Staying Neutral

Chapters

Painful Entry
Elemental Unicorns
The Living Element
The Trial
His Perfect Flame

Painful Entry

Far above the land of Equestria, the mildly cloudy yet ever so bright sun shined down upon the land below. With the rays of light being brought down, there was a grey unicorn. He was unconscious from the beginning, but a few moments from the ground, he opened his eyes in horror; he was falling to his death. He might as well have been unconscious throughout the fall to his demise, he thought.
Raising his hands, or in this case hooves, he discovered he changed into something he wasn't familiar with. It didn't matter much, since soon he was going to meet his end. As he raised his hooves, he gained more momentum toward the ground at an alarming rate. Passing through the clouds, he swore he could have heard a voice calling out to him. He set aside the thought as the ground grew closer and closer like a realistic zoom function.

Between the ground and his body were trees, blocking his view of the ground below. He heard another voice calling out to him, and again he set it aside thinking they were possibly flashes of his memories, his last thoughts before it was over. He made contact with the tree, bouncing heavily on each branch. He could hear his bones snapping and breaking as he came close and closer to the ground. He finally made contact with the earth, rolling down a very small hill where he finally came to a painful halt. He heard fading and distant voices of worry as he looked up in the sky. His vision was also blurring away, but saw a stream of fire heading toward him. The voice was moving closer, but before he could see its source, he blacked out from the extraordinary pain he felt, his vision now a wall of solid black.

Waking up, he wondered if the whole ordeal had been a dream; he began to move only to feel the pain remained throughout his body. The grey unicorn cried out, but he grit his teeth and continued moving, attempting to figure out where he was. As he squirmed, a white figure dashed out the door before he could get a good look. Realizing he was at a hospital, he relaxed a bit before remembering that something wasn't quite right. He tried to find a mirror or reflective surface in the small room. He finally found a shiny metal tray, and leaned over to grab it--- despite his pain--- to have a good look at his seemingly new self.
Where his hair had been was a black mane with a white streak down the middle. His eyes had stayed the same brown, but his body was strangely reminiscent of a horse's and covered in grey fur. Instantly the word “neutral” came to mind, thanks to his art classes in high school. He thought that should be his name, Neutral. He was so busy admiring his own new self that he almost missed the... stick of some kind covered by bandages on his head. He reached a hand--- or hoof, now--- up to touch it and the worst pain he could have ever imagined went up and down his spine, making him yelp out loud.
Someone barged in the room at the sound of his cry. He had cringed at the pain, but he still had enough willpower to look at the intruder. A white pony with a pink mane tied up in a bun wearing a nurses hat looked back at him with concerned eyes. "Sir what's wrong?"
"Nothing," was all he had the ability to mutter after the extreme pain he had just felt. He tried shaking it off, but his whole body was damaged from the fall. Adding the pain in his body was his... horn? The new appendage felt damaged somehow.
The nurse shook her head, tsking, and trotted towards him. She slowly and gently pushed him back down into the bed. "Sir, you need to rest before you do any sort of walking around! Or magic." She spoke kindly, and he knew she was trying to help him.
He was clearly going to be forced to stay in bed; she had the upper hand, seeing as she wasn't injured from her tail to her ears. He tried to relax, thinking about the last word that had come out of her mouth. "Magic," he said, just loud enough for her to hear.
She nodded her head at his reply. "Unicorn magic, Mr...?" she trailed off with a questioning tone.
Despite the fact this would probably be his name for the rest of his life, he responded quickly, albeit weakly. "Neutral."
She nodded her head once more. "There was somepony here that wanted to see you, about two weeks ago while you were still in your coma." Well, that answered the question of how long he had been here. Before he could ask anything else, she continued. "But you have two guests that have been waiting for you since your arrival." She trotted off, disappearing out the door. Moments later, a white pegasus and brown unicorn in gold armor took her place.
The pair looked at him with cold, serious faces that gave him the impressed that they were not to be messed with. The unicorn closed the door behind them, then surrounded the walls in a purple glow that confused Neutral. The pegasus looked down at him with a look that made him feel like he was naughty child in school. "Neutral, is it? We have orders from the princess to bring you directly to her once you awoke." His voice was stern and serious, and it made Neutral angry. He was absolutely serious about moving him to meet not only royalty, but a princess?!
"And if I refuse...?" he replied with an equally serious look that made the pegasus raise a brow.
"You won't have a choice. You can't do us any harm with your elemental magic, and you won't be able to run off with your body crippled." That was true. Neutral couldn't escape from these armored ponies, even using whatever magic he may hold. And even if he did manage to escape, where would he go? He knew nothing about the outside world. He realized had no choice but to follow this strange pony's command.
The unicorn walked out, the purple glow fading from the walls. Neutral overheard him call for a wheelchair once outside the room. They were moving him now? After he just woke up and was just told this information less than five minutes ago?
The nurse with the pink mane came back and tried to explain to him his current condition. The doctor eventually showed up, arguing with the armored ponies about releasing Neutral from his care while he was in such conditions. The doctor, Neutral saw, was also a unicorn, tan with a short brown mane and tail, wearing glasses that re-enforced his stern expression.
The armored ponies must have gotten their way, because the nurse soon reappeared with a wheelchair. The armored unicorn gently lifted Neutral up from the soft, warm bed and placed him onto the hard, cold chair. They had lifted him into the air as easily as one would with a rag doll. He felt more inclined to follow their orders; that unicorn could have easily thrown him out the window.
As the armored ponies rolled him out, he saw many different ponies of varying color, race, and gender. After seeing them sneaking glances at him, figured these armored ponies weren't commonly seen, and certainly were not often here for simple social interactions. As he was rolled outside, expecting a city to greet him, he instead found cobbled roads leading down to a nearby small town. In front of the hospital was an open carriage with a small couch in the middle, one seat on each side accompanied by a door. Again hovering the crippled pony over to the small bed, they strapped him down so he couldn't fall out... or escape.
The wagon moved the instant the armored unicorn stepped in the cart. The wagon was being pulled by two other pegasi who seemed to know ahead of time about Neutral's departure. The unicorn spoke loudly as he gave out an order: "Do not fly, we do not want to risk losing what Her Majesty ordered. She does not want this pony harmed more than he already is. We need to get back safely." He then took a seat in the cart. The two pegasi pulling the cart nodded and slowly began to move toward their destination.
What did this princess want with him anyway? It occurred to him they may not refer to her as a queen in this dimension, though she may be the head honcho. He had plenty of time to think as he was carried off to this princess; the unicorn didn't bother making conversation.
As they passed a golden bridge, he saw other armored ponies realized that must mean they were almost to their destination. The “couch” levitated and it occurred to him it was similar to a cot used by the military in his old dimension. He was being carried by the two guards who pulled him there.
They entered the castle, and as expected, it was classy; red rugs with fancy decorations and stained glass windows all over. He was carried toward a double door which seemed to lead to an infirmary for the guards, since there were multiple beds side by side. Once more he was lifted by what he assumed was magic onto the bed, hoping to get some more rest. But he knew he would not be napping as soon as he saw a tall white pony of some kind had walked into the room. Her mane was constantly flowing, and it reminded him of the Northern Lights. The guards, noticing her presence, bowed to her in respect.
Neutral only lifted a brow and wondered if this was the princess everyone had been talking about. The pony was beautiful, he had to admit; her coat was pure white and she had both a horn and wings, which he had yet to see on any other pony. She spoke with a soft, gentle voice. "You are all dismissed... except for you, Alchem.” The guards left with a nod, leaving the princess, the doctor, and Neutral alone. The doctor, light blue with black, neatly combed hair and a cutie mark of an open book and medical needle, stood away from the bedside to let the princess by.
She gracefully trotted over to the bed, taking a closer look at the grey unicorn. "Neutral. Is that your name?" Neutral was suspicious of her question and simply nodded in reply, worrying that saying the wrong thing to this princess who had total power and control might yield bad results. She smiled at his toleration of the situation. "I am Princess Celestia. I brought you here to protect you, but also because my ponies need my protection. I had to take you out of the hospital because of your new found... ability." The way she described his condition made him more confused than ever. She carried on the conversation after he had soaked up what she'd said. "Alchem, will you please give full details about this ability and its dangers?"
Alchem nodded respectfully. "Yes, Your Majesty." He turned to Neutral with a small smile. "Like all unicorns, your horn is stronger than bone. However, you managed to damage it in a way that causes a rare event to occur. By damaging your horn, you gained an extremely rare form elemental magic that was hidden away long ago. You control the element of fire." Neutral could only blink at what he'd just heard.
Celestia spoke up once more. "That is why I summoned you here; not only to protect my ponies, but also to help you control it. You may leave us now, Alchem. Thank you." Alchem bowed before leaving the room.
Neutral looked away for a moment, getting all of this processed. They knew he was from another dimension and they wanted to help him? "What are the terms?" he finally asked, making the white-coated mare raise an eyebrow.
"Terms? Hmm." She looked deep in thought for a moment. "If you don't cooperate, if you choose to decline my offer to help you, I'll have no choice but to throw you in the dungeon to protect my subjects."
Neutral already felt imprisoned and being watched by the guards; he did not want to make the situation worse. "I accept the terms on one condition," he ventured, pushing his luck. Celestia gave a faint “hmm” in response. "I bow down to no one. I'll respect you as a boss, but I will not respect you as a leader," he answered boldly, surprising Celestia, who quickly flashed a smile.
"As long as we understand each other. Now, get some rest; you look like you've had a rough day," she added as she walked out of the room, leaving Neutral alone with his thoughts.
"This elemental power of fire... what does this mean? And how did I survive the fall? Wait, there was a fire trail before I blacked out! Was that me? No... it couldn't have been, the doctor said the fall gave me the elemental power, so I couldn't have had it before. Was I just seeing things, or was that someone else? Argh, what a day this turned out to be." He closed his weary eyes and slept the rest of the day away.

Author's Note

After discovering the ability he has will he able to control it? Who or what was following him to his fall and why didn't they take him out of the hospital before he awoken?

I hope you like the intro of this.

Elemental Unicorns

Waking up to see a dark room of the infirmary he felt like someone was watching him. Of course they would after all he was not only an alien here in this universe, but also a dangerous unicorn who holds the element of fire.

Wide awake and in the middle of the night from the sound of nothing. Nothing could be heard from outside the infirmary indicating everyone is asleep. Sitting up to look around what could find in the darkness he noticed his wounds somehow healed faster than expected. Although he was healed it was only partially, like stitching a wound to prevent infection. Neutral waddled out of the sheets of the bed and noticed a tail behind him, his tail. He tugged on it and he couldn't believe he had a tail as he wagged it back and forth enjoying a fifth limb.

"Neutral, we expected you," a mysterious female voice spoke out from the darkness. The alerted unicorn looked toward the sound of the voice. Before Neutral could say anything a dim light arose on the pony's horn revealing her. Dark blue fur coat, greenish blue eyes, and a mane like Celestia's except it looked like a dark night sky full of stars. Even though she was serious by the sound of her voice, he fell absolutely in love with her beauty. Not the kind of love where he wanted her, no. The beauty she gave off even through the dim light was enough to say she's a goddess.

Without thinking he immediately jumped off the bed to bow down to her. Realizing he was injured forced him to lay on the floor making the goddess to question his actions. "What tis the meaning of this?"

Neutral stood up for the first time since he was here in this dimension. Legs shaking from the pain he looked up at her, "You're just... Are you a goddess?" he asked. Despite standing he somehow instinctively knew how to.

The dark blue pony stood watching him shake and wobble, "Princess Luna and we want were studying you."

Neutral blinked several times before he could come out with an answer, "Two Princesses? You're telling me they're two rulers and what do you mean by studying?" Giving up at standing he went to lay back on the bed cringing as he tried to get comfortable.

"We entered your dreams as thou slumbered. Discovering your actions thou escaped thy dimension from whence you came." Luna spoke straight forward and to the point.

Before she could continue Neutral interrupted her rudely, "You went into my dreams without my permission?!" His anger was rising as Luna caught by surprised.

"Calm down young one, we only saw your present dream, not past nor present!" Luna spoke back silencing him.

The two stood silent in the dark for several seconds until Neutral spoke out, "What's going to happen next?"

Luna's next words were without the doubt something that caught him off guard, "Our sister, Princess Celestia wishes you to join us. We want you with the other Elementals. We only want one request from you. Our Royal Guards will protect you or thou others who you wish to injure."

Neutral simply sighed in defeat, "Fine, whatever. Its not like I'll hurt anyone and I think with these powers and magic I'll be fine."

Luna lashed back out him, "How dare you! Our guards will defend you from any intruder who you may killed! Thou Royal Guards roll is too defend our citizens from you, Neutral thou Fire Elementalist!"

Neutral thought it over and it was true he may kill someone if he defended himself. By having Guards with him they'll not only protect him, but also protect the assailants from an elementalist. Luna spoke again in a gentler tone, "Every Elementalist has an escort for thous duties outside the castle. We want what is best deserved for the ponies. Neutral, tomorrow will be thy day we move you to thou room. You will greet the rest of thou Elementalists." with that said she turned without saying goodbye and a glimpse of what appeared to be wings, another alicorn he thought. Taking a closer look resemble what appeared too be a crescent moon on her flank. She had open the door filling the room up with light before closing it. He wondered what these Elementalists do and what were their purpose? He still couldn't shake the thought about the stream of fire chasing him down to his fall which made him cringed at the thought again.

Moving his hoof in the darkness, he tries to find some sort of lighting. Pushing a button on the side of a lamp turned it on lighting the room up. It appeared no one was present so he did what a doctor wouldn't recommend. Pulling himself off the bed Neutral gently descended onto the cold floor. The pain still is there and parts of his limbs felt agonizing when he put pressure on them. Gently limping around the partially lighten room he found a clip board with with his basic height, weight, and minor details of what happened to him. He was making a fast recovering from what the chart said that most ponies didn't have. Could be that he's somewhere different or that entry gave him hyper fast recovery "spell" that would work only on that day.

The door open again expecting to be Luna again, instead a purple unicorn with long blue mane tide in a pony tail steps in. "Shouldn't you be in bed resting?" The young looking mare asked while holding an empty bowl using her magic. Her cutiemark has a picture of waves of the ocean.

"I thought should get some fresh air," Neutral ask looking at the mare who went over to the sink. She filled up the bowl with water.

"You will eventually, but first you need to rest while I relieve some of your wounds." The mare asked as she filled the bowl up with water. "My names Coral Reef, I take it your Neutral?" Coral asked.

Rolling his eyes while hoping back on the bed sitting upright, "How are you going to relieve my wounds if you hadn't done that from the very beginning?" The grey confused unicorn asked.

She giggles and looked at him, "I didn't want to disturb your meeting with the princess. Plus you looked like you were in bad shape and the doctor did all he could to help you heal. You just did keep relaxing and recover your missing magic." Coral pushed him back on the bed. The water began to float in mid air and surround Neutral. Taking some of the bandages off she replaced with water. The water felt very strange to him as it sat there like a bag of plastic water and at the same time water itself. He knew there is water, but it didn't seep down his body and his wounds were numbing.

"What the?" Is all Neutral could say making the purple unicorn giggle.

"My I can feel how tense you are. When was the last time you had a massage?" Coral asked.

Neutral thought it over on how he gone to get his neck adjusted, but never had a massage before, "Never."

"Well you needed one." Her eyes wondered to his horn. He felt a slight tug with her magic making him flinch. "How badly does that hurt?"

Neutral growled at her and snapped back at her, "How about I snap your horn and see how that feels!"

The unfazed unicorn simply shook her head, "Been there done that."

"What do you mean? Are you playing games with me?!" He snapped back again.

Coral sighed at his stubbornness, "I'm one of the Elementalists of all things liquid." Coral spoke and Neutral felt his saliva coming out of his mouth. It formed into a pebble size ball and went in his ear. Neutral growled again and was disgusted by what she done to him, "I thought I give you an example or should I start juggling your blood while I'm at it?" She smiled as all the water once on him is now in the bowl. No water was left on him, he is completely dry except for his ear.

"Coral? Are you threatening me?" Neutral asked the smug mare.

Coral shook her head, "I'm only having fun with you hot head. Now see if you can stand."

"That's a funny way of having fun," Neutral added as he made his way to the floor, "Better, I guess?" the unicorn stated his opinion.

"Well if it's not too much may I lead you to your room?" She offered the grey unicorn for assistance.

"Wouldn't have the slightest idea where I would be in the first place!" Talking back to the purple unicorn only to giggle at his response.

As the two Elementalists walked down the hall slowly for Neutral was limping. He looked outside and the sun was just coming up. It must have been seven in the morning and everyone was just up doing there daily activities. Neutral had concentrated on walking and not much socializing since he was limping. As the journey progressed so did his insight on the castle and may even find Celestia's room if anything would happen to him. That's right, he thought about killing her if needed if anything goes wrong or their aggressive toward him with any physical harm.

Passing many rooms and a small staircase for two ponies to walk beside each other lead down to another floor. Neutral spotted two stallions that are unicorns chatting about. Coral spoke to them, "Morning Graves and Tibbers!" she spoke with a positive attitude. "I like you to meet our Elementalists, Neutral the fire starter!" Tibbers, dark orange coat with brown short mane combed messy and green eyes smiles gullible. The size of his body tells he's a chubby stallion, but towers over Neutral and especially Graves. Dark grey coat with long dark grey mane watched Neutral carefully with his pale purple eyes.

Graves was the first to reply giving no expression, "Do you need to give ever Elements special treatment every time one shows up? Nobody cares." Graves rolled his eyes.

"I care!" Tibbers spoke without warning. His cutiemark is a hammer with nails

Coral giggled, "If you don't care so much how come you're making a big fuss out of it?"

"Whatever, the dead makes better companions anyways," Graves stated as he walked away down their previous path. His cutiemark is a shovel.

Neutral looked to Coral who was happy as ever, "The dead?"

She rolled her eyes and said, "His father is a grave keeper and you might wonder why his name is Graves. His father didn't really cared much of him except work. Between you and the Elements, he got so dark over a ghost in the graveyard. Not a scary one no, a cute little bundle of happiness!" Coral squeed over one day seeing it.

Neutral nodded, "I see, so how did he get his...?"

"Oh, fell into a pit hole. Collapsed right under him as he was digging up a grave. He wasn't as hurt as you were, but fracturing a horn sure is painful. He's the ground pony aka earth like plants, rock, and dirt. He's greedy for not making jewels for me!" she answered his question.

Tibbers who stood listening spoke aloud, "Do me now!"

Coral smiles and nods, "Yeah sure thing air head. This numb skull thought it would be "smart" to try and act like an alicorn and become a prince! Sadly it was short lived when he jumped off a two story barn house with hoof made wings using sticks and a sheet!" she sighed at Tibbers idiocy. "Anyways for me I well how do I put this. I was surfing during a thunder storm. Now before you ask it seemed like a good idea at the time, until lightning almost strikes you and sends you flying in the sea and literally grinding on the ocean floor. Well near the shore but there were a lot of reefs down there!"

Neutral lifted a brow at her, "And your parents named you Coral Reef why?"

"Actually I was adopted by my aunt who took me in when my real parents were out at sea." Neutral was about to speak when Coral spoke again. "Oh that reminds me! I forgot about Sparky, our electronic nerd!"

"Say what?" Neutral asked in confusion.

"Sparky, she deals with electric thingings and fixes them. Here's the real kicker, she fell off the dam after being electrocuted knocking her unconscious and broke her horn along the way. You'll find her near any generator." She paused for a moment and spoke yet again, "Actually I should mention us elements tends to be near their element since it like instinct or any of that jazz!"

"Coral Reef!" A voice shouted out from behind them. A light blue mare wearing glasses with blonde mane tide in a bun, her eyes darted like daggers as she threaten Neutral with. Her cutie mark is a conductor rod. "Is this our pyro hazard?" she snapped back unaware of the disabled grey unicorns condition.

"Sparky be nice please!?" Coral spoke for Neutral.

"You seriously going to bother me?" Neutral already had it with her.

"I'm not liking your attitude!" Sparky snapped at him.

"Well tuff luck, Coral show me my room," Neutral spoke while staring her down.

Coral simply rolled her eyes as she led him to a room not far from where they were previously at. "You're sharing rooms with the Graves and Tibbers. Better get some ear plugs, Tibbers snores like a dragon," Coral smiled at him.

"How would you know this?" Neutral asked.

"Well I usually hear tweedle dee and tweedle dumb argue... Well at least the dumb one argues," she giggles to herself as she walked before Neutral stopped her.

"Hold on, what do I do until my horn recovers?" Neutral asked.

Coral looked back and grinned, "Study your element, control it, and be your element. Who knows maybe you'll save a life," she winked and walked away towards the path where Sparky took.

Be your element? Not like catching on fire will do him any good and their stories did make sense after all. Their elements did have to do with the environment around them. Neutral's story, however is still questionable and may have been something to do with the trail of fire following him.

Walking into the room he found it was large with five beds separated by a wall acting like a shelf and a nightstand. The room looked like it was intended to be a sleeping quarters for those whose study a lot. Knowing which may be his since the other three beds had no sheets. Laying down in one of the open beds he thought how life may have gotten easier for him.

"Excuse me sir," Neutral looked up to see what appeared to be a maid. "Will that be the bed you'll be sleeping in?" she asked politely.

"Yeah I guess," the bored grey unicorn replied.

"Anything else sir?" She replied smiling for any assistance.

Before he called reply he felt his stomach rumble of hunger, "What's for breakfast?"

She giggled at his reply, "If you wish to join the Princesses for breakfast that I will help, may I show you the way?"

His thought ran towards the fact the Elementalists joined the Princesses for meals is rather strange, "Yes would you please? Also I need to know where I can get some books."

"The library is in another building, but you may follow me to our majesty," she smiled hinting him to follow.

Neutral grunted as he stood up off the bed and on his feet which he slightly lost his balance before regaining it, "Your majesty," adding to it where she gave him a confused look.

"Right, this way sir," she was unsure of herself.

Upon entering a through a decorated door way is a long cloth covered table. Simple breakfast meals were served as he never thought would exist here. The Elementalists as well as a few decorated ponies and robed ponies slowing eat their breakfast as they listen to Celestia's mini meeting of the morning.

"I also like for the Royal guards checked up if any virus is running around. Shining Armor made it clear to wash your hooves and cover your mouths, we don't want the entire castle infected?" Everyone in the room came to an agreement.

Neutral stepped into an open seat right by Graves and Sparky. Celestia's eye locked to Neutral and smiled, "Nice of you to join us Neutral, are you making friends?" She smiled kindly as the sun pierced through the windows down to Celestia. In the infirmary she wasn't all that what she would have been, but in the light she's gorgeous. He couldn't contain himself staring at the Princess who he used to despise.

After a few seconds of staring and he shook his head and concentrated, "Yeah I would think?" all he could say after seeing her true beauty. Luna sat beside her sister at the end of the table looking just as curious as mostly anyone in the room. Last time he saw her she was beautiful, now she was ordinary as anyone in here besides Celestia. It boggled his mind to think the sun and darkness made them beautiful in such obscure way.

An important decorated military stallion stood up from the table and frowned upon Neutral. "Yeah I would think? Where are your manners Elementalist? You will not speak to our majesty-" the decorated pony was cut off by Celestia.

"It's quite alright Sword Sheath, we've made an agreement who he may treat me as manager." other ponies in room whispered to each other in panic. "He is however not from Equestria, but he did come here to provide help after his accident. I've discussed this to my guards before and the carriage he was riding, the door flew open and he fell out. Who was supposed to be keeping the carriages in check?" Celestia lied through her teeth. The others didn't seem to have an issue or her own guards questioning or even gave the slightest hint they don't know. They were either really loyal and wouldn't question her or they knew from the start she would lie. Either way everyone took the bait and his secret was safe, no wonder they didn't ask about Neutrals past life as a human.

The officer stepped down as Celestia began with Neutrals purpose, "Now most of you know why he's here. Neutral will be studying the laws, physics, and how not to set yourself on fire. This element will provide the means of preventing fires and also save lives of others so we may understand this viscous element." Celestia and spoke as she gave a small smile of trust. "And just like every Elementalist, he shall have access to most of the restricted books in the Canterlot library. Just a reminder to everypony, we will not have any circumstances to use any of the cursed books. Remember last time a certain earth bearer attempted necromancy?" She turned her eyes over to Graves who looked away in anger and embarrassed from reminding them of whatever actions he had done in the past. "I think this morning report has come to a close. Shall we get started?"

The royal guests, decorated officers, and robed ponies all ate their breakfast and for Neutral headed down to the Canterlot library. Finding books he would and cannot believe existed in anyway were here. He picked up one of the books called, "Understandings of Fire," figured he flip through this except he's a slow reader and quite often space out over an idea or a memory he once had. Flipping through the book he began moving closer and closer to fireplace in the reading room of the library. Going so far as to laying in front of the fireplace absorbing the heat it gave off. It felt like without the fire he couldn't live anymore.

Throughout that day he actually enjoyed learning about his new element from how starts to how it ends it was beautiful to him. The ponies who came to the library often talk behind his back not only about where he came from, but mainly why he likes the fire so much. He came across a term much like his own name, "neutral." It said here that when a blowtorch is to the cutting point it's called a neutral. He thought of the term and how it connects to him so perfectly, control fire while called Neutral is coincidence to itself.

After reading for many hours taking minors breaks to the restroom and a nearby restaurant where apparently were informed that he was part of royalty and it would be on them. He still wondered where his so called guards are?

Author's Note

If anyone could help me out with Luna's fancy talk it would be appreciated.

The Living Element

Three days has past since his arrival in the Canterlot Castle where he learned most of the ponies are harmless. Not in any way human though they do speak the same language their way of living is not the same. Past three nights have been horrible and the beds weren't the problem... It was Tibbers snoring and Graves negative attitude. What nights those have been!

Breakfast was served and ate and their mini meeting has come to a close except one thing. "Neutral," Celestia spoke out unexpectedly startling few of the ponies. "I like to speak with you after breakfast? It's about your element," Celestia continued on as she sat waiting for the others to leave besides the Elementalists and the guards . "You may be wondering why I wanted to speak with you."

"Let me guess," Neutral tried to guess the answer, "you're going to give me a test to see if I've been studying or not?"

"You're half right, but I want to see how you can handle your own element with our trial," the feeling Neutrals getting when Celestia said trial. "There's nothing to worry about except if your element accepts you and doesn't overthrow you."

"Overthrow meaning?" Neutral tried dragging the question out of her mouth.

"Engulf your very soul and controlling your very body," she responded the best she could.

Slamming the table the aggressive grey unicorn responded, "In other words this may kill me"

"It may not-"

"May not what?! Take my body leaving me to see all it would do?!"

"Silence."

"Why in the world would I kill myself doing thi-"

"I SAID SILENCE!" Celestia raised her voice out leaving the aggressive unicorn not so aggressive. "Neutral, I know you're scared right now, but please hear me out. This won't be as bad as you think if you're nice to your element. Sparky certainly would be doomed if it weren't for one miracle." Paused for dramatic scene, "Accepting her friendship to their element." She smiled at Sparky who was petrified and her eyes were watering up.

"Excuse me Princess, I need use the restroom," Sparky said quietly and hurried out the door.

Celestia smiled at Sparky as she left and darted her eyes to Neutral, "We've only had a few ponies who couldn't handle their element or fakes."

"Fakes like imposters?" Neutral asked.

"Yes, long ago ponies who had the elements were to the ponies, important as I am. I've held many trials to prove they to are what they said they are. Those who don't however will be engulfed and their body, depending on their element, will freeze them in place for all eternity. Magic cannot unfix the bindings and if they could their minds will forever crazed by their element. I cannot for their own peace in mind break the bond and must stay bonded to the element." Celestia ended her story frowning and closing her eyes to forget those dark days.

"Celestia, I promise you-"

"No Neutral," Celestia cut him off. "Don't promise me, I cannot assist you in any way. This will be your journey and you must go alone. I want you to think it over for right now so I'm sending you and The Elementalists to see a Wonderbolt show. Hope that will clear your mind from the curse." Celestia smiled as she stood up from the table and left the room leaving the remaining Elementalists behind.

"Woo hoo alright!" Coral Reef said excitedly.

"This again?" Graves said in a depressed tone.

"The Wonderbolts?" Neutral asked.

Coral looked back at him in surprise, "I know you haven't been around here, but you haven't heard of The Wonderbolts?" Neutral shook his head waiting for her mouth to run again, "Their one of the best fliers in all Equestria!"

"Will we have cotton candy?" Tibbers cut in.

"Sure be my guest and as for you, Graves." Coral darted her eyes on Graves who did not like the idea of going, "you're not going to run off to any nearby museum and hide right?"

Graves rolled his and faced Coral, "First off that museum had a series of plants I wanted to chat with." Coral rolled her eyes while Neutral stared at him blankly giving Graves notice. "What, I'm not crazy?! Plants told me things no other book has told me and you still say I'm crazy!" Graves angerly spoke out as he set his head roughly on the table, giving up on explaining his logic to them.

"Anyways," Neutral began to speak. "When do we get to see these Wonderbolts?"

"Well we wait in here for our tickets to arrive and it usually starts in the afternoon so we have plenty of time roam around right Graves?" Coral spoke as she gave a sly grin to Graves who his only reply was a simple growl.

"What exactly did happen to Graves?" Neutral asked.

Coral looking toward and thought how to put her words together, "He left without speaking to any of us where he was running off to and gave the guards questioning everypony whether they do or not. Found him in the library chatting with the plants like he was on a hot date." She finished as Graves grunted and slammed his hoof to the table.

"First off it wasn't a date! Second it was a rare type of flower that speaks almost like the dead, shove off!" Graves leaned back in his chair pouting.

"What's getting you so worked up?" Coral asked to the stubborn pale purple eyed unicorn.

"The plants, trees, soil have eyes watching everything! Their talking behind my back how I'm not normal like any other pony!" Grave explained his paranoia.

"The plants?"

"No! The guards, maids, Princess Celestia, and the other ponies have been talking about how dark I am and should go back to the graveyard... Well the last part is true, I don't want protection I want to live by myself away from all the living ponies." Graves is serious about everyone talking behind his back.

Neutral spoke out finally, "And have the dead accompany you?" Graves simply nodded his head still angered about the other ponies, "How about this; we go to the museum for half an hour or so and go do other stuff around in Canterlot?" Neutral suggested.

"Make it an hour and I won't stray off," Graves raised the deal only to leave Neutral sighing.

Coral Reef decided to step in, "You got a deal!" A guard pegasus stepped into the room holding wrist bands or hoof bands in his teeth. He set them down on middle of the group of Elementalists. "Sweet there here!" Coral smiled as she took one of the bands that's her and puts them on.

The guard spoke out in a serious tone, "Our majesty would like me to watch after you. Graves," he paused staring Graves. "If you're out of sight for more than a minute I'll send somepony to watch after you personally." The white pegasus stared down Graves who just grunted as a response.

"Hey guard dude?" Coral Reef asked the cold eyed pony, "We're planning on going to a museum first before seeing the Wonderbolts. We kinda made a promise to this stick in the mud." Coral hinted over to Graves who simple rolled his eyes.

The guard squinted his eyes at Coral thinking they almost crushing their promise when he smiled, "I haven't been to one since I was a colt." Coral and Tibbers smiled brightly.

They all left except Sparky who sat in bed still thinking about that mishap with her element. She said she'll join them when the show starts.

Walking into the Canterlot Museum the group split to look at painting, sculptures, etc. Neutral however came across one painting of a simple flame with blue streaks on the tip of the flame. He found himself fixated to the painting as the more he stares, the more interesting it gets. "Ember Soul," a white stallion stood beside him admiring the painting. Neutral stared at him blankly and gave the stallion a slight jump, "Oh my apologize, I'm Fancy Pants and who might you be?" The white stallion asked.

Neutral sounded his name quietly to himself, "Neutral." He replied to the now surprised Fancy Pants.

"Oh so your the one pony who survived that dastardly fall. I must say you recovered quite well than most other ponies. But I must ask, what I heard is true you hold one of the elements yes?" Fancy asked.

"You're correct, but what is your business with me?" Neutral asked the curious stallion.

He tapped his chin as he quickly examined him, "You seem out of place for the most part and does your element have to do with this painting?" he smiled showing no threat to him at all.

"Umm... Yes." He replied nervously.

"Look here young stallion, take a look at this piece," Fancy looked at the painted as well as Neutral. "The artist who made this thought of this dangerous fire to be beautiful. He once said their misunderstood just like how we see carnivores as dangerous because they eat living things, but they need to in order to survive. Eating anything it can to sustain themselves." Fancy explained the art to the inspired Neutral.

"What your saying is we shouldn't fear it, but at the same time if you make it mad it'll become aggressive?" Neutral explained the best he can.

"So to speak yes. May I ask where you're from?" Fancy asked.

Neutral looked back at Fancy with uneasy feeling, "It's none of your concern."

"Very well Neutral. I'll be off and take care of yourself," Fancy Pants gave a quick smile and turned to leave.

Neutral thought to himself about how fire is a misunderstood element. Fire burns anything, it's used in wars as weapons and concentration camps during WWII in his dimension. How could it be something of beauty if the after math of one being set ablaze turns gruesome. Either way Fancy Pants has said the fire does not stand for hatred from where Neutral was thinking about.

Stood thinking for several minutes over arguing himself on how his element can even be worth called beautiful; Coral walked up to him startling him, "I'm sorry," Coral smiled sheepishly. "We're ready to go whenever you are." Coral continued and smiled.

Making their way through the hordes of surrounding ponies, they had the best seats to watch the Wonderbolts up close and almost personal. Neutral inspected the surrounding area and it seemed like a betting ring for who wins first. He himself isn't into gambling Coral decided to place a few bets before their guard forced her to quick.

"Wow," Neutral said in awe as the Wonderbolts came out to race wearing skin tight blue body suits. Before racing they waved back at the audience and one specific pegasus stared at the group of Elementalists. The mare who was five yards away stared Neutral down stunned and completely in shock as to somehow he rose from the dead. One of her opponents knocked her out of it as the race was to begin. Neutral couldn't believe she somehow knew him, but he never knew her or any of the Wonderbolts?

"Oh my Celestia Neutral what did you do?!" Coral was fidgeting over her betting tickets as anyone's guess the pony who stared Neutral down.

The race began as streams of smoke and fire left them. It just struck Neutral that the pony who was currently racing on this track, the one who stared him down, that mare was none other than the stream of fire as he fell. That meant she not only tried to save him, but gave him the element fire! Neutral could not believe this mare gave him the ability to manipulate fire!

"Coral who is she!?" Neutral desperately wanted answers from the now surprised Coral.

"Who?!" Coral having no knowledge of what he's trying ask.

"That fire looking pony!" This point he practically started yelling.

"Spitfire, what has gotten into you?!" Coral answered his question.

Neutral laid his hooves on her shoulders and had the face like he knows all the knowledge of the universe, "She is the one who gave me my element, Spitfire is that pony on the tracks right now! She's the reason for my element!" Neutral practically shook her until he laid his hooves off her, "I need to talk to her ASAP!"

Coral thought it over looking every way to avoid raining on his parade, "Umm well we can't really for say, I mean yes these tickets gave us the best seats, but it doesn't mean we can see them personally." She smiled awkwardly as it turned into a frown.

Neutral frowned as well and left the stands to go find his element. Searching all around finding the one place they go out for public viewing, and autographs.

He waited by the exit for roughly five minutes until the double doors swung open. Swarm of ponies crowded Neutral and blocked him of his element. Spitfire didn't look too happy as she lost going in last place, because of Neutral he would think.

Forcing his way over to Spitfire as he shoved the ponies out of the way he called out to her, "Spitfire!"

"Yeah yeah hold your saddles," she spoke sadly and unaware of him. "Now what did-," her jaw dropped at the pony who she failed to save from his fall standing in perfect condition except the bandage over his horn. "You. You in the locker room right now!" She spoke like a drill Sargent. Neutral had a dirty mind after hearing that, but also scared what she may do to him. Following her closely leading him to the locker room he was nervous.

As Spitfire opened the door to the locker room she quickly closed it behind him and locking it, there seems to be no one else here except them. "How?" Is all Spitfire could say.

"How what?" Neutral looked in different directions unaware of the situation.

Spitfire practically yelled at him, "How did you survive the fall!? I failed to save you and through out the month I was ridiculed for our performances were mere magic acts and we cheated those races!" Spitfire started to tear up, but trying really well to hide it, "I'm sorry for not saving you. I called out for you and didn't listen or couldn't hear me." Looking down at her hooves. "Will you please forgive me?" Spitfire looked at Neutral with so much pride taken from her she didn't know what else to do.

Neutral sighed and hugged her, "I'm not mad at you Spitfire, it was my choice to accept my would be death."

Pulling away from Neutral Spitfire looked up at him, "Why were you going so fast then?"

"The faster I fall, the quicker my death will be. I wasn't aware you were behind me, I thought I was hallucinating from the fall and chose to ignore it." He explained to her as she turned her head away from him.

"That was quite brave of you, well knowing you're going to die. Honestly thought Soarin was the stupid brave one; you however took the cake." Grinning as she giggled to herself.

Neutral was confused at the sudden emotion Spitfire had, "What does that supposed to mean?!"

Spitfire turned to face him still grinning, "Take it as a compliment already. Anyways you know who I am, now I want to know who you are?" Spitfire ask the grey unicorn.

"Neutral... Oh do you have somewhere to go?" Neutral asked the pegasus.

She shook her head, "Nope I'm actually supposed to be done for the day, I would be doing another round if I haven't lost."

"They disqualified you?" Neutral asked.

"No Soarin said I can't that I'm making the team look bad for me to lose. I don't want to leave my team to do all the work, but at the same time I feel like I'm dragging them down. I might as well quick and become a weather pony or something along those lines." Spitfire said as she dragged herself over to the bench and started peeling away of her suit exposing her body to him. Like it mattered or anything since everyone of these ponies are naked, except she's different.

As Neutral was talking to her he felt something familiar not just being attractive which he found it odd how he himself attracted to a pony. No, he felt this feeling when he's close to fire and yet she's stronger than the flames if he was not in the burning state. He couldn't stand to leave her just like any other flame. This is what beauty may have been in the painting, a beautiful flame, his flame Spitfire.

Neutral started to blush immensely at Spitfire who was fully expose and sweating. Looking back Neutral she gave him a small grin, "Never saw a mare naked before Neutral?" Neutrals face turned red from the sheer beauty, yellow fur coat with slick back fire like mane and tail with orange eyes.

"I... I'm just not... not used to seeing someone as beautiful... as you." He explained roughly.

She rolled her eyes and shook her head, "You're not first one to say that, many others say it all the time and it means nothing to me. You have to do better than that!" She challenged him.

Neutral thought it over for a moment giving Spitfire plenty of time to grab a nearby towel to hook on the shower wall. "You're the fire to my candle, and oh... if you light it you're easy to... handle, you turn my soul to... ember, and will you be mine... forever?" Neutral clenched his teeth and shut his eyes as he saw her eyes wide open.

What Neutral expected a slap came an unexpected kiss on the cheek, "You know that was good, no better than anything I've heard and for that I really want to get to know you Neutral and how did you come up with this?"

Neutral almost fell as a mare from this dimension likes him, "I came up with it just now since umm well, I'm an Elementalist from Canterlot. And this is just a theory, but I think your the one who gave me my elemental power... fire. For some reason though you're setting off something you can relate to is fire."

"Woah woah woah, hold on. So you're one of the important ponies next to the Royal Officers of the Guard. I'm surprised you came without a guard with you?"

Neutral went wide eyed as how he completely ditch his group , "Actually he did, he's with the other group. I'm that important though huh? Well to tell you the truth I'm supposed to be doing the trials after the show."

Spitfire shook her head as she walked in a circle and stop, "I heard these trials are dangerous and failing means-."

"Your body will become a statue," he continued her sentence.

"I thought that was legend?" Spitfire seemed shock at the sudden news.

Neutral shook his head, "No it is not; the trial is to prove to your element your will is stronger and needs your trust. I'm not sure what to expect really."

Spitfire laid her hoof on Neutrals shoulder, "I know we've started dating, but all the things you've said to me I believe in you. Now I need to shower so get out!" She grinned as Neutral rolled his eyes and walked out facing a Wonderbolt.

"Who gave you permission to enter our locker room?" The stallion spoke down on him.

Neutral sighed, "Spitfire needed to talk to me what business is it to mister...?"

"Soarin, what makes you so special she wants to talk to you?" Soarin asked rudely.

"Well considering I'm the reason for her past failed races, I'd say she's back on whatever she's been on." He smiles showing him up.

He still wasn't impressed, "Yeah right, this better be the last time I see you!"

"Its not," Neutral responded.

"What do you mean?" Soarin was puzzled.

"We're dating," he answered his question leaving the angry pegasus walking past to the locker room door.

Neutral calmly shook his head, "You snooze you lose." smiling about at the achievement he got as he scored one of the most beautiful mares he laid his eyes on. He'll need to concentrate on the task that will be at... hoof. Not getting stoned.

Author's Note

Great things happened in this chapter as Neutral not only got a... marefriend, but he also discovered where he got it, how she's the fire to his candle, and why Soarin is so pissy. Next up "The Trial," will he pass and receive his reward or be damned to a statue for all eternity.

The Trial

"Neutral?" Coral tried to get his attention.

"No," Neutral said.

"Come on!" Coral pouted

"I said no," Neutral replied.

"Please?" Coral stepped in front of his path smiling.

"Will you go away," Neutral walked around her as him and the group made their way back to the castle.

"Okay hot head," Coral rolled her eyes before seeing a handsome stallion walking by. "And hello hot piece of-."

"Coral Reef front and center," the guard demanded Coral to stay with the group. Doing just that she ran up to the group and smiled at the guard, "You're lucky I'm in a good mood."

"Oh don't be such a rusty old shield," Coral taunted the guard playful.

Tibbers cut in apologizing, "Sorry about your shield."

Neutral, Graves, and Coral all face hoofed over Tibbers apology even though he was smart enough to know that air rusts metal. "Colt what are you talking about?" The guard asked.

"Ignore his idiocy," Graves said as Coral used her magic and created a marble sized saliva ball out of his mouth and chucked it at his face.

"Oops?" Coral defend Tibbers who laughed at Graves.

"Coral Reef, may I remind you that I'll be reporting your behavior to the Princess's," The guard mentioned his duty.

"Yeah sir whatever sir," Coral rolled her eyes as she lazily saluted. Graves used is magic to raise a block from the road they were walking on and tripped Coral, "Hey!"

"Gotcha," Graves grinned over his minor accomplishment.

The guard had enough of this nonsense, "Next pony who uses their element I'll have you wait here for someone who can foalsit you."

"Dude, we're at the castle gates," she said as the guards open the gates for her and walked down to the castle entrance followed by other Elementalists.

"Fighting again?" a gate guard asked.

"Yep."

"Coral and Graves?"

"As always."

"Water pumps or buildings used?"

"Just spit and a piece of the road."

"Lucky you."

"Yep," the guards made a quick discussion before heading in to report his morning.

Meanwhile, Neutral laid in his bed reading more about fire and it can be used in work areas when a knock followed by a door opening. Sparky was the one who open the door, "Good you're not busy," she said as she walked toward his bed.

"What do you want?" Neutral asked.

"It's not what I want, it's about what you should hear," Neutral nodded as Sparky continued. "You already know I was close to immobilization right? Well you don't know what it feels like when you come close to becoming... a glass energy statue. It was like drowning in a pool of water with your breath held for long period of time. Now think that only with electricity and the moment when you're going to go unconscious is when time stops there." Sparky gulped loudly and seemed nervous, "Your mind, your body from that point on will forever drown you stopping time itself in your brink of death. Its... its cruel and unusual to think one needs to bet their own life over some stupid ability, but I love it and I can't stand leaving its side even though it tried to engulf me." She was tearing up and smiling as she looked down shaking her head. "I can't tell you what it will be like since everything is a mix of white jigsaw puzzles, you can finish it in due time however it still doesn't lead to your answers since their blank to begin with." Sparky looked up and gave him a serious tone.

Neutral took this all in from the near death time still to the blurry adventure, "If the pieces were put together correctly what makes you think you can't remember them?"

"You foal, the pieces don't have to do anything with what I'm saying. The pieces are white to begin with meaning you know they have a purpose, but finishing the puzzle is worthless if you don't know what its supposed to mean in the first place!" Sparky explained her knowledge to Neutral as he still thought about it.

"You know its there but no matter what you do you can't seem to know what it is, right?" Neutral tried grasping the idea as Sparky nodded.

"Correct. All I know is the feeling of losing ones self and I hope it be a lesson to you so you won't end up an obsidian statue." Sparky stated and left the room. "By the way," she stopped. "Their waiting for you in the throne room right now," Sparky then left out of his sight.

Neutral sat there thinking for a while then rushed to the door only to find himself tripping over himself. He hasn't completely healed yet, but he hurried along to the throne room to see the rest of the Elementalists outside out of the throne room. "What's going on?" He asked as they wore different hooded robes. "And the robes?"

Coral wore an aquatic colour palette filled with waves and sand. Tibbers has air fade white lines representing wind and leaves as well as a blue and cloudy sky on the robe. Graves robe made him look usually bright for he as boulders and plants such as flowers and grass. Sparky who just arrived must have grabbed her robe, this was different as she had lighting bolts everywhere with a dark blue hue in the background.

Coral didn't look to happy, more over serious look made Neutral instantly nervous, "The robes protect us from any magic and elemental harm. We wear them in case you'll be engulfed and does not bind you." Coral said making Neutral even more nervous as this could hurt anyone if he were to fail.

Sparky frown as she faced Coral, "Stop scaring him, it's bad enough you're doing this on purpose." Coral broke her serious tone and laughed at Neutrals expression.

"You should've seen the look on your face!" Coral laughed again.

Frowning at her prank Neutral sighed heavily, "I hate, I hate you so much right now!" Neutral glared at the purple pony.

Coral giggled and stopped herself before speaking, "These robes do protect us from any assassinations or we're called out outside of Canterlot for special stuff," she explained.

Sparky walked up to Neutral and looked him in the eye, "Trust me if these three can pass you will surely pass and I have one advice. Don't show any fear." Sparky said as Neutral nodded unable to say anything after that.

The doors opened to the room and the Elementalists were led in. As soon as they entered the doors shut upon entering. Celestia and Luna looked upon them not with greetings, but more over a warning, "Neutral, thy Fire Elementalist! You shall be tested if thy is worthy of your eternal command! Do you comply?" Celestia spoke like Luna did.

Neutral breathing heavily as he spoke, "Y-yes."

Luna began speaking like how she was when he met her, "Does thou wish to give more time?"

"I want to get this done and over with," Neutral spoke nervously.

Celestia's turn to speak, "Patience young one. Rushing won't quicken the trials any more than you try without having your life taken." She spoke her usual self almost and yet very convincing.

Luna took over, "You may all leave us now," The guards left the room as soon as Luna gave the order.

Celestia's horn glow yellow as she pointed to the ground where an entrance led to a good sized dark tunnel room for three ponies. The princesses stood up and walked toward the entrance, "This way." Celestia spoke.

Leading down the dark tunnel with only the light of the princesses horns glowed and torches that must have been lit before their arrival. It felt like it took hours getting to where they needed to be only find out it was a five minute walk down halls and stairs. Neutral had to look back several times before he felt safe with the Elementalists and two powerful alicorn princesses. The room door or a vault door from the looks of it stood in front of them as the bars lifted up. The door swung open and he knew this place was beyond what he'd expected as the room felt different, not as different as levitated by magic no. This dark room felt crowded, Celestia took a torch from the wall using her magic and levitated in the center of the room to see statues of ponies. Looking back at the Elementalists they did not once look at the statues as they looked away. Taking a closer look were rows of ponies in their own element, trapped by it. He recognized a few such as the wielder of earth was turned to stone with mold on them. Aqua was ice as it frightened to see through the pony. Air was something he would not believe if told, a cloud of some sort created a figure of the pony. A pony made up of glass and electricity stood as activity inside it continued which shook Neutrals core. Finally what got to him was a pony made up of obsidian and ember that glowed faintly as whatever was inside cling to life.

Neutral stood there frozen in place as the many ponies who once held life are now smite for their attempted at new power. Celestia spoke softly with sadness in it, "These ponies are struggling everyday. Every week. Every year. Yet, anything I do will suffer them greatly and I cannot end their life without feeling more guilt." Celestia looked very guilty and depressed. "Elementalists, you're very special to me for not only receiving this gift, but you alone can wield this magic as my student and I cannot. I respect you greatly than any other for proving not only your ability to control your element, but also brave enough to seek it until your journey has ended. These Elementalists failed to obtain this ability, but they showed their willing enough to sacrifice their life for their element and for that I protect them from the outside as they will remain here." Shutting the door and locking the bars to the room Celestia looked over Neutral, "This is your last chance, are you willing to give up everything to obtain this power?"

Breathing accelerating rapidly as Neutral thought over his chances and is it worth it? Thinking back at a book he once wrote but never published. Shawn Blaze, a character from the story had the power of fire and meant vengeance to Neutral as he wrote it. Using it to dispose and purify the world by burning the enemies and anyone who stands in his way. He made him so that fire stood for the power and unstoppable force that is Shawn Blaze. His parents back in his dimension fear the fire he once used to depict evil. If he holds this new found power what will happen if he survives? What happens if he fails? What if he will never see Spitfire again, the one who gave him this element and very related to fire. He'll never see her again even if he declines, she would never go for someone who gave up so easily without trying. That is trying and not succeeding he will be trapped either way.

Neutral sat on the ground shaking profusely and he held his head trying to decide. Fear took over and cold sweat started dripping off him. A hoof touch his back and Luna spoke, "You can do it, Neutral." Luna said as Neutral looked up to her as she smiled. "We've seen your dreams and know you have the potential to finish the trial." Luna nuzzled Neutral for a boost of confidence.

Neutral gave a slight grin as he closed his eyes and took a deep breath and out, "I'm ready."

"Are thou sure?" Luna asked.

"Yes," Neutral replied weakly but confident.

"Very well, follow us," Luna said as the group followed the princesses. Down the hall their was another door, this wasn't as heavy but had the different elements on the door itself. Five ponies surround the half moon and sun symbolizing what may appear to mean protection or guidance.

Opening the door was a large room as it held torches on both sides of the wall, the middle of the room has a decorated sheet where the design from the door held. The princesses stood in front of the room and Luna levitated a candle on the sheet. "Please lay in front of this candle as your source will guide you," she spoke as Neutral did as he was told.

He looked back at the Elementalist and Coral came up and use her magic to remove the bandage from his horn, "You won't need this," she smiled and went to the side where the others were.

"Now," Celestia began, "Concentrate on your element and only your element. Let the fire surround you, let it enter you, let the door to your mind open to the stranger as you both will become one. Close your eyes and let it enter you," Celestia spoke sternly.

Neutral closed his eyes and thought only on his element. The candle began to grow as flames surrounded him like a bubble protecting him from anything. It did not burn though and his mind slipped into a coma state.

Finding himself in darkness where he feared something in it, not the darkness itself, but what's lurking inside of it. He look all over and found nothing until an unfamiliar voice spoke, "Hey." Neutral turned to a barely visible hallway just like in his dimension where doors and corners of the halls were shown, barely visible yet light enough to see. He carried on to see prison like gates on different halls to prevent going there. He wonders if this is what his mind looks like in his view.

Walking around some more he had the nagging feeling he was being watched. "Hey," said the voice through an open door, Neutral jumped back and got into some sort of fighting stance. "Don't be alarmed," the voice turned the corner and what appeared to be a bipedal creature, the skin looks as though it was actually skinned and the body was thin as though it hadn't eaten ever, the face had barely noticeable nose and the mouth grinned widely with no lips, the eyes had small black dots as it stared at the grey unicorn with no eyelids.

"What the hell are you!?" Neutral stood his ground, scared beyond belief and yet feared that this thing came for him.

"You must follow before it arrives," it said as its boney fingers signaled him to follow as he walked slowly into a hunch. Neutral hesitated and glimpsed in the room he came from, "Nightmares beyond there, don't go in," it said as he heard faint sounds coming slowly. He did not hesitate to follow this thing through the darkness.

Several minutes passed as they head toward a lock gate. The thing grabbed something in a nearby room, a machete he held and Neutral began to panic when the thing cut its own head off. No blood came out but the head was still alive as it turned to face Neutral, "Apologize for that, safe way to hide the key," It said as the key taken out from its neck of the head. It attached the head again to its body and unlocked the gate. Whispers were heard through some of the rooms that were closed. "Its here," it said as it walk briefly down the stairs to the open room from the other rooms, this room was bigger as it held a pool table in the center of the room where only a ceiling fan light hovered closely over it.

"What is this place?" Neutral asked looking around as he went toward the pool table.

The thing grabbed a pool cue and led toward another hallway that only led toward to a pitch black hallway. He gotten scared again as he looked at the thing again, "Face your fears, you are the light to the darkness, light up your path. I cannot follow you as it is up to you to finish." Neutral looked down the hallway again unsure what to do, "Show me you can face your fears and handle me."

Neutral looked back as the thing to see it turned into his human self, Neutral, as it faded away until Neutral himself was alone. He couldn't handle this place and wanted to give up , but something inside told him to press on and keep going forward. Something strange however gave him perfect knowledge of how to use magic. He instantly light the room up by his horn which glowed. Taking a deep breath he pressed on as the hallway kept going straight despite the lock gates blocking the other halls. Those gates weren't to keep him out he realized as something dented and bend the tough looking bars. His eye caught red glowing eyes beneath the darkness as it huffed loudly and stared at the grey unicorn with such anger and aggression. Neutral kept pressing despite seeing what could have been his end if that gate hadn't been blocking whatever that thing was.

A sudden bass of a boom box of some sort banged once, startling Neutral he looked back at the path he took and the sound came from there. He was pretty sure nobody in any of the rooms were even listening to music in this realm. He walked forward more and the sound got louder once more. Neutral kept walking as the sound went off a second early than last time. He knows something is coming, but what? The sound began to go faster and as it went a steady catchy and yet scary beat where whatever that thing was is getting closer and closer and Neutral had to run for it.

Neutral ran as fast as he could and as he did he looked back to see a faded bipedal figure as the features were unknown. Neutral ran faster as his hooves can take him until he reach a dead end where the gate had locked itself, a bright light was just at the end of it. He bucked it and had no use until a key stood between him and that thing chasing him. He knowingly levitated the key over to the lock and quickly open it and did not dare look at that thing as he shut the gate behind him and leap into the light.

Finding himself staring at the he instinctively carried the flame off the candle and into mid air, it felt so right handling it. "Beautiful," he spoke as the flames tinted blue and put the flame back on the candle where it lit up again.

"Congratulations Neutral," Celestia chimed in smiling at her new found Elementalist. "You made it despite your fears, trust, and confidence. I will forever be a student to you, all of you have proved your all brave and strong minded ponies. Neutral I wish the best out of your life." Celestia smiled.

Luna began to speak, "Yes, my sister and I are happily grateful you passed the trial and upon receiving the element, fire. Is there anything you want as a celebration?"

Neutral shook his head, "No thanks, I'm not comfortable with those sort of things."

"We weren't talking about a party," Luna said as she gave Celestia a wink.

"The one who looked after you mentioned you and Spitfire in the locker room alone." Neutrals face turned red as she smiled. "I've made a quick note to the guards as soon as you were awake. I'm sure she'll want to see you," she giggled at Neutrals embarrassment.

Coral and Tibbers ran behind him and hugged him, "Awesome dude you made it!" Coral spoke happily.

"What was it like I can't remember mine?" Tibbers asked.

Graves stepped, "You idiot of course you can't remember, not only you fell off the roof but forgot when we do these trials you won't remember a thing!"

The princesses both sighed and shook their head at Graves, "I think it's time to leave, wouldn't you agree Neutral?" Celestia ask as she was about to blow out the candle when Neutral stopped her.

"Allow me," Neutral said as he lift the flame up and compressed it till it it was a pure white ball of fire and soon it popped like a firecracker. "Guess I went out with a bang," Neutral said as he smiled.

Author's Note

Finally unlocking his element and passing the trial he now faces the responsibility of an elementalist.

His Perfect Flame

After the Trial was finished, Neutral was commended an Elementalist as it was a very special day for him. However the real celebration is in a week.

Throughout the week Neutral learned greatly from his element and learned exciting ability to create fireworks. He could not however leave prior to that week until the celebration has ended. Spitfire is excited to hear him pass, but also worried why she couldn't see him. Neutral just became a dangerous being holding the element of fire and bend it to his heart contents, he'll need practice with his element until he's able to control a lot better than he would. Spitfire however heard the news and did agree, but what she didn't get is why couldn't she write him a letter until after?

As the week progressed Neutral did nothing but practice and trained to learn even further than anyone. The double doors opened to room letting a purple unicorn with violet mane and tail with a purple streak to her left side, purple eyes; her cutiemark was a star of some sort.

"Neutral," Celestia spoke proudly as Neutral stood below the stairs of the throne with a white robe on, proud to be an Elementalist as Neutrals head stood high. "In all my years of seeing such wonderful and smart ponies throughout the centuries, each pony was different to the next. Most ponies have failed to overcome their fear but you, Neutral the Fire Elementalist had proven worthy of your element and for that survived the Trial. This robe has sewed by the strands of a phoenix's feathers after shedding of course. It will never tear and all the elements are unaffected by the robes itself, other words you'll never burn yourself." Celestia paused for effect and smiled as her tone of voice sound exciting, "Please focus your element on the robe and combine just how you combine your soul with the fire."

Neutral nodded as he laid down and closed his eyes feeling the flames surrounding him. The fire that surrounded him look as though either the floor is fireproof or he prevented the fire from lighting it up. As the flames surround his robe changed from white to a hot rod design except the flames tinted blue as the background look as though it was a night sky, like fire on a cold night. As the flames halted Neutral stood up and looked at his new robe and smiled, "Wow."

"Isn't it beautiful Neutral?" Celestia asked as Neutral simply nodded over the amazement he done for himself. "The robe symbolizes who you are as an Elementalist and from the looks of it." She paused as she examined the robe, "You may very well be the light to the night, travel by night scaring off any who wish to injure you or the one who travels with you." Celestia smiled at the grey unicorn. "Use this element wisely and soon great things may happen someday. You are dismissed." Celestia smiled.

"Hello Neutral," The purple unicorn with the dragon said.

"Do I know you?" Neutral asked unaware of her presence.

"No but I know you, I'm Twilight Sparkle and I must say I was expecting... a colorful Elementalist." Twilight spoke as she looked top to bottom.

"What do you mean by that?" Neutral spoke questioning the young purple unicorn.

"I mean your mane and everything about you. Anyway's that's not why I'm here; I'm here for interviews on all the currently existing Elementalists. Did you know four of the fire past Elementalists before you did not pass the Trials." Twilight said.

Neutral blinked and tilted his head, "And you want to know how I feel?" Twilight simply nodded before he replied. "Well nothing at all really, sure I can be scared but I'm out and can't remember a thing about it?" He scratched his head trying to remember.

"Hold on," the purple dragon spoke. "How can you not remember the Trial thing? Is that the point of a trial is to remember what you learn?"

"Spike!" Twilight hushed the dragon.

Neutral lifted an eyebrow to the dragon who looked down sheepishly, "Well that's the thing, I can't remember and what I think is a good reason for me not to remember what happened in there."

"You think something bad happened, scary even?" Twilight tilted her head.

Neutral looked up at Twilight, "Anything can and will happen what those Trials do is certainly scary to itself."

Twilight nodded her head like she's memorizing all of this. "I must study how you're able to control this magic!" Twilight was excited about.

Neutral scorned her, "It's not just magic you teachers pet! It's very real and exists." He said taking an offense to her statement.

"I'm sorry about that, I hadn't realize it wasn't the same thing." She gave a worried look.

Neutral sighed and turned her back on her then looked back, "Well come on then." He walked out of the throne room with Twilight and Spike behind.

Celestia sat there thinking about what had just happened, "Keep an eye on Neutral." She spoke to her guard who quickly bowed and ran off to find the group.

In the back of the castle grounds where the royal guard train, Neutral, Twilight, and Spike stood as Neutral himself give them a show.

Neutral horn lit a flame as fire burst out like a punctured gas leak. The flames were literally spiraling like a tornado as their surrounded by the fire.

Twilight and Spike looked around them and feared they may be burnt, "This doesn't look safe!"

Neutral smiled and shook his head, "Are you afraid?"

"What?" Twilight questioned him.

"Are you afraid of the fire? The very existence of life that kept us alive from the cold, from starving, from our demise. Do you fear the flames that saved you many, many times and have not realized it?" The tornado flame became more like a bubble as it trapped her in with him. "The fire is alive and must feed and you despise its nature for feeding as what you've seen carnivores from feeding."

"Are you crazy?! Fire is not alive!" Twilight lashed out on him who flinched at her reaction but remained calm.

"Fire is very much alive, why do you think it tries to hold onto life? The reason we fear fire is because can't control once the candle has been tipped over." Neutral popped the bubble of fire and now the ground is lit aflame but it was yet again forbidden to move from its spot under them. "Don't worry it won't hurt you unless you're afraid... are you?"

Twilight started panic and Neutral quickly put out the fire like candle with a swift breath of air. "You are crazy!" Twilight snapped at him as he sighed shook his head.

"I guess I can't make you believe me huh?" Said the disappointed grey unicorn. "Anyways are you done with your research then? I have somewhere to be."

Twilight simply scorned him, "Yeah we're done, here." She walked away with Spike on her back who also scorned him.

Standing alone Neutral collected his thoughts, "Welp I scared someone off with fire, although now I can be with Spitfire now."

On his way to Spitfire's home he had thoughts of what if he burned down the whole place of Canterlot? Not that he's going to, but what if Celestia gave him too much slack and his true intentions were to burn everything? Not like it mattered since it'll never happen.

As he walked he felt a boop on his head, he looked up to see Spitfire looking at him and smiling, "Hey nerd."

"Nerd?" Neutral turned to her and tilted his head.

"Nerd." She giggled as she land to hug him, "Anyways I'm glad you passed the Trial! What was it like?"

Neutral shrugged his shoulders giving a confuse look, "I have no idea."

Spitfire lifted a brow, "But you passed right?"

Neutral nodded his head, "Yes, but I once you pass you can't remember what happened. You don't now how many times I've said this today. Hey wait a second, how did you find me?"

"I was on my way to the castle after my daily exercises and found you," she smiled.

"Uh huh," the grey unicorn lifted his brow for moment before he giggled jokenly.

"Any chance I get a personal show from you?" Spitfire gave a toothy grin to Neutral.

Rolling his eyes Neutral nodded and his head, "Of course anything for you."

Just outside of the Canterlot walls, Neutral stood by the dirt roads while Spitfire laid on the clean crisp grass as he gave her a show she will not forget.

The Fire Elementalist's horn glowed orange as fire spew out like a whip. It went many directions including around Spitfire who was a bit worried. The fire soon created what appeared to be a barrier around them, "Do you except this element, my flame? The most beautiful wom- mare I've laid my eyes on?" Neutral spoke in a serious tone.

Spitfire's emotions was a mixture of fright, confusion, and lush. Spitfire was speechless to even say what she was thinking.

The Elementalist gave a hard sigh and decreased the barrier around them as it passed around their bodies unscathed. Spitfire who was a bit relieved of the barrier, but cautious on what he was going to do next with the ball of fire. The fire began to collapsed on to itself like a black hole. Tossing it in the air with his magic it exploded like a firework.

Neutral looked back at Spitfire who smiled at the hybrid fireworks he had created. "Fireworks... Oh FIRE WORKS!" She laughed at herself as Neutral did as well.

"I suppose you liked it?" Neutral asked the yellow pegasus.

"I love it, I've never knew fire could be so..."

"Beautiful as you?" Neutral finished her sentence before a few giggles broke the silence. Turning around, the students of "The School For Gifted Unicorns" must have been out from school and saw the explosion from the air.

Spitfire stood up and walked over to the young unicorns expecting autographs, but instead went toward Neutral who was surprised by the outcome, "Ehh."

"Teach me how to do that!" One unicorn asked the quiet grey unicorn.

"I really can't?" He responded as he looked at Spitfire for help who only shrugged not knowing what to do as he disappointed the young unicorns.

"Tell you what," he continued. "How about the next time fireworks are being used I'll give a show okay?"

They all smiled and cheered as they went to their homes.

"That was a bit strange," Spitfire spoke as Neutral turned toward her. "At least you're the one to... Take the heat." She snickered as Neutral rolled his eyes. "I just want ask though, what do you mean by 'your flame'"?

The Fire Elementalist looked directly in the eyes, "Fire is a beautiful thing when controlled; the fire in a candle is calm and beautiful as much as you are calm and of course beautiful. But of course when you're angry the candle has been tipped and you turn ugly fast, that's why I want what's best for you if you and I get more involved."

His flame gave her best poker face and walked up to Neutral. She closed her eyes and sighed heavily out and raised her foreleg and hit his side. Neutral still stood as that hit knocked his breath out and soon met with a kiss from Spitfire herself, "I don't know whether or not to take it as a compliment or not so I'm giving you this. And yes I would honestly love to get more involve over time.. Nerd." She said as her forelegs wrapped around his neck as she hover in the air. "We should do something cause daylight is... Burning."

"You and your puns I swear," Neutral spoke as he led her down the road.

Author's Note

Sorry about the late update guys.