The wounded Pegasus looked up at me with unnatural terror in her eyes.
“Don’t worry, as long as I’m here no more harm will come to you,” I promised her as I used my magic to close the gash on her left foreleg. I ran my free hoof over the rest of her body to magically check for additional injuries. “Two cracked ribs,” I gently lifted her wing to feel the joint, “joint has slipped slightly and there’s some tearing in the muscle.” I moved down the laying pony’s hind leg, “A break in the Metatarsal.” With each injury mentioned I surged a little magic down into the nerves alleviating the pain to some extent.
The creature that caused the injuries did nothing to stop me. It simply paced back and forth walking upright on its hind legs and keeping a keen eye on my proceedings. Its stare still held plenty of malice but even more interest in the magic I was performing on the poor Pegasus. I took my time trying to help the little pony and did my best not to let my own fear show.
“What do they call you?” I asked trying to sound unrushed.
“Rainbow Dash,” she answered through gritted teeth. I poured more magic into the nerves as it seemed the pain was still too high. I stroked her front leg where the gash had been and found the skin to be whole.
“So, you can fix what I can break and then let me break it anew,” the creature growled. I didn’t turn around right away as I didn’t want to show any weakness to the monster.
“I’ll be right back,” I said to Rainbow Dash with a gentle smile and a pat on the foreleg. Her eyes brimmed with fresh tears and I winked to reassure her.
“I’m afraid your fun is finished,” I stated, finally turning to face the creature. The creature’s pacing went on uninterrupted as it noticeably looked me up and down as if analyzing if I was a threat or not. I was nervous as I hadn’t had the chance to really get a grip on my new powers, but I was also determined not to let any insecurity show. I knew the slightest slip could be fatal. I also knew I intended to keep my promise to keep Rainbow Dash safe.
The creature was unlike any I’d ever encountered, it stood on two legs, was covered in thick course mud-color hair, its bulging eyes were black and mirror-like and set underneath a very pronounced brow. Two small horns protruded on each side just above the forehead. The creature carried itself in a way that screamed confidence. The large knife in its right long-clawed paw looked comfortable as if it belonged there. The slight sneer only added to the self-assurance that oozed from the creature.
“You really mean to stop me, don’t you?” it asked amused. “I’ve stalked world after world creature after creature and it’s few and far between when there is someone who tries to stand up to me, but even more rare when someone as powerful as you crosses my path.” His pacing finally paused as his body straightened and he tilted his head back, looking down his broad nose at me. I noticed his claws playing on the hilt of the dagger, clenching and unclenching, not due to nerves but what I realized was sheer joy. Unnerving was an understatement, but I refused to let my resolve crack.
“You’re wrong,” I started, hoping my bravado would intimidate rather than anger. “You’ve never met anypony like me.” I took a step towards the creature accenting my words.
“Anypony!? How very peculiar. Even I can sense that this isn’t the form you’re used to.”
How did he know?
The surprise obviously showed on my face. “What? You thought I wouldn’t notice?” he laughed. “You’re clumsy. You don’t move with nearly the same easy grace as the rest of the inhabitants here, I can feel your magic surging and ebbing as if you can’t quite control it yet, and most telling of all is your uncertainty and fear.” My ruse had obviously failed. He tucked his knife into the sheath at his side. “Don’t worry I’m not going to kill you... yet,” he smiled a smile I imagine only the reaper himself should wear. “As I’ve said, someone like you doesn’t come along very often. I want to fully appreciate killing you, so I’ll give you time. Get used to your body or better yet, regain your previous form,” the smile continued. “We’ll have a battle that will impress and awe the Gods.” With that he turned and stepped into nothingness.
I knew I was standing sturdy but my insides were jelly. Is this the reason I’m here? To deal with whatever this creature is? I pushed the thoughts aside and turned to focus on Rainbow.
“So what were you doing in the middle of the Everfree Forrest anyway? I have to say I’ve not seen any ponies out here.” I poured healing magic into the Pegasus as I spoke.
“Just practicing my flying, perfecting moves.”
“Out in the middle of nowhere?”
“I don’t want to give anything away until they are completely awesome.”
“So how did you end up getting mixed up with... that monster?” I asked as I helped the shaky Pony to her hooves. She stretched her wings testing their strength and sturdiness.
“Psycho-job there? I heard strange noises and flew down to check it out. That monster attacked me from behind – Lucky on his part.” She took a step but was still weaker than she knew. I quickly got my head under chin just as her leg buckled.
“Lean against me if you need to.”
Her cheeks turned a crimson that stood out on the cyan Pegasus. She did everything to avoid eye contact as she leaned against me. “He moved fast once he had a hold of me and threw me against that tree there. That’s about when you showed up.”
“Hmmmm,” I tried to think on how I had happened to be in the right place at the right time which led to wondering how I came to this world in the first place, but I was soon distracted. I couldn’t help but notice how soft the Pegasus’ coat felt as she leaned into me. I could feel the toned muscle in her side expand and contract with each breath. I noticed how small she felt against me. I felt my face burning and hoped she didn’t notice. At least she had distracted me from my uncomfortable musings.
After a bit it seemed the magic had finally taken full effect and, to my disappointment, Rainbow moved away from me to walk on her own. “So what do they call you anyway?” she asked as she led the way.
“Fireblade,” I answered knowing my new name but not understanding how I knew it.
“Fireblade, hunh?” she glanced back at me as she continued walking. “Well Fireblade, where are you from? It’s just I haven’t heard of many Stallions who happen to be Alicorns.”
“Alicorns?” I was unfamiliar with the word.
“You know, the horn and the wings.”
“Oh, right,” I tried to play it off like as if I had of course known what she was talking about. “I’m from...” I was at a loss. I could tell her the truth about my origin let her know that I hadn’t been a pony all that long, I could make up a place and probably be caught in that lie pretty quickly, I decided on my third choice. “This might sound crazy, but I really can’t remember anything past a week or so ago.”
“What? Really!? Some type of amnesia?”
“Something like that I think,” I answered.
“So I’m guessing you don’t know anymore about that creature that attacked me than I do. That’s too bad.” She tilted her head slightly and looked back at me with a kind smile. “Don’t worry we’ll see if Twilight knows anything about the monster. She may have some ideas about your amnesia as well.”
“Right, sounds good.” I figured I just as well have help figuring out what it is I’m supposed to be doing here, and there was the added benefit of maybe spending more time with the young Pegasus. I knew it should be unnatural to feel attracted to her, given I wasn’t in my usual form, but I couldn’t help but think about how good she had felt next to me.
With Rainbow leading at a quicker pace we arrived at our destination shortly. As we walked through the town of Ponyville, Rainbow pointed out a few of the important buildings and such, but I didn’t hear much of what she said as I noticed that I was receiving odd looks from about every pony we passed, a few even giggled as we passed. I tried to make sense of it but couldn’t figure it out.
“Why is everyone looking at me so wierd?” I finally asked.
“Well, ummm...” Rainbow Dash blushed unexpectedly and looked as if she were searching for what to say. “Oh, here we are.” She seemed relieved to have the interruption.
The building she had stopped in front of was a large structure built into a tree. The red sign showed the building to be a library which we entered as I rubbed at my face thinking I must have something on it to get everypony to react so.
The smell of parchment and ink was heavy and the walls were lined with shelves filled with books. Books also were stacked around a small desk where a purple pony sat reading an open tome. Sitting nearby was a small dragon who looked up as we entered.
“Hey, Rainbow, who’s your friend?” he asked with childlike curiosity.
“This here is Fireblade,” Rainbow answered. “He could also be called the pony who just saved my life.” This got the purple pony’s attention as she finally looked away from her book.
“W-Wow!” she said after a short pause. “Saved your life? What happened? Are you alright?”
“Chill-out Twilight, I’m fine.”
Twilight still rushed to her friend’s side and proceeded to concernedly look her over. “What happened?” she repeated.
Twilight listened attentively as Rainbow shared the story of everything that had happened with incredible detail. After hearing the whole story, and once again making sure Rainbow was ok, she turned her attention to me.
“So, you healed Dash with magic? What did you do exactly? How did you do it?”
Her questions were asked with an inquisitive intensity and fervour for knowledge that made me slightly uncomfortable. I honestly didn’t have an answer for her. I looked to Rainbow for help, but when it was clear none was forthcoming I attempted to answer as best I could.
“I can’t really tell you exactly how I did it,” I answered honestly. “As I’ve already told Rainbow Dash, I can’t remember really anything before about a week ago. I don’t know how I ended up in the Everfree Forrest I just was there somehow. As far as the magic I used, it was more instinct than anything else. I just knew she was hurt and needed help and I kind of just knew what needed to be done.” I was answering truthfully but Twilight still looked speculative and unsure.
“I see,” she said. “Well, thanks for helping Dash anyway. I think the issue we really need to look at is who this creature that attacked you was, and why he seems to be so interested in you.”
“I agree, but I don’t really have anything to go off of. I was hoping I might be able to learn a little more here honestly.” I could tell that Twilight still didn’t completely trust me and I really wanted her to. “Listen,” I started, sounding desperate, “I honestly don’t know what’s going on, but I’m willing to do whatever necessary to figure it out.” I looked pleadingly at Twilight. “I’m just looking for whatever help I can get.”
Finally Twilight smiled at me and it was a smile that could melt Jack Frost. “You’ve definitely come to the right place.”
Twilight was all about getting down to business, and after letting me sit for a bit and serving me a delightful lunch of berries and oats, she asked me to demonstrate how I was able to perform the healing magic.
“Well, thanks for the grub and thank you for, ya know, saving my life and all, but I think I’m gonna head out. Got some serious zzz’s to catch up on,” Rainbow waved to us heading out the door.
“Wait!” I called after her. I really didn’t want to see the Pegasus go, not before I could assure that I’d be seeing her again soon. I hadn’t figured out quite what to say as Rainbow turned back. She tilted her head giving a quizzical look as the silence lengthened. “Umm... I just think that the best way to demonstrate how I did the healing is to show her on the pony I healed.”
Rainbow put hoof to chin thinking it over. “I guess that makes sense, but it’s gotta be quick.”
It actually did make sense and she didn’t even have to suspect that I had ulterior motives for keeping her nearby. Rainbow Dash made her way back over to where Twilight and I waited and looked at me expectedly. “Well, what do you need to do?”
“-Right,” I made my way to her side with Twilight in tow. I placed my hoof gently on the small of her back, relishing the opportunity for contact again, and slowly started probing with magic.
“Oh, I see,” Twilight said as she placed her hoof on top of mine and moved along the pony’s back with me. It didn’t take long before I could feel the magic from Twilight perfectly mirroring my own.
“Wow!” I complimented her, “you picked up on that very fast.”
“Thanks. So this is how you were able to feel where her injuries were. Now how did you actually heal them?”
I moved my hoof, with Twilight’s on top, along Rainbow’s back towards her rear leg. I couldn’t help but think I was doing something wrong as my hoof caressed over Rainbow’s rear hip and along her thigh, but I reminded myself that I was only helping Twilight.
“You can feel, in the leg here, where it was broken.” I rubbed up and down the Pegasus’ thigh, just below the cutie mark, sending magic pulses into the repaired bone so Twilight could follow the path.
“I think I get it, but I could never do what you did. You used magic like a needle and thread, meshing magic with the bone.” She looked at me, shock in her eyes. “I-It’s amazing! I never thought magic could be used to heal like this.” Her eyes widened as she continued excitedly. “If you ever have a need to do this again I hope I can be there.” I could feel her using the probing technique I had taught her as she repeatedly examined the repaired leg.
“Super interesting and all, but could you guys maybe find another pony’s leg to fawn over?” Rainbow chided.
I reluctantly pulled my hoof from Rainbow’s thigh as Twilight did the same. “Sorry,” I said feeling blush. The Pegasus had made me blush more in a day than I had in years.
“Well, if you guys are done I really do have things to do.” With that she started on her way once again sending my mind reeling for a reason to stop her once more.
“One more thing,” I said.
She stopped again with a huge sigh. “Yes?” she asked sounding slightly annoyed.
“I was just wondering if you could help me with something later?”
“Probably. What’s up?”
“It’s just that these wings,” I tried to spread the wings at my side but found the muscles didn’t react the way I wanted them to. The result was a shaky pathetic flutter of my wings. “They don’t really do me any good right now. I can’t seem to figure out how to use them properly.”
“Rainbow might be the best flyer in all of Equestria. I’m sure she could help you learn how to fly again,” Twilight chimed in.
“Now you’re talkin’ my language,” Rainbow said with an enthusiastic leap into the air. “Everypony around here knows I’m the best flyer around.” She zipped back and forth in the library bumping into Twilight’s globe and knocking a few books off the shelf.
“Rainbow! Enough! Save it for your lessons,” Twilight scolded as she replaced books on the shelves using magic.
“Sweet, just let me finish a few things and maybe we could start practicing tonight, or early tomorrow.”
“Where should I meet you?” I asked.
“Don’t worry, I’ll find you. You kind of stand out,” she said with a shy smile.
I thought I detected a slight reddening of her cheeks as she left and once again wondered what it was about me that kept earning me strange looks.
“Hey, Twilight. Do you have a mirror I could use?” I needed to see what was going on.
“Umm, yeah,” she had just finished cleaning up the mess Rainbow Dash had left. “I’ve got one in my room upstairs.” She started up the stairs looking somewhat unsure. “I don’t usually let anyone but my friends up here, but I guess it’s ok.”
“Sorry, I just haven’t had a good look at myself for a while; I’m probably a mess.”
She smiled timidly, “Yeah, I don’t think I would call you a mess.” Now she blushed outright and turned her head from me. Clearing her throat she gestured toward a full size mirror. “There you are.”
I looked at what I had become. It was quite disorienting; there was nothing recognizable left over from my former self. I was covered in a dark ash-gray coat with a mane black as the void, my eyes where a smoky color but bright and intense just the same, my face was very angular with sharp edges very clear and defined, and my body was surprisingly muscular. I was glad my body felt as strong as it did; I had worked tirelessly on my former body and was happy to see it had transferred over. I deduced that I was probably considered quite handsome thus the reason for the looks I kept receiving.
I noticed another pair of admiring eyes in the mirror and turned to face Twilight.
“Thank you,” was all I could think to say.
“Yeah, no problem,” she giggled nervously. “So I was thinking, with no memory and probably no money what do you intend to do now?”
I didn’t really know what to do. My memories were, of course, as intact as ever, but I still had no idea why I was here.
“I’m willing to do whatever I can , of course,” she added quickly.
“Well, it’s clear that I should stay here in Ponyville for a while,” I said, descending the stairs back into the main library. “I guess I could find some work and a place to stay, but I need to figure out what was going on with the creature that attacked Rainbow Dash. I can’t help but feel that he might hold the answers to a lot of questions.” I began pacing back and forth now. “He said he would come back to battle me later, that it would be some sort of epic battle, but frankly I don’t know how well I’d do in a battle.”
I stopped for a moment, realizing that part of my answer was right in front of me. “Hey Twilight?”
“Yes?”
“Rainbow Dash is going to be helping me with my flying, but I also need someone to help me with magic.” I looked pointedly at her.
She looked startled. “Wh-what you did for Dash is far- it was far beyond anything I could do,” she stammered.
“Right, so you’ve said,” I said shaking my head. “But I told you I did that out of instinct and necessity. I don’t know how to do – well – anything else,” I said truthfully. “You’ve got to help me.”
She looked down, visibly mulling the idea over.
“I really need the help,” I added, pleading.
She closed her eyes tightly and nodded. “Alright. I’ll help.”
“Great! When can we get started?”
“I need to gather some materials and I also need to apprise Princess Celestia of the situation...”
She continued speaking, but I focused on the last bit I’d heard. “Princess Celestia?” I interrupted.
She looked up at me with a smile “Well, yeah. I mean an Alicorn showing up in Ponyville with no memory and an unknown past is kind of a big deal.”
I didn’t really like the idea of getting more ponies, important ones at that, involved. “Why is it such a big deal? I mean, you’re obviously an Alicorn,” I gestured at her. “No need to bother a princess is there?”
“Well,” she reddened, withdrawing slightly, “I’m a Princess.”
I knew my mouth was hanging open, but it seemed to be ignoring my mental commands for it to close. After a few seconds of derpiness I was able to respond. “I’m sorry, I had no idea,” I admitted, making an attempt at a clumsy bow.
“Oh, that’s okay. Really, there’s no need for that.”
It hit home again how little I understood this new world. A Princess! How could I have known? She was, after all, living in a library. I felt foolish and decided I needed to say something. “In my world a princess would wear a crown and live in a castle, I’m really sorry I didn’t realize you were royalty.”
“No-no,” she said, obviously feeling awkward. “I have a castle and a crown, I just really like the library here and I don’t really like wearing a crown. It’s not your fault you didn’t know,” she assured me as she began magically pulling books from the shelves looking each of them over.
“Well, can I do anything to help?” I didn’t want her to dismiss me as I really had no idea what to do next.
“No-no, you should probably go inquire about work somewhere. If you’re going to be here for any extended time you’ll want to find a way to contribute. That’s the way things work in Ponyville.”
“But...” I started, sounding feeble, “I don’t know anyone, and frankly I don’t really understand the culture here.” I really did sound pathetic.
Twilight chuckled at my lack of confidence. “Hey, Spike.” I had forgotten about the little dragon. “Why don’t you take Fireblade over to Sugarcube Corner, the Cakes are always looking for a little help.”
“Uh, yeah, sure thing Twilight.” The young dragon seemed excited to get out of the library and led the way at an alarmingly quick pace for a creature with such little legs.
I followed him out, back into the streets of the charming little town and back into the sea of awkward gazes and whispers. Everywhere I looked the scene was the same; ponies looking away as soon as I made eye contact and then the hissing of quiet gossip. The hushed buzz seemed to continue to grow, grating against my ears. I was extremely relieved when Spike led me into a quaint little shop and out of the disorienting cacophony of sound in the streets.
Now instead of my hearing being assaulted it was my sense of smell’s turn for attention. Luckily it was in stark contrast to my hearing as the smells in the shop were quite divine. I felt engulfed by the environment and felt my mood improve dramatically. An absolutely pleasant looking pony stood behind a counter and greeted me and Spike with a motherly smile. “Hi Spike it’s a pleasure as always to see you, and who is your handsome friend?” she nodded at me and gave me another smile that sent the last of my tension and trepidation running.
“I’m Fireblade, and it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance.”
“Oh, how very polite. I’m Mrs. Cup Cake and this is our shop Sugarcube Corner. What brings you here Fireblade?”
I wasn’t quite sure exactly what to say, but I mentioned that Twilight had sent me and told her, without going into any details, that I’d lost my memory and that I was looking for work. She listened attentively, gasping at the part about me losing my memory, and when I finished she patted my shoulder caringly.
“Don’t worry young pony, we’ve always got a little extra work around here, especially when Pinkie Pie isn’t here helping out.” She motioned for me to follow her into the kitchen and began rummaging through many drawers while I patiently waited. “Here we go,” she said, producing a brightly colored apron. I couldn’t help but show a genuine smile at the idea of me wearing such a ridiculous thing.
I didn’t complain and even allowed her to help me get the apron on; it felt good to see how excited she got when I was finally dressed in the full baker ensemble. I spent the next few hours doing as I was told and discovering that I didn’t make all that bad of a baker. Finally, she let me know that I was done for the day and handed me a small bag that clanked satisfyingly with bits. I ventured back out into the street, which was thankfully a whole lot emptier than earlier, and began to make my way back to Twilight’s library.
I reached the Library about the same time as the sun began to sink below the distant mountains. I reached to open the door and found, to my surprise, that it was locked.
“Umm, Twilight?” I called as I knocked gently on the door. No answer. I rapped a little harder. “Are you there, Twilight?” Again, no answer. I sighed, resigned to making a shelter in the forest as I had for the previous few nights. As I began the voyage back to the forest a familiar voice called out to me.
“Hey, Fireblade, where are you headed?” Rainbow Dash asked as she hovered just above my eye level.
“Just heading into the forest to find a place to crash for the night.”
“What!?” she sounded shocked. “After what just happened there today? No way!” She was genuinely concerned. “You can’t!”
“Well,” I shrugged, “I was going to ask Twilight if she had a place for me but the library is all locked up.”
“Did you try knocking?”
“Of course,” I answered. “A couple of times actually.”
“Hmmm,” Rainbow Dash slowly lowered herself to the ground, hoof to chin. She nodded to herself as if she had just made up her mind about something. “You can stay at my place in Cloudsdale.”
“Are you sure?”
“Of course, I mean, you did save my life.”
“Alright,” I chuckled. I couldn’t believe my luck, if there was anypony I could choose to stay with it would be Rainbow Dash. “So where do you live?”
“In Cloudsdale, like I said.”
“And where is Cloudsdale?”
She pointed up in the sky. “In the clouds, of course.”
I laughed at the idea. “I really can’t fly you know. It wasn’t just an act.”
“Well, we don’t have to get you flying perfect, just well enough for me to help guide you.”
She sounded confident but I had my doubts. “I don’t know. I can’t even spread my wings, let alone flap them or do anything else with them.”
“Duh, that’s why I’m here,” she said as she hovered to just above my back. “Feel this spot here?” she asked rubbing just underneath and behind each of my wing joints.
“Umm, yeah.” The blush had returned once again.
“Just flex these muscles.”
I concentrated on where she was rubbing as I worked all the muscles around it trying to pinpoint the correct spot.
“Ow!” Rainbow yelped as my wings suddenly struck out catching the little pony in the jaw and sending her sprawling.
“Sorry – Sorry!” I ran over to the Pegasus and offered her a hoof up.
“Ha-ha, serves me right,” she laughed, accepting my hoof. As she regained her footing she smiled shyly at me. It was too much for me to handle, before I knew it my hoof was brushing her mane out of her eyes which opened wide in shock and I knew instantly that I had made a mistake.
“Umm... yeah- are you okay?” The words rushed out of my mouth in an attempt to cover the uncomfortable situation.
“Yeah, I’m fine,” she turned her head and backed away a few steps.
“Sorry,” was all I could muster.
“Oh, no biggie.” She was obviously bothered by what happened and refused to meet my eyes. I couldn’t believe how clumsy and dense I had been. We didn’t really know each other at all and I had tried to make a move. I didn’t want things to be awkward between us and I definitely didn’t want her to start avoiding me so I tried to pretend that nothing had happened at all.
“Wow! You are a great teacher! Check this out,” I opened and folded my wings over and over, legitimately impressed with how much she had helped.
“Not bad,” she smiled. “Not bad at all.” Some of her uneasiness seemed to fade.
“Well, it’s a start, but I don’t think I’m going to be able to make it to Cloudsdale tonight.” I figured that by not insisting on staying at her place it would allow her to feel even more comfortable. My plan obviously worked as she seemed to perk up completely.
“Yeah, maybe not. Come on,” she started off back towards the library, “I’m sure Twilight is home she probably just didn’t hear you knock. I’ll fly up to her balcony and get her attention.”
I followed the little Pegasus, thankful that her cheery mood had returned. My mind reflected on the events of the day and I determined that I hadn’t had a day this exciting in recent memory. I knew there was still a lot to learn and probably danger ahead as well, but I felt better knowing I had already made a few friends.
“Rainbow?”
“Yeah?”
“Thanks.”
Rainbow Dash turned toward me, blushing deeply, and offered her most beautiful smile yet.
Author's Note
I'm all about receiving criticism. I really enjoy writing and I'm very serious about getting better.
