As Mark and Lokoa Hai entered the Chief's hut, Mark collapsed into a heap from exhaustion.

"Here, drink this." Lokoa said. "It will restore your stamina."

Mark nodded gratefully, and was handed a wooden bowl full of a yellow and orange juice. He sucked down the mixture in one gulp, and was relieved to feel energy flow back through his body.

"Thanks, Lokoa." Mark said. "So, what exactly can you tell me?"

"I believe my daughter has told you of the world we live in, Equestria." Lokoa said. "However, these Marewaiian Islands are being threatened."

"By who, or what?" Mark asked.

"Recently, some "Noble" ponies from the mainland started to build a "resort" near a volcanic beach that is sacred to us." Lokoa said. "Our pleas for them to stop have been ignored. In fact, they have pressured us to give up our land in exchange for money."

"Assholes." Mark cursed. "Where are they?"

"Though I am grateful for your assistance, I regret to tell you that you are in no shape to be moving." the Chief said, looking at the bandaged wound in Mark's side. "Once it is healed, you may do as you wish."

"So, that's it?" Mark asked. "I'm stuck here?"

"Not exactly." Lokoa smiled. "The famed Elements of Harmony are coming to settle the dispute. They may be able to aid you further. Until then, I would ask to teach you something."

"What?" Mark asked.

"How to use the Fire within you." Lokoa said. "Follow me."

As Mark got up and followed the village chief to a sparring ground, Lokoa took a seat on a pedestal.

"As the legends say, your fire now is weak, but it will improve in time. I will teach you to harness it in order to further your combat prowess." Lokoa said.

"Let's go, then." Mark said. As Lokoa watched, he spoke.

"In order to summon your flame, remember this process. Build, Channel, Release." Lokoa said. "Close your eyes and feel the flame inside you."

Mark nodded, and closed his eyes. Breathing in deep, he soon felt a small feeling of heat build in his chest.

"Now, channel it." Lokoa said. Mark sucked in a breath, and the heat began to grow.

"Release it!" Lokoa said once more. Mark exhaled furiously, and a small stream of flame came from his mouth, scorching the sand and grass beneath him.

"Impressive." Lokoa said. "You learn fast and perform well."

"Thanks." Mark said, wiping his brow with his left paw. "What next?"

====

As the ship bearing the Elements of Harmony docked in Haynalulu, they disembarked with glee in their eyes.

"We're here!" Pinkie cheered, throwing a load of confetti.

"Yep, and there's Mayor Tide!" Twilight said to the approaching sea-blue Unicorn. "Mayor Tide, I take it you're well?"

"Indeed." the Mayor said. "I have accommodations already made for you. If you would follow me, I will take you there."

As the Elements and Spike followed Mayor Tide, Twilight and her friends admired the small city on the seaside.

"Nice place you've got here." Rainbow said.

"Thank you." Tide said. "The local tribes are exceedingly helpful in many ways. However, that's part of the trouble we've been having."

"How so?" Rarity asked.

"A group of landowners calling themselves the "Marewaiian Improvement League" have been attempting to build on a beach that the tribes see as sacred. This league has done everything possible to undermine me and the tribes to get to their goal." Tide said. "They've attempted to buy the land, petition me, even get the court to rule in their favor. So far, none of their attempts have worked, but I fear that won't be the case for long."

"Why?" Twilight asked. "You're the mayor, right? Can't you just say nopony can build there?"

"It's not that easy." Tide said. "The population is split down the middle, and I can't get a majority decision from the council to protect the beachfront. I view the tribes as vital allies worthy of respect. The League doesn't."

"Where's this league at now?" Applejack asked.

"They're preparing to visit a Tribal village near here, in order to convince them to sell." Tide said. "Please, will you talk some sense into them?"

"With pleasure." Twilight said. "Where's this village at?"

"Follow this road, take a left at the fork." Tide said. "I'll see what I can do from here. Good luck."

As the Elements and Spike followed the mayor's instructions, several ponies wearing suits were on the same road to the village ahead of them.

"I do hope they listen this time." said one of them. "But they're so uncivilized. We offered them an equal value of gold for that beach, and they refused!"

"They have no sense of civility." another said. "Primitives."

"Let's keep that language to ourselves around them." said Gem Worthy, their leader, who was at the front of the pack. "We wouldn't want to offend them in the middle of our meeting. We can speak of that all we want later, once the deal is through."

As they approached the village, the residents stopped their work to glare and curse at them as they headed to the chief's hut.

"Savages." one whispered. "They should respect their betters."

"Quiet." Worthy said. "There's the chief."

As Lokoa Hai approached, he scoffed at them.

"I have told you outlanders before." he said. "That beach is sacred to us. We will never yield it to you under any circumstances."

"And I have told you that it would benefit you greatly!" Worthy replied. "You could turn
this village into something far greater! All you have to do is agree."

"Never." Lokoa said. "Your mouth may be silent, but I hear the words in your heart. What was it that you called us? Savages?"

The business ponies were silent in shock. Then, a new voice spoke.

"It that's how you treat everypony you meet, then no wonder they won't listen to you."

They turned to see Princess Twilight Sparkle and the Element Bearers approach them.

"Princess." Gem Worthy said. "Surely you understand our viewpoint."

"No, I don't." Twilight said. "You asked, and you got your reply. They said no, so respect that answer."

Gem Worthy sniffed with contempt.

"They do not understand." he said angrily. "They don't..."

"Say another fucking word, and you're toast."

The ponies turned and gasped as one. Mark approached slowly and deliberately, causing the locals and Lokoa Hai to bow as one.

"The Hound of Fire." Lokoa said to a shocked Gem Worthy. "Guardian of the Flame of Life."

"As in the one from the guidebook?" Spike gasped.

"The same." Mark said. "I take it you're the assholes that are trying to build on the sacred beach?"

"Yes." Worthy said.

"Well, I've got this to say. Fuck off." Mark said, causing them to flinch. "What part of "sacred beach" do you not understand?"

Mark growled and continued.

"You know, most of the ones who talk like that would get incinerated." Mark said. "And seeing as I know how to do just that, I'm feeling rather inclined to turn you into business-pony flambe' right now. Just give me a reason."

Gem Worthy bristled in fury.

"Stay out of this, you overgrown mutt." he said.

At that, Mark roared angrily and shot a stream of fire at Gem Worthy's hooves. As the business-ponies fell over each other trying to get away, Mark roared louder than he'd ever had before before advancing on Gem Worthy.

"I'm telling you one more time. Fuck off and I might let you live." he said in such a way that Gem Worthy paled. "Now get moving!"

As the business-ponies got the hell out of dodge fleeing the village, Mark sighed.

"Great." he said. "Just fucking great."

As he turned to the Element Bearers, he raised an eyebrow.

"So, what's this about me being in a guidebook?"

Author's Note

UPDATE!