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.
Act 2- Surprises!?!
The meeting at Sugar Cube Corner went well for Soul Fire. Filthy Rich agreed she needed time relax before she got back into the swing of things. Diamond Tiara however was absent, a fact that did not go unnoticed. Filthy claimed she was home sick; Soul Fire passed along her well wishes and left the bakery with company in tow. The weight of her time away rested heavily upon her as she made her way home. As her group moved along the small road that lead to her house she stifled a yawn.
“Mom are you okay?” Scootaloo asked.
“I’m fine Scoots,” She yawned again before donning a soft smile. “I’m just a little tired.”
“You sure?”
“I’m sure sweetheart.” Soul Fire stopped to hug Scootaloo close as a shout sounded through the woods.
“Agh!”
“Who in tarnation was that?!” AppleJack exclaimed.
“That was my coltfriend.” Soul Fire explained.
“What!?!” Scootaloo and her friend yelled as they rounded the last turn to Soul Fire’s home. It was a large old brick house with ivy creeping up the sides, nestled in a secluded field just outside of town. It had peeling paint and a few loose clay tiles on it’s roof, but it was a solid old home left to Soul Fire by her late mentor. On the edge of field lay a young thestral stallion with one legged pinned under a fallen tree.
“Is somepony there?” He asked trying to look over the trunk of the fallen tree. “I could use some help.”
“Nope no ponies.” Soul Fire said walking around to the pinned thestral. “Just a bunch of hungry timberwolves.” He craned his head up at her approach.
“Soul Fire!” He exclaimed. “Oh thank Celestia you’re back. I seem to have gotten stuck.”
“I can that see Gloomy.” Soul Fire said with mischief in her voice. The stallion blinked at her for a moment.
“Are you going help me?” Gloomy asked.
“I don’t know.” Soul Fire kissed him on the cheek. “You look so cute when you’re in trouble.”
“Why do I put up with you again?” Gloomy groan.
“You love me, you like older mares, and…” Soul Fire’s horn glowed and the tree lifted slightly into air. “I saved your life.”
“Curse my taste in mares.” Gloomy joked as he got to his hooves.
“Excuse me! But who in the hay is this?” AJ asked as she and the children approach.
“Oh sorry.” Soul Fire said. “Gloomy these are my sisters AppleJack and Applebloom.”
“Howdy.” Applebloom said whilst AJ leveled a glare at Soul Fire.
“This little bundle of awesome is Scootaloo,” Soul Fire ruffled her daughter’s hair. “and this is their friend Sweetie Belle. Everypony this is Gloom Glider or Gloomy for short.”
“Soul Fire can ah talk ta ya alone for minute?” AJ asked while walking away from the group,
“Sure no problem.” Soul Fire said following her.
***
“Are ya bucking crazy, Soul Fire?!” AJ hissed when they are good ways away from the girls.
“Not clinically.” Soul Fire shrugged doing her best to keep calm..
“Then why are you bringing home another strange stallion?” AJ asked pointing in Gloom Gliders direction.
“He’s not strange.” Soul Fire said taking a deep breath. “He’s sweet, and a bit of klutz.”
“Ya know what Ah mean!” AJ yelled glancing back the girls. “What’s gonna happen when ya scare him off? Are gonna put poor Scootaloo through that again?”
“That’s not fair AJ!” Soul Fire said her voice raised and mane starting to smoke. “And I won’t scare him off.”
“Ya said that last time.” AJ countered “A week later Caramel left.”
Soul Fire took another deep breath and her mane started to smolder.
“I think you should go AJ.” Soul Fire her voice trembling with anger
“Not until ya guarantee me that Ah’m not gonna find my niece crying and ya half way down a bottle cider in week.”
Soul Fire had had enough.
***
“So how did you get stuck under the tree Gloomy?” Scootaloo asked her moms latest coltfriend.
“Well I was trying to get some firewood for your mom.” Gloomy said kicking a hatchet on the ground. “Only it didn’t turn out to well.”
“My mom doesn’t really need firewood.” Scootaloo said.
“I know I just got a little bored waiting and was trying to be nice.” Gloomy replied. “Then I slipped and the tree fell the wrong way.” Gloomy sat down and starting massaging his leg.
“Does hurt it.” Sweetie Belle asked.
“Nah, I can take a beating.” Gloomy said. “It’s my special talent look.” Gloomy gestured to his cutie mark, an old dented shield.
“How’d ya get a cutie mark like that?” Applebloom asked.
“As a colt I was playing near a cliff outside Canterlot with my friends.” Gloomy said. “I slipped and my wings hadn’t grown in yet.”
“What happened?” Scootaloo asked.
“I hit every rock on the way down.” Gloomy said. “Got a few bruises, but otherwise I was fine.”
“Doesn’t sound like a very fun talent.” Sweetie Belle said.
“Well no, but the way I see-
“Gloomy could you come here for a minute?!” Soul Fire voice rang across the clearing like thunder.
“Be right there!” Gloomy yelled as he walked away from Scootaloo and her friends.
“He seems alright.” Sweetie Belle said.
“Ah just hope Ah don’t get a cutie mark like his.” Applebloom replied.Scootaloo didn’t know to what to think. One hoof Gloomy seemed to like her mom a lot. On the other hoof so did a lot of stallions until she got really angry.
*Fwoosh!*
*Kaboom!*
Scootaloos thoughts were interrupted by Gloomy flying through the air on fire and not using his wings. He smashed through two trees, a bush, and a rock before he plowed into the ground.
“Ohmygosh Ohmygosh!” AJ sprinted past the girls as they were left dumbfounded.
“Hey girls enjoy the show?” Soul Fire asked walking up to them.
“Mom are you crazy?” Scootaloo yelled.
“You know AJ just asked me the same thing.” Soul Fire grinned and walked past them. “Let’s go see if she found Gloomy yet.”
***
Soul Fire hummed to herself as they followed the wake of destruction left by Gloomy passage.
“Mom what did you do?” Scootaloo asked.
“I just proved a point to your aunt.” Soul Fire said.
“What point?” Scootaloo demanded as they reached the end of the trail to find AJ sitting on her plot bug-eyed as Gloomy was dusting himself off.
“Hey Soul Fire we broke our distance record.” Gloomy said.
“Awesome.” Soul Fire bro-hoofed him.
“Is your sister alright?” Gloomy asked waving his hoof in front of AJ’s face.
“Yeah I just had to prove my point.” Soul Fire responded.
“Which was?” Gloomy asked and Soul Fire answered with a kiss.
“That I can’t scare you away.”Soul Fire smiled as Gloomy’s wings sprang to attention and his face turned red.
“Ew mom!”
Soul Fire chuckled.
“Alright let’s get to the house so Gloomy can get cleaned up and I can get my old forge burning.”
“Uh, Soul Fire, why do you need your forge?” Gloomy asked.
“Because the girls want to see if they’re…” Soul Fire covered her ears.
“CUTIE MARK CRUSADER BLACKSMITHS!”
***
A few hours later with many small fires, minor burns, and careful instruction, the CMC presented the results of their blacksmithing attempts.
“Alrights girls lets see watch you’ve got.” Soul Fire said. She had helped the girls and made sure they stayed safe, but let them make their own projects.
“Here you go, mom.” Scootaloo said waving a sharpened piece of metal with a pair of tongs.
“Careful Scootaloo you don’t want to hurt anypony.” Soul Fire said taking the tongs in her magic. She inspecting the object careful for a few moments before eyeing her daughter.
“I have good news and bad news.”
“What’s the goods news?” Scootaloo asked.
“I can tell you were trying to make a throwing knife.” Soul Fire said. “Bad news is this is very rushed, very sloppy, and very dull.”
“Ah pony feathers.” Scootaloo said.
“Don’t worry with practice you can get a lot better.” Soul Fire said before turning to the other two. “Applebloom, Sweetie Belle, Where are yours?”
“We left them in the quench tank.” Sweetie Belle said dejectedly. “We didn’t get cutie marks in blacksmithing so why bother.”
“So you’re gonna give up cause you don’t have cutie marks for it?” Soul Fire asked. Applebloom and Sweetie Belle nodded. Soul Fire shook her head.
“So what do you think my cutie mark is for?” Soul Fire asked gesturing to the sparks on her flank.
“Sparks like when hit metal ya hammer.” Applebloom replied.
“Wrong.” Soul Fire said. “Dead wrong.”
“Well then what does it mean?” Sweetie Belle asked,
“How about I tell you about when it got?” Soul Fire asked.
“They’ll love that story.” Scootaloo said.
“Think so?”
“I know so.”
“Ok then here we go.”
***
A young Soul Fire sat in the deep snow on the edge of Sweet Apple Acres. It was Hearth’s Warming Eve and the other members of the Apple Family were inside their home as an old friend of Granny Smith’s had come to spend the evening among friends.
“Soul Fire, where are you?” A female voice called over the winds and snow.
Soul Fire wanted to bury herself deeper into snow. To let her white coat make her disappear. She wouldn’t do that, not to her.
“I’m over here.” The filly yelled and began moved toward the voice. The older mare quickly came into view. Her blond mane and red ribbon were whipped around by the howling winds, but Apple Blossom kept trudging toward the little filly.
“There you are.” She hugged Soul Fire tight. “Let’s get back inside.”
“Why are you being so nice?” Soul Fire asked hot tear pouring down her face. “You’re just going to send me back to the orphanage.”
“Now why would we do that?” Apple Blossom looked down at her crying daughter.
“Cause I burned Mister Apple and Big Mac.”
Apple Blossom shook head and gently guided the filly back inside. As they stepped inside and found Sour Apple and Big Mac, little more than a foal seated on the couch with burn ointment being applied by a older and bigger unicorn stallion with a dark grey coat, smoke stained beard and mane. Upon seeing them enter, Sour Apple rose to his hooves only to be pushed down by the older and much larger stallion.
“Quit your squirming I’m almost done ya wee baby.” The grey furred unicorn said.
“Oh he’ll stay still and quiet.” Apple Blossom said leveling a ferocious glare at her husband. “He’s not gonna say a word or you can feed that ointment.” Sour Apple opened his mouth to protest only for the unicorn to hold up a hoof covered in the foul smelling ointment. Apple Blossom lead Soul Fire to the fireplace and sat down in front of it before pulling Soul Fire into her lap.
“Soul Fire I don’t know what happened to your parents.” Apple Blossom spoke softly, but to Soul Fire the room seemed to be silent save for her. “I don’t know what will happen or what won’t. But I do know this. Everypony has things about themselves they don’t like or has done thing they’re ashamed of. Those things can cause so much hurt that sometimes they can make you think you’re meant to do bad things. But a wise old pony once told me that if we remember the things that good about ourselves and what we’ve done we can make something great.”
“Even the small things?” Soul Fire asked.
“Especially the small things.” Apple Blossom answered. “They might start small like those sparks and embers in the fire, but with a little love and kindness they can grow to greatness and can help heal even the worst hurts.” The room fell silent at her words and the old grey furred unicorn came and sat down beside them. Soul Fire let her words sink in and started to think. She thought about the bad things and good things she’s done or had.
“Can I build something with my fire.” Soul Fire asked. The big unicorn let out a deep laugh.
“Course ya can lass.” The stallion said. “I’ve been doing that for most of me years.”
“Really?” Soul Fire asked.
“Really.” The stallion answer. “And I can teach ye too. Just remember what Miss Blossom here said.”
“I will.”
“Ye promise lass?”
“I’ll remember till I die.” An all too familiar flash of light filled the room.
“Well lass it seems the fates will hold ye to it.“