A cold chill runs down Shade's spine the same time she notices a large magic fluctuation. Hopefully, the two do not correlate. With the magic fluctuation in the direction of her house, she does not hope too hard. She sighs which vibrates her lips as she walks down the street into town. She raises her jeweled bracelet to her eyes, which also serves as a watch, and confirms her suspicions that the day is still young. Another raspberry sigh escapes her. Shouting from above stops her and makes her crane her neck up. She stops Ditzy Doo from crashing with her crimson magic.

"Hey, Shade!" Ditzy Doo greets Shade cheerfully, completely disregarding her near death experience.

"Hello, Muff Oof!" She exclaims as the gray pegasus hugs and squeezes her. Shade returns the hug warmly.

"Thanks for catching me!" Ditzy nuzzles Shade. "This bag throws off my balance."

Shade finishes nuzzling Ditzy's neck and notices the "bag" hanging off Ditzy's right side. Shade grins, "Muffins, why don't you walk while you deliver the mail?"

"I do! But I had to deliver a package in the Everfree Forest for a Zebra. It was really spooky!"

"I'm glad you are all right," Shade hugs Ditzy again. Shade stares at Ditzy's askew eyes.

Ditzy Doo blushes and looks away from Shade. "Is there something on my face?" she asks.

"No. I just. . ." Shade rubs her neck, uncertain on how to approach the subject. She decides just to flat out say what is on her mind, "Have you ever thought about fixing your eyes?"

Ditzy Doo glances up at Shade with a frown.

The look stabs Shade's heart. Ignoring the sharp pang and big puppy eyes, Shade continues, "I am concerned for your safety, Muffins. I know you do not like talking about it. I only bring it up because I think I can help you but only if you want."

"Really?" Ditzy asks with hope in her tone.

Shade smiles comfortingly and lifts up her goggles to reveal her sincere eyes, "Absolutely, Muffins."

For a second, Ditzy Doo just stares up at Shade. Her lower lip slowly protrudes and quivers as tears stream down her cheeks. "I don't want to be like this forever!" she bawls.

Shade comforts Ditzy Doo and ignores the dampness on her shoulder. She pets Ditzy's golden mane until the pegasus regains control of her emotions. "I do not mean to ruin the moment. . . should you not get back to work?"

Ditzy sniffles and cleans her eyes with the tips of her wings. "Yeah," she chuckles.

"I will send you a letter when I have everything in order, okay?"

"Okay!" Ditzy chimes. She quickly hugs Shade one more time before shooting into the sky.

Shade's smile fades as a thought pops into her head, Now, how do I get into Tartarus?

Why would she need to go to Tartarus, the reader may be wondering. Well, that is where Tirek resides. If Celestia does not have the guts to extinguish a threat, Shade will have to do the job for the safety of all ponykind and magic. Shade also needs Tirek so she can learn the absorb magic spell. With that spell, she can absorb the inmates of Tartarus of their magic and be powerful enough to help Muffins. Hell, even be powerful enough to rule all of Gaia!

Cue maniacal cackling.

Shade did not want to keep relying on Death for all her answers. Shade has a couple of options at her disposal to learn how to reach Tartarus. Each involves sneaking into Canterlot Castle. The first option is to locate the spell in a book in the Royal Library, chances of success: low. The second option, locate the spell in the Archives, chances of success: very low. Both options require her to break naturally warded rooms which Celestia will notice are down instantly; a third option, do something bad, chance of success: low Celestia might just lock Shade up in a regular jail.

Shade travels down the dirt road thinking and analyzing every option over. If she wants, Shade can teleport-skip to Canterlot and come back to Ponyville in time for lunch with Pinkie. Shade rubs her chin. What is stopping her? Suddenly, another option pops into her mind which has a higher chance of success: just ask Celestia to send her to Tartarus. Yes, the more she contemplates about that option, the clearer it becomes. Shade goes to Canterlot; the guards seize her; she demands to talk with Celestia. She talks with Celestia, feeds her a bunch of bullshit lies and do the whole "I do not want to be a danger to my friends or anypony else" song and dance; Celestia buys her routine and sends her to Tartarus.

Now, the plan has a high chance of getting her into Tartarus, but how will Shade get out? Will she be able to use her magic? She brings up her left foreleg to examine the bracelets on her cannon. If worse comes to worse, Shade will use Death to escape Tartarus. What did Death say? '[I am] as strong as the situation demands. When[ I ]do not have magic[ I ]will have my strength and vice versa.' Maybe I can punch my way out of Tartarus. Shake things up a bit.

Shade stops in her tracks. She takes in a deep breath and charges her horns. She pictures Canterlot Castle gardens as her destination and releases the spell.

Princess Celestia is enjoying a short recess from day court in the immaculate gardens. She bends down to inhale the pleasant perfume of the gloriosa daisies. Sniffing flowers and their scent helps her relax, along with a great cup of tea. A breeze blows through the gardens, and she enjoys the air rushing over her body and mane. She is not one to toot her own horn, but she has to admit that she made a pleasant day today no amount of nobles and complaints can take away how marvelous today is shaping out.

She bends down to inspect some marigolds when a pop stops her. She opens her eyes and notices her snout inches away from a white flank. Further inspection up from the flank reveals a head with three horns scanning the area. The short style of mane and tail throws her off for a second, but the three horns only cement the pony's identity.

"Okay. I am in. Now, I need to speak to. . ." the mare trails off when she notices the shadow encompassing her. The alabaster mare slowly cranks her neck around to face the princess. ". . .Celestia," Shade finishes.

With her wings open, Princess Celestia makes it a point to get her intimidation across to the mare. "Hello, Nightshade Toxin," she greets the mare civilly.

Shade turns her whole body to face the princess. She sighs and bows her head, "I need you to lock me up in Tartarus."

"What?" Celestia's eyes open wide. "What did you do?"

"I am afraid of what I will become. I do not want to hurt my friends. I need time to control my power before my power controls me. I need time to control my thoughts which are finally my own. I need time to sort out my heart."

Princess Celestia stares at the bowing mare. Conflict clouds her heart. She can sense the mare's sincerity but centuries alive have taught her not to allow villains to make their rules. She shakes her head; the mare before her is not a villain, is not a criminal, Nightshade Toxin is a powerful individual whose power has only increased over the years. Celestia does not care how the mare came to know about Tartarus, and Deathly Belladonna probably has something to do with it, Celestia only cares to know one thing.

"Why are you afraid, Nightshade Toxin?"

Shade pulls up her goggles and stares into the poudrette eyes of Celestia and says, "Because I have seen what power can do to oneself. I do not want to become that which I seek to destroy. I fear I may turn into my mother."

Princess Celestia sighs. What has this child seen to make her so afraid? "Tartarus is not a pleasant place. How about "

"No," Shade interrupts Celestia, "No. It must be Tartarus. Death can not reach me there."

"Very well. Are you prepared to go now?"

"Yes."