There is so much to be said about a pony that had impacted your life in such a way you can't imagine a time before. A pony that opened your mind to the possibilities of things you never thought possible. A pony capable of reaching your heart in ways you couldn't understand. A pony that you will always love and admire. A pony you'll never be ever to repay in kind. Although, it was not a pony that impacted me in such a way; it just happened to be a bat.

I felt very foolish to have yelled Wingston so abruptly. Twilight and Spike looked as surprised as I was with my outburst. I cleared my throat trying to save face.

"Wingston is a very dear friend of mine." I said calmly.

"So you do know him!" Spike said slamming is fist onto his palm.

"Is he alright?" I asked suddenly feeling nervous.

"I think so. He didn't look like he was in trouble." Twilight replied.

"He had a limp though, and he walked with this big stick." Spike said holding his arms apart.

"Can you take me to him?" I asked earnestly.

"Sure, just follow us." Twilight said.

"We wanted to bring him with us but Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Rarity and Applejack wanted to hear the end of his story." Spike explained.

"Story?" I asked curiously.

"He was telling us stories of when you were just a filly." Twilight said with a giggle.

"Is it true that your best friend was a rock named Rocky?" Spike asked.

I mane flared. I was suddenly less excited to see Wingston.

Twilight and Spike escorted me from the train station to Ponyville. There were many ponies in the market today, fillies rushing to play in the meadows, vendor ponies trying to sell their merchandise, ponies have brunch, and even some ponies watching performance ponies putting on a play in the town square. Many ponies waved to me, some welcomed me back to Ponyville as we passed by. I waved back to those ponies with a smile. I could feel that my return to Ponyville was going to spread like wildfire once more.

Spike had elected himself my personal bodyguard, keeping any pony that may have gotten a bit to close at bay. Keeping his arms spread apart telling other ponies to watch their step.

"I heard that you helped Shining Armor on a mission to the mountains near the Everfree Forest." Twilight spoke up.

"Three ponies had gone missing digging for gems." I explained.

"Captured by spiders right?" Twilight asked.

"Please, don't say spiders." I said with an uncomfortable shiver.

"Well, I wanted to thank you for helping to keep my brother safe." Twilight said.

"Your brother?" I asked curiously.

"Shining Armor is Twilight's older brother. Hey! No pictures!" Spike shouted shooing away paparazzi ponies.

"Shining Armor is you brother?" I asked in disbelief.

"That's right." Twilight replied.

"But he's married to-" I began.

"Princess Cadance, she used to be my foal-sitter. Now she's my sister-in-law." Twilight said happily.

"Wow." I said in amazement.

"I still think of him as an older brother though, even if he is a Prince now." Twilight continued.

"It was Shining Armor that was the pony who kept me safe. He stopped me from falling into a pit when the cave collapsed." I explained.

"The cave collapsed? Was that before or after you fought the Queen?" Spike asked excitedly running up alongside me.

"During." I answered.

Before Spike had the chance to have all his questions answered Twilight picked up Spike and put him on her back.

"You can bother Smolder later, Spike." Twilight said.

"But Twilight!" Spike whined.

We came to a large tree that had a sign with a picture of an open book upon it. Upon further inspection I could see that it was hollowed out and had been made into a house. Or Golden Oakes Library as Twilight had called it. Unfortunately, stepping into a tree was out of the question for me.

"We'll be right out, Smolder." Twilight said reassuringly.

Twilight and Spike entered the Golden Oakes Library while I sat outside patiently. There were sounds of laughter coming from the windows. I began to wonder if it was at my expense. The sound of wood thudding against wood reached my ears; my heart leapt at the sound. Twilight opened the front, walking around the side to hold it open. Wingston came slowly limping out, favoring his staff, from the Golden Oakes Library's front door. Followed by Rarity, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie and Applejack who were still giggling.

"Wingston!" I shouted unable to contain my excitement.

"Hello, Smolder." Wingston said holding out his arms.

No sooner had Wingston stepped out from the Golden Oakes Library did I rush over to him; embracing him tightly. Every pony gasped in surprise but quickly amazed that I had not set Wingston on fire.

"It is good to see you." I said smiling wide.

"You've grown since our last meeting." Wingston replied.

Wingston and I parted. Still wrapped in many cloths varying in shades of grey, his eyes were the only things visible beneath his wraps aside from his long fingers that gripped his staff.

"Do you think so?" I asked curiously raising my hoof above my head trying to measure myself.

"But not any brighter." Wingston said with a sigh.

"How did you get here?" I asked still smiling.

"I walked." Wingston replied.

"All this way?" I asked in disbelief.

"No only half of the way before an Owlbear threw me the rest of the way. Of course all the way!" Wingston snapped knocking his staff against my head.

"Wingston! That is quite a journey to make for some pony like you." I protested rubbing my head.

"I wanted to see my friend." Wingston replied.

"I have missed you Wingston." I said happily.

"Ahem." Twilight said aloud.

"Oh! Wingston these are the ponies I spoke to you about. This is Twilight Spa-" I felt Wingston's staff knock against my head again.

"I know who they are. I met them this morning." Wingston explained.

"Oh, right." I mumbled.

"I was regaling these lovely ponies with tales of your youth." Wingston said.

"Could you not find anything else to talk about?" I asked feeling embarrassed.

"Nothing quite as interesting." Wingston replied.

"Excuse me." Rarity spoke up waving her hoof towards us.

"Forgive my rudeness, I know the two of you would like some time to catch up but did you just hug a Flame Pony?" Rarity asked curiously.

"Is hugging forbidden here in Ponyville?" Wingston asked me in a whisper.

"No, of course not." I whispered back.

"What about hugging Flame Ponies?" Wingston whispered.

"Nope." I replied.

"Oh, then yes I embraced a Flame Pony." Wingston said aloud.

"How were you able to do that without getting burned?" Applejack asked.

"I was burned a lot; it takes some serious will power to just not scream." Wingston replied.

Every pony stared at him wide eyed. I cleared my throat and nudged Wingston with my hoof.

"Tell them the truth." I said.

"It's the rags, Ms. Applejack. Just bits of old Flame Pony clothing I found over the years." Wingston replied patting his chest.

"Real flame resistant clothing that can be worn by Flame Ponies?" Rarity asked excitedly.

"It also allows other regular ponies to have minimal contact with them as well." Wingston explained further.

"Oh! Wingston may I-" Rarity began.

"Great Grand Master Sage Wingston the IV." Wingston interjected.

"Oh! Great Grand Master Sage Wingston the IV, may I have a piece of that material? I feel I could replicate it or at least come up with a similar design! We could reintroduce the world of fashion to Flame Pony clothing once more!" Rarity pleaded putting her hooves together.

"The clothing of Flame Ponies is a closely guarded secret that has been handed down from generation to-" Wingston began but I picked him up by his back collar with my teeth.

"Of course Rarity." I said through my teeth.

"Oh thank you!" Rarity cried trotting over.

Her horn began to glow causing a small strand of Wingston's cloth to snap away. Rarity squealed with delight rushing off to begin her work.

"You've lost your sense of humor Smolder." Wingston said disappointingly as I put him back down.

"I hope Rarity can do something with that sample, I would like to see what sort of pretty dresses she'll come up with this time." Fluttershy said softly.

"Knowing her she'll have made a dress for every season before we see her again." Applejack remarked.

Twilight and Fluttershy giggled.

"My turn to ask for something!" Pinkie Pie cried rushing over to Wingston.

Pinkie Pie bowed low.

"Oh Grape Bland Mister Page Wingston the IV, I wish for it to rain cupcakes from the sky." Pinkie Pie asked.

"He's not a genie Pinkie Pie, he can't grant wishes." Twilight said.

"Oh, then can I have a hug?" Pinkie Pie asked sitting up.

"Only if you tell me what a cupcake is." Wingston replied.

Pinkie Pie gasped in horror looking mortified. Placing her hoof over her chest and slapping a hoof to her forehead.

"You don't know what a cupcake is?" Pinkie Pie demanded.

"Smolder, is a cupcake some sort of challenge?" Wingston whispered to me.

"No it's food." I replied.

"Food? Yes I can eat." Wingston said tapping his staff on the ground.

"I'm also feeling a bit hungry." Twilight confessed.

"We got ourselves a making of a picnic." Applejack said stomping her hoof.

"A picnic sounds lovely." Fluttershy said softly.

"I'll go and rustle us up some grub. We'll meet by the old tree in the meadow." Applejack said trotting off.

"I'll go get us a picnic blanket to us." Fluttershy said softly gently flying away.

"Spike and I will bring the plates and cups." Twilight said.

"I'll bring cupcakes, cakes, cookies, ice cream, chocolate fudge, caramel apples…" Pinkie Pie said hopping away before we could not hear her anymore.

Wingston and I watched as every pony went their separate ways to gather the necessary components for a picnic. Wingston seemed to be favoring his staff more than usual. I was suddenly knocked against the head with Wingston's staff once more.

"It's not polite to stare." Wingston muttered.

"Sorry." I mumbled rubbing my head.

"By the way Smolder, did you know that Ms. Sparkle has the Elements of Harmony in there?" Wingston asked curiously.

"What?" I shouted in surprise.

"They hid it in the perfect place from you, a tree. Imagine that?" Wingston asked nudging me with his staff.

"There's no way! Why would Twilight have them?" I asked in disbelief.

"I have no idea. Let's ask Ms. Sparkle." Wingston offered.

"We can't just ask her if-" I was cut off.

"Ms. Sparkle!" Wingston shouted.

Twilight came to the door after a few moments.

"Did you call me?" Twilight asked curiously.

"Sorry to bother you Ms. Sparkle, but my dear Smolder here does not believe you have the Elements of Harmony within your home." Wingston explained.

"No bother at all. I do have the Elements of Harmony safely packed away in here." Twilight replied.

"Really?" I asked with my mouth left a gape.

"You bet. Applejack, Rarity, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, and I each represent a different element of harmony. We've had to use them on a few occasions but I'm happy to report that we've gone one hundred and thirty seven days without an incident." Twilight remarked being with pride.

"Imagine that Smolder, you've been speaking to the wielders of the Elements of Harmony all this time and never knew it." Wingston said nudging me with his staff.

"Was there anything else I can help you with?" Twilight asked curiously.

"Oh no, Ms. Sparkle. Sorry to take up your time." Wingston replied apologetically.

"Don't mention it." Twilight replied walking back into the Golden Oakes Library.

"How did you spend looking for them again?" Wingston asked sarcastically.

"How was I supposed to know she had them?" I whispered.

"Did you ever think to ask?" Wingston asked.

"Just ask if they just happened to have the Elements of Harmony sitting around?" I hissed.

"I just did. If your father had sent me I would have had this done by now." Wingston said.

"How would you carry them back? You plan on carrying them on those two claws you call legs?" I asked sarcastically.

"I would have brought a dim witted young prince to carry it like a mule!" Wingston snapped.

Before I could come up with a real zinger Twilight and Spike reemerged from the Golden Oakes Library.

"Is that everything on the list Spike?" Twilight asked.

"Triple checked it. We're all set!" Spike declared rolling up a long piece of parchment.

"We got all the plates and cups for the picnic." Twilight announced proudly striding over to us with a saddle bag on her back.

"I'll bring Wingston." I said.

"You'll do what?" Wingston asked looking up at me.

"You're not walking all the way over there without help." I said defiantly.

"I am perfectly capable of getting around without your help." Wingston said pushing me to the side with cane.

"Wingston you have walked a very long way to get here. I think it would be best to have a ride." Twilight said agreeing with me.

"No, I'm cool." Wingston replied.

"I'm carrying you." I declared lowering myself to the ground.

Wingston sighed in defeat and climb onto my back. He sat comfortably without bursting into flames.

"I wish I could ride a Flame Pony." Spike muttered sadly.

"Of course you can. You're a dragon. A Flame Pony's flames cannot hurt a dragon." Wingston said motioning him to climb on.

"Really? Wow! Can I Twilight? Can I ride the Flame Pony?" Spike asked pleadingly.

"You're supposed to help me carry all the plates and cups." Twilight said.

"Please Twilight! Please!" Spike begged putting his claws together.

"If it's okay with Smolder." Twilight said with a sigh.

"Of course it is, down Smolder." Wingston commanded.

I lowered myself once more allowing Spike to climb aboard.

"We should stop by Rarity's to invite her to our picnic." Twilight said.

"Mush!" Spike cried kicking his heels into my sides.

I looked over my shoulder to see Wingston pointing forward. I should have let him walk. I trotted after Twilight to entertain Spike who seemed to be having a blast. Wingston seemed to enjoy Spike's enthusiasm and insisted that I go faster for the little dragon.

We made our way to Rarity's place. Once more I had to stand outside while Twilight took the hard part of entering. Just from the outside we could see several different spools of cloth and mannequins flying past her windows. Eventually it stopped and Twilight reemerged with Rarity behind her.

"Twilight has graciously invited me to a picnic with you all. I must say I am feeling quite famished but I have so much work ahead of me I have to keep up my strength if I'm ever going to get it done in a timely manner." Rarity said whipping her hair back.

"You have no idea how it's made do you?" Wingston asked.

"No! It is so simple in design but the layers and thread count is so incredibly high that I can't make heads or tails of what sort of materials they used!" Rarity cried holding her hoof to her face.

"You'll figure it out Rarity! You can do anything." Spike said lovingly.

"Oh thank you Spike. That's very kind of you to say." Rarity said throwing him a smile.

Spike sighed deeply lying down on my back.

We crossed over to the meadows near Sweet Apple Acres where we caught up with Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy and Applejack who had brought two baskets full of food and sweets. Together we headed towards the old tree. That is when Rainbow Dash poked her head out from a cloud and flew down to greet us.

"Are we having a picnic?" Rainbow Dash asked excitedly.

"We're heading to the old tree in the meadow." Applejack replied.

"What's the occasion?" Rainbow Dash asked curiously.

"Smolder has a friend visiting him from the Ashen Fields." Fluttershy said softly.

"Is it another Flame Pony?" Rainbow Dash asked excitedly looking over every pony.

Rainbow Dash saw Wingston on my back and she looked perplexed by him.

"Is that his friend?" Rainbow Dash asked curiously.

"Rainbow! Don't be rude." Twilight said.

"But what is it?" Rainbow Dash asked walking over to me.

"This is Wingston." I said introducing him.

"How are you sitting on a Flame Pony without getting burned?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"Magic." Wingston replied waving his long fingers in front of her.

"Psh, yeah right… seriously? You're kidding me, right?" Rainbow Dash asked curiously.

"I have been known to turn ponies into frogs, cast spells that remove pegasi wings and make ponies go bald." Wingston declared raising his staff over his head.

Rainbow Dash yelped jumping backwards from Wingston.

"Hey, we're cool! Any friend of Matchstick is a pal of mine. Right, Matchstick? Tell him how Applejack and I helped you on your first day in Ponyville. Tell him I helped you train for the race." Rainbow Dash said backing away slowly.

"Why does she call you Matchstick?" Wingston asked curiously.

"It's just a nickname." I replied.

"I suppose I can let you go with a warning Dashing Rainbow." Wingston declared.

"It's Rainbow Dash." Rainbow Dash corrected.

"Sure, sure. Let's hurry up and get there I'm hungry." Wingston said signaling Spike to kick his heels into my side once more.

"Hey! I like this Wingston dude." Applejack said following us to the tree.

We eventually reached the old tree. It was fortunate for me that a path led up to it and the area around the tree was slightly barren of grass. Fluttershy laid out the picnic blanket on the grass while I sat down on the dirt in the shade of tree. Wingston climbed down and chose to sit with me. Spike on the other hoof came rushing over to the picnic blanket rubbing his stomach. Rarity help set out all the plates and cups while Applejack and Pinkie Pie prepared the food. Twilight helped organize the space on the picnic blanket while Rainbow Dash circled the picnic blanket from above.

"Alright every pony, come and get it!" Twilight shouted.

Fluttershy was kind enough to bring Wingston and I a plate of food. We sat eating apple pie, caramel apples, chocolate cake, cupcakes and apples. We drank cider to wash it all down and went right back to eating.

Pinkie Pie told the story of the race between Hotshot McFlash and I to Wingston using Rainbow Dash to act out the speed of how fast were moving and having Fluttershy provide detailed points of the race. I'm unsure how Pinkie Pie was able to imitate swimming without the water but she was very convincing.

Spike begged me to tell of how I fought the Queen of Spiders in the forest. Before I could politely decline, Rainbow Dash and Applejack both seemed to be interested in it as well. I spent some time describing things from my point of view, knowing that Zecora had probably had not seem much of it from the hole. I spoke of how I went looking for boulders to build a house for myself, how I met Zecora, how we used Dragon Powder to blow up the Queen and how I took a nap and did not faint in front of Princess Luna and Princess Celestia.

When I had finished that story, I was asked to recount my mission to the mountains near the Everfree Forest with Shining Armor, Nightshade, Cosmic and Peanut. Which did take more time to tell because no pony knew what had happened in the cave, except for Twilight and Spike; Shining Armor had told them a day before.

The hard part of telling this story was acting it out. Pinkie Pie had done such an amazing job with retelling the race that my attempts to crawl like a spider seemed sub-par at best. I was able to imitate Shining Armor's stern look quite well and the way he commanded ponies with authority. I toned down the fire breathing greatly to just wisps of flames to ensure I didn't set the only tree in the meadow on fire by mistake. Imitating the Queen falling into the pit was difficult but I think tripping over an exposed root made it look more real.

I soon came to realize that I was having fun. That it felt normal being around these ponies and it felt natural speaking to them. We all settled down to watch Rainbow Dash show off some of her newest moves she had come up with. Streaking across the sky trying to leave a trail of rainbows long enough to spell out her own name and she came very close.

"Hey Fireball." Spike said walking over to me.

"Hey Spike." I replied.

"I was wondering if you could give me some pointers on how to breathe fire?" Spike asked tapping his claws together.

"Sure he can." Wingston answered for me nudging me with his staff.

"Really?" Spike asked excited.

"I suppose we could. Just some where a little further away from the other ponies." I said looking around.

"I know a spot just over there! It's got a nice little patch of dirt you can stand on so you don't burn anything!" Spike said taking my hoof and pulling me.

"Alright, I'm coming. Wingston, will you be alright?" I asked looking over my shoulder.

"You're not my supervisor." Wingston replied waving his hand for me to go.

I followed Spike down the dirt road, mentioning to Twilight that I was going to give Spike a few tips on breathing fire. Twilight told Spike to be careful and to take notes on what I would be teaching him. Surprisingly Spike already had a feather and parchment ready to go.

"Come on, Fireball!" Spike said pulling on my hoof once more.

Wingston limped over to the picnic blanket. Sitting between Applejack and Twilight who offered him another cupcake; Wingston took it right away.

"So you and Smolder have known each other for a long time, I reckon." Applejack said.

"Since the day he was born." Wingston replied stuffing the cupcake under the cloth covering his mouth.

"That's a really long time." Fluttershy said.

"So what was Matchstick like as a filly?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"He questioned everything. Like most small ponies do. He spent a lot of his time with his brothers." Wingston said grabbing another cupcake.

"I didn't know Smolder had siblings." Twilight said surprised.

"He has two twin older brothers, Wick and Pyre. He used to follow them around all the time when he was young." Wingston explained.

"I can't tell you how many times I've almost tripped over Sweetie Belle trying to follow me around. She is almost like a second shadow whenever she comes to visit." Rarity said.

"Apple Bloom is the same way, I can't go anywhere without her tagging along right behind me it seems." Applejack said.

"I used to be that way with Shining Armor, I still feel like I follow him around sometimes when we meet up at the Royal Castle or the Crystal Kingdom. I guess you just never grow out of wanting to hang with your older siblings." Twilight remarked.

"Smolder would do things to try and impress his brothers. Sometimes he would get hurt but it never stopped him from trying to get their attention." Wingston said.

"Sounds like you kept a pretty close eye on him." Pinkie Pie said giving him another cupcake.

"Smolder never knew his mother or his father for that matter. All he had was his brothers. I took it upon myself to teach him to read and write." Wingston replied.

"That's hard on a filly." Applejack said sympathetically.

"Eventually Smolder's brothers became more interested in power and strength. Deciding to ignore Smolder's attempts to impress them and tease him for being so gentle." Wingston said.

"What an awful thing to do to a filly." Fluttershy said with a soft gasp.

"It never got to Smolder, never. I wouldn't let him believe that being gentle was a weakness. I told him his mother was gentle and I think it made him happy to know he shared something with her." Wingston said with a sigh.

There was a sudden bright green light that came from the hilltop; Spike was jumping up and down with excitement.

"It looks like Spike learned something today." Twilight said with smile.

"Way to go Spike!" Rainbow Dash cheered.

On the hilltop Spike waved back.

Spike had practiced his breathing with much enthusiasm. So much so that he nearly passed out several times attempting to do it. I had to assure him that breathing fire relied more on the internalization of a pony's fire rather than the actual act; or dragon.

Spike took several notes on this, copying it down word for word.

It took several failed attempt for me to realize I was attempting to help Spike breathe fire like a Flame Pony. Spike did not stand on all four limbs, so his posture would be different. A Flame Pony rears back to breathe deep, Spike was already one step ahead. I changed to his posture to better suit a dragon standing on two legs and much to my surprise Spike got it on his first try.

"That was amazing!" Spike declared.

"For such a little dragon I'm impressed." I replied.

"Do you think I can do it again?" Spike asked excitedly.

"I'm not sure little dragons have the ability to do that more than twice." I said scratching my chin.

"Just because I'm little doesn't make me a push over." Spike said crossing his arms.

"I literally meant your size. A dragon your size can only generate so much fire before you need to rest and recover some of your strength." I explained placing my hoof on Spike's head.

"But I feel fine!" Spike remarked.

"I will share some advice Wingston gave me when I first learned how to breathe fire." I said.

"What did he say?" Spike asked curiously.

"Your first breath should always be used to talk things over. Your second breath should be used to end things peacefully." I said.

"What about the third breath?" Spike asked.

"Hopefully you won't have to take that third breath." I replied.

"Oh. I guess you only have to take that third breath if you couldn't find a peaceful solution, huh?" Spike asked.

"It's about trying to use a power more effective then fire. The power to reach a pony with words." I explained patting Spike on the back.

"Wingston told you all that?" Spike asked curiously.

"Not in so many words. I had to figure it out for myself, but I wanted to cut you some slack seeing as we're friends." I said with a smile.

"What else did Wingston teach you?" Spike asked seeming interested.

"Never eat rocks." I said simply with a smile.

"Never eat rocks?" Spike asked sounding confused.

"Just something Wingston said to me when I had an upset stomach." I said with a laugh.

"You ate rocks?" Spike asked surprised.

"Don't go telling any pony about this." I said pointing my hoof at him.

After sometime discussing the finer points of forming a solid fireball, Spike and I returned to the picnic. Spike had spent much of his energy trying to master the fireball technique in twenty minutes and decided that we should take a break. I carried him back to Twilight but not before he had fallen asleep.

That evening Wingston and I sat by the riverbed knocking rocks into the water. Wingston was capable of throwing the stones in a way that caused skip across the top of the water. To my dismay I could not get any of the rocks to skip even once. I could feel Wingston smirking beneath his cloth.

"Twilight had the Elements of Harmony all this time." I mumbled.

"Seems meaningless now doesn't it?" Wingston replied.

"With the Summit almost here it does feel that way." I said.

"You have met some very kind ponies here, Smolder." Wingston said skipping another rock.

"Probably the kindest ponies in all of Equestria." I said throwing a rock and watching it splash into the water.

Wingston threw two stones at the same time and I watched as they skipped across the river.

"What are you really doing here, Wingston?" I asked curiously.

"I told you I wanted to see my friend." Wingston replied.

"For what reason?" I asked.

Wingston looked up at me. I could tell just from his eyes it was not good news.

"Your father is becoming impatient. The amount of fire he has been leeching from our Flame Ponies has increased. Even the fillies are starting to be effected by it." Wingston whispered.

"Have you tried reasoning with him?" I asked quietly.

"Words are no longer satisfying him my young prince. I cannot stall him with promises for much longer." Wingston explained.

I could feel my chest tightening. My mane flared.

"Princess Celestia has promised us support at the Summit, Wingston." I said hopefully.

"Your father will return with unimaginable hate. His wrath fueling his fire, seeking to cover all of Equestria in fire once more; the Summit will be too late." Wingston said.

"We cannot tell Princess Celestia of this, Wingston." I said.

"It is the only way this ends without ponies getting hurt, Smolder." Wingston explained.

"What about Wick and Pyre? He will hurt them!" I replied.

"Your brothers are the cause of his return. The Twins have allowed your father to leech their fire to strengthen him and allowed him to do it to every Flame Pony. They have chosen a side, Smolder. You must do the same." Wingston declared.

"Don't ask me to give up my family, Wingston." I said bitterly.

"Losing two brothers are a small price to pay if it saves hundreds of ponies from your father's fire. At least they will pay for their crimes and be pulled into the Void with your father." Wingston said.

"I can't do that, Wingston." I replied.

"They are destroying the lives of every Flame Pony in the Ashen Fields! Not telling Princess Celestia will only make you accountable, Smolder. You can prevent this." Wingston said striking his staff onto the riverbank.

"They are still my brothers, Wingston!" I snapped.

"Brothers that could care less about you!" Wingston hollered back.

"They're all I have left!" I shouted kicking several rocks into the river.

I got to my hooves pacing along the edge of the river. My mane flaring all the while.

"Your father was lost long ago. There is nothing left to save Smolder." Wingston said sadly.

I stopped pacing. Sighing deeply I sat near the water's edge and stared at my reflection.

"Your mother ignored my warnings of the mirror when she entered that Void in her grief." Wingston continued.

"Everything that you have been trying to achieve is now in jeopardy." Wingston said getting to his claws.

My heart ached at these words. I could feel stomach churn.

"Listen to me." Wingston said calmly limping up next to me.

"You have the chance to save our Flame Ponies from a lifetime of misery and loneliness. Do not hold on to a family you've never known, Smolder. For they were not there for when you needed them most, so do not let them influence you when you stand to gain the most." Wingston said encouragingly.

I took a deep breath, closing my eyes and exhaling slowly.

"No more lies, and no more secrets my young prince. Do not burden yourself with the sins of your father. Become your own pony. "Wingston whispered to me.

I could feel myself calming down. Wingston patted my shoulder reassuringly.

"You were mistaken about my father, Wingston." I said.

"How so?" Wingston asked.

"My father taught me to never eat rocks." I said tapping my hooves together.

For the first time, in a very long time, I got to hear Wingston laugh. A smile came across my face hearing this. We stood at the river's edge staring out towards the mountains.

"You haven't lost your sense of humor after all." Wingston remarked wiping his eyes.

"That wasn't a joke." I said feeling embarrassed.

"I know." Wingston said wiping his long fingers against his chest.

A fish jumped out of the water attempting to splash me like it did when I first arrived but Wingston batted it away with his staff.

"So what's the plan?" Wingston asked curiously.

I thought for a moment.

"We're going to steal the Elements of Harmony." I said stomping my foot down decisively.

"Alright how do- wait what?" Wingston asked looking puzzled.