The Tale of Angelfire

Chapters

Volume I
Volume II
Volume III
Volume IV

Volume I

Vol. I

In the early days of Equestria there was still much to fear. There were the windigos, the wild manticor, hydras, and many more dark creatures. On a small farm in the far reaches of Equestria a unicorn was born to two simple ponies wanting to avoid the drama of a new nation. In the years passed the young filly grew to put the value of friendship and others need above her own desires. It was a simple life, one of hard work determination and care. Even for a young filly the pony could help with anything her parents needed. She was happy.

Then, one day, a plague unlike any other crossed the land. Homes were ablaze all across the land. Fearing for their child’s safety the unicorn’s parents began to prepare to leave. But, just as they were about to the door flew off its hinges soaring across the room and shattering against the wall. In its place were hoards of undead ponies, demons, and many other foul creatures. They came pouring into the small house like a wave of death leaving only destruction in their wake. In a last ditch attempt to save their child the parents used their combined magic to teleport the filly to a far off forest. There the pony saw her parents die at the hands of the dark beings and her home set ablaze. She vowed then to eliminate all darkness in the world at any cost.

She traveled from town to town hoping to receive aid, for she was but a filly. A family of apple farmers took her in and treated her with all the love and affection her birth parents had shown her. She grew working hard always. She was always distant from her new family though, deep within her heart she still longed for revenge on the murderers of her parents. When she came to find all her siblings had their cutie marks, all in apples, she wondered why her flank remained blank. She worked harder than any other pony and shill it was blank. For years she tried. When she became a full grown pony her flank was still blank. It occurred to her one day that maybe her destiny lie in her past.

She set off to find her destiny. The young pony traveled all across the lands of Equestria searching for her true destiny. She traveled from Manehattan to Fillydelphia to Apploosa and back but could not find anything that could link her to her destiny. Then, in her travels, she came across the dark and mighty Everfree Forest. Thinking she might be able to stand up to the foul creatures within she charged into the fog, and was never seen again. Until one day, during the reign of Celestia, a battered and bleeding pony was seen limping out of the forest. Ponies from the near by town came to her aid. She was unconscious for weeks until one day the strange pony opened her eyes, “Where am I?” were the first words from her mouth, a pony in strange white clothes came to reply, “Why, you’re in Ponyville,” “How long was I asleep?” “Three weeks, poor dear,” “Three weeks! I’ve missed the celebration for the founding of Equestria,” “Yes, I’m sorry to say you have. The Pageant was quite lovely this year.” “Pageant? What pageant? I mean the gathering of everypony in the town centers to share in friendship.” “We pony folk haven’t celebrated the founding of Equestria like that for ages. How could you not know that?” The young unicorn stared into the strange pony’s eyes trying to make sense of what he said. She quickly sprinted for the door, “Wait! You’re not well enough to leave yet!” the pony cried out. She burst through the doors to find herself in an entirely new world. Large metal beasts on metal lines carrying ponies away in the blink of an eye, strange buildings made of wood instead of stone, Merchants selling many strange items that smelled overwhelmingly sweet, and ponies everywhere staring at her some wearing strange and peculiar clothes.

She made a dash for the only building that looked somewhat familiar, a large hollowed out tree. Once within the home she quickly bared the door. Taking time to survey her surroundings she noticed the walls were carved into shelves and books were all around of every size and color. She looked around the room and saw a basket on the platform above her. She moved silently up the stairs to the next floor and saw it was a small weaved basket with a bright blue a blanket on it, and that the contents were breathing. She gently moved the blanket aside to find a small purple dragon sleeping there. She panicked and attempted to end the young beast. It screamed for help and soon a purple unicorn emerged from the lower room, “What are you doing?” she asked using her magic to separate the pony from the dragon, “Spike, what’s going on?” she said to the creature, “I don’t know. I was just sleeping and then she appeared and tried to kill me, “And I would have ended you foul beast had she not stopped me.” The unicorn interrupted, “What? Spike isn’t a foul beast he is my helper,” “How can you trust a dragon with aiding you? He will likely kill you in your sleep,” “Now that’s not likely, the strange unicorn said, “I’m the one who hatched him,” “What deranged town is this? Hatching dragons, wearing strange garments, with your strange homes and shops,” “what are you talking about? Where are you from?” “I am from a small farm beyond that mountain,” the unicorn said pointing out the window to Canterlot, “That is highly unlikely,” the purple pony said, “That area has been charred and desolate for Millennia,” the unicorn said pulling a book from one of the shelves and opening it to a page that showed first home burned to the ground and all around black with ash.

“This cannot be. I have only been gone for a few years,” “What is your name?” the purple unicorn asked, “I’m Angelfire, Angel for short,” said the dumbfounded pony, “My name is Twilight Sparkle,” said the other, “and this is Spike, my trusty assistant, now how did you get here?” Twilight Sparkle asked. Angelfire told her tale of woe and pain to Twilight and she listened with increasing interest. “Then I reached Everfree Forest and though I was strong enough to brave it. I traveled for days within the depths of the wood, when I came upon what I had been seeking. I had found a band of dark magicians and Necromancers camped in the heart of the forest. I charged them only to be beaten to near death. And then I saw the Necromancer raise his hoof, and a green light came out. Then I woke up at the edge of the forest near this town and blacked out. I then awoke in a strange room with a pony in whit garbs over me. I was scared so I ran for the only familiar building, your house.”

If I’m correct that would mean you were born in the first years of Equestrian history! Before the reign of Celestia & Luna!” “Yes, I have never heard of these ponies,” “Ooooh! That means that I just met a pony from over 1,000 years ago!” “I wish it was that exciting,” Angel said, “but I have lost all I hold dear. I have nothing,” Angel left with her head held low. “Wait!” Twilight called after her, “Maybe Princess Celestia can help you,” “You really think she would?” “I know the Princess,” Twilight said self confidently, “I can get her to hear your story. But first we need to get you a more…modern look. We don’t want anypony staring now do we?”

The duo headed to a large circular building with a sign on it that read, “Carousel Boutique”, they went inside to find a white unicorn with a dark purple mane stitching together a very beautiful dress. “Rarity this is Angel, she’s new here and needs a makeover,” the pony “Rarity” turned to look at them and gasped is shock over Angel’s appearance, “A makeover is an understatement dear. I will take it upon myself to make you look presentable, no charge.” Over the next few hours Rarity worked to make Angel look presentable and after a long days work finished with the end result well worth it. With her jet black mane styled and cleaned, her dark chocolate coat shining, and her golden hooves glimmering in the sunlight she was ready to leave. She thanked Rarity for all she had done and paid anyway with all she had, a hoof-sized diamond she had found in her travels, she set off alone to the capitol city of Canterlot.

Reaching the grand city Angel was soon at the gates to the castle. After a brief questioning by the guards she was allowed to see the Princess herself. “Greetings,” said a large, elegant, white-pink pony that perplexed her, she had a horn and wings, “I am Princess Celestia, ruler of Equestria, and I have heard quite the story about you from my student, Twilight Sparkle. Now, why are you here?” “Dear princess, I am but a humble unicorn born, apparently, long ago in the far reaches of this great kingdom. My parents were murdered by the foul creatures that lurk in the shadows and since then I have dedicated my life to the elimination of said evil,” Angel replied. The princess looked at the pony with a small smile on her face, “I have decided that if you can prove yourself as one of my guard. I my give you all you need to accomplish your goal,” Angel looked up with a light in her eye, “I won’t let you down princess, I swear it!” And so Angel trained for the next few years in the ways of the blade, learning powerful magic to defeat the forces of darkness, and reaching the peak of her physical prowess.

One day Celestia requested an audience with Angel, who was now an officer in the royal guard, when Angel entered the Princess’s chamber she noticed a chest in front of her majesty, “Angel, my most capably officer, the time has come for you to take up your vow. The princess opened the chest and within it were a pair of metal braces each with seven Flaps of thick, unyielding, fabric ranging from the length of her hoof to the length of her leg in size, and an intricately designed, plate of armor. She noticed that the contraptions looked like a pair of wings, “These are to aid you in you quest. The Wings will make it so that no evil can hide high or low. The armor, to make you impervious to their dark weaponry,” Angel was dumbstruck, she was mesmerized by the gifts bestowed upon her by a matriarch that, only years ago, she had not even know existed, “Thank you your majesty. I will use these gifts to eliminate all those who practice evil, and bring peace to Equestria!” Though her name is not inscribed in history, she was forever remembered by hose who she met on her quest. She was the Paladin of Celestia, a secret agent of light deigned to eliminate the darkness. Her tales are legendary, her feats unimaginable, and her journey of epic proportions.

Fin

(Until vol. II)

A My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic Fanfic by Quintyn Hollis

Volume II

The Tale of Angelfire vol. II

In the early days of Equestria there was still much to fear. There were the windigos, the wild manticor, hydras, and many more dark creatures. On a small farm in the far reaches of Equestria a unicorn was born to two simple ponies wanting to avoid the drama of a new nation. In the years passed the young filly grew to put the value of friendship and others need above her own desires. It was a simple life, one of hard work, determination, and care. Even for a young filly the pony could help with anything her parents needed. She was happy.

“Angel! Angel where are you?” the question came through the haze of her half-consciousness as Angelfire slowly woke. She came to realize she had fallen asleep under a large tree near the edge of her family’s land. “Angelfire where are you?” her mother called from their small house.

“I’m coming mom!” Angelfire called as she rose from the patch of tall grass in which she lay. She ran back to her mother as they & her father ate a small dinner as the sun was setting. The tranquility of the coming twilight growing & the young unicorn lay down in the single bed of hay with her parents, their bodies creating a penetrating field of comfort & heat for the filly. Angelfire was contempt with her life & couldn’t wish for anything more.

As the morning light filled the small stone home Angelfire woke to find her parents gone off to do their daily chores. She slowly rose & shook the small bits of hay off of her chocolate hair. & then dashed from the house to go & aid her parents. She found her father off in the corn fields ploughing the soil in preparation for the next harvest.

“Do you need any help dad?” she queried,

“Angel! Why yes I do. Would you be so kind as to go get the seeds from the house & plant them sweetie?” her father said with some enthusiasm.

“Okay!” She answered, & she ran for the house & grabbed the small sack of seeds that lay on their table. She then raced back to her father & proceeded to plant them. After she was done she then went to find her mother.

“Good morning Angel, would you like to help me?” her mother asked with a silken voice,

“Of course mom, I always want to help,” Angel replied.

“That you do,” Her mother said, “Now, I need you to go collect some berries for me & I’ll make a nice pie tonight.”

“Yay!” Angelfire squealed as she darted into the near forest. She found her usual batch of berry bushes not three yards from the edge of the forest. She began to pick the sweet berries there when she heard a rustling noise. She looked into the depths of the forest attempting to locate its source when a creature lunged at her.

The carriage lurched as it came to a full stop. “Here we are,” the lead pony, a familiar white Pegasus in royal armor, said, “see you around ‘Paladin’.” there were hints of sarcasm in his tone but she didn’t mind Angelfire thought as she exited the carriage.

“See you around Chuck,” Angelfire said laughingly, she had trained with him & they had been friends for a time, Chuck wasn’t his name but she called him it as a joke. “Maybe one day you’ll be part of my guard,” she said with a chuckle, “Chuck” sighed as he led the others pulling the carriage back to Canterlot. Angelfire looked upon Ponyville while stretching her new “wings”, for upon donning Celestia’s gift she felt a connection with the ancient contraptions within her mind and could now control them as separate limbs, then strode into the town heading for the home of the first person to show compassion to her upon her revival.

“Well I didn’t expect to see you here,” Twilight Sparkle said upon opening her door to find Angelfire there, “What brings you back to Ponyville?” the lavender unicorn asked. Taking in her friends full appearance Twilight noticed a set of wings & hinted at them.

“Oh those,” Angelfire said lightly flapping her “wings”, “I was given them by Celestia to aid me in my task & I came to see my first friend, & to say goodbye.”

“Goodbye? why?” Twilight questioned, “Why can’t you stay?”

“I was given a sacred task by Celestia, to eliminate all evil in Equestria, & to do that I must leave Ponyville.”

“Well we’re all going to miss you here,” Twilight replied with sorrow in her eyes, “If Spike were here he would probably start crying.” Both unicorns giggled at the thought. “Goodbye, I guess, I hope you can come back some day,” Twilight said solemnly.

“As do I,” Replied Angel, “perhaps when my task is completed I can return to live a simple life with all of you ponies,”

“We all would like that,” the purple unicorn relied with hints of hope, & with that the chocolate unicorn left. She then went to the Carousel Boutique and properly thanked Rarity for her aid in her first hours in Ponyville & then departed.

Angelfire limped back to her home with a deep gash in her right hind leg. After reaching the house her parents promptly medicated the wound. “What happened?” her father asked.

“I was picking berries for mom’s pie when a monster attacked me,” the frightened filly answered, “Momma I’m scared.”

“Now now,” her mother cooed, “There are no such things as monsters” & with that the filly slept. Weeks passed & Angelfire was completely healed, she was out picking berries when she smelled a hint of smoke. She went to see where it came from & upon leaving the forest she saw the nearby town in flames. The young unicorn could not believe her eyes & ran back to her home. Once inside her parents gathered her in the corner of the room as the door burst across the room in splinters. In its place were all matters of evil: there were foul daemons, dark unicorns, evil beasts, & hordes of undead. While the filly stared in shock her parents looked on each other with tears in their eyes, they each nodded and used what little magic they had to teleport their only child outside of the house.

Upon rematerialization Angelfire rushed to the window to see what was happening, she would regret it for the rest of her life, her father grabbed the cutting knife & charged the horde. He was struck with an arch of lightning from one of the unicorns and was torn limb from limb by the undead, the cracking & breaking of bones combined with a blood churning scream of pain as well as one of horror from Angelfire’s mother filled the room. the daemons charged but were halted by an unknown earth pony. The leader was a colt with ash grey hair & a pure white mane, his eyes were a soulless white with a snake-like retina, he walked up to Angelfire’s mother & raised a hoof to her face. What next happened will haunt the filly for the rest of her life, an eery green glow came from his raised hoof & her mother writhed in agony then, she fell limp & her entire body exploded upon contact with the ground, her blood showering the invaders & splattering on the young filly’s face through the window. As the blood settled the filly sprinted as far from the building as she could filled with fear & rage, deep within her heart she vowed to kill the pony for what he did & all those who practice evil. Angelfire’s quest for revenge started that day, & would continue for all her life.

Angelfire woke drenched in sweat. Se had decided to setup camp at the edge of the Everfree forest for the night miles from any civilization. She pondered on the idea of how she was to complete her task, she had heard stories while in Ponyville of an old pony who lived in a cabin at the edge of town & wondered if he could give her any council but decided against it for the time being. She decided instead that to find any clue as to the source of evil it would be found at the only place she knew where they had struck, her birth-home...

Fin

Tale of Angelfire vol. II By Quintyn Hollis

please give me your opinion of the story in the comments as well as any thoughts on what I could do better

Volume III

Tale of Angelfire vol III

Angelfire ran for three days, stopping only for several minutes to rest. By the end of the three days, the memory of what happened to her parents still burning in her mind, she fell at the edge of a dirt road from exhaustion & starvation. She was certain she would die there & lay waiting to join her parents in the after-life but, fate had different plans. A traveling apple farmer passed by on his was home found the dying filly & rushed back to his farm. After hours of caring for the weak unicorn the apple farmer & his wife were relieved to see the filly wake

"Where am I?" a frightened Angelfire asked, "Where's Momma?"

"There there little one," an unfamiliar earth pony cooed, "You're safe."

"But, where are my mom & da..." She trailed off as the memories of her parent's murder flooded her mind. She began to cry uncontrollably as she revisualized every detail of her mother exploding into a shower of crimson blood & the deep cracking of her father's every bone.

"Don't worry dear," The farmer's wife reassured with a voice as silken as her mother's, "We'll take care of you." & they did, Angelfire was taken in by the family of apple farmers for the years to come would work on their farm & grow into a beautiful young unicorn. She worked with her adopted brothers in the vast orchard the family owned harvesting apples every season. Though she was very happy with her new life the memory of her past still haunted her dreams.

Blood splashed across her face as she sliced the last of the foul beasts in halves. Angelfire had stumbled upon a band of daemons at the base of a large mountain. On the other side of it lay the remains of her birth-place, the memories of her parents grew in strength as she drew nearer. Angelfire cleaned herself off and began her ascent, it took her all day to reach the peak & in the gloom of coming twilight she could make out the remains of the village in which she lived near.

Upon reaching the base of the mountain the next morning Angelfire was beginning to question her choice to come, psychic wounds were reopening & armor-clad unicorn was finding it hard to bear such memories in full. Muscling through the mental pain, she reached the charred & aged remains of the town seemingly frozen in time just as she was. She then proceeded to the sight of her former home. The exterior of the stone building was virtually unscathed despite being over one million years old, the stone remained unweathered, the hay roofing intact & unrotted, & despite the dead plants everything was as she remembered. Upon entering the house she saw how right she was, the door's remains lay as they were, the knife where it fell, & dried blood coating the room. At her feet she saw the broken skeleton of her father & all around the room were fragments of her mother's. Holding back tears Angelfire used one of the spells she was taught in Canterlot to find any hoof-prints. All around the room were the marks of the horde responsible for the attack leading away from the house & into the nearby forest.

As Angelfire began to depart she heard a faint whisper, she turned to locate it's source but saw nothing. The whisper repeated growing in volume until it was at an ear splitting level, she recognized the sound as her mother's scream of horror as her husband was torn limb from limb. The mental anguish of the event was to much for Angelfire and she fell to the ground with the crack of metal plates.

It had been years since the apple farmers had taken her in & Angelfire was beginning to have dreams of her parents death & quickly remembered her vow of revenge. She then decided to take up her former quest & would not stop until it was completed. After a tearful goodbye to her family she set off into the world to enact her vengeance. Her first stop took her to a small village near a large lake, she asked the residents if they could give her any aid in her mission but all declined. She then set off to the next town over, a large settlement built over a wide river, she began to question the population there but was greeted with the same response. She kept this pattern for many settlements to come until she came upon a small settlement at the edge of a large forest, she approached a simple-looking pegasus in the town's marketplace.

"Excuse me sir," Angelfire said getting his attention, "I'm looking for a grey earth pony with a white mane, have you seen him?"

"Hmmm, you know what, I have he came by town just a few days ago. Real quiet fellow, he left not a few hours later, headed into the Everfree Forest. But a pretty unicorn like yourself should avoid that place," the pegasus leaned in closer to Angelfire, "Some things in that there forest just ain't natural."

"Thank you so much," Angelfire replied, "I'll take that into consideration."

"Y'all be careful now, ya hear!" the pony called after her. but she was already headed into the forest, finally, she could get her revenge.

When Angelfire woke the sun was setting & she was in lying, instead of her old home, a smouldering wreck. "What happened?" she thought she decided to leave the ruins & followed the tracks she had located into the forest. She quickly discovered her old batch of berry bushes, fond memories began to resurface & she ate several of the sweet fruit. the traveled deeper into the forest keeping er guard the whole time. As the sun set completely she noticed a light glow ahead, she cautiously approached & the light grew to encompass her. She located the source as a small campfire, next to the fire was a simple tent & some crude tools. A hooded figure emerged from the tent & walked towards the fire, it sat at its edge & began to warn its hooves.

"Who are you?" Angelfire demanded emerging from the brush.

The figure jumped in surprise & replied in a male voice, "I could ask you the same question, & whay are you here"

"I am the Paladin of Celestia & you will die unless you give me a reason not to kill you," Angelfire retorted forcefully. Her eyes scanning the pony for any sign of a weapon.

"A paladin!" the pony replied with fear in his voice, "now I didn't do anything wrong, I'm just a simple earth pony." He replied removing his hood. Now seeing his face Angelfire could take in all of his details, he was an earth pony with jet black hair & a snow white mane. There was some familiarity in his eyes, they were a pale while with a snake-like retina, memories of her parent's murderer flooded her thoughts & she realized where she had last seen eyes like that.

"You!" she almost spit the word, "You killed my parents!" she said again almost ready slit his throat.

"Woah now I didn't kill your parents, I have never seen you before in my life!" the now worried pony said trying to defuse the situation.

"I would know those eyes anywhere!" Angelfire was now drawing her blade, "You will pay for your crimes."

"My eyes?" the pony said dumbfounded, then suddenly realized what she meant, "Oh! If your parent's killer had eyes like mine it's because we all have them." he retorted.

"What do you mean 'we'?" Angelfire was now puzzled with what the strange pony was saying.

"We necromancers you crazy paladin!" he said. Angelfire was astonished, she had never heard the phrase before & couldn't make sense of what he meant.

"Necromancers!?!" She said still in shock.

Fin

Tale of Angelfire vol. III by Quintyn Hollis

Volume IV

The Tale of Angelfire Vol. IV

Setting foot into this "Everfree Forest" Angelfire cautiously began to hunt for her prey. After traveling entire days within the forest finding little to eat she began to suspect that she had found yet another dead end. But, as the light faded a light glow could be seen, a small camp. Silently approaching she realized she had found her foe, placed all around a fire were an assortment of tents & sitting in front of the flame, their occupants. A macabre of unicorns in dark robes all sat conversing about any matter of things, from new spells to the weather. One pony, in general, piqued her interest, a grey haired earth pony with a snow white mane & ghastly, serpentine eyes, now fuelled by the discovery of her parent’s killer Angelfire drew the rusty blade she had obtained in her travels & charged the mass of dark sorcerers.

Angelfire stood dumbfounded, she had only heard the term “Necromancer” once before & if memory serves it was a term for those who summon the dead. The two ponies stared at each other for sometime, the necromancer seeming to be more fearful of Angelfire than she was of him, the black haired pony moved slightly but has followed by the other’s blade.

“Um, you mind lowering the sword a little?” the necromancer cautiously asked, “’Cus I’m not too comfortable here.”

“You’re a necromancer?” Angelfire finally queried.

“Y-yes,” the earth pony answered weary of Angelfire, “to you that is. We are called necromancers, Rathmians, & grave robbers, among other names.”

“You will die here servant of evil!” Angelfire declared having heard enough.

The armor clad unicorn lunged at the frightened earth pony only to have her attack parried by a small, ivory-like dagger appearing out of, what seemed to be the necromancer’s side. Again & again she struck at her opponent each time having been stopped by his own weapon. Growing impatient Angelfire drew upon her magical power & summoned an ethereal hammer sending it hurtling toward her foe. The earth pony, seeing the threat muttered a few words beneath his breath &, in an instant, a wall of ivory, no, not ivory but bone, rose to block the attack.

“I am no servant of evil!” the earth pony cried between attacks, “”Will you just listen!” Shortly after the words left his mouth he began to mutter another phrase & soon Angelfire felt all her strength leave her body. She fell heavily on the ground & then blacked out.

Before any of the ponies could react Angelfire rushed into the group cleaving her way through the crowd to reach her target, she refused to let him evade her any longer. Pony after pony fell before her blade until the mysterious earth pony finally took notice; he muttered a phase & a large spear of a smooth, white material formed in mid-air & flew, as if shot from a catapult, toward her. Angelfire dodged the missile just in time to see it soar past her & plant itself in the head of one of the unicorns behind her. As Angelfire was about to deal a deathly blow to the strange earth pony he raised his hoof & the same green glow escaped. Angelfire was thrown across the encampment & landed with a muffled crack on one of the tents. Trying to rise she realized the crack was her rear left leg breaking. The earth pony continued to throw her around the camp with but a wave of his hoof until finally she landed at his feet, blood flowing from many cuts all across her body. Angelfire ached all over & could barely stay conscious; she looked up at her assailant with disgust & spat blood at his hooves.

“I…will…find you,” Angelfire vowed between painful breaths, “& when that day comes…I…will…kill you”

Raising his hoof to point between Angelfire’s eyes the pony said, “I’m looking forward to it.”

As the final word escaped his mouth the green light returned in full, all Angelfire could see was the intense emerald swirls of magic then, black. As time passed in the Everfree forest Angelfire’s figure sat unmoving, regardless of the years passing by, unchanged throughout the centuries. The sisters of day & night rose to power, the grand betrayal of the lunar princess came & was left to legend, the town of Ponyville was established, & no one knew of the ancient secret hidden within the forest. Then something changed, with the return of Nightmare Moon ancient powers began to stir once more. The magic preserving her throughout the ages became undone & Angelfire’s weakened form was released from its prison of time. Slowly & weakly the bloodied unicorn rose & began to trek off into the forest awaiting death. But, as fate would have it, the battered pony came upon the edge of the forest near a large settlement. She then collapsed & as she began to fade into unconsciousness Angelfire could see several figures come running from the town towards her.

Angelfire awoke in a small tent lit by a single lantern. She rose wondering where she was; as she began to stand she realized that she was stripped of her armor, weapons, & wings. She began to frantically search for them but could find her missing equipment nowhere. The chocolate unicorn exited the tent in order to search for them outside & realized that the tent itself was not hers, she looked back & the same for the lantern & mattress. She then fully emerged from the tent & saw that she was still in the camp of the so called necromancer. She saw the pony in question sitting in front of a larger fire than before & next to him lie her missing gear, with no alternative she prepared to confront the sorcerer. But, as she approached he turned to face her now with less caution in his eyes.

“Ah, you’re awake,” he said casually, “I was wondering when you would come to.” The strange pony seemed genuinely concerned for her & that both comforted & worried Angelfire.

“Who are you?” asked the curious unicorn, “why are you here?”

“I am a servant of the balance, a follower of Rathma, a necromancer & I came here because I sensed I had to.” Angelfire didn’t understand & felt she never would but the sorcerer clearly felt something just as she had. “I might inquire as to why you are here.”
“I came in search of answers,” the paladin retorted quite bluntly, “I was born in the nearby village & came here following a trail that some very dangerous ponies left behind.”

“How could you possibly have been born here? That village has been but a pile of ash for centuries.” The sorcerer replied.

“It’s a very long story,” Angelfire answered, with some pain in her voice, “I don’t think you would like to hear it.”

“I’ve got time,” the necromancer replied indicating her to sit beside him. Angelfire moved to the opposite end of the fire as the earth pony & told her long tale, the Rathmian listened at first confused but seeming to realize some deeper truth behind her fate. When her tale was done she looked to the necromancer to hear some response & was greeted by a look attempting to make sense of the story he was just told.

“It would seem,” the Rathmian finally replied, “that you were the victim of a modified preservation spell.”

“Modified?” questioned Angelfire, “what does it normally do?”

“Well,” he began, “the original version of the spell was meant to preserve ones heart & blood after death, but the one used on you preserved your entire being. Most puzzling if I might add.” The necromancer scratched his chin & then proceeded to sharpen his dagger.

“Do you know anything of the necromancer who killed my parents?” Angelfire asked, “Surely if you both are necromancers…” “Now hold on,” the Rathmian interjected, “We necromancers have no idea how great our numbers are. Besides, thanks to your kind I’m not even sure if he is still alive.”

“Unicorns?” Angelfire questioned, stunned by the answer she was given.

“No, paladins,” the sorcerer quickly replied, “Your kind has hunted us to the brink of extinction ever since the beginning of the princesses’ reign.”

Angelfire was stunned; the sudden realization that she was not Princess Celestia’s only paladin coupled with the realization that the other paladins had been hunting the necromancers for so long had all but overwhelmed her. She stared wide-eyed at the Rathmian with no idea what to do.

“Why? Why are you hunted?” Angelfire could hardly believe any of it.

“Because in order to maintain the balance we must aid the forces of light and darkness, we cannot simply defeat one or the other.” The sorcerer replied sternly, “There must always be a balance.”

“I see,” said the paladin, “I was sent on a mission by Princess Celestia herself to ensure the destruction of all evil in Equestria, & hearing your story I have decided that the Rathmians are not among them. Will you help me complete my task?”

The necromancer looked up as she asked the question & saw deep sincerity in her eyes, “I am grateful you understand & I will help you, but if it’s annihilation you were tasked with, I will have to stop you at some point.” The paladin saw an underlying truth to his words; he would indeed turn on her after she had reduced the darkness to a certain point.

“You are certainly free to try,” Angelfire replied jokingly, “Now, can I have my equipment back?”

“Of course,” the earth pony replied & handed the chocolate unicorn her gear, the weightlessness showing only a fraction of the magic sewn into the metal plates.

The pair then began to become better acquainted & told stories of their lives; in that time Angelfire learned that her new partner’s name was Valcion. For several days they shared their knowledge & wares with each other while deciding on the best course of action; they decided to seek council from the sage in Ponyville. They trekked through the forest for several more days to reach the town. After a long journey the pair had finally reached their destination. They approached the small cabin with caution, unsure of what lurked within; the only stories Angelfire had heard were that an old hermit lived here but one can never be too careful. Angelfire knocked on the aged door; the two ponies could hear it resound all through the cabin. Then, they could hear slow foot steps up a flight of stairs crossing the room to the door, the two waiting could hear a muffled phrase resembling, “I never get visitors,” & with a loud creak it opened. The two ponies were shocked to find, not an aged hermit but a young, muscular pegasus.

“Can I help you?” asked the pegasus, “Or are you just here as a prank.” The end phrase had a hint of frustration in it.

“We were wondering if you could help us,” Angelfire asked still shocked to see a very young pony in the doorway.

The pegasus sighed, “Despite what you may have heard I am in no way qualified to marry the two of you,” he answered quite bluntly.

Angelfire was dumbstruck & turned to hide her, now red, face, “Oh that’s a shame isn’t it darling we were so hoping you could help us,” Valcion chimed in with almost genuine sorrow in his voice which was greeted by an armored hoof landing hard in his jaw.

Regaining her composure Angelfire said, “Disregard him, it’s been a long time since he met somepony new. Now, we have much to ask of you so may we come in please?”

“I’m not that kind of pegasus either,” he replied again very bluntly, “So you’ll have to take your coin elsewhere,”

Once again the unicorn blushed, this time feeling the heat in her cheeks greater than before, “Please, we have a dire mission to accomplish so if you would be so kind as to listen.”

The pegasus gestured for them to enter & they complied. He set up two simple chairs across from nice, padded recliner. they each took a seat & Angelfire took in mind her surroundings; it was a small log cabin with sparse furniture, a simple, yet clean mattress lie next to a small window pointed at Ponyville, there were dust bunnies & cob webs everywhere & a small door which appeared to lead to a stair well, there was also a very small kitchen in another corner of the house. She then turned her attention to her host; a young pegasus, about as young as she was in appearance, with light tan fur & a dull blue mane, he also bore a deep blue mark on his right eye reaching from his forehead, running below his eye & circling around to his hair-line just behind his ear. His cutie mark was of a winged sword which, if her studies in Canterlot had taught Angelfire anything, meant that he was destined to be a great warrior.

“So what brings you here?” the pegasus asked leaning back in his recliner.

“I was given a mission by Princess Celestia to eliminate the evil in Equestria,” Angelfire replied cautiously, “My name is Angelfire, Paladin of Celestia”

“Quite a title,” the pegasus said, his voice lightening a bit, “Though your mission does sound to be of great importance how does it concern me, or him for that matter?” he pointed at the Rathmian.

“I’m hired help, minus the pay,” Valcion chuckled, “I am aiding her to remove most of the evil, I am Valcion, and I am a Rathmian.”

“Ah, you’re a necromancer. Well aren’t you a mismatched pair,” their host laughed, “& you, you should have quite a long journey ahead of you.” Angelfire could hear a deep bitterness in his words, dark memories stirred beneath his calm demeanor.

“Will you aid us?” Angelfire asked having heard enough of their joking.

“Tell me this, oh great paladin, what brought you here? I doubt it was to ask me to join your ‘holy crusade,’ so what was it,” the pegasus questioned, his words cutting right to the point.

“We came to see if you could give us council…” Angelfire began but was cut off by the pegasus’ hoof

“Because I was supposed to be an old hermit who no one wants to be around,” he interjected rage welling behind his words.

“Well it would have been easier to deter the rumors should you have at least gone into town once a while!” the chocolate pony almost yelled, she had had enough of the pegasus’ shifting moods.

Her words seemed to unlock a heavily suppressed memory in the tan pony for he had no response. Sorrow danced across his eyes along with long dormant rage. “I will help you only if you can grant me this one favor,” he finally replied struggling to control his emotions, “tell me why you are undertaking this quest, & don’t say ‘because Celestia wills it’ like so many other paladins would.” His words cut deep into Angelfire’s own dark past nearly sending her into an unstable state like the pegasus before her. Calling upon her magic, just enough to not warrant her horn to begin glowing, Angelfire tapped into the pegasus’ memories; she saw death, loss, pain, fear, & rage, the paladin concealed a shocked look from the blaring similarities between the two’s pasts. She then saw, through his eyes, a house ablaze, with the feeling of great loss, she realized that the house was his & he had probably lost his family to the blaze, she also saw many a savage pony slaughtering random citizens in the frozen streets.

“I can sense that you have lost your family to some form of evil & I can say I know your pain, I saw my father be torn apart by a mindless horde of undead,” she retorted with deadly calm, “I witnessed my mother be strangled to death & then her corpse explode in front of my eyes.” The room was silent, the pegasus stared openmouthed at the paladin. “Have you ever felt you mother’s blood on your face pegasus? I am one millennia old, I was frozen in time within that very forest,” Angelfire pointed out a window to the Everfree forest without shifting her deadly gaze even an inch, “all of it caused by one of his, “the moved her hoof to point at Valcion, “ilk.”

“That is quite the story,” the pegasus replied quietly, a stunned look on his face, “given the circumstances it would seem I have no choice but to accept.”

Angelfire’s mood softened, she had gained another ally in her fight against evil &, hopefully, some insight into where she might look for her foes. “Now, might I inquire as to what your name is?” she asked remaining calm, but without the bite behind her words.

“My name is Skyblade,” after a short pause he added, “the barbarian.”