Son of the Sun
"Mother?!" Twilight shouted with utter denial. Princess Celestia let go of Burns and immediately the blue flames rekindled around his body. Celestia walked to Twilight and then hugged her ever so lightly, but it was comforting to Twilight. Of all the ponies in Equestria, no the world, Celestia never even had to try to make somepony feel special. She never had to try to bring Twilight up even if she was having the worst day ever. Celestia was like the sun, warm, comforting, and lively. She always somehow knew what was best. Twilight never really thought about it, but could always sense a motherly side to her. Then again, to actually think she was a mother was a whole new concept to Twilight.
"Thank you for leading Silver home, Twilight Sparkle." Twilight could almost feel the shakiness in Celestia's voice. She could tell that the good news was almost too good to be true for Celestia. Celestia now let go of Twilight and they were facing each other.
"Princess Celestia, how come you never-" She was cut off by Celestia
"I know you must have a lot of questions, but for now, could you leave us alone? If you would like, I can arrange for your brother to take leisure from his duties today."
"Shining Armor is here?" Twilight gasped.
"Yes, and he had a lot of work to attend to, but one day shouldn't be a problem." A guard walked in and Celestia took a piece of paper and wrote:
Shining Armor,
It would do you some good to take the day off today. I have arranged for you and your sister to have a day to yourselves. After which, could you please come to dinner with us at 7 P.M.? Your presence would be most appreciated.
Signed,
Princess Celestia.
She left her signing mark and then gave it to the guard. "Please give this to Shining Armor," she used her magic to give the guard the note, "and tell him that its urgent. Take Princess Twilight Sparkle with you as well." He did as they asked, and then the only ones in the room were Burns and Celestia. She turned to him. "Where have you been?" She sounded angry when she asked him.
"I've been around," he said, avoiding the question.
"Don't you lie to me. You and I both know that you even being alive is impossible."
"Wait, so Luna," he paused for a moment, then began to speak again when Celestia interrupted him.
"This is not about Luna, this is about you and where you have been for nearly the last 1100 years." She stood very tall, and stared down to the stallion. "You left, and never even said goodbye. You left your post and in place stood a demon with a note attached to him saying that he could do the job we entrusted to you!" Burns now lowered his head. "Look at me when I'm talking to you," Celestia demanded." You have no idea the pain you caused me, and why are you on fire?"
"I know," he said lowering his head again, " and I have done things that I wish I could take back, mother. Things I thought you were already aware of, and I was unsure that I could ever face you again." He looked back up to her, " I can't turn stop burning things," his voice cracked and tears began running down his face, "I turned myself into a monster, so I left to the only place where monsters are welcome." Celestia looked a little confused. She knew where he spoke of, but his youth and reason still made no sense to her. Then a stunning dark blue alicorn entered the room.
"Sister, I can't sleep for some reason, I get this uneasy feeling that-" Luna noticed Burns sitting behind Celestia. "You!" she shouted angrily. Burns only looked down in shame. "You dare show your face here again? After what you have done?"
"Luna calm yourself, he knows what he's done." Celestia said calmly herself. "It seems I am the only one that does not."
"I came here to try to repair the damage I have done," Burns said with his head still lowered. "I cannot look you in the eyes until I have been absolved of my past actions. I know I have hurt you, Princess Luna, you of all ponies should have the right to permanently do away with me-" then he was interrupted by Luna
"But I cannot. Even if I wanted to," she said still angry. "You of all ponies should understand the meaning of balance and harmony, but you chose to ignore balance when it mattered the most."
"Does anypony mind filling me in here?" Celestia said. "You know I pride myself with being in the loop of most things, but it seems this one escaped my wandering eye."
"Mother," Burns now stood tall, but it was easy to see that he was broken. "I will show you, but first, I need to know two things."
"And those two are?"
"One: that you will not treat me differently after you have seen what I have done." Burns tried to sound dignified.
"What is your second request?" Burns then again looked down, blushed and smiled a bit cheesy.
"I forgot my name, could you tell me again?" Celestia laughed, but Luna only stared.
"Silver Radiance, is the name I gave you," she said, "because you had the ability to shine day or night." She looked at him again, "Though now it looks like that silver coat could use a bath." He only grimaced.
"Actually I thought of one more thing that is a bit more important," he said. "Can you turn this off? I can't hardly go five steps without scorching something because of it." Celestia's horn glowed and the fire lowered and dissipated once more.
"Your fire is uneasy and will appear again if you cannot control your mind," Celestia said worriedly. "This kind of magic should not even be used in the most dire of situations because it can harm the user so much more than he realizes. Now it is your turn, Silver, but before you show me, you must agree to tell Princess Twilight Sparkle as well. You will also teach her how to use the fire magic you use."
"You want me to teach a princess?" Burns laughed, but Celestia only stood there. "Wait, you are serious?" he now looked confused. "Does she not know fire magic?" Celestia shook her head. "But fire is the easiest spell to learn, she should know that by now."
"While it is easy, even the unicorns can acknowledge that something easy to start is not always so easy to stop," Luna walked away from the door and closer to Celestia. "Again, you of all ponies should know that."
"Okay," Burns said, "I agree. Are you prepared?" He looked to Celestia, she nodded her head and he walked to her, his horn glowed a bright orange, then turned white as he touched his horn to Celestia's. Mere seconds pass by and the princess that once stood tall, sat down and tears fell down her face.
"Luna," Celestia said with a quiet voice, "leave us."
"But Tia-"
"Now!" She shouted. Luna left and closed the door softly. She now turned to Burns. "Why?" she asked, her eyes almost squinting at him.
"I thought you would-" he tried to start explaining himself, but Celestia cut him off.
"I don't care why you did it," she said in a menacing tone,"but why did you run away? I could have helped you; we could have helped you!"
"I know," He left for the door. "It took me a few years to learn that, but I know now." He opened the door, "I know I have some apologies to make, and I will hopefully make this up to you." He looked back up to Celestia one last time before saying, "I know you are the one who was hurt the most, and I can only hope that my actions will ever be forgivable." He closed the door and left Celestia.
"As do I young stallion," she said as she walked back to her desk.
Silver wondered around the castle looking at all the intricacies to the castle's halls and rooms and doors until he came to meet a group of six guards around a door. All them stared at him, then looked at each other and spoke among themselves. A few seconds later a guard walked up to him. "Are you him," he asked still walking to Silver. "Are you that pony that has the," he stopped and looked at Silver's cutie mark, "Yep that's you. Boy," he chuckled, "I feel sorry for you pal." Silver looked curious. The guard turned and sat next to him. "That's Princess Luna's room. She ordered us to maul you if you found her room." The guard looked at him and smiled. "What in the world did you do to her to make her hate you this much? Are you like a crush of hers or something?" Silver looked at the guard and cocked his eyebrow.
"I only wish it were that simple," he laughed and then the rest of the guards laughed along with him. "Well tell her I said hi, and also can you direct me somewhere I can clean up?" Silver looked at his body, "I think I am a little overdo for some water and soap."
"Follow me and I'll take you there," the guard said still coughing a few laughs as he spoke. They walked for a while and Silver told him of some journeys he had been on through the years and the guard was nearly mesmerized by his tales. "You know you could definitely make a living off of telling stories," he said looking at him in awe.
"Actually you may be on to something," Sliver remarked looking back at the guard. "The tales of Burns the fire mage!" Silver shouted to the ceiling. "Ooh hey that is catchy, maybe I can add you in there somewhere." They both laughed and continued walking. The walk lasted for a little while longer until they reached the bathing area. He thanked the guard and he went inside. He walked to the bath, then turned back to where the guard was standing. "So where's the," he stopped and noticed the guard was no longer there. Silver stood there and now marveled at the nobs over the bathtub. What are these?, he thought to himself. He moved one of the nobs and hot water came down from the spout. He laughed. Indoor pluming was not a surprise to him, but running water and hot water were new to him. He turned it back off, then back on, and off again. He repeated the process until he accidentally broke the nob off. He panicked and then decided he would clean himself up and leave. When he left he spoke to a guard walking by. "Hey somepony broke something in there and if I were you I would check it out." The guard nodded and Silver ran off, still dripping wet.
A few hours passed and it was time for dinner. Princess Celestia was there extra early sitting in her normal seat, waiting on the others to arrive. The next to arrive were Twilight and Shining Armor. They both proceeded to sit next to Princess Celestia. A few minutes passed and no one else arrived so Princess Celestia asked the servants to begin the meal. They ate in an uproar of silence until Twilight could no longer take it.
"So where's Luna?" Twilight asked, taking a bite of steamed hay.
"I don't expect she will be here tonight, she did have her Nightmare Night to attend to," Princess Celestia smiled and winked to Twilight. Then Twilight made the connection.
"Oh no," she gasped. "I completely forgot!" She stood up and ran for the door, but as she ran towards the door, Princess Celestia stopped her.
"There's no need," she said quietly and comforting. "I informed Princess Luna that you were with your brother. She agreed it would be best to let you two have your day so she left for Las Pegasus earlier today."
"Oh," Twilight sounded a bit disappointed. "Well I hope she has fun." She walked back to her seat.
"Twily," Shining Armor shouted, "I think you would understand the Princesses' logic behind their decision." he turned to Celestia. "After all, they did spend a long time without each other." Celestia smiled and nodded.
"Shining Armor," she took a drink allowing time for him to look back to her, "I always admired your astute observations." He smiled. "How is Princess Cadence?"
"Lately it's a miracle if I get her to sleep," he said smiling.
"And why is that?" Celestia asked.
"She's started planning for the Crystal Fair," still smiling, Shining Armor took another bite of his food.
"Isn't is a bit early?" Celestia asked.
"Well we seem to be expecting someone very special around that time and we want to make sure it's ready before then."
"Who?" Twilight asked perplexed. "I know the fair is popular with the ponies here that know of it. Is it a celebrity?" Shining Armor simply looked at Twilight with a huge grin on his muzzle.
"Not yet, but I'm sure-" Shining Armor was interrupted by Celestia.
"You don't mean?"
"Yes!" He shouted loud enough it echoed.
"Congratulations!" Celestia shouted after him.
"What?!" Twilight shouted angrily. Celestia and Shining Armor both still smiling.
"Twily," Shining Armor scooted closer to Twilight, "You're going to be an-" he was cut off again by a door throwing itself open.
"ANTS!" The pony shouted, his body covered in little moving dots. He begins to yell at Celestia, "Who has a room full of ants?! Get them off, get them off, get them off!" There was something familiar about him. Celestia gave an uneasy look toward the pony and then Twilight could see her trying to hold back a laugh. "I see you laughing at me," he shouts. "This is in no way funny!" Then Shining Armor began laughing hysterically, followed by Twilight and Celestia herself. Shining Armor, wiping a few tears from his eyes, lit his horn and cast a spell to make the ants disperse from the pony's body. The pony then tried to look dignified as he straightened his mane and then he cleared his throat. "Sorry, I got lost and apparently found a few places in need of renovation." He began dusting himself off. "Well this shiny coat is not going to last long." Twilight then made the connection.
"Burns?" she said squinting her eyes.
"From what I've heard, my name is Silver Radiance," he stood tall when he said his name, "and if it is okay with my mother, I would like to continue going by that name." Celestia nodded her head, still chuckling. He certainly was his namesake. Silvery coat with a deep blue mane. With the lights around him, he truly was radiant. It was almost as if he were lighting the room himself. "I think a few more baths are an order once I figure out how they work," he looked at his coat, then he walked to a seat on Celestia's right side.
"So what were you saying Shining Armor?" Twilight asked.
"Well Silver pretty much finished my sentence for me," Shining Armor said trying to keep from laughing again.
"What?" Twilight thought back for a moment. Then her eyes widened. "WHAT?" Twilight jumped out of her seat. "No way!" Her eyes were brighter than the sun thinking about it.
"What did I miss," Silver asked.
"I'm gonna be an aunt!" Twilight shouted. He could see how elated she was. He smiled and nodded to Shining Armor.
"Congratulations," Silver now began loading his plate with food to the point that there was no clear definition to where the plate ended and the table began. Twilight simply smiled to Silver and Shining Armor's brother instincts kicked in.
"Well you certainly have an appetite," Shining Armor scoffed, "And what gives you the right to interrupt us anyway?" Silver looked at Celestia with that Do I really have to put up with this face and made gestures toward Shining Armor.
"If you were listening earlier," Silver grimaced then mumbled, "rather than laughing, you would have heard me apologize for being late." He began stuffing his face. "Forgive me," he said with his mouth still full of food. "It has been a while since I have had food." Shining Armor only shook and lowered his head.
"Who are you?" Shining Armor asked impatiently.
"I'm Twilight's new teacher for the time being," Silver then took another huge bite off his plate. "Or at least until mo-" he stopped himself "Princess Celestia sees fit."
"Silver," Celestia looked down on him. "Wouldn't it be more polite to finish your food and then explain?" He swallowed and wiped his mouth looking at Celestia with sad puppy dog eyes.
"Yes ma'am," he said and then looked to Shining Armor. "I apologize for my ignorance. It has been sometime since I have been in the company of others." Shining Armor nodded and then finished his plate, and the others all ate in silence until plates were cleaned and the table was as well.
"Well this has all been fun," Shining Armor stood up, "but I think it's time for me to check on things with the new captain of the guard."
"Sit down Shining Armor," Celestia said without raising her voice. "We need you to stay here. Twilight, I'm sure your friends are missing you." Twilight looked to the door.
"Do you want me to go?" she asked. Silver stood and spoke up.
"Only for now, but come back at the start of the week, and be here no later than four in the morning." She nodded and left.
"Watch your order barking around my sister," Shining Armor stood again from his seat. Silver mirrored him. "She is a princess after all. You have next to no power in comparison to an alicorn," he leaned over the table and spoke softly, "or me."
"Actually that's why Princess Celestia asked you here," he smirked and glared. "You need to know some things, and why I am going to be her teacher is at the top of that list." Shining Armor stood waiting for an answer, but Silver only turned and walked to the doors.
"Where do you think we're going?" Shining Armor shouted to Silver. He continued walking.
"To sooth a young one's mind," he said still walking towards the doors. "There's a young filly outside spying on us." He opened one door and there stood Twilight trying not to look suspicious. She even gave a silly smile and started to speak, thinking of an excuse to say. "Come on," Silver said. You'll miss the train if you don't hurry." Shining Armor began running after them, but Celestia stopped him.
"He'll be back quickly," she said. He sat back down and pouted for a moment as the door closed.
"So why are you my new teacher?" Twilight asked.
"Well I was told you are not familiar with fire magic," he said without looking at her.
"I know fire magic!" Twilight scoffed.
"Yes, probably a simple lighting spell, but not fire." Twilight glared at him. "Fire magic is very powerful, and very easy, so I doubt you will need long to master what I have to teach." Silver gave a comforting smile. "Hey look at that, we're already at the front door," Silver smiled again. Twilight looked at the large double doors and then realized what Silver did, and when she looked back to him, he was already gone. She tried to teleport herself back, but every time she tried, she only ended up closer to the front door. She eventually gave up and left for the train. Wondering how she was going to tell her friends about the news.
Who are you?
"I think this will be the greatest Nightmare Night ever!" Twilight exclaimed, her wings fully opened. The six best friends she could ever ask for all giving her funny looks. "What?" she asks.
"What's so special about this year rather than any other normal year?" Spike asked.
Pinkie of course interjects with, "It's because there's gonna be cake and balloons and games and- " she stops, "yeah actually I can't see why its different either."
"Well, Princess Luna said that she wants to start making Nightmare Night a regular holiday for herself so she can visit one town in Equestria each year!" Twilight answered. "Oh my goodness! I haven't finished my costume yet either!" Twilight grabs Spike and runs upstairs to continue working on her costume. The rest of her friends stay and talk among themselves.
"Does she know it's not here in Ponyville?" Applejack asks.
"Dear, I'm sure she knows, and I imagine Princess Celestia has asked Twilight to go with Princess Luna to help her with the locals that still might have their doubts." Rarity tells Applejack with assurance. Applejack looks outside the window to see the ponies finishing setting up for Nightmare Night in Ponyville.
"If she gets the resistance she got from here, she'll need all the help she can get." Applejack replied with a sigh. Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, and Fluttershy all nodded their heads in agreement. Applejack looks back towards the staircase, "You know Nightmare Night is tomorrow night, right? And Princess Luna is going to Las Pegasus! That's a day's trip itself," she yells to Twilight.
"What are you talking about?" Twilight looks down the staircase, confused.
"Well aren't you going with Princess Luna?" Rainbow Dash asked.
"No not at all. She's beginning the celebration here then heading straight for Las Pegasus when she finishes up here, and I'm helping her set it up!" Twilight had a huge grin on her face. She had trouble keeping her excitement in. Speaking very loudly when she talks and she has a smile on her muzzle from ear to ear. She did not want to give too many details because she wanted to keep it a surprise.
"Hold on just a moment," Rarity spoke up, "How in the wide world of Equestria is she going to be there on time?"
"Well she's a master of magic, too, Rarity. I imagine she can do a simple teleportation spell to get there quicker than any train. Or maybe even fly herself."
"I suppose you're right," Rarity replied. "Oh I just remembered I have costumes of my own to finish up! See you girls tomorrow!" Rarity left in a hurry, Spike trailing behind her before the door nearly slammed in his face. Rainbow Dash, Applejack, and Twilight all laughed at Spike, who then proceeded to shamefully walk back upstairs. Fluttershy ran straight for Spike and gave him a hug.
"Oh it's okay they just don't know love when they see it," Fluttershy consoled Spike. He then pushed her hooves away, angrily embarrassed.
"I'm not in love!" Spike blushed, "I just thought she might have forgotten something is all." They all laughed. A few minutes of silence then passed when suddenly, a bright flash of light filled the already lit tree house. This light was much brighter and it was coming from outside. "What is that? I thought the sun already set" Spike said with a curious gesture then he turned to look behind him, "Twilight, please tell me you know what this is."
"I'm sorry Spike I have no idea, but its worth investigating. Rainbow Dash will you and Applejack come with me? Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy, could you go get Rarity?" They all nodded their head in agreement, then ran outside
"Hey what can I do?" Spike said tugging on Twilight's tail.
"Go with Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie and meet us near the old castle ruins. It looks like that's where the light is coming from," she looked out toward the Everfree Forest and squinted her eyes, "but it's too bright for me to tell exactly where." Twilight then headed off toward the forest. "Come find us as soon as you can," she said before Spike, Pinkie Pie, and Fluttershy turned to Rarity's boutique.
In the Everfree Forest, the blinding light only got brighter as they continued deeper into the forest, as if it were shining brighter as they traveled closer. "It's getting too bright Twilight!" Rainbow Dash exclaimed, "I hope you see something 'cause I can't see a thing through this-" the light suddenly disappeared. Twilight flew down to Applejack and Rainbow Dash followed.
"Did you see anything?" Twilight asked Applejack.
"Heck, I still can't see!" She answered.
"Uh, Applejack," Rainbow Dash said giggling, "we're over here." Applejack turned around.
"That's what I mean! I can't see!" Applejack sounded worried. Twilight waved her hoof in front of Applejack's face. She did not even flinch. It was at this moment that Twilight had a scare. Her heart was racing and her hooves started to sway beneath her. She was worried about Applejack. She wondered if this might be permanent.
"Dash, take Applejack back to Ponyville and I will stay here to meet up with the others when they arrive."
"Gotcha! I'll be back before you know I'm gone!" Rainbow Dash replied.
"No, don't," Twilight replied. "I want you to stay with Applejack and make sure she's going to be okay." She looked Rainbow Dash in the eyes, "As soon as you get back, put a blindfold over her eyes so hopefully her eyes will adjust quicker, and if she needs anything, go get it for her, okay?" Rainbow Dash could see worry painted all over Twilight. Rainbow Dash began walking Applejack back to Ponyville.
"She's gonna be alright! She's too awesome to let a little light ruin her eyesight!" Rainbow Dash tried to be reassuring, using her confident smile.
"Rainbow's right, I'll be fine, now go!" Applejack reiterated. Twilight nodded and hesitantly flew above the trees to look for that light, but it seemed to disappear as quickly as it appeared. She remembered she thought she saw it at its brightest at the old castle ruins. She quickly flew to the ruins as fast as she could, but on the way, she saw what appeared to be scorch marks on some of the trees. The most concentrated of the scorch marks was about three or four hundred yards from the castle so she decided that whatever caused the light had to have caused the scorch marks. She glided down to the ground, which looked much worse than the trees. The darkest burns looked almost like hoof prints. No, they were exactly like hoof prints, like whatever caused this was on fire at the time.
On fire? What poor pony was on fire? And what made the fire go out of control like this? It's almost like a wildfire, but then it just disappeared. Magic obviously put the fire out, Twilight could also sense the use of a very strong magic, though it was tough to tell whether it started the fire, or put it out. She did have a lead though, and it seems that the further into the forest the tracks go, the more profound the burn marks seemed to be. She began to hear bubbling coming from a nearby pond. She looked in its direction, and the trail marks led straight to it. "Okay," she said, "this might be a hurt pony in need of medical attention." She then looked around in confusion. "But if there are tracks that lead to here, then," Twilight bolted for the water when she realized what was in the water. "Hang on! I'm coming!" She yelled at the bubbles, but she noticed something. She did not want to get any closer to the bubbles; she could not. The water was too hot. "Okay so there' a pony under there that was set on fire magically and he's trying to put himself out. Think, Twilight, think! What do I do?" Then she remembered a spell that turns water into ice. Quickly she used the spell and the entire pond turned to ice. The ice seemed to work for a second or two, then the entire icy pond shattered.
"Cold!" a voice shouted from below the broken ice. Then suddenly, a there was a flash of light over the pond. Now a graphite colored unicorn with a fiery blue main stood on top of the ice. "Wow! What a rush!" He looked to Twilight, "Quick thinking on your part. I'm glad you happened to be around, I could have burned down the whole forest if it wasn't for that spell. Should lower my fire's temperature long enough to find this purple unicorn to take me to see-" He noticed who she was and his eyes widened and then he bowed. "My apologies Princess, but I am unacquainted with you. I assume, however, your status means you know where my princess is. Could you tell me where Princess Celestia might be? I'm in a bit of a pickle and I think she could help me."
Twilight was at a loss for words. She stood frozen in place, frightened. She tried to speak. "Who, who, who are, who-are," The mysterious stallion's eyes widened and he let out a chuckle.
"Oh goodness princess, you sound like an owl. Mighty good impression might I add." He slowly walked to her, ice cracked beneath his hooves as the fire melted away at the ice. As he walked, he slid, then his hooves gave way to gravity and fell. "I meant to do that!" He stands back up and shakes himself off. "I guess if I'm going to ask questions I should at least introduce myself shouldn't I?" Twilight nodded, her mouth still open as if she was trying to say something. "Right then, I am," He stopped for a moment "wait a minute who am I?" He began pacing back and forth, "What's my name again? Something like fire or something like that maybe. Chariot boom? No. Too weird. Quickilver? Yes! No, but I like that! It's catchy. Oh well! Just call me Burns for now."
"Wait a second, you expect me to help you and you don't even know your own name?" Twilight exclaimed.
"It's been so long since I've used a name." The stallion looked down at the ice pond and ran ran his fiery hoof over the ice. It cracked and melted. "My apologies again Princess. May I ask your name?"
"First, how do you know I'm a Princess, but not know my name?" She looked at him, confused, yet intrigued.
"You're an alicorn, correct?" He looked back to her, examining her horn and wings.
"Well, yes, but how does that necessarily make me a princess in your eye?" She snapped back at him. She looked frightened, yet confident. Standing her ground with a sort of elegant pose, and beaming eyes.
"The anointed," he answered with a smile. "Of course, it has been quite some time since I have been looking after them." He stopped and touched his hoof to his chin. "Come to think of it I don't know how long it's been, but I still know the special ones when I see them." Twilight's face went from confident and calm to confused and bewildered, then she spoke with a shutter.
"Watching over who?" Her eyes widened and she gasped. She realized what he meant. He knows what she is because it was not the first time he had seen a transformation. "You're-"
"Just like you?" He interrupted her, "Yes and no, but I am by no means ready to become an alicorn. Now can you tell me your name?" She nodded her head and began to speak but before she could, she heard shouting in the distance. It was Spike and the others, rushing toward her, calling for her.
"Over here!" Twilight shouted. The others ran to her, looking at all the scorch marks on the trees and on the ground.
"What devilish creature did this?" Rarity exclaimed in disgust. "It's simply dreadful to see all this black everywhere. It's too last season anyway." Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Twilight and Spike all rolled their eyes.
"What about all the woodland creatures that lived in these trees?" Fluttershy spoke up, "Are they okay?"
"I don't know Fluttershy," Twilight answered. "Burns, did you harm any woodland creatures?" She then turned to find that no pony was there. Nothing was there. With him gone, it seemed empty and dark.
"Don't demean Fluttershy like that, Darling. She just wanted to know everyone was safe and sound." Rarity snapped at Twilight.Twilight just stared at where the mysterious stallion stood and then mysteriously disappeared. Rarity was already upset that she had to leave, though she knew it was an emergency, she still does not like being pulled away from her work. Hearing Twilight's demeaning tone only infuriated her.
"But he was right here," Twilight stuttered. "He was right there, and he didn't even say goodbye?" Rarity, Fluttershy, and Spike gave Twilight puzzling looks.
"There's no pony here other than us, Twilight." Rarity answered.
"Ooh! Ooh!" Pinkie shouted. "You mean the one that set the fire and then ran into the pond that you turned to ice?" The four others' mouths dropped. "And he talked to you about something important, but we probably should talk about that, huh Twilight?" Twilight merely stood amazed at Pinkie Pie's ability to somehow know everything and nodded.
"How did you guys find me anyway?"
"It was hard not to see you Twi. You were lit up like a Hearth's Warming tree." Spike answered.
"It was almost like you were shining," Fluttershy added.
"Ooh! Like Princess Celestia!" Pinkie shouted.
"You were absolutely radiant," Rarity admitted with excitement."I believe it's inspired a whole new line of clothing I should get to work on as soon as I get back. Which now sounds great since there seems to be nothing wrong." Rarity then looked at Twilight. "By the way, who did this Twilight?"
"A unicorn stallion that apparently has no idea what his name is," she answered.
"How can any pony not know their own name?" Spike asked. The other three giving Twilight mixed looks.
"He said it had been a while since he had ever used a name," Twilight continued to tell them what had happened, but left out the part about him calling her princess without actually knowing her name.
As they began to walk home, Rarity noticed that Applejack and Rainbow Dash were not around. "So where are our other two friends?" When Twilight answered, they all gasped.
"The light was much brighter on the ground and Applejack caught the brunt of it. I asked Rainbow Dash to take her to the library and take care of her until we can get back. I'm sure she's okay though, she'll just need to be blindfolded for a day or two to let her eyes adjust."
"I am dreadfully sorry about that too you know. She surprised me and I was already in a poor mood from-" Twilight turned to see Burns standing right next to her. He had a sorrowful look on his face. "Is she going to be alright? Is there anything I can do?"
"Wait, you did this?" Twilight shouted. "Hey where are they going?" Twilight looked to Pinkie, Rarity, Fluttershy, and Spike still walking as if they had no idea Twilight had stopped. "Hello!" She shouted.
"They won't hear you," he answered.
"Why not? What did you do?"
"To keep everything simple: magic, and they do not know you have gone. Do not worry, they are still going where they are needed, and you will meet them there. I just have some questions that I hope you can answer." He looked her in the eyes. "Will you help me?"
"So let me get this straight," her voice raised with accusation. "You want me to help you," he nodded his head, "even though you started a huge fire in the Everfree forest, blinded one of my friends," she began yelling and pacing back and forth, glaring at him, "and then you disappear when you're needed for an explanation, then you just show up out of nowhere and cut me off from my friends, and you still want me to help you?!" Burns lowered his head, then raised it again, his face was expressionless, but Twilight did not feel threatened. She knew that look. It was not just an expressionless face, it was a face in constant thought, just like her mentor.
"I know I do not deserve help, and I understand if you choose not to help me. Tell me where you are supposed to be and I will take you there before you are missed and you will never see me again. You have me word." He held out his hoof, but Twilight had no intention of shaking or even touching the fire on his hoof. She now looked him in the eyes.
"You really do need help, don't you?" Twilight asked. Burns nodded his head. "Okay, what do you need?" Burns thought for a moment then looked around.
"Does Princess Celestia still rule here?"
"Yes"
"Can you take me to her?" She nodded her head and his face lit up. "Oh thank you so much! Quickly now, I must take you to your castle so your friends can know where you are." His horn lit up and his head rose, then he lowered his head and the glowing stopped. "I have no idea where we are going," he said with a smile. Twilight let out a small chuckle.
"I will take us there." Her horn lit up and with a flash of light, they were gone. With an instant, they were standing in front of the library. Pinkie Pie, Rarity, Fluttershy, and Spike were still not back yet. "Looks like only Rainbow Dash and Applejack have made their ways back. Come in and I'll show you around." Burns was confused and his face said it all. "What's wrong?" Burns did not answer, he was still staring at the library in a mixture of awe and another emotion that Twilight could not quite make out.
"Have castles become smaller since my leisure?" he asked. Burns was a little underwhelmed at the tree house and did not quite understand that this was Twilight's choice to stay there.
"No, this is my home, the library in Ponyville. Anytime I don't have to be at Princess Celestia's castle, I come back here to Ponyville to be with my friends." He smiled and nodded his head.
"That is very noble of you Princess. I know your friends called your name earlier, but could you tell me your name again?" She nodded.
"Twilight Sparkle," said a voice from behind Twilight. It was Rarity, beaming at her again. "Just who is this strange stallion, and where in the wide world of Equestira have you been, and how did you manage to beat us here?" Twilight looked to Burns and he nodded.
"Let's go inside so I can explain this to everypony." As they entered the library, they noticed everything was a mess. books were strewn out all over the floor and Twilight's desks were on their sides. The horse statuette that sat in the middle of the library was now missing, and probably downstairs. They all gasped. "What happened here?" Twilight was worried somepony or something came and took Applejack and Rainbow Dash, but then Rainbow Dash flew down from the second story.
"Sorry about the mess Twilight, Applejack is being stubborn," Rainbow Dash said.
"Am not, you just don't trust me," Shouted an angry blind-folded Applejack.
"You nearly destroyed the library!" Rainbow snapped back. "Hey who's that?" She turned to Burns. "And why is he on fire?" Twilight began to tell the story and when she got to to the part about Applejack, Rainbow Dash nearly destroyed the library chasing Burns. "So you're the one that caused all this trouble and blinded Applejack?!" She kept coming at him, and he just ran while Twilight tried to calm Rainbow Dash.
"Rainbow, he didn't do it on purpose. That's why he's trying to get help!" Twilight shouted.
"Oh," she answered, and then glided to the ground. "I guess you're off the hook for now," Rainbow Dash glared at Burns, her eyes were like daggers piercing into him.
"So why is he on fire?" Fluttershy hesitantly asked. She was almost hiding completely behind Pinkie Pie. She was not the only one who looked afraid of him. The others were just as frightened of his appearance. Except for Applejack, who still could not see too well.
"Who's on fire now?" Applejack asked.
"Ooh ponies are scary when they're on fire!" Pinkie Pie shouted in her normal playful tone.
"Please do not be afraid," Burns answered, "I am merely seeking help to extinguish the flames on my body. Princess Celestia has a tool that could do the job, but that is all I can say without her permission."
"I've agreed to help him so I am going to leave on the next train to Canterlot." Twilight announced.
"Then we're going with you!" Rainbow Dash walked to Burns, still glaring at him. "So everypony can keep an eye on this guy."
"No I would rather you stay here and help Applejack out."
"I don't need no help!" Applejack shouted even though she was right next to Twilight. "I'm just fine on my own!"
"If you could see all the damage you've caused Twilight's library you definitely wouldn't be saying that," Rainbow Dash chuckled. "Why can't somepony else watch her?"
"Because you're the only one who could actually hold her back if you needed to." Twilight told her. Rainbow Dash smirked at the comment then nodded her head.
"You should still have someone come with you, Dear." Rarity interjected. "He may still prove to be trouble."
"Then I'll take Spike." He's resourceful, and if Burns accidentally starts another fire, Spike can take the blame to avoid a panic." Spike grimaced at Twilight.
"Glad I can be so much help." He said sarcastically. "But Twilight, if you're going to leave on the next train, it leaves in the morning. We'll just have to wait until then to get to Canterlot."
"Alright then."
"Do you have a basement?" Burns asked. Twilight nodded and showed him the way. "Thank you. Since we will not be leaving until tomorrow morning, I believe I will stay down here to hopefully keep from catching anything else on fire. That is, of course, if it is okay with you." Again, Twilight nodded. "Then until morning." With that, he left downstairs.
"Do you need a pillow or anything?" Rarity asked. "I'd be more than happy to get one for you." Burns smiled, but shook his head.
"I think it would be best to keep anything flammable away from me at the moment, but thank you for the gesture."
They all decided to spend the night at the library, except for Rarity who went home to finish her costumes before tomorrow's Nightmare Night celebration. The others stayed to keep an eye on Applejack, and more or less an eye on Burns. Twilight pulled out cots for everyone and then after, went to her own bed. Pinkie Pie literally jumped into the bed then pulled gummy out of her mane and kissed the alligator goodnight.
"Did you have Gummy with you this whole time?" Fluttershy asked.
"I had a feeling we'd be staying here so I didn't want Gummy to be alone. Plus he needs to be fed extra early so I brought his food along too!" Pinkie pulled the food for Gummy out of her mane to show Fluttershy before stuffing it back inside. Fluttershy gave Pinkie a weird look before laying her head down and then falling to sleep. Pinkie Pie petted Gummy and then laid down, and soon everypony was asleep. Burns, however, was still awake.
Still in the basement, he sat. There was a small window near the ceiling to which he looked out. He just stared outside, and waited. He waited for the sun to rise, and when it did, he rose with it. "Good morning," he said quietly to himself as he bowed to the sun. "I've missed you." Then he heard the clip clop of hooves coming down the stairway. It was Twilight, all packed and ready to go.
"Burns," She says quietly while still going down the stairs, "are you awake?" he waited for her to be visible to nod to her and then walk closer. "The train leaves in about an hour so we should get moving soon." Again, he nodded. Twilight walked back upstairs and Burns followed. They both walked to to the ground floor to find a half asleep Spike with his head on the door. Spike then crawled on Twilight's back and fell back to sleep. The others were also still sleeping so Twilight and Burns stepped lightly to avoid waking them. Without a sound, they opened and closed the door and went on their way. Twilight left a note on the door that read: Make sure Applejack keeps her blindfold on to avoid premature exposure to the light!
The walk to the train station was long, quiet, and awkward. Twilight kept opening her mouth to say something, but then quickly decided not to say anything. Burns was not looking as cheerful as he was last night when they met. He almost looked scared. His eyes kept wandering all over, his heart was beating so hard Twilight could almost make out the pattern. Then the silence was too much for her to bear. "Do you know Princess Celestia personally?" she asked him. He nodded his head but still said nothing. He did not even look to her. he just kept looking ahead. "You look nervous," she continued, "How long has it been since you've seen her?" He looked at her, looked back ahead, then back to her.
"What is a train exactly?" Twilight nearly choked she was laughing so hard. She threw the sleeping Spike off of her back who proceeded to groan and stare at Twilight, who was still laughing.
"You were waiting for the right moment to crack a joke weren't you?" she said wiping a tear from her eye. He had no smile on his face. He was confused by her humor in his question. Twilight's smile quickly faded. "Wait, you actually don't know what a train is?"
"How new is it?"
"Not new at all really. We've had them for centuries now." Twilight then picked up Spike and positioned him back on her back, and they began to walk again. "You don't live around trains then?" Burns shook his head. Twilight smiled, "So you're not from Equestria, are you?" Burns began to say something but then sighed and shook his head and said no. "Where did you come from?"
"If I told you, you wouldn't believe me," he answered.
"Try me," Twilight said with a confident smile.
"Tell you what, if you wait until we reach this, train, I'll tell you a little more," he looked at her and smirked. Twilight reluctantly agreed. Burns was looking for more time to stall to answer her questions. She could tell, but she knew she could ask Princess Celestia for the answers she was looking for.
The train was just arriving when the three of them walked through the doors of the train station. Burns eyes widened and he marveled at the sight of it. When the whistle went off to sound its arrival he whinnied with excitement. Twilight only giggled at him, then she remembered he was on fire.
"Try to keep your excitement to a minimum. You're going to cause a large scare if you're seen."
"You're the only one who can see me, Princess Twilight," Burns smiled. "I did think ahead and cast the spell before we left." Twilight was not used to knowing anypony that knew just as many spells as she did. It had been a while since she had been to school with other ponies just as gifted as her. "Shall we proceed?" He was smiling, but he did not look happy. He still looked worried. They boarded the train, and sat in an empty car. Twilight locked the doors and Burns lowered the window curtains. Twilight then began staring straight at Burns. "Is there something the matter, Princess Twilight?"
"You are supposed to give me answers now."
"Where should I start?"
"Where are you from?" He frowned then looked to the door. She quickly changed her mind "Scratch that. Why are you on fire?"
"A spell that increases my flow of magical energy," he said calmly.
"Well why can't you control it?"
"Fire is an easy spell to begin with, but fire can become uncontrollable if the user is not focused," his voice lowered, "Sometimes a spell can turn into a curse, one that curses the user. Fire can just as quickly corrupt the user as it can benefit the user." He then looked to Twilight, "Control that you seem to have, but it looks a little lacking."
"I'm not the one that set a forest fire," she quickly came back. Burns only smiled and nodded.
"True, but you are still young. One can always improve," he let open a window blind and looked outside, "Even the sun must practice everyday to avoid being controlled by her magic. Never forget that, Princess." There it was again, the face she saw last night. Burns's emotionless, yet wandering, look.
"You said you know about me, and you have been anointed." Twilight stated. Burns nodded. "What does that mean exactly?"
"I'm not a unicorn," he said, "I was an earth pony." Twilight was shocked to hear those words, though she expected to hear them. It was just surprising to really hear him say it aloud. "I imagine your next question will be how, so allow me to explain," he stopped for a moment, then his horn glowed. Twilight could see the world around her disappearing. She panicked for a moment, but then realized he was showing her his memories. Fire began bellowing all around them. They were inside a burning room, and alone stood a young hornless colt, Burns, fire raging all around him. The young Burns began yelling at the fire. No! This isn't nice! This is my home! Stop it! Stop laughing! Twilight obviously thought Burns was actually just a crazy pony. Then his eyes began glowing. While the fire around him did not stop, it did however, begin swaying. No longer burning, just existing. Now go somewhere else and stop causing trouble! The fire dissipated, and the room quit burning. Twilight, before unimpressed was now in complete awe of the young colt that stood before her. Then suddenly, he disappeared, and the memory ended.
"What happened?" Twilight asked.
"Same thing that happens to all of us," he answered. "I met the two that changed my life forever, at least that's the short version."
"Two?" Twilight remembers Celestia, but no other pony was with her then.
"Yes, the princesses of Equestria."
"You mean Princess Luna was also there?" Twilight seemed confused.
"Well it is a place for alicorns, and the few selected to move forward in other ways. Luna's presence should be no surprise to you. Speaking of surprises, how long until we get there?"
"Maybe a few more minutes?" Twilight said unsure. She was not paying attention to how long they were on. Also the memory could have lasted much longer than it seemed. "I'll look outside." Twilight opened one of the blinds. The train was nearly at the station in Canterlot now. "On second thought, we're here," she sounded a little surprised. "How long did that memory last to us?"
"I have no idea, Princess," he said. "Memory spells can sometimes have a lingering effect that leaves the host stuck in a moment for some time. Not something I recommend for daily use."
"Well you're going to have to put on another invisibility spell if you want to make it through Canterlot unseen." Burns then used his magic to turn himself completely invisible this time. Even Twilight could not see him. "Why did you make yourself invisible to me this time?"
"It is more powerful if it is nondiscriminatory. It is much harder to see through or detect. A palace guard could most likely see through it if I am not careful so let us not talk until after I can lift the spell so I can keep my full concentration on it." Burns lied a little to Twilight. He did not need to be quiet to remain focused, but he was trying to avoid any more questions.
The walk through the city of Canterlot was easy enough. Spike now walked beside Twilight and other than a few passer-byes saying hello, they went nearly unnoticed. When they arrived to the castle doors, the guards immediately let Twilight in, never suspecting another pony was walking right beside her. They walked with Burns completely unnoticed, however he did leave the occasional scorch mark on the ground. Twilight could only hope that they were not seen at least until they could get to Princess Celestia. They did pass by Princess Luna, on her way to bed. Luna said good morning, then went on her way. Then, she stopped and turned back to Twilight. Burns also stopped, but Twilight kept walking. Burns and Luna stood and stared directly at each other, then Luna shook her head and kept walking. Twilight did not notice Luna's suspicion, but she never looked back. Neither did she wait on Burns to catch up to her.
Twilight then went to the room where she normally meets Celestia, "Wait here," she whispered silently. Twilight went inside, but Celestia was not there. "Excuse me," she said to a guard, " do you know where Princess Celestia is?" The guard nodded his head and gestured for them to follow him. They went up two flights of stairs and down a corridor that lead to a small office filled with books and at the end of the office was a desk with papers piled so high that only Celestia's horn could be seen.
"Princess Celestia," the guard said, "Princess Twilight is here and wishes to speak with you." Celestia did not answer, but the guard began to leave anyway. When the guard left the room and shut the door. The papers on the desk were moved and there sat Princess Celestia herself.
"Do you have any idea what time it is?" Celestia demanded, her eyes looked enraged. "How late it is?" she asked again. Twilight was taken off guard by this unusual tone from Celestia, especially towards her.
"Princess I'm sorry but I was unaware I-" Celestia cut her off.
"Do you have any idea how worried I was about you, Silver?" Twilight gasped and turned to Burns who then lifted his invisibility spell. Celestia slowly walked to Burns, and he slowly to her. "Do you know what it's like waiting day after day looking everywhere possible, hoping that you would come back, then just having to give up?" Celestia's voice remained calm, but Twilight could see a single tear stream down her face. She then proceeded to hug him tightly, and he hugged her back. His mane, tail, and hooves began to extinguish. Now Twilight could see a blue mane and tail where the fire originated. "Where have you been?" Celestia softly asked.
"I ran away," Burns said, slowly. "I was upset. I'm sorry."
"You had better be because there are no words to describe my absolute fear that I had lost you." Celestia was squeezing Burns so tightly that Twilight could hear his neck and back pop. "Don't you dare run off on me again, Silver. I don't know what I would do if I had lost you a second time."
"I know mother. I promise I won't leave again," he answered.
