//------------------------------// // The Spark Dies Out, The Fire Burns On. // Story: The Mirror and the Mare // by RefugeInSilence //------------------------------// Rarity paced back and forth reflecting back on the events of the other day, Hearth Fire had told her what had happened with Flash Lance that evening. She was upset that he had found out, and from what Rarity knew of the situation knew he would eventually find out. The stress of it all was getting too much for her handle, and she had told Rarity that it was time for Kindling Spark to disappear for good. She wasn’t going to stop her, it wasn’t her right to interfere with that decision. “Spike, could you come here for moment please.” Rarity called out, and soon enough the young dragon made his appearance. “Yeah Rares?” Spike replied. “Do you think you could be a dear and take a message for me?” She asked politely, Spike nodded and went to fetch a quill and paper. “Are you sure about this honey?” Silver Wind asked concerned. “You realise that if you do this there’s no going back.” I let out a bitter sorrowful laugh in response. “I…I’m just done hiding…” I explained, “I’m tired Silver, just tired of pretending to be someone I’m not…I’m Hearth Fire, not Kindling Spark.” Silver Wind remained silent, but he could understand where she was coming from. “I hope you understand what is going to happen if you do this.” Silver Wind finally spoke, “Not everypony is going to like this, but you know I’m going to be with you each step of the way.” “I know Silver.” I allowed myself a small wry smile, “I guess everyone is going to in for a shock tomorrow…” The night flew over quickly, and Celestia’s morning sun warmed the early morning skies. I got up and began to make my morning preparations for what I’m know is going to be a long day. I’m thankful for all the bits of advice Rarity has given me over the past few weeks, and I’m grateful we met. I began by casting the spells Rarity had taught me, it wasn’t much but it was handy and Silver did enjoy seeing my new curves this spell gives me. It was easily my favourite spell to, considering it hid away my stallionhood with a simple illusion. I added a little eyeliner and mascara next to bring out my eyes a bit more, along with a subtle shade of a pale pink lipstick. The dress was next, a shade of blue only slightly darker than my plush like fur coat and a pair of matching shoes. Satisfied with my appearance, I sorted out my mane and tail so it looked more wavy, and it somewhat reminded me of the soft flickering of flames. I gathered my things and I made my way to college, I was a little nervous as made my way to the college campus and I knew had earned a few stares judging by the mutterings from a couple of ponies. I glanced at the large clock on the campus tower, and it told me that I was running a little later than expected. I arrived to an empty classroom, and I briefly wondered how everyone in class would react to me but before I could give it any major thought Rainfall Shimmer entered the classroom. “Excuse me miss, but are you lost?” She asked warmly. “No I have class here in quarter of an hour Ms Shimmer.” I answered in a softer, gentler tone which I personally considered my natural voice. Rainfall Shimmer finally realised who I was and said nothing more than a good morning as she began writing something in the class register. Class soon started as everypony entered the room to take their seats, Flash noticed me, shot me a look of disgust and took a seat on the far edge of the room. A few more moments passed by and judging from the murmurs throughout the class, everypony was wondering where Kindling Spark was. “Is he ill?” One pony whispered as the register was being taken. “I don’t know I haven’t seen him in the past two days.” Another responded. As Rainfall Shimmer called out various names, the other ponies noticed that she had never called out Kindling Spark’s name. “Hearth Fire?” She called out, everypony wondered whose name she called out. “Here!” I answered simply, doing my best to keep calm under everyponies sudden gaze in my direction. “Isn’t she the mare everyponies been talking about in those rumours?” One pony whispered to his friend sitting next to him. “Excuse me Rainfall, but do you know what’s going on with Kindling Spark?” He asked. “I’m afraid Kindling Spark is no longer going to be with us, and as such Hearth Fire here will be taking his place in this class.” She explained which caused Flash Lance to frown. “In other words Kindling Spark here has finally decided to show her true colours.” He sneered, I shot him disapproving look in response but his little outburst had caused the entire class to go completely silent with the shock. “Does it really matter how I act or dress, I’m only being myself at the end of the day Lance.” I replied calmly and admittedly it came out a bit colder than I intended. “If you all must know I’m transgendered…” I said sadly, “Take it any way you wish but I’m not going to change just because you don’t like it.” “Whatever you queer, I want nothing more to do with you or Silver Wind anymore!” Flash shouted back furious. “Flash Lance just what the hell is your problem!” Midnight Gleam shouted back. “My problem?” He replied shocked, “My problem is that my oldest friend has been keeping this from me for who knows how many years and has been dating my best friend behind my back!” “And I wonder why I did?” I replied sarcastically, “Maybe it was because I knew you would act like this!” This was the last straw with Flash Lance. “Why don’t you stop lying to yourself Kindling!” He argued. “My name is Hearth Fire! And don’t you ever forget that Lance!” I roared back. “Enough both of you!” Rainfall Shimmer shouted as she demanded for silence from the class, “Flash Lance is it any of your business what Hearth Fire does in her private life?” “No, I suppose it’s not.” Flash Lance growled out, “Good now whatever her reasons were you have to understand it’s her decision at the end of the day.” Flash Lance just gave me disapproving look. “Look…” He said flatly, “How would you like it? Having someone you’ve known since you were foals keep something like this from you! Whatever he is trying to be isn’t natural and he is just fooling himself!” “…” I sighed, “You’re too much like your father…” “Maybe I am, is that a problem?” Flash Lance argued, “Maybe you should be more like yours?” “…” I said nothing and frowned at his declaration. “See maybe if you joined the Royal Guard like your father you wouldn’t be like this!” Flash continued, “In fact why don’t I tell him myself what you’re doing with your life?” “Don’t bother…” I replied half-heartedly, “My family disowned me ages ago…” Flash just went silent at my revelation. “Mom and Dad caught me, walked right in on me mid dress and well…there were a lot of nasty things said and they kicked me out and disowned me just like that…” “…That’s just horrible.” Midnight Gleam commented, “If it wasn’t for Silver Wind I’d probably be homeless right now.” I continued, “And well…we became an item a few months later. I knew you would react like you did Lance, why do you think I never came to you for help?” “…” Flash Lance said nothing, and for the rest of the day he remained silent. Midnight Gleam and I chatted with each other over the lunch, I told her everything that had happened over the past few days, and she was questioning me of what my foalhood was like. “Flash Lance and I have known each other since we were foals, our fathers served in the Royal Guard together when they were younger and we pretty much did everything together until we went our different ways once we went into school.” I explained, “I couldn’t seem to keep up with the other stallions my age at the time, so I had to work harder than the others just get by but even then it still wasn’t enough…” “So what did you do?” Midnight asked, “The school I attended decided to hold a fashion show for charity, which was hosted by Fleur De Lis.” I explained. “I snuck into the show as a dare, and I got mistaken for one of the students who volunteered to be the models for the dresses.” “I see…” Midnight Gleam commented. “They did my make-up, hooves, mane and tail, when I got a look at myself in the mirror I couldn’t believe that that mare in the mirror was me.” I continued, “The feeling of being in that dress and being made up like that and looking the way I did…it was well intoxicating.” “So what happened after?” Midnight asked. “Days, then weeks went by and I could get that feeling out of my head.” I explained, “I needed to be like that again, so I snuck in some stuff from my older sister Bright Spark. I remember it taking me ages to get my hair and make-up right.” I laughed softly at the memory, “I eventually gathered the courage to go out once in a while, and I found being like this gave me a much needed confidence boost.” Midnight Gleam continued to listen to my tale intently, “I admit I was jealous of other mares, and I grew to resent what was between my legs, and I just wished it would go away.” “How did you manage to keep all this to yourself all these years?” Midnight Gleam asked. “With great difficulty…” I answered simply, “But like I said earlier I eventually got caught, and I was disowned. I don’t think my sister knows yet but I’d imagine she’ll find out soon.”