Kissed by fire

Chapter: 11 No mares land

FireMane was in freefall; the wind rippled through her fur, sending her crimson streaked mane billowing behind her. She fell for what seemed like hours relishing the adrenalin coursing through her veins, as the ground rushed up to meet her. Just before it was too late, her instincts kicked in and she spread her wings with a flourish. Skimming along the moonlit grass as she pulled out of her vertical dive, flapping her great wings she blasted up into the night sky, her excitement causing her mane and tail to catch light. She hovered briefly, taking in her surroundings, the sky was clear and the stars shone brightly under a full moon, Joan stealthily headed from the palace extinguishing her flames, her dark form now perfectly camouflaged from anypony on the ground.

Joan lazily danced through the night sky; she could not remember the last time she flew like this. Rising and falling, coupled with daring corkscrews and highly precise aerial cartwheels. Her fun was interrupted however, by a small brush against her mind; it was not a hostile move, more a mental equivalent of a tap on the shoulder. Changing direction suddenly FireMane flew towards a great expanse of forest on the outskirts of a small town she could spy in the distance; she recalled the name of the wood from the map in Celestia's study, the Everfree forest.

As she brushed along the tree line a few minutes later, she spotted a set of crumbling ruins by a calm lake, something about the place felt familiar; she immediately brought her wings in close in a dive aiming for the lake. She hit the water like a professional diver, hardly disturbing the water's surface. Before emerging from the lake, now drenched and refreshed, her muscles warmed up after her energetic flight. She briefly fired up her magic to dry herself out before investigating her surroundings. She had landed in the remains of what must have been some great castle long ago, time had eroded the stone walls, but there was still evidence of a great clash of magical energy. Black and white scorch marks marred the crumbed walls, FireMane was  still absorbed in this frozen history when  she felt someone approach. A large yellow unicorn mare emerged on the far side of the ruins, they briefly eyed each other for a minute, each unwilling to make the first move. In silent agreement they both began walking towards the other.

"Cousin!" the mare shouted happily wrapping Joan in a warm hug

Joan gave a genuine smile "Spirits...you look terrible...Chrysalis" she said laughing

There was a flash of green flame "...much better"

"You say the nicest things" Chrysalis took a step back joining in Joan's laughter, as they began moving back towards the lake side.

"I can't believe its you FireMane, I never dared hope the rumours might be true."

"yet still you came, I'm touched" Joan said theatrically

"oh shut up, I had other business in the area anyway"  Chrysalis shot back in mock annoyance

"How have you been?" Joan asked sitting down and admiring the tranquil water

"Aside from a failed coup, every 'would be queen' challenging me and the lack of any good feeding ground, not all that bad" she replied frustration evident in her voice.

"'A failed coup'?"

"Don't get me started on that...but at least with you here it will be much easier next time..."

She was cut off by FireMane getting to her hooves "what is that supposed to mean?" she growled

Chrysalis fixed her with a disbelieving expression "FireMane, you owe nothing to these foals, after what they did to you I thought you would relish a chance for revenge..."

Something moved inside Joan, something she thought she had long since berried

"They used you, and then called you a monster...after all you did for them, look around you FireMane! This is your legacy!" the changeling's voice echoed of the broken stone that surrounded them,

FireMane stood firm her eyes glowing in anger  "so I should do what exactly cousin?! would you have me teach these' foals' a lesson?! I am a praetorian of..."

"...no your not!" Chrysalis cut her off "your name was stripped from the records and your very existence denied..."

the changeling squared up to the alicorn spiting her words out like venom "not even granted the dignity of death you were cast out into the void for all of see 'FireMane the traitor, FireMane the fool'

FireMane's anger exploded, her fur darkened to an abyssal black and flames erupted along her mane and tail, her eyes bubbled with molten fury. With a cry of rage, she slammed chrysalis into the ground with bone shattering force. Fire leapt up from the ground as the changeling queen struggled to breath, FireMane snarled bringing her fanged maw down towards Chrysalis.

"That's what hurts the most isn't it?" she gasped out "the fact that just like this place, you have been swept away and forgotten, it hurts doesn't it"

FireMane stared deep into those emerald eyes, her flames slowly dying and her eyes turning watery with tears as a sob wracked her frame. She broke away from chrysalis before falling to the grass, as she desperately tried to keep her emotions from over whelming her again.

"now, now cousin, none of that" the changeling said gently "I am sorry... but it had to be said"  she tried to place a comforting hoof on Joan's shoulder, but the black alicorn shrugged it off raising herself up  and setting off along the shore line. She sat back down by the water's edge a a little further on. It was not long before Chrysalis came and silently sat beside her. Joan let out a long sigh before breaking the silence.

"I'm still not going to help you burn Canterlot to the ground cousin" she said in mock seriousness

"Give it a week FireMane, and you will be begging to help me" Chrysalis fired back grinning slightly

"Oh I don't doubt, especially if rarity has to measure me again..."

Chrysalis broke out laughing as the thought of FireMane in a pink frilly dress crossed her mind, Joan continued "and as for captain Shining armour..." at the mention of his name Chrysalis smile widened

"And how is my favourite guard captain?" Joan shot her a quizzical look, one eyebrow raised "you and him...?" chrysalis nodded once grinning wolfishly "tell him I said 'Hi' if you want to see him turn whiter"

FireMane was slightly taken aback; he didn't really seem her type. Looking to change the subject Joan cast a glace to the ruins just behind them.

"Is this Ash fall?" FireMane asked.

"No, these are the ruins of nightmare castle, built on the ruins of Ash fall"

"Ruins within ruins, how very poignant" she half chuckled.

"Ah! I almost forgot..." Chrysalis fired up her magic conjuring an impossible black case before FireMane

"That's...not possible" she reached out, taking it in her own magic before opening the case slowly, and with reverence.

The moonlight fell upon those familiar ebony curves and silver strings,

'It's had been far too long old friend' she thought picking up her Violin from its velvet cushioning.

FireMane lovingly cradled it once more, that first draw of her bow across its shining strings silenced all other noise, even the wind seemed to go silent in homage to her instrument. She played a simple yet enchanting melody that echoed and travelled far in the night air. she felt like she was soaring once more among the stars like her flying it had been far too long since she had practiced her craft.

Finally Alexa returned her violin to its cradle; a single tear ran down her fur as she gave it a final caress before closing the lid, she turned a questioning look to the changeling queen.

"It was given to me by a very melancholy Alicorn, Valliant put it in my care just after your...exile" Chrysalis replied to the unasked question, at Joan's look of surprise she continued with a little laugh.

"he paid me a little visit some time after his own disgrace....

"....Do you know what happened to him after that?" Joan asked

"he dropped off the map and he can stay there for all I care..." Chrysalis said waving her hoof dismissively.

"You are too harsh on him cousin..." she admonished quietly

Chrysalis gave a snort of exasperation "what happened to the immortal god empress FireMane, what was it? Fire giver, and ash bringer?"

FireMane gave a fanged grin "I hear she got her flank kicked Chrysalis...but she is not out of the game quite yet" the changeling queen gave her own pointed smile at those words

"Ready when you are cousin"

Rex moved stealthily through the forest, her hooves ghosting over the ground, for nearly two weeks she had travelled west, across the shrouded sea and into mainland Equestria, keeping low to the ground and flying only at night so as to avoid any unwelcomed attention. Her pale blue pupiless eyes scanned the area cutting through the shroud of night while her ears twitched with every step. the music of water dancing on rocks had lead her this way, the gurgling of water and the scent of potential prey had caught her interest as she stalked through silent pines. She froze suddenly; she could see the moon light reflecting off a river ahead of her and the soft sound of splashing, Rex gave a small smile, the swift runners would no doubt be quenching their thirst at this time, unaware of her nocturnal hunt bearing her teeth in anticipation as she crouched low, muscles coiled ready to pounce through the bushes and onto her prey. Then something suddenly burst through the canopy and blindsided her, she was slammed into a tree with enough force to shake its deep roots. Rex quickly recovered slamming a black hoof into her attacker; it connected with a loud bag as her hoof made contact with metal. at blinding speed her advisory swept her legs from underneath her, slamming her head into the tree as she fell. Tasting blood Rex lunged at the pony with a feral assault of hooves and teeth, snarling and biting. Another glint, Rex too late felt the presence of another pony behind her suddenly there was a blade at her throat, its edge lightly kissing her skin. She felt the wet fur of against her back as she was held in a vice like grip.

There was a moment of silence before her executioner spoke.

"You alright there Clipper?" she asked huskily

Rex instantly recognized the voice, even as her attacker heaved himself onto his hooves. the Pegasus shook himself off looking down at his cracked armour before replying.

"Nothing serious flight captain..." he trailed off as his hoof came away bloody from one of the deeper bite marks Rex had inflicted. He looked up scowling at her, Rex slowly licked her lips hungrily before asking.

"And just what are you doing this side of shrouded sea DaggerWing, flight Razor Flame is not authorised..."

She was cut off as flight razor flame's commander roughly pushed her away releasing Rex's neck from her iron grip. Rex subconsciously ran a hoof over her neck, tracing were the blade had been. She turned to face the Flight Captain, Dagger wing leaned briefly against the cracked tree studying Rex as she slid her vambrace and attached blade off her tan foreleg. her usually dusty tan colour was darkened by its present waterlogged state, her mane hung limply over her face its distinctive brown and gold made her look like some sort of tan zebra.

"Rex...you really need to get more combat, you're getting slow" DaggerWing's tone was detached as she turned and began walking back in the direction of the river.

Rex took the silent invitation to follow and fell instep behind her, followed closely by Clipper. Seeing no need to strike up a conversation with either of them the sentinel reviewed her mental notes on the young Captain. 'Top of her class at White Spear flight academy, hoof picked to attend the prestigious collage of Demons Run, a promising career in the making. Then a routine patrol turns into a ambush, she was found a month later as a Wolfkin prisoner, the only one of her flight to survive the massacre. the long weeks of torture had taken their toll on the young Pegasus, she was judged mentally unfit for service by the medical staff, a decision that was swiftly over ruled by a certain Marshall BitterSnout' Rex gave a sly grin 'it helps to have a farther at the top of the chain of command' she mused.

"Clipper, get yourself cleaned up. I don't want you bleeding all over the place, and take the tribune with you." DaggerWing ordered sternly

"Yes, Flight Captain" Clipper moved past Rex leading her down towards the distant glow of a camp fire.

There was a full flight of Pegasus ponies all moving about the small campsite, several tents had been set up and a fire was burning brightly. The ponies seemed far too busy collecting fire wood, pitching tents or indulging in idle chit chat to pay any attention to Rex or her injured escort.

"Tribune?"  An angelic voice asked

Rex turned to see an equally angelic looking unicorn mare emerging from a nearby tent, her perfectly defined curves and flowing red mane making her a stunning sight in the otherwise drab forest.

Rex knew the regal unicorn, but her presence caught her completely by surprise.

Rex gave a curt bow "Canoness? I did not expect..."

"...come with me Rex, take a seat by the fire we have much to discuss"

The unicorn lead Rex to the fireside, she turned to the legionnaire DaggerWing had called Clipper who was trying to slink away.

"Let me see to your wounds Eisen"

The young Pegasus had the look of a startled deer at being addressed by the elegant unicorn, a excuse formed in his mind but she simply patted the ground next to her as a silent command.

reavently he approached her, she looked to Rex as she began to heal the cut she had inflicted upon  him.

"What are the chances of meeting here of all places Rex, surely the empress herself guided you to us"

Rex barely stopped an eye roll at the canoness's words "Intelligence and the flight captain splashing around brought me here my lady, not divine providence"

She was impressed to see no sigh of emotion in those light pink irises, she continued in her usual school mistress like tone.

"I have always found it odd tribune, the ire you hold for those of us who worship your own creator the way she deserves. Some may even call it ungrateful on your part."

Clipper gritted his teeth as she began work on the worst of the bite marks, Rex gave a snort, she had neither the time nor energy to get wrapped up in another theological debate with Ardent Voice.

"The empress taught us to be loyal, not foals"

"Tread carefully tribune..." her voice had not changed how ever her eyes had hardened dangerously

Their verbal sparring was short by the arrival of Daggerwing, after finishing bathing she had scouted out the surrounding area before rejoining the rest of her flight. DaggerWing had by then dried herself out and restyled her gold and brown striped mane back into its usual zebra style, allowing it to be threaded out of the back of her helmet. she had also put her eye patch back over her ruined left eye socket, a memento from the months of Wolfkin 'hospitality' she had donned her barding once more, unlike other pegasi she preferred the heavier infantry barding over the lighter Pegasus variant. The fact she could even fly in it let alone uphold her reputation as the best flyer in the empire was a constant source of amazement. Her back caparison had the razor flame insignia of a wolfkin skull and three crossed bolts was emblazoned on dark blue cloth

"The path is clear from here to Canterlot, per sacros ignis we will reach Canterlot tomorrow at dusk." DaggerWing reported her voice still husky as she stared deeply into the camp fire.

Clipper took his captains presence as his queue to leave, limping slightly as his newly repaired muscles tightened in protest. Ardent Voice let out a contented sigh.

"at last all the pieces are coming together"

"Canterlot...so you're chasing the rumour?" Rex asked

Ardent Voice gave a brief silver bell laugh "oh it's no rumour Rex, on the morrow we will be reunited once more with our empress, I dare say it shall make us immortal."

"How can you be so sure, Canoness?"

"Well for one thing you're here, and secondly...flight captain, bring out our guest"

DaggerWing wordlessly moved off only to retune a moment later dragging a bound earth pony behind her. She unceremoniously dumped the colt in front of the canoness before removing the gag and stepping back. Rex gave the pony a quick once over, orange fur and yellow mane, shaking in fear. Rex also noticed a strange tattoo on his flank of a quill and piece of parchment.

"now...tell the tribune what you told me" Ardent asked in a soft and comforting voice, as her hoof playfully traced his jaw line, upon seeing Rex however the stallion lost all colour his face turning pale as he renewed his cowering.

"This.." DaggerWing began "is a Equestrian intelligence operative, my flight captured a few days ago..."

"reporter..." came a week voice, it took the three of them a moment to realise the prisoner had actually spoken. "I'm a reporter for the..." DaggerWing silenced him with a venomous one eyed glare

"What's a reporter?" Ardent asked, genuine interest entering her voice "A professional busybody it would seem..." the flight captain dismissed "...all that matters is that tomorrow  this so called alicorn princess 'Joan' will be attending the ambassadorial ball in Canterlot."

"And you think this 'Joan' is the empress..." rex gave a smirk "...need I remind you of the Candence fiasco?" DaggerWing gave a scowl

"It matters not..." ardent interjected in her sing song voice "it is a chance I am willing to take, this time tomorrow we will know the truth"

"What do you plan on doing with 'this'" Rex gestured to the earth pony

"Hungry Rex?" DaggerWing asked

rex looked down at the prisoner then back up to DaggerWing

"I prefer pegasi, less fatty"

The captain scowled and Ardent laughed, before long they all decided to hit the hay for the evening.

Chrysalis had left a few minutes ago, saying something about 'other matters' that required her attention, leaving Joan to enjoy the still night air. FireMane's well tuned senses soon became aware of the presence of another alicorn her interest picked when she recognised the magical aura.

"you can come out now Luna" she shouted up to one of the clouds that had started to gather. After a minute or so a familiar midnight blue alicorn glided down from her hiding spot.

"How did you know?" she asked landing next to FireMane with a slight scowl

"Lucky guess..." Joan replied looking up "...you moved the Septimus cluster" she said pointing out a constipation with her hoof.

"err...yes, I never can get it just right though" Luna turned her head skyward, evaluating her hoof work. Slightly taken aback by her choice of subject

"...do you like it?" she added hopefully

"Masterful as always princess" Joan replied not taking her eyes off the sky, Luna felt herself swell with pride at the compliment, she rarely felt recognised by anypony save her sister and occasionally Twilight Sparkle.

"Thank you...not many ponies share your appreciation for our night" Joan's head snapped down to look at her, a strange feeling of anger simmered as she imagined such hard work being overlooked. She however quickly quashed the errant emotion with practiced ease.

"I am sorry to hear that Luna, I still remember how your tapestry looked before you realised your calling, suffices to say I do not take your talent for granted."

"you mean before we came to Equestria?"

Joan offered a small nod, her golden orbs locked with Luna. the smaller alicorn figited nervously under Joans intense gaze

"Take my hoof Luna" joan wispered to her quietly

unthinkingly she stretched out a fore hoof, catching herself just shy of contact she paused. Joan offered her a sincere smile before saying

"I would like to show you something"

Another moment of silent staring before Luna finally gave a timid nod, still smiling Joan carefully wrapped both her black hooves around Luna's out stretched limb.

Joan took a deep breath as her horn began to glow with a deep golden aura she closed her eyes and tightened her hold on Luna's hoof, as a bright white flash enveloped them both.

Luna opened her eyes, still slightly blinded from the intensity of the flash she looked around. A gasp escaped her as she took in her surroundings.

the sky was impossibly clear the vastness of the night sky was laid bare for them, the only light came from the thousands of stars burning brightly above them. and bellow them...

Luna took a instinctive step back from the edge of the grass they were sat on, she then noticed a small ripple as a blade of grass dipped into the water. Luna realised that they must be in the middle of a vast ocean stretching off forever, the water's surface was completely still and acted like a polished mirror, reflecting the nights tapestry above on its smooth surface. the overall effect was like standing off the edge of the world.

"Welcome to my observatory" Joan chuckled lightly at Luna's dumfounded look

"It's beautiful" Luna added weakly

"I built this place soon after you started at your post, in truth this place has been my place of meditation and refuge, occasionally my concert hall..."

"Concert hall?..." luna interupted "...that music I heard, that was you?"

Joan offered a nod as a reply "That was extraordinary; I only wish I had half your talent FireMane"

Joan blushed slightly at the praise she was not used to it,

"Luna..." she began giving her a serious look "you are a greater artist then i could ever claim to be..."

seeing her unconvinced  joan placed a hoof under her chin forcing eye contact. she stared deep into her aqua eyes before continuing.

"If you ever doubt my words Luna all you need do is look up"

a small smile spread across the night princesses face "this place I give to you Luna, may it serve you as well as it served me"

with a wink the black alicorn powered up her horn once more the flash mirrored in the waters still surface.