The Flames of The Phoenix- The Wolf and the Spark
Cutie Mark Crusader clubhouse
Scootaloo was like most other fillies who had nothing to do on a long weekend like today. Bored out of her mind. Her Idol, Rainbow Dash, had left with Pinkie Pie earlier today to go to a griffon city called Griffonstone. It was only the day after the Grand Galloping Gala and the apparent ‘Disaster’ that Discord had accidently caused because he thought that another pony named Tree Hugger was taking his only friend away from him and a week after heart's warming and right now; she was waiting on her friends. Applebloom had probably been stuck at the farm doing chores and Sweetie Belle was probably having to deal with one of her sisters “meltdowns” that happened occasionally. The Filly sighed, climbing out of the wooden house, but found something soft on the ground as she stepped on it with her hooves.
What it was looked like some kind of plush like tail. A Blue sapphire like tail that looked like a fun toy to play with. So, being the curious soul that she was, Scootaloo began to cuddle, hug and also lightly chew at the fur. However, she soon realized that the tail wasn’t exactly plushie as she heard a voice calling to her.
“What the heck?”
Scootaloo looked up, realizing that the tail actually belonged to something. It looked like a bipedal wolf. But still, it seemed quite… friendly.
“Hello. What did you find there, little rascal?” It asked, petting Scootaloo on the head and rubbing her ears. No matter how hard it was to resist, she found the motions… comforting.
“I-i’m not a rascal! M-my name is Scootaloo?”
“Scootaloo? So you’re one of the fillies that Ember mentioned?”
“Ember? Who’s she?” The filly asked, confused. Frost sighed. He knew that this wasn’t going to get anywhere at this rate.
“Never mind, I’ll introduce her to you once we're at Sweet Apple Acres.” The Wolf then picked up the filly and put her on his shoulders along where his neck would be. “You better hang on.”
“Wait what-!?” were the only words the filly could say before Frost began to sprint at full speed. She was holding on for dear life as the Wolf used the trees as ways to quicken his travels. It reminded Scootaloo of the forest chase scene in Mare Wars Episode VI: Return of the Pon-I. Where Luke Skytrotter and the Princess of the destroyed planet, Stalldaron, were being chased by soldiers of the Imperial Empire called Stromtrotters. She could feel the wind flow through her mane as she flapped her wings like she was really flying. Scootaloo didn’t need her scooter for this kind of fun. The wolf was already doing that for her and she was enjoying it. She couldn’t wait to tell Rainbow Dash about all of this later.
Sweet Apple Acres
“Okay Mac, you’re doing good. Now, lets try that exercise again.”
The Pyromancer named Ember had been using the past week to help her Nephew, Big Macintosh, learn how to control his newfound elemental powers. He was what Ember would call a “Terramancer”, or one that was able to control the earth around them. With the proper training, anything from stones to boulders or even the ground the earth pony walked on could become a fatal weapon for him to use. However, the past few days have not shown much progress and the stallion was becoming a little frustrated because of it. This was shown again when he tried to lift up a small boulder with his hoof, only for it to crumble as it ascended into the air.
“Darnit!! Not again!” The Earth pony snapped, letting off a little steam by stomping his hooves into the ground.
“Easy there, Mac. Nopony told you that this would be easy. Hell, it’s been a few months for me and I’m still having trouble trying to learn how to conjure Magma.” His teacher told him, demonstrating by having a ball of Magma appear in her hands, only to disintegrate seconds later.
“Ah know. But ah really thought that ah had everything under control that time!” The Stallion replied, sighing a little. “Guess ah still got a long way to go…”
“Don’t say that. You’re doing pretty well for somepony like you. If a Mancer tries to teach a Unicorn or a Pegasus how to do it, it might interfere with their capabilities in magic. So they need to learn how to switch between their magic and their other abilities. Trust me, I know firsthand about this.”
“You do?” Big Mac asked, a little surprised.
“Yeah. About five years ago, I met a young pegasus named Swift Ace. He was raised in a family of master thieves that stole only from other thieves. When his home was destroyed and was left on his own to fend for himself, I taught him how to harness the winds around him to help him with his combat skills and mobility. For him, it took me almost a few months to help him master it. For you, you’re doing just as well as him and it’s only been two weeks.”
Big Mac didn’t even have the words to say anything. He was completely surprised by what he just heard. But also, he was completely surprised to see what was coming towards the Orchard as he heard the silly cries of one of Applebloom’s friends enjoying herself while riding the back of… a wolf? Did it come to harm them? The Stallion took a defensive stance and snorted, catching Ember’s attention as she turned around to see what he was looking at. Afterwards, she just laughed a little as Applebloom and Applejack were coming out of the barn to see how they are doing.
“What in tarnations is that!?” Applejack asked the moment she saw Frost.
“That… is my friend, Frost. He’s a Cryomancer and it seems like he’s made a friend.” Ember smiled as Frost came to a halt right in front of her.
“Good morning Ember. How are you?” The Excedian asked, noticing the ponies that were behind her. “Oh… am I interrupting anything?”
“No actually. In fact, I think it’s time to get the introductions out of the way. Frost, This is Applejack, Applebloom and Big Macintosh. Everypony, this here is Frost Shinekuya. He’s an Excedian.”
“And what the hay is that suppose to mean?” Applejack replied.
“Basically, I’m a bipedal creature with features of both an animal while being able to speak and talk to others like a normal pony would.” The Wolf explained. “Which reminds me, Scootaloo here seems to like cuddling with my tail.”
“Oh? How did she find you?”
“Turns out, I was meditating under her clubhouse.”
“Well, that explains a lot.” Ember replied back.
“Wait… Aunt Embah said you were a Mancer right?” Big Macintosh interjected. Frost’s only reply was a nod, answering the earth pony’s question. “What can you do exactly?”
“Well, I’m a conjurer of Ice. As in my name, I can form anything inside my head using my energy.” The Wolf said, pointing to his head with his left index finger. “Even if something happened, I can still fight because up here is where Mission Control is. Why do you ask?”
“Well… Ah’ve been trying to learn how to control Earth recently, but ah feel like ah haven’t been doing well.”
“You can say that again.” Frost sighed. For a moment, he thought that the Wolf was taunting him. However, he was surprised to hear what came next. “You have closed gates along your lifestream.”
“Mah what?”
Ember sighed. “The Lifestream is what you rely on in order for you to control your powers and exists along your nervous system inside your body. The gates that Frost mentioned are referring to important parts along the neural network where the most amount of energy flows through. Mostly being where the joints connect with your forelegs. But that makes me wonder… how can you tell that Mac’s Lifestream was blocked?”
“My eyes can see sources of Life force energy.” Frost commented. “Now, why don’t we unlock those closed gates and see what happens.”
Big Macintosh gulped. “This isn’t going to hurt now, is it?”
“For a little. Just stand still and suck it up.”
“Wait wha-?” Before Mac could say anything else, Frost placed his energy on his fingertips and jabbed his shoulders and the back of his kneecaps along with his forehead. The pain was brief, but afterwards, the stallion felt something… New. The energy he felt before when trying to bend the earth was now flowing through him like the morning breeze. he even felt like he could split a mountain in half if he wanted to.
“There we go. That should clear things up… Now Mac?”
“Yes?”
“Try controlling the earth now that your energy has been unlocked.” Frost instructed him. The Earth Pony complied, doing as he was told and stunning everypony when a simple stomp of his hoof caused stone spikes to emerge from the ground below him.
“Congratulations. Your powers seems to be working well. Now you just need to practice them.” The Excedian told him, clapping his hands. “Now, that’s one thing that’s taken care of.”
“One thing?” Ember asked, confused by the wolf’s comment.
“I’ve been feeling a weird energy surge in the forest that’s nearby Ponyville. Personally, I would go myself, but I was thinking of sticking around and helping out your nephew.”
“Well, I don’t have that much to do anyways.” Ember shrugged her shoulders. “Go easy on him though, alright?” Frost nodded, letting the Pyromancer leave the orchard as he prepared his training with Big Macintosh.
Fluttershy’s Cottage
Discord had a lot on his mind recently. Especially after having to make amends at the grand galloping gala and apologize to Tree Hugger for the way he was acting. Now though, he was trying to help out around the cottage while Fluttershy was with Rarity for a spa day at the Lotus Twins Spa in Ponyville. He was just finished with sweeping the porch by the time that he noticed a familiar face approach the cottage. Looking up, the avatar of chaos saw Ember walking towards him.
“Hello, Dissy.”
“Hello to you too Ember.” Discord replied with a bit of cheer in his voice. “How have you been recently? I didn’t see you attend the Grand Galloping Gala last night.”
“I felt like Applejack should spend time with her friends and not have somepony like her aunt appear to be watching over her.” She replied. “Which reminds me… Remember when you asked me that question a week ago?”
Discord gulped. He personally wanted to avoid this conversation. “Yes?”
“And remember the advice I gave you and you just said that you needed a wingman? How did that work out for you?”
“…… Not as well as I intended.” Discord shamefully admitted to the Mancer. “You were right you know. Fluttershy was telling me the same thing you told me on the train ride back to the cottage.”
“I have been living for over a thousand years, Discord. Maybe next time you should take my advice?” Ember insisted, folding her arms and nudging the Draconequus in the chest with her elbow, tickling him a little. The Spirit chuckled a little, trying to keep himself together. “Well, I would love to stay and chat, but I’ve been feeling something strange inside the forest that I need to investigate.”
“The Forest you say?” Discord asked. “And what kind of strange?”
“Like that surge you feel when you get shocked by lightning.” Ember replied. “I felt it go off a few times earlier today and it’s been driving my senses nuts.”
“Well, maybe you should go see Zecora. She’s a zebra that lives in the Everfree Forest and makes potions from the herbs that she finds.”
“You mean she’s an Alchemist?” Ember wondered.
“Many have called her that, but she doesn’t see herself as one. More of a shaman if you ask her. Oh and one other thing, she’s a bit of a poet with her speech so expect her to rhyme… quite often.”
“Okay, thanks for the tips. I’ll see you later!” Ember soon was on her own, using a small glowing ball of flame as a source of light as she made her way through the bushes and branches. The animals around her did not try to run or harm her, but instead greeted her warmly. For being one that had life force meant that you were attuned with nature and all the beings that called nature their home. Your force demonstrated your physical strength and how well you were. However, things like sickness and both physical and emotional trauma can cause it to alter and become distorted. That was the feeling that Ember was getting the more she moved inward.
When the Mancer came across a portion of the forest where sunlight was peeking through the dense ceiling of leaves, Ember dismissed her flame and looked around. She focused on attuning her hearing to any sounds that seemed… unordinary. One thing that stood out was a clinking sound. A sound commonly made for when you wore a multitude of metal rings along one another like a tribal priest. That along with the sound of hooves making contact with the ground made Ember think that this could be the Zecora that Discord had previously mentioned. However, it could be just as much a traveler with a saddlebag full of equipment and trinkets. So, the Mancer had to let the being come to her instead of going to it. Patiently, she sat down and waited.
Then, the moment arrived where the figure arrived. It indeed was a Zebra and the clinks were from her golden tribal accessories that were across her body. For a zebra, she had a lot of stripes and was also quite surprised to see that she had a mohawk like mane. “Oh my. I never thought another creature like yourself would be nearby.”
Another… creature? What the hell did she mean? She ignored that thought and instead decided to make sure that this truly was the one Discord had told her about.
“You must be Zecora, am I right?” She asked. “I was told that you lived here in these woods.”
“Indeed, I do. Though, who are you?” came the Zebra’s next question in the fashion of a rhyme.
“My name is Ember. I’m a Mancer and one that can control fire. I wonder though, what do you mean by another creature?” She asked, cautious by the words she chose. Zecora sighed a little to herself before clearing her throat. This was going to be hard to explain to her with the current circumstance.
“I found one, younger than you and with a strong will. However, right now, he grows quite ill.” The Zebra spoke. “The child has come down with a fever. If I don’t hurry, it might be too late for Caesar.”
Caesar? That must’ve been the boy’s name. “Let me help you then. Where is he?”
“He is laying down back at my home. I fear his condition has only worsened since I have left him alone.” The Zebra then ushered Ember to hurry and follow her. When the Mancer arrived at the shaman’s hut, Zecora quickly opened the door. What she found though caught her off guard. The boy laying down in the back of the makeshift home had the ears and tail of a Pikachu. She could even see the electricity short circuiting from his cheeks every time he coughed.
Quickly, she went over and placed a hand on his forehead. “Dear ancients, he’s burning up.” She gently placed her other hand on other parts of the young boys body. Mostly the stomach and upper chest. Unlike the forehead, those areas felt Ice Cold. Ember was beginning to worry the young boy now. “He’s got a bad cold. We need to treat him quickly before his immune system shuts down.”
“I will hurry and brew something as fast as I can. Please help me so he can be well again.” Ember nodded, applying a small amount of heat to the areas that were previously cold. After five minutes, Zecora had a small mixture inside a wooden bowl and handed it over to her. “Be careful, this might taste bitter, but I have faith in the youngling; he isn’t a quitter.”
Slowly, Ember had the liquid go down the throat of the young boy. At first, the medicine didn’t show any signs of it working, but then the boy’s eyes began to slowly open. A sign that he was feeling alive and well.
“Wha- W-where am I?” Caesar asked as he began to wake up from his fever induced sleep.
“Calm down, kid.” Ember hushed, trying to ease the startled boy. “You were having a severe fever, so Zecora and I brought you in here to help cure you.” She waited a few moments for the boy to take in his surroundings before speaking again. “My name is Ember. You must be Caesar, right?”
Caesar nodded. “Yeah. So you found me? Will I be able to see my mom soon?” Caesar asked.
Ember looked at him, with a surprised expression. “Umm… Caesar…… do you have any idea where you are?”
“I say. Is he okay?”
Zecora’s words soon caught the boy’s attention and startled him. Caesar now a bit more aware of his surroundings now saw Zecora. Not expecting to see a Zebra he almost jumped out of the bed.
“W-what?” He asked, unable to fully comprehend the talking Zebra even though it wasn’t the weirdest thing to happen to him the past days.
Ember sighed. “Caesar… If you think you are on earth, then you’re WAY off. You got Displaced like me and now on a world called Equus.”
“Equus? But… what do you mean not on Earth? How can I not be on Earth?” The young boy asked with panic creeping into his voice.
Ember took a moment to think it through, then responded. “Because back home, you wouldn’t have the abilities of a Pikachu and I wouldn’t be able to do this.” Opening her hand, she created a small bird of fire and let it drift towards Caesar.
He swiftly responded by fainting on the spot from the combination of the information and his still raging fever. Before he hit the ground, Ember caught him and set him down on the floor. “This… might take a while.”
After an hour or so later, Caesar once again awoke. Remembering what happened before he blacked out and the truth of his situation revealed to him he began to cry. However, as he was trying to act grown up he turned away trying to conceal his tears and trying to muffle his cries as he tried to accept the situation.
“You okay?” Ember said, sitting down by his side, trying to comfort him. Caesar first tensed up as she sat down next to him, but did nothing to prevent her from sitting next to him. It took him a while to respond. But once he finally did he had almost stopped crying. Wiping the last of his tears he turned towards Ember and nodded. Not entirely trusting his voice at the moment.
“It’s okay. When I was first here, I was a little scared too. But then… I was able to adjust to everything around me. I can help you if you need me too.”
“I-I’d like that. Thank you Miss Ember. And you to Zecora.” Caesar said as he thanked them both for caring for him.
“It’s nothing really. Being as old as I am, I have seen a lot of things, but nothing quite like you. You are unique, that’s for sure. Wait til you meet Applebloom.”
Caesar was about to ask Ember how old she was, but remembered something about how it was rude to ask a lady her age or something like that. He had heard it from his mother at some social gathering. Instead he chose another question.
“Um… Zecora. if you don’t mind me asking… What are you?” He asked. Unsure if he offended her. “And… who is Applebloom?” He asked Ember, his quriosity showing through his ears that were now standing on end.
“I am a Zebra, Caesar. My next question though is for Ember. Though it may seem silly, how exactly do you know the filly?”
Before Ember could answer that question, the three of them soon heard a song like tune as the sound of hooves came closer. Soon though, the exact pony they were talking about. “Howdy, Zecora! Oh hi there, Aunt Embah. Didn’t expect to see ya.”
Caesar instantly noticed that Applebloom was far smaller in size then Zecora, and that she didn’t look much like a Zebra, or at least didn’t have the same resemblance as Zecora had to the ones he was familiar with. However, the sudden encounter was still something he was unable to process as his fever had yet to fully calm down.
“Um…” Was just about the best response he could manage.
“Oh my… Who’s this little Fella?” The filly asked, trotting towards him.
“Easy there, Applebloom. Caesar here is still recovering from a bad cold. Not only that, but he’s a bit…… Timid.”
“Oh… You mean like Fluttershy?”
Ember nodded her head. “Caesar, this is Applebloom. She is the youngest of two nieces that I’m keeping an eye on.”
Caesar looked at Ember with a confused look. “Niece? But you’re a human, and she’s a…” Caesar trailed off realizing he didn’t really know what Applebloom was exactly, his closest guess would be pony, considering her size. but the resemblance between her and Zecora who was a zebra made him hesitate as he was unsure how many other races could be similar Also, ponies usually didn’t come in red and yellow colors. But then again, zebras didn’t usually talk. So Caesar was at a loss.
“It’s a bit complex to explain, sugarcube.” Applebloom said. “She helped out one of our relatives and they wanted to repay her for everything she did, so he completed a few legal documents that allowed her to be part of the family now. Yeah, basically adult stuff.”
“You mean like an adoption or somethin?” Caesar asked, curious about Embers age once more.
“Sort of.” Ember said, smiling a little, watching both Caesar and Applebloom. Then, it hit her. Caesar had nowhere else to go and was all on his own. He needed friends, family, people to support him, people that can help him stay strong. That’s when she sighed.
“Applebloom, can I ask you something?”
The young earth pony turned around, puzzled a bit. “Yes Aunt Embah, what is it?”
Ember paused for a bit… Wanting to think the next words through carefully. She thought that the filly was around ten years old in age. Caesar looked about nine or so. Who knows? But the Mancer sighed. “Caesar was taken from his home and brought here against his will… So, I want to offer him a place to stay, but that also means I need to ask you something… Do you think you responsible enough……… to have a little brother?”
Caesar was surprised at Embers suggestion. He wasn’t sure if he liked the idea or not. He had just woken up, found out he was no longer on Earth and wouldn’t be able to see his parents.
“Can I think about this?” Caesar asked her.
Ember nodded her head, but was soon swamped when Applebloom caught Caesar in a diving hug, snuggling him a little. “Of course!!!”
As the hug caught Caesar by surprise, he was not to blame for the shock that Applebloom received when his cheeks sparked with electrical energy.
“Ahhahaha!! That Tickles!!” She laughed, not realizing that the tickling sensation was actually lightning. Or the fact that her fur was standing on end as well as her mane.
“Sorry, you caught me by surprise… Um… I hope your ha- I mean mane won’t stay like that, it looks a little weird…” Caesar said as Applebloom reminded him of the crazy scientist look.
“What do mean it looks weird?”
“Well… It kinda went... poof?” Caesar said, trying to empathize his point by gesturing with his hands.
“Yes indeed, you mane is in mane product need.” Zecora confirmed.
Applebloom blinked a little, looking at herself in the mirror. “Aww man!! I didn’t get the cutie mark for being SO FLUFFY!!!”
“Cutie mark?” Caesar asked, confused by her statement.
“It’s a mark that represents a pony’s special talents.”
“Mark… like a tattoo? Mom always said they were a bad thing and that I should never get one.” Caesar said. Not sure why someone as young as Applebloom was so eager to get one. As far as he knew they were only painful to get and didn’t look good anyway.
“No… Not like that… It’s something having to do with magic.” Ember tried to help, but was a bit puzzled as well. “It’s complicated.”
“I see… I guess there is someone else who could explain it better then?” Caesar asked.
“Maybe Twilight can help!” Applebloom cheerfully replied.
“Careful Applebloom…… she might have a lot on her plate given that she’s an Alicorn Princess.” Ember reminded her, making sure that her niece wasn’t being hasty. “Tell you what, let’s take Caesar back to Sweet Apple Acres and work our way from there.”
“Am I really good enough to be moving around yet?” Caesar asked, turning towards Zecora.
“I see no bad alignments as of yet, but I wouldn’t take such a bet. Drink some tea and rest my dear, or it might get worse I fear.” Zecora replied.
“Okay, then why don’t we let him rest here until he can walk and then we’ll come back to get him?” Ember suggested. “Would that be good with you, Zecora?”
Zecora nodded in responce and went over to bring Caesar some tea.
“I guess I’ll be staying for a little while longer, sorry.” Caesar said apologetically.
“Yah don’t need tah be sorry! Don’t wantcha to be sick when you meet the family!” Applebloom squeed.
“Actually, speaking about resting… I really should have thought of this sooner.” Caesar said as he once again laid down. “Rest” he said as he suddenly closed his eyes and he began breathing calm breaths just like he was asleep.
“Well, I guess my tea he did not take, for his sleep could not let him stay awake.” Zecora said as she returned with a few cups of tea, offering it to both Ember and Applebloom.
“Indeed… At least he isn’t alone anymore.” Ember smiled, raising a cup. “To Caesar?”
“To brother!” Applebloom exclaimed, giggling to herself before sipping her tea.
End Chapter 9