//------------------------------// // Chapter 1: Smoldering Point // Story: Rise of Char // by Turtlehaus //------------------------------// Private Nightshade stood at the left of the Canterlot's Royal Throne Room door, while Private First Class Cosmic stood to its right. These two Soldier Ponies had been scheduled for Throne Room guard duty for the last three weeks; needless to say it was rather boring. Each held a spear in one hoof and a shield in the other. Their vision focused on a single point in some far off distance that no pony but them could see. The quiet echoes of wind seemed to blow by as neither seemed to move a muscle. "Yeah, this isn't going to work out." Cosmic muttered dropping the spear to the ground and tossing the shield aside with a thud. "I'll inform Pony Resources that having a shield and spear does not make the job any cooler." Nightshade sighed also tossing his shield and spear. "Having to stand guard in front of a door all day is completely bogus." Cosmic muttered stretching his stiff legs. "Princess Celestia isn't even in there, why are we guarding an empty room for anyways?" Nightshade piled on; rolling his stiff shoulders. "Instead of giving us some spears and shields, why not a checkerboard or a book to read?" Cosmic asked curiously. "P.R. says it will distract us from the job." Nightshade explained. "Like any pony would try to sneak into the Throne Room through these big doors. We've stood here for nearly three weeks and not one pony has so much as asked for directions." Cosmic commented. "It would be easier putting up some statues of guards just to give the illusion its being watched." Nightshade stated. "Now there's an idea! We'll bring it up at the next briefing. I'm sure Peanut will back us up on it." Cosmic said, liking the idea. "Is this the Throne Room?" A voice asked aloud. Nightshade and Cosmic jumped at the sound of the voice. "Grab your shield Cosmic! I've got the spear!" Nightshade shouted, hurrying to take up arms once again. "Who are you and what do you want?" Cosmic demanded, holding out the shield, instead of the spear, to the stranger pony. "I'm here to deliver a letter." The pony replied. Cosmic and Nightshade was surprised to see that it was a Flame pony that stood before them; well a ways from them as to not burn the carpet. The Flame Pony was of the grayish variety, his flames bordered on gold, his wings were tucked in close to his sides and his cutie mark was that of a Golden Hat with wings sprouting from it. With him he carried a stone box that hung from his neck by a blackened metal chain. He looked rather nervous to be there. "You're a Mail Pony then?" Cosmic asked curiously. "I believe so, sir. This is my first day and my first delivery. Trying not to muck it up on the first go, if you follow me." The Flame Pony said nodding his head. "I didn't know Flame Ponies had Mail Ponies, they must really be getting on over there." Nightshade said looking surprised. "Like I said, sir, this is my first day and my first delivery. I have the one letter to deliver and then I'm off the clock." The Flame Pony reiterated. "Alright, let's have it then." Cosmic said holding out his hoof. "Sorry sir, I was asked to personally see it delivered to its intended recipient. No go between. If you follow me." The Flame Pony said apologetically, covering the stone box with his hoof. "Who is it for?" Nightshade asked curiously. "It would be for the Princess, sir, Princess Celestia, sir." The Flame Pony answered. "Who's it from?" Cosmic asked curiously. "I'm not sure sir; I'm just here to deliver it. If I had to guess, it would be from the Royal Adviser, not that it's any of my business to know." The Flame Pony replied. "Alright then, just stay here with Private Nightshade. I'll go see if I can locate the Princess for you and see if she can come to retrieve her letter." Cosmic said pointing to Nightshade. "Will do sir, thanks for all your help." The Flame Pony said, grateful for his help. Cosmic trotted off down the corridor, in the hopes of finding Princess Celestia, wherever she may be, while leaving Nightshade to watch the Flame Pony. The Flame Pony seemed rather taken by the colors and brightness of the castle, taking extra special care to keep himself far away from anything that looked flammable. "So you came all the way from the Ashen Fields, right?" Nightshade asked. "That's right, sir." The Flame Pony answered promptly. "How are things over there?" Nightshade asked. "Sir?" The Flame Pony asked looking unsure. "In the Ashen Fields. How is every Flame Pony doing? It's been like three months since the defeat of the Mad King." Nightshade asked again. "I can't speak for every Flame Pony sir, but King Smolder assures us that our hard work will pay off in time. Every pony is pitching in, rebuilding, and getting used to the idea of being a part of something again." The Flame Pony replied honestly. "Have you spoken with Smolder?" Nightshade asked, sounding a bit hopeful. "The King? Oh, no sir. Well, quite briefly. We shared only a few words. The King has become a very busy pony these days. There is always something that needs his attention." The Flame Pony informed him. Cosmic reappeared from around the corner of the corridor, clearing his throat to draw their attention. "Here he is, my Ladies." Cosmic announced striding up to them. Princess Celestia and Princess Luna strode up from around the corner. Needless to say, they were looking quite surprised to see a Flame Pony before them. "It's not every day that we have a Flame Pony in Canterlot." Princess Celestia said amusingly. "Especially one that is a Mail Pony." Princess Luna added. The Flame Pony lowered his head to the Princesses in respect, as did Nightshade and Cosmic. "Princess Celestia, I was told to personally give you this letter. It was noted to be a great importance." The Flame Pony said pulling the blackened chain over his head and placing the stone box in front of her. "Thank you, Mister?" Princess Celestia asked looking for a name. "Moist Lipwig, your Majesty." The Flame Pony stated. "That's a funny name." Nightshade whispered to Cosmic who chuckled under his breath. Princess Celestia opened the stone box with the use of her magic. Inside sat an envelope that bore her name and was sealed with candle wax. With her magic Princess Celestia opened the letter and read it with Princess Luna casually leaning in to read over her shoulder. A look of worry came over Princess Celestia's face, folding up the letter with her magic before having it magically poof away. "Mr. Lipwig, I ask that you return to the Ashen Fields and inform Wingston that I will attend to this matter immediately." Princess Celestia stated. "The Royal Advisor? Of-of course, your majesty." Lipwig stammered looking very surprised. Bowing his head a few times Lipwig ran off down the hallway, keeping close to the wall to avoid stepping on the carpet, to deliver her message back in the Ashen Fields. "Is everything alright, sister?" Princess Luna asked sounding concerned. "I'm afraid not." Princess Celestia said looking rather worried. Nightshade and Cosmic glanced at one another, wondering if it had something to do with Smolder. "Private Nightshade, Private First Class Cosmic." Princess Celestia said aloud. "Yes, my Lady!" Nightshade and Cosmic said together saluting. "Please take a chariot and fly down to Ponyville and escort Twilight Sparkle back here as soon as possible." Princess Celestia commanded. "Yes, my Lady!" Nightshade and Cosmic said together throwing their salutes and went racing off to carry out her order. "What did the letter say, sister?" Princess Luna asked curiously. "That Smolder is being an even bigger dork then I gave him credit for." Princess Celestia replied; looking a bit annoyed. Twilight Sparkle and Spike were being led through the halls of Canterlot by Nightshade and Cosmic just a few hours after the Mail Pony from the Ashen Fields had arrived. Nightshade had informed the little dragon that only Twilight's presence was necessary but wouldn't let go of Twilight's leg so they had to take him along as well. "So do either of you ponies know what this is about?" Twilight asked curiously. "A Mail Pony from the Ashen Fields came to deliver a letter to Princess Celestia personally." Nightshade replied. "Shades! You can't just go telling other ponies top secret information like that!" Cosmic scolded him. "Getting mail is top secret information?" Nightshade asked looking bewildered at the thought. "Who knows? That's why it's top secret!" Cosmic replied. "That doesn't make a salt lick of sense! How can something be top secret if we don't know it's a secret?" Nightshade asked looking confused. "Exactly! That's why I'm a Private First Class and you're just a Private. I've got inside knowledge on things you couldn't even dream of." Cosmic said proudly. "Like what?" Nightshade asked, not believing a word of it. "Like where Peanut hides his apple turnovers in the break room." Cosmic stated in a matter of fact tone. "You know where he keeps them?" Nightshade asked sounding surprised. "Sorry Private, I've already said too much." Cosmic replied, refusing to go into detail. "Uh, guys?" Twilight spoke up looking a little left out. "Oh, sorry Ms. Sparkle." Cosmic said looking sheepish. "Princess Celestia didn't say what she needed you for, but it was urgent that we get you here as soon as possible." Nightshade explained. Nightshade and Cosmic led her up to the Throne Room doors but stopped short to face her. "Ms. Sparkle, if it turns out that letter has something to do with our friend Smolder…" Nightshade began. "Would you be willing to let us know if he's alright? We haven't seen him for a while now and we're starting to get worried." Cosmic finished the thought. "I don't see why not." Twilight replied with a smile. "Thank you, Ms. Sparkle. You're a credit to sparkles everywhere." Cosmic said bowing his head. "A credit to sparkles everywhere? What sort of nonsense is that?" Nightshade asked looking perplexed. "It's a compliment." Cosmic stated. "That was a compliment?" Nightshade asked looking unsure. "I've been known to pluck at a mare's heart strings every now and again with my carefully woven words of love." Cosmic bragged. "You couldn't weave a straw hat let alone find a date." Nightshade snapped back. Cosmic and Nightshade started to bicker among themselves, their voices becoming raised, giving each other a firm shove. Luckily, Twilight and Spike had already entered the Throne Room having the large doors shut behind them. Princess Celestia and Princess Luna were speaking to one another in the middle of the Throne Room before noticing Twilight and Spike approaching them. "I'm glad you came so quickly, Twilight." Princess Celestia said embracing her. "It's no problem at all, Princess Celestia." Twilight replied hugging her back. "I'm here too." Spike said looking for a hug. "It is good to see you, Spike." Princess Celestia said with a smile embracing him as well. "What did you need to see me about, Princess Celestia?" Twilight asked curiously. "I have received a letter from Wingston about the things that are going on in the Ashen Fields." Princess Celestia said making the letter appear out of thin air with her magic. "Is everything alright?" Twilight asked quickly. "See for yourself." Princess Celestia said handing her the letter. Twilight took the letter from her and began to read it. Dear Princess Celestia, I am writing this letter to you without Smolder knowing. The first few weeks of his rule had been filled with hope and promises of a better life. Since then Smolder has planned to see each and every one of those promises fulfilled with his own two hooves. If he isn't helping to move large rocks from the fields, he is lending a hoof to plow the earth. Smolder has opted to reform the Council that his father had gotten rid of in years past, but it has only added to the work load. Several Flame Ponies are applying for the positions and several issues arise every day that need his attention. Smolder isn't sleeping anymore, he is driving himself too hard, and I fear that he will soon collapse from exhaustion. The Flame Ponies are desperate for guidance and look to him for it. My words are beginning to fall deaf to him with the amount of stress that seems to be piling up on his mind. I would think it best if Smolder could see some familiar faces and help remind him that he is still just a pony. The needs of the Flame Ponies are things that most ponies would take for granted. Needs and desires that are better suited to ponies that already excel in such areas. I'm asking on behalf of this idiot, that if you can send Ms. Sparkle and her friends to help alleviate some of the burdens facing Smolder, it would help him and the Kingdom tremendously. He is due for some much needed rest and relaxation before the King of Dorks lands himself in the infirmary. Sincerely, Wingston P.S. Bring the little dragon for back up. "It sounds like being King isn't all that easy." Twilight remarked looking over the letter once more. "Why does he need me for back up?" Spike asked curiously. "I'm not sure." Twilight said giving the letter to Spike. "What's clear is that Smolder is trying to do too much himself and the Flame Ponies have no other pony to turn to." Princess Luna stated. "I remember Smolder talking about how they had practically nothing in the Ashen Fields; I can only imagine trying to build everything from scratch." Twilight commented. "I'm hoping that you and your friends are willing to accept Wingston's request for your aid in dealing with these issues and give the King of Dorks a break." Princess Celestia said with a small smile. "I'll head back to Ponyville and tell the others. We'll leave as soon as we can." Twilight stated taking the letter from Spike and using her magic to make it disappear. "Send Smolder our regards." Princess Luna requested with a smile. "You'll be assisting them soon enough, Luna." Princess Celestia replied to a rather surprised Luna. "Me, sister?" Princess Luna asked curiously. "At least in his dreams. I'm sure Smolder will have a few things he'll need your help working out." Princess Celestia informed her. "Yes, of course. I will make it a priority, I can only imagine the sort of dreams he's had since the incident, but you must make him fall asleep first." Princess Luna informed Twilight. "That shouldn't be too hard." Spike said slamming his fist into his claws. "Try to go easy on him." Princess Celestia said petting Spike on the head. The large doors to the Throne Room slid open. Twilight and Spike walked through the threshold of the doors where they were immediately bombarded by questions from Nightshade and Cosmic. "What's the story, Ms. Sparkle?" Cosmic asked quickly. "Is Smolder dead again?" Nightshade asked. "You can't die twice you moron." Cosmic snapped at him. "How do you know?" Nightshade asked in his defense. "Hey!" Twilight shouted aloud getting their attention. Nightshade and Cosmic jumped to attention throwing her a salute. "Smolder has just got a lot on his plate right now and needs some help with some of the issues that my friends and I are going to help him handle. There is nothing to be worried about." Twilight informed them. "Are you sure, Ms. Sparkle?" Cosmic asked looking concerned. "Positive. The next time either of you have some time off it might be nice to go and visit him. I'm sure it would make him really happy." Twilight suggested walking down the hallway. "I don't think I have any vacation days saved up." Cosmic said to him. "I already used all my sick days." Nightshade noted. "Isn't there a holiday coming up?" Cosmic asked curiously. "Would we even get the day off?" Nightshade asked. "Nah, we'd probably have to work then too." Cosmic said scratching his chin. The Ashen Fields were a buzz with activity. Several hundred Flame Ponies could be seen moving all over the fields. Some clearing rocks, others carving up stones, some tilling the land, others filling in fissures, and several dozen ponies forging metal near Castle Char. Castle Char itself was in rather dire straits, several large holes littered the walls and even whole towers had been pulled off during the sealing of the Mad King. Pegasi Flame Ponies helped set up scaffolding to allow the earth Flame Ponies access to the higher parts of the castle. Every pony lent their support, carrying either rock and mortar to slowly but surely bring the castle back to its former glory. Wingston had been watching the pegasi ponies fly by the window when another argument started up again. The Council Chamber was filled with no less than twenty Flame Ponies all fighting among themselves on who would fill the position best. Wingston had placed himself in charge of choosing the candidates for the positions on the Council and then allowing Smolder his pick of the finalists. The herd of Flame Ponies argued and argued while Wingston raised his staff and slammed it hard onto the stone table. Every pony fell silent. "For the sake of my sanity, I will be seeing each of you in a random order. So that no pony's feelings are hurt for being seen last, I assure you I will give each of you my undivided attention and a fair interview." Wingston said calmly putting his staff back down beside him. Every Flame Pony fell silent. Wingston could see that they were eager to be a part of this. "Now pick a number between one and a hundred." Wingston said aloud. "What?" Several Flame Ponies asked in sudden confusion. "Seven!" Shouted a pony. "No, sorry, that wasn't it." Wingston replied. "Sixty-eight!" Shouted another pony. "Nope." Wingston replied again. "Forty-two!" Shouted another. "That's it! You'll be going first. The rest of you ponies shall wait outside until one of you guesses the next number." Wingston explained shooing them towards the door. The interview wasn't all that hard, it was based on what position each pony wanted and how well they fit into it. Unfortunately, many of these ponies were young and were aspiring to be teachers, scholars, political figures, bankers, and so on. Most had little to no experience but seeing as it was open call for such positions these were the ponies that wanted it most. These ponies would be representatives of certain areas in both the financial, agricultural, and free market parts of the Ashen Fields. They would voice their concerns here, with the selected members of the Council who would bring their concerns to the King. Wingston spent the rest of the day going through each pony and hearing their pitch. Wingston chose twelve of the twenty to be considered for the positions offered and made the other eight heads of their respective committees. Having finalized his own records, Wingston excused all the ponies informing them that the King would personally look them over that night. Wingston limped out of the Council Chamber. Making his way down the corridor that led to a staircase leading to the Main Hall of Castle Char. It took Wingston some time to manage the steps but it wasn't too difficult for him to hop the last few. The Main Hall was filled with chatter amongst several Flame Ponies who were working on the large hole in the wall and the scorch marks on the stone floors. Wingston started to climb the steps to the Throne Room where a meeting was being held. Barely opening the Throne Toom doors, Wingston could already hear raised voices echoing down the corridor from deeper within. Wingston had walked this corridor in days long passed, to find the Mad King awaiting him in both person and mirror. There was a time where the Mad King wasn't so mad, that his days of a noble and respectable pony made this walk more pleasant. With Smolder as King now, Wingston couldn't help but smile at the possibilities that awaited his friend. "The mines are our only source of income, without them we cannot trade, sell or buy anything from anywhere." Argo Fleece the Treasurer stated. "The mines are completely out of the question, not only are they a death trap to any pony that goes below ground but most of the veins dried up years ago. The amount of pony power you are suggesting to reach these potential veins could be put to better use elsewhere." General Hearth, Head of the Flame Pony Army, countered. "If we do not find an alternate resource to export from the Ashen Fields we will be getting the short end of the stick with many of our allied Kingdoms." Argo Fleece remarked. "The Volcanic Soil is a very rich fertilizer; it could prove useful to the farmers in our neighboring areas." Tiff Pitchstone of Agriculture suggested. "There is a limit to how much the mountain can still provide to us, we must have a more secure and reliable resource to sustain us." Argo Fleece replied. "What about some of the jewels and gold laying around the castle? There are still rooms deep in the dungeon that house some rather old trinkets we could melt down or reuse." Burning Sand the Politician suggested. "Those are historical artifacts left behind by countless generations of Flame Pony Royalty! What remains down there is our only history and culture we have left. It must be preserved!" Alex Papyrus the Historian interjected. "We will have no history if we continue to hang on to a past that has brought us nothing but trouble!" Argo Fleece argued. The sound of Wingston's thudding staff slowly grew louder and louder causing the argument to die down. Wingston entered the Throne room while every pony turned to look at him. There was a few nods to Wingston, a hello here and there, as Wingston hobbled by. "Sorry for the interruption, I have just gotten through our aspiring candidates to be our senators." Wingston said waving his parchment in the air. The ponies sat around in a circle, branching outwards from the throne itself. There were raised steps for each pony to sit upon while the throne itself was positioned at the bottom of the circle; elevated to show the dominance the King had over all. Wingston limped straight down the middle of the circle, nodding to them as he walked by. Reaching the throne before looking up at the King with a sympathetic look. For my eyes had dark rings around them, my mane flickered disobediently. I was a bit thinner from lack of eating and sleeping. Yet, the sight of Wingston made me smile. Wingston climbed onto a smaller chair that sat rested next to mine, especially made for Wingston to be at my side. "How's it going?" Wingston whispered to me. "As well as I could have hoped for." I whispered back. "My King, please, do not let centuries of history and cultural be melted down just to satisfy a quick fix to a problem that is all but resolvable in other ways." Alex Papyrus pleaded to me. "If we cannot feed our Flame Ponies we will not have much a history to write ourselves!" Agro Fleece spat. "Unfortunately, it will take some time to have any sort of food growing in these Fields again. Well will need to look elsewhere for food, for the time being." Tiff Pitchstone said apologetically. General Hearth looked over at me, his face was full of concern at the way I looked but I gave him a wink to let him know I was alright. "Wingston once said that ponies that don't learn from their past are doomed to repeat it. I believe he took this from a smarter pony but the message is clear. I will not permit the destruction of any items in the castle or in the Ashen Fields that may have historical value." I said aloud. Agro Fleece made a face of disgust but Alex Papyrus looked quite thankful. "With that being said, I would like you to make a list of items or trinkets that can be considered to be mere baubles, that have no significant history, and have them sent to Argo so that we may use them for trade. I know the dungeons beneath us link to the old mining tunnels. I will allow Argo to take a team of Flame Ponies to map out and explore the safest routes of travel and mine for any gems that can be acquired safely without any destruction or potential cave-ins." I continued, this time earning a smile from Argo and a nod from Alex. "The Volcanic Soil should be a fine net to help with trade for now, and have a team of ponies begin collecting as much as you can gather. I will leave the portions we keep in reserve for our own crops up to your judgment, Mr. Pitchstone." I said looking his way and he replied with a nod. "Burning Sand, I wish you a safe trip and trust the negotiations with the Crystal Kingdom's commerce in your charismatic hooves." I said dismissively as every pony stood up and bowed their head to me before heading towards the corridor. General Hearth remained behind. Even with a wave of my hoof to send him on his way he politely refused by staring me down. Wingston was also staring at me and I suddenly felt like the least powerful pony in the room. "When was the last time you slept, Smolder?" General Hearth asked curiously. "I don't have a clock in my room, so I can't really give you an accurate answer on that." I said trying to dodge the question. "I put a sundial in your room a week ago." Wingston spoke up. "Well that answers it." General Hearth said with a shake of his head. "I've napped here and there." I said in my defense. "Smolder, you look terrible. You need to just take it easy for a few days." General Hearth insisted. "I'm fine." I said stepping down off the throne and nearly falling down from my lack of strength. "You're not fooling any pony." General Hearth said coming to my side and helping me stand. "I'm fine, I'm serious, look." I said pushing away from General Hearth and managing a few steps without wobbling. "We still have to go over these candidates, Smolder." Wingston said waving his parchment over his head. "What he needs is rest." General Hearth corrected him. "The King says he is fine, than the King is fine." Wingston replied. "Call me, Smolder." I said walking towards the corridor. General Hearth had waited until I was out of ear shot before turning to Wingston to give him and ear full. "Smolder is about to burn out and you're just going to stand by and watch him do it?" General Hearth hissed to him. "Calm yourself, General. I have taken the liberty of getting him help." Wingston assured him getting up from his chair. "Help?" General Hearth asked curiously. "From Princess Celestia and those colorful ponies you met a few months back." Wingston explained. "The ones that wield the Elements of Harmony?" General Hearth asked in surprise. "We let Smolder have today and by tomorrow his friends will come offering him help and he won't be able to say no. That's when we chain him to his bed to finally get him some sleep. We'll even spoon feed him if we have to, to make sure he doesn't try and slip away." Wingston said tapping General Hearth on his shoulder, signaling him to kneel down. "Does Smolder know that you have done this?" General Hearth asked assisting Wingston onto his back. "Of course not. The King just makes all the speeches, the real brains are the ones still left in this room." Wingston replied. "I can agree to that." General Hearth said with a chuckle. "Come tomorrow, Twilight and her friends will have Smolder straightened out. Our King will rest and our guests will be giving out some much needed advice to our struggling Flame Ponies." Wingston said confidently.