Okay everyone the reason this chapter is so long is that I didn't want to return to the character 'Eventide Shimmer Soliel' until the second to last chapter. From now till then I will do my best to focus on showing what Sunset does when she comes back from the grave. I look forward to your comments about this chapter below in the comment section.

Fluttershy carried a tray of tea and food down a stony hallway towards Eventide's room. When she got there, she set the tray down on an end table as she heard Eventide moan out, “Fire.” Eventide turned her head to the right as she moaned again, keeping her eyes tightly closed, “Fire, n-no. Fire.”

“Oh, dear. You must be cold.” Fluttershy quickly looked around, seeing an unlit fireplace. She continued softly, just above a whisper, “Hold on, Eventide. I’ll get a fire going in just a few moments.”

Walking over to the fireplace, Fluttershy placed a few of the logs sitting outside it into the fireplace and soon had a crackling fire going.

“There, all warm and--”

“Fire Heart, no, don’t. You can’t. Bryagh, s-stay away.” Eventide moaned, turning her head from left to right. “Don't you touch her.”

Fluttershy turned to look at Eventide as sweat dampened the thin bandages covering her face, turning them from white to a dark, milky grey.

“Oh, my. You must be having a nightmare.” Fluttershy walked over to Eventide and placed her front hooves on the girl's shoulders. “Eventide, wake up. You're having a nightmare.”

Eventide's eyes snapped open. She bolted upwards knocking Fluttershy over, causing the little pegasus to fall to her flank with a yelp.

“Bryagh, you’ll pay for what you did!” Eventide screamed in rage, glaring at Fluttershy with burning hatred. “You’ll...” Eventides paused as her world came into focus and she took in her surroundings, “pay.” Looking around, she said. “Where am I?”

“You're back at your room at Snowflake Monastery,” Fluttershy said softly, picking herself up off the floor. “I brought you food. It's been three days since you were brought here, so you must be hungry.”

“Three days!?” Eventide exclaimed, her eyes going wide under her facial bandages. “It couldn’t have been--”

“Don’t listen to Fluttershy, Eventide," Eventide heard. "She isn’t your friend. She wants to hurt you. The food she brought is poisoned. She was going to feed you and kill you while you slept. You're lucky you woke up when you did. Now, you can get her before she gets you.”

“You mustn’t attack Fluttershy, Eventide. She is only trying to help you. She's already told you that you are in your room at Snowflake Monastery. You're safe now.”

“Eventide?” Eventide watched as Fluttershy began to scoop up a small spoonful of soup. Raising it up to Eventide's mouth, Fluttershy said, “This is oat and hay soup. It's really yummy. You’ll like it, trust me.”

As Fluttershy held the spoonful of soup out to Eventide, Eventide again heard, “It's poisonous! Don’t eat it. She's trying to kill you. Why won't you listen to me?”

“It’s not poisonous. It's perfectly safe, and Fluttershy's right; you have to eat. It's been three days.”

Eventide swatted the spoon out of Fluttershy’s hoof, trembling in fear. “That’s it, Eventide. Show that pony who's boss. Don’t trust her. Don’t be her friend.”

“Oh, uh, th-that wasn’t very nice. I was only trying to help,” Fluttershy said, looking at the spoon. “Um, let’s try that again. And, uh, this time, without any swatting the spoon away, alright?”

Fluttershy went to pick up the spoon, stopping when she heard Eventide yell out in fear. Looking back, she saw Eventide huddled on the bed, staring in her direction but not exactly at her. Fluttershy looked around briefly, but she couldn't tell was caused Eventide to become so afraid.

“Elf, Sparrow, shut up!” Eventide yelled, having finally heard enough of the argument. As they laughed her off, she placed her head into her hands, rocking back and forth, fighting to keep in control of her emotions. “Shut up, shut up, shut up!”

Fluttershy, worried and disturbed, tried to calm Eventide down. “It's alright, Eventide. Who are Elf and Sparrow? Where are they? If you want, I can go get Rainbow for you. She'll help.”

Fluttershy took a tentative step forward, causing Eventide to snap her gaze in Fluttershy's direction. She quickly tried to back away again, hitting her head against the headboard of her bed. With a pained yelp, Eventide reached above her, grabbing a short sword from the supports on the wall.

“Get away from me, you monster!” Eventide quickly unsheathed the sword as she continued while Fluttershy backed away, “Stay back! I know how to use this!”

“Eventide, stop!” Eventide looked up to see Brave Heart entering the room. For her part, Brave Heart quickly noticed the look of pure terror in Eventide’s eyes and instantly knew what was going on. Knowing she needed to balance being stern and soothing, she quickly said, “Fluttershy isn’t going to hurt you.”

“You're wrong! She's trying to poison me!” Eventide’s hands trembled badly, and soon, she could no longer hold her sword. Dropping it, she held her head again and snapped, “Elf, Sparrow, not now!”

Brave Heart, taking her chance, quickly rushed in, pushing Eventide into her pillow.

“Eventide, listen to me! No one is trying to hurt any pony.”

Immediately, Eventide put all of her attention on Brave Heart, completely ignoring Fluttershy. “Fire Heart, get off of me! Bryagh is going to kill you, and I'm the only one that can stop him!” Eventide screamed, trying to get out from under Brave Heart's body. “But I can't protect you if you won't let me move!”

Rainbow Dash came into the room, having heard the commotion. Inside, she saw Fluttershy, who looked terrified, and Eventide, who was struggling to get Brave Heart off of her. Nearby was Eventide's sword. It didn't take long to guess what was happening.

“Fluttershy, did Eventide hurt you?” Rainbow asked angrily, stomping her hoof into the ground. “I’ll show her she can’t pick on you like that!”

Before Rainbow could act, however, Eventide threw Brave Heart off of her, causing the pegasus to hit the ground with a loud thud. Bolting upright, Eventide began to reach for her axe, stopping only when a blue bolt of energy encased her arms, pinning both of arms to her sides. Rainbow looked to the doorway to watch a unicorn walk into the room, locking eyes with Eventide.

Looking up as she climbed back to her hooves, Brave Heart said, “Oh, thank the princesses you've come, Crystal Flare. I--”

“Duck!”

“What?”

“Now!”

Brave Heart dove to the ground as Eventide’s right hand broke free from Crystal Flare's magical grasp. Not wanting to hurt Eventide, Crystal Flare called, “Charge of Brave Heart, the Battle of Rambling Rock Ridge is over. Your battle is over. There is nothing left for you to fight. It is time to rest.”

Her words were in vain. Brave Heart locked eyes with her very scared, young charge and saw that Eventide was still not in her right mind. “Fire Heart," Eventide yelled, "I won’t let Bryagh get away with hurting you!”

Crystal Flare quickly said, "She is reliving something that happened to her at Rambling Rock Ridge. You both need to leave now!"

“What is wrong with her?” Rainbow asked worriedly as she began to hold Fluttershy in her wings, calming down her scared friend. “The Battle of Rambling Rock Ridge ended two years ago.”

“Both of you need to leave, now,” Brave Heart said, getting up. “Rainbow, take your friend down the hallway. Crystal Flare and I will tend to Eventide.”

“But--”

“We can hold Eventide off until she calms down. Just please take Fluttershy someplace more quiet than this.” Turning back to Eventide, held down by Crystal Flare's magic, Brave Heart continued, “At ease, soldier. There's no further reason for you to fight.”

Rainbow didn't need any more convincing. She very quickly helped Fluttershy out into the hallway as two monks rushed into the room, one shutting the door behind her while Eventide screamed in rage at both Crystal Flare and Braveheart. Banging and thudding sounded from the room, which gave way to silence for several long moments before the two monks left the room.

“What happened? Is Eventide alright?” Fluttershy asked coming back to her senses as Rainbow steadied her with her wings and hooves in the hallway outside of Eventides door. “She didn’t hurt Braveheart or that other pony, did she?”

Smiling, one of the monks replied jovially, “Hurt Brave Heart? Fire Heart's sister? Please! Eventide wouldn’t be able to hurt either Crystal Flare or Brave Heart even if she wanted to.”

“Ahem.” Brave Heart cleared her throat, getting the monks' attention. “Tend to Fluttershy. I will be tending to Timber.”

The monks quickly nodded to Braveheart, each, in turn, offering a weak smile to Fluttershy before helping Rainbow into another room down the hallway. Braveheart walked by Rainbow and Fluttershy, a thick black eye clearly showed on her face.

“I thought that monk said Eventide wouldn’t hurt you Brave Heart,” Fluttershy asked just barely above a whisper. “That black eye looks really bad is there anything I can do to help heal it?”

Stopping in her tracks, Brave Heart looked over her shoulder, saying softly, “This wasn’t from Eventide. I got kicked by one of my monks while Crystal Flare was trying to hold Eventide down.” She shot the monk in question a glare, who flashed an apologetic smile. When Crystal Flare came out of Eventide's room, Brave Heart bowed her head as she continued, “Eventide was reliving a very traumatic event in her life.”

“Oh. Is that why she, uh...did what she did when I tried to offer her food?”

“Yes and no. Eventide suffers from Post War Syndrome, and she also--”

“Who cares why she went crazy on Fluttershy? She's clearly dangerous!” Rainbow snapped, interrupting Braveheart. “Why is Eventide even allowed to be in public?”

“And would you like Fluttershy to do that to you, Rainbow Dash?” Brave Heart grimly said as they entered another room. “How would you like it if you suffered from Post War Syndrome, and Fluttershy just threw you away after you suffered the horrors of that battle?” Brave Heart gave Rainbow a moment to think about it before she continued, “Yes, Eventide has issues. Yes, sometimes, she can be dangerous. That's one of the reasons why I have to watch over her. But she's also talented and able to make friends. She doesn't deserve to be imprisoned for her service.” Turning to leave, Brave Heart continued coldly, “I wish Eventide never fought in that battle. I wish my sister didn’t die in her hooves. Maybe she wouldn’t be how she is now.”

Seeing that Brave Heart was about to leave, Rainbow quickly said, “Brave Heart, is it true what I heard about you? That you were dishonorably discharged and court-martialed?”

“...Yes. Everything that you have heard about me is true. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to tend to Timber. Crystal Flare will be tending to Eventide.” Stopping in her tracks, Brave Heart quickly added, “Please do not go near Eventide unless Crystal Flare is with you. While I don't believe that Eventide will intentionally try to hurt either of you, I dare not take the chance.”

Brave Heart left the room, with Crystal Flare following. As the two made their way outside, Crystal Flare said, “It’s not your fault, Brave Heart. Eventide is a warrior like us. She hears the call of battle, but unlike the two of us, she is a seer, too, which complicates things.”

Brave Heart closed her eyes tightly, saying sternly, “I know that, Crystal Flare. For Celestia’s sake, of course, I know neither of us are responsible for Bryagh's rampage.”

Looking down, Brave Heart sighed, taking her helmet off. Crystal Flare continued hesitantly, “I've seen smoke. Small pillars rising out of the chasm where Eventide buried him." She quickly added, "I doubt he's alive, though. I don’t think anything could survive what Eventide did to him.”

A look of horror came over Brave Heart's face as she said, “Please, tell me that monster is dead and Eventide doesn’t know he might be alive. If she ever learns about this, she really will lose it.”

Laying her hoof onto Brave Heart's shoulder in a sign of camaraderie, Crystal Flare said softly, “I will keep it between us. Neither of us wants to attend her funeral, I'm sure. Now, I must tend to Eventide. Be well, my dear friend.”

Crystal Flare left her friend and went into the monastery to tend to Eventide. Once inside, Crystal Flare stopped by Rainbow's and Fluttershy’s room poking, her head into the doorway. “You two need anything before I check up on Eventide?”

Looking up, Fluttershy said softly, “Um, no. We're good. I just need some quiet. Is Eventide going to be alright?”

“Yeah, I think she'll be alright. She needs time to heal and rest. You don't need to worry about her.”

“Well, um, if you say so.”

“Very good. I’ll leave you now to rest with your mare-friend.” Crystal Flare grinned, seeing a light blush come over Fluttershy’s face as the yellow Pegasus lay back down into the soft mattress of the two friends' shared bed. “Sleep well, you two. Brave Heart or I will get you both in a few hours for food and entertainment.”

“Thank you, Crystal Flare.” When Crystal Flare left, Fluttershy turned to Rainbow and said, “I don’t understand Rainbow. How do you know so much about Brave Heart? Who's Crystal Flare? And what happened at Rambling Rock Ridge Rainbow?”

“I know about them because I read about them in the Wonderbolt library. Basically, Brave Heart used to run the Wonderbolts, and Crystal Flare was actually just the groundskeeper of Wonderbolt Academy. But after Brave Heart got discharged, Crystal Flare left, but no one knows why. The battle was just over two years ago from what I have learned of it three hundred ponies died due to a dragon called Bryagh attacking the settlement only six ponies actually survived that day.”

“I see. How does Eventide fit into all this?”

“I don’t know, but my guess is that Fire Heart was a friend of hers and the two fought at that battle.”

"Why was Brave Heart court marshaled? She seems like an honorable pony to me"

Looking down, Rainbow sighed and said, “Fire Heart was doing a maneuver called the Star Burst. There was an accident, and five pegasi were killed, and so were the unicorns who helped with the maneuver, though Fire Heart survived. Brave Heart blamed Princess Celestia for allowing Fire Heart to perform an illegal maneuver.” Seeing a look of slight confusion on Fluttershy’s face, Rainbow added, “It's illegal because, like, four out of the five pegasi died trying to perform it when it was done the last time six years ago. Anyway, Brave Heart hoofed Princess Celestia in the jaw, which is what led to her being court-martialed. A few months later, Spitfire took over the Wonderbolts.”

“And now she runs this monastery and doesn’t like Princess Celestia.”

“Pretty much, though they tolerate each other, for the most part. To make things worse, they found out that Fire Heart wasn’t to blame for the ponies who died that day. The magic used to create the Star Burst is very complicated, and only one of the five unicorns that day actually knew what he was doing. The others didn’t have a clue.”

“Oh. I...I see.” Fluttershy, having nothing more to ask, snuggled warmly up against Rainbow, each draping her wings over the other. “Sleep well, Rainbow.”

“You too, Fluttershy. You too.” Rainbow was about to lay her head down when she added quickly, “I'm sorry I wanted Eventide to be locked up. I didn’t know she was suffering from Post War Syndrome. I heard of the condition, but I never thought I would see a real case of it. Pretty chilling.” Looking down, Rainbow sighed, “Maybe after a few hours of sleep, I can get Eventide to talk to me. Then, I might be able to help her. Maybe with me at her side, she won’t suffer anymore.”

“I think she would like that I know I would if I was her” Fluttershy pulled Rainbow into her snuggling her head into Rainbow soft furry chest.

“Get some sleep Rainbow”

Rainbow laid her head down soon falling into a deep restful sleep against Fluttershy.

“Now, I don’t want either of you two near Eventide until I get done with my chores. Understand?” Crystal Flare said. She had just exited Eventide's room with the tray Fluttershy brought into it, when she had noticed Applejack and Rarity heading toward the room and wanted to make sure they knew what happened and keep them from disturbing Eventide's rest.

“Yes, of course, darling,” Rarity replied, not noticing Applejack smirking as she continued. “We'll stay away from her until you are done.”

“Very well. I'll trust you both to leave her to rest. I'll be in the kitchen.” Crystal Flare left the two with a slight glare towards Applejack. "I mean it, Applejack. Stay away from her."

When Crystal Flare left, Rarity turned to Applejack, saying, “Well, now that that's been said, how about we just do something else. Doesn't that sound fun?”

“No, it doesn't. Besides, Ah just wanna talk to her. That's it.”

“But, darling, you heard Crystal Flare. She doesn’t want any-pony near Eventide without her supervision in case Eventide has another attack.”

“Ah just wanna say a quick ‘thank ya’ to her fer savin' Apple Bloom from Iron Will. What could go wrong?”

Rarity stopped in her tracks, exclaiming, “Applejack, you saw with your own eyes what Eventide did to Iron Will. You really want that to be what she does to your head?”

“Now, Looky here, Rarity. Ah highly doubt that Eventide'll do that ta me once she learns that Ah'm Apple Bloom's older sister. Why, Ah bet she’ll be all too happy to shake my hoof.”

Folding her hooves over her chest, Rarity grumbled, “Or cut your hoof off. Really, what do we know about this minotaur other than the can take on males three times her size?”

Applejack ignored Rarity as she continued to head for Eventide's room. Rarity shook her head, deciding it was best to let her friend find out the hard way.

Eventide awoke to the sound of voices coming from the hallway. She could hear Crystal Flare's voice, but she couldn't put a name to the other two, nor could she hear what was being said. Getting up and getting dressed, she muttered to herself, “It couldn’t have been three days. I couldn’t have lost that much time.” Heading over to her bedroom window and peering outside, she continued, “Timber, you silly wolf, you better behave yourself for Brave Heart.”

Eventide watched as Brave Heart approached Timber with a large syringe in her mouth, smirking when she saw Timber playfully snap at Brave Heart. Brave Heart jumped back, yelping as best as she could with the syringe in her mouth, “Hey, I'm just trying to help you, Timber. Stop fooling around and take your medicine.”

Opening the window and putting two fingers to her mouth, Eventide gave a loud whistle, causing both Brave Heart and the giant timberwolf to look up in her direction.

“Timber,” Eventide waved her right hand back and forth, “stop being such a scaredy-wolf and take your medicine. It's good for you.”

As if the timberwolf understood completely, Eventide watched as her friend and companion sat down, allowing Brave Heart to get closer to him. Before Brave Heart could stick him with the needle, Timber snorted, causing Brave Heart to once again flinch backward, nearly dropping the syringe in the process.

“Come on, Timber, stop fooling around,” Eventide called. “Don't mind him, Brave Heart. He's just--”

“Don’t let Brave Heart near your friend. She's trying to hurt him,” she heard within her head.

“No, she isn’t. She cares for Timber like you do.”

“No, she doesn’t. She doesn’t care about anyone but herself. You know that better than anyone, Eventide. Your friend Fire Heart is burning in Helheim because you failed her.”

Falling backward with her hands against her head, Eventide screamed, “Shut up, both of you!” Rolling to a sitting position, Eventide continued, not noticing Applejack and Rarity were both coming into the room, “Shut up, shut up, shut up.”

“Eventide, what in tarnation is the matter with y'all?” Applejack asked as the girl rolled back and forth on the bed. “Y’all are acting crazier than Winona goin' after Granny's pies.”

Eventide slowly raised her head, a look of fear in her eyes. Standing up, she breathed heavily, saying through forced breaths, “I couldn’t have failed her. She can’t be in Helheim.” Looking down to the two ponies, Eventide quickly said, “I need you both to leave so I can get armored and ready to go.”

“What? Why are ya gettin' armored? And where d'ya plan on-goin' in yer condition?” Applejack asked skeptically.

“I have to find my little sister. I have to make sure she knows I'm alright.”

“Darling, clearly, you are anything but alright.” Rarity began, stepping a bit closer. “Besides, Applejack wants to thank you for saving her sister Apple Bloom.”

“Wait, what?” Eventide asked. “Apple Bloom is....your sister?”

“Eeyup,” Applejack said proudly, tipping her hat back a bit. “She’s my sister, alright. I want ta--”

“Then you should've taken better care of her, not letting her nearly get killed slipping off a mountainside.”

“Bu-- Wha-- Ah beg yur pardon there, missy, but Ah'll have you know that Ah take plenty good care o' my sister,” Applejack snapped.

“You let her play on a mountain with no ropes and no way to stop her from falling! What would you have done if she had been killed in the fall? Yeah, real 'Sister of the Year' material.”

“Well, I--” Applejack looked down, a clear look of shame on her face. “That is, I--”

Kneeling down in front of her but keeping her distance, Eventide said, “Look, Applejack, I don’t blame you for Apple Bloom getting hurt. But, at the same time, you need to be more careful about where you take her.”

"A-Ah know. It's just... It's just, Ah..." Before Eventide could stand back up, Applejack buried her face into Eventide's chest as her tears began to fall, “Ah coulda lost m' sister. What was Ah thinkin', lettin' her climb a mountain with us?”

Eventide seized up at the sudden contact but managed to refrain from pushing Applejack away. Nervously, she put her hand on Applejack's head and began stroking her mane. “H-Hey, it's alright,” Eventide said as soothingly as she could. “You just made a mistake. We all do. Apple Bloom will be back on her feet in no time flat. You’ll see.”

Applejack chuckled lightly, nodding and wiping away her tears as Eventide hugged the pony warmly. Rarity smiled, saying, “Well, now that Applejack has shed her tears and all's well, will you please allow me to help you back to bed so that you can have some proper rest?”

“I can’t do that, uh... What's your name?”

“Oh, how very rude of me!” Rarity’s quickly held out her hoof to Eventide. “My name is Rarity.”

“Rarity, huh?” Eventide hesitantly shook Rarity's hoof, letting go quickly. “Nice to meet you, Rarity.”

If Rarity was offended by the standoffish gesture, she didn't show it. “The pleasure is mine, but like I said, you need to get back into bed, darling. After all, a lady does need her beauty sleep.”

“And like I said, I can’t do that. I have to leave.”

“Leave? But, darling, if you should have another episode out there, there'd be no one to help you. You simply must stay here where can make sure you're alright.”

“I would rather die and burn in Helheim than become a burden to you or your friends. Now, please leave!”

Seeing that both Applejack and Rarity were going to stand their ground, Eventide shook her head, saying, "So, we're doing this the hard way, huh?" Standing up, she towered over both ponies as she bent over, picking both Rarity and Applejack up under her arms.

“Wha! Darling, I must insist that you put us down this instant! This is no way to treat a lady!”

“Unhand me yer varmint!” Applejack yelled, trying to get free of Eventide's powerful grip. “Ah ain't about ta let ya leave here. Now let go!”

Eventide carried the two ponies over to her bed and set them down facing the wall. “Now, I'm going to get changed. If you both want to stay in here, that's fine by me. But you're going to face the wall while I change into traveling clothes and get my armor on. Got it?”

“Eventide, we've already seen you without your helmet on. Remember when you fought Iron Will and lost your helmet? We all saw your face.”

Eventide hesitated at the reminder. “That's part of it, yeah, but what I really don’t want is for you two to see me in my birthday suit."

"Yer what?" Applejack asked.

"I don't want you to see me naked! So please just sit there with your backs towards me. I’ll only be about fifteen or twenty minutes.”

“Fifteen minutes!?” Rarity exclaimed. “Darling, that is way too long to simply change!”

“You ought to know, Rarity,” Applejack said, chuckling, “seeing as how you took nearly ten hours last Hearth's Warming Eve to get ready for that dance at Twilight's castle.”

"Wait did you just say Twilight?!" Eventide exclaimed her eyes widened in shock.

Trying to turn around Applejack felt a soft hand coming to rest on the back of her head saying to her, "Ah said Twilight what's she to you Eventide?"

Not getting a reply right away Applejack again tried to turn only to have Eventide tighten her grip on the back of Applejacks neck. Getting the message Applejack wisely chose to remain facing the wall. Eventide released Applejacks neck growling out bitterly. "Twilight is the name of my....twin sister."

"But darling that can't---" Rarity began being interrupted by Eventides stern words to her.

"Not from this world from the world that I come from but if Odin has decided to return her to me then I must find her and bring her home safely one way or another I must do this I have no choice in this matter."

Rarity said nothing, simply pouting and staring at the wall. Eventide, seeing that the conversation was over, took off her tunic and looked through her pack, only to realize her locket was gone. Frantically, she searched every pocket and crevice of her backpack and every drawer in her nightstand. She even searched the head of the bed and under the bed, but couldn't find it anywhere.

“Where's my locket!?” Eventide shouted, trying to think about where it could be. “D-Did I lose it in the fight with Iron Will? Maybe I lost it on the way here. I need to find Timber. I need to--”

“Ah think Twilight might've found it. She was wearin' a gold locket when we last saw her, but that was three days ago.”

Sighing in equal parts irritation and relief, Eventide just resorted to continuing to change. She tossed her tunic over to the bed. It fell on top of Rarity’s head, causing the unicorn to quickly take it off. Looking at it, she said, “Oh, darling you actually wear this? It's so....worn.”

“Uh, yeah. I travel a lot, so I like to dress for it. Not that it's any of your business.”

“Well, this clothing is so plain. And it has a stain that--” Rarity's words fell short as she got a better look at the tunic held in her hoof. “Wait a second. I recognize this fabric. Why it's the very fabric that I selected for Sweetie Belle's Hearth's Warming dress last winter. And this stain is the exact stain made when Sweetie dropped a bit of jam on it. Meaning,” turning around in shock, Rarity continued, “Eventide, you stole this from my shop!”

"Turn around, Rarity!" Eventide shouted, covering herself with her pants held in front of her. Flinching, Rarity quickly turned back to the wall.

“Looks like you’ll have ta argue with the wall instead,” Applejack said, grinning.

“I don’t want to argue with her, Applejack. I just want proper pay--”

“I've already paid for it. Can we talk about this after I'm dressed?”

Taking Rarity's silence as a yes, Eventide quickly got armored and strapped on her equipment. She took her helmet, looked at its battered facade, and, sighing, replacing it with a second one found on top of her dresser. Once dressed and ready, she reached up above Applejack and Rarity's heads and took down her swords from where they hung on the wall. placing them on her sides she then took a belt with a gold and blue unicorn amulet in the center of it from her bedstand. Placing that around her waist with a soft 'click' she fastened it to her waist. With a sigh, she said, “Okay, you two can turn around now.” As the ponies did so, Eventide drew one of her swords from its sheath and began to examine. “My old friends,” Eventide said as she looked over the sharp blade checking for any damage. “One of these will stay with me. The other will go to Apple Bloom.” Applejack’s eyes widened with shock and slight fear as she saw how massive the sword in Eventide’s hand was. Eventide looked to her right picking up her shield she held it in her left hand gripping it tightly. The cold handle felt lifeless as she was beginning to feel. "There now all I have to do is leave then I'll begin my mission again."

“Now, just hold on there, Eventide! Why do you wanna give that thing to my sister?” Seeing a gold and blue amulet around her waist in the shape of the alicorn amulet Applejack added while pointing her right front hoof at it. "That's a mighty fancy belt yer wearing there seems a might fancy fer y'all to have with that armor."

Looking down at her belt Eventide smiled saying, "You like it Applejack it was a gift from---" Her thoughts going back to her marriage to Fire Heart, Eventide looked away continuing with a clenched fist "From someone that I...loved very much."

"Ah see, Y'all don't have to talk about it if yer not in the mood fur it Eventide."

"Thank you, Applejack." Eventide re-sheathed the swords and strapped them to her sides just below one of each of her axes, saying, “While I was at death's door the day that I took on that Minotaur, I could hear your little sister defending me against Timber. Foolish though it was, she has a warrior's heart. Thus, she needs a warrior's weapon.”

“Whoa, wait a minute!” Applejack called out to Eventide as Eventide headed over to her door.

Opening the door and stepping out into the hallway, Eventide turned to Applejack saying, “If it's all the same to you, I'd like to talk while we walk.”

“Oh, yer darn-tootin' we're gonna talk about this!” Applejack hopped off the bed and stomped her hoof. “Ah can’t let y’all give something that big and sharp to my sister. What was all that about not leading her ta dangerous things? Ya can't tell me not ta put her in danger only ta give her a dern weapon!”

Looking away, Eventide said, “I know it seems hypocritical, but I just...have to do this. I understand your fear. My mother was the same way when I picked up my first bow. Oh, speaking of which...” Eventide headed back to her room and retrieved her bow and quiver, quickly strapping them on and returning to the ponies. “There. Now I have all I need to complete my mission.”

“Darling, what about my payment for your stealing my cloth?” Rarity asked impatiently, tapping her hoof on the floor. “When did you even take it?”

“I used to live in the woods near a village that had a large crystal castle in the center of it. A zebra nursed me back to health and told me that I could buy almost anything I'd need in that town. One night, while this zebra slept, I left her hut and entered the town. I found the cloth hanging on a rope. Before taking it, I left twelve gems behind, each a different color and size.” Eventide looked down as she continued, “I thought that would be enough to pay for it. I guess not. So, to make this up to you, when I get back, I can work it off. But keep in mind that I know very little about sewing. The zebra made the tunic.”

“Well, I'm glad you want to make it up to me, and I'm willing to let you, but, darling, your mission--”

“Mission? What mission?” came Apple Bloom's voice from behind Eventide. “Are y’all going somewhere, Eventide?”

Quickly turning around, Eventide flashed a friendly but sad smile when she saw Apple Bloom standing behind her, the little pony's leg in a cast from her injury. Quickly placing her shield on her back she strapped it down tightly then knelt down and holding out her arms, Eventide beckoned Apple Bloom closer, picked her up, and carried her into her room, very gently setting her down on her bed.

“Apple Bloom, I have to go," Eventide said sadly, "I have to find my little sister and my twin sister and let them both know that I'm alright. I also must take my twin sister home.”

“Oh. Ah, see.” Looking down with her ears laying against the side of her head, Apple Bloom continued, “Can’t y’all just send them a letter or somethin'?” seeing that Eventide was fully armored and carrying all of her weapons Apple Bloom added, "Why are y'all armored fer?"

“It's not as simple as that. I have to say a few things to their faces. Otherwise, I won’t be able to forgive myself and my little sister won't be able to forgive me.” sighing lightly Eventide added, "I am dressed fully for battle Apple Bloom I wear my weapons, shield, and armor so that I might come back safe to my little sister and twin sister."

“Oh, Ah see." realizing her words Apple Bloom added quickly, "Forgive y'all fer what?” Apple Bloom laid her hoof on Eventide's thigh, ignoring the pain of leaning on her hurt leg. “Y'all want some help? Ah could be lots of help.”

“No, I'm afraid you'll have to stay here and get some very well-needed rest.”

Turning to face Rarity, Eventide took off her backpack and her shield placing both on the ground. Opening the pack she took out several gems, each a different size and color. Her hand brushed up against a stack of letters she had near the bottom of the pack. Holding the gems out to Rarity, she said, “How about this as collateral? If I don't come back and work to pay off the cloth and rope, you get to keep those gems. That alright?”

Rarity looked at the gems and back to Eventide saying softly “Uh, y-yes, that's fine. But next time, do ask before you take--wait, what rope?”

“The one I got from the clothing store. My--er, I mean--your cloth was hanging on it.”

“That rope actually belonged to me. Rarity's clothesline was broken, so Ah lent it to her to use.”

“I see. Well, when I get back, I can work for you, too, if you want.”

“Nah, don't worry about it. Ah got lots more rope on the farm, and it didn't cost all that much, anyhow.”

“I see. Very well.” Eventide placed the gems down in front of Rarity and stood up, flashing a nervous grin. Picking up pack she strapped it tightly to her back then picked up her shield in her left hand. “I guess that's that, then. See you all later. It's been pretty....nice.” Eventide unstrapped her small one-handed sword and placing it down by an end table next to Apple Bloom. “I wish I could stay to train you myself, Apple Bloom, but I can't. May Odin watch over you while you are on your journey to discover who you are. May Thor protect you while you travel through Vanheim.” With a light sigh, Eventide finished, turning to leave, “And may Loki grant you laughter as you make new friends.”

“But, darling, you're still recovering,” Rarity protested. “For Celestia’s sake, what if you get hurt or suffer a relapse out there all alone?”

Eventide froze in her tracks and quickly spun back around, saying, “What did y-you say? For whose sake?”

“Uh, for Celestia's sake.”

“Celestia is my mother. How....do you know her?” Her eyes began to narrow. Her right hand began to fall to her long two-handed sword strapped to her left side just above one of her two axes. Stopping her movements she added, "Please tell me how you know my....mother."

“She's our princess.” Rarity replied, confused, "And pardon me if this offends you, but I think it would get out if she had such a...unique daughter.

Removing her hand from her sword Eventide calmed down slightly saying, “Celestia is a principal of a high school, not a princess, but still, I am,” Her eyes narrowed, even more, she scowled as she finished, “her daughter.” Her expression softened slightly. "But the important thing is that I have to find my little sister and my twin sister, so if you don't mind, I'll be going." Finally, she said to Applejack, “Watch over Apple Bloom. She’ll need you.”

Heading back out into the hallway and further down the path, Eventide was happy to see that she wasn't being followed. She turned to the right and soon found herself outside, finding Brave Heart, who was tending to Timber. Walking up to Timber, she softly said, “Well, my friend, it looks like I have found my twin sister after all. All that is left is to find my little sister and then---”

“Eventide, what in Equestria are you doing out here?! You’re supposed to be in bed, resting,” Brave Heart snapped, hopping off of Timber's back. “And why are you in your armor? And I am glad to see--”

“Brave Heart,” A Pegasus monk called out, landing in front of Eventide and Brave Heart before they could continue their conversation. “Chrysalis is marching. She has already destroyed our monastery at Foal Mountain. You need to come quickly.”

Taking to the air, Brave Heart called out to Eventide, “You need to stay here, Eventide. We'll talk about this and about what happened with Rainbow when I get back.” Turning back, she took one last look at her young charge and continued, “I like the new helmet, by the way. I'm glad to see the blacksmiths were able to get it to fit you this time. And that you are still wearing my sister's wedding gift to you.”

Looking back to Timber, Eventide walked over to him, petting him behind his right ear. “If Brave Heart thinks I'm about to stay here at this monastery when I now know that both my twin sister Twilight and that leopardess sow who I must deal with are here in this world. Then Timber my dear friend she really doesn't know me very well does she?" With a sigh, she added, "I must find both of my twin sister and my little sister then I can deal with that cow of a horned rump-fed Jackanape pig fuck up.....Celestia."

Tilting his head playfully to the right Timber lay flat on his belly, allowing Eventide to mount him. Looking to Rarity, who had just come out of the monastery doors, Eventide took out a small piece of parchment from a pouch on her right. Tossing it to her, she said, “Take that to Apple Bloom. Tell her that I thank her for her friendship and that I'm sorry.”

Before Rarity could react, Eventide quickly spurred Timber in the ribs. Timber lunged forward, nearly bowling over the little unicorn. Rarity, with nothing more to do and worried about Apple Bloom, headed back inside, stopping at Apple Bloom’s door. Entering the room she pleasantly found that Applejack was still in the room, snuggled up against her sister. Setting the parchment down, Rarity heard Applejack say, “Yer gonna be alright, Apple Bloom. Iron Will ain’t gonna hurt ya again. Ah won’t let him.” Looking at Apple Bloom's splinted leg, Applejack continued, "Ah can't believe that brute would do such a thing to a little filly like you."

“Iron Will didn't break my leg, Applejack. Ah broke it when I fell off the mountain path. But he did try to pony-nap me." Apple Bloom sighed. "Eventide saved my life. Ah really owe her one. Ah'm gonna make sure to pay her back.” Looking into her sister's eyes, Apple Bloom continued, “Will she come back? Will Ah ever see her again?”

“Ah don’t know. Eventide is....complicated, that's for sure. Ah think she needs her space right now.”

“Ah wanna help her. There's just gotta be somethin' Ah can do fer her.”

Chuckling, Applejack smiled warmly to her sister, pulling her in closer as she draped a blanket over the two of them. “Ah'm sure you will. Now get some sleep. Ya need yer rest.”

Wordlessly heading out of the room, Rarity headed over to Rainbow's and Fluttershy’s room. When she entered, Fluttershy opened her eyes and smiled at Rarity.

"Hi, Rarity. How are you?"

"Oh, I'm...fine." Rarity sighed. "Eventide left. I tried to talk her out of it, but she wouldn't listen."

"Oh. I'm sorry to hear that. She really should be resting." Fluttershy was silent for a minute before a thought occurred. "How's Pinkie Pie? I haven't seen her at all today, which is really strange for Pinkie that is."

“Ah, yes, I forgot to tell you. Pinkie and Discord left earlier this morning for Ponyville. Pinkie said something about needing to bake some cakes, and Discord wanted to check up on something. I am not sure what Discord is actually up to, but I am certain that it can’t be any good.”

Nodding, Fluttershy fell silent and snuggled up closer to Rainbow, who draped her wing over Fluttershy, pulling the little timid pegasus into her more. Rarity, for her part, went to the second bed laying her head on the pleasantly soft pillow, and soon fell fast asleep.

Eventide rode Timber towards Foal Mountain, looking up every now and then as she followed Brave Heart. Arriving at the destroyed monastery a few hours later, Eventide dismounted Timber, only to face a very angry pegasus.

“You didn't honestly think I'd miss a giant, white and green timberwolf galloping through the woods, did you? Didn’t I tell you to stay at the monastery, Eventide? Isn’t that exactly what I said?” Brave Heart snarled. “You were supposed to stay at Snowflake--”

“Yes, but you never said that I shouldn’t follow you.”

"That's exactly what 'Stay put' means!" Sighing while trying to keep her temper in check, Brave Heart watched as Eventide took in the sight of the destroyed monastery. Bodies lay strewn all over the ground. Keeping one hand on her sword and the other on her ax, Eventide began to walk away from Brave Heart, stopping only when she heard a soft moaning from her right.

Running in the direction of the moaning, Eventide’s eyes widened slightly with anger as she saw a little foal trapped under several piles of lumber. Her front hooves were broken, and her face was badly cut. The filly looked up to Eventide, saying, “Help. I can’t get out.”

“Hold on, little one. I’ll get you out.” Looking at the beams that covered the little filly, Eventide pushed on one of them, straining her back as she yelled out, “Odin, give me your strength!” Lifting the beam up, straining under its weight, she yelled to Brave Heart, “Don’t just sit there, Brave Heart. Get her out of there!”

Brave Heart quickly grabbed onto the filly with her teeth, pulling the frightened foal out of the pile of broken lumber. After tending to the filly's wounds and putting casts over both of her front hooves, Brave Heart cradled her and said softly, “What happened here?”

“A monster attacked us. Mommy and Daddy, they...” The filly began to cry. “I want Mommy and Daddy.”

Brave Heart rocked the little filly back and forth soothingly, “Shh, it’ll be alright. You're safe now.”

Looking around, Eventide soon found two fully grown pegasi, both decapitated, both with the same mane and coat color as the filly in Brave Heart's hooves. Guessing they were the filly's parents, Eventide closed her eyes tightly.

“Chrysalis will pay dearly for this massacre. Níðhǫggr will feed gladly on this bitch’s bones.”

Returning to Brave Heart, Eventide shook her head, and Brave Heart, getting the message, pulled the little filly into her warmly. As the filly cried, Brave Heart said to the monk that had led her to the monastery, “Take her back to Snowflake Monastery. I will go after Chrysalis.”

Looking around again, Eventide said, “How many were at this monastery, Brave Heart?”

Gulping, Brave Heart replied, just barely above a whisper, “Five hundred.” Looking out at the devastation that surrounded them, she continued, “Is this filly the only one to survive?”

“Looks like it. We....should go.”

Brave Heart took to the air as her monk said, “Where are you going, Brave Heart? You don’t know where to start looking for Chrysalis.”

“That is true. However, if Chrysalis attacked this place, then she must be after the Elements of Harmony. This place would house such information in the library which is all but destroyed. If I recall correctly, those are now housed in or near Ponyville, so that's where she'll be going next.”

Eventide looked up to Brave Heart and began to mount Timber again, saying to her sister in law, “Then that is where Chrysalis will die. I will see to it.”

“Eventide, get off of Timber this instant. You are not going to wage war against Chrysalis.” Having said that, Brave Heart began thinking, muttering, “There is only one path that Chrysalis could have taken, and that path leads right through Ghastly Gorge.” Seeing that Eventide was not obeying her, Brave Heart snapped, “Eventide, you will not go there. I will take care of this on my own. You will return to Snowflake monastery right now!”

Eventide yelled back, “How dare you tell me not to avenge these ponies, Brave Heart! How dare you tell me not--”

“Enough!” Calming down, Brave Heart said, “Look, I know you want to find your sister Crystalis, but I must get word to Princess Celestia and Princess Luna about this, and I can't be babysitting you while I do that.”

“My aunt is here too!?” Eventide exclaimed, her eyes going wide under her helmet. “I am not going back to Snowflake. I'm going to help Aunt Luna. I can’t let her face a monster like this alone.”

Eventide turned Timber around and began to move, when Brave Heart called out to her, “Eventide, you don’t even know where Ghastly Gorge is.”

“Wrong! I used to live in the woods near a village. A kind-hearted Zebra told me where Ghastly Gorge was and how to get there. And she's already told me about the dangers, so save your breath.”

Before Brave Heart could say anything further, Eventide spurred Timber, and the two ran off towards the direction of Ponyville, with Brave Heart angrily flying after them.

“That Minotaur is getting on my last nerve. But I have to help her to overcome her anger. My honor demands no less from me,” Brave Heart thought to herself.

A half-hour later, Eventide brought Timber to a stop at the edge of Ghastly Gorge. Eventide dismounted and looked down over the cliffs, spotting a large black horse with fly-like wings and many holes in its body leading a small legion of bug-like ponies through the gorge.

Eventide carefully descended the cliff, out of the changelings' sight. When she got to the bottom of the gorge, she charged towards Chrysalis and her legion. Chrysalis, hearing Eventide's boots clanking on the stones and rocks, stopped her advance long enough to look behind her.

“Chrysalis, you’ll pay for what you did to those ponies at Foal Mountain!” Eventide yelled, drawing her sword, “I’ll send you to Helheim!”

“My, my, what a surprise,” Chrysalis said. “She's still alive. I would have thought the wilds of Equestria would have ended her miserable life a few months ago.”

Eventide slammed into three of the changelings and began fighting with them, not noticing Brave Heart coming in from above her. Eventide swung her sword down towards one changeling's head, only for another to take advantage of her opening and kick her backward. Chrysalis stood nearby, enjoying the show.

“That’s it, my little darlings. Kill the seer. Rid me of her presence once and for all!”

“Chrysalis!” Brave Heart yelled. “I order you to halt your advance on Ponyville and to turn this legion of twenty-five changelings around this instant!”

Looking up, Chrysalis replied, “And what makes you think that you, a fallen Wonderbolt captain, can give me orders? Go back home, pony. I wouldn't want to be responsible for breaking two Hearts, after all.”

Confused at the odd phrasing, Brave Heart said, “What... What do you mean?”

“Well, if you must know,” Chrysalis began with barely contained glee, “I might've, hypothetically, had something to do with Fire Heart's little 'accident'. You were a pretty capable leader, but you have your flaws, one of which being your temper, so I might've, hypothetically, arranged a little something to happen while your sister was attempting her maneuver. Which, hypothetically, would've sent you off the rails at Celestia and led to your court-martial. Hypothetically, of course.”

“You what?!” Eventide yelled, striking down two of the three changelings she was fighting with. “You hurt Fire Heart? But, I thought Bryagh--”

“Bryagh works for me, seer. I ordered the dragon to kill Fire Heart. After all, I couldn’t let the Element of Hope have a bearer, now could I? I already had six other Elements to deal with. I didn't need another one empowering them.”

Seeing Eventide slay three of her changelings, Chrysalis quickly said with a smirk on her face, “You know, taking on a fully grown changeling and her swarm is a mission for morons and fools.” Chrysalis smirked wickedly, “Which are you, seer?”

“I'll show you which of us is a fool and moron, Chrysalis!” Eventide spat back.

One of Chrysalis’s changelings managed to get the drop on Eventide, causing her to drop her sword. Quickly grabbing her shield off her back, Eventide just barely managed to strike the changeling with the shield before retrieving her sword. Fixing her shield on her arm and brandishing the sword, Eventide lunged in towards Chrysalis.

“Die, you monster!” Eventide screamed. “This is for those you killed at Foal Mountain!”

Chrysalis quickly fired her magic. Eventide raised her shield, deflecting the magic. The errant bolt struck the cliff wall, losing the rocks above. Looking up Chrysalis, yelled out, “No! You have killed us all!”

“I have only killed you, monster. May you rot in Helheim.”

Chrysalis tried to get to Eventide, only to be stopped as boulders crashed down around her. Screaming in rage and fear, Chrysalis watched as Eventide made her escape. The girl scrambled back up the wall she climbed down from and mounted Timber. Chrysalis, seeing she had one last opportunity of attack, fired a final bolt of magic at the timberwolf. As if sensing the imminent impact, Timber quickly tossed Eventide off of him, causing her to roll back towards the gorge. Brave Heart swooped in, grabbing onto Eventide and pulling her back, just as Timber, struck by the magic bolt, fell over the side into the midst of the rockslide.

“Timber!” Eventide screamed in fear. “Brave Heart, let me go! I have to help Timber!” Struggling out of Brave Heart's grip, she dashed to the edge of the cliff.

Brave Heart jumped in front of her. “Eventide, he's gone. There's nothing you can do for him!”

“Get out of the way. You can’t just let him die!” Eventide watched in horror as the boulders piled up, blocking her means of getting to her friend. “Timber!” Looking at Brave Heart in rage, Eventide fell to her knees, bellowing, “Why? I trusted you, Brave Heart! Why did you let Timber die? WHY?!”

“I'm sorry, Eventide, but I had to choose between you and Timber. You're my friend and my charge. I know you loved him, but I had little choice in the matter.”

“You are not my sister in law. My sister would have let me save him!” Eventide got back on her feet and bore her gaze into Brave Hearts. “I hate you, Brave Heart! Why? Why didn’t you let me save him? I know I could have saved him!”

Brave Heart wilted at Eventide's declaration. “Eventide, I-I'm sorry, but I had to choose. I'm oath-sworn to protect you, and you're one of my closest friends. Of course, I'd choose you. You wanted me to just let you die?”

“I wanted you to get out of my way and let me rescue him!” Taking a deep breath, Eventide calmed down enough to stop screaming, but her anger still smoldered. “I will never forget this, and I will never forgive you for this. Elf was right about you all along! You're not my sister and never have been. All you wanted to do was hurt me! You knew that Timber was the only true friend that I had in this world. He was the only one that didn’t judge me or make fun of me. So you took him away from me!” Stepping forward and drawing her sword, Eventide spat out, “Blood for blood, Brave Heart! By my honor, I’ll avenge Timber here and now.” Getting into a stance, she finished, "For what it's worth, I'll make it quick."

Just as Eventide’s stepped forward to charge, the sound of hooves galloping on the dirt road caught her attention. Looking behind her, she saw that several ponies, including a large, dark-blue pony with a crown on her head, had come to see what all the noise was.

“What has happened here?” Princess Luna said sternly, looking to Brave Heart for answers as she continued. “Brave Heart, what brings thee near Ponyville, and who is thy friend?” Luna gestured toward Eventide, who was glaring bitterly at Brave Heart.

“This is Eventide. Her friend fell in battle, which explains why she's so angry.” Brave Heart narrowed her eyes to her young charge, waiting for her to attack. “Please, Eventide, think this through. You know you can't beat me in battle, and even if you do kill me, you’ll become an enemy to all of my monks. They won’t stop hunting until you are placed into Tartarus.”

In response, Eventide lunged in, taking a swipe at Brave Heart, only to be caught off-guard as Princess Luna fired her magic, encasing the young girl's hands and pinning them to her sides.

“Let me go!” Eventide struggled to break free of Luna’s powerful magic as she spat out in rage “I swear I’ll end you for this, Brave Heart! And then, I’ll find Celestia, and I’ll--”

“Thou need not search for Celestia any further, and it if is a fight thou seeketh, thou shalt have one.” Luna stepped forward, stomping her front hoof into the ground. “For thou looketh upon Princess Luna, and I command thee to stand down or face the consequences!”

“L-Luna?” Eventide’s eyes went wide with shock. Calming down a bit, she continued with a shaky voice, “Y-You can’t be. What has Loki done to you?!” Turning her head to Brave Heart, she continued, “Why didn’t you tell me my aunt was turned into a horse, Brave Heart?!”

"Your Highness, let her go. I think she has had enough.” Luna looked to Brave Heart with a wary eye but did as asked, releasing the young girl from her magic. Brave Heart quickly continued as Eventide rubbed her wrist to restore they're feeling. “Eventide, this may be hard for you to believe, but I don’t think--”

“Aunt Luna,” Eventide interrupted Brave Heart, causing the pony to narrow her eyes in irritation, “it's me, your niece Eventide. D-Don't you recognize me?” Seeing a look of confusion on Princess Luna’s face, Eventide quickly took her helmet off, letting it drop to the ground. “Remember? Please, you have to remember me! You have to break this spell you're under.”

“I am under no enchantment. From my perspective, thou art the enchanted one. Thou art, not our niece, for our niece, is in a faraway land.”

“No, that's not true.” Eventide took a step back, her eyes wide with fear. “I-I'm here right here in front of you! Why don’t you know me?”

One of the nearby ponies hurled a rock, striking Eventide in the head saying to her as a small trickle of blood trickled down the side of her head. “Get away from our princess, you monster!”

“Yeah, get out of here!” another pony yelled, throwing another rock and hitting Eventide in the shoulder. “The princess isn’t your aunt!”

“No, stop!” Brave Heart yelled, “Don't do this!”

“We are protecting our princess!” one pony yelled, throwing another rock, causing Eventide to raise her shield. “We don’t want that monster around her!”

“Luna, you have to stop them!” Brave Heart yelled out in fear.

Brave Heart watched in dismay as Eventide backed way. Turning around, she sheathed her sword and ran towards the nearby woods, shield raised to protect her from the rocks. The ponies quickly chased after her, hurling rocks all the while.

"Ponies, stop this at once!" Luna demanded. The ponies stopped, but Eventide didn't.

Getting to the woods, Eventide looked back, saying, “I’ll find a way to break your curse, Aunt Luna. And Brave Heart, you’ll pay for what you did to Timber.” With that, she ducked into the treeline and was gone.

“Eventide, come back, please!” Brave Heart, seeing that Eventide wasn’t stopping, was about to give chase herself when her monk said, “Don't. I will be the one to go after her.”

“But--”

“No. She will just think that you are trying to hurt her. Let me be the one to help her. I can bring her back, and together, we can help her find a solution to this problem.”

Brave Heart sighed. "Very well. You go. I'll talk with the princess."

When the monk nodded and ran after Eventide, Luna said to Brave Heart, "Thou still hast not told us what bringeth thee to Ghastly Gorge."

Brave Heart decided to just cut to the chase. “Chrysalis attacked a monastery on Foal Mountain. Five hundred ponies are now dead. Only one little filly survived the attack.” Seeing a look of anger and horror on Princess Luna’s face, Brave Heart continued sternly, “Eventide was trying to find you, but that doesn’t matter now, does it?”

“It very much matters," Luna said, dropping her more formal speech. "As for Chrysalis, if she survived, it will take her at least six weeks to dig her legion out of there or recoup her forces. We need to evacuate Ponyville before that happens. I can go to Canterlot and muster my legion of thestrals to hold off Chrysalis until my sister comes home.”

“Where is your sister?”

“She is not here. She has gone far away from here to pay her respects to her fallen daughter.” Luna looked down, saying, “Why did that creature think I was her aunt, Brave Heart?”

“Well, this might be hard to believe, but I don't think she's of this world. I guess, wherever she's from, there are beings that share your name and likeness. But still, for her to think you were her aunt? She must have hurt her head more badly than I thought when she fought with Iron Will a few days ago.”

Looking to one of her guards who was just joining the group, Luna said, “Find Spike in Ponyville. Tell him to go in search of Twilight and my sister. He'll know where to look. I fear that we will need them both in the near future.”

A few hours later, Spike stood in front of the mirror. Gulping he said, “Are you sure about this, Princess?”

“I am. Do you understand your mission, Spike?”

“Yeah. I'm supposed to find Twilight and Princess Celestia and warn them that Chrysalis has tried to attack Ponyville. But before I go, I need to get something that Sonata left when she was here.”

“Oh? And what would that be?”

“A blue heart stone. Twilight wants the sirens to be allowed to return home.”

“A noble wish. Yes, I am familiar with the blue heart stone. I approve of her wish.”

Spike ran off, returning a few moments later with a bag on his back. Inside were all three blue heart stones. After Princess Luna made sure he had everything he needed, she sent him on his way.

Spike stepped through the portal, shaking his head to clear the dizziness and get his bearings straight. When he did so, he saw two very familiar boots in front of him. He looked up, and he met the eyes of Adagio Dazzle.

“Well, well, well. What have we here? A little, lost dog?” Seeing the scared look on his face, Adagio continued, “Oh, don't worry, little doggy. I won’t hurt you. In fact, you and I are going to have nice, little chat.”