The Black Sun

The Warrior of Winter

Out in the ocean of the North Maluku region of Indonesia, Bismarck, Radiance, Berry and Cherry, Andromeda, Flora, Tempest, the Cutie Mark Crusaders, Leone and Taurus are on a speed boat, heading for the island where the Star Fragment pieces possibly felled to Earth. “Wow, that is one cool looking island,” Orion said as he sees the smoke from the mountain, meaning it’s a volcanic island.

“Do you really think there’s a Legendary Warrior on that island, Anubis?” Radiance asked.

“Yes, if my calculations are correct, that is,” Anubis said as he looks at his tablet to be sure. “The place where this Star Fragment pice fell to is undoubtedly there on that island.”

“You sound pretty sure of yourself,” Taurus noted.

“Yes, I am. ‘A light that falls from the heavens will wake the slumbering Warrior of the Sea and shake the Earth,’” Anubis said, causing the group to look at him in confusion.

“What was that?” Peach Cobbler asked.

“It’s a legend that this island has. An old legend that seems to hint at the arrival of the Star Fragment and the awakening of a Legendary Warrior,” Anubis answered.

“A light that falls from the heavens?” Andromeda said as they arrive at the only dock on the island. The group, especially the Cutie Mark Crusaders, happily get off the boat, and look at the jungle ahead.

“Okay, were here at last,” Orion said.

“About time, too,” Taurus added.

“Carful, Miss Radiance,” Anubis said as he takes Rarity’s bag as she steps onto the dock.

“Thank you,” Radiance said as she take the bag back.

“I’ll ask just one more time,” the unicorn boat driver began to say, “are you sure you want this? The next boat won’t come back here until the day after tomorrow.”

“Uh, yes,” Anubis answered.

“Thar’s no guarantee thet we’ll find th' Legendary Warrior right away,” Bismarck added.

“We don’t have much choice,” Tempest added.

“Remember this, then, that there volcano could erupt at any time,” the boat driver warned. “It’s up to you guys, but it be better if you turned back now, if you ask me.”

“We’ll be fine,” Tempest said.

“Thanks for bringing us all the way out here, sir,” Flora said.

“Yes, thank you very much for taking us this far,” Anubis added.

“Well ... Guess there’s no stopping ya,” the boat driver said, defeated. “There’s a village west of that there jungle. If you run into trouble, you can go there for help. But remember, I can't guarantee that they will be all that welcoming to newcomers. You understand?”

“I think we do,” Andromeda said. Suddenly, the ground begins to shake as a large amount of smoke and ash bellow from the volcano.

“Uh oh! Time to bogie home, I think,” the boat driver said as he starts up the engine. “You kids be careful now!” He said as he quickly leaves.

“Talk about rude,” Fancy Pants as the boat disappears from site.

“Nothing we can do now. He’s going too fast for him to hear us,” Peach Cobbler said.

“We need to get going too,” Leon said as he heads for the jungle. “Don’t just stand there.”

“Wait up, Leone buddy,” Taurus said as he and the others go after Leone, except for Anubis.

“Man, he nevah stops movin', does he?” Bucky said as Anubis glares at Leone, before running after the others.

In the thick jungle, “Oh, come on! Is there really a village in a remote place like this dump?” Tempest asked, getting an annoyed glare from Flora, who’s enjoying the rare and beautiful plants on the island.

“Ponies can say the same about your home, Tempest,” Andromeda pointed out.

“Yeah, good point,” Tempest said with a sheepish chuckle.

“This island isn’t very big, really,” Anubis pointed out. “It shouldn't be far now. Let’s keep going, okay.” Anubis said, only for Radiance's suitcase to get caught on a vain.

“Wait. Wait a sec. My bag is stuck!” Radiance said as she tries to free the bag, stopping the group as Bismarck helps Radiance out.

“Nothing ever changes with you, either,” Leone said as he goes on. “If your just gonna slow us down, head back home.”

“What was that?” Radiance angrily asked. “You are so rude!”

“You don’t have to be so mean!” Anubis nearly yelled.

“Oh, Leone your awful!” Radiance said as she and Bismarck try their best to free the bag, to no avail, until Taurus breaks the vine.

“It’s just his way,” Taurus said as the go after Leone.

“Thanks a lot, Taurus,” Radiance said when hey catch up to Leone, making Taurus blush a bit.

“Huh? Oh, it’s nothing. Leone cannot be delayed, so I do what I have to do to help,” Taurus said as Leone stops at the top of a small hill.

“Whoa,” Leone said, getting the others attention.

“Wow!” Orion said when they see the village, that oddly looks like Ponyville, only without the colors. “There it is. The village.”

“We actually made it!” Andromeda said, only for Cherry and Berry to glare at her.

“Don’t jinx it!” The Pie twins said as the happily hop down to the village.

“Do you think there could be a Legendary Warrior here?” Flora asked.

“I guess we better start asking the villagers right away,” Anubis said as they head down to the village. In the village, the residents, who are mostly earth ponies, with two pegasi and three unicorns, are doing their usual business, when the group arrive.

“Uh, excuse me, sir,” Andromeda said as she stops a green and brown earth pony stallion.

“Just who are you?” The resident asked with suspicion. “Why did you come to my island home? Huh?”

“Well, we’ve come here to look for someone, actually,” Anubis said in a polite tone.

“Have you, really?” The villager said, still suspicious of the newcomers.

“Well, yeah,” Andromeda said as she levitates a scroll written by Celestia, but the stallion then freaks out at the sight of her glowing horn.

“AH!” He and other residents screamed as they run into their homes and close their windows shut.

“Uh, what just happened?” Orion asked.

“What gives?” Taurus asked, while the villagers stare at them with a mix of anger and fear.

“That was weird,” Peach added.

“What’s going on here?” Leone asked as Flora goes up to one the houses. “There all just watching us from inside their houses.”

“Uh, hi! We are not here to do any harm, I assure you,” Anubis called out as Flora walks up to one of the homes.

“Please, we just want to talk to you,” Flora said as she knocks on the door. An old stallion pegasus then answers by slowly opening the door, just enough for Flora to see his face.

“So, tell me. Are you all magic users?” The old stallion asked.

“Uh, I guess so,” Flora answered, only for the old stallion to splash water on her.

“What did you do that for!?” Peach said as she runs up to her sister.

“We do not allow your kind here, so go away now! Your all magic users, so you're a threat to us. Get out of our village, immediately!” The old stallion said as the other villagers come out of their homes too, carrying buckets of trash and sticks.

“Yeah!” A mare yelled. “That’s right!”

“The village chief has spoken!” A stallion yelled as he throws some sticks at the group.

“Go on! Get out of here!” Another stallion yelled as he throws some eggs at them, along with the rest of the village.

“Why are they doing this?” Radiance said, trying her best not to mess up here mane.

“So, you want to fight, do ya?” Leone asked.

“Not now, Leone,” Bismarck said as Flora and Peach make it back to them.

“I think it would be best to retreat for the time being,” Anubis said to Andromeda.

“Good call,” Andromeda said as she puts the scroll away, then they all leave the village as fast as they can.

==================================================================

Later, near the sea on the island, the group are lying down on some rocks, exhausted. “Man, thet was off th’ grid,” Bucky said as he drinks some water.

“What’s up with these ponies, anyway?” Radiance asked as she puts down her bag.

“What could have gotten over them? Arn’t some of the residents unicorns?” Orion asked.

“Whats with their twisted, weirded, grudge against magic users, Leone pal?” Taurus asked.

“How should I know?” Leone said.

“Uggh. And after we came all the way out here, too. And now were completely exhausted,” an annoyed Tempest said, while both his and Taurus's stomachs groan.

“I’m so hungry, I could eat a bull.” Taurus said as he holds onto his stomach.

“What do you think we should do now?” Anubis asked.

“Thats a good question, Anubis,” Andromeda said.

Suddenly, they hear, “Oh, come on already!” a filly shouted nearby.

“Huh?” Andromeda then heads toward the source of the sound, and sees a young unicorn filly, younger than Peach Cobbler, practicing. The filly has a brown mane, a light green coat, and violet eyes. The filly in question then tries to uses her magic to lift a can in front of her, but she barely gets a small spark, let along gets her horn glowing.

“Aw, I really am not good at this,” she said as she flops to the ground in disappointment. She then hears hoofsteps, and sees that Andromeda, along with Orion, and Radiance walking over to her, followed by the others, except for Leone.

“Hello. Trying to learn how to use your magic all by yourself, huh,” Andromeda said, but the little filly just gasps in fear and surprise.

“Aw, Taurus, she’s scared because your scowling at her like that,” Flora said to the red minotaur.

“I’m not scary at all! B-b-b-b-b-b-bull!” Taurus angrily said as steam comes out of his nostrils.

“It’s okay,” Orion said. “Were friends.”

“Say, what’s your name?” Berry asked.

“Sa... Sala,” the little filly answered.

“Sala, is it?” Radiance said as she levitates a Lotus stone from her saddle bag. “Try that spell one time with this, okay?” Radiance said as she gives the Lotus stone to Sala.

“Okay,” Sala said as she holds onto the stone and tries to levitate the can again, but this time her horn glows violet as she levitates the can like it she was doing it for years. “Wow, it work!”

“Great. Now try without the stone,” Andromeda said. Sala puts the Lotus stone gently on the ground and tries the simple spell again, getting the same result.

“Yeah, all right!” Sala cheered as Orion, Bucky and Peach Cobbler walk up to her.

“Why not try levitating something heavier,” Peach suggested.

“Okay,” Sala said as she takes the spell and tries to levitate Bucky, the unwilling test subject.

“Hey, this is not funny,” Bucky said as Bismarck run up to make sure he’s okay, while Sala, Orion and Peach laugh as Sala puts him down, while Leone walks up to the others.

“Hey!” Leone said, getting their attentions. “Just how long are you gonna keep wasting time like this?”

“Oh, keep your coat on,” Tempest said to the ill-tempered lioncorn.

“Yeah, Leone,” Andromeda added. “Even if magic users are not welcome in that village back there, there is a unicorn filly who practices her magic. I think our only hope of communicating with the village is through our new friend: Sala.”

“I didn’t come with you so I can play with little kids! Understand?” Leone pointed out.

“Calm down,” Radiance said.

“I won’t hang around while you just play games. I’m gonna do things my way.” Leone said.

“What?” Andromeda, Radiance, Flora, Berry and Cherry, and Anubis all said.

“Let’s go, Taurus,” Leone said as he leaves.

“Me? Leone, pal?” Taurus said as he goes after Leone.

==================================================================

Not long after, Sala and the others, minus Leone and Taurus, are resting on some rocks. “Ha-ha, that was such fun!” Sala said.

“You sure did get a lot better with your magic, Sala,” Andromeda complimented.

“Say, do you alway practice by yourself?” Orion asked.

“Yeah,” Sala admitted. “It didn’t used to be like this around here, but after that thing happened, magic was banned from the village.”

“That ... thing?” Tempest asked.

“What thing, Sala?” Andromeda asked, but before Sala could answer, Andromeda’s stomach growls loudly. “Oops,” Andromeda said with a blush.

“What was that, Andromeda?” Tempest asked, making Andromeda laugh in a sheepish matter.

“Sorry,” Andromeda said, still blushing.

“Whats the matter?” Sala asked. “Are you guys hungry?”

“Uh, yes, actually,” Tempest said with a slight laugh along with the others.

“Not to worry,” Sala said as she gets up. “I’ll get you something to eat.”

==================================================================

Later, in a house just outside of the village, the group, accompanied by Sala, are in her barn, which has hay and some goats. “Nice barn,” Bismarck said as she looks over the design. “Reminds me of home.”

“It sure does,” Radiance added.

“Just stay here,” Sala said. “I’ll bring you some food from my house, okay? I’m sorry you have to wait in here, but if my father finds you, I’ll get into big trouble. I’ll be back soon,” Sala said as she heads outside.

“Looks like we won’t be getting a warm welcome after all,” Radiance said, having received plenty of warm welcomes before.

“But we should be grateful that she’s bringing us food, right,” Flora said. Outside, Sala is about to head inside, when her father called out.

“Sala,” he said, getting the little fillies attention. He’s a unicorn stallion with a light pink coat, a brown mane in dreadlocks, brown eyes, and he wears a grey headband. “What have you been up to, Sala?” He asked.

“Not much,” Sala said as she tries her best to hide the Lotus stone Rarity gave her, but her father sees it.

“You were practicing your magic again, weren't you?” Sala’s father angrily said. “I told you that you can’t do that anymore. Give that to me,” Sala’s father said, getting everyone's attention inside the barn.

“No! Daddy, it’s mine!” Sala cried.

“What do you think is going on out there?” Orion asked.

“Uh oh. Everyone, I think we should hide,” Anubis said. The group then go and hide in a large pile of hay. Outside, Sala’s father, takes the Lotus stone, when he notices what it really is.

“Huh, what the? Sala, where did you get this Lotus stone?” Sala’s father asked.

“I, uh, found it,” Sala answered. Suddenly, they hear an extremely loud stomach growl from the barn, making Sala gasp in worry.

“Can’t you control that stomach off yours, Tempest!?” Andromeda angrily whispered as she pushes Tempest’s head into the hay pile.

Tempest then frees himself and glares at Andromeda. “That wasn't me, it was you Andromeda!” Tempest whispered back, only for Andromeda to push his head back into the hay.

“My stomach doesn't growl that loud!” Andromeda whispered back, when Sala’s father walks into the barn.

“Anypony in here?” He asked, surprising the group, who didn’t notice that the little fight between Andromeda and Tempest destroyed their cover. Sala’s father sees them, and glares at them.

==================================================================

On another part of the island, it’s almost sunset as Leone and Taurus walk around the volcano. “There don’t seem to be any clues on this stinking island at all,” a clearly exhausted Taurus said, sweating form both the heat and the walk on the small island.

Leone then stops and looks around the island for a minute. “This really is a tiny island. There’s only this volcano. So that’s it, then. The only place left to look is there,” Leone said as he looks at the smoking mountain, terrifying Taurus.

“What!? Were gonna climb that thing!?”

“No time for whining. Follow me,” Leone said as he walks over toward an ancient arc, which has a very creepy face on it. “Hmm, this looks promising,” Leone said as he proceeds to climb the volcano.

==================================================================

At Sala’s home, it’s now night as the others are at a table, covered in food. Some of them are drooling at both the sight and smell of freshly cooked food. “That looks great,” a drooling Tempest said.

“Please. Go ahead and help yourselves,” Sala’s father said.

“Your so generous,” Radiance noted.

“We really appreciate it, sir,” Flora said.

“Thank yo' fo' th' grub,” Bucky added. They then proceed to eat the food, which includes bananas, soup, mashed potatoes, and other fruits and vegetables native to the island.

“Your the newcomers I heard about who showed up on the island today. Is that right?” Sala’s father asked.

“These are good people daddy, who help me get a lot better with my magic, and the even played with me,” Sala said to her father while she looks over toward Orion.

“Why is she looking at me like that?” Orion asked Bucky.

“Beats me. Ah still kin’t figger out Peach,” Bucky said as he drinks some water, getting a punch from Peach.

“I understand that,” Sala’s father said. “Here’s the scoop. The village in an uproar about you.”

“But why?” Andromeda asked.

“Let me bring you up to speed,” Sala’s father began. “About two weeks ago, a magic user came to this island, just as you did,” Sala’s father said, recounting the event.

==================================================================

Two weeks earlier, some of the villagers are at the entrance to the sacred ground on the volcano, stopping a strange creature that’s black and blue walks up to them. He has sea-blue, serpentine eyes like Chrysalis, what appears to be an exoskeleton, holes in his legs, wings and other insect-like armor. “This place is sacred,” the village chief said to the strange stranger. “The mountain holds the volcano god that protects the island from all evil. Outsiders cannot enter!”

“Volcano god, is that right?” The stranger said. “Interesting. I will go and check and see if it’s really there or not.”

“Your dare,” the village chief angrily said.

“That’s right,” the stranger said. “Because,” he said as he is suddenly engulfed in blue flame and changes into what looks like the village elder before changing back, shocking the villagers, “a true god is standing *right in front OF YOU!*” Suddenly, he changes into a flaming blue sea serpent, and charges at the villagers, terrifying them to the point that they run for their lives. He then goes on up the mountain.

==================================================================

“Without listening to the villagers warnings to stop, he said he was going to do some kind of training, and disappeared on the mountain alone,” Sala’s father finished.

“A black and blue, shapeshifting, insect-like magic users?” Radiance asked.

“C'd it be one of them?” Bismarck asked.

==================================================================

On the mountain, Leone and Taurus have almost made it to the top. “Leone, old pal?”

“Looks like were getting close, Taurus,” Leone said as they pass by some partly melted status in the harden lava.

==================================================================

“Since that day,” Sala’s father continued, “every night the howling of a beast can be heard coming from the mountain. The ground itself trembles all through the village.”

“Everyone says that the volcano god must be angry,” Sala added.

“I get it now,” Andromeda said.

“That’s why they began to think badly about magic and magic users from outside the island,” Anubis added.

“One night, a light fell out of the sky and crashed to the ground,” Sala’s father added. “A terribly scream can be heard, and not long after, the volcano that had been silent for so many years, became active.”

“‘A light that falls from the heavens,’ I knew it!” Anubis said as he stands up. “A Star Fragment really did fall onto this island, for sure.”

“Then that means the Star Fragment entered the magic user,” Orion added.

“There can be not doubt about it,” Anubis said. Suddenly, the ground begins to shake heavily.

“Oh no, it’s starting up again!” Sala’s father said as he holds onto his daughter.

“Do you think that one of them became a Legendary Warrior?” Orion asked his sister, who nods, certain that she knows what the stranger is.

==================================================================

On the mountain, Leone and Taurus, especially Taurus, are terrified by the magma and what appears to be water spew out of the volcano’s mouth. “I see now,” Leone said when the see a figure emerge from the smoke. “It seems that the Star Fragment didn't care if the Legendary Warriors are all ponies, apparently,” Leone said.

They then see that the figure is a male changeling, only instead of green hair and eyes, his are blue. He’s also the same size as Chrysalis, with the same eyes and gapes in his legs. But the main difference is that he has a cutie mark, a constellation, but neither Leone or Taurus can see which one. “Is that a ... a changeling?”

“So, when the Star Fragment chose of the Legendary Warriors, it didn’t care that at least one’s a changeling,” Leone said as he takes on a fighting stance.

==================================================================

At Sala’s home, “The magic user that went up the mountain, it has to be a changeling,” Andromeda said as she looks at the smoking mountain. “One of the changelings has also become a Legendary Warrior. We need to get to that...”

“No, you can’t!” Sala’s father firmly said.

“Why not?” Bismarck asked.

“I am also a member of this island. I cannot allow anymore outsiders to step foot on that sacred ground. It’s forbidden,” Sala’s father answered.

“But, sir,” Flora tried to say.

“I will shelter you here, until the next boat arrives,” Sala’s father said. “However, if you make things worst then they are now, I will no longer be able to do that. I am saying this for your own good. Please do not provoke the people of this village any further.”

“Awww,” the Cutie Mark Crusaders said.

“Oh, dear,” Sala said.

==================================================================

On the mountain, the blue changeling with a cutie mark has descended a little down the mountain, not far from Leone now. “Why are you here, Leone?” The changeling asked, well aware of the leader of Team Wild Fang.

“Leone, look,” Taurus said while looking at the flank of the changeling. “He has a cutie mark that’s a constellation like yours.”

“I see it. What’s your name, pal?” Leon asked.

“My name is Cetus,” the blue and black changeling answered.

“So, Cetus here has already awakened as well. The third Legendary Warrior was you, Cetus!” Leone yelled.

“Legendary Warrior?” Cetus asked.

“I never imagined that the first one I would crush would be a changeling, and a blue one for that matter,” Leone said as he takes on a fighting stance. “But I can’t say that I’m disappointed. After all, Chrysalis once def-”

“Don’t compare me to that green betrayer!” Cetus yelled.

“Uh, why not?” Taurus asked.

“Just because those green, lover-sucking betrayers attack Canterlot 30 years ago, doesn't mean we’re all like them!” Cetus said. “Blue-changelings, like my self, don’t fead off of love, but off of fear.”

“So that’s why you came here, to strike fear in the villagers so you can feed!” Leone said, tying the villages anger toward magic users to Cetus. “But it doesn't matter, I will show you my power!”

“Humph, you excited because you think you found a good play mate? Is that it?” Cetus mocked.

“Save it. I, Leone Lulamoon, have the same power of the Star Fragment as you do!”

“Star Fragment?” Cetus asked.

“The battle conditions are equal. Time to learn the hard way that you bugs can’t stay around forever!” Leone nearly yelled.

“You say its equal, do you?” Cetus said. “Fascinating. Someone like you thinks he can beat the King of Blue-Changelings!?”

“The King of Blue-Changelings?” A terrified Taurus said.

“Here we go, Cetus!” Leone said as he fires a laser at the blue-changeling, who does the same, creating a small explosion that can be seen from the village.

==================================================================

“Ah! It’s getting stronger!” The village chief said when the volcano begins to erupt slightly. The villagers then all get down to their knees and began to prayer. “Please, take pity on us.”

“Take pity on us.” The village began to chant.

==================================================================

At Sala’s home, Andromeda and the others see that explosions on the volcano. “What are we going to do?” Berry asked. Suddenly, Andromeda goes and picks up her bag.

“Sis, what are you doing?” Orion asked.

“We’ve never came to this house, guys,” Andromeda said, surprising the group.

“What?” Anubis asked.

“Sala and her dad? We never meet them,” Andromeda added. “We’ve never meet them because we don’t want to get them in any trouble, do we.”

“Right,” Tempest said. “I get it now, Andi.”

“Good, because we have to go,” Andromeda said as she jumps out of the window, accompanied by the others. Outside, they see Sala, blushing slightly.

“You guys are going, huh.” Sala said. “I’ll guide you there myself.”

==================================================================

On the mountain, Leone is throwing rocks at Cetus, some of the having a small amount of vibranium in them. “Oh, you aren't half bad,” Cetus said to the lioncorn.

“I haven’t even gotten started yet.” Leone said as he does his, “Lion Gale Force Wall!” Leone said as he creates his signature spell, creating a tornado that sends the rocks at Cetus with such ferocity and power, they shatter like glass when they hit the ground, making Cetus growl in anger, being pined down by the flying rocks.

“Yes sir! Take it to him, Leone!” Taurus cheered.

“I’m gonna drive you right into the volcano!” Leone said as he pushes Cetus into the crater with his tornado. But Cetus teleports away, surprising Leone and Taurus.

“Nuts! Almost had him,” Taurus said.

“Do you really think a defensive spell like that can match my power?” Cetus asked the lioncorn.

“Sorry, dude, but my new power doesn't just have a powerful defense,” Leone said as he secretly molds another vibranium dagger. A bit further down the mountain, Andromeda and the others, led by Sala, are running and/or flying up the mountain.

“We need to hurry,” Andromeda said.

“Check out my new fangs!” Leone said as he throws the dagger at Cetus, who just backs away a little bit, when the dagger hit, it explodes, causing Cetus to fall into the mouth of the volcano.

“Yeah, all right! You got that bug, Leone!”

“Humph!” They heard from the volcano. “Lets see now, the conditions are equal, right?” Cetus asked inside the mouth of the volcano. “In that case!” Suddenly, a geyser of steam and boiling hot water erupts from the volcano, with Cetus, accompanied by what appears to be a sea serpent, comes out and lands in front of the two, glowing a sea blue, along with the serpent, which disappears as Cetus draws in the water from the atmosphere. “So, from here on it will be decided, by the difference in the power of the magic user, is that right?”

“That’s not good, pal,” a slightly scared Taurus said.

“Your a little foal who hasn't even fully master his own power yet,” Cetus pointed out as he creates a sword and axe made of ice from the water.

“Oh yeah?” A clearly angry Leone said as the others arrive.

“Look, it’s a blue changeling!” Radiance said.

“A blue changeling? I thought they only came in green.” Bismarck said.

“Leone and Taurus, too.” Flora added.

“Come, I will show you the difference between you and I.” Cetus said to Leone.

“Ha! I can’t wait,” Leone sarcastically said. “Prepare yourself, Cetus! I'm gonna tear you apart!” Leone shouted as he and Cetus charge at each other.