Avatar: Legend of Diamond Tiara. Book 3: Tirek

by Jeweled Pen

First published

Diamond's greatest challenge has come, with three new powerful benders aiding Meadowbrook, can she hope to defeat the villain she only narrowly defeated before? With some help from the past, there may be hope.

Meadowbrook has returned, aided by three of the most dangerous benders the nations have ever known. However, Diamond has a few new friends on her side, the comrades of her past life. Together, can they hope to stop this mare before things get fully out of hoof? Especially with one of her strongest enemies slowly gathering power and awaiting her moment to strike?

Image by Silfoe again. Thankies. :)
Special thanks to Angel_Bunny for editing the chapters for me.
Please enjoy!

Full collection:
Avatar the Last Alicorn:
Book 1.
Book 2.
Book 3.
Book 4.

Legend of Diamond Tiara:
Book 1.
Book 2.
Book 3.
Book 4.

Disclaimer: "Avatar: the Last Airbender" and all associated characters, storylines, and materials belong to Nickelodeon and were created by Bryan Konietzko and Michael Dante DiMartino.
My little pony: Friendship is magic and all associated characters, storylines, and materials belong to Hasbro, and was made incredibly awesome by Lauren Faust.

Chapter 1: Debriefing

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A pair of earth ponies stood at attention, on the edge of a pier. The waves sloshed gently against the metal poles that lay buried in the middle of the lake. The guard on the right couldn't tell why, but for some reason the water sounded extra sloshy tonight. Probably his imagination. He couldn't wait for morning and his shift to be over. He glanced back towards the wooden building built on the metal frame.

The prisoners within the wooden building were some of the greatest and most dangerous earth benders the Earth Kingdom had, which was why the purest metals had been cast to create the structure, then a thick layer of wood on top of it. Their bending did them no good here. There were ten guards stationed at all times and the two guards were watching the only place close enough to the water for anypony to come aboard.

However, they weren't expecting anypony until the next morning, which made the small boat making its way towards them suddenly all the more shocking. The guard on the right tensed up and called out. “Hey! Spotters, give us some light!” He called out.

Up above, the two pegasi on tower duty moved the lights, shining its gaze on the boat. Within a few minutes the boat drifted closer and they could see that it was completely empty. The guards relaxed a little.

Then there was suddenly a splash and a pink pony holding a strange dual pronged staff and wearing a strange mask leaped from the depths. She flew through the air and landed behind them both. Her staff glowed with a yellow light and she quickly aimed it at the two of them, the light flashing out and enveloping the two earth benders. They screamed and writhed, moments before their cutie marks disappeared from their bodies. The masked pony's eyes glowed for a moment before she raced towards the building.

An alarm filled the air and she stopped and jumped back, narrowly avoiding the diving pegasus. Her staff flicked out, smashing against the pony's skull and sending her crashing to the ground before she met the same fate as the earth ponies. She raced towards the building, flames enveloping the staff for a moment before she sent them forward, blowing the front door off the building.

------

“The guards never stood a chance,” the lone pegasus said before she shook her head, tears in her eyes. “I set off our alarms, but... but by the time they got there, it was all over. All of my comrades, a-all of my friends. T-their cutie marks were gone. All of them. Not... not j-just that, either. Their... their magic. All of it. M-my partner can't even fly anymore! She's a pegasus who can't fly! She can't even stand on clouds!” the mare shrieked, covering her face with her hooves. “If... if she hadn't told me to... to set off the alarms, if I had gone in f-first... I'd b-be the same way.”

“There there, sugarcube,” Applejack said before walking forward and patting her on the back. “It's okay. We're gonna get this here Meadowbrook an' find out what she's after. Then we're gonna get these cutie marks back, ah promise yah.”

The mare nodded, wiping her eyes. “T-thank you. I just don't... I just don't k-know what I c-could have done. She was... it was all so fast. She tossed some rocks to the prisoners, followed by some... w-we managed to catch all of them except...”

“Hothoof,” Applejack finished for her. She then nodded. “Yah can go now, that's all we needed from yah.”

The pegasus nodded and then turned, trotting out.

Diamond frowned, eying the mare for a moment before looking back at the group. The only ones permitted for this discussion were the council, her, Rainbow, Rarity, Applejack, Applebloom and Sweetiebelle. Her friends had all been told to wait outside, for now.

“That doesn't make any sense,” Diamond said with a shake of her head. “The Staff of Sameness was destroyed. I destroyed it myself! Well, okay, no. It was a team effort, Acrylic got the last shot.” She then took a deep breath and looked down at the documents spread across the table. “She couldn't do... this, either. She could take cutie marks, but taking flight? That's not...”

“It gets worse,” Rarity said before shaking her head. “You see, none of us expected this to happen. We... imagined this Meadowbrook was just trying to get the cutie marks of those prisoners. Many of which she did. We figured Hothoof had escaped in the chaos. What we didn't expect was what happened next.” She looked to Rainbow. “I'm sorry.”

Rainbow nodded. “I know. Just... get on with it.”

Rarity sighed. “The prison was... underground. One of the finest Wonderbolt prisons imaginable, housing dozens of air bending prisoners. It was designed to keep them from escaping. An earth bender, though? It wasn't capable of holding up to that.” She then sighed. “Especially not two of them. Hothoof's lava bending was... unique.”

“Not anymore,” Diamond said with a shake of her head.

“Excuse me?”

Diamond smiled. “Well, a lot happened while we were gone. Button learned how to lava bend after Prince Luna fell into this big slime monster and almost got eaten.”

“EXCUSE ME?!” Octavia and Rarity said at the same time, then glanced to each other.

The alicorn coughed into her hoof. “Oh. Errr, long story short, we found Twilight's body. Had a...” She sighed again. “A lot happened. We'll go over it after this briefing. Can we move it along? I don't mean to be rude, but my friends are waiting for all this information too. But yes, to summarize, Button can lava bend now.”

Rarity nodded. “I... see. And my son?”

“Is fine. Possibly kind of dating Button, long story. Very confusing story, even. So, what happened next?” she said quickly before the Water Lord could get side tracked.

“What? Oh, yes. So, as I was saying, Hothoof's talents were unique. While his metal bending skills were...”

“About as good as a thimble of water in a pig pen,” Applejack offered.

“... Quite. His lava bending makes him a dangerous and unique threat. Even if he lacks the... he uhhh...”

“Is about as sharp as a twenty year ol' axe,” the earth pony offered.

“Not... quite how I would put it, but indeed,” Rarity said with a sigh. “Nopony imagined he would be hard to locate, if difficult to capture. But for some strange reason, he has opted to work with this Meadowbrook and, together, they launched an assault on the prison holding Shining. This time, there were no escapes, everypony there was stripped of their cutie marks and, more disturbing... this Meadowbrook seemed to have gained their bending. It was mentioned that she could fire, earth and air bend. A... dangerous combination.”

Diamond gulped. “I... I'd only ever seen her fire bend before.”

“She's apparently been practicing. Not only that, her bending seems to be extremely powerful, we aren't sure how, but she's managed to tap into the power of the cutie marks she has stolen and she has stolen a LOT of powerful magic. With... this encounter and the loss of Shining, it was... quite obvious what was happening,” Rarity said before holding her head with her hoof. “Hothoof was once the protégé of Applejack, Shining the student of Rainbow. This pony had obviously been targeting those we had trained and... there was only one I had trained. Well, one imprisoned.”

“Dazzling?”

“Indeed,” Rarity said with a sigh. “An... unfortunate remnant of the Water Nation's past that I tried, and failed, to fix. When it became obvious that nothing we could do would help his... broken mind, we had him locked away in one of our metal prisons in the south.” She lowered her eyes and shook her head, the guilt flooding into her voice. “I... am sorry for this, Avatar. It was my failure that... allowed them to free him.”

“It's not your fault, Rarity,” Sweetie said as she moved over and nudged her sister. “We tried, heck, you still had him seeing therapists all the time. He just didn't want to listen.”

“A-anyway,” Rarity said before taking a deep breath. “My sister and I went to engage them. Unfortunately... we were ambushed on the way. Dazzling intercepted us and destroyed our air ship, making us crash to the ground. I must admit, it did remind me of old times.”

“Huh, so it was the whole group, not just Twilight,” Diamond muttered.

“Excuse me?”

“Nothing, continue.”

“By the time we made it to the prison, they'd already come and gone. They took Dazzling and well...” She took another slow breath. “The cutie marks of many of the ponies that were there. Since then, they have been in hiding. A few ponies have turned up here and there across the nations, without their marks, but we had no idea where they could be. But... dear Avatar, it seems you have become their target. This... Meadowbrook is likely looking for revenge after her last defeat. Even worse, she has somehow managed to convince three of the most dangerous benders in the world to aid her.” She raised her eyes to Diamond. “That's why we came to a decision, Avatar. With Rainbow here, that makes it easier.”

“Huh?” Diamond asked.

“We will be taking over your training. I will be aiding you in your water bending, Applejack in your earth bending. I assume Rainbow will help train you in air bending.”

The alicorn's ears wilted. “P-please no. She's insane! Have you ever seen how she trains a pony? She--”

Rainbow snorted. “That's all well and good, Rarity, but I want to go after Shining. She's my--”

“We are all going after Meadowbrook,” Rarity said firmly. “That is why the Avatar will require our help.” She took a long, slow breath. “Avatar, these three are very, very dangerous. Meadowbrook is possibly more so. If you try to fight all four of them, there's a good chance you will die. In fact, it is nearly guaranteed. However, you and your friends have defeated Meadowbrook before, you should be able to again.”

Diamond squeaked. “W-wait, what? I-I mean, she was weaker then. She just stole marks, she didn't steal magic, I can't--”

“Nonsense, dear. If there is one thing I know from my travels with Twilight, it is that with her friends, there is nothing the Avatar can't do. We will train you every step of the way, make you better, stronger, faster. Train you as best we can to face the coming challenges.”

“What about the Water Nation?” Diamond asked softly.

“Colgate can run the nation in my absence, she has done it before. As future Water Lord, she will need the experience. I will also be sending Celestia and Luna back home to aid her, together the three will be more than adequate in whatever may come the countries way. However, these three are our mistakes, so we must deal with them and aid in whatever way we can. That is our responsibility.”

Diamond nodded, then glanced back. “I... I should go and talk to my friends. I need to tell them everything,” she muttered before backing up. “You... uhhhh, guys have fun.” She trotted towards the door. “I'll be back for my report after.”

“I really must say it is quite a pleasure to see you, Rainbow,” Rarity said softly. “It has been so long.”

“Oh yeah, it's been forever,” Rainbow said with a cocky grin. “I can honestly say you've never looked better.”

Rarity chuckled with delight. “Oh, Rainbow, you flatt--” She then blinked, before looking flatly at Rainbow and Applejack as they laughed and shared a hoof bump. “Truly? Do try to act your age, dear.”

Diamond stepped out of the room and smiled nervously to her friends. Acrylic and Button were off on their own, talking, while Silver was pacing back and forth. Prism was standing out by one of the nearby windows, staring out and talking softly with Daring. Luna and Celestia were off on their own, chatting as well. However, the moment the door opened the seven galloped to her side.

“What happened?” Acrylic asked.

“Yeah! Tell us everything,” Daring said, a big grin on her face. “Can't believe they kicked us out.”

“It's protocol,” Prism said quickly. “To allow the briefing to go faster, they have to--”

“I know why they did it, doesn't mean I like it,” Daring snapped.

Diamond took a deep breath. “Well... I guess, um. We were kinda right. Those four that attacked us? Definitely Meadowbrook and those other ponies. They escaped. Apparently Meadowbrook broke out of prison soon after we entered the Badlands. Even worse, she has her staff back.”

“Impossible,” Silver muttered.

“I know. Somehow she repaired it,” Diamond said with a shake of her head. “For now, there's no telling what they are going to do, but the whole world is on alert and working to find them.” She glanced to Prism. “And... until further notice, Rainbow, Rarity and Applejack want to take over my bending training.”

Prism blinked a few times, before chuckling into his hoof. “Oh, may the stars be merciful on you, for my mother shall not.”

“You're uhhhh... not mad?”

He shook his head. “No. Why would I be?”

“W-well, you've... trained me up until now and... I mean...” She shuffled her hooves a little.

He sighed, before smiling to her. He stepped forward and gently put a hoof on her withers. “Diamond, I have known you for... well, not very long at all, though it feels like years. When I first met you, you were a little brat who I wanted to punt off the roof of this building. In that time, you have grown, matured and become a fine young lady. You're not perfect, but every day you improve a little more. I am happy to say that I was a part of that transformation, but now I trust you to continue to grow and mature on your own.” He then sighed, before moving in to give her a hug. “I am a little saddened that I won't always be there to see it. But I know that you will make me proud, as you already do so often. If anypony can help you grow, it's my mother.” He then pulled back.

Diamond sniffled, barely holding back the tears and wiping her eyes. “T-thank... thank y-you Prism. That... really means a lot to me. And... and I'm happy you were there to help me. I couldn't have asked for a better teacher. E-even though I did, like, a dozen times.”

Prism snickered and gave a nod. “Besides, this will mean I'll have plenty of time to be with my wife, something that, frankly, I quite miss. I know working with my mother, you'll do fine.” He took a step back, shaking his head and wiping his own moist eyes. “W-well, err, guess you better talk to your friends.”

“Right!” Diamond said, looking away from him. She smiled to Celestia and Luna. “Well, err... it seems you two were right, you'll be going back home to... Canterlot. Your mom wants you to help your sister during these times. While she'll be away.”

Luna nodded. “Of course. We will likely be away before the sun sets, then.” He glanced towards Button. “I... suppose we'd best say our good byes, then.”

Button gulped, nodding. “R-right. Yeah... I uhhh... guess we should. For now, then. Huh?”

Acrylic coughed, before smiling to Diamond. “I am happy to know they'll be with you during this time. The Water Lord and the others. I...” He took a slow breath. “I think I'll be taking my mother up on her offer.”

“Huh?” Diamond asked.

“I think I'm going to join the Moon Raisers. I've been... putting it off for too long. Always making excuses why I couldn't join, why I wasn't good enough. I've been holding myself back too long. So... for now I'm going to practice and train.”

“Weren't you... already doing that?” Diamond asked with a cocked eye.

“I mean with full dedication,” he said softly. “No more traveling, no more games. I'm going to talk with my mother and... work for it. For real. I've been working on a couple other things but I still have a ways to go. I... might not be able to help you this time.”

Diamond's eyes widened. “W-what? Wait, no, Acrylic, come on, you've been with me since like, day one, you can't—”

“You'll have the Water Lord, a far, far better water bender than I've EVER been. Probably ever will be. You're in good hooves, so you won't need me this time.” He smiled at her. “So no worries, okay?”

Diamond frowned. “I-I don't like it. You were with me when we beat Meadowbrook last time. Without you--”

“I'm not saying I won't help,” he said quickly, shaking his head. “I'm just... not going to be traveling all over again until I'm sure I can be useful. That's all.”

“Very... well. How about you, Button?”

The earth pony blinked, then gave a sheepish smile. “I uhhh... I actually... was kinda thinking the same thing. I learned lava bending, right? After that, metal bending should be a piece of cake. Once I pick up that, I can come back.”

The alicorn felt a light twist in her heart. “But you two... you guys are my friend. You can't just...” She yelped when suddenly Silver hugged her.

“Oh, stop being so over dramatic,” Silver said with a friendly smile. “They aren't abandoning you, they're just trying to get stronger. Come on, you have three of the best, strongest benders of all time besides you now, can you really think of a better time for us to get stronger?”

“Well... no, I guess not, wait, not you too?”

“Well, I do have a business to run. Honestly, though, I've been thinking of a few minor... improvements to the enhancements daddy has been making. I know he'll be working on his ships for a while, so it's the perfect time for me to test them. If I wait until he gets back, he'll keep butting his nose in and want to double check everything I do. He'll probably still try to from across the world.”

Diamond pouted. “Y-you can't alllll leave me!” she whined. Then glanced to Daring. “Et tu?”

“Heh heh. Honestly, I want to see about getting some more Shadowbolt training. It's actually been a lot of fun and Ironwing said he's going to try and get me in. As well as return, himself.”

Diamond sighed and lowered her eyes. “It... just won't feel the same, you know? I mean, you guys have been here... all the time.”

“We'll still be there, Diamond,” Silver said with a smile. “We'll just be doing our own things, too. That's all. That's what friends do sometimes.”

The alicorn nodded. “Okay. I... I guess. Still feels weird.”

“You'll be fine. Even if we aren't by your side all the time, you know if you ever need us, we'll be there.” Silver moved back and motioned towards the others. “And we'll all be better for it. Right?”

“Right. I uhhh... guess this is good bye then, guys. I'll uhhh... see you around.”

“...” Silver face hoofed. “Diamond. We all still live in the same city, it's not like we're all going to different countries. Well, except Luna and Celestia. Sorry, you two.” The two merely chuckled. “Anyway, we can all meet up for dinner at my place tomorrow night, okay? I want to see how the repairs on the city are going today. I hope everypony has homes by now...”

“They should. Everything should be finished, or close to it, by now,” Prism said with a quick nod. He pushed open the window. “I'm going to return home, see if I can prepare something special for my wife. Diamond, you'd best discuss things with my mother and the others, okay? See what they have in store. I know whatever happens, you'll be more than capable.” He then dove out the window and took off through the air.

Once he was a little bit away, he let out a soft, sad sigh. He hated admitting it, but he couldn't help feeling a little sad that he wouldn't be training the Avatar anymore. Or at least for a while. Diamond did have a tendency to be annoying and bratty, but she had really become an excellent student. He'd have loved to take all the credit for it, but he knew it wasn't just that. In the last encounter with Meadowbrook, the young mare had been pushed to the brink and nearly lost everything. Most ponies would have fallen at that point, have broken. Nopony could have blamed her. But instead she had risen to the occasion and become stronger, even when she lost her cutie mark.

He could really see now why she was chosen to become the Avatar and he couldn't think of anypony better.

Chapter 2: Homecoming

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Silver hummed softly while she hoofed through the dozens of little reports her company had prepared. It seemed research and development had been hard at work as ever during their disappearance and everything had gone smoothly. Already her father had sent nearly a dozen different ideas from the Fire Tribe lands and the work was quickly getting put underway. She had submitted a few ideas of her own, which she had been assured were receiving the utmost attention. They promised the first prototype within a few days.

Her hoof reached up and rubbed against the amulet on her neck. She gave a soft, gentle sigh, before closing her eyes. She reached out gently, feeling at the mind of Trixie.

It took her only a moment to make the connection, and another second to close it. She sat in the chair, panting with exhilaration and shaking. Her hoof stroked the amulet a few more times. “So... I can reach you. We can talk. And... and we will,” she said softly, before looking down at the paperwork. “We will. Just as soon as I'm done with all this paperwork. Maybe.”

She flipped to a sales report, humming softly before glancing to the artificial wings report on Hornclipper. “Shame he wasn't much of a flier to begin with. Would have been nice to know how much speed and agility it cost him...”

------

Button gulped and shuffled his hooves as he eyed the prince. “So, uhhh, Luna... I guess this is uhhh... goodbye and ummmm... f-for now.”

“For now,” Luna said calmly, his face a stony mask.

“I uhhhh... I kinda... I mean, I hope when... when all this is over... maybe... I could... I mean, if your mom is okay with it...”

“You can come visit whenever you like, dear,” Rarity said with a small smile. “It is so sweet of you to see my children off like this. I wish we had more time to discuss what happened on this trip, but I am very much looking forward to getting to know you, Button.”

Button chuckled nervously and rubbed the back of his head. “Y-yeah. It was quite the... doozy of a trip. I know mom is... going to be very interested to hear more about it.”

“I am sure she will be as impressed by you as I have been,” Luna said, before slowly moving in and kissing his cheek, drawing a blush to his cheeks. “I wish our departure did not have to be so sudden, but... I am sure once this is dealt with, we can and will meet again. Perhaps by then some of our... many questions can be answered.”

“Y-yeah,” Button said wistfully, a goofy grin on his face.

Luna turned to his mother. “Mother, I wish you the best of luck. We will do all we can to assist our eldest sister in running the nation.”

Rarity nodded before stepping forward and giving him a hug. “I know you will.” She paused. “Do stop your twin from causing any mischief, please? I know how she likes to have her fun.”

Celestia blushed. “Heyyyy! That's not fair! I'm not...” She blinked. “Nothing has been proven!”

“I will do my best, mother,” Luna said with a bow, before turning and walking towards the ship, Celestia close behind. Rarity sighed before she watched it lift up into the air. After a moment she glanced to Button.

“So, dear Button, I look forward to meeting with you and your mother. Perhaps we can hear your version of these events?”

The earth pony chuckled nervously and poked at the ground. “D-didn't Diamond already submit a report or something?”

“Yes. Prism and Ironwing did as well, actually. But it was a quick one, hitting on the key points. I'd love to hear the details from your own mouth.” She paused. “I would have loved to hear them from my children's mouths as well, but we can't always have what we want. Now, do tell me. What did my mother and aunt say?”

Button squeaked, nudging the ground a bit. “Errrr... I uhhh... I really should go talk to my mom now that I think about it, she probably wants to hear everything about what happened. I'll see you later or something, bye!” he yelled quickly before galloping off, running into a wall, bouncing back, shaking his head before galloping through the door.

Rarity snickered into her hoof and shook her head. “Oh my. Such a shy little thing. How adorable.”

------

Acrylic paced back and forth, softly mumbling under his breath as he mentally prepared himself. He could do this. He would do this.

He heard the keys outside and paled, turning to the door. Slowly it opened and Vinyl stood in the frame. She stared at him for a moment, cocking her head to the side. “Acrylic? I'm surprised you're still up, I figured you'd have gone to bed by now.”

“I will. You're home late.”

“Yeah, a lot of work. You know how the council is,” she said with a wave of her hoof. “First we had to go over the reports, then once those three left, we still had a TON of work to deal with. Actually went pretty fast, for once. I think Octavia was as desperate to get out of there as I was.” She gave a soft yawn into her hoof, before starting towards the kitchen. “Nowwwwww. In the report it mentioned a certain earth pony finding a new affection for the more masculine sex. I don't suppose a certain child of mine managed to find anypony as well?”

Acrylic blushed and face hoofed. “No, mom. I--”

“Because if you're worried, it's fine. I always figured you'd turn that way a bit too. If you like--”

“NO! I'm not--” He paused. “Wait, why would you think I-- no, not right now. Mom, we need to talk and it's important.”

Vinyl nodded. “Okay. I'll make some cocoa and--” She paused when she saw the steaming pot on the stove. “You've already done it?”

“Yes,” he said before he followed after her into the kitchen. He quickly poured them both a glass and then walked to the table, sitting down. “Mom... I think it's time.”

“Really? You're planning to get a place of your own? Is it so you can bring mare's home, because you know I can always just step out for a bit,” she said with a wink. “I completely understand the desire to--”

“MOM! Will you stop making jokes just this once and listen?” he snapped, stomping a hoof down. “This is serious. I... I want to train.”

“Okay?”

“No, not... I mean... gahhhhh.” He face hoofed. “I want to become one of the Moon Raisers.”

Vinyl went still, her mug of cocoa halfway to her mouth. Slowly, she lowered it. “Really? When last we spoke you seemed quite... adamant about waiting.”

“I've waited long enough. I've trained on my own, I've practiced. I've learned every skill I can. But... I'm still not ready. I have a long, long way to go.” He sat across from her, pulling over his own cup of cocoa. “I don't mean a position of leadership, either. I want to earn whatever I get. I want to join from the very bottom.”

Vinyl frowned. “Honey... you're an excellent bender, even without my influence--”

“From the bottom. And... mom, I'm not an excellent bender. I've made so many mistakes, I've learned just how bad I am.”

“Really? Dear, you're a great bender, almost as good as--”

“No, I'm not. I've seen just how bad I am,” he muttered. “I may be better on the pro scene, but that's with different rules. As a bender... I'm just not that good.”

Vinyl sighed. “Acrylic, you don't have to be perfect to--”

“I was all but useless while we were there. My water bending just can't keep up anymore, and I need to get better. I've tried advancing on my own, I'm not making enough progress. I'm just...” He closed his eyes. “I'm being pushed aside, dead weight. I can't help the others anymore. Button, Diamond... Silver. They all need me to be strong and, right now, I'm not.” He opened his eyes and stared down into his cocoa. “But that doesn't mean I can't be. I can do this. I can become strong. I can be helpful. I refuse to be dead weight next time we fight something.”

Vinyl blinked a few times, before nodding. “Well, okay then. I think you're really underestimating yourself, but if that's how you want to do it, then fine. I'll schedule you an interview this week. You can perform the tests as needed.”

Acrylic nodded. “Thank you, mom.”

Vinyl nodded. “But... if you really wanna get strong, you'll need to practice with the best. What do you say, wanna go a few rounds with your old mom before hitting the hay?”

He nodded. “I'd love to.”

The two got to their hooves and trotted out of the kitchen, carrying their cocoa with them.

------

Button groaned and opened his eyes. He immediately let out a scream and tried to hit the pony standing over his bed with a pillow, but she deflected it with ease.

“Your reflexes are getting slower,” Octavia said flatly.

“Mom? What are you doing, hovering over me like... like some kind of bat pony?” he asked, his heart pounding.

“You were asleep. I wished not to wake you,” she said.

“You almost gave me a heart attack!”

“I am sorry. But, since you are up...”

Button blinked a few times. To anypony else, his mother would look calm and collected. Still. Unmoving. However, there was a small twitch in the corner of her mouth and her eye lashes were slightly eschew. A single hair in her mane was out of place as well. He collapsed back into bed. “You woke me up to find out about the trip, didn't you?”

“Of course not. I merely thought if you were already up, per chance you could grace me with such information?”

The colt groaned. “Yes I kissed Luna, yes I really like him, no I didn't KNOW he was a stallion at first and I really, really don't know how I feel about that but I really think I still like him. No, buck that, I KNOW I still like him but I don't know what that means.” He pulled the covers over himself. “Ughhhh. Why is romance so hard?”

“Interesting. I have never found romance to be a difficult manner.” Octavia yanked the covers off. “Come, tell me everything. I have made coffee.”

Button groaned and rolled out of bed, grumbling darkly. Soon he was sitting across from her, sipping his coffee that held so much cream in it that it was almost white. “Okay, so I thought Luna was a girl and I totally liked her and then flirted with her and she returned the affections but then eventually I picked up that she was a he and well...” He sighed and face hoofed. “I was really, really confused and I still kind of am but I know I like him even if I don't like stallions I definitely like THIS stallion but I don't know where that puts us.”

“Mmmm. An interesting conundrum,” she said before sipping her own coffee. “Not all relationships are meant to work out, dear child. However, if you two make each other happy, there is no shame in such a relationship. In fact, I know of a few such couples and they work out just fine. Tell me, however, where did this lava bending come from?”

Button took a slow, deep breath as he recalled the events. “It was... right after I found out that Luna was a stallion. I was still confused, but I hadn't told him yet. I was just... trying to cope, you know? But then he fell into the Smooze.” He gave a shudder and shook his head. “I-I thought he was going to die. I was so certain. And I knew... I knew at that moment I couldn't bear to see it happen. I jumped in after him. I wanted to save him. But I couldn't. It just didn't... work.” He shuddered again as he almost felt it tearing away at him, felt his hooves around Luna. “I... I knew we were going to die, you know? I could have accepted me dying. That's... that was fine. I knew what I was getting into. But Luna... I couldn't accept it. I got so mad. And I just... bent. It hurt, so much, but I did it because I had to. And then it stopped hurting. If anything, it hurt the Smooze. And I liked that. It wanted to kill us, was going to kill us. Eat us, even. But I was going to make it pay for it. Then we were free. I didn't even realize what I'd done at first. I haven't really... done it since. I haven't tried, either.”

She nodded. “Interesting.” She reached out and tapped his hoof. “That... is good. I am happy that is how you developed the skill. I was afraid that... well...”

“Huh?”

She sighed. “The only other known lava bender is Hothoof. And he developed the skill when trying to destroy Sweet Apple Acres after he was expelled. He learned the art to hurt and destroy. You learned the art to protect somepony who was dear to you, there is no better reason to gain power.”

Button blushed, nodding. “Y-yeah. I uhhh... should probably... try practicing it more, in case I need it. I still need to learn metal bending, though.” He took a slow, deep breath. “And I want to. I've become a lot better bender, mom. I've gotten faster, stronger, my bending has improved considerably. I have some time now, lots of time to practice and train. I know Diamond won't need me. So... I want to learn it now. If... that's okay.”

Octavia blinked, before nodding. “Of course it's okay. The option has never been removed. Why would it change now?”

“I... I don't know,” he said with a shrug. “Mom, can I uhhh... can I ask you a question?”

“Yes?”

“How did you know... well, I mean... with... how do you know if a relationship will work out? How do you know if someone is right for you?”

Octavia blinked before taking a long sip of her coffee. She then gently lowered the cup. “Ah, of that I'm afraid I can only give one piece of advice. There is no such thing as a perfect relationship.”

“What?”

“All relationships require hard work and dedication. If one stops trying, then the other will have to try that much harder.” She paused. “A relationship will... end when both stop trying. And that's just it. For it to work, both have to want it to work. There will often be doubts, confusion, sometimes even hatred. But as long as you keep trying, as long as you believe it's worth the hard work, then it will succeed.”

Button nodded. “Is... that what happened with my dad?”

Octavia blinked a few more times. “We... both wanted different things in life, Button. Our get together was never meant to be an everlasting commitment, nor would we have wanted it to be. Many ponies have partaken of such things.”

Button nodded, sipping his coffee and his eyes drooped slightly. “Can I go get some sleep now, please?”

Octavia gave a small nod. “Very well, do sleep well, child. I do hope we can discuss more in the morning. I would like to know more of this... Luna.”

The stallion's face burned red and he quickly jumped to his hooves, galloping off. “Yeah sure w-we can talk about him later!”

------

Silver blinked and glanced up from the reports when the sound of the doorbell echoed through the house. It was far past dusk, she wondered who in the world would come to her house at THIS hour? She jumped to her hooves and slowly trotted through the house while the doorbell kept going off. “I'm coming I'm coming,” she muttered.

She opened the door and blinked in confusion at the sight of Diamond and two Wonderbolts. “... Am I under arrest?” she asked flatly.

The alicorn sighed and shook her head. “Of course not. Silver, this is True Breeze and Leadwing. They're Blaze's students. And, as of tonight, Prism kicked all three of us out of the house and told us to get lost so he can celebrate being back with his wife. Soooo... do you mind if we crash here for the night?”

Silver blinked a few times before snickering into her hoof. “Really? First day back and already kicked out? My, Diamond, you do move fast. I think it took you over a week the first time.”

The Avatar scowled. “Oh, come oooooon. It's not my fault! This time. We've just been gone a long time and I'm pretty sure he would have tossed us into the lake if we didn't say yes. Or off a cloud. I mean, sure, we can fly, but the intent was still there.”

“He's already tossed me into the lake about a dozen times,” Leadwing offered.

“... Twice for me,” True said with a nervous chuckle.

Silver nodded and then pushed the door out further. “Of course. I'm going over some reports right now, but if you're hungry, I can show you to the kitchen.”

“Nah, I'm mostly just wanting to sleep,” Diamond said with a yawn. “All those reports and stuff were just... wait, you're still working? Why aren't you trying to get some sleep?”

“I can sleep when I'm dead. Or when my inbox is empty. Whichever comes first,” Silver said flatly. “Come on, I'll show you to your rooms.” She turned and trotted down the hall.

Diamond nodded, following behind her. “So... all the repairs in the city went well. How are profits looking?”

“Poor. Losing that vessel has cost us quite a few bits. However, dads newest invention is quickly helping us to get back into the black. It's fine though, we've been a lot worse off plenty of times. We'll bounce back quickly enough. I just need to get these... other tasks dealt with first. Get back to development and such. After all, Tomorrow Industries has always been on the cutting edge of technology and we can't stop now.”

“I'm so, so sorry!” Diamond said. “I-I never should have asked you to fund this, I--”

“Oh, don't be such a worrier,” Silver said with a shake of her head. “We're going to be making bits hoof over hoof soon with these new models, we already have quite a few interested ponies. The Fire Tribes especially are already discussing payment with my father. I imagine the other nations will be following close behind. That's not even counting our working models we have already developed, not to mention we've already almost paid for full research and development costs on our little screens and long term visibility devices.” She waved her hoof dismissively. “Besides, we're working on a new model of the alicorn enhancements, as well as special models to help these ponies who've lost their magic. We've managed to get up to three spells locked into the matrix, simple ones currently, but we're hopeful we'll eventually be able to do more complex ones like teleportation. Our speed has improved as well, allowing our ponies to fly with the wings like true pegasi, not just slow ones.”

Diamond blinked a few times. “O-oh. But... what about the ship? It...”

Silver took a slow, deep breath and stopped. “It hurt our bank, a lot. But we never would have developed it if we couldn't afford the loss. Besides, to advance, risks have to be taken. And that's what this was. A risk. In the end, I feel it paid off well enough.”

“But we didn't really... get anything out of it,” she muttered.

“Really? We established contact with the Spirit World, found Twilight, Button learned lava bending, met the old Celestia and Luna, discovered a new way to power our technology, helped you establish contact with your past lives and developed a new shielding and weapon system. I think we gained plenty, even if most of it isn't financial.”

“That's quite kind of you,” True said softly. “Aiding the Avatar in such a way.”

“That's just what friends do. They help each other,” Silver said softly, before stopping besides a door and pushing it open. “Here, do you two Wonderbolts mind sharing a room? They're bunks and—”

“I get top one!” True yelled before darting in.

“Aw man!” Leadwing said, before smiling to her and bowing. “Thank you, Miss Spoon. That will be plenty.”

“Don't mention it,” Silver said before closing the door after them. “Your room from last time is still set up, Diamond.”

“You should get some sleep, too.”

“I will, eventually. I just need to get some of this work done. You know how it can be, both me and daddy being out for so long...” She gave a soft sigh. “I do hope he returns soon, though.”

“The uhhh... council did drop the charges on him, though. Thanks to his aid...”

“Yeah, but I still think... Secretary is smart enough to make him keep his head low. Just in case. Here.” She pushed open another door.

“Well, good night, Silver. Promise to get some sleep?”

“Of course. Just as soon as I finish a few more reports,” Silver said with a smile.

“Okay then. Night.”

“Night.” Silver closed the door after the mare and then trotted down the hall. She rubbed at her neck, the amulet invisible but still there to the touch. She then shook her head. “Not while Diamond's here.”

------

Blaze groaned softly as she pushed open the door to her house. Her mind was reeling. They'd gone over the reports at least a dozen times, even after Rainbow and the others had left. Twilight's daughters were something nopony expected. Rainbow returning was yet another. Celestia and Luna existing in the Spirit World, not to mention there being a physical connection to such a place. All on top of Meadowbrook's escape. It would be weeks before the council finally came to a decision on what to do and how to react, she just hoped by then it wouldn't be too late.

Either way, though, she was tired and wanted to get some sleep. She yawned softly and frowned as she walked through the house. All the lights were off and she couldn't help feeling a little tense. She slowly spread out her wings, readying herself for some kind of attack. She slowly pushed open the door and gasped.

Long lines of candles had been set up, leading towards the bed. And sitting in the bed was the most glorious thing she could have imagined. A big bucket of deep fried cucumber slices with ranch dressing. Oh, and Prism was there too. He just smiled at her and gave her a motion with his hoof.

She gave a delicate sigh before trotting forward and sitting on the bed. “I missed you.”

He gave her a soft kiss. “I know. I figured after a day like today you deserved a little treat.”

“I really, really shouldn't,” she said softly. “I mean, I've been sitting down all day in the meetings.”

“So? A little snack here and there won't kill you.”

The two snuggled up together and put wings over each other. “By the stars I missed you,” she told the slices, before grinning to him. “I guess I missed you a little bit, too,” she teased.

“I thought of you almost every night,” he said before nibbling one of them as well. “It's so weird sleeping without you besides me.”

“It made it quite difficult to sleep without your snores,” she teased.

“MY snores? You're the one who nearly breaks the windows.”

“Only once! And they were already cracked,” she said with a roll of her eyes. “Besides, that was a freak accident and you know it.”

He snickered and nodded. “So, how are the students doing?”

“Ehhh, they're alright. Leadwing is a pretty good flier and great at teamwork. True... well, he's a massive flirt and talented, but too much of a show off. Kinda reminds me of you, honestly. He's almost as good, even. Almost. How's your mother?”

“Massively talented and too much of a show off, as always,” Prism said with a chuckle. “Arrogant as ever. Can still bend with the best of them and watching her train Diamond has just been a joy. I do mean that. It's nice not being the focus of her abuse,” he grinned wide.

She snickered and nodded. “I really must watch some of these sessions. Diamond is going to have quite the adventure ahead of her, if she's going to be learning from those three. I've heard stories of Applejack's methods.”

“That reminds me. Who's going to teach her fire bending?”

“Ah, that actually is coming from her aunt. Once the decision was made, she told us about the fire bender who trained Diamond as a filly. For now, we'll be using him so all of her trainers aren't unfamiliar. At least that pony will hopefully be easier on her than the others will be.”

He snickered and gave a nod, before reaching out and gently stroking her side. “Mmmmm. I think I'm going to enjoy this little vacation.” He leaned in and nibbled just below her wing and bringing a red tinge to her cheeks. “How about tomorrow I help you with your students... then you and I can have a nice night out together? Or ignore your students altogether. It's been far too long since we've had some fun. Just the two of us.”

Blaze groaned and then nuzzled into him. “Mmmmm. A little fun sounds absolutely delightful. It has been far, far too long...”

------

Ironwing gave a shudder.

“Something wrong?” Daring asked, glancing over to him.

“No. Just... felt something wrong with the world,” he muttered before shaking his head. “Anyway.” He stopped outside the door and gently knocked on it. After a few moments it opened, revealing Hornclipper.

The other pegasus stood there for a second. Daring's eyes were instantly drawn to his metal wings. “Wow, cool, what are-- mmff!” Her words were cut off by Ironwing's wing.

“Hi, dad. This is Daring Do, Twilight's daughter. She'll need a place to stay until she gets everything sorted out. Do you mind if she stays in my old room?”

The older stallion stared down at them, before nodding. “If she wishes.”

Daring blinked and gave him a nervous smile. “Errr. Thanks, sir. Mister...?”

“Hornclipper.”

Daring's eyes went wide. “W-wait, THE Hornclipper? The scourge of... you never told me your dad was Hornclipper! Mom used to tell me horrible stories about--” She was silenced by a glare from Ironwing.

“Yes, Hornclipper is my father and he's a great father. I... was hoping Twilight hadn't told you about him, but it seems my hopes were in vain,” Ironwing said with a sigh. “But here is the best place. You'll be safe, nopony will bother you and, most importantly, you'll keep out of trouble.”

Daring frowned. “What do you mean, trouble? Why can't I stay at your place?”

Ironwing's cheeks turned a little hint of red and he looked away. “I uhhh... have somepony I need to meet with. I've been away a while and--”

“Okay okay okay, point taken, I can take a hint. Please, no more details,” she said with a shudder.

He nodded slowly and then glanced towards Hornclipper. “She's not so bad, really. She's like a... young Rainbow Dash.”

Hornclipper just blinked once, before sighing. “I knew Rainbow when she was young.”

“Oh. Right. Well... sorry. Can you let mom know Daring's starting training tomorrow?”

He gave a small nod, eying his son for a moment before the stallion galloped off. He then turned his gaze to Daring. “If you'll follow me, I'll show you towards your room.” He turned and walked away.

Daring slowly trotted after him, giving a little shudder. She was about eighty percent sure Ironwing wouldn't put her in any real danger. Probably.

------

“It's been tooooo long,” Scootaloo said with a groan before she took a hearty gulp of her Sweet Apple Cider. “I wish we could do this more often.”

“Me too,” Sweetie said with a sigh before taking a sip of hers. “If somepony would just retire already and come move into the Water Nation...”

Applebloom snickered and took a gulp of her drink. “Ah know yah don't mean meh. Us Apples don't retire. Buck, Granny Smith was buckin' trees up until the day she finally keeled over, an' she was happy tah do it.” She blinked. “Granted, she missed the trees half the time once her eyesight went, but yah know how it is. Woulda broke her heart tah see what happened tah Sweet Apple Acres.”

Sweetie gave an exasperated sigh. “We're all just workaholics, you know? We really should try to pamper ourselves more. You know, Rarity goes to the spa at least once, sometimes twice a week, and--”

“Hey, taday is our celebration of seein' each other,” Applebloom said with a snicker. “Don't yah go spendin' all of it with your sister worship. Besides, ah get spa treatment all the time. Got this new colt back home, pampers meh lots,” she said with another snicker.

“Ohhhhhh,” the other two said in unison.

“Another earth bender?” Scootaloo asked with a big grin.

“Nah, not this time. Pegasus,” Applebloom said with a smile. “Ah wasn't gonna at first, but there's jus' somethin' about a colt who asks yah out with a cloud message.”

Sweetie sighed and put a hoof to her cheek. “He asked you out with clouds? That's soooo romantic.”

“Sounds a bit fruity to me,” Scootaloo said with a shake of her head. “He fight much?”

“Nope. He's a poet,” Applebloom said with a grin.

Sweetie gave a soft, delicate sigh of contentment. Scootaloo made a gagging sound.

“A poet? Really? How's Applejack feel about that?”

Applebloom groaned and face palmed. “Ah swear she's doin' it on purpose. Everytime he comes by, yah should hear her tryin' tah weasel him out of it an' get 'im tah go home. Yah'd think ah was a lil filly again the way she treats meh. Buck, when we met ah was already a grown mare!”

Sweetie shrugged. “Eh, she likes having a little sister. It can't hurt to let her have a little fun, can it? How's your big brother been? Is he uhhhh... still running that city of his?”

“Mmmm hmm,” Applebloom said with a groan before shaking her head. “Yah should hear some of the stories they tell about him. Ah swear there's half a dozen mares in every city from here to Fillydelphia that claim tah have one of 'is kids. It was probably the only reason he was so keen on spreadin' metal bendin' across the countries.”

“Wouldn't surprise me,” Scootaloo said with a chuckle. “I met a mare who claimed... well, she wove quite the story. I mean, if I wasn't with Hornclipper--”

“Aaaaand that kind of talking is done with!” Applebloom said with a shake of her head. “No way, no how. So, Sweetie, how's the Water Nation been doin'?”

“You know, same old same old,” she said with a shake of her head. “For the most part, pretty peaceful. Every so often we'll get somepony who just doesn't seem to get the point that our mother is... well, her old way of doing things just isn't done anymore. But for the most part we're doing a lot better. How about you, Scootaloo? How's the council life treating you?”

“Oh, same as last time we met up,” she said with a snicker.

“How about Hornclipper?” Applebloom asked. “The whole... fake wing thing? How's... that goin'?”

Scootaloo gave a soft sigh. “Oh, you know how he is,” she said with a roll of her eyes. “Always making vague comments like 'it's the least I deserve' and 'this is only a fraction of the suffering I have caused' and 'crawling in my skin'. But I can tell it still bothers him whenever he moves them. They keep twitching from time to time. Honestly? I'm really looking forward to giving Meadowbrook a nice hoof to the face for what she did. Hornclipper... well, I'll admit he did some horrible things. But it wasn't like he had a choice and at least he was TRYING to do the best he could. Nopony deserved what she did to him.” She took another gulp of her drink.

Applebloom snickered and shook her head. “Ah still can't believe yah actually married him. Ah keep expectin' yah tah visit meh one day an' say it was all some kind of gag.”

Scootaloo snickered. “What can I say? I like a project. Besides, he really is quite sweet when you get to know him. Mopes like noponies business, but he'd walk through fire for me and when he shows his tender side it's really quite sweet. You both remember how he was with Ironwing.”

Sweetie snickered, covering her mouth with a hoof. “I think he was more scared of him than he was of Twilight.”

Scootaloo chuckled into her drink, before giving a shrug. “Hey, Twilight could only kill him. Ironwing required him to be... responsible and loving,” she said in an ominous tone. She then burst into laughter and shook her head. “But he's doing fine, really. To be honest? I think he's even a little happy this happened. Makes him feel like he got what he deserved or something. He's just one of those ponies who aren't happy unless they're miserable.” She rolled her eyes before sighing. “So... got any plans for getting these four?”

“Meadowbrook and the others? Not a one,” Sweetie said with a sigh. “Even Rarity doesn't have a clue how we can capture them. They're four of the best and... well, with Meadowbrook leading them...”

“Tell me about it,” Scootaloo said with a groan. “That mare knows how to twist a pony. I don't want to imagine what kind of havoc she'll create while she's out there. Wish we had some kind of hint or way to track her.”

“We'll know eventually,” Applebloom said with a grumble before taking a swig of her drink. “At least they ain't killin' ponies. We can always get their cutie marks back, after all.”

“I don't know about you guys, but that just makes me uneasy,” Sweetie muttered, sipping her drink. “Dazzling isn't... he wasn't trained to be merciful. Considering Shining's past and Hothoof's issues, I can't see any of them not leaving a bloody swath in their wake. Either this Meadowbrook has a lot more control than we thought, or it's only a matter of time before the body count starts rising.” She glanced over. “Just look at what they did to the Avatar's group, the ponies they killed. That was just one sonic rainboom, if they wanted they could kill hundreds...”

Scootaloo groaned and gave a nod. “Yeah. Hopefully they decide to be less blunt for now. We'll find them, somehow. There's no way they can hide forever, even if there are just four of them.”

The others nodded, but they all just stared at their drinks in silence. “I should probably head home, Rarity is going to worry about me if I'm out all night,” Sweetie said softly.

“Yeah, me too,” Scootaloo said with a sigh. “I stay out too long, I'm bound to have the Shadowbolts swinging by to make sure I'm safe and not being held captive or something.” She gave a weak chuckle.

Applebloom nodded. “Yeah, meh too. Applejack is... well, she worries too much. Yah'd think ah wasn't a bad flank earth bender the way she panics all the time,” she said with a snicker. “Yah know, she once tried tah put safety edges on mah knives,” she said before plucking one from her mane. “Scared ah might cut mahself!”

The three burst into laughter before getting up and heading out the door, heading towards their respective homes for the night. Overhead, the moon shone over the city, its gentle light lost in all the street lights as the ponies slept sound in their homes for now, enjoying their current time of peace.

Chapter 3: New beginnings

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The door flung open and Daring shrieked, her eyes going wide before she readied herself for a fight. However, before she could get up, the bed lifted up and she was flung out onto the ground. She groaned and slowly looked up at Scootaloo, before her eyes narrowed into slits. “... What. In. The. World?”

“You have basic training today, so time to get up up up!” Scootaloo said in a far, far too happy voice.

Daring groaned and looked out the window. “It's not even dawn yet!”

“Yep, but basic training starts at dawn, so get some food then get going. Ironwing showed you where to go, right?”

“Y-yeah, he did,” Daring grumbled before slowly getting up and stretching and shaking her head. “How are you up this early?”

“Oh, I'm not. I'm just getting you up because Hornclipper would have been too nice about it. If you're a young Rainbow, then I know you'll sleep in till noon if given the chance.” A wicked grin formed on her lips. “Luckily, I'm not giving you that chance. Now get moving.”

Daring rubbed her head before looking to the mare. There was something in her eyes, a look that just said 'test me'. Some survival instinct in her told her not to. “Yeah, yeah,” she muttered before trotting out the door and giving a light harrumph to the mare. “Nice to know Ironwing's pain in the flankness is genetic.”

“Yeah, he gets one dose from me and twice the dose from Hornclipper,” Scootaloo said before giving a yawn. “Now I'm going back to bed, it's bucking early.” The mare trotted off down the hall.

Daring grumbled darkly as she made herself a quick salad. “Razzle... frazzle. Making me get up at dawn. Ponies aren't MEANT to be up before noon. If they were, the sun would get up before dawn,” she muttered angrily in the door's general direction. However, with a full stomach she made her way towards the door and stepped out.

She instantly regretted it, shuddering when the cold night air enveloped her. She longed to go back to her warm, toasty bed. Alas, she had a job to do. “Come on, you can do this, Daring. You've faced down pirates, giant worms and a big monkey spirit. An early morning probably won't kill you.” She then spread her wings and took to the air, flying off through the city. To her annoyance, almost nopony else seemed to be up. Not that she could blame them, probably back home in their nice, warm beds. The morning wind felt icy as it went through her wings. She gave another shudder and kept flying until the large Shadowbolt headquarters came into view. She glanced towards the sky, the glow of the slowly coming sun beginning to come into view. “Ha, made it!”

She landed outside the door and stretched, spreading out her wings and slowly letting out a low grunt of exertion. “Hi!” a voice said, making her pause and turn around.

A pegasus with a red coat and a blue mane was standing a few feet from her, sweat glistening on his coat. He was panting slightly, which was obvious as his heavy breathing caused a small fog in the morning chill. “Hello,” she said with a cocked eye. “Can I help you?”

“Err, n-no,” the pony said, taking a small step back. “I uhhh... I just saw you flying here and--”

“You followed me?” she asked suspiciously. She looked him up and down before grinning. She was pretty sure she could take him, he looked like a total push over.

His eyes went wide with horror and he shook his head. “No! No no! I mean, yes, but I mean, not like that. I-I was coming here too. Are... err... are you a Shadowbolt?” he asked softly, his gaze lowering.

“Not yet,” she said with a wave of her hoof. “But probably soon. I'm new.”

“New?” he asked, his mouth falling open slightly. “But... I didn't see you in basic training.”

“I got special tutoring from Ironwing, got to skip that part,” she said with a grin.

He gasped, his hoof covering his mouth. “Y-you got training from Ironwing? W-wow. You... you must be amazing.”

She smirked and gave a small nod. “Well, I am pretty awesome. Nopony would deny that. Name's Daring. Daring Do. You?” She held out her hoof.

He nervously took her hoof and shook it. “Pinionwing. Nice to meet you. I uhhh... I'm a new hopeful, too.”

“Oh? Who knows, then. Maybe we'll train together sometime.” She gave a smirk. “Just don't hold me back any, okay?”

“O-oh, right. Yeah. But, err...”

“What?”

“We're going to be late.”

Daring blinked, then yiped and turned, galloping into the building.

------

Button gently nibbled his eggs, sighing while he stared at the wall opposite him. It had all kinds of family pictures, including the first time he'd lifted a rock. He remembered that, how excited he'd been. How sure he'd been that he'd become an amazing metal bender one day.

Yet here he was, so many years later, and he still couldn't lift even the tiniest bit of metal. Even the thicker, easier to bend metals were impossible for him.

He quickly shook his head. “No! Today is the day! I will be a metal bender, I'll be the greatest metal bender of all time! I will earn my place besides my mother and--”

“Dear, there's no need to yell so early in the morning,” Octavia said from behind him, making him jump.

“Mom! When did you, what are you doing up?”

“It is the morning, this is often when ponies wake up,” she said before glancing at the frying pan filled with greasy eggs. She gave a shudder and instead walked over to the bread and began making toast. “Dear, are you prepared for today?”

“Yeah! It's going to be awesome,” he said with a big grin. “I'm going to go there and...” He then gave a sigh. “Metal bend... somehow. I mean, I haven't really figured out how, yet. But I'm sure I'll work it out.”

Octavia nodded, before slowly pouring herself a cup of coffee, eying the toaster. “Mmmmm. You are a talented boy, Button. I'm sure with patience and hard work, you'll be a wonderful metal bender.”

“I hope so,” he said softly, before nibbling his eggs. “You can have some eggs if you want, mom. I made plenty. My own recipe!”

“I can see that. Toast is fine,” she said flatly before the toast popped up. She tossed it on a plate before grabbing the jam and butter. “Dear, there's no need to rush. You're just... a slow learner. But that is fine. Earth is not an element that can be rushed. It moves slowly, but it cannot be stopped.”

He sighed and gave a nod. “I know, I know. A boulder keeps moving, even against the wind. It refuses to bend. It breaks the world against itself. I just...”

“You just have difficulty sensing the rocks. You've always been weak at earth sensing,” she said with a nod. “But you'll figure it out, I'm sure.”

Button nodded, nibbling another bite of egg. “I know. I mean it this time, though. No distractions. I... really want to learn how to metal bend. I've gotten a lot better.”

“I'm sure you have,” Octavia said before trotting to the table and sitting down. “I'm sure there are plenty who would be willing to teach you, as well. Your lava bending makes you quite an interesting new target. Combining it with metal bending... I'm curious to see what new techniques you will develop.”

He blushed and gave a soft chuckle. “I-I don't know about that. I mean... I don't even know if they could be combined. Melting metal would be...” He blinked a few times and shuddered. “Sounds pretty dangerous.” He then glanced up. “Mom, what do you know about Hothoof?”

“Hmmm? Why the question?”

“Well... I just... he's the only other lava bender, right? I just thought... well...”

Octavia sighed and closed her eyes. “I've never met him, personally. But I have heard stories. He was... a stupid foal. I do not just mean a lack of intelligence, either. He was violent and angry, but he tried to become a metal bender. When he failed, he lashed out and tried to hurt ponies. That was when his lava bending was developed.” A frown formed on her lips. “He had a marvelous gift, and he wasted it. Instead of trying to learn this new gift, he used it to hurt those he deemed as having hurt him. He burned Sweet Apple Acres to the ground and went after the Apples themselves after destroying the school there, hurting many of the students. He went up against all three of the Apple siblings. Not a move even I would have wanted to try.”

“Really? Well, I guess he lost. How uhhhh... how hard was it?”

Octavia sipped her coffee for a moment. “At the time? The rumors say the fight lasted all of five seconds. But then, he was fighting three of the greatest earth benders of all time, with a style of bending he had only just learned. If he tried it now... well, he might even last twenty seconds.”

Button chuckled, rubbing the back of his head. “W-wow. I couldn't even imagine fighting one of them, let alone all three. He... must have been pretty dumb.”

She nodded. “Indeed. You, on the other hoof, aren't. You're a smart, cunning young colt, developing this new art is... quite exciting. I look forward to seeing what you'll do.” She paused and then sipped her coffee once more. “I am also quite interesting in learning more about its... origins. This Luna?”

Button's cheeks turned red. “Okay... so uhhhh, I thought...”

“Yes, you thought he was a girl, I am aware,” she said with a small smile. “An interesting mistake, but then nopony would accuse Rarity's children of not being quite... pretty.”

Button groaned. “Who told you?”

“Diamond when I pressed her for a few questions before she left. Now, you dove into this... Smooze? This Luna must mean a lot to you.”

“He does,” Button said softly, looking down at his plate and mixing the eggs up. “He's just so... I mean... when I'm with him... when we're...” His cheeks turned redder. “He kisses amazingly.”

“Mmmm?”

“And when we cuddle it just feels... right. I just don't...” He sighed. “I don't know how much of a future we'll have. Like, I want kids... and... well...”

“You can always adopt.”

“He's also royalty.”

“That... can be tricky. Though, technically, you are a prince.” She sipped her coffee.

He blinked. “Wait, what?”

“Technically, I was queen. Granted, our kingdom was small and it fell under the domain of the Earth Kingdom. There were a few other kingdoms, but many of them have fallen apart as well over the years.” She paused. “But, indeed, that would make you a semi-prince.” She glanced down at the coffee. “But even then, royalty is not what it once was. The air nomads were once the only ones without rulers. Now both they and the fire tribes have their own elected officials and I believe in the Earth Kingdom it is becoming more and more common. Cities are still falling under the emperor's command, but they have their own officials.” She gently swished her coffee. “In a few generations, there may not even be water lords or emperors anymore.”

Button blinked. “Really? Wouldn't that be bad?”

“Why?” Octavia looked around. “You've lived in Harmony your whole life. I'm sure you've seen the problems it has, but also the good. Perhaps, one day, the way of Harmony will spread to all the corners of the world. There won't be any more rulers like we have today.” She smiled softly. “Perhaps if you and this Luna were to... find love, you could even expedite it.”

His cheeks turned redder. “T-thanks, mom, but I'm not sure I'm ready for a... political marriage.”

“This Luna does seem quite interesting. An excellent bender, as well. At least, if her mother was being honest.”

He groaned and face hoofed. “Mom please stop.”

“I just think it is absolutely adorable. And I do believe when you left you were talking of finding some pretty mare. You found a pretty stallion, it is close enough, right?”

“You're evil, I swear. Vinyl is rubbing off on you,” he muttered before getting to his hooves. “As much as I'd love to keep talking about my love life with... my mother, I'm afraid I really, really must be going. Really. I need to get there early to train! Yup, practice practice practice.”

She snickered and gave a nod. “If you so please.” A knowing smile remained on her lips even as he trotted out the door.

------

Diamond gave a soft yawn as she crawled out of bed, scratching her head. She took a few moments to freshen herself up in the mirror, before trotting out of her room. She headed down the hall towards the kitchen, before chuckling.

The two Wonderbolts were already zooming about, preparing a small breakfast. “Good morning, Avatar,” Leadwing said before landing in front of her. “Happy to see you have joined us.”

“Mmmm. Is Silver up yet?”

“Not yet,” True said before cracking some eggs. “You don't think she'll mind, do you?”

“Only if you don't share some with her,” she said with a laugh before turning and trotting down the hall. She started towards her room, before she froze. She slowly changed direction and mentally hoped, before heading towards Silver's office. Her hope was wasted when she pushed open the door and saw Silver at the desk, her head against it.

“Silver!” Diamond snapped.

The mare's head shot up and she shrieked, falling back out of her chair. “What? Who? Why? What? Ack!” She groaned before slowly climbing to her hooves, glaring over the desk. “What was that for?”

Diamond walked over and flapped a wing, blowing it in Silver's face. “Did you get ANY sleep last night?” She reached out and fiddled with her hair a little. “You look like... flank. You need a bath and a good night's sleep.”

“I have like... a bit more work to do and--”

“Now.”

“But--”

“I will burn your paperwork if you don't.”

Silver froze in place, her eyes wide with horror. “Y-you wouldn't.”

Diamond stamped her hoof once and her horn burst into flame. “Try me.”

Silver squeaked. “O-okay, a bath!”

“And then?”

“A... a nap.”

“Good.”

Silver sighed and grumbled softly before she walked out of the room. “You'd think she was Secretary or something. I'm a grown mare I know what I'm doing, I can take care of myself. Razzle frazzle...”

Diamond rolled her eyes and trotted after her. She followed the mare to the bathroom and stood outside the door until she heard the water come on. She then sighed and started to trot down the hall. She paused a moment when she heard a gentle creak. “I SAID BATH!”

“I am!” Silver called down before slamming the door shut again.

The alicorn rolled her eyes. “I swear, she needs her own Secretary.”

------

Daring gulped nervously as she stood at attention, dressed in the dark Shadowbolt uniform. She was one amongst a dozen. She and Pinionwing had gotten a swift talking to for their late arrival, before being directed into line. “So, each and every one of you wish to become Shadowbolts,” a mare ahead of them called out. “I'm sorry to say, but most of you won't make it. Some of you won't handle it and will give up. Some of you won't be able to follow rules and will get kicked out. But for those of you who do make it, you'll probably grow to regret it. Being a Shadowbolt isn't easy. It's hard, dangerous work. We go up against ponies with real bending, and we need to take them down every time. We hesitate, we mess up, we miss? Then we're dead. No second chances, no timeouts, no do overs. If you make it, eventually some of the ponies you know will die. Maybe you'll die. All it takes is one stray shard of ice or a fire ball and you're gone.” She then took a deep breath. “We don't do this for the glory. We don't do this for parades. We most definitely don't do this for the money. We do this because there are ponies out there who need ponies like us. We do it because there are ponies who like to take take take, not caring who they hurt, and if we don't stop them, nopony will. Some ponies will hate you, someponies will love you. But if there's one thing to remember, one thing you need to know about working with us, it's that. The reason we fight.”

The mare took a deep breath before starting again. “Now, each of you will be part of a team, with one partner and a teacher. As more of you drop out, the teams will be mixed up. You'll get new teams, new partners. If you wanna get attached, fine. Make friends, buck if I care. But the important thing you need to remember is following the rules. We work as a unit. If I pick out any three Shadowbolts from our ranks, they would be able to work in perfect unison. They would know the signs, they would know the movements and, most importantly, they'd get the job done. Your very lives, and the lives of those you work with, could very well depend on how well you follow orders. If you don't think you can handle that, then leave now.”

Daring didn't move, staring ahead. She tried to keep the smirk off her lips, she was going to show them just how awesome she was.

“Good. Now, when I call your names, come up here to meet your instructors and partner.” One by one ponies were called up, until finally the mare called out. “Daring Do, Pinionwing. Our late risers.”

The mare stepped forward, confident as she walked up to the mare. She gave a quick salute before looking to her comrade. He looked almost as bad now as he had outside, sweat peeking through his uniform.

“Good, you two are with...” The instructor glanced back towards the other gathered Shadowbolts. “Smoothglide! Come get your students!”

One of the pegasi stepped forward, bowing his head politely. His mane was a light red, with little hints of green coat peeping through the uniform. “Hello,” he said softly as he looked the two over. “I'm Smoothglide, obviously. Now, there's a lot we're going to have to go over, but there's a few things I want to test out before anything else. Follow me,” he said before trotting out the door.

Daring took a slow, deep breath and followed behind the stallion, her heart hammering. She couldn't believe it, finally it was time. She couldn't wait to show them everything she could do.

“Now, Pinionwing, I know you're a first timer with us. No Shadowbolt training past the bare basics, yes?”

“N-no sir. I mean, yes sir, what you said, sir,” the stallion said softly.

“Okay then. Don't worry, I've seen your reports from your teachers. You're a decent flyer and you learn fast. Hopefully you can pick up well enough here. Now, Daring, I've also seen your report.”

The mare froze for a minute, before chuckling. “Y-yeah.”

“Daughter of the last Avatar, quite impressive. Ironwing has apparently been teaching you a few of our moves, too.”

“When he has the time,” she said with a smirk. “They weren't that hard.”

“That's good. I'll be expecting good things from you.” Smoothglide stepped out into the city. “I assume you both know formation F, right?”

“Yes sir,” Pinionwing said quickly.

Daring froze. Ironwing had mentioned a few formations, but they hadn't practiced them. With only the two of them, they just wouldn't work right. It was her first day, though, so she refused to be shown up by some newbie. “Of course.”

“Good. Daring, you'll be right wing. Pinionwing, left wing.” He then took to the sky, flying off over the street. Pinionwing flew up a moment later, moving to Smoothglide's left side and behind. Daring grinned and followed his example, moving in to his right side, mimicking Pinionwing.

Smoothglide glanced back, before nodding. “Good. Keep the formation as tight as you can.”

Daring grinned wider, keeping up with ease. She couldn't believe how easy this was. To think she'd actually been worried for a moment. At this rate she'd be leading her own squad in a week or two.

------

Ironwing took a slow, deep breath as he stared at himself in the mirror. In the other room he could hear the shower going, but he could barely think about it. He adjusted his goggles slightly. He could barely remember the last time he'd worn this uniform, been an actual Shadowbolt. His stomach was actually fluttering.

He rested his head against the mirror. He was a Shadowbolt again. A real Shadowbolt. He felt a little relief knowing everything wouldn't fall on him anymore, either. He gave a soft sigh, before turning towards the bathroom. “I'm going out now! Bye!” he yelled before spreading his wings and flying out the open balcony door, not waiting for the response.

The air felt cool on his body, brushing through his mane and coat. He'd even gotten it nice and trimmed for his return. He took a deep breath and closed his eyes, floating through the air for a moment before he slowly turned and angled his flight towards the building. He'd flown this route a million times, but today it somehow felt lighter. Easier. A grin spread on his lips before he opened his eyes and dived, descending down through the streets.

He landed outside the building and lightly trotted inside, quickly burying the grin and putting on his serious business face. He pushed open the door and stepped inside.

“Welcome back, Ironwing,” one of the ponies called out. He glanced over to a few of the Shadowbolts. He gave a wave and barely managed to suppress his smile.

“Thank you,” he said quickly, before making his way towards the front desk. There was a zebra working it, humming softly as she slowly flipped through paperwork.

“Ironwing, reporting for duty, ma'am,” he said, before giving a salute.

“Oh, I know who you are,” the mare said with a light chuckle. “No need to be so official, sir. You outrank me.”

“Not anymore,” he said with a shake of his head.

The mare blinked, then her cheeks went red and she covered her mouth. “O-oh! I thought... oh, right. Sorry, just... errr... sorry sir,” she said nervously.

“There's no need to be sorry,” he said with a shake of his head. “I was busted down, it happens and it needed to be done. Now, my assignment for the day?”

The mare nodded before pulling out some papers. She then blinked. “Odd, I thought... you're to go meet with Stratios.”

Ironwing blinked, before giving a nod. “Very... well,” he said softly. “In my... in her office?”

“Yes sir.”

“Thank you,” Ironwing said, before turning and walking towards the stairs. His mind started racing and he couldn't help feeling butterflies in his stomach as he walked. A few of the other Shadowbolts waved at him as he trotted by, he gave small greetings back but barely focused on them. Stratios had been his replacement, an elder bat pony. All of this had already been cleared, he couldn't imagine why the mare wanted to meet with him now. He soon came to the office and gave it a gentle knock.

“Who is it?” a voice called out.

“Ironwing,” he called back.

“Come in!”

The stallion took a slow, deep breath before pushing open the door. He stepped inside and glanced around a little. The room was mostly empty, aside from a glass case holding a small rock collection and the desk filled with paperwork. And, of course, the mare behind it. He was a little shocked to see she was out of uniform, but she was in command so he couldn't really oppose it. He trotted forward and gave a salute. “Ma'am.”

“Oh, knock off the formalities, Ironwing,” the mare said with a roll of her eyes. “I have to say, I am surprised you lasted this long.”

“Ma'am?”

“Without coming back. I thought you'd be begging to come back after a week.”

“I... felt it wouldn't be wise to return until everypony got used to the new leadership, ma'am,” he said firmly.

The mare nodded, resting her front hooves on the desk. “Well, Ironwing, I just want to get a few things straight. I AM in charge now. I know you've got a lot of pull with your mother, not to mention your close relationship with Styx. However, if you have any thoughts about trying to take over or replace me, you'd best abandon them now.”

“Of course not, ma'am,” he said with a quick shake of his head.

“Good. I'd like it if you and I could get along. I imagine you're... quite aware I was never comfortable with your quick rise to power. Something I know you heard of on more than a few occasions.”

He sighed and closed his eyes for a moment, before nodding. “Indeed, ma'am.”

“But you were fair, at the very least,” she said before looking down at her paperwork. “I've seen our files, including the little notes you left about me. There were more than a few ponies who would have been happy to see you fail, but you didn't lash out. In fact, quite a few ponies still respect you, even after your... failure with Meadowbrook.”

He cringed, but gave a nod.

“Personally, I think you're a great soldier but you're not ready to lead for now. You most definitely weren't ready to be a leader when you first got the position. But, all things considered, you still did the best you could.” She took a long, slow breath. “You were... mature enough not to lash out at those who didn't quite offer you the respect you always deserved. So I know I'm going to have to do the same.”

“Ma'am?”

“I know you've only just returned, but I'd like to ask for your assistance.”

He blinked a few times. “Ma'am?”

“Not all of your notes were complete and there are still a few things I'm... not quite sure how you managed to do.”

He blinked a few more times as he tried to process. He then sighed. “You mean filing?”

She nodded. “Yes. I haven't quite had a chance to decipher all of your... shorthoof. It seems good enough, but it would be useful if I had access to all of that information.”

“Of course,” he said with a bow of his head. “I will get started on it immediately.”

She nodded. “Good.” She then paused, eying him for a moment. “Ironwing, I do trust you don't have any... notions of taking back over, correct?”

Ironwing took a deep breath. “To be quite honest, ma'am, being a Shadowbolt is difficult. Running the Shadowbolts almost broke me at least a dozen times. I don't think I could do it again. In a lot of ways, it's a relief to just be a rank and file pony, to do more field work.”

She nodded, a grin on her lips. “That's good. I'd like it if the two of us could work together.” She paused for a moment and glanced down. “I have some papers I need you to go through for me, but once that's done, you'll be moving out with Coppertips, Silenthoof and Freshmint. They requested you personally.” She pulled out a small stack of papers. “Here.”

He nodded and took them. “Thank you, ma'am. I'll do my best.”

“Of course. Just try to have them on my desk before noon.”

He nodded and turned, walking out the door. He held the papers on his back with his wings as he trotted down the stairs, giving a soft sigh. She seemed to be taking his return well enough, for now. It did worry him that she was going through his notes. His removal had been very, very sudden and he hadn't even been able to get most of his paperwork. While there was nothing too bad in the notes he left, many of them were signs of his own paranoia.

Namely, he kept tabs on everypony he could, their skills and weaknesses, different ponies that seemed to work well together. He even had a few notes on the metal benders and Moon Raisers. He'd have rather all of that stuff been removed alongside him.

But he supposed it was all her responsibility now, which meant she could use whatever help he could offer her. It wasn't a lot, but it was hopefully enough.

------

“Let me go,” Blaze grumbled.

“No,” Prism muttered, his hooves wrapped tightly around her as he snuggled her in bed.

“I need to start breakfast.”

“We'll eat out.”

“I have students to train.”

“I'll take care of it later, when they get back.”

“I have to go to the council and finish my paperwork.”

“You can be late once,” Prism said before nibbling her neck.

“Prismmmmm!”

“Nope. Not letting you go. Buck, missing one day won't kill you.”

“Oh, so now I'm missing the day, not late?”

“Yes. Today you're missing work.”

“But--”

“I know your fellow council members miss days all the time. One won't kill you,” he said with a chuckle before nuzzling between her wings.

She groaned and closed her eyes. “You're horrible. First making me stay up half the night, now trying to make me miss work. You're just like your mother.”

Prism snickered and then leaned up, nibbling her ear. “So? I haven't seen you in years. Or at least, it felt like years.”

“We still have to deal with the Meadowbrook incident.”

“So? Last time she was around we barely saw each other. Then we got attacked and just... you know what? It's been a while since I had all day to snuggle with my wife. So today we're both taking some time off.”

“But I have to worrrrrrrrk.”

“And I have to pamper my wife and enjoy one of our long awaited days together. They'll understand.”

“But Prismmmmmm!”

He nibbled right between her wings, making her gasp. “We can even go down to that spa you like...”

The pegasus moaned a little, before sighing. “Fine. I guess missing one day won't kill me,” she muttered, closing her eyes. “But I want the strawberry treatment.”

“Of course, darling. Anything my little fire starter wants.”

She snickered and nestled up to him. “You're deplorable and a bad influence.”

“And you're an absolute delight and a wicked temptress,” he teased right back.

------

“Mom, are you sure it's a good idea to take me?” Acrylic asked his mother softly as the two walked through the streets of the city towards the Moon Raiser headquarters. “What about the council?”

“Eh, missing one day won't kill me,” she said with a roll of her eyes. “Besides, if they need anything, they'll find me one way or another. They always do. I remember one time I tried to play hooky when this awesome band came to Harmony. Middle of the concert, music shuts off and all of a sudden 'Vinyl. This is Octavia. I know you're there. You're needed in the council rooms.' Man, were I anypony else that would have been embarrassing.”

Acrylic blinked, before looking to her flatly. “What did you do?”

“... Listen, there's a reason I'm not allowed to take public transport anymore.”

Acrylic rolled his eyes, but smiled none the less. He stopped outside the big building and glanced up. “So uhhh... thanks, but I can do this part myself. Just need to--”

“Are you sure you don't want me to come in with you? I know you get kind of gassy when you're nervous and--”

“Mom!” Acrylic snapped, his cheeks turning red. “That was when I was a kid! I haven't had... that, in years!”

“I know, but it could always come back. Remember when you tried to--”

“Yes I do and no I don't want to talk about it!”

She gave a light chuckle before shaking her head. “Fine. I just want to look out for my baby boy. You'll be fine. Really. It's not hard to get admitted.”

He sighed and gave a nod. “I... I guess. I know. I can do this, mom. Trust me. Please?”

She sighed, before reaching out and giving him a tight hug. “I know, Acrylic. You're a smart, talented boy. I know you'll make an amazing Moon Raiser. You would have for years.”

He nodded. “Here's hoping I don't let you down,” he said with a small smile, before turning towards the building. It stood out besides the water, right up besides the beach. He stared at the water for a moment before grinning. “Wish me luck?”

“Always.”

He nodded and stepped inside.

He could do this.

He would do this.

Chapter 4: Trainees

View Online

Button held out his hoof and gently tapped on the orb of metal. He kept his eyes closed as he tried to move it, struggled to feel the little rock minerals within. He took a long, slow breath and tapped it again. And again. And again.

Yet he couldn't feel much of it. Each time he clicked it he could feel tiny little fragments of stone and dirt within it, little impurities in the metal that hadn't been removed when the metal was made. He couldn't touch them with his bending, though. He tapped it with both hooves, sitting in front of it and focusing everything he had on it, trying to force it to work. “Why?” he asked softly. “WHY WHY WHY? I can do this! I have to do this!”

It refused to listen to him, though. He kept his eyes closed, feeling the anger bubble up in him until it seemed to be getting hotter. He tapped the metal again, reaching out with his bending and struggling to grab onto the little impurities within. He held his breath and struggled to force them to move, to make the metal obey him.

It was getting REALLY hot. The orb began to move and he opened his eyes, before letting out a yelp. The metal orb was disappearing into a small pool of lava. “O-oops,” he squeaked softly. He watched while the orb disappeared into the ground and gave a soft sigh. “I'm so useless...”

“I don't think you're useless,” a voice said from behind him, making him jump.

He turned around and gaped at Copper Shield. The mare stood behind him, watching with a flat stare. “C-Copper, ma'am, I didn't know, I mean, h-how long were you watching?”

“A few minutes,” she said softly, looking at the melting chunk of metal. “I don't think you're useless,” she repeated.

He looked to it and sighed. “Yeah, I am. I can't metal bend at all. I mean... my mom is amazing, one of the best. But I can't even bend such a... easy metal.”

She nudged the ground and a pillar of rock came out, shooting what remained of the metal out of the lava and onto the ground besides them, it sizzled and bubbled. “So?”

“So? So what? I can't be a metal bender, then!”

The mare nodded. “No, you can't. Maybe you'll learn. Maybe you won't. But that doesn't make you useless.”

“Of course it makes me useless! I can't do... anything right.”

“You can lava bend. I can't do that. I don't know anypony who can. That's useful.”

Button blushed and nodded. “I-I guess. But it's not... metal bending.”

She nodded for a moment, staring at the rapidly cooling magma. “It's not water bending.”

“Huh?”

“It's not air bending, either. It... might be a little fire bending. That doesn't mean it's not useful. It means it's different.” She glanced back to him. “You're different, too. That doesn't mean you're bad.”

Button looked away. “But... how can I take over for mom, then?”

“Why do you have to?”

“I... I guess because... she's... ummmm...”

“Wants you to?”

He slowly nodded.

“I know,” Copper said before turning towards the magma. “But Button?”

“Yeah?”

“You're nowhere near as good a bender as me.”

He blinked, before lowering his eyes. “Thanks...”

“You're also not a good leader.”

“O-ouch.”

“You're not that smart, either.”

“Is... this supposed to cheer me up?”

“You could likely never become the leader of the metal benders. Even if you could metal bend, there are dozens of other reasons why that path is impossible for you.”

He froze, his eyes widening. “I... but I... I...”

“So why worry? Why hate yourself for it?” She glanced to him again. “You have talents. You are strong. You have a whole world ahead of you, so many things you can do. Why focus on what you can't do?”

He lowered his eyes. “But... I can.”

“No. You can't. The sooner you accept that, the sooner you can move on.”

Button sighed and closed his eyes. “I won't just... give up.”

“Mmm hmm,” she said softly.

“... Was all that supposed to comfort me?”

“Nope.”

“... Help me?”

“Eeyup.” She tapped the ground and the metal ball rolled over to him. She reached out and grabbed his hoof, placing it to the now cool metal. “Close your eyes.”

------

“... How the buck do you make such amazing waffles?” Diamond asked while staring at her plate, still holding half of her third waffle.

“Oh, you know, I've picked up a thing or two over the years,” True said with a chuckle. “The secret is to dice up the fruits so they give it a nice sweet taste.”

“This is nothing, you should try his burritos. To die for,” Leadwing said with a chuckle. “Only reason I wanted to be his wingmate. Should have seen him back at the academy, every few weeks he'd be cooking up some weird thing or another and it was always amazing.”

True chuckled and shook his head. “Oh, you flatter me. I just learned a few things over the years. Found out what I liked, then what I liked a lot more.”

Diamond nodded and gave a light chuckle. “That's pretty good. So, how do you two like training under Blaze?”

“She gives us a lot of freedom,” Leadwing said with a shrug. “But then, most of our training was already done.”

“Really?” Diamond asked. “I thought you were sent down here to start it?”

“Nope, just finish it,” True said with a nod. “But mostly just the end, more or less an intern position. We just need her to okay us, then we're good to go. In the meantime, there are two more Wonderbolt trainees to help around town if any problems come up. To avoid another Meadowbrook incident, due to how... small the Wonderbolt representation is here.”

“There's plenty of air benders,” Diamond said quickly.

“Yep. But not many Wonderbolts,” True said with a shrug. “Besides, most of the air benders here are Harmony citizens. The Air Nomads have quite a low amount of pony power here to support in the event of a catastrophe. Something the Meadowbrook incident threw heavily in our faces.”

Diamond blinked a few times before taking a bite of her waffles. She watched him for a few moments before sighing. “Why do they want more... pony power here, though? Harmony isn't a part of the Air Nomads.”

“Twilight was one of the greatest heroes the world has ever known,” True said with a soft chuckle. “I mean, she managed to unite almost everypony in the world to break Discord. Even now most of us have grown up on the tales of her adventures, listening to all the hard work and dedication she showed. Harmony is more than just a new country, it's a sign of peace. If it can succeed, if all four nations can work here... well, perhaps in the future it can work on an even a grander scale. Maybe one day there won't even be a need for the four nations. Maybe just one great, big Harmony.”

Diamond blinked a few times, before glancing towards the window. “Y-yeah. A great, big Harmony. That would be... something else.”

“Already there are little versions of Harmonies popping up all over the place. Cities where the four bender types are blending together,” True said before sipping his drink. “All of the nations are working to be more open, allowing their borders to waver more. In the wake of... Discord's destruction during the last Avatar, even the Air Nomads and Earth Kingdom were able to come to great terms of agreement and there are even a sizable amount of air benders living in Fillydelphia. That's not even mentioning the Fire Tribes and Water Nation. Water Lord Rarity has worked tirelessly to ensure all the damage that was done has been healed. Or at least, most of it. What can be.”

Diamond nodded slowly. “That's... odd. I don't remember seeing many non-earth-benders back home.”

“Perhaps. But all those benders who trained you would have attracted a lot more attention, if not for the doors that your predecessor had created. You might have been found a lot sooner.”

She blinked and smiled sheepishly. “Y-yeah. That might have been a good thing, though.”

“Perhaps,” True said softly, before taking another bite of his waffles. “But this is... a golden opportunity, Avatar. You predecessor set up a brand new world, one where true, lasting peace between all of the nations is possible. Harmony is proof of that. And while there are those who wish it to fail, there are far more who would do anything to see it succeed. I'm very curious to see what you'll do with this opportunity you've been given.”

She nodded slowly, staring at her waffles. She was suddenly feeling far less hungry. She pushed the plate away. “It uhhh... it was very good but I really should head out to meet with the others. Rainbow and the others are probably... waiting for me.”

True blinked. “O-oh, of course. I'm sorry, Avatar. I do hope I haven't made you uncomfortable.”

“No, it's fine. It's nothing I didn't already know,” she said before getting to her hooves and walking out. Once she left the building, she glanced across the courtyard and over the wall surrounding the complex towards the city. Harmony truly was a pinnacle of peace. Something that only Twilight could have crafted.

But now she couldn't help but wonder. Would she be the Avatar to help it grow into a permanent facet of the world, flowing out into the other countries? Or would she be the one that made it crash and burn, a fiery inferno and failed experiment?

------

“Not bad,” Smoothglide said when he landed on the railing of a roof, his chest barely moving when he breathed. Daring was doing much the same, the speedy flight almost gentle compared to what she was used to. Pinionwing, on the other hoof, was panting with exertion. He'd barely managed to keep up and keep in formation. “You'll need to work on your stamina, Pinionwing. As flying Shadowbolts, we're often the first responders to major events in the cities, due to our flight.” He then glanced to Daring. “You kept up nicely enough, though seemed to falter a few times during formation changes. Anything wrong?”

She sheepishly nudged the ground. “No, sorry. Just, uhhh, not used to the formations.”

He nodded. “Ah. Well, if you have any questions or concerns, feel free to ask me. I'm here to teach you, so always feel free to ask me anything.” He looked around, before hopping off the railing and landing on the roof proper. He trotted towards the center. “So. Daring, I hear you've practiced with Ironwing?”

She perked up and gave a nod. “Yes sir!” she said quickly, a grin on her face. “Me and him sparred all the time!”

“Good, good.” He turned to face her, spreading out his wings. “Show me. Come at me as best you can.”

She blinked a few times, before chuckling. “Err, are you sure? I mean... I did train with Ironwing. If I go all out--”

“Don't worry, I'll be fine.”

She blinked, before shrugging and rushing forward. She went straight for a feint to the right, before dashing towards his left side. To her amazement, he moved back with ease, weaving around her hooves as she struck, making each of her movements miss by mere inches. On her fifth strike, he suddenly pushed in close and his hoof shot out. She wove to the left, trying to get out before it could hit, but realized too late it was a feint. He caught her in the back of the head with his wing, stunning her for a moment before his hooves lashed out and numbed her hooves. She nearly fell forward, but he caught her under a hoof.

“Very good,” he said with a nod. “I can see that Ironwing taught you well. You need to work on your speed a bit and you give a bit too much show with your wings, but very nice. Don't worry, we'll work you through that.”

Her eyes just stayed wide. “How?”

“Hm? Well, Ironwing was never the best teacher,” he said with a chuckle. “A great leader, but not a teacher. Besides, I doubt he's been able to keep up on his practice like us rank and file members. Though I'd still rather not have to ever go up against him.” He let her go once the feeling started to return to her hooves. He then glanced to Pinionwing. “Now, Pinion, how about you?”

“I didn't get much training, sir,” he said nervously.

“I don't imagine so, basics doesn't cover much these days. We'll start with the beginner stuff.” He moved away from the two and then sat back down. “Now, the most important thing about our training is the locations. Disabling a bender is as simple as hitting their point of power. For earth benders, the hooves, for air benders, the wings, for fire benders, the tip of the horn and for water benders, the base. Now, the precise locations--”

Daring gave a soft sigh as she watched him, before glancing to Pinionwing. The colt was watching with rapt attention. However, she couldn't help but feel annoyed. She already KNEW all this. She was good with the points, she just needed to practice them. She was half tempted to go flying off, come back after the lecture. But she imagined Ironwing would have been furious, so she held still. For now.

------

Ironwing gave a soft, gentle sigh as he took to the air, on the right wing behind Coppertips. Silenthoof was on his left and Freshmint was behind. They were flying in a diamond formation over the city.

Ironwing felt pretty good. It had been so long since he'd been able to just relax and fly, not have to worry about command. He just had to follow orders and do as he was told. In a way, it was freeing. He frowned when his eyes caught movement below. An earth pony stepped on the ground below and sent a light cloud of dust into the air. A few moments later he was galloping out of the dust, a package on his back. “Earth pony, east.” He started to signal to go lower, then stopped when he remembered he wasn't the one in command.

“I see him,” Coppertips said before signaling to lower. The others moved in perfect unison, diving at the pony. Coppertips then signaled for them to come in for a low side assault.

Ironwing blanched. That was an EARTH bender. “Sir?”

“Not now,” Coppertips said, before diving in. Ironwing sighed and swung around wide, coming in from the earth pony's right side. He was about ten feet from him when the earth pony snapped a hoof down. A wall of stone came up from under him, making him fly up and over the wall to avoid slamming into it. He spun around once, evading the attack before diving back at the pony's side. However, as he watched the earth pony stomped on the ground, sending out surges of rocks from all sides, forcing Ironwing to take flight and shoot straight up to avoid the pelting attack. His comrade on the left wasn't quite so lucky, Silenthoof letting out a shriek as rocks sent her toppling back.

Coppertips came down on the earth bender's backs, his hooves flashing out and dropping him like a sack of potatoes. Ironwing mentally cursed and flew over the two, moving to Silenthoof's side, kicking the rocks off her. After a moment she was uncovered. “Are you okay?” he asked.

“Y-yeah, I'm fine,” she said softly, before giving a cringe and straightening out her wing.

“Silenthoof, what was that?” Coppertips asked, walking over to her while Freshmint was busy dealing with the now paralyzed earth bender.

“Sorry, sir, I didn't see the stones until I cleared the wall.”

“There were four of us, nopony should have gotten hit at all,” Coppertips snapped.

Ironwing blinked a few times, before glancing towards Coppertips. “Sir, you ordered us to come in low against an earth bender. That's a dangerous method to take even in the best of cases, it's only natural that such a reckless move could get someone hurt.”

“I wasn't asking you,” Coppertips said firmly. “Silenthoof, this is the fourth time you've gotten hit this week. You need to be more careful.”

Ironwing bit his tongue, watching as the stallion chewed the mare out. After a few moments they took to the sky and he mentally sighed. He wasn't in charge anymore, he didn't have a say in the matter.

------

Blaze gave a soft sigh as she heard a small pop in her back. The soft scent of strawberries wafted in the room and she looked over at Prism. “You know... I think you were right. I really did need this.”

“Mmmm hmmm,” Prism said with a grin, licking his lips before nibbling one of the strawberries. His wings were being gently, and delicately, massaged by the mare at his side. “We should try to do this more often.”

“Election time will be coming up, soon,” Blaze said softly. “Maybe it's time I retire from the council. I'm sure there's plenty of other air benders who could do the job better than I,” she said softly.

Prism chuckled. “I doubt that. You were the best air bending council member they ever had, you haven't had any opposition in years. I seriously doubt any is going to pop up now.”

She snickered and then gave a soft, content sigh. “Probably. We managed to settle the zoning issues in the east quarter while you were gone.”

“Really?”

“Mmmm hmm. We had a few problems with the manticores and diamond dogs, but they managed to work it out by one going above ground, the other under.”

“Really? Diamond dogs went underground?”

“Oddly enough, this time the manticores did. Something about it being cooler for their gyms,” she said with a sigh before shrugging. “Sometimes I don't know how those species operate,” she muttered, before groaning again. “We've also been having a higher influx of... representatives from the other nations.”

“Oh? What kind?”

“Fighters, what else?” she mumbled softly. “After the whole Meadowbrook incident... not to mention now that three of the past Avatar's friends are stationed here, it seems everypony wants to suddenly lend us a helping hoof. At least we shouldn't have any problems, security wise, for a while. Though I'm not sure how we're going to deal with them all. We have most of them being moved in with the metal benders for now, Copper seems pretty good at keeping them all organized. We might have to set up a new security division, though. Maybe a fire and wind group.”

Prism chuckled. “Really? Any idea who would head those?”

“Well, the air one I'm thinking of nominating you,” she said with a teasing chuckle. “After all, you have been slacking lately.”

He harrumphed. “I have been training a very powerful, very immature child,” he said defensively. “Slacking was not a part of it. Until later. Then I just took a ton of naps,” he said with a sly grin.

She snickered. “Though, in actuality, we've been talking about one large, harmonized defense force. One that the Shadowbolts, Moon Raisers and earth benders could all call on. Rather than having the three having no real... overlap between them.”

“Oh? Air, earth and sea not enough anymore?” he asked with a chuckle.

“Well... it's more the metal benders are all earth benders, they have little idea what to do with the other benders. The Moon Raisers only know about water bending. The Shadowbolts are all anti-benders. We just don't get a lot of call from the other benders to join,” she said with a shrug. “Usually the air or fire benders that do decide to join up, end up working directly under the council, there just hasn't been much call for them before now. But the other countries are trying to get more and more representation out here and, well, you know we can use it. But we need to keep it under control, too.”

He nodded and then gave a sigh. “Have I ever told you how thankful I am to not have your job?”

She snickered. “Oh, you'd be fine. You've led your own squads plenty of times.” She let out a sudden yelp when her leg popped, before groaning. “We are so getting a nice steam after this,” she purred.

He chuckled and gave a nod. “Whatever my little council mare wants. And those are just squads, I can't imagine trying to run this city. Especially with all those other council members.”

“It's really not that bad, dear,” she muttered. “For the most part, the full council is rarely needed for decisions. Only when it directly pertains to one of us. Most of it's just paperwork and listening to the requests of the air benders in the city.” She then gave a shudder. “Though, if they ever decide to cut out the bender members and make it just the three pony types... I shudder to think of the paperwork THAT pony would have to go through.”

Prism chuckled and gave her a loving smile. “Well, nopony could handle it better than you, dear.” He glanced back towards his masseuse. “I think I'm feeling nice and loose. Are we done?”

The pony nodded and pulled back. “Of course, sir. Spa room four should be open.” He paused. “Remember, we do have rules for their use.”

Prism chuckled and nodded. “No worries. Nothing worse than a bit of snuggling with my wife.” He then walked over and nuzzled her nose. “I'll see you there, darling.” Before turning and trotting away.

Blaze sighed and closed her eyes. “Maybe the occasional day off isn't so bad...”

------

Acrylic took a long, slow breath as he slowly moved his horn back and forth, letting the water swirl around it with ease. As it moved, it slowly turned to ice, then water, then vapor, before back to water and ice again. As much as he hated it, he wasn't able to skip the water step, he had to go through each one individually. He just wasn't good enough yet.

“Mmmm hmmm,” his examiner said as she wrote down a few notes. “That's it?”

He nodded slowly. “Y-yes.”

“Shifting speed is a bit slow. Control is nice, though.” She paused and started trotting off. “Follow me.”

He nodded and followed behind her as they trotted through the building up towards the roof. There, the two stood out on the roof of the building and looked out over the pier. “Now. Tell me, what do the Moon Raisers do?”

He blinked a few times. “Ma'am?”

“Normally I'd go into a brief spiel about them. But you're Lady Scratch's son. I'd expect you know all about them.” She glanced back towards the sea. “Now, tell me. What are the Moon Raisers?”

Acrylic took a deep breath and looked to the south. “First and foremost, we're the guardians of the moon raising spell. That spell was lost long ago, and recovered by Avatar Twilight. Now, we guard it and make sure it can never be lost again. As a place of true neutrality, we ensure that the moon can never be used as a weapon by any of the countries and that it can always sign as a beacon of what the Avatar did for us.” He paused and glanced down at the ships. “Secondly, we're the first line of defense in the event there is any water assault on Harmony. We patrol the lake and keep an eye out for any dangers that may move by the waters. Usually pirates, but those are rare enough. At least, ones that get this far up here. However, we also move up and down the rivers here, aiding any transport vessels that move along the waters. Search and rescue and the like.” He glanced over towards her. “Is there anything I missed?”

“Nope, it sounds like you have a pretty good grasp of what we do,” she said with a nod. “You're still a rookie, though. You'll be starting on dock patrols for now, keeping an eye out for trouble.”

He blinked. “Wait, in the city?”

“Yes.”

Acrylic sighed. “This is my mother's doing, isn't it? Trying to keep me safe and secure in the city? Listen, I can take care of myself, going to the--”

“No,” she interrupted, before glancing up to him. “Frankly, your water bending is good. Quite good, in fact. Excellent control and power. But your ice and mist bending are atrocious. How often do you practice them?”

He cringed. “I... didn't use it that often.”

“It clearly shows,” she said with a shake of her head. “Before you go out into the field, with the actual ships, I want you to pass through a bit more training. Work on your ice bending in particular. You shift it far too slowly and, in emergency situations, that can be deadly. It wasn't very strong from what I saw, either.”

He nodded slowly, closing his eyes. “Of... course. My apologies. I just thought...”

“Your mother hasn't been involved in any of your recruitment.” The mare paused. “In fact, she's stayed far away. If you were hoping to go straight to moon raising duty... well, I'm afraid that's a while off for you. Only our best are put onto the moon raising team, but you're not near that yet.”

“So it's not protection duty, it's... I'm not competent enough to do something more difficult, duty?”

“More or less. It's safer, less stressful. If you screw up, less ponies will get hurt. After a few weeks and more training, we'll discuss where you go from there. Understand?”

He nodded, a smile on his lips.

“Good. Go to requisitions to get sized up for your uniform and location of your locker.” She held out his clip board, handing it to him. “Congratulations, Acrylic. You're a Moon Raiser.”

He nodded, trotting away happily.

He knew it was a low rank job for now, tiny and insignificant. But he didn't care. It was HIS job. Something he'd at least earned. He was a Moon Raiser because he was good enough, no special treatment. Now all he had to do was keep working himself up, becoming that good a bender. Just--

“Acrylic, hey!” a voice said from behind him suddenly, making him jump.

He glanced over and saw Tittering besides him. “H-hey. Uhhh, long time no see.”

She nodded. “Was pretty surprised to see your request come across my desk.”

“You... were?” he asked nervously.

“Mmmm hmm. Happy to see you passed, though,” she said before swiping the clipboard from him. “Ohhhh, these your measurements? Ouch. But hey, we all start somewhere. Ohhhh, nice control though. Above average... wait, really? You can do that? Not too shabby. Shame about your ice manipulation, but all of us have weaknesses, eh?”

Acrylic frowned and looked to the side. “Y-yeah. I know, your numbers are all... the best, right.”

She blinked a few times, before reaching out and putting a hoof over his shoulder. “Awww, come on, you know I didn't mean it like that. When I got here, I'd already had years experience with the Water Nation. You're young, still learning. You have all the time in the world to get better. Not to mention you're in with the right crowd and all that,” she said with a wink.

“The right crowd?”

“The Avatar, right? You're one of her buddies! I can't imagine a better way to get stronger.”

He blinked a few times, his mouth falling open. “How... in the world would that help me get stronger?”

Tittering chuckled and jumped off, trotting besides him. “She's the Avatar, silly billy. She just attracts trouble! Like some kind of... trouble... attracting magnet! Like, there could be one big bad pony in all the world and, boom, they'd find their way to her.”

“I... I guess. I don't see how that really... she has better ponies helping her now, though. Wonderbolt Rainbow, Water Lord Rarity--”

“So? She's the Avatar,” Tittering said with a shrug. “Just think about who... Avatar Twilight surrounded herself with when the times got tough. Emperors? Queens? Generals?” She turned to him and gave a wink, putting a hoof to his chest. “No. She had her friends near her. And if there's one thing I know, the Avatar doesn't just choose her friends willy nilly.”

He snorted. “Yeah, but Diamond didn't really choose me, either. We more got... thrust into each other.”

“Everything happens for a reason, Acrylic. You've stuck with the Avatar this long, I'm sure there's a good reason for it. I'm kind of curious what you'll end up showing us.”

He sighed and gave a nod. “And if I don't show anything?”

“Hey, not everypony on Team Avatar has to kick flank. You could always try being the comic relief!” she said with a grin. “It's funner than it sounds, trust me.”

Acrylic stopped and turned to her, speaking flatly. “Oh. Joy. I can hardly contain my excitement.”

“See? Dry, flat humor. It's always a crowd pleaser.”

Acrylic sighed and mentally reminded himself that, technically, she was his superior. Even if she was at least as crazy as his mother. He gave a shudder.

------

Diamond took a slow, deep breath as she eyed the building holding the council. She supposed she had to do this eventually, she just had no idea really how, or when. Usually the council called her, it was rare she came to see them. Still, she supposed it was one of those times.

She trotted into the building and smiled to the secretary. “H-hello. I'm here to see the council.”

“Hmmm? Which one?” the mare asked.

Diamond blinked. “All... of them?”

“Well, most of the council seems to be out today and there are currently no large meetings on the agenda until tonight.” The mare flipped through some paperwork. “And... about half the council members seem to have not arrived yet, Miss Avatar.”

“Oh. I guess... I just... sorry.”

The mare blinked. “You don't need to be sorry, miss. Were you summoned?”

“Not... really but I thought... well... I mean, I was curious if there were any more leads or... what they wanted me to do. I wasn't...” Diamond nudged at the ground sheepishly. “I didn't really think this through, I think. I thought I'd be training with Rainbow or the Water Lord right now or something. I guess they're probably busy or something, though.”

The mare blinked a few times, before pulling out a small file. “Ah, actually. I was permitted to give you these, if you requested them,” the mare said before holding them out. Diamond took them in her hooves.

“What are they?”

“The locations where Water Lord Rarity, Wonderbolt Rainbow and metal bender Applejack are staying. I assume they'll be waiting for you.”

Diamond's eyes lit up. “Thank you! I'll go see them immediately!” She turned and galloped out of the room. She was a few feet out the door before she realized there was a fourth address, before cringing.

It was for Plasmahoof. Her old fire bending teacher. It seemed he was staying at her aunt's home. She frowned for a few moments and thought about it. Finally, she shook her head and started towards there. It had been a long time since she'd seen family.

------

“You're moping,” Celestia said with a big grin as she glanced to her brother.

“I am NOT moping,” Luna said, his voice tinted with annoyance.

“You totally are. You wanna know how I can tell?”

“Not that I am moping, but how?”

Celestia held up her glass of ice. Luna blinked a few times, before eeping and waving his hoof so it turned back to water.

“T-that means nothing!”

“Awwww, come on. Admit it. You miss him.”

“I... may miss his company to a mild degree.”

“You want to huuuuuug him.”

“Stop it.”

“You want to kiiiiiiiss him.”

“Knock it off.”

“You want to go back to Harmony and tackle glomp him.”

Luna took a slow, deep breath. Before shrugging and waving his hoof, the water exploding out of the cup and nearby pitcher to splash on Celestia. The mare looked barely phased. “You're just proving my point.”

“I merely miss his company. It was... enjoyable compared to my current companion.”

“You could have insisted that he come with us. I would have.”

Luna snorted. “He was... already on the rocks enough as it was. Forcing him to come to our country against his will would have hardly done much to relieve those fears.”

“I never said anything about forcing. Come on, you've got a cute enough body, I'm sure you could have thought of ways to entice him and--”

“ENOUGH!” Luna roared, his face turning bright red. “I... I will do no such thing. My relationship with Button... he will come to terms with it on his own. Without... tricks.”

“It's not tricking a pony showing them how you feel about them,” she said with a smile. “Well, okay, SOME ponies use it to trick ponies, but you don't. Come on, just admit it. You wish he was here.”

Luna sighed and gazed out over the horizon, his eyes staring at the blank, empty expanses of water and fields below. “I... do wish he was here. But this is for the best. Distance will... serve us well. It will allow me time to settle my own emotions as well. Without his consistent...”

“Inane chatter?”

“Yes, some of it was inane. But that was just the way he was,” Luna mumbled softly before closing his eyes and putting a hoof over his heart. “Even if he wasn't quite the most... intelligent pony I ever met, he was creative. He had a rather... unique way of looking at the world. So full of life and excitement. So loyal. So... loving. A pony like that... anypony would be lucky to have.” He then gave another sigh. “And I cannot force him if he does not wish to be with me. It is better we separate now, lest I get too attached. Let him sort out his feelings, then decide if he wishes to come with me.”

“I still think you should have just kept him locked down. You could have easily convinced him.”

“Maybe. But he has to decide on his own if he wants to be with me. It has to be his decision. His... desire. He doesn't deserve to have to settle for somepony who he's not fully interested in.” He lowered his head. “And for all my faults, I know I deserve somepony who truly wants me.”

Celestia sighed and put a hoof over his shoulders. “Awwww, come on, Luna. Don't be like that. You're awesome, you deserve all the cute mares and stallions you want.”

“Mmph...” the prince grumbled.

“And he'll come around, he's just kind of slow.”

“Probably. And if he doesn't...”

“If he doesn't, I'll use him as a lightning rod.”

Luna burst into laughter, covering his mouth. “Don't you dare, I'll beat you to within an inch of your life.”

“Fine, I won't. But it got you smiling, at least,” she said with a snicker before glancing back on the horizon. “He will come around, though. I bet right now he's thinking about you. Missing you.”

------

Button groaned and laid on one of the benches, panting with exertion. He'd tried everything, tapping, dancing, pounding, even begging. Yet the metal refused to move in the slightest. Copper just stared at him. “How do you make it look so easy?” he asked softly.

“Practice.”

“But how can I practice it if I can't even get it right from the beginning?” he asked before shaking his head. “I'm pathetic...” he muttered, holding his face.

“Yes, you are. Get up and try again.”

“Ughhhhhh. I don't want to.”

“Then give up.”

“I don't want to!”

“Then get up and try again.”

Button groaned, but slowly got to his hooves and tapped the metal rock again. He gave a sigh and shook his head. “How can I ever be a metal bender if I can't even metal bend...”

“You can't, obviously,” Copper said, before putting her hoof on his. “Feel it. Feel the earth. Sense it.”

He sighed, tapping his hooves again as his frustration built up. He then pulled back. “What if I can't?”

“It's possible,” Copper said softly.

He blinked a few times. “Wait, what?”

“It's entirely possible. Some ponies can't metal bend. Their talents lie elsewhere.” She looked him up and down. “Perhaps you cannot. Perhaps instead you can lava bend.”

Button sighed and face hoofed. “Dang it. I have to, though. My mom was a metal bender, my...” He shook his head. “If she can do it, why can't I?”

“You're not your parents. You need to sense better. You need to feel the earth, sense the--”

“I know! I just can't do it through all the metal, okay? I can barely even sense things through normal dirt, it's impossible through metal!”

Copper went silent, eying him.

He glared back for a few moments, before lowering his eyes. “Right. I'm sorry. I know it's not your fault... I'm just... frustrated, you know? I've been trying so hard and... getting so much better. But I still can't do this. I just... I just don't know what's wrong with me...”

“Failing to do something doesn't mean something is wrong with you. It only means you failed.”

He sighed and then blinked a few times, before looking up at her. “Copper?”

“Yes?”

“You're uhhh... well, I mean... I think I've only ever heard you say three words. Yep, nope and uh huh. Well, four words. Why uhhh... are you taking such an interest?”

She blinked a few times, before looking back to the stone. “Lava... bending is interesting. I am curious.”

“Curious?”

“How you do it. What is it about you that... makes you able.”

He blinked a few times. “O-oh. I thought just... I mean, but you're a metal bender, right? That means you can... well, I mean, it's way cooler than lava bending.”

She blinked a few times. “Neither is cooler. They are just different. A new style of bending means new methods can be developed. What is it about it that makes it so special? How are you able to do it?”

Button blinked and looked back down. “I... maybe it's because of my fire bending? I mean, I've been training in fire bending. Diamond taught me and I just... learned from there. I guess. Maybe the two are connected?”

“Maybe. You have a gift, Button. Do not believe it is useless just because it is different from mine.”

Button nodded slowly, gazing down at the rock. He then smiled. “Hey, uhhh... you wanna try a little... sparring match? My lava bending versus your metal bending?”

Copper tapped the ground, chunks of metal rising into the air. “Yes.”

Button stared for a moment, before the color started to drain from his face. He quickly realized who he'd just challenged and gave a little squeak.

Chapter 5: Practice

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Silver groaned before she climbed out of bed, giving a soft yawn. An hour or two was more than enough, she was sure. It was more of a nap, at least. She adjusted the invisible necklace around her throat and sighed. She really should try to contact Trixie, she could feel it. There was just this strange feeling about it. It was making her feel uncomfortable. Maybe after she took care of all her other tasks. She sniffed the air, something smelt good.

She soon followed her nose to the kitchen and was surprised to find two pegasi sitting there, breakfast on the table before them, but now mostly cold. The two were chatting away about some inane flight thing or another. Something about a wind vortex. She trotted past them and poured herself a small cup of coffee, unaware the conversation had stopped. She then glanced back towards the two, sipping her drink.

“Good morning, Miss Spoon,” Leadwing said softly.

“Mmmm,” she mumbled back. “I thought you two would be gone by now. Where'd Diamond go?”

“I think to get some practice in,” True said, eying her. “Are you feeling okay? You look distressed.”

“Just a long night and it's looking like I'm going to have a few more,” she said before giving a soft yawn.

“That's a shame. A pretty young thing like you should get all the rest she needs,” True said with a little wink.

“A package came for you while you were out. Said it was from the Fire Tribes,” Leadwing said.

Silver nearly dropped her coffee. Slowly it drifted back to the table and her fake horn fizzled, just a little bit. “Daddy... sent me something. I swear, it better be... souvenirs.” She stormed out, leaving the two pegasi confused as she made her way down the hall. Before coming right back. “Where's the package?”

“Err... over there,” True said, pointing towards the counter.

It was a small, brown box. Silver walked over and pulled it off the counter, tearing it open and spilling the contents on the ground. Her eyes twitched slightly as she read through the letter. “GAHHHHHHH! Really daddy, REALLY?”

“Errr... is something wrong?” True asked weakly.

“Ugh, everything. He found out what I planned, now he's trying to get his hooves involved and... I swear, if I find out which pony leaked this to him that pony is going to be janitorial duties for months,” Silver muttered as she looked through the files of suggested ideas for her new projects. “How did he even find out about them so fast? It's been like... a day! Did they contact him the moment I submitted them? Gahhhhh!”

“Are they... bad ideas?” Leadwing asked.

“No, they're actually pretty good but that just makes it worse!” Silver muttered before closing the box. “Can't just let me do one thing on my own, has to jump into every little thing and try to help me. No no, stars forbid he actually let me do something on my own. I might actually make some mistakes and learn something,” she muttered with annoyance.

“I... I'm sure he's just doing it because he cares,” Leadwing offered.

“Of course he cares! He's the best daddy ever but I wish he'd, just once, let me do something on my own. I couldn't even go with the Avatar on my own without having to drag him along for the ride,” she muttered. “Even if his ships ended up helping us in the end and aghhhhh. I'd better just send these to research and development and then kill one of those ponies when I find out who told him.”

“Err... there there?” True said softly.

“Whatever. I'm going to go get some more sleep before I kill a pony,” she grumbled darkly, her mood ruined. “You two can stay as long as you like, I guess. Just don't come into my room, okay? I really need to get some sleep. Do you know when Diamond will be back?”

“Probably not for a while,” True said with a shrug. “Practice and all that.”

“Right, of course,” Silver muttered before dumping her coffee down the sink. “I'll deal with his notes later. After I've gotten some rest.” She trotted out of the room, making her way back to her room. She closed and locked the door before frowning. She slowly crawled into her bed, before tapping the necklace. It appeared a moment later and she let out a soft gasp of pleasure.

She felt the sudden surge of power flow into her, the power of chaos. Of Discord. Her power, amplified. That was the one problem with having the necklace suppressed and hidden. It made it difficult to draw on its power. But now she could feel the full flow and it was oddly pleasing.

She gripped the power and let it flow through her, slowly drawing her out of her body. Her breathing was calm and steady until, finally, she opened her eyes and was once again in the Spirit World.

In front of her stood an all too familiar blue unicorn. “My my. Finally decided to visit me, huh? Having too much fun hanging out with your Avatar friends?”

“You... you could see that?” Silver asked softly.

“Parts of it, not all,” Trixie said with a dismissive wave of her hoof. “So then, little youngling, what is it you wished to talk with the Great and Powerful Trixie about?”

Silver blinked a few times before sighing. “I guess... this. All of... this. Discord's power. What can we do with it? What are the limits?”

The other mare merely shrugged. “I don't know.”

“What do you mean, 'you don't know'? How can you not know? You're... you were the first!”

“And Discord was kind of a monster. A sick, twisted, evil monster who had a firm 'figure it out yourself' method of training. Trust me. I know,” she said bitterly. “Made me learn fire, earth and air bending, then took them all away...” she grumbled bitterly.

“Huh?”

“Nothing. I barely even used these little... powers of his. I was only... grudgingly aware of having them. Don't depend on them, though. Unicorn magic is far superior. When it does something, it actually does what you WANT it to do. Instead of following some strange, made up rules that seem to act on an arbitrary method depending on how many geese have farted that day or something.”

Silver blinked a few times. “What? It's not THAT hard. I never had any trouble with it, well, after a while. I--” Her eyes widened. “W-wait. Trixie, did you never find out how to make this magic work?”

The Great and Powerful Trixie paled slightly. “O-of course I mastered them. But it would do no good for me to explain it to you, you'd never understand.”

Silver snickered a little, a hoof to her mouth. “Oh my goodness. You had no idea how to use this magic, did you? I thought it would be easier for a unicorn, you already have magic.”

“I-it was easy for the Great and Powerful Trixie!”

“Uh huh. Well... one thing I'm curious about. Are you actually Trixie?”

The blue unicorn opened her mouth, before blinking a few times. “Of... course I am the Great and Powerful Trixie. Who else would I be?”

“No... I mean... well, I always wondered. When I was a kid I heard you and Discord a lot. You two would talk to me. But then it kind of faded away and... a part of me thought I was crazy. If not for my powers... well...” She then sighed. “Well, my point is. Are you the real Trixie? Are you like... trapped in me? Is Discord in there, too? Or are you kind of like an after image? Some kind of... memory of Trixie, but not the real thing?”

Trixie looked shocked, before looking confused and a little worried. “The... Great and Powerful Trixie is... is of course herself. You are quite... stupid to even ask such a question. Stop asking such stupid questions.”

Silver blinked and cocked her head to the side. “Interesting, you don't know. I wonder if one day I'll be like you?”

“Of course I know!” she shrieked. “Be quiet, you foal!”

Silver shook her head and then glanced back. “And... Discord is here, isn't he?”

“Discord is dead.”

“But I still heard him.”

“He died, killed by Twilight,” Trixie said softly. “You've heard his echoes. The dying rasps of a wicked, evil creature that was as useless as he was stupid. Had he not betrayed me, had he not... followed his own stupid little games, we would have won. I would have won. Twilight would have fallen...”

“So his echo is still there though, isn't it? I... remember at times. Seeing through your life. You could still hear him, couldn't you?”

“From... time to time.”

“So there is at least some part of him still out there, still... watching over us.” She paused and reached up, rubbing her neck. “Is he still... does he still have power? Control over us?”

Trixie snorted. “Of course not. The power is mine, and...” She paused. “Ours now, I suppose. Discord could never control me.”

Silver blinked a few times, before smiling. “Thanks. I... needed to hear that. I uhhh... I'll see you around. I guess. Maybe.” She closed her eyes and slowly let herself drift back. She laid in bed, giving a soft sigh.

Then realized there was a knocking on the door. She sat up quickly, lifting a hoof to the necklace and making it disappear a moment later. “Who is it? What do you want?”

“It's me, Lady Spoon,” True's voice came from the other side of the door. There was a long pause before he spoke again. “I... merely wanted to let you know we'd be departing. It was a pleasure to meet you.”

She blinked a few times, cocking her head to the side. “Okay? Have fun.” She pulled her blankets up and sighed, thankful she'd locked the door. She didn't want to have to explain to anyone how the amulet was suddenly around her neck. She listened as he trotted off and then closed her eyes.

Maybe there was hope, after all. At least a little.

------

Diamond took a slow, deep breath before reaching out and gently knocking on the door. It took a moment before a pony answered the door, a butler. “H-hey. I uhhh... I'm here to see my aunt Sassy? Or... Plasmahoof? Is he here?”

The pony looked down at her, before nodding. “Of course. If you'll follow me.”

Diamond nodded and followed after him. To her surprise, the place looked far, far better. All the messes were cleaned up, the paintings and statues were out again and there weren't any hoards of families taking refuge anymore. It wasn't surprising, she supposed. The city had been fixed, there was now no more need to give all those ponies homes. She was brought to the tea room and cringed. There was Sassy, sitting across from a unicorn with a black coat and blue mane.

“Ah, niece. How sweet of you to join us,” the mare said with a smile. “Please, have a seat.” She motioned to the seat besides her.

Diamond slowly moved into position and soon a cup of tea was placed in front of her. “Soooo... uhhhh, Plasmahoof. Long time no see.”

The stallion gave a sigh and then nodded. “Indeed. I was... less than thrilled by this request, but your aunt paid a considerable amount for it.”

“Uh huh,” Diamond said, glancing to the elder mare.

“I merely wanted to make sure at least one of your teachers was somepony you remembered from your past,” Sassy said with a smile. “With all these changes going on in your life, I thought some familiarity would do you good.”

Diamond nodded, before sighing. “I... suppose that's true enough. I can definitely use some help on my fire bending, after all.”

Plasmahoof choked on his tea, covering his mouth with his hoof. “P-pardon me.”

“Are you okay?” Diamond asked, staring at him.

“Q-quite alright.” He coughed into his hoof. “You need help?”

“Of course. If there's one thing I learned, it's that my fire bending is nowhere near as good as I thought it was. I mean, it is pretty good. But there are still so many better fire benders. Twilight was definitely amazing. Sunset was far, far better than I'd ever been. I still have a long, long way to go.”

Plasmahoof just stared at her as if she'd grown a second head.

“Is something wrong?”

“N-no. Nothing is... wrong,” he said, his voice filled with confusion.

“I think it's marvelous. Your father is looking forward to seeing you. I sent him a letter, informing him of your return to the city. I haven't heard back from him yet, though.”

Diamond sighed. “I should... try to make some time to visit him soon. Perhaps once this... Meadowbrook incident has been dealt with.”

“Perhaps you could visit sooner,” Sassy said before sipping her tea. “After all, your father has barely seen you since you came to the city. Even I rarely see you outside of council meetings.”

Diamond blinked. “That... reminds me. Why aren't you with the council? I thought... well, you of all ponies would be there?”

“Why? There is little we can do at the moment. We all have our ponies out and about, searching for some sign of Meadowbrook and the others.”

“Well... yeah, but you're almost always all there.”

“Since you've arrived, there has been a near constant state of emergency. Right now is... oddly peaceful. There is a disaster on the horizon, but there is little we can do about it until we have more information. Fortunately, it is not yet directly affecting our city. So, for the moment, there is mostly paperwork to attend to.” She sipped her tea. “Much of which I can do from here.”

“Oh. I guess... oh,” Diamond muttered.

“Be thankful you're not a member of the council, Diamond. Otherwise, you too would be buried under paperwork until you could barely stand.”

The alicorn shuddered then. “Good point. So, uhhh...” She looked to Plasmahoof. “Would you be good to try training me now?”

“Of course. Where shall we?”

“The front yard will work,” Sassy said quickly. “But do try to keep your blasts from...” She frowned. “How about you two head down to the arena? It's off season right now, so there should be rooms available to practice.”

Diamond nodded and got to her hooves. Plasmahoof frowned. “I'm... not familiar with that place.”

“I'll take you, don't worry,” Diamond said before trotting towards the door. The stallion watched her warily, his eyes narrowing slightly. Once they were outside, he glanced towards her.

“You must respect your aunt very much.”

“Of course. She's family, after all.”

“Mmm hmm... I can see that.”

“Huh?”

“Nothing. Let's go, Avatar. Show me the way.”

Diamond nodded and walked ahead, guiding him through the streets. “Have you liked your stay so far?” she asked, glancing back to him.

“Hmmm? Oh, it's been quite alright. I've had a few matters to attend to and tried a bit of diamond dog cuisine. I was quite impressed, I wasn't aware you could make a ruby so soft and spicy.”

The alicorn blinked a few times and looked around. “You know... now that I think about it, I haven't tried any of the things around here. Was it really that good?”

“It wasn't the kind of thing I found obscenely delightful,” he said with a shake of his head. “But it was a unique experience. You should try it, while you get the chance. This entire city is filled with so many different races, you could get just about anything here. It could be a good growing experience for you.”

She nodded again. “You're right. I'll have to make sure to give it a try. Maybe I can convince Silver to try it with me. Thanks for the tip.”

He stumbled slightly, before shaking his head. “Of course... Avatar.”

It wasn't long before the two of them came to the arena and she was let in with a few quick words with the staff. Once they were in, she turned and smiled to him. “Okay, so... is something wrong?”

He just stared at her, his eyes narrowed. He then glanced towards her horn, followed by her wings. “It's... nothing, Avatar. Please, give me a quick demonstration of what you've learned.”

She nodded before taking a deep breath. “I'm sorry but... I should admit. I haven't had much chance to practice fire bending since getting it back. I did a little bit of training with Sunset but... well, we parted ways a while ago. I do hope she's okay.”

“Sunset?”

“Oh, Twilight's daughter.”

He nodded. “Ahhhh. Of course. I... had heard something about your previous incarnation's daughters appearing. I do hope you weren't... too rude to her.”

“I don't think I was,” she said, before taking a deep breath and then going into her stances, moving forward and thrusting out.

Plasmahoof eyed her again, shaking his head as he watched. “You've... become less aggressive, I see.”

“Huh? Oh, yeah. Sorry, should I try to be more?” she asked, smiling to him. “I'm just trying to follow more of what Sunset taught me.”

Plasmahoof stared at her, his mouth falling over slightly. Finally, his eyes narrowed. “Okay, that's it. Avatar, what happened to you? You're... well...”

“Yes?”

“Tolerable!” he finally snapped.

She blinked a few times, cocking her head to the side. “Ex... cuse me?”

“You're actually asking for advice! When we walked in here, you were polite to the staff. You actually LISTENED to me when I told you about the cuisine, rather than being your normal, obnoxious self and bragging about some inane thing or another.” He waved his hoof from side to side. “It's like... you're a whole different pony! It hasn't even been a year since I last saw you, what happened?!”

Diamond blinked a few times, before lowering her eyes. “A... lot happened,” she said softly. “I failed. I messed up. I made mistake after mistake after mistake. I cost... not just myself so much, but my friends and family. I learned I wasn't as important as I thought I was, that I wasn't the center of the universe. I... I just... failed.” She closed her eyes. “And you're right. I wasn't... good. I didn't want to learn. I wanted to be the best, but I didn't want to earn it. I thought because I was the Avatar, that made me as good as all the other Avatars. No, that it even made me better. But I was wrong. I know that now. And now I want to learn. I want to get better. I want to get stronger. The world needs me. Just like it needed Twilight, and Starswirl and Nyx. I can't just say 'I'm the Avatar, so I'm good enough' anymore. I tried that with Meadowbrook and so many things went wrong. Ponies got hurt. Ponies almost died. Because I couldn't stop her.” She opened her eyes and looked up at him. “I may be the Avatar, but that doesn't mean I can slack off and just coast by. I have to fight, I have to learn. I have to grow strong. Because those who are going to go up against me are going to do the same. If I want to be anything like Twilight, I have to work just as hard as she did to make sure I don't fail.”

He stared at her for a few moments, before nodding. “I see. Well, Diamond. I must say, whoever your new teacher is who taught you these things... he or she must have been very skilled.”

The alicorn chuckled nervously and nudged the ground. “Yeah. Prism is a pretty good teacher. He taught me... quite a lot.” She then dug her hooves into the ground, forming a fire at the tip of her horn. “Now, can we continue? I'm going to have to train with Rarity, Applejack and Rainbow later, so I want to make sure I can learn as much as possible before then.”

Plasmahoof nodded, before turning towards the dummy. “Very well. We can start off at the basics.” He waited for her to roll her eyes, but instead she just watched him intently. “You know how to form the flame, but from there we need to move onto the basic movements. Practice is the key. A move practiced a thousand times is far more dependable than a thousand moves practiced once each.”

------

Prism smiled and gently held up one of the cheese covered chips to his mouth, nibbling it. “See? We should do this more often. I have all the best ideas.”

Blaze rolled her eyes as their minotaur server came and filled their water. “Except I was the one who chose this place,” she said with a soft chuckle.

“Ah, yes. But I was the one who said 'Eh, you choose. Whatever you feel like.' And see? It turned out fabulously.”

She snorted and shook her head. “You're intolerable.” She then slowly put a wing around him. “Though... you seem a bit lighter today.”

He looked down. “Huh? I don't think I've lost any weight.”

“No, not like that.” She sighed and then leaned up, nuzzling his ear. “Happier. Calmer. More... the stallion I married.”

He blinked a few times, before sighing. “I guess I just... well... I realized there's no point in being caught up in the past, you know?”

“Does this mean you and Ironwing made up?”

He cringed a little, before nodding. “Yeah. Sorta. I mean... yes? In a way? I just...” He gave a soft sigh. “We're getting there. It's not easy but... well, piece by piece, I guess. I don't really... hate him right now. I just think like.... we'll be fine. Just need a bit of time apart.”

“Mmmm. And you're mommy's back,” she teased.

“Ugh, don't remind me. I'm not sure Harmony can survive it this time,” he said with a snicker. “Really, though, I just missed you. It was... well, the trip was weird. A lot of the times just weird. But... I'm not used to not having you around.” He leaned up and nibbled her ears. “I didn't even realize how much I missed you until I came home and you... well, weren't there with me.”

She sighed. “I know, the council--”

“The council needed you. Harmony needs you. I know and I'll never argue that. You're one of the reasons this city even still stands.” He then closed his eyes and put a hoof around her waist. “But sometimes I still miss you. And I think I've spent too much time focusing on the things I've lost. I'm not going to be training Diamond for a while, so I think this is the perfect opportunity to try and show my wonderful wife just how much she means to me.”

She snickered softly before closing her eyes and resting her head on his shoulder. “Well... I guess that's not a bad idea. Having a loving, doting husband for a little bit might be a fun experience. Maybe I'll even get used to it.”

He snickered softly. “Don't get too attached. I'm sure work will spring up around us eventually. But... for now, I think it's time I made up for all that time we lost on this trip.” He leaned up and gave her lower lip a little nibble.

------

Button groaned and collapsed in his chair, struggling to avoid collapsing face first into his hay salad. He was covered in bruises and if he didn't know better, he'd swear Copper was enjoying this. As powerful as his lava bending was, he didn't seem to have much control or accuracy with it yet, mostly just turning the ground to lava and being able to mildly direct its flow. He couldn't control the direction very well, either.

She sat besides him, eating her sandwich quietly.

“So, uhhh... you're pretty good,” he said softly.

“Mmmmm hm.”

“I didn't think... well... I mean, I-I almost had you when I tried to knock you into it.”

“Mmmm... nnnnnope.”

He sighed. “Yeah, you're right.”

She glanced to him. “You don't want to hurt me.”

He cringed and poked his hooves together. “I... well... no.”

She nodded, taking another bite. “Should focus on maneuverability.”

“Huh?”

“Don't want to hurt? Disable movements.”

“Lava can't really do that, like metal bending can. I can't just like... bind someone up with lava ropes. That'd kill them.”

She shook her head. “Lava isn't metal.”

“I know, exactly. There's no real... well, way to use it defensively. I can't just bind you up with it.”

She shook her head. “Can't lava bend.”

“You can't? I know, but it's just like...” He gave a frustrated sigh and buried his head on the table. “I'm hopeless...”

Copper shrugged. “Learn it. Master it. Don't want to kill, find ways not to.”

“I wish I could metal bend, it'd be so much easier to fight like that...”

“Why?”

“I know how to fight like a metal bender. Mom showed me like a hundred thousand times. Power, force, unbending. Then you can bind people up, even fire benders can't get out of it. I mean... well, I guess...”

“Melted metal,” she said softly, before taking another bite.

“Yeah, but that's about it. It's so... offensive.”

“You're an offensive fighter.”

“Yeah, but I need to be more like... you. Controlled, strong, stoic. A real metal bender. Not some useless lava bender,” he muttered before flicked off a small oat from his salad. “You're so lucky, you know?”

“Mmmm?”

“You're just so... talented. And skilled. I wish I could have been more like you... more like mom,” he muttered softly.

Copper sighed, before finishing her sandwich. She got to her hooves and started to walk off.

“Huh? Where are you going?”

“Work. Busy.”

“Huh? But we were...” He paused and blinked, before giving a nod. “R-right. Sorry, I just thought... yeah. Thanks for the help. It uhhh... it was nice.”

“Mmmm,” she muttered, giving a small shrug before trotting off.

Button sighed and slowly rolled a tomato around on his plate, before shaking his head. “Why am I so bad at this? Why can't I just metal bend? What's the point of having a special bending style if I can't do the one that really matters?” He picked up his tomato and popped it into his mouth. “I hope Acrylic is doing better than me...”

------

Acrylic followed closely behind his commander, a mare by the name of Icytouch. Her coat was a dark blue and she had a light blue mane. He tried his best to keep his heart from pounding, but it refused to keep calm.

He was actually a Moon Raiser. Maybe not a high ranking member, but he was a member. He had all the rights and responsibilities of a member now. He knew he could have been one just about any time, but he felt like he had earned it. Without his mother's influence.

However, his mind flashed back to what Tittering had said. Despite the many, many times he had been annoyed by Diamond, she was his friend. She'd grown a lot, too, so she wasn't so bad. He wondered if maybe there had been a reason they'd ended up together. What if there really was something special about him? He then snorted at that thought.

“Something funny, recruit?” Icytouch asked.

“What? No ma'am, just thinking.”

“Should be careful about that, too much is bad for your health,” she said as she trotted across the dock. There were only a few ships there, in the midst of being unloaded. A quiet day. “So, tell me about yourself.”

“Huh? There's not really a lot to tell.”

She snorted. “Really? You are the son of Vinyl, aren't you?”

His cheeks turned red. “Y-yeah, but I'm not like mom. I don't... have ten thousand stories or anything like that.”

“You were a pro bender, weren't you? And aren't you a friend to the Avatar?”

“Diamond? Well, yeah, but... neither of those things are who I am. Besides, I didn't really do much to help Diamond...”

“You cut the Staff of Sameness in half, don't deny it. Buck, I was there, it was quite the sight.”

Acrylic froze, his mouth falling open. “W-what? But the Moon Raisers had been evacuated, they--” The words caught in his throat.

“All but those who had become unmarked, yes?” she asked with a cocked eye. “It... well, it sucked. I was one of the worst. But I'm not an unmarked anymore. See?” She motioned to her flank, which was covered in her blue garments. “Well... you could see if not for the uniform. Anyway, I was there and I saw you fighting. It was one of the reasons I offered to take you under my horn.”

He nodded. “O-oh. Right... I uhh... sorry. I was there, but it wasn't really... me. It was Diamond who got the staff away from her and gave me the opportunity. I just was in the right place, at the right time.”

“There's a lot of good that can come of things like that,” she said with a smile, before giving a soft chuckle. “You don't need to be so serious, we're not looking for pirates. We're basically glorified life guards and--” Her horn whipped out and a tendril of water shot out from under the pier a moment later, surging up. He heard a shriek a moment later and saw the tendril, turned to ice and wrapped around two ends of a snapped rope supporting a large crate. “Maintenance ponies.”

“I... I didn't even hear it snap,” Acrylic said softly.

“It happens all the time, you get used to it. Little accidents,” she said with a shrug. “Nopony gets hurt, but they can cause a lot of damage. Though... sometimes ponies will get hurt.” She gave a soft sigh. “You're on the pier, we aren't the most... there's not a lot of glory here. To be honest, no real threats EVER make it this deep. We get a few drunk ponies, those looking for fights, but pirates or things like that would never get this far. Most of what we do is helping with little accidents like that, trying to stop them from becoming big problems.” She then waved a hoof. “So they put the ponies like us here. Those who need to learn still.”

He blinked and then looked back to the rope, then back to her. “But... you were so fast. You can't work on the higher positions?”

She shook her head. “Nope, afraid not. Can't go on boats, I get sea sick.”

Acrylic blinked a few times, before snickering.

“What?”

“W-what? That was kind of funny. A water bender who gets sea sick.” He gave another chuckle before realizing she was just watching him. “Wait... you're serious?”

She nodded. “Of course. Really nasty, too. I can't even make a path of ice on water without a bit of time to relax. Air ships are even worse for me. Ten, twenty minutes and I'm practically dead.” She tapped the wood underhoof. “That's why I work the piers. Nice and stable, easy to keep solid footing and if anything happens, I can usually help it from here.”

“What if somepony falls into the water and you need to fish them out?”

“Water funnel,” she said with a nod. “Or I get one of the others.” She turned and kept walking across the pier. “Congratulations, you'll usually be others.”

He nodded. “Oh. I'm uhhh... sorry to hear that.”

“Mmmm, it happens. We all have something. I'm kind of curious about you, though. You're Vinyl's son, a pretty talented pro-bender and a personal friend of the Avatar. Why in the world are you working the piers? I can understand you not being with the actual Moon Raisers, but why aren't you on the boats running patrols?”

He gave a soft sigh. “My... well, my bending is still kind of sub par.”

“Really? But you were a pro.”

“I was a pro water bender. Unfortunately... you can't use ice or other bending in the pro leagues. I never really studied them, I thought water would be... enough.”

She gave a soft snicker. “Ahhhh. I see, focused too much? Well, it can't be that bad. I'm sure you'll catch up eventually. You've been practicing a lot, right?”

He nodded. “Y-yeah. I just don't... really seem to have a lot of power no matter what I do, though. I might just... not be that good.”

She gave a soft snicker. “Really? Not that good? I find THAT unlikely.”

“What? Why?”

“The reasons I've already listed,” she said with a snicker. “Well, just practice practice practice! Learn all about water bending, practice practice!”

He gave a nod. “I've been working on that, actually. Even tried mixing other styles with mine. Fire, earth, wi--”

“What? How could that help any?”

He paused a moment, before coughing. “W-well, I uhhh... I'd seen a few benders who had mixed stances and stuff from other bending styles to theirs. Like fire bending. It worked rather well for them and--”

“Don't. Just, don't. That's stupid,” she said with a light snort. “You want to be a good water bender? Then practice water bending. Learning how to fire bend without the right skills and abilities of a fire bender is just weird.”

“But they--”

“They're wrong,” she said with a snort. “Have you ever seen any of the Moon Benders trying to fire bend?”

He shook his head. “W-well, no. I mean, I just...” He sighed again. “I've seen benders a lot better than me who did, though.”

“And if they'd just focused on their elements, then they'd have probably been even better. How much success have you had on using these other elements, anyway?”

“N-none, honestly.”

“There you go. Proof.” She gave him a smile. “Listen, I understand. You want some kind of short cut to become good, but there isn't one. You don't become a good water bender by learning how to bend other elements. They don't mix like that. There's nothing the other elements could teach you.”

He sighed and gave a nod, looking off to the side. “I... guess you'd know better than me. Have you ever heard of... well, anypony mixing their magic with their element?”

“What?”

“Well... like... magic. Using it alongside bending?”

She shook her head. “No. But at least it's less silly than trying to bend other elements.”

He nodded slowly, a small smile on his face. “Y-yeah. I guess... is kind of silly.”

------

Diamond sat down, panting with exhaustion with her eyes closed. Plasmahoof sat across from her, in a similar state. “Well, Avatar, I must say you have improved dramatically since last I saw you. You're adapting quite quickly to your instructions. Your control is getting better, too.”

“Control?” she asked softly.

“Indeed. You were always a strong bender. I remember many of our training sessions, it was as if you had absolutely no control, you always tried to overpower and crush your opponents to dust.”

She gave a soft groan. “I tried to do that to Prism, so many times. It... didn't work.”

He nodded. “That's good, you've learned then.” He eyed her a few moments before slowly getting to his hooves. “Avatar, I think I'm done for today.”

She blinked a few times. “What? Already? But we only just started!”

“Yes, but... the lessons I had planned won't work now.”

“They won't? Why?”

“I was expecting the... old you as my student. You've grown, my methods will have to grow with them.” He gave a small smile. “It's a good thing. I just need a bit more time to adequately prepare before we continue our lessons. Perhaps you should go visit one of your other teachers?”

Diamond nodded and stretched out, making her back pop. “Ugh... yeah, I guess I can.” She bowed her head. “Thank you. It was a pleasure training with you.”

He eyed her for a moment, before bowing as well. “Yes, Diamond. It... was quite a pleasure training you.” He watched her leave, before rubbing his chin. “It's as if she's a whole new mare. Maybe... there was a reason she was chosen, after all.” He then glanced towards a small stack of papers sitting on a nearby bench. his horn glowed and they burned to ash within moments. "Makes my job harder, though."

Chapter 6: Pain

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Diamond hummed softly as she stood outside the door, checking the address one last time before leaning up and giving it a small knock. It took a few minutes before the door was pulled open, revealing an orange pony within. Applejack grinned down at her. “Well howdy there, Avatar. Fanceh seein' yah here.”

“I uhhh... was curious if you'd like to start the lessons?” she asked with a little smile. “Sorry if I'm bothering you, I know it's still early and--”

Applejack burst into laughter. “Early? Sunrise happened almost a day ago! Yah didn't think ah'd still be in bed, did yah? It's past noon!”

“Well... I guess not. I mean, Rainbow is still probably--”

“Rainbow ain't the type tah get up 'fore somepony comes an' bucks the cloud out from under her,” she said with a snicker. “Me? Ah rise with the rooster. Years of workin' on the farm. Ah gotta say, though. Ah didn't expect tah see yah for a while. Ah figured yah'd want a few days tah rest an' relax 'fore yah got to the heavy work.”

Diamond blinked and then gave a nod. “I... wanted to. I guess. But I just... well, Meadowbrook is out there and--” To her surprise, her mouth was covered by the other mare's hoof. Applejack stared down at her with a serious look on her face.

“Ah think yah'd best come inside. Come on.” She turned and trotted inside, directing Diamond to a small table to the side. The room had been a rather nice, heavily decorated suite. Now all the fancy rugs and blankets had been gathered up and tossed in the corner, leaving the room a bit plain looking. Diamond walked to the table and sat down.

“So, uhhhh...”

Applejack soon joined her, with a pair of mugs on her back. She tossed one to the table, before joining her. “Now, Diamond. Ah think it's time you an' ah had the talk.”

The alicorn blinked a few times, before her cheeks flared red. “W-wow, errr, I-I'm sorry, but I mean, y-you're not really my parent and--”

“Not that talk yah dunderhead!” Applejack said with a roll of her eyes. “Bad enough ah had tah give it tah Applebloom. Shoulda heard her whinin' 'Ah'm old enough tah know this, yah don't need tah talk about it! Please stop!' Anyway. It's about Twilight.”

Diamond blinked a few times and gave a nod. “O-oh. Right. Yeah, I know, she's... she was awesome.” She sipped the drink, then blinked a few times. “This... is really good.”

“Mmmm hmm! Sweet apple cider, ol' family recipe. Got a few barrels of the stuff now,” Applejack said before taking a quick gulp of hers and leaning back, letting out a soft sigh. “Ah, brings back memories. Yah know, the Apples still got some of the best farms out there, bring about some of the best apples yah ever tasted.”

“Do you still work the farms?”

“Nah. Ah wanna, but well... after what happened tah Sweet Apple Acres...” Applejack shook her head. “Jus' wasn't the same. Went tah teachin' full time, yah know? Been doin' it ever since.”

Diamond looked the mare up and down. She was old, with plenty of wrinkles. But she still had the body of a fighter, well toned and with powerful muscles. “I see.”

“Mmmmm. You're smart, kid. Mos' ponies make the mistake of sayin' 'At your age?' an' ah gotta teach 'em a lesson about respectin' their elders,” she said with a grin.

“I've learned my lesson lately. Besides, Rainbow's probably just as old and... well, she can kick my flank from here to Manehatten.”

The earth pony snickered and gave a nod. “Eeyup. Probably laughin' the whole way there, too.” She then gave a sigh. “Well, Diamond, ah jus' wanna let yah know. Hard work is important. Very important.”

The alicorn nodded. “I know. I'm trying my best and--”

“But it ain't the only thing.”

“Huh?”

“Ah know what you're thinkin' an', buck, ah used tah be the same way. Workin' mah flank off, tryin' tah get everythin' done. Always afraid ah'd fail.” She glanced down at her drink. “Tryin' tah make up for past mistakes. Blamin' mahself for stuff that ain't mah fault... but ah also saw Twilight do the same thing. That gal had it nearly as bad as ah did. Buck, she might 'ave had it worse. Sure, she wouldn't do much of the physical labor, she jus' wasn't the type. But she always had her nose buried in some book, always had tah be workin' tah bring peace an' prosperity tah all the ponies around her. As if the whole world would come tah a stop if she suddenly took a few hours tah rest.”

Diamond nodded a few times. “Yeah. She was really impressive...”

“Not as impressive as you're likely thinkin'. Mah advice for yah, kid, is learn tah pace yourself. Ah know yah probably think this whole Meadowbrook thing falls on your shoulders, that yah gotta train and push yourself tah the limit, fixin' ever pony else's mistakes. But that ain't what yah gotta do. Yah are allowed tah ask for help, you're allowed tah EXPECT help. Ah mean, jus' look at yah, you're still practically a filly.”

Diamond's cheeks flared. “I-I am not a child! I am a grown mare and have been one for years!”

“Ah please. Yah may be considered an adult, but yah still got that youth about yah.” Applejack snickered. “Yah should be out there, flirtin' with colts, playin' lil games with your friends. Tryin' tah find a job an' still livin' with your parents. Instead yah got the whole world watchin' your every move, holdin' their breath to see what yah gonna do next. Then blamin' yah when yah go an' don't do it right the first time.”

The alicorn's eyes lowered. “I... I need to do it right. I'm the Avatar. It's my--”

“Yeah, it's your responsibility. But that don't mean yah gotta do it alone. In fact, it means yah shouldn't.” She swirled her cup around a few times. “Twilight liked tah do that, yah know.”

“Huh?”

“Run off on her own. Every so often she'd get the idea in her head that if she brought us along, somepony might get hurt. Somepony might die. She was right, of course. Some of us did die. But... some of us came back, too.” She closed her eyes for a moment before shaking her head. “But yah know what it almost got her? Dead. Again an' again, runnin' off on her own would jus' push her to the breakin' point. Drive her tah where she couldn't take care of herself. Drive her tah where she needed us an' if we didn't try so hard tah save her daft flank, she'd have gotten herself plum killed. An' a dead Avatar ain't gonna do nopony any good.”

Diamond nodded slowly. “Yeah, I know. I need everypony around me. Why... uhhh, why bring this up? I mean... Rarity and Rainbow kinda... they've given me similar talks.”

“Well... yah tol' meh yah been trainin' a bunch taday, right?”

“Well, yes. Fire bending.”

“Ah jus' wanna make sure yah takin' a proper bit of rest between sessions. Ain't gonna do anypony any good if yah end up gettin' yourself all sprained and laid up in bed.”

The alicorn giggled into her hoof. “Oh, no. It's nothing like that. I'm really not that tired at all, it was mostly the basics. I recover fast, too.”

“Mmmm hm. It'd be that earth pony side of yah. Ah mean, ah loved Twilight like a sister an' all, but she got plum tuckered out far too quick for mah likin'. Ah swear half the time she was standin' on nothin' but sheer stubbornness.” She got to her hooves. “Well, come on. Let's go see if ah can teach yah a few new earth bendin' tricks.”

“O-okay,” Diamond said before getting up. She paused before drinking down the rest of her cider, then leaving the mug on the table, trotting after the mare.

“Yah know how tah metal bend yet, kid?”

“Errr... no, not really.”

“How about ah go an' teach yah, then. Ah tried teachin' Twilight, but she wasn't ever really able tah get it. Maybe yah'll have a bit more luck.”

Diamond blinked a few times before a grin formed on her lips. “That'd be awesome!”

------

Diamond shrieked as she flew through the air, her hooves and wings flailing wildly before her downward trajectory was stopped by another dirt pillar that shot up, hitting her back into the air, then a third catching her one last time before, finally, letting her hit the ground. She groaned, swirls in her eyes as Applejack just laughed into her hoof.

------

Diamond wailed as she galloped for her life, the wave of mud and dirt flowing behind her, before finally crashing down on her and burying her up to her neck. Applejack laughed out, shaking her head as she watched the Avatar struggle to get free.

------

Diamond screamed and ran as fast as her hooves could carry her, tears in her eyes as she bent the air around her and the ground under her to try and give her a bit of an edge. Large boulders came crashing down behind her, threatening to crush her. Finally, she was too slow and one crashed down ON her, slamming her into the mud for a moment before rolling off.

The alicorn groaned and shook her head, a bit dazed before her eyes finally fell on Applejack. The earth pony was laughing so hard she could barely stand.

“You're... enjoying this... aren't you?” she asked with a groan.

“Yah know how long it's been since ah been able tah really let go?” Applejack asked with a snicker. Before stretching a bit. “Half mah students are always 'wahhhh, Applejack, yah gonna break us!' ah mean, come on? Yah ever see a boulder cry for its momma?”

The alicorn shook her head. She yelped when the ground shot up, shoving her into the air, she spread her wings and barely managed to land on the ground before giving a sigh. “You're a uhhhh... pretty tough mare.”

“Of course ah am,” she said with a smirk. “Now, yah wanna go again?”

Diamond squeaked and shook her head. “No! I mean, yes, but, errr, h-how about we practice a little metal bending?”

Applejack snickered and gave a nod. “Very well.” She then grinned down at Diamond. “Yah ain't half bad, yah know. Ah mean, yah need a bit more polish on your earth bendin', but you're passable.”

She gave a sigh and nodded. “I try.” She then frowned. “Though... I can't imagine what you and Rainbow were like in your prime. If this is how you are now... how in the world did Twilight keep up with you two?”

She snickered. “What makes yah think she did?”

The alicorn blinked. “W-what? But she was the Avatar! She was the best at... well, all of the elements!”

“Now who gone an' told yah somethin' like that? Jus' a load of horsewash. When it comes tah earth bendin', ah was far better. Air bendin', well, Rainbow had her beat ten times in five seconds. An' water bendin'? Yah had Celestia, Rarity an' even Luna was a better fighter after her whole purgin' of Nightmare Moon. Now fire bendin'... well, she didn't exactly have a lot of competition.”

“But... but she was the Avatar.”

“So? Twilight was somethin' special, but that didn't make her the best.” She paused. “Though, she was a might bit stronger than yah are right now. Ah mean, yah seem tah be able tah go a bit harder, but she at least managed tah land a strike or two on me.”

Diamond sighed and lowered her gaze. “I'm sorry.”

“Aw, now don't yah go an' mope none. If landin' hits on meh was easy then everypony would go an' do it. Stars know ah'd deserve most of 'em. Come on, let's go ahead an' get yah a bit of practice.” She reached out and grabbed a small metal block in the corner of the room. “Now, how's your earth sensin'?”

“Not the best.” She walked over and sat down. “I'll be honest, my earth bending just... isn't that good. I always kind of focused on fire bending.”

“Really? Ah can't say ah'm really surprised.”

“What? Why?”

“Yah... well, yah fight a lot like Twilight. Not... all the way like her. But enough. Yah toss a lot of power inta your strikes. Unfortunately, yah ain't got nearly the precision an' control needed for them. It don't do yah no good tah be able tah take down a pony in one strike, if yah can't hit them ever.”

Diamond's cheeks flared. “Y-yeah. Sunset told me something... similar.”

“That's Twilight's daughter, right?”

“Yeah.”

“Ah wish ah coulda met her. Ah'll need tah go an' visit Manehatten someday soon, meet up with her. Ah'd love tah meet both her daughters.” She gave a snicker. “Ah bet Twilight was pleased as punch tah have a fire bender for her daughter.”

Diamond sighed. “Yeah. Probably. But she didn't really get to... spend a lot of time with her.”

The smile quickly died from Applejack's mouth. She held up the small metal orb and sighed. “Here. The basis of metal bendin' is a simple one. Yah need tah feel the earth inside the metal. Now, it ain't gonna work with all metals. Some are jus' too darn pure. But the stuff that ain't, yah can often bend. If yah get good enough, yah won't even need tah touch the metal, yah can feel it from a distance. But that's a pretty advanced technique so best yah start simple.”

The alicorn nodded and reached out, closing her eyes and tapping the metal with her hoof. Sadly, she didn't feel anything. “Sorry, I don't--”

“Ain't nopony able tah feel it on their first time,” Applejack said with a roll of her eyes. “Buck, ah invented the art an' only reason ah was able tah probably learn it was cause if ah didn't, all ah mah friends were gonna die!” She put the metal orb down. “Jus' keep tryin' an' don't get upset if yah fail a lil bit. It happens.”

Diamond nodded and tapped the metal a few more times.

------

Daring sighed and sat in the locker room, grinding her hoof into the bench. She couldn't help feeling a tiny bit annoyed and her eyes were leveled on the cause of her annoyance. Pinionwing. Smoothglide sighed as he closed his locker before grinning to the two of them.

“Good job, everypony. A nice, quiet day and a relaxing shift. You both did pretty great today. I know there was a bit of trouble with that water bender, but as you saw, most of the ponies here don't really want to fight with us.”

She nodded absentmindedly. She just focused on Pinionwing as the stallion seemed to be having a few troubles getting his rather soaking wet uniform off.

“I'll see you both here tomorrow, get a good night's rest,” Smoothglide said before trotting out the door.

“I know I will,” Pinionwing said with a chuckle before finally tugging his uniform off. “I don't think I've had to fly that hard in years! How about you, Daring? Exciting, huh?”

“I noticed,” she said with annoyance.

“Huh?”

“You were so... well...” She ground her hoof into the ground and sighed. “You have got to be one of the slowest fliers I've ever seen. I mean, that water bender was practically standing still and you just got walloped! What the buck?”

He cringed, his eyes lowering. “I... I just wasn't... I mean...”

“Not to mention our patrols. You get exhausted and we're barely going at a quick dash. Have you ever even FLOWN before?”

He nudged the ground a few more times with his hoof. “Yes, I just... I-I've never been the strongest flier and... I'm trying my best.”

“Yeah, I know. And it's incredibly frustrating. You're holding us all back, you know?” she said with a shake of her head before getting to her hooves. “Seriously, after that easy day I'm going to have to go for a real fly just to make sure my wings don't get all flimsy and brittle. You should come with me, get some actual exercise.”

He gulped, before giving a nod. “O-okay. If you... if you want.”

“Good, come on,” she said with a huff before trotting towards the door. He was all but hopeless, but MAYBE if she worked hard she could get him to a passable level. She shuddered and couldn't help but imagine having to work with a pony that slow for weeks at a time. She'd go mad with the sheer boredom. She didn't imagine how Smoothglide had put up with it, she'd been watching him. He had kept slowing himself down to allow Pinionwing to keep up. All she could feel was annoyance and frustration.

------

Button lowered his eyes as he hung his uniform up, sighing before resting his head against the locker. He hadn't been able to bend the smallest little metal pebble, let alone anything of substance. He'd failed. Horribly. It was all he could do to keep from bursting into tears as he stood there, his eyes clamped shut.

It wasn't fair. He'd tried so hard. He'd become a much better bender than before. Far better. He was possibly even better than a lot of the benders who he used to train with. Buck, he could even beat a bunch of the ponies who used to train him.

But they were metal benders now. And he was just a stupid, normal earth bender. He lifted his head up and thumped it against the locker, reveling in the irony that it was yet another bit of metal that he couldn't bend. At least, judging by how his head was starting to hurt a little bit. He didn't know what he was going to tell his mother.

He then shook his head before trotting to the mirror and smiling. “No. I'm not going to tell her anything. Button, you're GOING to figure this out. You're awesome. You're skilled. You're a bucking lava bender. Metal bending? You've got this. Heck, dozens of ponies, no, hundreds have it. You CAN learn it. You will learn it. You're just... taking a bit to find your groove. That's it. Learning as you go. Developing. But you WILL figure this out.” He then nodded and gave a grin. “Yeah. You've got this all figured out. You're awesome. You WILL do this. You CAN do this.” He nodded. “So tonight, you're going to go meet up with your friends, have a bit of fun and... brush today off. Tomorrow, you'll come back and learn how to metal bend. Yeah.” He smiled at himself, before giving a sigh and turning around, trotting off.

------

Acrylic hummed softly as he put his uniform away, before turning to look at himself in the mirror. He walked over and stared intently into his own face, before sighing.

“You know, you shouldn't be so vain,” Icytouch said with a chuckle.

“What?” he said, jumping before shaking his head. “No. It's not that. Just... thinking.”

“Oh? What about?”

“How I'm going to develop...”

“Well, you might get an inch taller or so, but I think you're probably done growing by now.”

“Not like that! I mean--” He stopped when he saw the smirk on her lips. “Oh. Right. A joke. No, I just mean...” He sighed and washed his hooves, splashing water on his face. “I need to get better at bending. I need to... find out how.”

“Tired of working with me already, eh? Can't say I blame you. I could be worse. Tittering would make you spend an entire shift listening to bad puns.”

He shuddered. “I've lived with my mother for most of my life. I've heard more bad puns than anypony should ever have to endure. That's not what I mean, though. I just... I need to get better.”

She snickered. “Don't worry about it so much. Why are you in such a rush?”

“I need to become a Moon Raiser. A real one. A pony who can... who can be depended on.”

“Uh huh. But aren't ponies already depending on you?”

“I... I guess, but I just...” He put a hoof to his forehead and shook it. “I don't mean like that. I mean depend on me to... do the right thing. To get the job done. I need to master my bending. Become a master. Like mom.”

“Uh huh,” she said flatly, before reaching out and patting his back. “Well, don't focus too much on it, kid. You're still young, go ahead and enjoy yourself! You don't need to be so serious.”

“Sure,” he muttered. “You can go ahead and go. I wanna get a bit more practice in.”

She sighed and nodded. “Fine. But you should try to go meet with your friends or something. Have some fun. Enjoy yourself. You don't want to turn into some old pony who spent their whole life training and never enjoying themselves,” she said before trotting away.

He sighed and shook his head, before leaning forward and resting his head on the counter. He didn't feel as if he'd learned anything today, even with all the practice. Most of it had been simple. He'd been able to teleport an orange at one point, but that wasn't quite as impressive as he'd hoped. He thought about what Icytouch said and glanced towards the door. “Maybe seeing the others would be a good idea. I'm sure they're probably at Silver's by--” He froze and paled, before shaking his head. “Maybe a bit of practice wouldn't be such a bad thing.”

------

Silver smiled and tossed the last stack of her paperwork on the out tray, a big grin on her face. Her little project was going perfectly, not surprising. They'd already had plenty of things they could use for the initial tests. For now it was just making a few alterations. She didn't know why they hadn't thought of it before.

It wouldn't be that profitable, she supposed. More of a charity thing now that she thought about it. There weren't many ponies who would benefit from it. She reached up and touched the invisible amulet around her throat. Maybe doing a bit of charity would be good for her, for now. They'd find a way to profit from it, she was sure. For now, she got to her hooves and stretched out.

Then frowned when she heard somepony knock on the door. She sighed and shook her head, trotting to it and glancing out the window. Just about dusk, she wondered who it would be at this hour. She had a few sneaking suspicions. When she opened the door she couldn't help but grin.

“Hi Diamond, Button, Acry--” She froze when she realized her third guess wasn't with them. She leaned forward and looked around, trying to catch sight of him but he was nowhere around. “Where's Acrylic?”

“Huh? We didn't see him,” Diamond said with a shake of her head. “Were you expecting him?”

“I just figured he would be with you two...” she said softly, before grinning. “I was, however, expecting you two,” she said with an exaggerated sigh. “I suppose it's my own fault. Being the only pony of our group who has a house all to her self. Prism and Blaze still putting on a show?”

“I have no idea. I'm not sure if he'll kick us out again tonight. Those trainees didn't come back, so maybe,” Diamond said with a chuckle. “You mind if I stay here again tonight?”

“Very well,” Silver said with a shrug. “You're practically moving in at this point.” She turned to Button. “How was your day?”

Button gave a sigh, lowering his gaze. “I... didn't really do anything. Completely failed,” he said softly.

Diamond sighed and reached out, patting him on the back. “It's okay, Button. You're still a lava bender, right? That means you've got a pretty cool talent! I mean, I'm the Avatar and I can't do that!”

Silver nodded. “Exactly. Come on in, you two. I just finished my work and was about to make something to eat. You're welcome to join me.” She turned and trotted off, towards the kitchen while the others followed her. “So, Diamond, how goes your training?”

“I did some fire bending practice and earth bending. I didn't actually see Rarity or Rainbow today.”

“Oh? How'd those two sessions go?”

Diamond blinked and hummed for a moment. “Oddly. My first was with Plasmahoof and... oh, right. Um, he was a really good fire bender my dad hired to train me back when... before I came here. He was really good but... well, he said he was having trouble training me. He wasn't really prepared for... how I am now.”

“How you are now?” Button asked.

“The fact I actually listen to what he tells me to do, instead of running off and saying I know better,” she mumbled with red cheeks. “I-I have gotten a lot better, I think. I don't... snap as much or anything.”

“You've gotten fine,” Silver said with a soft chuckle. “You've become a great pony, Diamond. A... real hero.”

“Yeah!” Button said with a nod. “Before you used to have like... this really hot, 'I'm better than you and I know it' attitude. But now you have this really hot 'It's okay, I'll save your butt and we'll be friends' attitude.”

Diamond snickered softly. “I appreciate the thought, but are you sure Luna will be okay with you calling other ponies hot?”

He blinked a few times, his eyes lowering again. “I... actually haven't thought about him all day...”

Silence reigned for a few moments and Silver gave another mental sigh. “So, Diamond, how about earth bending?”

“Applejack is brutal,” Diamond said with a shudder. “I thought Rainbow was bad, but Applejack might be worse.”

“Really? How?”

“Well, Rainbow likes to push you, make you keep up, runs off a lot. But Applejack... she likes to beat you up. She was tossing me around like a rag doll and I think she liked it. I don't know HOW Twilight survived her.”

Button snickered. “Well, she does have a bit of a reputation.”

“She almost broke my back at one point,” Diamond said with a shudder. “I can't imagine what being her student full time would be like. I don't think I'd survive more than a week.”

“How'd she say you were doing?” Silver asked before placing a few mugs of cocoa on the table before trotting back to the fridge.

The alicorn blinked and, slowly, a smile spread on her lips. “As... much as I hate to admit it, she said I was actually pretty good. Too much aggression, not enough not moving, but she said I was beyond a rookie.” She then gave a sigh. “But she tried to teach me metal bending, too. I didn't have any luck with that. I managed to get better with my earth sensing, though. But well... even when I could feel the earth in the metal, I just couldn't bend it. You know? It just like... wouldn't listen to me.” She glanced to Button. “How about you?”

“Me? I... w-well, I'm going great! Awesome, even, a total metal bending...” He then sighed. “Horribly. I can only catch the barest glimmer of earth in the metal. I don't know why I'm so bad at this! My mom can do it, why can't I?”

Silver sighed and reached out, patting his head. “Well, you're a lava bender. One of the only ones in the world. That has to mean something, right? Maybe you were just never meant to never be a metal bender. Maybe only a lava bender.”

Button grumbled and sipped his cocoa. “But I don't want to just be a lava bender. I mean, don't get me wrong. Lava bending is AWESOME! Like, the coolest thing ever! But... metal bending is what I'm supposed to do. Like... Diamond, imagine if you could lava bend, but you couldn't ummmm... water bend. How much would that suck? Being the Avatar without your elements?”

Diamond cringed. “Y-yeah. I guess that would be kind of... awful,” she mumbled gently. “I mean... it was. Remember when I got here? Couldn't air bend at all, kept feeling like...” She blinked a few times, before reaching out and putting a hoof on Button's hoof. “I'm sorry. You're right, that must be horrible for you.”

“Yeah, it is,” he said softly. “I just... I'd give almost anything if I could metal bend.”

Silver tossed a few things in a pot and turned up the heat, before walking over to sit by them. “Button, I understand. But... I'm sure you have these powers for a reason. You probably have a great destiny ahead, something you're meant to do that nopony else can do. Something... good and noble. I know it might not sound like the most reassuring thing, but there are plenty of ponies who'd give just about anything to be like you.” She smiled reassuringly to him. “And so what if you can't metal bend? Most earth benders can't. You're still an awesome earth bender.”

Button snickered. “I doubt I'm destined for anything good and noble. I mean, of the three of us I think I'm the LAST one who'd do that. I have the Avatar on one side, and the...” He paused for a moment. “Whatever your rank in Tomorrow Industries is across from me. You've both got a lot of better things ahead of yourselves than I ever will.”

Silver froze, almost dropping her mug. “I-I'd hardly call myself destined for anything good. I run a business. In fact, some ponies would call me the epitome of evil,” she said with a knowing grin, swirling her mug around.

Diamond rolled her eyes. “Oh please. EVERYPONY loves Tomorrow Industries. Your dad was blamed for half of what happened with Meadowbrook and just about everypony loves him again now. I don't think most could get away with that. ”

“That's because daddy is just... good with ponies. And we have a huge public relations department and try to take good care of them. Daddy knows how to get them to do whatever he wants,” Silver said with a snicker. “Me on the other hoof? I just make sure the lights stay on. With some help from Secretary.”

“You know what? I think we should stop talking about this stuff,” Diamond said with a wave of her hoof. “What we should do is try to cheer ourselves up. It's a... well, nice night out, the sky is clear, ponies are having fun. There's no sign of Meadowbrook yet. We've all had a long, tough day of work.” A grin formed on her lips. “I say... we go foal nap Acrylic and go out on the town. Have a real best buddies night out.”

Silver blinked a few times. “What? How? We don't even know where Acrylic IS.”

The three shared a look, before sighing in unison. “Training.”

Silence reigned for a moment, before Silver got to her hooves and trotted to the stove, shutting it off. “I suppose this can wait. Eating out again would be quite delightful.”

“I know how to break into the Moon Raiser facility,” Button said with a grin, before every eye fell on him. “What? Vinyl taught me.”

“Why?” Diamond asked. “I mean, I know she would do it. But why?”

“She said in the event he ever gets married and tries to skip his bachelor party.” He paused. “Which she threatened that she'd throw if I didn't.”

Silver and Diamond shared looks, their cheeks turning red. “Let's... just go foalnap him,” Diamond said before getting to her hooves.

------

Ironwing gave a soft, gentle yawn as he looked out over his paperwork, reaching out and marking down a few things. The frown on his face darkened as he came to the end and a small little section. He'd seen so many little mistakes today, but did it really matter? He wasn't in charge anymore. He was just a lower member. It wouldn't do for him to be filing complaints against his superiors. His squad mates would likely be changing often, too, so he might not even work with them again.

He chewed on his lower lip and stared at the comment section, his mind struggling and weighing all the pros and cons. He wasn't in control anymore, it wasn't his responsibility to monitor them. To control them. Both his hooves rose up and were placed to his forehead before he gave a soft sigh.

------

“And that's how I fly!” Daring said with a smirk on her face. Pinionwing panted with exhaustion, sweat puddling around him as he laid limp on the ground, unable to move. “Oh, stop being so dramatic,” she said with a roll of her eyes. “It wasn't THAT bad.”

“H... h...” he struggled to speak through gasps of air, but his parched throat made it all the worse.

“You're just really out of shape. I swear, you're just barely trying,” she said with a roll of her eyes. “But come on, I'll make a real flier out of you, one way or another. We're doing another lap.”

He gurgled something but didn't move. She just shook her head and chuckled. “Fine, fly home. I'm going to go for a little flight of my own, burn off this energy. We can do the rest tomorrow.”

------

Prism nuzzled his wife as the two came in for a soft landing on their island. They started trotting inside when he caught sight of True sitting outside on a small bench, eyes closed and seemingly asleep. “Hey. Leadwing kick you out?”

“What?” True asked, his eyes popping open. “O-oh, no. Just... have a lot on my mind.”

“Oh? Heh, sorry about kicking you out. Sometimes... well, a couple just needs a little alone time.”

“It's fine. It's been a very informative day. We met the Avatar and her friend, spent some time with them.” True's gaze wandered away from the two, towards the moon. “Her friends are... quite interesting.”

“Hm?”

Blaze snickered. “I think somepony is getting a crush on one of them. Please tell me it's Button.”

True blinked a few times, before getting to his hooves. “Do you require Leadwing and I to vacate again tonight?” he asked, ignoring the question.

“No, you two are fine,” Prism said with a shake of his head. “We had a very nice night and I think we're going to turn in early.”

“Thank you, sir. I look forward to continuing my training tomorrow,” he said before trotting inside.

Blaze watched him go inside, before snickering. “So, do you think he has a crush on Diamond or Silver?”

“Depends, which do you think?” Prism asked with a smile. “You've known him longer than I have.”

“Mmmmm... I'd say Silver. She's a lot quieter and less... wild than Diamond. Less arrogant, too,” Blaze said with a nod. “He doesn't strike me as the kind going for glory, either.”

“He hasn't really met her father yet, has he?”

“Noooope.”

“That'll be fun. Now, how about we go take a nice soak, then get some sleep,” Prism said with another nuzzle. “We had a pretty busy day today... something we should do far more often.”

She chuckled and nodded. “Fine. But I do have to get to council work tomorrow. Who knows how much paperwork has piled up while I was gone? I could--”

“You could do a lot of things. It can wait until tomorrow,” Prism said before gently steering her into the house, nibbling her ears as they walked.

------

Acrylic took a slow, deep breath before lifting the water up and gently forming a blade of ice with it. He focused on the target across the room. He then sent the knife flying to the left, far off in the wrong direction. After a few moments his horn glowed and the icy blade disappeared, reappearing by the target's left side. It flew off wildly, missing the target by a mile. “Dang it...” he muttered softly, sitting down and panting with exertion. He wiped the sweat off his brow.

“Come on, you can do this,” he muttered softly. “You're strong enough. Fast enough. Skilled enough. You CAN do this. Just--”

The door to the room burst open and he heard galloping steps behind him. He turned and readied himself, drawing a blade of ice from the nearby bucket. However, it melted quickly and he let out a yelp before suddenly he was picked up by Button, Diamond and Silver. “What? HEY! Put me down!”

“Night out!” the three yelled in unison, before hauling him off, bouncing him around. He flailed his hooves wildly, trying to roll off them but the three just kept tossing him around.

“Stop it! Put me down! STOP IT!” he yelled.

“Night out! Night out! Night out!” they chanted back. His face burned and he could see a few members of the Moon Raisers standing in the halls, watching them with humor in their eyes, shaking their heads and laughing.

“Put me dooooown!”

“Nope!”

It wasn't long before they made it out of the building and right on queue the three disappeared from under him. He yelped and flailed his hooves wildly in the empty air, before landing on the ground with an oof. He laid there for a few moments on his back, too stunned for words. Finally, he managed to slowly get up and stare at the three ponies who just smiled at him. “What was that?” he asked.

“We're having a night out!” Diamond said with a raised hoof. “All four of us!”

“I have work and--”

“You always have work and training and all that. We went on a big sailing voyage to the Badlands and you STILL had a bunch of training,” Diamond said with a roll of her eyes. “You act like you have more to do than me AND Silver. And I'm the Avatar, she helps run Tomorrow Industries and deals with her father. If we have to take a night off to just relax, so do you.”

“I'm busy, I--”

“I will tell your mother,” Diamond said, her voice cold as ice.

“S-so? I don't--”

“I'll tell her all you're doing is training. AND ignoring your friends.”

He shuddered, before lowering his eyes. “Fine. I yield. ONE time. Got it? Just this once. So, where are we going?”

“In style!” Diamond said happily.

Acrylic blinked a few times, before staring at her freely. “We're going to in style?”

“I... I thought you were going to say how we were going.” She then pointed towards the road.

Acrylic's mouth fell open and he face palmed. “YOU BROUGHT THE TANK?!”

“Silver let me drive!” Button said happily.

“Hey guys,” Daring yelled, making the four jump before the mare landed besides them. “What are you all doing out this late?”

“Partying!” Diamond said with a raised hoof. “Well, sorta. We're going to go have a night out! Wanna join?”

Daring cocked an eye. “I... think I might pa--”

“Silver will let you drive the tank,” Button said quickly, before pointing towards the tank.

Daring stared at it, her mouth falling open. She then coughed into her hoof. “After careful consideration, I have decided to join you on this adventure of rest and relaxation. In an attempt to... have fun. Yes.”

Acrylic sighed and face hoofed. “Silver... you won't really let them... will you?”

“I-I'll monitor it! It doesn't go that fast, it'll be fine,” Silver said nervously. “I hope...”

------

Shining groaned as she bounced a bouncy ball off the wall, making it rebound up to the ceiling and then bounce back to her. She repeated this motion again and again, the boredom practically overwhelming her. She finally caught the ball one last time and just held it, before looking over to the small cell holding Starlight. “So, princess. How you feeling?”

“Chaos...” the mare mumbled, rocking back and forth.

“Yeah, yeah. Truly the epitome of exciting conversation,” Shining said before getting to her hooves and walking to the edge of the cave. She stared at the pink mare, before grunting. “I wonder what he'd do if I killed you. Would it ruin all of his plans?” A low grin formed on her lips before she reached out and stroked the bars. “It'd be easy, too. A little thing like you? I wouldn't even need the sonic rainboom. Could do it with my bare hooves.” She then closed her eyes and sighed. “Then have him probably drain my magic, just like he did those others. Ugh, no thanks.” She turned and started to walk off.

“Bunny...” Starlight mumbled, making the pegasus freeze. She paused and looked back, her mouth falling open when she saw the little bunny suddenly pop out from a small hole in the wall.

“The buck did you come from?” Shining asked, before grinning. “Welp, guess I get to have a little fun after all.” She lifted her bouncy ball up.

“Shining,” Dazzling said as he trotted inside, making the mare jump.

“Gahhhh, what is it now?” she asked, glaring back at him.

“Meadowbrook desires your presence.”

“Well Meadowbrook can go buck herself. I'm tired of taking orders from her, she--”

“If you don't listen, she'll take your magic. Or just make us kill you.” His eyes narrowed. “After all, the only thing saving you right now is her interference.”

Shining grinned wickedly. “Oh? You want to go, water boy? You could only BARELY hold Rainbow with your bending, do you really think you'll be able to hold me? Do you think you can even get a grip on me before I'm close enough to snap your little horn?”

The two stared at each other, eyes narrowed as they measured each other up. Dazzling finally moved to the side. “Meadowbrook requires your assistance. You'd best not keep her waiting. A pegasus can always be replaced.”

Shining snorted, but trotted by him. “Yeah yeah. So can a little water bender,” she muttered. “She better finish her junk soon, I'm getting tired of waiting here forever.”

“Patience is something you'd do well to learn,” Dazzling muttered, before his eyes fell on Starlight. The prisoner was sitting, with a bunny in her hooves who she was gently rubbing the tummy of. “Did you put that rabbit in there?”

“What? Oh, no, came in through a hole. Heh,” Shining kicked her ball. It flew through the bars, bounced off the roof and came crashing down, hitting the bunny on the side. It darted off, disappearing back into its hole a moment later. The pegasus trotted out, laughing the full way.

Starlight whimpered, her eyes drawn towards the bunny hole. “Bunny...”

Chapter 7: Past Regrets

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Rarity slowly sipped her tea, her eyes watching the alicorn before her. “Well, Diamond, I must admit. Your water bending is quite good.” She then glanced to her sister, who nodded back.

Diamond's cheeks flared. “Really?”

“Oh, indeed. It is far from perfect, but you seem to have quite a bit of power and your control, while lacking in some areas, is strong in many others. Your talent seems to lie in ice over straight water, accordingly.”

Diamond nodded, slowly sipping her own tea. “So uhhhh... that means you'll help train me then, right?”

“I was going to help train you anyway, dear. That's part of the reason I'm here. We have yet to have found any sign of Meadowbrook, so it is in all of our best interest to have you as powerful as we can by the time we leave.” She sipped her tea again. “Although, I won't be your direct teacher.”

“W-what? Why not?”

“I'm afraid that my bending skills were... how shall we put it... a bit more varied. I developed more of a fusion with my innate magical talents and my bending. Your style, in particular, is more similar to my sister's. But worry not, my sister has always been an extremely talented bender and I have no doubt she will make an excellent teacher for you.”

Sweetie blushed and shook her head. “Awww, you don't have to say it like that. Your bending is amazing, Rarity!”

The eldest mare chuckled. “It's good, dear. But you always had far more talent with it than I did and there's no point in lying about it. I'm mature enough to accept my weaknesses and I would expect you to be aware of your strengths. Now, my sister is an amazing water bender, so I expect she will have plenty to teach you. However...” She glanced to the alicorn's horn. “If what I've heard is correct, you're unable to do unicorn magic. Correct?”

Diamond's cheeks flared again. Her gaze lowered quickly. “N-no, I'm not. It's just... it well...”

“It's quite alright, dear,” Rarity said with a shake of her head. “Twilight never had the true endurance of a natural earth pony, nor was she quite able to get up to the speed and precision of a pegasus. Nor did she have any of their rather... more subtle magic. Just because you're the Avatar doesn't mean we should expect you to do everything.”

“R-right. But I uhhh... well...”

“Yes?”

“You're the Water Lord. Aren't you supposed to be the greatest water bender around?”

“Hardly,” Rarity said with a wave of her hoof. “I can name quite a few who are better. I just happen to fight the dirtiest. Aside from perhaps Vinyl.”

Diamond blinked and stared at the mare before her. The epitome of refinement, beauty and grace. Not a hair out of place, her coat perfectly glimmering. “Fight... dirty? You?”

Sweetiebelle giggled, covering her mouth.

“Oh, yes darling. Would you like a demonstration?”

Diamond opened her mouth to agree, but then froze. She thought back to Rainbow and Applejack before giving a shudder. “You know what? I'm going to take your word for it.”

“Mmmm. The important thing to remember, dear, is that you likely will fight those stronger than you. Faster, sometimes even smarter. When the time comes you must use whatever means are available. In my case, I used a rather... unique weapon for unicorns. I also developed other techniques to give myself an edge when I needed them.” She paused. “Very few of which I would use against you in a training match.” A small smile spread across her lips. “But the way of water is... different than the other elements. We poke and prod, we find the weakness. Then when we find it... we use it to break something apart. Our nation, for the longest time, operated in such a way. We may have looked as if we were... allies on the front, in fact many ponies believed the Water Nation was a unified whole. But the fact of the matter was, we were so often at each other's throats, constantly trying to destroy each other. It... teaches a pony many unsavory methods and skills. As well as quite a few unique ones.” She took another breath before sipping her tea. “However, with pure water bending and your sizable power, my sister would be your best bet.”

Diamond nodded and looked to Sweetie, who was currently in the midst of stuffing a few of the pastries into her mouth. She bowed her head. “Well then, miss Belle, it'll be a pleasure to train under you. I hope I can do a good job.”

“You'ff be fin',” Sweetie said with a mouth full of pastries. She coughed and covered her mouth. “Err, 'scuse me.” She got to her hooves. “So, how about you come with me, we'll go and get a little practice in, see what you can do, the whole nine yards.”

“Of course,” she said before trotting after the mare.

------

Silver hummed softly before she tapped on the box. “This... was quite a bit faster than I expected,” she said.

“We already had most the work done, it's really simple to develop,” the coated pony said as he tapped the small crate. “It was mostly just an issue of reducing the mass in the center so they weigh less. Really, compared to the artificial wing we had to craft for Hornclipper, this was just a simple modification. However...” The pony adjusted his super science goggles. “We'll need a pony who can test it. Finding one won't be--”

“Oh, don't worry. I'm going to get Scootaloo to do it.”

The scientist blanched. “T-the council mare? But she--”

“Meh, it'll be easy. If nothing else, I know Hornclipper wouldn't let her say no. I'll go tell her the good news.” She turned and started to trot off. “I'm sure she'll be ecstatic.”

“O-of course. Ma'am, we'll still need to have her submit to some tests to make sure they work properly! We don't have much information on--”

“It's fine, don't worry. She'll do it, I'm sure.”

“If you say so, ma'am.” He coughed into his hoof. “Err, if you don't mind me asking one more question?”

“Hmmm?”

“Has there been any news on when Dr. Alicity will return?”

She froze, before giving a sigh. “Of course. He'll return when the routes between the Fire Tribes and Manehatten are secure. So I'd say a month, maybe two, knowing daddy. I'm in charge until then.”

“O-of course, ma'am. I just was curious. That's all.”

“Uh huh,” she mumbled softly, before glancing back. “You don't have a problem with that, do you?” she asked bitterly.

“What? No, of course not.”

She narrowed her eyes on him, before turning back towards the exit. “Good. Because I can handle this until my daddy is back. I've done it before, I'll do it now.”

“Of course, ma'am. I never meant to imply that you couldn't.”

“Good!” she snapped, before storming out of the room. She then paused and sighed, before slowly turning back and propping the door open. “Hey...?”

The pony froze. “Yes ma'am?”

“Sorry. That wasn't fair. I know you weren't implying... just the extra work has me on edge and well... ugh, it's not an excuse. Sorry for that.”

The stallion looked shocked, but slowly nodded. “Of course, ma'am. It's quite alright.”

Silver rolled her eyes and walked off, shaking her head before pausing. She reached up and rubbed the amulet and sighed. “Just because daddy doesn't think you can handle it, doesn't mean nopony else does. No tantrums, no screaming. No threatening to mangle some innocent pony just because they mildly annoyed you. Calm. Relaxed. Responsible.” She took a slow, deep breath before smiling. “Okay. Scootaloo isn't going to know what hit her!”

------

“Eep! Eep! Eep eep!” Diamond said as she tried to avoid the thrusting ice needles of Sweetie. The unicorn moved in subtle, smooth movements, almost like a dance rather than a fight. However, her movements were very quick, making the needles of ice skewer and slash with ease, forcing Diamond to run and jump to avoid their onslaught. She let out a yelp when suddenly something grabbed her hoof and yanked it from under her. She quickly covered her head and yelped. After a moment she opened her eyes and saw the flurry of ice hovering just over her.

“Hmmm. Not bad, but you put a bit too much weight on your hooves when you move. You've learned air bending, haven't you?”

“Y-yeah.”

“I'd work on that a bit more. Honestly, you just go a little too full force when you fight.”

The alicorn nodded and got to her hooves once the spikes retracted. “I know. Prism said the same thing when I first started training with him and a lot of other ponies seem to agree.”

Sweetie nodded and moved to stand besides her. “Don't worry, you'll get the hang of it. Now, come on. Just follow my movements.”

Diamond nodded and slowly moved her hooves around, following the gentle movements of the other mare.

“See? With water bending, it's about gentle, subtle movements. We don't block, dodge or destroy. We redirect. Make your attack miss by just enough that we don't have to move. Guiding, control. That's what you need to work on.”

The alicorn nodded. “Right.”

“But don't worry if it takes you a while to get it. I couldn't imagine trying to learn all four elements. At least your fire bending has to be pretty good, fighting like that. Right?”

“Not really. He says I'm a bit too aggressive there, too.” She paused for a moment, missing a step. “Sweetie? Did you ever train with Twilight?”

“No, not really. I fought her a few times, won once, but we never really...” Sweetie gave a soft sigh. “Her and I weren't exactly... close.”

“Did she not... like you?”

“I think she liked me just fine,” Sweetie said gently. “In fact, she forgave me for... far more than I ever deserved. After all the horrible, horrible things I did and tried to do, it would have been only natural for her to despise me. The ways I made her suffer. But she didn't. Her heart was... quite big. She was able to forgive most of the ponies who wronged her. And... tolerate those she couldn't.”

Diamond nodded a few times. “I see. She was... quite the amazing pony, wasn't she?”

“I don't know of many ponies who could have done even half of what she did. Stopping us wasn't... easy. Saving us on top of it? Not something many could do. Defeating Discord, a creature that seemed almost... omnipotent, doubly so. I can't imagine what methodology it is that determines each Avatar, but we were truly lucky to have it succeed so magnificently.”

“Yeah. She was definitely something else. I... do you think I'll ever be able to be like her?”

Sweetie shrugged. “Maybe. I've heard you've come quite far since you first got here. Scootaloo said you were... quite the little brat.”

Diamond's cheeks turned red. “Y-yeah. I was. I guess I kinda learned after a while. Heh, at least I picked up on those things fast enough.” She then gave a soft sigh. “So do you think... I'll be able to do what Twilight did?”

“No. Frankly, I don't think you are supposed to,” Sweetie said with a shrug. “Nopony wants another war. Nopony wants to keep fighting and fighting and fighting. Now is a time for peace and prosperity. There are different ponies out there who want to cause problems, but I don't think they're really the same kind of thing that Twilight had to deal with.”

Diamond nodded. “I... I guess you're right. She probably would have wiped them out from the get go.”

Sweetie snickered and shook her head. “How long have you been in Harmony?”

“Huh?”

“How long has it been since you first came here?”

Diamond frowned and then tried to mentally calculate. She blinked. “I'm... not sure? A few months, I guess. It feels like it's been years, though.”

“Exactly. A year ago, there was no Avatar. At least, very few ponies knew where you were, who you were. Your journey is only just beginning. Don't get so focused on Twilight's journey that you forget your own.” She gave a sigh, her steps faltering slightly. “Trust me. Comparing where you are, to where someone else ended up... it's not the best way to go through life.”

Diamond blinked a few times, before nodding. “Right.”

“Now, how about we do a bit more practice, okay? Let's see how you use those movements. Focus on the ones I showed you, okay? Don't worry about speed, just precision for now. Speed will come with time.”

“Right.”

------

Silver hummed softly before reaching out and lightly knocking on the door. It was only a few moments before it opened and revealed the form of Hornclipper. The stallion stared at her for a few moments, his eyes partially closed in a suspicious glare. “Did your father send you?”

“No,” she said, confusion filling her voice.

“Very well. You may come in,” he said before stepping aside.

She chuckled softly. “Still haven't forgiven him for the wings?”

The stallion just glared.

“Aaaaaanyway. Is Scootaloo here? I need to speak with her.”

“What about?” a voice said from the door. Scootaloo stood in the door frame, wearing a robe with her hair all wet. “I was just getting out of the shower, need to head down to work soon. Can you make it quick? I assume this pertains to the council?”

“Not this time, it's something more of a personal matter. It shouldn't take long, though. You can go finish getting ready, if you like. I'll wait.”

“Okay,” Scootaloo said before trotting off.

Silver sat down on the couch, glancing over towards Hornclipper. He stood, a frown on his face and staring down at her. “You know, you'd make an excellent scarecrow.”

He didn't even chuckle.

She gave a sigh. “You know, sometimes I wonder about you. You don't have to always act so cold.”

He didn't answer, just eyed her.

“Soooo... have the wings been giving you any problems?”

“They're fine. More than I deserve.”

She shook her head. “And always with the self-deprivation. Truly a barrel of laughs. You know, if you tried laughing or at least smiling more often, Tittering wouldn't constantly try to find ways to prank you.”

He just glared back at her.

“Or you can just keep being all mopey mope.”

“Done!” Scootaloo said as she trotted back out, her coat dry and her mane a little wild but would be good enough. “So, Silver, what can I do for you today?”

“Actually, it's more what I can do for you.”

The mare blinked, before sighing and face hoofing. “Gosh darn it, by the stars. What did Alicity do now? How much property damage are we talking now?”

“W-what?”

“Whenever he comes here with one of his 'it's what I can do for you!' it's usually some strange plan of his. Like pipes that funnel tooth paste to every home in the city.”

Silver coughed and then shook her head. “Yeah... it's not something like that. It's about your wings, actually.”

Scootaloo blinked, a frown creasing her face. “What about them?”

“Well, your husband's wings were our first real attempt at... repairing such problems. While the difficulty you experience is fundamentally different, well... I think we can fix it.”

The pegasus shuddered a little bit, but slowly trotted towards her. “Go on.”

“Well, your problem with flight has to do with a genetic default, correct? An inability to control and manipulate the magic in the air with your wings?”

“Uh huh...”

“Well, our alicorn wings have been developed to get around that for non-bending ponies. We're improving almost constantly. Creating attachments that will work on your wings shouldn't be difficult. As a matter of fact, we already have a prototype ready to test. We'd just need you to come and test it out. If you'd be willing to swing by the compound after your time with the council today, we could work on having it fitted.”

Scootaloo stared at her for a few moments, before her eyes lowered. “Thanks. I appreciate it, really I do. But I don't think--”

“She'll do it,” Hornclipper said suddenly.

The mare blinked, then glared back. “I never--”

“She'll come by after her meetings are done. Even if I have to drag her myself,” he said firmly.

Scootaloo blinked, then rolled her eyes. “Ugh, fine. Let it never be said I'm as stubborn as you.” She turned to Silver. “I'll see you tonight, okay?”

“No worries. Come by any time, I'll make sure that the guards know where to take you if I'm not available at the time. It shouldn't take very long at all,” Silver said with a wave of her hoof. “That's really all I had to discuss with you, so thanks for your time. Bye.” She turned and trotted out the door before the other mare could raise some objections. As the door to the home closed behind her, she let out a soft sigh and put a hoof to her heart. She couldn't keep the smile off her lips.

------

“Well, you're doing better, Diamond,” Sweetie said with a nod. “You still have a while to go until you'll be a water bending master, but you've definitely got the talent.”

The alicorn chuckled and gave a nod. “Thank you. I uhhh... well, I've had some good teachers. I'm starting to realize just how good...” A frown creased her face.

“Yeah, hindsight is always twenty-twenty,” Sweetie said with a shrug. “You're doing fine.”

“Not half bad from what I saw,” Rainbow said.

Diamond grinned and turned towards the doorway, seeing the other mare. “Rainbow! You're here!”

“Of course I am,” she said with a shrug. “You didn't think I'd miss out on all this fun, did you?”

The alicorn shook her head. “I was going to come find you next, actually. How did you know I was here?”

“I saw Rarity earlier. The two of us had a little talk, she told me where I could find you,” she said with a little wave of her hoof. “How goes your practice?”

“Pretty good. I've got a long way to go, but I'm getting there. I'm not sure who's more likely to kill me, you or Applejack.”

Rainbow snickered and walked up, waving to Sweetie. “You mind if I steal her for a bit?”

“Go right ahead. I was just finishing up. Diamond, make sure to keep practicing those motions I showed you. If you need any more one on one practice, feel free to come find me anytime. Otherwise, meet me back here at the end of the week.”

Diamond nodded, before turning to Rainbow. She stepped forward, before pausing. “Wait. Was that a joke when you first got here?” She frowned. “That's... in horrible taste.”

“Oh, come on. Where's the fun in being blind if you can't make a few jokes out of it?” she asked with a shake of her head. “I just hope you can fly faster than you can catch my puns. Come on, Chickenwings.”

The alicorn rolled her eyes and trotted after her. “Another long, break neck flight?”

“More or less. We're going to see how well you can dodge, too. You're really kind of slow, to be honest. The way you fly, I can sometimes barely believe you're even an air bender.”

Diamond sighed and shook her head. “We can't all be like you, Rainbow.”

“Doesn't mean you can't try!”

------

Diamond laid on her back, staring at the darkening sky as she panted with exertion. She couldn't be sure if the lights she was seeing were stars, or if she was on the verge of passing out. Rainbow chuckled as she sat by her. “Feeling the burn?”

The alicorn tried to speak, but it took a few moments before she could get the words out her throat. “E-evil...” she said weakly.

“Yeah, a little bit. But it was good for you, though! See, the others? They'll probably go easy on you. I don't know the meaning of the word,” she said with a chuckle. “One way or another, we're going to make an awesome fighter out of you. Nothing short of a raging herd of minotaurs is going to take you down.”

Diamond groaned and tried to lift a wing, it practically screamed in anger back at her. “C-completely... utterly evil...”

Rainbow snickered and laid back shrugging. “Eh. So, Diamond? Have you talked to Twilight since we got back?”

The alicorn laid there for a few more moments, sucking in air. Finally, she felt the ability to speak. “No. Can't.”

“Why?”

“Hard. Need to rest between... talks. Don't want to... waste them,” she said softly, her breath slowly returning. She was so thankful she was an earth pony before all this. If she was a unicorn she was pretty sure she'd be dead by now.

“Ah. Well... next time you see her, let her know her kids are okay, got it? I don't want her... worrying or anything.”

Diamond blinked a few times before glancing over. “Don't... think she was.”

“Oh, she was, trust me.”

“Why?”

“She's a mom. Every mom worries about their kid.” She paused for a moment before shrugging. “Well, every mom worth a buck. Guess I met enough horrible ones I can't say all of them. It's a beautiful night, huh?”

“Yeah. Shame you can't see it.”

Rainbow chuckled softly. “Eh, I've seen plenty in my life. I still see a lot, just not the same as I used to.”

The alicorn blinked a little before glancing over. “What's... it like?”

“Hm?”

“Losing your... eyes?”

Rainbow went still for a moment before sighing. “It... was weird, I guess. I mean... well, to be honest? I was lucky. It was gradual. I was blinded for a bit, then everything was just... blurry. I had to wear goggles, and that was cool. They made me look awesome. But even that wasn't permanent. It didn't fix the problem, it just kind of... made it more tolerable.”

“Do you regret it?”

The pegasus snickered. “Of course I regret it! I mean, I charged face first at Nightmare Moon and I had to get saved by RARITY of all ponies. That was embarrassing. I've seen her get freaked out by a soiled napkin.” She chuckled, before sighing. “But like... I guess. Of course I regret it. Who wouldn't? I got hurt. But it happens, you know? Ponies get hurt all the time. I survived and... honestly, it's not the worst thing I've ever lost. Besides, if it came down to it... I'd give it up a second time if it meant we got to succeed.”

“Really?”

“Of course. Diamond, I know it might seem... odd now, but you weren't there during those times. You didn't see what was going on. There was war. Real war. Ponies were dying. We tried to keep the casualties down, but there were so many times there was nothing we could do. Nightmare Moon was literally raining the stars themselves down on us. That's not even counting the other stuff she did.” She shook her head. “My sight was a small price to pay for what we eventually managed to do. Sure, if I was given a second chance I wouldn't have flown in blindly. I was pissed. But hey...” Her hoof moved to rest on her stomach. “Sometimes you get second chances, sometimes you don't. Besides, not like it really slowed me down. I still became one of the most awesome Wonderbolts of all time. Mastered the sonic rainboom. Had... an amazing kid. Had a wonderful husband. Going blind is like... the least important thing to have happened in my life, it'll barely be a hoofnote when they write down the stories of my pure awesome for years to come.”

Diamond chuckled, before nodding. “I guess... that doesn't make it seem so bad.”

“Buck, losing Fluttershy was a lot worse than losing my sight.” She then sat up. “Things happen, ponies get hurt. I won't lie. There were a LOT of times I thought my life was over. That being blind meant I was done. But you know what? When you get hurt, mope as much as you want. But when you're done, try to do what you can. You should remember this more than anypony else.”

“What? Why?”

“You're the Avatar. By the time your journey is done, you're almost guaranteed to suffer worse than going blind.”

Diamond shuddered, her hoof going up to her chest. “I... I guess. Twilight... suffered, didn't she?”

“Twilight probably suffered more than any of us.” Rainbow shook her head. “When she... came to us, the war had just started for her. She'd been locked up for a hundred years. Her friends, family, all dead. Her people, gone. The dragons, thought to be extinct. Even the sun and moon were wrong. Anything and everything she knew had disappeared. She could have collapsed, she could have broken down. Buck, I don't think anypony could have objected to it. The one thing that remained from her time, the Great Dragon, died too. She had more reason to break than any of us. But you know what? She cried, freaked out and then kept fighting. She kept working at it. She never gave up even when all hope seemed lost and it seemed as if we were finally going to be beat.” She then snickered. “Though we had to beat sense into her a few times. And beat a spirit out of her, once. That was interesting. Probably funner than it should have been.”

Diamond suddenly felt a little annoyed, she didn't know why. She nodded none the less. “Yeah. She... was something else. I uhh... I think I'm going to head home, get some sleep. You should come by sometime. Hang out with Prism a bit. I'm sure he'd love to see you more.”

Rainbow sighed and gave a shrug. “I'm not really one for all that... touchy feely cuddly junk, you know?” She then smiled at her. “But I'll make sure to come by sometime. Buck, I'm in the city, I'm not going to just ignore my son.”

“Okay. I'll see you later,” Diamond said before flying off, her exhausted wings making the flight slow and awkward.

Rainbow hummed for a few moments, before sighing. “So, Daring, you planning to hide there all night, or going to come out and say something?”

“What? You knew?!” the mare asked, before popping out of a nearby tree.

“Of course I knew. I could feel you coming a mile away.”

“Oh, sorry. You two just seemed to be having a big talk and--”

“I know, I know. Don't worry. It was nice. The two of us just had to have a little talk. So, how's being a Shadowbolt working for you?”

Daring flew up and landed on the cloud by her. “Eh, it's alright. I kind of imagined it being more awesome, though. More adventure and fighting off hordes of benders. Today we stopped a wagon thief. Wasn't even really a wagon thief, was just a confused stallion who grabbed the wrong wagon,” she said flatly.

Rainbow snickered and shook her head. “Yeah, that kind of stuff can happen sometimes. We had this one mare who I swear was at almost every town we went, and always somehow her muffin stand would be at the wrong place and get clobbered. Probably a whole family of them or something,” she said with a wave of her hoof. “It can't always be fun and adventures, though.”

“Yeah, but it's just so boring. Also, one of my squadmates? Like... wow. He's just sooooo lame. He flies so slow and runs out of breath at the drop of a hoof. He can barely keep up and he keeps slowing us down. Did you have to go through that in the Wonderbolts?”

“Nahhhhh. The Wonderbolts were the best of the best, the most elite fliers in the world. I was faster than a lot of them, but we could all fly for days and fly at speeds that most pegasi could only dream of. Buck, I even occasionally learned a thing or two from some of them. Sometimes.”

Daring sighed and shook her head. “I think the Shadowbolts accept just about anypony. He's just like... ugh.” She shuddered. “My teacher is awesome, though! He fights even better than Ironwing. He took me down in like, three seconds. He even used this one like... I don't remember what he called it, but he used his wing for cover and then BAM! Hoof strike! It was sooooo cool.”

Rainbow snickered and gave a shrug. “I wouldn't worry too much about it. If he's really that bad, he'll probably drop out. Besides, I heard they switch up teams all the time, so you'll probably be sent to a better team soon enough. One that can keep up.”

“Ughhhhh. I hope so. I didn't come here to be held back. I wanna go out, do things like my mom did! Fight a bunch of bad guys and stuff,” she said with a chuckle. “Could you imagine being held up while all the interesting stuff happened?”

“Well... to be honest, I kind of got thrown into it by your mom. Buck, back home there weren't really any more air benders aside from me. Most of them had been taken to Cloudsdale for the war. I was just too young at the time and couldn't go on my own, didn't really know the way. Probably would have frozen to death, too.” She gave a shudder. “Kinda hard to believe how cold it was back then.”

“Cold?”

“Oh yeah. No sun meant not much heat. We had clouds to try and keep the warmth in but... well, it only did so much. If Twilight hadn't risen the sun... I don't know what would have happened to the world. Might be coated in ice by now. Who knows how many ponies would have died from that alone?”

Daring shrugged. “No idea.” She tapped the cloud, staring at the sky. “So... I've been writing more of my little stories down, all the adventures.”

“Oh?”

“Yeah. Scootaloo said she'll see if she can get them into the right hooves. Ironwing said a lot of ponies might like to hear them. I uhhhh... I've been writing some books about mom, too. On the side. I thought... well, you know. It'd be cool to show everypony what she was like. With us. Sunset and I.”

“I think she'd like that. Twilight always did love a good book. Maybe I'll read them sometime.”

Daring snickered. “You're incorrigible, aren't you?”

“Always.”

------

Scootaloo frowned as she slowly spread her wings out. “They're heavy.” The metal wrapped around the outer and inner edges as well as the top, leaving the bottom bare. It connected in a small breast plate with a red gem.

“Of course they're heavy,” Silver said with a roll of her eyes. “They're fake wings. Made of metal.”

“I don't know if I like them. I'm not sure I could fight with these.”

“You've never really flown before, do you think you could fly with them anyway? Just think of them as... really big wing blades.”

“Really big wing blades that just feel awkward. I don't like this, at all. I've never even liked wing blades. Not only that, they're kind of... they tingle.”

Silver's eyes gleamed. “Really? They tingle?”

“Errr... yes? Is that a good thing?”

“Yes! It means they're fusing with your skin and permanently binding with you!”

“WHAT?” Scootaloo screamed before reaching up to try and yank them off. She then noticed the smirk on Silver's face. “You're bucking with me.”

“Indeed.”

“What does the tingling really mean?”

“Most likely it's the sensation of magical flow along your wings. Now, normally you probably wouldn't notice and, gradually, I doubt you will. However, you've never experienced it like a normal pegasus, so it probably feels brand new. Think of it like... walking on a flat surface after walking on something with lots of bumps. At first you'll notice how flat it is. But after a while you don't even notice unless anything changes.”

“But I've always had wings...”

“Yes, but your magic has always been disrupted and blocked. A small handicap, but a handicap none the less. This should fix it. Now, I want you to slowly spread your wings and try flapping them.”

Scootaloo began to extend them, before closing them up again. “I'm not sure this is a good idea, it--” She was cut off by Silver's hoof on either side of her face.

“Scootaloo, I understand. You've never been able to fly before, you're scared if you get your hopes up, you'll just be disappointed. Or worse, you'll just fail and never be able to do it. You hope if you don't try, it'll all just go away.” She took a slow, deep breath. “But it's not going to. Because if you don't do this, I am going straight to your husband. If that fails, I'm going straight to Ironwing. And those two will whine. And nag. And bug. And complain. And spend every day of their lives making you as miserable as I'm sure Secretary is during tax season. Until you relent. Now, what is it going to be. Are you going to spread your wings and fly, or endure a few weeks of constant nagging from the moping brigade and THEN spread your wings and fly?”

Scootaloo just stared flatly at her, before shaking her head. “You're pure evil.”

“I have been called that, yes. So you'll try?”

“F-fine. Whatever. It's not like I care or anything.” She pulled back from Silver and took a slow, deep breath. She gingerly spread her wings out, twitching them back and forth just a little bit. “Just... a few flaps, okay? I mean, I doubt this'll work but...”

“It's the first trial. This is mostly just for test data. Now go.” Silver stepped to the side.

Scootaloo took a slow, deep breath before galloping forward. She quickly picked up speed before leaping into the air. Her wings spread out and she felt them gently cutting through the magic in the air. Her heart beat rapidly and, for a moment, she felt herself gliding along the air, her wings supporting her full weight. A gentle hum came from her chest and she realized with an excited squeak that she wasn't gliding down. She was keeping level. She flapped her wings once and rose a few inches, shrieking. The gem in her chest began to vibrate and the air seemed to get softer. She flailed her hoofs wildly moments before the support on her wings gave out and she tumbled towards the ground.

She stopped inches from it before being, gently, deposited on the ground. She let out a sigh of relief, before turning to Silver. The mare trotted over, her metal horn glowing before the gem was plucked out. “Huh. Interesting.”

“What? What's wrong? Did I mess up?”

“What? No, you're fine.” She held up the gem and showed a few hairline cracks around the edge. “See, here's the problem, there's not enough balancing.”

“What?”

“How to put it... okay. My wings?” The metal moved up, spreading out. “They're pure metal, nothing but metal. So they do all the work. Now, on your husband's wings? The metal is there, but the stump still exists. So the wings are attached to the stump. This alters things as the magic that allows him to fly as a pegasus is still there, so we just had to have it be conductive, allowing the magic to flow through the metal. It makes them lighter, but more flimsy than these.”

Scootaloo felt her spirits fall. “So... it... can't be done for me?” As much as she wanted to deny it, she could feel herself wanting to start crying.

“What? Oh, no. Of course we can do it,” Silver said with a roll of her eyes. “Do you really think I'd have wasted you time if I wasn't a hundred percent sure I could get this to work?”

“... Yes.”

“Okay, I would, but this? This is fixable.” Her artificial horn glowed for a moment before she unstrapped the outfit, drawing it off her. “The information is stored in the gem, anyway. See, the big problem is you're somewhere in between.”

“In between?”

“Yes. You have the magic of a pegasus, such as cloud walking. But your wings don't work properly. Now, the initial assumption was we could just attach our normal wings to yours and it would allow you to cut through the magic. But here.” She showed the gem again, showing where it cracked on the top. “This right here? Your magic did that.”

“Sorry?”

“It's no need to be sorry. You do have some flight power, though.”

“W-what?!” Scootaloo snapped. “I-impossible, I've been trying to fly for years and--”

“Some, I said,” Silver interrupted. “Namely, your wings can affect the magic in the air. But you can't properly cut through it. Think of it like...” She rubbed her chin. “Ah. Think of it as the difference between water and steam. For most ponies, the water is just solid enough they could swim through it. However, steam isn't solid enough. A pony might be able to get the tiniest bit of lift from steam, but not enough to hold them in the air for any definite period without the proper tools. But they could use the steam in other ways, perhaps for sideways propulsion.”

Scootaloo nodded. “So... that means...”

“We'll need to adjust the gem so it can still affect the magic in the air, but also allow it to flow with your own magic so the two aren't fighting. I should have another prototype in... oh, a few days. It shouldn't take long at all.”

The pegasus nodded. “I uhhh... I guess I'll see you then, then. It was... well... I ummmm...”

“Lady Scootaloo?”

“Yes?”

“It's okay to be excited,” Silver said with a chuckle. “I won't tell anypony.”

She blushed and squirmed. “I'm fine. It's fine. I'd rather hold my excitement until I know if it works.”

Silver nodded. “Okay. Thank you for enduring my tests. I'll see you later, I hope.”

“Of course,” Scootaloo said before trotting out the door. Once she heard it shut, she grinned. “Eeeeeeee!” she squealed with delight before trotting off.

From the other side of the door, Silver pulled her ear off the door, a grin on her own face. “Knew she'd love it." Now she just hoped the mare wouldn't chicken out before the meeting. If Scootaloo didn't think she'd follow through on the threats to tell her husband... well, she'd regret it soon enough.

Chapter 8: Progress

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Diamond stepped back half a step, before swinging a hoof forward to send a burst of flame at Plasmahoof. He knocked it away with a side swipe, before spinning in for a twist and crescent blast. She leaped over it, spinning in the air and bringing her back hooves down on him, forcing him to catch her hooves with his and driving him to the ground. She thrust out her left wing, twisting in the air and slamming her back hoof into his face, sending him flying back.

Her eyes widened and she galloped after him. “Plasmahoof? Oh my gosh! I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to, I thought you were going to--”

“It's fine,” he said with a shake of his head, flexing his jaw a little bit. “Didn't knock anything out and I can still see,” he said with a smile before taking a deep breath. “Impressive.”

“R-really?”

“Yes. When last I was training you, a shot like that would have knocked out half my teeth.”

Her cheeks turned bright red. “S-sorry, I didn't want to kick as hard, it's just training and--”

“That's not a bad thing, Avatar,” he said firmly, before reaching out and putting a hoof on her shoulder. “You've improved. Your power has always been exceedingly high. But you're learning how better to switch between offense and defense. When to use control and when to use power. In almost every way you are improving, a little bit day by day. I'm proud of you.”

Her cheeks practically burned and she lowered her eyes. “I-I'm not, I mean, I-I have really good teachers and--” Her words were cut off by him putting a hoof in her mouth.

“Diamond. A good teacher cannot work without an excellent student. When I first trained you, you weren't. You were an arrogant spoiled brat who thought just because she could punch a hoof through a pony's face, that made her right. But you're learning.” He gave a soft sigh. “To be honest, I was really dreading this position. When your aunt requested my aid... well, had I known at the time how it would end up, I wouldn't have requested quite so many bits.”

Diamond's cheeks flared and she lowered her gaze. “R-right. I guess... yeah. They are a bit protective. So, uhhh, what next?”

“We'll work on your phoenix stance. It might be time to see about teaching you the other flames.”

Her eyes widened. “Y-you don't mean... blue flames, do you?”

“Indeed.”

“B-but you said before that they weren't... well...”

“I lied. I was afraid such things would lead to you killing ponies. They are more destructive than normal flames, more deadly. Have a higher chance of going out of control, like lightning. As you were, such an art would have been... unwise to teach you. However...” He looked her up and down. “Now? I see no reason why you can't learn such an art. I am confident you have the power to manifest it, as well.”

She nodded, smiling. “Thank you. I will do my best.”

He nodded and then trotted over to a nearby table to grab a drink of water. “How have your other lessons been going?”

“Evil. Pure evil. Sweetie is pretty nice, but well...” She rubbed her forehead. “That move I got you with? That was mostly hers. She doesn't focus as much on the bending as she does my actual body. Trying to keep me flexible, she says. Rainbow is all about speed. She's making me race around the whole city at well... at these speeds by the time I finally land I feel like I'm going to die! Yesterday was the first time I didn't collapse immediately after stopping. And Applejack... well...” She held her forehead and shook it. “You ever just... have that pony that is just really nice? But a master at making you feel bad? She's that. Oh buck is she that. She never says anything, but I can FEEL the disappointment in her voice that I can't metal bend.”

He nodded slowly. “I understand. It shouldn't be that shocking, though.”

“What? Why?”

“Well, I've never quite heard of an Avatar who could lightning bend and your predecessor couldn't metal bend either.”

“So?”

The stallion sighed and took a seat, rubbing his chin. “To be blunt... the Avatar has always been strong. A trait you share with them. However, many have theorized that... this strength comes at a price.”

She blinked a few times and sat by him. “What do you mean?”

He glanced to her before reaching out and tapping her horn. “This, for an example. Despite the fact you are an alicorn, normal magic evades your control, correct?”

Her cheeks turned bright red. “Y-yes. I know that, but--”

“That's because, at your core, you're still an earth pony. You have a semblance of their power, but it's not perfect. For example, you know how to stand on clouds, right?”

“Yeah, you just gather your magic in your hooves and focus it down, like bending. Even water benders can do it, though they have to harden the water in the clouds.”

“Exactly. A normal pegasus doesn't have to do that, to them it's innate. Pure pegasus magic. You're able to imitate their abilities, but not perfectly replicate them. Now, that may hold true for your bending as well.” He pointed to her horn. “You're all four elements at once, but you're their core. It's very possible that such abilities might not be possible by you.” He did pause for a moment. “On the other hoof, metal bending and lightning bending are very, very delicate works that can require a full lifetime to master. I've dedicated my life to training students and perfecting my art, but even I can only barely lightning bend. Even then, the number of them that still exist in this day number in the dozens. So it is also quite possible that the fact you have to learn four elements, on top of all your other duties as Avatar, makes it far more difficult than for another pony who'd only have to master one.”

She nodded, staring intently at him. “I see. I know Button is having a lot of trouble and he's a pretty good bender, too. A lava bender, even.” She glanced down to her drink.

“It is a difficult art to learn, I hear. But either way, you are the Avatar. Even without the special variations of lava bending, you have ample skill, power and flexibility beyond any normal bender. So I wouldn't fret too much on the things you can't do, instead focus on the plethora of things you can.”

She smiled and took another sip of her drink. “Okay. You're right! And now, I feel like I can get a few more lucky hits in.”

He chuckled softly before getting to his hooves. “If you care to try, I'll be happy to oblige.”

------

Button groaned and buried his head in his pillow, holding it against his face.

“Is something wrong?” Octavia asked, making him jump.

He slowly lifted his head up and turned back towards her. “What? Of course not! Everything is fine, why wouldn't it be fine?”

The earth pony sighed. “I've been... keeping tabs on your practice. You haven't--”

“It's only a matter of time,” he said quickly before jumping off the bed. “I'm heading out to practice right now, really! See? This is me, going, a full day of practice ahead. Why, I think I'm almost there. Any day now.”

Octavia gave a soft sigh, before trotting forward and reaching out to put a hoof on his shoulder. “Button, it's okay. You know I love you no matter what. If you can't metal bend, that's fine, there's no need to--”

“I will figure this out, mom. I'm your son,” he said firmly, staring up at her. “I... I won't give up. I will do whatever it takes to master this. I learned lava bending, I can learn this.”

Octavia sighed and gave a nod. “Very well. But there is no shame in having a task that is too much for you, most earth benders can't--”

“Most earth benders give up too easy,” Button said with a shrug before trotting past her. “Don't worry mom, I've got this. I'm just a bit slow on the pick up, but I'll get it down. Just you wait.”

Octavia watched him leave, before shaking her head. Once the door closed she eyed it for a few moments. “It been a few weeks, dear. You've made no progress.” She looked down at her hooves. “Was... I just too hard on him?”

------

Silver hummed softly as she worked, stretching out her metallic wings and then neatly folding them in. She leaped into the air and took off like a bolt, tearing through the air with ease. At least as fast as a quicker pegasus, if not faster. A grin formed on her face before she began turning in a tight corkscrew. It worked perfectly and she spread the wings out, intending to slow herself. Instead, the wings jammed slightly and she was sent off, veering to the right. She shrieked and tried to regain control, spinning through the air for a few moments before, finally, she managed to make herself level.

Her heart pounded in her chest, but she was alive. That was good. She put a hoof to her chest and let out a soft sight. “Need to work on the movements still, it seems. But the speed is nice. Now to test the ho--” She paused mid sentence when she caught sight of a pony walking towards her. It was still early morning, so she couldn't imagine who it would be at this hour. Let alone how they got through the checkpoints.

However, as she came closer it became obvious. Silver quickly lowered herself to the ground, forcing a smile on her face. “Ah! Lady Scootaloo, how nice to see you, I--”

“Oh don't you nice to see you me!” the mare snapped, before moving up to her face. “I was busy, okay? The council had plenty of matters and I just didn't have a chance to come by!”

Silver put on a face of innocence. “Why, Lady Scootaloo, whatever do you mean? I--”

“Don't you try playing coy with me, Silver. I know how crafty you and your father are. You told Hornclipper.”

The earth pony couldn't suppress her grin from widening. “Did it work?”

“All. Night. He followed me around, making that 'I don't care but I really do I'm just too up tight to show it' face. All night. Do you know what that's like? He sat at the hoof of the bed for an hour just making eyes at me!”

“Did it work?”

“I'm bucking here, aren't I? I swear, you're as bad as your father.”

“I'll take that as a compliment. Besides, after our last attempt--”

“A colossal failure.”

“Failures happen. Besides, we're only four prototypes in and you haven't gotten hurt yet. Sometimes it takes a few times to get it right.”

Scootaloo sighed and gave a nod. “Just put them on me, you manipulative snake.”

Silver snickered and trotted off towards a small box besides the flight grounds. “I did warn you. Be thankful, if you hadn't shown up today, I was going to go straight to Ironwing.”

“You're evil and have no heart!”

“Mmmm hm,” the earth pony said before her horn glowed and plucked the box open. It took her only a moment to get the other mare strapped into the strange winged device. “Now, you know the drill. I'll catch you if you fall.”

“I know, I know,” Scootaloo said before racing down the runway and leaping into the air. She thrust her hooves out, holding her breath. However, she didn't start to go down. Instead, she glided across the runway. Nervously, she gave a flap and readied herself to plummet.

Instead she began to rise up into the air, albeit awkwardly. Her eyes widened and she gave another flap. She veered slightly to the left, but she was rising. The crystal against her chest gave its soft, gentle hum, not reacting at all to the extra movements. “It's working!” she called out, excitement filling her voice.

“Good! Now come down, gently. See how much control you have.”

Scootaloo frowned, but slowly turned around in the air, her wings wobbling slightly. She was tilted heavily to the left, but she was still in the air she that was definitely progress. She tried to even herself out and let out a shriek when she spun fully around and plummeted down. Once again she was wrapped in a magical aura and slowly spun around, before landing on the ground.

“Are you okay?” Silver asked.

“Fine. I think it messed up,” she mumbled softly.

Silver leaned in and looked at the gem. After a few moments she shook her head. “No. It's perfect.”

“W-what?”

“I mean, it's a little raw on the edges, but no cracks. This is our first success.”

“W-wait, really? You mean--”

“Uh huh. Like this, you can actually fly. I mean, we'll need to refine it, of course. But this should mean a LOT less explosions and crashes.” Silver blinked and then looked aside. “There... ahhhh... is still one minor set back.”

“What?”

“... You've never flown before.”

Scootaloo blinked before frowning. “Yeah. I'm aware.”

“You need to learn.”

“What? OH!” Scootaloo's eyes bulged and her cheeks turned red. “W-wait, you don't mean--”

“Flying lessons. I'm sure Ironwing or Hornclipper would be happy to give them.”

Scootaloo's cheeks were practically on fire when she put her hoof to her face, shaking her head. “Oh by the stars, you can't be serious.”

“There's no shame in it, Lady Scootaloo. Plenty of ponies have handicaps and--”

“No, it's not that. I've trained both of them. May the stars have mercy on me. For they shall not.”

Silver blinked a few times before snickering. “Of course. Now, if you'd like to fly a bit more and see what you can do, we can use it to gather more data for the next prototype.”

Scootaloo nodded before racing across the runway and leaping into the air again, a wide grin on her face.

------

Acrylic trotted forward, looking around warily as he walked along the pier. Besides him, Icytouch rambled on and on about the screens from Tomorrow Industries. She seemed pretty excited about being able to talk with her parents from all the way in the Water Nation.

The stallion's eyes widened and he galloped forward, thrusting his horn up. Water surged out from below, streaking through the air and wrapping around a crate, turning to ice and supporting its weight a moment before the rope snapped. He stood there, panting. His eyes widened and he stared. “I... I did it.”

Icytouch nodded. “You did. I was a little worried you'd--”

A scream cut the air and Acrylic's eyes widened when he saw the ice supporting the crate crumble, sending the massive container down at one of the workers. She tried to shield herself with her hooves, but there wouldn't be any shielding that.

Acrylic raced forward and his horn glimmered. A moment later he was in front of the pony and tackled her out of the way, sending them both careening around the pier.

“Acrylic!” Icytouch yelled as she galloped up. “Are you okay? You teleported! How did you--” She took a step back when he rolled to his side and promptly threw up, his entire body heaving. He was covered in little burnt marks as well. After a few moments he collapsed and stopped moving. “Acrylic? Hey, Acrylic?” She moved over and nudged him, before rolling him over.

He didn't move, his eyes were closed and he was barely breathing. Her eyes widened and she looked up at the nearest pegasus. “You! Head towards dock 13, ask for Mistbreeze and tell her to get here, now! We have a stallion down!” She then looked down, reaching out and rubbing his chest. “Acrylic? Acrylic, come on, wake up. If you die on my shift your mom will KILL me.”

------

Rarity sighed and slowly flipped through the letters, a frown emblazoned on her face.

“Rarity? What's wrong?” Sweetie asked as she trotted into the room, carrying small cups of coffee with her.

“I'm just going over the letters from home,” she said softly.

“Mmmm? Anything wrong?” Sweetie took a seat across from the elder mare and sipped her drink, nudging the other closer.

“Of course not, nothing is wrong. Colgate is doing an absolutely wondrous job.”

“Mmmm hm.”

“Just like I expected. Though she does have a tendency to be a bit distant in her reports.”

“I see.”

“But Celestia and Luna are keeping me up to date as well, telling me about any going ons and the like that Colgate tends to leave out.”

“Oh, of course.”

“And absolutely nothing has gone wrong that anypony needs to worry about. The country is going well. Ponies are happy.”

“And that's a bad thing?”

“W-what? Of course not! T-that's a good thing!”

“Then why are you staring so intently at those letters as if you hope they'll burst into flame?”

“It's... it's not that,” Rarity said softly, before sighing and pushing the letters down. “It's just...”

“Yes?”

“This is all... dreadfully boring.”

The younger sister snickered. “Oh? Would you like to train the Avatar for a while?”

“What? N-no! You're doing an excellent job and that's not what I mean. When... when I came here, I expected...”

“You thought it would be like old times, running across the world trying to find threats and wipe them out?”

Rarity snorted and shook her head. “No. I expected we'd have found the mare by now and have her captured. I'd at least expected some sign of the mare. It's been weeks! She could be anywhere.”

“Ponies are looking for her and the others.”

“Yes. But there's no... sign of them,” Rarity said before giving another sigh and then lifting up her cup, taking a sip. She shuddered. “I do prefer tea.”

“I felt it was a coffee morning. I know what you're thinking. It's fine. Whatever this Meadowbrook has in mind, we'll stop it.”

“Yes, but her power may be more than we suspected. I could barely imagine anypony being able to control Dazzling. Even with his...”

“Weaknesses?”

“Yes. Even with those, we could barely keep him under control. To keep not only him, but Hothoof and Shining under control, at the same time no less... it is quite frightening. All this waiting is doing is making me feel more... antsy. Just what could this mare have in store for the Avatar?”

Sweetie shrugged. “Who knows? But there's like... six of us. And the Avatar. And her friends. You and I will take down Dazzling, Rainbow took down Shining last time. And we both know that Applejack and Applebloom will crush Hothoof. Diamond and her friends are training as well, so they'll take care of Meadowbrook.” She took another sip of her drink. “Every single one of these ponies have been beaten before and they can be beaten again.”

Rarity sighed and gave a nod. “I... suppose. It just doesn't... feel right. Something feels off.” She swirled her coffee softly. “I can't help shaking this feeling that we're missing something. That I'm missing something. That there's some... special piece to the puzzle, staring me in the face. Something I need to deal with, but can't.”

Sweetie cocked an eye. “Really? You talked to the others about it?”

The mare gave a sigh before nodding. “Indeed. That's why I'm feeling even less comfortable. I... discussed this with Applejack. Something she said made me feel uneasy.”

The younger princess cocked an eye. “Really? What'd she say?”

“That's just it. I know it's nonsense. I mean, it doesn't even make sense. How could it?”

“What?”

Rarity stared into her coffee for a few moments, questioning if she should even mention it. Then, finally, she looked up. “She said she... felt her element.”

“Earth? Like, metal bending?”

“No. Not that element.” Rarity tapped her throat. “Her Element of Harmony.”

Sweetie froze, her eyes going wide. “Wait, you mean... it's coming... but Twilight's gone! She--”

“No, not on her. That's just it,” Rarity said with another shake of her head. “She said she felt... a piece of it. No, not... like a fading echo of it. From outside. She said it was only for a moment, that it disappeared quickly. And that it was probably just her imagination. But... something like that...”

“What do you think it means?”

“This Staff of Sameness was destroyed and created through Discord's power. Perhaps the lost power of our elements were used, somehow, to repair it.”

“That'd be great! Maybe the elements can be restored!” Sweetie squealed with delight, her eyes going wide.

“Perhaps. But if this Meadowbrook is able to use them, if she somehow can control that magic, who is she exactly? Twilight couldn't repair the elements and she tried for years. So what makes this other mare so special?”

Sweetie opened her mouth to speak, but then froze. “O-oh.”

Rarity nodded, flipping through the letters again. “I almost wish something was going wrong at home. At least then I'd have something to do. Some idea on how to fix it. This... waiting is driving me mad.”

“I'm sorry, Rarity.”

“It's not your fault, sister. I will... learn to deal with it. I know I will.”

------

Ironwing gave a soft yawn as he slowly went through the reports, marking off a few things and making his way piece by piece through all of the files. Try as he might, he couldn't keep the scowl of annoyance and frustration from his face.

So many things were just being done wrong. He knew he was supposed to follow orders and do what he was told, but it was driving him completely mad. There was a small stack of torn up letters he'd intended to submit to Stratios, but they'd always been pushed aside and abandoned. He was a low ranking member of the Shadowbolts now, he wasn't supposed to cause problems, to complain. He had to follow orders. No matter how much they annoyed him. He sighed and finished up the last report before filing it away and leaning back in his chair.

“You've got to be bucking kidding me,” Daring snapped before stepping into the room. Her eyes almost instantly fell on Ironwing and he let out a sigh when she started to trot over to sit in front of him. “Ironwing, we need to talk.”

“Yes, Daring?”

“You need to get me a new teacher.”

Ironwing blinked a few times before cocking his head to the side. “Excuse me?”

“A new teacher. My current one is driving me nuts.”

“Why?”

“It's our squad mate. Pinionwing. Oh my gosh you should see this pony. He's got to be the WORST flier I've ever seen.”

“Pinionwing? I'm not familiar.”

“Oh, go for a fly with him. Trust me, as slow as he is, you'll have time to hear his life story before you get to the end of the block.”

“Daring...”

“No, I'm serious, he's one of the worst fliers I've ever seen.”

Ironwing gave a sigh. “Not ever Shadowbolt is an excellent flier. We--”

“I should be with the best! I could fly circles around any student you've got here!”

“That's most likely right.”

“Exactly, see? I just need to--”

“But your duty isn't to fly circles around them.”

She blinked a few times. “Ex... cuse me?”

“Your job isn't to fly circles around them. Your job is to follow orders and do as you're told. As a Shadowbolt, you're one member of a squad. Sometimes the squad will have three ponies, sometimes it will have ten. But in the end it's your job to move with them. You work as a team.”

She blinked a few times. “But he's so... lame.”

“So? Again, a team. As long as you're with the Shadowbolts, you'll need to learn to accept that. Not every pony is going to be as fast as you, as strong a flier as you, as good a fighter. All of us have our own strengths and weaknesses. There will be times when your speed and talents will shine through, but there will also be times when you'll have to hold down your limits, to work along side those who struggle to keep up.” He leaned back in his chair. “I've flown with you, Daring. I've seen what you can do. You may not be an air bender, but it would not surprise me to find out some semblance of your mother's bending has gotten into those wings of yours. You're going to find yourself out pacing a LOT of your fellow Shadowbolts.”

She ground a hoof into the ground. “But I--”

“I understand your frustration. But you need to focus on what's important. The team matters above all else. If you fly off on your own, you won't have the backup you need. If you leave them behind, they won't have your backup, either. You need to be able to adapt.”

Daring growled, before nodding. “Fine. Whatever. I shouldn't have to hold myself back for these ponies, though. Is that what you did?”

“Sometimes. At other times others held themselves back for me. If it really concerns you that much, help this pony out. Try to bring him to your level.”

Daring sighed and shook her head. “I've been trying! But he just can't keep up! I swear his hearts going to explode at this rate!”

He cringed. “Then I'd be more careful in the ways you try to help him. If he's not that good a flier and you're training him in a... Rainbow Dash style, that won't work. Try to find out his strengths, then work around them.”

She sighed and trotted towards the door, shaking her head. “Fine. This was so much easier when I was working alone.”

“Shadowbolts don't work alone.”

“Well maybe they should,” she grumbled before slamming the door.

“You handled that rather well,” Stratios said, making Ironwing jump and turn around.

“I wasn't aware you were there. How can I help you?”

The mare stared down at him and rubbed her chin. “I want to speak with you about a few things. I've been working to find you a more permanent squad, but for now we haven't had much success. I might have a new opportunity for you.” She turned and trotted towards her office.

He frowned and got up, following after her. Within a few moments he was sitting down in front of her desk. “Yes?”

She glanced back to him. “I've been watching you, closely. I... have to say, I'm quite disappointed.”

He blinked, his eyes going wide. “Ex... cuse me?”

“I've been reading your reports, they're very... precise.”

“Of course.”

“Direct, to the point. All the bare information needed, without an ounce more.” She pulled out a file and sighed. “Yet I've been putting you with quite a few troubled teams.”

His eyes widened. “I'm sorry?”

“When you first came here, a number of ponies requested to have you added to their teams. We've had a number of complaints from different teams, Coppertip's had left dozens in his wake. Once they requested you, I was certain you'd get down to the bottom of it.” She gave a sigh and shook her head. “But you didn't. I've been assigning you to all sorts of difficult teams, ones where I'm constantly receiving complaints from the other wings. Yet, you never do. I'd love to believe it meant all these fliers are just complaining for no reason, but I'm beginning to find that doubtful.” She pulled out two pieces of paper and slid them forward. “Can you tell me what these are?”

He glanced down at them. One was barely half filled, while the other was covered with words all over it, his shorthoof. “My reports.”

“Yes. From when you were in charge.” She tapped the full one. “And since you came back.” She tapped the barely filled one. “Do you see the problem?”

“I've been keeping more to what actually happened,” he said softly.

“Mmm hmm. You used to write brief summaries of things you noticed, any problems or combinations you saw. Notes on the ponies you worked with. I won't deny, most of it was... useless. In fact, almost all of it was. But at least you were paying attention. Every detail you saw, you logged in the event it would be useful later. Now? You're just slacking,” she said with a shake of her head. “I expected better from you, Ironwing.”

He dug a hoof into the side of the chair. “I see.”

“Don't you have anything to say in your defense?”

He closed his eyes for a moment and took a deep breath, before reaching out and pointing towards the full one. “I was leader of the Shadowbolts at the time. It was my duty, my responsibility to keep track of everything that happened. If I missed anything, ponies would get hurt or die. I needed to monitor my fellow Shadowbolts as well, to ensure everything went smoothly. I... don't do that anymore. It's not my duty anymore. My responsibility is to follow orders, to do as I'm told. Not to question orders.”

Stratios blinked a few times, her mouth falling open slightly. “Wow. Ironwing. I'm just... stunned. I expected an excuse, but not one so... stupid. Do you actually believe that drivel?”

His eyes widened slightly. “Ma'am?”

“There's a difference between questioning orders and making proper reports. If you see a pony who is failing at their job, even if they're your superior, I want to hear about it. Just because a pony is higher up than you doesn't mean they can't buck up.” She shook her head. “I want to know about all those ponies you've been working with. What things have you ACTUALLY been noticing?”

Ironwing blinked a few times. “Very... well. If that is what you wish. Coppertips is...” He rubbed his chin. “He should not be in charge. Silenthoof is a far better commander, but she lacks confidence and I think she'd panic in the event of an actual emergency. Freshmint would most likely make the best commander of the three, or a new pony transferred in.”

“Oh? Why do you say that? Coppertips has good records.”

“Physically, his abilities are top notch. He is fast, strong and an excellent flier. But that doesn't mean much.” Ironwing's brow creased. “His tactical abilities are atrocious. He likes to charge in head first, without thinking. He doesn't focus on the safety of his team, more on his own safety and, at times, glory. He puts the team in dangerous positions, setting them up to fail and then when they get hurt, rather than learn from his mistakes he stands there and berates them, shifting the blame.”

She nodded, a frown on her brow. “Interesting. And the other teams you've worked with?”

Ironwing took another deep breath. It was going to be a long day.

------

Silver slammed open the door, galloping inside and practically skidding along the tile. “Where is he, is he okay? I just heard!” she asked the receptionist, her heart pounding.

The mare stared at her in confusion, her head cocked to the side. “Who?”

“Acrylic! He passed out!”

“Oh, hold on one second,” the mare said before going through the files for a moment. “Ah, third floor, room 316. Just go up the stairs and--”

Silver didn't hear the rest as she galloped away and to the stairway, making her way up. She soon found the room and galloped inside. “Acrylic!”

“He's sleeping,” Vinyl said, glancing over.

“What happened? Is he okay? I heard he passed out and--” Silver blinked a few times when she realized that Vinyl didn't seem to be panicking at all. Red instantly flooded her cheeks and she gulped. “S-sorry, I just heard... well...”

“Burn out, it was a bit rough,” Vinyl said with a soft chuckle. “Nothing too serious. He just used a spell that was a bit stronger than he should have.”

Silver stared for a few moments, before frowning. “Burn out? REALLY? I was told he'd been crushed by a crate and was coughing up blood.”

Vinyl snickered and shook her head. “No, he saved a pony from being crushed to death and ended up throwing up.” She snickered a little. “Actually threw up a little bit on the mare he saved, too. But there was no real harm done and they're both fine.”

“Is uhhh... is he going to wake up soon?”

The elder mare cringed. “Buck I hope not.”

“What? Why?”

“Look at his horn.”

She did and then cringed. Little scorch marks had formed across it. “Oh. That... looks bad.”

“Oh yeah. He's going to wake up with the mother of all headaches.”

“Mmm, that coming from the creator of most headaches,” Octavia said before she stepped into the room, glancing down towards Silver. “Hello again.” She then turned to Vinyl. “I came the moment I could get away. Don't worry, I dealt with your affairs.”

“Thanks Octy, you're a life saver.” She turned to Acrylic. “He'll be fine. They say in a few days he should be able to do some telekinesis again. After a week, he should be right as rain. For now, he mostly just needs sleep.”

Silver frowned, staring at him. “Really? Burn out? That's it? How did he manage that, his water bending is pretty strong, I can't see it causing that.”

“Oh, it wasn't from his bending. He teleported.”

The mare gasped. “Wait, really? He teleported? But... he can't do that. He's a water bender!”

Vinyl chuckled. “He's still a unicorn, he can do all kinds of magic if he practices. It's just not easy. Especially a spell like that. It can be quite the doozy on a pony, I don't know where he even learned such spells.”

“So he can teleport? That's...” She eyed him again. “It almost killed him.”

“Well... not so much killed him as...” She rubbed her chin. “Well, he's going to hate himself later. Need a stiff drink, at the least.” She looked to Octavia. “Is Button on the way?”

“I'd assume so,” the mare said with a frown. “I sent the message to him soon after you left. I figured he and the Avatar would beat me here.”

“Diamond's probably getting more training done,” Silver said with a sigh. “She'll be here as soon as she finds out, though. I know she wouldn't ignore him.” She trotted over to stand besides him and look down. “He doesn't look so bad, though. His horn is all scuffed up. I guess he has a few burn marks. It's... well... are you sure it's not serious?”

“It's fine,” Vinyl said with a shake of her head. “He shouldn't have even been able to do a spell like that, forcing it like that was... well, exhausting. That's all, though. It won't kill a pony. Besides, we all do something stupid once in a while.”

“Or in Vinyl's case, at least once a week,” Octavia said flatly. “I am happy he is okay, however. I never would have imagined him having access to such a powerful spell.”

“AHHHHH!” a voice screamed from down the hall and suddenly Button came flying down the hall, holding onto a bed on wheels. A moment later they heard a crash and after a few moments Button came walking back to the room, his eyes swirls. “H-hey. Is... is Acrylic in here?” he asked, before face planting on the ground.

Octavia shook her head and trotted over, slowly hefting him up. “Button, dear, you shouldn't be in such a rush. There's no need for it. Now go and be with your friend, I'm going to ensure that you didn't break anything too valuable.” She let him go and trotted out of the room.

Button barely managed to stay up and shook his head before slowly walking over. “Is... is he okay?”

“He's fine,” Silver said with a smile. “I already asked, Vinyl said it's just burn out.” She then sighed. “He saved a life, though. So at least something good came of it.”

Vinyl nodded. “Exactly. He kept to the two testaments I've taught him over the years,” she said with a big grin. “There are only two good reasons to put yourself in the hospital. The first is to save somepony's life.”

“Oh? What's the second?” Button asked.

“Because whatever you did looks bucking cool.”

Silver rolled her eyes and leaned in closer. She glanced up at her metal horn and sighed. “I wonder if we could make a temporary horn for him, until his got better...”

“I wouldn't worry about it,” Vinyl said with a wave of her hoof. “He'll be fine soon enough and until he is, I don't think he'll be too worried about using any magic.”

“I'm so sorry!” Diamond shrieked as she galloped into the room. “I was in the middle of trying the dragon flight stance and the pony was outside waiting and I told them we were almost done and made them wait and didn't know it was an emergency I'm so so so sorry is Acrylic okay I heard he was hit by a boat and he was almost crushed to death is he okay?!”

“He's fine, Diamond,” Silver said with a shake of her head. “A bit over exerted, but he'll live. He just used too much magic.”

The Avatar stared down at him before nodding. “O-oh. So... that's it? What about the boat?”

“I don't think a boat was involved,” Silver said with a chuckle.

“I need to find out who's delivering these messages,” Vinyl said with a grin. “I could use a service like that.”

Diamond stood there, panting as she eyed him. Finally, she sat down and let out a sigh of relief. “O-oh. He's... okay then. I thought... w-well, that's good. Uhhh... is he going to wake up?”

“Probably not for a while,” Vinyl said before sitting down in the chair besides the bed. “I won't be leaving until he wakes up, but you're free to stay as long as you like. I'll let him know you were all visiting, though.”

Silver leaned in. “Did they say how long it'll take?”

“Anytime within the next few days,” Vinyl said. “It can--”

“Owwwww...” Acrylic said with a groan, his eyes wobbling open slightly.

“Vary wildly. Hi son,” she said with a wave.

“Did... did somepony stab me in the head?” he asked weakly as he stared up at the ponies. “What happened?”

Every eye turned to Vinyl. The mare sighed. “Well, apparently you and Icytouch were on patrol. A crate started to fall on a pony and then you teleported and pushed her out of the way. Then kinda threw up on her and passed out.”

Acrylic groaned and closed his eyes. “Okay. Did... the crate fall on my head?”

“Nope! That'd be the effect of teleporting your whole body when you're definitely not ready or prepared for that kind of magic. Still, pretty impressive. I didn't know you were practicing for that kind of magic.”

Acrylic whimpered. “I was learning to teleport apples... at biggest... ow...”

Silver sighed and shook her head. “Are you hungry? Thirsty?”

“Thirsty...” he mumbled.

“I'm going to get him something cold to drink. Don't let his mom drive him crazy,” she said before trotting out of the room.

Button sat at the hoof of the bed. “Soooo. Saved a pony, right? Was she cute?”

Acrylic blinked a few times and quickly pulled the blanket over his face. “Oh by the stars I don't have the strength for this...”

Diamond blinked and slowly a grin formed on her lips. “Oh my. Acrylic, is this how you're going to start dating? Saving pretty mares?”

“Just kill me now...”

“I knew it!” Vinyl yelled.

“And my headache just keeps getting worse...” Acrylic whined.

“Fine, fine, we'll stop,” Diamond said with a chuckle before pulling the blankets back down. “Come on, we're just happy you're okay.”

“I feel like my horn exploded and then jammed into my skull. Or... the reverse of that,” Acrylic mumbled.

“Classic burn out,” Vinyl said with a nod. “It's probably going to hurt for a while. Plenty of fluids and solids will help, though. Want some ice cream?”

“Will it help?”

“Ice cream always helps.”

He shook his head, then winced. “No. Not... really. I just want to sleep,” he said softly. “What did the doctor say?”

“You'll be fine,” Vinyl said with a grin. “You saved a life, though. That's got to be worth celebrating.”

Acrylic's eyes went wide. “P-please, no. By the stars, no. I-I can't handle... loud music right n-now.”

Vinyl snickered. “No, not right now. When you're all better,” she said before reaching out and taking his hoof. “I'm happy you're okay, dear. You scared me half to death.”

“You scared all of us,” Diamond said with a sigh.

“Sorry,” Acrylic mumbled, closing his eyes. “L-listen. I'm... really tired. Can I get some alone time? Please?” he asked softly, before shuddering. “A lot of alone time...”

Vinyl nodded. “Of course. Okay, everypony out, out!” she said before trotting towards the door. “He'll be here a while, so we'll have lots of time to visit him. I won't be leaving for a while, either, so you're free to stick around until he feels more up to visiting others.”

Silver appeared in the doorway, a glass of water held in her fake horn's magic. “What? Are we leaving already?”

The elder mare nodded. “Yeah. You can stick around for a few extra seconds, though. Not long though, okay?”

Silver nodded and trotted in, standing by him. She eyed the doorway as the other's disappeared through it, before gently guiding the water to his lips. “Here.”

He groaned and sighed, slowly sipping from it. After a moment he relaxed, nodded and she pulled it away. “Thanks...”

“It's okay. I know this probably hurts.”

“You have no idea...”

“Yeah. But you were pretty awesome, I hear. Diving in, saving some mare. Surprised she's not here... but maybe she will be later.” Silver tapped the ground for a few more moments, eying him. She chewed on her lower lip, before speaking up. “So... did you know her?”

“Who?”

“The mare you saved.”

“No. Should I have?”

She gave a soft sigh and a smile. “No. I guess not. You... aren't really the sort who'd need to... well, anyway,” she said before giving a small wave of her hoof. “You're awesome Acrylic, don't ever change.”

“I... won't?” he said softly, confusion etched in his tone.

“Thank you. Sleep well.” Silver quickly got to her hooves and trotted out of the room, lifting a hoof to her chest. Her mind raced as guilt flooded through her and she struggled to hold back the wave of emotion. She buried it down, forcing it back into the recesses of her mind before forcing a smile and trotting out to meet with the others.

“How's he doing?” Button asked when she met up with them.

“Seemed fine. Drank a little, he's resting now,” she said with a small sigh. “He will be okay though, won't he? He... never should have gotten hurt.”

“He'll be fine,” Vinyl said with a dismissive wave of her hoof. “Trust me, at his age he'll brush it off like a bad hangover. Might be a little timid around teleportation magic for a bit, but even that won't last long. Perhaps if there had been some kind of crack or something in his horn, I'd worry. But a bit of burns are fine. They go away fast.”

“You've seen this before, then?” Diamond asked. “I've never experienced it.”

“It's pretty rare, be thankful,” Vinyl said with a sigh. “Most ponies don't. Burn out only really happens when you push your magic reserves to the extreme limits, far beyond what they should be. He did it all at once, with one big spell. Buck, he's lucky the spell even went off. Most ponies would have just had their horn fizzle out and maybe blow back a couple of feet. He actually teleported, that's pretty impressive.” She gave a big grin. “That's my boy.”

Octavia nodded. “I've seen it a hoofful of times as well. It is rarely anything too serious. I am happy it was just a minor case of burn out.”

Button nodded. “I didn't even know he could do magic like that. I didn't think benders could do magic like that.”

“Of course we can,” Vinyl said with a shrug. “I mean, most don't. Magic can be just as difficult, if not more, than bending. On top of that, you need to have a bit of talent in it just to do some of the basic stuff. I'm amazed he can even do that.” A wide grin formed on her lips. “But then, he is my boy. It's only natural he'd be so talented.”

“You're going to spend the next month bragging about him now, aren't you?” Octavia asked flatly.

“I will not brag about him any longer than you bragged about Button learning to lava bend.”

Button's cheeks turned red. “Y-you were bragging about me, mom?”

Octavia's eyes widened. “I... said a word here or there.”

“Oh, don't let her calm demeanor fool you. She's been positively gushing to anypony who would listen,” Vinyl said with a big grin.

Button quickly looked away. “O-oh. I uhhhh... s-speaking of bending, I really should head out. I've got... more practice to do a-and stuff. I uhhh, I'll be back tonight, okay? I doubt Acrylic will be okay for a while, anyway.”

Vinyl nodded, smirking. “Of course. Octavia?”

“I merely wanted to make sure the child was okay, and you were as well. He is fine, so there's no real need for me to stay all night.” She looked to Button. “I'll walk you back to the facility.”

“Oh... thanks. Mom,” Button said flatly, before giving a sigh. He turned and trotted back out, the elder mare following after him.

Vinyl looked to Silver and Diamond. “Well, he's fine. So do you two plan to head out?”

“I really should get back to work,” Silver said with a sigh. “I've been doing more testing and we've really managed to increase the power in our wings and horns. We're hoping with a few new modifications, we might even be able to get up to Wonderbolt speeds.”

Vinyl's eyes widened. “Truly?”

“... Well, no. That's probably impossible. I mean, if it was just flying at their actual flight speed? Yeah, easy enough. But I doubt the wings could endure long enough and it's not just flight speed. Their air bending allows them to go even faster, something we just can't control well enough to help. On top of that, most ponies couldn't handle flight at those speeds. We're fast approaching the ends of where it could be safe for ponies to actually fly without risking hurting themselves.” She gave a small wave of her hoof. “But we'll probably be working on specialized models soon enough as well. And we've managed to do a bit more work on artificial bending. Fire is the only element we're having a lot of progress with, sadly.”

Diamond nodded, glancing over. “If you need any help, I'd be happy to offer my services.”

Silver shook her head. “No, it's fine. Everything is going well for now, we just need a lot more testing.” She spread out her wings. “The only real reason I'm even helping with the testing is because I have more experience with the models than anypony else, and I tend to be the first pony to get my hooves on them.” She turned and headed towards the door.

“Ohhhhh,” Diamond said, nodding. She then glanced down the hall. “I... think I'll stick around a bit more. I don't really have anywhere I need to be for a while. Plasmahoof is already probably packed up and I don't have lessons with Rainbow for a few more hours.” She glanced to Vinyl. “We can talk for a bit, maybe.”

The unicorn nodded. “Oh? Of course. Actually, I did want to ask you something. While on the trip, did you ever see Acrylic brush up with anypony? Like Button did with Luna? I'm sure--”

“Wow, actually, I really should be going I'll see you later bye!” Diamond said before turning and galloping after Silver, her cheeks flaming red.

Vinyl blinked a few times, before frowning. “I swear, if everypony keeps acting like this I'm NEVER going to have grandfoals.”

Chapter 9: Remnants

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“Ahuizotl! You can't hide forever!” a voice rang out through the barren spirit world.

The great blue spirit panted with exertion, hiding within a small crevice in the mountain. He held a great rock in front of him, blocking the entrance enough so he could just peep out.

“Come out. I know you're around here somewhere. You know what I want, you know what I've come for,” the voice said. Finally, a small pink pony appeared. She looked tiny and weak, something that could easily be crushed with a single movement. But Ahuizotl knew that was a lie, that that mare was something truly deadly and destructive. He kept hiding and eying her as she trotted along.

“Ahuizotl, come on. We were friends once, were we not? It's been millenia since last we spoke, don't you wish to return to those times?”

The great spirit eyed the mare as she kept walking, soon disappearing from his view. He could feel the power emanating from her. The power of dozens, possibly hundreds of ponies held within. A truly deadly creature.

The rock suddenly shifted and was tossed aside, making the spirit yelp. He stumbled back and soon came face to face with the small pony.

“Really? Hiding behind a rock? I expected better from you, old friend.”

“We're not friends, Tirek,” the blue spirit said with a growl. “You are nothing more than a traitor.”

The mare sighed and then her horn glowed. A moment later a tall centaur appeared, his size comparable to the blue spirit's. Still, he looked quite thin. “Traitor? To who? Discord? Harmony? Neither of them exist anymore.”

Ahuizotl sneered. “Discord's spirit lives on, it--”

“Yes, yes. I'm well aware and, trust me, I fully intend to find it soon enough.” Tirek gave a dismissive wave of his hand. “But Discord is gone. Harmony is gone. If ever there was a time for us to rise up, to strike, now is it.” He held out his hand. “You and I could rule together. We were always the greatest, you know that. The Smooze is mindless, all it can do is obey. And Chrysalis... well, all she ever cared about is her little hive. Even that has failed her, judging by this realm. Now, though? It's the right time for us to strike.”

Ahuzotl growled, his hands reaching for something, anything he could use as a weapon. “Why would I ever side with you?”

Tirek chuckled. “You can feel it, can't you? You see the destruction. The emptiness. History is repeating itself. Last time Discord went to war on the ponies for their arrogance. But there is no Discord anymore. Do you really believe that this new... mockery of his might can stand against whatever has done this?” He held out his hand towards the empty wasteland behind him. “You know our world is in danger thanks to those ponies. I know you hate them just as much as I do.”

The spirit growled, baring his teeth. “I serve Discord, just as I always have. His new incarnation will destroy you. She will crush you, just as our master did.”

Tirek blinked a few times, before grinning. “She? Interesting. But fret not. I already have a plan to deal with both of them. After all, Harmony and Discord were always at each other's throats in one way or another. Their echoes will be no different. And this time, I'll be stronger.” His eyes narrowed. “But before any of that, I still require one thing from you.” He motioned to the spirit's throat, to the golden amulet that rested around it. “The Alicorn Amulet. Give it to me.”

Ahuizotl grabbed the amulet around his throat and then sneered again. “Never. I was given this to keep safe and I will die before I--”

Tirek interrupted him by thrusting his hand forward once. Yellow magic shot out, hitting the blue spirit and pinning it to the wall. He just stared down at him. “This is not a request, Ahuizotl. Perhaps you have forgotten how strong I am. I'm not like the little alicorn, my power remains.”

“Y-you're... weaker than... you've ever been...”

Tirek's eyes narrowed. “I am strong!” He roared, before flicking his hand and sending the other spirit slamming against the cave walls. “Stronger than Discord ever understood!” He flung the spirit again, slamming him into the ground. “I am the great Tirek!”

Ahuizotl laid there for a few moments before he began to laugh. “Discord... took your power... didn't he? He drained you... left you a... weak... battered husk...”

Tirek let out a roar before he thrust his hand from side to side, slamming the blue spirit into the cave walls again and again. He then smashed Ahuizotl into the ground so hard it left a crater. “So what if he did? I will absorb the power of every pony in this world, then I will rule! Not just the ponies, but the dogs, the griffons, the dragons, all will fill me!” He flicked his wrist and the amulet tore itself from Ahuizotl's throat. “All will kneel before me.”

Ahuizotl laid there, groaning with pain. “You... have become like them... like these ponies. You believe you can merely... steal their power and make yourself strong?”

“And if I do? These ponies nearly destroyed our world once. They are doing it now.” A grin formed on his lips. “I'm not like you, Ahuizotl.” He wrapped the amulet around his throat. “I was never satisfied with just being a minion. An obedient pet to Discord's will. He believed he was beyond reproach, that none of us could out smart him. But he was wrong, he--” He paused and then looked down. He flicked the amulet. “Why isn't it working?”

Ahuizotl burst into laughed, even though it hurt. “You're just as much a fool now as you were then Tirek. Discord destroyed you with a wave of his hand. You will fair no better now.”

Tirek growled and stomped a hoof on the ground. “Why isn't the amulet working? Why isn't--” His eyes widened. “It's... a fake.”

“A fool.”

Tirek let out a soft curse. “Discord's little chosen one has it now, doesn't she? If the Avatar had had it...”

Ahuizotl merely laughed and slowly sat up a little. “You... will fall before her. Just as you f-fell before him. She will d-destroy you... for rising against her...”

Tirek growled, clenching his fists. He tore off the amulet and crushed it in his hands. “No. She won't. I will destroy her and take the remnants of Discord's power. Then I will take Harmony's. Then I will drain each and every pony in that pitiful realm and take the power of whoever tries to stop me.”

The other spirit merely laughed. “You think you can stop this war? Only Discord can. She will--” The words caught in his throat when Tirek held out his hand.

The centaur stepped forward, a grin on his lips. “My power is without limit, Ahuizotl. I may not be able to have the Alicorn Amulet yet, but there is still one more prize for the taking.”

The blue spirit's eyes widened. “I-impossible... you... you can't...”

“Of course I can. After all, where do you think the ponies learned it from?” He opened his mouth and yellow magic slowly floated out, enveloping Ahuizotl. The larger blue spirit screamed as his body began to wither into a blue mist, before floating into the larger spirit. Once it was all gone, he pounded once on his chest and belched, before his eyes glowed. After a few moments he appeared back in the normal world, once again in the form of a little pony.

Meadowbrook lifted a hoof and frowned at it. “Ugh, such a delicate form. Alas, the things we do to rule.” She glanced up towards Dazzling. “Tell me, little water bender, have you considered trying to kill me while I'm there?”

“Often,” he said coldly. “I am doubtful it would succeed, however.”

“Very good. You really are the smartest.” Meadowbrook lifted a hoof and examined it, before holding out a hoof. Her mask flew over and she put it on, moments before the staff flew to her side. “Get the others.”

“Meadowbrook?”

Behind the mask, she grinned. “I have what I needed. Now? We strike.”

------

Silver grumbled softly as she paced back and forth, her eyes narrowed into slits. After a few moments, the blue unicorn appeared before her. “Yes?” Trixie asked with a knowing grin.

“What took you so long?”

“I was busy.”

Silver blinked a few times, her mouth opening. Then she frowned. “No. You weren't. You can't BE busy. You're dead. There is literally nothing for you to do!”

Trixie rolled her eyes. “Do I look like Twilight? Do you really think you'll say jump and I'll jump?” She gave a dismissive wave of her hoof. “If all you've done is come to complain, I'm leaving.”

“Wait! I need to talk with you!” Silver said, reaching out with a hoof.

Trixie paused, then glanced back to her. “Yes? What about?”

Silver sighed. “I can... see some things. Feel some things. Know things. It's Discord's influence, I know. Sometimes I'll...” She frowned and rubbed her chin. “It's like deja vu. I guess. But not really?”

Trixie blinked before rolling her eyes. “Oh, I know what you mean,” she said with a sigh. “His little script.”

“What?”

“I don't know what it means, either. It was something Discord talked about often. How everything seemed to follow a small script or guidelines or... something. He was fascinated with altering it. Downright obsessed with it, even. For such a spirit of chaos, he put a lot of belief into destiny.”

Silver nodded, rubbing her chin. “So... it's destiny? I can see... things?”

“You can see some things,” Trixie said before walking to look her in the eyes. “But what does it matter? You know your fate. You're the spirit of Discord. You're like me. Your destiny is to rule, to control this world. What else do you need to know?”

The earth pony took a step back, her mouth falling open. She then lowered her eyes. “Yeah. I guess... it is.” She raised a hoof. “There's four of them. I knew that. Know that. He made three into four. But we're at the third again. I still... I still want to end it now. To break it. I can, can't I?”

“Of course you can. That's what our power is, Silver. We have the power to change things. To alter what happens. To shift the story. Just look at me, I was never supposed to be... instead, I survived. I ruled. I changed everything. You can too.”

Silver nodded and closed her eyes. “I don't know if I'll win or lose, though. I can't... see that. I can't feel that. I know Discord could. He saw everything except for... well...”

“His end?”

“Yeah, he didn't see that.”

“There's probably plenty he didn't see,” Trixie said with a dismissive wave of her hoof. “He was a fool. Trust me. I worked with him. An awful, traitorous abomination that I wish I'd never had the displeasure of working with. But I did, so I learned. Your destiny is to rule, to destroy the Avatar. So merely focus on that.”

Silver sighed and gave a nod. She chewed on her lower lip for a moment before looking back to the blue mare. “Trixie, can we...”

“What?”

“Nothing. Never mind,” she said before turning away. “I'm returning to the real world. Just... do whatever it is you do when I'm not talking to you. Cease to exist or whatever.” She closed her eyes and disappeared before the mare could respond. She was once again laying in her bed and staring at the roof. She reached up and rubbed the amulet. “Can we be good? Can we be... friends with the Avatar? Do we really have to be the big, bad monster that they throw festivals to ward off?”

She was greeted by nothing but silence. She slowly rolled to her hooves and trotted from the room, heading towards the lab. She was in a poor mood now and only research could cheer her up.

She paused about halfway there when she heard a low ringing. It took her a few moments to realize what it was and she galloped to the lab, skidding on the floor and then running to the phone. She tapped the gems on the side and after a moment a voice spoke up. “Hello? Can you hear me? Hello?”

“Secretary? Is that you?”

“Ah! Lady Silver, yes,” the mare said. “Are you well?”

“Of course. How's daddy? Is everything okay?”

“Indeed. He is fine. In fact, the ships are now ready and consistent voyages are occurring as we speak. Unfortunately, we have yet to set up a permanent method of communication between the village and Manehatten, but we are hopeful.”

Silver nodded. “That's wonderful. So daddy is still overseeing everything?”

“No. As our task here is nearing completion, we will be returning soon.”

She froze. “Wait, what?”

“We're coming home.”

“N-now? Why? Is something wrong?”

“Our job here is done and he wishes to ensure everything is going well back home. Is there a problem?”

Silver sighed and shook her head. “No. It's been fine. In fact, everything here has been going great... it'll be a shame to have daddy... well...”

“Causing mayhem?”

“Yeah...”

“I understand, Lady Silver. But nothing more can be done about it. We will be leaving on a vessel tomorrow.”

“Of course. Is uhhhh... Sunset coming back with you?”

There was a long pause. Finally, the mare spoke up. “We have not seen much of her in weeks. I do not believe she has quite gotten along with the council here.”

“What? But she's Twilight's daughter!”

“Indeed. I believe that has given her certain expectations as to how she'll be treated. Sadly, she is mostly unfamiliar with the power structures here and many of the ponies see her as little more than a figurehead. At best.”

“O-oh. Is she... okay?”

“She is not quite taking it well. But I believe she intends to stay and work a while longer. For now. She may yet return to train the Avatar.”

Silver sighed. “I see.”

“How are things going over there, Lady Silver? You have not called us in a while.”

“Well, it's a bit difficult to get this thing to work sometimes. Good, though. I've been making headway. We're making plenty of progress on our models. Can you let daddy know that Scootaloo is flying now? It'll be a while before the technique is perfected, but she can wear the wings a full day before the gem starts to show wear. She's... well... having difficulty with flight, though. Her husband seems to be enjoying teaching her.”

“That's good.” There was a long pause. “I am sorry that your father could not make this call, it--”

“I know,” she said quickly. “Trust me, I know. He's busy. We're both busy, it's fine.” She sighed and glanced towards the nearby desk. “I should probably go, too. Make sure to call me the very moment you know when you'll arrive.”

“Of course. Secretary out.”

Silver eyed the phone for a few moments before sighing and turning away. She trotted to the desk and her horn glowed as she unattached her wings. She gripped the new metal wings resting on the desk, along with their necessary attachments, and began locking them into place. “Time for some field work,” she muttered softly.

------

Daring let out an internal growl as they flew through the air. As always, Pinionwing was dragging behind and she was in the middle, wanting to speed up and fly with Smoothglide at her max speed. She glanced back to the colt and just glared at him.

He was doing a little better, at least. He didn't get as exhausted anymore. But he was still far slower than them and her training didn't seem to do much to help. She was beginning to think his wings just weren't for flying. Which she supposed would have been fine, if he wasn't her problem.

She was snapped from her thoughts when Smoothglide suddenly started to dip down. He signaled with his right wing and her eyes caught sight of their target. A pegasus. A light breeze on the ground was settling and the pegasus had moved to 'aid' another pony. She could clearly see the mare steal the other pony's coin purse, though.

The pegasus quickly turned and started to trot away, likely thinking she was safe. Daring felt a little giddiness rise in her. She'd yet to have tried herself against an air bender, it was going to be amazing.

Then Smoothglide motioned with his hoof for them to pull back. She blinked but slowly lowered her speed. “What's wrong?” she asked softly.

“We're not engaging. You two aren't ready for an air bender.”

The mare blinked, her eyes narrowing. “You've got to be bucking kidding me. I could take her down any day of the week, with one wing tied behind my back.”

Smoothglide sighed. “That may be, but--”

“Just because Pinionwing can't fly himself out of a paper bag doesn't mean I need to be held back!” she snapped, her voice and temper rising. She could see the thief starting to veer towards one of the alleys and her heart started to pound.

“Daring! Pinionwing is just--”

“No, buck this,” she snapped before taking off like a dart.

“Daring!”

She ignored him and dived at the pegasus. She entered the alleyway a few seconds after the mare, but could still see her. However, the thief froze in place, before turning and looking right at her. Daring dove and the other mare flapped her wings once, sending a burst of air straight at her. Daring smirked and turned in a tight corkscrew formation, spinning around the burst and rapidly approaching the other mare. She sent out two move bursts of wind, but Daring veered around them with ease, keeping her breath steady before she flipped up and over. She was inches from the other pegasus before she flapped her wings once more, but this time she sent a big burst of wind in all directions.

Daring shrieked and flailed her hooves before hurtling back, slamming into the wall. She groaned and pushed off it, leaping up into the air moments before a burst of air could hit her. “Is that the best you've got?” she called out, smirking. She could see sweat forming on the other pony's face. She was definitely no Rainbow.

“S-shut up,” the mare said, flapping her wings again and sending out another big burst. Daring flew up and only got a weak burst this time, before diving back down at her again. She veered away and back up once she got closer, moments before the other mare unleashed a big burst of wind. Her distance and the other mare's exhaustion made the attack weak. She then dove right back down and landed a few feet from the other mare, charging right in. Her hooves shot out, the first narrowly missing as the pony tried to take a step back, but the second clipped the pony's wing. The third hit a leg and the fourth hit right in the side. From there it was only a few more taps and the pony dropped to the ground, paralyzed. “Ha!” Daring said, raising a hoof triumphantly.

“Daring,” Smoothglide snapped, landing a few feet from her.

“Did you see that? I was awesome! I told you I could handle her! I didn't even need you two, I did it on my own,” she said proudly, puffing out her chest. “Look, barely a mark on me.”

“Yes, but you disobeyed orders. There was no need to run off and put yourself in danger like that. It--”

“Oh, come off it, I got the job done,” she said with a shake of her head. “I told you I could do it. We didn't need Pinionwing at all.”

Smoothglide sighed and put a hoof to his forehead. “Daring, that's not the point. The three of us are a team, we don't rush off like that.”

“Well, maybe we should. He's holding us back, he--”

“He's getting better and, like you, he's still just a rookie. Neither of you are full Shadowbolts yet.”

“I should be! I can out fly probably anypony you've got in the entire Shadowbolts! Not only that, I've seen more action in a week than most of you have probably seen in your entire life times,” she snapped angrily, her eyes narrowed. “You're putting me through these lame, boring patrols when I can do so much more!”

“These lame, boring patrols are what being a Shadowbolt is. Do you--”

“Do you two mind?!” the pegasus thief yelled, glaring up at them. “If you're going to have a couple's spat, just--”

“Shut up!” Both Daring and Smoothglide yelled in unison.

He then sighed again. “Daring, I understand. The Shadowbolts aren't like what you're hoping, however. We don't go on adventures. We guard the town. Most of the time that means boring work. Paperwork. Patrols. More importantly, it means working with the squad and not abandoning each other. Sure, she was a weak air bender--”

“Hey!”

“-- but you had no way of knowing that. What if she was more than just a lousy thief?”

“HEY!”

“She could have been an actual threat. You could have been hurt, or killed.”

Daring growled and dug her hoof into the ground. “No, I couldn't have. I knew what I was doing. I could have taken that pony in my sleep.”

“HEY!!!”

“Just because Pinionwing is so sluggish doesn't mean I am,” she snapped, kicking the ground. “I've been dealing with pirates and spirits my whole life. A few weak benders aren't going to give me more than a small sweat.”

Smoothglide took a deep sigh, putting a hoof to his forehead. “Daring... stop. If you continue along this line, I'll have to suspend you.”

She stared at him for a few moments, ber eyes narrowing. Finally, she spoke up. “No. I know what I'm doing,” she said with a growl. She then looked down at herself and gave a sigh. “I don't even know why I started this. It was a stupid idea.”

“Daring?”

She closed her eyes for a moment, before glaring back at him. “I resign.”

“WHAT?” Smoothglide said, taking a step back in surprise. “You can't--”

“I can and I just did,” she said. “This whole thing was just... stupid. It might work for Ironwing, but it's not for me. I'm going back to base and tossing off my uniform.”

“W-wait,” Pinionwing finally spoke up, taking a step forward. “Please, Daring. I'll resign. You're a much better flier than me, if anypony should--”

“Oh buck that,” Daring said with a roll of her eyes. “That's just IT! I'm not made OUT for this kind of thing. It's driving me freaking bonkers!” She pointed to the pony on the ground. “I mean, look. I'm catching bucking pick pockets. How lame is that? I should be fighting sky pirates and robbin-- errrr, recovering objects from ancient tombs. Listen, I thought it was cool and, frankly, I'll probably keep the training in mind, maybe hone it a bit. But being a part of a team like this... it just isn't for me.” She spread out her wings, a grin forming on her lips. “You know, that actually felt really good. Haven't felt like this in weeks.”

“Daring, you're upset, don't make a judgment you'll regret later,” Smoothglide said with a frown.

“Oh, I'm not. I'm done making decisions I'm going to regret.” She took off like a bolt, flying through the air and heading back towards headquarters. She felt fifty pounds lighter as the responsibility and control of the Shadowbolts started to melt off her. She knew Ironwing would probably throw a hissy fit, but he was always grouchy so she didn't mind.

However, she didn't imagine Rainbow would be too happy about it. That sent a little pang of worry through her and made her nervously chew on her lower lip. Maybe it wasn't such a good idea after all. She shook her head and narrowed her eyes. No, she was sure of it. The whole thing had been driving her nuts for a while now.

She was Daring Do. Even if the Shadowbolts WERE pretty awesome, they just weren't for her. She wasn't meant to be tied down by anything.

------

Ironwing gave a sigh of pure, unbridled exasperation. Across the picnic blanket from him, Prism did the same. “Don't you two start,” Blaze warned, glowering.

“It's fine, we had it all handled,” Prism muttered.

“Oh, yeah. Because hiding away from each other and merely relaxing on the stink eye is repairing your relationship,” Blaze said with a roll of her eyes.

“It was working for me,” Ironwing grumbled darkly, before picking up a small watermelon cube and nibbling it. “But a picnic, really?”

“Hey, picnics are awesome,” Rainbow said from the small cloud hovering over the blanket. She popped a few walnuts into her mouth. “On a nice, sunny day like today it's perfect. You can even have a nap, too.”

“I don't have time for a nap, I have work to do after this,” Ironwing muttered.

“I swear you two are impossible,” Blaze muttered with a roll of her eyes. “Maybe I should have gotten your mother involved too,” she told Ironwing. “Or maybe Styx.”

He cringed. “Neither would submit to such a foalish endeavor. Prism and I are fine. We actually talk sometimes.”

“Exactly,” Prism said with a nod. “Just the other day we totally nodded at each other and said 'sup' when we passed on the road.”

Blaze face hoofed. “That's not talking! Rainbow, can you hear your son over here!”

Rainbow snored from up in her cloud.

“I swear, it's like trying to wrangle a whole herd of school foals...”

“We're fine,” Prism muttered again.

“No, I'm fine. You two are immature. About the only time you two are able to do anything in unity is when it comes to annoying me.”

Ironwing shrugged. “You're just very easy to annoy. Always have been, ever since we were kids.”

“It's true. I love you, honey, but you do get a bit up tight at times,” Prism said with a nod. “Besides, you have a lot of council work to do, you shouldn't be worrying about the two of us. We're grown ponies, we know what we're doing. Mostly.” He glanced over to Ironwing. “Besides, most of it... we've worked out.”

“Exactly,” Ironwing muttered, glancing off to the side.

“Fine. So, Ironwing, how has it been with the Shadowbolts? Happy to be back?” Blaze asked.

“It has been... different,” Ironwing said thoughtfully, before picking up a small slice of cornbread. “My responsibilities have shifted and I seem to be taking on a more... judgmental role in organization for now.”

“What does that mean?” Prism asked, cocking an eye. “You're not leading again, are you?”

He shuddered. “By the stars, no. But Stratios is having me review the other Shadowbolts. It seems the knowledge I'd gained in my years of leadership... well, she wants to put it to use for her, to help her better decide where everypony goes. Mostly she's just having me edit squads a bit to better put them with their strengths and weaknesses.” He gave a shrug. “But I'm not in any actual leadership position. I'm... not sure I could handle it right now.”

Prism glanced up, before sighing. “About... what happened before. With Shining. I uhhh... I mean, with the ponies who were... caught in the blast. I think I understand. I mean, why you were so upset and... I'm sorry.”

Blaze glanced up. “Huh? What about them?”

Ironwing cringed, closing his eyes. “I just... couldn't deal with it. Not again. I shut down. I don't think that'll change for a while, either. I can't...” He chewed on his lower lip. “I won't be able to deal with her. I'm so thankful that it's Diamond and Rainbow doing it this time.”

Blaze looked between the two. “Am I missing something?”

“I'll explain later,” Prism said with a shake of his head.

Ironwing sighed and closed his eyes, absentmindedly chewing on his roll.

------

Diamond groaned and leaned forward against the bar top, her hooves crossing over it. A small plate of deep fried spinach leaves were on the counter before her, partially eaten. She was exhausted after her day's training, but it was a good exhaustion. She felt she was really progressing, getting faster and stronger.

“Avatar!” a voice said, making her turn around and stare at the earth pony sitting besides her. “I'm surprised to see you here.”

“Huh? Oh, heyyyyy... you,” she said with a nervous grin. “I just wanted some cheap junk food. You know how it is.”

The pony blinked a few times before her eyes narrowed. “You don't know who I am, do you?”

“What? No! Of course I know who you are! You're uhhhhh...” An earth pony with a brown coat. She looked vaguely familiar, too. “You're... brown... coat?”

The mare's eyes twitched. “Really, after all I did for you? I mean, I get it, I may not be as important as you, but you'd think you'd at least TRY to remember me. Stars know I almost got killed when we were fighting by that Smooze beast.”

Diamond blinked a few times. “Smooze? You were there for the--” Her eyes widened. “Healer! You were the healer pony that Silver hired!” She grinned. “See? I got it!”

“Uh huh,” the mare said with narrowed eyes. “What's. My. Name?”

Diamond blinked a few more times. “Errrrr... gentle... touch?”

“MUDSHOT! Buck it! My name is Mudshot! I can't believe it, we were on a ship together for ages. I was even there when we were flying on the way home from that horrible place. We shared a ship! How could you forget me?!”

Diamond cringed. “I-I'm sorry, it just... err... to... be fair... I don't think I knew your name on the ship... either...”

The pony glared for a few moments, before sighing and her face falling. She looked ready to almost cry. “I'm sorry, Avatar. It just... happens a lot.”

“Really?”

“Yeah... ponies never remember my name. It's always 'healer' or 'healer pony' or 'earth pony healer' or something like that. Mudshot. It's not a difficult name. Buck, it's barely even a name. But it IS my name and I wish more ponies would at least try to remember it...” She gave a little sniffle. “I mean, it's not much but it's all I've got...”

“I'm sorry,” Diamond said, reaching out to pat the pony on the back. “I think Mudshot is a nice name.”

“It's a fine name,” the mare muttered. “It's a great name, even.”

“Yes, a very nice name.”

“Sure, it's not fancy like Diamond Tiara or anything, but it's nice.”

“Yes, it's very nice. And you're a great healer, I saw you working your flank off after what happened on the air ships.”

“Mmm hm. And you didn't even recognize me, though.”

“Errr...”

Mudshot sighed and moped in her seat. “Nopony ever remembers the healer...”

------

Silver landed gently, her legs barely bending as she came to the ground. She took a few steps to let her momentum die, before nodding. “Perfect.” The wings spread out in front of her, bending around at her whim, before folding neatly at her sides.

“So, do the weight on those ever get to you?” a voice asked, making her jump.

She looked up and saw True and Leadwing, the former in front. “I'm sorry?” she asked.

“Well, those wings look really heavy. Does the weight ever make it hard to stand or run?” True asked, smiling to her.

“Oh, no. I mean, in the short term it does. But I've been wearing these things since I was...” A frown creased her brow. “Most of my life, I suppose. Daddy was always a bit... anyway. Once you've worn them a few weeks you barely even notice. In my case, I've worn them so long I can barely notice. The weight doesn't shift much between designs, either. They'll maybe get a bit lighter, but that's hardly noticeable. Especially when you consider the weight is supporting you while in flight.” She gave the two a small smile. “So, how can I help you?”

“Boredom, mostly,” True offered before glancing to Leadwing. “Lady Blaze is currently busy with council matters and has no need of us. As such, our main job is currently to look around the city, keep an eye out for trouble or for things that the Wonderbolts would find interesting. I thought it would be a good idea to get to know more about Tomorrow Industries.”

She nodded. “Ah. Well, there's not much to get to know, sorry. We're just like any other multi-million bit company. Constantly working on new revenue streams and attempting to keep on the cutting edge.” She eyed them for a moment, before smirking. “Want to race?”

True blinked, then snickered. “I appreciate the offer, Miss Spoon. But I don't think that would be fair. We are master fliers and air benders, after all.”

She nodded. “I'm aware. But I mean just wings to wings.” She let her wings unfold. “No bending, to keep it fair.”

Leadwing gave a shrug. “I don't see why not. It could be fun.”

True nodded. “If Leadwing has no objections. So, where to?”

Silver hummed and rubbed her chin. She looked around, before pointing to the opposite end of the compound and the front gate. “There. Very front gate.” She trotted over to stand besides them. “On the count of three. Ready? Three!” She took off with a grin, flying through the air as her wings flapped again and again. She could feel them tearing through the magic in the air, but there was more to them now. On each side there were small gems that gently drew the magic in from the air around them, not much but just enough. It then expelled the magic out through the back, in a way similar to how the cannons on their airships had worked. It was still in the prototype stages, but it did allow them far more speed.

Perhaps more speed than she had imagined. She realized that the other two hadn't caught up to her yet. She glanced back and saw Leadwing flapping his wings furiously and had almost managed to catch up, with True just behind. Her eyes widened as she realized she might actually have a shot.

She pulled her legs in tighter to her body, leaning her head forward a bit more to give herself a more aerodynamic form. For just a moment she considered using her own magic to give herself an edge. It would be so simple, the smallest spell to make flight a little more difficult for them, to slow them down. Or to make it easier for her. She then shook her head and just flapped her metallic wings, burying that temptation deep down. She was almost halfway to the goal when Leadwing managed to pull up besides her.

“These new wings are quite impressive!” he said as he flew.

“Yeah, they are. Newest design and--” She blinked and scowled. Now that she got a good look at him, she was able to see WHY she was able to go so fast compared to them. While his wings were flapping rapidly, his legs were laying out and not pulled against his body. He was holding back, even without his bending. He passed her after a few moments and then True passed her shortly after. By the time they got to the gate they were a good dozen feet ahead of her. She landed besides them, before giving a soft chuckle. “Well, even if you two were holding back, these newest designs do quite well in a forward sprint.” She said with a nod. “Far beyond our oldest models.”

“I remember when the first models came out,” True said softly, rubbing his chin. “They could barely keep up with school foals.”

Silver chuckled. “Yeah, we've advanced a lot in the last few months. Though, to be fair, my models are special. It'll probably be at least a year before this model is available on the public market. Probably three months or so before even the Shadowbolts get their hooves on it.”

“Really? Why?”

“Because of all the testing we have to do on it. See, for me it's different.” She let the tips of the wings go out. “I've been working on these things for most of my life. I mean, we had basic models under development for years before now, but none of them were really... public ready. But I've seen these things built, inside and out. I could probably build one with like, a toaster, a few gems and one of our new can openers. I know how to deal with them if they malfunction, I know how to repair them, I know where to check for wear and tear. And let me tell you, these new models? They wear down fast. They just aren't safe for anypony who doesn't know all their inner workings. But because I DO know them, I can use the newer models, get plenty of information stored on their use and get to try a bunch of new tricks at the same time.”

“Why just the Shadowbolts?” True asked.

“Namely because they're the main force interested in them and we prefer to release to them before the general public. The Moon Raisers will usually take a hoofful of them, but the metal benders won't touch them. The Shadowbolts, on the other hoof, love them. The fact they can be modified to house small spells as well makes them extremely useful and the wings are great as extra hooves. In fact, zebras are our primary customers for these, with the majority of those who are in the Shadowbolts getting at least rudimentary training in their use.” She then spread the wings out a bit more. “We try to ensure they get first dibs on models when they're ready for release and safe as they need to be. We don't want other ponies running around with faster models than them, after all.” She then sighed. “Though, this model still isn't done. We have straight speed as very high and it is extremely maneuverable. However, movements bring down the speed by nearly fifty percent, sometimes even below our current models if the movements are too precise. We're hoping to get it to about eighty percent speed maintained while flying.”

True blinked a few times, staring at them. “Wow. And here I thought you were just a really pretty face. You sure know a lot about these, don't you?”

Silver's cheeks turned red, but she refused to acknowledge them. “Of course. I... may not be quite as good at all this as daddy, but I've still been immersed in this since I was a child. I'd have to be a foal to not understand how it all works.”

True nodded. “Really? Is your mother involved, too? Secretary, right?”

Silver froze in place, her eyes going wide. She took a deep breath, before spreading her wings. “I have a lot of work to get done. It's time I leave. If you require anything, just ask one of the servants.” She took off, leaving the two behind.

True frowned and glanced to Leadwing. “Did I say something wrong?”

The other stallion shrugged. “I don't know. Maybe?”

------

Daring sighed as she soared over the city, feeling the cold air blow through her wings. She hummed softly, scanning the area for any sign of the mare. It only took her a moment to find her and a wide grin formed on her lips when she did.

“Hey! Rainbow!” she called out.

The pegasus moved her head up from her resting place on a cloud. She gave a soft yawn, before slowly sitting up. “Hmmm? Daring? What time is it?” She groaned. “I'm having my post-lunch nap...”

“Late enough you should be up,” she said with a snicker, before landing by her. “I knew you'd be here. You always choose clouds near the tallest buildings.”

Rainbow gave a shrug. “I just like making sure if I drift, I'll be high enough up not to hit anything.” She glanced up at the sky, then glanced to Daring. “I wish I could see and actually tell what time it is. What are you doing out?” She sent a light burst of wind out and frowned. “Back to the hat? I thought the Shadowbolts had a dress code.”

Daring blinked a few times. “Yeahhhhhh. About that. I kinda... well, quit.”

The other mare's mouth fell open. “Excuse me?”

“Walked out, left, told them I was out of there. You know how it is.”

“Does Ironwing know? I just had lunch with him and he didn't say anything.”

“Eh... heh heh. No. I think... well, he's probably finding out right about now. He's going to be pretty mad, isn't he?” She gave a sheepish grin, even though the other mare couldn't see it.

“Yeah, but he's always mad about something,” Rainbow said with a dismissive wave of her hoof. “If you've ever met his dad, well, you'll understand why. It's a family tradition, I think. They have normal scowl offs I hear.”

Daring nodded and gave a soft chuckle. “So uhhh... yeah. That's a thing now. Are uhhhh... are you mad?”

Rainbow chuckled softly and laid back down. “A little, but I guess I can forgive you interrupting my nap this time. Oh, about the whole Shadowbolt thing? Nahhhhh. Why, are you mad at yourself?”

The mare shrugged. “No, not really.” She laid down. “I just... I couldn't stand it, you know?”

“Oh? Why don't you tell me about it?”

“It just didn't... fit. I guess. It's hard to explain.”

“Mmmmm. So, tell me kid. Why'd you join in the first place?”

She shrugged. “It seemed like a good idea at the time? I mean, Ironwing seemed pretty cool and I'd heard about the Shadowbolts a few times from mom. I was more than capable,” she said with a grin. “I mean, heck, parts of it were a lot of fun. I picked up a lot of really sweet moves in the last few weeks. But...” She frowned and gave a sigh. “It was so. Bucking. BORING!”

Rainbow chuckled. “Boring? Really? I'd never thought the Shadowbolt lifestyle was supposed to be boring.”

“The most action I saw was dealing with a few purse snatchers! He wouldn't even let me go after an air bender without panicking, I mean come on. I'm ME. I'm pretty awesome! I've been dodging pirates and who knows what else my whole life. Sure, I might not have as much experience dealing with benders as some of them, but I want to learn. I don't want to just sit on the sidelines.” She turned to Rainbow. “You joined the Wonderbolts, right? What was that like?”

“Awesome. Totally awesome,” Rainbow said with a wide grin. “You get an awesome uniform, the others were pretty rad. I even met my husband there. Wasn't boring in the slightest, felt like every week we were dealing with bandits or something. But times were different then. It's a lot more peaceful now, ever since Harmony came about and most of the nations are working more towards peace.” She paused for a second. “Really? Wouldn't let you fight an air bender?”

“We had the bender out numbered three to one,” Daring said flatly. “It wasn't a master bender, either. It was just some rookie. Buck, I took her down myself and got little more than a bruise.”

Rainbow nodded. “Yeah, I know how that feels. I never really had to deal with that junk. But then, when I joined I'd already had a lot of my adventures. Buck, I'd helped save the world already, took down quite a few ships on my own, learned the sonic rainboom... I was already a legend. I kinda got to skip over the whole being a rookie thing.”

Daring groaned and shook her head. “You know... when I came out here, this isn't what I wanted.”

“Hmmm?”

“I thought coming out here, to be around other ponies... well... I thought I'd be like mom. Saving the world, going on adventures. Fighting off bad ponies. Buck, I mean even back home if I really got bored I could just sniff out some pirates or go piss off Ahuizotl. I've been here a few weeks and all I've done is training and then a bunch of boring patrols where I maybe get to see the slightest hint of action.”

Rainbow shrugged. “Well, if you want to go on adventures, I'd stick around Diamond more.”

“What? Why?”

“She's the Avatar. Trouble is going to follow her around wherever she goes. That was half the fun of being Twilight's friend.” Rainbow's grin got wider. “Buck, barely a day went by we weren't fighting for our lives. Totally awesome. We once dove into an active volcano. Sadly, it didn't erupt.”

Daring nodded and gave a sigh. “That sounds awesome.” She was silent for a few moments. “So uhhh... how mad do you think Ironwing will be, for real?”

Rainbow sighed. “I know his type. He won't 'be mad'. He'll just 'be disappointed'.”

“Oh gosh no...”

“Eeyup. And he'll probably give you the look. I'm sure you know the look.”

“Ughhhhhhh.”

“But in the end, it's your decision. If you don't want to be a Shadowbolt, then don't be a Shadowbolt.” She reached out and tapped the younger mare on the shoulder. “Daring, it's your life. You're still young, you've got a lot of time to decide what you want to do with it. Who knows? Maybe the Shadowbolts will be more interesting looking in five or six years. But for now, go on your adventures and have a blast.”

Daring nodded and closed her eyes. “Thanks. Do you uhhhh... do you think my mom would have minded? I mean... she kinda...”

“Twilight would have wanted you to do whatever made you happy.”

The younger mare sighed. “I guess. But I mean, she never really seemed to be okay with me... doing like... important stuff.”

“I'm sure she never meant it like that. Twilight... well, she wasn't always the best at social stuff. I'm sure whatever you decide to do with your life, whether it's running off and going on grand adventures, or even becoming a fishermare--”

“Oh gag me with a spoon.”

“Your mom would be happy. As long as you were happy.”

Daring sighed. “How do you know?”

Rainbow was quiet for a few moments, before speaking up. “Because I knew Twilight and I know what it's like to be a mother.” She slowly wrapped her hooves around her stomach. “If... I'd had a daughter, I'd have wanted her to be happy.”

“Don't care if Prism is happy, eh?” Daring asked with a snicker.

“Oh please, Blaze takes care of that. A good mom would give just about anything to make sure her kids were happy. I know Twilight would be proud of you no matter what.”

Daring sighed and closed her eyes. “I guess. I just... what do you think I should do?”

“Talk to Ironwing, first. When he gets off tonight, track him down. You know where he lives. Just let him know how you were feeling, why you did what you did. He'll pout and grumble and probably throw one of his trademark little fits, but in the end it's your life and he can't control you. He can only give you guidance.”

Daring nodded. “I guess. What then?”

“Well, what about your books? You ever get to anypony to show them?”

“Eh... heh heh. Well, a few ponies. I had one who was absolutely gushing over my adventure to get this sapphire stone. Frankly, I think it was one of my more boring adventures. I mean, come on, I hurt my wing at the beginning and I couldn't even fly! Who'd wanna read a story about something like THAT?”

Rainbow snickered and gave a shrug. “You never know. Go and talk with the pony, see what they think. If nothing else, at least you'll make a few bits on the side. Did you manage to save up much from working with the Shadowbolts?”

Daring groaned and face hoofed. “Yeah, a bit. But it was only for a few weeks. I guess this means I'll be living with... Hornclipper for longer.”

“What's that like?”

“Awkward. He never... does anything. I swear. He just kind of glides around, occasionally grumbling under his breath and being all mopey. I swear I saw him smile when he banged his hoof in a drawer.”

“Wait, really?”

“No, but he is the most like... whiney pony I've EVER seen. Just walks around in a cloud all day. It doesn't make any sense! Scootaloo is like... the exact opposite! So full of life and vigor. Talks all through breakfast, always running about. Oh! You heard about her getting wings? Apparently it's something Silver was working on, so she can fly.”

Rainbow sat up. “Wait, really? That's AWESOME! How have you guys NOT told me about this?”

Daring shrugged. “I don't know. Just never came up? It's pretty cool. I haven't actually seen it yet, though. She doesn't talk about it too much, but apparently she and Hornclipper have been going down to the compound and flying together a lot.” She paused. “Actually, now that I think about it... does Hornclipper even have a job?”

“Huh? What do you mean?”

“Well... he never talks about it or... much of anything. And he goes out at all weird hours.”

Rainbow shrugged. “I don't know. I remember him doing a lot of weird jobs over the years. But Scootaloo is on the council, I know that pays well enough that he wouldn't really need to.”

Daring shrugged. “I guess. Seriously, how did those two ever get together? It's like... complete opposites.”

“I don't know. Maybe Hornclipper has a secret, super charming side,” Rainbow said with a chuckle. “How about your sister, heard anything from her?”

Daring blinked, then sighed. “No. Not really. I've... sent her a few messages. But she hasn't responded to any of them. I don't even know if she's getting them. For all I know she's... well...”

“Ignoring you?”

“Yeah... it's just the kind of thing she'd do. I mean, I know we didn't always get along. Buck, we still don't. But she... she's still my sister. Mom would have wanted us to keep an eye out for each other.”

“Well, if you're not a member of the Shadowbolts anymore, maybe you can go visit her. It's not that long a trip. I mean, I used to be able to make the full flight in like... two days. But then again, I'm me. It takes quite a bit longer by airship.”

Daring chuckled and then gave a sigh. “I just might. I hope she's okay, though. Sometimes I just kind of worry about her. She's not really as...” She rubbed her chin. “As acclimated as I am, I guess. Not quite as good at the whole dealing with other ponies. Wayyyy too stubborn and uptight. Soooo serious. I hope it doesn't cause problems with the Fire Tribes.”

Rainbow shrugged. “It'll be fine. If she was in any kind of danger, we'd know it by now.”

Daring snickered and shook her head. “Right. Sunset in danger. She'd probably drive anypony who tried to threaten her mad.”

------

Sunset growled, pacing back and forth, digging her hooves into the ground of her small apartment with every step. Her face was set in an almost permanent scowl and it was all she could do to keep from yelling. She glanced towards the letter from the council again, before letting out another frustrated yell.

Oh, the Fire Tribes wanted her, alright. In fact, they were even putting her up in this rather nice, cozy apartment. But they didn't want to listen to her. They were treating her more like some kind of delicate, helpless flower. Giving her shelter and meals. Occasionally taking her out to meet the public. But they were ignoring everything she said.

At first she'd understood, she wasn't fully aware of all the laws and such of the land, but she'd already learned the vast majority of them thanks to her mother's tomes. She'd studied and researched, looking to find each and every change from what her mother had taught her, before finally returning to the council.

They'd merely brushed her off. Again and again, making excuses. They didn't listen to her speak, didn't ask her opinions, barely even looked at her when she talked. They just wanted her to be another body that stood there, smiling and waving at the ponies. As if she was some kind of trophy left behind by her mother. She gave her couch a firm kick. She was half tempted to throw something out the window, but that would probably just give them the satisfaction of thinking they were right. That she was over emotional and weak.

She was her mother's daughter and she swore she would make her proud. She would lead the Fire Tribes to prosperity like her mother would have wanted, even if she had to do it kicking and screaming.

A sudden knocking on the door made her glance up. She scowled and made her way over, pulling it open. Outside was standing a green coated pony with a blue mane. “Can I help you?” she asked bitterly.

“As a matter of fact, you can,” the mare said with a small smile. “My name is Gracious Warmth and I've come with an offer I... don't think you'll want to refuse.”

Sunset's scowl got larger. “I swear, if this is about--”

“I assure you, you have no idea what this is about. May I come in?”

Sunset blinked, but slowly stepped aside. Once the mare walked in, she closed the door behind her. “Okay. What is it you want?”

“You, my dear mare,” the mare said before trotting towards the couch and sitting down. “Or rather, what you represent.” She put a hoof on the edge of the couch and gasped. “Oh my, this is very nice. Is it velvet? It feels like velvet.”

“I don't know, it came with the room. What do you mean, what I represent?”

Gracious glanced up. “Ah, I guess I should explain a little bit. You see I'm a member of a... very select organization. In fact, there are only a hoofful of us now.” She frowned. “But I wouldn't use that to imagine us weak. We prefer the term... precise.”

“Uh huh,” Sunset said flatly. “And what do you want from me?”

“Simple. I've been watching you, Sunset. You're smart. More importantly, you're the daughter of Twilight, one of the greatest Avatars of all time. You'd make an excellent ruler.”

“A what now?”

Gracious sighed again and put a hoof to her forehead. “I... guess I'd better start from the beginning. I represent... well, we have plenty of names. You can call us the Remnants of Harmony.”

Sunset just scowled more. “What in the buck are--” She gasped, a hoof coming to her mouth. “Wait, being all... weird and awkward... are you a member of the Yellow Daisy?”

Gracious blinked. “No, I'm not. Though we have been watching them for a while, we are not in fact affiliated with them. In fact, I'm pretty sure if they knew who we were, they'd have had tried to stop us by now.”

Sunset blinked a few more times. “Stop you? Why? What are you doing?”

Gracious gave another soft sigh and stroked the couch. “This really is soft, it--”

“Answer the question.”

“How much do you know about Discord?”

“He was very powerful, very evil and is now very dead.”

Gracious nodded. “You're right on two counts. He was very powerful and evil, but we have reasons to suspect his death might have been greatly exaggerated.”

Sunset froze, her eyes going wider. “W-wait, what? Impossible, my mother destroyed him, he--”

“Was an extremely powerful spirit and, trust me. We know spirits.” Gracious frowned. “We know Discord more than most. But he was hardly the first spirit to be destroyed. Anxiety, Harmony, Beguile, Allure, all fell far before he did. When they die, things can... linger. In Harmony's case, it was the Avatar. In Discord's, well... we're not quite sure yet. But trust me, he's there. We can still feel his greasy claws entangled in the strings of our world, plucking at them as he works for... whatever it is he's trying to do now.”

“Why do you need me?” Sunset asked softly.

“You're the daughter of Avatar Twilight. She destroyed Discord, or at least the majority of his power. He is weakened, vulnerable. Whatever remnants remain may still be snuffed out. This... offers us an opportunity.” A grin formed on her lips. “A chance to complete what your mother started.”

“What my mother started?”

“Indeed, dear Sunset.” Gracious gave a nod before slowly holding up both her hooves. “True unity.”

Chapter 10: Legacy

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Peach gave a soft yawn as she rested on her cloud, glancing up at the clear sky. Her morning had been pretty rough, being the sole weather maintainer for the town was a tough job. But now the skies were clear and she could hear the farmers working the land below. It was going to be a beautiful, lovely day and she couldn't imagine anything would ruin it. Now she got to rest on her cloud hovering just over the trees and keep an eye out for any wandering clouds.

She blinked a few times and cocked her head to the side when she saw another pegasus flying through the air. She squinted and tried to make out who the pony was, but it wasn't any of the ponies from town. Yet the pony was making a beeline right for her. She stood up and stretched, lifting a hoof. “Hey! Can I--”

Shining didn't stop, slamming down into the pony and sending her hurtling through the cloud and into the ground below. It was only about a ten foot drop, but with the force from Shining's hooves it was powerful enough to break bones. She grinned down at the whimpering, moaning mare. “Awwww, did that hurt? Well, don't worry. This is going to hurt a lot more.” Her hoof lashed out, grabbing her head and slamming it twice into the ground.

“Was that really necessary?” Dazzling asked when he broke through the tree cover, eyes narrowed. “Meadowbrook said disable, don't kill.”

“What? She's not dead,” the pegasus said with a shrug. “Besides, I was quick. She barely even knew what hit her. Buck, when she wakes up she probably still won't know what hit her.”

His eyes narrowed. “Of course. Was that all of them, or do they have any other aerial defenses?”

“Nahhhh, this was it. There's a bunch of ponies out in the field, but she was the only pegasus I saw in the air. Tell him to hit the town, first. Might be a few first responders there. We're way too deep in Air Nomad lands for there to just be one pegasus here.”

Dazzling sighed before his horn glowed for a moment and he closed his eyes. Once he was done he opened them again and turned towards the town. “Come on. You and I are on round up duty. If any of them make a break for it, we're to stop them. Gently.”

Shining gave a low moan, but followed after him. “I swear, this is all just a waste of our time. We should be blowing these little places up, not capturing a bunch of no-name ponies. I have more magic in my front right hoof than this whole place has in their whole bodies.”

“That's probably true. But would you rather have Meadowbrook drain them, or acquire it from you?”

The color drained slightly from Shining's face and she bit her tongue. After a few moments she turned back to him. “How much power do you think she really has?”

“The ponies who were protecting my cage were not weak. If Meadowbrook truly has access to all of their power... it would make her a formidable adversary, but perhaps one I could defeat.” He paused. “But with access to the powers of all the ponies who were guarding all three of us? Those are not odds I'd wish to test.”

“Ohhhhh? Is little blood bender scared?”

“Only a fool fears nothing,” he said before glancing towards her. “Which I imagine is why you are so fearless.”

She gave a grin. “Yeah, you know it. Nothing scares--” She paused, then glared at him. “HEY!”

“Meadowbrook needs us, for now. I'd prefer to use my considerable powers to aid her and be free, rather than be drained away to the dregs and left to the mercy of the nations. Or would you so happily give up your flight?”

Shining blinked and then shuddered. “I'm just biding my time before I strike. I don't let anypony control me,” she said with a snort.

“Truly,” he said flatly.

------

Diamond paced back and forth on the airship's deck, occasionally glancing over the side. Rainbow was flying besides them while she, Scootaloo, Rarity, Sweetie, Applebloom and Applejack(who was looking slightly worse for the wear) rode on it. “There it is!” Sweetie called out and pointed down.

The alicorn jumped off the side of the ship and started to lower herself towards the town. It wasn't looking good in the slightest. The fields were torn up, with much of the vegetation burned away. The buildings(the few that still stood) were heavily damaged and cracked all the way down to their foundations. Wonderbolts were swarming the area, but they had arrived far too late as well. There were also a great deal of ponies wearing yellow neck bands with three pink butterflies on them who were doing their best to hand out blankets and food to the unmarked ponies, while also tending to the wounded.

The ponies who had been affected were gathered into a small herd in the center of the town, all of them missing their cutie marks. She landed on the ground a moment after Rainbow.

“Wonderbolt Rainbow Dash! Avatar Diamond Tiara!” a voice called out and the two looked over to see a pegasus stallion trotting over to them. He was wearing one of the yellow neck bands. “It's an honor,” he said, bowing his head. “I'm Goldenglow of Legacy. A pleasure to meet you.”

“Legacy?” Diamond asked, cocking an eye.

“Short for Fluttershy's Legacy,” a Wonderbolt said before she trotted up. “Goldenglow is in charge of the Legacy relief here, I'm in charge of trying to track down the ponies that did this. I'm Wonderbolt Redburst.” She paused and then nervously coughed to the side. “Wonderbolt Rainbow Dash... it's a... uhhhh... it's an honor. I never actually thought I'd... see you.”

Rainbow nodded. “Not happy in the slightest to be here, but that's not your fault,” the mare said with a frown. “So Meadowbrook did this?”

“As far as we can tell,” Redburst said. “It was a quick attack. This town is pretty small, just a few dozen ponies. Buck, they only had the one weather pony and a hoofful of civilian air benders. Took them all out in a few seconds, rounded everypony up.”

“Were any of them killed?” Rarity asked as she trotted up.

“As far as we can tell, no,” Redburst said with a shake of her head. “Their homes were destroyed, however.”

Applejack nodded as she trotted up. “Ah can see Hothoof's hoof prints all over this place. He always liked makin' a buncha explosions.”

“So Shining was here?” Rainbow asked.

Redburst gave a nod. “A pony matching her description took out the only weather pony they had. Mare said it was quick and brutal, though, so she could only give the colors.”

“That'd be her,” Rainbow muttered. “The weather pony is still alive?”

“A few broken rips, but yes. No pony was killed, just beat up and drained.” Redburst looked around. “It was a slaughter. Once Meadowbrook attacked a few first responders came out, but they were only trained to deal with a few petty bandits. Nothing to this extent. They were drained and left helpless within a matter of minutes. Unfortunately, the draining process knocked the majority of them out and none of them know where the ponies retreated to.”

Diamond gave a small nod before looking to the ship as it touched down. The others started to make their way over. “Always in a rush, eh?” Applejack asked as she looked around. “What yah find out?”

“A big deal of nothing,” Rainbow muttered, kicking the ground. “Why would they pop out here? There's like...” She glanced over to the ponies. “Like thirty ponies here. There can't be that much magic to gain from it.”

“Perhaps the purpose wasn't to gain magic,” Rarity said with a shake of her head. “Or at least, not a large amount. A small town like this may not have a lot of strategic importance in a war effort, but it is still an amount of magic. Draining it will no doubt make this Meadowbrook stronger and, more importantly, it lacks the danger of attacking a larger town and risking a sizable response.”

Rainbow gave a snort. “Well, at least we know Shining isn't leading this operation. She'd have gone straight for Cloudsdale if she was.”

“Ah think it's fair tah assume that Meadowbrook is still the pony in charge,” Applejack said with a shake of her head. “Ain't no way a normal pony could keep Hothoof under control an' stop him from hurtin' a buncha ponies in a situation like this.” She looked over. “Ah guess we should all be grateful. No deaths is still somethin' we can be happy about. We can always get their cutie marks back.”

“Hopefully it's easier this time,” Diamond muttered, looking around. She then looked to the three. “What would you do in a situation like this?”

Rainbow shrugged. “Find them. It's all we can do at this point. But we already have all four countries tearing about and looking for any sign of them. It's not like when we were fighting Discord or the Water Nation. With them, we always knew where they were going and well buck, we were in their position before. It's a lot easier to hide a few ponies than it is to find them, if you know how.”

“Slightly easier for us than them of course,” Applejack said with a shrug. “At least two of the nations didn't want us captured. But on the other hoof, ah don't think these ponies really care if they go an' hurt anypony, so they are a might more dangerous.” She shook her head. “Any guesses?”

Rarity rubbed her chin. “Well... to be honest, a thought does occur.”

“Oh?” Diamond asked, looking to her.

“We have no idea what they have planned at this point. As much as I hate to say it, there may be nothing we can do aside from hoping for some sign of tracks or marks as to where they went.”

“Ah wouldn't count on it,” Applejack muttered. “They got Hothoof an' if this Meadowbrook can do some earth bendin' thanks tah that fancy stick of hers, there's no tellin' if they'll leave any kind of mark. All in all, it's frankly... well...”

“A complete bucking waste of time,” Rainbow said through gritted teeth. “Buck, this is ridiculous. We can't just pop up after they do a bunch of damage and then go 'oh, sorry guys, we were a bit too slow'. There has to be something we can do!”

There was a soft cough and Goldenglow slowly raised a hoof. “Err... if... if I may be so bold?” the pony asked, giving a nervous smile.

“Go right ahead,” Rainbow said with a wave of her hoof. “Not like things could get much worse.”

“Most of the ponies here are... well, their morale is low. They're scared, they don't know what's happening. Some of them are hurt and terrified they may never have their cutie marks back.” His eyes then moved down to Diamond. “You, however... are the Avatar. I know it might sound silly, but... a few words from you, any words from you, could do these ponies a world of good.” He then looked to the others. “You're also the heroes of legend. Most ponies here have grown up hearing the tales of your amazing defeat of Discord and the Water Nation. It might not do much to stop this from happening again, but anything you'd have to say would mean the world to these ponies and if nothing else, calm their nerves.”

Diamond froze, her eyes lowering. “I... I don't know what I'd say. To be honest, I don't even know if there will be anything I CAN do for them. I have no way to track Meadowbrook, or--”

“It's not about knowing what you can do,” Goldenglow said with a shake of his head. “It's about knowing what you intend to do.”

Diamond chewed on her lower lip for a few moments before glancing back to the others.

“Well, ah don't see any harm in it,” Applejack said with a shrug. “We all beaten these ponies once before an' stars know we don't intend tah stop until we do it again. So ain't gonna be nothin' but the truth from meh.”

Rainbow shrugged. “Meh. We took down Discord, we can take down some weird unicorn with a fancy stick.”

Rarity gave a nod. “Indeed. And as dangerous as their combined might may be, I assure you ours is far, far stronger. These ruffians will have to learn the hard way not to cause problems with our nations. We're with you, Diamond.”

Diamond gulped and gave a nod. “I uhhh... I guess we'll say something then.” She looked to all the ponies before slowly stepping forward. To her relief, she could hear the others walking behind her and following in her steps. As she moved forward, the relief ponies stopped and moved aside while those missing their marks turned to face her. She took a deep breath before trying to steel herself. She mentally called out to Twilight to aid her if she could. She then stomped her hooves down and glowered at the ponies. “Hello!” she called out and, to her shock, her voice was suddenly EXTREMELY loud, making her take a step back. She looked around in confusion and saw Rarity's horn was glowing.

“Carry on, dear,” the unicorn said.

Diamond gulped and looked back to the ponies. “Hello. My name is Diamond Tiara. Most of you will more likely know me as the Avatar.” She paused for a moment. “I am very, very sorry for what happened to you here. However, I want you to all know, I WILL get your cutie marks back. I will not stop, I will not rest until they are returned where they need to be.” She looked left and right over the crowd of ponies. “I know you're scared, I know you feel helpless and weak. Like your very core has been stripped from you.” She paused for a second and thought back to how she felt when her cutie mark had been stolen. “I know because I have been where you've been. I've fought Meadowbrook and, unfortunately, at first I lost. I was stripped of my cutie mark. However, that didn't stop me and it won't stop you. With my friends besides me, I continued to fight, I continued to oppose her. That won't change now. Meadowbrook has lost before, as have all of her companions. This time will be no different. The full force of all five nations are working together to capture these criminals and rest assured, when they are captured you will have your cutie marks and magic back.” She then looked back. “It's not just me, either, who will be doing this. I... know you have all heard of Avatar Twilight Sparkle, likely one of the greatest Avatars of all time. Her friends have joined me on this quest and I know, together with them, there is no way we can fail.” She turned back to the crowd. “I just ask that you please be patient and wait. Before you know it, you'll be back to your normal lives.”

“What are we going to do for our harvest?” a pony yelled out.

Diamond blinked and froze. “Err... I'm sorry?” she asked, staring at the ponies.

One of the earth ponies stood up. “Our harvest! We depend on the bits our fields bring in every year to survive, but without our magic to tend the fields, how will they prosper? We can't put our lives on hold until this pony is captured, we need our magic!”

Diamond froze, her eyes widening. “I... uhhh... I mean, I'm sure there's ponies who can help you. Give you bits to last through the winter, even--”

“I don't need no bucking hoof out!” a pony yelled, jumping to her hooves. “I've been working these fields since before you were just a sparkle in your pa's eyes! I can take care of them myself, cause it's my job and my duty! Just like it's your job and duty to protect us from crazy ponies like this!”

Diamond froze, lowering her eyes. “I'm... I'm sorry. We're working to--”

“Now you jus' hold on a darn minute!” Applejack snapped before she took a step forward, glaring down at the pony in front of her. “Now ah ain't gonna blame yah for not wantin' a hoof out. But ah was workin' fields like this jus' before YAH were a sparkle in your pa's eyes an' if yah think ah'm gonna stand around an' let yah bad mouth the Avatar due tah this situation, yah got another thing comin',” she snapped, stomping a hoof down. “Yah all got a bad lot, ah ain't gonna lie. Frankly, losin' your cutie mark at a time like this plum stinks worse'n a pig pen that ain't been cleaned all summer, but that ain't Diamond's fault. It's the ponies that attacked yah all's fault an' don't yah eva forget it. Now, ain't nopony tellin' yah tah take a hoof out, star's know hardly a pony alive who'd want somethin' like that. But yah all had a buncha bad luck an' your right, tendin' tah your fields right now is jus' not in the picture. Frankly, with the way things are goin' yah probably gonna be dependin' on charity more than yah like.” She then turned to Goldenglow. “But that's why Fluttershy's Legacy was founded. Tah help ponies that got hurt in the war or situations like this. Tah help yah all stay on your hooves so yah don't end up jammed in the mud.” She took a deep breath. “Ah know how it feels, ah'm sure yah all put your heart an' soul intah this land, but as much as ah hate tah say it, it ain't worth dyin' over. More'n that, yah all make it sound like you're gonna miss a few years worth of harvest. The las' time Meadowbrook showed her head the whole thing was over in a few months, brutal as it was, an' ah doubt now will be any change. That means jus' one harvest season, maybe not even a whole harvest. It's rough, your pride is gonna take a bit of a blow, but now's the time for all of us tah stick tagether, not bite at the hoof offerin' yah aid.”

She glanced to Rainbow. “Now, ah don't know about how your country operates, but back in the Earth Kingdom stuff like this can happen from time tah time. In times like that, our Empress makes sure that the ponies are taken care of. Ah don't know how you Air Nomads do it, but if it's anythin' like it was durin' the war, yah all will be fine.” She then turned back to them. “Ah'm sorry, it sucks, but yah all are ponies for buck's sake. Yah are gettin' a stiff blow tah the chin, ain't nopony gonna say yah ain't. But that ain't no reason tah throw a tantrum an' go blamin' the Avatar for somethin' she didn't cause yah an' she sure as buck is doin' her very best tah help yah with.”

Rainbow gave a nod before stepping forward, giving a nod. “Exactly, Applejack's right. The Air Nomads have resources in place for situations like that and Fluttershy's Legacy is already popping up to give you the aid you need.” She motioned to the other ponies. “It sucks, fine. But if you're going to be mad, at least be mad at the right pony.”

The ponies slowly sat down and grumbled a bit amongst themselves, but quickly went quiet. Diamond smiled before she and the others turned around, heading back towards the ship. “Thank you,” she said softly.

“Ain't nothin',” Applejack said with a shrug. “Them ponies jus' wanted somepony tah lash out at an' yah made a good target. Ah ain't gonna stick around for that.”

“Did uhh...” Diamond gave a soft sigh. “Did Twilight ever have... ponies who blamed her for what happened?”

There was a long moment of silence before Rainbow spoke up. “Yes. A few ponies. Most of them understood, of course. But there were plenty who blamed her for what happened. As if it was her fault, personally, that the Water Nation went to war, that Discord showed up, just about everything was laid at her hooves by one pony or another. Frankly, it was just bucking stupid. I mean, I get it, she's the Avatar. Was the Avatar. But there's only so much one pony can do. There were a bunch of idiots who apparently thought she should have trotted straight into the Water Nation on day one of her appearance and just dethroned Nightmare Moon. You know what would have happened then?”

“What?” Diamond asked softly.

“We'd have had a new Avatar a good deal sooner an' Discord would still be runnin' about,” Applejack said with a shake of her head. “Buck, ah wasn't with her for most of the journey but even ah could see jus' how hard she was workin'. The sad truth of the matter is, there will always be ponies like that. When bad stuff happens, they look for somepony tah blame. Try tah find some quick an' easy way tah jus' make everything better. Sayin' things like 'well, if ah was Avatar, ah'd have won this war already.' Fact of the matter is, yah are the Avatar. Yah were chosen for a reason an' ain't up tah us tah tell yah how tah do your job. All we can do is guide yah an' train yah, ain't none of us who can do it for yah an' ah sure as buck doubt there's any of us who can do it better.”

Rarity shuddered. “I quiver in dread at the thought of anypony but Twilight having been the last Avatar. So many things could have gone so much worse.”

Rainbow snickered softly. “Yeah. Imagine if I had been the Avatar.”

The three froze in place for a moment, before bursting into laughter.

Diamond couldn't help but join in with their laughter a few moments later, a smile forming on her lips. What happened to those ponies was horrible, she couldn't deny. But they were right. They'd beaten Meadowbrook and the others before, they could do it again. Even if she did have a new trick, it would still be the same old Meadowbrook and she'd break her again.

------

Meadowbrook frowned as she eyed the small town from the mountain overlooking it. A small, white glow surrounded them, hiding them from view. The staff held in her magic barely glimmered and she felt the annoyance grow.

“Are we almost done here?” Shining asked, pacing back and forth. “I'm so freaking bored. Look, there's Rainbow and the others, we should take them out.”

“No, she's not with them,” Meadowbrook muttered, before lowering the staff. “I don't know why, but she hasn't joined the Avatar on this adventure.”

“She? She who?” Shining asked, cocking an eye.

Meadowbrook didn't answer, instead she trotted back into the cave. “Come on, we're leaving.”

Shining sighed and glanced to Dazzling. “Isn't being a minion just soooo delightful?” she asked, her voice practically dripping with sarcasm.

“It beats being one of the unmarked,” he said with a shrug as he trotted back.

“You only say that because you always were just a little pet,” Shining taunted as she trotted besides him. “Just the little water bending pet who nopony wanted.”

He shrugged. “Better a loyal pet than a rabid dog.”

Shining froze, her eyes narrowing. “Unlike you, I'm free. I fly where I want, I fight who I want, I kill who I want, I--”

“Obey Meadowbrook or find yourself amongst the unmarked,” Dazzling said coldly. “You are too loud and obnoxious, you should try to be like Hothoof. Even if he is as dumb as you, he manages to at least keep himself entertained.” He trotted into a small red circle that Meadowbrook had created. Hothoof was standing behind them, knocking a small rock back and forth between his hooves.

Shining let out a low growl before stepping into the circle, it glowed a second later and the four disappeared.

Chapter 11: Parents

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Silver paced back and forth, her patience being cut dangerously thin as she eyed the horizon. She tried to keep herself annoyed, angry. But slowly worry was beginning to win out. The ship was supposed to have been here by now. In fact, it was already twenty minutes late. Not unheard of for airships, but this airship had her daddy. It wouldn't be unheard of for him to have accidentally blown something up. Including the airship itself, or the Fire Tribes. She wouldn't put it past him to have blown up their capital.

However, finally the airship came into view and she took off into the air, zooming off toward it, her metallic wings flapping quickly. The gem over her chest hummed a little, warning her that she was going quite fast, but she didn't care. It took her only a moment to land on the deck amidst the stunned crew. “Err, Lady Silve--”

“Where is he?” she asked, her eyes narrowed. The pony just motioned down below deck. She started trotting down the steps, looking around. It was one of their ship designs, so it only took her a few minutes to find his room and she reached out, tapping on it.

After a moment the door opened and Alicity smiled. “Have we landed-- oh, dear! You're here! Did we land already?” he asked.

She stared for a few moments before she chewed on her lower lip. She then shrugged. “Oh, buck it.” She stepped forward and gave him a big hug. “Hi daddy.”

He chuckled and hugged her back, his hooves wrapping around her. “Oh Silver, my little girl. How have you been faring without me?”

“Fine. Everything is fine, I went through all the paperwork that had piled up while we were gone.” She said proudly before pulling back. She peeped into the room and chuckled when she saw Secretary at the desk, pretending to be engrossed in paperwork but her twitching ears giving away that she was listening. “How was your trip?”

“Marvelous! Why, at this rate we'll have the Badlands completely tamed within a few months!”

“Years,” Secretary corrected.

“Years!” he said again.

“At best, if it's even possible.”

“Yes, that,” he said with a nod. “But we do have ships traveling between Manehatten and that little city... what was it called again?”

“Sanctuary,” Silver said quickly.

“Yes, there,” he said before pulling back and trotting towards the desk. “Now, it's time to get back to the hard work. Our ship models have been taking the world by storm. Already I have quite a few requests and I'm working on developing a brand new vessel that integrates the cannons and shielding we've developed, along with the new long distance audio and visual equipment we've been releasing. Secretary?”

The mare's horn glowed and a blueprint glided up into the air, revealing a small, tiny vessel with a single balloon. “Now, I'm still working on the name,” he said before motioning towards the name that had been written in and crossed out nearly a dozen times. “But this vessel will be perfect. It can be crewed by only a hoofful of ponies, it will have advanced communication systems that will allow it to send messages back to bases with ease and little time. More importantly, with its shields it will be protected from most magical attacks, including bending. Its cannons will allow it to fight back, as well.”

Silver nodded. “Really? And what would that mean?”

“Downsizing,” Alicity said with a grin.

“... Downsizing?”

He nodded, tapping the blueprint. “Yes. Imagine it. Patrols that would only have to be a tenth the size of a normal patrol. Four or five ships able to do the job of dozens of other ponies. Rather than having to dedicate hoofpower to patrols, instead they could put the hooves where they were really needed, disaster relief and the kind.” He gave a nod. “Less pony lives at stake, less ponies being forced to work overtime, less cost. Sure, the initial cost will be a tad bit... excessive, but that's what our research is for!” he said proudly, before tapping the blueprint.

Silver nodded, eying it for a few moments. “But they didn't really... hold up well against air bending.”

“The initial ones didn't hold up well,” he said quickly. “However, I am certain, with more fine tuning, even a sonic rainboom will be unable to break through them. Even then, the blast taken was up close and the shields still managed to hold up enough not to get you all killed.” He paused for a moment and looked back to her. For the first time, the smile of his wavered. “I... really shouldn't have let you go off on your own, it--”

“Oh don't even start,” she said firmly, shaking her head. “I had Rainbow Dash and the Avatar with me. I was safer than any pony had any right to be,” she said flatly. “Not to mention I was the one in charge of the expedition to begin with, so it kind of was my decision.” She rolled her eyes. “So really, you didn't have much of a choice in the matter.”

He nodded and then gave her a big hug. “Oh, my big, strong little girl. I understand, it can't have been easy for you, having to take care of this whole expedition on your own and putting yourself at risk. Don't worry, next time this happens I'll make sure to return on the ship with you.”

She rolled her eyes. “Daddy! That's not at all what I meant! Besides, it's not like we're going back to the Badlands anytime soon!” She managed to tug herself free from his grasp and fall on her flank, shaking her head. She then glared up at him. “Ugh, I was fine, really. The Avatar had everything handled. She still does.”

He blinked a few times, before nodding. “Very well. But next time you run into these ruffians, I'll make sure to be with you.” He reached out and tapped the gem over her chest. “Is that a six gem core?”

She nodded, glancing down. “Yeah. I've been working on it. With our newer models, the magic through the systems is far more stable with less surges.”

He nodded. “Really? So they don't get disrupted anymore?”

“Occasionally they do when I do a harder move, but on straight runs they work wonderfully and the speed increase is great. If we can work out the surges during sharp turns, I think the six gem core will really help us up the speed on our models and hit their peak. I think research and development has managed to make some headway on our dual core system, too.”

He nodded. “Really? Fascinating! If we could get the dual core system to work, that could really add more viability to a ten gem system.”

She nodded. “Exactly. Ponies would be able to go through the--” She paused and looked to Secretary, who just stood there eying the two of them. “Oh, I'm sorry. We aren't boring you, are we?”

The unicorn blinked and shook her head. “No, of course not, Lady Silver. I may not quite have the same grasp you and your father do on all this, but I know enough to follow along.” She paused. “However, Doctor? I think there is one other matter that you've neglected to discuss with your daughter?”

Alicity blinked, before giving a shrug. “No, there's no need to worry about that,” he said quickly, shaking his head.

“Sir...”

Silver frowned. “Daddy? What is it?”

Alicity gave a sigh before closing his eyes. “Your... grandparents will be coming for a visit. It is... one of the reasons I decided to come back so quickly.”

She froze in place, her eyes going to little pin pricks. She quickly shook her head. “I... see. And when, exactly? I mean, I'm really quite busy and I don't think I'll really have time to be around them right now. Perhaps in a few months... or years?”

Alicity gave a sigh and shook his head. “I tried. They insisted...”

The two earth ponies shared a look before giving exasperated sighs.

------

Button laid on his stomach, face buried in his hooves as his entire body quivered. He tried not to cry, but it was just so hard. The frustration was almost too much to bear. The little rock of metal just sat in front of him, unmoving, unrelenting, ignoring him no matter how hard he tried to bend it. When he tapped it, he was now able to feel the dirt inside it.

But it was no use. It refused to respond to his touch, refused to yield to his bending. It just stood there, a big, stupid, annoying rock.

“Button?” a voice called out from behind him, making him freeze.

He recognized the voice and didn't need to turn around. “Errr, hi mom,” he said nervously, quickly wiping his eyes. He then stood up and turned back, smiling to her. “Just taking a break, hit my hoof pretty bad and all that. You know how it is.”

Octavia stared at him, concern on her face. She stepped forward and reached out, gently brushing his hair back out of his eyes. She then reached out and her hoof wrapped around his neck before she pulled him in for a hug. “My dear little boy.”

Red flooded his cheeks and he squeaked. “M-mom! W-what are you doing?”

She glanced down at him. “I think it's time you stop this.”

“What? No! I've almost got it, I--”

“No, you don't,” she said firmly, gently patting his back. “And that's okay. You're a marvelous earth bender, even if you can't metal bend. There's no need to be so focused on this.”

“If I'm not a metal bender, then I can't join!” he said softly, shaking. “It's in the name! Metal bender!” He stared up at her. “Mom. I... I have to. I can't just... I can't just be Button. I'm—”

“You're not just Button,” she said softly, staring down at him. “You're an amazing bender. A lava bender. And even if you weren't, that wouldn't mean you were any less talented. You can do many, many things, metal bending just happens to not be one of them.” She reached out and patted his head. “You're pushing yourself to the breaking point, hurting yourself. This... is not something you should do. This is not something you need to do.” She leaned in and gave him a small kiss on the forehead. “I am so sorry.”

He froze. “Mom?”

“I... never should have pushed you so hard. Were I not so... demanding, perhaps you wouldn't feel this way.”

Button blinked, his mouth falling open. He quickly shook his head. “No, mom, of course not! You were never demanding, I just...” His eyes lowered and he nudged the ground. “I just... I wanna be awesome. Like you and Vinyl were when... you were our ages.”

She gave another soft sigh. “Oh, darling. That was a different time, a different place.” She gently brushed the hair from his eyes. “And I was a different pony. I was not the leader of the metal benders then, nor was I particularly awesome.”

“Of course you were! I've heard all the stories, the way you fought in the wars and stuff, you helped the Avatar and--”

“And how is what I did different than what you do? Are you not friends with the Avatar? Do you not aid her in her battles?”

He blinked a few times, before lowering his eyes. “I... I did. But now...”

“But now she has Rainbow, Applejack and Rarity,” she said softly. “But she won't, not forever. You, however, are her friend. She will always have a need for you.” She looked to the metal stone. “And that will mean you will need to be, as you say, awesome. It is... time you stopped focusing on what you can't do, and instead learned to harness what you can.”

He cringed. “Mom...”

She tapped her hoof and the metal rock flew to her, she caught it in one hoof. “It is time for you to focus on your lava bending, to develop it properly.”

“I can't give up on metal bending, I--”

“Don't have the talent for it,” Octavia said firmly, her voice cold. “There is no shame in that. Many ponies cannot metal bend. Even though there are many of us now, we still only make up a fraction of the world's earth benders. But that doesn't make you any less my child, or any less strong. Nor does it make you any less awesome. Now, come. It's time for us to practice.”

He gave a soft sigh before nodding. “Yes, mother.”

“... After we're done we'll go get ice cream.”

His eyes lit up. “Really? Yay!” He froze. “Err, I mean, I guess. If you want.”

------

Acrylic laid in bed, clutching his head. Life sucked. Oh, life sucked so, so much. He ground his horn into the pillow, trying to use the extra pressure to draw his attention away from the pain. He didn't know why he'd even done such a thing, he was such an idiot. Nothing was worth this pain, nothing.

There was a gentle knock on the door and he groaned before looking over. An earth pony stood there, giving him a nervous smile. “H-hi,” she said softly.

“Hi,” he said softly, staring at her. She had a silver coat and a blue mane. “Are you one of the nurses?”

Her eyes widened and she shook her head. “N-no. I uhhh... I mean, I-I don't know if you remember me, but uhhh...” She slowly stepped inside and he could see she had a fruit basket on her back. She gingerly reached back and grabbed it, putting it on the table besides him. “I ummmm... I mean, it's kind of... my fault you're here.”

“Huh?” he asked softly, blinking in confusion. “Did... you hit me with a hammer?”

She stared at him for a few moments before giving a small burst of giggles, covering her mouth. “Oh, you're so silly,” she said, before nervously looking away. “No... I uhhh... I was the... pony you saved. You uhhh... teleported to save me. I uhhh... I just... I wanted to say thank you. My uhhh... my name's Pearl.”

“Pearl?” he asked softly, before reaching up and rubbing his horn with his hoof, wishing the pain would just dampen. “Listen,” he said softly. “It was just a job, no need to thank me. I uhhhh... well, it's what I had to do. I couldn't let a pony die.”

She nodded, moving besides him. “I-I know. I uhhh... well, I mean, it's not every day that... a pony just...” She took a slow, deep breath. “I just wanted to say thank you and uhhh... well...” she then leaned forward and gave him a kiss on the cheek. “Thanks a lot and I really appreciate you saving me!” She then galloped from the room.

Acrylic just stared, his mouth falling open in shock before a little red moved into his cheeks. If nothing else, it made his pain momentarily forgotten and reconsider if maybe the pain was worth it. Just a little.

------

Ironwing gave a low yawn as he looked over the reports, licking his lips before he began filling them out. Toughwing was doing a pretty good job, he couldn't deny. The stallion had a keen eye when it came to pick pockets, he suspected it had something to do with his his life before the Shadowbolts. He'd make an excellent partner for Artemis, the latter who was a rookie but probably one of the fastest bat ponies he'd ever seen.

He couldn't keep the grin off his face as he worked, failing to keep his trademark glare in place. Directing from the sidelines, rather than the front, was actually quite nice. He was really starting to feel like he'd found his true calling. More importantly, he was feeling the tension starting to leak off his body.

Buck, he felt so relaxed, he was considering going to see Prism after work today. Maybe catch up on old times. Dump a bucket on his big annoying face. That just made his smile get wider.

Chapter 12: Bump bump sugar rump

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A week passed and Diamond was quickly finding herself more and more frustrated. Again and again Meadowbrook would pop up, in one village or another, drain it and then be long gone by the time they could respond. The Air nomads were doing what they could, but even when they set up more guards throughout the nation, the guards got taken out too. Between Shining, Dazzling and Meadowbrook they were able to crush any air benders that tried to stop them, while Hothoof was able to wreck the town and gather up the ponies on the ground.

It was like trying to find a needle in a haystack. The four of them could pop up anywhere and there was no knowing where they'd appear. The Air Nomad lands were huge, and there were just too many places for them to hide. And that was before even taking into consideration they had earth benders. With that, it was all but impossible to catch them.

It was all starting to feel hopeless and Diamond couldn't help but feel like a failure. It was happening all over again, the unmarked were slowly being made more and more, yet--

She froze and looked up at herself in the mirror, steeling herself. “No. It's not the same. Not this time. Meadowbrook doesn't have an army. She just has four ponies. And they will slip up, they will give us an opening. When they do, we will stop them and get all those cutie marks back.” She took a slow, deep breath. “She doesn't have followers. She doesn't have some new world order. She has a small group of psychotic ponies who are selfish, wicked and evil. Who will be stopped.” She gave a small smile. “We'll stop them. No matter how strong they get.”

Suddenly there was a knock on the door. She froze before looking towards it. “Yes?”

“Diamond? It's Prism!” he called in. “Silver is here for you!”

Diamond blinked a few times, her mouth falling open. She couldn't imagine what would bring Silver all the way out here to the island. “Thanks,” she called out before trotting out of the room and towards the door. When she opened it, she stared at Silver. The mare was pacing back and forth on the porch. “You could have come in. Is something wrong?”

“What? No. Didn't want to be a bother,” she said with a wave of her hoof. “Diamond, I wanted to ask if you'd like to come to dinner tonight.”

“Really? That sounds--”

“And meets my grandparents.”

Diamond blinked a few times, her mouth falling open. “W-what?”

“My grandparents. They're going to be at dinner tonight. Meeting them, would you like to?”

The alicorn stared, her mouth falling open. Finally, she gave a nod. “I uhhh... I guess. Are they, errr... nice?”

“If you're there, they will be,” she muttered softly. “Probably.”

“I uhhh... I guess.” Diamond blinked. “Is that the only reason you came over? It's a bit of a flight.”

“I wanted to test out the wings a bit more, too,” she said with a shrug. “Wanna fly back to land with me? I think I'm going to get a bit of lunch.”

“Lunch?”

“Breakfast, lunch, whatever,” Silver said with a wave of her hoof.

“Silver, are you okay? You seem... stressed.”

“A little bit,” she said with a shrug. “Kinda had this whole thing dumped on me and I'd have preferred more time to prepare.”

“Wait. Are these... Alicity's parents?”

Silver gave a small nod.

Diamond blinked. “Button and Acrylic are going to want to see this.”

“... Button has met them once. I wouldn't put him through that again. Acrylic... well, he's in the hospital.”

“Oh, right. Have uhhh... you seen him, since?”

“Of course. I try to visit him every other day. Haven't you?”

Diamond's cheeks burned and she looked away. “I... well... I... no. I actually haven't seen him past the... first time. I mean, he was so hurt and--”

“He still is,” Silver said with a shake of her head. “I don't even think he's fully aware of me being there, so I wouldn't worry about it. I mostly just want to check up and make sure he's not dead or anything. Burn out is just really painful.” She then reached out and patted her withers. “Besides, you've been extremely busy. Training every day in the different elements, not to mention having to rush off every time Meadowbrook shows her head. Frankly, you're doing a great job. Nopony can blame you for not having time to visit Acrylic.”

Diamond nodded slowly before giving a little smile. “I... guess. I still can't help but blame myself, though. I mean... a good friend should make the time. Right?”

“Sometimes. But a good friend should also know their limits. Acrylic wouldn't want you to push yourself too hard on his behalf. That'd upset him a lot more than you not visiting.”

Diamond sighed and gave a small nod, before spreading her wings and taking flight. “You're right, I guess. So uhhh... tell me about your grandparents. What are they like?”

Silver frowned for a moment as she flew through the air. Finally, she spoke up. “We're Water Nation.”

“Huh?”

“We're from the Water Nation. Grandma and grandpa... well... they're unicorns. Water benders, to be precise.”

Diamond faltered slightly. “W-what? Both of them? But, I mean, Alicity is an earth pony and--”

“Yeah, so am I. Mom was one too,” Silver grumbled a bit darkly. “Something they make sure to NEVER let us forget.”

Diamond blinked a few times, her mouth falling open. She then gasped. “O-oh. I'm... guessing you don't... get along well with them?”

Silver shook her head. “There's a reason we live here and they live there.” She paused for a moment. “And a reason daddy never actually uses any of the alicorn enhancements, even if he developed the majority of them.”

The alicorn's eyes widened. “Wait, is that why you guys are able to do all this? I mean, work with magic and create all this stuff?”

“Probably. Daddy says he got all the best schooling when he was a kid and... well... let's just say Water Nation curriculum was very unicorn heavy.”

“What about you?”

“I grew up in Harmony. Daddy said he didn't want me growing up in that kind of environment.”

“What about your mom?”

Silver froze for a moment, before veering down towards the beach and landing on the sand. She took a slow, deep breath. “We uhhh... we never... we've never really talked about my mom, have we?”

Diamond landed besides her. “No, not really.”

The earth pony glanced over. “Died, during child birth. I uhhhh... wasn't an easy child, it seems,” she mumbled softly. She glanced towards the city. “It's pretty common, though. Lots of... ponies lose their parents like that. There, simple, right?”

Diamond blinked a few times before moving besides her. She gave her a small nudge. “I uhhh... I know what you... I mean... I... know how that feels.”

Silver took a slow, deep breath. “Really? Why? Did your--” The words caught in her throat when she saw the look on Diamond's face. “Oh.”

“Yeah. Don't really... talk about her much. Daddy definitely didn't. So uhhh... I mean... I guess...”

The earth pony nodded, glancing off to the side awkwardly. “Yeah...”

The two stood in awkward silence for a moment. Finally, after a few minutes Diamond spoke up. “But, hey, I mean, our daddies were pretty cool, right? I mean... a bit... over protective, but I know my daddy still did a... mostly good job with me. Probably fed into my ego a bit too much, but I... know he loves me.”

Silver nodded. “Yeah. Daddy is awesome. He uhhhh... besides. I still have a good mare role model. Secretary and all.”

“That reminds me. What is Secretary's name? It's not actually Secretary, is it?”

“What? No, of course not! It's... it's...” Silver blinked a few times. “... Is it? Buck. You know, now that I think about it, I don't think I've ever actually called her anything but Secretary. She's never corrected me, either. Maybe I should look at her file...” She paused again. “Buck, where does Secretary store the employee files?”

Diamond snickered for a moment as the two started to trot into the city. She paused and reached out, putting a hoof on the other mare's side. “Hey... Silver?”

“Huh?” she asked, glancing back.

The alicorn moved to stand by her, then reached out. “You uhhh... I mean...” She coughed. “There was a... special thing me and my dad used to do all the time. It's like... a kinda secret hoof shake, I guess. Would... you like to learn it?”

Silver blinked a few times, staring. “What? Really? Why me?”

Diamond nudged the ground. “Cause... well... I mean, you're like...” She chewed on her lower lip. “You're like a sister to me.”

The earth pony froze, her mouth falling open. “A... a sister? I... I'm not a... I'm...”

“I'm sorry, was that weird? I didn't mean to make it weird, I just though, I mean, I-I'm sorry, forget I asked, it's stupid. I--”

“No,” Silver said, reaching out and putting a hoof on her withers. “I'd like to learn it. I think... I think that'd be great.” She gave a little smile. “And... you're like a sister to me, too.”

Diamond nodded and then gave her a little smile. “Okay, it goes like this. Bump--”

------

Starlight rocked back and forth, her eyes closed as she hugged a small little white bunny to her chest, gently petting its back as she rocked back and forth. “Bunny... bunny...” she mumbled softly under her breath.

Hothoof hummed happily as he knocked a small stone up into the air repeatedly, bumping it again and again with his hoof. Shining was laying in a corner, her snores echoing through the cave. Glimmering eyed the crazed mare in the cage, before looking to Meadowbrook. “Is it my imagination, or is she getting better?”

Meadowbrook glanced over to her and shrugged. “She isn't directly under Discord's influence anymore, or his Avatar. I doubt the effects will fully wear off for a while, but I imagine she'll get better eventually.” She then glanced down at a small map. “It's of no concern, though. She has no cutie mark and no magic, she's nothing even approaching a threat. Perhaps if her mind returns she'll finally shut up,” she muttered before tapping on the map with her hoof.

“We could just execute her,” Glimmering muttered softly.

“Until I discover who Discord's Avatar is, her life is more valuable than all three of you put together. In fact, until I have the Alicorn Amulet and their power, her life is more valuable.”

Glimmering frowned, glancing back towards Starlight. He wondered how valuable any of them would be once Meadowbrook had those. He idly wondered if he could kill a spirit, if it was even possible. As great as his power was, he was no Avatar. “Then what is your next move?”

Meadowbrook frowned. “The other Avatar isn't coming out to play. I need to find a way to draw her out. She's close to Diamond, I know that. But where? Why is she avoiding... this?” She shook her head. “Is it possible she knows about me? Did Ahuizotl tell her?”

Glimmering glanced at the map for a moment, eying it. “Do you need them both to be together?”

Meadowbrook nodded. “Indeed. Both are far more dangerous that I'd care to admit. If Discord's Avatar has the amulet, that makes her a far greater threat.”

“Then I think the plan is obvious. When we attack, they react. They prepare, grab their forces and come to us.” He tapped on the map. “That is why they're so slow, they'll never catch us. And this Discord probably knows that. However, the Avatar you know has weaknesses. If we force them to react quicker, to come to us without gathering their forces, then Discord might make her appearance and aid the Avatar. Especially if they suspect they may finally catch us.”

Meadowbrook blinked a few times, staring at the map. She then glanced to Glimmering and gave a small smile. “Make her react quicker? I... think you might be on to something.” The smile spread even wider before she tapped her horn. “And I think I know just the place to go.”

------

Diamond gave a nervous grin across the dinner table at the gray unicorn stallion and yellow unicorn mare. “So... errr... Mister Set and Misses Crust, right?”

The stallion nodded, eying her. “Indeed. But you may call me Jet and my wife Upper.” He looked her up and down. “So... Diamond. I really must say, I am surprised to meet you here. Had I known the Avatar would be gracing us with her presence, I would have worn my nicer suit.”

Diamond coughed, giving a nervous smile. Compared to the suit and dress wearing ponies, she was quite plain. Only wearing her trademark tiara. “It's uhhhh, quite alright. I thought this would be a more casual thing, anyway.” She glanced over to Silver, who was trying her best to look at anything but across the table.

“Mmmm. As the Avatar, shouldn't you always try to look your best?” Upper asked. “After all, you are a representative of all pony kind. Especially with all these... others around.”

“Others?”

“The dogs and their ilk.”

The alicorn blinked a few times, before nodding. “Oh! The diamond dogs. I actually don't do much with them, that's more the councils job.”

“Mmmm. That's probably for the best,” Jet said, before glancing to Silver. “The servants are running late. Is it that Secretary again?”

“No. She's fine,” Silver said, her voice like ice. “She and daddy will be back soon.”

Upper gave a small sigh. “I don't see why he keeps her around. She's not even a bender, just one of those... Earth Kingdom unicorns.”

Diamond blinked a few times. “What's wrong with the Earth Kingdom?”

“Nothing, dear. They make fine earth benders. But their unicorns... well, they leave much to be desired. I mean, just a little bit of magic? No actual bending? They're not even proper unicorns. I know Alicity's little... hobby might have money troubles, but you'd think he could hire a proper assistant.”

“Tomorrow Industries is NOT having money issues,” Silver said, grinding her teeth. “And Secretary is one of the BEST assistants any pony could ask for.”

Jet gave a soft sigh. “Yes, I suppose ANY pony could ask for. But you and Alicity aren't just any pony. You're of the upper echelons, there's no need for you to associate yourself with the common pony. Isn't that right, Avatar?”

Diamond blinked. “W-what?”

“See? Even the Avatar agrees,” Upper said, shaking her head. “In fact, just look at the ponies she surrounds herself with. The heir to our family, the sons of two prominent council members. The daughter of the previous Avatar.”

Diamond's eyes went wide. “Wait, how do you know that? Have you been studying me?”

“Of course,” Jet said with a shrug. “You are close to our family, we had to make sure you were actually a decent Avatar.”

The alicorn's mouth fell open, too shocked to speak.

“Even if she was JUST an earth pony once,” Upper said with a shake of her head. “She managed to come from a rather prominent family as well, the Richs. She obviously knows exactly who she is and who she should be associating with.”

Silver ground a hoof into the table. “There's nothing wrong with being an earth pony...”

“Of course, dear,” Jet said with a shake of his head. “There was nothing that could be done about it. After all, when your father chose your mother, well... these kinds of things were bound to happen. I blame myself, really. Perhaps if I had better prepared him for the world.” He then nodded to Silver. “But you have the right idea, dear. With your little metal horn and wings. They may not be quite the same thing but--” He let out a shriek as he was suddenly blasted across the room by a sudden burst of air. Upper followed suit a moment later.

Diamond stood up on her hind legs, her front hooves on the table. “See, that's where you're wrong. I am not a proper Avatar. I am a very easily pissed off Avatar. Just ask half the ponies who've managed to get on my bad side. Not only that, I'm one who has no trouble pounding the faces in of ponies who manage to go ahead and piss me off. And congratulations, you've both managed it! How about a nice round of applause?”

“I-I say--” Jet started, but was silenced by a another burst of wind that rattled the room.

“No, you DON'T say. I'm done listening to either of you,” she snapped angrily, glaring at them. “Trust me, I've heard that kind of talk enough times that I know where it's leading. It's leading to the both of you being flung out the window and ending up in a ten foot deep crater in the ground. It's leading to me spending a week apologizing to Silver for doing horrible things to the both of you that I honestly won't regret. So how about you both just shut up and let's enjoy this dinner in peace.”

Upper opened her mouth to speak, but went silent when a small flame formed on the tip of Diamond's horn. She quickly shut her mouth again. Diamond sat down and gave a sheepish smile to Silver. Who had a hoof over her mouth and was trying not to laugh. The four sat in silence and after a few minutes Alicity and Secretary came walking in, carrying bowls of stew, corn, bread and some weird pasta dish Diamond couldn't identify.

The meal was a silent affair as nopony seemed willing to say the first word. Diamond nibbled her food, a small ball of worry starting to form in the pit of her stomach. She wondered if she had gone too far. She'd never really known her grandparents, she had no idea how she was really supposed to act with them. Not to mention there was a little bit of her old self, the desire to just pound ponies into doing what she wanted.

Finally, Alicity spoke up. “So, Diamond, how goes the pursuit of Meadowbrook?”

“Hmmm?” she asked, glancing up. She swallowed some noodles and then gave him a small smile. “Honestly? Not very well, yet. We're still waiting for her to make a mistake, but they're fast. She's gotten stronger, too. But I have no doubt when the time comes, we'll defeat her.”

“Has there been any clue as to how she's stealing these powers?” Alicity asked.

Diamond shook her head. “No. I mean, we already knew she was a fire bender, but she should have lost that ability when she lost her cutie mark. Well, when she lost it for real. But now she has it back and she's gaining all the other elements too.”

Upper snorted. “A fire bender, truly? After all the work we've done to aid them, this is how they repay us? Creating some new awful terrorist?”

Diamond glowered at the woman, making her cringe. “No. They didn't. Meadowbrook in no way represents the will of the Fire Tribes. She's hurt them just as much as she's hurt the other nations. She's just a bad pony who needs to be stopped, where she is from or what kind of bending or magic she has has nothing to do with it.”

“You must admit,” Jet said calmly. “The Water Nation never had anything like this. Stealing a ponies cutie mark?”

“Oh, no, they just preferred to hack off a pony's horn,” Secretary said flatly. She was rewarded with both Jet and Upper going red in the face.

“Indeed, an atrocious part of our history that none of us would ever dream of forgetting. Not something any of us are proud of. However, we merely took their magic and, even then, only some of them,” Upper said with a shake of her head. “An act that we have paid dearly for, with many donations and the aid we've offered to their country. But this Meadowbrook is doing it to everypony. Even worse, she is a pony that has already been stopped once. As dangerous as she was, it should have been only once. If the Avatar had struck then and ended this threat the first time, this danger wouldn't now loom over all of our heads.”

Diamond froze, her stomach doing a little turn. She stared down at her plate, suddenly feeling only a few inches tall.

“Now Twilight, she was a proper Avatar,” Jet said with a shake of her head. “She would have crushed this Meadowbrook in a moment and then made sure she never caused any troubles like this again.”

Silver frowned. “Diamond is a great Avatar. Meadowbrook was... well, broken. Helpless. There was no reason for her to just kill her then. Twilight would have shown mercy, too.”

“Really?” Upper asked with a cocked eye. “After the whole incident with... Discord, I'd imagine she knew the value in striking down an enemy when the time came. Just look at all the destruction he caused. Tearing the nations apart, shifting ponies, altering their minds...” Her eyes lingered to Alicity. “Changing... ponies.”

Alicity froze in place. Secretary's eyes narrowed and she looked as if she was ready to jump the table, her spoon bending slightly in her telekinetic grasp.

Diamond looked between the two of them, before gasping a little. Her hoof went to her mouth and she couldn't stop herself from saying it. “Alicity was born during Discord's reign?” She regretted it instantly when Silver looked up and quickly shook her head. Alicity dropped his spoon and got up.

“I'm going to go check the muffins,” he said coldly, before trotting off. Secretary followed after him a moment later.

“Indeed,” Jet said with a shake of his head. “How else would you suppose an earth pony would spring up from our bright, unicorn lineage? Obviously Discord's magic had some... taint over his creation. I'm surprised you were unaware. I suppose it isn't the kind of thing a pony would brag about.”

The alicorn just watched the stallion retreat to the other room, cringing with every few words. Her eyes then turned to Silver, who looked sad and a little guilty. Diamond sighed. “Well, I guess I was wrong then.” She took a deep breath. “Here I thought Discord only did bad, but if that's the case then I guess Discord did at least one thing good for this world. I'd rather have a thousand Alicity's than even one more of you two,” she said coldly.

Upper gasped, her eyes going wide. “How dare you. I'll have you know I--”

“Have a stick so far up your flank I could probably reach down your throat and yank it out. Before proceeding to beat you with it,” Diamond said coldly, her eyes narrowed to slits. “Wanna see?”

Jet gave a low growl. “Avatar, you are extremely rude for one in your position. Were these different times, I'd have challenged you to a water duel and--”

“Oh, go right ahead,” Diamond said with a shake of her head. “In fact, how about I fight both of you at once? At least then it might be something resembling fairness,” she said through gritted teeth and was rewarded by the color draining from their faces.

“Well? Alicity? Aren't you going to say anything to your... guest?” Upper snapped at him.

He shrugged. “If you accept, I can probably sell tickets,” he said before trotting out of the room.

The color in their faces quickly turned red and the two got to their hooves. “Very well,” Upper snapped, glaring at them. “We can tell where we're not wanted.” She turned and stormed out, Jet giving a curt nod before following in her steps.

Diamond sat there for a moment, before looking to Silver. “I am so, so sorry I just, I kind of got mad and I kind of let my old side go and--”

Silver put a hoof to her mouth, shaking her head. “Don't. It's fine. Honestly, I kind of expected something like this to happen. Hoped for it, even. Well, hoped they'd try to be tolerable, but this is the next best thing. It's... never really fun to have them around.” She then sighed. “They'll be back tomorrow, anyway. Probably act like none of this happened, too.”

“Are they... always like this?”

“Horrible? Yes,” Silver said flatly. She then looked back to Diamond. “Did... you really mean what you said?”

“Yes. I mean, which part?”

Silver was silent for a moment. “That... well... Discord did something right?”

Diamond rolled her eyes. “Of course not. I mean, he was Discord, pure evil. I would never claim he did anything right.” To her surprise, Silver looked a little hurt, then. “He had nothing to do with Alicity. I'm sure it just, well, happened. It'd hardly be the first time ponies had children of different types than them,” she said with a wave of her hoof. “I couldn't really see Discord going out of his way to make one pony be born an earth pony. I mean, what would be the point? Your family doesn't even have any connection to Discord.”

Silver cringed, before giving a small nod. “Y-yeah. I guess... y-yeah. We don't really... have anything to do with him. Why uhhh... why would he do anything like that?” She gave a weak little smile. “Pure evil and all that...”

Diamond stared at her friend for a moment, before smiling. “But... if he had? If, for some strange reason, Discord decided to make Alicity an earth pony and it helped to lead him to what he is now? Then yes, I'd say he did one good thing. But only the one. There'd still be a huge, massive list of horrible, awful things he did. But at least that wouldn't be on it. Because that helped lead to you, too.”

Silver blinked and gave a little smile. “Thanks. So uhhh... what do you think you'll do about Meadowbrook?”

The alicorn sighed and shook her head. “I... honestly have no idea what I can do. As much as I want to just... smack her, she's not really giving me any chance. She's just dodging around and being, frankly, impossible.”

Silver smiled and reached out to pat her back. “Don't worry. I know you'll catch her eventually.”

“I sure hope so. I just wish we had some idea of where she is heading. It's all just... random now. Or seems to be.”

The earth pony nodded. “I'm sure she'll slip up eventually. And when she does, you'll be there.”

“Hopefully,” Diamond muttered. Her eyes lowered. “What if... when she does, I'm not strong enough?”

“What?”

“I mean... look at what happened last time. When I finally met her, she destroyed me. Crushed me into the dirt. Now she's even stronger than that, a lot stronger. She has all those cutie marks and--” Her mouth was covered by Silver's hoof.

“You're stronger, too. A lot stronger. You're smarter, braver, a better fighter. You're training under some of the greatest benders of all time. When the time comes, you'll defeat Meadowbrook. I know you will.” Silver moved in and gave her a small hug. “Because you're the Avatar and it's your destiny. You can save everypony. Anypony.”

Diamond nodded. “R-right.” She trailed off for a moment. “When... when the time comes. When I'm finally... ready,” she whispered softly. “I'll have to strike, won't I? I'll have to... end her, won't I? Like Twilight would have?”

Silver was quiet for a moment, before shrugging and pulling back. “I don't know. In the end, that's your decision. Mercy or... death.”

“Whoooo wants blueberry muffins?” Acrylic asked as he trotted back in the room, tossing the plates off his back and onto the table, a big grin on his face as he sat across from them. “Diamond, it truly has been an absolute marvel having you over tonight, we should do this more often.”

Diamond snickered. “Like whenever your parents come to visit?”

“I would never say that,” he said with an innocent grin. “I would imply it, think it, possibly even pay for it, but never say it.”

She just smiled back at him. “Honestly? Tonight has been... an experience I wouldn't mind repeating more often.” She reached out and grabbed one of the muffins, taking a bite of it. Her eyes lit up. “O-oh. Wow. Did you make these yourself?”

“Indeed,” Acrylic said with a nod.

“Ahem,” Secretary said.

“Secretary helped. A little.”

“Thank you, sir.”

Diamond chuckled and took another bite, a grin on her face as she relaxed with her friends. She couldn't help but feel that, maybe, everything would be alright in the end. As long as she had ponies like this around her.

Chapter 13: Small steps

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Acrylic groaned before his horn slowly flickered to life. There was a light twinge from it but no actual pain. He then stared across the room at the small orange on a plate. He took a slow, deep breath and focused. A moment later, it appeared in his lap. He grinned down at it. Oddly, it felt almost easy now, compared to teleporting his own body. Maybe something good had come of it in the end. He then laid back and closed his eyes, panting lightly.

The headaches were almost completely gone now and he felt more aches than actual pain when he used his magic, so he knew he was getting better. “How's my little boy?” a voice asked, making him open his eyes. His mom stood across the room and he gave a weak smile.

“Hey mom, what brings you here?”

“Just wanted to make sure you hadn't tried to flee from the hospital food yet,” she said with a grin before walking over to sit on the bed by him. “How are you feeling?”

“Honestly? A lot better. I can't wait to get back to work.”

She froze and closed her eyes. “Acrylic...”

Dread started to flow through him. “W-what? I'm not fired, am I? I only just--”

“No, no no,” she said with a wave of her hoof. “Nothing like that. Just...” She frowned and rubbed her chin. “You're going to be having an extended leave.”

“What? But I feel fine! I'm almost completely healed. Look, I can do magic again and--”

“It's not my decision,” she said firmly. “I know you're feeling better, but you got really hurt and you've been out of commission for almost two weeks. You need to be careful.” She reached out and put a hoof on his side. “You need more time to recover. Now, I know you think you don't, but trust me you do. You put yourself under a LOT of stress and, frankly, most ponies would enjoy having a bit of rest. I know most days I'd beat a pony for a few days off. Half tempted to see if I can blow myself out to get a nice vacation. Though I think Octy would still dump paperwork on me.”

“But I need to practice and--”

“You can do that while you're on leave,” she said firmly, her tone going serious. “I'll help you, if you want. But you're not going straight to active duty.”

He stared at her for a few moments before sighing. “But... I need to... get stronger. What would you do?”

Vinyl blinked and chuckled. “I'd totally follow orders and wait until I was healed before trying anything.”

“Oh. Sure. Now what would you REALLY do?”

She gave a soft sigh and brought a hoof to her forehead. “I'd probably do something daft and dumb, make a big explosion and then report to duty while still on fire. But you're not me, you're... what's that word...” She frowned and made a gesture with her hoof.

“Boring?”

“Yes. I mean, no. Responsible. Come on, Acrylic. You can still practice. Everypony just wants to make sure you're feeling a hundred percent before you go back out and get yourself hurt.”

He closed his eyes before giving a small nod. “You're right. I hate to say it, I really do, but you're right. But I plan to get a lot of training in. A LOT.”

“Good!” A cheesy grin formed on her face. “And next time you teleport yourself, maybe you won't burn out.”

He let out a groan and shook his head. “Oh buck that. I am NEVER teleporting myself again.”

She chuckled. “Why? That's AWESOME! You know how much I wish I could teleport?”

“You'd probably use it to teleport into the bathroom to scare ponies,” Acrylic said flatly.

“And I would scare them a lot!” she said with a big grin. “But it's such an awesome ability, how can you not want to practice it?”

He rolled his eyes and shook his head. “I just don't,” he mumbled, closing his eyes. “It... really hurt and I don't think I have the power to do spells like that. At least not without an emergency. What happens next time? I could really damage my horn. Even crack it.”

Vinyl sighed and shook her head. “I guess you could. But you might not. And if you strengthen your magic, then you'll have even less to worry about. Besides, it's ALWAYS worth taking a risk to be awesome.” She nudged him with a hoof. “Come on, I bet you can do all kinds of cool magic now.”

Acrylic smiled and nestled into his bed. His horn glowed and a moment later the orange teleported off his lap and bounced off his mom's head. “Well... maybe a little.”

------

Button thrust his hoof out, sending a wave of lava out towards Octavia. His mother tapped on the ground, a pillar rising under her and shooting her up and over it. She sailed through the air, kicking out and sending a few strips of metal out at him. He tapped the ground and the lava shot up, catching the metal and melting it within moments before he stepped back.

The lava hardened and he tapped behind himself, sending out a few small bursts of stones at her, while the ground around her turned to lava. She ducked in place, before jumping up and raising a platform of rock to ride over the lava, even as it melted down under her. She leaped across over it, before kicking out with both her back hooves and sending another plate of metal out. It caught Button in the chest and sent him flying back, his front hooves bound to his chest. However, as he fell down, his back hooves tapped the ground and suddenly the ground surged under Octavia. She started to jump to the right, but the lava had her penned in and she instead had to raise her hooves, blocking the stones while they pelted her. Once they died down, she chuckled.

“Very good, Button. You're improving,” Octavia said before she trotted over and tugged the metal bindings off him. “If that had been lava, I would have been dead.”

“And I'd be an orphan,” Button said with a groan before shaking his head. “Do you really think I'm getting better?”

She nodded. “Indeed. You truly are.” She reached out and patted his head. “Have you been training with others?”

He nodded and blushed. “Y-yeah. I uhhh... I got a lot of offers from ponies. A lot of the metal benders want to face me now it seems.”

“Oh? And how are you faring?”

“I can't lay so much as a hoof on Copper. But the others... well, I win some, I lose some.” He stretched out a bit before getting up. “I feel like I'm improving. But I still wish—”

“Life is filled with wishes, but don't let them control who you are. You are an excellent lava bender, so be proud.”

He nodded and sighed. “Yeah, I know...”

She nodded. “Good. Besides, I have some good news. The reason I came out to see you, actually...” She trotted over to her saddlebag and pulled out a small letter. “This came today, from Luna. It--” She yiped when Button dashed by her in a second, taking the letter.

“Oh my gosh what'd he say, did he mention me is he okay is it--” He blinked, then blushed. “Err... I mean... err... I see now you didn't open it so... don't... know and... err... can you ignore that?”

Octavia merely looked away. “Ignore what?”

“Thanks mom, you're the best!” he yelled before galloping off towards the locker rooms. He let out a giddy little sqwee before he sat down on a bench and tore open the letter, quickly scanning over the words. His leg tapped excitedly as he read through it, before hugging the note to his chest. “Ohhhhh. I can't wait to send him my response, I--” The words locked in his mouth and the color drained from his face when he noticed the large number of other ponies watching him, all with grins on their face.

“Letter from a special friend, eh Button?” one of them asked.

Button squeaked and tore out of the room, his face beet red. He still couldn't wait to respond, though. It had been a short letter, precise and to the point. Luna was doing well, no problems. He thought of him often and was having no problems. Hoping he was doing fine and having no problems. The repetition spoke volumes to Button and he practically galloped back home, unwilling to wait to write a letter back.

------

Diamond paced back and forth while the airship quickly made its way across the sky, occasionally glancing over to Applejack who was looking quite stressed as well. “You don't really think they'd be that dumb, do you?” the alicorn asked.

“Hothoof? Oh buck yeah,” the earth pony said with a shake of her head. “But ah doubt this Meadowbrook is. Still, it'll put us closer tah where they're launchin' the assaults from an' maybe we'll be able tah respond quick enough tah catch 'em this time,” she said before shaking her head. “An' who knows? Maybe Hothoof is puttin' his daft self in charge somehow.”

Diamond nodded and looked out over the horizon and sighed again. “How do you think they crossed the border into the Earth Kingdom? I mean, we have ponies all over looking for them, don't we?”

“They're both big countries, lots of places to cross over,” Rarity said with a shake of her head as she trotted up. “Trust me, I've seen all the maps during our... less noble times. It wouldn't be that difficult to travel in. However, it has been obviously more difficult for them to gather all the ponies up, judging by how many earth benders have been slipping through their hooves. They wouldn't come here without good reason, we need to find out what it is.”

“We should go an' see mah brother while we're here,” Applejack muttered. “If ever there was a pony who could keep an eye out for any of this stuff. His lil city is darn near impenetrable.”

Rarity gave a nod. “That may be a sound idea, if we need to protect anypony. But for now I don't think Meadowbrook would be foalish enough to launch an assault there. A city of metal run by some of the strongest metal benders in the land, present company excluded of course, who would be so foalish?”

Applejack sighed and gave a nod. “True enough. Ah still don't see why they'd be headin' towards Sweet Apple Acres. Jus don't sit right with meh, if Hothoof ain't behind this, what is Meadowbrook up tah? Ain't a whole lot there anymore. Other than... well...”

Rarity gave her a little smile. “Your school, we know. While there's no proof that they are the target, we can't ignore the possibility. That many powerful benders have to be an interesting target for Meadowbrook, with her particular... abilities,” the unicorn said with a shake of her head.

Applejack sighed and started pacing again. “Ah mean, ah ain't even been runnin' that school in years, ain't a lot of reason tah target it.”

“Town cited!” a voice rang out and everypony turned towards the front of the ship. Diamond gasped and a hoof covered her mouth.

“O-oh. Oh no. We're too... we're too late,” she said in horror.

“What? No we ain't,” Applejack said, cocking an eye.

“What? But look at it!” Diamond pointed a hoof towards the town. Sweet Apple Acres was a rather large town, with dozens of homes and a massive arena. However, besides the town was nothing more than rubble and destruction. A completely destroyed farm with gnarled, twisted trees, the remnants of a few barns and a home were all that remained. A few small saplings had started to spring up, but they were few and far between. The town itself had a few homes in similar condition, with the buildings nearest the farm torn apart and collapsed in on themselves.

“Yeah,” Applejack mumbled, her voice growing cold and distant. “That... that was from Hothoof. Ah guess...” She closed her eyes. “Ain't nopony really had much desire tah clean it all up. After all that happened...”

“Applejack,” Rarity said softly. “It wasn't your fault, you couldn't have known.”

“Ah, don't you start too. Ah know it ain't mah fault,” Applejack mumbled. “Ah jus' don't like comin' here. Too many... bad memories now. First with the war, then with... this. Jus' ain't as sweet as it once was. Let's jus' git this over with.” She trotted towards the side as the ship began to lower.

Diamond stared down at it, before looking to Rarity. “How old is all this destruction?”

“It happened long ago, Avatar,” Rarity said softly, as if she was trying to avoid waking the spirits of the broken town.

“Why isn't it all... fixed?”

The Water Lord stared for a moment, before closing her eyes. “I don't think anypony wants to face it. Sweet Apple Acres was... it thrived once. It was once one of the greatest farms and cities in the kingdom. Ponies came from miles away to learn how to metal bend. It had the greatest school, then. But once Hothoof came... once he destroyed it, it just fell apart. There's still a school here, but it's almost non-existent. More here for memory's sake than any actual need.” She shook her head. “Most of the town fell apart when the Apples left it behind. Not that anypony could blame them. After... all they had suffered here.”

“What? It just burned down. That's not so bad,” Diamond said with a shrug. “They're earth benders, it shouldn't be that hard to rebuild.”

Rarity sighed and shook her head. “Trust me, they've lost a lot more than trees in this place. You can't see it from here, but to the Apples, that dirt is stained in blood.” She turned and trotted towards the ramp when the ship came to a landing. “Come on. Let's go have a look around.”

Diamond nodded and followed after her. As they started to go down the ramp, a few earth ponies trotted towards them. A stallion with a brown coat and silver mane stepped forward and bowed. “Lady Applejack, Water Lord Rarity, Avatar Diamond Tiara, it is a pleasure to have you here,” he said before looking back up. “Please, if you'll follow me to the school, I can have dinner and everything prepared.”

Applejack nodded, before glancing back. “This here is Stony Brace, runs the school down here. Was one ah mah best students back when ah taught 'im an' a top rate metal bender.” She gave a light snort. “If ah didn't know better, ah'd think he was as good as meh.”

The stallion chuckled and shook his head. “You honor me, Lady Applejack. We've done as you requested, prepared for any possible assault from these monsters. If they come within a few miles of here, we'll know.”

“That may be, but I for one would prefer to still take a look around,” Rarity said as she trotted along. “Meadowbrook and her... comrades are likely in the area. Somewhere.”

“If they are, we'll find them,” Stony said with a nod. “I have my best students looking. But I don't think we're their target. It would be suicide.”

“Maybe. But better safe than sorry,” Applejack said with a shrug. “Come on, let's get some grub then have a looksy.”

Diamond trotted besides her, before glancing back. She noticed Applebloom sidling up to one of the students, a moment before leaning in and giving the stallion a kiss on the cheek. Her eyes widened and she gaped, before shaking her head and quickly turning her head back ahead, cheeks burning.

“So, errr, what kind of defenses are set up here?” the alicorn asked.

“Standard earth bending defenses,” Stony said with a nod. “We have a few ponies watching the sky and tremor sensors all throughout the town. If anypony tries to sneak under or over, we'll know in a heartbeat.”

Diamond nodded and glanced back towards Applebloom and the earth pony behind them. Now they were nuzzling and he gave HER a kiss! She let out another little gasp and turned right back ahead. “Wow, so, err, nopony can sneak around. That's good. Very good. So, ummmm, anything we need to worry about then?”

“Avatar, are you alright?” Stony asked, glancing back.

“What? No! I mean, yes, I mean, l-let's just go get something to eat or something. I'm feeling just... a tiny bit light headed.”

The earth pony nodded. “Of course.”

------

Silver took a slow, deep breath as she paced back and forth. Her hoof occasionally reached up to rub the amulet. She chewed on her lower lip a few times before sighing and climbing into bed and laying down. The amulet appeared around her neck and within a few moments she found herself back in the other world, breathing deep. It wasn't long before Trixie appeared again.

“That was quick,” Silver said with a cocked eye. “Usually I have to call you half a dozen times before you respond.”

“I'm in a good mood,” Trixie said with a shrug. “What is it you want? Or would you rather I just leave now?”

Silver sighed and glanced to her. “I just... I want to ask you a few things. Trixie... what uhhh...” She rubbed her throat for a moment. “What were you... before you were this?”

“Before I was what?”

“This. You know...” She chewed on her lip for a moment. “A soldier.”

Trixie paused, before cocking an eye. “What makes you ask this?”

“Curiosity, mostly. I want to know... why do you, why do we have to be like this? Why do we have to... fight.”

Trixie chuckled softly, shaking her head. “Ah. I see. You're searching for some hope, some guiding light? Perhaps we aren't destined to be as we are, is that it?” She stepped in close, leaning down to look Silver in the eye. “I am sorry to tell you, child, but there was no Trixie before then. The Great and Powerful Trixie was born the day she became a soldier, the day she rose above the rank and file filth that clung to their little homes, content to live out their lives as little pawns in the games run by those with true power.” She reached out and gave Silver a shove with her hoof, making the mare stumble back. “Before that day, Trixie simply did not exist.” She gazed down at her with contempt. “Is that what you wish to be? Some sniveling little dog, weak and powerless as the world turns around you?” She nudged her throat. “You have the power of Discord. For all his uselessness, that power is still great and with it, you're destined to rule. To thrive. To drive this world to its knees. Yet you waste your time, cowering and hiding away, hoping for somepony to... take this 'burden' from you?” She leaned in closer, smiling. “I know what you want to ask, child. Why do you hide from it so? Does the answer scare you so much?”

Silver stared into her eyes before slowly lowering her gaze. She quickly retreated and within a few moments found herself laying on her bed, panting with exertion. She put a hoof to her brow, wiping the sweat off. She could still feel those eyes on her, hear the scorn in the mare's voice. “Calm down, calm down. You know what you're doing, you know--”

A sudden pounding on the door made her jump.

“Y-yes?” she called out with trepidation.

“Lady Silver,” Secretary said flatly. “Your... grandparents have returned. They wish to treat you to, as they put it, a proper meal.”

Silver groaned. “Can I feign illness?”

“Do you believe it will work?”

“... I'll be down in a few minutes,” she grumbled before getting to her hooves. She trotted to the mirror and started by putting her metal horn on. She paused for a moment and reached up, touching it gently. She felt the magic flow through it and found a frown slowly spreading across her lips. She knew what she wanted to ask, Trixie was right.

But why did the answer scare her so?

------

Meadowbrook nodded slowly as she eyed Sweet Apple Acres, rubbing her chin. She glanced over to Dazzling. “Are you ready?”

The water bender gave a swift, curt nod. “As ready as I can be, all things considered. I'd be more worried about Hothoof and Shining. All four of us should be there.”

“No,” Meadowbrook said with a shake of her head. “Those two will be sufficient for their task. I want to test the Avatar.” She held up a hoof, a small ball of fire forming on it. “I need to see how my powers have come along.”

“Do you think you can beat her?”

“At this point? No. I have power, but I still lack the proper control to use it. Draining ponies is easy but...” She shook her head. “This will give me information I desperately need. That will be enough.” She glanced up to the sky. “The sun will set soon. That's when we'll strike. Quick and silent.”

Dazzling gave a small nod and eyed the town. He didn't like this, not in the slightest. Though in the end, he knew he had no choice.

Chapter 14: Decoy

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Ivorytouch gave a soft sigh before she tapped a hoof on the ground, feeling the echoes from the earth that flowed around her hooves. To her surprise, she actually felt something this time and quickly stood at attention. Two unicorns were walking down the street towards her. She squinted her eyes and tried to see them, but they were far enough away that she couldn't see anything aside from two black blobs in the darkness. She tapped on the ground, signaling for backup. She doubted she needed it, but Stony had given them orders not to take any chances. By the time the two ponies were near enough to make out more details, there were three guards watching.

She felt silly a moment later when she could make out that they were both old, with faded coats and one had an old, gnarled stick with her. “Miss?” she called out.

The mare moved forward, giving a gnarled, weak smile. “H-hello. I'm sorry to be a bother, but we have been on the road for hours and we require lodging for the night. Could you show me the way to the nearest inn?”

Ivorytouch smiled to her and gave her a nod. “Of course. Now, we don't have a proper inn, haven't for years. But guests will often stay at the school. If you'll follow me,” the mare said before turning around and trotting off, giving the others a quick nod. They nodded back and she trotted off, the older couple following slowly behind her.

“Do you get travelers here often?” the elder mare asked. “That's a mighty fine air ship.”

“Huh?” Ivorytouch asked before glancing towards the edge of the town. “Oh, no. Just some important guests. The Avatar and her friends. If you're lucky, you might even be able to meet them while you're here.”

“Oh, I doubt that. We still have a long, long journey ahead of us and we'll be leaving in the early morning,” the elder mare said with a chuckle. “Besides, the Avatar has far, far more important things to worry about than a couple of old unicorns.”

Ivorytouch shrugged. “I suppose. But you really might want to stick around for a bit. If you just wait until the school has breakfast, you'll probably meet her, she's staying here as well.” The mare nodded to the guards as she headed into the compound. “Two travelers for the night.” They were quickly waved inside.

“I must say, the ponies here certainly are friendly here.”

“Of course. Here at Sweet Apple Acres the need to take proper care of all guests, no matter who they are, is always stressed. Why, as the Apples often say, a stranger is just a friend you haven't met yet.”

The older pony nodded as they stepped inside. Once they were inside, she grinned. “Well, it's good to know you ponies are so friendly.” She tapped the staff on the ground and there was a sudden flash of light.

Ivorytouch turned back, her eyes widening. The pair of old ponies weren't there anymore. Instead there stood two unicorns in the prime of their lives. The stallion stepped forward and raised a hoof a moment before her entire body locked up. Her eyes widened and pain shot through her as she found herself unable to move on her own. She tried to scream or yell, but her body refused to obey her. The staff was leveled on her a moment later.

“Nighty night,” Meadowbrook said before there was another flash. She then nodded to the unconscious body before traveling forward. “Come on, let's find the Avatar before somepony wakes up.”

“Of course,” Dazzling muttered before trotting after the mare.

Meadowbrook frowned as she started making her way through the building, her staff raised up into the air. “That's... strange,” she muttered darkly.

“What is it?” the unicorn asked.

“Discord isn't here, I'd know if he was. But... I can sense...” She then shook her head. “Nothing. Come on, let's go. She's this way.” She started to trot up the hall, going as quietly as she could. She couldn't keep the grin off her face as she made her way through the building, finally stopping outside one of the doors. She reached out and opened it.

The door behind her opened and she whipped around. “Dazzling!”

“DIAMOND!” Rainbow yelled, spreading out her wings, but her grogginess slowed her down just enough for Dazzling to thrust a hoof out. Before the pegasus could flap her wings, she found herself frozen in place.

Meadowbrook let out a curse and turned towards the door she'd just opened and stepped inside, leaving Dazzling to deal with the pegasus as she raised her staff.

Suddenly flames erupted out, nearly blinding her and a hoof came crashing down at the staff. She narrowly pulled it back in time before the flaming hooves moved, stepping in closer and jamming out at her. She let out a yelp and stumbled back. “Dazzling, a little help!” she hissed.

“Kinda... busy,” the unicorn growled. It took all of his focus just to keep Rainbow still as she struggled against his blood bending. He had a vial of water at his hip, but he didn't dare loosen his grip for a second to grab it.

Meadowbrook struggled to parry the flaming hooves away as Diamond stepped in, striking out with a powerful ferocity. Then her left wing shot out and sent Dazzling stumbling back with a small burst of wind. It was just enough to dampen his control and allow Rainbow's wings a chance to break free. She flapped once, sending a burst of wind into the stallion, sending him flying back into the wall with enough force to bend the wood.

“Buck it!” Meadowbrook snapped, spinning the staff around and trying to bring it down on Diamond's head, but the alicorn twisted her body around, slamming a hoof down against staff and spinning around it, driving her back hoof into Meadowbrook's face hard enough to send her flying through the air. She spun once, before crashing to the ground in a daze.

“Diamond!” Rarity yelled before opening the door.

“I'm fine!” Diamond yelled before charging at Meadowbrook. However, she froze mid step when Dazzling held out a hoof towards her.

Meadowbrook cursed when she saw the tide shifting around them, not to mention her face hurt terribly. She grabbed her staff in her magic and then disappeared in a flash. She reappeared by Dazzling and a moment later the two of them disappeared.

Rainbow landed where they had been a moment later, just a second too slow. “Buck! Find them!” she yelled.

Diamond stood there, panting with exertion, her eyes wide.

------

“I just don't... know how it happened. One moment they were an old couple, the next... they were those two. I... I never meant to lead them in here, honest,” Ivorytouch said, on the verge of tears. “I didn't... know... I just...”

“Easy there, sugar cube,” Applejack said before she stepped in, patting her on the back. “We all know it ain't your fault. Yah were jus' tryin' tah help a couple'a ponies out. Ain't nopony here who'd think for a second that yah'd let some ponies in here tah steal your cutie mark.” She then glanced to Rainbow, who was looking antsy as she paced back and forth. “We're all jus' lucky Rainbow is such a light sleeper.”

“I'm not really that light,” Rainbow muttered, her hoof going up to her throat. “I just... you know... I felt like...” The frown deepened on her face. “Ugh. It's nothing.”

“What is it?” Applejack asked, cocking an eye. “Yah know we ain't gonna laugh at yah if yah had a nightmare. Well, much.”

“No, it's not that. I wish it was that. I just... you know I kinda felt like...” She rubbed her neck again. “I... I swore I felt my element.”

“Air?” Rarity asked.

“No, my element. Of Harmony. It was just for a moment, so faint. Weak. Kinda like what... well... you know. Applejack, what you said before. I swore I felt it for a second. It was right there. Faint, but... there.”

That made the ponies share looks. “Yah... think that means this Meadowbrook has somethin' tah do with them, then?”

“I don't think she's Meadowbrook,” Diamond finally said, drawing every eye and ear to her.

“What? Of course it's Meadowbrook,” Rarity said, cocking her head to the side. “What other pony could do this?”

“I don't know,” she said before looking to Ivorytouch. “Can... I ask you something?”

“Huh? Oh, I suppose. What?”

“How do you feel?”

“Sad, upset, angry, why?”

“I mean, do you feel like... empty? Do you feel...” Diamond frowned and rubbed her chin. “Do you feel like you're completely bland and empty? Weaker, slow?”

The mare blinked a few times. “I... don't quite know what you mean, but no? Or... I feel... kind of scared. I lost my magic and--”

“That's just it,” Diamond interrupted. “She lost her magic and her cutie mark, but she's not like the unmarked. Trust me, I was ONE of the unmarked. When it happens, you feel... empty. Like a part of you is gone. Not like just your magic is gone, but like your mind was sucked out of you too. I don't think Meadowbrook is doing that this time. I think she's just taking magic.” She took a long, slow breath. “And... I think she's using Meadowbrook as a cover.”

“What? Why?” Rarity asked. “If it's just a new spell, it could--”

“It's not just that. I fought Meadowbrook. This wasn't her. Meadowbrook was fast, agile. Deadly. This pony could barely keep up with me. I know I've trained, but not this much. Not enough I could smash her in like that. If we'd kept fighting, I would have crushed her. Even if she has a lot of power, she's not fast enough to keep up. I was well on my way when Dazzling stopped me.” Diamond shook her head. “I'm not being arrogant. I know how powerful Meadowbrook is and how dangerous she is. There is no way that was her.”

Rarity frowned and tapped the ground a few moments, lightly shaking her head. “Diamond... how sure are you on this?”

“Very sure,” the alicorn said softly.

“Then maybe that was just a decoy,” Rainbow offered.

“Ah for one don't like the thought of that,” Applejack said with a shudder. “That'd mean there are two ponies runnin' around with that lil cutie mark removin' spell. Is it possible that she's jus' under the effects of whatever cost her her cutie mark tah begin with?”

“I guess,” Diamond said softly. “It might explain why she was so... weak, I guess,” the alicorn said before lowering her eyes, doubt beginning to creep in. “I'm sorry, I know it probably sounds crazy. I just... I just feel like it's not her. Like there's something else going on here.”

Rainbow gave a shrug. “Well, then there's probably something else going on here. I mean, buck, I never fought this Meadowbrook, so I'd have no idea if that was her or not. If you've fought her and you're pretty sure that's not her, that's good enough for me.”

Applejack gave a nod. “Ah guess meh too.” She rubbed her chin for a moment before her eyes widened. “Ah, buck. Yah know, if it ain't Meadowbrook who's runnin' about doin' all this, well... chances are she went an' got that spell from somepony. Maybe this is her teacher comin' an' causin' all these problems?”

Rarity's eyes widened and a moment later she face hoofed. “Oh. I... hadn't considered that. It might explain how she managed to escape to begin with. Anypony who was able to use such a powerful spell is not to be trifled with.”

“Then that could mean the real Meadowbrook is still out there somewhere,” Diamond said softly. “If she's even still alive.” She put a hoof to her forehead and shook her head. She then froze. “Wait. Where were Shining and Hothoof? Did anypony see them?”

“Those two were the only two who breached our defenses,” Stony said, his eyes lowered. “There was nopony underground or in the air, or at least none that came close.”

“Then where are those two? Why just bring the two of them? Why split up?”

------

Meadowbrook groaned as she rubbed her cheek, staring in the mirror. “I hate this body,” she muttered.

“I honestly expected a more... impressive showing from you,” Dazzling said with a cocked eye. “At least, not to watch you get your flank flattened by a child.” He eyed her, his hoof idly rubbing the vial of water he carried.

“It would have been easy if I'd just zapped her,” Meadowbrook muttered. “But no, I have to do things your pony way. For now.” She rubbed her chin some more. “Like a bucking bat out of Tartarus.”

“If you couldn't take her down now, what makes you think you'll be able to defeat her and the other one later?”

Meadowbrook rolled her eyes before turning to Shimmering. “Because the goal isn't to defeat them, foal. You should know this by now.” She trotted towards the map and stared down at it. “Last time I attacked either of them directly I ended up locked in stone for countless centuries. Even if I thought I could crush her, she's the Avatar. She'd probably pull some new trick out of her flank like she did with Discord and Starlight.” She tapped her chin. “No, if I'm going to do this, I need to leave nothing to chance this time. I need to know all the pieces.”

Shimmering nodded and eyed the mare, his eyes narrowed to slits. “Of course.”

“HA! Was easy as pie!” Shining yelled as she flew into the cave, doing a quick circle. “You should have seen it, those ponies never knew what hit them!”

Meadowbrook glanced up. “Really? Where is he, then?”

“Hothoof has him, he'll be back in a second.” She landed and gave a shrug. “And don't worry your precious little head. I didn't kill him. I just beat the crap out of him. You know, so he wouldn't try any earth bending.”

Meadowbrook nodded and after a few minutes, Hothoof came trotting in, an unconscious and heavily bruised brown earth pony on his back. With a swing of his hips, he dumped the pony on the ground. The pony moaned and a bruised eye opened slowly.

“Who... who are you... ponies?” the stallion asked weakly. “Do... do you know who I am? I'm Filthy Rich, you can't--” He was silenced by Meadowbrook slamming her stick against his face. She frowned and then aimed the stick at him. His eyes went wide as her magic enveloped him and he dropped to the ground, snoring.

She then stared down at him. “Yes, Filthy, I know exactly who you are. You're bait. Just be thankful I still have appearances to keep or I'd drain your magic like the others.” She then looked back towards the map. “This game is getting far more annoying.” She reached up and rubbed her jaw again.

“What's with her? She seems kinda extra bitchy today,” Shining asked.

Dazzling shrugged. “She tried fighting the Avatar head on and got throttled.”

Shining snorted. “Really? If she could do it, why can't we?”

“Because I can't yet afford to bring my full power to bear against the Avatar,” Meadowbrook said with a low growl. “You two hapless twits, on the other hoof, have no such protections. Or the Avatar's innate abilities to deal with my kind.” She turned to them before a yellow aura began to surround her horn. “Would you care to test your luck?”

Both of the other two quickly turned away and trotted off, deeper into the cave.

------

Diamond paced back and forth, waiting patiently for any news of the two having been found, but she doubted there would be any. Her mind was still frantic as she thought back to last night. She was better, stronger than she'd ever been. Faster, too. But she still suspected that she couldn't have fought the real Meadowbrook like that. Yet whoever this new pony was, she was using a similar spell to her and draining entire towns.

But other than that, there was also something oddly... familiar about the pony. Not as in Meadowbrook, but as in whatever that pony was. When she'd touched the staff, she'd felt something she swore she recognized. She tried brushing it off and telling herself it was just familiarity with the cutie mark removing spell, but she couldn't help feeling that wasn't it, that there was something else, just below the surface.

All in all, she just felt so frustrated and annoyed. There were just so many unanswered questions and she had no idea where to start with any of them. She felt a little confident having trashed the pony last night, but that somehow just made her feel more dread, as if something worse was coming. She missed the days when she had believed that only good things would happen to her because she was so awesome, now she couldn't even enjoy a minor victory without suspecting something was going to come and smack her down. “Is this what it's like, Twilight? Is this how you felt? Always worried and paranoid that something really bad was going to happen?”

“Avatar!” a voice yelled, making her jump and look to the door. An earth pony was standing there, looking pale.

“What? What's wrong? Were they found?”

“No. We just got a message from...” He paused. “The airship will be departing soon. You should come with me.”

“What? Why? Where are we going?”

“It's your father.”

Diamond's heart almost stopped and she stared at the pony, unable to move.

------

The alicorn's heart hammered in her chest when her hometown finally came within view. It looked fine, for the most part. All except for her home. The roof had been blown clear off and one of the walls had completely collapsed into a pit of magma, which had now cooled. Many of the walls had been damaged as well, an effect of having a sonic rainboom go off right over the house.

The entire attack had only lasted a few minutes, at least according to what she'd been told. A sonic rainboom on the house and then, before they knew what was happening, the building was collapsing and ponies were trying to escape the wreckage. Everypony had been accounted for except for her father. “How?” she asked softly. “W-why would they do this? He wasn't... he wasn't a threat...”

Rarity reached out and put a hoof on her back. “Diamond... I... I know you must feel upset right now, but you have to stay calm. We'll find him.”

“She took my daddy... how... how did we not see this coming?” she asked softly, struggling not to cry.

“They haven't launched any attacks anywhere near here,” Rarity said softly. “Hothoof and Shining must have sneaked across the country to try to get here. Nopony was expecting them to show up here.”

“We should have seen it coming. I mean... he's... he's my daddy... how... how can I...” She shuddered. “What if they... what if they kill him?”

Rarity went quiet, staring at the rubble as the ship slowly lowered to the ground. “I... do not believe that is likely. Meadowbrook hasn't shown much interest in killing ponies. She--”

“Shining killed ponies. Hothoof has killed ponies. Dazzling has definitely killed ponies. The killer ponies just foalnapped my daddy. What if they decide to make him Meadowbrook's first? What if they already killed him?”

“Diamond, don't--”

“What if he's already dead, because of me? If I... if I had made sure to be here, if I'd realized her was in danger, if I'd--”

“There wasn't nothing yah coulda done!” Applejack snapped, moving besides the mare and putting a hoof on her withers. “Listen, Diamond, ah know how yah feel. Ah mean it, ah know EXACTLY how yah feel. But there wasn't a darn thing yah coulda done here. This was a quick snatch an' grab, if yah had been here yah'd have likely jus' been hurt. We had no reason tah suspect she'd try tah go after your family.”

Diamond shuddered, putting a hoof to her face and trying to stop the tears from falling down. “But... but if I'd been here, maybe... maybe I could have done something and... and I... w-what if I never... what if I never see my daddy again? I mean... I...”

Applejack moved in a little closer and gave her a tight hug. “Easy there, easy. It's okay, Diamond. It's going to be okay. We're goin' tah find your dad, an' we're goin' tah get him back. There ain't no body here; an' they wouldn't ah gone through the trouble tah nab him if they jus' wanted him dead.”

The alicorn sobbed into her chest, shaking. “I-I never even came to visit! I-I've been... been just a week away! And I never came to see him! I just s-stayed in H-Harmony or did my own business and ignored him! Even... even when he came for me, even when h-he visited me I-I was too focused on my own things a-and I wasn't there for him!” She wailed into the earth pony's chest. “W-what if now I never get to see him again?”

Applejack took a slow, deep breath. “Diamond... I know how you feel. Right now, you feel like you're the... plum worst daughter that ever lived. Like you're ungrateful an'... an' unforgivable. But your dad ain't dead. Your dad is still out there, an' we can still save him.” She paused and looked down at the mare. “An' even if he wasn't, he wouldn't want this tah be how yah remember him. He'd want yah tah live a strong, long, happy life. One that yah'd be proud tah call your own. One that he'd be proud tah look out over an' go 'mah lil girl did that'. Ah know you're hurtin' now an' that's okay. But we gotta go take a look an' see what we can find. Now, you're more than welcome tah stay in the airship an' wait. But if yah feel up tah it, it might do yah some good tah come down and talk tah ponies, tah find out what yah can. Okay?”

Diamond sobbed into her chest for a few more moments before slowly, gingerly, pulling her head back and giving a nod. “R-right. You're... you're right. I'm the... I'm the Avatar. I need to... to still be strong.” She gave a weak smile and wiped her face off with her hoof. “If... if not for me, then at least for all those ponies still counting on me, right? And... and for daddy.”

“That's right,” Applejack said, giving a nod. “Now, how about you go on ahead with Rarity. Ah'll catch up in a moment, okay?”

Diamond nodded and turned to the unicorn, following after her. Applejack watched the two disappear down the ramp, before wiping her eyes with a hoof. “Bucking... brat sure knows where to push...”

“You going to be okay?” Rainbow asked as she trotted up. “I heard that and... well...”

“Yeah, yeah, jus' need a moment. Just a few good... kicks in the right spot. Yah know how it is.”

“Yeah,” Rainbow muttered. “You know... since traveling with her, I kinda feel... sometimes it's like old times. Both good and bad.”

“Yeah...” Applejack muttered.

“But it's not all like old times,” Rainbow said with a nod.

“Huh? What's that me--” Applejack was cut off by Applebloom coming up behind her and giving her a tight hug. She then gave a light chuckle. “Yeah... ah guess in some ways it's better now.”

Chapter 15: Choices

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Diamond couldn't help feeling a bit of trepidation as she trotted through the town. She could see the way the ponies pointed at her, whispering amongst themselves. It had been so long since she'd been here. At least, it felt like years. Even though it had only been a few months. She could hardly believe just how much had happened in that time. She shook her head and gave a nervous smile to the ponies before turning ahead, trying to keep her eyes on the path ahead.

She felt her stomach give a nervous jump when they came to the wall surrounding her home. She felt tears trying to spring up again, but she buried them deep down. Rarity reached out to tap the door. It fell in, already broken off the hinges. “Oh. Oh dear,” the water lord said. “I'm sorry, I thought--”

“It's fine,” Diamond said softly as they trotted inside. As bad as it had looked from above, down below it looked even worse. She could see the pieces of wood scattered all over the yard from where her home had been practically blown up. She froze in place when she saw the small training grounds her dad had made for her, where she had practiced all the elements. She could barely believe less than a year ago she had been here, fighting and believing herself to be the greatest bender to have ever lived. Now she felt like an idiot who had made so many mistakes she practically deserved to have a giant 'buck me' sign on the back of her head. She couldn't believe how much she had changed, yet it all looked exactly the same. Aside from the damage.

“Diamond? You okay?” Rarity asked, waving a hoof in front of her face.

“What? Huh?” the alicorn asked, before shaking her head. “Oh, no, sorry. I mean, yes, I'm fine. Just... just thinking.”

Rarity gave a small smile. “It can be... odd, returning to home when you haven't been there in a while.” She turned to the house. “Will you be okay? I know... it may feel odd, but--”

“I'll be fine,” Diamond said before she turned to her home and walked towards it. The front door had been knocked off its hinges and lay in pieces on the ground, so she just walked through it. The front area was a mess, with pieces of her home spread all over the place. Broken picture frames and furniture lay scattered across the floor. She turned to the steps and started making her way up, towards her room, feeling herself drawn there as if by some unknown force.

It only took her a few moments to find it, and a few quick shoves to push it open. The majority of the roof had been torn away, leaving it exposed to the elements. She looked around her room and shuddered.

Everything was exactly as she'd left it, aside from a fresh layer of dust and splinters from the collapsed roof. Her bed had been made, and her shelves that had been partially empty because of her leaving had moved a bit. She closed her eyes and imagined herself back then. She'd been so excited to go to Harmony. She'd expected the ponies of the world to bend over backwards, to worship her as the great Avatar. As if she would be the one to lead the world into some golden age. She'd been so naive. She didn't even know what she was doing, let alone what the other countries were doing. She wasn't Twilight, she couldn't do all this.

She sat down, staring at her bed and began to cry.

“Diamond?” Rarity asked softly. She moved forward and put a hoof over her. “It's okay, we'll find your dad. Don't worry.”

“It's not... it's not that,” Diamond said softly, shaking. “It's... it's me.”

The unicorn blinked a few times. “What?”

“I can't... I can't do this. I was wrong. I-I can't be t-the Avatar. I'm just not... I'm just n-not good enough.” She shook her head. “I'm not Twilight. I'm just... I'm just... look at this!” She gestured a hoof towards the room. “This is who I am! This is what I am! I'm not Twilight! I'm just... I'm just a spoiled brat who... who gets those around her hurt and--”

“No, you're not,” Rarity said with a shake of her head. “You're not Twilight, but you're not a spoiled brat, either. You're Diamond Tiara. While, as Avatars go, you're not quite what I expected, that isn't a bad thing. You were chosen for a reason, just like every other Avatar was.” She softly rubbed down the mare's back. “And I know you're upset. I know you're hurting and scared. I know... seeing your home in tatters frightens you. Trust me, I know better than most.” She looked down to the mare and smiled. “But I also knew Twilight. I fought her and then fought besides her. She faced her own hardships, just as you have. While you may not be her, you're not supposed to be her. But that doesn't make you any less worthy of the title you bear.”

Diamond sniffled. “But... what if I wasn't supposed to... be the Avatar? Just... look around. This is what I was, this is... I was--”

“Who you were is not who you are. You've made mistakes, we've all been there.” Rarity paused for a moment. “And there will be ponies who will hold them over you. Who will try to destroy you for them, to torment you. Even, sometimes, hurt you for the mistakes you made. But those ponies aren't important. What is important is what you do, what you learn from those mistakes. The ponies who matter are the ones who see you make your mistakes, but accept that you're trying to fix them. And you are trying to fix them, Diamond. I've watched you train, I've watched you practice. I've watched you throw your heart into your duties and give everything you have. When you left here, you may have been a different pony, a pony who couldn't bear the title of Avatar. But that is who you were, not who you are.” She then patted her on the head. “And who you are is a fine young lady, a mare who Twilight would have been proud to call heir and friend. And you'll continue to grow, to develop. Who knows where you'll be a month from now? A year from now? After all, Twilight did not become the Avatar of legend in a day. It took her years and countless battles.”

Diamond nodded, closing her eyes and laying against the unicorn. “I... I'm sorry. I just... I...”

“It's quite alright, dear. Homecomings... even at the best of times, they can be difficult. Old memories mixing with new. Nopony would blame you for having difficulty in a time such as this. Take as long as you need.”

The alicorn nodded, closing her eyes. “Thank you.”

“Of course, Avatar. After all, even the strongest of us need the occasional chance to recuperate.”

------

“I'm borrrrrred,” Daring groaned as she laid on her back, lightly batting a small bouncy ball off the wall and into her hooves.

“Then please, go to work,” Silver said, her voice filled with annoyance as she tried to work despite the constant thumping.

“Can't, no job. Just waiting to hear back from that editor pony. Heh, surprised they want to publish them already. Figured it'd take longer,” Daring said with a shrug. “No Shadowbolts, either.”

“Isn't there somepony else you could be bother-- helping, then?”

“Well, I'd LOVE to go and help Diamond, but she's got Rainbow and the others taking care of her, doesn't really need me now,” the mare said with a shrug. “So hey, I figure if I stick around you. Something interesting is bound to happen eventually, right?”

Silver eyed a nearby pipe as the thumping of bouncy ball against wall persisted. Not a jury would convict her. “Why would you think something interesting would happen around me?”

“Because, like, you're Diamonds best friend. That's what I was told. Hang out near the Avatar, and interesting stuff will happen. Since I can't hang out with her, you're like the next best thing. Besides, with the fake horn and wings you're kind of like an alicorn.”

“Oh, delightful. I am Avatar, mock edition,” Silver said flatly before leaning back and rubbing her brow. “I'm working, do you mind?”

“Not at all, keep going,” Daring said with a shrug. “So, I heard Acrylic finally got out of the hospital. How's he handling the whole... being off duty, thing?”

“Not well. Why don't you visit him? You're his friend too, you know.”

Daring sighed and caught the ball. “Not... really. I mean... well, I barely know him. Buck, I barely know any of you aside from Ironwing.”

“To be fair, I don't think most ponies know him at all,” Silver said with a shrug. She glanced up at her. “Why not hang out with him?”

“He's kinda... not very talkative to me lately. And it's kinda hard to be around him, you know? Since he's... well... a Shadowbolt and I'm... not.”

“Really? Why?”

“He mopes. Oh by the stars he mopes. Not like... in a moping way. But in a just kinda... 'I am disappointed in you but I won't actually say it but by buck you'll know' way.” She gave a soft sigh and stretched out. “Maybe I should just go like... exploring or something. Travel the country side. You know, I heard there's a really weird place called the Everfree Forest. Maybe I can explore it an--”

Silver interrupted her by putting a hoof on her leg. “No. Don't go near there,” she said quickly, before smiling. “You know what? How about we go out on the town. Just the two of us, get something to eat. Or maybe we can grab Button and Acrylic. Have some fun?”

“Are you sure? I mean, I don't want to be a bother...”

Silver shook her head. “No. It's fine. I can come back to this later. Besides, daddy and his parents will probably be back soon and... I'd rather not be here when they are.”

Daring chuckled and gave a nod. “Okay. Then party! Can I drive the tank?”

“No. After last time I had to promise the council I wouldn't let you.”

“I said I was sorry!”

------

Diamond opened her eyes and looked around in confusion, then in panic. She was tucked into bed. She cast off the blankets and jumped to her hooves, galloping out the door. “Rarity, Applejack, Rainbow! Are you here? I--”

“Of course we're here,” Sweetie said with a snicker. “But I can't help but notice you left me and Applebloom out of your little panic.”

Diamond's cheeks turned bright red. “W-what? No, I was just, I mean...” She nudged the ground a little bit. “I, errr...”

“Yah got exhausted an' yah needed a lil rest,” Applejack said with a shrug as she looked around the burnt out remains of Diamond's home. “Ah don't think that anypony could blame yah an' buck if we're gonna tell 'em.” She nudged a small porcelain jar. “Yah feel better?”

“Yeah,” Diamond said softly, nudging the ground. She glanced over to Rarity. “Did you uhhhh...”

“No,” Rarity said with a shake of her head. “What we talked about is for you to say, not for me.”

Diamond nodded before taking a deep breath. “So... what now? I mean, they're... well... is there any sign of where they went?”

“Nothing,” Rainbow muttered and shook her head. “Those two made a huge mess, but all they did was take your dad and go.” She gave a shrug. “We'll get him back though, don't worry.”

The alicorn nodded. “I know. I know. Just have to be patient.” She took a slow, deep breath. “This... Meadowbrook is planning something. Did anypony mention seeing another Meadowbrook during the attack?”

“Nope. Whole thing happened so fast nopony saw anything,” Applejack said with a shake of her head. “No unmarked left behind or nothin', either.”

Diamond nodded, rubbing her chin. “Okay. I guess it still doesn't rule out that the other Meadowbrook was just a fake to distract us, though.”

Rarity nodded. “I suppose. Though I dread to think there could be five of them, not just four. But we will find them, we just need to keep looking and--”

“Don't,” Diamond said with a shake of her head. “I... know the stories of you and your adventures. I... think we've been going about this all wrong.”

“Oh?” Rarity asked, cocking an eye.

“As much as I HATE to say it, we can't catch them. I mean, just look at this.” She gestured a hoof. “This was just two of them. They came in, took my daddy, and then moved out. It only took them a single night. Buck, it only took them a few minutes. Worse than that, they knew where I was and they tried to come get me.” She ground her hoof into the ground. “You and your friends evaded the best the Water Nation had for years, and you had an alicorn with you.”

“To be fair, they also had the aid of many of the countries, too,” Sweetie added.

“Yeah, I know,” Diamond said with a shake of her head. “But that's not all that matters. You guys weren't trying to cause trouble, you were trying to save ponies, to raise an army. These ponies? They don't care who they hurt, they don't have anything holding them back.” She gave a slow breath. “I think... we should start trying to prepare. I don't think we can catch them.”

“Yah want us tah jus' sit back an' wait for 'em tah wipe out more towns?” Applejack asked, cocking an eye.

“No!” the alicorn shook her head. “But we can't keep flying off and hoping to catch them. Even if this mare ISN'T Meadowbrook, she might be just as dangerous or more so. She's a threat to all ponies everywhere.” She ground a hoof into the ground. “I think it might be time to be more... defensive.”

“An' what exactly are yah expectin' us tah do?” Applejack asked with a cocked eye.

“Be more... defensive, I guess. All the places they've hit so far... well... they've been smaller towns. Little villages. Place with tiny populations and only a fraction of the population of the larger villages. We need to use that. Evacuate the smallest towns. We know they're in the earth kingdom for now, bring more ponies in here to watch the borders and guard the towns.”

Applejack frowned. “Yah mean bringin' in guards an' such from outside the country? Ah ain't really sure the empress would like that much.”

Rarity nodded. “Indeed. While I have heard many good things about her, I'm not sure she'd be quite pleased hearing of other countries coming into her territory.”

“Less pleased than she will be having entire villages of ponies drained of every drop of magic they have?” Diamond asked with a scowl.

“Well, it can't hurt to ask,” Rainbow said with a shrug. “After what's been going on in Air Nomad lands, they might be willing to throw a bit more at them if it means we can keep them trapped here.”

“But that'll still require the empress tah give the go ahead,” Applejack said with a shake of her head. She then glanced to Diamond. “However... yah know, if a certain Alicorn were tah ask her about it... well...”

Diamond blinked, her eyes going wide. “W-what?”

“I think that's a marvelous idea!” Rarity said with a nod. “I should be able to set up an audience with her, though it will likely take a few weeks. Applejack, Sweetie, Rainbow, you should stay in Harmony with Diamond to ensure she can continue her training.”

Diamond shrieked and shook her head. “W-wait! I'm not, I can't talk to the empress! I'm just--”

“You're the Avatar, it'll be fine,” Rainbow said with a shrug. “Besides, I knew her dad. If she's anything like him, she'll be pretty chill. And if she's not, well, Applejack is practically her godmother at this point so she can just give her a firm swat on the flank.”

Applejack's eyes widened. “I am NOT her godmother and I can NOT spank the empress. Rainbow, what in tarnation is wrong with you?!”

Rainbow snickered. “What? Come on, it'd be hilarious!”

“Ah ain't spankin' the empress. Sometimes ah wonder what in the world goes on in that lil noggin of yours!” She shook her head again before turning to Rarity. “Okay. If we're gonna split up, ah want Applebloom goin' with yah. If Meadowbrook or the others attack, ah'll feel a lot more comfortable knowin' yah ain't gotta fight 'em alone.”

Rarity nodded. “Normally I'd say there's no need to worry... but I'll take it. Better safe than sorry, no?” She then gave a smile to Applebloom. “I'm sure the two of us will have just a delightful time. You know, there is this marvelous little spa there that I try to go to every time I am in the area. It would be wondrous seeing them again. I do wonder how Coco is doing, too.”

“Just don't spend too long doing all your fancy junk,” Rainbow said with a shrug. “Ponies are in danger.”

Rarity sighed and rolled her eyes. “Of course, Rainbow. You should know I'd never put my own comfort above the safety of all these ponies. But meeting with the empress, even for one such as I, takes time. I mean, do you know how difficult it was just to get permission for Sweetie and I to come into her territory? If I didn't technically still have an open invitation, it could have been months before either of us were able to come along.”

Applejack nodded. “Well... ah guess here is where we part ways then. Let's head back to the ship. Who knows, maybe we'll get lucky an' those four will show their lil heads.”

“Yeah, so we can break them against each other,” Rainbow muttered before trotting forward. “Come on.”

------

Silver hummed softly as she, Daring and Button trotted up to Acrylic's door. She noticed a small package on the steps, but didn't touch it. She reached out and gently knocked on it. After a few moments she knocked again. Then a few moments later she slammed her hoof against it.

“I'm coming, I'm coming, hold onto your cutie mark!” Acrylic's voice rang out from inside. After a few moments the door slammed open and he glared. He was wearing a robe and his hair looked disheveled. “What?” He then blinked and his eyes widened. “O-oh. Silver. What err...” He paused. “Button? Daring?”

“We're going to have a fun night out!” Silver said with a grin, before looking inside. “Isn't your mom home? I thought she'd answer the door.”

“No. Said she had to go out a little bit ago, something she needed to do with Octavia. You just missed her,” Acrylic said with a shrug, before looking to Button. “Surprised you didn't know.”

Button shrugged. “Mom was home when I left. She didn't say anything to me.” He gasped. “Y-you don't think I'm in trouble, do you?”

Acrylic blinked a few times before sighing. “Anyway, what? I'm really not feeling good and--”

“Yeah, no.” Silver shook her head. “I know you. You're good enough to be home, you're good enough to come hang out with your friends for a few hours and unwind a little bit. Come on, it'll be fun.”

Acrylic gave a nod and sighed. “Fine, I guess one night won't kill me.” He paused. “The tank?”

“Is back home,” Silver said with a hoof over her heart. “There will be no explosions, implosions or demolitions tonight. I give my word.”

He nodded. “Very well. I just need to change.” He glanced down at the small package. “Err... did you bring that?”

“What? No. It was here when we got here.”

Acrylic blinked before shrugging. His horn glowed and he picked it up, carrying it inside. “Okay, come on in. I'll be ready in a few minutes. Just make yourselves at home and don't break anything unless it's my moms.”

“Okay,” Silver said with a soft chuckle. “Is it really okay for you to be doing that? Using your horn?”

“Honestly? The doctors are a little concerned about me, but I feel great,” Acrylic said with a chuckle. “I've even teleported a watermelon across the room. I'm still taking it easy, though, don't worry.”

“Well, as long as you're sure,” Silver said as the three stepped into the apartment and closed the door.

Outside and around the corner, an earth pony stared at the door. She chewed her lip a little bit before shaking her head and galloping off. “Stupid stupid stupid!”

------

Octavia sighed as she relaxed in her chair, sitting across from Vinyl. Even though the door was closed and locked, she could hear the metal benders practicing down the hall. She occasionally tapped the ground, but nopony was outside listening to them. “So... I've put a lot of thought into what you said. I really must say, Vinyl, I'm surprised by this. From you of all ponies.”

The water bender shrugged. “Eh. I mean, they deserve it. They're talented, skilled, frankly we should have done this a long time ago.”

“But you still hoped Acrylic would be ready one day, didn't you?”

“Just like you did Button,” Vinyl said back, giving a weak smile devoid of her normal energy.

“There's no need to be so grim about this,” Octavia said with a shake of her head. “I... know how it feels. But this doesn't mean its final. One day Button and Acrylic may be ready for this responsibility.”

Vinyl shrugged. “Oh, yeah. Totally. I'm not worried about anything like that. Just, well...”

“What?”

“Copper is almost as up tight as you, I'm not sure the Yellow Daisy can handle a second you,” she said with a little bit of a tease. “Honestly, reminds me of her dad.”

Octavia chuckled. “Indeed she does.” She then sighed. “I... really had hoped that metal bending would flow through Button's veins like it had his father and I. But... we cannot always have what we wish.” She gently rested her hoof on the table. “And Acrylic?”

“He's doing better. He heals fast, like me.” She paused. “But... I still don't want him risking himself like that. He could have really blown out his horn, he was lucky it didn't crack or anything.” She gave a soft sigh. “I just... you know? He's like me, just runs off and does stupid stuff and gets hurt.”

Octavia chuckled. “You know, sometimes I thing being a mother has really helped you mature, Vinyl. Perhaps I should have Acrylic come to more of our meetings.”

The unicorn snorted. “Unless you threaten to kill him with the paperwork, I doubt that'll have any effect. And it's not that, it's just... no mom should out live her lil baby, you know? He's young and serious, like you. But sometimes he just does things like that and really hurts himself.”

Octavia nodded. “Indeed. But then, Button is a lot like you. ALWAYS doing stupid things.” She gave a soft sigh. “But, I suppose you're right. It's time we accept the fact that... our children won't walk in our steps.” She closed her eyes. “And... perhaps it was wrong of us to ever try and make them.”

Vinyl snickered and shook her head. “Nahhhhh. If we didn't do that, they wouldn't have joined the pro benders. Honestly, I'm expecting to have grandfoals aaaaaaany day now.”

Octavia snickered and shook her heads. “I'm sad to say I doubt that will be an option for me. Perhaps adoption.”

Vinyl shrugged. “Hey, I don't know. I saw Luna, he's pretty cute. If I was... like, a LOT younger and wasn't sure Rarity would kill me slowly, I'd have probably made a pass at him.”

“No, you wouldn't have.”

“I would have at least flirted!”

“I've seen you flirt with a diamond dog, so that's hardly a rare sight,” Octavia said flatly. She then glanced down. “But... I suppose we're in agreement, then. Tittering and Copper will become our replacements.”

Vinyl nodded. “I don't see why not. They're skilled and the Yellow Daisy could use ponies like them. You know, sometimes I'm surprised Rarity never had Tittering brought in. She seemed like a prime candidate.”

Octavia shrugged. “I doubt Rarity knew her very well, she often has her little sister deal with the military affairs. And Sweetie was never really... accepted into our ranks, in the end.”

Vinyl sighed and gave another shake of her head. “Always a shame. She was pretty useful, there at the end. Too bad some other ponies got... well, anyway. Yeah, agreement. Let's get this over with.”

Octavia nodded. “We can schedule a meeting later this week, then.” She tapped the ground before nodding. “It's not the end, though. Just because Button and Acrylic will likely... never take up our duties as council members, they still might yet become members of the Yellow Daisy. They are improving every day.”

“Mmmm hmm,” Vinyl muttered, before leaning against the table. “Still kind of feels like we're letting them down though, doesn't it?”

“Of course not. We're only doing what is our duty. We are leaders of Harmony, it is our duty to watch over all of our citizens. Not just our children.” A scowl formed on her face. “To be honest, we should have done this ages ago...”

“Yeah, I know...”

------

Silver gently nibbled on a piece of broccoli as she watched Daring and Button sing karaoke. Badly. “It feels weird not having Diamond here, doesn't it?”

“Kinda,” Acrylic muttered.

Silver nodded and eyed the two as they struggled to sing over the other. “Daring just isn't the same. I think she wants to be, though.”

“Huh? What do you mean?”

“I just... I don't think she feels she fits in. We should try to help her more.”

Acrylic chuckled. “She fits in just fine. She's one of us, after all. Sorta. I mean, she's Twilight's daughter and well... Diamond likes her.”

“Yeah, but it takes more than that to be inside and just...” Silver frowned and shook her head. “Acrylic, I'm sorry.”

“W-what? For what? You haven't done anything.”

“Yes, I have. I mean, I didn't do anything wrong but... I never...” She sighed and looked over to him. “We've barely talked since... then. I know it's been... difficult. How you felt and I just... I just can't. Not now. And I don't... I don't want you to hate me for it or--” She was stopped by a hoof to her mouth and he shook his head.

“Silver, I could NEVER hate you,” he said firmly. “You're my friend, first and foremost. I... won't deny that it hurt. But that's my problem, not your. You don't feel that way about me, and I understand. I... might not like it, but I understand. I'm sorry I've made you feel bad, but it's fine. Really. I'll get over it.” He then paused. “And... I'm sorry if you feel I've been avoiding you. But... I haven't.”

“But you're barely even around anymore. Ever since that trip and... it's like you don't have time for us anymore. You're always training.”

He gave a nod and then lowered his gaze. “Because I have to. That trip showed me something, Silver. I still have so much to learn, so much to develop. I...” He closed his eyes. “When we first met Diamond, I thought I was one of the best. I mean, I was one of the better water benders in the pro league. Definitely a better bender than Button and a better water bender than Diamond. But...” The scowl on his face darkened. “I've been standing still. Diamond trains every day, gets better. I'm pretty sure by now she's surpassed me. Button has definitely gotten better than I ever thought he'd be. Than I ever thought he COULD be. But me? I haven't developed. I've just focused on water bending, ignoring mist and ice. I had no idea just how weak my skills actually were until I had a chance to fight better, stronger benders. Ones who didn't follow those... rules.” He sighed and opened his eyes, looking back to her. “That's why I've been training. I've been standing still for so long I just... can't do it anymore. I'm now seeing every block I'd just ignored, all staring me in the face for so long. Now I have to try and work around them, or through them. But... you're right. I've kind of gotten too focused on this and ignored my friends. I'll... try not to keep doing that. I'm sorry.”

Silver blinked before slowly she reached out and put a hoof on his. “Oh Acrylic, you're a great bender. Just because some ponies are better at it than you doesn't mean you're not still talented.”

Acrylic nodded. “I know. But I've still got a long way to go. Buck, the only reason I got hurt was because my magic isn't strong enough.”

“What? No! Teleporting can't be easy for anypony. There's nothing to be ashamed of for getting burnt out.”

“Not that,” he said with a shake of his head. “The reason I had to teleport was because my ice broke. I caught the crate, I did everything right. But my magic was just too weak. It couldn't support the weight. If I hadn't been able to teleport, that pony would have been dead because of my weakness.”

She nodded. “O-oh. I didn't realize. I just thought that... well...”

“My bending is weak and my skills are lack luster at best,” Acrylic said softly, his eyes drifting to Button and Daring. “But I can, and will, fix that. I need to focus more, to keep working at it.” He paused for a second before sighing. “But I am improving. I can see it, every time I practice. My bending might not be as strong as I'd like but my other magic is getting stronger. This time I burnt myself out, but next time? Maybe I'll be fine. Maybe I'll be strong enough. Maybe--”

She cut him off by putting a hoof on his. “Acrylic. You don't mean you're going to try... teleporting yourself again, are you? That's dangerous! There are only a hoofful of unicorns who can do magic that advanced! It's dangerous.”

“I'm not going to just jump into it, I'm not stupid,” he said with a chuckle. “Okay, I am stupid. But I'm not reckless. I only just got out of the hospital and I don't intend to go back. I'm slowly working my way up, teleporting bigger things. Eventually I believe I'll be able to teleport myself. For real, without someone being in danger. But I think that's a long way off. At least a year. Even then I doubt I'll be able to do it well without a few years practice.”

Silver smiled and gave a nod. “Oh. Okay, as long as you're careful. I think they're finishing up.”

Acrylic chuckled and looked over to Button and Daring, who were in the midst of trying to out power slide the other across the stage as they sang at the top of their lungs, long since abandoning any semblance of tone and now just trying to scream over each other. “Why did we agree to this?”

“Because they had a buy one get one special on appetizers and Button wanted to sing. You're cheap, he likes to party, it was the perfect place.”

Acrylic's mane went on end. “I am NOT cheap!”

“Oh please, I've seen you nearly drown yourself when you dropped that bit in the river.”

His cheeks burned. “I-I'm a water bender, I would have been fine!”

“They were rapids! If Button hadn't made a partial dam, you would have drowned.”

“I had everything under control.”

“You had a concussion.”

“But I knew I had one.”

Silver just stared at him for a few moments before bursting into giggles. “You know, sometimes, Acrylic you're just as silly as Button.”

Acrylic scowled and then held out his hoof. The water lifted out of his cup and flew over Silver's head. “You take that back.”

“I will take it to my grave,” she said with a grin. “A watery one, it seems. Silly Acrylic.”

He glowered at her for a few moments, before a wide grin broke his face and he chuckled, sending the water back to his drink with a wave of his hoof. “This is kind of nice, you know. When Diamond's back, we should see if she wants to come next time. Get the whole gang back together.”

Silver nodded. “Can you believe we've only known her a few months? It feels like its been such a long time.”

“Well, yeah, but five minutes with her used to feel like hours, so I'm not surprised.”

“Acrylic, that's mean.”

“But not untrue.,” Acrylic said and waved as the others trotted up, panting and sweaty. “Have fun?”

“I totally won!” Daring said proudly.

“What? No way! I won!” Button objected.

“My voice was wayyyy higher.”

“Well mine boomed more!”

“Acrylic, who won?” the two said in unison before turnng on him.

He yiped and leaned back. “What? Why me?”

“Silver is too nice and a pushover to pick sides and you're too much of a tight flank to just favor your friend,” Daring said with a nod.

He stared flatly at both of them. “... I'd say the winner is us. Because you two finally stopped subjecting us to that display.”

“Hey!” Silver objected. “I-I'm not that nice! A-and I'm not a push over!”

All three of them turned to stare at her for a moment before bursting into laughter.

Her face got redder. “H-hey! Stop that! I-I can totally... hey! W-well, I think one of you definitely were better than the other but now I won't tell you because you made me mad. So there,” she snapped in annoyance, stomping a hoof down on the table. “You all suck.”

Button reached over and patted her on the back. “There there. It's okay, Silver. We all have our own little things. Me? I'm cute. Daring is awesome. Acrylic is cool and a tight flank. Diamond is confident. And you're the nice one who everypony loves.”

Silver blushed and face hoofed. “I am NOT that nice. You know what? I have so much evil inside of me that... that you don't even KNOW what I could do! If the world isn't going to fear me than I'll... I'll teach it to... ummmm...”

“Love you instead?” Daring offered, before the three burst into laughter.

“Stop it! I can be scary and mean!” Silver stomped her hooves on the table, tipping it over slightly and sending the food toppling onto her. She stared, blinking from behind the noodles and veggies that covered her.

Acrylic sighed and his horn glowed before he helped her clean up. “Oh Silver, we're just teasing. You know we all respect you. There's no need to pretend to be tough.”

Silver gave an exasperated sigh. “I'm really NOT that nice. You all just have me wrong. Honest.”

Button snickered and gave a shrug. “Does it really mean that much to you? If you want, we can start pretending you're mean.” He mock swooned. “Oh, Silver totally stole my cupcake. Woe is me.”

Silver sighed and nibbled a bit of broccoli from her mane. “No. It's fine. Just... whatever...” She stared down at the table. She knew she should feel happy that they all believed that, that they all thought she was such a kind, sweet pony.

But she knew she wasn't and all she felt was miserable.

Chapter 16: Message

View Online

Vinyl slowly bounced a little rubber ball up and down, occasionally tossing it against the wall so it bounced back to her. Octavia glared at her. “Do you mind?”

“Not really, it's a lot of fun. Wanna try?” Vinyl asked with a snarky grin.

Octavia rolled her eyes before stomping a hoof. The ground under the unicorn shot up, shooting her into the air with a shriek. She flailed wildly for a few moments before landing on her stomach, her ball bouncing off. She laid there with little swirls for eyes. “I... guess that's a no.”

“Truly you are the mistress of subtlety,” the earth pony said sarcastically. She tapped the ground and her ears perked up. “They're here.”

Vinyl got to her hooves and tried to look as dignified as she could, though the smile never left her lips. After a few moments Tittering and Copper trotted in.

“So, then I said 'Oatmeal, are you crazy?'” Tittering said with a chuckle.

Copper just stared blankly at her, slowly blinking. “Charming.”

“I know! To be honest, though, I think she was onto something. Now, if we'd used banana cream pudding? It would have been guaranteed to work! You know what they say about--” Tittering froze when she realized Octavia and Vinyl were watching. “Oh! Err, right, sorry. Heh heh. Councilmare Octavia, Councilmare Vinyl, a pleasure to see you two.” She bowed politely and a moment later Copper did the same.

“Hey, I kinda wanted to know where that was going,” Vinyl said before she trotted up besides Octavia, who elbowed her in the side. “Ouch! Right, okay, business first. Pudding after.” She took a deep breath. “So! We've invited the two of you here for a very important reason. As leaders of the Moon Raisers and metal benders, I'm sure you're beginning to understand the responsibilities we've held over the years.”

“Quite,” Copper said flatly.

“Ohhhh, it's totally awesome. I haven't had fun like this in sooooo long,” Tittering said with a light chuckle. “You literally have NO idea.”

“Of course,” Octavia said with a nod. “But there are other duties that we've... failed to inform you about. You were both quite young when you first came to us--” Tittering snorted at that. “But you were both quite talented in your fields and we were very happy to discover you were both more than up to the task. The last few months especially have been... hectic. What with Meadowbrook, the return of the Avatar, just about everything. And you both have risen to the occasion. Copper, you handled taking over most of the city's defenses during the attack quite admirably and Tittering, I've heard nothing but good things from you after the Moon Raisers were forced to retreat to the Water Nation. So we're decided that it is time.” She took a slow, deep breath. “Have you two ever heard of the Yellow Daisy?”

“No,” Copper said with a shake of her head.

“Oh yeah, the totally secret organization that just about everypony has heard about? Here and there,” Tittering said with a light snicker.

Octavia blinked a few times. “Err... truly?”

“Oh yeah. It's quite the little gossip number back in the Water Nation. The world's worst kept secret,” Tittering said with a nod.

Octavia turned back and glared at Vinyl.

“What? I didn't tell anypony!” the unicorn said defensively.

Tittering chuckled. “Well, okay, not everypony knows. But a lot of them know. It wasn't THAT hard to find out about after the whole war and everything, since they kept popping up and everypony was keeping an eye out for things.”

Octavia sighed and shook her head. “Of course. We were... hoping information about it was less common. But, anyway. Vinyl and I are both prominent members of the organization. The Yellow Daisy is an organization designed to help facilitate peace between all of the nations. We have members stretching out clear across the world, amongst both high and low fields of office. Many of the... smoother transitions after the war can be accredited to the tireless efforts of those of us in power, along with the help of the Avatar and her friends. We would like the two of you to join.”

“Sweeeeet, I'm in!” Tittering said with a raised hoof. “I'm all for that whole peaceful world thing. Harmony everywhere, wooo!”

Copper stared, blinking slowly. She then frowned. “What would be my duties?”

Octavia smiled. “Of course, ever the cautious one. That's wise, Copper. As I said, our organization is designed towards keeping the peace between all nations. At times, it can be quite difficult.” She glanced towards Vinyl. “In fact, it can be downright dangerous. Many of our operatives who served in the Water Nation during the hundred year war found themselves either exiled, killed or forced to run. My cohort here was one of them.” She then turned back to them. “This is not an easy life, I won't deny. At any time you may be asked to risk your life in order to protect the world around you. Or you may be asked to abandon those you believe you can save. More than a few of us have found ourselves forced to do things and make choices we... never wanted to. It's not easy, it will require sacrifice. But... in the end, it will be worth it. For all the lives you can keep safe.”

Copper just stared for a few moments before nodding. “I see. And have you made Button and Acrylic members?”

Both of the two cringed, before shaking their heads. “They're not ready, yet,” Octavia said softly. “They still have a long way to go before they're ready for this kind of responsibility.”

“I don't know, being friends with the Avatar is a pretty big responsibility on its own,” Tittering said with a shrug.

“Anyway, this isn't about them,” Vinyl said with a shake of her head. “The fact of the matter is, Octy and me, well, we're not as young and spry as we used to be. There's just a lot of stuff we can't do anymore. I mean, sure, we're still awesome and can kick flank, but we're getting slower, our knees act up, sometimes I don't even wanna get up in the morning. We've been putting this off for a long time, finding our replacements. But it's time and you two are the best candidates we've got. So what do you say?”

Copper eyed both of them for a few moments, her eyes slowly drifting from side to side. Then she finally closed them and gave a single, short nod.

“Perfect!” Vinyl said with a big grin. “If we had paperwork, I'd tell you to sign something, but really we just need to give you a few details of the inner workings of the organization, our calling cards and signs. Frankly, you'll be pretty amazed when you find out just how many little groups of us are out there.”

------

Diamond paced back and forth nervously as the airship slowly descended into Harmony. She had no idea how long it would take before Rarity returned, so now she supposed she just had to train and wait. But she honestly didn't feel like training, not now at least. A part of her just felt off. She just couldn't put her hoof on it, though. She was plagued with indecision, but as the ship finally came to a stop she frowned and made up her mind.

The alicorn took to the air and burst off, flying through the sky with ease as she made her way over the city and then over the lake. She landed outside the house on the island and took a deep breath. She reached up and gently knocked. Then realized how silly she was being and pushed the door open, shaking her head. She lived here, after all. She trotted up the stairs. “Prism! You home?” she called out. She called a few more times, before finally getting an answer.

“Sleeping,” he groaned from his room. “Leave me alone...”

She blinked a few times, before lowering her eyes. “O-oh. Right... I uhhh... I'm sorry. I... never mind,” she said softly before turning and trotting to her room. She opened the door and walked inside, closing the door gingerly behind herself and then collapsing on her bed. She closed her eyes and gave a soft sigh.

The door opened after a few moments and Prism stood in it, his mane disheveled. “Diamond? What's wrong?”

“What? Oh, uhhh, nothing, I was just--”

“Don't lie to me,” he said before trotting over and sitting by her. “Something's wrong. Even I can see that.”

She slowly opened her eyes and looked at the room. “Do... you think it's possible I wasn't meant to be chosen?”

“What?”

“I mean... like...” She frowned. “There haven't ever really been too many bad avatars, right? Or... really any. That we know of, at least. But there have been plenty who just... died. Too young to actually do anything. What if that's what I was supposed to be? Just a place holder before a pegasus became one?”

“Diamond, don't be silly. Why would you even think this?”

She was silent for a few moments before looking up at him. “Meadowbrook... or... or whoever this pony is. She foalnapped my daddy.”

His eyes widened and he reached out, pulling her into a hug. “Oh, Diamond. I'm so sorry. But believe me now. This is NOT your fault. We'll save him, don't you worry.”

“I... I know we will,” she said with a shake of her head. “I mean, we have to. But that's not...” She sighed again. “I went home. I was back... home. And I remembered everything. Who I was. What I said. What I used to think. How I used to... feel about everypony else. How I believed I was the best and greatest and...” She shook slightly. “I just... I...”

“Diamond,” he said softly.

“I... kind of miss it. When I first came here, I thought I was the greatest. I thought I was already a master, that I knew how everything worked. But now? Now I just feel like a rookie. Like I'm only beginning to learn, that everypony out there is just... so much better than I could ever hope to be. How can I possibly hope to live up to Twilight if I can't even get beyond rookie levels? How can I do anything right?”

He sighed and then patted her on the head. “You're doing fine. Twilight wasn't... you know what? How about you and I go have a little match. Like old times, okay?”

She blinked, then sighed. “So like... me ending up in the lake, you chuckling?”

“Yeah, it'll be fun,” he said before trotting towards the door. “Diamond, you know you're doing fine, though. I've seen you practice, I've seen how hard you try.”

“I... I know. I know I should feel better. Stronger. I know ponies believe in me, but I just... I...” Her gaze lowered to the ground. “I've talked with others about this. Even Water Lord Rarity. But I just... I just can't shake it. I can't help feeling like I'm going to screw up and then everything is going to go wrong because of me. That it's all going to be my fault.”

He nodded. “Well, I'm sorry to say, but things are going to go wrong. Eventually. You can only work so hard and even then, stuff still might go bad. All you can do is try your hardest. You aren't the mare you were back then. I know I've told you that. You're a fine, strong young mare who, frankly, I'd be happy to fight with anytime.”

She nodded. “I know...”

“In fact, if I didn't know you better I'd think you were fishing for compliments.”

She snorted. “If I wanted that, I'd just... I don't know.”

He stopped outside of the training section and turned to her. “You're probably always going to have some doubt, Diamond. Not because you're the Avatar, but because you're a pony. That's just what life IS. We live, we go, we fight, we die. Through it all, we worry. We become afraid that we're making the wrong choices. That we're just going to make things worse in the end. But as long as we keep trying to fix things, to make things at least a little better, then we haven't failed.” He trotted a bit more and spread his wings. “Now, standard air bending. Let's see what my mom taught you.”

She nodded and slowly spread out her wings, stretching them out a little bit. She then darted forward, flapping at a rapid pace as she parted the air around herself and swung back, swinging her back hooves at him in a wide kick. He stepped back and spread his own wings, preparing to launch a counter attack. But before he could, her wings flared out and sent a burst of wind at him, toppling him back. He rolled back to his hooves, but she was already on him, her hooves striking out with a deadly precision while she rotated her body using her wings and hooves with each strike.

Prism spread his own wings out and tried to move around her, spinning in a tight circle to try and come at her right. However, she was already down, trying to sweep his leg. He yiped and took to the air, barely avoiding the kick. He flapped his wings once, forcing her back a few inches but she braced herself, before surging forward and sending a blast of wind. He spun back, gasping slightly before his eyes widened. She slammed into his stomach, her horn barely missing him when she head butted him in the gut. He dropped down, hitting the ground and spinning back. She was already moving in, her front hooves on the ground as she bucked out, sending a stream of air at him. He ducked under and spun, sending out a stream of air to knock her front hooves out from under her and then with a second spin, sent her flying back.

Diamond hit the ground and rolled a few feet, before springing back to her hooves and eying him, her eyes narrowed into little slits as she sized him up. Prism grinned before galloping straight at her. He feinted for the left, before jumping up and intending to strike her from above. To his surprise, she was already spinning and sent out a burst of air above her, sending him flying back and out. He hovered in the air for a few moments and watched her, before gliding back down. “Well, Diamond, I am sufficiently impressed.”

She stared for a moment before slowly lowering her stance. “Prism?”

“That was quite impressive. When we first fought each other, you couldn't land a hoof on me. You were just so... well, obvious where ever you'd strike, not to mention you fell for just about anything I'd do. But now?” he said before shaking his head. “You've gotten faster, stronger, you think your attacks through. So much more precision and cunning as well. You even got a good, solid hit on me. Had you used your horn, it really would have left a mark.”

Her cheeks flared up. “I-I didn't want to gore you.”

“And I appreciate it.” He trotted over and put a hoof on her head. “But you are improving, dramatically. I see you're taking my mother's lessons to heart.”

She paled. “Your mom is trying to kill me! I'm not sure who's worse, her or Applejack!”

“Exactly. Buuuut, you're surviving. Not all ponies could say that,” he said with a grin. “And both at once, an even tougher feat.”

Her cheeks flared. “I... I guess. But you were holding back and--”

“No I wasn't.”

She blinked. “Wait... really?”

“Well... okay, I was a little. But that doesn't mean you haven't improved. Your air bending is far, far superior to what it was when we first met. Had you been this good when I first started training you... well, you probably would have knocked me into the river a couple of times.”

She blinked a few times. “You really think so?”

“I know so.”

She smiled and reached up to hug him. He smiled and reached back.

Then she leaned down and tapped a hoof on the ground. The ground shot out from under him and sent him hurtling into the lake with a shriek. He popped up a moment later, dripping water. “DIAMOND!”

“Payback!” she said with a giggle. She then eeped when he scowled at her. “It... err... was funny?”

He pounded his hoof into his other hoof.

She squeaked and ran. “It was funny! You know it was, don't beat me!”

“Get back here!”

------

Silver scowled, her head resting on the table as she listened to her grandparents and dad arguing. “Now, son, if you'd just meet with her, I'm sure you'd have plenty in common,” Jet said with a nod.

“Exactly,” Crust agreed. “She comes from a very good family. One hundred percent water benders, down to the last second cousin. More importantly, she is skilled in both magic AND water bending. A true proper unicorn.”

“Mmmm hmm,” Alicity mumbled as he chewed on some oatmeal, his eyes focused on the blueprint Secretary had stretched out in front of him. He swallowed and then pointed towards the right wing. “Perhaps if we put a two core matrix there, with a mixture of flight and telekinesis?”

“Sir, I believe last time we did that we accidentally ended up trapping a bunch of ponies on the ceiling until it wore off.”

“Oh, right. Hmmmm... maybe a nice targeting array. It might be useful with the airships, though. Reduce weight. But then in heavier weather they might not be heavy enough to survive the winds.”

“Son, are you even listening?” Crust asked, glaring at him.

“Of course, mother,” he said flatly before pointing towards the sail. “Did we ever manage to get that zebra silk to work?”

“Only as side sails. It just wasn't able to endure the treatment as a main sail. However, we did find that the pegasi loved garments made of it and it protects very well against lightning.”

“Really? Perhaps something with the balloons, then. Extra protection during the Badland travels would be good.”

“So you'll meet with her then?” Jet asked.

“Sure, just have her come by during normal business hours. If I'm in the office, she can just come in. Otherwise Silver will deal with it.”

Silver snorted into her hoof.

“... Son, we're talking about a date,” Crust said with a glower.

“Oh? Well, if you two want to start a herd I don't see why you need to ask me. I'm not calling her mom, though.”

“FOR YOU!” Jet roared. Silver tried not to laugh and just managed to keep it in, a smile on her face.

“Huh?” Alicity looked up, confusion etched on his features. He then burst into laughter. “Oh, I don't have TIME to date! There's farrrr too much work to do.” He looked back at the blueprint. “Did we ever manage to expand the array on the cannons?”

“Not yet, sir, but research and development is working on it. They should have some prototypes on your desk by the end of the month.”

“Excellent.”

“But what about the family line? You have an obligation to continue it!”

“And I did, with a beautiful daughter who I am very proud of,” he said before tapping the blueprint. “Secretary, what if we replaced the bearings with gold, do you think that would help?”

“It would make the magic flow better, sir. But it would be so expensive that it would be impossible to mass produce them.”

“Ah, right, of course.”

Jet and Crust growled a little, before glancing to Silver. She irked. “I suppose. We have been looking for a... proper stallion who--”

“Aaaaand I have a lot of work to do bye!” Silver said quickly before galloping out of the room, toppling her chair over in the process. She made her way to the door and quickly stepped out. To her surprise, Diamond was standing there. She paused. “Back already?”

“Yeah. Sorta. Things... didn't go well,” she said softly, nudging the ground.

“Really? Didn't catch them?”

“They foalnapped my dad.”

Silver blinked, her mouth falling open. She then charged forward and wrapped her hooves around the other mare. “Oh. Oh Diamond, I'm so sorry. I... I don't... I can't imagine what that feels like. You poor dear.”

“It's... it's fine, really,” she muttered softly. “I just... you know. We'll get him back, I'll beat Meadowbrook and...” She shook her head. “Can we talk?”

“Yes, but not here.” Silver took the other mare's hoof and dragged her off, away from the house. Once they were on one of the warehouse roofs she nodded and turned to her. “Okay, go on.”

Diamond looked around in confusion, before shrugging and looking to Silver. “Well... you remember Meadowbrook, right? When we fought her?”

“Yeah. Well, when you fought her.”

“Right. I... don't think that's Meadowbrook. I mean, this pony who is claiming to be her.”

“Oh? Then who would it be?”

“I don't have any idea. I mean, even the spells seem... different. When it was used on me, I felt so... numb. Strange. I mean, I could feel anger and stuff, but it was all distant. I had trouble focusing or well... anything. But these ponies? They don't seem like that. They still seem to be... themselves. They have their personalities, but they don't have their magic anymore. I think it's a new spell that just happens to be similar. That's all.”

Silver nodded. “Truly? I couldn't imagine a second pony knowing a spell like that. But why pretend to be Meadowbrook? She doesn't have any followers left now. Or at least, I don't think she does.”

“I don't know. Maybe she needs Meadowbrook for something? I'm more concerned about how Meadowbrook escaped if this mare isn't her.”

“Well, Diamond, I'm sure you'll figure it out. After all, you are the Avatar.” She reached out and patted her hoof. “How long are you going to be back for?”

“Well, Rarity is working to set up a meeting with the Earth Kingdom Empress, then I'll go and speak with her about allowing us to have the other militaries in her country to try and catch them.”

“Oh? Do you think that'll work?”

“I don't know. Maybe? I hope? I mean, nothing else seems to work and this whole... running after them whenever they pop their heads up thing is NOT going to work anytime soon. We've tried it, but trying to pen them in when they can just get in and get out so fast is near impossible.” She paused. “To be honest, even if we DID find them, I'm not sure there's much we could do. Meadowbrook and Dazzling attacked us. Once the tables turned, they managed to just teleport away. How are we supposed to catch them when they can do that?”

Silver blinked a few times. “Wait... what? They just up and... poof?”

“Yes! She knows that kind of magic and it's just... so frustrating. I don't really know what to do. It doesn't matter how strong I get, how much I practice, if she can just escape every time I have her on the ropes.” She paused a moment. “Also, blood bending sucks. Like, so much.”

Silver nodded. “Actually... maybe we can do something about that.”

“Really? Like what? Separate the four of them? Yeah, I guess that'd work but have to find them and catch them, first.”

“No. I mean nullify her ability to teleport.”

Diamond blinked a few times. “That's... doable?”

“Of course. Just about any spell can be nullified or countered. Even simple telekinesis can be disrupted when you know how. A spell like teleportation, however, requires very precise and powerful magic, the kind that takes years to master. Disrupting it should be actually fairly simple.”

The alicorn's eyes practically glowed with excitement. “You... you can do that? Really?”

Silver cringed. “W-well... I can't.” Her friend deflated. “But daddy can, I'm sure!”

“Really?”

“Of course. Daddy's special talent is dissecting and finding out all the little parts and pieces that go into magic, it's how he's been able to develop so many of these different suits.” She spread her wings. “Thanks to his work it's been a lot easier for other ponies to figure out how they function and copy them, but he did most of the front end work. If something like this was easy, well, they'd have done it hundreds of years ago.” She gave a light chuckle. “If anypony can develop such a device, daddy can. I bet Acrylic could help, too.”

“Really? After the whole... hospital thing, are you sure that's wise? What if he ends up hurting himself again?”

“I don't think daddy would require him to do anything more difficult than teleporting an orange, so I think he'll be fine. Besides, there are hundreds of books on spells like that, so he'll have plenty to draw on. He won't put Acrylic through too much unless he gets carried away.” Diamond just stared at her. “Secretary will be there to make sure he doesn't.”

The alicorn nodded. “I guess that'll work then. Do you really think he can develop something?”

“Of course. Now, I can't guarantee that the range on it will be good, or that it'll be the most effective, easy to move thing. But I know if anypony can make such a thing, daddy can.”

“Great! Let's go talk to him about it!”

“Err... how about later?”

“What? Why?”

“Grandma and grandpa are down there trying to set the two of us up on dates. It's... not pretty.”

Diamond cringed. “Yeah... I wouldn't want that either. Wanna go for a fly? Maybe we can go see Button and Acrylic.”

“Sure! I bet we can find Daring, too. I think she's been feeling a bit lonely. Doesn't have a lot of friends aside from Ironwing.”

“Really? I think anypony would feel lonely if he was their only friend,” Diamond said with a shudder. “Not that I totally don't respect him or anything,” she said with a snicker. “He's just kinda a... well...”

“Has a stick up his flank he likes to beat people with?”

“That's a way to say it,” the alicorn said with a grin before spreading her wings. “Let's go get the others and have like... some kinda thing then. How about we go get something to eat?”

“Sure. I suppose I'll be paying, hmmm?” Silver said with a light tease.

“Well, you are the one with the multi-billion bit company...” Diamond teased right back.

“You know, last time I checked your family wasn't exactly struggling with bits, either.”

The alicorn blinked and froze. Her mouth fell open slightly. “Oh. You know... I never really thought about it. I mean... I never really buy anything.”

“Really?” Silver asked before spreading her wings and rising slightly into the air.

“No. I guess I do have bits, but... I never really buy anything. All of my meals and lodging are just taken care of,” Diamond said as she flew besides Silver. “We have servants on the island that do all that stuff, though sometimes Prism or Blaze will cook. Well, or True now.” A frown crept across her face. “I never really thought about it. You know what? I'll get it this time.”

Silver glanced over to her. “Diamond, you're the Avatar. I mean, nopony is going to expect you to work an actual job or worry about meals or sleeping arrangements. You have a whole world to look after and guide. Buck, your job is already full time, nopony could expect you to take a second one on top of it.”

Diamond blushed and nodded. “I-I know. I just never really... thought about it. It was just kind of there and I...” She shook her head. “I'm probably just over thinking things too much. I do that a lot lately.”

The earth pony nodded. “I know how that feels...”

------

Diamond nibbled on her noodles, eying Acrylic across the counter. He looked a lot better, though he seemed oddly paranoid. He kept looking around and staring at the door. Button and Daring seemed to be having some kind of... eating contest, so they didn't seem to notice. Silver seemed focused on writing stuff onto a napkin, apparently trying to get a head start on the anti-teleportation device. The five had met up at a small diner just on the outskirts of the city.

“Acrylic, what's wrong?”

“Huh?”

“You keep looking around. Something bothering you?”

“No. Yes. Kinda,” he muttered before shaking his head. “It's... weird. I think somepony's been following me.”

That made Silver glance up, though Daring and Button were too focused on trying to out eat each other to notice. “What? Why?”

“Well... I got this weird package the other day. Cookies, a basket of them. And I keep getting weird little packages like that. But... well... they're just weird ones. The cookies were okay. But then I got medicine for stomach aches, some bandages, a box set of chess. Just... a lot of weird stuff,” he said with a wave of his hoof. “And half the time when I leave the house, I swear I can just... feel somepony watching me. Spying on me. I thought I was being paranoid, but the feeling just won't go away. I keep looking out the door and expecting to see somepony. But I don't have any idea who this pony would even be.”

“You don't think it's Meadowbrook, do you?” Diamond asked, her voice filled with worry.

“I don't see why she'd be watching me of all ponies. You'd be the one she'd be spying on.”

“Did you piss off any ponies?” Silver asked. “Maybe someone like... hired a private investigator. Maybe your mom did. Those gifts do seem kind of... weird.”

“Exactly,” he muttered before giving a sigh. “Maybe I'm just being too paranoid though. I just... can't shake this feeling. Like somepony is always watching me. Waiting for the moment to strike and-- AYEEEE!” He jumped almost a foot, banging his knees on the table before his cheeks burned red and he turned to glare at Daring, who had reached out to tap his shoulder.

“Whag?” she asked, her mouth full of food. “Padd a nabkin?”

Acrylic glared at her, before reaching over to grab a napkin and hand it to her. “I'm just a little... stressed about it.”

“Maybe you have a secret admirer,” Diamond sad with a grin.

“Let's at least try to stay in the realm of possibilities, okay?” Acrylic said with a roll of his eyes. He then shuddered and looked over to the door when a small group of ponies walked in. “Okay, there it is again. I swear, somepony is out there, watching me.”

Diamond looked around, eying the group that walked in. A few unicorns and an earth pony trotted by. “Yeah. I think you might just be being paranoid.”

He sighed and shook his head. “Maybe... I don't know. Let's just... talk about something else. Diamond, how's your training going?”

“I think I'm getting better. Can't metal bend or anything like that. But my air bending is getting a lot better and I am actually able to avoid some of Applejack's attacks now. Sweetie says I'm getting a lot better at deflection, too.”

He nodded. “I'd imagine she's the nicest then, huh?”

“Ehhhhhh...” Diamond said with a shake of her head. “Kinda? But... not really. Like... Rainbow pushes me a lot harder, but as I feel like I'm getting my stamina up it doesn't feel so bad. I just have to make a mad dash whenever I'm around her. Applejack doesn't really hold back, but as I get better I'm getting a lot less bruises. But Sweetie... well... she's...” She rubbed her chin. “I don't really know how to put it aside from... she's a great teacher. But every time I train with her, I keep getting these little... flashes. These feelings that if she actually tried, she'd kill me. No, not if she tried. If she wanted. So often I just feel this little hint that she's suppressing something and that she's only one bad moment from killing me. The sessions themselves aren't bad, it's just very... mentally exhausting. I haven't told her, though. I don't want to upset her.”

“Well, she was really powerful during the war,” Silver said with a shrug. “Have you ever heard any of the stories about her?”

“Her? No. I mostly just heard the ones about Twilight.”

“She was the one who destroyed the Earth Kingdom. It took her less than a year to do it, after she became the commander of the Water Nation's armies. Even now she's widely regarded as one of the most deadly water benders in the world, though there haven't been any records of her killing anypony since it ended.”

Diamond blinked a few times. “Wait, really? But she's so... well...”

“What?”

“Young. She doesn't even look that much older than us.”

“She's only a few years younger than Water Lord Rarity,” Silver said with a shake of her head. “She was barely even a full mare when she took over as the Water Nation's commander. I'd hate to have to fight her now, after all these years. I hear she was a real prodigy, learned poison bending as a filly and killed her first assassin before she even got her cutie mark.”

Diamond gasped. “Assassin?”

“Oh, yes. Assassins used to be quite popular in the Water Nation. Just about every noble family had them and it was considered almost good practice to assassinate your enemies. I think there were at least twenty attempts on the royal family's lives a month, possibly more during the start of Rarity's reign. However, things have really gotten better since then and most of the assassins have been removed. Either imprisoned or brought into the new nation.”

Diamond shuddered. “The Water Nation doesn't sound like the nicest place.”

“It really isn't depending on where you go. That's one of the reasons daddy had us move up here. There are still plenty of ponies who miss the old ways, even if they know better than to admit it in public.”

“Why would somepony miss that?”

“Because it was a lot easier to have power when all you had to do was kill those who opposed you. At least, if you had that power. Some ponies often find the desire to go back on old times when they find their methods or desires don't line up with what other ponies want.”

“I'd heard stories of the nation back then,” Acrylic muttered, shaking his head. “Mom told me it was horrible. She tried to reduce the damage, but even as commander there was only so much she could do when most of the other ponies in power had gotten that way by killing all of their comrades. Even then, she saw that Trixie was going to eventually usurp her.”

“I'd hate to have imagined what Trixie was back then,” Diamond muttered softly. “I wonder what leads a pony to do things like that?”

“Our nation thrived on it,” Silver said softly. “It became stronger the more it destroyed. Sucking the life out of all who dwelt in it.” She gave a shudder. “Daddy was alive during the changes. He says Rarity taking over was one of the greatest things to ever happen to the nation, though he still didn't want to raise me there. That's why we came here. Where anypony can be anything.” She gave a little grin. “And who knows? With all of daddy's inventions, one day that might be completely true. We'll hopefully have bending down in ten years or so.”

The alicorn chuckled. “Oh? So in ten years I'll be dealing with a whole host of other Avatars, right? I shudder to think that that would be like.”

“A whole army of Diamond Tiara's?” Acrylic asked with a shudder. “I don't think the world is ready for that. I don't think ANYPONY is ready for that.”

Diamond glowered and kicked him under the table. “Hey!”

He snickered. “You're the one who's always causing trouble. I bet--”

The world exploded around them, the windows outside shooting in and showering the ponies with shards of glass. Diamond and her friends were shielded by their booth, but other ponies weren't so lucky and after a few moments there was screaming from the wounded ponies. The after wave of the sonic rainboom spread through the city, rippling through and destroying windows as it went.

The alicorn got to her hooves and stared at the window, Shining stood in the frame and smirked knowingly at her. “Shining! What are you doing here? I--”

“Save it, Avatar. Let's make this quick.” The pegasus flared out her wings. “I've got a message for you and your friends, if you want to see your daddy again.”

Diamond's eyes widened and she galloped forward. “Shining!”

“Head out of town to the east. The Everfree Forest. Your daddy is in there, waiting. Make it quick, we won't wait long.” With that, the pegasus took off into the sky, leaving them behind.

Diamond looked around at the wrecked building and all the screaming ponies. She chewed on her lower lip for a moment before looking to her friends. “I have to go. My daddy is--”

“We know, we're coming with you,” Acrylic said quickly.

“But--”

“No buts,” Silver said with a shake of her head. “None of us are medically trained, we can't help here. But this is a trap and we'll all be bucked if you think we're letting you go off on your own.”

Diamond sighed, before giving a nod. “Thank you.” She then looked to Daring. “I hate to ask, but can you get Rainbow and the others? You're the fastest flier and we need them.”

“Fine. But make sure to save me a piece!” the pegasus yelled before taking off.

Diamond nodded before galloping out of the shop. To her delight, she could see ponies were already arriving on the scene, racing into the buildings to help the ponies get out. Nopony seemed at all focused on her or her three friends as they galloped out of the city, towards the Everfree forest.

Chapter 17: Confrontation

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Diamond panted with exertion when they made it to the Everfree Forest. The trees looked oddly foreboding, the branches seeming to reach out and grasp at them. Diamond stared at them, chewing on her lower lips. “Have... any of you been here before?”

“No,” Acrylic said with a shake of his head. “Why would ANYPONY want to come here? This place is just...” He shuddered and shook his head. “We'll be fine, though. We've made it through tougher places than this.”

“Like where?” Button asked, before cringing when the others glared at him. “I mean, yeah! We're going to kick some flank!”

The alicorn nodded. “So uhhh... I know you all said you'd help me, but this is my fight and--” She yelped as she got a shock on her flank. She glared at Silver.

“There's no way, no how, we're letting you run off to get yourself killed on some stupid... stupid thing,” Silver said with a shake of her head. “There's four of us, four of them. It'll be fine.”

“Yeah, but you're not a--”

“I will zap you again if you say I'm 'not a bender'.”

“Errr...” Diamond coughed before turning ahead. “Right. Let's... go. We can do this,” she said nervously. She slowly walked forward, her friends following behind her. She walked around a few of the trees before letting out a sigh of relief. Despite the ominous feeling, everything felt fine. She kept walking. “Okay, so this isn't so bad.”

She was greeted by silence.

“Guys?” She looked back and froze. Her friends were gone. Worse than that, even though she was sure she'd only walked a few feet in, the trees spread out as far as they eye could see. “Silver! Acrylic! Button!” she screamed, galloping back the way she'd come.

------

Button looked to the left when they passed a weird flower. When he looked back ahead, Diamond was gone. “Diamond?” he called out. “Hey, guys, where--” It took him only a moment to realize the others were gone. “SILVER! ACRYLIC!” He started galloping forward. However, after a few steps, he heard a loud snapping sound, followed by a growl.

He froze and slowly looked back the way he'd come. Three large wolf like creatures made of wood stood before him, eying him angrily. He gave a little squeak. “O-oh. Oh no. Not... not good. H-heyyyy doggies. Gooood doggies,” he said nervously, forcing a grin on his face. “T-that's some good doggies. Right?” he asked softly before nervously backing away. “You don't... errr... you don't want to eat me, right? I'm not tasty at all! Nope, not at--”

The wolves charged forward and he quickly turned and galloped away, screaming as he went.

------

Acrylic let out a sigh when he stepped in something sticky. He looked down and grumbled. “Stupid--” However, a chill went down his spine. He quickly looked up and then let out a yipe. “Button? Silver? Diamond?” he called out, but received no answer. He took a few more steps but didn't see them. “Guys, this isn't funny. I know you're here, you were just here a few seconds ago!” Still he received no response. He started trotting forward, chewing nervously on his lower lip. “This isn't funny. Diamond? Is this your doing? No, Button. You're the joker. Stop it. We need to be serious.”

He kept walking and soon he came to a small little clearing in the woods. He felt a small sense of relief when the sun peaked in through the trees above. It felt warm and safe and he felt the panic begin to ebb away. He took a slow, deep breath.

“Okay. It's okay. You know this place is weird, mom told you about it. Just need to keep going. That's all there is to--” He froze when a bit of movement caught his eyes. He looked down, but all there was was grass. He frowned and shook his head. “Getting paranoid.” He started walking, but again he saw a little hint of movement, but when he looked there was nothing but grass. “I've only been in this place a few minutes and I already hate it,” he muttered.

When he made it to the center of the clearing, suddenly the grass came alive around him. The little blades started leaping into the air, circling around him as they lashed out, giving him cuts across his body. He let out a shriek as one cut in particular drew blood and he galloped forward, trying to escape the swirling mass of bladed grass hoppers.

------

Silver's eyes were narrowed as she trotted through the forest. She couldn't believe how stupid she'd been. She'd only looked away for a moment, just a single moment. Then there'd been a small surge of magic and when she looked up, the others were gone.

All she could feel now was frustration and annoyance. The magic seeped through the plants and wildlife of the forest, licking at her hooves and crossing over her skin like a thick ichor. Even if she couldn't physically feel it, she knew it was there. It wasn't evil, but it wasn't good either. It was chaos. Strange magic of a forgotten time, swirling around in a great mass, creating trees and a whole forest of strange creatures to serve its will. If it even had a will to begin with.

She took a slow, deep breath before her eyes began to glow green. She felt something in the forest stir and begin to awaken. “Yes, I know you're there,” she said softly. “What are you? Some kind of ancient spirit? Or perhaps something left behind by Discord? A touch of chaos in a world of Harmony? It doesn't matter.” She took another step forward and she felt the magic of the land start to climb up her hooves, testing her. She smiled none the less.

“No, not a spirit. You'd know what I was, then. You're not quite alive, now are you? But not unliving, either. Somewhere... in between. I haven't really encountered anything like you before.” She lifted up her hoof and looked down at it. “Some kind of... taint, I suppose. A strange thing that doesn't like the order of the world. Or more tries to create its own way of doing things.” She heard a low growl from behind her. She turned back and saw a wolf made of wood behind her, towering over her.

She smiled and started to walk towards it. The wolf froze, slightly shocked by this reaction. Normally things ran FROM it. However, she came closer and it lunged forward, its teeth lancing at its preys throat.

Then it froze, fear suddenly embracing its heart. It slowly pulled back, mouth closing as it stared down at this little creature. She merely smiled back at it.

“Go ahead. Try.” Her metallic wings began to spread.

It let out a whine before turning and running off. She chuckled softly before taking a few more steps. She felt the ichor of the forest spreading up her hooves, trying to overwhelm her. But there was something else to it now, a fear. “Oh. So you're getting an idea now, aren't you?” she asked casually. “But you don't know who I am yet, do you?” she taunted.

“You're a creation of chaos, little forest.” She reached out and put a hoof to a nearby tree. “With a strange, unique magic. Did Discord make you? Or something else?” She then tapped the tree and her eyes glowed white. The bark began to turn to stone. “It doesn't matter though, does it? You were made with chaos.” Her hoof lashed out when the tree was fully stone and it crumbled to pieces. “I was born of it. It flows through you like a river. But me? I guide it. I collect it. I am it. And right now? You have my friends.” She felt the magic receding from her body, frightened now. “You're going to give them back. Do you know why?” As the last bit of magic fell away, she let the magic flow out from her hooves, into the land.

“Because if you don't... I'm going to be very, very cross with you.”

------

Meadowbrook grinned, her head raising before she turned to Dazzling and Hothoof. The staff glowed ominously in her grip. “She's here.” She then stabbed the end of the staff into the ground and took a deep breath. “Good. You two, get ready. Just distract them for a bit... I'll come get you when I'm finished. I doubt this will take long.”

Filthy groaned from the ground, bound and gagged as he awaited his rescuers.

------

Diamond galloped through the forest, shaking her head left and right. “Button! Acrylic! Silver! Where are you guys?” Each step seemed to get harder and harder, as if the bushes and vines were tugging at her. The trees seemed to block out the sun, as if they were daring her to try and fly out, to break free. Something told her trying would be a bad idea. She never should have come here. Even worse, she never should have brought her friends here. She might have doomed them all.

Then suddenly it was as if everything was normal. The trees above seemed to clear out a little, allowing gentle light of the sun to filter in. The vines that slowed her seemed to recede, allowing her to run without incident.

Then she heard the yell. She turned to the right and galloped towards it, quickly making it out to be Button. “BUTTON!” she yelled.

“Diamond, run!” he yelled and then she saw him. Relief flooded her heart as she saw her friend galloping towards her. Then she saw the wolf-like creatures racing after him. Her eyes narrowed when its teeth parted.

“Oh buck no,” she said firmly. She tapped the ground and tried to make a wall of rock, but the ground only rose a few inches, the roots and vines seeming to hold it back. She looked down at it, before shaking her head. She galloped straight at him. “Button, duck!”

“What? Huh?” he yelled back, before eeping and going down to the ground.

When she galloped forward the wolf lunged. Her horn lit in fire and she sent the flames hurtling forward, striking the wolf in the chest and sending it hurtling back, crashing against a tree with such force it shattered into a dozen pieces. She let out a sigh of relief before smiling down at him. “Hey. You okay?”

He blinked and looked back, before red flooded his cheeks. “Y-yeah. I uhhh... I was totally about to do that. Yeah. I just, err... was distracting it.”

“Of course you were,” she said before stepping forward and giving him a hug. “Now, let's go find the others.”

“Uhhh... right. This time, let's not take our eyes off each other. Or maybe a rope?”

“I didn't bring any and I'd rather not risk putting these vines around ourselves.”

“Okay, just watching each other then.”

She nodded and gave a smile, before she started trotting through the woods.

------

Acrylic tried to cover his eyes as he struggled to shield himself from the grass hoppers. They cut little tin cuts all over his body, so small and weak, but slowly getting more focused. He struggled to keep them from getting to any vital areas, but they were persistent and while each cut wasn't very damaging, they hurt. He kept backing away, each strike getting more and more vicious.

Then, as quickly as they'd started, they stopped. He froze in place and looked down, slowly unshielding his face. He was under the trees and back in the shade, the grass hoppers unwilling to follow after him. In fact, they seemed to be blowing in the wind now, even though he didn't feel any. He slowly let out a gasp of relief before he looked down at himself.

“Can't believe the grass just kicked my flank,” he muttered softly. Dozens of little grass cuts covered his body. None of them were serious, but they still hurt. Some of them were even deep enough to be bleeding. “At least nopony saw that.”

“Acrylic!” Silver's voice rang out. He barely had time to react before she was on him, giving him a tight hug.

“Silver?” he asked, glancing back. To his surprise, there wasn't a scratch on her. He looked her up and down, his mouth falling open. “You're... you're okay. I thought--”

“What? I just got a little lost. I--” She paused and looked him over. “What happened? You look horrible!”

“... I'd really rather not say. I'm fine though,” he said with a smile. “Come on, let's go.”

“Okay,” she said before she walked forward. His eyes widened.

“Don't!” he yelled. However, when she stepped into the grass, it merely parted ways for her.

She blinked and looked down, before reaching down and picking one of them up. “Oh? They're just grass hoppers. Cute little guys, too.”

Acrylic stared, his mouth falling open when she proceeded to nuzzle the little thing before it hopped off her hoof and moved with the others. He shook his head and nervously followed after her. None of them moved to attack her, instead they seemed almost happy to be around them now. He couldn't be sure, but it almost sounded like they were purring. “I bucking hate this place,” he muttered.

“What? Why?”

“I just do.”

“I think I'm starting to get a hang of it, honestly,” Silver said with a shrug. “It kind of reminds me of the Badlands. But at least lightning and thunder isn't striking at us.”

“Yet,” Acrylic muttered darkly.

The earth pony just snickered, shaking her head. “Come on. I think Diamond is this way.”

“What? How can you tell?”

“I smell something burning.”

“Burning? I don't--” He paused and realized he actually DID smell something burning. He supposed there was no clearer sign that Diamond was this way. He trotted after Silver, occasionally glancing back towards the grass hoppers. They seemed almost completely tame now. He shook his head and tried not to think about it as he trotted after the mare.

Within a few moments the smell was getting stronger and they came to a small pile of scorched wood. “That would be Diamond alright,” Acrylic muttered, nudging one of the twigs. “But where'd they go?”

“DIAMOND!” Silver yelled, stomping her hoof. Acrylic couldn't be sure, but he swore he saw a little flash of green when her hooves hit the ground. It made the frown on his face darken before he shook his head. Silver glanced back. “Is something wrong?”

“No, just imagining things. It's this forest. I swear it's... messing with me.”

Silver nodded. “It wouldn't surprise me. The magic here is just... weird. I'm sure if daddy was here, he'd be making up all kinds of theories about it. He'd probably want to spend a few days studying it. Probably get himself killed doing it, too.”

“Secretary would probably keep him safe.”

“I'm not sure Secretary could protect him here.”

Acrylic went silent and moved to catch up with Silver. “Really? Then what about us?”

“Well, that's what we have Diamond for. Right? If the Avatar can't keep us safe, who can?”

He nodded, though he eyed her a bit more. He then shook his head and turned forward, focusing on the world ahead. The forest was just playing with his mind, he was sure of it.

“Silver! Acrylic!” Diamond's voice rang out, making his ears perk up.

“Come on!” Silver called before galloping forward. “Diamond! Diamond, where are you?”

“Over here!” the alicorn yelled. Within a few moments the four reunited. Silver hugged Diamond around the neck, tightly squeezing her.

“Oh I was so scared! One moment you were all with me, the next everypony was gone!” Silver said, shaking her head.

“Y-yeah,” Diamond said softly, blushing once the earth pony pulled back. “It was just... weird. One moment everypony was with me, then I was all alone. But I ran into Button a little bit ago. Whatever... separated us seemed to only do it for a moment.” She then looked to Acrylic and gasped. “Are you okay? What happened? Was it a wolf?”

“No,” he said darkly. “I'd rather not talk about it. Come on, we need to find your dad.”

Diamond nodded. “Right. Everypony, stick close. There's no telling what other tricks this place will have waiting for us.” She then took point, but made sure the others were close before she started walking again.

Acrylic glanced back to Silver, before shaking his head. She seemed the same as always, he didn't know what he was working himself up about. He finally looked ahead and rolled his eyes. “This place is just... weird. But I think we're through the worst of it.” When he stepped he couldn't help but imagine the vines and weeds were getting easier to move through. “Mom used to tell me about the magic here. How it could... change things. Alter a ponies ability to perceive reality. Not to mention the entire place always seemed to be alive.”

“It was pretty bad a little bit ago,” Diamond said as she trotted. “Every step felt like a challenge. But then...” A frown formed on her face. “Then it just stopped. It got... easier. A lot easier. I wonder if it's leading us deeper inside?”

“It wouldn't surprise me,” Acrylic mumbled. “Only the fire benders who had grown up in here were said to know how the forest worked, and they were surrounded by it since birth. But... we aren't trying to get out, yet. So that might be the reason it's letting us pass now. Maybe it's trying to draw us to Meadowbrook.”

“Or maybe Meadowbrook is doing something to the woods,” Silver said softly, a frown on her face.

“Huh? Like what?” Diamond asked.

“What?” Silver asked, before shaking her head. “I-I don't know. Just a thought. I mean, her magic is all... weird and stuff.” Though she couldn't help feeling a sense of unease. The magic in the land seemed to be shifting a bit. It was still scared of her and was no longer fighting, but there was something else to it, now. It was getting weaker.

She shuddered as the realization dawned on her. The magic in it was being drained. Slowly, very slowly. But just a little bit of it at a time was being pulled into Tirek. She was amazed it wasn't making him sick. Fortunately, at the pace it seemed to be going it would take him years to drain it all.

Diamond frowned and started walking faster. “You really think the forest is leading us to them, then?”

“I don't know. Maybe?” Silver said with a shrug.

“Do you hear that?” Acrylic asked.

The four froze and within a few moments they heard it. A light tinkling of water. The sound of gentle ripples.

Diamond's eyes widened. “A way out? Or maybe... come on!” She galloped forward.

“Diamond, don't!” Silver shrieked as she raced after her.

Acrylic cursed and followed after, Button closely behind. They raced through the trees and then, within an instant, the trees were gone and they were out in a small clearing. A deceptively calm brook stood off to the right side and the ground was clear of any plant life. All that stood in the clearing were stumps and a small cave.

However, sitting on two of the stumps were Hothoof and Dazzling. “About time, Avatar,” the unicorn said softly.

“Dazzling,” Diamond said, her eyes narrowing. She looked between the two. “Where's Meadowbrook and Shining?”

Hothoof snorted. “Shining's keeping your friends busy. Besides, if she came in here she probably couldn't get out, this place bucking sucks for wings. And Meadowbrook is in there with your dad,” he said, motioning to the cave. “Not that you'll be able to get past us to find out.”

Dazzling sighed and put a hoof to his forehead. “And my cohort here will be more than happy to give you all the little details of where everypony is. Because his head is as thick as the stones he throws around,” he muttered, his voice filled with sarcasm.

“Hey! What's it matter if they know where they are? We can kick their flanks easy. Buck, I could do it on my own.” Hothoof stomped his front hooves down and a small puddle of lava formed in front of him. “In fact, I think I will.”

“As much as I would enjoy watching you get throttled by the Avatar and her friends, it is sadly part of my responsibility to... aid you in this endeavor.” Dazzling said before looking between them. “The only one we aren't supposed to kill is the Avatar.”

“Huh? I thought she said not to kill the--”

“Silence!” Dazzling snapped before galloping forward. His horn glowed and he drew blades of ice from the brook, sending them hurtling at the ponies. Acrylic stepped forward and his own horn glowed. He caught the blades in his magic and swirled them around himself, turning them to water.

“Button, can you back me up and take care of Hothoof?” he asked.

“Probably!” Button said before stomping his hoof and sending rocks flying at the two. They scattered.

“Good. Diamond, we'll take care of these two. You go and get your dad. Silver--”

“I'm going with Diamond,” Silver snapped.

“What? It's dangerous, you ca--”

“I can and I will.”

“Silver--” Acrylic yelled, before yelping. His entire body froze and he let out a low cry when he was brought to his knees by the other pony.

“A normal water bender doesn't stand a chance,” Dazzling said coldly as he focused on Acrylic. “Hothoof, finish him!”

“A little busy!” Hothoof yelled as he was driven back, raising up walls of rocks that were battered to pieces by Button's unending assault. He let out a yelp when suddenly a ball of magma came soaring at him and was forced to gallop aside. “You can lava bend?”

Button didn't answer, instead he spun around and kicked both his back hooves out. Two streams of lava formed and shot out, one racing at Hothoof, the other at Dazzling. The two were forced to scatter and Acrylic managed to break free of the bindings, before forming an orb with his water and sending it hurting at Hothoof.

The earth pony laughed and stomped his hoof, forming a wall to catch the orb. At the last second, the orb disappeared, reappearing behind him and slamming into his head, sending him forward with enough force to leave an indent on the wall.

“Fine! You two, be careful! Diamond, keep her safe this time!”

The alicorn blinked, before nodding. “I will, I promise!” she yelled before galloping forward, jumping over the lava and spreading her wings, flying over it as it began to harden. Silver followed closely behind her.

Dazzling galloped forward, blocking the way while more water streaked up to swirl around his horn. He formed blades of ice, before launching them at the two. Diamond landed on the ground and formed a wall of stone, sending it hurtling forward and catching the knives. He leaped to the side, more ice swirling up, but was forced to drop and roll when rocks began to rain down on him. Button grinned, swinging in a tight circle and sending boulder after boulder raining down on the two of them.

Acrylic drew more water up and raced forward, forming a whip of water and swinging it low at Hothoof's hooves. The stallion laughed and dug his hooves in. “Ha, it--” A boulder teleported over his head and landed on him, smashing him into the ground. After a moment the boulder cracked and he popped out, swirls for eyes and shaking his head. “You're... you're making me mad!” he called out, before shaking his head and clearing his focus. “I'm going to burn you to ash!”

“Of course you will,” Acrylic said with a grin. “Button, how you doing?”

“A little dizzy, but good!” he said with a chuckle before grinning over at him. “I think we've got this.”

Dazzling growled. “You foal! You let the Avatar and her friend get away!”

“What? No, you did!”

“You're an earth bender, you could have blocked the cave!”

Hothoof blinked a few times. “Oh yeah... I forgot.”

Dazzling face hoofed, before turning to the two. “Very well. We'll just kill you two and then--” He swirled around, narrowly avoiding another stream of pebbles. “-- go after your friends!”

Hothoof galloped forward and stomped his hooves, sending out a wave of lava at them. Button grinned and then stomped his hooves right back. The ground formed a small pit, the lava flowing into it and then beginning to harden a moment later. Acrylic sent out blades of ice hurtling at Hothoof. He yelped and leaped to the right, landing on his side, some of the blades barely missing him. Button stomped again and the dirt rose up, wrapping around his hooves, binding him for a moment.

Dazzling formed blades of ice yet again, sending them skewering at the two.

“Help me!” Hothoof yelled.

“Stop screwing up!” Dazzling yelled back. “Just take care of the earth pony and I'll deal with the unicorn!” He leaped back when more rocks began to rain down on him.

Acrylic galloped forward, drawing up water around himself as he went. “Button!” He yelled. Dazzling reached out and once again tried to blood bend the unicorn, but suddenly the ground sunk under him and he leaped to the side to avoid being caught. At the same time, the ground under Acrylic shot up, sending the unicorn hurtling through the air. He twisted and sent the water down on Hothoof who was digging himself out, enveloping him in ice and freezing him in place. He twisted around and landed on his hooves, skidding a few feet. He then raced at Dazzling. Button raced at the blood bender from the other end, pebbles flying around him as he went.

Dazzling narrowed his eyes and made more water swirl around him, shifting back when Acrylic went in for a kick, narrowly deflecting it with a quick twist of water. He formed a blade of ice and cut through one of the rocks Button sent at him, before using it to try and block Acrylic's strike. However, Acrylic used water with his strike, the liquid molding around the blade and coming down hard on Dazzling, making him stumble back. The ground shifted under him and he narrowly leaped back, barely avoiding being caught in grasping dirt. He leaped back again, landing in the middle of the brook.

The water swirled around him and he smiled. “You two are a bit more... competent than I first imagined, but it won't avail you.” He licked his lips. “It seems I'll just need... to get serious.”

Acrylic smiled and swirled his water around himself. “Come on, Button. We've got this.”

Behind them, a roar echoed from Hothoof as the ice around him shattered into dozens of pieces. The stallion stomped a hoof, forming a wall of earth between the two and forcing them to spring away from it when rock spikes shot out. Dazzling headed to his right, sending a flurry of ice shards at Button while the stallion backed up, forming walls of stone to block them, yelping with each assault. “No wait hey I think you need to calm down!”

Acrylic tried to race around the wall, but suddenly found his way blocked by a small puddle of lava. Hothoof grinned at the stallion, rocks raising up behind him. “Oh no, little water bender. You're mine.”

------

Diamond galloped through the cave, glancing back towards the way they'd come. Her horn lit the way, allowing the two of them to see. “Are they going to be okay?”

“Button and Acrylic will be fine,” Silver said, though more to calm herself than Diamond. “They've been fighting together since they were kids. Those other two don't have a shot as long as they're together. Probably.”

The alicorn nodded, though she couldn't help feeling nervous. When they went through the tunnel, she couldn't help noticing something was strange. The walls were covered in little tiny holes, all over the place, as well as other tunnels. However, they didn't seem to line up with the main tunnel entrance and were quite a bit more narrow, many having had even collapsed on themselves. Something about it just seemed off. “What do you think those tunnels are for?”

“Probably how they got here. They probably came in underground or something,” Silver said with a shrug.

“They can do that? Why didn't we do that?”

“I don't know. I'm not an expert on this place.”

“Sorry. Is something--” The tunnel began to rumble and the two froze in place. “Silver, what's that?”

“You're the earth bender, you tell me.”

“Oh, right.” Diamond tapped the ground. Her ears went flat on her head. “RUN!” she shrieked, galloping forward. Silver followed closely behind her, moments before the cavern began to collapse behind them.

It took the earth pony a moment to realize it wasn't collapsing behind them. Instead there were strange, giant worm like creatures popping out from the holes and snapping at them, before disappearing back into the ground. Silver squeaked and started running faster, letting out a frightened squeak. She glanced to Diamond and weighed her options, considering for a moment.

Then her hoof caught a rock and she went toppling forward. She rolled a few feet before landing on her back, dazed. A hole above her seemed to part before the jaws of one of the creatures plunged down at her.

Then a wall of rock and stone formed over her, forcing open the creature's jaw and holding it above her. Diamond stood over the mare, her hoof lifted up and the earth following suit. She panted with exertion, gritting her teeth. “S-Silver, are you okay?”

“Y-yes. Are you... did you you...”

“L-let's go! Come on! I-I can't hold it forever!” Already the rocks were beginning to show cracks, slowly beginning to crumble. Silver yiped and rolled back to her hooves, galloping forward. Diamond raced after her, the giant creature slamming through it.

“What are these things?” Silver screamed.

“I don't know! Some kind of giant like... rock... snake... eel things!” Diamond screamed back. “We're almost out! I think we're almost out! Look!” she yelled, nudging forward with her horn. There, off in the distance she saw it. A small light. Behind them the eels tore and bit, snapping their massive jaws at whatever they could find nearby, tearing through the stone behind them.

Silver squeaked when suddenly ahead of them the roof started to cave in. One of the massive creatures came right down at them. Her eyes glowed green and then one of the stones crumbling down landed in just the right angle to jam into the eels nose. It recoiled, allowing them to pass.

Diamond let out a sigh of relief. “We're almost through, just hang on!” she yelled before kicking back with her back hooves. The ground behind them erupted, collapsing the tunnel behind and surging them forward, away from the snapping eels and into a wide, open chamber. She rolled a few feet before landing on her back with a groan. “S-Silver, you okay?”

“Y-yeah, just peachy,” the mare said, her head rolling from side to side. “Think... think I'm going to be sick.”

“O-oh. So, A-Avatar, you finally... finally show your face here,” Meadowbrook said from across the chamber. Diamond shrieked and got to her hooves.

She then paused and stared. “Meadowbrook? Are... are you okay?”

“I'm fine!” the mare said as she wobbled to the side, having to use her staff to steady herself. She jammed it into the ground and shook her head. “Com... com--” She belched and a strange white mist came out from her mouth. She gave a little giggle.

Diamond stared, her mouth falling open. “Meadowbrook, are you drunk?”

“What? NO! You're drunk! I just... just underestimated how this would feel. Just... it's not important!” She shook her head and leveled the staff on her. “Now we gotta fight! Cause... why are you standing on the wall? How are you doing that?”

Diamond face hoofed. “I'm... not on the wall. You fell over. This... this is just sad.”

Silver nodded. “Indeed. I guess we should go and... tie her up, or something?”

Meadowbrook got back to her hooves and used her staff to support herself again. She closed her eyes and took slow, deep breaths. “Not... not drunk. Just ate too much. It's not like the ponies, you know. It's... different. Thought I could... thought I could hold it now. Thought I was strong enough. But need the amulet first. Everything comes back to that.” She then smiled at Diamond, shaking her head. “Oh Avatar, how naive you are. You don't even know, do you?”

The alicorn blinked. “Know? Know what?”

“About--” She gave another belch and a red mist flowed out this time. She held up a hoof. “Give... give me a moment. Just need to... ugh this was a bad idea. At least it's not a total wash.” Her head turned to Silver. “Not a wash at all.”

Diamond took a step forward, gritting her teeth. “Meadowbrook, enough. Who are you? I know you're not the REAL Meadowbrook!”

“Starlight? No, I'm not. I'm not your enemy, either.” She sat down and slowly lowered her staff. “You and I have the same goals, Avatar. Sadly, I'm not really strong enough to help you. Not yet, at least. I thought this would be enough, that we could--” She belched again and this time stars came out. “Bucking... I really shouldn't have done this.”

Diamond took another step forward. “Where's my daddy?”

“Him?” Meadowbrook thrust her staff out and a nearby rock fell out, revealing her father. To Diamond's amazement, he looked fine. A bit dazed, but his cutie mark was intact. The alicorn rushed forward, but yelped when a rock wall formed in front of her, blocking her way. “Now now, you can have him back. But there is much for us to discuss.”

Diamond froze, eying the rocks for a moment before turning to her. “What do you mean? How can you NOT be my enemy? Look at what you've done! Look at who you've sided with. Ponies like Dazzling and Shining.”

“A matter of convenience. Don't worry, they've almost out lived their usefulness. It--” Meadowbrook let out a yelp when a rock from above broke from the ceiling and nearly crushed her. She stumbled back.

Diamond shook her head and stepped forward. “You know what? No. I'm not falling for any of your tricks, Meadowbrook. If you want to 'help' me as you so claim, you can surrender and come with us. Tell whatever you know to the council and--”

“Now that's not really an option, now is it?” Meadowbrook asked before closing her eyes. She gave a deep belch, a purple mist flowing out from her. Slowly a grin spread on her lips. “Ah. That's better. Much better. Not... quite what I hoped, but after all, this was all preparation.” She turned back to Diamond. “You and I will have to meet again, you know. When all this is over, you'll thank me for what I've done.”

“What the buck are you talking about?” Diamond asked before fire flowed from her horn.

“Isn't it obvious? Who is it that could make old enemies allies?” Meadowbrook asked, a grin forming on her lips. “The--” Her eyes widened and she clutched her chest, coughing and hacking, mist coming from her mouth. She lifted her staff into the air.

“No!” Diamond shrieked and galloped forward.

The staff came down and, in a flash, she disappeared. Diamond reached out, but touched nothing but air. “Dang it! Not again!” She turned towards Silver, who was covering her eyes with her hoof. “Silver, can you help my dad? I need to go after her!”

“Don't!” Silver said, shaking her head. “It's a trap, obviously!”

“But she--”

“We have your dad, we need to go get Acrylic and Button, what if they're in danger?”

Diamond grit her teeth, but slowly nodded. “You're right. Come on.” She galloped around the wall, coming to her dad and kneeling besides him. She nudged him with her hoof. “Daddy?”

After a few seconds his eyes opened and he stared with wide eyes, before shouting into his gag. She reached out and tugged it off, a big grin on her face. “Daddy!”

“Diamond! Oh, my little girl. I thought--”

“This is all touching and stuff but I really think we should go check on Acrylic and Button. We've got what we came for,” Silver said quickly.

Diamond blinked and gave a small nod. “O-oh, right. Uhhhh... right.” She tapped the ground and small rocks shot up, cutting through the ropes holding him. “Daddy, let's go.”

He got to his hooves, but promptly fell onto his face, his head rocking to the side. “Just... just need a moment.”

Silver moved besides him, putting her side to his. “Come on, Diamond. We need to hurry. He's going to need all the help we can give him if we're going to get past those creatures.”

“R-right,” Diamond said quickly, moving to his other side.

Silver turned towards the tunnel they'd come through, her eyes narrowed into slits. She could hardly believe how close everything had come to falling apart. She was pretty sure Tirek knew who she was now, even if her little trick there at the end hadn't tipped him off. She wished she knew what he was playing at, though.

It worried her that he was able to absorb some of the power of the Everfree Forest. Not a lot of it, but enough that it seemed to not be hindering him as much as it should have. She thought he could only steal pony magic, now she was beginning to wonder what his limits actually were. She could still feel she was stronger than him, though. She suspected Diamond was, too. But there was no telling for how long that would last.

She needed to find out what game Tirek was playing before it was too late. Just what were his goals with her and Diamond?

------

Acrylic jumped back, again and again as he launched little orbs of ice at the earth pony across from him. Hothoof galloped forth, stomping his hoofs down and turning the ground ahead of him to burning chunks of lava, before sending the waves hurtling out at the water bender. Occasionally one of Acrylic's teleported attacks would get around the stallion's defenses but he was finding the earth pony to be extremely durable.

Button wasn't doing much better as Dazzling held his hooves out, focusing on the earth pony and bending his body to his will. Button grit his teeth and struggled against the powerful bender, trying to break free from the magic but unable to resist it. He tried to move a hoof down, to tap the ground and launch some kind of attack. Dazzling was finding holding the stallion to be quite the difficult feat, requiring all of his concentration and bending power just to hold the stallion still and unable to launch an assault. He slowly forced the stallion to the brook, sliding a hoof down and burying his head under the water. He wished Hothoof would hurry up and finish the water bender so they could finish the younger lava bender, but drowning him would work just as well. His focus was so great that he didn't hear the low whistle as the orb of ice came flying forward, slamming into the back of his head and sending him toppling forward.

Button didn't hesitate, the moment he was free he twisted his body around and bucked out with both his back hooves. A pillar of stone shot out and slammed into Dazzling's chest, sending him flying through the air and crashing into Hothoof. The two yelped and toppled through the air.

“Get off me!” Hothoof roared.

“You foal, you were supposed to take care of the water bender!” Dazzling yelled before he removed himself from the other stallion. He tried to roll back, but found a pool of lava blocking his way. Hothoof jumped to his hooves but was slammed back down and sent flying back by a spout of water. Button and Acrylic rushed the two of them, sending out more bursts of rocks and water.

Meadowbrook appeared a few feet behind the two. “I'm done. We're leaving,” she said before hitting the ground with her staff. There was a flash and then the three disappeared. A whip of water crashed down where they had been a moment later.

“Dang it!” Acrylic yelled.

Chapter 18: Pieces in motion

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Diamond sighed softly as she patted her father's back. There were a few bruises, but the medical ponies weren't able to find any lasting damage. She just hoped there wouldn't be any lasting damage on her once her teachers got a hold of her.

Getting out of the cave had been far easier than getting in. The creatures that had attacked them on the way in had apparently left. She'd been as quiet as she could when she cleared out the collapse she'd made and they hadn't seemed to notice.

Escaping the forest on the other hoof, had been a more arduous and annoying task. Considering their first encounter traveling through it, they hadn't had any desire to repeat the experience. Instead she and Button had made a pillar of rock and sat on it, waiting to be saved.

It hadn't taken long for an airship to arrive, with a furious Applejack, Sweetie and Rainbow. Daring had been more annoyed that she'd missed all the action. Apparently Shining had gone through the city, setting off more sonic rainbooms and keeping them distracted while they tried to keep casualties to a minimum.

The were at least giving her time to make sure her daddy was okay before screaming at her, so she supposed that was lucky. She gave him one last hug before smiling. “I'll be back later, okay daddy?”

He nodded. “Okay. Be safe. Promise me?”

“Of course,” she said with a nod before turning and trotting out the door into the waiting room. The moment the door was closed, it began.

“Gotta be one of the most foal hardy things yah coulda done!” Applejack snapped. “Ah thought we went an' taught yah better 'an that!”

“You could have gotten yourself killed,” Rainbow said with a shake of her head. “You should have waited for the rest of us.”

“If Rarity was here she'd be furious. Do you have any idea how much danger you put yourself and your friends in?” Sweetie asked.

Diamond sighed as the three of them tore into her. She didn't even try to defend herself, merely nodding along.

“With all due respect, I think Diamond made the right decision,” a voice called out. All of the ponies looked shocked and turned to the doorway. Prism stood there. “Diamond, I just got the full report and came as soon as I could tear myself away. I'm happy you're okay.”

“T-thanks,” Diamond said softly, staring at him. She was sure she had to have imagined what she'd just heard.

“She ran off alone and nearly got herself killed,” Rainbow snapped. “I wouldn't...” She paused. “Okay, I'd totally have done that but that's a good reason why she SHOULDN'T have done it.”

“No,” Prism said before shaking his head. “The Avatar ran off with her friends and managed to save her father, even though it involved going into one of the most dangerous locales the world now knows. Possibly only second to the Badlands.”

“Yah can't possibly mean that this sorta behavior--”

“Is exactly the kind of thing the Avatar is known for doing? Yes, I am. I'm not going to say that it was a perfect decision, but judging by what her friends have reported, I believe she made the correct decision given the circumstances. She took her friends with her, most of which are competent benders. Maybe not as strong as the three of you, but still quite talented. It was a trap, most assuredly, but I've heard enough stories about what Twilight did on her adventures to know that avoiding traps was not something you guys did often. A poor situation came up, she handled it to the best of her ability, using her judgment.” He trotted forward and patted her head. “She didn't run off alone, did her best to keep everypony safe and managed to succeed.” He paused. “I'm not saying it wasn't incredibly dangerous and foalish. But Diamond is the Avatar and we can't coddle and keep her safe forever. There are going to be plenty of times where she has to make tough decisions like this. As much as we'd want to, we can't make them for her. We just have to trust her to make the correct ones.”

The alicorn just stared, her mouth falling open. She wasn't sure who was more dumbstruck. Her, or them. Finally she spoke up. “You're... you're defending me? You? Me?”

“Yes, I am. I'm not going to lie, I don't LIKE what you did. Frankly I think you should have waited for help to arrive, or gone searching for the others.” Prism took a slow, deep breath. “But I know if Blaze had been foalnapped, or my mother, I probably wouldn't have waited and risked them getting hurt either so I can't judge you for that. You did the best you could and you came out on top, I'm proud of you.”

Her cheeks turned red and she looked down, biting her lips. “T-thanks, Prism. That... that means a lot to me.”

Applejack gave a sigh. “Well... fine. Ah guess when yah put it like that, ah can understand. If mah lil sis or big bro were in trouble... well, ah'd move mountains tah keep 'em safe. Ah doubt ah'd have waited around either. An' yah did keep your friends close, so that was smart. Ah gotta admit, ah'm a lil surprised those two pals of yours managed tah hold off Hothoof an' Dazzlin'. They must have a lot more talent than ah initially thought.”

Diamond nodded quickly. “Oh, they're both VERY good. They've been fighting side by side for years.” She smiled and looked between them. “I found out some other stuff, too. That's... definitely not Meadowbrook. I don't know who it is, but she's definitely somepony different. She was... talking about a lot of weird stuff and she seemed pretty odd, but she said she was on my side. I... really don't know what she meant by that.”

“Probably tryin' tah trick yah,” Applejack said with a shrug. “Ah can't imagine anypony tryin' tah control those three as bein' on our side.”

Diamond nodded. “Probably. I just wish I knew exactly what it was she was up to.” She gave a little frown. “I didn't say anything to the others, but... something did feel odd when I was there. When she was talking, it was like there was... something else there. Something... bad.”

“Probably her,” Rainbow said with a snort.

“I don't know. It felt like... something else,” Diamond said before rubbing her chest. “Like... something that was just... pure bad. I don't know.” She gave a light shudder. “I don't know. It just... didn't feel right at all.”

Sweetie rubbed her chin. “Well... can you try to remember exactly what she said? Maybe we can try to piece together what she meant.” She then gave a soft sigh. “Though, I must be honest. I'm amazed she was able to teleport out of there. Alternate means of transport... don't usually work in the Everfree Forest.”

“They don't?”

“No. That place is dangerous. The fact you were able to even find them was a miracle. Breaking out of the tree line on that pillar of rock... well, that was another miracle. That place is weird, the magic doesn't work right. The fact she could teleport herself and the others out of there concerns me. If she was actually able to absorb the magic from that place...”

“It seemed to make her pretty sick, though. It might not be so bad.”

“Well, ah for one hope it makes her sick as a dog for a few months,” Applejack grumbled, shaking her head. “As much trouble as she's causin' us, it'd serve her right.”

------

Tirek groaned as he sat in the cave, in his full centaur form. Occasionally misty vapors would escape his mouth while he tried to rest off the effects of absorbing that power. The three benders were doing their best to avoid being near him, sticking to another room of the cavern so only Starlight was left in the room with him.

The unicorn hugged her bunny to her chest, occasionally rubbing his head. “Sunburst...” she mumbled softly.

“Hm?” the spirit asked, looking over to her.

“What... happened to Sunburst?” she asked softly.

He gave a soft chuckle, before belching out another stream of mist. “Your little... friend?” He shrugged. “I don't know. Probably somewhere in the Water Nation now. His form was easy enough to imitate,” he muttered before holding his stomach.

“Sunburst... what happened to Sunburst...” Starlight said softly.

Tirek sighed, eying the mare. “It seems you're not fully capable yet. No matter,” he said before slowly getting to his hooves. His form began to once again shift, moments before a burst of magic came from his mouth. “Ugh...” Once again as Meadowbrook, she trotted to the next room.

“I can't believe you two got trounced by a couple of rookies,” Shining said with a laugh. “You're pathetic!”

“The two were far more competent than I initially imagined,” Dazzling said with a shake of his head. “Were it a one on one fight, neither of them would have had a chance. However, the two in unison were... quite strong.”

“Ohhhh, but here I thought you were sooooo invincible, mr. blood bender,” Shining taunted.

“Blood bending is a difficult art. The more powerful a bender, the more power I have to expend in order to keep them in control. It makes a... quick kill difficult.”

“Yeah, and that little water bender wasn't no slouch. That whole teleporting trick of his was annoying. What kind of pony even uses something like that? It's cheating!” Hothoof said with a snort.

“It's no matter,” Meadowbrook said before she looked around. “We got what we came for.”

“You look like plop, boss,” Shining said with a snicker. “If that's what you were trying for, well, you definitely succeeded.”

The mare frowned. “No. I have... identified Discord's host. Unfortunately, she is stronger than I expected and absorbing the powers from the Everfree Forest did not... quite have the desired effect.”

“What was the point of that, anyway?” Hothoof asked. “What, ponies aren't good enough for you?”

“It was chaos magic,” the spirit said with a sneer. “I had to... acclimate myself. I just didn't understand how powerful it would be, or how it would feel.” She took a deep breath. “But it is no matter. The first stage is complete. I now know how much stronger I'll need to become before I can make my move.” His eyes flashed over them. “As well as how much stronger you'll need to be.”

“Us?” Shining asked.

“Yes,” Meadowbrook said before her staff flew over to her side. “After all, there's four countries filled with ponies with magic. Plenty enough to share, wouldn't you agree?”

------

Silver laid on her back, her eyes closed as she tried to focus. The Alicorn Amulet weighed heavily on her throat. She tried to focus, but she couldn't. All she could think about was what happened there, how close things had come to being very, very bad. It felt like forever before she began to lift out from her body and found herself in the Spirit World. “Trixie? TRIXIE! I don't have time for games, I don't have time for...” She started walking back and forth, chewing on her lip while she walked.

After a few minutes, the unicorn appeared. Her eye was cocked. “You called?”

“We need to talk. Now.”

“My my, somepony is in a mood. Whatever--”

“Not now!” she shrieked.

Trixie's eyes narrowed. “If you're going to treat me in such a matter, perhaps we should talk another time.”

“N-no. Please. Trixie. I... I need to...” Silver took a slow, deep breath. “Diamond almost found out. That... that we're still here. Possibly that I am Discord.”

“Oh?” Trixie asked. “Is she stronger than you now?”

The earth pony stared at the ground. Slowly, she shook her head. “No. As long as I have the Alicorn Amulet, if it came down to it... if we fought, I could crush her. With ease.”

“Then I fail to see the problem.”

Silver closed her eyes. “Why did you kill Twilight?”

Trixie blinked. “What?”

“She offered you forgiveness. A home. A life. She offered you a way to return to the world. And you killed her for it. Why?”

The unicorn stared for a few moments before she laughed. She got to her hooves and circled the earth pony. “Oh. Now I see. Now I understand. The little earth pony is getting cold hooves, isn't she?” She leaned in close. “Is that it?”

“...”

“The reason is simple. In the end, everything Twilight spouted was a lie.”

“W-what? But she meant--”

“Oh, I have no doubt that she meant it. I'm sure, for a time, she would have even kept her word. A week, a month, maybe even a year. But then she'd crack.” She leaned in closer. “That's the way the world works, child. I spent my whole life being the bad guy to so many. The ruthless, cold general of the Water Nation. Then Discord's general. Do you really think the other ponies would forget that?” She chuckled softly. “I bet they still hold celebrations honoring my defeat. If I had surrendered, given in to Twilight, do you think they would have forgiven me? No. The world would have called for my blood. Everypony who had felt the sting of Discord's magic would demand that I meet the same fate that he had. That Twilight end me. And eventually she would have caved.” She turned away. “She offered redemption, but it was nothing more than a trap. Ponies like us... we don't get redemption. We're destined to be the bad ponies. We're destined to be the ones that... everypony hates. That everypony loathes.” She glanced back to Silver. “Is that what you hope, though? Are you hoping 'if I just try hard enough, surely Diamond will forgive the things I've done! I'm sure they all will! Gee golly, I'll have friends and live in a big house and eat ice cream allllll day'.” Trixie snorted. “No. If they find out, they'll treat you like they would Discord. With fear and contempt. Maybe for a brief moment you'll have their love. ButtThen, eventually, they'll turn on you.”

Silver grit her teeth and dug a hoof into the ground, closing her eyes. She took a slow, deep breath before shaking her head. “You're... you're wrong. Diamond won't... she wouldn't. My friends won't. If I told them they--”

“Then why haven't you? Then why do you have the Alicorn Amulet? Why do you continue to plot and scheme, to make up all these little plans? To talk with me?” Trixie asked, putting a hoof to the mare's chest. “You know it in here. From the moment you felt Discord's touch on you. There's no hope of you becoming good. No hope of you being 'saved'.” She leaned in close. “From the moment you heard his voice in your ear, you also heard the voice of the world. Condemning you. Calling you a monster. You know that no matter what you do, that's all they'll ever see. That's all you'll ever have the chance to be. That's why you won't tell Diamond. Because the moment you do, the moment you share that secret with her... she'll turn on you just like everypony else.”

“D-Diamond won't. She... she's my--”

“Then tell her. Go on, let her know who you are. What you are. Let her know that the creature that her past life worked so hard and long to destroy still lives in you. That Twilight failed. Let her know. Then watch as her compassion turns to hate. As she stands aside to allow the world to tear you apart, or maybe even does it herself. Go on. Do it. And know that when the whole world stands around her, when they tell her to strike you down... she will.”

Silver shook, staring into the mare's eyes. “NO!” she screamed, before turning and running away.

She rolled off of the bed, covered in a cold sweat and gasping for air. She looked around her room in confusion as she tried to remember where she was. Slowly she reached up, crawling back into her bed and laying on her back. She stared at the room and reached up, touching the amulet.

“It's... it's not right. She won't... we're friends. We're... we're friends. She won't hurt me. She... she won't.” She couldn't stop the tears from falling down her cheeks.

Despite her words, she knew that Trixie was right. She was the Avatar of Discord. There would never be redemption for a monster like her. Only victory.

Chapter 19: Bad news

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Acrylic ducked down, the rock flying over his head. He rolled to the left, just barely stopping himself as a pool of lava appeared where he was rolling toward. He narrowly jumped forward avoiding a rock that had intended to smash him, as he flipped backwards and used the rock to leap into the air.

He gripped a piece of rock in his magic and sent it hurtling at Button. The earth pony kicked his hoof out to block it… only for it to disappear a moment later, and then come down on the back of his head, making him face plant into to the dirt. He coughed and rolled, before slamming both hooves down on the ground and sending the dirt rumbling and forcing the unicorn to dig his hooves in.

Acrylic panted with exertion, water swirling around himself. It formed three little poles of ice, which he then sent at Button… Only to have them teleport a moment later behind Button.

The earth pony didn’t even turn, he thrust his front hooves forward and a wave of lava rose up behind him, protecting his back, with a protective layer of stone on the inside. The ice hit the lava and sizzled away into steam, as the stone hardened around Button, the lava cooling quickly. The cocoon of stone erupted a moment later, flying at Acrylic.

The unicorn’s head moved through the air, water redirecting and dispersing the stone, before he tapped his hoof and formed a barrier of ice to block the biggest fragments. Through the ice, he saw Button running at him. And he saw his mistake. He’d stayed in one place too long. A stream of lava now surrounded them. Confining them. He gathered up what ice he could, the radiating heat making him pant harder. He gathered it into a dozen small blocks of ice, before charging at the earth pony. It was time they finished this.

Button launched a wave of dirt, Acrylic countered by sharpening the shards and jamming them into the dirt, parting it down the middle and charging straight into the earth pony. Button’s right hoof shot out and the unicorn stepped to the right, melting one of the ice shards and using the water to coil around the hoof and using the other pony’s momentum to flip him over his shoulder and slam him into the ground.

To his surprise, Button rolled to his hooves a moment later, skidding his hoof across the ground and pelting Acrylic with stones. The unicorn stumbled back, hearing a sizzling and realizing the lava was just behind him as Button charged at him. He’d lost… or so Button thought. Except Acrylic melted the ice around him and formed a ball of water, which then disappeared… Only to appear under Button’s chin and flash up, covering his face and turning to ice. Acrylic then lunged forward, turned and bucked Button straight in the face, shattering the ice.

Button flew back, crashing and then rolling across the ground and for a scant second Acrylic thought maybe he’d gone too far. Then the ground rose under him and in quick succession, three blows of rock struck his stomach from below, the last tossing him up and into the air and making him crash to the ground a few feet away.

The two stared at each other, panting with exertion. Slowly both began to rise to their hooves, the lava having cooled to rock.

“Quite impressive, I can’t deny. Lava bending, such a rare and unique art I’ve only seen a few times. And teleportation magic mixed with your own? Quite a rare skill as well. Very valuable,” a voice said, making them both jump. They turned and saw True standing at the entrance of the arena, a smile on his lips.

“How long have you been there?” Acrylic asked.

“Only since the ring of lava. I thought I should step in if anypony fell, but it looked like you two had things well in hoof.”

Button groaned and stretched. “Ow. Why are you here?”

The pony sighed. “I’ve been tasked with finding you two. Which wasn’t easy, by the way,” he said with a shake of his wings. “There’s been a new development and you two have been asked to come join the council with the Avatar.”

The two shared a look, then turned back to True. “Diamond asked us to? We told her--”

“It wasn’t at her request,” True interrupted. “It was at councilmare’s Vinyl Scratch and Octavia that the comrades closest to the Avatar attend this meeting.”

The two shared another look before galloping away towards the council building. “Thanks, True!” Button called back.

True sighed and rubbed his head as they left. “Yeah yeah… One of the greatest fliers in the world, use me as a messenger pony,” he grumbled light heartedly. “Oh well, time to get back to work.”

------

“Do you think we’re in trouble?” Button asked as they walked into the building.

“No.”

“Getting kicked out of the… Well… I guess I’m not one of the metal benders really… so… Do you think you’re getting kicked from--”

“Gosh no.”

“You don’t think something happened to Diamond or Silver, do you?” Button asked, panic in his voice.

“No!” Acrylic said a bit harsher than he meant to, trotting faster now. He stumbled for a second when he recognized one of the ponies near the entrance. Pearl? He wondered what she was doing here. She waved to him and he gave a nod back, before losing sight of her as he headed deeper into the building.

His breath caught when he was guided into the main chamber. The full council was there, right down to the diamond dogs. As were Rarity, Applejack, Applebloom, Sweetie, Rainbow, Silver, Prism, Daring and Diamond. He couldn’t help feeling nervous as every eye fell on them. “W-what’d we do?”

Blaze sighed, shaking her head. “Nothing. We just felt it important that you all hear this. Ahem. I have some pressing news. And it is very important that everyone here hears it. To begin with… Sunset Shimmer has disappeared, we--”

“WHAT?!” Daring screamed, flying up into the air and interrupting her. “Who did it? When? How?! Where is she?! Why am I only hearing about this NOW! We’ve been waiting almost twenty minutes! That should have been the first thing you said when I got here!”

“As I was saying,” Blaze repeated. “Please remain calm. There was no sign of an attack or any fight. No sign of discharged magic. It seems she left of her own free will. Something she is allowed to do, as a citizen. It’s… more troubling that we don’t know why she left, or even when. We have ponies waiting in the badlands, keeping an eye out for her in case she returns home and it’s possible she’s already returned and we just haven’t heard about it, yet.”

Daring growled. “Buck that. I’m heading there right now! Stupid sister,” the pegasus snapped, before turning.

“WAIT!” Blaze yelled. “You were ALL called here for a reason, please wait!” the mare snapped, making the other pegasus cringe, but stop. “Now, that is the minor news. Unfortunately, the reason we summoned all of you was for a far, far more pressing matter. Meadowbrook.”

“Oh no...” Diamond whispered.

“She’s no longer showing restraint, or control,” Blaze said coldly. “While before, her strikes were calm and quiet, attempting to keep as silent as possible, now she’s attacking far larger towns. While the responses are faster due to the…. bluntness of their attacks, many of the first responders have been being drained as well. She’s building up a lot of power and, if what we’ve heard is correct, not just for herself, but for Hothoof, Shining and Dazzling. We’ve started trying to evacuate towns but...” Blaze trailed off.

“But that just means more ponies gathered in one place to drain,” Diamond finished for her.

“Exactly. Our attempts to stop her have proved… Less than successful.”

Diamond stomped a hoof down. “There has to be something we can do...” she mumbled.

“There is,” Blaze said. “We believe we know where they’re headed. They’re making their way back towards the Earth Kingdom, and if we’re correct, we know about when they’ll cross over. We need to move, as we only have about two weeks to meet with them.”

“But what’s to stop her from teleporting away again? She does it every time!” Diamond objected.

Blaze turned towards Silver. “Actually, your friend. Silver, we require the assistance of you, and your family. We are all very familiar with your father’s abilities to decipher and alter magic. We need the ability to nullify it,” she said firmly. “We know it’s possible to deploy barriers that stop it, but we need a portable weapon that can nullify it for a short time. Teleportation magic specifically.”

Silver blinked, staring. “W-what. WHAT?! Y-you can’t be serious! You can’t make something like that… portable! It’s impossible!”

Blaze nodded. “It may be. Either way, we’ll have some of our best unicorns there to try and delay and stop her, to track her if she does escape. But...”

“Doing that risks them getting drained,” Diamond said with a sigh.

“Exactly. We’d prefer only those who are fighting her directly be involved,” Blaze said firmly. “We understand what we ask may be too much. But… if anyone can do it, your family can. Price--”

“Isn’t an issue, I know,” Silver said as she tapped her hoof. “I’ll talk with daddy, but I make no promises.”

Blaze nodded. “Good. Which brings us to why all of you were summoned here. For this fight, we want the following ponies involved and facing them. Rarity, Sweetie, Rainbow, Scootaloo, Applejack, Applebloom, Diamond, Acrylic, Button.”

Acrylic and Button looked to each other, then shook their heads. “W-what? We can’t!” the unicorn said. “We’re still training and--”

“You two have faced both Hothoof AND Dazzling. And survived, no. Better than that. You BEAT them. That is something only a handful of ponies, most of which are in this room right now, can say. Your training may not be where you desire it to be. But we need you,” Blaze said firmly. “We need you in a way we’ve never needed you before, because this is something we cannot just ask of any pony. While it is possible we may be able to do it without you, every extra hoof helps.”

Acrylic opened his mouth to object, but stopped. He and Button shared another look, before nodding.

Diamond let out a sigh of relief, she’d really expected them to put up more of a fight. “So we have two weeks, then?”

Blaze nodded. “Yes. During that time, we need everypony to get ready. We’ll try to stop them where we can, but… it’s very unlikely they’ll be able to succeed. We need our efforts to be focused here, to undo what they have done. You are all dismissed to prepare, to train, to ready yourselves. Thank you.”

“Wait!” Daring snapped. “What about me? You can’t just tell me my sister is missing and then expect me to sit here!”

Blaze was silent for a long moment and… “We have no jurisdiction over the affairs of the Fire tribes, especially during such a dangerous time,” she said firmly. “The fact they have offered this information to us is the extent of what we--”

“Horse apples!” Daring yelled. “I know my sister! There’s NO WAY she’d just up and disappear! Something happened and if you’re not going to find her, then I will!”

Blaze looked down at the pony and… Daring wasn’t sure, but she swore she saw just a hint of a smile on the councilmare’s face. “As you have vacated the position of shadowbolt and you were never an official citizen of Harmony, there is nothing the council can do to impede or aid in these efforts.”

Daring blinked a few times. Then she smiled. “Oh. Ohhhhhh. No wonder Prism married you. In that case… Buck all of you, I’m going to go find my sister!” the pegasus yelled, before turning and galloping out the door.

Diamond stared, her mouth hanging open. She honestly wasn’t sure what just happened. “Let the record show that Daring left of her own volition and there was nothing we could do to stop her. The rest of you, dismissed,” Blaze said with a nod.

The ponies bowed their heads and slowly trotted out. Diamond let out a sigh once they were out. “So… I guess the team is all together for this then, huh?” she said with a low, weak chuckle as she glanced to Button, Acrylic and Silver.

“Yeah...” Acrylic mumbled. “Except...”

“Oh please, as if I’m going to let any of you do this without me,” Silver said with a roll of her eyes. “Who else is going to be able to use such a device?”

“So you can make it?” the alicorn asked.

“Yes? Maybe? I mean… I’d think so, but I’ve never made anything like… that,” Silver muttered. “But I’ll, we’ll, try. If anyone can, daddy can. And I’ll help him every step of the way. I really need to get to it, though. I’ll talk to you ponies later!” she said before galloping off.

Diamond nodded. “I should go, too, I have a session with Plasmahoof and I don’t want to miss it. Not now, when it’s so important. Bye, you two!” she said before galloping off after the other mare.

Acrylic nodded. “I guess we should--”

“Acrylic!” A voice all but yelled at the two, making them start before looking up. Pearl stared at them, her face burning.

Button blinked and stared at the mare. “Friend… of yours?”

“The mare I saved before burning myself out.”

“What?! Oh my gosh! I KNEW it had to be some cute mare! Why didn’t you tell me?”

“It’s not like that, I was just doing my duty,” Acrylic said with a roll of his eyes. Before urking and turning to look back at the mare. “Err, right. Sorry. How can I help you? Did something else happen?”

“No, err… I ummm… I just… I...” The mare shuffled from hoof to hoof, her eyes lowered and she chewed on her lower lip.

“… Well? What?” Acrylic asked, cocking his head to the side. “Was there an issue at the pier? Do you need a moon raiser? I’m still, technically on leave, but I can get you in contact with our main forces.”

Button stared flatly at him. “Oh my gosh. You cannot be this blind.”

“What?”

“I mean… come on!”

“What?” Acrylic asked, before looking to the flustered mare. His eyes widened with alarm. “O-oh! Oh my gosh, I’m so sorry! W-wow. You’re right. I’ve been blind. Pearl, right?”

The mare nodded, gulping. “Err… y-yes...”

“Are you sick? Do you need a doctor?” The sound of Button’s facehoof echoed in the hall. “What?”

“Just… wow. And I thought I was the inattentive one.”

“What?!”

“You spend way too much time training and not enough time--”

“WILL YOU GO TO THE GOLDEN LADDLE WITH ME?!” Pearl finally yelled, interrupting Button.

Acrylic opened his mouth, then paused… “Huh? I’m afraid anything to do with food poisoning or restaurant management would be a--”

“OH MY GOSH, DUDE! She’s asking you out!” Button snapped.

“Wait, what? No she’s not, don’t be… O-oh,” the unicorn said as he saw the mare nodding emphatically. “O-oh. I… ummm...” Red flooded his cheeks. “O-okay. Err… w-when?”

“Err… Ummm...” Pearl said, shuffling from hoof to hoof.

“Tonight,” Button said.

“Y-yeah, tonight,” she said with a nod.

“At seven.”

“A-at seven.”

Acrylic nodded. “O-oh. Ummm… I… err...”

“He’d love to,” Button offered.

“Y-yeah, that...”

“Okay thank you BYE!” Pearl said before galloping away so fast she left a dust cloud.

Acrylic, meanwhile, stared, his mouth hanging open. “W-what… what just happened?”

“You got a date.”

“Oh,” he said, staring. Then, after a few moments he shook his head. “W-wait, what? I can’t, I can’t have a date! I need to train! I have practice to do! I mean, I just got told we--”

“If you don’t, I will tell Diamond and Silver about this and that you’re trying to ignore it… Then I’ll tell your mom.”

Acrylic paled. “You… wouldn’t...”

“Try me.”

“… So, a date then,” the unicorn mumbled. “Maybe it’ll be… fun and not miserable.”

“It’ll be awesome. You’ll love it, trust me,” Button said happily before trotting off… He was definitely going to tell the girls and Vinyl anyway.

------

Ironwing gave a soft yawn as he put the finishing touches on his paperwork. He wondered idly what time it was, probably late. He didn’t see anypony else around in the offices. Only the select few night crew who weren’t on patrol remained in, and they usually didn’t have too much paperwork. Except… Coppertips?

The pegasus was walking up to him, and Ironwing couldn’t help but feel a little confused. He glanced to his schedule, nope, no plans to fly with Coppertips this week. He quickly stood at attention.

“At ease,” Coppertips said with a laugh. “Didn’t you hear? I was busted down a rank, no longer one of the captains.”

“Oh. Sorry to hear, afraid I haven’t,” he said, feeling a momentary surge of relief. At least it meant Coppertips wouldn’t get any more ponies hurt with his antics. “Working the night patrols?”

“No, no, I actually wanted to talk with you. You’ve seemed… well. A lot happier lately,” Coppertips said with a chuckle. “More relaxed. It’s all the rage with the gossipers, so you’ve got to tell me. What is it that Stratios has you doing that’s making you so relaxed?”

Ironwing blinked and shook his head. “Mostly just paperwork. Do I really seem that… well…”

“Oh, yeah,” Coppertips said with a chuckle. “Are you done? I’d like to chat with you for a bit.”

“Sure, I’ll just file these and then I’m headed home.”

“Perfect, I’ll walk with you for a bit, I’ll meet you outside.”

Ironwing nodded, though he found it odd the pegasus was approaching him. Was he really being… friendly? Once he was outside, true to his word, Coppertips was waiting for him.

“Man, I can’t get over it,” Coppertips said with a chuckle. “You used to just be so… Tight. Like a spring just waiting to pop. But you’ve really calmed down. I hear you’ve even been hanging out with Prism again.”

“From time to time, rarely,” he said with a nod. “I… suppose just being rank and file is easier on me.”

“Well, it shows. You used to be so tense that everypony was scared of you. But man, now? You look great. You should have retired ages ago.”

Ironwing sighed. “Yeah… Retired. It’s good to be back, though. Maybe they were right about me. Too much, too quickly,” he said.

“Well, you look great. Come on, let me treat you to dinner. My treat.”

The pegasus stumbled, before turning to him aghast. “I’m… sorry?”

“Dinner, to celebrate. I knew when you came back you’d do some awesome things. So come on, let’s go get something to celebrate you finally removing the stick,” he said in a teasing tone.

Ironwing blinked a few times and then nodded. “O-okay,” he said softly. None of his coworkers had EVER asked him out to a dinner or… Really anything celebratory. “Sure.”

The other pegasus took to the air and flew up, flying through the city. Going through alleys, cutting through streets and… “Almost there. Great little restaurant, makes the best--”

They came out of nowhere. Ironwing’s eyes widened as three shadowbolts were suddenly on him. One hitting his right wing, the other the left. The last hit him hard from above, sending him him plummeting down to the ground of the alley, skidding along the dirt and rolling onto his back. Ironwing laid there, dazed and confused. His wings were paralyzed and part of his back was, too. He barely had time to open his eyes and tense as Coppertips flew down and drove his hoofs into his stomach. He felt a rib crack under the blow, as the other pegasi landed besides him and with a few quick taps, Ironwing felt his body lose control, paralyzed entirely.

“W-what?” he rasped.

“Man, you really let your guard down when you’re off the clock these days, don’t you?” Coppertips asked. The other three shadowbolts landed down, their uniforms making them almost invisible in the night. He tried to identify who they could be, but as hurt as he was, he could barely focus. “Paperwork my flank. I was a CAPTAIN, you little maggot. And you took it away from me!” Coppertips snapped, before his hoof lashed out and struck Ironwing across the head and smacking his head against the ground.

“T-this… is about my reports?” Ironwing finally pieced together. “Y-you’re mad that… you were demoted?”

“Mad? I’m furious. And I’m not the only one. Do you think we’re stupid? We all found out exactly what you were doing, you little worm,” Coppertips snapped bitterly. “I don’t know what made Stratios decide to let YOU decide who of us deserved our ranks, but trust me. Everypony knows now. And nopony is going to miss you, you little backstabber.”

“W-what?”

“I took you in under my wing. You know when you returned, EVERYPONY was pissed about it. Everypony thought you were just going to cause us more problems. But I extended a wing. I offered to help you. I was the ONLY one who offered to take you in my squad. And you betray my generosity by getting me DEMOTED?” he asked in a rage, his hooves lashing out across his face in three quick strikes that left him dazed and confused. He tried to move, but his paralyzed body refused to respond. He was going to die. There was more yelling, more shouting, more anger. Then more strikes.

He was going to die. And there was nothing he could do to stop it. Even delay it. It was over for him…

------

Daring didn’t know why she was there. No, she knew exactly why. She’d gathered up her things, wanted to go but… She had to say goodbye to Ironwing first. After all he’d done for her, she couldn’t just leave. However, he hadn’t been with Styx, probably working late... again.

She was a mare of energy. Of life. So she’d finally just flown up and started circling the route between Styx’s and HQ, planning to catch him and then just leave. To her surprise, she’d caught sight of Ironwing dipping into one of the alleys, with another pony she couldn’t identify. She’d flown after them as fast as she could, flying up to get a better vantage point.

Her eyes widened when she saw something dark block her view of him, then him slam into the ground. She saw the attacks, the yelling… And then she saw red.

She took off like a bolt. The other pegasus didn’t even look up before she slammed into him from above, driving him into the ground and riding him like a sled out the alleyway as he let out shrieks of pain. She then gripped his collar, and rolled so he was on her for a second and bucked with all four hooves, sending him flying at least twenty feet, out of the alley and into the middle of the street. She rolled to her hooves. Her clothes, hat and backpack had dirt from the alley, but she didn’t care. She stared at the three shadowbolts, who were staring at her with wide eyes. “GET YOUR FILTHY HOOVES AWAY FROM HIM!” she screamed, before taking off like a bolt towards them.

To her surprise, they scattered, flying up and away. She dove to Ironwing’s side. The ground was soaked in his blood, his head bleeding from at least a dozen different places and one of his eyes were bruised shut. She could hear the screams from the street, but couldn’t focus on them. “Ironwing? Ironwing, speak to me. Please, please speak to me.”

“Arng?” the pegasus said. He was looking right at her, but his eye wasn’t focusing.

“Come on, stay with me. Don’t lose consciousness. It’s going to be okay. I promise. I’m going to get help. I’m going to get help...” She glanced back towards the pony she’d hit, still laying in the center of the street. Ponies were gathering though. “H-hey!” she yelled. “Somepony, get a doctor! Anypony!” she yelled, before turning to Ironwing. “Come on, buddy. Come on. Please. Please please please. You’re going to be okay, okay? You’re going to be okay… Please, please be okay...” she begged the stars, tears welling up in her eyes.

Chapter 20: Miracle

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Blaze sighed while she laid in bed, staring at the roof. Finally… “Do you think I did the right thing?”

“Hmmm? Yeah… about what?” Prism asked before he instinctively reached out and pet her wing.

The mare rolled her eyes. “About Daring. Letting her run off like that...”

“Mmmm… She was gonna do it anyway when she found out, trust me,” Prism mumbled. “You made sure she had a firm grasp of everything...”

“But what if Meadowbrook IS involved in Sunset’s disappearance?”

“Not likely. What would be the point? It’d be a strange move. And having met Sunset, I can tell you right now there would have been some damage. That mare was dangerous.”

Blaze sighed and nodded. “I guess. Probably too late to stop her now, anyway. I hope she doesn’t get in over her head...”

“She’s Twilight’s daughter. She’s pretty much guaranteed to… but then to get out fine. That’s what they do,” he said with a teasing smile. “Avatars. Avatar’s friends. Their teachers. Anyone they share a cupcake with, their mailpony, their--”

“Prism!” Leadwing called, his voice raw with panic, making the two sit up in bed. They could hear the rush of wings heading towards their window.

Prism quickly moved to intercept, taking off out the window to stop the other pony from entering his room. “What? I’m trying to get some well deserved rest with my over-worked wife, something I surely deserve. So this better be important.”

“It’s Ironwing! He was attacked, Daring is in custody right now! Ironwing is in intensive care, they aren’t sure if he’s going to make it.”

Prism froze, his eyes widening. “Who knows?”

“I don’t know, I came to tell you as soon as I heard, I--”

“I’ll head to the hospital, Blaze, can you--”

“I’ll let Scootaloo know!” the other wonderbolt yelled before taking off like a bolt.

Prism nodded and then took off towards the city. “Dang it, Ironwing. What in Equestria did you do?”

------

Scootaloo’s heart raced while she did a tight, upwards spiral. She felt the gem against her chest, glimmering and a little warm, but not showing signs of damage. She then did three quick loops, before shooting up in a tight roll, only to shoot straight down at the ground as fast as she could.

She hit the ground hard, skidding on the metal pads of her horseshoes, digging into the dirt. She let out a low gasp of excitement, her heart pounding, before Silver ran forward to pull the gem out. “H-how was that?”

“Perfect!” Silver said with a grin. “Absolutely perfect. I see Hornclipper has been teaching you well.”

Scootaloo nodded with a cringe. “Yeah. It… I know it’s going to sound odd, but well…”

“It’s been feeling more natural lately?”

“Yeah, exactly!” the pegasus said with a sigh. “That’s normal?”

“Of course. You are a pegasus, after all. All of this is natural for you, you’ve just never used those muscles, so to speak. The magic ones. They’re going to grow more and more every time you use them,” Silver said while she examined the gem, before reinserting it. “This is very promising. Only mild signs of wear and tear.”

“Oh? You’re okay with me using it, still?” Scootaloo asked with a smile. “Usually you pop a fresh one in.”

“The next one should be the last,” Silver said with a nod. “As long as you take it easy and don’t do anything too intense, it should last you a few more days. The next should last a month, at least. Possibly a year if you’re calm enough.”

“Really? That long? That’s… wow. So it… umm… well, will it be… ready for...”

“It’ll be ready by the time you fight Meadowbrook,” Silver added. “And you’ll have time to test yourself with it, of course.”

Scootaloo let out a sigh. “That’s a relief. You’re amazing, Silver. I’m sorry to bother you with--”

“My father doesn’t need my help on the nullification project yet, I’ll have time to finish this and get to work on that,” the earth pony interrupted before she poked the gem a few more times. “However, on that note… if you don’t mind me asking, why are you going? You’re the representative of pegasi in Harmony. Don’t you have more important things to do? I can’t help but notice none of the other council ponies are going.”

Scootaloo sighed. “A mix of reasons. Sweetie and Applebloom are going to be there, so I couldn’t just say ‘no’. Not that they asked me to, they never would. But I knew… well. The three of us were a team. And we’re good at what we do, that gives us an edge. It’s during times like these, every friendship can make all the difference.”

“And the council approves this?”

“No. But they see that this Meadowbrook, whoever she is, is a threat that we cannot afford to let spread. We have to throw every resource available at her and I am, fortunately, a resource that can be used.”

Silver nodded. “That makes sense, it--” Her eyes widened when a yellow blur flashed by them, skidding along the ground. “Blaze?! What in… I mean, what are you doing here?”

“No time,” Blaze interrupted. “I just talked to Hornclipper, he was going to come get you, but I was faster. Scootaloo, you need to get to the hospital. It’s Ironwing, he’s in emergency care.”

Scootaloo’s eyes widened and her heart almost stopped. She turned to Silver, panic in her eyes. “Will the gem hold?”

Silver nodded. “Y-yes. I’ll bring a replacement. Don’t fly too high, but it should get you there at--” The rest of her words were cut off by the mare taking off like a bolt. “Does anypony else need to know?”

“Just Rainbow, somepony else is going to have to track her down, though. I’m heading to the hospital. Bye Silver!”

The earth pony nodded, staring up, stunned. How could something happen to Ironwing? How could he be in EMERGENCY CARE? What in Equestria happened? He had to be one of the most durable, obnoxious ponies she ever met! It just wasn’t possible! She wondered if she should head on over to check on him, but slowly shook her head. She’d check on him later, right now… she’d only get in the way. Instead she headed back into the complex.

Scootaloo was going to have enough things to worry about now. She needed to make sure her equipment wasn’t one of them.

------

Rainbow dashed into the waiting room. “Where is he? I’ll kill him! Is he okay?!” she glanced around the room, feeling the shifting winds and identifying the ponies quickly. Prism, Blaze, Scootaloo, Styx. Scootaloo was crying. Blaze was trying to comfort her. Prism was pacing. Styx was… just rocking back and forth.

“We don’t know yet,” Prism said, scuffing his hoof. “He’s still in intensive care. The healers are doing what they can, but...”

“What happened?” Rainbow asked, joining her son in his pacing. She wanted to go out, fly around, knock out some pirates or SOMETHING! Getting here and having to WAIT of all things was even worse.

Prism sighed and stopped. “We’re… not sure. According to Daring, he was ambushed by one of the Shadowbolts, Coppertip. She claims there were three others, but...”

“What do you mean, but? Somepony needs to get out there and find them!” she yelled in anger.

“It’s not that easy. She’s… being detained by the moon raisers.”

The blind pegasus froze. “… Why?”

“There are witnesses that she attacked Coppertip and beat him up, really bad.”

“Good!”

“And her standing over Ironwing. There’s a possibility that she attacked both of them and--”

“BULL!” Rainbow roared, spreading her wings and making the room rattle. “She is Twilight’s daughter! Buck, she’s our FRIEND! There’s no way she’d EVER attack Ironwing!”

Prism nodded. “Honestly, I agree. Unfortunately, Coppertip is claiming she ambushed them. And unless Ironwing wakes up… well… it’s her word against his. He’s claiming she likely did it because of her failure in the Shadowbolts.”

Rainbow growled. “Where is he? Give me ten, no, five minutes with him and I’ll have him begging to tell the truth.”

“The moon raisers were the ones who came on the scene and they are currently working to investigate it, along with the metal benders. There’s currently no Shadowbolts on the case, but as you can imagine they have ample reason to be involved.”

The cyan pegasus let out another yell of frustration. “There has to be SOMETHING we can do! Anything! Some ponies we can find? Somepony who’s BUTT we can kick? Something? ANYTHING?”

Prism sighed and shook his head. “Nope… all we can do now… is wait. Wait, and hope. And pray for a miracle...”

Rainbow groaned and stormed to a chair, throwing herself into it. Only to hop out and start pacing along with Prism. A miracle? She’d have given both her eyes and her bending for one of those ‘miracles’ right about now.

------

Acrylic paced back and forth, nervous as could be. He’d spent hours agonizing over what to bring, what to wear. Finally, he’d given up and just tossed on a dark blue tie. It melded well with his coat. Simple and refined. He wondered if he ran now, he could claim he’d been foalnapped by pirates. Or better yet, she might forget the whole thing. It was probably all a mistake. Heck, even if she was an earth pony, she shared some colorations with his mother, that was just weird. Though, he supposed that meant she also shared some colorations with him. And the coat really was more a silver than a white, and the blue was more like the sea than like--

“Acrylic?” a voice asked from behind him. The unicorn cringed and took a slow, deep breath. He could do this. He would do this. He’d tell her work had come up and he had to go. He slowly turned around.

“Pearl, I… I… I-I… I… you...” he said, the words trying to form in his head. The mare was standing there, giving a nervous smile and… just wearing a cute, small little white, gem studded ribbon. It was so simple. So… odd. He’d expected more, something wild but… it was so calm and refined. He felt a little red flood into his cheeks. “You… ummm… look… amazing.”

She smiled softly, giving a small nod. “T-thank you. You look really h-handsome. I ummm… S-shall we go?”

“O-oh! Right! Um! Yes, right… ummm...” He stared for a long moment, while she walked past him and headed inside. He shook his head and followed after her. Once they were seated, she nervously smiled at him.

“So… what would you like? You’ve been here before, right?”

“Not in years, I don’t eat out much,” he said with a shrug. If nothing else, he seemed to have complete control of his faculties again. He glanced over again and was relieved it wasn’t quite as big a shock this time. She… was certainly pretty, though. But not the prettiest mare he’d ever seen. Why, Silver was-- He frowned.

“What’s wrong?” she asked. “I’m sorry, is this… did I put you on the spot? I’m sorry,” she said gently.

“What? Oh! No, not you! I was just thinking about… work,” he said. While he would be the first to admit he had very little experience with the fairer sex, even he knew better than to say ‘another mare’ there.

------

Silver walked through the halls of the hospital, trying to avoid getting much attention. One of the advantages, she supposed, of being a key member in Tomorrow Industries. It hadn’t been the first time she’d been here, and she had IDs to far more places than she should have. She suspected at least half the equipment in the hospital was manufactured by her company.

That was the issue with security. As long as you wore a name tag or had some pass, no one even looked at you twice. They just assumed you belonged there. It suited her just fine, though. The less people that noticed her, the better off she’d be.

She couldn’t help feeling stupid as she walked towards the medical wing. This was dangerous. Foalish. There was no telling what would happen if she was caught. If people found out what she was. But… Ironwing was a friend. He’d helped her, albeit grudgingly at times. She walked into an empty hospital room, closing and locking the door behind herself. She walked into the bathroom… Before the alicorn amulet appeared on her neck.

What she was doing was more than she’d ever done in her life. Tapping into the full extent of her abilities. But it was something she couldn’t NOT do.

A moment later she appeared inside the surgery room, a part of a medical display on the wall. She couldn’t help but move, just a little bit. Being such a two dimensional character felt odd. Being flat. She couldn’t even breathe, but she oddly didn’t need to. This was definitely a useful ability of his, though she wondered if he felt the same odd… sensations when he did it. As insane as he was, he probably had enjoyed it.

She then looked around, before seeing it. Three ponies milling about, trying to stabilize him. A wind bender healer, a doctor, a nurse… the odds weren’t in their favor, though. She could see it. It was faint, that soft needling that told her which path the story would take. She could already see it, like words on a page.

Her eyes glowed an ominous green…

Buck that.

Chapter 21: Mistake

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Ironwing’s eyes slowly opened and he gave a soft groan. What in the… “Ugh...”

“What’s wrong?” Prism asked.

“Your face is not the first thing I want to see when I wake up,” he groaned. “Please get away.”

The air bender smiled and stepped back. “Good to know you’re as nasty as normal,” he said with a chuckle. “My shift, hold on.” He quickly trotted away.

Ironwing groaned and tried to sit up. His head felt like the skull had shattered, and found he was strapped to the bed. He tried to remember what happened. He could remember Goldentips standing over him and attacking him. Why…?

Prism moved over to the chairs, waking up Styx.

“How long was I out?” Ironwing asked, trying to stretch out his wing and instantly regretting it.

“Almost a week,” Prism said. Then yelped when he was less than graciously shoved aside by Styx.

“Are you okay? How does your body feel? Does anything hurt?”

“Everything hurts,” Ironwing said, though he smiled when the other stallion leaned in and rubbed their noses together. “But that helps… Have you been waiting here the whole time?”

“When I could. Lady Scootaloo was most gracious in tending to what matters she could of mine to ensure I could be here as often as possible. However, there are some things only I could deal with. I am sorry.”

“You’re a member of the council. I think you’ve got more important things to do than watch me sleep. How bad is it?”

“Well, you look ugly as a diamond dog’s hindquarters, so not much has changed,” Prism teased, earning a glare from Styx. He gave a sigh. “You should be fine. Apparently the care was a bit hit and miss but… you woke up. That was their key concern. If… you didn’t wake up within a few weeks...”

“… Chances were you never would,” Styx mumbled. “Do… you remember anything? Do you remember who did this?”

“I… not… fully,” he mumbled. “I remember...” Ironwing closed his eyes and tried to think. It all melded together, a swirling mass of pain and confusion. “I remember… Goldentips and… there were others. Shadowbolts. I don’t… know how many there were. It’s all… blurry. But they ambushed me… and then he...” His eyes widened. “I was… dead. How… how am I still alive? I couldn’t… I didn’t…?”

Prism let out a sigh of relief. “No. Daring saved you. Now, if you don’t mind, I have a report to go make. She’ll likely be here soon to talk with you. I’ll give you two a bit of alone time and, ahhh, I’ll make sure Blaze files everything. Stay as long as you need, Styx.”

“Thank you, Prism,” Styx said, watching the other stallion leave. Then the bat pony turned to him, reached out to stroke his mane. “I am very thankful it was Goldentips...”

“Oh? Why do you say that?” Ironwing asked.

“Because the other option was Daring, and I’d hate to have torn the wings off your student. Goldentips is a dead pony...” he growled.

“Please don’t kill him yet...”

“Oh? Why?”

“Because when I get out of here I think I have dibs.”

Styx snorted, shaking his head. “I think there’s more than a few ponies who will beat you to it. Even Rainbow is ready to draw blood. Goldentips has been in custody, but… Well… I think it may be more for his protection than anything else at this point. And now that you’re backing up Daring’s story… well...”

------

Silver’s head was pounding. It was for a good cause, she reminded herself. A week long headache to alter an awful ‘story’ was a small price to pay. Ironwing was alive thanks to her. It was definitely worth it. It had set her back, though. The ‘teleportation disrupter’ was nowhere near completion. For one simple reason.

It was impossible. At least, with current technology. It was possible to weave a spell that would stop magic, but not something that they could carry with them. They needed a catalyst. A big one. She could do it, but it’d require the alicorn amulet to do something so big. Something she couldn’t hide. She wished this pounding headache would go away so she could focus. To make matters worse, since the… ordeal, her magic had been rough and erratic. If she didn’t know better, she’d believe she was experiencing burnout.

A silly notion, an earth pony couldn’t have burnout. And Discord’s magic was so different from a unicorn’s, she doubted it could either. She pulled out a small snow globe with a simple holiday scene inside, ponies singing carols. Slowly, her eyes glowed green. The little ponies inside danced around in a silly way, making her smile before they stopped again.

“Nope. Not burn out. Or at least not like normal. Headache didn’t get any worse… though I suppose it might be incapable of getting worse,” she grumbled to herself, leaning back and squeezing her head. She pushed the snow globe back before getting to her hooves. The alicorn amulet turned invisible again and she made her way towards the door, pushing it open. Deeeeep breaths. She slowly made her way outside and then through the compound, soon coming to the large warehouse where her father was working.

Over a dozen unicorns were working, with five separate devices lingering around the room. On top of that, each device had a single unicorn using the teleport spell to check the effects. Judging by the solemn looks, she didn’t imagine there was any headway. She made her way to Secretary, who was currently telling a pegasus some directions.

“Now, for Doctor Alicity, he’ll have a daffodil sandwich, no crust, potato bread, extra mayo, exactly three pickles and a slice of tomato. Now, for...” Silver waited patiently as the other pony took down the order and then flew off. Secretary turned around and paused. “Miss Silver? Is there something you needed?”

The earth pony shook her head. “No, I--” The words caught in her throat when the unicorn put a hoof to her forehead. “What… are you doing?”

“You do not look well. Are you coming down with a cold?”

“Oh! No. I just haven’t been sleeping well. Don’t worry about it.”

“It is my job to worry. And I assure you, with your family I have become quite experienced in it.”

Silver stared for a few moments, before giving a light snort. “I see. Is daddy making any headway?”

“A li--” A blast echoed through the warehouse, making both ponies jump. Secretary stared at the offending device, and sighed. “I take that back. We are making none.”

“Oh dear… What’s going on? Which was that?”

“It was the good doctor’s attempt to use the magic of the Everfree Forest.”

“WHAT?!” Silver snapped. “Use it how? That place is dangerous!”

“We are aware,” Secretary said with a nod. “However, the magic there tends to make… most magics useless. Your father was hoping to find a way to gather the magic from those trees and use it to create a full anti-magic field. However...”

“It blew up in his face...” Silver mumbled. Fortunately, nopony seemed to be hurt. Though the teleporting pony was trying to wipe soot off themselves. “That wouldn’t work, though. Meadowbrook teleported out from the middle of the Everfree Forest.”

“And you four were able to make a pillar to rise up out of it and await help. That clearing you were in was likely some kind of low density area. Your father is trying to create a full effect. However, it’s not really...” She gave a sigh. “Functioning, yet.”

“And the others?”

“Various attempts to nullify magic using standard practices. As annoying as it is, the Everfree version was showing the greatest promise...”

Silver nodded, eyeing the remains. She reached up and tapped her chin. “Can you make sure the notes are sent to my office as well?”

“Of course. I will have some of the prototypes and… remnants sent over as well,” Secretary said. “Would you like anything for lunch? I imagine you have no intentions of actually eating, either...”

Silver gave a sheepish smile. “Of course! I’ll eat, I’m not my father!” She scowled at the snort from the unicorn. “You know, you can be replaced.”

“We both know that’s an empty threat, Lady Silver,” Secretary said with a blank face. “The usual? And would you like a bit of carrot soup on the side?”

“… Actually that sounds great. Thanks, Secretary,” the earth pony mumbled as she eyed the devices. Normal pony magic couldn’t do it… but Discord’s could. She was certain of it.

------

Diamond’s heart raced when a rock flew past her head. She didn’t take her eyes off Applejack for a moment when she flew to the left, her wings out to steady herself and her quick movements. She jumped into the air and hovered right before a block of stone narrowly missed her face.

“Heh. You’re gettin’ better, kiddo. But let’s see yah try this,” Applejack said before hitting the ground, sending up a hailstorm of stones and rocks.

The alicorn dropped back to the ground and planted her hooves. The rocks slammed against her, but she made herself immovable, forcing the rocks to crumble against her and fall to the ground, dust. The earth pony kicked the ground and a large ball of rock rose up into the air. She gave it a swift buck and sent it flying at Diamond. The alicorn dipped to the left, reaching out and gripping the stone when it was close enough. She sent it swirling out and back at Applejack.

The earth pony lifted a hoof, shattering the stone and giving a light chuckle. “Yah’ve gotten better, Diamond, ah-- EEP!” She jumped back moments before the alicorn appeared from the dust, flying in and thrusting a hoof at her face. Applejack stepped back, avoiding the follow-up blows before her left hoof slid against the ground. The ground rose up under Diamond, throwing her balance off for a second.

For the earth pony, it was the only opening she needed. She stepped in, wrapped a hoof around the other mare’s head and slammed her into the ground, before laying on her. “Yah give?”

“Owwwww...”

“Ah’ll go ahead an’ take that as a yes,” Applejack said before getting up. She yanked the other mare to her hooves. “But ah gotta say, yah’ve definitely improved. Ah’m startin’ tah see a lot more of Twilight in how yah fight.”

“Did she see stars too?”

“Lot’sa times. But ah mean the way yah shift into different styles when yah fight. Wind, earth, ah even saw a bit of water bendin’ in there. It’s almost second nature to yah now, ain’t it?”

Diamond nodded, smiling despite the throbbing in her head. “Yeah. It’s not… sometimes it’s a little hard. But it gets easier every day. The more I train with you girls, the better I get.”

“Yah even almost landed a blow on meh this time,” Applejack said with a chuckle. “Yah ain’t done that in a while.”

Diamond preened at the compliment. “Thank you. I’ve really tried to improve. And with all of you training me, I--”

“Ah, don’t yah go praisin’ meh. If ah wanted somepony tah… well. Besides. Ah already know ah’m amazin’,” she said with a snort. “So, yah feel ready?”

“No, I really don’t...” Diamond mumbled gently. “Are we… sure this is going to work? I mean...”

“It’ll work, one way or another,” Applejack said with a shrug.

“And what if I can’t really… beat them? I mean...”

“You’ll have a whole herd of some of the best benders this world has tah offer. Same as Twilight did.”

Diamond nodded, though her eyes stayed lowered, making the other mare sigh. “Listen, ah get it. Anypony would have cold hooves for this. But yer gonna do fine. An’...” Applejack walked forward and put a hoof on her shoulders. “If yah can’t do it, we’ll pick up the slack. And ain’t nopony gonna think less of yah if yah don’t do everythin’ perfectly. Yah know? This all ain’t a one pony job. There’s a whole group of us workin’ on this problem. An’ let meh tell yah. This mare? She’s a big ol’ problem. Especially the way she’s goin’ about things. So yah jus’ keep workin’ as hard as yah can, an’ trust all the rest of us. Got it?”

Diamond gave a weak smile. “Thanks. It’s… it helps. Really. And I know I keep--”

“Worryin’? Well duh. Ah mean. Yer the Avatar,” Applejack said with a snicker. “Ain’t nopony alive who could carry that weight without worryin’. Heck, ah traveled with the last mare with that particular job for a while. She fretted more an’ anypony ah ever met. An’ the rest of us were almost as bad,” she said with a snicker. “Can’t have the whole world watchin’ yah without gettin’ a wee bit stage shy.” The earth pony kicked over a rock and nodded. “So… err… how’s our lil counter measure comin’ along?”

The alicorn let out a groan. “Not well. I’ve tried to keep out from underhoof, of course. I mean, I’m just a guest and all. And it’s not like I’ve been monitoring them or anything, I just, you know, hear a thing or two. But...”

Applejack snorted. “Ain’t nopony objectin’ tah yah stayin’ there. Tah be honest, ah wouldn’t wanna hang out on that island right now either. Prism takes after his mother a lot more than he realizes and neither of them handle their friends gettin’ hurt particularly well. So yah don’t need tah make excuses.”

“Fine,” Diamond said with an exasperated sigh. “Not well. I know Dr. Alicity is doing his best, but I don’t think it’s going to work. He’s had nothing but failure after failure and just… it might not be possible. What we’re trying to do is just...” She shook her head. “Stopping magic isn’t easy.”

“Ah know. If it was, the Water Nation woulda developed it ages ago. Heck, ah know they were tryin’. If they hadn’t been so pro unicorn, mighta even been able tah use some of it against us,” Applejack said with a smirk. “Then again, without their magic, we probably would have thrashed the lotta them a hecka lot easier.”

“Probably. Even with all this bending you thrash my butt. Even without your bending, I’m not sure how well I’d do,” she said with a sigh.

Applejack snorted. “Eh. Without bendin’, ah’m sure yah’d still do fine. Twilight did it, once. Ah ever tell yah that story?”

“… No? I think I heard about it, though… but I wouldn’t mind hearing it again.”

The earth pony got a lazy grin on her face. “Well, okay then. Let meh tell yah about them pirates. Oh, they thought they had Twilight alllll figured out...”

------

Acrylic couldn’t believe it, but he was actually starting to envy the coma that Ironwing was in. Button had, after a week of trying, managed to corner him. He would have welcomed an escape, any escape, but there was none. Instead, he was forced to walk through the streets, his cheeks getting redder and redder while his friend yammered on, only occasionally giving short, single word answers.

“So, did you kiss her? Did you grab her hoof? Did you two snuggle? Are you in love? Are you going to marry her?”

Acrylic just gave a small, soft shrug. He didn’t want to jinx it, but it HAD been going well. He was still nervous at the idea of dating anypony, especially one who he was scared felt too indebted to him to think their relationship through properly. Not to mention the fact he was going to be going off on a dangerous mission soon, with who knew what dangers awaited him?

But she was also really pretty, and sweet, and she had been visiting him almost every day. And even if it had only been a few days, he couldn’t deny feeling a little giddy whenever she came by. Even now, thinking about her, the way her cheeks got a little red whenever she saw him. Or how easily distracted she’d get and just kind of lose her train of thought whenever something interesting walked by. Or the way her coat glistened when she’d jumped into the water after they’d decided to go for a walk by the beach. Or the--

“Acrylic? Did you hear me?” Button asked with a grin. “You have that look on your face that Vinyl gets whenever a lecture goes on more than five minutes,” he teased.

The unicorn’s cheeks burned red and he quickly shook his head. “I-I’m fine. I’m just thinking.”

“About her?”

“Not at all!” he lied, his cheeks getting even redder. He couldn’t believe he was letting Button get to him so easily. It was just a little date, that was all! And a marefriend. Finally, however, he gave up. “Yes. I was thinking about her.”

“Finally! So, come on, give me details! You two are dating, right? So like… how’s it going?”

“You know, I don’t bother you about Luna.”

Button stopped in his steps and Acrylic instantly regretted the words. He wished he had just bucked the other stallion, it might have hurt less.

“Button, I--”

“No. You’re right. I just… I don’t know,” he mumbled, shaking his head. “I mean, when he was here and just… I didn’t… know and… then… I enjoyed him being here but... but now? That he’s not around, I just...”

The unicorn nodded. “You think all those feelings are fading, then? That it was just in the moment?”

“No! I miss him! So much!” Button said, shaking his head vigorously. “I just… I keep wanting to go down there. But I’m scared, and I like him a lot. But I never thought I’d, you know...”

“… Like a stallion?”

“Exactly!”

“I mean… maybe you don’t,” Acrylic said with a shrug. “Maybe you just like Luna, and that’s all there is to it.”

“… How does that work?”

“You like mares and Luna.”

“… Oh. Well. I guess. But...”

“But?”

“He wanted me to stay away and clear my head and… I mean… I just...”

“You’re scared to talk to him, and let him know how you really feel? Or worse, are afraid you accidentally drove him off by being a… well...”

“… That.”

Acrylic nodded. He couldn’t deny taking a small bit of satisfaction at not having to be on the defensive. “Welp, go talk to him, then.”

“W-what?”

“Go talk to him. Or, well. Write him a letter. Tell him how you feel. Send it before we leave. Ask if he can tear… just ask him to send you a letter back. You know?”

Button nodded with a sigh. “Yeah… you’re right. I’ll… Gahhhhh. If I wasn’t needed for this upcoming fight...”

“Life of being a friend of the Avatar,” Acrylic said with a shrug. “Could be worse. At least you know what it’s like now to NOT have Luna around. So you won’t have that on your mind worrying you next time you’re alone.”

The earth pony groaned. “Oh gosh. What if I DID end up scaring him off? I was a real… you know...”

“A flank? Somehow, I think he’ll forgive you. I mean, you did save his life and all. That counts for something.”

“Speaking of saving a pony’s life,” Button said with a grin that sent a chill down the unicorn’s back. “We talked about my romance, now let’s talk about yours! What’s it like? Is she nice?”

Acrylic let out a groan of exasperation, before finally nodding. “Yes. She’s nice. No. You know what? She’s AMAZING. She’s so sweet and goofy and weird and just...” His cheeks burned.

“Wait, really? Goofy?”

“Sometimes! A little, I mean, she’s just… I… I don’t know. She’s just...” He face hoofed. “I don’t know. I have fun when she’s around.”

Button made a face as if he had been struck, mock stumbling away. “Wait, FUN? You have FUN? I didn’t even think you could! We must find this mare! Study her! For the future of all partying, we must discover what is it that allows her to make you have… fun!”

The unicorn stared back at him, unamused. “If you’re going to mock me...”

“Sorry, sorry. I just… wow. So, you really like her?”

“It’s a bit too early to say. I’ve only known her about a week. And this week has been fairly busy with… you know...”

For a moment, there was silence while the thought of the wounded Ironwing hovered over their heads. Button shook his head after a few moments. “Even… so. If she’s making you have fun, I’m sure it’ll be for the best. Besides. You ARE allowed to have fun once in a while.”

“Yeah, I know. I just don’t normally like it,” Acrylic grumbled.

Button rolled his eyes. “It’s because you don’t let yourself. Listen, nopony says you have to marry her--”

“Mom’s heavily implying I should. And give her grandfoals.”

“… Nopony sane is saying you have to marry her right off the bat. But try to enjoy yourself, okay? If she likes you, then she likes you. You can both have a great time of it without having the whole world fall around on top of you.”

“I don’t--” He was cut off by somepony yelling behind him. The two glanced back to see a pegasus, one of the shadowbolts, flying towards him. Acrylic felt dread flood his stomach. The world might not fall out because of him, but he had a feeling something terrible was about to happen. The pegasus landed behind them.

“You two. Mister Acrylic, Mister Button?”

“Yes?” Acrylic asked, waiting for the bad news to hit.

“I was sent out to inform you that Ironwing has regained consciousness.”

Acrylic’s stomach went from falling to leaping. “H-he has?”

“He is? Does Scootaloo know?” Button asked.

“No, one of my comrades has already headed to tell her and mister Hornclipper. Your parents, as well. Since I saw you two, I figured I’d best let you know when I passed. I’m on my way to see Dr. Alicity and Miss Silverbelle now. I’ll--”

“Nah, leave it to us!” Button said quickly.

“Err...”

“It’s fine, we’re her friends. I think Scootaloo is down there, too. You have important things to get back to, right?” Button asked.

“Well, yes, but...” the pegasus mumbled, the indecision clear on his face.

“I think we can be trusted to deliver a message like this to one of our best friends. It’ll be fine,” Acrylic said firmly. “Please. We’d really like to be the ones to tell her.”

The shadowbolt sighed, before nodding. “Very well. Please hurry, though. It--” He was cut off by the two turning and running. He shook his head and chuckled, before taking to the air to go tend to his other duties.

------

Silver groaned, her head throbbing. Slowly she rubbed a hoof against her forehead, staring at the pieces of machinery in front of her. Or, rather, the remains of a few of the exploded magic ‘nullifiers’ delivered by Secretary. Nope. It wasn’t going to work like this. Her dad was close to the right path, that at least she couldn’t deny.

But the magic of Everfree wasn’t so easily controlled. He was going about it all wrong, and he had no idea how to know. Of course, nopony really did, so she could hardly fault him for that. SHE used it and even she didn’t quite know how it worked. Most other ponies could have never gotten as far as he did.

Of course, she did know how magic such as this worked, so she couldn’t help feeling just a little proud when she made her way towards one of the few remaining prototypes. Secretary had managed to bring it with the remains, while they continued to work on developing other models. She doubted they expected her to solve the problem, but she knew she could. Her artificial horn glowed while the containment compartment on the device opened, pulling out the ‘heart’ of the device.

She had to give her father even more praise while she admired it. The ‘heart’ was composed of a sapphire center, with a four point array woven around the base. However, the array was composed of vines FROM the Everfree Forest, wrapped in jade. It was a fragile, delicate mixture, but it did allow him to harness the power of the forest.

Which meant nothing since they had no idea HOW magic such as this worked. She admired the gem for a few more moments before sighing. “Oh daddy, you’re so brilliant, it’s a shame you don’t understand chaos. You can’t control it and force it like normal magic,” she said with a roll of her eyes. The device was good, but it would never function like this. Converting the magic they needed, into a function they desired, wouldn’t work.

At least, not without a few alterations.

The alicorn amulet appeared on her throat. The gem dropped from her grip when a sharp pain bore through her head, making her grit her teeth. No, it wasn’t chaos magic that triggered the pain, it was using the amulet. But she needed it for her best magic, so she didn’t have much choice. She wondered how long until her powers would fully return, until the headache would be nothing more than a distant memory that occasionally gnawed at her. She didn’t like this, she felt so vulnerable without access to her full range of powers. She couldn’t even ‘peer into the story’ now. She wondered if that was a side effect of using her abilities in such a manner, or if it was just overuse.

She glanced at the power source. Was it really safe to try this NOW? When she wasn’t fully able? A small voice in the back of her mind warned her that there were dangers to overdoing herself. Though she shook her head. They’d need this ready, soon. And while she’d love to create something that would do the job for them, it would draw too much attention if she was just able to magically come up with a solution.

So instead she shattered the delicate power source onto the ground, scattering it into a few dozen pieces. The amulet glowed and slowly, intricately, the pieces rose up and began to reform. Once again into four points, but the jade, sapphire and now-living vines of Everfree forming into a single, pulsing source. In the end, it didn’t look much different from how it had originally, but the magic that came from it was far more stable. Her own chaos magic moving with, and manipulating, the magic within. With this, she was certain her father would be able to create the field. And all it would look like was as if--

“Silver?”

Silver’s eyes widened and she almost dropped the power source, her head whipping around. A look of horror sprang onto her face when she realized who was standing there. “Button? Acrylic? What are… what are you doing here?”

But they weren’t looking at her. They were staring at the amulet around her neck. “Silver… We heard a crash. What’s… that?” Acrylic finally managed to choke out.

Silver felt the panic rising in her heart. “It’s a… it’s...” she started. But what could she say? It was the alicorn amulet? No, they could plainly see that. “It’s… a...” A novelty? A toy? A pretend? She tried to think of an excuse, but nothing good came to her mind. “It’s...”

“The alicorn amulet,” Button said softly. “Silver… how… do you have that?” he asked, confusing mixed with shock on his features, as well as a small hint of pain. Of worry. He stared at her.

“I… I...” Silver stared back at them and took a step back. No no no no. They knew. They’d know. How could she cover this up? It was so close! Soon, Tirek would be out of her hair. She couldn’t let them tell anyone. She had to stop them. “I… I’m sorry!” she shrieked. The alicorn amulet glowed with a blinding light…

And then the two were gone. She stared. “A-Acrylic? Button?” she asked. “Oh no. Oh no. W-what did I… Oh no no no no!” She stepped forward and only barely stopped herself in time, narrowly avoiding stomping on two small, tiny statues. She blinked and leaned down, staring at them. They were hoof sized little metal statues, perfect replicas of Acrylic and Button. Both with those shocked, confused looks on her face. “No no no no...” she whispered, shaking her head. “Oh please no… I’m sorry… I… I’ll turn you back. I promise. I just… I just...” She pulled back and began to pace back and forth. “No. Think this through. If you let them go, then the jig is up. Everything is done with. The alicorn amulet will be taken. And once she has that, there’s too many questions. Ponies WILL figure out who I am. And then… then stakes. And pitch forks. And who knows what else?”

Silver walked to the two small statues and picked them up in a hoof. She stared at them. No, they weren’t statues. They were figurines. She stared into their eyes and then slowly put them down. “No. No no. This isn’t… I won’t. They’ll understand. They’ll--”

“Do you really believe that?” a voice said from behind her. Silver jumped and turned around, staring at the ‘pony’ behind her. Trixie. The unicorn was sitting at her desk, though her body was see through and the chair didn’t move even slightly under her touch.

“You… h-how?” Silver asked. “You can manifest outside of…”

“A little. It’s not easy, though. Only for very important matters. More importantly, what are you doing?”

Silver glanced guiltily at the figurines. “I… I imprisoned my friends. It was an accident! I panicked and… and I saw them and they could ruin everything. I just--”

“Oh, no, I saw that. But you were going to release them, weren’t you?”

“...”

“And that’s why I’m here,” Trixie said with a sigh, before getting to her hooves and slowly walking towards her. It was odd, seeing a pony move, but not hearing any sound when they brushed past things, or her hooves against the floor. “You’re going to get yourself killed.”

“N-no I won’t. They’re my friends. They--”

“Do you think they’ll be your friends if they knew what you were?” she asked coldly. “Would YOU be your friend if you knew?” she asked viciously, lifting a hoof to touch the younger mare’s cheek. Surprisingly, Silver could feel it. “If you knew a pony who was the embodiment of all the destruction and pain and suffering of the last generation, would you just sit back and let them do their work? Or would you stop them in any way you could?”

“I...”

“Do you feel you’re strong enough to stop them?”

Silver stared and became all too aware of how much her head was throbbing. She whimpered and pulled back. “But… but they’re… they...”

“Yes, yes. They’re your ‘friends’. But they’re friends with ‘Silverbell, the beautiful heir to Tomorrow Industries’. Will they be friends with ‘Silverbell, the heir to all of Discord’s power and destruction. The pony secretly plotting behind all their backs to gain power and control’?”

Silver stared at the figurines in her hooves. “I… I...” She glanced back up, but the other mare was gone. “I don’t… I...” She closed her eyes and thought for a moment, though the headache made it a struggle. Finally, she slowly made her way to the desk and placed the small figurines on top of it. “I’m so… so sorry. Please. If you two can hear me, I’ll figure out how to get you out. I promise. Once… once I’m done. Just as soon as I finish my work. Just as soon as everything is… everything is ready...” she whispered, closing her eyes. She wiped the tears off her cheeks, before turning around and slowly lifting up the core with her artificial horn’s telekinesis. “But first… I need to go give this to daddy.”

Chapter 22: ME?!

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Ironwing glanced over towards the doorframe moments before Scootaloo appeared in it. “Hi, mom,” he said softly. He sighed and closed his eyes again. It had been… he didn’t know how long since he’d regained consciousness. A lot of his body still ached.

He had to give it to Goldentips and… whoever else had been there. They definitely knew HOW to make beating up a pony stick. He was almost impressed. He wasn’t sure how he had survived, he couldn’t shake the feeling he shouldn’t have. These ponies here were miracle workers. Though he swore if he EVER got his hooves on the ponies who did this to him he would break them like twigs.

“How are you feeling?” his mother asked softly, giving a small smile.

“Better. I’m guessing I know why you’re here,” he said with a sigh.

“…”

“I’m not stupid. I know you’re going with the assault squad. Has there been any news on Prism or Button?”

“No, not yet. They’re...”

“If they’re still missing, you shouldn’t go.”

Scootaloo gave a sigh. “I know. They’re--”

“Part of Diamond’s support. She’ll need them. Trust me. I saw them while we were on that mission. Together, I doubt there’s anything they couldn’t pull off. Don’t tell them I said that.”

Scootaloo snorted. “I won’t. The final preparations are underway, though. It’s too late. We couldn’t pull back now, even if we wanted to. There’s too much at stake, and we might not get another chance.”

“I know. I still don’t like this...”

“Nopony does. I take it Styx has been keeping you up to date on everything?”

“Of course.”

She nodded. “Then you know that we still have five of the most powerful benders in the world, as well as myself, on top of our other forces. You worry too much. All Diamond has to focus on is--”

“Last time, she had all of her friends. Button and Acrylic were there, they were pivotal.”

Scootaloo sighed and then stepped forward. “And I wasn’t, right?”

“… This is something new, something we don’t fully understand. You shouldn’t be there.”

“No, maybe not. But I’m needed,” she said with a small smile. “Don’t worry. Okay? This is our mess, at least most of it is. There’s no reason for us not to fix it.”

He sighed and shook his head. “And there’s every reason to not risk yourself. Just… be careful, okay? I know you idolize Rainbow and the others, but they can’t handle everything.”

“Just most of it,” she said with a roll of her eyes. “And I will, I promise.” She leaned in and pressed a soft kiss to his forehead. She snickered at the groan he gave in response. “You really are like your father.”

“Oh please don’t let those be the last words you say before you go,” he said with a groan.

“Fine. Any idea when you and Styx are planning to--”

“OKAY FINE I’M LIKE DAD BYE NOW!” Ironwing snapped, his cheeks burning.

Scootaloo snickered and turned, trotting towards the door.

------

Silver held her breath and stared, her eyes riveted to the miniature tower in the center of the room. Standing on four legs, it was covered in all manner of runes, ending in a crystal ball on top. The ball was glowing with a faint purple light.

Diamond moved a little closer to Silver, the worry evident on her face. This was it. They were almost out of time. If they wanted to stop them, they needed this test to work. Dozen’s of other ponies watched with bated breath while the ball’s light began to glow brighter, before expanding out in a glowing sphere of magical energy.

Silver cringed when it washed over her, a light tingling coursing through her bodies. The chaos magic flowed through the apparatus now lingered in the air. She couldn’t help but worry that somepony else would notice the difference, but fortunately nopony seemed to be able to separate the feeling of her magic from Everfree’s.

“Barrier is holding,” Secretary called out from across the warehouse. “Expand by three-hundred percent!” The barrier already coated the entirety of the building, but even so it rapidly grew. After a few moments, there was a loud horn from outside. “Distance test, success!” she called out.

“Perfect!” Alicity called. “Perform the first magic test!” he called.

Silver’s breath went still. Now would determine if everything they’d done was worth it. Six unicorns moved forward, taking places amongst two large teleportation circles. The most powerful they could create. An apple was placed inside one, and then test began.

Six unicorns working in tandem caused the circles to glow. The room went still while nearly everypony held their breath. Watching and waiting.

Then nothing happened.

A cheer tore through the building, loud enough to almost shatter the windows.

Alicity, however, didn’t stop. “Next test!” he called. “Team two and three!”

Despite his desire to test, however, the spirits were already lifted as ponies and the audience quickly started filtering out, planning their own little celebrations. Fortunately, the other teams were moving forward as instructed, testing alternate forms of magic in the field to see how it was affected. Afterwards, they would test bending. Silver couldn’t help but smile while she watched. There did seem to be a bit of difficulty using other magic, but the only type that seemed to be completely stopped was teleportation. With her father’s invention, they could do this.

“I guess that’s it, then,” Diamond said softly, staring at the invention. “We have the tools to stop them. We have the hooves. We… we can do this...” she mumbled. She then shook her head and glanced to Silver. “Do… you mind if we talk for a little bit? In your office?”

“Huh? Oh. Yeah. Let’s go to my office...” the earth pony mumbled, turning and trotting towards the exit. The two walked through the compound, not speaking. Silver’s mind raced across a dozen different avenues of conversation, but none of them felt right to start. Finally, the two found their way into her office. When she entered, she couldn’t help but find her eyes drawn to a case up against the wall, filled with all manner of random trinkets. Which included Button and Acrylic in small, stony form. A constant reminder of her screw up. “So, we’re here. Nervous about the big fight?”

“Terrified, yeah,” the alicorn mumbled, before sighing. “Can we… talk? For a bit? I mean like… just… don’t tell anypony?”

“Always,” Silver said, reaching out a hoof to shove the door shut. “You know I’m here for you, no matter what. So… what’s wrong?”

“Nothing… everything. I… I don’t know,” Diamond said, trotting to the window and looking out at the sky. “My stomach is in knots and I keep wanting to just throw up. This whole thing I just… I want it to be over. I’m scared… you know?”

“Scared?”

“What if I can’t do this?” she asked, glancing back. “What if I’m not strong enough?”

“I’m… I’m sorry?” Silver asked.

“I mean. I’ve talked to… but like… they...” She groaned and face hoofed. “What if I can’t win? They are absorbing the powers of a LOT of ponies! What if I can’t win? What if I lose? Acrylic and Button are missing, on top of it. Without the four of us, we… we’re a team. You know?”

“You won’t lose. You’re--”

“Twilight lost all the time!” Diamond said. “Her stories? Everypony tells me how much she won. But how many times did she LOSE to get to that point? How many times did Trixie, or Nightmare Moon or even Discord kick her butt?”

Silver cringed at the last one, turning to look back at the statues. “Well… yes. For a bit. But you’re a hero, Diamond. It’s… who you are. You’re--”

“I’m the Avatar, I know. But what if I’m NOT a good one? Twilight was so strong, and brave and smart. I’m not like her. I’m talented, yeah. I’m an incredible fighter. But that’s it. And I’m trying to be like her. To act like her. But what if I can’t be? What if she’s so incredible, so amazing, and I just can’t do that?”

“You don’t have to be… exactly like her...” Silver mumbled. “But you can’t not be the Avatar.”

“But what if I… what if I don’t want to be the Avatar?”

The earth pony froze. “Ex… excuse me?”

“What if I don’t want to be the Avatar anymore? What if I don’t want the responsibility? What if I just say like… buck it, and run off and hide and not have everypony depend on me and everypony count on me and… and everypony… and not… let everypony down when I fail...”

“Diamond...” Silver whispered, slowly stepping forward. “You can’t...”

“What? Just because I’m the Avatar doesn’t mean I HAVE to be like all of them, does it? I mean… like… their past doesn’t have to decide my future, right?”

Silver froze, her eyes widening. Once again, she found her eyes drifting to the case. “I don’t...”

Diamond gave a sigh and turned back to her friend, shaking her head. “I’m sorry. I’m just… scared. The others… I get so many different voices telling me things. Like… Applejack says if I can’t do this, it’s fine, they’ll cover for me. But it doesn’t work like that, does it? Nopony can cover for me, can they? Sure, they can for this one fight, this one time. But what about the next? Or the one after that? Or the one after that?” she asked softly. “Every fight, every big fight I have I’m so certain, ‘Okay, this is the last one’. But there is always something bigger and badder across the horizon, and then I have to work all over again. And what happens when the ‘bigger and badder’ thing is just… too much for me? What happens when I CAN’T beat it?”

Silver stared at her, her mouth falling open. “Can’t… beat it?”

“Yes! It’s like… What happens then?” Diamond asked, motioning a hoof towards the horizon. “You know what happens then? I fail, and I die. that’s my destiny. To keep fighting off bad thing after bad thing, until I die and somepony else becomes the Avatar takes on the next bad thing. And it’s just… kind of scary, you know? How do I go against my destiny like that?”

The earth pony slowly looked away. “You… can’t. Can you? I mean… it’s your destiny. Just… just because… I mean, look at what happened to Twilight, she--”

“She saved the world and then was killed by Trixie,” Diamond interrupted. “Isn’t the same thing just going to happen to me? What if this IS my Trixie? What if we go out there and she… Or worse. What if there’s another, even bigger threat right behind her? What if they strike when the--”

“STOP!” Silver yelled, before covering her mouth and blushing. She stared at the alicorn and shook her head. “Just… stop. That’s not going to happen. You’re not going to die. And… and even if you DO let everypony down? Who cares? It’s their own fault for expecting you to carry everything for them.”

Diamond blinked a few times, staring at her. “But… I don’t...”

“But… you’re right. You can’t go against your destiny...” Silver gently rubbed her throat. “No matter what you do, you’ll always be the Avatar. And there will likely always be threats… so… long as you’re the Avatar. But you know what? You’re amazing. And we’ll all be by your side, facing it together. No matter what. So even if your destiny is to keep fighting, you’ll never do it alone, I promise! Even if… whatever we have to fight is super terrible and awful. Okay? I’ll always be by your--”

Silver’s words were cut off by Diamond stepping in, pressing her lips against the other mare’s.

“MMMFFFFFF?!!!” Silver objected, quickly stumbling back. Her cheeks were burning and she SWORE she could hear Trixie in the back of her mind, gagging. “Y-you kissed me! You kissed me! Why did you kiss me? You can’t kiss ME of all ponies?! Why did you kiss me?!”

Diamond urked, her cheeks burning. She quickly looked away, shaking her head. “I… I mean… I just… I...”

“Me! You kissed me!”

“I just… you were so… and I really wanted… I just...” The alicorn shook her head. “I-I don’t know. I just… I… really like you and I think I’ve really liked you for a while. And… and all of this has been so… hard. You know? I’ve been thinking and reacting and things have been crazy and... But… you’re always there. And you were so… and I just… I...”

“… I...” Silver said gently, before shaking her head. “I just… I need to think. Please. I just...”

“I-I’m sorry… I just… guhhh… Did I just mess everything up?”

The earth pony stared at her for the longest time. Before finally, she shook her head. “Yes, you did. But in the best… possible way. I just… I need some time to think. We’re leaving soon. We can talk on the ship, okay?”

Diamond nodded, giving a small, weak smile. “Of course. I… I can’t wait. And… and thank you. For everything.”

“Of course… after all, what are friends for?” Silver smiled while she watched her friend trot away, before letting out a sigh of relief once the door closed. She then turned towards the two small statues of Button and Acrylic. “I’m so, so, so sorry. But you know what? It’s going to be okay. I’ve made my decision. And it--”

“And what, exactly, is that decision?” Trixie asked, making the earth pony jump.

Silver turned back and glared at the ghostly form of the long dead general. “Of course. Enjoy the show?”

“You kissed the Avatar.”

“Well, she kissed me, technically.”

“You still, ew, how COULD you? She stands against everything that, well, WE stand for!”

“Nope. She stands against everything you stand for. Not me.”

The unicorn’s eyes narrowed. “And what, exactly, does that mean?”

“It means I was wrong. You were wrong. I’m going to tell her everything. Just as soon as I deal with Tirek. I already have everything in place for it, he should be easy enough to deal with. So long as there are no surprises. I’ll just… have to alter the end a bit. But this will work, if we can get him to stop teleporting around. And then I’ll tell her everything and I’ll give her the Alicorn Amulet.”

“WHAT?! Are you insane? She’ll kill--”

“No, she won’t!” Silver snapped. “She’s my FRIEND!”

“You don’t GET friends!” Trixie snarled back, moving inches from her nose. “You’re Discord’s--”

“I am Silver Spoon,” she said, waving her hoof through the other mare, making her disappear like the memory she was. “And I will. Not. Be. Discord’s. Tool. The Avatar is my friend and she won’t lay a hoof on me. Even… even knowing this. You’ll see.”

There was nothing but silence and, for a moment, she believed the other mare had finally given up.

Except she soon heard a light chuckle. “Very well,” Trixie’s voice echoed in her head. “Tell her… But when she turns on you. When the Avatar looks at you the way the world does… remember. I warned you,” she sang.

Silver sighed and trotted to her desk, resting a hoof on it. “That won’t happen. We’ll face this threat together...”

The earth pony’s eyes moved up, to the statues of her friends. “And then we’ll be friends. Real friends. No more secrets… No more lies. I’ll fix everything. And I’ll spend my whole life making up for all of this, no matter what it takes. Just… please be patient. Please.”

Chapter 23: War

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Diamond stared into the wind, letting the air flow around her and send her mane in all different directions. Far below, the world flew by. Another airship voyage. She wondered if this one would end in just as much disaster as so many of her past ones. She swore she could feel Twilight cringing in the back of her mind everytime she stepped a hoof on one.

Then again, this one was already beginning with disaster. Acrylic and Button were gone and there were still no leads on where they were. The last pony to have seen them was Scootaloo. They’d never made it to Silver, as far as anypony knew. She’d have suspected it was Meadowbrook, except the four had been identified in an attack during the same time. So her friends just disappeared into the wind.

Just like a certain daughter of the Avatar. If they’d had more time, they’d have sent search party after search party for them. But they just couldn't. All she could do was hope that they were okay and that they’d stay okay until AFTER this fight. Once this was all over, she promised she’d find them, even if she had to turn the world upside down to do it.

“You look awfully serious,” a voice called, making the alicorn jump. Diamond glanced back and smiled. “Silver… just… thinking. that’s all.”

The earth pony nodded, trotting forward to gaze out over the horizon. “We’re almost there. Nervous, I take it?”

“I feel like I swallowed a whole hive of bees and they’re flying around my stomach,” Diamond mumbled. “You?”

“Similar. I ummm… about earlier...”

“I know. Not right now, right? I understand, it--”

“No. Not that,” Silver said, moving closer and staring into Diamond’s eyes. “About what I said.”

“Huh?”

“About your destiny. Even if it IS your destiny, that doesn’t matter. What matters is who you are. Okay? Destiny, fate, all of that, it doesn’t mean anything. Even if you… so what if all the past Avatars were like that? Or had all these things that came up? They’re not you. You’re you. You’re the ONLY you. Even if that was the destiny of your past selves, that doesn’t mean it has to be your destiny. You can look those other destiny’s in the face and go ‘buck you, I’m Diamond Tiara and I don’t care’.”

“… What? What brought this on?” Diamond asked, a smile slowly forming on her face.

“I just thought about it, is all. After how you were so...”

“Whiny? Yeah. I know. I just… with Acrylic and Button missing, and everything coming up I just… I freaked out a bit. I guess. But I didn’t mean it. I wouldn’t run from this. No matter how hard or scary it is sometimes, I’m the Avatar. The world needs me. And if I mess up, or even if I die, I’ll keep being the Avatar no matter what. Even if there’s always a big bad monster or pony or even another Trixie on the other side, I’ll stare it down, then kick its flank until it runs home to mommy.”

Silver snickered and gave a small nod. “Of course. And I’ll be by your side every step of the way.”

Diamond nodded. “So… what made you come out here? New reports in?”

“… Yes. And it’s worrying,” the earth pony mumbled. “We’ve directed everything we could to this. We’ve sent out scouts, but there’s been no signs of them. As terrible as it sounds, even if the scouts didn’t return, that would tell us something. They should have been here, though...”

“Are we sure they’re going to the Earth Kingdom?”

“Of course, there’s really not much reason they’d be going all this way. They practically burned a giant arrow. They’ve gotten cocky, they don’t think we can stop them anymore. But they’re wrong.”

Diamond sighed, shaking her head. It had been a few days since the last attack. At the pace they were moving, they should have been arriving just a little behind them. While there were plenty of places for them to cross, this area was the easiest to slip through the border. And the entire border was on alert now. If they tried to go anywhere else, somepony would notice.

Even if one of the border guards went down, that would tell them something. But silence? That was just disturbing. “Is the nullifier ready to go?”

“Yeah,” Silver mumbled. “Once it’s up, there will be no way for them to teleport. We’ll have them. No escape.”

“… And if we can’t win?”

“We’ll win.”

“They’ve got a lot of magic.”

“We’ve got a lot of benders,” Silver said with a cocky smirk. “Some of the best around, in case you’ve forgotten? We’ll kick their flanks. And isn’t that supposed to be your line?”

Diamond snickered. “If only. I haven’t been feeling good to make that particular line in a while. After this, post flank kicking, I’ll try again. Promise. After some of the hoof prints on my flank heal,” she said with a small smile of her own. “It’s--”

The alicorn was almost knocked off her hooves when the ship suddenly turned harshly to the right. She yelped and gripped the railing, holding on for dear life. “What’s going on?!”

Silver braced her hooves, lowering herself closer to the ground. “I-I don’t know!” The ship turned fully, aiming back the way they’d come. Once the ship was steady, she turned and galloped back towards the bridge. “What in the world--”

“It’s Harmony,” Secretary cut her off, staring through the glass at the sky beyond besides Dr. Alicity.

“W-what?”

“An attack. No. A declaration of war,” she said gently. “They launched a full frontal attack on the city. Lava through the street. A sonic rainboom in the middle of the buildings. It was… It’s...”

“H-how? That’s impossible! They couldn’t have galloped that fast! They--”

“How else? Teleportation. This has all been a decoy,” the mare said, her voice icy cold. Diamond swore she could actually see anger in the other mare’s normally calm appearance. “We’re heading back now to plan.”

Diamond ground a hoof into the ground. Then she shook her head. “There has to be SOMETHING we can do! We can’t just let this end here!”

“We’re not going to,” Rainbow’s voice came from behind, making their heads whip around. Applejack, Rarity, Scootaloo, Sweetie and Applebloom were all standing behind her.

“What?” Diamond asked. “What are we--”

“We’re going after them, obviously,” Rainbow said with a smirk.

“And how exactly do you plan to do that?” Silver asked, unable to keep the frustration out of her voice. “They’re just four ponies. They--”

“We’re not gonna catch ‘em like this, either,” Applejack said, shaking her head. “We need tah trim down. We gotta move fast an’ hard. Just a hoofful of us. No big ships, no massive crews. We keep leavin’ ourselves vulnerable like this. Movin' too slow. Can’t get our forces goin’ fast enough. But if we move jus’ as fast? We can catch ‘em.”

“H-huh? We don’t even know where they are,” Silver said. “And we still need to--”

“We’ll find them,” Rarity said, shaking her head. “While I was opposed to this idea from the get go… this new development just shows that we have to strike hard and fast. We tried to outsmart them, but it didn’t work. Now, we need to move as fast as we can after them.”

Diamond nodded. “I’m all for it. But… how are we going to track them?”

The ruler of the Water Nation just gave a powerful chortle into her hoof. “Oh, darling. I spent YEARS tracking certain… ponies around. I have more than a few ways. In fact… I have a few ideas as it is.” She then glanced to Secretary. “We’re going to take one of the smaller boats. Once Harmony is secured, do what you can to aid them. And send reinforcements when you can. We don’t know if we’ll need them… but… The more ponies searching, the better.”

The alicorn nodded. “I… but what about the teleportation nullifier? We can’t just haul it around with us. We--”

“You can,” Alicity said, the first words he had said since they arrived. The coldness to his tone sent a shiver down Diamond’s back. There wasn’t an ounce of his normal happiness or glee. “It might not be exactly how you want it, but if we adjust one of the life boats, it should work for what you need.”

“Sir?” Secretary asked.

“It’s really our only shot,” the stallion said, turning and walking towards the exit. “Give us a few hours, please. We’ll have everything you need.” The serious expression on his face made the ponies merely nod.

Once he was out of the room, Diamond let out a low cough. “I… don’t think I’ve ever seen him look so… that...” she mumbled.

“… I never have,” Silver whispered. She shook her head. “I’m going to go help. You’ll need somepony who knows how… well, whatever we’re making operates.”

“Huh? You shouldn’t--”

Silver’s artificial wings crackled with electricity. “Also, you need somepony who can operate the nullifier. I can better than anypony else aside from my father. Don’t argue, I’m coming. And I can either come with you, or I can follow behind you at a good forty feet. Which would put me at more risk than--”

“Fine, fine!” the alicorn said with a shake of her head. “I wasn’t going to say that! I was going to say you shouldn’t forget that two of us will likely be flying, so go for speed over cargo space. Okay?” The alicorn gave a small smirk. “Besides. I’ve gone on enough adventures with you to know that there’s no way I’m going to be able to go off without you.”

“Huh, will you look at that,” Rainbow said with a snort. “An Avatar who remembers that basic rule. Maybe we’ve got a chance, after all. Ah, who’m I kidding? I’m here, we’re gonna kick their flanks.”

“Now don’t yah go countin’ yer eggs ‘fore they hatch,” Applejack said with a shake of her head. “We still gotta find ‘em. An’ even then, we gotta pin ‘em down. Yah all know how hard it can be tah do that with a small group. Then we gotta hope that special gadget of all theirs can stop them from teleportin’ all over the place. An’ then--”

“We get it, ugh!” Rainbow said with a groan. “It’s a million to one odds, all that stuff. Right? So what? We kicked Discord’s butt, we’ll kick this mare’s butt. They’re probably running scared right now. And once we find them? They’re toast.”

------

“I’m. So. Borrrrrred,” Shining said, groaning. “How long until they get here?”

“Can you shut up?” Dazzling asked, glancing over from his small game of solitaire. “We don’t know. We didn’t know five minutes ago when you asked. We didn’t know ten minutes ago when you asked. We didn’t know any of the hundred times you’ve asked. So will you please. Just. Shut. UP?!” he yelled, stomping a hoof down.

“Heh. You two are cute,” Hothoof said with a snicker. “You need to relax, they’ll find us. Any earth bender worth their salt could track us.”

Dazzling growled and flapped her wings, once. “Ughhhh. This is so boring! Why couldn’t we just keep doing what we were doing?! I wanna stretch out my wings! What’s the point of all this power if I can’t USE it?!”

“If you don’t stop complaining, I’ll make it so you can’t use your wings, either,” Meadowbrook said when she trotted into the room.

“A-ack! Heyyyy, Meadowbrook. How goes the plan?” Shining asked, giving a weak smile.

“Well. They’ll come,” the unicorn said, frustration evident on her features. The attack had been meant to lure Diamond to them, now that they were ready. To a place of their choosing. But she’d also been hoping to catch the Avatar of Discord away from the others, to get those remnants of power before facing the Avatar of Harmony. Instead, it looked like they were together. However, to her delight she had felt some small traces of the powerful spirit’s magic and had even been able to absorb some of it. Not all, but enough to know she was now strong enough she could. She’d even managed to, slowly, absorb the lingering fragments of magic from Starlight as well.

All that remained now was for the final battle to take place. If she could just get her hooves on the alicorn amulet, she could absorb them both. She glanced to his three minions and nodded. “Your job will be simple. Make sure nopony but the avatar and that other earth pony get by you. Everypony else stays out.”

“Yeah, yeah, gate keeper duty, easy,” Shining said with a sigh. “Total waste of my powers. And after…?”

“Once this is done, you three will gain more power than you’ve ever thought possible,” Meadowbrook said with a smirk. “After all, I’ll need avatars of my own once all of this is finished. Ones I can depend on. Ones that… don’t… annoy me...” he said, giving a warning glance to Shining.

“I know, I know,” she mumbled, glancing away from him. “I’m just tired of waiting. Why don’t we just run at them?”

“Because I can’t keep teleporting us away. They’ve probably got all kinds of defenses set up now, if we attack them,” Meadowbrook said with an annoyed roll of her eyes. “But they can’t bring those with them. So now, we just have to be patient and wait.”

Shining nodded, moving a hoof over her lips as if she were zipping them closed, then giving the unicorn a smile. Once Meadowbrook walked off, past them and into the other room to check on Starlight, she sighed. “She’s totally going to betray us once she kills the Avatar, right?”

“Definitely,” Hothoof said with a nod.

“Honestly, I’m surprised you picked up on it,” Dazzling said with a shrug. “But yes, in this you are correct. Ponies like that won’t give up power. Or… well. Whatever she is,” he said with a dismissive wave of his hoof.

“So… our plan, then?” Shining asked.

“Hope the Avatar wins?” Hothoof said, before snorting. “Nah. We’ll wing it.”

“Obviously, we run," Dazzling said, his hoof tapping the ground. "Once she’s started fighting with the Avatar, we deal with whatever… others there are. Then we run. Go our separate ways. We’re stronger than we’ve ever been and, despite how powerful she is, she DOES need us. Without us, she’ll be quite vulnerable. We could possibly trade information on her away for relief from our crimes. Well. You may. I have… other plans.”

Shining glanced back, her mouth falling open. “Wait, what? How much thought have you put into this?”

“A lot.”

“And that’s the best you could come up with?”

“It’s not like we have a lot of options. She’s far more powerful than all three of us. And each of us is worth a dozen benders by now.”

“I was worth a dozen benders before I got this power!” Shining snapped.

“Of course. But the point is, we run when she is at her most vulnerable. That’s all there is to it.”

Shining snorted, then shrugged. “Fine, whatever. First thing I’m going to do? Wipe out Cloudsdale. Gonna set off a rainboom. No, two. Right over the Wonderbolt facilities. Heh. Buncha failures, they couldn’t even hope to do what I can. Especially now. Wipe all of them out, one by one.”

“Mmmm hmm,” Dazzling said, before flipping over a few cards. “So much for keeping a low profile. You do realize she’ll come right after you. Right?”

“Meh. Without you three slowing me down, I can out run her. What do you plan to do, Hothoof?”

“… I think I’ll open a hot springs resort. For like. Dragons.”

Both ponies stopped everything and stared at him. After a few moments, Dazzling spoke up. “… Why… a hot springs? For… dragons?”

“Lava’s good for that. Dragons are cool. Maybe burn down that metal city of Big Mac’s, while I’m at it.”

Shining shook her head. “Well… o… kay then. How about you, tight ass? Any wild, exciting plans?”

The unicorn sighed. “You two will likely not be free for long, if you manage to escape. But yes. There are a few ponies I was supposed to kill, but never did. I hate leaving work unfinished...” Dazzling said before flipping over another card. “Other than that… I’m not quite sure. Perhaps I’ll pay the princesses a visit. Or maybe start a school. I always thought I’d make a fine teacher.”

“Pfffft, what could YOU teach a pony?”

“The same arts I know. Our country has a long, happy history with assassinations. It’s a shame that their highnesses are attempting so desperately to stamp it out. But the fact remains it is who we are,” he said, glancing up at her. “There are so many different ways to kill a pony, that will become lost if nopony steps in to teach them.”

“… You are so lame.”

“And you are tactless and crude. Your point?”

“Ughhhh...”

“Idiots...” Meadowbrook muttered, leaning against the door of the makeshift ‘dungeon’. She glanced to the embedded bars and the mare behind them. She cocked an eye at the bunny her captive was holding in her hooves. “Is that the same bunny we… no. Impossible. How are you feeling?”

“There’s a… cork in my… head.”

“… Huh. Okay, that actually is better. I wonder if that means you’re recovering?” she said before shrugging. “Either way… You’re no longer necessary to my desires. And I expect you’ll only get in the way, now. But you may still have a use.” She tapped a hoof and the stony wall behind the mare opened into the world. “Perhaps if you’re lucky, well… you’ll come across the Avatar and her friends on the way here.” A small, cruel smile formed on her lips. “My… I hope you’re lucky.”

Starlight blinked, staring at the other mare that wore her face. She then looked down at the bunny. It nodded and motioned. Slowly, she stepped out into the world, the bunny racing after and hopping onto her back. Meadowbrook shook her head and with a tap of her hoof, the wall closed behind the mare.

“And now, the final pieces are on their way...” she muttered, glancing to her hooves. “Let’s see what your chosen can do, shall we? It’ll be so satisfying to swallow those last vestiges of power of yours, my master,” she said with a smirk, before turning towards the other room. She glanced over the three, the final pawns of hers. Let them flee, she didn’t care. So long as she got the time she needed, it didn’t matter. Once she had the alicorn amulet, there would be nothing that could possibly stop her.

Chapter 24: Thoughts

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Alicity couldn’t keep the frown off his face when he walked through the compound. Windows had been shattered from the effects of the sonic rainboom. Rainbooms, he supposed. A small part of his mind idly wondered just how much magic was stored in a sonic rainboom. He’d managed to get a few measurements and learned that the magic itself didn’t tend to come from the user, so much as they drew it out from the surrounding magic that pegasi used to fly. Granted, there was far more to it than just that, as the user wasn’t just cutting the air, they were slicing through magic itself at that point. The amount of power and precision needed to perform such an act would have to be tremendous. It was no wonder only two ponies had ever actually achieved it, at least in recent records.

He walked into his home, the frown on his face only deepening. The main city had been attacked, the compound had mostly been ignored. At least… that’s what he’d first suspected. However, there were signs that somepony had come through. The teleportation trackers had definitely picked up somepony coming here when they were gone, then leaving. He just wanted to know why.

Why. Such a simple word, but one he’d wrapped his whole life around. It had started with ‘why was I born as an earth pony?’ and became ‘why CAN’T I use the same type of magic as a unicorn?’ and, most recently, ‘why can’t we break the third law of Beagleton’s strawberry wall conundrum’? There were just so many things that ponies accepted as facts, when what they should have been asking was ‘why is this fact?’

Ponies seemed to think he was a genius, but he wasn’t. At least, not the way most were. He just didn’t let things like ‘rules’ or ‘logic’ get in the way. It was why he was able to do so much with magic that unicorns just COULDN’T. They had so many presumptions. They never thought to themselves ‘If I use silver instead of rock’ or ‘If I filter out the daisies before adding the obsidian’ or ‘What if I made a BIGGER fire?’

Sure, ninety percent of his findings were complete dead ends and failures. But his constant asking of ‘why’ had given him a knowledge of magic and arcane that most unicorns would only dream of, let alone earth ponies. And those little learnings were often what mixed and built up until eventually they became something truly profitable and amazing.

The fact that he was incredibly good at marketing had helped as well, of course. It was amazing how many of his ‘useless’ inventions had turned out to be priceless treasures once the right spin was applied.

But some were truly innovative and created a new world. Like the artificial wings. There had always been pegasus magic and unicorn magic. There were even spells to let ponies fly, though they tended to be quite difficult. There’d even been attempts to create single pony flight for generations, most had ended in failure. The fact of the matter was, it just wasn’t possible for a pony who wasn’t built for it, to endure the stress the flight caused on their bodies by the flight, without expending vast amounts of magic. Gravity didn’t like to lose.

So he’d just made sure the ponies didn’t have to. The gems took all the force, which was why they didn’t function without them. Which was why they had advanced so quickly, despite what they’d done having been ‘impossible’. It was why he had been able to crack the very makeup of pony ‘magic’ and connect to it. To begin driving ponies up. To make ALL ponies equal by giving EVERYPONY magic, by giving EVERYPONY flight.

And it was why he was staring at the door of his daughter’s office, which was open. “Sir?” Secretary asked, eying him. “Where ever she is now, it’s not here.”

“I know,” he muttered softly. Slowly he stepped into the office and looked around. Why had the mare come here? The office looked fine. Paperwork, some furniture, a desk, a case with a bunch of random things and a pair of cracked pony figures. Nothing looked rummaged through or mangled. It all just looked fine.

So why couldn’t he shake the feeling that something was wrong? Something he’d overlooked? Something that was staring him in the face all along? He felt his frustration growing. Finally, he glanced to Secretary. “Something’s wrong.”

“Sir?”

“Something we’ve overlooked. Something from Meadowbrook. Get the ship ready. Fully stocked. We may need to go again.”

“Fully stocked, sir?” she asked softly.

“Fully. Not for speed this time. I’m not sure when we’ll be going. Or where. But...” he trailed off. Finally, he shook his head. “I don’t know where. But better safe than sorry.”

Secretary nodded, staring at him for a while. She’d dedicated many, many years of her life to his service. And yet she could only remember a hoofful of times when he had ever been so serious. She wasn’t sure what was going to take place but…

Whatever it was, she trusted his intuition. They’d have to be prepared.

-----

“This is too easy,” Diamond mumbled while she looked over their small caravan. Applejack and Applebloom were in front of the small, rapid vessel they’d acquired in order to transport their secret weapon. Silver was on the vessel, ensuring it matched all specifications and doing a last safety check.

It was too, too easy. How long had it taken them to pick up the trail after they left? A little more than a day. And since then they’d been following it, with ease. It had been so, so incredibly easy that it had to be a trap. And what pony in their right mind would try to trap THEM? She glanced over the assortment of benders and Shadowbolt she’d joined with. Would it be enough? Was the trail so obvious because they couldn’t--

No. No no no. If Meadowbrook had intended to just fight them, then she would have. There would have been no reason to lure them all here. So what was the purpose? Why trick them to begin with?

------

Silver rubbed her arm, trying to shake off that uneasy itchy feeling that seemed to flow through her veins. She could feel it, all the little enchantments and traps surrounding them. She was amazed the others couldn’t.

Then again, she was special, she supposed. Those spells were unnatural, chaotic. Defenses? No. Something else. They reeked of her own magic. Yet, somehow different. Cobbled together from who knew how many different types of magic. A chaotic mess. Not true chaos magic, but rather chaotic magic wrought by disharmony of the caster. Not pure.

And it made her body itch, just imagining it. So close and mundane, yet so strange and alien. A very obvious trap. She wondered if the others could feel it. Could sense how close they were coming. The final fight was almost upon them. After this, there would be no more threats, no more dangers. She and Diamond would be friends. She’d make it up to Button and Acrylic. They’d forgive her, she knew they would. They had to. they’d all understand why she did what she did.

She rubbed her neck, feeling the odd tingle of enchantments of her own. They had to stop Tirek before they could proceed. SHE had to stop Tirek. And together, she knew they could. Would. After that, she would fix everything.

------

Rainbow glided lazily above, even with the vessel below carrying everypony along as fast as it could, she kept up with ease. Then again, she wasn’t one of the best fliers the Wonderbolts had ever seen for no reason. And she supposed she was only technically keeping pace with their guides, and Applejack was hardly the fastest thing ever, at least when tracking.

Normally she’d have wanted to flaunt that fact. Today? She only felt this pit of dread in her stomach. Not that she’d lose, no. She knew she’d win. But then what? She’d ‘won’ against Shining Blast before. And other ponies had died for it. She felt a low pain in her heart.

How had her student turned out so wrong? She’d always encouraged her, always pushed her to be the best she could. How had she failed to imbue the fact that being awesome only mattered if you did it for the right reasons? That there was no point if everypony hated you? If you hurt ponies? How had she managed to distill all of her awesome into such a small, amazing pony…

And yet have it all turn out so bad? Have it cost her her husband, the lives of countless ponies, the…

She felt tears welling in her damaged eyes and she quickly shook her head, flapping her wings and doubling her pace. Now was not the time for doubts. She had to stop Shining. And only she could. This was her mistake, and she had to fix it. One way or another.

------

Applejack tapped her hoof again, frowning when she so easily picked up the trail of Hothoof. He was like a runaway avalanche, leaving a trail even a blind filly could follow. They hadn’t teleported, they’d ran. But why? This was so easy. So obvious.

Still, she couldn’t help but smirk, glancing towards her little sister. Hothoof was a threat. And possibly stronger than he’d ever been. But together? There wasn’t anything that could stop the two of them. The only way they could have been better prepared was if Big Mac was here. Even so, it didn’t matter how much magic that lava bender had acquired. He was a big boulder, barreling down without direction or skill. Probably stronger than them, but not smarter.

And he’d never win against the two of them. She wouldn’t lose her sister, never again.

------

Rarity stared out ahead, her mind twisting and turning. Back home, her daughter Colgate was ruling the Water Nation well, that she knew. She had more than a few trusted ponies watching over her. Not to mention her younger sibling’s, Celestia and Luna. As long as the three of them were together, she KNEW they’d succeed and make her proud.

But ruling the Water Nation required more than just making her proud. They had to be strong, brave. And most importantly, be willing to make the tough decisions. To face the world, even when most of it hated them. She hoped they were ready for what would come. To shoulder the burden of their history. And she so desperately wanted to believe they were. To believe they were ready to face all that the world would throw at them.

But she couldn’t help but worry. It was a mother’s perogative. Even now they were pursuing Dazzling Sapphires. A giant beacon displaying what the Water Nation had once been. Her failure. Somepony she couldn’t save, no matter how hard she’d tried. A pony who had been swept up in the destruction their country had once wielded, and had it deeply piercing through them.

She didn’t blame him for what he’d become, no. It was just as much the nation’s fault as it was his. Were he born a generation before, he likely would have become one of the nation’s most powerful and deadly weapons. Songs would have been created in his honor. Heck, he may have even been wedded into the royal family, even.

But the nation had no place for him now. It didn’t have space for somepony who wanted to kill and destroy. Who didn’t understand that they weren’t a part of that anymore. That the Water Nation had to make up for the scars it had created. Not create new ones.

And it was up to her and Sweetie to stop these scars from growing. Once and for all. Slowly, her hoof reached out to put a comforting leg around her little sister. The younger unicorn looked up in surprise, but slowly gave a knowing, comforting smile before leaning in.

She just hoped she’d live to see these scars heal.

------

Luna stared out over their kingdom. Behind him, he could hear his sister getting dressed. The dark prince was already prepared in the flowing, Water Nation robes proudly displaying their symbol. He glanced back towards his nightstand and all the letters across it. Reports mostly.

He felt a little tingle in his heart. Something pulling at the strings. Like a small needle that did enough damage to sting, but nothing serious. One of those reports weighed heavily on his mind, like a boulder on his back. Button and Acrylic had disappeared. Who knew where? He trusted them to be able to take care of themselves. He hoped.

But he knew they were ‘good’, but not the best. They had weaknesses. Flaws. Things that others could use against them. And as much as he wanted to believe they could handle anything and everything that would come their way, he could not shake the dread and sadness that something terrible was happening. That Button needed him. And he was here, so far away. He gave yet another prayer to the stars that they would all be safe. That if they needed him, he would be able to be there. Even if Button didn’t feel for him anymore, he knew the world would be a darker place without that hyper, exciteable and wonderful earth pony inside it.

“Bit for your thoughts?” Celestia asked as she walked forward, a cocky grin on your face. “Double or nothing if I guess them? Button?”

“Am I really so obvious?” Luna asked with a sigh.

“I read the report, I’d have to be stupid not to know,” she said with a sigh, sitting by her brother. Luna glanced over and her horn illuminated, straightening the mare’s hat. “He’s going to be fine. He’s tough, remember? Besides. He’s part of the Avatar’s gang. No way they can lose.”

“Mother lost often.”

“None of them died.”

“But they still lost, all the time. Losing a part of themselves can be just as bad. A small death all its own,” he said, shaking his head.

Celestia sighed and gave a nod, glancing out over their nation as well. “Colgate’s got things working fine. She doesn’t need both of us. You could--”

`“No. My place is here. For now,” Luna said firmly, shaking his head.

“You don’t need to push yourself so hard...”

“I wouldn’t be me if I did not. And you would not be you. We have a duty, one neither of us can shirk.”

Celestia groaned. “I swear, you are such a downer… how did I end up with such a brother like that?”

Luna shrugged. “One of us has to be. There’s a storm coming on the horizon.”

“A storm? I don’t see any… wait, do you mean like. A figurative one?”

“No, I mean literally. I can feel it in the air. It crackles like lightning, and the moisture feels wrong,” he said with a sigh. “But also… figurative. I suppose. Something feels wrong. Just… wrong. Like there’s something we missed. Something we should have noticed, but failed to.”

“You sure you’re not just worried about Button?”

“No. That’s what makes this even more concerning,” he said with a sigh. “I keep going over the events in the Badlands. I feel there is something I missed. Something I should have seen. Should have prepared for. And it’s...” He shook his head.

“And it has only just started to… become noticeable?” Celestia mumbled.

“Indeed… do… you feel it too?”

“Yeah. I thought I was just nuts but… I started to notice a little bit before that report on Ironwing. It was kinda like...”

“Like a weird fog had lifted. Like something was hiding things and suddenly we could see them?” Luna asked with a shake of his head.

“Exactly. There’s something going on. Something we missed and… I don’t know what it is, either. It’s driving me nuts, too.”

“Mmm hmm...” Luna mumbled. “It’s subtle, though. Whatever it was… it wasn’t obvious. Just… something out of place. And no matter how many times I go over the voyage, I can’t think of what it could be.”

Celestia sighed and gave a nod. “Yeah… hopefully we’re both just paranoid. But...”

“But we’d best be ready. And we’d best tell Colgate. Something… something is coming. And there’s no telling what it is. But we need to be ready.”

------

Ironwing groaned, staring out over the horizon, a frown once again covering his face.

“You look excited this morning,” Prism said, landing down besides the stallion, a cocky smirk on his face. “Ready for a day of fun and excitement?”

The shadowbolt rolled his eyes. “Must you bother me first thing in the morning? I forgot how annoying you were at this hour.”

“Comes with being a morning pony. Blaze is busy, True Breeze ran off to Cloudsdale and Leadwing is helping with repairs. He’d make an excellent craftspony if he can’t make it as one of us. There’s really nothing else for me to do,” the air bender said with a shrug, before glancing down at the city. Repair efforts were underway, but the signs of the attack, and the losses they suffered, still shown with a terrible ease. “There’s really not a lot I can do now, anyway.” He scuffed the ground.

Ironwing gave a sigh before nodding. “Of course. And what is Blaze doing?”

“Council meetings,” Prism said with a shrug. “You know how it is. She’s not happy unless… well. Everypony is. But almost everypony is there. This wasn’t… none of us thought… I couldn’t even protect...”

“I know. And it’s not your fault. You got out there, but they were gone before anyone could stop them,” Ironwing said gently. “But...”

“Yeah, I know… but kinda defeats the reason for me staying here if I can’t defend it when attack. And yeah?”

“Something’s wrong, you can feel it. Right? It’s not just that attack, is it?”

Prism gave a soft sigh, shaking his head. “… Yeah. Something’s definitely wrong. I’m that obvious, huh?”

“You’re up here because you’re looking for another attack, aren’t you?”

“… Yeah. You too?”

“… Yeah.” Slowly, the pegasus spread out his wings. “They hurt a bit, but I can fly. He really… did a number on me.”

“You shouldn’t be alone. We still haven’t located the others who attacked you.”

“The ringleader is behind bars. And the others won’t strike. I let my guard down, and I won’t do that again,” Ironwing said before stepping forward and glancing over the side of the building. “I was supposed to die there.”

“W-what?” Prism asked, his mouth falling open. “They--”

“They saved me. But… I was supposed to die there. I think. I mean… I feel like...” He sighed. “I don’t know. But I feel like I was SUPPOSED to die then. But I didn’t. Somehow, I survived. Even though I wasn’t supposed to. I don’t even know what that means. You know?”

“Not even a little bit.”

“Yeah, me either. I wish I could explain it,” he said with a shake of his head. “It’s… weird. I was so close… they really knew what to do. If things had been a little different… even the healers don’t understand how I survived. And I can’t help but agree with them. It was luck, nothing more. A bit of luck. No, a lot of luck. And now things just feel… off...” He glanced at his hoof. “Surreal. It’s like...” He frowned again. “This is going to sound silly.”

“Oh? Go on? I promise I probably won’t laugh,” Prism said, giving a good natured smile.

“I haven’t told Styx about any of this but… it feels like… it feels a lot like reading a book. A book you’ve read before. But now? The ending is different. Completely. And now things are going in a way I don’t know. I don’t know if it’s good or bad. But… I know none of it is familiar.”

“… That’s the weirdest thing you’ve ever said,” Prism said with a shake of his head. “Near death experiences can be rough. You sure you’re not just looking for meaning? Having a--”

“No. I’ve almost died before. More than a few times. This feels… different. And I just can’t figure out why. But… maybe you’re right. Maybe I am looking for meaning. For a reason. For some kind of… I don’t know. Logic? Behind it. Maybe this was one near death experience too many...”

“Maybe… but maybe not,” Prism said with a shrug. “… I’m gonna go on a patrol. Wanna come with me?”

“… I really do.”

------

Daring glided through the air, ignoring the merciless heat and sweat that flew off her with every flap of her wings, occasionally taking a drink from her canteen.

She didn’t know what Sunset was thinking. Or who this ‘Gracious Warmth’ was supposed to be, who ponies had seen her with, leaving the city. The biggest problem being NOPONY seemed to know who that mare was. But they were heading towards Harmony as best she could tell. She would track them down if it was the last thing she did. And if her sister was in trouble, well… She’d deal with it then. Somehow.

------

Copper couldn’t help but feel uneasy when she glanced across the council room. Tittering had disappeared during the attack, leaving the Moon Raisers struggling to maintain cohesion. Another moon raiser had taken up the mantle for the time being, to join in this meeting.

But for that mare to disappear, something bad must have happened. She was too good a fighter to just be defeated without anypony noticing. Especially not so quickly. She just hoped the unicorn hadn’t run off and decided to take the fight to them. It would have been a foalish decision to make at this point. The last thing the Avatar needed was another pony getting caught in the crossfire of their battle. No matter how strong they were.

------

Applebloom couldn’t shake the feeling of unease, occasionally tapping the ground while they followed the trail. The Earth Kingdom hadn’t been hit as much since the initial assaults, but she couldn’t help feeling a small sense of dread while they went forward. As if there was something about to descend on her new home. To tear it apart. As if there was a giant monster waiting to strike while they were all weakened. She’d been receiving more than a few letters while preparing for the final assault.

A lot of ponies had been leaving the school, heading home and abandoning their lessons. And things like that were happening across all the countries as far as she had heard. Ponies were scared, unsure of what would happen next. Terrified they’d be targets if they stayed there, or worse. Losing faith in their countries. Their homes. Even each other. Ponies losing their magic and cutie marks. Taking away the very thing that made ponies ponies. Even Stony Brace had abandoned his post and left the school to fend for itself. Was there really so much doubt? So little trust for all of them? They’d stop these ponies. She knew they would. They’d get everypony’s magic and power back. Somehow.

She glanced to her sister. As long as the two of them were here, as long as they could bend, they’d never allow this to carry on.

She tapped her hoof again, before continuing on.

The final fight was almost here.

------

Scootaloo felt like she was going to throw up. She spread out her wings, glancing back at them. She was so used to the metal braces now, she barely noticed them. The warm gem over her chest was as familiar as her own heart beat. She even slept in the aparatus now.

She could fly. She could fight. She could win this, amongst all of her friends. They’d win, she knew they would.

And yet she couldn’t shake this unease. Everything would come to a close soon. Everything would end and they would win. They HAD to win. They had to stop all of this. Because they must.

And yet she couldn’t shake the feeling that it was all just starting. That there was still so much to do. She shook her head, struggling to clear it. She wouldn’t give up. Never. Especially not now. Not when they were so close…

------

Sweetie felt calm. A cold, calculating calm. A calm that had washed over her so many times nearly a lifetime ago.

She wasn’t the commander she had once been. But it wasn’t because she wasn’t able, but because she didn’t want to be. Her mind trailed to Dazzling. In a way, she felt a connection to him. And she knew he felt one towards her. He was an artifact of what their home had once been. What she had once been. She knew they would try to calm him, negotiate with him, talk with him. But they’d been trying for years. There had never been any sign of him changing, adapting or growing.

Stars help her, she knew why. She understood that feeling of power. Even if Discord was no longer a part of her, even if she was no longer tainted by its presence, she still felt the echoes of his temptation. Of its lure. Of the ease she had once felt. It would have been so easy to just say none of it had been a part of her, that Discord had ‘made’ her do all those things.

But they were as much a part of her as he had been. Even if those flames had not been entirely her doing, the embers that he had fueled had been. And she knew exactly how easy it would be to fall back into that path. To ‘remove’ all the things that caused her problems. The lines she had to walk slowly along, in order to make sure she didn’t fall to the side.

Had things been just a little different, she could have been just like him.

She just hoped when they finally faced each other again, she’d know exactly what to do. How to act.

How to keep being--

“It’s Meadowbrook!” Diamond’s voice rang out, startling her from her thoughts.

------

Diamond flew forward, her wings out, the magic coursing from her. However, when she came closer she stopped and just… stared.

Meadowbrook stared back. The unicorn pony seemed dazed, holding a small bunny in her lap which she softly pet. The bunny, however, glared up at the alicorn defiantly. Most important of all, however, there was no cutie mark on the mare’s hip. Just as she had been when she was captured.

Diamond slowed her dash, landing a bit away from the other mare. “Meadowbrook? You… you’re… Stop!” she said quickly when the others began to dash at her. “This isn’t… I don’t think… Meadowbrook? What happened? You’re the real one, aren’t you? The… how did you get out here?”

The mare glanced up at her and then giggled. “Meadowbrook? No no. New Meadowbrook now...” the mare laughed, shaking her head. “Starlight Glimmer. And you, you’re… you stopped me… didn’t you? But can you stop me again?” she asked, before lightly giggling. “No no. I was easy. So stupid. Foal. Yes...” Her eyes were slightly glazed over and Diamond had a feeling that the mare wasn’t quite all there.

“Starlight…? Are you… back? You’re all… did… the pony who is claiming to be Meadowbrook do this? To you? Is that why...”

“No no no nooooo. Bad, yes. Took me. Sunburst. But this? Hee hee. Discord did. Yes. She did. She’s supposed to be gone, but she isn’t! Nope. But… she’s weakened. I can feel it. Yes yes. Can think. Can...” She shook her head, her hooves reaching up to grip her head. “Nggggggg… why… it’s so much… make it stop. Harmony, please. I can’t...”

Diamond stared at her, a chill going down her spine. “Discord… did this? That’s not possible. Discord is dead. He’s not… he can’t have...”

Silver kept herself hidden from the others, back at the vessel, behind the nullification device. She could feel her heart pounding.

She had to do SOMETHING! How could Starlight be here? How could the real one? Worse, she could FEEL the chaos magic in the mare. Or rather, the lack of chaos magic. Her mind was returning, slowly. The spell she had woven was gone and it was only a matter of time before the mare was completely herself again, the damage undone.

And if the unicorn let them know, if she spilled everything, what could Silver do? The time wasn’t right. All of her plans, her efforts. They could all come crashing down. Tirek had to be stopped first. The threat had to be gone. She--

“She’s nuts,” Rainbow said with a snort. “Completely bonkers.”

“I have to agree with Rainbow,” Scootaloo said with a sigh. “Discord is gone, completely. Twilight destroyed him utterly, along with the others. Starlight has been talking about Chaos and Discord ever since we found her,” she said, stomping a hoof down. “It’s more ramblings of a mare who’s completely snapped. That’s all.”

Starlight just giggled, hugging her bunny close. “Oh, you all so stupid, stupid, under your nose. She’s there. Right there. Discord is watching. So close. Waiting. Watching. Then she strikes.” Her eyes leveled on Diamond. “You… you especially. She’s so close. Harmony will fall… and Discord will rise,” she said in an almost sing-song voice.

Diamond felt her voice quiver as she spoke, but she tried to ignore it. “Discord… he’s… you keep saying she. Do you know who she is?” she asked, stepping in close.

“She’s nuts!” Rainbow snapped. “We need to get going, not waste time here. Every moment we wait, is another moment they get further away!”

“If there’s any chance that Discord, or even a part of him, exists, then I HAVE TO DEAL WITH IT!” Diamond roared, stomping a hoof down. “Even the tiniest chance I cannot ignore! It’s my job, my duty, to destroy him. To make sure he can’t rise back up.”

Rainbow stopped, her mouth falling open, before shrugging. “Fine. But make it quick. We need to catch them...”

“I will. Starlight. Who is Discord? Is he a mare? Is it somepony I know? Is it one of Meadowbrooks ponies?”

Starlight didn’t speak, she just gently bounced the bunny in her lap. However, after a few moments, she looked up and smiled. A weak, distant smile. “Hard. It’s… hard. Through it. But… she’s… your--” The unicorn’s eyes widened and she shrieked, gripping her head and shaking. Finally, she collapsed, her eyes drifting closed. The bunny moved protectively over her, lightly tapping her cheek, but glaring at any of the ponies who tried to come closer, baring his tiny teeth.

“Did you feel that?!” Sweetie asked, turning to Rarity.

“I think we all felt that,” Diamond said, a hoof moving to her chest. Whatever it was, it felt cold and slimy. Magics unlike any she was familiar with. Something similar to the Smooze. Tainted. Disgusting. Just feeling it nearby had made her feel a little sick.

Silver let out a soft, weak breath, the alicorn amulet fading away once again. Her heart pounding while she looked around. None of the others seemed to notice her… but there was no denying that magic had been done. They could feel it. She couldn’t believe she’d been forced to tip her hoof, just a little bit. But there it was.

Applejack shook her head and hit her hoof against the ground as hard as she could. Her eyes closed. A few moments later, they opened. “They’re nearby.” She raised a hoof towards the direction she’d felt them.

“They?” Diamond asked, glancing back to her. “You mean Discord? Whoever did this?”

“Yes. No. Maybe. Ah mean Meadowbrook, Shining, Dazzling and… Hothoof. Ah can’t tell if it was one of ‘em that did this, though.”

“If one of them have the power of Discord...” Rarity said softly.

“… We have to finish this. Now,” Diamond said. She gave a small glance towards the unconscious unicorn. Though she hated to do it, she didn’t have a choice. “Leave her. We’re going to need everything we have, and we won’t be able to keep her safe. We’ll come back for her once the fight is over. And… if we can’t… well. It won’t really matter. We’ll all be doomed anyway. Okay, everypony! Let’s go!” she said, before turning and dashing off, the others following behind.

Despite her words, however, she couldn’t help feeling more and more dread flow through her. If Discord was truly here, could she face them? If this Meadowbrook was Discord, could she defeat her? She wished she had time to talk with Twilight, to ask for her aid. But she didn’t, not now. There’d be time after. If there was an after.

And if there was somepony else, another Discord? Well… she wouldn’t face him alone. Not this time. So long as they were all together and worked as one, she knew they could, and would, defeat him. Or her. Somehow.

She just wished Button and Acrylic were here. With those two, her and Silver, there was nothing they couldn’t beat. She knew it. And she’d keep telling herself it until she believed it.

Chapter 25: Common enemy

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“About time,” Shining said when she heard the hoofs making their way towards them. They were so obvious, she desperately hoped they weren’t considering stealth. With the sound of that ship flying overhead, anypony could have noticed them. Especially as they were just blindly running towards them, she spread out her wings. “Okay then, Meadowbrook. Mind if I let them know we’re here?”

“Do not hurt any of them… yet. But yes,” she said, giving a nod.

“Good.” She flapped her wings three times, sending a burst of air forward. It tore through the forest, stripping away branches, leaves and bushes, even toppling over a few of the less stable trees. They could hear the shriek from the soon to be arriving ponies, but she followed orders. None of them were hurt from the assault. She gave a snort when she counted over their members. “Only eight of you? And here I thought you were taking us seriously. Or did my old teacher really underestimate that much?”

“Frankly, it’s four too many,” Rainbow said with a snort of her own. “Or have you forgotten how many times I smacked your face into the ground?”

“That was then, this is now,” Shining snapped, her eyes narrowing into slits. “Can we--”

A loud hum filled the air, cutting her off. She cocked her head to the side moments before a purple dome flowed out, over them. “What… was that?”

Meadowbrook tapped her hoof on the ground. “It’s no ma--” She then stopped. A moment later her voice came out, cold and angry. “What… did you do?” she asked.

“Just made sure you can’t run away this time,” Diamond said, landing on the ground in front of them. “We’re not without our mercy, however. You have nowhere to flee. Surrender, and we’ll take you prisoner. You will be well treated, as you were before.”

Meadowbrook sighed, shaking his head. “I see. So then, I suppose we have no choice. I had hoped we would have a more…” She trailed off, counting them once again. “No. I suppose this will work. I was expecting dozens of you. Eight is a far more manageable number. You three have your orders. Once you’ve finished with them, wait for me.” She adjusted her mask, before motioning behind herself. Deeper into the woods. “Avatar, you may pass. The others… well… you’ll need to fight through my guards. I think we have much to discuss.” She then turned tail, racing into the woods.

Diamond froze, staring at the retreating form. She then looked to the three guarding the woods. “I...”

“We’ll handle them. Just go!” Rainbow snapped. “We’ll catch up!”

The alicorn nodded, before racing forward. True to their words, the three didn’t move to impede her way. Once her pink and white tail disappeared, however, Shining gave a light chuckle. “You know she doesn’t have a chance, right?”

“She will once we finish with all of yah,” Applejack said with a snort. “Besides, she’s a lot tougher ‘an she looks.”

“Heh… I suppose that’s right. You would think you had a shot. You all plan to fight us now, don’t you? Well...” A wicked grin formed on Shining’s face. “To be honest, there’s only one of you I care about. So then… Rainbow. Shall we? Ah, who am I kidding. You’re the big, tough hero, aren’t you? You’ll follow me anywhere… So… race you to those mountains,” she said, pointing towards the east. “And well… if you don’t… I guess I’ll just keep going. Have a bit more fun.” With those words, she took off like a bolt. The force of her takeoff sent a rush of air so strong it nearly toppled the other ponies.

Rainbow glared, taking off a moment later. The force of that takeoff forcing Sweetie to grip onto her sister to stop from falling over. Scootaloo took off a second later, her mechanical wings aiding her in her movements, though she couldn’t keep up with the two.

“So much for guarding the area,” Dazzling said with a shake of his head. “I guess that leaves Hothoof and I to deal with the four of you,” he said.

“I’m here too!” Silver objected.

“The four who matter, then.”

Hothoof shrugged. “Nah. I only want those two,” he said, grinning towards the Apples. “It looks like it’s just two on one this time, huh? No big brother to save you?” He stepped forward, stretching out his neck. “This is gonna be fun.”

“There ain’t a lot of civilians here for us tah protect this time, either,” Applejack said coldly. “Yah are only gettin’ one shot at this, Hothoof. Yah can come with us. Or we can put yah in the ground an’ then yah comin’ with us.”

The stallion snorted. “You really think that? Well… How about I just SHOW you what I can do then?!” he yelled, before galloping forward. Every step of his hooves made the ground turn to lava around him, the molten liquid thrashing around him and threatening to get to the other ponies.

“Silver, get out of here. Up!” Applejack yelled. Silver nodded, adjusting the controls on the small vessel while Rarity and Sweetie jumped off. Moments later, the vessel flew high into the sky. She then glanced to her sister, the two sharing a nod. Together, they then skidded their hooves forward. The ground under Hothoof shifted forward as well, making him stumble forward. A moment later, a dull pillar of stone rose from the ground, crashing into his stomach and sending him flying through the air, west. The two earth ponies galloped after him. “We’ll keep ‘im away from the machine. Rarity, yah handle Dazzling!”

“Of course, darling,” Rarity said, before turning to face the other water bender. “Dazzling… its been a long time.”

“It has.”

“I don’t suppose you’d be willing to see reason?”

“I saw reason long ago,” he said, slowly stepping forward. “You know as well as I do, that I am correct.”

“How are you correct? How does killing and destroying ponies serve any purpose?” Rarity asked.

“They were enemies. YOUR enemies,” Dazzling said, his voice cold as ice. “Ponies who wanted to usurp you. Who wanted you dead. Who wanted to DESTROY you. They had to be removed. They WILL be removed. You--”

“They are ponies,” Rarity snapped. “Just like you, or I. They may not agree with all of my methods, and yes, some of them are foals. Given the chance, they would usurp me. But they do not have that opportunity. And those who commit crimes will be punished accordingly. But disagreeing with me, even openly, is NOT worthy of a death sentence!”

“You call what those ponies did merely ‘disagreeing’?!” the unicorn said with a growl. “They insulted you. SPIT on you. Called you a… your mother would have never agreed with this.” He then glanced to Sweetie. “Your sister would have never agreed with this. As you were. When you were true ponies of the Water Nation. Not these… pretenders. I know that side of you still exists. The true icy core of the Water Nation.”

“That was a different time,” Sweetie said, moving forward. “That Water Nation doesn’t exist any more. We are not those ponies. We do not rule with a cruel, iron hoof that smashes any who would stand against us. We negotiate. We talk. We--”

“And look at our nation now!” he roared back. “We were once feared. The future rulers of the world. We had ALL of the nations crumbling before us. The Fire Tribes were ours. The Air Nomads soon to follow. All ponies were going to bend at our hooves and if you had just. Kept. Pushing. They would have. We would have stood as the rulers of all.” He shook his head before getting to his hooves. “Instead, you decided to oppose the great Nightmare Moon. You decided to create a council. To allow the stupider ponies a chance to fight. To allow rebellions. To allow FACTIONS. Rather than all bending knee to you, they bend knees to each other.”

Rarity sighed. “Yes, some do. And there will always be ponies who want to undermine me. Undermine our family. Our nation has made it an art form. But that does not mean we eliminate any and all who have differing views from us. Who disagree with us. I am not a tyrant. I--”

“You are a weak ruler...” he said, shaking his head. “And you never should have ascended the throne. I… was weak, back then. I hesitated. I saw you as the ruler. I saw you as the daughter of a great pony. A pony unmatched by any other. I assumed that she would have rubbed off on you. That you would eventually see the light of the moon. Instead… you tainted your sister with your… mercy. You made our nation weak. Perhaps if, back then, I had struck, I could have stopped this...”

He stretched out, before shaking his head. He forced a hoof forward and the ground begin to rumble. Moments later, two geysers of water burst out from the dirt, on either side of him. “But there is no other method now. I never wanted to do this. My Water Lord. I wanted you to see the light. To understand what must be done. What our nation truly was. But… this time I will not hesitate. I will kill you, as I should have then...” His eyes drifted to Sweetie. “And… I will snuff out the remainder of the disease. The Water Nation will be strong again… even if I have to train your children myself.”

The two geysers then shifted their angle, turning to shards of purple ice and flying at the two ponies.

Far above the battle, Silver stared and watched. Three fights. The vessel was now safe. Her eyes then shifted towards where Diamond had run. There was only one thing to do, now.

She leaped from the vessel and tucked in her mechanical wings, diving straight into the forest below. It was time she joined her friend and helped her defeat Tirek, once and for all. She sped through the woods, the branches moving by so fast they were nothing more than blurs.

------

Shining relaxed, sitting on a large boulder at the foot of the mountain, watching Rainbow fly after her. She gave a light snicker when the aged pegasus landed. “Heh. You’re getting slower. When you were training me, you would have lapped me twice at that speed.”

“I didn’t see much reason to go all out against a rookie,” Rainbow shot back, shaking her head. “I’m only going to ask this once. Surrender, and I’ll go easy on you. Fight, and I’ll end you. That’s--”

“Oh, don’t even start with me,” Shining said with a roll of her eyes. “’Oh no, I have to fight the great and amazing Rainbow Dash? Eeeee! Sooooo scary.’ I’m not a foal any more. You’re not my master, I’m not your apprentice. And you’re definitely not my idol anymore. You’re just an old, washed up mare who nopony has had the gumption to put out to pasture.”

“I was your master once. If you were smart, you’d--”

“What? Fall over my hooves talking about how awesome you WERE? That’s the key word there, Rainbow. WERE. You WERE amazing. You WERE incredible. You WERE the only pony who could do the sonic rainboom. And maybe, once. You WERE as good as I am. But that was then. This is now. Now you’re old, blind and decrepit. Nothing more than a washed up, useless pony. A shadow of her former self. I’m not going to fight you. I’m going to CRUSH you. Because now? Now I’m the best there ever was. I’m the one who ponies will stare at and go ‘Oh my gosh, nopony has ever been like her’. I’m the one who will cast a shadow that everypony else struggles to find their way under,” she said with a growl, her eyes narrowing. “I’m better than you ever were.”

“I… see. Then… I’m sorry. You really won’t see reason… will you?” Rainbow asked.

“Rainbow!” Scootaloo cried out, skidding to a stop behind the other mare. “I’m here! I’m ready to--”

“No,” Rainbow said, shaking her head. “This is my fight. Shining is my problem. And… I have to deal with her.”

“Not a chance! I came here to fight with you.”

“Scootaloo, I’m serious. I need to do this. Alone.”

“I can help!”

“You’re NOT an air bender. You can’t do this. Even if you were, I’m the only pony who can beat her. She’s not just a normal bender. She--”

“I’m not a bender. But I know how to fight them. I can help.”

Rainbow sighed. “This is my responsibility. I’m sorry.”

“She’s just as much my--” A sudden crack filled the air when Rainbow bucked her back right hoof back, smashing the gem of Scootaloo’s artificial wings, shattering it. The orange pegasus stumbled back, falling to the ground. Her eyes widened, staring in disbelief at the gem. Then at Rainbow. “Y-you… how… why…?”

“… I’m sorry, Scootaloo,” Rainbow repeated softly. “I can’t… let you get involved. This is my mess. I’ll clean it up.”

Shining laughed, shaking her head. “See? This is how it ALWAYS is with you, isn’t it? The moment there’s a bit of glory, you have to take it all for yourself. You can’t let anypony else even help you, can you? You have to always take the spotlight. Well, fine.” Her wings spread out. “If you want a noble death so much? Then I’ll give it to you.” She took up into the air, leaving a trail in her wake.

Rainbow sighed and shook her head. “There’s nothing noble about this… Scootaloo. I’m sorry. Make your way back to the others. I’ll… I’ll be back, once I deal with this.”

“Rainbow! You can’t capture her alone! You need--”

“I know.” The pegasus took off.

Scootaloo stared in shock, her mouth falling open. “Y-you… Rainbow! RAINBOW!” she yelled, taking a step towards the quickly disappearing trail left in the pony’s wake. “You idiot! You big, stupid IDIOT!”

------

Hothoof hit the ground and skidded, the dirt softening on impact from his bending. He slowly stood up and wobbled a bit, shaking his head. “Ow. Heh. You still hit pretty hard.”

“And you’re as hard headed as ever,” Applejack said before stepping from the trees. “Yah know this won’t go well for you.”

“Ain’t nopony alive who can take on both of us an’ hope tah win,” Applebloom said with a smirk. “Ah know yah weren’t always the smartest pony around, but ah thought yah at least had that beaten inta yer skull.”

“Well, I was never the best learner. And you were always terrible teachers!” he snapped, before shoving his hooves forward. A wave of lava formed in front of him, flowing out at the pair.

The two dove to the sides, narrowly avoiding the assault. “If yah’d have jus’ learned some patience!” Applejack yelled back. “Instead, yah always were pickin’ fights an’ challengin’ the older students!” She stomped a hoof and a wave of rock shot out, at the stallion’s right side. On the left, Applebloom stomped her own hoof, sending shards of stone at the stallion.

Hothoof snorted, stomping his hooves. Both attacks stopped in mid motion, before reversing direction and shooting back at the two mares. They tried to shove them away, redirect them with their own bending, but they refused to yield. Applebloom shrieked when the shards cut into her, while Applejack let out a grunt of pain when the wave sent her hurtling back, burying her in rocks. “I was better than them. I was better than ANY of you! I was bigger and stronger. And I’m a LOT stronger now. Stronger than both of you,” he said with a laugh. “You two can’t win. I don’t just have my power. I have the power of a dozen other earth benders inside me. Strengthening me.” He stomped a hoof, raising up two tree-sized boulders from the ground and sending them flying at the pair. “You two are too weak!”

Applejack pulled herself from the rubble, before stomping a hoof. A wave of rocks flew out, filling the lava pit the stallion had made. Applebloom raced across the sudden bridge, leaping into the air to land near her sister. Hothoof tried to veer the boulders at the two, but they smashed into each other and bounced off, flying to either side of the mares. He let out a growl at the two. “You don’t think you can actually win, do you?”

Applejack glanced down at her sister, before nodding. “Together… yes. Yah might be stronger than the two of us individually. But there’s NOPONY who can beat us like this.”

The stallion stomped his hooves, a wave of rocks flowing out towards them. The two sisters moved in unison, tapping both their front hooves to the ground and making a rock wall form, crashing it down against the wave. The two pushed back, finally shoving the wave back at the stallion. “S-see?” Applejack said, panting from the exertion.

“Heh… you two are pretty strong, I guess,” Hothoof said, before stomping his hooves again. A wave of lava flowed out towards them. “But you two can’t lava bend!”

Applejack and Applebloom stared at the wave of lava, before turning tail and fleeing from the assault in opposite directions, raising platforms of rock to carry them out of its range, though their tails were singed by the heat. “We’re in trouble, ain’t we?” Applebloom asked.

“We’ll get through this. Somehow,” Applejack said, turning to look at the laughing pony. There had to be a way to beat him. Somehow. No matter how much stronger he’d become.

------

Rarity couldn’t move. She watched the jagged tips of poisoned needles flying at her, but she couldn’t move. Blood bending. How he could shift from poison to blood bending so quickly, she didn’t know. But she had no way to escape now. No way to avoid the attack.

Sweetie dove in front of her, her horn and eyes glowing with a dark, purple light. The needles of poison were blocked by a barrier of ice, which she then flung at the other unicorn. He had no choice but to leap to the right, barely avoiding the frozen mass and leaving Rarity with the ability to move again.

“Thank you,” she said, giving her little sister a small smile.

“Always. You’re good, Dazzling. But no matter how good you are, you can’t blood bend both of us at once,” Sweetie said firmly.

The stallion sighed and gave a nod. “No. You’re right. I have the power to do it… but even I don’t have the kind of talent. At least, not outside the full moon. I was hoping you’d fail to notice and I could end this quickly,” he said with a shake of his head. “This is why I prefer assassination. It’s so much more… troublesome, when ponies know you are there.”

“Well, it’s going to be even more troublesome once we kick your butt,” Sweetie said coldly. “Do you really think you can beat both of us?”

“… Yes. I do,” he said. He thrust his hooves forward and four more geysers of water rose up around them. “My power… is incredible. You have no idea.” The water turned to shards of ice, descending on the two mares in a flurry.

Rarity and Sweetie stuck their horns up, gathering the water around them into a dome. When the ice shards hit against it, most of them turned to water and added to the dome. Unfortunately, a few pierced through, cutting across the mare’s and drawing blood. The dome began to shrink while the bladed hail pierced down on them. “He’s… powerful...” Rarity groaned, struggling to maintain standing.

“He is… but so are we!” Sweetie said with a growl. “Can you hold this for a second?”

“Yes!”

The younger mare nodded and stepped forward, shoving her hooves forward. Tentacles of water lashed out in front of her, crashing down on the stallion and sending him flying back into a tree with a pained crunch. Instantly, the assault stopped.

Sweetie smirked. “You’re strong, Dazzling! But you’re an assassin. Your defense is terrible! You can’t hope to beat us!”

The stallion slowly got to his hooves, shaking his head. “…. You’re right. I’m nowhere near as good defensively. But...” His hooves moved forward once again, a thick mist beginning to rise from the water around them. Within moments, they could barely see their hooves in front of their faces. “Striking from the shadows? That… is my specialty.”

------

Shining laughed, zooming away, only to suddenly perform a quick U-turn and race straight at Rainbow, the other mare having to dive down hard in order to avoid getting her chest smashed in. “You can’t win, you idiot! Aren’t you able to see that?!” she asked, before spinning through the air, diving down, then coming up in tight loops, zooming in from all directions to try and smash the multi-colored pegasus. “You’re old, slow and weak!”

Rainbow didn’t say a word, weaving through the air, narrowly avoiding the darting pegasus.

“You’re just so WEAK!” Shining yelled, before swiping her wings out. The winds darted out when she did, catching Rainbow and smashing her into the nearby rockface. She then zoomed off, laughing back at the mare. “Come on! Try and at least PRETEND you can challenge me!”

Rainbow groaned, slowly stepping out from the hole she left in the stone and dirt. She spread out her wings and took off after the mare.

“Well?! Why don’t you just give up already? Accept your death with some dignity?” Shining asked, flicking her silver mane back. She then flew back, racing at the other mare.

This time, Rainbow didn’t dodge. Her hooves reached out and caught the other mare’s, spinning twice and then throwing her into the rocky terrain.

Shining let out a soft groan, seeing stars for a moment before shaking her head. “Heh. As good as ever. I do hope you don’t think that’s all it will take to beat me, though. You’ll just get sma--” She didn’t get a chance to finish before Rainbow slammed into her, driving her along the mountain wall and plowing through the stones and dirt until they were back over open air. Then, with a buck, she sent the mare down at the ground as hard as she could.

Shining spread out her wings, catching herself in freefall and taking off. She spat, a little blood leaking from her nose. She quickly wiped it with a hoof. “D-damn. You still got a bit of kick to you! Heh! Guess you’re not entirely dead air! Why don’t you say something? No cocky words? No quick wit, today? No--” When Rainbow dove at her, she was ready this time, ducking to the right and then lashing out with all four hooves when the pegasus flew past her. She flapped her wings hard, hitting the careening pegasus with a burst of air bending at the same time the hooves connected, slamming her into the mountains yet again. “At least give me an ow! Something. Don’t tell me the great Rainbow Dash is going to let her last fight be a silent affair?”

Rainbow got to her hooves, shaking her head and then turning to face the other pegasus. She flew back up and raced at the other mare, putting on a burst of speed with a flap of her wings.

“Fine. If you’re going to be like that, I’ll just make you scream before I kill you.”

------

Diamond raced through the forest, brushing trees and branches aside with each gallop, trying to catch up to the mare. She wasn’t going to lose. Not to her. Not again. She had to stop her, somehow. She trusted the others, she knew they could and would defeat them. And then they would join her to defeat Meadowbrook. She just had to make sure that the mare didn’t get out of the field before they did.

Her eyes widened when the other mare stepped into a small clearing in the woods and stopped, turning around to face her. Diamond skidded to a stop herself, her eyes narrowing. “Meadowbrook. It’s time to end this. We--”

“Yes… it is. I believe this has all gone on long enough.” Her horn glimmered and then her form and colorations shifted. Her form altered itself, as if it was melting away to reveal the true pony beneath. The mask fell away and Diamond stared, her mouth falling open. The mare was now a stallion with an orange coat, white hooves and a dark orange mane.

“S-sunburst? H-how… you? You disappeared. You were… how were you… how?” she asked. “You’re not...”

“I’m sorry, Avatar,” he said, bowing his whole body before her. “I am sorry for my deceit. My lies. I am sorry for all I have put you through. And I am sorry that I was forced to go through such measures. And I hope you will forgive me. And accept that this was all necessary, for the continuation of us all.”

“What… are you talking about?”

He slowly raised himself. “There is a threat. A threat unlike any other, and I can feel it coming now. For you see… Discord has returned.” His eyes lowered. “And there is but one way to defeat him. For good. You and I must work together.”

“You’ve… been attacking ponies. Stealing their magic?! You attacked me. You ambushed me! Because you think--”

“Yes! Because I know! What I have done is terrible. And I may never be forgiven. But know this, I have always, always supported you. Even if it may not have seemed like it. Once I realized what a threat we faced… I knew I couldn’t face it alone. I knew you couldn’t either. It would take a hundred, a thousand ponies to defeat such a threat.” He held out his hoof to her. “And only we can do that. Hate me if you like. Once we have defeated Discord and returned the magic to the ponies I was… forced to take it from, I will accept any penalties you deem worthy.”

“You’ve killed ponies over this!”

“An accident,” he said, shaking his head. “I’ve tried, I swear, to avoid letting those three take lives where I could. But they are difficult to control. And I am but one pony. I needed strong ponies to get us here. To the point we can win. And this threat we face? Is more dangerous than anything else we ever have. And if we are to have any hope… we must work together.”

Diamond stared at him, her mouth falling open. There was no way he could be speaking the truth. Was he even Sunburst? He’d disappeared right before she’d headed to the badlands. But soon after, Meadowbrook had appeared again. Had he really done all of this? Just to defeat Discord? Was Discord really, truly here? Alive? “I...” Was what she had felt before true? Did his foul magic truly exist?

Sunburst sighed, nodding. “I understand. I’ve done terrible things. Awful things. But you’ll understand why, soon. Discord is here… now.”

Silver broke through the tree line, skidding to a stop. She looked over them. “Diamond! I’m here to-- Sunburst?!” she asked, her eyes widening.

“May I present, the Avatar of Discord and the true enemy of pony kind. Silver Spoon,” Sunburst said.

Diamond stared, her eyes on her best friend. It couldn’t be… possible. It had to be a lie. It had to.

Chapter 26: Old enemies

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Applejack let out a yelp, diving under an orb of lava, then leaping to the right an instant before the ground turned molten. She glanced to her sister who was struggling to make walls of stone in time to block the molten assaults, only to have the same walls try to collapse on her a moment later. Footing was quickly disappearing and, even worse, the stallion showed no signs of wearing down compared to the two mare’s own exertion and bloody wounds. She wiped some sweat off her forehead and glared at the stallion.

“Applebloom, ah got an idea,” she said softly.

“Ah’m all ears!” her little sister said, narrowly avoiding a hail of sharpened pebbles, ducking under them. Only to roll away moments before the ground beneath her could turn to lava.

“Ah need yah tah distract him for a few seconds. Can yah--”

“On it!” Applebloom yelled, before galloping to the right. She leaped, barely avoiding a spike of earth that rose in her path. “Hey, yah big idjit! This ain’t really the best yah got, is it? Ah’ve fought donkeys with better earth bendin’!”

Hothoof stopped for a second, his mouth falling open. Then he let out a roar of defiance. “HEY! Donkey’s CAN’T earth bend! That’s stupid!” he snapped, before thrusting both hooves down and sending out a spout of lava at her.

“That was the point, yah pebble brain!” the mare yelled before dragging her hoof along the ground while she ran, making the dirt rise up in a wave that washed over the spout, hindering it just long enough for her to leap over a pool of lava and keep going. The stallion was moving to face her, his back now to her big sister. “I hope whatever you have planned, big sis, you’ll do it quick...” she whispered.

Applejack gulped, watching the stallion. His bending was incredible like this. But his form, his movements? They were all so sloppy. Power could only do so much. And it was time he learned that. He also still struggled to divide his attention, only focusing on what was ahead of him and leaving himself vulnerable, a weakness they could exploit. She pushed herself forward, a pillar of stone rising under her. The earth pony flew through the air, straight at him, spinning before driving her full body down on his back, hooves first.

Hothoof let out a shriek, crashing to the ground, though he rolled to the left and narrowly avoided a follow up strike by Applejack. “Hey! I wasn’t paying attention! That was cheating!” he snapped.

“Yah may be a really strong bender, but let’s see how yah like fightin’ hoof to hoof, shall we?” she asked with a smirk. She stepped in, her left hoof lashing out at his face. He pressed a hoof down, rock rising up to form a quick barrier, but her hoof smashed through it and continued on to his face, only dampened by the shield. She pushed in with him, not letting him relent. “Yah still ain’t the quickest pony, are yah?”

“Grrrrrrr!” Hothoof yelled, his eye swelling from the blow. He shoved both his back hooves back and the ground around them turned to lava, encircling them in a circle of it. “Fine. You wanna go that game? Let’s go,” he said, before smirking dangerously. “Let’s see how you handle this...”

Applejack gulped, the heat sweltering. She didn’t have to use her earth bending to feel just how close that lava was, and how little room she had. On top of that, Applebloom was outside the ring, the help she could offer was limited. She’d have to beat him here, there wasn’t anywhere left to flee.

His hoof wrapped in stone came out, cutting off her thoughts and she had no choice but to parry with her own, forming a layer of dirt on her shoulder to glance the stone off. Even through the layer, she was sent skidding back, her back hooves only barely avoiding falling into the lava.

“You’ve already lost this, Applejack...” he said, a smirk on his face.

“We’ll see about that...” she mumbled, before charging forward.

------

Rarity coughed, her entire body shaking. Her lungs burned, though she tried to ignore it. A quick glance at her sister showed the other mare wasn’t faring much better. They’d managed to parry the majority of his strikes, but without being able to know where they’d come from, it was harder than ever. They’d managed to push the mist back a little bit, to allow them to keep sight of each other, but it only did so much.

Even worse was the poison. The ground was now covered in it, every step they made sent it splashing around them. She’d used her blood bending as best she could to shove it out of her system, but it wasn’t perfect. Especially with his occasional blood bending assaulting her. There was so much of it. And every single cut he made resulted in another opening from which it could enter their bodies.

She caught movement from the right and ducked back, a flurry of shards shooting out. One of them slashed across her front right hoof, drawing more blood. She gulped, shaking her head.

“You cannot win, Water Lord,” Dazzling said, his voice cold and harsh. “Your blood bending can’t hinder my poisons well enough with me here. You’ll die here, as you should have long ago.” His voice seemed to come from everywhere at once, leaving her no idea where he was coming from. Pinpointing him was near impossible.

Sweetie eyed the thick mist. There had to be a way to fight him. To beat him. She’d been facing off against assassins since she had her cutie mark, how was this any different? No. She knew why. Because he was one of the best. He would have been directly under her mother’s employ if she had still been under Discord’s influence.

And she wasn’t the pony she had once been. If she had still been… She nimbly ducked to the right, avoiding a glob of poison that came at her face. “This isn’t the way, Shimmering. You know that. The Water Nation--”

“Will return to its former glory. And if you can’t see that, then you’ll both perish!” he yelled. A hail of spiked rain fell down on them. Sweetie lifted her hooves up, forming a water and poison mixed dome of ice over them. “Sweetie, you were once the greatest of us. Can’t you see the true path of the Water Nation? The ice, the cold? You once had the will to strike. Now you’re but a hollow, empty void of the radiance you once held.”

The younger mare grit her teeth, before looking to her sister. “He’s right. We can’t win. Not… not like this.”

Rarity nodded. “We need to find him, now...” she whispered, sliding back moments before a large spike of ice pierced the dome and crashed around them.

Sweetie gulped and slowly nodded. “I… can...” she whispered.

“You can? Then why don’t you--”

“It… won’t be easy...” she whispered. She took a long, slow breath. “I haven’t used this in ages… I haven’t fought like this in ages.”

“What is it?”

“… I’m sorry. Sister. Just… try not to breath. Push the mist around us as far back as you can.” Sweetie closed her eyes and focused. She thought about all that hatred, that anger she had once felt. That line she had once walked along. Crossed. The way she had hurt others, and how she had enjoyed it. She focused on the anger, the hatred, everything that Discord had brought to the surface and she had tried so hard to ignore for so long. She felt that cold, frozen grip that she had resisted begin to flow across her heart.

Rarity looked to her sister, but slowly pushed her hoof forward, shoving the mist even further back so it no longer enveloped them at all.

Sweetie’s eyes opened, glowing a dark purple. She growled. She then thrust her hoof forward and the purple poison lifted up around them, before shooting out into all directions into the mist. She didn’t hear them hit anything, but then that wasn’t her goal. A moment later, the cloud of mist began to tinge purple. A few more moments later and there was a cry of pain before the mist began to evaporate, revealing Shimmering. The stallion stumbled back, his eyes wide. “W-what… was that?” he asked, staring at her. There wasn’t a cut on him, though his legs were shaking.

Sweetie stepped forward, dark, glowing eyes staring at him. “You wanted this side of the Water Nation? Very well. Allow me to show you...” she said, her voice cold as ice. “The side that kills. That destroys. That takes.” She tapped her hoof and spikes of ice formed under the stallion. He leaped back, narrowly avoiding being impaled, only to have a splatter of poison erupt behind him and coat his back side with the poisonous liquid.

“AGHHHHH!” he screamed, flicking his head back and scattering the poison, his flank covered in sizzling marks. “W-what is this?!” he asked, before turning back to her.

“You’re an assassin,” she said coldly, lifting her right hoof and making a orb of water form in front of it, quickly turning purple. “Your poison is quick and deadly. Mine can be, too… but you know what? A dead pony is useless...” She formed three spikes of poisonous ice, before sending them flinging at him. “But one in agony? One who begs for mercy? For death? Oh, there is so many uses for that.”

Rarity stared in horror, unable to move. All she could do was watch her sister walk towards the stallion, each step scattering the water in her wake and launching another poisonous, deadly assault on him. She hadn’t seen her sister like this in years, and the sight chilled her heart.

“What’s a matter? Isn’t this what you wanted?” Sweetie asked with a smile. “A pony who can kill, can destroy? Can tear ponies apart with ease? You’re so naive… You can’t rule with just murder. With just killing. You need to teach ponies to fear you. To suffer for you. To make them more afraid to disobey you than their own morals can overwhelm.” She sent a flurry of ice shards at him, though he stomped his hooves down--

Only to have them pierced by icy spikes that had formed from the water under his hooves a moment sooner. He screamed, moments before the ice shards dug into him from the front. He stumbled back, falling onto his back, blood seeping from a dozen wounds and his front hooves split. “No no no please please...” he begged, shaking his head.

Sweetie stepped over his form, lifting a hoof and smiling, cruelty radiating off her. “You’re strong, I’ll give you that. But you made a mistake. You assumed you were strong enough to beat us. All you’ve done is make yourself strong enough that I don’t have to hold back,” she said dismissively. “So… are you begging for me to kill you? Or for your life? We gave you your life. Again and again. We could have killed you. But we didn’t. And in return… you tried to kill me. You tried to kill my SISTER!” she snapped, before stomping her hooves. A whip of poisonous water wrapped around him, squeezing him tight and eliciting another scream from him.

“Please… I’m sorry. You win. P-please,” Shimmering pleaded, staring up into those cold, merciless eyes. “I-I won’t… I can’t… I can’t defeat you. I was wrong. This isn’t what… what I...”

Sweetie moved ever closer, her eyes inches from his. “But this is what you wanted, isn’t it? A pony who is cold. A pony who is destructive. A pony who is merciless. But you’ve never felt the sting, have you? That feeling of death approaching. Of knowing you’ve been totally beaten and now you’ll suffer for it.” The whip coiled around his throat, burning away. “It doesn’t matter how much stronger you are if you can’t focus. Can’t think. Can’t properly bend. Now does it?” He shook his head, staring into those cold, pitiless eyes.

“S-sweetie...” Rarity said. “S-stop, he’s lost. He can’t fight like this...”

“You want a ruler like me… don’t you? Somepony who can snuff all the little threats out, without caring. No. That enjoys it. The true legacy of Nightmare Moon. Right?” Sweetie asked, before her hoof raised up. The whip tightened, making him choke. “Well… you can die knowing you got what you wished.”

Shimmering struggled to breath, staring into those eyes. He thought he had known what an assassin was. He’d taken so many lives. But he’d never seen anything like this. This wasn’t removing a pest. There was joy. She was enjoying watching him suffer. Watching him die. What had he unleashed on his nation? Was this the legacy of Nightmare Moon?

Then he was let go, the water releasing him and sending him sprawling on the ground. He coughed and hacked, tears in his eyes. Everything hurt, but he was alive. How…?

“But you’re not going to die, or get what you wished,” Sweetie said, closing her eyes and, when she opened them, they were clear and calm. “Because that era is over. A nation divided on itself, a nation that will kill and destroy anypony against them. A nation that ENJOYS cutting down its own citizens. A nation like that… cannot prosper. Cannot go on. That is what we tried to show you. And I am sorry we couldn’t.”

Shimmering stared, his mouth falling open. Then, slowly, he bowed his head. Despite the great pain he’d felt, he couldn’t help but feel relief. “I… am so sorry...” he finally whispered. “I am sorry for everything I’ve done. I’m sorry for what I became. And I am sorry for what I made you do. I… I am so sorry...” he whispered, tears welling up in his eyes. “You have won. And I will accept my imprisonment happily...”

Sweetie nodded and slowly put a hoof on his head. “Good. Rarity? We should tend to his wounds, right? And make sure he can’t escape. Right?”

“Of course,” Rarity said, shaking herself from her stunned amazement. She then glanced up. “Silver! Bring the ship down!” she called out. However, the ship didn’t move and a look of concern formed on her face. “Silver?”

------

“SAY SOMETHING!” Shining screamed, her hooves crashing down on the face of the pinned Rainbow, having slammed her into a side of one of the ridges. “TALK BACK! SCREAM! YELL!” She let out a shriek when the other pegasus rammed her back hooves up and into the younger mare’s stomach, launching her up.

Rainbow pulled herself up, flying at the mare. Shining dove to the right, narrowly avoiding the tackle. “Well? Say it! Say something! Aren’t you mad? Angry?! Ashamed?!”

“Of course I am,” Rainbow finally said, turning to face the other mare. Her voice was hollow and void of any emotion. “But… mostly… I’m just… sad.”

“Why? Because you’re going to get your flank kicked?”

“No… because you don’t feel any sadness for what you’ve done. Any… do you regret what you’ve done at all? Even a little bit?” Rainbow asked. “For those ponies you killed? For--”

“Oh my gosh. This again? Of course not,” Shining said with a laugh. “Why would I? They weren’t even a fraction as amazing as me. And why would a--” She was cut off by Rainbow surging forward, narrowly dodging to the right. “Heh. Awwww, did that make you mad, Rainbow? Are you all sad? Well, what did you expect? Me to get all upset about a bunch of lesser ponies? I’m the greatest air bender that has ever lived! They’re like insects! And you? You’re… just a really big bug.” She surged forward again, her hooves out. “Now take that to your--”

Rainbow wove to the right, the hoof missing as she spun through the air and drove her hoof down on the other mare’s back, sending her down towards the ground. “You were like a daughter to me… you know? It’s why I… couldn’t. Back then. I knew you’d bucked up. But I always held up hope that you’d… learn. That you’d accept that what you were doing was wrong. That YOU were wrong. And… it cost me so much. So very, very much… you don’t even know...” she whispered. “… I’m sorry.”

“Sorry? For what?”

“For what I have to do. For failing you. For not being the teacher you needed.”

“Little late for that. But don’t worry, I’ll let sorry be your last words! Now DIE!” Shining yelled, before diving up at the other mare again.

Rainbow flapped once and shoved herself back, she then used a burst of air bending to flow back against the other mare. Her hooves lashed out, wrapping around Shining’s neck, her back hooves wrapping around her waist.

“H-hey! What are you… Get off me! Let me go!” she yelled, thrashing as the two began to plummet towards the ground. “Fine then! Heh! You wanna go that way? Let’s go!” she yelled. She tucked in her wings and pointed herself at the ground. She pushed a hoof down, feeling the winds begin to part under her and accelerating. “Let’s see if you can hold on through a sonic rainboom!”

Rainbow didn’t let go. Instead, she flapped her wings once, propelling them even faster downwards.

“H-huh? HEY! What are you--” Shining’s eyes widened. They were going faster. And she could feel the air parting in front of them. The resistance as they came closer to pushing through the rainboom. “W-what are you doing?!” The ground was coming at them quickly, within seconds they’d be there…

“Goodbye, Shining.”

The pegasus stared at the ground with horror, the explosion of magical energy radiating off them and shaking the mountains, the sonic rainboom erupting out.

And they were still going faster. She had only a split second to feel the second wave of resistance before both ponies slammed into the ground.

------

“What the hay?” Hothoof asked, nearly stumbling over when a massive explosion tore behind him, a circle of rainbow energy radiating from the world. “Shining? Why did she--” His words were cut off with a grunt when Applejack’s hoof smashed into his chest, making him stumble back.

“Ah ain’t borin’ yah, am ah?” she asked, stomping her hooves and making his back ones sink into the dirt. He snorted, skidding his front ones forward and making the ground under her roll back, almost tossing her into the lava, only stopping herself by sinking her hooves deep into the ground.

“Nah, I’m just getting started!” he yelled, before turning around and bucking out. His hooves connected with her chest right as a pillar of stone rose up under her. The mare was sent flying back from the blow, soaring right towards the lava. She reached out a hoof and tugged, drawing out a large chunk of the ground and pulling it into the lava, giving her a very small island to land on. She bent the dirt around her, stopping herself from bouncing off it, though everything hurt. The heat from the surrounding lava felt unbearable.

Worse, she felt something had definitely cracked from that assault. He was so much stronger than he’d ever been. And with all the power from so many different ponies in him, she felt like she was fighting a mountain itself. A normal pony she could have beaten. But this? Slowly, she tried to get to her hooves.

Hothoof just laughed, stepping forward to the edge of his small island in the lava. He panted with exertion. Everything hurt and he could already barely stand. The blasted mare was every bit as strong as he remembered. But now she was beaten. “Well? Anything else to say?” He lifted his hoof to do the finishing blow.

“Yeah, yer an idiot!” Applebloom yelled. He barely had time to register the voice and turn, before Applebloom landed on his back, all four hooves crashing down at once and digging him into the ground. Before he could fully realize what was happening, her hooves smashed down on him, again and again, mercilessly beating him. He tried to lift a hoof to fight back, but the hoof was gripped and smashed down into the ground mercilessly, the hoof cracking.

“S-stop… stop it… I’m….” he tried, only to have his head gripped and slammed to the ground.

“An idiot. Who hurt mah big sis. An’ ah ain’t gonna have that no more!” she snapped angrily. She lifted both her front hooves and coated them in rock, before slamming them down on him.

He gasped, pain shooting through every inch of him. His entire body felt like it was being smashed. He glared up at her. He couldn’t win… he couldn’t. He was going to lose to them again. No. He felt the fury, the hatred rising inside him. He’d been so close. He’d HAD her! The burning rage flowed through him like lava. Enveloping him. Not again. Never again. He didn’t care if he had to destroy himself to do it, he wouldn’t lose to them again! “DIE!” he screamed. “I WON’T LOSE TO YOU AGAIN! DIE DIE DIE DIE DIE!”

Applebloom shrieked, stepping back. Lava was rising up around him. “W-what are yah--” Her eyes widened when he began to burn. Lava rose up in every direction, the ground around her quickly disappearing. He was going to kill them both. Her eyes fell to her sister. No. She wouldn’t let them perish like this. She turned and galloped, leaping off the small island to land besides her sister. “We gotta go, now,” she said, pushing the older mare.

“C-can’t… move...” Applejack said, shaking her head. “Go...” she ordered. The lava was rising, slowly spilling onto the island and singing their manes.

“Not a chance,” Applebloom said, before leaning down and scooping the other mare onto her back, the small island barely big enough for them, now. She gave one last fleeting glance back, but there was no remnants of Hothoof. Just a small lake of lava that was slowly rising. Taking a slow, deep breath, she leaped, the ground lifting under her to send her flying forward.

She didn’t have enough momentum. Applebloom screamed when her right back hoof landed in the molten magma, the rest of her, and her sister, tumbling forward onto the safe ground. The younger mare shrieked, shoving a hoof down and making the dirt wrap around the blistering and burned hoof, yanking it off a moment later to remove any remnants of the magma. She gave a soft, weak whimper, tears in her eyes, before turning to her sister and giving a weak smile. “W-well… ah… ah think we won… o-ow...”

“Heh… yeah… ah… think we did… he was an idiot… wasn’t he? Right up to the end?”

“Eeyup...” Applebloom said, before collapsing. “Ah don’t… think ah got another round in meh… you?”

“… No… Guess it’s jus’ like ol’ times… gonna have tah trust the Avatar. We… should head back to the ship...”

“Eeyup. Just… need a moment.”

------

Shining groaned. Was she still alive? Yeah. She was in too much pain to be dead. Her left wing was definitely broken. Her right wing was at least sprained. She could taste blood. Her left eye was swollen shut. She suspected more than a few ribs were broken, if not fully shattered. She tried to stand up and fell back down, giving a whimper. At least one leg was broken and they all hurt so much she could barely move.

But she was alive. That was enough. She chuckled. “So, you old pain in the flank. Thought you could end us both? Sorry, but I’m made of--”

“No. Just you,” Rainbow’s voice filled her ears, making Shining’s heart almost stop.

Shining slowly turned her head, despite the pain. The older pegasus was limping towards her, obviously in a lot of pain of her own. “H-how? I’m… I’m stronger than I’ve EVER been. My bending is--”

“Your bending and strength is better,” Rainbow said firmly. “But your skill? Your precision? Not so much,” the mare said with a sigh. “You always lacked focus. Always brute forced your way forward, that doesn’t always work. Well, unless you’re an earth bender. Maybe a fire bender. But an air bender? Nope.”

The white maneed mare growled and tried to stand, only to fall back down. “Damn it… damn it damn it damn it! How could I lose to you again?! Fine! Whatever! Take me back to prison. I’ll get out again eventually. Just you wait,” Shining said, lowering her eyes. She tried to move her wings. The right one could still move, a little. She smirked when the other pegasus approached from her right side. “You know what, though?” She waited. Watched. In a second she’d be close enough. She’d finish her with a single movement. Cut her down.

“What?” Rainbow asked, her head lowered.

“You always let your--” Her right wing started to move, only for a sudden gush of wind to send her flying, rolling on the ground. She landed in a heap, her body a fresh mix of pain. “AGHHHHHH! W-why?!”

“You misunderstand, Shining,” Rainbow said, shaking her head. “This isn’t like last time. This isn’t like any of those other times. If I let you go, if I keep letting you do what you want? You’ll kill more ponies. I tried to keep you locked up. I tried to show you mercy. I tried to treat you like… I tried to protect myself. There’s no other way to say it. I didn’t want to hurt you. I...” She was silent for a moment, then sighed. “I love you. I love the way you bend. I love watching your smile. I loved teaching you. You’re… like the daughter I always wish I had.”

“I’m not your--”

“In a way, you are. I took you. I shaped you. I saw all this potential and strength you had...” Rainbow said, shaking her head. “And I ignored all the signs. I ignored how arrogant and cocky you were. I ignored how destructive you were. I failed. I let you go, again and again and again. I let ponies die because I wasn’t strong enough to do what had to be done.”

Shining paled, staring up at the mare with a new horror. “W-what? What are you saying? You’re not--”

“I’m saying I should have killed you ages ago. You were my mistake,” Rainbow said, moving over the pony. “I’ve killed before. I never liked it. And… I knew killing you would break my heart. No matter what threat you posed. I hoped you’d learn and change. But you never have… you never will. And I’m sorry. But goodbye.”

“W-wait! No, stop! I-I’m sorry, I--”

“I’m so… so sorry. Goodbye.” The rainbow maned pegasus reared back and then came crashing down on the other pony.

------

Silver gulped, staring at her friend. Tirek knew? He just… how was he… Finally, Diamond laughed and shook her head.

“Okay, now I KNOW you’re lying,” Diamond said with a smirk, turning back to Sunburst. “Silver Spoon? Discord? You’re insane.”

The stallion cocked an eye. “Truly? You think I am? Then tell me, why does she have the Alicorn Amulet?”

“The Alicorn… no she doesn’t!”

“And why are you here, alone? Where are your other friends? The other ponies who fought by your side?”

Diamond froze, glaring at him. “Button and Acrylic? What did you do with them?” she asked, pointing a hoof at him, fire erupting from it.

“I did nothing. But perhaps you should ask your friend?” he said, shaking his head. “Look at her. Do you really believe she’s just a normal pony?” he asked, staring at the earth pony. “Think long and hard, Diamond. Think of all your interactions. Every little unexplained event. She’s not ‘just an earth pony’. She’s the reincarnation of Discord. His powers flow through her.” He then sighed. “After all… who do you think destroyed the mind of Meadowbrook? The REAL Meadowbrook? Or rather, Starlight?”

“Y-you?” she asked softly, taking a small step back. She’d felt… something, back at the woods. Right when Starlight had been about to reveal Discord to them. And the mare had kept calling Discord ‘her’. Right under her nose. So close. But it had to be impossible.

“If I had, why would I have had to capture her? To learn how she did her spell?”

“Diamond! Don’t listen to him!” Silver said, shaking her head. “H-he’s lying, that’s what he does. He GAVE Starlight that spell! He’s not Sunburst at all! His name is Tirek! He’s a spirit! A spirit of deceit and trickery!”

Diamond froze. Slowly her head turned towards Silver, her eyes wide with horror. “How… do you know that?”

Silver gulped, staring at the alicorn. She took a step back. “D-Diamond, you have to understand. I-I never wanted to lie to you. I had to. I...”

“Silver. He… he can’t be telling the truth. You can’t be...”

“… I’m not Discord,” Silver said softly. “But I… am his Avatar. But I’m not your enemy! I swear! I’m your friend! Please! You have to believe me. Everything I did, I did for the greater good. I--”

“And how long have you been lying? How many times have you betrayed her, in order to gain power for yourself?” Sunburst asked, turning to face her.

Silver whimpered. “I-I thought… I thought you were my enemy. I was wrong. I thought we had to. I thought it was our destiny. I thought it was our duty. That you’d be the Avatar, the hero. And I had to be your villain. But… but I wanted to win. I-I didn’t see a way out. Please. I do now. Diamond. You know me. I made some mistakes, but I’m on your side now. Really. You--”

“I knew you,” Diamond said, horn forming on the tip of her horn, while tears began to lightly flow from her eyes. “All this time. All this struggle. Everything… and it was YOU?! YOU were my enemy all along?!” She took a step forward. “I trusted you! I believed you! What happened to Acrylic and Button?!”

Silver cowered back, shaking. “It was an accident. I never meant for them to get hurt. I just… they found out and I had to imprison them for a bit. Until I--”

“What did you do?!” Diamond asked, before stomping her hoof. The ground rose up under Silver’s hooves, sending her falling forward and landing on her knees.

“P-please! Diamond, if you’ll just let me explain! I--”

“You’ll craft more lies to trick her?” Sunburst asked. “Do you see now, why you need my aid?” he asked. “Discord is a crafty creature. He doesn’t just alter ponies from the outside… he gets close to you and twists you in all manners.”

“This doesn’t mean I trust you!” Diamond snapped at him. “I’ll… I’ll handle her myself. I’ll deal with this… alone...” she said, digging her hooves into the ground and glaring at Silver. “I cannot believe you of all ponies betrayed me…” She flapped her wings, sending a burst of air magic at the earth pony.

Silver felt tears in her eyes, but lifted a hoof. Purple magic formed from her hoof and the winds scattered in all random, chaotic directions. “I didn’t… I did, but I don’t… I...” But the fiery look in her friend’s eyes told her that words would do nothing now.

“I told you,” Trixie’s voice echoed through the earth pony’s head.

Silver blinked and then let out a growl. “Fine. If we have to fight… then I’ll win,” she whispered, her eyes glancing to Sunburst for a moment. “Back to plan A...” She lifted her hoof and the alicorn amulet appeared around her throat.

Diamond screamed and charged at her, leaping into the air.

Chapter 27: The bad guy

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Tirek couldn’t believe his luck, victory was so close he could taste it. He watched the two fight, his eyes never leaving Discord’s chosen. His final victory was at hand. He couldn’t defeat them individually… but when they fought each other? He’d have them crushed.

All he had to do was get a hold of the Alicorn Amulet. If he could just get it off her neck, then his victory was assured. Centuries of plotting, of scheming, of vengeance filled thoughts flowed through him. He idly wondered how he’d spend the first century or two. Maybe he’d keep the two avatars as pets. They were amusing, in their own ways. And watching the two chosen of those respective spirits tear each other apart would be almost as amusing as watching their creators do the same to each other. Besides, if he wanted, he could always remove them later if the mood struck him.

------

Diamond tapped her hoof and skidded it forward, sending three large rocks at the earth pony. Despite the fire on her horn, she refused to use it. Refused to burn Silver. Through the tears, her friend, no, ONCE friend was a gray blur. She felt as if her heart was being torn apart and stomped on. How could Silver have betrayed her like this? She wanted to believe there was a reason.

But there couldn’t be. She knew the stories of Discord. The legends. She could feel it burning in her heart, in her power. Discord was the antithesis of everything she was. The way he twisted and abused ponies. The way he hurt them. The way he tore them apart for the sheer humor of it. Was that all this was to her? Had all those talks, all those kind words been a trick? That advice all just been a way to manipulate her? Had everything they had worked so hard for just been a lie?

She wanted to scream and throw things, so she settled for kicking another boulder at the mare, though it didn’t seem to do any good. Silver deflected them all with a strange, purple magic that she just couldn’t identify. Chaos magic, she supposed. No, of course it was chaos magic. That’s what her friend was. An agent of chaos. Somepony sent to trick her. To make her believe they were friends. That she cared. To tear her apart from the inside.

And it hurt more than any wound she’d ever suffered.

------

Silver stumbled back, narrowly avoiding another boulder. When more flew at her, her magic erupted yet again and the paths of the boulders were caught on a sudden shifting wind, or would lightly bump into each other and go akimbo or would have their balance lost and veer in a different direction. Chaos magic had its uses, she supposed. There was always something that could throw things off.

Though she felt as if her heart was being torn apart, tears to match her friend’s… ex-friend’s were coursing down her face. She’d messed up, she knew that. But she’d really believed that Diamond would forgive her. Would accept her for what she was. That she didn’t have to be Discord’s puppet. For a moment, she really believed that they could shake this destiny. Now she felt like an idiot. How did she really believe she could be forgiven?

She jumped backwards, her body twisting like taffy while she nimbly avoided another large boulder. She wanted to throw herself at the other mare, to beg forgiveness…

But the echoing laughter of Trixie told her that could never be. As badly as she wanted things to be the way they were, they couldn’t. Everything had been shattered. Regret soured her heart and made it burn worse than anything she’d ever felt.

------

“Those spirits?” Diamond asked, wiping the tears from her eyes. “My cutie marks. Were those you? Did you… did you send those against me?”

“… Yes. And I’m sorry. I--” Silver yelped, ducking under a stream of fire.

“How could you?! I TRUSTED YOU!” the alicorn screamed before running at the other mare. Her right hoof shot out, connecting with the earth pony’s face. She tackled the other mare, knocking them both to the ground. The other mare’s metallic wings shot out, connecting to her side and electrifying her. She screamed in pain, but brought both hooves down, fire on them, and shattered the wings at the base. “I believed in you! I thought you were my friend! H-how could you betray me? How? How...”

Silver stared up at the hurt, twitching alicorn. She bit her tongue, before shaking her head and speaking. “I… I thought I had no choice. I just… I’m sorry, I thought--” Her words were cut off by a blow to the face from Diamond’s hoof, making her head spin.

The two froze in place, staring at each other. For the longest time, neither could move, afraid of what would happen if they did. Finally, Diamond spoke up. “No… more lies. I won’t… I won’t be a pawn in your game… Discord,” she whispered. “I won’t be tricked. Or lied to. I won’t be used.” She pulled her hoof back for another strike, though she hesitated this time.

Silver didn’t. Her back hooves kicked up, striking the alicorn in the stomach and hurtling her up into the air. She rolled to her stomach, the artificial horn on her head glowing with a purple light. The magic gripped Diamond by the tail and slammed her down onto the ground. “FINE!” she yelled. “No more lies. You want the truth? I’m Discord! I’m the big bad, I’m the monster at the end of the adventure!” she yelled, running forward and slamming into the dazed Diamond, tossing her into the air and making her crash to the ground, rolling a few feet and giving a soft groan.

Silver closed her eyes for a moment, when they opened they had come beady, red eyes surrounded by yellow. “No more lies? No more trickery? Very well. Allow me to put it in a way you’ll understand.” She snapped her right hoof and music began to drift through the trees.

“I’m not the damsel in distress...” she sang, watching the alicorn get to her hooves. “I’m not your best friend or the frightened heiress.” When Diamond started to step forward, the grass under her became super slippery, making the alicorn stumble and crash to the ground. “I’m not a little earth pony who needs your help to fight. Nope. I’m the bad guy...” she sang, circling around her former friend.

“All those former villains that you fought?” Silver said, ducking under another ball of fire. She twisted and turned, bucking out and kicking the Avatar in the whithers, sending her flying. “Each of them with shaking hooves would kneel before me. So I’m not your teammate or your partner in harmony. Who am I boys?”

“She’s the bad guy,” the rocks nearby sang in unison.

“Oh it’s magic,” Silver sang, smirking when Diamond landed in a bush. “To watch you all bend to the will of my dice.” A tree fell on top of the alicorn, then a second and third. Moments later they turned to butterfly’s, scattering and leaving Diamond in a dazed, confused sprawl.

“Oh it’s thrillin’, to be the villain. I twist your dreams and then I watch you cry,” Silver said, giving a light chuckle when Diamond flapped her wings and took off at her like a bolt. She lifted her right hoof.

Then the ground under her shifted, throwing her balance off and making her stumble. “W-what?” She caught sight of Sunburst out of the corner of her eyes, his wicked smirk, moments before the hooves of the alicorn collided with her. She shrieked and flew back, the Alicorn Amulet flying off her neck to land on the ground a few feet away.

She groaned and stared at Diamond, before both leaped and tried to get their hooves on it…

Only for the amulet to fly through the air, gripped in Sunburst’s magic. He laughed, taking the amulet and wrapping it around his throat. “Cause I’m the bad guy!” he sang with a low chuckle. His body began to glimmer with light and with a flash of white fire, the pony disappeared, replaced by a massive red centaur. The music instantly died as his eyes fell over them. “Yes. And now… grk!” he started, stumbling back. His hands reached up, gripping the amulet, a look of pain on his face.

Silver chuckled, wiping the blood from her mouth. “You really are a foal, Tirek...” she said, before glancing to Diamond. The alicorn amulet appeared on her throat again. “Sit down,” she said, her eyes glowing purple. The grass around the mare suddenly sprang up into big, green, stretchy ropes, coiling around her.

“W-what? L-let me go!” Diamond shrieked, fire enveloping her but not burning through them quickly.

“H-how… w-what did you… d-do? What is this?!” Tirek asked, his hands gripping the amulet and yanking on it, trying to get it off.

“The amulet cannot be forcefully removed,” Silver said with a smirk, stepping towards the spirit. “Did you REALLY think your old master didn’t have some plan in store? That she was going to just fight you fair and square?” she asked. She then hmphed. “You really were a foal. And now? You’re a dead foal.”

Tirek screamed, the amulet around his throat glowing red. His mouth opened and light flowed out from his throat, scattering in all directions before veering around and joining with Silver. The mare took a long, slow breath.

“Oh, you did gather so much for me, didn’t you?” she asked, shaking her head. “I’ll need to separate it later. Or maybe I’ll just keep it all. What do you think, Diamond? Oh, who cares what you think,” she said with a giggle, before stomping her back hoof. Rocks rose up from the ground, wrapping around and encasing the alicorn moments before she could break the grass ropes.

Tirek soon was on his knees, panting and twitching. Little more than a frail, hollowed husk of his former glory. Slowly, he looked up. “N-no. Please. M-mercy, my master. I-I can serve you. I can--”

“Oh, as you did last time? And the time before that? No...” Silver said, wiping the tears from her eyes. “You’ve done enough damage. I won’t absorb you. I won’t let you linger, even locked away.” She snapped her hoof again and the amulet around his throat began to glow red.

Tirek screamed, shaking his head. “No! Please, my master, please! NO!” he roared, thrashing around and tugging at his throat. The glowing only intensified, searing through the skin.

“Goodbye, Tirek,” she said. The glow intensified until both ponies had to look away, a loud explosion tearing through the air. When the ponies looked back, there was nothing but scorched marks across the ground.

Silver sighed, staring at the empty space he had once stood. Then, slowly, she turned to Diamond. She felt another small pang of pain in her heart. “I’ve… won, Diamond. You’ve lost.” She had to stop herself from saying sorry. She was the bad guy. She had won. She had finally defeated her enemy, after so long. “Harmony loses. Discord wins. The end. This is my world now,” she said softly.

“I-I won’t...” the Avatar said softly. “I won’t give up. I won’t lose. Even if… if you kill me… the next Avatar will win. Or the one after them. Or the one after them. Or--”

“No. That’s where you’re wrong. I won’t kill you. I… can’t kill you. I wasn’t kidding about what I said before. I didn’t want to fight you. I still don’t… so… I’ll end the cycle. Harmony… is done,” Silver said, before thrusting a hoof at the other mare. The Alicorn Amulet glowed with a brilliant light. “And you’re free. There’s no more destiny of the Avatar for you to worry about. So… enjoy the time you have now.”

Diamond screamed.

Epilogue: Her destiny

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“Ugh...” Rainbow groaned, half-limping, half-flying back to where the ship hovered above the forest, a beacon of where the others should be.

“Hey… Rainbow,” Applejack said with a groan, giving a small, exhausted smile to the other mare. “Took your time, huh? How’d yah do? Where’s Shining?” She then blinked. “Wait. Where’s Scootaloo?”

“Shining is… dealt with,” Rainbow mumbled. “Wait. Scootaloo isn’t back yet? Eh… she’ll be back soon. Probably going to be pissed at me. Where’s Hothoof? And what about him?” she asked, pointing a hoof towards Dazzling, who was tied up to a tree.

“He’s dealt with,” Rarity said with a shake of her head. “He won’t give us any more trouble.”

“Hothoof offed himself,” Applebloom said with a sigh. “Almost got us, too.” She motioned to the leg Sweetie was currently bandaging up.

“Silver’s gone on ahead, we think,” Sweetie said with a sigh. Even with the rest, she could still feel the poison in her veins, hindering her and making even wrapping a bandage difficult. “We should go after her as soon as Scootaloo gets here. Even if we’re beat up, we may be able to tip the scales in--”

“That won’t be necessary,” Silver’s voice came out from the trees, making the ponies turn around. “Everything is done, we’ve won. But...” The earth pony was carrying an unconscious Diamond across her back.

“What?” Rarity said, her mouth open in horror. “Her… her cutie mark. It’s… Meadowbrook, did she?”

Silver didn’t answer, moving and gently laying the now bare-flanked pony on the ground. The other ponies moved to surround her.

Once they were together, she shook her head. “No. It wasn’t her. It was me.” Her eyes glowed purple and the alicorn amulet appeared around her throat. Applejack and Rainbow turned, the former lifting a hoof and the right moving a wing back. But their wounds slowed them too much. The gathered ponies were enveloped in dark, purple magic before they could act.

When they fell, their screams echoing through the air, Silver stared. “Five of the world’s most powerful benders… now all blank flanks,” she mumbled softly, shaking her head. She glanced towards the bound up Dazzling, who was missing his mark as well. “Six, I suppose. I’m sorry… but now nopony can stand in my way,” she whispered, before turning and trotting back into the woods.

Music filled the air once again. “Because… I’m the bad guy.”

Book 4, the final in the series, is out!

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https://www.fimfiction.net/story/442472/avatar-legend-of-diamond-tiara-book-4-immortals

Here you go, enjoy and hope you like it!