The Black Sun

Requirements of a Warrior

As Cetus begins to leave, he’s laughing evilly. “You don’t get it, Cetus!” Andromeda called out, but Cetus ignores her.

“So, Cetus is going try to find the remaining Legendary Warriors all on his own, just to take their power.” Radiance said.

“Those bugs are just a total menace, no matter what color they are!” Leone growled.

“Cetus!” Andromeda growled in a whisper.

“Sala!” A voice called. The group look down and see Sala’s father running up to them. “Sala, come here.”

“Daddy!” Sala said as she run up to him.

“So you came here after all, even after I told you that you shouldn't.” Sala’s father angrily said.

“Um, well...”

“I see.” Sala’s father interrupted. “Lets get out of here, before the people of the village find us.”

“Yes, daddy,” Sala said as she holds onto her fathers hoof.

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The next morning, in the village, the villagers are doing their daily chore, when they hear explosions coming from the nearby jungle. “What in the world was that?” The village chief asked.

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In the jungle, Leone takes a pebble and throws it at some trees, with the pebble going straight through them, making them fall to the ground. “Stinks! Stinks! This stinks!!!!” Leone yelled as the others watch.

“Leone is not in the best mood,” Taurus said to the others.

“I don’t blame him,” Orion said as they see Leone destroy some more trees. “He did lose after all.”

“An' t'a changeling, of all creatures,” Bismarck added as Leone destroys a boulder with a small rock.

“Leone,” Andromeda said as Leone gets ready to fire again, but Andromeda grabs his arm before he could do so. “Stop, it. What point is there in letting your anger take control. Your just wasting energy,” Andromeda pointed out.

“Back off!” Leone said as he breaks free of her grip and grabs her neck. “Whats with you anyway? You should be freaking out that Cetus kicked you butt, too. Remember?”

“I’m not happy, okay?” Andromeda said as she gets free of Leone’s grip. “I hate losing. It does stink, but Cetus taught me something in defeat.”

“Huh?”

“I turned into alicorn one day, which normally doesn't happen, then I was called a Legendary Warrior. Hearing that, I think I got a bit full of myself and overconfident, which I normally don’t let happen, even though I haven’t even mastered my new power yet. So, Leone, what is a Legendary Warrior? Just someone who has the power of the Star Fragment in them? Don’t you think a true Legendary Warrior is something more?

Someone who can completely control the power that they posses. You saw it too, right? That sea serpent Cetus summoned, he just throw a spear made of ice, and that thing appeared. Cetus did it, he mastered his power, and gained control over that powerful force of nature, the sea. He must have done so much training, that he made that power his own. Compared to that, what have we done so far?

We were so happy at becoming alicorns, that just used the power without thinking about it further. We couldn't have even have matched him, we didn’t even have a chance. But now that I know that, I will learn how to control my new power,” Andromeda finished.

“Andromeda,” Orion said.

“When she’s feeling down, she sure does know what to say.” Tempest remarked.

“I see now,” Anubis said. “It’s not enough just to be chosen by the power of the Star Fragment,” Anubis said as he looks at the scepter that he gained yesterday, “only through hard work that one can become a true Legendary Warrior.”

Leone than takes a deep breath, and thinks for a moment. “Okay, Andromeda. Come with me, then.”

“Where?”

“I was planning to leave my duel with you for last, but I guess I won’t be able to,” Leone said. “Special training. That’s what I’m talking about. So get ready, because I’m gonna smash you to pieces. Lets go!” Leone said as he heads for the sea.

“Okay,” Andromeda said as she follows.

“Leone, what?” Taurus asked.

“Hey, Andromeda, wait for us,” Orion said as he and the others go after the two. At a rocky beach, Leone and Andromeda are busy training to gain control of their power. Leone has created a sword made of the crystals found in the volcanic rock, and Andromeda has made a sword made of pure air. Andromeda uses her sir sword to slice some boulders in half, with Leone doing the same for his blade, or his claws.

“Hah, how was that, Andi?” Leone asked as he cuts clean through a large boulder in half with his claws.

“No big deal,” Andromeda said as she uses her sword to cut clean through a boulder and a few trees behind it.

Leone then growls as he remember what Cetus said to him. “He saids I haven’t mastered my power?” Leone said as a green glow encases him as he creates a tornado full of beach sand and harden lava. “Guess again!” Leone said as the tornado begins to demolish the cooled lave they are standing on. Thinking quickly, Andromeda jumps into the air, and dives down into the tornado, surprising Leone as the twister disappears as they do a small-sword duel.

“I can’t believe they can battle that hard,” Anubis said.

Why I can’t become a Legendary Warrior? Orion thought to himself. Anubis here was able to become one. Maybe I’m just not trying hard enough.

“Okay, I’m gonna train now as well,” Anubis suddenly said. “I’ll do some special training and become a true Legendary Warrior,” Anubis finished, snapping Orion back to reality.

“Huh? Well, then I’ll be your practice partner. Okay?” Orion said to the now black Diamond Dog.

“Hey, you will?” Anubis asked.

Anubis awakened by fighting Cetus, Orion thought to himself. Now, if I battled Anubis, maybe things could happen for me, too.

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At Sala’s home, Sala’s father is staring at the smoking mountain. “The mountains mood still hasn't improved,” he said as Sala tries to sneak by him. “Where are you going, Sala?” He suddenly asked, scaring the little filly half to death.

“I’m just going to play for a while. That's all, daddy,” Sala said as she quickly turns toward the jungle. “I’ll be back soon.”

“To play, huh? She’s obviously going to go see those kids. Head strong little filly,” Sala’s father said, as he looks at the smoking mountain. “As long as the volcano stays quiet, she’ll be fine.”

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At the beach, Sala finds Anubis and Orion facing each others. “Hi guys!” She said, but they seem to ignore.

Oh, Star Fragment, Orion thought to himself, if you are inside me, grant me your power.

“Okay, here we go,” Anubis said as he points his scepter toward Orion. Orion, since he doesn't any very advance spells like Andromeda, uses his magic to simply throw some rocks toward Anubis.

“So awesome,” Sala said as Anubis levitates a large boulder toward Orion, who quickly gets down as the boulder flies past him.

“All right!” Anubis said.

“I’m not done!” Orion said as he charges at Anubis. It’s not over. I will become one, a Legendary Warrior, Orion thought to himself, while Sala looks on in worry.

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“Uh, Orion, you lost in these practice matches 20 times now,” Anubis said when he notices that it’s now sunset. “You need to stop,” Anubis said to a panting Orion, who’s on the ground. “But thanks a lot, that was some great practice.”

I didn’t even win once, and Anubis is a Diamond Dog, having no real experience with magic at all. This is not good. Orion thought to himself. Suddenly, Sala pops above his head.

“Hey, are you okay?” She asked.

“Hi Sala,” Orion said as he gets up.

“Orion, you didn’t do so well, did you?” Sala said, causing Orion to sheepishly smile, not liking to lose even more than Andromeda can get.

It’s not that I didn’t do so well. It’s that my opponent is so strong. Orion admitted in his head.

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That night at Sala’s home, everyone is about to have dinner. “Everyone, eat up,” Sala said, as Taurus drools over the look and smell of the food, chuckling as he rubs his hands together.

“Uh, were so sorry,” Andromeda said to Sala’s father as he sits down.

“I did promise that you can stay here until the next boat arrives,” Sala’s father pointed out. “So you can stay. Don’t worry about it. Eat.”

“Thank you,” Andromeda said.

“However, please don’t cause any more trouble here,” Sala’s father added. “If anything else happens, I won’t be able to protect you.”

“Uh, yes sir,” Andromeda said.

“Well, then, before it gets cold...” Taurus began to say, knowing that everyone els will finish his sentence. “Lets eat!” Everyone said. Taurus quickly grabs a bowl of sweet potatoes, drizzled in honey, and eats it, while the others eat the other food. “This is delicious!”

“So, Andromeda, Anubis,” Radiance began to say, “any idea what we should do next?”

“I think we should go to all the big tournaments that involve fighting around the world,” Anubis answered.

“Tournaments?” Peach asked.

“Yes. Because those who have the strength and ability required of a Legendary Warrior, will most likely participate in tournaments.”

“That is true,” Andromeda said. “But, I forgot my laptop at home, so we’ll have to wait till we get any news. So, until we decide where to go, we’ll train,” Andromeda said to Anubis and Leone.

“Naturally,” Leone said as he takes a bite out of a pineapple.

“So then,” Anubis said as he raises a paw. “Do you think it will be all right if I joined you both in your training?” Anubis asked Andromeda and Leone. “I think that training with three creatures would be more efficient, and will also increase our result.

“Huh?” Orion said.

“Sure, we don’t mind,” Andromeda answered. “Right Leone?”

“Do whatever you want,” Leone said.

“Thank you so much, guys,” Anubis said, not noticing the dejected look on Orion's face as he stops eating.

There it is, I'm not good enough to be Anubis’s practice partner. Orion thought to himself. Taurus then notices the look on Orion’s face.

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Later, Orion is outside, sitting on a bench, looking at the stars. “Orion?” A familiar voice said. Orion turns around and sees Taurus walking up to him. “What’s wrong?” The red minotaur asked as he sits down next to the young, midnight-blue unicorn. “You seem down.”

“Yeah,” Orion said as the two look at the stars for a minute. “Well ... You know, the truth is, I really want to become a Legendary Warrior.”

“Huh? Hmmm, that's a tough one.”

“I wanna fight alongside Andromeda and the others. I should’ve been good enough to become a Legendary Warrior, too.”

“And me, too. Someday, I’ll become a Legendary Warrior, and fight along with Leone, my hero,” Taurus said, only for him to have a look of realization hit. “Ah, who am I kidding. I probably don’t even have the power of the Star Fragment, anyway,” Orion then looks away with doubt, when Taurus puts a hand on the unicorn colts shoulder. “Look, pal, there's no use in getting upset about it. The only thing we can do is put our best effort into what we can do now.”

“Put my best effort into what I can do now?”

“Yes. That's right. I have to believe that I posses the power of the Star Fragment, right now. If I work hard, then someday it will respond to my feelings.”

Put my best effort into what I can do now. But is that gonna be enough? Orion thought to himself.

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The next morning, Andromeda, Leone and Anubis are training. “I’m gonna tear you apart, Andromeda!” Leone said as he jumps on Andromeda, claws extended, but Andromeda teleports as Leone lands, and reappears a few feet away.

“Nice try, Leone,” Andromeda said, when suddenly, a blast nearly knocks the two over. “What the?”

“Uh, knock-knock,” Anubis said to the two. “Don’t forget about me. I’m not here for the scenery.”

“Your asking for it, Anubis,” Andromeda said as she concentrates and creates an air sword.

“No kidding,” Leone added as he extends his claws. “I’ll crush you pal,” Leone said as he and Andromeda charge at Anubis, who’s beginning to panic.

“Take it easy, fellas!” Anubis said as he dodges the air sword and claws.

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Further in the jungle, Orion, with about 25 empty cans, is focusing. He’s trying to learn how to fire a laser, like Andromeda and his mother can do. Even with his Lotus stone, he can only do a few sparks. “Oh, what am I doing out here?” He asked himself. “Can I really become a Legendary Warrior by doing this kind of stuff, or what?” He then hears someone coming, and sees Sala.

“So cool,” Sala said. “That was just amazing to watch. How many unicorn foals can even levitate something, let alone try to fire a laser?”

“I guess so-” Orion tried to say, only for an explosion to happen in the distance. “What was that!?”

“AH! Look!” Sala said while pointing toward the volcano. The two see that it’s erupting, with lava bombs flying everywhere.

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At the beach, the others take notice. “The volcano, again,” Tempest said.

“But that menace, Cetus, left already,” Leone pointed out. “Why is it doing that?”

“Could it be because of the fight we had with Cetus.” Andromeda said. “A disturbance that huge might have made the volcano active again.”

“What?” The others asked.

“You mean, it’s our fault.” Anubis said.

“Look out!” Flora said as some lava bombs head their way. They jump out-of-the-way, with only Taurus behind as the lava bomb hits, barley hitting him as he lands on the ground, screaming.

“OH NO! RUN!” They heard from the village.

“That’s coming form the village!” Cherry said.

“Let’s go!” Andromeda aid as she heads toward the village, followed by the others, with Taurus crawling along the ground.

“Hey! Wait for me!” Taurus said as he gets up, as lave begins to flow down from the mountain.

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A Sala’s home, her father comes running out. “Sala!” He called out. “Where are you Sala? Where did you get to Sala?”

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At the village, “Everyone, evacuate to the beach immediately!” The village chief called out as lava bombs land in the village.

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In the jungle, Orion, with Sala in tow, are running down the path, trying their best to avoid any lava bombs. “Orion, I’m scared.”

“It’s okay, we’ll be all right,” Orion said as they run toward the village, when suddenly, a large lava bomb lands in front of them.

“What will we do?” Sala asked in fright as the plants catch fire.

“This way!” Orion said as they turn around only for another lava bomb, lager than the last, traps the two in a ring of fire.

“Orion!” Sala said as the two huddle together.

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In the village, the residents are running for their lives, but one filly falls down. She turns around, and sees that a lava bomb is heading straight toward her. Suddenly, a yellow blast destroys the lava bomb before it hits. Andromeda then runs up to the filly and helps her up. “Hurry, go quickly now!” Andromeda said, making the filly run after the other villager as Anubis joins Andromeda.

Anubis fire an indigo blast at another lava bomb, destroying it too. Leone creates a large boomerang made of obsidian and throws it, destroying five different lava bombs. “Whoa!” Taurus said as Leone catches the boomerang “Ha-ha! That was just awesome!”

“Why do I have to take care of this?” Leone asked.

“Oh no! Look up there, quickly!” The village chief said as he points toward the volcano.

“That’s lava,” Bismarck said as he and the others look at the lava flow.

“It’s coming this way,” Radiance added.

“Not good,” both Berry and Cherry said.

“We got to do something, and fast,” Tempest said.

“But what about Orion?” Andromeda asked.

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In the jungle, Sala and Orion are beginning to suffocate due to the smoke from the fire. “Orion, I can’t breath.”

“It’s okay, Sala. I’ll get us out of here. I just need to move the boulder,” Orion said as he concentrates and tries to move the hardened lava bomb, but it doesn't budge. “What? Okay, one more time,” Orion said as he tries again, but the boulder still doesn't move, even with the help of his Lotus stone.

“Orion?” Sala said while coughing.

“Hang on,” Orion said to the coughing filly. Why can’t do this? Is it really impossible for me?

“Orion, it hurts.”

I can’t give up. If I can’t even save one little girl, there's no way I’ll ever become a Legendary Warrior. Orion thought as he stares at the lava bomb blocking their path. “I know I can do this!” Orion said as a red glow surrounds him. I will become a Legendary Warrior, too. Orion concentrates, and fires a red laser at the lava bomb, destroying it this time, while dissipating the surrounding fire also.

“Yeah!”

“I did it. I did it!” A slightly surprised Orion said. “Let’s go, Sala.”

“Yeah,” Sala said with a nod as she runs toward the village. Before going after her, Orion looks at his back, but sees no wings or a cutie mark.

“Aw man,” Orion sighed as he goes after Sala.

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At the village, the group sees that the lava has reached the jungle. “The village is doomed, everyone,” the village chief said as he looks at the group. “You should get out of here, too.”

“Come on, we can’t run away,” Andromeda said.

“That’s right,” Leone added. “We have to see this through to the very end.”

“Right,” Anubis added.

“Your staying?” The chief asked, completely shocked by what he just heard.

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In the jungle, “Sala? Where are you, Sala?” Sala’s father called out as he runs through the jungle. “Please, answer me, Sala!”

“Daddy!” Sala called out as she runs toward her father, with Orion in tow.

“Sala!” Her father said, relieved that her daughter is safe as the two run toward each other and hug.

“Daddy, I was so scared,”

“Sala, I’m so glade your safe,” Sala’s father said, when Orion suddenly realizes something.

“Where's Andromeda, and the others?” Orion asked.

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In the village, “If we don’t do something quick, the village will be swallowed by lava,” Anubis said as the jungle catches fire.

Leone then suddenly changes his obsidian boomerang, and changes it into a bow and arrow. “I can send something like that flying easily,” Leone said as he prepares to fire.

“Thats just not good enough,” Andromeda said. “More lava will just takes it place after that.”

“Okay, then what should we do?” Anubis asked.

“We need to cut through part of the mountain so we can change the flow of the lava,” Andromeda said, shocking the others.

“Say what?” Taurus asked.

“Thar’s no way thets possible!” Bucky added.

“Weather its possible or not, we have to try,” Andromeda said. “Leone, Anubis, if we combine our power, we can do it,” Andromeda said as she charges a blast. “Ready guys?”

“I am,” Anubis said as he charges a blast also. “Let’s do it!”

“Fine, but you two had better not hold me back,” Leone added as he also charges a blast.

“Let’s do it!” Andromeda said as the three of them fire, right when Orion shows up.

“Guys! Huh?” He said as he sees the three blast head toward the source of the lava, when they suddenly take forms all of their own. Leone's green blast turns into a light green, glowing lion. Anubis’s indigo blast turns into a two-legged figure with the head of a jackal, and Egyptian clothing. And Andromeda’s blast turns into a yellow glowing alicorn mare that has an odd resembles to Celestia, but without the sun cutie mark, a shorter mane, and wearing a toga.

The three beings quickly disappear as the combine, and hit the mountains peek, causing a large explosion, blocking the lavas original path, making it redirect toward the open ocean. “Amazing,” a resident said as he and the others look on in disbelief.

“The village has been saved,” the village chief said.

“You guys did it!” Cherry excitedly said as she dances around, wearing a cheerleaders uniform.

“Where did you get that?” Flora asked.

“I found it,” Cherry answered.

“Ha-ha-ha! You actually did it!” Taurus excitedly added.

“I can’t believe my own eyes,” Tempest said as Leone holds up a hoof toward Anubis, smiling. Catching on, Anubis gives Leone a high four/hoof.

“B-b-b-b-b-b-bull! Thanks to the Legendary Warriors!” Taurus added as they celebrate, while Orion watches on in amazement.

A ... Amazing! Orion though to himself. There on a whole other level from me. I don’t think I can become a Legendary Warrior after all. But what can I do?

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Later, on a boat heading for the nearest city with an airport, the group is stunned. “Your ... Your leaving?” A shocked and heartbroken Andromeda said to her little brother.

“It’s not like yo' t'leave yer friends, Orion,” Bucky pointed out.

“Well, the truth is,” Orion began to say, “if I stay with you, I will just be slowing you down.”

“Orion, no one thinks about you that way for one-second,” Radiance said.

“No! It’s a fact,” Orion said. “Even if I stay with you now, all I’ll end up doing is cheering you guys on from the sidelines. And that not enough for me, this time. I want to find something that only I can do. Andromeda, I want to help you and the others, not just be a cheerleader.”

“Orion,” Andromeda tried to say.

“So that's why I can't stay with you now,” Orion finished, as Andromeda smiles in an understanding way.

“Okay, I understand,” Andromeda said, shocking the others, except for Leone and Orion.

“What?” They all said. “Andromeda, but you can't!” Tempest said.

“Orion, when you find what that something is, you’ll come back to us. Is that a deal?” Andromeda asked her little brother.

“Yeah,” Orion said as he nods.

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At the docks of Jakarta, Orion is about to get on a boat that heads for middle Asia. “So, you really are leaving, huh?” Peach asked Orion.

“Yes,” Orion said. “I need to find my own path. Try not to find your cutie marks while I’m gone, okay guys?”

“We’ll wait till yo' come back,” Bucky said.

“Just don’t get yours before then, either,” Peach said as she affectionately punches Orion in the arm, leaving a buries.

“Ow!”

“If you need anything, just call,” Radiance added.

“Orion,” Andromeda began to say, but can’t. “Just ... be careful, okay?”

“I will,” Orion said as he gives his sister a hug, before he gets onto the boat. As the boat leaves, Taurus, Berry and Cherry are crying their eyes out as the boat with Orion on it leaves, while the others say their goodbyes.

“Bye, Orion,” Andromeda said, holding back a tear at seeing her little brother leaving her for a while, but happy that he’s grown so mature, and will get even more mature during his journey. As the boat leaves the horizon, after the others head for the hotel they are staying in, Andromeda collapse to the ground, and bursts into tears. Being the only one to hear this, Tempest turns around and sees Andromeda, crying. He walks up to her, and places an arm on her shoulder, trying his best to comfort her.