A small crowd of ponies watched the burning house. Some were fearful, some in awe, their eyes reflecting the flames that licked at the front of the two story building that Sweetie Belle and her roomies called home. A pair of earth pony guards kept them back. At the forefront, was Pip, arguing with them.

StarStep broke into a gallop, skidding to a stop next to the guards and looking from the white and brown earth pony to the burning house. “Pip! What happened?”

One of the guards turned on him, “Get behind us sir, that fire is dangerous.” The Night-Guard glanced over the blue-grey colt's shoulder and his eyes widened, “P-Princess! We're so glad you're here!”

Star noted his friends and the blue alicorn had joined him. Sherry and Peach seemed both horrified and entranced by the burning building, Light was at his side, Scoot his other.

“Pray-tell, why has this fire not been contained?”

The first guard bowed slightly, “Princess, we've dumped three emergency rainclouds on it. So far, it's having no effect. So we've had the weather crew soaking the nearby buildings while we get the magic team here.”

“Oy, Princess!” Pip shouldered his way through the guards and looked up at her, his face was soot streaked, “Dinky and Sweetie are still inside! Yah 'ave to help!”

The alicorn's eyes widened as she spun to face the burning building. Her horn glowed as Star turned to the large spotted earth pony, “Pip, how did this happened?”

“I donno, Dinky and I came home from our shift, and saw a fire burning in the lower windows. We ran in to check for Sweetie and tha fire spread so fast we got separated. Then these two blokes.” He gestured a hoof at the guards, “Yanked me out and not let me back in there!”

“It appears thou speaketh the truth. I sense two ponies within. Still alive...for now.” A frown crossed her face as her horn shimmered more intensely. “This...this cannot be.” Her horn ceased it's blue aura as she looked down sadly at Star and Pip. “Alas, I can do nothing to this fire on my own. Tis not natural. I wilst need to fetch mine sister to douse these flames. However...I fear it may be too late for thy friends by the time we return.”

Star looked to the burning house then to Luna, “Then let's not waste any time. Can you put a shield on me? You get your sister and I'll pull them out.”

The Princess looked into his determined eyes, her mouth opened as to deny his request, but sighed heavily and nodded her head. “I know it would be a wasted effort to dissuade thou from this course of action. Thy friends hath not the time for us to argue over such a matter.” She reached out to touch her crystal slipper to his cheek, “Thou art impulsive and foalish, yet brave. Rescue my ponies and I shalt forgive thy transgression.” Her horn glowed and the field of blue settled over the blue-grey colt. “Mine shield wilst only protect you partially from these flames. For they art not natural. Take care to not stray into the heart of the flames.” She kissed him, “Please, return to me, my Star.” With that, the Princess vanished in a flash of light and a swirl of black and blue mist.

Lighthoof rested a hoof on Star's shoulder, “Me and Scoots will circle the building and watch the windows. Just in case you need a hoof getting the fillies out.” He looked to the large earth colt, “Pips, if you had to, do you think you could kick a hole in the wall?”

The earth-stallion looked over the shoddy house, flame licking out in many places, black plumes of smoke rising to the sky. “Yeah...being da walls are weak with fire, and it was blimey thin walls anyhoof. I figure I right can.”

Lighthoof nodded and looked to Star, “Ok dude, it's on you. We'll do what we can out here. Be safe.” They bro-hoofed. Scootaloo gave him a hug before he handed off his necklace of feathers to her. She promised to keep it safe as he took to the air. The colt circled the burning house, spotting an open window on the second story, and swooped up to the gaping hole. He peaked his head inside, making sure the room wasn't filled with fire and pulled himself through.

Inside, Star began to cough. The smoke rising from the lower floors was thick. Lowering his head towards the floor he made his way to the bedroom door. Carefully, he tested the door-handle for heat before nudging it open. Fortunately, only little embers sparked the hallway, though he knew it wouldn't stay that way long. He called out for Dinky and Sweetie, wandering down to the next two bedrooms, poking his head in with no luck. At last he reached the stairway down, rolling black smoke climbing up the narrow passage. He descended, using his wings to help funnel the rolling smoke away from his face. He knew it would fan the flames and embers, but it was better than passing out from inhalation.

The living room was half in flames, the front half towards the door cut off. He circled around to the kitchen, coughing and using wings to buffet smoke away. Again, no sign of the fillies.. The backdoor was also completely in flames. There was no easy way out it seemed. His calls went unanswered till he passed the stairs leading to the basement. He thought he heard an answer to his shouts and pulled open the door a crack. “Sweetie? Dinky?”

“Down here Star!” Sweetie replied, she was coughing. “Help!”

The pegasus slipped through the door and shut it behind him to help keep out the smoke as he hurried down. His ears caught the sound of the house's structure creaking from the flames lapping at it's wooden beams. Star reached the bottom and breathed a sigh of relief to find the two fillies cuddled up with each other at the center of the basement. They had wet blankets over their heads, but still the smoke was seeping through the floor above, and the air was hot. He could make out the start of flames rolling down the outer walls of the basement.

Star trotted over, receiving a hug from Sweetie. “Dinky took in too much smoke. We gotta get her out, Star!” She pulled up the limp grey unicorn, looking to him in desperation. The colt turned and presented his back, “Put her up on me, help her stay put, we gotta get outta here. Pip wasn't kidding, those flames are eating through the wood quick.” There was a sudden groan and felt the air vibrate as something massive hit the floor above. “Come on, Sweetie, we gotta go, now.”

The white unicorn managed to remain calm, though her eyes were trembling and she coughed often. Together they managed to get the passed out unicorn on his back and strapped her down with sheets from the washer. Leading the way, Star carefully trotted up the stairs, Sweetie on his heels, keeping a hoof on Dinky's back to maintain balance. Step by cautious step, they managed the way and Star nudged the door open to be greeted by a burst of smoke and embers. He began coughing and awkwardly beat back the smoke with his wings. The pony on his back was making it far more difficult.

He forced his way out of the basement and groaned. The kitchen was an inferno and the living room didn't have a lot of floor space left to walk. Part of the upper floor had fallen down, blocking the windows along the front wall. The walkway to reach the front-door was engulfed in fire. The pegasus flicked his tail at Sweetie's face, “Bite my tail, keep close.” She nodded, taking a mouthful as he lead through the black smoke, tugging her along towards the stairs. The air was thick, hot and heavy. His eyes watered and his lungs were screaming for fresh oxygen. Together, the two ponies cautiously made their way up the creaking stairway and past the first bedroom. The entire floor had fallen in. Flames licked the walls of the hallway, and Star did his best to lead the unshielded Sweetie around what he could, and buffer down those he couldn't for her to scramble past. The second bedroom was still intact, though thick with rolling smoke.

Star stepped out on the floor, hearing it groan dangerously under his and Dinky's weight. If a pegasus was causing it to shift and creak, he knew it wouldn't last long. “Sweetie, stay put, let me see if I can get Dinky out.” The unicorn nodded, coughing hard as she cowered on the ground at the doorway, covering her nose with her hooves. He reached the window, turned and bucked out the glass. The house creaked dangerously and he gritted his teeth till the noise quieted. Using a fore-hoof, Star knocked out what glass he could around the edges, black smoke rolling out the top of it.

“Star?” Scootaloo's voice rang out from outside.

“Yeah, get Lighthoof. Dinky is out cold. I need you two to take her now.” He coughed harder.

“I'm here Star.” Lighthoof's voice responded. Shortly, the two pegasi were hovering at the window. They reached out, gently taking Dinky's limp limbs, and pulled her from the house. Satisfied, he turned and looked to Sweetie, “Ok, nice and easy. Come this way.”

The unicorn nodded, and began to crawl across the hot wood planks. Suddenly, there was a mighty crack below them, and the floor buckled and dipped as a structural beam gave way. Sweetie cried out, frightened as Star clutched the window-frame. The house stilled for but a moment. He could feel the protests of the building through his limbs. It wasn't going to last much longer. The filly looked at him pleadingly, reaching out a hoof from across the room.

Sliding on his belly, to distribute the weight, he wormed his way across the buckled floor towards the unicorn. Just a few more feet. Then there was a terrible groan and the center of the bedroom collapsed, sending him plummeting into the living-room.

Pain, oh, the pain. Terrible burning pain. Star blinked himself out of the daze, coughing hard as he pushed a burning plank off his body. He groaned, hearing his name being shouted from somewhere.

“Sweetie?” He yelled, coughing a fit as he rolled from the debris.

“I'm still up here Star. Are you ok?”

“Yeah. I'm here.” He blinked around the smoke filled room, attempting to regain his sense of direction..

“Star, the stairs are completely on fire now, I can't get back down.”

“No no, don't try.” He looked around the black and fiery living room. A gaping hole above him, black smoke billowing out the escape route. “Sweetie, are you near the hole?”

“Yeah, Star. But I can't see down.”

He glanced around, the fallen timber had cleared a small section of flames for him to stand for now. But it was looking grim. The house was groaning almost constantly. It'd be down on their heads soon. “Sweetie. I'm gonna need you to trust me. I'm gonna buffet out a bit of smoke, when you see me, I want you to jump down to me, ok?”

There was pause, then a very quiet acknowledgment. Nodding to himself, he flipped out his wings and sent a strong gust upwards, washing away a temporary space of air. He glimpsed Sweetie's soot stained face and held out a hoof to her. She jumped, crying out in terror and crashed into his spread hooves. Groaning, Star helped her off him, and staggered to his feet.

The unicorn looked around, fearful, “Star! The room is filled with fire, how do we get out?”

“STAR!” Lighthoof called from upstairs through the window.

“We're downstairs in the living-room. Can you see if Pips can kick open the door?”

“We can't get near, that bucking fire is starting to burn the stones outside the house!”

Star cursed, looking around the black hazy room. “How's that room up there?”

“The walls buckled with that crash. I'm yelling at you through a hole where the window used to be. You gotta get out, dude. Whole roof is falling in.”

The pegasus coughed and looked around again,debating an escape route. Sweetie hugged herself close and whimpered, “Star...if we don't make it...” He hushed her with a hoof to her lips and smiled.

“What did I tell you about being positive?”

She returned his smile, though her eyes trembled in fear.

“I guess we do this the hard way.” he sighed. “Get up on my back, and hold on tight, Sweetie.” He turned, crouching and spread his wings. The nervous unicorn scrambled up, hugging her soot-stained limbs around his neck as he stood. “Hold on tight. Whatever you do, don't let go.” She nodded into his neck.

Gritting his teeth, he stepped off their shrinking isle of unburning debris, and galloped quickly through the smaller flickers of flame. Thankfully, Luna's ward resisted the light licks of small flames, but when he passed near larger infernos, his coat singed and the agony lanced through his body. He was glad for the alcohol from earlier. It was probably dulling some of the pain.

Through the black smoke and flickering flames, he charged the front door. It was charred and the frame completely on fire. Cracks were running along the walls around it, the house groaning constantly now. Knocking out the door would probably be the last straw. There was only a few feet left to go. He shouted over his shoulder at Sweetie. “Close your eyes, and hold on tight. This is gonna be rough.” She nodded again, her eyes squeezed shut.

Gathering his courage and last of his dwindling strength, he lept from the floor, using his wings to soar them off the ground a few feet as his outstretched fore-hooves collided with the front door, smashing it into splinters of wood and charcoal as a wave of fire washed over him. The house gave a final shudder and collapsed behind them, the shock-wave of fire and smoke knocking him from his glide and tumbled the pair out of control. He turned midair to pull Sweetie protectively against his chest and allowed his body to cushion the impact of the street. The air was knocked from his lungs as his back smashed into the cobblestones, a cry of agony left his lips as one of his wings twisted wrong. Their momentum caused them to continue rolling along the ground a few more feet. Through his daze of pain, mind reeling from the crash, he remembered seeing Sweetie look at him from just a hoof-length away. She crawled closer and took his outstretched hoof with both hers. She smiled, tears running from her blood-shot eyes as he lost consciousness.

______________________________________________________________

StarStep blinked, groaning as his eyes sought to focus. He was laying on his side, on something soft and white. At last, he shook off the hazy vision, noting he was in a hospital room. Standing at his bedside was a teary eyed Sweetie Belle and a softly smiling Scootaloo. Sweetie cried out and leaned over the bed to hug him. He groaned, his back giving a little twinge of pain.

“Oh oh, sorry Star.” She pulled back suddenly, sniffing as she wiped her eyes. “I'm just glad the doctors finally let you wake up.”

The pegasus frowned, “Let me wake up?”

Scoots nodded, “Yeah, it's been a week. The Princesses and doctors insisted you sleep while their magics healed you. You were pretty burnt up.”

Sweetie's eyes seemed to tear up more. “Oh Star...I'm so sorry. Your poor wings.”

A terrible knot formed in his belly, “What...?” He glanced over his shoulders as he stretched out his wings. They were covered from base to tip with white linen bandages.

Scootaloo gave a soft sigh, “Your wings got doused in those flames as you crashed out of the house. The Princesses have been trying to help heal you, but...they're not sure your feathers will grow back.” She hugged a weeping Sweetie to her side.

He shook his head. He felt numb from the terrible news. No feathers, no flight. A grounded pegasus. Yet, in his creeping despair, he looked to the white unicorn, sobbing into her friend's neck and gave a slight smile. “Sweetie.” She turned her head slightly, eying him with one teary eye. “Sweetie, come here.” He gestured with a hoof to her. Carefully, she slid up onto the bed and let him hug her close. She wept, moaning how sorry she was. He stroked her mane, noting the hacked off spots and the splotches of shaved coat. He suspect he looked far worse. Glancing over her shaking shoulder, and gave a reassuring smile to his mare-friend.

“Sweetie, it's ok. You're alive and safe now. I did what I had to do. Don't cry for me, I'm sure it'll be ok. If I had to, I'd do it all over again. Is Dinky ok, too?” She nodded softly, looking up at him, sniffing. He brushed aside her butchered bangs and smiled, “Then everything is fine. I'd give a hundred wings to keep you and my friends safe. I did sign up to be a Royal Guard, after-all. Right?” She nodded again.

“But...but Star. Why did this happen? And...the instruments you got back for us. They all burnt. Everything is gone, and you may not get to fly again. It's all so wrong.”

“Shhh, it's ok Sweetie. I'm sure the Princesses are looking into it. And don't worry about me. I'm sure the Luna can fix me up with a little more time.” He gently booped her nose, “Hey, those instruments are just things. We can replace them. But you and Dinky. I wouldn't want to lose you. So, don't cry anymore.” He tilted her chin up and gave her a friendly nuzzle on the nose. “Don't cry for me. You should use that time to talk with Dinky and Pips. Figure out what you three want to do. Ok?”

The white unicorn gave a brief nod and kissed him on the cheek. “Thank you, Star.” She slid from the bed and returned a hug from Scootaloo. Then the filly trotted to the door, pulling it open as she looked over her shoulder. She gave him a sad smile before leaving them alone.

Scootaloo slid up into the bed and cuddled herself against her colt-friend. Her muzzle running along his neck. “Oh Star, what a terrible sacrifice. If you don't get your wings back...I...would never wish it on any pegasus.”

The colt hugged her close and gave a shudder, “I know...I'm holding onto that little bit of hope that the Princesses can help me. What in the world was that stuff? I remember Lighthoof saying it was burning stone.”

The orange pegasus nodded, “Luna and Princess Celestia showed up just as you crashed through the door. It took both of them working hard to douse the flames. Afterwards, Luna told me it was something called liquid dragon-fire. It...comes from the glands inside a dragon. It's the purest form of their flame. Sticks to stuff and burns and burns.” She gave a soft shiver, “Stone, wood, metal. Plus, since it's from a dragon, it's resistant to outside magic. Which is why it was so hard for Luna to douse that much by herself.”

Star pondered it for a moment, “I guess that would explain why they're having a hard time healing my wings, huh?”

The filly gave a little whimper and buried her head into his coat, “Oh Star, it was horrible to watch it burning away your feathers and...I couldn't do anything, I felt so helpless.”

He sighed and hugged her tight, “I know the feeling, Scoots. But, no regrets, remember?” He met her gaze with a smirk, “Sweetie and Dinky are safe. It was worth the risk.” She hesitated, then smiled back at him, giving a slight nod in agreement. In the back of his mind, Star processed the information about the fire. It was clearly intentional. The question then became, who set it? Why? And did they intend to hurt the fillies or was that collateral damage?

“Hey Star?” Scoots began, “They're going to let you out tomorrow. Luna is putting you on medical leave for another week while you heal. She's letting Lighthoof off as well. Said it was procedure for an arson investigation”

The colt nodded and gave her a tight hug. “Are you off for the next few days? I figure, since I'm stuck off-duty for a while, we could take Sweetie home to Ponyville and meet up with AB. A little reunion. Plus, I've been meaning to do something for Lighthoof.”

She grinned and booped his nose gently, “And, you can tell your folks about us and Luna.”

He gave a little groan, “Oh...oh no, I never thought about that. Mom is going to flip. Well, at least they know you. But...do you think Luna would want to go?”

“Only one way to find out.” She giggled, “Your mom is going to freak out if you bring home both me and the Princess.”

“No kidding. Dad will probably explode from fatherly pride.” They shared a laugh.

They spent the rest of the afternoon, cuddled in each others hooves, Star taking the opportunity to tell her all that had happened since her last visit. She found the story about the spa absolutely hilarious. Rolling onto her back and laughing so hard she clutched at her chest and tears rolled down her cheeks. At last, the sun descended, leaving the room in a dim glow of the hospital lights. A nurse poked her head in, announcing that visiting hours were over.

Scootaloo gave him a parting kiss and promised she'd talk to Luna for him about the trip to Ponyville. Then she waved a hoof, wishing him sweet dreams, before slipping from the room. He tried to remain positive, and hopeful. But as he glanced at his bandaged wings, he felt the gnawing of despair.

_____________________________________________________________

Late in the evening, with only the dull glow of the street lantern filtering through the window, Star awoke with a start. He peered about the shadowy room, unsure what had awoken him. He was about to drift off to sleep when a silvery face of an earth stallion appeared in the yellowy lantern light. His breath caught in his throat for a moment, till he recognized the chiseled jaw and eyes that were deep and dangerous.

“Steelhoof?”

The earth pony took another step into the light, just his face and chest showing from the shadows, “Mister StarStep. I am pleased to find you are alive, as are your friends.”

Star frowned, “I'm surprised you give a buck about me. What are you doing here?” He glanced over at the nurse call button, but decided to play it cool for now.

“You wound me sir. I care about many ponies. Often the ones who owe me things. However, in this case, it grieves me to be the one to admit that there's been a terrible oversight.”

Star narrowed his eyes, “What do you mean?”

“Normally, I do not give out information for free. However, I was most upset by recent events. Due to an ex-employee's foalish actions, I fear he will draw the Princesses' ire upon my business.”

“Why?”

“Already, he has attacked Miss Dinky in the street and made my employees look like thugs. Then, he has the audacity to break from prison, steal a shipment from my warehouse, and set ablaze your friend's home.”

Star blinked, “It was YOUR liquid dragon-fire?”

“Oh, come now Mister StarStep. I never said it was mine. A client had been storing it in my warehouse for quite sometime. I had almost forgotten about it till this little incident.” The large pony gave a sigh, “It's so very hard to find trustworthy help these days. The pony in question has gone to ground, and will require some digging to ferret him out. As a gesture of good faith, when I discover his whereabouts, I will forward the information to you.”

“Why tell me all this?”

“Because, Mister StarStep. As it stands, the trail leads back to my business. We had nothing to do with this. In fact, I was most intrigued by Miss Sweetie's sudden change of mindset. Seems she's been working hard with her band-mates to prepare for Princess Luna's upcoming contest. A shame all the instruments went up in the blaze.”

Star's heart sank. All that money he paid to help Sweetie, and it was but ash now. Her debt to Steelhoof was a problem that only grew with the fire.

“I had hoped she would win prize money and repay her loan.” Steelhoof said as he gave a disappointed shake of his head.

The admission startled the pegasus, however, it made sense. As far as he could tell, the silvery stallion was about cold business and profit. Though, he suspected that deep down, Steelhoof was just trying to cover his own flank. He couldn't blame him now that the Princesses were involved. “Alright, you let me know where he is, and we'll go pay him a little visit.”

“Excellent. Remember this is the only free information you will receive from me, Mister StarStep. After today, it will cost you. And I still have my eye on that beautiful blue feather." He nodded to the feathers attached to the silver necklace around Star's neck. "Till we meet again, Mister StarStep.” The pony stepped back into the shadows. Despite how hard Star peered into the blackness, and watched, he never saw him leave the room. He was simply gone.