As Princess Celestia waited in her chamber, she idly watched Philomena. The phoenix, aware of her audience, strutted. She turned her head and flared her feathers, sending out fleeting but fierce red flames. As a luxury and for its companionship, Celestia valued the bird above most of the ponies she knew.
There was a knock and the door opened. Attendants pushed an object inside; it was draped in a rich cloth that hid it from view. She barely heard, "Exactly as you ordered, your highness." The drape was pulled away to reveal a large golden birdcage. Celestia hid her excitement as she bid them depart.
Her gaze was fixed on the being that had been brought before her. It rested; but at the change in its environment, it unfurled, casting a brilliant blue light as it stretched up to its full height. It was an Azure Anqa from the far north. This breed of phoenix was such a rare creature that few had ever glimpsed it. She heard rumors of it, and ordered that one be captured for her--fifty years ago. It was only now accomplished. It was an event worthy of fanfare, and the captor would be lavishly rewarded; but for the Princess, it was a private business.
It was larger than Philomena, and even though it was not currently aflame she could feel warmth from it. Philomena screeched and whistled excitedly, and with a flying hop landed next to the new arrival. Locking eyes, they stepped towards each other until they were blocked by the bars. The anqa pulled at the gold with annoyance.
Celestia had been informed that this bird had fiercely resisted capture, being even more wild than a phoenix from lands within Equestria, and should she open the cage within the first month, it would probably escape and never return.
The birds puffed their chests and raised their wings, displaying themselves to each other. Celestia admired the blue and white plumage of her new pet. Truly, this was a marvelous gem of the natural world.
The two phoenixes tapped their beaks together. Then Philomena clawed at the bars. She squawked disapprovingly. She flew around the room, and swooped down onto the top of the cage and picked at it more forcefully. The perceptive bird hopped down to the latch and bit at it, pulled at it, and bit at it again.
Celestia moved to shoo her pet away from the latch, telling her, "No." Philomena would have none of it, but only became more agitated. Her squawks turned to shrieks as she attacked the cage, and caught fire as if to burn the metal. Celestia had never seen her like this. "Philomena, no!" she commanded more firmly, and moved to restrain her.
Philomena jumped back with crazed eyes, and burned hotter. Celestia took a step back. The irate phoenix flew up, extended her talons, and dove toward her master.
There was a sudden clap of energy. Ashes exploded across the room. Celestia's horn slowly dimmed as it cooled down from firing a disintegrating beam. There was silence for a moment, as she looked unhappily at the situation. She knew that Philomena would return--probably. She hadn't wanted to do it but she actually felt threatened for a moment. Perhaps it was for the best. Perhaps both phoenixes would learn a little respect.
The anqa glared at her, and looked down at the pile of ashes. It gave a rising vocalization that was almost a growl. It pulled in the air as it transformed into elemental blue flame, hotter than any phoenix she had encountered. To her amazement it cast itself against the cage, melting the metal, and emerged dripping flecks of burning gold. It rushed onto Philomena's remains, scorching the floor as it gathered the other bird's ashes under its wings. They stared at each other a moment. Celestia squinted and took another step back. Even for her the heat was uncomfortable and the furnishings in the room began to smoke. She prepared to defend herself.
Instead of attacking, it pulled in another gust of air, pulling the curtains down from the window, and exploded as it flared up.
Celestia fanned away the smoke with her own wings, being careful not to scatter the ashes. She looked down and watched them, expecting, but unsure how to react.
After a moment's wait, embers began to show. Blue flickered out of the debris. Celestia's heart sank. Blue, more blue, no red, only blue. It built up into a small fire, which formed and settled into one form. It was the Azure Anqa. But the anqa pulled back its wings to show a second anqa which had reformed alongside it.
Celestia blinked disbelievingly at the two, very blue, phoenixes. "Philomena?" she prompted wonderingly to the smaller of the two. It looked up at her and then away, perhaps showing recognition, but no attachment at all.
They took off together, whistling to each other as they flew out the window and soared into the sky over Canterlot.
Celestia wondered why she made no move to stop them. She had a feeling like deja vu, as if something profound had been revealed that she did not yet understand... and it gave her chills.
