Chapter 8
Elemental My Dear Flareon
It was a dark, stormy night in Ponyville. Flareon was reading 'The History of the Elemental Warriors' while sitting near their desk. Lightning flashed in the sky and thunder could be heard in the distance. As Flareon finished reading another page, he leaned back in his chair. "Wow...I'm sure glad Princess Celestia let me borrow this book. I can't believe how awesome the Elemental Warriors were, especially Nova. He was a true hero. I wish I could meet them." Soon after, Flareon heard someone come upstairs. As he turned his head, he saw Twilight.
"You still reading that book?" Twilight asked, "You really seem to like it."
"You got that right!" Flareon replied, "This book is absolutely amazing. Just everything about the Elemental Warriors is so interesting. Wouldn't it be awesome if I could meet them somehow?" Twilight immediately began to laugh.
"The only way you could meet the Elemental Warriors is if you traveled back in time 10,000 years," Twilight said, "Me and Spike are playing cards. Once you're done, come join us ok?" A few seconds later, she went back downstairs, and Flareon went back to reading the book. The clock on the wall just turned to 9pm. He then closed his eyes and imagined meeting Nova and the Elemental Warriors. At that moment, lightning flashed again and was quickly followed by a roaring thunder boom. It was so loud that Flareon was startled and accidentally shot a fireball directly at the open book. Instead of catching on fire, the book began to glow.
"What is going on?" Flareon said, "Why is it glowing?" As Flareon moved his right hoof closer to the book, he suddenly began to get sucked into it. Flareon tried to pull his hoof out, but it was no use. Soon after, Flareon was completely absorbed into the book, which quickly closed shut. Later on, Flareon began to regain consciousness. As he got up, Flareon soon realized he wasn't in Golden Oak Library anymore, or even Ponyville. As he looked around, Flareon noticed the landscape looked more like a battlefield. It seemed like a war was taking place. He also noticed the sky was completely black. There was night a single star in sight. Suddenly, he heard a voice from behind him.
"Ah...Commander Nova! I see you arrived here early," the voice said. As Flareon quickly turned around, he saw a group of ponies standing in front of him. They appeared to be wearing some type of armor. "Wait a minute...did you shave recently?" the pony in front said, "I have to say...I like the new look. You somehow appear shorter than I remember, but never mind that, where would you like us to go this time? Fort Iron Hoof or Fort Silver Wing?" Flareon didn't know how to react. Did this pony just call him Nova? What was Fort Iron Hoof and Silver Wing? What in the world was going on? Where was he?"
Um...I guess...maybe Fort Iron Hoof?" Flareon replied while still confused.
"Very well Commander Nova. We will make haste for Fort Iron Hoof right away!" the leader exclaimed as he turned to face his soldiers, "Come on guys! We can't let our commander down!" Flareon could only watch as the group of ponies quickly ran past him and off into the distance.
"Why did that pony call me Nova?" Flareon said as he was still trying to figure out what was going on, "What happened to Golden Oak Library? Where is Ponyville? All I remember was sitting in our room and reading 'The History of the Elemental Warriors' when I heard thunder outside and accidently shot a fireball at the book after I was startled. The book began to glow and I got sucked into it." Suddenly, it struck Flareon. "Wait...no, it can't be! Did I travel back in time? That's ridiculous! How is that even possible?!" Sadly for Flareon, he didn't have time to dwell on his current situation as he began to hear voices again. As Flareon turned around, he saw a group of six ponies walking towards him while talking to each other. They all seemed to be alicorns, just like him. After closer inspection, the pony in the middle looked exactly like him. "Wait a moment! Is that...Nova? Then that must mean those others are Bolt, Aqua, Gale, Onyx, and Crystal! The Elemental Warriors!" Flareon exclaimed. "Then it is true! I somehow managed to travel back in time 10,000 years! Well as long as I'm here, I might as well take this opportunity." Soon after, Flareon began to run towards them. Meanwhile, the Elemental Warriors were in a deep conversation.
"Crystal, how are the troops in Fort Razorback doing?" Nova asked, "Do they need any backup?"
"No, they are fine at the moment. They managed to force Maximus to retreat. However, they did suffer some casualties. I sent for a small healing team to their location," Crystal replied.
"I understand. Good work Crystal," Nova said. He then turned to Bolt. "What about Princess Estellise? How is Canterlot holding up?"
"No problem at all! Some dragons tried to attack Canterlot, but they were easily defeated. Seriously though, I don't know why Alexei bothered to sent those weaklings to the most protected stronghold we have! I think he may be losing his touch and getting desperate!" Bolt exclaimed.
"Why don't you get it Bolt?" Gale replied, "Alexei can create a limitless amount shadow dragons. He sent them to Canterlot knowing full well they would be defeated. He is such a heartless bastard!"
"Any word on Discord?" Nova asked.
"Fort Echo was recently destroyed by Discord who was accompanied by some dragons," Onyx replied, "There were no survivors."
"I see...that was a tough loss, but we must move on," Nova said, "It's been 20 years since the Dark Ages begun. I swear...the light from the sun will return to Equestria! After all...I made a promise to her." At that moment, everyone became silent as Nova stopped to look in the dark sky. Suddenly, they heard the sound of hooves approaching and saw Flareon running towards them.
As Flareon tried to catch his breath, he said, "I can't believe I finally get to meet the Elemental Warriors! Hi, my name is Flareon, and I'm a huge fan! I mean seriously, you guys are the greatest heroes Equestria has ever had! The way you beat Alexei and put an end to the Dark Ages was simply a masterpiece! I was wondering...maybe...I could get your autographs?" A few seconds later, Flareon found himself face-first on the ground, while Nova was on top of him and holding Flareon's right hoof behind his head. Nova was yelling threats at him while the other Elemental Warriors had Flareon surrounded.
"Who are you and why are you here!" Nova yelled, "What happened to the group of soldiers that were supposed to meet us here?!"
"I sent them to Fort Iron Hoof!" Flareon replied.
"Who gave you that authority?!" Nova yelled, "Are you working for Alexei? Are you a dragon in disguise? Did you send for dragons to ambush them?!"
"No! I'm not working for Alexei...I swear! The leader of that group mistook me for you and I just...sent them to one of the forts! Please...I'm on your side! I'm...from the future!" Flareon replied. At that moment, the Elemental Warriors went silent.
"What do you mean? You're from the future?" Crystal said. Suddenly, Nova spotted Flareon's cutie mark.
"You have the same cutie mark as me," Nova muttered.
"Oy Nova! So...what are we going to do with him?" Onyx asked. As Nova got off Flareon, he then held out his right hoof and helped Flareon back up.
"You said your name is Flareon and that you're from the future right?" Nova asked, "Since you have the same cutie mark as me, I'm guessing you have control of the fire element?"
"Yeah...I do," Flareon replied. As Nova began to ponder, Bolt's patience was wearing thin.
"Nova...are you seriously going to trust this kid?" Bolt said, "I know he kind of looks like you, but really...from the future? I don't buy that one bit! This is obviously a trap set by Alexei to trick us!" Nova then held up his right hoof to silence Bolt and looked at Flareon.
"Flareon, we're going to take you to Canterlot to meet with Princess Estellise. If you are who you say you are, then this shouldn't be a problem. I'll have you know, if this is some sort of trick Alexei has set up, we won't hesitate to kill you...understand?" Nova said with a serious tone. Right away, Flareon knew this was no simple vacation, he had to be very careful if he wanted to return back home to present Equestria.
"I understand," Flareon replied.
Nova nodded his head and said, "Very well...come on guys. We're going to Canterlot. Soon after, the Elemental Warriors spread out their wings. Nova looked at Flareon and smiled. "We'll be flying to Canterlot at max speed. Hey kid...will that be a problem for you?" Flareon spread out his wings and laughed.
"Not at all! Hopefully, the famous Elemental Warriors are as fast as they are strong!" Flareon exclaimed. A few seconds later, everyone took flight high into the air, and quickly headed for Canterlot. About an hour later, they finally arrived at Canterlot, but it wasn't the pearly white, glowing capital of Equestria Flareon remembered. Instead of a city, it was more like a large town that was very heavily defended. There was a giant stone wall going around the entire town, while ponies stood guard on top of the wall towers. Inside the town, there were a bunch of different sized tents everywhere. Instead of the Canterlot Castle, there was a large tent in its place, which was Flareon, Nova, and the Elemental Warriors landed down at. Soon after, Nova asked one of the guards standing near the tent to go get Princess Estellise. The Elemental Warriors then entered the tent and Flareon followed after them. When he got inside, Flareon saw a large desk in the middle of the room with chairs lined up around it. In the middle of the desk was a large map of Equestria that had small pony and dragon figures positioned all around on it. The Elemental Warriors quickly sat down in the chair. Nova then pointed to a chair besides him and signaled for Flareon to sit near him. As Flareon was walking over to Nova, he turned his head to a table and saw a picture of Nova with another pony standing besides him, and after closer inspection, Flareon noticed it was a female alicorn. They were both smiling happily. Flareon then sat down in the chair near Nova. Eventually, the tent opened again, and Princess Estellise entered the room. Flareon was absolutely amazed. There was no doubt about it, she was gorgeous. The aurora emulating from her was breathtaking. Just by her presence Flareon felt a warm, calm feeling. He then noticed something shocking. Princess Estellise's crown looked exactly like Princess Celestia's crown. Could it be possible Celestia's crown was 10,000 years old? As she sat down in the head chair between Nova and Bolt, Estellise began to speak.
"Nova, Bolt, Aqua, Gale, Onyx, and Crystal, I'm glad to see that all of you are doing ok." She then spotted Flareon and smiled, "Oh...excuse me. I'm afraid I've never met you before. Nova...is this pony the reason you called me here?"
"Yes Princess Estellise. I'm sorry for disturbing you, but this was an urgent matter. This pony is...well...I think it would be better if he would explain," Nova replied. As everyone looked at Flareon, he took a deep breath and began to tell them everything.
"My name is Flareon and I'm from the future...10,000 years to be exact. I somehow traveled back in time through a book I was reading called 'The History of the Elemental Warriors.' It started to glow after I accidently shot a fireball at it and it dragged me into it. I also used to be a human. I awoke in Equestria about a year ago and realized I became a pony. After meeting Princess Celestia, the current princess of Equestria, I learned of an ancient prophecy saying I was the 'chosen one' destined to defeat Alexei once and for all. After the Elemental Warriors, you guys, sealed Alexei and turned him into a stone statue using some type of seal formation, it was thought he would never be return, but after Discord broke free from his seal, he tricked me into unlocking the seal on Alexei's statue. It's my fault Alexei was revived, but I swear...I will defeat him!" Flareon exclaimed. After he stopped speaking, it wasn't a surprise to him that everyone was at a lose for words.
"What prophecy do you speak of Flareon?" Estellise asked. Flareon was baffled at what she just said. Didn't Princess Celestia tell him it was Princess Estellise who made the prophecy?
"The one you made Princess Estellise! Remember? The prophecy saying I was the chosen one and that I had to marry one who possessed an element of harmony who will bear the new future Princess of Equestria!" Flareon replied. Unfortunately, Princess Estellise was still confused.
"I'm sorry Flareon, but I do not know what prophecy you speak of," Estellise said, "Are you sure it was me?" Flareon couldn't believe what he was hearing. Princess Estellise wasn't the creator of the prophecy? If it wasn't her, then who was it? Who made the prophecy?! At that moment, it suddenly struck him, though it took awhile for Flareon to be able to speak as it was such a shock.
"It was...me! I was the creator of the prophecy!' Flareon exclaimed. As he looked at everyone's confused faces, Flareon began to laugh. "Don't you guys see...the fact that the prophecy doesn't exist yet is because I was the one who told Princess Estellise about it. I went back in time, I told Estellise the prophecy, and she is the one who puts in on the five tablets, and that it how I learned of it from Princess Celestia in the future! Wow...talk about mind blown!"
"Is your mind ok Flareon?" Gale asked.
"Yeah...it's fine, it's just a figure of speech...sorry," Flareon replied. He then looked at Princess Estellise. "Can you do some favors for me?"
Estellise smiled and said, "Sure Flareon...anything!"
"Ok...I need you to record the prophecy I just told you about onto five stone tablets and put them in a secret room behind your throne after the Canterlot Castle is built. Also...I need to you to put a time travel spell on the book called 'The History of the Elemental Warriors' so that I'll be able to travel back here in the future. Make sure that the spell is activated by fire magic making contact with the book and have the spell last for three hours. I think...I'm missing something though, but what?" Flareon said. Princess Estellise then put a ragged book onto the table.
"I recently found this book in an old, burnt-down library. Contained within it is the instructions of a seal called the Hexagon Seal Formation. It says that it can seal even the most monstrous forms of evil into the form of a stone statue," Estellise replied.
"That's it! That's the seal the Elemental Warriors use to seal Discord and Alexei!" Flareon yelled. "Princess Estellise...can you please record the information in that book into a new book? I think it may come in handy in the future."
Estellise smiled and replied, "Yes...of course, you can't count on me! Do you have any more questions?"
"I was wondering...in that picture on the table with Nova...who is that female alicorn that is standing by him? How come she isn't here? Is she in another town or fort?" Flareon asked. At that moment, everyone suddenly looked down in silence. Right away, just by looking at their faces and reactions, he could tell something happened to her. "I'm sorry. It's ok if you don't want to talk about it...I understand."
Nova then looked at him and said, "No...it's ok. I don't mind talking about her. You see Flareon...the alicorn in that picture used to be my wife. Her name was Solange and she was the daughter of Princess Estellise. Solange was also the Princess of Equestria. She was graceful, majestic, kind, caring, and did everything in her power to help everyone. Five years ago, Solange was stationed at a town and was in charge of healing the wounded. She was the leader of the healing squads. Solange was healing ponies nonstop for three days straight without any rest when suddenly, Alexei attacked the town she was stationed at. I immediately rushed there and tried to help her escape, but then Alexei shot a giant fireball towards us. I tried to pick her up, but I was too weak after the hard battle I had just been through. After I refused Solange's request to leave her and escape, Solange used the last amount of magic she had left and pushed me away. A few seconds later, she was...gone. Solange sacrificed herself to protect me. There's not a single day that goes by that I wish I could have saved her. That's why...we will use that Hexagon Seal Formation and seal Alexei. We will bring back the sun because I made a promise to Solange! That's why Flareon...I want you to promise me you will defeat Alexei in the future!"
Flareon smiled and replied, "I promise!" He then looked at the clock and noticed it had been nearly three hours since he arrived in the past. "Well guys...my time here is almost up." As Flareon got off the chair, he walked outside the tent, and was soon followed by everyone. After they got outside, the space around Flareon was becoming distorted. The time travel spell was beginning to wear off. Nova then walked over to him and they shared a brohoof.
"Take care Flareon! Do me a favor and kick Alexei's behind for me ok?" Nova said.
Flareon laughed and replied, "You bet!"
"I will start putting the prophecy on five stone tablets right away," Estellise said, "Not to mention writing that book called 'The History of the Elemental Warriors' and putting that fire-activated time travel spell on it. I will pray for your safety.
"Meanwhile, we will study the Hexagon Seal Formation in that book. Discord and Alexei will never see it coming!" Bolt exclaimed.
As everyone said there goodbyes, Flareon was quickly dragged into a portal that opened up behind him and soon after, he was gone. The next moment, Flareon saw their room come into view as he was quickly thrown from the book and landed face-first onto the floor. As Flareon got up, he looked around and noticed he was back inside their room in Golden Oak Library. Flareon had finally returned to the present time. When he looked at the clock on the wall, Flareon was surprised to learn that it was still 9pm. Even though he had spent three hours in the past, time in the present had been frozen during that period. Soon after, Flareon heard someone running up the stairs. As he turned his head, Flareon saw a worried Twilight.
"Flareon...are you ok?!" she yelled, "I heard a loud, crashing noise!"
As Flareon got up, he smiled and replied, "Sorry, I just um...fell out of my chair after I titled it too far back, my bad." Flareon then walked to Twilight. "I've finished reading, so how about I join you and Spike ok?" Even though Twilight wanted to ask Flareon why he looked so happy, she decided not to ask, and followed him back downstairs. As Flareon sat down beside Twilight, Spike, and Solana who was playing with her toys, he remembered the promise he made to Nova. Not only was Flareon set on defeating Alexei for Nova and Solange, he was going to do it to protect his family and everyone in Equestria, past and present.