Avatar: Legend of Diamond Tiara. Book 3: Tirek

by Jeweled Pen

Rating: teen
Tags: Diamond Tiara, Crossover, Dark, Alternate Universe, Tirek, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Adventure
Length: 66806

Diamond's greatest challenge has come, with three new powerful benders aiding Meadowbrook, can she hope to defeat the villain she only narrowly defeated before? With some help from the past, there may be hope.

Meadowbrook has returned, aided by three of the most dangerous benders the nations have ever known. However, Diamond has a few new friends on her side, the comrades of her past life. Together, can they hope to stop this mare before things get fully out of hoof? Especially with one of her strongest enemies slowly gathering power and awaiting her moment to strike?

Image by Silfoe again. Thankies. :)
Special thanks to Angel_Bunny for editing the chapters for me.
Please enjoy!

Full collection:
Avatar the Last Alicorn:
Book 1.
Book 2.
Book 3.
Book 4.

Legend of Diamond Tiara:
Book 1.
Book 2.
Book 3.
Book 4.

Disclaimer: "Avatar: the Last Airbender" and all associated characters, storylines, and materials belong to Nickelodeon and were created by Bryan Konietzko and Michael Dante DiMartino.
My little pony: Friendship is magic and all associated characters, storylines, and materials belong to Hasbro, and was made incredibly awesome by Lauren Faust.

Published 2017-08-12 20:30:06 UTC
Last updated 2019-07-08 16:25:19 UTC

Chapter 2: Homecoming

Silver hummed softly while she hoofed through the dozens of little reports her company had prepared. It seemed research and development had been hard at work as ever during their disappearance and everything had gone smoothly. Already her father had sent nearly a dozen different ideas from the Fire Tribe lands and the work was quickly getting put underway. She had submitted a few ideas of her own, which she had been assured were receiving the utmost attention. They promised the first prototype within a few days.

Her hoof reached up and rubbed against the amulet on her neck. She gave a soft, gentle sigh, before closing her eyes. She reached out gently, feeling at the mind of Trixie.

It took her only a moment to make the connection, and another second to close it. She sat in the chair, panting with exhilaration and shaking. Her hoof stroked the amulet a few more times. “So... I can reach you. We can talk. And... and we will,” she said softly, before looking down at the paperwork. “We will. Just as soon as I'm done with all this paperwork. Maybe.”

She flipped to a sales report, humming softly before glancing to the artificial wings report on Hornclipper. “Shame he wasn't much of a flier to begin with. Would have been nice to know how much speed and agility it cost him...”

Button gulped and shuffled his hooves as he eyed the prince. “So, uhhh, Luna... I guess this is uhhh... goodbye and ummmm... f-for now.”

“For now,” Luna said calmly, his face a stony mask.

“I uhhhh... I kinda... I mean, I hope when... when all this is over... maybe... I could... I mean, if your mom is okay with it...”

“You can come visit whenever you like, dear,” Rarity said with a small smile. “It is so sweet of you to see my children off like this. I wish we had more time to discuss what happened on this trip, but I am very much looking forward to getting to know you, Button.”

Button chuckled nervously and rubbed the back of his head. “Y-yeah. It was quite the... doozy of a trip. I know mom is... going to be very interested to hear more about it.”

“I am sure she will be as impressed by you as I have been,” Luna said, before slowly moving in and kissing his cheek, drawing a blush to his cheeks. “I wish our departure did not have to be so sudden, but... I am sure once this is dealt with, we can and will meet again. Perhaps by then some of our... many questions can be answered.”

“Y-yeah,” Button said wistfully, a goofy grin on his face.

Luna turned to his mother. “Mother, I wish you the best of luck. We will do all we can to assist our eldest sister in running the nation.”

Rarity nodded before stepping forward and giving him a hug. “I know you will.” She paused. “Do stop your twin from causing any mischief, please? I know how she likes to have her fun.”

Celestia blushed. “Heyyyy! That's not fair! I'm not...” She blinked. “Nothing has been proven!”

“I will do my best, mother,” Luna said with a bow, before turning and walking towards the ship, Celestia close behind. Rarity sighed before she watched it lift up into the air. After a moment she glanced to Button.

“So, dear Button, I look forward to meeting with you and your mother. Perhaps we can hear your version of these events?”

The earth pony chuckled nervously and poked at the ground. “D-didn't Diamond already submit a report or something?”

“Yes. Prism and Ironwing did as well, actually. But it was a quick one, hitting on the key points. I'd love to hear the details from your own mouth.” She paused. “I would have loved to hear them from my children's mouths as well, but we can't always have what we want. Now, do tell me. What did my mother and aunt say?”

Button squeaked, nudging the ground a bit. “Errrr... I uhhh... I really should go talk to my mom now that I think about it, she probably wants to hear everything about what happened. I'll see you later or something, bye!” he yelled quickly before galloping off, running into a wall, bouncing back, shaking his head before galloping through the door.

Rarity snickered into her hoof and shook her head. “Oh my. Such a shy little thing. How adorable.”

Acrylic paced back and forth, softly mumbling under his breath as he mentally prepared himself. He could do this. He would do this.

He heard the keys outside and paled, turning to the door. Slowly it opened and Vinyl stood in the frame. She stared at him for a moment, cocking her head to the side. “Acrylic? I'm surprised you're still up, I figured you'd have gone to bed by now.”

“I will. You're home late.”

“Yeah, a lot of work. You know how the council is,” she said with a wave of her hoof. “First we had to go over the reports, then once those three left, we still had a TON of work to deal with. Actually went pretty fast, for once. I think Octavia was as desperate to get out of there as I was.” She gave a soft yawn into her hoof, before starting towards the kitchen. “Nowwwwww. In the report it mentioned a certain earth pony finding a new affection for the more masculine sex. I don't suppose a certain child of mine managed to find anypony as well?”

Acrylic blushed and face hoofed. “No, mom. I--”

“Because if you're worried, it's fine. I always figured you'd turn that way a bit too. If you like--”

“NO! I'm not--” He paused. “Wait, why would you think I-- no, not right now. Mom, we need to talk and it's important.”

Vinyl nodded. “Okay. I'll make some cocoa and--” She paused when she saw the steaming pot on the stove. “You've already done it?”

“Yes,” he said before he followed after her into the kitchen. He quickly poured them both a glass and then walked to the table, sitting down. “Mom... I think it's time.”

“Really? You're planning to get a place of your own? Is it so you can bring mare's home, because you know I can always just step out for a bit,” she said with a wink. “I completely understand the desire to--”

“MOM! Will you stop making jokes just this once and listen?” he snapped, stomping a hoof down. “This is serious. I... I want to train.”

“Okay?”

“No, not... I mean... gahhhhh.” He face hoofed. “I want to become one of the Moon Raisers.”

Vinyl went still, her mug of cocoa halfway to her mouth. Slowly, she lowered it. “Really? When last we spoke you seemed quite... adamant about waiting.”

“I've waited long enough. I've trained on my own, I've practiced. I've learned every skill I can. But... I'm still not ready. I have a long, long way to go.” He sat across from her, pulling over his own cup of cocoa. “I don't mean a position of leadership, either. I want to earn whatever I get. I want to join from the very bottom.”

Vinyl frowned. “Honey... you're an excellent bender, even without my influence--”

“From the bottom. And... mom, I'm not an excellent bender. I've made so many mistakes, I've learned just how bad I am.”

“Really? Dear, you're a great bender, almost as good as--”

“No, I'm not. I've seen just how bad I am,” he muttered. “I may be better on the pro scene, but that's with different rules. As a bender... I'm just not that good.”

Vinyl sighed. “Acrylic, you don't have to be perfect to--”

“I was all but useless while we were there. My water bending just can't keep up anymore, and I need to get better. I've tried advancing on my own, I'm not making enough progress. I'm just...” He closed his eyes. “I'm being pushed aside, dead weight. I can't help the others anymore. Button, Diamond... Silver. They all need me to be strong and, right now, I'm not.” He opened his eyes and stared down into his cocoa. “But that doesn't mean I can't be. I can do this. I can become strong. I can be helpful. I refuse to be dead weight next time we fight something.”

Vinyl blinked a few times, before nodding. “Well, okay then. I think you're really underestimating yourself, but if that's how you want to do it, then fine. I'll schedule you an interview this week. You can perform the tests as needed.”

Acrylic nodded. “Thank you, mom.”

Vinyl nodded. “But... if you really wanna get strong, you'll need to practice with the best. What do you say, wanna go a few rounds with your old mom before hitting the hay?”

He nodded. “I'd love to.”

The two got to their hooves and trotted out of the kitchen, carrying their cocoa with them.

Button groaned and opened his eyes. He immediately let out a scream and tried to hit the pony standing over his bed with a pillow, but she deflected it with ease.

“Your reflexes are getting slower,” Octavia said flatly.

“Mom? What are you doing, hovering over me like... like some kind of bat pony?” he asked, his heart pounding.

“You were asleep. I wished not to wake you,” she said.

“You almost gave me a heart attack!”

“I am sorry. But, since you are up...”

Button blinked a few times. To anypony else, his mother would look calm and collected. Still. Unmoving. However, there was a small twitch in the corner of her mouth and her eye lashes were slightly eschew. A single hair in her mane was out of place as well. He collapsed back into bed. “You woke me up to find out about the trip, didn't you?”

“Of course not. I merely thought if you were already up, per chance you could grace me with such information?”

The colt groaned. “Yes I kissed Luna, yes I really like him, no I didn't KNOW he was a stallion at first and I really, really don't know how I feel about that but I really think I still like him. No, buck that, I KNOW I still like him but I don't know what that means.” He pulled the covers over himself. “Ughhhh. Why is romance so hard?”

“Interesting. I have never found romance to be a difficult manner.” Octavia yanked the covers off. “Come, tell me everything. I have made coffee.”

Button groaned and rolled out of bed, grumbling darkly. Soon he was sitting across from her, sipping his coffee that held so much cream in it that it was almost white. “Okay, so I thought Luna was a girl and I totally liked her and then flirted with her and she returned the affections but then eventually I picked up that she was a he and well...” He sighed and face hoofed. “I was really, really confused and I still kind of am but I know I like him even if I don't like stallions I definitely like THIS stallion but I don't know where that puts us.”

“Mmmm. An interesting conundrum,” she said before sipping her own coffee. “Not all relationships are meant to work out, dear child. However, if you two make each other happy, there is no shame in such a relationship. In fact, I know of a few such couples and they work out just fine. Tell me, however, where did this lava bending come from?”

Button took a slow, deep breath as he recalled the events. “It was... right after I found out that Luna was a stallion. I was still confused, but I hadn't told him yet. I was just... trying to cope, you know? But then he fell into the Smooze.” He gave a shudder and shook his head. “I-I thought he was going to die. I was so certain. And I knew... I knew at that moment I couldn't bear to see it happen. I jumped in after him. I wanted to save him. But I couldn't. It just didn't... work.” He shuddered again as he almost felt it tearing away at him, felt his hooves around Luna. “I... I knew we were going to die, you know? I could have accepted me dying. That's... that was fine. I knew what I was getting into. But Luna... I couldn't accept it. I got so mad. And I just... bent. It hurt, so much, but I did it because I had to. And then it stopped hurting. If anything, it hurt the Smooze. And I liked that. It wanted to kill us, was going to kill us. Eat us, even. But I was going to make it pay for it. Then we were free. I didn't even realize what I'd done at first. I haven't really... done it since. I haven't tried, either.”

She nodded. “Interesting.” She reached out and tapped his hoof. “That... is good. I am happy that is how you developed the skill. I was afraid that... well...”

“Huh?”

She sighed. “The only other known lava bender is Hothoof. And he developed the skill when trying to destroy Sweet Apple Acres after he was expelled. He learned the art to hurt and destroy. You learned the art to protect somepony who was dear to you, there is no better reason to gain power.”

Button blushed, nodding. “Y-yeah. I uhhh... should probably... try practicing it more, in case I need it. I still need to learn metal bending, though.” He took a slow, deep breath. “And I want to. I've become a lot better bender, mom. I've gotten faster, stronger, my bending has improved considerably. I have some time now, lots of time to practice and train. I know Diamond won't need me. So... I want to learn it now. If... that's okay.”

Octavia blinked, before nodding. “Of course it's okay. The option has never been removed. Why would it change now?”

“I... I don't know,” he said with a shrug. “Mom, can I uhhh... can I ask you a question?”

“Yes?”

“How did you know... well, I mean... with... how do you know if a relationship will work out? How do you know if someone is right for you?”

Octavia blinked before taking a long sip of her coffee. She then gently lowered the cup. “Ah, of that I'm afraid I can only give one piece of advice. There is no such thing as a perfect relationship.”

“What?”

“All relationships require hard work and dedication. If one stops trying, then the other will have to try that much harder.” She paused. “A relationship will... end when both stop trying. And that's just it. For it to work, both have to want it to work. There will often be doubts, confusion, sometimes even hatred. But as long as you keep trying, as long as you believe it's worth the hard work, then it will succeed.”

Button nodded. “Is... that what happened with my dad?”

Octavia blinked a few more times. “We... both wanted different things in life, Button. Our get together was never meant to be an everlasting commitment, nor would we have wanted it to be. Many ponies have partaken of such things.”

Button nodded, sipping his coffee and his eyes drooped slightly. “Can I go get some sleep now, please?”

Octavia gave a small nod. “Very well, do sleep well, child. I do hope we can discuss more in the morning. I would like to know more of this... Luna.”

The stallion's face burned red and he quickly jumped to his hooves, galloping off. “Yeah sure w-we can talk about him later!”

Silver blinked and glanced up from the reports when the sound of the doorbell echoed through the house. It was far past dusk, she wondered who in the world would come to her house at THIS hour? She jumped to her hooves and slowly trotted through the house while the doorbell kept going off. “I'm coming I'm coming,” she muttered.

She opened the door and blinked in confusion at the sight of Diamond and two Wonderbolts. “... Am I under arrest?” she asked flatly.

The alicorn sighed and shook her head. “Of course not. Silver, this is True Breeze and Leadwing. They're Blaze's students. And, as of tonight, Prism kicked all three of us out of the house and told us to get lost so he can celebrate being back with his wife. Soooo... do you mind if we crash here for the night?”

Silver blinked a few times before snickering into her hoof. “Really? First day back and already kicked out? My, Diamond, you do move fast. I think it took you over a week the first time.”

The Avatar scowled. “Oh, come oooooon. It's not my fault! This time. We've just been gone a long time and I'm pretty sure he would have tossed us into the lake if we didn't say yes. Or off a cloud. I mean, sure, we can fly, but the intent was still there.”

“He's already tossed me into the lake about a dozen times,” Leadwing offered.

“... Twice for me,” True said with a nervous chuckle.

Silver nodded and then pushed the door out further. “Of course. I'm going over some reports right now, but if you're hungry, I can show you to the kitchen.”

“Nah, I'm mostly just wanting to sleep,” Diamond said with a yawn. “All those reports and stuff were just... wait, you're still working? Why aren't you trying to get some sleep?”

“I can sleep when I'm dead. Or when my inbox is empty. Whichever comes first,” Silver said flatly. “Come on, I'll show you to your rooms.” She turned and trotted down the hall.

Diamond nodded, following behind her. “So... all the repairs in the city went well. How are profits looking?”

“Poor. Losing that vessel has cost us quite a few bits. However, dads newest invention is quickly helping us to get back into the black. It's fine though, we've been a lot worse off plenty of times. We'll bounce back quickly enough. I just need to get these... other tasks dealt with first. Get back to development and such. After all, Tomorrow Industries has always been on the cutting edge of technology and we can't stop now.”

“I'm so, so sorry!” Diamond said. “I-I never should have asked you to fund this, I--”

“Oh, don't be such a worrier,” Silver said with a shake of her head. “We're going to be making bits hoof over hoof soon with these new models, we already have quite a few interested ponies. The Fire Tribes especially are already discussing payment with my father. I imagine the other nations will be following close behind. That's not even counting our working models we have already developed, not to mention we've already almost paid for full research and development costs on our little screens and long term visibility devices.” She waved her hoof dismissively. “Besides, we're working on a new model of the alicorn enhancements, as well as special models to help these ponies who've lost their magic. We've managed to get up to three spells locked into the matrix, simple ones currently, but we're hopeful we'll eventually be able to do more complex ones like teleportation. Our speed has improved as well, allowing our ponies to fly with the wings like true pegasi, not just slow ones.”

Diamond blinked a few times. “O-oh. But... what about the ship? It...”

Silver took a slow, deep breath and stopped. “It hurt our bank, a lot. But we never would have developed it if we couldn't afford the loss. Besides, to advance, risks have to be taken. And that's what this was. A risk. In the end, I feel it paid off well enough.”

“But we didn't really... get anything out of it,” she muttered.

“Really? We established contact with the Spirit World, found Twilight, Button learned lava bending, met the old Celestia and Luna, discovered a new way to power our technology, helped you establish contact with your past lives and developed a new shielding and weapon system. I think we gained plenty, even if most of it isn't financial.”

“That's quite kind of you,” True said softly. “Aiding the Avatar in such a way.”

“That's just what friends do. They help each other,” Silver said softly, before stopping besides a door and pushing it open. “Here, do you two Wonderbolts mind sharing a room? They're bunks and—”

“I get top one!” True yelled before darting in.

“Aw man!” Leadwing said, before smiling to her and bowing. “Thank you, Miss Spoon. That will be plenty.”

“Don't mention it,” Silver said before closing the door after them. “Your room from last time is still set up, Diamond.”

“You should get some sleep, too.”

“I will, eventually. I just need to get some of this work done. You know how it can be, both me and daddy being out for so long...” She gave a soft sigh. “I do hope he returns soon, though.”

“The uhhh... council did drop the charges on him, though. Thanks to his aid...”

“Yeah, but I still think... Secretary is smart enough to make him keep his head low. Just in case. Here.” She pushed open another door.

“Well, good night, Silver. Promise to get some sleep?”

“Of course. Just as soon as I finish a few more reports,” Silver said with a smile.

“Okay then. Night.”

“Night.” Silver closed the door after the mare and then trotted down the hall. She rubbed at her neck, the amulet invisible but still there to the touch. She then shook her head. “Not while Diamond's here.”

Blaze groaned softly as she pushed open the door to her house. Her mind was reeling. They'd gone over the reports at least a dozen times, even after Rainbow and the others had left. Twilight's daughters were something nopony expected. Rainbow returning was yet another. Celestia and Luna existing in the Spirit World, not to mention there being a physical connection to such a place. All on top of Meadowbrook's escape. It would be weeks before the council finally came to a decision on what to do and how to react, she just hoped by then it wouldn't be too late.

Either way, though, she was tired and wanted to get some sleep. She yawned softly and frowned as she walked through the house. All the lights were off and she couldn't help feeling a little tense. She slowly spread out her wings, readying herself for some kind of attack. She slowly pushed open the door and gasped.

Long lines of candles had been set up, leading towards the bed. And sitting in the bed was the most glorious thing she could have imagined. A big bucket of deep fried cucumber slices with ranch dressing. Oh, and Prism was there too. He just smiled at her and gave her a motion with his hoof.

She gave a delicate sigh before trotting forward and sitting on the bed. “I missed you.”

He gave her a soft kiss. “I know. I figured after a day like today you deserved a little treat.”

“I really, really shouldn't,” she said softly. “I mean, I've been sitting down all day in the meetings.”

“So? A little snack here and there won't kill you.”

The two snuggled up together and put wings over each other. “By the stars I missed you,” she told the slices, before grinning to him. “I guess I missed you a little bit, too,” she teased.

“I thought of you almost every night,” he said before nibbling one of them as well. “It's so weird sleeping without you besides me.”

“It made it quite difficult to sleep without your snores,” she teased.

“MY snores? You're the one who nearly breaks the windows.”

“Only once! And they were already cracked,” she said with a roll of her eyes. “Besides, that was a freak accident and you know it.”

He snickered and nodded. “So, how are the students doing?”

“Ehhh, they're alright. Leadwing is a pretty good flier and great at teamwork. True... well, he's a massive flirt and talented, but too much of a show off. Kinda reminds me of you, honestly. He's almost as good, even. Almost. How's your mother?”

“Massively talented and too much of a show off, as always,” Prism said with a chuckle. “Arrogant as ever. Can still bend with the best of them and watching her train Diamond has just been a joy. I do mean that. It's nice not being the focus of her abuse,” he grinned wide.

She snickered and nodded. “I really must watch some of these sessions. Diamond is going to have quite the adventure ahead of her, if she's going to be learning from those three. I've heard stories of Applejack's methods.”

“That reminds me. Who's going to teach her fire bending?”

“Ah, that actually is coming from her aunt. Once the decision was made, she told us about the fire bender who trained Diamond as a filly. For now, we'll be using him so all of her trainers aren't unfamiliar. At least that pony will hopefully be easier on her than the others will be.”

He snickered and gave a nod, before reaching out and gently stroking her side. “Mmmmm. I think I'm going to enjoy this little vacation.” He leaned in and nibbled just below her wing and bringing a red tinge to her cheeks. “How about tomorrow I help you with your students... then you and I can have a nice night out together? Or ignore your students altogether. It's been far too long since we've had some fun. Just the two of us.”

Blaze groaned and then nuzzled into him. “Mmmmm. A little fun sounds absolutely delightful. It has been far, far too long...”

Ironwing gave a shudder.

“Something wrong?” Daring asked, glancing over to him.

“No. Just... felt something wrong with the world,” he muttered before shaking his head. “Anyway.” He stopped outside the door and gently knocked on it. After a few moments it opened, revealing Hornclipper.

The other pegasus stood there for a second. Daring's eyes were instantly drawn to his metal wings. “Wow, cool, what are-- mmff!” Her words were cut off by Ironwing's wing.

“Hi, dad. This is Daring Do, Twilight's daughter. She'll need a place to stay until she gets everything sorted out. Do you mind if she stays in my old room?”

The older stallion stared down at them, before nodding. “If she wishes.”

Daring blinked and gave him a nervous smile. “Errr. Thanks, sir. Mister...?”

“Hornclipper.”

Daring's eyes went wide. “W-wait, THE Hornclipper? The scourge of... you never told me your dad was Hornclipper! Mom used to tell me horrible stories about--” She was silenced by a glare from Ironwing.

“Yes, Hornclipper is my father and he's a great father. I... was hoping Twilight hadn't told you about him, but it seems my hopes were in vain,” Ironwing said with a sigh. “But here is the best place. You'll be safe, nopony will bother you and, most importantly, you'll keep out of trouble.”

Daring frowned. “What do you mean, trouble? Why can't I stay at your place?”

Ironwing's cheeks turned a little hint of red and he looked away. “I uhhh... have somepony I need to meet with. I've been away a while and--”

“Okay okay okay, point taken, I can take a hint. Please, no more details,” she said with a shudder.

He nodded slowly and then glanced towards Hornclipper. “She's not so bad, really. She's like a... young Rainbow Dash.”

Hornclipper just blinked once, before sighing. “I knew Rainbow when she was young.”

“Oh. Right. Well... sorry. Can you let mom know Daring's starting training tomorrow?”

He gave a small nod, eying his son for a moment before the stallion galloped off. He then turned his gaze to Daring. “If you'll follow me, I'll show you towards your room.” He turned and walked away.

Daring slowly trotted after him, giving a little shudder. She was about eighty percent sure Ironwing wouldn't put her in any real danger. Probably.

“It's been tooooo long,” Scootaloo said with a groan before she took a hearty gulp of her Sweet Apple Cider. “I wish we could do this more often.”

“Me too,” Sweetie said with a sigh before taking a sip of hers. “If somepony would just retire already and come move into the Water Nation...”

Applebloom snickered and took a gulp of her drink. “Ah know yah don't mean meh. Us Apples don't retire. Buck, Granny Smith was buckin' trees up until the day she finally keeled over, an' she was happy tah do it.” She blinked. “Granted, she missed the trees half the time once her eyesight went, but yah know how it is. Woulda broke her heart tah see what happened tah Sweet Apple Acres.”

Sweetie gave an exasperated sigh. “We're all just workaholics, you know? We really should try to pamper ourselves more. You know, Rarity goes to the spa at least once, sometimes twice a week, and--”

“Hey, taday is our celebration of seein' each other,” Applebloom said with a snicker. “Don't yah go spendin' all of it with your sister worship. Besides, ah get spa treatment all the time. Got this new colt back home, pampers meh lots,” she said with another snicker.

“Ohhhhhh,” the other two said in unison.

“Another earth bender?” Scootaloo asked with a big grin.

“Nah, not this time. Pegasus,” Applebloom said with a smile. “Ah wasn't gonna at first, but there's jus' somethin' about a colt who asks yah out with a cloud message.”

Sweetie sighed and put a hoof to her cheek. “He asked you out with clouds? That's soooo romantic.”

“Sounds a bit fruity to me,” Scootaloo said with a shake of her head. “He fight much?”

“Nope. He's a poet,” Applebloom said with a grin.

Sweetie gave a soft, delicate sigh of contentment. Scootaloo made a gagging sound.

“A poet? Really? How's Applejack feel about that?”

Applebloom groaned and face palmed. “Ah swear she's doin' it on purpose. Everytime he comes by, yah should hear her tryin' tah weasel him out of it an' get 'im tah go home. Yah'd think ah was a lil filly again the way she treats meh. Buck, when we met ah was already a grown mare!”

Sweetie shrugged. “Eh, she likes having a little sister. It can't hurt to let her have a little fun, can it? How's your big brother been? Is he uhhhh... still running that city of his?”

“Mmmm hmm,” Applebloom said with a groan before shaking her head. “Yah should hear some of the stories they tell about him. Ah swear there's half a dozen mares in every city from here to Fillydelphia that claim tah have one of 'is kids. It was probably the only reason he was so keen on spreadin' metal bendin' across the countries.”

“Wouldn't surprise me,” Scootaloo said with a chuckle. “I met a mare who claimed... well, she wove quite the story. I mean, if I wasn't with Hornclipper--”

“Aaaaand that kind of talking is done with!” Applebloom said with a shake of her head. “No way, no how. So, Sweetie, how's the Water Nation been doin'?”

“You know, same old same old,” she said with a shake of her head. “For the most part, pretty peaceful. Every so often we'll get somepony who just doesn't seem to get the point that our mother is... well, her old way of doing things just isn't done anymore. But for the most part we're doing a lot better. How about you, Scootaloo? How's the council life treating you?”

“Oh, same as last time we met up,” she said with a snicker.

“How about Hornclipper?” Applebloom asked. “The whole... fake wing thing? How's... that goin'?”

Scootaloo gave a soft sigh. “Oh, you know how he is,” she said with a roll of her eyes. “Always making vague comments like 'it's the least I deserve' and 'this is only a fraction of the suffering I have caused' and 'crawling in my skin'. But I can tell it still bothers him whenever he moves them. They keep twitching from time to time. Honestly? I'm really looking forward to giving Meadowbrook a nice hoof to the face for what she did. Hornclipper... well, I'll admit he did some horrible things. But it wasn't like he had a choice and at least he was TRYING to do the best he could. Nopony deserved what she did to him.” She took another gulp of her drink.

Applebloom snickered and shook her head. “Ah still can't believe yah actually married him. Ah keep expectin' yah tah visit meh one day an' say it was all some kind of gag.”

Scootaloo snickered. “What can I say? I like a project. Besides, he really is quite sweet when you get to know him. Mopes like noponies business, but he'd walk through fire for me and when he shows his tender side it's really quite sweet. You both remember how he was with Ironwing.”

Sweetie snickered, covering her mouth with a hoof. “I think he was more scared of him than he was of Twilight.”

Scootaloo chuckled into her drink, before giving a shrug. “Hey, Twilight could only kill him. Ironwing required him to be... responsible and loving,” she said in an ominous tone. She then burst into laughter and shook her head. “But he's doing fine, really. To be honest? I think he's even a little happy this happened. Makes him feel like he got what he deserved or something. He's just one of those ponies who aren't happy unless they're miserable.” She rolled her eyes before sighing. “So... got any plans for getting these four?”

“Meadowbrook and the others? Not a one,” Sweetie said with a sigh. “Even Rarity doesn't have a clue how we can capture them. They're four of the best and... well, with Meadowbrook leading them...”

“Tell me about it,” Scootaloo said with a groan. “That mare knows how to twist a pony. I don't want to imagine what kind of havoc she'll create while she's out there. Wish we had some kind of hint or way to track her.”

“We'll know eventually,” Applebloom said with a grumble before taking a swig of her drink. “At least they ain't killin' ponies. We can always get their cutie marks back, after all.”

“I don't know about you guys, but that just makes me uneasy,” Sweetie muttered, sipping her drink. “Dazzling isn't... he wasn't trained to be merciful. Considering Shining's past and Hothoof's issues, I can't see any of them not leaving a bloody swath in their wake. Either this Meadowbrook has a lot more control than we thought, or it's only a matter of time before the body count starts rising.” She glanced over. “Just look at what they did to the Avatar's group, the ponies they killed. That was just one sonic rainboom, if they wanted they could kill hundreds...”

Scootaloo groaned and gave a nod. “Yeah. Hopefully they decide to be less blunt for now. We'll find them, somehow. There's no way they can hide forever, even if there are just four of them.”

The others nodded, but they all just stared at their drinks in silence. “I should probably head home, Rarity is going to worry about me if I'm out all night,” Sweetie said softly.

“Yeah, me too,” Scootaloo said with a sigh. “I stay out too long, I'm bound to have the Shadowbolts swinging by to make sure I'm safe and not being held captive or something.” She gave a weak chuckle.

Applebloom nodded. “Yeah, meh too. Applejack is... well, she worries too much. Yah'd think ah wasn't a bad flank earth bender the way she panics all the time,” she said with a snicker. “Yah know, she once tried tah put safety edges on mah knives,” she said before plucking one from her mane. “Scared ah might cut mahself!”

The three burst into laughter before getting up and heading out the door, heading towards their respective homes for the night. Overhead, the moon shone over the city, its gentle light lost in all the street lights as the ponies slept sound in their homes for now, enjoying their current time of peace.

Author's Note

And another chapter down! Okay, so. For those who don't know: Writing these stories are a LOT of work. Fortunately I have a back log. Unfortunately, it has been a while since I last wrote ANY of this, so I am actually in the midst of re-reading a ton of old content, re-reading all my notes, getting all my ducks in a line. We're talking 20-30 hours of prep just to get to writing the next part. Maybe more. That's not even including the time writing it.

As such, I'll be putting out the chapters slowly and trying to get back into the swing of things a bit. Thank you very much for your patience! I do hope to get the entirety of the Avatar series finished before I move onto my next work, so hopefully no more long, loooooong delays.

Chapter 3: New beginnings

The door flung open and Daring shrieked, her eyes going wide before she readied herself for a fight. However, before she could get up, the bed lifted up and she was flung out onto the ground. She groaned and slowly looked up at Scootaloo, before her eyes narrowed into slits. “... What. In. The. World?”

“You have basic training today, so time to get up up up!” Scootaloo said in a far, far too happy voice.

Daring groaned and looked out the window. “It's not even dawn yet!”

“Yep, but basic training starts at dawn, so get some food then get going. Ironwing showed you where to go, right?”

“Y-yeah, he did,” Daring grumbled before slowly getting up and stretching and shaking her head. “How are you up this early?”

“Oh, I'm not. I'm just getting you up because Hornclipper would have been too nice about it. If you're a young Rainbow, then I know you'll sleep in till noon if given the chance.” A wicked grin formed on her lips. “Luckily, I'm not giving you that chance. Now get moving.”

Daring rubbed her head before looking to the mare. There was something in her eyes, a look that just said 'test me'. Some survival instinct in her told her not to. “Yeah, yeah,” she muttered before trotting out the door and giving a light harrumph to the mare. “Nice to know Ironwing's pain in the flankness is genetic.”

“Yeah, he gets one dose from me and twice the dose from Hornclipper,” Scootaloo said before giving a yawn. “Now I'm going back to bed, it's bucking early.” The mare trotted off down the hall.

Daring grumbled darkly as she made herself a quick salad. “Razzle... frazzle. Making me get up at dawn. Ponies aren't MEANT to be up before noon. If they were, the sun would get up before dawn,” she muttered angrily in the door's general direction. However, with a full stomach she made her way towards the door and stepped out.

She instantly regretted it, shuddering when the cold night air enveloped her. She longed to go back to her warm, toasty bed. Alas, she had a job to do. “Come on, you can do this, Daring. You've faced down pirates, giant worms and a big monkey spirit. An early morning probably won't kill you.” She then spread her wings and took to the air, flying off through the city. To her annoyance, almost nopony else seemed to be up. Not that she could blame them, probably back home in their nice, warm beds. The morning wind felt icy as it went through her wings. She gave another shudder and kept flying until the large Shadowbolt headquarters came into view. She glanced towards the sky, the glow of the slowly coming sun beginning to come into view. “Ha, made it!”

She landed outside the door and stretched, spreading out her wings and slowly letting out a low grunt of exertion. “Hi!” a voice said, making her pause and turn around.

A pegasus with a red coat and a blue mane was standing a few feet from her, sweat glistening on his coat. He was panting slightly, which was obvious as his heavy breathing caused a small fog in the morning chill. “Hello,” she said with a cocked eye. “Can I help you?”

“Err, n-no,” the pony said, taking a small step back. “I uhhh... I just saw you flying here and--”

“You followed me?” she asked suspiciously. She looked him up and down before grinning. She was pretty sure she could take him, he looked like a total push over.

His eyes went wide with horror and he shook his head. “No! No no! I mean, yes, but I mean, not like that. I-I was coming here too. Are... err... are you a Shadowbolt?” he asked softly, his gaze lowering.

“Not yet,” she said with a wave of her hoof. “But probably soon. I'm new.”

“New?” he asked, his mouth falling open slightly. “But... I didn't see you in basic training.”

“I got special tutoring from Ironwing, got to skip that part,” she said with a grin.

He gasped, his hoof covering his mouth. “Y-you got training from Ironwing? W-wow. You... you must be amazing.”

She smirked and gave a small nod. “Well, I am pretty awesome. Nopony would deny that. Name's Daring. Daring Do. You?” She held out her hoof.

He nervously took her hoof and shook it. “Pinionwing. Nice to meet you. I uhhh... I'm a new hopeful, too.”

“Oh? Who knows, then. Maybe we'll train together sometime.” She gave a smirk. “Just don't hold me back any, okay?”

“O-oh, right. Yeah. But, err...”

“What?”

“We're going to be late.”

Daring blinked, then yiped and turned, galloping into the building.

Button gently nibbled his eggs, sighing while he stared at the wall opposite him. It had all kinds of family pictures, including the first time he'd lifted a rock. He remembered that, how excited he'd been. How sure he'd been that he'd become an amazing metal bender one day.

Yet here he was, so many years later, and he still couldn't lift even the tiniest bit of metal. Even the thicker, easier to bend metals were impossible for him.

He quickly shook his head. “No! Today is the day! I will be a metal bender, I'll be the greatest metal bender of all time! I will earn my place besides my mother and--”

“Dear, there's no need to yell so early in the morning,” Octavia said from behind him, making him jump.

“Mom! When did you, what are you doing up?”

“It is the morning, this is often when ponies wake up,” she said before glancing at the frying pan filled with greasy eggs. She gave a shudder and instead walked over to the bread and began making toast. “Dear, are you prepared for today?”

“Yeah! It's going to be awesome,” he said with a big grin. “I'm going to go there and...” He then gave a sigh. “Metal bend... somehow. I mean, I haven't really figured out how, yet. But I'm sure I'll work it out.”

Octavia nodded, before slowly pouring herself a cup of coffee, eying the toaster. “Mmmmm. You are a talented boy, Button. I'm sure with patience and hard work, you'll be a wonderful metal bender.”

“I hope so,” he said softly, before nibbling his eggs. “You can have some eggs if you want, mom. I made plenty. My own recipe!”

“I can see that. Toast is fine,” she said flatly before the toast popped up. She tossed it on a plate before grabbing the jam and butter. “Dear, there's no need to rush. You're just... a slow learner. But that is fine. Earth is not an element that can be rushed. It moves slowly, but it cannot be stopped.”

He sighed and gave a nod. “I know, I know. A boulder keeps moving, even against the wind. It refuses to bend. It breaks the world against itself. I just...”

“You just have difficulty sensing the rocks. You've always been weak at earth sensing,” she said with a nod. “But you'll figure it out, I'm sure.”

Button nodded, nibbling another bite of egg. “I know. I mean it this time, though. No distractions. I... really want to learn how to metal bend. I've gotten a lot better.”

“I'm sure you have,” Octavia said before trotting to the table and sitting down. “I'm sure there are plenty who would be willing to teach you, as well. Your lava bending makes you quite an interesting new target. Combining it with metal bending... I'm curious to see what new techniques you will develop.”

He blushed and gave a soft chuckle. “I-I don't know about that. I mean... I don't even know if they could be combined. Melting metal would be...” He blinked a few times and shuddered. “Sounds pretty dangerous.” He then glanced up. “Mom, what do you know about Hothoof?”

“Hmmm? Why the question?”

“Well... I just... he's the only other lava bender, right? I just thought... well...”

Octavia sighed and closed her eyes. “I've never met him, personally. But I have heard stories. He was... a stupid foal. I do not just mean a lack of intelligence, either. He was violent and angry, but he tried to become a metal bender. When he failed, he lashed out and tried to hurt ponies. That was when his lava bending was developed.” A frown formed on her lips. “He had a marvelous gift, and he wasted it. Instead of trying to learn this new gift, he used it to hurt those he deemed as having hurt him. He burned Sweet Apple Acres to the ground and went after the Apples themselves after destroying the school there, hurting many of the students. He went up against all three of the Apple siblings. Not a move even I would have wanted to try.”

“Really? Well, I guess he lost. How uhhhh... how hard was it?”

Octavia sipped her coffee for a moment. “At the time? The rumors say the fight lasted all of five seconds. But then, he was fighting three of the greatest earth benders of all time, with a style of bending he had only just learned. If he tried it now... well, he might even last twenty seconds.”

Button chuckled, rubbing the back of his head. “W-wow. I couldn't even imagine fighting one of them, let alone all three. He... must have been pretty dumb.”

She nodded. “Indeed. You, on the other hoof, aren't. You're a smart, cunning young colt, developing this new art is... quite exciting. I look forward to seeing what you'll do.” She paused and then sipped her coffee once more. “I am also quite interesting in learning more about its... origins. This Luna?”

Button's cheeks turned red. “Okay... so uhhhh, I thought...”

“Yes, you thought he was a girl, I am aware,” she said with a small smile. “An interesting mistake, but then nopony would accuse Rarity's children of not being quite... pretty.”

Button groaned. “Who told you?”

“Diamond when I pressed her for a few questions before she left. Now, you dove into this... Smooze? This Luna must mean a lot to you.”

“He does,” Button said softly, looking down at his plate and mixing the eggs up. “He's just so... I mean... when I'm with him... when we're...” His cheeks turned redder. “He kisses amazingly.”

“Mmmm?”

“And when we cuddle it just feels... right. I just don't...” He sighed. “I don't know how much of a future we'll have. Like, I want kids... and... well...”

“You can always adopt.”

“He's also royalty.”

“That... can be tricky. Though, technically, you are a prince.” She sipped her coffee.

He blinked. “Wait, what?”

“Technically, I was queen. Granted, our kingdom was small and it fell under the domain of the Earth Kingdom. There were a few other kingdoms, but many of them have fallen apart as well over the years.” She paused. “But, indeed, that would make you a semi-prince.” She glanced down at the coffee. “But even then, royalty is not what it once was. The air nomads were once the only ones without rulers. Now both they and the fire tribes have their own elected officials and I believe in the Earth Kingdom it is becoming more and more common. Cities are still falling under the emperor's command, but they have their own officials.” She gently swished her coffee. “In a few generations, there may not even be water lords or emperors anymore.”

Button blinked. “Really? Wouldn't that be bad?”

“Why?” Octavia looked around. “You've lived in Harmony your whole life. I'm sure you've seen the problems it has, but also the good. Perhaps, one day, the way of Harmony will spread to all the corners of the world. There won't be any more rulers like we have today.” She smiled softly. “Perhaps if you and this Luna were to... find love, you could even expedite it.”

His cheeks turned redder. “T-thanks, mom, but I'm not sure I'm ready for a... political marriage.”

“This Luna does seem quite interesting. An excellent bender, as well. At least, if her mother was being honest.”

He groaned and face hoofed. “Mom please stop.”

“I just think it is absolutely adorable. And I do believe when you left you were talking of finding some pretty mare. You found a pretty stallion, it is close enough, right?”

“You're evil, I swear. Vinyl is rubbing off on you,” he muttered before getting to his hooves. “As much as I'd love to keep talking about my love life with... my mother, I'm afraid I really, really must be going. Really. I need to get there early to train! Yup, practice practice practice.”

She snickered and gave a nod. “If you so please.” A knowing smile remained on her lips even as he trotted out the door.

Diamond gave a soft yawn as she crawled out of bed, scratching her head. She took a few moments to freshen herself up in the mirror, before trotting out of her room. She headed down the hall towards the kitchen, before chuckling.

The two Wonderbolts were already zooming about, preparing a small breakfast. “Good morning, Avatar,” Leadwing said before landing in front of her. “Happy to see you have joined us.”

“Mmmm. Is Silver up yet?”

“Not yet,” True said before cracking some eggs. “You don't think she'll mind, do you?”

“Only if you don't share some with her,” she said with a laugh before turning and trotting down the hall. She started towards her room, before she froze. She slowly changed direction and mentally hoped, before heading towards Silver's office. Her hope was wasted when she pushed open the door and saw Silver at the desk, her head against it.

“Silver!” Diamond snapped.

The mare's head shot up and she shrieked, falling back out of her chair. “What? Who? Why? What? Ack!” She groaned before slowly climbing to her hooves, glaring over the desk. “What was that for?”

Diamond walked over and flapped a wing, blowing it in Silver's face. “Did you get ANY sleep last night?” She reached out and fiddled with her hair a little. “You look like... flank. You need a bath and a good night's sleep.”

“I have like... a bit more work to do and--”

“Now.”

“But--”

“I will burn your paperwork if you don't.”

Silver froze in place, her eyes wide with horror. “Y-you wouldn't.”

Diamond stamped her hoof once and her horn burst into flame. “Try me.”

Silver squeaked. “O-okay, a bath!”

“And then?”

“A... a nap.”

“Good.”

Silver sighed and grumbled softly before she walked out of the room. “You'd think she was Secretary or something. I'm a grown mare I know what I'm doing, I can take care of myself. Razzle frazzle...”

Diamond rolled her eyes and trotted after her. She followed the mare to the bathroom and stood outside the door until she heard the water come on. She then sighed and started to trot down the hall. She paused a moment when she heard a gentle creak. “I SAID BATH!”

“I am!” Silver called down before slamming the door shut again.

The alicorn rolled her eyes. “I swear, she needs her own Secretary.”

Daring gulped nervously as she stood at attention, dressed in the dark Shadowbolt uniform. She was one amongst a dozen. She and Pinionwing had gotten a swift talking to for their late arrival, before being directed into line. “So, each and every one of you wish to become Shadowbolts,” a mare ahead of them called out. “I'm sorry to say, but most of you won't make it. Some of you won't handle it and will give up. Some of you won't be able to follow rules and will get kicked out. But for those of you who do make it, you'll probably grow to regret it. Being a Shadowbolt isn't easy. It's hard, dangerous work. We go up against ponies with real bending, and we need to take them down every time. We hesitate, we mess up, we miss? Then we're dead. No second chances, no timeouts, no do overs. If you make it, eventually some of the ponies you know will die. Maybe you'll die. All it takes is one stray shard of ice or a fire ball and you're gone.” She then took a deep breath. “We don't do this for the glory. We don't do this for parades. We most definitely don't do this for the money. We do this because there are ponies out there who need ponies like us. We do it because there are ponies who like to take take take, not caring who they hurt, and if we don't stop them, nopony will. Some ponies will hate you, someponies will love you. But if there's one thing to remember, one thing you need to know about working with us, it's that. The reason we fight.”

The mare took a deep breath before starting again. “Now, each of you will be part of a team, with one partner and a teacher. As more of you drop out, the teams will be mixed up. You'll get new teams, new partners. If you wanna get attached, fine. Make friends, buck if I care. But the important thing you need to remember is following the rules. We work as a unit. If I pick out any three Shadowbolts from our ranks, they would be able to work in perfect unison. They would know the signs, they would know the movements and, most importantly, they'd get the job done. Your very lives, and the lives of those you work with, could very well depend on how well you follow orders. If you don't think you can handle that, then leave now.”

Daring didn't move, staring ahead. She tried to keep the smirk off her lips, she was going to show them just how awesome she was.

“Good. Now, when I call your names, come up here to meet your instructors and partner.” One by one ponies were called up, until finally the mare called out. “Daring Do, Pinionwing. Our late risers.”

The mare stepped forward, confident as she walked up to the mare. She gave a quick salute before looking to her comrade. He looked almost as bad now as he had outside, sweat peeking through his uniform.

“Good, you two are with...” The instructor glanced back towards the other gathered Shadowbolts. “Smoothglide! Come get your students!”

One of the pegasi stepped forward, bowing his head politely. His mane was a light red, with little hints of green coat peeping through the uniform. “Hello,” he said softly as he looked the two over. “I'm Smoothglide, obviously. Now, there's a lot we're going to have to go over, but there's a few things I want to test out before anything else. Follow me,” he said before trotting out the door.

Daring took a slow, deep breath and followed behind the stallion, her heart hammering. She couldn't believe it, finally it was time. She couldn't wait to show them everything she could do.

“Now, Pinionwing, I know you're a first timer with us. No Shadowbolt training past the bare basics, yes?”

“N-no sir. I mean, yes sir, what you said, sir,” the stallion said softly.

“Okay then. Don't worry, I've seen your reports from your teachers. You're a decent flyer and you learn fast. Hopefully you can pick up well enough here. Now, Daring, I've also seen your report.”

The mare froze for a minute, before chuckling. “Y-yeah.”

“Daughter of the last Avatar, quite impressive. Ironwing has apparently been teaching you a few of our moves, too.”

“When he has the time,” she said with a smirk. “They weren't that hard.”

“That's good. I'll be expecting good things from you.” Smoothglide stepped out into the city. “I assume you both know formation F, right?”

“Yes sir,” Pinionwing said quickly.

Daring froze. Ironwing had mentioned a few formations, but they hadn't practiced them. With only the two of them, they just wouldn't work right. It was her first day, though, so she refused to be shown up by some newbie. “Of course.”

“Good. Daring, you'll be right wing. Pinionwing, left wing.” He then took to the sky, flying off over the street. Pinionwing flew up a moment later, moving to Smoothglide's left side and behind. Daring grinned and followed his example, moving in to his right side, mimicking Pinionwing.

Smoothglide glanced back, before nodding. “Good. Keep the formation as tight as you can.”

Daring grinned wider, keeping up with ease. She couldn't believe how easy this was. To think she'd actually been worried for a moment. At this rate she'd be leading her own squad in a week or two.

Ironwing took a slow, deep breath as he stared at himself in the mirror. In the other room he could hear the shower going, but he could barely think about it. He adjusted his goggles slightly. He could barely remember the last time he'd worn this uniform, been an actual Shadowbolt. His stomach was actually fluttering.

He rested his head against the mirror. He was a Shadowbolt again. A real Shadowbolt. He felt a little relief knowing everything wouldn't fall on him anymore, either. He gave a soft sigh, before turning towards the bathroom. “I'm going out now! Bye!” he yelled before spreading his wings and flying out the open balcony door, not waiting for the response.

The air felt cool on his body, brushing through his mane and coat. He'd even gotten it nice and trimmed for his return. He took a deep breath and closed his eyes, floating through the air for a moment before he slowly turned and angled his flight towards the building. He'd flown this route a million times, but today it somehow felt lighter. Easier. A grin spread on his lips before he opened his eyes and dived, descending down through the streets.

He landed outside the building and lightly trotted inside, quickly burying the grin and putting on his serious business face. He pushed open the door and stepped inside.

“Welcome back, Ironwing,” one of the ponies called out. He glanced over to a few of the Shadowbolts. He gave a wave and barely managed to suppress his smile.

“Thank you,” he said quickly, before making his way towards the front desk. There was a zebra working it, humming softly as she slowly flipped through paperwork.

“Ironwing, reporting for duty, ma'am,” he said, before giving a salute.

“Oh, I know who you are,” the mare said with a light chuckle. “No need to be so official, sir. You outrank me.”

“Not anymore,” he said with a shake of his head.

The mare blinked, then her cheeks went red and she covered her mouth. “O-oh! I thought... oh, right. Sorry, just... errr... sorry sir,” she said nervously.

“There's no need to be sorry,” he said with a shake of his head. “I was busted down, it happens and it needed to be done. Now, my assignment for the day?”

The mare nodded before pulling out some papers. She then blinked. “Odd, I thought... you're to go meet with Stratios.”

Ironwing blinked, before giving a nod. “Very... well,” he said softly. “In my... in her office?”

“Yes sir.”

“Thank you,” Ironwing said, before turning and walking towards the stairs. His mind started racing and he couldn't help feeling butterflies in his stomach as he walked. A few of the other Shadowbolts waved at him as he trotted by, he gave small greetings back but barely focused on them. Stratios had been his replacement, an elder bat pony. All of this had already been cleared, he couldn't imagine why the mare wanted to meet with him now. He soon came to the office and gave it a gentle knock.

“Who is it?” a voice called out.

“Ironwing,” he called back.

“Come in!”

The stallion took a slow, deep breath before pushing open the door. He stepped inside and glanced around a little. The room was mostly empty, aside from a glass case holding a small rock collection and the desk filled with paperwork. And, of course, the mare behind it. He was a little shocked to see she was out of uniform, but she was in command so he couldn't really oppose it. He trotted forward and gave a salute. “Ma'am.”

“Oh, knock off the formalities, Ironwing,” the mare said with a roll of her eyes. “I have to say, I am surprised you lasted this long.”

“Ma'am?”

“Without coming back. I thought you'd be begging to come back after a week.”

“I... felt it wouldn't be wise to return until everypony got used to the new leadership, ma'am,” he said firmly.

The mare nodded, resting her front hooves on the desk. “Well, Ironwing, I just want to get a few things straight. I AM in charge now. I know you've got a lot of pull with your mother, not to mention your close relationship with Styx. However, if you have any thoughts about trying to take over or replace me, you'd best abandon them now.”

“Of course not, ma'am,” he said with a quick shake of his head.

“Good. I'd like it if you and I could get along. I imagine you're... quite aware I was never comfortable with your quick rise to power. Something I know you heard of on more than a few occasions.”

He sighed and closed his eyes for a moment, before nodding. “Indeed, ma'am.”

“But you were fair, at the very least,” she said before looking down at her paperwork. “I've seen our files, including the little notes you left about me. There were more than a few ponies who would have been happy to see you fail, but you didn't lash out. In fact, quite a few ponies still respect you, even after your... failure with Meadowbrook.”

He cringed, but gave a nod.

“Personally, I think you're a great soldier but you're not ready to lead for now. You most definitely weren't ready to be a leader when you first got the position. But, all things considered, you still did the best you could.” She took a long, slow breath. “You were... mature enough not to lash out at those who didn't quite offer you the respect you always deserved. So I know I'm going to have to do the same.”

“Ma'am?”

“I know you've only just returned, but I'd like to ask for your assistance.”

He blinked a few times. “Ma'am?”

“Not all of your notes were complete and there are still a few things I'm... not quite sure how you managed to do.”

He blinked a few more times as he tried to process. He then sighed. “You mean filing?”

She nodded. “Yes. I haven't quite had a chance to decipher all of your... shorthoof. It seems good enough, but it would be useful if I had access to all of that information.”

“Of course,” he said with a bow of his head. “I will get started on it immediately.”

She nodded. “Good.” She then paused, eying him for a moment. “Ironwing, I do trust you don't have any... notions of taking back over, correct?”

Ironwing took a deep breath. “To be quite honest, ma'am, being a Shadowbolt is difficult. Running the Shadowbolts almost broke me at least a dozen times. I don't think I could do it again. In a lot of ways, it's a relief to just be a rank and file pony, to do more field work.”

She nodded, a grin on her lips. “That's good. I'd like it if the two of us could work together.” She paused for a moment and glanced down. “I have some papers I need you to go through for me, but once that's done, you'll be moving out with Coppertips, Silenthoof and Freshmint. They requested you personally.” She pulled out a small stack of papers. “Here.”

He nodded and took them. “Thank you, ma'am. I'll do my best.”

“Of course. Just try to have them on my desk before noon.”

He nodded and turned, walking out the door. He held the papers on his back with his wings as he trotted down the stairs, giving a soft sigh. She seemed to be taking his return well enough, for now. It did worry him that she was going through his notes. His removal had been very, very sudden and he hadn't even been able to get most of his paperwork. While there was nothing too bad in the notes he left, many of them were signs of his own paranoia.

Namely, he kept tabs on everypony he could, their skills and weaknesses, different ponies that seemed to work well together. He even had a few notes on the metal benders and Moon Raisers. He'd have rather all of that stuff been removed alongside him.

But he supposed it was all her responsibility now, which meant she could use whatever help he could offer her. It wasn't a lot, but it was hopefully enough.

“Let me go,” Blaze grumbled.

“No,” Prism muttered, his hooves wrapped tightly around her as he snuggled her in bed.

“I need to start breakfast.”

“We'll eat out.”

“I have students to train.”

“I'll take care of it later, when they get back.”

“I have to go to the council and finish my paperwork.”

“You can be late once,” Prism said before nibbling her neck.

“Prismmmmm!”

“Nope. Not letting you go. Buck, missing one day won't kill you.”

“Oh, so now I'm missing the day, not late?”

“Yes. Today you're missing work.”

“But--”

“I know your fellow council members miss days all the time. One won't kill you,” he said with a chuckle before nuzzling between her wings.

She groaned and closed her eyes. “You're horrible. First making me stay up half the night, now trying to make me miss work. You're just like your mother.”

Prism snickered and then leaned up, nibbling her ear. “So? I haven't seen you in years. Or at least, it felt like years.”

“We still have to deal with the Meadowbrook incident.”

“So? Last time she was around we barely saw each other. Then we got attacked and just... you know what? It's been a while since I had all day to snuggle with my wife. So today we're both taking some time off.”

“But I have to worrrrrrrrk.”

“And I have to pamper my wife and enjoy one of our long awaited days together. They'll understand.”

“But Prismmmmmm!”

He nibbled right between her wings, making her gasp. “We can even go down to that spa you like...”

The pegasus moaned a little, before sighing. “Fine. I guess missing one day won't kill me,” she muttered, closing her eyes. “But I want the strawberry treatment.”

“Of course, darling. Anything my little fire starter wants.”

She snickered and nestled up to him. “You're deplorable and a bad influence.”

“And you're an absolute delight and a wicked temptress,” he teased right back.

“Mom, are you sure it's a good idea to take me?” Acrylic asked his mother softly as the two walked through the streets of the city towards the Moon Raiser headquarters. “What about the council?”

“Eh, missing one day won't kill me,” she said with a roll of her eyes. “Besides, if they need anything, they'll find me one way or another. They always do. I remember one time I tried to play hooky when this awesome band came to Harmony. Middle of the concert, music shuts off and all of a sudden 'Vinyl. This is Octavia. I know you're there. You're needed in the council rooms.' Man, were I anypony else that would have been embarrassing.”

Acrylic blinked, before looking to her flatly. “What did you do?”

“... Listen, there's a reason I'm not allowed to take public transport anymore.”

Acrylic rolled his eyes, but smiled none the less. He stopped outside the big building and glanced up. “So uhhh... thanks, but I can do this part myself. Just need to--”

“Are you sure you don't want me to come in with you? I know you get kind of gassy when you're nervous and--”

“Mom!” Acrylic snapped, his cheeks turning red. “That was when I was a kid! I haven't had... that, in years!”

“I know, but it could always come back. Remember when you tried to--”

“Yes I do and no I don't want to talk about it!”

She gave a light chuckle before shaking her head. “Fine. I just want to look out for my baby boy. You'll be fine. Really. It's not hard to get admitted.”

He sighed and gave a nod. “I... I guess. I know. I can do this, mom. Trust me. Please?”

She sighed, before reaching out and giving him a tight hug. “I know, Acrylic. You're a smart, talented boy. I know you'll make an amazing Moon Raiser. You would have for years.”

He nodded. “Here's hoping I don't let you down,” he said with a small smile, before turning towards the building. It stood out besides the water, right up besides the beach. He stared at the water for a moment before grinning. “Wish me luck?”

“Always.”

He nodded and stepped inside.

He could do this.

He would do this.

Chapter 4: Trainees

Button held out his hoof and gently tapped on the orb of metal. He kept his eyes closed as he tried to move it, struggled to feel the little rock minerals within. He took a long, slow breath and tapped it again. And again. And again.

Yet he couldn't feel much of it. Each time he clicked it he could feel tiny little fragments of stone and dirt within it, little impurities in the metal that hadn't been removed when the metal was made. He couldn't touch them with his bending, though. He tapped it with both hooves, sitting in front of it and focusing everything he had on it, trying to force it to work. “Why?” he asked softly. “WHY WHY WHY? I can do this! I have to do this!”

It refused to listen to him, though. He kept his eyes closed, feeling the anger bubble up in him until it seemed to be getting hotter. He tapped the metal again, reaching out with his bending and struggling to grab onto the little impurities within. He held his breath and struggled to force them to move, to make the metal obey him.

It was getting REALLY hot. The orb began to move and he opened his eyes, before letting out a yelp. The metal orb was disappearing into a small pool of lava. “O-oops,” he squeaked softly. He watched while the orb disappeared into the ground and gave a soft sigh. “I'm so useless...”

“I don't think you're useless,” a voice said from behind him, making him jump.

He turned around and gaped at Copper Shield. The mare stood behind him, watching with a flat stare. “C-Copper, ma'am, I didn't know, I mean, h-how long were you watching?”

“A few minutes,” she said softly, looking at the melting chunk of metal. “I don't think you're useless,” she repeated.

He looked to it and sighed. “Yeah, I am. I can't metal bend at all. I mean... my mom is amazing, one of the best. But I can't even bend such a... easy metal.”

She nudged the ground and a pillar of rock came out, shooting what remained of the metal out of the lava and onto the ground besides them, it sizzled and bubbled. “So?”

“So? So what? I can't be a metal bender, then!”

The mare nodded. “No, you can't. Maybe you'll learn. Maybe you won't. But that doesn't make you useless.”

“Of course it makes me useless! I can't do... anything right.”

“You can lava bend. I can't do that. I don't know anypony who can. That's useful.”

Button blushed and nodded. “I-I guess. But it's not... metal bending.”

She nodded for a moment, staring at the rapidly cooling magma. “It's not water bending.”

“Huh?”

“It's not air bending, either. It... might be a little fire bending. That doesn't mean it's not useful. It means it's different.” She glanced back to him. “You're different, too. That doesn't mean you're bad.”

Button looked away. “But... how can I take over for mom, then?”

“Why do you have to?”

“I... I guess because... she's... ummmm...”

“Wants you to?”

He slowly nodded.

“I know,” Copper said before turning towards the magma. “But Button?”

“Yeah?”

“You're nowhere near as good a bender as me.”

He blinked, before lowering his eyes. “Thanks...”

“You're also not a good leader.”

“O-ouch.”

“You're not that smart, either.”

“Is... this supposed to cheer me up?”

“You could likely never become the leader of the metal benders. Even if you could metal bend, there are dozens of other reasons why that path is impossible for you.”

He froze, his eyes widening. “I... but I... I...”

“So why worry? Why hate yourself for it?” She glanced to him again. “You have talents. You are strong. You have a whole world ahead of you, so many things you can do. Why focus on what you can't do?”

He lowered his eyes. “But... I can.”

“No. You can't. The sooner you accept that, the sooner you can move on.”

Button sighed and closed his eyes. “I won't just... give up.”

“Mmm hmm,” she said softly.

“... Was all that supposed to comfort me?”

“Nope.”

“... Help me?”

“Eeyup.” She tapped the ground and the metal ball rolled over to him. She reached out and grabbed his hoof, placing it to the now cool metal. “Close your eyes.”

“... How the buck do you make such amazing waffles?” Diamond asked while staring at her plate, still holding half of her third waffle.

“Oh, you know, I've picked up a thing or two over the years,” True said with a chuckle. “The secret is to dice up the fruits so they give it a nice sweet taste.”

“This is nothing, you should try his burritos. To die for,” Leadwing said with a chuckle. “Only reason I wanted to be his wingmate. Should have seen him back at the academy, every few weeks he'd be cooking up some weird thing or another and it was always amazing.”

True chuckled and shook his head. “Oh, you flatter me. I just learned a few things over the years. Found out what I liked, then what I liked a lot more.”

Diamond nodded and gave a light chuckle. “That's pretty good. So, how do you two like training under Blaze?”

“She gives us a lot of freedom,” Leadwing said with a shrug. “But then, most of our training was already done.”

“Really?” Diamond asked. “I thought you were sent down here to start it?”

“Nope, just finish it,” True said with a nod. “But mostly just the end, more or less an intern position. We just need her to okay us, then we're good to go. In the meantime, there are two more Wonderbolt trainees to help around town if any problems come up. To avoid another Meadowbrook incident, due to how... small the Wonderbolt representation is here.”

“There's plenty of air benders,” Diamond said quickly.

“Yep. But not many Wonderbolts,” True said with a shrug. “Besides, most of the air benders here are Harmony citizens. The Air Nomads have quite a low amount of pony power here to support in the event of a catastrophe. Something the Meadowbrook incident threw heavily in our faces.”

Diamond blinked a few times before taking a bite of her waffles. She watched him for a few moments before sighing. “Why do they want more... pony power here, though? Harmony isn't a part of the Air Nomads.”

“Twilight was one of the greatest heroes the world has ever known,” True said with a soft chuckle. “I mean, she managed to unite almost everypony in the world to break Discord. Even now most of us have grown up on the tales of her adventures, listening to all the hard work and dedication she showed. Harmony is more than just a new country, it's a sign of peace. If it can succeed, if all four nations can work here... well, perhaps in the future it can work on an even a grander scale. Maybe one day there won't even be a need for the four nations. Maybe just one great, big Harmony.”

Diamond blinked a few times, before glancing towards the window. “Y-yeah. A great, big Harmony. That would be... something else.”

“Already there are little versions of Harmonies popping up all over the place. Cities where the four bender types are blending together,” True said before sipping his drink. “All of the nations are working to be more open, allowing their borders to waver more. In the wake of... Discord's destruction during the last Avatar, even the Air Nomads and Earth Kingdom were able to come to great terms of agreement and there are even a sizable amount of air benders living in Fillydelphia. That's not even mentioning the Fire Tribes and Water Nation. Water Lord Rarity has worked tirelessly to ensure all the damage that was done has been healed. Or at least, most of it. What can be.”

Diamond nodded slowly. “That's... odd. I don't remember seeing many non-earth-benders back home.”

“Perhaps. But all those benders who trained you would have attracted a lot more attention, if not for the doors that your predecessor had created. You might have been found a lot sooner.”

She blinked and smiled sheepishly. “Y-yeah. That might have been a good thing, though.”

“Perhaps,” True said softly, before taking another bite of his waffles. “But this is... a golden opportunity, Avatar. You predecessor set up a brand new world, one where true, lasting peace between all of the nations is possible. Harmony is proof of that. And while there are those who wish it to fail, there are far more who would do anything to see it succeed. I'm very curious to see what you'll do with this opportunity you've been given.”

She nodded slowly, staring at her waffles. She was suddenly feeling far less hungry. She pushed the plate away. “It uhhh... it was very good but I really should head out to meet with the others. Rainbow and the others are probably... waiting for me.”

True blinked. “O-oh, of course. I'm sorry, Avatar. I do hope I haven't made you uncomfortable.”

“No, it's fine. It's nothing I didn't already know,” she said before getting to her hooves and walking out. Once she left the building, she glanced across the courtyard and over the wall surrounding the complex towards the city. Harmony truly was a pinnacle of peace. Something that only Twilight could have crafted.

But now she couldn't help but wonder. Would she be the Avatar to help it grow into a permanent facet of the world, flowing out into the other countries? Or would she be the one that made it crash and burn, a fiery inferno and failed experiment?

“Not bad,” Smoothglide said when he landed on the railing of a roof, his chest barely moving when he breathed. Daring was doing much the same, the speedy flight almost gentle compared to what she was used to. Pinionwing, on the other hoof, was panting with exertion. He'd barely managed to keep up and keep in formation. “You'll need to work on your stamina, Pinionwing. As flying Shadowbolts, we're often the first responders to major events in the cities, due to our flight.” He then glanced to Daring. “You kept up nicely enough, though seemed to falter a few times during formation changes. Anything wrong?”

She sheepishly nudged the ground. “No, sorry. Just, uhhh, not used to the formations.”

He nodded. “Ah. Well, if you have any questions or concerns, feel free to ask me. I'm here to teach you, so always feel free to ask me anything.” He looked around, before hopping off the railing and landing on the roof proper. He trotted towards the center. “So. Daring, I hear you've practiced with Ironwing?”

She perked up and gave a nod. “Yes sir!” she said quickly, a grin on her face. “Me and him sparred all the time!”

“Good, good.” He turned to face her, spreading out his wings. “Show me. Come at me as best you can.”

She blinked a few times, before chuckling. “Err, are you sure? I mean... I did train with Ironwing. If I go all out--”

“Don't worry, I'll be fine.”

She blinked, before shrugging and rushing forward. She went straight for a feint to the right, before dashing towards his left side. To her amazement, he moved back with ease, weaving around her hooves as she struck, making each of her movements miss by mere inches. On her fifth strike, he suddenly pushed in close and his hoof shot out. She wove to the left, trying to get out before it could hit, but realized too late it was a feint. He caught her in the back of the head with his wing, stunning her for a moment before his hooves lashed out and numbed her hooves. She nearly fell forward, but he caught her under a hoof.

“Very good,” he said with a nod. “I can see that Ironwing taught you well. You need to work on your speed a bit and you give a bit too much show with your wings, but very nice. Don't worry, we'll work you through that.”

Her eyes just stayed wide. “How?”

“Hm? Well, Ironwing was never the best teacher,” he said with a chuckle. “A great leader, but not a teacher. Besides, I doubt he's been able to keep up on his practice like us rank and file members. Though I'd still rather not have to ever go up against him.” He let her go once the feeling started to return to her hooves. He then glanced to Pinionwing. “Now, Pinion, how about you?”

“I didn't get much training, sir,” he said nervously.

“I don't imagine so, basics doesn't cover much these days. We'll start with the beginner stuff.” He moved away from the two and then sat back down. “Now, the most important thing about our training is the locations. Disabling a bender is as simple as hitting their point of power. For earth benders, the hooves, for air benders, the wings, for fire benders, the tip of the horn and for water benders, the base. Now, the precise locations--”

Daring gave a soft sigh as she watched him, before glancing to Pinionwing. The colt was watching with rapt attention. However, she couldn't help but feel annoyed. She already KNEW all this. She was good with the points, she just needed to practice them. She was half tempted to go flying off, come back after the lecture. But she imagined Ironwing would have been furious, so she held still. For now.

Ironwing gave a soft, gentle sigh as he took to the air, on the right wing behind Coppertips. Silenthoof was on his left and Freshmint was behind. They were flying in a diamond formation over the city.

Ironwing felt pretty good. It had been so long since he'd been able to just relax and fly, not have to worry about command. He just had to follow orders and do as he was told. In a way, it was freeing. He frowned when his eyes caught movement below. An earth pony stepped on the ground below and sent a light cloud of dust into the air. A few moments later he was galloping out of the dust, a package on his back. “Earth pony, east.” He started to signal to go lower, then stopped when he remembered he wasn't the one in command.

“I see him,” Coppertips said before signaling to lower. The others moved in perfect unison, diving at the pony. Coppertips then signaled for them to come in for a low side assault.

Ironwing blanched. That was an EARTH bender. “Sir?”

“Not now,” Coppertips said, before diving in. Ironwing sighed and swung around wide, coming in from the earth pony's right side. He was about ten feet from him when the earth pony snapped a hoof down. A wall of stone came up from under him, making him fly up and over the wall to avoid slamming into it. He spun around once, evading the attack before diving back at the pony's side. However, as he watched the earth pony stomped on the ground, sending out surges of rocks from all sides, forcing Ironwing to take flight and shoot straight up to avoid the pelting attack. His comrade on the left wasn't quite so lucky, Silenthoof letting out a shriek as rocks sent her toppling back.

Coppertips came down on the earth bender's backs, his hooves flashing out and dropping him like a sack of potatoes. Ironwing mentally cursed and flew over the two, moving to Silenthoof's side, kicking the rocks off her. After a moment she was uncovered. “Are you okay?” he asked.

“Y-yeah, I'm fine,” she said softly, before giving a cringe and straightening out her wing.

“Silenthoof, what was that?” Coppertips asked, walking over to her while Freshmint was busy dealing with the now paralyzed earth bender.

“Sorry, sir, I didn't see the stones until I cleared the wall.”

“There were four of us, nopony should have gotten hit at all,” Coppertips snapped.

Ironwing blinked a few times, before glancing towards Coppertips. “Sir, you ordered us to come in low against an earth bender. That's a dangerous method to take even in the best of cases, it's only natural that such a reckless move could get someone hurt.”

“I wasn't asking you,” Coppertips said firmly. “Silenthoof, this is the fourth time you've gotten hit this week. You need to be more careful.”

Ironwing bit his tongue, watching as the stallion chewed the mare out. After a few moments they took to the sky and he mentally sighed. He wasn't in charge anymore, he didn't have a say in the matter.

Blaze gave a soft sigh as she heard a small pop in her back. The soft scent of strawberries wafted in the room and she looked over at Prism. “You know... I think you were right. I really did need this.”

“Mmmm hmmm,” Prism said with a grin, licking his lips before nibbling one of the strawberries. His wings were being gently, and delicately, massaged by the mare at his side. “We should try to do this more often.”

“Election time will be coming up, soon,” Blaze said softly. “Maybe it's time I retire from the council. I'm sure there's plenty of other air benders who could do the job better than I,” she said softly.

Prism chuckled. “I doubt that. You were the best air bending council member they ever had, you haven't had any opposition in years. I seriously doubt any is going to pop up now.”

She snickered and then gave a soft, content sigh. “Probably. We managed to settle the zoning issues in the east quarter while you were gone.”

“Really?”

“Mmmm hmm. We had a few problems with the manticores and diamond dogs, but they managed to work it out by one going above ground, the other under.”

“Really? Diamond dogs went underground?”

“Oddly enough, this time the manticores did. Something about it being cooler for their gyms,” she said with a sigh before shrugging. “Sometimes I don't know how those species operate,” she muttered, before groaning again. “We've also been having a higher influx of... representatives from the other nations.”

“Oh? What kind?”

“Fighters, what else?” she mumbled softly. “After the whole Meadowbrook incident... not to mention now that three of the past Avatar's friends are stationed here, it seems everypony wants to suddenly lend us a helping hoof. At least we shouldn't have any problems, security wise, for a while. Though I'm not sure how we're going to deal with them all. We have most of them being moved in with the metal benders for now, Copper seems pretty good at keeping them all organized. We might have to set up a new security division, though. Maybe a fire and wind group.”

Prism chuckled. “Really? Any idea who would head those?”

“Well, the air one I'm thinking of nominating you,” she said with a teasing chuckle. “After all, you have been slacking lately.”

He harrumphed. “I have been training a very powerful, very immature child,” he said defensively. “Slacking was not a part of it. Until later. Then I just took a ton of naps,” he said with a sly grin.

She snickered. “Though, in actuality, we've been talking about one large, harmonized defense force. One that the Shadowbolts, Moon Raisers and earth benders could all call on. Rather than having the three having no real... overlap between them.”

“Oh? Air, earth and sea not enough anymore?” he asked with a chuckle.

“Well... it's more the metal benders are all earth benders, they have little idea what to do with the other benders. The Moon Raisers only know about water bending. The Shadowbolts are all anti-benders. We just don't get a lot of call from the other benders to join,” she said with a shrug. “Usually the air or fire benders that do decide to join up, end up working directly under the council, there just hasn't been much call for them before now. But the other countries are trying to get more and more representation out here and, well, you know we can use it. But we need to keep it under control, too.”

He nodded and then gave a sigh. “Have I ever told you how thankful I am to not have your job?”

She snickered. “Oh, you'd be fine. You've led your own squads plenty of times.” She let out a sudden yelp when her leg popped, before groaning. “We are so getting a nice steam after this,” she purred.

He chuckled and gave a nod. “Whatever my little council mare wants. And those are just squads, I can't imagine trying to run this city. Especially with all those other council members.”

“It's really not that bad, dear,” she muttered. “For the most part, the full council is rarely needed for decisions. Only when it directly pertains to one of us. Most of it's just paperwork and listening to the requests of the air benders in the city.” She then gave a shudder. “Though, if they ever decide to cut out the bender members and make it just the three pony types... I shudder to think of the paperwork THAT pony would have to go through.”

Prism chuckled and gave her a loving smile. “Well, nopony could handle it better than you, dear.” He glanced back towards his masseuse. “I think I'm feeling nice and loose. Are we done?”

The pony nodded and pulled back. “Of course, sir. Spa room four should be open.” He paused. “Remember, we do have rules for their use.”

Prism chuckled and nodded. “No worries. Nothing worse than a bit of snuggling with my wife.” He then walked over and nuzzled her nose. “I'll see you there, darling.” Before turning and trotting away.

Blaze sighed and closed her eyes. “Maybe the occasional day off isn't so bad...”

Acrylic took a long, slow breath as he slowly moved his horn back and forth, letting the water swirl around it with ease. As it moved, it slowly turned to ice, then water, then vapor, before back to water and ice again. As much as he hated it, he wasn't able to skip the water step, he had to go through each one individually. He just wasn't good enough yet.

“Mmmm hmmm,” his examiner said as she wrote down a few notes. “That's it?”

He nodded slowly. “Y-yes.”

“Shifting speed is a bit slow. Control is nice, though.” She paused and started trotting off. “Follow me.”

He nodded and followed behind her as they trotted through the building up towards the roof. There, the two stood out on the roof of the building and looked out over the pier. “Now. Tell me, what do the Moon Raisers do?”

He blinked a few times. “Ma'am?”

“Normally I'd go into a brief spiel about them. But you're Lady Scratch's son. I'd expect you know all about them.” She glanced back towards the sea. “Now, tell me. What are the Moon Raisers?”

Acrylic took a deep breath and looked to the south. “First and foremost, we're the guardians of the moon raising spell. That spell was lost long ago, and recovered by Avatar Twilight. Now, we guard it and make sure it can never be lost again. As a place of true neutrality, we ensure that the moon can never be used as a weapon by any of the countries and that it can always sign as a beacon of what the Avatar did for us.” He paused and glanced down at the ships. “Secondly, we're the first line of defense in the event there is any water assault on Harmony. We patrol the lake and keep an eye out for any dangers that may move by the waters. Usually pirates, but those are rare enough. At least, ones that get this far up here. However, we also move up and down the rivers here, aiding any transport vessels that move along the waters. Search and rescue and the like.” He glanced over towards her. “Is there anything I missed?”

“Nope, it sounds like you have a pretty good grasp of what we do,” she said with a nod. “You're still a rookie, though. You'll be starting on dock patrols for now, keeping an eye out for trouble.”

He blinked. “Wait, in the city?”

“Yes.”

Acrylic sighed. “This is my mother's doing, isn't it? Trying to keep me safe and secure in the city? Listen, I can take care of myself, going to the--”

“No,” she interrupted, before glancing up to him. “Frankly, your water bending is good. Quite good, in fact. Excellent control and power. But your ice and mist bending are atrocious. How often do you practice them?”

He cringed. “I... didn't use it that often.”

“It clearly shows,” she said with a shake of her head. “Before you go out into the field, with the actual ships, I want you to pass through a bit more training. Work on your ice bending in particular. You shift it far too slowly and, in emergency situations, that can be deadly. It wasn't very strong from what I saw, either.”

He nodded slowly, closing his eyes. “Of... course. My apologies. I just thought...”

“Your mother hasn't been involved in any of your recruitment.” The mare paused. “In fact, she's stayed far away. If you were hoping to go straight to moon raising duty... well, I'm afraid that's a while off for you. Only our best are put onto the moon raising team, but you're not near that yet.”

“So it's not protection duty, it's... I'm not competent enough to do something more difficult, duty?”

“More or less. It's safer, less stressful. If you screw up, less ponies will get hurt. After a few weeks and more training, we'll discuss where you go from there. Understand?”

He nodded, a smile on his lips.

“Good. Go to requisitions to get sized up for your uniform and location of your locker.” She held out his clip board, handing it to him. “Congratulations, Acrylic. You're a Moon Raiser.”

He nodded, trotting away happily.

He knew it was a low rank job for now, tiny and insignificant. But he didn't care. It was HIS job. Something he'd at least earned. He was a Moon Raiser because he was good enough, no special treatment. Now all he had to do was keep working himself up, becoming that good a bender. Just--

“Acrylic, hey!” a voice said from behind him suddenly, making him jump.

He glanced over and saw Tittering besides him. “H-hey. Uhhh, long time no see.”

She nodded. “Was pretty surprised to see your request come across my desk.”

“You... were?” he asked nervously.

“Mmmm hmm. Happy to see you passed, though,” she said before swiping the clipboard from him. “Ohhhh, these your measurements? Ouch. But hey, we all start somewhere. Ohhhh, nice control though. Above average... wait, really? You can do that? Not too shabby. Shame about your ice manipulation, but all of us have weaknesses, eh?”

Acrylic frowned and looked to the side. “Y-yeah. I know, your numbers are all... the best, right.”

She blinked a few times, before reaching out and putting a hoof over his shoulder. “Awww, come on, you know I didn't mean it like that. When I got here, I'd already had years experience with the Water Nation. You're young, still learning. You have all the time in the world to get better. Not to mention you're in with the right crowd and all that,” she said with a wink.

“The right crowd?”

“The Avatar, right? You're one of her buddies! I can't imagine a better way to get stronger.”

He blinked a few times, his mouth falling open. “How... in the world would that help me get stronger?”

Tittering chuckled and jumped off, trotting besides him. “She's the Avatar, silly billy. She just attracts trouble! Like some kind of... trouble... attracting magnet! Like, there could be one big bad pony in all the world and, boom, they'd find their way to her.”

“I... I guess. I don't see how that really... she has better ponies helping her now, though. Wonderbolt Rainbow, Water Lord Rarity--”

“So? She's the Avatar,” Tittering said with a shrug. “Just think about who... Avatar Twilight surrounded herself with when the times got tough. Emperors? Queens? Generals?” She turned to him and gave a wink, putting a hoof to his chest. “No. She had her friends near her. And if there's one thing I know, the Avatar doesn't just choose her friends willy nilly.”

He snorted. “Yeah, but Diamond didn't really choose me, either. We more got... thrust into each other.”

“Everything happens for a reason, Acrylic. You've stuck with the Avatar this long, I'm sure there's a good reason for it. I'm kind of curious what you'll end up showing us.”

He sighed and gave a nod. “And if I don't show anything?”

“Hey, not everypony on Team Avatar has to kick flank. You could always try being the comic relief!” she said with a grin. “It's funner than it sounds, trust me.”

Acrylic stopped and turned to her, speaking flatly. “Oh. Joy. I can hardly contain my excitement.”

“See? Dry, flat humor. It's always a crowd pleaser.”

Acrylic sighed and mentally reminded himself that, technically, she was his superior. Even if she was at least as crazy as his mother. He gave a shudder.

Diamond took a slow, deep breath as she eyed the building holding the council. She supposed she had to do this eventually, she just had no idea really how, or when. Usually the council called her, it was rare she came to see them. Still, she supposed it was one of those times.

She trotted into the building and smiled to the secretary. “H-hello. I'm here to see the council.”

“Hmmm? Which one?” the mare asked.

Diamond blinked. “All... of them?”

“Well, most of the council seems to be out today and there are currently no large meetings on the agenda until tonight.” The mare flipped through some paperwork. “And... about half the council members seem to have not arrived yet, Miss Avatar.”

“Oh. I guess... I just... sorry.”

The mare blinked. “You don't need to be sorry, miss. Were you summoned?”

“Not... really but I thought... well... I mean, I was curious if there were any more leads or... what they wanted me to do. I wasn't...” Diamond nudged at the ground sheepishly. “I didn't really think this through, I think. I thought I'd be training with Rainbow or the Water Lord right now or something. I guess they're probably busy or something, though.”

The mare blinked a few times, before pulling out a small file. “Ah, actually. I was permitted to give you these, if you requested them,” the mare said before holding them out. Diamond took them in her hooves.

“What are they?”

“The locations where Water Lord Rarity, Wonderbolt Rainbow and metal bender Applejack are staying. I assume they'll be waiting for you.”

Diamond's eyes lit up. “Thank you! I'll go see them immediately!” She turned and galloped out of the room. She was a few feet out the door before she realized there was a fourth address, before cringing.

It was for Plasmahoof. Her old fire bending teacher. It seemed he was staying at her aunt's home. She frowned for a few moments and thought about it. Finally, she shook her head and started towards there. It had been a long time since she'd seen family.

“You're moping,” Celestia said with a big grin as she glanced to her brother.

“I am NOT moping,” Luna said, his voice tinted with annoyance.

“You totally are. You wanna know how I can tell?”

“Not that I am moping, but how?”

Celestia held up her glass of ice. Luna blinked a few times, before eeping and waving his hoof so it turned back to water.

“T-that means nothing!”

“Awwww, come on. Admit it. You miss him.”

“I... may miss his company to a mild degree.”

“You want to huuuuuug him.”

“Stop it.”

“You want to kiiiiiiiss him.”

“Knock it off.”

“You want to go back to Harmony and tackle glomp him.”

Luna took a slow, deep breath. Before shrugging and waving his hoof, the water exploding out of the cup and nearby pitcher to splash on Celestia. The mare looked barely phased. “You're just proving my point.”

“I merely miss his company. It was... enjoyable compared to my current companion.”

“You could have insisted that he come with us. I would have.”

Luna snorted. “He was... already on the rocks enough as it was. Forcing him to come to our country against his will would have hardly done much to relieve those fears.”

“I never said anything about forcing. Come on, you've got a cute enough body, I'm sure you could have thought of ways to entice him and--”

“ENOUGH!” Luna roared, his face turning bright red. “I... I will do no such thing. My relationship with Button... he will come to terms with it on his own. Without... tricks.”

“It's not tricking a pony showing them how you feel about them,” she said with a smile. “Well, okay, SOME ponies use it to trick ponies, but you don't. Come on, just admit it. You wish he was here.”

Luna sighed and gazed out over the horizon, his eyes staring at the blank, empty expanses of water and fields below. “I... do wish he was here. But this is for the best. Distance will... serve us well. It will allow me time to settle my own emotions as well. Without his consistent...”

“Inane chatter?”

“Yes, some of it was inane. But that was just the way he was,” Luna mumbled softly before closing his eyes and putting a hoof over his heart. “Even if he wasn't quite the most... intelligent pony I ever met, he was creative. He had a rather... unique way of looking at the world. So full of life and excitement. So loyal. So... loving. A pony like that... anypony would be lucky to have.” He then gave another sigh. “And I cannot force him if he does not wish to be with me. It is better we separate now, lest I get too attached. Let him sort out his feelings, then decide if he wishes to come with me.”

“I still think you should have just kept him locked down. You could have easily convinced him.”

“Maybe. But he has to decide on his own if he wants to be with me. It has to be his decision. His... desire. He doesn't deserve to have to settle for somepony who he's not fully interested in.” He lowered his head. “And for all my faults, I know I deserve somepony who truly wants me.”

Celestia sighed and put a hoof over his shoulders. “Awwww, come on, Luna. Don't be like that. You're awesome, you deserve all the cute mares and stallions you want.”

“Mmph...” the prince grumbled.

“And he'll come around, he's just kind of slow.”

“Probably. And if he doesn't...”

“If he doesn't, I'll use him as a lightning rod.”

Luna burst into laughter, covering his mouth. “Don't you dare, I'll beat you to within an inch of your life.”

“Fine, I won't. But it got you smiling, at least,” she said with a snicker before glancing back on the horizon. “He will come around, though. I bet right now he's thinking about you. Missing you.”

Button groaned and laid on one of the benches, panting with exertion. He'd tried everything, tapping, dancing, pounding, even begging. Yet the metal refused to move in the slightest. Copper just stared at him. “How do you make it look so easy?” he asked softly.

“Practice.”

“But how can I practice it if I can't even get it right from the beginning?” he asked before shaking his head. “I'm pathetic...” he muttered, holding his face.

“Yes, you are. Get up and try again.”

“Ughhhhhh. I don't want to.”

“Then give up.”

“I don't want to!”

“Then get up and try again.”

Button groaned, but slowly got to his hooves and tapped the metal rock again. He gave a sigh and shook his head. “How can I ever be a metal bender if I can't even metal bend...”

“You can't, obviously,” Copper said, before putting her hoof on his. “Feel it. Feel the earth. Sense it.”

He sighed, tapping his hooves again as his frustration built up. He then pulled back. “What if I can't?”

“It's possible,” Copper said softly.

He blinked a few times. “Wait, what?”

“It's entirely possible. Some ponies can't metal bend. Their talents lie elsewhere.” She looked him up and down. “Perhaps you cannot. Perhaps instead you can lava bend.”

Button sighed and face hoofed. “Dang it. I have to, though. My mom was a metal bender, my...” He shook his head. “If she can do it, why can't I?”

“You're not your parents. You need to sense better. You need to feel the earth, sense the--”

“I know! I just can't do it through all the metal, okay? I can barely even sense things through normal dirt, it's impossible through metal!”

Copper went silent, eying him.

He glared back for a few moments, before lowering his eyes. “Right. I'm sorry. I know it's not your fault... I'm just... frustrated, you know? I've been trying so hard and... getting so much better. But I still can't do this. I just... I just don't know what's wrong with me...”

“Failing to do something doesn't mean something is wrong with you. It only means you failed.”

He sighed and then blinked a few times, before looking up at her. “Copper?”

“Yes?”

“You're uhhh... well, I mean... I think I've only ever heard you say three words. Yep, nope and uh huh. Well, four words. Why uhhh... are you taking such an interest?”

She blinked a few times, before looking back to the stone. “Lava... bending is interesting. I am curious.”

“Curious?”

“How you do it. What is it about you that... makes you able.”

He blinked a few times. “O-oh. I thought just... I mean, but you're a metal bender, right? That means you can... well, I mean, it's way cooler than lava bending.”

She blinked a few times. “Neither is cooler. They are just different. A new style of bending means new methods can be developed. What is it about it that makes it so special? How are you able to do it?”

Button blinked and looked back down. “I... maybe it's because of my fire bending? I mean, I've been training in fire bending. Diamond taught me and I just... learned from there. I guess. Maybe the two are connected?”

“Maybe. You have a gift, Button. Do not believe it is useless just because it is different from mine.”

Button nodded slowly, gazing down at the rock. He then smiled. “Hey, uhhh... you wanna try a little... sparring match? My lava bending versus your metal bending?”

Copper tapped the ground, chunks of metal rising into the air. “Yes.”

Button stared for a moment, before the color started to drain from his face. He quickly realized who he'd just challenged and gave a little squeak.

Author's Note

Wow. I've actually been getting a sizable viewing this time, a bit blown away. Thanks everyone! I'm so happy you guys seem to be enjoying the story so far and I hope you keep liking it. I've ALMOST finished re-reading the second book. Oh man I'd forgotten how much foreshadowing I'd snuck in for the upcoming story.

Chapter 5: Practice

Silver groaned before she climbed out of bed, giving a soft yawn. An hour or two was more than enough, she was sure. It was more of a nap, at least. She adjusted the invisible necklace around her throat and sighed. She really should try to contact Trixie, she could feel it. There was just this strange feeling about it. It was making her feel uncomfortable. Maybe after she took care of all her other tasks. She sniffed the air, something smelt good.

She soon followed her nose to the kitchen and was surprised to find two pegasi sitting there, breakfast on the table before them, but now mostly cold. The two were chatting away about some inane flight thing or another. Something about a wind vortex. She trotted past them and poured herself a small cup of coffee, unaware the conversation had stopped. She then glanced back towards the two, sipping her drink.

“Good morning, Miss Spoon,” Leadwing said softly.

“Mmmm,” she mumbled back. “I thought you two would be gone by now. Where'd Diamond go?”

“I think to get some practice in,” True said, eying her. “Are you feeling okay? You look distressed.”

“Just a long night and it's looking like I'm going to have a few more,” she said before giving a soft yawn.

“That's a shame. A pretty young thing like you should get all the rest she needs,” True said with a little wink.

“A package came for you while you were out. Said it was from the Fire Tribes,” Leadwing said.

Silver nearly dropped her coffee. Slowly it drifted back to the table and her fake horn fizzled, just a little bit. “Daddy... sent me something. I swear, it better be... souvenirs.” She stormed out, leaving the two pegasi confused as she made her way down the hall. Before coming right back. “Where's the package?”

“Err... over there,” True said, pointing towards the counter.

It was a small, brown box. Silver walked over and pulled it off the counter, tearing it open and spilling the contents on the ground. Her eyes twitched slightly as she read through the letter. “GAHHHHHHH! Really daddy, REALLY?”

“Errr... is something wrong?” True asked weakly.

“Ugh, everything. He found out what I planned, now he's trying to get his hooves involved and... I swear, if I find out which pony leaked this to him that pony is going to be janitorial duties for months,” Silver muttered as she looked through the files of suggested ideas for her new projects. “How did he even find out about them so fast? It's been like... a day! Did they contact him the moment I submitted them? Gahhhhh!”

“Are they... bad ideas?” Leadwing asked.

“No, they're actually pretty good but that just makes it worse!” Silver muttered before closing the box. “Can't just let me do one thing on my own, has to jump into every little thing and try to help me. No no, stars forbid he actually let me do something on my own. I might actually make some mistakes and learn something,” she muttered with annoyance.

“I... I'm sure he's just doing it because he cares,” Leadwing offered.

“Of course he cares! He's the best daddy ever but I wish he'd, just once, let me do something on my own. I couldn't even go with the Avatar on my own without having to drag him along for the ride,” she muttered. “Even if his ships ended up helping us in the end and aghhhhh. I'd better just send these to research and development and then kill one of those ponies when I find out who told him.”

“Err... there there?” True said softly.

“Whatever. I'm going to go get some more sleep before I kill a pony,” she grumbled darkly, her mood ruined. “You two can stay as long as you like, I guess. Just don't come into my room, okay? I really need to get some sleep. Do you know when Diamond will be back?”

“Probably not for a while,” True said with a shrug. “Practice and all that.”

“Right, of course,” Silver muttered before dumping her coffee down the sink. “I'll deal with his notes later. After I've gotten some rest.” She trotted out of the room, making her way back to her room. She closed and locked the door before frowning. She slowly crawled into her bed, before tapping the necklace. It appeared a moment later and she let out a soft gasp of pleasure.

She felt the sudden surge of power flow into her, the power of chaos. Of Discord. Her power, amplified. That was the one problem with having the necklace suppressed and hidden. It made it difficult to draw on its power. But now she could feel the full flow and it was oddly pleasing.

She gripped the power and let it flow through her, slowly drawing her out of her body. Her breathing was calm and steady until, finally, she opened her eyes and was once again in the Spirit World.

In front of her stood an all too familiar blue unicorn. “My my. Finally decided to visit me, huh? Having too much fun hanging out with your Avatar friends?”

“You... you could see that?” Silver asked softly.

“Parts of it, not all,” Trixie said with a dismissive wave of her hoof. “So then, little youngling, what is it you wished to talk with the Great and Powerful Trixie about?”

Silver blinked a few times before sighing. “I guess... this. All of... this. Discord's power. What can we do with it? What are the limits?”

The other mare merely shrugged. “I don't know.”

“What do you mean, 'you don't know'? How can you not know? You're... you were the first!”

“And Discord was kind of a monster. A sick, twisted, evil monster who had a firm 'figure it out yourself' method of training. Trust me. I know,” she said bitterly. “Made me learn fire, earth and air bending, then took them all away...” she grumbled bitterly.

“Huh?”

“Nothing. I barely even used these little... powers of his. I was only... grudgingly aware of having them. Don't depend on them, though. Unicorn magic is far superior. When it does something, it actually does what you WANT it to do. Instead of following some strange, made up rules that seem to act on an arbitrary method depending on how many geese have farted that day or something.”

Silver blinked a few times. “What? It's not THAT hard. I never had any trouble with it, well, after a while. I--” Her eyes widened. “W-wait. Trixie, did you never find out how to make this magic work?”

The Great and Powerful Trixie paled slightly. “O-of course I mastered them. But it would do no good for me to explain it to you, you'd never understand.”

Silver snickered a little, a hoof to her mouth. “Oh my goodness. You had no idea how to use this magic, did you? I thought it would be easier for a unicorn, you already have magic.”

“I-it was easy for the Great and Powerful Trixie!”

“Uh huh. Well... one thing I'm curious about. Are you actually Trixie?”

The blue unicorn opened her mouth, before blinking a few times. “Of... course I am the Great and Powerful Trixie. Who else would I be?”

“No... I mean... well, I always wondered. When I was a kid I heard you and Discord a lot. You two would talk to me. But then it kind of faded away and... a part of me thought I was crazy. If not for my powers... well...” She then sighed. “Well, my point is. Are you the real Trixie? Are you like... trapped in me? Is Discord in there, too? Or are you kind of like an after image? Some kind of... memory of Trixie, but not the real thing?”

Trixie looked shocked, before looking confused and a little worried. “The... Great and Powerful Trixie is... is of course herself. You are quite... stupid to even ask such a question. Stop asking such stupid questions.”

Silver blinked and cocked her head to the side. “Interesting, you don't know. I wonder if one day I'll be like you?”

“Of course I know!” she shrieked. “Be quiet, you foal!”

Silver shook her head and then glanced back. “And... Discord is here, isn't he?”

“Discord is dead.”

“But I still heard him.”

“He died, killed by Twilight,” Trixie said softly. “You've heard his echoes. The dying rasps of a wicked, evil creature that was as useless as he was stupid. Had he not betrayed me, had he not... followed his own stupid little games, we would have won. I would have won. Twilight would have fallen...”

“So his echo is still there though, isn't it? I... remember at times. Seeing through your life. You could still hear him, couldn't you?”

“From... time to time.”

“So there is at least some part of him still out there, still... watching over us.” She paused and reached up, rubbing her neck. “Is he still... does he still have power? Control over us?”

Trixie snorted. “Of course not. The power is mine, and...” She paused. “Ours now, I suppose. Discord could never control me.”

Silver blinked a few times, before smiling. “Thanks. I... needed to hear that. I uhhh... I'll see you around. I guess. Maybe.” She closed her eyes and slowly let herself drift back. She laid in bed, giving a soft sigh.

Then realized there was a knocking on the door. She sat up quickly, lifting a hoof to the necklace and making it disappear a moment later. “Who is it? What do you want?”

“It's me, Lady Spoon,” True's voice came from the other side of the door. There was a long pause before he spoke again. “I... merely wanted to let you know we'd be departing. It was a pleasure to meet you.”

She blinked a few times, cocking her head to the side. “Okay? Have fun.” She pulled her blankets up and sighed, thankful she'd locked the door. She didn't want to have to explain to anyone how the amulet was suddenly around her neck. She listened as he trotted off and then closed her eyes.

Maybe there was hope, after all. At least a little.

Diamond took a slow, deep breath before reaching out and gently knocking on the door. It took a moment before a pony answered the door, a butler. “H-hey. I uhhh... I'm here to see my aunt Sassy? Or... Plasmahoof? Is he here?”

The pony looked down at her, before nodding. “Of course. If you'll follow me.”

Diamond nodded and followed after him. To her surprise, the place looked far, far better. All the messes were cleaned up, the paintings and statues were out again and there weren't any hoards of families taking refuge anymore. It wasn't surprising, she supposed. The city had been fixed, there was now no more need to give all those ponies homes. She was brought to the tea room and cringed. There was Sassy, sitting across from a unicorn with a black coat and blue mane.

“Ah, niece. How sweet of you to join us,” the mare said with a smile. “Please, have a seat.” She motioned to the seat besides her.

Diamond slowly moved into position and soon a cup of tea was placed in front of her. “Soooo... uhhhh, Plasmahoof. Long time no see.”

The stallion gave a sigh and then nodded. “Indeed. I was... less than thrilled by this request, but your aunt paid a considerable amount for it.”

“Uh huh,” Diamond said, glancing to the elder mare.

“I merely wanted to make sure at least one of your teachers was somepony you remembered from your past,” Sassy said with a smile. “With all these changes going on in your life, I thought some familiarity would do you good.”

Diamond nodded, before sighing. “I... suppose that's true enough. I can definitely use some help on my fire bending, after all.”

Plasmahoof choked on his tea, covering his mouth with his hoof. “P-pardon me.”

“Are you okay?” Diamond asked, staring at him.

“Q-quite alright.” He coughed into his hoof. “You need help?”

“Of course. If there's one thing I learned, it's that my fire bending is nowhere near as good as I thought it was. I mean, it is pretty good. But there are still so many better fire benders. Twilight was definitely amazing. Sunset was far, far better than I'd ever been. I still have a long, long way to go.”

Plasmahoof just stared at her as if she'd grown a second head.

“Is something wrong?”

“N-no. Nothing is... wrong,” he said, his voice filled with confusion.

“I think it's marvelous. Your father is looking forward to seeing you. I sent him a letter, informing him of your return to the city. I haven't heard back from him yet, though.”

Diamond sighed. “I should... try to make some time to visit him soon. Perhaps once this... Meadowbrook incident has been dealt with.”

“Perhaps you could visit sooner,” Sassy said before sipping her tea. “After all, your father has barely seen you since you came to the city. Even I rarely see you outside of council meetings.”

Diamond blinked. “That... reminds me. Why aren't you with the council? I thought... well, you of all ponies would be there?”

“Why? There is little we can do at the moment. We all have our ponies out and about, searching for some sign of Meadowbrook and the others.”

“Well... yeah, but you're almost always all there.”

“Since you've arrived, there has been a near constant state of emergency. Right now is... oddly peaceful. There is a disaster on the horizon, but there is little we can do about it until we have more information. Fortunately, it is not yet directly affecting our city. So, for the moment, there is mostly paperwork to attend to.” She sipped her tea. “Much of which I can do from here.”

“Oh. I guess... oh,” Diamond muttered.

“Be thankful you're not a member of the council, Diamond. Otherwise, you too would be buried under paperwork until you could barely stand.”

The alicorn shuddered then. “Good point. So, uhhh...” She looked to Plasmahoof. “Would you be good to try training me now?”

“Of course. Where shall we?”

“The front yard will work,” Sassy said quickly. “But do try to keep your blasts from...” She frowned. “How about you two head down to the arena? It's off season right now, so there should be rooms available to practice.”

Diamond nodded and got to her hooves. Plasmahoof frowned. “I'm... not familiar with that place.”

“I'll take you, don't worry,” Diamond said before trotting towards the door. The stallion watched her warily, his eyes narrowing slightly. Once they were outside, he glanced towards her.

“You must respect your aunt very much.”

“Of course. She's family, after all.”

“Mmm hmm... I can see that.”

“Huh?”

“Nothing. Let's go, Avatar. Show me the way.”

Diamond nodded and walked ahead, guiding him through the streets. “Have you liked your stay so far?” she asked, glancing back to him.

“Hmmm? Oh, it's been quite alright. I've had a few matters to attend to and tried a bit of diamond dog cuisine. I was quite impressed, I wasn't aware you could make a ruby so soft and spicy.”

The alicorn blinked a few times and looked around. “You know... now that I think about it, I haven't tried any of the things around here. Was it really that good?”

“It wasn't the kind of thing I found obscenely delightful,” he said with a shake of his head. “But it was a unique experience. You should try it, while you get the chance. This entire city is filled with so many different races, you could get just about anything here. It could be a good growing experience for you.”

She nodded again. “You're right. I'll have to make sure to give it a try. Maybe I can convince Silver to try it with me. Thanks for the tip.”

He stumbled slightly, before shaking his head. “Of course... Avatar.”

It wasn't long before the two of them came to the arena and she was let in with a few quick words with the staff. Once they were in, she turned and smiled to him. “Okay, so... is something wrong?”

He just stared at her, his eyes narrowed. He then glanced towards her horn, followed by her wings. “It's... nothing, Avatar. Please, give me a quick demonstration of what you've learned.”

She nodded before taking a deep breath. “I'm sorry but... I should admit. I haven't had much chance to practice fire bending since getting it back. I did a little bit of training with Sunset but... well, we parted ways a while ago. I do hope she's okay.”

“Sunset?”

“Oh, Twilight's daughter.”

He nodded. “Ahhhh. Of course. I... had heard something about your previous incarnation's daughters appearing. I do hope you weren't... too rude to her.”

“I don't think I was,” she said, before taking a deep breath and then going into her stances, moving forward and thrusting out.

Plasmahoof eyed her again, shaking his head as he watched. “You've... become less aggressive, I see.”

“Huh? Oh, yeah. Sorry, should I try to be more?” she asked, smiling to him. “I'm just trying to follow more of what Sunset taught me.”

Plasmahoof stared at her, his mouth falling over slightly. Finally, his eyes narrowed. “Okay, that's it. Avatar, what happened to you? You're... well...”

“Yes?”

“Tolerable!” he finally snapped.

She blinked a few times, cocking her head to the side. “Ex... cuse me?”

“You're actually asking for advice! When we walked in here, you were polite to the staff. You actually LISTENED to me when I told you about the cuisine, rather than being your normal, obnoxious self and bragging about some inane thing or another.” He waved his hoof from side to side. “It's like... you're a whole different pony! It hasn't even been a year since I last saw you, what happened?!”

Diamond blinked a few times, before lowering her eyes. “A... lot happened,” she said softly. “I failed. I messed up. I made mistake after mistake after mistake. I cost... not just myself so much, but my friends and family. I learned I wasn't as important as I thought I was, that I wasn't the center of the universe. I... I just... failed.” She closed her eyes. “And you're right. I wasn't... good. I didn't want to learn. I wanted to be the best, but I didn't want to earn it. I thought because I was the Avatar, that made me as good as all the other Avatars. No, that it even made me better. But I was wrong. I know that now. And now I want to learn. I want to get better. I want to get stronger. The world needs me. Just like it needed Twilight, and Starswirl and Nyx. I can't just say 'I'm the Avatar, so I'm good enough' anymore. I tried that with Meadowbrook and so many things went wrong. Ponies got hurt. Ponies almost died. Because I couldn't stop her.” She opened her eyes and looked up at him. “I may be the Avatar, but that doesn't mean I can slack off and just coast by. I have to fight, I have to learn. I have to grow strong. Because those who are going to go up against me are going to do the same. If I want to be anything like Twilight, I have to work just as hard as she did to make sure I don't fail.”

He stared at her for a few moments, before nodding. “I see. Well, Diamond. I must say, whoever your new teacher is who taught you these things... he or she must have been very skilled.”

The alicorn chuckled nervously and nudged the ground. “Yeah. Prism is a pretty good teacher. He taught me... quite a lot.” She then dug her hooves into the ground, forming a fire at the tip of her horn. “Now, can we continue? I'm going to have to train with Rarity, Applejack and Rainbow later, so I want to make sure I can learn as much as possible before then.”

Plasmahoof nodded, before turning towards the dummy. “Very well. We can start off at the basics.” He waited for her to roll her eyes, but instead she just watched him intently. “You know how to form the flame, but from there we need to move onto the basic movements. Practice is the key. A move practiced a thousand times is far more dependable than a thousand moves practiced once each.”

Prism smiled and gently held up one of the cheese covered chips to his mouth, nibbling it. “See? We should do this more often. I have all the best ideas.”

Blaze rolled her eyes as their minotaur server came and filled their water. “Except I was the one who chose this place,” she said with a soft chuckle.

“Ah, yes. But I was the one who said 'Eh, you choose. Whatever you feel like.' And see? It turned out fabulously.”

She snorted and shook her head. “You're intolerable.” She then slowly put a wing around him. “Though... you seem a bit lighter today.”

He looked down. “Huh? I don't think I've lost any weight.”

“No, not like that.” She sighed and then leaned up, nuzzling his ear. “Happier. Calmer. More... the stallion I married.”

He blinked a few times, before sighing. “I guess I just... well... I realized there's no point in being caught up in the past, you know?”

“Does this mean you and Ironwing made up?”

He cringed a little, before nodding. “Yeah. Sorta. I mean... yes? In a way? I just...” He gave a soft sigh. “We're getting there. It's not easy but... well, piece by piece, I guess. I don't really... hate him right now. I just think like.... we'll be fine. Just need a bit of time apart.”

“Mmmm. And you're mommy's back,” she teased.

“Ugh, don't remind me. I'm not sure Harmony can survive it this time,” he said with a snicker. “Really, though, I just missed you. It was... well, the trip was weird. A lot of the times just weird. But... I'm not used to not having you around.” He leaned up and nibbled her ears. “I didn't even realize how much I missed you until I came home and you... well, weren't there with me.”

She sighed. “I know, the council--”

“The council needed you. Harmony needs you. I know and I'll never argue that. You're one of the reasons this city even still stands.” He then closed his eyes and put a hoof around her waist. “But sometimes I still miss you. And I think I've spent too much time focusing on the things I've lost. I'm not going to be training Diamond for a while, so I think this is the perfect opportunity to try and show my wonderful wife just how much she means to me.”

She snickered softly before closing her eyes and resting her head on his shoulder. “Well... I guess that's not a bad idea. Having a loving, doting husband for a little bit might be a fun experience. Maybe I'll even get used to it.”

He snickered softly. “Don't get too attached. I'm sure work will spring up around us eventually. But... for now, I think it's time I made up for all that time we lost on this trip.” He leaned up and gave her lower lip a little nibble.

Button groaned and collapsed in his chair, struggling to avoid collapsing face first into his hay salad. He was covered in bruises and if he didn't know better, he'd swear Copper was enjoying this. As powerful as his lava bending was, he didn't seem to have much control or accuracy with it yet, mostly just turning the ground to lava and being able to mildly direct its flow. He couldn't control the direction very well, either.

She sat besides him, eating her sandwich quietly.

“So, uhhh... you're pretty good,” he said softly.

“Mmmmm hm.”

“I didn't think... well... I mean, I-I almost had you when I tried to knock you into it.”

“Mmmm... nnnnnope.”

He sighed. “Yeah, you're right.”

She glanced to him. “You don't want to hurt me.”

He cringed and poked his hooves together. “I... well... no.”

She nodded, taking another bite. “Should focus on maneuverability.”

“Huh?”

“Don't want to hurt? Disable movements.”

“Lava can't really do that, like metal bending can. I can't just like... bind someone up with lava ropes. That'd kill them.”

She shook her head. “Lava isn't metal.”

“I know, exactly. There's no real... well, way to use it defensively. I can't just bind you up with it.”

She shook her head. “Can't lava bend.”

“You can't? I know, but it's just like...” He gave a frustrated sigh and buried his head on the table. “I'm hopeless...”

Copper shrugged. “Learn it. Master it. Don't want to kill, find ways not to.”

“I wish I could metal bend, it'd be so much easier to fight like that...”

“Why?”

“I know how to fight like a metal bender. Mom showed me like a hundred thousand times. Power, force, unbending. Then you can bind people up, even fire benders can't get out of it. I mean... well, I guess...”

“Melted metal,” she said softly, before taking another bite.

“Yeah, but that's about it. It's so... offensive.”

“You're an offensive fighter.”

“Yeah, but I need to be more like... you. Controlled, strong, stoic. A real metal bender. Not some useless lava bender,” he muttered before flicked off a small oat from his salad. “You're so lucky, you know?”

“Mmmm?”

“You're just so... talented. And skilled. I wish I could have been more like you... more like mom,” he muttered softly.

Copper sighed, before finishing her sandwich. She got to her hooves and started to walk off.

“Huh? Where are you going?”

“Work. Busy.”

“Huh? But we were...” He paused and blinked, before giving a nod. “R-right. Sorry, I just thought... yeah. Thanks for the help. It uhhh... it was nice.”

“Mmmm,” she muttered, giving a small shrug before trotting off.

Button sighed and slowly rolled a tomato around on his plate, before shaking his head. “Why am I so bad at this? Why can't I just metal bend? What's the point of having a special bending style if I can't do the one that really matters?” He picked up his tomato and popped it into his mouth. “I hope Acrylic is doing better than me...”

Acrylic followed closely behind his commander, a mare by the name of Icytouch. Her coat was a dark blue and she had a light blue mane. He tried his best to keep his heart from pounding, but it refused to keep calm.

He was actually a Moon Raiser. Maybe not a high ranking member, but he was a member. He had all the rights and responsibilities of a member now. He knew he could have been one just about any time, but he felt like he had earned it. Without his mother's influence.

However, his mind flashed back to what Tittering had said. Despite the many, many times he had been annoyed by Diamond, she was his friend. She'd grown a lot, too, so she wasn't so bad. He wondered if maybe there had been a reason they'd ended up together. What if there really was something special about him? He then snorted at that thought.

“Something funny, recruit?” Icytouch asked.

“What? No ma'am, just thinking.”

“Should be careful about that, too much is bad for your health,” she said as she trotted across the dock. There were only a few ships there, in the midst of being unloaded. A quiet day. “So, tell me about yourself.”

“Huh? There's not really a lot to tell.”

She snorted. “Really? You are the son of Vinyl, aren't you?”

His cheeks turned red. “Y-yeah, but I'm not like mom. I don't... have ten thousand stories or anything like that.”

“You were a pro bender, weren't you? And aren't you a friend to the Avatar?”

“Diamond? Well, yeah, but... neither of those things are who I am. Besides, I didn't really do much to help Diamond...”

“You cut the Staff of Sameness in half, don't deny it. Buck, I was there, it was quite the sight.”

Acrylic froze, his mouth falling open. “W-what? But the Moon Raisers had been evacuated, they--” The words caught in his throat.

“All but those who had become unmarked, yes?” she asked with a cocked eye. “It... well, it sucked. I was one of the worst. But I'm not an unmarked anymore. See?” She motioned to her flank, which was covered in her blue garments. “Well... you could see if not for the uniform. Anyway, I was there and I saw you fighting. It was one of the reasons I offered to take you under my horn.”

He nodded. “O-oh. Right... I uhh... sorry. I was there, but it wasn't really... me. It was Diamond who got the staff away from her and gave me the opportunity. I just was in the right place, at the right time.”

“There's a lot of good that can come of things like that,” she said with a smile, before giving a soft chuckle. “You don't need to be so serious, we're not looking for pirates. We're basically glorified life guards and--” Her horn whipped out and a tendril of water shot out from under the pier a moment later, surging up. He heard a shriek a moment later and saw the tendril, turned to ice and wrapped around two ends of a snapped rope supporting a large crate. “Maintenance ponies.”

“I... I didn't even hear it snap,” Acrylic said softly.

“It happens all the time, you get used to it. Little accidents,” she said with a shrug. “Nopony gets hurt, but they can cause a lot of damage. Though... sometimes ponies will get hurt.” She gave a soft sigh. “You're on the pier, we aren't the most... there's not a lot of glory here. To be honest, no real threats EVER make it this deep. We get a few drunk ponies, those looking for fights, but pirates or things like that would never get this far. Most of what we do is helping with little accidents like that, trying to stop them from becoming big problems.” She then waved a hoof. “So they put the ponies like us here. Those who need to learn still.”

He blinked and then looked back to the rope, then back to her. “But... you were so fast. You can't work on the higher positions?”

She shook her head. “Nope, afraid not. Can't go on boats, I get sea sick.”

Acrylic blinked a few times, before snickering.

“What?”

“W-what? That was kind of funny. A water bender who gets sea sick.” He gave another chuckle before realizing she was just watching him. “Wait... you're serious?”

She nodded. “Of course. Really nasty, too. I can't even make a path of ice on water without a bit of time to relax. Air ships are even worse for me. Ten, twenty minutes and I'm practically dead.” She tapped the wood underhoof. “That's why I work the piers. Nice and stable, easy to keep solid footing and if anything happens, I can usually help it from here.”

“What if somepony falls into the water and you need to fish them out?”

“Water funnel,” she said with a nod. “Or I get one of the others.” She turned and kept walking across the pier. “Congratulations, you'll usually be others.”

He nodded. “Oh. I'm uhhh... sorry to hear that.”

“Mmmm, it happens. We all have something. I'm kind of curious about you, though. You're Vinyl's son, a pretty talented pro-bender and a personal friend of the Avatar. Why in the world are you working the piers? I can understand you not being with the actual Moon Raisers, but why aren't you on the boats running patrols?”

He gave a soft sigh. “My... well, my bending is still kind of sub par.”

“Really? But you were a pro.”

“I was a pro water bender. Unfortunately... you can't use ice or other bending in the pro leagues. I never really studied them, I thought water would be... enough.”

She gave a soft snicker. “Ahhhh. I see, focused too much? Well, it can't be that bad. I'm sure you'll catch up eventually. You've been practicing a lot, right?”

He nodded. “Y-yeah. I just don't... really seem to have a lot of power no matter what I do, though. I might just... not be that good.”

She gave a soft snicker. “Really? Not that good? I find THAT unlikely.”

“What? Why?”

“The reasons I've already listed,” she said with a snicker. “Well, just practice practice practice! Learn all about water bending, practice practice!”

He gave a nod. “I've been working on that, actually. Even tried mixing other styles with mine. Fire, earth, wi--”

“What? How could that help any?”

He paused a moment, before coughing. “W-well, I uhhh... I'd seen a few benders who had mixed stances and stuff from other bending styles to theirs. Like fire bending. It worked rather well for them and--”

“Don't. Just, don't. That's stupid,” she said with a light snort. “You want to be a good water bender? Then practice water bending. Learning how to fire bend without the right skills and abilities of a fire bender is just weird.”

“But they--”

“They're wrong,” she said with a snort. “Have you ever seen any of the Moon Benders trying to fire bend?”

He shook his head. “W-well, no. I mean, I just...” He sighed again. “I've seen benders a lot better than me who did, though.”

“And if they'd just focused on their elements, then they'd have probably been even better. How much success have you had on using these other elements, anyway?”

“N-none, honestly.”

“There you go. Proof.” She gave him a smile. “Listen, I understand. You want some kind of short cut to become good, but there isn't one. You don't become a good water bender by learning how to bend other elements. They don't mix like that. There's nothing the other elements could teach you.”

He sighed and gave a nod, looking off to the side. “I... guess you'd know better than me. Have you ever heard of... well, anypony mixing their magic with their element?”

“What?”

“Well... like... magic. Using it alongside bending?”

She shook her head. “No. But at least it's less silly than trying to bend other elements.”

He nodded slowly, a small smile on his face. “Y-yeah. I guess... is kind of silly.”

Diamond sat down, panting with exhaustion with her eyes closed. Plasmahoof sat across from her, in a similar state. “Well, Avatar, I must say you have improved dramatically since last I saw you. You're adapting quite quickly to your instructions. Your control is getting better, too.”

“Control?” she asked softly.

“Indeed. You were always a strong bender. I remember many of our training sessions, it was as if you had absolutely no control, you always tried to overpower and crush your opponents to dust.”

She gave a soft groan. “I tried to do that to Prism, so many times. It... didn't work.”

He nodded. “That's good, you've learned then.” He eyed her a few moments before slowly getting to his hooves. “Avatar, I think I'm done for today.”

She blinked a few times. “What? Already? But we only just started!”

“Yes, but... the lessons I had planned won't work now.”

“They won't? Why?”

“I was expecting the... old you as my student. You've grown, my methods will have to grow with them.” He gave a small smile. “It's a good thing. I just need a bit more time to adequately prepare before we continue our lessons. Perhaps you should go visit one of your other teachers?”

Diamond nodded and stretched out, making her back pop. “Ugh... yeah, I guess I can.” She bowed her head. “Thank you. It was a pleasure training with you.”

He eyed her for a moment, before bowing as well. “Yes, Diamond. It... was quite a pleasure training you.” He watched her leave, before rubbing his chin. “It's as if she's a whole new mare. Maybe... there was a reason she was chosen, after all.” He then glanced towards a small stack of papers sitting on a nearby bench. his horn glowed and they burned to ash within moments. "Makes my job harder, though."

Author's Note

No sooner do I start getting things in order, then everything starts to explode! We get a new manager who's trying to drown us in paperwork and has no idea how anything works, medical conditions decide to grab me by the back of the neck and slam me into the mud and finally I have a nice lil panic attack.

Guh. I swear I'd give like, almost anything to just get a chance at a job in IT. At least then I'd be using my degree for something. Still, all of you readers help make it a lot more bearable and it's good to know someone appreciates my work. I hope you guys enjoy the story even if it has been slow.

Chapter 6: Pain

Diamond hummed softly as she stood outside the door, checking the address one last time before leaning up and giving it a small knock. It took a few minutes before the door was pulled open, revealing an orange pony within. Applejack grinned down at her. “Well howdy there, Avatar. Fanceh seein' yah here.”

“I uhhh... was curious if you'd like to start the lessons?” she asked with a little smile. “Sorry if I'm bothering you, I know it's still early and--”

Applejack burst into laughter. “Early? Sunrise happened almost a day ago! Yah didn't think ah'd still be in bed, did yah? It's past noon!”

“Well... I guess not. I mean, Rainbow is still probably--”

“Rainbow ain't the type tah get up 'fore somepony comes an' bucks the cloud out from under her,” she said with a snicker. “Me? Ah rise with the rooster. Years of workin' on the farm. Ah gotta say, though. Ah didn't expect tah see yah for a while. Ah figured yah'd want a few days tah rest an' relax 'fore yah got to the heavy work.”

Diamond blinked and then gave a nod. “I... wanted to. I guess. But I just... well, Meadowbrook is out there and--” To her surprise, her mouth was covered by the other mare's hoof. Applejack stared down at her with a serious look on her face.

“Ah think yah'd best come inside. Come on.” She turned and trotted inside, directing Diamond to a small table to the side. The room had been a rather nice, heavily decorated suite. Now all the fancy rugs and blankets had been gathered up and tossed in the corner, leaving the room a bit plain looking. Diamond walked to the table and sat down.

“So, uhhhh...”

Applejack soon joined her, with a pair of mugs on her back. She tossed one to the table, before joining her. “Now, Diamond. Ah think it's time you an' ah had the talk.”

The alicorn blinked a few times, before her cheeks flared red. “W-wow, errr, I-I'm sorry, but I mean, y-you're not really my parent and--”

“Not that talk yah dunderhead!” Applejack said with a roll of her eyes. “Bad enough ah had tah give it tah Applebloom. Shoulda heard her whinin' 'Ah'm old enough tah know this, yah don't need tah talk about it! Please stop!' Anyway. It's about Twilight.”

Diamond blinked a few times and gave a nod. “O-oh. Right. Yeah, I know, she's... she was awesome.” She sipped the drink, then blinked a few times. “This... is really good.”

“Mmmm hmm! Sweet apple cider, ol' family recipe. Got a few barrels of the stuff now,” Applejack said before taking a quick gulp of hers and leaning back, letting out a soft sigh. “Ah, brings back memories. Yah know, the Apples still got some of the best farms out there, bring about some of the best apples yah ever tasted.”

“Do you still work the farms?”

“Nah. Ah wanna, but well... after what happened tah Sweet Apple Acres...” Applejack shook her head. “Jus' wasn't the same. Went tah teachin' full time, yah know? Been doin' it ever since.”

Diamond looked the mare up and down. She was old, with plenty of wrinkles. But she still had the body of a fighter, well toned and with powerful muscles. “I see.”

“Mmmmm. You're smart, kid. Mos' ponies make the mistake of sayin' 'At your age?' an' ah gotta teach 'em a lesson about respectin' their elders,” she said with a grin.

“I've learned my lesson lately. Besides, Rainbow's probably just as old and... well, she can kick my flank from here to Manehatten.”

The earth pony snickered and gave a nod. “Eeyup. Probably laughin' the whole way there, too.” She then gave a sigh. “Well, Diamond, ah jus' wanna let yah know. Hard work is important. Very important.”

The alicorn nodded. “I know. I'm trying my best and--”

“But it ain't the only thing.”

“Huh?”

“Ah know what you're thinkin' an', buck, ah used tah be the same way. Workin' mah flank off, tryin' tah get everythin' done. Always afraid ah'd fail.” She glanced down at her drink. “Tryin' tah make up for past mistakes. Blamin' mahself for stuff that ain't mah fault... but ah also saw Twilight do the same thing. That gal had it nearly as bad as ah did. Buck, she might 'ave had it worse. Sure, she wouldn't do much of the physical labor, she jus' wasn't the type. But she always had her nose buried in some book, always had tah be workin' tah bring peace an' prosperity tah all the ponies around her. As if the whole world would come tah a stop if she suddenly took a few hours tah rest.”

Diamond nodded a few times. “Yeah. She was really impressive...”

“Not as impressive as you're likely thinkin'. Mah advice for yah, kid, is learn tah pace yourself. Ah know yah probably think this whole Meadowbrook thing falls on your shoulders, that yah gotta train and push yourself tah the limit, fixin' ever pony else's mistakes. But that ain't what yah gotta do. Yah are allowed tah ask for help, you're allowed tah EXPECT help. Ah mean, jus' look at yah, you're still practically a filly.”

Diamond's cheeks flared. “I-I am not a child! I am a grown mare and have been one for years!”

“Ah please. Yah may be considered an adult, but yah still got that youth about yah.” Applejack snickered. “Yah should be out there, flirtin' with colts, playin' lil games with your friends. Tryin' tah find a job an' still livin' with your parents. Instead yah got the whole world watchin' your every move, holdin' their breath to see what yah gonna do next. Then blamin' yah when yah go an' don't do it right the first time.”

The alicorn's eyes lowered. “I... I need to do it right. I'm the Avatar. It's my--”

“Yeah, it's your responsibility. But that don't mean yah gotta do it alone. In fact, it means yah shouldn't.” She swirled her cup around a few times. “Twilight liked tah do that, yah know.”

“Huh?”

“Run off on her own. Every so often she'd get the idea in her head that if she brought us along, somepony might get hurt. Somepony might die. She was right, of course. Some of us did die. But... some of us came back, too.” She closed her eyes for a moment before shaking her head. “But yah know what it almost got her? Dead. Again an' again, runnin' off on her own would jus' push her to the breakin' point. Drive her tah where she couldn't take care of herself. Drive her tah where she needed us an' if we didn't try so hard tah save her daft flank, she'd have gotten herself plum killed. An' a dead Avatar ain't gonna do nopony any good.”

Diamond nodded slowly. “Yeah, I know. I need everypony around me. Why... uhhh, why bring this up? I mean... Rarity and Rainbow kinda... they've given me similar talks.”

“Well... yah tol' meh yah been trainin' a bunch taday, right?”

“Well, yes. Fire bending.”

“Ah jus' wanna make sure yah takin' a proper bit of rest between sessions. Ain't gonna do anypony any good if yah end up gettin' yourself all sprained and laid up in bed.”

The alicorn giggled into her hoof. “Oh, no. It's nothing like that. I'm really not that tired at all, it was mostly the basics. I recover fast, too.”

“Mmmm hm. It'd be that earth pony side of yah. Ah mean, ah loved Twilight like a sister an' all, but she got plum tuckered out far too quick for mah likin'. Ah swear half the time she was standin' on nothin' but sheer stubbornness.” She got to her hooves. “Well, come on. Let's go see if ah can teach yah a few new earth bendin' tricks.”

“O-okay,” Diamond said before getting up. She paused before drinking down the rest of her cider, then leaving the mug on the table, trotting after the mare.

“Yah know how tah metal bend yet, kid?”

“Errr... no, not really.”

“How about ah go an' teach yah, then. Ah tried teachin' Twilight, but she wasn't ever really able tah get it. Maybe yah'll have a bit more luck.”

Diamond blinked a few times before a grin formed on her lips. “That'd be awesome!”

Diamond shrieked as she flew through the air, her hooves and wings flailing wildly before her downward trajectory was stopped by another dirt pillar that shot up, hitting her back into the air, then a third catching her one last time before, finally, letting her hit the ground. She groaned, swirls in her eyes as Applejack just laughed into her hoof.

Diamond wailed as she galloped for her life, the wave of mud and dirt flowing behind her, before finally crashing down on her and burying her up to her neck. Applejack laughed out, shaking her head as she watched the Avatar struggle to get free.

Diamond screamed and ran as fast as her hooves could carry her, tears in her eyes as she bent the air around her and the ground under her to try and give her a bit of an edge. Large boulders came crashing down behind her, threatening to crush her. Finally, she was too slow and one crashed down ON her, slamming her into the mud for a moment before rolling off.

The alicorn groaned and shook her head, a bit dazed before her eyes finally fell on Applejack. The earth pony was laughing so hard she could barely stand.

“You're... enjoying this... aren't you?” she asked with a groan.

“Yah know how long it's been since ah been able tah really let go?” Applejack asked with a snicker. Before stretching a bit. “Half mah students are always 'wahhhh, Applejack, yah gonna break us!' ah mean, come on? Yah ever see a boulder cry for its momma?”

The alicorn shook her head. She yelped when the ground shot up, shoving her into the air, she spread her wings and barely managed to land on the ground before giving a sigh. “You're a uhhhh... pretty tough mare.”

“Of course ah am,” she said with a smirk. “Now, yah wanna go again?”

Diamond squeaked and shook her head. “No! I mean, yes, but, errr, h-how about we practice a little metal bending?”

Applejack snickered and gave a nod. “Very well.” She then grinned down at Diamond. “Yah ain't half bad, yah know. Ah mean, yah need a bit more polish on your earth bendin', but you're passable.”

She gave a sigh and nodded. “I try.” She then frowned. “Though... I can't imagine what you and Rainbow were like in your prime. If this is how you are now... how in the world did Twilight keep up with you two?”

She snickered. “What makes yah think she did?”

The alicorn blinked. “W-what? But she was the Avatar! She was the best at... well, all of the elements!”

“Now who gone an' told yah somethin' like that? Jus' a load of horsewash. When it comes tah earth bendin', ah was far better. Air bendin', well, Rainbow had her beat ten times in five seconds. An' water bendin'? Yah had Celestia, Rarity an' even Luna was a better fighter after her whole purgin' of Nightmare Moon. Now fire bendin'... well, she didn't exactly have a lot of competition.”

“But... but she was the Avatar.”

“So? Twilight was somethin' special, but that didn't make her the best.” She paused. “Though, she was a might bit stronger than yah are right now. Ah mean, yah seem tah be able tah go a bit harder, but she at least managed tah land a strike or two on me.”

Diamond sighed and lowered her gaze. “I'm sorry.”

“Aw, now don't yah go an' mope none. If landin' hits on meh was easy then everypony would go an' do it. Stars know ah'd deserve most of 'em. Come on, let's go ahead an' get yah a bit of practice.” She reached out and grabbed a small metal block in the corner of the room. “Now, how's your earth sensin'?”

“Not the best.” She walked over and sat down. “I'll be honest, my earth bending just... isn't that good. I always kind of focused on fire bending.”

“Really? Ah can't say ah'm really surprised.”

“What? Why?”

“Yah... well, yah fight a lot like Twilight. Not... all the way like her. But enough. Yah toss a lot of power inta your strikes. Unfortunately, yah ain't got nearly the precision an' control needed for them. It don't do yah no good tah be able tah take down a pony in one strike, if yah can't hit them ever.”

Diamond's cheeks flared. “Y-yeah. Sunset told me something... similar.”

“That's Twilight's daughter, right?”

“Yeah.”

“Ah wish ah coulda met her. Ah'll need tah go an' visit Manehatten someday soon, meet up with her. Ah'd love tah meet both her daughters.” She gave a snicker. “Ah bet Twilight was pleased as punch tah have a fire bender for her daughter.”

Diamond sighed. “Yeah. Probably. But she didn't really get to... spend a lot of time with her.”

The smile quickly died from Applejack's mouth. She held up the small metal orb and sighed. “Here. The basis of metal bendin' is a simple one. Yah need tah feel the earth inside the metal. Now, it ain't gonna work with all metals. Some are jus' too darn pure. But the stuff that ain't, yah can often bend. If yah get good enough, yah won't even need tah touch the metal, yah can feel it from a distance. But that's a pretty advanced technique so best yah start simple.”

The alicorn nodded and reached out, closing her eyes and tapping the metal with her hoof. Sadly, she didn't feel anything. “Sorry, I don't--”

“Ain't nopony able tah feel it on their first time,” Applejack said with a roll of her eyes. “Buck, ah invented the art an' only reason ah was able tah probably learn it was cause if ah didn't, all ah mah friends were gonna die!” She put the metal orb down. “Jus' keep tryin' an' don't get upset if yah fail a lil bit. It happens.”

Diamond nodded and tapped the metal a few more times.

Daring sighed and sat in the locker room, grinding her hoof into the bench. She couldn't help feeling a tiny bit annoyed and her eyes were leveled on the cause of her annoyance. Pinionwing. Smoothglide sighed as he closed his locker before grinning to the two of them.

“Good job, everypony. A nice, quiet day and a relaxing shift. You both did pretty great today. I know there was a bit of trouble with that water bender, but as you saw, most of the ponies here don't really want to fight with us.”

She nodded absentmindedly. She just focused on Pinionwing as the stallion seemed to be having a few troubles getting his rather soaking wet uniform off.

“I'll see you both here tomorrow, get a good night's rest,” Smoothglide said before trotting out the door.

“I know I will,” Pinionwing said with a chuckle before finally tugging his uniform off. “I don't think I've had to fly that hard in years! How about you, Daring? Exciting, huh?”

“I noticed,” she said with annoyance.

“Huh?”

“You were so... well...” She ground her hoof into the ground and sighed. “You have got to be one of the slowest fliers I've ever seen. I mean, that water bender was practically standing still and you just got walloped! What the buck?”

He cringed, his eyes lowering. “I... I just wasn't... I mean...”

“Not to mention our patrols. You get exhausted and we're barely going at a quick dash. Have you ever even FLOWN before?”

He nudged the ground a few more times with his hoof. “Yes, I just... I-I've never been the strongest flier and... I'm trying my best.”

“Yeah, I know. And it's incredibly frustrating. You're holding us all back, you know?” she said with a shake of her head before getting to her hooves. “Seriously, after that easy day I'm going to have to go for a real fly just to make sure my wings don't get all flimsy and brittle. You should come with me, get some actual exercise.”

He gulped, before giving a nod. “O-okay. If you... if you want.”

“Good, come on,” she said with a huff before trotting towards the door. He was all but hopeless, but MAYBE if she worked hard she could get him to a passable level. She shuddered and couldn't help but imagine having to work with a pony that slow for weeks at a time. She'd go mad with the sheer boredom. She didn't imagine how Smoothglide had put up with it, she'd been watching him. He had kept slowing himself down to allow Pinionwing to keep up. All she could feel was annoyance and frustration.

Button lowered his eyes as he hung his uniform up, sighing before resting his head against the locker. He hadn't been able to bend the smallest little metal pebble, let alone anything of substance. He'd failed. Horribly. It was all he could do to keep from bursting into tears as he stood there, his eyes clamped shut.

It wasn't fair. He'd tried so hard. He'd become a much better bender than before. Far better. He was possibly even better than a lot of the benders who he used to train with. Buck, he could even beat a bunch of the ponies who used to train him.

But they were metal benders now. And he was just a stupid, normal earth bender. He lifted his head up and thumped it against the locker, reveling in the irony that it was yet another bit of metal that he couldn't bend. At least, judging by how his head was starting to hurt a little bit. He didn't know what he was going to tell his mother.

He then shook his head before trotting to the mirror and smiling. “No. I'm not going to tell her anything. Button, you're GOING to figure this out. You're awesome. You're skilled. You're a bucking lava bender. Metal bending? You've got this. Heck, dozens of ponies, no, hundreds have it. You CAN learn it. You will learn it. You're just... taking a bit to find your groove. That's it. Learning as you go. Developing. But you WILL figure this out.” He then nodded and gave a grin. “Yeah. You've got this all figured out. You're awesome. You WILL do this. You CAN do this.” He nodded. “So tonight, you're going to go meet up with your friends, have a bit of fun and... brush today off. Tomorrow, you'll come back and learn how to metal bend. Yeah.” He smiled at himself, before giving a sigh and turning around, trotting off.

Acrylic hummed softly as he put his uniform away, before turning to look at himself in the mirror. He walked over and stared intently into his own face, before sighing.

“You know, you shouldn't be so vain,” Icytouch said with a chuckle.

“What?” he said, jumping before shaking his head. “No. It's not that. Just... thinking.”

“Oh? What about?”

“How I'm going to develop...”

“Well, you might get an inch taller or so, but I think you're probably done growing by now.”

“Not like that! I mean--” He stopped when he saw the smirk on her lips. “Oh. Right. A joke. No, I just mean...” He sighed and washed his hooves, splashing water on his face. “I need to get better at bending. I need to... find out how.”

“Tired of working with me already, eh? Can't say I blame you. I could be worse. Tittering would make you spend an entire shift listening to bad puns.”

He shuddered. “I've lived with my mother for most of my life. I've heard more bad puns than anypony should ever have to endure. That's not what I mean, though. I just... I need to get better.”

She snickered. “Don't worry about it so much. Why are you in such a rush?”

“I need to become a Moon Raiser. A real one. A pony who can... who can be depended on.”

“Uh huh. But aren't ponies already depending on you?”

“I... I guess, but I just...” He put a hoof to his forehead and shook it. “I don't mean like that. I mean depend on me to... do the right thing. To get the job done. I need to master my bending. Become a master. Like mom.”

“Uh huh,” she said flatly, before reaching out and patting his back. “Well, don't focus too much on it, kid. You're still young, go ahead and enjoy yourself! You don't need to be so serious.”

“Sure,” he muttered. “You can go ahead and go. I wanna get a bit more practice in.”

She sighed and nodded. “Fine. But you should try to go meet with your friends or something. Have some fun. Enjoy yourself. You don't want to turn into some old pony who spent their whole life training and never enjoying themselves,” she said before trotting away.

He sighed and shook his head, before leaning forward and resting his head on the counter. He didn't feel as if he'd learned anything today, even with all the practice. Most of it had been simple. He'd been able to teleport an orange at one point, but that wasn't quite as impressive as he'd hoped. He thought about what Icytouch said and glanced towards the door. “Maybe seeing the others would be a good idea. I'm sure they're probably at Silver's by--” He froze and paled, before shaking his head. “Maybe a bit of practice wouldn't be such a bad thing.”

Silver smiled and tossed the last stack of her paperwork on the out tray, a big grin on her face. Her little project was going perfectly, not surprising. They'd already had plenty of things they could use for the initial tests. For now it was just making a few alterations. She didn't know why they hadn't thought of it before.

It wouldn't be that profitable, she supposed. More of a charity thing now that she thought about it. There weren't many ponies who would benefit from it. She reached up and touched the invisible amulet around her throat. Maybe doing a bit of charity would be good for her, for now. They'd find a way to profit from it, she was sure. For now, she got to her hooves and stretched out.

Then frowned when she heard somepony knock on the door. She sighed and shook her head, trotting to it and glancing out the window. Just about dusk, she wondered who it would be at this hour. She had a few sneaking suspicions. When she opened the door she couldn't help but grin.

“Hi Diamond, Button, Acry--” She froze when she realized her third guess wasn't with them. She leaned forward and looked around, trying to catch sight of him but he was nowhere around. “Where's Acrylic?”

“Huh? We didn't see him,” Diamond said with a shake of her head. “Were you expecting him?”

“I just figured he would be with you two...” she said softly, before grinning. “I was, however, expecting you two,” she said with an exaggerated sigh. “I suppose it's my own fault. Being the only pony of our group who has a house all to her self. Prism and Blaze still putting on a show?”

“I have no idea. I'm not sure if he'll kick us out again tonight. Those trainees didn't come back, so maybe,” Diamond said with a chuckle. “You mind if I stay here again tonight?”

“Very well,” Silver said with a shrug. “You're practically moving in at this point.” She turned to Button. “How was your day?”

Button gave a sigh, lowering his gaze. “I... didn't really do anything. Completely failed,” he said softly.

Diamond sighed and reached out, patting him on the back. “It's okay, Button. You're still a lava bender, right? That means you've got a pretty cool talent! I mean, I'm the Avatar and I can't do that!”

Silver nodded. “Exactly. Come on in, you two. I just finished my work and was about to make something to eat. You're welcome to join me.” She turned and trotted off, towards the kitchen while the others followed her. “So, Diamond, how goes your training?”

“I did some fire bending practice and earth bending. I didn't actually see Rarity or Rainbow today.”

“Oh? How'd those two sessions go?”

Diamond blinked and hummed for a moment. “Oddly. My first was with Plasmahoof and... oh, right. Um, he was a really good fire bender my dad hired to train me back when... before I came here. He was really good but... well, he said he was having trouble training me. He wasn't really prepared for... how I am now.”

“How you are now?” Button asked.

“The fact I actually listen to what he tells me to do, instead of running off and saying I know better,” she mumbled with red cheeks. “I-I have gotten a lot better, I think. I don't... snap as much or anything.”

“You've gotten fine,” Silver said with a soft chuckle. “You've become a great pony, Diamond. A... real hero.”

“Yeah!” Button said with a nod. “Before you used to have like... this really hot, 'I'm better than you and I know it' attitude. But now you have this really hot 'It's okay, I'll save your butt and we'll be friends' attitude.”

Diamond snickered softly. “I appreciate the thought, but are you sure Luna will be okay with you calling other ponies hot?”

He blinked a few times, his eyes lowering again. “I... actually haven't thought about him all day...”

Silence reigned for a few moments and Silver gave another mental sigh. “So, Diamond, how about earth bending?”

“Applejack is brutal,” Diamond said with a shudder. “I thought Rainbow was bad, but Applejack might be worse.”

“Really? How?”

“Well, Rainbow likes to push you, make you keep up, runs off a lot. But Applejack... she likes to beat you up. She was tossing me around like a rag doll and I think she liked it. I don't know HOW Twilight survived her.”

Button snickered. “Well, she does have a bit of a reputation.”

“She almost broke my back at one point,” Diamond said with a shudder. “I can't imagine what being her student full time would be like. I don't think I'd survive more than a week.”

“How'd she say you were doing?” Silver asked before placing a few mugs of cocoa on the table before trotting back to the fridge.

The alicorn blinked and, slowly, a smile spread on her lips. “As... much as I hate to admit it, she said I was actually pretty good. Too much aggression, not enough not moving, but she said I was beyond a rookie.” She then gave a sigh. “But she tried to teach me metal bending, too. I didn't have any luck with that. I managed to get better with my earth sensing, though. But well... even when I could feel the earth in the metal, I just couldn't bend it. You know? It just like... wouldn't listen to me.” She glanced to Button. “How about you?”

“Me? I... w-well, I'm going great! Awesome, even, a total metal bending...” He then sighed. “Horribly. I can only catch the barest glimmer of earth in the metal. I don't know why I'm so bad at this! My mom can do it, why can't I?”

Silver sighed and reached out, patting his head. “Well, you're a lava bender. One of the only ones in the world. That has to mean something, right? Maybe you were just never meant to never be a metal bender. Maybe only a lava bender.”

Button grumbled and sipped his cocoa. “But I don't want to just be a lava bender. I mean, don't get me wrong. Lava bending is AWESOME! Like, the coolest thing ever! But... metal bending is what I'm supposed to do. Like... Diamond, imagine if you could lava bend, but you couldn't ummmm... water bend. How much would that suck? Being the Avatar without your elements?”

Diamond cringed. “Y-yeah. I guess that would be kind of... awful,” she mumbled gently. “I mean... it was. Remember when I got here? Couldn't air bend at all, kept feeling like...” She blinked a few times, before reaching out and putting a hoof on Button's hoof. “I'm sorry. You're right, that must be horrible for you.”

“Yeah, it is,” he said softly. “I just... I'd give almost anything if I could metal bend.”

Silver tossed a few things in a pot and turned up the heat, before walking over to sit by them. “Button, I understand. But... I'm sure you have these powers for a reason. You probably have a great destiny ahead, something you're meant to do that nopony else can do. Something... good and noble. I know it might not sound like the most reassuring thing, but there are plenty of ponies who'd give just about anything to be like you.” She smiled reassuringly to him. “And so what if you can't metal bend? Most earth benders can't. You're still an awesome earth bender.”

Button snickered. “I doubt I'm destined for anything good and noble. I mean, of the three of us I think I'm the LAST one who'd do that. I have the Avatar on one side, and the...” He paused for a moment. “Whatever your rank in Tomorrow Industries is across from me. You've both got a lot of better things ahead of yourselves than I ever will.”

Silver froze, almost dropping her mug. “I-I'd hardly call myself destined for anything good. I run a business. In fact, some ponies would call me the epitome of evil,” she said with a knowing grin, swirling her mug around.

Diamond rolled her eyes. “Oh please. EVERYPONY loves Tomorrow Industries. Your dad was blamed for half of what happened with Meadowbrook and just about everypony loves him again now. I don't think most could get away with that. ”

“That's because daddy is just... good with ponies. And we have a huge public relations department and try to take good care of them. Daddy knows how to get them to do whatever he wants,” Silver said with a snicker. “Me on the other hoof? I just make sure the lights stay on. With some help from Secretary.”

“You know what? I think we should stop talking about this stuff,” Diamond said with a wave of her hoof. “What we should do is try to cheer ourselves up. It's a... well, nice night out, the sky is clear, ponies are having fun. There's no sign of Meadowbrook yet. We've all had a long, tough day of work.” A grin formed on her lips. “I say... we go foal nap Acrylic and go out on the town. Have a real best buddies night out.”

Silver blinked a few times. “What? How? We don't even know where Acrylic IS.”

The three shared a look, before sighing in unison. “Training.”

Silence reigned for a moment, before Silver got to her hooves and trotted to the stove, shutting it off. “I suppose this can wait. Eating out again would be quite delightful.”

“I know how to break into the Moon Raiser facility,” Button said with a grin, before every eye fell on him. “What? Vinyl taught me.”

“Why?” Diamond asked. “I mean, I know she would do it. But why?”

“She said in the event he ever gets married and tries to skip his bachelor party.” He paused. “Which she threatened that she'd throw if I didn't.”

Silver and Diamond shared looks, their cheeks turning red. “Let's... just go foalnap him,” Diamond said before getting to her hooves.

Ironwing gave a soft, gentle yawn as he looked out over his paperwork, reaching out and marking down a few things. The frown on his face darkened as he came to the end and a small little section. He'd seen so many little mistakes today, but did it really matter? He wasn't in charge anymore. He was just a lower member. It wouldn't do for him to be filing complaints against his superiors. His squad mates would likely be changing often, too, so he might not even work with them again.

He chewed on his lower lip and stared at the comment section, his mind struggling and weighing all the pros and cons. He wasn't in control anymore, it wasn't his responsibility to monitor them. To control them. Both his hooves rose up and were placed to his forehead before he gave a soft sigh.

“And that's how I fly!” Daring said with a smirk on her face. Pinionwing panted with exhaustion, sweat puddling around him as he laid limp on the ground, unable to move. “Oh, stop being so dramatic,” she said with a roll of her eyes. “It wasn't THAT bad.”

“H... h...” he struggled to speak through gasps of air, but his parched throat made it all the worse.

“You're just really out of shape. I swear, you're just barely trying,” she said with a roll of her eyes. “But come on, I'll make a real flier out of you, one way or another. We're doing another lap.”

He gurgled something but didn't move. She just shook her head and chuckled. “Fine, fly home. I'm going to go for a little flight of my own, burn off this energy. We can do the rest tomorrow.”

Prism nuzzled his wife as the two came in for a soft landing on their island. They started trotting inside when he caught sight of True sitting outside on a small bench, eyes closed and seemingly asleep. “Hey. Leadwing kick you out?”

“What?” True asked, his eyes popping open. “O-oh, no. Just... have a lot on my mind.”

“Oh? Heh, sorry about kicking you out. Sometimes... well, a couple just needs a little alone time.”

“It's fine. It's been a very informative day. We met the Avatar and her friend, spent some time with them.” True's gaze wandered away from the two, towards the moon. “Her friends are... quite interesting.”

“Hm?”

Blaze snickered. “I think somepony is getting a crush on one of them. Please tell me it's Button.”

True blinked a few times, before getting to his hooves. “Do you require Leadwing and I to vacate again tonight?” he asked, ignoring the question.

“No, you two are fine,” Prism said with a shake of his head. “We had a very nice night and I think we're going to turn in early.”

“Thank you, sir. I look forward to continuing my training tomorrow,” he said before trotting inside.

Blaze watched him go inside, before snickering. “So, do you think he has a crush on Diamond or Silver?”

“Depends, which do you think?” Prism asked with a smile. “You've known him longer than I have.”

“Mmmmm... I'd say Silver. She's a lot quieter and less... wild than Diamond. Less arrogant, too,” Blaze said with a nod. “He doesn't strike me as the kind going for glory, either.”

“He hasn't really met her father yet, has he?”

“Noooope.”

“That'll be fun. Now, how about we go take a nice soak, then get some sleep,” Prism said with another nuzzle. “We had a pretty busy day today... something we should do far more often.”

She chuckled and nodded. “Fine. But I do have to get to council work tomorrow. Who knows how much paperwork has piled up while I was gone? I could--”

“You could do a lot of things. It can wait until tomorrow,” Prism said before gently steering her into the house, nibbling her ears as they walked.

Acrylic took a slow, deep breath before lifting the water up and gently forming a blade of ice with it. He focused on the target across the room. He then sent the knife flying to the left, far off in the wrong direction. After a few moments his horn glowed and the icy blade disappeared, reappearing by the target's left side. It flew off wildly, missing the target by a mile. “Dang it...” he muttered softly, sitting down and panting with exertion. He wiped the sweat off his brow.

“Come on, you can do this,” he muttered softly. “You're strong enough. Fast enough. Skilled enough. You CAN do this. Just--”

The door to the room burst open and he heard galloping steps behind him. He turned and readied himself, drawing a blade of ice from the nearby bucket. However, it melted quickly and he let out a yelp before suddenly he was picked up by Button, Diamond and Silver. “What? HEY! Put me down!”

“Night out!” the three yelled in unison, before hauling him off, bouncing him around. He flailed his hooves wildly, trying to roll off them but the three just kept tossing him around.

“Stop it! Put me down! STOP IT!” he yelled.

“Night out! Night out! Night out!” they chanted back. His face burned and he could see a few members of the Moon Raisers standing in the halls, watching them with humor in their eyes, shaking their heads and laughing.

“Put me dooooown!”

“Nope!”

It wasn't long before they made it out of the building and right on queue the three disappeared from under him. He yelped and flailed his hooves wildly in the empty air, before landing on the ground with an oof. He laid there for a few moments on his back, too stunned for words. Finally, he managed to slowly get up and stare at the three ponies who just smiled at him. “What was that?” he asked.

“We're having a night out!” Diamond said with a raised hoof. “All four of us!”

“I have work and--”

“You always have work and training and all that. We went on a big sailing voyage to the Badlands and you STILL had a bunch of training,” Diamond said with a roll of her eyes. “You act like you have more to do than me AND Silver. And I'm the Avatar, she helps run Tomorrow Industries and deals with her father. If we have to take a night off to just relax, so do you.”

“I'm busy, I--”

“I will tell your mother,” Diamond said, her voice cold as ice.

“S-so? I don't--”

“I'll tell her all you're doing is training. AND ignoring your friends.”

He shuddered, before lowering his eyes. “Fine. I yield. ONE time. Got it? Just this once. So, where are we going?”

“In style!” Diamond said happily.

Acrylic blinked a few times, before staring at her freely. “We're going to in style?”

“I... I thought you were going to say how we were going.” She then pointed towards the road.

Acrylic's mouth fell open and he face palmed. “YOU BROUGHT THE TANK?!”

“Silver let me drive!” Button said happily.

“Hey guys,” Daring yelled, making the four jump before the mare landed besides them. “What are you all doing out this late?”

“Partying!” Diamond said with a raised hoof. “Well, sorta. We're going to go have a night out! Wanna join?”

Daring cocked an eye. “I... think I might pa--”

“Silver will let you drive the tank,” Button said quickly, before pointing towards the tank.

Daring stared at it, her mouth falling open. She then coughed into her hoof. “After careful consideration, I have decided to join you on this adventure of rest and relaxation. In an attempt to... have fun. Yes.”

Acrylic sighed and face hoofed. “Silver... you won't really let them... will you?”

“I-I'll monitor it! It doesn't go that fast, it'll be fine,” Silver said nervously. “I hope...”

Shining groaned as she bounced a bouncy ball off the wall, making it rebound up to the ceiling and then bounce back to her. She repeated this motion again and again, the boredom practically overwhelming her. She finally caught the ball one last time and just held it, before looking over to the small cell holding Starlight. “So, princess. How you feeling?”

“Chaos...” the mare mumbled, rocking back and forth.

“Yeah, yeah. Truly the epitome of exciting conversation,” Shining said before getting to her hooves and walking to the edge of the cave. She stared at the pink mare, before grunting. “I wonder what he'd do if I killed you. Would it ruin all of his plans?” A low grin formed on her lips before she reached out and stroked the bars. “It'd be easy, too. A little thing like you? I wouldn't even need the sonic rainboom. Could do it with my bare hooves.” She then closed her eyes and sighed. “Then have him probably drain my magic, just like he did those others. Ugh, no thanks.” She turned and started to walk off.

“Bunny...” Starlight mumbled, making the pegasus freeze. She paused and looked back, her mouth falling open when she saw the little bunny suddenly pop out from a small hole in the wall.

“The buck did you come from?” Shining asked, before grinning. “Welp, guess I get to have a little fun after all.” She lifted her bouncy ball up.

“Shining,” Dazzling said as he trotted inside, making the mare jump.

“Gahhhh, what is it now?” she asked, glaring back at him.

“Meadowbrook desires your presence.”

“Well Meadowbrook can go buck herself. I'm tired of taking orders from her, she--”

“If you don't listen, she'll take your magic. Or just make us kill you.” His eyes narrowed. “After all, the only thing saving you right now is her interference.”

Shining grinned wickedly. “Oh? You want to go, water boy? You could only BARELY hold Rainbow with your bending, do you really think you'll be able to hold me? Do you think you can even get a grip on me before I'm close enough to snap your little horn?”

The two stared at each other, eyes narrowed as they measured each other up. Dazzling finally moved to the side. “Meadowbrook requires your assistance. You'd best not keep her waiting. A pegasus can always be replaced.”

Shining snorted, but trotted by him. “Yeah yeah. So can a little water bender,” she muttered. “She better finish her junk soon, I'm getting tired of waiting here forever.”

“Patience is something you'd do well to learn,” Dazzling muttered, before his eyes fell on Starlight. The prisoner was sitting, with a bunny in her hooves who she was gently rubbing the tummy of. “Did you put that rabbit in there?”

“What? Oh, no, came in through a hole. Heh,” Shining kicked her ball. It flew through the bars, bounced off the roof and came crashing down, hitting the bunny on the side. It darted off, disappearing back into its hole a moment later. The pegasus trotted out, laughing the full way.

Starlight whimpered, her eyes drawn towards the bunny hole. “Bunny...”

Author's Note

And so the story continues! I really need to go through all my notes soon but sooooo busyyyyy!

Chapter 7: Past Regrets

Rarity slowly sipped her tea, her eyes watching the alicorn before her. “Well, Diamond, I must admit. Your water bending is quite good.” She then glanced to her sister, who nodded back.

Diamond's cheeks flared. “Really?”

“Oh, indeed. It is far from perfect, but you seem to have quite a bit of power and your control, while lacking in some areas, is strong in many others. Your talent seems to lie in ice over straight water, accordingly.”

Diamond nodded, slowly sipping her own tea. “So uhhhh... that means you'll help train me then, right?”

“I was going to help train you anyway, dear. That's part of the reason I'm here. We have yet to have found any sign of Meadowbrook, so it is in all of our best interest to have you as powerful as we can by the time we leave.” She sipped her tea again. “Although, I won't be your direct teacher.”

“W-what? Why not?”

“I'm afraid that my bending skills were... how shall we put it... a bit more varied. I developed more of a fusion with my innate magical talents and my bending. Your style, in particular, is more similar to my sister's. But worry not, my sister has always been an extremely talented bender and I have no doubt she will make an excellent teacher for you.”

Sweetie blushed and shook her head. “Awww, you don't have to say it like that. Your bending is amazing, Rarity!”

The eldest mare chuckled. “It's good, dear. But you always had far more talent with it than I did and there's no point in lying about it. I'm mature enough to accept my weaknesses and I would expect you to be aware of your strengths. Now, my sister is an amazing water bender, so I expect she will have plenty to teach you. However...” She glanced to the alicorn's horn. “If what I've heard is correct, you're unable to do unicorn magic. Correct?”

Diamond's cheeks flared again. Her gaze lowered quickly. “N-no, I'm not. It's just... it well...”

“It's quite alright, dear,” Rarity said with a shake of her head. “Twilight never had the true endurance of a natural earth pony, nor was she quite able to get up to the speed and precision of a pegasus. Nor did she have any of their rather... more subtle magic. Just because you're the Avatar doesn't mean we should expect you to do everything.”

“R-right. But I uhhh... well...”

“Yes?”

“You're the Water Lord. Aren't you supposed to be the greatest water bender around?”

“Hardly,” Rarity said with a wave of her hoof. “I can name quite a few who are better. I just happen to fight the dirtiest. Aside from perhaps Vinyl.”

Diamond blinked and stared at the mare before her. The epitome of refinement, beauty and grace. Not a hair out of place, her coat perfectly glimmering. “Fight... dirty? You?”

Sweetiebelle giggled, covering her mouth.

“Oh, yes darling. Would you like a demonstration?”

Diamond opened her mouth to agree, but then froze. She thought back to Rainbow and Applejack before giving a shudder. “You know what? I'm going to take your word for it.”

“Mmmm. The important thing to remember, dear, is that you likely will fight those stronger than you. Faster, sometimes even smarter. When the time comes you must use whatever means are available. In my case, I used a rather... unique weapon for unicorns. I also developed other techniques to give myself an edge when I needed them.” She paused. “Very few of which I would use against you in a training match.” A small smile spread across her lips. “But the way of water is... different than the other elements. We poke and prod, we find the weakness. Then when we find it... we use it to break something apart. Our nation, for the longest time, operated in such a way. We may have looked as if we were... allies on the front, in fact many ponies believed the Water Nation was a unified whole. But the fact of the matter was, we were so often at each other's throats, constantly trying to destroy each other. It... teaches a pony many unsavory methods and skills. As well as quite a few unique ones.” She took another breath before sipping her tea. “However, with pure water bending and your sizable power, my sister would be your best bet.”

Diamond nodded and looked to Sweetie, who was currently in the midst of stuffing a few of the pastries into her mouth. She bowed her head. “Well then, miss Belle, it'll be a pleasure to train under you. I hope I can do a good job.”

“You'ff be fin',” Sweetie said with a mouth full of pastries. She coughed and covered her mouth. “Err, 'scuse me.” She got to her hooves. “So, how about you come with me, we'll go and get a little practice in, see what you can do, the whole nine yards.”

“Of course,” she said before trotting after the mare.

Silver hummed softly before she tapped on the box. “This... was quite a bit faster than I expected,” she said.

“We already had most the work done, it's really simple to develop,” the coated pony said as he tapped the small crate. “It was mostly just an issue of reducing the mass in the center so they weigh less. Really, compared to the artificial wing we had to craft for Hornclipper, this was just a simple modification. However...” The pony adjusted his super science goggles. “We'll need a pony who can test it. Finding one won't be--”

“Oh, don't worry. I'm going to get Scootaloo to do it.”

The scientist blanched. “T-the council mare? But she--”

“Meh, it'll be easy. If nothing else, I know Hornclipper wouldn't let her say no. I'll go tell her the good news.” She turned and started to trot off. “I'm sure she'll be ecstatic.”

“O-of course. Ma'am, we'll still need to have her submit to some tests to make sure they work properly! We don't have much information on--”

“It's fine, don't worry. She'll do it, I'm sure.”

“If you say so, ma'am.” He coughed into his hoof. “Err, if you don't mind me asking one more question?”

“Hmmm?”

“Has there been any news on when Dr. Alicity will return?”

She froze, before giving a sigh. “Of course. He'll return when the routes between the Fire Tribes and Manehatten are secure. So I'd say a month, maybe two, knowing daddy. I'm in charge until then.”

“O-of course, ma'am. I just was curious. That's all.”

“Uh huh,” she mumbled softly, before glancing back. “You don't have a problem with that, do you?” she asked bitterly.

“What? No, of course not.”

She narrowed her eyes on him, before turning back towards the exit. “Good. Because I can handle this until my daddy is back. I've done it before, I'll do it now.”

“Of course, ma'am. I never meant to imply that you couldn't.”

“Good!” she snapped, before storming out of the room. She then paused and sighed, before slowly turning back and propping the door open. “Hey...?”

The pony froze. “Yes ma'am?”

“Sorry. That wasn't fair. I know you weren't implying... just the extra work has me on edge and well... ugh, it's not an excuse. Sorry for that.”

The stallion looked shocked, but slowly nodded. “Of course, ma'am. It's quite alright.”

Silver rolled her eyes and walked off, shaking her head before pausing. She reached up and rubbed the amulet and sighed. “Just because daddy doesn't think you can handle it, doesn't mean nopony else does. No tantrums, no screaming. No threatening to mangle some innocent pony just because they mildly annoyed you. Calm. Relaxed. Responsible.” She took a slow, deep breath before smiling. “Okay. Scootaloo isn't going to know what hit her!”

“Eep! Eep! Eep eep!” Diamond said as she tried to avoid the thrusting ice needles of Sweetie. The unicorn moved in subtle, smooth movements, almost like a dance rather than a fight. However, her movements were very quick, making the needles of ice skewer and slash with ease, forcing Diamond to run and jump to avoid their onslaught. She let out a yelp when suddenly something grabbed her hoof and yanked it from under her. She quickly covered her head and yelped. After a moment she opened her eyes and saw the flurry of ice hovering just over her.

“Hmmm. Not bad, but you put a bit too much weight on your hooves when you move. You've learned air bending, haven't you?”

“Y-yeah.”

“I'd work on that a bit more. Honestly, you just go a little too full force when you fight.”

The alicorn nodded and got to her hooves once the spikes retracted. “I know. Prism said the same thing when I first started training with him and a lot of other ponies seem to agree.”

Sweetie nodded and moved to stand besides her. “Don't worry, you'll get the hang of it. Now, come on. Just follow my movements.”

Diamond nodded and slowly moved her hooves around, following the gentle movements of the other mare.

“See? With water bending, it's about gentle, subtle movements. We don't block, dodge or destroy. We redirect. Make your attack miss by just enough that we don't have to move. Guiding, control. That's what you need to work on.”

The alicorn nodded. “Right.”

“But don't worry if it takes you a while to get it. I couldn't imagine trying to learn all four elements. At least your fire bending has to be pretty good, fighting like that. Right?”

“Not really. He says I'm a bit too aggressive there, too.” She paused for a moment, missing a step. “Sweetie? Did you ever train with Twilight?”

“No, not really. I fought her a few times, won once, but we never really...” Sweetie gave a soft sigh. “Her and I weren't exactly... close.”

“Did she not... like you?”

“I think she liked me just fine,” Sweetie said gently. “In fact, she forgave me for... far more than I ever deserved. After all the horrible, horrible things I did and tried to do, it would have been only natural for her to despise me. The ways I made her suffer. But she didn't. Her heart was... quite big. She was able to forgive most of the ponies who wronged her. And... tolerate those she couldn't.”

Diamond nodded a few times. “I see. She was... quite the amazing pony, wasn't she?”

“I don't know of many ponies who could have done even half of what she did. Stopping us wasn't... easy. Saving us on top of it? Not something many could do. Defeating Discord, a creature that seemed almost... omnipotent, doubly so. I can't imagine what methodology it is that determines each Avatar, but we were truly lucky to have it succeed so magnificently.”

“Yeah. She was definitely something else. I... do you think I'll ever be able to be like her?”

Sweetie shrugged. “Maybe. I've heard you've come quite far since you first got here. Scootaloo said you were... quite the little brat.”

Diamond's cheeks turned red. “Y-yeah. I was. I guess I kinda learned after a while. Heh, at least I picked up on those things fast enough.” She then gave a soft sigh. “So do you think... I'll be able to do what Twilight did?”

“No. Frankly, I don't think you are supposed to,” Sweetie said with a shrug. “Nopony wants another war. Nopony wants to keep fighting and fighting and fighting. Now is a time for peace and prosperity. There are different ponies out there who want to cause problems, but I don't think they're really the same kind of thing that Twilight had to deal with.”

Diamond nodded. “I... I guess you're right. She probably would have wiped them out from the get go.”

Sweetie snickered and shook her head. “How long have you been in Harmony?”

“Huh?”

“How long has it been since you first came here?”

Diamond frowned and then tried to mentally calculate. She blinked. “I'm... not sure? A few months, I guess. It feels like it's been years, though.”

“Exactly. A year ago, there was no Avatar. At least, very few ponies knew where you were, who you were. Your journey is only just beginning. Don't get so focused on Twilight's journey that you forget your own.” She gave a sigh, her steps faltering slightly. “Trust me. Comparing where you are, to where someone else ended up... it's not the best way to go through life.”

Diamond blinked a few times, before nodding. “Right.”

“Now, how about we do a bit more practice, okay? Let's see how you use those movements. Focus on the ones I showed you, okay? Don't worry about speed, just precision for now. Speed will come with time.”

“Right.”

Silver hummed softly before reaching out and lightly knocking on the door. It was only a few moments before it opened and revealed the form of Hornclipper. The stallion stared at her for a few moments, his eyes partially closed in a suspicious glare. “Did your father send you?”

“No,” she said, confusion filling her voice.

“Very well. You may come in,” he said before stepping aside.

She chuckled softly. “Still haven't forgiven him for the wings?”

The stallion just glared.

“Aaaaaanyway. Is Scootaloo here? I need to speak with her.”

“What about?” a voice said from the door. Scootaloo stood in the door frame, wearing a robe with her hair all wet. “I was just getting out of the shower, need to head down to work soon. Can you make it quick? I assume this pertains to the council?”

“Not this time, it's something more of a personal matter. It shouldn't take long, though. You can go finish getting ready, if you like. I'll wait.”

“Okay,” Scootaloo said before trotting off.

Silver sat down on the couch, glancing over towards Hornclipper. He stood, a frown on his face and staring down at her. “You know, you'd make an excellent scarecrow.”

He didn't even chuckle.

She gave a sigh. “You know, sometimes I wonder about you. You don't have to always act so cold.”

He didn't answer, just eyed her.

“Soooo... have the wings been giving you any problems?”

“They're fine. More than I deserve.”

She shook her head. “And always with the self-deprivation. Truly a barrel of laughs. You know, if you tried laughing or at least smiling more often, Tittering wouldn't constantly try to find ways to prank you.”

He just glared back at her.

“Or you can just keep being all mopey mope.”

“Done!” Scootaloo said as she trotted back out, her coat dry and her mane a little wild but would be good enough. “So, Silver, what can I do for you today?”

“Actually, it's more what I can do for you.”

The mare blinked, before sighing and face hoofing. “Gosh darn it, by the stars. What did Alicity do now? How much property damage are we talking now?”

“W-what?”

“Whenever he comes here with one of his 'it's what I can do for you!' it's usually some strange plan of his. Like pipes that funnel tooth paste to every home in the city.”

Silver coughed and then shook her head. “Yeah... it's not something like that. It's about your wings, actually.”

Scootaloo blinked, a frown creasing her face. “What about them?”

“Well, your husband's wings were our first real attempt at... repairing such problems. While the difficulty you experience is fundamentally different, well... I think we can fix it.”

The pegasus shuddered a little bit, but slowly trotted towards her. “Go on.”

“Well, your problem with flight has to do with a genetic default, correct? An inability to control and manipulate the magic in the air with your wings?”

“Uh huh...”

“Well, our alicorn wings have been developed to get around that for non-bending ponies. We're improving almost constantly. Creating attachments that will work on your wings shouldn't be difficult. As a matter of fact, we already have a prototype ready to test. We'd just need you to come and test it out. If you'd be willing to swing by the compound after your time with the council today, we could work on having it fitted.”

Scootaloo stared at her for a few moments, before her eyes lowered. “Thanks. I appreciate it, really I do. But I don't think--”

“She'll do it,” Hornclipper said suddenly.

The mare blinked, then glared back. “I never--”

“She'll come by after her meetings are done. Even if I have to drag her myself,” he said firmly.

Scootaloo blinked, then rolled her eyes. “Ugh, fine. Let it never be said I'm as stubborn as you.” She turned to Silver. “I'll see you tonight, okay?”

“No worries. Come by any time, I'll make sure that the guards know where to take you if I'm not available at the time. It shouldn't take very long at all,” Silver said with a wave of her hoof. “That's really all I had to discuss with you, so thanks for your time. Bye.” She turned and trotted out the door before the other mare could raise some objections. As the door to the home closed behind her, she let out a soft sigh and put a hoof to her heart. She couldn't keep the smile off her lips.

“Well, you're doing better, Diamond,” Sweetie said with a nod. “You still have a while to go until you'll be a water bending master, but you've definitely got the talent.”

The alicorn chuckled and gave a nod. “Thank you. I uhhh... well, I've had some good teachers. I'm starting to realize just how good...” A frown creased her face.

“Yeah, hindsight is always twenty-twenty,” Sweetie said with a shrug. “You're doing fine.”

“Not half bad from what I saw,” Rainbow said.

Diamond grinned and turned towards the doorway, seeing the other mare. “Rainbow! You're here!”

“Of course I am,” she said with a shrug. “You didn't think I'd miss out on all this fun, did you?”

The alicorn shook her head. “I was going to come find you next, actually. How did you know I was here?”

“I saw Rarity earlier. The two of us had a little talk, she told me where I could find you,” she said with a little wave of her hoof. “How goes your practice?”

“Pretty good. I've got a long way to go, but I'm getting there. I'm not sure who's more likely to kill me, you or Applejack.”

Rainbow snickered and walked up, waving to Sweetie. “You mind if I steal her for a bit?”

“Go right ahead. I was just finishing up. Diamond, make sure to keep practicing those motions I showed you. If you need any more one on one practice, feel free to come find me anytime. Otherwise, meet me back here at the end of the week.”

Diamond nodded, before turning to Rainbow. She stepped forward, before pausing. “Wait. Was that a joke when you first got here?” She frowned. “That's... in horrible taste.”

“Oh, come on. Where's the fun in being blind if you can't make a few jokes out of it?” she asked with a shake of her head. “I just hope you can fly faster than you can catch my puns. Come on, Chickenwings.”

The alicorn rolled her eyes and trotted after her. “Another long, break neck flight?”

“More or less. We're going to see how well you can dodge, too. You're really kind of slow, to be honest. The way you fly, I can sometimes barely believe you're even an air bender.”

Diamond sighed and shook her head. “We can't all be like you, Rainbow.”

“Doesn't mean you can't try!”

Diamond laid on her back, staring at the darkening sky as she panted with exertion. She couldn't be sure if the lights she was seeing were stars, or if she was on the verge of passing out. Rainbow chuckled as she sat by her. “Feeling the burn?”

The alicorn tried to speak, but it took a few moments before she could get the words out her throat. “E-evil...” she said weakly.

“Yeah, a little bit. But it was good for you, though! See, the others? They'll probably go easy on you. I don't know the meaning of the word,” she said with a chuckle. “One way or another, we're going to make an awesome fighter out of you. Nothing short of a raging herd of minotaurs is going to take you down.”

Diamond groaned and tried to lift a wing, it practically screamed in anger back at her. “C-completely... utterly evil...”

Rainbow snickered and laid back shrugging. “Eh. So, Diamond? Have you talked to Twilight since we got back?”

The alicorn laid there for a few more moments, sucking in air. Finally, she felt the ability to speak. “No. Can't.”

“Why?”

“Hard. Need to rest between... talks. Don't want to... waste them,” she said softly, her breath slowly returning. She was so thankful she was an earth pony before all this. If she was a unicorn she was pretty sure she'd be dead by now.

“Ah. Well... next time you see her, let her know her kids are okay, got it? I don't want her... worrying or anything.”

Diamond blinked a few times before glancing over. “Don't... think she was.”

“Oh, she was, trust me.”

“Why?”

“She's a mom. Every mom worries about their kid.” She paused for a moment before shrugging. “Well, every mom worth a buck. Guess I met enough horrible ones I can't say all of them. It's a beautiful night, huh?”

“Yeah. Shame you can't see it.”

Rainbow chuckled softly. “Eh, I've seen plenty in my life. I still see a lot, just not the same as I used to.”

The alicorn blinked a little before glancing over. “What's... it like?”

“Hm?”

“Losing your... eyes?”

Rainbow went still for a moment before sighing. “It... was weird, I guess. I mean... well, to be honest? I was lucky. It was gradual. I was blinded for a bit, then everything was just... blurry. I had to wear goggles, and that was cool. They made me look awesome. But even that wasn't permanent. It didn't fix the problem, it just kind of... made it more tolerable.”

“Do you regret it?”

The pegasus snickered. “Of course I regret it! I mean, I charged face first at Nightmare Moon and I had to get saved by RARITY of all ponies. That was embarrassing. I've seen her get freaked out by a soiled napkin.” She chuckled, before sighing. “But like... I guess. Of course I regret it. Who wouldn't? I got hurt. But it happens, you know? Ponies get hurt all the time. I survived and... honestly, it's not the worst thing I've ever lost. Besides, if it came down to it... I'd give it up a second time if it meant we got to succeed.”

“Really?”

“Of course. Diamond, I know it might seem... odd now, but you weren't there during those times. You didn't see what was going on. There was war. Real war. Ponies were dying. We tried to keep the casualties down, but there were so many times there was nothing we could do. Nightmare Moon was literally raining the stars themselves down on us. That's not even counting the other stuff she did.” She shook her head. “My sight was a small price to pay for what we eventually managed to do. Sure, if I was given a second chance I wouldn't have flown in blindly. I was pissed. But hey...” Her hoof moved to rest on her stomach. “Sometimes you get second chances, sometimes you don't. Besides, not like it really slowed me down. I still became one of the most awesome Wonderbolts of all time. Mastered the sonic rainboom. Had... an amazing kid. Had a wonderful husband. Going blind is like... the least important thing to have happened in my life, it'll barely be a hoofnote when they write down the stories of my pure awesome for years to come.”

Diamond chuckled, before nodding. “I guess... that doesn't make it seem so bad.”

“Buck, losing Fluttershy was a lot worse than losing my sight.” She then sat up. “Things happen, ponies get hurt. I won't lie. There were a LOT of times I thought my life was over. That being blind meant I was done. But you know what? When you get hurt, mope as much as you want. But when you're done, try to do what you can. You should remember this more than anypony else.”

“What? Why?”

“You're the Avatar. By the time your journey is done, you're almost guaranteed to suffer worse than going blind.”

Diamond shuddered, her hoof going up to her chest. “I... I guess. Twilight... suffered, didn't she?”

“Twilight probably suffered more than any of us.” Rainbow shook her head. “When she... came to us, the war had just started for her. She'd been locked up for a hundred years. Her friends, family, all dead. Her people, gone. The dragons, thought to be extinct. Even the sun and moon were wrong. Anything and everything she knew had disappeared. She could have collapsed, she could have broken down. Buck, I don't think anypony could have objected to it. The one thing that remained from her time, the Great Dragon, died too. She had more reason to break than any of us. But you know what? She cried, freaked out and then kept fighting. She kept working at it. She never gave up even when all hope seemed lost and it seemed as if we were finally going to be beat.” She then snickered. “Though we had to beat sense into her a few times. And beat a spirit out of her, once. That was interesting. Probably funner than it should have been.”

Diamond suddenly felt a little annoyed, she didn't know why. She nodded none the less. “Yeah. She... was something else. I uhh... I think I'm going to head home, get some sleep. You should come by sometime. Hang out with Prism a bit. I'm sure he'd love to see you more.”

Rainbow sighed and gave a shrug. “I'm not really one for all that... touchy feely cuddly junk, you know?” She then smiled at her. “But I'll make sure to come by sometime. Buck, I'm in the city, I'm not going to just ignore my son.”

“Okay. I'll see you later,” Diamond said before flying off, her exhausted wings making the flight slow and awkward.

Rainbow hummed for a few moments, before sighing. “So, Daring, you planning to hide there all night, or going to come out and say something?”

“What? You knew?!” the mare asked, before popping out of a nearby tree.

“Of course I knew. I could feel you coming a mile away.”

“Oh, sorry. You two just seemed to be having a big talk and--”

“I know, I know. Don't worry. It was nice. The two of us just had to have a little talk. So, how's being a Shadowbolt working for you?”

Daring flew up and landed on the cloud by her. “Eh, it's alright. I kind of imagined it being more awesome, though. More adventure and fighting off hordes of benders. Today we stopped a wagon thief. Wasn't even really a wagon thief, was just a confused stallion who grabbed the wrong wagon,” she said flatly.

Rainbow snickered and shook her head. “Yeah, that kind of stuff can happen sometimes. We had this one mare who I swear was at almost every town we went, and always somehow her muffin stand would be at the wrong place and get clobbered. Probably a whole family of them or something,” she said with a wave of her hoof. “It can't always be fun and adventures, though.”

“Yeah, but it's just so boring. Also, one of my squadmates? Like... wow. He's just sooooo lame. He flies so slow and runs out of breath at the drop of a hoof. He can barely keep up and he keeps slowing us down. Did you have to go through that in the Wonderbolts?”

“Nahhhhh. The Wonderbolts were the best of the best, the most elite fliers in the world. I was faster than a lot of them, but we could all fly for days and fly at speeds that most pegasi could only dream of. Buck, I even occasionally learned a thing or two from some of them. Sometimes.”

Daring sighed and shook her head. “I think the Shadowbolts accept just about anypony. He's just like... ugh.” She shuddered. “My teacher is awesome, though! He fights even better than Ironwing. He took me down in like, three seconds. He even used this one like... I don't remember what he called it, but he used his wing for cover and then BAM! Hoof strike! It was sooooo cool.”

Rainbow snickered and gave a shrug. “I wouldn't worry too much about it. If he's really that bad, he'll probably drop out. Besides, I heard they switch up teams all the time, so you'll probably be sent to a better team soon enough. One that can keep up.”

“Ughhhhh. I hope so. I didn't come here to be held back. I wanna go out, do things like my mom did! Fight a bunch of bad guys and stuff,” she said with a chuckle. “Could you imagine being held up while all the interesting stuff happened?”

“Well... to be honest, I kind of got thrown into it by your mom. Buck, back home there weren't really any more air benders aside from me. Most of them had been taken to Cloudsdale for the war. I was just too young at the time and couldn't go on my own, didn't really know the way. Probably would have frozen to death, too.” She gave a shudder. “Kinda hard to believe how cold it was back then.”

“Cold?”

“Oh yeah. No sun meant not much heat. We had clouds to try and keep the warmth in but... well, it only did so much. If Twilight hadn't risen the sun... I don't know what would have happened to the world. Might be coated in ice by now. Who knows how many ponies would have died from that alone?”

Daring shrugged. “No idea.” She tapped the cloud, staring at the sky. “So... I've been writing more of my little stories down, all the adventures.”

“Oh?”

“Yeah. Scootaloo said she'll see if she can get them into the right hooves. Ironwing said a lot of ponies might like to hear them. I uhhhh... I've been writing some books about mom, too. On the side. I thought... well, you know. It'd be cool to show everypony what she was like. With us. Sunset and I.”

“I think she'd like that. Twilight always did love a good book. Maybe I'll read them sometime.”

Daring snickered. “You're incorrigible, aren't you?”

“Always.”

Scootaloo frowned as she slowly spread her wings out. “They're heavy.” The metal wrapped around the outer and inner edges as well as the top, leaving the bottom bare. It connected in a small breast plate with a red gem.

“Of course they're heavy,” Silver said with a roll of her eyes. “They're fake wings. Made of metal.”

“I don't know if I like them. I'm not sure I could fight with these.”

“You've never really flown before, do you think you could fly with them anyway? Just think of them as... really big wing blades.”

“Really big wing blades that just feel awkward. I don't like this, at all. I've never even liked wing blades. Not only that, they're kind of... they tingle.”

Silver's eyes gleamed. “Really? They tingle?”

“Errr... yes? Is that a good thing?”

“Yes! It means they're fusing with your skin and permanently binding with you!”

“WHAT?” Scootaloo screamed before reaching up to try and yank them off. She then noticed the smirk on Silver's face. “You're bucking with me.”

“Indeed.”

“What does the tingling really mean?”

“Most likely it's the sensation of magical flow along your wings. Now, normally you probably wouldn't notice and, gradually, I doubt you will. However, you've never experienced it like a normal pegasus, so it probably feels brand new. Think of it like... walking on a flat surface after walking on something with lots of bumps. At first you'll notice how flat it is. But after a while you don't even notice unless anything changes.”

“But I've always had wings...”

“Yes, but your magic has always been disrupted and blocked. A small handicap, but a handicap none the less. This should fix it. Now, I want you to slowly spread your wings and try flapping them.”

Scootaloo began to extend them, before closing them up again. “I'm not sure this is a good idea, it--” She was cut off by Silver's hoof on either side of her face.

“Scootaloo, I understand. You've never been able to fly before, you're scared if you get your hopes up, you'll just be disappointed. Or worse, you'll just fail and never be able to do it. You hope if you don't try, it'll all just go away.” She took a slow, deep breath. “But it's not going to. Because if you don't do this, I am going straight to your husband. If that fails, I'm going straight to Ironwing. And those two will whine. And nag. And bug. And complain. And spend every day of their lives making you as miserable as I'm sure Secretary is during tax season. Until you relent. Now, what is it going to be. Are you going to spread your wings and fly, or endure a few weeks of constant nagging from the moping brigade and THEN spread your wings and fly?”

Scootaloo just stared flatly at her, before shaking her head. “You're pure evil.”

“I have been called that, yes. So you'll try?”

“F-fine. Whatever. It's not like I care or anything.” She pulled back from Silver and took a slow, deep breath. She gingerly spread her wings out, twitching them back and forth just a little bit. “Just... a few flaps, okay? I mean, I doubt this'll work but...”

“It's the first trial. This is mostly just for test data. Now go.” Silver stepped to the side.

Scootaloo took a slow, deep breath before galloping forward. She quickly picked up speed before leaping into the air. Her wings spread out and she felt them gently cutting through the magic in the air. Her heart beat rapidly and, for a moment, she felt herself gliding along the air, her wings supporting her full weight. A gentle hum came from her chest and she realized with an excited squeak that she wasn't gliding down. She was keeping level. She flapped her wings once and rose a few inches, shrieking. The gem in her chest began to vibrate and the air seemed to get softer. She flailed her hoofs wildly moments before the support on her wings gave out and she tumbled towards the ground.

She stopped inches from it before being, gently, deposited on the ground. She let out a sigh of relief, before turning to Silver. The mare trotted over, her metal horn glowing before the gem was plucked out. “Huh. Interesting.”

“What? What's wrong? Did I mess up?”

“What? No, you're fine.” She held up the gem and showed a few hairline cracks around the edge. “See, here's the problem, there's not enough balancing.”

“What?”

“How to put it... okay. My wings?” The metal moved up, spreading out. “They're pure metal, nothing but metal. So they do all the work. Now, on your husband's wings? The metal is there, but the stump still exists. So the wings are attached to the stump. This alters things as the magic that allows him to fly as a pegasus is still there, so we just had to have it be conductive, allowing the magic to flow through the metal. It makes them lighter, but more flimsy than these.”

Scootaloo felt her spirits fall. “So... it... can't be done for me?” As much as she wanted to deny it, she could feel herself wanting to start crying.

“What? Oh, no. Of course we can do it,” Silver said with a roll of her eyes. “Do you really think I'd have wasted you time if I wasn't a hundred percent sure I could get this to work?”

“... Yes.”

“Okay, I would, but this? This is fixable.” Her artificial horn glowed for a moment before she unstrapped the outfit, drawing it off her. “The information is stored in the gem, anyway. See, the big problem is you're somewhere in between.”

“In between?”

“Yes. You have the magic of a pegasus, such as cloud walking. But your wings don't work properly. Now, the initial assumption was we could just attach our normal wings to yours and it would allow you to cut through the magic. But here.” She showed the gem again, showing where it cracked on the top. “This right here? Your magic did that.”

“Sorry?”

“It's no need to be sorry. You do have some flight power, though.”

“W-what?!” Scootaloo snapped. “I-impossible, I've been trying to fly for years and--”

“Some, I said,” Silver interrupted. “Namely, your wings can affect the magic in the air. But you can't properly cut through it. Think of it like...” She rubbed her chin. “Ah. Think of it as the difference between water and steam. For most ponies, the water is just solid enough they could swim through it. However, steam isn't solid enough. A pony might be able to get the tiniest bit of lift from steam, but not enough to hold them in the air for any definite period without the proper tools. But they could use the steam in other ways, perhaps for sideways propulsion.”

Scootaloo nodded. “So... that means...”

“We'll need to adjust the gem so it can still affect the magic in the air, but also allow it to flow with your own magic so the two aren't fighting. I should have another prototype in... oh, a few days. It shouldn't take long at all.”

The pegasus nodded. “I uhhh... I guess I'll see you then, then. It was... well... I ummmm...”

“Lady Scootaloo?”

“Yes?”

“It's okay to be excited,” Silver said with a chuckle. “I won't tell anypony.”

She blushed and squirmed. “I'm fine. It's fine. I'd rather hold my excitement until I know if it works.”

Silver nodded. “Okay. Thank you for enduring my tests. I'll see you later, I hope.”

“Of course,” Scootaloo said before trotting out the door. Once she heard it shut, she grinned. “Eeeeeeee!” she squealed with delight before trotting off.

From the other side of the door, Silver pulled her ear off the door, a grin on her own face. “Knew she'd love it." Now she just hoped the mare wouldn't chicken out before the meeting. If Scootaloo didn't think she'd follow through on the threats to tell her husband... well, she'd regret it soon enough.

Author's Note

I'm working my hardest, I swear! D: Things are getting in order, slowly, but they might get more hectic again soon. Might be moving, all manner of craziness. Getting name changed soon, though, so yay!

Enjoy the newest chapter, more to follow soon(tm).

Chapter 9: Remnants

“Ahuizotl! You can't hide forever!” a voice rang out through the barren spirit world.

The great blue spirit panted with exertion, hiding within a small crevice in the mountain. He held a great rock in front of him, blocking the entrance enough so he could just peep out.

“Come out. I know you're around here somewhere. You know what I want, you know what I've come for,” the voice said. Finally, a small pink pony appeared. She looked tiny and weak, something that could easily be crushed with a single movement. But Ahuizotl knew that was a lie, that that mare was something truly deadly and destructive. He kept hiding and eying her as she trotted along.

“Ahuizotl, come on. We were friends once, were we not? It's been millenia since last we spoke, don't you wish to return to those times?”

The great spirit eyed the mare as she kept walking, soon disappearing from his view. He could feel the power emanating from her. The power of dozens, possibly hundreds of ponies held within. A truly deadly creature.

The rock suddenly shifted and was tossed aside, making the spirit yelp. He stumbled back and soon came face to face with the small pony.

“Really? Hiding behind a rock? I expected better from you, old friend.”

“We're not friends, Tirek,” the blue spirit said with a growl. “You are nothing more than a traitor.”

The mare sighed and then her horn glowed. A moment later a tall centaur appeared, his size comparable to the blue spirit's. Still, he looked quite thin. “Traitor? To who? Discord? Harmony? Neither of them exist anymore.”

Ahuizotl sneered. “Discord's spirit lives on, it--”

“Yes, yes. I'm well aware and, trust me, I fully intend to find it soon enough.” Tirek gave a dismissive wave of his hand. “But Discord is gone. Harmony is gone. If ever there was a time for us to rise up, to strike, now is it.” He held out his hand. “You and I could rule together. We were always the greatest, you know that. The Smooze is mindless, all it can do is obey. And Chrysalis... well, all she ever cared about is her little hive. Even that has failed her, judging by this realm. Now, though? It's the right time for us to strike.”

Ahuzotl growled, his hands reaching for something, anything he could use as a weapon. “Why would I ever side with you?”

Tirek chuckled. “You can feel it, can't you? You see the destruction. The emptiness. History is repeating itself. Last time Discord went to war on the ponies for their arrogance. But there is no Discord anymore. Do you really believe that this new... mockery of his might can stand against whatever has done this?” He held out his hand towards the empty wasteland behind him. “You know our world is in danger thanks to those ponies. I know you hate them just as much as I do.”

The spirit growled, baring his teeth. “I serve Discord, just as I always have. His new incarnation will destroy you. She will crush you, just as our master did.”

Tirek blinked a few times, before grinning. “She? Interesting. But fret not. I already have a plan to deal with both of them. After all, Harmony and Discord were always at each other's throats in one way or another. Their echoes will be no different. And this time, I'll be stronger.” His eyes narrowed. “But before any of that, I still require one thing from you.” He motioned to the spirit's throat, to the golden amulet that rested around it. “The Alicorn Amulet. Give it to me.”

Ahuizotl grabbed the amulet around his throat and then sneered again. “Never. I was given this to keep safe and I will die before I--”

Tirek interrupted him by thrusting his hand forward once. Yellow magic shot out, hitting the blue spirit and pinning it to the wall. He just stared down at him. “This is not a request, Ahuizotl. Perhaps you have forgotten how strong I am. I'm not like the little alicorn, my power remains.”

“Y-you're... weaker than... you've ever been...”

Tirek's eyes narrowed. “I am strong!” He roared, before flicking his hand and sending the other spirit slamming against the cave walls. “Stronger than Discord ever understood!” He flung the spirit again, slamming him into the ground. “I am the great Tirek!”

Ahuizotl laid there for a few moments before he began to laugh. “Discord... took your power... didn't he? He drained you... left you a... weak... battered husk...”

Tirek let out a roar before he thrust his hand from side to side, slamming the blue spirit into the cave walls again and again. He then smashed Ahuizotl into the ground so hard it left a crater. “So what if he did? I will absorb the power of every pony in this world, then I will rule! Not just the ponies, but the dogs, the griffons, the dragons, all will fill me!” He flicked his wrist and the amulet tore itself from Ahuizotl's throat. “All will kneel before me.”

Ahuizotl laid there, groaning with pain. “You... have become like them... like these ponies. You believe you can merely... steal their power and make yourself strong?”

“And if I do? These ponies nearly destroyed our world once. They are doing it now.” A grin formed on his lips. “I'm not like you, Ahuizotl.” He wrapped the amulet around his throat. “I was never satisfied with just being a minion. An obedient pet to Discord's will. He believed he was beyond reproach, that none of us could out smart him. But he was wrong, he--” He paused and then looked down. He flicked the amulet. “Why isn't it working?”

Ahuizotl burst into laughed, even though it hurt. “You're just as much a fool now as you were then Tirek. Discord destroyed you with a wave of his hand. You will fair no better now.”

Tirek growled and stomped a hoof on the ground. “Why isn't the amulet working? Why isn't--” His eyes widened. “It's... a fake.”

“A fool.”

Tirek let out a soft curse. “Discord's little chosen one has it now, doesn't she? If the Avatar had had it...”

Ahuizotl merely laughed and slowly sat up a little. “You... will fall before her. Just as you f-fell before him. She will d-destroy you... for rising against her...”

Tirek growled, clenching his fists. He tore off the amulet and crushed it in his hands. “No. She won't. I will destroy her and take the remnants of Discord's power. Then I will take Harmony's. Then I will drain each and every pony in that pitiful realm and take the power of whoever tries to stop me.”

The other spirit merely laughed. “You think you can stop this war? Only Discord can. She will--” The words caught in his throat when Tirek held out his hand.

The centaur stepped forward, a grin on his lips. “My power is without limit, Ahuizotl. I may not be able to have the Alicorn Amulet yet, but there is still one more prize for the taking.”

The blue spirit's eyes widened. “I-impossible... you... you can't...”

“Of course I can. After all, where do you think the ponies learned it from?” He opened his mouth and yellow magic slowly floated out, enveloping Ahuizotl. The larger blue spirit screamed as his body began to wither into a blue mist, before floating into the larger spirit. Once it was all gone, he pounded once on his chest and belched, before his eyes glowed. After a few moments he appeared back in the normal world, once again in the form of a little pony.

Meadowbrook lifted a hoof and frowned at it. “Ugh, such a delicate form. Alas, the things we do to rule.” She glanced up towards Dazzling. “Tell me, little water bender, have you considered trying to kill me while I'm there?”

“Often,” he said coldly. “I am doubtful it would succeed, however.”

“Very good. You really are the smartest.” Meadowbrook lifted a hoof and examined it, before holding out a hoof. Her mask flew over and she put it on, moments before the staff flew to her side. “Get the others.”

“Meadowbrook?”

Behind the mask, she grinned. “I have what I needed. Now? We strike.”

Silver grumbled softly as she paced back and forth, her eyes narrowed into slits. After a few moments, the blue unicorn appeared before her. “Yes?” Trixie asked with a knowing grin.

“What took you so long?”

“I was busy.”

Silver blinked a few times, her mouth opening. Then she frowned. “No. You weren't. You can't BE busy. You're dead. There is literally nothing for you to do!”

Trixie rolled her eyes. “Do I look like Twilight? Do you really think you'll say jump and I'll jump?” She gave a dismissive wave of her hoof. “If all you've done is come to complain, I'm leaving.”

“Wait! I need to talk with you!” Silver said, reaching out with a hoof.

Trixie paused, then glanced back to her. “Yes? What about?”

Silver sighed. “I can... see some things. Feel some things. Know things. It's Discord's influence, I know. Sometimes I'll...” She frowned and rubbed her chin. “It's like deja vu. I guess. But not really?”

Trixie blinked before rolling her eyes. “Oh, I know what you mean,” she said with a sigh. “His little script.”

“What?”

“I don't know what it means, either. It was something Discord talked about often. How everything seemed to follow a small script or guidelines or... something. He was fascinated with altering it. Downright obsessed with it, even. For such a spirit of chaos, he put a lot of belief into destiny.”

Silver nodded, rubbing her chin. “So... it's destiny? I can see... things?”

“You can see some things,” Trixie said before walking to look her in the eyes. “But what does it matter? You know your fate. You're the spirit of Discord. You're like me. Your destiny is to rule, to control this world. What else do you need to know?”

The earth pony took a step back, her mouth falling open. She then lowered her eyes. “Yeah. I guess... it is.” She raised a hoof. “There's four of them. I knew that. Know that. He made three into four. But we're at the third again. I still... I still want to end it now. To break it. I can, can't I?”

“Of course you can. That's what our power is, Silver. We have the power to change things. To alter what happens. To shift the story. Just look at me, I was never supposed to be... instead, I survived. I ruled. I changed everything. You can too.”

Silver nodded and closed her eyes. “I don't know if I'll win or lose, though. I can't... see that. I can't feel that. I know Discord could. He saw everything except for... well...”

“His end?”

“Yeah, he didn't see that.”

“There's probably plenty he didn't see,” Trixie said with a dismissive wave of her hoof. “He was a fool. Trust me. I worked with him. An awful, traitorous abomination that I wish I'd never had the displeasure of working with. But I did, so I learned. Your destiny is to rule, to destroy the Avatar. So merely focus on that.”

Silver sighed and gave a nod. She chewed on her lower lip for a moment before looking back to the blue mare. “Trixie, can we...”

“What?”

“Nothing. Never mind,” she said before turning away. “I'm returning to the real world. Just... do whatever it is you do when I'm not talking to you. Cease to exist or whatever.” She closed her eyes and disappeared before the mare could respond. She was once again laying in her bed and staring at the roof. She reached up and rubbed the amulet. “Can we be good? Can we be... friends with the Avatar? Do we really have to be the big, bad monster that they throw festivals to ward off?”

She was greeted by nothing but silence. She slowly rolled to her hooves and trotted from the room, heading towards the lab. She was in a poor mood now and only research could cheer her up.

She paused about halfway there when she heard a low ringing. It took her a few moments to realize what it was and she galloped to the lab, skidding on the floor and then running to the phone. She tapped the gems on the side and after a moment a voice spoke up. “Hello? Can you hear me? Hello?”

“Secretary? Is that you?”

“Ah! Lady Silver, yes,” the mare said. “Are you well?”

“Of course. How's daddy? Is everything okay?”

“Indeed. He is fine. In fact, the ships are now ready and consistent voyages are occurring as we speak. Unfortunately, we have yet to set up a permanent method of communication between the village and Manehatten, but we are hopeful.”

Silver nodded. “That's wonderful. So daddy is still overseeing everything?”

“No. As our task here is nearing completion, we will be returning soon.”

She froze. “Wait, what?”

“We're coming home.”

“N-now? Why? Is something wrong?”

“Our job here is done and he wishes to ensure everything is going well back home. Is there a problem?”

Silver sighed and shook her head. “No. It's been fine. In fact, everything here has been going great... it'll be a shame to have daddy... well...”

“Causing mayhem?”

“Yeah...”

“I understand, Lady Silver. But nothing more can be done about it. We will be leaving on a vessel tomorrow.”

“Of course. Is uhhhh... Sunset coming back with you?”

There was a long pause. Finally, the mare spoke up. “We have not seen much of her in weeks. I do not believe she has quite gotten along with the council here.”

“What? But she's Twilight's daughter!”

“Indeed. I believe that has given her certain expectations as to how she'll be treated. Sadly, she is mostly unfamiliar with the power structures here and many of the ponies see her as little more than a figurehead. At best.”

“O-oh. Is she... okay?”

“She is not quite taking it well. But I believe she intends to stay and work a while longer. For now. She may yet return to train the Avatar.”

Silver sighed. “I see.”

“How are things going over there, Lady Silver? You have not called us in a while.”

“Well, it's a bit difficult to get this thing to work sometimes. Good, though. I've been making headway. We're making plenty of progress on our models. Can you let daddy know that Scootaloo is flying now? It'll be a while before the technique is perfected, but she can wear the wings a full day before the gem starts to show wear. She's... well... having difficulty with flight, though. Her husband seems to be enjoying teaching her.”

“That's good.” There was a long pause. “I am sorry that your father could not make this call, it--”

“I know,” she said quickly. “Trust me, I know. He's busy. We're both busy, it's fine.” She sighed and glanced towards the nearby desk. “I should probably go, too. Make sure to call me the very moment you know when you'll arrive.”

“Of course. Secretary out.”

Silver eyed the phone for a few moments before sighing and turning away. She trotted to the desk and her horn glowed as she unattached her wings. She gripped the new metal wings resting on the desk, along with their necessary attachments, and began locking them into place. “Time for some field work,” she muttered softly.

Daring let out an internal growl as they flew through the air. As always, Pinionwing was dragging behind and she was in the middle, wanting to speed up and fly with Smoothglide at her max speed. She glanced back to the colt and just glared at him.

He was doing a little better, at least. He didn't get as exhausted anymore. But he was still far slower than them and her training didn't seem to do much to help. She was beginning to think his wings just weren't for flying. Which she supposed would have been fine, if he wasn't her problem.

She was snapped from her thoughts when Smoothglide suddenly started to dip down. He signaled with his right wing and her eyes caught sight of their target. A pegasus. A light breeze on the ground was settling and the pegasus had moved to 'aid' another pony. She could clearly see the mare steal the other pony's coin purse, though.

The pegasus quickly turned and started to trot away, likely thinking she was safe. Daring felt a little giddiness rise in her. She'd yet to have tried herself against an air bender, it was going to be amazing.

Then Smoothglide motioned with his hoof for them to pull back. She blinked but slowly lowered her speed. “What's wrong?” she asked softly.

“We're not engaging. You two aren't ready for an air bender.”

The mare blinked, her eyes narrowing. “You've got to be bucking kidding me. I could take her down any day of the week, with one wing tied behind my back.”

Smoothglide sighed. “That may be, but--”

“Just because Pinionwing can't fly himself out of a paper bag doesn't mean I need to be held back!” she snapped, her voice and temper rising. She could see the thief starting to veer towards one of the alleys and her heart started to pound.

“Daring! Pinionwing is just--”

“No, buck this,” she snapped before taking off like a dart.

“Daring!”

She ignored him and dived at the pegasus. She entered the alleyway a few seconds after the mare, but could still see her. However, the thief froze in place, before turning and looking right at her. Daring dove and the other mare flapped her wings once, sending a burst of air straight at her. Daring smirked and turned in a tight corkscrew formation, spinning around the burst and rapidly approaching the other mare. She sent out two move bursts of wind, but Daring veered around them with ease, keeping her breath steady before she flipped up and over. She was inches from the other pegasus before she flapped her wings once more, but this time she sent a big burst of wind in all directions.

Daring shrieked and flailed her hooves before hurtling back, slamming into the wall. She groaned and pushed off it, leaping up into the air moments before a burst of air could hit her. “Is that the best you've got?” she called out, smirking. She could see sweat forming on the other pony's face. She was definitely no Rainbow.

“S-shut up,” the mare said, flapping her wings again and sending out another big burst. Daring flew up and only got a weak burst this time, before diving back down at her again. She veered away and back up once she got closer, moments before the other mare unleashed a big burst of wind. Her distance and the other mare's exhaustion made the attack weak. She then dove right back down and landed a few feet from the other mare, charging right in. Her hooves shot out, the first narrowly missing as the pony tried to take a step back, but the second clipped the pony's wing. The third hit a leg and the fourth hit right in the side. From there it was only a few more taps and the pony dropped to the ground, paralyzed. “Ha!” Daring said, raising a hoof triumphantly.

“Daring,” Smoothglide snapped, landing a few feet from her.

“Did you see that? I was awesome! I told you I could handle her! I didn't even need you two, I did it on my own,” she said proudly, puffing out her chest. “Look, barely a mark on me.”

“Yes, but you disobeyed orders. There was no need to run off and put yourself in danger like that. It--”

“Oh, come off it, I got the job done,” she said with a shake of her head. “I told you I could do it. We didn't need Pinionwing at all.”

Smoothglide sighed and put a hoof to his forehead. “Daring, that's not the point. The three of us are a team, we don't rush off like that.”

“Well, maybe we should. He's holding us back, he--”

“He's getting better and, like you, he's still just a rookie. Neither of you are full Shadowbolts yet.”

“I should be! I can out fly probably anypony you've got in the entire Shadowbolts! Not only that, I've seen more action in a week than most of you have probably seen in your entire life times,” she snapped angrily, her eyes narrowed. “You're putting me through these lame, boring patrols when I can do so much more!”

“These lame, boring patrols are what being a Shadowbolt is. Do you--”

“Do you two mind?!” the pegasus thief yelled, glaring up at them. “If you're going to have a couple's spat, just--”

“Shut up!” Both Daring and Smoothglide yelled in unison.

He then sighed again. “Daring, I understand. The Shadowbolts aren't like what you're hoping, however. We don't go on adventures. We guard the town. Most of the time that means boring work. Paperwork. Patrols. More importantly, it means working with the squad and not abandoning each other. Sure, she was a weak air bender--”

“Hey!”

“-- but you had no way of knowing that. What if she was more than just a lousy thief?”

“HEY!”

“She could have been an actual threat. You could have been hurt, or killed.”

Daring growled and dug her hoof into the ground. “No, I couldn't have. I knew what I was doing. I could have taken that pony in my sleep.”

“HEY!!!”

“Just because Pinionwing is so sluggish doesn't mean I am,” she snapped, kicking the ground. “I've been dealing with pirates and spirits my whole life. A few weak benders aren't going to give me more than a small sweat.”

Smoothglide took a deep sigh, putting a hoof to his forehead. “Daring... stop. If you continue along this line, I'll have to suspend you.”

She stared at him for a few moments, ber eyes narrowing. Finally, she spoke up. “No. I know what I'm doing,” she said with a growl. She then looked down at herself and gave a sigh. “I don't even know why I started this. It was a stupid idea.”

“Daring?”

She closed her eyes for a moment, before glaring back at him. “I resign.”

“WHAT?” Smoothglide said, taking a step back in surprise. “You can't--”

“I can and I just did,” she said. “This whole thing was just... stupid. It might work for Ironwing, but it's not for me. I'm going back to base and tossing off my uniform.”

“W-wait,” Pinionwing finally spoke up, taking a step forward. “Please, Daring. I'll resign. You're a much better flier than me, if anypony should--”

“Oh buck that,” Daring said with a roll of her eyes. “That's just IT! I'm not made OUT for this kind of thing. It's driving me freaking bonkers!” She pointed to the pony on the ground. “I mean, look. I'm catching bucking pick pockets. How lame is that? I should be fighting sky pirates and robbin-- errrr, recovering objects from ancient tombs. Listen, I thought it was cool and, frankly, I'll probably keep the training in mind, maybe hone it a bit. But being a part of a team like this... it just isn't for me.” She spread out her wings, a grin forming on her lips. “You know, that actually felt really good. Haven't felt like this in weeks.”

“Daring, you're upset, don't make a judgment you'll regret later,” Smoothglide said with a frown.

“Oh, I'm not. I'm done making decisions I'm going to regret.” She took off like a bolt, flying through the air and heading back towards headquarters. She felt fifty pounds lighter as the responsibility and control of the Shadowbolts started to melt off her. She knew Ironwing would probably throw a hissy fit, but he was always grouchy so she didn't mind.

However, she didn't imagine Rainbow would be too happy about it. That sent a little pang of worry through her and made her nervously chew on her lower lip. Maybe it wasn't such a good idea after all. She shook her head and narrowed her eyes. No, she was sure of it. The whole thing had been driving her nuts for a while now.

She was Daring Do. Even if the Shadowbolts WERE pretty awesome, they just weren't for her. She wasn't meant to be tied down by anything.

Ironwing gave a sigh of pure, unbridled exasperation. Across the picnic blanket from him, Prism did the same. “Don't you two start,” Blaze warned, glowering.

“It's fine, we had it all handled,” Prism muttered.

“Oh, yeah. Because hiding away from each other and merely relaxing on the stink eye is repairing your relationship,” Blaze said with a roll of her eyes.

“It was working for me,” Ironwing grumbled darkly, before picking up a small watermelon cube and nibbling it. “But a picnic, really?”

“Hey, picnics are awesome,” Rainbow said from the small cloud hovering over the blanket. She popped a few walnuts into her mouth. “On a nice, sunny day like today it's perfect. You can even have a nap, too.”

“I don't have time for a nap, I have work to do after this,” Ironwing muttered.

“I swear you two are impossible,” Blaze muttered with a roll of her eyes. “Maybe I should have gotten your mother involved too,” she told Ironwing. “Or maybe Styx.”

He cringed. “Neither would submit to such a foalish endeavor. Prism and I are fine. We actually talk sometimes.”

“Exactly,” Prism said with a nod. “Just the other day we totally nodded at each other and said 'sup' when we passed on the road.”

Blaze face hoofed. “That's not talking! Rainbow, can you hear your son over here!”

Rainbow snored from up in her cloud.

“I swear, it's like trying to wrangle a whole herd of school foals...”

“We're fine,” Prism muttered again.

“No, I'm fine. You two are immature. About the only time you two are able to do anything in unity is when it comes to annoying me.”

Ironwing shrugged. “You're just very easy to annoy. Always have been, ever since we were kids.”

“It's true. I love you, honey, but you do get a bit up tight at times,” Prism said with a nod. “Besides, you have a lot of council work to do, you shouldn't be worrying about the two of us. We're grown ponies, we know what we're doing. Mostly.” He glanced over to Ironwing. “Besides, most of it... we've worked out.”

“Exactly,” Ironwing muttered, glancing off to the side.

“Fine. So, Ironwing, how has it been with the Shadowbolts? Happy to be back?” Blaze asked.

“It has been... different,” Ironwing said thoughtfully, before picking up a small slice of cornbread. “My responsibilities have shifted and I seem to be taking on a more... judgmental role in organization for now.”

“What does that mean?” Prism asked, cocking an eye. “You're not leading again, are you?”

He shuddered. “By the stars, no. But Stratios is having me review the other Shadowbolts. It seems the knowledge I'd gained in my years of leadership... well, she wants to put it to use for her, to help her better decide where everypony goes. Mostly she's just having me edit squads a bit to better put them with their strengths and weaknesses.” He gave a shrug. “But I'm not in any actual leadership position. I'm... not sure I could handle it right now.”

Prism glanced up, before sighing. “About... what happened before. With Shining. I uhhh... I mean, with the ponies who were... caught in the blast. I think I understand. I mean, why you were so upset and... I'm sorry.”

Blaze glanced up. “Huh? What about them?”

Ironwing cringed, closing his eyes. “I just... couldn't deal with it. Not again. I shut down. I don't think that'll change for a while, either. I can't...” He chewed on his lower lip. “I won't be able to deal with her. I'm so thankful that it's Diamond and Rainbow doing it this time.”

Blaze looked between the two. “Am I missing something?”

“I'll explain later,” Prism said with a shake of his head.

Ironwing sighed and closed his eyes, absentmindedly chewing on his roll.

Diamond groaned and leaned forward against the bar top, her hooves crossing over it. A small plate of deep fried spinach leaves were on the counter before her, partially eaten. She was exhausted after her day's training, but it was a good exhaustion. She felt she was really progressing, getting faster and stronger.

“Avatar!” a voice said, making her turn around and stare at the earth pony sitting besides her. “I'm surprised to see you here.”

“Huh? Oh, heyyyyy... you,” she said with a nervous grin. “I just wanted some cheap junk food. You know how it is.”

The pony blinked a few times before her eyes narrowed. “You don't know who I am, do you?”

“What? No! Of course I know who you are! You're uhhhhh...” An earth pony with a brown coat. She looked vaguely familiar, too. “You're... brown... coat?”

The mare's eyes twitched. “Really, after all I did for you? I mean, I get it, I may not be as important as you, but you'd think you'd at least TRY to remember me. Stars know I almost got killed when we were fighting by that Smooze beast.”

Diamond blinked a few times. “Smooze? You were there for the--” Her eyes widened. “Healer! You were the healer pony that Silver hired!” She grinned. “See? I got it!”

“Uh huh,” the mare said with narrowed eyes. “What's. My. Name?”

Diamond blinked a few more times. “Errrrr... gentle... touch?”

“MUDSHOT! Buck it! My name is Mudshot! I can't believe it, we were on a ship together for ages. I was even there when we were flying on the way home from that horrible place. We shared a ship! How could you forget me?!”

Diamond cringed. “I-I'm sorry, it just... err... to... be fair... I don't think I knew your name on the ship... either...”

The pony glared for a few moments, before sighing and her face falling. She looked ready to almost cry. “I'm sorry, Avatar. It just... happens a lot.”

“Really?”

“Yeah... ponies never remember my name. It's always 'healer' or 'healer pony' or 'earth pony healer' or something like that. Mudshot. It's not a difficult name. Buck, it's barely even a name. But it IS my name and I wish more ponies would at least try to remember it...” She gave a little sniffle. “I mean, it's not much but it's all I've got...”

“I'm sorry,” Diamond said, reaching out to pat the pony on the back. “I think Mudshot is a nice name.”

“It's a fine name,” the mare muttered. “It's a great name, even.”

“Yes, a very nice name.”

“Sure, it's not fancy like Diamond Tiara or anything, but it's nice.”

“Yes, it's very nice. And you're a great healer, I saw you working your flank off after what happened on the air ships.”

“Mmm hm. And you didn't even recognize me, though.”

“Errr...”

Mudshot sighed and moped in her seat. “Nopony ever remembers the healer...”

Silver landed gently, her legs barely bending as she came to the ground. She took a few steps to let her momentum die, before nodding. “Perfect.” The wings spread out in front of her, bending around at her whim, before folding neatly at her sides.

“So, do the weight on those ever get to you?” a voice asked, making her jump.

She looked up and saw True and Leadwing, the former in front. “I'm sorry?” she asked.

“Well, those wings look really heavy. Does the weight ever make it hard to stand or run?” True asked, smiling to her.

“Oh, no. I mean, in the short term it does. But I've been wearing these things since I was...” A frown creased her brow. “Most of my life, I suppose. Daddy was always a bit... anyway. Once you've worn them a few weeks you barely even notice. In my case, I've worn them so long I can barely notice. The weight doesn't shift much between designs, either. They'll maybe get a bit lighter, but that's hardly noticeable. Especially when you consider the weight is supporting you while in flight.” She gave the two a small smile. “So, how can I help you?”

“Boredom, mostly,” True offered before glancing to Leadwing. “Lady Blaze is currently busy with council matters and has no need of us. As such, our main job is currently to look around the city, keep an eye out for trouble or for things that the Wonderbolts would find interesting. I thought it would be a good idea to get to know more about Tomorrow Industries.”

She nodded. “Ah. Well, there's not much to get to know, sorry. We're just like any other multi-million bit company. Constantly working on new revenue streams and attempting to keep on the cutting edge.” She eyed them for a moment, before smirking. “Want to race?”

True blinked, then snickered. “I appreciate the offer, Miss Spoon. But I don't think that would be fair. We are master fliers and air benders, after all.”

She nodded. “I'm aware. But I mean just wings to wings.” She let her wings unfold. “No bending, to keep it fair.”

Leadwing gave a shrug. “I don't see why not. It could be fun.”

True nodded. “If Leadwing has no objections. So, where to?”

Silver hummed and rubbed her chin. She looked around, before pointing to the opposite end of the compound and the front gate. “There. Very front gate.” She trotted over to stand besides them. “On the count of three. Ready? Three!” She took off with a grin, flying through the air as her wings flapped again and again. She could feel them tearing through the magic in the air, but there was more to them now. On each side there were small gems that gently drew the magic in from the air around them, not much but just enough. It then expelled the magic out through the back, in a way similar to how the cannons on their airships had worked. It was still in the prototype stages, but it did allow them far more speed.

Perhaps more speed than she had imagined. She realized that the other two hadn't caught up to her yet. She glanced back and saw Leadwing flapping his wings furiously and had almost managed to catch up, with True just behind. Her eyes widened as she realized she might actually have a shot.

She pulled her legs in tighter to her body, leaning her head forward a bit more to give herself a more aerodynamic form. For just a moment she considered using her own magic to give herself an edge. It would be so simple, the smallest spell to make flight a little more difficult for them, to slow them down. Or to make it easier for her. She then shook her head and just flapped her metallic wings, burying that temptation deep down. She was almost halfway to the goal when Leadwing managed to pull up besides her.

“These new wings are quite impressive!” he said as he flew.

“Yeah, they are. Newest design and--” She blinked and scowled. Now that she got a good look at him, she was able to see WHY she was able to go so fast compared to them. While his wings were flapping rapidly, his legs were laying out and not pulled against his body. He was holding back, even without his bending. He passed her after a few moments and then True passed her shortly after. By the time they got to the gate they were a good dozen feet ahead of her. She landed besides them, before giving a soft chuckle. “Well, even if you two were holding back, these newest designs do quite well in a forward sprint.” She said with a nod. “Far beyond our oldest models.”

“I remember when the first models came out,” True said softly, rubbing his chin. “They could barely keep up with school foals.”

Silver chuckled. “Yeah, we've advanced a lot in the last few months. Though, to be fair, my models are special. It'll probably be at least a year before this model is available on the public market. Probably three months or so before even the Shadowbolts get their hooves on it.”

“Really? Why?”

“Because of all the testing we have to do on it. See, for me it's different.” She let the tips of the wings go out. “I've been working on these things for most of my life. I mean, we had basic models under development for years before now, but none of them were really... public ready. But I've seen these things built, inside and out. I could probably build one with like, a toaster, a few gems and one of our new can openers. I know how to deal with them if they malfunction, I know how to repair them, I know where to check for wear and tear. And let me tell you, these new models? They wear down fast. They just aren't safe for anypony who doesn't know all their inner workings. But because I DO know them, I can use the newer models, get plenty of information stored on their use and get to try a bunch of new tricks at the same time.”

“Why just the Shadowbolts?” True asked.

“Namely because they're the main force interested in them and we prefer to release to them before the general public. The Moon Raisers will usually take a hoofful of them, but the metal benders won't touch them. The Shadowbolts, on the other hoof, love them. The fact they can be modified to house small spells as well makes them extremely useful and the wings are great as extra hooves. In fact, zebras are our primary customers for these, with the majority of those who are in the Shadowbolts getting at least rudimentary training in their use.” She then spread the wings out a bit more. “We try to ensure they get first dibs on models when they're ready for release and safe as they need to be. We don't want other ponies running around with faster models than them, after all.” She then sighed. “Though, this model still isn't done. We have straight speed as very high and it is extremely maneuverable. However, movements bring down the speed by nearly fifty percent, sometimes even below our current models if the movements are too precise. We're hoping to get it to about eighty percent speed maintained while flying.”

True blinked a few times, staring at them. “Wow. And here I thought you were just a really pretty face. You sure know a lot about these, don't you?”

Silver's cheeks turned red, but she refused to acknowledge them. “Of course. I... may not be quite as good at all this as daddy, but I've still been immersed in this since I was a child. I'd have to be a foal to not understand how it all works.”

True nodded. “Really? Is your mother involved, too? Secretary, right?”

Silver froze in place, her eyes going wide. She took a deep breath, before spreading her wings. “I have a lot of work to get done. It's time I leave. If you require anything, just ask one of the servants.” She took off, leaving the two behind.

True frowned and glanced to Leadwing. “Did I say something wrong?”

The other stallion shrugged. “I don't know. Maybe?”

Daring sighed as she soared over the city, feeling the cold air blow through her wings. She hummed softly, scanning the area for any sign of the mare. It only took her a moment to find her and a wide grin formed on her lips when she did.

“Hey! Rainbow!” she called out.

The pegasus moved her head up from her resting place on a cloud. She gave a soft yawn, before slowly sitting up. “Hmmm? Daring? What time is it?” She groaned. “I'm having my post-lunch nap...”

“Late enough you should be up,” she said with a snicker, before landing by her. “I knew you'd be here. You always choose clouds near the tallest buildings.”

Rainbow gave a shrug. “I just like making sure if I drift, I'll be high enough up not to hit anything.” She glanced up at the sky, then glanced to Daring. “I wish I could see and actually tell what time it is. What are you doing out?” She sent a light burst of wind out and frowned. “Back to the hat? I thought the Shadowbolts had a dress code.”

Daring blinked a few times. “Yeahhhhhh. About that. I kinda... well, quit.”

The other mare's mouth fell open. “Excuse me?”

“Walked out, left, told them I was out of there. You know how it is.”

“Does Ironwing know? I just had lunch with him and he didn't say anything.”

“Eh... heh heh. No. I think... well, he's probably finding out right about now. He's going to be pretty mad, isn't he?” She gave a sheepish grin, even though the other mare couldn't see it.

“Yeah, but he's always mad about something,” Rainbow said with a dismissive wave of her hoof. “If you've ever met his dad, well, you'll understand why. It's a family tradition, I think. They have normal scowl offs I hear.”

Daring nodded and gave a soft chuckle. “So uhhh... yeah. That's a thing now. Are uhhhh... are you mad?”

Rainbow chuckled softly and laid back down. “A little, but I guess I can forgive you interrupting my nap this time. Oh, about the whole Shadowbolt thing? Nahhhhh. Why, are you mad at yourself?”

The mare shrugged. “No, not really.” She laid down. “I just... I couldn't stand it, you know?”

“Oh? Why don't you tell me about it?”

“It just didn't... fit. I guess. It's hard to explain.”

“Mmmmm. So, tell me kid. Why'd you join in the first place?”

She shrugged. “It seemed like a good idea at the time? I mean, Ironwing seemed pretty cool and I'd heard about the Shadowbolts a few times from mom. I was more than capable,” she said with a grin. “I mean, heck, parts of it were a lot of fun. I picked up a lot of really sweet moves in the last few weeks. But...” She frowned and gave a sigh. “It was so. Bucking. BORING!”

Rainbow chuckled. “Boring? Really? I'd never thought the Shadowbolt lifestyle was supposed to be boring.”

“The most action I saw was dealing with a few purse snatchers! He wouldn't even let me go after an air bender without panicking, I mean come on. I'm ME. I'm pretty awesome! I've been dodging pirates and who knows what else my whole life. Sure, I might not have as much experience dealing with benders as some of them, but I want to learn. I don't want to just sit on the sidelines.” She turned to Rainbow. “You joined the Wonderbolts, right? What was that like?”

“Awesome. Totally awesome,” Rainbow said with a wide grin. “You get an awesome uniform, the others were pretty rad. I even met my husband there. Wasn't boring in the slightest, felt like every week we were dealing with bandits or something. But times were different then. It's a lot more peaceful now, ever since Harmony came about and most of the nations are working more towards peace.” She paused for a second. “Really? Wouldn't let you fight an air bender?”

“We had the bender out numbered three to one,” Daring said flatly. “It wasn't a master bender, either. It was just some rookie. Buck, I took her down myself and got little more than a bruise.”

Rainbow nodded. “Yeah, I know how that feels. I never really had to deal with that junk. But then, when I joined I'd already had a lot of my adventures. Buck, I'd helped save the world already, took down quite a few ships on my own, learned the sonic rainboom... I was already a legend. I kinda got to skip over the whole being a rookie thing.”

Daring groaned and shook her head. “You know... when I came out here, this isn't what I wanted.”

“Hmmm?”

“I thought coming out here, to be around other ponies... well... I thought I'd be like mom. Saving the world, going on adventures. Fighting off bad ponies. Buck, I mean even back home if I really got bored I could just sniff out some pirates or go piss off Ahuizotl. I've been here a few weeks and all I've done is training and then a bunch of boring patrols where I maybe get to see the slightest hint of action.”

Rainbow shrugged. “Well, if you want to go on adventures, I'd stick around Diamond more.”

“What? Why?”

“She's the Avatar. Trouble is going to follow her around wherever she goes. That was half the fun of being Twilight's friend.” Rainbow's grin got wider. “Buck, barely a day went by we weren't fighting for our lives. Totally awesome. We once dove into an active volcano. Sadly, it didn't erupt.”

Daring nodded and gave a sigh. “That sounds awesome.” She was silent for a few moments. “So uhhh... how mad do you think Ironwing will be, for real?”

Rainbow sighed. “I know his type. He won't 'be mad'. He'll just 'be disappointed'.”

“Oh gosh no...”

“Eeyup. And he'll probably give you the look. I'm sure you know the look.”

“Ughhhhhhh.”

“But in the end, it's your decision. If you don't want to be a Shadowbolt, then don't be a Shadowbolt.” She reached out and tapped the younger mare on the shoulder. “Daring, it's your life. You're still young, you've got a lot of time to decide what you want to do with it. Who knows? Maybe the Shadowbolts will be more interesting looking in five or six years. But for now, go on your adventures and have a blast.”

Daring nodded and closed her eyes. “Thanks. Do you uhhhh... do you think my mom would have minded? I mean... she kinda...”

“Twilight would have wanted you to do whatever made you happy.”

The younger mare sighed. “I guess. But I mean, she never really seemed to be okay with me... doing like... important stuff.”

“I'm sure she never meant it like that. Twilight... well, she wasn't always the best at social stuff. I'm sure whatever you decide to do with your life, whether it's running off and going on grand adventures, or even becoming a fishermare--”

“Oh gag me with a spoon.”

“Your mom would be happy. As long as you were happy.”

Daring sighed. “How do you know?”

Rainbow was quiet for a few moments, before speaking up. “Because I knew Twilight and I know what it's like to be a mother.” She slowly wrapped her hooves around her stomach. “If... I'd had a daughter, I'd have wanted her to be happy.”

“Don't care if Prism is happy, eh?” Daring asked with a snicker.

“Oh please, Blaze takes care of that. A good mom would give just about anything to make sure her kids were happy. I know Twilight would be proud of you no matter what.”

Daring sighed and closed her eyes. “I guess. I just... what do you think I should do?”

“Talk to Ironwing, first. When he gets off tonight, track him down. You know where he lives. Just let him know how you were feeling, why you did what you did. He'll pout and grumble and probably throw one of his trademark little fits, but in the end it's your life and he can't control you. He can only give you guidance.”

Daring nodded. “I guess. What then?”

“Well, what about your books? You ever get to anypony to show them?”

“Eh... heh heh. Well, a few ponies. I had one who was absolutely gushing over my adventure to get this sapphire stone. Frankly, I think it was one of my more boring adventures. I mean, come on, I hurt my wing at the beginning and I couldn't even fly! Who'd wanna read a story about something like THAT?”

Rainbow snickered and gave a shrug. “You never know. Go and talk with the pony, see what they think. If nothing else, at least you'll make a few bits on the side. Did you manage to save up much from working with the Shadowbolts?”

Daring groaned and face hoofed. “Yeah, a bit. But it was only for a few weeks. I guess this means I'll be living with... Hornclipper for longer.”

“What's that like?”

“Awkward. He never... does anything. I swear. He just kind of glides around, occasionally grumbling under his breath and being all mopey. I swear I saw him smile when he banged his hoof in a drawer.”

“Wait, really?”

“No, but he is the most like... whiney pony I've EVER seen. Just walks around in a cloud all day. It doesn't make any sense! Scootaloo is like... the exact opposite! So full of life and vigor. Talks all through breakfast, always running about. Oh! You heard about her getting wings? Apparently it's something Silver was working on, so she can fly.”

Rainbow sat up. “Wait, really? That's AWESOME! How have you guys NOT told me about this?”

Daring shrugged. “I don't know. Just never came up? It's pretty cool. I haven't actually seen it yet, though. She doesn't talk about it too much, but apparently she and Hornclipper have been going down to the compound and flying together a lot.” She paused. “Actually, now that I think about it... does Hornclipper even have a job?”

“Huh? What do you mean?”

“Well... he never talks about it or... much of anything. And he goes out at all weird hours.”

Rainbow shrugged. “I don't know. I remember him doing a lot of weird jobs over the years. But Scootaloo is on the council, I know that pays well enough that he wouldn't really need to.”

Daring shrugged. “I guess. Seriously, how did those two ever get together? It's like... complete opposites.”

“I don't know. Maybe Hornclipper has a secret, super charming side,” Rainbow said with a chuckle. “How about your sister, heard anything from her?”

Daring blinked, then sighed. “No. Not really. I've... sent her a few messages. But she hasn't responded to any of them. I don't even know if she's getting them. For all I know she's... well...”

“Ignoring you?”

“Yeah... it's just the kind of thing she'd do. I mean, I know we didn't always get along. Buck, we still don't. But she... she's still my sister. Mom would have wanted us to keep an eye out for each other.”

“Well, if you're not a member of the Shadowbolts anymore, maybe you can go visit her. It's not that long a trip. I mean, I used to be able to make the full flight in like... two days. But then again, I'm me. It takes quite a bit longer by airship.”

Daring chuckled and then gave a sigh. “I just might. I hope she's okay, though. Sometimes I just kind of worry about her. She's not really as...” She rubbed her chin. “As acclimated as I am, I guess. Not quite as good at the whole dealing with other ponies. Wayyyy too stubborn and uptight. Soooo serious. I hope it doesn't cause problems with the Fire Tribes.”

Rainbow shrugged. “It'll be fine. If she was in any kind of danger, we'd know it by now.”

Daring snickered and shook her head. “Right. Sunset in danger. She'd probably drive anypony who tried to threaten her mad.”

Sunset growled, pacing back and forth, digging her hooves into the ground of her small apartment with every step. Her face was set in an almost permanent scowl and it was all she could do to keep from yelling. She glanced towards the letter from the council again, before letting out another frustrated yell.

Oh, the Fire Tribes wanted her, alright. In fact, they were even putting her up in this rather nice, cozy apartment. But they didn't want to listen to her. They were treating her more like some kind of delicate, helpless flower. Giving her shelter and meals. Occasionally taking her out to meet the public. But they were ignoring everything she said.

At first she'd understood, she wasn't fully aware of all the laws and such of the land, but she'd already learned the vast majority of them thanks to her mother's tomes. She'd studied and researched, looking to find each and every change from what her mother had taught her, before finally returning to the council.

They'd merely brushed her off. Again and again, making excuses. They didn't listen to her speak, didn't ask her opinions, barely even looked at her when she talked. They just wanted her to be another body that stood there, smiling and waving at the ponies. As if she was some kind of trophy left behind by her mother. She gave her couch a firm kick. She was half tempted to throw something out the window, but that would probably just give them the satisfaction of thinking they were right. That she was over emotional and weak.

She was her mother's daughter and she swore she would make her proud. She would lead the Fire Tribes to prosperity like her mother would have wanted, even if she had to do it kicking and screaming.

A sudden knocking on the door made her glance up. She scowled and made her way over, pulling it open. Outside was standing a green coated pony with a blue mane. “Can I help you?” she asked bitterly.

“As a matter of fact, you can,” the mare said with a small smile. “My name is Gracious Warmth and I've come with an offer I... don't think you'll want to refuse.”

Sunset's scowl got larger. “I swear, if this is about--”

“I assure you, you have no idea what this is about. May I come in?”

Sunset blinked, but slowly stepped aside. Once the mare walked in, she closed the door behind her. “Okay. What is it you want?”

“You, my dear mare,” the mare said before trotting towards the couch and sitting down. “Or rather, what you represent.” She put a hoof on the edge of the couch and gasped. “Oh my, this is very nice. Is it velvet? It feels like velvet.”

“I don't know, it came with the room. What do you mean, what I represent?”

Gracious glanced up. “Ah, I guess I should explain a little bit. You see I'm a member of a... very select organization. In fact, there are only a hoofful of us now.” She frowned. “But I wouldn't use that to imagine us weak. We prefer the term... precise.”

“Uh huh,” Sunset said flatly. “And what do you want from me?”

“Simple. I've been watching you, Sunset. You're smart. More importantly, you're the daughter of Twilight, one of the greatest Avatars of all time. You'd make an excellent ruler.”

“A what now?”

Gracious sighed again and put a hoof to her forehead. “I... guess I'd better start from the beginning. I represent... well, we have plenty of names. You can call us the Remnants of Harmony.”

Sunset just scowled more. “What in the buck are--” She gasped, a hoof coming to her mouth. “Wait, being all... weird and awkward... are you a member of the Yellow Daisy?”

Gracious blinked. “No, I'm not. Though we have been watching them for a while, we are not in fact affiliated with them. In fact, I'm pretty sure if they knew who we were, they'd have had tried to stop us by now.”

Sunset blinked a few more times. “Stop you? Why? What are you doing?”

Gracious gave another soft sigh and stroked the couch. “This really is soft, it--”

“Answer the question.”

“How much do you know about Discord?”

“He was very powerful, very evil and is now very dead.”

Gracious nodded. “You're right on two counts. He was very powerful and evil, but we have reasons to suspect his death might have been greatly exaggerated.”

Sunset froze, her eyes going wider. “W-wait, what? Impossible, my mother destroyed him, he--”

“Was an extremely powerful spirit and, trust me. We know spirits.” Gracious frowned. “We know Discord more than most. But he was hardly the first spirit to be destroyed. Anxiety, Harmony, Beguile, Allure, all fell far before he did. When they die, things can... linger. In Harmony's case, it was the Avatar. In Discord's, well... we're not quite sure yet. But trust me, he's there. We can still feel his greasy claws entangled in the strings of our world, plucking at them as he works for... whatever it is he's trying to do now.”

“Why do you need me?” Sunset asked softly.

“You're the daughter of Avatar Twilight. She destroyed Discord, or at least the majority of his power. He is weakened, vulnerable. Whatever remnants remain may still be snuffed out. This... offers us an opportunity.” A grin formed on her lips. “A chance to complete what your mother started.”

“What my mother started?”

“Indeed, dear Sunset.” Gracious gave a nod before slowly holding up both her hooves. “True unity.”

Author's Note

For those curious. Yes. I had Mudshot planned even when I wrote her as 'healer pony'. Yes it was a silly, long drawn out joke. But i liked it.

It was this or a thousand puns. I figured this was less pun-ishing. Yes, I am a horrible person.

Chapter 10: Legacy

Peach gave a soft yawn as she rested on her cloud, glancing up at the clear sky. Her morning had been pretty rough, being the sole weather maintainer for the town was a tough job. But now the skies were clear and she could hear the farmers working the land below. It was going to be a beautiful, lovely day and she couldn't imagine anything would ruin it. Now she got to rest on her cloud hovering just over the trees and keep an eye out for any wandering clouds.

She blinked a few times and cocked her head to the side when she saw another pegasus flying through the air. She squinted and tried to make out who the pony was, but it wasn't any of the ponies from town. Yet the pony was making a beeline right for her. She stood up and stretched, lifting a hoof. “Hey! Can I--”

Shining didn't stop, slamming down into the pony and sending her hurtling through the cloud and into the ground below. It was only about a ten foot drop, but with the force from Shining's hooves it was powerful enough to break bones. She grinned down at the whimpering, moaning mare. “Awwww, did that hurt? Well, don't worry. This is going to hurt a lot more.” Her hoof lashed out, grabbing her head and slamming it twice into the ground.

“Was that really necessary?” Dazzling asked when he broke through the tree cover, eyes narrowed. “Meadowbrook said disable, don't kill.”

“What? She's not dead,” the pegasus said with a shrug. “Besides, I was quick. She barely even knew what hit her. Buck, when she wakes up she probably still won't know what hit her.”

His eyes narrowed. “Of course. Was that all of them, or do they have any other aerial defenses?”

“Nahhhh, this was it. There's a bunch of ponies out in the field, but she was the only pegasus I saw in the air. Tell him to hit the town, first. Might be a few first responders there. We're way too deep in Air Nomad lands for there to just be one pegasus here.”

Dazzling sighed before his horn glowed for a moment and he closed his eyes. Once he was done he opened them again and turned towards the town. “Come on. You and I are on round up duty. If any of them make a break for it, we're to stop them. Gently.”

Shining gave a low moan, but followed after him. “I swear, this is all just a waste of our time. We should be blowing these little places up, not capturing a bunch of no-name ponies. I have more magic in my front right hoof than this whole place has in their whole bodies.”

“That's probably true. But would you rather have Meadowbrook drain them, or acquire it from you?”

The color drained slightly from Shining's face and she bit her tongue. After a few moments she turned back to him. “How much power do you think she really has?”

“The ponies who were protecting my cage were not weak. If Meadowbrook truly has access to all of their power... it would make her a formidable adversary, but perhaps one I could defeat.” He paused. “But with access to the powers of all the ponies who were guarding all three of us? Those are not odds I'd wish to test.”

“Ohhhhh? Is little blood bender scared?”

“Only a fool fears nothing,” he said before glancing towards her. “Which I imagine is why you are so fearless.”

She gave a grin. “Yeah, you know it. Nothing scares--” She paused, then glared at him. “HEY!”

“Meadowbrook needs us, for now. I'd prefer to use my considerable powers to aid her and be free, rather than be drained away to the dregs and left to the mercy of the nations. Or would you so happily give up your flight?”

Shining blinked and then shuddered. “I'm just biding my time before I strike. I don't let anypony control me,” she said with a snort.

“Truly,” he said flatly.

Diamond paced back and forth on the airship's deck, occasionally glancing over the side. Rainbow was flying besides them while she, Scootaloo, Rarity, Sweetie, Applebloom and Applejack(who was looking slightly worse for the wear) rode on it. “There it is!” Sweetie called out and pointed down.

The alicorn jumped off the side of the ship and started to lower herself towards the town. It wasn't looking good in the slightest. The fields were torn up, with much of the vegetation burned away. The buildings(the few that still stood) were heavily damaged and cracked all the way down to their foundations. Wonderbolts were swarming the area, but they had arrived far too late as well. There were also a great deal of ponies wearing yellow neck bands with three pink butterflies on them who were doing their best to hand out blankets and food to the unmarked ponies, while also tending to the wounded.

The ponies who had been affected were gathered into a small herd in the center of the town, all of them missing their cutie marks. She landed on the ground a moment after Rainbow.

“Wonderbolt Rainbow Dash! Avatar Diamond Tiara!” a voice called out and the two looked over to see a pegasus stallion trotting over to them. He was wearing one of the yellow neck bands. “It's an honor,” he said, bowing his head. “I'm Goldenglow of Legacy. A pleasure to meet you.”

“Legacy?” Diamond asked, cocking an eye.

“Short for Fluttershy's Legacy,” a Wonderbolt said before she trotted up. “Goldenglow is in charge of the Legacy relief here, I'm in charge of trying to track down the ponies that did this. I'm Wonderbolt Redburst.” She paused and then nervously coughed to the side. “Wonderbolt Rainbow Dash... it's a... uhhhh... it's an honor. I never actually thought I'd... see you.”

Rainbow nodded. “Not happy in the slightest to be here, but that's not your fault,” the mare said with a frown. “So Meadowbrook did this?”

“As far as we can tell,” Redburst said. “It was a quick attack. This town is pretty small, just a few dozen ponies. Buck, they only had the one weather pony and a hoofful of civilian air benders. Took them all out in a few seconds, rounded everypony up.”

“Were any of them killed?” Rarity asked as she trotted up.

“As far as we can tell, no,” Redburst said with a shake of her head. “Their homes were destroyed, however.”

Applejack nodded as she trotted up. “Ah can see Hothoof's hoof prints all over this place. He always liked makin' a buncha explosions.”

“So Shining was here?” Rainbow asked.

Redburst gave a nod. “A pony matching her description took out the only weather pony they had. Mare said it was quick and brutal, though, so she could only give the colors.”

“That'd be her,” Rainbow muttered. “The weather pony is still alive?”

“A few broken rips, but yes. No pony was killed, just beat up and drained.” Redburst looked around. “It was a slaughter. Once Meadowbrook attacked a few first responders came out, but they were only trained to deal with a few petty bandits. Nothing to this extent. They were drained and left helpless within a matter of minutes. Unfortunately, the draining process knocked the majority of them out and none of them know where the ponies retreated to.”

Diamond gave a small nod before looking to the ship as it touched down. The others started to make their way over. “Always in a rush, eh?” Applejack asked as she looked around. “What yah find out?”

“A big deal of nothing,” Rainbow muttered, kicking the ground. “Why would they pop out here? There's like...” She glanced over to the ponies. “Like thirty ponies here. There can't be that much magic to gain from it.”

“Perhaps the purpose wasn't to gain magic,” Rarity said with a shake of her head. “Or at least, not a large amount. A small town like this may not have a lot of strategic importance in a war effort, but it is still an amount of magic. Draining it will no doubt make this Meadowbrook stronger and, more importantly, it lacks the danger of attacking a larger town and risking a sizable response.”

Rainbow gave a snort. “Well, at least we know Shining isn't leading this operation. She'd have gone straight for Cloudsdale if she was.”

“Ah think it's fair tah assume that Meadowbrook is still the pony in charge,” Applejack said with a shake of her head. “Ain't no way a normal pony could keep Hothoof under control an' stop him from hurtin' a buncha ponies in a situation like this.” She looked over. “Ah guess we should all be grateful. No deaths is still somethin' we can be happy about. We can always get their cutie marks back.”

“Hopefully it's easier this time,” Diamond muttered, looking around. She then looked to the three. “What would you do in a situation like this?”

Rainbow shrugged. “Find them. It's all we can do at this point. But we already have all four countries tearing about and looking for any sign of them. It's not like when we were fighting Discord or the Water Nation. With them, we always knew where they were going and well buck, we were in their position before. It's a lot easier to hide a few ponies than it is to find them, if you know how.”

“Slightly easier for us than them of course,” Applejack said with a shrug. “At least two of the nations didn't want us captured. But on the other hoof, ah don't think these ponies really care if they go an' hurt anypony, so they are a might more dangerous.” She shook her head. “Any guesses?”

Rarity rubbed her chin. “Well... to be honest, a thought does occur.”

“Oh?” Diamond asked, looking to her.

“We have no idea what they have planned at this point. As much as I hate to say it, there may be nothing we can do aside from hoping for some sign of tracks or marks as to where they went.”

“Ah wouldn't count on it,” Applejack muttered. “They got Hothoof an' if this Meadowbrook can do some earth bendin' thanks tah that fancy stick of hers, there's no tellin' if they'll leave any kind of mark. All in all, it's frankly... well...”

“A complete bucking waste of time,” Rainbow said through gritted teeth. “Buck, this is ridiculous. We can't just pop up after they do a bunch of damage and then go 'oh, sorry guys, we were a bit too slow'. There has to be something we can do!”

There was a soft cough and Goldenglow slowly raised a hoof. “Err... if... if I may be so bold?” the pony asked, giving a nervous smile.

“Go right ahead,” Rainbow said with a wave of her hoof. “Not like things could get much worse.”

“Most of the ponies here are... well, their morale is low. They're scared, they don't know what's happening. Some of them are hurt and terrified they may never have their cutie marks back.” His eyes then moved down to Diamond. “You, however... are the Avatar. I know it might sound silly, but... a few words from you, any words from you, could do these ponies a world of good.” He then looked to the others. “You're also the heroes of legend. Most ponies here have grown up hearing the tales of your amazing defeat of Discord and the Water Nation. It might not do much to stop this from happening again, but anything you'd have to say would mean the world to these ponies and if nothing else, calm their nerves.”

Diamond froze, her eyes lowering. “I... I don't know what I'd say. To be honest, I don't even know if there will be anything I CAN do for them. I have no way to track Meadowbrook, or--”

“It's not about knowing what you can do,” Goldenglow said with a shake of his head. “It's about knowing what you intend to do.”

Diamond chewed on her lower lip for a few moments before glancing back to the others.

“Well, ah don't see any harm in it,” Applejack said with a shrug. “We all beaten these ponies once before an' stars know we don't intend tah stop until we do it again. So ain't gonna be nothin' but the truth from meh.”

Rainbow shrugged. “Meh. We took down Discord, we can take down some weird unicorn with a fancy stick.”

Rarity gave a nod. “Indeed. And as dangerous as their combined might may be, I assure you ours is far, far stronger. These ruffians will have to learn the hard way not to cause problems with our nations. We're with you, Diamond.”

Diamond gulped and gave a nod. “I uhhh... I guess we'll say something then.” She looked to all the ponies before slowly stepping forward. To her relief, she could hear the others walking behind her and following in her steps. As she moved forward, the relief ponies stopped and moved aside while those missing their marks turned to face her. She took a deep breath before trying to steel herself. She mentally called out to Twilight to aid her if she could. She then stomped her hooves down and glowered at the ponies. “Hello!” she called out and, to her shock, her voice was suddenly EXTREMELY loud, making her take a step back. She looked around in confusion and saw Rarity's horn was glowing.

“Carry on, dear,” the unicorn said.

Diamond gulped and looked back to the ponies. “Hello. My name is Diamond Tiara. Most of you will more likely know me as the Avatar.” She paused for a moment. “I am very, very sorry for what happened to you here. However, I want you to all know, I WILL get your cutie marks back. I will not stop, I will not rest until they are returned where they need to be.” She looked left and right over the crowd of ponies. “I know you're scared, I know you feel helpless and weak. Like your very core has been stripped from you.” She paused for a second and thought back to how she felt when her cutie mark had been stolen. “I know because I have been where you've been. I've fought Meadowbrook and, unfortunately, at first I lost. I was stripped of my cutie mark. However, that didn't stop me and it won't stop you. With my friends besides me, I continued to fight, I continued to oppose her. That won't change now. Meadowbrook has lost before, as have all of her companions. This time will be no different. The full force of all five nations are working together to capture these criminals and rest assured, when they are captured you will have your cutie marks and magic back.” She then looked back. “It's not just me, either, who will be doing this. I... know you have all heard of Avatar Twilight Sparkle, likely one of the greatest Avatars of all time. Her friends have joined me on this quest and I know, together with them, there is no way we can fail.” She turned back to the crowd. “I just ask that you please be patient and wait. Before you know it, you'll be back to your normal lives.”

“What are we going to do for our harvest?” a pony yelled out.

Diamond blinked and froze. “Err... I'm sorry?” she asked, staring at the ponies.

One of the earth ponies stood up. “Our harvest! We depend on the bits our fields bring in every year to survive, but without our magic to tend the fields, how will they prosper? We can't put our lives on hold until this pony is captured, we need our magic!”

Diamond froze, her eyes widening. “I... uhhh... I mean, I'm sure there's ponies who can help you. Give you bits to last through the winter, even--”

“I don't need no bucking hoof out!” a pony yelled, jumping to her hooves. “I've been working these fields since before you were just a sparkle in your pa's eyes! I can take care of them myself, cause it's my job and my duty! Just like it's your job and duty to protect us from crazy ponies like this!”

Diamond froze, lowering her eyes. “I'm... I'm sorry. We're working to--”

“Now you jus' hold on a darn minute!” Applejack snapped before she took a step forward, glaring down at the pony in front of her. “Now ah ain't gonna blame yah for not wantin' a hoof out. But ah was workin' fields like this jus' before YAH were a sparkle in your pa's eyes an' if yah think ah'm gonna stand around an' let yah bad mouth the Avatar due tah this situation, yah got another thing comin',” she snapped, stomping a hoof down. “Yah all got a bad lot, ah ain't gonna lie. Frankly, losin' your cutie mark at a time like this plum stinks worse'n a pig pen that ain't been cleaned all summer, but that ain't Diamond's fault. It's the ponies that attacked yah all's fault an' don't yah eva forget it. Now, ain't nopony tellin' yah tah take a hoof out, star's know hardly a pony alive who'd want somethin' like that. But yah all had a buncha bad luck an' your right, tendin' tah your fields right now is jus' not in the picture. Frankly, with the way things are goin' yah probably gonna be dependin' on charity more than yah like.” She then turned to Goldenglow. “But that's why Fluttershy's Legacy was founded. Tah help ponies that got hurt in the war or situations like this. Tah help yah all stay on your hooves so yah don't end up jammed in the mud.” She took a deep breath. “Ah know how it feels, ah'm sure yah all put your heart an' soul intah this land, but as much as ah hate tah say it, it ain't worth dyin' over. More'n that, yah all make it sound like you're gonna miss a few years worth of harvest. The las' time Meadowbrook showed her head the whole thing was over in a few months, brutal as it was, an' ah doubt now will be any change. That means jus' one harvest season, maybe not even a whole harvest. It's rough, your pride is gonna take a bit of a blow, but now's the time for all of us tah stick tagether, not bite at the hoof offerin' yah aid.”

She glanced to Rainbow. “Now, ah don't know about how your country operates, but back in the Earth Kingdom stuff like this can happen from time tah time. In times like that, our Empress makes sure that the ponies are taken care of. Ah don't know how you Air Nomads do it, but if it's anythin' like it was durin' the war, yah all will be fine.” She then turned back to them. “Ah'm sorry, it sucks, but yah all are ponies for buck's sake. Yah are gettin' a stiff blow tah the chin, ain't nopony gonna say yah ain't. But that ain't no reason tah throw a tantrum an' go blamin' the Avatar for somethin' she didn't cause yah an' she sure as buck is doin' her very best tah help yah with.”

Rainbow gave a nod before stepping forward, giving a nod. “Exactly, Applejack's right. The Air Nomads have resources in place for situations like that and Fluttershy's Legacy is already popping up to give you the aid you need.” She motioned to the other ponies. “It sucks, fine. But if you're going to be mad, at least be mad at the right pony.”

The ponies slowly sat down and grumbled a bit amongst themselves, but quickly went quiet. Diamond smiled before she and the others turned around, heading back towards the ship. “Thank you,” she said softly.

“Ain't nothin',” Applejack said with a shrug. “Them ponies jus' wanted somepony tah lash out at an' yah made a good target. Ah ain't gonna stick around for that.”

“Did uhh...” Diamond gave a soft sigh. “Did Twilight ever have... ponies who blamed her for what happened?”

There was a long moment of silence before Rainbow spoke up. “Yes. A few ponies. Most of them understood, of course. But there were plenty who blamed her for what happened. As if it was her fault, personally, that the Water Nation went to war, that Discord showed up, just about everything was laid at her hooves by one pony or another. Frankly, it was just bucking stupid. I mean, I get it, she's the Avatar. Was the Avatar. But there's only so much one pony can do. There were a bunch of idiots who apparently thought she should have trotted straight into the Water Nation on day one of her appearance and just dethroned Nightmare Moon. You know what would have happened then?”

“What?” Diamond asked softly.

“We'd have had a new Avatar a good deal sooner an' Discord would still be runnin' about,” Applejack said with a shake of her head. “Buck, ah wasn't with her for most of the journey but even ah could see jus' how hard she was workin'. The sad truth of the matter is, there will always be ponies like that. When bad stuff happens, they look for somepony tah blame. Try tah find some quick an' easy way tah jus' make everything better. Sayin' things like 'well, if ah was Avatar, ah'd have won this war already.' Fact of the matter is, yah are the Avatar. Yah were chosen for a reason an' ain't up tah us tah tell yah how tah do your job. All we can do is guide yah an' train yah, ain't none of us who can do it for yah an' ah sure as buck doubt there's any of us who can do it better.”

Rarity shuddered. “I quiver in dread at the thought of anypony but Twilight having been the last Avatar. So many things could have gone so much worse.”

Rainbow snickered softly. “Yeah. Imagine if I had been the Avatar.”

The three froze in place for a moment, before bursting into laughter.

Diamond couldn't help but join in with their laughter a few moments later, a smile forming on her lips. What happened to those ponies was horrible, she couldn't deny. But they were right. They'd beaten Meadowbrook and the others before, they could do it again. Even if she did have a new trick, it would still be the same old Meadowbrook and she'd break her again.

Meadowbrook frowned as she eyed the small town from the mountain overlooking it. A small, white glow surrounded them, hiding them from view. The staff held in her magic barely glimmered and she felt the annoyance grow.

“Are we almost done here?” Shining asked, pacing back and forth. “I'm so freaking bored. Look, there's Rainbow and the others, we should take them out.”

“No, she's not with them,” Meadowbrook muttered, before lowering the staff. “I don't know why, but she hasn't joined the Avatar on this adventure.”

“She? She who?” Shining asked, cocking an eye.

Meadowbrook didn't answer, instead she trotted back into the cave. “Come on, we're leaving.”

Shining sighed and glanced to Dazzling. “Isn't being a minion just soooo delightful?” she asked, her voice practically dripping with sarcasm.

“It beats being one of the unmarked,” he said with a shrug as he trotted back.

“You only say that because you always were just a little pet,” Shining taunted as she trotted besides him. “Just the little water bending pet who nopony wanted.”

He shrugged. “Better a loyal pet than a rabid dog.”

Shining froze, her eyes narrowing. “Unlike you, I'm free. I fly where I want, I fight who I want, I kill who I want, I--”

“Obey Meadowbrook or find yourself amongst the unmarked,” Dazzling said coldly. “You are too loud and obnoxious, you should try to be like Hothoof. Even if he is as dumb as you, he manages to at least keep himself entertained.” He trotted into a small red circle that Meadowbrook had created. Hothoof was standing behind them, knocking a small rock back and forth between his hooves.

Shining let out a low growl before stepping into the circle, it glowed a second later and the four disappeared.

Author's Note

And another chapter down! Woo! And I finally got to introduce Fluttershy's legacy! :D As always, life is tough, getting a proper job is the hardest part, yada yada, same line as always so what else is new? I'm mostly healthy and quite happy, so why complain? Life is good.

Chapter 11: Parents

Silver paced back and forth, her patience being cut dangerously thin as she eyed the horizon. She tried to keep herself annoyed, angry. But slowly worry was beginning to win out. The ship was supposed to have been here by now. In fact, it was already twenty minutes late. Not unheard of for airships, but this airship had her daddy. It wouldn't be unheard of for him to have accidentally blown something up. Including the airship itself, or the Fire Tribes. She wouldn't put it past him to have blown up their capital.

However, finally the airship came into view and she took off into the air, zooming off toward it, her metallic wings flapping quickly. The gem over her chest hummed a little, warning her that she was going quite fast, but she didn't care. It took her only a moment to land on the deck amidst the stunned crew. “Err, Lady Silve--”

“Where is he?” she asked, her eyes narrowed. The pony just motioned down below deck. She started trotting down the steps, looking around. It was one of their ship designs, so it only took her a few minutes to find his room and she reached out, tapping on it.

After a moment the door opened and Alicity smiled. “Have we landed-- oh, dear! You're here! Did we land already?” he asked.

She stared for a few moments before she chewed on her lower lip. She then shrugged. “Oh, buck it.” She stepped forward and gave him a big hug. “Hi daddy.”

He chuckled and hugged her back, his hooves wrapping around her. “Oh Silver, my little girl. How have you been faring without me?”

“Fine. Everything is fine, I went through all the paperwork that had piled up while we were gone.” She said proudly before pulling back. She peeped into the room and chuckled when she saw Secretary at the desk, pretending to be engrossed in paperwork but her twitching ears giving away that she was listening. “How was your trip?”

“Marvelous! Why, at this rate we'll have the Badlands completely tamed within a few months!”

“Years,” Secretary corrected.

“Years!” he said again.

“At best, if it's even possible.”

“Yes, that,” he said with a nod. “But we do have ships traveling between Manehatten and that little city... what was it called again?”

“Sanctuary,” Silver said quickly.

“Yes, there,” he said before pulling back and trotting towards the desk. “Now, it's time to get back to the hard work. Our ship models have been taking the world by storm. Already I have quite a few requests and I'm working on developing a brand new vessel that integrates the cannons and shielding we've developed, along with the new long distance audio and visual equipment we've been releasing. Secretary?”

The mare's horn glowed and a blueprint glided up into the air, revealing a small, tiny vessel with a single balloon. “Now, I'm still working on the name,” he said before motioning towards the name that had been written in and crossed out nearly a dozen times. “But this vessel will be perfect. It can be crewed by only a hoofful of ponies, it will have advanced communication systems that will allow it to send messages back to bases with ease and little time. More importantly, with its shields it will be protected from most magical attacks, including bending. Its cannons will allow it to fight back, as well.”

Silver nodded. “Really? And what would that mean?”

“Downsizing,” Alicity said with a grin.

“... Downsizing?”

He nodded, tapping the blueprint. “Yes. Imagine it. Patrols that would only have to be a tenth the size of a normal patrol. Four or five ships able to do the job of dozens of other ponies. Rather than having to dedicate hoofpower to patrols, instead they could put the hooves where they were really needed, disaster relief and the kind.” He gave a nod. “Less pony lives at stake, less ponies being forced to work overtime, less cost. Sure, the initial cost will be a tad bit... excessive, but that's what our research is for!” he said proudly, before tapping the blueprint.

Silver nodded, eying it for a few moments. “But they didn't really... hold up well against air bending.”

“The initial ones didn't hold up well,” he said quickly. “However, I am certain, with more fine tuning, even a sonic rainboom will be unable to break through them. Even then, the blast taken was up close and the shields still managed to hold up enough not to get you all killed.” He paused for a moment and looked back to her. For the first time, the smile of his wavered. “I... really shouldn't have let you go off on your own, it--”

“Oh don't even start,” she said firmly, shaking her head. “I had Rainbow Dash and the Avatar with me. I was safer than any pony had any right to be,” she said flatly. “Not to mention I was the one in charge of the expedition to begin with, so it kind of was my decision.” She rolled her eyes. “So really, you didn't have much of a choice in the matter.”

He nodded and then gave her a big hug. “Oh, my big, strong little girl. I understand, it can't have been easy for you, having to take care of this whole expedition on your own and putting yourself at risk. Don't worry, next time this happens I'll make sure to return on the ship with you.”

She rolled her eyes. “Daddy! That's not at all what I meant! Besides, it's not like we're going back to the Badlands anytime soon!” She managed to tug herself free from his grasp and fall on her flank, shaking her head. She then glared up at him. “Ugh, I was fine, really. The Avatar had everything handled. She still does.”

He blinked a few times, before nodding. “Very well. But next time you run into these ruffians, I'll make sure to be with you.” He reached out and tapped the gem over her chest. “Is that a six gem core?”

She nodded, glancing down. “Yeah. I've been working on it. With our newer models, the magic through the systems is far more stable with less surges.”

He nodded. “Really? So they don't get disrupted anymore?”

“Occasionally they do when I do a harder move, but on straight runs they work wonderfully and the speed increase is great. If we can work out the surges during sharp turns, I think the six gem core will really help us up the speed on our models and hit their peak. I think research and development has managed to make some headway on our dual core system, too.”

He nodded. “Really? Fascinating! If we could get the dual core system to work, that could really add more viability to a ten gem system.”

She nodded. “Exactly. Ponies would be able to go through the--” She paused and looked to Secretary, who just stood there eying the two of them. “Oh, I'm sorry. We aren't boring you, are we?”

The unicorn blinked and shook her head. “No, of course not, Lady Silver. I may not quite have the same grasp you and your father do on all this, but I know enough to follow along.” She paused. “However, Doctor? I think there is one other matter that you've neglected to discuss with your daughter?”

Alicity blinked, before giving a shrug. “No, there's no need to worry about that,” he said quickly, shaking his head.

“Sir...”

Silver frowned. “Daddy? What is it?”

Alicity gave a sigh before closing his eyes. “Your... grandparents will be coming for a visit. It is... one of the reasons I decided to come back so quickly.”

She froze in place, her eyes going to little pin pricks. She quickly shook her head. “I... see. And when, exactly? I mean, I'm really quite busy and I don't think I'll really have time to be around them right now. Perhaps in a few months... or years?”

Alicity gave a sigh and shook his head. “I tried. They insisted...”

The two earth ponies shared a look before giving exasperated sighs.

Button laid on his stomach, face buried in his hooves as his entire body quivered. He tried not to cry, but it was just so hard. The frustration was almost too much to bear. The little rock of metal just sat in front of him, unmoving, unrelenting, ignoring him no matter how hard he tried to bend it. When he tapped it, he was now able to feel the dirt inside it.

But it was no use. It refused to respond to his touch, refused to yield to his bending. It just stood there, a big, stupid, annoying rock.

“Button?” a voice called out from behind him, making him freeze.

He recognized the voice and didn't need to turn around. “Errr, hi mom,” he said nervously, quickly wiping his eyes. He then stood up and turned back, smiling to her. “Just taking a break, hit my hoof pretty bad and all that. You know how it is.”

Octavia stared at him, concern on her face. She stepped forward and reached out, gently brushing his hair back out of his eyes. She then reached out and her hoof wrapped around his neck before she pulled him in for a hug. “My dear little boy.”

Red flooded his cheeks and he squeaked. “M-mom! W-what are you doing?”

She glanced down at him. “I think it's time you stop this.”

“What? No! I've almost got it, I--”

“No, you don't,” she said firmly, gently patting his back. “And that's okay. You're a marvelous earth bender, even if you can't metal bend. There's no need to be so focused on this.”

“If I'm not a metal bender, then I can't join!” he said softly, shaking. “It's in the name! Metal bender!” He stared up at her. “Mom. I... I have to. I can't just... I can't just be Button. I'm—”

“You're not just Button,” she said softly, staring down at him. “You're an amazing bender. A lava bender. And even if you weren't, that wouldn't mean you were any less talented. You can do many, many things, metal bending just happens to not be one of them.” She reached out and patted his head. “You're pushing yourself to the breaking point, hurting yourself. This... is not something you should do. This is not something you need to do.” She leaned in and gave him a small kiss on the forehead. “I am so sorry.”

He froze. “Mom?”

“I... never should have pushed you so hard. Were I not so... demanding, perhaps you wouldn't feel this way.”

Button blinked, his mouth falling open. He quickly shook his head. “No, mom, of course not! You were never demanding, I just...” His eyes lowered and he nudged the ground. “I just... I wanna be awesome. Like you and Vinyl were when... you were our ages.”

She gave another soft sigh. “Oh, darling. That was a different time, a different place.” She gently brushed the hair from his eyes. “And I was a different pony. I was not the leader of the metal benders then, nor was I particularly awesome.”

“Of course you were! I've heard all the stories, the way you fought in the wars and stuff, you helped the Avatar and--”

“And how is what I did different than what you do? Are you not friends with the Avatar? Do you not aid her in her battles?”

He blinked a few times, before lowering his eyes. “I... I did. But now...”

“But now she has Rainbow, Applejack and Rarity,” she said softly. “But she won't, not forever. You, however, are her friend. She will always have a need for you.” She looked to the metal stone. “And that will mean you will need to be, as you say, awesome. It is... time you stopped focusing on what you can't do, and instead learned to harness what you can.”

He cringed. “Mom...”

She tapped her hoof and the metal rock flew to her, she caught it in one hoof. “It is time for you to focus on your lava bending, to develop it properly.”

“I can't give up on metal bending, I--”

“Don't have the talent for it,” Octavia said firmly, her voice cold. “There is no shame in that. Many ponies cannot metal bend. Even though there are many of us now, we still only make up a fraction of the world's earth benders. But that doesn't make you any less my child, or any less strong. Nor does it make you any less awesome. Now, come. It's time for us to practice.”

He gave a soft sigh before nodding. “Yes, mother.”

“... After we're done we'll go get ice cream.”

His eyes lit up. “Really? Yay!” He froze. “Err, I mean, I guess. If you want.”

Acrylic laid in bed, clutching his head. Life sucked. Oh, life sucked so, so much. He ground his horn into the pillow, trying to use the extra pressure to draw his attention away from the pain. He didn't know why he'd even done such a thing, he was such an idiot. Nothing was worth this pain, nothing.

There was a gentle knock on the door and he groaned before looking over. An earth pony stood there, giving him a nervous smile. “H-hi,” she said softly.

“Hi,” he said softly, staring at her. She had a silver coat and a blue mane. “Are you one of the nurses?”

Her eyes widened and she shook her head. “N-no. I uhhh... I mean, I-I don't know if you remember me, but uhhh...” She slowly stepped inside and he could see she had a fruit basket on her back. She gingerly reached back and grabbed it, putting it on the table besides him. “I ummmm... I mean, it's kind of... my fault you're here.”

“Huh?” he asked softly, blinking in confusion. “Did... you hit me with a hammer?”

She stared at him for a few moments before giving a small burst of giggles, covering her mouth. “Oh, you're so silly,” she said, before nervously looking away. “No... I uhhh... I was the... pony you saved. You uhhh... teleported to save me. I uhhh... I just... I wanted to say thank you. My uhhh... my name's Pearl.”

“Pearl?” he asked softly, before reaching up and rubbing his horn with his hoof, wishing the pain would just dampen. “Listen,” he said softly. “It was just a job, no need to thank me. I uhhhh... well, it's what I had to do. I couldn't let a pony die.”

She nodded, moving besides him. “I-I know. I uhhh... well, I mean, it's not every day that... a pony just...” She took a slow, deep breath. “I just wanted to say thank you and uhhh... well...” she then leaned forward and gave him a kiss on the cheek. “Thanks a lot and I really appreciate you saving me!” She then galloped from the room.

Acrylic just stared, his mouth falling open in shock before a little red moved into his cheeks. If nothing else, it made his pain momentarily forgotten and reconsider if maybe the pain was worth it. Just a little.

Ironwing gave a low yawn as he looked over the reports, licking his lips before he began filling them out. Toughwing was doing a pretty good job, he couldn't deny. The stallion had a keen eye when it came to pick pockets, he suspected it had something to do with his his life before the Shadowbolts. He'd make an excellent partner for Artemis, the latter who was a rookie but probably one of the fastest bat ponies he'd ever seen.

He couldn't keep the grin off his face as he worked, failing to keep his trademark glare in place. Directing from the sidelines, rather than the front, was actually quite nice. He was really starting to feel like he'd found his true calling. More importantly, he was feeling the tension starting to leak off his body.

Buck, he felt so relaxed, he was considering going to see Prism after work today. Maybe catch up on old times. Dump a bucket on his big annoying face. That just made his smile get wider.

Author's Note

A happy Ironwing. *Shudder.* I'm going to have to have something bad happen to him soon to balance the universe. Also, the first hints of Silver and Alicity's (grand)parents. Oh, this is gonna be fun...

Chapter 12: Bump bump sugar rump

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Chapter 13: Small steps

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Chapter 14: Decoy

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Chapter 15: Choices

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Chapter 16: Message

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Chapter 17: Confrontation

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Chapter 18: Pieces in motion

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Chapter 19: Bad news

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Chapter 20: Miracle

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Chapter 21: Mistake

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Chapter 22: ME?!

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Chapter 23: War

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Chapter 24: Thoughts

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Chapter 25: Common enemy

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Chapter 26: Old enemies

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Chapter 27: The bad guy

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Epilogue: Her destiny

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Book 4, the final in the series, is out!

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Chapter 1: Debriefing

A pair of earth ponies stood at attention, on the edge of a pier. The waves sloshed gently against the metal poles that lay buried in the middle of the lake. The guard on the right couldn't tell why, but for some reason the water sounded extra sloshy tonight. Probably his imagination. He couldn't wait for morning and his shift to be over. He glanced back towards the wooden building built on the metal frame.

The prisoners within the wooden building were some of the greatest and most dangerous earth benders the Earth Kingdom had, which was why the purest metals had been cast to create the structure, then a thick layer of wood on top of it. Their bending did them no good here. There were ten guards stationed at all times and the two guards were watching the only place close enough to the water for anypony to come aboard.

However, they weren't expecting anypony until the next morning, which made the small boat making its way towards them suddenly all the more shocking. The guard on the right tensed up and called out. “Hey! Spotters, give us some light!” He called out.

Up above, the two pegasi on tower duty moved the lights, shining its gaze on the boat. Within a few minutes the boat drifted closer and they could see that it was completely empty. The guards relaxed a little.

Then there was suddenly a splash and a pink pony holding a strange dual pronged staff and wearing a strange mask leaped from the depths. She flew through the air and landed behind them both. Her staff glowed with a yellow light and she quickly aimed it at the two of them, the light flashing out and enveloping the two earth benders. They screamed and writhed, moments before their cutie marks disappeared from their bodies. The masked pony's eyes glowed for a moment before she raced towards the building.

An alarm filled the air and she stopped and jumped back, narrowly avoiding the diving pegasus. Her staff flicked out, smashing against the pony's skull and sending her crashing to the ground before she met the same fate as the earth ponies. She raced towards the building, flames enveloping the staff for a moment before she sent them forward, blowing the front door off the building.

“The guards never stood a chance,” the lone pegasus said before she shook her head, tears in her eyes. “I set off our alarms, but... but by the time they got there, it was all over. All of my comrades, a-all of my friends. T-their cutie marks were gone. All of them. Not... not j-just that, either. Their... their magic. All of it. M-my partner can't even fly anymore! She's a pegasus who can't fly! She can't even stand on clouds!” the mare shrieked, covering her face with her hooves. “If... if she hadn't told me to... to set off the alarms, if I had gone in f-first... I'd b-be the same way.”

“There there, sugarcube,” Applejack said before walking forward and patting her on the back. “It's okay. We're gonna get this here Meadowbrook an' find out what she's after. Then we're gonna get these cutie marks back, ah promise yah.”

The mare nodded, wiping her eyes. “T-thank you. I just don't... I just don't k-know what I c-could have done. She was... it was all so fast. She tossed some rocks to the prisoners, followed by some... w-we managed to catch all of them except...”

“Hothoof,” Applejack finished for her. She then nodded. “Yah can go now, that's all we needed from yah.”

The pegasus nodded and then turned, trotting out.

Diamond frowned, eying the mare for a moment before looking back at the group. The only ones permitted for this discussion were the council, her, Rainbow, Rarity, Applejack, Applebloom and Sweetiebelle. Her friends had all been told to wait outside, for now.

“That doesn't make any sense,” Diamond said with a shake of her head. “The Staff of Sameness was destroyed. I destroyed it myself! Well, okay, no. It was a team effort, Acrylic got the last shot.” She then took a deep breath and looked down at the documents spread across the table. “She couldn't do... this, either. She could take cutie marks, but taking flight? That's not...”

“It gets worse,” Rarity said before shaking her head. “You see, none of us expected this to happen. We... imagined this Meadowbrook was just trying to get the cutie marks of those prisoners. Many of which she did. We figured Hothoof had escaped in the chaos. What we didn't expect was what happened next.” She looked to Rainbow. “I'm sorry.”

Rainbow nodded. “I know. Just... get on with it.”

Rarity sighed. “The prison was... underground. One of the finest Wonderbolt prisons imaginable, housing dozens of air bending prisoners. It was designed to keep them from escaping. An earth bender, though? It wasn't capable of holding up to that.” She then sighed. “Especially not two of them. Hothoof's lava bending was... unique.”

“Not anymore,” Diamond said with a shake of her head.

“Excuse me?”

Diamond smiled. “Well, a lot happened while we were gone. Button learned how to lava bend after Prince Luna fell into this big slime monster and almost got eaten.”

“EXCUSE ME?!” Octavia and Rarity said at the same time, then glanced to each other.

The alicorn coughed into her hoof. “Oh. Errr, long story short, we found Twilight's body. Had a...” She sighed again. “A lot happened. We'll go over it after this briefing. Can we move it along? I don't mean to be rude, but my friends are waiting for all this information too. But yes, to summarize, Button can lava bend now.”

Rarity nodded. “I... see. And my son?”

“Is fine. Possibly kind of dating Button, long story. Very confusing story, even. So, what happened next?” she said quickly before the Water Lord could get side tracked.

“What? Oh, yes. So, as I was saying, Hothoof's talents were unique. While his metal bending skills were...”

“About as good as a thimble of water in a pig pen,” Applejack offered.

“... Quite. His lava bending makes him a dangerous and unique threat. Even if he lacks the... he uhhh...”

“Is about as sharp as a twenty year ol' axe,” the earth pony offered.

“Not... quite how I would put it, but indeed,” Rarity said with a sigh. “Nopony imagined he would be hard to locate, if difficult to capture. But for some strange reason, he has opted to work with this Meadowbrook and, together, they launched an assault on the prison holding Shining. This time, there were no escapes, everypony there was stripped of their cutie marks and, more disturbing... this Meadowbrook seemed to have gained their bending. It was mentioned that she could fire, earth and air bend. A... dangerous combination.”

Diamond gulped. “I... I'd only ever seen her fire bend before.”

“She's apparently been practicing. Not only that, her bending seems to be extremely powerful, we aren't sure how, but she's managed to tap into the power of the cutie marks she has stolen and she has stolen a LOT of powerful magic. With... this encounter and the loss of Shining, it was... quite obvious what was happening,” Rarity said before holding her head with her hoof. “Hothoof was once the protégé of Applejack, Shining the student of Rainbow. This pony had obviously been targeting those we had trained and... there was only one I had trained. Well, one imprisoned.”

“Dazzling?”

“Indeed,” Rarity said with a sigh. “An... unfortunate remnant of the Water Nation's past that I tried, and failed, to fix. When it became obvious that nothing we could do would help his... broken mind, we had him locked away in one of our metal prisons in the south.” She lowered her eyes and shook her head, the guilt flooding into her voice. “I... am sorry for this, Avatar. It was my failure that... allowed them to free him.”

“It's not your fault, Rarity,” Sweetie said as she moved over and nudged her sister. “We tried, heck, you still had him seeing therapists all the time. He just didn't want to listen.”

“A-anyway,” Rarity said before taking a deep breath. “My sister and I went to engage them. Unfortunately... we were ambushed on the way. Dazzling intercepted us and destroyed our air ship, making us crash to the ground. I must admit, it did remind me of old times.”

“Huh, so it was the whole group, not just Twilight,” Diamond muttered.

“Excuse me?”

“Nothing, continue.”

“By the time we made it to the prison, they'd already come and gone. They took Dazzling and well...” She took another slow breath. “The cutie marks of many of the ponies that were there. Since then, they have been in hiding. A few ponies have turned up here and there across the nations, without their marks, but we had no idea where they could be. But... dear Avatar, it seems you have become their target. This... Meadowbrook is likely looking for revenge after her last defeat. Even worse, she has somehow managed to convince three of the most dangerous benders in the world to aid her.” She raised her eyes to Diamond. “That's why we came to a decision, Avatar. With Rainbow here, that makes it easier.”

“Huh?” Diamond asked.

“We will be taking over your training. I will be aiding you in your water bending, Applejack in your earth bending. I assume Rainbow will help train you in air bending.”

The alicorn's ears wilted. “P-please no. She's insane! Have you ever seen how she trains a pony? She--”

Rainbow snorted. “That's all well and good, Rarity, but I want to go after Shining. She's my--”

“We are all going after Meadowbrook,” Rarity said firmly. “That is why the Avatar will require our help.” She took a long, slow breath. “Avatar, these three are very, very dangerous. Meadowbrook is possibly more so. If you try to fight all four of them, there's a good chance you will die. In fact, it is nearly guaranteed. However, you and your friends have defeated Meadowbrook before, you should be able to again.”

Diamond squeaked. “W-wait, what? I-I mean, she was weaker then. She just stole marks, she didn't steal magic, I can't--”

“Nonsense, dear. If there is one thing I know from my travels with Twilight, it is that with her friends, there is nothing the Avatar can't do. We will train you every step of the way, make you better, stronger, faster. Train you as best we can to face the coming challenges.”

“What about the Water Nation?” Diamond asked softly.

“Colgate can run the nation in my absence, she has done it before. As future Water Lord, she will need the experience. I will also be sending Celestia and Luna back home to aid her, together the three will be more than adequate in whatever may come the countries way. However, these three are our mistakes, so we must deal with them and aid in whatever way we can. That is our responsibility.”

Diamond nodded, then glanced back. “I... I should go and talk to my friends. I need to tell them everything,” she muttered before backing up. “You... uhhhh, guys have fun.” She trotted towards the door. “I'll be back for my report after.”

“I really must say it is quite a pleasure to see you, Rainbow,” Rarity said softly. “It has been so long.”

“Oh yeah, it's been forever,” Rainbow said with a cocky grin. “I can honestly say you've never looked better.”

Rarity chuckled with delight. “Oh, Rainbow, you flatt--” She then blinked, before looking flatly at Rainbow and Applejack as they laughed and shared a hoof bump. “Truly? Do try to act your age, dear.”

Diamond stepped out of the room and smiled nervously to her friends. Acrylic and Button were off on their own, talking, while Silver was pacing back and forth. Prism was standing out by one of the nearby windows, staring out and talking softly with Daring. Luna and Celestia were off on their own, chatting as well. However, the moment the door opened the seven galloped to her side.

“What happened?” Acrylic asked.

“Yeah! Tell us everything,” Daring said, a big grin on her face. “Can't believe they kicked us out.”

“It's protocol,” Prism said quickly. “To allow the briefing to go faster, they have to--”

“I know why they did it, doesn't mean I like it,” Daring snapped.

Diamond took a deep breath. “Well... I guess, um. We were kinda right. Those four that attacked us? Definitely Meadowbrook and those other ponies. They escaped. Apparently Meadowbrook broke out of prison soon after we entered the Badlands. Even worse, she has her staff back.”

“Impossible,” Silver muttered.

“I know. Somehow she repaired it,” Diamond said with a shake of her head. “For now, there's no telling what they are going to do, but the whole world is on alert and working to find them.” She glanced to Prism. “And... until further notice, Rainbow, Rarity and Applejack want to take over my bending training.”

Prism blinked a few times, before chuckling into his hoof. “Oh, may the stars be merciful on you, for my mother shall not.”

“You're uhhhh... not mad?”

He shook his head. “No. Why would I be?”

“W-well, you've... trained me up until now and... I mean...” She shuffled her hooves a little.

He sighed, before smiling to her. He stepped forward and gently put a hoof on her withers. “Diamond, I have known you for... well, not very long at all, though it feels like years. When I first met you, you were a little brat who I wanted to punt off the roof of this building. In that time, you have grown, matured and become a fine young lady. You're not perfect, but every day you improve a little more. I am happy to say that I was a part of that transformation, but now I trust you to continue to grow and mature on your own.” He then sighed, before moving in to give her a hug. “I am a little saddened that I won't always be there to see it. But I know that you will make me proud, as you already do so often. If anypony can help you grow, it's my mother.” He then pulled back.

Diamond sniffled, barely holding back the tears and wiping her eyes. “T-thank... thank y-you Prism. That... really means a lot to me. And... and I'm happy you were there to help me. I couldn't have asked for a better teacher. E-even though I did, like, a dozen times.”

Prism snickered and gave a nod. “Besides, this will mean I'll have plenty of time to be with my wife, something that, frankly, I quite miss. I know working with my mother, you'll do fine.” He took a step back, shaking his head and wiping his own moist eyes. “W-well, err, guess you better talk to your friends.”

“Right!” Diamond said, looking away from him. She smiled to Celestia and Luna. “Well, err... it seems you two were right, you'll be going back home to... Canterlot. Your mom wants you to help your sister during these times. While she'll be away.”

Luna nodded. “Of course. We will likely be away before the sun sets, then.” He glanced towards Button. “I... suppose we'd best say our good byes, then.”

Button gulped, nodding. “R-right. Yeah... I uhhh... guess we should. For now, then. Huh?”

Acrylic coughed, before smiling to Diamond. “I am happy to know they'll be with you during this time. The Water Lord and the others. I...” He took a slow breath. “I think I'll be taking my mother up on her offer.”

“Huh?” Diamond asked.

“I think I'm going to join the Moon Raisers. I've been... putting it off for too long. Always making excuses why I couldn't join, why I wasn't good enough. I've been holding myself back too long. So... for now I'm going to practice and train.”

“Weren't you... already doing that?” Diamond asked with a cocked eye.

“I mean with full dedication,” he said softly. “No more traveling, no more games. I'm going to talk with my mother and... work for it. For real. I've been working on a couple other things but I still have a ways to go. I... might not be able to help you this time.”

Diamond's eyes widened. “W-what? Wait, no, Acrylic, come on, you've been with me since like, day one, you can't—”

“You'll have the Water Lord, a far, far better water bender than I've EVER been. Probably ever will be. You're in good hooves, so you won't need me this time.” He smiled at her. “So no worries, okay?”

Diamond frowned. “I-I don't like it. You were with me when we beat Meadowbrook last time. Without you--”

“I'm not saying I won't help,” he said quickly, shaking his head. “I'm just... not going to be traveling all over again until I'm sure I can be useful. That's all.”

“Very... well. How about you, Button?”

The earth pony blinked, then gave a sheepish smile. “I uhhh... I actually... was kinda thinking the same thing. I learned lava bending, right? After that, metal bending should be a piece of cake. Once I pick up that, I can come back.”

The alicorn felt a light twist in her heart. “But you two... you guys are my friend. You can't just...” She yelped when suddenly Silver hugged her.

“Oh, stop being so over dramatic,” Silver said with a friendly smile. “They aren't abandoning you, they're just trying to get stronger. Come on, you have three of the best, strongest benders of all time besides you now, can you really think of a better time for us to get stronger?”

“Well... no, I guess not, wait, not you too?”

“Well, I do have a business to run. Honestly, though, I've been thinking of a few minor... improvements to the enhancements daddy has been making. I know he'll be working on his ships for a while, so it's the perfect time for me to test them. If I wait until he gets back, he'll keep butting his nose in and want to double check everything I do. He'll probably still try to from across the world.”

Diamond pouted. “Y-you can't alllll leave me!” she whined. Then glanced to Daring. “Et tu?”

“Heh heh. Honestly, I want to see about getting some more Shadowbolt training. It's actually been a lot of fun and Ironwing said he's going to try and get me in. As well as return, himself.”

Diamond sighed and lowered her eyes. “It... just won't feel the same, you know? I mean, you guys have been here... all the time.”

“We'll still be there, Diamond,” Silver said with a smile. “We'll just be doing our own things, too. That's all. That's what friends do sometimes.”

The alicorn nodded. “Okay. I... I guess. Still feels weird.”

“You'll be fine. Even if we aren't by your side all the time, you know if you ever need us, we'll be there.” Silver moved back and motioned towards the others. “And we'll all be better for it. Right?”

“Right. I uhhh... guess this is good bye then, guys. I'll uhhh... see you around.”

“...” Silver face hoofed. “Diamond. We all still live in the same city, it's not like we're all going to different countries. Well, except Luna and Celestia. Sorry, you two.” The two merely chuckled. “Anyway, we can all meet up for dinner at my place tomorrow night, okay? I want to see how the repairs on the city are going today. I hope everypony has homes by now...”

“They should. Everything should be finished, or close to it, by now,” Prism said with a quick nod. He pushed open the window. “I'm going to return home, see if I can prepare something special for my wife. Diamond, you'd best discuss things with my mother and the others, okay? See what they have in store. I know whatever happens, you'll be more than capable.” He then dove out the window and took off through the air.

Once he was a little bit away, he let out a soft, sad sigh. He hated admitting it, but he couldn't help feeling a little sad that he wouldn't be training the Avatar anymore. Or at least for a while. Diamond did have a tendency to be annoying and bratty, but she had really become an excellent student. He'd have loved to take all the credit for it, but he knew it wasn't just that. In the last encounter with Meadowbrook, the young mare had been pushed to the brink and nearly lost everything. Most ponies would have fallen at that point, have broken. Nopony could have blamed her. But instead she had risen to the occasion and become stronger, even when she lost her cutie mark.

He could really see now why she was chosen to become the Avatar and he couldn't think of anypony better.

Author's Note

Guess who's back!

Slowly. I have a back log of the first half of this series and I'm going to slowly unleash it to try and get back into my groove. It might take a while but, well... I'm trying. Please be patient with me.

Chapter 8: Progress

Diamond stepped back half a step, before swinging a hoof forward to send a burst of flame at Plasmahoof. He knocked it away with a side swipe, before spinning in for a twist and crescent blast. She leaped over it, spinning in the air and bringing her back hooves down on him, forcing him to catch her hooves with his and driving him to the ground. She thrust out her left wing, twisting in the air and slamming her back hoof into his face, sending him flying back.

Her eyes widened and she galloped after him. “Plasmahoof? Oh my gosh! I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to, I thought you were going to--”

“It's fine,” he said with a shake of his head, flexing his jaw a little bit. “Didn't knock anything out and I can still see,” he said with a smile before taking a deep breath. “Impressive.”

“R-really?”

“Yes. When last I was training you, a shot like that would have knocked out half my teeth.”

Her cheeks turned bright red. “S-sorry, I didn't want to kick as hard, it's just training and--”

“That's not a bad thing, Avatar,” he said firmly, before reaching out and putting a hoof on her shoulder. “You've improved. Your power has always been exceedingly high. But you're learning how better to switch between offense and defense. When to use control and when to use power. In almost every way you are improving, a little bit day by day. I'm proud of you.”

Her cheeks practically burned and she lowered her eyes. “I-I'm not, I mean, I-I have really good teachers and--” Her words were cut off by him putting a hoof in her mouth.

“Diamond. A good teacher cannot work without an excellent student. When I first trained you, you weren't. You were an arrogant spoiled brat who thought just because she could punch a hoof through a pony's face, that made her right. But you're learning.” He gave a soft sigh. “To be honest, I was really dreading this position. When your aunt requested my aid... well, had I known at the time how it would end up, I wouldn't have requested quite so many bits.”

Diamond's cheeks flared and she lowered her gaze. “R-right. I guess... yeah. They are a bit protective. So, uhhh, what next?”

“We'll work on your phoenix stance. It might be time to see about teaching you the other flames.”

Her eyes widened. “Y-you don't mean... blue flames, do you?”

“Indeed.”

“B-but you said before that they weren't... well...”

“I lied. I was afraid such things would lead to you killing ponies. They are more destructive than normal flames, more deadly. Have a higher chance of going out of control, like lightning. As you were, such an art would have been... unwise to teach you. However...” He looked her up and down. “Now? I see no reason why you can't learn such an art. I am confident you have the power to manifest it, as well.”

She nodded, smiling. “Thank you. I will do my best.”

He nodded and then trotted over to a nearby table to grab a drink of water. “How have your other lessons been going?”

“Evil. Pure evil. Sweetie is pretty nice, but well...” She rubbed her forehead. “That move I got you with? That was mostly hers. She doesn't focus as much on the bending as she does my actual body. Trying to keep me flexible, she says. Rainbow is all about speed. She's making me race around the whole city at well... at these speeds by the time I finally land I feel like I'm going to die! Yesterday was the first time I didn't collapse immediately after stopping. And Applejack... well...” She held her forehead and shook it. “You ever just... have that pony that is just really nice? But a master at making you feel bad? She's that. Oh buck is she that. She never says anything, but I can FEEL the disappointment in her voice that I can't metal bend.”

He nodded slowly. “I understand. It shouldn't be that shocking, though.”

“What? Why?”

“Well, I've never quite heard of an Avatar who could lightning bend and your predecessor couldn't metal bend either.”

“So?”

The stallion sighed and took a seat, rubbing his chin. “To be blunt... the Avatar has always been strong. A trait you share with them. However, many have theorized that... this strength comes at a price.”

She blinked a few times and sat by him. “What do you mean?”

He glanced to her before reaching out and tapping her horn. “This, for an example. Despite the fact you are an alicorn, normal magic evades your control, correct?”

Her cheeks turned bright red. “Y-yes. I know that, but--”

“That's because, at your core, you're still an earth pony. You have a semblance of their power, but it's not perfect. For example, you know how to stand on clouds, right?”

“Yeah, you just gather your magic in your hooves and focus it down, like bending. Even water benders can do it, though they have to harden the water in the clouds.”

“Exactly. A normal pegasus doesn't have to do that, to them it's innate. Pure pegasus magic. You're able to imitate their abilities, but not perfectly replicate them. Now, that may hold true for your bending as well.” He pointed to her horn. “You're all four elements at once, but you're their core. It's very possible that such abilities might not be possible by you.” He did pause for a moment. “On the other hoof, metal bending and lightning bending are very, very delicate works that can require a full lifetime to master. I've dedicated my life to training students and perfecting my art, but even I can only barely lightning bend. Even then, the number of them that still exist in this day number in the dozens. So it is also quite possible that the fact you have to learn four elements, on top of all your other duties as Avatar, makes it far more difficult than for another pony who'd only have to master one.”

She nodded, staring intently at him. “I see. I know Button is having a lot of trouble and he's a pretty good bender, too. A lava bender, even.” She glanced down to her drink.

“It is a difficult art to learn, I hear. But either way, you are the Avatar. Even without the special variations of lava bending, you have ample skill, power and flexibility beyond any normal bender. So I wouldn't fret too much on the things you can't do, instead focus on the plethora of things you can.”

She smiled and took another sip of her drink. “Okay. You're right! And now, I feel like I can get a few more lucky hits in.”

He chuckled softly before getting to his hooves. “If you care to try, I'll be happy to oblige.”

Button groaned and buried his head in his pillow, holding it against his face.

“Is something wrong?” Octavia asked, making him jump.

He slowly lifted his head up and turned back towards her. “What? Of course not! Everything is fine, why wouldn't it be fine?”

The earth pony sighed. “I've been... keeping tabs on your practice. You haven't--”

“It's only a matter of time,” he said quickly before jumping off the bed. “I'm heading out to practice right now, really! See? This is me, going, a full day of practice ahead. Why, I think I'm almost there. Any day now.”

Octavia gave a soft sigh, before trotting forward and reaching out to put a hoof on his shoulder. “Button, it's okay. You know I love you no matter what. If you can't metal bend, that's fine, there's no need to--”

“I will figure this out, mom. I'm your son,” he said firmly, staring up at her. “I... I won't give up. I will do whatever it takes to master this. I learned lava bending, I can learn this.”

Octavia sighed and gave a nod. “Very well. But there is no shame in having a task that is too much for you, most earth benders can't--”

“Most earth benders give up too easy,” Button said with a shrug before trotting past her. “Don't worry mom, I've got this. I'm just a bit slow on the pick up, but I'll get it down. Just you wait.”

Octavia watched him leave, before shaking her head. Once the door closed she eyed it for a few moments. “It been a few weeks, dear. You've made no progress.” She looked down at her hooves. “Was... I just too hard on him?”

Silver hummed softly as she worked, stretching out her metallic wings and then neatly folding them in. She leaped into the air and took off like a bolt, tearing through the air with ease. At least as fast as a quicker pegasus, if not faster. A grin formed on her face before she began turning in a tight corkscrew. It worked perfectly and she spread the wings out, intending to slow herself. Instead, the wings jammed slightly and she was sent off, veering to the right. She shrieked and tried to regain control, spinning through the air for a few moments before, finally, she managed to make herself level.

Her heart pounded in her chest, but she was alive. That was good. She put a hoof to her chest and let out a soft sight. “Need to work on the movements still, it seems. But the speed is nice. Now to test the ho--” She paused mid sentence when she caught sight of a pony walking towards her. It was still early morning, so she couldn't imagine who it would be at this hour. Let alone how they got through the checkpoints.

However, as she came closer it became obvious. Silver quickly lowered herself to the ground, forcing a smile on her face. “Ah! Lady Scootaloo, how nice to see you, I--”

“Oh don't you nice to see you me!” the mare snapped, before moving up to her face. “I was busy, okay? The council had plenty of matters and I just didn't have a chance to come by!”

Silver put on a face of innocence. “Why, Lady Scootaloo, whatever do you mean? I--”

“Don't you try playing coy with me, Silver. I know how crafty you and your father are. You told Hornclipper.”

The earth pony couldn't suppress her grin from widening. “Did it work?”

“All. Night. He followed me around, making that 'I don't care but I really do I'm just too up tight to show it' face. All night. Do you know what that's like? He sat at the hoof of the bed for an hour just making eyes at me!”

“Did it work?”

“I'm bucking here, aren't I? I swear, you're as bad as your father.”

“I'll take that as a compliment. Besides, after our last attempt--”

“A colossal failure.”

“Failures happen. Besides, we're only four prototypes in and you haven't gotten hurt yet. Sometimes it takes a few times to get it right.”

Scootaloo sighed and gave a nod. “Just put them on me, you manipulative snake.”

Silver snickered and trotted off towards a small box besides the flight grounds. “I did warn you. Be thankful, if you hadn't shown up today, I was going to go straight to Ironwing.”

“You're evil and have no heart!”

“Mmmm hm,” the earth pony said before her horn glowed and plucked the box open. It took her only a moment to get the other mare strapped into the strange winged device. “Now, you know the drill. I'll catch you if you fall.”

“I know, I know,” Scootaloo said before racing down the runway and leaping into the air. She thrust her hooves out, holding her breath. However, she didn't start to go down. Instead, she glided across the runway. Nervously, she gave a flap and readied herself to plummet.

Instead she began to rise up into the air, albeit awkwardly. Her eyes widened and she gave another flap. She veered slightly to the left, but she was rising. The crystal against her chest gave its soft, gentle hum, not reacting at all to the extra movements. “It's working!” she called out, excitement filling her voice.

“Good! Now come down, gently. See how much control you have.”

Scootaloo frowned, but slowly turned around in the air, her wings wobbling slightly. She was tilted heavily to the left, but she was still in the air she that was definitely progress. She tried to even herself out and let out a shriek when she spun fully around and plummeted down. Once again she was wrapped in a magical aura and slowly spun around, before landing on the ground.

“Are you okay?” Silver asked.

“Fine. I think it messed up,” she mumbled softly.

Silver leaned in and looked at the gem. After a few moments she shook her head. “No. It's perfect.”

“W-what?”

“I mean, it's a little raw on the edges, but no cracks. This is our first success.”

“W-wait, really? You mean--”

“Uh huh. Like this, you can actually fly. I mean, we'll need to refine it, of course. But this should mean a LOT less explosions and crashes.” Silver blinked and then looked aside. “There... ahhhh... is still one minor set back.”

“What?”

“... You've never flown before.”

Scootaloo blinked before frowning. “Yeah. I'm aware.”

“You need to learn.”

“What? OH!” Scootaloo's eyes bulged and her cheeks turned red. “W-wait, you don't mean--”

“Flying lessons. I'm sure Ironwing or Hornclipper would be happy to give them.”

Scootaloo's cheeks were practically on fire when she put her hoof to her face, shaking her head. “Oh by the stars, you can't be serious.”

“There's no shame in it, Lady Scootaloo. Plenty of ponies have handicaps and--”

“No, it's not that. I've trained both of them. May the stars have mercy on me. For they shall not.”

Silver blinked a few times before snickering. “Of course. Now, if you'd like to fly a bit more and see what you can do, we can use it to gather more data for the next prototype.”

Scootaloo nodded before racing across the runway and leaping into the air again, a wide grin on her face.

Acrylic trotted forward, looking around warily as he walked along the pier. Besides him, Icytouch rambled on and on about the screens from Tomorrow Industries. She seemed pretty excited about being able to talk with her parents from all the way in the Water Nation.

The stallion's eyes widened and he galloped forward, thrusting his horn up. Water surged out from below, streaking through the air and wrapping around a crate, turning to ice and supporting its weight a moment before the rope snapped. He stood there, panting. His eyes widened and he stared. “I... I did it.”

Icytouch nodded. “You did. I was a little worried you'd--”

A scream cut the air and Acrylic's eyes widened when he saw the ice supporting the crate crumble, sending the massive container down at one of the workers. She tried to shield herself with her hooves, but there wouldn't be any shielding that.

Acrylic raced forward and his horn glimmered. A moment later he was in front of the pony and tackled her out of the way, sending them both careening around the pier.

“Acrylic!” Icytouch yelled as she galloped up. “Are you okay? You teleported! How did you--” She took a step back when he rolled to his side and promptly threw up, his entire body heaving. He was covered in little burnt marks as well. After a few moments he collapsed and stopped moving. “Acrylic? Hey, Acrylic?” She moved over and nudged him, before rolling him over.

He didn't move, his eyes were closed and he was barely breathing. Her eyes widened and she looked up at the nearest pegasus. “You! Head towards dock 13, ask for Mistbreeze and tell her to get here, now! We have a stallion down!” She then looked down, reaching out and rubbing his chest. “Acrylic? Acrylic, come on, wake up. If you die on my shift your mom will KILL me.”

Rarity sighed and slowly flipped through the letters, a frown emblazoned on her face.

“Rarity? What's wrong?” Sweetie asked as she trotted into the room, carrying small cups of coffee with her.

“I'm just going over the letters from home,” she said softly.

“Mmmm? Anything wrong?” Sweetie took a seat across from the elder mare and sipped her drink, nudging the other closer.

“Of course not, nothing is wrong. Colgate is doing an absolutely wondrous job.”

“Mmmm hm.”

“Just like I expected. Though she does have a tendency to be a bit distant in her reports.”

“I see.”

“But Celestia and Luna are keeping me up to date as well, telling me about any going ons and the like that Colgate tends to leave out.”

“Oh, of course.”

“And absolutely nothing has gone wrong that anypony needs to worry about. The country is going well. Ponies are happy.”

“And that's a bad thing?”

“W-what? Of course not! T-that's a good thing!”

“Then why are you staring so intently at those letters as if you hope they'll burst into flame?”

“It's... it's not that,” Rarity said softly, before sighing and pushing the letters down. “It's just...”

“Yes?”

“This is all... dreadfully boring.”

The younger sister snickered. “Oh? Would you like to train the Avatar for a while?”

“What? N-no! You're doing an excellent job and that's not what I mean. When... when I came here, I expected...”

“You thought it would be like old times, running across the world trying to find threats and wipe them out?”

Rarity snorted and shook her head. “No. I expected we'd have found the mare by now and have her captured. I'd at least expected some sign of the mare. It's been weeks! She could be anywhere.”

“Ponies are looking for her and the others.”

“Yes. But there's no... sign of them,” Rarity said before giving another sigh and then lifting up her cup, taking a sip. She shuddered. “I do prefer tea.”

“I felt it was a coffee morning. I know what you're thinking. It's fine. Whatever this Meadowbrook has in mind, we'll stop it.”

“Yes, but her power may be more than we suspected. I could barely imagine anypony being able to control Dazzling. Even with his...”

“Weaknesses?”

“Yes. Even with those, we could barely keep him under control. To keep not only him, but Hothoof and Shining under control, at the same time no less... it is quite frightening. All this waiting is doing is making me feel more... antsy. Just what could this mare have in store for the Avatar?”

Sweetie shrugged. “Who knows? But there's like... six of us. And the Avatar. And her friends. You and I will take down Dazzling, Rainbow took down Shining last time. And we both know that Applejack and Applebloom will crush Hothoof. Diamond and her friends are training as well, so they'll take care of Meadowbrook.” She took another sip of her drink. “Every single one of these ponies have been beaten before and they can be beaten again.”

Rarity sighed and gave a nod. “I... suppose. It just doesn't... feel right. Something feels off.” She swirled her coffee softly. “I can't help shaking this feeling that we're missing something. That I'm missing something. That there's some... special piece to the puzzle, staring me in the face. Something I need to deal with, but can't.”

Sweetie cocked an eye. “Really? You talked to the others about it?”

The mare gave a sigh before nodding. “Indeed. That's why I'm feeling even less comfortable. I... discussed this with Applejack. Something she said made me feel uneasy.”

The younger princess cocked an eye. “Really? What'd she say?”

“That's just it. I know it's nonsense. I mean, it doesn't even make sense. How could it?”

“What?”

Rarity stared into her coffee for a few moments, questioning if she should even mention it. Then, finally, she looked up. “She said she... felt her element.”

“Earth? Like, metal bending?”

“No. Not that element.” Rarity tapped her throat. “Her Element of Harmony.”

Sweetie froze, her eyes going wide. “Wait, you mean... it's coming... but Twilight's gone! She--”

“No, not on her. That's just it,” Rarity said with another shake of her head. “She said she felt... a piece of it. No, not... like a fading echo of it. From outside. She said it was only for a moment, that it disappeared quickly. And that it was probably just her imagination. But... something like that...”

“What do you think it means?”

“This Staff of Sameness was destroyed and created through Discord's power. Perhaps the lost power of our elements were used, somehow, to repair it.”

“That'd be great! Maybe the elements can be restored!” Sweetie squealed with delight, her eyes going wide.

“Perhaps. But if this Meadowbrook is able to use them, if she somehow can control that magic, who is she exactly? Twilight couldn't repair the elements and she tried for years. So what makes this other mare so special?”

Sweetie opened her mouth to speak, but then froze. “O-oh.”

Rarity nodded, flipping through the letters again. “I almost wish something was going wrong at home. At least then I'd have something to do. Some idea on how to fix it. This... waiting is driving me mad.”

“I'm sorry, Rarity.”

“It's not your fault, sister. I will... learn to deal with it. I know I will.”

Ironwing gave a soft yawn as he slowly went through the reports, marking off a few things and making his way piece by piece through all of the files. Try as he might, he couldn't keep the scowl of annoyance and frustration from his face.

So many things were just being done wrong. He knew he was supposed to follow orders and do what he was told, but it was driving him completely mad. There was a small stack of torn up letters he'd intended to submit to Stratios, but they'd always been pushed aside and abandoned. He was a low ranking member of the Shadowbolts now, he wasn't supposed to cause problems, to complain. He had to follow orders. No matter how much they annoyed him. He sighed and finished up the last report before filing it away and leaning back in his chair.

“You've got to be bucking kidding me,” Daring snapped before stepping into the room. Her eyes almost instantly fell on Ironwing and he let out a sigh when she started to trot over to sit in front of him. “Ironwing, we need to talk.”

“Yes, Daring?”

“You need to get me a new teacher.”

Ironwing blinked a few times before cocking his head to the side. “Excuse me?”

“A new teacher. My current one is driving me nuts.”

“Why?”

“It's our squad mate. Pinionwing. Oh my gosh you should see this pony. He's got to be the WORST flier I've ever seen.”

“Pinionwing? I'm not familiar.”

“Oh, go for a fly with him. Trust me, as slow as he is, you'll have time to hear his life story before you get to the end of the block.”

“Daring...”

“No, I'm serious, he's one of the worst fliers I've ever seen.”

Ironwing gave a sigh. “Not ever Shadowbolt is an excellent flier. We--”

“I should be with the best! I could fly circles around any student you've got here!”

“That's most likely right.”

“Exactly, see? I just need to--”

“But your duty isn't to fly circles around them.”

She blinked a few times. “Ex... cuse me?”

“Your job isn't to fly circles around them. Your job is to follow orders and do as you're told. As a Shadowbolt, you're one member of a squad. Sometimes the squad will have three ponies, sometimes it will have ten. But in the end it's your job to move with them. You work as a team.”

She blinked a few times. “But he's so... lame.”

“So? Again, a team. As long as you're with the Shadowbolts, you'll need to learn to accept that. Not every pony is going to be as fast as you, as strong a flier as you, as good a fighter. All of us have our own strengths and weaknesses. There will be times when your speed and talents will shine through, but there will also be times when you'll have to hold down your limits, to work along side those who struggle to keep up.” He leaned back in his chair. “I've flown with you, Daring. I've seen what you can do. You may not be an air bender, but it would not surprise me to find out some semblance of your mother's bending has gotten into those wings of yours. You're going to find yourself out pacing a LOT of your fellow Shadowbolts.”

She ground a hoof into the ground. “But I--”

“I understand your frustration. But you need to focus on what's important. The team matters above all else. If you fly off on your own, you won't have the backup you need. If you leave them behind, they won't have your backup, either. You need to be able to adapt.”

Daring growled, before nodding. “Fine. Whatever. I shouldn't have to hold myself back for these ponies, though. Is that what you did?”

“Sometimes. At other times others held themselves back for me. If it really concerns you that much, help this pony out. Try to bring him to your level.”

Daring sighed and shook her head. “I've been trying! But he just can't keep up! I swear his hearts going to explode at this rate!”

He cringed. “Then I'd be more careful in the ways you try to help him. If he's not that good a flier and you're training him in a... Rainbow Dash style, that won't work. Try to find out his strengths, then work around them.”

She sighed and trotted towards the door, shaking her head. “Fine. This was so much easier when I was working alone.”

“Shadowbolts don't work alone.”

“Well maybe they should,” she grumbled before slamming the door.

“You handled that rather well,” Stratios said, making Ironwing jump and turn around.

“I wasn't aware you were there. How can I help you?”

The mare stared down at him and rubbed her chin. “I want to speak with you about a few things. I've been working to find you a more permanent squad, but for now we haven't had much success. I might have a new opportunity for you.” She turned and trotted towards her office.

He frowned and got up, following after her. Within a few moments he was sitting down in front of her desk. “Yes?”

She glanced back to him. “I've been watching you, closely. I... have to say, I'm quite disappointed.”

He blinked, his eyes going wide. “Ex... cuse me?”

“I've been reading your reports, they're very... precise.”

“Of course.”

“Direct, to the point. All the bare information needed, without an ounce more.” She pulled out a file and sighed. “Yet I've been putting you with quite a few troubled teams.”

His eyes widened. “I'm sorry?”

“When you first came here, a number of ponies requested to have you added to their teams. We've had a number of complaints from different teams, Coppertip's had left dozens in his wake. Once they requested you, I was certain you'd get down to the bottom of it.” She gave a sigh and shook her head. “But you didn't. I've been assigning you to all sorts of difficult teams, ones where I'm constantly receiving complaints from the other wings. Yet, you never do. I'd love to believe it meant all these fliers are just complaining for no reason, but I'm beginning to find that doubtful.” She pulled out two pieces of paper and slid them forward. “Can you tell me what these are?”

He glanced down at them. One was barely half filled, while the other was covered with words all over it, his shorthoof. “My reports.”

“Yes. From when you were in charge.” She tapped the full one. “And since you came back.” She tapped the barely filled one. “Do you see the problem?”

“I've been keeping more to what actually happened,” he said softly.

“Mmm hmm. You used to write brief summaries of things you noticed, any problems or combinations you saw. Notes on the ponies you worked with. I won't deny, most of it was... useless. In fact, almost all of it was. But at least you were paying attention. Every detail you saw, you logged in the event it would be useful later. Now? You're just slacking,” she said with a shake of her head. “I expected better from you, Ironwing.”

He dug a hoof into the side of the chair. “I see.”

“Don't you have anything to say in your defense?”

He closed his eyes for a moment and took a deep breath, before reaching out and pointing towards the full one. “I was leader of the Shadowbolts at the time. It was my duty, my responsibility to keep track of everything that happened. If I missed anything, ponies would get hurt or die. I needed to monitor my fellow Shadowbolts as well, to ensure everything went smoothly. I... don't do that anymore. It's not my duty anymore. My responsibility is to follow orders, to do as I'm told. Not to question orders.”

Stratios blinked a few times, her mouth falling open slightly. “Wow. Ironwing. I'm just... stunned. I expected an excuse, but not one so... stupid. Do you actually believe that drivel?”

His eyes widened slightly. “Ma'am?”

“There's a difference between questioning orders and making proper reports. If you see a pony who is failing at their job, even if they're your superior, I want to hear about it. Just because a pony is higher up than you doesn't mean they can't buck up.” She shook her head. “I want to know about all those ponies you've been working with. What things have you ACTUALLY been noticing?”

Ironwing blinked a few times. “Very... well. If that is what you wish. Coppertips is...” He rubbed his chin. “He should not be in charge. Silenthoof is a far better commander, but she lacks confidence and I think she'd panic in the event of an actual emergency. Freshmint would most likely make the best commander of the three, or a new pony transferred in.”

“Oh? Why do you say that? Coppertips has good records.”

“Physically, his abilities are top notch. He is fast, strong and an excellent flier. But that doesn't mean much.” Ironwing's brow creased. “His tactical abilities are atrocious. He likes to charge in head first, without thinking. He doesn't focus on the safety of his team, more on his own safety and, at times, glory. He puts the team in dangerous positions, setting them up to fail and then when they get hurt, rather than learn from his mistakes he stands there and berates them, shifting the blame.”

She nodded, a frown on her brow. “Interesting. And the other teams you've worked with?”

Ironwing took another deep breath. It was going to be a long day.

Silver slammed open the door, galloping inside and practically skidding along the tile. “Where is he, is he okay? I just heard!” she asked the receptionist, her heart pounding.

The mare stared at her in confusion, her head cocked to the side. “Who?”

“Acrylic! He passed out!”

“Oh, hold on one second,” the mare said before going through the files for a moment. “Ah, third floor, room 316. Just go up the stairs and--”

Silver didn't hear the rest as she galloped away and to the stairway, making her way up. She soon found the room and galloped inside. “Acrylic!”

“He's sleeping,” Vinyl said, glancing over.

“What happened? Is he okay? I heard he passed out and--” Silver blinked a few times when she realized that Vinyl didn't seem to be panicking at all. Red instantly flooded her cheeks and she gulped. “S-sorry, I just heard... well...”

“Burn out, it was a bit rough,” Vinyl said with a soft chuckle. “Nothing too serious. He just used a spell that was a bit stronger than he should have.”

Silver stared for a few moments, before frowning. “Burn out? REALLY? I was told he'd been crushed by a crate and was coughing up blood.”

Vinyl snickered and shook her head. “No, he saved a pony from being crushed to death and ended up throwing up.” She snickered a little. “Actually threw up a little bit on the mare he saved, too. But there was no real harm done and they're both fine.”

“Is uhhh... is he going to wake up soon?”

The elder mare cringed. “Buck I hope not.”

“What? Why?”

“Look at his horn.”

She did and then cringed. Little scorch marks had formed across it. “Oh. That... looks bad.”

“Oh yeah. He's going to wake up with the mother of all headaches.”

“Mmm, that coming from the creator of most headaches,” Octavia said before she stepped into the room, glancing down towards Silver. “Hello again.” She then turned to Vinyl. “I came the moment I could get away. Don't worry, I dealt with your affairs.”

“Thanks Octy, you're a life saver.” She turned to Acrylic. “He'll be fine. They say in a few days he should be able to do some telekinesis again. After a week, he should be right as rain. For now, he mostly just needs sleep.”

Silver frowned, staring at him. “Really? Burn out? That's it? How did he manage that, his water bending is pretty strong, I can't see it causing that.”

“Oh, it wasn't from his bending. He teleported.”

The mare gasped. “Wait, really? He teleported? But... he can't do that. He's a water bender!”

Vinyl chuckled. “He's still a unicorn, he can do all kinds of magic if he practices. It's just not easy. Especially a spell like that. It can be quite the doozy on a pony, I don't know where he even learned such spells.”

“So he can teleport? That's...” She eyed him again. “It almost killed him.”

“Well... not so much killed him as...” She rubbed her chin. “Well, he's going to hate himself later. Need a stiff drink, at the least.” She looked to Octavia. “Is Button on the way?”

“I'd assume so,” the mare said with a frown. “I sent the message to him soon after you left. I figured he and the Avatar would beat me here.”

“Diamond's probably getting more training done,” Silver said with a sigh. “She'll be here as soon as she finds out, though. I know she wouldn't ignore him.” She trotted over to stand besides him and look down. “He doesn't look so bad, though. His horn is all scuffed up. I guess he has a few burn marks. It's... well... are you sure it's not serious?”

“It's fine,” Vinyl said with a shake of her head. “He shouldn't have even been able to do a spell like that, forcing it like that was... well, exhausting. That's all, though. It won't kill a pony. Besides, we all do something stupid once in a while.”

“Or in Vinyl's case, at least once a week,” Octavia said flatly. “I am happy he is okay, however. I never would have imagined him having access to such a powerful spell.”

“AHHHHH!” a voice screamed from down the hall and suddenly Button came flying down the hall, holding onto a bed on wheels. A moment later they heard a crash and after a few moments Button came walking back to the room, his eyes swirls. “H-hey. Is... is Acrylic in here?” he asked, before face planting on the ground.

Octavia shook her head and trotted over, slowly hefting him up. “Button, dear, you shouldn't be in such a rush. There's no need for it. Now go and be with your friend, I'm going to ensure that you didn't break anything too valuable.” She let him go and trotted out of the room.

Button barely managed to stay up and shook his head before slowly walking over. “Is... is he okay?”

“He's fine,” Silver said with a smile. “I already asked, Vinyl said it's just burn out.” She then sighed. “He saved a life, though. So at least something good came of it.”

Vinyl nodded. “Exactly. He kept to the two testaments I've taught him over the years,” she said with a big grin. “There are only two good reasons to put yourself in the hospital. The first is to save somepony's life.”

“Oh? What's the second?” Button asked.

“Because whatever you did looks bucking cool.”

Silver rolled her eyes and leaned in closer. She glanced up at her metal horn and sighed. “I wonder if we could make a temporary horn for him, until his got better...”

“I wouldn't worry about it,” Vinyl said with a wave of her hoof. “He'll be fine soon enough and until he is, I don't think he'll be too worried about using any magic.”

“I'm so sorry!” Diamond shrieked as she galloped into the room. “I was in the middle of trying the dragon flight stance and the pony was outside waiting and I told them we were almost done and made them wait and didn't know it was an emergency I'm so so so sorry is Acrylic okay I heard he was hit by a boat and he was almost crushed to death is he okay?!”

“He's fine, Diamond,” Silver said with a shake of her head. “A bit over exerted, but he'll live. He just used too much magic.”

The Avatar stared down at him before nodding. “O-oh. So... that's it? What about the boat?”

“I don't think a boat was involved,” Silver said with a chuckle.

“I need to find out who's delivering these messages,” Vinyl said with a grin. “I could use a service like that.”

Diamond stood there, panting as she eyed him. Finally, she sat down and let out a sigh of relief. “O-oh. He's... okay then. I thought... w-well, that's good. Uhhh... is he going to wake up?”

“Probably not for a while,” Vinyl said before sitting down in the chair besides the bed. “I won't be leaving until he wakes up, but you're free to stay as long as you like. I'll let him know you were all visiting, though.”

Silver leaned in. “Did they say how long it'll take?”

“Anytime within the next few days,” Vinyl said. “It can--”

“Owwwww...” Acrylic said with a groan, his eyes wobbling open slightly.

“Vary wildly. Hi son,” she said with a wave.

“Did... did somepony stab me in the head?” he asked weakly as he stared up at the ponies. “What happened?”

Every eye turned to Vinyl. The mare sighed. “Well, apparently you and Icytouch were on patrol. A crate started to fall on a pony and then you teleported and pushed her out of the way. Then kinda threw up on her and passed out.”

Acrylic groaned and closed his eyes. “Okay. Did... the crate fall on my head?”

“Nope! That'd be the effect of teleporting your whole body when you're definitely not ready or prepared for that kind of magic. Still, pretty impressive. I didn't know you were practicing for that kind of magic.”

Acrylic whimpered. “I was learning to teleport apples... at biggest... ow...”

Silver sighed and shook her head. “Are you hungry? Thirsty?”

“Thirsty...” he mumbled.

“I'm going to get him something cold to drink. Don't let his mom drive him crazy,” she said before trotting out of the room.

Button sat at the hoof of the bed. “Soooo. Saved a pony, right? Was she cute?”

Acrylic blinked a few times and quickly pulled the blanket over his face. “Oh by the stars I don't have the strength for this...”

Diamond blinked and slowly a grin formed on her lips. “Oh my. Acrylic, is this how you're going to start dating? Saving pretty mares?”

“Just kill me now...”

“I knew it!” Vinyl yelled.

“And my headache just keeps getting worse...” Acrylic whined.

“Fine, fine, we'll stop,” Diamond said with a chuckle before pulling the blankets back down. “Come on, we're just happy you're okay.”

“I feel like my horn exploded and then jammed into my skull. Or... the reverse of that,” Acrylic mumbled.

“Classic burn out,” Vinyl said with a nod. “It's probably going to hurt for a while. Plenty of fluids and solids will help, though. Want some ice cream?”

“Will it help?”

“Ice cream always helps.”

He shook his head, then winced. “No. Not... really. I just want to sleep,” he said softly. “What did the doctor say?”

“You'll be fine,” Vinyl said with a grin. “You saved a life, though. That's got to be worth celebrating.”

Acrylic's eyes went wide. “P-please, no. By the stars, no. I-I can't handle... loud music right n-now.”

Vinyl snickered. “No, not right now. When you're all better,” she said before reaching out and taking his hoof. “I'm happy you're okay, dear. You scared me half to death.”

“You scared all of us,” Diamond said with a sigh.

“Sorry,” Acrylic mumbled, closing his eyes. “L-listen. I'm... really tired. Can I get some alone time? Please?” he asked softly, before shuddering. “A lot of alone time...”

Vinyl nodded. “Of course. Okay, everypony out, out!” she said before trotting towards the door. “He'll be here a while, so we'll have lots of time to visit him. I won't be leaving for a while, either, so you're free to stick around until he feels more up to visiting others.”

Silver appeared in the doorway, a glass of water held in her fake horn's magic. “What? Are we leaving already?”

The elder mare nodded. “Yeah. You can stick around for a few extra seconds, though. Not long though, okay?”

Silver nodded and trotted in, standing by him. She eyed the doorway as the other's disappeared through it, before gently guiding the water to his lips. “Here.”

He groaned and sighed, slowly sipping from it. After a moment he relaxed, nodded and she pulled it away. “Thanks...”

“It's okay. I know this probably hurts.”

“You have no idea...”

“Yeah. But you were pretty awesome, I hear. Diving in, saving some mare. Surprised she's not here... but maybe she will be later.” Silver tapped the ground for a few more moments, eying him. She chewed on her lower lip, before speaking up. “So... did you know her?”

“Who?”

“The mare you saved.”

“No. Should I have?”

She gave a soft sigh and a smile. “No. I guess not. You... aren't really the sort who'd need to... well, anyway,” she said before giving a small wave of her hoof. “You're awesome Acrylic, don't ever change.”

“I... won't?” he said softly, confusion etched in his tone.

“Thank you. Sleep well.” Silver quickly got to her hooves and trotted out of the room, lifting a hoof to her chest. Her mind raced as guilt flooded through her and she struggled to hold back the wave of emotion. She buried it down, forcing it back into the recesses of her mind before forcing a smile and trotting out to meet with the others.

“How's he doing?” Button asked when she met up with them.

“Seemed fine. Drank a little, he's resting now,” she said with a small sigh. “He will be okay though, won't he? He... never should have gotten hurt.”

“He'll be fine,” Vinyl said with a dismissive wave of her hoof. “Trust me, at his age he'll brush it off like a bad hangover. Might be a little timid around teleportation magic for a bit, but even that won't last long. Perhaps if there had been some kind of crack or something in his horn, I'd worry. But a bit of burns are fine. They go away fast.”

“You've seen this before, then?” Diamond asked. “I've never experienced it.”

“It's pretty rare, be thankful,” Vinyl said with a sigh. “Most ponies don't. Burn out only really happens when you push your magic reserves to the extreme limits, far beyond what they should be. He did it all at once, with one big spell. Buck, he's lucky the spell even went off. Most ponies would have just had their horn fizzle out and maybe blow back a couple of feet. He actually teleported, that's pretty impressive.” She gave a big grin. “That's my boy.”

Octavia nodded. “I've seen it a hoofful of times as well. It is rarely anything too serious. I am happy it was just a minor case of burn out.”

Button nodded. “I didn't even know he could do magic like that. I didn't think benders could do magic like that.”

“Of course we can,” Vinyl said with a shrug. “I mean, most don't. Magic can be just as difficult, if not more, than bending. On top of that, you need to have a bit of talent in it just to do some of the basic stuff. I'm amazed he can even do that.” A wide grin formed on her lips. “But then, he is my boy. It's only natural he'd be so talented.”

“You're going to spend the next month bragging about him now, aren't you?” Octavia asked flatly.

“I will not brag about him any longer than you bragged about Button learning to lava bend.”

Button's cheeks turned red. “Y-you were bragging about me, mom?”

Octavia's eyes widened. “I... said a word here or there.”

“Oh, don't let her calm demeanor fool you. She's been positively gushing to anypony who would listen,” Vinyl said with a big grin.

Button quickly looked away. “O-oh. I uhhhh... s-speaking of bending, I really should head out. I've got... more practice to do a-and stuff. I uhhh, I'll be back tonight, okay? I doubt Acrylic will be okay for a while, anyway.”

Vinyl nodded, smirking. “Of course. Octavia?”

“I merely wanted to make sure the child was okay, and you were as well. He is fine, so there's no real need for me to stay all night.” She looked to Button. “I'll walk you back to the facility.”

“Oh... thanks. Mom,” Button said flatly, before giving a sigh. He turned and trotted back out, the elder mare following after him.

Vinyl looked to Silver and Diamond. “Well, he's fine. So do you two plan to head out?”

“I really should get back to work,” Silver said with a sigh. “I've been doing more testing and we've really managed to increase the power in our wings and horns. We're hoping with a few new modifications, we might even be able to get up to Wonderbolt speeds.”

Vinyl's eyes widened. “Truly?”

“... Well, no. That's probably impossible. I mean, if it was just flying at their actual flight speed? Yeah, easy enough. But I doubt the wings could endure long enough and it's not just flight speed. Their air bending allows them to go even faster, something we just can't control well enough to help. On top of that, most ponies couldn't handle flight at those speeds. We're fast approaching the ends of where it could be safe for ponies to actually fly without risking hurting themselves.” She gave a small wave of her hoof. “But we'll probably be working on specialized models soon enough as well. And we've managed to do a bit more work on artificial bending. Fire is the only element we're having a lot of progress with, sadly.”

Diamond nodded, glancing over. “If you need any help, I'd be happy to offer my services.”

Silver shook her head. “No, it's fine. Everything is going well for now, we just need a lot more testing.” She spread out her wings. “The only real reason I'm even helping with the testing is because I have more experience with the models than anypony else, and I tend to be the first pony to get my hooves on them.” She turned and headed towards the door.

“Ohhhhh,” Diamond said, nodding. She then glanced down the hall. “I... think I'll stick around a bit more. I don't really have anywhere I need to be for a while. Plasmahoof is already probably packed up and I don't have lessons with Rainbow for a few more hours.” She glanced to Vinyl. “We can talk for a bit, maybe.”

The unicorn nodded. “Oh? Of course. Actually, I did want to ask you something. While on the trip, did you ever see Acrylic brush up with anypony? Like Button did with Luna? I'm sure--”

“Wow, actually, I really should be going I'll see you later bye!” Diamond said before turning and galloping after Silver, her cheeks flaming red.

Vinyl blinked a few times, before frowning. “I swear, if everypony keeps acting like this I'm NEVER going to have grandfoals.”

Author's Note

Another chapter down! Woot! Things are as wild as ever for me, but I wanted to get this out for all my wonderful readers. Enjoy!