Stronghold: New Beginnings.

Chapter 17 1/2:

FREE THEM!!! (Part 3)

I've finally made it to Mt. Ray-mare, and man, it is COLD!!! Yet I knew this (somehow) and brought on the thermal clothing. I ran up the mountain and saw a group of bald headed Stallions (Tsunami clan monks, I guess) meditating. I walked up to one of them, and they stood. I bowed, a clear sign of respect, and he bowed back in return. I then asked "I've come to learn the wisdom and technique of the Tsunami clan. Who do I speak to?" "Me," said somepony from behind. I turned, and in front of me was...Alisa.

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"Alisa...is that...is that you?" "Yes, Max. I'd like to know why you're here though, instead of dillly dallying and walking down memory lane. So?" "Right, um...I'm here to learn from the Tsunami clan." "And for what purpose, Stronghold?" "Discord." Was all I needed to say before Alisa welcomed me into the temple behind the 50 monks ahead of me. I walked and started to wonder, 'How is she alive? I saw her die back on Earth!' "I know what you're thinking, Stronghold. No, what happened back on Earth wasn't a staged death. I actually died. But Reggie, feeling sorry for me, extracted some of my blood. When he landed on Equestria, he started tinkering a cloning device, and put my blood into the machine. I came out, only remembering that my name was Alisa Burnheart and that I was a 15 year old teenage girl. Reggie told me my past, knowing the Cloning would wipe out my memory. He then told me to go to a clan on the highest peak of Mt. Ray-mare, believing they would have a cure for Cancer.

"I went, and was greeted by a tan Stallion with Braid where his mane should have been. He cured me and taught me how to fight. He saw the future, for he was a wise old one. He said that one day, I'd be need in the line of battle, for a bringer of chaos would appear by the name of Discord. I became like a daughter to him after that, and inherited the status of Leader to the Tsunami clan. I was afraid of this Discord character bringing about chaos, and I was scared for my 'people'. So I trained hard, and now, I can see the training will soon show. I was given the power of sight after my new father's death, and it hasn't failed me yet. Step inside, we're here." She said as she opened the entrance to the temple.

"Show me what you got, Stronghold," said Alisa as she threw me a staff. "Are you actually going to fight me? No, 'Let's start training' or, 'If you can solve this riddle, you know more than you should?' What's up with that?" "Why do you think we're about to fight, genius? Whew, for a tech wiz, you aren't very smart." And she lunged. I blocked and threw her away from me. I  circled the area, her doing the same.

Suddenly, I lunged. But she saw this coming (pun NOT intended) and jabbed me in the gut with her staff. I fell onto the floor, and felt rage consume me. Who was she to kick my but then fill me with knowledge? I Got mad, and flames surrounded me. She then tried to hit me with her staff (which became metal), and I grabbed the end that almost hit me in the face and bent the end so far it looked like a large boomerang. I then grabbed the staff again and pulled it out of her hand and held on to it, slowly melting the metal. When it was a puddle of silver liquid, I grinned crazily and said "Whoops! I guess if it can't take the heat, it should get out of the temple." And I lunged, fire going away, and judo flipped her, arm on her neck. "WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT FOR!?! You've definitely changed Alisa. But I don't know why and I want to know NOW!!!" "Get your weak arm off my neck, and maybe I can explain?" "Why, if my arm is so weak?"

"Just 'cause your arm's weak, doesn't mean your weight isn't. Duh." 'Good point,' I thought. So I got up and took my arm off her neck. She sat up, gasping and holding her neck, and finally said "If you're going to lead battle like in my visions, you're going to have to learn to expect the unexpected...as well as some other things. You passed, surprisingly enough. But we're going to train more. Come to me after you free the Royal Sisters. Then, I will professionally train you. Got it, Stronghold?" "Okay. But no more of that staff jabbing and maybe your next prized possession of a fighting staff won't get melted." "Yeah, sure whatever. Just GO ALREADY!!! The sooner we can free the Royal Sisters, the sooner we can get even more of an advantage. Thank god my memory was wiped out. I probably would get a migraine from memories of you flapping your gums."

I got up, and was so angry I muttered "Fucking bitch was less of a crab-ass back on earth." and walked out before hearing Alisa say "I heard that, ass munch!" And so, I walked out, taking another jar to gather lightning bugs for my special lightning-rainbow lantern.

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"Oh hey there, Maxy-boy! Came over to pick up some apple fritter?" Said Applejack when I got there. "As delicious as that sounds, I'm not here for that. I need your help with a particular mission involving the liberation of the Royal Sisters." She just looked at me and smiled so hugely  saw teeth and gums. "YEE-HAW! FINE 'LLY, WE CAN LIVE IN--" "Don't say peace, Applejack. We're not going to live in peace until Discord is as good as dead. I need you to help when we reach the place they were imprisoned in. Ready to show your stuff, AJ?" "I sure as sugar am, Max! Just hold on while I get someone to take over my shift here." and she went inside the farm to talk to Big Macintosh.

She came out with some saddlebags and said "Okay, count me in. But first," she said as we were walking to the Golden Oaks Library. "What's with the lightning bugs and the rainbow?" "I'll be using them to make a special lantern Twilight told me about. She found the book in the Library. I'm going to get it and make it before Twilight, you and I go into the Everfree Forest. If I'm right, these lightning bugs plus the jar of Rainbow should produce a special that never goes dim, and brings light from Dusk to Dawn and only during then. It's made by crushing the lightning bugs, turning them into glowing mulch, then it gets thrown into a cauldron filled with rainbow. You stir it and after a few minutes, you pour it into a lantern."

"But, Max, if you know how to make it, then why get the book?" asked Appejack

"Because there's a specific way you have to do it."

"Oh...Okay, then."

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"Please just put a little more magic powder in, Twilight. ." I said as I read the final instructions for the lightning-rainbow lantern. Twilight brought the magic powder pouch  and used her magic to open it and sprinkle a little bit of magic powder into the cauldron. "Now, to stir the ingredients for five minutes and we'll be done." I said as I took out a wooden spoon. Five minutes later, I took out the spoon and put it in the sink in the washbasin I brought in. I took the cauldron and a freshly cleaned jar, and poured the rainbow in. The rest I poured down the sink drain. I drilled two holes into the top of the jar and expertly made a sturdy handle to put on the jar. I asked Twilight to turn off the light, and when she did, I held up the newly made lantern and yelled at the top of my lungs "AND SO, THE ALMIGHTY GOD SAID 'LET THERE BE LIGHT!!!'" (I'm a christian, so I read the bible. I memorized the whole thing). Twilight turned the lights back on, and I strapped the lantern onto my belt. "Okay, let's go.

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I sniffed the air as if it was fresh, even though we were in the heart of the Everfree Forest. "Ahh! Home sweet musty old home! Surprisingly I miss the constant sounds of the jungle. Anyway," I said, leading AJ and Twilight. "We can't stay long. One day, a young Stallion died here. It's said he sank through the mud. That's why during the fall, when I came to Equestria, I was told not to stay in this spot for very long. Zecora and her side conversations of superstitions. hah! I've dealt with High School, the roughest heartbreaks, and being called a geek just because I can reprogram a computer within mere seconds. A fear of falling through mud doesn't seem my type of scare on the fear factor." I get the feeling I spooked them out a bit, so I told them I was sorry for possibly doing so, and continued to walk.

We stopped in front of a cliff, where we realized that we'd need to make a bridge. I volunteered to make it, since I was the fastest with building things. I quickly fashioned myself an axe by using a large carveable branch and two stones, one of which was a rock called flint, and tied it together using a strong vine. I then started to chop down some tress and whittled them into planks to walk on. Finally, I poked holes using a flint rock I shaped into a spherical wedge, and tied them to our end of the cliff with another vine. I then used my wings and flew to the other side, where I tied the other end to the that side of the cliff. I then flew back and said "Ladies first." However, they insisted I go since I was the one holding the lantern. So I gladly took the offer and went first. I was surprised at how this 45 minute project was holding the weight with ease.

"Come on, the bridge is holding it's ground...or air, or whatever. Let's get this over with." After a five hour walk, a few trips and stumbles, and getting caught in vines and shrubs, we made it to where Reggie told us he locked away the Royal Sisters. "Applejack, if you'd be so kind as to break the lock, please." "With pleasure" said AJ as she ran towards the gate and bucked the lock with all her might. The lock broke and fell to the floor, leaving the door wide open from the force of the kick. "Thank you, AJ. Now, we need you to stand here and watch. Me and Twilight will go inside and find the Royal Sisters. If you see something that puts the mission at risk, yelp and I will send a temporary clone to help you. But hopefully, it shouldn't come to that because your the strongest pony I know other than Dashie."

"Aww shucks. Thank you for the compliment, but it ain't necessary."

"Trust me, it is. Some Stallion or Mare out there would be lucky to have you. Not me, though. I'm fine with Flutters. Anyway, are you coming, Princess Twilight?" "Yes. Just hold on a second." She said as she flew over. I gave AJ the lantern as I tried to light my hand. I finally saw a spark form as my hand lit up. "Alright. Now, before we free them, we'll have to be careful how we act around them. For all we know, they could've lost some of their sanity being trapped in here for so long."

When we got there, though, it was a different case.

The Royal Sisters were unconscious, spread on the floor with their eyes closed. When I opened their eyelids, all I saw was glowing white. "What the..." was all I said before I decided to put my hand against their forehead and find out what was happening. When I did, I saw them chained to the wall of a cell. Some guard in full body armor holding an Assault Rifle guarded the cell in both minds. I took my hand off, and said "SHIT! They're...they're trapped in their minds. I've got an idea, but it'll take a great deal of magic." "What's your idea, Max?" asked Twilight, unsure of whether or not it was any good. "I need you to transfer my soul into one of their minds. When I'm done freeing one, I'll contact you via mindtouch.

"You will then have to use mindtouch to connect, and transfer my soul to the other's mind. I'll contact you again, and you'll take my soul and transfer it back to my body. Do you think you can handle it?" "I...I don't know, I..." "Listen to me, Twilight; If there's anyone I trust to do this, it's you. I know you've got the power to help, and I know you wouldn't back down to a challenge that could mean the difference between your people's life and/or Death. I believe in you, Twi. You know your kingdom is suffering, and you want to help. This could be the chance that could help end it." Twilight looked to the ground, with a face that showed she wasn't sure what to do. I knelt down, grabbed her hoof and looked her in the eye. "You can do this," I said. "I know it."

She stood tall and said "Okay, Max. Get ready." And she then pointed her horn at me, and I could've sworn I saw blushing as she took my soul and transferred it into Celestia's mind. Suddenly, I fell through a hole that appeared in front of me, and I fell on a cold concrete floor. I was behind a wall, which was good, because ahead was a bunch of guys in body armor. I unsheathed my swords and melted into the wall. I slithered behind a guard who was taking a smoke and talking to another guard. I came out of the wall and stabbed my sword through the back of his chair. He had his helmet off, so I saw his blood come out of his mouth as the ciggarette fell and he breathed in short gasps.

I then grabbed his head and said "Aww, does it hurt? Here, let me end the pain" as I snapped his neck. The guard who was speaking to him got up from his chair and turned around to sound the alarm. But when he turned around, I had teleported through the floor and landed in front of him. I said, "Surprise, motha fucka!" and took out my left gun, stuck it in his mouth, and pulled the trigger. I grabbed his body, smashed a window that was nearby, and threw him out. I did the same for the first guard and sheathed my swords.

"Now, to go--" was all I got out before I turned and got slashed across my left eye. "AUGH! Can't see." I said as I held my left eye. I opened my right eye and saw that it was the same guard I saw when I looked into Celestia's mind. I could tell by the scratch across his helmet. He was holding a double-edged longsword. On it's tip was my blood. "Oh, so you wanna fight, eh? If it's a fight you want, it's a fight you'll get!" And I got into fighting position. I charged and motioned a punch. But I cut over to the side and punched him in the ribs. He got down on one knee, and quickly got up.

He jabbed me in the gut with the butt of his sword-or actually, tried to-and I sidestepped and grabbed his forearm. I twisted his arm to where the elbow faced upwards, and bashed my head against it. He backed up as his arm lolled to the side, leaving him with his left arm working.

Turned out though, he was ambidextrous.

He picked his sword up off the floor, and slashed my left shoulder. "What is it with you and the left side!?!" I yelled. He simply charged, sword pointed at my gut. I knew that at the speed he was going, that I wouldn't make it. I got enfuriated at this, and did the thing I didn't know I could do; I slowed time to a near standstill. I watched as everything slowed down. I walked up to the guard and smacked my hands onto the sides of his sword. With a sharp motion, I snapped off half of the blade. I then grabbed his wrist, and twisted it upwards, applying deadly force on it. I brought back my hand and slammed my palm against his chest, the force of impact ripping his arm off his body.

I followed the trail of blood and stopped in front of the guard, staring at him with a look of pure rage and insanity. "You think just because you're a guard means you could kill me in one fell swoop? I don't think so," I said as he looked up at me, then said "Fuck you." And I then said, "Ooh, I think someone needs to be punished. I'm about to book you an all expense payed trip to Satan's playground." And I put my foot against his chest, leaned down, grabbed his head, and tugged so hard it came off.

"Maybe next time, you should quit while you're a-head!" I went up to the cell that Princess Celestia was in, and grabbed the prison bars. I tugged, and ripped them out of the wall. I threw the bars aside and walked in. In front of me was an Alicorn, battered and bruised, chained to the floor, and showing signs of malnutrition. I put my hand on her head and asked, "Need some help?" She nodded, and said in a whispering voice, "Thank you." I then assured her there was no need as I grabbed the chains and pulled them out of the wall. I tore them off of her fore and hindlegs, and held out my hand. She gladly took it, and as she got up, she turned human. And I had a look of shock on my face because she looked like...my mother from back when Earth was still a planet. "Mom?" I asked, looking up at Princess Celestia's face.

"What?" asked the Princess with a confused face. "What? Oh, nothing. It's just...you look like my late mother." She smiled and said, "Well, I bet your mother was lucky to have you, uh...what's your name?" "Max Alexander Thorns-bury Stronghold. But you could call me Max Stronghold, or Max, your highness." I said while bowing. She urged that I get up, saying, "You saved me. There is no need to bow." I got up, and mindtouched Twilight. She then transferred my soul to Luna's mind while Celestia vanished into thin air. I then apppeared in front of the cell that Luna was in.

I punched the bars into an opening wide enough for me to go through. I then yanked the chains off, and guided her out. But before I mindtouched Twilight, I felt my side tingle. So being me, that told me something was up. I unsheathed my sword, and turned around, stabbing the air with an 'ugh' noise following. the air shimmered, and revealed a guard with a camo-cloak. "Ooh, nice cloak. Mind if I 'borrow' it?" I asked as I removed my sword. He fell facefirst (looks like dead people know the flop, too) and took his cloak. I put it on, and flipped the hood over my head. I immediately vanished from Luna's sight. I then hacked and slashed every guard to assure the success of the mission.

I took the hood off, and mindtouched Twilight again. With a wave of a goodbye, Luna (Who I forgot to mention turned human as I lead her out of the cell) vanished and I was transferred back to my body. I woke up, and saw Twilight help up the Royal Sisters. "Good to know it worked, huh Twilight?" I said, getting up and wiping the dust off my clothes. She nodded, then asked, "What should we do about the place?" I took off my shirt, revealing two belts with Special grenades I made holstered. "Blow it sky high." I made the grenades, so I had to give the top a quarter turn. I then took both belts off, since I did this to all of them.

"Run, Twilight! Get Applejack and go back to Ponyville! I'll be right behind you!" Twilight hesitated, then turned tail (no pun intended) and ran. When she left the tower, I said to Celestia to get on my back while I held Luna in my arms. She wrapped her forelegs around my underarms and gripped on tight. Luna did the same for my neck. I started to get ready to run, but the grenades had reached their 20 second time-limit, and lighters came out. "Aah, god DAMN IT! Gonna have to make a shield." I said. I used my magic and made a protective bubble around me, Celestia, and Luna. Then, the lighters flicked on, and BOOM!

When I opened my eyes, I was left untouched. Good thing it was the same for the Royal Sisters. I then removed the shield and pumped the power from it into my legs. I felt as if I could run around Equestria twice and still have the energy to do the Running of the Leaves event. I crouched, leaned forward a little, said "Hang on," and ran so fast I reached the entrance to the Everfree Forest in a mere matter of seconds. I saw Twilight there with AJ, and they were both crying until I put the Royal Sisters back on the ground and poked their shoulders. Then Twilight looked up and turned human, giving me a hug.

Then she blushed, and let go. "Uh, Max. We're glad you're alive and all, but please cover up. You're very...distracting...right now." She said. I rummaged through my bag, and found a dusty 49er's jersey. I put it on, and said, "Now that that's done, I think it's best we head home." When we did, it got dark out, and I went to bed, thinking of the battle to come.

The End...For Now