As Twilight watched the Sentinel meditate, she sighed with exhaustion. Celestia and Luna had wholeheartedly agreed to the Sentinel's plan, and since it was near the Crystal Empire, their next destination, it was made easier. However, news from Canterlot had arrived, and it was not good. Amadeus had "paid" the mercenaries by allowing them to loot the homes of the nobility that still supported Celestia and Twilight. The Solar and Lunar Guards still loyal to the sisters had pulled out, and Canterlot had fallen.

"Damn it." Twilight said, looking at the Canterlot skyline. She sighed again and looked over at Sentinel, who was finishing his meditation.

"Element of Magic, is something on your mind?" he asked.

Twilight sat down next to him.

"A few things. One, Sentinel, can you just call me Twilight? "Element of Magic" seems a bit formal for my taste."

"As you wish."

"Two, if Scipio agrees to fight with us, what will we repay him with?"

"I cannot say."

"Alright...three...you said you didn't have a name. If you remember Scipio, can you remember your name?"

The Sentinel focused intently, and he sighed.

"I cannot remember."

"Well, you tried. And I guess that's what counts. I'll just call you Sentinel for now." Twilight said, suppressing a yawn.

"It is apparent you need rest." Sentinel said, not looking away.

"You're right." Twilight said. "See you in the morning."

As Twilight walked off, the Sentinel stood up, and underneath his helmet, he sighed.

"She is more than capable of being a princess." he thought. "Why anyone would want her demise, I do not know."

==================

Back in Canterlot, Majesty Blueblood watched as the guards attempted to batter down the gates to Canterlot Castle, with no success. She sighed, tossed her hair, and walked back into the Blueblood Estate, passing by several maids, mercenaries, and nobles. She eventually walked into her chambers, and collapsed on the bed. Her white coat and silvery blue hair glistened in the moonlight, and she sighed.

"Why?" she asked herself. "Why did all this have to happen? I know what father expects of me, but....did she truly have to die for what she believed in? I certainly believe a war is not necessary!"

She tossed and turned, and eventually, she fell asleep.

================

Her eyes opened to see herself in a cave, deep underground. There, before her, was the Tree of Harmony. Then, there was a bright light, and when it dimmed, she was in the walls of Canterlot Castle, but there was no color, only white.

"Where am I?" she asked.

"You are in my embrace, Majesty Blueblood."

She turned to see six gems appear and form a hexagon.

"You're the Tree of Harmony, correct?" she asked.

"Yes." The Tree replied. "I am here to warn you."

"Warn me?" she asked.

"Yes. When the Princess Twilight was to be killed, my Sentinel intervened and stopped them. For if he had failed, Equestria would be plunged into chaos and disharmony, as the true rulers and their usurpers fought for power. By the end, you, and few others would be left to rule over a wasteland, a war-scarred, desolate Equestria. All because they did not believe her."

"You're saying that... If she died, everything my father says we're trying to protect would die?" she asked.

"Yes. You yourself would not perish, but your father and countless innocents would die because of Amadeus's lust for power. But you...Majesty, you are different. You heard his teachings, but you did not take them to heart. You still possess a pure spirit, one that could end this conflict, if only you see how."

"I...guess I do have a lot of questions that Father refuses to answer…" she said.

"Indeed. Those questions are well-founded. You, Majesty, are a tool in your father's eyes, in his quest for power. But there is still hope for peace. You know what to do."

==========

Majesty's eyes flared open, revealing the night sky and the moon rising through her bedchamber window. She took in the image and sighed.

"What must I do?" she asked. "What can I do?"

Then, she looked at the moon with new determination.

"I think it's time to get some answers, whether Father approves...or not." she said with furrowed brow.

==========

Meanwhile, on the train to the Crystal Empire, the Sentinel's eyes opened from his meditation. He sighed, hoisted his sword, and walked into Twilight's room to check on her. To his relief, she was undisturbed. He closed the door to her cabin and sat down to resume meditating.