“Twilight, darling, are you quite certain we can’t change your mind?” Rarity asked, uncertain about what they were about to do.
Twilight groaned as she hid in her hooves, her friends looked at her. Their worry clear as they sat on their own thrones.Even Rainbow Dash seemed nervous as they waited for Twilight to speak. Fluttershy looked behind Applejack’s throne and glanced at a white cloaked cage, chains could be heard moving. Next to the cage stood six Royal Guards who circled the cage, never taking their eyes off it.
Twilight finally answered, “I know it seems like a bad idea…I even think it is! But Princess Celestia has made her decision.”
“Now hold up there Sugarcube, I don’t know what you were hearing, but that ain’t no order.” Applejack looked at Rainbow Dash for support. Rainbow Dash threw in her own two bits.
“Applejack’s right! Princess Celestia SUGGESTED it. Waayyy different.”
“Girls! If Princess Celestia suggested it, don’t you think she has the right idea?” Her wings went down slightly as she continued, “I’m sure things will work themselves out…somehow.”
Fluttershy frowned, “…But there isn’t any magic there, I don’t want them to get hurt because of us…”
Twilight brighten up slightly at this concern, “Oh!I forgot to tell you. I perfected a spell that Princess Celestia showed me in one of my books. Even if there isn’t any magic, it will still activate since it was cast by me while there.” She gave a half-smile, but it quickly faded. “It’s not the most…encouraging push, but it will help. I’m sure.”
Rarity raised an eyebrow at the wording, “Darling, what exactly does this spell entail?I certainly hope you didn’t pick an…ugly spell.”
“Rarity, it’s fine…It’s just a spell to keep her in line…by using invisible chains on her wrists and ankles that are unbreakable and be used a moment’s notice,” Twilight smiled sheepishly, it faltered when Applejack narrowed her eyes.
“I don’t know…Doesn’t exactly sound like a good intro to friendship, don’t ya think?” She sighed, “But I get it. Prisoner, first. Friend, second. Did ya at least think about who’s gonna be pulling the chains?”
Before Twilight could answer, Rainbow Dash spoke up, “Back up there, Applejack. I agree you too, but it doesn’t sound very cool to chain her up.”
“Oooh what if we use silly string!It’s soft and fun!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed as she pulled out Fun Spray cans.
Twilight smiled at Pinkie’s antics before replying to Rainbow Dash, “It’s the only way to make sure she doesn’t harm anyone. I have full confidence that the one in charge of the chains will be the best example of the reform we expect.”
“I’d imagine so…What about her dreadful magic?” Rarity threw a wary look at the cage. “I don’t suppose the Princesses have thought of this important matter?”
“Don’t worry. We used the same spell that took away the Sirens powers. Though this time, we’re keeping the necklace.”
“Splendid. Quite the relief.” Rarity smiled at the answer and raised a hoof, “I support this decision. I was a bit doubtful, but I trust Twilight has it all covered.”
“…Um Twilight?”
“Yes, Fluttershy?”
Fluttershy hid behind her mane and continued to stare at the cage, “…Why don’t we help her?”
Twilight gave a sad smile to her shy friend, her heart ache slightly but she pushed past it. “…It’s different from Discord…I don’t think we’re the right ponies to help.” She stared at the cage and cleared her throat.
“I reckon our guest can’t be worse than old Discord…right?”
Rarity shuddered, “Ugh.Perish the thought!”
“Oh, don’t be like that!I liked the chocolate and the sweets!” Pinkie licked her lips thinking about it. “But the other stuff was kind of mean of Discord.”
Twilight sighed, “Listen, we need to do this. IF something goes wrong, we’ll take care of it.”
Rainbow Dash scoffed, “And what about the ones watching her? Can THEY do anything? Cause it seems like we’re asking for a lot…” She flew above before pointing towards the cage, “I say we lock her up in Tartarus!”
“Normally I’d be all with ya Rainbow, but I ain’t sure the Princesses want us to…” Applejack looked at Twilight, “Ain’t that right Sugarcube?”
Twilight gave an uneasy smile before replying, “Yes…The Princesses have reasons for not sending her there…but they wouldn’t mention it.” She spoke the last line through gritted teeth.
Silence fell on the room as they considered their options. Rainbow Dash narrowed her eyes toward the cage and flew back to her seat. Pinkie put her hoof on her chin while pondering. Twilight slowly rose from her seat and began walking towards the cage.
“…I can’t help you.” She looked behind to look at her friends before staring back at the cage. “WE can’t help you. As much as we liked to, no one in Equestria can help…” Twilight placed a hoof on the white sheet, the guards became tensed as they watched intently, “…I’m sorry.”
Chains could be heard being pulled and a low growl filled the air as Twilight bowed her head. The chains continued to be pulled as hooves could be heard scarping the ground, trying in vain to reach Twilight. Fluttershy’s ears shrank back as she heard the scarping and closed her eyes. Rainbow Dash and Applejack averted their eyes, never taking a glance at the cage. Rarity and Pinkie Pie had opted to play with their mane.
The sounds finally stopped, and Twilight began walking to a nearby door, beckoning the others to follow. The guards dragged the cage behind them, using their magic and ropes to keep a distance away.
Spike frowned from inside the room, “I hope you know what you’re doing…”
Twilight smiled at his assistance, “Me too, Spike… Me too.” She frowned at the sight of a familiar mirror. The mirror was surrounded by a purple horseshoe border which sat on a blue base. The top of the mirror had a small window and a pony inside. Several equipment were hooked to it, connected to two rods above the mirror.
Twilight walked toward the mirror and levitated a hardcover brown book. The book had Celestia’s Sun Cutie Mark on the front and once placed between the two rods, began to glow and powered the equipment. The mirror transformed into a swirling purple portal and gave off a soft glow.
Twilight looked towards her friends, “I’ll be going in first, I want to make sure everything is ready…”
“Take your time, Darling. It is important to prepare for this.”
Twilight nodded back before walking through the portal.Just as she was out of sight, the cage began rattling again as a grunt was heard.The unicorn guard’s horns glowed, and a thud echoed in the room as they held whoever was in the cage.Rainbow Dash glared at the cage and commented.
“Just cause Twilight ain’t here, doesn’t mean we can’t take you.”
A growl was heard before silence was brought by the room. Fluttershy hesitantly walked closer to the cage and asked, “Um…What’s your name?”
She was met by silence.
Fluttershy looked at the ground, “Oh…Sorry. It’s just we were only told some things…but never your name.”
Silence again.
“…If it helps, we won’t see each other again…in a way. So it wouldn’t be a bad thing to tell us, right? I mean if you want to, of course.”
“Fluttershy, she’s not go-“
“Silent Dusk.”
Rainbow stopped talking as Fluttershy smiled slightly at the answer, "That sounds like a lovely name.” She attempted to look past the cover, only to be stopped by an earth pony guard who placed himself between Fluttershy and the cage.
“I’m sorry, Ms. Fluttershy. I cannot allow you to come any closer.” Fluttershy shrank back and nodded nervously.
Applejack raised an eyebrow, “You let Twilight, heck she put a hoof on it.”
“Princess Twilight could handle herself, however I fear the safety for anyone else. Please understand, we are under orders to place your well-being as priority.”
“Um…ok.Sorry.” Fluttershy sat down and the guard returned to his position, “…W-What’s your Cutie Mark? Um…if you don’t mind me asking.”
“…I have none.”
Before Fluttershy could respond, Twilight returned and let out a loud sigh, “Ok, they’re ready…as much as they can be.”