//------------------------------//
// Connections 
// Story: Legion of Shadows 
// by Strythio 
//------------------------------//

Sunset sat in her train seat, looking lazily through the half-drawn window. The scenery was nothing extraordinary, and they had just stopped by some small town to pick up and drop off some new guests. They called the place Ponyville, and for some reason, Sunset cringed at the sight of the place. Perhaps in part because somepony mentioned Twlight, and the fact that she was absent from town, much to the disappointment of some of the passengers. 

Fleur had sat across the aisle, and even as they journeyed on, she snuck occasional glances at Sunset with a worried expression. It was not until they entered the tunnel leading up the winding mountain towards Canterlot did Fleur make her move. Silently, like a predator in the night, one minute Fleur sat across the aisle; the next, she was sitting in the previous unoccupied seat next to her. 

Sunset did not look her way, but did perk her ears in her direction. Her lecture sense were telling her that she was about to be engaged in conversation, whether she showed receptive signs of it or not. 

"Sunset." Fleur stared at Sunset, as if that would convince her to turn and face her. From her reflection in the mirror, Sunset made sure to maintain a bored, uninterested expression. Her ears betrayed, however, that she did have an ear towards her riding companion. 

When Sunset did not respond, Fleur carried on, as Sunset expected. "You know, throwing a fit and losing the grace of the Princess should have been below you. But I suppose you learned all the wrong things while under Celestia's tutelage. Even now I have noticed a few glares in your general direction from certain ponies on board. I even got a question regarding why you were on my ticket, some random unicorn."

Sunset snorted, attempting to suppress a retort. Her disguise had not been refreshed since leaving the Crystal Empire, and the dressing of her wounds had likely required washing her off in places. The rest of the paint, thus, had likely been washed off then, though her mane had remained untouched. She would not be recognized by most ponies, though Fleur was a high-class member of Canterlot, and her travelling with just any unicorn would itself draw some suspicion. "No one asked you to buy my ticket Fleur. I am quite capable of handling things myself." 

Fleur sighed, her ears flattening to her head. "You have clearly shown an inability to handle yourself, considering recent events. How did someone of your skill get bested by a mare like Trixie? No offense to her, as she has her way with tricks, but you attended the most prestigious unicorn magic school in all of Equestria." 

"Did you attend the funeral?" Sunset was uncomfortable with how she had been defeated by Trixie back then, so she felt a need to change the topic. It was not the best of topics, the passing of her father, but at least it would change the conversation. 

Fleur nodded, surprising Sunset. "Both I and Lightning Dust attended Jet's funeral. Let us just say that all bets were off once the stallion was put in the ground." 

Fleur laughed. Sunset didn't. Neither found it all that funny, and perhaps it was because of this that Fleur's laughter came off as incredibly forced. Sunset scowled. "What about Mom?" 

Fleur seemed not to respond immediately to this, perhaps collecting the answer from her memories. " Neela was not pleased to see me at the funeral. One thing led to another, and she shortly joined her husband in the ground." 

Sunset turned her head to face Fleur with a shocked expression. Fleur was dead serious, her deadpan expression revealing that. "What happened?" Sunset demanded, hardly checking her own volume. 

Fleur turned her gaze to the cavern walls of the mountain, as if looking back on the events through the reflection of the mirror. "She lashed out and fell into the hole with her husband. She was promptly buried after it was clear she would not move again." 

"You are leaving out alot of details," Sunset accused, "A pony does not just 'fall' into a grave and get buried alive." 

"She was not alive when she dropped in." Fleur did not seem bothered by Sunset's accusation. In fact, she seemed empowered even. "The fortunes of misery were split, and Flash engaged Lightning in combat. He might would have killed her had it not been for my intervention. The two of us have not spoken from then until his request that I help you get to Canterlot." 

Sunset was unsure of how to react. On one hand, it was clear that there had been foul play at the funeral. On the other, why would Flash associate with these murderers after what they presumably did to their mother? "So what is the deal? Why would Flash even go to you for help?" 

Fleur laughed, truly laughed, as if the answer were obvious. "Sunset, your mother-law never forgave me for the infidelity of her husband. Frankly, I care enough about you not to risk allowing her rage to endanger your life. Beside, what is a mother for if she cannot help out her own daughter?" 

Sunset channeled magic to her horn, feeling some spurs of magic coming on. The way she spoke, as if it were excusable all the same. To think that Fleur thought that she would just accept that, and just believe that it was in her best interests, was madness. And Sunset was all about putting down those who were mad. She had half a mind to reduce Fleur to ashes when the train exited the tunnel, and the entrance to Canterlot came into view, along with the bright light of day. 

Fleur smugly tapped Sunset's horn with a hoof to dispel the spell. "Might want to put that away. Nothing screams 'Sunset Shimmer' like striking the hoof that aides you." 

Sunset would have attacked anyways, but the sight of royal guards littering the train station caused her to be more wary. She would get Fleur later for having something to do with the death of the mare who had helped raise her, and the mother of her affection. But right now, here in Canterlot, she was stuck, and would have to play nice. 

For now.


Canterlot had not changed much since Sunset had last been here. In fact, it was very much the same architecture-wise. However, royal guards were everywhere, and they seemed to be excessively thorough with their identity checks. Not just the ticket, but also submitting each pony to an identity spell. Even Fleur went through such scanner, and much to Sunset's surprise, she actually noticed a few cuts and bruises that were otherwise hidden from standard view. 

When it came to Sunset's turn, the guard on station immediately squinted his eyes, as if he noticed already something off. "Yes, that is Sunset Shimmer," Fleur casually stated, "She is with me." 

Sunset was mortified that Fleur had so openly spoke such, but much to her surprise, the guard nodded towards her and directed Sunset to pass through. Even as she did, just as she was passing the guard, the guard whispered, "Try anything and you will join your family in the ground." 

Sunset was about to turn to retort when the guard levied his spear, mere centimeters from Sunset's face. Fleur, with a magical grip greater than that which Sunset was used to, pulled Sunset along onto the main street, and away from the guard. 

With a hushed whisper, Fleur stated, "Sunset, walk a straight line here. Do not make yourself the big fish here."

Sunset would have retorted, as she was mildly insulted at being considered inconsequential, but she hung her head low instead. The streets of Canterlot were filled with almost as many royal guards as ordinary ponies. The elite were paying attention, even if they were pretending to be going about their daily business. 

"What is going on?" Sunset inquired, keeping her head low and her mane covering much of her face, "You would think a threat had been made against the city just hours before we arrived." 

"To put it shortly, the Market's investments in dragon migration spells had a huge payoff," Fleur explained, still in a hushed tone, "The dragons went a little far with it though, and now there are dragons and griffons and ponies in all the wrong places. Not to mention a changeling sighting in Ponyville." 

Sunset stopped walking, rather startled by the last factor in particular. "Changeling sighting? I thought they had gone extinct." 

Fleur looked at Sunset as if the mare had lost her mind. Fleur did not stop walking, but her face became an 'oh' as she realized the obvious reason for Sunset being unaware of the continued existence of changelings. "Right, you missed the wedding. Well, in short, the changelings are not yet extinct, as it seems one Queen remains. Anyways, identity issues are just the icing on the cake, as the strain of having foreign forces scattered across Equestria, and vice versa, is stirring up hostilities. It all comes together in a very blade twiching mix."

Recalling the madness back in the Crystal Empire and the way Celestia had handled it, or at least vocally anyways, Sunset had to agree that if that were going on all across Equestria, then no doubt it would be mayhem. 

Walking through the streets some more, Fleur eventually made a detour from the bar bearing her cutie mark as its signature welcome sign and trotted into a dark alleyway. Once there, Fleur looked to a wall and lit her horn, tapping the wall gently with her horn. The wall pressed inwards and then upwards, revealing a previously hidden entrance.

Pressing past this, the two walked into the dark corridor, with only the light of Sunset's and Fleur's horn guiding them.  "The guards are very edgy. Someone with your record would only instigate them further unless you lay low." Fleur advised. This suggested to Sunset that she might would be staying, wherever they were going, for some time. 

Sunset yawned, finding the prospect of quiet alone time oddly comforting. "Yeah well, I have no issues with that. What is it that Flash needed done?" In the back of her mind, the large book that weighed down one side of her saddlebags had more of her attention than the current matter at hoof.

Fleur did not respond, not at first. Instead, the sound of their hooves were all that filled the space. While waiting for a response, Sunset took note of the oddly flat way in which they were walking; she would have expected to have started going down or up by this point, not to mention the constant echo that never changed in volume. If she did not know any better, she would assume that they were walking in circles. 

"Sunset Shimmer, we need to talk some more."

Sunest frowned, the backside of Fleur not the least appealing side of her. "If it is not more information about why Flash asked you to help me out or what you are up to, then we have nothing to discuss." 

Fleur stopped, and forced by the lack of knowing where she was, Sunset stopped as well. A cool breeze blew in from behind them, suggesting that someone else had entered. 

"It was not my intention to put you on the defensive." Fleur did not turn around, much to Sunset's annoyance. "But it must be done. You are back in Equestria, and I wish to know what your plans are before we proceed." 

Sunset rolled her eyes. "We do not have to proceed. I do not need your help." 

Silence again. At last Fleur turned around to face Sunset, her eyes showing just the hint of tears. This of course did not faze Sunset in the least, except for some surprise at Fleur's apparent act. "Sunset, please. For your sake, tell me." 

Sunset glared at Fleur, her temper beginning to rise with each passing moment of this facade. "I do not need to tell you a damn thing about what I am up to. If you want to turn me away because of that, be my host. I'll kick my trot in reverse before you can even make it to the end of this endless hallway." 

Fleur's tears dried up swiftly, being replaced now by pupils tinted in bright red for expression. "Need I remind you that you are under contract? Trixie and/or Lightning Dust will be coming to put you yet again in the way of trouble; I would rather you stay out of trouble." 

Why all the concern now? What about the night when Lucky had to explain to his wife's all pegasus family that somehow the two of them had had a unicorn together? Or maybe when Sunset first went into heat? Oh no, Fleur dis Lee was too busy maintaing her reputation in Canterlot, with her career and status to uphold. 

Glorified rutter, Sunset Sunset though to herself as she gritted her teeth in anger, her horn light becoming a little brighter in response. "I will take blowing up trains and knocking over dragons over modelling and prancing around like a glorified object for pleasure. Especially with you." 

Fleur gasped, a look of horror and dejection upon her face. Might would bring a filly to cry, but Sunset had no regrets about her statement. Indeed, she would have turned and walked away right then and there had it not been for a snicker behind her. 

"Shots fired. Model just can't keep her image with this one." 

The voice was familiar, to the point in which Sunset was annoyed that she could not immediately recall who was speaking. Fleur's horn lit up some more, revealing nothing but a small room with just enough room for the two to walk. In circles. Looking behind her, Sunset saw the speaker, the same pegasus from earlier.

Lightning Dust stood at the entrance with a large smile on her face. "So, Sunset, you ready for your first job?"

"No," Fleur stated matter-of-factly before Sunset could even begin answering, "She is not." 

"Who do you think you are?" Sunset challenged, taking a step towards Fleur, "You did your job. Flash wanted me in Canterlot in one piece, and I got here." To be fair Fleur was her birth mother, but it was a little late to start acting like her real mother.

Did she really want to go with Lightning? Not particularly, but if Fleur was going to press her as she had been, then it was looking like the most favorable of options. Not to mention she needed to ask Lightning some questions, preferably in private.

Fleur frowned, but did not press further her opposition. She turned from the two and pressed yet another part of the wall with her hooves, revealing yet another opening. This one had a dim light in it, with a large round table just barely fitting into the room. With her magic, Fleur pushed the table further in and led the way into a spacious, though dimly lit, room. 

Lightning and Sunset promptly followed, and once in the room, the dim light brightened until the entire room was washed in orange light. 

Various photos hung on the walls, either taped on or having been nailed. Some had darts in them, others circles in various colors. Yet others looked as if they had been randomly drawn on in somepony's spare time. The large map on the table, however, without a doubt was of Canterlot. Sunset recognized the undetailed zone that consisted of Celestia's castle. 

"Where is Trixie?" Sunset inquired. As she had signed her contract with that mare, she had expected to be seeing more of her, not so much Lightning Dust. 

"Trixie will be joining us as soon as reasonably possible." Lightning reached under the table with a hoof, tapping the bottom fervently. A thick, hearty sounded in response. "Besides, we likely will not need her yet anyways. We may be taking a trip to Ponyville." 

Sunset could not have been more displeased upon hearing this. "Ponyville? I get back to the second greatest city in all of Equestrian history and you suggest we go to that little village? Whatever for?!" 

Fleur took a step back from the table, perhaps in order to distance herself from the situation. Lightning smiled, and from beneath the table she produced a black marker of sorts. Why it had taken her so long to retrieve the marker remained a mystery to Sunset.

"Well, our next job involves a new client, so we need to make sure we do it just right. You know why Canterlot is on high alert don't you?" Lightning circled Celestia's castle grounds with the black marker. "Apparently, there was an assassination right in the Princess' own home." 

Sunset was taken aback for but a moment till she recalled the skill of security when she had last been in the castle; the only way this would be really shocking would be if it were one of the princesses having been assassinated. Fleur, however, seemed more than a little unnerved by these news, this likely being a surprise to her. 

Lightning then took the marker in her mouth and drew a line from the castle grounds to the end of the table. She spat the marker back into her hoof, and pointed towards the end of the table. "The assassin, if he or she was still in Canterlot, would have definitely been found by now. If  he or she was smart, they would've already hiked it to the nearest village to hide out." 

"Wouldn't that be obvious?" Sunset pointed out. After all, had Celestia sought to imprison her rather than stifle her knowledge, then she too might would have retreated to Ponyville before taking the train someplace much further from her mentor's grip. Maybe she would have went all the way to Saddle Arabia.

Lightning shook her head, and, with the marker, placed an X presumably where the Castle Gardens were located. "No, because the assassin is not a pony. The assassin is a griffon. I saw the entire griffon force sent here to protect King Grackus being inspected and accounted for in the gardens on my way here."

"Were they all there?" 

Lightning rolled her eyes at this question. "Obviously I did not fly down and ask, but from what I could see, they all were pretty angry. I highly doubt it was one of the ones in the garden." 

"Betrayal comes in many shapes and forms," Fleur stated, inserting herself into the conversation, "Of course, I think the real question is why this assassin is even being sought after." 

"Because they could go after Celestia next," Lightning pointed out, "Not to mention our client wants an explanation." 

Sunset tilted her head, now very confused. "An explanation? I don't quite follow. Who is this client again?"

"Confidential." Lightning sighed, perhaps saddened by that detail. "Even I was not told. Whoever they are though, they want the assassin alive." 

"So what's the catch?" Sunset asked, "I mean, do we deliver them to the castle or something?" 

"Obviously if your client does not want to reveal himself or herself, then you cannot just drop the assassin off. It sounds like the Market has once again failed to verify the legitimacy of its clientele." Fleur walked back up to the table and slammed her hooves onto the map. "If I am to guess, whoever the client is, him or her must already know who the assassin is personally. That would explain how you are supposed to identify the assassin as a non-pony." 

"Could be stereotype," Sunset offered.

Lightning shook her head. "Fleur has a point, I hate to admit it, but she really does. The client knows the assassin's identity, somehow, as a griffon. We're looking for a guilty griffon in Equestria, which can't be that hard." 

"If he or she get to Cloudsdale, then they can blend in with other recently arrived griffons, you should know that." Fleur traced her hoof around the Canterlot train station. "You two will have to move fast in order to prevent that." 

"If they were flying, trust me, they would have been downed by now," Lightning asserted, slamming a hoof onto the table, "Nobody gets past Cloudsdale security." 

"Except you apparently." Fleur smiled coyly, Lightning going silent for a few moments. 

By the time Lightning finally pieced together an appropriate response, Fleur was already walking away from the table, heading to one side of the room. It was lined with photos, most of them circled in black with an X through them. "Talk to Fancy Pants. I assure you, by now, he will have more information on this than the entire Royal Guard put together." 

"How do you know?" Sunset turned to look at Fleur, skeptical that Fancy Pants would be much help, "And how would he know?"

"Fancy Pants is the most important unicorn in all of Canterlot, recall," Fleur retorted, gesturing with her horn towards the exit, "If he asks why he should help you, remind him that I still have two more solids that need melting, and you come on my behalf for one." 






According to Lightning Dust, the griffons had been politely told to leave the city. With the griffon monarch dead beyond retrieval, the Royal Guard had been more than happy to demand that the griffons leave. The griffon's current leader, Antoine, starkly refused until the assassin was caught. Now walking through the streets, it was clear that the tension was high between the two groups, with the dragons oddly enough just managing to stay out of the spotlight. 

A particular street led to a massive mansion, the golden gate announcing the beginnings of a lavish, and most expensive abode. Just beyond the golden gates was a massive garden, with a marble fountain in the middle. A statue of Celestia standing next to Fancy Pants topped off the statue, with two reared up stallions poised in the background. A labyrinth of grasses, shrubs, trees, and an assortment of other plants littered the garden. Canterlot ponies of all types loitered, idly chit-chatting or watching their surroundings with what seemed to be detached interest. 

The mansion itself, from the gate, looked large enough to house the entire entourage, though it still did not quite compare to Celestia's castle. In Sunset's opinion, that was fine, as Celestia was far more important than Fancy Pants anyways in the grand scheme of things. Some would call Fancy Pants the most important unicorn in Canterlot. Sunset would concede that he certainly had to be the wealthiest. 

Reaching the golden gates, the two guards standing entry gave Sunset a rather dull expression. However, when they looked to Lightning, their expressions became hostile. "Lightning Dust and Sunset Shimmer, what a surprise that you two would be seen together," one of the guards commented, "What do you want?"

"To speak to Fancy Pants, obviously," Lightning answered, giving the same glare that she was thrown, "Some of us actually have jobs that put us in harm's way." 

The other guard scoffed and pointed his spear towards Lightning. "Grackus got assassinated right in the Canterlot Ambassador chambers; like hell  if there is not harm in what we do. Anyways, you two are not coming in during my watch." 

"Why not just ask Fancy Pants?" Sunset inquired, not wishing to start a fight, "If he permits it, then we can carry on. Otherwise, we will be on our way, and there will be no need to make a mess out of nothing." 

The guards looked hesitant, but before he could answer, the golden gates opened, revealing a strangely garbed griffon. A sleek, black crow's head with the body of a midnight blue panther. His sharp, sea green eyes were narrowed, and his beak wrenched into a frown of scowling proportions. He wore a chainmail body suit with a steel breastplate, both riddled with runes that. Most unusual was the large, rectangular shield on his back, bearing a large emblem brazened upon it. The emblem was the Griffia insignia: a griffon grasping arrows and a scepter in its talons, arrows on the left and scepter on the right. 

The two guards angrily turned their spears towards Antoine in a threatening manner. The target of their hostility had just shifted. "What are you still doing here?" one of them inquired, "You griffons were supposed to have left already." 

Antoine did not make a move towards attacking them, but instead kept walking towards Sunset and Lightning on his way out. "Until my daughter and this assassin are found, I and my griffons are not going anywhere. If you intend on forcing us out, then we will have to assume that you all had something to do with this atrocity." 

"We already told you, Captain," the other spoke, lightly jabbing his spear towards Antoine, "One of the palace guards noticed her standing over the body of Charles with Grackus merely feet away on the floor. They are still doing forensics, but that eyewitness report pretty much says that the assassin and your daughter are probably one in the same." 

Antoine stopped moving, turning his head to look towards the pony whom had spoken. "And I am to believe that my Equestrianized daughter would do something so heinous? Perhaps had she been raised at home, or been in your guard, or if Grackus had been strangled. But Gilda does not even know how to properly wield a dagger, much less overpower two griffons of her own size with it on her lonesome." 

The guards were not convinced. "Yeah well, what was seen is what was seen, and the evidence all lines up to it. If you all don't want to believe it, that is your business. Things were just fine before your kind showed up on our doorstep." 


Antoine cawed and stalked off. Sunset cursed that the griffon didn't have a bit of fight in him; she would have loved to have gotten in and watched that clash, or at least had a suitable diversion for them to go on ahead. 

Lightning sighed in seeming defeat. "Alright, can you at least let him know that we stopped by?" 

The guards nodded, then directed for the two to leave. With haste, Sunset led the way, attempting to keep an eye down the main road for the gleaming metal armor. Perhaps, Antoine could give them more information on what they needed to know, without having to go through Fancy Pants, and without wasting one of Fleur's favors with the stallion. 

Trotting down the road, Sunset was the first to notice Antoine's stalking, restrained posture as he moved along the road. He had indeed been angered by the earlier confrontation, so the last thing either of them wanted to do was gallop right behind him. First, they would call out. 

"Antoine, is it?" Sunset shouted, watching Antoine stop moving, "The name is Sunset Shimmer." 

Antoine fully turned around, his green eyes searching Sunset's features. Being studied in such a manner would have disturbed Sunset had she not bore in mind that this was likely one of the griffons assigned to protect the Griffian king. 

"What is it?" he inquired, his eyes then turning to look Lightning over, "What do you want?" 

"We wish to speak to you more about that matter," Lightning answered, inspecting Antoine with some scrutiny, "You mentioned your daughter and the assassin. Is it possible that the latter kidnapped the former?"

"Why do you want to know?" Antoine seemed unwilling to divulge much information yet, particularly not upfront. 

Sunset decided on a different approach. "We are looking for the assassin, and believe that he or she may have fled Canterlot, making a search around town rather futile; we need your help in determining where they may have gone." 

Antoine seemed to think on it for a moment before answering. "Have you considered checking the nearby town of Ponyville? I hear the Element of Loyalty lives there." 

"What has that got to do with anything?" Sunset inquired, not quite understanding the message, "We are looking for an assassin." 

"An assassin who may have kidnapped Antoine's daughter," Lightning elaborated, "If the assassin has nowhere to go, he or she may have forced his daughter into trying to come up with a place." 

"And she did used to be friends with the pony named Rainbow Dash," Antoine added on, his eyes searching the skies, "If anypony would offer refuge if she escaped, it might be her." 

Sunset could tell that Antoine and Lightning were putting their heads together and figuring something out, but they had failed to let her in on the big reveal. "Even so, we would only find the daughter, whom we are not looking for."

"She could offer a description of the assassin, or even lead to the hideout," Lightning mused, tapping a hoof to her chin, "It is a longshot, but staying here in Canterlot will do us no good." 

"Why not just go to Ponyville yourself?" Sunset challenged, noticing Antoine preparing to walk off, "Isn't your daughter important to you?"

"If I leave Canterlot, my forces go with me," Antoine pointed out, "If we leave and this turns out to be an inside job, then diplomacy needs to be swift. And I am the only one of rank who can speak on behalf of what is left of the current Griffia government." 

"Hence the need for someone else to go in your stead," Lightning finished, nodding her head, "Now this is all making sense. That means we will have to come back doesn't it?"

Sunset understood with that last exchange. Antoine was most likely the client, and his need to hire ponies in the first place would likely stem from his need to stay in Canterlot. He couldn't afford to leave, not with things the way they were. Even if it had been an inside job, it was critical to keep lines of communication open with the Equestrian top brass. 

Not to mention to keep potential conspirators in check as well. 

With that, Antoine nodded and stalked off, not giving another word. Sunset turned towards Lightning, who watched the griffon go with a fascination that piqued her interest. 

"Something wrong?" Sunset asked, snapping Lightning from her trance. 

"Nothing at all. Guess we're taking a train ride." Lightning turned back towards main street.

Sunset grimaced at the thought of riding a train. She had just gotten off of one, and some inner instinct lamented the idea of endangering her life on one of those machines again. 











"And with that, we left Canterlot and went on our way to Ponyville," Sunset concluded, stifling a yawn after she was done. 

Luna's attention fully was on Sunset, though the princess' face revealed very little about her thoughts. Instead, an odd silence crept through the air, with even the wind bringing about stillness that forced Sunset to shift uncomfortably in her seat. Merely to hear the noise of her own rump on the floor felt better than sitting in complete quiet. Even the clang of the jewel on it golden chain.

When Luna did speak, it was with a finality of sorts. "I am done here. Get some rest, Shimmer; it may be the last that you have here in Equestria." 

With not another word Luna rose and trotted off, leaving behind a mildly surprised Sunset Shimmer. She had not even finished her story, and Luna pretty much had dismissed her. Not to mention she had completely overlooked the possibility that the necklace that Sunset now wore might not be what it seemed at first.

Believing this night truly to be her last for a few moments, Sunset sighed, and looked towards the top of the caverns. She could feel a cold chill up her spine, the kind of chill that sent one bursting into tears. And yet, just a twinge in her chest, unlike almost anything she had ever felt before. It could not have been fear, she had felt that many times before. 

Pain? Depression? No, those were all emotions that she had felt before. What was this new feeling that tore at her very soul, wrecking havoc on the remaining sanity that she had? It grated against her conscious, and threatened to shut down her very core thoughts. Whatever this emotion was, Sunset hated it more than anything else in the world. Trying to clear her mind, Sunset sought the answer for this strange feeling. 

When nothing came to her, she realized that it was not a mere emotion alone. It was magic. 

"I have felt this before." It was all she could murmur, a single twinge becoming a surge of emotion, one that, at last, she could identify. 

Passion. Burning, searing passion. Excitedly, she smiled to herself as her frame became more full, her energy and health restored. "That sneaky griffon," Sunset muttered to herself, a fire alighting in her eyes. Bit by bit the magic had been reinvigorating her, and Princess Luna apparently did not notice this at all.

Without a moment more to spare in contemplation alone, she used magic to break free of her bonds, the chains clattering to the floor. She had risked the alicorn amulet in a risky gamble that could have easily went south, and had practically put herself up for the death penalty in order to return the prize to its forger. 

Sunset frowned. Indeed, she was now free, temporarily. But rescuing Gilda would require help, help that she could not afford to leave the city for. She did not have time to find out where Lightning and Trixie were, or even if they were willing to help. She had to use her local resources. 

A thought came to mind as she recalled a certain stallion whom had earlier visited her. "Flash Sentry." Yes, he could certainly help! 

Even if she did have to hoof over the amulet, she could always take it back from him later, or track down the poor sap he sold it to. At this point, she had a friend to repay. Sunset stopped herself for a few moments. Friend? 

Well, she had saved her life, twice now. It was only fair to place her in that category. Without another thought, Sunset set off deeper in the caverns in pursuit of the stallion who could help her.