For Whom the Bewitching Bell Tolls p4

>After a mostly uneventful hike into the woodlands, you've made your way down to the Kirin's hometown.
>Even before you got too far into the outskirts, you were already seeing some of them out and about, carrying supplies they dug up from the mountains or from foraging en route to their homes and shops to stock for tomorrow's series of bartering
>Naturally, you opt to speak with some of the passerby about current events in their rustic little town
>Though it was still a cozy place, unlike Ponyville, the kirin were still lacking on the modern conveniences of things like Grocery Shops and projector based movie theater. Still, they lived comfortably and gradually grew in their own way after their Silence spell had been broken

>Since they didnt have cutie-marks as regular ponies do, they werent bound to specializations unless they willingly dedicated themselves to a craft.
> It always struck you as a bit odd that Ponies would find their talent and often dedicate themselves with a fervor that detracted from any other avenues that didnt surround the mark's implications
>Still, regardless of the trades or services they took up, there were three things they were exceptionally notable for: their metallurgy, nature magic, and their truth-telling.
>While the former wasnt as widespread as the latter, those who took on the forge could easily match and outdo ponies with marks dedicated to the craft. However, Kirins rarely needed such implements beyond making convenient items like iron based tools equipment for the mines in the Peaks of Peril
>Convincing them to make a weapon might not be all too easy, as they do their best to distance themselves from things that may incite their fiery and wrathful half
>But thats fine - you're skilled enough to work on this with just a little help from the locals.

>A rosy pitaya lands in your path from a nearby tree, catching your attention.

>"Heya tall stuff. Come here often?"
>That voice is immediately recognizable as you look at a nearby tree
>In it, you find a certain cream colored, orange maned kirin reclining casually on a branch. She's chewing one of its fruits, having peeled back the skin with her magic as she observes you.
"Hey, nice to see you too, Blaze"
>You pick up the fruit and examine it for any bruises, but find its perfectly intact
>"C'mon, join me up here. The view's super great when Twilight leads us into nightfall"
"Hmm," you respond a less than a little enthused at the mention of "Twilight".
>Ever the keen observer, Autumn climbs down to meet you after a few seconds
>"Something eatin' ya, Anon? I'm glad you're visiting, but you look like you're a bit bothered."
>Her head tilts in that cute way their kind's known for when they feel inquisitive.
"Yeah....there is something. I wish I could say this was just a regular visit, but its more than that."
>Autumn nods in understanding, fetching a bag of her own gathered foodstuffs from the tree with her magic
>"Wanna crash at my place for the night? Maybe I can help with whateevr's on your mind. We can talk all about it over drinks."
>Her invitation returns a small smile as you agree to accompany her. Its true that she talks a lot when she's in a really good mood, but unlike Pinkie Pie, she's more than willing to stop and listen the moment she picks up that someone has something to say., especially if its important.

>The two of you walk back to her home not too far from the "square" of their settlement, and she quickly unloads her cache after igniting the lanterns inside her abode with some Nirik flames
>Next, Autumn magics over some wooden cups and pops a cork off of a keg of what you presume is her beer stash as she plops herself on her couch, patting a spot with her long tail for you to rest.
>You get comfortable, taking her beverage offering and setting your stuff aside to join her.

>While you really want to down your poison, you decide to just have a sip to loosen up some of the internalized tension and fury you've been carrying with you
>Its best to keep yourself as sober as possible, not just for your retelling, but to avoid a nasty hangover impeding your work tomorrow
>Autumn takes hers down to about half, her eyes never leaving yours as she drinks
"I've.....been seeing things, Blaze. Dreams, or visions. I dont know anymore/ At first, I thought it might have been just a one-off deal or that Princess Luna was messing with me."
>"Luna?"
>"Oh right. You guys dont know much about Equestria outside of your homes, huh? She raises the moon and also watches over the dreams of ponies sometimes. Even helps them learn through them on occasion"
>Another head-tilt but she nods and gestures with her hoof to continue.

>You recount the details of your dreams, telling her that they repeat over and over. You also gradually explain the situation with Twilight and her friends and their friendship school.
>"Teaching Friendship? Something about that doesnt sit right with me about that, Anon."
"I know, I know. its not something to simply teach but experience. Still, a lot of non-ponies dont understand it, so...."
>"Ah."
>You mentally prepare yourself as you explain Cozy Glow's situation in the School
>She listens silently at first, but after learning of her defeat, she rings up the million bit question:
>"So what happened after she was stopped?"

"They threw her in Tartarus and never bothered to check on her or try to help her be better"
>Silence. You watch her reaction very carefully, and for a moment you could have sworn a spark flickered in those eyes as she peers into you.
>Autumn sets her cup down with her magic focibly
>"But they helped us! Fluttershy and Applejack went to such lengths just to figure out what went wrong when they were here! They almost lost their emotions just trying to help us! Why couldnt they help one of their own?!"

"I dont know. Twilight just thought she was a lost cause and they ditched her so. None of the others stood up for her either."
"Her, a magic draining centaur with sibling issues, and a changeling queen who lost her hive. They've been imprisoned or left to their own devices when they've done wrong. Out of sight, out of mind."
>Maybe you need another sip. if only to wash down your palpable disappointment.
"They've never tried to aid the foal and centaur. The changeling queen was offered an opportunity, but it was on the tail end of her own kin turning on her. She was probably blinded by her anger and hurt to really consider it. And those who turned never sought her out to mend things either."
>It hurts to see her shock and ire ebb into sadness as her ears flatten and she looks to a corner of the room, but it was the truth.
"Just.....what sort of friendship are they spreading to others these days....?"
>You heave a sigh. This was it....
"Autumn....I havent told you exactly what these dreams I've seen foretold just yet."
>A glance back to you as her horn ignites.
>The entire keg she poured from earlier is brought to her side
"If its anywhere near as bad as this sounds, I might need more refills"
>You wish you had the luxury of getting hammered right now too.

>This time, you explain your hand in all of this. Your view of their untimely end, your attempts to bring things up to the Princesses, the way your friends brushed off your concerns, your departure from Ponyville, and lastly your reason for coming here.
>You ended up having more shots as you talked, again to drown your own ire and disappointment....but its becoming hard to tell if its the beer in your system that's making the room feel hotter than it was earlier.
>Autumn's gone from worried curiosity, to shock and disappointment, to....something else.

>She hasnt transformed, but her pupils have completely vanished as she bares her fangs, quivering a little on the spot
"Autumn?"
>"How can they be so....so....!"
>Shit, you dont want her to explode into flames, especially with that keg close by
>You quickly get up and kick it a short distance away from her first
>She hadnt erupted (yet) so you decide to try calming her down by booping her nose
>....
>No effect, and you're starting to see sparks flare at the end of her tail
>Well, its all in or potential house fire
>You give the furious horse a full on embrace and pray you dont burn for it.
>"Ssssaahhonn....?"
>The intense heat from that sort of contact was already making you sweat a ton, but your clothing was just enough protection to not burn you
>Autumn looks around as you pull yourself away, having come to her senses with a slight blush
>"S-sorry! I didnt mean to get riled up like that..."
>You sigh, relieved. She's better than others at controlling that, but even then, accidents can happen
"Good to have you back. I know its really aggravating to think they'd be like this after all the good they do. its got me pretty fucked too, but I'm using all of that as fuel for this attempt at making things right."
>Her eyes are tracing over you for any signs of burns, but she settles once you assure her that you're okay.
"I'm going to find a certain artifact and use it to out the one who's setting those three up for failure, as well as subdue the Princesses so we can talk this out....as friends should. I hope you dont mind if I spend a few days here."
>Autumn smiles a little with a nod
>"Are you kidding? You can stay as long as you like! If there's anything else I can do to help with this, just say the word."
"Thanks, Blaze."
>You give her mane and head a rub and she rubs into it a little
>The rest of your night is spent unpacking your things and chatting with your roommate about less weighty topics before you retire for the evening in her guest room.
---
>You awaken to the smell of breakfast being made, as Autumn Blaze, despite how much beer she chugged last night, rose with the sun and got to satiating her immense hunger.
>Another thing you liked about their kind was that they werent adverse to hunting, prepping and consuming meat.
>Even if it werent a mainstay food compared to their usual fruits and grains that they forage or cultivate, they werent anywhere near as squeemish about it as the mainland would be
>Even their aspiring "everycreature" society, you'd still get looks and nervous smiles or whispers for wanting some fish or bacon.

>You decide to have a peak at what's up in the kitchen as you catch a glimpse of your roommate humming a wonderful tune as she preps a pair of plates.
>It doesnt take her long to notice you've been watching her hum and sway to her melody and she greets you with a smile
>"Morning! Did you sleep well, Anon?"
"Pretty good, actually. Its been awhile since Ive had breaks in having those dreams of the future. Need help with anything here?"
>"I'm actually just about done! Have a seat and I'll be right over."
>Taking a seat at her small wooden table, you're eventually met with your plate and a cup hollowed out from a really hard fruit filled with a blended juice
>Your breakfast is also comprised of assorted fruits and veggies, but there are some strips of well cooked squirrel meat
>You make short work of polishing off your plate, savoring every bite of the breakfast offering while Autumn works her own meal with similar voracity.

"What an amazing meal, Blaze. Thanks a lot"
>She beams at you as she returns a happy "you're welcome" as she begins detailing how she prepped everything to make that breakfast happen
>You decide to interrupt her before she gets a bit too invested in her rambling to ask about how early the local smiths open shop
>"They're probably already up and about getting ready. I'm sure one of them will be willing to lend you a hoof on your very 'unique' project"

>Briefly, you return to your room to gather your materials and tools, bidding your friend a brief goodbye before you set off towards the town
>Autumn had briefly stopped you on the way out to tell you that she'd have some business to see to, so she might not be home when you return
>While you were curious about her plans, you've got your own work to do, so you tell her not to worry but warn that you might plunder her snacks if she's -too- late, which she scoffs at and playfully jabs you about as she leaves

>Even though the sun's only risen less than an hour ago, the locals are indeed up and about. Gatherers and hunters are getting their items and groups together, miners are having hot meals by a small fire pit and sharing stories of their recent travels, and the younger of them are meeting their neighbors and friends to either help the adults how they can (if allowed) or looking to play.
>It warms your heart to see them all pulling together like this for almost every little thing - enough so that you even help a few Kirin with their menial tasks along the way
>It made you remember simpler times in sleepy little Ponyville, before it started to pick up on modernizing in the wake of becoming a campus town.
>You cant remember the last time you had to help with Winter Wrap Up or the Running of the Leaves after Twilight saw to the optimization of the weather team's work to make sure Fall and Winter conditions came and went on schedule.
>Friendship was still strong in Equestria, no doubt, but it still felt like it was missing something at times.

>You're able to find your way to a part of the small town just on the outskirts where the smithy made their home.
>There's also a small group of the aforementioned miners looking to either commission any tools they'd need for their climb or repair what they've already had
>One of the larger Kirin, who you recognize as one of the experts of this place is accompanied by a few younger apprentices, helping sort the orders he passes onto them.
>Some are even well off enough to work on repairing equipment without his supervision, but he still gives the item an examination just to be sure its done to his expectations
>Its old Bark Pyre. The silver-maned and one eyed kirin dusted off his soot covered spotty cream coat as he appraises another item before handing it over.
>It doesnt take long for him to notice the human standing in the lineup, and he waves you to come on over
>"Well well, if it isn't young Anonymous the Otherworldly!"
>He always did that, attaching "titles" to those he was remotely fond of. He had something for almost everyone, really - save for his apprentices.
>They get titles after meeting his approval to advance at a certain level in his teaching
>The two of you had become fast friends in your visit a few years back, and he showed you quite a few things on advancing beyond the basics you already had down.
>So it really didnt take long for you to get yours.
"Glad to see you're still at it old timer. This place wouldnt be the same without your hammer's singing as it meets the hot iron," you reply with a smile
>"Aye, human. The forge always swells and chimes a beautiful sound for those who put their heart and soul into it, but its at its best when an ensemble gather."
>He motions to a spare set of tools that the apprentices arent using
>"So wont you sing with me this fine morn? We've got a good audience here, just waiting for our performance!"

>You happily oblige, opting to use your own tools instead as you help your old friend
>Not only do you get to help, and be helped in kind, but working on those tools would help you warm up your skills for your main project.
>Plus, you get to flex a little on the little greenhorns observing your work with their boss as your combined efforts gradually chew through the orders lined up.
>True to his nature, Bark puts on quite the (literal) performance as the two of you work, giving out a well thought out song about blacksmithing with his apprentices harmonizing as they aid the two of you in handling and distributing the items you would have worked with or finished.
>You almost want to join in, but while it seemed like Ponies were naturally inclined to find their stride in their impromptu songs, you weren't quite as confident at it
>You're content to just keep pace with him instead

>The song (and somehow your workload) goes as fast as it came
>Another marvel of pony music you never fully grasped - being able to get a lot done within its very short duration
>Still just as tiring as working for hours on end, though.
>Even old Bark needs a breather while the apprentices chat among themselves about how much fun they had through it
>You wipe the sweat off of your brow as you take a seat next to the old Smith to chat
>"Ahm glad you came back to us, friend," he starts as he has himself a drink of water from a gourd he had set nearby
"Its good to be back. I'm sure you can figure exactly why I'm visiting so well prepped/"
>"Aye, there was something reserved to your method as we worked together. You were holding back...and you're holding in your true feelings for a strong wish alone."
"Nothing gets past you when it comes to smithing," you reply with a nod
>"So what is it, then? What sorta burden you're bearing to offer to the flames?"

>The next half hour is spent explaining the design and materials you were hoping to use to the old stallion and apprentices
>They seemed intrigued by the idea of such a potent anti-magic ore would exist, but It was clear that this would be difficult for the apprentices to handle.
>They hadnt quite built the strength to handle the forging process entirely without magic
>"Ah, so it will be a challenge. We will help you as far as we can, but I believe that granting shape and form to your weapon's blade will be a song only you can sing"
"its cool, Bark. I'll take any help I can get."
>He offers a toothy smile in response
>"Come apprentices. Let us prepare the mold and the forge for our friend."