Conference

After Avan had gone upstairs, Tuli had picked up a bit and soon after returned to her own room. Having seen Celestia's letter and reading it quickly, her reply had been given.

An escort had met the white mare at the train station, Tuli bringing no more then her cloak, as she always did, the trip to the Empire had been made quick and easy. She was thankful that Celestia had been able to get here there so quickly, and as such she had sent her thanks.

Having arrived at the Empire, the astounding look of it surely had taken her by surprise. Being sure to stay with the guard, Tuli had to remember she was here for advice, and that a vacation would have to be taken here later in time to enjoy the Empire itself. But most of all, the castle was what amazed her.

Entering inside, the halls of the Crystal Castle amazed her. Breathtaken, it took a moment before Tuli had snapped back to reality.

Inside the throne room, which had been guarded, was indeed the Princess whom she had come to see.

"Princess, this is miss Tuli... The mare Celestia wrote to you about." The guard spoke firmly, before stepping away.

As her name was spoken, Tuli naturally bowed her head.

Princess Candace looked up from her throne, a warm smile spreading across her face as she looked at the mare. She was rather surprised; mostly because it seemed that she was the same height of her. But she quickly brushed it off.Celestia had asked she helped this Tuli in whatever why possible, and she was going to do her best to complete Auntie Tia's words. She stood up as she dismissed the guards around her, before stepping from her throne and trotted toward the white mare. "Hello," she said sweetly. "Its not every day that I get somepony from Ponyville coming all the way here for help. Whatever it is, it must be urgent, mostly if Auntie Celestia requested I met with you. So I asked, what do you need my help for?"

Tuli didn't truly know where to begin. "Princess Cadence, I'd like to request your help. I-My friend, Avan... I can only say so much. But he's a friend of Celestia's too... It seemed, long ago, before I had met him that he had tapped into dark magic... Even darker then Sombra's. It had corrupted his mind somehow... And it seems that the only way his mindset has stayed that of how it was beforehand was because of a spell somepony had cast upon him out of love. But the spell is weakening, and his corrupt mind has returned. It's violent, and it kills me to see him like that... I've come to ask if there is any way that you could help me reform this corrupt mind that is starting to take over him. I know it can be reformed... But me, noir Celestia, truly know how. I would have gone to Princess Twilight for help, because I hate to disturb any of your duties, but it's been of Celestia's interest that I see you." As she spoke, a hoof lifted here and there. Pure concern had lit in her eyes, and she wouldn't be surprised if Cadence could tell there was more to the story then she had told. It was a lot more complicated, but all the same it cut down to the point. She needed help for Cadence to shed light upon anything she could do to bring the Avan she knew, and loved, back.

Princess Cadence was almost left speechless by what Tuli had just stated, but after thinking though it a few times, she smiled warmly as she looked at her. "While I have never heard of this Avan, if he is a friend of Auntie, I will happily help you..." she drifted off for a few seconds, her eyes darkening as she went on. "But this dark magic even darker than Sombra's worries me. I've only met Sombra once, but he almost destroyed this kingdom when we did not have the Crystal Heart and when we did gain it...We both know how that turned for Sombra?" She shook her head, musing over what she knew and what she could think of. "But love is a powerful thing, it is why the Changelings feed off of it and it was Sombra's undoing. As they say, love conquers all. Perhaps, if you give me time, I can find a spell that may help us. Love was always an important thing in the Crystal Empire as the Crystal Heart spreads it all around Equestria and so I am sure if there is a spell to help you and Avan, it will be here somewhere."

Tuli's eyes lit up, her ears perking as she heard Cadence's offer to help. "I can't express my gratitude enough... I thank you for taking the time to meet with me and doing what you can." Bowing formally once more to the Princess, a smile graced her face as a guard had been signaled to escort her back to home.

As Tuli left, Princess Cadence sighed softly to herself. Dark magic..."What have I pulled myself into?" she whispered to herself as she turned and headed toward the library. What had just happened was the last thing she was expecting. She knew little of this Avan, and yet she had promised to help him. Dark magic was not something to poke your nose in, as it never turned out well for the ponies that got pulled it. She came to a stop and glanced behind her to see the retreating figure of Tuli. "May Auntie light both you and Avan's path, and I pray that I can help the both of you."