Pom awoke to Woof’s nudging and rose with a long yawn.

“Morning.” She gave Woof a few scratches behind her ears, noticing that none of them had woken Tianhuo and were staying quieter than usual.

“Ye can go hunt now, I’m sure you’re hungry. I’ll see to our patient.”

Papa nodded with a soft huff and led the dogs out.

Trying not to wake her, Pom gently touched her cheek to Tianhuo’s forehead to check her temperature.

Hard tae tell, but I think her fever’s clearing up.

She tried her best to stay quiet as she piled firewood and stirred water into a premade dry mix.

Tianhuo's eyes opened to see Pom trying to strike sparks from flint and steel strapped to her forehooves.

“Allow me.” Tianhuo stretched her neck and breathed a narrow but long spout of flame, lighting the kindling immediately.

Pom stepped back from the fire with a hoof raised defensively, but she recovered with a smile shortly after. “Thank ye, I thought I'd make pancakes with a guest.”

“Your hospitality is appreciated, though I would advise traveling lighter.” Tianhuo stretched her neck in several directions after she spoke.

“Och, that's not an issue.” Pom smiled. “Papa can carry it like it's nothing.”

Hmm… Some weighted walks may be a good start. Tianhuo thought as she eyed Pom's thin legs.

“Very well, then,” Tianhuo said. “I suppose you do not need to fly with your supplies.”

“What do ye like in yours?” Pom pointed to her supplies by the pan. “I've got nuts, herbs, spices, dried berries, and dried mealworms.”

“Worms?!” Tianhuo recoiled.

“Och, sorry!” Pom flinched back. “Was that, I didn't mean tae—”

“Calm yourself.” Tianhuo interrupted. “You have not offended me. I was merely surprised that sheeple consume them. Some Longma do as well, though I can't stand them.”

“They're… for the dogs!” Pom’s stuttered. “In case they can't hunt. Sheeple don't usually— I mean, we don't eat them.”

Tianhuo raised an eye ridge. “There is no shame in eating them. Sheeple are full of surprises, it seems.”

Tianhuo opted for a mix of nuts as Pom poured mealworms into hers.

“Do you mind if I have a piece of coal?” Tianhuo asked as she received her pancake.

“Uh, sure!” Pom said, not sure what she meant.

Tianhuo promptly licked one into her mouth from the edge of the fire and swallowed without chewing, to Pom’s horror.

“Coal helps fuel us.” Tianhuo washed it down with her cup. “Important for sickness, but we don't need much of it. And I’d prefer to taste your food.”

“Uh, have all ye want of them!” Pom fished more out for her from her supplies, but paused to lick the edge of one. “Bleh!”

“It's an acquired taste, even for us.” Tianhuo gave a sympathetic smile.

Shortly after, Pom hummed in pleasure at the flavor of her pancake. “So, are you feeling better? Your fever seems to have declined.”

Tianhuo's tongue flicked to clean scraps from around her mouth. “Truth be told, I am not yet at my best, but I have more than enough strength to travel.”

“How does one more day resting sound, then?” Pom asked.

“It would help me recover, but we must not waste time.” Tianhuo pointed. “If we are not traveling, then you must be training.”

“Och, fair.” Pom nodded. “So what do you have in mind?”

“First, I would like to scout for a safer camp.” Flaming wings blazed from Tianhuo’s back. “I need to stretch anyway.”

Tianhuo returned shortly with the good news that she'd found a perfect training ground: a large cave hidden behind a scenic waterfall.

The bad news was that climbing to it was the first part of their training.

The puppies practically flew up the cliff, literally in Puff's case.

Big Momma and Papa panted as they searched for stable paths, with their weight working against them on the long climb.

Pom struggled with footing at times, but her light frame made the climb relatively easy, so she scouted in front of Momma and Papa, offering guidance and encouragement.

“Watch out for the rocks there, they seem loose.”

“This root feels sturdy enough for ye.”

“Keep going! Almost there!”

Pom joined the dogs in a cool-down drink from the waterfall, though she opted to not soak herself and shake off with them.

As her breathing calmed, she laid down by Tianhuo, looking out at the high surrounding hills.

“Wow, it's beautiful up here!”

“And it offers a better field of view, with natural defenses.” Tianhuo added. “Note the difficulty that predators without wings would have scouting or assaulting this location.”

Pom blinked. “That's quite a pragmatic view.”

“I am a captain, and tactics are part of your training.” Tianhuo smiled. “But yes, it is beautiful. Enjoy it while you rest; you've earned a break.”

Tianhuo decided to let them ask for the next task when they were ready, watching them silently as they looked out at the landscape.

They must be invested in this for it to work.

To her surprise, Pom was the first to turn and approach.

“So what's next?” Pom asked around her panting.

“Next, I need you to hit me.” Tianhuo said.

“Huh?!” Pom took a step back. “Ah dinnae want tae fight!”

“This is not a fight: I will not hit back.” Tianhuo said. “Ideally I would have you strike a training dummy, but I can simply block your attacks.”

“Are ye sure?” Pom bit her lip. “What if ye get hurt?”

“Then I will tell you to stop, and be happy that you are capable of that.” Tianhuo turned to the dogs. “As for you, I will give you one on one attention later, but for now, I'd like to see laps around the cave. Condition speed and endurance and rest when you must.”

“Fine.” Papa replied.

With the dogs in motion, Tianhuo stepped up to Pom.

“Now, I will let you choose the strike of your choice. When I say ‘ready’, attack as you wish.”

“I ken.”

“Then, Ready!”

Pom tried a simple punch, but Tianhuo caught it with her forehoof.

“Again. I barely felt that.” Tianhuo returned to her standing position.

I know she can do better. Perhaps she is holding back to not harm me.

Pom’s next punch at least nudged Tianhuo’s hoof a bit.

“Pivot when you punch.” Tianhuo turned to the side and demonstrated in the air. “Now, again!”

Pom missed and stumbled forward as she tried to hit as hard as possible.

“Better, just a little off.” Tianhuo said.

Pom’s next strike pushed Tianhuo’s hoof back, and she looked surprised when Tianhuo scolded her.

“Harder! I know you can do more!”

“Harder!”

“Stop holding back!”

“You aren’t hurting me, so hit harder!”

Tianhuo’s drill ramped up into intensity until Pom finally shouted.

“I’m hitting as hard as I can!”

“No, you are not!” Tianhuo said. “Every strike you landed last night was harder, you just have to push!”

“I dinnae even remember that!” Pom sat back panting. “I– I’m sorry. I just can’t!”

Tianhuo leaned in and stared into her eyes. “HIT—”

Pom’s forehooves swung up to cover her head, with the stress overwhelming her, inadvertently smacking Tianhuo on the jaw and sending her reeling with her muzzle pointing behind her.

“Ohmigoshimsosorry!” Pom stood, head down in shock as her eyes darted around.

Tianhuo’s head spun as she felt her jaw. “That was a good hit. Do not worry, you are not in trouble.”

Seeing Pom shaking in front of her, Tianhuo made a decision and raised her voice for the dogs as well. “Let’s take a break.”

She lowered her voice for Pom. “I do not think this approach is healthy for you.”

Pom sat down as her breathing calmed. “Thank ye, but I know I need tae be stronger.”

“And you will be.” Tianhuo sat by her. “Everyone has to start somewhere. Back in Huoshan, I have a rival who can match my strength, in her own way, and she also struggled at first.”

“That’s good tae know.” Pom looked down at her forehooves. “I dinnae know why I can’t do a proper hit when I want to.”

“I think I do.” Tianhuo waved the dogs over. “Come, you should hear this as well.”

Tianhuo thought through how to phrase her words as the dogs sat down with them.

“We need to talk about what Longma call ‘Predator’s Eyes’. More accurately called ‘Killing Instinct.’”

The puppies shuffled uncomfortably at that as Momma and Papa stared, but Pom raised a hoof in protest.

“They’d never kill anyone! I mean, I know they hunt, but sheepdogs never just attack ungulates!”

“I was not implying that.” Tianhuo took a deep breath. “Please be patient; this is a difficult topic for Longma to discuss with others. Killing Instinct exists in all creatures with predator blood, including Longma.”

“Oh.” Pom set her hoof down, not sure how to respond.

“To my shame, I let it blind me when I attacked your pack. Killing Instinct can lend power and focus to Longma warriors as well as full-blooded predators, for good or evil.” Tianhuo nodded to the dogs. “But it brings reckless destruction when left unchecked.”

“We have it under control.” Papa huffed back as Pom glanced between them. “No sheepdog has hunted an ungulate in many generations, and any who did would answer to me.”

“I do not doubt that you have it under control; your long coexistence with the Sheeple proves that.” Tianhuo said. “But my training may help you control it in battle. Even for you.”

Tianhuo pointed to Pom.

“Me?!” Pom glanced from side to side and raised a hoof to her chest.

“Yes, you.” Tianhuo said. “I did not think it was possible in one without predator blood, and certainly not in Sheeple, but it was unmistakable when you struck me, in your eyes and your aggression.”

“I-I don't know what happened there!” Pom but her lip. “I just saw Woof get hurt and I… Well, I was really angry, and I can't remember anything after.”

“Memory loss can be a sign of losing oneself to it,” Tianhuo said. “Has that ever happened before?”

“No!” Pom’s bell rang as she rapidly shook her head. “I never even hit anyone before leaving as champion.”

“Then it must be buried deep.” Tianhuo tilted her head. “I do not know how it is possible that you have the instinct, but perhaps the Sheeple and Sheepdogs both changed each other.”

Tianhuo shrugged. “But that is just conjecture. If you can somehow master the Instinct and learn to call on it at will, it can be a great strength. Some Longma struggle to summon it, but I suspect it will be harder for you.”

“How did you learn it?” Pom asked.

Tianhuo’s eyes darted away. “Honored Mother's blood has always burned hot in me. I was an aggressive menace of a foal, and it came all too easily. I had to learn to restrain it, not to summon it.”

“Oh.” Pom frowned, but she put on a smile and offered a hug. “Well, yer a nice… lady now.”

Tianhuo chuckled and accepted the awkward hug with her fire extinguished. “And you are quick to forgive. The word you are looking for is ‘mare’, though: we traditionally use Honored Father’s terms.”

“Oh.” Pom glanced down. “Those are horse hooves, aren't they?”

“Yes.” Tianhuo said.

“How did that—” Pom paused, “I mean, who were Honored Father and Honored Mother?”

“We’ve already delayed training for too long. I can tell the story later.”

“But now I'm curious!” Pom protested.

“Pleease?” Puff whined.

“Fine.” Tianhuo gave in. “I suppose this is a good time for it while the sun is still high, and it is a story worth telling. All Longma know it by heart.”

Soon Pom and the dogs were leaning in by the campfire, eager for Tianhuo to start.

“This is the story of how the Longma were born,” Tianhuo recited in a practiced tone. “How, against all odds, ungulate and predator came together.”

Tianhuo breathed a cloud of smoke for the customary opening, getting yips from the puppies and an ‘Och!’ from Pom.

“Long, long ago, predators roamed the world freely. It was a time of constant conflict, where ungulates fought for their survival.”

The smoke thinned away as she continued.

“But one village did not need to fight them, for it was the domain of a terrible dragon tyrant.”

Tianhuo’s mane flared.

“No other predator would dare hunt in her territory, but she demanded that those ungulates provide her tribute: the flesh of fish and chickens.”

Pom put a hoof to her mouth as Tianhuo continued.

“She feared nothing, and had all the flesh she wanted without ever needing to hunt. And yet, her life was incomplete; her domination had left her lonely.”

Tianhuo extinguished her mane.

“In those days, ungulates of all sorts lived together. The village had deer, goats, and even sheeple.”

Tianhuo glanced at Pom, smiling at her small gasp.

“But it was also home to ponies, the smallest of equines.”

Tianhuo flared her wings and mane and rose to her full height on her hind hooves.

“The village lived in fear of that dragon, though she promised not to attack them so long as they brought tribute. Every day, they would draw lots to determine who would deliver it.”

Tianhuo crouched and lowered her neck with an extinguished mane.

“One day, a young pony was chosen. But while other tribute bearers cowered in silence, he was filled with righteous anger as the dragon ate.”

Tianhuo crouched lower and tilted her head up, as if she spoke to someone much larger in an indignant voice.

“And he said, ‘Why do you make us hunt for you? If you are so powerful, you can get this yourself!’”

Tianhuo regained her normal posture, then stood and stretched her neck to her maximum height to stare down on her audience, mane and wings blazing with a harsh voice to match.

“Then the dragon said, ‘Few dare to speak in my presence, let alone chastise me. Your bravery amuses me. From now on, you shall bring the tribute.’”

Tianhuo assumed her normal pose and voice.

“Her words shocked him, and he said nothing else to her that day. And so his family despaired as he alone brought the tribute, then his only duty. And so came their next meeting.”

Tianhuo raised herself up again.

“‘I offer you protection, and the mercy of sparing your lives,’ the dragon said. ‘So why do you protest?’”

Tianhuo lowered herself down.

“‘You make ungulates kill for what you could secure easily!’ the pony protested. ‘It is not natural, and you could just leave us alone!’”

Tianhuo assumed her normal pose.

“And so they argued every time he brought the tribute, day after day, week after week. But in time, to their mutual surprise, they began to reach common ground.”

Tianhuo lowered herself with a calmer stallion voice.

“I am grateful for your restraint and protection, but my village fears you and hates fishing and raising chickens to be killed. I know that you require flesh to eat, but surely there must be a better way.”

Tianhuo raised herself with a gentler dragon voice.

“Killing to live is the life of a predator, but I see how it disturbs ungulates. From now on, you will no longer need to bring tribute with you, and your village will no longer need to prepare it; your presence will be enough.”

Tianhuo assumed her normal pose.

“The village rejoiced and hailed the stallion as a hero, but as his visits with the dragon grew longer and longer, they began to grow suspicious.

Tianhuo breathed another puff of smoke, which slowly cleared as she continued.

“The stallion brought her gifts of his accord, and they began to speak of many things as friends.”

Tianhuo extinguished her mane.

“Until, on one fateful day, he opened his heart to her. ‘I love you, and I wish to spend the rest of my life with you, if you will have me.’”

Tianhuo raised herself.

“The dragon realized that she loved him more than anything in the world and wanted nothing more than to be with him. So she returned his love, and from that point on, she shared her home with him.”

Tianhuo assumed her normal pose.

“But despite the stallion's efforts to reason with his village to accept their love and respect her for her protection, they made him an outcast.”

Tianhuo raised herself.

“Furious, but heeding her beloved’s plea to not harm them, the dragon carried him off as they searched for a worthy home, far from those who rejected them.”

Tianhuo breathed a large spout of fire straight up in the air.

“They came at last to a beautiful island of fertile soil and flowing lava, and saw that it reflected them perfectly. They named the island Huoshan, and made their home on a cliff where the stallion could farm safely while the dragon hunted.”

Tianhuo lowered herself as she said ‘stallion’ and raised herself as she said ‘dragon.’

“In time, to their wonder and surprise, their love bore children: the first of the Longma. They loved each other and their children dearly, and their family grew and grew from a household, to a village, to a nation!”

Tianhuo stood taller and taller at each phase.

“And so they became forever known as Honored Mother and Honored Father, whose virtues of strength and courage, honor and duty all Longma strive for.”

Pom stomped her forehooves in applause as the dogs barked their enthusiasm.

“Thank you.” Tianhuo bowed.

“But wait.” Pom blushed. “How did they have that many children?”

Tianhuo returned the blush. “Honored father was… virile, and their love was strong. The first generations of Longma married their siblings, so the family grew to their grandchildren. Longma fertility declined greatly with each generation though, and Huoshan is only slowly growing today.”

“I ken.” Pom glanced away before returning her gaze with enthusiasm. “So what happened next? When did Empress Longestma come in?”

“That, is a story for another time. You have training to do.” Tianhuo rose with a stretch.

Soon, Tianhuo had all of the dogs in drills, seeming completely in her element overseeing all of them at once after tutoring them individually.

“Again, Puff, but at more of an angle!”

Tianhuo stretched her neck down to look at Pom as she lay on her back as an improvised weight.

“Just three more! You can do this!”

“More speed, Blen!”

Pom strained as she stood and squatted down again. “Ye may be too heavy for me.”

“Longma are light.” Tianhuo's head whipped back to stare. “And I am in perfect shape.”

“Sorry! Not what I meant!” The stare shocked Pom into pushing harder to finish.

She lay on her barrel, panting. “Sorry. I just meant ye seem heavy relative tae me.”

“I'll be the judge of that.” Tianhuo pulled Pom up on her hooves with a single forehoof, then dropped her in amazement before repeating the test. “Incredible! I've known foals who weighed more!”

“Och, I get it: I'm a weak little lamb.” Pom looked away as her confidence took another hit.

“You misunderstand. Low weight can be a great strength!” Tianhuo let Pom down and joined her laying on the ground.

“It can?” Pom tilted her head. “Wouldn't more weight be better so I could take a hit and hit harder?”

“There is more than one way to fight, young lamb.” Tianhuo said. “Many species are heavier and stronger than Longma, but we can use our own strengths to best them.”

“Yeah, magical fire and wings.” Pom frowned.

“Those are powerful gifts, but they are not everything.” Tianhuo suddenly spun in a backflip to land several places away. “Being light makes us agile.”

Pom sat up with a gasp. “That was incredible! Ah dinnea if I could do it, though.”

“Maybe, maybe not.” Tianhuo said. “But you won't know if you don't try.”

“Good, Ruff! Kick the dust higher, Tuft!” Tianhuo looked back to Pom. “Enough pushups for today. I’d like to see how you can jump.”

Tianhuo coiled and jumped high in the air, landing gracefully without using her wings.

“Try to stay in the air as long as possible.”

“I don't think I can—”

“Just do it!” Tianhuo interrupted Pom with a tinge of annoyance.

Pom sprung with all her strength and came far short of Tianhuo's jump, but she spread herself out to catch more air and slowly drifted down, staying airborne longer.

“Excellent!” Tianhuo stomped a hoof in approval.

“How’s that gonna help in a fight?” Pom asked.

“Varying your landing time can help you escape and attack.” Tianhuo said. “Now try a standing jump.”

“What's that?”

“Just jump as far forward as you can without a running start.” Tianhuo demonstrated again without her wings.

“Oh, like a skip!” Pom leapt forward and over Tianhuo to alight behind her.

“Very impressive, we can use that,” Tianhuo said before she called the dogs. “Now rest awhile, then give me four laps through the cave!”

“Guess playing ‘dinnae touch tae grass’ paid off.” Pom smiled. “I'm the champ at it! Want me tae show ya?”

My usual regimen may not work for her. Perhaps some competition could help?

Tianhuo thought. “Perhaps we can train with it. Show me.”

“Okay!” Pom smiled. “It's pretty simple really: jump to rocks to avoid touching grass, and whoever makes the fewest jumps wins. But we can use charcoal circles here.”

“May I set up the course, then?”

“Sure!”

Tianhuo finished the last circle before chewing and swallowing what was left of the charcoal.

“Done.”

“That's pretty hard for a dinnae touch tae grass course.” Pom scanned the floor, realizing that she'd have to chart a course around some gaps.

“I am confident in your abilities,” Tianhuo said.

“Six jumps! Beat that!”

Pom set another record on the course, breaking a tie that Tianhuo had only barely secured by two points.

Perhaps I have become too reliant on my wings, Tianhuo thought as she watched Woof finish in twelve.

“Aye, that was a good run.” Pom gave Woof a belly rub before looking at Tianhuo. “Your turn!”

Tianhuo made the first circle easily with a high jump, but as she skipped through the circles only wide enough for one hoof, she tipped over, trying to land from a long leap.

“Ah!” Tianhuo quickly righted herself and looked up to see Pom as she offered a hoof to help her up.

“That was a hard one, ye can have a do-over.”

“No, that will not be necessary.” Tianhuo took her hoof. “You have won. We can draw a different course next time.”

“Are ye sure we have time for it?”

“Of course!” Tianhuo said. “This is part of your training. Watch.”

Tianhuo jumped back through the circles, throwing punches and spinning kicks before each landing.

“A fast and far jump is crucial to an aerial attack.”

“But what’s tae good of that if I can’t hit properly?” Pom raised a hoof.

“One thing at a time.” Tianhuo said.

They repeated the game multiple times, with Pom enjoying defending her ‘Dinnae touch the grass’ championship.

But when the dogs left to hunt and Pom started cooking a simple soup for her and her mentor, doubt started to return.

“Ye know fighting, so be honest with me. Do ye think a sheep like me can be a good fighter? Ah feel like I'm slowing everyone down.”

“I don't think so, I know so.” Tianhuo touched a hoof to her shoulder. “In a moment of surprise, you managed to overwhelm me. There is strength in you, even if it is buried deep down.”

“But I don't even know how I did that. That… ‘Killing instinct,’ you called it.” Pom grimaced as she said the words.

“Perhaps we should stick to ‘Predator Eyes’.” Tianhuo gave a sympathetic smile. “I can train you to fight well without it, though learning to control it would be useful.”

“But that felt awful.” Pom looked at the ground. “Like I just snapped.”

“Like every thought turned to violent focus,” Tianhuo added.

“Ah dinnae want to feel that way again.” Pom shook her head with her belly softly ringing. “I did this tae keep everyone safe, not tae fight.”

“Unfortunately, sometimes peace requires conflict. But the sooner we seal the predators, the sooner we can put this behind us.”

Pom looked up and smiled. “Then I’m happy to have a friend like you helping me, even if I can’t do much.”

“When you doubt yourself, remember this: Honored Father was less powerful than Honored Mother, but his courage changed everything,” Tianhuo recited. “I see potential in you, as do your dogs, and I have trained many soldiers. If you keep training, you will grow strong.”

“Thank ye.” Pom blushed and scooped a bowl for Tianhuo.

They ate together as the dogs returned, grateful for a heartier meal than grass after a day of training.

After some prodding, Tianhuo set down her empty bowl and continued her story.

“Empress Longestma was one of the first Longma, born directly from Honored Father and Honored Mother and raised by them.”

“Were they all extra long?” Pom asked.

“No,” Tianhuo said. “I will get to that. Honored Mother and Honored Father lived happily with their family for many years, but Honored Father aged much faster than them. Eventually, he passed away, and Honored Mother carried on as the sole Empress.”

Pom frowned at that as Tianhuo continued.

“She became more withdrawn then, eventually only holding court once a month, though she continued to protect them. Then, when…”

Tianhuo stopped herself. “Have you heard the story of the Great Prophet?”

“Och, of course!* Pom nodded. “She sealed away the predators! Well, tae bad ones.”

“She did not do it alone,” Tianhuo corrected. “She led the ungulates to fight them together, and Honored Mother and the Longma fought alongside them. In that war, she saw that her children had grown strong and no longer needed her protection. So after years of peace, she chose a successor, blessing our Empress Longestma, Honored Father’s favorite child, with her long life and much of her power. She then poured the rest of her magic into relics known as the Longma Balls and gave them to her most trusted children so that they could still have her assistance when working together.”

“Those sound useful.” Pom interrupted. “Do you have them?”

“No. I am looking for the Seer to find them,” Tianhuo answered.

“But how—”

“Let me finish.” Tianhuo cleared her throat to get back to the story.

“Weakened by these gifts and confident that her children would be safe, Honored Mother then asked the Prophet to open a door to the afterlife, so that she could enter and be with her beloved again. But though she had hoped that separating the Longma Balls would bring peace, warlords began to fight with each other over them. Empress Longestma quelled this by gathering every Longma Ball and wishing that they be scattered across the world, to be found only by the worthy and only when they would be needed. Even she does not know where they reside, beside two that we have recovered so far.”

“It's nice that Honored Mother and Honored Father are together again.” Pom smiled. “If I see one of these Longma Balls, I'll be sure tae get it to you.”

“Perhaps you will,” Tianhuo said. “But now that I have told the story of the Longma, I would like to learn of your history. How did Sheeple and Sheepdogs come to live together?”

“Um.” Pom, Momma, and Papa exchanged glances. “We don't know.”

Author's Note

I loved the Honored Mother and Honored Father story in this fanfic, though mine is quite a bit different, so I definitely wanted to include one.

EPom's Chapter — A Novelization of a Story That Doesn't Yet Exist

• MLP: FiM
• Them's Fightin' Herds
• Adventure

An adventure detailing Pom's unwilling journey through Foenum for the Prophet's Key.

• Other

AIPomgeon · 45k words  ·  33  0 · 843 views

Those background stories have been in my head and notes for a long time: happy to have them published now, and eager to hear what you think.

This chapter is pretty big on the fanon, but I prefer to try to answer interesting background questions rather than wave them away.