Beyblade: Battles are Magicby theultimatebronyChaptersProlouge: The Infinity Tournament.A New World. (AKA I'm shirtless in a pony's bed)Meeting With the PrincessThe Storm, Bey Mark, and PegasusThe ShadowNemesisOriginsFamily MattersToo Many Pinkie Pies.Prolouge: The Infinity Tournament."Hold your ground Sagittario!" I called to my bey as the opponent's Eagle attacked it again and again. "Maybe it's time for something else," my opponent, a man by the name of Tobias, said, "Hit him from above Eagle." The bey ramped up the edge of the stadium and flew into position. When it was right above mine I yelled, "Special move! Flare Twister!" A ring of fire formed around my bey and became a tornado of fire. When Eagle fell into the move it was sent flying. It landed, steaming, beside Tobias. "And the winner of the semi-finals of the Infinity Tournament is Archer!" the announcer called out as my bey returned to my gloved hand, "Now it is time for the final battle. Archer against Raymond!" My new opponent walked throught the tunnel leading to the stadium. He wore a sleeveless shirt and black jeans. His beyblade was Phantom Wolf. The fact that both of our beys had a bearing drive performance tip would make winning difficult, but not impossible. "And let me remind the two bladers who have made it to the finals what they are fighting for. The chance to design a brand new bey." I knew that creating a bey would be the ultimate accomplishment for a blader. And I had a bone to pick with Raymond. The last time we fought he stepped on my bey, luckily not beaking it. "Hello Archer," Raymond said casually, "Long time no see." "Just pick up your bey and launch," I snapped. "Wow," the announcer said in fake amazement, "the trash talk is already starting. Well I'm not one to keep two bladers from battling. So lets do this. "Three." "Two." "One." "Let it rip! We launched our beys and I noticed something wrong immediatly. His bey was moving in the opposite direction it was supposed too. "What bey are you using?" I asked. "Meteo L-Drago," he replied with a smirk. "Raymond, you know L-Dragos are forbidden in WBBA tournaments," the announcer called, "For that and switching your beys you are disqual-" I held up my hand, "Don't disquallify him. I will fight him and prove I can beat him." "Uh, fine. Battle on!" Because L-Drago can steal spin power, the whole series was illegal in official matches. But I was going to end this with one blow. "Time to fly Sagittario!" I called. I made my bey fly up the side of the stadium and over it. I had Sagittario flip and yelled, "Special move! Sagittario Reverse Flare!" A tornado of flames rained from the sky over the stadium. I had Sagittario flip back over and began to speed around the stadium. When the smoke and fire died down, L-Drago was completely unharmed. "How in the world is that bey still spinning?" I said, amazed, "It should have been roasted." "It's going to take more than a little fire to harm us," Raymond replied as he smirked, "L-Drago!" Our beys clashed and sparks began to fly. It took me two minutes before I figured that there would be no way to win. Whenever we came in contact he would absorb my strength and I would regain it. I did have one idea, but it was risky and unperfected. I removed my jacket and tied it around my waist. It was about to get hot in here. "Retreat Sagittario!" I commanded. "Giving up?" Raymond said in a mocking tone. "Nope. Just this," Sagittario ignited and began to speed around the stadium, "Move as fast as you can!" Sagittario began to move faster and faster, until the rim of the stadium was a ring of fire. When I felt enough momentum was gained, I sent it towards L-Drago. "Special move! Nova Burst!" As Sagittario moved towards the center the ring went too. Seconds before contact, L-Drago glowed and Raymond yelled, "Chaos Dragon Bite!" When our beys hit each other, there was a large flash of light and I passed out. When I came to I was lieing on grass. I looked over and saw my bey spinning a foot from my head. I smiled and said, "Good Sagittario," before falling unconcious. A New World. (AKA I'm shirtless in a pony's bed)When I awoke I was staring at what looked like the inside of a tree. I sat up and looked around the room. I was in a circular room with a desk in the corner. I looked down at myself and saw that my shirt was missing. I looked under the blanket to make sure my pants and jacket were there, which they were. "Hello," a feminine voice said. I looked up to see a purple unicorn. "Are you alright?" "Aside from the fact I'm talking to a unicorn and I think I might have a concussion." The unicorn's horn glowed and a light shot at me. My hands went to my belt when I remembered that my bey wasn't there. "Well you don't have any cracked or broken bones so you should be fine." "Where's my bey?" The unicorn looked confused, "What's a bey?" "You know, a beyblade. A metal and plastic top." The unicorn facepalm-er-hoofed, "It's downstairs. I'll go get it." "Thank you." When the unicorn left I got off the bed and put on my jacket. I left the room, ducking at the doorway, and went downstairs. When I got down there, there were six horses and what looked like a small dragon. "Uh, hello." I greeted, "Who are you all?" The horses introduced themselves. The orange one that sounded like she knew Sandy Cheeks was Applejack(she did't get my joke when I asked). The pink one was Pinkie Pie. The blue and rainbow maned pegasus was Rainbow Dash. The yellow and pink pegasus was named Fluttershy(I think because she so quiet). The white and purple unicorn was named Rarity. The unicorn I met upstairs was named Twilight Sparkle and her dragon friend was Spike. When they were done introducing themselves, I said, "You can call me Archer. Now, about my beyblade." "Oh yes. Right here," Twilight levitated my bey towards me, "I was just studying it." I took Sagittario in my hand. As my fingers closed around it, seven spheres of light appeared and flew to the horses and Spike. Those beams of light turned into beyblades. "How did these get here?" Twilight asked, levitating a Ray Striker. "What are they anyway," Rainbow Dash asked, staring at a Cosmic Pegasus. I explained what beyblades were and how we used them for games on my world. As for how they and I got here, I had no idea. Applejack said I was passed out at her farm. When I was done Twilight asked, "Can you show us how use these?" I slipped Sagittario into a holder on my belt, "If we were somewhere more open and non-flammable I would but- " I was interrupted by a flash of light. When I could see again we were in a grassy area with a large amount of boulders. "What just happened," I asked, trying not to vomit up my lunch. "I teleported us here to an abandoned field at Applejack's farm," Twilight replied. "Warn me next time please." "Sorry. Could you show us how to use these now." I pulled out my bey and launcher, "First, could you tell me what world I'm on." "You are in the country of Equestria on the world Equis. We are just outside of the town Ponyville." "Based on that name I guess you like the term pony over horse." "Quite correct." "Well then my little ponies, it's time to see something awsome." I launched my bey and broke straight through one of the boulders. "Awsome," Rainbow whispered. "Just look at this. Wait, do you have a fire protection spell or something?" Twilight nodded. "Well, then. Flare Twister!" The vortex of flame erupted from my bey, melting some of the rocks near it. Seconds after using my move, however, I felt a sharp pain in my side and I dropped to my knees. The fire stopped and I returned Sagittario to my hand. "Are you alright?" Twilight asked. "Fine," I muttered, " My last battle wiped out my strength. Could I have one if those apples please?" "Sure thing," Applejack replied, running to the trees. When she brought one back I thanked her and began to eat. That apple was the best I had ever tasted. When I told her this she said, "You think that's good? Just wait for Zap Apple season." Before I could ask what a Zap Apple was, Twilight asked, "I did not realize you could use magic." "Humans can't use magic," I replied and took amother bite. "But you made your top catch on fire and then it returned to you. Oh, did it hurt when it touched you?" Pinkie Pie said rapidly. "First of all, my bey catching on fire is called a special move." I then spent the next ten minutes explaining the connection between bey and blader and how a special move works. "Do you mind if I see your launcher?" Twilight asked. "I don't mind," I handed her my launcher. Twilight levitated the launcher and attached her bey to it. She magically pulled the cord and her bey launched. "Why won't it go anywhere?" Twilight asked after about thirty seconds. "How hard have you been trying?" "I've been putting all my focus onto it." I chuckled, "There's your problem. You just need to apply a little focus in the direction you want your bey to go." Twilight took my advice and her Striker began to sped all around the field for about two minutes before it lost power. "That was interesting," Twilight said, levitating her bey back to herself, "Do you have another launcher?" I shrugged my shoulders, "Sorry, the rest are back where I came from." Twilight thought about this for a moment, "I think I know somepony who can make some." So we walked from the orchard into town. It was a long walk, but I spent most of the past two years traveling so I was fine. When we were in town I noticed a large number of ponies staring at me. I also noticed that most had sime sort of marking on their flanks. I decided not to say anything as I did not want ponies to think I had been staring. We made it to a large tree and Twilight said, "Spike and I are going to send a letter to the princess. After that we can get those launchers." After they went inside, a mint green unicorn ran up to me. She squeeled like a fangirl and said, "Oh my Celestia! Are you a real human?" "Uh, yes?" something about this unicorn disturbed me. "Yes! Oh I knew human mythology was real!" "There's mythology about us?" "Yes, though I am one of the few who believe. Could I see your hands," She was making me feel really uncomfortable. I was about to lose my cool when Pinkie pulled a muffin out of no where and stuck it on the unicorn's back. I was about to ask what that was for when I heard someone yell, "Muffin!" A grey pegasus tackled the unicorn. Applejack looked at me and said, "You might want to follow us." The ponies ran and I wasted no time following them. We ran until we reached a clock shop. When inside a brown stallion looked at me and simply said, "I owe Lyra twenty bits." Just then there was a flash of light and Twilight appeared in the room. We explained the beyblades and how the six ponies and dragon somehow obtained them. When we were done the stallion, whose name I learned to be Time Turner, said, "Your story is strange. The stranger thing is that this morning on if these 'beyblades' appeared to me as well. I'll go fetch it." Turner went into a back room and returned with many pieces of paper, metallic objects and a bey. He put them on the table and I could see that the bey was a Twisted Tempo. I had never fought one but I had heard that they were hard to beat. "I have been working all day to find a way to make this top work," Turner said as he tried to tie a gauntlet that looked similar to a launcher to one of his legs, "This is what I've came up with." Turner tied a hook-like device to his other leg. He then inserted his bey into the launcher. He put the hook on a loop and pulled. Tempo was launched and I had to move out of the way before it hit me. "Sorry about that." I was about to say it was no problem when I heard a belching sound. I turned and saw Spike holding a scroll. Twilight took the scroll and began to read. "Archer," she said, "the princess wishes to meet you." Meeting With the Princess"How much longer do I have to stand here?" I asked. "Just a little longer darling," Rarity replied. At the moment I was standing, shirtless, in Rarity's boutique. After Princess Celestia sent a letter saying that she would be here tomorrow, Rarity insisted on making me a set of dress cloths. "So, what were you doing before you came here?" Twilight asked. "I was in a bey tournament battling for the chance to design a bey. When I saw that the battle was going nowhere, I used my most powerful attack. There was a flash of light and the next thing I knew, I was here." "Is creating an original bey really that big of a privelige?" "Yeah, but that wasn't the only reason I wanted to win so badly. I had a five year grudge against my opponent. "Five years is areally long time to be mad at someone," Pinkie said, "Did he try an apology party?" "No. He crushed my first bey under a pile of rubble," I replied. "How did you come across your current one," Twilight asked, levitating Sagittario. "My father gave it to me shortly after. I trained hard for two years. When I was 17 I left town to get even stronger and to find Raymond." "Really, your archnemesis is named Raymond?" Rainbow Dash laughed. Then Fluttershy gave her some sort of evil eye. "Don't you have family who misses you?" Fluttershy asked, "Or friends?" My stomach dropped ad tears began to well in my eyes, "I'd rather not talk about it." "Oh, sorry. I shouldn't have asked." "Finished," Rarity said happily, "I have all the measurements and am no able to make you a suit." "Thanks," I replied graciously, "But I don't have any of this world's money." "Don't worry, it's on the house." "Thanks Rarity," I looked outside to see that the sun was setting, "I think I should start looking for a place to sleep for the night." "Why, you can sleep in my barn for the night," Applejack said. I thanked her and we began to walk to the farm. We managed to avoid the green unicorn who Applejack said was named Lyra. When I asked why Lyra was obsessed with humans, Applejack only said, "I got nothing." When we got to the farm, Applejack said, "Ah have to get my sister. So you go inside and ask my brother, Big Macintosh, for some blankets." I nodded and went inside the farmhouse where a red, muscular stallion was standing. "I'm guessing you"re Big Macintosh," I said with a friendly smile. "Eeyup," he replied. "Could I have some blankets. I'm sleeping in the barn." "Eeyup." A being of few words I see. Big Macintosh went to a closet and got some blankets. "Thanks." "Yer welcome." I went out to the barn and opened the door. It was actually a pretty nice place, certainly better than some of the places I've slept. I put some hay down as a makeshift bed and pillow and went to sleep. I was standing at a bey stadium. I had been training and was ready to try a new special move. I looked at my dad, who gave me a thumbs up. I focused and a ball of fire appeared around Sagittario. "Special move! Wrath of Helios!" The sphere was expanding a bit too fast. It was about hit me when my dad ran up and pushed me out of the way. "Dad!" I yelled. I looked down at myself. My body was covered in hay and sweat. "Are you alright?" Applejack asked from the door. "Fine. Just a nightmare." "If you want to talk about it we can." I got up and slipped on my jacket, "I'll be fine. We should get to Rarity's." Applejack took an apple in her hoof and tossed to me, "You can't meet the Princess on an empty stomach." "Thanks." We walked down to Rarity's where there were three young ponies in front of the door. "Applebloom, aren't you supposed to be on your way to school?" Applejack asked half angrily. "Sorry sis," the yellow pony said, "Ah wanted to meet the human and Sweetiebelle said he would be here for an outfit." "Hello," I said, "The name's Archer." An orange pegasus walked up to me and said, "Hi there. I"m Scootaloo." I reached down and pet Scootaloo's mane, "You three should get to school." The ponies said goodbye and left. Rarity came out and said, "How in Equestria did you get them to leave?" I shrugged, "I just acted nice. Maybe it's because I'm a human and they don't know me." "Whatever the reason I must thank you. Now come in, Celestia will be here any minute and you haven't seen your outfit." I walked inside and saw a white sheet on the table. The sheet was enveloped in a blue glow and Rarity said, "Behold, the suit of fire!" The suit was made up of an orange jacket with a red undershirt. The pants were fire printed. "Sweet," I said with a smile, "Do you have a changing room?" "In the back," she replied. I went to the back and changed. The suit fit perfectly and still allowed me to move. It even came with loops for my belt and gear. I came out and Rarity said, "It looks perfect. Do you like it?" "I love it." Spike ran through the door and said, "The princess is at the library!" "Let's go then," I said, retying my laces. As we walked out the door, Rarity said, "One more thing, I used a fire-proofing spell on it because of your beyblade's abilities." We ran to the library, which was that giant oak tree, and walked inside. The first thing my eyes focused on was a giant unicorn with wings. By giant I mean eight foot tall. Her mane and tail were light rainbows and moved even though there was no wind. There was something familiar about her but I couldn't put my finger on it. "Hello Archer," she said in a sweet voice, "I am Princess Celestia of Equestria." "Hello Princess," I said with a bow, "I guessing Twilight told you my name." "Yes. And she told me about these beyblade devices. Could I see yours?" "Sure thing," I pulled out Sagittario and it was enveloped in a golden light as she levitated it. She examined it for a minute and said, "Twilight said that some beys were created when you came here. May I see them." The ponies and Spike pulled out their beys. This was the first time I noticed the other three were in the room. Celestia levitated the beys in front of me and said, "Do you know about these beys?" I looked a them for a second, "Twilight's bey is a Ray Striker, good for attacking. Rainbow Dash's is a Cosmic Pegasus, also good for attacking. Pinkie's is a Dark Gasher. Good for surprising the opponent with height changes. Applejack has a Dark Bull, which is good for defense. Rarity has a Poison Virgo which can avoid and dish out attacks. Spike has an Omega Dragonis. Very good attack power. Fluttershy has," when I saw her bey my voice cracked a bit, "Phantom Orion. Hers is just meant to take a bunch of hits and outlast the competition." "Interesting. Could you tell me what you did before you came here?" I told Celestia the same thing I told the others. She seemed to listen intently. When I was done, Celestia said, "This game of yours is interesting. But it could also be used for dark reasons." "I would never use Sagittario to harm anyone," I defended. "I am not talking about you. It could be possible that your opponent also ended up in Equestria." I hadn't thought of that, "If he is here he could be a threat. I respectfully suggest searching for Raymond." "I was planning on doing so. I was also wondering if you and another would demonstrate a bey battle. If you don't mind." "I only have the one launcher, your highness, so none of the others could launch their beys. And we don't have a stadium." "I have an idea," Twilight said before she teleported us. I blinked and found that we were in the same field as when I demonstrated my bey. I guessed at what Twilight was thinking and pulled out my bey and launcher. "Let it rip!" I had Sagittario ignite and broke through the stones in a large circle. When the stones were clear and the grass was burned away, I returned Sagittario to my hand. "That takes care of the stadium problem," I said, "But the others don't have launchers." "May I have your launcher?" Celestia asked. "Uh, sure," I pulled out my launcher and Celestia took it with her magic. It glowed brightly and it became eight. My launcher returned to me and the seven replicas went to the others. "Okay then," I said, "Who's first?" "I'll go first," Twilight said, levitating a launcher and her bey. I walked to the other side of the makeshift stadium and held my launcher at the ready, "I'll do the countdown. Three. Two. One. Let it rip!" When we launched, Twilight went straight for the attack. I just let Sagittario sit in the center as he was attacked again and again. "Why won't you slow down?" Twilight was getting angry. That's good. "My bey has a bearing drive performance tip," I explained, "The bearings decrease friction to almost nothing and increases my power." Twilight understood this and her Striker backed off. She began to circle the stadium faster and faster. A green aura appeared around Twilight and her bey began to produce electric sparks. "What's going on?" Twilight asked nervously. "That's you and your bey's power," I replied with a grin, "I hope you know what that means." Twlight nodded and Striker moved closer to Sagittario, "Special move! Lightning Horn!" Her bey smashed into mine, sending it flying. Sagittario bounced off one of the rocks and into the air. "You got him now Twilight!" Rainbow Dash called. "Not so fast," I replied, "Reverse Flare!" Sagittario flipped and rained fire upon Striker. Everyone was amazed at my attack, except Celestia. She seemed almost afraid of my power. Sagittario flipped and landed. When the fire cleared Striker was no longer spinning. Sagittario returned to me and I said, "How was that Princess?" "Amazing," Celestia said. She sounded nervous about something, "I must return to Canterlot." Celestia disappeared ina flash of golden light and we were alone in the orchard. "What was that all about?" I thought aloud. "I'm not sure," Twilight replied. Celestia knocked on the door to her sister's room a third time. This time, it opened. "What do you want sister?" Luna asked tiredly, "Can it not wait until the evening?" "No it can not." Celestia replied, "A child of Helios has returned to Equestria." "How can you be sure?" "He looks, sounds, and acts just like him. He even has the same bey. But sister, he has brought another human to Equestria. This one is extremly dangerous." "I will hunt for this other in the dreamscape. Now may I rest?" "Yes sister." Celestia returned to her chambers. After magically locking the door, she took a small trunk out from under her bed. Not even Twilight Sparkle had seen it's contents and Celestia had not for over 2500 years. She opened the trunk and removed a beyblade. "Helios," she whispered, "you have returned." Author's Note Occasionally I might do more of those third person views. But not often. The Storm, Bey Mark, and PegasusAs I climbed down from the tree, the sun was setting over the horizon. "Quittin' time," I muttered. I had been in Equestria for a month and my life was already better than my old one on Earth. The apple family had given me a job. Applebloom and I made a cabin for myself in a secluded part of the farm(how that filly doesn't know her talent is beyond me. I still practiced beyblades, usually with Rainbow Dash. As I walked past the barn I called, "I'm heading into town Big Mac. You coming?" He walked out of the barn and said, "Eeyup." Big Mac and I had been meeting up with some stallions for a couple weeks at what Ponyville considered a pub. When we got there, we sat down at our usual booth with our friend Comet Tail. "Hey Comet," I said, "where's the others?" "They'll be here soon, I'm sure," Comet Tail replied, not looking up from his star charts. He was so much like Twilight that I've told him he should ask her out. He just blushes whenever I mention her. "Have you gone to Turner for a launcher yet?" I had been able to replicate the circumstances that had allowed me to create beys for Spike and the girls. Comet got a Jade Jupiter and Big Mac got a Rock Orso. "No. I've been busy looking at the star charts from the time you came here. Maybe there was some sort of alignment or something that could have amplified the power of you and Raymond's special moves or focused them to rip through the dimensional wall." "You need to get some exercise Comet," Big Mac said. Just then our other friends, Thunderlane and Noteworthy walked through the door. "What we miss?" Thunderlane asked as he sat down. "Comet is still looking at his star charts and needs a launcher and some exercise," I summed up. A waiter walked up to the table and said, "The usual I'm guessing." We nodded and began to talk about what we were going to that weekend. "The girls and I are having a tournament tomorrow," I said, "Do any of you want to join?" "I'd like too," Noteworthy said, "It might give me some inspiration for a new piece." "Sure," Comet said. "If you're using a dirt stadium you can't have a tournament," Thunderlane said, "There's going to be a storm tonight and the stadium will get turned into a pile of mud." "Dang it!" Big Mac said, "I was going to ask Fluttershy out tomorrow." We all stared at him like he was speaking Prench. When the waiter gave us our drinks I took a drink of my root beer I did a spit take. "What?" he asked in confusion, "She's pretty, sweet..." We were still staring at him. "Seriously, you want Comet to ask out Twilight." "Sorry," I apologized, shaking my head, "You're just so shy and none of us would expect you to actually attempt to ask a mare out." The others nodded in agreement. After that we just drank our drinks in silence. When I was done I payed my part of the bill and went out into the pouring rain. I sprinted all the way to the farm. On my way to my cabin, I saw candle light flickering in the window of Applebloom, Sweetiebelle, and Scootaloo's clubhouse. "Why would the fillies be out here during this?" I thought, walking up the stairs to the entrance. I peeked inside the clubhouse to see a soaking wet Scootaloo, shivering under a blanket. "Scootaloo!" I exclaimed, picking up the freezing filly. I ran back to my cabin and sat Scootaloo on my bed. Then I pulled out Sagittario, launching it into the fireplace and igniting it. Scootaloo sat up and said, "Archer, am I at your place?" I nodded, "Are you alright?" "Just cold." "I can fix that." I used Scootaloo's blanket to dry her off the best I could. Then I wrapped her in my blanket and sat with her in front of the fireplace. "Is that better?" "Yeah. Thanks for bringing me here." "You're welcome. Why were you in the clubhouse instead of at home?" Scootaloo looked down, "Do you promise not to tell anypony if I tell you?" I nodded. "I don't have one Archer." "What do you mean? Are you an orphan?" Scootaloo nodded, "I technically live at the Ponyville Orphanage, though I stay in the clubhouse most of the time because I hate living there." "What happened to your parents?" "I was told my dad ran off and that my mom died during my birth," Scootaloo began to cry, "Sometimes I wonder if it was my fault." I put my hand on Scootaloo's back, "Scootaloo, I'm going to tell you something only I know. I don't have a family either." "How?" Scootaloo sniffed. "Three years ago I was at a training area with my parents. I used a special move that caused a huge fireball. My dad pushed me out of the way. The place began to burn down and I made it out, my mom didn't." I began to feel tears run down my face. "I felt responsible for their deaths, but you know what I did?" "What?" "I focused that rage and sadness into a desire to get stronger. I skipped town to get a fresh start." Scootaloo stared at the fire, "I still would like Rainbow Dash to be my sister, but maybe we could be eachothers family." I drew Scootaloo closer, "Sure Scoots, I'd like that." I saw a small beam of light come from Scootaloo's chest. I wiped my eyes to make sure I wasn't seeing things. I put my hand on the light and pulled it away. With my hand came a bey. "Is that a bey?" Scootaloo asked, eyes wide. "Yeah, Storm Pegasus. I think it belongs to you." "Really! How do I use it?" I pulled out my launcher and put Pegasus on it. "Pull the cord with your teeth." She did this and the bey began to sped all over the room. "This is awsome!" Scootaloo said, "It feels like the bey is part of me." Scootaloo suddenly got a puzzled look on her face. "Why is my flank tingling?" Scootaloo pulled off the blanket and there was a mark on her flank. It looked like the mark on Pegasus' face bolt. "Your talent is beyblading," I said with a smile. "Yes!" Scootaloo's face suddenly looked like she realized something, "If you hadn't came to Equestria, I wouldn't have gotten my cutie mark. Ever." Scootaloo jumped up and wrapped her forelegs around my neck. "Thank you so much!" "You're welcome," I replied. Scootaloo held onto me until she fell asleep. My last thought before falling asleep was, "Strange, my bey before Sagittario was a storm pegasus." Author's Note Attention everyone. For the next week I want you to post your ideas for this chapter name. I will chose one and it will be used for the name of this chapter forever. EDIT: congradulations Goldenlink. Your title has been chosen. The ShadowI awoke to find Scootaloo curled up on my stomache like a cat. I tried to move out from under her but instead woke her up. "I'm up!" she yelled, confused, "Oh, good morning Archer." "Morning Scoots," I replied, "Could you get up so I could make some breakfast?" She got up and I went to my small kitchen. I looked in my cupboard and found a jar of oatmeal and some sugar. "Do you like oatmeal?" I asked. "Yeah." I put some water in a pot and asked Scootaloo to grab Sagittario for me. I spun it with my hand and lit a fire to boil the water." "How do you do that?" Scootaloo asked in amazement. "Practice," I replied. When the oatmeal was done I poured some into a couple bowls and added sugar. "How do you like it?" I asked as we ate. "It tastes great!" Scootaloo said with a full mouth. She swallowed and added, "How did you learn to make it?" "Thanks," I was glad someone liked my cooking, "When you're on the road for three years, you pick up a few recipes." When we were done I asked, "Do your friends know that you don't have parents?" Scootaloo looked at the floor, "No. I don't want them to know and I really don't want Diamond Tiara to find out." I heard about their little bully. I could understand why she didn't want her to know, but her own friends should. I didn't like people knowing about my past because they might find me dangerous. "You'll have to tell them eventually," I said, washing the bowls, "Especially now," I guestured to her cutie mark. Scootaloo frowned, "Maybe, but can it wait for the hype of me getting a cutie mark to wear off?" "Sure," I went into the bathroom and changed, "Now come on, we need to get you a launcher." I grabbed both our beys and we went outside. Scootaloo grabbed her scooter from the clubhouse and we made our way to the farm house. The way was muddy, so I had to ask Applejack if I could dry out the stadium. I had to ask to use my fire in high amounts so I don't burn the farm down. "Applejack!" I called when we go to the house, "Could I ask you something?" Applebloom walked outside and said, "Sorry Archer, she just went down to Twilight's." "That's alright. I'll see you later." "Hey Scoots. Whatcha doin' here so early?" "I, uhm.." Scootaloo began to stammer. "She got caught in that storm last night so she stayed at my place," I said, hoping that Applebloom would buy it. "Okay then," she stared at Scootaloo for a full minute before exclaiming, "Scootaloo, you got your cutie mark!" Scootaloo turned so Applebloom could see the mark head on and said, "Do you like it?" "Yeah! Though what is it fer?" "Beyblading," as Scootaloo spoke, I took Storm Pegasus out and handed or hoofed it over to her, "We were heading down to Time Turner's to get me a launcher." "How did you get it?" "I, uhm, found it in the mud last night. Would you like to come with us, we could pick up Sweetiebelle on the way?" "Sure, if Archer doesn't mind." I shrugged, "The more, the merrier." As we walked to town, I couldn't help but feel like we were being followed. I could see a shadow out of the corner of my eye. When I looked that direction, I couldn't see anything. When we picked Sweetiebelle up from Rarity's place, the fillies began to jump around because of Scootaloo's newfound talent. They gave Scootaloo a group hug, despite her saying she didn't like 'mushy stuff'. "Could you make us some beyblades?" Sweetibelle asked. "I need help from unicorn magic," I replied, "Could you assist me?" "Um, no. We could ask Twilight though." We resumed our journey and when we were nearing the library, it flew onto the air and smashed into the ground. I ran inside to find Twilight with a smoking horn. "What happened here?" I asked. "The princess wants to see me for a test!" Twiligjt seemed very worried about this. "You are one of the smartest ponies I know. You won't fail," I assured her. "I was telling her it was just a test!" Spike said. He was wearing a suit of pillows and a football helmet. Spike belched up a scroll and opened it, "The princess wants to see you as well Archer." Twilight and I were walking into the castle at Canterlot. I had to admit that the city was awsome looking, though the ponies were snooty and gave me dirty looks. We entered a building with a large number of stained glass windows. I noticed that two had Twilight and her friends defeating enemies. Celestia and Luna were at the far side side of the room. Twilight cleared her throat and said, "You wanted to see me? To give me a test? I brought my own quills and plenty of paper to show my work." The paper spilled to the floor and unrolled, "Sorry! Sorry!" I resisted the urge to facepalm as Celestia rolled up the paper and said, "This is a different kind of test. The Crystal Empire has returned." What had confused me was not my lack of knowledge of the empire, but the fact that Twilight had no idea about what Celestia was talking about. She began to look through her books and said, "The Crystal Empire? I-I thought I had studied. I don't think any of my bo-." "I wouldn't expect them to. Even my knowledge of the empire is limited," Celestia levitated a crystal from under a glass dome. She put it on the floor and a hologram of a beautiful city appeared, "But what I do know is that it contains a powerful magic." The empire turned black, "One thousand years ago Sombra, a powerful unicorn king, took over the empire. He was defeated and banished to the frozen north. But not before he was able to cast a curse on the empire. A curse that caused it to vanish into thin air." The empire disappeared into thin air and was replaced by the crystal. "If the empire is filled with hope and love, those this are reflected throughout all of Equestria." Celestia shot a light beam at the crystal, causing many rainbows to form. "But if hatred and fear take hold," Celestia's eyes and horn turned black and gree n. She shot a black beam at the crystal, causing it to turn black and it began to spread. When the crystals got near, I instiinctively grabbed my bey. Celestia shot the crystals and destroyed them. "Which is why I need you both to find a way to protect the empire. Archer needs to head to my old castle in the Everfree. Raymond has been spotted there and there are some dark artifacts within that could be used for destruction." "Okay Princess," I said, bowing, "Just teleport me there or give me a map." Celestia's horn glowed and I was in a forest. I was on one side of a bridge and on the othere side there was a bunch of ruins. What caught my eye was a human shaped shadow on the other side. Suddenly, a something flew past my head. I turned and saw Meteo L-Drago. I looked at the shadow and yelled, "Raymond, I know your there!" Raymond stepped out of the shadows. He was extremly pale and looked like he hardly ate. His bey returned to him and he said, "Hello Archer. I see life has been treating you well." I put my bey in the launcher and said, "What have you been doing all this time?" "I've been training for this meeting. My master wanted me to get you here." "I don't know what master you're talking about." "Just follow me," Raymond turned and ran into the ruins. I chased him, just hardly keeping him in my sight. The deeper we went into the ruins, the colder I felt. He stopped on the other side of an indention in the ground and held up his bey. "Let it rip!" he called, launching his bey. I launched my bey as well and they met in mid air. The shockwave made me stumble backwards. I had Sagittario smash into L- Drago, but it didn't budge. "I've been getting stronger than you can even imagine," Raymond laughed, "But those ponies even give you a workout." I moved Sagittario back and said, "How do you know about the ponies?" "I've been watching from the shadows, as that is the power my master has offered. Special move! Dark Dragon Pulse!" A black energy wave hit Sagittario and knocked it back. I barely managed to stay on the lip of the indention. It was at that point that I realized something. "This is a bey stadium," I muttered. "So you've finally figured it out," Raymond said, "I guess it's time to accelerate the plan." Raymond produved a knife from thin air and through it at me. It grazed my arm, but I felt like I was going to pass out. Raymond stood over me and said, "The sandman will see you now." My vision went dark. I awoke in a stone room. I looked around and saw Raymond standing against a wall. "Hello Sleeping Beauty," he said, "Time for you to fufill your part of the plan." "I won't help you," I picked up my bey and launcher from the floor and wealky launched it. Raynond moved aside and Sagittario went into a small hole in the wall. The wall opened up to reveal a bey. Raymond picked it up and inserted it into a launcher. "Thank you," he said as he launched his bey. A black orb appeared around us and we appeared in a sunlit room. Black energy seeped into the strange bey. Raymond tossed Sagittario to me and said, "Time for the real fight," anoher sphere appeared. When the orb recede, we were in what looked like a jousting stadium. Ther were ponies with crystal coats in the stands. "Welcome to the Crystal Empire," Raymond said with and evil grin. Nemesis"Why did you bring me here Raymond?" I asked as crystal coated ponies ran away from the jousting stadium. "So the power of Helios will be ours," Raymond replied, "And please, call me Shadow. Now pick up your bey and battle!" I didn't know who Helios was and didn't really care at the moment, so I put Sagittario on my launcher and launched, saying, "I'm going to end this quickly." I spun Sagittario in a large circle around the mysterious bey, picking up speed until my move was charged. "Special move! Nova Burst!" My bey hit his and the shockwave made me stumble back. Shadow's bey didn't even budge. I hit it with rapid fire attacks until I began to pant. Whatever knocked be out left me weak. "Your puny attacks cannot affect Nemesis!" Shadow laughed, "Now Special Move! Dark Shockwave!" A wave of dark energy swept over the stadium, sending Sagittario flying behind me. I brought it in front of me and began to launch attack after attack at Nemesis. "After I beat you, your friends are next!" Shadow laughed, "Maybe I shall destroy Fluttershy and that Phantom Orion of hers. You never use your true strength because she uses your father's bey." It was true that I never used my full force on Fluttershy. But it was not because she used my father's bey, though she did. It was becayse she was so frail I didn't want to hurt her. I heard a voice behind me yell, "I won't let you hurt my friends!" I turned to see Rainbow Dash, launcher at the ready. "No Dash," I said, "This my battle." She looked a bit upset by that so I added, "If I lose, feel free to end him." "Or maybe I should start with that little pegasus orphan you're friends with," Shadow continued, "What's her name, Scootaloo?" Something in me snapped and I turned towards Shadow. I felt like raw power was flowing through my veins. My entire body caught fire and my bey began to glow and I growled, "You will not touch her! Two forms appeared beside me, a centaur and an alicorn. Both nodded and I said, "Special move! Wrath of Helios!" A ball of fire consumed both beys. Then it imploded and released a flaming shockwave that sent Nemesis flying. Shadow picked his bey up off the ground and said, "We will meet again," before dissolving into darkness. I collapsed onto my knees and stared at the ground, my power spent. I had Sagittario come to me and I stood up. Rainbow Dash flew over and asked, "Are you alright?" "I'll be fine," I replied, "I used alot of power. Are the others alright." She nodded, "Is what that guy said true? Is Scootaloo an orphan?" "Yes, but Pinkie Promise that you won't tell anypony or let Scootaloo know that you know." "Uh, alright. Cross my heart, hope fly. Stick a cupcake in my eye." "Thank you, now where are the others?" Rainbow gave me a quick explanation about Sombra and the Crystal Heart. After she was done I started walking towards the castle. I kept moving until the arm that the dagger hit began to throb in pain. Rainbow gasped and I turned to see a cloud of smoke with the head of a unicorn. I fell to the ground and blacked out. I was back in Ponyville. Scootaloo was standing beside me. She was looking forward, mouth hanging open. I looked in the same direction and saw a writhing mass of darkness speeding towards us. I picked Scootaloo up and threw her just as the darkness consumed me. I was surrounded by suffacating darkness, unable to move or breath. I was trying with all my might to grab my bey and launcher so I could break out, but I was unable. I could hear a voice in my head, telling me that my struggling was pointless. As I struggled to get oxygen to my brain, I whispered, "I'm sorry I wasn't strong enough." As I closed my eyes, a bright light appeared in front of me and I watched as it took the form of an alicorn stallion. He stuck his horn into my chest and I felt rejuvenated. As he turned to go he spoke a single sentence, "Awake my child. My eyes opened and I was lying on the ground, my friends staring at me. I stood up and saw that my body was unscathed, not even the knife wound was remaining. "What just happened?" I asked, wondering if Rainbow bucked my head again (first time was the first time I beat her at a bey battle). "SpikejumpedoffahugecrystalandShiningthrewCadenceandthecrystalheartmadeSombraexplode!" Pinkie explained in her strange way. Twilight then explained everything slower and I understood. I turned to Shining Armor and asked him to levitate Sagittario. He did so and I grasped it, forming two beys. Death Quetzacoatl went to Cadence and Variares went to Shining Armor. "What are these?" Shining Armor asked. "Beyblades," I began to explain. When I was done, Shining Armor asked, "Do you think we'll need these?" "If Shadow comes back, maybe. His bey took all my strength to beat and he still had the power to teleport." "Well thanks." Before we started our way to the train station, Twilight gave her family a hug. The whole way there Applejack kept staring at me. When we were on the train I asked, "Why are you staring at me?" "You had a secret on your chest when you came here," she replied," It's gone now. So what was a secret so great that you held it for a month?" I contemplated on how to answer. It was obvious that she could tell if I was lieing. Also, I trusted these ponies and they would probably understand. I took a deep breath and said, "I've been holding it for three years actually." On the train ride I explained my past to the girls. They understood why I kept my secret and did't judge me. The only thing I didn't tell them was the conversation I had with Scootaloo. As I watched the scenery pass by I thought about Raymond, or Shadow now. "Where are you?" Shadow stepped through a vortex into a snow filled cave. He looked around until he found a red horn. The horn glowed and Sombra's head regenerated. "We failed," Sombra whispered. "No," Shadow smiled, "You failed to take the empire while I absorbed the power of Helios Archer channeled through his special move." "Help me, please." "Master doesn't like failure. So he needs what power you have left." Shadow held out Nemesis and Sombra screamed as he was absorbed into the bey. A portal opened behind him and Shadow laughed as he stepped backwards into it. Origins"It's time to head home for a 'Saved the Crystal Empire' party!" Pinkie said as Twilight left the palace. Twilight was talking to Celestia after the Crystal Empire inccident. I needed to speak to Celestia about my poison dream and what Shadow meant by Helios. I told the girls to head home without me as I walked into the room of stained glass windows. "What are you doing here Archer?" Celestia asked, "The others have left." "I wish to speak with you in private," I replied with a bow. I explained what I saw and heard. Afterwards, Celestia went to the back of the roomand pulled a torch, opening a secret door. "Everything will be explained if you follow me," she said as she walked down a staircase. I followed her to a small, torchlit room with a mirror on the far end. "This is the Anima Speculum," Celestia explained, "If you gaze into it, it will show you the answers you seek." I walked up to the mirror and stared into it. Instead of my reflection, I saw the alicorn from my poison dream. He had an orange coat. His mane and tail were red with yellow streaks. His cutiemark a pheonix. "Hello Archer. I am Helios. "How do you know my name?" "The Anima Speculum shows extra souls in the body. I am within your body, or more accuratly your bey." I pulled Sagittario out of my pocket, "Celestia told me you would answer my questions." Helios nodded, "Touch your hand to the mirror and all will be explained. I touched the mirror and it felt like my mind was being separated from my body. The next thing I know I'm hovering over a forest. "Where am I?" I thought. "I am showing you the explanation you seek." I couldn't see Helios, but I heard his voice. "Now remain silent as I speak my story. "2700 years ago, a star fell from the sky." A meteor fell as he spoke. Contained within that star was unimaginable cosmic power. I set out to put that power under the control of my family." The scene shifted to show Helios standing in front of two alicorns and a centaur. They were in front of a crowd of both humans and ponies. "In those days I ruled over both man and pony. To assit in the rule of my descendents I created three tops." Helios produced three beyblades. "To my eldest daughter, Celestia, I gave Sol Blaze to augment her solar abilities. To the middle child, Luna, I gave Lunar Tempo to augment her power over the moon. To my youngest, Sagittarious, I gave a bey simply known as The Archer. "Why is your son a centaur?" I asked. "He tried using a transformation spell and it left him halfway between forms. Now, as I was saying, for a century we had peace throughout the land. The scene shifted to a stone glowing with dark energy. "I was not the only being attracted to the star's power. A being of dark power took a fragment and turned it into a bey known as Nemesis. Darkness used Nemesis to put most of Equestria into a state of shadow. In order to combat this threat, I created the Elements of Harmony from the last of the star." Six beams of light shot at the growing shadow. "The Elements could be used to their full power, however, Darkness mortally wounded my son. In order to save him I used the Elements to fuse his soul with the bey. This created the bey you know as Sagittario." I stared at the beyblade that was still in my hand. It was the son of this alicorn, yet how did I posses it? "I used Sagittario to remove the power from Darkness and seal Nemesis away. Another century of peace passed before Discord, a beast of chaos, came to the land. Knowing of my power and the growing strenght of humamity with beys I created, he turned be human and created a universe for all of humaniity to inhabit. He also wiped Equestria from the minds of all but a few, that is how Earth's myths were born. My daughters used the Elements of Harmony to defeat Discord, but I perished as a human. My soul entered the bey, Sagittario, and a son I had with a human woman took it. That man was your ancestor. That was a strange story, yet it made sense. I don't know, it might be because of the fact that Equestria exsists that it made sense. But there was one last question. "How do I defeat Nemesis?" "I do not know. Nemesis is currently in a state where it is absorbing energy. Once it has reached its full power, it will have the strength of Sagittario within. I can give you access to all of my power, that will help some.. Helios appeared and plunged his horn into my chest again. I could feel the same rush of pure power as when I used Wrath of Helios flow through my body. Helios removed his horn and I was standing in front of the Anima Speculum again. "Did you find your answers?" Celestia asked. "Yes," my mind was unfocused. Not because I had seen what I had, but because my back was so dang itchy. I threw off my jacket and ripped off my shirt. Celestia gasped a little I looked in the mirror to fing six foot wings sproting from my back. "It appears tthat my father gave you his powers," Celestia said while I was thinking, "Rarity is going to need to retailor my stuff." Author's Note Anima Speculum is latin for Soul Mirror. Family Matters"Let's hit him all at once girls," Twilight said as her bey moved towards mine. It had been two weeks since I learned of my Equestrian heritage. I had spent most of the time I wasn't working training or working on my new abilities ever since. I was currently in a six on one battle against Twilight and her friends. "Special Move!" Twilight called, "Lightning Horn!" Rainbow made her pegasus fly up over the edge of the stadium, "Special Move! Rainboom Smash!" "Horn Smash!" Applejack yelled. I spread my wings and they ignited. Just before the beys hit I called out, "Flare Twister!" The familiar wall of flame caused Bull, Striker, and Pegasus to fly out of the stadium immediatly. I made short work of Gasher and Virgo. Sagittario then began to circle Fluttershy's Orion. I knew regular attacks would have little to no affect so I had to go with full force. I had Sagittario accelerate around the stadium and called, "Nova Burst!" Orion flew out of the stadium and I could hear Scootaloo behind me saying, "That was awsome Archer!" I turned my head and said, "Do you want to battle me?" "Really?" "I've got enough power left for another fight." Scootaloo ran to the otherside of the stadium. I had been helping her put with her battleing, though I had yet to face her. Scootaloo grabbed her launcher with her hoof and gripped the ripcord with her teeth. I heard her say, "Let t rip!" as her bey flew into the stadium. Storm Pegasus began to attack Sagittario, causing sparks to fly. After a few seconds of using this tactic, Scootaloo had her Pegasus pull away and fly up the edge of the stadium. "I'm going to try a new special move," she said with confidence, "Storm Cannon!" A blue bolt fell from the sky and I said, "Flare Twister." Pegasus was swallowed by the flames. But instead of being knocked out, it bouced off the side of the stadium amd knocked Sagittario to the edge. "Did she just do that?" I could here Applebloom whispered. "Good job," I said with a smile, "Now it's time." I had Sagittario speed around the stadium, "Nova Burst!" Just before the attack hit, Pegasus moved out of the way and Sagittario flew over the edge, "Reverse Flare!" This was the final attack. As Scootaloo's friends congradulated her, I picked up her still steaming bey and folded my wings. I looked up a the sky and saw that the sun was almost down, "Time for everyone to go home." It took a little time to sepparate Scootaloo from Sweetiebelle and Applebloom. Last week she told her friends that she was an orphan and that she was living with me. They were happy for her, but now it was harder to get them apart. As Scootaloo and I walked back to the cabin, I said, "You did a great job in that battle." She looked up at me and said, "I nearly had you there." "I can't believe you figured out a special move. It was a powerful one." "I was a little worried you would use Wrath of Helios." I rubbed Scootaloo's mane, "Only if you had lasted through Reverse Flare." We entered the cabin and I flicked my wrist, causing the fireplace to ignite. I went to my bed and lifted the mattress, revealing some papers. I pulled them out and Scootaloo asked what they were for. --------------------------------------------------------Flashback I had just finished talking to Celestia about Helios and was walking down the hall when I saw a black alicorn. She walked over to me and said, "Archer?" I nodded, "Who are you and how do you know my name?" "I am Princess Luna. I know who you are because my sister told me. Though I did not realize Father would give you his power." I then figured out that this was Celestia's sister and one of the daughters of Helios. "To what do I owe the pleasure?" I said with a bow. "I merely wish to give you these," Luna levitated to papers and I took them. They were adoption papers and they had Scootaloo's name on them. "Why did you give me these?" I asked. "I saw in your dreams that you wanted the little filly to be your family. I also saw it in her own dreams. This was the first time since you came to Equestria you had anything other than a nightmare." I remembered Twilight telling me about how one of the princesses was able to walk through dreams, so I wasn't as surprised by this, "I'll think about it." "That is all I ask." "Now," I concluded, "I want to ask you if you would like me to adopt you." Scootaloo was silent for several minutes before wrapping her forelegs around my waist, "Yes. But I need to show you something first." Scootaloo led me outside and away from the farm. We walked through a wooded area for about half an our before coming to an area covered in stones. She led me to specific stone. "Hi Mom," Scootaloo said, "This is Archer, the human I was telling you about." Right then I realized that I was standing in a graveyard. I held out my palm and a ball of fire appeared on it. I bent down and read the stone. Here Lies Skatealoo. May She Rest In Peace. I placed my other palm on the tombstone and said, "Hello. If you don't mind, I'd like to adopt your daughter. I swear that I will keep her safe and always be there." "How touching," a sarcastic voice said from behind. I turned and in the dim light I could see the outline of Shadow, "Get away from here!" "Fine, just let me leave a parting gift," Shadow pressed his hand to the ground and disappeared. "We need to leave," I said before feeling jaws clamp on my leg. I looked down to find an earth pony stallion biting my leg. I lit my fist ablaze and smashed the undead pony's skull. I picked up Scootaloo and spread my wings and flew high above the ground. Some pegasi followed us and I shot fire at them. I began to look around and saw a reflection on the ground a mile away. I flew towards the spot as fast as I could and landed beside a small lake. I heard rustling in the trees and put Scootaloo in the water, "When I say 'now' I need you to dive as deep as you can for as long as possible." "Archer?" she said. "Trust me on this, okay?" The rustling was getting louder. "Okay." I launched my bey and ignited it. When the first of the undead walked out of the woods, I yelled, "Now Scoots!" I let out all the power I possesed in a cry of rage. The entire area was enveloped in flames. When I ran out of energy, the fire died down and Scootaloo came up, gaspingf or breath. "Are you alright?" I was on my knees, panting. She nodded, "Are you okay?" "Ask me when I puke up my liver." I looked around and saw that the blast had vaporized everything for about a hundred yards. I was feeling lightheaded when a rainbow blur spead towards us. "Are you two alright?" Rainbow asked. "Yes," I tried to stand up and fell back to the ground, "How did you find us?" "I could see that blast. We need to get you to a hospital." I hefted myself up onto Rainbow's back and she began to walk. She was somehow able able to hold me up and still move at a brisk pace, with Scootaloo beside her. After about an hour, we made it to the hospital. I was checked in and put in a room. The doctors bandaged my leg and did some tests. While the results were being readied, the other five girls came. The doctor came in and Applejack asked, "What's wrong with him doc?" "He has expended high levels of energy," the doctor said, "He should rest for a few days without using much energy." "Does that mean I shouldn't beyblade?" I asked. "Yes, though you can go home tomorrow." "Thank's Doctor. Can I speak to my friends in private please?" "Yes." The doctor left and I told the girls what happened. They were horrified that Shadow rose the dead to try to kill me and Scootaloo. The doctor came back in and said, "I'm sorry ladies, but I have to ask you to leave." "Can Scootaloo stay with me?" I asked. The doctor looked at me, then at Scootaloo, "Fine, she can stay." The others left and I drifted off to sleep. The next day I woke up and checked out of the hospital. I had to put an ointment on my bite every few hours for a week. Rainbow Dash found me and I asked her to get the papers from my house. She did and I took Scootaloo to the Ponyville Orphanage. I stood in front of the door and asked, "Are you ready for this?" She pressed her body against my leg, "Yep." I went inside and talked to the worker there. She was saying that it would be expensive and take time to file the paperwork. Then I pulled out the papers Princess Luna gave me and the mare treated me like royallty. We left and I said, "So, your my daughter now. Do you know what this calls for?" Scootaloo just looked up at me. "A party!" We had Pinkie through a party and it was even better than my welcome party. Too Many Pinkie Pies.Scootaloo and I were eating breakfast. She was having hay pancakes while I was eating an omelet. It was the day after the adoption. "What are we doing today Archer?" she asked, "I mean, Dad." I swallowed, "You can just stick with the name Archer," her calling me Dad just sounded weird, " I think that Rainbow is heading to the swimming hole after she's done with work. We could go there." "Didn't you burn the swimming hole?" "She'll be at a different one." "Should you be swimming with your leg." I looked down at my leg. The ointment used to prevent infection probably would wash off in water. "Could we battle?" Scootaloo asked. I shook my head, "The doctors said that using my bey would use up too much energy. Maybe we could help the other Crusaders with their marks." Scootaloo jumped out of her seat, "You forgot to give them beyblades! We should get the others and head to Twilight's." I finished drinking my orange juice, "Sure thing. Just let me get dressed." I went into the bathroom and changed into my usual garb. Once Scootaloo asked why I always wore clothes. I just said it was because humans weren't born with fur all over our bodies. Once I was done, Scootaloo hopped on her scooter and we walked off to find Applebloom. We found her on an apple cart with Applejack pulling her. We were about to meet up with them when Pinkie Pie came. "Ooh, that looks like fun!" she hopped on for two seconds before speeding away, "Next time I'll pull you!" I looked at the pink trail and muttered, "Pinkie Pie." "Howdy Archer," Applejack greeted, "What are y'all doin'?" "We're wanting Applebloom and Sweetiebelle to be Cutie Mark Crusader Bladers!" Scootaloo exclaimed. I nodded, "Could Applebloom come along?" "Sure, mah family's havin' a barn raisin' and Ah was goin' to ask if you could take 'er anyways." Applebloom jumped off the cart and we made our way to town. After we picked up Sweetiebelle we were walking to the library when I saw Pinkie Pie talking to Twilight. Twilight said something that made Pinkie's head act like an egg timer before she exclaimed something about a 'mirror pool' and ran off. "What was that all about?" I asked. "Pinkie is trying to make it between Applejack's and the swimming hole in the time it takes for Rainbow Dash to dive," Twilight explained. I pulled out Sagittario, "Could you help me make some beys for- arrgh!" My bey began to burn and I had to drop it. I didn't know what was going on because Helios giving me his power made me fire-proof. My hands began to glow and two beys formed. "That's new," I muttered in amazement. The beys floated over to Applebloom and Sweetiebelle. Sweetiebelle appeared to get an Earth Virgo and Applebloom got a Midnight Bull. "How did you create beys without the help of unicorn magic?" Twilight asked as I picked up Sagittario. "Maybe because of an ancient alicorn giving me his power," I replied. I looked at the fillies marveling at the new beys, "We need to go. See you later." I took them to Turner's to get some launchers, then we went to our little stadium at the farm. I showed Sweetiebelle and Applebloom how to launch their beys and they were battling. We were all surprised by how stable and hard to destabilize Sweetiebelle's Virgo was. I even went against the doctor's orders and tried to beat it. I tried using direct attacks but they just bounced off. I pulled Sagittario out of the battle just as Pinkie Pie came bouncing out of the trees. "Hey Pinkie," three more Pinkie's appeared, "And Pinkies?" Then about ten more Pinkies burst from the trees, all yelling, "Fun! Fun! Fun!" I picked up the fillies and flew above the trees. "What's going on Archer?" Scootaloo asked. "I'm not sure," I replied. My wings were not used to carrying this much weight, "We need to find someplace to land before my wings give out." I began to find someplace to land that wasn't crawling with Pinkies. It took some time, but the only safe place within reach was the Everfree Forest. We went to Fluttershy's cottage, but nopony was there. "Where is everypony?" I thought aloud. Then I saw a white rabbit waving its arms, "Is that you, Angel?" The rabbit nodded and motioned for us to follow. We chased Angel and soon made it to a tree with a hollow at the base big enough for a bear to squeeze through. I climbed inside and found Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, and a bunch of animals, including a bear. "Hey Archer," Rainbow said, "We're hiding here until the Pinkies leave." "How many of them are there?" I asked as the fillies crawled into the hole. "I saw around twenty at the swimming hole. When I flew over town I saw about ten more." "I saw about ten at the farm." I began to crawl out of the hole and said, "I'm going to find Twilight. She might have a way to stop this." I got out of the hole and flew towards town. On my way, I saw Thunderlane on a cloud. "What's up with all the Pinkie's?" he asked I shrugged, "I have no idea. Can you get the others and keep them in the area?" "Sure thing. We don't want them getting to a huge city like Canterlot." I flew until I got the library. I stepped in and found Twilight about to walkout the door. "Did you find out what's causing this?" I asked. Twilight nodded, "Pinkie made clones of herself using something called the Mirror Pond. I can send them back, though there is a problem." "What kind of problem?" "I can send Pinkie back to the pond by mistake." I thought about what I could do to find the real Pinkie. I might be able to contain the Pinkies, but I had no idea about how to tell them apart. Finally I said, "The girls are near Fluttershy's. Figure out how to tell the Pinkies apart while I get the guys to put all of them in town hall." Twilight nodded and her and Spike left. I flew off and got the guys to begin a round up. I was looking for stragglers on the edge of the Everfree when I felt a chill up my spine "What was that?" I thought. "I am not sure, but you must find out." "Helios? Is that you?" "Of course. When you got those powers, my soul was made able to contact you from within. Now get moving towards that cold spot." I flew through the forest until the brambles got so thick that I had to walk. I walked until I fell into a hole. After I got over the stinging sensation in my leg I found that I was in a large cavern with a pond in it. "What is this place?" I thought just as a pink cloud flew into the pool. It must be where the clones came from. "And the others have began to send them back." I climbed out of the hole and made my way to town. I saw five of the girls outside of Sugarcube Corner. "Did it work?" I asked. They parted and I saw Pinkie asleep on the floor. "Cute," I said as Twilight shut the door, "Is Scootaloo still with Fluttershy's animal friends?" "Ah sent her home Sugarcube," Applejack replied. I spread my wings and flew home.
Prolouge: The Infinity Tournament."Hold your ground Sagittario!" I called to my bey as the opponent's Eagle attacked it again and again. "Maybe it's time for something else," my opponent, a man by the name of Tobias, said, "Hit him from above Eagle." The bey ramped up the edge of the stadium and flew into position. When it was right above mine I yelled, "Special move! Flare Twister!" A ring of fire formed around my bey and became a tornado of fire. When Eagle fell into the move it was sent flying. It landed, steaming, beside Tobias. "And the winner of the semi-finals of the Infinity Tournament is Archer!" the announcer called out as my bey returned to my gloved hand, "Now it is time for the final battle. Archer against Raymond!" My new opponent walked throught the tunnel leading to the stadium. He wore a sleeveless shirt and black jeans. His beyblade was Phantom Wolf. The fact that both of our beys had a bearing drive performance tip would make winning difficult, but not impossible. "And let me remind the two bladers who have made it to the finals what they are fighting for. The chance to design a brand new bey." I knew that creating a bey would be the ultimate accomplishment for a blader. And I had a bone to pick with Raymond. The last time we fought he stepped on my bey, luckily not beaking it. "Hello Archer," Raymond said casually, "Long time no see." "Just pick up your bey and launch," I snapped. "Wow," the announcer said in fake amazement, "the trash talk is already starting. Well I'm not one to keep two bladers from battling. So lets do this. "Three." "Two." "One." "Let it rip! We launched our beys and I noticed something wrong immediatly. His bey was moving in the opposite direction it was supposed too. "What bey are you using?" I asked. "Meteo L-Drago," he replied with a smirk. "Raymond, you know L-Dragos are forbidden in WBBA tournaments," the announcer called, "For that and switching your beys you are disqual-" I held up my hand, "Don't disquallify him. I will fight him and prove I can beat him." "Uh, fine. Battle on!" Because L-Drago can steal spin power, the whole series was illegal in official matches. But I was going to end this with one blow. "Time to fly Sagittario!" I called. I made my bey fly up the side of the stadium and over it. I had Sagittario flip and yelled, "Special move! Sagittario Reverse Flare!" A tornado of flames rained from the sky over the stadium. I had Sagittario flip back over and began to speed around the stadium. When the smoke and fire died down, L-Drago was completely unharmed. "How in the world is that bey still spinning?" I said, amazed, "It should have been roasted." "It's going to take more than a little fire to harm us," Raymond replied as he smirked, "L-Drago!" Our beys clashed and sparks began to fly. It took me two minutes before I figured that there would be no way to win. Whenever we came in contact he would absorb my strength and I would regain it. I did have one idea, but it was risky and unperfected. I removed my jacket and tied it around my waist. It was about to get hot in here. "Retreat Sagittario!" I commanded. "Giving up?" Raymond said in a mocking tone. "Nope. Just this," Sagittario ignited and began to speed around the stadium, "Move as fast as you can!" Sagittario began to move faster and faster, until the rim of the stadium was a ring of fire. When I felt enough momentum was gained, I sent it towards L-Drago. "Special move! Nova Burst!" As Sagittario moved towards the center the ring went too. Seconds before contact, L-Drago glowed and Raymond yelled, "Chaos Dragon Bite!" When our beys hit each other, there was a large flash of light and I passed out. When I came to I was lieing on grass. I looked over and saw my bey spinning a foot from my head. I smiled and said, "Good Sagittario," before falling unconcious.
A New World. (AKA I'm shirtless in a pony's bed)When I awoke I was staring at what looked like the inside of a tree. I sat up and looked around the room. I was in a circular room with a desk in the corner. I looked down at myself and saw that my shirt was missing. I looked under the blanket to make sure my pants and jacket were there, which they were. "Hello," a feminine voice said. I looked up to see a purple unicorn. "Are you alright?" "Aside from the fact I'm talking to a unicorn and I think I might have a concussion." The unicorn's horn glowed and a light shot at me. My hands went to my belt when I remembered that my bey wasn't there. "Well you don't have any cracked or broken bones so you should be fine." "Where's my bey?" The unicorn looked confused, "What's a bey?" "You know, a beyblade. A metal and plastic top." The unicorn facepalm-er-hoofed, "It's downstairs. I'll go get it." "Thank you." When the unicorn left I got off the bed and put on my jacket. I left the room, ducking at the doorway, and went downstairs. When I got down there, there were six horses and what looked like a small dragon. "Uh, hello." I greeted, "Who are you all?" The horses introduced themselves. The orange one that sounded like she knew Sandy Cheeks was Applejack(she did't get my joke when I asked). The pink one was Pinkie Pie. The blue and rainbow maned pegasus was Rainbow Dash. The yellow and pink pegasus was named Fluttershy(I think because she so quiet). The white and purple unicorn was named Rarity. The unicorn I met upstairs was named Twilight Sparkle and her dragon friend was Spike. When they were done introducing themselves, I said, "You can call me Archer. Now, about my beyblade." "Oh yes. Right here," Twilight levitated my bey towards me, "I was just studying it." I took Sagittario in my hand. As my fingers closed around it, seven spheres of light appeared and flew to the horses and Spike. Those beams of light turned into beyblades. "How did these get here?" Twilight asked, levitating a Ray Striker. "What are they anyway," Rainbow Dash asked, staring at a Cosmic Pegasus. I explained what beyblades were and how we used them for games on my world. As for how they and I got here, I had no idea. Applejack said I was passed out at her farm. When I was done Twilight asked, "Can you show us how use these?" I slipped Sagittario into a holder on my belt, "If we were somewhere more open and non-flammable I would but- " I was interrupted by a flash of light. When I could see again we were in a grassy area with a large amount of boulders. "What just happened," I asked, trying not to vomit up my lunch. "I teleported us here to an abandoned field at Applejack's farm," Twilight replied. "Warn me next time please." "Sorry. Could you show us how to use these now." I pulled out my bey and launcher, "First, could you tell me what world I'm on." "You are in the country of Equestria on the world Equis. We are just outside of the town Ponyville." "Based on that name I guess you like the term pony over horse." "Quite correct." "Well then my little ponies, it's time to see something awsome." I launched my bey and broke straight through one of the boulders. "Awsome," Rainbow whispered. "Just look at this. Wait, do you have a fire protection spell or something?" Twilight nodded. "Well, then. Flare Twister!" The vortex of flame erupted from my bey, melting some of the rocks near it. Seconds after using my move, however, I felt a sharp pain in my side and I dropped to my knees. The fire stopped and I returned Sagittario to my hand. "Are you alright?" Twilight asked. "Fine," I muttered, " My last battle wiped out my strength. Could I have one if those apples please?" "Sure thing," Applejack replied, running to the trees. When she brought one back I thanked her and began to eat. That apple was the best I had ever tasted. When I told her this she said, "You think that's good? Just wait for Zap Apple season." Before I could ask what a Zap Apple was, Twilight asked, "I did not realize you could use magic." "Humans can't use magic," I replied and took amother bite. "But you made your top catch on fire and then it returned to you. Oh, did it hurt when it touched you?" Pinkie Pie said rapidly. "First of all, my bey catching on fire is called a special move." I then spent the next ten minutes explaining the connection between bey and blader and how a special move works. "Do you mind if I see your launcher?" Twilight asked. "I don't mind," I handed her my launcher. Twilight levitated the launcher and attached her bey to it. She magically pulled the cord and her bey launched. "Why won't it go anywhere?" Twilight asked after about thirty seconds. "How hard have you been trying?" "I've been putting all my focus onto it." I chuckled, "There's your problem. You just need to apply a little focus in the direction you want your bey to go." Twilight took my advice and her Striker began to sped all around the field for about two minutes before it lost power. "That was interesting," Twilight said, levitating her bey back to herself, "Do you have another launcher?" I shrugged my shoulders, "Sorry, the rest are back where I came from." Twilight thought about this for a moment, "I think I know somepony who can make some." So we walked from the orchard into town. It was a long walk, but I spent most of the past two years traveling so I was fine. When we were in town I noticed a large number of ponies staring at me. I also noticed that most had sime sort of marking on their flanks. I decided not to say anything as I did not want ponies to think I had been staring. We made it to a large tree and Twilight said, "Spike and I are going to send a letter to the princess. After that we can get those launchers." After they went inside, a mint green unicorn ran up to me. She squeeled like a fangirl and said, "Oh my Celestia! Are you a real human?" "Uh, yes?" something about this unicorn disturbed me. "Yes! Oh I knew human mythology was real!" "There's mythology about us?" "Yes, though I am one of the few who believe. Could I see your hands," She was making me feel really uncomfortable. I was about to lose my cool when Pinkie pulled a muffin out of no where and stuck it on the unicorn's back. I was about to ask what that was for when I heard someone yell, "Muffin!" A grey pegasus tackled the unicorn. Applejack looked at me and said, "You might want to follow us." The ponies ran and I wasted no time following them. We ran until we reached a clock shop. When inside a brown stallion looked at me and simply said, "I owe Lyra twenty bits." Just then there was a flash of light and Twilight appeared in the room. We explained the beyblades and how the six ponies and dragon somehow obtained them. When we were done the stallion, whose name I learned to be Time Turner, said, "Your story is strange. The stranger thing is that this morning on if these 'beyblades' appeared to me as well. I'll go fetch it." Turner went into a back room and returned with many pieces of paper, metallic objects and a bey. He put them on the table and I could see that the bey was a Twisted Tempo. I had never fought one but I had heard that they were hard to beat. "I have been working all day to find a way to make this top work," Turner said as he tried to tie a gauntlet that looked similar to a launcher to one of his legs, "This is what I've came up with." Turner tied a hook-like device to his other leg. He then inserted his bey into the launcher. He put the hook on a loop and pulled. Tempo was launched and I had to move out of the way before it hit me. "Sorry about that." I was about to say it was no problem when I heard a belching sound. I turned and saw Spike holding a scroll. Twilight took the scroll and began to read. "Archer," she said, "the princess wishes to meet you."
Meeting With the Princess"How much longer do I have to stand here?" I asked. "Just a little longer darling," Rarity replied. At the moment I was standing, shirtless, in Rarity's boutique. After Princess Celestia sent a letter saying that she would be here tomorrow, Rarity insisted on making me a set of dress cloths. "So, what were you doing before you came here?" Twilight asked. "I was in a bey tournament battling for the chance to design a bey. When I saw that the battle was going nowhere, I used my most powerful attack. There was a flash of light and the next thing I knew, I was here." "Is creating an original bey really that big of a privelige?" "Yeah, but that wasn't the only reason I wanted to win so badly. I had a five year grudge against my opponent. "Five years is areally long time to be mad at someone," Pinkie said, "Did he try an apology party?" "No. He crushed my first bey under a pile of rubble," I replied. "How did you come across your current one," Twilight asked, levitating Sagittario. "My father gave it to me shortly after. I trained hard for two years. When I was 17 I left town to get even stronger and to find Raymond." "Really, your archnemesis is named Raymond?" Rainbow Dash laughed. Then Fluttershy gave her some sort of evil eye. "Don't you have family who misses you?" Fluttershy asked, "Or friends?" My stomach dropped ad tears began to well in my eyes, "I'd rather not talk about it." "Oh, sorry. I shouldn't have asked." "Finished," Rarity said happily, "I have all the measurements and am no able to make you a suit." "Thanks," I replied graciously, "But I don't have any of this world's money." "Don't worry, it's on the house." "Thanks Rarity," I looked outside to see that the sun was setting, "I think I should start looking for a place to sleep for the night." "Why, you can sleep in my barn for the night," Applejack said. I thanked her and we began to walk to the farm. We managed to avoid the green unicorn who Applejack said was named Lyra. When I asked why Lyra was obsessed with humans, Applejack only said, "I got nothing." When we got to the farm, Applejack said, "Ah have to get my sister. So you go inside and ask my brother, Big Macintosh, for some blankets." I nodded and went inside the farmhouse where a red, muscular stallion was standing. "I'm guessing you"re Big Macintosh," I said with a friendly smile. "Eeyup," he replied. "Could I have some blankets. I'm sleeping in the barn." "Eeyup." A being of few words I see. Big Macintosh went to a closet and got some blankets. "Thanks." "Yer welcome." I went out to the barn and opened the door. It was actually a pretty nice place, certainly better than some of the places I've slept. I put some hay down as a makeshift bed and pillow and went to sleep. I was standing at a bey stadium. I had been training and was ready to try a new special move. I looked at my dad, who gave me a thumbs up. I focused and a ball of fire appeared around Sagittario. "Special move! Wrath of Helios!" The sphere was expanding a bit too fast. It was about hit me when my dad ran up and pushed me out of the way. "Dad!" I yelled. I looked down at myself. My body was covered in hay and sweat. "Are you alright?" Applejack asked from the door. "Fine. Just a nightmare." "If you want to talk about it we can." I got up and slipped on my jacket, "I'll be fine. We should get to Rarity's." Applejack took an apple in her hoof and tossed to me, "You can't meet the Princess on an empty stomach." "Thanks." We walked down to Rarity's where there were three young ponies in front of the door. "Applebloom, aren't you supposed to be on your way to school?" Applejack asked half angrily. "Sorry sis," the yellow pony said, "Ah wanted to meet the human and Sweetiebelle said he would be here for an outfit." "Hello," I said, "The name's Archer." An orange pegasus walked up to me and said, "Hi there. I"m Scootaloo." I reached down and pet Scootaloo's mane, "You three should get to school." The ponies said goodbye and left. Rarity came out and said, "How in Equestria did you get them to leave?" I shrugged, "I just acted nice. Maybe it's because I'm a human and they don't know me." "Whatever the reason I must thank you. Now come in, Celestia will be here any minute and you haven't seen your outfit." I walked inside and saw a white sheet on the table. The sheet was enveloped in a blue glow and Rarity said, "Behold, the suit of fire!" The suit was made up of an orange jacket with a red undershirt. The pants were fire printed. "Sweet," I said with a smile, "Do you have a changing room?" "In the back," she replied. I went to the back and changed. The suit fit perfectly and still allowed me to move. It even came with loops for my belt and gear. I came out and Rarity said, "It looks perfect. Do you like it?" "I love it." Spike ran through the door and said, "The princess is at the library!" "Let's go then," I said, retying my laces. As we walked out the door, Rarity said, "One more thing, I used a fire-proofing spell on it because of your beyblade's abilities." We ran to the library, which was that giant oak tree, and walked inside. The first thing my eyes focused on was a giant unicorn with wings. By giant I mean eight foot tall. Her mane and tail were light rainbows and moved even though there was no wind. There was something familiar about her but I couldn't put my finger on it. "Hello Archer," she said in a sweet voice, "I am Princess Celestia of Equestria." "Hello Princess," I said with a bow, "I guessing Twilight told you my name." "Yes. And she told me about these beyblade devices. Could I see yours?" "Sure thing," I pulled out Sagittario and it was enveloped in a golden light as she levitated it. She examined it for a minute and said, "Twilight said that some beys were created when you came here. May I see them." The ponies and Spike pulled out their beys. This was the first time I noticed the other three were in the room. Celestia levitated the beys in front of me and said, "Do you know about these beys?" I looked a them for a second, "Twilight's bey is a Ray Striker, good for attacking. Rainbow Dash's is a Cosmic Pegasus, also good for attacking. Pinkie's is a Dark Gasher. Good for surprising the opponent with height changes. Applejack has a Dark Bull, which is good for defense. Rarity has a Poison Virgo which can avoid and dish out attacks. Spike has an Omega Dragonis. Very good attack power. Fluttershy has," when I saw her bey my voice cracked a bit, "Phantom Orion. Hers is just meant to take a bunch of hits and outlast the competition." "Interesting. Could you tell me what you did before you came here?" I told Celestia the same thing I told the others. She seemed to listen intently. When I was done, Celestia said, "This game of yours is interesting. But it could also be used for dark reasons." "I would never use Sagittario to harm anyone," I defended. "I am not talking about you. It could be possible that your opponent also ended up in Equestria." I hadn't thought of that, "If he is here he could be a threat. I respectfully suggest searching for Raymond." "I was planning on doing so. I was also wondering if you and another would demonstrate a bey battle. If you don't mind." "I only have the one launcher, your highness, so none of the others could launch their beys. And we don't have a stadium." "I have an idea," Twilight said before she teleported us. I blinked and found that we were in the same field as when I demonstrated my bey. I guessed at what Twilight was thinking and pulled out my bey and launcher. "Let it rip!" I had Sagittario ignite and broke through the stones in a large circle. When the stones were clear and the grass was burned away, I returned Sagittario to my hand. "That takes care of the stadium problem," I said, "But the others don't have launchers." "May I have your launcher?" Celestia asked. "Uh, sure," I pulled out my launcher and Celestia took it with her magic. It glowed brightly and it became eight. My launcher returned to me and the seven replicas went to the others. "Okay then," I said, "Who's first?" "I'll go first," Twilight said, levitating a launcher and her bey. I walked to the other side of the makeshift stadium and held my launcher at the ready, "I'll do the countdown. Three. Two. One. Let it rip!" When we launched, Twilight went straight for the attack. I just let Sagittario sit in the center as he was attacked again and again. "Why won't you slow down?" Twilight was getting angry. That's good. "My bey has a bearing drive performance tip," I explained, "The bearings decrease friction to almost nothing and increases my power." Twilight understood this and her Striker backed off. She began to circle the stadium faster and faster. A green aura appeared around Twilight and her bey began to produce electric sparks. "What's going on?" Twilight asked nervously. "That's you and your bey's power," I replied with a grin, "I hope you know what that means." Twlight nodded and Striker moved closer to Sagittario, "Special move! Lightning Horn!" Her bey smashed into mine, sending it flying. Sagittario bounced off one of the rocks and into the air. "You got him now Twilight!" Rainbow Dash called. "Not so fast," I replied, "Reverse Flare!" Sagittario flipped and rained fire upon Striker. Everyone was amazed at my attack, except Celestia. She seemed almost afraid of my power. Sagittario flipped and landed. When the fire cleared Striker was no longer spinning. Sagittario returned to me and I said, "How was that Princess?" "Amazing," Celestia said. She sounded nervous about something, "I must return to Canterlot." Celestia disappeared ina flash of golden light and we were alone in the orchard. "What was that all about?" I thought aloud. "I'm not sure," Twilight replied. Celestia knocked on the door to her sister's room a third time. This time, it opened. "What do you want sister?" Luna asked tiredly, "Can it not wait until the evening?" "No it can not." Celestia replied, "A child of Helios has returned to Equestria." "How can you be sure?" "He looks, sounds, and acts just like him. He even has the same bey. But sister, he has brought another human to Equestria. This one is extremly dangerous." "I will hunt for this other in the dreamscape. Now may I rest?" "Yes sister." Celestia returned to her chambers. After magically locking the door, she took a small trunk out from under her bed. Not even Twilight Sparkle had seen it's contents and Celestia had not for over 2500 years. She opened the trunk and removed a beyblade. "Helios," she whispered, "you have returned." Author's Note Occasionally I might do more of those third person views. But not often.
The Storm, Bey Mark, and PegasusAs I climbed down from the tree, the sun was setting over the horizon. "Quittin' time," I muttered. I had been in Equestria for a month and my life was already better than my old one on Earth. The apple family had given me a job. Applebloom and I made a cabin for myself in a secluded part of the farm(how that filly doesn't know her talent is beyond me. I still practiced beyblades, usually with Rainbow Dash. As I walked past the barn I called, "I'm heading into town Big Mac. You coming?" He walked out of the barn and said, "Eeyup." Big Mac and I had been meeting up with some stallions for a couple weeks at what Ponyville considered a pub. When we got there, we sat down at our usual booth with our friend Comet Tail. "Hey Comet," I said, "where's the others?" "They'll be here soon, I'm sure," Comet Tail replied, not looking up from his star charts. He was so much like Twilight that I've told him he should ask her out. He just blushes whenever I mention her. "Have you gone to Turner for a launcher yet?" I had been able to replicate the circumstances that had allowed me to create beys for Spike and the girls. Comet got a Jade Jupiter and Big Mac got a Rock Orso. "No. I've been busy looking at the star charts from the time you came here. Maybe there was some sort of alignment or something that could have amplified the power of you and Raymond's special moves or focused them to rip through the dimensional wall." "You need to get some exercise Comet," Big Mac said. Just then our other friends, Thunderlane and Noteworthy walked through the door. "What we miss?" Thunderlane asked as he sat down. "Comet is still looking at his star charts and needs a launcher and some exercise," I summed up. A waiter walked up to the table and said, "The usual I'm guessing." We nodded and began to talk about what we were going to that weekend. "The girls and I are having a tournament tomorrow," I said, "Do any of you want to join?" "I'd like too," Noteworthy said, "It might give me some inspiration for a new piece." "Sure," Comet said. "If you're using a dirt stadium you can't have a tournament," Thunderlane said, "There's going to be a storm tonight and the stadium will get turned into a pile of mud." "Dang it!" Big Mac said, "I was going to ask Fluttershy out tomorrow." We all stared at him like he was speaking Prench. When the waiter gave us our drinks I took a drink of my root beer I did a spit take. "What?" he asked in confusion, "She's pretty, sweet..." We were still staring at him. "Seriously, you want Comet to ask out Twilight." "Sorry," I apologized, shaking my head, "You're just so shy and none of us would expect you to actually attempt to ask a mare out." The others nodded in agreement. After that we just drank our drinks in silence. When I was done I payed my part of the bill and went out into the pouring rain. I sprinted all the way to the farm. On my way to my cabin, I saw candle light flickering in the window of Applebloom, Sweetiebelle, and Scootaloo's clubhouse. "Why would the fillies be out here during this?" I thought, walking up the stairs to the entrance. I peeked inside the clubhouse to see a soaking wet Scootaloo, shivering under a blanket. "Scootaloo!" I exclaimed, picking up the freezing filly. I ran back to my cabin and sat Scootaloo on my bed. Then I pulled out Sagittario, launching it into the fireplace and igniting it. Scootaloo sat up and said, "Archer, am I at your place?" I nodded, "Are you alright?" "Just cold." "I can fix that." I used Scootaloo's blanket to dry her off the best I could. Then I wrapped her in my blanket and sat with her in front of the fireplace. "Is that better?" "Yeah. Thanks for bringing me here." "You're welcome. Why were you in the clubhouse instead of at home?" Scootaloo looked down, "Do you promise not to tell anypony if I tell you?" I nodded. "I don't have one Archer." "What do you mean? Are you an orphan?" Scootaloo nodded, "I technically live at the Ponyville Orphanage, though I stay in the clubhouse most of the time because I hate living there." "What happened to your parents?" "I was told my dad ran off and that my mom died during my birth," Scootaloo began to cry, "Sometimes I wonder if it was my fault." I put my hand on Scootaloo's back, "Scootaloo, I'm going to tell you something only I know. I don't have a family either." "How?" Scootaloo sniffed. "Three years ago I was at a training area with my parents. I used a special move that caused a huge fireball. My dad pushed me out of the way. The place began to burn down and I made it out, my mom didn't." I began to feel tears run down my face. "I felt responsible for their deaths, but you know what I did?" "What?" "I focused that rage and sadness into a desire to get stronger. I skipped town to get a fresh start." Scootaloo stared at the fire, "I still would like Rainbow Dash to be my sister, but maybe we could be eachothers family." I drew Scootaloo closer, "Sure Scoots, I'd like that." I saw a small beam of light come from Scootaloo's chest. I wiped my eyes to make sure I wasn't seeing things. I put my hand on the light and pulled it away. With my hand came a bey. "Is that a bey?" Scootaloo asked, eyes wide. "Yeah, Storm Pegasus. I think it belongs to you." "Really! How do I use it?" I pulled out my launcher and put Pegasus on it. "Pull the cord with your teeth." She did this and the bey began to sped all over the room. "This is awsome!" Scootaloo said, "It feels like the bey is part of me." Scootaloo suddenly got a puzzled look on her face. "Why is my flank tingling?" Scootaloo pulled off the blanket and there was a mark on her flank. It looked like the mark on Pegasus' face bolt. "Your talent is beyblading," I said with a smile. "Yes!" Scootaloo's face suddenly looked like she realized something, "If you hadn't came to Equestria, I wouldn't have gotten my cutie mark. Ever." Scootaloo jumped up and wrapped her forelegs around my neck. "Thank you so much!" "You're welcome," I replied. Scootaloo held onto me until she fell asleep. My last thought before falling asleep was, "Strange, my bey before Sagittario was a storm pegasus." Author's Note Attention everyone. For the next week I want you to post your ideas for this chapter name. I will chose one and it will be used for the name of this chapter forever. EDIT: congradulations Goldenlink. Your title has been chosen.
The ShadowI awoke to find Scootaloo curled up on my stomache like a cat. I tried to move out from under her but instead woke her up. "I'm up!" she yelled, confused, "Oh, good morning Archer." "Morning Scoots," I replied, "Could you get up so I could make some breakfast?" She got up and I went to my small kitchen. I looked in my cupboard and found a jar of oatmeal and some sugar. "Do you like oatmeal?" I asked. "Yeah." I put some water in a pot and asked Scootaloo to grab Sagittario for me. I spun it with my hand and lit a fire to boil the water." "How do you do that?" Scootaloo asked in amazement. "Practice," I replied. When the oatmeal was done I poured some into a couple bowls and added sugar. "How do you like it?" I asked as we ate. "It tastes great!" Scootaloo said with a full mouth. She swallowed and added, "How did you learn to make it?" "Thanks," I was glad someone liked my cooking, "When you're on the road for three years, you pick up a few recipes." When we were done I asked, "Do your friends know that you don't have parents?" Scootaloo looked at the floor, "No. I don't want them to know and I really don't want Diamond Tiara to find out." I heard about their little bully. I could understand why she didn't want her to know, but her own friends should. I didn't like people knowing about my past because they might find me dangerous. "You'll have to tell them eventually," I said, washing the bowls, "Especially now," I guestured to her cutie mark. Scootaloo frowned, "Maybe, but can it wait for the hype of me getting a cutie mark to wear off?" "Sure," I went into the bathroom and changed, "Now come on, we need to get you a launcher." I grabbed both our beys and we went outside. Scootaloo grabbed her scooter from the clubhouse and we made our way to the farm house. The way was muddy, so I had to ask Applejack if I could dry out the stadium. I had to ask to use my fire in high amounts so I don't burn the farm down. "Applejack!" I called when we go to the house, "Could I ask you something?" Applebloom walked outside and said, "Sorry Archer, she just went down to Twilight's." "That's alright. I'll see you later." "Hey Scoots. Whatcha doin' here so early?" "I, uhm.." Scootaloo began to stammer. "She got caught in that storm last night so she stayed at my place," I said, hoping that Applebloom would buy it. "Okay then," she stared at Scootaloo for a full minute before exclaiming, "Scootaloo, you got your cutie mark!" Scootaloo turned so Applebloom could see the mark head on and said, "Do you like it?" "Yeah! Though what is it fer?" "Beyblading," as Scootaloo spoke, I took Storm Pegasus out and handed or hoofed it over to her, "We were heading down to Time Turner's to get me a launcher." "How did you get it?" "I, uhm, found it in the mud last night. Would you like to come with us, we could pick up Sweetiebelle on the way?" "Sure, if Archer doesn't mind." I shrugged, "The more, the merrier." As we walked to town, I couldn't help but feel like we were being followed. I could see a shadow out of the corner of my eye. When I looked that direction, I couldn't see anything. When we picked Sweetiebelle up from Rarity's place, the fillies began to jump around because of Scootaloo's newfound talent. They gave Scootaloo a group hug, despite her saying she didn't like 'mushy stuff'. "Could you make us some beyblades?" Sweetibelle asked. "I need help from unicorn magic," I replied, "Could you assist me?" "Um, no. We could ask Twilight though." We resumed our journey and when we were nearing the library, it flew onto the air and smashed into the ground. I ran inside to find Twilight with a smoking horn. "What happened here?" I asked. "The princess wants to see me for a test!" Twiligjt seemed very worried about this. "You are one of the smartest ponies I know. You won't fail," I assured her. "I was telling her it was just a test!" Spike said. He was wearing a suit of pillows and a football helmet. Spike belched up a scroll and opened it, "The princess wants to see you as well Archer." Twilight and I were walking into the castle at Canterlot. I had to admit that the city was awsome looking, though the ponies were snooty and gave me dirty looks. We entered a building with a large number of stained glass windows. I noticed that two had Twilight and her friends defeating enemies. Celestia and Luna were at the far side side of the room. Twilight cleared her throat and said, "You wanted to see me? To give me a test? I brought my own quills and plenty of paper to show my work." The paper spilled to the floor and unrolled, "Sorry! Sorry!" I resisted the urge to facepalm as Celestia rolled up the paper and said, "This is a different kind of test. The Crystal Empire has returned." What had confused me was not my lack of knowledge of the empire, but the fact that Twilight had no idea about what Celestia was talking about. She began to look through her books and said, "The Crystal Empire? I-I thought I had studied. I don't think any of my bo-." "I wouldn't expect them to. Even my knowledge of the empire is limited," Celestia levitated a crystal from under a glass dome. She put it on the floor and a hologram of a beautiful city appeared, "But what I do know is that it contains a powerful magic." The empire turned black, "One thousand years ago Sombra, a powerful unicorn king, took over the empire. He was defeated and banished to the frozen north. But not before he was able to cast a curse on the empire. A curse that caused it to vanish into thin air." The empire disappeared into thin air and was replaced by the crystal. "If the empire is filled with hope and love, those this are reflected throughout all of Equestria." Celestia shot a light beam at the crystal, causing many rainbows to form. "But if hatred and fear take hold," Celestia's eyes and horn turned black and gree n. She shot a black beam at the crystal, causing it to turn black and it began to spread. When the crystals got near, I instiinctively grabbed my bey. Celestia shot the crystals and destroyed them. "Which is why I need you both to find a way to protect the empire. Archer needs to head to my old castle in the Everfree. Raymond has been spotted there and there are some dark artifacts within that could be used for destruction." "Okay Princess," I said, bowing, "Just teleport me there or give me a map." Celestia's horn glowed and I was in a forest. I was on one side of a bridge and on the othere side there was a bunch of ruins. What caught my eye was a human shaped shadow on the other side. Suddenly, a something flew past my head. I turned and saw Meteo L-Drago. I looked at the shadow and yelled, "Raymond, I know your there!" Raymond stepped out of the shadows. He was extremly pale and looked like he hardly ate. His bey returned to him and he said, "Hello Archer. I see life has been treating you well." I put my bey in the launcher and said, "What have you been doing all this time?" "I've been training for this meeting. My master wanted me to get you here." "I don't know what master you're talking about." "Just follow me," Raymond turned and ran into the ruins. I chased him, just hardly keeping him in my sight. The deeper we went into the ruins, the colder I felt. He stopped on the other side of an indention in the ground and held up his bey. "Let it rip!" he called, launching his bey. I launched my bey as well and they met in mid air. The shockwave made me stumble backwards. I had Sagittario smash into L- Drago, but it didn't budge. "I've been getting stronger than you can even imagine," Raymond laughed, "But those ponies even give you a workout." I moved Sagittario back and said, "How do you know about the ponies?" "I've been watching from the shadows, as that is the power my master has offered. Special move! Dark Dragon Pulse!" A black energy wave hit Sagittario and knocked it back. I barely managed to stay on the lip of the indention. It was at that point that I realized something. "This is a bey stadium," I muttered. "So you've finally figured it out," Raymond said, "I guess it's time to accelerate the plan." Raymond produved a knife from thin air and through it at me. It grazed my arm, but I felt like I was going to pass out. Raymond stood over me and said, "The sandman will see you now." My vision went dark. I awoke in a stone room. I looked around and saw Raymond standing against a wall. "Hello Sleeping Beauty," he said, "Time for you to fufill your part of the plan." "I won't help you," I picked up my bey and launcher from the floor and wealky launched it. Raynond moved aside and Sagittario went into a small hole in the wall. The wall opened up to reveal a bey. Raymond picked it up and inserted it into a launcher. "Thank you," he said as he launched his bey. A black orb appeared around us and we appeared in a sunlit room. Black energy seeped into the strange bey. Raymond tossed Sagittario to me and said, "Time for the real fight," anoher sphere appeared. When the orb recede, we were in what looked like a jousting stadium. Ther were ponies with crystal coats in the stands. "Welcome to the Crystal Empire," Raymond said with and evil grin.
Nemesis"Why did you bring me here Raymond?" I asked as crystal coated ponies ran away from the jousting stadium. "So the power of Helios will be ours," Raymond replied, "And please, call me Shadow. Now pick up your bey and battle!" I didn't know who Helios was and didn't really care at the moment, so I put Sagittario on my launcher and launched, saying, "I'm going to end this quickly." I spun Sagittario in a large circle around the mysterious bey, picking up speed until my move was charged. "Special move! Nova Burst!" My bey hit his and the shockwave made me stumble back. Shadow's bey didn't even budge. I hit it with rapid fire attacks until I began to pant. Whatever knocked be out left me weak. "Your puny attacks cannot affect Nemesis!" Shadow laughed, "Now Special Move! Dark Shockwave!" A wave of dark energy swept over the stadium, sending Sagittario flying behind me. I brought it in front of me and began to launch attack after attack at Nemesis. "After I beat you, your friends are next!" Shadow laughed, "Maybe I shall destroy Fluttershy and that Phantom Orion of hers. You never use your true strength because she uses your father's bey." It was true that I never used my full force on Fluttershy. But it was not because she used my father's bey, though she did. It was becayse she was so frail I didn't want to hurt her. I heard a voice behind me yell, "I won't let you hurt my friends!" I turned to see Rainbow Dash, launcher at the ready. "No Dash," I said, "This my battle." She looked a bit upset by that so I added, "If I lose, feel free to end him." "Or maybe I should start with that little pegasus orphan you're friends with," Shadow continued, "What's her name, Scootaloo?" Something in me snapped and I turned towards Shadow. I felt like raw power was flowing through my veins. My entire body caught fire and my bey began to glow and I growled, "You will not touch her! Two forms appeared beside me, a centaur and an alicorn. Both nodded and I said, "Special move! Wrath of Helios!" A ball of fire consumed both beys. Then it imploded and released a flaming shockwave that sent Nemesis flying. Shadow picked his bey up off the ground and said, "We will meet again," before dissolving into darkness. I collapsed onto my knees and stared at the ground, my power spent. I had Sagittario come to me and I stood up. Rainbow Dash flew over and asked, "Are you alright?" "I'll be fine," I replied, "I used alot of power. Are the others alright." She nodded, "Is what that guy said true? Is Scootaloo an orphan?" "Yes, but Pinkie Promise that you won't tell anypony or let Scootaloo know that you know." "Uh, alright. Cross my heart, hope fly. Stick a cupcake in my eye." "Thank you, now where are the others?" Rainbow gave me a quick explanation about Sombra and the Crystal Heart. After she was done I started walking towards the castle. I kept moving until the arm that the dagger hit began to throb in pain. Rainbow gasped and I turned to see a cloud of smoke with the head of a unicorn. I fell to the ground and blacked out. I was back in Ponyville. Scootaloo was standing beside me. She was looking forward, mouth hanging open. I looked in the same direction and saw a writhing mass of darkness speeding towards us. I picked Scootaloo up and threw her just as the darkness consumed me. I was surrounded by suffacating darkness, unable to move or breath. I was trying with all my might to grab my bey and launcher so I could break out, but I was unable. I could hear a voice in my head, telling me that my struggling was pointless. As I struggled to get oxygen to my brain, I whispered, "I'm sorry I wasn't strong enough." As I closed my eyes, a bright light appeared in front of me and I watched as it took the form of an alicorn stallion. He stuck his horn into my chest and I felt rejuvenated. As he turned to go he spoke a single sentence, "Awake my child. My eyes opened and I was lying on the ground, my friends staring at me. I stood up and saw that my body was unscathed, not even the knife wound was remaining. "What just happened?" I asked, wondering if Rainbow bucked my head again (first time was the first time I beat her at a bey battle). "SpikejumpedoffahugecrystalandShiningthrewCadenceandthecrystalheartmadeSombraexplode!" Pinkie explained in her strange way. Twilight then explained everything slower and I understood. I turned to Shining Armor and asked him to levitate Sagittario. He did so and I grasped it, forming two beys. Death Quetzacoatl went to Cadence and Variares went to Shining Armor. "What are these?" Shining Armor asked. "Beyblades," I began to explain. When I was done, Shining Armor asked, "Do you think we'll need these?" "If Shadow comes back, maybe. His bey took all my strength to beat and he still had the power to teleport." "Well thanks." Before we started our way to the train station, Twilight gave her family a hug. The whole way there Applejack kept staring at me. When we were on the train I asked, "Why are you staring at me?" "You had a secret on your chest when you came here," she replied," It's gone now. So what was a secret so great that you held it for a month?" I contemplated on how to answer. It was obvious that she could tell if I was lieing. Also, I trusted these ponies and they would probably understand. I took a deep breath and said, "I've been holding it for three years actually." On the train ride I explained my past to the girls. They understood why I kept my secret and did't judge me. The only thing I didn't tell them was the conversation I had with Scootaloo. As I watched the scenery pass by I thought about Raymond, or Shadow now. "Where are you?" Shadow stepped through a vortex into a snow filled cave. He looked around until he found a red horn. The horn glowed and Sombra's head regenerated. "We failed," Sombra whispered. "No," Shadow smiled, "You failed to take the empire while I absorbed the power of Helios Archer channeled through his special move." "Help me, please." "Master doesn't like failure. So he needs what power you have left." Shadow held out Nemesis and Sombra screamed as he was absorbed into the bey. A portal opened behind him and Shadow laughed as he stepped backwards into it.
Origins"It's time to head home for a 'Saved the Crystal Empire' party!" Pinkie said as Twilight left the palace. Twilight was talking to Celestia after the Crystal Empire inccident. I needed to speak to Celestia about my poison dream and what Shadow meant by Helios. I told the girls to head home without me as I walked into the room of stained glass windows. "What are you doing here Archer?" Celestia asked, "The others have left." "I wish to speak with you in private," I replied with a bow. I explained what I saw and heard. Afterwards, Celestia went to the back of the roomand pulled a torch, opening a secret door. "Everything will be explained if you follow me," she said as she walked down a staircase. I followed her to a small, torchlit room with a mirror on the far end. "This is the Anima Speculum," Celestia explained, "If you gaze into it, it will show you the answers you seek." I walked up to the mirror and stared into it. Instead of my reflection, I saw the alicorn from my poison dream. He had an orange coat. His mane and tail were red with yellow streaks. His cutiemark a pheonix. "Hello Archer. I am Helios. "How do you know my name?" "The Anima Speculum shows extra souls in the body. I am within your body, or more accuratly your bey." I pulled Sagittario out of my pocket, "Celestia told me you would answer my questions." Helios nodded, "Touch your hand to the mirror and all will be explained. I touched the mirror and it felt like my mind was being separated from my body. The next thing I know I'm hovering over a forest. "Where am I?" I thought. "I am showing you the explanation you seek." I couldn't see Helios, but I heard his voice. "Now remain silent as I speak my story. "2700 years ago, a star fell from the sky." A meteor fell as he spoke. Contained within that star was unimaginable cosmic power. I set out to put that power under the control of my family." The scene shifted to show Helios standing in front of two alicorns and a centaur. They were in front of a crowd of both humans and ponies. "In those days I ruled over both man and pony. To assit in the rule of my descendents I created three tops." Helios produced three beyblades. "To my eldest daughter, Celestia, I gave Sol Blaze to augment her solar abilities. To the middle child, Luna, I gave Lunar Tempo to augment her power over the moon. To my youngest, Sagittarious, I gave a bey simply known as The Archer. "Why is your son a centaur?" I asked. "He tried using a transformation spell and it left him halfway between forms. Now, as I was saying, for a century we had peace throughout the land. The scene shifted to a stone glowing with dark energy. "I was not the only being attracted to the star's power. A being of dark power took a fragment and turned it into a bey known as Nemesis. Darkness used Nemesis to put most of Equestria into a state of shadow. In order to combat this threat, I created the Elements of Harmony from the last of the star." Six beams of light shot at the growing shadow. "The Elements could be used to their full power, however, Darkness mortally wounded my son. In order to save him I used the Elements to fuse his soul with the bey. This created the bey you know as Sagittario." I stared at the beyblade that was still in my hand. It was the son of this alicorn, yet how did I posses it? "I used Sagittario to remove the power from Darkness and seal Nemesis away. Another century of peace passed before Discord, a beast of chaos, came to the land. Knowing of my power and the growing strenght of humamity with beys I created, he turned be human and created a universe for all of humaniity to inhabit. He also wiped Equestria from the minds of all but a few, that is how Earth's myths were born. My daughters used the Elements of Harmony to defeat Discord, but I perished as a human. My soul entered the bey, Sagittario, and a son I had with a human woman took it. That man was your ancestor. That was a strange story, yet it made sense. I don't know, it might be because of the fact that Equestria exsists that it made sense. But there was one last question. "How do I defeat Nemesis?" "I do not know. Nemesis is currently in a state where it is absorbing energy. Once it has reached its full power, it will have the strength of Sagittario within. I can give you access to all of my power, that will help some.. Helios appeared and plunged his horn into my chest again. I could feel the same rush of pure power as when I used Wrath of Helios flow through my body. Helios removed his horn and I was standing in front of the Anima Speculum again. "Did you find your answers?" Celestia asked. "Yes," my mind was unfocused. Not because I had seen what I had, but because my back was so dang itchy. I threw off my jacket and ripped off my shirt. Celestia gasped a little I looked in the mirror to fing six foot wings sproting from my back. "It appears tthat my father gave you his powers," Celestia said while I was thinking, "Rarity is going to need to retailor my stuff." Author's Note Anima Speculum is latin for Soul Mirror.
Family Matters"Let's hit him all at once girls," Twilight said as her bey moved towards mine. It had been two weeks since I learned of my Equestrian heritage. I had spent most of the time I wasn't working training or working on my new abilities ever since. I was currently in a six on one battle against Twilight and her friends. "Special Move!" Twilight called, "Lightning Horn!" Rainbow made her pegasus fly up over the edge of the stadium, "Special Move! Rainboom Smash!" "Horn Smash!" Applejack yelled. I spread my wings and they ignited. Just before the beys hit I called out, "Flare Twister!" The familiar wall of flame caused Bull, Striker, and Pegasus to fly out of the stadium immediatly. I made short work of Gasher and Virgo. Sagittario then began to circle Fluttershy's Orion. I knew regular attacks would have little to no affect so I had to go with full force. I had Sagittario accelerate around the stadium and called, "Nova Burst!" Orion flew out of the stadium and I could hear Scootaloo behind me saying, "That was awsome Archer!" I turned my head and said, "Do you want to battle me?" "Really?" "I've got enough power left for another fight." Scootaloo ran to the otherside of the stadium. I had been helping her put with her battleing, though I had yet to face her. Scootaloo grabbed her launcher with her hoof and gripped the ripcord with her teeth. I heard her say, "Let t rip!" as her bey flew into the stadium. Storm Pegasus began to attack Sagittario, causing sparks to fly. After a few seconds of using this tactic, Scootaloo had her Pegasus pull away and fly up the edge of the stadium. "I'm going to try a new special move," she said with confidence, "Storm Cannon!" A blue bolt fell from the sky and I said, "Flare Twister." Pegasus was swallowed by the flames. But instead of being knocked out, it bouced off the side of the stadium amd knocked Sagittario to the edge. "Did she just do that?" I could here Applebloom whispered. "Good job," I said with a smile, "Now it's time." I had Sagittario speed around the stadium, "Nova Burst!" Just before the attack hit, Pegasus moved out of the way and Sagittario flew over the edge, "Reverse Flare!" This was the final attack. As Scootaloo's friends congradulated her, I picked up her still steaming bey and folded my wings. I looked up a the sky and saw that the sun was almost down, "Time for everyone to go home." It took a little time to sepparate Scootaloo from Sweetiebelle and Applebloom. Last week she told her friends that she was an orphan and that she was living with me. They were happy for her, but now it was harder to get them apart. As Scootaloo and I walked back to the cabin, I said, "You did a great job in that battle." She looked up at me and said, "I nearly had you there." "I can't believe you figured out a special move. It was a powerful one." "I was a little worried you would use Wrath of Helios." I rubbed Scootaloo's mane, "Only if you had lasted through Reverse Flare." We entered the cabin and I flicked my wrist, causing the fireplace to ignite. I went to my bed and lifted the mattress, revealing some papers. I pulled them out and Scootaloo asked what they were for. --------------------------------------------------------Flashback I had just finished talking to Celestia about Helios and was walking down the hall when I saw a black alicorn. She walked over to me and said, "Archer?" I nodded, "Who are you and how do you know my name?" "I am Princess Luna. I know who you are because my sister told me. Though I did not realize Father would give you his power." I then figured out that this was Celestia's sister and one of the daughters of Helios. "To what do I owe the pleasure?" I said with a bow. "I merely wish to give you these," Luna levitated to papers and I took them. They were adoption papers and they had Scootaloo's name on them. "Why did you give me these?" I asked. "I saw in your dreams that you wanted the little filly to be your family. I also saw it in her own dreams. This was the first time since you came to Equestria you had anything other than a nightmare." I remembered Twilight telling me about how one of the princesses was able to walk through dreams, so I wasn't as surprised by this, "I'll think about it." "That is all I ask." "Now," I concluded, "I want to ask you if you would like me to adopt you." Scootaloo was silent for several minutes before wrapping her forelegs around my waist, "Yes. But I need to show you something first." Scootaloo led me outside and away from the farm. We walked through a wooded area for about half an our before coming to an area covered in stones. She led me to specific stone. "Hi Mom," Scootaloo said, "This is Archer, the human I was telling you about." Right then I realized that I was standing in a graveyard. I held out my palm and a ball of fire appeared on it. I bent down and read the stone. Here Lies Skatealoo. May She Rest In Peace. I placed my other palm on the tombstone and said, "Hello. If you don't mind, I'd like to adopt your daughter. I swear that I will keep her safe and always be there." "How touching," a sarcastic voice said from behind. I turned and in the dim light I could see the outline of Shadow, "Get away from here!" "Fine, just let me leave a parting gift," Shadow pressed his hand to the ground and disappeared. "We need to leave," I said before feeling jaws clamp on my leg. I looked down to find an earth pony stallion biting my leg. I lit my fist ablaze and smashed the undead pony's skull. I picked up Scootaloo and spread my wings and flew high above the ground. Some pegasi followed us and I shot fire at them. I began to look around and saw a reflection on the ground a mile away. I flew towards the spot as fast as I could and landed beside a small lake. I heard rustling in the trees and put Scootaloo in the water, "When I say 'now' I need you to dive as deep as you can for as long as possible." "Archer?" she said. "Trust me on this, okay?" The rustling was getting louder. "Okay." I launched my bey and ignited it. When the first of the undead walked out of the woods, I yelled, "Now Scoots!" I let out all the power I possesed in a cry of rage. The entire area was enveloped in flames. When I ran out of energy, the fire died down and Scootaloo came up, gaspingf or breath. "Are you alright?" I was on my knees, panting. She nodded, "Are you okay?" "Ask me when I puke up my liver." I looked around and saw that the blast had vaporized everything for about a hundred yards. I was feeling lightheaded when a rainbow blur spead towards us. "Are you two alright?" Rainbow asked. "Yes," I tried to stand up and fell back to the ground, "How did you find us?" "I could see that blast. We need to get you to a hospital." I hefted myself up onto Rainbow's back and she began to walk. She was somehow able able to hold me up and still move at a brisk pace, with Scootaloo beside her. After about an hour, we made it to the hospital. I was checked in and put in a room. The doctors bandaged my leg and did some tests. While the results were being readied, the other five girls came. The doctor came in and Applejack asked, "What's wrong with him doc?" "He has expended high levels of energy," the doctor said, "He should rest for a few days without using much energy." "Does that mean I shouldn't beyblade?" I asked. "Yes, though you can go home tomorrow." "Thank's Doctor. Can I speak to my friends in private please?" "Yes." The doctor left and I told the girls what happened. They were horrified that Shadow rose the dead to try to kill me and Scootaloo. The doctor came back in and said, "I'm sorry ladies, but I have to ask you to leave." "Can Scootaloo stay with me?" I asked. The doctor looked at me, then at Scootaloo, "Fine, she can stay." The others left and I drifted off to sleep. The next day I woke up and checked out of the hospital. I had to put an ointment on my bite every few hours for a week. Rainbow Dash found me and I asked her to get the papers from my house. She did and I took Scootaloo to the Ponyville Orphanage. I stood in front of the door and asked, "Are you ready for this?" She pressed her body against my leg, "Yep." I went inside and talked to the worker there. She was saying that it would be expensive and take time to file the paperwork. Then I pulled out the papers Princess Luna gave me and the mare treated me like royallty. We left and I said, "So, your my daughter now. Do you know what this calls for?" Scootaloo just looked up at me. "A party!" We had Pinkie through a party and it was even better than my welcome party.
Too Many Pinkie Pies.Scootaloo and I were eating breakfast. She was having hay pancakes while I was eating an omelet. It was the day after the adoption. "What are we doing today Archer?" she asked, "I mean, Dad." I swallowed, "You can just stick with the name Archer," her calling me Dad just sounded weird, " I think that Rainbow is heading to the swimming hole after she's done with work. We could go there." "Didn't you burn the swimming hole?" "She'll be at a different one." "Should you be swimming with your leg." I looked down at my leg. The ointment used to prevent infection probably would wash off in water. "Could we battle?" Scootaloo asked. I shook my head, "The doctors said that using my bey would use up too much energy. Maybe we could help the other Crusaders with their marks." Scootaloo jumped out of her seat, "You forgot to give them beyblades! We should get the others and head to Twilight's." I finished drinking my orange juice, "Sure thing. Just let me get dressed." I went into the bathroom and changed into my usual garb. Once Scootaloo asked why I always wore clothes. I just said it was because humans weren't born with fur all over our bodies. Once I was done, Scootaloo hopped on her scooter and we walked off to find Applebloom. We found her on an apple cart with Applejack pulling her. We were about to meet up with them when Pinkie Pie came. "Ooh, that looks like fun!" she hopped on for two seconds before speeding away, "Next time I'll pull you!" I looked at the pink trail and muttered, "Pinkie Pie." "Howdy Archer," Applejack greeted, "What are y'all doin'?" "We're wanting Applebloom and Sweetiebelle to be Cutie Mark Crusader Bladers!" Scootaloo exclaimed. I nodded, "Could Applebloom come along?" "Sure, mah family's havin' a barn raisin' and Ah was goin' to ask if you could take 'er anyways." Applebloom jumped off the cart and we made our way to town. After we picked up Sweetiebelle we were walking to the library when I saw Pinkie Pie talking to Twilight. Twilight said something that made Pinkie's head act like an egg timer before she exclaimed something about a 'mirror pool' and ran off. "What was that all about?" I asked. "Pinkie is trying to make it between Applejack's and the swimming hole in the time it takes for Rainbow Dash to dive," Twilight explained. I pulled out Sagittario, "Could you help me make some beys for- arrgh!" My bey began to burn and I had to drop it. I didn't know what was going on because Helios giving me his power made me fire-proof. My hands began to glow and two beys formed. "That's new," I muttered in amazement. The beys floated over to Applebloom and Sweetiebelle. Sweetiebelle appeared to get an Earth Virgo and Applebloom got a Midnight Bull. "How did you create beys without the help of unicorn magic?" Twilight asked as I picked up Sagittario. "Maybe because of an ancient alicorn giving me his power," I replied. I looked at the fillies marveling at the new beys, "We need to go. See you later." I took them to Turner's to get some launchers, then we went to our little stadium at the farm. I showed Sweetiebelle and Applebloom how to launch their beys and they were battling. We were all surprised by how stable and hard to destabilize Sweetiebelle's Virgo was. I even went against the doctor's orders and tried to beat it. I tried using direct attacks but they just bounced off. I pulled Sagittario out of the battle just as Pinkie Pie came bouncing out of the trees. "Hey Pinkie," three more Pinkie's appeared, "And Pinkies?" Then about ten more Pinkies burst from the trees, all yelling, "Fun! Fun! Fun!" I picked up the fillies and flew above the trees. "What's going on Archer?" Scootaloo asked. "I'm not sure," I replied. My wings were not used to carrying this much weight, "We need to find someplace to land before my wings give out." I began to find someplace to land that wasn't crawling with Pinkies. It took some time, but the only safe place within reach was the Everfree Forest. We went to Fluttershy's cottage, but nopony was there. "Where is everypony?" I thought aloud. Then I saw a white rabbit waving its arms, "Is that you, Angel?" The rabbit nodded and motioned for us to follow. We chased Angel and soon made it to a tree with a hollow at the base big enough for a bear to squeeze through. I climbed inside and found Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, and a bunch of animals, including a bear. "Hey Archer," Rainbow said, "We're hiding here until the Pinkies leave." "How many of them are there?" I asked as the fillies crawled into the hole. "I saw around twenty at the swimming hole. When I flew over town I saw about ten more." "I saw about ten at the farm." I began to crawl out of the hole and said, "I'm going to find Twilight. She might have a way to stop this." I got out of the hole and flew towards town. On my way, I saw Thunderlane on a cloud. "What's up with all the Pinkie's?" he asked I shrugged, "I have no idea. Can you get the others and keep them in the area?" "Sure thing. We don't want them getting to a huge city like Canterlot." I flew until I got the library. I stepped in and found Twilight about to walkout the door. "Did you find out what's causing this?" I asked. Twilight nodded, "Pinkie made clones of herself using something called the Mirror Pond. I can send them back, though there is a problem." "What kind of problem?" "I can send Pinkie back to the pond by mistake." I thought about what I could do to find the real Pinkie. I might be able to contain the Pinkies, but I had no idea about how to tell them apart. Finally I said, "The girls are near Fluttershy's. Figure out how to tell the Pinkies apart while I get the guys to put all of them in town hall." Twilight nodded and her and Spike left. I flew off and got the guys to begin a round up. I was looking for stragglers on the edge of the Everfree when I felt a chill up my spine "What was that?" I thought. "I am not sure, but you must find out." "Helios? Is that you?" "Of course. When you got those powers, my soul was made able to contact you from within. Now get moving towards that cold spot." I flew through the forest until the brambles got so thick that I had to walk. I walked until I fell into a hole. After I got over the stinging sensation in my leg I found that I was in a large cavern with a pond in it. "What is this place?" I thought just as a pink cloud flew into the pool. It must be where the clones came from. "And the others have began to send them back." I climbed out of the hole and made my way to town. I saw five of the girls outside of Sugarcube Corner. "Did it work?" I asked. They parted and I saw Pinkie asleep on the floor. "Cute," I said as Twilight shut the door, "Is Scootaloo still with Fluttershy's animal friends?" "Ah sent her home Sugarcube," Applejack replied. I spread my wings and flew home.
