"Dex, the Shield?"
"Indeed. I have become whole and, as Dexter and Sinister are the right and left sides of a shield, I am." I studied the gate to my cell for a time. "How did you catch Sinis? I did not get any information from the time since he left the forest."
"We, meaning Celestia and I, followed you, er Sinis, after you did not answer my letter. When we found him in the city and saw what he was doing, we learned of your change. It was a simple matter to catch him off guard when he exited Everfree Forest."
"So you know he met with Discord?" I reached my hand through the bars and pinched the lock.
"Yes, we-"
With a crunch of metal, the locking pin was exposed and fell to the ground. "Hmm?"
"Dex! How did you just do that?"
I looked up to her as I opened the door, it's hinges screeching. "Do what?"
"Break the lock!"
"Oh, that? I thought you followed Sinis. Did you not see him perform similar feats?"
"Yes, but I thought only he could do it because he was a manifestation of Chaos!"
Sighing, I started walking in the direction Sinis saw Luna enter and Celestia leave. Twilight's hoofsteps followed behind me. "Did I not say I was whole?"
"Agh, you need to explain that. And I don't think the princesses will like you escaping."
I passed by similar cells, not one was occupied. It was not surprising considering the relative peace of Equestria. "And that is why I am headed to them now, to explain."
We reached some stairs leading to a doorway. At this point, I realized there were a lack of guards. "Twilight, where are the guards?"
"You are, or were, the only prisoner here. There is no need to guard an empty dungeon. With that door the only way out, we have a few stationed there."
"Hmm, so I wasn't much of a threat or they were too busy with Discord. Either way," I reached the door and opened it to the sight of four armor-wearing stallions.
They spoke as one. "He's escaped! Hold, prisoner!"
"Ahhaha! Do that again. Twilight, I didn't know synchronized orders were part of their training!"
Twilight chuckled along with me. "It's not." She walked around me to speak to the guards. "It's okay sirs. He's back to normal."
Normal in a relative sense, but certainly not the same as before. I kept my thoughts to myself to avoid increasing their suspicion. "As much as I'd love to stick around and catch up, I need to speak with the princesses."
"Their Majesties are busy in the throne room, we will escort you there." This time, only one spoke. He prompty opened the opposing door with a key and led us out. The last three stayed behind Twilight and me.
"Not too busy to welcome back Celestia's knight I hope. How has the castle been since I left?" We made small talk throughout the castle dungeons and into the main hallway. Occasionally, another guard would join our procession, but if it was for security or wariness of me, I couldn't be certain.
"We are nearing the throne room. Have you noticed anything, Dex?"
"Well, Twilight, I've noticed quite a few things, but I think you meant to reference the lack of Discord's influence here."
"Yes, he's been avoiding Canterlot."
"Hmm, how odd. Well, that's fine, gives us a chance to talk." We reached the grand doors I was so familiar with by now. Ahead of me were four guards and behind me were six more.
Two unicorn stallions magicked open the doorway and I spied both Celestia and Luna at their thrones. Ponies were scattered about, but a clear line went down the center rug. Upon seeing ten of her guards, Twilight, and me, Celestia spoke over the crowd.
"Please make way my ponies, something more urgent has come up." As her subjects cleared away to the sides of the room, I couldn't help but call back.
"No, no, Celestia. Finish talking with your delegates and noblemen, I can wait!" The sound of my playful voice brought a smile to her face.
"Dex, it is so good to see you are yourself again." She looked to left and right to her ponies. "If you do not wish to wait for Sir Dex, bring your grievances to me now. Otherwise, rest in the dining hall."
At the sound of my title, the majority of the mares and stallions shuffled out of the room. My entourage entered and spread out to allow passage. Those that felt they were bold, all two of them, quickly approached the throne. Leaving political matters to be, I turned to Twilight.
"Just two, huh? Am I really so important that the noblemen of Equestria duck away from my name?"
"You are a knight, Dex. Very few ponies want to challenge you, even if you don't mind waiting."
"I'm sure your own presence helped."
"Oh no, I'm just a student of the princess. I don't carry that much weight."
"You sell yourself short. Remember when you were given access to Starswirl the Bearded's wing of the library without question?"
"That was just a fluke. I'm sure the guard on duty was just being nice." She grew confused. "Wait, how did you-"
"Sir Dex, Knight of the Solar Guard, please step forward." Luna's voice thankfully cut Twilight off. My slip of the tongue was not something I wanted to go into detail about just yet.
I strode towards the thrones as the two ponies walked by. Upon reaching the steps up, I knelt and addressed Luna.
"I know I don't speak with you often, Luna, but must you use my full title?"
"For the sake of etiquette, yes."
"Then next time, I ask that you use my complete name."
"Your complete name?" Celestia said.
I rose to meet their gazes. "Yes, I am Dex the Shield."
The two rulers of Equestria looked to one another for a moment before turning back to me. "The Shield, Sir Dex?"
"Yes, Celestia. I am whole and therefore a shield." Twilight trotted up beside me and gave a quick bow of her own.
"Princesses, Dex told me the same. I think it is time for him to explain."
"Very well, Twilight. Dex, tell me what you know."
"Just as I did a long time ago, I may repeat what you are already aware of. Is this acceptable?"
"Of course."
I began with what was happening to the towns. My Chaotic energy was being released and, instead of it dissipating, collected to form Chaotic Shades. Because they were not formed intentionally, they had no objective, becoming mindless beasts of chaos. Using the sword from Discord, I absorbed that energy and started losing my balance. The more Chaotic energy I gained, the less Harmonic energy I had, throwing my mind into confusion.
Twilight had summoned a quill and parchment, as well as her own notes, and compared them.
"Hmm, Twilight. The word 'chaotic' should be 'Chaotic.'"
"It is."
"No, no, with a capital 'C.'"
"Why?"
"I'm getting to it."
Continuing where I left off, I told them that upon defeating the last Chaotic Shade, I had very little Harmonic energy and was cast into my own mind. Because I was under the belief that chaos equals evil, I split myself, giving all the Chaotic energy to the same void I give negative emotions. This, in turn, created Sinis and he became the controller.
During the stay in my mind, I observed Sinis and questioned what the truth was. Through introspection, I learned of the two forces in nature, Harmony and Chaos, and that neither were more good or bad than the other. Thus, when Sinis was weakened enough to lose control, I confronted him and accepted chaos into my being.
"But he was a separate entity; how could you.. do that?"
"Twilight, Sinis was never another person. He was always me and I was always him. Like I said, I cast the energy away and it mixed with my negative sides. When I accepted everything I am, I became whole."
"An interesting tale, Sir Dex, but how does it change your name or self?" Luna said
"I was called Dexter in my world."
"I see, dexter is the right side of a shield. Yes, I can understand how you came to that conclusion. Very well, Sir Dex the Shield, Knight of the Solar Guard, welcome back."
"Good to be back. Now, I have to know, how did you all weaken Sinis? Without the sword, I cannot absorb energy."
"It was Twilight's plan," Celestia said, giving Twilight a proud look. "Between the three of us, we forced our Harmonic energy into your body. She was not sure if it would harm you or not, but told me not to stop until you changed. A very risky move."
"And one that forces me out of balance. I will reach equilibrium in time; however, Twilight, scan me as you did before. I want to make certain of something."
Twilight gave me a confused look before accepting and powering up her horn. After a few moments, its glow faded and she spoke up. "I can't feel any energy being released." She was even more confused than before.
"Good." We stared at each other until I relented. "Fine, if you must know, I'm recycling any energy I release now."
"Dex, how are you doing all this?" More explaining...
I had to go into detail on what Harmony and Chaos truly were. Simply put, if I believed I could do something, I could. Of course, I was restricted due to Harmony, which stated all things had to be ordered and serene. I gave them an example that I could teleport, but only if I had enough chaotic energy to do so and only in Equestria, since it was proven possible in that universe.
"So Discord can do anything because he has no Harmony?"
"Ugh, yes, Twilight. The reason he doesn't is either because he doesn't have the energy for it or he can't think of it. I shudder to think what he could do if he visited my universe." Though the way he talks to me, he could very well have...
"Discord is the Spirit of Chaos and Disharmony. He is proof of what happens when you have only Chaotic magic."
"Very true, Celestia, and pure Harmony creates stagnation. I assume you already knew the Harmony and Chaos thing?"
"Yes." Of course...
"And I had to explain it... why?"
"So you could teach Twilight."
"I get the feeling you have been avoiding the topic with her."
"Maybe."
"......troll."
"Hmm?"
"Nothing!"
"As much fun as it is watching you two, I believe we have something else to discuss before dealing with Discord."
"Of course, Twilight." Celestia turned to me with sympathy. "Providence." The name shook me to the core.