Autumn Blaze

2016 AW

Closing her eyes, Twilight exhaled deeply and slowly before whipping around and aiming her gun. Without hesitation, she shot Tresemmé in the head.

Later...

Celestia and Luna gathered at the front of the hotel as they and Sunset lowered the shield. The orange mare came running up to them as she put her phone away. "Celestia! Luna!" She said frantically as she stopped in front of them. "It's Twilight. She's killed Tresemmé in cold blood. Spitfire has her a number one priority since she... resisted arrest."

"What?!" Celestia exclaimed, wide-eyed.

"Oh, no," Luna muttered. "But... H-How can this be?"

"Unsure," Sunset said as she shook her head. "I guess everything was going well, but then she just shot her. And, on top of that, Sunny escaped after killing two cops."

"Thank you, Sunset," Celestia said as she patted the unicorn on the shoulder. "Give us a moment."

"Of course," the orange mare replied before she went to go spread the bad news.

Once the unicorn was far enough away, Luna took Celestia's hand. "It will never be calm enough around here, sister. We cannot wait any longer, can we?"

Celestia shook her head. "No... They've waited long enough. If we wait much longer, the world may be too different for them to adapt. It has to be now."

"Tomorrow," Luna said with a light smile. "Tomorrow, we will bring them back."

The Next Day...

Autumn Blaze, a white Kirin with an orange lion-like mane and hair, opened her eyes to find the world was a bit blurry. She could faintly make out other Kirin and tall structures that weren’t trees. Muffled voices filled her ears and she couldn’t really make out anything that was being said. She then saw who she assumed was Cinnamon hugging a blurry blue figure. After a few seconds, the blurry blue figure ran over to her and pulled her into a hug.

“Oh, Autumn...” said a familiar voice. “I missed you all so much...”

Blinking a few times to clear her vision, Autumn shook her head before gasping. “Princess Luna?” She asked, looking around. “Wh... Where are we?” Confusion was strong with this one as the last thing she remembered was the threat of war before being engulfed in a bright light.

“More like when,” Luna chuckled. “You all have been gone for over 2,000 years...” Her expression soon saddened. “It was my fault this happened. I let power and jealousy get to me and I... ended up starting a war...” Letting out a sigh, she looked the Kirin in the eyes and smiled lightly. “I am glad my sister managed to get you all to safety.”

Autumn smiled in return. “The past doesn’t matter. I mean, sure you may have started a war and caused us to have to be sent away, but at least everything worked out okay, right?” She asked.

Luna chuckled and nodded. “Still as chipper as ever, I see.”

The Kirin smiled and looked around. "So, this is 2,000 years later?" She asked. "What are these... tall things?"

"Buildings," Luna said, looking around at the warehouses. "More specifically, warehouses. Used for storing others' junk." She then looked at Autumn again. "We have your kind to thank for those, remember? Thanksgiving?"

Autumn let out a giggle. "You still celebrate that?"

The alicorn nodded. "Every year..." She then patted the Kirin’s shoulder. “Come. We brought clothes for you all. Because, we’re in a city and we must all obey the law.”

Autumn tilted her head before looking down at her topless figure. “I have to cover up?”

Luna nodded. “It’s the law. Don’t worry, though. My sister and I are trying to find a place where you can start up your village again the way you want. But, for the time being...” She then stepped aside and held her arm out towards a van, it’s back door open to reveal boxes of clothes. “We made sure to keep them as simple and as loose as possible so you won’t feel restricted. A good friend of our gang made them for everyone.”

Autumn walked over to the van and pulled out what appeared to be a top, though it was just a ring of earth-brown fabric with fur around the rim. Pulling it on, she realized it was only meant to cover her breasts. Liking how soft and free it felt, she saw what seemed to be a skirt made from the same fabric as the top. Removing her current skimpy skirt, she pulled the new one on. This, too, felt nice and loose.

“Not bad,” Autumn cooed, moving her hips side to side to test out the limitations of the skirt. “You’re right. It doesn’t feel restricting at all.”

“Something else you should know,” Luna began. “And we will be telling the others this... but, Kirin are a legend as they are part of Thanksgiving history. So, you may be approached by many who are curious and excited to meet you. Whatever you do, though, do not burst into flames.”

Autumn forced out a nervous chuckle. “Of course,” she said with an equally forced smile.

“Then, my sister and I will make the announcement to the rest,” Luna said, putting a hand on the Kirin’s shoulder as Cinnamon walked over. “Great seeing you again,” she said, before shooting Cinnamon a quick smile.

As the alicorn walked away, Cinnamon rummaged through the clothes to find a top and bottom. “Some place, huh?” She asked Autumn.

The white Kirin nodded. “Yeah, but... I’m just a tad worried...”

“Worried?” The red Kirin asked as she pulled her tube top over her breasts. “About what?”

“A lot of things,” Autumn explained with a sigh. “What if I burst into flames and scare or hurt someone? And, wasn’t Luna the reason Celestia sent us to Limbo in the first place?”

Cinnamon thought for a moment before looking over at the blue alicorn, who had rejoined her sister in explaining the situation to the other Kirin. “They both seem fine now.

“Yeah...” Autumn muttered. “Well, I wish you luck, Cinnamon. She’s your girlfriend, after all.”

“I’ll be fine,” Cinnamon replied with a roll of her eyes. “Will you try and find someone for yourself?”

“I don’t know,” The white Kirin replied, looking around. “If we’re as legendary as Luna implied... then how would I know that the one who loves me... isn’t just with me because of my species? How would I know if they actually cared, you know?”

Cinnamon chuckled. “You may be overthinking it. Their actions will tell you if they truly care or not.”

“Easy for you to say, Cinnamon,” Autumn sighed as she crossed her arms. “You already have Luna.”

Cinnamon smiled and looked over at the blue alicorn. “I do. I’m sure the right one for you is out there somewhere.”

“Yeah...” Autumn sighed, still feeling nervous in this new world despite Cinnamon’s optimism.

After the Kirin were filled in on the dangers of the city and recent events, they were all divided up into two groups, each group heading to a different hotel. The majority of them went to the Elementals’ hotel while the rest went to the Eclipse.

Luna led the group with Autumn and Cinnamon to the Elementals’ hotel to get them all rooms. When they entered, Applejack came over.

“Well, y’all must be the Kirin,” The orange mare greeted with a smile and a tip of her hat. “Celestia and Luna said we should be expecting you. Couldn’t believe it when we heard. Actual Kirin.”

“Where’s Midnight?” Luna asked, looking around.

“Um...” AJ said with a saddened expression. “Up on the roof.”

Luna nodded and looked at the Kirin. “Applejack will show you to your rooms.” She then headed for the elevator.

Up on the roof, Midnight was looking out over the city in the direction of the bridge lashing out. “Do you think she’s still in the city?” She asked when she heard someone behind her.

“I cannot say,” Luna replied as she walked over to the black mare. “I am sure, wherever she is, that she is safe... and thinking about you just as you are thinking about her.”

“Yeah...” Midnight sighed. “It’s been less than a day and I... I already m... Oh, Luna, I miss her so much.”

“I know,” the blue alicorn said as she walked up beside her. “We all do. But, that is what this city does. It takes the innocent and turns them into criminals. I just hope Twilight knows what she is doing and, if confronted by the police, will not do anything she will regret.”

Midnight shook her head. “Twilight’s smarter than that. If she was on to something big, I need to continue her investigation.”

“Legally, this time?” Luna asked with a light smile.

Midnight eyed her with a light chuckle. “Yeah... Though, I have the benefit of not having Crazy Mare PTSD.”

The alicorn nodded. “Well... boss... would you like to come meet your new tenants?”

Midnight stood up quickly. “The Kirin are here?”

Luna nodded and began making her way back to the stairwell. Midnight followed close behind as they made their way to the elevator on the top floor.

Autumn Blaze and Cinnamon sat in their room naked, their clothes laying beside them on the bed.

"Well, this is nice," Cinnamon said with a light smile as she looked around, lightly swinging her feet. "I cannot believe we inspired all of this." She then looked over at Autumn who had her gaze fixated on the carpet. "Autumn?" She asked. "Something wrong?"

"Well, I’m just used to the whole living-in-a-forest thing,” Autumn replied. “These... buildings and... cars and trucks and... mutterbokes?”

“Motorbikes,” Cinnamon corrected. “And, sure it is all a little different, but...”

“Different?” Autumn interrupted. “If we burst into flames in our village, we’d only destroy our village. Here? If any one of us burst into flames, it would be chaotic. Panic in the streets, houses and buildings catching on fire...”

Cinnamon listened before she nodded. “I agree we have to be more careful now... but, that does not mean we have to live in fear. It just means we need to control our emotions.”

“Easier said than done,” Autumn sighed. “I just don’t wanna hear that one of us was killed for turning into a Nirik.”

Cinnamon nodded, knowing she couldn’t say anything to relieve her friend’s stress. She didn’t really have to think of much else as there was a knock on the door.

Getting up from the bed, Cinnamon walked over to the door. “Who is it?”

“Luna and Midnight,” came the alicorn’s voice in response.

Cinnamon unlocked the door and opened it a little, sliding the two mares to enter. She then closed the door and faced the visitors.

“This is Cinnamon,” Luna said, before looking over at the bed. “That’s Autumn Blaze on the bed. Midnight, here, is the leader of our group.”

Midnight looked over and gave the Kirin a wave. Autumn waved back nervously. “She okay?” The black mare asked.

“She is nervous,” Cinnamon sighed as she crossed her arms. “Maybe you can reassure her?”

Midnight smiled and nodded. “Of course.”

“If all that is settled,” Luna said s as she took Cinnamon’s hand. “Mind if I borrow this one? We have some catching up to do.”

“Fine with me,” Midnight said with a chuckle as she made her way over to Autumn. As the other two left, the black mare sat down beside the Kirin. “Nervous about being back after all this time?” Autumn nodded. “Everyone in this city has seen their fair share of danger. First, Changelings returned and threatened the city, then a fake succubus demon emerged. After that, a mare named Surprise killed a couple of our friends and took over the city. After her, four sirens showed up and almost destroyed the city. The most recent threat was really nothing too bad, but... the aftermath is much worse...”

Autumn eyed her in shock. “All that?” She asked. “Wow... Well, what happened after the last threat?”

Midnight hesitated before taking a deep breath. “I lost my girlfriend. Not in a, um... like she...” Holding back a tear, she let out a cough. “She killed the mare in cold blood and the police were done giving her any more second chances. Now, she’s on the run and the mare who was partnered with the one Twilight killed... is still out there.”

“Oh, I’m... sorry,” Autumn said sadly. “Maybe our fire is the least of this city’s concerns...”

“Well, you’re right to be nervous about that,” Midnight went on. “But, I doubt Celestia and Luna would’ve brought you back if they didn’t believe in you. So, the question you have to ask yourself is; do you believe in yourself?

Autumn gave her a smile and nodded. “Oh, you mentioned Changelings and Sirens. Are any of them still around?”

Midnight let out a light chuckle. “Chrysalis is living here and married to a pegasus. The three sirens work at the local strip cub, The Wet Mare. You can even find that fake succubus living with her werewolf sister at the local sex shop, Bit & Bridal. Oh, and we also have two vampires, too. They live together in an apartment.”

Autumn was staring at her in disbelief. “All of that is in this city?”

The black mare nodded. “We’ve picked up a few strange friends along the way. Why? You plan on getting advice from them about fitting in?”

“Was thinking about it,” The Kirin mumbled.

"I think it's a great idea," Midnight said with a smile. "I can get Rainbow Dash to drive you around."

The Kirin gave a smile in return. "Alright."

Midnight nodded and got up. "I'll go get her up here. I believe she's mingling with the others," she said, before walking away.

Autumn watched her leave before grabbing her clothes. Slipping them on, she left the room, too. Standing in the hall, she saw Celestia and Luna gently pull Cinnamon and Rain Shine into their room and close the door. Walking up to the door, she could hear giggling. They sounded happy. Probably because they had a special someone. Letting out a sigh, Autumn backed up and leaned against the wall, wondering if she'd ever find someone like that. Someone immortal would be best, but there weren't many around.

She didn't have to wait long when Rainbow Dash came down the hall, waving to her. "You Autumn Blaze?" She asked. The Kirin just nodded. "Cool. I was having fun getting to know your kind. Getting to drive you around will be great."

Autumn smiled lightly at the mare's fun energy and enthusiasm. "It'll be fun for me, too... To get to know someone in this new world."

"Same world," Rainbow said, holding out her hand. "Just a couple thousand years in the future."

The Kirin chuckled lightly and took the mare's hand before they began walking down the hall together. "Yeah, that's the problem..."

"Hey, don't be so down," Dash tried reassuring her. "Everyone in this building is more than happy to be your friend. We're all one big family here. And, now you all are a part of it."

Autumn felt the smallest bit of hope but the fear of turning into a Nirik still plagued her mind. It certainly was reassuring to her to hear about the other unusual beings in the city and how the city, itself, has gone through a few rough patches. It couldn't possibly get much worse, right?