//------------------------------// // Chapter 15: Raising Smolder // Story: Smoldering It Over // by Turtlehaus //------------------------------// There is so much to be said about a pony that had impacted your life in such a way you can't imagine a time before. A pony that opened your mind to the possibilities of things you never thought possible. A pony capable of reaching your heart in ways you couldn't understand. A pony that you will always love and admire. A pony you feel you could never be able to repay in kind. In my case, it wasn't a pony that impacted me in such a way, rather, it just happened to be a bat with a crippled wing. Having blurted out Wingston's name so abruptly, I cleared my throat trying to save face. "Wingston is a very dear friend of mine." I added calmly. "So you do know him! I knew it!" Spike said slamming is fist onto his palm. "Well duh, he told us he was a friend of Smolder." Twilight mentioned rolling her eyes. "Is he alright?" I asked suddenly feeling nervous. "I think so. He didn't look like he was in trouble." Twilight replied thinking about it. "He had a limp though, and he walked with a stick this big." Spike said holding his arms apart. "Can you take me to him?" I asked earnestly. "Sure, just follow us." Twilight said turning to leave. "We wanted to bring him with us, but Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Rarity and Applejack wanted to hear the end of his story." Spike explained to me. "Story?" I asked looking down at him. "He was telling us stories of when you were just a foal." Twilight said with a giggle. "Is it true that your best friend was a rock named Rocky?" Spike asked sounding interested. I mane flared from embarrassment. I was suddenly less excited to see Wingston. Twilight and Spike escorted me from the train station into Ponyville. There were many ponies in the market today, fillies rushing to play in the meadows, vendor ponies trying to sell their merchandise, ponies having brunch just outside a cafe, and even a crowd formed to watch a group of performance ponies putting on a play in the town square. Many ponies waved to me, some welcomed me back to Ponyville as we passed by. I waved back to those ponies with a smile. I could feel that my return to Ponyville was going to spread like wildfire once more. Spike had elected himself my personal bodyguard, keeping any pony that may have gotten a bit to close at bay. Keeping his arms spread apart telling other ponies to watch their step. "I heard that you helped Shining Armor on a mission in the mountains near the Everfree Forest." Twilight spoke up. "Three ponies had gone missing digging for gems." I explained. "Having been captured by spiders, right?" Twilight asked. "Please, don't say spiders." I said with an uncomfortable shiver. "Well, I wanted to thank you for helping to keep my brother safe." Twilight said in gratitude. "Your brother?" I asked in surprise. "Shining Armor is Twilight's older brother. Hey! No pictures!" Spike shouted shooing away paparazzi ponies. "Shining Armor is you brother?" I asked in disbelief. "That's right." Twilight replied with a smile. "But he's married to-" I began. "Princess Cadance, she used to be my foal-sitter. Now she's my sister-in-law." Twilight said happily. "Wow." I said in amazement. "I still think of him as an older brother though, even if he is a Prince now." Twilight continued. "It was Shining Armor that was the one who kept me safe. He stopped me from falling into a pit when the cave collapsed." I explained to her. "The cave collapsed? Was that before or after you fought the Queen?" Spike asked excitedly running up alongside me. "During." I answered. "Now way! How big was the Queen? Did she try to bite you? Did she smell funny?" Spike began firing off his questions. Before Spike had the chance to have all his questions answered Twilight picked up Spike and put him on her back. "You can bother Smolder later, Spike." Twilight said decisively. "But Twilight!" Spike whined. We eventually came to a large tree that had a sign with a picture of an open book upon it. Upon further inspection I could see that it was hollowed out and had been made into a house. The Golden Oakes Library as Twilight had informed me. Unfortunately, stepping into a tree was out of the question for me. "We'll be right back, Smolder." Twilight said reassuringly. Twilight and Spike entered the Golden Oakes Library while I sat outside patiently. There were sounds of laughter coming from the windows. I began to wonder if it was at my expense. The sound of wood thudding against wood reached my ears; my heart jumped at the sound. Twilight opened the front door, walking around the side to hold it open. Wingston slowly limping out, favoring his staff, wearing the grey swatches and rags that covered most of his body. He was followed by Rarity, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie and Applejack who were still giggling. "Wingston!" I shouted unable to contain my excitement. "Hello, Smolder." Wingston said holding out his wings to me. No sooner had Wingston stepped out from the Golden Oakes Library had I rushed over to him; embracing him tightly. Every pony gasped in surprise but were quickly amazed that I had not set Wingston on fire. "It is good to see you." I said smiling wide. "You've grown since our last meeting." Wingston replied. Wingston and I parted. Still wrapped in many cloths varying in shades of grey, his eyes were the only things visible beneath his wraps aside from his long fingers that gripped his staff. "Do you think so?" I asked curiously raising my hoof above my head trying to measure myself. "But not any brighter I'm afraid." Wingston said with a sigh. "How did you get here?" I asked still smiling. "I walked." Wingston replied. "All this way?" I asked in disbelief. "No only halfway before an Owlbear threw me the rest of the way. Of course all the way!" Wingston snapped knocking his staff against my head. "Wingston! That is quite a journey to make for some pony like you." I protested rubbing my head. "I wanted to see my friend." Wingston replied. "I have missed you, Wingston." I said happily. "Ahem." Twilight said aloud. "Oh! Wingston these are the ponies I spoke to you about. This is Twilight Spa-" I felt Wingston's staff knock against my head again. "I know who they are. I met them this morning." Wingston explained; seeming to enjoy hitting me. "Oh, right." I mumbled. "I was regaling these lovely ponies with tales of your youth." Wingston said happily. "Could you not find anything else to talk about?" I asked feeling embarrassed. "Nothing quite as interesting." Wingston replied. "Excuse me." Rarity spoke up waving her hoof towards us. "Yes, purple pony?" Wingston asked curiously. "Forgive my rudeness, I know the two of you would like some time to catch up, but did you just hug a Flame Pony?" Rarity asked curiously. Wingston leaned over to me. "Is hugging forbidden here in Ponyville?" Wingston asked me in a whisper. "No, of course not." I whispered back. "Oh, then yes I hugged a Flame Pony." Wingston answered back. "How were you able to do that without getting burned?" Applejack asked curiously. "I was burned, a lot; it takes some serious will power to just not scream." Wingston replied, patting his chest. Every pony stared at him wide eyed. I cleared my throat and nudged Wingston with my hoof. "Tell them the truth." I whispered. "It's the rags, Ms. Applejack. Just bits of old Flame Pony clothing I found over the years." Wingston replied pointing to the rags he wore. "Real flame resistant clothing that can be worn by Flame Ponies?" Rarity asked excitedly. "It also allows other regular ponies to have minimal contact with them as well." Wingston explained further. "Oh! Wingston may I-" Rarity began. "Great Grand Master Sage Wingston the IV." Wingston interjected. "O' Great Grand Master Sage Wingston the IV, may I have a piece of that material? I feel I could replicate it or at least come up with a similar design! We could reintroduce the world of fashion to Flame Pony clothing once more!" Rarity pleaded putting her hooves together. "The clothing of Flame Ponies is a closely guarded secret that has been handed down from generation to-" Wingston began but I picked him up by his back collar with my teeth. "Of course, Rarity. Here you go." I said through my teeth. "Oh thank you!" Rarity cried trotting over. Her horn began to glow, her magic causing a small strand of Wingston's cloth to snap away. Rarity squealed with delight rushing off to begin her work. "You've lost your sense of humor, Smolder." Wingston said disappointingly as I put him back down. "I hope Rarity can do something with that sample, I would like to see what sort of pretty dresses she'll come up with this time." Fluttershy said softly. "Knowing her she'll have made a dress for every season before we see her again." Applejack remarked. Twilight and Fluttershy giggled. "My turn to ask for something!" Pinkie Pie cried rushing over to Wingston. Pinkie Pie bowed low. "Oh Grape Bland Mister Page Wingston the IV, I wish for it to rain cupcakes from the sky." Pinkie Pie requested; flubbing his made up title. "He's not a genie, Pinkie Pie, he can't grant wishes." Twilight explained to her. "What is a cupcake?" Wingston asked curiously. Pinkie Pie gasped in horror looking mortified. Placing her hoof over her chest and slapping her other hoof against her forehead. "You don't know what a cupcake is?" Pinkie Pink asked in utter shock. "Smolder, is a cupcake some sort of challenge?" Wingston whispered to me. "No, it's food." I whispered back to him. "Food? Yes, I could eat; I'm quite famished." Wingston said tapping his staff on the ground. "I'm also feeling a bit hungry." Twilight confessed. "We got ourselves a making of a picnic." Applejack said stomping her hoof. "A picnic sounds lovely." Fluttershy said softly. "I'll go and rustle us up some grub. We'll meet by the old tree in the meadow." Applejack said trotting off. "I'll go get us a picnic blanket." Fluttershy said softly gently flying away. "Spike and I will bring the plates and cups." Twilight offered. "I'll bring cupcakes, cakes, cookies, ice cream, chocolate fudge, caramel apples…" Pinkie Pie said hopping away before we could not hear her anymore. Wingston and I watched every pony go their separate ways to gather the necessary components for a picnic. Wingston seemed to be favoring his staff more than usual. I was suddenly knocked against the head with Wingston's staff once more. "It's not polite to stare." Wingston muttered to me. "Sorry." I mumbled rubbing my head. "By the way Smolder, did you know that Ms. Sparkle has the Elements of Harmony in there?" Wingston asked curiously. "What?" I shouted in surprise. "They hid it in the perfect place from you, a tree. Imagine that?" Wingston asked nudging me with his staff finding it rather humorous. "There's no way! Why would Twilight have them?" I asked in disbelief. "I have no idea. Let's ask Ms. Sparkle." Wingston offered. "We can't just ask her if-" I began but was cut short by Wingston knocking me with his staff once more. "Ms. Sparkle!" Wingston shouted. Twilight came to the door after a few moments. "Did you call me, Wingston?" Twilight asked curiously. "Sorry to bother you, Ms. Sparkle, but my dear Smolder here doesn't believe you have the Elements of Harmony within your home." Wingston explained. "No bother at all. I do have the Elements of Harmony safely packed away in here." Twilight replied with a smile. "Really?" I asked with my mouth left a gape. "You bet. Applejack, Rarity, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, and I each represent a different element of harmony. We've had to use them on a few occasions but I'm happy to report that we've gone one hundred and thirty seven days without an incident." Twilight remarked beaming with pride. "Imagine that, Smolder, you've been speaking to the wielders of the Elements of Harmony all this time and never knew it." Wingston said nudging me with his staff. "Was there anything else I can help you with?" Twilight asked curiously. "Oh no, Ms. Sparkle. Sorry to take up your time." Wingston replied apologetically. "Don't mention it." Twilight replied walking back into the Golden Oakes Library. I glanced over at Wingston. Even thought the rags covered his face, I knew he was smiling underneath. "How long did you spend looking for them again?" Wingston asked sarcastically. "How was I supposed to know she had them?" I whispered in my defense. "Did you ever think to ask?" Wingston asked. "Just ask if they just happened to have the Elements of Harmony sitting around?" I hissed feeling annoyed. "I just did. If your father had sent me I would have had this done by now." Wingston stated, folding his wings across his chest. "How would you carry them back? You plan on carrying them on those two claws you call legs?" I asked sarcastically. "I would have brought a dim witted young prince to carry it like a mule!" Wingston snapped, knocking me on the head with his staff once more. Before I could come up with a real zinger, Twilight and Spike reemerged from the Golden Oakes Library. "Is that everything on the list, Spike?" Twilight asked carrying a saddle bag upon her back. "Triple checked it. We're all set!" Spike declared rolling up a long piece of parchment. "We got all the plates and cups for the picnic." Twilight announced proudly striding over to us. "I'll carry Wingston." I stated. "You'll do what?" Wingston asked looking up at me. "You're not walking all the way over there without help." I said defiantly. "I am perfectly capable of getting around without your help." Wingston said pushing me to the side with his cane. "Wingston you have walked a very long way to get here. I think it would be best to have a ride." Twilight said agreeing with me. "Nope." Wingston replied in his refusal. "I'm carrying you, and that's that." I declared lowering myself to the ground beside him. Wingston sighed in defeat. Even though limping around was his only means of travel, he wouldn't let any pony fuss over him; no matter how difficult it was for him walk. Climbing onto my back, Wingston sat comfortably without bursting into flames. "I wish I could ride a Flame Pony." Spike muttered sadly. "Of course you can. You're a dragon. A Flame Pony's flames cannot hurt a dragon." Wingston said motioning him to climb on. "Really? Wow! Can I Twilight? Can I ride the Flame Pony?" Spike asked pleadingly. "You're supposed to help me carry all the plates and cups." Twilight stated sounding stern. "Please Twilight! Please!" Spike begged putting his claws together. "I guess if it's okay with Smolder." Twilight said with a sigh. "Of course it is, down Smolder." Wingston commanded, hitting me in the side with his staff. I lowered myself once more allowing Spike to climb aboard. "We should stop by Rarity's to invite her to our picnic." Twilight mentioned. "Mush!" Spike cried kicking his heels into my sides. I looked over my shoulder to see Wingston pointing forward. I rolled my eyes feeling that I should have let him walk, but proceeded anyways. I trotted after Twilight, jumping from side to side every now and again to entertain Spike who seemed to be having a blast. Wingston seemed to enjoy Spike's enthusiasm and insisted that I go faster for the little dragon. We made our way to Rarity's place. Like before I had to stand outside while Twilight entered Rarity's home. Just from the outside we could see several different spools of cloth and mannequins flying past her windows. It seemed like Rarity was engrossed in her desire to recreate some flame resistant clothing just by the speed in which things were flying around inside. Eventually, Twilight reemerged with Rarity behind her; having pulled her away from her work. "Twilight has graciously invited me to a picnic with you all. I must say I am feeling quite famished. I'll have so much work ahead of me I have to keep up my strength if I'm ever going to get it done in a timely manner." Rarity said whipping her hair back. "You have no idea how it's made do you?" Wingston asked curiously. "No! It is so simple in design but the layers and thread count is so incredibly high that I can't make heads or tails of what sort of materials they used!" Rarity cried holding her hoof to her face. "You'll figure it out Rarity! You can do anything." Spike said lovingly. "Oh thank you Spike. That's very kind of you to say." Rarity said throwing him a smile. Spike sighed deeply; lying down on my back. We walked for a time before crossing over to the meadows near Sweet Apple Acres where we caught up with Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy and Applejack who had brought two baskets full of food and sweets. Together we headed towards the old tree in the meadow they had spoken of before. Rainbow Dash poked her head out from a cloud high up above and flew down to greet us. "Are we having a picnic?" Rainbow Dash asked excitedly. "We're heading to the old tree in the meadow." Applejack replied. "What's the occasion?" Rainbow Dash asked curiously. "Smolder has a friend visiting him from the Ashen Fields." Fluttershy said softly. "Is it another Flame Pony?" Rainbow Dash asked excitedly looking over every pony. Rainbow Dash's eyes landed on Wingston sitting on my back; she looked perplexed by him. "Is that his friend?" Rainbow Dash asked curiously; slightly put off by him. "Rainbow! Don't be rude." Twilight hissed at her. "But what is it?" Rainbow Dash asked walking over to me. "This is Wingston." I said introducing him. "How are you sitting on a Flame Pony without getting burned?" Rainbow Dash asked sounding confused. "Magic." Wingston replied waving his long fingers in front of her. "Psh, yeah right… seriously? You're kidding me, right?" Rainbow Dash asked not sounding so sure. "I have been known to turn ponies into frogs, cast spells that remove Pegasi wings and make ponies go bald." Wingston declared raising his staff over his head in a rather flamboyant manner. Rainbow Dash yelped jumping backwards from Wingston in fright. "Hey, we're cool! Any friend of Matchstick is a pal of mine. Right, Matchstick? Tell him how Applejack and I helped you on your first day in Ponyville. Tell him I helped you train for the race." Rainbow Dash insisted backing away slowly. "Why does she call you Matchstick?" Wingston asked curiously. "It's just a nickname." I replied. "I suppose I can let you go with a warning, Dashing Rainbow." Wingston declared. "It's Rainbow Dash." Rainbow Dash corrected. "Sure, sure. Let's hurry up and get there I'm hungry." Wingston said signaling Spike to kick his heels into my side once more. "Hey! I like this Wingston dude." Rainbow Dash said following us to the tree. We eventually reached the old tree. It was fortunate for me that the path that led up to it and the area around the tree was slightly barren of grass. Fluttershy laid out the picnic blanket on the grass while I sat down on the dirt in the shade of the tree. Wingston climbed down and chose to sit with me. Spike on the other hoof came rushing over to the picnic blanket rubbing his stomach. Rarity help set out all the plates and cups while Applejack and Pinkie Pie prepared the food. Twilight helped organize the space on the picnic blanket while Rainbow Dash circled the picnic blanket from above rubbing her hooves together in anticipation. "Alright every pony, come and get it!" Twilight shouted. Fluttershy was kind enough to bring Wingston and I a plate of food. We sat eating apple pie, caramel apples, chocolate cake, cupcakes and apples. We drank cider to wash it all down and went right back to eating. Pinkie Pie had elected to tell the story of the race between Hotshot McFlash and I to Wingston using Rainbow Dash to act out the speed of how fast we were moving. Pinkie Pie had Fluttershy provide detailed points of the race every now and again. I was unsure how Pinkie Pie was able to imitate swimming without the water, but she was very convincing. Spike begged me to tell of how I fought the Queen of Spiders in the forest and the rematch within the mountain. Before I could politely decline, Rainbow Dash and Applejack both seemed to be interested in it as well. Feeling that I had owed it to him, I spent some time describing things from my point of view. I spoke of how I went looking for boulders to build a house for myself, how I met Zecora in the forest, how we used Dragon Powder to blow up the Queen, how I took a nap, and how I did not faint in front of Princess Luna and Princess Celestia. When I had finished that story, I had to recount my mission to the mountains near the Everfree Forest with Shining Armor, Nightshade, Cosmic and Peanut. Which did take more time to tell because no pony knew of what had happened in the cave, except for Twilight and Spike; Shining Armor had told them yesterday. The hard part of telling this story was acting it out. Pinkie Pie had done such an amazing job with retelling the race that my attempts to crawl like a spider seemed sub-par at best. I was able to imitate Shining Armor's stern look quite well and the way he commanded ponies with authority. I toned down the fire breathing greatly to just wisps of flames to ensure I didn't set the only tree in the meadow on fire by mistake. Imitating the Queen falling into the pit was difficult but I think tripping over an exposed root made it look more real. I soon came to realize that I was having fun. That it felt normal being around these ponies and it felt natural speaking to them. We all settled down to watch Rainbow Dash show off some of her newest flying moves she had come up with. Streaking across the sky trying to leave a trail of rainbows long enough to spell out her own name and she came very close. "Hey, Fireball." Spike said walking over to me. "Hey, Spike." I replied. "I was wondering if you could give me some pointers on how to breathe fire?" Spike asked tapping his claws together. "Sure he can." Wingston answered for me nudging me with his staff. "Really?" Spike asked excited. "I suppose we could. We'll just need somewhere further away from every pony else." I said looking around. "I know a spot just over there! It's got a nice little patch of dirt you can stand on so you don't burn anything!" Spike said taking my hoof and pulling me. "Alright, I'm coming. Wingston, will you be alright?" I asked looking over my shoulder. "You're not my supervisor." Wingston replied waving his wing for me to go. I followed Spike down the dirt road, mentioning to Twilight that I was going to give Spike a few tips on breathing fire. Twilight told Spike to be careful and to take notes on what I would be teaching him. Surprisingly Spike already had a feather and parchment ready to go. "Come on, Fireball!" Spike said pulling on my hoof once more. Wingston limped over to the picnic blanket. Sitting between Applejack and Twilight who offered him another cupcake; Wingston took it right away. "So you and Smolder have known each other for a long time, I reckon?" Applejack asked. "Since the day he was born." Wingston replied stuffing the cupcake under the cloth covering his mouth. "That's a really long time." Fluttershy remarked quietly. "So what was Matchstick like as a foal?" Rainbow Dash asked curiously. "He questioned everything. Like most small ponies do. He spent a lot of his time chasing his older brothers around; looking for attention." Wingston said grabbing another cupcake. "I didn't know Smolder had siblings." Twilight said surprised. "He has two twin older brothers, Wick and Pyre. Where ever they went, Smolder would follow." Wingston explained. "I can't tell you how many times I've almost tripped over Sweetie Belle trying to follow me around. She is almost like a second shadow whenever she comes to visit." Rarity said. "Apple Bloom is the same way, I can't go anywhere without her tagging along right behind me it seems." Applejack concurred. "I used to be that way with Shining Armor, I still feel like I follow him around sometimes when we meet up at the Royal Castle or the Crystal Kingdom. I guess you just never grow out of wanting to hang with your older siblings." Twilight remarked. "The Twins couldn't be bother with Smolder most days. So he would try do things to impress them. Sometimes he would hurt himself doing something complete stupid, but it always got them to take notice of him." Wingston explained. "Sounds like you kept a pretty close eye on him." Pinkie Pie said giving him another cupcake. "Smolder never knew his mother, or his father for that matter. All he had was his brothers. So I took it upon myself to teach him to read and write. Giving him the best education that I could with what little we had." Wingston elaborated further. "That's hard on a foal." Applejack said sympathetically. "Eventually Smolder's brothers became more interested in their own devices. Beginning to tease Smolder for being so gentle, that a Flame Pony was required to be unfeeling and strong." Wingston continued. "What an awful thing to do to a foal." Fluttershy said with a soft gasp. "I don't think it ever got to Smolder. At least, I wouldn't let him believe that being gentle was a weakness. I told him his mother was gentle, and that it made her so very special. I think it made him happy to know he shared something with her." Wingston said with a sigh. There was a sudden bright green light that came from the hilltop; every pony could see Spike was jumping up and down with excitement. "It looks like Spike learned something today." Twilight said with smile. "Way to go Spike!" Rainbow Dash cheered. On the hilltop Spike waved back. Spike had practiced his breathing with much enthusiasm. So much so that he nearly passed out several times attempting to do it. I had to assure him that breathing fire relied more on the internalization of a pony's fire rather than the actual act; or dragon for that matter. Spike took several notes on this, copying it down word for word. It took several failed attempt for me to realize I was attempting to help Spike breathe fire like a Flame Pony. Spike did not stand on all four limbs, so his posture would be different. A Flame Pony rears back to breathe deep, Spike was already one step ahead. I changed to his posture to better suit a dragon standing on two legs and much to my surprise Spike got it on his first try. "That was amazing!" Spike declared, almost shaking from the experience. "For such a little dragon I'm impressed with the amount of fire you were able to call forth." I congratulated him. "Do you think I can do it again?" Spike asked excitedly. "I'm not sure little dragons have the ability to do that more than twice; at least not at that intensity." I said scratching my chin. "Just because I'm little doesn't make me a push over." Spike said crossing his arms. "I meant your literal size, Spike. A dragon your size can only generate so much fire before you need to rest and recover some of your strength." I explained placing my hoof on Spike's head. "But I feel fine!" Spike remarked. "I will share some advice Wingston gave me when I first learned how to breathe fire." I said to him. "Really? What did he say?" Spike asked curiously. "Your first breath should always be used to talk things over. Your second breath should be used to end things peacefully." I stated as fact. "What about the third breath?" Spike asked curiously. "Hopefully you won't have to take that third breath." I answered him. "Oh. I guess you only have to take that third breath if you couldn't find a peaceful solution, huh?" Spike asked realizing the point of the first two rules. "It's about trying to use a power more effective than fire. The power to reach a pony with words." I explained patting Spike on the back. "Wingston told you all that?" Spike asked curiously. "Not in so many words. I had to figure it out for myself, but I wanted to cut you some slack seeing as we're friends." I said with a smile. "What else did Wingston teach you?" Spike asked seeming interested. "Never eat rocks." I said simply. "Never eat rocks?" Spike asked sounding confused. "Just something Wingston said to me when I had an upset stomach." I said with a laugh. "You ate rocks?" Spike asked surprised. "Don't go telling any pony about this." I said pointing my hoof at him. After sometime of discussing the finer points of forming a solid fireball, Spike and I returned to the picnic. Spike had spent much of his energy trying to master the fireball technique in twenty minutes and decided that we should take a break. I carried him back to Twilight, but not before he had fallen asleep. That evening Wingston and I sat by the riverbed knocking rocks into the water. Wingston was capable of throwing the stones in a way that caused skip across the top of the water. To my dismay, I could not get any of the rocks to skip even once. I knew Wingston was smirking beneath his cloth at my feeble attempts. "Twilight had the Elements of Harmony all this time." I mumbled; the Elements having been on my mind most of the day. "Seems meaningless now, doesn't it?" Wingston replied. "With the Summit approaching, it does feel that way." I agreed. "You have met some very kind ponies here, Smolder." Wingston said skipping another rock. "Probably the kindest ponies in all of Equestria." I said throwing a rock and watching it splash into the water. Wingston threw two stones at the same time and I watched as they skipped across the river. "What are you really doing here, Wingston?" I asked after a while. "I told you I wanted to see my friend." Wingston replied. "For what reason?" I asked again. Wingston looked up at me. I could tell just from his eyes it was not good news. "Your father is becoming impatient, Smolder. The amount of fire he has been leeching from our Flame Ponies has increased. Even the foals and fillies are starting to be effected by it." Wingston said in a solemn tone. "Have you tried reasoning with him?" I asked quietly. "Words are no longer satisfying him, my young Prince. I cannot stall him anymore with promises I cannot keep." Wingston explained. I could feel my chest tightening. My mane flared. "Princess Celestia has promised us support at the Summit, Wingston." I said hopefully. "By then it will be too late. Your father will have returned with unimaginable hate. His wrath fueling his fire, seeking to cover all of Equestria in fire once more; the Summit is no longer an option to us." Wingston explained to me. "We cannot tell Princess Celestia of this, Wingston." I said decisively. "It is the only way this ends without ponies getting hurt, Smolder." Wingston explained. "What about Wick and Pyre? He will hurt them when he finds out I've betrayed him." I questioned, feeling my mane flare in frustration. "Your brothers have allowed your father to leech their fire to strengthen him, and allowed him to do it to every Flame Pony in the Ashen Fields. They have chosen a side, Smolder. You must do the same." Wingston stated. "Don't ask me to give up my family, Wingston." I said bitterly. "Losing two brothers is a small price to pay if it saves hundreds of ponies from your father's wrath. Whatever your brothers have to endure it will be far less cruel then what the innocent ponies of Equestria will face." Wingston insisted. "I can't do that, Wingston." I replied flatly. "They are destroying the lives of every Flame Pony in the Ashen Fields! Not telling Princess Celestia will only make you accountable, Smolder. You can prevent this." Wingston said striking his staff onto the riverbank. "They are my brothers, Wingston!" I snapped. "Brothers that could care less about you!" Wingston hollered back. "They're all I have left!" I shouted kicking several rocks into the river. I got to my hooves pacing along the edge of the river. My mane flaring all the while. "Your father was lost long ago, Smolder. The Twins have been blinded by your father's influence, there is no one left to save." Wingston said sadly. I stopped pacing. Sighing deeply I sat near the water's edge and stared at my reflection. "Everything that you have been trying to achieve is now in jeopardy." Wingston said getting to his claws. My heart ached at these words. I could feel my stomach churn. "Listen to me." Wingston said calmly limping up beside me. "You have the chance to save our Flame Ponies from a lifetime of misery and loneliness. Do not hold on to a family you have never known, Smolder. For they were not there for when you needed them most, so do not let them influence you when you stand to gain the most." Wingston said encouragingly. I took a deep breath, closing my eyes and exhaling slowly. "No more lies, and no more secrets, my young Prince. Do not burden yourself with the sins of your father. Become your own pony. "Wingston whispered to me. I could feel myself calming down. Wingston patted my shoulder reassuringly. "You were mistaken about my father, Wingston." I said quietly. "How so?" Wingston asked. "My father taught me to never eat rocks." I said with a smile. For the first time, in a very long time, I got to hear Wingston laugh without reservation. We stood at the river's edge staring out towards the mountains where the Ashen Fields hid behind. "You haven't lost your sense of humor after all." Wingston remarked. "That wasn't a joke." I said feeling embarrassed. "I know." Wingston said quietly. A fish jumped out of the water attempting to splash me like it did when I first arrived here in Ponyville, but Wingston batted it away with his staff. It splashed back into the water, several feet away, looking rather disappointed that it had been foiled. "So what are you going to do?" Wingston asked curiously. I thought for a moment. "We're going to steal the Elements of Harmony." I said stomping my foot down decisively. "Alright how do- wait what?" Wingston asked looking puzzled.