*Guards chase after Amethyst.*

Guard: He stole something from the mistress! After him!

You never did tell Us what he did to you. Just something about disgrace and the royal archives.

We were worried that killing him might have adverse effects on Arcel unless their connection was broken first. This way, he will lose all contact with his magic before he dies, so Arcel will be safe.

He mind controlled Arcel. Nopony messes with Our colt.

Arcel, are you alright? Are you in control of yourself again?

((ooc: Think rapid onset tuberculosis. The particles tear up the pony’s lungs and introduce bacteria into the wounds, and the magic-suppression effect disrupts the pony’s magic-dependant immune system, preventing them from recovering.

IRL, inhaling magnetite particles would also be very bad for a human (it’s called Siderosis), but it could take months or years to kill, and modern medicine can give at least some chance of survival.))

He’s as good as dead, if he breathed in any of that stuff. Powdered magnetite. It disrupts a pony’s natural magic, as well as being sharp particles that shred tissues and spread infections if swallowed or inhaled. His lungs will slowly rot from the inside out over the next few days.

*Some of the powder is sticking to Amethyst’s horn and coat. It begins to make him feel slightly dizzy and disoriented, and his control over his magic begins to slip. Also, he breathed some in when he shouted. A little annoying tickle starts in his chest…*

*Nightmare Moon, still holding her breath, drags Arcel to the Grand Hall’s fountain and dives in with him. She scrubs herself and him with her hooves just to be safe, but it looks like they didn’t get any of the powder on themselves.*

Arcel? Arcel, snap out of it! *She grabs his head and kisses him.* Come on, wake up!

*Nightmare Moon looks at Arcel and sees the pain in his face. She sighs.* We suppose We shall have to break Our business before vengeance rule, just this once.

*Her horn flares, and several bags lined up against the wall explode. She quickly holds her breath and dives out of the treasury, pulling Arcel with her, as clouds of black powder fill the air.*

We have thought about it, and while We definitly could use a Lady-in-waiting, We have two questions for you first.

Firstly, don’t you already run the clock shop in Ponyville? We wouldn’t want a lady-in-waiting that runs herself ragged pulling double duty.

Secondly, is there any truth to the rumour that you are a Time Lady? While We find Gallifreyans strangely attractive, We don’t want Our castle getting flooded with Daleks, or Cybermen, or any of the other creatures that follow them around.