//------------------------------// // The Final Day of Peace // Story: Champions of the Elements // by The Philosopher King //------------------------------// For the rest of that day, Canterlot saw the largest economic boom it had ever received. Even port cities couldn’t match up to its profit that day. Markets that were abysmal before that day, such as the meat market, reset back to a steady level due to the induction of the Valorans to the city. Other markets, such as the restaurant business, metalworking, bookselling, and of course the souvenir market all gained so much, market investors received well over triple profit from their sales. All because of the visiting countries of Valoran. In the metalworks, Vi had to work on her gauntlets. Rainbow simply watched, as the metal works were packed with people and pony smiths. A large, golden automaton was working on its arm, while next him was Irelia, tempering her blades. A warrior was tempering a fine spear point, but he wasn’t wearing an ounce of protective gear, other than a helmet and a chestplate. Poppy was testing her hammer on a dummy in a far corner of the metalshop, as the shop had to have a measure to ensure their work was finished, and not poor quality. Another yordle was flinging shurikens into a dummy next to her, each hitting its target with perfect accuracy. “So… why are we here again?” asked Rainbow Dash. “Because, I need to talk to him,” she said, pointing at the golem. “I don’t really like him, he freaks me out a bit…” she replied. “You’re afraid of Blitzcrank? Guy’s got a heart of gold… in a framework of iron… which is covered in a carapace of steel…” prolonged Vi. “Yeah yeah, I get it, doesn’t change how he looks intimidating.” interrupted Rainbow. The pair walk up to him, and he turns his head a complete one hundred eighty degrees around. “Ah, hello Vi.” he said in a semi-robotic voice, that sounded like it halfway reflected emotion. “Hey Blitz, just needed your help.” said Vi. “I remember you used to do diagnostics on Heimerdinger’s inventions and Corki’s planes, mind running some on my gloves?” “Of course,” said Blitzcrank. “PLEASE REMOVE APPARATUS FROM HANDS.” boomed a voice that almost sounded like it came from within Blitzcrank. He simply activated the subroutine a bit early, and it scared Rainbow a good bit. Vi heard it before when she saw Corki have him do it, so she expected it. “Here,” said Vi, removing the gloves. Blitzcrank walks to a nearby table, and scans the gloves while intricately twisting bolts and testing various parts, as well as adding a few new parts in, including what they notice as small tubes and what appears to be a bottle of coolant. “EXTERIOR BADLY DAMAGED, BUT ENTIRELY FUNCTIONAL. GLOVES STILL CAPABLE OF MAXIMUM OUTPUT, ESTIMATED TIME UNTIL NECESSARY EXTERIOR REFURBISHING; FIVE YEARS or 5,000,000,000 PUNCHES, WHICHEVER COMES FIRST. RECOMMENDATION: SEE HEIMERDINGER FOR FINE TUNING. NOTHING MORE.” “Ah, there we go,” said Blitzcrank in his regular, sapient voice. “I tightened some loose bolts and screws, I upgraded them a little too, now your gloves have a new passive that you can toggle.” “What is it?’ asked Vi. “See, I added a function.” replied Blitzcrank. “Now, when you’re in battle, each punch will heat the gloves. Eventually, the gloves will become red hot and burn the enemy. Of course, I wouldn’t recommend keeping this ‘overheat’ on too long, as it will gradually harm you if it becomes too heated. I have added a coolant mechanism you can activate for when the heat becomes too much, and should decrease wait time for cooling by 90%. The bottles for the coolant are made with enchanted ‘frosted’ glass made by the unicorns, so its coolant will be actually cold when it comes in contact, and will not have to be replaced unless you heat the gloves to the point of harming yourself. Hence, I can replenish the coolant for you, so I recommend using the overheat only when necessary on the battlefield so you don’t have to hunt for me. Here are six extra bottle of the coolant on the house, I use the frosted glass myself in my coolant containers. And the best part is the frosted glass is as indestructible as the rest of me, so it won’t break easily.” “Wow, that’s awesome!” said Rainbow Dash. “Where did you get that idea?” “I originally wanted to add burning capabilities to hextech weapons a long time ago,” said Blitzcrank. “Mostly from watching champions with abilities that burn such as Udyr and Brand, even just from the Ignite Spell. But my creators, including Heimerdinger, could never get the efficiency of the coolant to the correct levels to use the technology properly. They tried the true ice of the Freljord to keep the coolant’s efficiency up, but after a short period of time the coolant would simply ice over, preventing the coolant’s flow. But now, the unicorn’s enchantments seem to be able to enhance our hextech even more. Efficiency beyond the eye can see.” “That’s great Blitz, Thanks for the upgrade, I’ll be off now,” she said, equipping the newly modified gloves. “There’s two switches inside your gloves.” said Blitzcrank. “To use the burn, press the one next to your thumb. To activate the coolant, press the one below your index finger. You have to activate the burn on each individual glove, and you have to activate the coolant individually as well. Finally, activating the coolant automatically turns the burn off, and vice versa.” “Again, thanks Blitz, can’t thank you more for this. Bye,” said Vi as Blitzcrank resumed working on his arm. The pair walk outside of the metalshop. “He’s actually… pretty cool I guess.” said Rainbow Dash. Meanwhile at this time, Rarity and Twisted Fate were browsing stores because of, as Rarity put it, “How ragged and ungentlemanly his attire was.” Twisted Fate understood this, but there was a reason; this was the one suit he ever owned that gave him freedom of movement. “I’ve already told you I don’t want a new suit…” argued Twisted Fate. “What you’re currently wearing is absolutely dreadful!” Rarity riposted. “Plus, I’m buying it for you on the house.” “Fine, but it can’t restrict my movement.” he replied as they walked into one of the fancier looking stores. “Hello, is there a shopkeeper here?” she asked. “Yes,” said a mare that walked up behind the counter. “Ah, one of the new customers from the Valoran place, yes?” “I guess,” said Twisted Fate, a bit uncomfortable for being in a store he wasn’t robbing. “We’re here to look for a new set of attire for my friend here,” said Rarity. “Please, anything you have will do-” “No, it can’t restrict movement.” said Twisted Fate. “That’s the only specification I have.” “Okay then, since seeing the new arrivals, we’ve had some new designs of suits made readily available. Here is what we have currently for purchase…” She pulls out a pamphlet that contained various designs of suits, some for a yordle’s size, others for human height. “Ooh, how about this one?” asked Rarity. “No, that would still restrict my movement…” he said, looking at the pictures. “This looks good to me…” “It’s too drab and odd looking, I’m afraid…” replied Rarity. “What about this one?” “No, way too formal…” retorted T.F. “Ah, here's one I could see working…” “That... actually doesn’t look half bad…” said Rarity. “Please, fit this suit for my friend here,” she said to the shopkeeper while pointing at the suit. “Very well, sir, please follow me to the measuring room…” said the mare as Twisted Fate followed her. At the same time, Graves and Applejack were in the market district, with Applejack browsing and Graves 'browsing,' or rather looking for a pony for poor soldier to pick-pocket. Normally, he didn't stoop so low as to pickpocket, but the ponies of this land weren't exactly fond of large heists. He preferred to hit large targets, and half the time that's what got him and T.F into trouble, that is his stubborn insistency on "go big or go home." "Why are we here again exactly?" asked Graves with a wallet in his hands. "We're here becaus- wait, where did you get that from?" asked Applejack "My wallet. Contains my money." answered Graves, barely leaving a second's worth of time between her question and his answer. "Okay, so anyway, we're here because I wanted to browse my competitors, I do run the family business, after all." "Eh, sounds like a good life, considering it's probably hard work." said Graves, stealing another wallet while she wasn't looking. "Ugh, what is that thing?" asked a posh and ugly sounding voice. Exactly the opposite of Graves. "'Scuse me, Mister All High and Mighty," said Graves, accidentally bumping into him. "Guards! Get that thing out of my sight and into the castle's dungeon! At once!" shouted the upper class pony. "Okay, that's it, end of the line," said Graves, yanking his shotgun out of its holster. "Listen here, Mr. Duke of Jackshit-" "Graves! What are you doing?" yelled Applejack. "You don't go threatening ponies for no reason!" "The fuck? I have a valid reason! Bildrat here was gonna have his guards toss me in a jail cell for no freakin' reason!" he shouted back. "Oh, it's you" said the pony. "I remember you and your friends quite well from that one Gala." "Blueblood, what in tarnation are you doing here in the market district?" asked Applejack. "I was wanting to buy a specific trinket, but sadly it seems to have been already sold. And I don't need to answer you anyway! I'm out o here, come guards!" he said as he and several guards walk away. "Never told me this city was full of rotten sons of bitches..." said Graves. "Wouldn't kill you to be nicer." said Applejack. "Eh, I'm fine now, besides, he's already gotten his just desserts," said Graves, holding a sack of bits. "Graves, please don't tell me you stole those." "What? He had a problem with y'all, now his disrespect has been paid in full." "I hate to say it, but this is the first time I've witnessed a wrong act and not felt like telling someone about. But don't do t again, I only didn't smack you for it because it was that fool Blueblood..." "More like Badblood," said Graves. "Let's just get back to things..." In the theater district, Pinkie Pie and Shaco were looking at the various signs and watching street performers while walking. Well, more like Pinkie Pie was bouncing along while Shaco was staring baffled at how she was doing it. "I keep asking, how do you do all this crazy stuff?" asked Shaco. "I told you, I'm Pinki-" "Yes, yes, yes, I get that!" said Shaco in a gruff tone. "What I want to know is how you do it." Pinkie was about to say something, but was interrupted. "And I will not take 'I'm Pinkie Pie' and anything similar for an answer." "Well Shaco, I'm not even sure how I do it. I just think it and it happens." replied Pinkie Pie in a voice that was serious for Pinkie Pie. "But... Ah, forget it." said Shaco as the pair walked past a theater. One of the signs on it was pure white and said "Looking for a new, comedic stage show! Anyone interested may try, will be paid at end, and might be able to become a regular show!" "Shaco, look!" said Pinkie Pie, pointing to the sign. "What?" said Shaco, looking at the sign and realizing what she intended. "Well, why not? I haven't preformed live in years, it might be good for me." "Great!" shouted Pinkie Pie before dissappearing into thin air. Shaco just shrugs it off. Fuck it. he thought. He walked up to the ticket kiosk. "Hello Miss, I was interested in the position you have for a show." said Shaco. "Oh, you're here for the try out," said the booking clerk. "Just walk into theater room three. You will be judged by three ponies based on the quality, substance, and apptitude of your performance." She prints out a ticket with the number forty-two on it. "Good luck!" "Thank you." said Shaco with a semi-sadistic grin, only capable of being seen from within his mask. As he walked into the theater lobby, he looked in disbelief as he saw Pinkie Pie inside the popcorn machine. "Hiya!" she said from within. "Why don't you just spit in the face of the laws of physics, would you?" he asked. The pair walked to the back of theater room three, and saw various ponies practicing. Not a single Valoran was in sight as he put a small mic in his mask. "This is interesting... then again, there weren't many comics on Valoran." "Contestant number forty-two!" shouted a voice from the stage. "I believe it is my turn already," said Shaco, dissappearing. Pinkie Pie then proceeded to walk on stage. "Ladies and Gentlecolts!" said Pinkie Pie. "Please welcome the Jester of Many Knives, Shaco!" she said as Shaco appeared behind her. "Thank you for the introduction," said Shaco, as the judges clapped. "Now, I don't know about other comics, but I like to get to know my audience a bit before starting the show," he said, dissappearing in a puff of orange red smoke. The judges looked around a bit. "Hello sir," said Shaco, reappearing behind the second judge as Pinkie Pie redirected a stage light onto him. The judge nearly jumped out of his seat in fright while the other two laughed at this. He then whispered to the judge, "Sorry if I scared you, but of course people don't it expect it, otherwise if they did I wouldn't get a genuine reaction. Anyway," he said in a louder voice. "How are you sir?" he asked as he dissappeared again in a puff of smoke, only to reappear on stage. "Who here likes juggling?" he asks as he starts to juggle several daggers. After a few seconds, one 'accidentally' stabs him directly in the chest, but he keeps juggling. "Is it just me, or does anyone else in the audience have a stabbing feeling in their chest?" This earns laughter out of the first and second judges, but the third isn't exactly bemused. Then, a small jack in the box appeared behind him and he acted afraid, dropping all the daggers in to his chest. He then looked down at them. "I knew that was just me..." he said, yanking each of them out and putting them in his pockets. "Who wants to see a magic trick?" he asked, getting a yes fromt the second and third judges. "Alright then," he said, dissappearing again, only for two of him to appear. "Wait, that's not right..." the double Shacos said. "This wasn't supposed to happen." both said, as the judges started uproarous laughter. "Stop saying what I say. No, I'm serious stop that. No, you stop! That's it, I'm undoing you!" Both Shacos dissappear in a puff of smoke, only for one to reappear in the center stage. "Thank you for your patronage, that was only a small sample of my repertoire. And again, thank you for allowing me to do a performance again." He disappears off stage, only to reappear backstage. "Top that, bitches." he taunted as he was leaving with Pinkie Pie. That night, all of the Champions of Valoran were welcome for a feast that would happen in the castle’s main hall. Everything imaginable was supplied, for they would not receive luxury like this for a long time, with everyone being supplied with whatever they really needed. Of course, starting tomorrow there would be hardship, but at least they had a night of freedom. Many stayed within Equestria’s herbivorous meal conduct, but for those who wanted it, meat was supplied. Rarity showed off the new suit of Twisted Fate’s, but Graves was still, of course a bit miffed. “It doesn’t make you… look half bad.” said Graves. “Shut up, I look damn good and you know it,” he said as he somewhat playfully punched Graves. Meanwhile, the large dinner went on as planned. Blitzcrank was even served his favorite coal and oil, as he was still a steam golem; but he of course appreciated the gesture. After a long feast, there was a minor bit of drinking, just enough to where people weren’t drunk, except for Gragas. Gragas was always ‘drunk,’ but he could never achieve a level of truly drunk, at most maybe tipsy. Never truly, blissfully, drunk, even with this new ‘pony cider’ as he called it, because it was too sweet and too alcoholic to be regular hard cider. After the night of partying, the champions returned to their quarters for rest. Each room had two beds available. Twilight, Ryze, and Spike all slept in the same room, mostly because champions were expected to share a room, and Ryze didn’t exactly want to share with the other champions. Shyvana wanted to share a room with Jarvan, mostly because she was Jarvan’s personal guard and had a sense of duty. “Ryze…” said Twilight while the two prepared to sleep. “What is it?” asked Ryze while writing into the tome he brought with him when he was summoned. “I was wondering… is war really that bad?” asked Twilight. “Please, don’t ask those kinds of questions…” responded Ryze, lifting the covers and getting inside. “It will only keep you up later tonight, and you’ll need your rest for the morning. Sleep, and you’ll be fine.” “O...kay then…” she responded, not wanting to think about it. “Good night.” “Good night,” he said, putting the lights out with a single bolt of magic.