//------------------------------// // Chapter 12: De-horned // Story: Avatar: The Last Alicorn. Book 3: Unicorn // by Jeweled Pen //------------------------------// Scootaloo groaned and shivered in her bed. She couldn't get comfortable, no matter how she tried. Though the piping had long since warmed, she found the city turned to almost freezing temperatures at night. At first she had found it nice, but after spending an entire day in sweltering temperatures, she was having trouble adjusting to the sudden decrease in temperature. If those were the only things causing her problems, she'd have likely been fine. Unfortunately, it wasn't. She'd eaten with Grimset again and, as she expected, the entire ordeal had been troubling. His flirtations were starting to get on her nerves, though mainly because she didn't trust him. She had a sneaking feeling he was only flirting with her to get something, though she didn't know what. Granted, it was possibly her own insecurities playing up. She'd never really had colts interested in her. Potential mates tended to be chosen based on flight potential. Being the only Shadowbolt-in-training who couldn't fly tended to lead to her being overshadowed by practically every other mare in the organization. As much as she'd like to feel he just found her attractive, she was no fool. She'd learned long ago not to accept anything at face value. Besides, even if he was being honest, he was far, far too old for her. She was quite certain he was up to something, and she wanted to know what it was. Boiling Rock had been almost a complete waste of time. She'd fortunately made sure to still check on the pegasi stationed there, having even pulled a few out of bed, but there had only been one who had even come close to being a potential member. She'd have to work with the mare more before she was certain. Being agile and fast wasn't the only requirement, after all. What troubled her the most, however, was tomorrow night she was going to watch the de-horning ceremony of one of the unicorns. Just the thought of the last de-horning she'd seen, the way the unicorn had screamed with every chop of the ax, was enough to set her off kilter. Enough that-- her mane went on end and she sat up. A second later her window exploded, sending glass hurtling at her. She instantly rolled away from it, tossing her thick blanket up as a shield and sliding into the crevice between the bed and wall. A few small shards embedded above her, though fortunately from her position only a few pieces fell on her. She kept her breathing as still as she could, trying not to move as she waited. The door to her room swung open and ponies charged into the room. Pegasi and unicorns, most only partially in armor and looking as bewildered as her, looked frantically for the cause of the damage. “Shadowbolt?” Hornclipper's voice tore through the room. Scootaloo slowly stood, shaking the glass from her body and coughing. A few small cuts were torn across her body, but nothing too severe. She looked around, ready to dive under the bed in the event she needed cover, but she saw no sign of a follow-up. “I'm fine. Find out who just tried to kill me.” “I don't think--” “Somepony did just try to kill me,” she hissed angrily. “Windows don't just explode. Find who did this, and bring them here!” She stepped gingerly through the maze of glass. Once she was out in the hallway, she caught sight of Black Marble galloping down the hall. “Lady Scootaloo! I heard an explosion, what happened?” For the first time, his smile was gone and he looked quite raggedy, his mane wild and unkept. “Somepony tried to kill me. Your security here is horrible.” She glanced towards the shattered window and frowned. “If I didn't know it was impossible, I'd say it was a fire bender.” Marble froze. After a few moments he regathered himself, his smile returned and he shook his head. “Surely you jest. There is no way a fire bender could have done it. There are none within--” “No, there aren't,” Scootaloo interrupted. “But apparently there are ponies who found other ways to control flames. Find them immediately before I decide YOU'RE behind this.” She stabbed a hoof towards him angrily. The stallion blanched slightly, but his smile never wavered. “As you wish. I will have my best agents working on it.” She nodded and sighed. “Good. Now, in the mean time, I require a new room. One without a window.” The stallion nodded and motioned her to follow. She was doubtful she'd get much sleep now. As if she didn't already have enough on her mind, now she had to worry about assassins. Thankfully, dealing with assassins was something all Shadowbolts were trained for, so her mind was already processing and planning for defenses and ways to catch her would-be killer. Though, she doubted they'd catch the pony tonight, but it didn't worry her. Whoever it was had tipped their hoof, now it was just a matter of her countering it. If they thought they could just make her hide and cower because of one little explosion, they had another thing coming. But first, she had to find a new bed. She'd need to try to get some sleep in order to deal with this new threat. ------ Rarity didn't waste any time the next morning. She'd gone to bed early and, through some miracle, had a restful sleep. The nightmares had finally deemed to leave her be. For a moment, she wondered if they were all just the manifestation of her avoidance of her aunt for so long. However, she couldn't focus on it for long. Once she awoke she leaped from her bed and quickly rushed through her daily morning rituals. She didn't even brush her mane the full hundred times, barely making it past fifty. She gave one glance at the cage holding the little dragon, before shaking her head and trotting quickly out from her room. The sun had only just come up, revealing the front courtyard from the hall windows. She stopped for a moment and stared at a pony dangling from the flagpole. Well, the corpse of a pony. It seemed there had been yet another assassination attempt. She idly wondered if it was on her sister, mother or one of their high ranking officials. She couldn't bring herself to be too worried about it. Had it been anything serious, she would have been summoned. The corpse would hang there for a few days before being removed, then the pole would be cleaned and await the next would-be assassin. She avoided the kitchen, instead going straight to the prison. The guard blocking the door had bleary eyes, rapidly standing to attention when she arrived. “Y-your highness.” She cocked an eyebrow at his ragged appearance. His helmet was off center, armor wasn't completely buckled and he had part of his lunch still resting by his hoof. In short, he had been slacking. “Open the gate. Also, I'd ensure to keep yourself in better form when on guard. Even if it is night, if my mother came and found you in such a state...” She trailed off, letting the stallion's imagination take effect. Judging by how pale he became, she imagined it was working well. “Errr, right ma'am. Sorry ma'am.” The pony quickly turned and unlocked the door, making it open with a screech of metal. She stepped inside and smiled, thankful it was a different guard this time. She wasn't in the mood to deal with threats and yelling in order to see her aunt. She paused and looked around as the door slammed shut behind her. As she had ordered, the room was cleaned from top to bottom. There was no more dust or dirt. All the dishes had been cleared, the bedding replaced and the only sign of food was a single empty tray, clear of any mold. Her aunt was sitting on the bed, watching the door intently. Unfortunately, the mare didn't look any healthier, though the despair was gone from her face. Her meal had been eaten fully as well, so Rarity imagined it was now only a matter of time before a safe level of fat formed over those bones. “Niece, I am happy to see you decided to still come.” “I want answers,” Rarity said softly, her gaze lowering as she took a seat in front of the cell. Though she didn't realize it, she was instinctively taking the position of a student, before her teacher. Celestia noted and tried to suppress her happiness, though she knew her joy wouldn't last. “There is... much I must explain to you. Of your father, especially. I... I had hoped you would never have to know what truly happened to him. However, if your mother is... using some semblance of him, it means you must know.” “Then tell me.” Rarity slowly rose her head. “What were you and my father working on? Just what was your relationship?” Celestia's eyes lowered. “I... that's...” She took a deep breath and shook her head. “You... deserve the truth. Sombra was Luna's husband to be, but... we had a... relationship of our own.” Rarity's eyes widened. “W-what?” She slowly nodded. “Yes. He and I were... our relationship was... complicated. As children we knew each other well, as he was of a noble family, descended from the previous avatar. His family was powerful and his betrothal to my sister meant we saw him often.” Her cheeks tinged red. “I... will not deny that we... shared a bit more than friendship.” Rarity's eyes widened. “You... you didn't. You had an affair wi--” “NO!” Celestia shook her head quickly. “I would never have betrayed my sister like that! He wouldn't have, either. Sombra was a good, kind stallion. Noble and well meaning in all he did. All he ever wished for was to keep his family safe and happy, for everypony to live peacefully together. He was... unique.” “You had feelings for him, though?” Celestia fidgeted slightly, but nodded. “I... will not deny that I did. At times I'd even been angry with my sister, for gaining him when, as the firstborn, I felt he should have belonged to me. But no, father wanted the descendant of the avatar tied to our family, but not to the firstborn.” Rarity frowned and ground a hoof in the ground. “Is this why my father is gone? Because your little... crush? Did you try to tempt him away from my mother?” “No!” Celestia said again, shaking her head. “I... I was jealous. That was all. But my sister meant the world to me, and she meant the world to him. Especially once she had you, I would have never, ever tried to steal him away. I would have never, even at my worst, have wished this taint onto her, or for the fate that befell him. Now, you must know this because... this is why your mother was so harsh on him when he failed.” “Harsh on him?” She slowly nodded. “This... taint, that took over your mother. It made her jealous and angry. Nothing like the mare she was. The soft spoken, kind mare. When she realized my feelings for her husband... she delighted in tormenting me with it.” “And that's why you tried to fight her?” “No... that's why when we failed, she tore his spirit asunder and made me watch when she destroyed his body.” Anger dripped from the words. “Tell me...” Rarity whispered. “Very well. Your father was brilliant. Perhaps one of the most brilliant unicorns I'd ever met. He could decipher a spell and its components in mere moments, after just seeing it once. When your sister was... changed, he was wise enough to hide that he had realized what happened to her. Or at least, that he knew something was wrong. That she hadn't gained control over a great power, that this great power had gained control over her. He played along as best he could, but researched everything he could until I returned.” Celestia shook her head and gazed at her niece with sadness. “When I returned... he told me everything. I should have told him to stop, to just let it be. But... I'd already lost a father to this monster, I couldn't bear to lose a sister as well. And a small part of me... delighted in an opportunity to spend more time with him. So we worked together. As the avatar and his friends had been the ones to defeat Discord, Sombra knew we would need that very power to save your mother. He researched everything he could on those lost magics, anything at all that had existed and could be used to fight this corruption.” “And this eventually brought him to the Spirit World and those other magics. The ones that Trixie had tried to control?” “Yes. Though, his reasons for it were far more honorable. He believed that in the Spirit World we could find the manifestation of Discord that held your mother. If we could dispel it there, we could save her. We... had been so naive then.” “What happened?” “Your mother had been watching us all along. Tracking our every movements. When it finally came time for us to confront her...” She sighed gently. “He... went alone. He refused to let me come, said one of us must try to protect everypony if it failed. I only saw the end of the confrontation. I...” Tears welled up in her eyes. “It was a battle of hearts and souls. He made a magical ring that he believed would protect him against the corruption. He wore it on his horn. I watched as the darkness spread out across it, melting and reshaping the metal around his horn as he screamed. Then...” The mare turned paler still. “I... I heard his spirit scream. The two stood across from each other, but their battle could be felt by all, for miles. She tore him apart with her magic, his screams echoing through our cores.” She gulped softly. “I... for a moment I entered the Spirit World. I tried to find him. I... I wanted to find him. I just saw the pieces, the remains of your father. I... I ran.” Rarity gulped and shivered. “Then... then that thing...” “Your mother left no body remaining. If... if that thing was any semblance of Sombra, it was her magic given form. Something created for her to torment and twist. Your father... is no more.” “But, you said you didn't see--” “Did that thing seem like your father? Act like him? Could you see even a semblance of him... in it?” Rarity slowly lowered her eyes and shook her head. “No... I... I mean... I saw... it looked like him. Except... eviler? He didn't act like him at all. Just obedient and... murderous.” “Exactly. Your father would have never taken the life of another without there being any other way. Whatever that... thing was, it was not your father. Don't... believe it to be so.” Celestia slowly climbed down from her bed and walked to the bars. Her hoof reached out and patted the mare's head. “I know this must be difficult for you. But you must be strong. You've lost your father, your mother and your sister. However, both Luna and Sweetie may yet be saved. Whatever saved you might possibly save them.” “But I wasn't--” “Rarity, child. Do you really think I would lie? Or worse, couldn't see this corruption, feel it spreading through a pony? I've already lost a sister and a niece to it. Do you honestly believe I could not identify it in you?” A chill went down Rarity's spine and she slowly shook her head. “Well... I... but you said there was no way to break its hold. You said--” “I was wrong.” Celestia couldn't resist it, she smiled. “I have never, in all my life, been so happy to be wrong. This taint that infects your sister CAN be reversed. It can be stopped. If you can just remember what stopped it. Niece, is there anything, no matter how small or insignificant it may seem, that you can remember once this dragon awoke?” “No, there wasn't...” Rarity trailed off and her hoof groped at her neck. “No. Wait. There is... there is one thing. I remember... I remember a necklace.” She softly stroked the one Spike and Sweetie had made for her. “That one?” “No. Another. It was just there for a moment. I had touched it and it felt... warm. Then it was gone. I thought maybe I had gone insane. It was probably my imagination, all that pain and mixed emotions. But it... felt so real at the time.” Celestia frowned and stroked her chin. Her eyes lit up after a few moments of quiet contemplation. “Interesting. Niece, I have but one bit of advice for you. Go, search through the tomes in the library. Find every bit of information you can on the avatar. Most importantly, what this necklace could be.” “You... think it's real? I wasn't just imagining it?” The elder mare chuckled and turned, walking back to her bed. “Oh niece. I believe I know exactly what it could be. I've always said you were a special mare... I could think of none more worthy.” Rarity flushed. “If... if you know what it is, tell me. I need to--” “I can't. This is something you need to find out on your own.” Celestia laid down and watched her with a smile. “In fact... this is something you likely wouldn't believe me if I told you. You are--” The sound of metal screeching on metal filled the room. Rarity turned, fury in her eyes, on the door. The rage quickly gave way to fear as she saw the tall, dangerous mare standing in the doorway. Nightmare Moon stood tall and imposing in the exit. Despite the fact there was plenty of room to either side of her, her frame seemed to block the entire doorway. Her mane flowed behind her, quivering with magic. She wore her full battle armor, her horn sticking through the top, piercing as a spear. Her breastplate gleamed in the little light the room held. Even Celestia's breath caught, though she quickly recovered. “Luna, what--” “My name is Nightmare Moon,” the ruler of the nation interrupted. Despite her voice never going above a soft volume, the words seemed to reverberate and echo through the room, pounding on the inside of Rarity's skull. “M-mother I was just--” “I know of what you were doing, dear daughter,” the dark mare moved closer and reached out, stroking a hoof through Rarity's mane. However, the touch felt cold and lifeless, completely opposite of Celestia's touch. “Sister, I know what you're up to. You managed to steal my husband from me, now you aim to steal my dear child, as well?” “Sister, I never stole--” “SILENCE!” Her words echoed through the room with her rage filled yell. Even from inside, Rarity could hear the light clinking of the trembling guards from outside. “Rarity has earned her place at my side. Something you, on the other hoof, have not. I will not tolerate you trying to drive her away.” The young princess trembled, gulping nervously. Was she going to be banished again? A hoof touched her chin and made her look up, into her mother's eyes. Those cold, green, merciless eyes. “You are not to return here, do I make myself clear?” Rarity gulped and tried to make an excuse. “Mother, I was just--” The grip turned cruel as the ruler moved closer and forced Rarity's head back at an uncomfortable angle. “Do. I. Make. Myself. Clear?” “Y-yes...” Tears welled in her eyes, though she tried to suppress them. Then the pain was gone and her mother pulled back. “Good, now leave us. My sister and I have... much to discuss. Lessons she apparently must relearn...” “Mother, it wasn't her fault, I--” “I said leave!” Nightmare Moon didn't wait for the princess to respond, picking the young mare up in her magic and flinging her from the room, gracelessly. Rarity groaned and slowly picked herself up, shaking her head. She stared back at the door, moments before it slammed shut. She kicked the ground. So close, she could feel it. If she had just a little more time, she'd have had more answers. Now she could no longer return. She tried to avoid thinking of what fate would befall her aunt now, instead focusing on the last words and task she had been given. Perhaps she could find the answers on her own. Even if she was no longer allowed to visit her aunt, the library was always open to her. She gave the prison one last, sad look, before turning and walking away. ------ Scootaloo nudged her salad around on her plate, staring absently at the small grape tomato that stood out amongst the green like a drop of blood on a flower. “Lady Scootaloo, are you well?” Marble asked from across the table. “Hmmm? I'm fine.” The day had been slow and nearly as useless as the previous. The assassin had escaped, though that hadn't surprised her nearly as much as it had her benefactors. Her enemies would try again, and she'd catch them. She didn't doubt that. She'd been keeping a close eye on all she met, and had spent the day inside gathering information. Though Marble assured her none of the cities 'resistance' groups were any real threat, she wanted to make sure. Unfortunately, all the information they had backed up this evaluation. Judging by all the records, none were any real threat and none should have had the courage to try such an attack. Unfortunately, the chosen weapon didn't help either. Apparently it was some sort of cheap bomb. Similar in design to fireworks, it was extra explosive and extra dangerous. However, the remains hinted at crude construction, likely home built. Having no expertise with such weapons, she had to trust their assessment. She had gone through all the reports she could get her hooves on, staring at them until her eyes were bloodshot and head sore. In the end, only two possible suggestions came to mind. One, there was a hidden organization or one of the organizations had decided to step up their game, far beyond anything they'd tried before. Two, it was one or a few ponies working alone, likely hoping to start their own rebellion. Either way, she'd have to be wary of exposing herself more than needed. Fortunately, she wasn't one to go exploring. She had never really been very social, and most of the ponies here made her uneasy. The de-horned made her especially nervous. So the majority of her time would be spent in military locations, examining potential Shadowbolts. She glanced back to Marble and smiled. “Well, seeing as you invited me to your table tonight, I imagine it's important we discuss another matter. You know of my mission, but are you aware of my authority, as well?” He nodded quickly. “I have no intentions of impeding your way, Lady Scootaloo. I wish only to help.” She nodded. “Good. Then I have to make a request of you. I need a place to train and hold all these Shadowbolts. I'm hoping I'll find a hundred, at least, so I'll need a sizable base of operations.” The stallion nearly choked. “A-a hundred? But--” “Not all will be adults. Some will be children, possibly even foals. We require potential, but that requires space to demonstrate. Would you be able to grant me someplace suitable?” “A-as you wish. It may take a few days, but I will do the best I can.” Scootaloo moved the tomato around on her plate, considering ordering him to have it done in one day. However, she had plenty of time to wait. Besides, she still wanted to research more of the groups in the city before she had to resort to more training measures. The more time she had, the better. “Good. Is there anything you'd like to ask of me?” The pony slowly nodded. “There... is one thing. Tonight's de-horning. I don't think you should see it. It's a violent, nasty ritual that a mare such--” “It's happening to a mare, so I think any mare can have the strength to stand up and watch it,” Scootaloo said testily. “I've already decided I'll watch, so don't try to talk me out of it.” She rolled her eyes in annoyance. Her decision to watch the ritual was one of the key reasons she'd decided not to share a meal with Grimset today. He'd invited her, but she knew he'd try to talk her out of seeing the ritual too. She'd never thought Marble would care. “I just think that--” “I'm from the Water Nation. I'm a Shadowbolt. I've seen far worse, and will likely see more horrible things before my services end.” She decided it best to leave out the fact she was using it to decide if she'd send a letter to Sweetie about ending the de-horning procedures. It was none of his concern if they ended or not. The stallion sighed and nodded. “As you wish. I can't order you. Though I really wish you'd reconsider.” “Then you wish in vain.” Scootaloo popped the tomato in her mouth and chewed it slowly. The rest of the meal was eaten in silence, neither willing to speak. After, they quickly departed in a large, red carriage. It was just her and Marble, causing her to glance around. “I expected Hornclipper would want to ride with you.” “Hornclipper is already there,” Marble said softly, his hooves crossed and eyes closed. “He spends the hours before the ceremony preparing his wing blades, making the edge as sharp as possible. I often worry he'll sharpen a pair so fine that they'll break against the horn. He'd probably beat the unicorn within an inch of their life if that happened.” “An inch of their life might be all they have left after being de-horned,” Scootaloo muttered. “How many ponies will see this?” “Not many. The Warden will be there, the pony's family as well. Sometimes we get ponies who want to see a show, but we haven't had many since our forces were called away. Not many have the time, or energy, to trek up to Boiling Rock just to watch some child lose their horn.” She glanced to him and cocked an eyebrow. “Do you pity these ponies? Regret that they have to lose their horns?” He shook his head. “No. This is a necessity. We've done it for over a hundred years, and will do it until the last fire bender dies out. Just look at the problems those still horned ones have caused.” “You mean the return of the sun?” “Yes,” Marble sighed softly. “There was a lot of talk of us losing the war after that. Especially considering we hadn't received much communication from the mother land once it happened. We expected the Avatar and an army to walk up on our cities at any day.” “Oh, I heard. Apparently things almost spun out of control. I guess we're lucky the Avatar never made her way here, aren't we?” “Indeed. Who knows what might have happened? I'll be grateful once the sun is gone for good.” Scootaloo tried to suppress herself, but she couldn't. “So you can't find anything you like about the return of the sun? You don't like all the heat, the ability to travel outside, the fact plants are growing better?” The stallion gulped nervously. “I... I won't deny that I have liked some aspects of the sun. However, as a loyal soldier of the Water Nation, my first allegiance is to her highness, Nightmare Moon. The sun is a direct challenge to her rule, and needs to be removed.” He slowly looked her up and down. “I assume you agree?” She grinned. “Indeed. However, I wouldn't object if she was to ever change her mind. While I dislike this much heat, the daytime has been nice.” She paused for a moment and looked thoughtful. “And if the Water Nation was to rule both the day and the night, well... I imagine that would give the other nations reason to stop their rebellions.” “Perhaps,” Marble said softly, a thoughtful expression crossing his face. The two sat in silence, neither speaking up again as the carriage made its way to Boiling Rock. When it finally stopped, she stepped out and stared. A sizable crowd had gathered, a few dozen ponies. Guards flew through the air, keeping an eye out for any trouble and two unicorns stood on either side of a small, red coated filly. The filly looked just barely older than a foal, the thought of what the pony was going to have to go through made her cringe. The child was staring off to the right, and it didn't take her long to find out what she was watching. Hornclipper. Scootaloo's eyes narrowed. He was off by himself, his right wing blade detached and in front of him. He held a sharpening stone in his hoof, and was continuously bringing it against the edge. The poor child was watching and twitching with every sound of the stone against the blade. She caught sight of a few of the de-horned, guarded by soldiers. They looked furious, ready to charge Hornclipper at a moments notice. Once the ritual began and he started chopping furiously at that horn, she imagined they just might. Hopefully the guards would be able to stop them. With their arrival, the ponies started setting up the mare. To her horror, they strapped the child into a wide wooden device that held the front hooves and head completely still. It also covered the filly's eyes, so the world was blocked out. She understood why, otherwise the mare might be able to pull back, or shake and recoil. Throwing off the blade's aim and cutting into the child's head. But now that the girl was blind and helpless, she started crying. Terrified wailing echoed out of the device. Hornclipper didn't seem to notice, though the ponies closest moved uneasily. Her guards stepped away, leaving the stallion to do his job. The blade was reattached to the wing, where he examined it slowly. Satisfied, he nodded and charged. Scootaloo stared, her mouth coming open. He planned to run and slash? Fury built up within her stomach as he made a sport of the poor child's anguish. His first pass was quick, passing by the child in a moment. A few seconds later agonized screams filled the air as sparks burst from the child's head, her magic spouting out from the cracks and wounds like a firecracker. Scootaloo nearly charged in to take over, when she realized the stallion wasn't readying himself for another pass. The guards were slowly unstrapping the mare and her family was surging forward, with Hornclipper quickly moving aside. She then caught sight of the small, red horn on the ground. A smooth, single cut by an extremely sharp blade. The screams didn't stop as magic flowed out from the wound and her family tried desperately to calm the wounded child. Hornclipper trotted back, scooped up the horn in his mouth, before walking away. “How did he do that?” Scootaloo asked softly. “Do what?” Marble asked, staring at her. “A single cut. A horn shouldn't break like that. I've seen swords of ice shatter on them. From experienced water benders.” He shrugged. “I wouldn't know, Lady Scootaloo. He's always done it with one slash. I imagine it's just how young and weak their magic is.” Scootaloo nodded, but watched the stallion as he walked to the edge of Boiling Rock, and tossed the horn piece into the lake below. She gently rubbed her chin and frowned. There was something fishy about him, and she didn't like it. She just hoped the unease it was giving her would be unfounded.