Scratchen

Vinyl took her leap of faith and went with Blaze. Blaze started to glow and to Viny’ls surprise he burst into flames. Some of the flames started to spread onto her. She winced, expecting sheer amounts of pain. But she only felt warmth. Vinyl watched as she became engulfed in flames. Then her world became a torrent of flames. She saw nothing but Blaze, and flames swirling all around them. Then the flames dissipated and she found herself in another cave, but this was different then the one she was in. This one was well lit and with common furnishings. But right now Vinyl wanted answers. She knew unicorns could do magic as well as alicorns, but pegasi don’t have magic.

“What are you?” Vinyl said again.

Blaze looks down at her and smiles. “I am a pony of course. A pegusus to be exact.”

“No you’re not. How can a pegusus perform magic like that?”

“Ahhhh, young one. There’s a lot you need to learn. You’re probably thinking that only unicorns and alicorns are the only beings that can use magic, but you’re wrong my dear. For every pony can use magic. Some just aren’t as obvious as others. Look at the pegasi. How do you think they can walk on clouds?”

“Ummmmm..... Magic? Vinyl said, a bit confused on where this was going.

“Yes, you are correct. Also earth ponies have a bit of magic to. You know what that is?”

“Ummmm, nope.” Vinyl said while scratching the back of her head and winced after felling the bruise that she acquired from earlier in the evening. Form fighting her dad.

Blaze noticed this. “Are you alright?”

“Humm... Oh.. ahh.... ya. Ya I’ll be fine. Just a bruise.”

“Ok. Well.. Anyways, the earth pony has their own magic, and that is their connection with the planet. There connection allows them to grow so efficiently. I could go into detail but that would become really boring, even for me.”

Vinyl was thankful for not having to listen to Blaze talk, however fascinating it was. She had other things she wanted to know. “Ok, that’s cool. But can you explain this?” She lifted her hoof to indicate Blaze’s mane and tail.

Blaze let out a chuckle. “Oh, yes, this! Well that’s simple, really. Sometimes every so often a special pony is born, allowing them access to a special kind of magic. Elemental magic. That’s what I am. I am the master of the element of fire, one of four elements. There’s fire, water air, and nature. Heh, we never could figure out the name of the last one so we just call it nature or life. Does this make any sense Vinyl?”

“Ummm yes I think I understand, but are there any others like you? Besides being masters, I mean.”

“Why yes there is actually. I don’t know about the other elements, but not too long ago a fire bearer was born. He can wield the element of fire. Not as much as me, but some. Now is there anything else Vinyl?”

“Yes, What am I doing here?” Vinyl questioned, raising a hoof to indicate the room around them.

“Ahhh yes. I’d like to show you your new home. Unless you don’t want to live here that is.” Blaze looked at her questioningly.

Vinyl was taken back; she had never met anyone willing to help her, much less give her anything other then her mom, and that was sparse as is, or was now. “Umm...I don’t know what to say I-”

“Oh, don’t worry about it Vinyl. Its perfectly fine. Besides, I get lonely here. Some company would be nice.” Blaze looked upon Vinyl to see what her reply would be.

“Hummm... I guess I can,seeing that I have nothing better to do. But before I do There’s two things.”

“Two things?”

“Yes two things.”

“Ok, sure. Shoot.”

“Ok. One: stop calling me young one. It makes me fell like a baby. Two: can I feel your head?”

Blaze let out a small laugh “Oh is that it? Ok that’s nothing. Although If you knew my real age there’s only a few ponies that can match me in that category. And as for my head, sure I guess.” Blaze laid down so Vinyl can feel his head.

Vinyl got up, stepped over, and stuck her hoof in the fire-like mane that seemed alive like a real fire. She half expected her hoof to burn; the other half she expected to feel nothing at all. Vinyl was surprised that she felt genuine hair. There were separate strands and everything. She could even comb it if she wanted to.”What the buck?” Vinyl said, bemused to what she was feeling on her hooves.

Blaze chuckled. “Not what you expected, is it?”

“No not at all.”

“My mane has the same properties as Celestia. But for us elements we can choose how our mane looks, be it normal or animated, as you can see. Lets show you where you’ll be staying. Shall we?”

“Ya sure why not.”

With that Blaze showed Vinyl around. He showed her where the kitchen was and how it all worked. It was an interesting set up, using the earth’s natural heat to cook the food. Then they went into this one hall, or tunnel, and came upon some stairs. Down the stairs were the bedrooms. There was more bedrooms then necessary, but Vinyl didn’t question why; she was just glad to have a place called home, where she wasn't beaten, yelled at, or left to fend for herself. Then there was another set of stairs leading down that took Blaze and Vinyl to a set of doors made of solid metal.

“Ok. Behind these doors is something you’d probably not go to at all unless you need to find me. It’s very hot and dangerous, OK? Behind these doors is where I do my smithing, as in metal working. I take my metal workings into the nearest town to sell, and if you want I can take you into town next time when I go in.”

With that we went back up and out a door that was well hidden on the outside. Then up on the hill there were a bunch of fruit trees among other plants of various vegetables. He had his own garden. He even had some kind of a vegetable that he called a halabenaro. When Vinyl tried to eat one Blaze stopped her he said. “I really don't think you would want to eat one of those as is.” Vinyl decided not to question why. So with that the tour was ended and Vinyl went to bed.

After that first night Vinyl went to bed genuinely happy. She had food, and a place to sleep. She had the best gift she could have received: a place to call home. After that day Vinyl grew happy with her new life. Days became months which became years. She started to call Blaze dad. Blaze was OK with this in fact he accepted whole hartedly. Sometimes Blaze would have to leave, and when he came back sometimes he would be bruised and battered. At first Vinyl was a little worried and tried to help, but Blaze wouldn’t let her and instead took a bath in lava, coming out perfectly fine. Then one day while Blaze and Vinyl where out in the forest for a hike they came across something that Vinyl wished she had never met in her entire life. It was the day that Vinyl meet her.

It was a bright and sunny day, with a slight cool breeze to help balance the warm celestial orb floating across the sky. Vinyl and Blaze where hiking in the forest behind the hill where their home was. As they came across a small lake, the two decided to stop for lunch. Blaze got out some sandwiches, and the two shared some idle conversation. They joked and jabbed at each other, they even got into a tickling war. Which Vinyl won of course. But what they didn't know
was that a dark leafy green pegusus with an aqua green and cyan blue mane was watching them. “I found you Blaze. I finally found you.” With that the mysterious pegasus took wing and flew to the group, landing just behind Blaze and Vinyl.

While Blaze was putting their leftover lunch in the saddle bags, he heard a soft landing and turned to face something he wished he would never have to face again.