Avatar: The Last Alicorn. Book 3: Unicorn

by Jeweled Pen

Chapter 19: Challenge

Twilight cocked an eye as the ship sailed on through the air. It had been two days since they'd made it over the sea, which they had since spent crossing it, though not in a straight line.. They'd only seen a ship in the ocean once, though they had quickly outrun it. The sun now shown high in the sky and off in the distance they could make out the new shore. The trip had been boring but safe, quite nice compared to their record. For once their ship hadn't crashed and burned. Even better, most of her friends seemed to be doing much better and adapting well. Angel even had an adorable little pirate hat, eye patch and toothpick sword... though nopony seemed to have any clue where he'd gotten them, not even Fluttershy. Still, their voyage was almost at an end.

“Are you sure that's it?”

“Yes,” Thunderlane mumbled as he held some tools against his map.

“But you kept making us switch directions. Are you sure we're not off?” Twilight asked, squinting her eyes as she tried to make out the shore. She didn't see anything of interest. Just empty beaches.

“Of course we had to change directions, I was following a route,” the pegasus snapped. “You can't just fly straight somewhere unless you want to run into the Water Nation. They may be short hoofed, but that doesn't mean they've completely abandoned their patrols. The sea is the worst, since that's where most of the forces are in this region.”

“Why?”

“Probably because most their air ships are flying patrols near the capital or in the other countries. They may have a lot of soldiers, but they are far from infinite. They continue to spread themselves like this, they won't need you to beat them. They'll fall apart on their own. Spread numbers aren't enough to keep all the nations in check forever, unless you got some kind of powerful weapon. Like a giant bear the size of a palace.”

“They won't need to keep them in line forever. Just until they can free Discord.” Though, his other words gave her pause. The creature pursuing them seemed far from normal, was it possible more ponies of the Water Nation were messing with the Spirit Realm? She shook her head. One task at a time, and for now that was the beach. “It doesn't look particularly deathly,” Twilight muttered. “Why is it called Deathrattle beach? I expected... pillars of bones. Dozens of ships. Hundreds of ponies.”

“Oh, there are. Well, except the bones part,” Thunderlane muttered before closing the map up. “Yeah, this is it. Okay! Pull us in over the beach then get ready!”

“Why? What's going to happen?” the alicorn tensed up. Her friends tensed up as well, from their positions of relaxation around the ship.

“They're going to come check on us, then bring us to where the rest of the pirates are hiding. There's no telling how long it'll take before they send someone to meet us though. Could take minutes or hours. We won't know until they get here.” He moved to the front of the ship and glanced down. He watched as they traveled over the sand. Then, he suddenly raised his hooves. “Pull in the sails! We're waiting here!” The crew quickly got to work and within moments the ship was hovering over the beach, unmoving. He glanced to Twilight. “Now, I'm gonna go play some cards. You're welcome to join me and the crew, your friends too. If you're the gambling sorts.”

“No thanks,” Twilight muttered. The captain shrugged and trotted away, but she kept her look out. The shore stretched on as far as the eye could see, empty of even the smallest pony. Off in the distance the sand gave way to grass and trees and even farther away tall mountain ranges. Some of the treeline was thick enough it could hide a dozen ponies, possibly even griffons. It sent a shiver down her spine as she imagined them out there, watching them. Waiting. Perhaps planning to strike. Would they come to the ship before a Water Nation patrol boat found them? Even if they did come, would they be willing to take Twilight to the rest of the fleet? What if this was all a trap to help the Water Nation capture her? What if there were water benders hiding in those trees?

“Kinda makes you think, doesn't it?” Rainbow's voice came from behind, making the mare jump.

“W-what? Oh. Right. It does... what about?”

The pegasus chuckled. “Everything. Our journey might almost be at an end. If these pirates help us, well... that's it. We have our base of operations. Before we know it, everypony will be here and our force will be ready to strike at the heart of the Water Nation. As soon as the time comes, we'll move in and wipe that smirk of Nightmare Moon's face. Then we'll take down that Discord before he even has a chance to see us. We'll win.”

Twilight nodded. “I... I guess. What do you think we'll all do then?”

“Huh? Whaddaya mean?”

“Us. All of us.” Twilight glanced back to the others. “We... I mean. Applejack has her farm to go back to. You, Pinkie and Fluttershy have your homes. I...” She trailed off. Everypony she ever knew was long dead, aside from the Great Dragon. She didn't even know if somepony who was descended from one of her family members was still alive. Could she even return? Her home had been controlled for over a hundred years. Could the fire benders possibly be restored?

“Well, I think it's pretty obvious,” Rainbow said with a smirk. “We're going to fix the world. All of us. Once we beat the Water Nation, we'll be on the forefront of making sure this can't happen again.”

Twilight chuckled. “I suppose. But what about after that?”

“After that? Heh. There might not be an after that. Who knows how long it could take to fix all this.”

“What about your friends, your families? You don't plan to--”

“No, none of us do. We'll all go home from time to time. Take care of the things we need to. Once everything is fixed, it'll be a lot faster traveling. Especially for me, there isn't any pony faster.” She paused and slowly reached a hoof out, patting the mare on the back. “But... we won't ever leave you. Even once we beat the Water Nation, we'll be by your side forever.” She smirked. “After all, an Avatar would have to be pretty foalish if she thought she could do all this on her own. And you're wayyyy too big an egg head to be that dense, Chickenwings.”

Twilight chuckled. “Thanks, I-- HEY! I'm not an... I'm not either of those things! My wings are as big as yours now!”

“Once a Chickenwings, always a Chickenwings.” Rainbow looked over at the horizon. “Besides. We're the ones who found you. It's like when you find a, let's say random bunny on the side of the road. We can't just let you run wild. Imagine the destruction you'd cause!”

Twilight rolled her eyes, giving her friend a light shove. “Rainbow, you're intolerable sometimes. I swear.” Though she couldn't keep the smile off her lips. She paused and gasped. “Wait... there's somepony coming! Look!” The alicorn pointed out with her hoof, waving frantically. Flying over the trees were three griffons. “Finally! This is it! We're finally going to meet the pirates! About time!”

Rainbow nodded, though she kept her eyes narrowed as she looked them over closely. She didn't recognize any of them and, for a moment, regret filled her heart. “Yeah. I guess this is them. Huh...”

“What's wrong?” Twilight asked, glancing to her friend.

“Nothing.”

The alicorn glanced between the griffons, then her friend a few times. A knowing smile formed on her lips. “Oh, I see. She's probably with them, but I don't see why she'd be on escort duty. She's a... loner, right? I'll bet we'll find her back at their base, probably off in her own little tiny ship or something. Maybe tracking down other lost pirates. They'll know where she is.”

“Hmph. I have no idea what you're talking about,” Rainbow said with a roll of her eyes. Though a small smile creeped along the pegasus's lips as the tension was relieved from her wings.

------

She'd beaten her. It didn't make any sense. It COULDN'T make any sense. They were sisters. The strongest bond two mares could share. They loved each other. Cared for each outer. How could she beat her?

Sweetie stared up at the roof, her eyes staring blankly as her mind rolled on. Rarity had beaten her worst than she'd ever been beaten. She could still see the hooves striking down, smacking her over and over as she struggled, in vain, to protect herself. She'd woken up with a healer standing over, listing off her ailments. Bruises and a slightly broken leg. All had already been healed, the wounds almost pathetic. Yet...

She could no longer find the strength to get up. Her own sister had attacked her. Over that pathetic, useless, tiny and weak dragon. She should have killed him when she had the chance. Pinned him under one of her pillows and suffocated him when he slept in her room. Or even better, snapped his neck. Jammed a shard of ice through his skull. Fed him poisoned food. It would have all been so simple. So easy. Then her sister would be all hers, only hers.

Right?

She shivered slightly, pulling the blanket over herself. Her sister should be hers. She'd done everything right. Killed those who intruded. Killed those who tried to hurt her sister. Even killed a few who talked badly about the lost princess. Yet Rarity wasn't her BSBFF. If anything, her sister had been driven farther and farther away. All the talk of eliminating their threats had done was drive her into a rage.

Even worse, her sister thought she had fallen under Discord's control. Discord! She could see why Rarity might believe their mother was being controlled, but Sweetie? All she ever wanted was for them to be together. Best sisters forever. Why couldn't she see that? The dragon didn't matter, the avatar didn't matter. Only they mattered. That had nothing to do with that pathetic creature, it was all her doing.

Instead, Rarity was falling in love, making friends and even siding with their greatest enemy. If their mother ever found out what she said about the avatar, the old crone would have Rarity's head. Just the thought sent another shiver down her spine and made her pull her blanket closer.

Maybe she should kill the old bat. Sneak up in the night and stab her through the heart. The thought brought a wicked smile to Sweetie's lips. It would be so easy. The ruler would be gone and then she would rule. She had enough ponies she controlled within the empire that they wouldn't dare rise against her. Many would even see her as a hero, the one who rose against the tyrannical Nightmare Moon.

And then her sister would hate her. Forever. Probably attack her during the coronation.

She whimpered and rolled onto her side, tears forming in her eyes as she pulled the blanket closer. Her entire body shivered as she tried to hold back a sob, but it refused to be denied. She wanted her big sister back. She wanted to help her create her gowns. She wanted everything to be back the way it was. She wanted to be held and patted and told how good a job she was doing. That she was the best little sister ever. That they'd be best friends forever and ever, even if they had to tear the stars themselves apart to ensure it.

Instead Rarity attacked her over a silly little pet, the elder's hooves crashing into the mare over and over, filled with anger, hatred and vengeance. Ever since she'd recovered, the elder princess hadn't visited. Not even once. Every time the door opened she hoped her sister would appear, rush in and say how sorry she was. Say she'd gotten rid of the dragon, that it didn't matter. Instead, it was only ever servants bringing her food.

That's all who came to visit her now, servants bringing food. Her mother had never visited either, but that was to be expected. Her sister never coming dug like a knife into her chest. As the first day passed her hope began to wain. Now, she couldn't help but find her anger dissolve into sadness as one final, horrifying notion occurred to her. Perhaps the worst she'd ever imagined.

What if Rarity was right?

What if Sweetie was becoming too bad a pony? What if she was no longer worthy of her elder sister's love? She tried so hard to make them both safe and sound, but what if she'd failed and only managed to become some sort of monster? What if she was like their father?

Her mind grasped onto what she'd seen down there. That small prison that once held the creature their father had become. The fact it was gone hadn't surprised her. She knew once she showed it to her elder sister, surely the elder would try to destroy it. But there was no remaining piece she could find. As if the entire thing had disappeared. Was her sister truly so foolish as to release the monster?

Even more frightening, was that the sort of thing that she wanted Sweetie to do? Would she have to start showing mercy and forgiveness to those who tried to harm her? She curled into an even tighter ball as tears began to form in her eyes. Did her sister really want her to be what she was, back then? She thought back, oh so long ago. Her first kill. The first life she had taken. It was before she had been granted the magic of Discord.

She had been young then. So very young. Her sister had been banished and she mourned night and day for her lost sibling. Her mother found it disgusting, but left her be. The only solace she had was the fact their aunt had traveled with Rarity to keep her safe, but she'd still quickly given up any hope of ever seeing her sister again. She'd been so weak then, so pathetic.

It had been another night of sadness. Her friends had tried to console her, but her mother had sent them away. Told her she was free to grieve, but she would not show her weakness to the world. So instead she'd cried in her room, alone and longing for somepony to hold her and tell her everything would be okay. For her sister to come running into the room, claiming she'd returned.

Instead an assassin tried to end her misery in the only way they could. She'd screamed when the pony came, blade of ice stabbing at her. The pony had looked like a monster, wearing all black with a mask. She'd been so frightened. The door to her room had refused to open, no matter how she banged on it or screamed for help. She remembered the chill in her heart when she realized she was alone. No pony would be coming to chase this monster away.

She'd had no choice but to stand and fight. The opponent was terrifying, but the assassin's bending was almost like a novice compared to hers. Water had splashed around the room, cutting and tearing into everything as they went, attack, counter attack, block, parry, strike. But she had been weak then. Afraid to actually hurt a pony. She'd always held back, even as she drove the pony back. Her attacks were weak, never following through, never finishing. When she'd finally had the pony on the ground, blade at his throat, she'd hesitated.

The pony had tried to kill her with a small metal blade. She'd tried to bend it, but realized too late it wasn't water. In a split second she'd panicked and brought all the water around her to bear, striking out and freezing the blade in shards of ice.

She'd been so focused on her near death, it had taken her a few moments to realize the pony in front of her was now bleeding from a dozen different holes. Even longer to hear her mother's laughter.

She had been so weak. So horrified at what she'd done. But she'd soon learned to do far, far worse. She had passed her mother's test and been chosen to be the next Nightmare Moon. She was granted the powers needed to be such a creature. The power needed to rule in her sister's place. It had been so long ago, though. She could barely even remember the pony she'd killed. Or the second, the third, the fourth. The pain she'd felt had even faded, now she rarely even blinked when she took a life. She tried to focus on that pain, that fear.

She had been a quivering, shaking, pathetic mess of a pony. One that was afraid to take a life even if she had to die because of it. Was that what her sister wanted?

She let out a soft sob again. Could she ever be that pony again? All she ever wanted was to make her sister happy. Could she become weak enough to do it? If she did, would she be able to keep them both safe?

------

Twilight paced nervously, eying Thunderlane and the griffons warily as they discussed matters. She didn't like it, one bit. She was the avatar, yet they refused to talk to any but their own kind. Who knew what vile tricks they could be plotting? Her friends were no more trusting, all watching the captain closely as they went about their tasks. Even Angel had taken off his eye patch to better scowl at the captain.

The worry gnawed at her as they waited until, finally, two of the griffons took to the air and flew off from the ship, gliding away. The last remained, bowing to Thunderlane before walkinging towards the ship's wheel. The captain smiled to them. “Your request has been accepted.”

Twilight gasped, a wide grin forming on her face. “Really? So they'll take us to the pirate hideout?”

“Indeed. Two have already gone ahead to alert the gathered, this last one will be directing us. We're going now.” Thunderlane flashed another smile before turning and trotting towards the wheel. Within a few moments the sails were unfurled and they took off, heading deeper into the land.

“So, what do you think?” Rainbow asked, eying the captain.

“About what?” Twilight asked softly.

“Obviously about all a this,” Applejack said. “Them pirates. Ah wouldn't trust 'em half as far as ah could throw 'em.”

“Unfortunately, we need them,” the alicorn said before turning and looking out over the world. “We need a base of operations, where everypony can gather. We'll likely need their ships as well. Otherwise...”

“We know,” Rainbow grumbled. “Doesn't mean we gotta like it.”

“I agree with them,” Fluttershy said softly. “I don't think Thunderlane will betray us now. But I wouldn't trust these other pirates. Who knows what... naughty things they'd have in mind? They might try to kill us too.”

“They helped us once,” Twilight said gently. “Hopefully they'll help us again.”

“Their help lead to their home getting destroyed,” Rainbow added.

Twilight cringed, but slowly nod. “I know. I... wish it hadn't, but it's too late to argue that now. But this is a chance for them to get vengeance. Payback. Even they could appreciate that. The Water Nation is a threat to everypony. All the countries and ponies, even the animals. Heck, their a threat to the sun, moon and stars themselves. If they want to survive, they'll have to help us.”

“Well, here's hoping they'll see it that way,” Applejack mumbled. “Worse comes tah worse, we'll haveta blow our way out. So everypony make sure you're all ready for a fight.”

Rainbow chuckled. “Oh please, I was born ready.” Though her voice lacked its normal confidence. The ponies stared out into the world below, the wind blowing in their manes as the wind brought them deeper and deeper into the mainland. They traveled over the beach, trees and into the tall mountain ranges, the ship going higher into the air to avoid scraping against the grasping rocks. The pegasus cocked an eye. “I don't know what it is with everypony and the mountains...”

“Easier tah hide from the air,” Applejack mumbled. “Most ponies don't wanna go too close to 'em on patrols, one strong enough wind and bam, down yah go. Not so bad when yah got wings though. There's a reason we ain't fond ah airships back home.”

“Really? I thought it was because you were all scared of heights,” Rainbow teased. “Never woulda pegged you ponies as being scared of big rocks, too.”

“Ponies jus' ain't meant tah fly, it ain't natural!” Applejack said. Her friends all stared at her with cocked eyes. “Well, fine. Earth ponies ain't.”

“There it is!” Pinkie yelled, squealing and pointing as they flew around a cliff. The others squinted and, sure enough. There they stood. Against the base of one of the cliffs, hidden amongst the tall trees, dozens of balloons could be seen poking out through the tops, some nestled between trees while others took up entire clearings. Pegasi and griffons flew through the air, some of which were working on repairing the ships themselves. Trees had been cut down and cleared away, tall piles of timber filling a few of the clearings.

“Got a whole community down there, it looks like,” Applejack mumbled. The group let out a collective gasp as a griffon suddenly tore into the air, followed by a pegasi. The two fought in mid air, sending little flashes at the group as metal tore at metal. Eventually the two broke off, going their own separate ways.

“There'll be plenty of those,” Goldenbeak said with a chuckle, startling the ponies as she landed behind them. “Fights break out from all manner of things, be it insults of loot.”

“What if they kill each other?” Twilight asked warily. “All that fighting can't be good.”

“We're a smart lot. True weapons can't be drawn within the boundaries. Plenty of dull blades though. More than a few pirates leave their stay sporting a few extra bruises, sometimes a broken bone or two. But true killings are rare and tend to end with the murderer being torn apart limb from limb.”

“Wonderful,” Rainbow muttered. “A true honor among thieves set-up you got going here.” The sarcasm dripped from her words.

“We ain't thieves and it ain't honor,” the griffon said before spitting. “We're pirates. We need to have somewhere we can unload what we got, who better than our own kind and a few other... less than respectables? It's just business, nothing more. But we're a hard group. Yah gotta have hard rules.”

Twilight's frown deepened as they made their way towards a clearing lined with stumps. The most troubling aspect was how many pirates were gathering around said clearing. “They know we're coming, then?”

“The avatar coming here is kind of a big deal,” Goldenbeak said with a smirk. “You wanted an audience, didn't you?”

“No... not particularly. I wanted to speak to your leader. Who--”

“This isn't Las Pegasus anymore,” Goldenbeak said harshly. “Ain't any leaders. Just captains, crews and a few unmentionables. If you want our help, you'll need to prove yourself to them.”

“Joy,” Twilight grumbled softly. She dug a hoof into the ground and watched the pirates as the ship came closer and closer. She could soon make out the ponies and griffons eying them.

None of them looked pleased. Plenty were sharpening their blades and giving the ship the stink eye. Others were talking amongst themselves but never looking away from the descending ship. She had hoped to see at least one happy, excited face. Alas, all she saw were ponies who looked angry or annoyed. Sometimes both. “I don't think they're happy about our arrival,” she muttered.

“Nooo, I'm sure they're just getting ready for a really big explosive party!” Pinkie said before tossing some confetti in the air. “I bet they're all just waiting for us to land and then weeee!”

“Ah don't think yah need sharpened blades for parties...” Applejack muttered.

“We never said they'd be happy to see you,” Thunderlane said as he moved to land behind them. “Good luck.”

The ship landed with a loud thump as the anchor was dropped. The sails were pulled in and then there was nothing but the sound of their sharpening blades to greet them. Twilight took a slow breath. “I guess we'd better go greet our fans...”

“Mmm hmmm...” Rainbow muttered. Now the skies were empty of other fliers. Twilight was pretty sure just about every pirate hiding here was now watching them, huddled amongst the trees and clearings.

The alicorn nodded and turned, walking towards the ramp off the ship. She stepped onto it with a deep sigh, closing her eyes for a moment to gather herself. She could do this. She had to do this. There were ponies depending on her. She opened her eyes and looked back. Her friends joined her on either side, reinforcing her courage. A grin flashed on her lips and she stepped forward. Yes. She WOULD do this.

She walked down the ramp, her head held high. She stepped out into the grass and opened her mouth. “Pirates of... of...” She drew a blank. What could she call them? Las Pegasus? That city was destroyed. She coughed a few times. “Pirates. I've come to ask you for your aid, I--”

“Blow it out your flank!” a griffon yelled out.

“What? But I've come to request your aid and--”

“The last time any of us helped you, we lost ships and the Water Nation destroyed all our homes!” a pegasus yelled, others joining in with agreement.

“But... I wasn't... I know what happened is horrible. We came, we saw the city! We... saw the destruction. I... I am sorry for what happened.” She found it strange, she really was sorry for the pirates. Criminals they were, but she couldn't believe anypony deserved what the Water nation brought down on their heads. At least, she hoped they didn't.

“You're only interested in saving your own people!” another voice called out, others joining with their own anger and rage.

“No! I don't, please. I am trying to save everypony. The Water Nation is going to destroy everypony who isn't with them if we can't stop them!” The crowd hollered back, their anger reaching a fever pitch as they yelled and howled at her. She took a step back, into the comforting warmth of her friends. She glanced back, smiling as Pinkie gave her a comforting pat on the flank.

'You can do this,' Rainbow mouthed.

Twilight took a deep breath and nodded. She turned to the pirates and lifted her head high, flame gathering on the tip. She compressed it and sent it into the air, making it erupt into a loud explosion above their heads. A startled hush fell over the crowd, even the sound of sharpened blades having ceased. She then smiled. “I understand. Truly! The Water Nation is a dangerous enemy, but they won't be happy until they control everything. They will slaughter anypony who doesn't obey them! They seek to unleash an unstoppable evil on this world, to tear it apart through fierce, chaotic magic! I won't say that if you help me there won't be a price to pay, there will. I can't guarantee any of you would be fine. All I can guarantee is if you don't do anything, then nothing will ever be fine. You'll be destroyed by the Water Nation! Crushed under their might!”

For a few moments there was silence. Then a voice rang out as a light green pegasus stepped out. “She's right. If we don't do something, the Water Nation will destroy us!”

“Captain!” a griffon called.

“No. She's right,” she said before motioning a hoof towards the alicorn. A smirk formed on her lips. “I say we listen to what she says. If we oppose the Water Nation, they will crush us. So let's capture the avatar and turn her into them!”

“W-what?” Twilight squeaked, her eyes widening. “But... but I'm...”

“Why should we oppose the Water Nation? You've lost, haven't you? Fillydelphia, Cloudsdale, even our home, Las Pegasus. Not to mention Manehatten. All of them have fallen because they helped you. The Water Nation has already won, so if we help you, we'll be signing our own death warrants. But if we turn you in, the entire nation will reward us! We'll live as royalty!”

The crowd began to stir again, raising their hooves and talons in agreement. “Capture the avatar!”

“Wait!” Rainbow yelled, flying into the air. “Don't you listen to this coward! Even if you could capture Twilight, the Water Nation would never give you anything! The moment you showed up with her, they'd wipe you out and keep whatever reward for themselves!”

“Right, like they did the earth benders?” one of the griffons yelled. “There's entire platoons of them running about, the spoils of the Water Nation.”

“Right, so you'd rather live lives as the servants of the Water Nation?” Rainbow shook her head. “I don't believe that. Besides, you're not benders! If you've spent any time watching them, you should know how they treat pegasi! Like dirt, I've seen it myself! You'll be no exception! Do you want to be stuck living under their hooves, forced to obey their commands? They'll turn you into little more than slaves, those they don't kill!”

The crowd gave softer murmurs as the pirates struggled to decide who to side with. The pegasus growled. “Why should we side with you? You've lost to them at every turn! We could just turn you in for some gold and run, they'd never find us! All you can offer us is death and destruction.”

Twilight shook her head. “No! I don't. This time we'll win. Everything we've done up to this point is leading to this. Our final fight. I know I haven't had the best success, but I've never given up. I can finish this. But I need your help.”

The pegasus grinned. “Oh? You're certain you'll win? Why should we believe you?”

“Because this time things are different. The Summer Sun Celebration will give me power to--”

“To what? Drive one of their forces back, before you run away? All you have is a bunch of bending tricks. But that doesn't mean anything!” She pointed a hoof accusingly at the avatar. “They have benders too! Once you can't fall back on your powers, you fall apart and always get defeated!”

Twilight gulped. “N-no. I mean, I won't. Can't. Not this time. This isn't like before. This time we're driving straight into the heart of--”

“Then prove it!” the mare interrupted. “You have such amazing powers. Powers anypony in the world would kill to have. Powers that put you above even the strongest benders. You should be winning this war. But you don't know how to use them. The holder of these powers is nothing more than a child, unable to fight even the weakest pirate without her precious 'bending'. In the end, what does it mean? The Water Nation has benders! They also have the skill and knowledge on how to use them! Why should we throw our lot in with some inexperienced fool who has lost again and again, when all that will happen is she'll get herself killed?”

Rainbow growled. “None of that is true! We've kicked the Water Nation's butt dozens of times. She's an amazing bender! She--”

“All she can do is bend!” the pirate interrupted, flying up into the air. “But she has no idea how to use the power she wields. A cannon is a great weapon, but it is nothing if a foal is manning it! If she wants us to side with her, I say she proves she has the might to stand without the use of her bending!” The crew cheered behind her, raising their blades and talons into the air. Soon the rest of the crowd joined in. She leveled a hoof on her and called out above the crowd. “Avatar, if you want our blades, our ships, I say you fight me! No bending! None of your fancy magic! Prove you have the skill, power and will to win, even without your fancy tricks!”

Rainbow growled and shook her head. “Buck that! I'll fight you! I'll kick your butt into the ground so hard your mane'll have bruises!”

“Hah! See how much a coward the Avatar is? She won't even fight me herself! She knows she'll lose, so she sends her lap dog at me!” the mare yelled with a sneer. “I say we take her and deliver her to the Water Nation!”

“You're welcome tah try!” Applejack said with a growl as she stepped forward. “But you'll end up with more broken bones than yah can count!”

The crowd yelled with the pirate, raising their blades and slowly advancing forward. A huge, buff white pegasus even flexed his muscles and yelled. "Yeahhhhh!"

Twilight looked around, gulping slightly. They were surrounded on all sides and, while none of the pirates seemed eager to be the first ones to fight their bending, they were moving steadily forward. Their numbers were great enough that the five would easily be surged over. She shook her head and stomped a hoof up, sending a tremor through the land. “I'll do it!” She screamed out at the top of her lungs. The noise dimmed, but only slightly. She called out three more times and, on the third yell, the crowd silenced.

“Twilight, you can't be serious,” Rainbow said. “She only wants to fight you because she's experienced. Without your bending you'll--”

“I'll still be the avatar,” Twilight interrupted. “If we're to get the help we need, one fight is a small price to pay.” She looked around at the pirates. “Is that it though?” she called out again. “If I fight you, and am victorious, you'll offer your support?” She paused and looked around. “All of you?”

The mare burst into laughter. “If you can defeat me in single combat without any of your tricks, I'll carry you and your friends on my back!” The other pirates soon joined her in laughter. “You'll find all the help you could ever want!”

Twilight nodded. “Then I'll do it.”

“One hour then!” She roared, before turning to fly away towards one of the ships.

A moment later, Thunderlane came up behind them. “You shouldn't have done that.”

“Why? Twilight can take her,” Rainbow said with a snort.

“Don't be so sure. That's Lightning Dust. She's one of the toughest pirates in the skies. I've seen her take griffon's down in feats of pure strength, not to mention her speed and agility. Without bending, you'll be lucky to survive.”

Twilight looked over the flying mare again, letting out a nervous gulp. “If... if I do win, will the pirates follow me?”

“If you survive? Perhaps. But when you fall, your friends will fall with you,” Thunderlane said with a shrug. “If I was you? I'd turn and run. Maybe if you're lucky you'll get away. You won't find any help here, only death.”

The avatar looked around at the pirates that surrounded them on all side. Many were giving them wary looks. “I'll win. I... have to.” Like it or not, her bed was made and she'd have to lay in it. She just hoped it wouldn't smother her and her friends.

------

Sweetie was awoken by the sound of her door opening. She always slept light, the better to catch an assassin trying to sneak in on her. However, she quickly remembered where she was and relaxed. Likely another nurse.

However, the pony who came within view a moment later was no nurse. “Sister!” She tried to get up, but her tired body resisted her.

“Don't,” Rarity said, shaking her head. “Just... just lay there.”

“B-but sister. I kno--”

“Sweetie, you know nothing,” the elder mare hissed. “I beat you! I attacked you! I... I could have killed you.”

“You came nowhere near ki--”

“I could have if I had... lost more control.” Rarity shook her head. “Mother didn't even... she didn't even scold me. She just laughed it off. Said she was only disappointed that I could only beat you in bare hoof fighting. She...” The elder mare shook for a moment and tried to hold back the tears.

Sweetie watched and felt a longing within. She wanted to reach out and hug her sister, to wipe all those tears away. But she was confined to her bed and still too weak. “It's fine. You just... got mad. I forgive you. I know you didn't mean it. Did you finally get rid of that dragon? You can't let him come between us. He must be remo--”

“He's not the one coming between us!” Rarity screamed, stomping a hoof down. “You are! You're... you're no longer yourself. You're some kind of... you tried to kill Spike. Do you even remember? Do you even CARE?”

Sweetie stared, her mouth falling open. “But... but sister... I just wanted us to be--”

Rarity glared at her sister. “I want us to be together. Sisters. The best of sisters. But you... you're becoming a killer. No, not becoming. Are. Blueblood. Did you... did you really kill him? Why? Why would you do that?”

“F-for you. He was taking you from me! Just like Spike, he--”

“He was not taking me from you!” she screamed again. “I... I didn't... he was a friend. A... a dear friend. Kind of stupid, arrogant. But he had a bit of a charm to him and... nevermind! That's not important.” She paused and... looked down. “How... did he die?”

Sweetie smiled. Her sister was just confused, that was all. Hopeful. Once she heard what happened, surely those strange thoughts of that... fire bender would leave her mind. She'd realize that only her little sister mattered. “The same that would happen to any fire bender. Any of our enemies. I had my soldiers drag him outside the city once it fell. They chopped off his horn there. The explosion of magic alone killed two ponies and burned a third severely. He--”

“Enough!” Rarity screamed, the tears coming down her face. “Do you... do you even realize what... what's wrong with what you've done?”

“Nothing! He was in our way. He wanted you all to himself. He was a fire bender! He wasn't worthy of you!”

The little princess let out a yelp as her older sister came closer and enveloped her in a sudden hug. For a few seconds she laid there, but with a smile she reached up and hugged the mare back.

“I'm so sorry...” Rarity whispered.

“It's okay...” Sweetie said with a nuzzle. “I understand, you're just confused. But don't worry, I'm here for--”

“No. You're not,” the elder princess whispered as her hug tightened and the tears flowed freely. She pulled back and sniffled slightly, giving a weak, sad smile. “You're... you're not Sweetie. I know what's... what's happened to you. And I know how to fix it.”

“Sister, nothing is--”

“Everything is. With you and mother. But... Sweetie, I love you.” She leaned forward and gave her little sister the gentlest of kisses on the forehead. “I love you so very much. You're my sister and I would give my life for you. I... I swear I'll find a way to save you. Even if I have to destroy myself to do it.”

“S-sister?” Sweetie asked, staring up. The elder mare pulled away and wiped the tears from her eyes, before turning around and walking towards the exit. “B-big sister! Stop! What are you talking about? I'm me! I've always been me! Rarity!”

The elder sister paused for a moment, one hoof on the door. She then sighed and looked back. “Don't... don't worry. You'll be yourself one day. I promise. I'll find a way.” She then pulled the door open and stepped outside, ignoring her younger sister's cries and yells. She looked down at the dragon who was standing guard. “Come along, Spike.”

“What are you going to do?” the dragon asked, walking besides her until she picked him up and dropped him onto her back.

“The very thing I should have done so long ago, but never had the courage to do.” Rarity raised her head and narrowed her eyes. “My destiny.”

Comments

[Adixon524]

great fantastic were finnaly going to see if the avatar can do the stances but no bending while being like a rock can be helpful

[Iamawesome]

Chapers get better and better, but damn those cliffhangers!

[eric-emanwu]

Ho boy. Pinkie Pie's going to have a field day when the fallout of this chapter ends.

So, we've team avatar facing their greatest challenge yet: The bending free duel. Pirates! Sympathetic, yet so stubborn at the same time. This is just too much for me to handle. At least in terms of my fear for a reviewer's complaint back in book 1 that twilight's become kinda nerfed a bit in this story. But, here's to you proving it all wrong. Also, gotta admit, didn't expect to see lightning dust here. Let's see, Lightning dust pushes herself perhaps even more than RD does, and is almost as good as she is. However, she's callous about the way her team is used, and about how she uses her gifts, caring more for her own advancement than for just getting the work done. This means she will indeed be a difficult opponent to take down, but I think what will do her in is an appeal to sympathy, showing that companionship is not weakness, and that there will be power in having friends anyways. For the record though you pirate scum, one day your kind will be eradicated from this world, because a world at harmony doesn't need thieves. And twilight already got some stances practice thanks to what happened in school. So, at least she's going to be somewhat ready.

As for sweetie, we finally get to the story of how she came to be the bloodthirsty corruption. It all began on the night she was attacked by an assassin, who no doubt was sent by mother, and that eventually lead her down the path of ruthlessness and hate. Like that pain that slowly dulls the more you use it. A true tragedy for the ages in how the path of Sweetie slowly fell away in her mother's commands. All she wanted was her sister back, but in the end, the person she became created the exact person Rarity would never return to. For holding onto something too tightly means you'll lose it. And sweetie, sometimes it takes more strength to allow life than it does to bring death. That is the secret of power in weakness.

And..... Fine. You win. I guess...I guess blueblood's never coming back. Though I have to wonder, how is it that none of the rest of the city heard a magic explosion when they were fighting for Philydelphia? I still want to believe he'll show up for a surprise reveal, but...until that happens, I guess you win author. Instead of being the mai of the 2nd book, I guess he's the jet after all. I hate you. (Ok, not totally, but I'm still sad. His arc of redemption did eventually move to the point of self sacrifice which is the redemption equals death line, but I guess since he hadn't gotten a chance to ask for the firebender's forgiveness, or won rarity's heart yet, I guess I feel cheated because it didn't feel like his arc was done, and that his life didn't serve the purpose for rarity it deserved.)

Although, that aside, this is what I meant when I talked about playing that imperialism card too quickly. You're taking the story in a direction that's accelerated, and yet all your own. Though seriously Luna. That kind of callousness towards Sweetie. That's just horrible. But, it looks like this is it. It's time for Princess Rarity to join the crowd and become the last member of team avatar harmony. Assuming of course, the duel doesn't get too sticky. Now, how's that hunt going for the bloom, or the training for the scoots?

[Jeweled Pen]

(Part 1)
5157072 Hee hee. I'm going to be honest, your last few posts were really great. They helped motivate me to write when I was starting to worry the story was going to be a slog and bore people. Thanks ^^ Bloom and Scoots will be returning soon, I just wanted to get Rarity and Twilight done with their pre-summer sun stuff. Sadly though, that is the most I can spoil.
5156176 Aye, cliff hangers suck. That's why I try to get my chapters out fast. So not hanging for long. ^^
5153854 Aye, Twilight can really rock! .... Yes I know my puns are worst that Pun Ponies.
5141365 Sweetie. But sometimes Rarity can be pushed just a tiny bit too far.
5089528 Somehow it ended rather well. As far as they know.
5069086 Thanks ^^ I'll be honest, I'd actually forgotten about Maud Pie. however, now that I have her in mind again, I have a few ideas for her character...
5059926 I am a master of torture after all. You've seen my puns.

[Jeweled Pen]

(Part 2)
5016923 Thanks ^^ This book is honestly probably going to be the biggest. Hopefully the best too! Or, well, at least equally awesome as the others were.
4976769 Thanks ^^ It's been a lot of fun to write.
4974480 Thanks. It was always an awesome song and I just knew pinkie would be awesome singing it. It was honestly one of many, many times I wish I knew how to sing/animate cause I'd soooo make that song for her. Loved that movie.

Okay everyone, thanks for the comments. I think I responded to everyone, if I missed you, I'm sorry and feel free to call me out on it. I just want everyone to know though, I do read every single one and they really do help to motivate me. I've just been lazy, so lazy I had to break the comment into two pieces. I'll try not to let it build up again. It's thanks to all you amazing fans I have the energy and encouragement to keep writing this story and I hope you all continue to love it. Thanks everyone! More chapters coming soon, I hope you're all excited.