Chapter 21 Let's Go East

Things continued like this for another six months. Spark Storm trained with Frostbite the most. The two of them seemed to be on equal terms of destructive force, though Spark Storm was a better tactician. After months of training, though, Frostbite could move nearly as well.

Spark Storm learned from him, as well. He learned patience in battle, and control.

Working with Gunslinger had helped Spark, as well. He learned aim and precision. Gunslinger also taught him that coupled with the control lessons he'd learned from Frostbite, he could make an excellent marksman, or maybe a sniper. Stealth had always been one of Spark's natural gifts.

As the days wore on, Spark grew faster and stronger, as did his training partners. They grew closer as well, the three of them often going into the woods together and not coming back for days, even then just to get Gunslinger more ammo for his weapons.

It wasn't long until Orea joined them. While the other two colts were still apprehensive about having a monster on the team, she soon proved to be invaluable. She demonstrated abilities that mirrored her mother's, as Spark remembered. She could provide close-to-long range assistance in dealing with monsters. She could call forth roots from the ground and capture beasts, then steal their energy and feed herself with it.

She had explained that was how she ate, and she needed to do it at least three times a week to sustain herself. While it was a rather disturbing sight, Frostbite and Gunslinger were just glad that she was on their side.
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Spark Storm's 12th birthday came and went. Three weeks after this, Princess Celestia called for him to her audience chamber. Upon arriving, he saw familar faces, along with a new one. This new face was an Alicorn, surprisingly. Spark didn't even know there were other Alicorns. This one was also a female. She was an attractive mare, tall and slim, with triple-toned hair.

Directly beside her was the stallion that Twilight Sparkle had been so excited about the last time he'd seen her. What was his name? Shining Armor? Yes, that's it. He and the Alicorn mare seemed a little too close to have just met. Spark noted familiarity between them.

The third pony he saw was Twilight Sparkle herself. She stood close to her brother, a big, happy smile on her face. Spark figured this was probably the first time she'd gotten to see her big brother since that last time.

And the fourth, besides Princess Celestia, was an old face. Spark's eyes lit up, and he put a big, stupid grin on his face as his excitement and happiness grew.

"Wh-what? Emerald Skies?"

The green Pegasus from his past looked just as surprised and happy as Spark was.

"Spark Storm! What in the blue blazes are you doing here?"

The two Pegasi laughed and pranced and launched themselves at each other, landing in a big hug on the floor. All too soon, their stallion instincts kicked in and they got back up, both offering an uncomfortable cough, quiet mutterings of "Hey, good to see you" and a subtle hoof-bump.

Spark Storm couldn't help it. He smiled that big idiot smile again and looked over at Princess Celestia, who looked like she was trying to hide the heartstrings that had been pulled at the happy reunion.

"Princess, what's going on? I'm happy to see Emerald, but...this," he punctuated 'this' by waving a hoof at everypony assembled, "What is this?"

Celestia smiled and stepped forth. As she did, so did the two Unicorn siblings and the smaller Alicorn.

"Spark Storm, I have called you here to be part of a special task. I am sending Princess Cadence," She motioned to the other Alicorn, "-Lieutenant Shining Armor and Twilight Sparkle to Neippon on a peaceful mission. It will be a trip to establish both business and friendly relations with our two countries.

And of course, about your friend from Ponyville. He has become an apprentice at the town's library. He's made such a good impression. He has established himself as a competent librarian, skilled in linguistics. He will serve as translator for this group."

Spark Storm grinned and clapped his old friend on the back. "That's awesome, Emerald! But, uh...Where do I come in?"

Celestia nodded with a warm smile. "I was just getting to that. Spark Storm, you have proven yourself a competent combatant, you have proven you have invaluable skills in the field. I want you along on this trip to help protect my niece and my student."

Spark arched a brow. Something about this was just a little off. "I don't understand, your Majesty. I mean, I'm honored that you'd choose me, but...Why not take your royal guards?"

Shining smiled at this. The boy was sharp.

Celestia also noted this. "This is where you will find your usefulness, Spark Storm. You see, when I had this meeting set up, there were whispers in Neippon that there would be an assassination attempt on the Princess and the Lieutenant. Apparently somepony doesn't want peace to exist between us. "

A gasp from Twilight Sparkle told Spark that she was hearing this for the first time as well.

"I need somepony who can blend into the shadows and protect these two. They are pivotal in establishing peace."

Spark Storm frowned and looked at those around him. Emerald was immersed in thought. Shining Armor was watching to see his reaction, and the smaller Princess was watching Shining with concern in her eyes. Twilight, however, looked like she was trying to decide who to stare daggers at, him or Celestia.

Spark Storm swallowed hard. Princess Celestia was sending him on a mission to prevent an assassination attempt? Alone?

The elder Princess seemed to catch onto his thoughts though, and gestured behind him. "Don't be so nervous, Spark Storm. I am not sending you to this task alone."

At the sound of the doors opening behind him caught his ears, he turned, half expecting Sapphire Snow. Instead, he was caught around the neck by one of the bounciest ponies he'd ever seen. He would've thought it was Pinkie Pie, but this one had wings.

"Sparky! Sparky Sparky Spark!" she called as she somehow bounced while hugging him. When she pulled away so he could get a look at her, he recognized her immediately.

"Oh! Lemon Pop!" He laughed and hugged her, this time the hug went both ways. He smiled and pulled away, a hint of faraway recognition in his eyes. Was it just him, or was there a Fighter that looked like her? He shrugged, putting that thought away for another time.

"Oh Sparky, Sapphire misses you so much! She really wanted to be here with you on this mission, but...she's still training." She gave a little pout that lifted Spark's spirits a little. He hadn't gotten to know Lemon all that well, but she was so much like Pinkie Pie that it was easy to like her.

"How is she doing? What-"

"Everypony, please." Celestia called. Spark sighed as he turned his attention back to Celestia. He did a double-take to his side when he saw Frostbite there.

"Oh hey, you too?"

"Apparently. Didn't realize so many of the Fighters would be here for this."

Spark Storm smiled with a light shrug. Maybe Twilight didn't have so much to worry about, after all.

Princess Celestia smiled down at her fully assembled team. "There we have it. Spark Storm, Frostbite, Lemon Pop, you three will serve as official Royal Guards for this mission. Emerald Skies, Twilight Sparkle, you two will serve as diplomatic relations. Princess Cadence, Lieutenant Shining Armor, you know your part in this mission already..."

The two older ponies nodded their agreement. So Spark was protecting the two of them and he didn't even know what they were doing? Well, he supposed that would make this trip all the more interesting, but whatever. He was finally going somewhere in his career as a Fighter, and he was going on a trip with old friends and new. He was getting excited!
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That evening, just as Celestia had brought the sun down for the night, she had made to return down the stairs when she found Orea waiting for her. This was to be expected.

"Hello, Orea, dear."

Orea stared up at the Princess with anger. She practically shook with fury.

"You cannot do this. My Storm must never leave my side, Princess. He cannot leave!"

Celestia returned the stare, only hers was a little more intimidating.

"Orea, I know how you feel about Spark Storm, but I don't think you realize how he feels about you."

Orea's gaze hardened. "Of course I know how he feels about me. He loves me."

"He loves you because you tell him to, Orea."

"No! He loves me because - "

She was cut off as Celestia raised her wings over her head. Dark, angry clouds billowed around the top of the turret, lightning and thunder crashing loudly around them. Orea shrieked and ducked her head on the ground. Just as quickly as it had appeared, the stormclouds were gone. Celestia stepped closer to Orea, her voice calm, but barely.

"Little Orea, when Spark Storm is away, your spell will grow weaker. By the time he is home again, his head will be clear and he will be free to choose whom he loves. And you will not interfere with his feelings again, or you will no longer be welcome here. I hope I make myself clear. Goodnight, Orea."

The Princess made her way down the stairwell, leaving Orea to draw herself into a little, pitiable ball of green, and cry.