Chapters Equestria Canterlot Harbor
Royal Dock
"We're going to Marewaii!"
"We're going to Marewaii!"
"We're going to…"
"WE KNOW!"
Twilight Sparkle, newly crowned Princess of Magic and Friendship, glared at Pinkie Pie, who was still completely ecstatic about their next journey. The others rolled their eyes at the two mares. Spike didn't mind, he was buried in a comic book.
"C'mon, Twilight!" Pinkie said. "We're going to literal PARADISE! What's not to like or be excited about?"
"We're not going on vacation, that's one, and two is that this is a diplomatic mission." Twilight replied. "I know that you're excited, but…"
"Excited?" Rarity scoffed. "I'm absolutely thrilled! All of us are! The fashions in Marewaii are the stuff of legend!"
"And all the delicious FOOD!" Pinkie added. "Ah, I could so go from a pound of Macadamia nuts right about now…"
Pinkie pulled out a hammock strung beneath two palm trees and laid back, smiling dreamily.
Everyone else raised an eyebrow, including a now-attentive Spike.
"Okay, I'm good!" she said, placing the palm trees and hammock back in her mane. "So, why are we going?"
"GRR! I told you that like ten times!" Twilight replied. "There's been a lot of volcanic activity as of late, and Celestia's worried that Mount Kilauwhinny will erupt. It's one of the largest volcanoes in our world, and if it does erupt, we're all in big trouble."
"Why's that?" Rainbow Dash asked.
"The last time it erupted, it was known as "The Year without a Summer"." Twilight said. "The ash cloud obscured the sun for over a month, and Celestia wants to be sure that it's safe."
"Then let's go!" Applejack said. "Let's get on down there, and see what's going on!"
As the Element Bearers loaded into the schooner that would take them to the remote island chain, Twilight pulled out her reference guide on Marewaii as Spike hopped into a deck chair.
"So, what can we expect?" Fluttershy asked.
"Well, some of the most exotic animal species hail from there." Twilight said. "Hey, check this out."
As the others crowded around, Twilight turned the page, revealing a carving of a hound-like beast wreathed in flame and ash.
"What is that?" Rainbow asked.
"The Guardian of the Flame." Twilight said. "According to Marewaiian myth, this creature causes volcanoes to erupt just by roaring. It's also apparently a local deity, worshipped by the local tribes."
"Wow." Fluttershy said. "What else?"
"Not only can it control heat and flame, but stone and even the sun's rays." Twilight continued. "This Guardian is apparently one of three, the other two control lightning and water. But those two have been lost to time."
"I bet I could beat the lightning one in a race." Rainbow boasted.
"I wouldn't be so sure." Twilight said. "The visible return stroke of a bolt of lightning is over 200,000 miles per hour. That's fast, really fast."
"Eh, doesn't matter." Rainbow shrugged. "I've done the Sonic Rainboom before, remember?"
"True." Twilight replied. "Though, there's one last footnote. This Guardian's origins are still the source of debate, but local legend states it came from another world, one completely different from ours."
"So it's an alien?" Pinkie asked.
"Please, it can't be." Twilight said. "Aliens don't exist. Most likely it's some Marewaiian Timberwolf, or something similar."
"Let's hope so." Rarity said. "I don't like the thought of being burned alive."
As the journey continued, little did they know that Twilight's declaration would be proven wrong.
====
Honolulu City
"Hey, see you tomorrow Mark!"
"You too, Jake!"
As a boy of about eighteen strolled out of his high school, the sun shone down on him and the bustling city of Honolulu. This was Mark Sykes, the son of David Sykes, who was a renowned volcanologist and scientist.
Mark walked through the busy streets of Honolulu, feeling a heavy weight in his left pocket. Inside his jeans was a small brass key, for a lock Mark knew all too well. As the cars drove by and the sights were seen, Mark took in a deep sigh.
For the longest time, Mark's father had kept a small chest in his closet, locked away. Mark had never asked what was inside, and when he was younger, just touching it had burned his skin slightly. Even now, whenever he was near it, it still gave off an aura of heat.
Mark knew that his dad wouldn't mind if he opened it…
...because David Sykes was currently comatose in the hospital, for about two weeks now. While gathering samples from Mount Kilauea, he collapsed and passed out to the distress of his fellow workers. The official cause was smoke inhalation, but Mark knew his dad was wearing a filter mask and hazmat suit that day. Mark had learned to fend for himself as his parents were divorced, however...
He still felt twinges of sadness inside of him. The divorce wasn't bad, it was his dad falling into a coma that really hurt Mark inside. He had just learned not to let it show on the outside. Mom currently lived in San Francisco, and his dad and her were on good terms, but he did miss her sometimes.
Still, whatever was in that chest, Mark didn't care. As he entered his suburban home and walked up the stairs, he saw to his surprise that the chest was on his bedroom desk, accompanied by a piece of paper.
He picked up the note after depositing his backpack and began to read his dad's writing.
Now is the time, Mark. Open the chest, and be brave.
Dad.
Mark touched the chest. It was cool to his fingertips, almost quiet. Mark slid the key into the lock, and lifted the worn cover.
Inside was a rock or meteor fragment, colored obsidian black. The strange thing was it was glowing a dark orange and red.
"Figures." Mark said. "Dad had a rock inside the chest all this time."
Mark picked the rock up and set it on his desk, before turning away.
Then, the glowing ceased and the room was illuminated by the summer sun. As Mark turned around, the glowing resumed, only much more powerful. As Mark covered his eyes, there was a blast, a scorch of flame, and Mark Sykes was gone, the only evidence he was ever there was a burn mark on the floor.
====
Mark Sykes's vision returned, and he groggily wiped his eyes clear. As he stood up, he looked down and yelled in panic.
Instead of his human feet, a pair of large gray paws greeted him. As he scrambled back in fright, he looked at a puddle of water on his left.
Instead of his human face, he was now a canid being, with a flat muzzle colored gray. Brown fur covered his body, and a reddish orange crest sat on his forehead. Furthermore, he could see smoke and ash coming out of his back. As he began to breathe rapidly, he thought hard in fear and panic.
"No, nonononono...This can't be happening..." he gasped, starting to panic. As he collapsed over his new gait and begaen to breathe rapidly, he let his eyes start to tear up. Then, the wind started to blow, and Mark started to recover.
"Okay, let's try to calm down." he thought. "So I'm not human anymore, I'm...wait, am I…"
Then, he remembered. He was a Pokemon, a Fire-Type Legendary if he recalled it correctly. Then again, he hadn't played Pokemon in a while, but his knowledge of the series was still good, fresh in his mind.
"Entei, that's right…" he said. "So, I'm an...Entei now. And I'm stuck in who-knows-where, thanks to that stupid rock in dad's stupid chest…"
As he kicked the dust in anger, almost tripping himself again, he looked around at the foliage that surrounded him.
"Where am I?" he asked the air. As he gingerly took a step forward towards a cliff in front of him, he looked up to see a large mountain ahead of him…
...and a village on the slopes and plains surrounding it.
"Great, I'm clearly not in Honolulu or anywhere I've been before." he growled. "Damn it!"
As he snorted, he looked down at the village again. As he raised an eyebrow and considered his options, he gave a sigh of defeat.
"Well, anywhere's better than here." he groaned, setting off towards the town and an uncertain fate, stumbling every so often.
====
As Mark Sykes, now an Entei, walked through the woods, he could've sworn to anyone that met him that he was still in Hawaii. The calls of the birds, the rustling of wind in the trees...it was so much like home. He felt a tear in his eye take shape, knowing that he wasn't human anymore. He wouldn't see mom, or dad, or any of his friends again...
Mark shook his head, knowing that his chances of getting to Earth, let alone back to Honolulu, were slim to none. He collapsed in the dirt, letting a fews tears slide down his eyes and into the sandy ground.
"HELP!"
Mark's eyes shot open, and searched for the source of the call. Then, it echoed again.
"HELP ME!"
Mark tore off towards the left, running as fast as he could manage, considering his new body was not exactly what he was used to. As he tore into a clearing, he saw something completely unbelievable.
A small equine being, wearing Hawaiian native clothing and a lei, was backed into a rock formation by several wild boars. They most likely weren't happy to see the equine one.
Mark growled and yelled as loud as he could, trying to get their attention. Except instead of a yell, he roared so loudly that the birds took to the air. The boars turned around and snarled at him, leaving the equine alone.
"Get away!" Mark yelled. "Go home!"
One of the boars charged, tusks at the ready. Mark rolled to the side and bit down as hard as he could, landing a blow to the boar's back. As it squealed in pain, the others with it charged as one.
"I said get away!" Mark said, and something inside of him responded with his cry of challenge. He tackled the boar, and upon realizing he still had teeth and claws, tore into the boar's throat. As it fell dead, the remaining boars charged. Mark stumbled around, dodging as best he could while biting ferociously on whatever he could reach.
===
Kani Hai was scared to move. She had been sent by her village's Elder, Lokoa Hai, to gather medicinal herbs from the forest. She had been warned to watch out for the boars, but she hadn't listened and wandered into one of their dens.
A few more moments and she would've been badly injured. However, it seems the spirits were with her in that moment…
...and the Guardian of the Flame then appeared to save her. The Hound of Fire, said only to appear to those who are worthy, was currently battling the boars who were attacking her with brute force.
However, the Guardian was supposed to be nonverbal, able only to speak the ancient tongue of the ancestors.
And now, it had spoken in the common tongue, clear as day. As she watched, the remaining boars were sent running and limping away, and the Hound of Fire smiled, roaring triumphantly.
"And stay out!" he smiled. "Wow, that was fun, and kind of exhilarating"
He rolled his shoulders to relax them, then he turned to her.
"You okay?" he asked. "I'm a little lost, can you understand me?"
"Yes, I can." Kani said. "You're the Guardian of Flame!"
"What?" the Hound replied. "Okay, you can explain later. I'd prefer to be called...Entei."
"Of course, Entei." Kani said. "Wait, you're hurt!"
Now that she mentioned it, Mark noticed a gash in his side.
"It's not that bad." he replied.
"If you'll let me, I can heal it for now." Kani said.
"Go ahead." Entei said. Kani quickly laid him down, and quickly made a poultice with the herbs she had. As she applied it to the wound, Entei sucked in a breath at a stinging feeling, then the pain dulled significantly.
"Thanks, kid." Entei said, grateful. "Can you show me to the nearest town, or wherever people live around here?"
"My village isn't far." Kani said. "I'd be honored."
"Lead the way."
Kani hopped to her hooves, and Entei followed her through the forest.
====
"So, I have a few questions." Entei said. "What's your name?"
"Kani Hai." she said. "I'll answer your questions as best I can, but my father the Elder should have more answers, if you need them."
As the two of them conversed, Entei learned this world was known as Equis, and he was currently in the Marewaiian Islands, southeast of Equestria. Apparently she was also a pony unicorn, and only about seven years old.
"So, this isn't Earth?" he asked.
"I don't believe so." Kani said. "Where is Earth?"
"The world I came from." Entei said. "Not important. So, who's in charge around here?"
"The Royal Sisters rule Equestria." Kani said. "But my father, the Chief, rules the village and this part of the island. Speaking of, we're almost there!"
As they turned onto a stone path, Entei saw a stallion in his older years come forward and embrace Kani tightly.
"We heard your screams." he said. "What happened?"
"The boars attacked, but I was saved." Kani said. "By him."
As the villagers and the stallion noticed Entei, they bowed their heads as one.
"Okay, what's with all the bowing?" he asked. "Am I, like, a god or something?"
"In a sense." the stallion said. "I am Lokoa Hai, chief of this village. Come, O great one. I will provide whatever you need."
"Well, something to eat and drink would be nice." Entei sighed. "And answers to some questions I have."
"Whatever you ask, I will reveal." Lokoa said. "Come."
"See you around, kid." Entei said as he and the chief departed. As they entered the chief's tent, a ship appeared on the horizon, approaching the harbor city.
Author's Note
Yep, my first displaced and a story I'm quite proud of.
So, each chapter I will post his moveset. Currently he only knows Flamethrower, but that'll change as the story progresses.
Next time-the Elements arrive, and Entei deals with some pesky and rather rude outlanders...
EDIT-Wow, I can't believe how quickly this took off. I'm so grateful, truly. I've removed the displaced tags and mentions, and reworked the story a bit more for details. Again, thank you so much for the support.
Chapter 2 - I'm supposed to be a God?
As the Elements of Harmony stood frozen in place, Mark raised his other eyebrow at Lokoa Hai, silently asking him the same question, and he merely shrugged in reply.
"So, are you going to talk to me, or what?" Mark asked. "I mean, I asked a simple question."
"That was so awesome." said one of the Element Bearers, a pegasus with a rainbow-colored mane. However, she said so quietly mark almost didn't notice it. Mark sighed and spoke again.
"What was that?"
"That was so awesome!" she exclaimed, throwing her hooves into the hair. "You really showed them! Man, can you…urp!"
The leader of the Elements, an alicorn with a lavender coat, had formed a light around her horn and somehow, to Mark's astonishment, zipped the pegasus's mouth shut like a ziplock bag.
"Rainbow, please." she said, slightly exasperated. "Can you keep it under control?"
"Ahem." Lokoa said, coming into the conversation. "Element Bearers, I welcome you to my village. Shall we discuss ourselves more inside?"
As the Elements and Mark followed Lokoa into the village's main hall, Lokoa brought forth a platter of food for them...which was promptly consumed by Pinkie Pie without her breaking a sweat. As they all sat down, Mark collapsed on the floor, sighing heavily.
"Man, that took a lot out of me." he groaned. "Lokoa, do you have any more of that yellow juice you gave me earlier?"
"I have plenty." Lokoa said, offering another goblet full of it to Mark, who sucked it down in a single gulp. He smiled in relief at feeling a rush of energy flow through him.
"Now that we're all here, may I introduce to you, Element Bearers, the Hound of Fire."
"It's Entei." Mark said. "That's what I prefer to be called, though. Too many titles for my tastes."
"Well, I'm Twilight Sparkle." the alicorn said. "That's Rainbow, Pinkie, Applejack, Fluttershy, and Rarity, along with Spike here. And if you're wondering about the guidebook thing, here it is."
Mark peered down at the guidebook to see a large photo of himself, albeit wreathed in flame and ash, engraved in the pages.
"Well, I'll be." Mark sighed. "I just got here, and now I'm in a guidebook? Great."
"Speaking of…" Twilight asked. "Where exactly did you come from, might I ask?"
Mark froze, seeing as the events of his last few hours on Earth and now in Equestria would raise some questions he'd rather not answer, particularly about the fact that he was once human.
"Long story, but I come from a world called Earth." Mark sighed. "It's way too complicated to explain right now. Even though I'm not sure for the most part why I ended up here."
"I see." Twilight replied. "Anyway, we came to investigate volcanic activity here in Marewaii. Mount Kilauwhinny's on the verge of erupting, and if it did, it would be very bad."
"Great." Mark sighed. "So, one problem always seems to replace another, huh?"
"I agree with your sentiment, Entei…" Lokoa said. "But there are more immediate matters we must see to. Those "nobles" will return, and they will not be happy."
"I'd be more than happy to take care of them, seeing as I breathe fire…" Mark said.
"I'm afraid this is a problem we can't solve with violence." Twilight stepped in. "We need to convince those nobles that building on the beach is a bad idea. But they seem pretty dead-set on doing so."
"Yeah, and seeing as I nearly incinerated them…" Mark sighed. "I don't think they'll respect my input on the whole thing."
Then, there were shouts from outside, shouts of anger and violence. Twilight peeked outside to see the nobles from earlier, along with a large portion of the populace with Mayor Tide as well, approach the village, armed with various instruments of an angry mob, including nets used to subdue wildlife. As the Elements formed a half-circle shield around Mark, who growled angrily, Gem Worthy stepped forward.
"There's the creature!" he bellowed. "Princess, get out of our way and let us handle this!"
"And what exactly is needed to be handled?" Twilight replied bitterly.
"That foul mutt is a menace to us ponies!" Gem roared in reply. "Either step aside so we may apprehend it, or you will be arrested, Princess!"
The Elements bristled at that statement, and Mark decided that he had finally hit his limit.
"Okay, that's it!" Mark roared, startling everypony there into silence. "I am not some dumb animal! My name is Entei, and right now, all of you are very close to being incinerated alive."
The crowd blanched, but held their ground as Mark approached, flecks of embers and flame forming at the sides of his mouth.
"I'm considered a God by these ponies, and with good reason." Mark continued. "So, what exactly do you think that I did to get all of this?"
"You attacked us." Gem Worthy scowled. "We were…"
"Trying to scam these people out of their land even after they said no?" Mark finished. "And you insulted me when I got involved. So, I think the crowd here only heard one side of the story, so tell me. What exactly did this idiot here tell you?"
The ponies shuddered, until Mayor Tide came forward.
"Mr. Gem Worthy said a dangerous beast attacked him during some proceedings here, that it was crucial that we apprehend it immediately and...destroy it."
The Elements growled, gasped, or both. Mark gritted his fangs and advanced on Gem Worthy, who now seemed to be regretting his recent decisions quite a bit, judging by the look in his eyes.
"You honestly wanted to kill me?" Mark growled into his face. Gem Worthy nodded, his face pale
"Well, nice try." Mark replied. "You couldn't kill me even if you tried."
"That's enough!" Twilight yelled, drawing the attention of everyone there. "Gem Worthy, you got your answer. Leave and take your angry mob with you."
The mob didn't need to be told twice. As Gem Worthy's posse turned tail and fled, he was left standing alone against a now quite pissed Entei.
"Gem Worthy, we need to talk." Twilight said. "Now."
Gem Worthy was about to protest when he saw Mark form another sphere of flame in his mouth. Swallowing his pride, he nodded as Twilight led him out of the village. Mark sighed and lowered his head, exhausted already.
"Hey, Lokoa?" he asked. "You got anywhere I can take a nap?"
"I will show you." the Elder replied. As the Elements moved to deal with Gem Worthy, Mark proceeded to a grassy field inside the town, and crashed, falling asleep almost instantly.
Author's Note
Update!
Yeah, this took too long.
Next time - A meeting at the city, and Entei is asked to journey to Equestria by Lokoa Hai.
Chapter 3 - Taking Care of Business
After a while, Mark woke up and gave a sigh of relief, no longer feeling as exhausted as he was earlier. Rolling upwards and standing, he inwardly rolled his eyes at the fact that he no longer had feet.
"Hey, Entei? You awake?"
He looked to his left to see Twilight and the other Element Bearers approach.
"Yo." Mark replied. "How long was I asleep?"
"An hour or so." Rarity replied. "But we need to get moving to Haynalulu. Those nobles are having a council meeting to discuss the purchase of that sacred beach."
"Brilliant." Mark rolled his eyes in frustration. "Let's get going, then. That beach won't save itself."
As the eight of them thanked Lokoa Hai and the other tribe members, they set off to Haynalulu at a rapid pace. Mark soon realized that while his old human body was good for running, now he was quite faster than he thought he'd be.
"This might not be so bad after all." Mark thought, giving a small smile to himself. "I mean, I'm in the body of a Legendary Pokemon, I can breathe fire now, and I'm helping to save a sacred beach from a bunch of assholes. So far...it's okay being here. We'll see if that changes, though."
====
As they arrived in Haynalulu, Mark, Spike, and the Elements could see clearly that the residents were highly worked up over the situation at hand, as evident by the shouts and yells coming from the town hall. On top of that, the entire outside area was packed with ponies arguing, which were blocking the entrance in a living barricade.
"Great. What now?" Mark asked Twilight.
"One second, please." she replied, focusing her magic and teleporting them inside the town hall and straight into the middle of the meeting.
"The Princess and the Element Bearers!" Mayor Tide cried in relief. "Thank Celestia you're all here!"
"Not that they should be!" Gem Worthy retorted. "This is out of their jurisdiction! This is a local issue to be solved locally!"
"I disagree!" Twilight replied bitterly. "You're not a noble, you're a thief, plain and simple as that!"
As the entire room descended into chaos and arguing, Spike looked up and Entei, whose brow was twitching with anger, and growing more noticeable by every second that passed.
"Uh, Entei?" Spike asked. "You okay?"
Entei didn't respond, only he took in a breath and roared so loudly, the walls shook. At that, everypony went silent in shock and fear. Mark scoffed and took the podium at the front of the room.
"Okay, I've had enough." he growled. "If you're all still trying to debate building on a sacred beach, here's my response. If they said no, that's your answer."
"You have no business in this!" Gem Worthy replied angrily. "What do you even know about any of this, creature!?"
"A lot more than you, apparently." Mark chuckled, getting quite a few local ponies to laugh with him, along with the Elements and Spike. "Also, let me offer this as a rebuttal to your first statement. I live here too, so its my business as well, whether you like it or not."
"I beg to differ." Gem Worthy snarled. "That land should belong to those who are more civilized, and aren't primitives skulking about in the jungle!"
That caused quite a few more ponies to gasp and the Elements to growl in anger. Twilight had to hold back a furious Spike, claws out and ready.
"Okay, so you're not only a complete moron, you're also a prejudiced bigot?" Mark chuckled. "Just my luck. You keep giving me more reason to dislike you."
"Shut up!" Gem Worthy cried. "Just shut up!"
"Oh, that's a classic." Mark laughed. "Can't stand hearing the truth, so you try to stop someone from saying it. I mean, look at this clown! See what I mean?"
"ENOUGH!" Gem Worthy screamed, firing a beam of magic at Mark before charging at him. Mark, having taken self-defense classes during his summer vacations back home on Earth, easily sidestepped and slammed Gem Worthy to the ground, planting his paw solidly on his back.
"Wanna go again? I'll incinerate you this time." Mark growled.
"Okay, everypony stop!" Twilight yelled, firing a beam of light that drew everyone's attention to her. "Entei, let him go. Everypony else, sit down."
Mark did so, and Gem Worthy scrambled away. As Twilight cleared her throat, she gave a sigh of complete and unbridled frustration.
"This has dragged on for too long and gone far enough." she said with authority in her voice. "As of now, I am declaring that beach a protected site of the Equestrian Crown. Nopony apart from the tribes who frequent it may enter it. As for you, Gem Worthy…"
"Consider you and your little "Improvement League" officially disbanded as of now, am I correct?" she glared at him so harshly that he could only nod.
"Good. Everypony disperse and go home." Twilight finished. "This was more than enough for one day."
As the crowd dissipated and everypony left, Mark gave a sigh of pure relief. Following the Elements and Spike out of the Town Hall, Mayor Tide approached them with a grateful smile.
"I thank you, all of you." he said, tipping his hat. "If it wasn't for your companion, we'd likely have a riot to deal with, and that on top of the Improvement League. I owe all of you my thanks."
"He's right." Twilight said, noticing the sun had set. "Entei, we leave for Equestria tomorrow morning. Would you care to come with us?'
Mark turned to the path that led to the tribe's village, and gave a small smile of gratitude before looking back at the Elements.
"Why not?" he sighed. "But before we go, I'd like to say goodbye to Lokoa and Kani Hai. That okay?"
"Sure! We should also tell them that the beach is safe." Twilight replied. "We'll show you back, and we'll meet here in the morning, alright?"
"Sounds good." Mark smiled. As the eight of them headed back to Lokoa Hai's village, the moon rose over the islands. Had the Elements and Mark turned their eyes upwards at that moment, they would've seen a shooting star fall to the ground, glowing red and orange, like flame.
Author's Note
Update!
This took too long to write, but I'm happy with it.
Next time - The arrival in Equestria.
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
"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!
