//------------------------------//
// Lighting Fires 
// Story: Taismo: The Equestria Games 
// by RockStarMLP 
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	Every corner of the Crystal Stadium was occupied by ponies from all across Equestria patiently waiting for the opening ceremonies to begin. On the field, each city's representatives had their flags and routines ready to begin as all the athletes waited to make their first official entrance onto the battle zone that was the stadium grounds. All the while, Miss Harshwhinny was guiding the Dragon of Honor through the hallways, making sure that he was aware of his role in the ceremony.

Set high in the stadium grandstands was the Royal Suite, where sat several of the nation's most important ponies sat as guests, including a few of those from beyond the borders of Equestria. There were three tiers where the guests were sitting; the lowest contained town mayors and icons, the middle contained honored guests and others of royal status (some more so than another), and the top having four thrones for the Princesses. On one end was Princess Cadance, with Princess Luna next to her, and then Princess Celestia, but the last throne remained empty. The three Princesses were waiting patiently for their newest addition to the Royal Four, as some could call them, to arrive.

And then entered Princess Twilight, who looked over and found her once mentors and now peers sitting. She gave them a smile and bow to greet them silently, looking up with a face that was read as an apology for possible tardiness. Celestia, the grand and majestic alicorn as she was, only smiled and motioned for her former pupil to take her seat. Twilight, however, motioned her hoof towards the entrance as each member of the Master Four made their entrance.

First came Jason, followed by Ash, and then Gohan, and lastly Yugi. When all four were made present, they gave a respectful gentlemen's bow, as done by the biped manner of humans, to the familiar alicorns, to which the three gave small bows of their heads in return. Celestia then motioned her hoof to the open seats on the middle tier for them to take their seats, to which the four wore kind smiles and respected the silent gesture as they sat down, with Twilight taking her place at her throne. The Master Four, however, had to adjust their own sitting to the accommodations given by the ponies, having to sit in their places in a so-called 'Indian style' that was most comfortable to them.

Twilight, when not trying to lose her temper regarding the situation with the amount of guests that were supposed to join the Royal Four, explained about some of whom would be sitting in that section. There was Mayor Mare, who the Master Four previously met, Cherry Jubilee from a place called Dodge Junction, Canterlot's notable elite Fancy Pants, 'Prince' Blueblood, among most, and the groups from Maretonia and Saddle Arabia that were the other Princesses' most honored guests. They, like the Master Four, had come from afar for this event, and would receive any and all of the best treatment from Equestria's most notable ponies.

It was somewhere amongst that information that only the Master Four were alright to sit among them, without anyone, or anypony, else.

Of anyone there, Twilight kept that well in her mind as she tried to keep her blood from boiling. It didn't help her that, although she was among fellow ponies and humans she knew well, she was not with her best friends or family. Granted her sister-in-law waved and smiled, which she did in return, the purple alicorn couldn't help but feel that she didn't have her entire intended group with her. Her closest friends from Ponyville and most of the Team JAG group had to be declined, but she didn't expect nearly everyone to not be permitted.

Her eyes fixed down, noticing that her friends were all sitting together in the stands below the Royal Suite. Applejack, Rarity, Pinkie, the Band, Team Sonic, and Nyx were all grouped together in a section of three rows. She saw how each of them were happy and content with their location, but her focus was primarily on Nyx, sitting in the highest row among the group between Tails and Cosmo. 

It looked as if the trio were having some conversation, with Tails doing the talking at the time. When he finished, Cosmo looked to have had whispered something in the filly's ear, but not so close that the fox was outside of hearing what she had said. Whatever it was, it caused Nyx to laugh, and Tails to act a little embarrassed as he crossed his arms and turned his head away to hide his face turning red, and trying to keep himself from laughing as well.

Taking a shot in the dark, Twilight assumed that it was one of the stories from Tails and Cosmo's adventures, most likely the one the couple shared to her about a certain party that was held on the vessel they called the Blue Typhoon during an intergalactic war. If she remembered correctly, which was a tendency for Equestria's greatest egghead according to Rainbow Dash, it should be the first war she learned about, the one that brought Tails and Cosmo together but tragically separated them for a while before the Revival event.

Nevertheless did it bother the princess that a position her friends helped her earned separated them for events such as this. It was her title, but she wanted to share the benefits and opportunities with those she cared for, especially Nyx. She made a mental note to talk to Celestia, in a private setting with only the two of them, but that had to wait as the crowd began to cheer. Curiousity got the better of her as she looked to see what was happening, and found that a little purple dragon standing near the torch.

That was when the ceremony commenced as each city's flag carriers performed their routines, mounting each flag pole collectively together in the ground. Twilight cheered for her hometown team, an action that is normally deamed out of character for a princess, and an understanding grin from Celestia forced her to collect herself more appropriately. The Master Four only grinned and applauded, just as they felt being best to do. Unfortunately there came the point where Spike was in position to light the torch, but didn't because of unexpected stage fright. The purple alicorn saw that and said to herself:

"Equestria, we have a problem."

The warrior of Darkness couldn't help but feel nostalgic over what she had just said, mainly because he knew he heard a similar statement back in his childhood.

The entire crowd watched the dragon's trouble with the torch, and the point came when Twilight couldn't bear to see him continue it further. She checked around her for anyone watching before using her magic to cast a fire lighting spell in the torch's bowl, igniting it with a royal blue flame. A stunned Spike just stood in his place confused as Shining Armor announced "Let the Games...

"Begin!"

The entire arena applauded and cheered, many ponies standing on their hind legs doing so. Even the members of Team JAG and Team Sonic stood up and clapped their hands, with Nyx up on Tails's shoulder cheering. The torch was lit, and the athletes were ready to compete as the Equestria Games had officially begun, but there was still matters to focus on in regards to Twilight, her friends and family, and some of the guests.




/)∞(\




Within the walls of the crystal castle, the Royal Four and their guests were all spread out in numerous places. There was a grand dinner to be held later on, hosted by the Crystal Princess and the Captain of the Royal Guard. With the actual competitions not starting until the next morning, it was the best night to have everyone in one place before the events ahead would complicate another chance from happening.

With Princess Cadance and Shining Armor tending to the newest addition to their family, and Princess Luna with the Royals' honored equines, Twilight had her chance to speak to Princess Celestia privately at the castle's highest rotunda. The two flew up to there, with the purple mare leading the way after asking her former mentor politely, but firmly, for the time to talk. They each landed gently through the rotunda's pillars, their hooves touching the floor with barely a sound, just as Twilight would have wanted. The least amount of ponies who would join them, the better.

"Twilight," Celestia said in her elegant tone, facing the back of the purple mare, "what was it you wanted to talk about?"

Twilight didn't move at first when she replied "I think you are already aware of what, Princess." She then turned her whole body around, trying her best not to flare out her wings as she wore a mad expression on her face. "Cadance's guards told me about what some of your guests requested regarding Nyx and my friends. They told me how Nyx, Tails and Cosmo were asked to stay away from them." Her anger was rising, but she kept it so she wouldn't unleash it on her mentor. "Could you please explain why they were not permitted to be with us?"

Celestia was expecting this. In fact, she was waiting all day for this conversation to come up, having some expectation that it would have happened right when Twilight and the Master Four appeared in the Royal Suite. Keeping her composure and compassion maintained, she faced this with all the respect and honesty Twilight deserved.

"I'm afraid that the histories with Nyx and your interdimensional friends have been exposed a number of times; some more tainted than others," the Sun Princess explained. "When Luna and I first greeted the dignitaries, we told them about you and when you, Nyx and some of your friends would be sitting with us. They asked about Nyx and we explained about she was your adoptive daughter, and being the positive pony she symbolizes to us, and when asked about Tails and his company, it was only said that they came from different frontiers beyond their own that you have your full trust in."

"But..." Twilight would almost never do that to anypony, but her patience was too thin at that point.

Celestia sighed and continued with "I'm afraid that joining our conversation was Prince Blueblood; he in attendance against my wishes. He took the liberty of saying how Nyx was once the malicious Nightmare Moon who banished Luna and me to the sun and the moon to plunge Equestria into everlasting night, reborn by the cult that ponynapped you. Then, he mentioned on how he heard that Tails and Cosmo were mutations from a world that could endanger ponykind if becoming too close with, as nearly all of Equestria are not familiar with them or their friends at all. I know he's always had a less than approving view towards Nyx, with nothing I have discussed with him giving him second thoughts at all. However..." She paused for a moment to find the best words to form a proper sounding confession. "I fear that Blueblood has taken words that I thought were spoken in private to my sister and Cadance and exaggerated them to his own degree."

The purple alicorn stood still as a surprising, and angry, look crossed her face. Making sure she remained so composed that her temper wouldn't slip, she asked "And what exactly did you say?"

"It was after you brought your friends to Canterlot to meet Cadance, Luna and myself," the grand alicorn continued. "We had sitten down to discuss about Tails and Cosmo first coming to our world from theirs, and the possible dangers that could come from the crossed paths. I will admit that I said that regardless of what exactly the two and their friends are, whether its animal, plant, human or any other sentient being, I had come to know Cosmo on her quest to find you and Tails enough to know that none would intend to pose a threat. But one opinion of mine was how fortunate it was that Nyx was with her grandparents at the time, or their association with her would have immediately labeled them negatively in the eyes of ponies, like my nephew, who refuse to see the filly for her better side.

"After they heard everything Blueblood told them, the dignitaries weren't comfortable with sharing space with such, and I quote, 'creatures,' nor did they enjoy that a Princess allows them to become so close with other ponies. I tried to insist otherwise, but they were stern about making a specific minimum of guests of yours to join us. In an act of compromise, I convinced them to accept four guests - the Master Four - to be granted into our suite, and to have all of us together for dinner in hopes to establish more peaceful relationships; and after that, I warned my nephew to keep his thoughts to himself and stay away from the castle tonight, or be sent to Canterlot early. He is currently residing in a private suite at the Shimmer Inn on the edge of the empire."

Celestia sighed, and looked down at her former pupil sympathetically. "I am sorry, Twilight. I did not mean for things to end up as they are now, but I did what I could to preserve the most enjoyable time our friends and guests can be given."

Twilight didn't know how to respond, verbally at least. She wasn't sure whether to argue on how close-minded the dignitaries are, or go find the so-called prince and blast him to Appleloosa and back with rage shift magic. But no. She couldn't do that, for it would not make the situation better, and he was worth no time or effort investing in for anything, even if he did deserve it. For him to say all that and know nothing about the truth, it was despicable.

"Because of Blueblood, my friends and my daughter are being shunned by more ponies?" Twilight was used to many ponies acting this way with what happened a couple years ago, but it still wasn't comfortable to deal with. At that moment, she was just angry; comprehensive, but angry still.

"Why, for the sake of making new bonds and friendships, is this being allowed to happen? It's not fair to those who also came from their homes to join us to see Equestrian ponies come together, only to be blocked away because they're not welcome. That goes against what the Equestria Games are supposed to stand for!"

"I understand, Twilight," Celestia said calmly to the angry mare, "and I don't like it any more than you."

"Then what are we supposed to do?! With all due respect, Celestia, you don't expect me to just sit in my seat knowing Nyx isn't allowed to be with me because these ponies don't know the entire truth, do you?!" Twilight's stressful anger was getting the better of her, as he allowed to a certain degree. She could only keep in so much.

Keeping her elegance, but becoming more strict, the while alicorn answered "I expect you to know what is best, Twilight, just as I expected you to react as you are. I know this isn't easy for you, and I have not made it much better for our groups to be a whole. All I can ask from you is to try to show Nyx and your friends to our guests under a different light than what Blueblood has casted."

"But that doesn't stop me from being separated from Nyx!" Twilight argued.

"I'm aware of that," Celestia said, "but it is what we have to do. Please, Princess Twilight, help me be the right example that needs to be seen."

The purple mare didn't say anything, and instead grumbled to herself as she paced back and forth in a straight line. Last time she did that was during the first Hearth's Warming she had Nyx share with her parents, brother and sister-in-law. If it was up to her, she would just bring her daughter, and Tails and Cosmo, with her to the Royal Suite without any notification until it would happen, but with her being a princess now, she had to watch her actions in front of her mentors turned peers and others. She needed to make sure that, like Celestia had said, a better example is made. Her role as Nyx's mother cemented that, and given the confession to Spike over the torch lighting earlier, she had to watch the seriousness of her actions much more closely.

Then she began thinking about all of the friends who came to Equestria. Ever since meeting Tails and Cosmo's huge group of best friends, she discovered just how caring, respectful, and open-minded they were. They have been through so much more than her with everything from their history she learned about combined, and no matter what the case being, always tried to approach things with understanding. A lot of it was said it was because of how the Mane 6 and the Princesses treated Tails and Cosmo when the two first arrived in Equestria, but to Twilight, her perspective of them was that it was their nature. It was the same nature she and everypony else needed to apply in order to make all things for the better.

Not one part of her was eased about the circumstances, but she did recollect herself and put on a calm look. Her focus redirected from irrational anger to rationality in general.

"Princess, with all do respect to you and your judgment, I see this as incredibly disrespectful to my friends and my family," said Twilight. She then sighed and added "I do, however, understand what you had to do, and I'm sorry for becoming angry towards you because of it. I will respect your decisions and do my part to make things better, but I need to make this perfectly clear when I say that if anypony openly disrespects my friends or family in front of them or me, I will have to..." She stopped to see Celestia calmy shut her eyes and raise a hoof for a moment.

"Twilight, I will not let that happen, but if it does, you do what you feel is best," Celestia said, stepping up and resting a hoof under the purple mare's chin. "I care about Nyx, too, and would like her and your friends in our company as well. For now, we need to establish a foundation of peace and of friendship, and be patient in that process. And if a line is crossed, you have my full support, but let's not come to that."

Twilight shied her eyes away from Celestia for a few seconds, but turned back to her to say "Thank you, Celestia." The two shared a nuzzle, which did help make the two feel better, and allowing the purple alicorn to smile a little. "Now if you excuse me, I have to find Nyx and the others before the Crusaders draft Team JAG into one of their quests."

Both alicorns couldn't help but chuckle behind their lips, knowing how true that could be. "I think I'll join you," Celestia said happily, and the two alicorns began to fly out of the rotunda. They flew down to the main balcony, and made their way inside with the hope for an enjoyable, and peaceful, evening.