“Are they here yet? Are they here yet? Are they here yet? Are they? Are they?”

Night Shield was bouncing along the castle hall with his family, continually asking the same thing over and over again, much to the annoyance of Starling.

“Are they here yet? Are they he-“

“NIGHT SHIELD! FOR THE LAST TIME, NO! THEY ARE NOT HERE YET!” She yelled, glaring at her son who instantly stopped bouncing.

Flash laughed and said, “Come on, Star, he’s just excited. I know you’re excited about seeing Sunset.”

Nova rolled her eyes at her brother and shook her head, knowing that no matter how hard they tried Night would just keep on going. Arriving at the castle entrance, Starling sighed, saying, “I am, Flash, but how is the same thing asked over and over not annoying to you?!”

Before he could answer, the doors slammed open, smushing Flash against the wall as a small yellow blur zipped past them and tackled Night.

“HI NIGHT!!” Firebird yelled, beaming from ear to ear.

Night beamed too, saying, “Fire! You’re here!”

She rolled her eyes and said, “Well, duh, can’t you see me?”

Sunset, Firestreak and Flaming came in, Flaming laughing at her sister. Sunset said, “Sorry if we’re late, it took a while to get to the station and... wait, where’s Flash?”

An audible groan was heard as the door creaked back, Flash falling to the ground and rubbing his muzzle.

“Ugh... that filly is stronger than she looks...”, he groaned, Firestreak helping him up and the mares laughing slightly.

Firebird bounced in front of Night, saying rapidly, “So what are we gonna do today?!”

Night replied, just as rapidly, “I have no idea!”

“Me neither, LET’S GO!!”

The two of them raced out of the castle at top speed, knocking Flash over again. Sunset yelled after them, “Don’t go into the Everfree!”
As Nova and Flaming walked off to the library, Starling noticed for the first time Sunset’s necklace. It was fairly simple, a thin black chain with a silver teardrop-shaped gemstone hanging off it. What put her off slightly was that the gem seemed to be radiating some kind of magical aura.

“Hey, Sunset? What’s that necklace you got there?” She asked curiously.

“Oh, this? I honestly don’t really know what. It’s some kind of gem that naturally has magic, and Fire has one too. What it’s supposed to do is that if she’s in danger, she’s supposed to tap on it rapidly, I think, and it’ll send me some sort of message so i’ll know where she is.”

“Well, that explains the aura”, Star asked. “When did you get it? Where did it come from? Did someone give it to you?”

Sunset frowned, “That’s just it. I don’t know! We found them this morning, just before we left the castle. They were in a small box, with a little note saying what they do, and that we need to keep them. It said that it’ll save lives if we use them... it didn’t say who the necklaces were from though.”

“So you mean to say that these magical gemstones that can save lives, made specifically for you and Firebird, could have come from absolutely anypony?!”

Sunset nodded, “Yep. Pretty much. Not even Celestia knows who.”

Starling frowned, having never heard of this kind of magic. She had also never seen gemstones like this before, and the lack of information put her off even more. “So, these can save lives?”

“I guess so.”

“Aaaaaand Firebird has the other?”

“Pretty much.”

“No wonder you guys need them. Considering all the ‘adventures’ Night and Fire get up to together, it definitely makes sense to keep them at hoof.”

Firestreak pondered, “Do you think they’re okay?”

Star laughed, “Come on, now, Fire! Sure, they may have nearly gotten killed by a manticore and cockatrice, but they’re not silly enough to go back in the Everfree.”

Firebird sighed, “So, you really don’t know what we can do? I’m bored.”

“Nope. Not a clue, Fire. We’re not allowed in the Everfree Forest anymore, so that cuts our options.” he replied, feeling just as bored.

The two walked on in silence. Fire found herself thinking about the things Flaming studied, and that gave her a brilliant idea.

“I’VE GOT IT! I know where we can go!” she yelled excitedly, and Night Shield beamed.

“Really?! Where?”

“Uh, well, I can’t really remember what it’s called, but I read about it in one of my sister’s books! There’s fire, and flames, and it’s some kinda swamp!”

Night frowned, “I dunno, Fire, we aren’t supposed to go out of Ponyville, and it sounds dangerous!”

“Well, it is kinda dangerous, I guess, but our parents said that we couldn’t go into the Everfree! They never said anything about... that flamy-place!”

“Well, I guess... they never did say anything about that... Let’s go!” He finished. “So, how do we get there?”

“Great! Um... I can’t really remember, but I think we start at Sweet Apple Acres... and then from a certain point, I think we just keep going straight...”

Night nodded, “Yep, I think we can roll with that. I know a shortcut, let’s go!”

Soarin and Light Speed were watching this exchange from not too far off. However, the were unable to hear all of the conversation.

“Uh... okay, what are those two up to this time?” Light said skeptically, to no pony in particular.

Soarin replied, looking just as skeptical. “I have no idea, but I think I heard something about going Sweet Apple Acres...”

“Ya think we should follow?” Light asked, feeling a bit worried.

He shook his head, “Nah, they’ll be fine. After all, Apple Flower and Spike are there. Not to mention Blossom and Big Mac. Those ponies know what kind of trouble Fire and Night get up to, they’ll keep an eye on them. Then again, this is Firebird and Night Shield we’re talking about...”

“Yeah, I guess you’re right... on both parts. They’ll be... fine... as long as they stay within sight. They’re smart enough to do that. Besides, we need to get back to Cloudsdale, I don’t think Lightning will be able to keep her temper with Storm and the twins much longer.”

Soarin nodded, and the two took off, although neither could shake the feeling that something was about to go very wrong...

Author's Note

DUN DUN DUN! Cliffhanger. I think you can all guess what this flamy-place is
Yeah, yeah, I know how rushed this is. But, honestly, that’s really how it’s just planned out. I have had these stories planned for a long time, making improvements and editing stuff. Almost all of them have been planned out, (still a few kinks in some) and I can assure you that there are a lot more yet to come, along with some one shots and other stories that aren’t in this AU. If you have any questions about me or my stories, just PM me and i’ll answer as best I can. And the next part will hopefully be coming soon. Like I said last time, dunno when. I can write stories, the main thing is staying concentrated long enough to actually write them.
Signing out, Firebird Phoenix