset, but... I don't think any of that's true. I mean, you're not a failure. You've been... you've been nothing but kind to me. Even though you... had no reason to. I mean. You've looked out for me, helped me. Tended to me when I was hurt...”
“M-my a-aunt did that,” the princess sobbed as she went back to her sobbing.
“No, you did too!” he said quickly. “You've both been very kind and compassionate. Both of you. I'd of... I'd of died, if not for the two of you. I don't think you're a failure. I think you're a very young, beautiful, compassionate mare and I'm sure whatever it is you have your heart set on you'll succeed, sorry bye!” the stallion said as he galloped away. He soon made it back to their camp site and dropped down, letting out a soft sigh. He then froze. “Wait, did she call her mother, her aunt?” he mumbled to himself as he looked back towards the two. He quickly shook his head. “No... I probably heard wrong. She was crying a lot and... I just heard wrong. That's it.”
Celestia held her niece as the tears continued to fall. Her hooves wrapped protectively against the young unicorn. “He is right, of course. You are a compassionate mare who is no where close to being a failure. You have had some bad luck in the past, but that does not make you a failure. This spell is... beyond you, however.”
“See? I knew it! I can't... I can't even do this one spell... it just... it just blows up i-in my face like everything else!” Rarity sobbed, trying her best to stifle the tears.
“No, it just means you've had to endure much in your life, and have become quite sensitive because of it. However... there is something else I can teach you. Something not even your sister knows. The only way to truly counter a poison bender.”
“W-what?” the young mare croaked as she looked up. “W-what? Are y-you just t-telling me this to... m-make me s-stop crying?”
“No. Niece, I believe you're ready. There is only one way to stop poison bending, to ensure it will not enter you. I will teach you blood bending.”
------
“Please Spike, wake up,” Twilight whispered as she held the unmoving white dragon to her chest as they nestled around the campfire. “Please, just say something, anything...”
“Twilight, you've been watching him all day. You should get some rest,” Fluttershy said as she laid on top of a cloud. “Here, I brought this cloud down, how about you get some sleep on it? It's nice and comfy. I-I can watch Spike.”
“No, I'm not leaving Spike's side,” the alicorn mumbled. “Not until... not until he's all better. He's my responsibility, he always has been. I should have known he wasn't the element of generosity. He was loyal, and kind, and sweet, and so many things,” she whispered as she held the dragon close, her wings moving to embrace him. “If you can hear me, I'm so, so sorry... I never wanted to hurt you. I just... I was so excited. I screwed up... please forgive me.”
Applejack gently placed a hoof on the avatar's back. “He would. If he was here, he'd forgive yah in a heart beat. Twilight, yah need tah get some sleep. You won't be doin' nopony any good if yah can't get any. We all are gonna need yah at a hundred percent if we're gonna kick this thing. And we are gonna kick this thing, over the moon if need be.”
Twilight smiled then looked to her left as a soft nuzzle caught her attention. She looked into the eyes of Pinkie, warm, wet and sad.
“I'm sorry I didn't see this coming,” the earth pony mumbled.
“It's okay. There... really isn't a tail shake for something like this,” the alicorn said as she cradled Spike to her chest as she laid down. “I'll... I'll see all of you in the morning. Sleep... sleep well.”
------
“To truly understand blood bending, you must first understand how to gather water,” Celestia said as she motioned down at a few flowers. “It is in the world all around us. In the air, plants, the dirt and, most importantly, inside living creatures.” The unicorn ran a hoof down her chest as she took deep breaths. “In order to blood bend, you must feel the water that flows through your veins. You must touch it, mold it. Once you are able to feel it, the next step will begin. From there you must be able to control it. Once you can control the blood in your veins, you can stop the poison from spreading through your body and, in some cases, use it to protect others from the same dangers. Even reflect it back on the wielder.”
“I see,” Rarity nodded as she looked down. “With such an art though, couldn't you use it to stop the blood pumping through ones heart? Even... errr...” she went quiet at the glare the elder mare was giving her.
“Perhaps. But, it would take a far greater bender than I to do such a thing. Controlling ones own blood is difficult enough, as is defending the blood of others. Attempting to actually use it offensively and in such a way... I couldn't imagine how a pony could perform such an art.”
“I-I see. So with this, I could be able to counter the power of poison bending?”
“Indeed,” the elder mare smiled as she watched the excitement alight her niece's eyes. “This art does not require evil magic or anything as such. All it requires is focus. Once you feel that you can sense the blood within you, we'll move onto the second step.”
“The second step?” Rarity asked with a cocked eye.
“Yes. Stopping blood,” Celestia glanced down at her niece and smiled. “Do not rush yourself though. This is an art that very few could learn, so it will take many nights of practice. But, I firmly believe that you will be capable of using it.”
“R-really?”
“Yes. Now, let us begin. Close your eyes and try to feel the water as it flows through these flowers...”
------
The sun once again began its ascent into the sky, casting its light across the back of a rapidly moving blue blur. It barely had time to finish coming from behind the large mountains, when the blur began descending towards the earth.
The blur smashed into the ground, bouncing twice before skidding along the ground and crashing into a nearby rock wall, letting out a loud pained groan in the process.
“Wha? Who? Whas goin' on?” Applejack asked as she sat up and looked around, struggling to blink away the tired from her eyes.
“Just.... g-give me a second...” Rainbow groaned from her position, upside down and embedded in a wall. “Need to... n-need to catch my b-breath...” Her coat was covered in so much sweat she gleamed in the sunlight. Her wings twitched randomly, steam rising from the abused limbs.
“Rainbow!” Twilight shrieked as she jumped up, still holding Spike in her arms. “What are you doing back so soon? There's no way you could have gotten there already, it was a... are you okay?”
“W-water,” the pegasus said with a groan as she breathed rapidly, her chest quickly rising up and down. Her friends quickly moved to help her up, drag her from the rocks and gave her a small canteen of water. The blue mare finished it in seconds before leaning back and closing her eyes. “O-okay. I... I flew at full speed. Got there... got there and... d-didn't even sleep. I told S-Spitfire what happened. She says there's likely nothing s-she could do. N-nothing a-any healer could do.”
“N-no,” the avatar squeaked as tears formed in her eyes. “But it's... it's my fault. I did this to him. We can't just... just let him suffer. We have to try to save him!”
“H-hold on... just... just need a moment to c-catch my breath,” Rainbow said as she collapsed backwards, tossing the canteen into the air. After a few more moments of rapid breathing, she raised a hoof. “There is... there is h-hope. There's a... there was... w-well over a h-hundred years ago. A-a really old fire bender. A-an avatar. She... she a-apparently m-made a t-temple or... or something. L-long ago. The magic and all that was... it... hold on,” the pegasus groaned as she struggled not to pass out. “Just... moment... we... we c-can find it. If... if we find it... might have i-information...”
“Why would it have information on these things?” Twilight asked as she watched her exhausted friend.
After a few moments to catch her breath, the pegasus started up again. “It was a s-sanctuary. Dedicated to... to studying the avatar. Everything a-about them. If there is any...” The mare slowly sat up with a groan. “If there is any information o-on it. On these elements, it'll be there.”
Twilight nodded as she looked down at Spike. “I... I see. I understand. We'll head there then. Do you know where it is?”
“Y-yup,” Rainbow groaned as she rolled onto her stomach, letting out a soft cry of pain when she tried moving her wings. “Why I... I flew back so f-fast. It's in the Earth Kingdom. It'll take a few days to g-get there, but we can do it. We just have to walk there. A lot of walking.”
“Fine, then we leave immediately!” the alicorn said as she turned to walk off. She stopped and glanced back to her exhausted friend, before shaking her head. “We leave as soon as I've finished making breakfast and you've had some rest. Fluttershy, can you hold Spike?”