Chapter 8: The Elements Of Balance part 1: Defensive combat

Silver Star had been chosen by Princess Celestia herself to train the six friends who wielded the elements of harmony in a different way for each of them. Celestia made this fact VERY specific when she informed her about the training program. she had told Silver that she would train them all Separately day by day until they were all ready. after they were all done training they would each represent two elements of two different categories. The first to be trained would be Applejack, she represented the Element of Honesty, one of the six elements of harmony. Silver would train her to be more durable, defensive, and strong. "So AJ, how do you like the training so far?!" Silver shouted as she trained Applejack by throwing attack after attack at her shield. "Not.... to..... bad Silver...." She managed to stutter out between attacks. "well, the easier it gets for you to block these attacks, AND still hold your ground without moving the sooner this segment of your training will be over." Silver told her after taking a moment to let them both rest for a moment. "and can i ask why your trainin' me to be able to do this?" Applejack asked her. "Celestia want's me to train you each in a different combat related way." Silver said. "and what do you mean by that Silver?" Rainbow Dash asked. "Celestia has asked me to train all six of you in a very different way. each of you will be trained to wield two different elements. one element of Harmony..... and one element of Balance." Silver said. "what are the Elements Of Balance?" Twilight asked enthusiastically. "the Elements Of Balance are a long forgotten combination of combat related objects that are used in times of crisis and war." Silver said. "they have not been used in over five thousand years. long before even Celestia's ancestors walked the world. they were used to end the very first war in Equestrian history. The six Elements of Balance are: Offensive, Defensive, and Speed combat. then there are the elements of Ranged, Melee, and mental combat." the six friends looked back and forth between each other. "so who will hold what element?" Rainbow Dash asked. "alright Dashie calm down." Dash blushed at the use of her nickname as her wings shot up and her friends giggled. "alright everyone, settle down," Luna said still snickering. "each of your training will have three parts. the final of which will be the same for all of you, it will involve all of you working on your physical strength by working out." the thought of this made Fluttershy, Twilight and Rarity shudder. "yes that's right, WORKING OUT, it's soooo terrible." Silver said to the three who shuddered. "Twilight you will be the second to be trained. Rarity, the third. Pinkie, the fourth. Fluttershy, the fifth. and Dash, the sixth since she trains physically enough day to day." dash stood up taller at this with pride. "don't get cocky dash, your trainin' with me after Applejacks next two segments are done. Applejack, i'm going to train you to be more durable and more defensive in combat this is the defensive part of the test. the more you can take without having to stop, the less your enemy can dish out to you before you can take 'em down!" Silver said and smashed a fist into her open palm. "well Applejack wanna get back to it?" Silver said and pulled out her broad sword again. "let's get started sugarcube." Applejack said as she smacked a hand against the shield she was carrying. "you five should all go home and get some rest for your training tomorrow." Luna said as the two began training again. everyone walked out of the room. "so Applejack how are you doing over there?" Silver asked. "fine.... Silver..... gettin'....... a bit..... easier to..... withstand..... each hit...." Applejack grunted between each hit. "good, good. wanna take a break for a minute?" Silver asked. "nah, i'm fine.... if you wanna...... keep goin'..." Applejack continued to grunt between hits. "i'm startin' to get a bit worn out on this end. i think im gonna take a break for a little while in minute." Silver said breathing more heavily now. they continued training for about five more minutes before Silver got worn out. "damn AJ..... you got much better much quicker than i expected you to." Silver said as she gasped for breath. "yeah, i do work on a farm after all.... so i gotta be durable to handle that. i didn't expect myself to be better than you at it though. and you've been trainin' with swords for what? two weeks now?" Applejack said as she drank a mug of cider. "yeah, it's been about three weeks now starting tomorrow." Silver replied picking up her own mug. "yeah it's been a rough three weeks but it was all worth it to be able to be able to bring back the Elements Of Balance." she said as she took a drink from the mug. "i can't believe that, Me of ALL PEOPLE, with my past and the mistakes i've made in my lifetime that i would be able to bring back the greatest force of peace in the history of the world." Silver said as a tear came to her eye. "hey, sugarcube, what's wrong?" applejack asked her. "nothing i just can't believe that if it weren't for Luna's jealousy and hatred of her sister over a thousand years ago i wouldn't even exist in this world. and the fact that if i didn't exist the world would fall into everlasting chaos because of the worst part of Discord's mind becoming reality." Silver said with a whimper in her tone. "oh calm down Silver it's not your fault at all...... im not sure it has anything to do with you at all actually." Applejack said reassuringly. "thanks AJ you really are the spirit of Honesty. now then your defensive training it complete wanna get started on your durability training?" Silver said as her attitude perked up right away. "sure Silver let's get goin'. so how are we gonna do this now?" Applejack asked. "alright im gonna try to force you back behind that line by smashing into you with this shield while you try to stand your ground without moving at all." Silver said as she grabbed a huge pitch black shield off of the wall and polishing it. "this is my personal shield, hand made it back when i was nightmare moon along with this armor. it's unbreakable, do wanna know what i made it from?" silver asked with a grin on her face. "alright i'll bight, what did you make it from?" Applejack asked nervously. "dont worry it's not anything bad i made it from a meteor that landed a few miles from my ancient castle. what happened was i brought it back to the castle with the help of some of my soldiers and melted it down myself and forged an unbreakable set of armor and a sword and shield. with the leftover meteor parts i melted them down and had them forged into jewelry with diamonds and other jewels encrusted into them thats where i got this hemet jewel and these necklaces." Silver explained to her. "wow must have taken ya an awful long time to make all that. so does it work?" Applejack asked as Silver put her helmet on. "what? i asked if the armor works." Applejack repeated. "yeah it works if it didn't i wouldn't be using it." Silver said as she and AJ got into position. "i guess that would make sense." Applejack said as she readied herself and Silver ran towards her. she smashed her shield into Applejacks and she pushed her back about two feet. "AAH!!" Applejack grunted as she flew backwards, her feet sliding across the ground. "sorry AJ but thats exactly what's gonna be happening on the battlefield." Silver said as they set back up to retry. "wait did you say Battlefield?" Applejack asked as she readied herself again. "yeah i did why?" Silver started to charge again but stopped. "woah, woah, woah wait a applepickin' minute.... where did the battlefield come from?" applejack said throwing down the shield. "it is an ancient tradition that when a battle between royalties takes place not only will the royalties battle each other, they will wage war on each other." hearing this sent a shiver down Applejacks spine. "wait..... is.... that why your trainin' us?!" Applejack asked angrily. "yes of course it is, had it just been a battle between discord and you six there would be no training involved whatsoever." silver said calmly. "so what do you mean a battle between royalties i thought we were fightin' Discord?" AJ said with disbelief. "we are. but seeing how Discord is not only the last Draconiquuis in existence, he is also a descendant of the Draconiquuis king." hearing this again sent a shiver down AJ's spine. "wait so you mean Discord is a King?" she asked and readied herself again with her shield in hand. "no not until he is married for now he is just a prince without a princess." Silver replied as she ran forward and rammed AJ again this time barely being able to move her from the spot. "wow it seems just talking makes you stronger." Silver said as she studied Applejacks form. "yeah i always have been one of the strongest people i know." she said with a snicker. "no i mean, talking literally makes you stronger in the sense that i can see you get stronger the longer we talk about this. here let's try one more time." she said as they both readied themselves one final time. silver ran forward and rammed AJ much harder this time. she was shocked to find the results. she opened her eyes and saw AJ hadn't moved at all and that she was still standing in the same position she was before. "amazing..... just completely amazing." silver said studying Applejacks body. "what's amazing?" Aj finally asked her. "you may have the gift of true brute force!" Silver half shouted. "and that is?" AJ said a bit startled. "when someone has the trait "True Brute Force" it allows their strength to increase ten times faster than anyone else there is and in just about any way possible! for example:talking, training, exercising, and pretty much anything else imaginable!" Silver said to her "well congratulations Applejack your training is complete." Silver said and bowed. "what about the third part?" AJ asked. "if you really do have the gift of Brute Force then you won't need it. with that gift just moving at all makes you a little bit stronger. now go get some rest and tomorrow morning send up Twilight." Silver said as AJ left.