Avatar: The Last Alicorn. Book 3: Unicorn

by Jeweled Pen

Chapter 11: New locales

Rarity tried her best to look intimidating and busy as she walked through the halls, her head held high. Ponies got out of her way and gave her only cursory glances, before returning to their own work. However, she was stopped once she arrived at the prison.

They had dozens, possibly even hundreds, of prisons set up throughout the kingdom. Some practically impenetrable. Such as in the south pole, where the Shadowbolts made their home. However, there was one small prison built into the castle itself, made to hold members of the royal household. A dark demonstration of how the nation had changed in the last hundred years. Two guards blocked the steel door that separated it from the rest of the palace.

“Your highness, we cannot allow you to pass.”

“And why not?” Rarity asked in anger, slowly grinding her hoof into the ground.

“Your aunt, she... she's quite ill and requested that none enter.”

That took her aback, making her physically stumble. She stared into the guard's eyes and sighed. They showed all. He held nothing but respect for her aunt, even if the mare was a traitor. Then again, Celestia was still a member of the royal family. Ponies learned from an early age to respect and fear those of their line. Her aunt always had been good at encouraging her soldiers, as well. However, it was still surprising to find the guards willing to listen to her requests.

“Do prisoners command this prison, now? I don't remember that memo.”

He shuffled nervously. “Well, no. But she's... not well...” His lowered gaze made her flinch.

“Stand aside. Now. I will see my aunt, even if I have to slam your head through the door to do it.”

The guard slowly nodded and moved aside, his key slowly unlocking the door and causing it to open with a high pitched squeal of metal against metal. She stepped inside and a few moments later it closed behind her, the displaced air ruffling her mane.

The room was large and encased almost entirely in metal. It was also quite dirty, with the only light coming from a few screens high in the wall. The smell struck her immediately and she nearly gagged. The scent of unwashed fur and moldy food. Panic rose and she searched for the source and nearly cried out.

“Aunty!” she shrieked, every thought of dignity and decorum gone. Her aunt was in the single large cell that took up half the room, locked behind thick bars. The mare was... not well. Her bones seemed to poke through her fur at places. She hadn't washed in who knew how long, having sloppy crusts around her lips and eyes. The bed she laid on hadn't been cleaned in ages. Even her once majestic mane now looked thin and limp. Bowls of half eaten food laid scattered across the floor, some pieces rotten and moldy.

Celestia slowly raised her head and stared with bloodshot eyes. “Oh... niece. I see you've... finally come to visit me...” Each word came out raspy and croaked. “How are you enjoying your return?”

“What happened/? Are you hurt? How did you... what happened?”

She laid her head back down and sighed. “Have you come to order my execution? I hope you have. It's the least I deserve at this point...”

“I... w-what?” Rarity stared at the mare with wide, confused eyes. “How could you possibly deserve execution? I...” She gulped and shook her head. “I understand, you felt some deep... misguided belief that the avatar was in the right. But you helped me and--”

“HELPED YOU?!” Celestia screamed and kicked one of the bowls, sending moldy rice scattering over the floor. “How have I helped you? It's my fault that you succumbed to the same destruction that has my sister and other niece. I've done nothing but fail. Perhaps if I'd left you on your own, you could have avoided his touch, but now it's too late...” Tears began flowing down the mare's cheeks. “I... I've failed. Everypony I've ever loved is now gone. Execution is the least I deserve.”

“I've never succumbed to Discord's touch,” Rarity whispered softly. “I... I've come to ask you. I need to know what happened to my father. What really happened?”

Celestia merely chuckled and shook her head. “Poison bending, my dear niece. I... I saw you use it. I saw his touch in your eyes. I felt the corruption in your magic. It's all there. It--” She was silenced by a sudden magical grip on her chin, forcing her to look at her niece.

“Look into my eyes,” Rarity hissed. “Discord has no control over me. None. Please. If I am to have any chance of saving them, I need information.”

Celestia stared for a moment, the tears falling down familiar lines in her face. However, slowly at first, light began to return to the mare's eyes. With great difficulty, she sat up and stared at the mare. “Niece...”

Rarity released her spell and smiled. “Yes. I told you, I--”

“I can't feel him in your magic. I can't feel... no. That's impossible. How can... how? You're alive, but... but you... that's impossible. Isn't it? I mean... I-I thought you were... how?”

“I told you, I've never succumbed to--”

“But you did, niece. I saw it with my own eyes. I watched as... his taint coursed through your magic. Was it the avatar?”

Rarity growled. “NO! It was not that creature's powers! She has done nothing but plagued my dreams! I can't sleep, I can barely eat, I can't focus. I keep dreaming of her, over and over! I can't... aunt. Please. I-I have to stop her. I-I must defeat her. I must know. Tell me how...”

Celestia got into a sitting position and she almost underwent a transformation. The ribs sticking out, the thin hair and the sickly tint were all still there, but her eyes were the eyes that Rarity knew so well. Calm, calculating.

“You are freed of his touch, but now the avatar plagues your mind? For how long has this happened, niece?”

Rarity sighed. “Since I--” She shuffled her hooves. “I ummm, since I came across--”

“Niece, do not lie to me. There is none in these halls you could possibly trust more. Tell me.”

The princess stared in her once-guardian's eyes and sighed. For a moment it was as it had once been, her the student, with her aunt the teacher. As if they were still out, traveling the world. “Since I found the avatar's companion, the dragon known as Spike,” she whispered. “He was... in a strange, comatose state. I don't know how, but I seem to have freed him. Before that, I was so happy and... carefree. I barely even thought of you or anything. I was happy. But since, all I keep dreaming about is the Avatar. Her death. I... I don't think she'd dead. If she's not, mother will banish me again! At best!”

“You awoke him? How?”

“I... I don't know.” She closed her eyes and tried to remember, but all the memories were blurry. “I... I just remember... it hurt. Something in me... I felt like I had to touch him, hold him. He was so hurt, so weak. Then when I did touch him, it hurt all over. His colors returned and he eventually awoke. I still have no idea what I did, or even if it WAS something I did.”

“And you've been having these dreams ever since?”

“Yes. They torment me every night. I have to watch the avatar die, again and again.”

“And you find that upsetting?” Celestia asked softly, her voice still raspy but filled with the wisdom of her years yet again.

“Yes. I-I mean no. I just... what if she yet lives? I can't... risk it. I... I finally sent--” Rarity trailed off and shook her head. “Enough. My father. Tell me what happened to him. How was it that... that thing was locked away?”

“Thing? What thing?”

“My... there... my father,” Rarity said gently, barely above a whisper. “A shadow of... what he was. Twisted and cruel. My mother had it imprisoned below, in a massive crystal. If... if he was dead, how was he there?”

Celestia stared, her mouth slowly opening and closing. “Your... he was... that's impossible. He... he did die. I... I had to watch as he died. His soul torn asunder by... by those magics. There's no--”

“He was! I saw him! Sweetie showed me! And I... I released him. I sent him on the Avatar. I had no choice. Now tell me! What happened! What... what happened to him?”

Celestia took a step back as if she was struck, her eyes wide with horror. “She... she couldn't have. Could she? Oh... my sweet, sweet Sombra, I never thought... I...” She trailed off again while her niece just stared.

“Sweet, sweet Sombra?” Rarity asked, her tone turning bitter. “Aunt. Tell me. Tell me everything. I deserve to know.”

Celestia sighed and lowered her gaze. “There... there is much to tell. I... I've learned a lot tonight. Please, give me some time to rest. Once... once I've had some time to think, I will tell you everything I know.”

“But--”

“Please. I need a time to rest.” Celestia tottered back, collapsing on her bed. “Come back tomorrow. I... I will tell you all I can then. Please.”

Rarity ground her teeth, but slowly nodded. “Very well. I... I won't wait any longer than that, however. So don't you dare try to make another excuse.” She turned and pounded on the door. After a few moments it opened and she stepped out. She paused for a second before turning back. “I want that prison cleaned from top to bottom. It's filthy.”

“But Celestia might--”

“She's weak and helpless. I won't have her getting sick from disease as well. Do I make myself clear?”

The guard gulped and slowly nodded. “As you wish.”

From within the prison, Celestia stared at the roof. Her lips were curled into such a wide, happy smile that it made her face hurt. Her niece had been saved. Somehow, someway. The mare wasn't under the taint of Discord anymore. That changed everything. She had failed, of that there was no doubt. But she had been given a second chance. Her niece may still be trapped under the sway of what the mare believed to be her destiny, but that was no matter.

Her niece had a good heart. Both of them did. If Rarity could be saved, perhaps one day Sweetie could. Celestia even dared to hope that her sister could as well. She crawled out of bed and moved to her daily meal, eating the rice and bread happily. It tasted as sweet as honey, though her small stomach could barely stomach more than a few mouthfuls. She had so much to prepare for, and so little time. She just had to wait for an opportunity. In the mean time, she had to ready herself.

She slowly lowered herself to the ground on all four hooves, before pushing back up.

------

Scootaloo watched the streets as they passed, her eyes slowly wandering over the bustling ponies. Their carriage brought glares from nearly every pony they passed, a few even going as far as to yell at it or toss refuse.

“Do they always yell at carriages?” she asked softly, before glancing to Hornclipper.

“Just mine,” the stallion said softly. “They are unaware that an official from the motherland is here, otherwise they'd be less... open with their disgust of me.”

“Then why bring yours? Why not a normal carriage? Or even had me walk through the city?”

“Trying to keep your appearance quiet for now,” the pegasus mumbled before looking out the other window. The carriage stopped near the end of the street and she sighed.

“Burn them all! They are nothing but monsters, tainting our land with their foul magics and abusing our breathren for the crime of being born!” An angry voice filtered in from the street. Scootaloo soon found the source, an earth pony. No, one of the de-horned, bearing the bandage over his forehead, yelling on a street corner. Ponies just walked by and ignored him. “Now is the time to rise! The Avatar has not fallen, it is just another lie the Water Nation has used to break our spirits! They are weak, we must strike--” The carriage took off and the next words were lost in the crowd.

“He's lucky he's not in the Water Nation, he'd have been executed for such words,” Scootaloo snapped.

“If he was from the Water Nation, he'd still have his horn,” Hornclipper said matter-of-factly.

She flushed and nodded. “I... I guess that's true. Are there many like him? Yelling on street corners?”

“A few. They are mostly ignored.”

“Why? Won't that just make them grow stronger?”

“Rebellion thrives under persecution.” He stared out the window, not saying another word as she waited for him to clarify.

“Go on,” the mare said with an annoyed huff.

“For everypony we would tear off the street for their 'grievances', five more would take their place. Persecution gives ponies a chance to feel as if they are fighting for something just and right, makes the young believe they are heroes and noble. If we ignore them and let them scream at the top of their lungs, meanwhile leaving everypony their needs to live contently, then they get seen as layabouts and ungrateful children whining while refusing to earn their keep. Eventually other ponies will either aim to shut them up themselves, or be separate.” He paused for a moment. “We do have ponies in place to ensure they don't do anything too threatening.”

Scootaloo slowly nodded. “I see. That's... an interesting method of doing it.” She couldn't help but see the wisdom of it. The royal family had at least three assassination attempts a month, not to mention the murders and attacks on high ranking officials. They were so common that they barely disrupted the daily state of affairs anymore. There were entire units of elite ponies who had the sole task of weeding out and destroying all hints of rebellion, and yet new groups seemed to always be cropping up.

It probably didn't help matters that the cruelest and strongest tended to become the highest ranking members of the military, while those who showed mercy and kindness were set to lower, more menial tasks.

It was a point of pride that there were so few Shadowbolts who had ever dared to betray her highness. The only smaller percentage of betrayal were from those chosen by Nightmare Moon specifically. Granted, it was likely because her highness had a tendency to execute those she felt she could no longer trust, so it was a point of survival to become more loyal the higher ranked one became. Or at least be so useful that they couldn't be easily destroyed.

She was becoming ever more grateful that it was Sweetie, and not her mother, who had made first contact with the Fire Tribe forces.

A tomato smashing against the side of the carriage tore her from her thoughts and she quickly readied herself to fight. However, Hornclipper hadn't moved.

“Why are they doing that?”

“I'm not very popular,” the stallion understated.

“I've noticed. Why?”

“I'm the one who removes horns and anything deemed a threat to the tribes. It is only natural for them to fear and hate me.”

“Will they try to assassinate us?”

“Not likely. Most are too afraid and don't wish to draw my wrath,” the stallion said softly. She caught a small flicker of emotion in his eyes, though it was gone too fast for her to identify it. She wondered if he hoped they would try. His wings kept twitching, as if he was hoping to use them at any moment and slice through his enemies.

“How do you fly with those?”

“I don't.”

“Then why wear them? Aren't you able to fly normally?”

“Of course I can.” He paused and slowly lifted one up, cringing slightly. The metal of the blades coiled around the wing entirely, digging into the muscles. She wondered how many feathers he'd lost wearing them. Perhaps even permanently.

“Don't they hurt? Why wear them?”

“Yes. Because they are a sign of who I am. Ponies know better than to interfere with my work, because they know these blades.”

She nodded slowly. “I... I see.” She rolled her eyes slightly. So he wore them just for intimidation, maybe he truly was a member of the Water Nation. “Who is the current commander of this country?”

“Commander Black Marble. He was second in command to Caballeron before the commanders departure.”

She nodded softly and watched him quizzically. He was so... inconsistent. Sometimes giving her more answers than she needed, other times giving her just single words. She looked him over and frowned. Was it possible he was nervous? He was spending a lot of time looking out the window. Maybe he was expecting an attack.

“Tell me, how long have you served in their forces?”

“Most of my life.”

“Is clipping horns and picking up envoys all you do?”

“No.”

She sighed and leaned back, closing her eyes. “Are we almost there?” she asked curtly.

“Yes. We'll be pulling up any moment.”

She glanced out the window, but there was very little to see. All the buildings were square, with ponies milling about. They were mostly painted different colors, but even that did little to hide how similar they all were. Then, where there was supposed to be a building there was just emptiness. She stared in confusion, then gasped. They were going through one of the clearings, which meant-- “Stop the carriage!”

“Ma'am?”

“Just indulge me, please.”

The stallion nodded before giving three quick raps against the front of the carriage. It slowed down quickly, though she leaped out before it could fully stop. A wide grin spread across her lips as she looked up.

She now stood in front of one of the massive dragon statues. Ponies were milling about, glaring at the carriage and, by extension, her. But she didn't care. All she cared about was the amazing piece of architecture.

It had been built from the ground up, with a massively long tail that curled around its massive rear legs. Each talon was bigger than any pony she had ever seen. The scales on the legs and tail were amazingly well done, with just a small hint of imperfection that hinted at hoof craftsmanship, as opposed to earth bending. The legs went up to powerful knees, which then went down to connect with the rest of the weight supporting base.

The stomach and right arm were just as impressive, with hoof crafted scales so fine she could barely make them out. There was a faint coloring across the entire statue, red over most the scales but yellow over the stomach, but it was so faded as to almost not exist. Sadly, some pieces of the statue were almost completely smooth, lacking the signs of age that the majority held. Its entire left arm was almost a crude mockery of its well detailed right side. With its head turned up, she could only see the chin of the creation, but it was as impressive as the rest of it. “Hornclipper. Would it be possible for me to see the head from up close?”

“As you wish,” the stallion said with a shrug. “If you wish to fly up, it should be safe now. There won't be any more flames until the night.”

Scootaloo's cheeks burned red. “I... I'd prefer to do it on hoof. Not flying...”

He stared for a moment, before nodding. “As you wish. I will see what I can do.”

She nodded and stared for a few more seconds before letting out a sigh of relief. Her gaze lowered and she was immediately struck by just how many ponies were staring at her with unrestrained contempt. She turned tail and forced herself to walk back to the carriage, pretending not to notice the unfriendly eyes. Once the door closed, she let out a sigh. “You weren't kidding. You really aren't well liked here.”

“No. I'm not.” The carriage began moving once again, and she dropped into her seat with a sigh. She was right. It was going to be a long, long morning.

------

Flowerbloom had to bite her tongue to keep from laughing as she and her father devoured their lunch. Creme had tried to give them a rather meager lunch, more in line with gruel than food. Fizzy had a few choice words with the man and they now had a proper, delectable treat. Straight from the captains stores. She was currently nipping on a small strawberry tart and trying not to laugh at the angry, pouting glare that Creme was giving them from his seat across the table. She half expected him to lay an egg.

“So then, as you seem intent on captaining my ship--” the unicorn said dryly. “-- perhaps you would deign to tell me where it is you're having us go?”

“Well, our first destination is Appleoosa,” Fizzy said without looking up. He wasn't pale or nauseous at all anymore. He made a better pegasi than a sea pony. Though, Flowerbloom couldn't deny that it was much smoother in the air than the sea. “Ah would be happy tah let yah navigate for us, if yah can keep a civil tongue in your mouth. Think what yah like about earth ponies, but ah'd advise against sayin' them in front of the few that out rank yah.” His tone held a hint of amusement and Creme scrunched up his face and just glared, eyes narrowed.

“These tarts are mighty scrumptious,” Flowerbloom said once she swallowed. “Not as good as ma's, but ah wouldn't toss 'em on the ground.”

Creme took a deep breath and shook his head, before gripping one of the tarts on the platter in his magic. He slowly guided it to his mouth and, gingerly, took a small bite with his eyes closed. He took his time chewing and swallowing, making Flowerbloom struggle to hold back her laughter as he tried to show them up.

Once her mouth was empty, she wiped her mouth on a napkin and belched. “Pardons.” she was unable to suppress a wider smile at the look of horror that flashed on the unicorn's face. “Now pa, why Appleoosa? Ah went there already once and...” She frowned. It had been a quick, but bloody, fight.

“It has lotsa apples. Now, ah don't know for sure how well they kept in contact durin' the years a darkness, but ah figure they'd have the best chance of givin' us directions where we might go next. If they aren't where ah ended up, at least. They might even know of any ponies who...” He sighed softly. “Any orchards that... disappeared durin' that time. Ain't likely, but yah never know.”

She shrugged. “Of the survivors that remain, I doubt there's many of them who could remember. Let alone who'd be willing to help...”

“All we need is some information. Harmless information. Ah don't see any reason they'd refuse us.” Fizzy frowned and leaned back. “Aside from sheer earth bender stubbornness. Ah'm hopeful they won't be that far intent on causin' us troubles.”

“Hmph. We should just toss the lot of them into a lake of poison and be done with it,” Creme snapped. “Bunch of lousy earth ponies.”

“Well, if we do that who'll help grow all the food we need?” Fizzy snapped angrily. “You? I doubt yah could tell an apple from an over ripe cherry!”

Creme growled and slammed his tart down, before storming from the room.

Flowerbloom sighed. “Is it really okay to keep antagonizing him? He is the captain.”

“Aye, and he's as hard headed as a rock. Ponies like that would as soon gut yah as look at yah. He needs to learn his place an' that he's got a duty tah do, for us, before he starts tryin' tah cause more problems.”

Flowerbloom sighed and slowly nodded. “It kinda reminds me of when ah was goin' with Sweetie. Most ponies were far too scared ta say anything bad about me an' Scoots near the end, but at the beginnin' they were right inhospitable.”

“Ayes. Yah get a lot of ponies like that these days. Give a pony bendin', an' suddenly they think they're the best thing tah ever exist an' the rest of us only live tah serve 'em.”

She looked down at her hoovees. “Ah can bend an' ah don't think that.”

Fizzy smiled and reached out to gently ruffle her mane. “That's cause you're a good, proper girl. The child your mother an' ah raised. Ah'm sure when we find your family, the lotta them'll be proud tah have such a good girl as a member of their family.”

Flowerbloom blushed, knocked his hoof off and shook her head, giggling. “Ah, stop it, yah old flatterer. This how yah talk tah mah?”

“Well, it is how ah got such a fine, wonderful mare tah say yes. Now, ah ever tell yah how your mother an' ah met? Ah was workin' on a mission at--”

“Ugh, I've heard it a dozen times. I'm going for a walk. Bye pa,” Flowerbloom said and got to her hooves. She trotted away, chuckling softly.

------

“It's very...” Scootaloo said softly as she stared up. “Kinda... A bit... ummm... how to put it...”

“Boring?” Hornclipper offered. The two stood in front of the large, black tower where she would be staying.

“Yep. What's with all the squares in these towns? Everything is just so... cube like.”

“Efficiency. The Fire Tribes had very little space, as they had to share their lands with the dragons as well as try to pack around oasis's and other places of survival. Farther out from the hubs you can find buildings that take up more space. In some of the mountainous regions, you'll find homes built into the stone itself. It is really quite impressive.”

She nodded slowly. “I see. I guess the hundred years of night probably just reinforced the desire to be packed in close, huh?”

“Exactly.” The stallion nodded.

She looked up and smiled. All the tall buildings did add one extra benefit. The streets were kept relatively cool, despite the fact it was almost noon. Still, she doubted it would be cool for much longer, as once the sun was fully in the sky, the light would hit many of the streets directly and it would become sweltering. She wondered how the farmers outside the city were enduring.

“Let's go,” she said quickly before walking forward. He pulled the door open for her and she stepped inside. Cool air brushed across her skin, sending a shiver of delight down her hooves. The door closed behind her and she sighed happily. “It's really nice and cool in here.”

“That's because water benders get kind of picky if they have to deal with too much heat,” a white unicorn with a black mane said from across the room. He walked forward and took her hoof, bringing it to her lips to place a kiss on it. “A pleasure, lady Scootaloo I believe?”

She blinked a few times before nodding. “Black Marble, I take it?” She pulled her hoof free.

A grin spread across his lips. “You're as good as my informants said. Then again, I shouldn't be surprised coming from one of the legendary Shadowbolts.”

She flushed and nodded slowly. “I... I'm not technically a Shadowbolt. Just one in training. However, I would like to get straight to work.” She hummed and looked around. “Though, I am curious. How do you keep it so nice and cool in here?”

“Ice, of course.” He motioned towards a few exposed pipes across the wall. They were covered in frost. “We have a few water benders here, so we've set up mechanisms like this across the city. It only requires a few minutes of a water benders time and can keep the building relatively cool for hours. It's also proved highly effective in our... specialty foster facility.”

Scootaloo blinked a few times. “Specialty foster facility?”

“Oh, yes. Where we keep all the fire benders before they age enough to have their horns removed,” the stallion said with a proud smile. “It's an amazing system our predecessors designed. It functioned wonderfully, and allowed so much for expansion that, even once we had to consolidate our forces, we were able to expand it to hold all the children who had yet to be de-horned.”

Scootaloo frowned and slowly nodded. “I... see. It sounds interesting. I'd like to--”

“If you wish to see, I would be more than happy to show you. It truly is one of the many great wonders of our country. Why, I'd imagine even Nightmare Moon herself would be amazed at the ingenuity of the deterrents.”

She sighed and slowly nodded. “I suppose I could make some time to see it. Are there any pegasi that work at this... facility?”

“Yes. Pegasi are some of our best workers at the facility. Though, there are nowhere near the number there that we use to have. The pegasi population suffered just as large a hit as any of the others, once her highness requested our services.”

“Would you have preferred she hadn't?” Scootaloo asked quickly, narrowing her eyes.

“No! Never! It is a wonderful privilege to fight for the motherland. As a matter of fact, I wish I could have joined.” He let out a soft sigh and shook his head. “Alas, Caballeron was insistent that I stay here in his place and maintain the country. While I'll admit, it hasn't always been easy, it is a task I feel more than capable and honored to perform.” His grin never wavered, even when he sighed.

“I see. I'll admit, the sheer number of ponies that... joined our side, was quite impressive. Even with the hundred years of non-combat, it was an impressive number.”

“It's namely thanks to our predecessors methods of control. Have you ever heard the old adage, you catch more flies with honey than vinegar?Allowing all ponies, aside from the fire benders, admittance into our military allowed us to greatly increase our numbers. The fact we put considerable effort into ensuring everypony, even the de-horned, are treated fairly, has kept rebellions to a minimum. We even allow the de-horned to return to their families once they are finished.”

“Return to their families?” Scootaloo asked softly. “What... do you mean? I--”

The stallion's smile wavered for a moment. “You... are aware of what a de-horning entails, are you not?”

She nodded slowly. “Yes. Magic has to be sucked out from the individual until their reserves are low enough, then it has to be sliced off.” A shiver went down her spine. She'd seen it happen, once. The entire process had taken almost a half an hour, with them chopping at the horn one fragment at a time. The unicorn had passed out from the pain within minutes, though she could still remember the sparks flying off his horn as they worked.

“Ah. Yes, in an... adult, that is true. Sadly, it doesn't always work. It also has a higher chance of being fatal. No, our method is far more... ponane.” He turned and started walking through the building, motioning her to follow.

She did, looking around as they went. The building was quite bland, brown walls with the occasional pictures of dragons, the Water Nation flag and even one, rather noble appearing, image of the first Nightmare Moon. When they went up stairs it was even worse, with no decorations lining thosse walls. He talked as they walked. “See, removing a horn at birth would kill a pony outright. They are too keyed into it and lack control of their magic. However, as an adult they have more control, but their bodies become dependent on it and the process can still have a sizable risk of death.”

She nodded slowly, though she didn't know the first part. She'd always assumed they could just cut it off. “However, once they reach puberty, their magic tends to spread throughout the body more, and they gain more control of their magic. It is at this point that a horn can, usually, be removed without as much risk.”

“As much risk?”

“I'd say one-in-twenty ponies die. However, once it's removed the body has time to adjust and develop without it. Many ponies grow up to be strong in body, though they lack the magical amplifications that earth ponies have. Still, we allow them to work in the fields they choose, aside from magic, and return them to their families. We do it the moment we deem a pony is ready, to give their bodies the most time to adjust.”

“How kind of you,” Scootaloo said softly. “What about these ponies before then?”

“They stay in the facility. Their parents may visit during certain hours, but they must give at least a days warning.”

“When will I see this facility?”

“Whenever you'd like. I am at your--”

“I'd like to see it today, then.”

Marble stumbled, though the grin stayed on his lips. “T-today? But you've only just--”

“You said whenever I wish, did you not? Were you just telling me what you thought I wanted to hear?”

The stallion coughed and shook his head. “N-no. Of course not. Hornclipper!”

There was a light clopping from behind as the other pegasus stepped forward. “Sir?”

“Have your carriage prepared. You will escort our special guest to the facility. Answer any questions she has.”

“As you wish.” Hornclipper bowed his head before turning to trot away.

Marble smiled down at her. “I am sorry, I would love to escort you myself, but I have my own matters to attend to. If you'd like to wait--”

“You're running a country, I won't be insulted that you're too busy to be my guide. Hornclipper will be more than sufficient,” Scootaloo interrupted.

“Ah, thank you, m'lady. Here.” He stopped outside a door and motioned with his head. “Your room is within. I hope you will find it acceptable.”

Scootaloo nodded. “I'm sure it's fine.” He quickly walked away and she let out a soft sigh. She never liked talkative ponies like that. Once he was out of sight, she stepped forward and pushed the door open, expecting little more than a closet.

She blanched at what she received. The room was massive, and quite cool. The first thing a pony saw when entering the room was a massive Water Nation flag that sat opposite the door. On the left was a four poster bed, easily able to house four ponies, even when spread out and limbs akimbo. On the right, facing a window that spread from the floor and almost all the way to the roof, was a puffy red couch. She counted at least a dozen pipes throughout the room, frost gathered across them. “Wow...” she whispered in awe. She slowly stepped forward and closed the door behind her, staring. She went to the window and gasped. She was at least four stories up, though she barely remembered going up that many stairs, and the glass slid open so she could jump out and fly. Well, she could if her wings worked properly.

She slowly stroked the glass, before moving back and collapsing on the couch. “Wow...” She looked to the door and let out a whistle. Besides it was a mahogany desk, just hidden from view when a pony entered, unless they looked to the right. A bowl of fruit rested on top. She didn't think the captain of the Shadowbolts even had a room this nice. The couch felt like a cloud under her, except far warmer. She couldn't help but wonder if they used clouds as the cushion, wrapped with cloth. She could get used to living in a room like this.

Sadly, she could only allow herself to enjoy it for a few moments before, grudgingly, pulling herself from the couch. “I'll be back,” she whispered, before trotting to the doorway and walking out. She returned a few moments later to grab an apple, before heading out yet again. Next stop, the facility.

------

Scootaloo wiped the sweat from her brow, barely able to resist the urge to pant. She was so thankful she didn't have to wear the Shadowbolt uniform, or anything for that matter, considering how much she was sweating. Even so, she was sure she'd leave a wet imprint in her seat once she got up. The carriage was going up a steep incline, allowing her to disguise her uncomfortable fidgeting with each minor bump and jostle. “Is it always this hot?”

“Yes,” Hornclipper said. He was covered in nearly as much sweat as her, though he managed to keep from fidgeting. At least, as far as she could tell.

“Why?”

“This is the Groundbound Sun, one of the hottest places in the world.”

“Groundbound Sun? Why does that name sound so familiar...”

“It was the great nesting grounds of the dragons,” Hornclipper said quickly, his eyes continuing to peer out the window, as if he expected trouble at any moment.

“The nesting...” Scootaloo's eyes bulged. “W-wait. I remember hearing about it in history. You mean the place where all the dragons migrated during mating season? But that's an active volcano!”

The stallion merely nodded.

“You... t-they built a prison, inside a volcano? An ACTIVE volcano?”

He nodded again.

“They're mad. Insane. Desperate! How could... why would anypony do such a thing?”

“It was hot, and had near impossible to penetrate defenses. Even more so with water benders. Perfect during the eternal night.”

She nodded slowly. Then the carriage leveled out and stopped.

“We're here.” Hornclipper pulled himself up, leaving a sweat covered indent of himself in the seat, and shoved the door open. He waited for her to climb out first, before falling in behind her.

It was even hotter outside the carriage, something she hadn't thought possible. They stood on the rim of the volcano and the sight that greeted her made her gasp. Inside was a massive boiling lake, so hot that the steam was as thick as fog. Some of the walls were leaking magma, as if from a wound. The heat was almost intolerable.

In the center, surrounded by the boiling lake, stood the facility. Four stories tall, with each floor likely holding dozens of rooms, it even had a large fenced off outer grounds. She could see ponies in the grounds, most no bigger than foals. The rim of the volcano had three towers, with no discernible way to get down.

“Welcome to Boiling Rock,” Hornclipper said gently. “Do you wish to fly down?”

“No... this heat is horrible. How do you get there?”

“Pegasi carried baskets.”

“The dragons used to live here?”

“They used to lay their eggs here,” Hornclipper said with a shrug. “There are dozens of cults in the city who believe that there are eggs under the lake, just waiting for the day when they'll hatch and wipe us interlopers out.”

She sighed. “In this heat, I'd believe it. How does anything survive here?”

“Though hot, the facility is well maintained.”

She stretched out a wing, sweat dripping down. “Well, let's go then.” It didn't take long for them to find a team of pegasi to take them down, carried in a thick woven basket. However, she nearly collapsed when she arrived on the ground. The heat had gone up sharply and was so intense she felt as if she would suffocate. Every breath was a struggle and she could feel the mist enveloping her skin.

“Are you okay?” Hornclipper asked.

“I... I'm fine,” she wheezed. She looked around and her eyes widened slightly. The pegasi who brought them down were already a quarter of the way back up, abandoning the two on the steaming rock. However, they were now in the grounds, surrounded by all the foals and their caretakers.

Every single one of them had stopped their games and were watching them with fear. No, not them. Hornclipper. They stared at him as if he was the boogey bear made flesh, come to take them away.

“I see your popularity precedes you. Should we head inside, or will somepony come greet us?”

“Hornclipper!” An angry voice yelled. Scootaloo looked up and saw an angry red earth pony, his face formed into a scowl. “Always happy for an excuse to wet your blades, huh? I figured I wouldn't see your sorry hide until tomorrow.”

Hornclipper sighed. “Scootaloo, meet The Warden. Runner of Boiling Rock.”

She stared in confusion, before her eyes widened. The pony had a bandage across his forehead. “He's... he's one of the de-horned. You let him... him serve here?”

“Who better?” the stallion asked. “It keeps the children calmer being amongst their own. There is none better who could gauge when a child is ready. And he has a vested interest in making sure that the children have as much time as they can to heal. Otherwise he'd see them dying far more often with each removal.”

“You'd like that, wouldn't you?” the Warden asked, letting out another growl. “Well, you're not going to get your wish. The child is ready now, and she's fit and healthy, she should survive without incident.”

“Child? What child?” Scootaloo asked.

The stallion turned angry eyes on her. “Who are you? A new hornclipper?” His eyes leveled back on the other pegasus. “I never knew you were taking students.” He sneered angrily.

“I'm not,” Hornclipper said smoothly, staring the angry pony in the face. “She's a representative of the Shadowbolts from the motherland. I'm escorting her through this facility. Now, answer the question. What child?”

The Warden blinked a few times, before flushing. “I... my apologies.” He bowed politely to Scootaloo, before leveling a glare on the other pegasus again. “Your escort leaves much to be desired, however. I, of course, mean the child I mentioned in my summons. Her magic and horn have developed to the point you can... de-horn her safely. She should be ready by tomorrow.” He narrowed his eyes. “In the mean time, kindly stay out of my facility. I won't have you frightening the child before her time.”

“Very well. If our guest is okay with you giving her the tour.” Both pairs of eyes turned to her, and she nervously smiled.

“I'd be fine with that,” Scootaloo said, before brushing her hoof through her mane. “Is it at least cooler inside?”

“No, but we have drinks.” The Warden motioned her to follow. “I'll show you around. We can stop by the coolers first.” He trotted inside. The building was made primarily of stone and, to her surprise, was decently insulated. It was just as hot as outside, but there wasn't much steam. It helped make it slightly more bearable. He led her underground, which was lit by sparse torches.

The deeper they went, the hotter it seemed to get. Her vision was beginning to blur when they came to a huge metal door. The stallion unlocked three separate locks before opening it, making her gasp. Icy cold air blew out and wrapped around her like a blanket of heaven. She closed her eyes and moaned, gasping gently. “O-ohhhhh... y-yes. T-that is nice.”

The room, entirely composed of metal, was covered in frost and ice. She followed The Warden inside and shivered, some of her sweat freezing. “This room is wonderful. What is it for?”

“We use it to keep drinks cool and, the main reason, whenever a pony begins to overheat. I usually get one or two ponies in here a day, usually for a few hours until they feel strong again.” He froze for a moment before looking back. “Lady...?”

“Scootaloo.”

“Lady Scootaloo. Am... I correct in thinking you talk with her highness, Nightmare Moon?”

She flushed. “Well... sorta. Sometimes.”

“Then, please. Allow me to make a request.” The stallion turned and bowed his head. “The... we fire benders, we've lost. We know that. Please... allow us to serve. I've heard how the earth benders are allowed to keep their bending, please ask her highness to allow us the same privilege.”

“I don't--”

“I know you don't have the authority. But... please. I ask not for myself, but for those who haven't had to go through the process yet. They're children, they can be molded as you wish. They can serve you, we all can.”

“Nightmare Moon wouldn't--”

“Please, just think about it.” He paused and sighed. “Just for now. I ask that you... watch the procedure. Watch what our children must go through. Then give me your decision.”

She sighed and slowly nodded. “I make no promises.”

“I know. All I ask is that it is asked.” He held out a small metal bottle to her. She pulled it to her lips and took a gulp, shivering in delight. It was a strawberry drink, kept so cold that it had slightly slushified. The delightful cooling seemed to spread through her body, causing a happy, relieved sigh to leave her lips. “There. That bottle will keep it cool while I show you around, so please don't toss it aside. We have a limited supply.” He paused. “We have more rooms like this one, far smaller though, set-up throughout the facility. Don't hesitate to let me know if you require them. This one is just the largest and best for storage.”

She nodded slowly, before following him out. He led her through the facility, showing her the nursery, kitchens, bedrooms. Everything seemed quite nice and hospitable, aside from the deadly lake waiting outside, a constant reminder that the ponies here were prisoners. Even when the children played, it was subdued and weak, their spirits crushed. Their guardians, many of which were de-horned, a constant reminder that they, too, would one day share that fate. However, she found herself only barely able to focus. Instead, her mind kept wandering to what the stallion had asked.

Would it actually be possible for the fire benders to return, under the mantle of the Water Nation? She doubted the current ruler would permit it. But Sweetie Belle might. Her friend was a good pony. A bit... violent at times. But still good. Perhaps it was time, now that the Avatar was dead and the world conquered. All benders under the glorious rule of Nightmare Moon.

Comments

[eric-emanwu]

Hmm, so does this chapter count as the “beach” episode, even though there’s no union of the crusaders at this point? You know, since there’s no team avatar in this part? Well, we shall see. So, it appears that Celestia wasn't killed, but that she suffered in silence, her cell a mess, and her soul tortured by the reality of discord all around her. In fact, she wanted to just have her misery ended by execution. Yet, as she probed Rarity’s mind, she discovered, to her shock, that discord no longer influenced her decision making. A ray of hope which meant that it was finally time for the mare of white to get back on her hooves to save herself and all that. Now that she has hope, she began to use her political power to work forward to saving her family. Finding out about Spike. Hearing about having the avatar dead is upsetting, etc, and so, she began repairing her body just as her soul was rebuilding as well.

Meanwhile, Scootaloo began getting to know her post. About the reputation the pegasi horn master. About using privilage to allow for order in the occupation. Helpful, but then again, if any of the dissenters band together, and one's charismatic enough, there's a certain...certainty that you'd find the movement reasserting itself before long. After all, the embers of freedom never die, no matter how many decades there might be of occupation. Much like the current independence question in Scotland right now.
Also, there's totally foreshadowing here about the scootaloo betraying the nation. Since there's all this talk about the shadowbolt's loyalties, there's got to be a betrayal down the line soon. There was also seeing the dragon skeletons, the interplay between the different commanders, even the more reluctant good nature of black marble, who wanted to stop the dehornings. Ask that they be pressed into service rather than allow the loss of magic over and over again. At least Blueblood's tribe still lives on at least. And unicorns keep getting born as well. So, what is scoots having in mind for this endeavor?

And applebloom moves to appleloosa, and braeburn, who, I think is going to be the suki of the fic, but I'm not certain. We'll see. All that matters is that he points them to SAA, Granny finds out about it, sends a message to AJ, and we get her version of the blind bandit story.

[DualKitsune]

The warden is right...these foals know nothing of their past,and have no great cause. Their parents are proud to be water nation and their lives are pretty good. Why de-horn then when you can simply mold their minds. If that had been done,say as a reward for loyalty, with their kids keeping their horns, the Water Nation would have had it's own fire benders. Ones who would have viewed the Everfree tribe as savages... Why destroy when you can absorb them into the fold?