Chapter 4: The search begins…

Silver Flare and Ligero walked out of the now burning underground city.

“I searched high and low. The Element of Allegiance is nowhere to be found.” Silver said.

“It seems someone has made off with it. I can still feel its energy in the atmosphere.” Ligero said. He looked at Silver Flare. “It won’t be hard to find with no barrier. Once it’s only in one spot, we move.”

“Want Aras and I to move once it does?”

“No, You two head to Neighpon for the element of Optimism to help the hippogriff twins. I’ll search for the others in-” Ligero stopped when both of them felt a wave of magical energy. A strong one. Ligero smirked from this.

“Seems like the Element of Humility has chosen its victim.” Silver Flare said.

“Paradox has work to do.” Ligero said.

“Girls. I know how this looks, but let me explain.” Twilight started. Rarity sent a magic blast his way. Bandit brought up a shield.

“Why does no one listen further than let me explain?” Bandit asked. Rainbow Dash flew over and started punching his shield. “Twilight, please stop your friends before I use the freezing spell.”

“Rainbow Dash. Rainbow Dash!” She calls. Rainbow Dash kept punching the shield.

“Ms. Dash, can you please stop? You’re gonna hurt your hooves.” Bandit warned. She ignored him and kept punching.

Twilight grabs her with her magic to keep her still.

“Hey! What gives!?” She exclaimed.

“Rainbow Dash! Bandit is not a bad Changeling. He’s friendly.” Twilight said.

“With a name like Bandit, I find that hard to believe.” Rarity said as she readied her horn for another blast.

“That…. That actually stung a little.” Bandit said. “I know my kind doesn’t have the best rep but I take pride in the name I have.”

“Rarity. Please listen. He’s trying to help us.” Twilight said.

“Help us? What do we need help with if you don’t mind me asking.” Rarity asked.

“Keeping the elements of unity out of the hooves of-”

“Talons.” Bandit corrected.

“Out of the talons of a tyrant.” Twilight corrected without missing a beat.

“Elements of Unity?” Rarity asked. The room went silent for a second.

Starlight snuck her way into the Castle and trotted to the books. She started grabbing books on both magic and aerodynamics. She turned around and saw Applejack standing behind her. She rears as this startled her, causing her to drop the books.

“Ap-Applejack. Hi. I almost forgot you were here.” She said nervously. Applejack had tea in her hooves.

“Whatcha doing?” Applejack asked.

“Oh you know….. Getting some more books for the book club.” Starlight said. Applejack took a sip of her tea.

“Interesting.” Applejack said. She walked towards Starlight, much to her nervousness.

“What do you need?” Starlight asked.

“What’s going on between you and my brother? You’re not exactly acting like it’s just a book club. Something’s going on between you two and I would like to know.”

At this point, Starlight started sweating bullets.

“Um… There’s nothing between us… we just… Um.. er…” Starlight stuttered.

Rainbow Dash ran into the room.

“Applejack. You gotta come and see this.” Rainbow Dash said. Applejack was distracted by this, letting Starlight grab the books and teleport away.

Starlight teleported back to the barn and saw a bunch of hay bales floating around.

“What the hay?” She asked.

“I sneezed.” Big Macintosh said from the hole in the roof, peeking down at her.

“How did you get up there?” She asked.

“I sneezed…. Twice.” He said. She leviated a book on basic magic for him.

Applejack trotted into the map room and widened her eyes at how the map had expanded.

“What in tarnation?” She asked. Then she saw Bandit and stood defensively.

“He’s not here to hurt us.” Rarity said. Bandit gave a wave before looking at the map.

“What-” Applejack tried to say.

“It’s a map to find the Elements of Unity.” Rainbow Dash interrupted.

“What are-”

“They’re elements used to defeat a dangerous pony named Ligero.” Twilight interrupted.

“Who is-?”

“A tyrant manifestation of light.” Rarity interrupted.

“And who is-”

“His name is Bandit.” Twilight said. Bandit tapped Twilight to get her attention. She looks at the map and all of the elements popped up and were floating around the areas on the map.

“Are those?” Twilight started to ask.

“Eeyup.” Bandit answered. Rarity, Rainbow Dash and Applejack looked at the map.

“They’re all over. Zebrica. Neighpon. Appaloosa.” Rarity said. Applejack looked at the one close to the barn. She narrowed her eyes and then widened them.

“Hey, which element is a blue rhombus gemstone?” Applejack asked.

“That would be the Element of Humility.” Bandit answered. Applejack then ran out of the room.

Bandit looked at her and then at Twilight.

“I’ll go with her.” Twilight said as she walked off to follow her.

Octavia walked through the doors of her home, Chad following behind. He looked as Octavia closed the door.

“Have you heard from Bandit yet?” Octavia asked.

“Hasn’t called yet.” Chad answered. Octavia poured herself and Chad a glass of milk.

“About what I saw, in the cauldron……” Chad started.

“You said it was Black Dust, right?” Octavia asked.

“Yes. It wasn’t natural….. That was obvious, but, in a since that someone caused it.” Chad said as he drank the milk he was given.

“Zecora looked worried before we left. I’m thinking she’s gonna leave the Everfree for a while.” Octavia said. Chad flopped his ears. “Don’t feel bad, it’s not your fault.”

Chad nodded and smiled a little. He drank the rest of his milk and put it in the sink. He turned the faucet on.

“Oh, don’t worry about that. I’ll get the dishes.” Octavia said. Chad nodded and walked to his room. She started cleaning the dishes. She then hears a window open. She runs to Chad’s room and saw he was nowhere to be found. “You’ve got to be kidding me.”

Back at the barn, Starlight and Big Macintosh had fixed the barn.

Starlight and Big Macintosh were now reading the magic books, only for Big Macintosh to notice Applejack running their way.

“Starlight! Here comes Applejack!” He silently exclaimed. He takes off his harness and throws it to the side. He transformed back to an Earth Pony.

Starlight pulled hay bales on it. And the two jumped into reading position.

Applejack walked into the barn, only to see Big Macintosh and Starlight ‘reading’.

“Oh, hey sis. Did you want to-”

“Where is it?” Applejack interrupted.

“Where is what?” Big Macintosh tried to play dumb.

“Don’t play stupid Big Mac. Where is it?” Applejack asked as she started to look around. Starlight and Big Macintosh look at each other worried.

“I’m certain that we don’t-” Starlight started.

“Blue rhombus gemstone.” Applejack described.

“How did you-” Big Macintosh started to say. Applejack glares at him. He pointed to her left. Applejack looks to her left and moves the hale bales and say the harness.

“That explains why your harness is off.” Applejack said. She tries to pick it up.

“Applejack, what’s the-”

A bonesnap was heard, causing Big Macintosh and Starlight to flinch and Twilight went wide eyed. Applejack let out a shrill scream.

“Welp, we found two of them, at the expense of Applejack’s back.” Twilight said as she pointed at Big Macintosh, who held it in his left hoof. Applejack was resting on the couch that was moved in the room with the map, Starlight placing Ice on her back.

“Probably would have been nice to warn me that it was impossible to pick up.” Applejack said.

“One: It’s not impossible to pick up, your brother is holding it. Two: You ran out the room before I could explain further.” Bandit pointed out.

“Can you please explain what that thing is and does?” Applejack asked.

“That’s the Element of Humility. It’s known for attaching itself to a weapon that only those who are worthy will be able to wield, I guess it made an acception by attaching itself to your brother’s yolk. As for what it does, it’s pretty obvious what it does, It gives those who wear it immense power.” Bandit explained.

“That explains why he turned into an Alicorn when he put it on.” Starlight said with a surprised tone.

“He what!?” Everyone but Bandit, Big Mac and Starlight exclaimed. Big Macintosh put it on, and just like that, he was turned into an Alicorn.

“Oh…. My…. Celestia!” Applejack exclaimed. Big Macintosh smiled nervously.

“His dream became a reality.” Rarity said, remembering back to when Tantabus attack.

“I don’t think I’m ready for this though. I don’t know the first thing about flying or magic.” Big Macintosh said.

“I can help you with the magic.” Starlight volunteered.

“I can teach you everything I know about flying.” Rainbow Dash piped up. Big Macintosh gulped a little from nervousness.

“I’d start now. Training, what’s your name?” Bandit asked Big Mac.

“Big Macintosh.”

“Big Macintosh how to use the element in his favor would be a good way to protect it.” Bandit said.

“Let’s go Big Mac.” Starlight said as she walked out of the room. Big Mac and Rainbow Dash followed.

“Are you sure that leaving Big Mac with Starlight is a good idea?” Applejack asked.

“Still holding that grudge from when she made him talk and he wouldn’t shut up for three days?” Rarity asked.

“Kind of.” Applejack said. “Talked in his sleep every night. Kept the animals and the rest of us awake. We had to tape his mouth closed, which backfired completely.” Applejack explained.

“I’m sure they’ll make amends.” Twilight said. She pauses for a moment. “Hopefully.”

“Hooves crossed. Wait…. I’ve only met four of you. Where are the other two?” Bandit asked.

“Pinkie’s visiting her family at her old Rockfarm home. And Fluttershy’s at her cottage.” Rarity said.

“Oh.” Bandit said as he nodded in understanding.

“So, what’s our first stop?” Twilight asked.

“Ligero will try to go for the one that’s farthest from my current location. So my best bet is to head to Neighpon.” Bandit said.

“I’m gonna come with you.” Twilight volunteered.

“Thanks. I could use the company. Before we leave, I have to check on Chad.” Bandit said.

“Who’s Chad?” Applejack asked.

“My little brother.” Bandit answered, he showed them a picture.

“Aw, he is so Adorable.” Twilight said with a smile.

“Glad you think so.” Bandit said, He put the picture away and used his horn to call Octavia’s Cell.

“Bandit, the one voice I didn’t want to hear at this moment.” Octavia said.

“He lives with Octavia?” Rarity asked from surprise.

“What did Chad do?” Bandit asked, cracking the code.

“He climbed out the window, without a doubt going after Zecora.” Octavia said.

“Why would he do that?” Bandit asked.

“Zecora made a cauldron that showed the future, and ended up seeing a destroyed country in Zebrica covered in Black Dust.”

“Black Dust? That’s strange. What are you gonna do?”

“I’m going to stop him, if he’s already on that train then I’ll go with him. Make sure he doesn’t get hurt.”

“Thanks, I will be sure to have a stern talking with him.”

“I know you will. When you get done make sure you get some milk, we’re running low.”

“I will, be safe. Bye.” Bandit said as he hung up. “Okay, let’s go.”

“How is Chad?” Twilight asked.

“Don’t ask. I’ll try to make a portal to Neighpon. It’ll take a moment.” Bandit said as he started sparking his horn.

Octavia walked out of the house with some kind of backpack on. She closes and locks the door. She trotted to the train station. She watched as the train started moving, with Zecora on it.

“Never easy is it.” She said. She started running after it.

She hopped on the tracks as the train was moving, chasing after it. Two long mechanical tentacles sprang out of the backpack and grabbed the train. It launches her forward like a slingshot and she lands on the train. Two more mechanical tentacles sprang out and grabbed part of the train behind her. She looked up and saw an approaching tunnel. She holds on to the side of the train and started shimmying towards Zecora’s car. Upon reaching her car, she taps on the window.

Zecora looked at the window and did a double take from surprise.

Octavia gestured to the window with one of the tentacles. Zecora opened it and Octavia climbed inside and her tentacles went back into the back pack as she stood up.

“Sorry about that Zecora, I just need to check something.” Octavia said. She walked to her luggage and looked around.

“I know this question is hit or miss, but might I ask what is the meaning of this?” Zecora asked. Octavia reached into one of bags and pulled Chad out, holding her in her mouth by his hoodie.

Zecora gave him an unamused look on his face, as did Octavia.

“Hehe… surprise.” Chad said nervously.

“I’d be very grateful it’s summer vacation.” Octavia said as she put him down. Chad sat down nervously.

“I’m grounded aren’t I?” Chad asked.

“That is most likely, we’ll have to wait and see.” Octavia said. She noticed the rhyme and chuckled.

“You’re rubbing off on me Zecora.” She said. Zecora chuckled a little.

Nightfall has a occurred and the red vampire mare walked into a cave. She walked inside and used magic to light torches and walked in.

There was a makeshift throne where King Sombra was sitting.

“You must be King Sombra.” She said. Sombra was full of cracks and slight shatters.

“Who are you and what do you want?” Sombra asked.

“I am Red Huntress. I am here because I need an army.” She said. King Sombra chuckles. That chuckle turned into laughter.

“An army? Why would I give you an Army?” Sombra asked after he ceased laughing.

“My home was destroyed. The other creatures, killed. I need an army to kill the tyrant responsible.” Red Huntress told him.

“So, you need an myriad to follow a quest for vengeance. This is the part where I ask what’s in it for me.” Sombra asked. He stood up, shards from his body coming off.

“I can restore your body. Place you back to your former glory.” Red Huntress said. Sombra looked at his body, the shards falling off made him look back up at Red Huntress.

“Consider it a deal.” Sombra said. Red Huntress took the Element of Allegiance and placed it onto her cloak. It started to spark.

“Long live the king.” She said with a smirk.

Author's Note

Do you think it's a mistake that Red Huntress went to Sombra?

Find out soon.

Be sure to leave a comment or some feedback.

With that, I'm out.