Equestria's Pyre

The Fire-ponies zipped up the second body bag, Flashpoint watching and mourning. Though he was the Firepony Chief of Canterlot, he never really had much to do, being as there aren't many fires in Canterlot, or in Equestria. He had never truly seen such horror in his life, except that one town...

"Chief, you ready?"

"Huh, what?" Flashpoint snapped out of his trance.

"We're ready to head back to base," one of the Fire-ponies replied.

"Ah, yes...," the Chief muttered, "Lets go then..."

They left the site of the murder, and Flashpoint continued to think. "What's going on around here," he thought, "Fisrt Fillydelphia, now Baltimare! Why is that mare doing this!?" "Aahhhhrrrrggg!!" he yelled aloud.

"Uh, Chief, you okay?"

"Huh, wha..." Flashpoint shocked, "Sorry, I uhhh..." He drifted off again into his thoughts.

"FLASH!!"

"Huh!" Flashpoint snapped out of it.

"Flash..., are you okay?"

"I don't know Thermal," he sighed, putting his hoof on his head and moving it through his mane.

Thermal Vision trotted beside him, "Flash..., are you thinking about him again?" Thermal asked softly.

"Yeah...," Flashpoint groaned, "It's just... well...," he sighed again, "Back there, it reminded me of him..."

"Yeah, your older brother," Thermal mumbled, remembering what had happened to him.

Flashpoint's older brother, Fire Fight, was his BBBFF growing up, and he would do everything his bro did, including his job. When Fire Fight became a Firepony, that was all 'Flashy' wanted to be when he grew up, and when Flashpoint left to the academy in Canterlot, Fire Fight promised to meet him when he got back. That would be the last time Flashpoint ever saw him, because one day, an enormous fire erupted out of nowhere in a small village called Timberhill. Fire Fight had been on-route to Canterlot to visit his little brother, but then saw the flames and he rushed in, his friends following him. Fire Fight died in that fire, and not a single soul was found alive.

When Flashpoint learned of Fire Fight's death, he went into a catatonic state, and never left his room. His friends, Thermal Vision and Hot Spot, were the only reasons that Flashpoint didn't jump out the window of their room on the fifth floor. Together, the three stallions tried to learn more about what had happened in Timberhill, but all information of the incident was classified by the Equestrian Council.

Flashpoint then swore that until he found out what happened in Timberhill, he would honor Fire Fight by being the best Fire-pony he could be. Since then, Flashpoint graduated from the academy with the highest honors, and served in the Canterlot Fireponies, until at last, becoming Chief, the youngest ever to achieve it.

When the Fillydelphia fire occurred, he was the first to offer his service to the Princess, hoping for any sort of clues about Timberhill. When he got there though, that was the last thing in his mind. The complete and utter decimation of Fillydelphia struck the reality of the situation to him, and now Baltimare as well.

Then there was the mare with the fiery mane, who is this mare? Why is she doing this? Is this mare responsible for Timberhill, and for Fire Fight?

All of this was racing though Flash's mind, and he couldn't hold back his tears.

"Lets head back..." Thermal suggested.

Flashpoint nodded, and the two of them continued on.

"Where 're Rarity 'n Pinkie?" Applejack asked Twilight, "I know Fluttershy's still in the Med. Tent, but I ain't seen them since I got back."

"I sent to Ponyville to start a relief effort," Twilight answered, "Hot Spot, and four other Fire-ponies went with them. One of the Fire-ponies is tasked to bring Spike here, I need him so I can communicate with the Princess better."

Twilight sighed, "What a day...,"

"T'ain't half of it," Applejack agreed.

Then suddenly, Fluttershy came running, "Rainbow's awake!" she exclaimed, quite unlike her.

The three of them then galloped quickly over to the Med. Tent to check on her. When they entered they found Rainbow Dash holding the seashell in her hooves.

"Hi, Rainbow," Twilight started, "How are you feeling."

"Like I was crushed by a bunch of rocks," Dash replied bluntly. "Twilight, I need to tell you something."

"What is it, Rainbow?" Twilight inquired.

"That mare," Dash continued, "Her name is Pyre, and she said that she's gonna burn down all of Equestria!"

Fluttershy gasped, "Why'd she want to do such a thing?"

"I'm not sure," Twilight pondered, "But we're not going to let her do that! C'mon! Lets go talk to Flashpoint!"

Twilight and Applejack ran out, Fluttershy still behind. "Rainbow, stay here, okay?"

"Don't worry 'bout that," Dash stated, "I'm not in any hurry to leave." She was still in pain from her encounter with Pyre.

Fluttershy left to catch up with Twi and AJ, leaving Rainbow Dash to think about Pyre. This demented mare had burned down two of Equestria's finest cites in less than two days! If she isn't stopped soon, by the end of the week all of Equestria will be in flames!