It was all handled. I was excused from school, and they all knew where I was going. I also had a pink companion. "This is going to be so fun." Pinkie bounced in place as she grinned at Maud, Gallus, and me in turn. "Are you ready for Griffonstone?!"

Gallus snorted softly. "Been there, but also no." He punched at my side lightly. "Thanks for coming. I didn't expect quite so much extra... But the schol insisted." He angled his head towards Pinkie. "How'd she get involved?" He turned his angle to Maud.

Maud shrugged. "I asked."

I laughed nervously. "She did, and I said yes. Mad?"

"Confused." He reached to poke the grey pony, only to get his finger batted aside easily. "Huh..."

The train slowed at the station with soft squealing breaks and the cooling chug of the engine. "That's us. Let's get along and we all get what we're going for." I waved a hoof at the opening doors as ponies came and went. "Everyone have their tickets?"

They all held up their tickets in mouth or fingers and we all headed up into the train to take our seats on the soft benches they had ready for us.

I chuckled as our motley delegation brandished tickets, mismatched yet united embarking upon unexpected odysseys beyond schoolyard gates. Gallus ruffled feathers brusquely but anticipation glinted behind nonchalance at his old stomping grounds revisited.

Meanwhile implacable Maud simply seated herself and peered out the window as landscapes rolled by, perhaps already compiling geological surveys from afar. Pinkie bounced between random passengers cheerily making new friends wherever she landed.

I settled contentedly across from Twinkle as the train picked up speed. "Well, ready to see how griffons school their fledglings?" I waved a spiraled hoof her way playfully. "Maybe you pick up some air tricks teaching the teacher over there!"

She giggled excitement lighting eager eyes that still saw boundless worlds awaiting exploration. "Here's hoping! Oooh maybe they use flight a lot creatively?" She mimed exaggerated wind sprints leaving me ducking and laughing. "Let's ask!"

And as the train's rhythmic roar lulled passengers towards naps or novels, our chatter carried on chasing colorful dreams where old barriers stood perhaps unlocked by new keys friendship's magic made mundane.

The conductor's call awoke me later - we'd arrived at last! Scrambling to the exit I saw spires of mythic Griffonstone awaiting under sullen skies completely clouded. This land's warlike past harbored hidden hurts history dismissed conveniently.

I shook my head, taking it all in. "Less run down than I remember, that's good."

"Than you remember?" Gallus peered at me oddly. "You've been here before?"

"He has not." Twinkle landed on my back, standing there easily. "But his world has stories like it, get it?"

"No." Gallus pointed ahead. "My old home's that way. That's where my adventure begins." He sighed at it. "David and Twinkle are coming with me. What are you two doing?" He was looking at the Pie sisters.

Pinkie blinked. "I'm with you, obviously! That's why I came here, duh! Keep you out of trouble and watch all the friendship you get up to." She leaned in, snuffing at Gallus. "What'd you think I came here for? I don't know anycreature around here's birthday, silly. Besides yours."

Maud pointed off. "I'm going prospecting." She walked off, statement given.

I stared after laconic Maud already marching determinedly towards craggy peaks. Chuckling, I waved a cloven hoof her way. "Happy prospecting! Don't start any gemstone avalanches if you can help it!"

Twinkle buzzed bemusedly, watching the dour spelunker depart heedless of bystanders. "She's sure focused huh? Think she'll actually find us later?"

I shrugged philosophically. "Maud works on stone's schedule - we'll meet when our paths cross and not before then."

Gallus just rolled his eyes skyward clearly discounting flighty details derailing his dramatic homecoming. "It's barely half a day's flight from central peaks to the bay if she cares. Now c'mon!"

He flourished showily towards imposing cliffs and ruined fortifications lurking beyond the lonely station as lowering clouds promised storms. "I got generations of griffon greatness to shock and awe!" Brazen confidence hid anxious tells - he needed supportive witnesses making this mythic metamorphosis public however it shook out.

So we strode alongside preening Phoenix towards an uncertain reception. But Pinkie pattered cheerily in our wake pausing only to inflate celebratory balloons somehow fitting the gloom. "Oooh I can't wait seeing their faces when magic multiplies!"

I hastened to Gallus' side. "Can you do it again?"

"Hm?"

"The phoenix, can you do it again, when you want?" I leaned in. "I'll be honest, I can't just go nirik whenever I want." I tried, but did little but allow a little flame to lick over my lips and nothing else. "So... no judgement, just checking... It'll be awkward--"

"--You think I don't know that?!" He threw a hand aside, almost hitting me with it. "I'm working on it! Cut a griffon a break." Huffing, he stormed ahead of us, stomping.

"You said no judgement." Twinkle hugged from above. "But that sounds like he doesn't have it under control yet anymore than you can do the nirik. Hm... Yours is... permanent and showy. His isn't. How is he going to show it off?"

Pinkie clapped once. "Obviously he just needs a spark to get started. Gallus!" She zoomed ahead and whispered wildly at him where I couldn't hear yet. "And that'll take care of it!" she finished as I did get close enough.

I tilted an ear curiously as Pinkie whispered rapidfire schemes towards flustered Gallus who finally flushed shaking feathers out irritably. "What're you two conspiring already?" I eyed them askance. "I know that look bodes chaotic explosions somehow."

Gallus just snorted smoke, embarrassment swiftly shoved aside under swaggering indifference. "Yeah, don't worry bout it - this big entrance needs my personal flare is all!" Sharp beak clicked subtly counting down fuse-length as Pinkie nodded vigorously barely containing premature explosions.

I hesitated asking further about suspiciously smoldering balloons winking subtly my way.

Luckily distraction surfaced quickly enough! "Um, Gallus? Who're all them watching us?" Twinkle peeked from behind my flickering plume pensively as shadowy figures lined the crumbling avenue slanting suspicious gazes our way.

Our brash companion froze ruffling feathers defensively before those stern sentinels.

Pinkie squeaked faintly deflating herself under intensifying scrutiny. I considered the group. "Do they... already know?"

"Maybe." Gallus crossed his arms. "But they really should just come out and say it."

One of those dark figures stepped forward. "Since you request... You." He leveled a sharp talon towards Gallus. "You have broken several laws. How do you plead?"

"Innocent until you tell me what the heck you mean by that?" Gallus shrugged emphatically. "Not sure what else you expected."

Pinkie stepped forward. "Excuse me! I'm their teacher." She gestured over the rest of us. "Minus that one." She nodded at Twinkle. "I need to be kinda involved before you go arresting any of them."

"You claim stewardship over this one?" They took a firm step forward, a sword sliding into view.

"Yep!" Pinkie had and displayed no fear.

She also proved to be poor at dodging as the griffon casually lassoed her neck with a big cuff. "You're under arrest then. You all are. Anything you--" He paused to caw loudly. "--say will be used against you, so shut up!"

I inclined my head, feeling dread ripple up through me. "Is this about the phoenix thing?"

"Ooo, using that." The griffon swatted me across the top of the head. "Shut up."

Sullen anger flared, and with it, flame. The nirik surged through my terror, overwhelming me in a roar of anger as my everything combusted into violent white-blue fire.

Ominous portents gripped me as hostile griffins encircled us. Their menacing steel matched frigid stares beneath iron authority.

Yet Gallus bristled defiantly before startled comrades. Even bold Pinkie wilted as overlords pronounced merciless judgment on us.

"We'll appeal your sentences to truer powers!" My voice rang out as I transcended old limitations.

I extended a flame towards shaken Gallus hoping he saw the way out, however late. The rest stood unscripted, but freedom flew now where once only gloomy submission reigned!

The heat washed over him, and consumed him. I had meant the barest touch, but he lit on fire as easily as a match. I had set my friend on fire. I gaped with outright horror, even my anger fizzling a moment, though I remained a nirik.

But he wasn't screaming, at least not in pain. He roared with the primal fury of fire itself as he threw out his hands. "Did you think I came to lie and boast?! I am a phoenix!"

The guardians of the law, ready to arrest a moment before, dropped to a knee, all of them, their heads bowed low. The one that had been in the front released Pinkie. "Apologies! We... We were defending your ancient pride, sir Phoenix. We would never allow a little pest to claim your might."

I stared dumbfounded as hostile griffins abruptly knelt heads bowed before fiery Gallus. Ancient prophecies perhaps foretold this rebirth under stars none bothered tracking anymore amidst apathy's dampening shroud?

My own special flames receded as I perceived threats extinguished by mystical transformations kindling awe instead of outrage. Gallus nodded almost casually though eyes shone feverish marveling his newfound status elevating beyond former outcasts.

Shame stirred remembering impulsive immolations nearly interrupted epic awakenings by lashing out rashly. But maybe things had worked just the way they needed to.

I gently helped startled Pinkie to her hooves as celebrations swiftly overtook would-be executions. "Who knew your field trip would feature mythic metamorphoses eh?" I murmured nodding Gallus' astonished way.

She blinked twice then giggled bubbling over anew. "It's a sign this is an extra super special diplomatic mission!" Pulling party supplies from nowhere, she advanced on the former guards now bowing obediently awaiting the reborn phoenix's bidding.

I sidled cautiously up beside preening Gallus amidst the chaotic transformation unfolding. "So hey, feeling fiery today?" I ventured lightly nudging him playfully. Smoke wisped skywards punctuating the loaded pause...

Twinkle landed next to me. "Are you done being on fire?" She poked at me, testing the lack of flames. "Better. Warn a pony before you do that when they're on top of you." She blew a raspberry, then took her spot back atop me.

Gallus took a slow and deep breath, forcing his flames back before all his feathers burned away, again. "Al... right. There we go. Um, you." He pointed to one of the guards.

The guard stood up sharply. "Sir?"

"Come with me." He waved the guard along as he marched. "You need to tell Grandpa what you saw if he doesn't beleive us. I am not going through proving that twice in one day, thanks."

"As you wish, sir." He trailed along behind Gallus.

This put him near me, so I went to the guard's side. "So, can I ask how phoenixes are seen around here?"

"Legends." The guard clasped his hands with a smile. "Lost, we thought, but that's proven... wrong. Lost, but found. The nation was once great, and there were many phoenixes, then few, then none at all. We lost our fire, and with it... our fire."

I snorted softly, getting what the guard meant by that. "Then this is a good thing, I imagine?"

"Very good... But your friend will be... busy." He turned to Pinkie. "You said you were a teacher of theirs. This ends. He will be needed here, in Griffonstone, and nowhere else."

Pinkie scowled at that. "What? No. I can't do that. We only have permission to be here a few days, not forever! Forever's a lot longer than a few days! They'll be super duper mad at me! I have to bring him back."

"Your 'student' is far too important. This isn't really something we can argue." With a determined frown, he led the way behing Gallus towards his home.

Author's Note

You win, sorta, maybe? This is a mixed bag...

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