Internal Flow

"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."