"Mother of all palaces!"
After roughly half an hour of blood-pumping flight, my new home came fashionably into view. It was made up of a complex-looking architectural design which simply hypnotized the eye. Much more impressive was its size. Being roughly a third of the colossal chunk of rock behind it, the palace was without a shred of doubt, the biggest building I have ever seen.
Even the palace at home failed to compare to this beautiful structure. Some of the building material also seemed to have been made of solid gold!!
Never in my life had I dreamed that I would hold residence to such a radiant place as this! I felt like a small child again as I tried my hardest to not pump my fists into the air in a fit of pure excitement.
We got closer and closer, the narrowing proximity constantly breaking my guesses as to how big the castle ultimately was. I then took a look below me.
There were multitudes of ponies going around their daily businesses, some had wings, others had horns, others resembled Zecora by the fact that they had neither. I was going to make sure that I went over this with Twilight along with many other things I had in mind.
But for now, I planned on enjoying this one in a hundred life times chance! Maybe a million life times when you considered the whole situation from start to finish.
Celestia gracefully landed on the highest porch of the palace, Luna following soon after.
"This place is amazing!", I loudly complimented as I got off.
The princesses smiled, Celestia's horn then beginning to glow. She closed her eyes and pointed her horn upwards, the sun then rapidly sinking out of sight. Luna's horn began to glow too as she assumed the same pose as her sister.
When she did so, a moon swiftly rose up from seemingly no where. I looked on in utmost confusion as the two sisters casually trotted past me, expecting me to follow.
"Wait!", I began, the two alicorns then glancing back at me.
"What just happened??", I asked, my face not even sure of what expression to take. They glanced at each other in confusion before Luna responded.
"My sister lowered the sun and I raised the moon as per usual."
My jaw dropped in utter disbelief. Did she really just say that nonsense? No matter how you look at it, there is no possible way that anything could possibly do that, no matter how weird the dimension.
I then laughed, that being the only way I could know to react to such an absurd claim.
"Hahaha, good one!", I laughed, rudeness of course not being my intention.
They seemed beyond confused at my fit of laughter. Surely they thought that their joke was funny too right? If not, then why did they tell it in the first place?
"Kurama, we are unsure as to what is so humorous.", pointed out Luna.
I ceased my laughter and wiped a tear from my eye.
"What do you mean? That was supposed to be a joke right?"
Luna shook her head in disagreement as her horn began to glow again. She trotted back over to the edge of the porch and pointed her horn upwards. The moon began to zip and zoom around the sky, my doubts being completely destroyed in the process.
After a small while, it returned to its former position as Luna's horn also went back to normal.
My eyes widened at her display of mastery over the astronomical object. Before I could fall into a state of complete shock, I shook my head and sharply turned towards the two sisters.
"Are... you two supposed to be some sort of GODS!?", I asked horribly out of tone. They mildly flinched at my flabbergasted and loud question, their faces then taking to troubled expressions once again.
"That is a.. bit of a stretch don't you think?", asked Luna.
The only thing that is a stretch is you guys!!
I found it a bit difficult to instantly get over the fact that these two had mastery over the sun and moon. Any ruler that could manage feats like that would be seen as gods no matter how crazy the empire.
I walked over to Celestia and gazed suspiciously into her eyes. These two must have been at least a tad bit power hungry right? In the fire nation, there isn't a single man or woman that wouldn't go crazy over power with just a little bit of authority. These two not only ruled everything here, but also raised the sun and the moon.
With that sort of influence, who knows what they could accomplish.
I delved deeply into her eyes, I could tell that she was way beyond used to keeping her neutral expression when she needed it. She was skilled at blocking off all emotion and her true personality was probably only available to a small few, me not yet included. But to the least, I didn't get any bad vibes from her.
I sighed in defeat and gave her a wide grin.
"You two are much more amazing than you take credit for!", I beamed. They didn't seem to ever think of themselves as higher than anybody else, even though they had every right to do so.
They looked at each other nervously and began to lead the way. I followed closely behind them as we entered into the palace.
The insides were just as spectacular as the outside, the walls having been adjourned with elegant decorations and painted a lovely shade of purple. We continued to tread down a hallway and down a set of stairs as I looked around me in awe.
Once we finished descending, the first room we encountered was the throne room. It was very wide and spacey with a red carpet leading from the thrones to a set of double doors.
Stationed on both sides of the thrones were two ponies colored in a magnificent white, both wearing gold armor. Gold. Freaking. Armor! It was my first time seeing gold so up close, I couldn't help but stare as they also took notice of me.
Their eyes went wide as they both looked towards the princesses in anticipation to an explanation.
"Summon everyone to the assembly room at once!", ordered Luna. "We have something to announce."
The two guards gulped and practically ran out of the room. Judging from how mildly they reacted... or appeared to react, they must have been quite the professionals.
Luna and Celestia trotted down towards the set of double doors and motioned me to follow. I complied as I took a good look at the red carpet below me. It was made of a fabric that seemed to embrace my feet with some sort of comfortable feeling.
So this is what its like to live as royalty..
We exited the throne room and turned to our lefts. Then we traveled down a long hallway and took another left. We paced forward and walked into a room on our rights. Inside it was a large quantity of seats with a grand looking stage at the far end of it.
We walked towards the stage and climbed its stairs, the two sisters then taking me behind the curtains.
"Alright Kurama, you are to remain here until we give you the signal to emerge.", instructed Celestia.
I nodded in acknowledgement and walked over to a small chair. I admired its expensive looking design and sat on it. They then trotted out of the curtains and left me to myself.
I looked around my medium sized enclosure of fabrics, everything did indeed seem to be outrageously expensive. I wondered how crazy Rarity would get if she ever took sight of it. Picturing such a scene made me release a chuckle.
I abruptly shook my head and forced the thought out of my head. Why did those bunch immediately come into mind for?? I seriously must have been going crazy.
I shifted my feet and closely inspected the floor to distract myself, it was covered in a dark violet rug which somehow magically sparkled. That reminded me, Twilight did say something about magic.
Was that the weird gleaming power that Celestia and Luna possessed? If that was the case, then do all ponies possess it or just a select few?
Whatever the case was, I had already seen first hand what it could do. It might have even been more destructive than fire bending.. but... I probably shouldn't make too many assumptions. Its not like I was the greatest fire bender or anything. I could barely compare to the generals, much less the emperors, when it came to pure mastery over fire.
However, I was confident in my hand to hand combat if that amounted to anything... which it really didn't when your opponent could singe you in an instant.
I sighed and rubbed the side of my head. I just wanted to start training once again as soon as possible, I had a lot of room for improvement and in a world like this, much improvement is precisely what ill need.
I looked towards the curtains, my mind then realizing something.
It was all sorts of boring in here. Just how was I supposed to pass the time until everyone in this huge palace gathered here? I rubbed my chin in thought.
I could try bothering a certain jerk in my head, but I feel like that would only put me in a bad mood. Speaking of him, I think he might have been the reason why I was invited here to begin with.
Its very likely Celestia is simply trying to keep a close eye on me, the mighty contractor of the Flame of Sass. Come to think of it, I could use this jerk to my advantage.
If he's that important, I could just use him as a ticket to get whatever I wanted... or not. I really didn't care about any of that. Furthermore, he has probably already been seen as just an object for the entirety of his life.
"Hmmm."
Actually, that would be pretty messed up... maybe all that Mr. Flame of Grump here needed was a good pal. Well, its worth a try.
Mr. Flame of life, can I ask you something?
No. Leave me be.
Do you have a name? I feel like "the Flame of Life" is way too objective.
I have no need for a name, I am simply the Flame of Life. Nothing more, nothing less.
In that case ill call you Disem, its short for disembodied voice.
...You. Do you truly think that you can simply NAME me as if you were my superior!? ME? The Flame of Life?
Blah Blah Blah, I named you so that we could be friends! Nothing about superior or inferior. As my NEW friend, we are equals. Anyways, the names pretty clever eh?
What did you just say to me!? You want to be my "friend"!? Do not spew such nonsense. I have existed for hundreds of thousands of years and no fool has ever attempted to be my "friend"! Are you mad!?
Disem ive been wondering for a while now, do we share all of our five senses?
...Grr you insolent brat! May the day when I am rid of you come swiftly.
Oh come on Disem, lighten up a little will ya? we're buddies now!
......
Hello.....?
......
Wow, the jerk stopped answering. Well, I guess ill just leave the grumpy asshat alone for now. Sheesh, his rudeness will never cease to put me in a bad mood, but ill be patient for now.
I yawned as I continued to look around the area for a second time, then a third.. then a fourth...
"Arrrgh! Its sooo boring!", I complained to evidently no one. I pouted at the silence and took a small peek outside. There wasn't anyone yet in sight.
I slumped my shoulders and walked back over to the annoyingly small chair, my ears then slightly rising up as they picked up a slight murmur.
The murmur then turned into multiple whispers and mutters which originated from outside the curtains. My expression lightened up at the noise, for it meant that others were finally coming in.
Soon, the slight noises were that of a huge conversing crowd. It seemed that everyone came at the same time in an orderly fashion.
Princess Luna entered into the curtain and reminded me not to come out until told to do so. I eagerly nodded and leaned into my small chair, almost falling off. Luna retreated back outside, the place then going silent.
I listened on as what I could make out as Celestia's voice, began a speech.
"My dear and loyal subjects, I have brought you here today regarding a crucial announcement. As of this pleasant evening, a new friend shall join us in the confines of the palace walls. He is a bit different from some of us, but please take into account that he has heroically saved the lives of one of my most loyal subjects. While I can assure you that he means us no harm, I will not be able to oversee much of his stay. Thus, I will faithfully ensure that task to all of you, for he is an undoubted friend to all of pony kind."
She was a natural at this, just how long had she been doing this? And did she think this speech up on the spot?? She effortlessly made me sound like some sort of epic pony hero with mere twists of the tongue. It was seriously impressive!
"And without further a do, I now introduce you to this friend", she finished.
That was definitely my cue to come out. I got up from my chair and walked over to the curtain, I briefly stood still and took a deep breath.
After I gathered my nerves, I sprung out into the open, the large crowd of at least 500 then gasping at the sight of me. Celestia nodded towards the crowd and they all began hesitant claps. The clapping soon intensified into a decent display, but not anything that really expressed enthusiasm at my being here.
Did I really think it would go another way?
I facepalmed before walking over to the microphone. Celestia gladly handed... or hoofed it over as I gazed down at the huge crowd.
"My name is Kurama Li Feng, starting today I will be in your care.", I announced while politely bowing my head. They weren't buying it for one bit as they stared at me in silence.
I rolled my eyes and made way for Luna as she took the microphone and also spoke a brief part of her own.
"I expect our dearest subjects to see to it that he has no unwanted inconveniences. With this, you are all hereby dismissed."
The numerous crowd of ponies all left their seats and slowly trotted towards the exit, the majority still eyeing me intently. These pony folks were not very adjusted to new things were they?
Celestia trotted over to me and took notice of my not very amused expression.
"Give it time Kurama, I am sure they will open up to you soon enough.", she comforted.
Its not like I really cared, I just found it a bit annoying. Ponies were evidently very tolerant when it came to other ponies, but had trust issues against anything else.
"I wonder why..", I whispered to myself as I glanced over at Celestia. She was speaking to one of the guards about something. Once she was finished, she turned back towards my moody self.
"Before you are escorted to your new chambers, how would you like to have dinner with us? Though you may find it a bit unappealing in some areas.", she proposed.
I immediately shook my head in acceptance. I was beginning to get hungry, plus even if I wasn't, I was in no way about to pass up a meal of royal quality.
I enthusiastically followed behind her, my stomach quietly rumbling in eagerness. After going up a few stairs and walking down an absurdly long hallway, we arrived at another set of double doors. She swung it open, revealing a fancy dining hall.
Inside of the hall lay a black carpet which led to an elongated dining table. Most seats were taken by important looking ponies who were all in suits. The nobles I guess.
They were intensely debating something before it was all brought to silence by both mine and Celestia's presence. I looked around and saw that Luna was no where to be seen, meaning it was just us and these noble folk.
I watched while Celestia took to her expressionless face and trotted over to the grandest seat at the end of the table. Next to it on the edge was a seat which she must have set up for me earlier.
We both took our designated seats as the nobles eyed me thoroughly. On the other side across from me sat a surprisingly overweight noble wearing a tie which was a tad bit too small for him. He was colored in an unbecoming brown and had the typical "im better than everyone" sort of expression.
"Dearest princess Celestia, may I ask you as to why you have brought that thing along?", he asked with quite the disgusted tone.
Celestia kept her straight face as she turned to him.
"His residence wasn't formerly expected, thus he shall dine with us for today. Does that dissatisfy you Mr. Diamond Plate?", she asked with a stern tone.
"As long as your highness serves to keep her little pet in check it shall be of no concern to us", he replied smugly.
Now I knew what Celestia meant by "unappealing". I sort of felt sorry for her, to have to dine with such a spoiled cabbage. I couldn't hope to imagine the stress.
A waiter then began to give out the food. Everyone was given the same plate of highly enticing potato salad with a side of gleaming fruits and vegetables. Everything seemed to have been prepared with so much care and delicacy, that I was certain that if the lights went out it would glow in the dark.
We all began to chow down on our plates. I for one, going for the potato salad first. I took a mouthful and shuddered at the quality and taste, the properties seeming to melt on my tongue.
"Erherm. Well then princess, me and a few...uncooperative others were just discussing the current tax which you had long set on our beautiful citizens..", began the rude overweight noble. I glanced across from me and towards him as I continued to munch on the potato salad.
"..They were very neutral to the matter, but I for one believe that nopony would object if you raised it just a tad higher.", he finished.
Nopony?
Celestia along with a few others, rolled their eyes at his proposal. It was most likely a constantly occurring thing for this guy to propose such things.
"We have went over this countless times already Mr. Diamond Plate. I have no intent on raising the current tax and effectively destroying the lives of those who are already struggling to get by.", answered Celestia, her expression still unfazed.
"Ooh, and this is why I must simply insist every time your highness. My salary-.. our citizens would surely pay no mind to a slight increase, don't you believe so? Everypony simply idolizes you, your highness. Who cares about a few loose ends here in there when they would gladly comply with anything you say?"
Whats with that?
This guys vocabulary was getting on my nerves. Plus, that settled it, he wasn't your everyday spoiled cabbage, no sir he was a real example of what you would call a greedy scumbag. It was now that I seriously DID feel sorry for poor ol' Celly. And it wasn't just her, no one at the table seemed to be a big fan of the guy either.
Celestia gave him a nice, chilling stare before answering.
"I have stayed true to my beliefs before, and I do the same now. It is of no use to continue the topic.", she coldly replied.
The pesky guy didn't even seem close to giving up as he loudly gulped down food and opened his mouth once again.
"Princess I know that I am pestering you, but it is for the good of my pocket-... good of all Equestria that I choose to bother you with such a topic. I truly insist, for I assure you that everypony would gladly hand it over for you, your majesty."
Every...pony? Gaaah.
If he opened his mouth again I was going to speak up. There's just something about this guys words that were seriously irking me, not to mention the fact that he is making absolutely zero efforts to cover up the ulterior motives slipping through his speech. Was he really serious about this??
I glanced over at Celestia, her left eye swiftly yet slightly twitched. It seems she was getting dangerously worked up by his pestering. I turned towards the furball and noticed that he was about to speak up again. I seriously wasn't going to be able to take it anymore.
"Furthermore your highness, everypony would simply-"
"You know.. you can just say anybody..", interrupted a voice, Mr. Diamond Plate abruptly going silent.
"....Instead of anypony?"
Everyone quickly glanced towards me as I continued.
"Frankly, I don't see what the point of that is...". Diamond Plate or whatever eyed me with a bewildered expression as I kept going.
"....She would've known what you had meant, if you had just said anybody.. seems to me like whoever thought that up had some serious cultural issues.", I finished.
After a moment of silence, the table burst into laughter.
"Hahaha, he was totally the one who enforced that too!", laughed a noble at the far end of the table.
"It was about time that somebody, pointed that out to him!", laughed another noble around the mid-section of the table. Diamond Plate's face flushed red with hot anger as I glanced over at Celestia.
She was doing her best to conceal her giggling behind her elegant hoof while the table continued to roar in laughter.
I shrugged and continued to chow down on my plate. I was serious, but I guess that this was also a pleasant change of pace with these pesky ponies. The angered look on his face as he continued to glare at me was also a bonus.
"Why, I never! Princess may I ask that you teach your hideous little pet proper manners?", coldly requested Diamond Plate.
I glared at him and answered in her behalf.
"Her majesty's little pet can speak for itself, or do you need somepony to spell that out for you?", I taunted, my remark being met with more laughter.
At this point he seemed ready to explode.
"Do not think I will let you get away with such disrespect!", he menacingly hissed. I rolled my eyes and pointed my fork in his direction, at this point I had accepted the match of verbal insults, my next response made with the intent of going in for the kill.
"What are you gonna do? Wrap me in that petite tie of yours? Or is it only petite by comparison?", I smugly replied. Some of the nobles were now rolling on the ground in their relentless fit of laughter.
"You better watch your back you putrid beast!!", he snarled as he attempted to run out of the room. His fat behind took a few solid seconds to even reach the doors before he exited them.
I huffed and finished my plate.
Then I turned to Celestia who was now quietly laughing to herself, which was quite the charming sight. Must've been the species.. but I figured that it was better for her to be herself at times.
"You know, you look way better with a nice big smile on your face", I said.
She stopped her small bit of laughter and looked at me with a surprised expression.
"Well, its not like I blame you. Some of your subjects are so frustratingly hopeless, I really don't know how you could deal with them. Buuut, it wouldn't hurt to at least show me that awesome smile of yours more often, your highness.", I teased, a cheesy smile forming itself upon my face.
Her eyes widened a bit at my unexpected remark and she shifted her gaze to the side. I chose to not drag this out any further just in the case that she felt uncomfortable. I simply didn't want her to go through the trouble of keeping her guard up around me. For one thing, I certainly wasn't anything like that furry beach ball from earlier.
I slumped back on my chair and yawned. The laughter finally died down after a while as nobles finished their plates. After a few minutes of casual chit-chat, some began to get up and leave.
I yawned again and glanced over at Celestia, she was in a mild state of thought.
"So, may I be given permission to go to my sleeping chambers?", I asked, which snapped her out of her daze.
"Y-yes, I apologize about that.", she responded. She turned to a guard and motioned him to come over. He came and immediately nodded in comprehension at the sight of me.
"Please follow me, sir.", he said as he began to lead the way. I got up and followed after him, fatigue beginning to consume me. Before I closed the doors behind me, I waved goodbye to Celestia.
She seemed to be distracted, so I proceeded to shut the doors and follow the guard to my chambers.
I yawned once again while I followed him and soon, we arrived to the designated area. He politely bowed before returning to his post and leaving me to myself.
I lazily opened the door and closed it behind me, not even bothering to turn on the lights and admire my new room as I plopped face down onto my huge comfy bed.
Today had probably been the most eventful day of my life. Way too many crazy things happened and for the sake of not going insane, my brain was seriously in need of some good old fashioned "shutting the hell down".
I closed my eyes as sleep began to take me as its prisoner, this time in particular being way faster than ever before. A relaxed sigh slowly escaped me in the process.
Goodnight Disem.
Quiet, fool.
A smile crept up onto my face and with that, I went calmly to sleep.