A mysterious ancient wanderer arrives in Ponyville...
A mysterious wanderer with trinkets from all over the world and what seems to be the keen wisdom of ancients arrives in Ponyville. Chalk full of surprises, he quickly meets new, friendly ponies, but who is this stallion and what is his real purpose in returning to Equestria?
Author's Notes: The events of this story begin taking place between the episodes "Princess Twilight Sparkle" and "Castle Mane-ia."
The early morning fog was light on the Southern road. The first rays of the sun had just broken over the horizon, rousing several woodland creatures from their sleep. But their rustling and bustling where not the first sounds to greet the new celestial day. Slowly heading North, a lone soul trudged forward, hooves clacking on the rocks on the road, wagon softly creaking behind him. A thick brown cloak covering most of his body and face, but from the bit of muzzle and hooves that was visible, he was a deep crimson red.
As he reached the crest of a hill, he paused and looked down at the village below. Well, this is new, he thought. It had been a very long time since he had travelled these paths, but he was not expecting to see another town until he had reached his ending destination of Canterlot. Still, this find would be fortuitous, giving him an opportunity to reacquaint himself with Equestria before heading on.
With a tap of his hoof, he set off again. By now the sun was completely in the sky. The traveler took in the scenery, marveling at how so little had seemed to change in his absence, at least outwardly. Up ahead, where a smaller path joined the main road, he saw another wagon overloaded with apples. He quickened his pace to catch up. “Blessed morning to you, fellow traveler!” he said.
The other wagon stopped and an orange mare with blonde hair and a cowboy hat glanced behind it. “Big Mac? I thought I told ya’ll to check on the cider machines before comin’ into town with the second cart.”
The stallion pushed the thick and worn hood off his head, revealing a flowing mane of an almost blood-red with tips as vibrant yellow as the sun at high noon. Beneath these straight locks protruded the long, sharp horn of a unicorn. “I am afraid you have mistaken me for another pony.”
“Aw, yeah, sorry about that. I shoulda figured, but I saw your red coat and the cart and just assumed. Heck, ya’ll don’t even sound like ma brother.”
“That is quite alright Miss…?”
“Call me Applejack!”
“Very well. I am Pyros, a wandering merchant, as it were.”
“Glad ta meet cha’!” She extended a friendly hoof, which Pyros shook.
“Would you mind if I kept you company on this road? It seems we are both heading towards that village.”
“Ya’ll ain’t from around these parts, are ya? That there’s Ponyville.”
“Ah! Well, yes, I am not from here.”
“So, what’s a unicorn merchant doin’ wanderin’ around here anyway? Looking to buy up some vittles for them Filly Delphia or Baltimare ponies?” she inquired, batting her eyelashes between him and the apples behind her.
“Oh, I buy a little of this, a little of that. Really, anything that gets me by on my journey to Canterlot.”
“Hee, ya’ll unicorns sure do love Canterlot. Ma friend Rarity can’t get enough of that place!”
“I was born there.”
“Really? Wow, ya’ll have ta meet!”
“I look forward to it. I will no doubt stay here for some time before continuing. What of yourself? An apple farmer, I presume?”
“Sure am! Ma family runs Sweet Apple Acres!”
They continued their conversation all the way to the city square, Applejack talking all about the locals and her friends while Pyros listened intensely. Applejack started setting up her apple stand while Pyros checked with Mayor Mare to set up his own stand. As she set out her signs, a white unicorn with styled purple mane and tail and three diamonds on her flank came trotting up. “Hi Applejack.”
“Howdy Rarity! What ya’ll up to?”
“You wouldn’t happen to have seen Spike anywhere around here, would you? I need to get some more gemstones for my latest, greatest masterpiece of a dress and was going to ask him to help me. But he’s not at the library and Twilight doesn’t know where he went off to.”
“Can’t say that I’ve seen him. If he ain’t with you or Twi, I guess he might be at Sugarcube Corner.”
“No, I already checked there as well.”
“Um, pardon me, ma’am,” interjected Pyros who had just returned, “but did I hear that you were in the market for gemstones?”
Rarity looked over at the stallion. “Why, yes, I suppose so.”
“Ah, right. Rarity, this is Pyros. He’s from Canterlot!”
Rarity’s eyes sparkled. “Oh really?! Then you know all about the glamor, the sophistication, the pure majesty of the greatest city in the world?!”
He chuckled. “I have travelled far across the world and seen many things; and yes, Canterlot is among the greatest.”
“Ooooh! How captivating! You say you have some gems?”
“Well, I happen to have some of the finest gemstones throughout the world, including several varieties that I know for a fact cannot be found in Equestria.”
“Really?” replied Rarity, intrigued. “Well, that might work. May I take a look at your wares?”
Grinning, Pyros pulled his cart alongside Applejack’s and opened the sides. Inside was a menagerie of trinkets and goods. Intricate sculptures from distant continents, thick, leather-bound books mostly in foreign languages, seeds of exotic plants, shimmering luminescents captured on delicate rope chains. Rarity’s eyes beamed and she gasped at the splendor while he dug through one of the drawers. “Let us see, rubies, sapphires, emeralds, blue topaz, amethyst… what is this dress you are making anyway?”
“Oh, it’s a modern take on the classic Victo-rein Era Tempest dress.”
“If I recall correctly, those were very slim on the croup, with a high collar and enough trim to be fashionable and elegant but not flashy and garish, right?”
“I’m quite impressed! You know you seem to know your fashion, though that plain cape of yours seems a little old. I need some nice stones to highlight a line down the chest and give it a little extra something, but not something so shiny that it distracts from the rest of the dress.”
“Hmmmm… and what colors are you using?”
“Why, earth tones are in this season! I’m using a nice rustic red.”
Pyros came up from his work. “Then I think I have the perfect stones for you.” He opened a small box with numerous turquois gems. “These beauties come from the Badlands to the far South. They will provide a nice contrast to the rust color, I believe; eye catching, but not distracting from the rest of the dress; gives off a refined taste, but is not boastful about it…”
Rarity grinned widely, blue eyes sparkling. “OH I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THEM!!!” Then she became coy. “Oh, but they must be so expensive, coming from so far away…”
“Not at all! I can assure you that I have the best prices for my wares.”
“How much are you asking?”
Pyros thought for a moment. “What is the price of a sandwich around here?”
“Oh, I’m sure such a smart and handsome unicorn like yourself… wait, what?”
“Applejack, how much does a sandwich cost?”
“Uh… four bits?”
“Right then; four bits for the lot, Miss Rarity.”
Applejack and Rarity’s jaws dropped. “What in the hay are ya’ll trying to pull on us?”
“I must say, that price does seem quite low for such fine pieces.”
“Ladies, I can assure you that this is no trick. I have acquired many, many objects in my long travels, some of great value and some of insignificant worth. And now that I near the end of my journey, I see no need to keep holding onto most of these things. So, why not apply those skills to help somepony acquire what they seek?”
“Well… I supposed I can’t pass up such a good deal…” Rarity took out four bits and handed them over to Pyros.
“Thank you so very much!”
“Oh, it is nothing,” he said, smiling at her.
The morning passed and several ponies visited Pyro’s stand, marveling at the remarkable pieces and often even more remarkable stories behind them. Everyone left with something. The higher traffic improved Applejack’s sales too, her cart being emptied well before noon. At that time, a black and white striped pony had wandered into the square, making her monthly run for potion ingredients.
Applejack nudged Pyros. “Hey, ya’ll might want ta take a look over to your left.”
He glanced over. “A zebra in Equestria? Wow, I did not know any had left the Zevanna for here.”
“Yep! She lives in the Everfree Forest. I recon ya’ll otta meet!” She waved. “Zecora! Hey, Zecora!”
Zecora glanced over at Applejack and the red stallion. “Good afternoon to you Applejack; and of your neighbor, knowledge I lack.”
“Hujambo, Zecora-bi; habari ya mchana? Jina langu ni Pyros.”
“You know the language of my homeland? You must have travelled far across the sand!”
“Indeed I have. I spent many years wandering the Zevanna, learning the cultures and selling wares.”
Zecora’s eyes wandered over to his cart, stopping when she got to the masks. Of the several colorful varieties with points and exaggerated proportions, a long one made from natural black and white-painted wood struck her. “Do my eyes deceive me? Or is that the face of Grévy?”
“Why, yes! A ceremonial version of the highest patron deity over all of Zebra-kind.”
She bowed before it. “Long have I gone without seeing that mask; in his glory once more, I feel I should bask.”
Pyros remained quiet while Zecora was down. As she got up, he asked her, “Would you like it?”
“To keep such an icon burns in my heart, to protect my hut whenever I depart. But the cost of you bringing a piece so rare… the price you would ask, I could not bare.”
“Kufikiria zawadi.”
Zecora’s eyes grew wide. “A gift, you so generously offer? And you have no desire to add to your coffer?”
“None. It is a religious symbol to you, after all. I cannot stand between you and something like that.”
“Then such a deal I cannot pass up; visit my hut sometime and share a cup.”
“Thank you, Zecora.” Pyros took down the mask and placed it in Zecora’s bag. They bowed to each other and Zecora parted.
“Well, Applejack. You have been pretty quiet. How long until your brother arrives?”
Applejack smirked at him. “Probably not another hour.”
“Then shall we adjourn to a café for lunch?”
“Sure! I’m hungrier than a cow stranded on a rock farm!”
The two went to a restaurant near the square. They sat in silence for a few moments after placing their order. “Soooo… Ya’ll seem to know about zebras. I always wondered an’ been too embarrassed to ask her ma self… why does Zecora speak in rhymes, an’ not more straight-forward like?”
“It is a tradition among Zebras. When they learn a foreign language, they purposely learn though stories and parables to gain the greatest beauty in their speech, and that usually leads to speech patterns consistent with local poetry. They view it as a sign of respect to the different culture.”
“Huh… I hadn’ thought of that…”
“Oh yes. The differences in societies can be quite amazing. For instance, this town,” he added, looking around. “It seems so small, yet it is filled with a bountiful collection of pegasi, unicorns, and earth ponies, not to mention all of the other beings.”
“Yeah, we get all kinds ‘round here. We kind of ended up as a central little hub for Equestria.”
Across the street at Sugarcube Corner, a pink pony with curly tail and mane came bouncing out, humming a cheery tune with a big smile on her face. Looking around in half a second, she took in all of her surroundings, noticing the one major difference. With two hops she was on the table between Applejack and Pyros. “HI YA APPLEJACK how you doing who’s the new guy I’ve never seen you around Ponyville before are you two on a date I bet not he’s probably just some colt looking to buy a lot of your apples gotta say I’ve never seen a stallion as big as you isn’t it hot wearing that cape right now…”
Pyros looked around the bouncing ball of pink. “Let me guess… this is Pinkie Pie?”
“Eyep.”
Pinke gave an overly-dramatic gasp of disbelief. “You already know who I am? But I don’t know anything about you!”
“I am Pyros, travelling merchant.”
She sat down next to him. “I’m Pinkie Pie, baker and sweets connoisseur deluxe! But you already knew that. So what brings you to Ponyville? Oh, silly me; you’re selling stuff, aren’t you?”
“Yes, on my way to Canterlot.”
“Oooooooo! Fancypants!”
“I suppose. I was born there and it has been some time since I last laid eyes on it, or even Equestria.”
“Well, I hope you’re not planning on leaving US anytime soon! We’ll have to throw you a party to welcome you back!”
“Oh… well, thank you, but that is unnecessary…”
Pinkie stopped dead and stared deep into his eyes. “What? Are you not big into parties or something? Everypony likes a party.”
Pyros leaned back a bit. “Oh, no, it is not that I dislike parties… it is simply that I do not wish to trouble you with hosting one on my account…”
“Silly, it’s no problem! I’m a master of parties and can whip one up in ten seconds flat, as Dashie would say.”
“Ya best give in. Once Pinkie gets her mind set on a party, there’s no shakin’ her from it.”
“Well… I was planning on staying here for some time anyway…”
Pinkie grabbed him into a big hug. “YAY!!! Oh, we’ll have to invite everyone in Ponyville! I wonder how much cake that will take…”
While she turned around to figure out the math on an abacus she seemed to pull from thin air, two pegasi and a unicorn turned the corner. The unicorn was Rarity. A yellow pegasus with a pink mane walked on the ground next to her while a light blue one with a rainbow mane flew backwards, on her back, a few feet above the rest of the group, front legs crossed behind her head. But the fourth leading this group was the most perplexing of all, a faint purple alicorn with a violet mane that had purple and pink strips.
“Oh! There you are Pinkie and Applejack,” said the alicorn. “We were just coming to get you and see if you wanted to join us for lunch.”
“Howdy! Why don’ ya’ll join us?”
Flipping over, the rainbowed pegasus peered at the crimson stranger. “This that guy you were yapping about, Rarity?”
“Ugh… such an uncouth way of saying it Rainbow Dash. But yes, this is the absolutely charming and generous unicorn I was speaking of.”
The four newcomers all sat at the table. The yellow pegasus slouched a bit, hiding part of her face behind her mane. “H-hi… I’m Fluttershy…”
“A pleasure to meet you, Fluttershy. I have heard a bit about you from Applejack. She mentioned you once stood up to a dragon in his own lair.”
“Oh… well, that was nothing really…”
“Nonsense! I must say, that is an impressive feat. Such powerful and ancient creatures… for anypony to stand up to them shows great strength and resolve!”
She smiled a bit at him as Rainbow Dash flapped her wings. “Well, what about me? I’m sure AJ had more than a few good stories about my awesomeness!”
“Why yes! Something about being shown up by an egghead in a hoof race, destroying a priceless statue in Canterlot Castle, outperformed by some mysterious mare in a purple cape and hat…” He let the words sink in for a minute, soliciting an icy glare from her. “But also much about your loyalty as a friend. And how you can perform a Sonic Rainboom.”
“That’s more like it!”
“Which means,” he turned to the purple alicorn and bowed, “you must be Twilight Sparkle, newly crowned Princess of Equestria and aforementioned egghead.”
Twilight blushed. “Heehee… well, yes.”
“I am curious to hear a few things about your latest spell research.”
“Really? You’d like to hear about my work with transformation spells?”
He tapped his horn. “I have dabbled a bit in the various schools of magic. Comes in handy when you travel as much as I have.”
“Well, right now I’m trying a variant of Nicole Flamare’s Crystal Spells, transmuting soil samples into crystals. I’m starting simple with the isometric ones, but I’m looking forward to the hexagonals.”
“Wow, you are already mastering the works of Flamare? Remarkable for one so young!”
“What can I say? I have a good teacher.”
“And you spend all your time with your nose in those books.”
“Like you’re one to talk, Dash. What were you doing in the Town Hall attic when you were supposed to be setting up an evening shower last week?”
“Hey, Daring Do is exciting stuff!”
“Far be it from me to normally side with Rainbow Dash, but I must agree with her on this one Twilight.”
“Oh, not that there’s anything wrong with staying in and reading a book of any kind, tucked in under a blanket with a bunny at your hooves.”
“My point exactly! Thank you, Fluttershy.”
“Eh, ta each their own, sugarcube.”
“And seven batches of chocolate-chip cookies should do it! Oh, hey girls! When did you get here?”
Pyros chuckled to himself. So long, so different… and yet, all the same. He closed his eyes in contemplation while the others continued their conversation. His ears picked up the faint sounds of shouting coming from behind.
Huffing and puffing, a purple baby dragon ran at full tilt down the road. “TWILIGHT!! TWILIGHT!! WHERE ARE YOU?!?!?!”
Everypony turned to look at him. “Spike? What’s wrong?”
“Trou-trou-trouble… big trouble… massive, major…”
“Spike, calm down. You’re not making any sen-…”
An ear shattering roar came from above. All eyes turned Southeast to see numerous specks growing larger by the second, thrashing and roaring, tongues of flame erupting forth in a display of power.
All eyes turned at the sight and sound, panic setting in almost immediately. Screams and shouts ripped the previously calm day. Ponies started running for their houses and loved ones as the still blurry dots grew.
“There’re so many of them! But the last migration was only a year ago…”
“That’s… what I was going to… say Twilight…” huffed out Spike. “One of the dragons I met on my journey… he just contacted me... said a horde was coming to Ponyville and as a dragon I should join them…”
“A horde? A dragon invasion?! Why would they attack us?”
“I don’t know! He just said they were coming.”
Rainbow Dash and Applejack shot up in anger, but not sure what do to next. Fluttershy let out a pathetic shriek and curled into a tight, shaking ball. Rarity and Pinkie Pie screamed, flailing their hooves about. Twilight’s mind was racing, trying to think of what to do.
“Enough!” commanded Pyros. All six froze and looked to him. “If dragons are declaring war, we need to act fast. Applejack, Rainbow Dash, gather up everypony on the edges of town and get them inside. Fluttershy and Pinkie, get ponies and water buckets to stem fires. Rarity, find unicorns and tell them to meet in the middle of town.” They stared for a moment more then ran off with their orders. “Twilight, do you know any barrier spells?”
“Uh... I’ve read about a few, but I don’t think I can make it powerful enough to cover the whole town.”
“I have faith in you. Get to the town center and start casting one. The unicorns will join you and add their magic to strengthen it. I will help gather more.”
He ran off. Spike hopped up onto Twilight’s back as she rushed to the town square and ran through the barrier spells she knew. Most would not stand up to a single dragon, much less an entire horde, but she could try the one Shining Armor used to protect Canterlot during the Changling Invasion. When she reached the middle, she saw ponies rushing about, but unlike the panicked gallops of a few moments ago, these seemed to be with purpose. A small group of unicorns already stood in the middle, waiting for her.
“Twilight! What’s going on?”
“Listen up everypony! Dragons are invading and we need a barrier to protect Ponyville. I’ll cast the spell, but I need the help of every unicorn to keep it strong.”
With that, Twilight bared down, concentrating hard, her horn glowing. A bubble, she pictured. A giant, impenetrable bubble, surrounding the entire town. There was a flash and a column of white light shot up from her horn, stopping at fifty feet and slowly spreading out, taking the shape of a massive purple dome that lowered itself back to the ground. The unicorns pointed their own horns at Twilight. Tendrils of mystical light drifted from them to her, speeding up the dome’s formation. Within a few moments, the dome was set and Twilight opened her eyes. She saw Rainbow Dash and Applejack rushing towards her.
“Ah think we got ‘em all. What now?”
“We’ll have to set up defenses if they break through. Move carts to make blockades and shelter. Dash, find Pinkie and get some buckets. Then organize some pegasi into teams for quick responses.”
“You got it!” Rainbow threw a salute.
Twilight focused once more and cast another spell to strengthen the dome. The extra power from the unicorns kept her from feeling weaker.
“Twilight, I think I’ve gotten all the unicorns here.”
“Good. Stay here with the rest and help me cast another layer.”
“Twi! Twi! We have buckets and pots and barrels and tea cups and…”
“That’s good Pinkie. Put the barrels and anything else large at various spots around the town and have teams with them. Fluttershy, we’ll need some ponies for medical aid. Go with Spike to find the doctors and nurses.”
“O-okay Twilight.”
“Aww, but Twi…”
“No buts mister!”
Spike grumbled a bit, but went off with Fluttershy as Pyros finally got back to the center. “Good job. The town’s defenses are coming together.”
A thunderous roar announced that the dragons had reached the dome. The ground underhoof quaked from the power. The nearby ponies shook with fear, but stood their ground.
Three leading dragons began whacking at the dome with their tails. Deep thumps reverberated through the inner town, but the barrier stood. Even more dragons joined in, biting, clawing, and beating, but Twilight’s spell was too good and withstood the physical blows.
Then the dragons stopped. Glaring at the ponies below, they began backing away. As one, they drew a collective breath.
“DRAGON FIRE!!” shouted Twilight. Her wings flared out as she immediately cast another spell, holding it as a mix of the visible spectrum rained down on the barrier from all angles. On the outside, the magical layers protecting Ponyville seemed to melt away under the heat and power. Twilight kept the dome strong, the column of white light linking her to the top. Every unicorn gritted their teeth and concentrated harder. Several began feeling weaker from putting their all into supporting Twilight.
The fire stopped and another collective breath was drawn as a second scorching began. Unicorns began fainting from overexertion. Even Twilight was starting to feel the effects of holding the spell so long. This only hardened her resolve, concentrating as hard as she could.
High above the shield, two blue and one red dragon met. Claws held together, they began chanting in the dragon tongue. A red flame sparked between them, dancing in midair. As their chant continued, the fire swelled, forming into a giant column of pure blue fire. With a final shout, the column shot down directly to the barrier, the three dragons diving behind it. Pyros looked up just before impact.
“Oh no…”
With resounding clash, the fire shattered the barrier, hot wind sweeping though the town. Everypony in the town center was blown away, slammed into buildings, and cast several blocks from where they started. Twilight’s spell rebounded, slamming her to the ground and leaving her weak and groggy. She could vaguely hear the screams of ponies and the victorious laughter and yells of the dragons.
“Twi! TWI!” Pinkie Pie had gotten to Twilight, shaking her. “Are you alright?”
“Ugh… Y-yeah…”
Just then, the leading dragons hit the ground hard. The red dragon who landed in the town center turned, literally face to face with Pinkie. For once, she was rooted to the spot. “Uhhhh… h-hi there, Mr. Dragon…”
The dragon let out an earsplitting roar, blowing over the near-by trees and shrubs. He stood on his hind legs, preparing to use his fire breath. Pinkie grabbed Twilight and tried to run, but it was too late. Fire rained down, fanning out in a majestic display of destruction across the whole square.
But it never reached the ground. It didn’t even reach the roof-tops. Somehow, the flames twisted up, harmlessly into the air. The dragon was just as confused as the ponies. Pinkie glanced behind her. “Wow Twi! How’d you do that?”
“I… I didn’t… Nopony living has power to manipulate dragon flame like that.”
“That is not entirely true, Twilight Sparkle.” The girls looked behind them for the strange voice. Pyros stood behind them, his eyes burning with a bright white fire. “Thank Divine Sufta I still walk this earth.” With his teeth, he grabbed his bulky and shabby brown cloak, gracefully pulling it off. Beneath, a pair of large wings flared out.
The red stallion ignored Twilight’s bewildered protestations. He flew up towards the dragon, growing in stature as he did. The other dragons and ponies paused, mesmerized by the sight and the loud, deep, booming voice seeming to emanate from the midst of fire itself. “I AM PYROS, PRINCE OF THE FLAME! I AM THY MASTER IN THIS LAND, OR HATH EVEN THE LONG MEMORIES OF THE DRAGONS FORGOTTEN?”
The dragon stopped, amazed at the boldness of the creature before him. “Foolish pony! You know nothing of our power or our ways, whatever tricks you might have.”
“Oh? I know that the dragons never begin a war without the consent of The Elders and never attack without one present. Bring him to me!”
The dragon drew another breath and fired, hitting him directly. The alicorn did not even flinch as fire consumed him. Then, as the dragon drew back and the flame died, the horse was still there, unscratched. “How… how…”
With another flash of his eyes, Pyros’ mane and tail flared into an ethereal state, mimicking the dancing of white-hot flames. “I SUMMON FORTH THE CROWNED ELDER! SHOW THYSELF OR FACE MY WRATH!”
The dragons muttered amongst themselves until far in the back, black wings spread. The largest of all the dragons present flew to the front. His faded black scales and spines were cracked from long age, but it was clear that he was still the strongest in the horde. Setting down next to the red one, the old dragon peered at the relatively minuscule horse.
“Ah, Krynn,” said Pyros. “I remember when thou were hatched. Blessed amongst the dragon-kind, in the Year of the Spark and under the sign of the Dual Horns, thou were long marked to be a leader of thy people.”
“Yes…” the elder spoke, in a voice as deep and wise as the alicorn’s. “Prince Pyros of Equestria; known for his honesty and furious temper. Yes, I remember you at my ascension to the Elders.”
“Aye, thou hath nay forgotten me. Then why hath thou forgotten the treaty that I negotiated declaring peace and friendship between our peoples?”
“The Elders are much younger, Pyros. Many have passed on and their successors did not see the old events unfold. They thirst for a fight as all young ones do. And with Equestria just to the North, and the untamed Everfree Forest remaining virtually unclaimed… the temptation for them was too great, and it passed by one vote.”
“The Everfree Forest beith within the borders of Equestria. And this city is most certainly under Celestia’s domain! Doth thou have no respect for her sovereignty?”
“I could ask the same of you. We do not care for Celestia’s wishes or rights to rule. She has even gone so far as to place an Equestiran Princess on the throne of the Crystal Empire.”
Pyros eyes grew wider. “The Empire hath returned?”
“Aye, it has. In short, Celestia has done nothing to prove herself to us or earn our respect. But you… you we respect. You long ago demonstrated yourself to have the strength of a dragon.”
“Elder,” interrupted the young red dragon. “Why should we listen to this weak mortal? He is just a pathetic pony!”
“And you, Charizard, are naïve. This ‘pony’ as you call him, has passed gauntlets even some of the Elders have not faced. And without him, we would have been crushed under the claws of Sirrush.”
“A hatching’s tale!”
“No,” said a third green dragon. “His attempts to grab power were very real. I was young, but I remember how he crushed foes and laid waste to so many clans. It was said in our clutch that a traveler from a distant land helped save us.”
“Indeed, Uther. And here he hovers before you.”
“Then wilt thou withdraw?” asked Pyros. “Cease this invasion of Equestria and return to thy lands?”
Krynn thought for a moment. “Aye; we will withdraw.”
Cries went out from half of the dragons present, none louder than Charizard. “NO! Elder, they are weak and this land is deservedly ours. And the vote of the Elders was in favor of war!”
Krynn’s tail whipped around with incredible speed, striking Charizard in the gut and sending him staggering. “I am the Crowned Elder! As I did not cast a vote at the time as is the tradition, I do so now against the war. We are tied and the order is void.” He turned back to Pyros. “We will leave, but I feel the time has come to negotiate a new treaty.”
“So it would seem. Much hath changed in my absence.”
“Aye; we should both take time to acquaint ourselves with the changes. Visit the Elders in a year’s time to begin work.”
“Agreed.” Pyros placed his hooves together, bowing his head. “Mindok Faal Mulaag Ahkrin Se Dovyol.”
Krynn placed his claws together and bowed. “Ahrk Dein Akatosh Voth Hio. Dragons, return home.” With that, he spread his wings and began flying Southeast, followed by the rest of the dragons, some more reluctantly than others.
Pyros hovered back to the ground, his eyes, mane, and stature returning to normal. The ponies in the square hesitantly backed away, except for Pinkie who began bouncing around immediately. “Wow! That was like so amazing the way you talked that dragon down and that one part where you caught fire and I was sure you were a gonner and we’d have to throw you a funeral but you didn’t and you’re alive so we can throw a big ‘Congratulations on Still Being Alive and Saving All of Ponyville’ party which is always so much more fun the last time we had one would have been after Trixie took over though it’s not like anyone was really gonna die she was just really really mean and snootie and…”
Twilight was far more reserved as she approached him. “So… you’re an alicorn… I didn’t know there were any male alicorns.”
“Yes. I was hoping to keep that part of me a secret, but... well, I could not let the town burn.”
“Why hide it? It’s part of who you are.”
“You of all ponies should know by now. Alicorns are treated differently in Equestria. Other parts of the world do not know what an alicorn even is, but here, no pony would approach you, fearful of your power. Especially mine.” He absent-mindedly glanced at his cutie mark – a three-tongued flame under a simple four-pointed crown.
“I... I suppose you are right.”
He gave her a smile. “Oh well, it is of no concern. The damage to the town seems minimal, and there seem to be no medical emergencies, apart from those that overexerted themselves and really all they need is rest…”
To the left, Spike and Fluttershy returned. “Shame really,” he said. “A couple weeks ago you probably could have used the Elements of Harmony to send them away.”
“Do not be ridiculous,” interjected Pyros. “Even if we had the Elements here and Celestia to wield them, they would likely have little power to stop the dragons and their own magic.”
“… Who’s this guy? What, have you been under a rock for the past three years?”
“Spike, don’t be rude,” said Twilight. “It seems you really have been away from Equestria for some time. My friends and I found the Elements and controlled them. That is until very recently when they were returned to the Tree of Harmony.”
Pyros’ eyes went wide with shock. “Th-the Elements are reunited? But then…” His voice trailed off as he fell into deep thought.
“Is, um, is everything alright?”
He glanced at the others. “Oh… yes; fine…”
The other three ponies rounded a corner to the right, all of whom were stunned at the sight of Pyros and his wings.
“Whoa! I wouldn’t have guessed that! You just became awesome!”
“Such magnificent, elegant wings! And that ethereal mane was so gorgeous; why don’t you keep it all the time?”
Applejack walked up to him, shaking slightly, and bowed. “Yer majesty… Ah didn’ reckon…”
Pyros placed a hoof on her shoulder. “Arise, Applejack. I am no true Prince or deserving of such displays.”
She looked up to his calm face, noticing the fondness in his eyes. Standing, she said, “Alright then. Hee, ah felt like there was more to ya than ya were lettin’ on.”
He chuckled. “So Pinkie… I do not believe we ever had lunch. Would you be so kind as to let us sample some of your latest culinary creations?”
“SURE!! We’ll have to bake up a storm and have a party for saving the town tonight oh it will be so much fun…”
As Pyros walked off with Pinkie bouncing at the front of the group, Applejack hung back with Twilight and the others. “What a day, eh? Make a good letter ta the Princess, won’ it?”
“Yes… I don’t know what to make of our alicorn guest though…”
“He seems genuine enough. Ah can’ quite place it, but ah feel like ah kind of know him…”
“Darling, it feels like there’s something you are not telling us.”
“It’s just… that kind of power… a male alicorn… how he seems to know so much… I just don’t get it.”
“Do you not trust him?” asked Rainbow Dash.
“It’s not that… I just think he isn’t telling us everything. I feel we should keep an eye on him.”
“Um… you could let him stay in the library tonight.”
“Not a bad idea, Fluttershy; and I’ll write to the Princess tonight. Maybe she knows something we don’t.”
With that, the ponies arrived at Sugarcube Corner. Pinkie immediately went to work with her baking storm, dragging in the Cakes, Fluttershy, Applejack, Rarity, and a dozen others while some of the other ponies started setting up other things to celebrate the retreat of the dragons. By sundown, everything was prepared. The town was aglow with lantern lights while the ponies from all walks of life converged on the square. Pyros was the hero of the hour, soliciting a mixture of respect and gratitude, but also reverent anxiety. Twilight, meanwhile, drafted her letter to Celestia.
Dear Princess Celestia,
Today was a more than eventful day in Ponyville. A dragon horde descended upon the town, trying to stake a claim for the Everfree Forest; but then, an unknown traveler saved us – a red alicorn by the name of Pyros. He was able to negotiate a withdraw, keeping Ponyville from being destroyed.
I must say, it is interesting to see yet another alicorn here. It seems only yesterday you were the only one. Now, Princess Luna has returned, Cadence took her place, and even I am one! And now a fifth has shown up. I was hoping you may be able to shed some light this turn of events.
Your friend,
Twilight Sparkle
With a last flourish of her quill, Twilight rolled up the parchment and handed it to Spike to send off. Walking back to the party, she noticed a figure on top of one of the houses. Pyros sat there, gazing at the stars.
“You know Pinkie will clip your wings if you leave a party she’s throwing for you, right?”
“Heehee… this is a celebration for the whole town, not I. And she is currently entertaining the young fillies and colts with her jokes. Care to join me?”
With a purple flash, Twilight vanished from her spot on the ground and reappeared next to him on the roof. The stallion continued to contemplate at the sky. “Such beautiful nights in Equestria… Truly, even over the vast emptiness of the Zevanna, no nights are as magnificent as Equestrian.”
Twilight looked up at the stars she saw every night. “If you say so. I know about the star charts from other positions of the world, but never seen them for myself.”
“There is only so much that can be conveyed though papers and books. Oh, for completing all important magic and research they are fine; but for the pure, evocative beauty? Only experiencing it for one’s self can do it justice.”
“You must have seen a lot, experienced a lot.”
“I have. But none of it could match my joy to return home. Still, I had expected more to change in appearance since I left. But no… it seems that what has changed is much, much deeper and I am at a loss as to what to do.”
“Well, you know a good place to start learning about these changes?”
“Where would that be?”
“A book!” Twilight grinned.
Pyros smiled. “Hoisted on my own petard, it would seem. You run the Ponyville Library, right?”
“Yep!”
“I will pay a visit tomorrow morning to begin my research.”
“Why start tomorrow? Stay over at the library and you can start tonight!”
“Really? Thank you, Twilight Sparkle.”
A whoosh of wings and rainbow tail ended their conversation. “There you are, Pyros. Come on, Pinkie is having a fit trying to find you. And you still haven’t given me a chance to prove my ACTUAL hoofracing skills!”
“Very well, Rainbow Dash. Fly off to the North edge of town and we will race from there to the statue in the square. Twilight, I will no doubt see you at the library tonight.”
With that, Rainbow and Pyros streaked off as Twilight hopped down from the roof and returned to the party. For a few more hours the celebrations went on. At the end of the night, when Pyros was finally able to shake off the over-excited and sugar-high Pinkie, he met Twilight at the library where she, sleepy baby dragon on her back, explained in lengthy detail about her library system and where to find all the different books. With that, she went upstairs to put Spike to bed and get some sleep herself while he began browsing.
***
Twilight woke up in the middle of the night. She didn’t know why; she wasn’t having a nightmare, or even a particularly troubled sleep. Groggily, she started making her way towards the stairs to get some water, but at the start of the stairwell, she could have sworn she heard voices. Tense voices in the middle of an argument in the library. Quietly, she tip-hoofed down the stairs, trying to hear what they were saying. It seemed like a stallion and a mare. Well, the stallion would be Pyros, but who was the mare? It seemed familiar; did one of her friends come over for something? She peered down into the library to see… Princess Celestia?!
“I can’t believe you came back,” said Celestia. “After all that happened.”
“I saw the signs,” replied Pyros. “It was time to return.”
“You left with such conviction, such anger. I want to know you are not back to hurt us.”
“I am not. But you do not believe me.”
“As always, the good of my subjects must take precedence.”
“To the point where you cannot even trust your family? Your own brother?”
Pyros stared at the page in front of him, by now barely paying attention to what was written. He had been at this for well over an hour, yet his mind was still racing, trying to process all of the events of the previous day. While he had expected Equestria to be a very different place from when he left, he still didn’t expect that he would be back in the saddle of his duties so quickly. One thing was clear - he would have to face her much sooner than expected. Maybe the event with the dragons would give him some leverage, make her more amicable, but he thought along the same lines when he left all those years ago.
The crimson alicorn stallion sighed and stepped away from the desk, his back to the door, eyes closed and calmly meditating. A breeze ran through the room from an open window, but that wasn’t the cause of the back of his blood-red mane prickling. “Ah… Celestia." he said, not bothering to look behind him. "It has been some time, has it not?”
Wings unfurled, eyes slanted in suspicion, the white mare glared at the back of his head. “You've returned.”
Pyros chuckled mirthlessly. “Come now; is that the best you can come up with? What has it been? A millennium?”
Celestia remained abstinent. “Why have you returned?”
He turned to her, tilting his head slightly out of curiosity. “Is something wrong?”
“Yes; you’re not supposed to be here," she said flatly. "You were exiled.”
“I did not know you made it official," he responded, mirroring his sister's dry tone. "I felt that I could at least pass though as I needed. Not to mention I just saved your nation from burning under dragonflame. Show a little gratitude, would you?”
Celestia sighed. “After all that had happened, I cannot believe that you've come back."
“I saw the signs. It was time to return.”
“You left us with such conviction, such anger. I need to know that it is not still plaguing your mind and heart.”
“Worry not; such wrath left me long ago," he said with sincerity. "I hold no designs for destruction. But I trust that you do not believe me.”
Celestia kept her look of diplomatic reservation. “As always, the good of my subjects must take precedence.”
Pyros wanted to scoff at her words, but he had the sense not to. “To the point where you cannot even trust your family? Your own brother?”
“BROTHER?!” came the voice of Twilight Sparkle as she stood staring in disbelief at the top of the stairs.
Both alicorns looked up in surprise; they had forgotten that Twilight was not ten feet away in the other room. Pyros beckoned her down. “Why, yes Twilight. Did I forget to mention that the Princess is my sister? I thought being an alicorn gave it away.”
Celestia placed herself between her former student and brother. “This is none of your concern Twilight." she said sharply. "He is a danger to us all.”
Pyros rolled his eyes. “In both the old days and my very short return, I have not even once threatened Equestria, in any way! This is my homeland, sister; these were once equally my subjects. I never wished them harm. Never.”
“No, you simply abandoned us over something that could not be undone.” Celestia shot back, her facade of calm slipping.
An accusing hoof was raised at her. “I know my temper as well as yours. It was not difficult to know how events would have unfolded if I had stayed. I had to walk away while there was still a chance.”
Twilight walked around Celestia and stood perplexed between the two. A long-lost royal brother, exiled from Equestria? “I… I don’t get it." she finally uttered. "How are you a male alicorn anyway? I’ve never read anything about them, or that the Princesses had a brother…”
“Four of them, actually,” corrected Celestia.
Twilight did a double-take. “Four?!”
“Aye,” said Pyros. “Six alicorns sat on the Royal Council.”
The purple alicorn was stammering. “But, w- What council?”
Pyros glanced from Twilight to Celestia, perplexed. “Do they seriously not know? Have you covered our history?”
“I have done no such thing!" she protested. "The stories are simply forgotten.”
He bowed his head, sighing. “I was afraid something like this would happen. Sit down, Twilight. Let me tell you a story…”
