The Price of Power

by kingrulerword

Chapter 5

I stood in front of the Golden Oaks Library and it was quiet. Too quiet. I assumed my pony form and entered. The mane six sans Twilight were passed out around the library. They each had a pillow and were wrapped up in a cover. "Why are they still here?" I wondered. I stepped over and around the sleeping ponies and made my way up the stairs. Spike was asleep in his basket and Starlight was sleeping in Twilight's bed. Twilight herself, was missing.

I closed my eyes and used the sensing technique. I felt all of the creatures in the immediate vicinity. Twilight was in the basement. Why were they making me go up and down so many stairs? Two flights of stairs later, I found Twilight looking over the papers the machine printed before it overloaded. The machine itself still looked mostly intact and the glass ball still held some of my chakra.

"You should go back to sleep," I said and Twilight jumped. "This stuff isn't going anywhere."

"I know, it's just...I had to see what this magic was," she said putting the papers down. "I've never seen anything like it before. Did you know that it changed properties during the explosion? It's almost as if it's alive. Not only that, the magic itself carried emotions! Do you realize what this means?"

"No?" I said overwhelmed by Twilight's excitement.

"The source of this magic can't be native to Equestria! I have to send a letter to Princess Celestia right away!"

That would be a problem. Causing the entire town to have nightmares probably alerted the princesses to my presence in Ponyville. A letter to Celestia would only make things worse.

"Hold on Twilight," she already had a paper and quill in her magic. "You might want to hold off on that letter."

"Why?"

"Let's start with the basics: You have questionable-at-best data gained from a failed experiment with damaged equipment. You also have what only amounts to a bunch of guesses based on said bad data."

"Oh," she replied, crestfallen.

"And you're not at your mental best right now. You suffered an accident and haven't gotten nearly enough sleep. So first, got to bed and then we can deal with this tomorrow."

"OK." Twilight started up the stairs and I breathed a huge sigh of relief. I followed Twilight to the main floor and went back to my books. She went up to her room. I opened up The Life and Times of Starswirl the Bearded and made myself comfortable.

"Okay Starswirl, where are you hiding from me?"

Princess Celestia smiled as she awoke. For some reason, she had an extremely pleasant sleep. This seemed strange to her considering Sasuke was on the loose but she was never one to question a good thing. She frowned as she thought about him. He had not only freed himself from the Elements of Harmony but also threatened to kill her little ponies. When she had first seen him again she was hoping he had changed for the better but it seemed he had come back the same, if not worse. Celestia rolled over in her bed, trying to ease her mind with comfort.

"Sister, it is time to raise the sun," Luna said from the hallway. "Also, we need to talk to you."

Luna's voice pulled Celestia from her thoughts. She lit her horn and pulled the sun from its slumber into the sky. A warm yellow light filled the room and Celestia basked in its warm glow. She had a good feeling about today. Maybe the small team would report that Sasuke had exiled himself. After all, he had no plans for revenge. He'd said so himself. Then she opened her eyes. The disappointment that filled Celestia surpassed any feeling she'd had before. She sat up in her bed.

"Swift Arrow, Long Bow, I need you to wake up," Celestia commanded.

The two pegasai groggily woke up.

"Good morning, Princess," Swift Arrow yawned. "What are you doing here?"

"I think I should be asking you that question," Celestia responded.

Swift Arrow fully opened up his eyes and took in his surroundings.

"I-I can't feel my body," he said fearfully. "Oh no! Am-am I dead?"

Celestia put her face on her hoof, "No, you're just-"

"Oh give me another chance please," Swift pleaded. "I'll be a good pony this time I swear! I'll write to my mother, I won't cheat at poker with the guys anymore, I'll take my job more seriously, I'll take down those pin-ups of Princess Cadence and Princess Luna-"

"Swift Arrow!" Celestia yelled, finally getting the young pegasus's attention. "Listen to me. You are not dead. This is not an afterlife. And we will need to talk at length later about these pin-ups."

Swift arrow looked away and blushed. Celestia turned to Captain Long Bow who had been sitting in amused silence.

"Captain Bow, please give me your report," Celestia sighed.

"Sister, what is going on in there?" Luna shouted before Bow could respond. "I'm coming in!"

Luna teleported into Celestia's bedroom and surveyed the scene before her with horror. "Are those ponies... dead?"

Celestia facehoofed again, "No, its just red paint."

"Thank goodness," Luna released the breath she didn't know she was holding. "We need to talk, sister. It is of the utmost importance."

"In a minute, Luna," Celestia said. "Captain Bow, please give me your report."

"As per your orders," Bow began, "We journeyed into the Everfree Forest in search of the creature known as Sasuke Uchiha."

Celestia nodded and Luna looked at her sister. She thought about saying something but was cut off as Captain Bow continued.

"Private Arrow, Starlight Shimmer, and I, found the strange rain just as you said we would. While Starlight was taking samples, the creature attacked us."

Celestia's face hardened. "What happened," she asked.

"The creature unleashed a terrifying aura on us. It felt like bloodlust made tangible. Then it used small projectiles to injure our wings so we couldn't fly away. It then asked us our names and special talents."

"Forgive me for interrupting, " Luna said, "but what happened to Starlight Shimmer?"

"The creature offered her a job in exchange for taking her to her sister, Sunset Shimmer. Then it knocked us out and we woke up here," Captain Bow concluded.

Celestia smiled, "So he took the bait?"

"He took the bait," Captain Bow confirmed.

"Wait, what bait?" Swift asked.

"Before I sent Starlight Shimmer, I placed a spell on her that will cause her to send me information about Sasuke and his plans. Then I erased her memory of the spell so even if she is interrogated, there will be nothing for her to reveal," Celestia said.

"So what about this Sunset Shimmer then? Where is she?" Swift asked.

Celestia looked away, "Sunset Shimmer is-"

Celestia froze. On her desk was one of Sasuke's strange knives stabbed into the very expensive wood through a piece of paper. Grabbing the paper in her magic, she saw it was a letter. She began reading it aloud.

Dear Celestia,

This morning you found the two ponies in your bed. By now you have probably realized that they are that tracking unit you sent after me. Not cool. When I said I'd kill anypony you sent after me, did you think I was joking? I realize that may have sounded rather threatening. Rest assured that I am in no way contemplating genocide the murder revenge. Instead I just want to remind you that using your citizens as sacrificial pawns to test the validity of threats that come from known killers is a dick move.

By now you've also probably noticed a lack of plates. I know I told you I'd send their heads back on plates but, truth be told, it seemed like a lot of work, I don't know the layout of the castle and couldn't find the kitchen. Right now though, you're probably wondering why there are only two ponies in your bed when you sent three after me. Don't worry, I didn't kill her but I am keeping her. Starlight is mine now and I will do what I please with her. That did not come out right. What I meant is she is now an integral part of my plans. None of which include inter-species sex. As you know, I'm not really into the whole four legs 'man on horse' thing. Bottom line, thanks for the new servant.

Your new student, Twilight Sparkle, seems very promising. Intelligent, hard-working, and enormous magical potential. I might need a powerful pony in the future and now I know where to find one. I'll keep an eye on her.On a happier note, you still look cute when you sleep. I would have loved to try out that extra soft looking bed. Not with you of course. Anyway miss you and hope to see you soon. And tell Luna I said hi.

Your best bud
Sasuke

P.S. Tell Luna I'm sorry about the outbreak of nightmares in Ponyville. That was an accident and I'd hate to make her job more difficult.

Celestia's eye was twitching as she finished reading the letter. She glared at her sister. "Outbreak of nightmares in Ponyville?" Celestia hissed through clenched teeth. "When were you going to tell me about that?"

"When you woke up. It is what we came here to tell you about," Luna replied. "And nightmare doesn't even begin to describe the horrors unleashed upon poor Ponyville. Night terrors is a far better term. Also why are we only a footnote in Sasuke's letter?"

Celestia was dumbfounded, "Luna, are you... jealous?"

"Of course we are," Luna snorted, "after all, he is our-"

"Not in front of other ponies," Celestia interrupted. "Captain Bow, Private Arrow, you are dismissed."

"Of course, Princess," Captain Bow said, "There's just one problem."

"What is that," Celestia asked.

"We can't move," Swift replied.

Rolling her eyes, Celestia used her magic to pull the two pegasai out of her bed. While pulling them out she discovered that they were bound with rope and had bandages on their wing joints. Celestia undid the bindings and put them down.

"Go to the infirmary first," she told them.

Both soldiers saluted and left Celestia alone in her bedroom with her sister. Celestia closed her eyes and took a deep breath. " We can't just let him run around free. He doesn't value life and as long as he's near Twilight and her friends, all of Equestria is in danger."

Celestia opened her eyes. "We'll take the guard and go to Ponyville."

"Sister, we believe he is baiting us. He will draw us into Ponyville and then come to Canterlot to retrieve his sword and book."

"How do you know?"

"He inquired about their whereabouts when he spoke to us."

"Then what do you recommend?"

Luna walked past Celestia and stood in front of the window. She looked out over the city, trying to formulate a plan. After a minute of thought, she had an idea.

"Sasuke will definitely come to Canterlot eventually," Luna explained. "Whatever his plans are, they most likely cannot proceed without his book."

Celestia walked to where Luna was standing and looked at the city with her. "So should we move his things to a more secure location?"

"No. We will use them to lure him into the city and then fight him on our terms."

"You want to turn our capital city into a battleground? What about the innocent ponies here?"

"We shall set up evacution centers throughout the city and reinforce them with our magic. We can even set up traps around the city to use our environment to our advantage."

Celestia hesitated. She knew what her enemy was capable of and she knew Luna's plan was their best shot at stopping him. However she was still concerned about the casualties should Luna's plan fail.

"Sister, do you trust me?" Luna asked.

Celestia nuzzled her little sister. "Of course I do, Lulu."

"Then believe me when I say this: We will stop Sasuke. We will protect our little ponies."

As I sat outside of the library watching the sun rise, I expected to see a large contingent of guards led by the sun princess coming from Canterlot. I was disappointed when she never came. I thought she would fall for that for sure. Oh well, on to plan B. I went back into the library. Twilight and Starlight were doing much better and there seemed to be no lingering effects. They were in the basement analyzing the data the machine managed to produce before it failed. Spike was in the basement as well cleaning up the mess.

I had gotten what I wanted from the biographies of Starswirlthe Bearded and had nothing to do for a while. I decided to take a nap until I was needed again.

"Rolling Stone!"

My eyes shot open. Starlight and Twilight were standing over me, brimming with excitement.

"Well you two look like you're going to explode so let me guess: You found something interesting."

"Interesting doesn't even begin to describe what we discovered!" Twilight shouted. "This magic is almost like life itself!"

"Say what now?"

"What Twilight means," Starlight explained, "is that this magic can carry thoughts and feelings. It is a literal extension of its source."

"How is that different from Equestrian magic?" I asked.

"Equestrian magic is like a tool that can be manipulated for a variety of different purposes," Twilight said. "It is passive in nature. The new magic is active in nature. Inside of a living body it would follow the body's natural instructions. This magic can act on its own!"

"Sooooo."

"Sooooo, if we could give this magic to ponies, it would make them stronger, faster, maybe even smarter. It could make ponies heal faster! There's no limit to the good this magic could do for ponykind!" Twilight was literally bouncing around the room now.

"Except for last night when it was eating your mind," I reminded her.

"Well yes but-"

"What was up with that anyway?" I asked.

"This new magic is incompatible with Equestrian magic. They react volatilely when exposed to each other."

"So you probably shouldn't be messing around with it until you fully understand it."

Twilight's ears fell, "You're right."

"But is does give you the opportunity to study something nopony has ever seen before."

Twilight perked back up. "I'll be the next Starswirl the Bearded and Princess Celestia will be so proud of me and I'll win so many awards-"

"Better get started," I told her.

Twilight grabbed several books in her magic and went back into the basement. Starlight started to follow but I stepped in front of her.

"I'm going out to take care of some... errands," I said. "If twilight starts talking about sending messages to Celestia, you need to prevent that. By any means necessary. Understand?"

Starlight took in my words and I could see her coming to a conclusion that horrified her. "Do you.... want me to kill her?" she whispered.

I facehoofed, "Let me rephrase: Any means necessary within reason."

She walked into the basement and I walked out of the library. As long as I was in Ponyville, I thought I should set up some back up plans. First things first, time to go to Sugarcube Corner.

After a few (read: a lot of) wrong turns, I made it to the giant gingerbread house. Walking in, I noticed the place was empty except for a smiling Pinkie Pie behind the counter.

"Slow day?"

"Not anymore now that you're here," Pinkie exclaimed. "Do you want a cupcake? Or a dozen cupcakes? Or maybe you want a dozen dozens of cupcakes and-"

"I'll have to take a rain check. I actually need to find a pony."

"Why didn't you just say so silly! Nopony can find a pony better than Pinkie!"

"That's great Pinkie. I need find Derpy Hooves' house."

"Okie dokie lokie. Just follow me!" Pinkie said as she ran out the door. For a moment I wondered how she could leave a cash register unattended and the store unlocked. Then I remembered I've never seen any petty criminals in this world.

I chased Pinkie Pie down Ponyville's roads until she stopped at a house slightly separated from the ones to either side.

"This is where Derpy lives," Pinkie said.

"Thanks PInkie. One more thing, when the dragon was sleeping near Ponyville, where was the cave?"

"Right over there," Pinkie pointed at a mountain with her hoof.

"Thanks again." PInkie just stared at me with a huge smile on her face.

"Ummm. Don't you have to get back to work?" I asked trying to break the awkward tension.

"Oh no! I totally forgot. I'll see you later Rolly," Pinkie yelled as she sprinted away.

I knocked on the door and waited. A distinctly male voice yelled, "Coming!" A light brown earth pony stallion with a dark brown mane opened the door.

"Dr. Hooves?" I asked.

"Actually if you don't mind it's just the Doctor," he replied. "Please come in Sasuke."

"Thanks," I said as I entered the house. "So about why I'm here-"

"I can't do it."

"What?"

"I'm sorry but I can't do it."

"Why not?"

"The force that brought you here won't let me."

"Tell me more about this force."

"I truly wish that I could but its not my place. Besides you'd be better off asking another Displaced."

"What the hell is a Displaced?" Immediately after asking the question, small objects started falling from the sky directly above me. There were a variety of different objects each radiating their own auras.

"What the hell are these things?" I said being careful not to touch them.

"These are the calling cards of the Displaced," Dr Hooves replied.

"Why are some of them radiating evil?"

"Because some of the Displaced are evil. Now I'm sorry but if you want more information you should call a Displaced," the Doctor said as he walked to the door. "You should also think about creating one of your own. And don't leave these here."

***

The next few days passed by uneventfully. Starlight and Twilight stayed occupied trying to analyze chakra. I ran around town setting up various contingencies and completing various tasks. Twilight let us stay in her home to help with the science stuff. While it did eliminate one problem, it brought up another.

"I can't believe you thought of a new method to calculate differences in magic by combining Starswirl magical theory with modern magical theory," Twilight gushed.

"That was nothing. I can't believe you were able to craft a spell that mimicked the effects of the foreign magic so well," Starlight gushed back.

"Well I can't believe-"

"Well I can't believe it's not butter," I yelled fed up with their stupid conversation.

"Oh... were we doing it again?" Twilight asked sheepishly as she and Starlight blushed.

I just rolled my eyes and went back to my book. They had been like this since I left them alone for the first time. Fawning over each other like newlyweds. I was starting to think that Starlight was getting to attached. Damn magic of friendship. Twilight and Starlight were just standing around awkwardly looking at the ground. I was about to tell them to move on when Spike came down the stairs and into the main part of the library.

"Ok Twilight, I finished the second checklist for tomorrow," he said.

"Thank you number one assistant. Now for the third checklist," twilight said as she levitated a blank scroll to the young dragon. Spike groaned and walked back up the stairs.

"Three checklists? Sounds important, " I said without looking up.

"I'm having a picnic with my friends tomorrow," Twilight explained. "Every little thing must go according to plan."

I froze. The moment had finally come. Tomorrow was Lesson Zero. Celestia was going to leave Canterlot. I would never have a better opportunity.

"Would you like to come? I feel like we're good friends and I want you to meet my other friends."

"I'd love to come but I'd hate to impose," Starlight said.

"Plus, we're leaving tomorrow." Both mares fell silent when I delivered that tidbit of information.

"What?" Starlight squeaked.

"Why are you leaving so soon? Haven't you enjoyed it here?" Twilight asked.

"It's been great, Twilight, but the money came from Starlight's lab in Canterlot. We need to get there as soon as possible."

"Oh," Twilight's ears drooped down.

"Are you sure we can't stay just one more day?" Starlight pleaded.

"No. We can't. And you should start packing up the data."

"Fine. Come on Twilight. Let's go sort and organize."

Twilight excitedly followed Starlight into the basement.

"Nerds," I muttered as I went back to my book.

***

The next morning Starlight and I walked to the train station.

"So here's the plan," I said, "You're going to take a train to Fillydelphia and wait for me."

"That's like a day and a half train ride," she complained. "What are you going to be doing?"

"I'm going to Canterlot to... pick some stuff up."

"Because that doesn't sound suspicious at all," Starlight said rolling her eyes.

"Suspicious or not, that's what's happening."

"So should I be happy you trust me enough to send me on my own?"

"What do you mean?"

"How do you know I won't betray you to the princesses?"

"Because the princesses can't take you to find your sister."

"Fair enough."

Starlight turned to get on the train. "How will we find each other?" She asked without looking back.

"I've put everything you need in your saddlebags," I responded.

"Doesn't answer my question but whatever," Starlight grumbled as she disappeared into the train car.

"I think I like that pony," I said to myself as I walked to my own train.

The train ride had been relatively quick. It had only taken a few hours to reach Canterlot. From the station several ponies had been very helpful in directing me to the museum. From the moment I entered the city, I could feel Celestia and Luna's presence. Since I needed to wait for Celestia to leave, I decided to take a tour and find out what happened during my stone nap.

"And that brings us to the Battle of the Burning Plains," the tour guide, History Buff, lectured.

I smiled, briefly remembering my first battle.

"This is one of the most important, if not the most important, battles of the Pony-Griffon War," History Buff continued, "because it was this battle that turned the tide of the war."

Curious to how Celestia had portrayed me in history I asked a question, "What happened in that battle?"

History Buff's eyes lit up. "I'm glad you asked. It's no secret that up until that point, we ponies were losing the war. Our Princesses Celestia and Luna were just too inexperienced at large-scale combat. Combined with the fact that we are a prey species fighting against war-mongering predators, it was just too much for us. But from a village on the border between Equestria and the Leomhann Empire a mysterious figure rose up. This brave pony taught our beloved princesses the how to wage war. Unfortunately morale was low and the training alone couldn't help the disheartened soldiers. At what is now the Burning Plains, the gryphons were relentless in their assault. Ponies were fighting a losing battle and Celestia ordered a full retreat. While the gryphons were celebrating their victory, the brave pony stepped onto the battlefield alone ready to fight. Using magic that is now lost to us, the pony dashed into battle and defeated countless gryphons. The pony got them all to converge on a single location and unleashed the stored fire of a dragon, decimating the gryphon army. It is said that the the gryphon general Naois was the only survivor. However the pony did not make it out of battle unscathed. During the conflict the pony lost two of its legs earning the moniker 'The Two-Legged Pony'. Now let's move on; we've more to see."

The group started walking and I followed. All in all I guess there are worse ways to be remembered. Although most of the story was right, there were a few... issues with the details. I knew that I shouldn't have been surprised that I was changed into a pony for the story. At least Celestia made me a hero.

"Now it was during the War with the Minotaurs that the Two-Legged Pony earned the title 'Equestria's Black Sun'. That's a wild story indeed," History Buff chuckled.

"Can you tell it?" I asked.

"I'd be glad to," History Buff smiled, puffing out his chest.

History Buff told the story of the War of Minos, and I listened attentively. I frowned at the parts where he got the details wrong but for the most part it was exactly what I remembered. History Buff had clearly done his research. Or had a great script. Some of the ponies in the tour group expressed shock at the tales of my exploits while others shrugged it off as exaggeration through the ages. After my recorded 'death', History Buff told us about the beginning of Equestria's golden age. Since I've been gone, Celestia has made peace with every other nation and species. She secured Equestria as the most central and dominant country in this world. There's also a council with a representative from every species, kind of like the UN. I silently cheered for Celestia's accomplishments as they were listed.

"And that brings us to the end of our tour," History Buff said. "You've all been wonderful and I hope you enjoy our artifact room."

He gestured to a large circular room behind himself. The room was filled with all kinds of pottery, artwork, tools, and weapons. In the center of the room was my sword, my book, and my phone. As the group dispersed throughout the room, I walked up to my things and gazed longingly at them. I was so caught up in staring, I didn't notice History Buff walk up beside me.

"Amazing, aren't they," he said. " They belonged to the Two-Legged Pony. They're the only things left behind."

"Really," I said uninterested.

"Yes," he continued, "in fact even Princess Luna will come here sometimes just to see them."

"Really," I asked, suddenly interested. "How long has that been going on?"

"Since her return."

I thought about that. Luna must have missed me more than I thought. The setting sun gave the room an orange glow. It was then that I felt it. Celestia was gone.

"I should probably get back," History Buff said,"We're closing soon."

"But don't you want to see," I asked.

"See what," he said.

"See this stuff get returned to its rightful owner," I said as I returned to my natural form.

"But the Two-Legged pony didn't have any-" History Buff took one look at me and stopped mid-sentence. I smirked at him. "You're..."

"I didn't lose any legs. I only had two to begin with. Oh, and I hate that nickname, its super lame. It's Sasuke. Sasuke Uchiha."

Leaving History Buff with a gaping jaw, I turned my attention to the task at hand. Activating my sharingan, I looked for any magic traps around the items. There was a force field but it didn't look solid. I reached my hand through the barrier and grabbed my sword.Sirens immediately started blaring. I tucked the sword into my rope belt and retrieved my book and phone. As I sent my things into storage, I was vaguely aware of the pandemonium surrounding me. Ponies ran, scared of me and the sirens until I was left alone in the museum.

"Wonder what that's all about," I said to myself.

I created a shadow clone.

"You know what to do?"

"Of course."

"Then get to it."

"I'm just not sure how well this plan was thought through."

"Just do it."

"Your funeral," he said as he teleported away.

Twilight Sparkle was excited. Not only was she not going back to magic kindergarten but now she could share the joy of writing friendship reports with her friends. She watched as her monarch and mentor turned to leave.

"Princess Celestia-" Twilight was interrupted by someone knocking at her door.

"Go on answer it, my little pony," the princess said calmly. "I will wait to hear what you have to say."

Twilight nodded and walked to the library's front door. When she opened she froze. Standing outside was a tall bipedal creature wearing clothes. That wasn't what worried her though. It was the fear she felt immediately after opening the door. A cold, gripping fear that chilled her to the bone. Every cell in her body was screaming at her to run away from this creature or she would surely die. However she couldn't find the strength to scream, much less move.

"Hi," the creature said, flashing a smile full of sharp teeth, "Can Celestia come out to play?"