Dead in civilization

The cell doors were open. The magical field had been lifted and Dead could feel her strength return yet the only thing she could do was ask. "But why?"

"Because Dead, you have the power to control your destiny, you seem to think that everpony is caught up in the past when they are looking into the future. You would be lying to yourself if you think you are useless." Celestia said as she gestured Dead to walk out. However Dead remained still. "Dead, you need to stop worrying about the past. It can't hurt you and me and Luna are the only ones who remember what you did."

"I still remember. I remember so much. You think that one day I just snapped and killed those ponies and griffons. The griffons I will admit to, but not their lies." Dead said coldly as she remained still. "You banished me when I was a foal for the murder of my family, a murder I never committed. You chose to believe the words of griffons that had blood on their claws over mine."

"Did you not think I had realized that? As soon as the griffon war happened the truth came to me in the form of a report that was salvaged. But at that point you had already gone on the offensive." Celestia said as Dead remained stationary in her cell.

The train came to a grinding halt as it arrived at the station. Twilight and Rainbow hopped of the train followed quickly by Rarity who was carrying a few of her bags. It would be a quick walk over to the castle that was at the edge of the city. While Rarity wanted to do a small amount of shopping. However the three of them agreed it would be best to wait until they knew what state Dead was in.

Canterlot was as busy as it normally was, the nobles were all eating as restaurants as it fast approached midday. As the trio moved swiftly from street to street they eventually found themselves outside the castle gates. The guard who was guarding gates smiled as he let the group past, after all Celestia had expected them to come.

"Hey, Twilight." Rainbow called over. "What do you think they have done to her?"

"She is probably in a dungeon in the lower levels. They never get used that much but they would be able to hold her." Twilight said blankly as they moved up the stairs towards the main hall. "Here is to hoping that Celestia is in the main hall."

Several minuets earlier...

"Sister are you sure this is a good idea? She is unstable at best." Luna asked as a sleeping Dead was lying down on a bed, snoring gently. "She normally has strong control over her dream but in this state... Anything could happen in there! We can't let you simply jump in there unprotected."

"Then come with me. I know the risk of going in, but she is torn." Celestia calmly said as she gazed over Dead. "I know you care little for her..."

"Sister you know our feelings on this abomination. Do not make us voice them a second. However we shall help, only because you see it fit to." Luna said calmly.

Within a moment a guard came rushing in, he was sweating heavily from running in heavy armor. "Princesses!" He bowed as he spoke, he sounded drained of energy and was breathing heavily. "They have arrived, only three of them." The guard nearly collapsed as he stood back up.

"Very well, you may take a rest. Where were you stationed?" Celestia asked as she smiled warmly over the guard.

"I was at the checkpoint just by the station. I saw them in a carriage and ran here as soon as I could." The guard huffed.

"You have come a long way. Would you kindly go to the mess hall and have a break."

"Yes... That sounds good." The guard said as he slowly dragged his drained body out of the room.

Luna moved over to the doorway. "So you think they want to help?" Luna asked.

"Yes, from what I have gathered she has spent the past few days in Ponyville." Celestia said with a small grin forming on her face. "Making friends."

"And you know this how? We would like to know where you acquired this information. And why you did not tell us." Luna asked in a raised voice.

"I have my ways... But for now we need to remained focus on the task at hand. Dead will not wake up from this slumber while we are in her dream, will she?" Celestia asked her sister as she paced around the room.

"She will not. As least until we have finished our work. We have been able to make it more stable. How long until they arrive?"

"Knowing Twilight, five minuets." Celestia chuckled as she looked out a window down onto the city below.

The castle was calm, all accept the group and were swiftly moving from room to room. "I'm sure they will be somewhere around here." Twilight shouted as she ran frantically from room to room. "We have to find her! She might be in mortal peril!"

Rainbow sighed. "This is Celestia we are talking about. She wouldn't do anything without telling you first. Especially with something as big as a pony that can raise the dead." Rainbow caught up with Twilight quickly. "Maybe we should check their chambers... Y'know just in case..."

"Rainbow." Rarity said after she caught up with the duo after overhearing what Rainbow had said. "I doubt that the Princesses would do that."

"But its like the only place we haven't looked! Even if they are not... Y'know. It would be worth looking."

The group rapidly ascended the stairs and headed towards the royal chambers. Two guards that were outside let them in. Inside Celestia chambers Luna and Celestia were both waiting on the balcony, while Dead was asleep on the bed.

"Ha! I told you!" Rainbow cheered as Rarity's facial expression dropped,

"Now, now I'm sure there is a reasonable explanation for this... I hope." Twilight sighed. "Celestia!" Twilight called out alerting Celestia that she was there.

"Twilight, Rarity and Rainbow Dash. It is good that you are here. We need your help." Celestia asked calmly.

"What would you need us to help with?" Rarity asked dreading the answer.

"It is Dead, she is locked in a state of self conflicted.  We need to head into her dream to help her resolve it."

"She... Is currently in a dreamlock state. She... Will not wake up however, she lacks control over it." Luna added. "I do not know what we face in her dream."

"While in her dream we will most likely be facing a manifestation of Dead's past and Dead'd future. Or the future she doesn't want to happen. And we will need to stop it."