A new day has long dawned upon the subterranean town of Undercity. You wake up in Smoke’s embrace after a fine morning’s sleep, roused by the sweet smell of cooking apples.

You sit up to stretch, then take a look at the time. The clock on the wall indicates half past two. Time to get rolling!

After sliding out of bed, you and your dragon friend make your way to the kitchen, where you find Apple Basket and Moonflower preparing a tasty meal for the whole party.

Moonflower: “Mornin’!”

Apple Basket: “Oh, hey. You two hungry? Thought we’d fetch some apples from the boat for lunch. Or, uh, breakfast for y’all.”

You gratefully accept the offer, and sit down at the table to eat with your friends. You are served a generous stack of fluffy apple-flavoured pancakes with warm maple syrup, along with a cold glass of fresh apple juice, which make for an energizing breakfast. You feel satiated.

As conversation bounces around the dining table, you and Smoke recount the events of last night to the two younger ponies.

Moonflower: “Whoa, Smoke sounds really good at fightin’!”

Smoke: “It’s what we dragons do. Maybe I should get my own flaming sword.”

Apple Basket: “I’m just glad y’all got back alright.”

Once you’ve all eaten your fill, you take a moment to get ready for the day, then decide to go out and meet with Justice while the afternoon is still young.

Yet another cloudy day shines a dull blue light upon the city streets. Your party arrives at the northern checkpoint, where a security guard shows you into the head’s office. Inside, Justice and Rocket Rush stand to greet you.

Justice: “There’s the heroes of the hour. I hope you’ve rested well. To hear the expedition team say it, we owe the success of the mission to the two of you.”

Rocket Rush: “Yeah! How many of those nightcrawlers did they say you took out? Dozens? Hah, Empyrius must be furious!”

Justice: “All the more reason to have an antimagic field in place before nightfall. I think I speak for all of the Undercity when I say that you have our gratitude. And don’t think my words are all we’ve got to show for it; you’ll receive a proper reward as soon as it’s ready.

That said, our nightly venture hasn’t gone unnoticed. According to my sources, word from the Order is that a pair of rogue outlanders are terrorizing the countryside with foul sorcery; a hornless pony with red-violet hair, and a striped black lizard with wings.”

You remark that you don’t remember coming across anyone from the Order of Dawn during your mission; only nightcrawlers.

Justice: “I figured as much. If anything, these reckless incriminations are nothing if not further evidence to feed Novelty’s theory. I doubt they’ll try to arrest you for it, but I just thought I’d led you know that you might not be welcome in any towns from the surface until your reputation is cleared.”

Rocket Rush: “And don’t you worry, we’re working right on that!”

Justice: “We are. In the meantime, feel free to see about your own business. If we can somehow help you acquire this Yggdrasil seed of yours in any way, just ask. Though I wouldn’t blame you if you felt like taking it easier today.”