//------------------------------// // Chapter 21: Forgotten knowledge // Story: Avatar: The Last Alicorn. Book 2: Earth Pony // by Jeweled Pen //------------------------------// “Are you well?” Blueblood asked as he glanced back towards Rarity. The mare was snapped from her focus, glancing up at him. “What?” “Are you well? You keep staring off at trees and plants when we pass them. Are you sick? Do you want us to rest?” the stallion asked, concern in his voice. “What? I... n-no. I'm fine. I've just got a lot on my mind,” she mumbled as she glanced down at another flower. Her horn glowed as she felt the water spreading through the stem and petals. She then turned to her aunt and the stallion, trying to sense the same water that flowed through them. The liquid refused to acknowledge her, eliciting an annoyed sigh from the mare. “Am I bothering you?” Blueblood asked as he slowed down to walk besides her. “I'm sorry about what I said this morning. The breakfast you made was quite adequate. I mean, filling and d-delicious,” he choked on the words, before giving her a forced, twitching smile. “See? I loved it.” Rarity chuckled and shook her head. “No, I'm not mad about that. You don't have to like whatever I cook. And, since you didn't throw a tantrum this time, it didn't bother me. I just have a lot on my mind.” “Would you like to talk about it?” the stallion asked, before slowly nodding. “Oh, I think I understand.” The princess glared. “I swear, if you say you think it's my time of the month again, I will throw you through a tree.” The stallion gulped. “N-no. I m-merely meant we've been traveling for many d-days now and will soon be to Fillydelphia. I-I imagine you're getting quite... stressed about the whole thing. You never told me what you planned to do when we got there.” “... We're starting a new home,” Celestia said quickly, before Rarity could speak. “We've been traveling long and far for a place we could feel safe. The great walls of Fillydelphia are truly a place of protection and peace.” “I see,” Blueblood said with a nod. “I... won't be returning to my brethren when I arrive there. There's just... too much bad blood between us now. Would you two have any objections to me... ummm... allowing my presence to...” “You can stay with us, for a bit,” Rarity said with a roll of her eyes. “So long as you maintain tolerability. If you start talking about 'mare's work' or bragging about how you're much too smart or strong to work for your food, you're out on your flank. Do you understand?” “Y-yes. Sorry, I'll try my hardest,” the stallion mumbled as he lowered his head. “So, you never told us about what happened once you escaped from the Water Nation?” the young princess asked as she glanced at the stallion. He twitched. “Lots of things. I... I was hurt when I escaped. Badly. The Water Nation was trying to chase me, I had burns all over my body and, worst of all, I was exhausted. If it wasn't for... certain ponies I would have died. They were... they were kind and sweet. Merciful. Now I realize just how rude and insensitive I was to them, but they helped me none the less. Though, I still got slapped more times than I can count,” the stallion mumbled as he rubbed his cheek. “I'm certain you deserved it,” Rarity said quickly, before cringing. “O-oh, sorry. I just meant that... errr...” “No, no, you're right. I did. I've been working hard to improve myself since. I realize now just... just how badly I had treated everypony. Especially my tribe and the avatar.” “The avatar? What did you do to the avatar?” Rarity squeaked as she stared at the stallion, her eyes wide. “You met the avatar? When? What happened?” Blueblood sighed, “I... attacked her. I had it in my mind that only I could properly protect and maintain the fire tribes and everypony else could just fall to the wayside. However, I was wrong. I just couldn't see it until now.” “W-well, I'm sure you had a good reason for attacking her. I mean-” “Who could possibly have a good reason to attack the avatar?” the stallion asked with a sigh. “She is literally traveling across the world and facing every threat imaginable, just for a chance, a chance, that she might save us all. Any pony that attacked her would have to be a heartless monster who sides with the Water Nation.” Rarity stumbled a few steps before glancing off to the side. “I-I see. Yeah, I... I suppose that makes sense. Silly... of me to question it.” Celestia slowed down to walk besides her niece, nuzzling the young mare. “I'm sure there are some who hunt her for good reasons.” “Pfft. I couldn't imagine any reason worth damning the rest of the world for,” the stallion grumbled. ------ “That's it,” Rainbow mumbled as she pointed off in the distance. The group of seven, including a baby bunny and comatose dragon, stood in a wide, barren wasteland. The few trees that stood were scattered and long dead, their bark peeled and rotting. The ground was hard and, in places, black. Rusted metal coated the land, long abandoned vehicles of war laid partially buried while the bleached bones of long dead ponies surrounded them. Across the dismal field, a single large tower stood, at least ten stories high and crafted almost entirely of metal, causing the sun to reflect off its shiny surface. At its peak, a large airship hovered, bearing the crossbones across its sail. “That don't look good,” Applejack mumbled as they slowly walked towards the tower. “Maybe it's... err... maybe they sold things?” Fluttershy offered. “Maybe. Yah never... huh?” the orange earth pony glanced down at the ground, a confused look on her face. She tapped the ground twice, before shrugging. “Musta been mah imagination.” “What?” Twilight asked as she continued walking, occasionally glancing back to ensure Spike was still on her back. “Nothin', ah just thought ah... ah thought...” the pony paled. “No pony move,” she squeaked. “What's wrong?” Pinkie asked. “No pony move!” Applejack hissed as she looked down at the ground. “That's... that's a mighty big... okay. When ah give the word, everypony run,” she squeaked as she slowly lifted a hoof and pulled it back. A rock soared into the air and flew the opposite direction of them. The moment it hit the ground she placed the hoof down and ran. “Go go go!” “What is it?” Rainbow asked as they all started running. The ground beneath their hooves began to shake rapidly as they kept running. “Don't look back, just run!” the earth bender screamed as a tank suddenly landed in front of them, thrown from behind. Twilight took a second to glance back as her eyes nearly bulged from her head. A massive purple scaled neck, almost as wide and long as the tower they were running to, had burst from the ground and was craning around. It turned to face them, revealing a pink head with a red mane. It watched them before its face split into three separate pieces, showing a few teeth and long, black tentacles that wiggled erratically. An ear piercing shriek filled the air as the creature dove head first into the ground in pursuit of them. “It's big an' it ain't friendly! That's all we need tah know!” Applejack shrieked as they galloped towards the tower. The ground continued to shake under them as the monster rapidly approached. Twilight gulped and stopped. “Fluttershy, take Spike. I'll hold it off,” she said as she held the baby dragon out with her magic. “W-what? But it'll-” “I have wings and I have fire! I'll be fine, just get there! Don't waste time!” the alicorn yelled. The yellow pegasus gulped, but took the baby dragon and galloped off as well, occasionally glancing back. The avatar stood with both her hooves in the ground, waiting for the beast. It didn't disappoint. Its massive purple body reared up from the ground, bending its neck to glare down at the alicorn. “Come on, you overgrown slug. Don't think I won't burn you to a crisp if you try anything!” Twilight snapped as she stared up defiantly at the creature. It opened its mouth and lunged down, trying to grip her with its massive tentacles. She let out a shriek and took to the air, narrowly avoiding the monster as it slammed face first into the ground, its open mouth unable to penetrate the dirt. It let out another angry shriek and turned its head to face the flying mare, letting loose another cry. “Bring it on!” Twilight yelled as flames formed on her horn and she sent them searing across the monster's hide. The scales darkened slightly, but remained solid and strong. It coiled into a long spiral, watching the flying mare as she continued to pepper it with balls of flame. “That's right, focus on me,” she said as she watched the monster. “It's just you and me! Come on you guys, hurry up,” she grumbled as she looked to her friends. They were almost to the tower. “Good, now-” Darkness enveloped her as the beast's jaws snapped closed around her. Flames burst from her horn as the monster spit her out, its mouth charred as it coughed and hacked. She slammed into the ground, her eyes wobbling from side to side as she tried to focus. “Ew ew ewwww,” she groaned as she got to her hooves. Her body was covered in the burnt residue of the monsters mouth. She glanced up and let out a shriek as the giant worm coiled up and leaped, attempting to crush her. The alicorn thrust her hooves up as a wall of stone formed in front of her, holding the creature just long enough for her to race to the side. The wind and dirt caused from the creature's landing sent her toppling forward with a shriek, crashing head first into the broken remains of a tank. “Owie... hate this thing,” she whimpered. She tried to get up, but was suddenly yanked back. Black tentacles wrapped around her body as she let out a startled shriek, flailing about wildly. The blank tentacles wrapped tightly around her as they pulled her towards its mouth. “No! You! Don't!” she screamed as flames erupted from her body, covering every inch of her as the tentacles pulled back and the creature screamed in pain. The flames died as she took to the air, flying towards the tower as quickly as she could, even sending a burst of air bending behind her as she went. A large door was open, her friends standing within. They motioned her forward as she flapped her wings wildly. Behind her, she heard the crashing sound of the beast's pursuit, knocking aside tanks, rocks and anything else it its way as it pursued her. She glanced back for a moment, shrieking as the monster's mouth opened again and it sent its long tentacles out to grab her. She dove around them and tucked her wings in, diving down as fast as she could towards her friends. Her horn glowed as she pushed out with her air bending, bending the winds themselves as she descended, the world screaming past in a blur. She was going too fast as she tried pulling her wings out, unable to stop as she crashed bodily into Rainbow, sending the two of them crashing to the ground. The doorway slammed shut behind her. “Well, that was fun,” Applejack said as she glanced at the two tangled mares. “Yah all okay?” “My everything hurts,” Twilight muttered. “I now know how a pancake feels,” Rainbow groaned. “Giddoff... ow...” Slowly the two untangled themselves and got to their hooves. The alicorn began turning and examining the walls and pictures. The building had seen far better days, entire hallways having had collapsed from disrepair, pictures were now so damaged and faded she could only make out the smallest outline of a pony. Large bricks and rubble were littered across the floor. The carpet, at least what remained of it, was completely rotted through with curled edges. Even a statue of a striped pony had lost a leg and its ears from the destructive power of time. “Come on, let's go see who's here,” the avatar mumbled as fear entered her heart. “If any pony is.” Each step left an imprint of their hooves in the thick dirt as they walked. The walls were covered in book shelves, but most were empty. Not even a single page of paper remained. “Hello?” she yelled out. “Hello!” another voice echoed through the halls. The group froze. “Was that my echo?” Twilight squeaked. “It didn't sound like my voice...” “Ah don't think it was,” Applejack mumbled as she looked around. “Hello! Is somepony here? We're the avatar an' company! We dun mean yah any harm!” Silence reigned for a few moments, before a loud voice echoed through the hall. “Avatar, please be still! I will be with you in mere moments!” The five looked between each other, before letting out shrill sqwees of excitement. “They're here! They're here! They still exist!” Twilight shrieked as she hopped about in excitement. “We didn't waste our time for once!” Rainbow said as she hopped around as well. She then stopped. “You know, now that I think about it, everything has been going well for us lately. First the fire benders, now these ponies being here...” “Well, yeah, but we can't continue the story without Spike,” Pinkie said with a giggle. “He's like our mascot!” “Our little, annoying, can't fight to save his life, mascot,” the blue pegasus said with a chuckle. The others all turned to glare at her. “What? It's all good, we're going to get him all better here, then it'll be back to normal. No need to get all upset and stuff.” “Avatar!” a voice called. A one eyed stallion with a green coat and a glowing, but damaged, blue robe stood at the end of the hall. “I've been searching for you. I apologize for the state of our tower, it hasn't endured the years of darkness as well as we'd hoped.” Twilight squealed as she clapped her hooves together. “You're one of the ponies who studied here? Yes!” she galloped forward and hugged the stallion. He squeaked. “Thank you thank you thank you! We need all the information you have on the elements. You see my friend, Spike.” She held up the baby dragon as the stallion's mouth fell open. “Has been hurt by them. I need to know how to fix him.” “I... I see. Well, avatar, if you wish, please come with me,” the stallion said quickly. “Is... is that a dragon? I thought they were extinct.” “Most seem to be,” Twilight mumbled as she held the dragon on her back. “But Spike is one of the last. Do you think you can help me?” “O-of course! Please, turn him over to me and I will try some of the remedies I know. The tomes we guarded, however, are long buried in the lowest levels of this tower. If you can access them, they may have means by which to save your friend as well.” The stallion said as he kept looking at Spike. Twilight gently lifted the dragon onto his back. “Oh, that reminds me. Outside, there was this massive purple worm thing. It, well, tried to eat us. Multiple times,” the alicorn grumbled. “Ah, yes. That would be the Tatzlwurm. It guards our tower from invaders. All invaders. You'll be safe in here. I'll just take care of the dragon.” “Okay,” she paused before glancing to the stallion. “That also reminds me of one other thing, in all the excitement I almost forgot. We saw a pirate's ship floating near the top of the tower. Are-” “Oh! Don't worry about that,” the stallion said as he waved his hoof rapidly. “You see, uhhh, the wurm brought that vessel down years ago and we repaired it in order to bring supplies in and out from our tower.” “Oh, okay,” Twilight said as she looked around. “So, how do we get to these lower levels?” “Down the hall on the right. Head down the stairs and you'll find the blockage.” “Okay,” the alicorn said as she started walking, flanked on either side by her friends. “I-I'll go with Spike,” Fluttershy squeaked as she looked to the little baby. “I don't feel right leaving him alone without one of us.” “What? Nonsense!” the stallion said with a wave of his hoof. “You should go with your friends. They-” “Nah, it's fine,” Applejack said with a shake of her head. “We'd all feel a whole lot betta with Fluttershy watchin' the lil critter anyway. Wouldn't want him wakin' up and freakin' out.” “O-of course,” the stallion said as he nodded. “I guess that-” “Oh! I nearly forgot, silly me!” Pinkie said with a giggle. She then let out a heart shattering wail. “W-what's wrong?” Rainbow squeaked as she backed up. “Are you hurt? Are you okay?” “I-I'm just meeting s-so many new ponies now! I actually... actually forgot to get his name! How many hundreds, maybe even thousands, of ponies have I met now without getting their names? What about Fillydelphia? All those ponies!” the mare shrieked as her entire body shook. “... So you're fine. Come on,” the pegasus grumbled as she started dragging the mare off. “She does have a point though,” Twilight said as she glanced to the stallion. “My name is Twilight Sparkle, she's Fluttershy, Applejack, Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash,” she said as she pointed to each pony. “What's your name?” “Coppertooth,” the stallion said as he quickly turned and trotted away with the baby dragon on his back. “That's an... oh, well, ummm, bye,” the avatar said as she turned back around and started back after the other three. They began walking down the steps, though fortunately they were made of stone and, aside from a few cracks, were still in decent position. Twilight's horn lit up as they began leaving the light of the outside world, the depths filled with dust and torn cobwebs. “Doesn't look like any pony has been here in ages,” Rainbow grumbled as she looked around. “How do we know he was saying the truth?” “Why would he possibly lie?” Twilight asked with a shrug. “Besides, he took Spike to help him, it would have been a waste if he... oh dear.” The ponies stopped as they came to a stair block. The floor above had caved in, covering the stairs in wood, statue debris and torn portraits. “This will take a while to clear.” “No it ain't,” Applejack said as she stomped her hoof. The ground in front of them shot up, the stones forming an archway which held the collapsed material above. Steps of dirt quickly formed to allow them to keep walking. “After yah all.” “Heh. Maybe earth bending is a little cooler than I initially gave it credit for,” Rainbow said with a chuckle. “Still not as awesome as air bending though.” “Well, if ah ever need tah send a buncha dirt in the air, ah'll go ahead an ask yah,” the earth pony said with a snicker as they continued on. They soon came to a cast iron doorway, covered in the image of an alicorn. A large keyhole was built in the side. The mare pushed on it, but it refused to move. “Well, don't that beat all. Hold on,” she said as she turned her back to it. “Huh? No! Applejack, don't-” Twilight objected, but it was too late. With a powerful buck, the earth pony kicked the door open. Two of its three hinges tore out, making the door lean heavily on its side as dust billowed out from the room, enveloping them. “T-there, hack, hold on,” Applejack said as she lowered a hoof and the dust parted down to the ground. “See? Easy.” “I was going to say we could just ask Coppertooth for the key, rather than breaking their door.” “Oh... well... err, right. Sorry. Heh heh. Well, let's see what we can find!” The four walked into the room. Dust littered the area, however stacks upon stacks of books stood lined up against the walls. Safety lamps were lined up near the door, which the avatar quickly lit before snuffing her horn out. “Okay, try to find anything you can on the avatar and the elements of harmony.” “Hee hee! Awwww...” Pinkie mumbled as she pulled out some books from the stacks. “What?” “It wasn't under E...” “Okay then. Every pony else, get looking!” ------ Rarity sighed as she gently nudged the flower held in her hooves. Her aunt was cooking up some delicious grass and dandelion cakes a few feet from her. Blueblood was laying behind the princess, nibbling on a few of their travel rations while waiting. “Are you okay?” the stallion asked. “Huh?” the mare asked as she looked up. “You seem upset. Is it because of your... are you upset because of something I said?” “Yes... no, nothing. I just need some time to think...” “Mmm hmm. You should eat that, rather than play with it,” Blueblood said as he motioned to the flower she was nudging. “Yes, I should,” Rarity muttered as she felt the water flowing within. She closed her eyes as she tried to feel the liquid as it pulsed through her veins. For a few seconds she could feel as it wiggled within her, flowing through her body, spreading its life down all the way to her hooves. “Do you have a headache?” the stallion asked, shattering her concentration. “What?” “Do you have a headache?” “No! I'm just thinking. Listen, will you just leave me alone? I'm trying to focus!” she finally snapped as she turned to glare at him. The stallion gulped nervously, but quickly nodded. “Thank you,” she growled as she got up, taking her flowers with her as she trotted away. “Would you watch these, turn them when they begin to brown?” Celestia asked. Once the fire bender moved to help, the elder unicorn trotted after her niece. “Diamondeye, may we speak?” Rarity groaned, but slowly nodded. “Fine, mother. What is it?” the two quickly trotted off, out of hearing range of the other pony. “While I put very little belief in that stallion's perceptual abilities, he is correct. You seem quite upset now. Please, tell me what it is...” “I... I think I'm getting the hang of blood bending. I could feel it when it... flowed through me,” the princess mumbled. “What? That's marvelous news! Why ever would it make you upset? You're learning quite quickly. In fact, tonight I can teach you the next step.” “I'm not... I'm not upset because of that. I'm upset because of... because of what he said. Am... am I a monster? I'm trying to-” she was silenced as a hoof covered her mouth. “Niece, never think you are such a thing. Your reasons for pursuing the avatar are your own. However, again and again you have made the right decision, sacrificing your own happiness in order to protect others. While I do not expect you to ever give up on the avatar, I know that no matter what happens, I can always depend on you to make the right decision. You are no monster, you are just a young mare still trying to make her way in the world and do the right thing. All facts to be honest... you're probably doing a better job of it than I did at your age.” Rarity smiled slightly as she glanced down. “Thank you. I... I really needed to hear that. Tonight I... tonight, let's try the next step of my training, okay? I want to get to the point I'll never have to worry about Sweetie's bending again.” “Of course. Now that you can feel the blood coursing through you, controlling it should be far simpler. Now, how about we return to our meal?” “Of course,” the princess mumbled as she trotted back, giving her aunt a gentle smile as they walked. ------ “Fascinating,” Twilight gasped as she flipped through one of the books. “What is it?” Rainbow asked as she dusted off another book, opened it, then tossed it aside. “I've found the diary of the avatar who was studied. Apparently her name was Clover and she found a way to use the elements by herself. Without having the other five,” the alicorn mumbled. “It might be one of the reasons this tower was made.” “Really? How she gone an' done that?” Applejack asked as she tossed a book down. “I'm not sure yet. I've seen mention of their use to fight spirits but...” she trailed off as she flipped through the pages a few more times. “She was apparently... quite scared of being around others. Afraid to involve them in these affairs.” The alicorn moved to the steps and laid the book down. “That's very strange though.” “Why?” Rainbow asked as she tossed another book down. “If I remember my history, there was peace during Clover's time. I don't see why she would be scared of making friends. Here, listen to this line. 'More visitors came. They asked for my help in mediating a dispute between them and another village. Afterwards they asked me to stay for a celebration. They refused to accept my answer of no, and I eventually had to force them to accept it. I ran away after that, I hope they'll finally just leave me alone. I never asked to be the avatar.' It's not the only entry like that, either.” “Well, maybe this one'll help,” Applejack said as she tossed another book down. “Apparently it was the journal by the pony who started this tower.” “And I found her autobiography!” Pinkie said as she hopped over and tossed the ancient tome down. “Well, that's three. Huh...” Twilight looked down at her herself, then at her friends. All were covered from head to hoof in dust. She coughed slightly before shaking her body. “Maybe we should go check on Spike first. It's probably pretty late now.” “Anything to get away from all this dust, ugh,” Rainbow grumbled as she dashed up the stairs ahead of them. “Heh. Always so energetic,” Twilight mumbled as she started trotting up, the three books rising onto her back as the lantern dangled by her head. Eventually she came to a window and glanced out, the sky filled with stars and the moon. “Maybe we were down there a bit long.” “TWILIGHT!” Rainbow screamed. The alicorn froze for a moment, before galloping up the stairs. “Rainbow, where are you? What's wrong?” “Just, hurry up!” the pegasus yelled. The avatar ran up and down halls, attempting to navigate though the tower. She soon made it to the top floor, and froze. Fluttershy was standing there, hugging Angel tightly to her chest with tears in her eyes. Torn ropes laid on the floor. Rainbow was looking out the window frantically. “Where's Spike?” Twilight asked. “T-twilight,” Fluttershy squeaked as she lowered her eyes. “I-I tried to stop them, but-” “Wheres Spike?” the avatar repeated as her body began to tremble. “T-they took him!” the pegasus shrieked as she lowered her eyes and sobbed. “I-I tried to s-stop them, but he had friends! T-they s-snuck up behind me a-and tied me up, and Angel!” Tears flowed down the mare's face as she covered them with her hooves. “T-they were pirates, p-pretending to b-be the p-ponies maintaining t-the place! T-they were moving a b-bunch of chests a-and crates a-and they took everything a-and left!” “Oh by the stars,” Twilight ran to the roof, looking out. “We need to go after them. Which way did they go?” “I-I don't know,” Fluttershy squeaked as she looked down. “T-they t-tied me up a-and I didn't see anything else e-except what t-they moved through here. I just... I'm sorry...” “It's not your fault,” the avatar mumbled. “It's mine. I should have been here. Buck it!” she screamed as she stomped a hoof down. “He was my, is my responsibility! How could I let him down twice like this?” “Easy sugarcube, this ain't your fault. Come on, they couldn't ah gone...” Applejack trailed off. “We'll find 'em. That was a pirate ship, only a few places they coulda gone.” Twilight perked up instantly. “Y-you're right! They have to be going to that cloud city! There were a lot of other pirate ships there. Yes!” “Do yah think yah can find your way back there?” “Yes! Maybe. No, I can. I have to. Spike... Spike is depending on me. Okay, here's what we do. First, we get out of here. Applejack, can you lock the books up downstairs? I don't want them getting hurt while we're gone. We'll take these three with us. Now, hum...” she looked around at the ragged curtains that lined some of the windows. “We'll make a net to carry you two across,” she said as she glanced to the two earth ponies. “That way we don't have to deal with the... tatzlewurm. I think that's what it was called? Anyway. We'll then get away from it, and head to the pirate's home. Everypony good with that?” “Got it!” Applejack said as she darted downstairs again. “No problem,” Rainbow said as she flew up and began unlatching the curtains from the windows. “Good! Don't worry, Spike. We're on our way,” the avatar said as she glanced out the window one last time before flying up to help with the curtains. ------ “It's... r-really hard,” Rarity groaned as she glanced down at her hoof. A few drops of blood had leaked down her leg, but slowly they were traveling back up. Sweat beaded on her forehead as she struggled to maintain her concentration. The crimson liquid slowly lifted up her leg and hovered in the air a few inches from her body, before dropping to the ground. The princess fell over, panting. “S-so h-hard...” “You've done marvelous, niece. It'll become easier with time, but now all you need is to practice. Then-” “Diamondeye? Jademane?” a voice called from behind them, making them both jump. “W-what is it?” Rarity shrieked as she glanced towards Blueblood, who was staring at them in confusion. “I saw the two of you up, what are you doing so- you're bleeding!” he said as he rushed forward, moving to take her hoof. “What happened? Are you okay?” “What? I'm fine,” she hissed as she yanked her hoof back, red in her cheeks. “I just tripped, nothing serious.” “It's not going to slow us down any, is it?” the stallion grumbled. Her eyes narrowed, before she reached out and slapped him. “Ow! Why did you do that, you harlot? You... eep,” he squeaked as he backed away, the mare charging forward to glare into his eyes. “Listen you... you ruffian! We've done nothing but help and tend to you since we've met. We've fed you, kept you safe, even allowed you to camp with us. Then you have the nerve to talk about our... woman times and pretend for, almost a moment, to be somewhat concerned and a decent pony! Only to slap me in the face and whine about your own precious time!” The stallion bumped into a tree, forced to bend himself as much as possible as the mare came ever closer. “If this is what you're like after 'learning about the world' or however you put it, I'd hate to have seen what you were like before!” “I... I-I...” the stallion squeaked. “Well, what do you have to say for yourself?” she snapped as she stared into his eyes with a burning fierceness. “I'm... I'm sorry. You're right. I didn't mean... I just... I was g-genuinely c-concerned you got hurt. But, just, that was the first thing that occurred for me to say. I-I'm sorry I didn't mean to sound so... to be so rude. Please forgive me,” he mumbled as he hung his head. Rarity sighed, before slowly nodding and pulling back. “Fine. You're forgiven. But I swear, if you talk about me like that, one more time, I'll clean the camp with your mane after I sheer it off.” “O-of course. Yes'm...” Blueblood mumbled as he darted away from the angry mare, moving back towards the dying embers of their campsite. “That was quite interesting,” Celestia said as she trotted up behind her niece. “I think I'm beginning to like him.” “Huh? Why? He's an annoying brat who has no idea what the world is like,” Rarity grumbled. “Indeed. But, he makes you angry. You're so much more adorable when you're angry, than when you're sad,” the elder unicorn said before trotting away towards the camp. “Oh, aren't you just hilarious?” the young princess said dryly as she rolled her eyes and followed after the two.