//------------------------------// // A very "pleasant" new friend // Story: Strangely Resilient Ember // by DeliriousCrimson //------------------------------// "......." I currently found myself peeking out of a bush towards a huge clearing, an old abandoned castle-like structure standing right in the middle of it. In front of it were two horse like creatures, both being considerably taller in comparison to creatures like Zecora. My guess was that they weren't of the exact same species but maybe shared a common ancestor in evolution. Well, granted that evolution worked here like it did in my world. For now, I decided to push the questions away and eye them thoroughly, the intent being to decipher how much of a threat they'd pose if I were to reveal myself. The first things I noticed were their tiaras and color. The taller one was a majestic white while the shorter one was a shade of dark blue. Their hair flowed unnaturally to their left sides in a way which defied logic. They also had wings and horns unlike Zecora. The use for their wings was obvious but I was in the dark as to why equine creatures would need horns. For now I would just have to be wary and see if I notice anything. More importantly, below them was a small cave-like crater emitting a dazzling orange light. The impulsive feeling was definitely leading me in there. Furthermore, the proximity between it and me intensified the urge to an almost unbearable point. It was taking all my willpower just to not run right out into the open. A drop of sweat ran down my forehead as I looked on. Those creatures must have been ponies. If so, They were definitely bigger than I thought they would be. They also seemed to be conversing about something, but I was too far to make out what it was. It's not like it was unexpected, but at least now I knew for certain that I could communicate with them. I shook my head as my brain continued to beg me to advance into the light, my body stubbornly trying to disobey me. It was extremely difficult to bare, so I decided to reveal myself. If they were anything like Zecora, then I shouldn't need to worry. With a hesitant step, I walked out into the open. The pair immediately noticed my presence and kindly turned towards me. When they took sight of me, their kind expressions shifted into one of shock. Maybe they were expecting someone else? "Halt creature!" ordered the white pony. They took a hostile stance, their horns glowing in similarity to their own color schemes. My eyes widened in disbelief at the fact that they immediately took aggressive measures. I frantically tried to stop my body but it would no longer listen to me. "This is your last warning, halt now or we attack!" threatened the small darker one. They seemed serious too, for their horns were overflowing with some sort of cryptic looking power. Taking note of the danger, I decided to weigh my options. Fight them which would be impossible at the moment, try to run which was definitely not happening, or plead for my life. Shame and frustration stabbed my mind as the only option presented to me was made clear. "Please wait! I come in peace!", I shouted. They seemed surprised, but still held firmly to their hostility. My frustration then left me when a beam zoomed closely past my face, completely decimating a tree behind me. Anger began to well up inside me, my humiliating plea for life being completely ignored. I decided to endure it, for these creatures just proved to be extremely dangerous. It would also be a lie if I said that I wasn't afraid at all after seeing that, but it was obviously a warning shot. Which means I had a chance to talk myself out of this. Even if it spat on my pride, survival was more important. "If that's the case then halt now!" barked the taller white one. Her and her companion didn't seem like they would have given me the light of day even if I did manage to stop. "Listen, I wish I could but my body is being strange right now!" I replied while angrily raising my hands. They continued to glare at my advancing self. From the looks of it, they were mentally preparing themselves to attack for real this time. Why are these things so hot-headed!? I took a deep breath to calm myself, this situation required careful thinking. Ok. These two are very powerful and unexpectedly hostile. Also, in my current state I'd be dead in an instant if I dragged a fight out with them. And for unknown reasons, my current destination is that cave-like crater which they shouldn't be able to approach due its hot radiance. I however, can simply cloak myself in my own heat as a barrier against other heats, granted that my heat is hotter that is. This will require me to somehow get past them without being hit, or I'll be wiped out. Once I'm in the cave I will see what awaits me and make a break for it after I investigate. The pair evidently made up their minds as both of their horns began to glow again. My plan was to dodge and run to the best of my injured abilities. As long as I ran towards the light, I was certain my body would cooperate with me. I braced myself and carefully analyzed my attackers line of sight to pinpoint where exactly they would shoot. They took aim and fired both their beams in my direction. With a pained start, I rolled over to my right in an act of evasion and immediately began running towards them, ignoring the small crater created beside me. The two attackers seemed startled at my sudden outburst of speed and took to the air. The dark one swooped towards me and swiped at me with one of her hoofs which I clumsily evaded. She swooped back into the air while her larger partner fired the beam that she took the opportunity to charge. I cartwheeled out of the way and quickly leaped into the air to avoid a secondary beam shot by the smaller one. I winced in mild pain, the excessive movement rubbing my bandages tightly against my wounds. I continued my pained sprint towards the orange light, now being a third of the way there. This time, the pair regrouped and charged the energy from their horns into one point. It was most likely going to be a dually charged attack. My eyes gleamed in acknowledgement and I immediately began thinking of a counter strategy. There's a good chance their attack will cover a wide range. If so, then evasion won't do me much good, and neither would fighting back. My flame reserves are low, thus I'll have to direct my flames towards different methods of survival. If I screw this up I may be incinerated in an instant, if I don't accidentally kill myself that is. A small frown crept across my face as my grim plan was settled. The airborne pair wasted no time in launching a thick beam towards me, it's incredible speed catching me by surprise, but not fatally so. I rushed to raise two fists into the air and weakly struggled to engulf them in fire. With a grunt I then smashed my fists to the ground and violently detonated my flames. The recoil from my own explosion damaged me heavily, the force sending me dozens of feet into the sky. Amidst the crunching sound that emanated from my ankle was a piercing pain. I rapidly shook my head in attempts to ignore the agony and glanced below me. The beam burst into a mini explosion of blinding white light leaving a formidable, charred crater. A second slower and I would have been blown to smithereens. The pair gawked at my obviously unexpected display of fire bending and began to advance towards me. With a final push of power I put my plan into motion. I stretched my hand out in the opposite direction from the orange light and gushed out flames. The jetting fire served to accelerate me towards the light, my body zooming straight past that of the two advancing equines. They turned and gazed at my burst of velocity in astonishment, my strategy completely having caught them by surprise. I glared back at them with a mocking grin. As much as I would have loved to pay them back, I was simply broke at the moment. Besides even at full power I can't say for sure I could take on them both. The smirk remained on my face while I led my eyes back towards my destination in self-loving glory, I sighed as the feeling soon left me when I realized how close I already was. yup... This speed was going to kill me. "AAAAH!!", I screamed, swiftly zipping straight towards the ground. My body plummeted right into the cave. It bounced off the floor, shattering my ribs and a good portion of my hip bone in the process. Oxygen was beaten out of my lungs as my body violently flailed towards an object, the speed in which it did so not yet allowing me to perceive the pain. As my soon to be corpse made contact with the object, time immediately seemed to stop along with the impact. My eyes opened and looked towards a dazzling tree of solid orange crystal, next to it being another tree comprised of white crystal and a variety of gemstones. I glanced at my bloodied body, It was frozen in mid air with my knee making contact with the orange tree. I felt no pain, but the sight unnerved me to no avail. I couldn't move a muscle or use any of my senses. It felt dreadfully similar to the dark abyss, except that I still had sight. I couldn't even panic at the sight of my disfigured body, for my bodily functions were all frozen along with my surroundings. Gently, a presence slipped into my mind and embraced something within me. A few moments later a voice resounded through my brain. Hmm, So it seems we have a winner this soon into the game. Quickly, state your business and desire. The voice was broad and masculine, yet strangely unnerving. Whats this? You're a human!?... Hmph, this will prove to be interesting indeed. Umm... excuse m- Well then human! What makes you think you are worthy of me, the Flame of Life? I was unsure as to what to say to it. Surely it must have been this voice that lured me here. But if that's the case then why did it sound so oblivious as to who I was? Moreover, it has only spouted nonsense thus far. I left it's bizarre question unanswered as I tried to decipher the situation. Well? Do not waste my time peasant. First of all, time had been stopped dead in its tracks. This included my body functions as well as the perception of pain, but I wasn't complaining. I seriously wasn't looking forward to experiencing this bloody mess of a body I now had. Soon after, this voice appears through my head, making it safe to assume that it was the one responsible for stopping time. It might have achieved this simply by slowing my individual sense of time perception to extremely low levels. I'm not sure how it accomplished this feat, but it was much more plausible then it just stopping time as a whole. In conclusion, this means that all I would be able to do right now is converse with it, hence the reason it left my consciousness unaffected. Who are you? WHAT!? You mean to tell me that you have come here without knowing that? I attempted to frown but my facial features were still unable to do so. This voice was only making the situation harder to comprehend than it needed to be. Weren't you the one who called me here!? You insolent brat! Do you really believe I would stoop as low as to shamefully call for you myself!? It sure seems like you did! LOOK!.... My body looks like a smashed tomato now because of you. Yes and after I let your time resume, your injuries will heal due to our newfound contract you fool. How could you come here unaware of that? Just what in Sozin's comet are you going on about? Get out of my head! I hoped that I wouldn't have gotten such a disrespectful fool this time around. And to make it worst, you are unaware of what I am. It's true that I am unaware, which is why you should explain! Silence! Does your ignorance know no bounds!? You and I are now linked with one another until your death! The moment you made contact with my newly materialized form, a contract was formed between us. This was a bit difficult to swallow. According to him, we were stuck together until my death? If that was the case, then it wouldn't be long before I committed suicide to escape his constant boasting and nagging... Why was it formed with me then? By the sounds of it you could have just formed it with someone else instead of bothering me about it. You ungrateful child! Being bound to the Flame of life is an honor which countless others have killed for. There are many who have awaited my return for a chance to harness me, yet here you are, contracted with me by mere coincidence! This is blasphemy! Oh? And just what makes you so special? Can you really be so tasteless!? Listen, I can grant you enough power to defeat even the king of Tartarus himself! Every two thousand years I can only be contracted to one mortal, and each time it was always to the one who slaughtered hundreds to obtain me! Yet you simply come here in all your ignorance and contract me just by chance!? My presence alone entices the hearts of creatures, and you ask what makes me special!? This just proved my point, I had never met such a profound narcissist. It was actually sort of annoying. Cant you undo the contract? I don't need power, I just want to make it out of here alive Mr. Flame of life, sir. Fool! Now that it's been established, I am stuck with you until the day you die. Besides, I already ruled you unworthy of my power, even if your heart longed for it I wouldn't grant it to you. Then what good will this contract serve me if you won't even uphold your part of it? Its not my fault that your "oh so great" presence led me here right? Heh. It simply must have been a feat of misfortune for you to be the one. Haha! Poor kid, there's no doubt that you shall be hunted and killed by those who would do anything to have me. This was beginning to sound a bit dangerous. At least now I knew why that feeling gripped onto me, it was this cocky guys presence. Also, he must genuinely be quite the big shot if others go as far as to kill for him. I for one see him as a nuisance, one which will haunt me for the rest of my life. Well I'm sorry if I wasn't enough to meet your expectations Mr. Flame of annoyance. You dare mock me? Hmph, lets see how highly you talk when you're dead. Before I could mentally object, my body fell to the ground. I braced myself for the waves of pain that I presumed would sharply echo through my pummeled body, however it did not come. I looked down and saw the blood, but I didn't feel any wounds. Not even the ones given to me by the wood wolves. I removed the bandages and saw that there wasn't a single scratch on my body, the markings remained though. It must have been because Zecora already tended to them. I looked up at the tree, huge amounts of regret washing over me. I shouldn't have let this thing lure me here, its not like I even asked for any of this. I directed a gaze full of remorse towards the tree as it cracked and then shattered, a brilliant red aura rushing into my body soon after. Tch. While fusing with a human was definitely an amusing thought, I never imagined it would be one of such insolence and dullness. I took this opportunity to spread a massive frown across my face, a glow then catching the corner of my eye. I glanced down at my markings which had a bright red glow onto them, the glow flashed brightly before disappearing. By my choice, those engravings were to serve as the medium for which I was to give you power, granted I deemed you worthy. Now they'll serve as the medium from which I will gladly watch your pitiful demise. I ignored him as I sighed and walked out of the cave. The pair of ponies were in the same position they were when I entered. Time seemed to have returned to them as well. They sharply darted their eyes towards my new position and glared at me. Well, if there's any possible upside to this, its that I'm finally at a hundred percent for the first time since the I came here. I clenched my fist and surveyed my supply of energy. I released an evil chuckle as I found it to be full at last. I was still hesitant to engage them in battle, but atleast now I could display what real Firebending looked like. Well then Mr. Flame of life, since you're connected to me and all, tell me. Do you feel any fear emitting from me? Whatever you feel or don't feel won't affect the joy I shall have when I am released of your idiotic bantering! I frowned again and looked towards the airborne ponies. I remembered that I had to pay them back for the humiliation they put me through. I glared them intently in the eye and took my stance, pleased at how pain-free it was this time. The contract even went and healed my fatigue. Then I extended a hand out and signaled the pair to bring it on. They complied in full as they advanced at high speeds, a frown upon both their faces. They then halted as our match was interrupted by multiple distressed yells. "HEEEELP!!!", screamed six voices in unison. Here it comes. I turned to look at the origin of the voices. Six brightly colored ponies ran out of the thick greenery and into a clearing, loud stomps echoing behind them. Soon after, a huge towering serpent creature with multiple heads came bursting out in chase, its height rivaling that of the castle itself. The creatures heads let out a blood curdling shriek of absurd volume, its length rattling my ear drums. My opponents gasped as the humongous creature began to gain on the fleeing ponies, one of them taking into the air. They ran frantically towards the castle's entrance. With a loud thud, the pony covered in yellow tripped and fell onto its pink mane, triggering more loud gasps from the other five and the two besides me. So you want me to fight that thing Mr. Flame of Life? Hahaha! You sound awfully confident for a fragile human. Go ahead! Show me any variety of pitiful abilities you may have! Well because you asked me so nicely... I guess I have to. I lunged forward at the towering beasts direction, my body reaching the speed that I missed so much. However, it would not be enough to make it at this rate. I recalled my earlier technique and shot a jet stream of fire behind me with my right hand, my speed accelerating quickly as air roughly brushed past my face. The yellow pony cowered and covered her face as the creature stood towering before her. It swung one of its hideous jaws down in an attempt to clamp them down on her fragile body. I intensified the jet stream of flames and rocketed towards the creature. When I was close enough, I shifted my right hand to my side which violently spun me around due to the heavy discharge of flames. Using the centrifugal force, I smashed a portion of its teeth with a devastating spin kick. The attack effectively recoiled the attacking head back, successfully saving the pony. Then, with the added momentum given to me by the now dispersed jet stream, I advanced towards its soft belly and pounded it with a double flaming fist-strike. It lazily stumbled back shrieking in pain as I looked on, my guard held high. It adjusted its ugly multiple-heads and locked its triple pair of eyes on me, its pupils glistening dangerously. It raised one of its stubby legs then stomped down in an attempt to flatten me. I swiftly evaded it with a high backflip and immediately took off towards it upon landing on my feet. I kicked off its leg and onto its back, then with a hard leap I elevated upwards onto one of its necks and kicked off again. Soon, I arrived upon eye-level to one of its disgusting heads and glared it in the eye. I called upon a formidable flare blitz to my fist and extended it behind me. An evil grin then formed itself across my face as the head opened its jaw and hauled its razor sharp teeth towards my airborne body. "HYAARGH!!", I yelled in sheer effort as I flexed my arm and punched forward with all my might. The very moment my fist and its tooth made contact, the flare blitz detonated into a mini explosion of fire, the head in front of me being effortlessly blown off. Gravity then pulled me down as the mini explosion expanded into a ball of heat which engulfed the other two heads. The heads howled in pain while I watched from the ground. I brought my fist to my mouth and blew on it before putting it in my pocket. "Cooked lizard meat coming right up!", I blurted in triumph. After a few moments, the sphere of heat disappeared, leaving behind two charred heads in addition to a lone blackened neck. The creature stood there in eerie suspense before massively tumbling down before me. The fall triggered a cloud of dust which traveled outwards. I basked in a feeling of accomplishment as the dust blew by, I couldn't wait to hear what the Flame of Life had to say. I chuckled in anticipation for his acknowledgement. Hellooo~ Mr. Flame of Life~ My arrogant call was met with silence. Even he must have been impressed, I did try to show off as much as I possibly could and all. My stunt was flashy, but put me at great risk. I was faced with a thirty percent chance of being bit in half and swallowed whole. Not to mention the fact that this flare blitz move is utterly exhausting. Even so, I wanted to wipe that smug attitude right off of his annoying tone. Mr. Flame of Life!! What!? Aha! I knew you were there, so what do you think? I never expected a mere human to put on such a display, but don't let it get to your head. A hydra is child's play. Even one of those alicorns you faced could have defeated it. So that's what those two are? I thought they were just ponies. Gah!... never mind boy! Just leave me be, it's grim enough that I'm forced to wait a while longer before your pitiful death. I frowned at his persistent tone which breamed with stubbornness. This was going to be a hard life. I sighed and placed my hands on my hips as I gazed down at my work. Boy, I sure messed that ugly thing up. Good thing I learned this flare blitz move from that mysterious old man on my sixteenth birthday. Don't personally like it though, too destructive for my tastes. I let out a loud victorious laugh. Now that I thought about it, this was the first time anything went my way since I came to this world. Lets just hope it stayed that way. With that being taken care of, I turned around and extended my hand towards the yellow pony to help her up. My gentle act was met with a loud terrified scream and dust to my face as the pony ran off towards its friends. They eyeballed me with caution as I deadpanned right back. Can't they see I just saved them!? Didn't I tell you to leave me be? So im not even allowed to think with you freeloading in here?? No. Also it is your fault that they were attacked. That hydra sought to harness my power but couldn't figure out how to bypass the heat. Your little stroke of fate enraged it. oh... well in that case, I'll try and converse with them. I don't care. Ignoring his fit of rudeness, I looked towards the yellow one and made sure to establish eye contact before speaking. "Umm excuse me, but I just did sort of... you know.. saved your life..?" I said sarcastically. All six of them widened their eyes in astonishment at my ability to speak. I made a mental note to expect that look every time I spoke to anyone around here. They all glanced at each other before the purple one which must've also been an "alicorn" stepped forward. "Pardon me but.. what exactly are you?" she timidly asked on behalf of all of them. "You have probably never heard of my species. Buuuut, I can tell you what I am not, which is hostile," I said as I glared at the larger alicorns. They awkwardly averted their gazes, the dark one scratching her unnatural hair. "That.. was.... AWESOME!" screamed the cyan colored pony as she burst into the air. Her hair was colored as brightly as a rainbow, and she flew so fast that my eyes could barely keep up. Her friends gave her an irritated look which she replied to by apologetically drifting back to the ground. "Hehe... sorry," she apologized with lowered ears and a nervous smile. "You girls wouldn't happen to be from Ponyville would you?" I asked, ignoring their little comedy skit. They all gave me a wary look and hesitantly nodded. I blinked in nice surprise and suddenly, a bright pink pony was mere inches from my face. I yelped and jumped back as she began her hyperactive ramblings. "Oooh! Are you coming to Ponyville!? We can throw you a welcome to our delicious-looking and highly-flammable town PARTY!!!" she enthusiastically yelled into my ear. "Wow hold on' there Pinkeh', how do ya' reckon we can trust it?" added the orange one with a cheesy western accent. She was already beginning to rub me the wrong way. The pink colored pony named "Pinkeh" briefly contemplated her statement and shrugged. "I dont!!" she loudly answered. Quite the smart one, she was. "Now, now Applejack. I'm sure that he really did just want to save someone in need. How could someone with such nice intentions possibly be a bad person?" gently scolded the pony that I saved. At least she seemed to display common sense unlike her cowgirl friend. "Fluttershy's right, darling. He does seem like quite the gentlecolt compared to that hydra..", agreed the one colored in a stainless white. Gentlecolt...? These weird brightly colored ponies sure had odd slang. I looked at them quizzically, the way they argued with each other was surprisingly charming, but slightly annoying. Either way, they were my ticket to finding shelter. "Ehhmm, can any of you escort me to it? I was told by a good friend that I could find shelter there." I explained. "ILL DO IT!!!!" yelled "Pinkeh". She happily skipped in a certain direction as I looked on, she was impossible to predict. I then turned to her friends who were exchanging uncertain expressions. Behind them were the alicorn pair, they seemed surprisingly neutral to the situation after almost killing me earlier. I shrugged and began to follow behind the pink pony, the others soon hesitantly trailing behind. I'm not sure if it's their explosive personalities or the extremely bizarre situation as a whole, but I can already tell things are going to go horribly wrong. Don't you agree, best buddy? Shut up.