//------------------------------//
// Freedom  
// Story: Diamond Heart 
// by Wayofthepen 
//------------------------------//

    I sat with my legs crossed in a meditating position for about an hour, focusing on my newfound abilities, before the sounds of hooves came at my door. I didn’t bother to open my eyes, I knew it was Celestia. “Feeling better?” I stayed quiet, not even gesturing her. I heard her hooves begin to pace around, likely trying to figure out the best way to approach.

I let out a heavy sigh. “Why would you make your sister do things she is not comfortable with?” Her pacing stopped.

“I have my reasons.” She started pacing once more. “What do your symbols mean?” She asked with force in her voice.

“It is to separate us from the others. It was not a painless transition, either. Space can verify that if you don’t believe me.” I let out a smile, knowing what she was also trying to do. I set up my mind block for if she got any ideas.

The door opened and she slowly trotted inside. As quickly as it opened, it shut and locked. “There is more you aren’t telling me.” I shrugged at her. “Tell me.” She demanded. I shook my head, as it was not of her concern. There was a sharp pain across the side of my face, forcing my head to the right. She had just hit me. “I said tell me.”

I opened my glowing blue eyes at her, smirking. “Force will get you no where, my dear.” I said extremely smugly, trying to see how far she would go. She proceeded to hit me three more times, each hit getting harder.

“I have many ways to get you to tell me. I also have other guards who take pleasure in them.” I got to my feet, being at her exact height. She tensed for a second, but loosened soon after. She must think I won’t try to hurt her. “Are you going to comply?”

“You know, I just don’t see that working out. Hit me as many times as you want, torture me even, but know this.” I paused for a moment and gathered my breath. “What will your sister think of you? You’re forcing your tasks onto her and you are oblivious to how it makes her feel.” She looked lost for a moment.

“She will see me as great when I defend this country from the dogs.” She glared at me. I just let out a chuckle.

“And they say humans are insensitive.” She brought her hoof to my chest within a matter of nanoseconds, sending me back into my bed at amazing speeds. I coughed a little blood out, and smiled towards her. “Can’t handle not getting what you want easily...?” I choked out. She shook her head and proceeded to leave.

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. “For a dog, you got balls.” Somepony said from the cell to my right. I let out a laugh at this.

“Give me some time, you’ll see my full power.” I said in a rather menacing voice. If I am going to be here for a while, might as well practice my magic. If I can get past fire,maybe I can manipulate my surroundings too.


- - - - Three months later - - - -


It took me one month to cast fire at will, another month to figure out control it, and another to learn to manipulate the elements around me. If I ever get to Twilight, we are going to have one interesting chat. Celestia gave up on me after the second month, seeing that not even her best guards could crack me.. Even with all that has been done, I don’t hold it against her. She has her country’s best interests at heart.

I was laying on the bed in a pair of robes given to me by the guards. It was black with a hood, which I usually kept above my head. I had made my own modifications to it, though. My blue streaks had somehow spread to my clothing, which made it seem as if I was some sort of mage. Oh that’s right, I am.

I was making a futile attempt at catching some sleep when a pair of hooves interrupted me. Turning my head slightly, I saw a royal guard. They come down to check on the other prisoners and give them food, water, etc. I hadn’t been so lucky. He stopped right outside my cell’s door, smiling.

“Starving yet?” He said in a rude manner. I got to my feet and stretched a little.

“Have you felt true pain?” I said, completely ignoring his previous question. The guard looked blankly at me.

“What does that have to do with anything?” My turn to smile. He looked upon me in horror as he tried to back up. His legs were locked in fear at what I was doing.

I outstretched my arms above me, focusing on the energy in the air. Concentrating that energy into a ball of kinetic energy, I pointed my hands at the door. “Here’s your answer.” I shot forth the energy into the door, sending it flying into the guard. The two skidded alongside each other, finally coming to a stop at the end of the hall.

I started walking into the long corridor. It felt good using that power. The element of magic has infinite possibilities, but it’s what you do with them that defines the user. Knowing this, I kept walking past the guard. I checked on him in spite of his behaviour. He was breathing, but his wounds would keep him in bed for at most two weeks. “Call yourself tough? Pathetic.” I only said this because the guard had looked up at me and started whimpering. I shook my head and continued up the stairs into one of the main hallways.

No doubt I had made quite the ruckus by busting my door down. I ran as fast as I could on two legs, just in case I ran into some more trouble. To my luck, most of the guards must have been out somewhere else, as there were none to be seen anywhere inside the castle. ‘What do you have planned, Celestia.’ I thought as I rounded the corner to the large main doors. When I opened the doors, I found out what she had planned.

A row of at least ten guards were positioned outside, guarding the exterior gates. I slowly stepped down the stairs as I thought of a way to escape. “I have no wish to harm any of you. You gain nothing by keeping me here, so why do it?” This made some of them look at each other confusedly. Good, a distraction.

“We have orders, stallions. Let’s keep to ‘em.” One of the guards said. I stopped after I got off the final step.

I let out a heavy sigh. I once again lifted my arms into the air. Instead of taking the energy from the air, I took the heat from inside of me, making the blue flames. I shifted all of the fire into my right hand. “Last chance.” None of them moved, but I couldn’t shake the feeling I was being watched from behind. I threw the fire high into the air and it dispersed.

The guards were laughing at me for a moment. I smirked devilishly and pointed upwards. What they saw was many different balls of fire coming straight towards them. Before they had a chance to run, the fire collided with the ground, exploding and sending them all flying. Each body landed, armor scorched, but they were still breathing. I had no intention of killing anypony.

I ran through the gates and didn’t stop running until I hit the town. Luckily for me, no pony could see through my hood or see any of my features. They seemed to not care, to say the least. I had walked for about ten minutes when I heard someone shout at me.

“Zin!” I turned to see Luna galloping straight for me, showing mixed emotions that I couldn’t read. When she reached me, she was nearly out of breath. “Why were you at the castle? I thought you left two months ago.” So Celestia kept secrets from even her little sister. She looked a little concerned, and it was then that I realized I let my emotions show.

I sighed heavily once more. “I was in the dungeon the entire time. Celestia never freed me, so I freed myself.” She looked at me as if I was joking. “Know this. I did not mean for anypony to be injured, but I used my power as a last resort. Celestia is not going to forget what I did today, but I hope you understand.” She nodded to me, finally seeing I was serious.

“Where are you going to go?” She had a mixed expression of sad and confused when she spoke. I motioned her closer, which she did.

“I am going to train. Talk to Spade about where, he will know.” I put a paw on the side of her face. “You’ve been a good friend Luna. Take care.” She didn’t have time to respond as I broke off in a sprint.

I figured I would try a new spell combination out. I readied my fire in my right paw, and took some of the energy from around me in my left. I thought of the throne room’s interior and picked the best spot to warp in. I combined the two magics and teleported, leaving nothing but scorch marks on the ground.


- - - - - - -


I appeared in the throne room inside of blue flames. The looks on Grim’s and Silver’s face were priceless. The two sat in their thrones as I appeared right in front of mine. “Celestia had kept me in her dungeon for quite some time. She also kept me from seeing you two while I was asleep.” The two were just staring at me in awe. “I read a lot of books with Twilight Sparkle, and I also had three months to practice. Give me some credit, you two.” I smiled at them.

Silver jumped up and hugged me, which I embraced her. I never thought much about it, but the more I couldn’t see her, the more I longed to see her. We held each other for a while longer before separating. I looked over towards Grim, who looked extremely tired. “You look like you need some sleep. Actually, I think we all could benefit from it.” Using that much magic and concentration left me weak. Silver didn’t look tired, but she agreed. She motioned me to follow her through the doors.

I followed her to a small opening directly to the left of the door. We stopped right in front of the opening and she pointed above it. In clear letters it read ‘Zin’. “This is where you shall be staying. I am directly across and Grim is the home to your left. The bed is in the back. Any other items will have to be added later, as we don’t get out often.” She patted me on the back. “Nice work with the fire. What you felt was me watching from inside your mind.” Remind me never to keep a secret from her.

She laughed aloud as she shoved me inside. The room was actually very nice. A table carved from stone sat towards the left, glowing gems lit the ceiling, and there were a few weapons lining the walls. The first was a sword, the one above it was a battleaxe, and below the sword was a staff. They really did prepare this place. I let out a yawn as I moved into the bedroom. The bed was placed in the middle of the floor against the wall. I don’t mean some rock carved bed either. A real bed, pillows, covers, mattress, everything! ‘Must be a cave full of artisans.’ I thought to myself as I plunged onto the bed, instantly falling asleep.