Spike: Uh, I guess...
//I knock on the cottage door. Is this really how I'm approaching this?
//From somewhere on the second floor, a soft voice floats down:
Fluttershy: I'll be just a minute, please hold on!
Spike: O--okay, then!
//I'll be here!
//I stand with my back to the door.
\\Doing what? Inspecting the chickens, in case they're going to attack you?
//It doesn't hurt to be prepared.
\\I am completely sure the woodland animals are not as threatening as the Avatar who will shortly be appearing behind you.
//Yeah, but... staring at the door just kind of seems... weird.
\\...
//I hear a creak, and swivel around, ready for anything!
Fluttershy: I'm sorry to keep you waiting, but you must understand, I was entertaining a guest, and...
//She trails off into silence, lowering her head and staring at the door frame.
FS: Yes? How can I help you?
Spike: Er, hi, I'm--
//Fluttershy rears back, and I raise my fists!

[[SAVE LOCATION]]

FS: Oh! Spike! I didn't realize you'd be here so soon!
//She puts her hooves down and starts muttering to a rabbit on the floor. He shoots her a grumpy look before hopping off.
FS: But it's no problem. You're very welcome here, and I'm glad to see you. Please come in.
//Fluttershy turns around and starts walking to (what I have to assume should be) the living room, and I slowly lower my fists.
//This place is a mess. Knotted twine hangs everywhere from the ceiling, host to a family of squirrels skittering about. The furniture, all wicker, is cracked and frayed, and the stuffing is partly torn out of the cushions; there are unidentifiable stains on every possible surface in every possible shade; the entire place smells like sweat and spit and _life_, in all its nasty reality.
\\And, come on, birdhouses go outside.
//Fluttershy casually mentions:
FS: I feel awful showing my home to you like this, but I'm afraid I haven't found any time to clean in between everything that's kept me so busy.
Spike: I've seen worse.
//LIKE A FOREST FIRE?
//Hush, you.
//COME ON, THE ONLY THING THAT WOULD ENEMA-IZE THIS SHITHOLE WOULD BE FIRE.
//Fluttershy turns her head around, looking behind herself at me, and swishes her tail once.
FS: Spike? Won't you come inside?
//ARSON IS THE WISER CHOICE. FUCK IT; WHEN IS ARSON NOT THE WISER CHOICE?
//Well, since I made it a life goal to do the opposite of whatever the dragon instinct suggests...
//LEAD A HAPPY LIFE.
//I walk inside, and close the door.
//Fluttershy puts a kettle over the fire which has been inexplicably been burning all this time. How can this tinderbox have a fireplace?
FS: I don't suppose it's a surprise to either of us that you _are_ here, though.
//Quine: Information is the most valuable resource you can buy. Even small items can be pivotal.
Spike: And why is that?
FS: Why, you're a Hero.
//Fluttershy says the word with a smile in her voice. It rings of sincerity, not mocking.
FS: I hold the Element of Kindness as one of the Avatars. You have to pass a test to be granted the Element, and seek an audience with Princess Hazel.
//Less an audience than an assault, but still...
Spike: Actually, I -- well, that's true, that is part of why I came here. But my most pressing reason for coming is I wanted you to give me some--
FS: --sugar?
//Mid-sentence pause. My mouth is still forming the next syllable in the sentence.
FS: Sugar, in your tea. Would you like some?
//After a second, speech returns.
Spike: No, no thank you.
FS: Alright. No sugar.
Spike: Yes -- I mean, no tea.
FS: No tea?
Spike: Yes.
FS: Are you sure? I really don't mind--
Spike: Yes, no tea.
//Fluttershy looks down at the floor, eyes in some strange formation that kind of looks like pouting, but can't be pouting, because she would never want someone else to feel bad that they'd hurt her feelings, and 'swings her tea smells good. What is that?
FS: I'll pour you a cup in case you change your mind later.
//She takes out two cups and saucers from a cupboard and finishes making the tea. Finishes?
Spike: That was quick.
FS: I'm sorry. Please don't feel rushed, I didn't mean for that.
Spike: How can you make tea in less than, I don't know, forty seconds?
FS: Oh, this was a very generous gift to me from one of my closest friends. She's amazing with magic.
Spike: Huh. Okay.
FS: Are you sure you don't want some tea? I seem to remember you liked it.
Spike: What is it again?
FS: Jasmine and ylang-ylang. I have some ginseng, if you'd like.
Spike: Sounds great, but I'll pass.
//Fluttershy lays down on a couch/bed/thing, curled up with her tea.
FS: Now, weren't you telling me why you were here?
//Oh, yeah, that.
//MORON.
Spike: I came on behalf of a drakeling named Kezno and myself. We were cursed with the dying breath of a unicorn cultist, and are looking to break the curse.
//Fluttershy sips her tea and looks me in the eye for a while. I don't know what to do with my hands.
FS: Kezno. Where have I heard that name before?
Spike: It might have come up when, ah, Jebed spoke with you.
//Fluttershy nods.
FS: Ah. Jebed.
Spike: I heard your conversations were not the most... civil.
FS: ...I wouldn't say that. Jebed and I just... have a difference of opinion.
Spike: Over what?
FS: A person's conversations and arguments are her own. It's not my place to tell you, Spike.
Spike: I... kind of have a vested interest. Kezno is a close friend and I'm suffering from the same weird illness spell curse voodoo.
//Can't it only be one of those things?
//Fluttershy spends some time thinking, sipping her tea. Her soft pink mane covers one of her eyes, and with the other she looks me over with a smile.
FS: Please trust me, Spike, when I say there will be time for that, and everything will be sorted out for the best. We will also deal with the Heroism, and the Element. But it's not nearly late enough to have some real fun just yet. Do you want to play a board game?

//A game of Strategy is laid out before us on the floor. Some of the pieces have been chewed. I look over the starting positions. This map looks like an orgy of snakes; there are paths everywhere.
FS: Are you sure you know how to play?
//Quine: It would behoove you to know Strategy. It is a game with which nobles teach their young and the Cavalry sharpens their officers. I will teach you many of the things you must know through this game.
//Spike: Why a game? Can't you just tell me?
//Quine: Yes. But then you would not learn.
Spike: Yes.
FS: Alright then. Shall we start?
//The game begins.
//The map is huge. Fluttershy chose this map. Why did she choose a map so large? It's too early to tell if she's planning a tricky strategy -- I can't punish right away. Does she want to cut defensive corners to build her economy until she sees me coming? Let's hope, if it goes late, her multitasking isn't vastly superior to mine...
\\Or this is the only map she has. It does have flowers on it.
Spike: Ah, darn, you almost got me there.
FS: Hmm-hmm, you'd better watch out!
//She attacked a peasant with one of her own, and then pulled away. That fight would have gone in her favor, though... why did she retreat?
Spike: You know, I don't think I've seen your strategy before.
FS: I have very many tricks up my sleeve.
Spike: You're not wearing clothing.
FS: Hmm-hmm!
//Along the three paths into her core operations she has built defensive buildings. They're more than I can handle, so I post my minimal troops outside her lands and spread my peasants out to claim more land.
FS: ...
Spike: It's your turn.
FS: I know. It's just -- Twilight always does this.
Spike: You play Twilight in Strategy?
FS: Oh, quite a bit. We have so much fun together, playing board games, reading books, tending to the animals, brushing our hair... when we have time, that is.
Spike: What do you do against Twilight when she grabs land?
FS: Mostly lose. She's very good at planning.
//Fluttershy moves out from her defensive position with a middling army. It's bigger than mine, but I try to trade well with the units I have.
//Her caretaking of her soldiers is excellent... in four turns she defeats the scouts posted outside her base, and though her units were damaged none were lost. But something is strange about that...
FS: Spike? It's your turn, unless I'm mistaken.
Spike: You took too long.
FS: I'm sorry, I'll try to be quicker with my turn next time.
Spike: Huh? No, not that. You should have destroyed my scouts faster.
FS: Unit retention is the key to victory.
//Quine: Victory is not a door with only one lock. Have a keychain.
//She has quite a few more units than I do, but I've had time to get my finances flowing... by the time Fluttershy has an army on my side of the map I'll be able to defend against it.
//Hopefully.
FS: Earlier, you were going to ask me something about your health.
Spike: Oh! Someone said you were the Keeper of the Glade for a mystical glade in Everfree Forest.
FS: What? I'm not any sort of keeper of anything; I'm sorry.
Spike: He said the water of the glade can heal any illness.
FS: I'm so sorry, Spike, but I don't know why anypony would say something like that about me. Would you mind if I asked who told you?
Spike: Oh, just... someone I met in passing.
//Fluttershy looks at me for some time, then advances her troops forward.
FS: Oh. Okay.
//SUPERNATURAL LIE DETECTION POWERS ARE GO.
//Same with supernatural kick-my-butt powers if I don't get soldiers out right freaking now. I send out a powerful squad to a defensive position, but it's most of my army right there; it needs to buy a few turns at least.
//Fluttershy takes her army and moves far to the west, avoiding confrontation.
//Why would she do that? With her numbers, it might have been an efficient trade to squeeze by and start savaging my peasants, or at least send one or two units. Not to mention Fluttershy's army would have won any direct fight. Is this the mix-up of a master?
Spike: What?
FS: I said, you're looking a little pale, Spike.
//My scales are purple; she can't tell that.
FS: Are you sure you're okay?
Spike: Yeah, I'm fine.
//I send agile units, freshly created, to the western front and set them in position to get behind Fluttershy's army, and send my veteran troops towards her lands. My peasants may take losses but the reinforcing units should destroy her army eventually, and I can do a lot of pillaging in the meantime.
//Fluttershy spends quite some time staring at the board.
Spike: Uh, Fluttershy?
FS: Please hold on.
Spike: Okay, then...
//A few minutes pass. Fluttershy enlists the aid of a pencil and paper, detailing something in calm writing.
//She moves all her soldiers in an elaborate pattern, which avoids perfectly the troops that tried to trap them, and prevents my veteran troops from reaching her peasants.
//...but it's a terrible move.
Spike: Why'd you do that?
FS: ...What do you mean?
Spike: That last move. You're going to lose now.
FS: I still have my army, and my peasants are all healthy.
Spike: But there's no advantage to that.
FS: To keeping your people alive?
Spike: Sure, you have that; but comparatively I have the same sized army with a better resource base, in ten turns the game will be over.
FS: I can only work with the people I have on the board, so keeping them alive keeps me in the game.
//Is she so concerned about her units that she's willing to lose the game to save them?
Spike: Hmm...
//I put more units on the board, advance them, and end my turn.
Spike: Your turn.
FS: Spike, you're not looking so well.
Spike: Uh, I feel fine.
//IF YOU WERE FINE YOU WOULDN'T BE HERE. OR MAYBE YOU WOULD; YOU'D GO ANYWHERE IF IT MEANT A THOROUGH FUCKING.
FS: Spike, I must insist -- you look dreadful! You're shuddering!
Spike: Nonsense, just because you're going to--

The Drakeling vomits blood!
The +gamepiece+ is struck by the spewing dragon vomit laced with dragon blood! The severed part flies off in an arc!
The -gameboard- is struck by the spewing dragon vomit laced with dragon blood!
The sheep wool rug is struck by the spewing dragon vomit laced with dragon blood!

FS: Oh my goodness!
Spike: Ughhoohh...
//I guess I wasn't okay...
FS: This is much more serious than I thought!
Spike: What? No, this has been happening for a while now, it's nothing--

The Drakeling vomits blood!
The -gameboard- is struck by the spewing dragon vomit laced with dragon blood!
The sheep wool rug is struck by the spewing dragon vomit laced with dragon blood!
Fluttershy dodges away from the spewing dragon vomit laced with dragon blood!

//Fluttershy peeks out from behind her couch once I'm done.
FS: Spike, you're very sick. We need to get you to help.
Spike: If there were anyone else in the world who could help me, I'd have found them.
//Fluttershy inches her way out from behind the couch and, with nervous grace, lays down next to me.
FS: Mount me.
Spike: ...
//Once more I am left speechless by her choice of words.
FS: We'll go faster with you on my back. Do you want help getting on?
Spike: And here I was about to win the game...
FS: I promise you, we can continue that some other time. Spike, you're very sick and it's dangerous for you to do anything but try to get better. We've only met for a short time, but I consider you a friend, and you need help right now. I can help you through this. Even if it's scary.
//...
FS: Spike.
//...What choice do I have but to trust her?
//I mount the Avatar of Temptation, and we fly into Everfree Forest.

//The Avatar lands on the rocky shore, and I slump off her back immediately, crashing into rough pebbles.
Spike: Maybe... worse than I thought.
FS: You'll be okay. You have to be okay.
//A crescent moon lights up the quiet forest. Still waters curve around us, shaped like a kidney bean, folding us in and protecting from the looming trees and thick underbrush. The night sky, colored the same as a bruise, is only punctured by stars far away who steadfastly refuse to twinkle. For a moment, there is only the sound of me struggling to stand up. The scenery is unnatural, forests aren't like this... like a person holding her breath.
//I can't tell if this place is supposed to be dead or peaceful.
//From further ahead I hear a sharp intake of breath.
Voice: What? Is that Spike?
//Footsteps race towards us over the rocks. I look up, eyes still stinging from the wind, but I can't tell who this drakeling is. She puts her hands on my shoulders for a moment, and then embraces me.
Concerned Drakeling: Spike, no, not you, not you too, oh Celestia...
//A rabbit, grumpy look still intact, hops over from the same direction and climbs on Fluttershy's back. She murmurs to it.
Spike: ...Celel?
Celel Dracos: Yes, Spike, it's me. Kezno's here. He's not well, oh, Celestia...
//I see a lumpy figure curled up in the rocks. That must be Kezno.
Spike: Why are you here?
//From behind me, Fluttershy speaks:
FS: Angel's brought them here.
Spike: (If there's one thing I don't need right now, it's a cultist nutjob. That's how we got here in the first place.)
T: (...Uh, Spike? Angel is the rabbit.)
Spike: (I'm sorry, it sounded like 'angels brought them here'. Nevermind.)
FS: I have gathered you both here: Spike, the Hero; Kezno, the friend. The glade and I will commune, and you will have the answers you seek.
//Celel steps past me and demands:
CD: Answers?! We need _medicine_, not prophecy!
Spike: Another for the medicine, in case it's a vote.
FS: I'll do what I can, but the glade has a mind of its own. It's very cold this time of year, and the glade needs as much water as it can to prevent freezing--
CD: Then we'll boil it once we're all better!
//Fluttershy looks at Celel for quite some time.
FS: ...I don't feel that would be nice.
Spike: Celel, quit yelling.
//Celel glares at me.
Spike: --I mean, please calm down. It's not helping. Fluttershy, is there any reason you can't start right away?
//Fluttershy advances to the edge of the water, speaking with great care.
FS: I must only say that this, Hero, is your test. Everything that happens after this moment is your responsibility.
//What?! How is dispelling the curse related to the Element of Kindness?!
T: (Ooh, ominous.)
//Fluttershy jumps with sudden quickness, and beats her wings to stay hovering. The tiny splash of water moved by the draft underlies Fluttershy's strange, booming voice.
FS: THESE DRAKELINGS MAY TAKE OF THE WATERS OF THE GLADE, FOR IT IS PURE, AND THROUGH PURITY IT WILL AID THEIR ILLS AND STRENGTHEN THEIR SPIRIT. THE DYING CURSE THAT AFFLICTS THEM WILL BE LIFTED THEREAFTER, UNDER ONE CONDITION. A DESIRER MUST FILL A DRINK FOR ANOTHER, AND NEITHER AGAIN MAY EITHER TOUCH OF THE WATERS OF THE GLADE, LEST IT BECOME WORTHLESS AS THEIR PROMISES.
//The Avatar stops flapping her wings, and lands softly on the beach. Her mane falls in front of her eyes, concealing them.
CD: ...Was that the communing?
Spike: I think so.
CD: What did it mean?
Spike: Well, it said we could drink the glade's water and it would heal us. That's a start.
CD: There was that part about the condition, though.
Spike: ...Yeah. Could we get a repeat of that?
CD: 'A desirer must fill a drink for another, and neither again may either touch of the waters of the glade, lest it become worthless as their promises'.
//Wow, that's impressive.
Spike: You're pretty good.
//Celel smiles briefly.
CD: Nurse. Comes with the territory.
Spike: A desirer must fill a drink for another... I can't just dunk my head in.
//Is this the part about the Element of Kindness? The glade's waters have to be given to me by someone who needs the waters, and to save Kezno, I have to give him a drink...
CD: The second part, I hope it doesn't mean what I think it means...
Spike: ...One person saves one person. Neither of them touch the glade again.
//One drink per two people. Hard limit.
Spike: ...Why?
//We have exactly two people who can touch the water -- the two of them who need the water.
CD: Because the water wouldn't work, that's what it said--
Spike: No...
//If I take the water for Kezno, I can't drink of the glade myself. If he takes the water for me, no one can help him. We can't save Kezno and save me... It's only one of us!
\\This is the test. Who do you want to live more?
//I spin around.
Spike: Why is this the test? Why is choosing who has to slowly die the test?!
//Fluttershy looks calmly into the water. Her hair floats forward, blocking her face, carried on a breeze that doesn't exist. The thousand yard stare is beyond what is in front of her, drifting listlessly into the past.
FS: Being a Hero means you watch your friends die.
//No. It can't.
Spike: That's not true.
CD: What, is this some sort of _game_ to you?
FS: This is your test, Hero.
Spike: It's poorly designed and has no answer!
//So it's not like most tests, but it is like situations I'd encounter in the world. Which, oddly enough, makes it an excellent test.
CD: How can you expect us to choose who to cure? How can you just... _stand there_ and let someone die?!
Spike: Maybe... we don't have to.
//Celel turns to me, wide-eyed.
Spike: 'A desirer must fill a drink for another, and neither again may either touch of the waters'... Kezno and I can fill the other's cup. We can both drink.
CD: Spike -- Kezno's paralyzed! He can't move due to sickness!
//...Oh. That plan is shot.
Spike: ...'Desirer'. Does that mean someone who needs the waters? Or just someone who really, really wants them?
CD: ...You mean--
Spike: Celel, your husband is about to die. It's fair to say you desire that not happen.
CD: I could get him a drink, but then you -- there's no one to help you. Neither Kezno or I could get you a drink.
//Softly, Fluttershy speaks.
FS: Heroism and sacrifice are intertwined ideas. A Hero suffers, and a Hero is beset -- it seems like common knowledge.
Spike: I can't be a Hero with a curse that will kill me, Fluttershy.
FS: ...Yes, I agree, a dead Hero is no Hero. It is easy to accept suffering for yourself, Spike, but a Hero must be stronger than just that.
//I stay quiet, and Celel holds her breath beside me.
FS: A Hero must have the strength of spirit and the sense of duty to let others be hurt for her cause. A Hero must accept that she will see others hurt, even killed, due to her actions...
//Celel's face molds to one of horror, and an anger jumps into my throat.
Spike: I won't let that happen! I refuse!
CD: No, you can't possibly be saying...
//Fluttershy stops staring at the water. She turns her head to us, and smiles.
FS: ...Or she must stop being a Hero. One of these must be.
Spike: The two aren't mutually exclusive!
//Celel turns away from me and grabs her chest.
CD: Oh, Celestia, this is a test, for, he chooses, oh my goodness--
Spike: Celel. You can get the glade's water for Kezno, and--
CD: Then you die, Spike!
Spike: Could you get water for me?
//Celel holds her head.
CD: I -- I don't know! I just -- I don't know, if, oh my Celestia, if I want it that much!
//...To tell the truth, that stings.
Spike: ...You're not to blame, Celel. This is your husband. I under-- well, I don't understand because I've never been bound, but I can see it.
FS: ...You'd have to force her.
//I turn around again. Fluttershy is standing on the rocky shore, a stick lying by her hooves. It is thicker on one end.
Spike: ...Fluttershy, you are one sick, twisted bastard.
//Wait, that's no stick -- that's my telescope! Where'd she get that?
FS: I'm nothing. You're looking at this the wrong way, Spike. You see only two choices when there are really three.
//Fluttershy draws a triangle in the pebbles with her hoof. One end is marked, 'Hero'. Another 'Life'. The last is 'Others'.
FS: You see your choices, don't you? Give Kezno the drink, and give it up yourself -- a true Hero, as Rainbow Dash would say. My, my, what a reward. The natural state for a Hero in this world is the grave.
Spike: Dying won't let me pass the test.
//Is this the same triangle Rainbow Dash thinks on? Remain true to others and your cause, strongly enough so that when something tricky comes up you're supposed to die immediately... the people who would do that are exactly the people we need alive.
FS: Take the drink for yourself... force it out of Celel. Let others die to continue your life, and your quest. This is the only way to continue, Spike.
CD: Why, why is this happening, this is... this is...
//Not happening. I'll be a Hero without that; I'll find a way.
FS: Remaining a Hero means you watch your friends hate you.
Spike: The third choice...
//Fluttershy nods. She crosses out the word, 'Hero'.
FS: The third option is to fail the test. Stop being a Hero. You would both live, and go back to quiet, peaceful lives -- ones without Heroism and other such silly things.
Spike: Choosing between my quest, the people I want to protect, and my own life...
//It's impossible. I can't find the right way out of this. My quest was given to me by Celestia herself... but I'll fail if I die, and I swore not to cause the deaths of others!
CD: You said -- you said they both would live? How?
//Fluttershy stares me in the eye. I see a twinkle of sadness, thousands of yards deep into her eyes, for only a moment -- then it disappears.
FS: Sacrificing yourself for others makes you a martyr. Sacrificing others for yourself makes you a tyrant. No Hero can live long enough to make a difference. Only a person can.
//She lays down the telescope in the middle of the triangle, across 'Life' and 'Others'.
FS: I would love to give you the water of the glade. But first, you must abandon your quest as a Hero. Only then can you start to help others.
//...That's her angle. The Element of Kindness belongs to such a twisted person?
\\It's called the Element of Kindness. If, at the end, you're supposed to be granted it, that means you can't let Kezno die. Letting Kezno die would actually be failing the test, meaning all you have is your life -- that's obviously out.
//Makes sense. Besides, in all the stories, the Hero usually volunteers his life to save others -- part of Heroism is self-endangerment for the betterment of others.
\\Yes, and to maximize the betterment of others, this is done many times -- hence, the 'not dying' part is important.
//If I give up the test, decide to fail it, I can help others still. I can be a different sort of Hero -- I can still fight, defend, assist those in need wherever I can. I would only be sacrificing my quest to defeat Princess Hazel.
\\Which is entirely who I am up until this point. The only way to get the Element of Kindness is to give Kezno the water, and refuse to take some myself -- an effective death sentence. Can I complete my quest before the curse destroys me? Am I willing to bet there's another way to get rid of it that I can find in time? It's been on me for as long as it's been on Kezno; what's happened to him could happen to me any day and it'd be my immediate end...
//Her angle is that a Hero can't make a lasting, positive difference. They don't live long enough. If I choose to give up any corner -- Life, Heroism or Others -- I prove her right no matter what. I should be looking to prove her wrong.
CD: ...Spike?
//Angel hops down from Fluttershy's back and goes to inspect Kezno's still body.
FS: Don't go too far, Angel!
//Quine: Different rules mean different things, little one. Some rules are laws, others social expectations, a few are just general good ideas. If they are not physical laws of the universe, then they can be broken; if they can be broken, there is some benefit in that. Sometimes, the tipping point is not which dragon is stronger. It can be which dragon will see the fight further.
//Spike: How will that help me? I'd have to take into account literally every single thing I could do, and figure out what is best. There has to be some sort of filter.
//Quine: Yes, there should be. But you should take care it does not get caught up on your assumptions. You can always do more than you think.
FS: What is it going to be, Spike? You can force Celel to give you the waters, and lose your friendship. You can curl up and waste away. Or... you can give up your quest, and finally start to make a difference.
\\Three choices... to hell with that! There's as many choices as I'm able to find!
//The only other creatures here are Fluttershy and Angel. Twilight's probably here, but using her in some sort of plan is not at all going to work. Ignore her. What can you do with those two?
\\We most likely cannot convince Angel to gather water from the lake. Unless you have a supply of carrots stashed conveniently in that telescope.
//...The glade said 'desirer'. That doesn't have to mean, 'water desirer', or 'heal-curse desirer', but just anyone who wants to get something from, of, into, or out of the lake. Can I...
\\What was it I thought earlier? 'Is she so concerned about her units that she's willing to lose the game to save them?'
//...
Spike: ...Yeah. Yeah, that'll work.
CD: Spike?
Spike: I have a plan.
//I walk over the triangle, destroying the lines with careless feet, and pick up the telescope at Fluttershy's hooves.
FS: Oh? Would you please share with us your decision?
Spike: No.
//I walk over to Kezno, and sit down next to him.
Kezno: Uuuuurrckk...
Spike: Don't worry, Kezno. It's Spike. You're going to be alright, in just a minute. I promise.
//I start tearing off strips of Kezno's clothing with my hands, until I get a strip that looks suitable for the task I have in mind.
CD: ...Spike?
FS: What do you think he's doing?

The Drakeling grabs the Rabbit by the left upper leg with his right hand!
The Rabbit struggles in vain against the grip of The Drakeling's right hand on the Rabbit's left upper leg!

CD: Wha--
FS: Spike, put him down right now! _You let go of Angel_!!

Fluttershy charges!

The Drakeling ties the -telescope- to the Rabbit's left upper leg with a strip of cloth!
The Rabbit bites The Drakeling in the right hand, denting the scale!
The Drakeling throws the Rabbit by the left upper leg!

//The rabbit arcs over the glade, plunging in at the direct center with a great SPLOOSH!
//Fluttershy shouts,
FS: Angel!!
//, banks hard, and dives into the water.
CD: Wh... why did you do that?
Spike: That was my plan.
CD: How is that any sort of plan?!
Spike: Trust me. You'll see.
//In a few moments, Fluttershy rises to the surface of the glade, holding Angel by the neck in her mouth. The telescope trails at her side, bumping into her wing.
//Fluttershy emerges from the water and places Angel gently on the rocks, then turns to me, eyes bulging.
FS: And just _what_--
Spike: Proving you wrong.
//I grab the telescope, twist off the top, and throw the rest of the rapidly draining water down my throat.

A foul miasma begins to rise from The Drakeling, into the sky!
//Sheeze, it reeks like the sweet smell of rotting flesh, but... I really do feel a lot better!
The dying curse has been removed from The Drakeling!

//Angel bounces behind Fluttershy's leg. She stands, leaning slightly towards me, shaking visibly on the shore. Drops of water vibrate off of her.
Spike: It's alright, Celel. You can help him now. He's going to be okay.
//Behind me, I hear Celel gather water from the glade.
FS: How... dare you. _How DARE you_!! You--
//I take a step towards her and ask,
Spike: Do you want to know how I dared?
T: (She could tear your head off with a wayward glance. Don't be cheeky.)
//Fluttershy, silent and fuming, only glares at me.
//IF LOOKS COULD FUCK YOU'D FINALLY BE SATISFIED.
Spike: I thought about it. And I decided you were wrong. If someone can't be a Hero, help others, and survive, it's because they are not good enough at being a Hero. Not because the world works that way.
T: (Dig yourself deeper, kid; I'll come to your funeral.)
FS: You hurt an innocent little creature who had done _nothing_ to you, to further your own schemes!! I would have understood if you had hit _me_, because I'm the one who set up this test, but you do NOT! HURT! _ANGEL_!
//Fluttershy drives her forehead into mine for each of the last words, pushing me backwards. I take a small step to the side.
Spike: I didn't hurt anyone. At most, this is a temporary inconvenience. Angel is fine, you're just wet and angry, I'm okay, Celel's not hurt, and Kezno is going to live. Compared to five minutes ago I'd say that's a major improvement!

A foul miasma begins to rise from The Drakeling, into the sky!
CD: Oof, 'swings, that stinks.
The dying curse has been removed from The Drakeling!

//Kezno groans. Celel hugs him, on the ground.
FS: You might think you've circumvented the test in action, but you've failed it in spirit. You hurt another and risked innocent life in order to advance yourself!
Spike: I thought the test was to find a way out -- I found a way to stay a live Hero while others end up unharmed. What should I have done, _died_?
FS: The test was of _empathy_! Any answer besides taking the water for yourself would have been acceptable! You were just supposed to think about it!
Spike: I did exactly that!
//Fluttershy raises her head high, standing tall instead of aggressively, as she was just a moment ago.
FS: As Keeper of the Glade of Everfree Forest, and Avatar of Temptation, I declare that you have failed this test. You may not have the Element of Kindness without combat. And I am disappointed.
Spike: A solid strategy doesn't depend on generosity and expecting a reward for morality -- you cheapen your own test by making wrong answers work, because it is less like reality. Righteousness needs to be on its own a viable way of life, one that brings success. Not a charity case.
//Behind our staring contest, I hear Celel helping Kezno up.
FS: You're not the old Spike. The old Spike would have known better than this.
//Fluttershy jumps into the air, and flies away.
//Kezno coughs, and sniffs. Everything is silent for a moment.
KT: ...Where am I, why is there a draft, and how come that looks like Spike?

//The Avatar of Temptation's house. A bright sun shines down, and whispers of wind roll through my legs. I'm sure if I had memory of it, I'd say this looks just like the days we used to have back when ponies controlled the weather.
Spike: It's like a scene out of a fairy tale where people are happy because they don't know how to be sad.
//THIS WEATHER SUCKS AS MUCH AS YOUR METAPHORS.
//Celel and Kezno made it out of the forest without too much trouble; we traveled together. They're going to tell Jebed what happened... I hope she doesn't expect the worst.
\\The worst is the most likely, after all.
//I stop on the small bridge that leads to the Avatar's house. The house, dug into a hill, looks... somehow different.
//IF YOU SAY IT LOOKS UNINVITING OR FOREBODING I WILL SERIOUSLY THROW AN ANEURYSM. GET FUCKING GOING.
//I sigh.
Spike: Well, let's get started.

[[SAVE LOCATION]]

The Drakeling breathes in and focuses, casting Terrae Corpus! The Drakeling's scales become as hard as rock!

//OH LIKE BECOMING AS HARD AS A ROCK IS GOING TO HELP YOU AGAINST SEXUAL ASSAULT. YOU FUCKING MORON.
Spike: I'm expecting a bit more combat.
//FROM THE AVATAR OF FUCKING TEMPTATION? WITH YOUR MENTAL APTITUDE I'M NOT SURPRISED BY THAT TRAINWRECK OF LOGIC.
Spike: It becomes sexual assault when I _lose_ the combat. Have you not picked up on that yet?

The Drakeling breathes in and focuses, casting Patatrin-Vikramana! The Drakeling's step becomes as light as a feather!

//GOOD PLAN; NOW YOU CAN RUN YOUR ASS AWAY.
Spike: If it comes to it, yeah, that was part of my plan.
//I WAS BEING SARCASTIC, THE AVATAR CAN FLY. IDIOT.
Spike: I wish Patatrin-Vikramana tuned you out. Screw this hunter/sneaky stuff, what I really need is the complete and total absence of your voice.
//I LOVE YOU TOO.
//Time to get going.
//I move over the bridge, and hop over the fence to hide behind the chicken's nest. They cluck and peck at the dirt (and each other); they haven't seen or heard me yet.
//I can't approach from the front door, that's too obvious.
//AND WALKING YOUR SHITTY FACE UP TO THE BRIDGE WAS MASTERY OF STEALTH, DUMBASS?
//I need to go in a window or something, find an entrance that the Avatar doesn't have a plan for me to use...
Spike: The second floor! Of course!
//STATE YOUR PLANS OUT LOUD MORE OFTEN, MY DOCTOR SAYS I NEED TO START LAUGHING.
//I skirt along the fence, avoiding disturbing the chickens, until I can finally hop up on the side of the hill and pull myself up to the second floor balcony.
//I land, and stay silent for a moment. Nothing stirs.
T: (Is this seriously where you want to confront the Avatar of Temptation?)
Spike: (What do you mean?)
//I look around. There's a bed with tussled up blankets, multicolored bead ropes that hang from the ceiling, a shelf full of knick knacks... this room looks a lot tidier than the rest of the house. Clock is wrong, though.
Spike: (Is it really going to matter that the clock is five minutes late?)
T: (...What?)
//I bend my knees slightly, leaning forward to get a better fighting position, as I hear the faintest sound of a spell being cast. Whatever it is, I'm prepared for it. I don't expect this to be easy, but by Celestia, if there's going to be a fight, I'll make it such a fight--
//The clock advances five minutes.
Spike: ...
T: (You do know what _happens_ in a bedroom?)
Spike: (No, what do your books say?)
//A slight pause. I think about how best to use my firebreath, and decide it can't be done. Neither the Element of Kindness or the Avatar are in the room.
//Well, here goes nothing.
//I slip across the room on lightened feet, aiming for the stairs.

Fluttershy grabs The Drakeling by the left lower leg with her left front hoof!
Fluttershy takes down The Drakeling by the left lower leg with her left front hoof!
//I headbutt the floor. It takes more damage than I do.

FS: Oh, dear. You and Twilight talk so loud I could have heard you from the chicken coop, hmm-hmm!

//How the hell was she in here and I didn't notice her?!
The Drakeling struggles in vain against the grip of Fluttershy's left front hoof on The Drakeling's left lower leg!

Spike: 'Swings, your legs are strong.
FS: All the better to hold you with, my sweet--

The Drakeling punches at Fluttershy with his right hand, but Fluttershy dodges away!
Fluttershy releases the grip of Fluttershy's left front hoof on The Drakeling's left lower leg.
The Drakeling stands up.

FS: You're very skilled with the Patatrin-Vikramana.
Spike: It's your move; I learned it from Quine.
//Fluttershy smiles.
FS: Yes, I see that.
//She's at the top of the stairs, and I'm between her and the bed... I need to move!

Fluttershy charges at The Drakeling, but The Drakeling dodges away!
The Drakeling punches Fluttershy in the upper body with his Dashing Rogue Punch, but the attack glances away!
Fluttershy strikes The Drakeling in the lower body with her left wing, shattering the scale, bruising the muscle and bruising the guts!
The Drakeling is propelled away by the force of the blow!
The Drakeling's left foot skids along the ground, denting the scale!
//Somehow, I manage to stay on my feet.

Spike: Are all the Avatars like this? Even your wings are strong.
FS: All the better to carry you away. Wouldn't you like that?
Spike: You're as dangerous and destructive as any other enemy, and I'll defeat you like I did them!

The Drakeling punches Fluttershy in the left front leg with his right hand, but the attack glances away!
Fluttershy kicks The Drakeling in the right upper arm with her right front hoof, shattering the scale and bruising the muscle!
The Drakeling kicks Fluttershy in the lower body with his left foot, bruising the skin and bruising the muscle!
//That connected! Though, all in all, neither of us are doing much damage...

Fluttershy bites The Drakeling in the left upper leg, denting the scale!
Fluttershy latches on firmly!
Spike: Woah! Hey, what do you think you're doing?!
//She mutters something unintelligible which vibrates up my leg.
Fluttershy throws The Drakeling by the left upper leg with her upper front teeth!
The Drakeling's head skids along the ground, denting the scale!
The Drakeling's right ear skids along the ground, bruising the cartilage!
The Drakeling's right lower arm skids along the ground, denting the scale!

//She threw me back onto the balcony. I'm losing ground, but in a fight of endurance I'm sure I can win.
Spike: Y'know, pony dental structure is not naturally that strong. Mouths don't throw entire persons bodily across the room.
FS: All the better to --
Spike: Alright, I get the point!

The Drakeling stands up.

FS: The Patatrin-Vikramana makes you feel light, doesn't it? And not just on your hooves, but inside your heart. You feel wearyless and free... but isn't that dangerous?
Spike: Let's go with what you really wanted to say: it's dangerous for me to be unbound.
FS: Every pegasus who flies has close friends who can't. No matter how far you can go, there are always loved ones you can't take with you, and that should be grounding.
Spike: I'm not interested in only my own benefit. I became a Hero to help others!
//YOU BECAME A HERO BECAUSE YOU WANTED TO FUCK CELESTIA

Fluttershy leaps at The Drakeling!
Spike: By stopping me, you're hurting others. I will not let that happen.
The Drakeling punches Fluttershy in the right rear leg with his Fist of Justice, bruising the skin, bruising the muscle and bruising the bone!
Fluttershy slams The Drakeling in the upper body with her right rear leg, denting the scale and bruising the muscle!
The Drakeling is propelled away by the force of the blow!

//Gah, straight for the chicken coop!
The Drakeling slams into the obstacle!
The Drakeling's head takes the full force of the impact, bruising the muscle!
The Drakeling's left upper arm takes the full force of the impact, chipping the scale!
The obstacle collapses!
//Several chickens run over my back, out of the coop.

The Drakeling stands up.
//I won't even say the one about her flank.

//Fluttershy lands in the yard, a dozen feet away.
FS: Get out of there! Don't hurt my chickens!
Spike: ...Why would I do something like that?
FS: You've already hurt someone I care for, and I won't let you hurt another! Step away from the coop!
Spike: (Wow, she's serious about these chickens.)
T: (Fluttershy loves her cock.)
//HAHAHA I LIKE THIS PERSON CAN WE FUCK HER
FS: _Now_!
Spike: Alright, alright, I'm moving.
//I take a step forwards, out of the coop. The chickens hop around me, pecking at the ground (and my feet, and each other).
FS: I'd much appreciate it if you gave my friend and I some space. Would that be okay?
//Fluttershy clicks her tongue twice. The chickens scatter, except one, who clumsily hops on my foot.
Spike: That's not where you go.
FS: Elizibeak, please be a dear, we have some important business to get to. Go play with your friends, it's time to play somewhere else now.
//The chicken looks up at me and clucks once.
Spike: Uh, I'm not your father, so don't hug me. It's weird.
FS: Don't use Elizibeak as a shield! Stay out of this!
Spike: What?! I would never do that!
//Chicken are much more useful as a main course!
FS: Elizibeak, please, it's dangerous out here and you should go.
Spike: Listen, little chicken, Mommy is very shortly going to be very short with me and if we're lucky the house will still be standing by the time she's through. Get on, now.
//JUST EAT THE FUCKING CHICKEN.
//Elizibeak stares up at me for a few seconds, turns her head to Fluttershy, clucks once, and pecks at my foot.
Spike: Ow -- hey!
//Fluttershy shakes her head, and says:
FS: Elizibeak, no! Don't peck others! I'm sorry, Spike; Elizibeak likes to play rough with her friends. Now I have to go find her cream...
//Fluttershy turns and trots away, into the house.
Spike: Wha-- chicken cream?!
//Cream of chicken?
//The chicken looks up at me, squints its little eyes, and makes a sound like a cough. Then it hops off my foot and takes shelter among the rest, by the fence.
Spike: Was it... laughing?
//I spend a moment wondering, then snap out of it, and start sneaking towards the house. Maybe I can get the element of surprise.

//The inside of this house has completely changed. The twine hanging from the ceiling is gone, as are the animals; all the furniture has been moved out and the stained surfaces have been either replaced or scrubbed with magic, leaving the vague smell of some spice I can't place. The front room(s) are nearly empty except for a gameboard and the Element of Kindness on a pedestal next to it.
//The gameboard has been left exactly how it was. Huh.
Spike: Uh, Fluttershy? You around?
//Silence. I look around for a moment; she must be upstairs.
Spike: Huh.
//DO THAT THING WHERE YOU STEP FORWARD AND GET YOUR ASS HANDED TO YOU AGAIN.
//Come on, I'm not that dumb.
//I wait a little while, holding my breath, paying attention to my surroundings. The air smells slightly of cinnamon (I thought about it a little more). The board beneath my foot bounces slightly. Sounds of fowl, and a gust coming from a slightly open window, overlay...
//...the sound of nobody. Just a drakeling trying to be silent.
Spike: (...Really?)
//She should have been coming back down if the cream was upstairs, by now.
Spike: Well, okay, then. Hope I'm not breaking any rules by doing this.
//I step over the gameboard, take the amulet off the pedestal and put the Element around my neck.

Spike has acquired The Element of Kindness!
[1/5] Elements acquired!
Congratulations!

[[SAVE LOCATION]]

//WOW, I FEEL TOTALLY AND COMPLETELY DIFFERENT NOW
//Buzz off.
//I'm standing at the other side of the gameboard now. Fluttershy's perspective is rather grim. She has a lesser resource base, worse strategic position, similar technology, and an army that will be rapidly overrun in just a few moments. There is very little she can do right now...
//Except make the most of what she has. To make it out of this with any sort of hope, she needs to make the most of every single soldier and peasant she can... she needs to deeply care for each of them.
Spike: (Uh, she seriously isn't back. Is something wrong?)
//Silence.
\\That could mean Twilight isn't here, or that the Avatar still is. And I have no idea which.
//I stand at the bottom of the stairs. Even if I was in it just a second ago, it seems kind of rude just to trudge up the stairs into her bedroom...
Spike: ...Fluttershy? Are you okay up there?
//Silence. A chicken clucks outside.
Spike: Er, I'm leaving now. Thanks for the fight, I guess; it was, uh, an experience. Bye.
//I walk out of the house.
//Most of the chickens are back in the coop (one wall smashed in), door shut. The yard's gate is open. I close it, and turn around to look at the house.
//Can I really just leave like that? There's no way a holder of an Element would just let me walk in and take it. That's barely any kind of test at all. And yet, here I am, having walked in and taken it...
//Fluttershy is nowhere in sight. Even still... I feel like I have to do something.
Spike: Uh...
//THIS IS STARTING WELL.
Spike: Sorry about the coop. You know. Even if I did crash-land in its side. I didn't mean to scare or hurt the chickens.
//Tasty, tasty chickens.
Spike: And... I'd like to say I'm sorry about the test, and what happened with Angel. I'd like to, but I'm not. Not only was Angel complicit in your schemes by bringing Kezno and Celel to the glade, but...
//Less blame, more fake shame.
Spike: No one was hurt. In the end, at the very least I want to do no harm. I swear, if in some way, I hurt you or Angel or caused you harm, then when all this is over I'll come right back here and make amends for it.
//What is the interest rate on amends? Is it compounded continuously?
Spike: If it comes down to it, and I have to make a choice... I don't really know what I'll do. I might give up my life, if there's at all any possibility I'd succeed. Or I might abandon my quest. I won't throw others to the wolves; you can hold me to that.
//I guess I'm talking to thin air right now. No one is around to hear this.
Spike: But I said 'when all this is over' because, until it comes down to that, I will be a Hero in the name of Celestia, and I will help others, and I will continue as long as I can. The game of Strategy on your floor is exactly why Heroism is necessary and good. Your troops are outnumbered, so you say to lead them they need a person to care for them above her own ideals and strategies in order to win. And that's true.
//YAWN YAWN YAWN YAWN YAWN SHUT YOUR FACEHOLE YOU BORING LOSER.
Spike: But those fighters themselves, they need to be Heroes. They need to fight -- or at least think they are fighting -- for something greater, for someone else, and they need to keep doing it as long as they can. And I'm doing that. I'm fighting for Celestia, for Equestria, for their children, and for myself. I will do that -- and only that -- for as long as I can.
//YOUR ARGUMENT IS THAT YOU WANT TO BE THE BEST PAWN YOU CAN BE. INSPIRING.
//The house stands still in response. A breeze picks up from the west.
//...Guess that wasn't necessary. Time to trudge on.
//Let's see, I have the Element of Kindness. That makes one of five. Applejack is in the Aquinatic Region, that's rather far away (and I'd rather not confront her now). Rainbow Dash I'm avoiding as long as I can, so that leaves Rarity and Pinkie Pie. I haven't met Pinkie Pie yet, maybe I should find out where she lives... But Rarity's in Canterlot, I already know that.
//Quine: If there is one thing you can find in the City on the Hill, it is a person. Capital culture, nobles in particular, make it their business to know where important ponies are at any when. Remember that this also applies to you.
//Aw hell yeah! This should be easy!
Fluttershy: Spike.
Spike: Whaba--yaa!

//I spin around and put up my fists, ready to fight!
\\Fluttershy is sitting down on the path behind me, hair in front of both eyes. She blows it away.
//How did she sneak to exactly where I was half a second ago?!
FS: It's okay, I'm not going to hurt you.
Spike: ...
//Well you don't have to sound so patronizing about it!
FS: I see you found the Element of Kindness.
Spike: Yeah, hope it wasn't bad form for me to just take it.
FS: Oh, of course not! I understand.
Spike: Okay then.
//We stand for a few seconds, on the bridge. Water murmurs happily below us.
FS: I did hear what you said earlier. It seems like you've thought a lot about this.
Spike: ...Yeah. Celestia told me I needed to find answers.
//NO, FUCKING STOP IT. YOU'RE TRYING TO SUPPORT YOUR OWN COGNITIVE DISSONANCE. STOP ASSIGNING GOOD VIEWS TO THE EVIL GODDESS, SHITBAG!
FS: She was always such a wise pony. It was very wise of you to say what you did, even when you thought no one was listening. And -- while I can't say you feel the same way I do about these things -- it seems at first I misjudged your dedication to your friends, and to others. I hope you'll forgive me...
//Really?!
FS: Now that I've reconsidered, as the Avatar of Temptation, Keeper of the Glade of Everfree Forest, and holder of the Element of Kindness, I grant you my power.
//Fluttershy holds out her hoof.
Spike: So, uh, do we shake, or--
FS: Hmm-hmm, it is ceremonial.

The Drakeling shakes Fluttershy's right front hoof with his right hand!
A power surges through The Drakeling, like lightning through his blood!
[Walk of the Third] was mastered!

//I pull my hand away and hold it close.
Spike: 'Swings, what was that?!
FS: That was the power of the Element of Kindness. It fits you very well, Spike! Better than you may think.
Spike: I feel strange... like, if I wanted to, I could remove myself from the scenery and let life thrash on around me.
FS: The Elements affect different people different ways. Maybe it wants to tell you that sometimes, the best thing you can do for someone is leave them be.
Spike: Yeah... maybe.
//If that was so common there'd be no need for Heroes. Or techniques like that. I think it replaced my Patatrin-Vikramana. Eh, I didn't understand that move very much anyway; I didn't have it for too long.
Spike: Well, time to get going. Unless you want to tell me anything about Rarity.
//I can use any advice I can get.
//A short pause. Fluttershy's face looks a trained blank.
FS: Didn't you tell Jebed you wanted to be picked up here, tomorrow?
Spike: ...Right. You're sure you don't mind?
FS: Please, you're very welcome to stay. Come inside, hmm-hmm! I believe we still have a game to finish, and you haven't even touched your tea...

Fluttershy was defeated!
Spike earned 9000 experience points!
Spike is now level 24!
[[SAVE LOCATION]]
//Crazy soft-spoken bint...

\\Celestia said she'd restore my memory if I defeated Princess Hazel. I am now one step closer.