“So, what do you think?” I asked and sipped my water. We were in a private corner of the little curry restaurant.

“...A bit spicy,” Fizzlepop admitted and poked at her curry and rice with a spoon, “But not bad. Different kind of spicy.”

I nodded, “I like this place. Ran into it a couple of months ago,” and had some curry of my own. It was a stronger dish than I recommended for her. It was not for beginners.

Rarity of all people had recommended this place to me and on my Luna, she was right. The food was amazing!

She nodded and tried some of the bread.

“So, Miss…” I started before I frowned, “I’m sorry. I never did ask which name you prefered, did I? Tempest Shadow or Fizzlepop Berrytwist.”

She frowned in thought for a long moment, “I’m… I’m not sure either fit anymore. But I’m not Berrytwist.”

“Miss Shadow then,” I said, “Any plans?”

Tempest Shadow hesitated and then looked at me, “...I am really free to go? Just like that?”

I sighed and shifted my wings as I poked my rice, “Well...Yes and no.”

She frowned at me so I continued,

“According to the negotiations, all of the Storm King’s forces are to be released across the closest border,” I said and poked my curry with my a piece of bread, letting it soak, “If you were just let go in Equestria, there would be trouble. The nobility would never stand for it, you were the leader of an invasion after all.”

Tempest let out a small breath and looked down towards her bowl, “...I see.”

“But,” I continued, “What you do is still up to you. There are options available.”

“I figured,” she said and then looked to me again, “You wouldn’t be doing this if you were just going to banish me or thrown me back into that dark hole again.”

“I suppose not,” I admitted, “But I don’t want you banished or confined to the prison either. You may have lead the invasion, but I know enough about you to say it wasn’t fully by choice.”

“...You know nothing about me…”

“Don’t I?” I asked and raised an eyebrow at her, “Miss Shadow, I am Blank Page, the Alicorn of Stories. I know some of yours.”

She glared at me, “Prove it!”

“Ursa Minor.”

She jerked slightly in surprise and stared at me with wide eyes before she frowned, “H-how could you possibly…”

I gave her a small smile, “Alicorns aren’t just stronger unicorns with wings, Miss Tempest. Would you like to hear your options?”

Tempest Shadow stared at me for a long moment before she nodded and seemed to shrink down slightly, her ears going to the sides, “...Okay.”

“The first option,” I said, “is to simply go with the rest of the Storm King’s forces and leave Equestria. Be it to go back to him or simply go anywhere you wish as soon as you are across the border.”

I took a sip from my water before I continued while watching her reactions. She had a pretty good poker face but I suspected she wasn’t in favor of option one.

As expected, he did not seem like a guy that was forgiving about mistakes.

“The second option is to go through the courts in Equestria. There would be prison time involved most likely,” I said and sighed, “I would not recommend this one personally. Politics is involved and while they should normally stay out of it, there will be pressure applied and very little we can do about it.”

She nodded slightly as she watched me.

“Then there is the third option,” I told her and smiled, “You join us.”

Tempest frowned at me, “Join you?”

I nodded, “Join Equestria's defensive forces. You are quite skilled and it would benefit Equestria quite a bit to have you on our side against other threats.”

“...You want me to join the guard!?”

I shook my head, “Hardly. You don’t fit the recruiting standards for either Day or Night and my Legion has other preferences. I am second ranking War Mage in Equestria. I want you to join us.”

“Two weeks ago I was leading an invasion force against Equestria and now you want me to join you!?”

“You did quite a good job of it too,” I agreed and poked at my curry with my spoon, “Better than most would. We’re rebuilding the War Mages order just for such matters.”

Tempest Shadow hesitated, “...And if I rather leave?”

“Then the train leaves in a bit over an hour,” I said and had some curry, “I’d more than understand if you are tired of taking orders by now. I’d walk you to the station personally. Even give you some Bits to get you started again somewhere else if you head off somewhere else after crossing the border, but I’m afraid I’m going to need an answer before the last train leaves in three hours.”

She was quiet for a long moment, “And my horn?” she finally asked.

“I gave you my word that I would do whatever is in my power to try to help you. It stands no matter if you stay or go.”

Tempest Shadow watched me for a moment before she nodded and returned to her meal.