//------------------------------//
// S2 Intermission: The Hellstone Chains 
// Story: JTHW: Journey To Hearth's Warming 
// by Lighttone GryphonStar 
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Many things were charging forward in those next days. From Twilight's imprisonment to Starlight's recovery. It was unclear when both parts would end. Twilight kept a hopeful outlook as she waited for her judgment day. Her cage was so dank and hot, yet every night as if perfectly timed cool rain would reach through the opening. It was one of the few peaceful moments she could have in her cell.

Silver Pear pleaded with Dim every time that he got the chance to undo such a bold move, yet he refused every time. The naga was often seen in too much stress to care for the alicorn. Princess Platinum was recovering but pushing herself so hard, so fast, to get back into battle. The naga would argue with her every night, but to no avail. She refused to falter until she would stand victorious.

The war was runway, whether the princess was there to lead it. Blood Diamond laid a massive siege to the west of the unicorn providence, burning any city that refused to yield. He always claimed he could end the war in an instant, but chose not to, to make an example of Mira's rule. He wished to shame the princess in every way, in every victory.

Rex and Clover stayed purely because the map they were following refused to give any answer, but also because their transport was under repairs. Fredricson said the attack on the ship was perfectly timed. Whether it was to stall for time or have them witness the war play out, Indigo Frost and his alicorn ally wished for Rex and Clover to stay in place.

Despite being trapped in the middle of a warzone, Starswirl in his cleverness could contact the other alicorns in the floating citadel. While he could tell them all the secrets he knew about Twilight, he was quite shocked that Celestia spoke of Twilight by name and that she fought such dark magic only days before Twilight's imprisonment. Celestia wished to avidly meet Twilight but knew she couldn't with the war going on.

The groups were all at a stalemate with the war going on. It was clear nothing could truly get done until the first portion of the war reached its climax. Blood Diamond knew this better than most and as he laid the groundwork for his greatest assault yet, he made sure that every detail wouldn't end the war, but push it into breaking point.

Indigo Frost said this war would consume all species, but only the unicorns have been fighting. However, it won't be long until the other species are forced to move in and take sides. With that in mind, the wendigo had ordered his allies to visit the ruins of a forgotten kingdom, hoping to spread this war to the furthest reach.

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