Authors Note: Okay. There is going to be a very dramatic transition between very cute and very dark in this chapter. You'll know its coming when Venara pops up again. Also no, the little Alicorn is not literally a phoenix. Chapter: Engage!

Twilight Sparkle crouched low, slowly making her way towards a solitary book which lay innocently upon the floor before her. It was a thick and heavy tome, but seemingly quite normal. She attempted to pounce upon the ancient book, only to have the blasted thing emit a most annoying giggle and fly magically away from her, flapping its covers as if using them for wings.

"Hi-yah!" Fluttershy exclaimed, or rather attempted to exclaim as she flew towards the book like some sort of martial artist; back legs positioned for a flying kick.

The living tome dodged her assault as she squeaked helplessly, instead kicking the lower portion of an already unstable bookcase which began to wobble before her threateningly as she fell in front of it.

Fluttershy emitted a frightened whimper as she knew the bookcase would fall on her... until, that was, Rainbow Dash flew up to it and steadied it. The book would NOT. ESCAPE. HER.

Rainbow Dash took on an expression of renewed purpose and determination. That freaking book almost caused one of her best friends to hurt herself! GO TIME! She began to fly about Twilight's home at reckless speeds in an attempt to catch the enchanted tome. Finally, after a minute or so of this, she managed to wrap her front legs around the book, crashing to the floor below as she wrestled it. "Got it!"

Much to Rainbow Dash's dismay, Twilight had an expression of deep anger, borderlining rage. At first she couldn't figure out why, but then she noticed what damage she had done in the process of capturing that accursed tome.

"Eh heh... sorry, Twilight..." said Rainbow Dash apologetically.

All of the bookcases had been toppled over. Fluttershy had just managed to somehow hide herself against a wall to protect herself from harm, curled up in a pathetically adorable ball of fear. Books covered the entire first floor of Twilight's abode, and she was none too happy.

Twilight's eye twitched as she began to speak. "FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF..."

One could almost see the steam shooting from Twilight's ears, and even Rainbow Dash was slightly nervous at what horrible tangent the purple unicorn was about to unleash.

"...FFFFFFFF-FOR CELESTIA'S SAKE, RAINBOW DASH, MUST YOU DESTROY EVERYTHING TO ACCOMPLISH EVEN THE SIMPLEST OF TASKS?!"

Rainbow Dash cringed a bit, but did not loosen her hold on the struggling book. "Well, uh... There really was no other way to capture this thing... unless you used your magic. Wait, why didn't you just use your magic?"

Twilight sighed, unable to remain angry. She had been under a tremendous amount of stress, but despite that, she did her best to remain calm. She felt guilty for her outburst and immediately began to apologize.

"I'm so sorry I yelled like that, Dash... I wouldn't have asked for your help if I didn't need it. I tried using my magic to capture the book, but it didn't work! It just reflected my magic right back at me."

Twilight sighed, lowering her head. She was ashamed of herself. Never had she gotten that angry towards a friend.

Surprisingly enough, Fluttershy came up from behind Twilight to place a hoof on her back reassuringly. "It's okay,” she said in a low, comforting tone. “We all have our moments...”

Twilight gave a warm smile as she immediately began to cheer up. "Thanks, Fluttershy," she said, starting to regain her lost composure.

Rainbow Dash gave a happy grin. "It's fine, Twilight! I'm actually pretty surprised! I never knew you could be so tough!" She chuckled a bit.

Twilight blushed lightly and shook her head. "It's nothing to be proud of, really, but thank you, regardless, Dash. At any rate, we need to secure that book somehow."

She pondered a bit at this for a moment before Spike interrupted, emerging from a large pile of books.

"Augh! Why don't we just, you know, tie a rope or something around it? Keep the thing from flying around like that?" he suggested, slightly annoyed at this point.

Twilight smiled widely, jumping forward to embrace Spike with both of her front legs.

"Oh, Spike! You're a genius! That's a great idea!" she said before releasing him. "I'm going to go find Applejack. She'll have something strong enough!"

"That's a wonderful idea, Spike," Fluttershy added with a shy smile. “You're pretty smart for such a young dragon.”

Spike blushed a bit, taking a proud stance. "Aw, it was nothing really, I just..."

He was interrupted as he belched up a wrapped parchment which levitated in midair and immediately floated over to Twilight. It was, as usual, marked with Celestia's royal crest upon its seal. The manner in which it had immediately forced itself to her implied its urgency.

"Aw, always the worst timing!" Spike snorted.

Twilight unfurled the parchment and began to read, a bit surprised that it lacked the usual formal introduction.

Twilight... I would ask that you keep this only between you, myself, and your close friends. There is a matter of dire importance, and while I regret that I must force such a burden upon you at this time, I have little choice. I am sure you have felt the strange disturbances within the flow of magic that surrounds this world. If you were concerned or even worried about this, it was fully warranted.

I am placing a very special young filly in your care. You will be very surprised, and I ask you not to panic. You are the only other individual with the power to care for her. I only regret that I cannot do so myself. Ask me only what you must in regards to her, and report anything strange or unusual to me immediately upon discovery. I trust you fully with this matter. Do not allow this young filly to be exposed to the public. It may cause a needless commotion.

Sincerely,
Princess Celestia

No sooner had Twilight finished reading the letter that a very young Alicorn filly appeared before her in a flash of light.

"S... Sweet Celestia..." Twilight stammered, falling back on her flank as she gazed upon the new arrival.

Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy and even Spike all sat there with their mouths agape. Rainbow Dash, in the moment of surprise, loosened her hold on the book, which broke free and began to furiously flutter about Twilight's home once again.

The little Alicorn filly noticed this and looked up at the book with a giggle, before a bright bolt of energy shot forth from her horn, zapping the book and causing it to fall harmlessly to the floor, among the already massive piles that littered it. The once living tome now remained perfectly still, in submission to the little one's power.

The little Alicorn looked back to Twilight with a smile, emitting an irresistibly cute squeal before pouncing Twilight, nuzzling into her affectionately.

Twilight's heart melted, the feeling of shock that had once filled her fading away, now replaced with a feeling of warmth. Her eyes began to tear up. She wrapped her front legs around the little filly in a soft hug.

Fluttershy also melted at the scene, unable to resist emitting a soft "awwwww..." at the sight.

Rainbow Dash, as confused as she was, also succumbed to the cuteness. Even with her stubborn, strong will, she couldn't help but give a warm smile.

"For cryin' out loud,” she exclaimed. “How can anything be so... so... cute? Ugh..." She planted a hoof into her face in an attempt to regain herself.

Twilight was filled with mixed emotions of warmth, confusion and worry. Who was this strange little filly whom Celestia had sent her? Was she.... was she Celestia's child? No... that couldn't be right. Celestia was far too busy to pursue such... and yet...

Suddenly, she realized something. Celestia had not specified the little filly's name. Did she not have one? This was certainly a lot to take in at once.

Only after this had Twilight begun to sense the power of the little filly, and started to grow slightly fearful. The magical energy resonating within the little Alicorn was... tremendous. It far exceeded anything she had ever felt from even Celestia herself. She immediately began to analyze this within her mind.

This power... from such a little filly... how is it possible? Perhaps she is unable to mask her power, as she is not yet old enough to do so? She is... she is an Alicorn, like Celestia and Luna... Maybe they are simply stronger than they allow others to know? So much magical power... this little filly could have taken care of Discord, even without the need of the Elements of Harmony... but that means... is she truly more powerful than Celestia herself? No, Twilight, no... It cant be.. It must be an illusion. Perhaps Celestia used her magic to create this illusion to protect her from harm...

"TWILIGHT! HELLO?! SNAP OUT OF IT!"

Spike's voice thundered into Twilight's ear with nearly enough volume to deafen her. This, however, seemed to do the trick, as she barely managed to prevent herself from falling over onto her back.

"Sorry, Spike..." Twilight responded, her voice filled with a mixture of worry and doubt.

She realized her solemn tone, and quickly shook her head and smiled. "Sorry, everyone! I didn't mean to worry you. I was simply deep in thought. Celestia wrote me with instructions to care for this little filly, and I can understand why. I hope you guys will be willing to help. This is a surprise, to say the least."

The others looked at her with expressions of clear confusion and concern, which only made Twilight worry for a few moments, until Fluttershy stepped up to her slowly with a smile.

"Of course I will help... she's so... cute."

Rainbow Dash smiled widely and stepped forward next. "Yeah! Me too! So who is she? Is she Princess Celestia's daughter? What's her name?!" She blushed a bit, realizing the implications of the little filly being Celestia's own daughter. She soon shook off the thought, however, knowing it was beyond improper.

Twilight looked down at the little filly, who returned her gaze with wide, happy eyes. "I... don't know her name. It wasn't mentioned," she said plainly. "What is your name?" she asked the little filly before realizing.

Of course... she can't talk, can she?

What came next was a shock to everyone in the room. The little Alicorn filly opened her mouth and began to spurt out... words. Unfamiliar words in a language beyond foreign to them. Twilight could almost imagine a little speech bubble above the little filly's head, filled with strange squares and zigzags to represent the gibberish she spoke.

Rainbow Dash covered her ears with her front hooves. The strange language gave her a headache to say the least.

"Ugh... Twilight, what is she saying? Do you have any idea?"

“No...” Twilight shook her head negatively. "I have never heard this language before. It's... certainly complex,” she added, now extremely confused and once again worried, until the little filly finally spoke something she could understand which made her heart melt yet again.

"Twi... wight," the little filly said, beaming up at Twilight happily.

Twilight lost it. She burst into full tears as she held the little filly tightly.

"She said... my... name.... she..." Twilight sniffled. A sudden feeling began to overwhelm her; something she had never once felt before. She felt almost like a mother to this little filly, and yet she had only been there for a few minutes. The sheer gravity of something so simple... so innocent, and so beautiful at the same time... words simply could not convey.

The others, Spike included, came closer to Twilight and enveloped her in a group hug. Fluttershy was crying from how adorable it was. None of them even cared anymore about how strange this entire development was. There was a little filly that needed their love and care, and that was all that mattered to them at this moment.

Venara lay silently in her bed. She could not sleep, even if she wanted. Too many questions remained within her mind... questions that she was desperately trying to find logical answers to within herself.

It had been a good eight hours since the Empress's departure. It was the single most incredible thing she had ever witnessed. She knew no mortal being could possibly have survived that, but still, she knew the Empress was no mere mortal being. The Empress was a goddess, who had lived for thousands of years. Still, she felt worried. This worry was more than a simple concern sparked by loyalty to one's monarch. This worry carried real emotion within.

Were it not for the kindness of the Empress, I would never have gotten this opportunity... I hope she is alright. No, I must have faith! She is alright. She must be. She is too strong, too powerful to be killed by something like that.

She continued to reassure herself silently, eventually succumbing to her body's fatigue and falling asleep, having managed to comfort herself in the end with warm thoughts of home. Despite all of this, her dreams were far from pleasant. Terrible nightmares would fill her unconscious world as she slept. Hopefully she would not remember them.

Wait... where am I? No.... no no no no no, NO! This cannot be! This has all ended! It is all over! Why, why am I seeing this again?!

Venara stood amidst a familiar field. A field strewn with countless corpses. While most of them were covered by their power armor still, even after their demise, some were torn open, their innards strewn disgustingly across the scorched, bloodstained ground around them. Ripped apart gruesomely by... them.

Venara struggled to prevent herself from vomiting at the sight and the smell... that horrible smell... was she really there? Was this a nightmare, or had the pleasant reality she had previously experienced a dream?

She picked up a beam rifle from near one of the fallen soldiers and sat in the eerie silence of the field of dead, cradling the weapon as she shook violently, doing her best not to erupt into tears as she remembered the horrors of war.

It was then that she looked up at the cloudy sky and saw a bright green flash of light, followed by a wide green beam of energy, which parted the clouds above, plowing down into the ground in the distance. Her eyes widened for a fragment of time. "NO!!!" she made to cry, but it was too late. The last image she held within her mind before awakening was the barren planet breaking off into pieces, glowing with a bright green hue, before exploding violently in a blinding flash.

Venara quickly sat up in her bed, eyes shooting open as her expression was filled with terror. She panted heavily, her body covered in sweat. Slowly, she managed to calm down as she realized it was just another nightmare. Then, the flashbacks came in a torrent. She cried out in pain as horrible images flooded her mind.

She was a soldier. Flashes of light were flying by, all around her. She was charging forwards, bringing her kinetic blade down upon one of her enemies. His body was tearing open violently. as he emitted a sickening gurgle of terror. Blood was spewing everywhere. Her foe's guts fell out of him as he collapsed to one side, landing in a mangled heap on the ground.

NO NO NO! MAKE IT STOP!

It didn't stop. She continued, drawing her sidearm and firing bolts of plasma into several more hostile infantry as her comrades surged past her, many of them suddenly ripped apart by the enemy's energy weapons. One of her allies, standing much taller than the rest in wicked black power armor, readied his weapon, which shot a stream of bright-glowing, superheated liquid metal, melting several enemy soldiers and causing their twisted remains to burn on long after death.

Venara fell to her knees as she stepped out of bed, her hands grasping at the sides of her head as her beautiful golden hair fell over her face. She was crying like she had never cried before. This was the worst flashback she had experienced yet. She had avoided seeking help, as she felt a certain pride being one of the few chosen for psionic enhancement.

But the time for counseling was now. This was simply too much for her to handle.

She gasped for air, and slowly began to calm herself once again, before standing. She knew what she had to do. She exited her room and began down the corridors in the direction of the medical bay, her body weak and still trembling. The horrors she had experienced... the horrors...

Twilight had a warm smile plastered on her face as she slept peacefully in her bed, holding the little Alicorn filly closely in her embrace. She had explained to both Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy that Celestia had instructed her to keep the little one's existence a secret to all but her closest friends. It had been growing late, and they all agreed to reconvene the following day with the rest of the group.

The little Alicorn filly twitched a bit in her sleep, as if she too had her share of nightmares flowing through her unconscious mind as she slept. Her expression, however, remained eerily serene. Her movements eventually ceased and, still asleep, she released a soft sigh of happiness.