Cinder Ash: Drafts

by ImAPonyXY

Chapters

• Prologue
• Chapter One
• Chapter Two

Prologue

On the beautiful, sunny day of a perfect, cloudless February was a young girl spotted with her one and only friend. This girl’s name was Cinder Ash and she made her residence with her mama and papa in the large, towering and bustling city of Manehattan.

Cinder was not the ordinary teenage girl that many might expect her to be. She was only the age of 16, stood only at the height of 145cm tall and, unlike most girls of her age, she was extremely unsocial and the amount of friends she did not possess was nearly laughable. In appearance, she was regularly normal, except for a few noticeable physical traits about that will be explained a little later on.

      Her fur was dyed the colour of light yellow, much light Fluttershy’s, except Cinder’s was brighter and more vibrant; even if a little dull. Her mane was deemed the tint of gold and an occasional yellow stipe traced through it. Her mane was long but tied back into a ponytail so it wouldn’t dangle any further than past her nape. He facial features that stood out were her shining, amber eyes, a line a freckles starting from one cheek and ending at the other, and her smile she was missing a tooth of the far right of her mouth.

It wasn’t because she looked different from the greys and browns that surrounded her that made her stand out. No. It was the fact that she possessed the ears and tail of a light grey wolf.

       These features were not uncommon upon the growing population of Equestria, but nor were they normal. These people of whom possessed certain physical traits of any chosen animal were not know as Unicorn, Earth Pony, or a Pegasi. They were known simply as Palphony.

Palphonies was one of the newer races that were only recently introduced to the populace of the world. Unlike most races, their appearance was not passed down through generations and genes. But instead, nature chose randomly who would be burdened by such traits.

I say burdened because Palphonies were not respected among society. They were discriminated against and were accused of not being pure or worthy of the rights of normal people. They were accused of being attention seekers and were normally denied the basic rights of work or a primary education. Yet, there were people out there who didn’t care whether or not if they had an Elephant trunk or a Cat tail and still saw them as people who had emotions, feelings, rights, wants and needs. Unfortunately, there weren’t enough people like that in the world and the growing population of Palphonies meant that common folk might start seeing them as a threat... they were not.

However, such people that didn’t mind of the Palphonies were a beacon of light and hope in the eyes of those who suffered discrimination. One of these people was Cinder’s best and only friend, Lil’ Dew who was walking by her shy and timid friend.

“Beautiful day, isn’t it?”, Lil’ Dew announced to break an awkward silence that had been lingering between the two of them for a while.

“Yeah...I guess.”, Cinder replied quietly and she held her wolf tail between her fingers.

Lil’ Dew sighed, “It’s so rare that we get sunny days like this, don’t you think?”

Cinder looked up, “It’s been continuously sunny for over a month.”

Silence dripped between them once again as Lil’ Dew knew that this conversation was not gong to last for much longer. Instead, she was going to start up a new topic, one that she knew would make Cinder talk.

“So did you hand in your application?”, she asked.

Cinder looked away from the sky and back to her friend. “Yeah.”, she nodded.

“Great, me too. Do you think we’ll get in?”

“Not really...they prefer seventeen year olds...you know that.”, Cinder sighed.

Lil’ Dew rolled her eyes. “I know that silly, but would you really hand in your application if you didn’t think you were going to get in?”

“Well I just want to be like the great Hunters, Shadow Wing and Silver Blaze...I heard that they were teaching at the school this year...”

Dew sighed and giggled slightly, “Yeah that’s my reason too. They’re so heroic and brave.”

Cinder smiled a little, “Well what do you think, we will get in?”

Lil’ Dew thought to herself for a little, pondering all the facts and how good her application was. “Well, I think that we will get in. As in, I’m awesome and you’re a determined gal.”, she nudged Cinder’s shoulder and grinned, “C’mon Cinder, we’re amazing.”

Cinder eyed Dew weirdly and suspiciously, for her that wasn’t an adequate explanation. “Dew... I’m serious. What if we aren’t good enough?”

Lil’ Dew stopped in her tracks and faced Cinder, holding her shoulders. “Cinder, we are amazing, we have what most people don’t.”

“And what’s that?”, the light yellow Palphony asked curiously.

“Well, you have determination and I have courage. We’re a perfect team.”, Dew replied vigour.

“I doubt that’s enough.”, Cinder rebutted.

Lil’ Dew looked down at Cinder’s wrists and eyes a pair of black bracers.

“What do your bracers do again?”, she asked sternly.

Cinder looked down and sighed, she knew where this conversation was going.

“They form a shape of which I want... I’ve told you so may times already.”

“Exactly. You can do whatever you want with them.”

Cinder’s eyes widened a little in realisation and looked Dew in the eyes. “So...?”

“So...?”, Dew rolled her eyes, “So it means that your weapon has the greatest potential, they can teach you anything with that.” Lil’ Dew smiled at her uncertain friend. “I may only have a simple bow, and it may not be anything fancy. But I know how to write a convincing report about myself.”

“I guess you’re right.”, Cinder admitted and looked up at the clear blue sky, wondering what was in store for them. Would they be accepted into the academy of hunters, or would they have to remain normal people?

Never the less, all would be revealed when they finally get their letter within the next few weeks.

When the letters finally came in the mail, it was the 15th of February and both Cinder and Lil’ Dew were lying under a tree, on the grass in the middle of the local park.

Both girls firmly gripped their letters and eyed each other, they couldn’t conceal their excitement and so they were both bouncing in joy. Over the past few weeks, they had been thinking nothing but positive thoughts about this academy and how they would be able to personally meet their favourite heroes.

“Ready?”, Lil’ Dew said, shaking with anticipation.

“Yeah!, Cinder replied excitedly and she tore the top off her letter.

Cinder gave Lil’ Dew a small smile of reassurance and pulled out her letter, instantly racing her eyes over the accepting, handwritten words of the letter.

Dear, Miss Cinder Ash.

You application for acceptance into Everfree Forest School of Exemplary Hunters has been successfully approved by the Headmaster Tinder Box and Deputy Principles Shadow Wing and Silver Blaze.

Congratulations on your acceptance into our prestigious academy, you will be to meet at you local train station on the 23th February at the following times.

Canterlot City: 9:00 am

Ponyville: 9:30 am

Manehatten: 10:30 am

Appleloosa: 11:00 am

Hoofinton: 12:00 pm

Los Pegasus: 1:00 pm

White-Tail Woods: 1:30 pm

Fillydelfia: 2:00 pm

You’re estimated time of arrival at our school will be at 3:00 pm.

For equipment you will be required to bring your own clothes, weapons and battle attire. You textbooks, stationary and food will be provided for you at every class. We hope you enjoy your journey and will greatly anticipate your arrival.

Yours Sincerely: Headmaster Tinder Box

Upon reading her acceptance she squealed in excitement like a little girl. “I got in...I got in!”

There was no reply from Lil’ Dew who was blankly staring at her letter with wide, shocked eyes as she was transfixed upon what it seemed to be one, simple sentence.

“What does yours say, Lil’ Dew?” Cinder questions, realising that the answer to follow may not be good.

Lil’ Dew gulped and faced her innocent friend with somewhat teary eyes. “I...didn’t get in...”, she admitted.

“What...?”, Cinder said in monotone, shocked at what she had just heard. She was hoping that it was a joke that Dew would often play; she really didn’t want to go to a school with no friends... she knew no one else.

“Please don’t make me repeat it....”, Lil’ Dew begged a little and stood up, glancing over to the other end of the park.

“Oh...y-your serious....?”, Cinder spoke sadly and she looked down.

There was no reply from Lil’ Dew, instead, she began to run. To where, Cinder didn’t know, but she assumed that it was to home.

“W-Wait!”, Cinder called after her, “where are you going?”

Again, there was no reply, the only thing that she saw was her best and only friend running off in either frustration... or what it seemed, sadness, maybe even both.

Cinder wanted to run after her, but two things were stopping her. One of those things was the very fact that Cinder was not a fast runner and the other was that even if she caught up to Lil’ Dew, she would have no idea what to say or do. It was at this point that Cinder felt helpless and useless. She couldn’t help but let a wave of guilt flood over her, as she knew that it was she that got in, and not Dew.

That night, Cinder began to feel better about what had happened, but she still couldn’t help but feel guilty, even though she had been told constantly by her mama and papa that it wasn’t her fault.

At this point, she was lying in bed, pondering about her new school and fiddling around with her wrist weapons.

She was wearing a short, sleeveless, soft pink nightdress with a purple hemline and light blue lace. On her finger sat a black ring with a centred red ruby. Around her neck hung a simple, silver necklace with a locket concealing a picture of Shadow Wing and Silver Blaze.

On the side table next to her was a pair of black earrings and a small case of contact lenses.

It was late at night, past midnight in fact and yet she was still wide-awake. This was due to the fact of her being a Palphony. As well as receiving the burden of physical aspects of an animal, she also inherited the abilities of common animals and heightened senses. For instance, she had enhanced night visions, acute hearing and a heavily accurate sense of smell. All of which allowed it to be extremely hard to sleep.

Now, lets skip ahead a week or two to the day of Monday on February the 23rd. Cinder Ash was standing on Manehatten platform awaiting for the arrival of her train at the time of 10:20 am. Beside her stood her mama, and on the other side, stood her papa.

“I’m so proud of you, sweetie,”, squealed her mama.

“I know you’ll do great. Just remember, we’ll support you as much as you can.”, spoke her papa performing a large, goofy smile.

“Thanks, mama, thanks papa...”, Cinder said dully and held her large suitcase in her hand ready to roll it towards the train when it would finally come.

“Are you nervous?”, asked mama.

Cinder nodded slightly, but barely noticeable. “A little.”

“You’ll be fine. I’m sure you’ll make plenty of friends.”, her mama reassured.

“How do you know that? I’m a Palphony, no one likes me...”

“That’s not true sweetie, Lil’ Dew likes you...and I’m sure that there are plenty of other people eager to meet someone as unique as you.”

“That’s reassuring.”, Cinder replied sarcastically.

“As I said, Cindy. You’ll be fine.”, she repeated. “I know you will.”, moving Cinder’s hair as she planted a small kiss upon her nervous daughter’s forehead.

CHOO!! CHOO!! Sounded the train as it slowly rolled into Manehatten station. Cinder eyed it as the breaks screeched and came to a stop. There was a carving on the front engine that read, ‘Everfree Forest School for Exemplary Hunters’.

Her body filled with excitement as she kissed her parents goodbye and slowly walked toward a carriage with her suitcase rolling behind her.

Chapter One

Along the crowded aisle did Cinder walk, looking to both her left and right hoping that she would find a seat. It seemed so far that everywhere had been taken by all the bustling and chatting students of whom gave her weird looks and a not so gentle yank on her tail.

“Hey! It is real!”, one student laughed and jerked again. “What a freak!”, he insulted and pushed her away even though she had no intention on sticking around.

Cinder kept her eyes dashing around the room hoping to find somewhere where she could sit alone. She yet again held her tail in between her fingers so no one else would decide to tug.

As she walked, she could feel the eyes on her, it was normal for people to stare like they did, but it still didn’t make her feel any more comfortable.

“Freak!”, one shouted and the rest laughed.

Cinder rolled her eyes in both disappointment and in shame. These were the annoyances that she was stuck with for years.

She continued along the aisle, soon reaching an available seat and without hesitation. She slid her suitcase underneath the chair and sat down. She looked to her side to see who she had placed herself with.

Next to her, was a purple dragon with green spike and emerald eyes. He wore blue jeans, a white, buttoned-up shirt and a black jacket. Next to him, was an orange Pegasus of which had a scuffled purple mane, emerald eyes and an ear piercing. She was wearing black shorts and a blue, T-shirt.

There was nothing particularly eye catching about these two future hunters, except for the fact that they paid her no attention. They didn’t shoot her hostile or disgusted looks, nor did they yank her ears or tail. No, instead they just sat and spoke to each other about whatever it was they were talking about.

Cinder sighed. Without Lil’ Dew, these next few years would be challenging, especially if she didn’t find any friends.

Behind her was a spectacular view of the ocean and distant off islands. She turned around to stare out the window and saw a group of whales diving out of the sea and splashing fabulously back into the water. If she looked hard enough, the salted water was just clear enough to see a school of fish swimming peacefully and gracefully through the currants.

“Hey! Get out of my seat!”, demanded a strong voice from in front of her.

Cinder swapper her view from the ocean to the figure standing before her.

“But...I was here first?” ,she timidly replied.

The figure growled, “Stupid Hybrid!”

Cinder winced upon hearing that.

Hybrid was another way of saying Palphony; it was actually the non-polite way. If you were meaning to insult a Palphony, you would call them a Hybrid.

     Cinder looked the figure up and down, it was a male, and a stupid looking one at that. He was baggy jeans, a ruffled, unironed, tank top and black boots. He had a dark crimson colour of fur with blue eyes and a black mane.

“Did you now hear me? I said get up! You’re in my seat!”, he ordered and took a hold of one of her ears.

“H-Hey!”, Cinder tried to get the guy to let go of her, but he had a tight grip. “St-Stop that...you’re hurting me!"

She tried to dig her fingernails into his hand in hope that he would let go. Alas, though, they were not sharp enough and her merely just laughed.

“C’mon, girly. I’ll let go if you stand up.”, he yanked upwards, forced her to her feet and listened to her whimper slightly in pain. “You’re so pathetic. What’s a Hybrid like you even doing here?”

Cinder didn’t reply, she simply just looked nervously at her feet and rubbed her ear. She wanted to use her weapons on him, to show him that she wasn’t a just a pushover. Yet, the only thing that stopped her was that she was indeed, a pushover.

“Hey!”, she heard another voice spoke angrily. It was a girl’s voice, and it too sounded strong, yet somewhat childish. “How dare you treat her like a piece of trash...you trash!”

She looked up to see that the orange Pegasus that was sitting beside her was holding the man by the scruff of his top and the dragon cracked his knuckles.

“She is trash...she’s a filthy Hybrid!”, the man said defensively.

“They’re not Hybrids, they’re Palphonies and they have no choice over what they are.”, she raised a fist.

Cinder couldn’t believe what she was seeing. It was hard to comprehend that two complete strangers would stand up for her. She couldn’t help but let a smile onto her face.

“Woah, woah, woah!”, the man put his up in front of him, “you’re seriously defending her.”

Both the dragon and the Pegasus nodded and gritted their teeth.

Cinder could see a few drops of sweat break from his forehead and he gulped deeply. “Alright...she can have the damn seat back. I didn’t want it anyway.”

The Pegasus scowled and let go of the man, letting him get up and run off to his group of friends. She then turned to look at Cinder and smiled, holding her hand out.

“You alright?”, she asked.

Cinder nodded, “Yeah... I’m fine. I’ve had worse.” she admitted and shook the hand of the girl.

“Good to hear. My name’s Scootaloo, but you can call me Scoots...”, she then point to the dragon, “...and this is my friend, Spike.”

“My name’s Cinder...I don’t have any friends with me.”

Scoots smiled and sat her back down in the seat that she was so rudely ripped out of.

“That’s not true. You have us?”, she explained and scuffled Cinder’s soft mane.

“Really? We’re friends. We’ve only just met?”

“Exactly. How do you think people become friends?”

“Oh, right.”, she tilted her head down a little, embarrassed. “I don’t have many friends...”

Scootaloo sat down in between Spike and Cinder and wrapped her arms around both of them. She then let out a sigh of relief.

“It’s okay, everyone has to start somewhere.”, Scoots said optimistically.

“So you’re a wolf Palphony?”, Spike chimed in. Although he could blatantly see what she was, it was a topic that interested him.

Cinder looked at the purple dragon and nodded. “ Yes.”, She answered simply.

‘That’s cool.”, he said, “Palphonies are great, they’re so unique and spectacular. You never know who’s going to be one or which one they’re going to be. Not to mention the heightened senses that you guys have. It’s as if you guys are more animal than pony.”

“...Right...”, Cinder didn’t like where this was going, she hated having her traits pointed out. She never wanted to be Palphony, if she had the choice she would be a normal pony.

“Spike, you’re making her nervous.”, Scoots butted in. “Lets talk about something else, hmm?”

Cinder looked around nervously and awkwardly, she knew that getting and keeping friends could be a challenging event, but she didn’t like being bombarded with questions unless it was something that she could talk about confidently.

“Umm...how about we talk about weapons?”, Cinder suggested, showing them her gauntlets.

“Ohhh! What do they do?”, Scootaloo ask intrigued, “Can I touch them?”

“Okay...”, she allowed Scoots to touch, poke and fiddle with them, “They can form whatever shape I want.”

“So like a sword.”

“Yes.”

“Shield?”

“Yes.”

“Knives?”

She nodded.

“What about a hook, or sling?”

Cinder hesitated her response and thought to herself. “Maybe, but it would require a lot of effort to keep it a loose, flexible state.”, she explained. “You see, I have to focus really hard to mould it into something, then it hardens straight away. If I was to keep it stringy and loose I would exert a lot of energy really quickly. I need a bit more training.”

Scootaloo and Spike were trapped in awe of her weapons.

“That’s so cool.”, Spike marvelled. “Can you tell us more?”

“Umm, sure I guess so.”, she took a deep breath, “There’s not much more to really say but I guess I could give you a demonstration or something.”

“Yes. That would be awesome!”, Spike eagerly encouraged.

Cinder clicked her fingers and a small gemstone in the centre of the black, metal work began to glow a bright yellow. From there she straightened her fingers out and the metal soon followed, then she clenched her fist and the metal formed over her hand, creating a giant, metal, glove.

“Oh, wow! That’s really cool!”, both Scootaloo and Spike admired together, their jaw dropping in awe.

“You can do so much with that.”, Scoots said.

“Man, the teachers are gonna love you, Cinder.”, Spike spoke.

Next, Scootaloo displayed her weapon. She had metal bracers and a shin pad.

“I’m a kick boxer.”, she explained and showed them that the bracers and shin pads were made of an extremely strong magical fibre as she kicked a nearby pole and dented it without effort.

Cinder then looked at Spike. “What about you?”, she asked curiously.

“Nothing too special. Not like yours or Scoots”, he pulled a sword and shield. “Shining Armor gave it to me as present for my birthday. He said that it was made from the best blacksmith in Canterlot.”, he explained. “I would show you something but I don’t want to use them here.”

“I still don’t understand why you need a shield Spike. You have scales.”, Scoots questioned.

“Because my scales aren’t hard enough to deflect a blade and even if they do, then I have a massive bruise.”, he explained. “Also, I plan to use it to protect others, such as you,”, points to Scootaloo, “I know how reckless you are.”

“Hmpt!”, Scootaloo pouted and looked away from him, turning her attention back to Cinder. “Wanna get something to eat?”

“What? Oh. Yeah.”, Cinder wasn’t really paying attention, she was too busy looking at the people who were now pointing and laughing at her.

Scootaloo sighed. “Don’t pay them any attention.”, she stood up and grabbed Cinder’s hand. “Now c’mon.”

Spike, Scootaloo and Cinder all walked along the aisles of many carriages and passed many bustling passengers until they reached the food car.

Once there, a barrage of students of who were hungry, rude and obnoxious greeted them as they obliviously walked through the doorway.

Spike lead the group by pushing through the crowd and made their way over to one of the many free tables along the windows of which faced the ocean.

They sat and glanced around, the crowded room made it difficult to see where the beginning of the lines for each food stand began or ended.

“I think we should wait until people start to clear out.”, Spike suggested.

Scootaloo nodded, “Smartest thing you’ve said all day.”, she giggled.

Spike rolled his eyes and leant back in his seat, glaring out the window. “Beautiful day, isn’t it.”, he changed the subject.

“Yeah... it is.”, Cinder said, ending her streak of silence.

“Finally, she talks.”, Scoots said, wrapping her hand around Cinder. “C’mon, say something more.”

Cinder looked down, she wasn’t a talker by nature. On the rare occasion when she did speak she only spoke for a short time. She strongly believed that she didn’t have anything to interesting to say and that no one wanted to listen to her.

“I’m sure you don’t want to listen to me. I’m not interesting.”, she admitted.

“Oh well, if you don’t want to talk then I won’t make you.”, she smiled comfortably, “But you are an interesting person ya know?”

“Really?”, Cinder asked confusedly.

“Hell yeah!”, she cheered, “You’re an interesting gal. As in, you’re a Palphony with the most amazing weapon.”

Cinder smiled pleasingly and looked up. “Thank you, Scootaloo.”

“No problem!”, she gleamed, “Now.”, she looked at the line, “I’m going to get us food before anyone else comes.”

“Okay...”, Cinder replied and watched her walk off, continuing to sit down at the table and seat. Across from her was Spike who was sitting and fiddling around with his claws.

“So how old are you, Cinder?”, he asked curiously and looking at her interested.

“I’m 16.”, she replied simply.

“Wow really? You got accepted as a 16 year old?”, he stared in disbelief, “I though the Headmaster preferred seventeen year olds. Like me and Scoots.”

“Well, I was surprised when I saw the acceptance letter... So I must have been good enough right?”, she said uncertainly.

“I bet, but I’m still very impressed.”, he smiled and scuffled her mane again, “And what did you say in your application anyway?”

Cinder looked at him suspiciously. “If you’re implying that I got in through unlawful terms then the answer is no.”, she scolded.

“No, no, no. That’s not what I meant. I’m just curious. As in, you must have impressed them.”

“Oh. Well. I just told the truth and filled in the questions as best I could. I told them about my Palphony appearance, my weapon and me. Not really much else to tell, and I didn’t even believe that I would get in.”

Spike snuffed and grinned, “Tell me about it. I don’t think anyone here expected to get in.”

He smiled softly at Cinder and looked out the window once more. His stomach growled at him and he rubbed. He was quite hungry and was hoping that Scootaloo would hurry up, but the line did look quite long.

“I knew that I would get in.”, spoke a familiar sounding obnoxious voice and the person placed their firm, scarred hand that had somewhat of a tight grip.

Cinder turned around to see who it was and the hideous face of the bully from earlier who had ripped her from her seat greeted her.

“What do you want?”, Spike said in a sort of flat, hostile tone and he clutched his hand into a fist.

“Well I want to apologise to this lovely and rather beautiful wolf.”, he said and eyes her strongly.

“Go away... Please.”, she begged and tilted her shoulder away in hopes that his grip would fall away. It did not. “And don’t call me a wolf.”

“Well, that’s what you are. A wolf.”, he rolled his eyes and pulled her closely. “Now gimme a kiss and I’ll go away.”

She tried to pull away but she wasn’t too strong. “Go away, asshole!”

He chuckled and pulled her closely, “Nah.” he replied simply and leant in for a kiss.

Yet before he was able to, he was ripped away from Cinder by an angry purple dragon. “Don’t you dare lay a hand on her, creep!”, he punched the bully hard in the face and held him by the scruff of his shirt.

The bully growled and went to punch back, but Spike simply just caught his fist and crunched down upon the hand. Soon, the sounds of popping and crunching as well as the screams and yelps of pain that were let from the yielding stallion.

“AAAAARRRHHH!!! L-Let go...! I-I’m sorry... I’ll leave her alone now...! AAAARHHHH!”

Spike shot him a devious glare and pushed the stallion away, letting go of his hand and trying not to look at the damage he had caused. The bully scurried away and as he did, Spike tripped him with his tail and laughed.

“Now run, asshole.”, Spike snarled as he went up to Cinder and placed a hand on her shoulder.

“You okay?”, he asked softly.

“Yeah,”, she nodded, “I’m fine. Thanks for dealing with him.”

Spike smiled, “No problem, that’s what friends are for.”

Over the next hour Scootaloo came back with food for the three of them and from there one until they reached the school they did nothing but eat and talk. They leant of Lil’ Dew and how she didn’t get in and Cinder learnt of Scoots friends, Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle as well as Spike’s carer, Twilight.

The Journey took a few hours and they arrived precisely on time at three o’clock in the afternoon.

Cinder glanced out the window to see the large, barred metal gates that gained entry to the school. These gates were the only way in as the school was surrounded by a large stone wall that stood at least twenty metres tall and towers dotted the top. The royal guard heavily guarded the platform that they arrived on; Cinder guessed that they were to protect the students from the creatures that lurked within the dark woods.

Cinder, Scootaloo, Spike and every other person that rode on the train walked from the platform, along the path, through the gate and finally into the school.

From there, everyone was directed in the main hall where the only thing that could be seen was a circular, stone stage with a podium in the centre of the room and rows of chairs surrounding it.

The three of them sat together, staring curious at the stage. When Cinder tried to ask what was going to happen, Scoots and Spike simply shrugged. They were seated at the front, just as all junior students were.

A tall figure approached the podium. He looked old and frail and used a can to get around. He had long grey hair, half-moon glasses and a glorious, grey beard. He wore a long, brown robe and black boots. He had a necklace around his neck and from the string hung a silver manticore figure that was inscribed with words that Cinder could not make out.

“Good afternoon.”, he spoke. He had a strong and powerful voice, one that did not demand respect, but one that earned it. “I am Headmaster Tinder Box.” he greeted. “I welcome you all to my prestigious academy.”

There was a round of applause.

“I look around and I see a crowd full of belonging, of desire to prove yourselves and of worthy talent. To that, I say well done.”, he gave a small smile. “But just because you impress me and the deputy principles by writing a letter to us does not mean you are a admirable addition to this school. With that said, tomorrow you are all to meet me, Hunter Blaze and Hunter Wing at the gate at the time of nine. From there I will organise you into teams of three and you will prove yourselves on a challenge that I will give you before you start.” he looked up, “Any questions?”

A student put their hand up.

“Yes?” Tinder asked, pointing at the student.

“What’s the challenge?”

The headmaster looked weirdly at the student, “As much of a legitimate question that is, I have to say that you weren’t listening properly. I said I will give you the challenge before you start.”, he replied.

“But it is before we start.”

“You are right on that point, I will not argue. But still my answer is no. You will find out tomorrow morning at nine when I see all the new students. Any more questions?”

Another student put their hand up, this one was on the front row of seats too. “Where will we be sleeping, sir?”

“Now that is a very legitimate question.” he smiled, “And thank you for using you manners. You will be sleeping in the old main hall that has been set up a bed for each one of you. After tomorrow, you will be assigned dorm rooms. Anything else?”

No one put their hand up.

“Marvellous. Now if some seniors would like to come down to the stage, I would like you to put on a customary performance to show the juniors what they should aspire to.”

Two girls came down. One was blue and the other was pink. The blue one had long white robes and the same weapon as Scootaloo, while the pink one wore a basic hide overcoat and thin, leather armour. She wielded a small dagger that had been blunt for this occasion.

“Excellent.” the headmaster gleamed and stepped off the stage. “Now you know the rules, you are to stop fighting as soon as one yields.”

The two girls nodded and positioned themselves at opposite ends of the stage, stepping into their stances.

“Fight!”

The two of them charged each other. The blue girl keeping a defensive stance and was blocking every attack that the pink girl threw. As the pink girl tried for a lunging attack, it was simply dodged with a side flip and then counted by a spinning kick. Knocking the blue girl’s opponent to the floor, yet she still was not done.

With a simple roll, the pink girl got up and threw the knife at perfect precision towards her rival and it hit her directly in the chest. Luckily the blade was blunt and so she was only winded, but she was stunned. The pink girl ran towards her dazed opponent and kicked her into the air.

From there, she flapped her wings, flying higher than the blue girl and kicked her back down into the stage floor. She then softly flew back down with a smile planted on her face. She knew she had won.

The blue girl didn’t get up. She couldn’t fight any longer and a teacher came along to help her up. There were a few droplets of blood dripping from her mouth and nose, which stained the stone.

The headmaster took a moment for the girls to be seated again and the pink girl had a piece of cloth placed on her mouth. He took his place back behind the podium and spoke once more.

“So that match may have been quick and not all fights will end so fast. But that’s the level of ability I wish for new students to reach by the end of this year.”

Murmured chatter broke out between the crowd.

“But do not worry, the flips are only extra skills. You do not need to know that, only basic combat techniques. But please remember, you will be fighting demons, monsters and monstrosities, it will be rare that you will ever fight another person in open combat.”

He waited for the loud crowd to quiet down to an inaudible whisper before speaking again.

“But for now. You are all to head to bed. Juniors, you sleeping chamber will be opposite here. You are all dismissed.”, he then turned and walked slowly away from the stage and out through a door. He was joined by the deputy principal Blaze and Wing.

Cinder looked at the blood on the stage and said in a blank, almost horrified tone. “That was brutal...”

“Yeah.”, Scootaloo agreed.

“At least they weren’t us, eh?”, Spike said hopefully.

“But we have to be like that by next year!”, Scootaloo complained.

“Oh c’mon Scoots, they’re going to train us. We’ll be fine. I’m sure that those skills will come with ease with time.”

“I don’t know...I don’t think I’ll be good enough to continue after tomorrow...”, Cinder said.

“What do you mean?”, Scoots asked curiously.

“Well... I’m not strong and I couldn’t even handle that bully on the train by my self. I’m weak and a pushover. I don’t deserve to be a hunter.”, she explained.

Spike and Scoots turned to look at each other and then back to Cinder. “Hey, you’ll be fine. Just focus on teamwork tomorrow and avoid combat at any cost. You’ll be fine, you don’t have to do it alone.”, she explained. “Just... stay positive.”

Cinder nodded and smiled, as they stood up she hugged her, “Thank you, Scoots.”

She felt good to have friends while she was here, if Lil’ Dew couldn’t get in then she would have to settle with these kind souls that have shown her nothing but kindness.

They went over to the old hall just across from the main hall and were greeted by hundred of beds. Three of which they slept in for that night and dreamt of positive outcomes of the day to follow.

The following morning at the time of nine, every student of whom had arrived only yesterday lined up in rows of twenty along the patches of grass. The sky was cloudy but spots of the morning sun were able to seep through and only black crows could be seen. In front of the rows, facing the sixteen to seventeen year olds was the Headmaster and is deputies.

“Good morning, students.”, he welcomed. “I hope you all had an appreciative night’s sleep.”

He was replied with only groans and yawns.

“Charming. Well I suppose you want to know your challenge for today and the teams that you are to be placed into?”

“Yes!”, the crowd answered.

“Well then. The closest Palphony and closest Pegasus to you will be your teammates.”

This worked out perfectly for the trio. Spike was closest to Scootaloo, who was a Pegasus and also closest to Cinder who was a Palphony.

“So we’re together?, Spike asked.

“Yeah I guess. That’s exciting isn’t it.” Scoots said with glee.

Cinder nodded and bounced in joy. With both Spike and Scootaloo on her team, then she’s bound to pass.

“Now that you teammates have been chosen.”, he said after a good few minutes of nothing but chatter and scuffling. “It’s time for your challenge,” he took a breath and looked at them all, “Within the forest there are ten glowing, white and yellow gem stones that you and your group must collect. You may only take one and yes, I am aware that there are not enough gems for each group.”

He let his words sink in, “Now you will need to be vigilant for your enemies will not only be the dangerous beasts that lurk within the forest, but also each other.”

Chapter Two

In the mist of things, the starting of the assignment was shrouded in eager shouts or panicked murmers, but most of all, the greatest sound was the trampling of feet owned by students of who ran into the forest without hesitation. Hurrying with haste in order to prove themselves to a high destinction.

Among these student were the three mediocre, young hunters that placed themselve together to form a group now known as team 8. The students in this group consisted of the formable, scruffled, orange pegasus known only as Scootaloo. An honourable, green dragon of whom shared spikes instead of hair who went by the simple name of Spike. Last, but not least, was also a girl who owned the ears and tail of a grey, hunting wolf known as Cinder Ash. This was team 8, and their chances of success would be merely determined by how fabourable the woods were... and the meat on their bones.

"So what's our strategy?" asked Spike in a semi audible tone as he looked around for an alert of anyone else.

"Fight, survive... win," Scootaloo replied, "not much else to do."

Spike sighed and Cinder merely rolled her eyes.

"That isn't good enough." He retorted, "we need an actual plan."

Cinder nodded in agreement.

"Okay but what would we do, mister strategy guy." Scoots teased

"I'm not too sure." He admitted.

"How about go deeper into the forest, find a good place to rest and then make a plan. It'll be safer than doing it here where people might here us," she suggested.

Spike and Scootaloo thought about for a while. Since though, they had no other strategy and no other plan of action, they decided to fo with her suggestion and venture deeper in before making any plans.

      And so, that's what they did, journey deeper and deeper in. They followed a slim, nearly unnoticeable, dirt path that seemlessly led to nowhere.

After time and time of walking down this seemlessly long and poinyless path,  they found themselve arriving at a small, crumbling ruin of what once seemed to be a shrine of the Elements of Harmony. Weeds and vines grew through the cracks of the stone and the dirt littered the hard ground surrounding the statue.

"Well, here we are I guess. This should be good enough," Cinder stated and sat on the ground.

"Great, any ideas anyone?" Scootaloo asked, "We should start planning our strategy."

"Okay, any suggestions Scoot?" spike asked, he himself was clueless as to any strategies that might be of use.

"why are you asking me? I have no idea, Spike!"

Spike sighed and Cinder rolled her eyes.

"Well that's no help, Scoots," he turned to Cinder, "What about you, Cinder, you've been awefully quiet."

"Umm, I'm note too sore, Got maybe we should try the approach of stealth and attack people when they least expect it." She suggested. "But it may not be the best idea."

"That's actually not too bad!" Praised Spike.

"How do you think we should go about it though?" Scoots asked.

"We could hang out in the trees or move though the bushes  then ambush a group when they come along and then we take their gem." she explained.

"That seems we a good idea for now but we should keep , moving so we don't get caught but any creatures." Spike suggested.

"Okay, that seems good, Let's go with that." Scoots added.

"Right then, let's go get us a gem!" Spike chimed encouragingly.

"YEAH!" shouted the other two.

On that not, team 8 scurried into their hiding positions. Scootaloo climbed into a nearby tall tree Where she would be clouded by the canopy of the leaves. Spike and Cinder rushed into the nearby, thick bushes to conceal themselves while still keeping close to the ground for quick movement.

     The three of them moved secretly through the shrubery as they kept a lookout for anyone or anything that could harm them but still looking for a gem that they needed so desperately in order to continue their education at the school.

      After a while of moving through both the trees and shrubery of the dense forest did they finally saw something of worth.

"What is that?" Scooteloo asked genuinely.

"I think that's what we're looting for!" praised Cinder as she let off a sigh of relief.

"Yeah, I think she's right!" Spike agreed as he pointed to what looked like a glowing gem.

"finally, we found it!"

Spike cautiously wandered out of his hiding spot to go quickly investigate and sure enough, it was what they were looking for. Spike leant over to pick it up, but little did he know that he was being watched, but he was being watched by cinder and Scoots, one, he was being watched by some else... someone dangerous.

A rustling could be hard, and spike turned around in order to see who, or what made the sound. As he turmed though, it was already too late as someone... no... something was jumping after him.

"SPIKE!" Scootaloo yelled as she noticed what was happening.

In the heat of the moment, he raised his shield and only moments later could they all her a loud 'CLANG'! Spike had blocked the attack, but what did he actually defend from? He peeked from behind his shield as he saw a grotesque and hideous form of what looked like dead pony. It had black, crispy flesh that peeled away from the bones and muscles, glowing, yellow eyes with slit pupils that reminded Spike of a snake. Its teeth were razor sharp and so it's clawed fingers that adhered the appearance of a cat.

"What the hell is that?!" yelled spike.

The dark figure just stared at Spike and dug its claws through the metal that lined the edges of his sheild.

"Kill it, Spike!"

Without hesitation, Spike did a horizontal Slash with his sword and dug the blade deep into the creature's neck... and in response, it let out a horrifying scream that made their blood curl and their ears shrivel. Then, there was nothing, no sound at all as its lifelessly body fell to the ground. There was no blood and after a while, there was no body at all as it all just faded away into the shadows and dust.

"What. The hell... just happened?" spoke Spike who was extremely confused and shocked.

Cinder and Scootaloo both hurried out of than hiding spot to join him.

"I don't know," sootaloo began lo say, "But we should prepare for more of them."

"But we don't even know what they are, how can we hope to beat them?!" Cinder stated with fear all to evident in her voice. "maybe we should just try to avoid them."

Scoots turned to Cinder and smiled supportingly and said, "we should try to stand our ground, or else we might get caught off guard." ... "If we face them now, then we can secure the area."

"That's the smartest thing you've said all day," chuckled spike, ''but it's a really good idea."

"Oh, hah hah!" scootaloo rolled her eyes. "Let's just do this already."

Scootaloo widened her stance and raised her arms on take on a defensive position. As did spike, except he raised his sword and positioned his Shield by his side, ready to raise it at any time. Cinder soon joined them as she flicked her fingers and straightened her had, causing her black, metal gauntlets to mold into the form of a blade of which she the raised in front of her small, delicate body for protection.

"You guys ready? I hear Some rustling," asked Scootaloo whose ear twitched and she stored before the bushes.

The Dragon and Palphony both nodded and braced themselves for a fight. One of which, Cinder did not want to be a part of.

      The grotesque form of their flesh peeling appearance was enough to send shivers down her spine and make her knees Shake in horror... As a result of this, she began to panic and sweat.

"Guys, I really don't want to be here anymore...can we just go back into hiding?" she panicked.

"No we can't Cinder, and if you dont help us out then we won't pass," Scoots explained.

"Don't worry Cinder, if you're in trouble then just run to me, I'll protect you with my shield," Spike said, "Now get ready, here they come."

The three of them went silent and focused their eyes upon the darkness that lay out in front of them, and at that moment, charged out three dark figures of which attacked Spike before.

"Brace yourselves!" Yelled Spike and raised his shield as it collided with the slash of his enemy.

The other two monsters also swung, one at Cinder and the other at Scootaloo.

      Scootaloo used her shin pads to kick the claws away, then she followed through with a roundhouse kick and pummeled her heel into the mouth of her attacker.

     Unlike Scootaloo though, Cinder was still quite scared and instead of attacking she just simply dodged the slash and he breathing became heavier as the shadow monster continued to slash and hack away, trying to dig is razor sharp claws imto her feeble flesh. Spike on the otherhand was fighying valiantly, as he swunghis sword on multiple angles and areas as he cut through the rotting skin of the rebolting monster that stood before him. However,  it was vigilant and wouldnt go down,  no matter how many hits it received to the body. Blow after blow after blow after blow did Spike dig his bloody blade through in and through out the demonic monstrosity before him until he decided to swing higher and his sword sliced the cheek and neck in an upwards diagonal angle. It screamed out allowed at an ear piercing and blood curdling scream.

Now only Scootaloo and Cinder had to fight off their attackers. Kick, kick, kick, punch, spin and kick, did Scootaloo do to the monster in front of her.

"Fall, damn you!" she yelled as she spun around and kicked it again but no matter how many kicks of her magical-fibre shin and wrist pads it would not lose balance.

It slashed again and as Scoots tried to kick it away its claws slashed her ankle and caused drops of blood to drip.

"AAAARRRHHH!!! FUCK!" she cried when she felt the throbbing pain throughout her ankle.

In a burst of rage she jumped up and slammed her heel into its head and crushed the skull. Its lifeless body fell to the ground and in a matter of seconds it decomposed into dust and shadows.

      She turned to face the last monster who was attacking Cinder, and she saw that Spike was helping her out. She wanted to help too but her ankle shot a dramatic pulse of pain through out her leg. At the moment she figured that Spike and Cinder had it under controlled, especially since the dark figure had a sword through it.

"Cinder, finisn it off!" Yelled Spike as he held the blade of the sword in the torsa of the enemy. "Slash it's neck!"

Cinder was hesitant, but she gathered up her courage and caught her breath, she had been doing nothing but leaping and dodging out of the way, until now. Now she had a chance to see how strong she actually was since it was caught on Spike's blade. The gem flashed on her gauntlets and she shaped themselves into a short, dagger like blade, now she was ready. She lunged forward and swung her arm, cutting the head clean off of the being. She smirked, her first kill was a decapitation.

"I did it!" she cheered.

"Good job, Cinder," he applauded, "nice kill, girl."

"Yeah... good job," Scootaloo winced but held a soft smile.

The wince caught their attention and Spike and Cinder turned to look at Scoots both with slightly concerned faces.

"Are you alright, Scoot?" Cinder asked, softly.

"Y-Yeah, it's just a scratch," she faked a smile and tried to nod reassuringly but the pain expressed on her face was all too apparent.

Spike sighed, "You're not alright."

"Yes I am, it just stings a little," she tried to reasure them again, but to no avail.

"Show us your ankle," demanded Spike.

"Why?" she looked at them sternly, but all she got were sterner looks back. "Alright, alright... I'll show you my ankle."

She rolled her eyes and slipped off her shin pad to expose her cut-up ankle, which was now unfortunately red and swollen.

"Holy shit!" Spike yelled, "that is not okay!"

"What do you mean, it's just a scratch," she said and then took a look at her ankle, only to see how much worse it had gotten, "oh my god... oh my god! I think it's infected!" She winced again and squeeled in pain.

"Alright Scootaloo, you're not walking on that, I'll carry you," Spike picked her up and put her up on his shoulder.

"Hey, Spike, put me down!"

"No Scoots, I'm not letting you walk on the foot and I'm not leaving you behind. We're finishing this together, as a team." ... "c'mon Cinder, lets get her out of here." He walked over to the glowing gem that he saw before and picked it up, handing it immediately to Cinder, "keep it safe."

"I will." she nodded but couldn't take her gaze off of Scootaloo's ankle.

'I hope she'll be alright," Cinder thought to herself. She didn't want this, she didn't want one of her new friends to be seriously injured and be forced to fail.

They began to leave the forest as all thry had to collect was a gem. Spike carried Scootaloo on his back and led the way for Cinder who was still trying to calm down from their encounter with those shadowy monsters.

"What were those things?" Cinder asked nervously and curiously as she once again held her tail between her fingers.

"No idea, but I'm glad we made it out alive." He admitted. "Now lets hurry up so we can get Scootaloo here some attention, no doubt that those 'things' had some sort of bacteria on them."

"Spike I'm fine, I can walk on my own," she winced again as she spoke.

"You are not alright, Scoots. Your ankle has swollen up so much in only a few minutes,  that's not normal. So please, swallow that stubborn pride of yours and just accept my help."

The injured orange pegasus looked down, "sorry Spike... I trust you."

"It shouldn't be too much longer until we get out of here. I think I see the end of the path."

They continued along their path only to see the light of the natural sun to get closer and closer. The exit of their mission was nearly complete and they could pass the test set by the ones they were so eager so impress. As the ventured closer and closer to their successthey heard another rustling inthe bushes and trees.

      Spike looked up at the canopy of leaves snd branches and saw a quick flash of a silhouetted person. He gulped and turned his head to look at Cinder.

"Cinder, I'm carrying Scootaloo, can you go see if anyone's following us?" the purple dragon commanded.

"U-Umm... okay, I can do that," she nodded and looked up too. She saw the canopy of branches and leaves as Spike did, and she also saw the flash of a silhouetted person. "Someone is there..." she said nervously.

"Curses!" He muttered under his breath, "Scootaloo, hold on, and Cinder, follow me closely." He broke into a run, holding onto Scootaloo tightly without harming her already swollen and cut-up ankle.

Cinder ran by his side, closely following him. She was looking around nervously because someone could pounce on them at any time and take them out. She gulped, and with Scootaloo taken out, their chances for survival were even slimmer if they did happen to be attacked.

"Spike," she said, "we need to be more stealthy."

"Why?"

"Because we can't keep running forever, they'll catch us eventually, and we won't be able to fight back."

"But they've already found us," ... "going into hiding won't help us at the moment."

"But what if they haven't found us," ... "and besides, hiding in a bush or tree will mean that we're not running or wasting energy."

"We don't have time to argue this, we have to do something and we can't take the risk of being caught out."

"What is that supposed to mean?!" She inquired.

"It means thay we can't waste time hiding and taking a detour, we need to get Scootaloo to safety so she can get help."

Cinder looked forward, he was right, but she didn't like being open like this when their were potentially dangerous people around. She gulped and then turned her gaze upwards. They were so close, yet the ever present danger of being attacked got closer and closer every moment they idled. She shook her head, "no, we're safe," she said to herself and tried to distract herself withthe thought of making it back and feeling the sunlight.

      However, they weren't safe, as at the moment Cinder replaced her gaze a shadowy figure swung down from the tree and kicked Scootaloo straight off Spike's shoulder.

THUD!

The orange pegasus hit a tree and her attack held one hand onto a branch as she balanced herself to the side of the tree. It was a girl... no, it was a woman. She was not young, she was a fully grown Unicorn. She had purple eyes, bright yellow fur and a orange & red mane. She was wearing a red and white top with orange accents accompanied with tight, black shorts and black boots. In her hand was a long, wooden staff tipped with a glowing, red gem.

"Hello, kids," the woman let off a sinister grin.

Cinder gulped, and Spike took a step back.

"Sc-Scoot.... Scootaloo!!!" Spike yelled out in rage as he gripped his hands into a fist.

He then broke into a run so he could get her to a safer place, however, the moment he actually got anywhere close to her, the woman swung he staff and pushed the dragon back.

"Ah ah ahh!" She hopped down from the tree and stood up tall, towering Cinder and Spike, "lets play fair now shall we."

Two more people pounced down from the tree to join the woman by her side. One was a dragon-pony hybrid who had black scales, green eyes, and a purple mane and tail. The other was a snake type Palphony of whom had green fur, black, slittle pupils and bared razor-sharp fangs.

"Three against two, that hardly seems fair," Spike argued.

"Oh boo hoo, don't take me seriously," she smirked and pointed the tip of her staff at Spike, "now, who should we kill first?"

She pondered to herself then looked at them in astonishment. "Ahh, how rude of me, I beleive introductions are in order, don't you think?"

"You psychotic bitch!" Spike cursed.

"Oh well that wasn't very nice," she flicked the staff and tiny sparks flew over and popped in Spike's face. She giggled, "now, my name is Sunset," she pointed to herself then to the dragon hybrid next to him, "this is Fang... and this is Razor." She finished by finally pointing to the Palphony.

They all bowed, "we are last years top class graduates," .... "but now, we are your dismay!"

Spike growled and raised his shield, "Just try to fucking touch us!"

The unicorn woman glanced at her team and shrugged, "okay," she replied simply, and with an eager swing of her staff she generated a massive wave of fast moving arcane magic that knocked Spike off his feet and into a tree. The impact was so hard that the last thing Spike heard before he fell unconscious was the sound of his own scream of pain.

"Sp-Spike!" Cinsef called out, but she dared not move from where she stood. She was scared and her knees were about to give way. She glanced up at their attackers, "Please.... leave me be... I just want to pass this test," she pleaded.

Sunset sighed, "whatever," she took a step back and turned to the Razor, "take her out will you, I feel bad harming a wolf."

Razor simply nodded, "yes, Sunset."

He looked at Cinder and stared her down, slowly approaching her, "I'll make this painless, but you were never meant for such a school, weakling!" And with on hard whack on the head, everything went black... and Cinder was conscious no more.