Dimension: My Little Pony

Planet: Equestria Earth

Specific Location: Flaming Star's house

Time: A day after the arrival of Flaming Star

Flaming Star had been sitting on the door step to Sugar Cube corner for more than an hour, and soon ponies began to file out to go home for the night. First came Sunset and Fluttershy, holding hoofs. Fluttershy only stopped to smile at Flaming Star and say, "Goodnight, get yourself home soon!"

Soon the rest came out: Rarity, Rainbow Dash, and Applejack. Each said a word of farewell to Flaming Star as they went on home. Finally Twilight came out, however, instead of moving on, she sat next to Flaming Star for a moment.

"It's a beautiful night," sighed Twilight, "Don't you wish every night was like this?"

Flaming Star also sighed, and then said, "I don't really know. It's hard to say."

Twilight looked at Flaming Star, "Haven't you ever had a moment that you wished had never gone away?"

Flaming Star shook his head, "No, come to think about it… I suppose it all just melts into each other, like a sea of memories, all thrashing about for a place in my immediate thoughts."

Twilight looked at Flaming Star and said softly, "It must be tough."

Flaming Star smiled at Twilight and replied, "Not really. But it does make me hunger for something that will last longer. But nothing has been strong enough to hold its ground in my mind for long. Too many years and too many different memories I suppose… Well, I suppose I should get home."

Flaming Star got up and awkwardly patted Twilight on the shoulder; he then made his way home in state of depression as he realized how true his words were. How could he learn to live here? He had no experience whatsoever about anything he was dealing with, and all these new emotions were threatening to compromise him. With his head still pounding with troubled thoughts, Flaming Star cantered into his home, got into bed, and laid down. Sleep was long in coming, and when it did, the dreams were nothing but a jumble of confusing memory sequences from all over the eight thousand years of his life.

A knock on the door woke Flaming Star, who looked around in confusion as his faculties pulled together his present dimension, location, and time... He must have fallen asleep without knowing it. He then began to wonder who possible would want to see him. Getting up, he moved downstairs and opened the door, it was Spike.

Flaming Star blinked at the baby dragon before saying, "Er… hello?"

Spike smiled and handed Flaming Star a parchment, "Hey Flaming Star! I'm Spike! Twilight's personal assistant! We just received word that princess Celestia is on her way to meet you today!"

Flaming Star took the paper and scanned it. "Oh… okay. When is her estimated time of arrival?"

Spike shrugged, "An hour or so."

Spike was about to turn around and leave when Flaming Star quickly said, "This princess Celestia… Twilight said that as a princess, her lifespan would be ultimately longer than average ponies… does this mean this Celestia has such a lifespan? If so, how long has she lived?"

Spike scratched his head as he thought, "Eh… I'm not sure. I know that she does have a really long life, but I have no idea how old she is. Maybe five thousand years?"
Flaming Star raised an eyebrow, but nodded his thanks and returned inside. He took a quick shower and sat down to look at the sky, something he had been doing increasingly more and more often over the past decade. Suddenly, Twilight rushed around the corner, spotted Flaming Star, and rushed over.

"She's here!" she exclaimed, grabbing Flaming Stars hoof, "Let's go!"

She dragged Flaming Star unceremoniously around the house to the front, just in time to see the chariot of Celestia make a touchdown. Flaming Star approached the chariot as Celestia stepped off. Flaming Star stopped in his tracks as he saw Celestia's face… something seemed familiar about it.

"Greetings, Flaming Star," said Celestia as she cantered up to where he stood, "Twilight has told me much about you?"

Flaming Star became a little flustered at the mention of Twilight talking about him, but he did not show it.

"Princess Twilight is a wonderful pony," he said calmly. After a moment of continually staring at her, he said, "My apologizes princess, but do you happen to know of a being named Regal Crescent?"

Celestia's mouth almost dropped open at the name, but after a pause she said, "Why…yes, I did. We were good friends when I was a filly. He sadly disappeared to a far off land, and I stopped receiving letters from him soon after that. I never saw him again."

Flaming Star nodded, "That was to be expected. His true name was Dathan Enosson, and he was a dimensional traveler like me and Sunset. I apologize for the tangent, but I was curious, when he came back to us, he would not stop talking about you and the other princess and the wonderful land you lived in."

Celestia smiled and said, "I appreciate it, I also worried about his whereabouts. Is he still with your… er, travelers?"

Flaming Star suddenly looked down and said slowly, "No. He turned away from the light. He is no longer one of us."

Celestia sighed and moved her head close to Flaming Star, "It seems that we have both then lost a good companion."

Flaming Star nodded, he then motioned to his house and said, "I would be honored if you would spare a moment to talk with me."

Celestia nodded and walked inside, signaling to the guards to stay on the porch. The two settled down at a table and began to have tea.

"Tell me," said Flaming Star asking the immediate question, "How old are you?"

Celestia smiled, though it was obvious she was a little taken aback by the question, "No pony has asked me that in a while. I am four thousand years old… I understand that it may be a long time for someone as young as you to understand the time my life has covered, but it is true."

Flaming Star chuckled as he took a sip of tea. "Princess Celestia," he said after a pause, "I am eight thousand years old."

Celestia almost choked on her tea as she looked at Flaming Star, "Is that possible?"

Flaming Star nodded, he then reached out and tapped her skull lightly, imparting a flurry of images confirming the ages he had lived through. Celestia looked at Flaming Star in wonder, and she herself found herself bowing her head low as she said, "Incredible…"

Flaming Star quickly raised he and said, "I do not have any being bow to me. It is not who I am. I may be ancient, but I am not a king, nor do I deserve the honor of being bowed to any longer."

Celestia looked at Flaming Star with interest in her eyes, "Any longer?"

Flaming Star sighed, he was loath to tell her of his issues, but the aura that radiated from Celestia had gotten to his old sensibilities and he felt like he could trust her. His piercing eyes blazed into her soul for a moment before he nodded and said, "I was the most powerful of the travelers, I always won my battles and I was an example to all. Unfortunately, I let the count of my victories, 2346127 in all, obscure my judgment. I felt like they had become more important than my team, and so I fell out from being a hero to a reckless fool. And it continued to build, until my iron-wrought belief in my own skills ended up with my team dead, and my first defeat on my hands."

Celestia looked at Flaming Star, who was glaring down at the table, and softly said, "I understand what you are going through…"

Flaming Star snorted and said, "Perhaps… but that isn't the worst of it. You know Sunset and how he is a traveler as well, right? Well, we're the only two good ones left. Every other one who believed in the truth has died."

Celestia gasped, "Sunset told me of what you travelers did for us all… does this mean that these demon creatures that you fought will begin to take over all?"

Flaming Star shrugged, "Who can tell? The tree of harmony of this universe protects it, and the commander-in-chief of the infernal armies, Legion, lies imprisoned in the frozen mountain of Azrael…"

Celestia looked at Flaming Star curiously, "The tree of harmony? How do you know of it?"

Flaming Star sighed, "Regal Crescent, long before he went wrong, was responsible for it being planted here. He loved this place, and everything in it."

There was a knock at the door, and Twilight poked her head through the door.

"Flaming Star? Oh! I didn't know you were in here too princess Celestia."

Celestia nodded and said, "I am here. If you will excuse us, dear Twilight, we were discussing some important matters."

Flaming Star on the other hand, got up quickly and said, "Oh! Twilight! Come in! I, er, WE would love your company."

Celestia gave Flaming Star a side-long glance, but then nodded to Twilight. At seeing Flaming Star so excited, Twilight gave a huge smile and trotted over to sit next to him. The three then began to have tea together.

"Flaming Star," said Celestia, "I want you to come with me the Canterlot for a time. Princess Luna was, er, shall we say, a little bit of head-over-hoofs in love with Regal Crescent. Hearing from you might make her understand what was been going on. She has gotten over his disappearance since her own banishment, but I don't think she has ever understood what happened."

Flaming Star nodded. However, Twilight's eyes fell a little, but Flaming Star noticed. After a massive internal struggle, Flaming Star sighed, almost loudly, and said, "I will go, but only if princess Twilight accompanies me. I have grown to enjoy her company, even if at times she can talk too much. I… well… I… I have much to learn from here."

At this, Twilight's eyes grew to twice their regular size and she grabbed Flaming Star and gave him a massive hug. "Thankyouthankyouthankyouthankyou!" She exclaimed.

Flaming Star grunted as he struggled for breath and gave Celestia a sheepish grin.

Celestia nodded as she stood up, "I would be happy if both you came. Do you have a particular date in mind to grace my court with your presence?"

Flaming Star, who was still trying to pry Twilight loose from his waist, said, "I would like to go now, if possible. I prefer to never leave loose ends untied for long if I can help it."

Celestia nodded, "I have an appointment to keep in Baltimare, but you two are welcome to go to Canterlot ahead of me. Enjoy yourselves, my little ponies."

Chuckling quietly, Celestia got up and go into the chariot. Spike came in and stared at Flaming Star and Twilight.

"Ah… Spike," said Flaming Star, "It appears that Twilight is no longer aware of her surroundings. I would appreciate it if you would help bring her to her senses before she strangles me to death. I would hate it to have it all end here."

Spike broke down laughing, "Oh boy, Twilight, not you too!"

The sound of Spike laughing immediately brought Twilight back to reality, and she began to blush. "Stop it Spike! I'm just really happy."

Spike wiped a tear from his eye as he struggled with his laughing, "S- sorry… It's just so funny!"

Flaming Star snorted, "Yes, we all know it was funny to watch. Spike, get ready, you, Twilight, and I are going to Canterlot. I have some unfinished business there, and I would appreciate it if you and Twilight went with me."

Spike, still struggling with his laughter nodded, "R- right away! Hehehehe…"

Flaming Star rolled his eyes and turned to Twilight. "Could you be ready in an hour? I could teleport us there, but per Sunset's request, I intend to experience the 'full pony experience.'"

Twilight, still blushing, said, "Oh! Um… of course!"

Scrambling up, Twilight grabbed Spike and dashed off. As Flaming Star watched her go, he groaned… This was probably a huge mistake. Slowly he got up and swayed in place as he struggled with his inner self as he contemplated what he should do. Should he change his mind? Impossible now. How could he deal with this? Suddenly, Flaming Star decided that it would be in his best interest to talk to Sunset.

Flaming Star understood what he had to do, but it was extremely embarrassing, and he still did not like Sunset too well. Grumbling every step of the way, Flaming Star begrudgingly knocked on door to Sunset and Fluttershy's house. Sunset opened the door and looked at Flaming Star. "Oh… can I help you?"

Flaming Star rolled his eyes and sighed, "Yeah… I am having 'Twilight' problems."

Sunset began a bout of coughing that probably hid his snickering. Flaming Star just looked at Sunset and said, "You know what? Screw you."

However, as he began to turn around, Sunset called out, "No! Wait! I'll help you."

Flaming Star looked at Sunset and said, "Okay… great… One more laugh from you though, and I'm turning around and leaving."

Sunset sat down and said, "Oh, Flaming Star, let go of your pride for a moment. And don't forget who you're talking to! I was the master of all those dark things before I saw the light again. What seems to be the problem?"

Flaming Star sighed again and said, "Well… Apparently the princess Luna had fallen in love with Dathan Enosson when he was here looking for a place to plant the harmony tree. We all know what's happened to Dathan, except for this dimension, of course. Celestia wants me to go to Luna, who I guess still thinks about Dathan's disappearance, and explain what has happened. Annoyingly enough, Twilight wanted to go with me, so I said she could go. I mean… what the hell is wrong with that pony? I'm the least likeable traveler ever! No one ever liked me!"

Sunset winked at Flaming Star and said, "And we all know why no one liked you, right? Eh, never mind. Anyway, I thought the same thing when Fluttershy saw good in me. It was really her who brought out my true self from all the scarred emotions and violent impulses. Perhaps spending time with someone who likes you for what you truly have in yourself will bring it out in you as well! My advice is hang in there and humor her, maybe she'll surprise you."

Flaming Star nodded, after another round of struggling with his better judgment, he said slowly, "Thank you Sunset. I appreciate it."

Sunset gave him a grin and said, "Any time. You might want to get ready, you have a long time ahead of you."

Flaming Star snorted as he got up and began to leave. As he exited the door, he said over his shoulder, "You don't have to tell me that, I figured out that part myself."

Sunset chuckled as he closed the door and went back to his work.

Flaming Star went directly to his home and packed a few things into a suitcase, exactly in an hour, as he had said, Twilight came knocking at the door.

"Let's go get some tickets!" she exclaimed, "The train should be leaving in half-an-hour!"

Flaming Star sighed resignedly and followed Twilight to the train station. As they went, they were intercepted by Rainbow Dash.

"Hey guys! Where are you two going?"

Twilight smiled, "Hey Rainbow! Flaming Star and I are off to Canterlot for a few days. Flaming Star has some important business there, and he invited me to come along with him! It will be fun!"

"If will be fun, eh?" said Rainbow, pulling a face. As Twilight skipped by, Flaming Star made eye contact with Rainbow and whispered, "Kill me."

Rainbow just grinned and winked.

In thirty minutes Spike, Twilight, and Flaming Star were on the train to Canterlot.

"So, what should we do first?" said Twilight, smiling at Flaming Star.

"I know, we should play the 'who can be the quietest' game." Replied Flaming Star.

Twilight, blinked, "What?"

Flaming Star smiled and said, "I think we should just rest for a bit, and enjoy the view."

The three sat together in silence until Spike said, "This is really boring."

Flaming Star looked down at Spike and said, "You haven't lived for thousands of years. Just enjoy the moment, in time everything will seem like a blur."

Spike snorted, "Yeah, yeah. We ALL know how old you are now. I don't think it should change anything!"

Flaming Star put his head to one side as he thought about it. "Well… yeah, I suppose so. You're right, really. Sadly, it gets more difficult to say that as time goes on. Believe me, I was telling myself that during my first thousand years, and I felt I was going strong, but everything mellowed out after the fifth… then the sixth… then the seventh…"

Twilight looked at Flaming Star with huge eyes, "Is it really like that?"

Flaming Star shrugged, "I suppose so. It kind of sucks. You can't imagine how I've just sat back and watched the multiverse go by, as I've said. Sometimes… sometimes I feel like everything is moving on without me."

Twilight placed a hoof gently on Flaming Star's shoulder, "It must be so strange, seeing everything like this."

Flaming Star smiled at her and said, "This dimension is something special, a mix of all the eras really. Perhaps Sunset has made a few innovations here and there, but this place, at its core, makes me feel a little at home. I mean, when I was your age, I was a farmer! There were literally only one hundred of us on that planet… all alone. And now I cannot go back, it's too foreign. But this place… well, this place, as I said, is something different."

Once again everypony lapsed into silence, but this silence was rich with meaning, and not bothering in the least. Twilight and Flaming Star sat side-by-side as they watched the countryside flash by. Spike, on the other hoof, just grumbled and muttered that he was going to the diner's car.

After the moment had passed, Twilight gave Flaming Star a side-long glance and said, "Would… would you like to hear about my past?"

Flaming Star at first wanted to continue drinking in the passing time, but after a bit of thought he nodded his head. Thus Twilight began to recount how she had come to Ponyville, how she had found the elements of harmony, how she had defeated Discord, and how she had become a princess…

Note: Hey everypony! How are you all? Don't forget to write up reviews! I would enjoy the feedback!