//------------------------------// // Chapter 3: Party For A Stranger // Story: Smoldering It Over // by Turtlehaus //------------------------------// "Surprise!" Pinkie Pie cried. There were several loud bangs from party poppers, a couple streamers that flew overhead, and the party cannon that fired hundreds of pieces of confetti into the air. It seemed like every pony in town had showed up for this party, a party for a pony they had only met a few hours ago and technically most of them had yet to even see. "Welcome to your first day in Ponyville, Sparky!" Pinkie Pie shouted. The crowd of ponies cheered as the music began to swell, ponies began to dance, some started to eat, and others began to chat. Some ponies even came up to me to greet me, welcoming me to their town and offering their aid if I needed it. "Since this is your first day in Ponyville I thought it would be best that you shake off all those worrisome thoughts of fitting in and meet every pony in Ponyville so no pony wouldn't not know that a Flame Pony, that's you, was new in town and felt a little scared about fitting in." PinkiePie said quickly, following up with a party whistle that she blew loudly. "Pinkie Pie, was it? I really appreciate that you've gone through all the trouble to put this together but-" I began but Pinkie Pie blew the noise maker once more to cut me off. She wheeled up the party cannon and fired it once more that drew everyone's attention as the music went quiet once more. "Hey every pony, our new Flame Pony has something he'd like to say!" Pinkie Pie shouted. I could feel every pony's eyes on me, I could hear Applejack and Rarity trying to explain to Pinkie Pie my nervousness but I felt that this is what Pinkie Pie meant by meeting every pony. "Hello... Ponyville." I said as my voice cracked. I got a few giggles from the crowd but I cleared my throat and kept going. "I wanted to thank you for taking the time to come to this amazing party, for a complete stranger that showed up only this morning. I was afraid of coming here, afraid that I would be nothing but a burden. That my appearance would have been the reason I was turned away, or met with hostility. Imagine my surprise, standing here in the middle of Ponyville the way that I am, and being able to speak to the kindest of ponies I have ever had the good fortune of meeting." I said aloud. There was a loud audible 'aww' that ran through the crowd, this did nothing but make me more self conscious to what I was saying, and it made me decide to wrap it up here and now. "What I'm trying to say is that I felt the heat of my flames all my life, but today is the first time I have felt the warmth of so many caring and loving ponies. So...thank you." I concluded, bowing my head. It was another surprise to see all the ponies cheer for me, to hear so many compliments and encouraging words come my way as Fluttershy, Applejack, Rarity and Pinkie Pie cheered along with them. I felt myself smile for the first time, and genuinely felt happy about myself. There was another blast of the party cannon that got the party back into swing. I made my way towards the center of the party where many ponies encircled me; everypony asking several questions at once. I ended up answering a lot of the same questions over and over again, but each pony that asked it was very excited to see me so I did not bother me as much. It wasn't long before I was pulled away by Pinkie Pie, well, it was more of her party cannon parting the sea of ponies to allow me to get through. I was getting a little crowded with so many ponies trying to get a closer look at me. "This way, Sparky! I have someone you just have to meet!" Pinkie Pie shouted waving at me to follow. I did so, trying my best not to step on the confetti, not to bump into ponies that weren't looking, and overall just trying not set anything on fire. "Sparky, I would like to introduce you to my good friend Twilight." Pinkie Pie said throwing her hoof around a purple pony's mane. "Twilight Sparkle, Sparky. Sparky, Twilight Sparkle." Pinkie Pie said introducing us. "It's a pleasure to meet you, uh, Sparky. I've been trying to read up on Flame Ponies ever since I heard you were here in Ponyville." Twilight said. "It's actually Smolder, but I've been told Ash is easier to remember." I said glancing at Pinkie Pie. "But Sparky sounds so much better!" Pinkie Pie argued. "No it doesn't!" Spike called out; walking up to Pinkie Pie with some candy in his claws. "I think Fireball is a much better name for him!" "What about Fizzle?" Pinkie Pie asked. "Nah, he doesn't look like a Fizzle. I think 'The Inferno' would suit him better." Spike said. The small dragon continued to debate my name with Pinkie Pie as Twilight motioned for me to follow her. "Was that a baby dragon?" I asked curiously. "Yes, that's Spike. He's my assistant." Twilight replied. "You have a baby dragon as your assistant?" I asked in disbelief. "Well yeah, I've read that Flame Ponies were really good friends with dragons." Twilight commented. "I suppose we were at one point." I shrugged. "How are you enjoying your first day in Ponyville?" Twilight asked. I paused for a moment, I looked back on my day from jumping over the river all the way up to the party in my honor, and it made me smile. Twilight had already noticed my smile and smiled along with me. "It has been one of the best days I've ever had in a very long time." I said beaming. "Well that's good to hear, Ponyville can get a little crazy from time to time." Twilight said rolling her eyes. "Hey guys!" Rainbow Dash shouted swooping out of the sky with a party hat on and a slice of cake in her hoof. She was followed by Applejack, Rarity and Fluttershy who all had pieces of cake in their hooves. "I see you two have finally met. Twilight Sparkle is the smartest pony in all of Ponyville." Rarity stated. "Thanks, Rarity." Twilight replied. "Think nothing of it dear, I'm sure you know all about Flame Ponies with all the research you've been doing." Rarity commented. "How did you know I was doing research?" Twilight asked curiously. "When are you not researching something?" Rainbow Dash asked rolling her eyes. "I think what she means is that you probably took it upon yourself to read up on some Flame Pony culture to help make Ash feel more at home." Applejack said. "That's very sweet of you, Twilight." Fluttershy said. "It was just a bit of light reading, the library doesn't have much about Flame Pony history, just some notes and accounts from other ponies that had met them." Twilight confessed. "I appreciate the trouble you went through... for me." I blurted out. After everything every pony had done for me I did not want to have any pony feeling like they didn't try hard enough. "Don't mention it." Twilight said with a smile. "Come to think to of it, having you around could help us better understand Flame Pony culture." "Oh yes, I'm sure there is lots of things we could learn." Fluttershy said. "Go ahead darling, what is life like among you Flame Ponies?" Rarity asked. "I bet it's filled with tons of volcanoes, hundreds of Flame Ponies spewing fire into the sky, going hoof to hoof with dragons and the heat from their fire melting everything in their path!" Rainbow Dash interrupted. "Let him talk Rainbow Dash, I'm sure he'd like to get a word in at some point." Applejack said. "Go ahead darling." Rarity said. "There's... fire?" I said bluntly. "We could use a little bit more information than that." Twilight remarked looking surprised. "What do you want to know?" I asked curiously. "I'd like to know all about Flame Pony history, and how you catalog it without using paper or parchment." Twilight said. "I'd like to know of all the wonderful little animals that dwell in the land of Flame Ponies, and what sort of pets you keep." Fluttershy said. "Tell me of the latest fashion you Flame Ponies are wearing this season, I would like to know how you manage not to burn off all your clothes." Rarity said. "I'd like to know what sort of food you Flame Ponies eat, it must be something mighty tasty if you ain't ever tried apples before." Applejack said. "Once you get done answering all the boring stuff you can tell me of all the fiery explosions that go on when you go hoof to hoof with some mean dragons." Rainbow Dash said punching the air. I felt my stomach churn. I could see the look of anticipation in their eyes, waiting for me to tell them of the pleasures of Flame Pony life, but the more I thought of my home the worst my stomach turned. "What's wrong, darling?" Rarity asked. "N-Nothing's wrong." I said quickly. "It didn't look like nothing." Rainbow Dash replied. "You looked you had some bad cider, Ash, you want to tell us what's wrong?" Applejack asked. "Are we being to presumptuous with our questions?" Twilight asked. "No it's not that, I just-" I mumbled. I felt nervous. "We don't have any recorded history Twilight Sparkle," I began. "Our ancestors left murals carved into walls of our origins but they have since crumbled away." Twilight gasped at my words. "There are no animals within our Ashen Fields, we keep no pets nor do we ever see or hear birds anymore. I'm sorry, Fluttershy." I said watching Fluttershy cover her mouth in shock. "Flame Ponies... don't have any clothes to speak of Ms. Rarity. We have no ponies capable of making such luxury, nor do we have any material that doesn't burn when it comes in contact with us." I continued. Rarity seem to almost faint as the others looked on in disbelief. "We have no farms, no groves; we have no food that we can grow. Our land is barren, full of volcanic ash and glass. We venture into the Dark Marsh Forest to dig for roots, and we've ate them for as long as I can remember." I continued. This time Applejack was taken aback by my words. "As for dragons, we have none. We are bullied by the spiders that invade our land, the timber wolves that hunt Flame Ponies digging for roots, and fight off Diamond Dogs that dwell in the mountains of our land. They attack us at night, steal our food, scare our fillies and destroy our homes." I concluded. I watched Rainbow Dash stare wide eyed, mouth a gape, in disbelief at me. "The land of Flame Ponies is nothing but a forgotten kingdom, populated with lost ponies." I mumbled grievously. I shook my head, deciding to keep my eyes trained to the ground, I felt embarrassed and above all else ashamed. "Why haven't you ever asked for help?" Applejack asked. "What?" I asked bewildered. "Help? Why haven't you come to ask for help sooner?" Rainbow Dash retorted. "Help from where?" I asked bewildered "Well from Ponyville of course, or the Canterlot, or even the Crystal Empire?" Rarity asked. "I was told that such places despised Flames Ponies and that making such contact would only further their distaste for us." I retorted. "Nonsense!" Fluttershy said, stamping her hoof gently. "Fluttershy is right, you have been nothing but polite and kind to every pony today." Applejack chimed in. "It sounds like your home is in need of a lot of help Smolder, and I think that we are just the ponies you need." Twilight said. The other ponies shook their heads in agreement. "I cannot ask you for such a request, I have nothing to give you in return or-" I began to ramble as Rainbow Dash interrupted me. "Friends help each other out all the time! We don't need to be paid or bought to help out a pony in need." Rainbow Dash reassured me. These ponies smiled so warmly at me, I felt myself become emotional and I felt ashamed for it. I came on the premise to steal, to lie, and cheat my way to get what I needed, but these ponies were offering salvation for nothing. I summoned what was left of my courage and dignity as I lowered my head respectfully to them. "Thank you." I said. "I would not have believed it if I had not seen it with my own eyes." An elegant voice said aloud. The music was cut short, a sudden gasp rushed through the crowd as many whispers soon followed as I raised my head to the tall, white, multicolored maned pony adorning a crown. "Princess Celestia!" The group said together as she carried herself gracefully towards me. "What are you doing here?" Twilight Sparkle asked. "I received an invitation to a party for a Welcoming of a Flame Pony." Princess Celestia said. "I sent her the invitation! It's not every day that you get to see a Flame Pony." Pinkie Pie said springing up from behind Twilight throwing confetti in the air. Princess Celestia looked down at me without a smile. She seemed displeased at my presence and positioned herself in front of me. "What are you doing here Flame Pony?" Princess Celestia asked. "He came all the way from the Ashen Fields looking for help, your Majesty." Applejack answered for me. "You know it is forbidden for Flame Ponies to leave the Ashen Fields. Yet here you stand." Princess Celestia said to me. The mood had changed quickly, there was feeling of dread in the air, no pony made a sound and no pony moved. "Princess Celestia-" Twilight began but Princess Celestia's wing shot out to silence her. "Listen well citizens of Ponyville, in years long past there was a war between Equestria and the Kingdom of Flame Ponies, for supremacy over the Elements of Harmony. Their Mad King demanded the right to rule all of Equestria under chaos and fire. I had no choice but to banish their King to the Void and punish the Flame Ponies of the Ashen Plains to live a life of solitude from the rest of Equestria. Flame Ponies are known to be lying, mischievous, and dangerous ponies that seek only to destroy and harm those around them; they are not to be trusted." Princess Celestia declared. "Your Highness, this Flame Pony is different." Applejack said. "It's true! He's done nothing wrong, he's been with us all day and he hasn't so much as set one thing on fire or forgets to say please or thank you!" Rainbow Dash said. "He was most cooperative in helping me with my new line of clothes for Canterlot's Fashion Show." Rarity said. "He was also took the time to answer all of my questions." Fluttershy said. "Sparky also gave a really nice speech thanking all the ponies for being so nice to him because he was so nervous about meeting everyone today, because it's probably from all the things you just said right now but he was brave enough to do it anyway!" Pinkie Pie exclaimed. "What we're trying to say, Princess Celestia, is that this Flame Pony has done none of the things you have accused him of, in fact he's the opposite, and he's come here asking on behalf of his ponies for help." Twilight Sparkle said strolling up beside Princess Celestia. "If what you say is true Twilight Sparkle I would be moved to reconsider my thoughts on this matter but for now I cannot allow-" Princess Celestia had begun, but stopped noticing the growing light coming from me "Liars? Mischief makers? Is that what you call us?" I asked shaking in anger. The flames on my mane flared wildly, my face screwed up in anger as I stared back at Princess Celestia. I could feel the rage swelling inside of me. Heat from my flames caused the ponies to back up but the Princess remained still, unfazed by my spectacle. "You have something you'd like to say Flame Pony?" Princess Celestia asked crossly. "Take it back!" I demanded. "I will not. You and the other Flame Ponies will wear such titles for eternity, your cowardice and lust for power has become your undoing, and you will remain in your Ashen Fields, never to trouble any pony else." Princess Celestia stated. "Then on behalf of our sick, our starving, the lonely, and the meekest of Flame Ponies. The ponies left without hope, without understanding, and the foals and fillies that have grown up with only the colors of fire and ash." I declared aloud flaring my mane. The flames from my mane leaped out into the air, splotches of fire burned the ground, and from beneath my hooves the ground broke open from the heat spewing steam from the cracks. I could feel my rage almost brimming, the urge to spout fire was caught in my throat, and my eyes fell to the ponies that had shown me such kindness. I could see the fear in their eyes, the worry for my safety as well as every other pony, and my rage began to subside. My mane flickered back to a soft flame, the ground began to cool, the heat I had been generating was beginning to subside and I felt myself kneel. "I ask that you take pity on my ponies. For much that once was, is now lost, and we are very scared now." I said bitterly. I kept my eyes to the ground, I felt a wave of shame wash over me, and for all of my bolstering I could not stand up for my ponies but instead pleaded for them. "I would do anything to see my ponies smile again..." I mumbled. "...please." I swallowed hard at that word. For a moment or two I wrestled with myself to look up at the Princess, when I finally decided to do so I saw that she had one eyebrow raised at me, as if surprised. "It must have been very difficult for you to do that, Flame Pony. Your kind is a proud race, and any sign of weakness is looked down upon in your Kingdom. Yet, it was not weakness that stayed your anger, but the courage to do what was best for your ponies." Princess Celestia explained to me. I stared at her, feeling as though I had just been praised. "Therefore, I will consider your request." Princess Celestia announced. It was my turn to look surprised, from the cheers of every pony in Ponyville filling the air I felt an immense weight lift from me as I stood up in excitement. "I will be honest with you Flame Pony, the crimes you have been punished for were agreed upon by several rulers of Equestria. I will bring your request to them in our next Summit meeting, but some ponies may not be so quick to forgive." Princess Celestia continued, warning me of the struggles ahead. The cheering died down as my heart seemed to waver at this news, but I still felt some hope that I had made it this far regardless. At least Princess Celestia had taken notice of our plea. "Furthermore, it would help to sway the Summit in your favor if you could prove how Flame Ponies have changed. If you are willing to become the spokesperson, an ambassador, for your ponies, you will be allowed to state your case personally to the Summit. To help with this, I will allow you to stay in Ponyville for a time." Princess Celestia stated. I almost could not believe what I was hearing. "While here, I will expect you to learn and understand the magic of friendship, and all about the Elements of Harmony from any pony willing to help you." Princess Celestia stated. " Twilight Sparkle?" "Yes, Princess Celestia?" Twilight asked. "I would have you send reports detailing the progress of this Flame Pony. How well he gets along with the other ponies, his contributions, and anything bad that might come about. It will better underline the relationships between his home with ours, and if Flame Ponies are ready to be forgiven." Princess Celestia requested. The Princess strode forward to me, she looked me over once, taking notice of my missing Cutie Mark and the uncomfortable look on my face. "Use your time here well, Flame Pony, for it may be the only chance you get." Princess Celestia warned. "I will make the most of it." I replied. "What is your name, Flame Pony? I've heard the ponies here call you Ash, Sparky, and even Matchstick. What do you call yourself?" Princess Celestia asked. "Smolder. Smolder of the Ashen Fields." I said to her. She eyed me curiously, smirking at my name. "The name suits you." Princess Celestia said as she spread out her wings before me. With a single leap, she soared into the sky as all the ponies in Ponyville cheered and waved goodbye. As I watched the Princess disappear into the night sky, my thoughts circled back to stealing the Elements of Harmony and how it seemed so unnecessary now.