Daring Do woke up in her hiding place in the White Dove's storage room. Something had woke her rather rudely from the light sleep she had developed over the years. It only took a moment for her to discover what had awoken her, her ears swivelling to the approaching sound. Something was coming towards her, and it was apparently a human. Their steps were easily distinguished from those of the ponies. They were light, almost like a breath of wind that glided over the ground, so different from the heavy thud of hooves. Many ponies wouldn’t even recognize them as steps, but the humans on the ship were by no means the first she had encountered in her life. They were, perhaps, the ones who raised the most questions.

Hastily, she threw her saddlebag onto her sleeping bag before she began to roll up the entire thing. Then she opened one of the many boxes that were stored down here and threw the roll in. Even if she was found, no one would get to her belongings. With a few flaps of her wings, she flew to another corner of the storage room where she hid in a roll of heavy hawser. It blended nicely with the colour of her coat and would offer the best protection in the dim light of the magic crystals, as she knew from experience in similar situations.

The door opened and a head covered with dark red hair peered through the opening. Daring watched as the human, obviously the female that was on board, looked around and finally entered the room. The mare recognized the behaviour the human exhibited. The question was: just what did she have to hide?

The woman looked around the room for a moment, causing Daring to slightly lower her head. Faster movements would be more conspicuous since all beings were programmed to look for enemies, especially those that moved quickly when they attacked. This was true of ponies, but also of humans. The redhead seemed to be satisfied with the examination of her surroundings and pulled one of the boxes toward her, the box in which Daring had hidden her things. The mare swore inwardly. However, instead of opening them, she used the crate as a seat. Daring breathed in relief, though the air caught halfway in her throat. The crate, as far as she remembered, was full of armour, old armour heavy enough that it took two earth ponies to move it. This human had just pulled it towards her with one hand, as if it had been filled with air. If the notches in the wooden floor from where the crate had been dragged were not an illusion, then it had not been.

What happened next almost betrayed her, as she managed to clamp down on a frightened shriek before it could escape. From slots on the back of her white coat, hidden by a strip of the same fabric, two large white wings erupted. Daring could feel her eyes widen as the woman stretched the appendages. When they had reached full mast, the redhead gave a relieved groan. Understandable for the mare, who also hid her wings under a cloak whenever she travelled under her pseudonym.

After she had stretched properly, the woman moved her right wing in front of her face, and began to direct her fingers over the feathers. Some of them she pulled out, each time eliciting a hiss from the human. For the adventurer, it was almost painful to watch. Her mother must have missed some lessons on wing care. Then she remembered that humans didn’t actually have wings. But if she was not a human, what then? A changeling who wanted to play a joke on a mare in her prime years, knowing she was a stowaway?

"Ah, damn!" the woman suddenly cried, and Daring watched as some blood dripped to the ground. She had pulled out a feather before it was ready to come out. "Is not it enough that I bleed once a month?" she complained, pressing one hand against the wound, while the other moved behind the wing to act as a counter-pressure.

Golden light washed over her hands, and when she drew them back, all that had remained of the wound was the blood that had already soaked the other feathers. That was magic, Daring was sure, and the realization of what she had here slowly dawned upon her: an alicorn. A human alicorn sat with her in the storeroom and preened her wings. At least her cheeks had the decency to turn red as she stared at the human during this intimate act. Not that she intended to look away anytime soon.

A look could say a lot, so much so that it was often enough to simply glimpse the eyes of a person to know how they felt. However, the power of a meeting someone’s eyes was not only passive. It could affect the one to which it was directed, triggering happiness, unease, or the desire to spontaneously ignite yourself. At least, Thiemo thought that was what Night Hawk wanted to convey as she glared at him. This would certainly have the desired effect under normal circumstances, but given that she inundated in bandages, she had more the charisma of a Chihuahua with a muzzle. Her chest and belly were completely covered by bandages, just like her right wing, which was additionally held with a splint to her body. The otherwise so proud mare was backed into a corner and furious. Knowing that little could be accomplished with anyone in that situation, Thiemo averted his gaze and granted her a small victory.

The shaman once again looked around at those gathered in the room, all important in their own right. General Mustang sat at the head of the table, in front of him a sea chart that was probably a hundred years old, judging by the layer of dust that had been kicked up when he had first pulled it out. The place next to him was empty as Captain Windwalker was still to arrive. Amaryllis sat next to the general. Thiemo was still unsure if their relationship had a future, and he felt bad about not giving her a clear answer. He hadn’t lied when he said he loved her, and a large part of him just wanted to forget the past and take her in his arms. Another not insignificant part felt abandoned, and this inner conflict frustrated him without end. He had been able to release some steam yesterday, but unfortunately the burning righteous indignation had left him with cold uncertainty.

Beside Amaryllis sat Estoc. This was the first time he had seen the stallion without his uniform, and he radiated a completely different aura. Before, he was always stiff, as if someone had introduced a stick to his ass and had forgotten about it. Now he sat there looking somewhat depressed, but at the same time as if a great load had been taken from his back. His ears were sharp, however, as he listened to what Twilight whispered softly to him.

The princess' eyes flitted through the room as much as his own, back to Mustang, then to Amaryllis, and finally to him. As their eyes met, Twilight twitched a little before she gave him a slightly forced smile. Thiemo stretched his neck slightly and returned the gesture. He wondered what they were talking about.

Finally, there was his sister. Danielle sat in the chair next to him, her hands hidden under the cloak though he could tell that she had folded her arms underneath. She did not want to be here, yet here she was. She was here because he was here, because she wanted to help him. He wanted to embrace her and not let go. One couldn’t choose his family, but his sister was the best one could wish for. Somebody to steal horses with, as the German saying went. Someone who stood by one’s side, no matter what was wrong. If she hadn’t been there for him, he would not have recovered so quickly.

"Do I have something on my face?" she asked when she noticed Thiemo's gaze.

"No, I just—" He didn’t get further as the door to the outside opened. Windwalker came inside, the rain following her briefly before she shut the door.

The mare shook herself briefly, then took off her jacket and hung it on a hook. "Sorry for the delay, but it seems as if some supplies disappeared from one of the storage rooms and we had to check the inventory list."

All eyes followed her as she passed the general and took her seat. "Now that we are all here," Mustang took the floor, "we can begin. As commanding officer of this operation and unit, I wish to bring to your attention that there are unauthorized ponies with us at the table.” Thiemo looked over at Twilight, Nighthawk, and Estoc, who seemed to take what was said with indifference. Apparently they were familiar with this speech. "Therefore, choose your words carefully," he said to Danielle and Thiemo now. "Princess Twilight Sparkle, you have the floor."

Twilight rose and levitated a small sheet of paper that she seemed to have hidden under her wing. "I would like to ask for clarity regarding my situation. Supposedly, we are prisoners of the Crystal Empire. While I am allowed to move freely on the ship, my subordinates have been restricted to their quarters. This treatment raises uncertainties about our status."

Mustang looked over at Amaryllis, who did not seem to notice that Twilight’s words were addressed to her. Only when Windwalker cleared her throat did she start. "Well…" she began and rose. Mustang had briefed her on what to say, or at least that was what he told Thiemo. "Your freedom is based on the fact that there are no means at our disposal to limit you to your quarters. We're currently trusting that you will not leave your ponies in the lurch." Thiemo could not help but smile. He had never heard Amaryllis speak so woodenly. "That doesn't mean that their well-being is bound to you staying here. So yes, you are prisoners of the Crystal Empire."

Twilight grinned. It was one that left Thiemo uneasy, a sharp reminder of that time in the labyrinth flashing through his mind. ‘I have you,’ he could almost hear.

"Very well," the mare began, looking briefly at her note. "In accordance with the Carta Solaria, I exercise my right as a ruler and hold that I no longer consider Celestina Morningstar and Lunaria Daybreaker capable of leading the Kingdom of Equestria." Nighthawk jumped up, pounding her front hooves on the table. "Also in accordance with the Carta Solaria, I ask the Crystal Empire to stand by me as a legitimate ruler of Equestria. In return, Equestria will join the Empire and recognize the rule of Imperator Mi Amore Cadenza."

"Your Highness, you cannot be serious!" Night Hawk bellowed hardly had Twilight ceased speaking. "You can’t do that to Equestria! Think of your mother and your aunt and what they have done for the country!"

"I would like to see how Celestia would conduct an election campaign on Earth," Thiemo whispered to his sister. She only glanced at him with faint irritation. "Well, with such a name as ‘Morningstar’, she would certainly be pretty popular among the Christians." Danielle merely placed her hand on his head and pushed him back in his seat.

"That's exactly what I think," Twilight replied, straightening up. "They have done so much for Equestria that must be preserved. However, they have refused to acknowledge that the war we find ourselves in threatens us all. A ruler should always first think of his people. "

"Amen," Thiemo interjected, but was ignored by everyone.

Amaryllis glanced at Mustang and Windwalker. It was clearly written on her face that she was overwhelmed with the situation. Danielle quickly spoke up. "I have a question. Since I am still relatively new here, could someone tell me what the Carta Solaria is?” She must have also noticed how Amaryllis looked.

"The Carta Solaria is a document signed by almost all nations on Albion about three hundred years ago. It secures certain rights to all living beings who are capable of rational thought and emotions. It also includes rules on how prisoners of other nations are to be treated. Princess Twilight Sparkle is now invoking a paragraph that falls under it, which also treats with how rulers are dealt with. As a legitimate ruler, the princess has the right to turn to other nations if she thinks the other ruler is no longer able to lead." And since Thiemo had already told her that they were fighting Celestia, he had already indirectly agreed with her. "Princess Amaryllis, it is now up to you to decide whether you agree to the request. If you agree, you also acknowledge that you no longer regard the rulers of Equestria as able to lead their country, and recognize Princess Twilight as a legitimate ruler."

Thiemo could not help but chuckle. Twilight had tricked them like children. It would give the Empire a reason to go against Equestria, a better one than its ruler being a bitter human hater. The Empire might have succeeded in expelling Celestia from the throne, but the people would have resisted. They were too devoted to Celestia and Luna. However, they also loved Twilight Sparkle. If she then stood up against her mother and aunt, there would surely be some doubts. An occupation did not end with the soldiers conquering the palace, but only when the new ruler had conquered the hearts of the people. In addition, if they recognized Twilight as a legitimate ruler, then she was no longer a means of pressure against Celestia since she was also her opponent. The Empire had to release Twilight and her soldiers since it made no sense keeping her captive.

They had just been kicked in the ass by a little lilac-coloured alicorn. Thiemo joined the gods in laughing at the sheer absurdity of the situation."It's nice that our distress so amused you," Twilight said dryly as he calmed down. "You're the last one to laugh."

Thiemo wiped a tear from his cheek. "What does that mean?"

"That every alicorn has taken you for a ride so far," the princess replied with a slightly malicious grin on her lips. "My mother used you to bring Amaryllis to the Empire. That was a sure way to curry favour with Cadance who, don’t forget, also took you for a ride." Thiemo blinked in surprise. Yes, Cadance had forced him to fight in the tournament, but he would not now call it being taken advantage of. "You said you were sentenced to exile, right?" He nodded slowly. "Then you have submitted to the laws of the Empire. Whoever is condemned by the laws must be a citizen. Why do you think Equestria doesn’t sentence humans, but directly send them back to Ti? You and Danielle, you are now both citizens of the Empire, and with your special title, you are part of the military. Otherwise, Captain Windwalker would not listen to any order that comes out of your mouth."

Thiemo turned pale, feeling the blood within his body practically rush down to his feet. His gaze wandered to Mustang and Windwalker. Both ponies looked back, the general with a smile on his lips while Windwalker just shook her head. "You're realizing this now?" Danielle asked from his right. "Even on Earth, we deport criminals to their home country. And then there is America, which doesn’t allow other countries to sue its citizens.”

"You knew that?" he asked in horror.

"Where do you think I got the belt from? Princess Cadance gave it to me to welcome me as a citizen." This time, almost everyone else was laughing. Only Nighthawk and him were silent.

Amaryllis finally cleared her throat. "As Princess of the Crystal Empire, I recognize the application of Princess Twilight Sparkle." Mustang nodded, as did Windwalker. "The soldiers who were faithful to their princess are granted freedom of movement on the ship. Likewise, they will be given their weapons once they are ready to disembark."

"Thank you, Princess Amaryllis." Twilight bowed slightly, then sat down. "And since we are now all allies, is it possibly that my allies and I can be granted clearance?"

Night Hawk, who had hitherto watched the scene play out in silence, turned to the door. She looked around for the last time and opened her mouth to say something, though no words escaped. Then she disappeared into the rain.

Mustang snorted. "We shall continue onto the second item on the agenda. We have two humans, citizens of the Empire," he added with a grin, "who volunteered to infiltrate the island known to us as Ti and search for the stolen Crystal Heart. We know that the island itself is guarded with some ballistae. Although the White Dove can fly high enough to escape this, it would counteract a successful infiltration. So we need a plan to get our agents onto the island and later back on the ship."

"Three agents," interjected Amaryllis. "I will accompany them to the island."

"You can’t be serious, Princess," Windwalker interjected. "We don’t know what it looks like on the island. We don’t know how ponies or changelings are treated. Besides, your mother would tear our heads off if we let you go."

Thiemo nodded. “I agree. Besides, if you were to be captured, they would hold a strong bargaining chip against the Empire."

Amaryllis first looked to the humans, then to Mustang. "I don’t want to be a spoilsport, but I'm your princess," she said firmly. Green fire danced briefly over her body and in her stead stood a young woman who was probably looking for a nineties’ punk rock concert. Heavy black leather boots, a short red-and-white plaid skirt, black tank top with a pony skull on her chest, and short purple hair held by a hairpin, it was an outfit that did not mesh with her rather slender figure. All she was missing was a dog collar and spiked armbands, Thiemo opined. "Besides, they will not meet a changeling or pony."

"Mustang, she can’t..." Thiemo pointed to his maybe ex-girlfriend.

"She's the princess. She can." He rolled his eyes. "But the problem of infiltration and extraction remains."

"Do we have anything like rubber boats? Or rescue boats?"

Windwalker shook her head. "We're on an airship. We have parachutes."

"Right," the shaman nodded. "How does Equestria get humans to Ti?" He asked Twilight, who in turn looked to Estoc.

"We throw them off the coast into the sea," the stallion said, shaking his head. "However, I was never there, so I don’t know how close the ships get."

"In addition, this is a Crystal Empire airship. We can land on the water, but that doesn’t make us a normal wooden ship. They will know that something’s rotten if the Empire suddenly begins to throw humans their way too."

"That might ordinarily be true, Windwalker, but after the attack on the Empire, I doubt they’d be surprised if humans are now being expelled there too, right?" Danielle asked.

Twilight shook her head. "Cadance would never simply expel anyone like that. Even the survivors of the attack were imprisoned and treated like any other citizen. It's not like her. It would be conspicuous."

"Then we'll have to swim." Thiemo shrugged as everyone looked at him in astonishment. "We’ll cut some of the boxes in the storage room, take some rope and build an improvised raft. If anyone asks, we had to walk the plank further out to sea.”

Those gathered in the room thought about it for a moment. "That could work," Mustang agreed. "Also, some Equestrian pegasi could monitor you from above the clouds in case something should happen on the way."

"Getting out, on the other hand, would be relatively easy. If the White Dove can get in position over the island without getting into danger, we'll just find a way up. Amaryllis can fly and Danielle and I can find a way." He already had something in mind.

Mustang snorted. "Well, then we would have that."

Everyone rose from their seats, but Thiemo stopped as a hand rested on his shoulder. "We both have something to do," his sister said, pointing down. Thiemo followed her finger. Then he looked up at her again.

"You’re not serious, right?" he asked, horrified.

"I'm sure we'll find some scissors somewhere on the ship." Oh, she was serious.

"But this is my tail." His sister imitated scissors with her fingers. "Oh man…"

Author's Notes:

For a long time, I didn't recommend any other story. It's time to do so again. A friend of mine, who is helping with editing the German version of this story, is publishing his own big mess he calls a story here: The Devourer

It's a big story. It's a good story. Take a look and see for yourself.

Special thanks to JBL for translating & editing.