Internal Flowby MellowSoulChaptersThe Path she WalksDeadly Spring ChantHeadstrongWhen one door Closes, another OpensThe Path she WalksTwilight lied awake in tormented agony. Despite everything she had experienced since coming to Ponyville, nothing was able to cleanse the darkly incestuous thoughts from her mind. She could recall the time they first pervaded her skull. It was around her thirteenth birthday. Near the end of the night, her family had gathered around for cake and ice cream, as was tradition in her home. While Shining Armor roughhoused with her, she began to feel the heat emanating from his body. It brought her a deep level of security and comfort previously unknown to the mare. His strength and charm summoned feelings from within her better left unspoken. Then again, maybe that was the source of her suffering. The overwhelming terror of being seen as a depraved monster is what truly kept her quiet. If she were to ever have any hope of overcoming her demons, she would need to come clean. She couldn't tell Shining, though; not yet... After finishing breakfast with Spike the next morning, Twilight packed her satchel. "Where are you going?" "I have to see princess Celestia about something important. Can I count on you to watch over the castle while I'm gone?" "I've got you covered?" "Thanks." Twilight gave her assistant a kiss on the forehead before flying off. Twilight entered through the double doors of Canterlot castle. Her mentor greeted her with great delight. It made it all the more difficult for Twilight to speak to her. "Oh! Twilight! What a pleasant surprise! I wasn't expecting you to drop by today!" "..." "You look distressed. What ails you, my student?" "We can't talk here..." "I see. Please, follow me." The sun raiser led Twilight to her chambers, where two guards were standing watch. "At ease, men." Both soldiers stepped aside to let them through. "I suspect what troubles you must be serious." Twilight's stomach churned. She felt ill. "I...I'm in love with a married stallion..." "That is quite the predicament. Have you discussed this with the couple?" "I can't..." "Why not?" "Because...The stallion is...Someone I'm close to..." "Shouldn't that be all the more reason to be honest with him?" "No...What I mean is...He's...Someone of blood relation..." Celestia's expression transformed into one of horrified shock. "Oh my goodness..." "It's Shining Armor, okay!? I'm in love with my own brother!" Twilight paced around, trying to control her urge to scream. "What am I supposed to do!? It's sick! It's wrong! This is all wrong!" "Twilight, calm yourself at once!" The unusual authority in Celestia's voice was enough to snap Twilight back to reality. "How am I supposed to be calm at a time like this!? I just told the most powerful pony in all of Equestria one of the worst secrets I could have ever confessed just so I could hope for leniency!" Celestia sighed and used her magic to place Twilight on the bed. Twilight was shaking from the anxiety and self-resentment. "This is indeed a most unsavory development as well as an unexpected one. In hindsight, I should have seen this coming." Twilight sniffled. "What do you mean?" "Come now, Twilight. You know as well as I do most of your time has been spent alone with your studies." "But...I'm not alone. I have Spike and my other friends." "Yes, that's true, but they can't fill in for a romantic partner. There are separate parts of our lives that do not mesh together." "So, you're saying because shining is one of the only stallions I interacted with on a regular basis, I didn't have anyone else to direct my attraction towards?" "That is correct." "Then...How do I fix this?" "Your personal growth has been severely stunted by years of isolation. I admit, even I was unaware of the amount of damage it caused you. However, I believe I have a solution." "What?" "How familiar are you with martial arts?" "You mean the sport?" Celestia shook her head. "While modern incarnations have been reworked into competitive events, traditional martial arts were developed explicitly for warfare. Our soldiers are somewhat skilled with their usage, but none of them have yet to unlock their true potential. Even Shining does not comprehend their real power." "I always thought they were just fighting styles people trained in. The way they're presented in Spike's comics, they always seemed more like power fantasies." "I was alive during much of their creation. Those who mastered them were far more than mere fighters. They were both gentle and terrifying forces of nature." "Were they really that strong?" "Even I dared not challenge them." "How would martial arts training help me with Shining, though?" "Martial arts are essentially philosophy in action. To truly master them, one must undergo great spiritual and physical transitions; pilgrimages of self-discovery, if you will." "You mean completely reshaping my being?" "Precisely." "I don't know. It sounds so strange to me." "Then allow me to pose a question for you: Is there any logical reason not to try?" "I...I suppose not." "Then you have your answer." Twilight composed herself and stood on her legs. Without her knowledge, they had stopped trembling. "When should I start?" "When you're ready, although, I recommend you allow yourself time to recover today." "I understand." "I'll arrange a room for you. Come see me tomorrow morning. I may know where your first instructors reside." Celestia left the room, entrusting the guards outside with specific instructions. "Please, do not repeat what you have heard to anyone. Her progress must not be impeded." "Yes, your highness," they responded simultaneously. Deadly Spring Chant"You wanted to see me?" "Yes. Have you kept up with the Ponyville paper recently?" "No." "Supposedly, an official statement was leaked to the press claiming two young children fought off a kidnapper; an adult male kidnapper." "You can't be serious!" "Oh? You don't believe me?" Celestia levitated a rolled up newspaper between them. She unraveled it, revealing the headline. "No way! This can't be real!" "Is it really so hard to believe? You were a magical prodigy at their ages. Is it so difficult to believe there are prodigies in other fields of study?" "But that would mean...You're afraid of children!?" Celestia gave Twilight a confused look. "No? I've done my best to rule justly and fairly. Just because I don't actively seek out battles does not mean I have anything to fear. It means I have common sense." It was Twilight's turn to be confused. "You're thinking too concretely, my student. Luna and I respect our subjects, just as they respect us. In fact, respect for one's allies and opponents alike is at the center of every martial art." "Really?" "Truly and honestly. They are highly honorable, noble disciplines." "I'm supposed to find this family and learn from them, right?" "Yes." "Where are they?" "Allow me," a familiar voice called out. A dark alicorn of Celestia's same build landed next to her sister. "Princess Luna?" "They live at they very edge of Ponyville. It is quite peaceful - free of distraction." "I see. Thank you." "Your gratitude is unnecessary, though it is appreciated." "I guess I should take my leave. Spike's probably worried sick at this point." "Fare thee well. May your undertaking prove fruitful." "Twilight!? Where have you been!?" "I had some personal business to take care of. I have to go out again in a minute. I'll be back by dusk." "Wait!" Twilight placed a hoof on Spike's head and smiled. "I'm okay. Just trust me this once. Can you do that?" Spike stared at her before nodding. "I'll cook dinner for us tonight," he said. "Sounds good." Twilight flew in the direction Luna directed her towards, arriving at a small, two-story house. The night princess was indeed correct about the environment. The structure was tucked away, separated from the rest of the town. Twilight knocked on the door. A black earth stallion and white Pegasus mare answered. "Hello. I'm Twilight Sparkle. I'm here on behalf of Princess Celestia to receive instruction in the martial arts." "You're the princess of friendship, aren't you," the Pegasus asked. "I am." "I'm Harmonic," the black stallion replied, "This is my wife, Atmospheric. You said you were sent to learn martial arts?" "Yes. I was informed there were two children living here who could teach me." "You must have read the article." "Just this morning." "Our daughter is sleeping right now. Our son is playing in the back yard if you want to see him." "Please." Twilight followed the couple behind their home. A young colt resembling Atmospheric was practicing his technique using a large tree. "Is he...Training?" "When I said he was playing, it was kind of a figure of speech. Practicing is how he spends most of his time." "What style is he using?" "Wing Chun. It's an eastern style emphasizing close-quarters combat and energy conservation." "I had no idea martial arts were so technical." "Wanna' watch for a minute." "Sure." The group examined the boy from a distance. He wasn't even mildly winded yet. "His technique is flawless," Twilight commented, "What does his sister do?" "Krav maga. It's a self-defense system specifically designed to neutralize any deadly threat." "No wonder they survived." "It's our job as parents to protect them. We taught them the basics, and they improved on their own. Both of them far outclass us now." "Wow..." "Are you ready for your first lesson?" "I think so." Harmonic and Atmospheric took Twilight to Hard Core. "Hey, buddy. This nice lady wants to learn the same stuff as you. Wanna' help her out?" "..." "He's a little shy." Twilight knelt down in an attempt to make him more comfortable. "The princesses sent me here. I could really use your help." Hard Core nodded. "Okay..." Stepping away from the tree, Harmonic instructed Twilight and his son to sit. "Close your eyes and take slow, deep breaths. What do you see?" "I can't see anything," Twilight responded, "It's just a black, vacant space." "Concentrate, but don't force it. Let your mind wander. Focus on what it's telling you." "I can see...dark clouds. They're much darker than they should be. It looks like night time in the middle of the day." "What else?" "I can see...Myself...Standing in an open field. I'm not moving at all." "What's the weather like?" "Windy...Like a storm's approaching." "What that tells me so far is your progress is being halted by a powerful force - possibly one of an abnormal nature." "What should I do?" "That's up to you. How would you handle it?" "I could cast an illumination spell." "What about non-magical solutions?" "Look for shelter?" "Okay. That's one course of action. What about confronting the storm?" "Wouldn't it be too dangerous?" "Only if you waver." "Wait...I'm turning around!" "That's it - one step at a time." "There's a twister! It's coming for me!" Twilight saw herself be sucked into the tornado. She opened her eyes in a sweat-drenched panic. "Are you okay?" "Yeah...I think so." "That was intense. You have some deeply-rooted issues you need to work out." "Sorry..." "Don't apologize. You're making the effort. Let's move on for now." "Right..." Twilight and Hard Core faced each other, waiting to hear what the colt's father had to say. "The first thing you need to know is proper fighting stance. Protecting your face and vital organs is one of the keys to surviving a brutal confrontation." Harmonic motioned for his son to demonstrate. Hard Core stood on his hind legs while positioning his forelegs between his head and torso. Twilight assumed the same posture. "Relax your body. If you're too stiff, you'll waste unnecessary energy." Twilight took a few more deep breaths to calm herself. Her focus dramatically increased as a result. "Now you're starting to get it." "What now?" "Another key to not only surviving, but emerging victorious is where you fight. Never let yourself be taken to the air or ground. Those will leave you more vulnerable to injuries and grapples. You always want to be standing in an upright position." "I get it! I have to firmly plant myself and not be distracted from defending, right?" "Bingo. Now we can get to the good stuff - technique training. Hard Core's going to try to grapple you. It's up to you to quickly reverse it without causing damage. Think you're up for it?" "Bring it." Hard Core immediately tried to wrap his forelegs around her head for a throw. Sliding to his side, she put the child in a headlock. She could hear Harmonic clapping. "Bravo! Nicely done!" "I don't even know how I did that!" "You took the first opening you could find and went for it without hesitation. That's how a warrior fights." "I don't feel like that was the best I could've done, though." "You recognize your limitations. Good. You're right. You haven't developed your speed and reaction time yet." "Should I try again?" "You're really getting the hang of this. Let's start from the beginning. This time, try countering as fast as you can." "You've done really well so far," Harmonic praised, "The last thing we need to cover for basics is striking. One of the defining characteristics of wing chun is its use of swift, rapid attacks against the body's pressure points. How much do you know about anatomy?" Twilight grinned rather smugly. "Enough to know where each one is located." "Let's see if you can counter my kid's attacks fast enough to prove it." Twilight's grin turned sour. She engaged Hard Core in their next practice battle. The colt completely turned the tables on the princess. Before she knew it, she was flat on her back. "Ow..." "You okay," Harmonic asked, trying to suppress a laugh. "Thank Celestia he's not old enough to seriously hurt somebody yet." "Trust me, age has nothing to do with it. Ready to go again?" "I suppose." The end of Twilight's first day of training brought her a multitude bruises, a black eye, and a broken nose. The fact she was even still conscious amazed her. "You look burnt out. How 'bout we call it a day?" "No complaints here," Twilight concurred through strained breaths. "You gonna' be okay?" "Yeah. A healing spell should do the trick." "You can fix damaged body parts?" "I'm what you might call a studious soul. Advanced magic is basically child's play for me at this point." "That's cool." "You think so...?" "Yeah." "Don't flirt with the students, honey," Atmospheric chimed in. "You know you're the only one for me." A white earth filly appeared from around the corner. Hard Core rushed over to her, placing his forehead against her own. "Who is that," Twilight questioned. "That's his girlfriend," Harmonic explained, "Her name's Deep Blue." "Aw! That's so cute!" "Take a closer look." Upon examining Hard Core and Deep Blue further, Twilight noticed they weren't acting like schoolyard crushes. "Do you see it?" "Yes." "It's the real deal." "How can children feel so deeply? I thought it was impossible." "The longer you live and the more you observe, the more you understand. Nothing is impossible if you believe. What you're seeing is what he believes in." "I understand now." "Understand?" "Never mind." "If you say so." "Can we continue tomorrow?" "Same time, same place." Twilight enjoyed a warm meal with Spike and told him about her training before retiring for the evening. The lessons of the day inspired her to further research and memorize each species' bodily structures. After a bit of leisurely reading, she attempted to fall asleep. However, something in her soul commanded her to remain conscious. She couldn't let herself be defeated by her own fears and weaknesses. Keeping her eyes closed, she allowed the scene that terrified her so much earlier that day to re-enter her mind. "What's beyond the darkness? I have to know..." Headstrong"Look who decided to join the party," Harmonic teased. "Wouldn't miss it for the world." Twilight noticed a black filly standing next to her master. "Is this your daughter?" "Hi! I'm Melodic!" Twilight giggled and smiled at her. The young girl was the spitting image of her father. "She's much more outspoken than her brother, isn't she?" "Absolutely. She loves meeting new people." "Daddy told me you needed help." "That's right. Can you help me?" Melodic nodded. "By the way," Twilight mentioned, "I did some more training last night." "How did your meditation go," Harmonic asked. "I got stuck in the tornado again, but I could see more of my surroundings. So far, it's just an empty field. "A lack of protective structures...Hm..." "Is something wrong?" Harmonic shook his head. "Forget it. Let's get started on your krav maga training. Show her your fighting stance, sweetheart." Melodic placed one hind leg in front of the other. Her forelegs were tucked in with her hooves bent towards her face. "Krav maga is one of the most brutal fighting styles ever created, but also one of the most effective. Nothing is off limits - eye-gouging, throat punches, groin shots; anything you can think of." Twilight visibly winced. "You mean it's a killer's method!?" "Only if the practitioner doesn't use restraint. Don't worry. I taught her all the safety measures." "Why does something tell me this still won't end well...?" "Krav maga is intended for ending a fight as fast as possible. There are five main ways you can do this; knockout, submission, joint dislocation, blinding your opponent, or skeletal fracture. Being that you have extensive anatomical knowledge, you already know on a subconscious level how to do these things, but it's important to practice them on a conscious one, too. Melodic, go for a basic punch." Following her father's instructions, Melodic attempted to strike Twilight. The alicorn princess caught the attack. "Now that you have her in a lock, you can choose what you feel is the best course of action. If you can fully secure a grapple, you're in control of the flow of the battle." Twilight released Melodic from her grasp. "Now, try again. Just like yesterday, do it a little faster each time." "Yes, sensei!" "Somebody's been studying up on their terminology." "What'd you expect?" "Good point." "Active defense isn't the only way to come out on top in a scuffle. You can lull your opponent into a false sense of security using numerous methods." "Like what?" "Hm..." Harmonic took note of Twilight's horn. "Try lighting up your horn like you're going to cast a spell." The alicorn's horn began to glow. "If your opponent thinks you're going to cast magic, their first instinct will be to try to cut off your energy source; aka, your horn. This leaves them almost completely susceptible to direct attacks." "Interesting! I don't think I would have thought of that on my own." "Don't underestimate yourself. Give it a go." Twilight faced Melodic again. The child tried to wrap her hooves around the princess's horn. Twilight countered with a straight punch to her face. "You okay, sweetheart," Harmonic asked, showing fatherly concern. "I'm okay, daddy." "You're bleeding," Twilight stated apologetically. With another healing spell, Twilight repaired the filly's damaged cartilage. She levitated a cloth out of her nearby satchel and wiped he blood from Melodic's nose. "All better!" "By the way," Harmonic interjected, "you can use magic sometimes and fake your opponent out others. It'll prevent them from being able to read your movements." The second day of Twilight's training ended on a higher note than the first. While she still wore many bruises, her body remained generally unscathed. "I can't believe you improved so much in just twenty-four hours," Harmonic cheered, "That's crazy!" "I was using a little of the wing chun you taught me yesterday." "Oh, I don't doubt it. You're definitely getting faster." "Well, I should be getting home. See you guys tomorrow." "You don't have to go," Atmospheric said, "Why don't you stay for dinner?" "I don't want to leave Spike home alone." "Bring him over. We'd be glad to have you." "Really?" "Of course." "Thank you." When one door Closes, another OpensOver the next two months, Twilight honed her skills. She diligently studied the beliefs of the ancient martial artists. Between her studies and her meditation sessions, she began to go through her own spiritual growth. Her anxiety around other ponies gradually began to diminish. While she was still sucked inside her own emotional twister, she could see a shack forming through the raging air. "We've taught you everything we know," Harmonic proclaimed, "This is your final test. If you can last against me, Melodic, and Hard Core for five minutes, your training will be complete." "Atmospheric isn't joining us?" "You want to tell her, honey, or should I?" "I'm pregnant," Atmospheric spoke joyfully. "Congratulations!" "Thanks." "So, shall we get started," Harmonic questioned. "Ready when you are, sensei!" All three of her instructors charged Twilight at once. She quickly jumped, briefly hovering while they slammed into each other. She leapt off their heads, landing on her hind legs. "Yoohoo! Over here!" Her opponents recovered before attacking again. They ran at her at top speed. Waiting until they closed in, she grabbed Harmonic and Hard Core, sandwiched Melodic between them, and used their momentum to toss them to the side. Changing their tactics, they started fighting her individually. Harmonic went first. He was quickly beaten down with a flurry of punches to his upper torso. Hard Core followed suit and received a firm strike to his solar plexus. Melodic tried to take Twilight to the ground and was promptly kicked in the face. Though the family was down, they were far from out. They got back up and continued their assault. Harmonic struggled through heavy breaths. He held his broken foreleg, which burned and throbbed with the sensation of excruciating pain. Melodic and Hard Core received most of their injuries around their faces. Thankfully, the pain for them was much less prominent. Twilight herself remained barely touched. "Time's up," Harmonic said, "You did it." "Yes! I am victorious!" Harmonic laughed, trying to disregard his destroyed body. "Hold on," Twilight urged. A dark green glow surrounded Twilight's former masters. It slowly changed to a brighter shade. Once it dissipated, Harmonic let go of his limb. The three family members were fully healed. "Thank whatever deity is out there for medical magic," Harmonic vocalized. "Seriously," Twilight agreed. "What are you gonna' do now?" "I wasn't sure before, but now I know." "Well, whatever you decide, I should warn you about something. It can be tempting to use what you've learned for nefarious purposes. Should that road try to present itself, don't even bother giving it the time of day. It won't bring you any peace." "I understand."
The Path she WalksTwilight lied awake in tormented agony. Despite everything she had experienced since coming to Ponyville, nothing was able to cleanse the darkly incestuous thoughts from her mind. She could recall the time they first pervaded her skull. It was around her thirteenth birthday. Near the end of the night, her family had gathered around for cake and ice cream, as was tradition in her home. While Shining Armor roughhoused with her, she began to feel the heat emanating from his body. It brought her a deep level of security and comfort previously unknown to the mare. His strength and charm summoned feelings from within her better left unspoken. Then again, maybe that was the source of her suffering. The overwhelming terror of being seen as a depraved monster is what truly kept her quiet. If she were to ever have any hope of overcoming her demons, she would need to come clean. She couldn't tell Shining, though; not yet... After finishing breakfast with Spike the next morning, Twilight packed her satchel. "Where are you going?" "I have to see princess Celestia about something important. Can I count on you to watch over the castle while I'm gone?" "I've got you covered?" "Thanks." Twilight gave her assistant a kiss on the forehead before flying off. Twilight entered through the double doors of Canterlot castle. Her mentor greeted her with great delight. It made it all the more difficult for Twilight to speak to her. "Oh! Twilight! What a pleasant surprise! I wasn't expecting you to drop by today!" "..." "You look distressed. What ails you, my student?" "We can't talk here..." "I see. Please, follow me." The sun raiser led Twilight to her chambers, where two guards were standing watch. "At ease, men." Both soldiers stepped aside to let them through. "I suspect what troubles you must be serious." Twilight's stomach churned. She felt ill. "I...I'm in love with a married stallion..." "That is quite the predicament. Have you discussed this with the couple?" "I can't..." "Why not?" "Because...The stallion is...Someone I'm close to..." "Shouldn't that be all the more reason to be honest with him?" "No...What I mean is...He's...Someone of blood relation..." Celestia's expression transformed into one of horrified shock. "Oh my goodness..." "It's Shining Armor, okay!? I'm in love with my own brother!" Twilight paced around, trying to control her urge to scream. "What am I supposed to do!? It's sick! It's wrong! This is all wrong!" "Twilight, calm yourself at once!" The unusual authority in Celestia's voice was enough to snap Twilight back to reality. "How am I supposed to be calm at a time like this!? I just told the most powerful pony in all of Equestria one of the worst secrets I could have ever confessed just so I could hope for leniency!" Celestia sighed and used her magic to place Twilight on the bed. Twilight was shaking from the anxiety and self-resentment. "This is indeed a most unsavory development as well as an unexpected one. In hindsight, I should have seen this coming." Twilight sniffled. "What do you mean?" "Come now, Twilight. You know as well as I do most of your time has been spent alone with your studies." "But...I'm not alone. I have Spike and my other friends." "Yes, that's true, but they can't fill in for a romantic partner. There are separate parts of our lives that do not mesh together." "So, you're saying because shining is one of the only stallions I interacted with on a regular basis, I didn't have anyone else to direct my attraction towards?" "That is correct." "Then...How do I fix this?" "Your personal growth has been severely stunted by years of isolation. I admit, even I was unaware of the amount of damage it caused you. However, I believe I have a solution." "What?" "How familiar are you with martial arts?" "You mean the sport?" Celestia shook her head. "While modern incarnations have been reworked into competitive events, traditional martial arts were developed explicitly for warfare. Our soldiers are somewhat skilled with their usage, but none of them have yet to unlock their true potential. Even Shining does not comprehend their real power." "I always thought they were just fighting styles people trained in. The way they're presented in Spike's comics, they always seemed more like power fantasies." "I was alive during much of their creation. Those who mastered them were far more than mere fighters. They were both gentle and terrifying forces of nature." "Were they really that strong?" "Even I dared not challenge them." "How would martial arts training help me with Shining, though?" "Martial arts are essentially philosophy in action. To truly master them, one must undergo great spiritual and physical transitions; pilgrimages of self-discovery, if you will." "You mean completely reshaping my being?" "Precisely." "I don't know. It sounds so strange to me." "Then allow me to pose a question for you: Is there any logical reason not to try?" "I...I suppose not." "Then you have your answer." Twilight composed herself and stood on her legs. Without her knowledge, they had stopped trembling. "When should I start?" "When you're ready, although, I recommend you allow yourself time to recover today." "I understand." "I'll arrange a room for you. Come see me tomorrow morning. I may know where your first instructors reside." Celestia left the room, entrusting the guards outside with specific instructions. "Please, do not repeat what you have heard to anyone. Her progress must not be impeded." "Yes, your highness," they responded simultaneously.
Deadly Spring Chant"You wanted to see me?" "Yes. Have you kept up with the Ponyville paper recently?" "No." "Supposedly, an official statement was leaked to the press claiming two young children fought off a kidnapper; an adult male kidnapper." "You can't be serious!" "Oh? You don't believe me?" Celestia levitated a rolled up newspaper between them. She unraveled it, revealing the headline. "No way! This can't be real!" "Is it really so hard to believe? You were a magical prodigy at their ages. Is it so difficult to believe there are prodigies in other fields of study?" "But that would mean...You're afraid of children!?" Celestia gave Twilight a confused look. "No? I've done my best to rule justly and fairly. Just because I don't actively seek out battles does not mean I have anything to fear. It means I have common sense." It was Twilight's turn to be confused. "You're thinking too concretely, my student. Luna and I respect our subjects, just as they respect us. In fact, respect for one's allies and opponents alike is at the center of every martial art." "Really?" "Truly and honestly. They are highly honorable, noble disciplines." "I'm supposed to find this family and learn from them, right?" "Yes." "Where are they?" "Allow me," a familiar voice called out. A dark alicorn of Celestia's same build landed next to her sister. "Princess Luna?" "They live at they very edge of Ponyville. It is quite peaceful - free of distraction." "I see. Thank you." "Your gratitude is unnecessary, though it is appreciated." "I guess I should take my leave. Spike's probably worried sick at this point." "Fare thee well. May your undertaking prove fruitful." "Twilight!? Where have you been!?" "I had some personal business to take care of. I have to go out again in a minute. I'll be back by dusk." "Wait!" Twilight placed a hoof on Spike's head and smiled. "I'm okay. Just trust me this once. Can you do that?" Spike stared at her before nodding. "I'll cook dinner for us tonight," he said. "Sounds good." Twilight flew in the direction Luna directed her towards, arriving at a small, two-story house. The night princess was indeed correct about the environment. The structure was tucked away, separated from the rest of the town. Twilight knocked on the door. A black earth stallion and white Pegasus mare answered. "Hello. I'm Twilight Sparkle. I'm here on behalf of Princess Celestia to receive instruction in the martial arts." "You're the princess of friendship, aren't you," the Pegasus asked. "I am." "I'm Harmonic," the black stallion replied, "This is my wife, Atmospheric. You said you were sent to learn martial arts?" "Yes. I was informed there were two children living here who could teach me." "You must have read the article." "Just this morning." "Our daughter is sleeping right now. Our son is playing in the back yard if you want to see him." "Please." Twilight followed the couple behind their home. A young colt resembling Atmospheric was practicing his technique using a large tree. "Is he...Training?" "When I said he was playing, it was kind of a figure of speech. Practicing is how he spends most of his time." "What style is he using?" "Wing Chun. It's an eastern style emphasizing close-quarters combat and energy conservation." "I had no idea martial arts were so technical." "Wanna' watch for a minute." "Sure." The group examined the boy from a distance. He wasn't even mildly winded yet. "His technique is flawless," Twilight commented, "What does his sister do?" "Krav maga. It's a self-defense system specifically designed to neutralize any deadly threat." "No wonder they survived." "It's our job as parents to protect them. We taught them the basics, and they improved on their own. Both of them far outclass us now." "Wow..." "Are you ready for your first lesson?" "I think so." Harmonic and Atmospheric took Twilight to Hard Core. "Hey, buddy. This nice lady wants to learn the same stuff as you. Wanna' help her out?" "..." "He's a little shy." Twilight knelt down in an attempt to make him more comfortable. "The princesses sent me here. I could really use your help." Hard Core nodded. "Okay..." Stepping away from the tree, Harmonic instructed Twilight and his son to sit. "Close your eyes and take slow, deep breaths. What do you see?" "I can't see anything," Twilight responded, "It's just a black, vacant space." "Concentrate, but don't force it. Let your mind wander. Focus on what it's telling you." "I can see...dark clouds. They're much darker than they should be. It looks like night time in the middle of the day." "What else?" "I can see...Myself...Standing in an open field. I'm not moving at all." "What's the weather like?" "Windy...Like a storm's approaching." "What that tells me so far is your progress is being halted by a powerful force - possibly one of an abnormal nature." "What should I do?" "That's up to you. How would you handle it?" "I could cast an illumination spell." "What about non-magical solutions?" "Look for shelter?" "Okay. That's one course of action. What about confronting the storm?" "Wouldn't it be too dangerous?" "Only if you waver." "Wait...I'm turning around!" "That's it - one step at a time." "There's a twister! It's coming for me!" Twilight saw herself be sucked into the tornado. She opened her eyes in a sweat-drenched panic. "Are you okay?" "Yeah...I think so." "That was intense. You have some deeply-rooted issues you need to work out." "Sorry..." "Don't apologize. You're making the effort. Let's move on for now." "Right..." Twilight and Hard Core faced each other, waiting to hear what the colt's father had to say. "The first thing you need to know is proper fighting stance. Protecting your face and vital organs is one of the keys to surviving a brutal confrontation." Harmonic motioned for his son to demonstrate. Hard Core stood on his hind legs while positioning his forelegs between his head and torso. Twilight assumed the same posture. "Relax your body. If you're too stiff, you'll waste unnecessary energy." Twilight took a few more deep breaths to calm herself. Her focus dramatically increased as a result. "Now you're starting to get it." "What now?" "Another key to not only surviving, but emerging victorious is where you fight. Never let yourself be taken to the air or ground. Those will leave you more vulnerable to injuries and grapples. You always want to be standing in an upright position." "I get it! I have to firmly plant myself and not be distracted from defending, right?" "Bingo. Now we can get to the good stuff - technique training. Hard Core's going to try to grapple you. It's up to you to quickly reverse it without causing damage. Think you're up for it?" "Bring it." Hard Core immediately tried to wrap his forelegs around her head for a throw. Sliding to his side, she put the child in a headlock. She could hear Harmonic clapping. "Bravo! Nicely done!" "I don't even know how I did that!" "You took the first opening you could find and went for it without hesitation. That's how a warrior fights." "I don't feel like that was the best I could've done, though." "You recognize your limitations. Good. You're right. You haven't developed your speed and reaction time yet." "Should I try again?" "You're really getting the hang of this. Let's start from the beginning. This time, try countering as fast as you can." "You've done really well so far," Harmonic praised, "The last thing we need to cover for basics is striking. One of the defining characteristics of wing chun is its use of swift, rapid attacks against the body's pressure points. How much do you know about anatomy?" Twilight grinned rather smugly. "Enough to know where each one is located." "Let's see if you can counter my kid's attacks fast enough to prove it." Twilight's grin turned sour. She engaged Hard Core in their next practice battle. The colt completely turned the tables on the princess. Before she knew it, she was flat on her back. "Ow..." "You okay," Harmonic asked, trying to suppress a laugh. "Thank Celestia he's not old enough to seriously hurt somebody yet." "Trust me, age has nothing to do with it. Ready to go again?" "I suppose." The end of Twilight's first day of training brought her a multitude bruises, a black eye, and a broken nose. The fact she was even still conscious amazed her. "You look burnt out. How 'bout we call it a day?" "No complaints here," Twilight concurred through strained breaths. "You gonna' be okay?" "Yeah. A healing spell should do the trick." "You can fix damaged body parts?" "I'm what you might call a studious soul. Advanced magic is basically child's play for me at this point." "That's cool." "You think so...?" "Yeah." "Don't flirt with the students, honey," Atmospheric chimed in. "You know you're the only one for me." A white earth filly appeared from around the corner. Hard Core rushed over to her, placing his forehead against her own. "Who is that," Twilight questioned. "That's his girlfriend," Harmonic explained, "Her name's Deep Blue." "Aw! That's so cute!" "Take a closer look." Upon examining Hard Core and Deep Blue further, Twilight noticed they weren't acting like schoolyard crushes. "Do you see it?" "Yes." "It's the real deal." "How can children feel so deeply? I thought it was impossible." "The longer you live and the more you observe, the more you understand. Nothing is impossible if you believe. What you're seeing is what he believes in." "I understand now." "Understand?" "Never mind." "If you say so." "Can we continue tomorrow?" "Same time, same place." Twilight enjoyed a warm meal with Spike and told him about her training before retiring for the evening. The lessons of the day inspired her to further research and memorize each species' bodily structures. After a bit of leisurely reading, she attempted to fall asleep. However, something in her soul commanded her to remain conscious. She couldn't let herself be defeated by her own fears and weaknesses. Keeping her eyes closed, she allowed the scene that terrified her so much earlier that day to re-enter her mind. "What's beyond the darkness? I have to know..."
Headstrong"Look who decided to join the party," Harmonic teased. "Wouldn't miss it for the world." Twilight noticed a black filly standing next to her master. "Is this your daughter?" "Hi! I'm Melodic!" Twilight giggled and smiled at her. The young girl was the spitting image of her father. "She's much more outspoken than her brother, isn't she?" "Absolutely. She loves meeting new people." "Daddy told me you needed help." "That's right. Can you help me?" Melodic nodded. "By the way," Twilight mentioned, "I did some more training last night." "How did your meditation go," Harmonic asked. "I got stuck in the tornado again, but I could see more of my surroundings. So far, it's just an empty field. "A lack of protective structures...Hm..." "Is something wrong?" Harmonic shook his head. "Forget it. Let's get started on your krav maga training. Show her your fighting stance, sweetheart." Melodic placed one hind leg in front of the other. Her forelegs were tucked in with her hooves bent towards her face. "Krav maga is one of the most brutal fighting styles ever created, but also one of the most effective. Nothing is off limits - eye-gouging, throat punches, groin shots; anything you can think of." Twilight visibly winced. "You mean it's a killer's method!?" "Only if the practitioner doesn't use restraint. Don't worry. I taught her all the safety measures." "Why does something tell me this still won't end well...?" "Krav maga is intended for ending a fight as fast as possible. There are five main ways you can do this; knockout, submission, joint dislocation, blinding your opponent, or skeletal fracture. Being that you have extensive anatomical knowledge, you already know on a subconscious level how to do these things, but it's important to practice them on a conscious one, too. Melodic, go for a basic punch." Following her father's instructions, Melodic attempted to strike Twilight. The alicorn princess caught the attack. "Now that you have her in a lock, you can choose what you feel is the best course of action. If you can fully secure a grapple, you're in control of the flow of the battle." Twilight released Melodic from her grasp. "Now, try again. Just like yesterday, do it a little faster each time." "Yes, sensei!" "Somebody's been studying up on their terminology." "What'd you expect?" "Good point." "Active defense isn't the only way to come out on top in a scuffle. You can lull your opponent into a false sense of security using numerous methods." "Like what?" "Hm..." Harmonic took note of Twilight's horn. "Try lighting up your horn like you're going to cast a spell." The alicorn's horn began to glow. "If your opponent thinks you're going to cast magic, their first instinct will be to try to cut off your energy source; aka, your horn. This leaves them almost completely susceptible to direct attacks." "Interesting! I don't think I would have thought of that on my own." "Don't underestimate yourself. Give it a go." Twilight faced Melodic again. The child tried to wrap her hooves around the princess's horn. Twilight countered with a straight punch to her face. "You okay, sweetheart," Harmonic asked, showing fatherly concern. "I'm okay, daddy." "You're bleeding," Twilight stated apologetically. With another healing spell, Twilight repaired the filly's damaged cartilage. She levitated a cloth out of her nearby satchel and wiped he blood from Melodic's nose. "All better!" "By the way," Harmonic interjected, "you can use magic sometimes and fake your opponent out others. It'll prevent them from being able to read your movements." The second day of Twilight's training ended on a higher note than the first. While she still wore many bruises, her body remained generally unscathed. "I can't believe you improved so much in just twenty-four hours," Harmonic cheered, "That's crazy!" "I was using a little of the wing chun you taught me yesterday." "Oh, I don't doubt it. You're definitely getting faster." "Well, I should be getting home. See you guys tomorrow." "You don't have to go," Atmospheric said, "Why don't you stay for dinner?" "I don't want to leave Spike home alone." "Bring him over. We'd be glad to have you." "Really?" "Of course." "Thank you."
When one door Closes, another OpensOver the next two months, Twilight honed her skills. She diligently studied the beliefs of the ancient martial artists. Between her studies and her meditation sessions, she began to go through her own spiritual growth. Her anxiety around other ponies gradually began to diminish. While she was still sucked inside her own emotional twister, she could see a shack forming through the raging air. "We've taught you everything we know," Harmonic proclaimed, "This is your final test. If you can last against me, Melodic, and Hard Core for five minutes, your training will be complete." "Atmospheric isn't joining us?" "You want to tell her, honey, or should I?" "I'm pregnant," Atmospheric spoke joyfully. "Congratulations!" "Thanks." "So, shall we get started," Harmonic questioned. "Ready when you are, sensei!" All three of her instructors charged Twilight at once. She quickly jumped, briefly hovering while they slammed into each other. She leapt off their heads, landing on her hind legs. "Yoohoo! Over here!" Her opponents recovered before attacking again. They ran at her at top speed. Waiting until they closed in, she grabbed Harmonic and Hard Core, sandwiched Melodic between them, and used their momentum to toss them to the side. Changing their tactics, they started fighting her individually. Harmonic went first. He was quickly beaten down with a flurry of punches to his upper torso. Hard Core followed suit and received a firm strike to his solar plexus. Melodic tried to take Twilight to the ground and was promptly kicked in the face. Though the family was down, they were far from out. They got back up and continued their assault. Harmonic struggled through heavy breaths. He held his broken foreleg, which burned and throbbed with the sensation of excruciating pain. Melodic and Hard Core received most of their injuries around their faces. Thankfully, the pain for them was much less prominent. Twilight herself remained barely touched. "Time's up," Harmonic said, "You did it." "Yes! I am victorious!" Harmonic laughed, trying to disregard his destroyed body. "Hold on," Twilight urged. A dark green glow surrounded Twilight's former masters. It slowly changed to a brighter shade. Once it dissipated, Harmonic let go of his limb. The three family members were fully healed. "Thank whatever deity is out there for medical magic," Harmonic vocalized. "Seriously," Twilight agreed. "What are you gonna' do now?" "I wasn't sure before, but now I know." "Well, whatever you decide, I should warn you about something. It can be tempting to use what you've learned for nefarious purposes. Should that road try to present itself, don't even bother giving it the time of day. It won't bring you any peace." "I understand."
