Maria and Danny are forcefully shoved into the gaol cell, causing Maria to stumble and fall hard, winding her slightly. Neera slams the door shut behind the Scarves, locks it, then electrifies the bars.

"Don't even think about escaping," Neera instructs. "We've learned from our mistakes when we held Team Lilac here: you will not escape."

"You locked up Team Lilac‽" Danny asks in disbelief. "They saved the world!"

"We did so in good faith," Neera explains, electing to be economical with the truth. "Based on the evidence we had at the time, they were a clear and present danger to the safety of the Magister and the city of Shang Tu."

"But‑" Danny begins to protest.

"Enough!" Neera demands. "You are both traitors to Shang Tu, and here is where you will remain."

Neera leaves before Danny can respond.

Danny sighs in defeat. "Well, we've failed worse than I ever thought possible," he admits. "Maria, I'm really, really sorry I got us captured."

The only sound that emerges from Maria is the muffled sobs of her despair, the lynx curled into a tight ball on the floor.

Danny slumps in a back corner of the cell. I never thought it would end this way. Our mission is over, our chances of escape are essentially zero, and Tsubaki and Kaede's plan to destroy both Mizu and Kasai will work. The Gotoshi will be torn apart, and Hanna, Rob, and Xander will be caught in the chaos, and most likely killed. All because I let my guard down.

"Oh, how the mighty have fallen," a voice mockingly gloats from the next cell.

Danny's blood turns to ice. I know that voice. "It's you."

"That's 'Captain Kawaguchi' to you," Aquila corrects. "Tell me, is it irony or poetic justice that you're locked up in here?"

"Neither," Danny growls.

"No need to be hostile," Aquila replies. "After all, I only tried to kill you because you got the way of me reclaiming my birth‑right and avenging my father's death."

"You levelled a third of Shang Tu for a bunch of rocks," Danny retorts. "Hardly a noble action."

"And once again, I'm being judged by professional assassins," Aquila sighs. "Now that is irony."

"Fuck off," Danny snaps back.

"I'd love to," Aquila replies mockingly, "but unfortunately for us both, I am currently unable to."

Danny decides to ignore Aquila, and instead tries to comfort Maria. "We'll find a way out of this," he promises, sitting beside the distraught lynx and placing a hand on her shoulder.

"There's… There's no way out," Maria sobs almost silently.

"There's always a way out," Danny assures.

"No there isn't," Aquila interrupts. "Believe me, I've tried."

"You're not helping," Danny growls.

"Obviously," Aquila agrees.

Danny sighs in frustration. I know there's a way out, but will she trust me?

Meanwhile, Sally leaves the Magister's throne room after a detailed interrogation. I can't believe I got away with that… The only way Danny could have gotten so far is by watching what code I entered. Thankfully, I managed to avoid having to admit I was the one who invited him in to test those headbands. If that had been revealed, I'd be in the cell with them. I need a drink.

Sally makes her way to the Palace cafeteria and orders a double‑strength coffee, which she starts drinking on the way to her lab. Once in her lab, she sits at her computer and checks her messages.

Suddenly, there's a knock at the door. "Come in," Sally calls.

A messenger enters the lab. "Sorry to disturb you Miss Flynn, but one of the prisoners wishes to speak with you."

"Tell Danny to stick it up his arse," Sally replies.

"He's quite insistent," the messenger informs. "He said if you refused, to tell you 'It's Kaede Himura's fault'."

"What did you say‽" Sally exclaims in surprise. "Actually, don't repeat it: I never want to hear that name again for the rest of my life."

"What shall I tell him?" the messenger asks.

Sally thinks for a moment. "I'll talk to him and him alone, and only if he's securely restrained."

"Very well, ma'am," the messenger accepts.

Fifteen minutes later, Sally arrives outside the small prisoner interrogation room Danny has been transferred to.

"Good morning, Miss Flynn," the attending officer greets.

"There's nothing good about this morning," Sally replies bitterly. "Is he suitably restrained?"

"It's standard procedure to securely restrain prisoners during interrogation," the officer informs. "In this case, we've decided to go a step further, and double the number of restraints. He won't be able to move more than an inch."

"Good," Sally acknowledges with relief. "Now, this is going to sound unusual, but can you give us privacy?"

"I'm not sure I can permit that," the officer replies.

"Do you doubt I'd be safe?" Sally asks.

"No, but‑"

"Then you can give us privacy," Sally concludes. "And before you object, remember that I have the confidence of the Royal Magister himself."

The officer sighs in resignation. "Very well, we'll give you privacy."

Sally waits for the officer and the two guards to leave, then enters the interrogation room.

"Hello Sally," Danny greets.

"They weren't kidding about the restraints," Sally replies, noting how Danny is strapped almost immobile to the chair. "I have to admit, it's a bid sad to see you like this. But then you did try and steal my greatest work, so I'd say we're about even."

"You know we would have returned everything once we'd finished with them," Danny assures.

Sally reclines in the chair opposite Danny with her legs on the table, showing off her excellent figure in a way that looks so inviting, yet also makes it clear to Danny he'll never again be closer than he is right now. "Tell me what's going on."

"It all started about a week after I helped you test the headbands," Danny begins. "Maria was up early, and as she went to make herself breakfast, she heard something outside. Curious, she armed herself and went to investigate, only to find Kaede Himura‑" Sally winces at the name "‑bound, gagged, and blindfolded outside, helplessly trying to escape…"

"…and so we stole a Kasai aircraft, flew home to get our trikes, then came here to get the Crystals and the headbands, intending to take them back to Yamakasai to restore Hanna to fighting fitness and end the war," Danny finishes.

Over the course of the hour it took Danny to tell the story, Sally's mood had changed from anger and disapproval to horror and disgust. No longer reclining, the hedgehog is visibly shocked at just how far Tsubaki Moto and Kaede Himura went. "I…" she begins, unsure what to say.

"You don't have to say anything," Danny assures. "We should have contacted you instead of breaking in."

"How do I know you're not making this up?" Sally asks suddenly.

"You already know the answer to that," Danny answers.

For several long moments, Sally looks deep into Danny's eyes, where she sees nothing but honesty and humility. "You're not making this up," she concludes.

"Can you help us?" Danny asks.

"I… don't know," Sally admits.

"I don't want to rush you, but‑"

"You're on a tight schedule, I know."

"So, can you help us?"

"I… don't know."

"I understand," Danny accepts.

"I have to go… do things." Sally stands and leaves the room, but not without one last look back at Danny.

Twenty minutes later, Sally is back in her lab, the Elemental Crystals and the Inhibitor Headbands on her testing bench in front of her, the schedule of the day's experiments in her hands. However, she finds herself distracted. Danny's story is so wild; it should be unbelievable. Mind control? That stuff only exists on TV and in the movies. Yet it's also clear he was telling the truth: I could see it in his eyes. But mind control flies in the face of everything I know. It was in a kids' show about magical ponies, for Ancients' sake! Not exactly a basis for scientific truth. But I cannot ignore Danny's honesty and sincerity. Sally sighs in frustration. I'm just going to get on with my work.

Sally looks over the list of planned experiments, noting that the first involves the Fire Crystal. However, as she reaches for it, her hand automatically gravitates to the Water Crystal instead. As her hand closes on the Water Crystal, Sally feels a surge of energy flow into her arm and around her body. Surprised, she lets go of the Crystal and backs away.

"What on Avalice‽" Sally gingerly approaches the Crystals again, this time focussing on the Fire Crystal with all her willpower. Yet she picks up the Water Crystal instead. That's weird. Putting the Water Crystal down again, Sally finally manages to pick up the Fire Crystal. But instead of proceeding with the experiment, Sally just stands there. This one isn't causing a reaction. Sally puts the Fire Crystal down again, and picks up the Metal, Wood, and Earth Crystals in turn, confirming that they are inert to her.

Finally, Sally picks up the Water Crystal a third time, feeling the surge of energy from the Crystal. So, I have elemental affinity after all. Strange how it's never happened before.

Help Danny.

Sally drops the Water Crystal and backs away again. Why did I think that? Was it the Crystal?

Help Danny.

Sally shakes her head to clear it. Help Danny. Sally shakes her head again. Help Danny. Dammit! I can't shake that thought! Wait… why am I trying to shake it anyway? Why was I even doubting I'd help him? He's my boyfriend! But if I help him, my career is over.

Sally turns her attention back to the Crystals, only to notice one is missing. Momentarily confused, Sally checks her pockets, then realises where the Water Crystal is. Why did I put it there? Sally removes the Water Crystal from her cleavage, returns it to the bench, and puts on the Water Headband. That should put a stop to that. Now to pack all these in a bag, free Danny and Maria, and go with them to the Gotoshi.

I'm doing the right thing. I'm doing the right thing. I'm doing the right thing.