//------------------------------//
// Chapter XVII Alt scene: Is this a...? 
// Story: FireStarter 
// by Cereal-Killer 
//------------------------------//

...I had to get outside and absorb some heat. It was still somewhat damp here, making it hard to extract any energy. My attempt to retreat had her chase after me, Helix was too slow to catch up without his wings so she bit me in the right foot. I yanked my foot free, one of her fangs got pulled off as well. The weak bodies that whoever revived them had conjured weren't helping her in the slightest. I yanked it out, throwing it to the side as Helix held her down. A couple moments was all I needed to charge myself.

Turning back to the cave, the other two were still tearing each other apart. Helix was doing it more literally, as small parts of her body would fall away in response to his kicks. Taking aim, I blasted her with three shots, just as she hit Helix with a full force buck, sending him flying into a stalagmite.

"Thats it, I've won!" She shouted out. Looking back at the spot where Helix lay, she gasped.

I was cradling Helix, his head in my lap. Putting his head down, I spoke calmly. "Helix. Your resolve is shining on the path, even brighter than Celestia's sun." I stood up, scowling at the weakened queen. "And it's shining on the path... that we're meant to take!"

"NANI!?" She spontaneously combusted, leaving the cave in silence as I asserted my dominance by dancing over her ashes.