//------------------------------//
// Given the Kick 
// Story: Innavedr 
// by Imploding Colon 
//------------------------------//

	"Nnnngh!"

Up above, in the flame chamber,  Kera telekinetically pulled the last of the six skeletons out from their chambers.  The petrified pegasus bones flew across the metal grating, scattering everywhere.  As a direct result, sparks danced along the fluctuating mana conduits.  The ruby flame, cut off from half of its energy source, spun and billowed with chaotic abandon.  Kera paid it no mind.  Instead, she scampered briskly down the winding stairwell.

Galloping on petite legs into the sequencing chamber, she saw Belle sitting up in her cot, rubbing her head and wincing quite lucidly.

"Belle!"  Kera dashed over to her.  "You're awake!  You're awake!"  She paused at the mare's bedside, wincing.  "Aren't you?"

"Yes, Kera.  I'm back..."  Bellesmith shuddered, removing the wires from her stub and fluffing a mane that wasn't there.  "Wish my migraine wasn't..."

"Well, good!  Cuz we gotta get out of here!"

"Nightshade.  I think she... she..."

"Come on, Belle!"  Kera tugged and tugged on the mare's front limbs.  "We gotta go!  They're coming soon!"

"Huh?  Who is?"

"Nightshade's cronies!  Now move!  We gotta split like a mule's butt!"

"I don't get it..."  Belle spun around, and progressively her eyes widened.  "Phoenix..."  She gulped.  "Spark alive!  Where is Phoenix?"

"He's holding them off!  He's helping us!"

"No... he... he c-can't just let them have him!"  Belle stammered, stumbling dizzily up to her hooves as she gawked at the door to the operation room.  "Nightshade tortured me in the spheres.  Heaven only knows what they'll d-do to him..."

"We can write a song about him later!  Come on!"  Kera dashed towards the stairwell.  "I mean it, Belle!  We're totally crapped if we stay here!"

Belle stumbled after her, still wincing as she rubbed her head.  She heard the stirring bodies of sniffling, emotionally distraught foals in the center of the room.  "The children.  They... they're going to face her wrath..."

"I'm sure they're used to it!  Come on!"  Kera scampered back to Belle and telekinetically tugged on the front half of the mare's body.  "We can save ourselves!  Let's not ruin that!"

Belle grimaced, her eyes moist as she trotted limply after the foal.  As she ascended the stairwell, she paused, gave the door to the operations room one last look, then finally disappeared.