Catalyst sat talking with Celestia, "... and through that, I was able to determine that the Balzac do indeed have magic, but it is subconscious in a way we have never seen before. It's a natural defensive mechanism. When they become agitated, their magic lashes out at the agitator. The target is perceived as a threat by all others around them due to the magic altering their perceptions. In this way, it makes perfect sense for the Balzac to have leaned on a near emotionless state for social stability. I spoke with Scrax about it and he had no idea he had any magic at all. It makes sense for a species with such a magical defensive mechanism to develop a counter for it, even if they had no idea why they did so. To them, it was a way to elevate themselves above animals, in reality, it was a way to stave off the adverse affects of their defensive magic." Catalyst leaned back on her haunches, "And THAT is why Full Spectrum became so angry, why your Guards did nothing to interfere after you held them off, and why nobody came to your defense either during or after her tirade. I was initially confused as to why Scrax' magic did not work against Sven when he first saw him, but then I had a thought. I scanned his magical reserves instead of just his magerium and discovered that his body was still recovering his magic, so that when he was frightened of Sven at first, his magic had nothing to work with, no fuel for the proverbial fire."

Celestia listened intently as Catalyst explained. The two mares were seated in Celestia's tent. The Arch Magister had barged into the tent while Celestia was sleeping and she had launched into her explanation as soon as the Alicorn was coherent.

Even after two days of the Gryphons throwing skulls into the pool of blood, they were still not finished. King Myrmidon had asked that the interior of the mountain fortress be temporary Sovereign Territory of Gryphonvale. Celestia and Luna had accepted the proposal. The situation with the Balzac was no longer their responsibility if the Gryphons felt strongly enough about the crime of their ancestors that they were willing to go to extreme lengths to see the situation rectified. Had it been almost any other species, the Alicorns would have declined, but the Gryphons had proven themselves and the strength of their character and judgement over thousands of years. Celestia and Luna trusted them a great deal.

Celestia nodded as Catalyst finished her explanation. She remained silent for several moments as she tilted her head back and looked toward the sky, hidden beyond the top of her tent. She considered many things, for there were a great many things she had to do. She hummed in quiet contemplation, quietly adding a tuneless melody to her inner turmoil and thoughts. Many things weighed on her mind and she gave thought to each of them in turn. She considered the captured Bloodmages and their plight. She considered the dead from the massacre of the Humans more than two years prior.

She considered all the dead who had perished because of the actions of so many more. She felt as though she was being torn in half. One half of her wanted to weep for joy at the possible lives that could be saved by using the pool of blood. There was the possibility of reviving so many innocent or brave souls that had perished in violence or neglect. Never before had there been a ray of hope for those who had died, and suddenly she had access to a resource which could do what she had thought to be impossible. The joy of so many could be brought about from the use of the blood pool. So many families reunited, so much pain could be pushed to the side or worked through. The possibilities were vast beyond mere words.

The other side of her feared the pool. Death was a natural part of life and life was the responsibility of the Natural Magic of the world. Life and death were not for mortals to toy with under any circumstances. Or were they? Given the proper level of responsibility and conducted in a careful manner, would it not be right to gain some small measure of control over life and death? Many had the potential to bring death to many, many more. Did they have the right to do so? Sapient beings had been engaging in violent conflict since before the written word had been established. It was natural for creatures to carry the potential for death. In countries outside of Equestria, predators killed prey and even some prey animals had the ability to deal out death if threatened. Would it not be merely the opposite side of the same coin to learn how to return life as well?

Legends told of ancient Unicorns who tied their souls to gems they carried with them so that if their bodies died, they could be found and returned to life if their body was repaired. Modern Unicorns had no idea how to do so, but the references in history books were so prevalent it could be nothing short of truth, if a long lost truth. Was the blood pool any different? Or did the Natural Magic of the world simply allow the knowledge to be lost to the sands of time because mortals were not to have such things? Even if they decided to use the pool to resurrect some of the dead, where did it end? At what point did they have to draw the proverbial line?

Celestia's heart ached at the choice and worse yet, she had many other pressing decisions weighing on her. The announcement of Chris' engagement to Luna had sparked protests in many cities all across Equestria. Many Ponies believed that their Alicorn Princess should only marry another Pony. Many also protested the first group, claiming that all sapient beings had the right to marry whomever they chose. Alicorns would surely outlive their partners so in a hundred years it would not be an issue. Celestia nearly chuckled at the secret she knew about Chris. He would be around for eons longer than most Ponies, barring only the most powerful.

The announcement of his and Luna's wedding mandated that he give up his New Humansville citizenship status and take on the role of Foreign Nationalized Prince Consort of Equestria and the nobles had nearly rioted when they heard about a Human being named a Prince of Equestria. Civil unrest had sprouted for the first time in many centuries and Celestia felt it was her fault. Then there was the issue of the brand new Changeling Hive that the two rogue Changelings had spoken about. Celestia had decided to leave the situation under the control of the Emissary Staff. They had a good deal of experience and though Changelings were not their area of expertise, they had more experience than almost any others who might be able to deal with the situation.

The thought gave her pause. Was that the answer? Was that the solution? Delegating important tasks to others so they could learn to solve problems on their own? Looking back at her own actions, she was again torn. Her lack of direct personal, peaceful intervention when the Humans arrived at first had caused a great deal of suffering. At the same time, personal growth, especially the growth of Ponies as a species, was her biggest objective. She still felt guilty for the lives lost during the massacre, there was much she could have done better. Bringing the Guards alone was a mistake, that much was clear. As soon as the former commanders began grumbling about their hurt pride, she should have stepped in and spoken to all of the Guards, then gone directly to the Humans and spoken to them. She cursed herself for having taken a reactionary role instead of a proactive one. If she had personally escorted the Humans to the field and ordered her Guards to help them, how much more smooth would the integration of the Humans have been? How much easier would it have gone had she just given them knowledge of Velensovth?

Celestia bit her lower lip. The correct decision was blurry and unclear. She carried the weight of enough deaths on her shoulders already. If she stepped back and delegated tasks to others, there might very well be even more deaths. If she stayed where she was and continued her personal intervention in situations, the growth of her subjects might stagnate, again. Ponies had lain stagnant for centuries, but the arrival of the Humans had obliterated that stagnation and jolted Ponies into further, faster development than she had even imagined possible.

It all came down to the same answer: either way, it was certain that lives would be lost amongst the mistakes made, no matter who made them and every one of those deaths would be because of her.

Use the pool or don't use the pool.

Step back, or stay put.

No matter what she did, she knew that somebody somewhere would suffer in some way and all of it would be her fault.

She closed her eyes and continued humming as she thought. The sound brought some tiny measure of peace to her tortured mind. Without opening her eyes, she spoke to the Arch Magister, "I wish to be alone please, Catalyst."

The black Unicorn mare decided not to press the issue. She rose to her hooves and departed the tent. As the flap of the tent closed, she was ignorant of the many tears sliding down the face of the ancient Alicorn she left behind.

* * *

Morning Mist wandered about the camp of the captured Bloodmages aiding to those she could. She had nothing to do but she was unwilling to leave her brother. Whether or not he hated her, he was still her brother. Her Rectifier friend nudged her side to get her attention. Morning Mist looked to her left, at the concealed mare, "What is it?" Her tone was friendly, but direct.

The Rectifier motioned away from the Bloodmage camp, "You need a break, Misty. You're going to overwork yourself. You skipped lunch and I am not letting you skip dinner too. Let's get some food and watch the Gryphons." The visible tip of the Rectifier's muzzle spread into a friendly grin, "I know how much you like seeing the Balzac being brought home." She nudged Morning Mist in the side again, "I know it reminds you of going home yourself. It cheers you up and I haven't seen you smile all day. I want to see you smile."

Morning Mist was glad for her friend, she had so few. She was awkward around the other students and rarely spoke to any of them. She had been shocked to see Princess Luna up close and she had definitely been shocked to see the man who had beaten her so badly, but thinking back, she understood. She had not emotionally or mentally been in a place where she could have heard what any of the Humans or other Ponies were really saying. She had grown accustomed to being drunk on the power she wielded. She could do anything she wanted and nothing could stop her... until something did. He stripped her of all her power and authority. He revealed the Pony underneath the bravado and cruelty. He had humbled her, brought her low. In the depths of her lowest point and faced with what seemed to be her own impending death, she uttered words she did not even understand at the time.

She had spoken from her heart of hearts instead of from her anger and bitterness. She had been forced to reveal how she truly felt, she was not even aware of how she felt at the time. He had brought her to a place where she was forced to confront her true self. She had been stripped bare of every one of the trappings of the persona she had created and embraced in her bitterness. She looked back on the ordeal with fear, but also with relief. She had dug herself into a hole so deep, she could not have escaped even if she wanted to. She had allowed her hate to blind her to reality. She wanted to thank him in a way.

Her Rectifier friend had spoken of the ordeal with very mixed feelings. She expressed gratitude that Morning Mist had been brought to a place where she was forced to confront herself and her hate, but the method was one that the Rectifier has spoken of with the utmost disdain. The Rectifier had claimed there absolutely HAD to have been other ways to reach her friend, but she was at a complete loss as to what those methods could have been. Morning Mist still felt confused about the ordeal, but whether or not it had been the right means to the same end, the end result was something she was grateful for.

The Pegasus mare turned to her friend and gave her a sad grin, "Yeah. Let's go find some dinner."

* * *

Morning Mist and the Rectifier sat down several Fathoms behind Chris as he continued sending Gryphons back to their homeland. The two mares settled down and let their steaming bowls of stew cool in the chilly evening air as they watched the man continue on his long task. Just a few minutes earlier, Princess Celestia and Princess Luna had announced they would be taking the captured Bloodmages to the Peacemaker facility via teleportation. The two Alicorn sisters had already began their exodus so Morning Mist and the Rectifier were taking their leisure.

Morning Mist had not realized how hungry she was. The smell of the stew was almost intoxicating. She closed her eyes and leaned over the bowl to breathe in the aroma. A sudden breeze sprang up just before she inhaled. As opposed to the smell of the vegetables and spices in the stew, she caught a whiff of something else. The smell struck a chord in her memory. Strong arms holding her gently in the darkness as she wept. Soft words spoken in a gentle tone for her comfort. The familiar scent of her first friend as he cared for her in his own way. The knowledge that she was not evil or bad, only that she had made those kinds of choices. The reminder that she could always chose how she acted. The reminders that all choices had consequences. The fellowship of just having another being close by. The lack of angst in having a relationship with somebody of the opposite sex. The love she had come to know through His actions and words.

The memories performed a speedy dance before her eyes and she remembered the smell, His scent. She blinked and focused on the source of the scent, her first friend. She felt the wind against her face and followed the direction... which led right to the long hair of the Human man who had beaten her to within an inch of her life. His hair was flying in the breeze, sending his scent into the wind.

Morning Mist forgot about her stew. In an almost dream-like state, she rose to her hooves and trotted up behind Chris. He was concentrating on sending the Gryphons and Balzac back to Gryphonvale, facing away from her. He was distracted. She suddenly spoke, not even thinking about what she was saying, "It's you."

Chris, not realizing who was addressing him, replied in a silly tone, "Well who else would I be?"

Morning Mist touched the necklace she never took off. It worked just like it always did, "You'll never be alone." The voice was exactly the same as his.

Chris froze as he heard his own words, spoken in his own voice. The Gryphons and Balzac in the circle, vanished back to Gryphonvale and Chris lowered his hands. He slowly turned around and looked down. Morning Mist stood behind him, just staring up at his face. She looked confused. The two held each other's gaze for a time before the mare spoke, "It IS you."

Chris did not know how to feel. He had easily recognized Morning Mist when he boarded the sky chariot days before. He had intentionally kept his voice down around the mare, fearing that knowing his identity might hurt her even more than he already had. His conscience still tugged at him for beating her as badly as he did. His feelings on the event were mixed, but mostly negative. He took a deep breath and let it out in a huff, "I'm sorry you had to find out like this."

Morning Mist said nothing in response. Her mind was a maelstrom of confusion. Elation mixed with pain, joy fought with sorrow, and understanding clashed with confusion. She could not believe it and yet she knew it was true.

The pieces seemed to fall into place and her heart ached, "Is that the only reason you helped me!?" She spat, "Because you felt guilty!?"

Chris snarled and yelled back, "Was the only reason you repented, because I beat the tar out of you!?"

Morning Mist stepped back from the intensity of his wrath, "You..."

Chris took another deep breath and let it out slowly, "I went too far, Morning Mist. We both did. One crime does not excuse another." He swiftly fell to his knees and gripped her chin in his hands, forcing her to look at him, "I wronged you, like you wronged so many others. You're working to make it right. I was doing the same thing... but..." he let go of her chin and turned his head away sadly, "... but I'd be lying if I said I don't care about you." He shook his head and grunted in irritation, "I was there so I could know what I had done... I broke you and I... I wanted to help fix you. I thought that if you knew who I was it would hurt you. I never wanted to hurt you again. I have done more than enough of that." He reached down and gripped both of her forehooves in his hands, "Will you forgive me? " he asked as his eyes met hers.

Morning Mist shook her head, "I-I need to think about all this."

As if somebody had flipped a switch, Chris suddenly let go of her forehooves and stood right back up. He shot her a cocky smile, "Okey-dokey then!"

Morning Mist blinked in further confusion, "What?" Her eyes narrowed, "Were you just pretending?"

Chris shook his head as he motioned more Gryphons and Balzac onto the transport area, "Nope! I was TOTALLY serious. My seriousness never lasts very long though." He made a shooing gesture with his hands, "Go on now. You said you needed to think, and I KNOW nobody can do much thinking with my handsome self around." He punctuated his statement with a wiggle of his eyebrows.

Morning Mist sputtered, "You-you indolent, infuriating, execrable, ODIOUS MALE!"

Chris only laughed at her words, "Ooh! Keep those compliments coming!"

Morning Mist huffed in an irate manner and turned to leave when Chris' voice stopped her, "Take a chill-pill. We both goofed and we both want to do better. I handle things with insincerity and silliness. You're too serious. Go on, relax. We'll talk later, as long as you're comfortable with it. I WOULD like to talk to you again. You know, see how you're doing, catch up. I really do care, but I like to lighten the mood, too. Go rest. I'm not the only one working myself to the bone. I've seen you out there, trying to help the Bloodmages. Take a load off and eat, relax, settle down, and think about what I said. When you're ready, come find me, if that's what you want."

Author's Notes:

Get angry at those typos!