"There are no survivors in the base, but nothing was taken from it that ADVENT can see," the Council Man said. "However both, non-combatants and enemy units were mercilessly killed. There are reports that the Hunter was seen arriving at the scene, but nothing else has been passed down the pipeline."

Chrysalis sighed. "I can only assume that Fugue is responsible. Especially if the reports are true and the bodies had almost no blood."

"This new opponent has proven very effective at fighting ADVENT, Commander. Can it be a new ally?"

"No," she replied, "we have it on good authority that Fugue is currently someone that would attack friend and foe alike indiscriminately. She's a very dangerous opponent and one I'd rather not have my troops face at all until we are thoroughly prepared for it."

The Council Man nodded. "Understood, Commander. For now, we have to concentrate on this… Avatar Project. There are… indications that there is unrest and something happening beyond the control of the Elders. They are escalating their work on the project, and two facilities in undisclosed locations have been announced."

"I will send my agents to infiltrate and find out what can be done."

"Very well. Good luck, Commander."

The screen blinked and the chairman was gone. Chrysalis stretched, taking a moment to drink water and crack her joints before sitting down and summoning the next meeting.

It didn't take even a second.

"Do we have an update on this Sunset Shimmer situation?" Volk asked immediately. "So far none of my people have encountered her yet."

"I believe she is called 'Fugue' right now," Geist said, his screen flickering for a moment, no doubt a manifestation of his psychic powers. "A most intriguing name. I do wonder on its relation to two of the Chosen. Weren't their names Aria and Sonata? Seems like the musical naming is a continuing theme."

"Regardless, that's two of my Skirmishers unaccounted for, Commander," Betos said, narrowing her eyes. "I assume you have not heard back from Tala either."

"We know that Tala is doing well," Chrysalis said, her face calm. "And believe me, I am very unhappy about the situation with Fugue. We believe we have a good lead on being able to… control her and reverse her transformation permanently. However, right now, she is a rogue element, who is not in control of her actions…" she trailed off, taking a deep breath. "Until we find the cure, she is to be avoided at best. She is extremely dangerous."

"How is it that she suffered this transformation?" Volk asked. "Was this done by the Elders?"

Chrysalis grimaced internally. "No, it wasn't them. Although we believe that the Hunter was involved, although our reports from the site indicate that she is not on the side of the Chosen. She reportedly killed the Warlock during that confrontation."

"Not permanently, unfortunately," Geist added. "Come now, Chrysalis, why don't you tell us the truth? The Chosen and Sunset all come from the same world, don't they?"

Chrysalis slowly sat forward, glaring at the smug Templar, while Volk and Betos looked less than happy.

"What do you mean the same world?" Volk asked slowly.

"Exactly as I said," Geist replied, shrugging. "Our dear Sunset Shimmer is not the original, nor a clone. She's an alien from another world."

Chrysalis groaned and rubbed her forehead. "Geist."

"Is this true, Commander?" Volk asked. "You have been consorting with aliens?"

"That will be enough!" Betos growled, "Sunset Shimmer is one of us!"

"Until she becomes something worse and starts killing us too!" Volk countered. "Sunset Shimmer was privy to a lot of information on all of us!"

"Yes." Chrysalis looked up at the three screens, cutting them off before Betos had a chance to speak up. "As Geist said, Sunset Shimmer is from another world. They are unrelated to the Elders and their powers are violently volatile when clashing with psionics."

"Quite right," Geist said, grimacing. "Sunset almost accidentally killed me."

"You seem to be taking this very well."

"Volk, you need to learn to take things more calmly. Just like you shouldn't eat most of the things you kill, you just have to understand that Sunset Shimmer was—until recently—a good ally."

Betos glanced from them to Chrysalis. "Does this have anything to do with that secret mission you sent Tala on?"

Chrysalis rolled her eyes. "We made contact with an inter-dimensional race from where Sunset Shimmer originated. At one point, she brought Princess Twilight Sparkle here by accident whereupon her secret was exposed. Twilight joined the science team and the rookie team, and proved herself a loyal friend and stalwart ally. When an emergency back home demanded her return, she left, escorted by one of my agents and Tala, to assist her people.

"We received reports of their success. Princess Twilight is also brokering terms of an alliance for us. During her stay here, it was revealed that two of the Chosen were originally creatures called Sirens from their world."

"Then how do we know this is not another invasion?" Volk asked.

"They were exiled here over a thousand years ago," Chrysalis said, eyes narrowing. "And I have no reason to doubt Princess Twilight or her allies."

"How about the fact that one of them turned into a monster that by all accounts is willing to kill us all?" Volk asked. He shook his head. "I can't guarantee that Elena will stay when she finds out about Sunset's origins."

Chrysalis smirked. "She's known for a long time Volk. Do you trust her instincts?"

"Ha!" Geist leaned back, eyes shining. "Laetitia has known since the beginning."

"Mox knew," Chrysalis said to Betos, who nodded.

"Very well, Commander, given our success so far, I am willing to trust your judgement," the Skirmisher leader said. "I will instruct my people to not engage… Fugue… should they encounter her. However, if she attacks first…"

"...or if she attacks any Settlement we're allied with," Volk added, "then we will engage in combat."

Chrysalis sighed. "That's the best I can hope for."

"You understand, Commander, we can't risk everything for one woman, no matter how much respect or attachment we have for her," Geist said after a moment, locking eyes with Chrysalis. "And even though she's Sunset Shimmer of sorts…"

"I know." Chrysalis closed her eyes. "I know."

"Then, by your leave… Commander," Geist said with a hint of gentleness before disconnecting.

Volk nodded before disconnecting. "Commander."

"She did accept other species far quicker than any human I ever met," Betos said thoughtfully. "It saddens me a little to know that she wasn't one hundred percent human. It gave me… hope."

"Hope is all we can have," Chrysalis said, "but it won't get us anywhere without the willpower to see it come to fruition."

Betos smiled. "This is true. Farewell, Commander."

When the last screen blinked dark, Chrysalis took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "One thing less on the calendar."

She turned to her computer and hesitated. "Why do I keep doing this to myself?" she whispered, looking at her playlist. She scanned it, knowing exactly what she wanted.

She clicked the play button and stood up to grab a drink.

"Call you up in the middle of the night…"