Chapter 26

The dungeon remained otherwise quiet, Slurry still steaming from her earlier conversation with the "Princess". Another pegasus, a silver and white mare, talked with Slurry briefly and joked about how Sandstone (was that the big guard's name?) missed her while she was down here. Slurry's responses were unappreciative, and the silver mare hurried off to her next errand, leaving Twilight once again alone with her guard. She carefully rose to all four hooves, trying to keep her chains from making too much noise and further irritating the guard. She saw one of the pegasus' ears twitch and paused.

"Don't let me stop you from eating," Slurry snarked without turning her head. "You should find this delightful, there's actually dried fruit in your oatmeal. Not my idea."

Twilight chose not to comment on her food. She hadn't touched it yet; she was more tired than hungry, mind still turning on her prior conversation with Slurry. Princess Celestia made it sound like Equestria was in full harmony, but these tales disturbed her. How could other ponies abuse their talents like that? Being in charge was responsibility enough. She thought again of the leaders that Slurry cursed and insulted, recalling some stories she had heard at the Armoring Ceremonies. Each of these leaders had reputations, but meeting someone who was actually there changed her perspective. If indeed these leaders were abusing their station, there should be something formally done. Slurry claimed her voice was never heard in Canterlot - written reports arrive by the bushel so her statement had merit.

"Princess Celestia needs to hear these stories," she began carefully. "She would see that those who wronged you are punished."

Slurry glanced back. "Of course she would," the sarcastic retort, "She'll be more than happy to help a mudbat who's working for her evil brother. And I know what you're trying to do - I don't have a heartstring left to pull. Releasing the 'Unworthy' on the world is nothing short of treason, so then I'll have three alicorns after my hide."

"I wasn't even aski-"

"Of course not," a third voice interrupted. Twilight froze.

Strife strode confidently down the stairs, whip once again draped around his neck. "I will be on my way shortly, but I can always make time for our overprivileged guest."

"I could use the break," Slurry shrugged and trotted back upstairs, leaving Twilight alone with this lone Spellbreaker.

The alicorn shivered at his gaze, shivered harder at the sight of the whip. He savored that fear as he took his time unlocking the cell door. "It warms my heart to see you cowering before me. A shame I cannot stay long."

She tried to find courage, but most came with the reflex to cast and sparks from the Lyrium. "Why do you stay here, then?" She strained. "Working for what you hate so much....."

"I have my reasons. Seeing you struggle under the shackles' power is one of them." The whip once again slipped free from his neck. "But that's not enough, I want more."

"I know your agenda doesn't stop with me. I know you won't stop with just seeing Princess Celestia and Princess Luna out of power...."

Strife spat at Twilight's feet. "I'll let your imagination enjoy what my plan might be." He almost casually looped the whip around one hoof. "Equestria does not need magic to turn, does not need magic to guide the sun or moon, does not need magic to guide the seasons or tides. It oppresses the trees and placebos the animals into thinking things are 'perfect'. They're blind to the truth, and Slurry is the first non-earth pony to see that, despite her yoke."

"'Yoke'?"

"That pretty little collar a gift from her master. I accept no such gifts, much as I do not accept your teacher and her sister as absolute rulers!" The whip slapped across her back. "But who will believe you?" The whip bit at her foreleg. She bit down hard not to scream, but a whimper still escaped her. "I'm thankful that you will fester here while the world changes! What 'friends' have come for you? Your 'underlings'? Your 'great teacher'?" He continued to strike her across the legs and back, occasionally freeing what few feathers remained on her wings. "Your mighty 'friendship' means nothing in the grand scheme of Equestria. 'Magic' has oppressed us for far too long! May you continue to wilt in this dark corner and your bones sink deep into the rocks here for someone to see a thousand years from now!" The whip barely slowed in his tirade, Twilight continuing to crumple.

"Your.... word... against... mine... " She managed before the whip found its way around her horn.

"I will savor the sight of our banner being raised all through Equestria," he hissed to her. "I will savor the victory of Spellbreak. I will savor seeing all of your kind in chains, under the hooves of those who know this world better than anypony else."

"My.... word......" she attempted again.

"Who is the prisoner here?" He demanded as the whip slid off her horn and wrapped around her neck. "Be thankful you're more valuable alive, or this would be our last encounter. Should by some unlikely miracle that you do escape, you will be my first, second and third target..... even if you are my last!"

The whip fell away, leaving Twilight to slump to the floor. She barely moved when the cell door slammed shut behind Strife.

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"One twitch, two twitch, red twitch, blue twitch....."

Pinkie puzzled the new fits her Pinkie sense gave her. They were similar to ones she had shortly after Twilight was kidnapped, but not as strong. Ear flaps, mane poofing, a twinge in her foreleg and a shiver from her snout to her tail.

"Is it about Twilight, or tomorrow?" Fluttershy asked as she looked up from her reading. "I don't think your Pinkie sense tells you that, does it?"

Pinkie blinked over at the quiet pegasus. "It didn't say. All I know is that it really isn't ninjas, that usually has eye-crossing."

Fluttershy's next question was interrupted by a hail of fish-shaped crackers. "Those fishy twitches are wondrous distractions!" Discord almost goaded Pinkie. "I should really try to read them closer." He was suddenly dressed in doctor's gear, examining Pinkie with a stethoscope. "There's no cure for Pinkie sense, but perhaps the symptoms and side effects might be researchable."

Pinkie didn't flinch. "They just happen and I don't really worry about them. It wasn't a 'doozy' so if it was about Twilight she's probably okay! I don't have to worry about that!" She smiled into the stethoscope.

Discord nodded in approval as he listened to the smile. "Hmm.... hope does spring eternal, that's a good sign."

Fluttershy finally approached the pair. "I'm just worried they're talking about war. And sometimes brothers and sisters can be really stubborn about things."

"Oh, if this is about Lapis, he really IS harmless. Wouldn't hurt a hair on her hide. Your princess is still quite safe."

"But Twilight is still kidnapped, I don't think that's really.... safe."

"Tut, tut." Discord waggled a talon and a small bump appeared on the yellow pegasus' left cheek. "No worrywarts here. This one's curious little sense brought some good news, so at least enjoy the snacks for now." He used his paw to scoop up the fish crackers into a small kettle that he served between the ponies. "Let's just say there's some things that *I* know that I shouldn't tell -"

"Ooh Ohh! Tell me! Tell me! Tellmetellmetellmetellme!" Pinkie bounced around the draconoequus.

"Shouldn't you tell that secret to Princess Celestia or Princess Luna....?"

"Oh, THEY know, they just don't want to say anything! Here, I'll tell you......" He dramatically leaned in toward the pegasus as Pinkie stopped bouncing.

"Aww, I want to know too...."

The chaos creature hesitated. "Then it wouldn't be a secret, now would it?"

"Not even for a Pinkie Promise?"

A cupcake appeared on the earth pony's head. "This secret was only for Fluttershy's ears," he insisted as little yellow ears erupted in another bowl next to Discord.

Pinkie's expression turned more serious as she gathered the confection. "Cross my heart, hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye!" The cupcake unceremoniously ended up between her eyes.

"Hmm..... it's really something I should not tell, should not tell, should not tell....." he skipped around her, tossing the extra Fluttershy ears like flower petals.

"I make promises and I can't break em. They're my promises, right?"

Discord paused, satisfied. "Very well. Gather closer, my little ponies, as this goes no farther than you."

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Luna's mind and heart shivered as she raised the moon that evening. She knew that her brother was out there, still planning, still preparing. His irrational anger and disdainful commentary continued to worry her. She knew he was coming to Canterlot. She knew he would not come alone. Why must there be more conflict? She's home, she's reunited with family, he can do the same.

"Princess Luna, the Phalanx soldiers have all reported, except for our guardcaptain Gallant Lionheart."

She hesitated, hearing Lionheart's station spoken with utter disdain. "Snapdragon, are there not enough conflicts to face without having to look inside our own walls?"

Snapdragon did not move. "Emerald Charm and I have served you with loyalty that should have rivaled your past soldiers. Even Tower Shield would be impressed, would he not?"

"He would be impressed that you passed his trial before sunset," she replied coolly without turning away from the evening sky. "Lionheart can have his rest, as he has been disturbed during the day over the last several days. Dreamcarver and Hazard Watch will also need their rest."

"Dreamcarver was with you, Princess Luna, when...."

"I wish not to speak of that encounter. All the Phalanx needs to know is that tomorrow will not be easy for anypony. Split the shifts among those Phalanx still awake, as they will likely be needed tomorrow before sunset."

"Am I issuing this order, or should I attempt to awaken our poor guardcaptain?" The statement barely growled out as magic snared his wing and twisted.

"Your concerns with Lionheart are well documented. This order is coming from me, as I outrank him as his superior. I leave you to organizing as necessary, but sleep for all will be at a premium."

Snapdragon winced but said nothing, merely nodding in acknowledgement of the order.

"Be on your way," she finished as his wing was released.

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Sonja's footing remained sure before the unforgiving winter that surrounded her small group. The lodestone stubbornly pointed north, her only guide in the dark, numbing evening that had fallen. She glanced behind her regularly; none had strayed. "Everypony start looking to the horizon!" she called over the howling winds. "The lights of the camp and Empire are the only light for miles. We should hope that Night Watch has her namesake duty in hoof."

The others nodded, squinting into the white darkness. "Who knows how well the light travels in this storm? Only in clear weather could anypony see for miles."

"Reflections off the snow might change our course," Sonja replied, glancing down at her lodestone. "This is our only key. Once the light and the stone match, then we will know our destination. Stay strong."

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Slurry wandered back down to the dungeon area once the sun had set. She heard about the little "Get together" that Desert Sun planned and while it wouldn't run late nor would there be too much eating or drinking, it still wasn't quite what Slurry wanted the night before such an important event. She planned on attending; Sandstone would drag her outside otherwise. Ichor had offered a skeleton crew of guards during the festivities, but they wouldn't be in place until the celebrations began.

The pegasus still had a lot on her mind. She figured Twilight's "offers" were more desperation for freedom than any sincere offer to help. She had surmised, correctly, that Twilight had met all these leaders without an ounce of knowledge of their past transgressions. Slurry was even less surprised at how little she truly knew of the dark underbelly of Equestria politics. She frowned deeper; how much longer could those corrupted nags stay in power?? Is she the only one reporting them, or is there enough collusion that her complaints have been "Filed" for tinder?

She knew that Violet, Silver, Hatchet and Cloud Slayer would clean up the weather while Dustmite, Sandstone and Night Ash used the refuse from the destroyed lab to set up the bonfire. Desert Sun would start festivities with a "bang" (her words). Morning Star "supervised" while Lapis himself prepared a special meal for everypony. Ichor was likely already outside; she couldn't hear Sweetpea's babbling, making her recall the odd word she used... "Dahgosee?" "Dahagosi"? Shaking both words out of her mind, she stopped first to check the troughs to see if the poor prisoner had at least tried to eat.

A muffled groan traced her ear as she noted the troughs completely untouched. A glance into the cell explained both - Twilight lay barely conscious in the cell, fresh blue streaks on her body. She hastily unlocked the door, recalling that no one had checked on her since Strife left. Why didn't anypony else come down here? Strife could have killed her! Twilight groaned again, an attempt to speak. "Quiet," Slurry hissed, "last thing I need is somepony else down here thinking I took a turn at torturing you."

"You... you came back..?"

"Somepony should have been here sooner," she snapped more toward her allies. "Strife did this, didn't he?" Twilight nodded. "He had to give you one last lashing before he left, didn't he?" Another nod. "Stay with me." A slightly stronger nod. "No. You need to talk. Talk to me. One nod might be you nodding off on me."

"I..."

"Look at me," Slurry ordered as quietly and firmly as she could muster. Only then did the alicorn raise her head, violet eyes slightly clouded and unfocused. Twilight could see the pegasus' stern gaze lacked the malice she had seen during Strife's angry tirade. She blinked slowly, letting out one more breath as the room lost focus.

"I said look at me, Princess," Slurry repeated, a mixture of an order and a plea. "I swear, I thought Strife actually cared about something other than himself..... propaganda, all of it..." A wing opened and curled around Twilight, giving her something to fall against in a first attempt to stand. She stumbled a few times before settling to her knees, her own wings unable to help her stabilize. The bluish wounds on her body glowed in defiance of her consciousness, making Slurry angrier at Strife. "Only he could make me feel bad for a princess or any leader."

"I...." Twilight exhaled again, lowering her head. The wing remained around her, bringing faint memories of Celestia doing the same for her. Only now did the tears finally fall, the exhaustion and pain and frustration boiling over into quiet sobs. Slurry had to look away for a moment; too familiar, too similar emotions. She pulled her wing closer, a comforting gesture foreign to the pegasus' normal routine. She seated herself so that Twilight could lean closer, letting the emotion drain away. Her wing remained in place, flinching slightly as she felt Twilight once again starting to go limp.

"Uh uh," Slurry scolded, "If you're done crying, you can start talking. I told you my story..."

Twilight gathered herself, once again looking up to the pegasus. "But I'm - "

"A broken mess, just like I am. No thanks to 'leaders' like - "

"Like Silver Viceroy," Twilight interrupted quietly. "He hired you based on pictures. He wanted a trophy mare."

"And he was never punished."

"Or Lady Willowreed," Twilight continued as she caught her breath, "Who was jealous of your looks, blackmailing you into keeping silent when she changed it so she would look prettier."

"She was never punished."

"Oaken Laurel probably offered, too conveniently, to fix your mane but all he fixed was your coat. Probably because he thought it was 'funny'."

"He hasn't been punished either."

Twilight took another deep breath. "Alabaster changed your wings because she didn't like pegasi....."

"I let her, actually, but she wouldn't change them back. She's never been punished."

"Red Cedar promised - and I think he meant it - to fix you. He's not strong enough of a caster, he needed help but couldn't lose face..."

"Which is why he strung me along. I don't know if he should be punished or not."

Twilight finally steadied herself in her seat. "Outside of Alabaster, did I get any of that wrong?"

It was Slurry's turn to exhale, eyes closing and wing pulling back to her side. "Not even Lapis put all that together. And with all the spells knotted together, it's not like it can be undone with one spell. At least that's what I'm getting from the other unicorns, who at least tried..." she rolled her shoulders a couple of times. "Not like I can reach back and bite the stupid thing off, either."

Twilight almost found a smile from the statement, the sarcasm helping the mood. The smile never came, as her eyes caught small scars around the wing that was protecting her. "Did Alabaster try to remove your wings?"

"No, but I tried pretty hard."

"I know I can make those go away....." Twilight looked to the chains. "Not right now, though. And I don't want you in trouble."

Slurry finally stood. "What would Lapis do? Make me look worse?" A hoof raised up toward the gem on her necklace. "He could make me a bigger mess." She pressed on the gem, and turned into mange-ridden, flea-bitten shaggy pony. "Or make me old," she continued, tapping the gem to turn herself into the proverbial 'old grey mare'. "Or maybe he'd think the ultimate insult would be him turning me into you." Another tap, another change. Slurry even matched the damaged wings and Lyrium wounds. Slurry then glanced down to her necklace. Did it deliberately turn her into "injured" Twilight when she touched the gem, or was it simply seeing her that way? She thought again about her bat wings, her muddy colors. It was too familiar, too similar. Twilight Sparkle was a princess, but had been treated much the same as Slurry had over the years. Twilight had the misfortune of it all compressed into a couple of weeks. The pegasus looked up again, noting Twilight's stare now focused to her. The wounds, the wings, the scarred horn. Slurry realized that while Twilight had felt the immense pain inflicted on her, given she had spent her entire stay at Drakengard confined to darkness, this was the first time she could see the legacy this pain had left upon her body. The pegasus couldn’t help but notice Twilight’s eyes, the mute disbelief, the unspoken plea,the weary gaze all told the same story that Slurry had tried to tell so many others, all dismissed as exaggeration and calling timberwolf.

"Neither one of us wants that, meaning you or me," "Twilight" said as Slurry restored her form.

"So can't you just use that to make yourself.... yourself again?"

"It's not permanent. Why bother if it's not going to stick?"

"It can be," Twilight replied with confidence.

Slurry paused once more. She ran that scenario through her mind a few times, eyes locked on Twilight. "You're supposedly some genius of magic. Can YOU fix this? Or would you teleport away the moment you were freed?"

"You've been through enough already. And if I can't, I know somepony who can."

"Somepony who's moved the sun and moon for a thousand years... will that happen before or after I'm locked up for what's going to start tomorrow?"

"I'd be your voice of amnesty," Twilight paused. "I just realized I've never heard your name."

"Slurry. You're a smart princess, you know exactly why."

"You don't look like leftover clay or coal. That name doesn't suit you."

"It's all I have left."

Twilight lowered her head, eyes falling to the Lyrium shackles. "That's more than I have...."

One last glance upstairs before the pegasus leaned in as close as she dared to Twilight. "Can. You. Fix. This?" she growled. "Will. You. Fix. This?"

Twilight did respond, but her voice was drowned out from an explosion outside, followed by cheers and laughter. Slurry nodded to the princess. "Somepony will be checking on you later tonight."

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Desert Sun ignited the festivities - literally! - by setting off an explosion to start the bonfire. All of the wooden debris from the damaged forges and lab blossomed into a a brilliant red and gold blaze that mirrored her coat. The rest of Wildforce had assembled with marshmallows and other treats to heat and share. Even Ichor and Sweet Pea arrived, sitting a safe distance from the blaze. Lapis watched his allies celebrating a final evening before the most important day of their short lives. He tried desperately to smile for Desert Sun as she pranced up to him and flopped by his side. "There now," she cheered. "Something to get everypony relaxed and sleeping well into the morning."

"A blossoming red flower," he replied, "that waves in the unfelt winds, and only listens to those who have tamed it."

She giggled. "Not so serious, luv, this is a celebration."

The pegasi added a slight breeze to the bonfire, flying dangerously close to it in a display of agility and aerobatics. Violet Force and Silver Shimmer showing off, Hatchet and Cloud Slayer daring each other to get closer still. Night Ash stirred the flames with her magic, a spark or two catching her airborne compatriots; all in good fun. Slurry and Sandstone watched nearby, and Dustmite bounced around them to encourage the two to join in. Lapis merely listened to the cheers and levity. The music of everypony's excitement did make him feel a lot better about the following day. He listened to genuine laughter, festive banter and enthusiasm of his cohorts. The warmth of the fire, the warmth of his betrothed at his side staved off the cool of the evening. The warm expressions as the others glanced back at their leader continued to melt at his cold heart. The comfort let him lean in closer to Desert Sun, who paused in her laughter at the pegasi's antics.

"Sleepy already, luv?"

"You've asked me to 'relax'. Is this correct?"

She erupted again with laughter. "None of that! You are still enjoying the night even if you -" she stopped as he nodded to her. She nosed at his ear. "I know you're enjoying this. WE know you're enjoying this."

"I should at least show it," he replied as he pushed back to all four hooves. All of the celebrants turned to him.

o/` Let's make tonight a simple celebration
Knowing tomorrow we throw caution to the wind!
Here's a chance for all to let their manes down
To dream of Canterlot on its knees again o/`

Violet Force, Silver Shimmer and Cloud Slayer picked up on the song.

o/` We'll take our chance to shine - ambition ain't a crime
Take a chance to fly - Stage a Battlecry
Take our chance to shine - ambition ain't a crime
Take a chance to fly - it's Time! o/`

Hatchet's voice roared over them in the chorus

o/`Tonight - we'll ride it like a rollercoaster high as we can go tonight
Tonight - we'll find a way to cast more shadows in the day! TONIGHT! o/`

Lapis gave Hatchet a curious look as the pegasus landed.

o/` We're gonna dance like it's our final hours
The music's loud enough to wake the dead tonight! o/`

He grinned in Ichor's direction and continued.

o/` Come and join us! Set the world on fire!
We're gonna watch it burn to see if the sun will rise! o/`

Desert Sun added to the bonfire on cue from the lyrics as the pegasi repeated their refrain.

o/` We'll take our chance to shine - ambition ain't a crime
Take a chance to fly - Stage a Battlecry
Take our chance to shine - ambition ain't a crime
Take a chance to fly - it's Time! o/`

o/`Tonight - we'll ride it like a rollercoaster high as we can go tonight
Tonight - we'll ride like the wagon's stolen, fast as we can go tonight
Tonight - we'll find a way to cast more shadows in the day! TONIGHT! o/`

The music and laughter floated back into Drakengard, where Twilight could only listen. She sighed and tried to get some rest.

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No such celebrations could be heard in the woods east of Canterlot. The Spellbreakers were restless, watching Canterlot from a safe haven. As Salvino faded in and out of consciousness, Belmonte paced feverishly around the perimeter. Silverback remained at Salvino's side.

"Pacing will not bring Strife here any faster, Belmonte," Silverback cautioned as the light green pony passed him. "With or without him, we should enter Canterlot once the battles begin."

"He's taking his sweet bucking time," Belmonte groused. "How is Lord Salvino?"

"He's asleep again, may he sleep through the night and rise with the sun."

The group as a whole turned to their leader, wrapped tightly in a Lyrium-soaked blanket. His eyes had slowly sunken in during the journey, and his mane matted and fell over his ears. The blue tinges of his coat had faded, and with that most of his personal energy. Belmonte snorted to himself before continuing his patrol.Silverback kept his seat despite Belmonte's ire, looking to his fading leader. The others returned to their rest or their watches. He sighed, wishing there was more he could do. The patriarch of Spellbreak at least rested quietly, no dreams disturbing him. No one at the camp would put it past the Princess of the Night to attack him at his weakest! Was it arrogance that she did not try?

Belmonte's ears caught the approaching hoofsteps. He quickly gathered his whip and watched for the approach, signalling with his tail for the others to take cover. Silverback slunk in front of Salvino, readying his whip as well.

Strife could be seen galloping toward the camp, breathing hard from the run. Given the late hour and distant location, stealth was optional but speed a necessity. Belmonte almost whipped him anyway as he slid to a stop at the edge of the camp, panting.

"Finally let out of your cage?" Belmonte took advantage of Strife's exhaustion to get in the first word. "Did the mighty alicorn give you new marching orders? Or should I say, 'prancing orders'?"

Strife's whip responded for him, Belmonte catching with his own. "Your fantasy of those spellcasters and weather-twisters helping us should not change your mind."

"They strike tomorrow.... in daylight..." Strife heaved. "Their arrogance.... but lots of backup....."

"'Backup'? There are more involved?"

"Let him breathe, Belmonte, he has likely run for hours. Someone bring him water."

"No water for this stray!" Belmonte ordered as loud as he dared. "What 'others', Strife?"

"Phalanx," he managed after a couple of gulped breaths. "Skeleton ponies. Undead. We are to focus on the Solars and the alicorns only."

"More magical nonsense!"

"Belmonte, calm yourself." Silverback gathered his own canteen so that Strife could drink. "Patience is thin here, we worry for Salvino's health."

Strife drained the canteen before turning to his leader. "Lord Salvino....?" He whispered. "Was he poisoned?"

"The very air poisons him!" Belmonte exclaimed. "The unicorns! The pegasi! The magic is in the very air he breathes. The Lyrium protected him from this, but even what supplies we have are compromised to keep him alive. He insisted on this journey, and we will have him see it through war's end."

"Our wise, calculating leader crumbling to dust because he emerged from his Lyrium bubble?" Strife spat. Belmonte raised his whip again as a warning. "Look at his husk, Belmonte. Why have you not buried it?"

"How dare you....."

"Let him speak, Belmonte....."

All turned to hear the trembling words of their ailing leader. "Strife is correct. For too long I have been sealed off from the outside world. The Lyrium will not fail me. I will not fail any of you. Bring me to the alicorns as the battle rages."

"You're in no shape to fight!"

"To fight pointless battles against the drone soldiers, yes. But you will need me once the alicorns are gathered. The Lyrium within me, and all that you carry, must combine to settle the matter once and for all. Even if the last thing I see...... are the cowering stares of these so-called gods as they are cleansed from Equestria. That alone will be enough for my soul to begin its eternal wander."

Strife shifted uncomfortably, eyes still locked on Belmonte. "All this is, is a suicide mission?"

"No, Strife," Salvino whispered. "This is my destiny.... he who takes the mantle afterward will decide the fate of Spellbreak once the alicorns no longer rule......"

Silverback adjusted Salvino's blanket. "Please, Lord Salvino, rest. This is not the time to discuss our future."

"Equestria's..... future...." and Salvino drifted away again.

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The constant snow muffled the round-the-clock progression of tracks. Star Hunter was the only pegasus up this late, helping keep the railways clear as several earth ponies measured and placed. He continued to channel winds and snow away from the track path as teams of earth ponies would bring pieces and fit them in place. There wasn't much conversation, just get the work done.

With Snowcatcher resting, the earth pony named Night Watch oversaw duties. She and Siren slept in the same quarters with most of the other earth ponies, and unlike most he'd met, they kept to themselves. Night Watch seemed especially aloof, and tonight she appeared even more distracted. She rarely spoke to anypony else unless giving orders, and tonight she - and most of the camp - felt like it ran on autopilot.

Night Watch's gaze wandered south periodically as she kept the camp moving. One of the last group of earth pony arrivals had indicated the Spellbreak team would be arriving tonight or in the morning. She or Siren would have to meet them immediately; Snowcatcher would ask too many questions. The one pegasus on duty might be an issue as well; word around the camp was he was a strong and fast flier, and pretty accomplished with his weather skills. He'd kept his snout out of most of the earth ponies' business, so he might not be as big an issue as Snowcatcher.

She continued to look into the winter night, hoping that Sonja and the others were able to navigate through the bitter cold.

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Twilight stirred in her sleep, noting the revelry long ended. The dungeon seemed darker than usual; maybe just that faint hope that Slurry listened had taken some weight off her despair? She sighed to herself and dragged over to the troughs for the cold meal and fresher water.

She'd heard them singing about the demise of Canterlot. She had heard the hauntingly emotionless voice of that dark alicorn start the song, graciously and animatedly picked up by his followers. Did that not make him happy? She didn't hear him sing another word of the song. The laughter and screams of the pegasi had pecked at her ears and poked at her dreams. It only made her miss her friends more and more.

And tomorrow, it wouldn't matter. They would be storming Canterlot, and she had no way to warn them. Her magic stalled by the Lyrium, her wings plucked clean by one of those sadistic pegasi, her spirit completely broken since she could barely stand in the dank confines, much less see the stars or sun. She huddled on the blanket after her short meal, hoping she would return to sleep.

Her thoughts occupied her enough to mask the hoofsteps approaching the cell. Her eyes did open when she heard the crumbling of bones; she hadn't even noticed skeleton ponies were posted, probably by that lich pony. The cell door unlocked and swung open, making the alicorn shiver. The lich must have chosen to come back. Is it his turn to torture her? Her foggy mind raced over what little she knew of such powerful undead. She shut her eyes tight and prepared for her fate.

"I know your answer," a voice whispered to Twilight. "Everypony is asleep. This is my - I mean, our - chance."

It wasn't the distant, desiccated whisper of a shadow or a lich. She recognized the voice after a moment. "Slurry.....?"

"You're the first pony to listen to - and I mean 'listen' to my story. You didn't blow me off."

"Not like I could go anywhere or not listen....."

"But you did anyway. And when I said 'listen' I mean you actually cared enough to remember what I said. So now that everypony's asleep and I'm covering for Ichor's bone guards....."

Slurry's motions remained otherwise silent, short of her whispering justification. "You needed someone to listen," Twilight finally responded. "I think everypony else was afraid of you."

"Probably because they think Lapis found me hanging upside-down in a mine shaft." The pegasus carefully pulled off her necklace and placed it by the troughs. "I don't put up with much, including sympathy with no solutions. Promises haven't meant anything. All I've asked for is a solution."

"You have a resolve I wish I had.... I see a strong-willed pony who has had a lot put on her."

"The fact that you're not crying anymore looks like a good start," Slurry absently replied as she approached the alicorn. "I need you to hold very still."

"I'm not going any-"

"Stand. Still." Slurry shushed. "I'm no princess, so I don't get things like royal backing or a loud enough voice in court." She spread one of her giant wings and rested it firmly across Twilight's back. "There. You teleport away, I'm coming with you. Unless you want to be hunted down, you might not want to teleport. If you teleport away without me, I'll have all of Drakengard looking for you in two minutes. Do you understand?"

Twilight nodded nervously.

"Swear on anything and everything you hold dear. Because if we're teleported out, I'll thank you before I knock you out and bring you back here."

Twilight nodded again. "Now stand still."

The alicorn remained standing, watching as the pegasus finally reached toward the shackles with a hoof. "This will hurt," Slurry hissed. "Nothing I can do about it. I know Strife."

She pawed at the shackle a few times before a spark shocked them both. Twilight staggered, but steadied quickly before she was reprimanded again. Slurry shook out her short mane in frustration. "I was afraid of that."

"What do you mean?"

"They're on nice and tight. Even with you stuck down here, they haven't loosened any." Slurry snorted to herself before reaching down and attempting to loosen the shackle with her teeth. Another zap, but not as strong. Slurry grunted but continued working at the shackles to free Twilight.

"You said the spells were knotted together," Twilight queried as Slurry continued to work on the shackles. "Spell knots are a signature of Oaken Laurel's. He probably established the knot when you worked for him. Alabaster likely added her thread to the knot."

"It's not like a hoof-lace," Slurry finally responded as the first shackle fell away. "Probably looks like a Gourdian knot. Cutting it with a spell might lock everything in place. But if Oakhead tied it, that means it can be untied."

"Is that what the others were trying?"

"They wanted to loosen it first. Trying to see which strand was clear enough to be unthreaded, and maybe the rest would fall apart,"

Twilight mulled over those clues as Slurry continued with the shackles, pausing only a moment to switch wings. The princess knew that this pegasus' trust remained a bare minimum, even to those who she'd lived with in the recent years. She saw Slurry's determination in removing the shackles, interrupted every so often with a stern glare to keep her in place. Once a shackle felt loose enough, Twilight would slowly raise that leg, making sure that the shackle itself didn't clatter when it hit the ground. The faint 'clink' of the chains stalled them both, ears searching for another curious pony to arrive. Nothing. Slurry would then continue, wing pressing on Twilight's back to remind her not to teleport away.

While the wing on her back was firm, it actually comforted Twilight. Again, memories of Celestia's wing over her body keeping her standing still as Slurry completed removing all four shackles. Little shocks startled them both but nothing that would cause a gasp of pain. Twilight had one gasp of relief once the last shackle fell free, nearly falling to the ground beside it. She took several deep breaths, trying to do so quietly as Slurry stared her down.

"It's not like the shackles were draining you," Slurry chided. "They were just to 'shut you off', right?"

"Almost like holding your breath," Twilight responded as she slowly returned to her knees.

"Just don't breathe too hard or too loud. Too many ears in here." Twilight nodded affirmatively, then gestured with her head for Slurry to sit with her. The wing had not removed itself from Twilight's back, and the alicorn knew she wasn't completely out of the woods yet with the bat-winged pegasus. She glanced over the bracing wing, tentatively lighting her horn. Slurry flinched.

"It's the only way I can 'look' at the spell knot," Twilight explained.

"If there was another way, I'd ask." Slurry's gaze turned to the stairwell. "Night Ash doesn't wear her necklace to bed, and the other unicorns should be asleep. Still, keep your magic low in case somepony else chose not to sleep tonight."

Both mares shivered in unison. If Lapis were awake, he'd know and what then? Twilight knew Slurry didn't think there would be any worse consequences, so there she remained, wing still draped on her back. Twilight then remembered the blanket. "Here," she pointed with her horn. "It's not big, but we can both have a hoof on it while I study this knot. I need to be able to walk completely around you to follow the strands."

The wing reluctantly raised, allowing Twilight to pick up the blanket with her mouth. "Or I can drape it over both of us."

Slurry's reluctance answered Twilight as the wing returned to its place. Twilight then returned the blanket to the ground and stood on it. "There's only so far I can help you if you can't help me."

"Sounds better than 'there's nothing I can do for you. It can't be undone.' "

Twilight blinked at the statement; she recalled one of the statements from her nightmare a few nights ago. "Which one of the casters told you that?"

"Cedar. Then again, you said he wasn't really that good...."

"He probably didn't find any help. But I am trying to help you while there's still a chance for me to actually do it."

One of Slurry's hooves moved to the blanket, but her wing did not close. "Trust is a rare commodity. I thought you might have noticed it by now."

Twilight nodded before carefully focusing her magic on the knot. Through her careful casting the jumble appeared between Slurry's shoulder blades, about in the same spot as a saddle horn. It hovered and flickered with its own heartbeat, faint colors spilling away as each caster's magic continued to flow from it. "Oaken Laurel probably tied Silver Viceroy's and Lady Willowreed's spells together with his own. I don't know if the other casters were aware. Alabaster's shaping magic is threaded through here because of how much shaping magic actually needs to interact with the body. She deliberately added knots to this."

"So she really wanted this locked down?"

"Let's just say if she told you she was going to change you back, the amount of knots and double-knots tells me she was lying to you."

"So it can't be undone. Never mind."

"I didn't say that," Twilight insisted. "I just need to undo all of Alabaster's knots before I can do anything else. What your friends tried loosened some areas and tightened others. Had they focused on the same knots at the same time this would have likely just fallen off. I said I would fix you, and I will. This isn't going to be pleasant."

"What could be worse than feeling your cutie mark fade? Or awake while a broken wing was repaired?"

"Undoing all these knots. It would be easier if you sat on the blanket and closed your wing." Twilight opened one of hers to replace the connection.

Slurry reluctantly complied, already seeing the glow of Twilight's horn. The alicorn had her eyes closed, whispering a mantra as to keep the entire spell unheard and unfelt through the complex. The pegasus "felt" as each knot sent sparks of energy through her entire body. At first, they arced through her closed wings, which she knew had to stay shut. They quivered in reflexive protest, making Slurry grimace and shut her own eyes. Twilight's mantra and casting kept Slurry calm but not still as each knot was carefully undone, a new twinge to her back, her head, more to her wings, and back again. Twilight's wing did not move from its spot, centered directly under the very knot that had tied all of Slurry's feelings into a bundle and hidden them away. Each mantra brought a new sear, a new shock, a new itch. The pegasus refused to voice her pain, and was soon rewarded as it all melted away from her in a wash of almost ticklish magic. Not the magic that had made her an ugly mudbat, but magic that tried to warm the heart as the body could finally heal. She felt Twilight's wing press a little harder on her back; Slurry's eyes opened to Twilight sunken to her knees, sweating and breathing hard from the conflict of repressed casting, but still complete casting on a complicated mess that had confounded so many others for so long.

"Thank you..." Twilight wheezed. "For sitting so still. Once Alabaster's knots were untied, the rest could be undone......" she glanced up to Slurry. "Blue is a good color for you, by the way."

"Blue??" Slurry forgot completely about the connection and launched to her feet. She trotted in a circle to see for herself.

Gone were the muddy blotches; no more bat wings! She shook out her mane, feeling it cascade once more down her neck and touching her back. She spread her wings and gave them a few strong beats, more in curiosity than triumph. She looked down to her neck to make sure, once and for all, it was not the token necklace Lapis had given her. But indeed, everything "felt" right... she had to see for herself! She brushed quickly on the side of one of the troughs, getting enough of a polish to see her reflection.

Was that her? Was that truly her? A white and silver mane covering the back of her neck, a forelock just outside of her wide green eyes. Her blue coat interrupted in places with the same silver, the shade of clouds that debated rain. She looked once, twice, a third time to be sure! She spread her wings again, looking at the silvery feathers. She wanted to scream, to laugh, to cheer, to actually sing as all the others had done earlier in the night! One noise could bring all of Drakengard to see! She pranced about with her wings open, imagining cheers and celebration!

Her reverie interrupted by a sparking sound - she had forgotten about Twilight! Expecting her to have teleported away she wheeled back, only to see the alicorn wincing as she began standing in the discarded shackles. "I hope that's what you were looking for, Slurry."

The pegasus flapped her wings and closed them proudly. "You can call me Summerstorm now." She approached Twilight in more confusion than pride. "What are you doing? You should have been long gone...."

"I promised I wouldn't flee. Just be careful refastening the shackles."

Summerstorm stood before Twilight in complete consternation. She could have teleported out of Drakengard, at least to the base, and started running! Yet here she stood, keeping to her word, expecting to be locked right back up. "Fine," she finally replied. "I can't make it not hurt-"

"The residue from the spells won't fully dissipate for a few minutes, slu- I mean, Summerstorm."

The pegasus glanced up in tacit gratitude as she put the shackles back in place. "Try not to move too much, then. Those shackles won't be as forgiving."

"Will you be okay?"

"Only if I find a way to repay you......"

"We still have a few unicorns to round up, starting with Alabaster."

Slurry hesitated at "we", but said nothing more as she hastily locked Twilight up. She gathered her necklace and hurried back upstairs, a single glance of gratitude before disappearing.

Twilight nodded to herself in satisfaction, finally feeling her appetite coming back from even that bout of magical exertion. She raised a foreleg for her first step, only to see the shackle clatter to the floor. Hastily putting her hoof back in place, she leaned in on it to see that Slurry's rushed reshackling left the leg irons loose. For the first time since her arrival, a genuine smile appeared.

"Thank you.... Summerstorm."