Morning tea... Seemed a simple thing. An easy way to start a day. As easy as it can get. Nice, calming, relaxing. Link, ever restless, had already begun dividing up the day ahead. He received the reply from the sun princess and read it aloud to the others. Celestia allowed the presence of Twilight, Ruby, Emerald and Epona when Link goes to open the door in the castle in the woods. Further, he was granted permission to bear witness to Twilight's tournament rounds. As if he'd miss it for the world.

"That's good," Twilight admitted, sipping her tea and leaning back in her comfy chair. "Now, what's this plan you say you have for me?"

Emmy opened her journal and began writing for the week in advance. "Don't skip anything. Readers back home wanna hear all about it."

"I'm sure they do," Link agreed, thinking back to his time in the forest village. "But if you'll allow me, I'd like to keep it simple." He cleared his throat a little, not being used to drinking tea. "You have all of today and all of tomorrow to prepare for your tournament that starts on Friday. That leaves Thursday, which is your day of rest."

"And you are to teach her and make sure she's combat ready?" Epona asked.

"Yes and no. I have plans today, few of which actually involve Twilight. The Comm- Second Commander is upstairs asleep still. I'm taking her back to the castle."

"Then when you return?" He nodded. "Then in the meantime, I'm supposed to do... what?" Twilight asked him. "Sit and wait?" She knew that wouldn't be his plan. He had always been far too bright to not have a plan.

"Ruby is here, right? She's gonna help you train."

The mare was taken aback at her sudden inclusion, nearly meeting the floor with her tea. "What? Why me?"

"Because you have a projectile. And are already here. You refuse?" Ruby shook her head. "Good."

"I'd be glad to help."

Twilight looked concerned. "You seem happy to be throwing things at me..."

"Not really. I'll just pretend you're a certain stallion I don't like." Ruby changed her smile into a snarl directing her gaze to the woods.

Emmy noticed, but decided to keep the peace. "What about me?"

Link turned to face her and set down his tea. "You're gonna be her sparring partner for melee. Preferably helping her to predict the opposition's movements in case they close the gap."

"Count on me!" Emmy announced, tapping her chest fluff. "But... Swords might be a bit dangerous..."

"Use sticks. Ponyville's got plenty." Link looked over at Twilight. "Now, you're gonna need an ace up your cuff..."

Twilight summoned her buzzing blade at her side. It made a humming sound as the edges ground against each other. "Something like this?"

Emmy looked over at it. "Something like that, yes. But not that. That's a slashing weapon. The tournament will only allow a magic-forged weapon if it deals blunt damage." She hovered over to the weapon and looked at it closer. "Hmm... Yea, you're gonna have to rework this thing first if you wanna train with it."

"I'll see what I can do." Twilight dismissed it safely and returned to her tea.

As did the others. Except Epona. She doesn't like tea. Emmy hovered back to her seat, careful not to injure herself further. When Link finished, he went up and retrieved their house guest. The others bid their farewells as he and Prism left for Canterlot.

At the train station, Link sat with Prism on the bench beside the ticked booth. Each of them held their ticket in their own way. The latter of them was silently complaining how the armor was too heavy and how uncomfortable it was to sit in. The former could only chuckle. She looked over at him. "You really didn't have to come along, you know that right? I promise I'm good."

"And I believe you. I'm simply making sure you get there safely." He sighed and shifted in his seat. "And because the princesses might be harsh on you if you show up alone. If I vouch for you, you are less likely to get in trouble. They might even loosen that leash they have on you."

Prism looked to the train tracks. "What if they find out that you know about me..."

"So what? That's the beauty of things in the past. They're behind you. And from what I can tell, you're looking forward to a changing future." Link looked over at her, setting down his ticket. "I'm just glad the princess is trusting enough to let you out."

"You're really smart, you know that?" Prism commended. "First, you get yourself and me out of prison. Then you force your way through the castle above it to the throne room. Through your friend, by the way. Now you're coming with me all so you can make sure I don't get in trouble, and I actually think it'll work."

"Don't ever doubt me," Link requested. The train came in and to a halt, swinging wide the doors and letting the few ponies who wanted to leave dismount the locomotive. Link followed Prism aboard and found his seat opposite her.

A member of the staff came by him and requested that he put his weapons in the upper cabinet. Reluctantly, he did so. Link returned to his seat and put up his feet.

Twilight looked with sharpness at Ruby, who stood many paces away. The latter had a fireball at the ready in her open hoof, while the former was trying to improvise a makeshift bat from magic. It didn't work, as the deflected ball went the completely wrong direction. Twilight's magical construct was not holding the shape she wanted it to, an it was making her frustrated. So, the two decided to take a break.

Ruby sat down where she was and watched Twilight walk over to her. "I'm sorry if it looks like I'm wasting your time..."

"Nah, don't worry about it." She began some cool-down stretches.

"If nothing else, your aim is true. If I didn't know any better, I'd say you're trying to actually hit me." Ruby looked u at her with a blank stare. "You're actually trying to hit me?!"

"I said I would be, didn't I?" Ruby stood up and shook her head a little. "Imagining you as that ... guy, from the woods is definitely a form of stress relief."

Emmy looked over from her spot on the steps. "You're talking about the shadow alicorn, right?" Ruby nodded. "That's what I thought. Y'know? I really don't see what the problem with him is. I mean, he helped you guys out in the end, right? Link got the stone, no one got hurt."

Twilight tilted her head. "Well, you got hurt, remember?"

"Well, besides me." She stood up. "Anyway, I wish I had the answer to your magical problem. I don't know enough about it to say what to do from here."

"Hmm..." Ruby thought a moment. "If you're trying to hit it back at me, why not just make a bat?"

"A bat is a conjuration. And conjurations like constructs cost a good chunk of magic. And I'd have to do that every time. And if I do make a bat, then there'd be no need for the sword and shield combo I'm trying to make."

"Okay... So... How are you making the sword you want? Draw it out for me," Ruby requested, sitting in front of her and tapping the ground.

Twilight drew a crude image of the magical flow of her blade-bat. Ruby studied it and found how she was making it. "But the issue is when I deflect, the shot goes any which way but the way I want it to go."

Ruby looked to the patch of dirt beside Twilight's drawing and drew a circle with a dot in the middle. "How about this? There's a core, static in the middle, and the energy around it is set to stay in the shape and at the distance you set for it. The magic becomes bonded to itself and you can use it immediately. No blade to cut, and no flow of magic to deflect in a random direction."

Twilight thought about the concept. "How is it you know all this about magic?"

"Books. Lots and lots of books." Twilight and Ruby shared a laugh. Then the former created the core as desired. About 2 and a half feet long. She then created the magic barrier around it. Immobile, the magic hardened like a case to form her newest weapon. "That looks waaay more like it. What's its name?"

She looked at her blade. I can't call this bat a name. It's not it's true form. I'll think of one for the real deal." Twilight placed the blade at her side. "Come. Let us test its might."

Ruby took her paces after erasing the dirt drawings. "Alright. Here goes..." She flicked a ball of fire at Twilight, who swung in such a way that the ball flew back at her. Easily, Ruby smacked it into a blaze, and when it settled, she commented, "Well alright then. Now we can really train." Ruby summoned two more, one in each hoof, and prepared herself.

The train carrying Link and the second commander - in name only - came to a stop at Canterlot's 3rd station. They and a mess of other ponies picked up along along the way departed with their various luggage. Link had retrieved his weaponry and affixed it to his back. He shifted under its weight and adjusted the straps. Prism had to stop and wait for him to finish before they moved on their way.

"Finally," Prism said with a sigh. "More belts than a... than a..."

"Than a designer pony going through a goth phase?" Link offered. Prism laughed at that. "None of that, Second Commander. You're the stoic type, remember?" He stood at attention and waited.

Prism stood up as well. "Then to the castle. I need to deliver the mission report to the princesses. You will be in attendance. Move out."

The two marched their way through the city, getting all the various facial expressions from the citizenry. Some comment how he's in trouble again, some asked themselves if it's a court marshall, others still believe he's finally asked somepony on a date.

At the drawbridge, Prism saluted the two guardsponies stationed on either side of it. "Second Commander Sapphire Prism returning from the field."

The two looked at each other. "We weren't aware you were returning today."

Prism looked over the guard. "What's your name, soldier?"

"Iron Stance, Ma'am." He saluted.

"And is there a rank assigned to you?"

"Corporal, Ma'am."

"So, a Corporal wants to question the fact I've returned, when you can plainly see that I stand before you?" She pressed her chest plate against the corporal's and narrowed her eyebrows up at him. "I suggest you let us through before I haul you off for insubordination, you worthless piece of garbage."

Iron Stance quickly panicked and lowered the drawbridge. "R-right that way, ma'am."

"That's better, maggot. Be glad I'm merciful. I'll only tell the princess you hesitated to lower the bridge upon request, and not that you talked back to me." She walked by the stallion and didn't even look back. Link followed wordlessly.

When the two arrived at the doors to the throne room, the two door guards opened the door without question and let them in. Prism marched to the thrones and knelt in respect. Link followed suit.

"Welcome back, Second Commander. And you've brought Corporal Link with you?"

"At his request, yes. I have returned from the field and am delighted to report our resounding success. The enlistee behind me has secured that which he sought."

"Resounding success indeed. Though, I see no reason why he had to come here in person to confirm this," Celestia asked warily.

Prism stepped to the side and allowed Link his turn to speak. "It is as she explained. Our mission to the forest was a success." Link retrieved the green gem and held it aloft. "The third of three required for the task you have given me. Second Commander Prism was more help to me than I had anticipated. I can plainly see how she came to have her rank."

The princesses shared a cautious glance. "You said she had to come along, as an obligation. To merely be in attendance, not to actually work." Celestia tilted her head.

"That may have been the request, but it's more ... mental support, than physical." He stowed the stone. "She talked me through some problems I've been having lately. Some personal problems."

Princess Luna asked, "Yet you wish to postpone your final task to attend your sister's tournament?" Link nodded. "... And afterward?"

"I would do as you've asked. Take the four of them into the woods to bare witness to the Sword of Master's retrieval. I would then venture forth to complete the original mission."

Celestia nodded. "Yes. That's right. And, I do believe that will be all?"

Link nodded again. He bowed himself away from their presence. Though, a few steps away, he turned to face them once more. "There is just one thing..." His vision narrowed ever so slightly. "Where is Polaris? Or Saber for that matter?" Both princesses hesitated in their responses, so Link filled in the gaps. "I bet the former is off cleaning floors or something. And Saber is overseeing her to make sure no spot is missed."

"A-as you say," Luna agreed.

"Nailed it," he replied. Link faced the doors and left the room.

Once the doors closed behind him, Luna looked straight at her sister. "I can't tell if he knows or not..."

Celestia looked worried, "Neither can I..."

Twilight started her scheduled break from batting practice. She had gotten proficient enough to let not even curve balls get by her. Ruby also took a break, though she decided to continue one of her various projects on the front steps. After Twilight was rested enough, she stood up and beckoned Emmy to take the stage. "Alright Emmy. Your turn." She summoned her sword and waited.

Emmy looked it over. "Uhm..." She looked nervous. "See, I don't actually know much about swordsmanship."

"Is this you being humble? Because Link and I are counting on your help."

"Uhh..." Again, a few nervous looks. "Well... I'm not really into the sport, so I'm self-taught. Hoof to hoof is more my speed," she managed.

"Then what can you teach me?"

"Basics." Emmy pointed at Twilight. "I can teach you basic swordplay." She looked around for a suitable weapon. "Let's see... Link said there were a great many number of sticks..." Emmy disappeared and reappeared after several minutes holding a lengthy length of wood. "There, that should do." Her ear flicked a leaf from her mane and she chuckled as it fell. "Rosewood. Lightweight, durable, solid sparring tool, I think."

Twilight looked at the end of it. "It's sawed off... Did you borrow a tool for that?" Emmy nodded. "Aj?" Another nod. "You put it back?"

"Of course I did. What am I gonna do? Bring it with me?" Emmy landed and held the wood upward in front of her. "Now hit it. I wanna make sure it can stand up to wear."

Hesitantly, Twilight brought her sword across and connected with the rosewood. It flew out of Emmy's grasp and pretty far to the side, sticking into the ground many yards away. "Oof, sorry. Should I have not hit it so hard?" Twilight asked as she saw Emmy fly over to the stick.

Emmy examined the branch and affirmed it unbroken. "Still good," she said to herself. When she turned back to Twilight, she added, "Nah nah, it's fine. I'm glad you didn't. If it can't handle a full smack like that, what good is it?" She held it as a sword and righted her self on her hind legs. "Okay, Twilight. This may be a slow start, even for me. But I'll try my best to keep up." Twilight approached. "Not too close. No sparring yet. Get some distance and follow along."

The two of them ran through the basic order of swings. Together, they completed about 15 minutes worth of drills.

Afterward, Emmy cracked a grin and set down her weapon. "So... Remember when I said basics?" Twilight nodded. "Would you like to see the next level?"

"I thought you said-"

"I know what I said. And compared to the others I trained with I'm still only a beginner." She readied her weapon. "Ready?" Twilight nodded. "Let's begin."

Another 20 minutes of drills.

Twilight had to sit down. Not from physical strain, but from magical overuse. "Gimme a sec," she requested.

"Sure." She turned her back for a few moments. Then she turned again and leapt at her, weapon raised. "Second's over!" Twilight braced herself against an overhead swing. Some sparks flew off of her magic sword as she used it to block. The weight alone pushed her back an inch. She forced the branch up and away as she got to her hooves.

Barely a second to do so, Emmy's attack was relentless, and Twilight could barely keep up. "Hey, what gives?"

Emmy pressed her attack. "Fight like you're actually trying to hit me, Twilight!" She got in one tap to Twilight's shoulder and stopped short of making it a telling blow. "Because these unicorns you'll be up against won't be holding back." Emmy offered a warm smile before removing her stick from Twilight's shoulder. "Sorry for the contact."

"It's fine..." Twilight rubbed the spot for a moment. "It's the experience I need..."

"You think this'll help? I haven't even told you what the next stage is." Emmy caught Twilight's attention. "If I can hit you when you're looking at me, imagine how tough it'll be to fight back when you can't see them coming."

"What do you mean?"

"They're unicorns, and teleporting is well within their ruleset."

"You can teleport, right?" Twilight asked. "With that unique skill of yours?" Emmy nodded. "Then... come at me like that. Fight me as a unicorn would. Well... One holding a weapon like mine. I don't care how hard it'll be. I'll learn to defend against it."

Emmy looked cautious at her. "Are you sure about that?" Twilight nodded. "Alright... Just remember you asked for this... But... Before I start.. I want to know. Why are you willing to push so hard for this?"

Twilight bowed her head a little. "I fought against a unicorn with incredible skill..." She thought back to her fight with Saber, and how as soon as the switch was flipped, Twilight was overwhelmed on skill alone. "I just want to get better. Not to match her, but enough to close the gap."

Emerald let out a sigh and set down her weapon. She walked over to Twilight and put a hoof on her shoulder. "Everypony can get better, as long as they're willing to put forth the effort." She offered another smile. Even Ruby looked up to see how they were doing. "Now, I'm gonna go back, get my stick, and assume a stance. And you're going to try and hit me. However you can." Slowly, Emmy did as she said she would and waited. "Prepare yourself."

Twilight readied herself and blinked. In that moment, Emmy disappeared. "Eh?" She heard the sound of Emmy reappearing somewhere behind her and swung down, rather slow in comparison to her other attacks. Twilight was able to block, but the counter was a little too slow to hit as Emmy disappeared again.

The one sided tag went on for ten whole minutes before Ruby set her stuff down and walked out to meet them. "Alright, time-out girls." Emmy showed up and set down her weapon again with a sigh. "Don't give me that. You basically told her sink or swim." Ruby gave Emerald a harsh glance, who rolled her eyes. "You remember my fight with Emmy, right?"

"Yeah, I remember. I'm glad you spared my house."

"Well, how many times did I actually make contact? With all her jumping around, how many times did I catch her?"

"If I recall correctly... Not even once," Twilight answered.

"Well, that's true," Ruby replied. "But how many times did I get close?" Ruby coughed a little. "A few times. By predicting where she'd appear."

"I almost wanted her to hit me," Emmy admitted with a flip of her mane. Ruby ech'd in slight disgust. "What?"

"That's a little strange you know. Wanting to be hit," Twilight commented. "Still, she's got a good point. By predicting where you'll show up, I can determine the way your attack will come, and calculate the best-"

"Now hold on right there, Twi." Emmy held up her hoof at her. "You're smart, we get that, we really do. But this is a time where you should feel, not think. There's energy everywhere. Feel it." Emmy closed her eyes and inhaled. The air around her seemed to shift with the inhale. Twilight could barely see it. Ruby saw it clearly. "And then exhale." She did so, and the air shifted away from her, before drifting back into its place and disappearing. "You could see it, right?"

"Barely," Twilight answered, rubbing her eyes. "And you call it energy? I thought you didn't know magic all that well?"

"I don't. Magic and energy might relate to the same concepts after the fact, but they're fundamentally different. Magic comes from within, and the energy I'm referring to exists outside the body." Emmy shook her head. "I digress. The point is, the logic is there, but use your instincts, don't think too hard, and you'll get it down."

Twilight readied her weapon, as did Emmy who disappeared soon after. Twilight took a slow breath, trying to feel around her. Having never done this before, she didn't even notice Emmy appear behind her.

"Uhh..." Emmy said. "Hello?"

Twilight turned around and opened her eyes. "Sorry... I'm still trying to feel."

"That's alright. It's not something you unlock by trying to do so. It's one of those, 'heat of the moment' things. We'll work on it. Sword up." Emmy launched an attack, which was blocked. She disappeared again and Ruby took that time to meander back to her seat.

The sun princess looked at the guard at her side. "Fetch Steel Saber from the barracks. Have her armor up and report to me." The stallion saluted and ran off. Then she looked at Luna's guard. "Make sure none enter the throne room." He saluted and went off toward the throne room doors, which closed behind him. She then looked at Prism. "Does he know?"

Prism took a moment to think. "N-no. He doesn't have any idea. And if he did, he didn't let it show."

Celestia leaned down to her level and raised an eyebrow. "Does. He. Know?"

Immediately, Prism shook her head quickly from side to side. "No, he doesn't. I swear. Why would I lie to you? Why would he not tell you if he did know?"

The princess returned to her upright position and looked over at her sister with a sigh. "I trust his words. And what he didn't say also has merit."

The throne room's occupants waited in idle chatter about whether or not to trust Link and Prism at their words. Saber entered the side wearing all of her armor and her two swords at her sides. "You beckoned, Princesses?" She bowed in respect before them before turning her glance to Prism. "Oh... You're back." Saber raised her head and looked at Celestia. "Is she to stay in this form as I apply the restraint?"

"The answer to that is two-pronged. One: she is to return to her Polaris Guard form. And two-"

Luna looked irritated at her sister. "No. Sister, hear me. Link may have trusted her, and she may have returned to our side. But that, by no means, should not give her the right to be here without the collar." Luna turned to Saber. "Reapply the restraint."

"Wait. She has shown to be useful to Link. And she did not once try to run away. These two facts alone has earned my... partial trust." She also turned to Saber. "Do not apply the restraint."

"But even so, she is not one of us, nor shall she be, in any form. Apply it."

"She proved that her heart is with us. Don't apply it."

Saber scratched her head. "So, uhm... Do I, or..."

Prism decided to put her two bits. "If you two can't agree, I'd be fine with getting the restraint..."

Luna spoke first. "You do not get the choice!"

"Yes, she does actually," Celestia argued. Her gaze shifted to the pony in question. "It is with her support that Link may now complete his original mission. I believe she deserves something in the way of a reward."

"As do I, but complete freedom is too much too soon." Luna turned to Prism. "If you truly wish to reward her, allow her to return to her post as before."

Celestia let out a sigh. "Steel Saber... Can you return her to her quarters? We may be some time before we come to an agreement."

"Shall I stay with her was well?" Celestia nodded. "Very well. By your leave." She and Prism exited the grand hall.

The two leaders of Equestria discussed at great length what should come of Prism's efforts. She was to return to the princess' side, with Saber to monitor her, without the restraint. However, as she was already seen by others as an earth pony, so she would have to remain until such a time came when she had to transform into one of the other two races.

Upon hearing this news, Polaris - as she had changed back into the royal guard - could barely hold her excitement as she went back with Saber to her post by the side of the princess.

"Time-out time-out time-out!" Twilight said, screeching to a stop after being hit and sliding. She dispelled her sword and took a seat. "Okay, so... I kinda got the hang of it... But you're too fast for me to keep up with."

"And when you catch me, the others at the tournament are gonna be a cakewalk. Unicorns have a charge time a noticeable length longer than mine." She landed and stuck her stick in the ground. "And you'll see just what that is when you get there. As for the intuition part, the instinct to predict where I'll show up, I'm sure Link can explain it better when he gets here, if not show you how to develop your own."

"I'd prefer to just use a barrier if I can." Twilight sighed and stretched.

"Bad choice, that." Ruby walked over. "Barriers are nice and all, but you're already using magic to wield a sword. I mean, you could choose one or the other and conserve, but if it were me, I'd much prefer to use a sword than a shield." She stretched a little. "But that's just me."

Twilight stretched with her. "I just don't think I'll be ready for the tournament. I saw some good competition when I was at the tryouts. These guys have been training months for this. I have days."

"And we're gonna make you as battle-ready as we possibly can in this short amount of time." Emmy patted Twilight's shoulder. "Ruby and myself, and Link when he gets here."

Ruby finished her stretch and stood, flipping her mane back. A few embers flew from her mane as she did. "Until then, you are my opponent. Take a break, Emerald. My turn."

Twilight stuttered. "H-h-hold on there..." The others looked at her with worry. "I just have a question: Is martial combat allowed?"

"What, like punches and kicks?" Emmy asked. Twilight nodded. "Well, yeah, but... The unicorns who fall back on that are few and very far between."

"I want to learn how."

"You don't have the time to learn all that before the tournament. I mean, if you can multitask, you can watch me and Ruby spar while you're taking a short break from sparring with Link." Emmy tried to explain. "But if you were to devote a segment of your time to training in martial combat, you'd be taking time away from learning what's really important."

"You have a good point..."

"Besides," Emmy continued, "Rainbow might be a better pony to ask about stuff like that. She's always been a fighter."

Ruby frowned. "But... We fought..."

"And let's face it, neither of us are very good at fighting." Ruby agreed with a slow nod. "And besides, Dashie's waaaaay more qualified as a teacher. She's almost a black belt last I heard."

Twilight shrugged. "I guess you're right. Doesn't have to be right away I suppose."

"Couldn't be right away anyway. We're here to make that sword of yours your main weapon." Emmy nodded at Ruby. "Alright. Lay on!"

Twilight hopped to her hooves and prepared herself for Ruby's attacks. Her training continued...

Link returned to Ponyville later that day. Tired from his trip, and requiring to keep up his appearance before the princess, he was finally able to let himself relax on the train ride home. Once embarked for the library, he walked with purpose, ready to train Twilight in the finer arts of swordsmanship.

So the day went. Link trained Twilight in the finesse of shifting through the stances, popular counter swings he's done in fights prior, and some entry level skills on how to control the flow of battle. She followed along as best as she could.

The day ended with a nice dinner. Link described his day, Twilight described hers, then they all went to bed. Emmy and Link stayed up and wrote in their journals. His was his seventh.

Today was busy. Returned the Second Commander to the castle in Canterlot, took the train both ways and then trained Twilight in swordplay. She's getting better, but we only have a week. Results may vary.

I have obtained the last of my keys with the Second Commander's assistance and can set out after the tournament is finished. I will hope for Twilight's victory.

I don't feel right, lying to the princesses, but I trust in Torren.

Morning greeted them with a shining sun. Twilight's training started with Link's stretches, and followed up with Emmy's training with Link's coaching. Ruby stepped in for her bits every two hours. Link stayed with them and offered words of advice when they were needed.

By the end of the day, Twilight was exhausted, physically and spiritually. She had made noticeable leaps and bounds in progress compared to the first day of training. To the point where no matter how she tried, not a single ember could reach Twilight's coat. None of Emmy's strikes got through to reach her, through prediction and raw instinct. That, and with the two of them working in tandem.

At the final hour, Link joined the fray with a stick and fire of his own. With the three of them going against Twilight, she was pushed to her breaking point, though still managed to get a feel for what the real combat scenarios will be like.

Good thing the next day was one of rest.

Epona had been absent the past few days over on Aj's farm. Due to a surprise appearance by Emmy, Epona was tasked with double-counting the barn's tools. The other of the time was spent counting apples, or cleaning the farm.

Ruby tended to her project. The one she had been working on since she came to visit. Thankfully, she'd have a great amount of progress by the time the tournament started, so she could watch from the stands..

Emmy spent the morning in a sort of meditation. Because of that, she went into the quiet reading room, so she had no distractions.

Twilight woke near nine. Well rested, she gave a stretch just off the bedside to get her muscles back into working order. After a few minutes, she'd go downstairs to find Link on the couch.

The chores were already done. Link was restless over the night and didn't get much sleep. "You've got a big day tomorrow. Hope the other's lodging works out."

"It should," she replied, sitting in her chair with a sigh. "Let's see... You're with me. Emmy is taking in Epona, and I am asking a fellow competitor to house Ruby if she hasn't filled the spot with somepony else yet," she recounted.

Link smiled and shuffled in his seat. "Last day of rest before the tournament. How do you feel?"

"Nervous!" she blurted. "Uhh, sorry." She adjusted. "I'm a little nervous. It'll be the first time actually being in a competition where literally everypony could be better than me." Twilight smiled. "But thinking about it on the second level, these unicorns are skilled. And I get the opportunity to compete with them."

"That's a good way of looking at it. I like that way. I may use that later." He chuckled. "Wish I could compete in this. I missed the cut-off on the count of being a pegasus."

"That, and you're one of the royal guard. What rank are you again?"

"With the recent promotion, Corporal."

"Right," she understood.

"Besides, that's a bit of a non-issue. If I go off-duty, I can sign up as a non-official and compete as a civilian." He thought a fair bit. "It'd be no contest anyway."

"That confident, eh?" He nodded with a smile. "Wish I had that. What do you say about that, Epona?"

Epona looked up from her book. "Huh? Oh, uhh..." She hesitated. "Y-yeah, he's great." The other two looked at her. "What?"

And so the morning went. Emmy was retrieved around noon for lunch, plans about bunking were discussed with the others when they came in and even Ruby pitched her thoughts on it. They ate, drank and enjoyed each other's company for their final day before the tournament. Upon its end, Twilight felled her head upon the pillow, to dream of the fights ahead.

In the meadow within the woods stood the alicorn of darkness. He peered into the middle of three black mirror portals before him. It revealed Twilight, asleep in her bed. "The sun will rise of the tournament tomorrow. I look forward to seeing how well you fare, Twilight."

Then to the left. The fire earth pony was asleep in Link's bed for the night. "Ruby..." His horn lit up. "You must hate me for what I put you through. All those townsfolk throwing things at you, calling you names... But there is one grace: Emerald. The one you would call Emmy. She, who stood by you when you fell, opposed. Know that if she were to betray how you felt about the stallion in the woods, it would throw you into a fit of uncontrollable rage." He closed the portal and dimmed his horn.

The right portal displayed Emerald, asleep on a cloud just outside the library's canopy. As with Ruby, his horn lit up as he cast his gaze into it. "Emerald. Dearest pupil, and closest friend. It means a lot to me that you voluntarily sought me out. That you call me 'Master'. As I cannot leave this forest, I would have you defend me out there. You know I only mean to be beneficial to you and your friends. Yet there are some among them that do not see me as you do. Please... I don't ask that you try to change their mind. I only ask that you defend your own opinion of me, and oppose those who believe otherwise." His horn dimmed and the portal closed.

His sight drifted to the only portal remaining: Twilight. His horn brightened a black glow as it did twice before. "Dream me a dream, sweet little Twilight. Of a time and place torn between red and green. See the line between them blur as the two colors clash and spark. Watch on as you are helpless to stop them, paralyzed by the fear of what the two could do to you if you get between them. Be frozen, unable to take action as the chaos ensues." His horn's blacklight died down and the portal closed.

The alicorn hovered up to the luscious green branch and kicked back, pouring magic into a wind instrument. "Ahh, to be out there in the world again... But alas, the illusion must be kept for the sake of the bit. In time, I will be free to come and go. But for the time being, here I must stay..." He cautioned a glance to the starry night sky. "The only wild card is Link, but he'll be too busy being torn between his duty and his sister." He closed his eyes and whistled along to the forest's melody.

Geez, sorry for the wait. I've been working on this every few days on my work breaks, but there was just so much I had to do in here. Thoughts? Concerns? Hit me.