Phoenix yawned as his alarm sounded, waking him. He normally wouldn’t do that on his days off, but there was an event scheduled for that morning at Sugarcube Corner. Princess Celestia was coming for a visit. Phoenix slammed his alarm with his hoof, silencing it before making himself presentable with his grey suit and his black fedora. He emerged from his house and locked the door before beginning his walk to Sugarcube Corner. As he arrived, there were two royal guards stationed by the sides of the entrance. Phoenix walked towards the door, but was blocked by the guards blocking his way with their wings.
“Halt.” One guard ordered.
“Who goes there?” The other questioned aggressively.
“Phoenix Fortesque.” Phoenix replied levelly.
“What is your business here?”
“I’m here to see Princess Celestia.”
“For what purpose?” The guard asked suspiciously.
“I’m here to assassinate her. Is this wrong?” Phoenix joked as he gestured to his attire. Before the guards could question further, Twilight walked up behind the guards.
“Phoenix, you’re here! He’s on the list.” Twilight said, causing the guards to return to their original positions and expressions. Phoenix followed Twilight inside as she returned to wear Celestia was and began to pace. Phoenix noticed that: Twilight, Pinkie, Applejack and himself were the only ponies form their group of friends that were present. Phoenix walked towards Applejack and took a seat next to her as she began to tie a napkin around her neck.
“Morning, Applejack.” Phoenix greeted politely with a slight pink tint to his cheeks. Applejack’s eyes seemed to light up at the sight of him.
“Howdy, Phoenix! When’d’ya get here?” Applejack asked happily. Her cheek also took on a minor pink hue as she spoke.
“I just arrived. What about you? Punctual as always?” Phoenix asked with a hint of fondness.
“Sure as sugar, Ah was. Excited to see the Princess?” Applejack replied.
“I suppose. I think I’m more excited to see you, honestly.” Phoenix said with a deeper blush.
“...Ah wish you’d stop usin’ that silver tongue o’ yours.” Applejack mumbled as her blush began to spread across her face.
“Come on, where’s the fun in that?” Phoenix replied. Applejack giggled before stopping and shyly turning to Phoenix. Her face took on a serious expression before she spoke.
“...Say, Phoenix... Ah’ve been thinkin’ for a while and... Ah know how you feel about me.” Applejack admitted. The colour drained from Phoenix’s face. This was it. He knew what was coming next.
“Oh... Um... Look, AJ, I’m sorry. I... I just...” Phoenix couldn’t think of anything to say, so he simply remained silent and waited for the inevitable.
“That bein’ said... Ah kinda... feel the same way.” Applejack said softly and shyly.
‘...What did she just say?’ Phoenix thought in complete disbelief.
“So... Do you wanna... be mah boyfriend?” Applejack asked uneasily. Phoenix’s eyes grew wide, his cheeks turned red and his heart flared in his chest.
“A... boyfriend...? ...Your boyfriend?” Phoenix asked breathlessly.
“Yeah... If you want to, that is.” Applejack replied in a Fluttershy-like manner. Applejack was surprised to see Phoenix so flustered. It wasn’t a sight that matched her image of the level-headed stallion. After he stumbled over his words a few times, he exhaled and looked at her.
“AJ, my heart and my head are telling me to say two very different things.” Phoenix said weakly.
“What’s your head sayin’?” Applejack hesitantly asked.
“That you can do so much better and I shouldn’t get in the way of that.” Phoenix said quietly.
“...And... your heart?” Applejack asked with even more hesitance as she began to think that trying was becoming fruitless.
“...That this is the situation that I’ve wanted and I’d be a fool to let it go.” Phoenix said, his voice breaking. Applejack’s heart began to fill with hope once more as she looked back at him. Phoenix was clearly at war with himself. His negativity and his almost altruistic care for his friends were clashing with his desire for happiness and the love that he felt for Applejack.
“Which... Which one’re you gonna listen to?” Applejack asked, her voice almost like a squeak.
“...Fuck my head. Applejack... I’d... I’d love to be your boyfriend. If you’re willing to have me.” Phoenix said through the lump in his throat. Silence fell. Neither on them moved. Applejack suddenly threw her forelegs around Phoenix’s neck and held on like there was no tomorrow.
“A-AJ? Are you alright?” Phoenix asked worriedly as she clung to him.
“Yeah. Yeah, Phoenix, Ah am. Things couldn’t be better than they are right now!” Applejack said with tears pouring down her face. Phoenix blushed at the thought of what he was about to do, but he pushed the thoughts aside. He moved his head back, then forward, kissing Applejack on the forehead. She nuzzled into his neck until she saw Rarity carefully walk in, trying to avoid damaging her dress for the upcoming gala.
“Sorry, Phoenix. But, Ah’ve gotta tell Rarity somethin’. That okay?” Applejack asked.
“Of course it is. I’d actually like to talk to the Princess myself.” Phoenix said as they separated from each other and walk in opposite directions. Before both of them looking back, blushing and looking away with shy smiles. Phoenix began to walk towards Celestia’s table, but looked behind him when he heard Rarity cheering giddily and saw that she was seemingly squeezing the life out of Applejack. He chuckled lightly before turning to Celestia and Twilight who both had confused looks on their faces. Pinkie joined them after hearing the commotion and showed her confusion as well.
“What’s up with Rarity?” Pinkie asked. Phoenix’s shy blush returned to his face before answering.
“I think that Applejack told her the news and Rarity is uh... happy to hear it.” Phoenix said as he rubbed the back of his head with his hoof.
“What news, Phoenix?” Twilight asked.
“Applejack and I are... a couple now.” As the words left Phoenix’s mouth, Pinkie practically tackled him to the ground and began giving him a bone crushing hug. Twilight was beaming at him, while Celestia was giving him a pleasant smile.
“That’s so great, Phoenix!” Twilight exclaimed happily.
“Thanks. If you two don’t mind, I’d like to speak to Celestia.” Phoenix said politely.
“Princess Celestia.” Twilight corrected seemingly out of habit.
“Sure! C’mon, Twilight! Let’s go talk to Applejack!” Pinkie said excitedly as she grabbed Twilight’s hoof and pulled her over to Applejack and Rarity. Phoenix’s smile left his face as he sat down opposite Celestia.
“Is there a problem, Phoenix?” Celestia asked a little uneasily, due to the look on his face.
“Celestia, I think there’s something wrong with me.” Phoenix answered seriously.
“What do you mean?” Celestia asked, a little surprised that he was using her name and not her title.
“Something happened when Rarity and I were taken prisoner by the Diamond Dogs a week or so ago. When I escaped, I started looking for her. But, before I did, I heard her voice. It was like she was speaking to me without being in the same room as me. I assumed she merely called out and I heard her, but when I told her that if she hadn’t called out, I wouldn’t have found her; she said she didn’t call out at all.” Phoenix explained. He noticed a slight change in Celestia’s eyes for a moment as he explained. It was slight, but it was there.
“I wouldn’t worry about it, Phoenix. I don’t know what’s going on, but I will find out.” Celestia replied. Before Phoenix could continue the conversation, Twilight returned to them with Fluttershy by her side. Fluttershy beamed slightly at Phoenix when she saw him.
“I heard the news about you and Applejack. I-I just wanted to say: congratulations.” Fluttershy said sincerely.
“Thank you, Fluttershy. Did you two want to speak to Celestia? We’ve already finished our conversation.” Phoenix asked kindly.
“Princess Celestia. Yeah, we’d like to speak to her, if you’re both fine with it.” Twilight said. Phoenix nodded as he stood and walked away from the table. Whether he knew it or not, he was walking towards Applejack, Rarity and Pinkie Pie. When they saw him, they all smiled at him.
“Hello there, darling. How has your day been today?” Rarity asked giddily, knowing full well what had happened.
“Well, I was having a good day, but it was upgraded to ‘incredible’ a few minutes ago.” Phoenix said as his gaze met Applejack’s. Her face turned completely red as she tried to look angry, but everypony could see the smile she was trying to force from her face.
“Oh my, Phoenix. Who knew you were such a sweet talker?” Rarity said amusedly.
“Ah did. His silver tongue annoys me sometimes.” Applejack said.
“Your cheeks say otherwise, darling.” Rarity said cheekily. Applejack continued to pout as Phoenix chuckled and put one foreleg around her. The group, including Applejack laughed until Celestia left suddenly.
“Where’s she going?” Pinkie Pie asked.
“She said that the mayor asked for an audience with her.” Twilight said as she joined the group.
“Oh, well. What do you guys wanna do now?” Rainbow Dash asked as she also joined them.
“We could all go to the spa.” Rarity offered.
“Rarity, you always want to go to the spa.” Twilight said with amusement.
“True, but now we can all go together. Fluttershy and I usually go together, but I think we should all go.” Rarity said.
“That sounds like it could be enjoyable. I’m in.” Twilight said, causing everypony to agree.
“Alright, but I’m not letting anypony touch me.” Rainbow Dash said.
“Is that your dating life in a nutshell?” Phoenix said, causing Pinkie to fall to the ground in a fit of laughter and Rainbow to pout in annoyance.
“Wait. Where is Fluttershy?” Rarity asked. Everypony looked around the room, but saw no trace of her.
“Maybe she went home.” Applejack said.
“I’ll go check and meet you all at the spa.” Twilight offered as she began to walk away.
“I’m going to remove this dress before it gets ruined.” Rarity said as she carefully began to walk back to the boutique.
“You guys realise that the only ponies who were interested in goin’ to the spa just left?” Applejack said, which caused: Pinkie, Rainbow and Phoenix the nod in agreement. Despite that, they all set off and eventually arrived at the spa. The group entered and sat down in the waiting room as they somewhat nervously looked around. After a few minutes later, a now dress-less Rarity burst through the door, breathing slightly heavily.
“Sorry, everypony. What treatment should we go with?” Rarity asked as she walked to the group.
“What do you normally get when you come here, Rarity?” Phoenix asked.
“I normally get what I call ‘the usual’, which is everything. But, I don’t think I could afford all of us getting it.” Rarity said a little sulkily. Phoenix stepped forward.
“Rarity, I bankrupt corrupt casinos in my spare time. I can pay for this.” Phoenix said with a smile. Everypony eventually agreed and accepted Phoenix’s offer to pay. They were given opportunities to try everything that interested them. They decided to go in the order that Rarity usually does and just skip what they didn’t want to do. Nearly an hour later, the group left the spa and walked to the town square and began to converse.
“Phoenix, I must know. Why didn’t you let Aloe or Lotus massage you?” Rarity asked.
“The same reason you wouldn’t let a stallion you don’t know massage you.” Phoenix replied. Rarity’s cheeks turned slightly pink as she thought what Phoenix said through.
“Oh... right. Yes, that makes sense.” Rarity said as Applejack turned to Phoenix.
“So you’d let a mare you do know massage you?” Applejack asked curiously. Phoenix thought for a moment before responding.
“I suppose. It would definitely be better than letting a mare I don’t know do it. Why?” Phoenix replied. Applejack turned around and slowly ran her tail under Phoenix’s chin seductively, causing Phoenix’s face to practically glow bright red.
“No reason. Just good to know.” Applejack replied with half-lidded eyes and a wry smile. Phoenix stared for a moment before letting out a single chuckle before looking to the sky with a smile.
“I think I’m in love.” Phoenix said amusedly to himself before joining the girls at the fountain in the middle of town square. Their activities were interrupted by Twilight and Fluttershy rushing towards them and searching frantically for something.
“Girls, what are you looking for?” Phoenix asked.
“We’re looking for th-.” Fluttershy began but was cut off by another voice.
“The Princess’ pet bird!” A guard shouted as he and his colleague were looking to the top of the fountain where a sad excuse for a bird was overdramatically dying before pitching itself off of the fountain.
“I’ll catch you!” Fluttershy announced as she went to catch the bird, but Phoenix stopped her with his hoof. She looked to him in shock, but Phoenix pointed to the bird.
Just as it spontaneously combusted.
Everypony watched in horror as the ashes fell to the ground and Fluttershy began to tear up. However, Phoenix was looking around in confusion.
“What’re you all so shocked about?” Phoenix asked.
“Didn’t you see?! The bird just burst into freakin’ flames!” Rainbow yelled.
“Yes. Your point?” Phoenix asked as he walked towards the ashes and Celestia arrived.
“Birds don’t normally burst into flames, Phoenix! Are you drunk?” Twilight replied.
“Even you, Twilight? Don’t you know what kind of bird this is?” Phoenix asked.
“Uh... No.” Twilight said. Phoenix sighed as he walked up to the pile of ash and turned back to his little audience.
“I know they’re not the most common birds, but I’m surprised you don’t know what I’m named after.” Phoenix mumbled.
“What is going on here? Twilight?” Celestia questioned.
“Yes, your Majesty, there's been a terrible accident.” Twilight said sadly.
“It's all my fault.” Fluttershy admitted.
“No, Princess. Fluttershy didn't know any better. It was my fault.” Twilight corrected.
“I'm the one who did it.” Fluttershy argued.
“But you were only trying to help.”
“Some help I was.”
“Will ya let me do this? She'll go easier on me.”
“But it's my fault!”
“No, it's my fault!”
“No, it's my fault! Wait, what are we talking about?” Pinkie blurted out before returning to the confused state that everypony seemed to be in.
“Thanks for trying to protect me, Twilight, but... Princess Celestia, I'm the one who took your pet bird. I really was only trying to help the poor little thing. Then I was gonna bring it right back to you, honest. So, if you wanna banish me and then throw me in a dungeon in the place that you banish me to, then that's what I deserve.” Fluttershy said sombrely as Celestia kneeled her head to the ashes.
“Oh, stop fooling around, Philomena. You're scaring everypony.” Celestia said playfully as the ashes seemed to spring into life and swirl in the sky before transforming into a majestic bird with feathers the resembled flames. Everypony watched the creature intently as its beauty mesmerised them.
“I don’t understand! What is that thing? What happened to Philomena?” Fluttershy asked.
“This is Philomena. She's quite a sight, as I said. But nothing unusual for a phoenix. Isn't that right, Philomena?” Celestia said, causing Philomena to squawk in response.
“A... phoenix?” Fluttershy asked as her gaze went to Phoenix before returning to Philomena.
“A phoenix is a majestic and magical bird. While it appears healthy and happy most of the time, every so often it must renew itself by shedding all of its feathers and bursting into flame. Rather melodramatic, if you ask me. It then rises from the ashes, fresh as a daisy. All just a normal part of the life cycle of a phoenix.” Celestia explained.
“Wait, how did you know all that, Phoenix?” Twilight asked.
“For one thing, I’m named after them. But, the Fortesque family crest is a phoenix. My father eventually bought one. After his... passing, Ember was left with my brother, my sister and I. I had to learn these things to take care of him.” Phoenix explained.
“Indeed. I'm afraid mischievous little Philomena here took the occasion to have a little fun with you, Fluttershy. Say you're sorry, young lady.” Celestia ordered, to which Philomena complied.
“So... aren't you gonna banish me? Or throw me in a dungeon? Or banish me and then throw me in a dungeon in the place that you banish me to?” Fluttershy asked, bringing confused expressions to everypony.
“Of course not, my little pony. Where on Earth would you get such an idea?” Celestia asked amusedly.
“I guess I have some imagination.” Fluttershy said shyly after a quick glance in Twilight’s direction.
“Fluttershy really did do everything she could to try to take care of Philomena for you.” Twilight said to try to justify Fluttershy’s actions.
“And I do appreciate that your heart was in the right place, child. But all you had to do was ask me and I could have told you Philomena was a phoenix and saved you all this trouble.” Celestia said in a motherly tone.
“I know. I shouldn't have jumped to conclusions. Next time I'll ask before taking matters into my own hooves.” Fluttershy said.
“Should I write you a letter about that lesson, Princess?” Twilight asked.
“No, that's quite all right. I think I can remember.” Celestia said with a smile. Philomena flew from Celestia’s back before dropping one of her feathers behind Fluttershy’s ears.
“It's beautiful. Thank you, Philomena. No hard feelings.” Fluttershy said kindly. Rainbow flew up to Philomena and whispered something into her ear. Philomena then proceeded to tickle Celestia’s two guards on their muzzles causing them to burst into laughter, closely followed by everypony else.
Celestia returned to Canterlot castle as the moon was rising in the sky. She returned Philomena to her perch and walked to Luna’s room. There, she saw Luna reading a small instruction manual for her new gaming console.
“Luna, can I speak to you?” Celestia asked softly. Luna raised her head and smiled.
“You needn’t ask, Celestia. What’s wrong?” Luna asked. Celestia entered to room and sat next to Luna.
“How is he?” Celestia asked.
“He’s fine. We are sorry you had to leave Ponyville just to come back here.” Luna replied.
“It’s alright, I told everypony that I was meeting the mayor. Plus, I returned in time for Philomena to renew.” Celestia replied.
“Ah. We thought she wasn’t looking well. Why do you think Cognito’s delusions returned?” Luna asked.
“...I’m not so sure they are delusions.” Celestia replied. Luna looked to her in confusion.
“Why is that?” Luna asked.
“Because, I’ve discovered another pony who can do the same thing that Cognito can.” Celestia said.
“Who is it? Who is it that can hear other ponies thoughts?” Luna asked, more alert than before. Celestia looked to her sister with eyes full of conviction.
“...Phoenix Fortesque.”