//------------------------------// // Haliflanks... He's back... // Story: The Adventures of Cleansing Flame // by Fire_brand //------------------------------// Journal: “Ok, yesterday was both amazing and terrifying at the same time. It started off well, as the seven of us wandered around Haliflanks trying to find anything of interest. And by Celestia did we. I’m glad to see that Rarity can rant over something she finds delightfull, but it’s almost as straining on my ears as when she rants about the opposite. Fluttershy purchased some new seed for her critters, the bookstore we found only had books Twilight has read before, and then we ran into a smithy. At first I thought this would be another bust, but lo and behold the smithy had a pair of surprises for me. The first surprise was that the mare did have some bars of crucible steel on hand… already bought and paid for but I at least got to hold one and do some minor tests. I won’t know any of its real properties until I get to work a bar myself but it’s a start. The second surprise is that the mare at the smithy is Master Iron Tail’s daughter, Wire Tail. I gotta say she’s got quite the attitude on her. The next few stops were all confectionaries, to which I think Pinkie ate them out of business. I don’t even want to count the number of shops we stopped at only for Pinkie to devour their sweets. The rest of us did have some but Pinkie had the majority. I don’t and never will understand how that wacky mare stays so thin when she eats so much junk food. After that the rest of the day was going well. We didn’t really find anything for Applejack or Rainbow Dash But we had fun walking, talking, and taking in the city. That is until I notice Twilight has stopped in the middle of an intersection. At first we were confused but then Applejack noticed the Carya unicorn from Stalliongrad. Needless to say we were all more than surprised. After running to the hotel, we decided to try to ignore him. Though having him appear before me as I left for mine and Applejack’s room was a pretty good scare. I have to tell them about it.” As I finish writing Applejack is getting out of the shower. Normally I’d just help her with her mane and tail but today I feel like being slightly naughty. So I hide behind the bathroom door and wait for her to come out. As she opens the door it barely stops before hitting my muzzle. “Ahrahght Flame Ah’m… Flame?” Behind her back I had, as slowly and silently as I could, closed the door and moved directly behind her. I was now poised to be face to face with her when she turned around. “Flame? Now where in tarnation…” She never finishes the sentence as I gave her a great big kiss that I think lasts a few minutes. As I pull away, Applejack leans in for another one, and who am I to resist my mare? This cycle continues for what I can only guess to be about 30 minutes for by the end her mane and tail were dry, albeit still hanging naturally. “Hey Applejack? Why do you keep tying up your tail and mane even though you’re on vacation? You look gorgeous without them.” This earns me what can only be described as bedroom eyes “Well Flame, Ah guess Ah just like tyin up em up. Ya think Ah look nice like this?” “Absolutely, your long straight mane is amazing, tail as well. I could easily get lost in it.” Applejack starts inching closer “Ya know Flame, we could stay in the room today. Jus’ the two of us, order in some food, have some alone time.” The last few words were said while she was leaning into me. “Wow Applejack, Celestia knows I’d love to do nothing more.” “But?” “But we have to warn the others about… him… almost recognizing me. I don’t know why he wouldn’t but I’d rather not spark his memory.” Applejack pulls away looking disappointed “Ah guess yer rahght Flame, but ya owe me one.” All I can do is give a teeth chattering nod as I help Applejack put her ties in and we leave to warn the other girls. Fortunately I don’t see the Carya pony as Applejack knocks on the others’ door. After a few minutes of no answer, we head down to the buffet to see if they’re there. Thankfully that’s where they were. I start magically packing some to go dishes for Applejack and I, while Applejack says to the others “We gotta talk, all of us, about somethin’ that happened. It’d be safer ta talk in yer room.” Twilight protests with some food still in her mouth “Applejack! What is going on? You and Flame are acting funny.” Fluttershy also speaks “Um excuse me, but maybe we should go with them. This sounds rather important.” With our food in tow a start to say “You girls fin…ish… up!” Holy crap! Up sounded really high pitched! I see the Carya pony walking down the steps, and our group is in plain view. So I quickly spout “OkwellI’mgonnahurryupandtakeApplejacktotheroom. Isuggestyouallmagicallyfollow!” While speaking I had rushed over to Applejack and primed a teleport spell. As soon as I finish speaking; I teleport Applejack, myself, and our food to the girls’ room. Thankfully Twilight seemed to have gotten my hint… unfortunately she teleported them right on top of us. A very audible “OOMPH” came out of me as we collapsed on the floor. Fluttershy pretty much landed with her flank right on my head, just missing my horn. Fluttershy gently flies off me while saying “Oh, I’m so sorry Flame! Are you alright?” “Just fine Fluttershy, I’m just glad you missed my horn.” As I stand up I lend a helping hoof to everypony else. Twilight is the first to ask “So what was so important as to tear us away from breakfast?” I have to compose myself before speaking; having 5 ponies land on me knocked the wind out of me. “Well first and foremost, I saw that Carya pony walking down the stairs and we were all in plain view from the stairs. Second… something happened last night after I left your room. I came face-to-face with said pony and he nearly recognized me.” All of their jaws drop when I say that. Twilight is flabbergasted, Rarity is speechless, Rainbow is stammering, Fluttershy is desperately trying to fully hide behind her mane, and Pinkie is carelessly eating her food…cupcakes again. I sigh at Pinkie and say “So what do we do? Do we stick to the plan to avoid him or what? There are still parts of the city we haven’t explored yet.” Twilight speaks up “Well I want to explore more, but we should leave today to minimize our chances of running into him.” I summon my map and lay it out “So where should we go next? I’d like to go to one of the towns Mrs. Tail mentioned.” Rarity intercedes “And which towns were they darling?” “Translymania, Manebourne, Trotterdam, and Hoofswell.” Twilight pipes up “Hmm, I don’t know anything about Translymania. Where is it?” I point to the spot on the map “Right here, Northwest of Haliflanks. It is the closest town of the four, probably a 5 hour train ride. Now that you mention it I don’t know much about it either. It does look rather secluded though.” Rarity chimes in “Well we don’t have to decide right now, instead how about we explore for now and decide at the train station?” We all seem to agree with that one so we head out. We spend the next 5 few hours exploring the outskirts of Haliflanks. It still has the feel of a rustic town out here but its mixed with the culture of the city. It really gives you a feel for how Haliflanks developed. Of course everypony in the group was exited. Twilight really went to town with examining everything while Rarity showed a seemingly faked interest, probably from too much dirt. Everypony elses interest level varied depending on who we ran into. I feel bad for Applejack and Dash as we don’t really find anything for them… until Dash’s boredom gets the better of her “AWW COME ON! There has got to be something around here that’s fairly interesting!” Applejack seems to agree “Ah apologize but I agree with Rainbow Dash. Looking at the scenery is nice fer a while but now it’s borin’.” “Hey Applejack! I think I saw a gym in the city! You wanna see who can out lift the other?” Before anypony can get a word in Applejack agrees and they take off at full gallop. I look to the others “I guess I should go keep an eye on them. I don’t want them to get into trouble. You know where the gym is Twilight?” Twilight nods “Of course, It’s on the map I bought earlier. I’ll come find you three when we’re done here.” “Thanks Twilight.” With that I run after Rainbow and Applejack at full speed. By the time I reach the gym those two are already inside and making everything a competition as usual. As I walk up I hear “Hey Flahme! Ya here ta watch meh kick Rainbow Dash’s flank?” A cross Rainbow Dash replies, “Oh pony feathers! I’m gonna kick your flank into next week!” “Oh yeah?! Well Ah bet mah Flame here could beat yer flank!” This gets my attention “Well hold on now! Leave me out of this!” Dash angrily pipes in “Oh yeah?! I bet I can take on both of you and still win with your combined efforts!” Applejack stealthily winks at me “Are ya willing ta put yer bits where yer mouth is?” “Of course! Who do you think I am?! Name the terms!” At this I rush over and whisper into Applejack’s ear. She can barely contain herself as she repeats “The loser has to serve as a maid to the other for a week while wearing a custom tailored maid outfit designed by Rarity.” Rainbow looks like she wants to back out but offers her spitshake that Applejack readily accepts. At this I’m thrust into the competition. Poor Rainbow Dash doesn’t realize what she’s in for. After 3 hours of grueling competition, we’re all exhausted but Rainbow Dash’s mouth has once again gotten her into trouble. Given that she opted to compete with 2 ponies at the same time, it’s safe to say poor Rainbow Dash will be wearing a maid outfit for a week when we get back to Ponyville. Applejack looks quite thrilled but Rainbow Dash and I are dragging our tails. Halfway back we meet Twilight, Rarity, Fluttershy, and Pinkie all packed up with all our stuff. Twilight readily exclaimed “Hey there you are! We’re all packed and ready to go! What happened to you two?” Dragging my hooves I say “I’ll tell you later, right now can we get on the train? All I want to do is eat something then fall asleep next to my lovely mare.” This earns me a light kiss on my cheek from Applejack. Walking to the train station takes way too long. I’m so tired it feels like I’m going to pass out walking there. Walking up to the station Pinkie Pie begins to shudder uncontrollably. The girls all freeze in place while I’m a) too tired to care and b) confused as heck as to what the heck is going on. I say “Alright Pinkie, what’s going on, did your inpony ingestion of sweets finally drive you into a sugar frenzy?” Pinkie’s eyes dilate as she says “No, something very bad is about to happen.” Nonchalantly I say “What do you mean something ba… HEY OWW…uh oh.” Pinkie just yanked my head into a position that hurts and puts my eyes directly onto the Carya pony, who is frozen in place staring right at us. I can see that he is slowly figuring things out as I whisper “Somepony get us on the next train leaving with room for all of us. We need to leave right now!” While Dash uses her speed to get us out, I can almost literally watch the gears turn in his head. As Dash returns with the tickets he yells “YOU! I’M GOING TO TURN YOU ALL INTO FERTILIZER!” Instantly I’m not tired as Twilight yells “RUN! DASH, LEAD ON TO OUR TRAIN!” He and his cronies chase us through the station. Finally Dash exclaims “THERE’S OUR TRAIN! QUICK! EVERYPONY ON!” Our train looks like it’s an antiquated piece of work. As we jump on with our luggage I tell the conductor “I’ll pay you an extra 100 bits if you leave right now!” He takes the money and says “Done. ALL ABOARD!” The doors slam into the white stallion’s face as the train jolts as the engine kicks in. As we pull away from the station I hear the stallion yell “I WILL FIND YOU! AND WHEN I DO YOU WILL ALL PAY FOR WHAT YOU DID TO ME!” I look at Dash and say “Right now I don’t rightly care where you bought passage for, I’m going to bed. I’m exhausted from the competition and running from the crazy Carya guy.” With that Applejack and I find our bed and pass out exhausted.