//------------------------------//
// From the Ashes (Philomena, Dark) 
// Story: Bombastic Bookpony's Bazaar of Oneshots 
// by Bombastic Bookpony 
//------------------------------//

        Philomena surveyed the Princesses sitting next to her. They were unaware, unprepared. It was time. Time to avenge their parents, those lost. Time to break free and take their rightful place on top of Equestria. It had taken thousands of years, but that was no problem for phoenixes. They had been there, unlike the ponies. While the ponies think of them as pets, and think of the Princess as kind, merciful rulers, the phoenixes remember.

        Philomena remembered seeing Celestia storm into their throne, and destroying her parents with her godly fury. And for an unknown reason when she saw the little child, she took her in as a pet. Whether it was out of ignorance or an attempt to degrade their race’s dignity or even some twisted sense of mercy, did not matter. The Princess would regret her choice. She, as her people’s queen, could sense them all and communicate with them mentally. They had waited for so long, but now it was time. 

        The Elements would be handily taken care of. They had foolishly taken in a baby phoenix as a pet. They did not stop for an instant to think of the parents. Just like those self righteous fools. Philomena had read the Princesses’ letters. Today was one of the Elements’ play dates. All six of them would be there, ready to be taken out in one fell swoop. She reached out to the child, saw through his eyes. Yes, all the Elements were in place. Playing their games, unaware of what was to come. She sent her commands through the baby’s mind.

        Now, child. Make your people proud.

        That was all it took. She felt the child burn, the flames coursing through him. He was young; he was not ready to exude that fire yet. He would not survive. But he would not be forgotten. She saw through his eyes the Elements burning. Loyalty was incinerated mid nap. Generosity was shielded by a dragon, but it was a futile effort. His scales were not yet strong enough to shield against such flames. Honesty ran in vain. Kindness screamed in horror and pain, and Philomena took a special pleasure in her demise; she was yet another pony who had presumed to know her body better than she did. But Magic disappeared in a flash of purple light, likely instinctively. Then, it seemed the child himself had burnt out, for it was now mere black.

        Suddenly, the same flash of light emerged in the room, taking the Princesses aback. There was the Element of Magic, fire still scorching her body. It seemed as though she was not quite fast enough. She screamed as the Princesses hurried to extinguish her. Philomena smirked and stretched her wings. Here was her part. Luna was weak to the fire, her body far more used to the cold of the moon. And usually Celestia would be too strong to be wounded by fire. She was the Sun Princess, after all. Philomena could unleash all she had on her, and Celestia would only have a few scorch marks. But that was on a normal day. She had been weakened by Chrysalis. She was still regaining her strength. Now was the time to strike.

        She called out to her people, signaling them to attack. Swarms descended upon cities across the nation. Philomena flew to the top of the room, and unleashed the fire within. 

 Equestria would burn, and the phoenixes would rise from their ashes.