Fire and Ice

The next day I spent cleaning my home. Andreas came in and helped a little bit, but eventually he got bored and left. I couldn't blame him. The place was clean as it was and I was just wasting time. By eleven o'clock my place was actually shining. And so I sat down on my armchair and switched on my tv. After several seconds of starring into a blank screen did I remember that I had no cable. Laughing I quickky went to my stack of blue rays. And boy did those Diamond Dogs pick some good ones. Sliding in my favorite movie 'Slum Dog Millionaire' I sat down until Pinkie Pie came to throw my party here or somewhere else. I still didnt know.

I was about halfway through the previews when there was a knocking on my door. Frowning I checked my watch. It read 11:57. It couldn't be Pinkie Pie already could it? She said tomorrow night. Then again she didnt seem the most stable person on the block. And I could have misheard her due to he fact I was on the ground hyperventilating.

When I arrived at my front door I peeked outside. Unfortunately it was hard to tell who was outside. The one thing I forgot to clean was the eye hole. So I cursed by own stupidity and opened the door.

"Hello? Pinkie Pie?" I asked. Much to my annoyance I saw a empty hall.

"Ding dong ditchers," I said while closing the door.

When I shut it a gust of wind blew from nowhere in particular and all my lights went out. Now I was standing in the dark with only my tv for light. I slowly walked to the light switch checking every sound and creak because something demonic was going on. Just as I was about to flip them on when a voice came from my livingroom. It almost made me jump out of my skin .

"Made a new friend already?" Midnight asked while turning my armchair to face me.

"Holy S*** Midnight!" You scared the living s*** out of me," I said.

Don't be so suprised," Midnight responded. I noticed that something was off about him. For one he cut his hair so that it was to to just above his eyes. And it was neat, but his hair was always neat, even when he was fighting. At the moment he was wearing a faded black hoodie with faded black jeans. What set me off was his eyes. No longer murky green, but more of an emerald green. He was obviously tired judging from the way he melted into that armchair.

"Nice place you got here bro, how did you make the cash?" Midnight asked while looking around my place.

"Thirty five dollars and a lot of hustling," I replied with a proud grin.

"Nice, but get a job. Hustling doesn't always work," Midnight stated.

"I know Midnight," I replied. As happy as I was about seeing my big fostor brother, I was trying to figure out how to work 'Glad your here, but why are you here,' into my next sentence.

"Is this Slumdog Millionaire? Make some popcorn! I'll tell you why I'm here after its finished," Midnight said excitedly.

I grinned as I made a beeline for the kitchen. Why he was here could wait. For we were the one in the same thing. The only difference was that he showed cruelity while I showed compassion.

The next couple of hours we watched the tragic movie about Jamal Selene and Latika. It was almost 2:00 by the time we finished. Not a moment after Midnight turned to me.

"Okay, the reason why I'm here is to tell you in person that it's going to be awhile before we come." Midnight said. That was something to think about.

"What? Why?" I asked.

"We found something that peeked our interests considerably. Even now we left Austin and Francis's place. Corvis and Solstice are tracking them while I came to collect you," Midnight said.

"Wait a minute. Them, tracking, collect?" I asked confused.

"I was, but see it how you already we up shop I'm going to throw you a bone here." Midnight stated. My face paled when I realized what he meant.

"Your going to leave me here?" I asked suddenly angry.

Midnight either didn't notice my anger or didn't care. My money was on the former.

"You did good. Live a little and enjoy it." He replied while standing up. "Call this number if you need our help with anything. Well come quicker than you might expect." Midnight said while handing me a slip of paper. On it was three neatly written numbers. Each for one of my foster siblings. He wasn't lying when he said he came only to collect him because he turned and began walking to the door.

I wanted to say something , but I didn't. With that all said and done Midnight opened my front door to reveal Pinkie Pie ready to knock on the door. "Who are you?" Midnight asked clearly suprised.

"I'm Pinkie Pie! What's your name?" She practically shouted.

"Why you asking?" Midnight replied with a edge in his voice. Pinkie Pie however didn't catch his tone and only saw him for what he looked like. A nice angelic boy who wouldn't hurt a fy.

"Because I like making friends. And I want to be your friend!" Pinkie Pie roared.

"But who said I wanted to be your friend?" Midnight asked. Much to my suprise the over excited girls smile dropped for a second before picking up again.

"Thats okay, your going be my friend sooner or later." She said. Midnight took a few steps back in astonishment. Then he turned to me looking for an explanation.

"Thats Pinkie Pie," was all I could say.

"Okay guys bring the stuff in," she called to someone behind her. Now both Midnight and I gave each other confused looks. Seconds later a pretty blonde girl in a cowboy hat came in with a small case of Apple cider. Behind her came a really big guy with a red shirt and orange hair. I think he was carrying like seven crates. What's more was he didn't even seem tired.

"Midnight, Phoenix, these are my friends Applejack and Big McIntosh, but he likes to go by Big Mac." Pinkie Pie explained.

"Big Mac? Like the burger? Midnight asked.

"Itsss my favorite food," Big Mac grumbled.

"Hi y'all, how are you two doing today?" Applejack asked.

"Pretty good," I answered.

Midnight started to walk to the door. "See ya later bro," he muttered. Pinkie Pie, Applejack, and Big Mac all gave each other confused looks.

"Wait Midnight, want to stay for the party?" I asked.

"What Party?" Midnight asked from around the corner.

"The welcome party that I am throwing silly," Pinkie Pie said.

Midnight didn't speak for a short while. Just when I thought he already left he said. "No thanks, "

Applejack however wasn't taking no for an answer. "Are you sure partner? We have fizzy Apple cider," she offered. Half a moment later Midnight's head poked around the corner.

"What kind of cider? Is it the twin Apple cider?" Midnight asked. And I had to smirk. He loved apple cider just as much as I did. And the twin cider was the best.

"Nnope," Big Mac grumbled.

"Even better," Applejack said.

"How?" Midnight asked.

"Because it's from Apple Acres," Applejack bragged.

Midnight and I glanced at each other and nodded. We were going to call her bluff.

"Okay you peeked my interest," Midnight said.

Pinkie Pie started whooping and hoping around the place like a rabbit. Meanwhile us three boys beganto unload the cider. While we were doing that I noticed Applejack studying Midnight and me. From the look she was giving him I knew she wasn't fooled by his appearance. Or at least not completely.

"Big Mac can handle that, can y'all boys bring in the sound system? It's in the back of the red pickup," she said. I normally wouldn't leave three strangers in my apartment alone, but for some reason I felt like I could trust them. Apparently Midnightdid too, because he motioned for me to follow him.

And so I followed Midnight outside. And as soon as the two o us were out of ear and eyeshot he turned to me.

"What the h*** is that Pinkie Pie taking?" Midnight asked.

"Coke?" I offered.

"Not skinny enough," he said.

"Heroin?" I asked.

"To excited," he uttered.

"Meth?"

"She might be crazy, but she's in control of herself.

"Pot?"

"No not that, find out because this confuses me to much for comfort," Midnight said.

Ounce outside we saw the red pick up truck. "So what peeked your interests so much that you have Solstice and Corvis tracking them?" I asked Midnight.

"Sorry, but I'm not going to tell you," he said.

"And what if I made you?" I asked instantly regretting the words as they came out. Then again he was tired and stumbling around while I was fresh and ready for anything.

"I said what if I made you?" I growled. The next moment I grunted as he shoved me to the ground in one shove.

'Me and my big mouth,' I thought while standing up to face off with Midnight. When I stood up Midnight had his hood drawn down to the bridge of his nose. I knew what this was. At the moment I couldn't tell where he was looking while I was like an open book. While I was in my thoughts Midnight began to circle me. I suprised myself when I automatically began to follow, but when I was aware what I was doing my body stumbled and Midnight saw his chance.

Before I could do anything he slammed me into the ground and was on top of me. With a heave I threw him off and rolled away. With my viens pumping with adrenalin I stood up not a moment to soon. And then it was a trade of fists and in Midnight's case elbows, knees, and feet included.

If my brother was fatigued at all he didn't show it because I barely landed a hit on him. And most of that was when I threw him off me. I let out a heave when I recieved a knee to the gut making me kneel over into his elbow. Trying to throw a punch at him he sidestepped it and replied with a fist to the face. Taking another swing i tried hitting him in the shoulder, but he grabbed he freaking thing and responded with a kick to my unguarded hip. Roaring in anger I stepped back and attempted to form a plan in my head. Midnight had other plans and rushed me with a fist to the gut. I let out a yell of pain and tried grabbing him. He how ever jumped back and rushed me again, but this time it was with a flip kick into my face. Now I was stumbling backwards but Midnight was already behind me and did a jump punch into the back of my head.

Seeing my chance I turned around as fast a viper and tried grabbing him, but he was to agile and dodged my hands while planting a left hook to my face. Did I forget to mention he was a lefty? Now I was finished because it wasn't normal to be seeing triple, or was it? Wait was the ground rising around me. And why was it getting dark? In the distance I heard a calm "Enough Mr. Fade," from a Jamaican voice.

Some time later

I woke up to a bucket of ice water to my face. With a jolt of energy I jumped up and felt the soreness already. When I was up I realized I was surrounded by five people. Andreas, Midnight, Fluttershy, a rainbow haired girl, and a purple haired beauty queen with ivory white skin.

Andreas and Midnight were in a discussion while the rainbow haired girl had a smug look on her face. The purple haired beauty queen was scolding her while only Fluttershy looked worried about my well being.

"So you did all that self taught?" Andreas asked. Midnight nodded.

"You shouldn't laugh at other people's pain Rainbow Dash," the beauty queen scolded.

"I'm sorry Rarity, but Pheonix has like two inches on height and around fifth pounds of muscle on Midnight. It should have been a more even fight," Rainbow Dash laughed.

"Are you alright Phoenix?" Fluttershy asked. At least someone did.

"Yeah I'm good." I replied.

"I thought you were going to be out awhile," Andreas said.

"Now that you are awake we still need to carry in that sound system for the rest of them," Midnight said.

I hoped up a little panicked. "D*** How long was I out?" I asked my brother.

"About thirty seconds," he replied. Without another word we both began unloading the large stereo. Rainbow Dash looked at it suspiciously. The others looked suprised I was already up and moving.

"That yours?" Fluttershy asked in a tone so low I almost couldn't hear.

"A friends," I answered.

"They're throwing a party." Midnight added.

"A party, darling would you happen to be able to fit three more in?" Rarity asked politely.

"Of course, it's a welcoming party after all," I replied.

Rarity and Fluttershy's expressions both turned sullen. "Oh, it's hers," Rarity said.

"Something wrong?" Midnight asked. It was clear his taste for cruelty wasn't sastifyed yet.

"Oh nothing darling, it's all fine," she said.

"Your still coming though right?" I asked hopefully because this girl was a diamond.

"Of course darling, it would be rude not to." Rarity replied.

The sound system ended up being in a large wooden box. The two of them together were barely able to lift it let alone carry it. Andreas was no help as he was still in shock on how effortlessly Midnight kicked my a**. He seemed even more suprised when we told him that it happened on a regular basis. The three girls only gave verbal support and we were both giving heavy breaths after only half way.

Forty minutes later

With one last heave Midnight and I put the large wooden box in front of my door.

"That was heavy," I said.

Midnight nodded, but I noticed that he didn't seem as tired as me. Then I opened my door. It took me half a second to realize that the three in my apartment were busy. All might were replaced with dark lights and every window was blacked out with black paper. My table was filled with apple cider and pies, cakes, cupcakes, and all other sorts of deserts.

"You guys were faster than I thought," Applejack said while finishing a strobe light.

"You guys were busy," I said.

"Pinkie Pie wanted to make it lively, but I told her you seemed more into the how in the dark party," Applejack said.

"You were right," I said.
"Took a detour," I said as Midnight took off his black hoodie. Now that his hoodie was off everyone could see his appearence. He was lean, but not as big as me. He was just big enough to be fast while still bein small enough to be quick. His outfit was a black t-shirt with a bullet belt. I kept in mind that his glock was nowhere to be found or it was in his leg holster. The edge of his tanto was clearly seen on his right hip. It's leather shealth molded to perfection. The rest of his outfit was obvious. Punk rock kid who lived for the fight. Rainbow Dash stopped snickering at my tragic loss when she walked in. Midnight no longer looked like a sweet harmless angle. Now he looked dangerous. With his lanky build he looked like a sleek leopard on his wrists were spiked half gloves. Now I shuddered when I realized that he could have cut me up with a flick of his wrist.

"Well, this is bad," Big Mac grumbled when he saw the three other girls.

"What is she doing here?" Rainbow Dash asked angrily.

"I might ask the same question Dash," Applejack snapped back.

For half a second I thought I was going to have a cat fight, And Midnight wasn't helping. In fact he was instigating it now with a "ohhhhh, you going to take that, that must have hurt," and other sorts of things. Now Rainbow Dash and Applejack were really pissed at each other when the door got knocked on.

"Party guests are here!" Pinkie Pie roared. And she was at the door faster than I could follow with my eyes.

Next came the kids. All colorful and such. I was kind of glad the other changlings weren't here. Midnight alone was enough to wreck them, but for some odd reason he was standing in the corner moving about like a shadow, or a wolf.

Half an hour and several fizzy ciders later I was twirling around on the dance floor (living room). Midnight was at the table grabbing himself a snack before returning to his perch. I wondered why he wasn't enjoying himself. It didn't matter, what did was that he was here just a little bit longer. The two groups were like two predators circling each other. Applejack and Pinkie Pie in one with Rainbow Dash, Rarity, and Fluttershy in the other. Although the main beef looked like it was between Applejack and Rainbow Dash. The others had hate, but not half as intense more like a deep grudge.

I was so focused on them that I wasn't paying attention to where I was going and ran into the same fiery girl as I did yesterday. It was worse because instead of spilling her books it was apple cider on her leather jacket. When I was what I did I could only utter three words.

"Oh f*** me," the whole room went silent when they saw who it was.

"What the h***," The fiery girl snarled at me. I turned towards Midnight for help, but he was smirking at me. With growing dread I realized that this time I was on my own.

"Sorry ma'am I muttered."

"Sorry? First my books and now my jacket?" She asked astonished.

"Two run ins with Sunset Shimmer? This kid is in a lot of trouble." A boy said.

Before anything else could happen she turned and stormed into the bathroom. The party continued immediately after that. However I had an uneasy feeling because of the glances the other kids kept throwing at me. It was like they were showing me pity. Midnight however was staring daggers at the bathroom door. After a little while Sunset Shimmer walked out of the bathroom and left my apartment with everyone watching her go before returning to their fun. Seconds later Midnight was darting between groups of people. Not caring for the welcome party anymore, I walked and grabbed a fizzy apple cider and drank it.

"You must really like apple cider," Rarity stated from my side.

"It calms the nerves without the hangover," I said while watching Midnight whisper something into another kids eat. The kid looked annoyed and slightly angry, but blanched when Midnight put his hand on his Tanto's hilt. The next moment he handed something small over to him. Midnight darted to the next group of kids.

"Your brother sure is something," Rarity said.

"The perfect definition of don't judge a book by its cover," I said.

"What do you mean?" Rarity asked.

"You ever seen one of those books that look like a good book, but read the teaser and not like it, but then you do read it to see that's its just as good as it looks?" I asked.

"Why yes I have," Rarity responded.

"Thats him, he looks like a guardian angle warrior, but as you've seen acts like a demon, but all through out my life he was our guardian angle," I said.

"Our?" Rarity asked.

"My other siblings, come on and I'll show you," I said while walking to my room. Hearing her footsteps I slightly smiled. When I did get to my room I saw two kids making out on my bed. Wait? They didn't, "Out!" I growled at them. They didn't argue and left in earnest.

After they left I glared at them as they walked down the small hallway. After they were gone I turned to m dresser. Sitting on top was a series of photo's, but I only needed one. It was the family one with men and all three of my foster siblings. Solstice was the classy one out us. Each of us always wore the same thing more or less, but Solstic made it look classy with her designer hoodie and jeans. Corvis was somewhere in between Midnight and I. His clothes were punky, but still had our traditional black colors. All three of us boys had hardcore punk while Solstice had style.

While Midnight and I had black hair Solstice and Corvis had dark artic blueish gray hair. Solstice's hair came down to her lower black with brilliant green highlights. Corvis's hait came down to his nose and had had sea greenish black highlights. Solstice was gorgeous as you could imagine while Corvis was a full on pretty boy. Each were on the side of Midnight who had a arm wrapped around each of them and was giving a real smile of legit happiness. Something we rarely ever saw. I was on the other side of Solstice with a arm wrapped around her while she did the same to me. It was a picture taken at the end of the winter.

Grinning at it if showed Rarity who studied it. "So he's was your guardian angle?" She asked.

"Yup, he just did it in the most vicous way possible," i replied.

"Why," Rarity asked confused.

I opened my mouth to explain his story, his story Midnight charged out of the bathroom door with something under his arm. His fave was emotionless, but I knew he was on edge. He walked right up to me ignoring Rarity completely.

"Nice to see you again little bro, but I have to leave right now," he said. Before I could say or do anything he turned and shoved his way through the crowd of kids and left. Rarity and I stood completely frozen before remembering each other.

"What was that about?" She asked.

"I don't know," I answered truthfully.

A few minutes later there was another knock on the door. From PinkiePie's expression I knew this was unexpected.

Walking to the door I opened it to see half a dozen police officers.

I feel the room go cold at my back, but it only lasted a second before I stepped outside and closed the door
'D***,' wish Midnight or Corvis was here.

"Can I help you officers?" I asked.

"We recieved a call about possible illegal drug activity going on here," a basky man said.

My thoughts immediately flashed to Pinkie Pie, but my fears subsided almost immediately. Midnight said she was just crazy and he is almost always right.

"Nope," I said truthfully.

The basky officer studied me for a long while before nodding. "Any alcoholic beverages here?" He asked.

"Does fizzy Apple cider count?" I asked before almost facepalming myself.

"No it does not," he replied slightly annoyed.

"Nothing going on here," I said.

One of the officers whispered something into basky's ear who turned to me. "Alright kid, well throw you a bone here since you seem to be telling the truth, but one the condition you end the party," he said. I did a salute and the officers left.

The moment they were out of eye sight I turned and walked into my apartment. The kids were all staring at me so intently that I felt like I could burst into flames. "Alright parties over, go home," i said loud enough for everyone to hear. About half the kids started groaning while the other half nodded and did as they were told. The groaners were mostly doing the same, but I spotted a few who I knew needed a little convincing.

"Rover!" I shouted.

"Yeah boss?" Rover asked while appearing with the other diamond dogs.

"Usher these people out, any who give you problems can go ten with me," I said while staring down a blonde athletic kid who blanched.

"Yes boss," Rover said. And with Rover, Fido, and Spot helping I cleared my apartment quicker than I ever could have hoped. The apples were busy packing up their sound system when Applejack asked me "want us to help clean?" She asked.

"No thanks, I got it. Thanks for the party though," i said.

"Sure thing," she said. After that she motioned for Big Mac to follow. And the craziest thing happened next. With two arms he picked up their sound system and followed with out the slightest strain on his face. The apples walked out with me gaping at Big Mac's strength. I made a mental note to not get on his bad side.

The next was pinkie pie. "Would you like me to help you clean this place up? It's a mess," she said.

"No thanks, but could you switch my lights back?" I asked.

"Thats it? In that case you could keep the cider," she said. After that in a trail of smoke my lights went from black lights went from blacklight to regular. It all happened in a fraction of a second that I immediately regretted not taking her up on her offer, but she was already gone.

Next was Rarity, RainbowDash, and Fluttershy. Before I could say anything Rarity put up a hand.

"Don't even think about it, were staying her and helping you clean up," she said. I smirked, but didn't let them see it. Rover, Fido, and Spot all looked at me. I waved my had at them.

"Anything else boss?" They asked me.

"No, you can go now," I said while tossing them each a fizzy apple cider.
All three of them grinned and left. Ounce they were gone I turned to the three girls. At the corner of my eye I noticed Fluttershy already cleaning.

"Okay, let's get started," I said.