I don’t know how much time we have exactly, but the best way to bring the truth to light, counteract Empyrius’s influence, and depose him would be to drum up support. Solar Flare’s presence and word would certainly go a long way, as would Novelty’s and Justice’s among their respective circles of influence. If we arouse enough suspicion toward the King and attract the attention of enough people, Empyrius won’t be able to just send his goons to sweep things under the rug.

You suggest that before the truth about King Empyrius can be revealed, the seeds of doubt about him must first be planted in the minds of Midgardians. This could be done by ponies of influence like Justice, Novelty and Solar Flare.

Novelty: “The leader of the outlaws, a wanted criminal, and a betrayer of legend. Consider me doubtful already.”

Justice: “Don’t just listen to what he says, Novel, listen to what he means. Even simple rumours can go a long way towards damaging someone’s reputation, and without the Order at his beck and call, the fiend wouldn’t have the means to silence the truth any longer.”

Auric Bastion: “I fear you underestimate the loyalty of the Crown’s subjects. Not everyone will be so easily swayed by mere words, and even should you make a convincing case in the Court of Judgement, you only risk sowing division among the commonfolk.”

Justice: “A convincing case, huh? We have more than enough evidence that Empyrius is lying about the philosopher’s stone. We have video footage, we have impartial witnesses — hay, we practically have the very stone itself! What more do we need?”

Bright Logic: “Uhb, assurance that we aren’t all branded heretigs for gonspiring with abysbals and stealig the philosopher’s stode? Now, where have I heard that one before?”

Justice: “Hmm. Touché. If history is any indication, Empyrius is no king if not one of deceit. Still, there has to be some way to make ponies see that…”

You spend the better part of the next few hours trying to come up with ideas. Needless to say, rallying the island’s population to your cause could take moons, and doing so without alerting the Crown himself seems nigh impossible.

As the clouded sun begins to lower behind distant trees, Rocket Rush and the other knight finally return from Astora, and with a third pony between them who you immediately recognize; Clear Fountain.

Clear Fountain: “Novelty! I am glad to see you safe and sound. When word reached me that you were a fugitive, I would not believe it!”

Novelty: “Clear Fountain. Good to know that some ponies in the Order have the ability to think for themselves.”

Clear Fountain: “Trailblazer, Moonflower, and Apple Basket. It is good to see you three again, as well. Looking just as charming as I remember. And is this a new friend of yours?”

You introduce Smoke to Clear Fountain. The dragon offers a casual wave of her claw, before biting into a crunchy stone nearby.

Rocket Rush: “You know each other?”

Clear Fountain: “Well, we’ve only met once before, but we do share some common interests.”

You and Clear Fountain grin knowingly at each other. Then, the cleric seems to remember something.

Clear Fountain: “Oh! You must be wondering why I am here. Simply put, Novelty’s name has been on the tip of every paladin’s tongue these last couple of days. So when these two kind souls came asking if I saw anything out of the ordinary two nights ago, I knew something was ahoof.

My guess was that they knew something the others did not, and I was right. It would seem that I am the only pony who saw something that night, and even that is not much to go by.”

Novelty: “Well? Out with it. What did you see?”

Clear Fountain: “How to best describe it? It was late at night, past eleven I believe. I stepped outside to get some fresh air when I saw a trail of faint red stars fly across the sky, headed north. To tell you the truth, I thought I had only dreamt it.”

Novelty: “And so you didn’t tell anyone else?”

When Clear Fountain shakes her head, Novelty takes a moment to recount the events that happened that night. Once caught up, the cleric seems thoughtful.

Clear Fountain: “Hmm… so it was not only magic, but the essence of a nightcrawler. And you believe its destination was the Crown himself?

Now, I can see how this would make sense, and I am certainly not doubting your story, but how could any magic reach the High Throne with the anti-magic field around Elysia?”

Novelty opens her mouth to retort, but no words come out. She doesn’t have the answer to that one.

Novelty: “Shoot. I hadn’t considered that. Does magic still follow its source if that source is inside an anti-magic field? Urgh! There’s so much we don’t know! I need to conduct more tests.”

Justice: “We’ll figure that out later. Right now, the sun is setting, and if your theory is anywhere close to right, then we can’t afford to get caught out here after dark. I suggest we head back to the Undercity at once.”

Rocket Rush: “Sounds good to me, but what about these guys? It’s not like they’re about to let us go free, are they?”

Rocket Rush gestures to the three members of the Order of Dawn.

Auric Bastion: “So long as our knights do not come under any further harm, we will agree to look the other way this time. Cleric Clear Fountain’s account raises too many questions about the origin of our orders.”

Justice: “I’m glad we could reach an agreement. As for our outlander friends, you’re free to come along. Otherwise, I recommend you take your sailboat somewhere safe until morning.”