//------------------------------// // Chapter 30: Final Assault // Story: Avatar: The Last Alicorn. Book 2: Earth Pony // by Jeweled Pen //------------------------------// Twilight nervously gulped and stared up at the Great Dragon. He watched her with unwavering eyes, making it difficult to speak. “A pleasure to see you again, sir. We should retreat to the city though. There is a lot we need to discuss and the extra reinforcements could do wonders. That, and I imagine many of them would feel more comfortable on solid grounds.” A number of ponies gazed at the alicorn from their perch and nodded, she noted some had turned pale. “As you wish, avatar,” the dragon said as he slowly got up and spread his wings. The ponies on his back let out gasps and latched on. “You are quite certain this city is safe?” “Of course. There is nowhere safer. The Water Nation has launched a few assaults, but we've been able to drive them back with ease.” “Very well. If you feel it is so, I shall trust your judgment.” The Great Dragon flapped his wings, nearly toppling the pegasi and alicorn over as he took to the air. The cloud beneath him shattered, torn to pieces as the mighty creature began its flight towards the city. Twilight followed in his wake, glancing to the Water Nation forces below. They made no attempts to impede the dragon's progress. She knew she should feel happy, but all she could feel was an icy dread that spread through her core. Something felt off, she just couldn't place it. ------ Sweetie gazed out from the palace's top floor, watching the courtyard. Already her soldiers were spilling forth from the jails below, their guards incapacitated. Though she couldn't identify them, she could almost feel as their numbers spread through the city. Nearly an entire army held under the city, having bidden its time until finally it could strike. She scoffed at the foolishness of the emperor. Such a force should have been executed, not fed and cared for. “Your highness?” Flim asked as he trotted into the room. “The dragon should be here at any moment, your orders?” “My orders are already known. There is no reason for you to be here.” She glanced to the ponies at her side, Flowerbloom and Scootaloo. “My brother and I just thought you might appreciate some extra company,” Flam said as he trotted in as well. “In case anything goes wrong, some extra earth benders could--” “If anything goes wrong, you could turn on me and pretend you were helping the Earth Kingdom all along. If you captured the commander, truly you would be seen as heroes, no?” “What? Noooo! Of course not, we would have never helped you find these earth benders if--” “Don't lie to me. Your little tricks and games may work on lesser ponies, but they don't work on me. You're little more than foals attempting to out play the master.” She turned to the two, her eyes glowing purple. “My plans will not fail. A kingdom divided amongst itself cannot survive such a powerful attack both from within, and without.” “O-of course,” Flim said with a soft squeak as he turned to leave. “W-we'll just, g-get back to work on, ummm, p-preparations.” “No. You won't,” Sweetie said with a soft chuckle. “Flowerbloom, Scootaloo, go with them. Get my sister as well. Once the dragon lands, everything begins. Make sure your tasks are taken care of before then.” The two mares nodded before trotting away. “What plan?” Flam asked nervously. “Just some added security. Go with them. NOW!” Sweetie ordered. The two stallions yelped and ran after the mares. The unicorn glanced back to the courtyard. She watched as the ponies prepared for the arrival of the dragon, her grin growing wider and wider. ------ The clangs from the prisoner's tents finally silenced, eliciting a sigh of relief from Caballeron and his two guards. “I was beginning to think she'd nev--” Pinprick's words were drowned out as a loud crash came from the tent, followed a moment later by a second one. “What was that?” The three charged inside, though Perry arrived first. The small prisons had been torn open, the metal ripped open from within. “How did they... it's a trick!” “How can it be a trick?” Caballeron asked with gritted teeth. “They aren't inside. They had to-- gah!” The ground suddenly lifted up and tossed the three in the prisons, the earth pony in one and the two unicorns in the other. Applejack galloped forward, her hooves gripping the edges of the prison and crushing them closed. “I don't know how you managed to do such a thing,” Photo said from behind her. “But truly, you do have ze magic. Bending such graceless materials into broken shapes. I love it!” “We ain't done yet!” Applejack yelled before stomping her hooves. Three walls of stone shot out behind them, tearing the tent from the ground but also temporarily protecting them from that side of the camp. “It won't take long for them tah get soldiers out here!” The two galloped towards through the camp towards the city. They stomped on the ground with every few stamps, flinging tents and startled ponies aside as they made their escape. Fortunately, they could see the walls of the city though it would take time to reach them. ------ The cheers were deafening as the dragon landed in the center of the courtyard, its wings spreading out over the gathered ponies and even over the palace itself. The ponies galloped off the massive creature, though the water benders looked confused. “Where's is Vinyl?” one asked. “She's safe,” Twilight said quickly. “There is a minor problem going on at the moment. But, now that you're all in the city it should be fine.” She looked towards the fire benders, the dragon, the water benders and then... “Err, please don't take this the wrong way but, ummm... what kind of earth pony are you?” “We sadly could not bring a letter, but we are those who gave the benders shelter,” a strange gray striped pony with a mohawk said as she stepped forward. “Zebra is what we are known, to offer our aid a great distance we have flown.” She bowed her head. “Zecora is my name, though I'm afraid I lack your fame.” “A uhhh, a pleasure,” the alicorn said, though she kept scanning the ponies who came to meet them. The fire benders looked happy to be back with the dragon and even seemed tolerant of the water benders and zebras. No fights or arguments seemed to be breaking out at least. “I'm not familiar with the zebras.” “I'm afraid our bending talents are nonexistent,” Zecora said with a smile. “But our talents with nature's magic are quite consistent.” “That's nice,” the avatar said dismissively as something caught her eye. A dozen Dai Li who were making their way towards the group, their heads down low. “Can we help you?” The nearest one nodded. “Is everypony gathered? The fire benders, the water benders and the dragon?” The group stopped. “Yes, this is everypony,” Sapphire said with a glare. “Why, what did Photo want?” “Just that,” the earth pony said before stomping his hooves, the other mimicking his movements. A stone spire shot out from the ground, directly under the dragon's chest. He shoved away, the stones glancing off the scales harmlessly. Sapphire and her soldier's reacted almost instantly. A few descended on the stone spikes, shattering them to dust while the commander and her troops rushed forward and sent a wave of dirt over the attackers. Within seconds the fighting was over, the Dai Li were encased in stone, struggling against their bindings. “W-what? What's going on?” Twilight squeaked before turning to the dragon. He fortunately looked fine. “Are you okay?” “I knew it! The Dai Li are traitors, that Photo Finish! Soldiers!” Sapphire yelled out, before her warriors stood at attention. “Spread the word. Capture every Dai Li in the city, all are to be imprisoned.” The avatar gulped. “I don't think we should go that far, we don't even know--” “I will not take any risks. We can sort them now. Spread the word, go!” Sapphire yelled before the soldiers nodded their heads and galloped away, leaving only the commander and a small force remaining. “Everypony gather together. We can best protect you if the Dai Li try anything else. Avatar, you as well.” The ponies nodded their heads and encircled the dragon. “What is the meaning of this? Why am I being attacked?” the elder dragon asked, his voice loud and echoing through the courtyard. “I'm sorry for this, all of this,” Twilight said before she moved to join the others. “I knew that tensions were getting high, but I never imagined... never imagined...” She trailed off and looked to the ground. She felt rumbling, but not from the gathered ponies. It felt underground. She wished she had Applejack's earth sensing abilities trained better. “Sapphire, how many of Photo's soldiers would be working on the underground water system?” “None, why?” “Because... nothing,” the alicorn said gently. She eyed the earth pony for a few moments before staring down at the ground. She couldn't shake it. Something was wrong, she could feel it. ------ Applejack and Photo galloped towards the great wall, mud coating their bodies and blood dripping from their sides. The former looked back, paling at the sight of almost the entire army seeming to chase after them. Even the tanks were racing down the road and the sky was filled with pegasi. Fortunately, there were almost home free. “Open ze gate!” Photo yelled. They stopped and waited, but there was no response. Dust was flying at the top of the wall, but no pony came out to speak with them. “We got no choice!” Applejack yelled before galloping to the wall. The two ran and leaped into it, the stone opening around them as they flew through. When they landed they turned back and lifted their hooves, sealing it up behind them. Once that was finished they turned back to the inner city, their mouths falling open. Large chunks had been torn from the farmland as the Dai Li and the city's guard engaged in fierce earth bending battles. “What... what is zis?” Photo asked with her mouth agape. The wall behind them began to shake and tremble. “What? No! We must stop them! The Water Nation, it attacks!” Applejack nodded. “Eeyup! Come on!” The two galloped towards the nearest fight. “What is going on here? Cease immediately!” Photo demanded before slamming her hoof down, a wall of stone separating the two. “Photo! You traitor!” one of the soldier's yelled, pointing an accusing hoof. “What are you doing here?” “What? Traitor? Sapphire is the traitor, I--” The mare was nearly crushed by a pillar of stone when Applejack yanked her back. “You dare to attack me! You... you ungraceful duck!” The great wall exploded, filling the air with dust and dirt as rocks the size of carriages rained down on them. “No! Where are ze wall defenders?” Photo yelled out before turning to face the new threat. “Applejack, go! Warn the inner city! I must deal with this!” “But--” “Go! Stop the fighting! Get ze avatar! I'll hold them off as long as I can! If it is too late, escape! Take the emperor and go!” Applejack looked to the mare, then to the invading forces. Fortunately, the earth benders picked up on the much greater threat and were trying to push them back. Unfortunately, they were horribly out numbered and many had already been brought down by the infighting. She turned and galloped away, towards the inner city. ------ Sapphire watched over the city with smug satisfaction, though she had to struggle to keep the frown on her face. Earth bender fought earth bender through out the city, tiring themselves out as rock and dirt sailed through the air. As expected, the Dai Li were fighting their unjust incarceration and her soldiers were refusing to be negotiated with. The 'Dai Li' they had captured had gone still in their prisons, now waiting for the precise time to strike. She was a little miffed they had failed to kill, or even hurt, the Great Dragon with their surprise attack, but it was not a requirement. With all the ponies and threats gathered together, it was only a matter of time. Under their hooves, earth bender and water bender worked together, removing the real soldiers and now slowly making their way under the courtyard. Thousands of gallons of water was being prepared, twisted and cursed by the unicorns as the earth ponies slowly tunneled below. Already she could feel how close they were, soon the ground would crumble out from under their hooves and four of the nation's threats would be gone in one fell swoop. The avatar, the Great Dragon, the water bender traitors and, most importantly, the final fire benders. Sapphire watched Twilight out of the corner of her eye. The avatar was the one threat, with her earth bending she could possibly sense what was happening. However, the earth pony doubted it. Few ponies knew how to sense through earth bending, it was a rare trick to study. It was why they had to remove that Applejack. Below, more and more earth was torn away as the venomous water came closer and closer. Soon they would fall into the ground, buried in cursed water and grounded up by collapsing stone. “Sapphire, I need to check on my friends.” Twilight suddenly called out. “W-what?” the commander asked with a shuffle of her hooves. “If Photo is making her move, she might try to hurt them. We should release them from the prison.” “There should be no need, my guards are watching the prison and will keep them safe. No Dai Li could get around them.” “If that was true, how could those twelve get out here to attack us?” The Great Dragon asked, his eyes narrowing on the mare. “We didn't know they would try something like this. They have--” “But you already suspected they'd try, didn't you?” Twilight asked before glancing down. “They could even be below ground, waiting to launch another attack. We should get my friends and get them into the air with the dragon. From there we can--” “No, we should... should...” The earth pony struggled to find a way out, but it refused to come. “You're right avatar. But please, allow me to get them. You must stay here, where it's safe. You four are our greatest threats, we can't separate you.” Twilight's eyes widened. “Threats? What do you--” Sapphire's eyes widened before she stomped her hooves. The prisons holding the 'Dai Li' shattered and the ponies moved in precision. Stone pillars shot out from the ground, arching into the air and around the dragon and groups, forming a cage around them. The commander got to work on the underground as the ground started to spread and sink, rumbling under them as more benders worked from the bottom. “Just had to keep asking questions, didn't you?” the commander asked bitterly. “Sapphire, what are you doing?” the alicorn asked before running to the bars. She tried bending it open, but the moment she made the smallest hole, more stone melded to fix it. She looked around for any help, but to her horror the other soldiers were working to reinforce the prison. “Avatar! Now is not the time to ask questions, we must break this prison!” the Great Dragon said with a growl. He took a deep breath before unleashing a torrent of flames on it. The heat was so intense everypony was forced to back away behind the beast, struggling and sliding on the loose, trembling floor. The flames soon died, revealing a small hole, barely the size of a foal, which quickly closed. “You're done for, avatar. You should have never opposed the Water Nation,” Sapphire said as she rubbed his hooves along the ground, quickening the speed of the ground collapsing under them. “Don't give in! Fire benders, work with the dragon!” Twilight yelled before flames gathered on the tip of her horn. The tribe mimicked her motions, lowering themselves as best they could for stability. Flames erupted against the wall, searing it. Soon small sparking orbs of flame erupted against it as well, heating their prison like an inferno as they poured everything they had into it. When the assault stopped, the prison had a large hole burned through, as wide as five ponies. The alicorn spread her wings and took off! Or at least, she tried. Her hooves refused to move no matter how she flapped. Her gaze lowered to the ground and she let out a yelp. Dark water was flooding up from small holes in the ground, wrapping around the ponies and holding them back. “AHHH! Get it off!” One of the fire benders yelled, tugging and pulling. Just as quickly as it had flowed up them, it began flowing down. The darkness evaporated from it, turning to clear liquid as the water bender's raised their hooves and brought them down again, purging the curses. With her legs freed, Twilight flew up towards the hole. She slammed into solid stone, eliciting a pained groan while she stared in bewilderment. The cage had already repaired itself. “No, try it again!” she yelled. The ground rumbled under their hooves, throwing more ponies off their hooves. Fountains of venomous liquid spurted throughout the ground, the water benders working as fast as they could to dispel and control it. Twilight's eyes widened. “Stop dispelling the water!” “What? Avatar, have you gone mad?” one of the water benders asked. “No! Don't dispel it, send it out through the cage, into the earth benders!” The unicorn's nodded and soon the water was bursting out through walls of the cage, flying at the earth benders. “Don't let it touch you!” Sapphire yelled before stomping her hooves and bringing up a wall to stop the water from getting to her. One of the soldiers weren't so fast, getting wrapped in the dark water as it coiled around his body. The others quickly started working on defense, forming walls of stone. “Now, while they're distracted, burn it!” Flames tore through the air, exploding against the prison and shattering stone. A much larger hole was revealed, and Twilight didn't hesitate flying through it. The moment she was out she rained flame down on their attackers, forcing them to gallop away or be seared. “It's too late, avatar!” Sapphire yelled before stomping her hoof down. Large cracks formed on the ground under the captured ponies and dragon. “You may escape, but they will not!” The ground shattered, dropping the prisoners into the ground. They fell a foot before the ground closed up under them and the prison around them exploded into pebbles. The dark liquid started enveloping the ponies, though it quickly dropped to harmless clear liquid within moments. “Move your gosh buckin' flanks!” Applejack yelled through gritted teeth, her hooves buried inches in the ground as she struggled to keep the stone beneath them from being torn apart. With the encouragement, the ponies leaped from the pit. The dragon, on the other other hoof, stood up to its full height and placed a massive claw on either end of the hole. It glared down at the earth benders, who promptly turned and ran as quickly as they could. The one who had been enveloped in water was quickly released, though a swift buck to the side of the head dropped him. Sapphire turned and galloped away to the palace. “We can't let her get away!” Twilight yelled. “No, there's no time for that!” Applejack said before grabbing the alicorn's tail. “The city is under attack. The Water Nation is making their move. The outer wall has already fallen and ah don't know if they kin hold the inner wall with those numbers.” The avatar paled. “But... but they...” “We need tah git! If we lose the fire benders an' the water benders an' you, this war is over! Where's the emperor?” “The emperor's gone! We can't just--” “Your friend speaks the truth,” the Great Dragon said. “If this city is to fall, you cannot be here when it does. It is time to make your escape. Come.” Twilight lowered her eyes, but nodded. “You're right. Everypony, get onto his back. Applejack, I need you to come with me.” She turned, but found her way blocked by the dragon's arm. “No, we must leave now. There--” “I can't leave yet! My friends are still trapped in the prison, I won't leave them.” “But--” “It's not just for me! They're the elements, without them I won't be able to fight Discord. I need their help!” The dragon, grudgingly, moved its arm away. “You must be quick, like the wind.” “Of course. Applejack, come on.” Together, the ponies galloped into the palace, intent on finding their friends before it was too late. ------ Sweetie stood in front of the prison, the key hanging around her neck. The three guards were on the ground, their bodies locked up and unmoving due to Scootaloo's touch. Buckets of water were spilled across the ground, coating it. “Sister, are you well?” the young princess asked while glancing to Rarity. “Y-yes. I'm fine. Just... fine,” Rarity said softly. “You're right. I know what we must do.” “Good. Flim, Flam, Sapphire,” Sweetie said with a chuckle. “Don't attack unless I give the word. The avatar is... of mediocre intelligence. Once she realizes we hold all the cards, she might just surrender. Without this key though, there is nothing she can do.” She glanced to Scootaloo and Flowerbloom. “If anything goes wrong though, I'll trust you to deal with any help. No pony forget. The avatar is mine and my sisters. No pony else is to lay a hoof on her.” The sound of clattering hooves announced the alicorn and earth pony's arrival. The two stopped at the top of the stairs. Twilight's mouth fell open. “Flim? Flam? Sweetie? How did... Rarity! What are you doing here?” “Fillydelphia is ours, avatar,” Sweetie said with a giggle. “Surrender and no more ponies have to be hurt.” She lifted the key from her neck and dropped it in the pool, suspending it on a block of ice. “Stand there and, well... all those ponies in that prison, I'd hate to imagine what would happen to them if this key was broken. Do you think you could free them before my soldiers arrived?” “Y-your soldiers? Hah! They've already fallen, the attack was repelled!” Twilight lied with a nervous gulp. Three earth benders, two water benders and two quite skilled fighters. She didn't think she could take them all, even with Applejack. “Don't lie, darling. It doesn't become you,” Rarity said suddenly. “We've won, avatar. Surrender now, and no more ponies have to die. If you don't, then add more lives you'll be responsible for.” Applejack stepped forward, her eyes narrowed into slits. “We ain't givin' up that easy. Yah may have a buncha ponies, but yah know what we got? One small lil wall that separates us from reinforcements. Yah!” She stomped on the ground and a spike of rock shot out from the wall, shattering against the metal prison. It didn't even leave a dent. “Oh... kay... a mighty thick wall.” “Now, your decision?” Sweetie asked before lowering her hoof on the key. “How long can yah hold 'em off?” Applejack whispered. “What? All of them? I-I don't know. A few minutes?” “Good. Ah gotta plan.” “What are you two whispering about? I want your answer, now!” the princess growled, lowering her hoof. “Jus' trust me. Don't worry about the key. When ah say go, drive 'em away from that door. Go!” Applejack said before charging forward. Twilight spread her wings and launched forward. Fire formed on her horn and she drew a line in front of the ponies, driving them back as steam filled the air. The sister's took a step forward and raised their hooves, sending twisting spirals of ice and water hurtling at the alicorn. She countered with powerful flappings of her wings, sending massive gusts of wind through the spire and forcing the ponies to slip and skid against the ground. Unfortunately, the element of surprise didn't last long. A loud clang filled the air as Applejack bucked the prison door once. The other ponies didn't hesitate, Flowerbloom hurtling her daggers as the three earth benders sent spikes of stone at her from three different directions. There was no where for her to escape. Then the most miraculous thing the avatar had ever seen happened. Applejack pushed against the door and it bent, inward. She pushed through, sliding inside in time for the daggers and spikes of earth to slam against the door. Moments later the door spread outward. Every pony just stopped and stared as she stepped out from the door. “Did ah forget tah mention ah went an' invented metal bendin'? Come on, girls! We got us a ripe rodeo goin' on here!” “Oh yeah, that's what I'm talking about!” Rainbow yelled as she burst out from the prison. “Why can't you bend like that, Octy?” Vinyl asked as she trotted from the prison. “I... I didn't think it could be done,” Octavia said as she galloped from the prison. Sweetie's forces got over their surprise and launched more spikes of earth, but they disappeared into dust. “Enough! Pinkie, Vinyl, Fluttershy, Octavia,” Twilight called out. “Get everypony in the prison outside. The dragon's waiting. Rainbow, Applejack and I will handle them.” “You forgot one pony,” Celestia said before trotting out from the prison. “Auntie! You're alive!” Rarity called out before taking a step forward. “Quick, help us defeat the avatar and her friends! We still outnumber them, we--” “No. Niece,” the unicorn turned to the elder princess. “Stop this. Your sister is turning you, this is not the pony you are. You are a kind, generous mare. Not one who destroys kingdoms and crushes opposition under hoof. Turn from her, join me.” Rarity stared, mouth agape. She looked between her sister and aunt, no pony willing to move as the tension began to grow. She finally lowered her head. “No. Aunt. If you won't fight with us.” She raised her head, eyes glowing with purple light. “Then you fight against us. I have no mercy for traitors.” “Flowerbloom, what's wrong?” Scootaloo whispered before giving her friend a nudge. “Huh? Ah, oh, ummm, n-nothing,” the earth pony whispered as she finally pulled her eyes away from Applejack. “Ah just... nothing. We needta stop 'em!” Sweetie nodded. “Okay, take them out! The avatar and Celestia are ours. The rest, do as you wish. Go!” “Get everypony out, we'll be behind you!” Twilight yelled to the others before she, Rainbow, Applejack and Celestia charged forward. The others started working on helping all in the prison escape and head towards the door. The Flim Flam brothers stomped their hooves down as two pillars of stone shot out from the floor and wall at diagonal angles, attempting to smash Applejack between them. The mare rode the bottom one and bucked the top one as it came out, shooting it back into the wall before a pillar shot up from under the two and hurtled them into the air. Rainbow flew in, circling the two in a tight spin cycle before hurtling them into the ground. The pegasus did two quick loops before diving towards them. Unfortunately, the mare had to pull away when three daggers zipped past her wings, clipping a feather off. She flew back to Applejack's side, her passing sending a blast of air through the chamber and forcing the ponies to cringe back. “You got a plan?” Rainbow asked. “Yeah, we jus' gotta hold 'em off until the others got some time. Don't needta beat 'em.” “Boring!” the pegasus rolled her eyes and glanced over their opponents. Scootaloo was keeping her distance, waiting for a chance to get in close, but Flowerbloom had frozen again, watching the pair with confusion. Rainbow glanced to Twilight. The alicorn's horn was alight with flame as she sent streams of fire to counter the watery whips that assaulted her. Celestia moved with the avatar, though her movements were far smoother, gracefully deflecting ice and water with as much ease as Twilight would have on a light walk. Sweetie formed spikes of ice and sent them hurtling at the two, causing the alicorn to stomp her hoof and form a wall of stone to block the assault. Twilight shoved the stone forward, sending it hurtling at the two water benders. Sweetie formed a blade of water and cleaved the stone in half. Rarity charged between the two stones, thrusting her hooves forward so the water sprayed out and up. It arched through the air, turning to ice and then spraying sharp, jagged needles at the two. Celestia lifted a hoof, turning the water around them into a bubble shield which absorbed the ice, before shooting out small blocks of ice back at the two. Rarity stepped back as Sweetie stepped forward and raised a swirling cyclone of water which gripped and hurtled the ice blocks back at the two. Rarity stomped her hooves down and the bubble popped in time for the blocks to strike the two, knocking them back. “Twilight, other mare, jump!” Rainbow yelled. The two leaped into the air on command as the ground erupted out from under them. Dirt, dust and stone hailed on the ponies, knocking them back. The four gathered up, watching the cloud of dust. “How is everypony holding up?” Twilight asked nervously as she scanned the cloud. “Flim and Flam ain't a bother, but Sapphire is a proper bender,” Applejack said quickly. “Can't even get too close, that lil winged pony is too big a threat if we do.” “The little knife thrower isn't a pleasure either,” Rainbow said with a growl. She dove backwards as a spire of rock nearly impaled her. “They got the prisoners out, we should go. They can attack from anywhere here, we need to get to someplace more open. Hopefully with less water.” Celestia nodded and swirled her head around. The water moved around her in a tight circle before forming into a thick mist. She then stomped her hooves as waves of the liquid rushed forward to topple the ponies over. “Let us go then!” “On it!” Twilight said and the ponies turned to run. As they passed the doorway, Applejack gave it a firm buck and the rock and stone collapsed behind them. “Let's git while the gittin's good!” the earth pony yelled. The four galloped through the palace, Applejack occasionally collapsing paths and tunnels of rock behind them. Before they knew it, they galloped out into the courtyard, the dragon on all fours. Everypony was on its back, awaiting escape. “We've gone an' done it! We're-- look out!” She stomped her hoof as a spike of earth flowed out to their right. Flim and Flam popped out in its path, pushing their hooves out to stop the spike. Rarity appeared from behind them, brought out with their bending, an orb of purple, poisonous liquid hovering over her head. The elder princess thrust her head forward, spears of poisonous water shooting forth at the escaping ponies. Twilight took to the air, flying head first at the dangerous liquid and spreading out her wings. With powerful flaps and gratuitous use of air bending she sent the liquid hurtling backwards and the three ponies toppled over. “TWILIGHT!” Applejack screamed. “LOOK OUT!” The alicorn barely had time to look around before catching the glimmer of movement below and feel the pain spreading through her chest. Sweetie stood under the avatar, drawn up by Sapphire. The spear of purple, poisoned water stood pierced through Twilight's body, eliciting nothing more than a stunned gasp from the mare, before her eyes began to close and she fell toppling through the air. “Twilight!” Rainbow screamed as she dove forward. Sweetie lifted a hoof and drew out more water from around, but it twisted and struck her across the face. Celestia stepped forward, her horn aglow. “Take the avatar, get out of here!” Applejack gulped as she watched her friend being carried off by Rainbow. Sweetie was still struggling with the water that Celestia attacked her with. The earth pony finally spoke up. “But what about--” “I'll be fine. Just go before it's too late!” Applejack nodded before galloping towards the dragon. A pillar of stone shot out from under her, allowing her to soar through the air and land on the dragon's back as Rainbow landed with Twilight. Within moments it spread its wings and took to the air, the powerful gusts forcing the ponies to brace themselves. “Fluttershy!” Rainbow yelled, scanning the crowds as she held Twilight to her chest. The yellow pegasus came forward, though her eyes fell on the alicorn, blood dripping from her chest, and the mare took a step back. “T-twilight, is she...” “She's not yet, but you need to help her!” Fluttershy gulped as tears welled up in her eyes. She stared with wide eyed horror before closing them once again. With a deep breath, they opened. She galloped forward and put her hooves to the mare's chest and tried. She blocked out everything as she focused on the one important task. She ignored the powerful winds that beat against them. She ignored the sounds of the fire benders as they struggled to fight off the Water Nation's pegasi pursuers. She even ignored the fear as she realized that, no matter what she did, she could not save one of her best friends. Her healing wasn't strong enough. Zecora stepped forward from the gathered ponies, walking towards the avatar, eyes narrowed. ------ “Then the avatar fell, by Rarity's hooves!” Sweetie said with glee. “The alicorn didn't even see it coming. One moment she was there, the next impaled through the chest.” Nightmare Moon stared down at her daughters, eyes narrowed to slivers as the two stood before her. “And the talk of Fillydelphia? Just how much of that is true? Did you really leave a... earth pony in charge?” “Caballeron had proven himself a loyal soldier, so I did leave him in charge along with Sapphire. Many of the soldiers bowed to our command once the city fell and, aside from a few we had to remove, the city is now completely under our control.” A wide grin spread across Sweetie's face. “After that, all that remained was Cloudsdale. Those ponies fled the moment we came near. The world is now ours, mother. We have won.” Nightmare Moon stood from her throne and slowly walked towards the two. Her hooves wrapped around them, pulling them into a hug that shocked Rarity to the core. It had been so long since her mother had shown... had even touched her, let alone showed affection. “Sweetie,” the ruler said gently. “I knew sending you was the correct decision. However, I never would have guessed you would succeed so spectacularly. Even bringing back my lost daughter.” Sweetie gulped nervously. “Does that mean--” “Yes. Rarity,” Nightmare said with a gentle smile before pulling away. “I hereby reinstate you to your position.” The unicorn shivered. “M-mother, you mean... I... I can...” “Yes, my dear child.” Nightmare slowly pulled away before turning towards a large door behind her throne. “And I believe you two have earned the right to share in my greatest triumph.” “Mother? What about Fillydelphia?” Sweetie asked through gritted teeth. “A triumph indeed, but this is beyond even that. Come.” She trotted towards the door and swung it open with enough force to echo through the hall. Inside the new room a pillar of crystal stood, surrounded by six pillars. Runes were emblazoned across the ground. “This is the greatest triumph of all the Water Nation.” “What is it?” Rarity asked nervously. When she stepped in the room she felt a chill go through her bones. “Discord will return soon. Or at least, his prison will. We will release him and, using all we've learned in the last hundred years, bind his power to our command. With his might at our disposal, not even whatever new avatar appears will be able to stop us. With it, I will remake the world in my image.” She glanced back to her daughters and smiled. “Then, one day, the world will fall to your hooves. As my heirs.” A wicked grin formed on Sweetie's face at the powerful, wonderful words. Rarity, on the other hoof, couldn't shake the feeling of unease that swelled in her gut, though she forced a smile and even a laugh as the other two began their own. The laughter echoed through the halls of the palace, making even the guards shiver when it flowed around them. ------ Bronzehoof flipped a small deck of cards, one by one, through the air and into an upside down top hat. The unicorn was bored out of his mind, struggling to stay awake as the moon hung in the sky overhead. He could hear his two subordinates working in the back, scrubbing away at pots and pans while the rest of the fort's guards slept soundly in their beds. Unfortunately, the fort was bordering along the air nomad's lands. Right on the border. Their forces had been so pushed in for longer than he had been stationed here, so aside from the occasional ship restocking there was little to nothing for them to ever do aside from waiting out their term. At least, on most nights. He tossed another card before a loud grinding sound caught his attention. He gazed over the battlements and his mouth fell open. A cloaked pony was making its way towards the fort. Behind it was a buffalo, pulling a wheel-less wagon holding something large and covered with a cloth. The wagon dragged across the ground, digging deep into the ground. “Halt, who goes there!” Bronzehoof yelled before galloping down the wall's stairs and running to the front gate. He pushed it open with minor difficulty, it wasn't even locked. The pony stopped, the glow of torches just barely illuminating under the cloak to show a small golden necklace and soft blue coat. “I've come to offer a gift to the new princess,” the pony, a mare judging by the voice, said. “What is it?” the soldier asked as he stood up straight. It took him a moment to realize he hadn't even donned his armor. Perhaps he had become too lax on his watches. “Look for yourself,” the mare said with a wave of her hoof. He snorted but stepped forward, pulling the cover down. His mouth nearly hit the ground when the cloth did, staring in the large cage on top of the wagon. “That's a... that's... that's a...” “A dragon. One of the last. Please, give it to the new princess with this, as a gift from my master.” A small letter flew to Bronzehoof's hoof. He looked down at it with a cocked eye. “There's only one princess. She'll want this... huh?” When he looked up, the mare was gone, as was the buffalo. He couldn't even see their hoof prints. “Where did she go? How... no matter. Snips! Snails! Get your butts down here!” He heard clattering followed by the sound of shattered glass, a signal the two clumsy oafs had broken something else. He rolled his eyes before tearing open the letter and flipping it open. He read it for a few moments before tossing it aside, letting it blow away in the breeze. 'Dear Princess, Today I learned just how much fun all you ponies can be. Don't think it's all over yet, it's only just begun. I hope my gifts bring you as much pleasure as they have me. Love, D~'