//------------------------------//
// Affiliate 
// Story: Book 1 - The Behemoth came to Canterlot 
// by Equimorto 
//------------------------------//

Stella was with her back against the entrance door to the castle. Sunburst was up ahead in front of her, still shrouded in his shield. Behind him was Twilight, looking at where she presumed Stella would be. A faint sheen of something that wasn't exactly magic coated the walls and ceiling and floor, hard to notice against the natural glinting of the crystal surfaces but still definitely there if one knew what to look for. Stella did not even attempt to use her magic again. It seemed her coil could still give her an edge even against Sunburst's, much like it did with Sweetie Belle's, but that didn't matter much when he'd succeeded in restraining her other powers.
She started to wonder how exactly what he'd built worked, if it targeted her specifically or everyone, if it allowed some specifically to still use their magic. The sensible option was no, but it was always possible that he'd made a mistake. Her musings were somewhat interrupted as he spoke again. "Please, understand the situation. You have nowhere to go and no way to fight back. You are hurt and putting your life at risk. We are not going to hurt you if you surrender."
Twilight stepped forward, and she too spoke. "Think of everything we could do for Equestria together. Think of the life you could have. It doesn't have to be like this. You have done horrible things, but we can forgive you." She hesitated, then cleared her throat and spoke in a different tone. "I'm not going to lie to you. I'm not going to pretend that, after everything you've done, I will just be happy keeping you here. But you could be of so much help to us, all of us, and I genuinely believe you could have a happy life together with us. Please. It's the most logical solution to the current situation. You don't have to like it, but it's your best option too."
"We'll have to restrain you if you refuse," Sunburst spoke. "We're not going to kill you, although we could, but we're going to have to trap you until you decide to show yourself. I can do that. I might be able to help you survive, too. You don't have another choice, Stella. Either you surrender, or we'll keep asking you the same question until you accept, or you die, or Equestria falls. I won't allow anyone to free you. You won't get another chance at freedom that isn't how we allow it, because it's the only way we can afford to give it to you."
Stella felt rage bubbling up to her skull, strangely subdued and faded in her drained and tired state. They didn't understand. They couldn't understand. But she could not deny the logic in the point they were making. She let her voice be heard, hoarse and croaking. "I understand. However, please give me a moment to speak with Twilight first, by myself."
Sunburst looked at Twilight. She nodded.