“Celestia felt the rush of magic and comprehended what the dragon intended even before she saw the green flare of light within the Old Worm’s throat. She barely had time to cast the most powerful magical barrier she could manage in the split second before everything around her was engulfed in a blast of green balefire hot enough to cook a phoenix egg. Her shield could not prevent the flame from reaching her entirely, and Celestia could smell her coat singing and smoldering in patches.
 
“You know what you must do!” she yelled, hoping her voice was getting through.
 
“Please … help me … don’t want …
 
“Get ahold of yourself!” Celestia shouted. Her shield was spent, and she knew she would not survive another blast if the Old Worm was so inclined. “Remember why we’re here! You can save everything else—everything!”
 
Deep in the dragon’s throat, Celestia saw a green glow forming. She wondered if maybe this wasn’t the right thing, after all. If the dragon burned her to ash, if he burned away the whole world and let them start anew, maybe that would be better than what was meant to happen. Maybe, but it wasn’t what she was asked to do. ©