The Phoenix King

by Turtlehaus


Chapter 71: The Edge of Tomorrow

Time seemed to stand still for a while. The final acts of the Mad King had left many speechless, no more so than his own sons who watched the new white fiery star burn countless miles away. There was a silence that filled the realm, perhaps in respect for the passing of an age old king, or for the father the sons of Scorch had lost, but there were smiles to be had on nearly everypony. Peace had finally come to the Kingdom of Naught.

My father’s final words were ones he had shared with me all his life, a meaning of what it was to call oneself king, but for the first time I understood what it really had meant. Even at the end, he shared just a few more, assuring me that I wasn’t a mistake, and I couldn’t help feel that I believed him.

A series of thuds was heard, an all to familiar sound to me, and I turned to look over my shoulder to see Wingston limping towards us. Princess Celestia, Princess Luna, Princess Cadance, and Shining Armor held back to allot Wingston the time he needed to speak to his son alone.

“Lord Pyre. Lord Wick.” Wingston said.

Wingston bowed his head to the two of them. Perhaps for the first time in any pony’s memory the Twins returned the sentiment, bowing their own heads to him as well.

Wick and Pyre got to their hooves, giving me one last touch on the shoulder to convey their reassurance that they would still be here for me if needed. They made their way back towards Princess Celestia and the others leaving just Wingston and I alone.

I had not seen Wingston since my visit to his bedside in the infirmary. I had not spoken to him through this whole ordeal, and yet every decision I seemed to have made had been influenced by what he had taught me.

“Hello, Wingston.” I said.

Wingston had no words for me, just a hug that wrapped around my shoulders tightly. I returned his hug with one of my own. I noticed that my hooves had become transparent, my fire burning wildly within, the flames dancing as they had before but it resembled much of my father’s hooves.

“I thought I was going to lose you, Smolder.”

“I promised I’d come home, Dad.”

Wingston pulled away from his hug quickly. “Your message said soon.

“Things got complicated.” I replied.

I half expected Wingston to hit me with his staff, but was only met with his relieved smile from beneath his hood. His eyes looked from me to the white star my father had created. I turned to look up at it with him, feeling the warmth of it from here.

“I wanted to believe that your father was still in there somewhere, Smolder. I really did, but your mother knew it all too well. I suspect that you were finally able to reach him somehow where we could not.”

“He saved me, Wingston. Just like you did. When I need my father the most, they were there for me.”

Wingston looked up to see Smolder smiling, seemingly at peace with how things had turned out. Lifting his wing, Wingston placed it on Smolder’s arm to comfort him in his thoughts.

“It has been my privilege and honor, my King.”

Princess Celestia smiled at the sight of Wingston and Smolder together. After everything that had occurred, all the time and effort spent to achieve this incredible feat, it seemed all worth it with this simple reunion between them.

Lord Tundra and Lady Frost floated down next to Princess Celestia while Lord Nox and the Duke strode up to Princess Cadance, Princess Luna, and Shining Armor.

“Kids got a bright future ahead of him.” The Duke stated.

“He certainly doesn’t lack the bravery it takes to stare death in the face. Although, I dare say he’ll end up doing something like this again if the need ever arises.” Lord Nox added.

“Which is why we’ll be there for him if it does. To remind him that he’s not alone in this and that there those who do care for him.” Princess Cadance replied.

“Platonically.” The Duke clarified.

Shining Armor chuckled at the Duke’s sour expression.

Princess Celestia smiles amusingly at the group. Turning back round, Princess Celestia noticed Lady Frost clinging to Lord Tundra a bit more than usual. The arm Lady Frost was clutching was more than just for affection, but an attempt to hide the burns upon his leg.

Lord Tundra took notice of Princess Celestia’s worried expression, but smiled at her reassuringly.

“It’s not that bad. I was going to try and help, took a step too far, and realized that I was not needed.” Lord Tundra said.

“He also doesn’t want little Smolder to know and have him feel guilty about it.” Lady Frost added.

“I’m sure Smolder would be appreciative of your attempt to help him, Lord Tundra.” Princess Celestia said.

“He doesn’t need to know what I did or didn’t do. All he needs to now is to know how much his father must have loved him to have endured all of that.”

Lady Frost nestled her head against Lord Tundra’s, very taken by his own selflessness. Princess Celestia smiled at the thought of it. That cruel, malicious, mad pony had lost to a father’s love for his son. Perhaps no pony would ever know what really caused the Mad King to come to Smolder’s rescue, but no pony would forget it either.

Twilight and everypony else were last to arrive, looking a bit worn out themselves from their use of the Elements of Harmony.

“Your timing could not have been more perfect, Twilight Sparkle. You and your friends provided Smolder and his father enough time to destroy the creature.” Princess Celestia said.

“I’m just glad that this is finally over.” Rarity stated.

“We could all use a vacation.” Rainbow Dash added.

Spike moved near Princess Celestia looking over at Smolder and Wingston silhouetted against the white star.

“How’s Sparky doing?” Spike asked.

“He’s dealing with this in his own way, perhaps coming to terms with the idea that his father wasn’t so mad after all.”

“But what made the Mad King help Smolder? He was always so mean to him.” Fluttershy questioned.

Princess Celestia did not have an answer for her, perhaps there would never be one, but maybe Smolder was able to reach his father where none could before.

“Perhaps for the same reason Scorch decided to face the Elder Dragon alone. It was out of love for his son.”

“I’d like to think that.” Twilight agreed.


After awhile of silence between us, I noticed Wingston had been observing me for some of the rather blatant changes that had come about during my time here. My horn, of course, was the most obvious but perhaps easiest to accept for him. The scars upon my legs, as well as the lack of hide from my hooves that allowed my fire to burn more freely bothered him a bit. Although he seemed to be more interested in my stomach.

“What have you been eating, Smolder?” Wingston questioned.

“I… really don’t know.” I admitted.

All of Mira’s meals, if that was the appropriate word to call them, had been things that no pony would willing scarf down for even a million bits.

“You’re much leaner than you were before. I’d go as far to say muscular.” Wingston stated.

“Really?” I asked.

“I guess it’s to be expected. You’re coming to that age where your body starts going through changes and mares start becoming more attractive.”

“Are we really having this talk? Right here? Right now?” I asked.

Wingston smiled up at me, obviously amused by his own teasing. Perhaps a much needed fix that he couldn’t get when I wasn’t around.

“I’m simply warning you of the troubles you will face now that you are at this age.”

“What troubles?” I asked.

I felt a sudden hoof slap come across the back of my head that sent me face first into the dirt. I felt dazed by the blow, but managed to roll over to see Sapphire towering over me.

“What troubles, he says.” Wingston chuckled to himself.

Wingston limped away as Sapphire approached me.

“Now Sapphire, let me explain.” I began.

I rolled over onto my back trying to push myself away from her, holding my hooves up in front of my face to defend myself from her. Sapphire’s hoof presses down hard on my chest, pinning me to the floor, her free hoof striking me repeatedly.

You are the most moronic, thick headed, asinine, repugnant, stupid flame pony I’ve ever had the misfortune of meeting!”

I knew I had this coming, but I had assumed I wasn’t going to make it out of this alive so I wouldn’t have to face Sapphire’s fury. As much as I deserved every slap that came my way, I could tell Sapphire was holding back, but it was because she was trying hard not to cry. I understood now, more than ever, that it wasn’t just my life anymore, I was sharing it with hundreds of other ponies.

I felt Sapphire lift her hoof from my chest, her assault had subsided as I raised my hooves to see if she was getting her second wind. I felt her hoof grab mine, forcefully pulling me up off the ground and into a firm hug.

“Why… why do you try to do everything yourself? Even it means destroying yourself in the process?” Sapphire asked.

“Sapphire I -“

“Why do you have to make me cry every time?”

I didn’t have anything to say to her this time. I could feel Sapphire shaking, I had hurt her, in ways I knew there was no possible way to make up for. I put my arms around Sapphire, returning her hug and doing my best to comfort her. Even if I was the reason she was so upset.

“I guess... I really am a stupid flame pony.”

Shifting sands from nearby got my attention. Lord Tundra and Lady Frost had come to perhaps collect Sapphire, but the intense gaze coming from Sapphire’s father had me letting go of her quickly.

“It’s time for us to go, Snowflake. And that goes double for you, Smolder dear.” Lady Frost said.

“Right.” I replied.

Lord Tundra’s gaze did not leave me. I could feel his eyes burning a hole into the back of my head as I tried to walk away casually trying to seem indifferent about it. I only gone a couple of feet when I found myself facing a group of Void Walkers. Their heads were bowed to us, looking very ragged in their torn robes, but immensely grateful nonetheless.

“Hey.” I said.

“Lord of Light… Null wishes to speak with you.” Asher stated.

“To me?” I asked.

The Void Walkers had told me that Null had returned to what remained of the Castle of Naught. Having come to, Null, left to be alone for a time, to reflect on what had happened, to understand what his place in all this was, but before leaving told the Void Walkers he wished to speak with the one who had saved him. Alone.

Abiding be his request, I left Wingston with Princess Celestia and the others to speak with him. I crossed the fields of Ouroboros, passing hundreds if not thousands of small orbs of light the drifted passed me. My passing caused them to dance silently through the air, swirling around me before drifting away.

The remains of Castle Naught hardly held the shape of a structure anymore. Just ruins of a once immense keep that now lay in heaps of rubble upon the ridge. Upon reaching the outer areas of the castle I stepped across the fallen blocks and stone of the castle’s remains to see a rather familiar sight.

Null stood at the edge of the abyss again. His silver cloak lightly tossing in the breeze, his hood covering his celestial skin, but he seemed to be gazing up at the same white star as I had.

My hoof touched an uneven rock, causing it to slip from under hoof and trickle down the rubble. The noise brought Null from his gaze, turning to see who was near and our eyes met once again. I could see his yellow eyes peering from within his hood, his celestial face looking as if millions of galaxies swirled within it.

“Lord of Light…” Null whispered.

“It’s just Smolder.” I replied.

“... Smolder.”

Null bowed his head to me, just as the Void Walkers had done. Although this time it felt like he was thanking me, instead of just showing a form of respect.

“The Void Walkers said you wanted to be alone for a while.” I mentioned.

“After what I have done, I cannot see why they would want me around. Even I do not know what I am supposed to do.” Null replied.

Null looked rather troubled at the idea of what his purpose was now. Having been the host for such a dark spirit for so long made him wary of even who he was meant to be.

“I am what is left of an ancient power, the heir to a realm made for both Void Walkers and Arcana, but I cannot see how I fit into this design. This, Smolder, is the question I wished to ask, from one ruler to another, how can I be a king when I don’t even know who I am?”

I knew of this all too well and I knew of the pony who had put things in perspective for me. I smiled to Null hoping that it would give him some much needed comfort in his doubts.

“Are you planning to abandon all the Void Walkers?” I asked.

“No, I do not.”

“Will you try and destroy everything all over again?”

“Of course not.”

“Then realize like I have that this is your family now, that everything within your kingdom is your responsibility, and it’s your job to protect them from those that wish them harm. Because we, as flame ponies, were given a second chance and now you have yours to do the best that you can with the time that has been given to you.”

“My… family?” Null asked.

“Those you care for, that you love, that you would fight for, to protect, to share your life with, and at times… give your life for.”

Null touched his chest, knowing that the light of Azimuth is what was used to bring him to life, but it had cost her just as much. Such a light would have faded many years ago if not for the sacrifice of another. A mother of his once greatest enemy, but now savior. He looked to my hooves which had become so cracked from the fires of the Phoenix that they were almost purely fire now.

“Then I shall continue what my… mother had started and give those a second chance that I had struck down in rage.”

I didn’t really seem to understand what Null had meant, but I witnessed something extraordinary that soon followed.

Null reached up for one of the orbs that hung overhead, taking it gently in his hand and placing it within the sand at his feet. He drew his hands up, forming the sand into a large mound before us, and with breath, that felt like a thousand years of age and knowledge, began to blow the sand away. It fell away leaving a cloaked Void Walker standing before him.

The Void Walker was slow to open its eyes, staring back at its creator in awe of his presence.

“I am Null, the son of Azimuth and Nadir, the last of the Eternal Masters.”

“I am Malachi…”

The Void Walker looked at his hands, seemingly in disbelief at what had happened almost as much as I was.

“What… did you do?” I asked curiously.

“The light that Nadir hadtaken, I shall give back to those it had stolen from. I shall make right what has been wronged and create… my family again.” Null said.

I dawned on me that all these orbs of light were of the Void Walkers and Arcana that had been consumed by Nadir. Now waiting to be made whole again by the only being in this world that could do such a thing.

Malachi bowed his head low to Nadir, turning to see me, almost surprised by me as well.

“Lord of Light, thank you for coming to us in our darkness.” Malachi said.

“S’cool.” I replied.

“The others are waiting for you.” Null said.

Malachi bowed his head again. Taking his leave, bowing his head several more times to us before making his way out from the ruins of the castle.

“Smolder,” Null began. “What you have done, for this world… for me… is something we cannot repay you for.”

“You don’t have to repay-“

“But perhaps this will come close to what you were searching for.”

Null held out his hand to me, a small red flame appeared from his palm that delicately danced in the wind. The color was that of my father’s flame.

“What… is…”

“It found its way to me, a fading memory that belonged to your father. One that I believe he wished to share with you before his passing.”

I stepped forward towards it. Unsure of what it would bring or show me. I reached out to touch the flame, watching it reach back towards my hoof before our flames connected.

The chamber was faded, darkened by how meager this memory was, but my father stood out with his red flames burning strong. In his arms he held a small foal, one with red flames as well, rocking it gently as it slept.

I have to go away now, Smolder. There is something I have to do, something I cannot avoid any longer, but to love someone… sometimes you have to be a stranger.

Scorch placed my infant self back into the stone bassinet, offering one final goodbye in the form of a kiss upon my head. Smiling proudly at his son. My father hesitated to leave, finding it difficult to pull himself away from his son. Reaching down to gently stroke the top my head.

Remember to sleep often and eat whenever possible, your duties to the kingdom will deprive you of both. Be confident, yet humble, but never arrogant for many nobles can see the difference easily. This includes mares as well. If you do find yourself in love, never hide things from them, they will always find out, always.

Scorch swallowed hard, finding it hard to say goodbye this way.

My reign as king is coming to end, my son, and I am sorry that I’m not going to be there for you. Yet, you are a Phoenix, you will learn to overcome, to rise up to the challenges that you’ll face, and I will be watching you every step of the way. My actions will be my own, yet these words are my truth, and I can only hope you believe them. I love you, Smolder. That’s all you ever have to know.

This lingering memory faded along with the flame in Null’s hand. Having shared with me the only memory my father seemed to have held onto deep down, one the madness could not reach.

“Thanks.” I mumbled.

I withdrew my hand from Null, but felt his hand clause around my hoof. He squeezed it tightly, his yellow eyes peering steadily into mine.

“Thank you, Smolder.”

I smiled to Null, shaking his hand. As we parted, Null reached up taking another small orb of light from the air and examining it. He seemed occupied with his work and his promise to restore all those that had been destroyed so I thought it best to join up with the others again.

“I’ll see around, Null.” I said.

“No, you won’t.”

I stopped short looking back to him in confusion. Null turned towards me looking rather serious in his words.

“I cannot allow this realm to ever threaten your world again. Until I can be certain that this world and all who inhabit it can live in peace, I shall be removing the Obelisks from your world and severing our connection.”

I was rather surprised to hear this, somewhere in the back of my mind believing that we would be really strange neighbors or something. Although I felt that this was Null’s first decision as ruler of the Realm of Naught and thought it best to respect his wishes.

“I hope that we can… remain friends… even if we are separated.” Null added.

“Always.” I said.

Null seemed comforted by my assurance, focusing on the orb of light in his hand again.

“When you are ready to leave I shall remove the Obelisks. I wish you the best, Smolder, and I promise that I will be more than nothing.”

“You don’t have to keep that name anymore, Null. It doesn’t have to be what defines you.” I said.

“To make something from nothing. To come from Null, is to come from darkness and into the light. This name now has new meaning to me and I will cherish forever.”

I smiled again, feeling that Null had come to accept a bit of myself. I watched as he began to create another mound of sand, perhaps another Void Walker coming back from the darkness. I turned to leave knowing that this world would one day be filled again, a second chance to make things work, and I hoped that I would see them again someday.


It was the turn of the Void Walkers to be rejoicing, for Malachi had returned to them, back from the very depths of darkness and once more walking amongst the living. Asher fell to his knees before his friend. Sorrow, guilt, and happiness having overwhelmed him at once. Yet, Malachi embraced him, offering him the strength to look passed what was and to what could be now.

Yet, the lone Arcana had not been so warmly received. Mira had been shunned by the Void Walkers, even now, at the end of this horror, she was still looked upon as a monster of her own making.

Mira pulled at her fingers, feeling the weight of such claims begin to compound on her. With Nadir no longer a threat, Null providing the means of rebuilding, Mira was left holding the stick for everyone’s blame. Those who were being revived would only remember her as the one she pointed to for the Storm to consume. She would not be so easily forgiven even when the truth of the situation were to be explained.

“It might be best if you sought exile until your crimes are no longer at the forefront of everyone’s mind.”

The words of the Void Walkers echoed in her mind. Her choices were her own, by any means to achieve her goal of defeating Null, and now having to endure the consequences.

Glancing towards the Valley of Shadows, Mira gripped her hands tightly knowing that it would the only place the Void Walkers and Arcana would not willingly visit. It would be the only place she would be tolerated.

The thought of another millennium alone filled her with such misery that she could not help but have tears well in her eyes. Having allowed herself to believe for even a moment that if she had defeated the Storm, everything would go back to the way things were.

Mira opened her mouth without being able to say any words. Every time she tried, she could feel herself wanting to cry and thought better of it.

“Mira?”

Turning with a start, Mira found her flame pony standing behind her with every other pony just a ways off watching them curiously.

“I-I-I guess this is goodbye then, huh?” Mira said quickly.

I didn’t need to know how Mira was feeling, her pain was so blatant that she forced herself to hide it.

“Mira-“

“We made a pretty good team, didn’t we? But now that you’ve kept your promise you should be getting back to your stupid friends in your stupid castle.”

Even Mira’s insults were lacking any real feeling.

“You’re welcome… to come with us, Mira.” I offered. “With me.”

Tears fell from Mira’s eyes at these simple words. Her face was wracked with such grief that these kind words seemed to nearly break her in that moment. Struggling to wipe away her tears, Mira laughed loudly at the idea.

“Me? Hangout with you ponies? With Princess Prissy and the hussy? I don’t think so.”

“Then just stay with me.” I insisted.

Mira clutched her arms, trying hard to hold back her feelings and turning to look away from her flame pony.

“I belong here, Smolder.”

“I made you a promise, Mira.”

This had Mira turning back looking at me in disbelief over what I had just said.

“You already saved us, Smolder.” Mira replied.

“My promise was to save you.”

I approached Mira, offering her my hoof as she stared at me with such woeful eyes.

“Don’t go. Stay with me.”

Mira reached out for my hand, but gently pushed it back. I watched as she floated away from me, clutching her arms once again and unable to stop herself from crying.

“I didn’t deserve a friend like you, Smolder.”

“Yes! Yes you-“

Before I could urge her to reconsider, her black flames engulfed her and vanished from my sight. I lowered my head feeling my heart sink low knowing that even now Mira still could not forgive herself. Choosing to stay here in isolation to atone for what she had done. It ate me up inside knowing that even though I had saw my promise through, I still was not able to save her.

Returning to the others I could see their sympathetic smiles for my attempts to reach her. I gave them a smile of my own, knowing that it spoke of disappointment and regret for not being able to help her.


Mira’s black flames appeared near the edge of the Valley of Shadows. Tears still falling from her eyes she wiped them away as best she could trying hard to forget what Smolder had offered her.

“Stupid… flame pony…” Mira mumbled.

“But a kind one.”

Mira turned with a start to find Null standing a few feet behind her. Her reaction was of genuine terror at first, but it was quickly replaced with relief with the knowledge that he was no longer being used by Nadir.

“I’m… going away for a while.” Mira mumbled.

“Yes, you are.” Null agreed.

“You won’t be seeing me at all, no one will, and it might be best that it stays that way.”

“Agreed.”

Mira took a deep breath, looking out in the darkness of the valley before gathering up the courage to enter. Before she could, Null took a sudden grasp of her hand and stopped her from leaving.

Turning to look at him once again. Null was offering her his first real smile. One that mirrored Azimuth’s so long ago.

“You had once challenged the whole of this realm for my life, begging for it to be spared, and being unable to stop them from sending me into this darkness. I now beg for yours and I ask that you do not go running back to the darkness that has so long held us. Run towards the light so that we begin to heal… at last.”

It was hard for Mira to argue this. It was even harder for her to admit. She turned her head, refusing to let Null see her cry, but it was enough for him to let her hand go.

“My purpose is here. Yours I feel… rests with a different light. One that came to you when you called to. It calls to you even now. Perhaps that light will fade even just a little if it’s shadow is there to help it see how bright it’s become.”


Everypony was wary of walking through the portal without me being the first to go through, but I had stayed back to take one last look at Null. Standing upon the edge of the world, surrounded by hundreds of stars, Null raised his hand to wave goodbye to me. I waved back, knowing that he was about to rebuild his own world just as we had started to do with ours and that this would be our last of seeing one another.

With only Princess Celestia and my brothers waiting for me to step through I turned from Null ready to return home. Princess Celestia, Pyre and Wick we’re crossing through the threshold of the portal with me just a step behind them.

Null raised his hands high over his head, clapping them together as the Obelisks from our side began to disintegrate into clouds of black smoke. The portal weakened quickly, I had already stepped through into Equestria as the portal snapped closed one final time and formed the small black orb over the fields before fizzling away forever.

I stared up at the sky where the orb had hung. Everypony seemed to stare as I did, reflecting on everything that had happened, what we had left behind and what we had brought with us.

As I lowered my head I noticed a trail of blue stardust like hair gently floating in the breeze. Mira hovered before me, her arms tightly wrapped around her, almost refusing to look at me, aside from small glances she had from the corner of her eye.

“Hello,” Mira mumbled. “You stupid… flame pony.”

I had never been happier to have been called stupid in all my life. I hugged Mira immediately feeling her recoil from how quick I was to embrace her.

“You deserve to be happy, Mira.” I whispered to her. “Even if it’s with a stupid flame pony.”

I could feel Mira’s arms wrap around my neck. Embracing me tightly as she buried her face into my shoulder.

“Thank you.” Mira mumbled.

Princess Celestia had been first to notice my sudden display of affection, having realized that Mira had decided to come with us after all. It was quickly dawning on everypony that Mira had changed her mind at the last second and was rather happy to have her here. Deep down I knew Mira had allowed herself the smallest of chances, to take a leap of faith and had forgiven herself enough to make a choice that would ultimately be for her own benefit. One that wasn’t out of anger or revenge, but one of healing.

“Let me be the first to welcome you to Equestria, Mira.” Princess Celestia said warmly.

Mira pulled out of the hug, crossing her arms and looking rather annoyed.

“You’re a real mood killer, aren’t you, Princess Prissy?” Mira asked.

Princess Celestia looked rather offended. “I beg your pardon?”

I have to be the center of attention, or else how is everypony going to known I’m so big and important?” Mira mocked.

Princess Celestia and Mira were already having a heated argument, I smiled at the thought of this being a common occurrence with most ponies she’d meet. All in all, I was more than ecstatic to have Mira with us again.

“Smolder?”

My head turned sharply. Tea stood just a few steps away, her face slick from tears, and in her arms she carried a unlit lantern. I walked over to her, smiling all the while, receiving the warmest of smiles from her as she tried hard not to start crying again.

“Welcome back.” Tea said.

“I have so much I want to tell you.” I said. “And so much I need to thank you for.”

Tea’s face flushed at these words. Finding it best to hold out her lantern to me, hoping to distract me with it and not see how embarrassed she was.

“If you could…” Tea began.

I carefully took the lantern from her with my magic. Opening the small glass door before blowing a small flame into the oil dish within. The lantern was lit once again, Tea looking very pleased with it and was beaming at me.

I was home again.