Magic: The Ponies

Me and Nick stood there, confused. "Shaun, what was that?"

"That," I said "-was Discord, spirit of Chaos and Disharmony. trust me on this, there are some things that you just don't question in this world." all I know is that he gave me some riddles.

I shake my head "he said if I figured out those Riddles, he would reward us, lets start with the most simple one, what has roots as nobody see's, yet grows taller than the highest trees, up, up, up it goes, yet never grows."

we make it to the kitchens and I look around 'ah, the pantry.' i walk in and find some cans of tuna, mayonnaise, relish and tabasco sauce.

I grab those ingredients, and walk out to the sinks, wash my hands, grab a bowl and a fork and get to work making sandwiches.

me and nick sit at a table munching on tuna sandwiches while I try to figure out those riddles. "A mountain! that's the answer to Discord's riddle!" I turn toward one of the maids, "what is the tallest mountain in Equestria?" she looks at me, surprised "C-Canterlot mountain."

"Thanks." I throw the last of the Tuna in my mouth and make a dash for the door.

I stand at the trail head of the mountain. 'a simple day hike, nothing too difficult... I hope.' the overall height of the mountain from Canterlot rivals Flat Iron in the Superstition mountains, the foot of which is where I grew up. so I was familiar with that kind of terrain.

the problem is, the ascent is steep, much steeper than what i'm used to, but if I want what whatever discord has, then i need to climb that mountain.

I step forward, eager for answers. "Wait up!" I look behind me. Nick is there, this time with the Mane Six. I face palm and say simply: "Nick, you know that our prismatic friend behind you does not like me, right?" I lift my head and Rainbow is right in my face. I feel my heart stop for half a second before i get over the fact Rainbow startled me.

"Yeah, but Miss Pegacorn here..."

"yeah buster! I hate you and when my wi-" I grab her snout and forcibly shut her mouth "shut it, I'm talking here." ah, it feels good to be physically stronger than most creatures for once.

"You were saying?"

"Miss Pegacorn-"

"Alicorn" I shoot twilight a look that screams: shut it or your going to end up like skittles here.

"miss Alicorn-" nick says with a hint of irritation in his voice. "-let little miss sugar high here loose on me till i spilled the beans on where you ran off to."

I turn toward Pinkie "Just call them Chimmycherrychangas." i say casually, every jaw except me and pinkie's drops.

"Thanks Mister human!" she says before producing a Chimmycherrychanga out of nowhere.

"Okay, clearly introductions are in order. I'm Shaun and this is Nick, you are?" I already know their names, but cant hurt to get Nick introduced.

"Twilight Sparkle"

"I'm Applejack!"

"I'm Rarity, you really must let me study your clothing, it looks fabulous!"

"I'm Pinkie Pie!" Pinkie says in between bites.

"I'm Fluttershy." "I'm sorry?" I legit couldn't hear her.

"Fluttershy." she somehow says more quietly than before.

I roll my eyes and look to Twilight. "She's Fluttershy" I nod

I look down at rainbow dash and ask a simple question, "you going to be civil now?" she glares at me but gives as much a nod as she can with me clamping her jaw shut. I get the message and release her snout.

"I'm Rainbow Dash, Wonderbolt and part of the Friendship Council, just think of a way to be more awesome than me"

"I can think of two things. numero Uno-" i lift my hands and wiggle my fingers "-hands. two, I blasted you into a wall

causing you to lose your ability to fly.

"touché"

I look to the Mane Six, "I'm climbing this mountain, follow me if you want, but if you do, you'll be playing by my rules."

I turn around and start walking toward the peak, i hear the shuffling of a pair of feet and the clip clopping of twenty four hooves.

I breath out, irritated because the ponies are following us. 'nothing that can be helped.'

We reach the top of the mountain, there were a few mountain streams along he way where we could get some rest, but that's beside the point, it has been a few hours and the sun is on the horizon. we are all battered and bruised by the climb, but we're here.

I look around and realize the Gem isn't here, it's unwise to travel down the mountain at this hour, "we're 'pant' making camp 'pant' here tonight" everyone collapses but there are cries of celebration, I look closer and notice there are some pine trees around, but the mountain top is mostly barren. I walk over to one and hear the familiar sound of pine needles crunching under my feet. 'are these bull pine? finally, something familiar.'

"Hey! everyone, get over here!"  everyone slowly gets up as I unclip my cape. I collect some pine needles and put my cape over them, making a cushion. as soon as everyone gets here I grab a flat piece of wood, a strait stick and my knife. I cut a notch in the flat piece of wood and I look to Nick, "hey Nick, AJ, Rainbow, would you three go get some firewood? Nick, you should know what i'm looking for."

they leave and I sheath my knife, I go grab some rocks and make an area free of pine needles, then I make a ring of rocks. I put some dry pine needles in the center of the ring and get my makeshift board. I take my strait sick and begin to drill it into the notch on th board. faster and faster I go until it begins to smoke, I Gingerly lift the board and place the little ember into the pile of pine needles, then carefully blow into the pile till it begins to burn.

Nick and the ponies get back, Nicks arms are full of wood and the two ponies are carrying wood on their backs.

"Perfect! thanks guys." I slowly pile wood on the fire till it gets to a comfortable size.

9:30. Top of Canterlot Mountain

I lay down on my makeshift bed, The full moon having taken it's place in the sky long ago. I stare at the stars, 'Luna did one heck  of a job tonight. I wonder how my siblings are doing? Lauren is probably having a blast.' I try to find Orion, while I managed to find the big dipper and subsiquently the north star, I just cannot find Orion.

The rest of the crew is sleeping soundly, having fallen asleep about an hour or so ago. 'Why am I here? Disney, I need some quotes. '

I delve into the depths of my Disney knowlege. 'Who knows, our Lord works in mysterious ways. -Frollo, the hunchback of Notré dame.

Speaking of our Lord, what i wouldn't give for my scriptures right now. I could use some spiritual supliment right about now.'

I lay there, Staring at the sky for an unknowable amount of time.

"Beautiful, isn't it?"

I jump up and spin on my heel, I reach into my pocket and pull Sluimgar's Command, drop the Lands for it and draw my knife.

"Of coarse, truly you wouldn't have reason to fear me..."

the wind whips up so strong for a moment that the fire goes out, leaving me with nothing but the full moons light. i look left and right, but there is nothing there.

"Yet."

to be completely honest i'm terrified, but he doesn't need to know that. "Show yourself!"

"'tsk tsk tsk' I can taste your fear. I can see right through your facade"

I gulp and grit my teeth.

"But i suppose I've said enough. you Will meet me soon enough."

he fire re-lit itself and I find myself alone. I collect my Lands and put my cards away. I sheath my knife and sit down by the fire. to me, time seems to slip away, I can't say whether or not i slept that night, but nontheless, the sun rose and with it arose the posse.

I throw on my cape and start snuffing the fire...

until i hear a loud screech.

"Shaun, what was that?"

I grab the stick i use for stirring the fire and rummage through the ashes, i find a mess of Yellow, Orange and Scarlet feathers. I use my stick to roll the pile out of the fire pit and realize its a Phoenix.

I pick up the bird and let it perch on my arm. "This must be what made that screech." The Phoenix begins to preen its feathers and something drops out from under its wing. I kneel down to pick it up.

Its an Emerald.

"So that's where that went! you picked it up!" i say looking at the Phoenix. the large bird chirps happily before nuzzling my cheek, I look to the group in front of me "it seems to like me, what should i call it?"

We all think for a moment before I have an Idea, and I could swear a light bulb appeared over my head for a moment.

"Ignis."

"Ignis?" everyone asks simultainously.

"It means 'Fire' in Latin." Nick's face turns to one of understanding as all the others turn to extreme confusion. 'Right, different world...'

it means 'Fire' in a different human language." now everyone's face turns to turn to faces of understanding. "now we have to think about how to get down, and carrying this... Fluttershy, is Ignis male or female?"

"male..."

I roll my eyes and look to Twiight. "Male"

"-guy down the mountain." Ignis fly's off my arm and over to Nick, grabs nicks shoulders, and fly's around like Nick wasn't there.

'Right, Phoenix's have super strength.'

"As entertaining as that is, I think it may be a good idea to put Nick down before he gets sick."

"Screw You Shaun!" I chuckle as Ignis puts Nick down not so gently...

then I break into roaring laughter.

I walk over to Nick and help him up as the Mane Six stare at me in disbelief as I calm down.

"How could you be so mean to your friend, Shaun?" Twilight asks me with a shocked expression.

"One, Nick and I aren't friends, we're cousins. two, we torment each other constantly, this is nothing new." Nick glares at me "okay, the bird is new, but the tormenting isn't." Twiligt drops the subject but she clearly still doesn't like what i did to Nick.

Ignis picks up Rarity before flying toward canterlot.

I watch Ignis till he dips down over the cliffside. "Lets go then."