Thirty‑five minutes later, Danny and Sally arrive at the Palace, thankful that at this early hour, very few people are about. Electing not to test their luck with the guards, they wait patiently outside for Neera to arrive.

"Any idea what she wants?" Danny asks.

"None," Sally answers. "I should have asked, but there was too much blood in my caffeine system."

"I'm sure Neera has a good reason."

"She better. I know we've been pardoned of treason, but it's still uncomfortable to be here."

"I hope she doesn't mind me coming along."

"If she does, that's her problem."

"You might want to tone down the grumpiness; she's here," Danny advises. "And Lilac's with‑ Is that a new outfit?"

Sally follows Danny's gaze. "Oh, they finally managed to create that new ultra‑strong, ultra‑light fabric they were working on. Apparently, it's completely immune to tearing."

"Can't think of anyone more suited to testing it," Danny quips.

"Ah, wasn't expecting you so soon," Neera greets as she joins the young couple. "And I certainly wasn't expecting Danny, but it's good he's here. Come, let's get to the lab."

"Before we do, mind explaining why you woke us up in the middle of the night and dragged us all the way to the Palace?" Sally demands.

"Lilac's chargers need servicing," Neera answers, not even blinking at Sally's brusqueness. "And if you're up to the challenge, there's some old research of yours that's been updated, but has yet to produce results."

Sally's eyes narrow suspiciously. "You want me to supercharge energy crystals? You know every attempt ended in failure, right?"

"It won't this time," Neera asserts. "Come, let's not waste any more time: we've got a lot of work to do, and only a few hours to do it in."


Sally walks into her old lab with more than a little trepidation. "It's been a long time since I last set foot in here…"

"You should find all the equipment you need already here," Neera informs, following the hedgehog in. "If you need anything else, let me know."

"Just keep up the supply of coffee and blueberry pancakes," Sally replies.

"I'll handle that," Danny volunteers.

"No, the Ice Queen can handle that," Sally decides. "You can assist me."

Neera makes to object, but thinks better of it, and disappears to get coffee and blueberry pancakes.

"That wasn't very nice," Lilac comments.

"Then don't wake me up in the middle of the night," Sally replies. "Anyway, if you'll take a seat, we'll get started."

"She's not angry with you, only Neera," Danny assures.

"I know," Lilac acknowledges. "I just don't want her to be distracted."

"That's why I'm here," Danny assures.

Lilac lays in the reclined seat. "Sally, please be careful: without these chargers, I… I don't know how long I could survive."

"I can assure you I'll do the best I can," Sally smiles warmly. "Now relax, and before you know it, I'll be finished."

Lilac takes a deep breath and mentally recites some calming mantras.

Sally pulls up a stool and a tray of delicate instruments, then gets to work servicing Lilac's chargers. Within moments, she finds several significant faults. "When was the last time you got these looked at?"

"Um… never," Lilac admits.

"You should be getting these checked every three months," Sally advises.

"Are you volunteering?"

"I charge very reasonable fees."

"I'll keep that in mind."


An hour later, Sally makes the final repair and adjustment. "There," she declares. "It took a lot of very delicate work, but it's done."

Lilac closes her eyes and gingerly taps the energy in the crystals. "Wow!" she gasps as plenty of energy flows into her unimpeded. "That's… They've never worked so well!"

"I took the liberty of doing a little tuning," Sally admits. "Some of the old adjustments were way off, almost like they were tampered with. It's a wonder they worked at all."

"Whatever you did, it's fantastic!" Lilac chimes. "I've never felt so energised!"

"Take it easy," Sally cautions kindly. "Don't want you to overload, do we?"

"No, of course not," Lilac agrees, settling down. "Also, you're hired. I'll even pay double."

"So, that's zero per service, you want to double that, which takes your total to zero," Sally smiles. "Told you my rates were very reasonable."

"Indeed, though I do have one question," Lilac replies. "How often will I need to change the crystals?"

"For everyday activities, once every three months," Sally answers. "Though with your lifestyle, I'd expect anything from one to six weeks," she adds cheekily.

"I cannot thank you enough," Lilac smiles warmly.

"I'm just glad to be of service," Sally replies.

Lilac slides off the chair and onto her feet. "Neera said something about old research? It sounded like it was about energy crystals."

"Me and my father were working on ways of concentrating large amounts of energy into a standard crystal," Sally explains. "This was before the Elemental Crystals became our new focus. We came close many times, but we never managed a successful experiment. And I'll tell you this for nothing: it's amazing how many crystal fragments can get lost in your fur when they explode."

"You were very close though," Neera interrupts, entering the room with a fresh batch of coffee and pancakes. "You said so yourself: just a few more refinements, and you'd solve it."

"You said someone else has added to our findings?" Sally asks.

"A couple of people, neither of whom were able to solve all the issues," Neera confirms.

"And you think I can."

"I know you can."

"I can't promise anything."

"I know," Neera acknowledges. "All the data is on that computer, ready for you. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to take care of a few errands."

As Neera leaves, Sally sits in front of the computer and opens the datafiles. For the next twenty minutes, she reads in silence, absorbing all the information, mentally assembling the jigsaw as she reads. The experience proves unexpectedly emotional as memories of her father arise unbidden, but with Danny comfortingly massaging her shoulders, Sally keeps her composure.

Suddenly, the last piece falls into place.

"By the Ancients! It's so obvious now!" Sally leaps from the chair, quickly gathers an array of equipment, and frantically sets up the experiment. Once set up, she grabs a spare crystal from the bench, slots it in place, and activates the experiment.

"Need a hand?" Danny asks.

Sally quickly waves Danny into silence and focusses on the experiment. Initially, Sally simply watches, but after several minutes, with the experiment nearing completion, she cannot resist muttering some encouragement. "Come on… Come on… Nearly there… It's working… It's working… YES! Get in there!"

Curious, Lilac approaches and peers over Sally's shoulder. "It looks like a normal crystal."

"Touch it," Sally suggests, stepping to one side.

Gingerly, Lilac reaches out a hand to touch the crystal. As she makes contact, a surge of pure energy shoots up her arm. Surprised, Lilac jumps backwards. "What on Avalice was that‽"

"Finally achieving what me and my father tried for so long to do," Sally explains, her eyes filling with tears of joy mixed with sorrow. "I just wish he was here to see it."

Danny hugs Sally from behind and nuzzles her neck. "He'd be so proud of you, just as I am."

Lilac approaches the crystal again. "So… If I had two of these in my chargers…"

"You'd be unstoppable‑" Sally begins.

Lilac pulls back immediately. "No, that's too much."

"Let me finish," Sally replies. "You'd be unstoppable, but only for a few minutes before your chargers overload and explode. And even if you were to eject them before that happens, there may still be irreversible damage."

"You mean… if I used those… I might die‽"

"It's a last resort," Neera explains, entering the lab again. "To be used only in the direst of circumstances."

"I won't use them," Lilac refuses.

"You may not have a choice," Neera argues.

"That's what scares me," Lilac admits. I won't use them, but she might… "Where did you go, anyway?"

"To get something important," Neera answers.