//------------------------------//
// Chapter 8: Redemption 
// Story: The Rise of Inferni 
// by starheart1049 
//------------------------------//

                     The two groups met again in a room which joined the two passages together. After meeting up they each told of their experiences about going through the challenges. Just as they were finished talking another tunnel opened with a rumble in front of them. They all looked at the entrance and then at each other, nodded and went up the stairs. When they reached the top they looked around. They were at the top of the volcano. To their right they saw a lava pool in a carved out section of rock. to their left, they saw a throne made from black rock with had a red jewel on the back, but there was no sign of Inferni. They spread out, looking for clues to her where a bouts. Suddenly, they heard laughing and raced back to the center of the volcano. Then, a red sphere appeared, and started to grow and grow until it burst, and there stood Inferni, Grinning at them like a crazed mad man. " 

So, the heroes survived my tests, impressive." Twilight stepped forward and said, " We are here to stop you Inferni, we can not let you destroy Equestria!" She stared at Twilight for a moment, then began to laugh again, which caused Twilight to frown in confusion. " You little fool, do you really think you can stop me, think again!" She activated her magic and chains appears around all of their neck pulling them to the ground. She Smirked and said, " As I said, there is no way you can stop me, not when I have this." she turned to her throne and used her magic to free the jewel from its base. She turned back to the group and grinned. " This is the Jewel of Darkness. It is created when someone feels hatred or anger to someone in their life. 

When I rule Equestria i will make Celestia and Luna suffer for the way they have treated me." She closed her eyes, placing the jewel into her collar with a flash. " For years i have given fire and warmth to the ponies of Equestria, and how do they repay me, by abusing my gift to them! Her eyes flew open, filled with anger and hate. " And my own sisters, the ones who i loved, betrayed me, ridiculed me, said my fire wasn't important, well I'll show them, I'll show them all! MHAHAHAHAHAHAH!!! Inferni walked past the group the the lava pool. She then activated a spell and fired it into the pool, beginning her reign of terror across Equestria. 

Twilight tried to free herself but the chains just got tighter, so she put her head on the ground, sighing. " I'm sorry girls, I've let you down." Applejack turned to Twilight and said soothingly, " You haven't let us down sugar cube, we can still defeat her." Everyone agreed and twilight smiled. Then, concentrating, she activated a spell and focused on the chains. Just as she was about spent, the chains broke and they were free! They all stood up and stepped toward Inferni. Hearing them, she turned her head, eyes widening as she sees them. " So you managed to escape, no matter, Equestria will soon fall to my power!" " Never!" they yelled and raced toward her. She turned to face them, readying a spell, which she fired at them, causing them to fall.

She grinned, then fired another spell, this one causing a ring of fire to surround them. They glared at her as she approached them, smirking. Twilight then cast a spell of her own causing the flames to disappear. They then leaped at her but they bounced off of her force field. " FOOLS, soon all of Equestria will fall and all will bow to me!!! MHAHAHA!!!" Inferni then leaped into the air, unfurling her wings, using them to gain height. She then made a fire ball with her horn and fired it at them, hitting them square on. When the smoke cleared, the group were sprawled on the ground, burned and weak. Still in the air, Inferni laughed, her plan working as the jewel in her collar glowing brightly. Then, Twilight opened her eyes and got unsteadily to her feet. Soon after, the rest of them got to their feet as well. 

Then, a white light blossomed in front of them. When the light died, there was a beautiful pink gem, glimmering with all the colors of the rainbow. They all smiled, then turning their gazes to to sky, they began to float as the gem enveloped them in a shimmering veil. Inferni stopped laughing and was looking at them, frowning. " What is this?" she wondered. Then, the pink jewel glowed again, activated by Twilight's magic as she said, " The Magic of Friendship is the strongest magic of all, and it shines within each of us, and together as one, together as friends, we will win every battle to the very end!" Then, beams of light shone from each of the ponies, streaming into the gem, and as they gathered together, they burst through to form a brilliant rainbow, which flew into the sky, then flew straight toward Inferni. " What no.. NOOOOOOO!!!!" she screamed as the rainbow enveloped her, wrapping around and around until the rainbow burst into a white blinding light.

As the light faded away, Twilight and her friends floated gently to the ground, cheering. Then, they fell silent as they looked to where Inferni had been. Surrounded by shards of shattered armor, lay Firestar, eyes closed. Then, with a gasp, her eyes flew open. Raising her head slowly, she looked around, confused. When she saw Twilight and he friends, she realized what she had down and closed her eyes, tears flowing freely from them. Twilight then stepped toward her. Softly, she said, " Firestar, it's ok, you are no longer the evil being you were. You are safe now." She opened her eyes and looked at Twilight, who smiled at her. She then stood slowly and hugged her. " Thank you," she whispered softly. 

When they had finished hugging, a gasp came from behind them. Applejack pointed to the landscape, so they turned around and gasped as well. The burned waste land was now covered with lush green grass and flowers. The inhabitants of the land had also returned to their former selves. As they emerged from the volcano a cheer went up from the crowd as Light Hoof came forward, bowing, saying " Thank you Twilight, you have saved our land." Firestar, looking at Light Hoof said, " I am sorry i have caused so mush pain to you all, i didn't know what i was doing, and am truly sorry. Light Hoof smiled and hugged her. " It's ok, i forgive you, it was not your fault." As they broke apart she smiled back at him and the crows cheered ever louder as she smiled at them all. 

After teleporting back to Canterlot, Firestar approached her sisters, ashamed of what she had done. Steeling herself, she looked at them and said, " I am sorry for what I have caused, I should not have let my emotions get the better of me, i hope you can forgive me someday." Celestia and Luna looked at each other, then smiling they raced to her and hugged her fiercely. " Of course we forgive you sister, and we are sorry for what we said about you. Your fire is important and will always have a special place in Equestria." Luna nodded in agreement and hugged her sisters close to her. Firestar hugged them just as fiercely, and smiled from ear to ear. Finally, she knew she did belong here, with her friends, her family, and nothing would ever change that again