For months now, Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle had been waiting. Waiting for their sisters to return from their very important mission to investigate a small town of monsters and hopefully keep them from causing chaos from that area...
Not a word was spoken since they were said to arrive. Many ponies, including Twilight's brother, Shining Armor, came to visit and comfort the two small fillies. Life was tough for them, but thankfully school was a refuge for them. Even the two school bullies, Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon left them alone when news of the Elements disappearance spread throughout the town, and the guards first came to Ponyville.
It was said they came to protect the small town should the monsters have escaped from the mysterious town. It was a mere day's journey from Ponyville, and should the monsters come, this would be the most likely area they would explore and attack first. Still despite the warnings and precautions taken, nothing came about and as the third month came about, the town continued onward, without those six mares. Not that anypony could forget them, but it was determined that life should go on, and for many, life did.
It was after another quiet dinner with her family, that Apple Bloom had enough. "I just can't take that she's gone! I need to go find 'er and bring 'er back, Big Mac, come on, we need to go get Sweetie Belle and.."
"Noope!" the quiet red stallion said, looking down at his plate of food, holding tears back from his sister. "We need to move on lil sis. It's what Applejack would've wanted."
Apple Bloom couldn't believe what he said! She knew Big Mac cared for Applejack too, but why didn't he want to go look for her? She thought of ways to try and convince the stallion to change his mind, but in the end, the answers would always be a firm, no. "Fine then, Ah'll go myself, I don't need a brother who doesn't care 'bout family!" she screeched out, before galloping out of the barn, and making her way to her clubhouse in tears.
Little did she know, someone was already there and was woken up by the cries of her friend. "Apple Bloom, what's the big deal? I am tryin' to sleep here!" Scootaloo said. She had taken it upon herself to stay at the clubhouse awaiting her idol Rainbow Dash. More than anypony in town, she believed her friend to be fighting monsters and just taking it easy with her friends, and it was only a matter of time before she came back. No one could possibly beat Rainbow Dash, could they?, she thought.
"Scoots, we need to leave, TONIGHT! I can't stand another day without mah sister, and Sweetie, well, Ah know she is doing bad too." Apple Bloom explained to her tired friend. "Ah I know we can do it Scoots!"
Truth be told, Sweetie was bordering on full-depression after one month, and was blaming herself that Rarity hadn't come back yet. It was because of this, she even attack Diamond Tiara, after one insult she made of her sister. That was the reason she had not brought it up again in class, but, none of the other girls knew that.
"Well, it's about time! I got a map of where the guards are posted around town, and there two places they aren't guarding near where we need to go. It'll be a while, but I have everything packed, and lots of supplies." Scootaloo said proudly. She had been planning several escape from town to find Dash herself, and made it quite far herself, but without supplies, she always had to come back, and guards were growing suspicious of her actions. Still, she was a filly after all, and nothing came of it beyond a few warnings to be careful.
"We just need two more things, first, you go get Sweetie Belle, Ah'm goin' to go visit Spike at the library and get a couple more maps. Ah figure maybe we can even get our Cutie Marks rescuing our sisters from those monsters!" Apple Bloom said excitedly.
"Yeah, it'll be no problem for us! I'll go get Sweetie now, meet us back at the clubhouse, and we'll head towards that big mountain, and from there, we'll find them in no time!" Scootaloo responded, and they split up from there.
About one hour later, as the night's moon started to shine, all three of the Crusader's had started their walk toward the big mountain. They recalled their sisters and friend went there a long time back when a big dragon had went and stayed up there. Scootaloo remember the story well as Rainbow bragged about how she was able to hit that dragon in the snout. "I beat she was so brave then. I know Fluttershy was able to help because of what Dash did, and if it wasn't for her, none of the others would have came back from that adventure!"
"Ah'll have you know all the girls worked together to deal with the dragon, not just Rainbow, but yes she was brave!" Apple Bloom corrected her excitable winged-friend. "Besides, Applejack was the one who went back to bring Miss 'Shy up the mountain in the first place!"
"Did not!"
"Did too!"
"Did not!"
"Did too!"
"Would you two please be quiet! We don't know what is out here at this time of night, and I rather not run into anything dangerous!" the white unicorn interjected. Just as she said that the group heard howls and other mysterious noises from the distances. They were heading away from the Everfree Forest, but there were still plenty of other places that ponies shouldn't go alone.
After hearing the howls, the girls found a cave to rest in and sleep for the night, and would resume their quest the next morning. Sweetie Belle made a silent prayer to both Princesses before sleeping to protect the other girls, and hope Rarity was doing alright.
==========
Morning came, and the girls ate a quick snack, and continue following the map they borrowed from Miss Twilight's collection. In truth, Apple Bloom merely asked Spike to get the maps, and she took them when he went to make tea. She felt bad that she tricked the dragon, but she needed these maps to find the place where he sisters were. She was almost considering asking the dragon for help, as she knew he missed Twilight too, but Shining Armor was at the library as well, and she couldn't reveal the girls plan in front of him.
"Ah sure hope they don't come followin' us. Come on girls, we'll cut through this part of the forest, it'll get us there faster!" Apple Bloom declared as thoughts of the guards finding them, or worse yet, Big Mac entered her mind.
"Ok, hold up girls I need to rest a bit!" Sweetie complained. She had tripped over an exposed root, and scrapped herself on the ground. She put a small badage on, and continued with the other girls to a clearing ahead, and they were presented with a beautiful sight.
The area in front of them was open to the Sun above, and a river flowed through this clearing, making two small land areas that made a path to the gate across from them. They had never seen a more beautiful sight, and the gate could only mean, that a town was nearby!
"We made it girls! YAY!" they all shouted, but little did they know, they awoke something and before their very eyes, a huge white Maniticore leaped down and blocked the gate in front of them. This wasn't like any they had ever seen, it was white with FOUR great wings and looked ready to pounce on them.
"Oh please Princess Celestia, Luna, HELP US!!!!!!!" Sweetie begged and started to cry, while Apple Bloom and Scootaloo held each other close. The manticore flew up, circled them and landed in the water before them, it was soon lookinbg over for the girls when...
"MOVE ONTO THE LAND, thy small fillies!" a voice cried out, and all three of the fillies jumped onto the dry area before a bright series of lights shined and the girls were blinded by the flash. When the light faded, the girls saw the Manticore shocked by what seemed to be lightning striking the water, shocked the poor creature, and it laid down injured before them.
"Now tell me little ones, which of thee called upon the name of the Princesses?" the voice said and the girl looked up to see, not a monster, but a small Unicorn colt, of blue and white. Electricity coursed through what seemed to be it fur and its eyes, looked like Spike's eyes, slitted and focused on the fillies in front of him.
"Um, please, we didn't mean to, to scare you, or make you mad, we just want our sisters, Mr Monster, sir!" Sweetie was the first to speak, and thankfully, acted diplomatic about herself. She was thankful Scoots hadn't said anything, since this pony could take out a Manticore!
"Hath the children of Canterlot forgotten the Legends? I am not monster, I am Pony, like you, but different too." He tilted his head towards the sky and discharged his electricity he had stored in his mane, and approach the white filly with a single hoof out. "For I am a Kirin, and a proud one that is the Guardian of Hope's Asylum...for is that what thou seekest? I am called by the name Bitzen; I do apologize if our Manticore Guardian scared you...it was for our own protection. Thine must understand, we hath many enemies." He grabbed Sweetie's hoof, and kissed it gently, followed by him doing the same to the other girls.
The young girls, while too young to have crushes, were still unable to hold back a blush from such a charming creature. Even Scootaloo blushed and her wings soon spread out involuntarily. She tried her best to hide her embarrassment, but the Kirin simple giggle and walked to the fallen Manticore. "Go thine Guardian, for we hath found new friends" and he cast a spell that made the huge creature disappear in front of them, and turned back to the fillies.
"Maybe Ah missed something, but what the hay is a Kirin anyway?" Apple Bloom asked as the other girls simply stared at the mysterious colt before them.
"Hmm Canterlot hath forgotten us, but it is of no concern. Mine father was a proud solider of Celestia, and mine mother, twas a beautiful Earth Dragon." He paused, and looked down at the area behind his mane, to his flank, and sure enough, it was not fur, but blue SCALES! "I hath inherited both of thine parents attributes, doth thou not find that curious? But cometh with me, we have much to discuss!"
The girls were shocked they never heard of such a thing before, but Sweetie Belle was in her own world as she followed the Kirin with her friends. "Oh Rarity, if you could only see this now, Spike and you would be even more PERFECT together!" She imagine what the coloration of her future niece or nephew would look like before they continued onward.
Blitzen lead his new fillyfriend towards a cave,and passed through a series of roots and trees until a faded sign showed in very faint text: "Hope's Asylum: Refuge for those who choose the life and love they wish". The girls were curious about what that meant, but followed and found a town, not unlike Ponyville with an interesting fact changed. There weren't just ponies, but Zebras, like Zecora, Mules and Donkeys, like Cranky Doodle and Matilda, and even some Girffons, like that one that Dash brought to Ponyville a long time back. It was a sight to see them not only in one place, but also working together, and even, holding each other.
"I am sure thine small fillies have never heard of this place, at least not the true story. So, for that, I shalt direct thine audience to the Great Kellie. If thine need anything else, please find me at that far structure just past the town hall." He pointed at an unusual tower, that looked like a water tower, but was covered with round orbs. He soon teleported away, and the girls were left in front of a fountain with a strange statue.
"Excuse me sir, but where is this Great Kellie? Our friend says we should talk to 'er..." Apple Bloom asked a passing griif-pony mix and stared at his Cutie Mark. Griffons can get Cutie Marks?!? How does that make any...?
"Ahem" the gentlepony cleared his throat, trying to get the young filly's attention. "It's very rude to stare, young lady. If you were curious about my mark, I shall be glad to tell, but as for your question, she is right in front of you! Oh, you'll need this, it her favorite." The strange creature gave Scootaloo a small round cut fruit, that smelled of bananas and something else they couldn't figure out. "My mark is a sign of guidance, I hope you'll have a nice day young ones!" and he walked off towards where he was going before.
"Whatdoya suppose he was Scoots? You have said much since yer wings got all stiff with Blitzen back there!" Apple Bloom thought it was a good time to mock her friend with the fruit they just received.
"Shuttap! I was just very excited, to see something so cool that's all, it happens! Ask Rainbow or any Pegasus! and oh yeah, that's a Hippogriff dummy! Didn't you know Ponies and Griffons can make babies too?" Scootaloo was proud she remembered one thing from a visit to the library. Although the book in question was taken away by a rather nervous Twilight at the time, for being too descriptive for young minds, whatever!
"Well, I didn't know either Scootaloo, I thought Griffons didn't like ponies that way or.." Sweetie tried to put in her opinion when they heard a noise from the fountain ahead of them.
"Excuse me little ponies, but would you mind giving that treat? I am felling rather peckish and would love a lil.." the fountain statue, or as it turned out MONSTER said, and the girls screamed and ran away.
"Drat, Mimic! Could you please bring those young ponies back, I do need to talk to them and explain a few things...and some food, if you would be so kind!" The Water Spirit reformed into her more familiar and pony-like form and waited for her guard to come back.
"This place is crazy! We need to go and keep looking for your sisters and Dash! I mean, I thought that's what we went out to do!" Scootaloo was very upset at being scared, and more upset at this town. Being embarrassed was bad enough, but scary monsters without her idol? WAY too much to ask of me girls, she thought.
"I know, but how are we going to get past that Manticore? Blitzen said he guards the gate, and he is sure to recover soon!" Sweetie interjected.
"Maybe we should just..." Apple Bloom was going to say, before a large Pegasus dropped in front of them and stopped them.
"You ladies shouldn't be so rude to Kellie. Besides she only wants that banana snack, little ones." The mysterious Pegasus said.
"Wait, THAT was Kellie! Oh mah goodness, girls we hafta go back! She is the leader of this place, and she'll get us out so we can find the girls!" Apple Bloom stated. It was true. they needed to find there sisters, but with that Manticore out, they needed help before they could go. They decided to follow the Pegasus, back to the fountain.
====
Meanwhile, from the tower, Blitzen saw what had transpired. "Funny, even the little ponies fear what they don't understand. 'Tis sad, but the fact of nature. Hmm, I wonder...how did three little fillies get here alone and unescorted? I shall write the Princesses. They should know their subjects art here, and maybe, just maybe, they can cometh here and talk to us, once again." He laughed to himself after speaking those words, and went to research how to send spell to Canterlot. Surely, someone missed these little foals.
He was correct at that statement, Big Macintosh had contacted Shining Armor in Ponyville when Apple Bloom did not show up for breakfast. He couldn't afford to lose two sister, and Granny Smith was taking it the hardest. Rarity's parents also notice Sweetie was missing, and all of Ponyville was put on alert as Shining personally lead the search parties.
I'll find them Big Mac, and our sisters, don't you worry, he thought to himself, holding back a tear in his eye
====
Mimic brought back the girls, and took his place back at the side of Kellie, who had changed forms and into a pony-shaped statue in the water. "I am awfully sorry about running away Miss Kellie. We were just scared that's all." Sweetie dropped the banana slice into the watery hoof of the statue, and soon, it came alive in front of them, and ate the fruit eagerly.
"I must say lil ones, I didn't mean to upset you. Still, its all water under the bridge...so to speak!" she giggled to herself. "While we are being honest, Mimic, please show yourself to our guest, and girls, don't worry, he's a good pony too!"
Mimic left a plate of fruit he had with him in front of his master, and changed into his true Changeling form. The girls were somewhat shocked, but weren't afraid anymore. They trusted the water-pony.
"There is so much to tell you little ones, so much history behind this place, but there is so much, do to your age I cannot divulge. I shall instead tell you the short version, and, give you these as well." She summoned a drawer from nearby and inside were a few books, written in both an old language and modern Equestrian. "This is our story, I know you seek your sisters, and one of you seeks a great friend. but, these books are for you and them. They shall be returning to you soon, I can feel it."
"Really! YAY!" the girls cheered and were very happy to hear that, although Sweetie and Apple Bloom both teared up and cried. Both held in so much emotion, and love for their sisters. The Changeling excused himself, and was happy to get fresh love, but guilty about taking some without asking. He left, and watched his master from a distance.
"Now girls, the books go into more detail, but I am aware that you know that, before the uniting of the Pony tribes, the Ponies kept to themselves. Even once united, there were still bits of in-fighting, and struggles. One such struggle pitted a young ruler against the Princesses themselves, and seeking revenge on his daughter for marrying another from a different tribe, the Princesses created a magic place for the refuge of all who were under such pressures, and wanted to live in peace. She even named it after the daughter: Hope. Thus, Hope's Asylum!"
"Wait, I thought asylum was a place for crazy ponies!" Scootaloo said.
"Well, Asylum also can mean..."
"It also can be a refuge, or a safe place as well!" Sweetie Belle interrupted proudly.
"Wow, you really are a dictionary, Sweetie!" both of the other girls laughed, while Kellie cleared her throat to get their attention again.
"She is correct. However, in truth, Princess Luna decided that word would be appropriate, as it meant other would not want to go in, and mess with the refuge that they created for the more progressive ponies. Indeed, but as time went on, ponies found love amongst themselves and shared it. What wasn't quite accepted was other kinds of love among the Ponykind. Although I am aware that pony and donkey are very much accepted, much is unknown about our Zebra and Griffon mixing, thus, the Asylum was re-appropriated some centuries back as a place of refuge for those of different kinds who found love."
"You'll find Zorse, and Hypogriffs living together, as well as the long lost bat-winged ponies, and their families. They have always been welcomed, and I am glad, since Luna's return, they are finding places out in Equestria who welcome them as well. Mimic and other Changelings through the years have come and protected us, and in exchange, we freely offer love to them, and some even take them as brides and grooms.The two Kirins are unique, and they the ones we protect most of all. They..." Kellie was interrupted by the girls and she paused and let the say what she anticipated they would say.
"Wait, there is another Kirin!?! Where and when can we meet her or him?" they said in unison. Blitzen was the first new pony they saw, but the opportunity to see more was too much to hold in.
"She is, away. I hesitate to tell you the whole story, but you must promise me, if I do, that you won't ask Blitzen about it, ok?" Kellie asked cautiously.
They agreed, and with that, she grabbed the girls, and took them underwater to another fountain location in town. The girls were a bit surprised that Kellie had done that, but were not upset, and laughed about getting wet. There they saw a statue of a huge Pony almost the size of the Princess herself, with red, fiery mane, and a yellowish scales covering its body.
"This is a statute of our first Kirin. Her name is Rapi, I recall it being short for something, but at this time, I cannot recall what it is. She commands flames, as Blitzen commands Lightning. Anyway, she was brought here some centuries ago, about the time I was. She was already a century or so old, but loved this place with all her heart, and even fell in love with a beautiful griffon sometime back. The odd thing was, this Griffon was related to the Great Phoenix spirits that once lived in Equestria, Not the little Phoenixes we know today, but great ones that grew, communed, and lived among the ponies of the world."
"Sadly, not long ago, a group of Changeling came from an explosion of some sort, and tried to attack of refuge. We all fought, the Changelings were defeated, but, she was stricken with an attack that drained away her life spirit. Try as we may, she did not come back like a phoenix usually does. Rapi left some months back to deliver her ashes to the Griffons she once lived with. She has been gone a long while, but she shall return. I tell you this, because Blitzen sees her as a sister he never had, even a mother at times. I beg you girls, don't bring it up!" They crossed their hearts, and Sweetie Belle even let a few tears drop, the story was so sad. She couldn't imagine losing a special somepony, or griffon.
Night came, and the girls still were anxious to leave, but were too worn out to do so. Kellie lead them to Blitzen who let them stay at his place. The house overlooked all the town, and the only other structure next to it was the mysterious tower. Before heading to bed, Blitzen asked the girl to watch as the night fell over the town. "If thine were curious as to the purpose of mine tower, let me show thee." He knelt down summoned some electricity, and zapped the base of the structure, which lit up the bulb up top, and below, the girl were shocked to see what happened.
The entire town, one row by one row lit up, as the power from the tower reached out, and ran the lights. No wires or anything, it was, if it could be such a thing, really magic! WOW! the girls thought to themselves, and turn to see the Kirin in front of them.
"This is something I made for mine ponies and townfolk, One day I hope to make more of these, all over Equestria so that everybody Griffon, Donkey, Zebra, and Pony alike can share mine power. I don't need to hold all thine lightning inside, so why not share it! I wish thee pleasant dreams, and oh, I shalt also have word from the Princess by the morrow!" the colt said, and lead his guest inside. Sweetie Belle stopped and thought carefully about what she wanted to say, but reached over and kissed the Kirin instead, and ran off to the others.
He sat outside for a bit looked up to the stars, and said in an almost whisper "Thank thee Luna, for I now know what an infatuation feels like!" He ran inside and soon slept.
=====
Morning came, and a contingent of Royal Guards as well as the Princesses themselves touched down in an area just outside of the gates of Hope's Asylum. The Princesses were readying themselves when one of the scouts reported a Manticore at the gate of the town. Before they could decide how best to go around the beast. a spirit rose from the waters, and the beast itself flew away deeper into the woods away from the guards. All the Pegasus and Unicorns were at the ready to attack, but Celestia stood and ordered them to stand down, before Kellie took form and welcomed them to the gates.
Only four guards were allowed into the gated area, the rest awaited the other and their Princesses. Luna was amazed, something she had made over a millenium earlier still stood, albeit much more modernized. Upon arriving in the town square they were welcomed, and gave a small speech, hoping that one day, all of Equestria could be so open, and urged those in the town to visit Ponyville and let themselves be known.
Despite the speech, the lives of ponies and others there continued, and the Princesses were there for an important reason: to retrieve the small fillies of Ponyville, and return them back to the recently returned Elements of Harmony. There was so much to go over with everyone, but a letter from an old friend must be answered in person.
Celestia knocked on the door of Blitzen's home, and he as well as three other young ones were playing before greeting their Princess. "Celestia, I have awaited thine answer, but I wasn't expecting a visit from thyself in a long while. Not since since sister's...dearly departed...have I wrote thee!" Blitzen said, holding back some tears at the memory.
"The pleasure is all mine, my little Kirin. I trust things are going well? Luna herself is here and wishes to speak to you after, but you understand why we are here. The fillies are to be returned to Ponyville, for the Elements have returned from their mission." Celestia informed the Kirin. Surprisingly, the guards were shocked that their Princess and the Kirin spoke to each other on such an even level of respect. But their duty was not to question the Princess, only to protect her.
"If thine wills it, I shalt be glad to talk to thine kin. If I may, before they go..." the Kirin pause and tapped the shoulder of the white unicorn. "I fear this is where we must bide our farewells. I shalt always treasure our time here and what we hath shared last night, Miss Belle." Princess Celestia and the approaching Luna stopped and leaned into hear the conversation at the sound of what was said just now. "May thee please grant mineself permission to write and learn more about thyself? Miss Most Beautiful of all Unicorns?"
Nearly everypony guards included stopped and listened in at the conversation happening and awaited her answer. "I havta um, ask, my sister...first, but" Sweetie Belle said nervously.
"AH COME ON!" Scootaloo said, before Apple Bloom could silence her and take her outside.
"Ok, thine sister's permission is necessary, but understandable. I shalt await thine reply, you may reach me either by letter, or directly via dragonfire. Simply give thine dragon friend this, and it do the rest, mine dearest." Blitzen finished his request, and pulled Sweetie into a kiss this time. She left with the solar Princess with her cheeks redder than Apple Bloom's ribbon, and they headed toward Ponyville
Luna interrupted the Kirin's waves goodbye. "Thou did tell her thine real age, did thou not? You may be a colt in body and age as a dragon, but thou must tell her eventually." The Princess of the Night teased the love-stuck colt. "thy still has much to learn!"
Blitzen replied with a small smile, "She knows, we talked almost all morning. It isn't everyday thou meets a hundred year old colt, after all!"
The Cutie Mark Crusaders returned home with their sisters and shared hugs, but they were not about to get off running away so easily. Shining armor had each of them apologize to the guards who spent the night looking for them, and Big Mac had the girls make-up a long list of chores that Apple Bloom missed. On top of that, Twilight demanded they apologize to Spike and pay for the maps they lost, but forgave them quickly when they gave her the books of none other than the Great Kellie herself. She excitedly read them as Spike got hugs and an apology dinner for his trouble.
Overall, the lesson that was learned is that there is much in the world out there to explore. But, not without first doing what you had to at home. Each of the girls wrote a letter to Celestia, on what they learned, and were tasked to tell others of what they saw in school the next time they were there.
"One small step at a time, Sister. The ponies can't be force to changed, but they can be guided slowly towards a better life. I hope all of Equestria learns from those three someday." Celestia told her sister over tea sometime later.
"Yes Sister, but when can we go back again? I was promised by Kellie that the old Nessie was back in a nearby lake, and I must see her myself!" Luna declared. Celestia didn't have the heart to tell Luna that Nessie could not be real...
Could it?
END
Dear My Most Wonderful Sweetie,
I am extremely glad thine sister granted permission for our communication. I shalt thank Spike as well, with a few special rubies and turquoise that should arrive swiftly by griffon sometime soon. I have also included mine picture, as you requested that morning. But I must ask, why dost thou feel thine sister need to see me? I am nothing special, and in fact I have included mine own sister's picture as well.
I shalt eagerly await a visit to see thine sweet face, one day soon. In the meantime, I hath sent a special gem with thine letter. These are dragon sobs gems made from mine own tears, and are most rare in Equestria, Please feel free to share with thine sister as thou seeth fit. Don not feel bad for mineself, for I am happy simply knowing thee!
Forever thine Protector from Storms,
Blitzen Kirin
=====
Dear Most Generous Blitzen,
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! These extra dragon sobs as you call them, are exactly what I needed to complete my perfect ensemble! I truly hope that you and my dear sister shall be happy together. I would also, like to discuss with you some more advice, especially about your parents. I myself have a wonderful dragon helper who has somewhat of a crush on me, and to be honest, I always feared, if he were old enough, and if things were to work out, that we could never have children. Your being there for my own sibling has answer so many questions, but I have more as well, Please write us back soon!
Rarity