The Elements of Nature, Book 2

Chapter 5, The Blind Bandit

At Geoping, the group make it out of the Foggy Swamp. They're surrounded by all the brightly colored billboard, sings, and ponies, when Rarity spots a shop. “Oooh!” Rarity giggled as she runs for the shop, followed by Sweetie Belle.

“This place is huge. How are we going to find another Avatar here?” Twilight said. “Geoping is the third biggest city in Geo Firma, behind only Omashu and Ba Sing Se.”

“Wait, where’s Rarity and Sweetie Belle?” Rainbow asked, only for Agua to point toward the shop, where they see Rarity looking at a purple saddlebag with gold seems and gems, one being used as a button.

“It's pricey ... but I really do like it.” A pensive Rarity said.

“Then you should get it. You deserve something nice, sis.” Sweetie said.

“Your right.” Rarity said as she picks up the bag and shows it to the shop owner, pays three gold coins (five in Equestrian bits), and leaves with her new saddlebag.

“Did ya really have to get a new bag, Rarity?” Applejack asked

“Oh, come now, Applejack. After a whole year away from home, we should at least have a little fun every once in a while.” Rarity said as she places her most important items in her new bag, like soap, shampoo, and a picture of her and her sister.

As Rarity says this, two colts, one a Pegasus and the other a Unicorn, in the local academies uniforms, walk by. “I think The Boulder's going to win back the belt at Earth Rumble VI!” The Pegasus said.

“He's going to have to fight his way through the best fighters in Geo Firma to get the chance!” The Unicorn pointed out.

“Excuse me, but where is this Tournament, exactly?” Rainbow asked as they got closer.

“It's on the island of Noneya ...‘None ya’ business!” The colts than laugh and walk away.

“Why did you ask them about that tournament?” Fire’ asked Rainbow.

“Hey, Rarity’s right, we should at least have some fun and take a break.” Rainbow said. “Too bad they won’t tell us.”

“I'll take care of this." Agua said. "Hey, strong guys! Wait up!” She then runs after the students around a corner.

“Do you think she can tell us where this tournament is, Firebrand?” Twilight asked him.

“You ready to some fun? Because we're going to Earth Rumble VI!” Agua said.

“How'd you get them to tell ya, sugarcube?” Applejack asked her.

“Oh ... a mare has her ways.” Agua said while smiling as they head for the Tournament. On the corner where Agua talked to them, the two colts are frozen together at the head, encased in ice at an alley.

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Nightfall, and the find the entrance to the location of Earth Rumble VI: a lighted tunnel in a rock face. Ponies enter the tunnel and head down a hall where the competition will be held. A large rectangular arena is located in the middle. The arena has stairs running down to a lower, oval-shaped area. Seats for the spectators start at the same level as the arena. The gang walk into an empty row of seats. “Hey, front row seats! I wonder why no one else is sitting here.” Appel Bloom said as they sit down. Suddenly, a spear is thrown in their direction and it hits the seats behind them, barley hitting Fire’s head.

“I guess that's why.” Agua said as they head further up the seats to where its safe.

A Pegasus stallion walks to the center of the arena and grabs a microphone. “Welcome to Earth Rumble VI! I am your host, Xin Fu!”

Twilight than sighs out of realization. “This is just going to be a bunch of guys chucking rocks at each other, isn't it?”

“Sounds like it.” Rarity said.

“The rules are simple. Just knock your opponent out of the ring, and you win!” He then leaps up to a podium above the ring as a bell rings. “First up, The Boulder vs. The Big Bad Hippo!” The Boulder steps up as the crowd goes wild. He has a terra-cotta coat, earth green mane and tail, he also has a dumbbell for a cutie mark. He has a bow and arrow with him, with the arrows having boxing gloves on the tips. The Big Bad Hippo then steps forward. He has a moth that's like a real hippos. He has a yellow coat with a brown mane and tail with a hippopotamus for a cutie mark. He also has a large club.

The Boulder then points to the Hippo. “Listen up, Hippo. You may be big, but you ain't bad! The Boulder's gonna win this in a landslide!”

“Hippo ... mad!” The Hippo then raises his front legs in anger and stomps one foot. The Boulder fires three arrows that crash into The Hippo, but he doesn't move. He catches one arrow with his mouth, chews on it and spits it out. The Hippo then jumps up and down, causing the surface of the arena to tilt. The Boulder hereby looses his balance.

“Unbelievable, mares and gentlecolts! The Hippo is rocking the roof!” The Boulder reaches the edge, but saves himself at the last second. He grabs a large rock and throws it at his opponent, hitting him on the back. As The Hippo turns around to look at him, The Boulder tackles The Hippo and throws him out of the ring. The Hippo crashes in the lower area of around the arena and the fight ends thus in The Boulder’s favor.

“The Boulder wins!”

“That was interesting.” Rainbow said to the others as the...

“Next match ... The Boulder vs. Fire Nation Mare!”

The Fire Nation Mare while happily waving a Fire Nation flag. The crowd boos loudly. “Please, to rise for Fire Nation National Anthem!” She then begins to sing, loudly. “Fire Lord! My flame burns for thee!” Rocks are then thrown at her by a booing crowd.

“Go back to the Fire Nation!” Rainbow yelled out as she throws a rock that hits Fire Nation Mare’s head. Before she could recover from the hit on the head, The Boulder grabs her and throws her out of the ring. After a few more rounds, the last round is here.

“I thought this would never be over.” Twilight said.

“Tell me about it.” Firebrand said to her.

“Who do you think this champion is anyway. He must be strong if he beat the Boulder before.” Scootaloo said to the group.

“I have a feeling we’ll find out.” Agua said to her as Xin Fu goes to the center of the stage.

“Now, the moment you've all been waiting for. The Boulder vs. your champion ... The Blind Bandit!” Xin Fu said as a young mare comes into view, holding the belt above her head and wearing a cape. Two female assistants carry off the cape and the belt. She’s around the same age as Agua and Firebrand. She is carrying a scythe with rock patterns on the blade has a black diamond where the blade leaves the staff, along with a sand brown mane and tail with earth green streaks, and an earth green coat. Her cutie mark is a mountain, like the pattern on her sand brown hoofs.

“She can't really be blind. It's just part of her character, right?” Fluttershy said with worry in her voice.

“I think she is.” Firebrand said as he looks into the Blind Bandit's greenish eyes. “Theres something familiar about her.”

“This will defiantly be interesting.” Twilight said as the Boulder and the Blind Bandit face each other.

“I can’t look.” Pinkie said as she covers her eyes, only for her to slightly lift one of them so she can watch.

“The Boulder feels conflicted about fighting a young blind mare!” He said to the earth green mare.

“Sounds to me that you're scared, Boulder!” The young mare said to him mockingly.

“The Boulder's over his conflicted feelings, and now he's ready to bury you in a landslide!”

“Whenever you're ready, The Pebble!” She then laughs. Firebrand then flashes back to his vision in the swamp of a young, blind mare laughing.

“It's on!”

“I remember now.”

“You do? Where did you see her?” Twilight asked, trying her best to hide the jealousy in her voice.

“In the swamp, from my vision.”

In the ring, the Blind Bandit listens for the boulders movements, and detects them using seismic sense. Using this, she pulls out her scythe and, while The Boulder is least expecting it, catches his leg and makes him do a painful a split. She then bucks the Boulder out of the ring. “Your winner, and still the champion, The Blind Bandit!”

“How’d she do that?” Apple Bloom asked.

“She waited ... and listened. Using earthbending.” Firebrand said.

Xin Fu than flies down and lands next to the Blind Bandit. “To make things a little more interesting, I'm offering up this sack of gold pieces to anyone who can defeat the Blind Bandit!”

“One of us needs to talk to her.” Fire’ said while looking at Rainbow.

“Why are you looking at me?” The cyanic Pegasus asked.

“You have the best chance.”

“What? No one dares to face her?” Xin Fu called out again.

“Fine.” Rainbow reluctantly agreed. “I will!” She called out as she flies down to the ring.

“Do people really want to see two little fillies fighting out here?” The Blind Bandit said, getting a, ‘Oooh!’ from the audience.

“As much as I like to, I don't really want to fight you. I just want to talk to you.” Rainbow said as Xin Fu flies up to the announcement box.

“This should be interesting.” He said as the Blind Bandit runs up to Rainbow and bucks her.

“Ow!” Twilight said as Rainbow falls to the ground, but catches herself just in time and hovers a few meters away from the Blind Bandit.

“Somepony's a little light on her hoofs!” The Bland Bandit said, not able to tell where Rainbow is now. “What's your fighting name: Twinkle Hoofs?” The Blind Bandit asked as Rainbow gently lands a few meters behind her. Sensing this, the Blind Bandit slashers her scythe at Rainbow, who takes to the air. “Where'd you go?” She asked.

“Wait, please.” Rainbow said from behind.

“There you are!” The Blind Bandit said as she take Rainbow by her tail, using her teeth, and pulls her in. “I’m gonna enjoy this, Twinkle Hoofs.”

“This is not good.” Fire’ said as Fluttershy, Scootaloo and Pinkie Pie turn away, while Applejack looks on eagerly as the Bland Bandit buck Rainbow all the way to them.

“Ow!” Rainbow said as she falls to the ground, completely disoriented.

“Rainbow! Are you okay?” Scootaloo said as she stands over Rainbow’s herd.

“Ask me again, when there’s only one of you.”

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The next morning, after they checked Rainbow into the closest hospital, the group meet by the market. “Any luck?” Twilight asked the others.

“Nothing.”

“Buckets.”

“Nada.”

“It’s almost like she don't even exists.” Applejack said. Then she sees Rainbow flying over to them. “Eff'n it ain’t th' livin' punchin' bag.”

“Arn’t you ever gonna drop that, AJ?” Rainbow asked.

“Nope, never.” Applejack said, putting a big frown on Rainbows face.

“If we want to find the Blind Bandit, the Academy is a great place to start.” Fire’ said, trying to change the subject as he heads for the academy, where meet with the same two colts from yesterday.

“Oh great, you again.” The Unicorn said.

Agua then glares at them, causing them to back off. “Yeah, I didn't think so.”

“We need to find the Blind Bandit. Do you guys know where she lives?” Fire’ asked.

“The Blind Bandit's a mystery. She shows up to fight, then disappears.” The Pegasus said.

Agua then places a hoof on Firebrand’s shoulder. “Let me handle this.” She the approaches the two students with a stern look. “You're not telling us everything!” She accusingly said.

“I--I swear it's true! No one knows where she goes, or who she really is.” The Pegasus said out of fear.

“That's because we're asking about the wrong pony.” Fire’ realized.

“What are you getting at, Fire’?” Twilight asked him.

"Well, in my vision, I saw a mare, in a white dress, with a pet flying boar. Know anypony like that?” Fire’ asked the colts.

“Well, a flying boar is the symbol of the Beifong family. They're the richest ponies in town.” The Unicorn said.

“Yeah, but they don't have a daughter.” The Pegasus finished. “They do have a son.”

“A flying boar is good enough for me. Let's check it out.” Fire’ said as he leaves with the others.

“Yeah, you'd better leave.” One of the colts quietly said.

“Hey, I got my eye on you.” Agua said to them.

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At the Earth Rumble VI venue, the Boulder is talking to Xin Fu. “I'm telling you, The Boulder was standing right there. I saw the filly move, but the Blind Bandit couldn't see her. That multicolored Pegasus must have took the dive to split the money with the Blind Bandit.”

“Nopony cheats Xin Fu.” He said out of anger as he slams at the wall, causing some rocks to fall.

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Later at the Beifong estate, the gang arrives. “That's the flying boar from my vision. Come on!” Firebrand said.

They enter the courtyard when, suddenly, part of the ground lifts up, launching them into the air. They then see the Blind Bandit in a white dress on the ground nearby. “What are you doing here, Twinkle Hoofs?” The Blind Bandit asked Rainbow.

“How did you know we were coming?” Agua asked her.

“How did you find me?” The Blind Bandit asked.

“Well, a crazy king told me that, in order to find the Earth Avatar, we had to find an earthbender who listens to the earth. And then I had a vision in a magic swamp, and -”

“What Fire’ is trying to say is, he's the Avatar of Fire, while Agua here is the Avatar of Water. Were looking for the Avatar of Earth, and we think you might be the Earth Avatar.” Twilight told her.

“Not my problem. Now, get out of here, or I'll call the guards.” She said.

“Terra, who are these ponies, and why are you showing them your earthbending?” Terra then turns around, while the others see where the voice is coming from. Her older brother, Geo, is heading for them. Unlike his sister, he has a sand brown coat and an earth green mane and tail. He has light green eyes, and a horseshoe for a cutie mark.

“They are looking for the Avatar of Earth, Geo.” Terra said to him.

“Really.”

“Look, we don’t want any trouble. Were just looking for the Earth Avatar.” Firebrand told them.

Geo looks at his sister and nods. She then lowers the earth. “Come. Lets head in.” Geo said to them. Later, inside the dining hall, Geo and Terra are talking to their unexpected guests. “Your lucky our parents are away. Avatars or not, they would have you guys beheaded.” Geo told them as they drank tea.

“They would.” Fluttershy said.

“Yeah. Their kind of overprotective.” Terra told to them.

“Oh, grate.” Rainbow said.

“Look. I know my sister here is the Avatar of Earth, but if mom and dad found out, she would never see the light of day again, if you know what I mean.” Geo said to them.

“I understand, but if we have any chance against the Fire Nation, we need all the Avatars.” Agua said to them.

“When did you first find out about your bending?” Spike asked.

“Even though I was born blind, I've never had a problem seeing. I see with earthbending. It's kind of like seeing with my hoofs. I feel the vibrations in the Earth, and I can see where everything is. You, that tree outside ... even those ants near Rarity's.”

They then look at Rarity’s cup, and see some ants around it. “Disgusting.” Rarity said as she moves the cup from the ants and brushes them off the table. The others soon laugh as they head outside, with it almost being nightfall.

“That's amazing, how your able to see through the earth!” Twilight said to Terra as they walk around the garden.

“Yeah, but my parents don't understand.” Terra said. “They've always treated me like I was helpless.”

“Is that why you became the Blind Bandit?” Spike asked, getting a nod from Terra.

“Then why stay here where you're not happy?” Pinkie asked.

“I asked that.” Geo said. “They're our parents. Where else is she supposed to go?”

“Terra could come with us.” Fire’ suggested.

“Yeah. You guys get to go wherever you want. No one telling you what to do, that's the life. It's just not my life.” Suddenly, Terra detects something and touches the ground. “We're being ambushed!” Terra said, but it’s too late as the Earth Rumble VI wrestlers surround them, along with Xin Fu.

“I think you foals owe me some money.” Xin Fu said as he pulls out a knife.

“This isn’t good.” Fire’ said as he pulls out his sword.

“Theses guys take that tournament way too seriously.” Agua said as she takes out her trident, while Terra takes out her scythe as Fluttershy, Pinkie, Spike, the CMC and Geo hide behind a rock. One of the wrestlers, called the Gecko, crawls along the floor and becomes aware of Terra's presence. He fires two arrows which she easily dodges. She bends up a series of pillars, sending him flying out of the courtyard.

The Gopher tunnels behind Terra and heads for Agua, and sends a rock at her head. She grabs the rock with waterbending and returns it, knocking him out. The Boulder and The Hippo prepare to attack Fire’ and Twilight. The Headhunter flies in from behind to complete the ambush, however, thinking quickly, Fire’ uses his magic to deflect the Headhunter and sends him on a collision course with the other two wrestlers, knocking them down. “Nice thinking, Fire.’” Twilight said as Xin Fu sneaks up on her, wrapping one of his legs around Twilight’s neck and places a small dagger near Twilight’s head.

“Twilight!” Fire’ said as he turns around to see Xin Fu. “Let her go, now!” Fire’ said in a stern and angry voice.

“What are you going to do about it? If she even makes a twitch, she is a dead mare. And even if you knock the dagger out of my hoof, I can just break her neck.” Xin Fu said. “And besides, I’m sure the Fire Nation will pay a hefty price for an Alicorn, dead or alive.”

“Firebrand. Help!” Twilight said as Xin Fu slowly strangles her.

“Let. Her. Go. NOW!” Fire’ said as he begins to glow.

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On a remote island, a small crown that's like Twilight’s tiara, only with a red gem in the shape of fire, and the gold pointing up like flames, begins to glow in the jungle. It’s right next to a white orb that appears to be alive.

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At the Beifong estate, Firebrand begins to be cover in fire. His mane and tail become blue fire while the rest of him becomes white fire, while his sword and eyes become orange fire. Both Xin Fu and Twilight are horrified by what just happened to Firebrand. Fire’ then disappears in a flash.

“Huh.” Xin Fu began. “Where did he go...” Before he could finish, Firebrand appears behind her and throws him across the courtyard.

“Firebrand? I didn't know you could do that.” A shocked Twilight said.

“I didn't either. I just became so worried about you that this happened.” Fire’ then stops when he realizes what he just said. Though he is still made of fire, Twilight can see that he’s blushing. She blushes too.

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On top of a hill, an insectoid like creature carrying a samurai sword sees Fire’ and stays in place. The creature is like a changeling, only with white armor with red spikes coming out of his shoulders. He also has red eyes and is carrying a katana.

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“Okay, I’m sick of this.” A clearly annoyed Terra said as her neckless (which looks like her cutie mark) begins to glow. Her mane and tail become sand while her body and scythe become pure earth and stone.

“Same here.” Agua said as her neckless begins to glow also, turning her into water. Her mane and tail become steam while her body becomes liquid water while her wings and trident become ice. She the fires a blast of water at Fire Nation Mare and it freezes her front hoofs.

“OK. Time to get out of here.” Fire Nation Mare said as she runs away, along with the other wrestlers.

“That was awesome!” Rainbow said to the three Avatars as they then return to their normal forms and collapse.

“Firebrand!” Twilight nearly yelled as she runs up to him while the others run up to Agua and Terra. “Are you all right? Can you get up?” Twilight asked him as she lifted his head.

“Do I have to?” Fire’ said to her. She then releases her hold and he drops. Agua and Terra then get up, followed by Firebrand.

“That was amazing, sis. You finally got a hold on that.” Geo said to his little sister.

“Thanks, Geo.” Terra said.

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On the hill, the creature sees them talking about what happened before leaving. “Hmmm ... Impressive.” It said as it leaves.

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Later, it's almost dawn, and Fire’ is walking in the garden along with Twilight. “We’ll be leaving soon Fire,’ thanks to. So why the long face?”

“Its that Xin Fu from last night.” Fire’ said to the purple Alicorn. He threatened you. I can’t believe anypony is like that.”

“Tell me about it. But the good news is that you can become an inferno whenever you want to now.” Twilight said, trying to cheer Fire’ up.

“Yeah. I guess it is a good thing.” Fire’ then pauses for a moment. “Twilight, I swear that I will never let something like that happen to you ever again.” Twilight then blushes, but she tries her best to hide it as they head for the chariot.

“Take good care of my sister.” Geo said.

“We will, Geo.” Fire’ said to him. “Say, how are you going to explain this to your family?”

“I’ll tell them that I found a school for the blind and I sent Terra there with some guards. And that I told the teachers to include nothing but the safest programs” Geo said as the group leave, with Terra finally getting her first taste of real freedom.

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In a forest near the border of Equestria and Geo Firma, the strange creature from before is walking along a river. He the stops for a moment. “So,” he began, “the Avatar has returned, but in 5 bodies like the prophecy said. But so have I!” He the continues to walk away.