//------------------------------//
// Dodge City//Chapter 3 
// Story: The Rise of the Guardians and the Fall of One Hero 
// by TrinityDragon 
//------------------------------//

	The hospital. Phebe Hoshana bearer of the Element of Perseverance and protector of the Changelings lay in a bed wrapped in a head bandage and leg cast. She stared purposelessly at the ceiling affixed on a single spot. Dark Shade, as his alias Balc Rigger, sat beside her watching her unceasingly. He wanted to talk with her, but she would not speak nor move. At best, she would blink but no more. “Phebe...”
After escaping the Badlands, Shade brought the wounded Unicorn to a hospital in Dodge City. There were a lot of questions asked. For instance, the doctors wondered why a construction worker from Cloudsdale would come from the Badlands. They also inquired where and how Phebe got her injuries and if that necklace was an Element of Harmony. He didn't answer a one of them; he only cared that Phebe be treated. Fortunately, she was.
If only somepony could treat her mental condition. She had been completely silent since escaping the battle. Even as the doctors examined her broken leg and placed the cast from her lower knee to her upper shoulder, she wouldn't move—neither cooperating nor resisting. She was dead inside.  One glance at her lifeless eyes would show that. Sometimes, Shade wondered if she was still breathing.
“Come on. It's been a day already. You haven't eaten or had a drink.” The imposter of Balc tapped the Unicorn on the side. “I know it hurts, Phebe. I lost her too... she was my queen.” He paid no attention to whoever listened; he frankly did not care. “I lost them all. I mean, they were my family—my friends—but I have to move on—we have to move on.” This was the fifth time he tried to reach her. “Say something!” Nonetheless, every attempt, including this one, failed. “Gah, fine, I'll go. I need to find some way to earn money for the medical bills. I'll be back later.” Forgoing the regular exit, the Pegasus zipped out of the window.
Hours washed away silently. By the time night had struck, Phebe had moved twice, but each time she merely rolled onto one side and found another section of wall to glare at carelessly.
Suddenly, words flung through the air. They would have startled Phebe, if she was concerned with anything. “Is this her room?” A male voice, unfamiliar to Phebe, resounded through the doorway.
“Yes, sir,” a nurse replied.
“Okay, thanks.” Phebe was facing away, so she only heard the stallion enter the room. She didn't bother to look.
On the side she was not facing, the person took a seat. Artemis? Phebe pondered.
“Oh my... you've been through a lot,” he commented as if he knew.  “It's nice to meet you, uhm... Phebe Hoshana? That's what the nurse told me, anyway.” This pony chuckled. “You remind me a lot of myself.”
For whatever reason, Phebe assumed this to be some mental health doctor—perhaps, a shrink. Even if this person were not a doctor at all, as everything else, it didn't matter to her. You can't fix me; go away.
“Well, I was given a message to tell you, and then I'll be out of your hair.”
A message. Kay.
“Do not be afraid nor discouraged. Instead, be strong and brave. For I am the healer, and I am with you. Do not be discouraged.” A long huff provided a barrier between the message and the pony's own words. “Ah... I need to hear that too, and thank you for giving me the privilege to talk with you. This may be my only chance; I'm glad I took it. Bye then.”
W-who are you? The need to know drove her to roll over and face him, but when she did, she found no one. There was not a person sitting by her bed, and in fact, there was no one in the room. Do not be discouraged, she mouthed those words. Instead of bringing her comfort, the message brought her irritation. Eh, whatever. It's not important. I'll just be here a year recovering from my wounds. Oh, except I have yet to die for the Changelings. And then I get to marry Artemis! It'll be his corpse. “Meh.” She returned to her status of watching the ceiling.


	~~~~~


The night time passed into the wake of dawn. Dark Shade, still suited as Balc, returned. “Hey, Phebe.” Like previously, he placed himself beside her. “I got a job working construction. I don't know the first thing of how to build stuff, but they gave me some simple tasks. Plus, they said I could leave whenever I need to, so once you're healed up, we can go wherever we have to.” When only quiet sullenness replied to his statements, Shade groaned. “Phebe, speak to me!” She did not. “All right, listen up! I'm tired of you acting like you are the only one to suffer. I'm providing for your treatment and care while I'm searching internally for my answers like you are. I don't have time to sulk, though. I have to live on—press on! You can either suffer alone in your world of self-pitty, or we can bear each other's burden. I am here with you.”
Phebe had heard that already. “No, you are not!” Her soul was fed up. She threw herself out of her bed, and landing on her three good legs, she put her face to Balc's. “You think you get it? You think you understand what I am going through? Do you realize how many times I've lost everything!? I never had a good family, but when they needed me most, I abandoned them. They do not accept me anymore. They won't forgive me!” Her teeth grit and her voice became intensely gravely. “I had Pyre. I had a teacher and a friend. I had something, but then you and your miserable excuses for a 'people' took him away. Yes, I moved on. I recovered! I got on by fine for many years. Come the turn of this year, I stumble upon this thing.” Her head motioned to the Element around her neck. “Then I'm given the message to bring to you guys. Easy, right? I would have loved to deliver the message and leave, but I wasn't given that option. I ended up helping you, and it cost me. I haven't yet recovered from those wounds, and now I have received so many more—deep wounds!”
Shade took this pretty hard. Tears welling up in his eyes, he tried to back away, but she pressed into until he was up against a wall. “Ple-please s-stop.”
Those words did not process in Phebe's brain. “You see, I thought I had a friend in your queen. I was starting to understand her—relate to her. I had a purpose too, and I was beginning to feel something, and it wasn't hate, guilt, and fear. I even got some closure on Pyre's death.” She deepened her tone as low as possible, a growl of fury thrusting out. “I can't have any of that, though. I lost all my progress within days of attaining it. I can't be happy. I can't have peace.  I am destined to lose everything until I am dead, so I don't care anymore. I hate you and your people, and I will gladly kill the last of you to satisfy my hate. Then, I'll kill myself. For your sake, you should hope I never see you again. Bye!!!” Disregarding all of her injuries, she hobbled out of the room and down the hall. As she was going, she heard loud sobs coming from the room. That's right. Suffer. Suffer like I am.
After much struggling and fumbling, Hoshana managed to exit the hospital and go out on the streets. It's a city. Cities have shady people. She briefly recalled what she told the Changeling and decided to renege on one statement she gave to him.  I'm not going to wait to kill myself. Dark Shade, be happy that you will live on.
Since she had lived in Dodge City for awhile, she knew where to find the most sketchy places. Longing for the sweet solace of death, the limping Unicorn pressed on from the hospital despite how unpleasantly painful each stride was.
After a journey of thirty minutes, she came to the dingy section of the city. Instead of elegant brick buildings and well-paved roads, beaten down shacks and gravel pathways detailed the area. Her hooves found discomfort in walking on the unsteady ground, but she would not turn back.
Eventually, she came to a certain house. The building possessed a coating of paint, whereas the surroundings ones did not, and had a better maintained exterior; nevertheless, it still had a broken front door and shattered porch.
Recognizing her inability to knock because of her leg, she levitated a larger piece of gravel from the street and patted that on the door. Her horn was intact enough for her to perform this basic spell. “It's Phebe.” The owner, a gritty old Earth Pony who wore a ripped top hat and gold necklace, answered the door. He went wide-eyed when he saw her standing there. “Yes, it's me, Phebe. I'm not here to stir trouble this time. In fact...” She looked to the side with a sly smile. “I'm willing to sign away whatever wealth I have in order to get the best drugs you have, and I want as much as it takes to overdose.”
“Oh how the mighty have fallen. Come in.” The Earth Pony walked inside, and Phebe followed. “I already have a guest. You can visit with him while I scrounge for the necessary paper work.” He went down one hallway, and she traveled a different route until she came to the dining room—quaint yet small and simple. Another Earth Pony with a tan coat, puffed blonde mane, flowing tail, and dark blue eyes sat on a stool at one end of the table. He was looking intently at the texture of the table. Regardless, Phebe took a seat on the opposite end.
“What are you here for?” She inquired drolly.
His head tilted up, and when he caught sight of her, he jumped. “Y-you!” That voice sounded familiar. “I didn't think I would see you again. Odd.”
“Hey! I know you,” she stated authoritatively. “You visited me at the hospital and gave me that ridiculous message.”
“Oh...” His expression fell into a glum state. “That would be why,” he commented to himself while tapping the table repeatedly.
“What do you mean? And why are you here, anyway?” She shook her head slightly. “I would not have taken you for a druggie.”
“Hah, me... a druggie!? Hahahah!” As if intentionally exaggerated, the pony flopped onto the floor and began rolling around in laughter. “Haha! HAHAHA! BWAHAHAHA!” It was annoying, but Phebe disregarded his irritating behavior. Once he recovered, he hopped to his hooves. “I have a better question for you.” Carrying a cocky smile and raised eye brows, he slowly walked up to her. Once he was close to her ear, he questioned, “Why are you here?” Phebe didn't answer; she didn't need to tell a stranger anything. “I see. May I handle your Element? Since you won't need it after today, I figure it would be no harm to inspect it.”
Does he know? Eyes rolled. What is taking that jerk so long with those papers? I want to get this over with.
“I promise to leave if you let me hold your Element for only a minute.”
“Fine.” In her sitting position, she was able to snap off the back with her good for foreleg without putting much pressure on her bad one. Begrudgingly, she handed the necklace to the mysterious pony. I can't believe I am doing this.
He grabbed it gleefully and began a thorough scrutiny, but soon after, a pained expression came upon him. “It's hot to the touch.” Glaring intently at the water droplet which revealed the difference between her Element and the others, he wondered, “Should it be burning like this? I would think it would be a bit cooler...” She ignored his odd question and comment. He changed topics. “Well, anyway, I am more curious as to what this element represent.”
“Perseverance,” the terse reply hit.
“Oh. And you are the bearer of this Element?”
“Yes!” A frustrated tone built up. “Why else would I have it? Idiot.”
He strolled behind her casually, gently wrapped his forelegs around her neck, placed the necklace, and whispered in her ear, “Why do you have it, Phebe Hoshana?”
She was incredibly uncomfortable with him touching her and getting, so she turned around and yelled, “Get away from me, you pervert!” However, when she took a second look, she realized that the old Earth Pony was standing there, and the other guest had disappeared. This was the second time he vanished.
The owner of the house thought she meant that to be directed at him. “If you plan to speak to me this way, at least do it outside my home. Now get out!” He pointed to the door.
“No, I-I-”
“Did you not hear me the first time? Leave at once!”
Heavily disgruntled, Phebe took off from her seat and walked out. Upon exiting, she discovered the mysterious pony standing in the middle of the street gazing blankly at the sky. “You!” She cried angrily. “Stop disappearing like that; you ruined my plan!” When he didn't respond, she came up to him. “Are you listening, idiot!?”
That snatched his attention, so his head turned toward her. He answered, “And what plan was that, hm?” She was caught off guard by his reply. Her best defense was staring at him silently. “I thought so.” His gaze returned to the sky, and his eyes squinted.
After a period of quietness, she gathered her thoughts enough to inquire, “Who are you?” In that moment, she decided to check his Cutie Mark hoping to find an answer there. Unfortunately, she found no answer, for there was no Cutie Mark. Thinking back to his repeated disappearances and his message from I AM, she sheepishly inquired, “Are you... an angel?”
“Not really, no.” He didn't stop staring at the sky. “I am a messenger like you, though. Well, for now, I am.”
His inability to look her in the eyes bugged her. “Just what are you looking at? I'm talking to you, you know? In fact, you're talking to me back. Look me in the eyes and talk to me.”
“To your first question,” he replied while keeping his face upwards, “I have to say, I don't even know. There is this small floating mass way up in the sky. It's black... but I can't seem to make out its body, and I have really good vision.”
“Huh?” She decided turn upward. At first, her eyes did not catch vision of any such thing, but when she took some time and focused, she discovered a tiny black ball of fog prancing around randomly in the sky. “That's a Guardian!” she yelped. Immediately, she turned to the “other messenger.” His head had already turned to her, and now they were meeting eye-to-eye.
“Oh... that is a relief. I thought it was something much different. Haha... whew...” He let out a full breath.
Panic set in. Actually, no, soul-rattling horror filled her. A bucket full of thoughts emptied into her mind. In fact, a few dozen buckets overflowing with questions, concerns, and conclusions dumped on her. Why are the Guardians here? Whatever the case, they are an extreme threat. I have to get back to the hospital; I can't risk losing Dark too!
 Without a word of good-bye, the Unicorn stumbled her way at maximum speed to the other side of the city.  This is bad.  She moved as speedily as possible, but she came to a quick realization that her rate of movement was not nearly sufficient. If they're here, they could already have Dark. I need to be back at the hospital now. In that moment, a sense of self-stupidity came over her. I should never have left him. Despite her previously nasty attitude to Dark, she still cared about him and cared enough to save him by any means necessary. Tremendous regret weighed on her for abandoning him. Nonetheless, she didn't have time to sulk.
I can teleport short distances. While her horn was still damaged, she could scrounge up enough magic for a single strong spell, such as a teleport. Without a second thought, she cast one. Unfortunately, her teleport spell was only able to take her twenty yards--not far enough to make teleport spells effective. Think, think! I don't have time to waste. I could take a cab... but that's still not fast enough.
“Ah, Pyre's spell!” Her shout drew the attention of some strangers who gave her a strange look. They were ignorant of the real situation, so she didn't care what they thought of here outburst. In fact, she threw away all consideration for their opinions; Her friend—potentially only friend—was at risk.
Imagining her hospital room, she rephrased the spell, “Oh distant figure, I do care. Wait a moment and bear, for I will be there!” Her horn began glowing. Oh this is gonna hurt. Traveling five city blocks consumed a grand more magic than going to a nearby destination, so unfortunately, the glow of her magic fizzled. “No!” Still, she wouldn't bend to the obstacle. She had already lost Pyre and Chrysalis, so she refused to give up on Shade. Her element activated causing the aura of her magic to expand and bloom. What the-!? Phebe had never seen this before, and as far as she was aware, the only Unicorns capable of collecting and using that much magic had their Cutie Marks in magic. Phebe was not one of those Unicorns. Though she could pull some extraordinary feats, this was beyond her. Considering the direness of the situation, she concluded, I won't question it.
Even with the help of her Element, her horn injury caused her head to surged agony, but she would not bow to weakness. A little more...
Blip. She blinked and found herself at her intended destination. “It worked! Hah! HAH!” The act, however, completely drained her of strength. She was incapable of holding herself up, so she fell. On the bright side, she didn't land on her broken limb.
“...Phebe?” the weak murmur of Balc Rigger slipped into her ears. “H-huh!?” His voice grew suddenly louder. “Are you okay?!” The Pegasus came to her side. “What did you do!?”
“No... time...” Her spell weakened her to the point of impairing speech. She gasped in between words. “Guardians... here. Need... to... find safety!”
“Wh-what!? They came here?” A gawk of horror came over the fake pony. “Why? They said they would leave us alone, if we left! Phebe, where do we go?”
“I know... a safe... place...” She grunted as she tried to pick herself up. “Help me... get up...” Shade did as Phebe commanded. The winded Unicorn could not stay standing, but by sitting upon her hind legs, she managed to keep upright. “One... one more spell.” Her vision was already cloudy, head light, body weak, and head throbbing; nonetheless, she activated her magic once more. “If they don't ever... find out... about us, then... we'll be safe.”
“You're exhausted. You can't do that.”
“I. Don't. Care. Clear?” Growls loosed from her mouth incited by the intensifying of her headache. Regardless of her agony, she started the next spell. Dark Shade did not interrupt; he was frightened by her tone. Barely having caught her breath, she affirmed sternly, “I will protect you! I will not lose another.” On this occasion, her magic required a lot more time to gather the required charge. Her growl escalated. The pain was intolerable. In fact, the one usually incapable of tears—that is, Phebe—poured rivers from her tear ducts. I can't hold on anymore. I AM, Help! Please help me! “Dark, hold onto me! Quick!” Almost... almost! Hesitantly, the Changelings grabbed her around her neck.
In a flash, the two of them were transported into a dark tunnel where a rushing stream flowed. Since a sidewalk did not exist, they landed in the water, but since it was shallow, they were not taken away in the swift current.
Phebe collapsed into the water, but she remained conscious. “Phebe!” After resorting to his normal form, Shade checked her condition. Though her outer appearance didn't seem injured, her breathing was extremely labored. He checked her pulse and found that to be weak. When he noticed her eyes beginning to close shut, he pleaded, “Phebe, stay with me!” To his dismay, she didn't respond. Eventually, her eyes clasped shut. “Phebe!”
This is it. She felt herself beginning to drift away. She didn't expect to push herself to death, but apparently a Unicorn of her caliber was not designed to cast two taxing spells with a damaged horn. Though, she wondered if any Unicorn or even Alicorn would survive that much stress.
In the midst of welcoming death, she had a single question to answer. Why did I go through this much effort? I thought I hated Changelings. Ironically enough, she still did; nevertheless, she felt that they had already paid their dues. Whatever they deserved they got, in her mind, so she had no desire for them to suffer further. On top of this, there was a sense of duty. After losing Chrysalis as they did, someone had to watch over Dark Shade, and whether or not she was “worthy” of that responsibility, Phebe had taken it upon herself. Lord I AM, you said your love would burn inside me. Is this what you meant? I disregarded any valid reasons for hesitation and gave everything I had to protect one Changeling. Just one. I suppose this is my fate. She resigned. If I live, then great, but that is not likely. Despite attempts otherwise, her consciousness neared its end. Bye Dark.
Soon enough, Dark hoisted her over his back and began walking down the tunnels. “Come on, Phebe, keep strong.” She heard him initially, but her hearing soon dulled. She couldn't determine if he knew how extreme her condition was, but she figured he didn't care. She certainly didn't. “I don't know why you brought us down here, though. Where is here?” In short time, he came to a four-way intersection. Since he could not see any exits or landmarks in any direction, he progressed forward speedily; he had to find help for her. “There has to be something down here.”
No sooner that he spoke those words, one pony jogged across the following intersection taking the pathway to Dark's left. Because of the splashing of hooves, Dark, determining no other options were available, decided to follow.
The pony's voice echoed through the tunnels, “Hum...? This is odd.”
To that voice, a sudden burst of energy poured over Phebe, so her head shot up. “Follow that pony!” she yelled. It's him again. Why does he keep popping up? Shocked by the loud voice rippling into his ear, Shade kicked into top gear rushing down the tunnels. When they turned the bend, the mysterious pony took a right down another pathway, and Shade followed. He chased him down several twists and turns until they arrived at a dead end, but there was nopony to be seen. He had vanished.
“Where did he go?” the Changeling inquired. Even with the darkness, his vision was excellent, so he knew he saw that person come in this direction.
“You lost him? Aww... crabapples,” she commented. First, a defeated tone dribbled out of her mouth, but a blast of sarcasm came directly after. “...and I stayed alive for this?” Taking a deep breath and relaxing, she lowered her head and stared into the darkness. “I'll be fine, Dark.” Weakness quaked in her body, but the closeness to passing away had itself passed away.
“Are you sure?”
“Yeah...” Her muzzle rubbed against her good foreleg. “I'm very weary and woozy, but I'm over whatever happened to me.” If weakly, she could speak clearly, so that was corroborating evidence to what she told him. I won't be dying yet. Dang.
“If you say so.” An ounce of relief lighted upon the previously worried Changeling. “So... why did he lead us here?” Instead of giving up, he took time and effort to scrutinize his surroundings. Of particular note, the ground had a build up of pebbles which prevented the stream of water from going any further. “Hey. That's odd.”
“What is odd? If I could see, I might be able to help.” She nudged him as harshly as she could which was more representative of a rub than a tap. Silently, Dark activated his horn thereby bringing lighting to the immediate area. Since the easiest place for her to look is down, she immediately noticed the tiny rocks on the floor. “That's new.” Her head lifted and turned back and forth. “We're on the edge of the water system.”
“What water system?”
A moment of pause permitted some consideration on Hoshana's part. I didn't tell him? Oops. “We're under Dodge City. This is the water system. It's how they get running water in almost every place across the city. When I lived here, I used these tunnels to travel places without being noticed. I was really good at getting crooks this way,” she stated proudly. “Anyway, I've been down here enough times to know that there shouldn't be a wall here or this dam of rocks.”
“In other words...” Dark Shade stepped forward heading into the wall, but when he should have contacted it, he went straight through. “It's a fake.” Having crossed to the other side, he smiled and nodded. “That is Changeling magic. It's similar to what we use to hide the tunnels in the Badlands. Since you fell into one of our holes, I'm assuming you did not see it before falling in, correct?”
“Y-yeaaaahhhh.” Her voice carried suspicion. “I was wondering about that.”
“The ground there was fake. We were only able to keep hidden from the Guardians because of that magic.” Whilst walking forward casually, he continued, “Therefore, we were especially surprised when they came down.” He stopped and looked at the surroundings. “Well, it seems that Changelings are around here, so it would make sense that this is where Chrysalis sent Artemis.”
“Artemis?” That name rolled of her tongue by annoyance and, simultaneously, excitement. She recalled how he ditched her, and she was a touch upset over that. On the other hoof, she might get to hear the remainder of his dream if he were here.
“Yup. Outside of those that went on the mission with Artemis, I was the only one who she mentioned it to.” A large amount of pride swayed with that statement, and it remained for some more sentences. “The queen had a specific mission for me. I'm good at mimicking Unicorn magic as to... disguise myself better, so she had me practice your teleportation spell incessantly for a week—in case something were to happen and I had to get away quickly. In getting away, I was to take you with me. Though,” as he went on, the prideful tone whittled down into a sorrowful one, “I didn't expect to lose her.” Shudder.
“Either did I.” Her comment wielded much the same tonality. “Let's not think about it too much. I was finally starting to feel better.” Except one major issue yet weighed heavily on her mind. “Oh, Dark Shade, I...” She loosed two heavy sighs—one after the other. “I overreacted earlier. You were trying to help, and I bit off your head for it. I am sorry.”
By this point, he had walked a considerable distance, but now he stopped to look back at her. “Heh. You got what you deserved with all the pain you had to put yourself through to get back to the hospital.” Pause. Accepting what he had to say, she nodded. “Just... don't do anything to deserve that again. Please.” She nodded again though pensively.
I got what I deserved. Not long ago, she had given the same consideration for the Changelings. Though, his final statement surprised her. Don't do anything to deserve it again. I don't know that I've heard that before. With a plain tone, she replied, “All right, I'll try,”  
“Thanks.”
From here on, the two traveled in peace and quiet. Though their walk took a lot more time than they expected, they both took the opportunity to enjoy the soundless and dark surroundings. Neither of them were scared or worried. Their trek halted when the tunnel split off into two opposite directions. “Well this is not helpful,” Phebe commented. “I thought they would have had a Changeling nearby to maintain that wall.”
“Oh no, it's a self-existing wall. It can last for a few days before one of us has to replace it.”
“Fascinating.” Her lips curled up into a reflective smile. I didn't know that was possible. Though, I didn't know teleporting large distances was possible either. “Also fascinating is that we haven't seen that other pony. I'm thinking he went through the wall like we did, but we should have seen him or heard his hoofsteps.”
Dark gazed askance.“I was wondering the same thing. Did he mean to lead us to the wall?”
She didn't reply directly to his question. “Uh... I didn't tell you. I met that pony twice before, and both times he had disappeared on me. The first of which, I can't even explain how he did it. I turned to look at him only seconds after he talked to me, and there was no where for him to go that quickly.”
“Weird.”
She scoffed, “Yes, and annoying as well.”
“Can we rest?”
The sudden topic change shocked Phebe; she hadn't considered how tiring hauling her was. “Yes. If you needed one earlier, you could have said something.”
“No, I was fine until now.” By his magic, he lifted her off him and gently set her down on the ground before laying down himself. “I have a question.”
Barely able to hold up any weight, she put her head down and got as comfortable as she could, though her leg cast caused difficulties in that area. “What is it?”
 “You said you got your Element this year, but I know the other six bearers of the Elements received theirs almost a year ago. How did you get yours?” He pointed to her neck. “And why aren't you with those six?”
Her eyes rolled playfully. “You asked two loaded questions.” Her hoof would have raised to make some particular motion, but she again realized how impossible an action was. Thus, she refrained from moving altogether. “The second one is a little easier to answer. I haven't officially met Twilight Sparkle and her friends, but I have seen them, heard about them, and read about them. I have absolutely no desire to be around them.” A light chuckle put a gap between her words. “I used to think they were immature and shallow. I don't think that anymore, but I am still so different from them. They have seen the better part of the world, and I have seen the worst part. I'm scarred, violent, and considerably older, and since these won't change, I prefer not to bring any of that into their lives. Realistically, I have no interest in being with them.”
“Wow. But... You know that the Elements of Harmony are meant to work together, right?”
She replied matter-of-factually, “Yeah, but they obviously don't need me. They defeated Nightmare Moon, Discord, the Changelings, and King Sombra without any of my help. Besides, I can stop the Guardians with my one Element, if only I could learn how to use it.”
“You ever think it's because you're not with them?” he posed the question as if trying to help.
“Hahah, nah. It has already worked without them, so I don't see why it wouldn't work now. We'll worry about that later. Did you still want to know how I got my Element?” She wanted to motion with her hoof, but her weakness again held her back. Having been put into a hospital bed twice already, she grew steadily more frustrated over her repeated injuries. Will I ever fully recover?
“Please.” He nodded.
“All right.” My story—some one wants to listen to. Her heart warmed to that thought. “I lived in  Dodge City for awhile after my mentor Pyre died. I joined the law enforcement. Though they didn't usually accept mares, I managed to convince them.” A hollow chuckle frothed from voice box. “Anyway, I got so good at it that I ended up bored, so I left for Ponyville. My intention was to explore the Everfree Forest for an adventure. When I got into town, I saw the owners of the six Elements for the first time. I think Pinkie Pie tried to welcome me in with a party, but I scared her away. Even if she did throw me a party, I didn't go.” She was completely content to have skipped out. “Regardless, I went to the forest as soon as I could. I set up camp using supplies that I had brought with me and went exploring. After being there a week with many interesting discoveries and dangerous encounters, I stumbled upon a cave housing a glistening tree.” She recalled details of the strange plant. “It had a star, moon, and sun on the trunk, snowflake-like leaves, and crystalline bark and branches. When I walked up to it, the tree began glowing brightly, so I touched it. When I did, a sapphire or something similar came out of the roots of the tree, and it came up to me, touched me on the neck, and transformed into the necklace I now wear.” Strange but not exciting. Though, now that I think of it, the tree seemed to have lost its glow after I got my Element—as if it were dying. She briefly allowed her eyes to slide shut. I'm getting sleepy. “So, that's how I got this Element.”
When no reply came, she noted how Dark's horn was beginning to dim. “Shade, are you there?” Only silence answered. “Hah, you're already gone. Me too.” She inhaled thoroughly and loosened up. In the dank tunnels, she allowed herself to be taken by slumber.


	~~~~~


A hoof gently rested on Phebe, easing her out of slumber. “I wish I could get to know you a little more, but it seems this will be the last time we meet. I'm leaving Dodge City after today.”  In her drowsy state, she could not recognize the voice. “The healer said you're on the right track, so be strong—very strong. Do not waver on your path anymore. Fight, and fight beyond your last breath. Kay? Good.” The unicorn cracked open her eyelids, but since the tunnels lacked light, she could not tell who was there. “One gift from him to you, our bright messenger of salvation. Go and save your people.” A flash of warmth rushed through her body. “Goodbye.” Phebe couldn't keep herself conscious; she was still exhausted from yesterday's event.
Hours later. “GAH!!!” Phebe threw herself up. That was how long she took to realize what had happened. “Where did he go!?” She shot gazes in every direction. “I still have questions to ask! I have so much I want to know! Come back!” In her sleep, she had recognized the voice that spoke to her, and it was that same pony who kept disappearing. Then her reality dawned on her. “I-I can move? My leg too?” She carefully slid herself upon her hooves and putting pressure on them, she discovered a distinct lack of weakness. “I can stand?” No way. Her broken leg wiggled with ease, so she ripped off her cast. “It's not broken!”
“Mmm, what's not broken?” Dark Shade asked having only just woken. He rubbed his eyes before coming to the stark realization. “Your leg!?” He jumped to his feet. “It's not broken!”
Didn't I already say that? She laughed inwardly.
“Your horn?”
“Huh?” Her hoof instinctively reached for her magic focus, and she found it had fully regrown “Hah, I can use magic again!” Gleefully, she empowered her horn to bring light to the blackness. “Oh thank my God! I can't believe this is happening. Hahahahah!” Laughter exploded down the passageways leaving behind an ear-ringing echo. “I'm completely healed.” He healed me? He said the healer had a gift for me. Was this what he meant? Her excitement bubbled over to a tremendous grin. I am genuinely happy. I... can feel again. She pondered all the difficulties she had suffered in the last few days. I would have missed out on this if I was spared from tribulations. “Thank you, I AM.” She bowed as if her God were standing in front of her. “Thank you for all you've brought me through.”
“So, he healed you,” Shade stated plainly. “Wow.” A whole chunk of bitterness swept in with that one word. “We should get going. We might find Artemis.”
Phebe perceived what he was feeling. “H-hey, I don't know why he didn't save your queen. I didn't-”
“I don't want to talk right now.” In that moment, he began walking down one of the two paths. “I'll go this way; you can go the other. We'll meet back here.” She reached out with a hoof and readied to call out, but he glided by his wing power and rushed away.
“Ugh.”


	~~~~~


Sometime later, Hoshana discovered a group of Changelings under the leadership of Artemis. They had made a home out of the farthest section of tunnels. Artemis was not around at the time, so she decided to go back to look for Dark Shade. Sadly, the search lasted the remainder of the day without success. Eventually, she returned to the Changeling outpost by herself. When she arrived this time, Artemis was waiting for her.
“Phebe!” the deep-toned Artemis bellowed, “you survived.” He sprinted up to her and gave her a tight squeeze. “You've recovered from your injuries too.”
“If only you recovered from your brain injuries,” she replied snarkily before returning the hug. “It's good to see you too. Dark Shade is in the city, but we went our separate ways. I don't know where he is now.”
Loosing from the hug, he backed away, motioned for her to follow him, and began walking, so she walked beside him. “He can hold his own. Besides, I need to be informed of the situation in the Badlands, and then we need to make a plan of action.”
A weight of sorrow and distress scaled the reaches of Phebe's mind and heart. He doesn't know about Chrysalis!? Without revealing her turmoil, she added, “You also have to tell me about your dream.”
His head lowered as he responded, “Yeah. Uhm... sorry for leaving you. I couldn't say no to the mission I was given, and I wasn't allowed tell you about it.” The armored Changeling tilted his head away from her accidentally clanking his helmet against the side of his breastplate. “We'll talk in here.” He led her passed a drape that hung from the ceiling to the floor. Going through, she came to a make-shift supply room which was surrounded by drapes. Crates of food and medicine formed a small pyramid in the center of the room. No water was to be seen, but they lived in the water system for the city. One merely needed to another part of the tunnels to find water. “I'll talk to you about the dream after I hear what I need to know concerning the rest of my people.”
Phebe could no longer retain her sadness. Her gaze lowered, and soon her eyes clamped shut. “I... I couldn't save them, Artemis.” A self-blaming burden threatened to lay on her, but a desire to console the soon-to-be-mourning Changeling overpowered any pity she would have felt for herself. “The Guardians attacked soon after you left. There were so many.” As her words flowed from her mouth, the up-beat albeit nervous face of Reform steadily transformed into a glower. “They took the souls of most, if not all of those down there. I am only aware that Dark Shade and I escaped.”
She hesitated at mentioning the irreversible loss of his leader. If this were her a month ago, she would not have cared what Artemis would feel, but now she did. Artemis already appeared extremely discouraged, and she did not want to strain his bleeding heart any further. Nevertheless, she could not lie nor keep the secret. “I...” She choked on her own words. Losing Chrysalis hurt her too. This Unicorn had recovered from much, but she had not finished mourning the end of her friend. Truthfully, she wished she could cry. She could not. “I miss her. I miss her, Artemis.”
“Miss... who?” His words appeared hesitant. He anticipated the answer with tensing.
“Queen Chrysalis. I miss her because she is dead.” She finally opened her eyes and looked at him. “They took her soul... and then they destroyed her body! She is not coming back.”
The Changeling shook his head. “No. That's not right. You're lying,” he said flatly. “This contradicts all that the providing one said would happen. We turned around, Phebe! We can't be judged. Judgment day was never supposed to happen!” As anger rolled over his depressed expression, he stomped with his forelegs.
The sudden jump in topic surprised her. Assuming that Judgment day had been at the forefront of his mind, she simply followed the conversation. “I thought so too.” At this time, another pony might have told Artemis: “you didn't turn around,” “he lied,” “he never told you anything,” or “you're not worth saving.” To the contrary, Phebe wanted to comfort, despite not being comforted herself. He's right, Lord. What are you doing here? A sudden thought popped in her head. Well, why don't you find out? Pause. Where did that come from? The idea of searching for an answer was not her own; it just happened into her mind. Regardless, she decided to vocalize it. “I don't have the answer, but I will ask I AM about it.”
“You're still lying.” Even with her best attempts to calm him, his rage only intensified. “That couldn't have happened. I had a dream.” He growled. “That was everything I had to rely on for guidance, and if that isn't true, then I've been believing in lies this whole time! What really happened there, Phebe?” His tone became supremely nasty. “Don't lie again.”
“Then I won't.” The Unicorn turned around and silently left. She had tough enough skin not to take his harshness personally; however, she would not pursue a senseless conversation. And yet, she couldn't help wonder. What were they supposed to believe? What if they had gotten it all wrong?
“Wait!” His voice reached her from beyond the drapes. “Come back, please!”
As she scoffed to herself, “make up your mind,” she returned. “What?”
“I need time to think.”
Even a potentially false message about the deaths of his people would necessitate some thinking. Realizing this, Phebe rolled her eyes. Duh.
“We'll have to talk again later.” The harshness had evaporated completely. “I will make a proper apology as soon as I can. But, I have one question that I have to ask, before I go to clear my head.” He delayed briefly. “Where is your facial scar? Didn't you have one on the right side of your face?”
Eyebrows cocked. “What are you talking about?” One of her hooves raised to feel her cheek. Since the scar was severe, she would have felt it if it were there. “It's... gone?” She pushed her tongue against her teeth suddenly. “My missing tooth is still missing, but my scar is gone?” She looked at her back. “And that one vanished too.” If this had happened two weeks ago, she would have created a huge scene, for she had greatly valued them. They had added character, in her mind. On this day, though, she couldn't have cared less. In the end, she was only curious why her tooth hadn't returned if scar tissue had been healed. “Hahaha, I'm completely confused.” Unsure of where to take the conversation, she simply explained what happened. “I was healed by a mysterious pony today. I had serious injuries from the battle in the Badlands, and they got worse because I pushed myself too far.” To spare Artemis for further worry, she left out the details of how she nearly pushed herself to death. “And he just... healed me like that. I went to asleep barely able to move and woke up better than I was when I was being treated by you Changelings.” Something caught her attention. Artemis stared blankly at her, and he wouldn't move. “Artemis?”
“Blonde-mane, no Cutie Mark?”
She gawked. “How did you know?”
“He was the one who directed me to these tunnels.” He scratched his head “He didn't give me a name either. He just said he was a messenger.”
“But not an angel?”
“Yes! He didn't seem to know anything about our situation. I don't know if he knew that we were Changelings either. ”
“He gave me a message from I AM like he knew what I was going through, but I don't know that he actually knew anything.”
The two blinked repeatedly before saying simultaneously, “He said he wouldn't see me any more.” Absolute surprise sprung upon their faces, but soon incredible grins replaced their gawking.
Firmly yet carrying a whisper of hope, Artemis said, “On that good note, I'm going to go figure out how to handle our new situation.”
“And, I'm going to figure out why judgment day still happened.” Phebe bowed lightly before walking away. “No need for apology, by the way,” she spoke as she left. “You're already forgiven.” Acknowledging the show of compassion, he nodded and then exited in the opposite direction.