• Published 6th Mar 2015
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Upheaval: Journeys - Visiden Visidane



The ninth rebellion looms over Equestria, and its defenders must gather all the means they can to face the firstborn.

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Setting Destinations

Upheaval: Journeys

Unified 1: Setting Destinations

Silence reigned over the Chamber of Elements as Twilight's wide-eyed friends stared at her with their mouths agape. She couldn't blame them. She probably had the same look on her face when Celestia told her of this development. Behind her, all three Equestrian Royals stood without a word, solemnly letting all this play out.

It had been a week since the battle of Sky Mirror Lake. Enough time for taking stock to get well under way. The Legion had recovered its dead, and its equipment, before withdrawing. Those who had perished were accounted for, and a memorial was in the works. Despite these events, reunification pushed on.

Queen Chrysalis and her changelings were allowed to return to their home. With the Abyssal Throne gone, Celestia hoped that the changelings would begin to recover as well. As the days passed by, Twilight dared to hope that, at least for now, things were starting to look up.

Rarity cleared her throat; the first sound to break the silence. "Did...did I hear you right?" she asked. "Did you just say you were going to the Eternal Herd?"

"Yes," Twilight replied.

Rarity tilted her head slightly, her look of concern growing. "I hope that's not a euphemism for you dying. Are you alright, darling? You didn't strain yourself beyond your limit in the abyss, did you?"

Twilight's eyes widened. "What? No, I'm not dying!" The others breathed a sigh of relief. "The King asked for my presence, so I'll accompany Princess Celestia and Prince Terrato."

"I shall stay to manage affairs here," Luna said. "We cannot simply abandon Equestria when there is much to do."

"Are you sure you want to do it?" Twilight asked. "The King is finally going to speak. You can finally meet him for the first time ever."

"I..." Luna sighed. "I would certainly like that, Twilight Sparkle, but you must understand that I'm quite fine in setting it aside for later. One of us must stay, and I have volunteered to do so."

"That's awesome and all," Rainbow said, "but where does that leave us? Are we going too?"

"No," Terrato said.

Celestia looked at him disapprovingly, but he barely seemed to notice her. Or anypony in the room for that matter. His eyes were far away, looking at things only he could see. A moment more and Celestia turned her attention towards Rainbow. "I would love to bring you all to see the Eternal Herd, but we must limit this trip to just Twilight this time. It will take plenty of resources to transport her there without—" she cleared her throat "—the usual methods. Having all six of you go would tax us greatly."

"And you have nothing to do there," Terrato added. "This isn't some sight-seeing trip, it's a summons." His gaze swept over them. At the sight of Fluttershy and her ruined eye -now covered with a proper eyepatch- he paused. "All of you have work to do. I can see it in your faces, and in the reports made about your activities. We'll be going, but none of you should be idle while we're away."

"Oh! Oh!" Pinkie waved a front hoof excitedly until Terrato glared at her. "Can I go with Copper Mane to the Great Delve?" she asked.

Terrato raised an eyebrow. "The Delve? And you're going with a True Earth Pony? What is this about, Pinkie Pie?"

Despite the stern question, Pinkie remained undaunted. "There's a bunch of stuff I want to find out there," she said. "Especially after all we saw in the Old Kingdom!"

"Luna can easily arrange for a trip, and some escorts, to the Great Delve," Terrato said. "If there is something you think you can gain there, go."

Luna's voice lowered with concern. "Be mindful of yourself there, Pinkie Pie," she said. "It won't take long for the delvites to digest all the news coming from the Heartland. They will know who you are. To see the Element of Joy associating with the True Earth Ponies will upset many, especially the pegasi and unicorns. On their part, I'm sure the True Earth Ponies will be happy to take advantage of this."

"Well, somepony has to say something." Pinkie shrugged. "They've been upset with each other for a long, long, long time."

"I suppose that's true as well," Luna said. "I'll see what I can do." She looked to the others. "What of the rest of you?"

Twilight followed Luna's gaze, taking the time to look at her friends fondly. It might be a while before she saw them again. When both she and Luna looked to Applejack, they found her looking away, only to glance occasionally at Twilight.

"Applejack?" Luna asked.

Applejack opened her mouth, hesitated, then glanced away again. "I...uh...I don't really have plans. I was hoping I could talk to Twilight about something, but she's..."

"I don't have to go away immediately," Twilight said. "Princess Celestia says there's a lot of preparation involved. We still have plenty of time to talk."

Applejack's eyes lit up. "Great!" she said. "V--!" she quickly shut her mouth. Twilight's heart lurched. That "V" might stand for a lot of things: victory, valorous, vain, vicious..., but her suspicions narrowed it down to one word. She had seen Vanguard on a few occasions ever since Sky Mirror Lake, and never by herself. Applejack might have. It's not like there were times Twilight didn't—

It was only when Rarity cleared her throat again that Twilight realized she was staring intensely at Applejack, who was practically squirming on the spot.

"This is all very sudden, if you ask me," Rarity said. "I wish we had more time to recover together, but I suppose there is always work to be done."

"Do you have somewhere to go, Rarity?" Twilight asked.

"The Great Delve sounds nice," Rarity replied. "I've heard a lot of things from the legionnaires here. Oh, to see what kind of fashion within the heart of the Barrier Lands would be quite the learning experience! And carved inside a massive mountain filled with gemstones to make even a dragon—!"

"Rarity," Luna said sternly. "Surely, you're not going to the Delve on a shopping spree, are you?"

"That was a joke," Rarity said. "Well, partly. The Hall of Mage Blades is in the Great Delve as 'the legendary Lion Court' mentions in his book. I believe there are things I can learn there. The Great Delve Smith's Guild will also be a good stop according to Hammer Chain, who's also planning on making the trip."

Terrato nodded slightly. "The Hall of Mage Blades is still standing. That's the best that can be said about it."

Rarity's ears drooped. "Oh dear," she said. "I suppose centuries of the art being obscured would do that." Her ears perked a moment later. "Nevertheless, I suspect that I can still benefit from a visit."

"Hey, isn't Spike in the Western Barrier Land?" Pinkie asked. "Maybe we can meet up with him!"

Rarity replied with a pleased nod.

Fluttershy ventured to raise a hoof, but she stopped halfway, and looked aside.

"Yes, Fluttershy?" Celestia asked.

"I...um...if it's okay with you, I'd really appreciate it if you released Starswirl," Fluttershy said.

Celestia raised her eyebrows, the only outward sign of her surprise, before recovering swiftly. "That's an odd request," she said. "Certainly, we've benefited from his help, and I was considering it. I would like to know why you have some vested interest in his freedom."

Fluttershy pawed the floor for a few seconds. Her ruined eye twitched slightly. Twilight wasn't sure if it was just due to some muscle spasm, or from pulses of power. "Starswirl was the first one to question Oceanus," Fluttershy said. "We thought about following, but we didn't." She touched her ruined eye with a front hoof. The others moved closer worriedly, but she shook her head. "That's as much as I remember."

"You mean what Lok'horus remembers," Twilight said. She stared at the ruined eye. "Is...is he in there, talking to you?"

Fluttershy shook her head again. "I don't think there's enough of Lok'horus left to be Lok'horus. They're...they're just really weird like that. Sorry, but he's not 'talking' to me. I just remember. All I know is that Starswirl can help."

Luna looked to Terrato. "Big brother, surely Starswirl has done enough to earn his freedom?"

"Sure, why not." Terrato snorted. "Just make sure to kill him if he gets unruly, little sister. You'll likely be the only alicorn here if he decides he'd rather be Regia Carnifex."

Luna nodded, then went on to Rainbow. "And you?" she asked. "Have you considered your next steps, Rainbow Dash?"

Rainbow flinched when every pony in the chamber looked to her. "Uh...no?" She shrugged, then put on a defiant face. "Hey, I was still waiting for some kind of feast! We kicked butt in the abyss, remember? Now, all of a sudden, everypony's running off somewhere? How was I supposed to know I had to think of where to go right away?"

"A feast would be nice though," Pinkie mumbled. She glanced at Terrato. "Some of us could use some cheering up."

Celestia smiled, and nodded. "That's true," she said. "We've lost a great deal, and even more troubles await, but we must not forget to take joy in what we still have."

"I've been making arrangements already," Luna said with an upward tilt of her chin. "Of course, it all has to take a back seat to recovering as much as possible from Sky Mirror Lake. It won't take much longer to have a feast for Sky Mirror Lake and Reunification."

"So we can have a party before everypony takes a trip?" Pinkie asked. "Awesome!"

Rarity gasped, then looked at herself. "I'll have to pick the proper outfit. This will be the first major social event of the reunification! Oh, I hope it isn't too soon!"

Applejack nodded vigorously. "Count me in," she said. She rubbed her chin with a hoof. "Hold on...if I can get some of the Apple Family baked goods ready in time, I can make a good impression on a lot of legionnaires. This might be a chance to branch out to the Barrier Lands!"

Fluttershy opened her mouth to say something, but thought against it. After another moment, she finally mumbled "I...I think a party would be nice."

Rainbow stomped a front hoof. "See?" she said. "Now, we're talking!"

"And what will you do after the celebration?" Twilight asked. She frowned when Rainbow shrugged, and put on a sheepish grin.

"I'll figure something out," Rainbow said. "It's not like I have to go at the same time as you, right?"

"I suppose." Twilight sighed. A party would be...appropriate, useful, necessary even. Yet, she couldn't even bring herself to think of it as enjoyable, or exciting, or anything that a party should be. Though they smiled, focused on the good things, and planned parties, there was an unmistakable cloud over them. She glanced at the center of that cloud at the moment. The princesses were also looking at their brother, the only one left in the chamber who hadn't commented on the idea.

"A feast would be good for morale and solidarity," Terrato said flatly. "It's been a while since large groups from all three legions were together like this. Increase security; I don't trust the heartlanders to control themselves once ponies start breaking out the casks."

"Of course, big brother," Luna said.

"Good." Terrato walked towards the exit. His next words came out like a snort. "Have fun. After all, what a great victory we've won."

When the doors closed behind him, a collective sigh seemed to escape from everypony else. Twilight could already see it; there would be three places of honor for the royalty in the coming feast, but only two of them would be occupied.

"Will he be alright?" Fluttershy asked. "He's really hurting."

Celestia looked forlornly at Chamber of Harmony's doors. "He is," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "This is not the homecoming he's been looking forward to for such a long time." She tried to muster a smile, succeeding only partly when she turned her gaze on the others. "You shouldn't burden yourselves with this. He wouldn't want you to. You all have a while to relax and prepare for a party. Afterwards...we'll see."


While the others moved on ahead, Twilight and Applejack hung back. Rarity was all but galloping a bee-line to what was likely the nearest clothing store. For raw materials of course. Fluttershy and Rainbow had flown off seprarately. Twilight wasn't sure where. Pinkie bounced off, likely to help out with preparations. Or to talk to Copper Mane, which she had been doing throughout the week.

"So what was it that you were going to tell me?" Twilight asked.

Applejack tilted her hat forward, as if to hide her eyes. "I was gonna say it, but then I figured that maybe it shouldn't be me," she said.

"I don't understand," Twilight said with a tilt of her muzzle. "If there's something you need me to know, why not just say it?"

"I'm not trying to hide it," Applejack said. "I just thought that—" She stopped, her lips instantly curving into a smile, and her ears perking up.

Twilight followed the stare. About a few dozen feet away stood a familiar, black-armored figure. Her heart lurched again, as it did earlier. She knew of Applejack's feelings. Still, this was far removed from Applejack's usual stumbling response; a wordless, unabashed smile of affection that couldn't possibly be interpreted as anything else. Twilight was almost embarrassed for Applejack.

Vanguard approached them without his champron on, a stiff winter breeze ruffling his curly, black mane around him. He had been doing this for a while now. He scared ponies less if he let them see his face, as he had discovered. Here in Canterlot, where there was no immediate danger, he could afford to be bareheaded. Twilight was about to wave a hoof, but the look on his face froze her.

It was only for a short moment, but Vanguard answered Applejack's love-struck look with a smile of his own; a warm, pleased smile that Twilight had not seen before. In that simple response, everything that didn't seem to make sense earlier clicked into place. She stayed unmoved while Applejack trotted to stand closer to him. This was what Applejack wanted to say. Of course. All of a sudden, she felt like an intruder even as a dull ache struck her heart.

Applejack turned towards Twilight, still all smiles. "Twilight, I—" The smile faded into a look of concern. "Twilight, you okay?"

"I..." Twilight struggled to keep her face even, and her voice calm. "I'm fine," she said. "I understand what you were saying earlier, Applejack." She forced a smile, an understanding smile that should tell them both that it was okay. She took a step back so she could give them their time together.

"Sugarcube, wait!" Applejack said.

Vanguard stepped forward. "Twilight..."

Twilight raised a hoof to stop both of them. "No," she said. "Don't do this." A wretched tear trickled down her cheeks, threatening to undermine what she had to say. "I'm happy for you, really. I mean...I mean after some time I will be. Don't try to comfort me like I'll go berserk because of this, I won't, I promise!" She choked back a sob. Her voice cracked when she spoke again. "So...so I'll be fine with some time. Just be happy together, okay?" That was it. She couldn't stand her ground much longer. She had to go before she ruined what time they could spend together. Running would be pointless. They'd give chase, probably calling out to her along the way. She didn't want a scene. Her horn flashed, and a teleportation spell carried her away to some quiet spot she could stay and take this all in.


"Twilight..."

Applejack lowered her hoof as the brief glare from Twilight's teleportation spell faded. That...that was far from how she had hoped things would turn out. She looked around vainly to catch a glimpse of her friend. All around her, ponies simply moved on with their business. She frowned and put a hoof to her chin, quickly running through the places Twilight might have gone to. Unfortunately, she was hardly familiar at all with Canterlot.

"Applejack," Vanguard said. "Perhaps, it's better if we give her the time she asks."

"But..." Applejack sighed. "There was no way this could have worked out with everypony smiling, wasn't there?"

Vanguard shook his head. "Don't be so downcast so quickly," he said. "She's strong. This will work out with everypony smiling, you'll see."

Applejack leaned against him. His nightsteel plate was cold to touch in winter, but his neck was warm against her head. Vanguard put a hoof around her shoulders, and nuzzled her forelocks for a moment. "Something else is troubling you," he said.

"Twilight's going off on a trip to the Eternal Herd," Applejack said. "Pinkie's got something planned, so does Rarity. Everypony's expected to do something special now, and I...I'm not sure what I'm supposed to do."

They started walking before Vanguard spoke again. "No clue at all?" he asked. He frowned in deep thought. "I read that Black Rose didn't have some kind of test for you and Twilight. Or, if she did, she didn't enact it."

Applejack stopped, her eyes wide. "Wait," she said. "That last thing she said..." She looked to the chain she had wrapped around her neck. The chain of Apple Slice was always close by these days. Black Rose had commented on it briefly in the abyss. It was probably nothing, just a quick remark like the sort you'd make about the weather. But that gave her an idea. "Well, there's something."

Vanguard smiled slightly. "There we go then. What is it?"

Applejack hesitated over telling Vanguard about Apple Slice. She didn't really trust dreams. But dreams weren't this vivid, or consistent. Dreams involved Winona lecturing her on Math, or being chased by rotten apples swooping in with chicken wings, not living through the life of an ancestor. Vanguard might dismiss her concerns though. When he remained silent and expectant, she finally ventured to talk about it.

Vanguard stayed quiet throughout the whole story, a ghost of mockery not even showing on his face. "The chain was glowing when you woke up?" he asked.

"I think so," Applejack said. "Could just be left over sleep though."

"No more than it's all just dreams," Vanguard said. "Perhaps, the chain is doing more than just providing you information of its past owner."

"Yeah?" Applejack asked. "I guess I might see him do some fancy moves with this here chain when it gets to that part." She pantomimed a lasso throw and grinned. "I could use some of those."

"Maybe," Vanguard said. "Special Operations has been looking up that chain since you showed it in Fangbreaker. Nopony's found anything. Odd given how long Crow Quill's family must have held it. For all our legends and accounts on him, we have a lot of blind spots regarding Apple Slice. You've heard the wild speculations about him. This could be the way to get to the truth."

Applejack remembered that argument in Fangbreaker. Sunray and Drizzlecloud; two ponies acting like they had all the answers when all they had were guesses that helped their agenda. Finding out the truth seems right up the Element of Honesty's alley. But sitting around waiting for the next vision didn't seem right. She still had to do something. Another idea came to mind. "Say, Vanguard, does Special Operations at least know where Apple Slice died?" she asked. "Is there some kind of tomb in the Barrier Lands?"

"You don't need to be Special Operations to know that," Vanguard said. "Apple Slice died defending Greenfang Outpost during a disastrous campaign against Ophidus. There are stories of some kind of tomb, but..."

"But what?" Applejack asked.

"The land where Greenfang Outpost was is deep in Ophidus," Vanguard said. "It's not something you can visit."

Applejack continued on in silence. The idea stuck in her mind, however. It wasn't much to work on, but just the thought that Apple Slice's remains were in the territory of Equestria's enemies only made her more determined.


Much to her annoyance, Rainbow felt like she was back in Flight School again, rushing about at the last minute because she forgot that there was homework assigned. Nopony said anything about Twilight going to the Eternal Herd, or Pinkie doing stuff in the Great Delve. Rainbow had assumed that, after the celebrations, they would all be given their next mission, just like any legionnaire would be.

'Except I'm not, I guess," Rainbow muttered. Elements of Harmony. It was always about being the Element of Loyalty these days. Sure, it was awesome to be special and to be relied on by so many, but she could use a break now and then. She soared above Canterlot and watched all the preparations. Some rays from the noon sun were a welcome respite from the winter cold and it was clear that everypony below was glad for it with so many things to do.

"Fenrir's Winter" the legionnaires called it. The Heartland's ponies adopted the name. Harsh, frigid winds blew in from the north, unaided by any pegasus-run factory. Perched high near the peak of Mount Unicornia, Canterlot bore the brunt of the new weather. Thick banks of snow had to be swept from the streets. Long icicles ran down roofs. Winter fashion in Canterlot usually boomed at these times with fancy coats and scarves, but the unusual winter forced the elaborate, colorful outfits for the thicker, blander coats. Rainbow, however, was fine with the usual coat she had taken from her home in Ponyville. She didn't need wolven fur for this after her time up north, staring at the jaws of King Fenrir.

As for the workers, Princess Luna did move pretty quickly and subtly. There was a big feast being set up, but all the little preparations weren't getting in the way; small wagons of food and drink being carted towards the main square, decorations being set up, a group of musicians practicing, Longstride sitting and watching.

Rainbow stopped, then double-backed. Wait, Longstride? How was he just walking walking around? Maybe she was just seeing things. But no. There he was, sitting by a bench and looking at the street. Rainbow circled briefly, unsure if she should even react to this. He didn't even look towards her direction, but he probably already knew she was there. He wore a simple brown coat instead of his mottled leather armor and he didn't have his massive bow. Finally, she dove in. "Hey," she said. She hovered above and in front of him. "I want to talk to you."

"Congratulations," Longstride said flatly. "You just succeeded."

"Don't be so smug," Rainbow snapped. He still wouldn't look at her. She didn't believe for a second that there was anything on the street that could possibly hold his attention more. She landed next to him and looked.

It was just a typical busy Canterlot scene, albeit now with a touch of reunification going around. When the legionnaire patrols started doing their routes, every chosen was wary and went out of their way to avoid the armored strangers with no cutie marks. Though the legionnaires weren't being greeted with warm smiles still, they were slowly appearing as part of a typical day. They passed by patrols of royal guards with nods of acknowledgment, which the guards returned.

"What are you doing out here anyway?" Rainbow asked. "Didn't the Legion put you and the other Thorns to work?"

Longstride stayed silent for a long, irritating while. "The Legion is still fumbling with how it's going to use its newly acquired resources," he said. "They can't even decide which officer I should be assigned to, let alone what orders to give me. The Prince hasn't said a word about it as well."

"So nopony's even bothered watching you?" Rainbow asked. "They just let you wander the streets?"

"Stupid mare," Longstride said. "Just because you can't see them doesn't mean there's nopony watching me. An unnecessary use of legionnaires, regardless; I have no more orders from Black Rose."

"So...what?" Rainbow asked. "No revenge scheme? No secret will written by Black Rose? You're just going to sit here like a statue until somepony gives you orders?"

"Yes."

Rainbow snorted. "Come on" she scoffed. "You're practically free! The Thorns were alive hundreds of years ago, right? You're not even going to check out the Heartland? Or whatever's changed in Equestria since you were gone?"

Longstride's eyes narrowed. "What do you want from me, stupid mare?" he asked. "Why the questions?"

"I..." Rainbow pressed her lips together and looked away. She didn't want to meet his weird, golden eyes. They might be able to do more than let him see great distances. He might already be seeing right through her. "Look, you had some kind of plan to help me get stronger, right?" she asked. "Do you have something else? Did Black Rose have like a step two?"

"Yes," Longstride said. "Perhaps, I should shoot your other flank, then get the wolven to capture you."

"I'm serious," Rainbow said.

"Then, I truly worry for all of us," Longstride replied. When Rainbow continued to stare at him, he let out a snort. When he spoke, however, the earlier biting sarcasm was gone. "You displayed great strength in the abyss. Far more than I had expected you were capable of. How you must prepare for Equestria's greatest enemy is beyond me."

Rainbow sighed and plopped down on the bench. "Great," she said. "I've got nothing."

"You cannot have nothing," Longstride said. "Too much is counting on you."

"Oh yeah?" Rainbow snapped. "You have nothing too! At least, I'm trying to find something instead of sitting around like some kind of broken toy, you stupid stallion."

Longstride flinched, as if the last few words were pebbles that struck the back of his head. His eyes widened and, finally, he looked at Rainbow. "I am not part of Equestria's best weapon against Oceanus," he said. His voice rose slightly.

Rainbow pushed down a smile. It was so hard to get this stallion to move past that monotone. She had more to say though. "You're being a cheat," she said. "You're just as bad as I am, but just because I'm the Element of Loyalty and you're a Thorn, it's okay for you to sit around doing nothing while you call me names."

Longstride answered with a long, silent stare. Rainbow stared back for a second, but, when his golden disc irises began spinning in place, she had to look away. What a strange pony he was. Sometimes, he was just a typical, annoying stallion. Sometimes, when he fell silent and she noticed the details about him, he looked so awkward and out of place. A pony out of his time and place, unsure of how he should join with the rest of the world.

A full minute must have passed. Longstride stared and stared. He looked as if he didn't even know that this was probably very uncomfortable for anypony. "You're right," he said. He was back to his monotone. "Nopony should be idle, regardless or role. I'm being selfish, arrogant, lazy, and far too dependent on a pony who's no longer around to give me orders."

Rainbow's lower lip stuck out. "You could at least be a little in denial," she muttered.

"This must change," Longstride said. He looked at the distant skyline, past all the busy ponies. After a brief, barely audible "hmm", it was clear that he had no more intention of saying anything again.

"Hey," Rainbow said. She nudged him, just in case. He glanced at her at least so he must be listening. "We're setting up a feast soon."

"I've seen the preparations," Longstride said. "Princess Luna's orders, I heard. Perhaps the Rondo might return after all if they conduct themselves better."

Rainbow scratched her head with a foreleg. "I'll probably talk with the girls for a bit, then hang out to drink with Scarlet. I was thinking that...uh...well, it's getting boring with just Scarlet. Maybe..."

"I will join you," Longstride replied. He paused and frowned, before adding "If that was what you were leading to."

Rainbow's eyes widened. "Really? Why? I mean, it was starting to sound like a stupid idea when I started saying it."

Longstride simply stared off to the distance. "Take care," he said. "I hope you find what you're looking for."

Rainbow flapped her wings, but she spent a few more second just hovering. "Yeah, you too. I'll see you later, Longstride."


Once more, Fluttershy stared at the Crystal Grave. Ahead of her were the royalty, already preparing for the seal breaking.

Fluttershy didn't know who gave the prison such an ominous name, but it was wrong. The inside of the cave may indeed feel like a tomb. The cold, stale air may smell like things long dead. The faint, lingering presence of slain miners and slavers may permeate every inch of the mountain's insides. Still, the prison wasn't there to mark something dead.

Starswirl had paid dearly for his actions. He was cast from the Herd for siding with Oceanus, cast from Oceanus's side for aiding the newly born ponies, then cast aside by the very ponies he gave so much to aid. He spent centuries buried and forgotten, nearly all his power siphoned from him by his treacherous student, but something still remained. Something alive. The living should not have graves.

"Fluttershy," Celestia said. "Are you alright?"

Fluttershy's eyes widened. She gave her head a quick shake to clear it. "Oh! Sorry, I was spacing out."

"If you're tired, go back to your quarters," Terrato said. "We don't need you for this ritual. You can meet him later."

"Sorry," Fluttershy mumbled. "I'll try harder to stay focused."

"No need to apologize," Luna said. "Just stay close."

Though three alicorns were present, the ritual itself was not particularly long or flashy. It was certainly nowhere near that frightful one they used in the abyss. Celestia completed the inscriptions on the floor, then raised her horn. Her siblings followed shortly. A flash of light, and they were at rest again. Fluttershy looked on expectantly, but nothing seemed to be happening.

A loud chink shattered the expectant silence. Fluttershy looked towards the sound, and found an enormous crack across the Crystal Grave. She swallowed a lump in her throat even as her ruined eye began to throb. A familiar presence was leaking out of that crack. It felt like invisible smoke was pooling on the floor. The royalty must have noticed too. Terrato lifted one hoof from the floor and wrinkled his nose in disgust. A series of loud chinks followed the first one as more cracks appeared, joining together and spreading like a web of flaws across the once near-perfect crystal.

Fluttershy closed her eye and looked away, fearing a loud explosion that might send shards flying her way. All she heard was a slight tinkling, like a small crystal glass shattering on the hard stone floor. She looked up in time to see huge shards from the Crystal Grave fall away. Each shard looked like it had turned into water, which evaporated before a single drop could hit the floor. Where the prison once was, now stood a pony.

Starswirl appeared as a slender, charcoal-grey alicorn, a mere few shades darker than Terrato, with a mane and tail of pure white. Unlike the royalty, Starswirl's mane, tail, and chest-length beard, did not appear as if made of some otherworldly material. It was clearly white hair; long and wavy, with small curls close to the tips. He was also as tall as Terrato, but his slender, almost emaciated, build made him appear much smaller. The lines around his face spoke less of age and more of frailty. This couldn't be Regia Carnifex, lieutenant of Oceanus, at his prime. Here was a pony barely a shadow of who he once was. He let out a long yawn and stretched his hooves.

"Ah...freedom," Starswirl said. "Thank you, your Highnesses, but could you have at least waited for me to wake up before breaking my prison?"

Terrato answered with a snort, then turned his back. "We're done," he said. "Looks like I was being overcautious, Starswirl. One look at you now, and it's obvious that even a lone legionnaire could beat you to a pulp."

"Big brother, there's no need to mock him," Luna said. Terrato had already walked off, however.

"He's certainly soured since our last talk," Starswirl said. He bowed briefly towards the princesses, but his eyes fastened on Fluttershy. "Ah, here must be the reason why I'm free." His eyes softened when he focused on her ruined eye. "I am sorry for what I've put you through, Fluttershy, but I truly believe it must be done."

"N-no," Fluttershy said. She put her front hooves up. "I don't blame you. I actually think it help...kind of. I was hoping you'd be able to help me some more if it's alright."

Starswirl walked closer and put a hoof on her head. The princesses looked ready to move in, but they let him be. He moved her face closer and examined the ruined eye. "This is...remarkable. I had hoped. Lok'horus must have hoped. But, with you, it might be possible."

Fluttershy flinched at all the attention. "What are you talking about?" she asked.

Starswirl stepped back. "You've undertaken a supremely difficult task, Fluttershy, though you may not be completely aware of it; to be the firstborn's hope."

Luna bristled at this. "What are you saying?" she asked. "We're not helping the firstborn!"

"Lok'horus," Celestia said as she raised a hoof to stop Luna. "He and a few others severed ties with Oceanus. Is that what you mean?"

"I was no longer in Oceanus's service when this happened," Starswirl replied. "But I knew it that instant I saw their crazed rampage. You are also attended to by enforcers, Princess Celestia, you must be aware of what a strange and meaningful thing it is for some of them to break free."

Celestia nodded, then looked to Fluttershy. "I see where you are coming from, Starswirl," she said.

"I don't," Luna said. "Beyond illustrating that the firstborn is so mad that even beings tied to him are rebelling, what else does this mean?"

Celestia frowned and stayed silent for a while. "It's difficult to explain precisely. Enforcers have always hovered between being a part of the alicorn they attend to and being themselves. Starswirl is suggesting that for Lok'horus to rebel means a small part of Oceanus himself was against the abyss."

"Exactly," Starswirl said. "It cannot be a coincidence that Fluttershy was chosen by the Element of Kindness. Though all the world may condemn the firstborn as a monster, she nurtures the hope that some part of him, no matter how small, may be redeemed."

Luna's indignation and confusion melted away as the words sank in. "D-do you think that's truly possible?" she asked softly. "The abyss is so deep and the corruption inescapable."

"Yes," Starswirl said. "It must be. If even a fragment of Oceanus himself can believe it, we can."

Luna's eyes hardened. At this, Fluttershy's heart began to race. Things were starting to get a little out of hoof. She wasn't clear on everything they were talking about, and she was starting to think that she was not going to live up to the high expectations she could hear from them. Still, something in her throbbed as Starswirl spoke of hope for Oceanus. She agreed, wholeheartedly, even as the reason escaped her. "What..." She struggled to draw enough breath to speak. "What should I do?" she asked.

Starswirl answered with a pat on her shoulders and a warm smile. "You are very brave to attempt it, but this task will be long and seemingly fruitless. To restore Oceanus's power of water we must gather what few redeemable fragments remain." He looked to the two princesses.

"There are more fragments that separated from Oceanus?" Luna asked. "Where are they, then?"

The warm smile flattened to a grim line.

"The Eastern Waters."