A Better Equestria

Chapter Two: Feel the Heat

The train’s whistle screamed once again as the mechanical leviathan emerged from a rocky tunnel. Scaling the mountainside as fast as it could go, all the multi-colored ponies inside eagerly awaited reaching their destination.

With the exception of one beige pegasus.

“Canterlot. Pfft.” He boredly gazed out the window he had been having a staring contest with during the entire trip.

In the window, two golden eyes stared back at him. His faint reflection’s long, crimson mane looked much nicer today than it usually did.

Other than the pegasus and his friends, the train car they occupied was nearly empty, save for a couple snoring individuals. Beside him sat his two friends, both of which were exasperated at the pegasus’ constant complaining.

“Fortune, would you stop, already?” The brown earth pony started. “You’ve been whining during the whole train ride!” Of the three of them, she was the only one who looked truly ecstatic to go to Canterlot.

“And I’m right to! Canterlot is just filled with a bunch of self-centered snobs who have no sense of humor!” He countered.

“Why can’t you be like Iron Forge? He hasn’t complained at all.” She pointed a hoof to the large, cobalt unicorn stallion sitting on to Blossom's other side. His short, spiky mane was blue like a morning sky. His muzzle, hooves, mane and tail were frosted with a pure, ice-like color. With a stern look on his face, he patiently awaited when the train would finally reach it’s destination.

“Blossom, he rarely ever talks.”

“Exactly.” The pink-eyed mare smugly retaliated.

“Hey, I’m sure he doesn’t want to go to Canterlot either!” Fortune looked towards the muscly unicorn. “Hey, Forge, back me up on this one!”

With a deep, strong voice, the Iron Forge broke his eternal silence. “Like Blossom Cheer, I am looking forward to seeing the culture of Canterlot. You are acting like a foal, Fortune. Quit your whining.”

With a bit of shock at the stallion’s answer, Fortune Find quietly went back to his staring contest with the window and grumbled to himself.

Despite her irritation with the whiny pegasus, Blossom Cheer addressed him again. “Come on, Fortune. Why can’t you be happy about this? I brought us all on this vacation to get away from the stress in Ponyville and have fun. Not mope around.”

After a slight pause, Fortune Find answered without turning towards her, preferring to look at the vast open lands of Equestria the window had to offer.

”Look Blossom, I’ll admit it’s a very beautiful city, but when I would come here with my dad, everypony I tried to talk to thought I was just some stupid hick. They all despised me, and some even insulted me whenever I would pass by them. Ever since then, I always dreaded coming back here.”

Blossom’s face darkened slightly. “Well, can’t you put aside your bias just this once? Our visit here just won’t be as fun if you’re acting all moody and...”

Rather than finishing her thought, she sadly turned away from him with a sigh.

Fortune Find glanced back at Blossom’s face. In that moment, Fortune saw the hurt in her usually luminous eyes, (and the disappointment in Iron Forge’s glare) and grimaced. Here was the nicest mare he’d ever met treating her friends to a fun getaway, and he was bashing the very idea. How could he be so densely insensitive?

He’d sooner wake a sleeping bear than intentionally hurt his friends. For now, he would have to swallow his pride.

“Alright, fine. I’ll give it a chance.”

At that, Blossom Cheer instantly brightened, and squeezed Fortune in the death grip she called a hug. “Yay! This is going to be so much fun! Just the three of us, having fun in Canterlot!”

“Blossom, little tight...” The pegasus managed to say without showing pain.

“Oh, sorry.” The brown earth pony released her grip around Fortune, only to squee to herself in excitement. It didn’t seem possible for the mare to become more enthusiastic about this trip.

Despite his disapproval of Canterlot, Fortune smiled as well. What could he say? Blossom’s happiness was almost certainly contagious.

The last minutes of the train ride rolled by as Blossom and Fortune conversed. Iron Forge, rather than chime in, chose to listen instead. The large stallion almost never had anything to say. Most ponies never willingly talked to Iron, finding his stature to be intimidating. If Fortune hadn’t been the strange little colt he was when they were young, Iron may never have had any true friends.

Blossom was giggling at another one of Fortune’s mind-numbingly bad jokes when the train came to a slow.

“Now arriving at Canterlot!” the conductor hollered in the nearly empty train car.

Blossom was the first one to jump out of her seat to wait by the train’s door. The quiet unicorn soon did the same, with the somewhat reluctant pegasus following suit.

The train finally stopped entirely, and shortly after it did, the conductor slid the doors open to a large stone platform.

Again, Blossom was the first of the three companions to rush outside. The ecstatic mare wasted no time getting off of the platform and galloping from the train station to the outskirts of Canterlot.

Immediately, she took in the sight before her. Nearly every building in the city was colored white, and outlined in a dandelion yellow. Only a few buildings differed with a blue or purple shaded metal roof. Long, copper pipes would occasionally be attached along the framework of some buildings, shining brightly in the sun's gleam. What the purpose of these pipes were, she had no clue. In various locations, large cylindrical towers of varying size reached towards the clouds, sporting a flagpole fluttering in the soft wind.

The citizens of Canterlot were abundant, some sporting unnecessary articles of elegant clothing. Among the crowds, the beaming mare could even spot a few celebrities.

“Ohmygosh, that’s Supreme Scent! And there’s Mirror Image! And there’s—" She gasped. "That's Dashing Charm!”

She had to resist the urge to scream in excitement. Everything here in Canterlot was just so regal! So beautiful! It was exactly as she had imagined it to be.

“Isn’t this exciting, guys?!” The earth pony said to nopony.

“Guys?” Blossom Cheer was only now figuring out that she was fifty feet away from the train station entrance. She didn’t realize she had left behind her friends.

The two stallions Blossom had sprinted away from were only now catching up to her, halting their trot when they were close enough to the their hasty companion. The pegasus carried heavy looking saddlebags on his back. Blossom silently wondered why Iron Forge didn't just carry them instead.

“Blossom, slow down! You’re giving the Wonderbolts a run for their money!” Fortune Find exclaimed, breathing slightly heavier than normal.

“Can you two believe it!? We’re in Canterlot!” Yet again, Blossom closed her eyes in glee while she squee’d in joy.

“Yeah, I know, but will you calm down? You’re causing a bit of a scene.” Iron Forge simply nodded in agreement to Fortune’s pleas.

“Oh, right. Sorry, I’m just so excited about this!”

“You don’t say.” Fortune sarcastically replied as he landed on the ground.

“Well, I don’t know about you two, but I’m gonna go find Dashing Charm! I just saw him pass by that crowd over there! What say we all meet back here in half an hour? Then I’ll show us to our hotel, and we can— Oh, this just so exciting!”

“Blossom, wait!”

And without another word, she was off chasing after some celebrity.

Fortune sighed in defeat and turned to Iron, still standing next to him. “You off to do your own thing, too?”

Iron Forge nodded his head once with a bored look on his face.

“Ugh, fine. Just remember to be back here in front of the train station in half an hour.”

Without another word, they separated.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

“Oh come on, now. Where did he go?” Blossom whispered to herself.

She had been searching for the elusive Dashing Charm for almost fifteen minutes, now. After the famous actor traversed through the Canterlot crowd, he seemed to have vanished into thin air.

Eventually, Blossom came to a local bench just outside a building. Without hesitation, she hopped up onto it and sat down. Searching for one pony in a city like this was certainly not easy.

Well, I guess I’ll have to give up. Who knew Dashing Charm would be so hard to find? Blossom sighed to herself in disappointment. She was so close to meeting one of Equestria’s most renowned actors.

Oh well, what am I so disappointed about? There’s plenty of other things to do here! Look, there’s a bookstore right over there!

A voice derailed her train of thought not two seconds after.

“Excuse me, miss, but do you know where I can find the tuxedo shop around here?” The mysterious voice behind her derailed her train of thought.

Blossom turned her head to face the stranger, and immediately recognized him upon doing so. The macho stallion’s coat was the lightest color of purple she’d ever seen on a pony. His short, combed-back mane on the other hoof, was a darker and more vivid purple. His eyes were a bright rose color, and Blossom couldn’t help but get lost in his stare.

“You’re—! You’re Dashing Charm!” Blossom literally jumped out of her seat.

The earth pony actor couldn’t help but smile softly at the Blossom’s shocked expression.

“Indeed I am.”

Ironically, Blossom was speechless. She had finally found him, and now that she had, words failed her. She wanted to tell him everything about how she loved his acting, but her words felt tangled and unprepared, now that she was standing in front of him.

The stunned mare thought to herself as the stallion stared at her with those beautiful, eyes.

Come on, say something, Blossom! Anything! He’s right there! Just introduce yourself, or something!

“HI, I’M PONYVILLE. I’M FROM BLOSSOM CHEER.”

Argh! No! Calm down! He’s going to think you’re an idiot!

“YOU’RE AN IDIOT.”

That certainly got an surprised stare from the actor.

OH NO WHY DID I SAY THAT.

“Wait! No, I meant to say I’m an idiot! Sorry, It’s just that I’m so nervous talking to you, what with you being a famous actor and me just being a normal pony and—”

“Madame, please! It’s quite alright.”

At that, she took a deep breath, and introduced herself properly, rather than talk a mile a minute.

“Right. I’m Blossom Cheer. Sorry about my nervousness. I’m a really big fan of yours. I remember seeing you perform Take What You Want in Ponyville once, and I just want to say you are an amazing actor!”

Dashing's face brightened. “Ah, thank you! That was one of my favorite plays to be a part of. I’m actually surprised to hear someone talk about that play. I’m almost always remembered for my performances in Torn from Paradise and Out With the Old.”

“Yeah, well, that was the play that stood out to me. You just captured the main character’s personality so well! It was so romantic whenever he chased after his love interest.”

“Tell me... Blossom, was it? What brings you to Canterlot?”

“Well, me and a couple of my friends came here just to have a bit of fun. I’ve only been here for a short while and it’s already amazing! I mean, I’ve already met you! A celebrity!”

“Oh, please, I’m not all that famous.” The humble actor rolled his eyes.

“Are you kidding? You’ve been getting praise from every newspaper out there! And let me tell you, it’s well deserved.”

“You flatter me, Miss Cheer. Thank you.”

“Hehe, don’t mention it.”

After she said her part, Blossom could’ve sworn she saw something about his eyes change for a split second.

I must really be nervous if I'm seeing things.

“Well, It has been very nice talking to you, Blossom Cheer, but I’m afraid I must be going. I have a formal gathering to be at tonight, and I don’t have a suit. Imagine that, eh?”

“Oh, no, It’s fine! I completely understand! You’re busy and I’m just wasting your time right now.”

“Not at all, Miss Cheer. I enjoyed our little conversation. Frankly, I don’t even want to be there tonight, but the host insisted I show up. You know how these Canterlot nobles can get.”

“Well, It was very nice meeting you!”

“Same to you. May we meet again!”

And with that, Dashing trotted off, disappearing behind a building.

“I. Just. Met. Dashing. Charm.” Blossom Cheer was once again speechless, but it was short lived. She couldn’t contain her delight any longer.

“Aaaaaah! This is the best vacation ever!”

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

“This is the worst vacation ever.”

Fortune Find begrudgingly walked along the paths of Canterlot. He really didn’t like it here. The architecture and multitude of shops may have been a nice difference from Ponyville, but to Fortune, that was about all this place had going for it.

All this disapproval is making me thirsty.

The grumpy pegasus scanned his surroundings. A little ways in front of him was a massive fountain, with some citizens of Canterlot relaxing around it. The soft roaring of the water erupting from the fountain soothed all the ponies around it. Circling all around the fountain were a cavalcade of restaurants, clothes stores, antique shops, and even a few individual stands. One of which to the right of the fountain was serving Fortune’s favorite beverage.

Lemonade! Jackpot! I just may survive this trip yet. With a renewed spring in his step, he made his way over to the stand.

You would think there would be a line for this stand. It’s a fairly sunny day and all.

“Hi there! I’d like to buy a cup of lemonade.” Fortune said to the pink mare behind the stand.

Without delay, she poured the yellow drink in a cup for the pegasus. The longer he watched, the thirstier he became. Fortune could see the frosty cup drip with condensation. He stared with great intensity at the sweet, delicious liquid. The golden eyed pegasus reached for the money stored in his saddlebags.

“How much do I owe you?” Fortune inquired.

“Fifteen bits.”

Fortune did a double take. “FIFTEEN BITS? You can’t be serious!”

“Fifteen bits. Take it or leave it.” The mare was firm, he had to give her that.

“Oh come on! That’s way too much!”

“Twenty bits.” She dryly retaliated.

“Huh?! What happened to fifteen?!”

The pink mare simply shook her head. “Should’ve accepted the deal.”

“You can’t honestly expect me to pay twenty bits for a drink!”

The mare seemed to ponder that for a second. “You’re right. Twenty-one bits.”

The pegasus face-hoofed. “Grr... You’re a stupid rip-off artist, you know that?! I’ll just go find a drink somewhere else!”

“Do you see another lemonade stand around here?”

Needless to say, there was no other place in sight that could offer a drink like that. He didn’t doubt there was somewhere else that served lemonade somewhere in this city, but his thirst couldn’t wait any longer.

With a groan, Fortune Find surrendered his money. “Fine. Here, twenty one bits.”

“It’s twenty five bits, now.”

The fuming pegasus shot a few feet above the ground, supported by his wings.

“Oh come on! Why?!” he shouted to the heavens, getting a few stares from the onlooking passersby.

“Because you insulted me. Twenty five bits.”

“Wha... I... You! Aagh!” Fortune could not find the words to express his rage, and his talent was finding things, evident from the magnifying glass on his flank. Go figure.

Fortune didn’t think he’d see the day, but he was completely at the mercy of a lemonade mare.

“I’m so thirsty. Just lower the price a little bit? Please?”

The mare behind the stand thought for a moment.

“You really want this drink that badly?”

“Yes!”

“Then it’s thirty bits.”

The beige pegasus’ twitched his left eye.

I think I see why there’s no line. The two ponies stared each other down. Neither one faltered for the longest time. Not wanting the price to raise any more, Fortune reached into his saddlebags with a groan.

“Fine, here. Thirty bits.”

“Thank you very much.” The pink mare smiled to herself.

“Stuff it.”

The disgruntled stallion flapped away from the greedy salesmare, holding his overpriced drink in his hooves. At least he wouldn’t be thirsty anymore.

Is it just me, or did the ponies in Canterlot get even greedier?

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Iron Forge slowly traveled the streets of Canterlot. Obviously in no hurry, the unicorn observed the massive towers which reached towards the heavens, admiring the detail that went into building them.

Most of the ponies he walked by didn’t travel anywhere near him, as if afraid he would try to maul them. He didn’t blame them. He was naturally giant and intimidating.

The cool breeze blew against his face and rushed through his icy mane. To Iron, it was such a relaxing feeling.

The cobalt stallion had been walking alone for a while. Somehow, he had ended up in a less commonly traveled part of town. He traveled farther and farther into Canterlot, mentally creating a map of where he was so that he could find his way back to his companions.

Canterlot is quite the beautiful city. I can see why Blossom brought us here.

During his trek into the city, citizens grew more scarce where he went. Eventually, he trotted into an area scarcely populated. Only the occasional passer by could be spotted, and they were few and far in between.  One could swear this place was a ghost town.

It made no difference to Iron. He wasn't exactly sociable anyways.

Although, why this part of the city was still, he couldn't understand. There were a multitude of stores and buildings for ponies, although only a few of them actually had anypony inside. A barber shop, general store, and a clinic, to name a few.

He didn't stop walking until he came upon a business he was all too familiar with. The smithy.

He took a brief look at everything that was visible to him. The layout of the tools and appliances wasn't too different from what he was used to. Thinking back to his own smithy in Ponyville, he somewhat dreaded knowing he would eventually have to go back to his hard work. He may have had a knack for metal work, but that didn’t mean a break was totally unnecessary.

The unicorn stopped to glance at his cutie mark, as he had done so many times in his life already. A hammer striking an anvil, like always. It was always the same thing.

He thought back to his friends, wondering what they were doing right now. Fortune Find was probably getting into an argument with some of the locals right about now. Either that or trying to tell them one his abysmal jokes. Blossom Cheer said she was chasing after some actor with a ridiculous moniker. ‘Dashing Charm?’ That had to be some sort of bad stage name.

As he wandered along in the empty side of the capital, Iron Forge just barely heard a distraught voice echoing around the corner alley several feet in front of him.

“Please, let me go!”

In curiosity, he moved towards the alley. The voices becoming more clear as he approached.

“Quit your yapping, Goldy. Now I’m not gonna say it again! Cough up your bits, or me and my friends bash your skull in!”

A robbery. The gargantuan stallion quickly moved to the corner of the alley, making sure he was concealed by the wall. He slowly peaked his head from around the corner to see the details of the event.

Three, buff stallions had backed a shaking, yellow unicorn against a wall. All but one of his assailants were earth ponies. The other was a sneering pegasus, looking eager to pounce the helpless unicorn. He looked unharmed, but judging by the looks of his attackers, that wouldn’t last long.

“I-I already told you, I don’t have any money on me!” The unicorn slowly tried to make himself as small as possible, as if trying to disappear from sight.

“Is that right? Well boys, looks like we’re gonna have some fun with this one!”

“No, wait! Don’t— Ah! You there! Please help!” The victim desperately bellowed to Iron Forge, who now stood inside the alleyway for the muggers (and victim) to see.

While looking towards the enormous unicorn, the thugs didn’t notice their victim slip away to cower behind Iron.

“Huh? Darn it, Shifty! I thought you were watching him!” The leader of the brutes shouted at the pegasus, who merely shrugged in return.

Iron whispered to the terrified unicorn behind him. “Go get help.”

The victim nodded once and bolted immediately.

“You’ve got a lotta nerve, interrupting us like that. Now thanks to you, we’ve lost our guy.” The lead mugger viciously said to Iron. “Looks like you’ll have to do instead.”

The three fiends all joined in a bout of chuckling as they slowly surrounded the stoic unicorn.

Unphased by their taunting, Iron Forge glared at the earth pony in charge.

“I’ll say this once. Stand down, or else.”

The thugs merely laughed even harder and longer. Eventually the leader spoke up again.

“Alright, get this oaf.”

And all at once, the three brutes charged the unmoving stallion.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

“Okay so, Iron Forge, was it? Are you hurt in any way, sir?” The royal guard inquired.

“No." Iron nervously stated. "but I can’t say the same for the assailants.” Iron Forge looked towards the alleyway, where three unconscious ponies laid bruised and slightly bloodied. More guards had arrived to take away the would-be muggers. They had taken quite a bit of time to get here, but Iron Forge disregarded the thought.

“Alright. Thank you, sir. Your assistance in this matter is greatly appreciated.”

“No problem.”

The guard walked off to help his fellow soldiers with the criminals. Iron was thankful now that he didn't have to talk to anypony.

At least until the yellow unicorn he had rescued appeared.

“Hi. I just wanted to thank you for helping me out back there.” He didn’t look directly at the quiet unicorn, as if ashamed of his helpless display. His limp, white mane hung towards the ground. “I don’t know what would have happened if you hadn’t showed up. I really appreciate it.”

“Y-You’re welcome.” Iron showed an awkward smile in an attempt to comfort the shaken unicorn. It didn't seem to work.

"Um... so..." Iron lamely said.

"Yeah..." The meager unicorn replied quietly.

This encounter wasn't going very well. Iron silently cursed his inability to converse with strangers.

“By the way, I’m Gold Treasure.” the yellow unicorn held out a hoof towards his savior.

“Iron Forge.” He simply stated as he shook Treasure’s hoof.

"Much obliged."

The two sat again in and awkward silence as neither of them spoke up. The seconds just dragged on and on. Iron Forge needed to end this conversation for everypony's sake.

“Well, It's nice to meet you, but I must be going. Have a nice day.” Iron added as he marched past Gold Treasure.

“Oh, ah, I hope I see you again, someday!” The yellow unicorn shouted after Iron. “Thank you, again!”

Nice stallion. Iron thought to himself.

Iron ventured back to the train station. He was a little late to meet his friends, but if he trotted fast enough, maybe they wouldn't give him a hard time about it.

A newspaper page dancing in the wind flew into his chest. Stopping his trot, he levitated it away, but not before catching the main headline written in bold text.

CRIME RATES ARE RISING SWIFTLY

Iron Forge sighed to himself.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

“Where is he? It’s not like him to be late.” Blossom asked Fortune Find for what had to be the hundredth time. The annoyed pegasus flapped his wings in the air. He scanned their surroundings in front of the train station once again, on the lookout for their serious friend.

“Wait, there he is!”

From the crowds, Iron appeared. He already looked tired out for the day. His two friends wide-eyed at his worn appearance as he stood next to them.

“Sheesh, Iron. Where’ve you been?” Fortune asked as he landed next to his companions.

The stoic pony dully stared at Fortune and said nothing.

“Fine, whatever. Blossom was gonna show us to our hotel.”

“You two will love it! I promise you’ll both get your moneys worth.” Blossom Cheer chimed as she lead the group.

“I hope so.” Fortune muttered.

The trio began their trek through the crowds. Fortune was looking forward to getting the heavy saddlebags off of his back. He didn’t mind carrying them for his friends, but they were seriously hindering his flight. He wasn't nearly as strong as somepony like Iron Forge. Then again, not a whole lot of ponies were as strong as Iron.

Why didn't he just let Iron Forge carry them?

"Hey Blossom, let me carry that for you. It looks pretty heavy."

"You sure, Fortune? It's pretty heavy. I was just going to ask Iron to carry it for me."

"Yeah, don't worry! Iron's not the only stallion here, y'know."

Oh, right.

Their journey could have been going better. Ten minutes into their walk, Fortune was steadily sweating, and they had already been pushed and shoved multiple times by the multi-colored traffic of Canterlot. Nopony even bothered to apologize.

Blossom would occasionally attempt to engage the locals with a ‘hello’ or a ‘How are you?’ All that she got in return were either incredulous stares, or ponies picking up their pace to avoid conversation.

What’s with these ponies? The brown mare didn’t see anything wrong with a little bit of small talk.

Having kept quiet for a while, Fortune tried to start a conversation to distract from the rather rude citizens.

“So, Blossom, did you find your ‘Handsome Dash’ or whatever his name was?”

“His name is Dashing Charm, first of all, and to answer your question, yes I did! We didn’t get to talk long, but he was very polite! Even after I was so nervous.”

“Really? How so?”

“Uh... you know, stuttering. Just... regular nervousness!” The mare put on her best ‘please-believe-it’ face.

“Cheer, what happened?” Fortune could tell too easily when the green haired mare was fibbing.

“I... may have accidentally called him an idiot.” She reluctantly admitted.

Fortune immediately burst into a fit of laughter. Even Iron Forge couldn’t help but smile.

“Yeah, yeah, laugh it up.” Blossom pouted.

“Ha ha haaa! I didn’t think it was possible to be that nervous!”

Based on Fortune's uproarious laughter, Blossom deduced she would never hear the end of this one.

“Yeah, well, at least I got to chat with a celebrity! What did you do?”

That certainly shut him up. Fortune Find’s amber eyes shifted left and right, as if looking for an excuse not to share his recent ordeal.

He couldn’t think of anything.

“Ugh, I got scammed thirty bits for a drink.”

It was Blossom’s turn to laugh at the indignant pegasus. Iron could only stare unbelieving at Fortune.

“Hee hee hee! How did that happen!?”

“The salesmare was evil, that’s how.”

“Heh heh hoo, oh, that’s just brilliant. Hope you’re fine with being down thirty bits during the rest of this trip!”

“Yeah, I know.”

The group was calm again, and Fortune was left to recall his less than amazing moment. They were nearing the hotel, and only knew that because Blossom kept telling them so. Eventually, Blossom trotted ahead out of hearing distance in her excitement, leaving the two stallions behind.

“I wish you would get together with Blossom, already.”

“Ah, not this again, Iron.”

“You’re only delaying the inevitable. And for what? You're too afraid. I know it’ll happen sooner or later.”

“Right.” was Fortune’s only response.

A dead silence fell upon them as the two stallions walked after their distant friend. Fortune desperately wanted to change the subject to get rid of the awkward feeling in the air.

“So what about you? What did you do when we all separated?”

Iron paused at that before responding, as though thinking how best to tell him.

“Let’s just say I helped somepony in need.”

“...”

“...”

“Is that blood on your hooves?”

Suddenly, a horrible, ear-splitting noise interrupted the masses of Canterlot, causing all the ponies in the area to immediately stop what they were doing. Some ponies ran back to their homes, and some simply stood in place, stunned by the loud boom they had heard. Whatever it was, it was within very close range.

Blossom ran back to her friends, both looking in the direction they had heard the nearby noise. Behind a row of buildings, smoke was starting to rise into the clouds above.

“That sound came from where we were going!”

“Really? Might as well check it out.”

Blossom and Iron broke into a sprint, and Fortune flew after them. They didn’t have to run for long. All the trio needed to do was turn a corner on their right, and they found their destination.

Only to find that their hotel had burst into flames.

“That’s our hotel!”

“Well, looks like I’m not getting my money’s worth after all. This is not a good day for me.” Fortune inappropriately joked.

A small crowd of ponies gathered around the large blazing structure, shocked at what was transpiring. The three friends joined the crowd observing the event. Flames spewed from half of the windows, and those windows that didn’t have fire spewing out from them instead had a few ponies shouting to the masses below. In the crowd, injured and unconscious ponies laid still on the ground while some of the crowd just helplessly stared or panicked, not knowing what to do.

The panic in the crowd was growing fast.

“There are ponies still in there!

“Somepony has to help them!”

“My kids! Where are my kids?!”

“I need a doctor! Somepony, help! Please!”

Maybe it was the screams of fear, but after a few seconds of it all, Fortune decided he couldn’t stand around spectating anymore.

“Blossom, you have a bit of medical experience, right?”

“...Yeah?”

“Then you and Iron go see what you can do for the injured. I’m going in the hotel to try and get the last of them out of there!”

“What?! Are you crazy?! You can’t go in there, you’ll just hurt yourself!”

“Every moment we stand around, innocent ponies could be dying! We can’t waste any time! We have to help!”

"No, no, no. Fortune, there is crazy, and then there's... this. What makes you think you can help them?! That you won't end up killing yourself?!"

"Did you forget about the time I saved Ponyville from the rampaging wyvern?"

Bloodied feathers

How could they possibly forget?

Blossom Cheer wanted to convince him not to go, but she couldn't think of any argument that could sway the determined pegasus. She had forgotten just how serious the usually silly pegasus could be when the situation called for it.

“Of all the insane... I can’t even... Iron, will you talk him out of it!?”

Iron Forge glanced towards the burning building before giving his input.

“I’ll go with him.”

“What!?” They both yelled.

“There are trapped ponies in there, and they need help now. We’ll watch each other's backs. Keep each other safe.”

Fortune widened his smile. “Alright! Blossom, go help the injured! Let’s go, Iron!” Fortune crowed before taking off with Iron.

“Hey, wait!”

They didn’t wait. Instead, the two stallions rushed through the growing multitude of ponies, and burst in through the glass doors of the hotel, much to the crowd’s surprise and commotion.

“Oh no. No, no, no!” Was all Blossom could mutter to herself before dashing to the first victim she could find.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Steam Sear’s eyes struggled to open. Her eyelids felt so heavy.

Her mind was sluggish and slow to work. Apparently, she had been sweating profusely ever since she fell asleep.

Wait, I don’t remember falling asleep. Where even am I?

The green unicorn found herself on a comfortable bed that she did not recognize. The room looked nice, but didn’t have many accessories. There was a desk facing against a different wall, and there was a doorway that lead straight into a bathroom. Paintings of inanimate objects decorated the walls, and there was only one large window to her left. The only other notable thing about the room was the closed door which she assumed to be the exit.

Oh, and there were giant flames near the bathroom door.

Oh no! I’ve got to get out of here! Wherever that is!

Smoke polluted the air inside the room, causing the mare to go into a coughing fit every couple of seconds. She crawled on the floor to avoid inhaling the rising smoke. It was better, to a point. Frankly, she’d rather be somewhere without smoke at all.

She crawled the short distance to the window so she could peer out of it. From what she could tell, she was high up. Maybe four stories high. There was a small crowd of ponies down there. Some of them looked badly hurt. Jumping out from here would only end in broken legs, and she’d rather try to avoid that.

So she crouched back to the floor again, coughing her lungs out. The only other way out was through the door.

Upon reaching the door, she rose. Steam Sear felt the doorknob with a hoof. It was warm to the touch.

Yeah, that’s not good.

The fire in the room was quickly spreading. It had already blocked off her way to the window.

I’m gonna regret this...

With a burst of energy, she hurriedly opened the door and dashed out of the room, only to be met with a fiery inferno of a hallway. She strained against the intense heat to keep her eyes open.

The long hallway she entered was already halfway burned. The entirety of the hallway glowed a reddish orange color, obviously due to the fire. She could see rooms similar to the one she was in through massive scorched holes where a wall previously covered. The charred wallpaper in the halls curled under the intense heat. The air in here felt hot enough to melt her skin.

The passage to her left was entirely blocked by fallen lumber, so that just left the right passage.

Or it would, if it wasn’t blazing with fire. These flames were closer to her, also. Such a shame too, as she could see stairs on the other side.

What I wouldn’t give to be able to teleport right now!

With quick thinking, she busted down a burnt door on the other side of the hall, going into one of the many similar rooms. The wall between this room and the neighboring one had almost entirely collapsed, creating one big apartment.

There was so much smoke. She couldn’t help but feel a bit dizzy. It was way too hot in this building. Nopony should ever have to suffer through this heat.

Slightly staggering, it occurred to Steam that she could use the other room’s exit to walk around the flames which blocked the stairwell.

Yes! I just may get out of here yet!

A sharp cry sounded over the roar the flames. Steam pivoted to where she thought the sound came from. Whatever it was, it constantly kept up the noise.

Is that somepony else?

The unicorn hastily retraced her steps over the collapsed wall, and past the spreading flames. As she did, the noise became more clear. It was the sound of a crying child.

“Hello! Where are you!?” Steam attempted to holler over the roaring flames.

Nopony answered. Only the sound of crying met her ears. Steam Sear searched under the ruined bed, and found nothing. There was so much smoke, it was getting too hard for her to breathe. She had to get out of there fast if she wanted to get out alive. The mare started to question if she should just save herself.

No. I’ll be damned before I turn my back on a child on death row. “Hey! I’m here to help! Where are you?!” she rasped out.

Finally, a frail voice responded. “I-In here!”

Steam Sear hadn’t noticed the bathroom door was open. After cursing herself for not seeing the obvious, she made for the bathroom, jumping over the small flames that threatened her hooves.

Through the bathroom door, she could see a crying, grey filly cowering over a blue, passed-out unicorn colt taking refuge in the tub. The filly was obviously terrified for her unconscious friend.

“Hold on! I’m coming!”

She took one step towards them, and the floor beneath her cracked.

Uh oh.

The wooden flooring she was standing on completely collapsed under the pressure, and she fell victim to gravity. Steam Sears body crashed through another floor, taking a bunch of burning lumber with her. She finally landed two floors beneath where she had started, and the broken debris of flooring plummeted after her.

The massive rubble crashed on top of her, eliciting a loud scream from the unicorn, and pinning her down. Her back end was entirely covered by a giant burning beam.

Steam Sear weakly attempted to get up, only to feel an excruciating pain in her chest. Her chances of getting out of this alive were dropping very fast. The green mare was trapped, and more importantly, the two foals were still cowering in their bathtub two floors above her. Every inch of her body hurt, and certain doom seemed imminent.

Well, I’ve failed at everything, today. I failed at improving my magic, I failed at getting the frosting for my dad, I couldn’t escape this stupid building, and I couldn’t save the kids up there. What a terrible last day.

Steam’s turquoise eyes gazed upwards through the fiery holes she had created. She could just make out the strained cries of the gray filly in the bathtub two floors above her. She wished she didn’t have to hear the crying. To hear her failure.

Those flames were getting awfully close.

From behind the weak, blazing walls, she heard a glorious sound.

“Hello!? Is anypony in here?!”

Steam didn’t even have time to holler before the mysterious voice found her first.

What turned the corner was a light brown pegasus with a shaggy, red mane. His golden eyes widened at the sight of her, and he turned his head to holler.

“Iron, I found another one!”

The pegasus wasted no time trying to lift the beam that hindered the green unicorn, but Steam Sear waved him away.

“Up there!” She pointed up through the holes she created. “There are two foals trapped in a bathtub!”

The pegasus looked up, and bolted straight upwards. In his place, another unicorn appeared into view.

He was bigger than any pony she had ever seen. His coat was a brilliant cobalt, and his short blue mane and muzzle were both outlined by a icy color. His eyes were blue like a lake on a sunny day.

With little effort, he levitated the beam off of Steam, and levitated the mare onto his back, knowing she was likely hurt or near fainting.

Woah. He’s... strong.

With Steam laid across on his back, (but still grunting in pain) the pegasus returned with the two foals in his arms. The green unicorn couldn’t have been more relieved.

More fiery debris fell from the ceiling, as if reminding the ponies that they were in peril.

“Let’s get out of here!” The pegasus ordered.

The stallion ran for the stairs, and the pegasus followed after him, carrying the children with his forelegs.

The ponies galloped out of the room and into the hallway, bolting for the stairwell as fast as they could. Pieces of the floors above them came crashing down around them. Some of the falling debris came dangerously close to barraging the escaping ponies, but the two rescuers jumped and weaved through the burning wreckage unharmed. The large blue unicorn even caught a large chunk of wood with his telekinesis and threw it away like a small stone.

They descended the stairs to the lobby below. Like the rest of the building, it too, was destroyed, but this room was different. The middle of the floor was largely indented, and scorched completely black. All the desks and chairs were pushed against the walls. In fact, almost nothing filled the space near the middle of the room besides burning lumber. The two floors above the room were almost nonexistent, filling the space with black smoke.

Not paying it any mind, the two ponies ran outside with the victims on their backs. They were met with a concerned crowd, being instructed by a few royal guards to keep away from the flaming structure. Steam Sear did not recall seeing them when she looked out the window before.

“Okay, I think that’s all of them. Even if it’s not, the Royal Guard can take it from here.” The pegasus declared.

Steam Sear tried to pick herself up from off the stallions back, regardless of how nice it was to be carried. She didn't want to be a damsel in distress.

“We should take her and the foals to Blossom. She might be able to help them out.”

The two moved through the noisy crowd. Steam tried desperately to remember how she even got here in the first place, but to no avail. Last thing she remembered, she was leaving her house, then... nothing.

She looked back towards the building. It was taller than she first thought. Way above the top, she could see pegasi stomping storm clouds to help put out the flames. The building itself was actually six floors high, and wide for a building. She could now see the burned name of the building above the entrance.

The Hot Spot Hotel

….Fitting.

Before she knew it, Steam was being levitated off the large stallion and gently laid onto the ground along with the two foals, who were now both passed out. Steam Sear may have been put down as gently as possible, but it still didn’t do anything for the pain in her torso. She was placed next to another unconscious pony whom she didn’t know, and as far as she could tell, there were quite a few others like him laid down on the ground. A short distance away, she could see two medical ponies making their rounds on all the patients.

“Hey Blossom, we’re done! And we’ve found some more patients for you!” The pegasus bellowed.

An earth pony came into Steam’s view. This mare had a brown coat and a lush green mane. Her flank was adorned with a picture of a single pink blooming flower. She moved back out of Steam Sear’s point of view, presumably examining the two children.

A short while later, she spoke up.

“These two will be fine, they just passed out. Poor little things. Now that that's out of the way...”

Steam Sear could hear the faint thumping of a hoof against fur.

“Ow!”

“Ungh.”

“Finally. I’ve been so busy, I haven’t had a chance to do that.” Seemed like this pony was upset with these two.

“What the heck, Blossom?! That hurt!”

“Serves you both right! What in Tartarus were you two thinking, running into danger like that?! You nearly gave me a heart attack! Every time you dunderheads ran back in there, I was scared to death that I’d lose you!”

“Blossom, it’s okay! We’re fine!”

Steam Sear wouldn’t mind their bickering so much if she wasn’t in horrible pain. By Luna, she felt like vomiting.

“But what if you weren’t?! I don’t know what I’d do if you two got hurt, or worse!”

“Blossom, there’s one other pony that still needs your attention.” Steam didn’t recognize that deep voice. Was that the large blue unicorn?

“Oh! Well, this isn’t over!”

The earth pony trotted over to Steam, and looked her over.

“No serious burns, from what I can see.”

Blossom felt Steam’s body for any injury she could find. When she touched the mare’s side, Steam yelped in pain.

“Oh, that’s not good, you might have broken something.” The earth pony hypothesized. “We may need to get you to a hospital.”

“Oh. Joy.” Steam whimpered. This day just gets better and better.

She didn’t want to just lay there, looking helpless and pathetic. If there was anything she disliked, it was her vulnerability. Against the pain, she lifted herself up off the ground. Her body screamed at her to give up and lay back down, but she would not let today get the best of her.

Upon noticing Steam, Blossom tried to interject. “Hun, you should really stay down until the paramedics show up.”

“I’m fine.”

The brown mare looked somewhat taken aback at that. Obviously, this unicorn wasn’t in the greatest of moods.

“If you say so. Just don’t exert yourself.”

Steam stood on all fours for a whole three seconds before sitting on her haunches.

Well, sitting isn’t so bad.

Steam Sear turned to the two stallions, who were engaged in their own conversation.

“Hey.”

Both of them turned to the sitting Steam Sear.

“Thanks for saving my skin back there. If you two hadn’t showed up...” She didn’t even want to think about what would’ve happened.

The unicorn stallion smiled and nodded, while the pegasus gave his own grin.

“No problem at all, greenie. After all, the situation back there was getting pretty heated!” The pegasus’ companions just boredly stared at him, as did Steam Sear.

“So, who are you all?”

The brown mare decided to answer this one herself.

“I’m Blossom Cheer. Pleased to meet you. The pegasus is Fortune Find, and that’s Iron Forge." She gestured towards them accordingly. "What about you?”

“I’m Steam Sear. Nice to meet you all, too.” Steam replied to be nice.

Steam looked back to the burning hotel. Thanks to the storm clouds, the fire appeared to be dying down. Too bad the building still looked completely ruined.

“So, do you three live here? You don’t really look like the Canterlot type.”

“Actually, we all came here for a vacation. We just recently got here, too.” Blossom answered Steam.

“Wow. Welcome to Canterlot, huh?”

“Indeed.”

From the crowd, an older mare emerged, looking very upset.

“Silver! Ocean!”

The white mare ran to the two foals laid down on the ground. Near tears, she kneeled down to examine the two kids.

“Oh no no no no no! What’s wrong!? Why aren’t they waking up?!” The older pony was near hysterical, whereas Blossom, who walked to her side, was calm as could be.

“Calm down, ma’am. They’re gonna be just fine. They’re just passed out right now from all the excitement.”

“Oh, oh my babies!”

“If you’re really worried about them, I would recommend getting them to a doctor anyways, just to make sure.”

“Oh, thank you, miss!”

“Don’t thank me, thank these two.” She pointed a hoof towards the two stallions behind her. “They were the ones who found them inside the hotel.”

“Oh, thank you both so much! How can I ever repay-” The white pony’s eyes glossed over the two stallions and over to Steam Sear sitting behind them. Upon doing so, she narrowed her eyes at the sitting unicorn.

“You!”

Steam raised an eyebrow.

“... Me?”

“You did this! You’re the reason I almost lost my foals!” Ponies from the crowd looked on as the loud mare argued with Steam Sear.

“What?! Lady, I don’t know what you’re talking about!”

“Raagh!”

The white older mare launched herself towards the green unicorn, but was caught in the air by Iron Forge’s telekinesis. The mother kicked and writhed in the air, trying to tear Steam Sear to pieces and causing a scene.

“Ma’am, calm down! What are you trying to say, Steam Sear caused this?”

The mare floated in anger, looking to kill.

“I know what I saw! I was in the lobby when she just waltzed on in with a crazed grin and blew the place up! This is all her fault!”

Blossom and Fortune looked suspiciously towards Steam Sear, who could not bring herself to respond to the seething mare.

“Don’t look at me! She’s crazy!”

“Hey, I saw her, too!” A new voice from the onlooking crowd hollered. Everypony gazed in the new speakers direction. “She came into the hotel lobby and cast some sort of spell! Next thing I know, the entire place exploded into flames!”

That certainly did nothing to help the suspicious looks Steam was getting from Blossom and Fortune. Not only them, but more ponies from the crowd were now eyeing her suspiciously.

Steam had no idea what to do. Everypony was accusing her of doing this? She couldn’t have! She couldn’t remember anything after leaving her house earlier today!

She couldn't remember.

“I-I couldn’t have done this! I would never do this!”

The crowd around her just grew louder in anger and confusion. All she could hear were the faint murmurs accusing her of this foul deed.

“I would never... I’d never...”

Steam collapsed in a heap, ignoring the pain in her chest which agonized her so.

“No... I didn’t do this.” Steam murmured to herself.

With her hooves over her head, Steam closed her eyes. She wanted to disappear from this place. She wanted so much for this day to be over, and she just wanted to go home so she could fall asleep on her bed.

She cowered on the ground as accusals sounded from every direction. The crowd itched with anger and confusion. Calming this crowd would be a chore for even the best of speakers.

She opened her eyes to see Iron Forge standing above her, no longer magically holding the enraged mother. He had no emotion on his face, and no look of accusal or sympathy in his eyes. With that deep voice, he spoke to her.

“Are you giving up?”

Somehow, she didn't think he was talking about her turning herself in.

“I-I don’t—”

“Are you?”

Steam didn’t get a chance to answer, as the old white mare had come back screaming at her. This time, she was accompanied by two royal guards.

“That’s her! She’s the one who caused all this! Arrest her!”

The two guards exchanged confused looks, and trotted up to Steam Sear as Iron backed away. She recognized these two guards from the Castle.

“We're sorry, miss Sear, but until further notice you are under arrest. Please come with us.” One of them ordered.

“I can’t move, my chest hurts too much.”

Without any words, one guard levitated her off the ground in a blue glow. Steam looked back at Fortune, Blossom and Iron one more time. Blossom and Fortune looked on at Steam with a mixture of concern and wariness, while Iron talked with another of the royal guard.

As she was carried through the crowd, multiple ponies jeered and insulted the supposed arsonist, but she couldn’t hear them. more guards held back those who tried to lash out at the floating mare. Only four words could be heard inside her mind. One simple question.

'Are you giving up?'

The burning wreckage gradually got smaller in the distance, but Steam could still see it all very clearly. All those hurt innocents.

I want to go home...