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// 3. Boiling 
// Story: Do Not Disturb 
// by Mindblade16 
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All was quiet within the serenity of the library, but it was not to last. In a last stitch effort to rouse Twilight, Rarity was about to do something troublesome. She had raced back to her boutique to fetch a book of spells that she had borrowed from the library earlier that week. She had previously needed the Spellbook to forge a metallic dress with white-hot molten iron thread. Such a thing simply could not be hoof stitched. She would be in Ponyville Hospital with 3rd degree burns all over her body before she could finish one hemline. Hence, this required powerful magic wrought of a complexity that could only be gotten from books. Her own magic, on it's own, was only good for clumsy attacks, levitation, and the art of the dress. In no time at all, she returned with the open book floating in mid-air just below her nose. She had a determined and decidedly saucy look about her, as if she already knew how this was going to end.

Meanwhile, back in the haze of Twilight Sparkle's memories, we see Zecora and Twilight eating the delicious meal that Zecora had cooked.

The night was getting on, and soon it would be over. This had been quite an interesting night, to say the least. This was not because many things had happened, but because of the inherent importance of what had transpired this murky night in the Everfree Forest.

“So, you think my friends are causing me pain? What can I do?”

Twilight's demeanor was liken to that of a disappointed child, and this was something that the zebra did not care to see in one she respected so much.

Zecora put down her tea; her eyes closed as if she were focused on something else.

“You must put your hoof down, even though it makes ponies frown. Do not let the world trot all over you. This is not the reason you grew. You have grown to be a strong magic user. But without taking a stand, you will be the loser.”

“I can't just insult my friends!” said the purple, flustered unicorn.

Zecora sighed as she opened her eyes and finished her meal.

“Many books have you read, is this not true? The only one who can solve this riddle, is you.”

Twilight Sparkle thought long and hard about this, and suddenly a light bulb burst into luminous glory inside her mind.  Zecora smiled because this was apparent from the look on her face. She enjoyed these little talks almost as much as gathering food near the swamp. Some marsh creatures were not that bright, and therefore delicious.

“Thanks Zecora, I'll take your advice. One step at a time.”

With that, and with the realization that she had finished her meal 20 minutes ago, Twilight Sparkle bade her friend a good evening and walked out the door, closing it behind her.

This was the last part of her memories of that fateful night with Zecora. Twilght did not need any further contemplation on this, however, the idea that had been sparked was now weighing on her mind with a heavy, muddled apprehension.



Spike was fiercely adamant about not letting her in this time. He had been serious before, of course; not to disappoint Twilight. However, this time he held new resolve, and was prepared to release a bit of magic of his own. Dragon Magic. He was not a master of it yet, being just a baby dragon, but he had learned something from his time in the great dragon migration. It was hard, but he summoned a flame from his mouth. This was not his usual message-sending green flame. This was Red Fire; coursing with magic from his stomach as his scales vibrated and tingled in response. The flame was small, but consistent. It soon grew into a blazing inferno that dwarfed the unicorn. No words had to be spoken between these two now.  There was nothing else to say; not yet. Rarity made a noise from her mouth that resembled some form of language tinged with angular and guttural sounds. It was not characteristic of her way of speaking, but such times demanded an intensity that she had not delved into for quite some time. There was a sparkling reaction from her horn that made a sound like burning leaves. From out of it, a purple fiery haze formed into a beast twice her size that immediately began to charge Spike, who had already engulfed her magic with Red Fire; the likes of which resembled a giant torch blowing in the wind.
The two forces fought for a few seconds, and then Spike's attack flickered away in a few final spouts. The large purple beast crashed into him and through the door, leaving said door smashed to bits and the baby dragon laid battered and broken on the floor. Triumphantly, Rarity pranced through the opening in the wall that once resembled a doorway. She had a grin on her face that was soon transformed to one of horror. The bubble floating over Twilght Sparkle's head darkened to a pitch black. Suddenly the bubble cracked slightly, in the kind of moment that heralded a coming storm. All at once the bubble broke open in all directions, and a black form rose from it's birthplace. Large black wings fanned out behind a long neck that held red, burning eyes. A razor sharp tail slithered behind it. The black dragon hissed, flailing out it's tongue as it eyed the white unicorn with a dark eagerness, its talons brandished as if ready for war. The purple magic that had summoned Rarity's fighting companion was now burnt away against the strength of her fear. She could not move, and that was just fine with the black dragon, who was not interested in a fight. No, he was hungry for roasted pony. As if all this weren't enough, something important, wondrous, and powerful occurred: Twilight Sparkle opened her eyes.