Princess Cadence wasn't sure how long she'd been sat there, staring down through the glass into the operating theatre where Bardac lay. Looking slowly to her right, she leant across against Shining Armor, sighing quieting. Her husband hadn't left her side since she arrived back in the Empire.

“Are we cursed?” Shining Armor asked quietly, nuzzling between Cadence's ears, even giving one a delicate nip. “I feel like we're cursed...”

Cadence giggled softly before closing her eyes to nuzzle under Shining Armor's chin. “No... we're not cursed. Just, blessed with strange friends,” she replied.

Shining Armor gave a slow nod, a thoughtful expression crossing his muzzle. “Yay us...” he murmured. He nearly jumped out of his skin when the door behind them opened suddenly. Twisting his head to see who was coming in, he let out a grateful sigh when Aela appeared... only to inhale sharply when she was followed in by a small, purple hued changeling.

Aela gave a small bow. “Your highnesses,” she said before taking a seat not too far from the pair, whispering quietly to the changeling who seemed to be hanging onto every word she spoke.

“Aela,” murmured Cadence, slowly opening her eyes, staring straight at the changeling with a neutral expression. “Who is that with you?”

“This is Flitter,” replied Aela, leaning back with a groan into her seat. “Chrysalis sent her back with me.”

“Dare I ask where Chrysalis is?” asked Cadence, slowly nuzzling into Shining Armor's chest to calm her husband down. It was far too late, or early, for them to be getting worked up now.

Aela let out a tired chuckle, “Staying behind inside the remains of Mount Everhoof with around fifty changelings. Flitter can explain things far better than I could.”

Flitter smiled wide, her horn igniting in a bright green glow. When her mouth opened, it wasn't her own, gentle voice that escaped, but that of Chrysalis. “This better be important Flitter!” Chrysalis's voice hissed loudly. “I'm in the middle of something here!” Flitters lips never moved.

Cadence and Shining Armor slowly looked at each other. Inhaling swiftly, Shining Armor quickly answered, though he chose his words carefully. “Chrysalis. Why have you remained in Mount Everhoof and why have you sent a changeling back?”

“Careful with that!” snarled Chrysalis's voice. “You'll cause a cave-in!” A few seconds of silence, her voice rang back out. “Why I stayed? I'm cleaning up the mess Bardac left here. Flitter, turn your head will you?” Flitter did so, staring through the glass into the theatre. “There's three portals here leading to who knows where. While they're surrounded by boulders, things are still getting through. We are making sure they go no further.”

Shining Armor's mouth worked slowly, opening and closing a few times before finding his voice. “And Flitter?” he asked, while he trusted Aela... he could never be too sure.

“She's a proxy to serve Bardac while I – Get back here!” Several more seconds passed before Chrysalis let out a rather uncharacteristic giggle. “That one had a nice squelch. Flitter dear, I'm having far too much fun right now. I shall speak to you later.”

Flitter's horn ceased glowing. Shaking her head a few times, she let out a small giggle, “Mother seems to be enjoying herself.”

Exhaling deeply, Shining Armor shook his head slowly. “Nope... not dealing with that. Not today, or tomorrow... maybe the next day,” he muttered, sagging slightly into his seat before looking down at his wife. “Cursed.”

Cadence however had a small smile on her lips, her eyes closing once more. “Oh hush,” she murmured. “Aela, I'm putting you in charge of Flitter. Anything else to report?”

“Nothing, Princess,” said Aela, “The group got back safely, a few frozen hooves and wings, but nothing a stiff drink won't fix.” Finally, she fixed her gaze beyond the glass, focusing on several pairs of busy hooves and a single pair of hands belonging to a slender minotaur. “Any idea what the time is? I lost count after midnight.”

“Three in the morning,” came a voice from behind them. An exhausted pegasus nurse slowly walked through the door, only giving the changeling the briefest of glances. “I thought you'd like an update.” She gave a rather thick clipboard grasped in her wing a small shake. “You may thank Doctor Marble for these.”

“Yes, please,” said Cadence, sitting up a little straighter. “How is he? I'll take responsibly if anything needs to be said in confidentiality.”

Sitting down, the nurse ran her hoof down along the clipboard. “Thank you Princess,” she said, “In my best medical assessment. He should have died on impact. Everything on his right side bar his skull had substantial damage. Humerus, ulna, radius, femur, tibia, fibula, a good portion of his pelvis, nearly every bone in his right hand and... foot?... right side of the rib cage, collar bone... broken doesn't do it justice. They were utterly crushed. Amazingly, while his spine is damaged, the spinal cord is still intact.” Flipping over the page, she continued. “Punctured right lung... his right kidney is still touch and go, they're working on his liver now. Thankfully his stomach and intestines, while badly bruised, weren't compromised. The same for his reproductive organs.”

Shining Armor just sat there, his eyes growing wider the longer the nurse spoke. Eventually he found his voice. “I'm not sure what's more impressive... the fact he survived or the fact you're actually fixing him,” he said quietly.

“He's not out of the woods yet,” replied the Nurse, sighing sadly. “He's lost a lot of blood. If we're not careful, he'll need a transfusion.”

“Will that be a problem?” asked Aela, slowly sitting up. “I'm sure a number of the guards will be happy to give some blood.”

The nurse shook her head slowly and sighed quietly. “That wouldn't work.” Clearing her throat, she might as well spit it out. “We have no clue what blood type he has. We've tested it several times, but it's still coming up unknown.”

“It's dragon blood,” said Cadence, leaning back against Shining Armor, her eyes closing. A knock on the door drew her attention from her thoughts. Looking over, she saw a tired, bleary eyed Spike standing there. “Spike? Is everything okay?”

“Urgent letter from Princess Luna for Aela,” Spike replied, barely able to keep his eyes open. Stumbling passed the nurse, he held it out for Aela, not even noticing Flitter until the changeling gave him a curious poke to the side, the poor dragon nearly jumped out of his scales.

Aela placed her hoof soothingly against Spike's shoulder while unfurling the letter with her wing. “Strange... Princess Luna doesn't usually write,” she murmured, giving the letter a shake before reading out loud. Given the company, anything Princess Luna had to say would be important to them all.

Aela Ress.

Changelings have positioned themselves outside every village, town and city within Equestria's borders. They offer no resistance when questioned or detained, nor do they appear to be transforming, instead appearing in their natural state. What concerns us is their response to why they are there. All they say is 'We are watching, we are waiting'.

When ever we detain one changeling, another replaces it in the same place within the hour. We have decided to keep an eye on them as long as they pose no threat to our subjects.

Where is Chrysalis and where is Bardac? We cannot contact him on his band.

Please respond with Spike ASAP.

Princess Luna.

“What's the meaning of this Flitter?” asked Cadence, if she wasn't awake before, she certainly was now.

“This is news to me,” Flitter admitted, tapping her front hooves together nervously. “Mother doesn't always share her plans. She tells us where to go and what to do. We follow.”

Clearing her throat, the nurse looked down at her notes. “This... sounds like business way above my pay grade,” she said with another light cough. “If you'll excuse me.” Swiftly, she made her exit.

Shining Armor groaned loudly and clapped his hooves to his face. “You know what? Bring it on. This day has gone from bad to worse and even worse still. I doubt anything could take it down any further.”

Aela exhaled slowly and leant back on her chair. Pulling out Bardac's banged up band from underneath her wing she slipped it onto her hoof and brought it to her lips. “Princess Luna. Aela Ress reporting,” she said tiredly.

Almost instantly, the band responded. “Aela? Oh thank goodness.” came the voice of Princess Luna. “Did you get my letter? I wasn't expecting you to contact me through this.”

“I did, Princess,” replied Aela, “You're not going to like what I have to say, but it would be in our best interest to leave the changelings be. As it stands, Chrysalis and a number of changelings are protecting the Frozen North from invasion.”

“I'm sorry... did you say Chrysalis. Queen Chrysalis, invader of Canterlot and the kidnapper of Princess Cadence. Is protecting the Frozen North?” asked Luna, trying and failing to hide the disbelief in her voice.

“... A lot has happened here in the Empire, some of which I'm still coming to terms with,” said Aela, opening her eyes slowly to glance at Flitter. “I'm afraid that's not all your highness. It's about Bardac. He... he was inside Mount Everhoof when it collapsed. We managed to get him out but, he's in a serious condition.”

“Oh buck me back to the moon...” growled Luna. “I think you need to start from the beginning. The very beginning. Tell me everything that has transpired since you left Canterlot and leave nothing out. I don't care how small you may think it is.”

So Aela did, with Flitter and Spike listening closely. It took Aela nearly an hour to explain everything and per instruction, she spared no detail. By the end, Aela felt as though a small weight had been lifted off her shoulders. “I'm not going to pretend that I fully understand what's happening here,” she said quietly. “But I think this is just the tip of the iceberg.”

“You might be right...” murmured Luna. “This is unprecedented. I need to speak to Bardac immediately before I make any decisions.”

Aela raised an eyebrow, glancing through the window into the theatre. “How do you plan on talking to him? He's probably going to be unconscious for the next few days, perhaps even a week,” she said.

“While uncommon, it's not unheard of for creatures to dream while having surgery,” explained Luna. “It's a chance I am willing to take. Aela, look after the changeling Chrysalis has sent back, if she is our only connection to the Queen, then we need to keep her on our side... and Aela? Well done. You've gone above and beyond. I'm proud to call you one of my guards.”

“Understood Princess,” replied Aela, while she was too tired to show it on her face, inside she she was smiling from ear to ear from the praise.

“What did Princess Luna have to say?” asked Shining Armor. It'd been quite some time since he'd used those bands.

“Princess Luna wants to talk to Bardac before she makes any decisions,” said Aela, slowly looking up at the ceiling. “Your highnesses. May I suggest getting some sleep? Flitter and I can keep an eye on things here. We'll let you know if anything happens.”

Cadence glanced at Shining Armor before letting a small smile cross her lips. She didn't really want to retire for the night, but some sleep was certainly better than no sleep. “That sounds like an excellent idea,” she replied, giving Shining Armor a soft nuzzle to his cheek. “Thank you Aela. We'll see you in the... well, we'll see you in a couple of hours.”

“If anything happens, alert us straight away,” said Shining Armor, slowly getting off his seat with Cadence following a moment later. Both of them stretched out, a little stiff from the uncomfortable seats. “Are you coming, Spike?”

Spike shook his head. “I wanna stay here with Aela,” he replied. “In case Princess Luna sends another letter.”

Cadence smiled a warm smile. “Well, do try and get some sleep eventually Spike. We don't want a cranky dragon on our hooves,” she teased tiredly. “That goes for you too Aela and Ms Flitter? We'll talk in the morning. I have quite a few questions for you.”

Flitter gave an enthusiastic wave as she watched the Princess leave with Shining Armor. Once they'd left, she turned her attention to Aela and Spike. “What do we do now?” she asked.

Aela cracked open an eye and looked over at Flitter. At the same time, drawing Spike against her with a wing for warmth. “What do we do now...” she repeated thoughtfully. “Now, I guess we wait.”

“Sister? Sister are you still awake?” called Luna, skidding to a halt outside Celestia's bedroom, her hoof tapping rapidly against the solid oak. Before she could get more than three taps in, the door swung open, bathed in a golden glow.

“I'm awake Luna,” Celestia called back from inside the room. She hadn't even tried to sleep, instead making a soft, comfortable nest of pillows next to her own personal fireplace. A few large books lay open around her. “What news do you have?”

“I have news from Aela, but you will not like it,” warned Luna as she entered the room, shutting the door firmly behind her. “Bardac blew up Mount Everhoof and the changelings seem to be protecting Equestria. He's in surgery and at risk of needing a transfusion of dragon's blood and Queen Chrysalis, this part I simply cannot believe... she's made a new home in the ruins of Mount Everhoof, keeping an invasion force from getting deeper into Equestria!”

“An invasion force?” asked Celestia, slowly sitting up. “In Mount Everhoof... you don't suppose it was the creature Bardac went to capture?”

“According to Aela's report, there were three portals inside the mountain, allowing these foul creatures almost unlimited access into our world,” explained Luna, a foul expression on her muzzle. “Even I was surprised when she revealed Mount Everhoof was an extinct volcano. That's not all... The Discord that attacked Bardac's world? He was there, commanding over the whole operation.”

Celestia slowly rose to her hooves, the books around her closing with a light snap. “Where is this Discord now?” she asked.

“They're not sure,” replied Luna, giving her head a shake. “His body could still be somewhere under the mountain, or he could have escaped. It can't be confirmed. However, this is only half the reason I've come. I need your help. Bardac is still undergoing surgery as we speak, but I'm sure you'll agree we need to speak to him as soon as possible. I'd like you to enter the dream realm with me and together, we'll seek him out.”

“Are dreams during surgery that bad that they require two of us?” asked Celestia. “My power is limited in the dream realm, but I'll do what I can to help.”

“That's not... quite why,” admitted Luna, looking away slightly. “Bardac comes from another world. There's an almost certain chance that if we find Bardac's dream, it'll be of his own world. Your presence would be most comforting.”

Celestia gave an understanding nod. “Even in the dream realm, his world isn't a place we can take lightly, if his accounts are anything to go by,” she said thoughtfully before walking over to Luna. “If we're pressed for time, then we better get started.”

“This might tingle,” warned Luna, laying her wing against Celestia's back before her horn ignited in a deep blue glow. In an instant, the two alicorns were transported into an endless sea of swirling blue mist and cloud. Bright specks of light dotted as far as the eye could see as well as countless doors floating passed them.

“I forgot how beautiful it was here,” said Celestia, watching her surroundings in admiration. She felt weightless within the vast void, despite knowing her hooves were on solid ground, or as solid as blue cloud could be.

Luna couldn't help but smile, her horn igniting once more. The doors that once floated passed snapped into an orderly line either side of them, racing passed at such a speed they were nothing more than a blur. “Now to find the right door... if he is dreaming,” she murmured. Usually it took Luna a matter of seconds to find the correct door, but as the seconds ticked on into minutes, she was starting to worry. “Well, it was a long shot af—”

“Luna, stop!” called out Celestia, grasping a door in her magic as it raced passed. While she couldn't stop it completely, she could at least slow it down enough that it didn't disappear from sight. “I think I've got it!”

“Good catch,” Luna praised, taking the door in her own magic. It was a simple wooden door, nothing special about it in any way, shape or form. The door itself was surrounded by a faint magical aura, one that Luna and to a lesser extent, Celestia, could use to identify the owner. “This is his. I don't know what to expect when we enter, but we cannot waste time.” Throwing open the door, Luna stepped boldly through. Swiftly followed by Celestia.

They arrived in the middle of a large wooden bridge, staring down into the square gap underneath another bridge made of stone. The sounds of battle and the coppery scent of blood hung in the air. Beyond the bridge, Celestia and Luna could make out several tall, blurred figures locked in the grip of battle. Yet, it was difficult to tell where one ended and another started.

“Well this is unpleasant...” murmured Celestia, her wings twitching by her side. “Should everything be frozen like this? It's like we've walked into a picture... except for the noise and the smell.”

Luna slowly looked around, her horn pulsing gently. “I'm... unsure,” she replied, stepping off the wooden bridge. “What I can tell you is that the dream energy is strong here. Strong enough that I'd hazard a bet that this is no dream at all... instead, we've walked into a memory.”

“A memory?” Celestia asked, her eyebrow raising. As the pair walked underneath the stone bridge, they noticed that the blurry figures remained as such, simple shapes of those who were seen, yet not known. “You're the dream expert... I would have put this down as one tartarus of a nightmare.”

“Often memories such as this are no different to nightmares,” said Luna sadly. Taking a right turn as they emerged from under the stone bridge, Luna felt her heart sink. Hundred upon hundreds of blurry figures spread out over the vast field in front of them, locked in combat. Spells and arrows painted the sky, mixed with giant flaming boulders mere inches away from causing utter devastation to those below it.

The two alicorns slowly weaved their way throughout the battlefield, stepping over corpse after corpse that lay strewn, abandoned to the flies that swarmed in their wounds. “Seeing this alone would give anypony nightmares,” murmured Celestia. “Luna, do you remember what Bardac said when he joined the guards?”

“I do,” replied Luna. “Something like that is not easily forgotten. You believe this to be one of those moments?”

“It would make sense,” said Celestia, looking around for any sign of the Nord. “I wonder if this is the war that Bardac mentioned.”

“One battle of many,” came a voice from the left. There was Bardac, stood on the remains of a burnt out catapult, wearing nothing more than a pair of white cotton shorts and a shirt to match. “This was only a few months into the civil war. Whiterun was a key position for the Imperials when Jarl Balgruuf sided with us. Ulfric Stormcloak did not take kindly to this and tried to take it for himself.” Hopping off the catapult, he approached the sisters. “I am not in Sovngarde, which means I am not dead, yet. Come, we shall walk and talk.”

Celestia and Luna glanced at one another, but followed Bardac regardless as he lead them back underneath and across the two bridges until they approached the large gates leading into the city of Whiterun. “Bardac,” said Celestia after a moment's thought as Bardac opened the gates for them. “We're not sure how much time we until you wake up. So please listen to what we have to say.”

“Equestria is in chaos. You're half dead on an operating table, there are changelings everywhere and Chrysalis is staying inside Mount Everhoof!” Luna blurted out. “To top it off, you need blood but the only dragon we know of that would willingly supply some is Spike and he's far too small to risk taking even a fraction of what you need!”

Bardac paused and slowly leant against the gate. A small smile creeping onto his lips. “Is that so?” he asked, chuckling quietly to himself before turning to face the sisters. “It seems I have made a bit of a mess of things. Come, we shall talk in my home. I feel as though I shall not be waking up any time soon.”

The sisters followed Bardac through the city, trying not to get too distracted by the fact they were walking through a completely different world. “What do we do with the changelings?” asked Celestia. “From what we heard, you now command them. Can we trust their loyalty to you?”

“I do?” replied Bardac curiously, opening the door to a quaint little building not too far from the main gate. Leading the pair inside, he shut the door behind him and lead them up a wide, wooden staircase. There was enough room on the landing that the three could sit down in relative comfort. Bardac on a small wooden chair and the sisters on a thick, snow bear skin rug. “Tell me what happened after I brought down the mountain, if you can.”

So Luna did. Taking a seat on the rug, she explained everything to Bardac, including the arrival of Flitter and the brief conversation Aela, Cadence and Shining Armor had with Chrysalis through the young changeling. “It wasn't long after that that changelings started to appear in every city, town and village in Equestria. We are watching, we are waiting is all they say when we question them,” she finished, sighing slowly. “Chrysalis and her changelings are no allies of Equestria, but...”

Bardac held up a hand and shook his head. Leaning back against the chair, he stared up at the ceiling. “Let us deal with this one problem at a time,” he said slowly. “Leave the changelings be. When I awaken, I will speak to Chrysalis myself through this young Flitter. The blood? The blood... I know of one who may help. A dragoness in the Everfree Forest, she answers to Niy'ka, though I have no idea where she could be now. She may have flown off. Twilight has met Niy'ka, she might be the best choice in finding that dragoness.”

“Ah, yes... the young dragoness from your dealings with the diamond dogs. That was an interesting letter.” murmured Celestia, nodding her head slightly. “Stampede has had experience dealing with dragons. I'll send him to escort Twilight.”

Leaning forward in his chair, Bardac eyed the two sisters. “You two are not... angry that I brought down the mountain?” he asked suspiciously. “I would have expected at least one of you to have blasted me in the face.”

Celestia and Luna glanced at one another before Luna cleared her throat. “We decided that you were acting in Equestria's best interest,” she replied. “If it were not for you, the Crystal Empire would have suffered greatly when the volcano erupted as well as allowing a great number of invaders to enter our beloved world.” Smiling just a little, she added. “Thank you... for saving Aela.”

Bardac leant back in his chair and looked up at the ceiling once more, the scene around the three slowly started to change. The home shimmered out of existence, leaving them sitting in nothing but a black void for a second. “I have watched too many die from the selfish actions of one,” murmured Bardac. The scene snapping rapidly into a bustling market place surrounded by high stone buildings. Once again, everyone around them was blurry, except for two figures. A young lady gasping for air as a man behind her plunged a dagger deep into her spine. While the two remained stationary, it didn't stop the hideous scream that echoed through the silence.

Celestia felt the fur on the back of her neck stand at the scene before them. “He just... murdered her?” she asked quietly, slowly taking a step towards the frozen pair.

Bardac slowly shook his head. The scene flashed once more. This time, the man lay dead at the feet of a much younger Bardac, his beard hadn't even started to grow in. By his side, the young lady, as fit as the day she walked into the market. The much older Bardac let out a sigh, “I managed to save young Margret. The dagger had not pierced too deep before I wrestled Weylin off her.”

Celestia noticed just off to the side, another figure who stood in stark focus compared to those around them. “Who's that?” she asked, gesturing to the figure with her hoof. “He's looking at you... well, the younger you with great interest.”

“Eltrys,” replied Bardac without even looking. “I will save you the trouble. He died too.” Bardac slowly knelt down in front of Weylin. “Markarth... the corruption ran deep. Eltrys tried to make things right and died at the hands of the guards who once sworn to protect us.”

The scene changed yet again, this time the trio found themselves standing in a small, circular room. A statue of Talos as well as a shrine to him was located in the middle. That wasn't all. Around the edge lay Eltrys with the younger Bardac kneeling over his corpse. Behind them, several Markarth guards pushing through the narrow doorway, each as blurry as the last.

Luna inspected the guards closely, but even when she got close enough to touch them with her nose, she still couldn't determine any features, in fact the closer she got, the blurrier they became. “Do... you always dream like this?” she asked, stepping away from the guards to inspect Eltrys. Unlike the guards, everything about the man was in sharp relief. “What is the reason behind the blur?”

“It was not always like this. As I grew older, I found myself dreaming more and more about the past. Eventually, I learnt to control it, to visit my own memories,” replied Bardac, leaning against one of the cold, stone pillars. “As for the blur... I am unsure myself. It started after my victory against Alduin."

“Did you suffer any sort of head trauma during this fight?” asked Celestia.

Much to the sisters surprise, Bardac burst out laughing, slapping his hand to his forehead. “That fight was nothing but head trauma. All that bastard did was fill the area with fog while trying to flatten us with giant meteors.”

“I wouldn't be surprised if you suffered long lasting damage,” murmured Luna, finally looking away from Eltrys. “I can't say I've encountered another who dreams quite like this way before. Some dream of memories, but they have no control over which one they see.”

For the third time, the memory around them shifted... though this time, it was from something a little closer to the present. The three found themselves stood in the vast magma chamber of Mount Everhoof, hovering over the colossal central pit, yet it felt as though they were stood on solid ground. “Now, enough of my world,” said Bardac. “We need to focus on what is happening in your world.”

“By the sun...” muttered Celestia. Taking in all she could see. The Daedra, the Dremora and the gates they came pouring out from. Then, she saw him. Discord, or at least the version that had caused Bardac so much pain and suffering. It was one thing hearing Aela's account from Luna, but to see it with her own eyes... she had no words.

Bardac exhaled slowly before walking toward the edge of the pit. “Chrysalis and Aela fought valiantly. Yet, in the end, we would have been overrun and killed,” he said, slowly looking towards the three towering gates on the other side of the chamber. “For every one we killed, more and more replaced it.”

Luna turned her gaze up. Aela and Chrysalis fighting as one, surrounded by flying daedra as far as the eye could see. “Ultimately, that is why you chose to bring the mountain down... to block the gates.” she said thoughtfully, slowly looking down to where Bardac stood in the memory, his form barely visible through the sea of daedra. Yet, what she could see made her eyes widen. “Sweet stars above...”

“Pay no mind to that right now, Luna,” said Bardac, gesturing to the gates instead. “You will have plenty of time to get to know that power when I have recovered enough to train you, your sister and the guards.”

Glancing over her shoulder, Celestia felt a knot of both excitement and trepidation, but swallowed it back down for now. Instead she turned her focus back to the creature in front of her, this strange version of Discord. Besides the eyes and a single tooth sticking out the bottom of the creatures top lip, the two looked nothing alike. However, the more she thought about it, the more she could understand. Just hearing Discords name and seeing those eyes... after what the Nord had gone through? She had to admit she was surprised Discord lived that day.

Following Bardac's advice, Luna turned her attention to the three towering gates. Then, something clicked. “These must be what the changelings are keeping an eye out for,” she said, flying over to get a closer look at the middle of the three gates. “These... monstrosities.”

“Before the volcano was about to erupt, Discord told us how to destroy the gates, though it stands to question if we can trust anything he says,” said Bardac, “But, perhaps it was to simply gloat after witnessing one take a direct hit from my most powerful spell and come away with nary a scratch.”

“Whether it is the Discord you know or the Discord we know. Don't try and understand what goes on in their mind,” advised Celestia as she walked over to the noticeably weary Nord. “Share with us this knowledge, in case any more of these abominations show themselves.”

Bardac ran his fingers through the tangled mess of his beard. “It was how simple it was that concerned me the greatest. According to him, all we had to do was enter the gate, search for a Sigil Stone located in the tallest tower, inside a room called the Sigillum Sanguis and remove it. That will collapse the gate,” he explained. “What happens afterwards and how long those inside have to get out... I do not know.”

“Far too many unknowns,” said Luna, rustling her wings. “Still, with the scrolls you have provided us and our knowledge of the Dremora so far, I believe we can hold off any creature that dares steps out of those gates onto Equestrian soil.”

Without warning, the dream around them vanished, surrounding them in an inky black void. Bardac found himself sitting down, his hand resting against the side of his head. “This is new,” he murmured to himself. He never felt tired in his dreams, ever... yet he felt like he'd just been nailed by the business end of a giant's hammer.

“Dream fatigue,” said Luna, despite the darkness, Bardac, Celestia and herself were as clear as day to one another. Resting a wing against Bardac's temple, she allowed a small amount of her magic to flow into him to stabilise the dream. “Directly linked to your deteriorated physical condition,”

Bardac chuckled weakly, as he looked up at the two princesses, each staring down at him with concern. “So it has nothing to do with you two being here?” he asked curiously. He tried to stand, but it felt like someone had glued his legs to the ground.

“I use my own magic to keep our forms stable. I've visited the dreams of foals without trouble,” Luna said with a hint of a smile. “As powerful as you are... you are still mortal.”

“Indeed,” added Celestia, resting her wing on Bardac's head while using her feathers to gently comb through his hair. “This is the second time you've come close to death while in our world. Is it really that bad here?”

Bardac's chuckle grew louder, though only by a little. His arm lifted to give Celestia's wing a gentle brush through her feathers. “You worry too much,” he said, still swirling his fingers through Celestia's feathers. “Well, perhaps it is alright for you two nags, you have the time to worry. We poor mortals simply do not.”

Celestia rolled her eyes and patted Bardac gently on the head. “Speaking of time, Luna and I still have a great deal of work to finish, thanks to a certain somepony,” she said, giving Bardac a small smile.

“We shall be in touch soon, depending on when you wake up,” added Luna, placing her hoof lightly against Bardac's chest. “Stay strong.”

Watching the two sisters vanish into the inky blackness, Bardac laid back and closed his eyes, his arms stretched above his head. “So, this is what being helpless feels like,” he murmured to himself. “... I hate it.”

It was four in the morning before the message from Celestia and Luna reached Ponyville. The six element bearers were gathered around the table in the middle of Golden Oak Library, each taking their turn to read, reread and reread again the letter that the princesses had sent, telling them everything that has transpired since the Nord's departure from Canterlot. An uncommon and unsettling silence hovered over them.

Finally Twilight let out a long, tired sigh and folded the letter up, placing it carefully in the middle of the table. It was all too much to take in at once... but at least one of the many, many things written down could bring her a smile, however slight. “Spike's safe...” she murmured. “I... don't really know what to say about the rest.”

“Does this mean the changelings are on our side?” asked Fluttershy quietly, looking around the group.

Applejack shook her head, “I don't think so Fluttershy,” she replied, tapping her hoof on the table. “They sure ain't no ally of ours, but if Chrysalis is servin' Bardac and the princesses are sayin' to leave'em be... I guess we ain't got a whole lotta choice but to do what the letter says.”

“This is horse-apples!” growled Rainbow Dash, slamming her hoof on the table. “Who do they think they are? Walking in to our town like they own the place?”

Pinkie Pie slowly reached out and grasped the letter in her hooves, pulling it slowly until it was clutched against her chest. “We're going to let the changelings do their job,” she said quietly but firmly. “I don't trust changelings but... I do trust Bardac.”

“I can't imagine what must have been going through his mind,” said Rarity, taking a shaky sip of tea from her hovering cup. “To collapse an entire mountain on top of you...”

A sudden, rapid knocking on the Library door caught their attention. “Who could that be this early?” murmured Twilight, her horn igniting to teleport herself from her seat to in front of the door. Opening it slowly, Twilight found herself muzzle to muzzle with a changeling. A changeling that had a scroll clutched in its jaws. “What the...”

The changeling didn't move for a second or two, it seemed to be having trouble focusing its eyes, but eventually they locked onto Twilight. “Sparkle,” was all it said before laying a letter down by her front hooves. Then, without another word, turned and took off into the night.

It took Twilight a moment to process what just happened. Shutting the door just as slowly as she opened, she finally picked up the letter in her magic and returned to her seat at the table. “I think... I just had a letter delivered by a changeling,” she said quietly.

“Anything feel funky about it?” asked Rainbow Dash, eyeing the letter with distrust.

Twilight shook her head slowly, though just to be on the safe side, she gave it several intense magical scans. “Nope... it's just a letter.” Opening it carefully, she found herself looking at long, swirling letters written in a dark green ink. “It's... it's from Chrysalis.”

“What in the hay does she want?” asked Applejack, her eyebrow raising so high it threatened to disappear under her hat.

Clearing her throat, Twilight read out loud. “Sparkle. As you've been a thorn in my side before, I feel it necessary to offer you a small insight into what is happening around Equestria.” Rolling her eyes, Twilight continued. “Changelings, not unlike your young dragon friend are honoured to life debts. Our dear idiot has had the pleasure of saved my life twice, owing a debt of servitude that no one changeling can repay, not even myself.”

“Wait a minute,” interrupted Rainbow Dash, “Does she mean what I think she does?"

All Twilight could do was continue reading. “For now. Bardac's enemies are the changelings enemies. His allies are...” Several different words had been scribbled out, each not quite as flattering as last. “His allies will be ignored. Do not make me regret this choice. Queen Chrysalis.”

“You've gotta be kidding me,” gawked Applejack, “There's no way Chrysalis would put aside what happened in Canterlot so easily.”

Fluttershy shook her head and said quietly, “But what if changelings take their life debts as seriously as dragons do? We all remember what Spike was like when Applejack saved him.”

A slight murmur of agreement ran around the table. “I don't like it,” muttered Rarity, “But it seems there's not a whole lot we can do about it at the moment.”

Suddenly, Pinkie Pie sat bolt upright, her neck cracking as she looked towards the door. Her ears flopped, her eyelids fluttered and her knees twitched wildly... then it started to pinch. “Take cover!” she yelled, diving under the table just fast enough to avoid the Library door being blown off its hinges and thrown across the room, smashing into the wall on the other side. The entire library shook under the force of what ever had struck it.

“I said knock on the door,” thundered a voice from outside. “NOT blow it off the damned hinges!”

“I did knock,” replied another voice, “It's not my fault you ponies build everything like matchsticks.”

Having just managed to create a shield around herself and her friends, Twilight called out, “Is everypony okay? Anyone get hit?” She let out a breath when a round of noes reached her ears. “What in the name of Ta... tar... us...”

A colossal green head had filled the library doorway, grinning a toothy grin, “A little night time princess told me you were looking for me?”

“Out of the way,” growled a voice from behind the green head. Shoving passed, a monstrous blue earth pony entered the library. The poor pony looked like he hadn't slept in days.

All Twilight could do was stare before squeaking loudly, “Captain Stampede, Niy'ka?!”