//------------------------------// // Chapter 2 // Story: The Fire and The Crown // by PaintedNovel455 //------------------------------// Click, ssssssss. Sparkle opened a can of soda, taking a large gulp from it before stomping it under her hoof, a puddle of soda forming under it. It had been hours since her escape from the police station. Ponies stared at her, whispering amongst themselves, word spread like wildfire in this town, ironically enough.  Sparkle was hungry. The soda barely took the edge off of her hunger. Sparkle's poor stomach still growled for something to fill it. She checked her coin purse. Two shiny gold bits were inside. Barely enough for junk food and definitely not enough for real food. She barely had any to begin with. Sparkle thought back to that alley and the fire. Was that even real? She could create fire for Celestia's sake! Just once, she had to do it one more time. If she did then she could prove if this was real or not. Sparkle crept around the corner of the bar she was in. The exit was in sight and nopony was out there. Sparkle raced toward the door. Once she was outside she took off, this time she didn’t go high into the sky. Sparkle had walked through this place before, there was a candle vendor down the street. She was sure he could part with a few candles. Sparkle squeezed her eyes shut, picking up speed. Sparkle landed on the damp cobblestone street. Sparkle trotted over to the candle vendor, as the vendor was serving another pony Sparkle grabbed a crimson candle in her mouth and fluttered into the sky. Sparkle held her breath until she was out of anyone's sight. When she was sure nopony was looking, Sparkle landed in an alley. She placed the candle down and backed up. Sparkle closed her eyes, conjuring up a tiny flame, but when she opened them nothing was there. Shocked, Sparkle closed her eyes tighter... Suddenly, Sparkle heard a loud whoosh and an intense wave of heat slammed into her. Sparkle opened her eyes, the fire was a lot larger than she wanted. The candle had already melted, fueling the ever growing fire. Sparkle screamed, the fire reaching everything in reach, licking garbage bags, and swallowing boxes whole, eventually catching the buildings on either side of it. Cracks and pops sounded. Hot embers flew to the ground, creating fires of their own. Sparkle retreated from the alley, screaming for help, the buildings were now on fire. Terrified ponies ran out the buildings, the smell of thick smoke was unbearable. Sparkle rushed inside one of the buildings, trying to save anypony she could. Metal bars were twisted and mangled, tables were overturned. It was a mess, Sparkle’s eye burned, tears stinging her eyes. “Everypony run, get out!” She could she a unicorn mare huddled in corner, she must of passed out. Sparkle felt sorry for her, determination filled her heart, she just had to save her. If she could prevent one causality then she would.  Sparkle jumped back to avoid a wooden plank from falling on top of her. Sparkle leaped over the fire, the fire parting to let her pass, when she recovered she took off. The mare looked over at Sparkle slowly, her cheeks stained in tears and mascara Sparkle grabbed the mare’s hoof and rushed toward the exit. Seconds after they left, and invisible force pushed them to the ground, her back growing warm. Sparkle turned around, all she could see was fire. The building exploded. Firetrucks whizzed across the street. Firefighters leapt off the truck with great speed. They worked tirelessly to put out the fire. Sparkle felt guilty, it was her fault, she killed those stallions and now she killed innocent ponies. Who knows how many died in that fire? How many more would die before she could control whatever power she had? Why am I so stupid!? Sparkle thought, she got to her hooves. She got off scot free but the mare was a mess. Patches of fur were scorched and burned, some even missing. Her exposed fur shown serious second-degree burns,  Sparkle turned to face the building, which had stopped burning thanks to the help of the firefighters, tendrils of smoke rose from the wreckage, the mare touched Sparkle’s hoof. “Y-You saved me,” the mare said, tears in her eyes. Sparkle touched the mare’s hoof, the mare’s wound began to shimmer in the bright light. Sparkle hid her bewilderment, however the mare was astonished. The mare opened her mouth to speak, but police and ambulance sirens cut her off. Sirens rang through the streets, red and blue lights flashed across the sky. Sparkle bit her lip, grabbed the mare, and bolted into the sky. “AHHHHhhhhhhhh,” the mare screamed. “WHAT ARE YOU DOING!”   “Hush,” Sparkle ordered. She hid inside a large cloud, getting drenched in water by the tiny water droplets. After a few minutes Sparkle emerged from the clouds. “Who are you,” the mare said. “I’m Sparkle. You don’t have to fear me, in fact, I’ll put you down.” Sparkle gently flapped her wings, lowering herself to the ground. She let go of the mare. “Y-You healed me,” the mar looking over her hooves. Sparkle watched in dismay as fear filled the mare's face and her ears flicked back. “Y-You’re a WITCH,” the mare screamed. “So? What’s bad about being a witch.” “W-Witches are evil! They put spells on you...a-and curse you.” Hazy looked down the block then her ears and tail lowered. “I want to come,” Hazy stated. Sparkle faked a look of shock, “I can’t let you do that.” “Look, we both know that...whatever you’re doing. You need my help,” Hazy said. Sparkle laughed, “I can control fire. I think I got it.” Sparkle turned and left, Hazy galloped over to her. “Okay, okay. My life is so boring, I just want to have some adventure.” Hazy admitted. “Fine. You can help,” Sparkle said, she thought for a moment. “I need a place to stay.” “You can stay at my house, it’s not too far from here.” Hazy said immediately. Sparkle smiled, this was going too well. Hazy levitated her key over to the door, the door opened with a satisfying click. Inside the apartment was small. The living room was cluttered with boxes, the kitchen had plates piled on the counters, flies hovered around the dirty plates of food, and the single bedroom was also filled with knick knacks. Sparkle thought about leaving, but at she was in no position to be picky. Hazy cleared the couch of boxes, she then dusted each cushions carefully.  Sparkle thanked her and laid on the couch, Hazy had a TV, which was very expensive in this part of the city. Sparkle turned on the TV, which was on the News channel. Twenty Five Dead In Fire. Police Rule Out Gasoline Spill. Sparkle’s heart sank, thirty, she was responsible for the death of thirty  ponies. Five of them were justifiable, but still they were dead. Sparkle Volcano wanted for murder. Sparkle eye’s shot to Hazy, who had just entered the living room. “M-Must be somepony else,” Sparkle gave a weak, unconvincing smile. Hazy looked at the TV which was displaying Sparkle’s face and cutie mark. Hazy paused to take everything she saw and heard in, “your gonna kill me? That’s why you're here, I help you out and then BOOM! You attack.” “No! No, not at all! It was self-defense and I-I couldn’t control it.” “Control what,” Hazy snapped, backing up. “My Fire Magic! Or whatever is making me make fire,” Sparkle replied. Hazy sighed, “I can’t believe I’m doing this.”  Hazy turned and left. Sparkle leaned against the armrest of the couch, she propped herself up by a pillow. She changed the channel to some show called Manehattan Idol. After watching it for a about an hour, she drifted to sleep. Before she did, she thought about all that happened and what would be her next step. She need information...or at the very best a reasonable answer.