Reign of Fire

Misty was lying in her room and doing her usual thing - listening to music, lost in her thoughts again. There was still plenty of time before Sunny's classes, so why not?

But recently, these classes began to bring less and less joy and began to look more and more like some kind of experiments on Misty. This began with the creation of the Royal Research Team. Sunny quickly gathered enough scientists to form the basis of the organization, and they decided that it would be nice to begin research by teaching the weak pony the full use of magic, including dark one.

Although Sunny is against teaching Misty dark magic, she has so far agreed to the rest of the experiments. For Misty, these activities turned their happy time with her friend into difficult trials under the constant supervision of ponies unknown to her. Are you doing something right? They are recording. Are you doing something wrong? They are recording. And they do it absolutely silently. Of course, they discussed all these results with Sunny, but Misty didn't know about it.

But Misty noticed some changes in Sunny too. Alicorn stopped being depressed and sad about the past all the time, and became more confident and strict. Moreover, she began to treat Misty much better. Sunny could speak out with anger towards her subordinates, but she never raised her voice at the unicorn anymore. Even with unsuccessful studies and experiments. Sunny understood everything, she just needed progress to report to the Empress.

But Misty, in general, didn’t really want to think about all these things. And how can you think about some kind of magic training when all thoughts were occupied by the handsome stallion from the Maretime guard, who awakened a slightly different magic in Misty. The unicorn could only share her feelings with Sunny, who at first just laughed and thought it was a joke. But after she realized that Misty was serious, she advised her not to tell Opaline anything. Otherwise, Misty risked being placed under house arrest, and Hitch risked being sent as far away from here as possible.

But then a maid entered the room and pulled Misty out of her pleasant thoughts.

"Your Majesty," she said bowing. "I recommend you to go to the laboratory now. Miss Starscout is already there."

"Yes, thank you," Misty replied, not very pleased, and continued under her breath. "If it was only Sunny..."

Misty began to get ready, putting on her favorite costume, but this time adding a crystal from the cloak that Opaline had given her. While leaving the room, Misty remembered her previous lesson and decided to leave her phone in the room, because Sunny does not react well when Misty is distracted.

Sunny's laboratory was located in one of the castle towers. It seems that this used to be an alchemical laboratory, but now everything that Sunny needs is located here - all the necessary furniture and books have been moved here. Now it’s not even a laboratory, but an office with laboratory instruments. Several times Misty saw Sunny spending the night right here, sitting at the table.

Entering the hall, Misty immediately drew attention to Sunny, who was talking with one of her scientists in a white coat and glasses. Misty didn't remember his name, but she knew he most likely held a high position. After all, Sunny discusses all experiments with him.

"Are you sure everything will go well?" Sunny asked excitedly. "This is not a test subject from the street. This is the Empress's daughter."

"Absolutely, we have calculated all possible options, it’s safe," Alden replied.

"Let it be on your conscience," Sunny answered seriously, looking into his eyes. "If something goes wrong, then first I will kill you, then I will find a way to resurrect you and give you to the Empress so that she can kill you again."

"As you wish," the pony answered laughing and left the laboratory for the observation room.

"Misty, come here!" Sunny called the unicorn.

As Misty came closer, she noticed a new detail, previously hidden by Alden. Sunny was wearing a brand new black leather suit.

"Whoa, I’ve never seen you wearing it," Misty said with her eyes wide open and ran her hoof over the suit. "Actually, I’ve never seen this suit at all. Wait, is it Sheldy?"

"Yes, this is from one of my friends," Sunny began to explain. "He is a fashion designer and asked me to wear his new creation. He thinks this will help sales of his new collection."

"But it really suits you very well!" Misty continued with admiration. "It adds severity to your appearance and emphasizes your slimness."

"Um, thank you?" Sunny said uncertainly. "At least somepony liked it"

Sunny was lost in her thoughts for a moment before turning back to Misty.

"Misty, today we have a very serious and dangerous experiment," Sunny began somewhat upset. "I'm very worried about you and the outcome of it."

"But what if we succeed?" Misty asked cheerfully. "Will Opaline be proud of us?"

"If we succeed, not only will Opaline be proud of us, but we will be able to change so much around us!" Sunny answered.

"I’m not afraid, I’m ready to do anything for a good cause," Misty said confidently. "And to make Opaline proud of me. To make you proud of me as your student!"

So, let’s start, as usual, with moral preparation," Sunny continued. "What is our goal?"

"Unlock my magical potential, learn to control magic."

"That’s right," Sunny answered and began preparing for the ritual.

In that part of the hall where there was no furniture or unnecessary objects, Sunny drew magical symbols and installed enchanted objects. Everything is in accordance with the developed plan, based on ancient magical experiments.

"Misty, stand here in the center of these symbols," - Sunny addressed the unicorn. "The same serious preparation is required from you - clear your thoughts of everything extraneous, throw away all your emotions, focus on our goal. Think only about it, give yourself the mindset for success."

And it was quite difficult for Misty. After all, when you are asked not to think, so many thoughts come into your head, as if on purpose. But for Opaline, Sunny and a good cause, Misty is ready to overcome anything. And so, after some time, calm came and all thoughts were only about success.

"Good filly," Sunny turned to Misty, noticing her softened stance and calm expression on her face. "Continue in the same way until the end of the experiment."

With undisguised concern, Sunny took the piece of paper with the magic spell.

"Well, now the hardest part," she said nervously to herself. "And it all depends on me."

Sunny closed her eyes and exhaled. This is the moment of truth. Just her, Misty and the spell scroll between them. Sunny began to recite the spell. Symbols and things lit up one by one, and a small magical breeze ruffled Misty's hair. Everything was going smoothly. From somewhere above, clinging to the viewing glass, Alden watched the ritual with undisguised delight and recorded everything.

Delighted by such a smooth and calm flow of the experiment, Sunny could not hide her smile. But then she noticed the crystal on Misty's neck. It attracted the alicorn's attention with its strange shine and glow. It was too late to stop, but the reaction of this stone was very annoying. Suddenly, a whole magical tornado erupted around Misty. Sunny, quickly throwing away the sheet, tried to pull Misty out of this magical field, but even her magic could not penetrate it. Sunny rushed towards Misty and tried to pull her out with her own hooves, but only burned them.

"Misty! Misty, wake up!" Sunny screamed.

But the unicorn did not react to anything. It appears that Misty is in a deep trance and her consciousness has completely blacked out.

The magical storm had reached its peak and was about to tear this hall to pieces. Realizing what was happening, Sunny managed to cover herself with a magical shield at the last moment. A blinding flash and complete silence.

Sunny came to her senses and opened her eyes. The entire laboratory was practically burned out by a magical explosion. All the appliances were broken, the furniture was smoldering with a blue flame, a broken viewing window was visible under the ceiling, behind which Alden was sitting and holding his head.

"Misty!" Sunny screamed and rushed to the unicorn.

Sunny raised Misty's head, but she didn't react. The alicorn pressed herself against the unicorn's chest.

"Alive, alive!" Sunny exclaimed with relief.

"What happened? Am I dead?" Misty asked, opening her eyes slightly. "At first everything was so calm, and then anxious. But with this anxiety came new feelings, but I don’t know how to describe them..."

"Oh, forgive me, forgive me!" Sunny tearfully said to Misty, hugging her head. "No more experiments, I swear!"

Laughing nervously and stroking Misty's head, Sunny remembered about the crystal and lowered her eyes to it. Sunny's surprise knew no bounds - now the crystal looked full, it seemed that it...had absorbed the magic of the ritual?...

"Misty, I’m very sorry, but could you use your magic?" asked Sunny

"What should I do?" Misty asked without getting up from the floor.

"Something you never could," Sunny answered.

Misty, after thinking, decided to do something funny. And if it doesn’t work out, then Sunny won’t know anyway. And then, suddenly, Sunny is enveloped in magic and lifted into the air, almost to the ceiling of the hall.

"YES! HECK YEAH! WE DID IT, MISTY!" Sunny screamed laughing, spinning around the ceiling.

At that moment, Opaline flew into the destroyed room.

"What happened here???" she exclaimed in horror. "Misty!"

Out of surprise, Misty forgot about her levitation spell and Sunny almost fell down, but spread her wings just in time. Opaline ran up to Misty and fell next to her, hugging her tightly.

"What happened to you???" the Empress continued to ask.

"We did it!" Misty answered happily.

"Did what?" Opaline asked still excitedly.

"My magic!" Misty rejoiced. "I can use it normally!"

After these words, Misty decided to demonstrate her new abilities and put the almost burnt cabinet in its place.

"This is incredible..." Opaline said under her breath.

"Will you be proud of me now?" asked Misty.

"Oh, my Dear, the fact of your existence is enough for me," Opaline answered laughing.

Opaline smiled and hugged Misty tightly.

"Your Majesty," Sunny addressed Opaline.

"Yes, Sunny, what is it?" Opaline answered calmly.

"We need to talk about this experiment," Sunny said.

"Okay," Opaline answered. "But first, tell me, who developed this experiment and why did it have such consequences?"

"I developed this experiment together with Alden Shadowseer," Sunny began. "At first everything was calm and in accordance with expectations. But then, it seems because of the stone, everything went a little differently."

"What stone?" asked Opaline.

"It seems that this is your gift to her," Sunny answered hesitantly. "I’m almost sure that it absorbed the energy of the ritual and became, in a way, a strengthening for Misty. As long as she has a charged stone on her, she can use magic in ways we have never dreamed of."

"Oh, that stone," Opaline said. "Yes, this is my gift to her. Burning Heart. Skyros was full of such stones. But I never thought that it could contain magic."

"Are there such stones in Equestria?" Sunny asked.

"If there are, then you can’t just get them," Opaline answered.

"Why? What are the difficulties in this?" asked Sunny.

"Firstly, their location and quantity. They are too deep and there are very few of them," said Opaline. "Secondly, they are very unstable. One wrong move and there will be nothing to mine - the base will crumble along with the stone itself."

"So what should we do?" Sunny asked upset. "I would really like to continue my experiments with these stones."

Opaline thought about it, looking for a solution.

"I heard about a family of earth ponies. Judging by the reports, no one understands stones and their processing better than them," Opaline finally said. "They, like many, serve in one of the factories. I will ensure that you are given access to all the information you need to find them. When you find them, contact them and offer to work for RRT, tell them about your problem. I don't think they will refuse."

"It will be done, Your Majesty," Sunny answered, bowing.

In a dark but cozy bar with a gorgeous view of the city sat a beautiful pony with orange coat and long purple flowing hair. She was dressed in a stunning dark blue dress that perfectly emphasized her graceful figure. Her languid gaze and exquisite dress could not leave one of the regulars of this place indifferent.

A simple working pony named Granite could hardly enjoy his glass of beer with such a view. Suddenly, the beauty at the bar winked provocatively at him, making his heart beat faster. The poor pony, out of excitement, did not understand whether this sign was intended for him, and began to look around. At this time, the beauty only nodded approvingly, confirming that the look was intended specifically for him.

Granite hesitated, but still stood up and hesitantly approached the bar, sat down next to the stranger and after a while offered to drink together. They talked like old friends, and Beauty, using her genuine charm, awakened in him a feeling of attraction that he had never imagined.

The Beauty continued to eat Granite with a provocative look. It seems that she already had a huge amount of alcohol in her before. Every now and then, as if accidentally and unobtrusively, she touched him with her delicate hooves, as a result of which an electric charge seemed to constantly pass through the hard worker’s body. She understood that he was completely in her power and she could twist him as she wanted.

Suddenly, she raised one leg and placed it on the stool between Granite’s legs, after which with a sharp movement she turned it towards her. Alcohol and lust released all the brakes in Granite’s head, and he slid to the floor in front of Beauty. He could swear that these were the most beautiful and graceful legs in the entire Empire. Without the strength or desire to restrain himself, Granite pressed his cheek to the hoof and began to gently rub against it. The Beauty just laughed sweetly and began to gently stroke his head.

The pony looked up, without moving away from the leg, and saw the most beautiful face and the most provocative look that one could imagine. Having thoroughly caressed his cheek on the hoof, he began to kiss it, over time moving higher and higher along the leg, covering it with soft and gentle kisses, while simultaneously stroking it along its entire length with his strong but gentle hooves. The passion between the two patrons flared up like a torch flame, illuminating the darkness of this bar. The Beauty decided to add more fuel to the fire and took a bottle of champagne, slowly starting to pour it onto her leg. But for Granite this champagne for some reason seemed to taste like ordinary water. He looked questioningly at Beauty, searching for an answer.

"We have to go," she suddenly said in a rough, familiar voice. "Get up, lazy!"

With a sudden movement, Granite jumped up on his bed, next to which his brother stood and poured water on him.

"It’s impossible to wake you up!" Copper said dissatisfiedly. "We’ll be so late for our shift, we’ll get a reprimand again."

Granite sadly looked around their cabin, which had already become so familiar over these months. “One moment you are in a cozy bar with a beautiful pony, and the next you find yourself again in a dirty and damp place called “home.” Life is not fair. Well, although there is a roof and food, so it’s not so bad, maybe”.

The Metalgathers family has worked at this factory since its opening. Unlike many ponies here, they are truly volunteers. They believed that they were working for the good of their country, and they did not care about the rest. Hard work with metals is in their blood. Although their blood still needs to be searched - there is mostly only alcohol left there. They are also known for their strange antics and rituals, for which they are always reprimanded and fined. But it’s better to endure this than to look for new workers to take their place.

The family consisted of 4 strong earth ponies completely different in appearance. Dusty is the father and head of the family with a thick beard, mustache and the kindest look. Copper is the eldest son - the most massive of the brothers with a bush instead of a hairstyle and always dissatisfied with everything. Agate is the middle son, who has both a long beard and long hair, although this is prohibited with his type of work in this factory. And Granite is the smallest member of the family in every sense. The whole family has a complex character, but on the whole they are quite friendly. Especially after a ban on alcohol has recently been introduced for them due to the so-called “Canteen Incident”. The whole family got into a massive fight in the dining hall because they thought someone stole their food, even though they were just too drunk to remember eating it all themselves.

Factory No. 13 was located somewhere in a deserted and abandoned region. This location was not accidental - under such conditions it was almost impossible to escape. However, the conditions here were not the worst. But not the best either. Production focused on the processing and smelting of metals for various purposes. At least that's what the workers were told. They didn't need to know the rest.

There was a residential sector on the territory of the plant, because it was necessary to keep all these workers somewhere. The simplest residential blocks without any special amenities. However, management did not interfere with the workers’ actions to improve their cabins. And the main thing for the security was that the workers did not try to escape. Thus, one of the sectors has its own bar with various homemade entertainment.

The shift began as usual for the Metalgathers family. Marking of arrival at the checkpoint, route to the locker room, etc.
And Granite, as usual, hovered at his locker, immersed in thoughts and dreams. It was this locker that became the reason for ridicule and bullying from other workers. Including his brothers and father.

"Oh...She is perfection. A beauty like no other in the entire Empire!" Granite sighed with pleasure and a hint of sadness. "This muzzle, these eyes...And how cute her ears twitch...And why does she never let her braid down? I bet she would be even more beautiful this way!"

"When will you calm down?" Copper grinned at him.

"You understand who she is, right?" asked Agate.

"She is an ideal..." Granite drawled.

"She is part of the ruling elite," Agate answered his own question. "And you are a simple worker in a factory with no way out. She doesn't even know you exist."

"What a cute nose..." not paying attention to the words of the brothers, Granite stroked a newspaper clipping with a photo. "Sunny Starscout..."

"What took you so long?" Dusty asked sternly, looking into the locker room. "Come on, hurry up, lazybones."

Granite closed the locker, and the brothers headed towards the exit.

Nothing foreshadowed trouble, but almost at the entrance to the workshop the whole family was stopped by security, among whom was the Observer.

"What's happening?" asked Dusty.

"You will ask all the questions later," said one of the guards. "I have an order to take you to the specified place, the rest is not discussed."

"What are we to blame for?" Dusty continued. "We have been working diligently all these months, we have not violated a single-"

"I said Silence!" the guard shouted and slammed his hoof on the floor. "Let's go before I violate the order."

The family, escorted by guards, moved out of the workshop into the office premises. These were places for a higher caste - all sorts of directors, managers, accountants and others - accordingly, everything here looked more or less civilized and clean. And then the guards stopped at one of the offices. This caused Dusty some concern, because this office has been empty for a long time.

"Go in," one of the guards said menacingly, opening the door.

The ponies went inside and almost immediately fell into a stupor, barely speaking and not believing their eyes. In this meeting room, Sunny Starscout herself sat at the head of the table, and two guards stood on either side of her.

"Come in and sit down," she said, putting aside some piece of paper.

"It's...It's..." Granite stuttered. "Sunny Strascout!"

The pony began to scream with delight and it seemed that he was about to lose consciousness. At this time, Dusty slapped his son on the head and looked at him with an angry look.

"Sit down and shut up, quickly," he said.

Dusty sat at the farthest edge of the table, Agate and Copper sat on opposite sides in the middle of the table, while Granite sat as close to Sunny as possible and stretched out his front legs on the table, leaving dirty smears of something oily on it. This interrupted Sunny's thoughts and for some time she simply looked at the actions of this little pony with surprise and disgust.

"So, you know perfectly well who I am," she began. "But, just in case, I’ll introduce myself. I am Sunny Starscout, Head of the Royal Research Team, Right Hoof of Her Imperial Majesty Opaline Arcana..."

At these words, Granite noticed bandages sticking out of Sunny's sleeves.

"What happened to you?" Granite said sadly under his breath, but it was loud enough for Sunny to hear and interrupt her speech.

"Please, shut up," Dusty said menacingly through clenched teeth.

"By order of Her Majesty RRT is developing devices that will help loyal residents of the Empire use magic," Sunny continued, adjusting her sleeves.

The family looked at each other questioningly. “Use magic? Again? Is the Empress ready to do this?”

"Understanding your questioning glances, I will answer," Sunny said. "Yes. Her Majesty decided to reward loyal and distinguished residents with the opportunity, albeit limited, to use magic. But for this we need a component that is extremely difficult to obtain in our area."

Sunny put her hoof under the table and took out a magic crystal.

"This is-" Sunny wanted to say the name, but she was interrupted by the whole family at once.

"Burning heart!" the ponies said in unison.

"That’s right," Sunny nodded. "Perhaps you really are the best in rocks and stones. Burning Heart is a very rare and unstable stone. As you can understand, we need a lot of these stones to provide for everyone. Therefore, I am offering you a new job with privileges. You can get out of this factory and start working directly for me, becoming part of RRT."

"We agree!" Granite exclaimed, jumping up from his seat. "Even if they don’t agree, then I agree to everything!"

"Just wait!" Dusty was indignant. "What about the equipment and gear? At the depths where these stones are located lives a lot of dangerous things."

"All this is at the expense of RRT," Sunny said, grinning. "You will get everything you need if you agree."

"What about the money?" Copper continued questions.

"More than you get here," Sunny answered.

"Alcohol?" asked Agate.

Sunny wanted to answer, but froze with crossed eyes, taking a deep breath of local dust. A couple of seconds later she sneezed, which gave Granite an overdose of cuteness.

"As far as I know, you are prohibited from drinking alcohol after-" Sunny looked at the papers. “The Canteen Incident?"

"That wasn't our fault..." Dusty mumbled.

"Um...okay..." Sunny said without understanding anything. "I suggest you the following. Consider this a probationary period. Get me at least one batch of stones - I think 25 pieces will be enough to start with - and you will receive all the privileges - normal housing, food, payment. And alcohol too. Prove that you are the best of the best and you have no equal in working with rocks and stones. Deal?"

After some consultation, the family turned to Sunny.

"Deal," answered Dusty. "We are ready to join your Team."

"Wonderful! All that remains is to formalize everything," Sunny answered smiling.

After some time, all the documents were finally completed and the Metalgathers family no longer belonged to this factory.

"You can go pack your things," Sunny said, getting up from her chair. "You will be transported to your new “home” this evening, so be prepared."

The ponies were about to leave the office when suddenly Sunny spoke again.

"Oh, yes, I completely forgot," she said with a grin. "Congratulations on your promotion! Welcome to the Royal Research Team. I believe that you will be a very valuable addition to my team."