Over the course of the next week, Twilight's power went through an unexpected skyrocket phase. To Spike's shock and amazement, her speed and strength all but doubled. She was able to perform twice as many strength exercises and push herself to a full hour of intensive cardio.

"I might have to start worrying about you punching my head off," Spike teased.

"I'm not quite a super zombie yet."

"I don't know..."

Twilight checked the clock on her phone.

"I'm late for my date with Flash. Can you handle things from here?"

"I've got it covered."

"Thanks."

Twilight turned to fly away, but when she spread her wings, she stopped.

"...Hey...Thanks for being okay with this..."

"Hm?"

"Me and you were always extremely close, so I didn't know what was going to happen when we grew up. Deep down, I was worried something weird would happen between us."

"Ah...I gotcha'..."

"Did you ever...Ya' know...Feel that way about me...?"

"Honestly? It never really crossed my mind."

"I always got this sense you were extremely lonely, but you were hiding it well."

"When I started asking myself what my role in the universe was, it almost immediately slapped me in the face with an answer."

"Why do you think you're here?"

"Like you, I live in the shadows of society and assist the weak, the scared, the broken, and the hungry."

"You mean like a guardian?"

"A guardian...Has a nice ring to it."

"A guardian's life shouldn't have to be filled with empty hours and heartache."

"A spouse and kids would have been amazing, but I had a higher calling. With what we're trying to accomplish now, it would put too much of a strain on everyone else."

"You're willing to sacrifice a life of love and happiness for the good of all equines..."

"There's always the chance things will change in the next world."

"Yeah...I guess..."

"Don't worry about me, Twilight. I know how to be content in my own company. You, on the other hand, are addicted to Prince Charming. Speaking of which, you should probably get a move on."

"I'll be back soon."

"No rush."

Twilight soared into the air. As she did so, the color of her eyes changed again. They were the same mournful shade Spike saw the day she was first given the keys to defeating the hellspawn.

Spike gazed into the woods, lost in his own thoughts. He was admittedly rather uncomfortable regarding his and Twlight's exchange. The thought of her as something other than family truly had never entered his subconscious, and the idea made him shiver with frigid unease. To him, it seemed eerily incestuous, and that was a line he dared not even contemplate crossing; mentally or physically. Nonetheless, he was deeply touched by her concern.

"Guess I should get to Applejack's..."

"Hey, babe," Flash greeted when Twilight approached him in the restaurant. She sat down across from him.

"Hey..."

"I was startin' to get worried. You weren't answering any of my texts or calls."

"I was busy."

Flash held her hoof. It was sturdier than he remembered.

"So...What have you been up to?"

"Just doing some writing and stuff. What about you?"

"Shining's still riding my ass as usual."

"When you phrase it like that, it makes it sound more literal than I think you're intending."

"You're one strange mare, Twilight."

"So I've been told; many times."

"Listen...If something's going on, you can tell me."

"You would probably think I'm off my rocker, and I wouldn't blame you."

"Try me."

"...Spike and I have been getting ready to fight and defeat the devil."

"As in the biblical devil?"

Twilight nodded sullenly.

"That doesn't sound weird to me at all."

Twilight tilted her head.

"It doesn't...?"

"Seventy-five percent of the continent is religious, and kids nowadays are constantly being told every day is doomsday. It only makes sense our focus would turn to whatever comes after this."

"I never really thought of it like that."

"It never crossed my mind until now, but I'm curious - do you think you can win?"

"It depends."

"On what?"

"Who's the strongest member of the guard?"

"Don't know his name, but there's a guy in the special forces unit who can lift five hundred and twelve pounds on the bench. Not sure what his hind press weight is, though."

"We need to be at least three times stronger than him without bulking."

Flash's eyes retracted into the back of his skull.

"Come again...?"

"You heard me."

"A civilian multiple times stronger than a guard...Wow...Wasn't expecting that."

"We're talking about a being at least as old as the planet. Even triple strength probably won't register."

"Then...What are you gonna' do?"

"Multiply my strength and speed by the highest possible variable."

"If you're really serious about this, I might have to join in. How long have you guys been at it?"

"A week."

"What's your progress been?"

"We started with twenty strength exercises and a half hour of cardio. We're up to forty and a full hour now."

"At a rate like that, you'll be as strong as Fei Lee Jun within a year and a half or so."

"You've heard of him, too?"

"He's only the most recognized martial artist of all time."

"I went back further and studied the full history of martial arts. The earliest known styles were originally designed specifically for war. Their practitioners followed strict spiritual and moral codes, as the techniques they used and developed were explicitly created for self-defense."

"I know you're well-versed in biology, but I recommend looking more specifically into neurology, muscle memory, and genetics if you really want to boost your speed."

"After we eat, we can meet up with Spike; see what we can figure out."

"Sounds good."

"I want you to keep something in mind, though. This isn't going to be a fun side endeavor where we can flirt 24/7. This is meant to save innocent people who might be being filleted for no justifiable reason from eternal torture. Think of the worst war in equine history exponentiated by a thousand."

"That's a lovely image."

"Trust me: whatever you're imagining doesn't even come close."

Flash resigned from the guard a month later. Twilight's birthday rolled around the following June. She celebrated with Flash, Spike, and their friends.

"Happy birthday, Twi."

"Thanks, Applejack."

"How's it feel being old," Rainbow joked.

"Feels pretty good, actually. Any other questions?"

"Nah. I'll let you off easy today."

"You wanna' eat or open presents first, Twilight," Spike asked.

"Let's do the presents first so we can clean up before we eat."

"Open this one first. It's from me and AJ."

Spike handed Twilight an elongated, slightly curved object.

"What is it," Twilight inquired with piqued curiosity.

"Open it."

The Alicorn tore through the paper wrapping.

"A sword...?"

"I think you mixed up her birthday with someone else's," Rainbow remarked.

"Twilight's taken an interest in eastern history," the dragon half-lied, "You guys remember that show Samurai X?"

"The one with that wanderer dude who had a reversed sword?"

"The sakabato - the holy reverse blade sword."

Twilight directed her attention towards Spike.

"You and Applejack forged a real reverse blade weapon?"

"I may not look the type, but I got plenty o' metalworking tools."

"Look at the hilt," Spike requested. Twilight complied. Between the cloth wrapping was inscribed one word.

"What is it," Rainbow desired to know.

"It says...Hope..."

Author's Note

"CHRIST'S LIGHT IS A BEAUTIFUL THING, BUT THERE'S PSYCHOLOGICAL STRINGS! YOU'RE AN ALIEN EVER TO MEN! THIS WAS THE DEVIL, THEY SAID!"

-Lay it on the Line, Condemned