//------------------------------//
// A Promise Made 
// Story: The Canvas of Fading Blossom 
// by Skull025 
//------------------------------//

Neighsville, Equestria
Year of the 983rd Summer Sun Celebration
8:23 AM

Inferno Blaze was pacing across the linoleum, his hooves clacking in a frantic beat as he walked to and fro from wall to wall. The room he paced so anxiously in had a clean white floor and even whiter walls. In the center of the room was a light green table with the latest magazines discussing Equestrian policy and the upcoming Summer Sun Celebration, to be held this year in Canterlot.

His gaze constantly shifted from his hooves to the double doors across the room, his eyes ever so often passing over the nearby clock. It’s second hand seemed to mock him every time he observed it’s passage over the clock face, the ticking marking the passage of time in the slowest possible way. Inferno continued to pace, stamping his hooves harder into the floor.

When will they be done?

Most pegasi, when stressed, preferred flying to pacing. They preferred the air under their wings and the wind tickling their snouts. The ground, far below, was always where a pegasus’ troubles lay. Many sought to escape the infernal ground, and so turned to their beloved blue companion up high. The fresh, untainted air and serene solitude the sky offered drove many a feathered pony to just leap up and escape their concerns. At least for a while, until fatigue drove them to land, and consequently deal with whatever barrel of apples they’d left to rot in their absence. But during that time in the sky, they could dance through the soft, billowing clouds or soar amongst the stars, the endless universe just out of reach.

Inferno was not that sort of pegasus. He preferred his hooves on the earth, where the air smelled of morning dew and the grass was softer than any cloud he’d ever napped on. He cared not for the animals and the scurrying critters. The thing he cherished most about the ground was the brown dirt, and the green grass and the grey, tough rocks. To him, the sky was boring. It was too blue, too white, too. . . Unaffected. Even the harshest of rain storms rarely reached the height of Cloudsdale, where the weather was nearly always pristine. And even when the storms did, the sweet smell of freshly fallen rain was never present. It was just water, and it always seeped through the clouds and back to the ground, carrying that sweet refreshing smell with it.

It was the same earth Rain fell in love with, just as he fell for her.

Inferno looked at the double doors again, his gaze trying to pierce through and see the other side, hoping to sense how his wife was doing. How his child was doing. The doctors said he couldn’t be present. He couldn’t exactly remember why, but it involved something about losing an abnormal amount of blood, and that was enough to worry about. They needed the nurse and doctor completely undisturbed to make sure the birth went smoothly, and a distressed husband wouldn’t help matters much. It had already been 14 long hours, and Inferno had hardly any sleep, though the hospital staff made sure he had a daisy and honey sandwich.

A pony in white garb pushed through the double doors. Inferno recognized her as the nurse who told him to stay put in the lobby while the doctor tended to Rain Twister. She started towards him, and Inferno rushed to meet her.
“Mr. Infer-” she was abruptly cut off as Inferno grabbed the nurse by the shoulders.
“Is she okay? Is Rain okay?  Is the baby safe? Oh Celestia please tell me they’re al-” His mouth suddenly found it difficult to form words. The culprit responsible for his silence was the nurse’s hoof jammed into his mouth.

“Mr. Inferno, cease your rambling!” She glared at him for a few moments until she was certain he’d calmed down. Slowly, she removed her hoof. “As I was saying, Mr. Inferno, your wife and foal are fine. The doctors were able to fix the broken veins before she bled out. She needs to remain in the hospital for a few more days while we monitor her condition for any changes and bring her blood level back up. Otherwise, she’s got a clean bill of health.”

With every word relief washed over Inferno like a soft breeze, leaving the exhaustion he’d buried for the last fourteen hours in it’s wake. “May I see her?” He asked, the fatigue plain in his voice.

“Yes. And I’d hurry if I were you. Foal’s don’t take too long to walk. You might miss it entirely if you don’t run!” The nurse turned and pointed towards the double doors. “Down the hall, eighth door on your left.”

“Thank you miss.” Despite his weariness, he dashed through the doors and down the hall. He passed a pony wheeling away a cart of bloodied hay. That only urged Inferno to move faster. He pushed through the the door to Rain’s room open, and stopped cold at the sight before him.

The walls of the room were a deep, brown, polished mahogany. The floor was covered in thin strands of golden hay piled in large, comfy stacks. In the center of the room was a mare with a deep blue coat, her light gray mane in a mess around her, an IV supplying her with much needed blood. Her golden eyes had turned to the door as Inferno entered, a small, weak smile gracing her lips, amusement flickering in her eyes as he took in the sight before him.

Before him was a foal, no bigger than his head, laying on her back. Her mane was the same golden-yellow as the hay that was stuck in it, streaked with a vibrant orange and just as messy as her mother’s. Her coat was a light blue-gray, reminiscent of her mother’s own mane. Her tiny wings were tucked against her body, small and fragile looking. Her mouth was slightly open and drooling a little, some of the saliva coming close to touching her cute round little nose. And she was staring at him with big, blue eyes, filled with curiosity and wonder.

Inferno was dumbstruck, his heart warm and his head reeling. He saw this little filly grow from a promise made between himself and Rain, when she was just a bump on Rain's belly. Now she is a promise kept, a young, playful foal, here in this world to stay. She was something that had to be nurtured, loved and protected until the day Inferno died. She was delicate now, but will one day be strong. Still, that day was far in the future, and now he must tend to their beautiful foal.

“My little blossom.” He whispered.

“She’s yet to walk,” Rain said softly. Inferno’s looked at Rain Twister, a concerned look accompanying the gaze.

“But she should’ve walked by now. Is she okay?” Inferno asked, anxiety temporarily taking hold again. Rain giggled.

“She’s fine dear. I think she was just waiting for you.” She nodded her head towards the foal, who had indeed rolled onto her belly and was now attempting to lift her tiny frame with her short, stubby legs. Inferno watched as she slowly lifted herself up, her knees shaking violently, her wings rustling with the strain. Her legs fully extended and the shaking stopped as she grew used to the weight of her own body. When she was stable, she lifted one hoof to take the first tentative step of her life.

And immediately fell flat on her face.

Inferno started forward to help, but Rain Twister motioned for him to stay put. The filly sat back on her rump, rubbing her achy nose. With a determined look, she wobbled herself back to a standing position, ready to attempt the rather difficult task of placing one hoof in front of the other. Shakily, she lifted her hoof into the air and took her first step towards her father.

“She’s walking.” Inferno Blaze breathed, keeping his voice low so to not destroy the moment. The filly took another step, more confident than before. Slowly, she made her way to her father, each step less unstable than the last, until she was face to face with Inferno. Her dark blue eyes stared deeply into his dark magenta ones. She stretched up, her face very close to his, not breaking eye contact. Inferno felt as if those eyes were sizing him up, trying to understand what kind of pony he was.

Before he could react, she leaned in and licked his cheek, then jumped forward and wrapped her tiny legs around his stocky front leg in a soft, but firm, embrace. In that moment, Inferno Blaze loved nothing in the world more than this tiny foal contentedly hugging his shin. A huge smile broke across his face, and he looked at Rain Twister, her face sparkling with amusement.

“I think she likes me” Inferno said quietly. Rain rolled her eyes.

“I hadn’t guessed.”

“What should we name her?” Inferno asked, oblivious to his wife’s sarcasm. Rain Twister cocked her head to the side, a thoughtful look on her face.

“I think you already did.” Rain said. Inferno was confused for a moment as he thought back. Then it hit him.

“Blossom?” He asked.

“Yeah! That’s a beautiful name.” Rain said with quiet conviction.

“It is, but. . . I think it’s missing something.” Inferno nuzzled his foal’s head while he thought. Rain sat there playing with a piece of hay, thinking of possible names.

“What about Fading Blossom?” Rain suggested after a while.

“You mean after your grandmother? Fading Star?” Inferno asked.

“Absolutely!” Rain Twister said ecstatically. Inferno Blaze looked at the little grey pegasus latched onto his leg. Her coat was that of a grey faded blue, and her mane resembled orange blossoms soaked in sunlight. He thought for a moment longer before nodding his head.

“Fading Blossom it is.” Inferno trotted towards Rain, careful to not jostle the small bundle gripping his leg. He leaned down and nuzzled his wife. Recognizing her mother, Fading Blossom awkwardly pounced off her father’s leg and nestled next to Rain’s side. She didn’t fall asleep though. Her eyes still observed her mother and father’s every movement. Both watched her as her eyes darted between the fiery red father and ocean blue mother. Inferno leaned towards his wife again and kissed her forehead before rustling his wings and settling down to watch their little foal.

Their Fading Blossom.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A week later, Rain Twister and Inferno Blaze were sleeping comfortably in their little cottage on the far side of Neighsville, the newest addition to their household just down the hall from their room, supposedly asleep in bed. But the filly in question was not snuggled tightly in her warm blankets, dreaming of the days to come.

Unable to sleep, she had gone outside to lay in the grass, her wings splayed out to either side and her inquisitive eyes observing the stars above her. She gazed at the expansive sky, jumping from one star to another, taking it’s shine and color before moving on to the next. She did this for a good while before finally resting her eyes on the moon.

Fading Blossom, though unable to express it, thought the moon was the single most beautiful thing she’d ever seen. It’s size commanded respect and it’s soft light inspired awe. It was comforting and gentle, serene, and had a fascinating arrangement of craters that looked like a familiar shape she couldn’t quite put her hoof on. She wish she could touch it, but her fragile wings wouldn't be ready to carry her weight for some time.

She yawned, exhaustion flooding her brain. She rolled over and made her way towards her house, quietly shutting the door to the night.

~~~~~

Everfree Forest, Equestria
Year of the 988th Summer Sunset Celebration
3:42 AM

Deep in the Everfree Forest, a squirrel laying on a soft sandy floor, gasping for breath. A manticore accidentally smashed it's old tree home only just moments before. The rodent escaped the mighty beast by fleeing into a small cave nearby. After catching it's breath, it started off deeper into the cave, not wanting to leave until the manticore was well and truly gone.

After only a few minutes, the squirrel saw a faint purple glow reflecting off the dark stone of the cave wall. Curious, the squirrel walked towards it. The squirrel turned a single bend and came upon the most beautiful crystal it ever laid it's beady eyes on.

The crystal was large, about twenty-seven squirrels tall and fifteen squirrels wide. It stood embedded in the sandy ground, the purple light emanating deep within the crystal.

This was all the squirrel noticed. What it didn't notice was the cave walls, impossibly smooth, the room a perfect half circle. It didn't notice the scratches in a broken stone tablet, nor the skeleton of a pony long passed, or ghostly purple eyes watching the critter's every move from the darkness.

The squirrel was mesmerized by the crystal's beauty. Slowly, without really meaning to, the squirrel began to walk towards the crystal. It's feet brought it close to the crystal, the squirrel's face reflecting off the multiple facets of the great purple stone. The small creature brought up one hand and laid it gently on the surface. Despite the cool air of the cavern, the surface of the crystal felt warm.

CRACK

An imperfection suddenly appeared in the crystal as the squirrel touched it. The once perfect surface was destroyed by an ugly crack running down the center of the crystal. The squirrel's fear overwhelmed it's curiosity, and it bolted as more cracks creeped onto the stone's surface. It soon was riddled with imperfections, and then. . .

It shattered. In the rubble of the crystal stood a creature with brightly glowing purple eyes. The creature stood on four legs, pony-like in appearance, yet it's skin was smooth and reptillian. It stood for a moment before it's knees buckled, the creature collapsing in a heap. Before exhaustion took the creature, it moaned a single word.

"Feeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeed." And with that haunting groan, it shut it's eyes to the world and fell into a deep slumber.

~~~~~

AN: Whoo, changed first chapter. Man it had a stupid cliffhanger to begin with. Yes, I'm almost done with chapter two. It's a bit longer than this one, but will be worth the wait. To clarify any confusion this "creature" may have brought up, I'll say two things about it. One, it doesn't kill. Two, it's still superbly scary. Toodles!

-Skull025