Chapters In the inky black darkness of the mind realm, the impossble becomes very possble. A blank slate, the plece where heroes reside. However where heroes reside villians reside as well. The mid realm is built from the souls of those that have passed. This realm is closely tied to the others. Those with great mental prowess can harness the raw power of the mind realm to change their world as they see fit. While most use this power for evil there are a seect few wh use this power for the benefit of ponykind. Like Starswirl the Bearded used his magic to create the elements of harmony, generosity, kindness, honesty, laughter, loyalty, and magic. He left these elements in the hooves of the only ones he could trust, Princess Celestia, and Princess Luna, with the element of harmony they ruled for centuries with kindness, honesty, and generosity, and proved worthy of friendship with loyalty, laughter, and magic.
This rule would be opposed by another well versed in the ways of the mind realm, this being was known as Discord. Discord used the mind realm to change the laws of physics causing complete and total chaos. This angered the Princesses, Discord had ruined in one day what took the sisters a century to build. Starswirl advised them to consider the elements as a last resort, but Celestia knew that any other attempt would prove fruitless.The sisters agreed that in order yo put a stop to Discord the only course of action was to use the elements, but he was stronger than they expected. The self proclaimed king of chaos kept Equestria in he palm of his hand for many years before a lone figure helped to weaken Discord, and buy the Princesses enough time to seal him in stone they placed the statue in the garden, to keep watch over him.
In another case of a being of great power abusing the mind realm, is the untold begining of the legend of the Mare in the Moon. Over the course of the years after Discords defeat Princess Luna was contacted by a voice from the mind realm. This spirit referred to himself as Chane, his siblings Hanek, and Teala convinced Luna to listen to their brothers words. Chane's words were extremely persuasive he had convinced Luna that while ponies loved and played during her sisters day, they shunned and slept through her beautiful night. Luna reflected on this and this angered her she became resentful, and on the eve of her five-hundredth birthday she refused to lower the moon out of spite she lashed out and rebelled. Celestia was taken aback she never thought her sister would do anything like this. Satisfied with his accomplishment Chane took his siblings and returned to the mind realm never to be heard from again. Celestia, confused called a meeting with her mentor Starswirl the Bearded. Starswirl advised that Luna could not have coe to ths conclusion on her own. He thought that maybe her magical prowess made her a target for a bigger threat than Discord. He went on to explain that he knew a unicorn with the power over fear, and his brother held power over hate.
Starswirl continued that these unicorns were just as powerful if not more than himself. Celestia was suprised by these words she had never thought anything was more powerful than her master. If these unicorns were even possibly more powerful than her master Celestia thought that they could have easily convinced Luna and maybe even herself. Starswirl had come to a conclusion Celestia must do to Luna what they had done to Discord. Celestia cringed at the thought of turning her sister to stone. Celestia went to think about what she had to do. After intense research Starswirl had found a way around turning Luna to stone. If she was banished to the moon she may come to her senses, and be returned to her previous form and disposition. But in order to send Luna to the moon she must willingly relinquish her connection to the elements of harmony. Dark times fell upon Equestria Celestia knew what she must do she must banish her sister to her namesake.
The lone figure had appeared once more to help the Princess combat this darkness. After hours of heated battle Luna became exhausted, the figure saw this chance to use the mind realm to contact the real Luna. The figure explained what she must do. Luna accepted this drastic measure on one condition that the figure finds new holders for the elements. The figure agreed to this condition and returned to the realm of the living with the news of Lunas choice. Celestia used the elements of harmony one last time to send Luna to the moon. And you know the rest.
Hunter had resided in the mind realm only for a few moments before returning to consciousness. The dim light and crackle of the fire filled his cave home. His gaze fell to the pile of firewood a few feet away. His horn began to glow a faint green, and an aura of the same color surrounded the logs. The logs began to float over to the fire pit. Edahs took a deep breath and the logs were set ablaze with a flaming exhale. He unfurled his wings, and a loud yawn followed. Edahs stood and rubbed his eyes with a hoof. He walked further back into the cave and the sound of water falling echoed throughout the cavern. The sound grew louder the further back he went. The waterfall emptied into a small pool Edahs leaned in to get a drink, but his reflection was met with mixed results the reflection that stared back was not the pony he saw the night before. This however was a regular occurrence so he payed it no mind.
Hunter slowly made his way back to the mouth of the cave, The sunrise was beautiful as always, but Edahs always wished that someday he would be looked upon not like a monster but a hero little did he know his wish wasn't easy to make come true. He never knew why but everypony always scoffed and shunned the very sight of him. Edahs had run out of firewood, a resource essential to a nomad. The only option was to journey out to find more, but when morning comes so do ponies. Hunter did not want to risk being seen, but the fire was dying. He had no choice. "Stick to the shadows." He reminded himself. moments later he had procured all the firewood he needed when suddenly a swift blow to the back of his head rendered him unconscious.
Days later he awoke in a dungeon. "What happened?" He asked himself. "Where am I?"
"You're in the dungeon." A gruff stallion said as he walked into the light.
"Why am I here?"
"Stealing."
"I didn't steal anything." Edahs shouted
"Maybe you did maybe you didn't we can't take any chances, CHANGELING."
"What did you call me?" Edahs' tone harshened.
"Change-ling." The stallion stated sarcasticly.
"I am not a changeling." Edahs grew even more angry.
"Well then are you an alicorn, or a dragon maybe." The gaurd laughed.
"You have one chance to let me out." Edahs' horn glowed a faint green and an aura grabbed at the guards neck. "Now grab those keys open the door and let me out."
"Okay okay just don't hurt me, please." The guard unlocked the door.
"Thank you kind sir if you don't mind i'll be leaving now."
"All units be alert the changeling has escaped lock down the premises immediately." The guard announced over the p.a.
"Roger that captain" The rookie radioed back.
"Oh you don't want to do that Shining Armour." Hunter responded.
"How do you know my name?" The colt asked.
"I'm not the only one with something to hide, Kid." simply smiled and disappeared into the shadows.
As the sun set Edahs found himself in the massive courtyard of canterlot castle. The castle was filled with ponies of all kinds and colors. A perfect place to hide from his pursuers. He looked desperately for a better spot to avoid detection. After a few frantic moments of searching Edahs had found a hiding spot in the conveniently unlocked throneroom. "Wait ponies in formal attire, this is the famous grand galloping gala." Hunter had heard about the Gala during his travels. "I'll never get out with all these innocent ponies in my way, damn."
"Frustrating isn't it?" A somewhat familiar voice asked.
"Tell me about it. Wait what?" Edahs turned his head. "Oh Shit, Princess Ceslestia."
"Yes Hunter what is wrong you seemed troubled?" The princess asked caringly.
"Huh it's almost like you care, but I know better go ahead take me back I'm a monster I deserve to be in a cage."
"You are mistaken Hunter we would never do that."
"We?"
"Yes when I heard you had been captured I gathered the holders of the elements as your grandparents instructed.
"My grand parents?"
"Yes I knew them very well. But that is not why you are here."
"Well why am I here princess?"
"Equestria needs your help Hunter."
"What can I do?"
"We need your connection to the mind realm your memories hold the keys to save us all,"
"What can I do I'm not sure I belong here." Hunter turned his head.
"You belong with family" A dark blue unicorn said as he emerged from the shadows.
"Yeah with family." A pure white pegasus chimed.
"Hello I am Hanek holder of honesty, loyalty, and magic." The unicorn stated.
"Hi you can call me Jane I hold laughter, kindness, and generosity."
"My brother has returned with his own elements the three elements of discord, fear, hate, and shadow.
"How did your brother come across these elements of discord?" Hunter asked.
"The same way your grandfather came across the elements of harmony Hunter."
"Wait, his grandfather is Starswirl the Bearded?" A look of surprise came across Enaj and Hanek's faces.
"Yes." Edahs' smile was quickly replaced with a frown. "Go ahead sis tell them about the others."
"If you think I should." The princess remembered back. "On Edahs' father's side there was Starswirl the Bearded, and Scalia."
"Wait you're telling me that not only is he royalty he's half dragon." Jane questioned.
"Just wait it gets better Jane." A dark grin graced Edahs' face and once again turned to a frown.
"And his mother's side?"
"If I'm correct the great Commander Hurricane, and the late changeling queen Xeroxa."
"That means hmm."
"That I'm one quarter unicorn, changeling, pegasus, and dragon, a monster in my own right."
"Hunter you are not a monster you are a beacon of hope. If the mighty Commander Hurricane can discard his helmet for love there is no reason for peace to be out of our grasp." Celestia reassured Hunter.
"Maybe, but I'll ask again sister why am I here?"
"Let's find a more private place to speak." Celestia led them to her private study. When they were all in atendance she locked the door behind them. "Now the reason you are here Edahs your parents knew that one day you would be captured, and also that you would escape."
"But how did you know I was captured?"
"Shining Armour."
"The rookie?"
"Yeah the rookie." Shining Armour unlocked the door. "The rookie who saved your sorry butt."
"Come in Armour thank you for joining us."
"Anything for you Princess Celestia."
"Given your record I have decided to promote you to captain."
"Already?"
"Yes now have a nice night at the gala Captain Armor.
"Yes ma'am, good night princess." Shining Armor left.
"His record he let me get away."
"Because I told him to."
"You shouldn't have a monster deserves to be caged."
"Hey Hunter you're not a monster if you were I wouldn't be doing this." Jane walked over and planted a big kiss on his cheek.
"You're too kind Jane." Edahs found a smile grace his face.
"She's right, kid Believe me I wouldn't be here either if you were what you say."
"Looks like the monster has found some friends, and like your father said once a friend always family." Celestia's words echoed in Edahs' head
"C'mon kid don't think to hard." Hanek held out a hoof to help Edahs up. "Friendship is magic my friend magic."
These words warmed Edahs' cold heart. A look of discomfort fell upon his face as this warmness in his chest grew unbearably hot. Flames tickled his throat, and tears filled his eyes.
"Are you okay Hunter?" Jane asked in a concerned tone
"Jane, Hanek get down!" Celestia shouted in a harsh tone.
"What's happening to him?" Hanek shouted.
"His heritage."
Hunter opened his mouth and fire erupted forth, and backlashed to surround him. The intense heat burned his fur and replaced it with black scales. His feathered wings painfully retreated into his back, and dragon-like ones sprouted in their place. The horn on his head stretched and curved backward. He reared back onto his back legs, and his hooves become clawed feet. His neck stretched, and his snout stretched and skewed and his teeth sharpened to a razored edge. The fire then retreated down his throat and through his eyes. What stood there was a pony no more but a bipedal dragon. "You can come out now. " A dark voice escaped his lips."
"Hello Hurricane." Celestia said as she stood.
"Hello Princess." The dragon bowed.
"So you know this child is our only means of contact." The dragons voice changed to an older more experianced one
"Yes Starswirl, it's been a lifetime."
"Yes a lifetime to long," His voice sounded as if four were speaking at the same time.
"I'm sorry to interrupt, but what is going on here I'm confused." Jane sounded frustrated.
"Young one this boy is the descendant of the greatest minds in all of the land. This is our only way to keep contact with this realm" His voice had changed once again to a more feminine almost insect-like one.
"This realm what does she mean, oh." Jane covered her mouth "Sorry."
"Quite alright child." The voice changed again to a more reptilian female. "There are two realms the realm of the living and the mind realm. The mind realm is home to souls of passed creatures. Your brother has returned from crafting the elements of discord, correct Hanek."
"Yes he has."
"That is grave news, Celestia you have done well to do as we asked. And we must regretably ask more." The voice had returned to Starswirl's.
"What is it Master?"
"I had hoped that this day did not come, I ask that you give Edahs my elements the ones I entrusted you with many years ago."
"Yes I will master Starswirl.
"Good, we must return to the mind realm, and Celestia take care of our grandson."
"I will."
Hunter's eyes and voice returned to normal. "What happened, How am I taller than you? Do I have fingers, I turned into a dragon." He looked over his new body. "Eeyup, I'm a dragon."
"Wait so carry the one, put that there, and you get a dragon?!" Jane muttered. "What the buck is going on here!!?"
"I told you i'm one quarter dragon so obviously I can change into one."
"Aw forget it, it'll make sense eventually." Jane flustered had given up.
"Now, on to why I've gathered you here." The princess interjected.
"Yes Princess?"
"What is it Celestia?"
"As you may know, my sister Luna, or Nightmare as she called herself, is trapped on the moon at this very moment."
"The legends were true?" Jane's face was one of shock.
"Yes, they are and I should know, I was there."
"Wait carry the two take this put it there, that makes you atleast, hmmm. seven hundred fifty years old!!!!!!"
"Try one thousand eight hundred twenty five."
"That makes you older than the princess, how?"
"Magic." He replied with a smile.
"Be serious."
"I am serious."
"Hmph." Jane pouted.
"Continue Celest."
"Thank you Hunter, as I was saying Luna is on the moon right now. If you recall the legends she grew jealous of the day."
"But that wasn't what happened, what really happened was my brother."
"I'm confused, slow down smaller sentences please." Jane struggled to comprehend the torrent of information.
"Let me try, Luna is Nightmare, but the legend lied. Luna was not jealous of her sister, she was lied to. Hanek's brother Chane told her that the ponies hated the night. Before that she didn't care about it, she was just happy to have a part to play. Chane knew that to stop Luna, Celestia had to relinquish the elements of harmony." Edahs explained slowly.
"And with the elements no longer held by the Princess, and with her sister gone she was weak and helpless." Hanek pointed out.
"But he didn't count on me being there."
"Oh I get it now."
"Now that you've caught up to us in the present, My sister can finish the story."
"I never did thank you for that."
"We're family."
"Awww so sweet."
"Shut it."
"Hmph."
"Sorry I just want to hear why I'm still here."
"You're mean Hunter."
"Stop it both of you." Celestia shouted.
"Sorry, Princess." Jane lowered her head.
"Sorry little sis."
"She's your little sister and she orders you around?"
"Don't even go there Hanek."
"Now onto the matter at hoof Chane and the elements of discord. Chane still thinks that the elements of harmony are inert, but he will soon find that his brother holds half of them. When he does we need to be ready for his attack, I am sure he's prepared for the worst case scenario. Which is why your grandparents left us the elements of nature."
"The elements of nature?" Jane asked.
"The passionate flame, The whim of the wind, The steadfast earth, The fluidity of water, The possibility of peace, and The inevitability of chaos." The voice of Starswirl once again sounded from Hunter's mouth. Hearing this Edahs covered his mouth. His voice returned. "Was that grandpa Starswirl?"
"Yes he let you keep control this time."
"Wait this time?"
Celestia smiled. "Your connection to the mind realm is truly remarkable. Here." A blue aura encased her horn and a package flew over, Using his claws Hunter opened the box.
"What is this?" He held up an amulet with a amber jewel.
"The Magma Jewel." Scalia's voice escaped his lips. "Elements are powerful alone, but some need a little help."
His voice returned. "A little help," An idea popped inside his head. "Let me try something." With a deep breath he shot a cascade of alternating rainbow flame.
"Woah."
"Dude that was, WOAH."
"The burning passion of flame."
The Magma Jewel the essence of passion, the power of conviction. "You're well on your way to collecting the elements of nature."
"Collecting them, didn't Starswirl say he left them with you?"
"No he left the Magma Jewel, and the locations of the others."
"Well we should get started then." stood and wiped dust from his knees. "Where is the element of water Celestia?"
"San Franciscolt."
"Oh just great, the big city I hate the city." He turned his head. "Well let's go, we need the Element of Water."
"Okay Hunter."Jane's voice returned to her normal pitch.
"Right Hunter."
"Ominous." Hanek smiled.
"It suits you, Hunter." Celestia grinned. "Good luck big brother."
"Goodbye sis' see you soon."
"Goodbye brother." She waved them off. "Good luck brother you'll need it." Her grin turned to a frown. "I really hope you come back safe. I'm afraid he already knows." She left her study and returned to the Gala.
"Oh you have no idea Princess, you have no idea." A shadowy figure hung from the study balcony laughing.
"So Hanek how do you know Celest?" Hunter asked the unicorn.
"Well I don't like to talk about it."
"Aw come on." Hunter pleaded now flying upside down.
"Hey that looks fun lemme try." Jane turned around. "Woah, hey this is fun, wheee."
"Calm down you two." Hanek scolded.
"Not until until you tell me how you know my sister." Hunter was doing cartwheels around Hanek.
"I don't feel so good." Jane turned rightside up. "I'm dizzy."
"Okay I'll tell you once we get on the train."
"Fine I guess that's a win." Hunter crossed his arms, and turned right side up.
"Um Hunter the Gala's still going on and i don't think that a big scary dragon is how the Princess wants to end the party."
"I'm not so bad once you get to know me, but I'm flattered that you think I'm big and scary." Hunter closed his eyes and took a deep breath and exhaled. A ring of blue fire formed at his feet. "Stand back don't wanna get burnt do we?" Jane and Hanek took a few steps back. The blue fire erupted toward the ceiling stopping a few inches short. His dragon wings slowly receded into his back, his scales charred and returned to dark grey fur, and his spines became a long pale green mane. His horn sank back into his head and his eyes became a deep shade of red. The flames died down leaving a black ring of ash. "And there I am."
"Ooh" Jane exclaimed.
"Aah." Hanek replied.
"Okay now I know you're mocking me." Hunter heard hoofsteps down the hall. "Crap, gaurds, run." The three ran to the ballroom.
"Wait you don't want to go in there without any clothes." Jane reached into her saddlebag. "Can you turn into a mare, cause I only have a dress." She pulled out two gowns. "Pick one and I'll wear the other."
"Oh no I'm not wearing a dress."
"But, you have to you can't just go to the most prestigious event naked."
"She's right." Hanek couldn't keep a straight face, and started to laugh.
"Fine I'll do it but I get one free shot at both of you." Hunter's form changed slightly into a mare version, and his voice changed to a suttle but familiar one. "Give me the blue one." Hunter said in Scalia's voice changing his hair to a pale blue. Hunter put on the dress. "How do I look?" She asked in a sensuous voice.
"Wow you look beautiful" Jane was amazed, and Hanek's jaw just dropped.
"I'll take that as a yes c'mon let's go before I get to attached to this thing." Hunter walked over to Hanek and whipped his jaw with her tail. "It's not nice to stare."
"Sorry it's just Wow."
"Don't get any bright ideas kid I'm older than you, and even if I was a mare I'd still be outta your league."
"Tee-hee." Jane laughed.
"You're next." Hanek threatened.
"Okay you two if anypony asks I'm your mother."
"But Mom she's a pegasus and I'm a unicorn." Hanek said sarcasticly.
"You're adopted." Hunter said.
"I'm adopted." Jane sniffled and started to cry.
"It's okay I still love you."
Hanek sighed and facehoofed. "She fell for it, damn he's convincing.
"You really do?"
"Yes I do."
"Bah ha ha ha, you shoulda seen your face I got you good." Jane keeled over laughing.
"Just put on the dress and come on." Hunter chuckled.
"You're no fun." The giggling pegasus put on her gown.
"Wow you're lucky I'm a mare right now if I was a stallion I would plow that."
"Thanks I think."
"That sounds so wrong." Hanek chuckled.
"Wow did I really say that?"
"Looks like Grandma's open minded." Jane giggled. Hunters face turned red.
"Dude are you blushing?"
"No I just thought this color suits me better."
"Don't worry about it Mom." Hanek chuckled and gave hunter a hug.
"Hey did you just try to cop a feel?"
"Sorry you're just so hot I couldn't resist."
"I think I'll take that as a compliment, but I'm seriously gonna need therapy after this."
"No doubt, me too." Hanek laughed.
"Me three." Janes smile pushed aside any awkwardness between the three.
"Come on kids let's go to the Gala." The three walked out from the hallway into the ballroom. Several ponies staredas they slowly made their way to the hourderves table. "So much for not drawing attention, I'd get less looks if I was a stallion in a dress." Hunter mumbled to herself. "Eat your fill and then we'll leave."
"Hey Beautiful." Afamiliar voice said.
"Hello Captain Rookie."
"Edahs?" Shining Armor was shocked. "But how?"
"Shh quiet don't draw to much attention to us."
"It's a little late for that what's with the dress and the sexy voice?"
"I can't walk around all beautiful and talk like a stallion, and I can't be a stallion in a dress."
"Or a naked stallion." Jane quietly pointed out.
"Hmm so how you getting outta here."
"You're gonna take me, I may break a few hearts but we can get out of here."
"Alright but you owe me."
"Thanks Armor."
"Don't mention it.. seriously don't."
"Our lips our sealed right kids.
"Right Mom"
"Yeah whatever."
"Come on let's get outta here."
After a few moments of dodging party goers they reached the door. "There we're through go on save the world Edahs."
"Please call me Hunter, Captain Rookie." Hunter whispered in his ear. Hunter, Jane, and Hanek walked off into the train station. They waited for an hour before the train arrived, "Is this a private train?"
"Yes it is."
"Good." They boarded the train and hunter went to his train car. Half an hour later she returned to the dining car. "Damn I'm gonna need alot of therapy after this... a lot of therapy."
"Um Hunter you have a little mare on your face." Jane chuckled.
"Yeah so?"
"C'mon dude we're alone you can change back." Hanek laughed.
"So i'm not beautiful anymore?" Hunter's voice shifted back to his own.
"Well when you say it like that yeah."
"Fine I'll be a colt then." Hunter's form changed back to male and shrunk a few inches. "There happy?"
"Aw you're so cute." Jane adored the now young colt.
"This is gonna be a long trip." Hunter's voice pitch rose an octave. "So Hanek how do you know my sister?"
"I''m having a little trouble believing that."
"Okay I'll tell you what really happened. Being of mixed blood I was rewarded certain "privileges" Like royal influence over the three kingdoms, the Dragon Mountains, the Changeling Hivemind, and the Land of Equestria. My grandparents when still alive were training me to take over the kingdoms, but I knew I could never run all three on my own. So I went on a journey to find others to help me. To help with the Changeling Hivemind I enlisted the help of my cousin, Chrysalis. To help rule over the Dragon Mountains, I requested assistance from my second cousin Spike Splinter, but I couldn't find anypony to help with Equestria. I decided to study the ancient scrolls in the archives, after hours of tearing out my mane I found one scroll that showed me something I had heard about in legends, the Alicorns. But it said that Alicorns were a very rare occurance, and that they are even a rarer sight. So I decided to take a walk through the Everfree to clear my mind. Moments later I heard something I heard a filly crying, worried I followed the sound and found A full grown Alicorn cradling a baby Alicorn. Worried that I might scare the two I quickly changed my apearance to an alicorn, and walked toward them. The older one said her name was Celestia, and that her little sister's was Luna. I told them mine and asked if they had a place to call home, she said no so I offered for them to stay at the castle. I began to cradle Luna in my wing and she immediatly stopped crying and once we got back to the castle my grandfather was amazed that not only that I'd found an alicorn but a filly as well. I asked Grandpa Starswirl if they could stay at the castle and he agreed on one condition that he personaly teach them how to harness magic. For fifty years he taught them to use their incredible magical prowess. He gave his students a power greater than any other the elements of harmony, but when he tried to bestow them to me I refused, not knowing that these were not the ones of harmony. I had told him who I had found and what I told them to do and left. About two hundred years later a being of chaos attacked the Everfree his name was Discord and he caused total chaos throughout the kingdoms. Chrys idoled Discord and used tthis chaos to change the thinking of the Hivemind to revolt against our grandmother Xeroxa and killed her in cold blood."
"I'm so sorry." Jane found a tear falling down her cheek.
"Wait until the end, anyway Discord never set foot into the Dragon Mountains where Hurricane was visiting Splinter, Hurricane was furious when he heard what Chrysalis had done. His short fuse got the best of him and he flew off to get his revenge, but when he returned he found the Hivemind to powerful to face alone and went out like he always wanted in battle. Unsatisfied with this victory she wanted more she decided to invade the Dragon Mountains. Splinter and Scalia knew that one day there would be something that would try to take the mountains, and had prepared for war long before. After days of battle Chrys had pushed the dragons back to their only stronghold the Mountain Tower, but when Chrys thought she had finally won after killing Scalia, Splinter did what he had to, burn Chrysalis to a crisp. With her gone the war ended and the Changelings returned to the Hive to crown their new queen renaming herself Queen Chrysalis the second, and vowing to do what her predecessor did not. While this was happening chaos rained down upon Equestria and spread like wildfire. Discord had won the battle but not the war I made sure of that our power was equal but that was fine because all I was was a distraction. After what seemed like hours Celestia and Luna channeled the elements through me and my power plus theirs was enough to overpower Discord and turn him to stone."
"So that's how you came to know the princess."
"And I have to thank your brother Hanek If he hadn't convinced Luna to become Nightmare, I never would have made friends or realized how good I look in a dress." The three laughed themselves to sleep and had good dreams except for Hunter that is.
Hunter opened his eyes and found himself back in the Everfree at the old castle. "This place sure brings back memories." Hunter slowly walked through the hallways. "Wow this place has sure changed in five hundred years."
"Yes it has." A familiar voice sounded from behind. "Quite a lot."
"Hello Starswirl." Hunter said as he turned to greet his grandfather. "It's nice to see you again."
"I would agree if this meeting was under better circumstances."
"Yeah no time for chit chat." Hurricane glided in through a window. "We seriously need to make a plan."
"As much as I hate to agree with Hurricane, he's right." Scalia's voice filled the hall as she walked out of the ballroom.
"Thank you for agreeing with me, Firebreath." Xeroxa taunted.
"Let me guess, if i'm going to stop Enahc I need special training?"
"Correct." Starswirl replied as he opened the door to his private study. "Each of your respective bloodlines have special talents unique to each one. Sadly we were so occupied with teaching you to rule that we neglected to teach you how to use these special talents passed down to you."
"And those are?"
"Fire control and the Treasure Sense." Scalia responded.
"Supersonic speed and Hypersonic reflexes." Hurricane boasted.
"Split Swarm and Telepathy." Xeroxa replied.
"Magic Sense and Channelling." Starswirl answered.
"Split Swarm what is that."
"The ability to split your mind and body into seperate entities but still remain control, it is a radical aproach to solving a problem." Xeroxa explained. "But with each split you gain selective senses from each of your bodies."
"So you're saying I can clone myself?"
"If you dumb it down yes." Xeroxa stated sarcasticly.
"Let's do it."
"No you have to be in the realm of the living to even try."
"Well what can we do now?"
"Treasure Sense." Scalia laghed. "In your face nectar nerd. I can still teach him my stuff in here."
"That may be but I get to leave with him, Buttburn." Xeroxa taunted.
"Oh that's it it's on."
"Um Star I think we need to get outta here fast." Hurricane laughed.
"Agreed. The last time it lasted for weeks." Starswirl chuckled.
"Well that gives us time to train." Hunter simply smiled. "I know the perfect place." Hunter led the two outside into the everfree. "If the castle is here that means my cave should be right about here." He pushed aside some brush and found an opening. "Come in to my humble abode." Hunter led them in. "Or the Mind Realm version."
"Is this where you went all those years ago." Starswirl asked.
"Yeah if you just looked you woulda found me, but the past is past and there's no time to argue."
"Hell on wings Commander Hurricane is ready to kick some ass." Hurricane shouted out of nowhere.
"What the..."
"Think fast!" Hurricane charged at a tremendous speed. Hunter looked at the pegasus, and everything seemed to slow down to a snails pace. Hunter walked over to the almost stationary pegasus. grabbed Hurricanes leg and spun. Time seemed to speed up to normal. Using the incredible momentum Hunter threw his grandfather in the opposite direction. Hurricane outstretched his wings and stopped midair. Hurricane dissapeared and reappeared behind Hunter. "That takes care of that."
"What the hell just happened?"
"Hypersonic Reflexes"
"Okay can I do it out there?"
"Yeah sure I could do it."
"Okay my turn, these skills are easy to learn. Unicorns have an inate ability to sense magic and to channel it through them. Try to channel this into something based on what you sense." Starswirl's horn began to glow white and a beam flew directly toward Hunter. He sensed somthing natural so he focused on that aspect. The magic flowed through him and out his hooves into the ground. "Well?" Grass began to grow at Hunters hooves. "Good job."
An explosion sounded in the distance. "Woah what was that?"
"Looks like you owe me twenty bits Hurricane, pony up."
"Damn dude why does yours always win."
"Just luck."
"Yeah, like I'll buy that."
"You already paid for it go ahead and take it." Starswirl chuckled.
The ground began to shake uncontrollably. "What's going on?"
"Something must be happening to your body."
"I'm goin' back, and I'm takin' Hurricane with me." Hunter closed his eyes and concentrated, when he opened them he found that the train had derailed, Hanek and Jane were under a pile of rubble unconcious.
"What the hell happened?" Hunter said groggily"
"Well it looks like something derailed the train." Hurricane's voice sounded in the back of his head.
"Really, Dude that's all you can come up with?"
"Well it did explode."
"Yeah I see that."
"Don't help us, Hunter that would be weird." Hanek used his magic to lift the rubble covering them.
"You're okay!" Hunter shouted and ran over to them. "What happened?"
"The train exploded." Hanek growled.
"Is Jane okay?"
"I'll be fine Hunter just a...Ow." She winced in pain as she tried to lift her wings.
"She's not okay kid." Hurricane said worriedly.
"I know that Grandpa." Hunter muttered under his breath.
"We need to get her to a hospital." Hurricane and Hanek screamed in unison.
"I know but we're in the middle of the desert."
"I know what to do, kid put me up."
"Okay Hurricane." Hunter took a deep breath and shut his eyes. His coat became a dark green and he grew pegasus wings. "Alright listen up we don't have time to get her to a doctor." Hunter had completely changed. "Hanek go through the wreckage and find me some metal." Hurricane gave orders in a drill seargent tone. "Alright Jane this won't hurt a bit, it's gonna hurt alot." Hurricane lifted her wing with his foreleg.
"Ow ow ow that hurts." She whined.
"Here, will this do?" Hanek set down some steel plating.
"Yeah that'll do nicely, now look for some red berries if we're where I think we are there should be some nearby."
"You know alot."
"I'm not called Commander Hurricane for nothing."
"You're really Commander Hurricane?" Jane was dumbfounded.
"Yeah."
"Wow a living legend."
"Go get the berries, Hanek."
"Ow ow ow ow that hurts,"
"There's the problem." Hurricane looked closer and found a shard of glass embedded in her wing shoulder. "Hanek you got those berries?"
"Yeah" Hanek returned with a mass of berries. "What are these for?"
"Natural sterilizer." Hurricane leaned in and grabbed the shard in his teeth. "Alright now give me a berry." Hurricane smashed one between his hooves and rubbed it on her shoulder.
"Augh ow ow dammit buck shit Augh That burns."
"I know just endure it."
"Okay i'll try." She tried to conceal the pain but tears still fell.
"That's good you didn't notice that I did the other one. How does that feel." He asked after he spit out the glass.
"Um hmm." She lifted her wings. "Wow it doesn't hurt." She flew up and did sommersaults. "I couldn't do that before."
"Wow you really know alot about this stuff."
"I used to be a field medic, but knowing how to fix things wasn't really what they wanted at the Corps. So I thought if I know how the body works maybe I could make them stop working. Over the next few weeks I trained and when I returned I felt like a new stallion. I performed so well over the next year that I was promoted to Commander of the Pegas Black Ops." Hurricane sighed. "And then the whole Hearths Warming Eve thing. After hundreds of successful ops I let my pride cloud my judgement, after that I never felt quite right I felt empty. Until one day we got a message from The Princesses that an urgent matter needed our talents. The assault on the Hivemind was dangerous I lost all of my team, and to one changeling Xeroxa. I don't know why but she seemed so beautiful. Blood covering both of us we realized that this was pointless, she was heartbroken that so many lives were lost, and we swore from then on we would do everything in our power to stop this from happening ever again. Over the next few years we fought the good fight, We were known throughout the kingdoms as The Light and The Darkness. After retiring we settled down and had a daughter, Edahs' mother Reana."
"Aww love conquers all."
"Yeah I guess." Hurricane sighed. "Well I guess I gotta leave and go back to my wife."
"But Commander, I don't want you to leave."
"Well if Edahs says it's okay."
Jane flew up to his ear and shouted. "Please Hunter Please let him stay."
"Fine he wasn't going anywhere." Hunter's voice sounded from a nearby tree."
"Wait, so carry the three take this and move it here,..." Jane mumbled under her breath. "What the Buck is going on?"
"Mind Swarm." Hunter stated as he knelt down to the confused pegasus. "Don't hurt your pretty little head trying." Hunter smiled. Jane just turned her head and blushed.
"He gets that from me." Hurricane whispered to Hanek.
"No doubt." The two high hoofed.
"Can we stop talking, and get walking? It's a long way to Sanfranciscolt."
"But what about the conductor?" Jane asked worriedly.
"There wasn't one, was there kid?" Hurricane asked.
"No this train was enchanted." Hunter walked over to the rubble. "But why did it go up in smoke?"
"I think maybe your brother knows more than we think." Hurricane's gaze turned to Hanek. "I think we should assume that he knows more than we do at all times."
"Well if my brother knows what we're doing." Hanek thought out loud.
"Then there's a possibility he's waiting for us." Hurricane replied.
"If he knows where the element of water is." Hunter interjected.
"But he would need to have been there." Jane was confused.
"He probably was." Hurricane pointed out.
"He was." Hunter said. "He was there the whole time."
"Are you sure?" Hurricane asked.
"Yes I am, and you knew too didn't you?" Hunter's cold gaze sent chills down Hanek's spine.
"Yes I did." Hanek turned his head.
"What?" Jane was confused.
"So the enemy knows our target." Hurricane drew a crude map in the dirt. "And he tried to stop us from hitting it, so that would mean he knows that he can't stop us once we complete our current mission." He began to mark locations on the map. "Let's see if I remember right the water one is here." He marked a place that resembled Sanfranciscolt. "And the wind one is here." His next point resembled Cloudsdale. "And the earth one here." He then pointed to a place that looked like The Dragon Mountains."
"And peace and chaos?" Hanek asked.
"Don't know I was killed before we could finish hiding them."
"I'm really sorry Hurricane." Hunter was saddened at this memory.
"It's fine, it's not your fault you didn't know she was crazy."
"He's right Hunter." Jane replied.
"They're right no time to dwell in the past."
"But that's exactly what we need to do. Look at this." Hurricane drew lines between the three points and Canterlot. "Is this familiar to any of you. Cause it sure is to me."
"Sweet Celestia.." Jane gasped.
"Crap.." Hunter's eyes widened.
"That can't be." Hanek was suprised. "That symbol it's my brother's...."
"Cutie Mark isn't it?" Hunter responded with a chuckle. "That's genious hidng the keys to the door right in front of it."
"Hiding in plain sight a staple in the Pegas Black Ops code book." Hurricane replied.
"A skill I know well."
"But haven't perfected." Hurricane scoffed.
"Well what are we waiting for let's go get some water." Janes voice was as cheerful as ever.
"You took the words right out our our mouths." Hunter and Hurricane said in unison.
"Well if I remember right we hid the element of water with an old friend, Taylor Seames, but it might be a little hard to track him down."
"Why, is that?" Hanek asked.
"After I gave him the water element he went and became this famous fashion designer."
"You were friends with the Taylor Seames." Jane's jaw dropped.
"Oh yeah he made those dresses we wore at the Gala." Hunter said with a chuckle.
"You wore a dress, Kid?"
"Long story."
"I bet it is. after Taylor became famous he became distant from the public. I think the Ice Crystal may have had an adverse effect on him."
"How so, Hurricane?" Hunter questioned.
"His heart may have become cold. That may be why his personality changed so drasticly. Like Star said before Burning Passion of flame, each element has an emotional link. The element of water ties to Adaptability, but also ties into darker traits Despair, and Ressentiment. These feelings may have been to much for him to handle, especially after he heard of our deaths." Hurricane explained.
"So, like the elements of harmony each element of nature corresponds with certain emotions." Hunter scratched his head with his hoof. "That actually makes sense." Hunter was deep in thought. "But he would've already had to have the negative emotions, for the crystal to amplify them."
"That may be right, I may have a way to contact him but she's in Cloudsdale."
"Who?"
"An old flame, Ellentra Typhoon."
"Wait, Ellentra Typhoon the Chief Detective of Cloudsdale P.D.?" Hanek's jaw was next to drop.
"The one and only. She can find anything, if anypony knows where he is she will, and we can get the element of wind from her while we're there."
"You know your wife wouldn't like to find out you're visiting an old marefriend."
"Bring her too I don't care even if I score with Ellentra technically it's gonna be you that does it."
"You have a point, but she'd still kick your ass."
"No doubt, Kid. Still I'm sure they would like to see eachother again."
"Alright I think they've settled down by now I'll go get her. Be back in a minute." Hunter closed his eyes and took a deep breath.