//------------------------------//
// Chapter 1: Away With the Flames 
// Story: Warsong: Primordial Conflict 
// by Jumping Jack 
//------------------------------//

We rose early in the morning. I yawned and groaned as I rolled my neck, cracking it as Trixie rolled off her hammock and yawned. She shivered as Starlight rose from her own slumber and yawned herself. None of us looked like we had any good sleep. Which was surprising that these two trekked two days in the mountains to look for me in this state. As Trixie handled the outside pit, dumping the frozen block of soup over the mountain side and packing things up, I took the liberty of rearranging her disorganized mess. Starlight made us hot coco and as Trixie latched her wagon to her, we began to make our way down the path. They weren't kidding when we were close to the Crystal Empire. The expansive, crystalline city came into view and the weather became a bit warmer. Starlight and Trixie took off their thermal gear and stuffed it in the wagon. Trixie dawned her starry cloak and hat, beaming happily. I sighed in relief as the warm weather began to wash over me. We made our way across the crystal road path that led back into the city.

Upon arriving, I saw crystalline ponies trotting here and there, mingling and managing tasks with themselves. It almost felt very Ponyville-ish. But it seems there were more homes than work. I guess the ponies have a different way of keeping themselves busy. But what really drew my breath away was the massive, crystal tower that rose high above. Starlight chuckled at my awed look and waved a hoof out.

"I take it this is your first time in the Crystal Empire?" She asked. I only slowly nodded.

"I've heard stories, but this... I can't believe this place actually is like this." I stated. Trixie shrugged.

"Meh, the place is okay. A little too shimmery for my taste." She said. Starlight shook her head with a smile.

"Not everypony's cup of tea." She said. "But, this is a safe haven from the cold."

"Starlight! Trixie!" A voice called out. Starlight beamed as we turned to see Sunburst walk over to us. The vanilla stallion with his two-toned hooves and spot between his muzzle trotted over to us with a smile. He adjusted his glasses, the stallion still looking unkempt as ever. He then saw me and his expression went to complete surprise. "You... actually found her?" He gasped. Starlight nodded.

"Caught her moping about in Princess Platinum's old hang out." Trixie said coolly. Sunburst smiled.

"Well, that's great to hear! Glad to see you are okay, Fie." He said. I rubbed my foreleg nervously.

"Glad...?" I asked. Sunburst nodded.

"We still need your help now more than ever." He said before turning. "I'll explain on the way to the princess." As we walked towards the castle, I noticed a floating, crystal heart twirling between two points of sharp crystals. Trixie parked her wagon at the foot of the entrance to the Crystal Castle before trotting after us. I couldn't help but let my eyes wander as we made our way into the main foyer of the castle. Which... was surprisingly the throne room at the same time. When we started heading towards the throne, I saw a familiar pony. One, who I saw in passing during a dream. The pink alicorn with the prismatic and neatly brushed mane captured her beauty. In her forelegs was a baby alicorn. Her snow-white hide glinting in the sunlight as her pink and blue highlighted curly mane nuzzled against her mother's neck. Princess Cadence beamed at us as a handsome stallion with a blue highlighted mane and alabastor hide rounded the corner from a hallway. This must be Shining Armor.

"You're back!" Princess Cadence smiled as she trotted over to us. I blinked and looked at the little one. She cooed and wiggled her legs up and at us. The stallion levitated the baby into his own forelegs as Princess Cadence looked to me. "Quiet Fire! They actually found you!" She smiled. "Twilight and the others will be thrilled with this news!" Trixie rolled her eyes.

"Hooray." She said. Starlight frowned and nudged Trixie.

"Err... you'll have to excuse her. We've... haven't had a decent night's rest." She explained. Trixie winced and rolled her neck.

"Also, the bruises." She said. Princess Cadence looked between them worriedly.

"Did something happen?" She asked. I sighed.

"A couple of missteps happened while they were trying to find me." I said sadly. Shining Armor walked over and smiled.

"Well, it's good to see you all back in one piece. My little sis and your friends have been worried about you." He said to me. I looked at him and darted my eyes.

"So... what happened while I was gone?" I asked. Everypony was quiet, their expressions grim, save for the kid. Princess Cadence sighed and looked to me.

"Pony Land declared war against Equestria." She said. I didn't know what to expect. Well, it was something I expected, but the reality of it was just... shocking. Sunburst cleared his throat.

"Your father thinks that your exposure to this General Lilac may have instigated it. It made sense considering that Cloudchaser and Flitter told us that she was... flaunting power? Something that shouldn't have belonged to her." He stated. I nodded, wincing as the flashing images of that moment shot through my head. Din's laughing, the ponies unable to move or do anything while the massive megaspell descended upon the Tri-Mourn Tower. I shook my head a little. "The Kingdom of Euclides plans to march on Equestria on the spring solstice. Equestria has been in a state of mass panic with the news. Princess Celestia and Luna have been trying to maintain stable connections to our neighbors. Twilight and the others have been running around trying to lend aid to where they can. Your friends are also out looking for you. We unfortunately don't have a good way of contacting them. They were all in a hurry." He explained. I bowed my head. I hope everypony will be alright.

"It's all your fault."

I shut my eyes tight and pushed the voice away before looking back up to him.

"I have to find them. We still have to find three more power elements." I stated, remembering that on top of being war declared, our realm is still in danger. Princess Cadence nodded.

"We'll send word out that you've been found and are currently residing in the Crystal Empire. In the meantime, you three look like you could use a shower and some food. And maybe a nap." She snickered. Trixie sighed in relief.

"Now this is the kind of princess hospitality Twilight doesn't give." She said with a grin. Starlight rolled her eyes but giggled. I put a hoof to my stomach. I was feeling way more hungrier than usual. I looked to Cadence.

"Is it alright if I can have some hotcakes? I... would like to warm up a bit. All that frozen food and trying to dethaw thousand year old whiskey and wine didn't sit well with me in the slightest." I said with a stick of my tongue out in a sickly manner. Princess Cadence giggled.

"Of course. Please, allow me to show you to the rooms. Shining Armor, would you be a dear and write to Twilight about Quiet Fire being found?" She asked. Shining Armor was playfully bouncing the baby in his forelegs and nodded.

"Of course. It's time to put this one down for a nap as well." He said as the baby yawned. We followed after Princess Cadence as she led us up some stairs and down a hallway. She opened three doors. Two next to each other and one across.

"Pick whatever you like and I'll send somepony to get you all for brunch." She said. We watched her walk back down the hall before disappearing around the side. Starlight stretched and yawned.

"I don't know about you two, but I'm fixing to sleep like a log." She said before walking into her room. Trixie herself stretched as well before wiggling a hoof at no pony in particular.

"I'm in the mood for a nice, relaxing bath. All that mountain trekking has me feeling disgusting." She said. I waved to them as they shut their doors.

"S-see you guys for brunch... I guess." I said. That left me awkwardly standing in the hallway. I slumped and turned to walk inside of the room. I closed the door and looked around. A circular room with a four-post bed that wasn't caved in. Lavish, red velvet sheets and white pillows looked inviting. I walked over to the next room. The washroom was neatly cleaned and sparkling like a crystal. A tub and a shower had no right to be so big. I rolled my neck and groaned. Turning on the tub, I decided to pamper myself a little. I filled the tub with hot water and a bubble solution that had said on the bottle to give the coat a shiny sheen as if you were an actual crystal pony. Stepping in and letting the hot water ease my aching muscles and sooth my nerves, I sighed pleasantly as I sunk a little bit further into the tub. Closing my eyes, I began to relax myself.

It was a good five minutes before my quiet time was suddenly interrupted by increasing voices again. I then heard something slosh in the water and my eyes shot open. I froze, seeing the skeletal, decaying head of Table Top looking at me from the water. I screamed and immediately hopped out of the bath, tripping over a towel and crawling backwards as Table Top emerged from the water. His skin began to peel off as he groaned at me, his glazed eyes watching me. I began to hear my ears ring and my breath getting heavy.

"It's all your fault... It's all your fault..." He groaned. He then began to climb out of the water and I panicked, scrambling to my hooves and bolting out of my room. I raced for the door, opening it only to find that there was no hall. I panted and looked around. Nowhere else to go. I then looked to the bath as Table Top began to shamble out of the room and towards me. His cry echoing those same four words. I reached back and stood on two, my quarterstaff appearing in my hooves.

"S-stay back!!" I shouted. Table Top continued his advance. His body swaying as he reached out a hoof to me. I panted and took a step back. He took two more, getting closer and closer. What should I do!? What can I do!? I grit my teeth, feeling my vision get a bit blurry. Table Top then hissed and lunged at me, causing me to trip back. I screamed as I began tumbling through the dark void. I flailed, hoping to grab anything. I then saw Table Top falling down after me. His hooves outstretched as his skin continued to peel off.

"It's all your fault!! It's always been your fault!!" He cried out in an inequine voice. "You did this to me!!" I braced myself, throwing my hooves up as he got closer. I then felt something grab my hoof and I shot my eyes open, feeling a lung full of water enter. I flailed and splashed as I was pulled out of the water, coughing and lurching forward.

"Fie! Fie! Are you okay? Hey, hey! Calm down. It's us!" Starlight's voice said. I coughed and looked over to her fearfully. I saw Trixie in a robe and towel on her mane while Starlight was just in a robe. They both looked worriedly at me. I was glad that my drenched face hid my tears. I rubbed my eyes, pretending that solution got in it before being helped out.

"Wh-what happened?" I sputtered. Starlight looked at me.

"We've been waiting for you to come down to eat brunch. But you never showed up. We got worried so we came to check on you." She explained.

"Glad we did. Who knows how long you've been underwater!" Trixie exclaimed with concern. I looked over to see Princess Cadence by the door, looking worriedly.

"Thank goodness you are alright." She said as she trotted in. She levitated a towel to me and wrapped it around me. Well, this isn't the kind of pampering I wanted. I sighed, taking a moment to calm my coughing before shivering on the bed. The three ponies looked at each other worriedly. I must have looked like a mess. Shiny coat aside, I felt pretty awful. They stuck by my side, Princess Cadence ordering to have my food brought up to me. The hospitality of the Crystal Empire's own princess was a godsend. After chowing down on my hotcakes, I felt much better. Finally, Starlight began to speak.

"How are you feeling?" She asked. I shook my head and put aside my plate.

"Honestly... like I just ran a marathon through Froggy Bottom Bog." I rasped. Princess Cadence smiled softly and lifted my chin up to meet her gaze.

"You're safe here, Quiet Fire. The Crystal Empire will ensure that all citizens, honorary guests and power elements, are taken care of." She said. I couldn't help but return the soft smile. The three left me to dry up as I then dawned a robe. Feeling better in proper lounge wear clothing, I exited the room, hesitating a bit as I took one last look around before closing the door and trotting after the others. When we got down to the throne room, I saw, to my surprise, Princess Twilight Sparkle flying around the room with a very giggly alicorn baby. She was laughing as she made small 'grrr'-ing noises with the baby before finally landing down next to Shining Armor. The baby landed on her back and cooed happily before hugging her. Twilight looked over to me and her smile widened.

"Fie! You're okay!" She said as she trotted over to me. I smiled nervously and nodded.

"S-sorry for worrying everypony." I said pathetically. Twilight shook her head.

"It's great that we managed to find you. I'm sure Princess Cadence filled you in a little about what is going on." She began. I nodded. Twilight continued. "Starswirl, Stygian and I have been reading archives of old engineering designs way back when. A pony called Leonardo da Ponci made some interesting schematics that we are running through Equestria's own engineering military staff. Testing has been going strong." I cocked my head.

"Is that... necessary?" I asked. Twilight sighed and gave a defeated nod.

"I'm not going to lie, Fie. Pony Land is way beyond Equestria in technological advancement. We've barely scratched the surface while they had centuries to perfect it. We have to make due with what we can manage." She stated. "Thi had made it very clear that we need to be fully prepared for the onslaught. And considering we have experienced Triad activity with ancient magic, it is our only option." She said. I tilted my head.

"That almost sounds recent. What happened?" I asked. Starlight winced.

"We... kind of stumbled into an outpost that was hanging around the Dragon Lands. It... was a complete eye opener." She said. Trixie shivered.

"I'm just glad it wasn't a primal..." she rasped. Twilight looked at the two worriedly before nodding.

"They activated The Eye of Ahgg. They were wanting to challenge Ember for the rite of her dragon king staff." She sighed. "Of course, Ember being the gung-ho guns blazing type, she completed all their challenges and one of the captains got a little... power hungry. A giant spider attacked the Dragon Lands. Starlight, Trixie, Sunburst and Ember were thankfully quick to contain that power." She explained. I slumped.

"That... sounds like the Triad alright." I said. I was beginning to feel a headache. Something was stirring in the back of my mind. That... isn't a good sign. I shook it away to focus on the conversation. Twilight seemed to have noticed, but continued.

"The Dragons have been trying their best to aid what they can, but... you know how they are." She said. I shook my head.

"The only dragon aside from Ouroboros I've met is Spike." I said, rubbing my head. Everything was beginning to get dizzy. Starlight finally spoke up.

"Fie, are you alright? You seem like you are burning up." She began as she raised a hoof to me. I nodded.

"Probably the robe and towel..." I rasped. I wobbled a bit and soon felt the ground rise quickly. Twilight balked and rushed over to me. She was saying something, but it was hard to hear with the ringing sound. Din suddenly stood over me, her smug grin looking down at me.

This is much better than that droll castle in the mountains. It just needs a little... home touch. She grinned. She then erupted into flames and I felt a wave of magma flowing into my body. I screamed before finding myself pushed out of my body. I was floating above everypony as my body laid motionless before them.

"Fie! Fie! What do we do??" Starlight asked. Princess Cadence turned around.

"I'll get the doctors!" She said. As she was about to trot out and Starlight was helping me up, Din began to laugh. Starlight balked and stepped away with everypony else. Din tossed my head back, laughing. She then looked back and eyed everypony in the room, a maniacal grin on my face. I gasped and desperately looked to everypony.

Get away! Please! Din cackled and shook her head.

"No pony can hear you, vessel. It's just me and my soon to be realm! With this empire, I will gladly begin my everlasting reign of fire and song!" She then turned me to Starlight and Trixie. "I must thank you two for bringing us back here. It was getting pretty boring up there." She then immediately shot a nasty glare at the two, causing them to huddle and shrink back. "But considering you both happened to interrupt me, I'll start with you two!" Both Starlight and Trixie ducked as my head swished around. Twilight and Cadence teleported away while Starlight and Trixie scrambled. Sunburst had taken cover behind a pillar, that unfortunately was beginning to topple with a neat slice where the head of a pony would be in height. He yelped as he galloped away from the crushing monument. Din cackled before aiming her horn, tracing the beam across the ground towards Trixie and Starlight, the former scampering in between cover while the latter teleported. Starlight eventually teleported behind me and tackled me.

We went rolling before she pinned me and aimed her horn, her look struggling to keep her composure. I looked on in awe as Din did something I didn't think she was really capable of. I remember that our elements absorb our beings into their imprinting. Din twisted my body and Starlight tripped, before meeting a hard head butt against the muzzle. Starlight stumbled back, covering her muzzle as Din kip upped from the ground and rushed her, planting a few jabs at her side, dancing around her. Starlight grunted as she went to buck, but Din rolled down the back and brought Starlight down into a hold as she tripped her forelegs. Din held Starlight up as Twilight and Cadence rushed to face her. Din grinned challengingly at the two as she faced Starlight to them.

"You won't be able to stop me this time! Be lucky I won't cast my judgement on this place. I have plans for it." Din stated. Twilight growled.

"Why are you doing this, Din? I get that you want to claim your realm as your own. But we need your cooperation to save the realm! Why are you being like this?!" She asked, getting low. Din grinned.

"Mortals shouldn't be concerned about matters they have no comprehension of. I am ever so close to getting fully rid of the bylaws imprinted into me! No longer will I have to wait and suffer the ages! Lux has won too many times! It's time for a different light to shine!" She exclaimed. I grit my teeth as I floated down to her.

You don't need to prove yourself to Lux, Din! I began. Din hissed.

"Silence, vessel! You'll be thankful for everything I've done once I've taken it as my own! It will not stop me from obtaining my one desire!" She cackled. Starlight tried to struggle a bit, but Din had a firm lock around her. Twilight shook her head.

"Then maybe if you just tell us these things rather than trying to take it for your own, maybe we can help you!" She said. Din tossed her head back in a sharp laugh.

"Ha! A ruler like you is that stupid to suggest that?! My amusement can only go so high!" She grinned. Twilight looked desperate now.

"But what if you aren't really trying to destroy this world like everypony thinks you are trying to do! You're acting like this because of past experiences, right? Because of how Ouroboros created you!" She began. "You're competitive with the other elements and any mortal authority or higher authority! But there is no denying that you always seem to choose balance over everything! As bad as the decisions look and sound, to you, they are just correcting wrongs! The very thing Ouroboros set out to do!" Twilight pointed at her. "You're trying to be better than Ouroboros, but at the way you are going about it, you are no better than him! Ouroboros's actions aren't your actions! What happened in Hoofington was considered for the benefit of not only your vessel, but to everypony who had been tormented by it, correct?" Din studied the alicorn, my eyes narrowing.

"Twilight? What are you even trying to suggest?!" Trixie whimpered from behind the fallen pillar. Sunburst nodded shakily.

"Y-y-you aren't suggesting on giving Din our realm, do you?" He asked. Twilight held up a wing and challenged Din. She took a step forward.

"You've only been an inconvenience once Equulie suggested you achieve ascension. Not to your vessel, but to everypony at that point. She must have given you some sort of push to achieve it somehow. My guess is it'll allow you to fully break the bylaws and with your free thinking and actions, you'll want to draw Ouroboros's attention. You want to cut off the snake's head. Am I getting warmer?" She explained. Din didn't say anything. She remained stoic, eyeing the princess cautiously. Twilight took another step forward. "You want to show off. You want ponies to acknowledge your existence. Because your sisters have already made their presences known to the world and through the ages. You could have done the same at any given point! Yet, you remained quiet, only ever jumping in when challenged! Piecing together what Fie has told me in conjunction with Ouroboros's side, it just makes sense. You want to do more than just rule the realm. You want the very stars to know your name. Your very being. That you aren't a puppet to be pulled along. And you do so while having the balance in mind." Twilight unfurled her wings in a majestic display resembling Princess Celestia. "You are indeed an enforcer to the stars above. You keep the balance in check while the others could care less and more on the one goal. A realm. But you, Din, think higher than that. Whatever happened to your imprinting long ago, something changed before it was passed onto Fie. But if what Equulie had said based on what Fie told us, she wanted you both to achieve it together.

"And that means you need to stop using Fie as your own puppet! She's not you and you are not her! You are both separate beings! You can most definitely become one together without having to sacrifice any form of identity!" Twilight held out a hoof to Din. "You just have to trust in the fact that there are beings looking out for you, Din! You just have to give us mortals a chance to prove to you that we can align our own goals with yours!" She then nodded. "So please... bring Fie back to us. Let her rest and recover. And let all of us be our better selves. You'll get your ascension. But that won't happen unless we deal with the problem at hoof. The balance instability." Twilight nodded to Din, who seemed to look dumbfounded at the princess. "You don't have to aid in our war, Din. You have your own to fight. But we need Fie to help us with our own." Din was speechless.

She seemed to bow her head a bit and dart her eyes. I was speechless as well. This... is who Twilight Sparkle is. The Princess of Friendship. And the next ruler of Equestria. To be able to stand up to a primal of all things in a tough situation... I can only imagine the worry she has about it all. Din then looked to Twilight and gave a look I didn't think she would be capable of. Desperation. Wanting. As if she is asking for acceptance. Din held out a hoof towards Twilight's own extended one, despite the distance they were at. Twilight gave a soft smile and walked forward towards them. I balked as Din suddenly grinned, pulled Starlight back, quickly spun around and bucked her in the flank, causing Starlight to crash into Twilight. Din stood on two forelegs, balancing herself while smirking as she looked to them.

"A touching speech, princess. But I won't cry you a river!" She then spun around and landed back on all fours, facing them. "You are correct for most of it. But even if you think to offer a hoof in friendship, there is one thing you all forget to count on with me." She pat her chest. "I'm deathly curious." She then looked up to me. "My vessel still has yet to open her heart to me. Asencion is going to be challenging if she doesn't accept me for who I am! And I don't blame her! For she is also right! I am evil! Maniacal! Imposingly and downright bad!" She then turned as Twilight helped Starlight up. Princess Cadence stood next to them, challenging Din. Din smirked and tapped my horn. "You want to see what Equulie has pushed me to achieve? The very path I walk? So be it! But you'll have a very different thought afterwords! Mortals are so predictable!" Din lowered herself before she had me stand majestically like Twilight. The spectral, fiery wings unfurling widely and intimidatingly. A fire began to swirl around me as my mane and tail erupted into flowing fire. Din smugly grinned at the ponies, causing them to step back as The fire began to take shape of an alicorn.

"Get out of the castle, now!" Twilight exclaimed. Cadence went with Shining Armor and her child, popping into a bright flash of blue. I balked and looked between Din and Twilight, who was cantering over to Starlight and the others. I don't know what compelled me to do so, but I reached with my magic and connected myself to Twilight. I found myself quickly tethering to her as she then teleported everypony out of the castle. The unnerving, echoing laugh of Din could be heard as the fire began to erupt from the opening of the castle. I looked up to see Din crash through the side of castle and kicked away from it. The massive spectacle of Din cackled as she scanned the area. Princess Cadence looked to Shining Armor.

"Keep Flurry Heart safe and escort the crystal ponies to safety! This is a primal threat!" She said. Shining Armor nodded, turning to some curious crystal ponies who were watching in awe. His horn glowed as his voice echoed throughout the empire.

"This is a Primal threat! Evacuate the city! By order of the Princess Cadence herself!" Shining Armor galloped down the street, calling out to ponies while Flurry Heart rode on the back of the stallion, laughing happily. Trixie, Sunburst, Starlight, Cadence and Twilight looked up as Din seemed to finally spot them.

"You can run, but you can't hide, little ponies! You still have yet to witness what I can achieve! What my sisters can only dream of!" I bit my lip.

We have to stop her somehow... but... what...? I said out loud to myself. I then blinked and using my eyes, I zoomed in onto the center of Din's chest. A small, amber speck of a gem that was on the verge of breaking. Twilight suddenly gasped.

"The heart..." She said. I blinked and looked down to her. Her look furrowed. "That's... odd... Fie? Are you with us?" She asked looking around. I looked at my tether to her. Well, color me impressed. I gave a determined nod and looked down to Twilight.

Twilight. You have to shatter that gem! It's the only way to put Din in her place! You can't hurt her normally, but one good strike to that gem will end it! I stated. Twilight nodded determinedly. As she was about to take off, Starlight stood next to her along with Princess Cadence.

"We're going too." Cadence said determinedly. Starlight grinned and nodded to Twilight. I had an idea. I imagined myself splitting into two. Concentrating on one specific part of me. When I looked, I saw faint wisps of my own selves. Surprised it worked, I commanded them to tether to Cadence and Starlight respectively and they did. Starlight and Candence gasped.

I'm here with you guys. Give Din hell! I said. With that, the three took off, Starlight using her magic to fly and levitate. The three stuck close together as they rose up to meet Din, who was patiently waiting for them.

"Done planning? Good! I can't wait to break it all down with my newfound power!" Din reared back and jabbed a hoof out. Cadence's horn flashed and the three were pushed back greatly as her barrier shattered. Righting themselves, Din kicked off into the air, causing the three to balk and take off away from Din. Soaring through the air, I looked behind us to see Din aim her horn.

Evade! I called out. The three scattered as a beam of fire barely missed them. Princess Cadence turned and aimed her horn, firing a beam at the chest of Din. Din batted the beam aside before pivoting and rushing Cadence. She barely had time to react as Din punched her barrier, sending Cadence sailing through the top of a crystal building.

"Cadence!!" Twilight called out. She growled and soared under Din, tracing her beam against her. Din put her forehooves to her chest, lashing out her hind legs. Twilight spun and avoided them. Starlight teleported from above, gritting her teeth as she aimed her horn and a massive beam showered onto Din. I was in awe. Starlight was really capable of so much for a unicorn such as her. When the beam thinned, Starlight gasped as Din brushed her shoulder and smirked, looking up at her. Starlight teleported just in time as a volley of fireballs shot up and scattered. Din, floating in place, swished her head and the fireballs began homing in on the three. Cadence and Twilight soared down and between buildings, causing the fire to erupt on impact against the buildings. The crystal houses shattered and sparkled into fragments when the fire collided. Starlight teleported from building to building, avoiding the volley while shooting back with her own volley of beams. Twilight did a strange maneuver in the air, gathering the fireballs into one before she threw out a lasso around it. Catching the ball, she then chucked it back at Din in a whip like fashion. Din spun and in another surprise of using my own martial style, she juggled the fireball with her hind legs before punting it up, flipping and twirling before deftly hitting the fireball back at Twilight. Twilight gasped and teleported as the ball hurled out into the outer field of the empire before erupting into a dome.

Din kicked off and hissed as Starlight unfortunately teleported into her path. Starlight went tumbling into the air as the building she was one shattered by a hefty punch from Din. Fortunately, Cadence caught Starlight. With the two nodding to each other, they took off separately and began pelting Din, aiming for areas to get her to drop her defense of her chest. Seeing as that was being a task in of itself, I had to think of something. I darted my eyes in thought before beaming at an idea.

Twilight! Get close to Din! I’m going to distract her! I said. Twilight furrowed her brow in worry.

“Are you sure?” Twilight asked with concern.

Trust me. I can get under her skin enough. I said with a smirk. Twilight nodded determinedly before kicking off and soaring over to Din. I noticed Din spotting Twilight approaching and she grinned, curling her wings in front of her before throwing them out, sending all three tumbling through the air. Din laughed before she dropped down and landed on all fours. She then motioned with a wing to bring it. Twilight growled and took off from the air. She swished her head and fired a dusk colored beam. Din tilted her head, dodging it. Cadence was unfortunate to be on the other end as the beam hit her and sent her crashing into the side of a building. Twilight gasped.

“Cadence!” She cried out. Starlight popped next to Twilight and nodded.

“I’ll tend to Cadence. Get Fie close to Din!” She said. Twilight looked worriedly and in panic. But she nodded as Starlight popped in a light blue flash. Twilight took a deep breath and glared at Din.

“You won’t be hurting anymore ponies today!” Twilight growled. Din swished one wing coolly, standing on two and getting into stance. I frowned. It then turned into a smirk. Twilight charged and as she got close, I read Din.

Duck down, fire up! I called out. Twilight did so on cue as Din’s hoof jabbed out. When Twilight fired at Din at her chest, Twilight missed the gem just barely. Din’s eyes widened as she hopped away from us, placing one foreleg across her chest. Twilight charged again. Up! Teleport down and fire! I called out again. Twilight did so, avoiding a swipe and a beam from Din. She growled as the beam came close to hitting her chest again. She bucked out a hindleg, which I had Twilight evade in a fantastic flip, firing a beam in retaliation that, again, got close to the gem.

Almost there, Twilight! I exclaimed happily. Twilight put on a confident smile. I couldn’t believe this. With our teamwork, Din began to get desperate. She began making slip ups in her defenses. When learning Zebra Martial Arts, you have to remain calm under pressure. And since Din has never seen me freak out in my stance during combat, there was no way for her to properly retaliate. Like a stage magician, you need to improvise when things don’t go your way. Something that came naturally to me.

Twilight flipped, dove and twirled in and around Din, hitting her chest near and close to the gem. Din began to groan in frustration before bounding back twice and stomping her hoof.

“Enough! I’m growing tired of this little game!” Din began to take off as Twilight kicked off from the air towards her. Din kept her distance as Twilight soared after her. She was struggling to keep up. Which is exactly what I told her to do. Din grinned victoriously as she had enough distance to swish her head and began to charge her attack.

Now! I shouted. Twilight teleported as Din stopped and aimed her horn. Her eyes widened as she saw Twilight pop in front of her. Twilight flashed her horn, causing Din to yelp and shut her eyes, tossing her hooves up. But Twilight furled her wings, letting herself drop and with pinpoint precision, she fired a beam, directly on the gem. Time seemed to stop as the gem began to crack a couple more times before shattering entirely. Din reared back, an inequine scream mixed with her own voice echoed throughout the empire.

Twilight teleported and rolled along the ground before landing deftly on all fours, sliding a bit and then coming to a stop. We watched as the fire from Din vanished into the air. Din began screaming as she shrank upon reaching the ground. Twilight panted as the last spectral image of Din faded, leaving my body unconscious on the ground. Starlight and Cadence, looking beaten, walked over to us. I dissipated my clones and floated over to my body. I saw Din look weakly up at me. I then put my ghostly horn to my own and in a brilliant light, I finally came too.

My entire body ached and screamed as I groaned and began to push myself up from the ground. I saw a hoof extend out to me and I looked up to see Twilight smiling at me. As she helped me up, we saw some of the fire swirl in front of us. Din’s image rasped as she laid on her side, growling at us.

“I… I cannot be bested… by mortals…!” She painfully barked. I winced as I limped over to her.

“You gave us no choice, Din. You know what’s funny? You probably would have succeeded if you weren’t so caught up in the moment.” I sighed and bowed my head. “As much as we detest each other, Twilight is right. Equulie entrusted both of us to achieve that very goal. Your one desire. We both can do so many feats of prowess on our own. But if we can somehow find the silver lining… then perhaps… I’d be a bit more understanding to your wants.” I looked down at her. “You don’t always make your thoughts known and in turn, creatures are going to assume you are out to destroy our very world. From a mortal’s perspective, we do not understand the decisions of ones higher than us. Instead of us hindering your rise to ascension, work with us to help you achieve it.”

Din didn’t say anything. She groaned and laid her head against the crystalline street.

“Urgh… Shut up…” she rasped. I braced myself. Her image began to fade as her fire was absorbed into me. I screamed as the agonizing aching pain coursed through me. I nearly buckled under the pain. When I caught myself, I panted and looked tiredly over to Twilight and the others. Ponies were beginning to emerge from their hiding as I began to wobble. I gave a victorious smile before the ground met my level.