As they approached the castle, Roll came out to meet them. Sunset, Twilight and True's faces all lit up with joy on seeing their friend. Sunset advanced and gave their mutual friend a soft hug. "How'd it go?"
"I succeeded." Roll looked directly to True. "Your presence has been requested."
True squeaked in surprise and pointed at himself.
Twilight raised a brow. "I hope you let them know we're here too. We're not letting him go alone. We already split the party once, and we're lucky that worked out."
Sunset shrugged. "Besides, he can't talk, so we'll be translators if nothing else. Where do we need to be?"
Roll glanced from one friend to the next. "You raise excellent points. Queen Iliana has given leave to my returning at any time that I come with him."
Twilight nodded. "Great, so we're coming with. We'll be polite, promise."
Sunset huffed softly. "Is she as nice as Princess Celestia?"
Roll raised a brow with a whirr. "Who? She is kind and good, so far as I have observed."
Sunset nodded. "Must come with being a mare in charge of these things. If she's anything like Celestia, she won't be upset we're there. When do we go?"
"Roll!" called out a voice as a glittering mare came dashing towards them with a smile. "I was worried I'd lose you! Oh, are these your friends?" She looked between the three new ponies. "Nice to meet you, I'm Morning Bell. Roll, we have to go over our perfor--"
"Negative."
"What?" Morning tilted her head a little.
"I wanted an audience with the Queen, this has been accomplished. I do not desire to dance at her request." Roll shook her head firmly in denial. "You must proceed without me."
"But... we're a duo!" Morning's ears were down and she looked quite upset at the idea.
Sunset shook her head with confusion. "So hey, hello Morning, how did you two meet?"
"Oh, hello." Morning gave a brief smile before it was eaten up by her worry. "We met while waiting our turn to perform, and we worked together. I sung while she danced and impressed the Queen between us, and now she wants to leave! What am I supposed to do?"
Twilight tapped at her chin. "Well, I suppose it depends on what you want to do... We're going to save some little ponies just like him." She pointed to True. "They need our help or they'll be stuck in dark cramped mines, digging for the rest of their lives."
Morning blinked softly as she looked down at the small form of True Shot. "Aren't you an adorable little thing." She reached to gently muss up his mane. "T-that's a worthy cause, but I'm just a performer. What can I do?"
Twilight leaned forward. "You sound like a bard to me."
"What? Oh, no, I never joined a bardic college." Morning shook her head firmly. "They would get upset if I cl--"
"Not that!" Twilight smiled patiently. "A bard is a performer that inspires their allies, has limited grasp of arcane magic, and knows a little of everything. Does that sound right?"
She blinked at Twilight. "I've heard a lot of songs about things..."
Sunset softly nudged Twilight. "See? She's just a performer. Why would you expect her to know magic?"
"Oh, I do." Morning nodded firmly and let out a single clear note that shook the air around her before it faded. In its place was the sound of traffic all around them, as if they were sitting in a crowded market instead of mostly alone. "See?"
Twilight clopped her hooves in triumph. Her trivia knowledge had panned out. "Why don't you join us? We could use every ha--er, hoof we can get to save the short-legs."
Roll seemed less certain. "Do we want to risk it? You have a position here, performing for the Queen? Is that not what you wished?"
Morning squirmed with growing concern. "I'm not sure I can do it alone... If I help you, you'll come and dance then, right?"
Roll raised a brow with a ratcheting noise. "You are seriously contemplating this?"
"Will you?"
Roll gestured eastwards. "It will contain far more dangers than your current profes--"
"Will you?" Morning leaned in close to her new friend. "If I help the little ponies, will you dance with me?"
With all eyes on her, Roll deflated a little before rising to her hooves. "Very well. Let it be known that should we succeed at liberating the short-legs, Morning and I will perform together. This, I solemnly vow."
Morning and Twilight clapped in joy, though Sunset was just a little more hesitant. "Is this a good idea? I mean, you're a singer, right? Have you even done anything like this before?"
"I have travelled Everglow," reported Morning with some pride. "This will not be the first adventure I've been on worthy of the name. Besides, I would do my tribes poorly, as both an earth-bound and a gem pony if I ignored their plight. You can count on me to be as steady as the earth below us and as brilliant as my coat." She flashed a bright smile. "Now, we have a Queen to visit, um, again?"
Twilight tilted her head. "How did you know we planned to visit her?"
"A hunch." Morning nodded. "I can't imagine she would want to ignore it either. I will also want to tell her our performances will be delayed until this is all settled."
True scaled up the cooperative Morning and perched just behind her neck. She looked over her shoulder at him. "I can't imagine how adorable an entire city of you little things would be. Let's see what we can do for your kin." She led the way as the entire party, enhanced by one, proceeded up to the castle.
They were allowed past the guards with minimal resistance, and escorted to a dining hall where they were told to wait, and so they did, until a muffled thump rocked the room and cries of alarm began to echo through the castle.
Sunset frowned a little. "What's going on?"
One of the guards posted in the room nodded. "I'll find out. Please wait here." He ducked out and besides the faint noise of strife, things became quiet. At least until the guard returned. "I'm afraid your audience with the Queen has been delayed. Please return when you receive a missive informing you of when and where."
"What?" said Sunset with irritation. "But--"
Roll put a hoof in the way. "As you command. Can we be of help?"
"The guards are on the case, miss. Thank you for your offer." He inclined a head at the other guard. "We have to go." Soon they were alone, both guards rushing from the room.
Morning frowned softly. "Perhaps it's just as well I'm going with you. I doubt the Queen will hold court at a time like this."
Sunset spread her forehooves wide. "Time like what?!"
Twilight rise from her seat and turned for the door. "You can't hear? The castle's being attacked. I know the guards said not to, but helping the Queen out right now might be just what we need."
Roll squinted faintly. "I fail to see the advantage of this."
"Come on!" Twilight led the way towards battle. She had an idea in mind, and she wouldn't be dissuaded.
They emerged to find a trio of ponies wearing masks that looked like equine skulls covering their faces. One of them pointed at the group. "They're not on the list!" And they rushed to attack.
Roll knocked one aside with a terrible blow, sending the victim crashing into the wall to slide to the ground. "Surrender is an option."
Twilight ducked back from the quick but clumsy swing of the untrained but eager warrior's short sword. "Watch it!" She danced away as coldness gathered at the point of her horn before bathing the attacker in chilly frost, only for it to be melted and burned with a quick wash of flames from Sunset as the pony crumpled to the ground.
Morning nodded to the last one standing. "Running?"
"Running," he agreed, and fled from the castle.
The mares, and True, ran towards the noise instead of away from it, only for the roof to collapse practically on top of them as they were sent diving out of the way.
They had joined the battle, and they didn't intend to lose it.