The Elements of Nature, Book 3

Chapter 6, Hunted

In a jungle, the group is lost after they listened to Pinkie after, for some reason, they let her have the map. “Face it, Pinkie, were lost.” Lunar finally said.

“Were not lost. Were just taking a short cut.” Pinkie said, the map duck taped to her face, with three holes in it.

“In the thick jungles of the Philippines!” Rainbow barked.

“Just keep an eye out for a sing pointing to China.” Pinkie said as she happily skips down a path full of carnivorous plants.

“Let’s agree to never give her the directions again.” Fire’ said, getting nods from the others as they nervously follow Pinkie. Unknown to the group, they're being watched in the jungle by Dom Pyro in the trees, accompanied by his pet timber wolf.

“Pour mice,” he said, “all lost and alone. Oh, soon we shall spring our trap and chop off their lovely tails.” He then turns to his timber wolf. “Isn't that right pretty one?” His pet wolf then nodes in agreement.

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In the Fire Nation, Zuko is walking into Mai's room. He looks at a painting of them and becomes downcast. “I'm sorry Mai.” He then places a note on her bed and leaves.

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Later, Zuko is kneeling at a painting of his mother. “I know I've made some bad choices, but today, I'm going to set things right.” He said as he rises, picks up his sword, and leaves.

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As the group walk in the rainforest, Fluttershy stops and gasps. The others come running to her and see giant stone replicas of the Elements of Harmony and Nature. “Wow.” Fire’ said as he looks at some of the statues. “If it wasn't utterly and completely impossible, I say these were meant to be the Elements of Harmony and Nature.”

“Statues of the Elements in the middle of the Philippine jungle kilometers away from any civilization.” Twilight said.

“I do not know this place.” Ar said. “I cannot help.”

“This feels bad. Really bad.” Fluttershy said.

“Chill Fluttershy.” Rainbow said. “There just statues. There’s absolutely nothing to worry about ... probably.”

“Over here!” Blitz yelled. “I think I found something.” He then heads for a nearby clearing. When they get there, they see a large temple surrounded by walls, which are covered in carvings of the Elements of Harmony and Nature.

“Whoa!” Sweetie Belle, Apple Bloom, Scootaloo, and Spike all said.

“If you didn't know anything about the statues, little monk fish,” Blitz said to Ar, “your gonna love not knowing about this.”

“I know nothing of this place.” Ar said, completely confused. “Nothing at all.”

“Ancient cities. Lost temples. Theres a lot more to this whole Elements of Harmony and Nature thing then we know.” Agua said.

“We should check it out. There might be a clue on where this ‘Island of Mysteries’ is at.” Fire’ said.

“A creepy dead temple?” Blitz said. “I hate to see where you would go look for something to eat. A cemetery?” The group then stare at him.

“Lets head for the center building.” Fire’ said. “Not all our vehicles can go across the terrain, so were gonna have to walk.” He then makes his way for the temple with the others.

As Blitz is walking down, he's tripped over by Spike. “Hey, what was that for?”

“That was for disrespecting Fire.’” Spike said. He then notices a locket on the ground. “What’s that?”

Blitz then quickly takes it. “What’s this? Oh, it's just an N.O.Y.B.S.”

“An N.O.Y.B.S?”

“Yeah, Non Of Your Business Scales.” Blitz said as he leaves. Rarity then walks over to Spike to see if he’s all right.

“Spike! Are you okay.”

“I’m fine Rarity. Jeez, that guy is just so rude.”

“All say. I don't want him to hurt my little Spikey-wikey.” Rarity said while rubbing Spikes checks.

“Rarity stop.” Spike said when he sees Fluttershy giggling. The three then hear a sparkling sound along with some electricity. The three clear away some vines and scream, but it isn't loud enough the others to hear.

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In the Fire Nation, Zuko is in front of the doors that lead to the throne room. “I'm ready to face you.” He said to himself.

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Blitz catches up to the group when Fire’ notices something is wrong. “Whats the hold up?” Blitz asked. “Lets go.”

“We thought we lost you.” Twilight said. “Wheres Spike, Rarity, and Fluttershy?”

Rainbow then walks up to Blitz. “Come on, Blitz! Don’t you know not to leave those 3 on their own like that by now.”

“We're gonna have to find them.” Fire’ said.

“We can’t.” Lunar said. “If we search for them in that thick jungle, it’s possible to get lost in a matter of moments. And if we split up to look for them, were gonna get lost ourselves.”

“Whats the big deal?” Blitz said. “If they have any sense, it’s a sense of direction. After all, they know where were going.”

“When yo' put it thet way, less go.” Applejack said as they make their way to the temple.

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Zuko then opens the door. Fire Lord Ozai is sitting on the far side of the room, drinking tea. The Fire Lord is surrounded by several Royal Procession guards. He sets his teacup down upon seeing the prince. “Prince Zuko? What are you doing here? Why are you here?”

“I'm here to tell the truth.” Zuko said.

“Telling the truth during the middle of my tea. This should be interesting.” Ozai said. He then sends the guards out of the room. One by one the guards leave, closing the doors behind them.

“First of all, in Ba Sing Se, it was Azula who took down the Fire Avatar, not me.” Zuko said.

“Why would she lie to me about that?” Ozai asked.

“Because the Fire Avatar's not dead. He survived.” Zuko said, getting a shock and horrified face from his father.

“What?” Is all Ozai could say.

“In fact, he's probably found the Air Avatar by now. He could be on his way here right now.”

Ozai then rises from his seat and points toward the door. “Get out! Get out of my sight if you know what's good for you!”

“That's another thing.” Zuko said. “I'm not taking orders from you anymore.”

“You will obey me, or this defiant breath will be your last!”

Zuko then pulls out one of his swords. “Think again. I am going to speak my mind, and you are going to listen.” Ozai then sits down after the recent revelation. “For so long, all I wanted was for you to love me, to accept me. I thought it was my honor I wanted, but really, I was just trying to please you. You, my father, who banished me just for speaking out of turn. My father, who challenged me, a thirteen-year-old colt, to an Agni Kai. How could you possibly justify a duel with a foal?”

“It was to teach you respect!"

“It was cruel! And it was wrong.”

“Then you have learned nothing!”

“No, I've learned everything! And I've had to learn it on my own! Growing up, we're taught that the Fire Nation is the greatest and most advanced civilization in history, and somehow, the War was our way of sharing our greatness with the rest of the world. What an amazing lie that was. The people of the world are terrified by the Fire Nation. They don't see our greatness.

We’re not even nearly as advance as most of the other nations. Even some of our so-called inventions were actually stolen from the other nations. They hate us! And we deserve it! We've created an era of fear in the world. And if we don't want the world to destroy itself, then we need to replace it with an era of peace and kindness.”

At this, Ozai just laughs at what Zuko just said. “Your uncle has gotten to you, hasn't he?”

“Yes.” Zuko said with a smile. “He has. After I leave here today, I'm going to free Uncle Iroh from his prison when I get the chance and I'm going to beg for his forgiveness. He's the one who has been a real father to me.”

Ozai then laughs some more. “Oh, that's just beautiful. And maybe he can pass down to you the ways of tea and failure.”

“But I've come to an even more important decision. I'm going to join the Avatars and I'm going to help them defeat you.” Zuko said, shocking Ozai.

“Really? Since you're a full-blown traitor now and you want me gone, why wait? You've got your swords. Why don't you just do it now?”

“Because I know my destiny. Taking you down are the Avatars destinies.” Zuko then puts his swords away. “Goodbye.”

Zuko then begins to leave. “Coward! You think you're brave enough to face me. Don't you want to know what happened to your mother?”

Zuko abruptly stops and turns to face his father. “What happened that night?” Zuko asked, making Ozai smile.

“My father, Fire Lord Azulon, commanded me to do the unthinkable to you, my own son, and I was going to do it. Your mother found out and swore she would protect you at any cost. She knew I wanted the throne and she proposed a plan, a plan in which I would become Fire Lord and your life would be spared. Your mother did vicious, treasonous things that night. She knew the consequences and accepted them. For her treason, she was banished.”

Zuko then grows teary-eyed. “So she's alive?”

“Perhaps. Now I realize that banishment is far too merciful a penalty for treason. Your penalty will be far steeper,” Ozai said as he takes out a lightning gun and fires at Zuko. Zuko slides back several feet from the impact of the bolt yet manages to redirect it. He fires the lightning blast near his father, sending the Fire Lord slamming into the back wall. Ozai falls over and raises his head, his face distorted in rage as the flag behind him falls as Zuko makes his escape.

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As the group make their way to the center temple, Rainbow decided to land and walk a little bit as they go around a small crater with dead logs along the edge. She then trips over a log and falls on her but. “Ow! Ouch! Ouch!” She said as Blitz holds out his hoof to help. Rainbow accepts and gets back up. “Uh ... thanks ... Blitz.”

“Your welcome, princess.”

Rainbow then gets mad and pushes Blitz into the canyon. “Weasel!” She said as Blitz lands hard. Rainbow then follows the others, but Pinkie jumps down into the canyon.

“Don’t worry, Blitzy, Rainbow Dash just need time to get to know you is all.” Pinkie said as she helps Blitz up, when they suddenly get the felling of being watch. They turn around and see a timber wolf, growling angrily at them.

“Wanna fight, ugly!” Blitz said while taking on a fighting stance. Just then, a hoof in a orang glove like boat grabs one of Blitz’s hoofs while he and Pinkie hear maniacal laughing. It’s Dom Pyro. “Get your dang hoofs off me!” Blitz said as he struggles a little while the timber wolf corners Pinkie, preventing even her from escape.

“Why do you struggle, little mice?” Dom Pyro said as he places an anti-bending collar around Blitz’s neck, neglecting his lightningbending. “There’s nowhere to run, and nowhere to hide,” Dom Pyro then reaches for something in one of his many little pockets. “So hush now,” he said as he pulls out a long metallic stick, “it’s time to sleep.”

He then shocks Blitz until he’s out cold, followed by Pinkie. The two fall to the ground, with Blitz dropping his nunchuks. The timber wolf then walks up to Dom Pyro, who then rubs the back of his pets neck. “Four little mice and one little dragon caught, pretty one. A good days hunt.” Dom Pyro said.

“Blitz! Pinkie!” Rainbow called, alerting Dom Pyro to her presence. When Rainbow gets to the crater, she finds it empty. “Blitz! Guys! Blitz and Pinkie are missing!” Rainbow yelled as she enters the crater to find out what happened. The others soon join her.

“I’m no detective, but this is defiantly not good.” Fire’ said after a few minuets of searching.

“I can see Spike, Rarity, and Fluttershy getting lost, but not Blitz and Pinkie.” Twilight said. “This doesn't look right.”

“Hey, guys! I found Blitz’s nunchuks!” Agua called as she picks them up.

“This hyar is not right at all.” Applejack said.

“What is it AJ?” Rainbow asked.

“Take a look. These is timber wo'f tracks.” AJ said as the tracks lead into the jungle.

“What do you know about this?” Terra asked Lunar.

“I’ve made the same enemies you have. Whatever this is, it’s hunting me to.” Lunar said.

“It feels like this thing is separating us from the herd one by one. It’s quiet and it’s fast.” Fire’ said while looking in the jungle, making sure that nothing is watching them.

“And it knows its way around this stinking jungle.” Rainbow said. “We cant track it and we have no idea where it is.”

“But we know precisely where it will be.” Ar said, getting looks from the others.

“And where is that?” Scootaloo asked.

“Wherever we are.” Ar finished.

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Later that night, the remaining group make a fire a couple of miles away from the center building. Fire,’ Ar, Agua, Shining, Terra, Applejack, Rainbow, Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle, Apple Bloom, and Lunar are the only ones asleep as Twilight looks at the jungle. “Poor Spike,” She said, worried about her number one assistant. “Out there, all alone,” she said as she gets up and heads for the jungle.

Ar then wakes up and sees that Twilight is heading for the jungle. “Twilight?” Ar said as he wakes up, waking up Applejack, Agua, Terra and Rainbow by accident as he follows her. Twilight then stops at a statue that looks like the tiara she’s, the Element of Magic.

“All these strange statues that look like the Elements of Harmony and Nature. I wish I knew what all this meant.” She said as the wind blows in her face.

“Guys!” She heard. Twilight instantly recognizes it as Spike's. “Twilight! Can you here me!”

“What is it, Twilight?” Ar said, startling her.

“It’s Spike! He found us!” Twilight then makes a b-line to the jungle, with Rainbow, Applejack, Agua, Terra, and Ar following her.

“No, Twilight! Wait!” Ar said as he takes out his glider and flies after Twilight with Agua and Rainbow. “Twilight! Wait! Come back!”

Right then, Fire’ and Lunar wake up along with Scootaloo, Apple Bloom, and Sweetie Belle. “Twilight!” Fire’ said as they notice that something is wrong.

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As Twilight gets closer as ‘Spike’ continues to call. “Twilight! AJ! Rainbow! Agua! Terra, hurry!”

“Spike! Hold on! We’re coming!” Twilight said as AJ, Rainbow, Agua, Terra, and Ar run after her.

“No Twilight! We must turn back!” Ar said to a worried Twilight.

Twilight gets to where the sound came from, but nothing is there. Rainbow and Agua then arrive. “But, I swear that I heard Spike calling.” Twilight said, trying to make sense of what happened.

“It’s all right Twilight.” Rainbow said while placing a comforting hoof on Twilight’s back.

“Boo!” Dom Pyro said as he pops from the branches upside down from a tree with a wicked smile on his face, scarring the three half to death. “Hello little mice. Squeak, squeak.” He said as Ar, Applejack and Terra arrive.

“Did he just call me a mouse?!” Rainbow said.

“Who the hay are you?” Applejack asked.

“Me?” Dom then laughs maniacally. “I’m the thing of nightmares.” He then jumps off and lands gracefully in an open field and laughs as his pet timber wolf arrives. “Now you little mice shall experience a true nightmare.”

Ar does an air slash, but Dom and his pet hide in the jungle as he laughs maniacally, with it echoing all around them. “Where'd they go?” Twilight asked. Just then, the timber wolf jumps out and takes Twilight and disappears into the jungle. Twilight then screams in pain loudly...

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Loud enough for the others to hear her. “Twilight.” Fire’ quietly said.

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The group form a circle to try to block off any attacks as the hear Dom laugh. They then see a badly hurt Twilight emerge from some bushes. “Twilight!” Agua and Rainbow said as they head for her. Agua uses her healing abilities to help Twilight recover. Just then, two discs with bolas on then hit Rainbow and Agua, shocking them and knocking them unconscious. Ar, Terra and Applejack look at the direction where the discs came from.

“Over here little mice.” Dom said right behind them. Dom then throws two anti-bending collars at Terra and Ar’s necks, taking away their bending.

“I CANT SEE!” Terra screamed as he seismic sense disappears.

Dom Pyro then pulls out his little knockout stick that he used on Blitz and Pinkie. “All the little tails,” he began to say as he makes his way toward them. “Chop, chop, chop.” He said, even causing the normally hard to scare Applejack to tremble in fear as Dom gets closer.

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The teen CMC, Fire,’ Shining and Lunar make it to the site where Twilight heard Spike and find Terre’s scythe, Agua’s trident, and Ar’s staff on the ground. “Looks like they put up a good fight.” Lunar said as he sees a broken tree.

“Not good enough. Otherwise, they would still be here.” Fire’ said as he sees some blood. “We have to save them!” Fire’ said as he heads toward the jungle, but Lunar stops him before he gets to far ahead.

“And we will, Fire.’” Lunar said to the hotheaded Unicorn. “But we don’t stand a chance in this thick jungle. We’ve got to lure it to the open and fight it there.”

“The temple, that could be the perfect place to make a stand.” Fire’ said.

Lunar then thinks for a moment. “Let’s do it.” The group then make a b-line for the center building. As the do so, Dom Pyro is watching in the trees with his pet timber wolf.

“Little mice, little mice.” Dom Pyro said. “Run away home. We’ve know where you been. We know where your going. Don’t we, my pretty one, Combustion?” He said as he contacts Zuko with a holo-communicator, but gets Ozai instead.

“So, you're the one my guards have said Zuko has been talking to.” Ozai said, knowing Dom Pyro’s reputation. “How is the hunt he sent you on?”

“Eleven rodents and one dragon caught. Twelve little tails sniped. Only one remains.”

“Plans have changed, Dom Pyro.” Ozai said. “My son has become a traitor, and now you will listen to me. I want the Fire Avatar alive, along with his friends. And I’m willing to pay you triple the price my son paid you.”

“Oh, Fire Lord. Your son has paid for 11. The last 5 we will do ... just for the sport. Yes, we will.” Dom Pyro then cuts the connection while laughing maniacally. “Come, pretty one. Now we know where to set our final, tender, trap.”

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“Why a temple dedicated to the Elements of Harmony and Nature?” Sweetie Belle asked as the group approach the temple. “I don’t understand.”

“The origin of the Elements of Harmony and Nature are shrouded in myth and legend. Not even Celestia and Luna know where they came from.” Lunar said. “Some say they have been around since the dawn of time. Others say they arrived from the stars.”

“We’ll worry about stories later.” Fire’ said as they reach the door. “Right now, lets see who comes in here after us.”

The enter the main hall room, which is a dome with 20 columns, when they hear evil laughter. The group then brace themselves as they look where the laughter is coming from. They then see Dom Pyro. “Snap, snap, snap, little mice.”

Lunar instantly recognizes him. “It’s Dom Pyro.”

“You know this lunatic?” Scootaloo asked.

“Unfortunately.” Lunar said. “Whoever sent him doesn't just want us gone, he wants it to hurt.” Lunar said as he prepares for an attack.

“The Fire Lord pulls the strings today, and we dance. Of course, we get to chose the music.” Dom Pyro said as he walks to them.

“Guys, we need to get out of here!” Lunar said as he pulls out his swords.

“Oh, don’t be scared.” Dom Pyro said when he finally stops with his pet timber wolf. “When we catch you, we promise you’ll never feel fear again.” Dom Pyro said with a maniacally laugh.

“Dom Pyro.” Lunar began to say as he charge up an attack. “It’s over.” He said as he steps forward in between two columns.

“Oh no, no, no. We don’t like magic.” Dom said as he pulls out a switch. “And we knew you use it.” He pushes a button and two electric cables hit Lunar, shocking him till he’s unconscious.

“Hey, sparky!” Fire’ said as he takes out his sword while the CMC check on Lunar Eclipse. “How do you feel about sharp pointy things?”

“We love them. Yes, we do.” Dom said as he pulls out a short blade that elongates to 1 meter in length. “Come little mouse, let us end this hunt and dance to a pleasant happy tune.” He then charges at Fire,’ but he catches the blade and tosses Dom Pyro into a column.

“Now, Dom Pyro. Let me show you what it’s like to be hunted,” Fire’ said as he charges up and attacks. “Blazing Strike!” Fire’ yelled as he does his signature move. But Dom Pyro gets out-of-the-way in time, but in doing so, the attack hits the pillar, causing it to nearly fall on Fire.’ Combustion, Dom Pyro’s pet timber wolf, causes another pillar to fall, nearly crushing Fire.’

“Now you have cold hoofs to fight as well!” Dom Pyro said. “When this battle is done, little mouse, I shall chop off your tail, ... so very slowly.”

“Not if I can help it,” Fire’ said as Combustion charges at him, bet he leaps out-of-the-way, causing Combustion to hit another pillar, making it fall. Fire’ then sees the effect of the falling columns. “The dome,” Fire’ realized. His horn then glows along with Sweetie's as Dom Pyro sneaks behind Fire,’ and takes him by the mane.

“How does it feel to hear the trap snap down? To know you have been caught?” Dom Pyro asked, holding his knockout stick to Firebrands neck.

“I was going to ask you the same thing,” Fire’ said, getting a confused look from Dom Pyro. Fire’ then pushes back Dom Pyro several feet. “Sweetie, NOW!” Sweetie Belle then takes one of Lunar’s swords and slices at a column, causing a chain reaction, making the entire dome fall on Combustion.

“Clever little mouse.” Dom Pyro said as he laughs maniacally while the temple continues to fall. Fire’ then gets Lunar as they and the CMC and escape. The group make it outside as the sun begins to rise, right when the temple collapses.

“Nice work kid.” Lunar said to Fire.’

“Hey!” Fire’ said, annoyed. “Lets find the others.”

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Later, Lunar, Fire,’ Scootaloo, Apple Bloom, and Sweetie Belle untie the group from a small statue and get the anti-bending collars off. “So, where's mister creepy?” Rainbow asked, finally able to fly after a few hours of being tied up.

“Buried.” Apple Bloom said as he unties Applejack. “Under about four thousan' kilograms of old temple.”

“I cant believe that I let someone beat me so easily, again.” Twilight said to Fire’ as he tends to her cuts and bruises.

“Don’t blame yourself, Twilight.” Fire’ said as he uses some healing magic on a black eye Twilight got. “Tell you what. Once we get back to Ponyville, how about I get you some chocolate doughnuts and coffee from Sugarcube Conner to cheer you up.” With that, Twilight smiles.

“When are we gonna get back anyway?” Blitz asked. “I have had enough jungle to last me a lifetime.”

“I called the Royal Guard. They sent an airship to our coordinates.” Fire’ said. “They should be here soon.”

“Oh, oh, over there!” Pinkie said while pointing. The group see a plane fly to them and land a few feet away. The group then get on and head back to Equestria. However, they fail to notice a Fire Nation war balloon approaching them from behind. It’s Zuko, who has a determined look on his face as he follows them.

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Back at the temple, some ruble stirs. Dom Pyro’s hoof then breaks free as he gets out slowly.