Kissed by fire

Stalwart keep remained the northern most outpost in all of Equestria since it was completed centuries ago, from that time it has changed little. The small town and its castle were built at the foot of the white mane mountains, its thick walls protecting it from the worst of the brutal northern winds and the various creatures that stalked the snowy tundra, its tall imposing towers providing a commanding view of the surrounding area. The keep itself stood at its centre a giant monolith of stone partially built into the rock face a steep set of stairs kept the keep connected to the rest of the town. Whilst numerous underground passage ways linked to key points about stalwart keep as to limit the amount of time its hardy citizens had to spend exposed to the elements.

Despite its somewhat bleak location stalwart keep has kept a healthy population of ponies, From enterprising adventurers seeking the areas vast mineral wealth and hidden treasures to simple hardworking merchants and labourers looking to carve out a life from the white wilderness far from the troubles that plagued the larger equestrian cities. But like any settlement in Equestria from the humblest villages to the tallest citadels stalwart keep was griped with heart-warming fever as the streets bustled with holiday activity.

Captain Daybreak walked down the high street, his golden armour glinting under his thick grey cloak occasionally exchanging pleasantry's with the citizens and returning salutes from his fellow guards. He remembered first arriving at the isolated town for the first time nearly 10 years ago his new captains armour doing nothing to keep him warm he had almost frozen to death in his first week. Back then his new posting had felt more like a punishment than a promotion maybe he had in avertedly angered princess Celestia or insulted some noble somehow during his initial posting  at Canterlot, but as the years passed he had come to love the small town, sure it was not as a prestigious posting as Canterlot or even Staliongrad but he had become respected by its ponies even if they kept reminding him of his disastrous  first week the nick name "Captain Icicle" had ever dogged his hoof steps over the years.

He was shaken from is thoughts as a ball of crimson fur slammed into him at incredible velocity knocking him to the ground driving the wind out of him. Blinking away stars Daybreak quickly struggled to his hooves and brushed the snow of his immaculate white coat before rounding on his attacker, who was frantically snatching up a large collection of brightly coloured Parcels which had fallen out of his grasp in the collision. Daybreak instantly recognized the red pony before him as one of his guardsmen

"Guardsman Crimson Bolt!" he barked threateningly

Crimson instantly froze his eyes going wide in terror his wings spread out in shock as he realised he had just accidently tackled his captain.

He snapped to attention giving a sloppy salute with the wrong hoof stammering his apologies.

"C-c-captain Sir!"

Daybreak calmly used his magic to levitate his helmet wish had been knocked off, back onto his head stands of his golden mane still visible and fixed crimson bolt with his light blue eyes in a withering stare

"Why are you not in uniform, and why in the name of Celestia are you not at your post?"

his voice low and commanding

"Sir s-s-sorry sir I s-s-swapped shifts with s-starlight sir.....to do some hearts warming eve shopping .....Sir"

Daybreak relaxed but kept his gaze stern "relax Crimson... and put your dam hoof down!"

Crimson immediately complied and seemed visibly relieved

"thank you sir"

Daybreak levitated one of the parcels still on the snowy ground up to his face so he could read the label "Guild mane" he read out loud

"is she new in town?"

"Sir no sir" crimson brightened up a wide smile dancing across his face

"She lives in Canterlot works as a jeweller....sir"

Daybreak let a rare smile cross his own lips "night shift Crimson, observation tower you had better be at your post"

He said handing the lovingly wrapped package back to Crimson bolt

"Yes sir! Thank you sir!" and with that crimson went supersonic down the high street scattering the crowds, forgetting to salute.

Captain Daybreak was left standing in the high street deep in thought. Crimson bolt was the keep's newest recruit and a total enigma to Daybreak he had no idea how such a ... unique Pegasus could have become a guardsman. Until he had seen him fly that is, he could give the wonder bolts a run for their money he bet. And despite his outward appearance he was a very dedicated pony that's why the captain supposed he had a soft spot for Crimson despite him flogging a long dead joke every hearts warming holiday. He started back of on his original course muttering to himself

"he better not have bought be another bucking scarf"

Later that evening Daybreak was walking the western wall on his way to the observation tower, staring at the moon lit landscape the wind had died down and the air was crisp and still the sky was filled with a vast tapestry of stars. Marveling at Princess Luna's hoof work He slowly climbed the spiral staircase that lead to the observatory taking care not to slip and fall all the way down the stone steps at the top he was greeted by Crimson bolt who was as expected on sentry duty.

"Anything to report?" Daybreak asked nodding to crimson who again saluted 'wrong hoof' the voice in his head pointed out

"A lot of shooting stars sir nothing else".... "Wow look at that one!" he said excitedly pointing out a partially bright shooting star

"Quick make a wish!"

Suddenly remembering who he has talking to, he quickly added "sir" looking embarrassed by his outburst

Daybreak's bemused expression quickly turned into one of puzzlement then of shock as he tracked the shooting star "err... sir...what" crimson began the captain cut him off.

"SOUND THE ALARM!" the supposed shooting star had somehow turned and has burning brightly as it hurtled towards the town the ball of molten fire now lighting up the sky like Celestia's sun.

It hit the ground a mile or so west of the city with enough force to send out powerful shockwaves rocking the mountain to its foundations a great fire spread out from the impact site the flames hungrily dissolving the fresh snow and feasting on anything it touched.

The cruel fires persisted for several days, the captain had called out the guard to combat the blaze with water and earth lest it make its way to the keep, over the roaring of the flames there was another noise an impossible noise a noise that chilled every pony to the bone despite the savage heat, the sound of some pony screaming.