Avatar: The Last Alicorn. Book 3: Unicorn

by Jeweled Pen

Chapter 38: Princess

Rarity took a deep breath as she stared at the city walls. She was wearing a few... moderately extravagant outfits. The necklace her sister and Spike had made would work as decent jewelry and she'd been able to cut up a few of the theatre's costumes to create a robe for herself. It wasn't the best she'd have wanted, but it did repel the heat decently and allow a nice range of movement. A few jugs of water dangled from her back.

Applejack and Twilight stood behind her on either side, wearing cloaks to hide their features as well as the alicorn's wings. The plan depended on the princess and they both knew it, even though they didn't like it very much.

Their scout had returned quickly to explain what was going on. Apparently there had been an attack and there were rumors flying around that half the city's leader had been wiped out by Twilight's Sunrise, while the commander had been taken prisoner. There were also rumors that it was an entire strike team of fire benders and air benders, leaving the entire building gutted. While there was no way to know how much was true and how much was fiction, all ponies were being locked in their homes until further notice and there was plenty of panic. Fortunately, it was very chaotic and the forces were moving slow, which had given them ample time to prepare. When the theatre's escort had arrived, the three benders were in hiding and had their outfits prepared, from there all they had to do was wait until nightfall.

Rarity couldn't suppress her excitement. She knew the plan hinged on her and if she failed, they all failed. But she couldn't help it. She felt as if she was finally achieving something, working for the right reasons. Helping the right ponies. Not only that, she had an idea of what she was doing. Every lesson her aunt had taught her flew into her mind so rapidly she could barely process them. There was chaos and confusion everywhere, ponies had no idea where to turn to. That meant it was the perfect time to ram herself in, to make herself a beacon for ponies to follow. She was a princess, she knew how the country worked. As far as she knew, no pony knew where she was and there was enough madness in the ranks for her to bluff her way in.

She hoped.

The sun had descended before they made their way out towards the south road. It had been a long, annoying walk as they had to keep an eye out for any scouts watching them, but they'd soon made it out far enough they could turn back and begin their approach. As she hoped, the ponies were jumpy enough they started calling out to the three long before they made it to the gates. What she didn't expect was the sudden arrow. Her horn glowed and the water shot up from their containers, forming a wall of ice that blocked the attack. Pegasi wielding spears descended, slowly, and she could see more archers watching from above. They were tense, that was good. They had arrows pointed at them, which was not so good but manageable. The fact one had let an arrow slip already was worrisome, but she remained calm.

“Who are you?” one of the pegasi yelled as he came just a bit too close. Her water formed a whip and reached out, plucking him from the air and yanking him to the ground with a yelp. It formed a blade poised over his throat. The other pegasi quickly backed away, watching with nervous horror.

“You foal!” Rarity snapped, wearing her anger like an armor. “You dare to attack your princess? I had heard this city was filled with foals, but my sister apparently overestimated just how many brain cells the lot of you share.”

The pegasus looked confused, staring at her. “Princess?”

“Yes, your princess! Do you fail to realize who I am?” She flung her head back and gestured towards her horn. “I am Princess Rarity, you foal! You dare to try and strike me with your arrows? I should have you gutted you pathetic worm.”

The pegasus squeaked, staring at her. “P-Princess Rarity? We... w-we had heard about... a-about your return but we didn't... w-why are you-- eek!” He was silenced as the blade pushed closer to his throat.

“Who is in command here?” She leaned in closer to look into the pony's eyes. “Go find your commander. You're not paid enough, nor are you trained enough to deal with me.” Her voice dripped with venom and she gave the pony a quick kick to the backside. She then pulled herself and the blade back.

“I-I, I'll go get the c-commander right now. Please wai--”

“I will do no such thing,” she growled before looking towards the city. “We've been walking for hours since our blimp was attacked by those damn pirates. I did not travel through this waste land to wait.”

The pegasus gulped and flew back up, quickly speaking with a few of the other pegasi before flying off to the archers. The bows were lowered but they looked even more nervous as the pegasus she'd threatened flew off.

“Yah really know how tah channel your mother, don't yah?” Applejack asked softly.

“Actually that was more my sister,” Rarity said with a sigh. “If I channeled my mother there would have only been one survivor. Come along. Remember, we're members of the Water Nation. High ranking members. We don't take orders from anypony.” She stepped forward as the other two quickly fell in line behind her. Within moments a few of the pegasi flew down to surround them.

“Err, Miss Rarity, while we understand that, err, as a princess, y-you are, I ummm...” The pegasus kept backing up and getting lower to the ground as she didn't stop, merely shoving him aside. “W-we have n-no confirmation of your visit! I mean, t-there is no, no proof that you're, that, err...” He locked up as she turned her glare on him. It was a glare that she had learned from her mother.

“That I'm what? Here? You sniveling toady. I should tear out your little wings before slitting your throat,” she said with a growl. “What is going on here? I was told there would be throngs of ponies to herald my arrival. Instead they cower in their homes, watching me like frightened fillies!”

“Y-your highness! What he's trying to say is we're in lockdown. We have no proof that you are... are indeed...” The new pony quickly started to cower from the glare.

“Enough. Rockcrusher?” She glanced to Applejack. “These two. Remove them.” She paused and then added almost dismissively. “But leave them alive, for now.”

The earth pony gulped, before stomping a hoof. The two pegasi looked confused, until the sand shot out and slammed them into a nearby building. The stone making the building molded around them, trapping them against it.

Rarity then turned to the remaining pegasi who looked downright terrified. “Let me make one thing clear. I am a royal princess of the Water Nation. These two are my soldiers, a water bender of Canterlot and one of the earth benders from Fillydelphia. You do not tell me what to do. In fact, unless I ask for your opinion, which I won't, you do not speak to me. Do I make myself clear?”

The ponies looked between each other, unsure of how to act. Internally Rarity cheered. They had no idea what to do, they weren't trained to deal with this kind of situation and they were terrified of screwing up. There had been too much chaos in their ranks lately, shattering their chain of command. She felt so bad for them she almost wanted to toss them a lifeline, but she had to be cold and hard, like her mother. Slowly they gave nods. “Good. Now leave us. Either find us the commander or go about doing... whatever it is you colonists do. Except you!” She pointed towards one of them who looked terrified as he was singled out. “You will take us to... whatever guest quarters this backwards settlement has. Now go!” she ordered and the fliers obeyed.

The pegasus gulped and stared. “T-the guest quarters are--”

“Did I ask you to speak? No. I said take us.” Rarity motioned forward with her head and the pegasus quickly started trotting forward.

Twilight watched the princess leading them forward and couldn't help but feel a chill. Was this the real Rarity? The kind of pony she was trying to make friends with? What if the mare slipped right back into this personality and betrayed them? Now would be the perfect time, surrounded by the Water Nation's soldiers.

------

“Ohhhhh yesssssss,” Rarity said with the most delightful of moans as she lounged about in a heated tub. The three were in a small, steam filled room. “Are you sure you two do not wish to join me? This is simply divine. It has truly been far too long since we've been allowed such luxury.”

“In case yah forgotten, we got a job to do here,” Applejack said, glaring at the mare.

“Oh, relax,” the princess said with a wave of her hoof. “The commander hadn't arrived by the time we got here. That means one of two things. Either command is so ruined right now that they have no idea what is going on and therefor have no idea who is in command, or they are trying to put us off balance by making us wait and pretending they're in control.”

Twilight gave a slow nod. “That's why you told them to wait until after your bath?”

“Well, partially. That and because I wanted a good source of water. You see, I've found all the little... hiding holes they have set to spy on us. They really are quite--”

“Wait, they're spying on us?” Applejack asked, looking around frantically.

“No, but they have the devices needed to do it,” Rarity said with a shake of her head. “In fact, they have an easy way for an assassin to sneak in and try to slit our throats. I've blocked it, of course. I almost hope they try, it would be amusing to see the poor dear try to explain it away.”

“Blocked it?” the earth pony asked softly. “Is... that common?”

“Oh yes, darling. My home country is filled with the most despicable of ponies. Assassination attempts are quite common.” She paused for a moment. “Now that I think about it, maybe that should have been sufficient hint to not try to return...”

“Probably,” Applejack said with a snort, before glancing at the tub. She put a hoof against the water. “Maybe a soak wouldn't be so bad.”

“Marvelous,” Rarity said with a nod, before glancing to Twilight. “Now, keep the cloak close. I fully expect whoever does finally decide to visit us to get tired of waiting and try barging inside, at which point I will disarm him and--”

“Okay, is everypony in your nation evil and inconsiderate?” Twilight asked with a shake of her head, before glancing to the water. It was warm and they had been walking in the desert for a long time. It was tempting.

“Of course not. Just most of the higher ranking ones. My mother tends to prefer, well, ponies who are as treacherous as her. Now, it might not work the same here, but my nation has spent the last hundred years enforcing such standards. Ponies with power don't like it when they find out others have even more power. They tend to try to flaunt what they have.”

The alicorn sighed and laid down. “I think I'll just lounge out here. You know, my country has had quite a few warlords in their time who were focused on rage and I really imagined they would be the worst around. Before all this, I never would have imagined the Water Nation could be so... this.”

Rarity sighed. “It is the difference between anger and feeling nothing. Both can be disastrous when the ponies in power wield them.” She glanced down at her hooves.

Twilight smiled and gave the unicorn a small pat on the head. “I guess it's a good thing that the elements are not defined by a single attribute, huh?”

Rarity nodded and leaned back. “Indeed. I wonder if--”

“Shhh, ponies are comin',” Applejack said as she shifted forward, rubbing a hoof against the tile.

After a few moments there was a gentle tap on the door. “Err, Princess Rarity? I ummm, I've come to discuss with you.”

Rarity cocked an eye. “I'll be ready soon. Wait for me.”

“Your highness, I must insist--”

“You will insist nothing,” she said harshly. “And you will wait.”

There was silence from the other side of the door for a few moments before a soft sigh filled the air. “As you wish.” The hoof steps could be heard trotting away.

“Don't yah think you're bein' a little rough on them?” Applejack asked. “What if they decide tah try tah rebel?”

“Well, that'll be good,” Rarity said with a shrug. “But I'm merely scaring them, not truly threatening them yet. There is chaos in their ranks and in times of chaos ponies tend to follow the pony with the most power. As far as they know, that's me.”

Twilight sighed and shook her head. “You know, I think your aunt would be proud of you.”

“W-what? Really? Y-you think so?” the princess asked, nervously poking her hooves together. “I-I'm really not doing much, I-I'm just applying the lessons she taught me. For a good cause, too! Do you really think she'd be proud?”

The avatar gave a small nod and smile. “As long as you remember what you're fighting for, yes. Though... I won't deny, sometimes you get really into it and I worry you'll turn on us.”

“What?” Rarity asked, her mouth falling open in horror. “I-I couldn't, I--”

“Shhh, we got a spy,” Applejack said softly as she tapped the floor. “They're sneakin', but ah can feel 'em comin'.”

Rarity shook her head and slid out from the water, wrapping a robe and towel around herself. “Wonderful. Applejack, if you'd like a soak I believe me and Twilight can handle this.”

“Nah, ah'm comin' with. Want me tah take the pony out?”

“Not at all.” She grinned. “It took them so long to send a spy, we should give them something to listen to.” She took a deep breath. “Just look at the state of this city. To imagine, so many of these ponies are now filling our military ranks. I don't know why my mother would ever send me to such a... such a backwards hovel! I'll soon have this city back into shape. First thing I'm going to do is end this ridiculous cowering. There's a new princess in this city and they will all learn to love and fear me! Oh ho ho ho ho!” She laughed for a few more moments before going on yet another tirade.

Applejack stared with wide eyes for a while before lifting a hoof. “They're gone. Okay, who exactly were yah channeling that time?”

“I'm really not sure, honestly,” Rarity said with a shrug. “Come along, let us depart before this commander goes into full panic.”

The others shared a worried look before following after the mare.

------

“So, you somehow managed to... lose your commander?” Rarity asked, staring deadpan at the pegasus before her. She'd taken the only chair in the room, allowing her to stare at the pony from a position of relaxations. Outwardly she frowned, though inwardly she giggled gleefully. The pegasus was terrified. He was sweating, trying to look her in the eyes but only focusing on the horn. He didn't know what to do in the face of a true superior. It made her all the more confident.

“He, he was foalnapped. There was a pegasus and, w-we're sure she was an air bender. She--”

“You're sure? Who else saw this?”

“N-nopony. He had made us all leave the room and--”

“You left your commander alone with an unknown pegasus?”

“W-well, we were certain she was just a pirate. S-she was tied up and--”

“Obviously not well enough.” She looked him up and down. “So, you're the highest ranking officer here?”

“Well, I ummm, for now. Yes,” the pegasus said nervously. “O-once all the unicorns and air ships were pulled away we lost the majority of our commanders and, a-aside from Black Marble t-there were only a hoofful who--”

She sighed and shook her head. “I see. Well then, I guess there is no choice. I'll be taking over until... what is it now?”

The pegasus gulped and shuffled. “I... I h-have orders to put you under arrest.” He shuffled from hoof to hoof. “Y-your appearance timed with, with the f-foal napping of our commander has, has raised questions a-and until a--”

“Enough.” She leaned back in her chair and glanced to Applejack and Twilight. “Very well then. Arrest me.”

“W-what?”

“Go on. Arrest me. If you believe you have the power and authority to arrest your princess, do try. I would enjoy the little... show.” She gave him the full brunt of her stare. He gulped and then slowly lowered his eyes. She waited a few moments longer before nodding. “Good. At least you're not a complete foal. Only partially. Effective immediately, this little... martial law is over. I want everypony gathered together where I can give them my first address.”

“E-everypony? But--”

“Every soldier, every guard, every farmer, everypony.” She paused for a moment and shook her head. “Very well, I am not... completely inhospitable towards your... weaknesses. Every pony aside from the lame, injured and those that tend to them. I suppose the pregnant as well.” She looked him up and down. “Tell whoever it is you answer to, they may do this or they may come and try to arrest me themselves. I will not wait long.”

“I-it will take at least a week, there are--”

“You have until sunrise. Where is an adequate location to hold everypony in the city?”

The stallion gulped nervously. “O-outside the walls. The farm lands could work, b-but, but they'd be crushed and... w-we need that food to survive...”

She gave a disappointed sigh. “Very well. Have a... stage or some such thing prepared outside the city. If the farm lands do not work, find a place that does. I will not have my magnificence dimmed. It will happen once the sun has risen.” She paused. “I do loathe that thing, it is much too hot.”

The pegasus nodded and backed away. “A-as you wish.” He then turned to gallop away.

Once the door closed the princess let out a sigh. “You okay?” Twilight asked.

“Just a little tense. I will not deny it is... a little pleasurable to have the power of a ruler again. However, it is quite exhausting. I can't imagine how my mother does it.”

Applejack snorted. “Ah imagine it has somethin' tah do with havin' a heart of ice.”

The princess sighed and glanced to Twilight. “It'll be your turn soon, Twilight. I hope you're up to it.”

“Me too,” the alicorn said softly. She truly did, because if she wasn't she knew they would all pay the price.

------

Unsurprisingly, the city was soon a mess of activity as ponies galloped about and tried to gather everypony they could. A few soldiers had come to try to arrest her, but they were as foals to her. She knew how the game worked, how one led. She couldn't help but admire her mother's pigheaded stubbornness. Bringing so many ponies back to Canterlot left the Fire Tribe lands completely vulnerable. Defenseless. They weren't prepared for the weakest force, let alone somepony like her.

Unfortunately, it made everypony more jumpy and ready to panic. As she looked out from her window in the tower, she couldn't help but feel unease flow through her. Their first plan would have worked, the play. She knew it. They were disorganized and a rebellion would be too much.

But this wouldn't be a rebellion, not this time. This would be a surrender, a severance. The ponies had grown up under the, albeit painful, care of the Water Nation. She knew many of them would fight to be free of it, but would they be willing to take it when it was offered? Would they give up the comfort of the mother land for the danger of their own command?

However, worst of all was the one small, simple fact. “I worked so hard on that plan, it was going to be wonderful. Everypony was going to be 'Avatar, Avatar' and stuff...” she said in a mopey tone.

“There there,” Twilight said as she gently patted the unicorn on the back. “I'm sure we can use your other plan eventually in some other time. Really. I mean, mob rule has to, errr, be a good thing? Right?”

“No no, mob rule is a horrible thing. But when directed properly... oh, nevermind.” Rarity poked the window and sighed. “This is going to be a lot harder though.”

“But there won't be as much fighting, right? It's gentle and smooth? Shouldn't that be easier?”

Rarity shrugged. “Maybe. It'll be slower though, giving ponies more time to think things through. They may need some grand gesture. If you fought for them, rebelled, they would have something to stand behind. Something to believe in. But if you just receive it, they might wonder if you'll be able to defend them if things go bad. They'll need a sign. Something to prove, something...” She frowned and glanced off towards the sky. “Maybe what Rainbow did. Maybe--”

“No,” Twilight said with a sigh. “I'll come and show myself. I am the avatar, it's my duty to defend all ponies. I... never felt comfortable manipulating ponies. I won't trick or force them to believe in me. We'll go out there and show them who I am, then they can decide for themselves.”

“What if they choose wrong? What if they decide to not fight for you? What if--”

“Then that will be their choice. But that's what's important. They have a choice.” She moved closer and smiled. “If... they don't choose to side with me, that doesn't mean you've failed. It just means they haven't sided with me.”

“But... it's my plan. If it fails, it--”

“You're doing the best you can. Nopony could ask any more of you. As a matter of fact, a few weeks ago we wouldn't have even asked this of you. I think you're really coming a long way towards earning the faith of the group.”

“Really?”

“Yes. Sure, it kind of... happened quickly and it was because we needed you. But it still counts, it still shows how important you're becoming to us.” Twilight moved a wing out to gentle hug the mare. “It means you're becoming one of our friends.”

“Also means it's only a matter ah time until Rainbow tries kickin' your butt in a wrestlin' match or some such nonsense,” Applejack said with a chuckle. “Yah gonna get mud drippin' from your mane, ah guarantee it.”

“That too,” Twilight said with a chuckle at the look of horror on the princess' face. She glanced down at the streets. “The crowds are starting to thin out. How many do you think will come?”

Rarity sighed. “I'd say... at least three, maybe four fifths of the city. Possibly more. Most of the military will be there, aside from those on watch. Some ponies will be hiding in their homes, for fear of transgressions against them. A few might use this opportunity for... less noble deeds. Now would be a good time to steal the rations others have. But, all in all, there should be enough. We should go.” She pulled away from the avatar and pulled out her dress, wrapping it around herself. The other two lifted the hoods over their heads and followed.

The streets were still filled with ponies, slowly making their way towards the eastern side of the town. There was plenty of grumbling and arguing amongst the ponies and more than a few angry fights broke out, though they were quickly abandoned. Rarity took a deep breath as she looked around at the masses.

Many of these ponies had never lived their lives outside of the Water Nation's rule. Would they be willing to accept their freedom and fight for it? She wished she knew how to give the ponies a true vision of what the avatar was like. To show them something worth fighting for. But she had nothing. Her mind raced for any other idea as she looked around. If only they could do the play, but that would draw too much attention. Even if Twilight didn't want the ponies to be tricked or herded into it, she still couldn't help but feel anxious about just letting them decide.

Ponies needed a cause. They needed something to believe in, something to fight for. She just hoped Twilight could be it. As the mass of ponies came within sight of the stage, she let out a soft sigh. It would be now or never. She'd have to use her words to sway them.

Twilight was the avatar they needed, but would she be the one they accepted?

Comments

[GMZ_Casper]

Rarity seems to be in full manipulator mode...and it seems like it is rubbing Twilight and Applejack the wrong way a little bit, more-or-less. But, at least they are seeing that she is doing her best to use it for a good cause this time around. Can’t wait to see how their plan will play out…

C&Cs will be PM.

[eric-emanwu]

Hmm, well isn't this an interesting chapter. Not as much because a lot is happening. Oh contrary. This is interesting because it sees rarity taking on a part again. That role of semi-evil, using everything she can to be the villain they expect by using intimidation as a weapon to bluff her way to the inner sanctum.

Though it also seems that she's enjoying some perks from being treated like royalty again. Royal soaking, while assessing how with 1 move, RD managed to smash the fragile chain of command to pieces. Come to think of it though, where have fluttershy, pinkie pie, spike and angel been all this time? the heavy hitters were gathering intelligence and setting up, but what happened to the softer of the elements?

There was also a bit on the difference between the masses and the hierarchies. Twilight knows about the students of the water nation, and how they had dreams beyond mere war. But Rarity knows that the wise tyrant likes to surround herself with like minded individuals, people who she wouldn't trust with a daisy sandwich, but which she would want to keep close to keep an eye on them. Ponies like Trixie. And Twilight has to admit that the fire of rage also lead to some pretty bad ponies in her day as well. Hmm, although, what is it about the elements being complex characters? Is that playing to the uniqueness of each team avatar harmony? Curiouser and Curiouser. Though, it also seems that rarity's power stuff does make the more straight laced team a bit more...on edge, but they're trusting in her, and working towards what aunt celestia always wanted.

Though, what's going on here? Rarity is calling for everyone to come there, but it seems that instead of putting on a show, they're putting on a ceremony. That with Rarity there, there's a plan for the princess to call on all the people to submit to her will, and she in turn will call on everyone to submit to the will of the avatar. Like that they want the people to choose freedom by election rather than starting a rebellion. A difficult call for sure, and it's giving them the freedom to say that they'd prefer the benefits of oppression rather than the danger of freedom. And like I said, there are several factors in play here that might prove....fascinating entering the ceremony. 1. the broken wills, that when the avatar never came to help after cloudsdale, that the fire nation lost the will to rebel, thinking they were abandoned by one of their own. However, the intel gathered by AJ seems to suggest that the rebels have created a sense of unease among the population. Not only with crowding, but with the knowledge that there's no true guarantee of safety under the water nation if the fire bending foals can be taken from under them. There's a lot of anger, but there's fear as well. And yet no sense of brokeness per se. Oh, this is going to be interesting. So let's see what happens.

[StarzGecko]

When we'll we see CMC again? I like to know what happen...

[DualKitsune]

That last line has a Dark Knight feel to it.
Holy Batmare, Rainbow!