Soul Fire

Act 1- Reunion

Soul Fire had been away in war for six months. She was tired, wary, and wanted to lie down and sleep but, the moment she dropped off her gear at home she marched straight to the woods just outside Sweet Apple Acres. Pinkie had told her some of what she missed but, the biggest thing to her was that her Scoots had formed a club with a goal she was happy to help with.  The clubhouse of said club came into view and three voices could be heard chattering excitedly inside.

“Hey Scootaloo” Soul Fire shouted. The tree house went silent and an orange pegasus poked her heard out of a window.

“Mom?” Scootaloo asked her voice shaky. Soul Fire looked up at her nodding her head with a smile.

"MOM!” Scootaloo said leaping from the window. Soul Fire reared back catching her adoptive daughter as they went tumbling in a giggling pile.

"You’re finally home.” Scootaloo said rubbing tears from her eyes.

“Of course I am kiddo.” Soul Fire said holding Scootaloo tight. “A rogue dragonflight couldn't keep me away, and trust me one did try.”

“You missed a lot.” Scootaloo said. “You even missed Discord.” Scootaloo gave a brief shudder.

“Yeah Pinkie told me at the train station.” Soul Fire said picking herself up of the ground. “but I’m back now, and don’t think my first day back is gonna be boring.”

“What do you mean?” Scootaloo asked.

“Well Pinkie has a party planned for tonight and I’m gonna help you girls see if you have any blacksmithing related cutie marks in the meantime.”

“Really?” two voices steroed from the tree house.

“Hello Sweetie Belle, Applebloom.” Soul Fire greeted the pair. “And yes I mean it.” The duo exited the tree house joining their friend and her mother on the ground.

“Huddle.” Scootaloo said. The three crusaders huddled together whispering while Soul Fire eyed them curiously. After a few minutes of hushed debate the three separate.

“Alright Mom its official.” Scootaloo said.

“What is?” Soul Fire grinned.

“After some discussion we reckoned you’re…” Applebloom paused as she and her friends took a deep breath. “THE BEST MOM EVER!” The trio trumpeted with enough volume to shame the royal Canterlot voice. Soul Fire was bowled over and her spiky blonde mane was blown flat out behind her head.

“Thanks girls” Soul Fire said fixing her mane. “Before we go off crusading I have some stuff I need to-“Soul Fire was interrupted by a loud grumble, which she realized was her own stomach. “Sorry, guess I haven’t eaten since I got on the train yesterday.”

“That ain’t a problem Soul Fire Ah’m sure granny would love to treat ya’ll to lunch.” Applebloom said leading the way to Sweet Apple Acres.

Soul Fire stopped just inside the Apple family doorway. She took a deep breath of air as the old scent of the house brought back warm memories of the past.

A young filly, and two older mares and a stallion, sat in the living of the Apple Homestead. The adults were deep in discussion while the young filly glanced around the room nervously.

“Soul Fire.” The older of the two mares called.

“Yes Miss Foster” the filly answered.

“It’s official, this is your new home.” The grey-maned mare said.

“You mean…” Soul Fire gasped her eyes tearing up.

“Yes, We adopted you.” The other mare said.

Soul Fire jumped on the mare hugging her tightly. “Thank you, thank you thank you!”

"Whoa there, Young’un.” The stallion said lifting Soul Fire from the mare’s back. “Mah Apple Blossom aint the strongest mare around.”

“She’s fine Sour.” Apple Blossom said.

“I guess I’d better be on my way.” Miss Foster turned toward door.

“Wait!” Soul Fire wriggled from Sour Apple’s grip and ran to embrace the mare tightly. “Thanks for everything Miss Foster.”

Soul Fire felt warm tears roll down her cheeks as she was lost in the past.

“Well howdy Sis.” a thick accent pulled from her reverie. Soul Fire wiped her eyes and embraced Applejack.

“Howdy to you too.” Soul Fire said. “Sorry Aj I was lost in thought.”

“Don’t worry bout it none Soul Fire.” Applejack said with a warm smile. “Besides as soon Applebloom told us you were back Granny went straight to kitchen and started cookin up a storm.”

“I’m not surprised.” Soul Fire said. “Is Big Mac around here?”

“Eeyup” Came a voice from behind her.

“Hey Big Mac.” Soul Fire said giving the stallion a hug. “Still as big as ever?”

“Eeyup.” Big Mac replied.

“Still doing most of the farm work?” Soul Fire asked mischievously.

“Eeyup.” Big Mac replied.

‘“Hay!” Applejack said indignantly

“Just kidding AJ” Soul Fire giggled. “It’s great to see you guys again

The three eldest of the apple children laughed and joked before heading into the kitchen to help cook. When they were done there was a welcome home feast fit for a king.

“Did you behave while I was gone Scoots?” Soul Fire asked piling her plate high.

“Yeah, Mom I behaved.” Scootaloo said.

“Don’t worry sis, Scootaloo here was a right angel while you were gone.” Applejack interjected reaching a hoof for the last apple fritter.

“Good to hear.” Soul Fire said snatching the fritter away with magic.

“Soul Fire, what’s it like in the army?” Applebloom asked between bites of fritter.

“Hush now Applebloom, let Soul Fire eat a ’fore you pester her.” Granny Smith interjected.

“It’s no problem Granny Smith.” Soul Fire grinned across the table. “It was an interesting experience.”

“Interesting how?” asked Sweetie Belle.

“Well I met some weird ponies, and griffons.” Soul Fire said. “And a few needed to remember how to treat a mare.”

“Whatcha mean?” Applejack asked.

“I mean I had to break a frying pan over a stallion’s head before he got the hint.” Soul Fire grumbled.

“Sounds like a plothead.” Scootaloo said.

Soul Fire sputtered and coughed down a bite of food. “Where did you learn that word?”

“You called Thunderlane that when he kept bothering you.” Scootaloo said innocently.

“Well there goes my parental dignity.” Soul Fire sighed. “Anyway, I got a surprise for Scootaloo.”

“Really where is it?” Scootaloo asked.

“At home, we’re heading there after a trip to Sugar Cube Corner” Soul Fire responded. “Course it’s my treat and we’ll probably gonna meet Filthy and his girl there.” The three crusaders frowned at this.

“What’s wrong?” Soul Fire asked

“Uh Mom we’re not exactly on the best terms with Diamond Tiara.” Scootaloo said.

“What happened?” Soul Fire asked.

“She and Silver Spoon just call us blank flanks.” Sweetie Belle hoping to lessen the impact, “It’s just kid stuff.”

Soul Fire felt her anger swell and the fritter on her plate started to sizzle “Is that all Scootaloo?” She asked keeping her anger from her voice. Scootaloo shifted in her seat under her mother’s concerned gaze.

“She made fun of my wings.” Scootaloo finally said.

The fritter on Soul Fire’s plate burst in flames and quickly burned to a crisp. With a heavy sigh she extinguished the fire, grabbed the fritter in her magic and headed for the door.

“Sorry guys.” She said taking a bite out of the burnt fritter and grimacing. “I’ll be at the old tree when you’re ready to go.”

On the edge of the farms stood an old zap-apple tree, it was one the first Granny Smith and her family first planted on the farm. It had long since stopped bearing fruit but, it refused to fall, its bark was embedded with the axe heads of broken tools. However on one side its bark had been worn smooth and was scorched black. It was on this side Soul Fire stood on her rear legs, any other pony would’ve been uncomfortable but, years behind a forge and anvil made this stance second nature.

She made fun of my wings.

*WHAM* A flame covered hoof collided with the tree.

Fireproof freak.

*WHAM* and another punched connected.

Pyromaniac.

*WHAM* and another hit.

Go back the orphanage.

*KABOOM* A fireball this time.

Monster.

Soul Fire stepped back from the tree, took a deep breath, and what would’ve been a yell from another pony turned to a flame filled roar akin to a dragon’s.

“You alright Sis?” a voice from behind her asked.

“I’m fine AJ.” She said catching her breath. “Just trying to figure out this Diamond Tiara thing.”

“Your figure’in looks as dangerous as ever.” Applejack chuckled looking at the smoldering tree. “Any ideas or you just gonna use the old stand-by?”

“You mean my ‘apologize or fry’ approach?” Soul Fire said air-quoting her old saying. “Nah, I think I’ll just give her a nice, calm talking to.”

Applejack gave a small chortle. “You nice and calm, that ain’t exactly you’re thing Soul Fire.”

“I know right.” Soul Fire shrugged. “Funny all it took for me calm a little was a small war.” Soul Fire grinned thinking back on some of her old misadventures. "Are the girls ready to leave?"

“Yeah they’re waiting at the gate.” Applejack said.

"Good." Soul Fire said turning back to the tree. "You know this old tree has been here along time."

"Eeyup, one the oldest on the farm" AJ replied."It's taken fair share of beatings too."

Soul Fire shrugged "Well let's get going don't wanna keep the girls waiting."

As the two left Soul Fire gave on last look over her shoulder at the old tree. In some ways it was like her , beat up, worn down, but it still refused to fall. It was a strong reminder of Sweet Apple Acres and Ponyville was to her. They were her home and she had come back after so long.