Author's Note

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Arrival

The Everfree was quiet. Trees swayed in the gentle wind. Within, a dark figure traveled swiftly, yet silently, towards Ponyville. He looked towards the moon, which hung low in the sky. There was only an hour or two left of darkness; he had to find Princess Twilight before sunrise. He quickened his pace and opened his wings, preparing to take off into the night sky. He flapped once, but stopped himself before rising up.

I should really stay on the ground. Can't risk being spotted. Closing his wings, he returned to walking. Besides, I'll make it on time... Probably. Approaching a clearing, the pony stopped and looked around. I've been walking all night; I guess I can stop and rest here. he thought as he sat down. "Ah, for the love of Celestia..." he whispered. "Stupid witch... Making me come out all this way..." He began to close his eyes. He was just beginning to relax when his eyes reopened and he shot up, looking off in the distance. "Hold on a minute..." He took a couple steps forward. In the moonlight, he could see a castle. "Was... Was that there before?" he questioned, making his way towards it.

Inside, Twilight was reorganizing a few bookshelves while Applejack stood beside the pile of books left in the center of the room, watching and occasionally picking one up. "Applejack, I appreciate you coming over this early to help me sort out these shelves, but it would be nice if you actually, um... helped, you know?" Twilight said, becoming annoyed.

"Sugar, I don't have the slightest clue where you want any of these books to go, what with your crazy system and all," replied Applejack.

"It's really quite simple once you get used to it! Novels go by name in alphabetical order. Within that, we then organize them by author's last name. For short stories and poems, we-" She was cut off by a loud groan coming from the earth pony in front of her.

"See that? Now, how do you expect me to put them there books in exactly the right places when we got all these different kinds that each need to be organized in a completely different way from the last?" Twilight opened her mouth to answer, but was interrupted by a knock at the door. She and Applejack looked at each other in confusion.

"That's strange... Who would be up at this time?" she wondered aloud.

"Yeah, and why would they come here this early? ... You want me to go get it?" Applejack was already heading for the door.

"No, no. I'll get it. You just continue, er, start organizing the shelves, please."

"Alright, Twi. I'll get right on it." As Twilight walked off, Applejack's eyes fell on a book lying beside the pile. "Now where the heck is this supposed to go?"

Twilight reached for the door, planning to open it, before realizing that the pony on the other side had already pushed it open for her.

"Princess Twilight..." The pony bowed, but she couldn't see him; she could only hear his voice. "Sorry to interrupt, but I need your help."

"Uh... P-please, come in. I'm happy to help anypony in need." She put on a smile and gestured for him to come inside. Maybe he lost his way... Yeah, that might be it! He most likely just needs help finding his way home. I can do that... The pony nodded, and stepped inside. As he did, however, Twilight's smile turned into a look of shock and concern. The pony's coat was black with red stripes, a red and black mane, and deep red eyes. He looked around, then back to her.

"You alright?" he asked. Twilight shook her head and tried to smile again.

"I... I should be asking you that..." she said hesitantly. The pony closed his eyes.

"Forgive me, but do I look like I'm alright?" At that moment, Applejack walked in.

"Twi, I dunno how you- Woah!" She jumped back at the sight of the pony in front of her. "Sweet Celestia, what happened to you, friend?" The pony chuckled to himself, walked past her, and sat down.

"Y'all wanna hear a story?" he asked. Both mares nodded their heads and sat across from him. "A'ight. My name is Si-" He paused suddenly, and his eyes widened. "... I mean... Phoenix Flame." Applejack narrowed her eyes in suspicion.

"Uh-huh, keep going."

"I come from Araiyah, a land not too far from here. I wouldn't normally come here, but... As you can see, I look like this."

"So something real messed up happened to you, and now you look like you were born and raised in Tartarus... No offense." Applejack spoke up.

"None taken. And yeah, something did happen. I was sitting around town, doing my own thing, when this mare came up to me. Her name was... Uh... Dream... Dream something. She was going off about something I had nothing to do with. I barely even knew what she was talking about! So, I tried to explain that I had nothing to do with it, but no! She insisted I did... whatever it was she said I did. I don't even remember!" Phoenix took a breath and looked out a nearby window. "... Anyway, apparently this lunatic practiced witchcraft or some mess, and she claimed she was putting a curse on me. Now, I didn't believe her, and I was getting pretty tired of listening to her, so I just flew off. So, I woke up the next day and looked in the mirror... Surprise! She wasn't playing around! I really didn't wanna be seen like this; I just sat inside all day. The minute Luna rose the moon, I immediately ventured out in search for you, Princess Twilight." Twilight took note of everything he had told them, and raised her hoof.

"Why come to me? Why not seek Princess Celestia, or Princess Luna?" Phoenix chuckled.

"You really think I'm 'bout to go into Canterlot lookin' like this? Into all them high-class stuck up ponies? Nah, I'm coming to find you," he responded. "Ponyville ain't like that... At least, I hope not." He stood up. "So! Now you know. Do you think you can undo the curse?" Twilight remained still, thinking about his situation.

"Hmm... I might be able to find a counter spell, but it may take some time. You might have no choice but to wait until then. Is that okay with you?" He smiled.

"As long as you can help me, I don't mind the wait." He walked to the door, but quickly turned around. "Oh, yeah! Almost forgot! I kinda, uh... I kinda also need a place to stay..."

"You were just gonna walk on out without telling us that?" Applejack asked. "And besides, what's wrong with your place?" Phoenix shook his head.

"Nope! I'm not going back! Already made my way here; too late now!" She shot him a look of confusion.

"That don't make a lick of sense! You're just gonna up and leave your home? What about your friends and family? I'm sure they're gonna be worried sick about you." He looked down. "And what about all your stuff? You just gonna leave it all behind?" she asked.

"Ah, I can always make new friends! And get new stuff!"

"But you can't replace your family, you know. What about them?" Phoenix turned away.

"So, Princess Twilight! Could I stay here for a bit?" he asked with a smile plastered across his face. Twilight did not share his expression.

"I would, but... I don't have a spare room available. I'm sorry," she said. Phoenix frowned.

"It's cool, it's cool... Miss, uh, Applejack, is it?"

"Yep. That's me," Applejack replied.

"Yeah, could I stay with you?" She looked up in thought, then back to Phoenix, who was kneeling at her hooves, looking up at her with false desperation in his eyes.

"Oh, quit your acting! I got a spare room at the farm; you can stay there! Sounds an awful lot like you plan on staying for life, though..." He jumped up.

"What? Nah... I can get a place of my own... at some point..." He walked outside, preparing to take off, and called out behind him, "I think I can find the way. I'll meet you there!" With that, he rose into the air, and flew into the darkness. When Twilight could no longer see him, she closed the door and turned to face Applejack.

"Applejack, I know he seems nice and all, but are you really just going to let him stay with you? We literally just met; we hardly know him! You shouldn't rush into things like this."

"I know what I'm doing, sugarcube. I'll just keep a good eye on him, that's all. If he starts actin' all shady and such, he's gone. No need to worry!" Applejack reassured her.

"Well, I trust you. Anyway, let's get back to the bookshelves, shall we?"