Chapters "Cupcake?" the pink pony offered the new arrival.
"Uh... no thank you, Pinkie." Mako denied.
"Suit yourself." Pinkie threw her cupcake in the air and caught it like a frog catching a fly. When she swallowed it, she joined up with the rest of the Mane 6, who arrived right after Mako.
"Hold on an apple-picking minute." Applejack said. "I'm having a hard time understanding. You think Korra was taken?"
"I only know what happened." Mako said. "Look, it all started a few weeks ago. Me, Korra, Bolin, Asami, Miles, Iris, and Lok entered another world. We were in a jungle terrain where the only intelligent forms of life we found were a few bugs. That night, Korra started to stir in her sleep. I woke her up and she told me she was talking to Aang."
"Aang?" Twilight asked. "Wasn't that the Avatar before Korra?"
"Well, that doesn't make sense." Rarity said. "That man is dead. How could she communicate with the dead?"
"Maybe the Avatar has a special ability to communicate with the Avatars of the past." Pinkie Pie guessed.
"Oh, Pinkie." Rainbow Dash chuckled. "You say the nuttiest things."
"Actually, she's right." Mako said.
"WHAT?!" everyone gasped.
"Korra can talk to past Avatars... or did, at least." Mako said. "Look, a few years ago, Korra's psychotic uncle gained powers similar to the Avatar and used them to weaken Korra's so much, she lost all connection to every Avatar before her. We defeated him, but Korra still couldn't talk to Aang or anyone else."
"But why is she saying she's doing it now?" Twilight asked.
"I don't know." Mako said. "I told her it was impossible, but she insisted. She said Aang told her all of Creation was in danger and that she needed to speak to Avatar Stelle."
"The first Avatar that made contact with Equestria?" Twilight asked. "What else happened?"
"Well, Korra was insistent on interacting with her past lives, so we all headed straight for the Tree of Time."
"The tree of what?" Starlight asked.
"It's sort of this big place in the Spirit World." Mako said. "I think it's the most spiritual place there. Anyway, Korra meditated inside the tree all day trying to reconnect with her past lives. After half a day, we were all worried. I was about to check up on her until... we were attacked. These four green vultures appeared out of nowhere and started attacking us. We tried to fight back, but these vultures were quick. They separated us from Korra and chased us into the Physical World. I ran back in after them, but when I returned to the Spirit World, they were gone, along with Korra. Those vultures must have kidnapped her."
"What, were they spirits or something?" Spike asked.
"I don't think so." Mako said. "We've seen hundreds of spirits before, and whatever they were, they were different. After that, we went to see everyone we can who can connect to the Spirit World, but they couldn't find her anywhere. Even Zaheer was no help."
"So why are you here?" Twilight asked.
"Bolin remembered that he heard one of those vultures talking." Mako said. "According to him, the vulture in the lead was talking about getting the objectives before the ponies show up."
"You mean us?" Fluttershy asked.
"Mako, I've never heard of any green vultures." Twilight said. "But if Korra's in trouble, you can bet I'll be happy to help."
"Me too." Spike said.
"Same with us!" Rainbow Dash said standing with Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, and Rarity.
"Ooh, don't forget me." Discord said. "Princess Twilight, her friends, and Discord off on another whirlwind adventure!"
"Hold on!" Starlight said. "I'd like to go also."
"All right." Twilight said. "We could use all the help we could get."
"Thank you." Mako said. "Shall we go now?"
"Hold on." Spike called out. "I need to write to the princess explaining where we'll be."
"OK, Spike." Twilight said. She then turned to her student. "Are you sure you want to do this? There's no guarantee that it'll be pleasant."
"I know," Starlight said, "But I missed out on the last one. I'm not missing this one. Besides, this could be educational for me."
"All right." Twilight said. "Just needed you to be sure."
"So where do we go when we get to Republic City?" Starlight Glimmer asked.
"We should head to the scene of the crime." Twilight said. "The Tree of Time."
"Ooh, that rhymed!" Pinkie smiled.
"And here, we have the new spirit portal." Ryu said as he presented the glowing portal to the crowd of tourists. "Here, the Avatar and Kuvira fought until an explosion created a brand new spirit portal."
"That's our son." Ryu's overenthusiastic mother called out. "He's so informative."
"Yeah, whatever." Ryu sighed rolling his eyes. "Anyway, the portal, at first, lead to the spirit world, but because of otherworldly matters months ago and the advancements made by Atlas Consilidated, it can give you access to other worlds, but only with permission from Atlas Consolidated CEO, Amsem Stratus. Atlas Consolidated..."
Suddenly, the tour was interrupted by the sound of a beautiful screech. The tourists looked up and saw two creatures soaring the sky. They had the resemblance of horses and fish combined. The only difference was their color. One was orange and the other was purple. They divebombed until the purple one caught Ryu by latching her teeth on the back of his collar. The other one tried to catch another human, but the humans scrambled to confusingly. In the end, the two creatures decided to fly away out of everyone's sight.
"MY BOY!" Ryu's mom shouted. "THEY TOOK MY BOY!"
The two monsters flew through the sky with Ryu screaming his head off. The monsters then flew into an abandoned warehouse and dropped him on the ground. When Ryu took the time to examine his surrounding. he was frightened when he found the vials and lab equipment all over. He then turned seeing the two creatures change form. They now looked like human teenage girls.
"YUCK!" the purple girl exclaimed as she rubbed her tongue. "OH, COME ON!"
"What are you complaining about, Melody?" the orange girl asked. "You caught someone."
"Yeah, but this guy is a mess!" Melody said. "Serena, consider yourself lucky. This guy tastes like week-old noodles and I don't think he washes his suit."
Ryu looked around in fear until he caught sight of another person. He looked human, but he had a hood and a mask on. The mask looked intimidating, and there was a red circle on the forehead of the mask. The look of him frightened Ryu.
"AMON?!" Ryu screamed. "HOW... YOU'RE DEAD! YOU WON'T TAKE ME ALIVE!" He tried to throw strong gusts of wind toward the masked figure, but before he could, a metal hand caught his wrist. Ryu looked and gasped when he saw the thin, cloaked man with black hair and a mechanical eye.
"I think we just did." the newest man said. He then threw Ryu aside. Ryu looked again and saw the mechanical arms and hands his attacker had when he used them to hold up a syringe filled with a white fluid.
"Don't you know who I am?" Ryu asked.
"Vaguely." the metal-eyed man said observing the needle. "Based on my records, you're a man who doesn't care about anything and freeloads in his mother's basement. When you discovered your airbending abilities, it only took you three years before you decided to embrace your destiny, and what do you do with it? You give tours in the spirit wilds. Not exactly a full life... Ryu, was it?"
"You... You've been watching me?" Ryu asked in a trembling voice.
"Heavens, no. You're not worth the effort. But you did encounter Avatar Korra once. You know, when she came to your house and tried to convince you to learn airbending. But like I said, it took you three years to even get out of the house."
"What are you going to do?"
"Oh, you're not the first person I'm doing this to," the man smiled approaching Ryu with the syringe, "And I promise, you won't be the last."
"You're insane! Who do you think you are?"
"Well, the girls are the Siren Sisters, Serena and Melody, my masked friend over there is Kira, I'm Tartus and... I'm taking back what is rightfully mine." Tartus then struck the side of Ryu's neck and injected the white fluid within. When he pulled the syringe out, Ryu felt dizzy and about to pass out. All he could do was listen to Tartus' short ditty before passing out.
"T is for 'terror' which is filling in your eyes
A is for 'awesome'. This is quite a surprise
R is for 'revenge,' for what I'm going to claim
I've waited forever to finally finish this game
T is for 'toture,' my most beloved noise
U is for 'ultimate power' that I'll rejoice
S is for 'struck' much like a heart attack
My name is Tartus, and let me just say... I'm back "
Author's Note
The song featured here is inspired by "P is for Perfect " from Dragon Ball Z: Abridged. I don't know what that song's a parody of; otherwise, I'd reference that.
"Is everyone ready?" Twilight asked as she put in a bunch of books.
"Almost!" Applejack said.
"Well, we need to hurry." Mako said. "Who knows what's happening to Korra right now?"
"And we'll save her." Starlight said.
Suddenly, Discord appeared in front of everyone wearing a Hawaiin shirt and carrying two carry-ons.
"Well, while we're there," he said, "We can still catch up on Republic City. I wonder how the statue of Anar D is doing."
"Who?" Starlight asked.
"Don't ask." Rainbow Dash sighed.
"So what's the plan?" Rarity asked.
"We'll split into two groups." Twilight explained. "Starlight, Spike, Rarity, Discord, you will help me take a look around the Tree of Time for clues. The rest of you head to Republic City and see if our friends there came up with any leads."
"Um, maybe I can help you around the tree." Mako said. "I am a detective." No one noticed, but Discord gave Mako a suspicious glare.
"Mako, you're the only one out of all of us to get access to Republic City police." Twilight explained. "You've got to go with Team B."
"Wait, why are we Team B?" Applejack asked.
"Time to go." Twilight said brushing off the question. "Now, is everyone ready now."
"Yep." Pinkie Pie said. "Ready to go, Captain Princess Twilight!"
"All right." Twilight said turning to face the glowing mirror. "Let's do this." She jumped in disappearing in the light. The others followed
When the light faded, the ponies and others found themselves in a big field. In the middle of the field stood a large, black and red tree the size of a building. Mako emerged finally walking on his two human feet again. He looked around and looked worried.
"Something's wrong." Mako said.
"You're telling me?" Pinkie Pie asked. "When you entered Equestria, you turned into a pony and when you left, you changed back into a human. So how is it that when we left Equestria, we stayed the same?"
"Not that?" Mako asked. He pointed his finger. "Look."
Everyone looked to where Mako was pointing and saw several people in heavy equipment over the other side of the land.
"Are they supposed to be here?" Starlight asked.
"Not to my knowledge." Mako said. "HEY! WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?!"
Most of the people turned their heads to the group that just arrived. One of them approached Mako and the anthropomorphic characters. He had a business suit and tie, but his most noticeable feature is the scar over his left eye.
"You're not supposed to be here." the scarred man said.
"We're not supposed to be here?" Twilight asked. "Mako said you're not. Who are you?"
"Well, your highness, if you must know, my name is Levoe, and you're unofficially standing in an Atlas Consilidated site."
"Atlas what?" Rarity asked.
Mako sighed. "After we defeated Grogar, this new company came out of nowhere and started working on the portals. Apparently, they devised a way to use it to travel to other worlds, but only if it's within reason... or if their CEO, Amsem Stratus, says so."
"Don't hate the player, hate the game." Levoe said. "And right now, this area is off limits to civilians, both human and animal."
"Why?" Applejack asked.
"There's been unusual activity in this area." Levoe explained. "Mr. Stratus wants us to look into it without any incidents, which is why I'm offering you a way out without anyone having to get in trouble."
"You can't just kick us out." Twilight said. "We're investigating."
"So are we," Levoe shot back, "And we were here first. Look, I'm sorry about this, but my hands are tied here. I don't make the rules here."
Mako sighed. "Come on, guys. Maybe we can take it up to this Stratus person."
"And then, we can enjoy the sights." Discord said.
Everyone rolled their eyes and walked toward another portal that they knew led to Republic City. Once they were out of sight, Levoe walked to a radio and picked up a transmitter.
"Contact Amsem Stratus." Levoe told his employees. After a few moments, a snakey voice came from the radio.
"Yes?"
"Hey, Tartus." Levoe greeted with a sinister smile. "I've got good news. The Mane 6 are here. The Avatar's boy brought them, Starlight, and Discord all the way from Equestria."
"Did they find out what you're doing there?" Tartus asked.
"Not a clue." Levoe said. "Told them we already called dibs. They're on their way to Republic City as we speak."
"Well done, Leaf." Tartus said. "Time to send them a message."
Tenzin couldn't see with his eyes closed, but he could feel the warmth of the sun shining on his face as well as the courtyard of the Air Temple in Republic City. Next to his own heavy breathing, the only sound there was the wind blowing through the grass.
"Come on, Korra." Tenzin whispered. "I know you're out there. Please, give me a sign."
"Tenzin!" a female voice called in front of him.
"Korra?" Tenzin asked as he opened his eyes. But it was not the Avatar he heard. It was Twilight Sparkle and her friends approaching him from the outside of the temple.
"Princess Twilight." he recognized. "What are you doing here?"
"Mako came to us." Twilight said. "He told us everything."
"Any leads?" Spike asked.
"Not one." Tenzin said. "I am glad to see you, though. Maybe you can give us a hand on this."
"Don't worry about it, Tenzy." Rainbow Dash said. "We faced magic-hungry centaurs, a pony of shadows, and even an evil monster from a pre-friendship kingdom. How bad can one missing person be?"
"Actually, it's not just Korra that's missing." Tenzin said. "An airbender was just reported being taken from a tour he was guiding. His mother claimed some flying fish-like creatures swooped in from the sky and snatched him from the ground. Chief Beifong has been getting a lot of similar missing persons cases since Korra's disappearance."
"Flying fish-like creatures?" Starlight asked. "Mako, you told us Korra was taken by green birds."
"She was." Mako said. "Whatever took Korra was different from what took all those other people."
"Still, I have a hard time thinking it's a coinky-dink." Applejack said. "Where do we start?"
"Well, since Atlas Consolidated refuses to let us check out the Tree of Time, the best thing we can do is survey Republic City." Twilight suggested. "Maybe we can check out the kidnapping sites and see if we can find any lead."
"Are we there yet?" the big vulture asked.
"No." the vulture with the cracked beak responded in annoyance.
"Are we there yet?" the big vulture asked again.
"Verde, once we get there, I will let you know." the female vulture said. "But for now, I need you to shut up and... Ah, there it is?"
The three green vultures swooped down from the sky and entered a damp swamp with thick trees. They laid down on one of the roots.
"Yay!" Verde cheered. "What do I get, Jade?"
"What do you..." the female said with annoyance in her voice. "Verde, you're not getting a prize for coming with us while you keep on asking 'are we there yet? are we there yet?' It's driving me nuts!"
"Well, isn't this a strange thing?" an elderly voice asked. Everyone looked and saw an old woman with a yellow and green robe and white hair. Her eyes were colorless indicating she was blind. "I can sense three birds perched in front of me, and yet, I hear three voices coming from them. You're certainly not spirits, so what are you?"
"Uh... Candy gram?" the cracked-beak vulture answered.
"Quiet, Emerald." Jade said. She turned to the old lady. "You must be Toph Beifong, former Chief of Police in Republic City and hermit of the swamp."
"Who's asking?"
"My name is Jade. These are my dim-witted associates, Emerald and Verde. We are called Greengear. We have flown a great many miles to be here."
"Don't tell me it's to see little old me." Toph said. "I've had my fill of fans for the decade."
"Actually, Toph, we need to do something here in this swamp." Jade said.
"You better not do anything to harm it. The swamp benders are not going to be happy about that."
"Why... No, of course not."
Toph lowered her eyebrows as she glared at the birds. "You're lying."
"Oh, right." Jade said. "I forgot you could do that."
Before the birds could think, Toph kicked at the air and the slime on the ground synchonized with her movements. Greengear flew above the ground and narrowly dodged it.
"What now?" Emerald asked.
"Evasive Pattern Iota!" Jade called out.
The birds then flew around Toph who continued to fire sludge and earth towards them. Between two of her throws, Jade flew in unexpectedly and rammed Toph backward. She got back up and got knocked down again by Emerald. She rolled away and avoided getting hit again by Jade. Eventually, Toph started to breath heavily.
"Had enough?" Emerald asked.
"Maybe." Toph said. "But I know the Avatar is still out there, and once she hears about you three, she'll dish out a monster of a storm upon you."
"Nuh-uh." Verde said. "We've taken her, and now, she's underneath the Pro-Bending arena in Republic City."
"VERDE!" Jade shouted angrily.
"Good to know." Toph said. Suddenly, she punched the ground and a pyramid of earth surrounded her.
"Oh, come on!" Jade shouted. "She's probably boring her way out of the swamp right now."
"Wow." Emerald said. "Is she really that dull?"
"You know what?" Jade asked. "I hate you. I hate the both of you. I'd kill you, but I'm afraid touching your corpses might give me your sad case of stupidity. Let's just do what we came here to do."
"Goodie." Emerald said. He pulled out a lighter and looked at the surrounding area. "Oh, the boss' big plan is frightful, and the fire is so delightful, and since there's no place left to turn, let it burn. Let it burn. Let it burn. "
"Anything?" Pinkie Pie asked as she lifted a small rock beside the Spirit Portal.
"Nothing." Rarity said during her search.
"Hey, Fluttershy." Rainbow Dash said. She pointed at Discord, who was laying back on a lawn chair sipping a lemonade glass... without the lemonade. "Why don't you get your friend to make himself useful?"
"Um, Discord." Fluttershy said approaching the draconequus. "What are you doing?"
"Sunbathing." Discord answered. "And I've got to say, the glow from that portal is an excellent substitute for UV ray lights. It's a lot cheaper than going to an actual spa."
"Well, maybe you could put in a little effort in helping us find out what happened to that airbender." Fluttershy said.
"Hey, I'm not the one holding back." Discord said. "Twilight hasn't been using the right spell."
"What?" Twilight asked.
"Can't you use a spell to create a flashback of what happened here?"
Everyone fell silent for a moment.
"I've never practiced that spell," Twilight said, "But I suppose it's worth a shot."
As Twilight began to illuminate her horn, images of the past flashed before everyone's eyes. While everyone was distracted, Discord leaned his head closer to Mako.
"Hey, kid, what's the big deal?" Discord asked.
"What?" Mako asked.
"When Twilight suggested to come back to Republic City, you hesitated." Discord said. "It's like you didn't want to come here."
"Maybe you didn't notice, Discord," Mako said, "But we're trying to look for Korra."
"I didn't forget." Discord said. "Look, I'm the master of chaos and confusion. And right now, I can tell that you're very confused about something... or maybe someone. Is it... your brother?"
"Don't bring it up again." Mako said. "Bolin and I are... in a complicated place right now."
"I found something." Twilight said. She pointed at the two creatures paused snatching Ryu from the ground.
"Wow, when they said flying fish-creatures, they weren't kidding." Rarity said.
"Maybe it's revenge of the sushi." Pinkie Pie said.
"Hang on." Twilight said. "I feel like I've seen them before. They kinda look like..."
"GUYS!" Spike cried from afar. Everyone saw him running from the hill. "You've got to see this!"
Everyone followed Spike down the bottom of the hill. They found a man spasming around on the ground.
"What in tarnation?" Applejack asked.
"Who is that?" Starlight asked.
Mako knelt down and rolled the man on his back. Mako widened his eyes as he recognized him. "It's Ryu. He's one of the kidnapping victims. I think he's hurt."
And that's how the hospital got its latest patient. The doctors had Ryu strapped to a table and rolled it into a large room. Twilight and her friends followed.
"Is he going to be all right?" Starlight asked.
"Hard to say." the doctor said. "I think..."
"AAAAAHHHHH" Ryu shouted in pain. "THE MAN! THE MAN WITH THE METAL EYE! AND THE MAN WEARING AMON'S MASK!"
"What?" Mako asked. "Amon's mask?!"
"Who's Amon?" Starlight asked.
Suddenly, the a bright green tail emerged from the table surprising everyone. They followed the tail, and it starts where Ryu's legs should be. The doctors tried to hold him down, but they weren't strong enough. As Ryu's physical appearance changed, the doctors were knocked back. When everyone got a clear look, they saw what Ryu was changed into.
The bottom half of Ryu's body was like a fish, but the top half was like a fanged pony. His green scaled were outlined when he growled at them.
"Well, that's a new one." Applejack said.
"No." Twilight gasped. "It can't be. He's... a siren?"
"Get back!" Mako exclaimed as he prepared to firebend.
Suddenly, before Ryu could charge at them, a golden, transparent blast hit him to the wall. In the confusion, Ryu floated up and charged out of a window.
"What was that?" Discord asked looking at where the blast came from.
Everyone gazed at the hospital door and watched in amazement as five new figures walked through.
Twilight was the most confused of them all. "What are you doing here?"
One of the new arrivals was a grown woman with glowing glyphs across her face matching the blast. Another was a human girl with a black leather jacket and gold-and-red hair. There was also a human boy with black hair and black clothes. The last two didn't look remotely human. One of them was like a walking wolf made of metal. The other looked exactly like Twilight, but with a superhero costume.
"Looks like someone needs... a hospital." the wirewolf exclaimed with pride. All that got was the glances of his companions. "What? That sounded cool."
"No." the dark-haired boy said. "No, it didn't, you dunce."
Author's Note
Well, good news: I am not dead. Honestly, it's been a really stressful couple of months, and the stress isn't even close to being over yet. I don't know when the next chapter is going to be, but I don't let that stop me from doing what I love, writing stories. Just don't push me for further chapters to write. Like I said, I have quite a lot on my mind. But I'll still keep writing. Just be patient, and you won't be disappointed.
The Mane 6 and the others had just finished listening to the stories told by their friends who just arrived. They stood in the open fields at the air temple. Tenzin, Lin, and Asami arrived.
"You're kidding." Rainbow Dash said.
"I don't kid." Scimitar said.
"Really, he doesn't." Sunset Shimmer said. "He gives sarcastic remarks every now and then, but he doesn't kid when it comes to his father."
"Father?" Starlight asked.
"Yeah, that." Scimitar said. "You see, Tartus--the guy we were just talking about--he's my father... sort of."
"Sort of?" Mako asked. "What, are you adopted?"
"No." Scimitar said nervously. "See, I am a carbon-copy made from his DNA. In Layman's terms, I'm a clone."
"Whoa, what?" Spike asked. "Should we be..."
"Don't worry about it." Scimitar said. "There are a lot of differences about me. But that's not the point of the story."
"From what we gather, Tartus has been at countless worlds all over Creation longer than any of us," Dawna said, "Even with my immortal life. Although he's been quiet most of the time, he's been a lot less discreet these past few years."
"We managed to put the pieces together." the Shadow Blot said. "For a while, he stayed in the Netherealm until he took one of the Relics of Creation, the Golden Apple. He had me and the rest of the Machines dig it up for him and set up a partner of his to take the fall so we thought we'd seen the last of it."
"He also vacated to the world with Canterlot High." Sunset Shimmer said. "Twilight, we found your human counterpart there."
"Really?" Twilight asked.
"Yeah, she's a smart girl." Sunset Shimmer said. "Maybe too smart. Tartus tricked her into building a device that could steal magic."
"And right before coming here, Tartus went to a darker version of my Equestria." the Masked Matterhorn said. "He tricked the inhabitants there to destroy the physical vessels of two Relics so he can steal the magic with the device Sunset just mentioned."
"All right." Mako said. "So what does he want?"
"The Relics of Creation." the Shadow Blot said. "Each is inhabited by a different Primordial, the first living personifications of Creation; Lucid the Light, Atrum the Darkness, and Midan the Nature. Individually, each one could grant unimaginable power. We think that Tartus has found a way to wield all three of the Primordials' power, which could be catastrophic. So far, he's absorbed two Relics: the Golden Apple and the Asteroth. All that's left is for him to take the power of the third Relic. Problem is, I can't remember what it's called."
"I think it's the Universal... or Unnerving..." the Masked Matterhorn said. "I didn't think that was important until Tartus made his move."
"And the last Relic is here?" Starlight asked. "In this world?"
"Probably." Scimitar said. "After Equestria Perilous, we followed the dunce straight here. That's when we heard the panic where you were. Whether or not that flying-fish monster was part of his plan, I have no idea."
"Well, it definitely doesn't belong in this world." Discord said. "Did anyone else get reminded of a certain flying, glowing, pony-fish hybrid with harmonious melodies in their voices?"
"Wait." Sunset Shimmer said rubbing her chin. "Are you talking about the Dazzlings?"
"Dazzlings?" the Masked Matterhorn said. "Based on Anar D's description, it sounds like he was talking about the Siren Sisters."
"First of all, my name's Discord. Secondly, I mean the three evil spirits of music that thrive on disharmony. Frankly, a bunch of plagiarists if you ask me."
"And you're sure it's them?" Sunset asked.
"Well, it's not Josie and the Pussycats, I'm sure of that." Discord said. "Look, obviously, sirens were plucking random people from their families and being changed themselves; probably Tartus' work."
"How do you know Tartus did that?" Twilight asked.
"Because far as I know, sirens don't make more of them." Discord explained.
"Well, what does this Tartus person want with sirens?" Asami asked.
"I don't know," Scimitar said, "He would never tell me what was part of his plan and what wasn't."
"So do you think this guy has Korra?" Mako asked.
"I wouldn't put it past him." Shadow Blot said. "He has done a lot of underhanded deeds."
"And right now, we have nothing to go on." Lin said.
"I wouldn't say that."
Nobody expected a new voice in the crowd. Everyone turned and saw Toph walking towards them.
"Toph?" Tenzin asked.
"Twinkle-Toes Jr." Toph greeted.
"Asami, who is that?" Twilight asked.
"That's Toph Beifong, Lin's mom. She was a close friend to Avatar Aang."
"Really?" Rainbow Dash asked. "She doesn't really look like a tough girl."
"I may be old and blind, but I'm not deaf!" Toph shouted.
"What are you doing here, mom?" Lin asked. "I thought you retired back to the swamp."
"Well, I got nowhere else to go now. It's gone."
"What's gone?" Fluttershy asked.
"The swamp, horse-brains!" Toph answered. "A bunch of hooligans arrived and burned the entire place to the ground."
"What?" Tenzin asked.
"Who?" Asami asked.
"From what I could tell, it was four different vultures." Toph described. "They talked, so I first thought they were spirits, but something didn't seem right about them."
"Vultures?" Scimitar asked. "That's Greengear, my father's minions. Why would he want your swamp destroyed?"
"I suppose it has to do with the vines." Toph said. "They're spiritually connected to the whole world in some way or another. I just got rid of the last of Kuvira's harvesting tools only to lose the whole swamp to a bunch of pyromaniacs. I guess whatever Tartus may want, he doesn't want anyone to see it. A lot of good that'll do him."
"Why?" Mako asked.
"Because I know where he's keeping the Avatar." Toph said. "One of those vultures let slip on where she was. And I'm betting Tartus is there too."
"Really?" Mako asked. "Where?"
"He said Korra's underneath the Pro-Bending stadium."
"Perfect!" Mako shouted. "Let's go save her!"
"Hold on, something's not right." Scimitar said. "This is too easy."
"I agree with the new guy." Starlight said. "Does it really make sense for Tartus to hide in a stadium?"
"There's a tournament happening tonight." Tenzin said. "It doesn't make sense for someone like Tartus to be somewhere public, even if he's got sirens with him."
"Well, we don't have anything else to go on." Mako said. "I say it's worth checking out."
"I agree." Twilight said. "If there's even a chance that Korra's there, we need to see if it's correct."
"Oh, this is going to be awesome." Pinkie said putting on a brown hat. "Detective Pinkie Pie is on the case once again."
"Where did she get..." Tenzin started to ask.
"It's best not to think about it too much." Rarity said.
The four vultures flew in around the dark room and landed to greet their master.
"I take it the job is done?" Tartus asked.
"It is, boss." Jade said. "The swamp is burned. Unfortunately, Toph Beifong escaped."
"How is that unfortunate?" Tartus asked.
"Ask sunflower seed brain here." Emerald said pointing at Verde. "This idiot told her where you are and she's probably going to tell the Avatar's friends where you're keeping her."
"...I know that." Tartus said surprising most of Greengear. "Like I said, why is it unfortunate?"
"Sir, I don't get it." Leaf said. "We're about to have company. They're coming here to take you in and find the Avatar. Why are you being so calm about it?"
"Hold on." Jade said. She thought for a minute and grinned. "I get it."
"You do?" Leaf asked.
"Think about it, bird-brain!" Jade said. "Each of us Greengear vultures is bred to follow Tartus' direct orders. We don't do anything unless he tells us to. So if Verde told the enemy where Korra was, it's because the boss told him to. Right, Verde?"
"Yep. The boss told me to say where she is when the moment comes."
"But that means..." Emerald said. "Boss, this is part of the plan?"
"In chess, sacrifices need to be made," Tartus said, "And we're all players. The four of you are pawns. Kira is my rook. Serena and Melody are knights. And Scimitar was my knight, who was taken by my opponents. I admit, it was a slip, but a good player knows how to adapt. The point is, let them come. I have a few surprises of my own, and very soon, I will have checkmate."
"Brilliant, sir." Jade said. "So what's the plan?"
"Emerald, Verde, the two of you will take the Siren Sisters and move on to our backup facility. Keep changing anyone you can pick up until further instructions are given. Meanwhile, Jade, Leaf, you two, Kira, and I will await for our guests."
"Yes, sir." Emerald said. "Just one question, sir. You've been comparing us to chess pieces, but you forgot to mention the queen. Who..." Tartus gave him an obvious look, and the vulture changed his sentence with, "Oh. I get it. Apologies, sir."
The Equestrians and humans entered the stadium through a back door. The Mane 6 and Starlight went with Mako, Asami, and Lin Beifong into the back of the arena while the Shadow Blot, Masked Matterhorn, Scimitar, Sunset, Dawna, Tenzin, and Toph snuck through the crowd and main entrances waiting for any suspicious characters. Of course, Matterhorn and Blot were obscure.. They could only hear the crowd enjoying the main event being played. The Mane 6 and others dwelled deeper into the lower levels of the stadium looking for either their friend or their enemy.
"This is the quietest rescue mission ever." Pinkie Pie said.
"Emphasis on quiet." Rainbow Dash said. "We can't let Tartus know we're here."
"She's right." Mako said. "No matter what, we can't let anyone know we're here. Got it?"
"Got it." Twilight said. She turned to her friend behind her. "Got it?"
"Got it." Starlight said.
This continued on until they got to Fluttershy.
"Got it." She turned to the figure behind her. "Got it?"
"Got it." Leaf said.
Everyone was still for a moment while Leaf slowly developed a smile. When they learned they had one additional part of their group, they slowly turned their heads to the vulture with the cracked beak.
"What the..." Applejack gasped. "Who..."
"Allow me to introduce myself." Leaf said. "My name is Leaf, the fearlessness of Greengear."
"You're working for Tartus?" Mako asked. "Where's Korra?"
"Better answer him quick, buzzy." Rainbow Dash threatened.
"Or what? A Sonic Rainboom?" Leaf mocked. "Not much use flying will do to you in an enclosed hallway like this."
"What about you?" Twilight asked. "You're a big bird. Isn't this hallway cramped for you to?"
"Maybe." Leaf said. "But not for them."
Everyone turned to where Leaf was looking and saw two people standing there: Tartus and Kira.
"Well, well, well." Tartus said. "Out of all the versions of you ponies I met in the Multiverse, I must say, you are certainly my favorite."
Mako just kept staring at the mask Kira was wearing.
"So it's true." Mako said. "You really are wearing Amon's mask."
"Again, who's Amon?" Rainbow Dash asked.
"He's the original leader of the Equalists." Asami explained. "Got my own dad to work for him."
"Oh, this isn't the same person, mind you." Tartus said. "The real guy is blown to bits somewhere in the middle of the sea. The police then confiscated his mask. Luckily for me, I have a spare, and Kira just happens to fit it quite nicely."
"What do you have to do with Amon's mask?" Mako asked.
"Who do you think gave it to him?" Tartus asked. "You think he came up with that red circle symbol on his own. I told him it meant equality, but it was actually an image of the Blood Moon, which, in some worlds, is a sign of the apocalypse. Oh, forgive me. I never introduced myself. I am Tartus."
"Yeah, I figured." Twilight said. "So you're the guy who's been messing with Sunset and others."
"Sunset Shimmer's here?" Tartus asked. "She couldn't have come alone. Ah, my son and the immortal. If they're here, they must have come with at least the Matterhorn and the Blot."
"Do you always think aloud?" Asami asked.
'Yeah, it's a weakness of mine, but to be fair to myself, it is my only weakness. But you're right. Now's not the time for words. Kira..."
Suddenly, the villain in Amon's mask struck the air throwing a ball of fire from his fist. The ponies dodged it and Mako exchanged fireballs toward the villains. With one strike, Tartus vaporized it.
"JADE!" Tartus called.
All of a sudden, Asami was grabbed by a new green vulture who tightened her talons around her arms. Asami was lifted and carried down the hallway.
"Oh, no you don't!" Rainbow Dash shouted as she chased Jade across.
Suddenly, Jade emerged through the side door of the main stage where the arena floor rests above the water. When Rainbow Dash followed, the crowd and pro-benders were amazed at the sight. Tartus flew on by and prepared to strike the Pegasus, but then, the Shadow Blot jumped over and caught Tartus' attention.
"Hold it right there, melon-head!"
"Melon-head?" Tartus asked. "No one calls me that."
"Actually, everyone in the Mighty Machines call you that." Shadow Blot said. "Also, geek-clops, psycho-smell, Bob, crazy face..."
"Bob?" Tartus asked in a confused tone. "What does that even mean?"
"I honestly have no idea. Masque made it up." Shadow Blot said. "I assumed it was short for Robert."
Suddenly, Kira crashed through the arena floor between Tartus and the Shadow Blot. It wasn't long before everyone arrived in front of the crowd. Tartus looked around and smiled.
"Kira, Hiroshima!"
At that moment, Kira spun around with bursts of fire escaping from her hands. Everyone watched as a tornado formed around her made of flames. Kira then jumped up and shot fireballs at random places panicking everyone.
"We've got to stop her!" Lin shouted.
"I'll handle her!" Mako said. "The rest of you get Tartus!"
"Just be careful, everyone!" Twilight warned.
While Mako made a split in the fire tornado and went in, the others went off to chase Tartus.
"Well, this has been fun!" Tartus said, "But I've got big plans!"
"OH, NO, YOU DON'T!" Scimitar shouted as he tackled Tartus' head.
"SCIMITAR!" Tartus shouted. "LET ME GO!"
"NO!"
"I SWEAR, I HOPE THE OTHER ONE IS MORE OBEDIENT!"
"I... Wait, what?" Scimitar asked.
"OPENING!" Tartus shouted as he slipped out of his son's arms. He was about to fly off, but then the Shadow Blot grabbed his metal arm.
"You're not going anywhere, Bob!" Shadow Blot shouted.
"I GOT HIM!" Starlight shouted as she shot a blast of energy from her horn into Tartus' cloak.
At that moment, Tartus began shifting his head back and forth yelling.
"HELP ME CONTROL THIS THING!" he shouted.
"WHAT ARE YOU..." Shadow Blot began to ask. Then, suddenly, in just a moment, Tartus leaped back causing the Shadow Blot to fall down on his face.
The Shadow Blot then got up and realized he still had Tartus' arm in his claws... that wasn't attached to his body. "What the..."
Everyone gathered around Tartus, who had accidently removed his cloak. As soon as it was off, everyone was shocked. Everyone finally realized why Tartus looked skinny. Tartus got off a mechanical pad floating slightly from the floor and sparking with electricity. Tartus jumped off the platform before it could stop floating and revealed his unbelievably short body. He then removed his other mechanical arm, which then turned out ot be a glove. His real arms and legs turned out to be smaller than sticks. He turned his big head toward the heroes and saw them stare at him for a short moment. They then broke into a hysterical laughter, which annoyed Tartus.
"Yes, yes, I get it." Tartus said. "I'm really, really tiny; shorter than even your dragon friend. And without my platform and arm extensions, I'm even less harmful. Anything else you'd want to poke fun at, you colorful band of misfits?"
"No." the Shadow Blot chuckled. "Sorry. It's just that... You've been antagonizing us for years only for us to find out you're really the Multiverse's tiniest munchkin. I'm just trying to process this."
"And while you're doing that..." Tartus said as he ran behind. He was about to jump, but Rainbow Dash grabbed him. He tried to struggle, but Rainbow Dash was barely tickled.
Meanwhile, inside the fire tornado, Mako looked up to see Kira. Mako could see the emptiness in the eyes through the mask he hated. He realized there was only one way to stop the firebender from shooting fireballs. He pointed his fingers and shot a bolt of lighting toward Kira. She was hit with a full blast and fell unconscious. That's when the flame tornado burned out. Kira fell to the ground and didn't move, only breathe.
"JADE, LEAF, HEAD BACK TO PROJECT PHOENIX!" Tartus commanded. That's when the two vultures broke through the ceiling window.
"Wait, did he just say..." Scimitar gasped under his breath.
When the metal-benders showed up, the entire arena was surrounded. Mako approached Tartus' tiny body and picked him up.
"All right, shorty. Time to confess. What are you doing here in Republic City?"
"Well, the Spirits are really good company." Tartus said. "You'd be surprised what they're willing to do for very little."
"What about the Dazzlings?" Sunset Shimmer asked. "When did you talk to them? During the Friendship Games?"
"Dazzlings?" Tartus asked. "Oh, I see the confusion. Actually, my allies are the Siren Sisters... or, at least, Serena and Melody since you changed their sister, Matterhorn."
"The Siren Sisters?" the Masked Matterhorn asked. "They're who you're working with. Why?"
"All in due time." Tartus said. "But that's not the big question you want to ask, is it, Mako?"
"You know me?"
"I know you used to work for the Triple Threat Triads, you broke your arm in Kuvira's Mecha-Giant, and you're angry at Bolin right now."
"What?" Fluttershy asked.
"Not right now!" Mako said. "Listen, Tartus, I don't care how much you know about me! Answer me this: where is Korra?"
"You are not going to like the ugly truth." Tartus chuckled.
"Everyone!" Lin shouted. She was kneeling over Kira's unconscious body.
Mako tossed Tartus to another metal-bender while he and the others approached Kira. Lin was nervous and she placed her hand on the Amon mask. Once the mask was removed, everyone was surprised by the face in it, the face that the entire crowd in the audience saw as well, a face that everyone trusted until that moment. It was the face of Korra.
Author's Note
It's taken me a long while, but I managed to upload another one. I must admit, this story is proving to be my toughest yet, but I've yet to find a writing project I wouldn't finish.
Anyway, you didn't see that ending coming, did ya? What are the heroes going to do about this? Why would Korra fight for Tartus? Is this part of Tartus' master plan? The answers will come soon.
Zaheer was floating slightly on top of a building in a meditation pose. Slowly, he began to descend until his body rested gently on the surface. He opened his eyes and sighed.
"So... that's it." Zaheer said. "It's done... And I'm glad."
Suddenly, his daughter, Iris, jumped out in front of Zaheer and breathed heavily with a surprised look of fear on her face.
"Dad, you need to come!" she said. "It... It's very bad news!"
"Iris, calm down." Zaheer said. "Whatever it is, it can't be bad."
"It's... It's the Avatar." Iris said. "She's been put under arrest! She's locked up!"
"...Okay, that does sound bad." Zaheer said.
Korra woke up sluggishly. When she could see clearly again, she was in a completely metal room with platinum bars. She looked through the bars and was shocked at the sight of a certain alicorn on the other side.
"Twilight?" she asked. "Is that you?"
Twilight looked concerned instead of happy. "Hey, Korra."
"What are you doing here?" Korra asked.
"Mako brought me and my friends here. We also met up with a few new and old friends. Mako said you were gone for weeks."
"Weeks? That doesn't make any sense." She tried to get up, but that's when she noticed the straps. Her arms and legs were tied to the table she woke up on. "What the... What's this for?"
Twilight knew what she was going to say wasn't going to be a good answer. "Korra, what's the last thing you remember?"
"Well... I had a vision from Avatar Aang. He said I needed to talk to Avatar Stelle. I went to the Tree of Time to meditate and see what I could learn... and after that, I must have blacked out. What happened?"
"Apparently, you were taken by a madman named Tartus." Twilight answered. "He's been causing trouble in many worlds, not just yours and mine. We believe he is nearing his endgame, but we caught him before he could do much physical harm. He's being kept in another cell."
"Then why am I here?" Korra asked.
Twilight struggled to answer. She didn't want to tell her the truth, but she had no choice. Twilight lifted up the mask with the red circle and showed it to Korra, who was shocked to see it.
"Do you know what this is?" Twilight asked.
"How could I not?" Twilight asked. "That mask belonged to Amon, the original leader of the Equalists. He pretended to be a non-bender, but in fact, he was a water-bender who used a forbidden technique to keep other benders from bending. He blamed our abilities for destroying his family. But when I exposed the truth about him, he disappeared. ...How did you get his mask?"
"...Korra, you were wearing this." Twilight said.
That answer struck Korra so hard, she stopped breathing for a second. "What?"
"You were wearing this mask... and you were fighting us for Tartus." Twilight confessed. "You answered to the name Kira, and you almost hurt a lot of people."
"No!" Korra denied. "No, that's not true! I'd never do that!"
"Believe me, I don't want it to be true either," Twilight said, "But after we stopped Kira, we removed the mask and you were the one wearing it."
"Twilight, you've got to believe me!" Korra pleaded. "I was set up! Maybe this Tartus was controlling me! He had me under a magic spell!"
"I can't deny that possibility, but the public refuses to be peaceful." Twilight said. "After we unmasked you, half of Republic City saw you and became afraid. They are demanding justice and we can't tell them you're innocent without some physical evidence. We also can't let you leave or else the public will be in a panic. I'm sorry, but we need to keep you here until we can clear your name. Don't worry. We've got the metal-benders investigating all of Tartus' known sites, the others are interrogating Mako, and we've got Varrick and Zhu Li working on forensics."
Korra was still worried, but she decided to accept it. "I'm innocent. You know I am. I don't like this... but I trust you. Just please, figure this out."
"I will, Korra." Twilight said. "Whatever it takes, I will clear your name. After all, you're my friend."
After that, Twilight left the hallway and ran into Mako.
"How is she?" Mako asked.
"Pretty riled up." Twilight said. "She said she doesn't know anything about Tartus, wearing Amon's mask, or even her kidnapping. She's more confused about this than we are."
"So what did you say?" Mako asked.
"That we'll clear her name somehow." Twilight said. "I think the best start is interrogating Tartus and figure out what he did."
"That's a few minutes of walking there." Mako said walking alongside Twilight.
"Well, maybe then, you'll give me some answers." Twilight said.
"What do you mean?" Mako asked.
"Tartus said you're mad at Bolin." Twilight said. "What are you mad about?"
Mako stayed silent for a minute, then sighed. "All right. As you know, weeks ago, Korra was taken by Tartus' vultures. All this time, we've been consulting with the best of the best to see if they can figure out where they went with her. Then, about before I went to get you, Bolin remembered hearing the vultures mentioning ponies."
"So?" Twilight asked.
"Think about it." Mako said. "Weeks and weeks of searching and Bolin only remembered what the vultures said after all that work? I just can't believe he forgot that important detail when he knows how much this means to me."
"So..." Twilight said.
"I'm not mad at him." Mako said. "I just... I told him I needed some time to think about it. Anyway, let's just confront Tartus."
Soon enough, they reached the others surrounding Tartus, who was resting in a small cell. There was one more difference. Instead of his robotic eye, he was wearing an eye patch.
"Not exactly roomy, but I suppose I can make the most of it."
"What happened to his eye?" Twilight asked.
"Turns out it's removable." Asami said. "He barely felt it. Although, it made Fluttershy faint."
"You removed his eye?" Mako asked.
"Hey, last time we met him, he shot a laser out of it." the Masked Matterhorn said. "I'm pretty sure it's dangerous."
"I'm okay now." Fluttershy said.
"We've been interrogating him for the past half-hour." the Shadow Blot said. "So far, we haven't gotten one answer."
"Because not everyone is here." Tartus said. "In order to set the full scene, I need the entire cast."
"What does that even mean?" Dawna asked.
"I've already called Bolin." Lin said. "I told him to bring Kuvira. Maybe she can get some words from this dwarf."
"Kuvira's coming?" Tartus asked.
"So you know her." Lin said.
"Who doesn't know about the 'Great Uniter'?" Tartus said.
Suddenly, Bolin and Kuvira walked in. Bolin was ecstatic to see the ponies again, but he then felt akward when he came face to face with Mako. Kuvira turned her eyes on Tartus.
"Who is that?" she asked.
"That's the guy." Sunset Shimmer said. "That's Tartus."
"Him?" Bolin asked. "No offense, but I see Pabu as a scarier threat than this guy. Somehow, the eye patch just makes him more adorable."
"You should see me with my cloak, prosthetic eye, and extensions on." Tartus said. "You'd really be quaking in my boots. And that's not even my final form."
"Was that a reference or something?" Discord asked. "If so, then I think they're going to sue us."
All of a sudden, Zaheer, Iris, and Miles came charging in from the door.
"You guys?" Asami asked.
"Getting a little cramped in this room." Discord said.
"We came as soon as we heard." Zaheer said. "What's going on?"
"Ask him." Lin said pointing to Tartus. "He's behind it."
"You're the big bad?" Iris asked.
"But you're not even bi..." Miles started to say.
"Yeah, I'm fully aware of the irony." Tartus interrupted. "Well, if it isn't the bi-bender, the daughter of a terrorist, and an airbender who I believe just lost his wings."
"What's that mean?" Rainbow Dash asked. Zaheer didn't answer.
"Just need one more person." Tartus said. "He'll be here any second now."
"Are you expecting a rescue?" Lin asked. "Whoever you're waiting for, I'm pretty sure they're going to be late."
"Me, late?" a voice asked. Everyone looked and saw a stallion with an hourglass Cutie Mark on his flank. "I'm pretty sure we've met."
"The Doctor!" the Masked Matterhorn said.
"Hello, again, everyone." the Doctor said. "Don't worry, I'm on your side. I just have a few questions of my own." He approached Tartus, who seemed eager to meet him. "So, you're the Unique causing the anomalies."
"Well, I've been called worse." Tartus chuckled.
"Unique?" Rarity asked.
"The Doctor told me about that back at Equestria Perilous." the Masked Matterhorn said. "For the past few years, there have been events he couldn't foresee because he was blind to the actions of a Unique, an element in the Multiverse that has no counterpart at all. In all of Creation, it'd be one of a kind."
"And that includes Tartus?" Shadow Blot asked. "I mean, he just called him a Unique."
"As soon as I got word that the Avatar was apprehended in this world and arrested, I was shocked because that's not supposed to happen." the Doctor explained. "Then, I learned that she was brainwashed and the culprit was captured, but I couldn't see him with my powers, so I decided to come here to meet him in person."
"And now, the game is set." Tartus said. "We can begin now."
"Don't treat this like some playtime, varmint!" Applejack shouted. "You brainwashed our friend!"
"And I'd like to find out how!" Mako said.
"Wrong question." Tartus said. "You should be asking why I did it."
Everyone looked at each other.
"Okay." Starlight said. "Why?"
"You heard the rabble outside." Tartus said. "They saw what Korra is capable of and how much damage she can really do with it. All these centuries and the Avatar was looked at as but a symbol of peace and unity... until today. Oh, sure, you can convince them that she was brainwashed and that she would never do that, but after that display last night, so many people are going to wonder 'if the Avatar really was controlled, what makes you sure she won't be again, and by someone worse? Are we even sure that she's broken out of it?' See what I mean?"
"You sick maniac." Scimitar said.
"Given where you came from, son, aren't you really just calling yourself that?" Tartus asked. "Unless you can determine how I made her do what I told her to do, there's really no way to ease everyone's minds. Too bad for you because I'm not saying how. You're just going to have to find out for yourself."
"...OOH! I GOT IT!" Pinkie Pie shouted. "Maybe it has something to do with that Project: Phoenix he was talking about. I heard him mention it."
"No, it's... not that." Scimitar said.
"How do you know?" Dawna asked.
"I... I just know, okay." Scimitar said with a heavy breath. Sunset looked worried. "Father, you sent Greengear to secure Project: Phoenix. Does that mean you've moved it to this world?"
"The answer is yes and no." Tartus said. "You see, the Project: Phoenix you know is actually Site B. The original one is here."
"Here?" Scimitar asked in a gasp. "But why would you build another one if it didn't..." That's when he widened his eyes. "No! You didn't!"
"Right on the money." Tartus said. "And with the right amount of thinking, I'm sure you can figure out the truth of Site A."
"I don't get it." Bolin said. "What's Project: Phoenix?"
"A phoenix is a majestic bird that bursts into flames and gets reborn from the ashes." the Shadow Blot said. "Princess Celestia has one as her pet."
"Yours too?" Fluttershy asked.
"This is an important conversation, right now?" Mako asked. "Now, what's with Amon's mask?"
"Didn't I already tell you?" Tartus asked. "I'm the one who gave it to him. You should have seen poor, young Noatok when I found him starving and nearly buried in the snow. He had so much talent even with his bloodbending abilities and he was too busy hating his father to see it. I opened his eyes, convinced him that Yukone was too addicted to bending to be the father he needs him to be, and taught him how to use his bloodbending to cut off someone's connection to bending."
"You?" Bolin asked. "You told him how to do that?"
"That's a lie." the Doctor said. "You claim to be Amon's mentor, but I couldn't find any reference at all about him being someone's student other than Yukone. I know you're a blind spot, but all my records say that Amon was self-taught when it comes to taking someone's bending."
"Sounds like you weren't thorough enough." Tartus said. "Maybe you should check again at the Chronotorium. Perhaps you'll find something."
The Doctor gave a fearsome scowl before backing off. That's when the Shadow Blot stepped in.
"What about the Siren Sisters? What do they have to do with this, and why are you turning people into sirens?"
"Well, I happen to be an avid music lover." Tartus said. "I've always felt that with music or song, your inner self will be known. You look like you could really hit the low notes. Wanna sing back-up?"
"And what about the device you made the human Twilight make?" Sunset Shimmer asked. "You used it to take the essence of Midan the Nature and Atrum the Darkness. Where is it?"
"I don't have it on me." Tartus said. "I'm not that stupid. I hid it somewhere safe. The only way I'll bring it out is if you get me the vessel of Lucid the Light."
"How can you be so heartless?" Dawna asked. "How could you cause all this despair with that smile?"
"Believe it or not," Tartus said, "I wasn't the one who started the fire. It's been lit since before I got involved."
"What does that mean?" Dawna asked.
"For every action, there's an equal and opposite reaction." Tartus said. "Let's just say... I am that reaction. If you want further answers, ask your tribe."
"...Wait, what?" Dawna asked. "That's... That's impossible. The Golden Apple destroyed them."
"A majority of them." Tartus said. "But some of the Wandors survived, including your father. Last I saw, they built a settlement in the Limbo Zone."
Dawna struggled to breathe. "What? My father... My people are alive?"
"Who are you?" the Shadow Blot asked. "It's obvious you know who we are, but we don't even know which world you're from?"
"Why bother explaining?" Tartus asked. "I can just make up whatever backstory I can think of and you probably wouldn't believe me. What if I said I'm made of the leftover evil of every villain you all fought in the past? Or I could just tell you that I've been diagnosed with a fatal disease and only destruction is the cure. The point is, I don't have to tell. I've given you all enough clues already. If you're going to believe in my history, you have to figure it out for yourself. Until then, I'll be waiting. The Creation War has begun, my friends, and I'm looking forward to your final stand."
Tartus turned his back to the heroes and refused to answer any further questions. They all got out of the cell room and discussed on their own.
"He really grows on you, doesn't he?" Rainbow Dash asked.
"What did he mean by all that?" Tenzin asked. "He said he gave us clues on his past, but he didn't tell us everything."
"Not exactly." Scimitar said. "If you hadn't noticed, that dunce mentioned some locations: Project Phoenix, the Limbo Zone, and the Chronorium. I'm guessing you know what that place is, Doctor."
"That's right." the Doctor said. "If there is a secret hidden there that I missed, I might need some extra eyes."
"Gross." Discord said.
"What's the Limbo Zone?" Starlight asked. "Is it anything like Limbo where we freed Starswirl and the Pillars?"
"Freed Starswirl?" Sunset Shimmer asked.
"It's a long story." Twilight said.
"Well, despite the similar names," the Masked Matterhorn said, "Limbo and the Limbo Zone are quite different. For example, while you can't escape Limbo on your own, you can enter any world you want in the Limbo Zone, and unlike Limbo, time does pass in the Zone. It's safe to say that even though they exist between worlds, they are different places."
"And my tribe has been living there for thousands of years." Dawna said.
"What about Project: Phoenix?" Asami asked. "We don't even know where it is."
"I do." Scimitar said. "At least, I have a pretty good idea. It's probably hidden in that mountain range near Zaofu."
"Why Zaofu?" Kuvira asked.
"...Just trust me on this." Scimitar said as if he was trying to avoid the question.
"Can we even trust Tartus?" Mako asked. "I don't see how any of this is supposed to help Korra. Besides, the guy's obviously twisted."
"Tartus has already told us everything he is willing to tell." Scimitar said. "I've known him my whole life before any of you. Trust me, he's not going to reveal any more just yet."
"So we have no choice but to check out all these places." Twilight said. "We don't have time to check out all these places... so we might have to split up to cover more ground."
"You really think that's a good idea?" Bolin asked.
"We don't have any others." Twilight said.
"All right, then." the Doctor said. "Let me determine the right people to help investigate each area. If you have anything you'd like to add that could help, let me know."
After a couple of hours of processing, the Doctor summoned everyone in front of the portal in the spirit wilds.
"Listen up." the Doctor said. "I've looked over everything I know about the locations and determined who goes where. Investigating the Chronotorium will be myself, Fluttershy, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, the Masked Matterhorn, Zaheer, Iris, Miles, and Asami. There, maybe we can find out how Tartus keeps slipping from my sight. Scimitar will be leading the investigation at Project: Phoenix along with Kuvira, Sunset, Discord, and Bolin. Dawna will take the Shadow Blot, Starlight, Applejack, and Rainbow Dash to the Limbo Zone to find the Wandors. The rest of you, including Twilight and Mako, will stay and keep an eye on Korra and the people. If anything happens, it could be disastrous. Any objections?"
"OBJECTION!" Discord shouted with a blue suit and slick, black hairstyle.
"What?" the Doctor asked.
"Nothing." Discord said making his suit disappear. "I just always wanted to say that. I'm cool with the teams."
"...Okay." the Doctor sighed. "I'll get the portal set up while the rest of you wish each other good luck."
"You know Tartus is just playing us, right?" Mako asked.
The Doctor sighed. "I know.
"I do understand It's part of his plan But we've got no choice in what else to do The answers are near They're practically here And finding them is all up to me and you When the truth is in reach, then you don't let go And that's how the future ensues That's why we've got to move now I can't explain how But we've got nothing, got nothing, got nothing Nothing left to looooooooooose "
And with that, the Doctor and his team leaped through the portal. Dawna grabbed her team and approached the portal.
"If my home is alive, even by a chance " Dawna sang,I don't care if we are being used So if I have to I'll play his sick game through We've got nothing... "Got nothing... " Shadow Blot sang.Got nothing... " Starlight sang.Got nothing... " Applejack and Rainbow Dash sang.Nothing left to looooooooooose " Dawna sang.
And with that, Dawna and her team walked in as well. The others began walking out of the city, but Scimitar stopped for a second. Sunset approached him.
"Hey, is everything all right?" Sunset asked.
"Given the situation, you tell me." Scimitar said. "I never thought I'd set foot in another Project: Phoenix."
"When we get there, you'll tell us all about it?" Sunset asked.
"More than you'd want, but just what you need to hear." Scimitar said. He then sighed.
"I hope we know what we're doing "I need to uncover his ruse " Sunset sang.WE CAN'T REFUUUUUUUUUUSE " Scimitar sang as he lead everyone out of town.WE'VE ALREADY LIT THE FUUUUUUUUUSE " Dawna sang.I SWEAR, KORRA, THAT WE WON'T LOSE " Twilight sang.IF WE WANT TO LIVE, WE MUST DO OUR PARTS " everyone sang,TO CHANGE EVERYONE'S POINT OF VIEWS AND WITH EVERYTHING WE'VE GOT WE'LL UNCOVER THE PLOT "WE'VE GOT NOTHING... " Scimitar sang.GOT NOTHING... " Dawna sang.GOT NOTHIIIIIIIIIIIING... " Twilight sang.
Back in his cell, Tartus opened his one eye and grinned. He chuckled with a sinister intention. That's when he finished the song.
"They've got eeeeeeveryyyythiiiiiiiing tooooooooooo lose "
Author's Note
The song featured here is a parody of "Ready As I'll Ever Be " from Tangled: the Series.
The first thing anyone noticed when the bright light dimmed was the magnificent aisles of books stacked higher than in the royal archives in Canterlot. The Doctor looked back at Fluttershy, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, the Masked Matterhorn, Zaheer, Miles, Iris, Lok, and Asami before extending his hoof to it all.
"Ladies, gentlemen, bird, ponies, welcome to the Chronotorium."
"A... A library?" the Masked Matterhorn asked surprisingly and full of glee. "WOW! IT'S AMAZING!"
"It's not just a library." the Doctor said. "This is my main headquarters."
"What?" Miles asked.
"This is your place?" Asami asked.
"Indeed." the Doctor said. "This is where I go between visits to different time periods. Here, I look at all the records made throughout history and use the Time-Gazer to observe the time periods in case of any anomalies. Anomalies usually happen at random, and it's up to me to make sure they don't make a big enough mess on the timestream. That's my main duty."
"THIS PLACE IS SO COOL!" Pinkie shouted. She ran around and searched the entire building. "THERE ARE BOOKS I CAN'T READ! A BIG MAGNIFYING GLASS! CHEMICALS! A BIG SMOKEY THING INSIDE A GIANT ORB!"
"WHOA! Get away from that one!" the Doctor said. "That's nothing!"
"You sure are making a big deal of something that's supposed to be nothing." Rarity said.
"No, I mean, it's literally nothing." the Doctor said. "This is all that's left of the time before Creation; before a time of anything. For some reason, this thing refuses to become something. It's my sacred seal to make sure this thing doesn't get released onto the world."
"Sacred what?" Iris asked.
"Sacred seal of my power." the Doctor explained. "Listen, I am the fifth traveler of time. There were four others before me. From the start, there was the First, and after that, there was the Story Teller, the Hermit, the Gardener, and now, me, the Doctor. When we were assigned our power, we each had a sacred vow that we had to make to seal it to our bodies. Right now, my seal is keeping the Nothing secure."
"What happens if your vow is broken?" Zaheer asked.
"Like I said, my vow is the only thing that lets me keep my powers and my duties." the Doctor said looking at the Nothing swishing around in its orb. "If my seal is broken, then I will be stripped of my power and my duties and they will go to someone else. If this nothing breaks out, then I will go back to being an ordinary pony."
"Were the other travelers ponies too?" Pinkie asked.
"No. The First was an unidentifiable creature, the Story Teller was a human, the Hermit was a jackal, and the Gardener was a bird. But that's not important. Right now, we need to investigate Tartus. You all check out the scriptures here while I check on something."
"You... want me... TO REAAAAAD?!" the Masked Matterhorn shouted with excitement. She then zipped up and flew across the shelves grabbing whatever she could read.
"That's why I brought her here." the Doctor said. "Different Twilight, same likes." He then walked away across the area leaving everyone to search the shelves.
After a few minutes, Iris went to check on Pinkie, who was rotating her eyes in a zig-zag portion through all the scriptures.
"What are you looking at, Pinkie?"
"I have no idea!"
Iris rolled her eyes, but they stopped when they caught sight of Zaheer climbing up a ladder. She stood still for a moment and waited until he stepped back down on the floor. As he opened the book to look in, Iris approached him.
"Dad, is something wrong?"
"Huh?" Zaheer was caught off-guard at that question. "Why do you ask that?"
"You didn't fly." Iris said. "You just climbed up that ladder when you could have just hovered." Zaheer stayed silent for a minute. "Dad... can you fly?"
"...I did." Zaheer admitted. "Now, I can't. It started shortly after defeating Grogar. I went on a scenic trip around the Great Divide when I lost my ability for a split second. Since then, they've been getting more and more frequent. And now... I can't fly anymore."
"Why?" Iris asked.
"Because of you." Zaheer said. "After what happened to your mother, I managed to fly because I believed I no longer had any ties to the earth. My love was dead and my own daughter wanted nothing to do with me. But since we reconciled, I've retied my ties. The closer we got, the more I lost my ability."
"Is there anything we can do to fix this?" Iris asked.
"I'm afraid not." Zaheer said. "The only way for me to fly is if I let you go... and I never want to do that ever again."
"Aww." Pinkie Pie said watching the two of them. "It's a Kodak moment."
Meanwhile, the Doctor went up to a giant magnifying glass attached to the wall. He cleared his throat and called out.
"KIT!" the Doctor said. "I know you're here, KIT!"
Suddenly, a hovering, mechanical probe floated before the Doctor. It was mainly silver with red stripes, and the lights were glowing blue. There was also a blue, glowing orb hovering below the probe.
"Keeper of the Interior of Time, at your service, Doctor. I couldn't help but notice that you brought guests to the Chonotorium."
"Yes, don't worry about them, KIT." the Doctor said. "They're here to help solve a mystery. I just need to take a look through the Time-Gazer."
"Of course, sir." KIT said. "When and where?"
"The time period where my guests came from and the Republic City prison cell 22."
"Understood." KIT complied. She went to the magnifying glass and lowered her glowing orb into the front panel. As the glass began to glow, the Doctor closed his eyes and thought loudly.
"Twilight!"
"Huh? Doctor, is that you? Where are you?"
"I'm communicating with you telepathically."
"You can do that?"
"Yes, but I get a headache afterwards, so I don't use it that often. Look, I just need you to set your eyes on Tartus, if you don't mind."
"All right, give me a minute."
Suddenly, an image appeared on the glass. It was an empty prison cell, but the Doctor recognized it as where the suspect was being kept.
"All right, Doctor." Twilight said. "I see him."
"Are you sure?" the Doctor asked.
"Yeah. Not much for him to do, really? He's just sitting there twiddling his tiny thumbs."
"Thank you, Twilight." the Doctor ended the connection and observed the glass. "The Time-Gazer allows me to check all points in time, and yet, when I look at the cell, I can't see any trace of Tartus. Why is that?"
"Wait, Tartus?" KIT asked in a shocked expression fading the image. "You're... looking for Tartus?"
"KIT, what's going on?" the Doctor asked. "Why is that a problem?"
Suddenly, a scream was heard. The Doctor and KIT were startled by it and went to investigate. They caught up to Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, the Masked Matterhorn, Zaheer, Miles, Iris, Lok, and Asami before finding Rarity staring in shock at the wall.
"What happened?" Asami asked.
"It's... this large portrait!" Rarity said. "It's missing a corner. Clearly, this isn't anything like the perfect condition the other three are in."
"That's your emergency!" Miles asked angrily. "Some symmetry problem!"
"You don't understand." Rarity explained. "This..."
"Wait a minute." Asami said taking a look at the portrait. "Doctor, what's this portrait for?"
"That's the Gardener, the traveler before me. Is something the matter?"
"Everyone, doesn't the Gardener remind you of something?"
Everyone looked at the portrait and almost hit themselves for not seeing it sooner. The bird in the image was a large vulture with green feathers, but it was more majestic than a normal vulture, like it had the beauty of a swan.
"That... That looks like one of those Greengear birds!" the Masked Matterhorn exclaimed.
"Who?" the Doctor asked.
"Greengear." the alicorn repeated. "They're Tartus' minions, and all four of them are green vultures."
"What?!" the Doctor gasped.
"Wait a minute." Zaheer said looking at the blank spot where the corner image was supposed to be. He dug his fingers behind the portrait and found a folded part. He extended it and revealed a shocking sight.
"Is... Is that..." Iris asked shaking in shock.
"Could it be..." Fluttershy asked.
"Why is everyone stopping before finishing their questions?" Pinkie asked. "That's obviously Tartus. Mini-Tartus, it looks like! He's even wearing an eyepatch. Argh."
"KIT!" the Doctor shouted at the shaking probe. "Why is Tartus standing next to the Gardener, and why do his minions resemble her?"
"Uh..." KIT then turned and began to float away. Suddenly, she was pounced by Pinkie Pie who held her in her arms tightly.
"GOT HER!" Pinkie exclaimed.
"Doctor, don't make me do this!" KIT begged. "You'll wish it didn't happen!"
"What are you talking about?" the Doctor asked. "Tell me what's going on or I banish you to the end of time!"
"OKAY, OKAY!" KIT screamed. "Look, Tartus used to work here in the Chronotorium!"
"Used to work..." the Doctor repeated. "Why?"
"It was the Gardener's sacred seal." KIT explained. "Whenever she decided to reform a damaged soul, she would take it, and if she failed, she would stop being the traveler. She found the man broken and alone and keep running to nowhere. She took pity on him and promised to help change his heart by giving him a place here. For a while, it looked like it was working. But after a long while, the Gardener found out Tartus had done a number of horrible things."
"Like what?" Rarity asked.
"Well... He stole the Gardener's eggs."
"Eggs?" Fluttershy asked.
"They must have been Greengear!" Asami said. "The Gardener was their mother."
"Why did he take them?" the Doctor asked.
"He wanted a bargaining chip." KIT explained. "He said he would smash the eggs one by one if she didn't follow his instructions."
"He wouldn't, would he?" Lok asked.
"He did." KIT explained. "You see, there used to be five eggs before the Gardener tried to call his bluff, and Tartus..."
...
"Dark." Pinkie said.
"What did , Tartus wanted history records of three different worlds." KIT continued. "Two were Equestrias and the other was a world with the Avatar. She went to collect them and give them to him. But once she gave them to him, she found out Tartus was doing some research of his own. Turns out, he was looking up the Relics of Creation and he was obsessed with them. Not only that, but he found a spell that the cast upon himself. He removed all emotion from his heart."
"Wait, what?" Zaheer asked. "Removed emotion?"
"It's true." KIT continued. "To this very day, Tartus feels no love nor joy nor sorrow nor anger. All his feelings are hollow with nothing behind it. To make matters worse, that marked the end of the Gardener. Since the no-emotion spell removed any chance of Tartus' heart to change, the Gardener was stripped of her powers and they got transferred over to you, Doctor. After that, Tartus declared that he still had use for the eggs and left the Chronotorium forever. Before she left, the Gardener used the last of her authority to get me to erase any trace of Tartus' presence here and rig the Time-Gazer to not be able to perceive him to hide her mistake. I know, in hindsight, it was a bad idea, but she felt guilty at the time because the start of your great work was because of Tartus' deception. I'm... I'm sorry, Doctor."
The Doctor just stood there in stunned silence. The rest were surprised by it as well. They just stood there and stared at each other.
Author's Note
Now, originally, I was going to put all three investigations in one chapter, but it's getting complicated on my end, so I decided to separate it into three different chapters. I've got a LOOOOOOOOT of writing on my hands.
One minute, they were in Republic City, and literally the next minute, the team of Dawna, the Shadow Blot, Starlight Glimmer, Applejack, and Rainbow Dash were standing in the Limbo Zone. Up above them were streams that are connected like threads to unidentifiable energies.
"Whoa!" Rainbow Dash exclaimed. "What are those?"
"Bridges." Dawna said. "There are many ways to travel to different worlds, and if you use them, you go through those streams to get there. Now then, what do you see?"
"Other than all those streams, there's nothing down on this ground but rocks and sand." the Shadow Blot described. "It's like the Neatherealm, but nicer."
"What exactly are we looking for?" Applejack asked.
"The Wandors." Dawna said. "If Tartus is telling the truth and they are alive, then I need to find them. Hopefully, they can help us find out what he's up to."
"That's if the creep was telling the truth." Rainbow Dash said. "Don't know if you noticed, but he's a bad guy! Not exactly trustworthy."
"I know, but still," Dawna said, "I've got to know."
"Where should we be looking though?" Starlight asked. "This place looks like it goes on through eternity. Ricky, do you have any idea?"
"No." the wirewolf said. "I've never been here. The Masked Matterhorn did. Let's see... If the Wandors made it here trying to start a new civilization, maybe they build a village or something. Perhaps we can..." He stopped for a minute staring at Dawna.
"What?"
"Uh..." Ricky struggled to say. "Your marks are glowing."
"What?" Dawna looked at her hands and saw that her glyphs were emitting a small light. The ponies saw the rest of her marks emitting that same glow. "What's going on? They've never done something this involuntary before."
"I've read about this before." Starlight said. "This wise unicorn's horn glowed when it was close to a similar force. The closer she was, the brighter it was."
"Okay than." Rainbow Dash said. "We're playing Hot and Cold with your tattoos."
"They're not..." Dawna stopped because she knew it wasn't relevant. She rotated until her glyphs were a little brighter. She continued trekking along the rocky, sandy fields with the others following her.
Rainbow Dash hovered above seeing what lies ahead. When she could see clearly enough, she widened her eyes and descended down. She got to the ground just as the others got a clear view of what they were looking for.
"Yeah, Dawna," Rainbow Dash said, "If your tribe was here, they had a really bad day."
Dawna looked in astonishment as the village became clear as sparkles in the daylight, but it wasn't the good kind of astonishment. She was in horror as she saw it in ruins. Most of the buildings were broken and a pile of rubble. The ground was cracked open. There was an aura of despair in the air, and Dawna felt it as she moved in closer with the others.
When they entered what was left of the village, they felt even worse as they didn't like what they were seeing at all.
"This... This doesn't make sense." Dawna said while the Shadow Blot looked into a half-broken building. "My tribe should be here. Tartus..."
"Tricked us." the Shadow Blot said stepping away from the window. "I found bones." The ladies were petrified at the news. "Tartus said your tribe's survivors moved here. He didn't say they were still alive."
"No." Dawna gasped in sadness as she fell to her hands and knees with tears pouring from her eyes. "Why? Why?!"
Before anyone could say anything else, a suspicious sound echoed through the air. That spooky moan sent a chill down everyone's spines.
"What was that?" Applejack asked.
Suddenly, without warning, a swarm of clouds with mean faces emerged from the ground and tackled the Shadow Blot.
"RICKY!" Applejack shouted.
"LEAVE HIM ALONE!" Rainbow Dash shouted. She approached one of the faces and struck her hooves toward it, but they only went through it. "What the... I can't hit them!"
Suddenly, one of the figures grabbed Applejack by the tail and threw her backwards. "But they can touch us! How is that fair?"
Starlight tried to blast them, but it was to no avail. Ricky tried to escape, but the clouds began to squeeze him. With no other choice, Dawna stood back up and shouted, "STOP!" That's when her glyphs started glowing brighter than before and the figures stopped and released the Shadow Blot.
"They... They stopped." Starlight said.
"About time." Shadow Blot said. "A second later, and I'd break like a chestnut."
Suddenly, the clouds parted and a new figure emerged. It wasn't foggy like the others. Instead, it looked like an old man with a long robe and glowing glyphs similar to Dawna. As soon as he and she saw each other, they were both at a loss for words for a minute.
"So... are we still fighting or..." Rainbow Dash asked.
"Read the room, Rainbow." Applejack said.
"Father?" Dawna asked. "Is that you?"
"Dawna." the phantom gasped silently. "It's you. Alive. How can that be?"
"Wait." Starlight said. "You're Dawna's dad?"
"Right. I suppose these four are your friends. Forgive me. I need to give you my introductions. Chief Orizon of the Wandor tribe."
"But aren't you..." Applejack said.
"Dead?" Orizon asked gazing at his transparent hand. "I'm afraid so. Over one thousand years. And yet, because of our powers, we are now bound to this place, so we cannot leave. That's one of the downsides of our glyphs."
"Father, I need to ask." Dawna said. "What happened here?"
"And why did you attack us?" the Shadow Blot asked.
Orizon looked at each of them and began to explain. "For hundreds of years, the Wandors have traveled across the Multiverse charting it for all to enjoy. However, some of us began thinking we should use our gifts to conquer the worlds we visit. This started a civil war that was stuck on a stand-still. I then came across a powerful relic that I thought could end it."
"The Golden Apple." the Shadow Blot guessed. "And let me guess. You couldn't control it. It was too powerful for you to handle."
"Yes." Orizon said. "Most of us perished in the climax. I assumed my only daughter was among the casualties. At the fallout, it no longer mattered who was on which side. Both of our goals were unreachable without enough people. But we did have enough power to settle down here in the Limbo Zone. We built this village and tried to get back up after that. And for a moment, we did until..."
"Until what?" Starlight asked.
"Metal wolf," Orizon said turning his face to Ricky, "I apologize for my people attacking you. We just mistook you for something else."
"I'm a 6-foot, metal, talking wolf that stands on two feet." Ricky said. "You're telling me that you know someone else like that?"
"No." Orizon said. "We didn't notice the metal. What we encountered was a great, big wolf creature of flesh, blood, and pitch-black fur... and that creature was the one who wiped us out."
"What?!" everyone asked in surprise.
"A big wolf monster did this to you." Ricky asked. "The odds of that..."
"He came out of nowhere without warning. A beast with fur as black as midnight, red eyes that pierced us in the hearts, and steel-like claws that tore apart our homes like straw. He didn't show any mercy."
"Why did this monster do this?" Dawna asked.
"He said he needed our power. He was searching for someone but didn't know which world to find them."
"Who was he looking for?" Starlight asked.
"We didn't get a name. Just an alias... the Avatar."
"What?" Rainbow Dash asked. "This thing was after Korra?"
"It may not be her." Starlight said. "Orizon said this was over a thousand years ago. It may have just been the Avatar who was here before. What happened next?"
"There were a handful of us left and no matter how hard we tried, our magic couldn't even phase him. We had no choice. We opened the doorway to a world with a character called the Avatar. We thought he'd leave us alone, but I then saw the anger brewing in his eyes. In full rage, he destroyed what was left of us before going into the world he wanted."
"No mercy indeed." the Shadow Blot said. "Did this beast say why he was after the Avatar?"
"Other than his demands, he didn't say much." Orizon said. "The only other thing I learned was his name. A name that still haunts me to this day. The monster's name... was Tartus."
"Wait, what?!" Dawna asked.
"Tartus?!" the Shadow Blot asked. "Are you sure?!"
"Yes." Orizon said. "Why?"
"Dude, we're dealing with a guy named Tartus!" Rainbow Dash said. "Only he's not a giant canine creep. He's just a human, one-eyed, miniature creep."
"I don't think it's a coincidence for two different beings to have the same name." Starlight Glimmer said.
"Didn't he say something about not being in his final form or something?" Applejack asked.
"Then... could it really be?" Dawna asked. "The monster that destroyed my tribe and the villain we have locked up... is the same?"
"But how?" the Shadow Blot asked. "This was supposed to have happened lifetimes ago. How could he still be alive?"
"I do not know." Orizon said. "For now, it is up to you now. Dawna, thank you. Now that I know you're alive, I am more happy than I've been for the last thousand years. Now, my gifts are given to you for you to decide. Good luck, my dear." That's when he started to fade shocking Dawna in her heart.
"WAIT! FATHER!" But it was too late. Orizon and the rest of the ghosts disappeared into thin air. When the fog cleared, all that was left is a sword laying in the ground with a scabbard. Dawna fell to her knees once more and gripped the sand beneath her with tears falling again. This time, her cries were heard by the others. One by one, Starlight, the Shadow Blot, Rainbow Dash, and Applejack approached her slowly and hugged her sharing her pain.
Author's Note
Very sad, I know. Tartus just gets more and more surprising every chapter, right? And that's not even the biggest surprise yet. Until next time...
Scimitar had just finished climbing the mountain until he found a large, blank facility. He turned to see if his party was still together. He was relieved to see that he still had Sunset Shimmer, Kuvira, Bolin, and Discord (who was dressed like a generic safari explorer).
"Is that..." Bolin asked.
"Yep." Scimitar said. "Project: Phoenix Site A."
"I'm curious." Kuvira said. "How did you know it'd be here? And what do you expect to find here?"
"Nothing I want to find." Scimitar said. "Look!"
Circling above the building, there was a purple lizard with legs, but wings that helped it fly. There were also some blue creatures that resembled foxes there.
"Spirits." Kuvira said. "What are they doing here?"
"Tartus must have recruited them." Sunset Shimmer said.
"That can't be right." Bolin said. "Spirits are supposed to remain neutral. They just want to live in their natural homes in peace. Why would they suddenly work for a madman like Tartus?"
"I don't know, but that's not important at the moment." Scimitar said. "But right now, we need to get past them to get in. How do we do that?"
"I was just going to approach them and say 'cupcake gram'!" Discord said. "Everyone loves cupcakes."
"You're an idiot." Kuvira groaned.
"Hmm." Discord scratched his chin. Suddenly, a duplicate of him appeared and whispered in his ear. "Remember that day you had to rescue Fluttershy and the others in the Changeling hive?"
"Eureka!" Discord said making his double vanish. "Be right back." He jumped over the rock and went toward the spirits.
"Discord, wait!" Sunset called out.
Discord didn't listen. He walked over until he was sure that every spirit was gazing to his direction. Seeing the opportunity, the others sneaked behind the rocks and past the spirits. While they were doing that, Discord pulled out a microphone.
"Spirits and gentlemen! It's great to be back in this world! You see, I'm a big fan of the Avatar because any way you look at it... she's Raava to the 'Korra'!"
"What?" a spirit asked.
"Was that supposed to be a joke?"
"Duh."
"You're trespassing!" the purple spirit warned. "Leave now if you know what's good for you."
"I already know what's good for me." Discord said. "8 hours of sleep, vitamins, and an imbalanced breakfast."
"You're trying my patience, chaos-bringer."
"And I don't like it! Wakka-wakka!" The spirits began closing in on Discord, who threw his microphone toward them. "Well, if you think you can do any better, be my guest! BEEP-BEEP!" And with that, there was a zipping sound and a Discord-shaped puff of smoke remaining there. The spirits chased after where the zipping sound went, but as soon as they left, the cloud disappeared and the real Discord remained chuckling silently. "They're so stupid!"
On the other side of the path, the spirits stopped when they encountered Jade. The purple spirit approached her.
"They're in like you asked. Think Tartus is going to be mad we let them in?"
"On the contrary," Jade said, "Tartus would be proud of your performance. Now, both of them are in there."
When the search party went in, they found several rotten walls, broken machines, and dozens of cobwebs.
"Too bad Rarity isn't here to see this." Discord said. "It would have been funny to see her faint on her couch."
"There's no couch around here." Bolin said.
"Trust me, Bolin. Rarity never leaves home without her fainting couch."
"You guys stay here." Scimitar said. "There's an archives room adjacent to this room."
"How do you know that?" Kuvira asked. Scimitar didn't respond.
"I'll go with you." Sunset said.
"No." Scimitar said. "This is something I need to find on my own. If you hear me shouting in anger, then you can come in."
"That... doesn't sound like you're expecting anything good." Bolin said.
"If it's what I think it is," Scimitar said as he opened the door, "It's definitely not good... for everyone involved. But I need to see if it's true." He entered the room and closed the door behind him.
For the next few minutes, the rest of the party searched the rest of the compound. Suddenly, Bolin gathered everyone back and held up a file.
"What's that?" Sunset Shimmer asked.
"I've been looking over it." Bolin said. "Apparently, it's the origin of those four talking birds. According to this, they were abducted from their mother and experimented on. Tartus created some kind of... 'artificial duplicate of his personality', whatever that means."
"Artificial means fake and duplicate means copy." Sunset Shimmer said. "Wait, Tartus copied his personality here?"
"Not here." Bolin said. "This says they were experimented somewhere else. Anyway, it also says he split his personality into four parts and gave one to a different bird; including speed, strength, intelligence, and agility."
"That does explain why they're so different." Kuvira said.
"Does that file say if they taste like chicken?" Discord asked.
"Discord, who knows what they can do?" Bolin asked. "Maybe they can explain my memory problem."
"Memory problem?" Sunset Shimmer asked.
Bolin sighed and explained. "Days after Korra disappeared, I suddenly remembered these birds mentioning Equestrians. I told Mako about it, and he took it pretty bad that I told him so late. He's a little mad at me. I don't even know why I forgot. All I know before remembering, I heard a soft singing."
"Singing?" Sunset asked. "You mean..."
"NOOOOOOO!" Scimitar's voice raged from the inside of the archive room.
Everyone slammed the door open and saw him kneeling over a pile of papers from the shelves on the walls. In front of him stood a mahogany desk with a single desk lamp.
"Scimitar?" Kuvira asked.
"He got me!" Scimitar growled. "That heartless monster! I knew he was playing me, but I didn't care! I knew he was a snake, but I let him bite me!"
"Scimitar, calm down." Sunset said. "What's this about?"
"Project: Phoenix. All of it! I realized what it was for now! Not only that, I learned I wasn't the only one!" He breathed heavily before getting up. "Sorry. I did warn you." He went behind the desk, sat down, and covered his face with his hand. "I should have known."
"Uh, to those who aren't scientists, what are you talking about?" Bolin asked. "What is Project: Phoenix?"
"It's me." Scimitar explained. "Or rather, it created me. Project: Phoenix is the genetics experiment in which I was bred."
"Say whaaaaaaaaat?" Discord asked. "You were born here?"
"No." Scimitar said. "Remember what Tartus said? I came from a place called Site B, which makes this Site A. This is the original. The site that created me is in another world. And it was here where I discovered why I was really born."
"Why?" Kuvira asked.
"For Tartus' own gain." Scimitar said. "What I found out is that a while ago, Tartus used a magic spell to rid him of all emotion, and he had a theory. He thought that if he had nothing but focus, he could dominate the mind of any body he's in, no matter how powerful. As far as I can tell, his research is pretty solid. That's why he built Project: Phoenix. He was trying to build a more suitable body for him to implant his mind into."
"Why does he need a new body?" Bolin asked. Everyone turned their faces toward him until he had an awkward look on his face. "Oh, right. The short thing. That's a pretty good reason."
"That's why I don't look anything like my father even though I'm a clone. I'm not meant to. He wanted a body better than his own. And back at Site B, there were at least a dozen failures before I came to be."
"If you succeeded, then why isn't Tartus in your head?" Sunset Shimmer asked.
"Because I didn't meet all of his requirements. You see, in order for his mind to be compatible with my body, I need the same mental awareness as his own. I have his intelligence and his creativity, but there was one thing I lacked that he needed: his ambition. I didn't want to conquer and rule like he does, so my mind wasn't compatible. Tartus then thought that if I wasn't born with it, then I could at least be taught to it."
"Hence him raising you." Sunset said.
"Father of the year, ladies and gentlemen." Discord said.
"Did you know?" Sunset asked. "Did you know about what you were made for?"
"I never had a clue." Scimitar said. "If I hadn't met you, Sunset, he might have succeeded too. Thank you."
"But you said you had suspicions before we got here." Kuvira said. "If you didn't know why you were born, then what were you expecting?"
"The other thing I found." Scimitar said. "Something that gives me another reason to punch out his fanged teeth. Think about it. This place is Site A. I was made in Site B. After I was completed, Tartus abandoned the place, much like this one. What does that tell you about what happened here?"
"Uh... he lost his time share?" Bolin asked.
"No." Sunset said. "It means... there's another clone. One that was made here, right?"
"Right." Scimitar said. "I had no idea until Tartus said Site B. Technically, I'm the little brother."
"Wait, there were two of you in that litter?" Discord asked with a chuckle in his voice.
"This is not the appropriate time or place to tease me, you dunce."
"Well, I can tease you outside." Discord said.
"Scimitar, if this clone was a success like you, then why didn't Tartus take his body?" Bolin asked.
"Because, much like me, that clone wasn't perfect. That clone had the same conquering intention as Tartus and willingness to take as much power as possible, but for the first time, the body wasn't compatible. But instead of terminating this clone, Tartus found another use. One that involves this world."
"So... this other clone is alive and here?" Kuvira asked. "Aren't we going after him?"
"No. Before we came here, I had my suspicions where the clone is. But after looking after all of Tartus' notes, now, I know for sure."
"But where?" Kuvira asked. "Shouldn't we be there instead of here?"
"Kuvira, listen to me. Tartus was smart. He was able to place the infant clone in the care of someone in a position of power so that their ambition would grow. It's why he set up this lab near Zaofu, the place where you grew up."
"Huh?" Discord asked.
"What does that mean?" Bolin asked.
"Scimitar, you're not making any sense." Sunset said.
"What are you saying?" Kuvira asked.
"I'm saying, I know what you are, Kuvira, even if you don't." Scimitar explained. "It's why you grew up without knowing who your real parents are, and why you were raised by the leader of the Metal Clan. It's why you didn't hesitate to take charge of the Earth Kingdom after the Earth Queen died. Why you refused to step down for Prince Wu to ascend to the throne. Why you turned peace projects into weapons of war. Why you continued to press your conquest over Zaofu and Republic City. Why you were willing to sacrifice anything to keep your power."
"What?" Kuvira asked with fear shaking her eyes.
"Kuvira, I don't have an older brother. I have an older sister. There's a female clone. And it's you. You're another clone. You... are the daughter of Tartus."
Author's Note
WHAT A TWIST!
"A warning, to the people, the good and, the evil: this... is... " Tartus sang quietly to himself before Twilight interrupted him.
"Would you stop that?" Twilight was looking over all her books on magic and hypnosis when she had enough.
"Hey, I've got nothing else to do here." Tartus said. "I thought an Equestrian like you would enjoy a good song every now and then. You and your friends sing at least one friendship-themed song basically every week."
"Listen, you one-eyed sociopath," Twilight said, "My friend's life is on the line here because of what you did. Now, tell me how you brainwashed her."
"...Okay." Tartus said much to Twilight's surprise.
"Really?"
"NO!" Tartus responded. "Come on, did you really think it would be that easy? Don't think that just because you have a noble reason for helping your friend, but the answer isn't just going to fall into your lap just for that."
"We'll see about that." Twilight said as she left the hallway.
When Twilight continued down the stairs, the came across the lab attended by Varrick and Zhu Li. The two of them were taking close inspection at Tartus' equipment, including his arms and his eye.
"How's the study going?" Twilight asked.
"Well, he may be evil, but this Tartus guy is certainly an evil genius." Varrick said. "I've been looking at his metal arm for three hours, and I still can't figure out what half of these functions are for."
"Same goes for the eye." Zhu Li said. "I know there's a beam blast here somewhere, but I can't seem to find it."
"Well, isn't there anything here that can tell us how he hypnotized Korra?" Twilight said giving a close look to the fingertips of the metal arm in front of her.
"Sorry, but I can't answer that one." Varrick said. "Oh, I wouldn't try to get close to those fingers. They..."
ZAP! An electric jolt escaped the metal fingers and hit Twilight in the horn.
"OW!" Twilight shouted rubbing her horn.
"Shock." Varrick finished.
"Yeah, the same thing happened to Varrick, twice." Zhu Li said. "Guess Tartus isn't a big believer in rebooting."
Suddenly, Twilight had a thought cross her head. She removed her hoof from her horn and and gasped in excitement. "Reboot! That's it! Thanks guys!" She then zipped out of the room.
"Uh... you're welcome?" Varrick asked.
Twilight returned to her pile of books in front of Tartus' cell and picked one up. She scrolled through the pages until she found what she was looking for. "Yes! Yes! YESSS!" She raised her head to the prisoner. "In your face, shorty!"
"What are you so happy about?" Tartus asked.
"I found a way to help Korra without knowing what you did." Twilight said. "I just found a spell that will remove any changes you made to her brain."
"I don't follow." Tartus said. "You don't even know what those changes are."
"It won't matter." Twilight said. "This spell allows for the entire body to revert back to its state from a certain time. All I have to do is cast it, and any change to Korra from, say a month, shall be erased. Now, look who just became redundant. Turns out you're not as smart as you think, huh?"
"It won't work." Tartus said. "Korra won't agree to it. It's just going to backfire on you."
"You clearly don't know Korra." Twilight said. "And once I'm done saving her, we're gonna finish sending you to the deepest, darkest hole we can find and throw away the key. Then, we dont' have to worry about fighting you or your silly 'Creation War'." That's when she left with the book.
But as soon as Twilight left the room, Tartus smiled and chuckled. "Like putty."
Korra was still strapped to the table until Twilight entered her cell and let her out.
"What's going on?" Korra asked. "Isn't this risky?"
"Don't worry about it." Twilight said. "I think I found a way to save you. And I can't do that with you stuck on the table."
"Really?" Korra asked. "You mean it?"
"That's what friends are for." Twilight said. "And once we're done, we'll send Tartus away for good and then catch up.
"After all this time We get to work once more And we'll stick together Like we did before "If I was to do this again " Korra sang,I'm glad it's with my friend It's going to be great Working together again "We haven't seen each other like we should " Twilight sang,So let's fix this whole mess "And enjoy what we could " Korra sang.Oh, yes " both sang.Wouldn't you guess " Korra sang,If it wasn't for you, I'd be in a tomb "'Cause there's no room " both sang.For ignoring the adventures we had " Twilight sang,Me with my friends and you with yours "There's no room " both sang.For forgetting who helped me make peace " Twilight sang,And secure everyone's futures "Who knew our worlds were different " both sang,But can be the same There's no room For placing each other with the blame "
"So ready to fix all this?" Twilight asked.
"You bet!" Korra agreed. What do you need to do?"
"I've got a spell to revert your body and mind to how it was to a certain time. If I set it back to a month ago, then everything that happened to you since then will disappear."
Korra's smile faded into disbelief. She rubbed the back of her head and voiced sounds of nervousness.
"Is... that right?" Korra asked.
"Yes." Twilight answered. "Ready?"
"Um..." Korra said. "Twilight, I don't think I'm ready yet."
Twilight paused in surprise. "Why?"
"On the same day I was taken, I made the first link to my past lives in years." Korra said. "And they say Avatar Stelle has a message for me. I can't do anything yet until I find out what she wants to tell me. If I let you take that change away, I might never find out."
Twilight couldn't believe her ears. "What? But Korra..."
"I'm sorry to say no " Korra sang,I can't do this yet "What? But it's to prove your innocence " Twilight sang,And I know you didn't forget "I know what it means " Korra sang,But I still have many questions "What kind of excuse is that " Twilight sang,That's hardly an intention "I'm sure everyone can afford to wait " Korra sang,I just have some records I need to set straight Don't hate But I can't afford to go back to this confusing gloom 'Cause there's no room "
That's when Twilight had her patience tested long enough.
"Knock it off! Listen to yourself " Twilight sang angrily,You're again being ludicrous You're risking your innocence Just because you're curious I'm trying to do the right thing But you're making this difficult Perhaps everyone is right Saying it's all you're fault "
Korra got upset too.
"Just because you're a princess " Korra sang angrily,You can't change what's mine You can shove your opinions up your... "HEY! That's crossing the line " Twilight sang.WELL, FINE " both sang,I guess I was wrong to just assuuuuuuuuuuume There's no room "For a brain to fit in your head " Twilight sang,'Cause your fantasies have left it clouded "There's no room " Korra sang,To even listen to you Two worlds is definately too crowdeeeeeeed "I CANNOT BELIEVE " both sang,WHAT YOU'RE TRYING TO SAAAAAAAAAAAY HAVE IT YOUR WAAAAAAAAAAAAY THERE'S NO ROOM TO PUT UP WITH THIS MUCH STRIFE THERE'S NO ROOM TO EVEN HAVE YOU IN MY LIFE THEEEEEEEERE'S NOOOOOOO ROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM "
In utter frustration, Twilight slammed the cage door and left the room. She stomped her way back to Tartus' cell.
"Told you so." Tartus said.
"What is with her?!" Twilight asked angrily. "Doesn't she realize I'm trying to help her?!"
"By tampering with her spirit." Tartus said. "Who's to say you won't change her character?"
"That's not why she said no." Twilight said. "She said it was because she wanted to talk to previous Avatars."
"Okay, I agree. That is pretty ludicrous. Then again, can you blame her? She's got her first contact in over four years and you want to take that away."
"Why are you doing this to us?"
"I'm just taking back what you all took from me."
"What does that even mean? We never met you before. How could we steal anything?"
"I never said you stole. I said you took away. Use your head. Why do you think I came to this specific world?"
Twilight thought for a moment, but her mind still came to a blank. "Enough with the riddles!"
"Unbelievable!" Tartus said pinching in between his eye and his eyepatch. "All these clues, and you couldn't figure it out. I even gave you a hint earlier about how to save Korra."
"What?" Twilight asked. "When did you..."
Suddenly, the door opened suddenly. The team of Dawna and the others walked right in.
"Hope you have some good news, because I..." Twilight began to say. She was interrupted when she noticed Dawna didn't stop walking.
"Uh, Dawna..." Shadow Blot said.
Dawna stopped her feet in front of Tartus' cage. She then gripped the handle of her new sword and raised its red blade in the air above Tartus, who didn't seem fazed. The others gasped in shock and tried to protest, but Dawna wouldn't listen. All she felt were the tears running down from her eyes. With one swift wave of her arms, Dawna struck the blade down until it made contact with Tartus' head.
Author's Note
The song featured here is a parody of "Life's Too Short " a deleted song from Frozen.
"DAWNA, WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!" Twilight asked loudly in a panic.
"It's okay." Dawna said. "I just needed to be certain."
Dawna stepped away revealing Tartus' unharmed head. The sword struck as hard as it could, but there wasn't even a mark. Everyone was held up at the moment and fell silent while Tartus rubbed his head.
"You know, it did hurt a little." Tartus said.
"What the..." Ricky said. "How?"
"It's how he existed thousands of years ago." Dawna said. "He's immortal."
"Like you?" Twilight asked.
"Not exactly. The Golden Apple's magic keeps me from aging, but I can still be killed. I think it's something different in this case, though. Like how he can't be pierced by anything. I guess that means you didn't get your immortality from the Golden Apple, did you?"
Tartus smiled. "My dear, I haven't even seen any of the Relics of Creation until your metalic canine handed the Apple to me in the Neatherealm."
"You did what?" Applejack asked.
"It was a lapse in judgement and there was a lot of stuff going on that day." Shadow Blot defended.
"What's going on?" Mako asked coming in.
"We found a ghost village, Dawna hit Tartus upside his head, and Twilight's an egghead." Rainbow Dash said. "You know, the usual."
"Not only that, but Korra refuses to let me help her with her brainwashing problem." Twilight said. "And what do you mean, 'egghead'?"
"Wait, back up to Korra." Mako said. "What do you mean she refused your help?"
"She said my solution would erase her connection to the past Avatars again and she had a lot of questions for them."
"But... I think this is more important." Mako said. "We're trying to prove her innocence."
"That's basically what I said." Twilight said. "But Korra doesn't think so. There's something going on. For some reason, she won't accept anything until she talks to her past selves."
"Maybe I can help."
The voice called out and Zaheer was standing there with the Doctor and the other people in this party.
"You're back." Shadow Blot said. "What happened?"
"Long story." the Masked Matterhorn said. "You?"
"Another long story." Twilight said.
"You want to help us?" Mako asked Zaheer. "You almost killed Korra before."
"Yes, but I also helped her the last time she had a problem with her abilities." Zaheer said. "You don't have to forgive me, but at the moment, I am the only way you're gonna get to Korra."
Mako thought for a moment before groaning. "You better help."
"Did we miss something?" said another voice. The third party of Scimitar, Sunset Shimmer, Bolin, Discord, and Kuvira was the last to arrive. Scimitar and Kuvira looked speechless and in deep thought. The other three had awkward faces.
"It's a long story." Shadow Bolt said. "What about you?"
"Longer story." Discord said.
Kuvira approached Tartus' cell and looked down on him with contempt. Tartus returned with a smile.
"I see you figured it out." Tartus said.
"Is it true?" Kuvira asked. "Am I another one of your clones?"
Most of the others were surprised at the question. They fell silent waiting for Tartus' answer. The villain stood on his tiny feet and said with confidence, "...Yes. You are the original Project: Phoenix success."
Kuvira breathed heavily and almost fell over. She managed to stabilize her feet and stand straight again.
"Okay, back to that later." Rarity said. "I think you need a rest, Kuvira."
"In the meantime, let's go." Mako said taking Zaheer to the other room.
Once they arrived, Mako ran and hugged Korra through the bars.
"Are you alright?" Mako asked.
"Alright?" Korra asked. "Mako, I'm behind bars because I was apparently brainwashed by this month's new psychopath. Not to mention, I yelled at one of my trusted friends a few minutes ago."
"Yeah, I heard about that." Mako said. "What the heck?"
"I... I don't know." Korra said. "I was only trying to ask Twilight to wait a little while longer until I got my answers, but then, she almost had a meltdown and started to yell at me. I don't know what came over me, but I started to yell back. I really regret it."
"Twilight found a way to help you and you rejected it." Mako said. "I thought you were at peace with losing your connections."
"So did I." Korra said. "But when I saw a vision of Aang, I felt a little... easier. And then, he told me that Avatar Stelle needed to warn me of something, but I lost my connection to him after that. I can't get it out of my head. I thought going to the Tree of Time could help me link back with them, even for a little bit, but the next thing I know, I'm in security. I'm sorry, but I just don't feel like I need to get rid of my only connection just yet."
"So if you managed to talk to Avatar Stelle, would you let Twilight cast her spell on you?" Zaheer asked.
"Yes, after I apologize for my behavior." Korra said.
"All right then." Zaheer said. "I'd like to help."
"Help?" Korra asked.
"Korra, you lost your connection to your past lives because of someone who I once called a friend. You lost three years of your life because of my actions, which I later learned to be based on Xai Bau's lie. I know it's going to take a lot to redeem myself for my sins, but I'd like to start by helping you again."
After a second of thinking, Korra accepted. "How do we do this?"
"Let's join hands." Zaheer said. They did so. "Close your eyes." They did that too. "Now, let's imagine a defining moment in one of your past lives, starting with Aang. For an entire year, he learned to master his powers; a feat not done by most Avatars, I might add. With that, he stood up against Fire Lord Ozai and helped rebuild the Fire Nation with Zuko. Before him was Roku, trusted friend to Fire Lord Sozin. Upon his dying breath, he manged to save the people on his island from a fiery death. Kyoshi kept a merciless warlord from attacking further than he has. Feel the sensation they felt when they had to make a difficult choice. Understand the power they all used all the way back to the first Avatar, Wan. Remember all the way to Stelle and..."
Suddenly, Korra felt like the environment changed. She opened her eyes and found herself floating in a starry environment. And right in front of her was a woman with black hair, a blue gown, and a radiant glow.
"Are you..." Korra asked.
"Yes, Korra. I am Stelle. However, our connection is only temporary. I only called out to you to warn you."
"Warn me? About what?"
"Our world, as well as every other world in Creation, is in grave danger. A monster threatens to conquer it all."
"You mean Tartus? I don't understand."
"He needs the Relics of Creation, the physical vessels containing the spirits of the Primordials. They were the original forces of Light, Darkness, and Nature. He already as the powers of Darkness and Nature contained. All he needs now is the powers of Light, and he will do anything to obtain it and finish his collection."
"But why?" Korra asked. "What does Tartus want with all the Relics?"
"The Relics of Creation contain the most powerful forces in existence. If he gains total control over the powers of the Primordials, he will be able to reshape all of reality just by thinking about it. People will disappear. Worlds will be erased. Rules will change. No limits! Tartus can take over all of Creation and get rid of all his enemies at once with a single thought."
Korra paused for a moment. "No one should have that kind of power. How do we stop him?"
"First, he needs all three Relics in order to collect their power, so you need to secure the Uniscope. Tartus also needs you for his ascension, and as long as you are in his thrall, your victory will not be assured."
"Well, that's not a problem then." Korra said. "Twilight said she has a spell that can erase whatever Tartus did to me."
"I know, but it won't work. Whatever Tartus did, it can't be undone by a simple spell."
"Then how can I stop it? What's the cure?"
"I don't have the answer. But there is one way you can know..."
"Okay, everybody." Discord said after everyone finished talking. "Now that we're all done comparing notes, I am going to try to establish a timeline so we can fit everything together."
"This should be fun." Miles said rolling his eyes.
Discord snapped his fingers and a clay model of certain events appeared in front of everyone. He went to the first model.
"Apparently, Tartus used to be a big, bad monster who destroyed what's left of the Wandor tribe. He was looking for the then Avatar, and he needed their help to find her. They showed him the way in return for being spared, but Tartus destroys them anyway."
"Yeah, my bad." Tartus said. "I let my emotions get the best of me."
"Getting to that part." Discord said heading to the next model. "Anywho, somehow, Tartus changed from the big bad world to an ankle-biting munchkin without depth perception. The Doctor's predecessor, the Gardener, showed mercy on him and gave him a job at the time place so she could reform him. Instead, he stole her eggs, found out about this world and the Equestrias, learned of the Relics of Creation, and rid himself of all emotion."
"Thereby, breaking her sacred seal and transferring her power to me." the Doctor continued.
"Lastly," Discord then went to the third model, "Tartus tried to make himself a new body by cloning himself. However, his greatest success, Kuvira, still wasn't the right fit for his mind. He left her to be raised by Suyin so she could grow up to be a power-hungry tyrant like she did. You are not having the best life, are you?"
"Drop it." Kuvira said staring at the floor.
"Tartus tried again in another world, but got stuck with Scimitar, who he tried to raise him to be evil, but couldn't make him so."
"From then on, Tartus has been bringing me to other worlds so he could search for the Relics of Creation." Scimitar continued. "One such search lead us to the Neatherealm."
"Where me and the rest of the Machines dug up the Relic, the Golden Apple, for him." the Shadow Blot said.
"He'd lent it to the Negahorn, who at the time, vesseled the Asteroth (another Relic), and borrow it from her on occasion." the Masked Matterhorn explained.
"During such a time, he tricked the Twilight Sparkle of my world to build him a device capable of stealing and storing magic." Sunset continued. "He managed to tweak it so it could even store the powers of the Primordials."
"He then got us to release the power of the Asteroth and give him an incantation that can separate a Primordial from his vessel." the Masked Matterhorn went on.
"And then, he kidnapped Korra, brainwashed her, and brought us all on this wild goose chase for answers that he wants us to find." Tenzin said.
...
"Wow." Pinkie said. "That's a lot to take in when you piece it all together."
"You all missed the part where I recruited the Siren Sisters and am currently turning any human I find into sirens." Tartus said. "Also, I've recruited some spirits on my side. Yes, most of those creatures like to remain neutral, but there are still some with a little bit of mischief in their souls."
"Well, what's with the sirens?" Rainbow Dash asked. "Why are you changing people into them?"
"Can't tell you." Tartus said. "It'll spoil the plan."
"Maybe he's hosting the biggest concert of all time!" Pinkie shouted.
"I seriously doubt that." Asami said.
"You already told us everything else," Rarity said, "Or at least, showed us."
"Not everything." Tartus said. "I never told you about my original world, my reason for hunting your worlds, or why I had to get rid of my emotions. That's something for you all to learn on your own. And the only way for you to understand is to experience my pain firsthand."
Twilight began to worry. "What have you done?"
"I can't tell you that either." Tartus said. "I can tell you, though, that it's going to happen at Canterlot."
"Can we just get away from him?" Miles said. "He's starting to creep me out."
As everyone left leaving Tartus with a happy grin, they ran into Korra, Mako, and Zaheer in the hall.
"Korra..." Twilight said nervously. "I..."
"It's okay, Twilight." Korra said. "Right now, we need to go."
"Go?" Discord asked. "Go where?"
"To your world and in Canterlot." Korra said.
"Why?" Tenzin asked.
"Because there is only one way to make sure Tartus doesn't complete his set of Relics of Creation." Korra said. "We need to secure the last one. And at the same time, we can figure out what he did to me and how to fix it."
"And you think it's in Canterlot." the Doctor said.
"Absolutely." Korra said. "It's how I met the ponies in the first place."
"You mean..." Twilight asked.
"Yes." Korra answered. "The Uniscope. And we're going to get it... before Tartus' forces beat us to it."
Author's Note
It has been such a long time since I've uploaded a chapter. I have had a really busy month or so. But now, I am back and just uploaded the next chapter.
"You want to go to Canterlot?" Twilight asked. "To get the Uniscope?"
"But isn't that what you just said Tartus needs to complete his set?" Sunset Shimmer asked.
"Not only that," Korra said, "But when he gets all three Relics of Creation, he'll reshape all realities at once with next to no effort."
"That's quite a method to take over the world." Pinkie said.
"I still don't understand why you want to find it." Spike said. "If Tartus is after it, maybe we should keep it hidden."
"Tartus is locked up, remember?" Korra asked. "He's resting in a cage in the next room."
"But we don't know where his vultures are." Mako said. "If we uncover it, they'll probably just swipe it from us."
"Then we outnumber them." Korra said. "I'm pretty sure a bunch of us can take four birds."
"It still seems pretty risky." the Doctor said. "Why would you want that?"
"Avatar Stelle said that Twilight's spell wouldn't work anyway. We need another answer, and she said only the Uniscope can tell us."
"You do know it's not limitless, right?" Twilight asked.
"I get it." Korra said. "It'll only respond to noble intentions. Well, saving me is a noble intention. I know, coming from me, that may sound selfish, but nevertheless, I'd say it's worth the risk. Look, we'll just go to Canterlot, look at the Uniscope, figure out how to fix me, and put it back in less than five minutes. If we run into those buzzards, we'll just beat them away."
"What about Tartus?" Tenzin asked. "With you all away and some of us trying to win back the public's favor, the only person to keep an eye on him would be Varrick... and it's Varrick."
"I'll watch him." Kuvira said.
"Kuvira, are you sure?" Scimitar asked.
"I... I don't think I'd be in the best state of mind for a battle if it came to it." Kuvira said. "My talents are best suited here where I can try to process everything."
"Twilight, I know we've been in a bit of a disagreement lately, but I'm asking you now to trust me. It's the only idea we have left."
Twilight's mind wrapped around it. She gave it a hard thought until...
"All right." Twilight said. "We'll get in, talk to the Uniscope, put it back, and come back without any fuss."
"I still think this is a bad idea," Scimitar said, "But it might help put an end to tall this."
"You do realize this is most likely a trap, right?" Mako asked.
"Yeah," Twilight said, "And it's a really good one."
"Without my ability to see the future, all we have now is faith." the Doctor said. "And we're gonna have to use it in these circumstances."
"Then it's settled." Twilight said. "We're going to Equestria tonight."
While Tenzin and the other elders gave a press conference trying to dissuade the public's outburst against Korra, the heroes brought her out of the prison wearing a cloak to hide herself. They snuck the Avatar across the city until they made it in the middle of the Spirit Wilds where the portal had been waiting.
"All right." the Doctor said. "Just give me a minute to alter this portal to take us to Equestria. If you want, all humans can be given paused auras so you can stay humans. Learning how to walk on four legs can take a little effort."
"Tell me about it." Mako said. "Yes, we'd like to stay human."
"All right then." the Doctor said. "When I alter this portal, it's going to take us across the mirror that rests in Twilight's castle. After that, I'll take us all to Canterlot before the princesses. I hope your plan works."
"Yeah." Korra said nervously. "Me too."
"I've got to say, I'm surprised." Tartus said with Kuvira standing with her back to him. "When I saw you would be watching over me while the main characters would go to their next errand, I almost skipped a breath."
He didn't get an answer.
"Although, I've got to say, when you think about it, it would make sense for you to stay here with me alone so you can ask me questions. So what would you like to know?"
Still no reply.
"Maybe you'd like to know your birthday. Or maybe how I could actually create a human being when I was originally a wolf. Well, the science on that is shaky to explain, but I'll do my best..."
"Do you ever stop talking?" Kuvira finally spoke stopping Tartus silent. "I don't want to know any of it."
"Really?" Tartus asked. "Then why would you want to be here? Seems to me that his is the last place you'd want to be."
"I just wanted to see the look in your eye and see if there's any truth in our relationship. And right now, I don't see any. Seems to me that all that father-daughter talk is empty."
"Empty?" Tartus asked. "Come on, Kuvira. You actually think I fabricated any of it?"
"Yes. You could have planted those documents in your lab to throw me off balance. That's why you sent us there to begin with. There's nothing you can say or do to make me believe we are in any way related."
"It's not what I've done that should make you believe." Tartus said. "It's what you've done."
With that, Kuvira finally turned around and faced the villain. "What are you talking about?"
"It's why I left you with the Beifong family instead of destroying you with the rest of the Site A specimens. Think about it. You used a show of power and fear to make Earth villages submit to your growing empire. You turned an energy project into a weapon of destruction. You imprisoned your own foster family and stole Zaofu from them. You could have just left Republic City alone since it wasn't part of the Earth Kingdom anymore, but instead, you wanted to take it back with a mecha-giant. You could have stopped yourself after any of those accomplishments, but you didn't. Because the pride in yourself, your growing want for more power could never be satisfied. And that... came from me."
"Don't try using my wrongdoings to support your ridiculous claim. I took responsibility for everything. I surrendered. How could I have a 'want for more power' when I stopped?"
"Yes, that's puzzled me for a while." Tartus said. "I looked back at the circumstances of you sudden redemption, and I believe I came up with a theory. When you and the Avatar created the spirit portal in the wilds, you both also entered the Spirit World at the same time. At that point, before your bodies could manifest into physical matter, your energies were merged. Your souls were one. When you separated, some of the spirit of Raava, the spirit of light in Korra, went into you. That little bit of good changed within you."
"You really expect me to believe something that crazy?" Kuvira protested.
"Like I said, it's only a theory, but it's a really good one. Because before then, your stubbornness and pride had affected the entire Earth nation."
"I was doing what was necessary of me!" Kuvira argued. "I believed what I was doing was right! I may have been wrong about a lot of things, but I know Nothing I did came from you!!"
"You also know what happened with Bataar Jr.!" Tartus shot back.
That last argument caught Kuvira by surprise followed by a moment of silence. "What... did you... say?"
"I know what you've done with him." Tartus said. "He's a brilliant kid. I actually liked him. And so did you, it would seem. You loved each other. You promised to be together. He supported your every step, even your attack at Republic City. But when a tough call had to be made, you chose your own dreams over him."
"Don't you dare bring him up." Kuvira growled angrily. "You don't know anything."
"Actually, I do." Tartus said. "You had your weapon, but before you could accept surrender, the Avatar kidnapped your fiancée and convinced him to try and get you to surrender. He called you and tried to convince you that your love for each other was more important than your expanding empire. What did you do then? ...You fired your weapon where you knew he was at. You were willing to sacrifice your own love for power. Sure, he survived and under house arrest in Zaofu, but that doesn't change that you made your choice. That's even more proof that you're my daughter. Because that's exactly what I'd do."
"SILENCE!" Kuvira shouted with tears flowing down her cheeks.
"Don't cry, Kuvira." Tartus said. "That's why I ripped out my emotions. I never wanted to think with my heart again. Now, I have my brain to think for me just as nature intended. And that's a luxury you need to accept you have. You may be on the side of the angels, but you're just as heartless as I am.
"What do you have to gain From not using your brain When you have no other important part And tell me... Why pretend to have a heart Why would you ever let Yourself live with regret When you were just being who you are And tell me... Why pretend to have a heart You obviously have a brain It can help you have your thoughts You obviously have a spine It's the same as your guts Your eyes and your ears They help you see and hear A heart may be keeping you alive But you're not really living a life Yes, I really do know you And that's why I'm trying to show you Who you were from the very start So tell me... Why pretend, Kuvira Why pretend, Kuvira Why pretend to have a heart Oh, you may have let love get in your way But then, you had made your choice You ignored his pesky voice You may have been convinced to stray But deep inside, there is more There is a conqueror hungry for war YES! I really do know you And that's why I'm trying to show you It's time for you to drop this farce So tell me... Why pretend, Kuvira Why pretend, Kuvira Why pretend, Kuvira "
Tartus hummed the tune silently while Kuvira stood straight with her head down and walked out of the room. As soon as she slammed the door, Tartus just stared.
"Well, that was rude."
Author's Note
Sorry it took me a while. I'm just very distracted lately. But rest assured, I do intend on finishing this story eventually. Sorry this chapter was a little short, but I was pressed for time. But to make up for it, in the next chapter, I will drop a bombshell secret about Tartus and his origins. I don't know when it'll be finished, but I'm thinking about this story every day.
The song featured here is a parody of "What's the Use of Feeling, Blue " from Steven Universe.
Many theorists state that there are multiple universes with different details. There could be a world where cats are the dominant species or a world made up of flying islands. The list is endless, so charting these worlds would be endless as well, but that the duty of the Wandor tribe. These human-like travelers use the magical, glowing glyphs on their bodies to create ships and animals to ride on. On these vessels of light, they soar to other worlds and learning about them chanting their same song lead by the chief.
"We see what there is to see
And what can be
We're here to chart out our dreams
Through the extremes
We craft our vessels in light
With beacons burning bright
The worlds are burning bright
Burning briiiiiiiiiiight
The worlds are ours
We stream the zones to chart
A whole new world for us to be here
The worlds are ours
The glyphs glow with our hearts
And our creed is clear
The worlds are ours
THE WORLDS ARE OURS
WE FIND A NEW HOME TO LIVE
NO MATTER WHAT, WE FOLLOW THE LIGHT OF THE SUN
THE WORLDS ARE OURS
WE FIND NEW LIFE WITH GIFTS TO GIVE
AND THEY KNOW THAT WHEN WE'RE DONE
THE WORLDS ARE OOOOOOOUUUUUUUUURS "
The way of life was splendid, until war destroyed it. The few survivors who survived the carnage and buried their regrets decided to live out the rest of their lives in quiet.
What most people don't know is that the place they retired to is called the Limbo Zone. They built one-story shelters and rarely used their glyphs again. It looked like they would die peacefully, but that wasn't true either.
In one world, which was known as Equestria, the alicorn princess, Twilight Sparkle, had begun her day greeting her baby dragon assistant, Spike, in the throne room.
"Good morning, Spike." the alicorn greeted.
"Morning, Twilight." the dragon replied. "Have you seen Starlight? I haven't seen her all morning."
"Last night, I sent her to go with Fluttershy to check on Discord. It's been a while since I've heard anything from him, and I'm getting worried."
"Wow, Twilight." Spike said. "Since when do you care so much?"
"Well, Discord is the spirit of chaos." Twilight explained. "If something happens to him, it could somehow bounce off to the rest of us."
"Gee, and here I was thinking you care about my health."
Twilight and Spike turned and saw a draconequus floating before them. To his left was a light-pink unicorn with a streaming star Cutie Mark. To his left was a bright-yellow Pegasus with pink hair and a Cutie Mark with a few butterflies.
"Sorry about that." said Twilight nervously.
"No worries." Discord assured. "Starlight pretty much said the same thing."
"Not... the whole thing." Starlight tried to defend herself.
"Luckily, I don't hold a grudge... anymore." Discord said. "Now, if you want to know what I've been doing, I've been going through my scrapbook." Suddenly, in a flash of light, a scrapbook appeared in his lion paw and opened up in the middle of a page. "See, I've been keeping track of all our greatest adventures together. Here's me with Twilight and Cadence when they thought I was sick. And here's when I gave Twilight Tirek's pendant and it turned out to be the final key needed to unlock the chest/weapon/castle-seed thing. Oh, and here's the one I took at Republic City."
"Wait, what?" Starlight asked. "I know about all of that except for that last one. What's Republic City?"
"Gasp." Discord cried with a fake shock. "Why, Twilight, you never told your own student about one of our greatest adventures ever? And here I thought you trusted her."
Twilight knew Discord was messing with her, but she also knew he was right. "Sorry, Starlight. I guess I forgot."
"How could you forget?" Discord asked. "There were other-dimensional versions of ponies, an anarchy cult, time travel, and some sort of mechanical wolf pack. Things got real. I certainly think about it every day."
"Time travel?" Starlight asked. "I think you're talking about me."
"No, Starlight." Twilight said nervously. "The truth is, you're not the first one who sent me on a time-traveling adventure."
"What?" asked Starlight confusingly. "I... What happened?"
"Come with me." Twilight said leading Starlight to toward the library. "I'll show you."
Discord smiled smugly until he saw Spike and Fluttershy giving him contempt looks.
"Why do you do things like this, Discord?" Fluttershy asked.
"Have you met me?" Discord replied. "You remember the tea party back at my place. If I don't cause a bit of trouble every now and then, I'll surely vanish."
Twilight and Starlight stood in front of the ten-foot tall mirror that was hooked up to a machine.
"As you know, this mirror can travel to other worlds." Twilight said. "At first, I thought it could only connect to a world where we're all humans, but one day, I learned that wasn't the case."
"What happened?" Starlight asked.
"Discord got taken. Someone used the mirror to kidnap him and take him to their world. My friends and I learned that in this world, there was a powerful human with command over the four elements. She's called the Avatar, but those who know her, like us, call her Korra.
"With her help, we managed to travel to a place in her world called Republic City. We also met up with otherworldly dupicates of ourselves... but they were superheroes where they're from, kind of like in Spike's comic book. They were also with a group of what appeared to be mechanical wolves. Yeah, it's complicated like that.
"Anyway, the people who took Discord were a terrorist group called the Red Lotus. They were planning to use him to free a powerful demon named Grogar, who once ruled his monster kingdom of Tambelon eons ago, before friendship was even discovered. Once her returned, Grogar stole the time-traveling powers of someone called the Doctor and attempted to stop friendship from being formed. But with Korra, the Power Ponies, the Mighty Machines, and others, my friends and I defeated him and shined friendship through the Multiverse."
"So, what happened to everyone?"
"Well, we all went our separate ways after that. The Power Ponies and Mighty Machines returned to their world, my friends and I obviously came here, and Korra and her friends decided to explore the other worlds. Haven't heard from them since. Did I leave anything out... Discord?"
Discord appeared in a flash of light rubbing his chin. "Well, you did leave out my devilishly handsome counterpart and how he heroically sacrificed himself to save you guys... but all in all, yeah. That's pretty much the basics."
"Sorry I didn't tell you sooner, Starlight." Twilight said.
"I understand." Starlight said. "I wasn't much open for that story when we first met... or the second time... and there was that whole mess at the Crystaling... and all the new friends I had to make... and the Changeling invasion... Wow, there were so many events between then and now."
"Glad you understand." Twilight said. "Now, I believe we can..."
Suddenly, she was interrupted by a bright flash of light coming from mirror. The light glowed catching the attention of everyone there.
"What's going on?" Fluttershy asked with shaking hooves.
"I don't know." Twilight said. "This isn't normal."
"I agree, and I'm the very definition of abnormal." Discord added.
Suddenly, a pony-like figure jumped through just before the light dimmed. The new pony was red with a black mane. He didn't have a Cutie Mark, but the weirder part was that he tried to stand on his hind legs. He went off-balance and fell forward.
"We're all seeing this, right?" Fluttershy whispered
"Hold on." Starlight said. "I... I don't think he's supposed to be a pony."
"Then who is he?" Twilight asked.
"Why don't you ask him?" Spike asked.
"Oh, right." Twilight said. She approached the pony, who was getting used to walking on four legs. "Who are you?"
"Twilight, it's me." the red pony said.
"What?" Twilight asked. She then widened her eyes as she recognized the pony's voice "Wait a minute... Mako, is that you?"
"Whoa, really?" Spike asked. "That's Mako?"
"Mako?" Starlight asked. "Who's that?"
"He's a friend from Republic City." Twilight said. "Mako, we were just talking about Tambelon. What are you doing here?"
"Something happened to Korra." Mako replied.
"What?" Twilight asked. "What happened?"
"She's gone." Mako said nervously. "Korra is missing. And I think she was kidnapped."
Everyone looked in both shock and confusion. They were trying to wrap their heads around what the visitor had said.
"Well, here we go again!" Discord proclaimed. "Am I right?"
Author's Note
Well, it has finally begun. This is the beginning of the final story in the Creation Saga. I hope you like it. I think the story's off to a good start.
The song featured here is a parody of "We Know the Way" from Moana. This song and others in the future don't belong to me. They belong to their respective owners. I don't own MLP or Legend of Korra either. Those belong to Hasbro and Nickelodeon.
