Chapter 1
The Chosen One Returns

It now has now been one full year since Flareon sacrificed himself to defeat Alexei and saved Equestria from complete annihilation. Though it was hard at first everyone, including Twilight, Solana, and Spike, eventually were able to move on. Within the past year in Equestria a lot has happened. First off, Twilight's older brother Shining Armor and her foalsitter Cadance got married. However, the wedding was interrupted after Canterlot was infiltrated and attacked by Queen Chrysalis and her army of changelings. Luckily, Twilight and her friends were able to foil Queen Chrysalis's plan and saved Canterlot. The wedding went off without a hitch. Did I forget to mention that Shining Armor and Candace became a prince and princess? Pretty sweet right? What can I say, it's Princess Celestia were talking about. She can pretty much do anything she wants. A few months later, the Crystal Empire returned, along with the evil unicorn who ruled over it 500 years ago, King Sombra. In the end, Twilight and her friends, not to mention Spike, managed to save the city and defeated King Sombra once and for all. Shortly after, Shining Armor and Cadance left Canterlot and moved there as the new prince and princess of the Crystal Empire. Also, Princess Celestia decided that Discord's chaos magic should be used for good instead of evil and had Twilight and her friends use the Elements of Harmony to release Discord from his seal. Celestia's plan was to have Fluttershy reform Discord. Even though it seemed impossible at first, Fluttershy was successfully able to reform him. Discord, the dragon known as the master of chaos and mischief, is now a good guy. Try to wrap your mind around that one. Well, that's really about it as nothing much else happened, but enough about the past, let's get back to the present. It was the anniversary of the day Flareon defeated Alexei. Everyone in Ponyville lit a torch in front of their houses as a sign to thank Flareon for what he did that day. Princess Celestia even announced this day as national Chosen One Appreciation Day. Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Applejack, Rarity, and Pinkie Pie were all seen recollecting on the memories of their dear friend Flareon. Meanwhile, at the Ponyville Schoolhouse, Cheerilee decided to have a Show-and-Tell day. As a pony was returning to their desk, Cheerilee looked at her students and said, "Alright...so who wants to go next?" In a blink of a eye, Solana's right hoof shot into the air as she almost fell out of her chair in anticipation.

"Me! Pick me! Me!" Solana exclaimed. After Cheerilee agreed to let her go next, Solana quickly ran to the front of the class, but not after tripping over her own hooves at least three times. After Solana managed to catch her breath, she said, "I'm going to tell the story of my dad defeating Alexei!"

"Oh Solana," Cheerilee sighed as she smiled, "You've already told that story ten times already." However, her students were eager to hear the story again, even though they have already heard it multiple times as every Show-and-Tell day Solana had told the story of how Flareon defeated Alexei and saved Equestria. For some reason, the story became better each time Solana told it.

"I don't mind!" Apple Bloom exclaimed.

"Yeah! I want to hear it again!" Sweetie Belle replied.

"Tell the part when Flareon punched Alexei in the face! That was so awesome!" Scootaloo yelled.

"Whatever," Diamond Tiara said as she looked away. However, even Diamond Tiara was still interested in hearing the story again as her eyes slowly turned and focused on Solana. Shortly after, Solana began to tell the story of how Flareon finally managed to defeat the dragon of darkness. Since Solana never actually witnessed Flareon's battle against Alexei, she had now make up her own version of the battle. Solana's story got more and more crazy every time she told it to the point where Flareon shot laser beams from his eyes to destroy the rockets Alexei fired from his mouth. Even still, everyone believed that was what actually happened. However, the part at the end where Flareon used his special move called the Big Bang Cannon to defeat Alexei remained the same. After Solana was done, everyone quickly gave her a round of applause.

"My dad was the best dad ever!" Solana exclaimed. Suddenly, she stopped smiling and looked down. "I just wish my mom felt better." A pin drop hitting the floor could easily be heard in the room as everyone quickly became silent. It turns out Twilight had fallen into a deep depression the week leading up to today. All she did was lay in her bed for hours on end and refused to leave the house. Twilight didn't even bother to read the letters Princess Celestia had sent her. The only reason she got out of bed was to go to bathroom or eat, that was it. After a few minutes of silence, Cheerilee finally decided to break it.

"I'm sure Twilight will feel better soon Solana," Cheerilee replied, "Just give your mom some time." Solana slowly nodded her head as she gave Cheerilee a weak smile and then returned to her desk. Later on, after everyone had their turn, the school bell suddenly rung signaling the end of the school day. For the 10th straight time, Solana was voted as the best Show-and-Teller. As everyone went outside, Solana said goodbye to her fellow Cutie Mark Crusaders and began to walk back home to Golden Oak Library.

"I hope mom is feeling better," Solana muttered. A couple of minutes later, Solana made it home and went upstairs to check up on her mom. Tissues could be seen laying all around Twilight's bed. The bedroom curtains were all closed. Not an inch of sunlight was able to enter. The letters sent by Princess Celestia for Twilight were carelessly stacked together in the corner of the bedroom. "Mom?" Solana muttered, "How are you feeling?" As Twilight turned around in the bed, her eyes were completely red as if she had cried for quite sometime. Her mane was a horrible mess as it had not been combed in days. Twilight looked at Solana, but didn't say anything. "Hey! How about we go to the park? It's a beautiful day today." Twilight continued to stare at her blankly. "Or how about bowling? Ice skating? A movie? Anything?" Nothing Solana said was able to get a reaction from her mom. Solana looked at the ground and muttered, "If dad was here, he would play with me." Twilight quickly turned around in the bed and pulled the covers over her in response to Solana's words. Seeing as getting anything more from Twilight was pointless, Solana walked back downstairs and left the house. Meanwhile, Twilight began to recollect on her memories of Flareon, from their wedding day, to the birth of their daughter, to the part where Flareon said his goodbyes to her. Again she started to cry uncontrollably as tears fell down her face onto the bed sheets. Soon after, Solana was meet by Rainbow Dash and the others. It didn't take long before they could tell something was wrong.

"Hey Solana," Applejack said, "How's Twilight holding up?"

"She still won't get out of bed," Solana muttered.

"Oh dear...isn't there anything we can do for her?" Fluttershy asked.

"What can we do?" Rainbow Dash replied, "It's not like we can just bring Flareon back. He's gone." As everyone began to ponder thinking of a way to help Twilight, Solana was suddenly hit with an idea.

"Hey everyone! I got an idea!" Solana exclaimed as everyone got close together around her, "Listen up...here's what were going to do." Four hours later, at Golden Oak Library, Twilight was still lamenting about Flareon's death as she laid under the covers when she suddenly heard screaming. However, this wasn't joyous screaming, it was scared screaming. Immediately, she threw the bed sheets off her, moved back the curtains, and opened the window. Twilight desperately looked around outside and soon spotted a pony.

"Hey! What's going on? Why is there screaming?!" Twilight yelled.

"You're not going to believe this!" the pony replied, "A gigantic T-Rex dinosaur is attacking the town square! Hurry! We need your help Twilight!" As the pony headed towards the town square, Twilight closed the window and quickly ran downstairs. Twilight knew this was no time to be laying in bed feeling sorry for herself, Ponyville was in trouble. After she slammed the front door shut, Twilight sprinted as fast as possible to the town square to confront the beast. A few seconds later, Twilight finally made it to the town square. "Alright! I'm here everyone! Where's the T-Rex?!" It didn't take long before Twilight could tell something was off. The town square looked completely fine. There was absolutely no sign of a dinosaur attack whatsoever. Instead, there was a large group of ponies occupying the town square which included Solana, Spike, her friends, Discord, Prince Shining Armor, and Princess Celestia, Luna, Cadance, and what seemed like every Ponyville resident. In the middle was a large object which was covered in a white sheet. At that moment Twilight realized she had been tricked. "I'm going back home," Twilight muttered as she began to turn around, but was quickly interrupted as her friends began to speak their plea.

"That's enough Twilight!" Applejack exclaimed, "This needs to stop now!"

"She's right," Rarity replied, "Laying in bed all day isn't going to solve anything."

"Come on sis. This isn't like you," Shining Armor muttered.

"Please!" Solana cried out, "I want my mom back! I can't stand seeing you cry anymore!"

"Twilight...there's no reason to be sulking and sad," Celestia stated, "Locking yourself inside your house, hiding from your friends and the ponies that care about you, that isn't going to help. You're only hurting yourself more by doing that." Suddenly, Twilight broke down in tears.

"It's just that...I miss him," Twilight muttered as tears ran down her face, "I miss him so much!"

"We all do," Rainbow Dash replied as she patted Twilight on the shoulder, "You're not the only one that misses Flareon."

"Thanks Rainbow Dash," Twilight replied as she wiped away the tears.

"That's why we built this to cheer you up mom!" Solana exclaimed as she signaled towards two pegasus ponies which lifted the white sheet and revealed what is was hiding. Twilight was rendered speechless as a large bronze statue of Flareon was standing before her. Under him the words 'Flareon: The Hero of Equestria. A great friend, a caring father, and a loving husband.' could be seen. Suddenly, Twilight once again began to cry as tears ran down her face. However, these were not tears of sadness, but instead of happiness. She couldn't believe that everyone did this just to cheer her up.

"Thank you," Twilight muttered, "Thank you so much! I love it!"

"Does that mean your back to normal?" Pinkie Pie eagerly asked.

"Yes Pinkie Pie...I'm back, "Twilight replied. Immediately, she was hugged by an ecstatic Pinkie Pie and was lifted off her hooves.

"This calls for a celebration!" Pinkie Pie yelled as she let go off Twilight and turned to face the crowd, "A party celebration! A really, really, really big one! We're going to celebrate Twilight being happy again!" As everyone began to cheer in response to Pinkie Pie's suggestion of a huge party, Twilight couldn't help but smile as Solana quickly ran over and hugged her. Solana couldn't be happier to see her mom back to her usual self. Even though Flareon was gone, Twilight wasn't going to let his death overcome her. She was going to keep on living for his sake and their daughter's sake. The will of fire would continue to burn on in everyone's hearts forever. Speaking of Flareon, the story of our hero wasn't quite over just yet. Meanwhile, in an unknown place, a pony was walking through a white void. That pony was none other than Flareon.

"Hello?" Flareon yelled, "Is anyone there?!" Once again, his voice just echoed throughout the white void. "What the heck is going on here? I've wandered this weird place for an hour and still hadn't found anyone. All I remember was right after I flew into Alexei's mouth and unleashed my attack, everything went black, and I woke up here. This can't be heaven...can it? I thought heaven would be a little more...lively. Suddenly, Flareon here a voice speak from behind him.

"Sorry about the wait Flareon," the voice said softly. As Flareon quickly turned around, he was standing in front of a very familiar-looking female alicorn.

"Who are you?" Flareon asked. At that moment, Flareon began to remember when he meet her before. "Wait...I remember you! You're name is Infinity. I met you during that dream I had a couple of years ago, right after Alexei knocked me out." In response, Infinity smiled at him.

"I'm so glad you remembered me," Infinity replied, "First off...let me say congratulations for defeating the dragon of darkness. I knew you could do it!"

"You're not here to just to congratulate me for defeating Alexei...are you?" Flareon asked.

"No," Infinity replied, "I'm here to finally tell you the truth about how you came to awaken as a pony in Equestria."

"Before that...who are you?" Flareon asked.

"My name is Infinity, the goddess of time and space. I am also the creator the of the MLP world," Infinity said. "Since I have no real form, I take the shape of an alicorn to be able to speak with you."

"Ok, so tell me...how did I become a pony?" Flareon asked.

"I brought your soul over from the human world, made a pony body for you, fitted your soul into it, and put you inside the MLP world. All while you were still asleep. You see...your human body is still alive and well. It is just suspended in time. During all the years you've been in the MLP world, time has not moved even one second in the human world," Infinity replied. Flareon was completely dumbfounded. He couldn't believe it. His human body was still alive?

"Why me though?" Flareon asked, "There are about 6 billion humans living on Earth. Why did you choose me? No offense, but I'm pretty sure there are more noble and graceful people who would be better suited for the role of a chosen one."

"You may be right for that reason alone, but you possessed something more powerful than anyone else did. The will of fire," Infinity replied.

"What is the will of fire?" Flareon asked.

"The will of fire is what gives someone the strength to continue fighting against all odds, building willpower and strength of character. Compared to other humans, your will of fire was the strongest of all. That is why I choose you," Infinity proudly stated. Flareon looked around puzzled.

"Where are we?" Flareon asked.

"This place is a rift in time and space between the Human world and the MLP world. I created this place and brought you here after you heroically sacrificed yourself to defeat Alexei," Infinity replied, "Is there anything else you want to ask me?"

"So what happens now?" Flareon asked.

"Now...I will give you two choices," Infinity replied as two wooden doors appeared behind her, "The door on the left will allow you to go back to the human world. After you enter, you will go back to the point in time where I took you from, when you were sleeping. However, you will not remember what happened in the MLP world. All the memories of your time in Equestria will be gone. The door on the right will allow to go back to the MLP world. So...Daniel, what is your choice?" Flareon closed his eyes, smiled, and then looked at Infinity seriously. There was not a single doubt in Flareon's mind on what he wanted to do.

"I want to go back to...Equestria!" Flareon yelled, "I want to go back to my friends, my daughter, and my wife. Even though I hated it there at first, what can I say...those crazy ponies have grown on me." Infinity simply smiled in response to Flareon's answer. It was as if she knew what he was going to say.

"Very well Flareon...I mean Daniel," Infinity replied as the door on the left disappeared and the door on the right opened up, revealing what looked like the town square of Ponyville. Flareon could see Twilight and everyone inside, "Good luck and once again...thank you." At that moment, Infinity vanished which left Flareon face-to-face with the door back to the Equestria.

"Hang on everyone!" Flareon yelled as he charged into the door, "I'm coming back!" Meanwhile, back in Ponyville, Twilight was beginning to leave with everyone to Apple Acres, where Applejack agreed to host the party for Twilight. Suddenly, the space before Flareon's statue began to glow bright white. Before they had time to figure out what was going on, a pony walked out of the portal, which soon closed behind him. They couldn't believe their eyes as it was almost too impossible to be true. The pony standing in front of them was Flareon. "Hey guys!" he said to a star struck crowd, "Did you miss me?" In a split second, Flareon was knocked back by two ponies into a hard surface. It was Twilight and Solana. They were both crying uncontrollably. It took about five minutes before they were able to speak.

"Flareon," Twilight muttered as she held him closer to her, "I can't believe it...this is a miracle!"

"Dad!" Solana exclaimed as Flareon patted her head softly, "You're back! You're back! You're back!" It didn't take long before they were completely surrounded by everyone. Soon after, Rainbow Dash and the others walked up to them.

"It's good to have my rival back," Rainbow Dash said.

"Well I'll be, I don't know what to say. So in the words of Rainbow Dash, this is just...awesome!" Rarity exclaimed. Next, Princess Celestia, Shining Armor and Cadance came forward.

"Flareon...thank goodness you returned!" Celestia exclaimed.

"Hey Flareon! Nice to see you came back," Shining Armor said.

"I couldn't be happier to know that the your family is finally back together again," Cadance replied.

"Shining Armor! Cadance! Long time, no see," Flareon said.

"That's Prince Shining Armor and Princess Cadance to you!" Shining Armor replied as he smiled along with Cadance. Flareon thought they he just joking around with the prince and princess thing and didn't reply back. Suddenly, someone very familiar appeared before him. However, this was not someone Flareon wanted to see. It was none other than the mater of chaos and mischief himself, Discord. Before he was able to speak one word, Flareon quickly tackled him to the ground and began to charge up his fire magic.

"I don't know how you escaped from your seal, but I'm going to finish you off once and for all!" Flareon yelled. Unfortunately, Flareon wasn't able to deliver the devastating blow as he was quickly pulled off Discord by Twilight and his friends.

"No Flareon!" Twilight yelled, "Discord is a good guy now! Don't hurt him!" Flareon couldn't believe what he was hearing. Discord...a good guy? What the heck was going on? Was this some sort of joke?

"I'm gone for one hour and you're telling me Discord is a good guy now?!" Flareon exclaimed, "Have you all gone completely insane? For some reason, everyone burst out laughing. It couldn't be true that they all went insane...could it? "What the heck is going on around here. What's so funny?" At that moment, Flareon began to furiously look around at his body. "Don't tell me I became Flarena again!" Luckily for him, that was not the cause of the laughter. Twilight put her right hoof softly on Flareon's shoulder and smiled.

"Flareon...it hasn't been an hour," Twilight replied, "It's been a full year." Flareon's eyes widened in shock in response. Now he had heard of everything.

"Seriously?! An entire year has passed?" Flareon exclaimed, "Wow...I guess time in that void went by slower than here because I was only wandering inside there for just one hour."

"What are you talking about?" Twilight asked, "What is this void and how come you said it has only been an hour? Where have you been this whole time?" Soon after, Flareon began to tell everyone about Infinity, the white void, the link between this world and the human world, as well as everything to do with him becoming a pony. As expected, everyone was shocked and astounded. Unfortunately, it was now Flareon's turn for his mind to be blown as Twilight began to tell him what happened in Equestria while he was gone from Shining Armor and Cadance getting married and becoming a prince and princess, the return of the Crystal Empire, their battle against King Sombra, Fluttershy's success at reforming Discord, and Twilight's fierce duel with Trixie. After she was done talking, it took Flareon quite a while to take all this in.

"Wow...I sure missed out on a lot of exciting stuff," Flareon muttered. Just then, Solana's voice appeared from behind him.

"Hey dad! Look what we made!" Solana exclaimed. As Flareon turned around, he was met by himself in bronze form.

"What's this? A statue of me?" Flareon asked as he began to read the words written on it. After Flareon was done, he couldn't help but smile. "Wow! Thanks everyone, but didn't have to make this just for me."

"It wasn't for you," Applejack replied, "It was to cheer Twilight up. She really missed you ya' know?" Shortly after, Flareon learned of how Twilight had become depressed during the week leading up to the anniversary of his defeat of Alexei. In response, Flareon walked up to Twilight and kissed her, which resulted in everyone cheering loudly. At that moment, Pinkie Pie appeared eagerly before them with her eyes glowing in anticipation. Flareon was all too familiar with that look on her face. He didn't need a mind reader to find out what Pinkie Pie was thinking.

"Looks like we now have two reasons to have a party!" Pinkie Pie exclaimed, "We're going to celebrate Flareon returning and Twilight being happy again! That means this party is going to be twice as big! Come on everyone! Let's go to Apple Acres and get this party started already!" As Pinkie Pie began to lead the large crowd to Apple Acres, Twilight turned around to face Flareon, who was once again staring at his statue.

"You coming Flareon?" Twilight asked. Flareon looked at her and smiled happily.

"Yeah...I'm coming," Flareon replied as he ran up to Twilight and walked together with her to Apple Acres. During this day, Ponyville had a lot to celebrate. Not only was it the anniversary of Flareon's defeat of the dragon of darkness, it was also for Twilight successfully breaking out of her depression. Last but not least, the chosen one had returned. A new chapter for Flareon's life in Equestria was off to a roaring start.