Chapter 10: Beauty Within
Pythor, Skales, and a few other Serpentine were making their way through a jungle for the second key now that they have the first. Pythor is a little bit furious about what happened back in the Crystal Empire with the Rattle-Copter and Flash and his true potential.
Pythor looked at the map, and smirked as he saw the second key was just up ahead. "We're getting closer, It should be just beyond those trees." He to his troops. They eventually came to some old ruins, with plants, vines and moss growing over the stones. In the center of the ruins there was a shrine with a pedestal, where the second key should be resting.
Pythor slithered up to the shrine, ready to take the key, only to step on a switch and then the sound of turning gears and machinery was heard. At that moment Pythor knew, he screwed up, "Oh dear." he said before out of the walls shot darts, and arrows, spikes appeared out of the floor, boulders flung out from the sides and trap doors under the stone steps appeared. The Serpentine screamed and yelped in panic as dodged the traps as every step they took only triggered more.
"Watch where your walking you Foolssss!" Skales told them as he ducked under some arrows.
Soon the Serpentine reached the pedestal and panted to catch their breath, "Oh, for ssssecond there I thought we were gonerssss!" Skales said with relief.
Pythor smirked, "Me too," he then laughed as he approached the pedestal.
Skales frowned at his leader, "Your alwayssss laughing at your minionssss expanssssse. That'ssss not a good leadership quality." Skales grumbled. But Pythor heard that.
"What did you say?" He asked as Skales yelped and put on a nervous grin.
"Um, uhh I said, let'sss grab the key and head for the next Fangblade." Skales said before Pythor turned back to the pedstal. But the moment he reached it, he found nothing on it.
"What? Where is it?! Where's the key?!" Pythor asked in frustration.
Meanwhile on the Destiny's Bounty, the Ninja, Aqua, The Mane 6, Spike and Cozy Glow were traveling to the location of the Second key, which was in the last place they thought it be.
"So let me get this straight," Rainbow started as she looked at Gaia, "Your telling me, the second key to the Fangblade, is smack dab in your family's own house?"
"Well, yeah..." Gaia answered sheepishly. "My grandfather, Jungle Trekker, discovered it long before I was born. He told me stories of his adventures when I was just a filly. Right now, it's part of my families collection."
Flash the spoke up, "And if Pythor is going to where it was originally placed, he doesn't know where it is now."
"Meaning we'll be one step ahead of him," Spike grinned, "And once get that key, we'll stop Pythor's plan of awakening the Great Devourer!"
"And then we can focus on saving Lloyd." Cozy added, worried about her best friend.
Twilight ruffled her mane, "Don't worry Cozy, we'll get him back. Let's just focus on getting the Fangblades first." she said as Cozy nodded.
Landrush grumbled as scratched his head, "Ugh, I know I've seen the Fangblade some where before, but where?"
"Uh Landrush, didn't you hear what we were talking about?" Thunder asked him.
"Nevermind him," Trail spoke as he stood up next to the map. "Let's head to Gaia's place, get the key, and stop the Serpentine from getting the next Fangblade."
"Yeah... no." Gaia said, quickly before turning to leave the bridge. "I'm not going back to Maretonia, so you guys go have fun without me."
"WHAT?!" The others shouted in unison.
Before Gaia could walk out the door Flash zipped right in front of her. "Whoa, whoa, whoa! No way, Gaia." He said as Gaia stopped in surprise, "Your the only one knows where the key is, and I doubt your family will let us search if your not there to confirm it."
Gaia bit her lip, seeing his point, "Um, well you could...um?" She struggled to say.
Fluttershy walked up to the mare and placed a hoof on her shoulder, "Gaia, is there something about your home that's bothering you?" she asked gently.
Frost stood on her other side, "Whatever it is we will be there to support you through it."
"Plus there's also the fact that Pythor may find out the key is there too." Applejack pointed out.
"And you know how far he'll go to get that key." Twilight added, remembering how Pythor was willing to have the entire Crystal Empire be buried under a mountain of ice and snow, "Would you really be okay if Pythor attack Maretonia and endangering your family?"
Gaia looked conflicted for moment. She really, really didn't want to go back to her home city but she also didn't want Pythor to get a step closer to unleashing the Great Devourer...or her family getting hurt. So with reluctant sigh she nodded, "Okay, I'll go. But first there's something you should know about me and my family," She said as everypony looked at her in confusion, "I didn't want to say this before now because I was afraid you'd treat me differently and was embarrassed by it"
"It can't be that embarrassing, Darling." Rarity spoke. "We promise we won't laugh." The others smiled and nodded.
"Okay..." Gaia said before she took a deep breath. "Remember how I told you I know you don't really sound like that Rarity?" Rarity nodded her head. "Well it's because, I know what the true high class manner of speaking is, dearie." The accent in her voice was exactly like Rarity's.
"Hey, that was a good impression of her." Thunder said with a chuckle while the others were stunned silent. It was shocking to Gaia, probably one of the roughest, toughest mares they've ever known talk so upper-class like. Thunder then realized what Gaia just did and was flabbergasted too, "Wait, HOW DID YOU DO THAT?!"
"Like I said, Thunder, I know what the true high class manner of speaking is." Gaia answered before she cleared her throat. "And it's sometimes hard to stop. When I was a filly, I was taught to speak, walk, even eat like a high class pony because my family is rich and high class."
"What?!" Everypony said, before Rarity fainted and Landrush caught her.
"Yeah, it was a nice gig, good food, nice clothes and of course the cool toys but it was a boring lifestyle for me!" Gaia complained. "All I ever did was read books, balancing books on my head while walking, playing the piano, attending stuffy parties and not going outside to have any fun. Then on a rainy day, when I was walking back home from my piano lesson with my butler, I saw some fillies and colts playing in the mud. Just the sight of them made me envious and I wanted to join in on the fun. So while my butler wasn't looking, that's what I did, I slowly walked up to them and asked them if I can play with them. I didn't like it at first but then I had tons of fun later. I never had that much fun in a long time at all."
"Wow, your mom must have been really steamed when she found out you played in the mud." Rainbow Dash said as Gaia rubbed the back of her head.
"About that, she didn't know." Gaia said with sigh. "When I was done playing and come home covered in mud, my mom was horrified by the sight of me and wanted to know what happened. I wanted to tell her I played in the mud but I was afraid she wouldn't let me go out anymore. But my butler saw how much fun I was having when he found out I snuck away and everything. So he told her that a wagon went by so fast and its wheel splashed in a mud puddle and I got covered by it."
"So you never told your mom you played in the mud?" Aqua asked as Gaia shook her head in response.
"I never did and never will." Gaia told them. "And ever since then, I guess you can say I was living a double life for my mom. Whenever I go to my piano lessons, I just go to the playground and have fun with my friends. Going to stuffy parties alone, going to crazy fun parties. Anything boring she thought I was doing, was really me going out and have fun behind her back."
"And I'm guessing she doesn't know your a ninja either?" Starlight asked.
Gaia raised a brow, "You really assume my mother would let her 'sweet, delicate, little flower' become an uncouth, wild warrior?'" she asked with her high class accent again, before she cleared her throat, looking nervous, "It would bad enough if she found out I was rolling around in the dirt behind her back for years, but she found out I became a Ninja, she'd go Mama Ursa Major on me!"
"So then just keep up the act." Thunder told her. "Say that we came with because the Serpentine is after the key your grandfather found and she'll never know."
"That's might work, or you can tell your ma the truth." Applejack told Gaia. "She will find out one way or another." Gaia looked between Applejack and Thunder before she came to a decision.
"Yeah I'm going with Thunder's idea. Can't believe I actually said that," She told them, making Applejack rolled her eyes in annoyance. "But it's been so long since I acted all high class, apart from throwing my voice around, I think I forgot everything else on how to be high class." Rarity quickly ran up to her with a wide grin on her face.
"Don't worry darling! Rarity is here re-education in the ways of proper ladyship!" She declared as Gaia backs away with a nervous grin.
"Heh, Great." She mumbled, now silently wishing she choose to tell the truth.
"Set sail!" Rarity ordered the others. "By the time I'm done with Gaia, we shall be in Maretonia by then." She then used her magic to pull Gaia out of the room. Gaia looked at them with pleading eyes as she mouth the words "help me" as she was being dragged away.
The others shook their heads in amusement, not noticing just outside the window, a serpent like camera drone was spying on them.
Meanwhile back in the Madness Realm the Spinjitzu Brothers and the Royal Sisters neared the summit of the mountain. Celestia looked at both Wu and Garmadon before looking at Luna and smiled. "Brings back memories, doesn't it Luna?" Celestia asked her sister.
Luna smiled back at her sister, "You mean when we first visited the Monastery with Starswirl all those centuries ago?" She chuckled, "I remembered how Starswirl forbade us from flying up and we nearly sweated like pig once we reached the top."
"I remember that time like it was only yesterday." Wu said before he looked towards his brother. "Do you brother?"
Garmadon looked at the three and chuckled a little. "I remember. It was the time both our father and Starswirl where discussing matters over the Serpentine, long when we were at peace, when they just stayed on their side and we and the others stayed on ours." He glanced at Wu, "Until you decided it was good idea for us to break that law, little brother."
Wu winced as the two sister glanced at him sympathetically, remembering the time where he made a foolish choice that nearly ended the truce between the Creatures of Equestria, "Yes, but we managed to correct my mistake and I learned an important lesson that we all did during the Serpentine Wars."
"Never trust a snake." The four said together before laughing as the boulders behind them moved.
Garmadon then let out a sigh, "I only wished Lloyd had learned that lesson before he walked right into that snake nest."
Wu placed a hoof on his brother's shoulder, "Do not despair brother, we will save your son. I promise you that," He said, Garmadon just grunted and shrugged off the hoof as he continued to ascend.
Wu sighed, though they were now at a temporary alliance the darkness in Garmadon's heart still held a tight grip. Celestia held a comforting wing over Wu as he nodded to her and they continued upward. Luna glanced at Garmadon, noting his response to Wu's comfort, silently wondering if this was how Celestia while she was falling prey to her own darkness. She was pulled from her thoughts when she heard the sound of rocks shifting behind her, she looked and saw nothing but stones.
She hummed suspicious as she stepped closer to the rocks, feeling something was wrong. But before she could inspect them further, she heard her sister calling, "Luna, come on!" Celestia shouted.
Luna glanced back at Celestia before turning back to the rocks with a suspicious scowl before trotting after Celestia and the brothers...but when her back was turned, she didn't see the rocks shifted a face with glowing orange eyes.
Back in Equestria, the Destiny's Bounty now hovers over the city of Maretonia as the others waited for Rarity and Gaia to up from below deck. "Didn't Rarity say by the time we get here she'll be done with Gaia?" Trail complained as he paced around. "What's taking so long?"
"Don't worry Trail, shouldn't be too long now." Flash said and then Rarity walked up looking very proud.
"Terribly sorry for the wait darlings," she apologized before glancing at the doorway, "Apparently Gaia is a lot more stubborn than I originally thought."
Thunder raised a brow and glanced at the door, "Um, where she?" he asked as they all heard an embarrassed moan.
"Over here," Gaia said waving a hoof, "I'm coming out, just please don't laugh," Soon she stepped on to the deck and everyone's jaw dropped while Rarity smiled brightly. Gaia had her mane down to show it was long, she wearing light chartreuse eyeshadow with eyeliner, and finally she is wearing a beautiful summer green dress with a sunflower petal around the skirt part.
"Sweet Celestia..." Landrush said in aw when he saw Gaia. Thunder dropped his soda he was drinking but still have the straw in his mouth. A little bit of steam was coming off of Frost as he was staring at Gaia while the wings of both Flash and Trail stood at attention. This was probably the most girly they had ever seen Gaia look like before.
"Hubba hubba." Spike said when he got a good look at Gaia.
Gaia blushed brightly and covered her face in embarrassment, "Guys pleeaaasee, don't look at me like that! Your making me nervous!" She strained out. The Starlight, Cozy and the Mane 6, minus Twilight, looked at the boys in amusement, while Twilight and Aqua looked a bit irked at their coltfriends for gawking at Gaia.
Rainbow saw this and flew over to them, "Jealous?" she teased as Aqua and Twilight gave her a death glare before turning to the boys.
"Ahem!" They both said as the boys snapped out it and shook their heads.
"Right!" Flash shouted as he and the other boys snapped out of it and Thunder spit out the straw. "Let's uh...let's get down there." Each ninja took one of the Main Six while Spike went with Flash and Twilight, Cozy Glow went with Frost and Fluttershy, and Starlight went with Landrush and Applejack as they jumped off the Bounty and summon their Spinjitzu vehicles to fall faster.
Once they landed, Gaia held out a case with slots for each of the Golden Weapons, "Alright fork 'em over boys," She ordered as she already had her said in it.
One by one the boys placed their weapons in the case, "Ah, ah, ah. But no mortal shall possess all six," Thunder joked.
"Why do we have to hide our wepons?" Flash asked as he placed his Bo of Wind in the case.
"I told you, I can't let my mom find out I'm a ninja and I don't think it'll be believable if she finds me wearing a ninja suit and carrying two sais," Gaia told him as she closed the case. "Now, take off those suits and let's see if my mom will let us have the key."
"So which house is yours?" Landrush ask looking out across the city.
"Is that one with tall trees?" Trails asked, pointing to the on the left house.
"Or how about that one with the green roof?" Thunder pointed to a tall house on the right.
Frost took a turn and directed their attention to the river, "I sense that your house is the one near the village river." He said.
"Guys," Flash said, getting their attention, "I think we should let Gaia tell where her house is," he turned to Gaia and nodded.
Gaia sighed and pointed her hoof forward, "It's that one." She said, pointing to the largest green mansion in the middle of town.
The others looked flabbergasted as the turned to Gaia, pointing at her then the house. Gaia sheepishly smiles and nods. Thunder presses his front hooves on his head and makes a high pitch squeak while Rarity mumbles in disbelief before fainting and Landrush catching her again.
"THAT'S YOUR HOUSE?!" Pinkie Pie shouted at the top of her lungs when they saw a mansion about as wide as a football field or two with many hedges around it and about three or four fountains going up to the front door. It looked even more like a castle than a mansion from their point of view.
"What can I say, my grandfather liked to travel a lot. Finding treasures from like lost kingdoms or civilizations, all that stuff." Gaia said before she opened the gate. "You all coming or what?" When they all snapped out of their flabbergastation, the boys did Spinjitzu and changed out of their ninja uniforms before they all followed her in.
As they walked to the front door, everyone, minus Gaia, couldn't help but gawk at their surroundings, "Whoa Gaia, I know you told us your family was rich but," Twilight said, unable to comprhend the size of the mansion and it's grounds.
Gaia just shrugged, growing up here she was as impressed as everypony else, "Yeah it's nice, but don't let this or the indoor gardens fool you?" She said.
Fluttershy gasped in surprise before zipping over to Gaia with a sparkling smile, "You have indoor garden?! With animals?!" She asked.
Gaia made a hesitant nod, "Umm, yes. Even though my mom isn't a fan of dirt and mud, she has a really soft spot for animals." Fluttershy squealed in excitement. Pretty soon they made it to the doors. Gaia reach for the door bell rope but hesitated, knowing this was not going to be easy. She looked back at her friends, who gave her some encouraging nods, before turning back to the door, taking a deep breath in and out, and pulling the rope and the sound of a bell was heard.
"Coming!" A mare's voice said as Gaia held her breath, straightened her dress and prepared herself. The door was open by a mare with an emerald green coat, a platinum mane braided over one shoulder, a dark green dress, gold bracelets and necklace, aqua green eye shadow and a white fur boa. Once she saw Gaia she beamed, "Gaia darling, you're home!"
"Hello dearest mother." Gaia spoke in the fancy accent. "It is wonderful to see you again."
Gaia's mother rushed forward and hugged her, "Oh look at you, such a perfectly clean, proper, and beautiful young mare, I'm so proud." she gushed as she held Gaia by her blushing cheeks before she realized they weren't alone, "Oh my, Gaia you're already starting a line of suitors? How wonderful! You must tell which one you're considering!" Gaia's mother then started looking at each of the boys carefully as they blushed at the 'suitors' comment.
"Mother!" Gaia yelled in embarrassment.
Gaia's mother then made a sharp turn and gave her daughter a disapproving look, "What have I told you about raising your voice in public?" she asked strictly.
Gaia realized what she did and covered her mouth, "I-" she tried to say before her mother interrupted her.
"And make eye contact and stand on four legs when somepony is speaking to you!"
"Sorry!" Gaia Apologized, standing on all fours straight.
"And stop apologizing!" Her mother demanded.
"Of course!" Gaia complied, bowing her head.
"Um excuse me." Twilight spoke up. "But it's an honored to meet you."
Gaia's mother turned and then realized that the princess of Equestria was standing before her. She gasped in alarm, before checking her hair, makeup and dress, while Gaia rolled her eyes behind her. Once she thought she was proper she gave a respectful bow to Twilight, "Your majesty Princess Twilight Sparkle, please forgive my rude welcome, had I known you were coming I would've prepared the mansion for your visit. I am Rose Boral, mistress of the Boral Mansion,"
Twilight blushed at the thoughtfulness but waved her off, "Oh none sense Mrs. Boral. Your daughter assured me your home is very welcoming."
Rose's eyes widen before turning to her daughter, "Gaia? Your 'friends' with the princess of Equestria?" she asked slowly.
Gaia made a nervous face but nodded.
"Uh, she's also friends with the six heroes of Equestria!" Rainbow Dash spoke up as she and the others stood next to Twilight.
"And Spike the Brave and Glorious of the Crystal Empire!" Spike said proudly, winking. Before he was pulled into a back-breaking hug.
"Oh, aren't you just cutest little thing in all of Equestria!" Rose gushed as Spike gagged from her tightening grip while the other grinned in amusement.
"Oh mother, we surely can't keep our conversation just waiting outside." Gaia spoke up, wanting to get this over with as fast as possible. "And the princess wants to discuss something with you about one of grandfather's artifacts he found."
"Oh yes, of course!" Rose sat Spike down and looked at everypony. "Please do come in darlings. I will have Gentle Serve fetch us some tea and biscuits. But please wipe your hooves before coming in." Each of them wiped their hooves on the doormat before walking and seeing the place was bigger inside than it did on the out.
"Wow!" Rainbow said flying close to the ceiling, "This place is Awesome!"
"I must say Madam Rose," Rarity said as they walked down a hall and she looked at the paintings, "I heard the Boral family was rich, but this is truly amazing!"
Applejack looked around as she serval maids and servants cleaning the halls and rooms, "Ah'll say! This place might even be bigger than even Filthy Rich's mansion!" she commented.
"Ah yes, Rich." Rose said. "A very well business partner. His grandfather and my father were very close friends." She stops to look at a portrait of an old stallion with Gaia's color coat but with red mane and teal eyes in a adventure suit. "And this is him, my father, Jungle Trekker."
"That's your grandfather, Gaia?" Thunder asked as they all saw the portrait.
"Yes that is, or rather was my grandfather." Gaia said with a sadness in her voice.
"What happened to him?" Pinkie asked before Aqua turned to her.
"Pinkie! You don't just go and ask things like that!" She scolded, before looking at Rose, "I'm so sorry about her Mrs. Borel, she's just-"
"It's alright, dear." Rose interrupted. "He gotten sick when Gaia was just a filly and, well didn't get better."
"Oh man, I'm sorry to hear that." Landrush said. "I lost my mom the same way."
"And I lost my parents in accident way back when I was a filly too," Applejack added, taking off her hat, the hat she inherited from her father, in remorse.
"It seems we all lost something important, but they wouldn't want us to grieve." Rose said. "Come now, let us have our tea and discuss what you came here for." They soon came to room with a fire place, a couch, a small table, and a record player. "Please, do make yourself at home."
Everypony took a seat, the Mane 6, Starlight Spike and Cozy sat on the couches with Rose and Gaia while the boys sat on some chairs. Soon a grey coated, black maned, unicorn butler came in with a china tea set, and biscuits, "Tea milady?" he asked before turning to Gaia. "Oh, and welcome back Ms. Gaia."
Gaia nodded, "It is wonderful to see you again Gentle Serve," She said as her mother nodded and Serve placed the tea set on the table in front of them.
"Thank you Gentle Serve, now if you please leave me to speak with the Princess and my daughter's friends," Rose asked politely as Serve bowed his head and subtly winking at Gaia, who winked back. Once he was gone Rose turned to her guests, "So tell dearies, what brings you to my humble abode?" she asked everypony took a tea cup or biscuit.
"Oh well, you know there have been rumors about the Serpentine, from those stories grandfather used to tell me about, and how they returned?" Gaia asked. "Well, Princess Twilight's secret Ninja Force had Intel on what they're doing." She waved to the boys.
"Secret Ninja Force?" Flash asked as he and the other ninjas looked at each other when she said that.
"They are searching Equestria for artifacts called the Four Silver Fangblades, and we believe the key to one of them is here in the mansions treasury," Twilight went on.
"Oh, you mean the serpent key my father found on one of his expeditions that's going to be on the auction later tonight?" Rose asked.
"Well yes and they- AUCTION?!" Gaia asked in complete shock and almost lost her accent.
"AUCTION?!" The others shouted as Pinkie did a spit-take. Rose made a sad sigh.
"Oh yes, unfortunately due difficulties with Celestia's wayward nephew, I'm forced to sell some of my father's hard earned treasures, or risk losing the Mansion to that scoundrel!" Rose grumbled.
"Blueblood is the reason for an auction?!" Rarity asked incomplete disgust.
"To think that guy wouldn't stoop any lower." Flash whispered.
"Well there's that, or my counter offer I have. But I will save that until the auction tonight." Rose said before an idea came to her. "Would you all be so kind as to help set up?!"
"Um actually mother, we really require that key and-" Gaia tried to say before Thunder stuffed her mouth with his hoof.
"We'd love to help you out Mrs. Boral!" He said with a smile.
Rose smiled and stood up, "Splendid I'll go and tell the preparation teams and then you can all begin shortly!" She before trotting out. Once she was gone Gaia spat out Thunder's hoof and glared at him.
"What are you doing?!" Gaia demanded dropping her fancy accent.
"Just think about it, we help her set the auction and once the auction starts tonight, Twilight can bid on the key and your mom can keep the mansion!" Thunder told his idea. "It's a win win for everypony!"
"That might work! Thunder, you're a genius!" Flash told him.
Gaia however looked absolutely against it, "But if we do that, I'll be forced sit through the most boring party ever!" She complained, "When don't we just snatch the key and replace it with a fake, and the tell my mother we had something else to take care so we couldn't stay?"
The others however looked unsure, "I don't know," Starlight said, "That sounds kinda-"
"Wrong?! Guys the future of Equestria is at stake!" Gaia reminded them.
Frost pointed out to her, "Gaia you are suggesting that we steal from your mother and run away in her time of need."
"Gah! I hate it when you're right!" Gaia told him before she pressed her hooves to her head and sighed. "Fine, we'll go to the party but we're keeping the replica fake as a backup!"
Trail nodded with a confident grin, "Right, now all we have to do is prepare for an auction party, which compared to fighting snakes is easy-peasy" he said, leaning back.
Pinkie nodded with a bright smile, "Yeah how hard could it be?"
When the Ninja, mane 6, and the others realized that preparing for the auction was easier said then done.
Twilight and Rarity had to write out the invitations, Aqua and Starlight had to handle getting the plates and silverware organized, Pinkie and Flutteshy had to get the decorations done, Cozy, Flash, Spike and Rainbow had to deliver the invitations, Applejack and Frost had handle the cooking, and Landrush, Trail and Thunder had move all the auction items, carefully into the main area.
Meanwhile Rose makes sure Gaia is Proper lady enough for the party, which involved keeping her back streight, her dress choice and speech. For the past few hours, everypony were doing their best to get ready for the auction until it was sunset and they all, minus Gaia who was talking to her mother, gathered in Gaia's old room to rest before the party. "I planned for the hardest parties I've ever planned for, but this, this was insufferable..." Pinkie Pie said dramatically.
"My hooves!" Landrush cried out. "I can't feel my hooves!"
"You're lucky, I can't feel my wings!" Rainbow Dash complained, floppily flapping her wings.
"My gears locked up several times." Frost told the others, rotating his shoulders after dripping them with oil. "I didn't even know my gears could lock up."
Twilight tried crawling over to the bookshelves, "I don't even have the strength to read right now!" She moaned before flopping down and Flash walked up to her, laying down next to her, draping a wing over her.
"And I thought Sensei was strict about work," Flash commented.
"I'm starting to see why Gaia is so afraid to tell her mom the truth." Starlight said as she was in a fetal position.
"If I see one more invitation, it'll be too late for me." Trail told them.
"Where is she anyway?" Fluttershy asked, and just as she asked that, Gaia walked looking a little pale and extremely worried as she wobbled in.
Her expression was an immediate bad sign for them, "Gaia, is something wrong?" Thunder asked.
"Did your mother not like our work?" Rarity asked, hoping they didn't have to do that all over again.
Gaia shook her head, still looking horrified, "No, and that's good because we Really need to make sure this auction work!" she says with urgency.
"Then what is it?" Spike asked as Gaia slow moved her head to look at Twilight.
"Can I have a soundproof Dome over me before I answer first?" She grumbled through her teeth.
Twilight raised a brow and the lite her horn and created a dome around Gaia before she started screaming and thrashing around, shocking the others as they watch Gaia vent out her unknown caused anger.
After a few minutes Gaia panted and gestured for Twilight to drop the dome and once she did the green mare dropped to the floor. "You...okay now?" Cozy Glow asked sheepishly.
"She's driving me crazy!" Gaia shouted. "I knew we should have stole the key instead of this!"
"Gaia, we know that hasn't been easy for you but-" Aqua tried to remind her, only for her to interrupt her.
"BUT! That's not the issue right now," Gaia said before looking worried with a mix of disgust, "My mom just told me her second plan to save the mansion."
"What's so bad about it?" Rarity asked.
"Marriage!" Gaia shouted. "An arranged marriage with somepony I never met! She wants me to marry some rich stallion if this auction doesn't go well!"
Gaia then fell into a fatal position with her hooves over her head rocking back and forth. The others glanced at each other, realizing that this mission had just got a lot more serious.
"Alright guys, we've gotta make sure this auction goes off perfectly," Flash said as he glanced at Aqua and Fluttershy comforted Gaia, "For Equestria's sake, and for Gaia's,"
They were all so distracted by Gaia, No one saw Pythor peeking through a window with a sinister smirk, "Hmm, Auction eh?" He mused to himself, "Well, I did prefer bidding over buying." he then chuckled evilly as a new plan came to him.
Night falls and many ponies gathered in the main area of the mansion for the party before the auction.
While Rose's servants were welcoming the ponies in one by one, they raised their brows as they saw Pythor wearing a brow beard as a disguise, "My invitation, dear chaps," he offered them an invite he stole from another guest. The servants looked at the invitation before letting him in.
While Rose's servants were welcoming the ponies in one by one, they raised their brows as they saw Pythor and the Serpentine wearing disguises before letting them in. Starlight was by the banquet table until she saw a familiar mare by it. "Trixie? What are you doing here?"
"Oh I'm just here with my new boyfriend," Trixie said.
Starlight's eye bugged out, "B-BOYFRIEND?! I didn't know you have a boyfriend!" She exclaims.
Trixie just smiles, "Well Now you do? But what are you doing here? Does it have something to do with those Serpentine I've heard about?"
Starlight glanced around before turning back to Trixie, "Well it's like this," she said before explaining the situation to Trixie.
"Wow, she's under a lot of pressure huh?" Trixie said before she a look on her face that says that she needs to tell her something. "I should tell you who my boyfriend is and- Isn't that the Serpentine leader with a fake beard?" She pointed to their left.
"WHAT?!" Starlight shouted in alarm and turned to see Pythor drinking some wine next to a couple looking at him weirdly.
"Who's that beard fooling?!" Starlight asked. "We'll talk later, Trixie. I need to warn the others." She then run off to do so. Meanwhile, the boys were wearing tuxedos with their ties being the color of their ninja outfits while Gaia was pacing around in one of her mother's dresses.
"When is this auction going to start?!" She complained. "I like to get out of here since yesterday!"
"Gaia, keep it together!" Flash told her, "We just need keep up appearances until Twilight wins the Key in the Auction."
"Yeah, it's not like nopony else will try and bid on the key." Thunder told her before Starlight ran up to them.
"Guys, we have a big problem! Look who's here too!" She told them before she pointed to where Pythor was and saw he was eating a whole tray of food.
"Really, who is he trying to fool with that fake beard?" Trail asked with a raised brow.
"Let's take care of him." Landrush said as he cracked his hooves before Flash stopped him.
"If he wanted to steal the key, he would have turned invisible and done it by now." Flash pointed out. "He is out in the open without back up, so he's probably going to bid on the key. For now, stay alert and keep an eye out."
Gaia groaned, Finally at the end of her rope, "Oh this just perfect! Not only do have go out into this snoozeville of a party, wearing this stupid dress but now we have worry about Pythor stealing the key we should've stolen in the first place instead of me pretending to be some stupid, wimpy, upper class lady to come to this stupid auction to save this stupid mansion! When this all over I'm going burn this dress and roll around in the biggest mud puddle ever and never come back here again!" She roared but then she noticed that Flash and the others suddenly winced and she scowled at them, "What?! I told you before that I hate being an fancy rich girl so it shouldn't be to big of a surprise!"
"G-Gaia?" A shocked voice said as Gaia jumped and paled, knowing who that voice was.
"Oh, me and my big mouth." Gaia mumbled as she turned to see her mother looking shocked by what she heard.
"I was about to ask you to join me for my opening announcement, but now I learn you care nothing about us losing our family home and planning to roll around in the filth and mud." Rose told her with a bit of hurt in her voice. "I want explanation this instant young lady."
Gaia gulped and slowly walked up to her mom, "M-mom, please you have to understand, I just, I know this is the life you wanted for me and I do admit it had it's perks but it wasn't the life for me." She before looking into her mother's eyes, "Instead I found a new life, a life where I could just be Wild and have fun without worrying about being something I'm not, and that life..."
She then did spinjitzu and changed into her Ninja gi as Rose gasped in shock, "...is the life of a ninja. And unless we get that key, someone else is going to use it to unleash something terrible upon Equestria." She then approached her mom while placing a hoof on her shoulder, "I know you must be mad at me for saying all that stuff and choosing a dirty life, but I hope you'll understand that this is what I truly want,"
Rose looked at her daughter in disgust and disappointment. "I'm not upset that chose rolling around in the dirt over a cleansy and proper life Gaia," she said curtly, looking away from Gaia.
"Your not?" Gaia said with a hopeful smile but it turned into a frown as her mother turned to her with a scowl.
"I'm disappointed that after all this time that I've taught you, in the time we've known each other, I thought the one lesson you would have remembered is the importance of dignity, responsibility and honesty! And will not have any child of mine who cares so little about our family be a part of the auction we need to save our home!" Rose told her before she marched up on stage, Leaving Gaia devastated in her wake. The others gave Gaia a comforting pat on her back before she sighed and slumped away.
Rose then walked up on stage and stood in front of microphone. "Fillies and gentlecolts, may I have your attention please." She spoke in the microphone. Everypony stopped what they were doing and draw their attention to her. "Before we start the auction, I like to think everypony for coming here tonight. I've lived in Maretonia my whole life and I appreciate your support in helping save my family's home that has stood for centuries." Everypony clapped at her thankfulness while Pythor rolled his eyes and Gaia looked down with regret, knowing how much this mansion meant to her family. "And I would also like to thank a staillon for coming here tonight. The nephew of Princess Celestia, Prince Blueblood." Blueblood walked up on stage and everypony clapped, except for the ninjas and the Main Six.
"Thank you everypony, it must truly be an honor for you all do be graced with my presence in your cute little town," Blueblood said, stoking his ego as the boys rolled their eyes and Gaia gagged. "But now, let us see Madam Rose can sell enough of this little rusty old trinkets to keep this lovely mansion of hers, now bring out the first item," With that the bidding began.
The first item that was brought out was the key for the ninjas needed and Pythor wanted. "Our first item is a serpent key my father found on an expedition while exploring the eastern jungles." Rose announced. "Let's start the bidding at 100 bits."
"110." A pony called out.
"115." Another called.
"125!" Pythor yelled.
"130!" Twilight went next.
"150!" Pythor counter offer.
"165!" Twilight went again and won't let him have it.
Pretty soon it was just Pythor and Twilight going at it as the others watched them go at it.
"Whoa, the prices are really going up!" Landrush said as the amount on the board kept on increasing.
"Good thing Twilight has access to the royal treasury other wise we'd be in big trouble!" Spike commented. Flash then felt something was off before he looked up and saw a few Serpentine crawling on the ceiling and making their way to the stage where the key is.
"We got trouble." Flash whispered to them as he pointed up.
The others looked up, and saw the snakes moving towards the key. And then they understood, "Why that no good, purple tailed, longnecked varmint! He's using the bidding as a diversion!" Applejack said.
"We got to stop them." Thunder said before they heard a stallion clear his throat. They turned to see Gentle Serve holding the case that holds their weapons.
"Your golden weapons, sirs." He opened the case up to them.
"How did you?" Trail tried to ask before Gentle Serve gave them a wry grin.
"How do you think I was able find out Ms. Gaia other life?" he asked. The boys looked at each other in confusion.
"Butlers," they said with a shrug before taking their weapons.
"You guys take care of them, I will watch over my mom." Gaia told them, "It may be my only way to make it up to her," as they nodded in agreement. The boys then got into position as the bidding went on.
"250!" Pythor shouted.
"325!" Twilight declared, hoping Pythor would give up this time. Pythor was about to call another bid until he saw his Serpentine coming into position. He smirked, knowing there was no need to continue.
"Going once, going twice," Blueblood called, but received silence and nodded, "Sold! To Princess Twilight Sparkle for 325!" the crowd applauded while Twilight stood up, and walked up to the stage, while blew a raspberry at Pythor who just continued smirking.
"Why are you looking so happy?" Twilight asked him. "I won the key, fair and square."
"And I will take it, fair and square!" Pythor declared before he called up, "Boys!"
At that signal the Serpent dropped down scaring the guests, "AHHH! Snakes!" Blueblood screamed.
Some of the Serpentine made to the stage and tried to grab the Key, "Stay away from that you slimy reptiles!" Rose warned before something green zipped past her.
"NINJA, GO!" Gaia shouted as she did Spinjitzu and knocked a few of them off the stage before she kicked one of them in the face. "You wish to be sore losers under my family house, you ruffians? Well, you can be bruised losers as well!" Gaia shouted, unknowningly using her fancy voice as she ready her sais for the fight.
Rose was amazed by her daughter's skills that she almost missed her talking to her, "Mother, you and Blueblood, get the key to safe location and escape while you can! My friends and I will handle these slithering tresspassers!" She said.
Rose shook her head and nodded, "Oh y-yes, of course dear!" She said before grabbing the key. More Serpentine fell from the ceiling as frightened ponies run for their lives. The ninjas and the Main Six work together to fight back against them to keep the ponies safe and keep the Serpentine away from the key.
A scared Blueblood was surrounded by a few of them before Gaia jumped in and Spinjitzu them back. "Oh would you just staillon up already, you baby!" Gaia told the prince still with her fancy accent. "Right now is no time for you to act like a frightened foal! It's time for you to stand tall and stop being a spoiled child you are!" She then used her sais to block an attack from them before striking back.
"But what can I do agenst these revolting things?!" Blueblood asked before he heard a mare scream in fear. He turned his head to see Trixie pinned down by a Constrictai while a Fangpyre was ready to bite her neck. "GET AWAY FROM HER!" He snapped as he blast magic beams at them and knocked them away from Trixie.
Gaia smirked while Blueblood was amazed at what he did, "Well, you could certainly do that dear." she commented before Blueblood grinned and nodded to her as they both rush back into the fray. Gaia soon found herself back to back with Flash.
"Hey, remember when all six of us first met at the monastery?" Flash asked her as he looked at the table next to them with a few plates on it. "I defended myself with plates when we fought in the dinning room." he then pointed to the plates at the table. Gaia caught what he meant and smirked.
"Marvelous idea Flash!" Gaia said as she zoomed to the tables collecting the plates and handing some to Flash.
The two started using the plates to block the Serpentine's attacks and then started flinging them at the snakes. One plate hit a Hypnobrai in the face, another hit a Fangpyre in the gut and as a Venomari laughed at them, a third plate hit him where the sun doesn't shine and he felt to the floor.
Once they were done, Gaia laughed, "Haha, Splendid job dear Flash, well done!" she congratulated.
Flash raised a brow at Gaia , "Gaia I thought your fancy speaking was just an act?" he asked.
"It was, you have no idea how horridly hard it was to hold up that façade." Gaia told him with a frown.
"Then how your speaking it so fluently now?" Flash asked.
Gaia was about retort when she just realized she was speaking in her upper class accent the entire battle. She placed a hoof to her throat in shock, "My word, so I have!" she said.
"And I never could be more proud!" Rarity called out as she was tying a few Serpentine up with a bow.
Gaia thought for a moment before smiling, "I suppose I can still keep some of upper class instincts while still living my wild and messy lifestyle, I just hope my mother will agree," she said before realizing something, "Wait a moment, where is mother?" she looked around.
And then they noticed the Rose wasn't the only one missing, "And where's Pythor?" Thunder asked.
They then heard a scream and turned to the doorway and saw just outside Pythor had knocked Rose over and snatched the key, while laughing. "Mother!" Gaia cried as she saw the Serpentine Wreaking Ball rolling in.
"Oh, not that thing again!" Rainbow groaned.
Pythor turned to the driver before calling to his troops, "Come along chaps! We have what came for!" He ordered as the Serpentine filed out the Mansion, "Next stop, the Second Fangblade!" The Serpentine Wreaking Ball gave one powerful swing at the mansion, making the front part of the building fall down before rolling away with the other Serpentine.
Rose saw some of the rubble about to fall on her, she tried to move away but was too paralyzed by fear to move. Gaia saw this and saw that mansion, the house that she spent her entire life growing up and that her mother tried so desperately to save starting to fall apart. She then frowned in determination before zipping over to her mother.
"No! I will not allow our family's home to crumble down like this! I will not hide who I truly am anymore! I am Gaia Boral of the Boral Family and I live for beauty and freedom!" Gaia declared as she spun her sais, as her eyes and her Sais of Life glowed. Then in a flash of green light Gaia was surround by leaves and vines, floating upwards.
Rose looked at her daughter in shock, "Gaia?" she whispered. The others turned to where Gaia was and soon realized what was happening.
"Gaia's found her true Potential!" Fluttershy said with smile as Gaia maniplated the trees and vines to stop Mansion from falling as they released sticky sap to fill in the cracks and before long the Mansion looked like new, even with some plants vines growing around.
Gaia stopped glowing before she dropped down into her mother's hooves. She groaned, feeling very drained before she looked at her mother smiling, "Gaia, that was the most magnificent spectacle I had ever seen!" Rose praised.
Gaia smiled tiredly before she frowned and looked at her mother, "Mother, I am truly and deeply sorry for my terrible words and for deceiving you for so long, I was afraid that if you learned I enjoyed rolling about in the mud and lived a life of danger and getting dirty, you may no longer see me as you daughter." she apologized.
Rose was surprised at first before she smiled and tilted Gaia's head to her, "Gaia, while living a life where you are thrown into danger and filthiness is no life for a High class young mare, after seeing of beautifully you fought back there, I can say it is the life a young mare like you," She said before giving a gentle smile, "And don't think that just because you like getting messy means I won't stop seeing and loving you. You are my beautiful little filly and I will love you no matter what life you choose."
Gaia made a squiggly smile as tears built up in her eyes, "Oh, I love you too mother!" The two hugged each other, rekindling their relationship. The others smiled at the scene while some like Rarity, Fluttershy, and Aqua had tears, while Pinkie was bawling out happy tears. Landrush was smiling too, but it turned a bit guilty as he knew Gaia wasn't the only who wasn't honest about their life.
The next day, everypony were having breakfast in the dinning room as Trixie and Blueblood explained that they are now a couple. "So after you two met in Canterlot, you both bonded over how you both can get modest?" Twilight asked them.
"Something like that." Trixie said as she hold hooves with Blueblood. "We just sorta happen."
"Yes, and the reason why I came here was not just for the auction but to also apologize." Blueblood admitted. "I want to apologize to Rarity for not being a gentlecolt when I should have, and I like to apologize to Rose and give back what's rightfully hers."
Rose smiled and nodded accepting his apology while Rarity glanced her eyes back and forth a bit, humming to herself, "Mmm, well I suppose I should be a proper lady and forgive you," she said as Blueblood smiled in relief before Rarity slugged him in the face, "But I suppose I should be a bit of a tough girl and give you that!"
Blueblood rubbed his nose and took in stride, "Alright, I probably deserved that." he said as Gaia laughed.
"Wonderful performance, Rarity, Bravo!" Gaia said, now fully using her fancy accent, "And I for one look forward to finally speaking the upper class tongue with much more comfort from now onwards,"
"Hey, now that Gaia is little more fancy rich girl now, maybe she won't be so tough on us anymore." Thunder said to Trail before Gaia threw one of her sais between them as she smirked at them. "Or... maybe not."
"I suppose she's a little bit of both now," Starlight commented as they laughed again.
"I'm glad to hear that daughter." Rose told her, giving her a quick peck on the cheek. "And I'm sorry they took the key, but I have a feeling they won't get the next Fangblade." Everypony looked at each other when she said that.
"What do you mean ?" Cozy asked her.
"What I mean is, I know where this fangblade the two keys are meant to unlock is," She explained, "But from what my father told me, the Fangblade hasn't been in that temple for years."
"WHAAAATT?!" They all shouted in shock.