//------------------------------//
// Burning Hearts 
// Story: Shards of Nightmare 
// by Stonedpony 
//------------------------------//


Burning Hearts



A week and a half passed and Bridle View was getting close to being done. During this time the town had the honor of a visit form the princesses. The holy sisters presided over a ceremony for the dead, the townsponies were moved by not only their rulers words but the genuine tears they shed. Afterword Celestia and Luna walked the fields together. Their subjects watched from a far, unsure what was going on. Even Twilight didn't know but was about to happen.
The goddesses felt the soil beneath their fine shoes. they closed their eyes as one, they breathed in time with each other as they called upon knowledge they hadn't used in over 2000 years. The alicorns' eyes and horn glowed as they looked out over the fields, they threw open their wings. The sun shined brighter on all the fields of Bridle View. In a matter of seconds the crops grew from barely spouts to full grown plants almost ready to harvest. The ponies praised their rulers as they trotted out of the fields breathing heavily.
The visit from the princesses had to come to an end, Celestia and Luna had other towns too visit and only had short time to do it, before many dignitary and ambassadors would be arriving in Canterlot. The political climate was charges to say the lest but before they left they smiled upon Gilded and Samantha, and granted the Sa'rasha family full citizenship. Something near unheard of for none ponies, especially run away's from the Griffin Empire.
Bridle View wasn’t finished but the bearers of harmony had to return home like their holy rulers. Applejack and Rainbow Dash wanted to stay till the job was done but nether could afford to loose any more work. The seven Ponyville bound ponies had a couple extra companions. Gilded was heading in the same detection so there was no reason not to travel together, and Q'eul had also decided that it was time for Samantha to leave the nest. So it was obvious that she would travel with Gilded. The pair's relationship had done its work in Bridle View, Pinkie was right. Knowing that something beautiful could come from all the destruction, then they had hope for the future. 
It was adorable watching Gilded and Samantha's relationship bloom, she was almost as nervous as the ultra shy pony. They almost missed when they kissed for the first time. In the dead of night when the dark dreams that haunted the teal pony returned, the giffiness would curl around him and chase them away. It made Fluttershy so jealous, Gilded was easily as shy as she was but he was able to gain the courage to start a relationship with Samantha, a griffon. Most conservative ponies still saw something like that as taboo. While Fluttershy herself was afraid to start a relationship that was as nature as breathing. It was almost as common for a pegasus to date and marry a earth pony or unicorn as it was for them to date and marry another pegasus.
These were the thoughts that ran through Fluttershy's mind as she went about her work feeding the animals. She sighed, even at her age she still hadn’t even told a stallion she liked him much less went on a date, that dance at the last spring festival was the closest she'd ever gotten to one. There had to be something wrong with her, when she and her friends were out dancing or just out on the town. Stallions would flirt with them, buy them drinks, even ask them to dance. However they would never  give her more then a nervous smile.
“What's wrong with me?” asked herself as she laid out some nuts for some squirrels. Fluttershy was sadly staring at the nuts when Angel scampered up to her holding a scroll. The pegasus was glad to be distracted from her self loathing, at least till the bunny turned scroll around to reveal it was sealed with a large C. “oh no.” she scooped up the bunny and the scroll, it must be important. Angel sat on Fluttershy's head as she opened the scroll.

Dear Fluttershy
Worry not, the fate of Equastria dose not hang in the balance, only my dear pet, Philomena's, trust in me. For years I have promised Philomena that I would take her to the Phoenix breeding grounds. Sadly every year something comes up that I cant postpone. This year seems to be no different, the Politics of these times leaves me little time to wright this letter much less take my beloved pet too find a mate. I would send her alone or with some of my guards but as friendly a bird as Philomena is, like many phoenixes in captivity, they need somepony they trust around for them to have the confidence to find a mate. So I would like to ask, if you would escort her to her ancestral breeding grounds. 

The remainder of the letter simply explained how to reply to the letter. Fluttershy looked up at Angel as he hung over her face and said “what a honor.” she thought it was enough of an honor to be aloud to visit the fire bird when she was in Canterlot, but this was different Fluttershy was in a way helping pick out another pet for princess Celestia.
However first thing Fluttershy had to do was find out where she was going. The mare hurried over to her collection of maps, a bucket full of scrolls but she quickly found the one marked rare birds. The mare trotted over to her desk with the rolled map tucked under wing. A few mice help Fluttershy spread out the map. With a little help form the same little critters the pegasus found what she was looking for. The Burning Bog, it was the largest and one of, if not the only untouched breeding ground of the fire birds left and as luck would have it, it wasn’t more then a day's journey from Ponyville. However like many of the places in the world where Phoenixes like to gather it could be dangerous unless the proper equipment was brought. With the knowledge that the trip wasn’t too much of an under taking Fluttershy grabbed some paper and a quill, one made from her own feather. Waist not want not after all. 

  Dear Princess Celestia.

It would be an honor to escort Philemona to the Burning Bog breeding grounds. I have helped many of my animals through the process of courtship and breeding, so I’m sure I can help her through this time. I will also gladly offer you my services to help with the eggs and chicks that will come.

Fluttershy smiled as she rolled up her letter and then wrapped Celestia's seal and ribbon around it. She checked the first letter again to make sure she was doing it right. “okay, so I just tap the seal three times.” she counted out loud as she touched the little metal coin, on the third tap the ribbon burst into flames that quickly consumed the scroll. The timid mare jumped back as the ball of fire bounced across her desk with out scorching the wood, before it flew out the open window.
“oh my.” Fluttershy she took a deep breath. she hoovered into her kitchen for a cool drink of water. After garbing a little pink cup with blue. She opened her refrigerator and set the cup under a cloud, she gave the cloud a firm squeeze quickly filling the cup with cool water. She took a sip of water as an other ball of fire bounced in through the window and uncurled into another scroll with a red ribbon and a C seal. “Already that was fast.” Fluttershy commented as she unrolled the scroll to read it.

Dear Fluttershy

I am very grateful that you are willing to take time out of caring for your own animals to help me with mine. I will of course compensate you for your time, this is a personal favor not work for the crown. 
the Burning Bog can be dangerous so I will send a letter to Winchester asking him to accompany you for your protection. Philomena will arrive the day after tomorrow. Thank you again Fluttershy and have fun.

“oh dear.” Fluttershy exclaimed, she looked at Angel. “alone in the woods with a stallion. Oh no I cant do that. Not with Winchester. Oh dear.” she blushed as Angel rolled his eyes “what should I do?” the bunny shrugged his shoulders “maybe I should ask my friends to come along.” she looked at her hooves “oh they probably wouldn’t want to go any way.” Angel thumped her hoof with his foot and crossed his forelegs with a raised eye brow. The timid mare took a deep breath and nodded “your right Angel I need to be more confident. I'll never know if my friends want to go if I never ask them.” the Bunny smiled and nodded. “but not Pinkie or Rarity.”
Angel looked at his owner with angry eyes. “oh.” Fluttershy said hiding behind her mane “i love Pinkie, she's one of my best friends but she might disturb the phoenixes.” Angel nodded but continued to look at his own with a raised eye brow “and well Rarity hates camping so I don’t want to bother her with a question shes going to say no to any way.” the bunny nodded accepting those answers “oh and Applejack is really busy with apple bucking.” Angel squeaked as he threw his paws over his head then hoped away.


*          *          *

Fluttershy landed on the landing pad of weather patrol building and trotted inside. She had been to the sky blue building many times, she knew her way around well enough. The supervisors office was in the back pass the locker room and showers, that’s where Rainbow Dash should be. The place was empty as far as Fluttershy could tell, other then a stallion who was singing badly in the shower. The mare giggled a little as she timidly knocked on the door to the office, Rainbow Dash simply said “come in.” she sounded bored.
Like that rest of the building the office walls were covered with sky blue wall paper with little white puffy clouds. The trim was a darker blue. It added a delightfully childish feeling to the cluttered work space. Filing cabinets lined most of the walls and half covered the only window in the room. Rainbow Dash sat at her desk diligently working on her paper work.
The blue pegasus was still behind on her paper work scents from her impromptu near month long vacation, and it showed her desk was covered in papers. Luckily most of what she was late on was just work approvals, something her team leads were able to start without her she just had to sign for it. The problem is that over the years the Weather Patrol had taken on more responsibility then just controlling the weather. Before Ponyville was formed a town its size would only need maybe four pegasi to control its weather most of the year, but now with the advent of many modern conveniences the weather patrol did a lot. Refrigerators, ovens and many devices require resource gathered, processed and distributed by the Weather Patrol. That combined with the government mandated breaks and three days off a week meant the nineteen ponies under Rainbow Dash's supervision always had a lot to do, and she had a lot of paper work.
Rainbow Dash looked up from her work as Fluttershy walked in. the blue mare's dull magenta eyes light up upon seeing her friend. She spit out her pen and said “hey Fluttershy, good to see somepony not bringing me more work.” she giggled.
“hi Rainbow Dash.” Fluttershy greeted with her beautiful smile.
“whats up.” Rainbow Dash said as she pushed away from her desk, she stretched her back and wings many of her joints were stiff and popped as she did so. Sometimes she regretted taking this job. Fluttershy explained what the princess had asked her to do before asking if Rainbow Dash would like to join her. The yellow mare's bright blue eyes sparkled as waited for her oldest friends reply.
Rainbow Dash sighed making the yellow mares face fall. “helping a phoenix find a mate sounds cool and all, way cooler then watching butterflies migrating or counting bouncing baby bunnies but I cant take any time off for a while. I’m still behind on my work for last month and getting behind on this mouths.” the bored mare laughed a little as she stared at her stack of papers knowing that in her desk their was a stack three times as big. “so sorry, but I can go to lunch with ya if you want?” Rainbow Dash offered.
Fluttershy nodded disappointed “sure.”


*        *        *

the Golden Oaks Library was abuzz with energy as Fluttershy trotted inside. Twilight and Spike were running around carrying books and lab equipment almost frantic. Fluttershy hoped that something bad hadn’t happened while she was at the cafe with Rainbow Dash. “is everything okay?” the nervous mare asked.
“sort of.” Spike said as he ran by with a stack of books.
“oh,” Fluttershy replied confused. She looked to Twilight Sparkle for clarification.
The lavender mare quickly answered the unspoken question “I have three chemistry labs that are late, two of which I cant do till I finish the first which takes over twelve hours to complete. I haven’t even looked at how long the other two take.” Twilight never stopped gathering what she needed. “not to mention my term paper on advanced magical theory. Oh my gosh I hope I bought enough Coffee.” she cringed as she thought of relying on the stuff.
“oh.” Fluttershy replied nodding her head, this time Twilight was panicking about something worth while. 
“any way did you need something?” Twilight asked genuinely concerned even as she levitating about three dozen books and several lab instruments down to her laboratory.
“oh no no its not important.” Fluttershy said replied waving her hoof dismissively.
“you sure?” Twilight asked thinking her friend was just being shy.
“yes, your busy so I don’t want to bother you.” Fluttershy smiled. She was sad that her friend wouldn’t be joining her but Twilight had something more important to do then help Fluttershy not be nervous. The Pegasus left Twilight to her work and returned home to a scolding from Angel, but Fluttershy was adamant she didn’t back down.


*       *       *

The next day came without incident Fluttershy spent most of it doing her normal routine of feeding her animals. She did take some time to pay a neighbor too feed the animals while she was gone, and to pack for the trip. The Burning Bog was a strange and dangerous place with all of the flame geysers, kindle bushes and ember trees. So Fluttershy bought a fire proof blanket and some boots while she was in town that day.
The next morning Fluttershy nervously trotted around her living room as she waited for Winchester and Philomena to arrive. The mare mumbled too herself “its going to be okay. He's not scarey.” the pegasus no longer had nightmares about the knight but Winchester still frightened her. “hes not a bad guy.” she said trying to convince herself of it. She stopped in front of her mirror and looked at herself, she had to voice the counter argument “but he has killed so many other creatures and even killed ponies.” she shuddered.
the mare sighed “Twilight done so too but they were fighting for others.” again she shuddered as she thought about the dragon from a few weeks ago. “but dose that give them the right kill they could have stopped them an other way.” Fluttershy looked at her hooves “but they were trying to save lives, sometimes theirs no choice......but dose that really give them the right to take a life no matter how vile.” she looked at her reflection, it gave her not answer.
the ring of her door bell drew Fluttershy from her thoughts. The pegasus mare guessed that ether Winchester or the ponies delivering Philomena had arrived, she hoped it was the later. Sadly the pony at the door was Winchester, he wore his deep red traveling cloak over his chest plate. His shin-guards and boots were in his saddle bags and of course Featherweight sat in it's sheath on his back. He smiled genuinely as he bowed his head “good morning Fluttershy.” 
“Good morning.” Fluttershy greeted the knight meekly, strangely with his freshly wash mane hanging in his face and that happy grin of his. the knight didn’t seem frightening. After about a minute Fluttershy felt that the two of them just standing in her door way was getting awkward so she invited him in saying “oh um, do come in Philomena hasn’t arrived yet.” 
the Knight smiled as the mare stepped to the side, the stallion was so accustom to his massive sword on his back that he never came close to bumping anything as he walked inside. Winchester set a large bag of traveling supplies next to the door as he looked around the quaint little cottage, the little bird houses, cat walks and rodent runs took up more space then the furniture but it all seemed right. “you have a nice place here.”
“thank you.” Fluttershy replied as Winchester looked at the many little critters running around the rodent runs and platforms around the room. Some paused to look at him before continuing on their way, however a disturbing number of them stopped and glared at him. It made the knights fur stand on end but he gave no outward sign of his discomfort. Not wanting to be rude the mare shooed the critters away then asked “would you like some tea?” 
“i wouldn’t want to imposed.” the knight replied with a smile.
“oh I already had some brewing so it wouldn’t be a problem.” Fluttershy smiled.
“in that case sure.” the knight replied with a grin. Fluttershy walked into her kitchen where a pot of tea was just about to start squealing. she felt at ease Winchester wasn’t scary, at least when he was just occupying himself by petting a cat. The mare happily trotted back into the living room carrying a tray with two tea cups and all the things ponies put in tea.
Fluttershy smiled as she watched the knight gently rub a plump feline under its chine. “i miss having a cat.” Winchester said, as Fluttershy offered the tea he smiled and took the cup and added some sugar. He sipped the tea and nodded approvingly. 
“oh, well she going to be having kittens soon if you want to adopt one, you can.” Fluttershy offered as she made her own cup of tea.
“really. Cool. I just might.” Winchester replied as he sipped his tea “haven’t had a cat since I gave my last one to my butler when I left home.”
that seemed odd to Fluttershy she hoped he didn’t think she was rude when she asked “oh why didn’t you leave your kitty with your parents?” the mare epped as the knight raised his eye brow. “sorry don’t want to intrude.”
“no no its quite all right.” The Knight replied he wasn’t sure how the squeamish mare would take it “there were complications when I was born and well my mother didn’t make it.” 
Fluttershy's face fell “I’m sorry I didn’t know. did your father take it well?” she was worried that the knight had a bad foalhood.”
“well as best as somepony could take it.” the knight answered “my mother always wanted a family and dad wanted what ever she wanted. He raised me right, as a rich business stallion he had a lot of money but he refused to let me be a pompous play colt. He wasn’t cold far from it in fact but he made me earn my opportunities.” the Knight sighed “the circumstances of his death are what sent me on the path of being a knight.” the stallion looked up at a few mice with an odd look in his eyes.
As Fluttershy realized what the knight meant there was a knock at the door, the mare was glade for the distraction. She felt a scarey or sad story was coming up and there was no polite way to avoid it. “oh that must be Philomena.” the mare quickly said, before hurrying to the door.
Behind the door was not the phoenix or any Guard ponies escorting her but in fact Pinkie Pie smiling with a basket of invitations on her head. “HI FLUTTERSHY!” Pinkie said with a smile.
“hello Pinkie Pie.” Fluttershy greeted her friend, curious about the unexpected visit.
“What's up Pinkie.” Winchester called as he leaned around the corner.
“hey Winchester what you doing here.” Pinkie asked surprised to see the writer in Fluttershy's house, doubly so that he was there armed and armored. 
“oh well Fluttershy and I are going to escort Philomena, Princess Celestia pet phoenix to the phoenix breeding grounds.”
“I'm sorry I didn’t invite you.” Fluttershy admitted, preying that she hadn't hurt her friends feelings.
Pinkie blinked in surprise and smiled “its okay, I have a big party to plan.” she giggled for a moment before she jumped in the air gasping. “IF YOU TWO ARE GOING OUT OF TOWN YOUR GOING TO MISS MY PARTY.”
“when is it?” Fluttershy asked hoping to calm her friend down.
“Monday” Pinkie said with a sniffle.
Fluttershy thought for a moment “well we should be back by Sunday.” she looked to Winchester for confirmation. The stallion nodded.
“OH goody.” Pinkie Pie exclaimed once again happy.
“yes” Fluttershy said meekly before asking “what's the party for?”
“oh.” Pinkie Pie blushed, something rare for the mare “well, Flash is coming to town, And its his birth day.” she giggled, almost shyly. “we'll have all kinds of fun and games, and Everypony will get to meet my hero.” the mare was lost to her giggles as she hug herself and looked away.
“that sounds nice.” Fluttershy replied with a smile to hid that she was jealous. Winchester meanwhile smiled as Pinkie Pie tossed her head throwing two Invitations in the air, easily catching them with her hooves and held them out to her friends.
“here you go.” the pink earth pony said with a smile. Fluttershy took hers and thanked her friend while Winchester nodded his horn glowing as he levitated the envelope into his pack. “you two have fun on your adventure.” she waved and hoped away. Fluttershy noticed three Royal guard ponies trotting up the pathway to her house. She set the invention on the the table next to her door and wiped some glitter from her lips before going out to greet them.
The three soldiers stopped and saluted as Winchester and Fluttershy stepped out to greet them. Winchester rolled his eyes as he said “at ease.” the three low ranking soldiers relaxed till they realized that the beautiful timid mare that was greeting them was one of the bearers of harmony. Her beauty would dance through their dreams for days to come. She smiled and shyly slipped past troopers to the covered cage one was pulling in a cart. 
“hello Philomena.” the mare said as she pulled off the blanket, the phoenix blinked as the morning like hit her face. She chirped a happy greeting when she saw Fluttershy. The mare smiled as she unlatch the cage door and nose it open, Philomena flew from the cage. Her long wings shining as the sun caught the new gold feathers in her plumage. Her normal fiery reds and yellows were now complemented by purples and blues, natures way of showing others of her kind her fertility.
Fluttershy and the four stallions watch the fire bird fly around for a moment to stretch her wings before turning around and diving back to land on Fluttershy's offered hod. “Philomena you look gorgeous.” the Phoenix warbled shyly and covered her face with her wing. “oh don’t be shy.” the mare smiled the irony of her statement was lost on her. Philomena chirped her thanks and nuzzle the pegasus, making her giggle.
“well I guess we should grab our packs and go?” Winchester asked with a smile. He dismissed the soldiers. Fluttershy asked them to take the cart with them, she thought it would be best to let Philomena fly with them. They obeyed and pulled the empty cart back the way they came. 
Fluttershy smiled as she let Philomena fly around again some other birds decided to flock behind the fire bird, they dodged around the magical embers that trailed behind her. Fluttershy nodded too Winchester and the two ponies trotted inside to get their supplies for the road. When the pair trotted outside again Philomena was siting on a branch being serenaded by a dozen other birds. The phoenix seemed unsure, their songs just seemed off to her. 
“aw they like you.” Fluttershy said as the birds sang and flew around the phoenix. The mare giggled when Philomena flew down and landed on her back. The fire bird cawed at the other birds who happily chirped in return. With that Fluttershy, Winchester and Philomena set off, with in the hour the trio had left Ponyville behind.
Most of the trip was spent in silents. Winchester and Fluttershy had little in common and were almost polar opposite philosophically. However they both had a deep love and appreciation for peace, so both felt it was best to not disturb the last summer days with even the possibility of an argument. Luckily the beauty of the day made up for it. the warm summer day was complimented by a cool fall breeze. The seasons were preparing to change, but the land of Equstria was still hues of green.
Lunch came and went with the silents being broken by Philomena and Fluttershy singing together. Winchester described it as “angels singing to the souls of the lost. Leading them to the bosom of the all mother.” Both the mare and fire bird shyly looked away. Fluttershy thank him with barely a whisper.
The day continued but not in silence, Both Philomena and Fluttershy sang together, after the knight encouraged them to do so again. The mare was embarrassed till the stallion joined in, judging by the blush on his face the stallion he wasn't use to sing in front of others. It was fun and after first few minutes of it being awkward it felt natural. 
Fluttershy was glade to have found something that she and Winchester could enjoy together. They were going to be at the breeding grounds for about three days and it would drive them both nuts if they didn’t have any thing to do. 
After about a hour of singing and walking the two ponies decided to take a break form the former, Winchester was having trouble holding notes without coughing. He wasn’t use to singing and Fluttershy didn’t want him to hurt himself. Even if he denied something so simple could injure him. At about the same time the pair enter a dense woods, so not to loose the ponies as they picked their way through the trees Philomena decided to land on Fluttershy's back.
The group was at least half a mile into the woods when a fiery Aria drifted through the trees to meet them, it was like Emotion put into bird song. The burst of fire geyser like a drum beat to the deep masculine chorus that ebbed into a high feminine verse before giving into a duet. Winchester pointed out a light could be seen through the trees, it was about a mile off but was bright enough to be seen though the lines of trees. In the distance Ember Trees and burning bush could be seen as they ignited like the light show of a concert, changing color to fit the mood. It was beautiful even at this distance.
The ponies took a moment to put on protection from the fires they were walking into. Winchester simply added the remainder of his armor. The holly steel was easily as protective if not more so then the rubber like stockings Fluttershy was rolling up her legs. The whole time Philomena was like a statue listening to the song, she opened her beak to join but shyly snapped it shut a few time. “go on.” Fluttershy said out of the blue drawing the fire bird's attention. “you just have to try, and you'll probably find what ever your afraid of isn’t scarey after all.” 
“very true.” Winchester added giving the mare a side long glace, wondering how many times she heard that before.
the phoenix looked to the mare, Fluttershy's genuine smile gave Philomena courage. she turned to the light again and listened. Just as the ponies were starting off again the song became high and light, Philomena added her voice the dozens of phoenix singing. The ember trees around her responded, sparks ran up through the cracks in the tree's bark and the leaves burst with a soft magical fire. As the fire bird flew towards the hart of the Burning Bog each tree around her ignited with life as did the fire birds markings. The ponies hurried after her, they were awestruck by the beauty that unfolded before them. Philomena seem to dance with the song as she flew, even as a fire geysers shot the bird up into the tree branches she didn’t stop singing as she wrapped her wings around herself and spun as she fell back towards the earth. She opened her wings and flew level again where there were few branches.
Fluttershy and Winchester were hot on Philomena's tail as she danced and sang through the trees. They were nearing a round clearing with a single large tree in the center. At least thirty phoenix circled the large tree singing with the ones siting in the trees. Suddenly as the ponies approached the song shifted to a low rumbling chant.
Winchester and Fluttershy slid to a stop just outside of the clearing as the knight said “it sounds like a war chant.”
“oh no.” Fluttershy said looking around, the mare had spent the last night reading about the mating rituals of phoenixes and she knew what was coming. “Winchester be nice.”
“huh?” the knight said confused, the answer to Winchesters unspoken question came in the form of a large phoenix swooping past the stallion its glowing claws mere inches from his nose. Philomena watched as the same large phoenix landed in front of the two ponies, it was taller then Fluttershy. The orange and red bird was the very definition of a raptor, strong muscles, razor sharp beak and talons. like all the other phoenix’s the bird was covered in markings although this one's looked more like war tattoos then something to attract a mate. Philomena eyes were locked on this bird, its muscular body was nearly perfect but most impressive were his intelligent orange eyes.
The knight stared down the imposing fire bird. Fluttershy stepped foreword and said “we're sorry mister phoenix we're just here with Philomena.” the mare gestured to the bird they had brought, even as the chanting continued. “but we'll just wait out here for her.” she bowed “we will not disturb your rituals.” Winchester watched as the large phoenix cawed then flew back up into the top of the large tree.
the other phoenix's began to sing again, louder this time like they were calling to the fire bird that was fallowing the ponies as they looked for a safe place to camp. “so what was up with that phoenix?” Winchester ask as he set out the flame proof blanket for the mare to lay down on.
“he's the protector.” Fluttershy said as Philomena hoped onto the blanket next to the mare and nuzzled her. The pony giggled before continuing “the largest phoenix normally a mal-” the mare was cut off by a loud rumble. Winchester spun around and drew his sword his eyes scanning the forest for threats, the fire birds song became the low war chant once again. The large phoenix swooped through the trees searching for what was causing the noise.
About ten feet behind Fluttershy a fire geyser bust and bubbled startling the mare, she turned around hugging Philomena. Winchester teleported in front of them when the ground around the hole started to burn as a three fingered hand of molten rock reached out and garbed the dirt. The molten arm flex as it began to pull the rest of the beast out, the ember trees near by began to glow brighter. The burning ground crumbled as the molten beast freed it self from its hiding place. The towering molten monsters body cooled in places till it looked as if it was wearing armor. The creature looked over its shoulder at the phoenix breeding ground, its featureless face gave no hint of what it thought. The large phoenix circle the beast but remained quite. With a shake of its head the lava beast reached down into the hole and pulled a large sword made of lava that dwarfed even Featherweight out. 
Winchester readied for a fight, his face was somewhere between an amused grin and a mask of fear. he loved too 'test his metal' against all of the beast that defiled the lands of his princesses, but lava melts most metals. The large phoenix was ready to defend his charges but the lava beast simple rested its sword on its shoulder and started to walk away. The ember trees light up as he past them and they faded a few seconds later. 
Fluttershy panted for a moment still hugging Philomena close, the bird looked up and chirped at her concerned before giving her an affectionate nuzzle. The yellow mare smiled down at the bird. Winchester looked over at them and asked “you okay?” 
Fluttershy looked up “yeah.” she took a breath to steady herself, only to realize she was already pretty steady.
the large phoenix flew by and back up too his look out, Winchester watched it the whole time. “so you were telling me about that guy there.” he was hoping to distract her from her fear, however it didn't seem to be needed.
“oh um.” Fluttershy thought about where she left off. “oh yes. The biggest strongest male phoenix will protect the breeding grounds.” she continued as she set Philomena down next to her. 
“so I guess he gets best picks of the girls then?” Winchester said trotting around making notes. 
Fluttershy blushed and as she answered “actually no.” Winchester looked at her with a raised eye brow “since he spends most of his time on guard he doesn’t sing and female phoenix's are normally attracted to singing.” Philomena chirped, and Fluttershy smiled. “oh did you know their songs are magical?”
Winchester looked around as the fires around them, the trees light brighten and darkened, even changed a dozen different colors, all in time with the music “you don’t say.”
“yes, it also makes their markings glow.” Fluttershy added, looking closer at some of the phoenix pairs in the trees the knight saw she was right. Fluttershy giggled as she nosed Philomena toward the clearing “but if he doesn’t sing too you, you got to make him.” the fire bird looked back at her and squawked. “there’s no need to be afraid your beautiful. you just got to be confident.” she smiled. Winchester raised an eye brow hearing the irony of the shy mares words. “you don’t want somepony to come along and snatch him up before you can even try.” the mare's words faulted as she thought about her own situation. 
Winchester could see that something was bothering the mare as he added a few encouraging words. Philomena gave a call and took flight. In seconds she was among her kind their song around her, flowing through her. Their glowing markings caught her eye, many alluring songs form the single males filled her ears. Instinct was at war with Philomena's mind. 
Everytime a phoenix regenerates its intelligence and magical power multiple, and after nearly a hundred regenerations Philomena's brain power would out match most species of dogs. Finally after a few minutes of battle her mind finally won out, and in time with the song she rolled out of swirling flock of birds and shot up toward the large Phoenix that sat in the tallest part of the tree in the center of the clearing.
The large male Phoenix sat on his perch content as can be, he couldn't see any threats. All was normal till that pretty female phoenix that came with the ponies landed on his branch. He squawked worried she was telling him there was a threat, But then as he looked around a sound reached his ears. He turned back too Philomena, she was singing to him. The male phoenix watched Philomena confused as the song reached a new height.
Philomena was frightened the big phoenix wasn’t singing back like he should, maybe Fluttershy was wrong. Doubt entered her simple mind. However just as she was about to give up instinct kicked in and the male Phoenix’s began to sing to her. His bass voice joined Philomena's in a duet.
It was perfect Philomena looked into her handsome perspective mates eyes. Were her mind capable of it she would have love how the moon rose behind him and how the light of the fires around them was reflected in his eyes. The male phoenix stepped closer still singing to Philomena, like her, he was more intelligent then most animals but he was running on instinct. He never noticed or would fully appreciate how Philomena was framed by the Ember tree's leaves as she shifted closer to him.
The two fire birds inched closer and closer to each other, their voices joined together in the harmony the creator intended. The tips of their beaks touched, Philomena expected the male to wrap his wings around her as their song became a harmonious hum. Normally signaling the end of courtship and the pair having chosen each other most likely for life. Which for a Phoenix is a very very long time. However the male did not.
The large Phoenix stepped back his eyes locked on something behind his mate to be. He cawed his warning and all the phoenix began their war chant, Philomena included but as he dove for the danger she was right behind him.
In some dark bushes below a chimera slowly, half silently staked its prey. For once the three heads weren’t bickering, it wouldn’t help here. They were sure they were camouflaged even with all the light, they were correct but they did fail to notice that their back hooves were not quiet like their tiger paws. The snake head slithered up between their shoulder blades to whisper in too the ears of its other head “why did the song change?”
the answer came from the large Phoenix swooping down raking its talons across the chimera’s back. The three heads shrieked in pain, all three heads looked in different directions to find its attacker. The goat head was the first to see him, but it was too slow to do anything to stop the flaming bird from slamming into their side with the force of a fireball, magical fire singed the beast fur. the great bird hoovered above the chimera as it slide to a stop. 
“that hurt.” the tiger head growled as it rolled their three headed body on to its feet. The snake and goat head let their feline counterpart take the lead. Like lightening the beast struck, its razor sharp claws dug into the birds chest as he flew back. The phoenix squawked in pain.
Philomena chirped concerned for him as blood poured down the large phoenix's chest from three large cuts, it dripped from him like burning ash that fizzled out on the ground. The large male Phoenix ignored his injury as he flew up high again.
“you let it go.” the snake tail hissed mere seconds before the male phoenix blazed passed his wings likes blades of fire. The phoenix made a few quick passes the chimera evaded each. The chimera growled as it felt it's fur getting burnt off.
A buck from the goat hooves caught the phoenix off guard and set him bouncing off a near by tree. Philomena flew around to check on him, she was worried but it was for not as she found the object of her affection flying through a tree, the force sent the trunk hurtling towards the chimera. The agile beast jumped out of the way with ease. 
The combatants charged one another till a meek timid voice rang out through the phoenix chant. “Please stop.” the plea stopped the chimera in it's tracks. The male phoenix pulled up into tight loop and hoovered in front of the chimera, both the combatants looked over as Fluttershy stood her ground with sad eyes. Winchester stood a few paces back waiting for the beast to even hint a threat toward his charge.
The tiger growled as she looked over at the ponies, the goat kept one eye on the Phoenix as they listened to the other head say “now why would I do that?” the snake head however froze seeing the stallion standing behind the mare.
Fluttershy was taken back, but she quickly remembered what she was dealing with and said “because your interrupting their breeding rituals.” she paused for a moment to catch her breath. “how would you like it if something did that to you mister?”
“I'm a girl.” the Chimera growled.
Fluttershy epped, her lack of knowledge on Chimeras was showing, and how did she miss the goats large gold ear rings she would never know. “oh sorry your the first chimera I met.” she blushed “b-but, you really don’t want to get hurt do y-you.”
“whose going to hurt me? You?”the tigress head said with a laugh.
“sis maybe we should have a side of pony with our Phoenix.” the goat said, both the goat and tiger ignored the snake head protested. 
Fluttershy stood her ground as she said “t-that's n-not a good idea.” she shivered as Winchester stepped up beside her his sword drawn, the Chimera stopped in its tracks “NO!” the yellow mare said stepping in front of Winchester “she's just doing what she dose naturally.”
Winchester looked at her nodded, a chimera wouldn’t be much of a fight so he just said “if you say so.” he stepped back and stood behind the mare looking intimidating.
Fluttershy turned around and said “he's going to really hurt you if you don’t leave.” the chimera was staring at Winchester when it just decided to turn and run away. 
The large male phoenix landed on a branch and watched the chimera’s retreat as Philomena landed next to him she side stepped closer and nuzzled him with a cute chirp. She paused and then taped his wing with her beak and he complied by opening his wing. She looked him over paying close attention to his injuries. Once she was satisfied he was starting to healing right she chirped and nuzzled his cheek. Fluttershy watched the pair as they finished their earlier embrace.
Once the Chimera was out of sight Winchester smiled and looked at the yellow mare beside him and said “hey your getting pretty brave.”
“yeah.” Fluttershy replied, she never looked away from the two phoenixes as they flew back up too their high perch. It almost looked like she was jealous.
“something bothering you?” the stallion asked, he wasn’t sure what it was but he had an idea.
“oh.” Fluttershy realized that she was being obvious. “its- its nothing.” she quickly realized she had made it worse, she basically just told Winchester that there was something wrong. Then she made an even worse decision, she turned around and walk away without another word. She trotted back over to the blanket the phoenix love song filled her ears reminding her of that empty place in her life.
Winchester sighed and fallowed her, he was pretty sure what was bothering her now. He wondered if he was enough of a friend to help. The knight found her where he thought she would be, laying on the fireproof blanket. The mare politely left enough space for him to lay down, after a incident where a flame gyros burnt his quill to ash and almost distorted his trusty note book not to mention most of the hair in his nose stallion had decided to stay on the blanket.
Fluttershy tired to avoid eye contact with Winchester as he joined her, after a few seconds of awkward silents the mare realized how bad she was at hiding her emotions right now. “you sure nothing wrong?” the stallion asked finally breaking the silents. 
“yes.” 
“you sure? I'm a good listener.” Winchester smiled as he added “i promise not to wright any notes on it.” the knight hoped his joke worked, it didn’t.
“please stop.” Fluttershy trembled a little.
“I’m sorry, i just wanted to help.” Winchester said with a frown. “but I respect your wishes.” he bowed his head and started to occupy himself with some brain storming.
Fluttershy felt bad, Winchester did want to help her. She knew despite being a rather violent pony he would do anything for those he considered friends. She sighed, her friends always tried to help but well none of her female friends never really gave her a straight answer or so she thought. The mare timidly looked over at the stallion. He was looking up at the sky taping his lip with a pencil. She took a deep breath and asked “am I pretty?” she blushed and looked away.
Winchester looked at her, he was somewhere between astonished and confused. He grinned unsure and asked “weren’t you a model?”
the mare trembled “well...yes...but...uh.” She wasn’t sure how to answer that. She decided an example would help “when my friends and I go out....the stallion's always ask my friends to dance or buy them drinks.”
“and they seem to ignore you.” Winchester stated putting the final pieces in place.
“yes.” the mare sniffled, the stallion hit the nail on the head so to speck.
“well.” Winchester thought about how to explain it “are you pretty?.... if you mean like your friends.....no.” Fluttershy felt like she was about to cry “but your friends aren’t pretty like each other ether.” the yellow mare looked up at him confused as he continued “your not suppose to judge a book by its cover but you can have a glimpses of whats inside by looking at the out side.”
“what do you mean.”
Winchester smiled “take Rarity, shes a classically beautiful bombshell. who holds herself self to very high standards, both morally and physically.” Fluttershy nodded “Applejack on the other hoof has the girl next door look going for her. The type you want to take home to mother and after they get dinner started, she'll come out and play ball with you and your brothers.” 
Fluttershy was blushing and really hoped he had a point to all this. “then you have Rainbow Dash who doesn’t act like the mare you would take home to mother, she's a wild girl who takes what she wants.” Fluttershy knew he was right but is that how ponies that don’t know Rainbow Dash thought of her. “however watching how she is with her friends or her work you know that she may be a free bird you cant cage, if a one night stand becomes something more you know it will be forever.”
“i guess.” Fluttershy commented, she never looked at her friends for anything other then who they were.
“Pinkie Pie......she's....” Winchester didn’t know how to stay foal safe “she's got that crazy party girl air too her, which most stallions think means she's got a wild naughty streak.” he chuckled “although talking to her for two minutes you figure out that stuffs the last thing on her mind.
“she's not the only one.” Fluttershy whispered.
Winchester barely caught what she said and asked “what was that?” he hoped he wasn’t bothering her.
Fluttershy jumped a little not use to her comments being heard and said “what about Twilight.”
“Twilight.” Winchester smiled at the thought of the lavender mare “She's got the perfect cute librarian look going for her.” he looked up at the stars through the trees “but as beautiful as her body is, its her mind that’s truly a wonder to behold. You could just sit and pick it for hours, such a vast knowledge of just about everything...even I'm at a lost for word to really describe it.”
Fluttershy blinked and looked at him, “um sounds like your relay attracted to her.” she felt very awkward about that.
The stallion looked around for a moment then nodded, he had never actually thought about it. “you know you may be right.” Winchester looked at Fluttershy with a smile “but you know what you got.” the mare blushed realizing she was about to hear the truth about herself. “you are so cute its almost scarey.” Fluttershy was confused and scared “stallions are so afraid to make you cry or to frighten you they shy away from you to your more approachable friends. Even if most are still intimidated by some of your more refined friends.”
“oh.”
“that time I made you cry still haunts my dreams.” he smiled and Fluttershy giggled a little. “all you have to do is be a little confident and show the stallion you like, that you like him and I’m sure that he will be head over hooves for you.”
“well,” Fluttershy sigh and looked her hooves “everything I’ve tried doesn’t work. My friends advise hasn’t worked, specially the stuff Cloud Kicker said to do.”
Winchester snorted “any stallion that her advise would work on, you probably wouldn’t want. Maybe when they mature a little bit but that’s besides the point. All you got to do is fallow all the same advise you just gave Philomena, your friends probably gave it too you before any way.”
the yellow mare was about to speck but the knight cut her off “i know its easier said then done.” he smiled at her “but whats the most important thing you told Philomena?”
“be confident?”
“yes.” Winchester smiled, he could tell that she wasn’t quite convinced. Why should she, he was barely an acquaintance “hey, how about we make a deal.”