Chapter 1: NYOOOOOOOOM! *Rewritten*
Chapter 1: NYOOOOOOOOM! *Rewritten*
Chapter 1: NYOOOOOOOOOOOM!
“Hey Rails! How much farther to ….? This armor’s giving me the creeps!” Oh hush you! I worked hard on making this armor! Not my fault I was left to rot in a random cave up north, at least I think it was a cave. Couldn’t tell, couldn’t see the scenery! Speaking of scenery. Where did that guard say I was heading? I didn’t quite catch it.
“You have an hour til you have to transport that junk to... The scientists there will have a field day with that stuff!”
“He, yeah. How did armor of this Quality end up in a Mine anyways?” The guard asked. I distantly felt a hoof touch my chest. Or where I figured would be my chest. Imagine if you would that fuzzy feeling you get when you are both awake yet dreaming at the same time. That is what the hoof felt like. I’m not entirely sure where each part of my body is and it feels odd.
“How should I know? I’m just the conductor!” The conductor Rails responded. After that the chatting stops and the world is quiet. And honestly it grates my nerves! I’ve had plenty of time to listen to silence! Nearly 1700 years! Not sure how I got that number but I’m sticking with it.
Finally after hours of unbearable silence and my unheard screams a different voice speaks.
“All off! We have reached our final destination…. Enjoy your stay!” The conductor shouts. I still missed where exactly I am.
“Alright, Storm Front! Get that Armor to the…. Don’t want to make the….. Wait.” A new voice called and I felt myself getting picked up. I think something’s wrong with whatever is letting me hear. I keep missing things!
“Yes Sir!” The guard from Earlier, Storm Front I’m assuming, responds. Now there is the feeling of distant fuzzy movement. It’s rather nice actually. I’m not too used to moving anymore. What would be better would be moving on my own accord!
Soon the sound of a crowd meets my, ears? Whatever I’m using to listen in a bodiless state. I’m guessing I’m heading through a busy street. As the mutterings of the crowds grows I decide I might as well tune them out and contemplate how I ended up like this. It wasn’t the nicest thing to happen really. But it’s a scenario I keep going through, if only to figure out if I’d change anything.
Earth 1710 Years Ago
“Jeezus Christ May! Where the hell did you vanish to?” My roommate Kate shouted, stomping over to me as I swung my feet. I sat perched on the Convention Center’s second story balcony, happily nibbling on a cookie. I had been watching the people moving in and out of the building, the chatter filling my head. Kate looked pissed. Through all of the Kyoshi Warrior Makeup, I could tell her face was red. Her costume was still in perfect condition. The Kyoshi warrior dress and Armor still sat perfectly in place, without a single stain. Her headdress was poking out of her bag though. It always annoyed her when she put up her hair, so it was no surprise she had ditched the headdress. I shrugged to her, my homemade breast plate making a grinding sound as the pieces rubbed together. My own Azula cosplay wasn’t that fancy. The breast Plate was far from metal and lumpy. Not to mention the hair piece was obviously glued together. I may work with a theater company making props that doesn’t mean I am a wiz at it.
“I vanished here. I got hungry.”
“Then why didn’t you just tell me where you went to?” Kate hissed as I took another bite. I shrugged.
“Didn’t see a point. Sides, I was coming back to the panel, security just wouldn’t let me back in!” Kate groaned, and plopped down on the floor next to me, rubbing her temples.
“Why the hell did I agree to this?”
“Because you love me!” I quipped, poking her side playfully. Kate smack my foot as I laughed, wobbling unsteadily on the banister.
“Get down from there May! You’ll fall!” I snorted.
“I’m not that klutzy Kate, I’m not gonna fall unless someone pushes me!” I said, patting the metal bar that I sat on as a confirmation. Kate was not convinced.
“I know you! You will fall!”
“Will not!”
“Will to!”
“LOOK OUT!” I didn’t have much time to react. Once the shout of warning registered my face met water bottle and I found myself rolling backwards into the open air. If anyone ever tells you that falling is scary, I’ll have to slap them for such an understatement. Falling is sickening. Your stomach flips and makes you instinctively curl into a ball. Landing is worse. The best I can remember from landing was the sound of bones snapping, pain shutting down most of my usual functions, like talking, the air forcibly leaving my lungs, and someone distantly asking.
“Where the hell did she go?!”
Equestria Present day
Next thing I knew I was waking up in Equestria as Azula! Looks and Power wise there is very little difference between myself and the Fire Nation Princess. However there is one major difference, I will NEVER act like her. I refuse to fall into the same cruelty and madness as she did! She’s a cool character, but to be her and have her personality? That scares me.
Anyways, If I was to be honest a few things about my early time here are either very fuzzy or not even there. Memories a weird thing. I’ve gone over the events that led up to my arrival in Equestria and honestly I would not change it. Sure it was stupid of me to be sitting on that railing. However who ever thought it was a good idea to chuck a water bottle around, a full one at that was even dumber. I might have offered some of my cookie to Kate if I could change anything. That and I’d have actually landed in the damned Convention center! There was a panel I had been looking forward to all summer and I missed it because I had arrived in the land of Technicolor ponies! I mean it’s not that bad, at least I like the show and I’m familiar with it. I can deal. Though I’d like to get out of this damned ARMOR! I still don’t see why Celestia and Luna trapped me in my own armor!
Huh when did I stop moving?
“Thank you for making this delivery Storm Front! The…. Have been planning this since it was reported that the armor was found.” A distinctly female voice said.
“No problem at all Chemical Bond. Simply doing my duty.” Storm Front responded to the female, Cell Bond. I snickered a bit at the name. That’s one way of naming your kid, foal? Whichever. Naming them after a natural process that you learn about in high school. Not very creative are they?
I felt myself being moved upwards and the distant fuzzy feeling suddenly became a rather present fuzzy feeling. Like instead of being fuzzy in the back of my mind, the fuzzy feeling crawled from my head down my nose and into my mouth. In short I still felt fuzzy, but now I also wanted to gag. I have no clue what’s going on.
“Alright. That should do it! Do you need me for anything else Princess?” Wait wait! I heard that! Princess? For the love of God! Please tell me I’m not near Celestia or Luna! They’ll murder me!
“No. Thank you Chemical Bond, Luna and I will take it from here.” There were some silence and hoof steps as I believe Chemical Bond left the area. A door slammed shut and I could hear fidgeting.
“Dost thou think this is wise? We have only just finished cleaning up from Discord’s release. Is it wise to…” Luna trailed out, I guess my hearing wasn’t entirely fixed. She certainly sounded worried. I’m guessing it wasn’t just because of Discord. Hey I now knew where I was! Sometime after the start of season 2. Where exactly I was unsure.
“I know you question my judgment on this Luna. But I believe it is……” Goddamn it I wanted to hear that! “For a second punishment.”
Oh shit. NO! FUCK NO! I didn’t do anything! I did not! Why the hell am I being punished again? Why was I being punished in the first place? I was just living a life goddamnit! Then you and your sister go nutjobs and next thing I know, I can’t see or move! Don’t you come near me! I hear you both moving closer! STOP IT! I swear to every God in existence don’t come near me!
3rd Person POV
Celestia and Luna circled the re-assembled armor as it lay motionless in the center of the large dark room. The room was empty save a few bookshelves and tables. All have been pushed to the side to open up the center of the room. Candles glowing with an eerie blue light were set in a circle around the circle of runes that surrounded the armor. Luna watched it with unease whilst Celestia eyed it with a hint of sadness.
“I see no reason to rouse her spirit and awaken her. Even if she does not turn on us and agrees to assist us, if she discovers why-“
“She will not Luna. You and I know how her mind works. Azula will do everything she can to convince herself it never happened. More likely than not she has convinced herself that we attacked for no reason.” Celestia said as she took her place at the feet of the empty armor. “She believed a great many things that could not be, nor were possible.”
Luna snorted.
“Yes. We remember quite a few of them. Somewhere more mad than the rest.”
“The mind is a strange thing Luna. Even so. We need her now. The Cult will grow more destructive if we do not convince her to dissuade them.” Luna harrumphed at Celestia’s logic.
“We still think that execution would work well for those miscreants. But thou hast made a decision and we will not be able to dissuade you.” Luna lowered her gaze at the unmoving crimson armor and cloth. “Let us begin.”
May POV
For fucks sake! Did they go away? Please tell me they went away! I don’t hear any talking, or movement. Thank God! Maybe I’ll be able to get out of this without the royal Duo blasting my ass to next Tuesday.
I hear the Fwoosh of Fire and the fuzzy feeling begins to evolve into that tingling feeling you get when your foot falls asleep. The ambient sounds of the world begin to fill my ears and I finally feel my whole body. I don’t feel disconnected, and my vision begins to return. The first thing I see, is a blur of White and a mesh of pastel like blue, green, pink…
“Fuck. My. Life.” I croak, my voice feels unused and foreign. My vision is still swimming but I begin to make out more than shapes and colors. I’m standing in a dimly lit room. The Windows have been blocked by either some spell or some fabric. Bookshelves, and tables filled with beakers, scrolls, and other instruments are all piled against the walls. Candles burning with blue flame, which I assume was an enchantment, surround me. I slowly turn, feeling nauseous as I do so. Behind me stand Luna, glaring at me with all her might.
“Nope.” I croak again and hightail it from my spot. Or try to. I more stumble away, and I’m immediately stopped by a magical grasp.
“Ma-“
“Don’t you fucking call me that! You have no fucking right!” I hissed. My voice was getting better, not much but at least I didn’t croak as much in that one! I twist in the magical grasp, desperately trying to escape.
“Very well then, Azula. We are not here to harm you.”
“Bullshit!”
“I find myself agreeing with her. We would like to use her as a Sword rack! Her ribs would make a most wonderful shelf.” Luna said. Mmmmm! Just what I like waking to in the morning! Venom! As Celestia glared at her sister I turned my gaze to the door.
“Luna, we have discussed this!” Celestia was talking to Luna and honestly I tuned them out. I did NOT want to be here. I however, had no way of breaking a magical grasp. I could only hope that Celestia would be sufficiently distracted by her sister and let me go.
*Plop!*
Ok I did not expect that to actually work! Celestia had released me, being too consumed with trying to calm her sister. As the two Princesses argued I decided to hightail it.
3rd Person POV
Celestia sighed as Luna continued to try and convince her to send Ma-, Azula to the dungeons and forgetting the whole plan.
“If she does something like that again we will not be able to do anything to…” Luna stopped her ramble and stared behind Celestia. Confused Celestia Turned to find Azula rushing out of the room and past two startled guards. He blue flame flickered from its spot on the ground. Luna was fuming.
“GET BACK HERE!” Luna shouted, flaring her wings ready to give chase. Celestia placed a hoof on Luna’s shoulder.
“Calm yourself. We do not need to give chase.” Celestia walked up to the guards. “Please assemble as many guards as you can and have them assemble in the Foyer. Do as much as you can to prevent Azula from escaping. But be careful.”
“Yes your majesty!” The guard saluted shakily, and raced off to find more guards. Celestia turned to Luna.
“Come. I believe it is time we introduce Azula to her future partners.” Celestia beckoned for Luna to follow with a wing, and then began to calmly walk down the halls and towards the Guest rooms, where eight certain Ponies waited.
May POV
Exiting from the dark room I found myself greeted by the bright white halls of the Castle. Two guards stood outside the doors, spears facing me. I smiled sheepishly. I really hope my fire still worked!
“Halt!”
“Yeah sorry, not gonna happen. Your princesses will kill me.” I said, firing two little streams of Blue fire at the Guards hooves. The guards danced back, and I raced off.
“GET BACK HERE!” Luna’s voice echoed through the halls as I raced away. Yeah no way I was stopping! I was not about to let those two do anything to me again! I ran through the endless hallways of the castle. Watching paintings of distant lands, different victories, and normal pony life passed me. After some unknown time of navigating the halls I found myself in the main foyer of the castle. The one place that I remembered best. Why? Four words. Grand Galloping Gala Episode.
It’s one of the few episodes I can remember the most. Mostly because of Pinkie’s attempts to get the Nobles to let loose, and Blueblood being an ass. I stopped for a second, letting myself steady and to catch my breath. I looked back the way I came. Down the main stair cases, and found no one, er, pony, following me. I quickly checked the doors sitting next to the stairs and found them empty. I smiled. Maybe I’d get out of this easily?
“Halt!” I sighed and turned to find a small crowd of guards standing before me. A few were flying above the crowd, but all had their spears ready. I groaned.
“I don’t want to do this! Please just let me be and I promise not to burn anything!” I said. The guards simply glared. Looks like I’m fighting my way out. “Fine, make it difficult then.”
I rocked back into a fighting stance. If I remembered any of Kate’s long lectures on the fighting styles of Avatar the Last Airbender, the one I fell into was called Tai Chi stance. Both feel shoulder width apart, one foot forward, another only a little bit back behind your body. Most of your weight on the front foot and knees bent. This stance was more commonly used by the Waterbenders, but it was the only one I remembered. I put my hand out in front of me and let my instincts take over.
A guard charged, I slid out of the way. As the Earthpony guard passed I grabbed his tail and flipped him in front of me. He slammed into two other guards that had been charging, their spear clattering to the side. The three ponies lay on the ground stunned as the rest of the crowd charged. I sighed, this might take a bit!
3rd Person POV
“Princess you haven’t explained anything! What’s happened? Why are we rushing to get to the Foyer? Why is Luna muttering about Iron Maidens?” Twilight Sparkle rambled off her questions to Celestia as they sped through the halls towards the front of the castle. Behind the curious and worried Unicorn were her friends. Pinkie bounced along next to Fluttershy, completely oblivious to any form of danger there may be. Fluttershy walked along timidly, her eyes darting around, searching for any danger. Rainbow Dash flew alongside the group, occasionally speeding a head, only to return quickly thereafter. Rarity walked along with Fluttershy, eyes forward. Applejack stood beside Luna, who was in the center of the hall, and stole glances at the muttering Princess. Behind Twilight’s friends and Luna were two new ponies. Or one pony and a griffon shaped thing. They hung behind the group and stayed out of sight at almost all times.
“You shall see what is happening soon my student. For right now we need to get to the foyer before-“
“MOTHERFUCKER! WHAT HE HELL? I NEVER HURT YOU, YOU ASS! DON’T GO TRYING TO IMPALE ME!” Azula’s voice echoed in the halls. Celestia sighed, Luna growled, and Fluttershy squeaked in terror.
“She gets emotional. Come on!” Celestia urged the group forward. Flying ahead Rainbow Dash reached the Foyer first. What she found was a cause for alarm.
Guards lay in heaps around the room. Many lay upon one another and some slumped all on their lonesome on the walls. Small patches of Blue fire burned on the floor and wall. The fire did not touch a single guard. Near ten guards were still moving. Three were Pegasi the other seven were Earthponies. One Earthpony guard had his spear sticking into the side of a strange Bipedal monster. It wore crimson cloth and a black and gold breast plate. Its dark hair was in a bun on top of its head, and held fast by a golden crown shaped like a three pronged flame.
The creature was sputtering at the guard whose spear was trapped in its side. It ripped the spear from it’s side, letting blood fall to the ground. It was glaring at the guard and lunging forward, hand glowing with blue Flame.
“Back off buster!” Rainbow Shouted as she slammed into the creature’s side. The creature fell over and rolled on to all fours. It glared up at Rainbow Dash.
May POV
I hadn’t hurt them. Some singed fur yes, but that just smells bad and looks weird. I didn’t DRAW BLOOD! Fucking ASSHOLE!
I could feel heat spreading through me as I glared at the guard. To his credit he had the decency to look terrified. He and his buddies were taking steps back, so I lunged hoping to grab him and leave him with a nasty burn. I never got the chance as something slammed into my side. I heard ribs crack and I let out a gasp as the wind was knocked from me. I let the force of the hit send me flying and then used the momentum to roll onto my hands and knees. I looked up to find my attacker and found, surprise surprise, Rainbow Dash. Of course the Princesses had the Elements of Harmony nearby! They wanted to turn me into a statue to teach foals about playing with fire I bet.
I moved to my feet, the pain of the stab wound making me wince and grab it. I felt hot sticky blood trickle out, and I glared at Rainbow Dash. She was smirking so confidently.
“Ha! You can’t reach me! You can’t fly!” She bragged flying higher from the ground.
“Miss! Don’t antagonize her! She can wield fire!” One guard urged Rainbow Dash. I was already preparing a little surprise for the soaring Pegasus. Little ass wouldn’t get to taste the sky for a while.
“Ha! It ain’t a Unicorn! How can it wield fire?” Oh Rainbow Dash your answer is heading at you right now.
I watched as my stream of flame hit Rainbow’s Wings. The smell of burning feathers mixed with her scream interestingly. I wasn’t a fan of it, it made me sick to my stomach. I ceased the stream and watched as Rainbow Dash crashed into the ground and rolled, desperate to be rid of the flames. The flames went out right as Celestia, Luna and the other Element’s entered the room. The ten remaining guards surrounded me. I had nine spears facing me, an Angry looking Pegasus, and two insane Princesses all watching me.
“Azula, please we simply wish to talk.”
“Then why the fuck didn’t you talk 1700 years ago? You had plenty of time to do that! Instead you seal me in my armor! Do you know what that feels like? Like you’ve been ripped to pieces, yet you can feel each piece. Its painful disorienting and TORTURE! I go to leave this place without causing trouble. I was willing to just run Celestia. Run and never bother you or your sister again. Your guards attacked, and I didn’t hurt them.”
“Then why are many burned?” Luna hissed.
“They stepped in flames. Not my fault! But one of your guards STABBED ME! Then this asshole!” I pointed to Rainbow Dash who was distraught over her burned wings. She was rubbing them, hoping to alleviate the burning sensation. Twilight and the rest of her friends had gathered around her. All were glaring at me. “Tackled me, and fucking broke shit!”
Celestia was watching me. She looked, almost haunted, and a bit scared. It was an interesting look, especially how the room was nearly glowing with extra light. I couldn’t put my finger on the reason for her fear. I guessed I’d find out later.
“Azula please. We wish to speak, not fight. If you would just come with us, we can clear up any questions you have.” Celestia tried to plead. I snorted.
“Then you should have talked before you imprisoned me for no reason! I’m done talking with you right now. Maybe some other time, when I’m actually willing to forgive. For now. I’m just going to blast off.” I turned towards the front doors. Beyond them lay the open world, beyond them laid countless places for me to hide and live. Beyond those doors was only one place I wanted to be, a small Smithing and Mining town to the south. I began to pool energy in my fists and heels, the heat that had spread to my entire body draining into my hand and feet. My head felt considerably more clear as the heat left me.
“GUARDS MOVE!” Celestia shouted as fire burst from my hands and feet and I shot off towards the doors. The guards jumped out of the way and I propelled my way out to the room, and out the open doors. As I did, I shouted.
“NYOOOOOOOOOOOM!”
3rd Person POV
Celestia watched Azula rocket off. A sigh leaving her muzzle.
“It seems you were right about one thing.” Luna said pulling Celestia’s attention from the retreating form of Azula. “She certainly does not remember events correctly.”
“I doubt she will unless told of what occurred. Even then she’ll deny anything happened and call them lies.” Luna snorted. Celestia turned back to the carnage before her. Guards were slowly rising from their prone positions. Many were gingerly checking burns they had received, others checking to make sure no bones had been broken. Rainbow Dash was surrounded by her friends. Fluttershy was checking over her wings. Most of the feathers had been burned away and the skin beneath was red and beginning to blister. Twilight was casting a spell on them, trying to cut back the pain.
Celestia turned her gaze to the small fires surrounding the room. They had erupted and grew as Azula had spoken. She had been losing control and, had this been any other time, she may have done something far worse than burning Rainbow Dash’s wings.
“Princesses. Perhaps you two should take a step back from the conflict.” A calm voice offered.
“Aphid. I assure you my sister and I have this under control.” Celestia said turning to face the pony behind her. Said pony was an Earth Pony with a brown coat and a short well-kept Grey mane. He wore a simple bowler hat, and had no cutie mark. The griffon beside him shook their head. Their body was the color of Tree Bark, their neck and head were an off white, and their front left paw was the same color. The pony, Aphid shook his head.
“I hope you take what I say with grace, but you do not have control of the situation.” Aphid offered.
“Dost thou believe we cannot handle a single being?” Luna growled.
“Calm down Princess Luna. I understand you are tired, but that’s no reason to snap at a fellow World Leader.” The Griffon huffed. Luna nodded sheepishly.
“We apologize Lord Ariel. We hath been unfair to you and Lord Aphid.” Ariel, the Griffon nodded.
“You’ve also been unfair to Lady Azula. I can’t blame her for booking it the moment she saw you two.” Ariel pointed out. Now it was Celestia’s turn to shake her head.
“I was hoping we would have a chance to explain ourselves, but it seems that she will still only hear what she wishes to.” Aphid chuckled.
“That may be true; even so we shall take it from here. Some friendlier faces are in Canterlot now; if what Glowstone says is correct she will be drawn to them. If she finds them.”
“Fate has a funny way of working in your favor Aphid. I’m sure it will work out.” Celestia said. Aphid nodded, watching as the Elements raced over to Celestia.
“Remind me again, why were they here?” Ariel asked, snorting a bit.
“I asked them to come in case things got to out of hand and we had to subdue Azula.” Celestia explained. Ariel shook his head.
“I’m glad that they weren’t there when you woke her up then. If the rumors about them are true then she’d figure out your threat quickly.” Ariel muttered. Celestia ignored the Griffon’s comment and turned to her approaching Student and her friends. Rainbow Dash was hissing and spitting curses and Fluttershy hovered near her nervously.
“We shall take our leave now. You shall have your hooves full. We will be seeing you at the Summit in half a year yes?” Aphid asked as he and Ariel began to leave, slowly descending the stairs and into the rubble.
“Yes of course, we wouldn’t miss it.” Aphid gave Celestia a small smile before turning his attention back to the doors before him. Twilight and her friends reached Celestia before the Pony and Griffon could reach the doors. Celestia found herself barraged with questions.
“Who was that? Why did she hurt Rainbow Dash? What spells did she use? Do you need us to hunt her down?”
“Twilight please, hold your questions for later. Right now, it seems Luna and I have a story to tell. We can take care of Rainbow Dash’s wings as we speak.” Celestia said as she led the small gaggle of ponies from the Foyer. Luna stayed behind watching as the Main Doors opened with a creak, then slammed shut. Luna sighed.
“Mayhaps I was too harsh.” Luna snorted, turning away from the door and trotting up to her room. “Nay. I was not, Celestia was too soft.”
Chapter 2: I Want Out, So I Left
“Damn this place is big! How the hell does anyone get around?” I hissed as I walked yet another level of Canterlot. Hey firebending takes energy and currently I don’t have enough energy to blast all the way out of the city, besides I needed to cauterize my wound. It wasn’t the deepest of wounds I’ve gotten but it was still bleeding and open to infection, cauterizing it was better than waltzing into a hospital. I highly doubt that any of the Docs here know what to do with a human, let alone an injured one. But anyways, pain and burnt flesh aside, The palace may sit on a mountain but the city itself WAS the damn mountain! While the Palace clung to the middle of the mountain the rest of Canterlot was stacked like stairs down into the Valley. And you know what? The buildings got uglier the farther down you got. The Palace looked bad enough! All that white stone and golden roofs! Seriously. The walls must be a bitch to clean! Hell the palace was more a series of Badly designed towers than a palace! Not to mention all the flags everywhere!
That was just the palace! The sect below the palace had the same color scheme, but then add bright glittery Awnings everywhere. Up until now, nearly six sects down from the Palace, I hadn’t paid too much attention to my surroundings. Looking back up at the upper tiers I could easily see the architect of this city getting lazy or possibly loony. Same goes for those who chose the color schemes.
Every building was made of the same white stone and the same gold roofs, all with different colored flags. Then came the Gilding. Now Gilding can be nice, if it isn’t sloppy or used for EVERYTHING! I mean dear god! There is an entire building only one tier above me that’s entirely covered in Rainbow colored gilding! What is the point of that? Not to mention that the buildings don’t stand straight! They stick out at odd angles and twist and lean in such a way that I wonder if the owners don’t have a herd of Unicorns hidden in their basements who keep the building standing with magic!
I really should stop staring at the buildings and focus on the road ahead of me. I don’t want to get lost in this colorful throw up city.
I walked through the main street, watching as ponies scattered like leaves on the wind before me. Shops line the streets many of which sell clothing or some stupid fancy snack that will never hold you over for more than three minutes. Pink cobblestone lines the path before me, making me wish I had some spray paint. Or some roller skates, or both! Now THAT could make travel through this city fun! I couldn’t help but smile at the idea as I continued onward. though I quickly found myself scowling at the road before me. I could plainly see the front Gates of the city and the train station below. Shame that I couldn’t make my stay more memorable for the ponies around me. If I had a bit more time, maybe I’d have left behind a nice mess of paint, or even scare some of the locals a bit more than necessary. But that would mean staying in this city longer than needed.
“Damned place.” You know why I hate this place? Other than the design? I have the weirdest memories of the area around here. Doubt their mine, but even so they’re there. Every time I look down into the valley I expect there to be smoke and burnt fields. For there to be small mobs writhing on the ground. Dark skies… Iron tangy smells….
Wait. What was I thinking? Had I been thinking? And how the hell did I get here? I found myself no longer looking out on the valley below Canterlot, instead I was walking along an abandoned path within a gloomy forest... WONDERFUL!
“Great! Wake up after a god awful nap that lasted who knows how long, get in a fight, bleed, get ribs broken by Rainbow Dash, Bleed, get lost in a city that looks like a paint shop threw up on it, and now I’m in the middle of Nowhere! What a wonderful way to start a day!” I spat. I continued my walk trying to figure out where I was exactly and how to get back to the road towards Hockta.
Funny story with that name. A Hock is a Horse’s knee like joint, so the town was called Knee-ta. The reason? The town was founded by an Earth Pony Blacksmith and his adopted son a deer with a talent for mining. When they reached the place that would one day be Hockta, the son had wandered off and found a cave filled with Metal ores and gems, the likes of which had never been seen. Entranced by the prospect of being the first to mine these resources the son stayed in the cave for two days. His father grew worried and went to find him. When the son was found there was a cave in that trapped the Father’s back legs under rubble. The son went to find someone to help and came across a Dragon and a group of Diamond Dogs. He asked for them to get his father free and in return he’d give the dragon every precious metal he mined. In the end he promised to serve the Diamond Dogs for as long as he lived. The pack and the dragon went and freed his father only to find that both his back knees had been destroyed by the cave in. Saddened by his Father’s injury the son begged anyone who would hear him to help his father. No one the son spoke to could help, so he turned back to serving the Pack and the dragon. His father always told him that though he could not move, he would not stop his trade. Until the day he died the Earth Pony worked the forge, refusing to let his disability stop him. Later after a series of events that led to the young Deer opening a mining company and being dismissed from serving the Pack and the Dragon, the Young Deer found a town. In honor of his Father’s lost mobility he named the town Hockta. It grew into a booming Smithy Mining town, and eventually gained independence from Equestria.
But that’s a tangent whose only purpose is to distract me from the situation before me. I need to find out where I wandered off to.
“Hmm. Let’s see…” I look around and take a deep whiff of air. A wise man once said, “Always follow your nose.” Gandalf was indeed a wise man. Or Maia as it were, wisest of them all. Any who, my deep and supposedly helpful sniff led me to believe that, i had no clue where to go, so I decided I might as well keep going forward and hope for the best.
“Not like this could get any worse. Ah shit, probably jinxed it.” I hissed as I walked on hoping to find someone who could give me directions. And maybe a paddleball, walking’s boring without something to do.
With Twilight Midnightt
Twilight poured over the texts before her, eyes darting across the pages in a flurry of purple. The candlelight flickered leaving the Castle of the Royal Pony Sister’s Library feeling extra creepy. Twilight paid no mind to her surroundings though. she was solely focused on the pages before her. The occasional annoyed grunt came from her as her frown deepened and she read on.
“Twilight? Com on, it’s too late to keep reading, that stupid thing!” Spike complained from beside her. Twilight whirled around and stared down Spike.
“We need to know what we’re up against Spike! This “Azula” attack and hurt many of Celestia’s elite! Not to Mention Rainbow Dash!”
“And reading a history book will tell you all you need to know? Twilight you know that History books aren’t the most reliable source of information! Especially for creatures that no one knew existed!” Spike exclaimed throwing his hands into the air.
“That’s why I’m reading Celestia’s revised Psychological profile of Azula, and Luna’s original observations.” Twilight responded matter of factly.
“Oh. Well what did you learn?”
“Well it seems that Azula is an emotional being, and does not handle stress very well. Luna’s observations recount a time that Azula entered a small town and was flocked by a group of young mages, all hoping to learn about her fire. Their questions freaked her out so much that she accidentally set their manes a blaze. Her Pyrokenisis must be linked to her emotions. In Celestia’s revised profile it states that Azula always believed herself to be unstable, when in actuality she is simply over emotional and reactive. Both accounts state that Azula tends to treat life like a game, and is always looking for a way to alleviate boredom. But…”
“Oh great, there’s a but.” Spike deadpanned as Twilight shot him a glare.
“But, Luna and Celestia’s profile is incomplete. Luna’s Accounts are missing nearly a decades worth of observations. Luna even says that Azula went missing for a decade, and when she came back, she changed. She wasn’t joking around, trying to keep herself entertained.she was described by Luna only as “Manic in her silence, Manipulative in her dealings, and cruel in her speech.” Luna’s accounts does not say what happened next only that, “She betrayed our trust, and has been punished.” Celestia’s Profile is no better! Neither mention what happened to Azula and why she was imprisoned! UGH!” Twilight groaned slamming her head onto the table which creaked under the sudden pressure. If there was one thing Twilight hated, it was when facts, and important ones at that, were omitted.
“Well why don’t you just ask Princess Celestia what happened? Or Princess Luna?” Spike offered.
“That’s just it Spike. Even if I ask, they probably won’t tell me what happened.” Twilight groaned. Spike simply sighed and turned back to face the wall. If Twilight was going to turn down his help then he would just let her wallow. Twilight however wasn't wallowing as much as Spike thought. In the recesses of Twilight's sleep deprived mind, a crazy idea was forming. even as Twilight found herself drifting into sleep the idea grew stronger, and firmly rooted itself in her mind. She would get the answers she sought from the subject herself.
Elsewhere current time
“Has She moved Brother?” A nasally voice hisses to the pony beside him. The one who spoke, appears thinner beneath his robes and a clean well kept horn protrudes out from his crimson hood. The other appears thicker and muscular, his own horn is cracked and sputters as he casts his scrying spell.
“Yes. She moves towards the South.” The other pony responds his voice deeper, yet it falters slightly as he speaks.
“Is something wrong Brother? Are things moving too slowly?”
“No. But they might. She remembers nothing.”
“Nothing at all Brother? Not even a hint?”
“Not exactly. She appears to have remembered something upon reaching the Entrance to Canterlot. However she claimed them to be false. I’m not even sure she was aware she was narrating her thoughts.” The larger Unicorn ended his scrying spell and turned towards the other. “This will make the Coming Events difficult.”
“No matter Brother. It will be easy to show Her what is truth, once all is ready.” The Thinner unicorn said, walking towards the back of the dark room. Light suddenly poured in as the door, once hidden, opened. A glimpse of a crowd all covered in the same crimson robes and hoods meets the Larger Unicorn’s eyes, before the thinner one speaks once more. “Do keep an eye on her, wouldn’t want Her to get lost now do we Brother? Now if you’ll excuse me. I have a Night Job to attend to. Adieu Brother.”
With that the thinner Unicorn left the room and slammed the door shut, leaving the other to scry away.
