//------------------------------// // The Apology // Story: The Adventures of Cleansing Flame // by Fire_brand //------------------------------// Journal: “Well I’m in Ponyville with a cracked skull. Thankfully my migraine went away. Thanks to that I can finally think straight and people can talk normally around me now. I still can’t believe my crazy journey so far. There are so many nice ponies willing to help to put up a wandering pony for the night. But then somehow I ended up in the Everfree forest. I'll have to not walk without paying attention anymore as I followed the path straight in. There are so many strange creatures and plants in that forest. I was already on hair’s end when I heard the wolf howl. When I saw them I just ran. When I finally found my courage I turned around to face them. I killed one with my fire barrier, the other I fought with my strength and Fire hooves spells going. Boy that wolf knew how to handle me. Thankfully it made a huge lunge and I buried my hooves into its chest, causing it to run away. But I had to get out of that forest so I ran. When I finally made it out of the forest, I was in a field of trees. I really didn’t want to sleep on the ground to I slept in the tree. The next morning I fell out of the tree and was subsequently kicked in the skull by a pony, after accidentally insulting her. This pony turned out to be Applejack, a friend of Princess Twilight! Boy am I in for it” As I put my journal away the Doctor walks in. “Well Flame I hear your migraine has gone.” “Yes doctor, it’s finally subsided.” “Good, then let’s take another look at that skull of yours’.” After taking some x-rays. “Hmm. Mhmm. Ok. Well Flame I’m happy to report you’re on your way to a full recovery. You’ll be here for 4 more days and then you’ll be discharged. But you’ll have to take it easy for another week once you're out.” “Alright I can handle that. Anything else doctor?” “Yes, Princess Twilight and her friends would like to speak with you.” Oh buck, I’ve been dreading this. “(gulp) I think I can talk to them now, doctor.” Once again, Princess Twilight and her friends file into the room. They’re still mad at me. I can tell. Twilight, takes charge “So are you ready to explain yourself now?” Applejack butts in “Explain himself?? Ah think Ah’m owed an apology.” Looking at them all, if they weren’t so cross at me they’d be rather cute. Twilight quickly replies “That’s what I meant Applejack!” Being sincere, I apologetically “I’m sorry about what I said. I had quite the scare the previous day and it continued in my sleep. So when you suddenly woke me up I just wasn’t thinking straight. I really am sorry.” Rainbow flies into my face “Oh yeah? Well just how scary was this day of yours? I think we deserve to hear it!” The other mares all nodded in agreement. Sighing I say “Alright, I’ll tell you.” So I explained everything that happened in the forest and after words to them. After I was finished, several of the girl's expression turned from anger to worry…except for Applejack’s. She still looked furious with me. Twilight talks first “So you tangled with a pair of Timber wolves on your own and lived. Not an easy feat.” Pinkie jumps in and begins speaking rapidly “Yeah timber wolves are all rrrrr and aooooooo and so dangerous. You’re lucky to be alive!” Fluttershy, partially hiding behind her main says “Oh my. I can’t believe you were in the Forest. It’s so scary in there.” Rainbow sounds partially impressed “So that must make you pretty strong huh. Well not as good as me obviously!” Applejack furiously interjects “What the hay? This pony called me a monster! But he mentions the Everfree Forest and you all forgive him JUST LIKE THAT?!?” Rarity jumps in “It’s not like we are taking his side darling. It’s just that after hearing his story it’s easier to see why he said what he did. Even though it IS improper to speak like that to you.” I’m partially looking at the floor as I say this “Look, I know what I said was wrong. And although I wish I could, I can’t take it back. I’m not asking to be forgiven right away.” Applejack sounds slightly softer now “Well ah suppose ah was a bit harsh. Ah probably shouldn’t have kicked your head with all my strength after all. Although that DOESN’T mean you’re off tha hook!” “Yeah, I figured as much. I’m just happy you got me to a hospital. Thanks for that.” All I got from Applejack was a Humph. Oh man, she’s never going to forgive me, I just know it. Now I ask “By the way what are your names? Besides knowing who Princess Twilight is I feel bad not knowing your names. I’m Cleansing Flame, but everypony just calls me Flame.” They all introduce themselves. There ares Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, and Applejack who had to be introduced by Twilight. Then the Nurse walks in “I’m sorry everypony but visiting hours are over for the day. Please leave.” Twilight responds first “Alright girls, lets go. (looking at me) When do you get discharged?” “4 days. Why?” “I want to hear about and see these spells of yours.” “Ok. Cya later princess, and please tell Applejack again that I’m sorry. I really didn’t mean to.” “I’ll try but she’s a stubborn one. Cya Flame.” Ok that went better than I expected. I knew Applejack would be mad at me but at least the others aren’t as angry. As the doctor walks in, “Hey doc, how long until it’s safe to use magic again?” “Given the injury I’d say a week. Until then you’ll just get another migraine.” “Great… Thanks doc.” “Why do you ask Flame?” “Well I’m a smith and I use magic to assist me.” “Oh you’re an iron smith?” I'm rather smug as I say this “Not just iron smith but I can also work steel.” “That’s good to hear, we actually don’t have a smithy here in Ponyville. If you decide to stay we could certainly use your skills.” “I’ll have to think about it. I was hoping to see more of Equestria before I settled down in one place.” “I see, by the way why didn’t you take the train? It would have allowed you to avoid the Everfree Forest.” “Well, there’s a reason for that... I’m terrified of trains.” “Oh I’m sorry to hear that. If you don’t mind me asking. What happened?” “I’d rather not mention it doc. The experience left me depressed. I'm not comfortable talking about it.” “Its fine, forget I asked.” “Whatever you say doc.” The next four days were extremely boring. It was just eat, sleep, talk with the nurse or doctor, read a book, and play with puzzles. Finally after four days, I’m being discharged. The doctor speaks up “Well Flame, your skull has healed BUT remember, NO magic for another three days.” “Alright Doc, I won’t use magic, and I’ll be careful not to hit my head.” “Ok, have a nice day Flame!” After I leave, who else do I see but Applejack and Twilight. Twilight speaks up “Well I’m glad to see you’re fine now. Applejack? Do you have something you want to say?” It was obvious Applejack was being pressed into saying something. So sighing and looked at my hooves ”Ah’m sorry Ah kicked your head with my hooves. (now in my face) But don’t get any bright ideas. Ah’m still mad at you!” She then storms off. ”Oh man, I don’t think she’ll ever forgive me.” Twilight somewhat apologetically says “She will eventually. Just give her some time. So are you ready to tell me about these spells of yours?” As I begin talking Twilight begins walking and I follow. “Sure, what do you want to know Princess?” “Well, I’ve never heard of anyone imbuing regular spells like a barrier with fire before, how did you do that?” “Yeah that’s a good one. The first part of it is to be fairly proficient and familiar with the element you’re trying to use. Next when you’re casting the spell you have to imagine the element being intertwined into the spell, like it was always a part of it.” “Wow. That’s astounding! I never thought of that. So from what I’ve heard from you you’ve only used fire, but your cutie mark has all 4 of the elements in it. Care to explain?” “Sure, I can use all 4 elements but I’m much better with Fire than I am earth, water, or air.” “Fascinating! What did you do before you started your journey?” “I was a smith.” “Oh wow, I’ve heard that it takes years to learn that craft. How many years have you been practicing?” “Seven years. If Master Iron wasn’t such a great mentor I probably wouldn’t have stuck with it.” Walking through town I notice that everypony is giving me very nasty looks. So I have to ask “Uh princess?” “Yes Flame? What’s up?” “I can’t help but notice that everypony seems to be mad at me. Did the story spread around town?” Then Pinkie Pie appears out of nowhere “Well duh! Applejack is a hero here in Ponyville and news of a new pony in town insulting her got around very quickly. Apple Bloom was furious and told everypony! Bye Bye! La lala lala!” I gave Twilight a very quizzical look “Uuuh, does she always do that?” “Do what?” “Appear randomly then just leave?” “Yeah. You’ll have to get used to Pinkie Pie.” Before I knew it I was standing in front of a crystal castle “Well Princess, I must say this town looks quite nice. Being that I can’t really leave on account of my head, is there any place that I could stay for the time being?” “If you’d like you can stay with spike and I for a while.” “Oh, well...I don’t know. I don’t want to intrude on you and your Coltfriend.” “What? You think…” then Twilight just busts out laughing. She tries to talk but cant. This continues for a good 5 minutes. Done laughing now “Oh no, Spike is my assistant. Come on in and I’ll introduce you.” Walking in the door, I recognized this as a library. “Spike, Spike! Come down here and meet our new house guest for a while.” Then I hear a voice come from the stairwell “Twilight! You’re back! So who is the new…” When I see him I notice that a little purple dragon is now giving me a very sour look “Oh, it’s you.” Getting rather sour myself “Let me guess. You heard of me through Apple Bloom?” “Yes. How’d you hear about that?” Twilight interjects “I told him Spike, he has a right to know. He didn’t mean to say it and given the circumstances I think we’ve blown this out of proportion.” Spike gives Twilight a funny look “Oh yeah? And what are these so called circumstances?” Now it’s my turn to step in “I’ll find the Mayor and explain everything to the town.” It seems I have some explaining to do." This will not be fun. Twilight helps me to find Mayor Mare and helps me to set up the stage for my apology. Mayor Mare then spreads the word and quickly everypony in Ponyvile shows up. I see all of the mares from the hospital in the crowd, Applejack and what looks like her Family included, all looking like they’d love to take a swing at me. When everyone arrives the mayor says a few words “Thank you everypony for showing up on such short notice, but there is a pony here who would like to say something to everyone. The podium is all yours.” I step up to the podium and take a deep breath “Thank you once again for showing up. I’ve asked for you all to be here so that I could apologize for what I said to Applejack last week. I was chased by some timber wolves in the Everfree forest and was still freaking out when I was suddenly awoken by falling out of the apple tree that I’d taken refuge in. In my panic I freaked out as I thought I was going be eaten. I realize that what I said was wrong. I just hope everypony can forgive me.” Now finished I looked around and see most ponies still looked upset with me. I knew that it wouldn’t happen instantly, but I had to get that off my chest. I walked dejectedly back towards the Library to sleep. And to think my Journey started off so well. Now an entire town hates me…This is starting to feel like Fillydelphia all over again.