I meandered the streets of Griffonstone. A theme song played in my head. In that moment, I missed having a set of headphones. They were so good at driving away any song, replacing it with the one they were playing, instantly. But, I had none, so whatever song was in my head had a chance to come out with soft whistling about an elven warrior in a fantasy land.

But I was already a pony in a fantasy land? I switched my music towards the MLP theme song, distracted successfully.

Something heavy and sharp pressed against the back of my head. I started to turn reflexively, but a firm hand kept me forward. "You don't need to do that," barked an angry male voice. "You need to stop doing everything you're doing. You go right back to that temple and you don't come out until your 'friend's done claiming they can light that match."

I hated being told what not to do. "Why do you care?" I asked evenly, channeling my inner Maud. That wasn't that hard. We were two chips off the same stone in some ways.

"A lot of reasons." He pressed a bit harder, but I had scales back there, and he wasn't pressing nearly hard enough. "Shut up. All we need."

We? "You're already late." I flicked my tail, catching him in a light brush.

He didn't like that, and, in the end, neither did I. He slashed down across my poor tail, pain exploding upwards from that point as stone rushed across my body alongside my surprised yelp.

I could feel the stinging pain of the cut tail, but it was safely encased with the rest of me in my shell, and by the time I dared to peek free of it, that griffon was gone, and I was largely along on that street. I saw one griffon sitting there. "Did you see who attacked me?"

"Huh? What?" The griffon peered at me oddly. "Ain't seen nothin'!"

I waved a hoof dismissively. "Nevermind." I turned and broke into a firm jog towards the temple, grumbling faintly to myself along the way.

I winced testing a sore limb gingerly where the angry griffon's vicious swipe landed. I had become stone quickly enough to keep it from more than a lightly bleeding cut at least.

Sighing, I resumed brisk trot towards the temple, one ear swiveling ceaselessly for sounds of stealthy pursuit. But empty streets echoed only distant voices muted by cynicism. Unease stirred feathers ruffled by casual callousness festering in fearful hearts. Something or someone clearly resented what I was doing to help bring back old, better, worse, different times.

An unpleasant notion surfaced - what if jealous figures harbored desire keeping such potent magic suppressed rather than risk cultural shakeups threatening stratified comforts? Dominion seldom collapsed overnight after all...reactions began subtly.

I paused, glancing skyward where feathered deputies maintained stern watch over their charges however quirky or alien beneath serene facades.

Shaking myself roughly, I resumed firm stride - speculation brought little, immediate safety mattered most. I hurried into the temple past the guards there and settled next to Gallus.

Gallus perked near immediately. "What? Dude." He looked over me. "I don't expect my friends to wander off and come back smelling of that. What happened to you? You okay?" I tried to paw him away, but he found the tail fairly quickly. "Ow. That looks like it hurt. Should we call somegriffon?"

I swayed the tail away from him. "It stings, but I'll live. Did Giselle come out?"

Gallus waved at the still closed door. "The priest says she's passed the tests so far."

I perked at that. "That's good news."

"Yeah." Gallus crossed his arms with a huff. "So, what did Gabby say? Something dumb, I imagine."

"Yeah," I echoed back with a little smile. "But also yes. She's going to come and try. She seemed cheerful enough to even stand a chance. I'm really hoping she doesn't get hurt. She's way too nice for me to have gotten hurt, even if it was her choice."

Gallus smirked knowingly at my account of Gabby's unhesitating enthusiasm diving into danger unconsidered. "Yep, sounds about right! Jumped without blinking as expected from that fearless featherhead."

He nudged me playfully clearly unbothered by potential squishy outcomes endangering gentle souls on his behalf. I scowled back tail lashing irritably. "Well, I still say this whole arbitrary trial thing runs pretty heartlessly if you ask me!"

Before Gallus formulated glib rebuttals doors creaked ponderously admitting one small shape before grinding closed ominously once more. There stood Giselle swaying clearly exhausted by spiritual stresses but still she stood!

Priests peered from on high almost resentful their reluctant convert survived spiteful tests designed to demonstrate the predestined's special favor under trying tribulations. But living proof persisted and postures subtly shifted towards next-phase considerations given destiny's unexpected boons manifest despite best laid plans...

Gallus swept wings wide relief unrestrained as Giselle trudged wearily into welcoming embrace. "You actually pulled it off, you stubborn buzzard!" He swung her laughing dizzy but delight unmistakable having overcome hostile odds emerge unfettered and eager for more!

The head priest advanced with a grand smile. "Well done. Well. Done. Little chick, you have survived many tests, and for that, a celebration. But you have not finished this ordeal."

Giselle glared at him with a fury powerful even for a griffon. "I'm standing here. What other trials can there be?! You'll get out of the way and let me phoenix it up."

"Exactly as I plan." The priest backed a step. "But that is the final challenge. You have precisely one week. You will learn to embrace the flame, or the flames will embrace you. Live by the flame, or die by the same. Either way, my job will be complete." He leaned in towards Giselle. "If it helps, I wish you success. To a new age for us all."

Gallus swallowed at the terms set. "Wow, sink or swim time. Look, I'll show you how to do it."

"Speak no further." The priest pointed deeper into the temple. "Take her where no other ears can hear, and whisper gentle the secrets of the flame. Do not emerge until she learns, or the week has passed."

I scrambled to my hooves. "Can I go? I helped Gallus. I'd gladly help her too."

The priest held up a hand. "If a griffon cannot pass this torch to another griffon, then we are already doomed before we begin. No, you will not accompany them." But he smiled in a genuinely kind way, odd on a griffon. "But that you are willing is noted. Kind kirin, sit yourself and let us treat you as the honored guest you are."

I bristled as the officious priest pronounced imperious decrees designed clearly more for perpetuating hierarchy's exalted status rather than nurturing vulnerable disciples. But feathered followers ushered Giselle and Gallus obediently within shadowed depths where mysterious ignitions or immolations awaited uncaring for protests.

Grudgingly I stilled tongue against tirades knowing myself still ignorant wielding elder magics shaped through mists of lost legends. Yet strictures seemingly served systems more than students sincerely seeking still...

An unexpected talon brushed my injured tail gently - the nameless griffon veteran from before gazed solemnly my restless way as fresh fanfare erupted distractedly around us. "Not all roads remain smooth however pure the cause when old slumbering sins get stirred." He kept ministering quietly where injury irked. "Their ilk grasp tight dwindling dominance fearing frail frames unable bearing stark truths..."

I studied my impromptu physician thoughtfully as he worked. Beyond embitterment some guttering grace glimmered occasionally. "So we'll show them with actions?" I ventured softly sensing wisdom wrapped wounded behind callous shields.

A ghostly smile traced fierce features at philosophical inquiries where rage normally reignited. "Walk any true path unflinching and some light endures..." With that cryptic sigh he simply resumed raptor regard towards scenes unseen awaiting ahead.

"What happened to you?" I turned my head to see Twinkle sitting next to me where Gallus had been. "I let you outside for a moment." She reached a hoof for my tail. "Are you alright?"

"No." I kept the tail still. "But he's already taking care of it, and it isn't cut off or anything, just a nick." I hissed softly at the painful reminder. "Where were you?"

"Waiting for you." Twinkle tapped at her chin. "And I feel I got something wrong. Twilight read to me, some of your stories. I thought I was acting the way you wanted me to. Am I not taking on the role of a rescued female, ready to give sexual coin in return for good treatement?"

I blinked at that. "I'd be more insulted if I knew I hadn't written a few things like that. But I'm not that person anymore." I rubbed at one arm nervously. "I'd prefer to be a friend first, then a friend that likes to cuddle, and maybe more after that? That'd be nice."

Twinkle spread a wing to encircle me. "Well, I am a friend, and I am perfectly alright with a little cuddle." She nestled against me. "I am realizing more and more that I know so little. Perhaps I am, in some ways, as young as the moment I animated, and I don't like that." She crossed her arms with a huff. "I wish to do things as an adult, but, considering that, what foal wouldn't say the same thing?"

I smiled affectionately as Twinkle confessed insecurities fearing inexperience still overshadowed maturing identity however abruptly selfhood ignited for her. But wisdom oft emerged roundabout through reflection upon roads initially taken less mindfully.

"Hey, we're all figuring stuff out as we go Twinkle - no shame backtracking to walk ahead more thoughtfully." I gave her little shoulder a supportive squeeze. "Heck, my own path's pretty crooked looking back..."

I exhaled heavily, feeling the myriad awkward fumbles behind my words. "Just wanting connection itself ain't automatically bad if we build understanding too, yeah?" External validations rang hollow alone; self-knowledge also took its rightful place determining direction.

Twinkle scuffed a hoof self-consciously but hints of a smile returned acknowledging common struggles all souls faced awakening. "See, the thing." She worried her hooves with concern. "I don't trust anycreature else. I know you'd prefer I didn't think that way, but you are the one I feel safest around. I know you'd like somecreature like that, and there is not another creature I'd want to be that close to, or could trust that way."

The griffon tending to me released my tail. "Want me to get out of here? You two're having serious enough talks that don't need a stranger listening in on it."

I had forgotten he was even there and colored at the reminder. "Right, sorry. I didn't mean to-- Thank you." I curled the tail back to a passive swaying. "Thanks."

"Having a tail means knowing what it's like to have it hurt." He winced with old remembered wounds. "Take care of it." He propped himself up and moved away, giving us room.

I pulled Twinkle into what passed for a lap, so far as a quadraped had. "Your emotions for me are complicated, but I'll promise this much at least. I won't just write them all off. Tell me more about them. Share, so I have some clue. Tell me about that, and tell me about you. Not my dreamed imaginings of some perfect Twilight Sparkle, which you aren't, and neither is the one keeping the name in this world. She isn't here, and this isn't that world."

"It is not." Twinkle leaned back against me. "But, since you're offering, I would be a foal to not accept it." She curled against me. "One of my earliest memories is being held by you gently, with a little smile on your face. You were so happy to have me, to hold me, and looking back, I feel just as happy, to be that one you were holding."

Our relationship was, at best, a little complicated.

Author's Note

You did it, Giselle, at least 50% of the way there. We can but hope Gallus guides her the other half and we end up with two phoenixes.

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