The morning cast its first beams as birds began their singing routine. The few ponies who inhabited Fallen started to trot out of their homes to carry on with their daily lives. One specific pony however, kept inside his bed, already awaken but wondering what kind of mission or quest he was about to embark on.
Flame Trail: I absolutely have no idea about what the Elder Altar hides and it certainly won't be easy to retrieve whatever is inside that building. But I won't let difficult take the best of me, after all, I am not the kind of pony that backs down.
While anxious about getting into the Elder Altar, Flame felt both determination and courage running through his veins igniting his heart and lifting up his spirits. As he felt the energy circulating inside his body, the Pegasus remembered the times when he was just an isolated individual and an "alien" to other ponies. Many of those ponies would fear to come nearby him and often times even cross the street whenever they spotted the fiery colt. The only ones who cared about him were his teachers, the ones who taught Flame to become a stallion moved by wisdom and logic, and not by emotions and illusions such as friendship.
Flame Trail: I can still remember… My first day at school…
- Fallen, 7 years ago -
The wind blew through the beautiful forest that surrounded the small and quite peaceful village of Fallen. Many critters were on their daily basis, such as gathering food and building nests, and as those creatures carried on, two ponies trotted over the rather "dormant" village. They appeared to be taking some sort of tour.
Unknown: And that's where you should buy materials for your experiments and projects.
Said an old dark-grey coated unicorn with black straight short mane and tail. His red eyes were the kind of thing that made him a remarkable pony. As he spoke, a juvenile Pegasus who was at his side listened to every single word with attention.
Flame Trail: I'll keep that in mind… Oh, and by the way, thank you for showing me the village. The ponies around here don't even have "guts" to talk to me.
Unknown: That's why I'm here. But let's leave the thanking for another time; we're almost late for your first day at school.
Flame Trail: Do I really have to go? Why can't I learn from my house?
Unknown: Listen Flame, I know you might dislike the ones around here, but you need to go to school. It's not like the same thing as reading a book, you got to practice and put the theories out of the paper! Besides, more isolation could give you additional problems. You don't want to end up like an obsessed psychotic reader, do you?
Flame Trail: I guess so… If that's for the best, then let's not waste any more time. I can't learn everything all by myself anyways… What's not to like about having colleagues?
Unknown: I'm so glad that you are cooperative, Flame. Many foals would escape from school at the first opportunity they get. Now please, follow me and we'll get there as quick as possible.
Flame Trail: I am already following you, sir.
Unknown: Good. Let's go that way, into the forest.
As the unicorn said, both he and the little Pegasus began trotting towards the wide forest that lay just ahead of them. While ambling through the woods, the two ponies discussed along the way about their future and their objectives in life.
Unknown: Well, allow me recount you something about me, Flame. I had been for so long the top of the excellent scholars in magic back at my academy. The experiments I conducted were way too complicated for "common" unicorns to understand. The spells some labeled as "hard" were as clear as crystal to me. Knowing about my potential, the subjects nopony cared about turned to be my priority, after all, I wanted to test my limits. I then began searching for a spell that no one has ever pulled off, and that's when I came across a book about "resurrection and life after death". When I first read it, I knew it, I had to cast the spell of resurrection and bring a dead one back to life. Unfortunately, the instructions for the spell included gathering extremely rare materials that you'd be lucky to find a sample of them. I started to pick up the ingredients from the extensive list the book had, but I never could finish gathering everything I needed. I never gave up nonetheless; even now when I'm an aged individual I still continue my search for the limited ingredients. I know that it is a difficult task, but I won't just forget about it until I complete the spell.
Flame Trail: That's worth striving for. I always wondered why you regularly travelled to far away cities and locations. I hope that you can fulfill your dreams and finally accomplish your goals. A dead pony returning to life would be something amazing to see.
Unknown: I appreciate your support, my little pony. But the one who truly needs a hoof on his shoulder is you, Flame Trail. You just don't know it yet, but you'll play an important role on our destinies. Likewise, you also don't know about the power that has been given to you.
Flame Trail: What role? Don't tell me you're gonna force me to pursue a politician's career. And most importantly, what kind of power are you talking about?
Unknown: That is why, Flame, we send our children to schools; so they can learn about their abilities and know which path to take in their adult lives. The schools don't teach us only about ordinary Math neither about events from the past, but they also focus in our own discovery, which is something we should seek alone. Oh, and speaking of that, we've just arrived.
As the greyish unicorn finished his rather "motivational" speech, he pointed out a hoof towards what appeared to be a way out of the dense forest. Upon approaching the exit, both of the wandering ponies saw a large building made up with cobblestone and wood planks. On the top of the construction there was a black flag containing an orange feather in the center. As the old unicorn and the young Pegasus trotted out of the forest and then in the direction of the supposed school, the elder pony reached for a saddlebag he was carrying since his little "expedition" with Flame Trail on Fallen and picked up a black leather hood, wearing it as quick as possible. After successfully putting it on, he reached for the saddlebag again to close it.
Flame Trail: May I ask you why is that you're wearing that hood?
Unknown: It's a long story; better not waste our time with it.
Flame Trail: If you say so…
The two came to a stop before entering the aforesaid building to see a large metal board nailed above the main entrance of the construction, now confirmed as a school as the two ponies read "School of Legends" on the sign.
Unknown: This is it, Flame. Stick with me and I'll introduce the school and your teachers. They'll be pleased to have you as their student, since they used to be my colleagues.
Flame Trail: Well, that's a good thing, isn't it?
Unknown: Sure it is! Now let's head inside, we have plenty to see and talk about today.
As the two entered the school, both of them saw three ponies coming along the main hall; all of them shared the same color scheme as the old unicorn beside the little foal, except for their eyes, which were colored differently from each other. As for a matter of race, all of them were unicorns.
Unknown 2: Good morning, Sparkling Ruby.
Said a mare whose eyes were as purple as an amethyst and her mane and tail combed in a "spiral-like" manner.
Sparkling Ruby: Good morning, Spiral Amethyst. I'm glad to see you again. I'm here to introduce you to your newest student, Flame Trail.
Spiral Amethyst: So, this is the one you've been talking about for months. I'm pleased to have you as my student, Flame Trail. I shall teach you a lot about magic from now on!
Flame Trail: Excuse me, but I don't know why you all keep talking about magic to a freaking Pegasus. I can't use magic in the first place!
Spiral Amethyst: Soon enough, you'll know what I'm talking about, little one. For now, meet your other teachers!
As the mare concluded, she pointed a hoof at a mare that was standing just a step from her. The eyes of this other mare were a deep blue along with her mane and tail being long and straight. In addition, she was wearing glasses.
Spiral Amethyst: This is your history teacher, Shining Sapphire.
Shining Sapphire: It is nice to meet you and I hope I'll be able to expand your knowledge on the Equestrian History. Here at the School of Legends, we got to visit a historical place every month!
Flame Trail: I am looking forward to it! I sure like history a lot.
As the young Pegasus ended his sentence, Spiral Amethyst pointed to another pony right next to her. In contrast to the previous teachers, this pony was a stallion and seemed to have the same age of Sparkling Ruby. His eyes were a bright green and his mane and tail similar to that of Sparkling's.
Spiral Amethyst: And this is your Chemistry Teacher, Stunning Emerald.
Stunning Emerald: It's a pleasure to meet you. Maybe I'll teach you how to make an invisibility potion someday!
Flame Trail: That would be something fascinating.
As the young one said, he noticed that all the teachers were using the same hood as Sparkling Ruby. This prompted the little colt to connect fragments and come to a conclusion.
Flame Trail: Sparkling, you are a teacher too, aren't you?
Sparkling Ruby: Not quite the kind of teacher you'd expect. I do work here, that's why I am needed to wear this hood, but I'm a different type of teacher, one who teaches ponies about things revolving around themselves rather than a unique and independent subject. This might sound ridiculous and in a way "nonsensical", but I'm the responsible for you until you develop yourself and become a full-grown pony. I not only intend to protect you, but I'm far more concerned about revealing your true self.
Flame Trail: Don't worry, Mr. Ruby. I'm able to defend myself even if you think I can't.
Sparkling Ruby: You might have an extraordinary power inside you, Flame. But I'm afraid that defending yourself isn't something you may wish to do now, since your full potential remains locked. Besides, your body is still of a child's, you're far too weak to face combat.
Flame Trail: My "full potential"? What kind of potential are you talking about?
Sparkling Ruby: Patience, little one. The truth shall be revealed in due time. Now, I want you to follow Spiral Amethyst, she'll present to you your magic classroom. You wouldn't want to miss your first lesson, would you?
Flame Trail: Fine then, I guess I'll have to wait until my questions are thoroughly answered.
Spiral Amethyst: Don't bother yourself with that, Flame. You just don't know how sooner your queries will be properly replied. Now, I may ask for you to come with me, I need to show you your lecture room.
As the mare finished, the little Pegasus nodded in response and began following the purple-eyed unicorn. As he trotted, the idea of the introduction being planned for him passed by his mind, however, he didn't resent at the thought. Both the unicorn and the young Pegasus kept on trotting through the hall until they reached a corridor. The mare slowly turned her head to the younger pony and calmly gestured for him to keep on following her. After they passed by four doors, the teacher came to a break at the one located nearby the end of the corridor, the little one still accompanying the unicorn. A sign above the door read: "Magic".
Spiral Amethyst: This is it, Flame. We've arrived at the magic classroom. Your first lesson is about to begin; you got to go inside and find a seat! Don't feel ashamed, just do it quickly!
As the mare ended, a purple aura surrounded both her horn and the door handle located next to her. Using her magic, the unicorn opened the door and told Flame Trail to enter the classroom. Not wasting a single second, the youthful colt trotted into the room and quickly began his search for an available seat. Fortunately for him, the class was only "half-filled" leaving lots of unoccupied chairs and reducing the pain that it was the first day at school. As fast as possible, the Pegasus chose a seat beside the windows and waited for the teacher to come in. Spiral Amethyst, who was still outside, in advance entered the classroom greeting her students.
Spiral Amethyst: Good morning, everypony! As you may have noticed, you have a new colleague. Please, welcome Flame Trail to our class!
As Spiral spoke, the mare pointed a hoof at the little Pegasus while the other students attempted to say a collective "welcome". Afterwards, the entire class fell into silence; perhaps trying to figure out what was a Pegasus doing in a school of unicorns.
Spiral Amethyst: Good everypony! Now please, pay attention to me while I introduce you to our new subject for our studies.
The mare finishing her sentence concentrated her magic on the tip of her horn and made a fireball appear. After a few moments or so, she used the flames from the orb to draw a phoenix into the air.
Spiral Amethyst: This is what you're going to learn during this semester.
With a quick move, the teacher retracted her magic making both the fireball and the phoenix disappear.
Spiral Amethyst: Fire manipulation, that is.
The class remained quiet while paying attention as Mrs. Amethyst explained the concepts of manipulative spells of fire.
Spiral Amethyst: Those kinds of spells were originally made by a group of ponies called "The Legendary Blazing Pegasi". Although they were from the Pegasus race, they could use magic thanks to pact made previously with an ancient powerful entity known only as "the flare". Upon being granted such power, those ponies not only were allowed to use magic, but as well as being able to speak in a language that has never had been spoken before. However, in exchange for that power, they were cursed having their bodies, with the exception of their reproductive organs, turned into the ones of a mare. This was a curse that covered the name "Pegasus" with shame, prompting the authorities to decide that it was for the best to forbid relationships with the Legendary Blazing Pegasi and isolate them. They were definitely afraid of being punished by being linked with pegasi that practiced magic. It wasn't long before nopony could ever find a Legendary Blazing Pegasus again; they seemed to have vanished from Equestria. It's said that the same entity who gave their powers believed it was certainly a good option to shorten their life-span so they couldn't abuse their potential. But, year after year, ponies began discovering descendants and even pure-blooded blazing pegasi, disproving many superstitions regarding them. There is a lot of history on them, but that you'll learn with Shining Sapphire. Now, make groups and I shall begin to teach you how to perform a basic fire manipulation spell.
After Spiral's small speech, every student in the classroom began forming the desired groups of the teacher's request. Everypony with the exception of a particular one had entered in a group. This exception being the young Pegasus, who sat almost glued to the windows nearby him. The teacher trotted over to the rather unamused colt to check what was supposedly bothering him.
Spiral Amethyst: What's the matter with you, Flame? Don't you want to join a group?
Flame Trail: No, it's just that I'm the only Pegasus here. Just look around. They are all unicorns and they'll probably exclude me from their circle. Also, when one of them dropped a quill next to me, he picked it up in a hurried manner and pulled his table to the other side. They fear me.
Spiral Amethyst: Don't say that! You need to brush off the uncertainty from you and put yourself together! And never mind my students, you can learn with me.
Flame Trail: OK, whatever. I don't even like to make friends anyways.
Spiral Amethyst: Oh, and you shouldn't, Flame! You must know that friendship is considered by many to be nothing but an illusion! Always keep that in mind when something like this happens. Putting that beside us, shall we begin our lesson?
Flame Trail: Yes, ma'am.
As the young Pegasus ended, Spiral began lecturing the little one on how to perform a manipulative spell. As he paid attention to his teacher, something in his mind kept telling him that this was about to be a long day.
End of Chapter IV
A/N: This chapter sure gave me some work to do. I hope you guys enjoy it! Next chapter I promise that I'll bring the canon characters into "action"!