The Adventures of Flare Brimstone

Chapters

The Lost Relic
The Legend of Celestial Lake
A Friendly Bout at the Lucid Fields
A Different Time
Depths of the Misty Mountains
Story-filled Adventure
Innocent Little Snowflake
Down and Dirty in Southern Equestria
Adventurous Remembrance
Behind The Veil
A Prolusion in the Outskirts

The Lost Relic

The wind howls throughout the endless sky field; the waters churn unending, roaring underneath the vastness of the oceanic abyss, and across the blue surface surrounded by the ocean's grip, lay a single piece of land that served as the hallow grounds of a sanctuary; a temple long been forgotten.

Ruins of time immemorial, derelict, with memories that none alive, can recall, shrouded by clouds looming above that shield the land from the rays of the sun; never to be touched, and thus, the grounds are frigid and foggy, damping the already moist soil.

The seasons cannot touch that place. Rain can never drip upon its soil, and the wind, only the wind, who has been a visitor since its creation has ever been to the temple even after its abandonment; however, one soul lies amongst the hallowed grounds, anxious, and donned in gear mirroring an adventurer.

A creature from a faraway land who was soundly conveyed by the rumors from another to seek out the temple to satiate their lust for escapades. The temple hasn't had a visitor so sound like the wind who passes the gates and enters its barren grounds.

Amongst the front of the temple were broken sculptures similar to the adventurer and branches from what were once hedges lay strewn across the cold soil as the adventurer passed through, silently admiring the dark state; the ruins for adventurers are simply treasure troves of old history.

Excited, yet wary, the adventurer was searching for an item that has survived the decay of time itself to be taken back to a place she owned. She circled to the back, gazing at the dirty, air-decaying white shafts that still held the temple high.

With her tireless scrounging, the adventurer came across a large structure, an edifice with a green rooftop smaller than the temple, and damaged by time. The door was unlocked and hinged open with very little hindrance. Inside the dome was a patch of flowers in the middle swaying in the wind that entered through the door; they were roses as blood-colored as they could be.

Yellow light beamed down upon the flowers, which could not be as the light from the sun had been blocked by the clouds looming over the temple. The light was mystical by the enchantment of magic to keep a constant shine on the blood-red roses, something of an ancient mysticism the adventurer had never seen before.

The blood-red roses showed great vigor like there was a gardener that tended to them every single day for the rest of their lives, but no one has come close to this place in centuries. The adventurer thought about picking a few but decided to forgo her quick judgment and left the blood-red roses to their lonesome; the adventurer came to pluck something else from its place.

After checking around the temple, she headed back to the front of the temple. The adventurer noticed the cracked doors of the temple were faintly accessible and took a trip up the dirty steps to look beyond what the temple hid behind its doors.

Forward through the doors, the adventurer found herself in a large area filled with fallen pieces of the temple, where an altar stood, she saw, beholding an item enclosed inside a glass case. Above her were banners of the sun and moon, but they were ancient, aged, and there were more modern designs of themselves flowing in the castle that overlooks a city.

She saw doors on the sides of the temple, but they were unfortunately blocked by debris, making them inaccessible, to her dismay, nonetheless, this is where the searching ends.

The adventurer walked up to the altar and stared at the item in the glass case. It was a gem embedded inside the center of a large yellow and blue necklace. The necklace itself signified a rotation or balance of the sun and moon as it being day and night working together in harmony.

The gem is a shadowed crystal that held inside its center a small, bright, yellow-orange amber jewel. These signify corruption and sin, and they were hidden amongst the necklace, and it seemed that it was never meant to be worn.

Without a second thought, the adventurer opened the glass case and took the necklace, and exits out the temple with no consequence.

The adventurer made it back to her ship being manned by tons of ponies, most of them are stallions. One of them says, "The captain is coming aboard! Lower the plank!"

The adventurer climbed onboard and walked up towards the wheel along with her first mate who trailed behind her, Gorge.

"Captain Flare Brimstone," he spoke with a lazy tone, "did you find what you were looking for?"

"Yes," Flare Brimstone replied. "I found something very interesting I would like to show Princess Celestia and Princess Luna. Make sail for Equestria, this storm isn't getting any better."

Gorge sighed. "Home is where the bed is."

Flare Brimstone rolled her eyes. "Less yapping, more doing," she stressed, preparing to steer the valve.

"Aye-aye, boss," Gorge retorted. "Setting sail for a three-day journey back to Duty Shoals!"

Flare Brimstone tapped Gorge's shoulder. "Where's Star Flow?" she asked. "I need him to navigate us back to Duty Shoals."

"She asks me 'where's Star Flow?' "Star is where he's always been, below deck playing with dice. I will go fetch him."

Gorge sluggishly flew down below the deck to fetch Star Flow, who serves as Flare Brimstone's navigator and second mate when she's on water-bound voyages.

Gorge yawned. "Captain needs you up the deck."

"You look beat, Gorge," said Star Flow. "You've been sleeping alright?"

He chuckled. "You know I'm always like this; everything is tiring to me. Would you hurry up?" he begged. "The captain doesn't like waiting, you know."

"Gee, you aren't lying," Star Flow told him, chuckling to himself. "Flare could never sit or even stand in one place. She has all that energy."

Gorge laughed. "Yeah, so hurry up so she won't use that energy to kick our sorry flanks."

"On my way," Star Flow said.

Star Flow used his magic to gather up his map and the tools he uses to help steer the large vessel in the right direction and marched up the deck to meet Flare Brimstone, who has been constantly trotting in place while manning the valve.

He greets Flare Brimstone. "Captain."

"There you are!" Flare Brimstone exclaimed. "What were you doing playing with dice?"

He chuckled sheepishly. "It's one of my favorite pastimes. Anyway, I'm ready to navigate."

Flare Brimstone shook her head. "Set a course back to Duty Shoals."

"Yes, ma'am. Did you find something in that temple?" he asked.

"I did," Flare Brimstone answered. "I want to present it to the princesses. They might know what it is. Get every pony back home safely."

"You can count on me," Star Flow replied assuredly.

Through the storm and torrent of rain pelting every pony, it was a rocky trip, but with stern handling and navigation of preciseness, the voyage back to Duty Shoals would be quick and without delay.

The ship had sailed back to Equestria in the docks of Duty Shoals, one of the main shipyards in Equestria. Flare Brimstone left the ship in the hooves of Gorge to manage any repairs while she ran to Canterlot Castle at breakneck speed.

In a sheer matter of hours, Flare Brimstone was already at the front gates of Canterlot Castle, and even sooner to the top floor in a few seconds due to her immense speed. She went into the throne room where Princess Celestia and Princess Luna, the two sisters, were signing papers and reading documents, to their unshocked surprise.

Flare Brimstone announced herself in the presence of the rulers of Equestria in which they were glad to see a familiar face like her's after toiling away in their duties. Princess Celestia noticed that Flare Brimstone possessed an item inside her brown bag.

"My agent... another latest treasure to add to your already overwhelming treasury?" Princess Celestia asked, teasing Flare Brimstone.

"Another one of those trinkets..." Princess Luna said. "I wonder what it might be this time."

"Well," Flare Brimstone began, "it's something I was thinking you two might know what it is. It reminded me of you both."

"By all means, please do show us," Princess Celestia said, sounding interested.

Flare Brimstone pulled out the necklace that mirrored the two sisters' cutie marks the sun and the moon, and the shadow-like crystal with the yellow-orange amber gemstone embedded in the middle. The two princesses' eyes opened widely.

"That's a piece of jewelry Luna and I made together by using our magic," Princess Celestia told Flare.

Princess Luna sighed. "It was when we were fillies many moons ago at a large island mother and father would take us, but we lost it. How did you find it?"

"It was inside a glass case on an abandoned temple far along the sea on a small island three days from Duty Shoals," she explained.

"I wonder how it ended up there..." Princess Celestia thought out loud, bewildered.

"Would you both want this back?"

"No," Princess Luna answered quickly. "You may keep it for yourself."

"We know if you have it, the necklace will be in good hooves," Princess Celestia stated. "It is something Luna and I would like to part away from."

Flare Brimstone was confused. "But why? I don't get it..."

"That necklace is an object of the insecurities sister and I had," Princess Luna explained. "It showed what lied below us, even when we overcame our weaknesses many moons later."

"It's a constant reminder of what we feared would come to pass in the future." Princess Celestia said. "As Luna stated, we have overcome those insecurities. You may do whatever you want with it."

Princess Luna smiled. "It is nice to see it again."

Princess Celestia agreed.

"I understand," said Flare Brimstone. "I will keep it as a personal souvenir; not for sale at my shop. Thank you both, I'll take my leave."

Princess Celestia and Luna bid farewell to Flare Brimstone as she makes a mad dash back to Duty Shoals to meet up with Gorge, who was loading the ship with cargo.

Flare Brimstone had a large smile strewn across her face.

"Huh? Another voyage?" Gorge apprehensively asked.

"Not this time," Flare Brimstone answered slyly. "Instead, I'll help you load up the cargo."

Gorge sighed. "So, another voyage? Anyway... the cargo loading up is going to Seaquestria and Mount Aris, to my dissatisfaction. I just got back!"

Flare Brimstone jumped with glee. "That's great! Come on, let's hurry and load this cargo and get into our wetsuits!"

Gorge rolled his eyes. "Aye-aye, captain."

Flare Brimstone starts loading the cargo carts with Gorge, who puts in little to no effort.

The adventures of Flare Brimstone continue.

The Legend of Celestial Lake

The day was young and full of mystery, perfect bait for Adventurer Extraordinaire, Flare Brimstone. Finally free of the clutches of Princess Celestia, the ardent pony hastily took the opportunity to get back on the road of adventure.

The bat pony had a map her mother and father charted when they discovered a kingdom beyond Equestria during their silver years. It delineates the location of the prosperous Holy Kingdom of King Era Dreg, home to the ever-mythical Celestial Lake.

As the legends claim in the Holy Kingdom, its prosperity was wrought from the power of Seraph; a holy and majestic alicorn from ages past. When Seraph vanished, it left a string of hair from its mane in the center of a lake, consecrating the blue basin with arcane energy that was believed to be the cause of the Holy Kingdom's long-lasting fortune. It is also said that a small shard of an abyssal orb rests at the bottom of the lake.

Although free of her duties, Flare Brimstone decided that it'd be prudent to present the rare treasure (if it exists) to Her Celestial Majesty when returning from her excursion after she was done examining the shard.

To reach the Holy Kingdom, one had to go by ship, and what better moorage to choose from than the shipyard in Duty Shoals? It's been a few months since the last sea-bound voyage, and Flare Brimstone wondered how Gorge and Star Flow were holding up.

With no pony to distract the eager mare, Flare Brimstone trotted in place, whipping up a small dust cloud with her hooves before reeling back and darting forward in a wicked blur, shouting to the top of her lungs with excitement.

Indeed were the sweet sounds of adventure beckoning, how could Flare Brimstone possibly resist?

Within two hours, Flare Brimstone skids to a halt, arriving at the shipyard in Duty Shoals. She vehemently veered her head restlessly, wagging her tail like a dog on a blistering Summer day, hoping to shoot a glimpse of her first and second mates.

"Gorge! Star Flow!" she exclaimed, prancing around the energetic shipyard with a cherry skip. "Guys, where are y'all?!"

The enthusiastic mare blitzed from ship to ship, but she didn't see her oceanic companions. Further still, Flare Brimstone scanned the entire shipyard thrice times over, but her fervent search around the dockyard had failed; she came up short with nothing to show.

Flare Brimstone sighed and pondered, her right hindleg tapping feverishly on the ground, however, this setback didn't deter her determination, rather, it fueled her.

Then it hit Flare Brimstone; a lightbulb went off in her head. How did she not think of it sooner? Gorge working at noon? Preposterous, it was practically daybreak for that lazy bum.

"His house!" she cried to the heavens, attracting the attention of onlookers. Her chagrin had no place to shame her, so she blitzed to his home. It was a quaint house to behold, if a little rough around the edges, but what could one expect from Gorge?

Flare Brimstone thought about busting in like she always does, but then a memory ceased her advance. The recollection was about Gorge complaining to an antsy mare about breaking down his doors and barging in without permission.

With a concealed shrill and restraining a cheeky smile, Flare Brimstone decided to abide by Gorge's rules and knocked on his door...without breaking it.

Seconds pass. Minutes pass. Flare trotted in place, anxious. "Come on, come on, come oooon!" she whined under her breath. "We're burning daylight!"

As if answering her plight, Flare heard hoofsteps followed by an elongated yawn. The door fastened from the other side and hitched open, revealing a peach-coated, black-haired stallion leaning against his door with another yawn. It was Gorge in all his...glory?

His brown-colored eyes glanced at an auburn coat, a dark red mane, a red bandanna stretched across an eager pony's neck, cute bat wings, pristine white fangs, beautiful pink eyes, and adorable bat ears.

Gorge's eyes widened as he saw Flare Brimstone smile and trot tirelessly in place like a giddy school filly.

"N-no... no, no, no," he repeated. "Please don't say it."

"Adventure time!!!" she cried out, sending Gorge spawling across his floor.

He sighed, rubbing his face. "Adventure time... but to where?"

Flare Brimstone showed him the map. "Here!" she exclaimed. "I've only been there once as a filly, but I'm returning there for something special, and I need my first mate along for the ride."

Gorge lazily stood up, slouching like a depressed bugbear, and studied the map Flare painfully shoved in his face.

"The Holy Kingdom of Era Dreg?" he asked, his mouth muffled against the map. "What's so special that you had to bother me for?"

"You're my first mate; my chief officer aboard the ship?" she announced, booping his muzzle. "Silly. I need to know if the vessel needs repairs, the equipment well-stocked and in good condition, and status on the crew."

Gorge groaned, smoothing his sensitive muzzle. "Maintenance and repairs on the ship were conducted last week. I took the liberty of restocking new equipment and made sure each one was up to snuff, and I routinely checked up on every crew member aboard the ship every month, which was yesterday."

Flare Brimstone almost fainted, she couldn't believe to hear that Gorge doing his job to near perfection. He didn't appreciate her bodily quips, nonetheless, Gorge cracked a small grin.

He got up and sauntered over to a table next to the window. He picked up a clipboard and presented it to Flare Brimstone.

"This is last month's reports and records," he said, holding up the clipboard in front of Flare's face. "It details what I had already told you in length. Skim through it."

Flare Brimstone examined the clipboard. Everything checks out wonderfully.

"Also, any cargo from the ship has been unloaded. It's at the bottom of the report. If we head out to sea soon, there will be no extra weight to worry or concern us," he added.

Despite presenting and behaving like a lazy bum, he had drive... with what little he chose to disclose. That's just how Gorge was, but when the job had to get done, he was the pony to get it done... while complaining the whole way. You just had to see it to believe it.

Flare looked at him with a sly expression. "I may have to change my opinion of you, Gorgy," she snickered, but her tasteless quip only received a light smack on the head with the clipboard.

"We aren't foals anymore, Flare. Don't call me that," he snipped. "Now... I'll round up the poor saps while you fetch Star Flow."

Flare Brimstone rubbed her head. "Where would he be? He's not in the shipyard."

"I know you live in Ponyville now, but you should know where your other childhood friend would be," he said. "Where he heard stories that made him become a navigator perhaps? Does Tarley's ring a bell?"

"Oh, right," she uttered. "Be sure to get ready, Gorgy."

Flare Brimstone zoomed away, leaving Gorge eating dust. "It's"-he coughed-"just Gorge!!!"

Flare Brimstone rushed past ponies and arrived at the front of Tarely's Tavern, a welcoming and warm building. Flare proceeded through the doors to lay her eyes on the dark brown interior with tables seating four as far as she could see.

It was a wonder.

The stallions were drinking, the mares were dancing, and everypony was having a good time wherever an eye gazed. The smell of home-cooked meals filled Flare's nostrils, which was made evident since Tarely's Tavern is run by the mare herself and serves as her home.

No matter how enticing the establishment was, Flare Brimstone searched for her second mate, Star Flow. She heard his laughter coming from a table tucked away in a warm, dark corner of the establishment, where the loveable dork was edifying others about the skill of navigation; charting the stars, and leading everypony to and from their destination.

For a moment, Flare Brimstone stared at Star Flow's smooth face and gleaming blue eyes, watching the stallion passionately talk about his job. He was always good with directions and advising travelers and teaching navigation to any pony interested in the profession.

He always knew where to go, and his word on anything regarding the stars was more than truthful, it was dependable, even essential to some. He's a good stallion with a good heart.

She giggled to herself and called him over. Star Flow jumped up and immediately presented himself to Flare Brimstone with a sweet smile across his face.

"Adventure time, Captain?" he asks.

"Indeed, second mate Star Flow," she answered. "Gorge is getting everypony else, but I need my navigator when I'm out on the sea. Would you oblige?"

Star Flow's eyes beamed with brilliance. "Always, Flare! When are we departing?"

"Very soon. Let's get going."

The two friends head out to the shipyard where the whole crew was waiting. Gorge was already on the vessel, double-checking everything before they set out. Flare chuckled to herself.

The adventurous bat waves her hoof to catch the stallion's attention."Gorge! Lower the plank, would ya?!"

Sighing, Gorge lowered the plank and allowed the crew to enter the ship, the last onboard were the bat pony and the avid navigator. He directed everypony to their stations. Flare and Star Flow, who had his navigation tools already supplied, went to the ship's stern. Gorge joined them.

"All ships have been safely removed for our departure. We're ready to disembark, Captain," Gorge said, yawning. "Oh... I knew I shouldn't have gotten out of bed today."

Flare rolled her eyes. "If you took any longer getting to the door, I would've knocked it down."

Gorge rubbed the back of his head, looking out to the distant blue. "Well," he started with a stretch, "at least you're showing some self-restraint."

Star Flow chuckled. "I got my navigation skills primed and at the ready, Captain!"

"Good," Flare replied, handing Star Flow her map. "Use this map to guide my steering hooves."

"Wow, it's pretty darn detailed," he said. "I'll get you there, Captain!"

Flare nodded. "Gorge, sound it off!"

Gorge bobbed his head. He licked his hoof, to his dismay, and felt the wind blow forward in a strong breeze. It was time. "Cast the lines, pull the fenders, raise the anchor, lower the sails! The wind is giving us a head start, and I'll be a flying feather if we miss this chance!"

The crew did their best to follow Gorge's orders to a near-perfect degree. The lines were cast, the heavy anchor rested at the undercarriage of the ship, and the sail opens with a magnificent woosh, revealing a black sail fastened to a strong mast.

With that, they were off, bracing the ocean's eerie waters to their destination: The Holy Kingdom.

The waters were calm for once; Flare and her crew were granted a reprieve from the ocean's usual churning fury. The air was salty and the sun followed them every beat of the way, but it was welcome company.

Before she knew it, Flare Brimstone sailed under the darkness of night. It was so quiet with the faint voices of the crew talking amongst one another at the bow of the ship. They were singing, dancing, and laughing wholeheartedly.

Flare looked to her left and saw Star Flow examining the map and gazing at the stars above to be certain they were heading in the right direction. It was cute seeing him so engrossed in his profession. Although he could steer the helm as it pertains to a part of his profession, Star Flow passes that job to Flare Brimstone.

The mare peered to her right and witnessed Gorge staring out in the ocean. His black mane flowed through the soft breeze, his eyes gazed at the shimmering reflections mirroring the night sky.

He didn't yawn or grumble, nor did he sleep. Gorge was fully awake. He looked fascinated by the shimmering lights, or maybe, she thought, that it annoyed Gorge. It was too beautiful to nap. She wouldn't put it past him, giggling under her breath.

The night trailed on, and the entire crew did get to rest during the voyage. Time flowed fast and when the dawn of light graced Flare Brimstone's face, a whole two days have passed her by.

Then, a voice called out to Flare from the crow's nest to draw her gaze to land just a few hours away. It was The Holy Kingdom of King Era Dreg. As they near the shore, Gorge draws the attention of the crew.

"Raise the sails and lower the anchor! We'll dock at the shore!" he said.

They've arrived at their destination. Gorge lowered the plank as Flare Brimstone dashed right past him, however, he yelled out her name just before Flare could set a hoof on the kingdom's earth.

He approaches the eager mare with a look of caution. "Promise me you'll be prudent; mind your manners and be wary."

Flare rolls her eyes. "You do this every time I leave the ship for treasure," she said, but Gorge's face frowned. "Come on, you know I'll be fine."

"I do this because you tend to get yourself injured," he stressed. "Aside from our last voyage, others had you with broken bones, deep cuts, and large bruises."

"Gorge, you know I'm fast, very strong, and durable, even if the situation gets dire, I always pull through. There's no need to be scared."

"That mindset of yours is the reason I fear for you. Now if you would just-"

"Listen?" she asked, cutting him off. "I am listening. I listen every time you needed an ear. Don't you trust me?"

Gorge rubbed his head. "I trust that you'll heed my warnings if there is danger. I just don't want to lose you, Flare."

Flare sighed. "Okay. Sorry I got a little out of line."

"It's fine. Do what you came here to do, but hurry up. I'd rather you not linger longer than you have to."

"Okay, mom. I'll be back," Flare said in a teasing tone, sticking her tongue out at her friend.

Flare Brimstone trotted in place, gathering speed before reeling her head back and dashing off in a magnificent blur.

Gorge rolled his eyes, grinning. "Show-off."

With no time to waste, Flare Brimstone blitzed through the Holy Kingdom's land towards King Era Dreg's castle. Other than the legends, The Holy Kingdom is home to avians, winged anthropomorphic birds, and ponies being very few and far between.

Although it would be nice to sit back and enjoy the kingdom for what it was, Flare Brimstone left no room to talk about the hallow land. She rushes through the citizens, leaps past the guards, dashing inside the castle, and bursting through the throne room with a vigor one would describe as uncanny and alien.

She announced herself to the old bird with a fervent shout that shook the throne room before charging herself at King Era Dreg and falling into his aged wings with a loveable squeal.

"Era Dreg," she shouted with glee. "Did you miss me?"

The King laughed loudly. "Of course, Flare Brimstone. I haven't seen you since you were a filly. How goes the adventuring?"

"It's going great so far, but I am here for such adventure," she said. "Think you could... give me access to the Celestial Lake? I had read about the legends surrounding it and I want to check it out for myself."

Being an old friend of the large bird, Flare Brimstone has been given access to the lake.

King Era Dreg told Flare Brimstone not to get her hopes up. After all, legends tend to not be true. However that may be, Flare Brimstone was determined to figure out if the legend is real or not, despite the King's disbelief.

The King gave her a little blue fruit. She asked what it was for and the King told her, "It is a tool to help you in your endeavor."

In The Holy Kingdom of King Era Dreg, there are certain types of fruit that hold magical properties. The blue fruit allows the consumer to temporarily breathe underwater and swim expertly like a seapony.

"If I didn't know better, I'd think you been in that lake before," Flare Brimstone said, a smirk plastered on her face.

"I have spent many days diving in that lake to find nothing but disappointment. You do well to not waste your time."

"Whether or not the treasure exists, I'll be happy that I explored one of the oldest locations in history," she vehemently retorted.

King Era Dreg let out a hearty laugh, forgetting who he was speaking to. With a smile, he gave her the map that leads to the lake and prays that she finds the shard. Flare Brimstone bowed in gratitude and left The King's castle and followed the map to Celestial Lake.

After a few hours of trotting on the lush land, Flare Brimstone came across tall, oddly colored trees in a giant circle. A bright light overtook Flare's vision, revealing a beaten path with a sign saying, "Celestial Lake up ahead."

Flare Brimstone examined the trees.

"Blue bark and white leaves? Interesting," she whispered. The grass around the trees was a golden yellow. So far, the magic of Seraph rings true.

Giddy, Flare Brimstone dashed onto the path and made her way through the giant-sized trees, occasionally picking the leaves and peeling off small, damaged bark off the trees. She also took some of the grass and carefully set them into her brown and gray colored bag she always carried around.

Flare Brimstone finally got to the end of the path, gazing out to Celestial Lake. The lake itself was the clearest batch of water Flare Brimstone had ever seen in her life. It glistened under the shine of the bright sun.

The blue basin put her mind at ease. The lake was very large and spherical, untainted and purer than any other equestrian location.

The leaves surrounding the edges of the lake were golden with the wind blowing softly against the clear waters. Approaching the Celestial Lake, Flare Brimstone felt warm and calm.

"The magic from this lake has to be real," said Flare Brimstone as she set her pouch on the ground.

She looked through it and took out the little blue fruit given by the King. Flare Brimstone swallowed it and instantly felt a rush of magic flow through her body. She could now breathe underwater.

With no time to waste, Flare Brimstone leaped into the lake, diving deep into the depths.

Flare Brimstone journeyed deep into the lake, the dark depths surrounding her pony body until no light was shinning but her own.

She thought to herself, Celestial Lake is much deeper than I had ever expected. Even though I feel calm, I get a feeling looming over me, like something is watching.

Delving deep into the water, the depths of the lake looked massively deceiving from the surface; there was much more room from underneath. As creepy as the dark depths were, not a single soul lurked inside the lake.

Flare Brimstone continued her descent, letting herself go on for almost an hour in hushed sways.

Flare Brimstone's eyes reflected a small fraction of light, turning to her attention. She saw something twinkling on what finally seemed to be the bottom of the Celestial Lake. Without hesitation, Flare Brimstone swam towards the light.

Looming over the illustrious glow, the light gradually changed its form before Flare Brimstone's eyes. The glimmering light lost its luster and turned into a small obsidian shard with gray marks of an unknown sigil emblazoned on its surface.

Flare Brimstone silently squealed in excitement as she hurriedly snatched the obsidian shard and rushed back up to the surface. As the mare arose from the lake, the magic from the blue fruit expired. She jumped and landed on the ground soaking wet from mane to hoof, nonetheless ecstatic about finding the shard.

"Hah! I knew it! A piece from the Seraph! The legend was true!"

Reveling in her finding, Flare Brimstone suddenly felt a burst of a cold chill coming from behind. The wind howled as the light around Flare darkened. She turned around and saw the Celestial Lake's center churn. Flare Brimstone could see her breath.

She saw something taking shape in the center of Celestial Lake. It was a silver-like creature with shining white wings, a long white horn, and eyes glowing gold, hovering over the Celestial Lake's surface. Flare Brimstone could not believe her eyes. With a supernatural ethereal mysticism, Seraph had appeared before her.

Struck with awe, Flare Brimstone fell on her flank, enamored by the holy creature's divinity.

"Flare Brimstone," it announced with an echoing voice, "I did not expect for any creature to find what did not want to be found. Finicky object, it is, to not want to be found, but decided to be. You are different from the others."

The Seraph's voice was angelic as it reverberated throughout the area, shaking the heart of Flare Brimstone. Ensorcelled by Seraph's divine presence, she bowed in reverence.

"Seraph," Flare Brimstone uttered in a hushed whisper, "I'm afraid that I do not understand. What has happened?"

Seraph levitated the obsidian shard from the ground and placed it in front of Flare Brimstone's face.

"This small shard was part of my Obsidian Core, an object that used to contain my magic for eons, now spread across this land, blessing it with prosperity. It became useless to me, and thus I shattered it, but a single piece from the core sank deep into the Celestial Lake."

"Part of the legend isn't even true? About the strand of hair blessing the lake which blessed the land?"

"Legends tend to be exacerbated, little one."

"I understand... but why did the shard reveal itself to me?"

The majestic angel smiled. "Tidbits of my magic still flow through it and made itself invisible to those unworthy. It can only be seen by those with a heart of flame. It is no mistake that it showed itself to you, child."

"And you're just giving it to me?" Flare asked.

"Yes," the Seraph replied. "The shard is yours to do whatever you desire with it. The paltry magic that still dwells within can be harnessed, so perhaps you may find a way to access it. I must go."

"Wait" she cried. "The King, Era Dreg, has been searching for this for a long time. What do I say to him when I return?"

"Tell the Holy King you found nothing. You did not find the obsidian shard. It is only a legend. That is my only request. The King is a good avian, but he need not the knowledge. That is all. Farewell, child."

The Seraph coated itself in a white glow and dissipated into particles that sank in the Celestial Lake, leaving Flare Brimstone with a small shard from the obsidian core.

Respecting the entity's request, Flare Brimstone returned to the king and told him she found nothing, that he was right, and left the avian with a hug.

Flare Brimstone galloped back to her ship and greeted her crew. Gorge was relieved to see Flare back and Star Flow happily waved to his friend.

She boarded the ship and headed to the stern with her friends following close behind her.

"Find what you were looking for, Captain?" Gorge asked.

"Yeah," she said, showing them the obsidian shard. Gorge and Star Flow ogled at the sheen shard.

"So what are you going to do with it?" Star Flow asked. "Sell it?"

Flare Brimstone shook her head. "I'll present it to Princess Celestia in the coming days."

"Interesting," Gorge uttered from his lips. "Why not when we head back?"

"I want to run some tests first, so until then, I'll keep it a secret from Her Majesty. It could be of use for Equestria."

"Just don't blow yourself up," Gorge quipped. Flare playfully punched his side. "Hey, careful! You could've broken my bone!"

"Sorry, mom."

"Very funny. Let's return home."

Star Flow trotted in place. "I'll get us home!"

And with that, the crew sailed back to Duty Shoals. Will Flare Brimstone be able to unlock the magic that still slumbers within the obsidian shard?

Until the next adventure of Flare Brimstone.

A Friendly Bout at the Lucid Fields

It was another boring day in Equestria. Flare Brimstone trotted down the halls in a daze, meandering to the throne room. The dutiful sun princess had requested her presence, but Flare Brimstone could not think of why. She did deliveries to the Crystal Empire, help train recruits, and drive three vicious bugbears away from Ponyville.

Was she missing something? Of course not, she's Flare Brimstone! However, a summons to the throne room says otherwise. With a heavy sigh, Flare stood at the front of the throne room door and eased it open.

She saw Princess Celestia and Princess Luna toiling away in their duties. A stack of documents made sure the sisters had their hooves full. Flare Brimstone approached the celestial alicorns and bowed.

"Your Radiant Majesty called for me?" she asked. "What can I help you this fine afternoon?"

Princess Celestia yawned and stretched out her wings before standing. "My agent," she began, "my sister and I need a reprieve from our duties. We were going to head out to the Lucid Fields for a little while."

Flare Brimstone's cute bat ears perked up and her tail wagged. "That's the land in the sky, right?" she asked. Princess Celestia nodded.

"It's a reserved location for royalty to unwind," Princess Luna said, flying next to Flare Brimstone. "You've heard of it, but you've never been there, correct?"

Flare Brimstone shook her head. All she knew about Lucid Fields is that it was created for Princess Celestia and her sister to temporarily set aside their duties; a private resort far above the lofty skies.

Princess Celestia tapped her hoof on her lips and concocted an idea. She purposes to Princess Luna that Flare Brimstone accompany them on Lucid Fields, and she agreed.

"All that is needed is you, Flare, to agree with the both of us," Princess Celestia said. "What do you say?"

"Yes!" she shouted, jumping up and down to the princesses' pleasure. "A new place that I've never been able to reach? I'd be a fool not to accept!"

Princess Celestia trotted to the door and beckoned Flare Brimstone to trail behind her. "Then come with us, our airship awaits us at the balcony."

The trio head out of the throne room and towards the balcony at the end of the hallway. Flare Brimstone then set her eyes on an opulent white and gold-colored airship that loomed over her body. A long platinum platform slowly extended to the balcony, allowing the princesses and Flare Brimstone abroad the airship.

It was manned by a crew of five stallions and one mare, who served as the leader of the crew in a blue and white garb. The mare bowed in respect for the princesses and shook Flare's hoof.

A beauty to behold, the mare had a gorgeous caramel mane and tail, her coat was an exotic light brown, her eyes were as deep as an emerald. The mare wore a black and silver amulet foreign to Flare, and she had no cutie mark.

"Princess Celestia and Princess Luna, it is a pleasure to gaze upon your majestic presences," the mare said. "And you are Flare Brimstone, Princess Celestia's agent, right?"

"That's... correct," Flare replied. "What's your name?"

"Zepplina, but most ponies refer to me as Zeppy," she answered. "I serve as the royal princesses air pilot to and from their destinations where winged travel proves to be too difficult."

Flare Brimstone couldn't help but raise her brow in bewilderment. Although Zeppy speaks like your typical equestrian, she had an accent the bat had heard from one place and one place only: Saddle Arabia.

"You're Saddle Arabian?"

Zeppy nodded. "That's right, born and raised there until my family moved to Equestria. I know my accent is a little... thick."

Flare smiled. "I've only ever met a few on my travels. Happy to meet you, Zeppy."

Zeppy giggled. "You as well. Please, take a seat. The location of Lucid Fields lays far above the castle and further above where the clouds rest, and then, only then, would you be able to catch a glimpse of the resort," Zeppy said, giving the order of her crew to start the ascension.

The trio sat on soft, leathery seats and pulled their safety harnesses around their bodies. The airship shifted and buckled, allowing it to move forward. At the helm, Zeppy steered the large vessel upwards in a spiral pattern, gradually gaining altitude and acceleration.

Flare Brimstone turned her attention to a window and beheld Canterlot Castle from the skies. Adrenaline shot through her as the bat pony could no longer conceal her excitement; a delighted squeal escaped her lungs. The princesses had secretly summoned earmuffs for this very instance, chuckling amongst themselves at Flare's expressive enthusiasm.

A quarter of an hour later, Zeppy announced to the trio that they had reached their location. Zeppy carefully steered the airship to a dock as Flare vibrated with joy.

"Alright," Zeppy started, "welcome to the Lucid Fields. Let me activate the platform so you three can enjoy your stay."

Unhooking the safety harnesses, the two sisters sauntered over to the exit with Flare Brimstone leading out in front. Zeppy pressed a button to open the door and another that extended the sleek platform towards the dock.

Flare Brimstone reached a level of elation gazing at the tall, monumental building in front of her; a white edifice that pierced the heaven's sunlight; the hallowed ground it stood upon was a glistening silver with hundreds of ponies, all employed by the sun princess, serve this resort for Her Radiant Majesty. Royal guards shot from the black doors leading into the building lined up in two rows, standing at attention. They've all been brought the same way Flare Brimstone did.

"If you peer to your left, the relaxation area greets you with all your body's personal needs," Princess Celestia said. "In front is the... what Luna calls the' Gaming Arcade' for your entertainment, and finally, to the right is the Sparring Grounds, the large, glass dome."

Flare Brimstone was confused. "Sparring Grounds? Like for fighting? Why is that here, with all due respect?"

Princess Celestia explained it's where she and her sister go to settle their more personal disputes, ones that usually entail issues about who gets the last slice of cake or who is the best pony.

"There are more issues that arise from just those examples, even though I am the best pony around, clearly," Princess Luna huffed, boasting loudly. The sun princess groaned.

"As I recall, the best pony match is still 304 and 167. Mine is the former, of course," Princess Celestia corrected her gloating sister.

The lunar princess blushed. "In all fairness, dear sister, you rigged the last 85 wins out of the 471 matches."

"Even if you accuse me of going so far as using foul play, I'd still have 219 against your measly 167," Her Radiance retorted with a playful tone. "The result is still the same, little sister."

Princess Luna bucked her face against her sister's, and the two had a playful ire plastered across their faces. At this moment, Flare understood why the two sisters came here, and why they decided to ask her to tag along.

"Are we here only to fight?" she asked.

A mischievous wink shot at the bat pony's direction from Princess Celestia, as she pulled her sister from her face. "That is correct, however, as much as it would please me to remind my little sister of my superiority, we decided to try and fight you instead, my agent."

Princess Luna snorted out hot air. "Sister and I can settle our disagreements another time. Let us head over to the Sparring Grounds for a match, shall we?"

One of the guards hastily guided the trio into the glass dome. Inside was a flat land with grassy terrain locked behind a tall, transparent gate, which the guard unlocked using the keys hanging off his waist.

Flare peered to her right and saw a giant, electronic scoreboard light up with the wins each of the princesses had against one another. Of course, Princess Celestia was in the lead, much to her lunar sister's chagrin.

Flare Brimstone entered first, a rush of excitement flowed through her as the light from the sky shined across the terrain. It was quite spacious, allowing Flare Brimstone almost too much freedom. The princesses entered as well, and then the guard as he closes the gate behind him. He trots over to the sidelines and illuminates his horn towards the scoreboard, wiping the slate clean.

Flare Brimstone heads to the middle of the dome and turns to face the two sisters. They had a look of conviction accompanied with grins.

"Who shall I face first?" she asks them, trotting in place. "I've got my motor revvin' and I'm rearing to go!"

Princess Luna stepped forward. "I'll be your first opponent," she says in a commanding tone. "My horn's aching for some action. My apologies if I become too rough."

Flare smirked, saying, "That's fine with me. It's been some time since I could hit something, and that chance being a princess... I would be lying If I said I didn't like the notion."

Princess Luna chuckled. "Well," she started, "your confession could hang on the possibility of treason with such a bold declaration; however, I will overlook it just this once."

"Show me what the Princess of the Night is capable of; don't you hold back for my sake," Flare Brimstone said.

With that, the guard's horn shot in the air in a flash of green light, signaling the two mares to begin their fight.

Battle 1: Flare Brimstone Vs. Princess Luna

Flare Brimstone started to dash up to Princess Luna to strike her, however, the bat pony felt an eerie presence flow past her. The grass began to sway as the wind suddenly picked up. A wave of pressure descended upon Flare Brimstone, forcing her body to lower just an inch above the ground.

She looked forward and saw Princess Luna's horn shoot out of blue magic above them. The dome darkened as clouds fabricated from Princess Luna's magic took form, then a large full moon loomed over the battlefield. The wind became turbulent as Princess Luna stepped forward again.

"Under the moon, I reach my full strength, even if one was fabricated," she said. Her body glowed as ethereal armor covered the lunar princess's body. It was black and transpicuous, then she conjured a lance to her right and a shield to her left, hoisted by magic mimicking hands.

Flare Brimstone was taken aback by Princess Luna's form. An armored princess stomped the battlefield with a fervor mirroring the bat's excitement, with a wicked smile strewn across her face.

She lifted herself into the air in an attempt to slam onto Flare Brimstone, but the bat pony managed to leap out of danger, but not before being blown away by Princess Luna's deafening impact on the ground.

Flare tumbled to the ground before skidding to a halt. She manages to raise herself from the ground, but Princess Luna dashed towards the mare and hoisted her lance above her head before sending it crashing down on the earth, but still, Flare leaped out the way as the lance smashed into the earth.

Flare Brimstone couldn't believe Princess Luna's strength. Princess Luna continued her assault on Flare Brimstone, who barely evades every thrust, sweep, and strike, but she couldn't be on the defensive forever; she had to stand her ground.

The bat pony saw another thrust coming from the lunar princess and collides her hoof against the lance, deflecting Princess Luna's attack as she stumbled from the sudden counter, enabling Flare to cleanly strike her chest.

Princess Luna grunted, stepping back, but she steels herself and stood tall. She and Flare stare before they both charge at one another in a heavy clash, neither mare letting up her attacks.

Each strike against Flare's hooves and Princess Luna's lance sent shockwaves underneath them, reverberating rumbles across the resort. The mares began to smile viciously.

"Not bad," Flare Brimstone said, praising Princess Luna's fighting skills. "However, you're wet behind the ears."

Flare headbutts the princess's helmet, reeling the armored mare backward. Trotting in place and whipping a dust cloud, Flare Brimstone blitzed in a terrifying blur, smacking Princess Luna's chest with a deafening boom; a violent ripple shook the dome to its core. The lunar princess flew back and fell to the ground.

"Is that all you got?!" Flare lambasted, still trotting in place.

Suddenly, Princess Luna rose from the ground and into the sky. She lifted her lance high as arcane energy gathered within the weapon, and with a loud yell, the lunar princess swiped the air, hurling a horizontal slice of mystical blue energy at her foe.

Growing accustomed to Princess Luna's auric pressure, Flare was able to easily evade her opponent's attacks, but her adversary was unrelenting, sending vertical and horizontal slashes of magic at the bat pony.

She evaded them as the magical slashes collided with the ground in an explosive impact. Flare Brimstone used her wings to dart at Princess Luna with a reeling strike with her hoof. However, Princess Luna dashed at Flare with her shield in front, and as they clashed once more, Flare lost the interaction, and the lunar princess bashed the bat with her shield.

Flare crashed to the ground. She opened her eyes in a daze before getting up. She breathed heavily as Princess Luna stood across from her, slightly encumbered.

"You have tough skin, Flare Brimstone," Princess Luna announced, wiping sweat from her face. "You have me all worked up, it's no wonder sister herald you as her agent."

Flare Brimstone gasped slowly for air, tired, but dauntless. "Thanks," she replied. "I still got gas in my tank, and I am not going to stop until I'm out."

Princess Luna chuckled. "Then I have a special surprise for you."

Princess Luna stomped the ground as encroaching darkness began to spread across the battlefield. Black particles began to float in the air. Then, weaving magic with her lance, Princess Luna impaled the ground as creatures clawed through way out of the pitch-black earth.

Princess Luna began to utter an incantation: "In the darkness, I summon the hoard, the minions of the night! Rise from the hollowed emptiness of the abyss and attack our enemy!"

Flare Brimstone was stunned. She saw completely black ponies rise from the ground. They had yellow glowing eyes and wielded shadowy weapons.

Princess Luna gazed at Flare Brimstone's awestruck expression. "It's a spell called Black Space. You stand opposed against the shadows."

Before she could think, the hoard of shadow ponies leaped into action, hurling themselves at Flare Brimstone as she retaliates with ruthless abandon. She effortlessly crushed the shadow ponies as they began to dissipate.

Princess Luna wasn't surprised. "Perfect display of strength. Now, let us end this!"

Princess Luna impaled the black ground again, surging magic within it, and that's when Flare Brimstone gazed at an impossibility. Even Princess Celestia was taken slightly aback at her sister's magical prowess.

It was ethereal as it rose from the black void, looming over Flare Brimstone as she fell on her flank at the sheer mass of darkness that opposed her. Its body had the cosmos swirling inside, it was dark and purple, and it resembled the form of Princess Luna as it let out an echoing wail.

What stood was the Tantabus in all its monumental glory, a manifestation of pure darkness. It was being channeled by Princess Luna's magic. If Flare Brimstone could somehow cease Princess Luna from channeling the dark creature, it might sink back into the abyss where it spawned out.

Flare witnessed the Tantabus's horn glowing an effulgent purple, propelling a cascade of magic missiles that homed in on the bat pony. Flare was knocked all the way over to the far end of the dome. She had to end the fight quickly.

Whilst thinking of a plan, the Tantabus teleported to Flare Brimstone, catching her off guard. It raised its hoof and slammed it down on the mare with a loud crash, however, Flare held the Tantabus's giant hoof with her own.

She struggled to hold the weight, the ground around her cracked and gave way, creating a small crater where Flare still held the monstrous hoof.

"I... can't... too heavy..." she uttered under her lips. She gritted her teeth and roared with all her might, pushing the Tantabus's hoof off her body. In a rush of adrenaline, Flare blitzed over to Princess Luna and smacked her armor, but a protective barrier deflected the bat's strikes.

"Flying feather!" she exclaimed. "Think, Flare, think! I got it!"

Flare Brimstone executed her plan quickly as the Tantabus drew nearer. She punched the ground in front of Princess Luna. She did it again. And then again, faster. And then again, harder. She saw Princess Luna reacting.

She bullet-punches the ground like a jackhammer, sending an earthquake that shook the resort, a spectacular display of physical strength. Her attempt worked, and Princess Luna stumbled out of concentration.

With the barrier down and the magic cut from the Tantabus, it receded into the black earth in a monstrous wail. Princess Luna was physically drained, panting heavily. Flare Brimstone was the same, but the two had to finish the fight.

"Come on," Flare uttered under her breath, nearly falling to the ground. "Don't... tell me you're... tired."

Princess Luna chuckled, panting slowly. "What about you?" she inquired, barely able to raise the lance as her shield and armor dissipated. "I could go... one more round."

"Then let's go!"

"Let's!"

They yelled out to each other, colliding in a white flash that shook the dome. When the flash subsided, the fabricated moon and clouds disappeared. It was silent, Princess Celestia looked on and saw the two mares gazing into the eyes of each other.

Princess Luna's lance struck Flare Brimstone's stomach, while the bat pony's hoof hit the lunar princess's chest. A few seconds later, both of them fell on their backs at the same time, exhausted.

"Tie!!!" the guard yelled out.

"Oh my, a tie?" Princess Celestia said in bewilderment. "That's the first time a tie has been decided."

Princess Celestia sauntered over to the two mares. They lay sprawled out, resting.

"You two gave quite a show," the sun princess whispered. "I'll have the guards take you both to your chambers here."

Princess Celestia's horn glowed brightly, repairing the damaged battlefield. It was as if they had never fought at all. With that out of the way, the two mares, along with Princess Celestia, headed into the resort to call it a day.

Two days pass and Flare Brimstone awoke in her bedroom. She stretched and yawned before getting out of bed, preparing herself for the coming match with Princess Celestia.

The bat pony heard her door hinge open to gaze at Princess Celestia's radiant figure entering the room. Flare Brimstone bowed to show respect and Her Majesty reciprocated the gesture as a show of solidarity.

"I assume you are 'amped' and 'got your motor revving' for our friendly bout?" she asked.

Flare Brimstone nodded. "I can't wait to clobber you!"

Princess Celestia giggled at her agent's unwavering enthusiasm. "Then I best be wary since you can go head-to-head with my sister," she said, heading over to Flare's window and opening it. The celestial majesty gazed lovingly at the sun, and then back at her agent.

Flare Brimstone immediately felt disturbed. Something made her repulse; she stepped away from Princess Celestia as the bat felt an odd aura emanating from Her Radiance. Princess Celestia turned around and gave Flare Brimstone a motherly smile, but it was awkward. Her eyes stared at the unsettled bat pony's body.

"My agent... you will find soon enough how strong I can be," Princess Celestia declared, her voice ringing deep within Flare's body. "You look troubled. Is something wrong?"

Flare shook her head hastily. "Nothing at all," she said. "I'll see you in the dome soon."

Princess Celestia's smile did not move an inch. "Good, I'll be looking forward to your struggle."

The celestial alicorn exited from Flare Brimstone's room. The bat pony fell to the floor and gasped for air; she didn't realize she wasn't breathing. She steeled herself, the fight ahead was going to be rough.

The time has come, the fight between Flare Brimstone and Princess Celestia was about to start. The two mares, along with Princess Luna who stood at the sidelines, entered the dome. The same guard accompanied them and wiped the scoreboard clean from the previous match and began another.

Flare Brimstone positioned herself in the middle of the battlefield like before while Princess Celestia stood where her sister was.

"The second friendly bout will begin once the green light from my horn shines over your heads," the guard said, channeling his magic.

Flare took a deep breath and exhaled, putting her battle face on. Princess Celestia didn't do anything but sit on the grass and stared with those blank eyes, still having that motherly smile across her face.

The guard shot magic into the sky as it exploded with a green flare, signaling that the battle had begun.

Battle 2: Flare Brimstone Vs. Princess Celestia

Flare Brimstone spares no time rushing over to Princess Celestia, attempting to strike the celestial alicorn. The alicorn didn't move, giving Flare a clean opportunity, but as her hoof neared Princess Celestia's face, the bat pony's attack suddenly missed, and she fell to the ground.

The bat pony felt sick, disoriented, and hot. As quickly as the feeling came, it went away. Flare eased herself off the ground and turned her eye at Princess Celestia, who never moved from her position, merely turning around to meet Flare's ardent gaze.

The bat pony didn't understand. How did Princess Celestia not get hit? How did Flare Brimstone miss?

"What happened?" she asked the celestial alicorn. "I had a clear shot, yet I missed. How?"

Princess Celestia giggled. "I forced you to miss," she confessed.

Flare was shocked. "How?!" she shouted.

"I raised your temperature and gave you a brief fever that shocked your system," she explained. "The abruptness caused you to narrowly miss your attack."

"That's right, you can control fire and heat," Flare said. "I'll be more careful next time."

Princess Celestia clapped her hooves together. "Glad to hear it. Just for you, I won't use such methods. Besides... you won't win."

Flare's ears perked up. "And what makes you say that?"

"Because you aren't strong enough, however, don't let that deter you. I will allow you to struggle for a while."

Flare wiped some sweat off her face. "Alright," she began, "then let me show you how much I can struggle!"

Flare Brimstone leaped at Princess Celestia with her hoof high in the air and attempt to strike her, but the sun princess leans to the left and dodged the attack with no effort.

Flare skids on the earth, and drifts to the right before going to hit the celestial alicorn, but only to miss once again. She kept trying, getting faster and faster, but no matter how fast or how hard Flare Brimstone tried, Princess Celestia manages to effortlessly evade her blows.

Princess Celestia tilted her head in confusion, wearing the same motherly expression. "It's been ten minutes, my agent. How are we fairing?"

Flare gritted her teeth. "Don't worry about it," she uttered, scraping the ground with her hooves. "Surely Her Radiant Majesty is capable of something other than sitting on her flank."

Princess Celestia's eyes narrowed slightly. "I gave you ten minutes to strike me down, and here you stand, insulting your ruler. It breaks my heart, my agent."

Flare Brimstone snorted like a bull. "Maybe you're afraid? I wouldn't put it past you."

Princess Celestia chuckled at Flare's quips. "Very well," she said, her horn glowing white, "I shall entertain you."

A wave of magic shot past Flare Brimstone. It was warm... too warm. The sun's light brightened and caused a harsh heat haze that littered the entire battlefield.

Princess Celestia weaved a magical circle in front of her before reeling back and blowing forward air from her lips. The air passed through the magic circle as an intense fire burst out the other end, surprising Flare Brimstone.

With little time to think, Flare manages to elude the crimson blaze, but just narrowly as the magic circle dissipated in front of Princess Celestia.

"Impressive," she said, congratulating her agent's evasive skills. "But don't you rest just yet, my agent."

Princess Celestia stomped the ground as two columns of earth rose next to Flare Brimstone. They were covered in molten lava and with a flick downward from Princess Celestia's hoof, the columns of molten rock collapsed to crush Flare Brimstone's body.

Flare manages to avoid certain death and catches her breath. The heat from the sun was intense and Flare had no defenses for dealing with it.

She gazes at the celestial alicorn, thinking about what she could do. As she pondered, Flare blinks and suddenly the looming presence of Princess Celestia stood over her and smashed her hooves atop of the bat pony. A large boom shakes the resort as Flare laid in a small crater, her forelegs in a defensive position.

"Oh, you're still awake," Princess Celestia said. "I was certain that would knock you out, but you do have resilient skin. Bravo!"

Flare shivered, coughed, and gasped for air, trying to get back up, but her body refused to. The attack from Princess Celestia left burn marks on Flare Brimstone's coat and forelegs.

"What do you say we call off our fight?" Princess Celestia suggested. "I wouldn't want you to get hurt."

As inviting as the celestial alicorn suggests, Flare Brimstone could not help but smile at Princess Celestia. "What? Are you truly scared of a little bat pony?" Her quips at Princess Celestia did the mare very little favor, but the radiant pony simply smiles with that motherly expression.

"As you wish," Princess Celestia said, her horn shimmered as Flare witnessed a floating sphere of fire looming over the battlefield in a shining effulgence that nearly blinded the bat pony.

Flare Brimstone forced herself off the ground as she stumbled, yet she held a vicious smile. Princess Celestia's countenance did not change, but Flare could feel the princess's concealed ire imitating her own.

Flare hurriedly struck Princess Celestia, but a red barrier impended her assault. The bat pony slipped away as Princess Celestia shot magic into the fiery orb, sending a cascade of small meteors pelting the battlefield in large explosions.

Flare Brimstone dodged the rocks that exploded on the ground and ruthlessly smashed the rocks she couldn't evade. Princess Celestia was elated to see her agent act with such fervor.

Flare attempted to strike the white alicorn, but the barrier made it impossible, yet the bat pony didn't give up. She hit the barrier harder and faster, pummelling the shield as a crack drew the attention of the sun princess.

"Oh, it's starting to break?" she asked in a surprised tone. "Then I guess I have to make you stop."

Princess Celestia quickly reeled her head back as the ground underneath Flare Brimstone erupted in an explosive spire that sent the bat pony smashing into the dome's glass ceiling.

Stuck against the glass, Flare tried to free herself, then she had an idea cross her mind. If I can propel myself off the glass and direct my hoof at Princess Celestia, I should be able to completely shatter her barrier!

It was a good strategy, and Flare Brimstone enacted her plan, leaping off the top of the dome at blinding speeds. Princess Celestia sent a torrent of fire blast from her horn, but Flare manages to evade them and struck the sun princess's barrier with all her might.

The magical barrier shattered like glass, dissipating into nothingness. Princess Celestia's eyes widened slightly and congratulates her agent's physical prowess.

"Brilliant display, my agent," she praised. "However, this is as far as you'll go... for now."

Flare Brimstone was immediately met with a strike that sent her, face first, into the earth. The ground rippled as another crater, a larger one, formed, and the bat pony lay in the middle.

Flare shifted her head up to Princess Celestia, who loomed over the bat pony like a giant. She struggled to rise from the ground, but her body refused.

"You fought well, but now have your rest," the sun princess whispered. Flare Brimstone passed out, despite her best efforts, Princess Celestia trounced her.

"The winner of this friendly bout goes to Princess Celestia!" the guard shouted.

Princess Luna flew next to her sister, gazing at Flare Brimstone's body.

"Tell me, did you think Flare could beat you?" she asked.

Princess Celestia giggled. "There's always a chance," she told her sister, using magic to carry her agent on her back. Princess Celestia used her wing to caress Flare's face as she slept.

"You're serious. It didn't even look close."

"If my agent wasn't too worn down at the beginning of the fight, she would have succeeded in landing a blow. If she did, I would've conceded right then and there."

Princess Luna was surprised. "Why would you give up?"

Princess Celestia stared at Flare's face with a look of love. "To see her face beaming with joy," she said, trotting out of the dome. "However..."

"Yes?"

"Her face did beam with joy when she shattered my barrier. To behold her smiling with such happiness was euphoric, and that's all I wanted."

"Do I detect a hint of love in your voice?"

Princess Celestia chuckled. "It's more of a... motherly love. Come, let us depart."

Princess Luna's eyes watered. "B-but the Game Arcade!" she whined.

Princess Celestia sighed. "We have a Game Arcade at home. There is a chamber solely dedicated to your... hobby."

As Princess Luna groaned, the airship manned by Zeppy and her crew appeared to take the trio of ponies home.

Although this adventure was brief, it was nonetheless exciting. Until the next adventure of Flare Brimstone.

Author's Note

This is all about the fight, no exploring the rest of the resort.

A Different Time

Another day has ended in the life of Flare Brimstone, adventurer extraordinaire! Recently, the antsy bat pony has been taking a break from all the adventuring, taking the time to run in her shop: "Unusual Antiques and Artifacts."

Tonight was going to be different. Flare went to go out on a "stroll." She locked the doors and flipped the "open" sign to "closed." She exited Ponyville, looking suspicious.

The bat pony snickered, saying, "It seems that I am alone. Time to use my trusty ol' watch."

Flare Brimstone equipped an odd-looking watch, attaching it to her right hoof, a unique device given to her by a Denizen of Old during a mission in the Dragon Lands. She tapped the timepiece and a dark green portal manifested in front of her. She smirked and entered the portal as it closed behind her. She disappeared without a trace.

A dark green flash grew bright, once again forming a portal. Flare Brimstone stepped out of the portal and it once again closed behind her. She looks around and it seems to be another period in time, far beyond Equestria.

There were dark, black buildings with long, cracked roads and tall, withering trees that surrounded the area. Flare Brimstone stood up top a dimly lit hill surveying the area. It was in ruins, rotten and broken, pelted by light rain.

Flare squinted and examined the buildings. "Wait. The carvings on those buildings... I've seen them before. No way! I'm in the Battonian Age!"

The buildings were carved with ancient symbols on the sides of the Bat Ponies called Battonian Architecture. In the world of Equestria and beyond, there are very few bat ponies that exist.

Among Flare Brimstone there was: her mother and father, her five sisters, three brothers, and the town of Hollow Shades.

Flare Brimstone was ecstatic. "Wow, this is a lucky find! The ruins of a near-ancient race; my race. There's bound to be relics left behind in these ruins."

Flare Brimstone eagerly galloped down the hill towards the abandoned ruins of the Bat Pony race. She was careful going down the hill, as there were old snags, rotten roots, and stone boulders that impede her advancement. Once Flare Brimstone avoided the obstacles in her way, she reached the bottom of the hill that led into the old ruins.

As excited as she was, Flare Brimstone was also very cautious and kept a vigilant eye on her surroundings. The entrance of the ruins was a large, oval-shaped hole. It crumbled slowly; unsteady and weak, however, it still stood as if it was built to last Judgement Day.

Flare Brimstone dug inside her pouch and took out a flashlight and clipped it to her side, turning it on, and made her way inside.

"These ruins are so ancient; the writings on the walls are faded with pictures amongst them. I can't even tell what these are... interesting," she uttered.

The sound of a hiss echoed through the ruins. Flare Brimstone turned where the sound was and laid her eyes on a grotesque monster. It was a slithering, slimy, snake-like creature. A creature unknown in Flare Brimstone's time, possibly extinct. The creature stood still, glaring at Flare Brimstone.

Flare stowed away her fears and smiled at the face of death. This is what she lives for, the danger.

"Of course, a snake. For the love of Celestia, there is always a snake!"

Whilst groaning at her situation, Flare Brimstone saw a large crack big enough for her to slip through, but she had to get past the monstrous snake creature first.

"If I make a mad gallop towards that opening, I'm home free, but I am not leaving until I get a relic."

Flare Brimstone readied herself to move around the huge monster before her. She was silent, focusing on the snake. The moment she stepped forward, the beast flings itself towards her, mouth open, bearing serrated sharp teeth, and dripping with saliva, ready to tear Flare Brimstone apart.

She galloped as fast as she could and she narrowly dodged the monster's strikes as quickly as her body allowed, slipping under the creature. The monster struck a wall, causing the ruins to shake. Flare Brimstone then attempts to rush towards the large crack.

The monster regained its senses, seeing Flare Brimstone making a mad dash to escape. It hissed and screeched vehemently as it springs toward the bat pony. Its mouth opened as wide as it could, its beady eyes trained on its prey.

Almost to Flare Brimstone, she yelled loudly, quickly shining her flashlight in the eyes of the monster. It screeched in irritation as it misses Flare Brimstone and hit the cracked wall. Flare laughed triumphantly, but she was struck by the snake's large tail, propelling her into a wall with a monstrous crash.

Trying to regain her senses, the monster's tail grabbed hold of Flare Brimstone, raking her body against the wall.

"Gah!" Flare shouted in pain. "You... feathering snake! You want a fight, I'll give you one! Come on!"

Flare Brimstone smashed her hooves on the snake's tail, causing it to screech out in pain, dropping the bat pony on the ground. Without a second to waste, Flare leaped towards the snake's head, clutched it with all her might, and slammed it on the surface in a deafening boom that shook the ruins, creating a fissure on the earth.

"How'd you like that, huh?!" Flare berated the snake. "Here's another helping!"

Flare Brimstone charged the snake's head into a wall, pummeling the giant creature. The bat pony reeled her hoof back and sent it diving face-first into the snake's face, shattering the wall behind it. It was a grand and terrifying display of strength the bat pony possessed.

The mare wiped the sweat off her forehead. "Ha! Take that, ya overgrown lizard!" she shouted victoriously.

Trotting over to the newly created hole, Flare was about to jump through it until the snake swept the mare off her hooves with its tail. Flare yelled and struggled to release herself from the snake's tight grip, but to no avail.

Now the creature, beat and bruised, began to hiss at Flare as she wiggled her hooves trying to hit it.

"Bat pony in ruins? They all gone. You too late!" the monstrosity shrieked in a deep tone.

Flare Brimstone's mouth was agape in shock. The snake, which tried its hardest to snuff out her life, was talking with a straightforward, yet twisted speech.

"You... you're talking!" she exclaimed. "How?"

The snake crept its head close to Flare's face. Its dark brown eye wasn't deceiving, but glossy. "Always talked, always have; forever."

"What are you?"

"Nesotoc; the serpent, one that lurks in the darkness. Free, I roam. Home be the ruins. Ruins of bats, of your kin!"

"Are there any more of you?"

Nesotoc hissed, its tongue incessantly flicking out of its mouth. "No others left. One, the last; an endling. I am alone."

"My name is Flare Brimstone, an adventurer," she said, introducing herself. "You say endling? Then you are the last of your species. What happened to them?"

Nesotoc lifted its head towards the ceiling. "Great flood; others swept beneath the billow; the surge stole them away, they drowned."

"How did you escape your fate?"

Nesotoc shifted its piercing gaze towards Flare's eyes. "Hidden away, hoisted by dangling chains became my savior. Beheld the others pained screeching. Then nothing. Others have gone forever."

It was a rough idea, but Flare Brimstone understood. Nesotoc had survived an event that decimated its species. Now the only one left, Nesotoc persists in a world where it's always dark and rainy. It took refuge in the ruins of the bats, and eventually, it confronted Flare Brimstone.

Flare was empathic, knowing that only she and a handful of her race scarcely exist in her time. She touched and caressed Nesotoc's obsidian snoot. A connection was created.

"I can feel it," she whispered. "I can feel your sadness and pain. It's enormous; it's almost too much to take, to feel what you emanate."

The snake pulled its head back, dropping Flare Brimstone to the ground with a heavy thud, but she shrugged it off. Nesotoc retreated into a dark corner; the only thing visible was its eyes shimmering slightly in the darkness.

"Nesotoc, I want to apologize for hurting you, I was defending myself," Flare said, trotting cautiously to the skulking snake. "I'm only here to find some treasure; some kind of relic that I can take home, that belonged to my race."

"Then take and leave," it mumbled. "Bat pony claim the item from your race and never return."

"You don't have to be alone. Don't you want to be with any creature?"

Flare Brimstone stood in front of the giant shadowed snake hidden in the dark. She fell forward and landed on its snoot. This time, however, Nesotoc didn't reject Flare's advances. The bat pony heard it breathe slowly, yet it sounded raspy. It wasn't normal. Nesotoc was shivering.

"You're very cold. Nesotoc, are you sick?" Flare asked. Nesotoc kept silent. "You are, aren't you? I can hel-"

"Desist," it uttered. "Claim your relic and leave me be."

Flare Brimstone shook her head. "I can't do that. Tell me what's wrong."

Nesotoc refused to comply, but Flare Brimstone glared at its eyes. They were genuine and filled with worry. Nesotoc witnessed Flare hugging its snoot.

"I don't know what I could do," she muttered under her breath. "I want to help you."

Nesotoc watched as Flare whimpered for its safety. It felt her body snuggle his snout. It was warm and comforting, a feeling Nesotoc hadn't felt in a very long time. She cares about it, and Nesotoc knew it.

Suddenly, Flare heard steam coming from the giant snake. She felt Nesotoc get smaller and smaller, and she gazed at a fragile snake, similar to a garter snake, slithering slowly from the darkness. It was Nesotoc.

Flare was bewildered. "Bu-but how?!"

"To take form into something weaker is a sign of safety," it uttered, its voice still deep. "No more heat to manage big form. Offer assistance and keep me warm."

Flare Brimstone hurriedly snatched Nesotoc from the ground and buried him beneath her cozy coat. It slithered and made itself comfortable under Flare's neck.

"How are you, Nesotoc?" Flare asked, booping the snake's cute snoot.

"Better," it said, cuddling Flare Brimstone. "I am alone no longer."

"We're friends."

"Friends?"

"That's right. If you come with me, you won't have to be alone anymore."

Nesotoc pondered and reached its conclusion. "Yes."

Flare Brimstone giggled, booping Nesotoc who uttered a faint chortle.

"Let's go find that treasure. I have a sneaky suspicion about the hole in that wall over there from our brief fight," the bat pony said, dashing over to the hole and looking out the other side.

Flare Brimstone beheld an area opposite of what she had seen: the area was bright as the water was lucid and pure, brimming with light. In the middle was an abandoned stone with the carvings of the Bat Ponies. Flare Brimstone trotted towards the relic, going in shallow water, and beheld the ancient stone of her race.

"This a relic of the Bat Ponies. These carvings are so unfamiliar to me; I can't read them. Nonetheless, this is a marvelous prize."

"Then claim it. Then we depart. But to where?"

Flare chuckled. "Nesotoc, I come from the future. When we get back, you are welcome to live with me in Ponyville."

"Will I see you often?"

"Of course. I own a shop. When I'm out working or doing other things... perhaps you could look over it? Like a protector."

Nesotoc grew silent, its tongue feverishly flicking outward. "I will do it," it answered, receiving a lovable boop and hug from its bat pony pal. "Guardian of your wares; to scare and battle thieves... that is a deal I will take."

Flare Brimstone stored the stone within her pouch and used her watch to open up a portal to take her and Nesotoc back to her time. When she left with the relic, the water in the cavern turned black and tar-like. The once bright cavern is now devoid of its shine as darkness encroached the area.

The dark green portal appeared again as Flare Brimstone trotted out with her new slithery friend. She headed back to Ponyville. Flare Brimstone reached her shop and opened it, going inside to set the relic in the backroom to determine the price it should be sold.

Nesotoc was guided to the front counter as he slipped off Flare's neck. She went behind the counter and yawned, setting her forelegs on the counter. With the shop open once again, Flare Brimstone awaited the customers, chuckling to herself with excitement, now with a new companion in tow.

Until the next adventure of Flare Brimstone.

Depths of the Misty Mountains

Flare Brimstone, a famous adventurer and owner of a shop in Ponyville, stood at the magnificence of a large mountain, heeding a summons from Princess Celestia to explore the mountain for rare minerals. The Misty Mountains is a frigid landscape, chock-full of rare crystals and the like.

The desire for these crystals was not unsubstantiated. The minerals contained traces of magic, and it's the reason why the Misty Mountains were named. Because of the minerals littered inside the Misty Mountains, these crystals were able to affect the weather surrounding the area, giving it the chilly climate it's known for.

A mining operation was administered by Princess Celestia many moons ago for the sole purpose to excavate and extract the extraordinary crystals. The crystals would be utilized in cities and towns as power sources when manipulated by magic wrought from the alchemists in their laboratorium stationed in Canterlot. However, due to excessive excavation for the crystals, an accident occurred and four stallions died in a cave-in.

After learning about the horrific incident, a distraught Princess Celestia had shut down the entire operation, heavily apologize and compensate the families of the late stallions. The Misty Mountains were abandoned, and Princess Celestia turned to different methods for power sources.

Following the events of the tragedy, the Misty Mountains, declared openly by Princess Celestia, was to be henceforth off-limits to all creatures unless given the full blessing of the sun princess. It was too dangerous for groups to traverse inside the mountain, and far too perilous for a single individual to tread.

And that's why Flare Brimstone was summoned.

The bat pony had the strength of a thousand stallions with the durability of Princess Luna. Flare's sense of adventure is borderline unhealthy, a perfect candidate for that sole reason.

Princess Celestia's face, instead of dread and fear, was filled with hope and fervor, and Flare Brimstone emulated the alicorn.

Unfortunately, due to the tectonic plates shifting over the past few hundred years, it is nearly impossible for a creature to traverse up the cliffs with relative ease, let alone discern and spot an entrance.

Whilst the bat pony pondered where she could infiltrate the Misty Mountains, Princess Celestia grabbed her agent's attention, wearing that motherly smile the alicorn expressed from the Lucid Fields.

The dutiful sun princess escorts Flare Brimstone to another entrance, a small passage the princess took the liberty in investigating recently. She deduces it leads into the Misty Mountains and gave Flare the order of investigating further to claiming a bushel full of the minerals for plans in the future.

Princess Celestia's horn glowed and an odd bag; a peculiar receptacle which the princess described as "willing to carry hefty amounts of minerals," manifested in front of Flare's face. Princess Celestia told the bat pony to utilize the vessel to store the crystals.

Used to being part of a family that explored Equestria all-around countless times, such scenes and conditions as these fill Flare Brimstone's vigor to the peak; advancing her insatiable lust for adventure and curiosity to the utmost spirits.

This is also the first time that she has been granted full access by the sun princess of Equestria, having faith in Flare Brimstone to come back not only alive and well, but with the crystals. There
might have a possibility that Flare would've gone anyway against Princess Celestia's wishes... but we'll never know.

With an embrace between the two ponies, Flare Brimstone proceeded into the dark passage, feeling a dank chill. The air was cool and the walls inside were wet and clammy. Coming prepared, Flare Brimstone carried two flashlights which she turned on and attached to her waist. The lights shined on very old and rotten carts, crates, and other various tools of different sizes and uses, which have aged horribly and are no longer useable.

As far as any creature knows, nothing lives in the mountains, but one can never be too careful. It is one of the oldest locations in Equestria.

With the light shining her darkened path, Flare Brimstone cautiously arrived at three corridors. Fortunately for her, two of the three paths have been blocked by rocks, during the fateful cave-in.

The path available was the middle that Flare Brimstone eagerly accepted. Going through the middle path, amidst the damp gravel of sediment and broken down objects, Flare Brimstone came across a ladder leading down further into the Misty Mountains.

She clung to the ladder and hovered herself, spiraling down. She reached the bottom and saw a bright light faintly shining through a pile of rocks. Flare Brimstone quickly removed each rock with all the might she had and revealed a cavern filled with the crystals she was sent down into the mountain to obtain.

Flare Brimstone had triumphed as she gathered tons of minerals she found in the ground, which were oddly soft. The crystals hummed in a low drone, an indication of their latent magical power, and Flare Brimstone spared no time in snatching what she could carry.

The elasticity of the receptacle provided by Princess Celestia was extremely beneficial; its effectiveness was able to contain more crystals than Flare Brimstone thought possible. That's the sun princess, always looking out for the bat pony.

More than satisfied with her massive haul, Flare Brimstone set out from the depths of the Misty Mountains, with the spoils full of crystal she hoisted with no hindrance.

After some time, Flare Brimstone exited out of the dark passage and ventured towards Princess Celestia, who was sitting with the other princesses: Princess Luna, Princess Cadence, and Princess Twilight Sparkle.

After presenting the haul of crystals, they welcomed Flare's triumphant return, rewarding the bat pony's eagerness. Princess Celestia, along with the other princesses, gave Flare Brimstone a crystal mirroring their coat colors, and also the blessing to do what Flare pleases with her treasure.

Though this may be a small kindness, Flare Brimstone took the rewards with the utmost gratitude and bowing before the princesses' generosity.

Four royal guards (pegasi) that accompanied Princess Celestia were given the task of lugging the bag filled to the brim with crystals to Canterlot for the alchemists to study. Although they struggled to heave the receptacle off to Canterlot, they managed to lift the vessel.

Princess Twilight bid farewell to the princesses, teleporting back to her castle in Ponyville. Princess Cadence headed back to the Crystal Empire, and Princess Luna stayed with her sister and Flare Brimstone.

The trio exchanges heartfelt stories for over an hour. Even though the conversation was getting lively, Princess Luna flew back to Canterlot Castle in preparation to raise the moon.

Princess Celestia, her countenance displaying motherly affection, offered to take Flare Brimstone out to dinner in Canterlot. Although the bat pony would love nothing more than to keep exploring the Misty Mountains, the poor mare was famished and took Princess Celestia up on her invitation.

Though it was only for a short time, Flare Brimstone will visit the Misty Mountains again to properly explore it in the future. For now, food calls out her name, an adventure her stomach could get behind.

Until the next adventure of Flare Brimstone.

Story-filled Adventure

Author's Note

A fair warning: the story below contains themes associated with death and heavy violence, more of the latter you've been subjected to. If this is a cause for worry (for whatever reason) in the future, then your fears will be unfounded; I do not intend to feature very dark themes and death with The Adventures of Flare Brimstone. I already have a story that features those tags.

The reason I made this chapter was to have something slightly different. If you like it, then that's fine. If you do not, then that is reasonable. Regardless, enjoy.

Story-filled Adventure

"To escape, you must tell me a dark story, and then, only then, shall you leave my humble home," the cloaked figure said. "However, if you cannot tell me a story, then you will hang and rot in suspense, and then perish to become part of my hallowed collection. The deal is quite simple; efficacious, for both of us. What say you?"

Chained head to hoof in black fetters that tighten and fasten with each struggle, Flare Brimstone had no choice but to satisfy the cloaked figure's demands, lest she'd be a rotting mass; a corpse strewed up like meat on a hook; for all to see as nothing but another's horrid collection.

"I agree to your terms, and I shall humor your desire for a story if it means my survival," the bat pony snipped. "I only ask that you remain true to your promise, as I vow to supply your lust for tales."

The cloaked figure nodded. "You have my word. I am no monster."

"Good. Then we've struck an accord. Lend me your ears, I shall give you your story."

Deep in an arid village, an aspiring trader galloped, for he owed blood and gold, and yet he had none to spare. Grim and depressed for being unable to transfix his dutiful craft on those unwilling to lend an ear or eye, he was about to change his path and walk away, until a voice called on him to chance his profound métier again.

The voice was distant, yet close, beckoning the trader to an old tent out in the middle of the arid desert. Forward, he trekked, through the entry of the dusty abode, and that's where he gazed upon a creature with the biggest hands and eyes he had ever seen, sitting behind a wooden table.

"Pardon my calls; the lull's inviting intention was for your interest, for I knew you had troubles, and that I could offer you a means to abate your fearfulness."

The trader's shaken hoof reached out with worry, grasping for a solution. "Could you free me of this cruel bind?" the trader finally said.

"Stallion... the desert's sand flows one way, and I'm its master. There's not a problem I couldn't fix and not a problem I didn't prevent," it chortled with a pleased glare. "Now... the price for my services you may find paltry and insignificant, but I have a desire for an audience compressed with fervent frivolities, yet there is naught a single place for me. So, I need stallions, such as yourself mind you, to let me in."

Now the trader's only skill was pelts and miscellaneous items, but this deal? It seemed too easy to accept.

"If you're offering a ticket far from this place?" the youth asked. "Then that is a deal I will take."

The black creature chortled and shook the trader's shivering hoof in agreement. Then, the creature slammed its hand on the table as the sand poured from the outside underneath the trader's hooves. He yelled and screamed out for help, but the black creature waved its hand as the sand swallowed the trader whole.

Hours pass and the trader was spat out from the sand, conveyed to an opulent palace. The creature was already there, its appearance shrouded in dusty, black smoke.

"This is where your solution lies, within these grand walls," the monstrous creature uttered. "Take heed and keep your wits about you but be sure your tongue is a sharpened silver; the owners can be quite prudent with their mouths-a-plenty uttering mordant retorts; often coated in acid. I'm sure you'll manage."

The trader bowed to the creature as it disappeared. The trader was confronted with the owners, a family, which with some crafty convincing, was offered a place in their majestic residence. He lived there for years, and he found the love of his life, the family's only daughter.

The trader made his luck turn around. He had friends, a family that took him in, a princess, who became his faithful bride to be married on the day the trader came into their lives.

Although everything was going perfectly, as the wedding was taken place, the black creature clawed its way out of the sand and interrupted the grand occasion. The family of the daughter and their guests tried to fight off the creature, but each pony fell beneath the staggering might of the black creature; it tore all who opposed to shreds.

It trashed the entire event: destroying the opulent residence the trader had known to call home, murdering the friends he made and the owners of the house he respected and admired. It was all too much to take in, too much carnage. And the blood... so much blood. One could not veer in any direction without the red stains burned into their eyes.

The bride mewled in suffering and mental anguish, her eyes wept crystal blue tears. "No! Please! No more, I beg of you!" the bride wailed.

The black creature loomed over the back of the bride and placed its hands on her body. "My little pony, it pains my dark soul to see you in such sorrow," it purred in her ears. "This will not happen again, so please, offer your forgiveness and turn to your groom."

The bride escaped the black creature's grip and embraced her lover, hugging him tightly. They both were in a near stupor from the event, and thus, they failed to espy the creature's skulking.

It grabbed the bride and tore her away from her lover. It tormented her, squeezing her body. The bride screamed, just once, as the black creature snarled, breaking her bones and crumbling her limbs before opening its mouth to swallow the bride whole.

The trader was distraught. He bellowed in agony as his heart was shattered at the sight of his beloved bride's demise. He grew hysterical as tears streamed down his withering countenance. He crawled to the creature who was reveling in the massacre with a pleased glare.

"Kill me!" he demanded. "You monster! Finish the job and end my life! Please! Please!" His pleas were only met with a kick in the face. He fell backward with his mouth bleeding profusely, writhing in his misery.

"Weep," it whispered. "Wail. Howl. Cry. Do it as much as you want, you fool. You had the chance of walking away, yet you foolishly thought you could have an opportunity to start over. You should've never come to me, and this is the result of your failure. You are nothing but a fool!"

The black creature disappeared in a veil of black sand, leaving a broken stallion. It was his fault. He was the reason everything around him is dead. He was a fool. He was a fool.

The cloaked figure clapped at Flare Brimstone's masterful storytelling. Satisfied with her story, the cloaked figure released the black fetters that fastened to the bat pony, sending her falling on the ground with a light thud.

Flare recovered. "Thanks for that, I appreciate it."

"Think little of it, but I must say... you are quite daring to come in here and steal from me."

Flare Brimstone chuckled. She put distance between her and the cloaked figure, eying her exit. "And will you let me keep it? Surely, a citizen of your stature does not need such a... pitiful item in your custody. Part the trinket with me."

The cloaked figure chortled. "I already have given you the watch to do as you pleased, yet you come in here, attempt to steal my property, and expect me to let you go?"

Flare smiled. "You left out the part where I saved your life from those hydras. Also, you were up to your old tricks again."

"Perhaps so. And I presume that you let yourself get caught after interrupting my ritual by taking my sacred ring?"

Flare Brimstone smirked. "I devised that without it you'd be unable to create your rituals, so I snatched it and the rest was history."

The cloaked figure pondered for a minute before concluding. "Very well," he said, "you may keep my ring, but only on one condition: you must come back to my home once every year and spindle a tale to keep me from doing evil. Simple enough, what say you?"

Flare Brimstone reached out with her hoof and shook the cloaked figure's hoof. "Seems almost too easy," she chuckled. "I'll keep checking on you Denizens of Old, Yaster."

Yaster showed Flare Brimstone out the door. "I'll be sure to keep that in mind," he said. "The Dragon Lands aren't meant for ponies, especially one such as yourself. Run along now but be sure to not forget our deal."

"I won't."

"Then farewell."

Flare Brimstone trotted in place and dashed back to Equestria. With the deal struck, Yaster retreated into his humble home.

Until the next adventure of Flare Brimstone.

Innocent Little Snowflake

Through icy winds and frigid snow, over the wintry mountains and past the frosty caves, may you find happiness. May the warmth of the sun melt the frozen heart and let love be the comfort that which was stolen away. May love and affection find their way inside. The One Cold as Ice.

Life has not been kind to one, and death's contribution to one's beginning is nothing short of a disaster. Doom had been strong, gloom encroached the mind, and the uncertainty of one's future is stagnated, unavoidable, with change unable to act, one would think. Hope displays itself as a mirage, and one would think oneself a fool to believe otherwise. Remain a fool forever. The One Cold as Ice.

Amid peril and sadness, even in the darkest of winters that block out the sun and its warmth, there is always a light in the abyss of despair, no matter how small. Though the light of the sun cannot beam in effulgence; its lambency shines in others for one to cling to, only if one lets them in. In one's vice misplaced, has it been torn asunder. The One Cold as Ice.

Let them in. Wander the darkness and reach out a hoof to the light that offers happiness and warmth. The One Cold as Ice.

Deep within the wintry mountains of Yakyakistan lay a lab of secrecy, where experiments are carried behind the eyes of moral minds, to selflessly serve one's lust for knowledge. A mare donned in climbing gear scales the frigid landscape to find the lab and hopefully confront the one responsible.

Through snow, ice, and monsters that obstructed her path, the mare overcame all odds with the fervor and passion one would call supernatural. Prevailing through the impossible odds that impeded her path, the mare continued to climb the frigid cliffs until she came across an entrance inside the mountains where a blizzard stood in her way; a snowy veil hid the door from the sight of the less clairvoyant bunch, and the mare saw through its guise.

Breaking through the white awning and forcing herself inside the lab, the mare found herself in a dim hallway lit by flickering lights. She trekked across the chilly metal surface and the mare eventually faces a black door latched with several locks of different sizes, even a few were sealed by magic, yet this impediment did not deter the mare.

She pulled out a mystical card surging with magic. It was created by some of the minerals the mare helped extract from the Misty Mountains that alchemists in Canterlot, by order of Princess Celestia for this very mission, to have the ability to open any lock or door, whether imbued with magic or not. Unfortunately, it was the only card the mare had, but its use will be worth it.

The black door was scanned by the magical card, unlocking access for the mare to step inside with a small smirk on her face. The mare found herself in a messy room, a laboratory, faintly lit by dim lights hanging from the ceiling. She turned her attention to a large tube in the center of the room. It was shattered and mysterious green liquid dripped on the dirty surface. The grin plastered across the mare's face was quickly replaced by a scowl as she slammed her hoof and cracked the surface as a curse slipped from her lips.

"Not here either..." she uttered under her breath, veering around the room with a heavy huff. "There has to be some information about the experiment, there just has to be! Better start searching this lab."

The mare investigated the dilapidated lab, searching the tables and desks for any information. There was little that persisted in whatever occurred in the lab, but luckily, the mare espied a document littered inside one of the desks. She hurriedly takes the paper and began reading its contents.

Document no. 10, day 183, Yakyakistan, dawn:

The progression of Experiment 367 is coming along quite nicely, all things considered. The physical appearance may be that of a young filly, but her magical prowess is extremely potent when administering electrical shocks. Her horn has the magical power to create ice and snow with staggering potency. To think this is an orphan with such hidden talent, forced out by my hoof... how fortunate.

These immoral methods are effective, and I am pleased with the results. When the filly finally regains consciousness, she will be threatened if she does not comply with my research. To prevent further misunderstandings, the filly will have a magical suppression device around her horn; instilling fear and punishment on the filly will reduce the chances of her retaliation.

As an update, the subject showed signs of understanding verbal communication while comatose, responding with meek whimpers and cries. I will attempt to iron out these defects as soon as I am able... with that bothersome agent hot on my hooves. I will be forced to advance the filly's progression.

The mare bit her lip in vexation; that troublesome researcher has been harming a filly this whole time. Of course, the mare knew about the filly but knowing how far the researcher is willing to go to reach his goals, the mare was furious.

The mare steeled herself and settled her nerves with a long sigh. "Magic that can create ice and snow? Interesting," she thought aloud. "There has to be more information!" The mare ruthlessly scavenged the lab and found two more documents beneath a filthy, broken tile. She swipes them and sets the documents atop the desk. Unfortunately, the mare couldn't find any other documents, assuming the rest were lost forever.

It was difficult to make out the words scribbled inside the document, but the mare made do and attempted to discern the muddled text.

Document no. 11, day 189, dawn:

The Experiment hasn't awakened yet, but there are further indications she'll grow conscious. Her horn has started to flicker like a blinking red light, a sign she's using magic willingly; a bitter chill shrouded the lab; however, this is no cause for concern. She's also become more verbal, even if it's just more whimpering nonsense.

This is going very well, despite my time crunch. More updates later. I must relish the moment.

Document no. 12, day 194, dusk:

My lab has been victim to an outburst from Experiment 367. The filly displayed displeasure and distress, coating my lab in a chilling frost that resulted in an explosion that shattered the test tube that held her. I did not expect such a violent reaction upon her awakening. Before any more damage occurred, I sedated the filly back to her stupor and encased her inside a smaller tube for transportation.

The Experiment is as I feared: extremely volatile and emotionally unstable, even with the magic suppression device I placed on her yesterday, it barely did anything. Her brain waves were stable, she showed no display of stress, so why did an outburst occur? Could it be her magic overwhelmed her senses and created the explosion? It's probable. Whatever the case, I've hit a roadblock, and my lab is in no condition to assist in my endeavors. I know that meddling agent is here somewhere in these mountains, searching day and night for me. I can't let this be the end, not yet!

I have to relocate. I constructed another lab in case of natural forces buried this one, but the Experiment's magic is anything but natural. My next lab is located in the western mountains. I had hoped to bring these documents with me... but when this is all over, I'll come back for them at a later date. I just need to evade that dog a little longer.

The mare smirked and dashed out of the lab and into the frozen wilderness. The researcher's other lab is west of her position. The mare spared no time and blitzed, carefully, around the frigid mountains. It took three days to uncover the other lab. The mare broke through the gate. And then another one, and another, and then another without stopping.

"I'm close..." she muttered, stomping her way through the vacant halls. "I've followed you all over Equestria. At last, you've cornered yourself; nowhere else for you to gallop off to."

The mare stood in front of a steel door blocking the way. With a couple of hard smacks, the door broke down, revealing a stallion donned in a dirty lab coat and safety goggles. The mare's very presence induced fear inside the stallion as he slowly backed away.

"No!" he cried out. "I'm nearly there! I just have to-"

"Save it," the mare said, taking off her winter gear. "Professor Lander, you are under arrest for child abduction and immoral experimentation on ponykind."

"Flare Brimstone, the bloodhound of the sun princess," he snipped in a contemptuous tone. "You dare stand in the way of my greatness?! My research could prove invaluable to Princess Celestia, and yet you would stand there and impede on such future developments?! You fool! What gives you the right?!"

Flare Brimstone tittered, amazed at Professor Lander's audacity. "You think Princess Celestia wants anything to do with your detestable work?" she interrogated with a smirk. "It was her who found you out! And you dared to flee, making everything worse! I had read the records, and you will be going into Tartarus for a long time; a regular dungeon simply won't do."

Professor Lander began to sweat, inching his way around the room. "I spent my whole life in science!" he shouted angrily. "Immoral practices are unavoidable in the pursuit of knowledge and understanding. I can't be swayed by some haunting guilty conscience; I am free from doubt!"

"Do you know what you've done?" Flare whispered with scorn as her face grimaced. "You stole a filly and experimented on her for your sick desires! You never wanted to help Equestria; you never cared!"

Professor Lander cackled as his horn glowed an ominous green. "It's just a filly! No pony will care to miss her, the foul orphan! Her life hasn't even begun, no pony wanted her; nothing lost or gained! She should be grateful in my care!"

"Lander, stop it. You don't want this," Flare warned. "Admit you lost and stand down. Please. Make this easier for both of us."

"You fool!" he cried out. "Like a dog, you hunted me down, and you think I'll just give up?! I will have my work realized!" he charged up his horn as a crazed grin appeared. "You'll do anything Princess Celestia tells you without question! You're pathetic; a wretch stripped of free will! Your pursuit confirms this!"

Flare Brimstone's eyes narrowed and stamped the floor, creating a fissure. Professor Lander yelled in fear as he fell to the floor. "I serve Princess Celestia out of respect and loyalty," she growled, gritting her teeth. "I am no puppet; I chose this mission; I offered my assistance to Her Majesty! Her guards wouldn't have found you, only I would! And you had the gull to spew that slander at me?! I am no slave!"

Professor Lander panicked, his horn shooting magic blasts at Flare Brimstone, but the bat pony effortlessly dodged the professor's attempts. Desperate, he continued his assault, however, every blast was avoided. Flare slowly trotted towards him in a stride that sent terror through Professor Lander's mind. The professor strained himself trying to attack Flare Brimstone. He kneeled, struggling to pump out magic, but to no avail.

"No..." he mumbled. "Please, have mercy! I can-"

Flare Brimstone cracked her neck and bucked the professor in the face, sending him hurling into a wall with a mighty impact. The professor slumped to the ground, unconscious.

"That's enough out of you," she said, surveying the lab. Flare Brimstone saw another door and pushed it open and began investigating. It was dark and cold. It smelled dry and dust flittered in the air. An icy wind attracted her gaze and Flare Brimstone discovered the filly behind iron bars in a depressive slump. She was still like a statue, her eyes were as clear as crystals, and the aura she exhausted was the icy wind. The only indication the filly was alive was her horn flickering on and off.

Flare Brimstone gripped and pried the bars open and stepped into the filly's cell. She feigned death. The bat pony kneeled and stroked the filly's chilly cheek, but no response. Flare noticed the ring around the filly's horn and took it off, shattering it beneath her hoof.

"Come on," she said, nuzzling the filly, "say something. Do anything... just let me know you're alive."

Then suddenly, a burst of cold air threw Flare Brimstone against the bars as a yelp escaped her lips. It was getting too cold even for her. Flare's body shook and shuddered as she gazed at the filly sulking in a corner of the cell.

It was an outburst, but Flare deciphered that the filly's magic may be tied to her emotions. To awaken and remember her pain and suffering from Professor Lander, the filly's emotions would have emulated her distress. All the more reason to calm the filly down before anything gets even more dangerous.

"Go... away," she whispered, her breath coated the floor in front of her in frostbite. Flare was barely able to make out any words. "Do-don't come any closer."

"I have to get you home," the bat pony said.

"Home...? I have no home. You lie!"

Flare Brimstone shook her head. "Please, calm down and let me help you."

"I don't need help!" the filly cried. "You'll hurt me..."

Flare Brimstone trotted slowly to the filly, but her advances were met with animosity; the bat pony was struck by a blast of frost that covered her wings. Flare winced in pain, gritting her teeth, and then she kept going.

"Stop it!" the filly wailed. Another blast of magic strikes Flare's left foreleg and right hind leg, and the ice began to accumulate. The bat pony was forced to the ground. "Stay back!"

Flare Brimstone crawled over to the filly and embraced her tightly, despite the immense, bitter cold digging into her skin. The filly flailed and lashed out, coating Flare's stomach in piercing ice, but she continued to hold on.

"Let me go! You're hurting me! Stop it!" the filly cried. "No... no! Please!"

"So, this is what you were whimpering..." Flare uttered. "It's okay. You're scared and all you've known is pain. It's not your fault."

The filly continued to resist, using her magic in an attempt to push Flare Brimstone away, but her endeavors were unfounded. How long would she keep this up? How far is Flare willing to go? To help, protect, and serve those in need; Flare would go up and beyond to aid others.

"It's not your fault," Flare Brimstone repeated, the filly wailing against her chest. "It's not your fault."

The filly sniffed and cried profusely. "Don't... stop hurting me. No more. Please, stop it..." she sobbed.

Flare Brimstone chuckled and nuzzled the filly's mane like a loving mother. Eventually, the filly calmed down, burying her face in Flare's body. Though faint, the heat from Flare Brimstone was warm and comforting. "I'm not hurting you. It's okay. What's your name?"

The filly grew silent for a few seconds before answering. "Snowy..."

"That's a cute name... argh..." a numbing pain shot through Flare Brimstone's body. "The cold... it's too much."

Snowy used her magic to relieve Flare Brimstone of her frosty discomfort. "I'm sorry," she whispered, sniffling. "I was sleeping for a long time. All I could feel was hurt... I'm sorry I hurt you."

Flare placed her hoof on Snowy's lips and kissed her forehead. "You were scared, I understand. The bad stallion won't hurt you anymore."

"What will happen now?"

"First, we'll grab the bad stallion and present him to Princess Celestia. Second, I'll treat you to some hot chocolate. Third, we'll find a place for you to stay. Sound good?"

The filly fidgeted as a red blush lit up her white face. "I-I don't know..."

Flare Brimstone nuzzled Snowy again. "Are you sure?" she asked as a sad frown appeared on Flare's face. "You'll miss out on delicious hot cocoa. Such a shame..."

"No!" Snowy cried, meeting Flare's vibrant pink eyes. "I mean... hot cocoa sounds nice.

The bat pony chuckled before rising from the floor, gently picking up Snowy and placing the filly on her back. "Comfy? I don't normally give fillies and colts piggyback rides."

Snowy clutched Flare Brimstone's back. A small grin appeared on her muzzle. "It's very warm," she said. "I like it..."

"Good. Now let's leave this horrible place."

Flare Brimstone accepted a mission to hunt and bring a rogue researcher named Professor Lander, one of Princess Celestia's top researchers, into custody. Her Majesty found out that Lander was planning to experiment on his kind for the sake of knowledge and gratification and promptly ordered his surrender, to which the avid professor refused, escaping Canterlot.

At one point, Lander snatched a filly from an orphanage to enact his experimentation. Princess Celestia gave Flare Brimstone any resources to bring the rogue professor to justice, and the bat pony delivered.

Returning to Canterlot with Snowy and an unconscious Professor Lander, Flare Brimstone presented the foul felon before Her Majesty, and punishment was quick; Professor Lander was almost immediately sent into Tartarus.

It's been a week with Flare Brimstone looking after the filly. Snowy still had nowhere to go. She didn't want to go back to the orphanage. Princess Celestia suggested that Snowy be looked after by the Royal Crystaller, Sunburst, under the protection of Princess Cadence and Shining Armor in the Crystal Empire to harness and properly control her magic. The wintry environment of the Empire would serve the filly as well.

Although their time was short, Flare Brimstone would soon have to part ways with the filly, but not before treating her to that cup of nice hot chocolate the bat pony promised, in the gardens of Canterlot Castle.

"Will I see you again?" Snowy asked as she sipped from her cup. "I want to..."

Flare Brimstone chuckled, chugging down her hot chocolate like it was nothing but a mug of apple cider. A hearty blech escaped her lips as a satisfied expression grew on her face. "Ah... that's the good stuff! And to answer your question: you will see me again," she assured the filly. "If you're ever feeling sad or lost, send a letter and I'll blitz to the Crystal Empire myself and keep you company."

Snowy blushed as her horn glowed and ice appeared in her hot chocolate. "Oh... I-I didn't mean for that to happen! P-please don't be upset..." she winced, expecting punishment, but nothing came from Flare Brimstone except another hearty laugh. "You... aren't angry with me?"

Flare shook her head. "Why would I be?" she asked, reaching her hoof over to rub Snowy's mane. "Your magic is tied to your emotions, and it seems to activate on its own from time to time. Relax and enjoy your hot cocoa. Princess Celestia will be here to escort you to the train."

Snowy ran her hoof around the lips of the cup, covering it in ice. "Can you... be there to see me off? Please?" slumping into her chair. "I mean... you don't have to. I wouldn't want to waste your time, Ms. Brimstone-"

Flare Brimstone raised a hoof, cutting the filly's words off. "I'd love to," she said. Snowy's blush returned, redder than before. It looks that the filly cherishes Flare's kindness. "Finish your drink and I'll give you another ride on my back. You'd like that?"

Snowy nodded, hurriedly chugging down her hot cocoa. Flare laughed, seeing a chocolate mustache across Snowy's face. A guard enters the garden and announces to Her Majesty's agent that it was time for Snowy to go.

"Here let me get that for you," the bat pony said, wiping Snowy's mouth with a napkin. Snowy gently climbed atop Flare's back. "Ready to go?"

Snowy nodded and the two ponies followed the guard to Princess Celestia. The alicorn was waiting just outside Canterlot Castle when she was greeted by her agent. That motherly expression was strewn across Princess Celestia's countenance.

"My agent... is our visitor ready to depart?" the sun princess asked. Snowy buried her face into Flare Brimstone's neck, averting her eyes from Princess Celestia. "It would seem our guest is still quite shy."

Flare nuzzled the filly's mane. "She's just a little daunted being in the presence of a wonderful and caring ruler of Equestria," she said, trotting down to the train station. "She'll warm up to you, just give her time. She means no disrespect."

Princess Celestia chuckled. "Well, I don't think I'll have many opportunities to do so when the filly boards the train to the Crystal Empire, but when I go to visit on royal duties, I'll make the effort to be in Snowy's good graces."

"I think she'll like that."

After engaging in conversation for twenty minutes, the trio reached the train station just before All Aboard's sound off. Flare Brimstone gently sets Snowy in front of her. Shortly after, Flash Sentry, one of Princess Cadence's guards, greeted the trio.

"I am here to escort a filly by the name of Snowy," he announced, kneeling to the filly's eye level with a sweet smile. "You must be her, yes?"

Snowy ran under Flare Brimstone and grabbed one of her forelegs. The bat pony sighed with a small grin on her face, stepping back and nudging Snowy forward towards the guard.

"It's okay, he's here to take you to the Crystal Empire," Flare whispered. "He's a sweet young stallion, Snowy. He won't hurt you."

"Bu-but..." the filly's voice trailed off. She was shivering. "Won't he get mad? He won't... yell at me?"

"Of course, he won't, Snowy. Flash is a kind soul, and you'll be safe with him around. Tell you what: if you go with Flash, I'll bring you a present the next time I go to the Crystal Empire. Sound good?"

"Okay... I'll go," Snowy mumbled. She slowly approached Flash Sentry, not meeting his eyes. It was plain the filly was frightened, but Flash concocted a scheme to get Snowy to like him.

"How would you like a piggyback ride?" he asked, laying on the floor next to Snowy. "I'm a pegasus, that means I can fly. If you're going to be staying in the Crystal Empire, I could fly you anywhere within the empire."

Snowy looked at Flash Sentry's blue eyes and cracked a grin. "Flying does seem... fun," she murmured. "I don't want to waste your time, Mr. Sentry... sir."

Flash laughed, scooping the filly with his wing and placing her on his back. "Not at all, Snowy, it would be my pleasure!" the dutiful pegasus exclaimed with a fervent vigor from his lungs. "Once we get to the Crystal Empire and get you situated, just call upon me and I'll take you anywhere the empire has to offer!"

Snowy giggled and laughed from Flash's wing tickling her. "Okay, okay! I'll go, but please stop!" she pleaded. Flash relented his ticklish assault on the filly. "Let's go."

"With pleasure, ma'am."

Flash and Snowy board the train and sit Snowy next to a window where she could smile and wave at Flare Brimstone. The bat pony waved back.

"Be safe," Flare whispered. The train began departing from the station, Flare Brimstone continued to wave goodbye until the train was no longer in view. The bat pony released a heavy, labored sigh from her lips and sat on the floor of the train station. Princess Celestia joined her.

"When will you go to see her?" the sun princess asked, draping her wing over Flare's head.

"Whenever I have business in the Crystal Empire or whenever she needs me," she answered with a soft voice.

"Are you sad, my agent?"

"A little, but I'll know she'll be fine. That filly will go far, I just know it."

Princess Celestia chuckled. "The one cold as ice, yes?"

Flare Brimstone nodded wiping away a tear that managed to roll down her face. "Her heart is warmer than the sun and her smile shines just as bright. The one cold as ice."

"Come on," Princess Celestia said, nudging Flare's mane," let's enjoy a cup of hot chocolate with my sister."

Flare Brimstone smiled. "Yes, Your Majesty."

Snowy is gone, off to the Crystal Empire for a better life. Maybe one day, the bat pony will see her shy filly grow into a brave mare.

Until the next adventure of Flare Brimstone.

Down and Dirty in Southern Equestria

Author's Note

If any of you had wondered what cutie mark Flare Brimstone bears, it's a burning compass with no needle.

Down and Dirty in Southern Equestria

The surge of heat fills the air; a bright light shines across the land in a blistering blaze; sweat from the brow and labored breathing, followed by silent curses. Indeed, the Southern side of Equestria is for a different breed of ponies for sure.

As the irradiated sun casts forth a heat haze, an adventurer with a knack for danger saunters into an arid village bustling with ponies at work. Everywhere an eye wandered, one could discern in the arid town's market: exotic novelties, knickknacks, and trinkets.

The ponies were usually friendly and offered their wares to anypony willing to part away a few bits for odd gadgets; the adventurer was practically bursting at the seams with how many awesome items were on display. She was in her element; she loved basking in the heat of the sun, the fuggy odor lingering in the air, and the potential for danger made her squeal like a filly opening her presents on Hearth's Warming.

Although the adventurer would love nothing more than to run herself ragged, she came here on a mission from Princess Celestia to help aid a certain pony. She was told that her cohort would be around Somnambula. As the mare searches for her ally, she heard a shrill scream from another mare.

She cried out, "Thief! Somepony, help!" as the adventurer witnessed the crime unfolding. It was a stallion shrouded in a brown cloak and black rags carrying a small bag most likely filled with bits he had looted. His face was obscured, but his intentions were clear as crystal shining in the sun's blaring rays of light.

The adventurer chuckled to herself, amped that there's trouble and a thief that needs to be stomped on. She trotted in place and darted for the thief making a mad dash out the village. Unfortunately, for him, he didn't count on Adventure Extraordinaire, Flare Brimstone, clutching the thief's ripped garb. She threw him to the dusty ground with a mighty thud.

The stallion let out a cry of pain as he forced himself from the rocky earth. He laid eyes on the ardent mare covered in a brown vest and brown pants. Her countenance displayed a roaring passion for danger. She scraped the ground with her hoof as the fire in her eyes locked on the stallion.

There's was this unnatural tension swelling inside him, as the mare before the stallion exhumed some kind of freaky aura. His eyes widened in suspense as he stepped back: Afraid, he was about to turn the other direction to flee; the apprehension he felt compelled him to stay, to the stallion's dismay.

Flare Brimstone blitzed behind the stallion before he had to chance to even think. She wrapped her forelegs around his waist, lifted the stallion with little to no effort, and fell backward, slamming his back on the ground; a low rumble reverberated across the village. Everypony was silent, even the wind. The stallion's eyes rattled, and his ears rang, then he passed out. Flare Brimstone had cracked the earth underneath the stallion; it wasn't her intention to get so rough, however, the job was done, nonetheless.

Flare retrieved the bag of stolen bits presented them to the mare that tailed the thief. She bowed in appreciation as Flare Brimstone laughed loudly, triumphant. A crowd gathered around the pony and cheered. It was pretty awesome; however, another cloaked stallion pushed his way through the crowd, and with a sharp ching, unsheathed a hidden blade and attempted to assassinate Flare Brimstone.

The mare looked over and saw the stallion galloping towards her, but before he could try to make contact with Flare, a figure jumped from the crowd and landed on the assailant, causing him to crash to the ground in a skidding halt. Then the figure stomped their hoof on the stallion, knocking him out completely.

The crowd and even Flare Brimstone were silent, yet she grew a large smile on her face. The figure, a mare, wore a broad hat, draped in a purple garb while sporting comically large glasses, but her gaze was hardened and cold. The folk of the town dispersed as the mare rounded up the stallion Flare Brimstone took out with the other one.

"Well, I'll be," Flare uttered in awe, rubbing the back of her mane. "I haven't seen you in quite some time, Dazzle."

"It's Daring Do, Flare, and don't call me that in public," she snipped at the bat pony. "You don't see me calling out your nickname 'Lucky' in public, do you?"

Flare Brimstone laughed merrily. "I haven't seen you since we raided that temple. You know, the one that exploded."

Daring Do rolled her eyes and scowled at her ally. "You mean the one you exploded? We almost died."

"Ah, good times," she replied jovially. "So, what you been up to?"

Daring Do began to tie the thieves together. "I've been taking a break from all the danger, but recently, I encountered a problem. What about you?"

Flare Brimstone licked her lips and puffed out her chest. "I'm on a mission for Her Radiance. I even brought a small friend along with the ride," she whispered in Daring Do's ear. "It's cradled in my pocket. It's so cute when it is sleeping."

Daring Do raised her brow; curiosity got the better of her and she bit. "What is it?"

Flare Brimstone chuckled and presented a small snake napping soundly in her hooves. "Its name is Nesotoc, and I brought it out here to give it some nice, fresh...fuggy air."

Daring Do groaned and rubbed her face. "Of course, it's a snake. There's always a snake, is there? Well, care to tell me about your mission Princess Celestia gave you?"

"Well," Flare started, gently putting Nesotoc into her pocket, "Princess Celestia informed me that there have been strange happenings in Southern Equestria, and told me to investigate. She also informed me that I would be having a partner during my investigation."

Daring Do chuckled softly. "That's my problem. So, you'll be my partner, yeah?"

Flare Brimstone excitedly trotted in place. "You're the cohort!" she beamed joyfully, embracing her friend. "This is great! It's been too long since we teamed up, Dazzle!"

Daring Do groaned and strained to release herself from Flare's wickedly killer grip. "It's Daring Do, Flare," she grumbled. "Come on, let's take these two idiots to the slammer. We'll question them and hopefully get some answers."

Flare Brimstone agreed, scooping up the thieves on her back as Daring Do lead the way. The two mares entered a small house where a stallion, the sheriff, resides. He thanks the mares for stopping the thieves and guides them to a few jail cells. Flare Brimstone tosses the thieves into different cells, causing them to spring up as a jarring pain rose from the back of their heads.

They take a second to gather themselves, meeting the gazes of Daring Do and Flare Brimstone. In an instant, they cowered, and they had every right to do so. One mare would make you eat a handful of dirt while the other one would do a suplex.

"Calm down," Flare said in a soft tone, sitting in front of the cell. "We want to ask you a few questions. My name is Flare Brimstone and I work for Her Radiant Majesty, Princess Celestia."

One of the thieves' eyes widened and immediately bowed in apology. "Please, spare me," he cried, sobbing as his face kissed the floor in front of Flare. "I'll do anything you want, but please, spare me the wrath of Her Majesty!"

"Dulock! Show some backbone, brother," he chastised. "We're already in trouble!"

"B-but Moddy..." his voice trails off as the stallion slinks into a corner of his jail cell.

"That you are," Daring Do uttered as she stepped closer to the cell. "One of you tried to assassinate the agent of Princess Celestia and the other tried to steal from hardworking ponies, so suffice to say, you have already earned Her Highness's ire. If you both answer our questions, Flare may be able to alleviate your punishments."

Flare Brimstone nodded. "I'm only here because of strange occurrences taking place around Southern Equestria. Tell us what you know."

Dulock looked at his brother with tears streaming down his face and then back at the two mares, wiping his tears. "O-okay... We'll talk."

Flare smiled. "Good," she said. "What do you both know? Since your thieves, it should be no surprise that you both have seen a few things outside the town. Tell us what you know."

Moddy began to explain. "We weren't always thieves, we were merchants," he confessed, the brows of both Daring and Flare rose in confusion. "It happened a few weeks ago, but I remember it like it was yesterday...the sky was a dismal color. The wind was cold that evening, more so than usual, and the air had a foul taste to it like it was being violated by an ugly force of nature. We don't get rain or storms around here often, but it came, and disaster struck harder than a bludgeon smashing a cart full of cabbages."

Daring Do was taken slightly aback from Moddy's descriptions, asking, "What happened? What did you and Dulock see?"

Moddy was hesitant, choking on his words, but he found the strength to begin again. "I can't tell you," He solemnly mumbled, his eyes becoming dark and gloomy. "It was all a blur when it stormed through. It came out of nowhere, as silent as the wind with the ferocity of a typhoon; there was no stopping its path. The creature destroyed the town my brother and I grew up in, leaving naught but destruction and ash. As quickly as it came, it left. It just...disappeared."

Flare Brimstone's eyes narrowed as she mused Moddy's conferred confessions, then she looked at the stallion with a sternly critical visage. "So, you both are victims of whatever trashed your town. Losing everything, you both resorted to becoming lowly thieves," she spoke with a trace of bitterness over her words. "Fine. You two are off the hook."

"Are you serious?!" Daring Do spat at her partner. "I didn't expect this coming out of you. Why?"

"Because Her Majesty would have done the same thing," the bat pony uttered under her breath, hissing at Daring Do. "I know it's silly, but this is the right thing. With that being said, however, you are still getting punished for attempted murder and thievery and will sit in these cells until the investigation here is concluded. On top of that, you will have your merchant licenses revoked in Southern Equestria; you will never work in this part of the country again as a vendor. Is this clear?"

Dulock cried as Moddy was seething with rage. "You can't do this!" he bellowed, hitting the bars of the cell. "This isn't fair!"

Flare Brimstone stomped the ground and cracked it on impact, snapping everypony into attention; Daring Do was surprised to see this side of her bat pony friend. "Either this or spend a lifetime in a dungeon as atonement. I empathize with you both, but we can't simply look this over."

Moddy's eyes widened as he slumped over, limping to a corner of the cell to sulk, accepting his fate. Dulock was silent. He had never seen him so despondent.

Flare Brimstone chuckled. "Princess Celestia always had a kick for exacerbating these issues, so let me say this: if you two assist in my mission, the crimes you just committed will be wiped clean."

Moddy and Dulock were speechless, quickly crawling to the bars and bowing Flare Brimstone and Daring Do in forgiveness.

Daring Do sighed and rolled her eyes. "Here I thought you changed," she jeered, punching Flare's right foreleg playfully.

Flare stuck her tongue out at her friend. "You certainly changed," she started, shrugging. "The old you would've seen these two stallions in a dungeon for what they committed. Over the years, your serious disposition has seldom lessened; ebb & flow, I suppose."

"Maybe I'm getting too old." Daring Do titters, turning her attention to the brothers. "Is there anything else you two can help us with?"

Moddy was silent, shaking his head. After a few moments of gathering his thoughts, he rose his head to answer his captors. "When the towering creature came to our town, we were hit with a wave none of us couldn't explain thoroughly. It... felt like magic. It bellowed loudly, and when it screeched, it was like nails on a chalkboard; it rang in our ears and muddled with our vision; we almost passed out, but we managed to escape the harrowing ordeal just barely with our lives."

Flare Brimstone mused Moddy's words before shifting her gaze at her pegasus friend. "A towering creature with magic? And here I thought we'd be messing with Tirek, but he's incarcerated back to Tartarus. Daring," the bat pony continued, "I say we get over to this other town and see what some of the locals have to say."

Daring Do raised her brow. "You think one of them saw something different?"

Flare Brimstone nodded in affirmation. "Indeed. I have my suspicions, but before I inform you of my thoughts, I want to make sure that this is the case before jumping to conclusions."

"Alright," Daring Do let out with gusto, "let's not delay. Moddy, Dulock, what's your town named?"

Dulock rose his head. "Haystrings," he answered softly. "It's a few hours from Somnambula if you're trotting, and thirty minutes if you are flying. Go east of this village, and then follow the beaten path."

"But be careful," Moddy grimly chimed in. "We do not know where that beast is lurking. Be on your guard; that horrid monstrosity could appear out of nowhere."

Flare Brimstone wore a warm smile. "We will," she whispered. "I'm sorry for what happened to you both. Once the mission is concluded, you and your brother will be set free, and I'll forget what you both had done."

The two mares set out to Haystrings, exiting east of Somnambula. Flare Brimstone inhaled the arid breeze's air with a sigh of relief before stretching her limbs. Daring did the same.

"You ready?" Flare asked with a smile, trotting in place.

Daring Do rolled her eyes, pointing to her wings and Flare's bat-like variants. "You know we can fly, right? Open your wings, Flare," she bade to her eccentric bat friend.

Flare Brimstone looked at her wings gaily and shook her head merrily, saying, "Nah, I like galloping much better! Don't get me wrong, I do use my cute wings for other stuff, but I get a rush of adrenaline when I run!"

Daring Do groaned softly, rubbing her forehead. "Like you need it. You think you'll get there faster?"

Flare Brimstone nodded vehemently and extended her right hoof towards her adventurous ally. "I've gotten super fast since the last time you saw me a few years back, Dazzle," she winked with a sly look across her face. "Come on, let me show you!"

Flare Brimstone egged Daring Do with her right hoof, whom the pegasus was hesitant to hold knowing of her... bizarreness, but she couldn't refuse when the bat pony's eyes began to rapidly flutter seductively at her. Irked by Flare's incessant blinking, Daring Do begrudgingly obliged, and a part of her wishes she hadn't been persuaded so easily, but what's a mare to do?

With an odd squeal and a nutsy look most would call deranged; Flare Brimstone snatched Daring Do's hoof and zipped on the beaten path with reckless abandon, leaving nothing but dust as she blitzed. Daring Do couldn't believe the astronomical speed Flare was able to put out; everything was a colorful blur to the pegasus.

"Holy sweet Sun of Celestia! F-Flare, you crazy pony! Please slow down," Daring Do called out desperately. "I-I can't see anything!" Unfortunately, Daring Do's requests fell on deaf ears; Flare Brimstone was in the zone, and in her excitement, blocked out any noise, to Daring's dismay.

The mare wasn't getting any younger.

Flare Brimstone was so determined to figure out what this monster is, it filled her hooves with the speed that would put Rainbow Dash to shame. Five minutes, accompanied by shouts and screams from the bat pony's partner. That's all it took. The duo found themselves skidding across the rugged earth to a smooth swerve before finally coming to a halt.

Flare Brimstone cheerily skipped in place while Daring Do have an awestruck expression. She fixed her mane and gasped for air: She had to make a mental note to not allow Flare to get her way like that ever again, lest she shave years off her life.

The two mares focused their gaze upon the ruined state of Haystrings. Houses were broken down and the marketplace was a mess, but at least the residents of Haystrings were still around, although few and far between. With the market in a state of disrepair, it made sense for those who made a living as vendors go out the town to the other towns and villages stationed in Southern Equestria.

The two mares enter the town and begin to question the inhabitants about what they saw weeks ago. One stallion was approached by the mares and asked what had happened.

"Well," the stallion began, "the sky was dark, and it was storming when that thing came out of nowhere, screeching and hollering like mad. I thought the end times were upon us, I truly did. It was a monstrosity, however majestic, and I saw it cast magic that bombarded our homes." The stallion gestured to the houses that lay scattered across the town. "The harrowing beast sure made quick work of our quaint little town. We are still looking for any survivors."

Flare Brimstone took in the stallion's information and sighed heavily. It was nearly the same as Moddy's description. "Anything else?"

The stallion nodded. "It had razor-sharp fangs, hooves, four legs, a long tail, two curved horns that stretched to the back of its head, and it had fur that swayed chaotically amongst the storms. We hardly ever get storms here; there hasn't been a weather team here for months!"

Daring Do looked to Flare, who was soaking in the stallion's knowledge. "Should we ask another?"

Flare grinned at her friend. "Yeah," she said, turning to face the stallion. "Thanks for sharing your experience. Is there another pony here that might've seen the beast?"

The stallion mused Flare's question, and then an idea struck him. "Yeah, there is, but not a pony," he answered, gesturing his hoof towards a dilapidated home at the end of the village. "That's where the beast entered, near Maggy's home. She's an avian who witnessed the events two weeks ago. Talk with her and you'll get some more info."

The two mares appreciated the stallion's help and hurriedly made their way to Maggy's home. It was in a sorry state, but it is one of the only houses that still stood from the attack. They circled to the back of the house and saw Maggy sweeping the debris and approached her tentatively.

Maggy had a brown shirt, brown pants with a large brown hat, and black shades covering her eyes. She waved at Flare and Daring Do with a small smile. "The name's Maggy, a vendor from Saddle Arabia, but as you can see...I'm out of business at the moment. So is everypony else for that matter."

Flare stepped forward. "My name is Flare Brimstone, and this is Daring Do," the bat pony introduced to Maggy. "I work for Princess Celestia. My partner and I were wondering if you could tell us what you saw two weeks ago."

Maggy placed a claw on her beak and tapped it to recollect the event. She looked down at the ponies and says, "It was stormy that day, but there was no sign of any weather team around Haystrings. The wind picked up and it suddenly appeared out of nowhere, the beast, I mean, and it began to wreak havoc on the town. The thing screeched and magic poured from those curved horns. Its glowing eyes were large and golden-yellow, and the way it rampaged throughout the town...it was unstoppable. I've never seen anything like it before."

Flare Brimstone's eyes narrowed. Every bit of information is nearly the same: the storm, the magic, the size, the way it thundered through the town, and the destruction it left behind. The musing bat pony didn't want to confirm her thoughts, hoping it wasn't the case, but as the townsfolk continued to say otherwise, it seems to point in that direction.

Flare Brimstone thanked Maggy's cooperation as she and Daring Do leave the avian to her devices. From that, the two mares proceeded to question the townies before the duo congregated outside Haystrings.

Daring Do tapped Flare out of her concentration. "Care to share what's on your mind?"

Flare Brimstone sighed and ran her hoof down her mane before eying her friend with a firm nod. "The shift in nature; the storms, the magic, and the appearance we were able to gather from the locals all point to something I didn't want to be true," she whispered exasperatedly. "We may be dealing with a Xexion Clover Beast."

Daring Do was confused, asking, "Xexion Clover Beast?"

"In Northern Equestria, there is a place called Hunter's Ground that harbors many dangerous and deadly monsters found in and out of Equestria," Flare began to explain. "XCBs or Xexion Clover Beasts are found exclusively in Beasts' Dwelling, a massive forest Hunter's Ground oversees. Some ponies all over Equestria with talents for fighting go there to prove themselves to land a job as a bounty hunter/monster hunter.

"It's only been around for five years, and the occupation of a hunter of any kind is fairly new. Despite the purpose of Hunter's Ground and Beasts' Dwelling, there is a species of monster that no hunter, seasoned or not, especially alicorns, mess with unless it is completely necessary, and that's Xexion Clover Beasts."

Daring Do saw Flare Brimstone was visibly shaken and worried. "So, what are they doing there then if they're so dangerous?"

"Xexion Clover Beasts are an endangered species, and they reside in Beasts' Dwelling in a secluded area away from the other creatures to reduce the risk of aggravation," Flare answered, constantly rubbing her mane. "They are also studied by Canterlot Researchers under the supervision of the late president's daughter, Milly Mantle. They usually have certain machines and tech to help in their endeavors. I haven't been up there much at all.

"Xexion Clover Beasts are the most docile creatures in the world, and they often, from what I heard, don't mind when the Canterlot Researchers get near them for studying. However, if you make a gentle giant angry, the results could be disastrous. XCBs are one of the few creatures to wield magic, and they are magically and physically as powerful as an alicorn, and there are no more than twenty of them left in all of existence. If one goes on a rampage, it's almost impossible to calm one down. That's why I'm worried."

Daring Do was silent, trying to soak up all the information Flare had explained. "You have a very good reason to worry, and I'm guessing it's the fact one of those creatures somehow made its way to Southern Equestria?" Daring assumed.

Flare Brimstone affirmed her partner's thought. "It doesn't make any sense," she mumbled, continually rubbing her mane in a frenzy. "How the hay did an XCB manage to not only exit Beasts' Dwelling, but also travel down here?! They aren't ignorant creatures, they're very smart, but they live as a herd!"

"I haven't seen you like this. You're truly concerned, aren't you?"

"How can I not be?! We have an XCB on the loose! That creature is dangerous when angered, and judging from what information we gathered, it's royally peeved!" Flare Brimstone groaned and faced hooved. "Normally, I would be excited to take on one of these magnificent creatures, but the situation we're in is quite dire: There are citizens at stake here. This XCB, in particular, can just emerge and begin to wreak havoc."

Daring Do sighed and placed her hoof on Flare's face. "Relax. It's not like you to appear... troubled," she said in a low voice, tapping Flare's face. "So far, as we've seen, there's been no casualties. Put aside your concerns and let's figure this out."

Flare Brimstone took a deep breath and exhaled. "Thanks," she uttered. "It's not every day you get to go hunting for a Xexion Clover Beast! But we need to figure out how it even got down here in the first place. Any ideas?"

Daring Do mulled over Flare's query and decided that they should head back to Somnambula. Flare Brimstone agrees and the duo starts flying back to the village.

While the trip there has been kind of quiet with Flare trying to figure out the situation with the Xexion Clover Beast, Daring Do had decided to ask another question about the species.

"Flare," Daring began, tapping on her friend's back mid-flight, "why exactly are XCBs endangered? With all their power, how are they at risk of extinction?"

Flare pondered Daring's question before looking back at her compatriot. "When XCBs are young, they are weak and unable to defend themselves, more so than unicorn foals are," she answered, continuing to explain. "Their hide is soft, they don't have access to magic until they're older, and they have no signs of physical strength when born. It's best to get rid of the infant before it grows up enough to defend itself. Predators had an easy time with that and even, on scarce occasions, poachers."

"That's...a little morbid."

Flare Brimstone agreed. "Princess Celestia herded every single XCB and transported them personally with Princess Luna, Princess Twilight Sparkle, and even Princess Cadence from the Crystal Empire. Thankfully, XCBs are very cooperative, so moving them wasn't a difficult task, especially with the expert aid of a pegasus named Fluttershy. She made the process even easier from what I heard."

Daring Do was mildly whelmed. "That's a lot of security. Now we have to find out how one managed to get down here."

"It couldn't have done it alone. XCBs are social creatures and live in herds with their species," she explained plainly. "If one were by itself, it would be, at best, confused. It needs direction."

Daring's eyes narrowed as she pulled Flare's attention to something out in the distance. It was a giant sandstorm forming. Suddenly, the air around the mares began to shift, the sky was becoming dark and shrouded by clouds that came out of nowhere.

"What the hay is going on?!" Flare shouted.

Before the duo could discern what was happening, a green glint caught Flare's eye as a beam of emerald magic is directed at Daring Do. With little time to think, Flare Brimstone pushed her friend out the way as the beam collides and engulfs the bat pony's body, sending the sprawling mare plummeting to the ground with a large crash.

"Flare!" Daring Do cried out, descending to the ground. Daring fanned the dust away to see a small crater where Flare laid in: She was motionless. Daring hurriedly galloped to Flare Brimstone and tried to awaken her.

She shook and lightly slapped at Flare's body, but she wasn't responding. Cursing under her breath, Daring Do heard a monstrous screech that filled her ears with the worst pain imaginable as she yelled in distress. It rang incessantly in her ears, but Daring Do didn't relent, and she finally was able to awaken her friend, but not before falling to the ground in exhaustion. Flare sprung to life and looked that Daring Do was unconscious. With a large inhale, Flare Brimstone blitzed towards the disturbance, piercing through the sandstorm with sheer strength, and laid her eyes on the Xexion Clover Beast.

"Sun of Celestia," she uttered, astonished at the towering beast before her. A quick observation reveals that this XCB is merely a juvenile; a teenager, with something odd attached around its neck. "That shouldn't be there. Whatever that black object is, it may be agitating the XCB. I wonder what would happen if I removed it..."

With Daring Do temporarily out of commission, Flare Brimstone digs into her pocket and fishes out Nesotoc, who's still sleeping soundly.

Flare Brimstone was awestruck at how heavy a sleeper Nesotoc is. "This makes me wonder how well you guard my valuables at the shop," she jeered, booping the snake awake. With a cute yawn, Nesotoc springs to life. "Nessie, I need your assistance!"

Flare Brimstone directed the snake to the giant XCB in front of her. Nesotoc was unfazed. "Clover... beast. Unholy creature; an adversary; detestable rivals."

Flare was surprised. "You mean to tell me that this large beast is some lifelong enemy to your species?!"

Nesotoc nodded, its tongue flicking constantly from its mouth. "Direct me and I shall deliver."

"There's that odd object around the beast's neck," she pointed to the black thing with her hoof. "We're going to attempt to take it off and hopefully calm the creature down. You up for some action?"

Nesotoc chortled, saying, "Born ready."

Flare Brimstone displayed a wicked grin as she chucked Nesotoc into the air. Black smoke shrouded the snake as Nesotoc screeched, growing in size. The smoke clears and the snake towers over Flare Brimstone who whistles in amazement; it has been a little while since she's seen her friend take the big form.

She jumps onto Nesotoc's back and yelled, "Charge!" The snake slithers quickly around the XCB, who began to send a torrent of emerald lasers from its eyes with the intent to kill.

Luckily, Nesotoc was able to maneuver amongst the cascade of spells, whipping its tail around the right hind leg of the XCB, reeling back, and snapping forward into the air, landing safely on the giant's back.

"Nesotoc, just get me to that black object!" Flare directed with gusto. "Once I get a handle on the object, it'll be up to you to distract the giant!"

Nesotoc nodded, grabbing Flare Brimstone with its tail and flinging her forward at breakneck speed until the bat pony seized the giant black object, which, on closer inspection, is a type of fetter enclapsed tightly around the XCB's neck; the odd gyve was made up of metal. It's some type of tech... and it's ponymade, but who could have created these shackles? Flare has never seen something like this before, but that didn't matter at the moment.

The XCB bellowed angrily, snapping Flare out of her musing as the creature violently battled Nesotoc. Flare Brimstone was on a time limit; there may not be another chance to attempt to remove this black fetter. She punches and kicks the object to no avail. She tried pulling and lifting the object, but her endeavor had failed. There seemed to be no way to forcefully remove the object from the XCB, and Flare Brimstone had no answer to solve the problem.

Time was not on her side, and eventually, as she witnessed, Nesotoc being thrown into the earth with a large crash. Stunned seeing her companion hurt, Flare Brimstone was struck by an emerald blast of magic that sent her hurling into the ground, splitting the earth around her in a four-way fissure.

Hurriedly recovering from the crash, Flare Brimstone spat blood from her mouth to the ground as a wickedly fiery smile found its way on her face. She lurched and careened into the danger of the XCB; the monstrous beast lifting its hoof to smash the bat pony: Flare raises her front hooves to catch the beast's hoof. Immediately, the ground gave away and Flare fell into the earth, yet she still held the hoof of the XCB with all her strength. Her body ached, her eyes strained, and she felt the weight of the monster was stronger than Princess Luna's Tantabus by a wide margin. It was trying to kill her.

The lowly rumble of the reverberations from the creature's attack awoke Daring Do, who turned her attention to the beast. She saw the ground beginning to be torn sunder and ripple wildly as an ocean's turbulent billow. She looked around to find Flare Brimstone, but she was nowhere to be seen, most likely fighting the XCB, and by the looks of it, she was losing.

What could Daring Do hope to accomplish? Sure, she was strong and dexterous, but she could not compete in any physical prowess against Flare. If anything, she'd only get in the way, but she couldn't just stand there and let her bat pony pal struggle against that XCB. Without further delay, Daring Do flew quickly towards the fight, but only to stop after getting a clearer view of the beast's body, especially its neck.

"I've seen that before but from where?" she pondered. The black fetter clutching around the beast's neck sent Daring Do's mind racing, and that's when it hit her. "Caballeron! I should have known!"

Basking in her sudden revelation, Daring Do gets caught off guard as Flare Brimstone yelled at the top of her lungs, pushing the giant XCB back. Daring witnesses Flare blitzing out of the large crater in a wicked blur, punching the face of the XCB as the force of each impact rippled in the air. The immense physical feat sent the XCB toppling towards the ground.

Daring Do saw Flare's mane and coat disheveled; she was sweaty with a crazed ire, her slit pupils were shimmering, and her ears swiveled constantly, trying to hear unexpected sounds. Flare momentarily shifted her gaze to Daring Do and darted in front of her ally.

"Good to see you awake," the bat pony said quietly. "There's a black object around the XCB's neck, and I assume it's making the beast go mad. I've been trying to remove it, but it won't budge. Right now, I will attempt to weaken the beast and try again to remove the object when I have a chance."

Daring Do was almost unnerved by not only Flare's appearance, but the way she talked with such coldness in her voice was worrisome. The pegasus quickly abated her friend's attempt by saying, "I know what that device is, or rather, I know who it belongs to," she told her batty companion. "It's from a merc named Caballeron, one of my enemies. He probably stole the device to control an XCB, and for what reason? To take his revenge on me."

Flare Brimstone's eyes narrowed with contempt. "He's that thief and attempted murderer," she replied coldly, her hoof scraping at the earth in agitation. "Do you know where he might be?"

"Not exactly," Daring replied, seeing her bat pony pal frustrated with her answer. "However, I do know that he has to be in range to control the beast; he's hiding somewhere close by. Keep the XCB occupied, and I'll track down, confront, and takedown Caballeron. We passed a rainforest during our... speedy travel to Haystrings. I'll look there."

Flare nodded. "Good deal," she said, turning her gaze towards the large crater. "I'm sorry you had to see me like this."

"Don't worry about it. Let's get this done. You ready?"

Flare smiled. "I am." Flare Brimstone called out to Nesotoc as it rose from the earth and slithered over to the bat pony. Daring was awestruck. "Nessie, new plan. We'll keep the beast occupied while my friend tracks down the one responsible. Ready to go?"

"Yes," it said, ushering Flare to climb on its back. She did and ordered Nesotoc to charge toward the XCB. The crew parted ways. Daring Do heads off to the rainforest to find Caballeron hidden within.

Daring Do whips through the trees with expertise, flawlessly swinging on vines and weaving by the foliage, and occasionally taking down/escaping a few tigers and other animals of the like during her search for her old enemy. She tirelessly searched high and low until her frantic scouring leads her to an abandoned, dilapidated hovel barely standing against the rot of time.

Hopefully, Daring Do will confront Caballeron. Forward she goes, smashing down the grimy door and trekking within the dark, shady hovel. It was a dry smell as dust flittered in the air when Daring Do hear the cackling of a stallion further in the slum of a home. Wary, Daring Do exercised caution until she met the source of the cackling. A gruff stallion sat in the middle of the room grasping a small device that conveyed the fight currently taking place with Flare and the XCB.

"That troublesome agent has too much on her plate, removing her from my plan worked," he confessed, laughing gaily. "But it seems my scheme to draw out Daring Do has already succeeded, and what's left is the main event." Caballeron turns to meet Daring's glowering, ire-filled gaze. "Welcome, Daring Do. It's a displeasure to see you alive and well. Come in, make your hate comfortable."

Daring Do refused, thinking that Caballeron set up traps to harm her, but he chuckled at the pegasus. "There's no foul play here, I assure you, not that it's necessary," he said, raising from the dirty floor. "You're wasting valuable time standing there, Daring, so come and step inside."

Daring Do reluctantly stepped forth and entered Caballeron's room. "What have you done?! Answer me!" she demanded with a stomp on the floor.

Caballeron smirked. "I snuck into Beasts' Dwelling, coerced a gullible Xexion Clover Beast into following me away from its pack, and forced it to wear the Mind Ring."

"I knew it," Daring Do said angrily. "I've seen it only twice, but for you to acquire one... how did you? You aren't smart enough to build that thing."

"You're right, so I stole it from those Canterlot Researchers in Hunter's Ground. Those fools left something so powerful unguarded... what a joke!"

"Caballeron," Daring uttered threateningly, "deactivate the Mind Ring and I promise I won't break most of your bones."

Caballeron shook his head dejectedly. "Not until you give me what I want."

"I wasn't asking, you rat."

"The fire in your eyes is exactly what I want. It's just us. Here. Alone. Only hatred of the other exists here, and that's what I want."

Daring raised a brow. "What are you suggesting?"

"That we have one last fight. I'm sick and tired of you ruining everything, so I'm going to make sure that this time, once and for all, you will never stand in my way again!"

Daring huffed and smiled. "Attempted murderer to murderer, huh?" she quipped. "Fine. I'm sick of you as well."

Caballeron cackled madly. "My last act of mercy is allowing you to breathe in your final moments but let me ask you something. Would you kill to save your friend?"

Daring Do didn't answer as Caballeron took out a serrated knife from his pocket. He sharpened it and stared at the pegasus with a vicious ire. "You'll have to make a decision. It's me or you. How far will the famous Daring Do go to save a pony she cares for?" Caballeron marched forward as Daring trod back. "A dream will end before the evening fades to black!"

Caballeron zips over to Daring Do and swipes at her with the knife. The pegasus dodged her enemy's attack and countered with a push. She dashes forward and uses her tail to wrap around the knife, struggling to disarm Caballeron as he retaliates.

"You won't get out of this situation like you always do! You will make a choice, Daring Do!" Caballeron yelled, bucking Daring into a wall as a yelp escaped her lips.

Caballeron runs up to Daring and attempts to jab the knife in her side, but Daring was able to use her tail to grip the knife. Her endeavor to slow the speed of the knife fails and it slowly makes contact with her flesh as a suppressed scream built inside her throat.

"Heroes do bleed; you will rue the times you hadn't killed me when the chances presented themselves," Caballeron said with the knife slowly digging into Daring's body. "It seems that I will win our final fight!"

In an instant, Daring Do removed the knife with all her strength and headbutts Caballeron to the ground as she fell as well.

"Caballeron... you are a fool," Daring whispered, clutching her seething wound with her hoof. "All this just for revenge. You can't come back from this. You've cracked..."

Caballeron laughs at Daring's words, and he agrees wholeheartedly. "What's the point of stealing if you are just going to stop me? I can't tell how many schemes I concocted to eliminate you, but all of them never mattered because you always came out on top. So, I came up with the plan of all plans, and I forced you to find me. It's such a simple plan: a knife to the throat or gut. And it's going well so far," gesturing to Daring Do's wound.

The pegasus needed to end this quickly; she has to get that Mind Ring deactivated. She rushes and collides with Caballeron as they continued fighting. A punch here, a kick there accompanied by pained grunts and wincing, the two foes fought for ten minutes straight until finally Caballeron staggers from his injuries and drops the knife. Acting quickly, Daring Do painfully snatches the knife and impales Caballeron's chest, pushing him against a wall as the knife deepens beneath his flesh.

A burning, seething pain shoots through Caballeron as he howls in pain, punching Daring Do's body, but each strike became weaker and slower. Daring lets Caballeron go as his body slumps down and his head hits the floor in a heavy thud.

Daring Do stepped away from Caballeron, taking in every labored breath she could muster. It was done. She stopped him... but she felt awful.

"Caballeron?" Daring called out cautiously, inching herself over his body. She saw faint movement; he was alive. "Thank Celestia. Now, let's put an end to that Mind Ring."

Daring Do trots over to the device and manages to turn off the Mind Ring controlling the XCB. On the screen, she saw the beast fall to the ground in exhaustion. She watched as Flare Brimstone plopped on the ground next to it with Nesotoc following suit. It was over, a sigh of relief exited Daring's mouth before she smashed the device.

"Now I have to worry about this wound and Caballeron... just my luck."

Daring Do stumbled out of the hovel and carefully made her way back to the dirt road where she saw Flare Brimstone nuzzling and booping Nesotoc lovingly. The pegasus called out to Flare as she flew beside her.

"What happened to you?!" Flare Brimstone cried out in surprise. "Did that no-good Caballeron do this?!"

Daring rubbed her mane, saying, "Yeah, he did, but trust me, he's worse for wear right now."

"If you say so. Tell me about the black object around the XCB."

Daring Do said that the object is called a Mind Ring and that she's seen it on her adventures before. It's an ancient magical band that latches firmly on a living creature and gives control to the user. It can even grow in size to accommodate the wearer. However, Daring pointed out that this one, in particular, is ponymade and infused magic along with technology, allowing the user to remotely control the recipient's mind completely. It's typically used for certain species of animals for the sake of safe and secure experimentation, no matter how violent or friendly the creature(s) is.

Daring Do explained that she smashed the device that was controlling the XCB, effectively severing the ring's influence entirely. Until a new device is created for that ring, it is nothing more than a useless piece of scrap.

"Whew... everything took a left turn so quickly that's it's hard to process, but somehow we made it here."

Daring Do chuckled before wincing at her wound. "Argh... so what now?"

Flare ponders Daring's question before concluding. "I need to send a letter to Princess Celestia informing her what happened here. She should send some guards to collect what remains of that thief."

Daring nodded. "And then what about the XCB?"

"I'll have to request Her Radiance if the animal expert, Fluttershy, would be willing to help escort the XCB back to Beasts' Dwelling. I'll have to mention the Mind Ring as well since it came from the Canterlot Researchers stationed in Hunter's Ground. After that, the rest is history; Princess Celestia will oversee everything else."

"Sounds like a plan," Daring Do said, slowly sitting on the ground. "I need to get this wound looked at... and you need a bath."

Flare Brimstone sighed. "I don't look too bad, right? Few bruises here and there, some bleeding in places I can't see, but I'm just fine."

"I forget how tolerated you are to pain, and how hard-headed you so easily brush off your injuries. Be careful, that'll get you seriously hurt or worse," the pegasus warned, playfully punching Flare's right foreleg.

Flare dismissively waved off Daring's concerns with a lazy hoof in the air. "Yeah, yeah, I know. Let's ride on Nesotoc back to Somnambula and get ourselves cleaned up. After, I'll head back to the XCB while you release the thieves from the afternoon."

And the day passed them by. Around Midnight, Princess Celestia had sent an entire squadron of guards to collect Caballeron from his hovel. Fluttershy arrived with the guards and made her way to Flare Brimstone and Daring Do and introduced herself, amped and ready to comfort the XCB.

The guards eventually met up with the duo, seeing Caballeron restrained within a glowing yellow cage. He is to present himself to Princess Celestia and Princess Luna to discuss his punishment, and once Princess Celestia finds out what he did, especially to Flare Brimstone when enacting his final plan, Caballeron will have wished he never met Her Radiance.

Moddy and Dulock were released and were told that a weather team will be around Haystrings and other parts of Southern Equestria to give the region its long-awaited rainfall tomorrow evening. Also, they were informed that an architect and a group of builders will be sent out to help with the repair and reconstruction of Haystrings. The brothers went to Haystrings to tell the rest of the village the good news.

Daring Do's wounds were treated expertly by one of the guards and then patched up finely. Flare Brimstone was treated as well, but despite the injuries she had sustained fighting the XCB, most of the inflicted damage had mysteriously been alleviated hours before the squadron of guards showed up. To her non-existent chagrin, Flare Brimstone kept quiet about how she ministered her wounds without the aid of medical supplies, and she was not questioned.

With the whole ordeal finally coming to a close, Daring Do and Flare Brimstone shared a heartfelt embrace as the guards made their way back to the capital and Fluttershy slowly encouraged the XCB on their journey to Hunter's Ground and Beasts' Dwelling.

"You should probably meet up with Fluttershy shortly, Flare. She'll need aid in keeping the Xexion Clover Beast on track," Daring Do said plainly.

Flare nodded. "You're right. What are you going to do now, Dazzle?"

Daring tapped her chin with her hoof and an idea came to light. "I'm taking a step down from all the danger, maybe travel to the more... peaceful places Equestria has to offer since I'm in retirement. Although I might reconsider after the adventure."

Flare Brimstone laughed before checking her pocket and seeing a cute Nesotoc slumbering soundly. With a small sigh, she gently put him back in her pocket and bid Daring Do farewell as the bat pony caught up to Fluttershy and the XCB.

Until the next Adventure of Flare Brimstone.

Adventurous Remembrance

Author's Note

Time to give the wonderful bat pony a rest from her hectic life.

Adventurous Remembrance

Another day in Equestria for the bat pony, Flare Brimstone, an ardent adventurer and shopkeeper in the village of Ponyville. It was her day off, a perfect time to lounge around the shop awaiting customers with her little snake pet/friend Nesotoc, who was napping soundly, coiled up around Flare Brimstone's neck.

The morning was slow. At noon she had a few customers, and with the afternoon came a bit more, then during the evening, she had made a total of twenty sales, which was great considering every item she possessed had been discovered over her endless adventures around the world. It was a nice feeling, that, for once, the bat pony could mellow out and admire her surroundings. She would be lying if she said she didn't need a break from all the recent excursions throughout this year.

Every creature in town knew Flare Brimstone and her journeys. She was an icon and agent to Princess Celestia, an ally of the Element Bearers, one of the very few bat ponies that lived outside of Hollow Shades, and a force of goodwill, whose merits are contrived from hard work and determination; she was indeed a character who has achieved much and more and unwittingly serves as a role model for many colts and fillies: She is respected and admired.

When nothing was going on, Flare Brimstone could stop and relax for a day or two before getting back to what she loved the most. The day swept on by and as the bat pony was closing up shop for the night, she heard a voice so serene, and calm call out from behind the mare.

Flare Brimstone turns around and basks in the magnificence of Princess Celestia and her former student and Princess of Friendship, Twilight Sparkle, who stood beside the tall alicorn with a gracious and kind smile. Caught off guard and spellbound by having two alicorns approach her quaint shop, Flare steeled herself and bowed before greeting the royalty.

"Your Majesties, to what do I owe the pleasure of your presences?" the bat pony inquired, scratching the top of her mane with her wing in faint confusion.

Princess Celestia stepped forth and embraced Flare Brimstone in a loving caress. "My agent," she began with her angelic voice, "Princess Twilight Sparkle and I were wondering if we could purchase a relic or two from your humble shop." Her Radiance looked at her agent's store and saw the sign say "closed" and frowned slightly, and so did Princess Twilight Sparkle. "But it seems we are too late. I never should have had those last few slices of cake..."

Unable to stand and see the princesses' frown, Flare Brimstone gently broke the embrace of Her Radiance and reopened her shop with a key cradled in the brown bag she carried around. She enters the shop and flips the "closed" sign to "open" and kindly beckoned the two princesses inside her little store.

Once the two entered, they were taken back by the casual look of the shop. It was a predominantly brown interior with a black floor. From right to left ten rows and ten columns of relics lined up the shelves featuring a variety of odd artifacts and trinkets Flare found over the years. Above them were objects and treasure displayed openly, all of them looking completely different from one another. Princess Celestia smiled when she saw the necklace, she and her sister, Princess Luna, made during their youth.

Flare Brimstone guided them to the cash register before going behind it and resting her forelegs atop the counter with a beautiful smile next to a still sleeping Nesotoc.

The lovely bat pony noticed the two alicorns glancing over to Nesotoc and giggling cutely. "Its name is Nesotoc, but I like to call it Nessie," Flare said quietly, smoothing the snake's body with her loving hoof. "Look around, my lords, and pick out what you desire."

The princesses obliged, veering around the shop with mused, curious looks plastered on their faces. Princess Celestia's eyes were instantly drawn to a black vase with white designs mirroring an opulent crown with crossed swords below it. The allure of the vase enraptured Princess Celestia and she asked Flare Brimstone where she obtained such a gloriously constructed item.

Flare trots on over and began to explain, saying, "Oh, that? It was a gift from Griffonstone after I assisted in rebuilding the town and train station and retrieving their Idol of Boreas from Abysmal Abyss. The gift itself came from a griffon artist named Nordly. After that, the griffons began seeing that ponies weren't all that bad. I'll have to return there and see if they appointed a new king or queen."

Princess Celestia was awestruck at Flare Brimstone's generosity and willingness to help the fallen, misery-stricken city back on their hooves... paws.

"You have done a great service, my agent, and you have my thanks," she said, grasping the vase with her magic. "How much will this wonderful vase be?"

Flare Brimstone shook her head and smiled. "Free of charge, Your Majesty."

Princess Celestia frowned a little before raising her brow. "My agent... I couldn't just take this for free. Allow me to pay you for it. Please."

Flare Brimstone rubbed the back of her mane softly, opening her mouth to object, but then she looked at Princess Celestia's countenance and saw she was using the dreaded... puppy dog eyes. It was an evil maneuver that usually allows the user to get away with what they want, and although Flare was usually immune to its dastardly effects, having it being performed by Princess Celestia affected her greatly in the heart, and she had no choice but to give in and usher the White Beauty to the counter for the vase's purchase. She hung her head in disgrace.

While the transaction was underway, Princess Twilight Sparkle lifted an off piece of... what seemed to be rubble that belonged to a gray, stone building, but it had the writing of a unique scripture she had never seen before. Enthralled by this observation, Princess Twilight Sparkle levitated over to the register where Flare Brimstone had just finished selling Princess Celestia the black vase. She moves out the way to have her former student attract Flare's attention.

"Could you elucidate where you came across this odd rubble?" the lavender alicorn asked with a gleeful grin. "This oddity has grafted my heart, and I simply have to know its origin!"

Flare Brimstone grinned and recalled the events in her head, assisted with the tapping of a hoof on her chin. "Ah, now I remember!" she said with a hoof lightly hitting the counter gaily. "It's from a ruined temple somewhere around the very pinnacle of Northern Equestria. The bizarre writing you see was written by a pony of old, a mare named Mother Oppiera, an evangelist." Flare Brimstone turned her attention to Princess Celestia. "You should know, Your Majesty."

Princess Celestia nodded solemnly. "Verily. Not just any evangelist, but the first; a priest."

Flare Brimstone agreed. "I thought you'd know her since how long you've been living," Flare said with a low chuckle before meeting Princess Twilight Sparkle's eyes again and beginning to explain who Mother Oppiera was.

Mother Oppiera was a unicorn who saw the ruler of Equestria as a goddess that is to be loved, worshipped, and respected. She conveyed to others to worship their ruler and built temples all over Equestria to assist and educate new ponies to idolize and praise the ruler and express their reverence to the Sun Goddess by writing poems, singing, painting, and performing dances.

She was so enamored and obsessed with Princess Celestia, Mother Oppiera created a religion for the Sun Goddess called Sunuism. It was a religion that practiced spreading love, peace, and harmony through acts of nonviolence or pacifism in the name of the Sun Goddess. It was widely accepted and welcomed wholeheartedly. Mother Oppiera, or Oppi as she was more commonly called by close friends and family, wrote, on parchment, sacred scriptures detailing the practices of Sunuism in fervent stacks.

Another stack served as her diary, detailing her personal feelings towards the Sun Goddess. It was an unhealthy infatuation she expressed so vehemently until her death a few thousand years ago. Flare Brimstone explained that the temples all around Equestria had been torn down and rotted away due to age and that only two of the temples stands against the test of time: There was one at the top of Northern Equestria and another in a village somewhere in the west, where those who still believe in the teachings are said to be living there.

"That rubble is part of a history that gathered ponies together to create harmony, a cornerstone of our world in which we value highly," Flare further explained with a healthy smile. "Just for you, Princess Twilight Sparkle, it'll be free, or, if you so refuse such an offer, half-priced. Do we have a deal?"

Princess Twilight Sparkle squealed internally, holding an important piece of history that helped shape the world of Equestria, and even further did her excitement peak; knowing that two temples persisted sent the lavender alicorn swooning. Without hesitation, she disbursed the total amount of bits and a few extra for Flare Brimstone's brief edification of the rubble's history. Flare put the stone in a black bag and handed it to the lavender princess.

Although they bought the items that fancied their gazes; the two princesses continued to browse the store; they began perusing the bat pony's wares carefully. They had hoped to part away with a few more bits. Flare Brimstone didn't mind their presence. It was calming and oddly therapeutic to behold the alicorn princesses simply roaming about the shop like normal ponies.

Spacing out, Flare Brimstone's attention was grabbed when Princess Celestia presented a delicate statue of obsidian depicting a dragon roaring to the sky. Flare assumed the Sun Goddess desired to buy the item, so she held out her hoof. Then she waited. And waited some more. And kept waiting. Still waiting. Nothing happened and Flare Brimstone was muddled.

"Uh, Your Radiance? Would you mind if I took the item?" Flare uttered tentatively, still waiting, but the princess did not budge, yet she did have a meek smile. "Is there something wrong?"

Princess Celestia shook her head, saying, "I am waiting for you to tell me how you acquired this particular item. You always give a little story."

Flare chuckled sheepishly before stretching and petting Nesotoc softly. "I got that from the Dragon Lands after helping Princess Ember defeat a large dragon threatening to steal her scepter and destroy her subjects, that greedy lizard. After I gave it a thrashing and dragged it away, I was rewarded for my effort with that object."

Princess Celestia clapped her hooves together. "That was marvelous, but I am confused. Why were you in the Dragon Lands?"

Flare rubbed her mane. "I was doing some gathering for materials to bring to the twin blacksmiths, Helter & Skelter, on your orders, in Canterlot's Blastburn Forge," she said plainly. "To create the special black weapons. And to make things even better, the twins are unicorns and can infuse the weapon with magical properties. Quite useful when there could be a time that Equestria would be able to use such powerful tools; they'll be strengthening the nation's firepower by a good margin. Which reminds me... I need to find some more in the near future."

Princess Celestia looked warmly at her dutiful agent. "I'm glad that Canterlot has been expanding and more welcoming towards ponies with passions and jobs not commonly seen. It fills me with joy. And on that note, this statue will be my final purchase tonight."

Flare nodded and proceeded with the transaction. Whilst collecting the bits, Flare Brimstone espied Princess Twilight Sparkle eying a certain gold and white tablet and called out to her quietly, asking if she was willing to buy it.

Princess Twilight Sparkle blushed and shook her head quickly. "I've already gotten what for tonight," she said, gesturing to the ancient rubble. "I'm going to study it and maybe have Pinkie's sister, Maud, to accompany my research; she has a... penchant for rocks and various types of the sort. Thank you for telling me about it." Princess Twilight Sparkle bowed in appreciation.

Flare Brimstone emulated the kind gesture. Princess Celestia was done shopping and so was Princess Twilight Sparkle. The two bid the bat pony a fond farewell, exiting the shop. Flare Brimstone watched them go, happy to have given them a few stories about her adventures.

A little while later, the bat pony yawned and closed her shop for the night, leaving Nesotoc inside as usual and headed home to rest.

After speaking about her previous adventures, Flare Brimstone could not wait for the next one. Until then.

Behind The Veil

Behind The Veil is struggle.

Murky horrors: a forever dark sky, filled with the shattering of translucent glass. The sloshing wetness; an unfamiliar yet familiar land demands attention and wariness. Blackened heart, aversion to dread; where phobias are made flesh in those of fearful minds.

Behind The Veil are hidden chains.

Forever entombed: endless darkness across a muddled landscape and the horridness that accompanies it; It is living rejects and mindless terrors. Wit will be your ally, lest you are snagged by the unknown and submerged into the weltering depths, ne'er to be seen again.

Behind The Veil is our prison.

Gloom & sorrow: it's just another place where those of us live. It's a scary, horrible, deadly place, but it is home. We cannot leave; we are bound to our roots, and if one were to become curious, then a grave will be dug, and tears will be shed.

Behind The Veil, we are omens.

Another day begins in the life of Flare Brimstone, an avid, perfervid adventurer, and beauty of a bat pony! And what an important day it is for not just her, but for also Princess Celestia.

Heeding the summons of the Sun Goddess from an escort named Agni: one of the five most elite, well-trained, personal guards entrusted with Princess Celestia's life, Flare Brimstone is to meet with the Radiant Princess near the border of Equestria from the west.

Agni is a bat pony who operates from the shadows of Her Radiance. For Flare Brimstone to see him out of the darkness expressed a great magnitude of significance and tension; this was only the second time she saw him with her own eyes. He was fitted from head to hoof in black and gold armor. The only thing you could see was Agni's mouth, ash-colored wings, and his deep, vibrant orange eyes.

Flare was awestruck staring at the stalwart and stoic stallion with a gleam twinkling in her eyes as they began to fly hastily to the western Equestrian border.

"If I knew you were coming to get me, I would've presented myself a little more... cleanly," Flare Brimstone spoke with a dulcet tone, fluttering her eyes rapidly as she gestured to her unkempt mane and coat. "Good to meet you again, Agni." She snickered at her playful attitude.

"You look fine," he whispered in a concise, gelid-sounding timbre. A strong silent type with a calm and concealed voice: Agni was never one for conversation, yet he didn't outright reject Flare Brimstone's attempts, as such endeavors were futile from the words of Her Radiance.

Flare Brimstone flapped her wings forward and flew next to Agni with a cute smile as she met his glacial demeanor from the left. "I just got back from a mission in the Crystal Empire."

Agni's ears perked up and swiveled in Flare's direction as she continued. "Well, it wasn't a mission per se, more of a check-up on a filly. I'm sure you heard of her. Princess Celestia must have told her guards, especially you."

Agni grunted in confirmation, further affirming with a nod. "Snowy," he said deeply.

"That's right," Flare shouted gleefully. "She's doing good, and I was told she was gaining a lot of control over her emotions."

Agni looked at Flare with a musing expression, awaiting clarity.

"Oh, her magic is tied to her emotions, so the better handle she has on them, the better the control Snowy has over the magic," the bat pony clarified. "She's been through a lot, more than I can mention, but she's still holding on strong. You would like her, Agni. I think you both would introduce a cute dynamic!"

Agni blinked and grunted dismissively, directing Flare's attention to the western border. "We've arrived."

Flare Brimstone gawked at a large facility spanning the entire border with tall white buildings and watchtowers armed to the teeth with unicorns, pegasi, and earth ponies in brown and bronze-colored guard outfits. Every single one brandished a certain piece of black eyewear Flare recognized immediately as she and Agni landed near the entrance.

"I've seen those glasses before. Those are Obsidian Shades," the bat pony said, trotting with Agni to the gate.

Agni nodded. "Good eye," he complimented. "Edify; tell me more."

Flare Brimstone scratched her head and tapped her hoof, saying, "The item allows the wearer to see in the dark, detect hidden objects, and can... enhance eyesight when worn. What I wouldn't give to acquire such a boon."

As Flare Brimstone and Agni approach the gate, they were stopped by a mare with a dark brown coat and red mane. From above were ten pegasi with spears trained on the two bat ponies.

"My name is Officer Grid of Equestria's Borderline and Protection Organization (EBPO). I and many others stationed here guard the entrance to the Waterlands. State your name and business," the earth pony ordered.

Agni stepped forward and saluted. "I am Agni, one of the personal guards of Princess Celestia. I was tasked to bring Flare Brimstone here by order of Her Majesty."

A brow raised from the Obsidian Shades and Officer Grid turned her scrutiny towards Flare Brimstone. "What's your occupation?"

"Shopkeeper and Agent of Princess Celestia," Flare answered verily. "I am heeding the summons of Her Radiance, ma'am."

Officer Grid huffed and glared at Flare Brimstone for a few seconds before stepping aside. "Come with me and I'll take you to Her Benevolence. She awaits your coming at the entrance of the Waterlands."

Flare and Agni kept silent as they entered through the gate and went into the facility, along with five of the ten pegasi followed close behind them, their weapons at the ready. The two bat ponies faced a white and gold interior bustling with technology manned by a variety of scientists in deep concentration on their profession. It was not important to Flare Brimstone to survey the surroundings; Her Majesty comes first. Always.

Officer Grid leads the duo to a large, black door. Facing the door, Flare could feel a chill seeping from the cracks. This served to peak her curiousness. Officer Grid opens the door and the duo saw Princess Celestia sitting in silence, staring at a mass of flowing darkness with a look of indifference. When she turns her attention to Flare Brimstone, Her Radiance begins to smile with a motherly expression.

Princess Celestia beckons the duo to sit by her, and they obliged without hesitation. Her Radiance nuzzled Flare's face and gave her a heartfelt hug before pulling away. Flare and Agni gazed at the heaping; giant mass of blackness that spread as far as the facility did.

"This is the only entrance into the Waterlands," Princess Celestia spoke to the duo. "We've checked every possible opening and found that only this here," she gestures to a patch of darkness, "serves as the opening. My agent, I called you here because I need you to retrieve a certain object. Do you accept?"

Flare Brimstone puffed out her chest and stood up on her legs with enthusiasm, saying, "Of course, I accept! To explore the Waterlands is a dream come true!"

Princess Celestia gave a half-suppressed laugh; she giggled lightly at Flare's hunger and zeal for adventure. "It's soothing to see your passion overcome any uncertainty, but I'm afraid I don't have your level of passion, my lovely... agent," she said, giving the two bat ponies a stern, yet affectionate look. "This is a serious matter. Allow me to explain to you what the Waterlands is and what I want from there."

The Sun Goddess explains that the Waterlands is a vast array of locations sprawled across a large region where water is abundant; the rain falls endlessly, and the ground is soaked and flooded. It is an enigmatic and cryptic region in Equestria that, just like the Everfree Forest, is free from the influence of ponies, yet far more perilous.

The Waterlands are so obscure that most of the inhabitants of Equestria hardly know any information about the region, and such conditions are treacherous to any outsiders of the Waterlands. Adventurers are permanently barred to enter as the region is home to frequent disasters: squalls, hurricanes, and earthquakes, coupled with monsters that are said to lurk in the many rivers and lakes of the region, as well on land.

However, if one were to have Princess Celestia's golden sun seal (her royal blessing) on a scroll, which inside contains her authorizing an individual the entry into the Waterlands, then an exception is made, although such exceptions were made only twice.

The Waterlands is a cursed place that those who live inside are even more so and are called omens; the unfortunate souls who stand as portents of coming disaster. It is rumored that if a pony who lives within the Waterlands ventures out, they bring with them the catastrophes that plague their region. Stories had circulated long ago that if even one of the omens stays out for too long, they will smoke, burn, and turn to ash... in a violent display. To ensure such horrifying occurrences are deftly avoided, the Waterlands has been henceforth sentenced to lockdown by not just Princess Celestia or Luna, but by other royals who fear the tales of "The Ocean that Lives Above Ground."

The object Princess Celestia desires is an extremely rare gemstone called the Red River: the bloody beryl is only found in the Waterlands. The reason Princess Celestia desires it so badly is that it contains a certain type of magic she had the experience of witnessing half a millennia ago.

Flare Brimstone's curiosity peaked, asking, "Can you explain what this black aura is? And what type of magic does this beryl contain exactly?"

Princess Celestia gave a warm smile to her agent. "What you see is dubbed The Veil; an awning of unknown dark power that has persisted long before my inception, and its purpose is to serve as a sort of prison containing the monsters and disasters within. Unfortunately, ponies born inside are affected by its dark grip, unable to leave without massive repercussions. No creature knows how it got here.

"To answer your other question: it possesses the magic of storms and waves, and there are only two residing inside the Waterlands. Sideral Borne, one of five leaders in the Waterlands, has permitted me to keep the bloody beryl if we can acquire the other one," she said, lifting herself off the floor and trotting beside the shadowed portal.

Flare Brimstone's eyes narrowed slightly as she tapped her chin in thought. "Get in, get the two gemstones, give one away, and take the other back to Equestria," she tersely explained: in a no-nonsense manner. "Sounds easy enough, but nothing is, especially in there. What's the catch?"

Princess Celestia's countenance became firm. "The gemstones are out of the way and guarded by monsters that lurk in the region's murky depths. If you and Agni can survive, we get the Red River."

Agni looked confused, asking, "Me? Your Majesty, I do not understand."

Princess Celestia chuckled and gestures to Flare Brimstone with her hoof and a playful look. "My wonderful, dependable agent has a... tendency to get overzealous and reckless, especially somewhere new. I need you to offer her support and to ensure my agent doesn't cause more damage than necessary."

Agni took a deep breath and turned to Flare Brimstone, then he shifted his eyes towards Princess Celestia and nodded firmly. "I will assist your agent in every way I know how," he said with an indifferent tone, saluting.

Princess Celestia briskly leaned her head towards Agni, almost startling the bat pony with such an uncharacteristic brusque. "My agent is extremely important to me, Agni, but I know better than to doubt your word and your conviction. I trust you fully," Her Radiance spoke with a calm, relieved expression before rearing her head away from Agni. "Now... before you both enter into the Waterlands, there are a few things you two must know."

Flare Brimstone tapped her hoof on her chin again before looking at the hulking, undulating mass of darkness. "What are they?"

"When you enter the Waterlands, I and everypony else here will not be able to help you inside," she said, sighing with a sad tone. "The state of the region disrupts many outside influences; communications, may it be magic or technology, might be null & void until you both depart the region. It's usually difficult to gauge what we can and cannot do.

"Another is that the rainfall is quite irritable to our bodies, so a spell of water resistance will be applied to you and Agni. Do not drink the water. Most importantly, utilize stealth. Do not attempt to fight the wildlife there unless it is completely and utterly necessary because the noise will aggravate nearby beasts, and you will find yourselves quickly overwhelmed; I do not intend to lose my agent and my guard so be prudent and wary; that's an order."

Flare Brimstone had only served under Princess Celestia for five years and never before has she heard Her Radiance's voice sound so fierce and firm, even a little fearful. It made her wings shudder and her coat and mane stand up slightly; this was important, of course, but drastic and dangerous. Her Radiance truly fears for her and Agni.

"I will avoid causing trouble, Princess Celestia," Flare said. "I will abstain from all conflict inside the Waterlands if I can prevent it. Don't worry, Your Grace. Also, why can't you join us?"

The white alicorn sighed sadly. "I've learned that it's best to have a squad of three ponies out in the Waterlands to reduce the risk of attracting too much attention. You'll have an expert guiding you through the horrid region. Please, be careful," she bade Flare Brimstone solemnly.

Princess Celestia, with that motherly expression, grabbed Flare Brimstone in another tight, adoring hug. It was not odd for anypony to witness Princess Celestia openly giving affection to her little ponies, but when it came to Flare Brimstone, Princess Celestia's actions are borderline platonic; maybe maternal. Her attitude would change, and her emotions would become fickle, yet her adoration of Flare Brimstone is constant, and her demeanor turned into a loving expression. It's a little off-putting to most, although Flare welcomes it wholeheartedly.

Without further delay, Flare Brimstone and Agni approached the mass of darkness. On the other side was a completely different world; a dangerous region wrought with monsters and omens, but the two bat ponies steeled themselves.

"Here, take this," Officer Grid said, throwing a certain device into the clutches of Agni's hooves as he placed it inside his armor. "It's a small tablet. This device is from the Waterlands, supplied by Sideral Borne himself, so it should work inside The Veil. There's a red button on the side. If you press it, it'll transport you both back to the entrance of the Waterlands. Do not linger longer than you have to, the Waterlands is a precarious place."

Princess Celestia stepped forward. "Affirming what I said before, once you pass through there should be a guide waiting. Her name is Florence, and she is part of Sideral Borne's entourage." She turned to Flare Brimstone with an uneasy look. "Please... be careful, my agent..."

Flare Brimstone stood at attention, saying, "I will, Your Radiance! I promise!"

Although relieved, Princess Celestia still had her doubts, but for now, it was time to push those aside. She casts the water-resistant spell, or Sliprain, over Agni and Flare Brimstone. Their coat shimmered slightly as a faint purplish glow pulsed occasionally.

The duo faced the black mass of darkness and looked down. They could see the water being held back by the glumness of The Veil. Inside looked to be murky and dark with black clouds covering nearly every inch of the sky, only letting a few beams of dull light pass through. Rain fell constantly and the ground inside The Veil was flooded with water. There was a paved road and a mysterious silhouette.

With no other way to go, Agni and Flare Brimstone step through the black awning and immediately felt a drop in temperature. The sounds of the rain relentlessly assaulted their ears as they precariously trotted a tad further inside the Waterlands.

The mission had officially begun.

Within seconds of entering the sopping land, Flare Brimstone and Agni were greeted by the mysterious figure who trotted up to them in a slow stride wearing bronze and faded black armor that covered their body and head; nearly everything about the pony is completely obscured, save for the horn.

"Welcome to the Waterlands, or, as I like to call it: The Maw of Tartarus," the pony said gaily, stretching out their hoof. "That was a lie. It's just the Waterlands, but it sure as hay feels like Tartarus!"

The duo shook the figure's hoof and stepped away. Flare Brimstone smiled at the intriguing armor the figure brandished and said, "I've never seen armor like that before. Very grim and dark, I like it."

The figure patted their armor like a pet, saying, "Well, without it, the bloodthirsty monsters would be able to sever my head and devour my body with such glee!" The odd figure began to chuckle; Flare and Agni were silent. "What? It's just a tasteful quip until it's not; that's the killing joke! Hahaha! Ahh... I slay a lot of things. So, my name's Florence, and I'll be your guide herein this dreadful place until you leave or die gruesomely."

"I am Agni, and this is Flare Brimstone," he said. "We are here to obtain the two beryls."

Florence jumped in place in excitement. "About time we get those gemstones away from the monsters around the Drowning Pit of Despair, or as I like to call it: the DPD! Let's get moving... before any death apes find us."

The duo had known that the Waterlands is a dangerous place, and so far, everything has been about drowning, death, despair, death, horror, drowning, and death. The way Florence worded herself was slightly concerning, talking about killing and death so calmly, occasionally having fits of crazed laughter bordering on maniacal. It was like... she wasn't all there.

As they journey across the flooded earth, Flare Brimstone couldn't help but think about what Florence had said. She was interested in what a death ape was and voice her query to Florence, which she was more than happy to elucidate.

Florence cleared her throat and said, "Death Apes are large, unkempt beasts that roam about the Waterlands, commonly found on/near a well-trodden road and often mistaken as giant rocks. If one saw a death ape rose from the ground, there was no chance of escaping once you drew its ever-present ire," she edified expertly, tapping her right hoof on the ground creating a sloshing and squelching sound. "We may see one or two on our trek through this bleak nightmare."

"You seem to take all of this rather carefree," Agni told the odd mare.

Florence laughed and struck the ground before regaining her breath. "That is true, but once you saw what I have and did what I had to do... you'll find yourself quickly numb to it all." Florence's voice grew dark and gloomy, like all of her happiness and excitement was suddenly replaced with depression and pessimism. "That's how it always works around here."

Flare Brimstone felt a cold force emanating from Florence. It was foul... and scary. Of course, Flare could see that Florence is a unicorn, but she wondered what type of magic potential creeping out of her armored companion.

"Hey... aren't ponies outside of the Waterlands herbivores?" Florence asked, her voice had perked right back up like nothing ever happened.

Flare Brimstone nodded. "We do, why do you ask?"

"We eat meat here," Florence said, causing Flare and even Agni to stop momentarily in their tracks. "Crazy, right? The vegetation can't take the amount of water here, so most of anything that can give herbivores any substance cannot be regularly consumed here, coupled with the fact that the water here makes y'all skin irritated; drinking our water may... cause adverse, terrible effects."

"What meat do your people hunt?" Flare entreated.

Florence giggled and hummed to an unknowable song that rattled inside her skull. "The monsters that live here. Anyway, there should be an old rustic base just ten minutes from our position. We can take a rest there."

As time passed, the trio began to hear the monsters prowling about the Waterlands, lurking within the ever-present, obnubilated haze. Although the presence of the monsters is out of eyesight, it felt like they are everywhere, looming over the ponies.

The triad of companions trekked through the murky darkness and came across a mound. Florence told them that the old base was just over the hill, but then a torrent of screeches pierced through the shattering rain, filling the trio's ears as they quickly shifted their attention to a pack of reptilian creatures: strained eyes revealed sharp claws, serrated teeth, and harsh-sounding, guttural noises.

The trio laid their eyes on a pack of Blood Raptors creeping up the hill, searching for easy prey. Blood Raptors are tenacious creatures that hunt in packs and use team tactics to whittle and wear down their foe(s) by tearing and rending their flesh with quick, calculated swipes. If one drew the attention of one blood raptor, they drew the attention of the whole pack, and once they set their sights on prey, they will not relent in the chase.

Instantly, Florence grabbed Flare and Agni to a large patch of tall grass off the side of the road and hid inside hurriedly, crouching as close to the ground as they could.

"Scrap," Florence cursed under her lips. "We got a whole crew eying our way, and they're looking ravenous..." Florence's horn glowed a dark purple as it discreetly enveloped Agni and Flare in a dark, faded hue. Confused, they turn to Florence who had her hoof on her helmet. "Relax... it's a spell to mask your scent; blood raptors have a keen sense of smell."

Flare Brimstone had a look of mild concern. "What should we do?" she whispered. "They're blocking our path."

Florence shook her head and said, "The two of you are going to have to trust me on this. They are coming this way, so what we'll do is sneak past them silently. I've done this many times before, so all you have to do is follow behind me. Got it?"

Agni was skeptical of the plan. "What about their hearing? Won't they be able to hear us rustling through the grass?"

Florence tittered at Agni's concerns quietly. "The sound of the heavy rain will block out any sound we make. They rely on loud screeches to penetrate the thick sounds of the rainfall to call out to their brethren. Just don't snap on any fallen branches; they can be quite loud." Florence pointed a hoof in front of them, the blood raptors are on the move. "Follow my lead and do not lag, lest you'll become a fresh carcass..."

The pack of the bloodthirsty raptors carefully trekked the tall grass, ever vigilant. They screeched and bellowed to their peers as they did the same. They formed a circle and continued onwards. Flare and Agni crawled tentatively, keeping their eyes on Florence while occasionally glancing at the passing predators as the trepidation loomed over them.

After a few minutes, it seemed the ponies were in the clear until Agni stepped on a dismembered branch, snapping it, drawing the attention of two blood raptors. Guttural noises and screeches alerted the rest of the pack, directing their scrutiny down in the grass. They sniffed and observed the grass, growling softly.

Agni cursed in his mind and Flare joined him, but the two had their attention seized by Florence's magic. She silently gestured to her armored mouth and slowly shook her head, ushering them to keep moving. Continuing the creeping crawl, albeit, at a faster pace, the ponies managed to narrowly evade the ire of the blood raptors. Near the end of the tall grass, Florence bade her comrades stop and wait. The blood raptors were still suspicious, searching the grass vehemently.

When all seemed to be calming down with the pack continuing on their way, one blood raptor didn't give up and kept searching, adamant it heard something in the tall grass. Florence cursed silently, illuminating her horn dimly and shooting a small bolt of magic that made the raptor let out a small shriek, forcing it to return to its pack.

Alone, Florence let out a small sigh in relief and gestured to her allies to rise from the grass. They exit out and continue to the large mound, trekking up the hill and reaching the top before basking at an old, run-down base in the near distance.

Florence lifted herself on her hind legs and pumped her forelegs towards the sky in a triumphant "Huzzah!" before trotting cheerily towards the base. Flare Brimstone was also excited and followed after, while Agni shook his head before catching up to the mares. Once they got to the old base, Florence hugged the door and started cooing at it like a dog. Although slightly disturbed at Florence's fickle nature and mental state, the two bat ponies were just as happy.

Florence creaked the door open carefully and led Flare and Agni inside. There wasn't much to say about the brown interior: the dusty, broken hallway did give the impression that it had indeed been abandoned; the rustic smell was an indication that the rundown foundation is in a state of dilapidation supported by flickering lights and black mold along the walls. Cobwebs lay scattered across the corners and cracks of the ruined site; however, they had long been deserted.

Though faint, and with a deft eye, one could see leaks from the cracks in the walls where the water seeps in. Damaged, the base had very little to offer in terms of food, which was white and green with fuzzy mold. The sink in the decayed kitchen was covered with rust... along with something red and crusty. Whatever struggle occurred in this ruined building; the ponies that lived inside may have come across misfortune.

It would seem there was nothing of value other than shelter the base offered, and that's all the trio needed. Florence guided the bat ponies to a dining table illuminated by a dying white light. They sat and began to rest.

"So... how's the first hour of being in the Waterlands treating you folks?" Florence asked, using her magic to wipe away the water from her armor. "Exciting?"

"Perilous," Agni said coldly.

Flare Brimstone agreed, but her smile wouldn't go away. "This place is so dangerous and filled with monsters I had never seen before! I love it!"

Florence laughed and joined Flare in her merriment while Agni stayed quiet. "Glad to hear it, my friend! We've only a few hours until we reach the DPD. There'll be no rest stop from here, so soak in all that rest!"

Whilst talking amongst themselves, Flare Brimstone had concocted a crazy idea, seeing that Florence still had some water on her armor.

"Florence, would you mind if you placed some of that water on my hoof?" Flare asked, putting her hoof on the table. Florence was quiet and Agni chastised Flare for suggesting such a foolish request.

"Okay," Florence said much to Agni's protest.

He turned his ire towards Flare and said, "Don't do this, Flare. Princess Celestia told you not to do anything foolish!"

Flare waved a hoof at Agni's concerns. "Relax. It's not harmful to us, just irritable. And I'll be fine if I don't drink any. Ready, Florence?"

The armored mare nodded and briefly dispelled the water-resistant spell. Slowly, Florence hovered her hoof over Flares. A few drops of water landed, and Flare Brimstone immediately felt her hoof shake, sending shudders across her skin. Agni looked on in mild worry, but his concern was abated when Flare's hoof stopped shaking.

Flare Brimstone was amazed. It was tingly, gnawing gently just under her skin. "Whoa... if I stood out there without the spell, my body would have shut down in a matter of seconds. Wicked..."

Agni rolled his eyes in vexation before turning to Florence, saying, "Reapply the spell."

Florence obliged and cast the spell on Flare Brimstone's body again. "With that demonstration of the rainfall here, I trust you'll refrain from asking any more... questionable inquiries for the remainder of your visit." Florence's voice was dry and dark, yet she maintained the playful swaying of her head. "We'll continue resting for a little longer."

Flare Brimstone sheepishly rubbed her mane. "Hey, Florence, I got a question," the bat pony offered, gaining the armored mare's attention. "Princess Celestia had said she made two exceptions for ponies to venture into the Waterlands. You know them by any chance?"

Florence nodded firmly and turned her concealed gaze towards the moldy ceiling. "I never met him but Sidereal has. It was a stallion who goes by Beactas," she answered. "He's best friends with my boss and Beactas helped save his life. You know the guy?"

"Yeah, I do," she replied. "He's the leader of a group stationed a few miles from Ponyville, living in Base Solidarity with his comrades and daughter. He and his team go about Equestria and beyond on more perilous missions from Her Radiance to assist distress signals. I never knew him, only his contributions and accolades in helping Equestria grow." Flare Brimstone stretched out her wings before continuing. "What I do know is Her Radiance has a certain soft spot for the stallion. I don't know the details as to why she allowed Beactas to enter, so maybe you could shed some light on this query."

Florence shook her head much to Flare's disappointment. "I wish I could tell you, but I don't know any more than what I had told you. The boss doesn't talk much about the past."

Flare Brimstone waved it off quickly. "No problem. What about the other one?"

Florence laughed as she began to reminisce. "Funnily enough, the mare is a member of Beactas' team: Sass Strange."

Flare Brimstone's eyes widened for a brief moment. "Why was she here?"

"Hmm..." Florence tapped her armor in thought before slamming her hoof on the grimy table. "Oh, now I remember! How could I forget?! Sass Strange ventured here by order of Beactas to assist in a string of murders in the Waterlands," Florence continued with her remembrance. "Turns out it was a white beast of unknown origin."

Flare's cute ears moved slightly, and Agni was dragged out of his musings. "Murders?! White beast?! I... wish I was there to help. Luckily, Sass was there. She is a powerful unicorn, nearly rivaling Princess Twilight Sparkle in magical prowess. Did everything settle okay after?"

Florence nodded. "Yep," she shouted with delightful gaiety. "At the end of the fight, when everypony thought it finally fell, it leaped from the flooded earth in an attempt to mortally wound my boss! I cut in and pushed him away, taking a rending slash to my chest that completely ripped through my armor, leaving me near death's door! All I remember is that a dear friend I like to call my brother killed the beast and Sass used... what I think is called White Magic."

Flare Brimstone slouched into her seat, furrowing her brow with a lidded gaze. "White Magic is presumably forbidden for its tendency to drain the life from the user," the bat pony muttered. "Only Princess Celestia and Sass are the only individuals I know of that can wield the ancient magic without experiencing any adverse effects. The short version: it's deadly to use. How did it save you exactly?"

Florence explained to Flare that the attack from the beast had indeed ripped open her chest. Sass Strange used a sacred white magic spell that healed the mortal injury completely. It was quick and painless, and Florence told the bat pony she was up and back on her hooves within the next hour. Although the wound was healed, Florence said there is a large gash on her chest where the beast had struck.

"That was the closest I've ever been to death," Florence said, letting out a peal of laughter.

The two ponies continued to conversate until Flare Brimstone brought a question regarding the Drowning Pit of Despair; wanting an explanation of why the location is called what it is.

Florence shifted her concealed gaze towards a grimy window giving a view of the road the three had been taking.

"It's a giant, endless basin of water that stories say harbor a grotesque creature," the armored mare happily answered.

"What do you mean? Tell me more," Flare urged, enraptured by the mysterious wonder.

Florence giggled. "I heard some ponies say it's a Kraken, hidden below the surface just barely out of eyesight, but it's close enough for a skillful eye to see its giant, murky silhouette stalking them for the chance to drag them under."

Flare Brimstone had shivers sent down her spine. "Oooooh, that's creepy," she said in an awestruck, low tone. "Now I'm psyched!"

Florence let out a hearty laugh, saying, "Once we get there, you may have your chance, my friend."

The armored mare turns her attention to Agni, who is steeped in deep contemplation and calls out to him to grab his attention. Drawn from his thoughts, Agni gazed at Florence with a blank look.

"You don't talk much, do you?" the merry mare inquired. "Never seen another pony so silent."

Agni grunts. He was about to return to his musings, but Florence kept grabbing his attention.

"Is there a reason, Mr. Agni?"

He grunts and coldly answers, "No."

Florence rubs her helmet thoughtfully. "Hmm," she mused. "Are you a guard?" Agni answers with a nod. "Okay, but you look special. Are you a special guard?" Once again, he nods. "How special are we talking?"

Agni opens his mouth and says, "One of five elite guards. We are entrusted to Her Majesty's company."

Florence chuckled. "You follow her around? Like everywhere she goes?"

"Anywhere unless Her Majesty says otherwise," he answered.

"Sounds like a full-blown job," she said with a sigh. "You got family?"

"No," Agni said.

Florence leaned forward in her chair. "And why not?"

Flare Brimstone chimes in, saying, "Agni's... an orphan."

Florence gasped and slouched slowly on her chair. "Is that true, Mr. Agni?"

"Verily," he answered without hesitation. "Killed in action. Hollow Shades' Orphanage is where I stayed for half of my life."

"Did you... ever get adopted?" Florence asked quietly.

"No," he replied, but it wasn't his usual cold tone. It was reserved and mirrored Florence's quieting question.

Florence was empathic. "I lost my parents too, and I had to fend for myself for a little while," she told him meekly. "And in the Waterlands, I'm not sure how I managed. How did you get to be the best of the best?"

"Hard work, pain, sweat, and blood," Agni answered. "Took years; many failures to succeed; to prove my worth and conviction."

Florence laughed happily. "In the end, it all worked out. I'm glad, Agni. What else can you do?"

"I can do magic," he states firmly. Florence was skeptical. "A unicorn I am not; however, magic is in my possession in words: they are called incantations, utterances that are spoken in reverse. I know very few conjurations, but they have proven beneficial in my career."

Florence was intrigued. "Where did you learn these incantations? Never heard of them before."

Agni huffed. "The ancient arcana was edified to me by Her Majesty during my time as a recruit. She has personally taught me what she knew and left me to learn on my own when she couldn't teach me anymore. I practiced until I could utter each incantation without delay," he deftly explained.

Florence laughed loudly. "A pegasus who can use magic! You really are special."

He grunts before returning to his thoughts, his blank expression never changing.

After the conversation ended, everypony was predominantly quiet, occasionally letting out a few words, except for Agni who kept silent. While Flare Brimstone rubbed her hoof gingerly, in a trice; her attention was promptly pulled away when she heard Florence humming. The armored mare was droning a blissful tune unknown to the bat pony, and like anything, Flare just had to pry.

Florence put her hoof on armor plating and tilted her head to the right slightly. "Oh, you want to know?" Flare nodded in anticipation. "It's a tune of relief and preservation. It's supposed to calm the hearts and minds of the one humming it; it's a common tune ponies 'round here know since they were foals."

Flare Brimstone was curious. Even Agni turned his attention to the armored mare. "Is it to help cope with the many dangers around the Waterlands?"

Florence giggled weirdly and nodded. "It helps keep us sane," she answered gaily, but her happy-go-lucky attitude was betrayed by her eerie-sounding voice. "You eventually go mad in here. If you hadn't noticed, I'm... not all there. That's what this place does to you: it traps you, threatens you with monsters roaming about, and gradually peels away at your sanity. I'm chained like the rest."

Flare Brimstone's ears drooped slightly, recalling the brief history regarding the Waterlands. "Yeah, you'll turn to ash if you venture out."

Florence laughed crazily, slamming her hoof on the table trying to catch her breath. Flare could have sworn she picked up on distress. "If I stay here, I die. If I leave, I die. All roads lead to death; what a cruel joke!"

"You sound happy about it," Agni says shortly after.

The laughing stopped abruptly. No pony said a word, not a single sound was uttered. The silence was instead filled with the pitter-patter of the crashing rain pelting the roof and windows of the run-down base. An eerie atmosphere emanated from Florence, the seemingly odd feeling Flare felt before was back, yet it was amplified.

Low rumbles reverberated throughout the old base, the floorboards creaked and groaned horribly, the dirty tables rattled gently, and the light above the three ponies flickered violently. Even the volume of the rain around the base started to grow rapidly.

Agni quickly took Flare Brimstone's hoof and yanked her away from the table to set her behind him. He gave Florence an icy glare as he lowered his body in a battle stance; he looked for any suspicious movements from the mare, readying himself for a brawl. His cautious disposition wasn't challenged; Florence remained idle as if steeped in deep deliberation.

"I try to be happy," Florence uttered ominously, her figure slouched in the chair as her dark, freshly wetted helmet tilted to the left. Agni and Flare felt a wave of uneasiness enrapture their bodies. "To keep your hopes up in this place is... difficult, but I try to make the best of it. A few more minutes of rest before we head out. Relish it."

Florence slowly rose from her chair and passively made her way past Flare Brimstone and Agni with her head hung low, muttering incoherent nonsense while occasionally having small fits of low, crazed laughter. The unicorn presented herself in front of the damaged door and sat on the floor. She began to utter the song from her lips as her head and tail merrily swished side-to-side.

The ominous feeling had subsided, yet the bat ponies were nearly fearful; It was so foul and heavy. Almost immediately, after taking time to steady themselves and their breathing, the duo turned their gazes to Florence. Flare Brimstone was saddened to see her new friend in such a state while Agni looked indifferent. Carefully, they slowly approached Florence, and the unicorn noticed them and chuckled lightly.

"Let me give you both a good look at myself," the armored mare said, speaking with mirth; Her gaiety had returned but it was layered with perturbation and a hint of... disgust.

Florence shifted her body towards Flare and Agni. She grabbed her helmet with her hooves and took it off, revealing a disheveled lilac-colored mane and navy-blue face. Her eyes were deep purple with dark circles etched permanently under them. She had a few scars across her right eye, a large gash on her left cheek, and her horn was cracked.

"Here I am," Florence said happily, masked with revulsion. "I know... not much to look at; I am not pretty. I must be... ugly in your eyes, huh?" Florence, despite demeaning her battle-worn face, still wore a small, delicate smile.

Flare Brimstone busted out laughing, saying, "A mare with scars would turn heads from the Canterlot Guard. All we have to do is touch you up a little and you'll be gorgeous, but I have a question: Why would you care to be pretty? In a place like this, especially being what you are, I think being pretty would be something you found trivial and a waste of time."

Florence looked down and fiddled with her hooves as a tiny blush appeared on her face. "I always wanted to be pretty," she confessed quietly with a dreamy gaze. "I want to wear dresses, attend balls and events, y'know? There's none of that here... so it's been a dream of mine to get "all dolled up" just to see and feel what it's like. I want to be pretty, but I can't. Not with this face." Florence solemnly gestured to herself. "I wear armor and kill things with a mind that's riddled with holes."

"What about before you became part of Sidereal's entourage?" Flare asked.

Florence chuckled, saying, "My life was over from the start. It's no surprise really, being in the Waterlands; your life is already over, to begin with. My mother died in the middle of birthing me, and my father... if it wasn't for The Veil receiving his rancor, he would have probably blamed my mother's death on me... or himself. No pony likes being here.

"After that, my father did raise me, but he barely talked, smiled, or did anything; I never had a birthday. It was too painful for him... and even for me. It's part of that saying, y'know? The one about a dove having half of its heart shattered or taken away, falling into a depression, barely wanting to do anything but be with the one it loves? Well, that's what happened to my dad. I would have painted it as nothing out of the ordinary for us, but I could tell the difference. How morbid is that, huh?

"He just stopped. He didn't eat, he didn't drink, he didn't sleep. He wouldn't talk to me anymore; he wouldn't cry or get angry at The Veil. He was just tired all the time, but he never slept. After mom died, she was buried just outside the front of the house. He did nothing but stare at her gravestone for days... weeks on end, and then... he just died one day.

"He left me alone. I wasn't mad... or sad either, but rather relieved, I-I suppose. He doesn't have to suffer anymore, so that's a good thing, right? Of course, it is... but I wish he didn't leave so soon. After that... well, you can fill in the blanks."

Flare Brimstone attempted to reach out a hoof to Florence, but the despondent mare rejected the bat pony's affection. Florence shook her head and donned her helmet once more before standing.

"That's enough rest," she said with abrupt perky mirth, opening the door leading out into the Waterlands. "Let's hurry and get those gemstones!"

Flare's ears splayed back. Even Agni was a little sad. "Florence, you know I was only trying to-"

Florence lifted her hoof to stop Flare from speaking. "I know, and it's sweet of you to do so, but it's okay. And my dream? It's merely a dream." Florence's tone was somber, yet her body expressed merriment. It didn't stop Flare from feeling a bit depressed. "We've got another two hours before we get to the DPD. So, let's roll!"

Florence merrily skipped outside in the rain, striding to the soggy paved road while Flare and Agni sluggishly followed.

"Agni," Flare Brimstone uttered quietly. He turned to meet her slightly disturbed expression. "I don't like being here anymore."

Agni let out a heavy sigh and looked out towards the murky darkness with a forlorn expression. "Florence."

She nodded glumly. "I can deal with physical pain, but... mental pain is something else. It... unnerves me how she changes her mood so quickly; I don't know if Florence even notices how fickle she is. When she gets sad and depressed, I... I don't know, but I can feel it. There's so much of it, Agni..."

Agni grunted. "I felt it as well. It seems Florence's magic has developed a dark signature or has a tendency to seep out and display itself as a haunting, looming presence that overshadows anypony around it," he explained plainly. "It's very disturbing."

Flare Brimstone rubbed her mane. "What can we do?"

Agni shook his head, making Flare give a pleading look. "Nothing," he simply said. "There isn't any known way to properly help the residents of the Waterlands. The Veil prevents nearly anything from working from the outside; we're lucky we can even go in without being 'chained' ourselves."

Flare snorted and huffed irritably. "We can't just leave Florence to suffer like this. This isn't right."

"For the time being, we can't."

Flare sighed in defeat, her ears drooping. "That's right... we can't."

Agni extends a wing to comfort Flare Brimstone. "Her Majesty and the researchers are trying to find ways to assist the residents. Steel yourself and let's get this mission done."

Flare nodded. "Alright," she replied.

With that, the two bat ponies caught up to Florence and resumed the trek to The Drowning Pit of Despair.

Most of the trek to their destination was filled with paranoia; the howling, the distant yet close roars of the monsters had everypony on edge. For some unknowable reason, there was more noise than usual, the rain fell harder, and the murk-filled atmosphere was becoming less and less clear to see. It got colder, the road became mucky, the air was thick, the murky darkness blurred their vision, and the clamoring beasts of the Waterlands felt closer than ever before. The entire scape of the land was changing into something worse than the bat ponies had thought. Flare and Agni looked to Florence, but the armored mare paid little to no attention to the rapid change around her.

It's been an hour and a half since they left the run-down base.

Breaking the silence between the three ponies, Flare asks, "Florence, what's going on here?"

Florence didn't answer immediately, only putting a hoof up in the air to quiet the bat pony. She then gestures to the right of them, and the bat ponies nearly lost their composure. They gazed upon white, mist-like figures slowly cantering just a few feet from the trio. Florence grabbed their attention and gestured to the left and the bat ponies saw the same white, almost ghost-like specters looming nearby. They varied in size but each one of them was as tall or even taller than Princess Celestia.

"Take heed to the words that escape my lips with utmost prudence," Florence bade ominously, ever looking forward. "Do not recognize their existence. Do not show emotion; stow your fear and cast your gaze forward. Do not let them know you saw that your eyes beheld what they are, or else they'll take you."

The cadaverous creatures wailed sorrowfully and shouted woefully. Taking heed of Florence's instructions, Flare and Agni's eyes were glued forward as their armored companion spoke again.

"The Veil is a horrible place," she said in a hushed whisper, getting in between her two friends. "Souls of the dead raise and linger by The Veil's dark powers, transformed into mist-like variants of themselves, cursed to wander and roam, searching for something. Something we have."

"What is it?" Flare asked tentatively.

Florence merely shook her head. "I don't know," she answered. "No pony knows. When a pony is abducted by the Snatchers, they disappear forever. They want something, that much is clear, and it is that something we have that they desire, but only they know."

Flare Brimstone narrowed her eyes. "How do we get them to go away?"

Florence softly chortled. "You don't," she replied. "All we can do is ignore their existence."

"But that doesn't make sense. Aren't we talking about them?"

Florence nodded. "We are, but 'existence' to them," she gestured to the Snatchers without taking her eyes off the road, "is if we look at and acknowledge them, and they see that we notice them, that is their form of existence."

Flare rubbed the back of her mane, slightly irritated. "Well, what are they exactly? Or were?"

Florence shook her head slowly and shrugged. "Doesn't matter what they were before, but if you must know, they are the beasts that lived here."

"Could... ponies become what those things are?"

Florence sighed and she nodded much to Flare's dissatisfaction. "They can but are rare. You see these woeful souls plenty of times when you are part of an entourage here."

"Are they hostile?" Agni spoke out.

"They can be," Florence solemnly said. "However, it's only when you look at them as they look at you. They can be as violent as they are woeful. They're the reason my horn is cracked beyond repair. Let's pick up the pace."

"Can we escape this?" Flare Brimstone asked.

"We can and we will," Florence affirmed. "The Snatchers' presence changes the very area they occupy, so all we have to do is keep trotting down the road until everything turns to normal."

Carefully, the trio of companions continued forward, never breaking their eyes away from the paved road ahead. If they look at the Snatchers in an untimely manner, they'll be taken and never seen again.

The white, ghost-like creatures ululated; some cried while others bellowed in anger, and then they strayed towards the triad, unfortunately for the ponies. The Snatchers drew closer to the trio until they loomed over their bodies; their ghostly presence sent chills down the two bat ponies' backs. Other than the uncomfortable tension of their situation, Flare and Agni had the urge to shift their gazes to the creatures to steal a quick look, but Florence somehow picked up on this and warned against it.

"I know it's tempting to look, but you mustn't, or else you'll run the risk of being taken," Florence said. She then gestured forward. "We're nearly there. Ignore them. No matter how close they get, ignore them. They won't hurt you unless you meet their eyes with your own."

The bat pony duo nodded and continued. After some time, the area around started to turn back to normal. The warped landscape was gone, and the creatures broke from the trio's sides and wandered someplace else.

Flare Brimstone took in a breath of relief, plopping her flank on the ground. "I thought we'd never get out of there."

Florence laughed. "All we had to do was keep moving forward. See? No problem. Also, we're here!" Florence threw her hoof in front of her.

A giant, eroded, symmetrical structure stood tall above the trio, despite its condition; and through the curved archway, they could see the large basin: the Drowning Pit of Despair. Forward they go, passing under the archway and entering the DPD.

Around the Drowning Pit of Despair are ruined pillars strewn unceremoniously amongst the clammy earth, scattered about with reckless abandon. The air became thick; the wind turned turbulent, the temperature dropped where Flare Brimstone and Agni could see their breath, and the undulating mass of water rocked and surged, spilling out copious amounts of water that the soggy earth absorbs before the mass adopted a spiral pattern and continued the process endlessly.

"Welcome to the Drowning Pit of Despair," Florence said politely.

Flare Brimstone looked around the tarnished state of the area and saw no aberrations guarding it as she was warned, but that just made the mare a tad bit skeptical. Florence directed the duo to the far end of the giant chasm of water where a small mound caught their scrutiny. Narrowed eyes bask at two sparkling, deep red minerals embedded into the mound. That was their objective: the Red River; the bloody beryls.

Flare Brimstone pumped her right foreleg into the obnubilated sky, Florence joined her, but Agni did not participate. The trio began to make their way to the gemstones, but something had Agni constantly veering his icy gaze around the ruined area.

"Agni," Flare Brimstone started, "what's the matter?"

Agni grumbled and growled lowly before answering. "Unsettling atmosphere; there may be something nearby. We must make haste to the gemstones," he uttered.

Flare Brimstone agreed, and together with Florence, the trio broke into a brisk trot and carefully made their way around the large basin; treading cautiously in their steps to not slip into the dark pit.

They made their way to the small mound and reveled in the glamourous luster of the gemstones. Flare Brimstone grabbed her brown sack and collected the gemstones with relative ease, effectively completing the mission.

Before either pony could celebrate, Agni's suspicions weren't unfounded as the troupe of ponies heard a bellowing cry coming from the entrance of the DPD. Squints from narrowed eyes revealed a dark, large, and heavy-looking figure pounding its chest like mad.

It viciously slammed the ground, sending a powerful shockwave that knocked the trio off their hooves and onto the ground with pained grunts escaping their lips. The brown sack that held the gemstones fell from Flare's grip. Then, before any of them could recover, the monstrous figure leaped into the sky and descended with a loud boom on the earth in front of the trio. Brown furry hair covered its muscular body, it bared its sharp white teeth with piercing yellow eyes glowering at the triad of companions as it began pounding its chest crazily with the loudest roar Flare Brimstone had ever heard.

The Death Ape is a common and deadly inconvenience to the residents of the Waterlands. Often mistaken as rocks either on or off the side of the road, once a death ape glares at you with that maddening stare, there was only two options you had: either fight or die. And knowing the bat pony, she would choose the former every time.

A crazed grin found itself plastered on the visage of Flare Brimstone, who shakily stood up and stared at the Death Ape as it stared back.

"So, this is what you guys are, huh?" Flare Brimstone spoke to the creature. In response, it heaved its massive arms and bawled its giant fists with all the might it could muster. "Straight to violence? I like you already. Help take my mind off these past few hours! Come on!"

The Death Ape roared and attempted to turn Flare Brimstone into mush, but the bat pony steeled herself, catching the beast's rancor-filled fists with her front hooves; her supernatural strength staved the attack with little hindrance.

Flare Brimstone grunted, her back legs digging into the earth, shouting, "Agni, assistance!"

The stallion began dashing to the beast's legs, straightening his wings and uttering an incantation under his lips as they shimmered with faint blue light, becoming as sharp as knives. Agni skids across the soggy earth and swipes the beasts' ankles, causing the large ape to howl in pain. The Death Ape snorted and grabbed Flare's hooves and tossed her barreling across the ground before coming to a halt and being buried underneath the saturated soil.

"Flare!" Agni called out, but before he could shout anything else, the beast turned its ire towards him and rose its fists into the air. Agni was quick to evade those strikes; they were sloppy and uncoordinated, yet with each graceless attack dodged and swerved, Agni could feel the power behind those ungainly strikes and took extra precautions to ensure he manages to avoid them.

However careful one can be, their luck will eventually run out, and Agni felt that full force; he was sent flying into the air before crashing into the earth. His helmet was separated from his body, revealing his long, jet-black mane and ash-colored coat. He coughed and stood back up, careening to reengage the monster.

Meanwhile, Florence rushed over to the pile of dirt Flare Brimstone laid in to use her magic in an attempt to dig her out, but Florence never had the chance as the bat pony shot out of the ground and headbutts the Death Ape with an impact that whiplashed the entire dark blue basin. It was so strong that the ground shook and Florence nearly lost her balance.

"Whoa..." Florence uttered, awestruck at Flare's strength; the powerful force pushed Agni to the ground.

The Death Ape roared and fell to the ground with a crash, but Flare Brimstone wasn't done, not by a long shot. She clutches one of the beast's legs and swings that horrid ape off the ground, hurling it into a nearby wall that breaks and crumbles atop the addled adversary.

Flare Brimstone shouted to the top of her lungs, saying, "Come on! Is that all you got?!" and bolted to the rubble to fish out the Death Ape, but she was caught off guard with it firmly grabbing her body, rising from the rubble and started repeatedly slamming the mare into the earth.

The barbarity began to roar, thrashing Flare Brimstone's body ruthlessly, cracking the earth around his target. Agni galloped over and uttered another incantation that produced a shield that repelled the Death Ape's mindless lashing and sent the beast staggering away before hitting the ground.

"Flare!" Agni called out. "Are you okay?!"

The aforementioned mare slowly climbed out of the small crater she laid in, raising her hoof to Agni to signal she was still alive. Her head, lips, and nose were bleeding slightly. Relieved, Agni and Flare Brimstone shifted their gazes on the Death Ape, who was now targeting Florence.

The armored mare used her magic to skim across the ground, dodging the beast's massive swings, and then conjuring two magic blades to her sides.

She cried out, "Agni, Flare, I need help! Grab hold of the monster's legs, and I'll take it down!"

The bat ponies heeded Florence's order, blitzing to the Death Ape's legs and locking it down firmly. The beast fell to its knee and attempted to shake the bat ponies off, but they stood strong. Taking the opportunity, Florence uses her magic to blast herself forward, leaping into the air and jamming the magic blades deeply into the beast's eye sockets.

The hairy creature groaned, finally falling for the last time with a thunderous thud. Florence slid off of the seemingly dead beast and approached her companions with a cherry skip.

"Death apes are truly a pain in the flank," Florence said, sighing exasperatedly. "You both handled yourselves pretty well with your first interactions; be proud. Now... let us-"

A low rumble cut Florence off as the trio turned their heads to the large basin; the pit rippled and bubbled, vibrating as a deep, echoing bellow escaped the basin. Then, a large tentacle rose from the water, followed by another and another until at least twenty were in view.

Flare's mouth nearly stood agape as a humongous, menacingly slithering dark creature surged from the basin's murky surface. It screeched and threw two of its tentacles around Flare Brimstone's brown sack.

Her eyes widened. "The Kraken guards the gemstones! We have to stop it!"

The armored mare put her forelegs in the air to object. "Whoa there..." began Florence, "how are we supposed to take that thing down?"

Flare shook her head, saying, "We don't have to. We just need to take the gemstones and hightail it out of here. Agni, keep those incantations coming. Florence, back me up!"

"Understood," he said with a brisk salute.

"Let's do this," Florence added.

Flare Brimstone breathed in and exhaled. "Alright... let's get those gemstones!"

In a flash, the trio engaged the giant Kraken. Flare Brimstone spared little time and blitzed towards the Kraken's face with a deafening impact as the monstrosity screeched in response.

Agni stomped his hooves on the ground, uttering another incantation, coating them in a blue aura, allowing him to tread on the watery surface. His wings became sharp, and he began cutting through the mass of tentacles, trying to get the brown sack, but the Kraken proved to be quite adamant. Florence's horn conjured magical knives and supported Agni from afar.

Together, the trio battled the monstrous creature until they finally were able to see the brown sack glowing with the gemstones.

Agni leaps toward the tentacle holding the sack and attempted to pry it out of the monster's heinous grip. Although he tried his hardest, Agni had made little leeway, and his failure was met with a slap from a tentacle that propelled him into the earth with a stunning impact. Flare Brimstone was wrapped by multiple tendrils and raked across the ground and thrown to a nearby wall.

Florence was the only one able to successfully evade the creature's harmful strikes. She continued to battle the terrifying aberration until the bat ponies recovered and confronted the Kraken again, and this time they were successful in taking back the sack that held the gemstones.

Though taken back, the trio still had the Kraken's vicious ire glaring them down. A torrent of tendrils began to descend upon the triad, but deciding they had enough and reclaimed the gemstones, Agni quickly reaches into his armor and fished out the tablet. He ushers Flare and Florence to hold onto him as he pressed the button and a magical light engulfed the ponies, changing the squad into small balls of bluish-white light, and they just barely avoided the Kraken's tentacles.

Time passed quickly and the trio descended from the obnubilated sky, the magical light changing the ponies back to their original forms. After making sure everything on their bodies is where it should be, then the tablet short circuits and fizzles out.

Taking in a long, hardy breath of relief, Flare Brimstone falls on her back in exhaustion. Agni joins her, but he decided to merely sit while Florence stayed standing, jumping up and down like an energetic filly hopped up on too much candy after Nightmare Night.

"I... can't... believe, we aren't... dead," Flare said weakly, sighing exasperatedly.

"And lo and behold," Florence shouted, "we are at the entrance to the Waterlands with all our limbs intact! I didn't get you both killed and I'm not insane, so that's a win!"

Agni shook his head, letting out, "I lost my helm."

Flare Brimstone sits up and pats Agni on his back. "Sorry about your helmet, Agni. I know guards treasure their armor highly."

He nodded; his expression impossible to read. "I will present myself to Helter & Skelter for a replacement... but it won't be the same; the helm I lost was given to me during my rise to Elite Guard."

Flare bit her lip and scowled slightly, but then a smile appeared on her face. "I'll get it back for you one day, Agni."

He turned his gaze to the bat pony. "You'd do that for me?"

Flare Brimstone laughed, punching Agni's side playfully. "Of course, silly. It means a lot to you, and I would rather you not fall into depression if I can prevent it. Also, your mane is beyond gorgeous."

Florence agreed. "How do you keep it so pristine?"

Agni huffed and turned away. "I inherited my mother's zeal for... manedressing; she was a beautician before becoming a royal guard. My father... was also a mane stylist before also becoming a guard."

Flare and Florence were dead silent. They looked at Agni with odd looks, veering his body up and down rapidly, trying to see the connection. Then, Florence busted out laughing and fell to the ground. Flare Brimstone joined, wheezing from such an embarrassing confession.

Agni was less than thrilled, but he expected nothing less. The only other pony to know about Agni's unique heritage is Princess Celestia, and unfortunately, mirrored the same reaction Flare and Florence were experiencing.

After two straight minutes, the mares finally calmed down, sighing.

"Whoo!" Flare let out merrily. "I needed that. That was a good laugh."

Florence had to agree. "Never before have I laughed that hard; Agni is a comedian."

The stallion rolled his eyes, slightly vexed. "Finished?" The mares nodded. "Good," he said, standing up. "Let's head back. And before both of you ask, no, my cutie mark is not tailored in styling manes, it's for shielding others from harm. It's just a small hobby."

Flare rubbed the back of her mane. "Sorry, Agni. It was just so unexpected coming from you. Forgive me?"

"I'm sorry, Agni," Florence chimes in.

He grumbles before forgiving them both. "It was pretty funny, huh?" The mares nodded silently. "Consider your apologies acknowledged. Let us leave this place, Flare."

Flare Brimstone nodded quickly. Florence trotted with them next to the thin dark layer. The bat ponies turned to meet Florence and gave her one of the bloody beryls. The mare took off her helmet, letting the rain pelt her head and face with a small smile.

"It was nice being accompanied by you, Florence, but it is time for us to depart from this land," Agni said with his usual cold tone.

Florence chuckled. "Yeah, it was a bit of a wild ride at the end, wasn't it?"

Flare Brimstone nodded. "It was, but I enjoyed myself mostly, and maybe one day I'll come back."

Florence clopped her hooves together. "Ooooh, that'd be great! I could show you how to properly kill a blood raptor or show you how I rip open the insides of a death ape for..." Florence stopped her excited tangent from seeing Flare Brimstone giving a blank look. The mare chuckled lightly. "Or we could just... you know... talk about stuff."

"I'd like that," Flare responded. She went up and hugged Florence tightly. "And your dream... I'll make it come true," she whispered.

Florence had a somber expression. "Flare, you don't have to do that."

The bat pony disagreed by shaking her head. "Nope, you are going to be in a dress and wear a tiara if it's the last thing I do. I'll have it specially made for you... and I'll convince Agni to help," Flare wiggled her brows mischievously; Florence stifled a giggle.

Agni felt a cold shudder run up his back, but he couldn't figure out why. All he knew is that he didn't like it.

Florence was amazed, saying in a hushed whisper, "You'd do that for me? Truly?"

"It'll be no problem at all, Florence."

Florence sniffed and broke the hug. "Well, umm... I guess I have something to look forward to. I'll try to live long enough."

Flare laughed softly. "You better," she lightly ordered. "Time to go. Goodbye, Florence!"

Florence waved slowly. "Bye, Flare. Bye, Agni!" she said cheerfully, donning her helmet again before galloping off into the murky unknown with the beryl.

With that, the two left Florence and exited out of the Waterlands. The second Flare Brimstone steps out, she is assaulted by Princess Celestia doting on the mare, relieved to have her alive and well.

Struggling to squirm from Her Majesty's killer grasp, Agni comes to the rescue, presenting the Red River. Unfortunately, Agni didn't count on Princess Celestia pulling him into the warm embrace. With both of the bat ponies subdued by Her Majesty's grip, it was up to Officer Grid to step in.

"Your Radiance," she spoke out, drawing Princess Celestia's attention. "With all due respect, please release Flare and Agni; they can't breathe, Your Grace."

Lo and behold, Officer Grid spoke the truth and Princess Celestia gingerly released her agent and guard on the white surface. Immediately, the bat ponies gasped for air.

Princess Celestia hung her head in light shame. "My agent, my guard, forgive me. I have been... worried ever since you both entered the Waterlands, and I saw none of you came out unscathed."

Officer Grid sighed tiredly. "Her Radiance was having quite the fit since you both departed. On behalf of EBPO, you have my gratitude."

Flare Brimstone was the first to recover, followed by Agni. "No problem," she groaned, cracking her back. "We completed the mission and obtained the Red River, Your Radiance."

Again, Agni presented the beryl, and Princess Celestia carefully took it out of her guard's grasp and handed it to a researcher for immediate study.

"You both did me a great service this day, and I couldn't be prouder," she praised the duo. "Now, I'm sure you both are quite exhausted, is this correct?" Flare and Agni nodded quietly. "Then I hereby decree you both take a week off and relax." Princess Celestia dispels the water-resistance spell.

Flare Brimstone jumped in place, shouting, "Yes!" A week of adventuring was music to her ears.

Agni, however, didn't react the same. "Your Majesty, I am a guard... I don't know what to do with my free time."

Princess Celestia gave him a warm smile. "Visit your parents' graves, my wonderful guard. When you go, come find me and I'll accompany you with some flowers. I have to give them my thanks for having such a strong, able stallion protecting my life."

Rarely did Agni express happiness, and rarer still did he grin, but it was more than acceptable from Her Majesty's kind words. "I will do that, Princess Celestia," he said.

Her Radiance turned her gaze to Flare Brimstone. "Now," she started, "I have to stay and do some work here, Flare. I'll see you soon at your shop?"

Flare Brimstone smiled. "Of course, Your Radiance! I'll tell you more stories then."

"I can hardly wait, my lovely agent..." Princess Celestia told the bat pony adoringly. "You both may go; I'm sure my important ponies know the way out."

The duo nodded and left the facility. Outside, the sun is shining as bright as it could be. Princess Celestia is truly happy to have her little ponies back from the other side. And now, Flare Brimstone and Agni were about to part ways.

"Guess I'll see you around?" Flare asked.

Agni grunts. "Yes."

"When?"

"Soon."

Flare narrowed her brows. "How soon?"

Agni tapped his chin. "Tomorrow."

Flare Brimstone gave Agni a sultry look, leaning into him, saying, "What's going on tomorrow?"

Agni turned his gaze towards the sky. "When I was at the orphanage, we frequently had picnics; it was one of the best ways to cheer up a colt or filly who was rejected from being adopted."

Flare's playful look turned into a sad one. "Did you go on those picnics?"

Agni nodded. "Every time," he answered briskly. "I was only rejected once. All the other times were to help the rest feel better. Would you like to accompany me?"

Flare gasped and held her hoof over her mouth. "Agni... are you asking me out on a date?!"

"No," he replied coldly, trotting away, but Flare kept up with him. "Only as friends. Do you accept?"

Flare nodded. "Technically, it's noooot a date, but I can treat it like one, can I?"

Agni sighed. "Please don't."

Flare Brimstone laughed. "I'm just teasing. I'll have to close the shop early than usual tomorrow."

"Then it's settled," Agni said.

"Hey, Agni, can I ask a question?" Flare entreated. He ushered the mare to ask. "Do you have any tips on how to keep your mane all nice and pretty?"

Agni coughed suddenly, turning his scrutiny towards his comrade. "Refrain from speaking about this to other creatures if you desire my input..."

Flare Brimstone's face lit up. "So, you'll help style my mane?"

Agni rubbed his temples. "I'll give you tips & tricks, but styling your mane is something else. Prove to me your conviction to learning the shortcuts and I'll style your mane however you wish. If you're anything like Her Majesty, you'll be able to pick up on everything I teach."

Flare gasped. "Princess Celestia came to you for tips concerning her mane?!"

"Yes, yes, she has in the past," Agni replied. "A little secret: during any major celebration that requires Her Radiance to present herself a certain way, I'm the one who does her mane on such events. I also do tails."

Flare Brimstone's mouth was slightly agape. "So that time she had her mane in a ponytail, and another when it was all sparkly than normal, that was your work?" Agni confirmed Flare's query. "Wow... I can't wait to see what you could do with mine!"

Agni deftly studied Flare Brimstone's mane. "Your mane doesn't need much work; you keep it relatively and competently managed. It's quite pretty. Not many ponies, mares especially, have your mane color," Agni said, causing Flare Brimstone to blush.

"Are you flirting with me?"

Agni deadpanned. "No. It's just a compliment."

Flare Brimstone laughed as Agni cracked a small smile. The two of them flew into the sky and continued talking throughout the entire way back to Canterlot Castle.

Until the next adventure of Flare Brimstone.

Author's Note

You know, there was an alternate fate for Florence's father I decided to not write because I didn't want it to be too depressing. Florence kinda shared the same thing.

Originally, I was going to write about how Florence's father committed suicide by journeying to the DPD and drowning himself; explaining that it's a spot where residents of the Waterlands who just had enough and decided to end it all, like a suicide hotspot.

With Florence, I was going to have that event of her father affect her greatly because of her more depressive/darker side. I was going to make her slightly suicidal, giving the readers indications of her thoughts contemplating self-destruction. The Veil is a terrible place to live.

I decided against it because it was too dark and having implications of such thoughts was enough to make me forgo my original idea.

Also, fun fact: after the bat ponies left and Florence galloped away, I was going to have a Snatcher appear behind the mare a few seconds later. Florence would stop but she wouldn't turn around, but she could feel its presence. It was going to be her father. Shortly after, I was going to have Florence say, "Hey, dad. You come back for round two?"

That would have given the reader an indication or hint that it was her father that cracked her horn, but I decided against it.

Hope you enjoyed.

A Prolusion in the Outskirts

Author's Note

The relationship between Flare Brimstone and Princess Celestia is a tightly knitted one, but it has never really been the main focus in either of the chapters, only as a brief interaction here and there. So I decided to display that friendship in this final chapter, so it might be a little touchy-feely for most of the chapter. Like... real cute stuff... where Flare acts kinda girly. It's a very intimate friendship.

This will mark the end of this story for now.

With that, I would like to express my sincere appreciation to all of you for giving my story some of your precious time. I sincerely appreciate it.

A Prolusion in the Outskirts

Princess Celestia's agent, the adventurous Flare Brimstone, is galloping toward the throne room at a breakneck speed. She slams through the large door and presents herself to Her Radiance, who was patiently waiting on her agent.

The Radiant Princess was skimming through a multipage document with a light scowl. To see Princess Celestia, bare any ill expression, especially one of vexation or anger, is to be handled with the utmost caution and solemnness. Taking her gaze off the document and delicately rubbing her eyes, Princess Celestia locked onto her agent and a gracious smile etched itself on her face.

"Princess Celestia," Flare Brimstone began by bowing her head, "I came here as fast as I could. What seems to be the problem?"

Princess Celestia did not answer immediately, instead, she flew to her agent and lovingly nuzzled the bat pony's face and neck before pulling her in for a delightful embrace.

"P-princess Celestia," Flare sputtered, returning the hug, "you've been... quite affectionate lately. If I was my friend Tempest, she'd be at a loss for words; you know you can talk to me... not as your agent, but as your friend."

Princess Celestia nudges her muzzle deeply in Flare's mane, ruffling it up adoringly as a tender breath of relief escaped her lips.

"I just need this right now," Her Radiance whispered with a weak sigh. She began rubbing her lower jaw on Flare's head. "I want to apologize for summoning you so often; I know I've been taking up most of your time lately. My duties had increased two-fold, and the most recent document I read just piled on a lot more concern."

Princess Celestia pulled Flare Brimstone in for a tighter hug.

"I've been longing for your company... because seeing you reduces my worries and inhibitions; my apprehensions have been... trying, but this new piece of information has nearly sent me over the edge. I just needed you to be here and calm me down. Forgive me, my lovely agent."

Flare Brimstone chuckled lightly, rubbing her face against Princess Celestia's chest. "I'm always happy to help you, Your Majesty."

Princess Celestia continued to repeat the loving gesture, imploring, "Call me Tia when we're alone. I've been running myself ragged lately. Being close to you always makes me feel better."

Flare Brimstone sighed gaily, pulling her face away from Tia's chest and breaking from her warm embrace. "Here," Flare said in a hushed whisper, taking Tia's hoof with her own, "let's go out to the balcony to talk. That always calms you down."

Flare Brimstone led the stressed princess to the balcony. It was always a place for Tia to temporarily breathe from her royal duties; allowing the alicorn to gather her scattered thoughts. Typically, Princess Luna is the one who accompanies Tia when the alicorn needed a reprieve from work, and it's usually a special place for the two of them. With Flare Brimstone taking the place of Princess Luna during this endeavor, it was special to Tia.

The wide balcony was lavishly decorated with two ornate hanging lanterns, a large red rug, and two large fluffy pillows. It's a place of relaxation where one could recoup and enjoy the overlook of Canterlot and the vast horizon.

Flare Brimstone quietly guided the white alicorn to the pillows and sat her down gingerly before lying next to her. The wind blew softly through the manes of the two mares, and the comfortable pillows eased their muscles. Tia took in the peaceful serenity with a relaxed breath and lowered her heavenly head so her beautiful eyes could meet with her lovely friend's pink diamonds.

"Feel better?" Flare Brimstone asked soothingly, softly holding Tia's hoof.

The alicorn was nearly entranced by Flare's eyes and comforting voice; the bat pony only showed such a caring side when she is completely alone with her.

"I... I am, my lovely friend," Tia replied with a brisk nuzzle under Flare's neck. "With you next to me, I know I will. Thank you, Flare." Tia draped a wing over Flare's body and nipped at the bat pony's ears playfully, eliciting a giggle from the recipient. "I don't feel like a princess when we're alone. I just feel... normal."

After having a moment to silence the fit of giggles, Flare Brimstone gave an incredulous look. "You are normal, Tia, you just have an important job, but... I do understand why you'd say something like that." Flare looked out to the sky. "You barely have time for yourself; you're always watched and followed around. If you could take any time for yourself, no matter how small, you will take it. A wonderful gift like you should have the day off for once."

Tia chuckled but her smile waned into a small, sad frown. "I can't forgo my duties even for a day. It's funny, if I'm gone for one day, it'll cause an uproar and all my guards would be frantically scouring the entire globe for me," Tia uttered with a tiny laugh; her titter, though intentionally said as a joke, wasn't without truth layered in. "I don't need a day off... I just need a couple of hours to myself, or to share those precious hours with you, my lovely friend."

"If you want, I'll stay with you the entire day," Flare Brimstone suggested, cradling Tia's hoof against her chest tenderly. She returned her wonderful gaze to the alicorn. "You are more important to me than adventuring. I count on you always having my back, you know I have yours." The bat pony inched herself closer to Tia. "Don't feel guilty about summoning me, I'll always come running. My adventures can wait. You come first... always."

Tia felt something tug lightly on her heart as a tear began sliding down her face, then a tinge of loyalty and reverence touched her, and Tia gave one of the most genuine smiles that have ever graced her visage. Such love... such devotion; the pure dedication Tia experienced before her was nothing short of euphoric, and she wondered how she came across a faithful pony like Flare Brimstone.

"My... extraordinary friend," Tia uttered softly, sniffling from her friend's sweet words. She tried to stop the onset of coming tears from flowing down her heaven-touched countenance, but she had failed in the most splendorous fashion. "Your kindness and love do not go unnoticed; you spoil me with your lovely words, and I solemn take what you say to heart every time. Thank you, Flare."

Tia wiped the tears from her face and nuzzled against Flare's mane and withers, eliciting a cute gasp from the bat pony before staring back into those beautiful, vibrant pink eyes.

Feeling adventurous and a little playful, it was Flare Brimstone's turn to nuzzle Tia lovingly. The action almost sent the alicorn into shock; she had never seen Flare Brimstone act with such affection. It made her tense up, but Flare Brimstone didn't relent and proceeded to repeatedly peck Tia's coat with her lips. A tinge of red appeared on her cheeks and Tia released all her tensions and waited until Flare Brimstone was done.

"Tia, you know that tonight is the annual meteor shower," Flare said in a cutesy tone. "Do you want to go with me?"

Tia's redness continued to grow. "But... but my royal duties cannot be ignored, so I'm afraid I would have to decline your generous offer, Flare," she said, downtrodden. "I apologize, my lovely friend."

Flare Brimstone laughed, saying, "Make it a royal decree, silly. You can oversee the preparations. That should give you some leeway to enjoy yourself. Also, Princess Twilight would be delighted to see you."

Tia contemplated Flare's plan and a smile slowly grew on her face. "Yes," she muttered, "that should do nicely.

Tia started to lean closer to her friend. Confused, Flare Brimstone was about to ask what the white alicorn was doing, but she never got the chance. Suddenly, without warning, Flare found herself splayed on her back with Tia looming over her with a devilish grin. The alicorn shifted her sly gaze to Flare Brimstone's belly and the bat pony figured out what was about to transpire.

It was too late to resist. It came too quickly to think up an escape plan; Flare Brimstone was completely vulnerable, and she had to endure it. The snout of Tia drifted closer until it made contact with Flare's smooth belly. It moved, just once, and Flare was lost in a fit of giggles and cute, very girly squeals. Tia blew raspberries all over Flare's exposed belly as she screams in utter delight. She holds onto Tia's snout with her forelegs while her hind legs wiggled about playfully; the bat pony was acting like a filly getting tickled by her mischievous mother. Tia loved every second of it.

"Well, this is an interesting sight," a voice said from behind the duo. Princess Celestia turned around and saw her sister, Princess Luna witnessing the painfully adorable tickle torture of Flare Brimstone.

"Morning, Luna," Princess Celestia said happily, relenting her ticklish assault. Finally able to breathe, Flare Brimstone took in the sweet relief of fresh air. "How long have you been standing there?"

Princess Luna smirked. "Since the tickling began, and I have to say, the way you ravished your agent's belly was simply masterful."

"Princess... Luna?" Flare uttered, trying to silence the giggling. Then, after realizing what she had said, Flare Brimstone scrambled to her hooves and looked over Princess Celestia to indeed see her sister. "Princess Luna?! Heeeeey!"

The aforementioned mare tittered at Flare's sudden embarrassment. "It is I, yes, the Mare of the Moon, co-ruler of Equestria, Princess Luna. Good morning."

"Good morning, Princess Luna," Flare greeted sheepishly. The mare couldn't believe the alicorn caught her and her sister doing... that.

Though initially glad to see Flare, the Moon Goddess couldn't help but give a muddled look. "Typically, this balcony is reserved for sister and me, but it seems she had allowed your person to enter this haven."

Flare Brimstone gathered what composure she had, although Princess Celestia made it difficult with the constant nuzzling. "Yes... Your Majesty. What brings you here, if you don't mind me asking?"

"Whenever my gaze latches onto my dear sister taking recess on the balcony, it's when she's distressed and in need of company," Princess Luna answered, stepping into the balcony. "However, it seems the smile etched on my sister's face declares that you have indeed remedied her woe, and for that I thank you." Princess Luna bowed, and Flare Brimstone emulated the gesture. "I will take my leave."

"Luna, wait," Princess Celestia called out. Her sister turned to face the alicorn. "There's the annual meteor shower in Ponyville tonight, so I was thinking about going and declaring a-"

Princess Luna ceased her sister's words by holding up her hoof. "I know that it is tonight, and I know what you are saying, and there's no need. I'll take over until you return. Is Ms. Inkwell present today? She should be able to help guide me through the intricacies of your job."

"Raven is currently in her office sorting out plans for upcoming events, so it might be prudent to slowly tell the mare why you have taken over my duties for the day," Princess Celestia explained. "We don't want my lovely assistant panicking."

Princess Luna rolled her eyes. "Duly noted," she commented as she gave a valedictory wave. "Behave yourself, sister. Farewell."

Princess Luna leaves the two mares to their lonesome. Tia was psyched to spend the annual meteor shower; she could watch the falling stars with her lovely friend. To have an experience with a pony you care so much for, to lay next to her as you gaze at the same sky, the warmth and affection wrapped tightly around you, it was simply heavenly to think about.

Tia has always shown her heart to her little ponies; they were not just her subjects, but her friends, her family. Flare Brimstone is family... very close family.

"Tia," Flare called out, "I need to close my shop early tonight." The bat pony grabbed Tia's hoof and bussed it before standing up. "I have to go now, but I'll see you tonight."

That was the third time the alicorn was speechless, all in one day. Tia was cursed; how badly she was anathematized by her feelings. Her pristine white coat is nothing but a backstabbing recreant; the terrible turncoat blew up red, displaying a giant flood of crimson for Flare to see. The bat pony chuckled at Tia's shocked expression, shaking her head and winking at the mare just before jumping off the balcony and flying to Ponyville.

Minutes after Flare Brimstone left, Tia was finally able to snap out of her stupor.

"Oh my..." she uttered before leaving the balcony herself.

Night rolls around.

Princess Celestia stood at the edge of the balcony. She fills her nostrils with the fresh intake of air before exhaling slowly; she calmed her heart, and her mind, and steeled herself. She looked forward with a wonderful smile, opened her large immaculate wings, and leaped into the air with such magnificence. The cool breeze of the moonlit night surrounded the mare as she makes her graceful descent to the outskirts of the rustic village of Ponyville. There, Princess Celestia saw the entire town of ponies and creatures lolling across the verdant fields staring at the night sky. Princess Luna had outdone herself this time; the stars shimmered and shines with the brightest luster Princess Celestia had ever seen. It was a time when all the residents of Ponyville got together to witness the amazement of the meteor shower.

The second she landed, Princess Celestia was immediately greeted by her faithful friend Twilight Sparkle, the rest of her friends, and the entire town. After getting the pleasantries out of the way and with everything calming down, Princess Celestia noticed Flare Brimstone didn't greet her as every creature else did. She veered her head around the lush scene scanning over the wave of ponies and the like searching for her lovely. Then, with squinted eyes, Princess Celestia espied a figure relaxing underneath a tree off in the distance. Further inspection reveals the figure's red mane and tail. That unruly style... it was Flare Brimstone. Smiling, the pretty princess trots over to the mare and presented herself.

Flare Brimstone turned her shining pink gaze at the princess as a grin gradually found its way to her face.

Tia lowers her body and cuddles up to the bat pony. "Were you waiting long?" she asked, setting her head atop Flare's head.

Flare chuckled. "Nope," she answered merrily, cradling Tia's hoof. "I just got here. Closed up the shop and flew out of town. I saw you talking amongst the Ponyville residents and decided to not interfere." Flare Brimstone looked up towards the starry sky. "I knew you would find me after. How did your faithful friend react to seeing you here for the event?"

Tia loved seeing Twilight Sparkle again. It had been months since they last saw each other; the alicorns were simply too busy to catch up. When they did get back together, Tia realized how much she missed having her once-faithful student by her side. To see the little filly you took under your wing evolve into something far better than you had ever perceived was truly delightful.

"I enjoyed it more than I had thought," Tia muttered, her gaze shifting to the night sky. "Honestly, it was supposed to be a quick greeting, but then it turned into such a stunning and emotional conversation that I had lost track of time; I don't even know how long I talked to my faithful friend." Tia draped her angelic wing over Flare's body. "Right now, I would rather talk to you. How did I ever get a pony like you?"

"By being a wonderful and just ruler?" Flare entreated. "I mean, I am a gift and a treat to be around."

Tia laughed. "Is that so?" she asked sarcastically. "Well, I should be glad I came across you when I did. You're accomplished, loved by so many ponies, and a good friend. After tonight, where you think the adventures will take you?"

Flare Brimstone gazed at her cutie mark. "Adventure can be found just about anywhere," she answered. "For now, I think I'll take a small break from it all... you know, just stay in one place."

As they talked, the mares witnessed the meteor shower blitzing across the sky. The mystical, almost sparkling rocks sent the mares and every creature on the outskirts of Ponyville into awe. Suddenly, Flare Brimstone's eyes narrowed and discerned a small meteor making its way towards the Plains of Equestria. Every creature stared as it crashed with a loud boom, skidding across the earth and leaving burn marks in its wake. It halts as steam irradiated from it.

Eyes wide, Princess Celestia says, "That's... unusual. There hasn't been a meteor crash in centuries. I can... feel something inside there. What does it mean...?"

Flare Brimstone smiled before standing up. "It means adventure has found its way to us. So much for taking a break."

Just after the meteor crashes, Princess Luna teleports next to Princess Celestia. "We got a problem," she muttered close to the two mares. "I was watching the shower from the balcony, and that meteor there," the lunar princess points to it, "suddenly appeared as if out of thin air and began its descent to our planet. Naturally, I tried to interact with the rock with magic, but it was repelled."

"Repelled?" Princess Celestia uttered under her breath. Her eyes were searching the ground as her brows slightly furrowed. "Flare, vacant every single creature from the plains and ensure none are left out other than me, my sister, and Twilight Sparkle if she wishes to stay. Luna, take command of the elite and royal guards and have them meet here within the hour. I do not know what anomaly this is, but we are going to find out."

Flare Brimstone's gaiety altered to seriousness. "Understood," she said with a brisk salute, leaving the sisters alone.

"I'll get the guards prepared, watch the meteor until my return," Princess Luna said, teleporting back to the castle.

Alone, Princess Celestia stared at the fallen meteor. "This isn't a regular rock... but something more," she whispered. "Flare was right, adventure has found us."