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Avatar: The Last Alicorn. Book 3: Unicorn

by Jeweled Pen

Chapter 1: Chapter 1: Fallen Hope

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The sun glimmered down on hundreds of ponies, unicorns and earth ponies, all wearing the Water Nation's armor. They stood in perfect formation, watching a single red carpet that went down between them and made its way from the airship port to the castle. A great black ship, the Moonscar, slowly glided into port, causing the ponies to stare up in anticipation.

Two ponies stepped forward first, both unicorns with white coats. The elder had a purple mane, while the younger had a pink striped mane. Both wore flowing black garments, etched with the moon across their flanks and hooves. The crowds erupted into cheers as the two walked from the ship, smiles etched across their faces.

The elder pony, Rarity, glanced to her sister, Sweetie Belle, and smiled. “Quite the turn out.”

“Of course! They just couldn't wait to see us again, big sister!”

“Mother, father?” Rarity asked, glancing back. Behind her stood two more elder unicorns, both wearing clear, dark blue cloaks, etched with the crescent moon.

“It's fine, dear,” the mare, Luna, said. She had a dark blue coat, with a flowing blue mane.

“Everypony must be relieved to see us return after our trip,” the stallion said. He had a dark gray coat, with a black and blue striped mane. “Though, personally I think they're just happy the three prettiest mares in the Water Nation have come back to grace the capital with their presence,” he said in a soft, teasing tone.

Luna giggled, bumping his rump with her own. “Oh, you knock that off right now,” she said, her voice filled with mirth.

Rarity stopped, a soft voice piercing her ears. She looked around, confusion etched on her face. “Is something wrong?” Sweetie asked.

“I thought I heard somepony calling my name...”

“Everypony is calling our names, dear,” Luna said with a chuckle.

“No... I mean...” Through the crowds she thought she saw a flash of green and purple scales, but it was gone in a moment. She shook her head. “It must be my imagination.”

They trotted through the crowds, happy ponies yelling and calling their names, waving wildly. They waved back, occasionally chuckling at their happy subjects. Inside the castle was no different, ponies greeting them and asking how their journey was. Talks of the everlasting peace, minor scuffles in the outer reaches of the nation, but nothing worth worrying about. Before long, the four were surrounded by their advisers, discussing how best to prepare for the winter cold, keeping all their subjects warm and safe. As the rulers of the entire world, it was their duty to maintain safety for all.

Rarity sighed in contentment, watching her parents work, occasionally giving each other love filled glances. To her delight, there was a knock on the door and soon her aunt, the white unicorn Celestia, joined them. As always, the elder mare was a bundle of energy, happily playing harmless pranks on the advisers and doing her best to bring smiles to her niece's faces. The advisors could do naught but glare, the effect usually wasted when their manes were soaked.

“Rarity!” the voice yelled again, though it sounded much clearer this time. Pitiful, weak. Definitely a stallion. No, not a stallion, but a male. Something... else. She tried to focus on the happy times surrounding her, but it called yet again. Something needed her help. She turned to the towering oak doors that led outside the chamber. Outside the chamber was the source. She could feel it. She slowly walked to the door, her heart pounding. She reached out to touch it...

“Rarity!” A new voice cried, making her sit up in bed.

“W-what?” Rarity asked, struggling to blink away the drowsiness. She was in her large blue bed in an almost empty room. On the opposite end of the bed was her sister, Sweetie Belle. Except she wore no garments this time.

“I'm going to go work on some things for mother, join me?” the young mare asked, practically jumping up and down on the bed.

Rarity slowly nodded with a smile. “Of course, darling sister,” she said with a sigh. “I wish you wouldn't wake me like that, though. I was having the most delightful dream.”

“That same one again? Sometimes I think you like that dream more than reality,” Sweetie said with an annoyed huff.

The elder sister chuckled and reached out. “Oh, I don't know. It does have my adorable baby sister in it, so how could I not love it?” She pinched the young mare's cheek.

“Owwww! Knock it offff!” Sweetie whined, before pulling back. “I'll be outside, waiting! Hurry it up!”

Rarity nodded and got to her hooves, looking around her room. It was almost barren, just her bed, a small chest and a vanity desk. Most of her important things, for inspiration, were located in another room. She frowned and looked outside at the clear, empty sky.

Sweetie was right. She did enjoy the dream more than reality. In fact, if she could she'd spend an eternity in it. Let the rest of the world be bucked. There, everything was perfect. There was no war, no fighting, her mother and father were together. Most importantly, there was no... corruption. Fortunately, she was certain she'd been able to avoid it, but she could still see it in the eyes of her sister and mother. The green energy that changed them, altered who they were to the core.

Fortunately, Rarity was quite certain she could resist any such corruption, not that she had to worry about it. She failed to see the hint of green tinging her eyes when she looked in the mirror and started getting ready.

------

A small, purple alicorn with a dark purple striped mane slowly opened her eyes. She felt like death, every muscle in her body was sore. She reached out a hoof, letting out a shriek when the muscles felt as if they were covered in fire.

Instantly light spilled through the room when a door across from her opened. A yellow pegasus, wearing the Water Nation's armor, galloped inside. “Twilight!”

“A-ahhh!” the alicorn yelled, a small sputter of flame forming on her horn. The pegasus came closer and she faulted. “F-Fluttershy?”

“Yes, it's me. Calm down, you're safe,” the pink-maned pegasus said, gently reaching a hoof out. “You haven't moved much in the last... for a while, so you're going to be tender. But don't worry, I'm here for you.”

Twilight groaned and tried sitting up. “Ow... what... what happened?”

“Bad things,” Fluttershy whispered, her gaze lowering. “We moved you on occasion, but it'll take time before you're back to a hundred percent.”

“What about--”

“It fell,” another pegasus, with a blue coat and rainbow colored mane, said from the doorway. “Everything fell. They're all gone. Cloudsdale, Fillydelphia, gone. The Water Nation is now the uncontested ruler of the world.”

“Rainbow!” Fluttershy objected, but was silenced by a wave of the other mare's hoof.

“No, she needs to know. Twilight, things have gone from bad, to worse,” Rainbow said, voice bitter. “Once you fell, so did everything else. We've been on the run ever since. We managed to get the fire benders and water benders out with the Great Dragon, but aside from the fact we still have day and night, we have no idea how any of them are.”

“We don't... F-Fillydelphia! It was...” Twilight lifted a hoof to her chest, feeling the bump under her coat, the long scar down her chest. “We were fighting and... w-what else did I miss?”

“Once Fillydelphia fell, they moved to Cloudsdale. The Air Nomads are in hiding, the force the Water Nation created was unstoppable. Even the Wonderbolts couldn't dream of fighting them. I wish I had some idea where they got these numbers from.”

Twilight sank into the bed, tears forming on the edges of her eyes. “Then... then it's true. I've failed. There's no way to... stop any of this.”

A small smile spread across Rainbow's lips. “Not quite. The countries have fallen, but that unstoppable force isn't quite as unstoppable anymore.”

A small glimmer of hope filled Twilight. “What do you mean?”

“They're spread too thin. We can't fight them all at once, but spread out like this we've been able to make them miserable. They outnumber us probably two to one, even with all three countries. But the resisting forces have speed and maneuverability on their side. The Wonderbolts have been trying to keep each force working together and striking wherever the Water Nation is weakest.” Rainbow motioned to the wall. “They also have an inside task force. Us.”

“W-what?”

“The plan is still good to go. The Wonderbolts have spread the word to everypony who hates the Water Nation as much as we do, or are at least trying to. On the day the sun rises to its peak, everypony who can, will be there. We'll win this war in one fell swoop.”

Fluttershy lowered her gaze again. “Rainbow, if you're telling her all that... she needs to know everything...”

Twilight frowned again. “Everything? What's wrong? What aren't you telling me?” She felt her chest a few times and locked up. “W-wait a moment. I remember. I was... she stabbed me. Right through the... how... how am I alive? How could I possibly be alive?”

Rainbow looked off to the side, chewing on her lip nervously. “Ah... well... you see. It's like this. You uhhh... you kinda... weren't. For a few moments there.”

Twilight stared. “I kinda wasn't what?”

“A-alive.”

She stared for a few moment, eyes wide. “That's... that's impossible. I-I couldn't have died. If I died, I wouldn't still be here, I'd... I'd be wherever dead ponies go!” she said, her hooves shaking. She looked down at her chest, felt it with her hoof. The wound that went so deep, possibly piercing her heart. If she'd died, she'd have to remember, right? What if she was dead? What if this was the afterlife? “Wait, did all of you die? Is that why you're here? Did we--”

“No!” Rainbow said quickly, then looked to Fluttershy. Shame filled both their faces. “Fluttershy saved you. She... she brought you back.”

“That's impossible. A healer can't resurrect the dead.”

“I... I had help,” Fluttershy said gently, lowering her gaze. “The... the zebra. Zecora. She had... had something. A potion she made. It allowed me... it amplified my powers, for a few moments. It was enough to save you.”

Twilight nodded, letting out a soft whistle. “That's amazing.” She sat up fully, cringing when the muscles screamed in objection. “Do you think she could make more? I might be able to use it to... to... what's wrong?”

Rainbow sighed and then moved over to give Fluttershy a hug, the yellow pegasus trembling as tears clouded her eyes. “She can't bend anymore, Twilight. Whatever the potion was, it allowed her to save you. But it destroyed her abilities to bend. Possibly for good.”

“W-what?” the alicorn asked, staring at her friend. Her mind reeled at the very notion, making her fall back slightly and lose what little headway she'd gained in sitting up. She couldn't even imagine what it must feel like to lose that. A piece of her very core, gone. “There... has to be a way to fix it, right? I mean, there are other healers. Maybe they can--”

“T-they can't,” Fluttershy said softly, trembling. “S-Spitfire tried. She said... she said whatever it is... whatever it destroyed, m-might never come back. I'll... p-probably never hold the ability to bend again.”

The alicorn choked, pain springing through her heart. “I... can I... can I please b-be alone for a moment?” The two nodded and she collapsed in her bed, tears welling up in her eyes. Everything in her was sore, and it now made sense. Without Fluttershy's bending, there was no way for them to keep the effects of her coma from damaging her body. Worst of all, everything was gone. All four countries had fallen, who knew how many dead or imprisoned. Spike was still missing, likely still holding the sixth element in him. She didn't even know if she COULD use them during the summer solstice, with one gone. Her failure hadn't only cost kingdoms, it had cost one of her best friends one of the cores of her being.

Worst of all, she was helpless. She could barely move her wings or legs, and it would probably take days, possibly weeks before she'd be in full fighting shape. If she could, she'd charge off full pelt into the Water Nation, fight off them all so this could all end. So no pony else had to suffer. But she doubted she could even get off the ship, let alone fly to where ever the capital was. Shakily, she crawled off the bed and tried walking to the door. Her journey didn't last long before she fell, tears welling in her eyes when her legs unwillingly bent, the muscles screaming in objection so powerful SHE let out a scream.

------

Sweetie laughed maniacally as she used her bending to tear through the muffins, scattering their crumbly goodness across the floor. Rarity barely noticed when the owner, a gray pegasus with oddly moving eyes, cried out in objection.

They'd seen their mother, just moments before. The elder mare had barely given them a glance, just gestured for them to get on with their daily tasks in preparation of the coming festivities. None of the muffins were the quality they expected, so Rarity could hardly blame her sister for reacting so viciously. She barely even cared, too busy wallowing in her own misery to notice the destruction and pain her younger sister caused.

The muffin sales mare, as well as her earth pony companion, were sent hurtling from the castle, ordered to not come back without proper, royal treats. Sweetie looked back to her elder sister, the pride on her face quickly disappearing.

The younger princess slammed a hoof down in annoyance, her sister's distraction angering her more than the shoddy muffins. She was a big, strong mare now. Able to do all these tasks by herself and was showing off how good she was at it, and her sister barely even noticed. She just kept getting distracted.

She struggled to think of what she could do to get her attention, then grinned. She moved in closer, a wicked grin flashing across her face. “Rarity, I know what we can do. How about we go check out the gifts from the kingdoms? The tributes?”

“Huh? I don't know...”

“Maybe we'll find some priceless jewels, or rare fabrics.”

Rarity perked up, a greedy grin flashing across her face. “You're right. Taking a... peep at these gifts could be just what I needed. Let's go.”

The younger princess smirked, happily prancing through the castle with her elder sister close behind. Rarity stopped for a moment when they passed a large metal door, guarded by two water benders, with thick metal bars closed over it. She stared at it for a moment, something inside her twitching as she remembered the... thing that resided within. She could almost hear it calling to her. Calling for her.

“Rarity, come oooooon!” Sweetie yelled, her voice high pitched and whiny. “I bet there's all kinds of jewels as big as our hooves!”

The elder princess shook her head, shaken from her fear by the thoughts of precious treasures. “R-right, coming!” She followed after her sister, focused once again on the task at hoof.

------

“Easy there,” Rainbow said. She supported Twilight's right side while Fluttershy supported the left. Together, they brought her out onto the deck of the ship and, to the alicorn's surprise, they were at sea.

“It's not an air ship? But...”

“We're in the Water Nation's territory,” the blue pegasus said quickly. “Water as far as the eye can see. Not nearly as many air ships out here, and they draw too much attention. Not to mention our track record with them is awful. We don't need another crash or any more attention.”

“Why? How can we--”

“The final fight is coming,” Rainbow said, eyes watching the horizon. “It's our job to find a place for everypony to gather. Failing that, we'll try breaking you in to get to Nightmare Moon by ourselves.”

“What about Vinyl and the others?”

“All the fire benders and water benders are together. They need everypony, in case something happened. But, on that day they'll be joining us.”

“So I still don't have a water bender trainer...”

“Yah don't plum need one,” An orange pony with a yellow mane, Applejack, snapped, trotting up from the back of the ship. “Yah got three kinda bendin' tah master, not tah mention yah gotta stretch that body out. As nice as it would be tah have yah bendin' water, yah got enough on your hooves in the short bitta time we got. Ah heard yah screamin' back there, an' we only got a lil over a month tah get yah back in fightin' shape an' find a place for everypony tah land safe an' sound.”

Twilight's eyes lowered. “I'm the avatar, it's my duty. Everypony has given up too much as it is to keep risking your lives. But--”

Applejack smacked her upside the head so hard the mare's ears rung. “No buts! If yah gonna start feelin' sorry for yourself about the few things yah got no control over, ah'm gonna smack yah again, with force. How about instead of worryin' about how much everypony has lost, yah worry about how many of us are still able an' willin' to fight.”

Twilight blinked, and did look around. All of her friends, even a pink earth pony with a pink mane and a little white bunny in a cute little pirate getup, were watching her. Everypony looked exhausted, with bags under their eyes and slightly deflated manes. However, when she looked closer she saw something else.

Determination. Set jaws, stable hooves, slightly narrowed eyes. They'd lost a lot, but they hadn't lost everything. They all still had something to fight for, and none would give up yet. Most importantly, she knew none of them would abandon her. For a moment, she felt the bonds that connected them, as strong as ever.

“You're right.” Twilight turned to look off the bow. “We can still fight, and we can still win. Where are we going?”

“To land,” Rainbow said with a smile. “Now that you're awake, we'll burn the ship and travel as best as we can. We've been able to avoid ponies so far thanks to Pinkie's pinkie sense, but I don't want to risk running into a bunch of water benders out here. All this water just makes me... nervous. We have an old map, courtesy of Vinyl, that should help us find our way to the capital. There's lots of islands, but none so spread out we can't fly over the water between them.” She glanced back to Twilight. “Especially with all three of us.”

“Why didn't anypony else come with us?” The alicorn looked towards the back, but she didn't see any others.

“Too dangerous. A small force like ours has the best chance of sneaking in. We couldn't risk you not being here when the time comes, and we certainly weren't going to let you go without us. Who knows what these element things will do without the four of us. It took a lot of convincing and... we might have snuck out in the middle of the night. But we got you here.”

“Rainbow!” The bright pink mare, Pinkie Pie, yelled, galloping up. “Port side, ponies! We need to avoid them!”

“Buck! Applejack, the sail!”

“On it, sugarcube!” Applejack yelled, before giving a powerful buck to the metal mast, the sail unraveling itself almost instantly. The blue pegasus ran behind it while Pinkie moved to the guiding wheel and Fluttershy flew up to help Rainbow angle it right. Once it was ready, the latter flew down and the air bender flew back. She flapped her wings wildly, sending a burst of wind, so powerful the sails seemed like they might break, but it caused the small ship to quickly fly across the water.

Twilight galloped to the port side, squinting her eyes to see the small ship, far off in the distance, little more than a quickly disappearing speck. She then glanced to her friends. They moved smoothly, as if they'd done this a dozen, even a hundred times. Constantly keeping an eye out for danger. Their coats slightly bleached from the sun even. She shook her head and looked down, wondering just how silly she had been.

Even if she'd been able to fly off and tried to take on the Water Nation by herself, they'd have never let her do it, at least not alone. They'd have followed her to the ends of the world. She sighed and turned back to the horizon, a smile on her face. Even though they'd all face impossible odds, at least they'd do it together.

------

Rarity grinned and held up a luxurious golden crown, gently guiding it onto her head. Priceless gems, enough to buy a dozen homes, coated her and her sister's bodies. “At least these ponies understand proper gifts to give to a princess,” she said with a content sigh.

Sweetie chuckled. “Yeah, some of them even talked about not giving anything. Trying to avoid proper tribute to their rulers.”

The elder princess rolled her eyes. “I come back after countless years from my family, and all these ponies care about is their treasures? How selfish could they be?” She examined a golden, ancient hoof ring. “I hope you ensured they were as generous as needed.”

“Of course, I gave all the guards gathering the gifts strict instructions,” Sweetie said with a small, malevolent grin. “Especially to our newest citizens.”

“Good. I just can't abide such selfishness.” Rarity plucked up another diamond, her eyes gleaming at the sparkle. “Truly magnificent. You know, sister, we do have all those earth benders now. We could use the prisoners to mine and find more gems such as these.” She slid a ring on her hoof and smiled, reveling at the priceless treasures. “We already rule the world, we should look the part.”

“I couldn't agree more. Oh! I think I found something in here, a scepter. Now, where was it...” Sweetie mumbled before digging through the gifts, casting the opened boxes aside.

Rarity's eyes fell on a large, white-cloth covered box. While her sister was distracted, she trotted over and gripped the edge of the white cloth in her magic. She pulled it aside and gasped.

Inside was a dragon. A tiny, white dragon, about the same size as Sweetie. But, it wasn't just any baby dragon, she recognized him instantly. He was Spike, the avatar's companion. Though, what had happened to his scales to turn them brilliant white, she couldn't imagine. She stared at him, green slowly flowing into her eyes. Her hoof reached out, slowly, through the bars to touch him. A black mist seemed to slowly dribble off the dragon, drawn to her hoof, though she paid it no mind. Something about the dragon called to her.

“What is that?” Sweetie asked, startling Rarity and making her pull her hoof away. The mist disappeared instantly.

“This? It's a... a dragon. I think it was the avatar's.”

“It's dead now, isn't it?” the little mare asked, nudging Spike with her magic. He didn't move.

“No. He's not. At least, I don't think he is.” Rarity watched him for a few moments, before turning to her sister. “Sweetie, I need you to promise me something, okay? Sister to sister.”

“Anything!” the younger princess said quickly, hopping up and down, excitement in her eyes.

“Don't... don't tell mother about this. Help me bring the cage to my room, but don't tell mother.”

Sweetie stopped hopping, instead staring at the mare. “What? Why?”

“Just... please. Promise me. If mom finds out she'll destroy him and... he, if he's who I think he was, was a friend.” She looked down at the dragon again. No, it wasn't their friendship she valued, she knew that. It was something else. She stared at the white dragon again, confusion on her face. Her eyes began to turn fully green once again as she felt compelled to protect him. Besides, if nothing else, he was a valuable treasure. There was nopony in all the kingdoms so deserving of such a unique creature as her. Once they killed that miserable elder dragon, he truly would be unique. The mere thought brought a grin to her face.

She was so wrapped up in her thoughts, she failed to hear her sisters words, instead just realizing the younger mare was staring. “What?”

“I said, you don't like him more than you do me, do you?” Jealousy tinged Sweetie's voice and she gave the dragon a glare.

“Pfft, of course not. He's only a dragon, darling,” Rarity pulled her sister into a tight hug. “Even if he is a friend, he'd barely be more than a pet. Nothing to compare to a member of the royal family.”

The younger unicorn nodded and gave her sister a hug. “Okay. I'll find a way to sneak him out later.” She paused and looked up. “I'm still your number one though, right?”

Rarity chuckled and gave another tight squeeze. “Yes. Of course you are darling...” She looked down at her sister, chuckling gently. The green slowly began to leave her eyes. “We should put these back and get back to our jobs. Mother may not care about these gifts, but she'll be furious if she finds us slacking.”

Next Chapter: Chapter 2: Awoken and Broken Estimated time remaining: 18 Hours, 41 Minutes
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