//------------------------------// // Chapter 13: The Mare // Story: Fire and Brimstone, Book 1 // by BluePhoenyx //------------------------------// The next day, Crimson’s eyes cracked open at first light as the sun crept over the horizon. He groaned as he tries to stretch, but the burns on his wings shot pain throughout his body. He stood up and looked at his wings. “Unfortunate.” He said to himself. He looked around only to see books. On a second level was Twilight Sparkle sleeping in her bed. He quietly tried to put on his armor, but almost every touch on his skin made him flinch. Twilight turned over and lightly stirred awake. She noticed Crimson struggling to get dressed, but noticed something off about his movements. She sat up and looked at her guest. “Good morning, Crimson. Are you okay?” Crimson looked up on the second floor. “I am fine.” Twilight looked closer at his unusual movements and noticed the various burns he has on his body. “No, you’re not.” Twilight hopped out of bed and rushed to the first floor to takes a closer look at Crimson. “It looks like you’re burnt.” Twilight ran into another room as Crimson continued to try to put on his armor. Spike poked his head over the side to see what’s going on. Twilight trotted back to Crimson. “Stop that.” She said as she took off Crimson’s armor. “Oh my. Spike!” Spike hopped out of his bed and ran downstairs. “What’s up, Twilight?” “Spike, get the book on Pony Remedies and Medical Aid.” “I’m on it.” Spike zipped to the wall and starts to climb a wall ladder. Crimson looked at Twilight, who was looking closely at his injuries. “What are you doing?” “You’re hurt. I’m going to help you bandage your burns.” “You are… Tending to my wounds?” He flinched as Twilight removed the rest of Crimson’s leathery garment. “This really is a land of kindness.” “Like I said yesterday...” Twilight observed the severity of his burns. “Kindness has its own rewards.” “Got it!” Spike grabbed a book from the bookshelf then hopped down and rushed to Twilight. Crimson stood still as Spike held a first aid book. Twilight flipped through page after page of the book. “Ah, here we are.” She looked at the book, then at Crimson’s wings. “Your wings are in bad shape.” Crimson looked behind him at his wings. “They will be okay.” “Not if they get an infection.” Twilight turned toward the door. “I’ll be right back. I know somepony who is great with medicine.” She opened the door and took a couple of steps out. "And don't put your armor on!" She ran out of the library, closing the door behind her. * * * Some time past as Spike worked around the library. Crimson looked at the tiny dragon as he categorized and stocked books on the bookshelves. He then noticed Crimson just staring at him. “Umm, hi.” “You are a draconite.” Spike put a book in the bookshelf while looking at the staring stranger. “Uhh, yeah.” “And you are as kind as Ms. Twilight Sparkle and her acquaintances.” “I guess so.” Spike said in a lightly worried manner. “Astounding. So you have a choice in your behavior?” Spike started to go down the rungs of the ladder. “I guess I do.” “Truly astounding.” Crimson took a step toward Spike. In turn, Spike took a step back. “Where I am from, all draconites are of a diabolic nature.” “Oh yeah, Twilight mentioned you weren't from around here.” Spike started to pick up another pile of books. “I am honored to meet a well natured being such as yourself.” Crimson bowed to Spike. Spike looked at Crimson confused. “I, uh… Thanks?” He started to walk toward a bookshelf with a pile of books. “I apologize for my seemingly awkward behavior.” Crimson lifted his head. “I am just used to your kind breathing fire and acid, casting spells, and other devastating abilities for ill-natured purposes.” Spike put the books down and looked at Crimson. “Like what?” Crimson thought to himself for a moment. “For instance, before I arrived to your lands, I was almost killed by a ba-“ “We’re back!” Twilight and Fluttershy entered the library with saddlebags of medical supplies on their back. “Hello again Twilight. And greetings Ms. Fluttershy.” Crimson started to bow as Fluttershy flew up to him. “Oh my.” She said softly. “These look bad.” Twilight went to the table where Spike put Pony Remedies and Medical Aid. “I’ll start mixing the medicine.” Fluttershy started to unpack the saddlebags and the two started to make a huge mess in the once clean room. Crimson just watched as the two did their thing. * * * Some time past as Twilight and Fluttershy finally finished putting medicine on all of Crimson’s wounds and bandaged them up. “Thanks, Fluttershy.” “Oh, no no. It was the least I could do.” Fluttershy gently smiled. “I think we should get you to a hospital.” Twilight started to put the contents of the saddlebags away. “Your mending will be more than sufficient for my recovery.” Crimson leaned over to start to pick up his armor. Spike noticed Crimson’s actions. “Hey!” Twilight looked and used her horn to stop Crimson from putting on the armor. “You are NOT putting your armor on in your condition.” Crimson looked at Twilight. “Being unarmored is not an option.” Twilight and Fluttershy looked at Crimson. “Well, okay.” Twilight dimmed her horn, unsure of Crimson’s decision. “But take it easy.” Crimson started putting his armor back on. Fluttershy walked up to Crimson. “If there is anything I can do to help you…” Twilight lifted her hoof. “Yeah, if there’s anything we can do…” Crimson looked at the two and gave a faint smile. “You are all the most thoughtless and kind ponies I have ever had the honor of meeting.” Twilight and Fluttershy blushed and diverted their eyes. “Come on, let’s go for a walk. Your legs are okay.” Crimson finished donning is armor and the three leave Twilight’s library. Crimson, Fluttershy, and Twilight Sparkle walked around in Ponyville. The early morning dew and the cold air soothed Crimson’s burns. Then, the three walked into a path of Mayor Mare. She smiled and greeted the three. “Good morning! How are you on this beautiful day?” Twilight smileed at the Mayor’s greeting. “Good morning, Mayor Mare.” “Wait a moment…” Mayor Mare put on her glasses and squinted while leaning her head at Crimson. “Well now, it IS you.” Mayor Mare shifted gears and turned into Judge Mare. “How is your sentence working out?” Twilight gulped. “He’s doing fine.” Mare lifted her nose into the air to look down to Crimson. “I’d ask if you were staying out of trouble…” She looked the accused over and saw the bandages wrapped around the various burns on his wings and body. “ … but you look as if you’re doing just the opposite.” Twilight took a step forward to get between Mare and Crimson. “It’s not what you think.” Fluttershy too took a step forward. “Yeah, he was injured from the forest fire the other day.” “I see.” Mare adjusted her glasses. “Will you join me for breakfast? I’d love to hear what you all have been doing since the hearing.” “Oh, that sounds delicious.” Fluttershy smiled. “Splendid! I know a terrific spot.” Mare turned around and led the three to a restaurant. Crimson looked with a hint of suspicion at the Judge's actions, but followed when Twilight and Fluttershy followed Mare. * * * The ponies meet up at a café and they started explaining Twilight’s quest to teach Crimson about friendship. The more Twilight explained, the more Judge Mare seems intrigued. “… and he selflessly charged into the fire and saved a family of bunnies.” “A family of bunnies?” Mare looked at ‘The Destroyer’ with suspicion. “This all seems far fetched.” “But it’s true.” Fluttershy finisheed her cup of tea. Mare stood up, then Crimson shortly after. “Thank you for joining me for breakfast.” She turned and started to walk away. She turned her head towards Crimson. “Just remember that one act of kindness doesn't forgive a lifetime of evil.” Twilight looked at Mare. “But does a single bad act outweigh a lifetime of good?” Mare smiled and lifted a hoof. “Ta-ta!” She started to walk away. Mare saw a couple enter the café as she was leaving. “Ah, hello! How’s the new filly?” Crimson sat as the Mare’s left. “Does she not like me?” “It isn't that.” Twilight turned her head to look at him. “It’s her job as mayor and judge of Ponyville.” “She’s really nice.” Fluttershy mentioned. “Yeah, but she does what she has to.” Twilight added. Crimson looked away from Twilight. “I know that responsibility very well.” “It’s not like that. She does what’s best for Ponyville and does what Ponyville asks of her.” Twilight and Fluttershy continued their breakfast, having small talk as Crimson started to think about his world and the world he’s exploring. He turned speechless at the unusual similarities between the two seemingly opposite lands.