//------------------------------// // Chapter 11: Mystery Guest // Story: Rise of Char // by Turtlehaus //------------------------------// Rainbow Week was quickly becoming a household phrase in the Ashen Fields. Many Flame Ponies would use it place of other words, such as 'at least it isn't Rainbow Week' or 'I'm so tired, I feel like I'm partaking in Rainbow Week' and the uses went on. For Rainbow Dash's Rainbow Week had quickly become the most grueling and intense regiment of tasks ever asked of pegasi Flame Ponies, and it still had two days of physical activity left before the two day mental test. General Hearth was spot on with the ponies he had picked for his consideration for the leader of the Academy. The last three days of her Rainbow Week course had really separated the stronger flyers from the weaker ones but that was alright by Rainbow Dash. It just meant she could give her time more to the ponies that needed it rather than focusing on the ponies that didn't. The weaker flying Flame Ponies were given most of Rainbow Dash's attention, trying to increase their wing speed, and overall confidence in being a part of the Royal Air Force. Rainbow Dash did explain to them that the position of leader pony would not be something they would be able to achieve at their current level but assured them that their mindset was perfect for the position. With Rainbow Week already halfway through, the promising candidates from day one had all started to show their flaws by day three. Solar Wind kept to himself during many of her training montages, while Flare Fizzle's effort during the obstacle courses were below sub-par. Wisp Seeker had nearly started a fight with every flyer that had got in his way or cut him off during a relay race. Although, the most glaring candidate of all was the wild card, Ray Horizon, the granddaughter of General Hearth and Rainbow Dash's most problematic pony. On her first day, Ray was a yes pony, whatever Rainbow Dash said Ray would do without question. By the second day, Ray started to ask Rainbow Dash her reasoning behind some of the tasks given to her and Rainbow Dash was patient enough to explain it to her. By the third day, Ray was trying to tell other ponies how to fly, and argued with Rainbow Dash on every task she gave her and any other pony. Needless to say, Rainbow Dash had her hooves full. Solar, Wisp, Flare and Ray stood at attention in a line next to one another. The rest of the pegasi Flame Ponies were training in the fields behind them, per her instructions, as Rainbow Dash addressed the four Flame Ponies. "Alright you four, you're all I got to pick from to be the leader of this Academy. If I had to make my choice today, I'd pick that rock over there." Rainbow Dash said pointing to a boulder off to the side. Ray began to open her mouth to speak but Rainbow Dash already had her hoof raised to her. "Don't start." Rainbow Dash said sounding annoyed. "None of you ponies encompass all the necessary skills to be a leader. You're too lazy, too quiet, too aggressive or just a pain in my flank." Rainbow Dash said looking Ray's way. Ray stuck her tongue out at Rainbow Dash. "However, you all have important skills that do make for a good leader. Except for Ray." Rainbow Dash added. "Hey!" Ray shouted. "Quiet!" Rainbow Dash yelled eyeing her down. "I've decided to move you four up to the mental test a few days early, you've all proven you're experienced flyers but you're going to need as much time as I can get to make one of you a decent leader." Rainbow Dash explained. "Are we going to have to work together?" Wisp groaned. "That's right, Wisp. You're going to have to get along with these ponies or I'll bust your flank all the way back down to a cadet." Rainbow Dash said threateningly glaring at him. "Who gets to be leader?" Ray asked aloud. "I'm going to let you four ponies talk it out, if you can't agree on a leader in the next ten minutes I'll just assign you one. Understand?" Rainbow Dash asked looking at each one of them with a steely gaze. "Yes, ma'am." Every pony except for Ray said aloud. "Then get to it." Rainbow Dash said rubbing her temples. "I'm the leader! I called it!" Ray shouted turning to the other ponies. Wisp leaned over and shoved Ray to the ground with a push before laughing at the idea. Ray got back to her hooves and leapt at Wisp trying to knock him over but she wasn't able to even budge him from his spot. Solar just stood quietly while Flare rolled her eyes at them. "Please, Celestia… give me strength." Rainbow Dash mumbled covering her face with her hooves. Wingston and I had spent some time looking around the Kingdom, meeting different ponies, seeing how the restoration was going and coming across Rainbow Dash and her flyers. "You okay, Rainbow Dash?" I asked curiously strolling up to her. I watched as Rainbow Dash looked up from behind her hooves to see Wingston and I strolling up to her. I was still sporting my new hat. Rainbow Dash seemed to like it. "W-What are you wearing, Matchstick?" Rainbow Dash asked trying hard not to laugh. "It's my hat." I replied looking up at it. Rainbow Dash exploded into a fit of giggles, I felt my mane flare in embarrassment while Wingston leaned over to me; looking rather pleased with himself. "That's two no and one yes on the hat, Smolder." Wingston whispered to me. "There are still plenty of ponies out there." I whispered back not giving in just yet. "Thanks, Matchstick, I need that." Rainbow Dash said wiping tears from her eyes. "How are things going?" I asked trying not to sound bitter about my hat. "First things first, how are you doing sleepy head?" Rainbow Dash asked curiously. "I feel rested." I said as Wingston nodded in agreement. "You had all of us worried you know." Rainbow Dash said looking relieved. "I tend to have that effect on ponies." I replied. "Well stop it. We can't keep coming to save your sorry flank whenever you get your head stuck in banister or something." Rainbow Dash said somewhat sarcastically. The fight between Ray and Wisp started to escalate as Wisp effortlessly pushed Ray back down onto the ground. Ray exploded from the spot trying to pull off Wisp's head but he didn't seem to mind. "What's going on here?" Wingston asked looking amused. "One of these ponies is going to be your new Academy leader." Rainbow Dash said rolling her eyes. "Cream of the crop, huh?" I asked with a chuckle. "Are they ever." Rainbow Dash sighed. "Let me talk to them." I offered strolling past her. Wisp looked my way with a raised eye brow. He spied my hat. Pulling Ray off his head, he tossed her to the side and turned to me. "Nice hat, dork." Wisp said with a laugh. "Thanks, there's a new store in the Shopping District called Stitch Crow Shay." I replied. "That still counts as a no on the hat!" Wingston shouted to me. "Is that Wingston?" Flare asked curiously trying to get a better look. "He said it was cool!" I shouted back removing my hat. "It's the King!" Flare shouted surprised. The four Flame Ponies immediately fell back in line, straightening up and standing at attention. Although I was turned facing Wingston holding up my hat to him. "He was being sarcastic! Doesn't count!" Wingston shouted back. Grumbling at the idea of Wingston being right once more.i turned back to the now nervous Wisp, I held the hat up to him narrowing my eyes. "You think this hat is cool, right?" I asked him suspiciously. "Yes, my King." Wisp replied still looking nervous. "You would wear a hat like this right?" I asked him again. "Of course, my King." Wisp replied quickly. I placed the hat on Wisp's head. Just to make an honest pony out of him. "Hold it for me." I stated. "Yes, my King." Wisp replied. "Rainbow Dash is a good friend of mine, but you probably already knew that. What you probably didn't know is that she isn't afraid to tell me the truth about anything and everything; including my hat." I began walking down the line of them. "It's still silly!" Rainbow Dash shouted. "Silence!" I shouted back; feeling my mane flare from embarrassment. "If Rainbow Dash doesn't feel like any of you ponies are worthy of being the leader of this Academy, then there won't be a leader. I'll just have Argo Fleece leave you ponies memos on what to do." I said watching Ray wince at the thought of it. "So I expect the same level of respect that you show me, be shown to Rainbow Dash, she was one of the ponies that helped us get our lives back. You owe it to her to put your best hoof forward and prove to her that you're worth it." I said aloud. Before I was able to get to my big finish, something happened in that moment that had not happened in the Ashen Fields for nearly thirty years. A sudden bellowing tone of a bell echoed throughout the fields drawing every pony's attention to Castle Char. From the North Tower a large cast iron bell swung from side to side causing the clapper to strike the sides in a slow rhythmic pattern. It was known as Hadron's Bell, which only tolled in the event of the King's passing, but such knowledge was known only to the older Flame Ponies that had heard it ring for the Wise King Phoenix many years ago. "What's that?" Rainbow Dash asked watching the bell swing. "Something must have happened back at the castle." Wingston stated limping to Smolder in a hurry. "Wait a minute, what's going on?" Rainbow Dash asked again looking concerned now. Having ignored Rainbow Dash's question, I helped Wingston onto my back before spreading out my wings and leaping into the air. Wingston and I soared through the air with great haste, heading back to the castle. "Hey!" Rainbow Dash shouted after us. Exploding from the spot, Rainbow Dash flew after us towards Castle Char leaving the four ponies alone. Wisp took off the hat, looking confused at what was going on, as did every other pony. "Should we go after them?" Flare asked looking at the other ponies. "Hay yeah, we should." Ray said excitedly flaring her wings and taking to the skies. "What do you think, Mr. Silent Type?" Flare asked glancing at Solar. Solar stepped forward, spreading out his wings and went soaring after Ray. "I guess I should go give the King his hat back." Wisp said looking down at the hat in his hoof. "Alright, let's go then." Flare said with a sigh as the two of them took off. Wingston and I slicef through the air, banking tightly around the side of Castle Char to reach the front entrance where the large stone doors had been left open. Several Flame Ponies were gathering at the steps, but a few Royal Guard ponies were handling crowd control. We soared over every ponies head into the Main Hall where there seemed to be a commotion happening at the base of the staircase. Dipping low I started into a sprint, touching down to the ground I started to slow up my approach and folded my wings back in. I received an encouraging pat on the shoulder from Wingston on my landing. "What's happened?" I asked approaching the small group of Royal Guard ponies. "Lord Smolder, there has been an incident down in the dungeons." Topaz stated stepping forward. "Is Ms. Sparkle and Mr. Papyrus alright?" Wingston asked sliding down off of my back. "Ms. Sparkle is unharmed but Mr. Papyrus was attacked by an unknown pony." Spinel stepped forward to explain further. "They're making it sound worse than it really was." Alex's voice came from behind the Royal Guard ponies. Stepping around them I saw Mr. Papyrus sitting on the floor being fussed over by a doctor pony while Twilight stood by. It was a relief to see that neither of them had been hurt. "What happened?" Wingston asked promptly limping forward to Alex. "Where to begin? Everything seemed to happen so-" Alex was cut short by a sudden knock to the head by Wingston's staff. "Ms. Sparkle, perhaps you can explain to us what happened?" Wingston asked again turning to Twilight. "Well, Alex and I were down in the dungeons doing some cataloging of everything down there when we discovered our torches had been snuffed out and our etching had been destroyed." Twilight began. "Etching?" I asked looking confused. "Later, please continue." Wingston said waving my question aside. "We found hoof prints in the remains of the broken stone but that's about the time that Alex saw a pony staring at us from the darkness. A non-Flame Pony." Twilight continued. "Were you able to make anything out? Anyway we can identify this pony?" Wingston asked curiously looking between the two of them. "I could barely see the outline of the pony. I was more concerned with the safety of Ms. Sparkle." Alex replied. "Thanks by the way." Twilight said with a smile. "Don't mention it." Alex mumbled with a chuckle. "What happened next?" Wingston asked poking Alex with his staff. "I convinced Twilight to run for the guards while I stayed behind to make sure that pony did not try to chase after her or attempt to hide somewhere else in the dungeon; we had it cornered in a corridor that led to the mines." Alex explained. "We think that's how he got down there in the first place." Twilight added. "So when Twilight took off running I tried to question the pony. I asked it who it was and what it wanted." Alex continued rubbing his face with his hooves. "What did it say?" I asked. "The pony didn't say anything at first. It just stood there, but before I could ask it another question it screamed. It wasn't like anything I've ever heard before; it was almost like a roar that was quickly followed by a massive torrent of wind that actually chilled me to the bone. I'm not sure what happened after that, all I remember is everything turning black and I woke up here." Alex said shivering at the thought of it. "We found Mr. Papyrus unconscious but unharmed. There was no sign of the intruder pony." Spinel stated aloud. "This is very peculiar." Wingston said looking rather fascinated by the story. "Twilight!" Rainbow Dash shouted flying right out of the air into a hug on Twilight. "I'm okay, Rainbow Dash." Twilight said reassuringly. "Of course you're okay; I just haven't seen much of you these last few days. You've been in that dungeon all day and night." Rainbow Dash replied. "Have you informed General Hearth of this development?" Wingston asked Topaz. "As soon as we got Ms. Sparkle and Mr. Papyrus to safety, Spinel went to inform General Hearth who suggested ringing Hadron's Bell; claiming it would be the fastest way to get the King here." Topaz answered. "Very clever. Where is he now?" Wingston asked. "He took several squads of Royal Guard ponies down into the dungeon to do sweeps of the corridors. We've informed him of the mystery pony's last known sighting and remained here under his orders until Lord Smolder had arrived." Spinel replied. "What's going on?" Rainbow Dash whispered to Twilight. "There was a non-Flame Pony down in the dungeon that destroyed an old etching and attacked Mr. Papyrus." Twilight whispered back. "Whoa." Rainbow Dash said looking excited. "It's likely that our mystery pony is hiding somewhere in the old mines." Alex said. "Shall we block off the corridor leading into the mines, my King?" Topaz asked. "No! Don't do that." Alex interjected. "Is there a problem?" Wingston asked. "This pony smashed the etching for a reason; it knows what it meant and wants to keep us from finding out." Alex explained. "The etching is destroyed, what reason does he have to be hanging around in the mines?" Wingston asked curiously. "Before our encounter with the mystery pony, Twilight had said she made a rubbing of the etching prior to its destruction. I believe the mystery pony overheard this, and isn't going to leave until that rubbing is gone as well." Alex explained further. At this point I was feeling out of touch with what was going on, spending three days sleeping put me at a disadvantage of knowing these little details and now some pony is creeping around downstairs breaking our relics. "Let us find this mystery pony." Ray said aloud from behind me. Every pony turned to see the four pegasi Flame Ponies standing at attention a few paces away. "What are you ponies doing here?" Rainbow Dash barked looking surprised. "We overheard what happened and we want the chance to apprehend this mystery pony." Ray explained excitedly. "Are you ponies serious? You four couldn't even choose a team leader and you want to go play detective?" Rainbow Dash asked looking unconvinced. "Hold on a minute, Rainbow Dash. Granted these ponies are still rough around the edges, but each of them have been through General Hearth's training regimen and can handle themselves pretty well." Wingston spoke up jumping on the idea. "Are you suggesting that we allow them to go searching the mines for this mystery pony?" I asked looking back at Wingston. "With Rainbow Dash's consent, I believe that this will be a good platform in which to test the necessary skills of what it takes to be a leader." Wingston replied turning to Rainbow Dash. "I was planning on having them do some team building exercises…" Rainbow Dash mumbled scratching her chin. Rainbow Dash glanced over at the four pegasi Flame Ponies, even though Ray was just bursting with eagerness, she could see that they were at least eager to try. "Alright, but I'm putting Flare in charge of all of you." Rainbow Dash declared pointing at her. "What?" Ray whined looking back and forth at them. "Thank you, Ma'am." Flare replied nodding her head slightly. "Just remember that whoever this mystery pony is, he or she could be dangerous so be on your guard. If things get hairy, you ponies pull your flanks out before hay starts hitting the fan, understand?" Rainbow Dash asked eyeing them up. "Yes, Ma'am." The four Flame Ponies replied; Ray sounded very bitter. "Topaz, Spinel, if you would be so kind to escort our team of pegasi Flame Ponies to the last know sighting of our mystery pony?" Wingston asked motioning towards the two guards. "Of course." Topaz replied waving his hoof to the ponies to follow him. Solar, Ray, and Flare followed the two guard ponies towards the entrance of the dungeon while Wisp approached me instead. "Your hat, uh, my King." Wisp said handing me back my hat I had left with them. "Thanks." I said happily taking it from him. The team of Flame Ponies disappeared down into the dungeons with the Royal Guard ponies and Rainbow Dash tailing them. The doctor pony fussing over Mr. Papyrus had cleared him to be okay. Alex got to his hooves, no worse for wear, but still a little shaken by his ordeal. "Are you going to be okay, Alex?" Twilight asked sounding worried. "I will be alright, Twilight. Perhaps I will spend some time above ground for a change and focus on portraits and hats we brought up." Alex replied with a deep breath. "You found hats?" I asked curiously strolling over. "You don't need any more hats." Wingston said holding out his staff to block be from approaching Mr. Papyrus. "Twilight and I made a rather interesting discovery down in the dungeons a few days ago, my Lord. If you have time we would like to present our findings to you." Alex said sounding more and more relaxed. "That will have to wait; I think we should be focusing on the rubbing you took from the etching you discovered down in the basement, Ms. Sparkle." Wingston interjected putting things back into perspective. "Of course, I've kept it with all the other rubbings I did of tomes and stone tablets we found down there." Twilight remarked strolling over to a large stack of stone boxes piled up near the wall of the Main Hall. "Twilight has been a tremendous help with all of the cataloging and research we have been attempting to do down in the dungeons. I do not think there is another pony that is more organized or mindful of the tasks at hand." Alex explained to us as we watched Twilight rummage through the pile. Twilight returned to us with a folded up piece of parchment, using her magic she started to unfold it. "It is only a rubbing, the etching itself was much more grand to look at but this is exactly how it looked like before it was destroyed." Twilight explained sounding rather sad at the tragic loss of the original piece. Twilight held up the rubbing to us, revealing the small markings of flames surrounding a large circle with a castle depicted in its center and large gash like marks protruding from it. Wingston examined it closely, narrowing his eyes trying to get a better look at the smaller details but looked just as confused about it as Alex and Twilight were when they first found it. "What do you think, Smolder?" Wingston asked. "My Lord?" Alex asked sounding concerned. I saw the rubbing one second and the next I was standing at the balcony of the Castle once more. The rift opening up to me, the castle within the darkness outlined in its green hue. I could feel my heart racing, the sounds of terrified cries echoing through the portal. The storm was raging deep inside, consuming the darkness and everything it touched. "… help us…" "Smolder!" Wingston shouted striking me his staff against my head. I recoiled. Blinking rapidly. Looking around unsure of where I was for a moment as I saw Alex, Twilight, Wingston and some Royal Guard ponies looking at me with great concern. "What?" I asked taking a few short breaths. "Are you alright?" Wingston asked curiously staring up at me. "Yeah, of course, why wouldn't I be?" I replied quickly, my heart was beating very fast. "You had a hundred yard stare, my Lord. You weren't moving or speaking when we called to you." Alex explained. "I-I-uh…" I muttered putting a hoof to my head trying to make sense of it. "Maybe you should sit down for a minute." Twilight suggested sounding concerned. "Food!" I said aloud making every pony look at me in surprise. "I… haven't had anything to eat in… well I guess three days and I'm just a bit light headed." I said nodding my head. "Well that explains it." Wingston said having bought what I was selling. "Should I go find Pinkie Pie and have her bring something from the new bakery?" Twilight offered. "That would very kind of you, Ms. Sparkle. Thank you." Wingston said taking the rubbing from Twilight as she went to go find Pinkie. "Mr. Papyrus, after I've had time to eat. I would like to see your presentation, if you have everything ready by then." I said heading towards the stairs. "Of course, I'll get started on it right away." Alex said bowing his head to me before heading towards the pile of stone boxes. "Where are you going?" Wingston asked as I started to climb the stairs. "I think I'm going to go lay down for a while, just in case I pass out before the food gets here." I said waving Wingston off so that he didn't follow me. "I'll have Pinkie Pie sent up to you with your food, Smolder. Just try to take it easy." Wingston said sounding concerned for me. "I will, and thank you Wingston. Try to… determine whether or not we have a need to add extra security around the castle." I said feeling my head start to spin. The world did seem to spin around me, the vision I saw was something I had seen before. In a dream that I had forgotten, but it still made little sense to me. I staggered back to my old room, pressing up against the stone door it slid open and the mirror was the first thing I laid my eyes on. Shutting the stone door behind me I approached the mirror, blinking hard trying to stop the world from spinning. "What did you… do to me?" I asked squeezing my eyes shut and opening them wide again. The mirror did not respond. "What were you trying to show me?" I asked rubbing my temples. "…the past…" "Why?" I asked. "…we need your help…" "You keep saying that!" I snapped as my mane flared. "…it's true…" "Why not ask Wingston or Discord or any pony? Why ask me?" I questioned stepping closer to the mirror. The mirror was silent once more. My heart was starting to slow down, my head wasn't spinning anymore and I could take deeper breaths. "...we used... to be... friends…" "What?" I asked leaning closer. "…the portal... brought us... together…" "That's what I saw, a portal, a castle and beings that stood on their hind legs." I said trying to understand. "…he... closed it…" "Who did? Who closed it?" I asked sounding interested. "…Smoke…" "Smoke? Do you mean Lord Smoke?" I asked feeling my curiosity spike. "…trapped us... with it…" "Who? Trapped who? What are you trapped with?" I asked lowering myself down to look at the shard of glass. "…the Void…" "You're trapped in the Void, I know." I said. "…not in… with…" I stared at the shard of glass. I felt my heart pick up the pace again. None of this made any sense to me but it was clear that this entity in the mirror knew what my dream and that etching was. "What do you mean?" I asked feeling confused. "…she said... you would... save us…" "Who? Who said?" I asked earnestly. "…the pretty... flame pony…" "What pretty Flame Pony?" I asked feeling confused. "…the Queen... of the... Flame Ponies…"