Gallus went to his house with us trailing behind, along with one of those guards. "Grampa! You in there?"

"Who in blazes is shouting out there?" The door slammed open on the humble house, revealing an aged griffon that scowled at us all. "Bloody... What are you all doing out here?" He pointed a cane at Gallus. "And didn't I already send you away?!"

I decided swiftly I didn't particularly like the guy. Sliding in next to Pinkie, I leaned in for whispers, "So, did he know we were coming?"

"I sent a letter." Pinkie shrugged at that. "Heya Gruff!"

"Hay is for horses, pony." His gaze was locked on Gallus. "What's going on?"

Gallus waved to the remaining guard. "I'm a phoenix, and that's why he's here."

Grampa Gruff's eyes contracted a moment. "You're getting bolder with your lies. The phoenixes were gone before even I got here." He waved his cane threateningly. "Don't you come here throwing wild tales at me!"

"Sir." The guard nodded at the elder. "We have seen it with our own eyes. He is a phoenix. There is no doubt in this. What it means, we could not say, but it is beyond doubt."

Gruff grumbled clearly unimpressed by earnest testimonials however official backing them. "Pah! That scrawny descendant ain't no mythical monster."

Cane smacked the splintering doorframe punctuating, gaze never leaving stubborn Gallus unmoved by all the dramatics. "Probably some unicorn prankster's illusion-weaving a-ways off hoodwinking gullible guards again."

Before we could object he hobbled right up getting beak to beak poking rudely. "Where's yer feathers then?" Gruff demanded squinting fiercely. "All preened and shiny and trash like every phony tale says?"

Indignant Gallus indeed lacked the fabulous finery his fancy form demanded. But Pinkie gasped pointing suddenly behind me. "Oooh but maybe those loose moltings lying around already could convince this grumpy geezer?"

All stared curiously following her theatrical hoof towards wisps wending haphazardly upwards where none wafted prior. And as our eyes lifted, flickering feathers trailed seemingly sourceless meandering gently glowing until stumbling sight discovered the incandescent creature they crowned.

There hovering silent witness stood transfigured Gallus, lambent wings framing fierce eyes gazing revelations daring doubters defy truths burning bright as they choose. None moved nor spoke beholding brilliant plumage gracing our companion's changed shape shown clearly last under fading sunsets.

Until Gruff growled something vaguely resembling "Huh. So the bumblin' braggart brat brought some spark back after all..."

I smiled at the sight. "You're getting better at that."

Gallus landed, fire going out with a tired huff. "That... is not easy, but you can't ignore your own eyes. I did it."

"The phoenix is reborn," cried the guard, as if blessed to have seen such a thing, twice in one day.

"And I'm not naked this time." His feathers hadn't burned away entirely that time, leaving him with most of his plumage. "Either way, there! Beleive me now, or what?"

Twinkle hopped off of me and darted forward to Gallus' side. "I imagine he wants to show some of you how to do that too."

"Yeah! I do. This is, uh..." He rolled his hands over one another. "It's too big for me to hold to myself... I don't owe griffon-kind a dang thing... But this doesn't feel like something I should keep to myself."

I grinned at Twinkle rallying Gallus' shaken confidence. For all his bluster, sharing that gift came before keeping it. Good.

Gruff stiffened, clearly sensing seismic shifts rattling ancient assumptions and stubborn pride. Thoughts of bowing before untested insights scraped against stubborn elder notions of "proper place" however literally glowing evidence crackled nearby.

Yet wisdom blossomed slowly as old vines unwound rigid certainties forged under different lights. I subtly directed attention to fresh perspectives literally smoldering impatiently. "Perhaps actually sharing perceptions around these phenomena would be good?"

Gallus blinked my way then nodded firmer confidence summoned by that subtle call to bring discussions beyond unproductive quibbles into unfamiliar terrain.

Gruff grumbled, protesting still, but Pinkie nudged him playfully. "C'mon, even grumps gotta grow a bit! Stay grumpy but listen yeah?" Bit by bit, barriers lowered as eyes turned up towards dawning futures.

"On your head!" He jabbed Gallus sharply with his cane. "You'll need a place, I bet, ugh, and all your friends... Whatever, you know where the bedroom is. Don't make a mess!" He stormed inside, angry as ever.

But his words had no denial. Gallus was welcome there. He smiled with a nervous laugh. "That coulda gone worse."

"Sir." The guard dipped his head. "You are a holy relic. You do not need to sleep here. You and your sacred gifts are due better housing."

Gallus puffed up at that. "I like the sound of that, uh.... But I want to talk to people, you know, other griffons. Ones I know? Not special ones."

"Sir... That isn't my choice, or entirely yours. The council will make those decisions." He bowed low. "I am here to see that you get a chance to speak to your relations, which you have. We should proceed to the temple now." His words were stiff, speaking to something he both had to control but was subservient to. "Please."

Pinkie raised a hoof quickly. "Just making sure, but we are with him. I have to, being his teacher and all."

The guard waved that away. "Not an issue. You can come with, but we are due at the temple at your earliest convenience, Phoenix."

I looked to the bright side. "If we're at that temple, will there be a lot of griffons that Gallus can teach?"

The guard perked. "Hm? Oh, yes, certainly. The priests will want to hear every word he has to share. His techniques may yet revive the nation entire! That is why we must go."

My brows lifted impressed by the ideas and the revival they were suggesting.

Pinkie bounced eagerly conjuring costumes somehow suiting the occasion's lofty air. "Ooo, does this fancy temple place need like, super respectful robes and stuff? Do phoenixes wear sparkly medallions when teaching?" Without waiting for replies fabric flowed becoming splendid vestments trailing her gamboling frame.

I chuckled softly. "I doubt the temple's looking for that. Gallus, what do you think?"

Gallus frowned, though that was often his default. "Well... You're with me, which I appreciate. Let's... Go teach some griffons." With a cheer, we all headed off with the guard taking point for a change.

I gathered Twinkle along the way, a thing she didn't complain about as I moved her from my hooves to my magic and then my back. "If we mess up, just tell us. I'm sure we will."

The guard paused, looking surprised. "Few are willing to admit they're idiots." He clacked his beaks. "But it is appreciated. You will be treated as a child and scolded when you step where you shouldn't."

I was a little insulted, but mostly, relieved. Better to be handled like a child and be given a chance to course-correct. "Thank you. Now, where's the temple?"

"There." The guard pointed ahead at a grand structure of marble, gold and silver. "It shines with the promises of yesterdary, and perhaps, tomorrow."

I eyed the temple's gleaming grandeur warily. Momentary renewals meant little against inevitable decline when built on arrogance alone. But humility borne of experience built more enduring monuments internally where insights transformed pain into compassion.

Thus, I resolved to simply witness events unfold with restraint rather than chase praise and power as impatient youth might. Not my place to blaze trails uninvited.

Pinkie and Twinkle whispered excitedly already weaving fanciful notions around Gallus' mythic role.

I held back, bemused, as fanfare greeted Gallus at the gates. Celebrations expected champions already conquering rather than fledglings merely flexing wings before harsher breezes ahead. Still, we were welcomed like returning champions, with cheering and food in abundance.

A griffon, a guy, swatted me on the shoulder. "And a kirin. Fire and fire. Coincidence? I doubt it. It's very rare we see one of your kind around here. Most don't... like griffons much."

I didn't like being swatted like that, but didn't say anything. "I helped Gallus get here, to a phoenix." A few gasps echoed around us.

A small griffon clapped, a child. "Show us! Please, show us! Bring the fire!"

Gallus colored faintly, standing tall. "How do I say no to a little chick?" He ruffled the child gently as the adults cheered around him. "David's not lying. He helped me grab the fire and--" He exploded in fresh flames, easier than the last time, and that easier than the one before it. Each time, a step easier. "Phoenix."

"Phoenix," cried the room, adult and child alike, all equally amazed and cheering.

I wanted to burn with him, just for the show of it, but becoming a nirik required some hot emotions. I wasn't angry. I was just a kirin. Not that that was a bad thing to be.

Gallus snuffed his flames with a sigh. "But!" He held up a lone finger. "What I want is to share. Who's ready to grab the fire with me."

"None." A griffon adorned in thick robes emerged from the back, eyes barely visible. "Unless I permit them. There are tests to be done before we get to that. Only those ready for the flame will even think of reaching for it."

Gallus hiked a doubting brow. "Let me guess, that includes you?"

"No." The priest twisted his beak like he smelled something bad. "I am forbidden from ever touching the flame. I am its steward. Never will I dance with it. Phoenix, you carry the fire for us, but only those truly worthy of its touch will you pass it on to. To do so wrecklessly? No... That will lead us only to destruction, hatchling."

I bristled as the priest patronized Gallus, reducing him back to unworthy "hatchling" despite talents manifesting before all.

I stepped forward as the elder droned doubts demanding obedience from youth yearning for more. "Good things often wear unexpected forms you didn't expect" My tone carried subtle notes of defiance towards stubborn stances chaining status quo by mere custom not ethics.

Instead I simply smiled knowingly, challenge meeting superiority smugly certain of sole legitimacy in interpretive matters. Gallus straightened sensing shields raised allowing space to stand his trembling but growing ground. Evolution builds momentum in time...

Despite all that, the room was becoming quiet. The griffons were leaving, rather than facing that elder priest.

Save one. A griffon woman stepped forward. "Test me. I am ready to reach for the fire." She punched one palm with the other hand with a scowl. "I will pass your test!"

The elder chuckled darkly. "Confident... Good. The fire has no place for the meek. Guards, see she is given food and shelter for the night. The tests begin tomorrow morning."

The room filled with stunned whispers. The elder looked to me. "You. Kirin. Your kind are rare here. I was told you aided the phoenix, and for that, we are in your debt. I would not have imagined a kirin would be the key to their return... You and yours may stay. Do not interfere with our ways, but you may stay." He cawed sharply. "We must respect the fire... Even if yours is not one we will reach for."

I snorted at that, thinking back on how, technically, Gallus had found the fire with me. He had reached for mine, and found his own. "Thanks."

"Thanks!" echoed Pinkie. "This is a neat place." She looked around with naked wonder. "Really digging the vibes you're putting down. Now, I'm more of an earth pony than a fire one, but I can still dig the vibes! We should do a little fire shindig."

The elder chuckled softly at Pinkie. "Foalish one... Perhaps you will get your chance, if that hen passes all the tests and embraces the flame. That will be a moment worthy of celebration."

Author's Note

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