Through the soul of friendship
Fanfication by ShieldStar
10
"Because, I lit the fire."
*Three years ago.
Reed was so happy to be finally be out camping. James and he had been planning this for a while and they were finally able to after a long summer of work and family fun. It was the last week before school started and James would be transferring to a different high school.
"Hey man it's now or never right?"
James had asked Reed.
"Right." And they had left.
Hiking up to a camping sight already picked out. A good clearing next to the edge of a cliff.
Sunset was close when they arrived and Reed volunteered to build a fire for the night.
"D-do we r-really need a fire?" James ask.
"Hey it gets cold up here after dark."
"But we have sleeping bags."
"Gets colder."
"Fine, but no messing with me." So Reed built the fire a nice size big enough to keep them warm but small enough as to not start a forest fire.
After a few hours James seemed a little calmer. Gazing up at the stars a marshmallow cooking over the fire.
The fire popped and crackled, and the night was peaceful. Reed notices James marshmallow was on fire.
"Hey man your on fire."
Reed stated calmly. James freaked.
He jumped up and ran away from the fire dropped to the ground and began to roll frantically.
"Whoa dude stop I mention your marshmallow!" James continued to roll getting closer to the cliff.
"Hey man stop!" Reed jumped up to stop his friend. James got closer to the edge. Reed jumped on him and tried to stop his rolling. James through him off and rolled closer to the cliff babbling about fire.
"NO STOP!" Reed lunged for James trying to grab some part of him. He only managed to grab air as James rolled over the cliff.
*Now
"He rolled off and it was because I used careless words." Reed said horsily.
"But he didn't tell you that he was terrified of fire." Pinkie said now sitting to Reeds left a hoof on the human's back. There was silence between the two for a long while, as the rain slowly stopped.
"Okay Pinkie you win." Reed said sounding relieved and defeated. They stood and walked to their friends that waited at the palace doors.
"I have been told many times that it wasn't my fault, but guess I just needed to hear it from an outside friend."
"Of course we're outside silly!" Pinkie side gaining some of her bounce back, once the moment had pasted. "Why would we be inside?"
Pinkie gasped, "Unless this is really a super duper Si-fi story in which we are in a fake world!" She paused and thought about the idea, "Nah, that's just silly."
They had reached the doors by then and the two sopping wet friends meet their concerned companions at the doors.
"Is everything alright?" Princess Celestia asked. Pinkie looked to Reed.
"Yes and no. You could say that things are getting better."
"How mysterious." The white unicorn said, "I dear say I would like to know more."
"As would we all, I think." Twilight said now curious.
"Agreed, we shall plan a time for tomorrow night." Celestia decreed. A quick glacé and grin was shared between Princess Luna and Reed.
"Shall we finish lunch?" The lunar princess inquired. A murmur of agreement rose from the group and they returned to the dining hall.
The rest of the day was uneventful. After lunch the princesses went back to their duties and the other six mares went to run some errands and other activities. Reed went back to his hospital room and drew his symbol and detailed the full meaning of it.
Drained, Reed lay on the bed and fell asleep.
Else where in Equestria, the darkness prepared to move. It had a long journey ahead of it. And it's unsuspecting host was waiting for it. And thanks to its minions, it knew right where to find the waiting host.