Cogs of Equestria: Volume I

The two made it to the castle, it was dark now, and they decided it was best to spend the night here. Ironically enough they brought some of the wood to use as a fire. They got close to it and tried to stay warm. "What if no one ever comes," said Firefly, shaking like a leaf. "They will, if not then... we'll find some place," spoke Vortex trying to reassure the colt. "Maybe we could go to Cloudsdale! I always wanted to go and be a great flyer!" yipped Firefly in a childish tone, this made Vortex smile, seeing Firefly act like a kid. Regardless of everything that has happened, there is some light. "Ah well, we are probably gonna go to Canterlot, but I bet the Princess wouldn't mind it if you visited." Firefly smiled, then his face turned to curiosity. "Um, Spinning?" Vortex looked at him, a little nervous on what he was going to say. "Why does Princess Celestia want me to live in Canterlot?" The Royal guard sighed, "Well, Firefly, you're special, the Princess sees this special talent locked away inside of that little colt noggin of yours." Firefly blushed a little, "She wants to see your talents and skills harnessed into something wonderful. That's why I was sent to get you... but this? This isn't what the Princess wanted at all." Spinning Vortex looked a bit distraught, he thought he had failed his mission.

"What if this is what she wanted?" Vortex's head shoot up and glared at the little colt. "By Star Swirl's beard, why would you ever think that?" "Well... she wants to harness my energy right? Or what ever it is... Maybe she is testing it?" Vortex was shocked, hearing such accusations about the Princess. "Oh little one, you have quite an imagination. No, no, Celestia wants you trained in Canterlot, NOT Everfree." "If you say so," says Firefly groggily, "Night." Then passes out by the fire, Vortex sighs, "Odd little pony."

The ponies awoke to a nice sunny day in the Everfree, getting outside, they saw bits and pieces of that sunlight. But today was their day, they had to get some where. Saying good-bye to the castle, they went on their way, coming across a banged up old bridge. "Whoa... okay uh, crud," Vortex muttered, "Okay! Let's just go across extremely slowly." "You first, you have the bad wing," suggested Firefly. Spinning Vortex very gently made his way across, making every step critical. It felt like an eternity on there, but then, he made it. After breathing a sigh of relief he turned back to Firefly. "Come on! If it'll hold me it'll hold you!"

Firefly took a big gulp and started his trek across. Inch by inch, hoof by hoof, be went across. Then, as he had five blanks left, he smiled and started across normally. Then a loud crack and the bridge fell, along with Firefly, Vortex leaped forward and grabbed his hoof. "Firefly, come on, you have to fly up," screamed Vortex. "I-I can't, I'm just a colt!" "You have to!" Then Firefly put all his might into flapping his wings, lifting up slowly, then at a good level, Vortex grabbed him and brought him to safety. "I-I did it! I flew!" said the colt, happily hugging the guard. Vortex smiled, and held him close.

They got up and went onward, going over a stream and even passing a Manticore. "A what?" said Firefly when Vortex subtly spoke it's name, passing by it. "A creature with the body of a lion, a scorpion's tail, and a pair of wings. Harmless unless provoked." Then they saw it, a way out of the forest, they ran out and were so happy to see the sun, and what they saw next.