Sir Stouthorn and Seafoam entered the great archway that lead into the Hall of Heroes. The grandiose building had stood almost as long as Marelantis itself. The great amphitheater was built from sea coral rose high into the air, towering over the other nearby buildings. The bleached coral that comprised the building sitting above the watermark was a stark contrast to the vibrant shades of pink, red, and blue coral that they saw under the sea. Great columns and archways lead the way into the heart of the building. Although Lord Triton didn’t approve of vanity projects, in alcoves along the wall were busts of noted heroes carved from the same coral as the building itself.

Seafoam looked at the busts they were passing and couldn’t believe what he saw, “Sir Stouthorn,” he said, pointing towards a bust of a much younger looking Sir Stouthorn. “You never told me you were enshrined in the Hall of Heroes.”

“Hmm?” Sir Stouthorn replied, stroking his goatee thoughtfully. “Let me see. Ah yes, I had only just recently received my spurs, and had been tasked with rescuing some noblepony’s daughter from a diamond dog raider encampment. I think I ended up saving about forty ponies, griffins, and seaponies that day.”

Seafoam looked at the smiling bust of a much younger Sir Stouthorn sitting in its alcove, and looked back at his much older mentor, “Are sure you still want to go through with this?” he asked. “Grandmaster Philharmonic seemed really concerned for you.”

“Absolutely,” Sir Stouthorn replied, full of righteous indignation at the thought of backing down after his confrontation with the grandmaster. He had never backed down from any challenge, not once in his thirty-seven years of knighthood and he wasn’t about to start now.

“Sir Stouthorn,” Seafoam said, following after his liege who was resuming his journey towards the center of the Hall of Heroes, “I just wanted you to know that whatever happens, I’ll stand by your side to the bitter end.”

“Seafoam, I want you to know how much your companionship has meant to me these past nine years,” Sir Stouthorn said, as they approached a large wooden door bearing the seal of the Harpers Guild. “You’ve never once shown cowardice in battle or have been afraid to stand up for the weak and defenseless.”

Seafoam could hear the voices of the assembled members of the Harpers Guild on the other side of the door. He knew if Sir Stouthorn didn’t perform well, both their fates would be sealed. “It’s been an honor serving you Sir Stouthorn,” he said, fully prepared for the consequences if he failed. “Truly no greater knight of the Lawgiver walks the domains.”

Sir Stouthorn looked down at Seafoam and warmly smiled, “Lad not yet,” he said, placing his large hand on the handle to open the door, “but once this is over and you’ve won you’re spurs, I can confidently say there’ll be one better than myself.”

Seafoam didn’t respond, instead he looked forward as Sir Stouthorn opened the door that led into the heart of the Hall of Heroes. The bright lights inside the massive room nearly blinded the seapony, looking around he saw a large amphitheater with seating for thousands. Although only hundreds of members of the Harpers guild were present, he felt a bit intimidated when everypony in the room turned to look at them. Hundreds of pairs of eyes stared at them intently, judging them and looking for any excuse to make them fail the quester’s challenge.

“Lad, don’t worry so much,” Sir Stouthorn said wearing the same look of confidence he always wore no matter what challenge he faced. “I’ve got this, you’ll see. Now sit back and enjoy the show.”

Thinking back to all the times he heard Sir Stouthorn utter those exact words over the years, filled Seafoam with a tiny bit of relief. From dragons and the hungry dead, to brigands and raiders; the minotaur had always beaten the odds and come out ahead. “Sir Stouthorn,” he said, with a small smile, “I trust in the quest to provide.”

“That’s the spirit lad,” Sir Stouthorn said, winking at his page. “Now let’s go give these ponies a bit of the razzle dazzle so we can meet with Lord Triton.”

Seafoam followed his mentor down a small ramp into the center of the amphitheater as everypony in the room looked on. Looking up he saw Grandmaster Philharmonic sitting on a high backed chair wearing his ornate grandmasters robe and a powdered wig. The purple seapony reached for a smooth iron sphere with his fin. Picking it up, he rapped it against an iron plate twice, causing sparks to fly.

“Distinguished B.A.S.T.A.R.D.S. of the Harpers Guild,” the grandmaster said, his voice filling the spacious room, “wise magistars of the academy, and honored knights of the Lawgiver. We’ve been assembled here today to hear a quester’s challenge. The quester in question, one Sir le Beouf Stouthorn, the chivalrous, of the ‘Most Illustrious Order of Triton the Lawgiver’, has asked to be heard and judged by his peers. I remind everypony here that this hearing is of the most serious nature. In order to meet the requirements of the quester’s challenge, the quester must show that his quest is indeed the most worthy of being honored this year. Sir Stouthorn, step forward into the light of judgment.”

Sir Stouthorn walked forward and entered the pillar of light filling the center of amphitheater. When he entered it, he felt the light’s warmth filling his entire being. He found himself unable to even think of a falsehood let alone speak one. The grandmaster satisfied that the light was fully affecting Sir Stouthorn pointed a fin at him, “Sir Stouthorn,” he solemnly said, “do you understand the consequences if you fail the quester’s challenge?”

“I do,” Sir Stouthorn said, the light illuminating his blue and grey fur making it shine.

“I give you one last chance to walk away,” Philharmonic said, halfway hoping that his friend would take the opportunity to back out.

“Thank you grandmaster,” Sir Stouthorn replied, “but I wish to proceed.”

“Very well,” the grandmaster said. Rapping his iron sphere three times, he looked up and addressed the assembled ponies in the room, “Mares and gentleponies, you’re to trust all that you hear today as completely true. If you believe that his quest is the most worthy of being honored this year turn in your white stone to one of the bailiffs, if you feel the quester’s quest is unworthy then turn in your black stone.”

Looking back down at the knight of the Lawgiver, the grandmaster said, “Sir Stouthorn you may begin.”

Taking a deep breath, Sir Stouthorn nodded to the grandmaster and started speaking, “It all began about fifteen days ago when my page Seafoam received a quest scroll delivered by a raven…”

Right now Shaw didn’t know if he was grateful for the bars that were protecting him from the griffiness guards outside his cell or not. On the one talon he was safe from being mobbed by every griffiness guarding the prison, but on the other talon he was locked inside with Showboat who was hardly any better.

“Come on Shaw darling,” Showboat whined, nipping at his wings, “I need you so badly!”

“Not right now Showboat,” Shaw said, desperate for a break, “I’m feeling all chaffed and bruised.”

Shaw had tried his best to satiate the pink unicorn’s lust, but after the third time he just didn’t have the strength. “Confound it all to the pit!” he growled. “What I wouldn’t give for a hat.”

“What I wouldn’t give for a separate cell,” Slick said. “Having to watch you two going at it is going to give me nightmare’s for weeks.”

“Sorry Slick,” Shaw said, somewhat embarrassed that the young dragon had to watch them. “But there’s no controlling Showboat. I’m just lucky she spent all her magic earlier, or she might be forcing herself on me right now.”

“Yeah,” Slick agreed, “I’m surprised that none of these griffins haven’t just opened the cage and helped themselves to you.”

"I don’t think any of them have the key,” Shaw replied.

“So Shaw…” Slick asked the griffin. “Why didn’t you just mount Lady Zephyr when you had the chance?”

“Well,” Shaw replied, trying to ignore Showboat’s pleadings and upturned tail. “Supplication has to prove that you truly love the feather you’re seeking approval for. If I’d given in, Lady Zephyr would have known I wasn’t being serious about it.”

“We were so close too!” Slick said, snapping his claws and tapping at the bars of their cell absentmindedly, “If only we had gotten away undetected.”

“Shaw, please I need you so badly…” Showboat pleaded. When he didn’t respond she laid down to rest, having given up on any further attempts at seducing the uncooperative griffin.

Shaw absentmindedly played with the bars of his cell. The griffiness patrolling outside his prison looked up at him hopefully and offered her flanks to him. Shaw shook his head and returned back to the center of the cell away from her. The griffiness frowned, stomped her paw down in frustration, and resumed patrolling the prison. Upset at being spurned by the object of her desires, she held her beak in the air flared her wings and flicked her tail at the bars separating her from her desires.

Slick noticed the light from the torches being reflected from the brass key ring the guard had attached to a leather belt she wore around her abdomen. “Perhaps,” Slick whispered, “if you could sufficiently distract the guard I could relieve her of her keys.”

Shaw nodded and walked towards the bars of their cell, and tapped his talon against the well-worn iron. “Hey,” he said, hoping to catch the griffiness’s attention.

“What is it?” the griffiness growled, feeling both annoyed and aroused by the teasing of her prisoner.

“I can’t help but notice how stressed out you look,” Shaw said, shaking his brilliant red plumage towards his jailor. “Maybe I could help relieve you of some of your tension.”

“What would you suggest?” the griffiness asked, batting her emerald green eyes coyly at Shaw.

“I’m not sure,” Shaw replied, running a talon along her coppery flank and up along the red feathers of her left wing causing the griffiness to shiver with delight. “Maybe you could suggest something.”

“Perhaps I could be persuaded to find you more comfortable accommodations,” the griffiness said, slightly out of breath as Shaw’s talons teased her primary feathers. As she felt them being manipulated it causing her to close her eyes and sigh with pleasure.

“Of course,” Shaw said, resting his talon on a feather before stopping his gentle strokes, “I couldn’t possibly leave my companions behind. They would need to be moved as well.”

"Out of the question!” the griffiness growled, frustrated by Shaw’s refusal to play with her feathers any longer. “I could move one but not all of you. All three of you have been placed her by Lady Zephyr’s orders. I could explain moving one of you but not everyfeather in the cell.”

"Maybe she wouldn’t really mind…” Shaw said, trying to temp her as he resumed the treatment he was giving her fully outstretched wing.

“Ah… I don’t think… Um, that is to say…” the griffiness stammered, unable to think clearly. “Perhaps you’re right after all.”

“Of course I am…” Shaw whispered mischievously. “Lady Zephyr wouldn’t punish a beautiful griffiness like you.”

“You really think I’m pretty?” The griffiness said, blushing furiously from both the compliment and the attention being paid to her other wing.

“Yes of course I do,” Shaw said, playing to his guard’s vanity. “Your coat is silky smooth, your red feathers are quite alluring, and your flank’s most succulent.”

“Okay you’ve convinced me,” the guard cooed, allowing her lusts to override her better judgment. “In exchange for moving you to a more comfortable cell, we get to continue this in a more private and comfortable location.”

“Just what do you think you’re doing, you fledgling?” an annoyed voice asked.

The griffiness wings extended in fright as she backed away from the cell in embarrassment, bowing to the ground she groveled, “Please Lady Zephyr, I beg forgiveness!” the guard pleaded to the annoyed deity. “I couldn’t resist his charms.”

Lady Zephyr looked at the guard cowering before her, then glanced at Shaw’s vibrant red plumage and instantly felt a rush of desire entering her. Feeling pity for the guard who was undoubtedly even more susceptible to his temptations, her icy eyes softened with compassion as she looked down at the griffiness before her. “Leave us,” she said. “It’s my fault for not assigning males to guard his cell.”

The griffiness lowered her head respectfully to Lady Zephyr and headed towards the exit of the prison. “Sorry,” she whispered, exiting the room to leave her goddess with the prisoners.

“Shaw,” Lady Zephyr said, her face feeling flush from the heat of her desires, “I see you’ve been up to mischief. What did you think you were doing, trying to seduce my guards like that?”

“How can you fault me for trying to escape,” Shaw said defiantly, “wouldn’t every griffin in my place try the same?”

“Why did you try stealing from me?” Lady Zephyr asked, determined to pry the truth from his handsome and well-toned body if needed. “Why were you after Lord Darkpaw’s fang? What could you possibly gain from the theft? I had a nest made of solid gold and silver, and you ignored it all for a fang that only has sentimental value to me.”

“Lady Zephyr,” Shaw said, “I’m unable to tell you.”

“Is that unable or unwilling I wonder?” Lady Zephyr testily said, her voice laced with a steel resolve to find out the truth of this matter. “Tell me what I want to know or face my wrath.”

Part of Shaw wanted to explain the situation to his deity, but remembered what the Slave King had warned them, “Do not speak of your mission to anyone, especially the other prime elements. Should they discover what you’re attempting to do, they would certainly prevent you from succeeding in your quest.”

“No Lady Zephyr, I’m sorry,” Shaw said, shaking his plumage in front of Lady Zephyr’s face, “I’m unable to tell you anything.”

Seeing Shaw’s red plumage filled her with lust once more. Try as she might, Lady Zephyr couldn’t bring herself to harm him, he seemed too much like her dead love. “Shaw,” she screeched in frustration, “your stubborn refusal to answer my questions has vexed me greatly! I think I’ll leave you to stew in your cell for a little while longer while I decide your fate.”

Slick watched as the deity left the jail, “Wow, I can’t believe she’s not doing anything to you,” he said. “If that had been Lord Ouroboros, he would have eaten one of us for your defiance.”

Shaw looked at the sleeping Showboat and then thought about what Slick had mentioned. Thinking about what Lady Zephyr might do to her if he didn’t tell her what she wanted to know, filled him with anxiety for her safety. “Don’t worry my dear,” he said, kissing her muzzle gently. “I’ll make sure you’re safe.”

Lady Zephyr was fuming, how dare her vassal refuse to answer her questions! Ordinarily she might have just killed a griffin who dared challenge her in such a manner, but there was something about that griffin that she couldn’t bear to see harmed in any way. “Damn it to the pit!” she seethed. Looking at Lord Darkpaw’s fang thoughtfully she sighed. “My love, why did you have to break the moot? We could have slain him after it was over.”

Her lover’s fang didn’t answer but remained silent as always. Lately, she had taken to speaking to the fang in hopes that it would help absolve her of her overwhelming grief. It hadn’t really helped, but she found the conversations to be a bit cathartic. Deciding to relieve her lust with the fang once again she reached over and held in in her talon, studying it intensely. The sound of one of her guards opening the door spoiled the mood. With great reluctance she put the fang aside. “What is it?” she asked.

“Lady Zephyr,” the guard said, bowing slightly, “Lady Suzaku is here to see you.”

“Send her in,” Lady Zephyr said, sighing in frustration. A visit from the phoenix was definitely not something she was wanting at the moment. Before Lord Darkpaw’s death, she had considered the phoenix one of her closest friends. But now the bubbly deity only reminded her of what she had lost. She was almost certain the reason for the visit was to gossip and discuss her upcoming wedding nuptials to Lord Ouroboros.

Honestly Lady Zephyr had no idea how her friend had managed to convince the fire tyrant to wed her. Lord Ouroboros only loved his hoard, and ensuring his domain’s authority was unchallenged by anyfeather. When Lady Suzaku had shared the news with her over a year ago, she couldn’t believe it. Even stranger still was the request to keep it a secret from the rest of the pantheon. She was sure it was because Lord Ouroboros didn’t want anyfeather thinking he was going soft, especially with the murderer living on his southwest border. Even though she respected the great dragon for his power, she couldn’t understand why anyfeather would wish to be his mate. Unlike Lord Darkpaw, Lord Ouroboros lacked the passion that had attracted her eye to the Lord of the Earth so many years ago.

“Hello love!” a sweet voice sang interrupting her thoughts. “Still wearing that ghastly black dye I see.”

Lady Zephyr looked towards the entrance to her eyrie and saw Lady Suzaku in all her glorious beauty. The mistress of summer, passion, and love; the phoenix was a breathtaking sight to behold. Her feathers were a vibrant shade of red and pulsing with the power of flame and desire. Her ruby eyes studied the unkempt room and nest, causing the phoenix to cluck her tongue disapprovingly.

“Love, why are you letting yourself go?” Lady Suzaku asked, concerned for her friends wellbeing. “Lord Darkpaw was truly magnificent, but you still have a life to live and a domain to run.”

“Zuzu,” Lady Zephyr bitterly said, “that’s easy for you to say, you’re going to get married to the feather you love. I’m sure Lord Ouroboros will make you very happy.”

“Don’t say his name in my presence!” Lady Suzaku spat, her feathers bursting into flame.

“Zuzu, did you two have a falling out?” Lady Zephyr asked, curious as to what could make her normally cheerful friend so angry.

“Yes Zephy,” Lady Suzaku said, managing to calm herself down, “that beast told me he would love and marry me if I performed a service to show my devotion to him.”

“Let me guess Zuzu, you did what he asked and didn’t keep his word?” Lady Zephyr guessed, not surprised by Lord Ouroboros behavior in the slightest. Dragons were notoriously hard to make deals with. Without a contract bound in blood, they could be so unpredictable and treacherous. Her friend in her eagerness to get a husband had probably neglected to consider that she was being used in one of his many schemes.

“Yes he did,” Lady Suzaku replied, her ruby eyes threatening to tear up in regret and frustration. “Zephy I’ve always wanted what you had with Lord Darkpaw, and he offered it to me on a silver platter.”

“Oh Zuzu,” Lady Zephyr said, comforting her friend with a warm embrace, “it’ll be alright. Perhaps Cerynitis would be interested in courting you.”

“Zephy,” Lady Suzaku whined, “the Lord of Winter only cares for two things…”

“War and winter,” Lady Zephyr said, finishing Suzaku’s sentence. “But Zuzu, certainly among the pantheon there’s somefeather for you.”

“Zephy, I’ve so missed spending time talking with you, but I didn’t come to discuss my love life with you…” Lady Suzaku said, hesitant to say anything else.

“Oh Zuzu, then what is it,” Lady Zephyr said, curious as to what would make her friend feel reticent to speak. “You’re my oldest friend, you can tell me anything.”

“It’s what Lord Ouroboros made me do,” Lady Suzaku said, her voice beginning to break under the weight of her guilt. “I did some horrible things.”

“Zuzu,” Lady Zephyr said, holding her friend closely, “no matter what you’ve done. You’ll always be my friend.”

“But Zephy, he made me betray everyfeather in the pantheon!” Lady Suzaku lamented, struggling to hold back her tears of shame and regret.

“I still love you Zuzu,” Lady Zephyr said, hugging her friend. “Even if you’re a silly hatchling sometimes…”

“But Zephy,” Lady Suzaku cried out, “I betrayed you the worst of all!”

Lady Zephyr looked her friend in the eye and saw the regret consuming her. “I don’t care Zuzu, you are and always will be my friend,” she said, her heart full of compassion for the phoenix. “What did Lord Ouroboros make you do to betray the pantheon?”

Lady Suzaku pulled her beak close to Lady Zephyr’s head and whispered to her for a few minutes. When she heard the extent of her friend’s betrayal she wanted to send Lady Suzaku to the pit. In her fury she was tempted to demand that the phoenix leave her domain and never return, but then she remembered what she had just said the minute before.

“I’m so sorry Zephy…” Lady Suzaku said, hanging down her head in shame.

“I still forgive you Zuzu,” Lady Zephyr said, hugging her friend tightly, “but Lord Ouroboros is a completely different matter.”

Zephy, what are you planning on doing to him?” Lady Suzaku asked, hoping to get her revenge on her ex-fiancée as well.

“Zuzu,” Lady Zephyr said, “not more than four days ago, Lord Ouroboros came to my domain beseeching me not to interfere in his little spat with the murderer.”

“You mean the Slave King?” Lady Suzaku asked. Although she had seen him at the moot two years ago, the human hadn’t been in her thoughts at all. As Lord of the Earth his wealth was probably greater than even Lord Ouroboros’s, and if the Lord of Fire felt him a grave enough threat to ask for aid he must be powerful. “I wonder if the Slave King has found a wife yet.”

Hearing Lady Suzaku asking if the Slave King had a wife made Lad Zephyr burn with jealousy, “Zuzu stay focused,” she said, hoping that her friend wouldn’t notice how badly she desired her lover’s slayer. “Lord Ouroboros is planning to make his move against the murderer soon. Perhaps we should pull on the threads of his warp, to unravel his carefully laid out plans.”

“Zephy,” Lady Suzaku said, “I know the prefect way to do it.”

“How Zuzu?” Lady Zephyr asked.

“The griffin you just met with,” Lady Suzaku said.

“Oh, so that’s why he’s been making me burn with desire all day,” Lady Zephyr said, her suspicions finally confirmed. “Zuzu, I need you to do something about him. Every single griffiness as soon as they see him goes into heat and loses any self-control they might have.”

“Zephy I’m sorry about that,” Lady Suzaku apologized. “I sent him like that hoping that you would be able to experience your Darkpaw’s love once more.”

“His heart already belongs to another Zuzu,” Lady Zephyr said. “But I appreciate the thought. Do you know anything about why he came to steal from me?”

“Zephy, I couldn’t tell you,” Lady Suzaku said. “I know that he traveled to your domain by some strange creature that smelled heavily of the Earth, almost as if it had been newly created. Also I overheard that their mission is one commissioned by Celestia herself.”

“The griffin refuses to answer my questions regarding his mission and why they need the fang of Darkpaw and my feathers,” Lady Zephyr said, tapping her talon to her beak as she tried reasoning out the puzzle before her.

“Zephy, offer to let him challenge you for them, if he answers why you need them,” Lady Suzaku suggested.

“A contest?” Lady Zephyr thoughtfully said. “Zuzu I like that idea, but what kind?”

“Zephy, I suggest letting the griffin choose it,” Lady Suzaku said.

“Alright, let’s see what he suggests,” Lady Zephyr said in agreement.

Shaw was being escorted by two very large male griffins. When they passed by griffinesses, the intimidating guards shooed them away. Shaw wondered what he could possibly do to get out of this fix. His plumage was apparently useless against the griffins escorting him, not that he would want it to work on males anyways. As they approached Lady Zephyr’s golden eyrie, Shaw wondered what sorts of threats she would make against him this time. When he entered his deity’s inner sanctum, he was surprised to see a familiar looking phoenix sitting next to Lady Zephyr.

The phoenix blew a kiss and winked at Shaw seductively before flying towards him, landing besides him she pulled out the large red feather from his plumage. “Thank you Zuzu,” Lady Zephyr said, walking towards her prisoner. “Shaw, since you refuse to tell me why you tried to steal from me I will make you an offer I hope you’re willing to accept.”

“What’s your offer Lady Zephyr?” Shaw asked, as he rubbed the spot where the feather had been.

“I’ll allow you to challenge me for the feathers and fang," Lady Zephyr said, pointing a talon towards Shaw, “but only if you tell me why they’re so important.”

Shaw considered Lady Zephyr’s offered carefully. On the one talon a challenge seemed like the only way to get the items now, but on the other talon he wasn’t sure he would be able to defeat somefeather like Lady Zephyr. She was a goddess after all. With limited options Shaw nodded, “Alright Lady Zephyr, I agree to your offer,” he said, “but I want my friends released regardless whether I win or lose.”

“Fair enough,” Lady Zephyr agreed. “I’ll even let you choose the challenge.”

“So anything I want then?” Shaw asked.

“Yes anything you wish,” Lady Zephyr replied.

“Alright,” Shaw said, looking at his wings thoughtfully, “I challenge you to a race.”

“A race, are you sure?” Lady Zephyr said, amused that Shaw thought he even stood a chance of beating her. “I am the very essence of the wind itself, there’s nothing’s faster in the skies than me.”

“Yes a race,” Shaw said.

“Very well,” Lady Zephyr agreed. “A race you shall have.”

“Once I’ve won, I’ll tell you why we’re after the feathers and fang,” Shaw said.

“Agreed,” Lady Zephyr said, displeased with the cheek her subject had shown her.

The dracoliche roared once before charging, in desperation Clover did the only thing he could think of, running away like a little filly. With Shanks following closely behind him, he looked behind and saw as Scourge leapt forward to attack the dracoliche. Deftly the doom hound dodged Travenro’s massive jaws and attached himself to the creature’s neck, trying to dislodge the bones holding the beast together.

Travenro roared furiously when he felt the crushing bite of the doom hound’s jaw around his vertebrae. Desperate to help their protector, Clover tried thinking of anything he could do to slow down the dracoliche. Deciding to cast a spell, the blue unicorn filled his horn with magic and released it into a potent spell hoping to disrupt the magic that was animating the construct of bones. However to his dismay, he found that his spells had no effect. The magic of all the dragons that had ever died in this place and now coursing through the bones of the dracoliche, was too much for his magic and he found all his spells were being completely repelled by the draconic runes covering its bones.

“Mister Clover,” Shanks barked, trying to avoid the dracoliche’s tail. “Maybe you use the spines to hit the dead thing.”

Clover considered Shanks’s suggestion, the dracoliche had many bones. Perhaps using a spine might trip it up and help dislodge some of the bones in its reanimated skeleton. Fortunately levitating the spines would be easier than the previous spell he failed to cast. Using his magic, he levitated a large spine and hurled it like a spear at the dracoliche’s ribcage.

The spine flew through the air smashing against one of Travenro’s ribs, the runes exploded with energy causing him to roar in anger. Ignoring the Doom hound on its neck, the dracoliche focused its malevolent attention on the unicorn that had dared strike it. Lifting his skeletal tail, the dracoliche prepared to swipe it towards Clover in retaliation.

Seeing that the dracoliche was preparing to strike, Clover readied his magic and began hurling spines and scales as quickly as he could. As the massive spines flew towards him, the bone dragon brought up its claws to shield it from the onslaught of spines. Annoyed by the attack, the dracoliche pulled back his neck and opened his mouth. Magical energy from his rune covered bones began sending green magical energy coursing along his body, coalescing in his skull as he prepared to release a torrent of magical flames.

In desperation Clover picked up the largest spine he could levitate and hurled at the dracoliche’s left eye. The spine hurled forward with great speed towards the unprotected eye socket of the construct, the dracoliche’s eyes of green flame flared in surprise as the spine hit its mark. The red spine, its colors faded by time exploded showering everypony with shards of scale and bone when it pierced the eye of flame and built up magic. Now free from whatever was holding it in place, the built up magic followed the path of least resistance and exploded out of the dracoliche’s left eye socket knocking Scourge into a pile of nearby scales.

As the magical flames exploded over his head, Clover was awestruck by the sheer power of the magic being unleashed. The magical flame was so intense it vaporized a large portion of the wall and ceiling of the chamber. Looking back at the dracoliche, he saw the beast’s rune covered skull blackened and cracked in places. Looking towards Scourge, he saw that the doom hound appeared to be unconscious.

Seeing that Travenro appeared to be stunned, Clover trotted over towards the unconscious doom hound Scourge. “Shanks,” he shouted, “help me move him!”

Shanks ran towards Clover and helped him place the unconscious Scourge on the unicorn’s back. “Mister Clover,” Shanks howled in fear. “The dead thing is looking at us!”

Clover looked and saw that the dracoliche was looking down at them, its flaming right eye glaring at them malevolently and flaring in rage. The entire left side of its skull was badly burned and cracked was leaking magic every which way. The left eye instead of being a bright flame was now merely an ember, a tiny green cinder that threatened to die out at any moment. The draconic runes covering the left side of his skull were glowing sickly as they struggled to stay alive.

Clover winded from using so much magic, was unsure if he would be able to put up much more of a fight. “Shanks,” he whispered, “prepare to run. Perhaps you can escape.”

“No!” Shanks howled, growling and baring his teeth at the dracoliche threatening to destroy them. “Mister Clover, me a Gem Biter. Me fight by my friend until me can’t fight no more.”

Clover saw the dracoliche was preparing to attack them once again and thought back on their journey together. He thought of their fateful meeting in the Everfree. He remembered a small frightened pup hiding in a hollowed out log refusing to come out.

The dracoliche started rearing up and lifted his right claw to attack.

Instinctively Clover began drawing magic into his horn, hoping to generate a shield strong enough to protect them.

Clover looked down at the pup by his side and smiled. “Shanks, you’re no longer alone,” he whispered before unleashing his magic.

Clover saw the dracoliche’s mighty claw moving towards his magic shield, in hopes of shattering it so he could send them to the pit. “If only I was stronger like Sir Stouthorn,” he bitterly thought.

Sensing the innate magic’s of this place, Clover allowed himself to act as a conduit and let the foreign magic flow through him making his shield much stronger. Travenro’s mighty claw slammed down hard but the shield held fast. “Trust in the quest, it will provide a way…” he murmured, trying to decide his next course of action. “My master’s legacy…”

Winded and panting, Clover felt Scourge stirring awake. “Scourge, are you able to move?” he asked, frantically trying to keep his shield up.

“I should be fine,” Scourge said, his terrible voice sounding like grinding stones. “Thank you.”

“Any ideas?” Clover asked, unsure if he could counterattack the dracoliche before it swiped them with one of its massive claws.

“Only one…” Scourge said, preparing to launch himself back into the fray.

“What’s that?” Clover asked, trying to squeeze more power into his shield before it failed.

“Taking it to the pit with me!” Scourge roared, leaping at the dracoliche with his terrible maw wide open for the attack.

The dracoliche saw the doom hound charging it and turned its head to face its new prey. Opening its mouth, the guardian of the Dragon’s Necropolis prepared to send the doom hound back to the Gates of Tartarus and into the pit itself.

The air as usual was stale and dank, smelling of death and ruin. Much like the collapsed and ruined buildings and rubble strewn across the broken streets, the master of this place was not whole. He had five days to ready himself for his first real battle since inheriting this dark and dreary domain. His heavy iron crown started glowing with the power of the Earth itself. As he worked at his forge forming and folding the metals, he looked down at the manacles attached to his wrists. Even as the Lord of the Earth, he was still enslaved to this hateful place.

“Father?” a cheerful voice asked.

“Hmm, what?” the Slave King said, looking around to see who had addressed him. Looking behind him he saw the one thing that gave him any hope in this wretched place, his daughter Little Bleu.

“Father I’m sorry if I startled you,” the beautiful mare said, the adoration and love she held for the human sparkling in her eyes, “but I’ve been calling to you for the last ten minutes.”

The man placed the tongs and hammer he had been using down by the forge and walked to the unicorn embracing her. “My little Bleu, you are my hope of the future,” he said, his voice full of love for his adopted daughter. Over the years the human and unicorn mare had formed a familial bond, that even though they were of completely different species they considered each other to be family.

Little Bleu returned her father’s embrace holding him tight. “I love you too daddy,” she said, closing her eyes and enjoying the moment. “Father it’s time to eat.”

“Thank you,” the man said, wiping the sweat away from his soot stained brow. “What did you bring me?”

“Well the kitchen had some jerky, rye bread, and a few apples,” Little Bleu said, using her magic to levitate the items out of her basket. “I know it’s not much, but the master says since we’ve been digging up so many gems the food will start getting better.”

“My princess has brought me a royal feast!” the man said with a laugh, the joy of being able to share a simple meal with his daughter brought a smile to his weary face.

The unicorn looked up at her father with concern in her purple eyes. Unlike the other slaves, he was much weaker and not well suited for moving heavy loads like the rest. Looking down at his hands and at the metal work cooling near the forge, she was amazed at the many wondrous things her father could make. She didn’t know much of her father’s people, only that they came from a realm so far away you might think it was but a dream. “Father, tell me a story,” she asked, looking up at him with her large dewy eyes.

The man looked down at Little Bleu and smiled, he could never resist his daughter when she asked him. “Very well Bleu,” he said, “but it’ll have to be a short one.”

“As long as it’s from your world it doesn’t matter what it is,” Little Bleu said, happy to hear another tale about her father’s people. The things he said they had accomplished were a wonder. She especially liked the stories of the land called America. When she heard how they once had slaves and one day went to war to end it, she could only hope that she would one day see the end of slavery in the Diamond Vale as well.

Little Bleu listened intently as her father spoke of two great wizards named Gates and Jobs that used magic called Windows and Macintosh to do battle with each other for dominance, once they had worked together to defeat the Dark wizard I.B.M. She had heard this story before but loved how tricky the wizard Gates had to be in order to gain the upper hoof against his former master, but also loved the twist at the end when the wizard Jobs used a new magic called an iPhone to break the wizard Gates’s Windows magic. She was disappointed when her father stopped telling the story right before wizard Jobs could land the decisive blow against his arch rival.

“What happened next?” Little Bleu asked excitedly, hoping that her father would finally finish the tale. “Did the wizard Jobs finally defeat his arch nemesis with the iPhone, or did the wizard Gates manage to defeat his rival’s new form of magic?”

“I don’t know love,” the man said, with a sheepish smile. “I came here before their battle ended.”

“Oh dang,” Little Bleu pouted, “I want to know which of the wizards finally won their feud.”

“Who can say?” her father said, running his fingers through her mane. “Bleu, I’d better get back to work, or Lasher will have my hide for sure.”

“Father, one day we’ll be free of this wretched place,” Little Bleu said, vowing to see her father freed from the work that was slowly sending him to an early grave. Over the years she had seen him go from a pitch black beard and mane, to having more grey and white then black hairs on his head. Every day she feared would be his last, one day Lasher would finally lose his temper and actually kill him. Resting her head against his hand she looked up at the man working at the forge, “I love you daddy…”

Despite the heat from the forge, the air around the Slave King was as cold as the pit. Looking behind him he half expected to see his daughter looking back at him, but only found ash and soot from the forge and the shadows of his past mocking him. Looking down at the empty forge, he turned around and resumed shaping the metal he’d been working on.

As the ringing of his hammer echoed throughout the decaying ruins, the whispered words “I love you too Little Bleu…” were carried away on a lonely breeze echoing through the dead city.

Sir Stouthorn’s voice echoed throughout the massive amphitheater. Speaking with his deep baritone voice, he had regaled the tale of him and his compatriot’s adventures together. “… and then Clover the Clever boldly trotted towards the great stone throne of the Slave King, and looked the heartless monster in the eye and asked, ‘So what will it take to quell your fury, and end the famine?’,” the minotaur said, pausing for dramatic effect. Looking at the assembled members of the Harpers Guild, he tried to do the best impression of the Slave King’s voice that he could muster. “The Slave King leaned forward in his great stone throne. His cruel iron crown atop his head was all that protected us from viewing his disfigured and misshapen face. The monster’s burning eyes seemed as cold as the pit itself, and when he open his mouth to speak it made the earth itself tremble in fear. ‘I ask for one thing and one thing only,’ he said. ‘Lord Ouroboros possesses something of great value to me. I task you with returning it to me and taking from him his left eye for the insult.’.”

When Sir Stouthorn mentioned the task to remove Lord Ouroboros’s left eye, the whole room gasped in surprise. Certainly this was an impossible quest, nopony could possibly challenge the Lord of Fire and expect to live to tell the tale! Seeing that he had left a suitable impressed on the assembled bards, he bowed his head low, “Mares and gentlestallions, and esteemed bards and Knights of the Lawgiver,” he said as humbly as he was able, “I came here today to share my quest, for I do not know if I shall survive it. But I wanted ponies to know that even if the quest seems impossible, as long as it was right and just it is worth pursuing.”

Sir Stouthorn, confident that he had done the best he could confidently exited the spotlight and sat down next to Seafoam. “Sir Stouthorn,” the seapony said, wiping away a few tears from his muzzle, “that was amazing. You told the story so touchingly.”

“Thank you lad,” Sir Stouthorn said, looking down at his page fondly, “I know that we might not succeed in our quest, so I wanted ponies to know of our bravery if we fail.”

“I hope that the everypony else feels the same way,” Seafoam said, looking up at the bards and knights casting their votes.

“Hopefully they’ll accept this quest as being worthy even though it’s not yet completed,” Sir Stouthorn said.

“I have faith in the quest Sir Stouthorn,” Seafoam said, looking up at his liege, “and more importantly I have faith in you. We shall succeed and be victorious.”

Sir Stouthorn warmly smiled when he heard his protégé’s faith in their quest. “Seafoam my lad,” he said, “hearing you say this brings great joy to this weary old knight. I think once this quest is completed you’ll finally be ready.”

Seafoam looked at the minotaur that had taught him everything he knew about being a knight and smiled, confident and feeling prepared to strike out and quest on his own. “Thank you Sir Stouthorn for everything,” he said, feeling bittersweet about being his master’s equal and having to one day leave him when he finally received his spurs.

“Come lad,” Sir Stouthorn said, “let’s save the goodbyes until we actually part. Until then let’s enjoy the time we have left questing together.”

“We have the votes tallied now,” the voice of Grandmaster Philharmonic said, interrupting the two friend’s discussion. “Sir Stouthorn, please step forward and present yourself so I can announce the results.”

Sir Stouthorn stepped back into the light and bowed to the grandmaster. “I’m ready Grandmaster
Philharmonic,” he said, steeling himself to hear the results.

“Sir Stouthorn,” the grandmaster said, “truly the quest you told us was worthy of being made immortalized in song. However without an end our bards can’t sing it.”

Sit Stouthorn bowed his head in defeat. This had been a wild shot in the dark to be sure, but maybe he could still get an audience by openly challenging Lord Triton. Hopefully the Lawgiver wouldn’t be too angry and would allow him to fight his champion instead of being banished.

“Sir Stouthorn,” the grandmaster continued, “because the quest is incomplete we can’t in good faith allow you to pass the quester’s challenge.”

Seafoam was incensed when he heard the pronouncement coming from the grandmaster’s muzzle. “These ingrates!” he fumed. Certainly this quest was as epic as any of the great songs of old! Sir Stouthorn was right. The bigots had found some small technicality to stymie him. The seapony decided he wouldn’t waste another moment with these foals if they couldn’t see true heroism when it was literally under their muzzles.

“With that being said,” the grandmaster continued, “we look forward to hearing the end of the quest when you have finished. So I’m granting you special dispensation in this case. You will be granted an audience with Lord Triton, be honored as a true hero, and we’ll begin composing the song honoring your quest.”

Sir Stouthorn looked up at his friend sitting above him and bowed once more. “Thank you Grandmaster Philharmonic,” he said. “I look forward to finishing telling the tale, when the quest is complete.”

“Sir Stouthorn,” the grandmaster said, “we know time is of the essence in your quest, so the bailiff will see you to Lord Triton when you’re ready.”

Sir Stouthorn nodded his head respectfully and walked out the door followed by his page. Looking down at the sack full of black stones, Grandmaster Philharmonic frowned. Why couldn’t they see that his friend was a true hero? Even incomplete, the quest that le Boeuf had regaled was indeed the greatest quest of the year, and possibly of the century. Fortunately he was able to use his influence to help his friend on his quest.

Lord Triton watch over my friend, and aid him in his quest,” the grandmaster prayed.

“Well that was unexpected,” Seafoam said, following the bailiff and Sir Stouthorn down the passage towards Lord Triton’s citadel. “I was almost certain that the grandmaster was going to say we had failed to impress them sufficiently.”

“He used his position to aid us,” Sir Stouthorn said. “By allowing us to come back and finish the quest so he could grant us the audience.”

“You mean you expected them to vote against you?” Seafoam asked in surprise.

“Yes,” Sir Stouthorn said, “I mean the quest’s only half finished after all. I would have voted nay myself were I the one hearing it.”

“What made you so sure that the grandmaster would help you,” Seafoam said.

“It was the bit about the impossible quest and how we should pursue it if it’s right,” Sir Stouthorn explained. “It was something he told me long ago.”

“Well the gamble paid off,” Seafoam said, “now we just have to challenge Lord Triton’s champion, get the pearl, and remove Lord Ouroboros’s eye.”

“Aye lad,” Sir Stouthorn agreed, “the hard part is all done. The rest of the quest should be smooth sailing.”

The bailiff led them to a room filled with water and a slowly spinning whirlpool in its center. “Sir Stouthorn,” the bailiff said, “use your token of the Lawgiver to create a magic bubble for yourself.”

“I’m terribly sorry,” Sir Stouthorn said. “I seem to have lost mine.”

The bailiff rolled his eyes and handed Sir Stouthorn a dull silver disk. “Here you go, make sure you don’t lose this one while we’re down there,” the bailiff explained. “Or this really will be your final quest.”

Sir Stouthorn placed the dull silver coin bearing the image on the Lawgiver on his armor. Sensing it was in possession of an honorable knight of the Lawgiver, the coin’s silver surface shone as brightly as Luna’s own moon on a warm summer’s evening. Stepping into the water, the minotaur felt the power of the Lawgiver’s magic wash over him. As long as he held the token and stayed true to his vows, he would be welcome in the Domain of Water.

Confidently Sir Stouthorn entered the whirlpool and felt himself being sucked into the depths of the Western Sea. Freely breathing in the seawater, he saw the beauty of Lord Triton’s citadel below him. The light from the surface cascaded onto the buildings and coral below, making them shine as they reflected the light from Celestia’s sun. All around him thousands of seaponies swam by going about their business, when they saw him they bowed their heads. For any air breather that was found worthy of entering the Domain of Water was worthy of respect. Once the whirlpool had deposited him inside the citadel, he waited patiently for both Seafoam and the bailiff to join him.

After several minutes they had both reached the bottom. “Follow me,” the bailiff said.

Seafoam rolled his head back and forth excited to finally get some seawater all over his scales and fins. “Oh Sir Stouthorn,” he said. “The salt water on my scales feels divine. I didn’t realize how much I missed it until just now!”

“Come along lad,” Sir Stouthorn said, stealing a glance at their annoyed bailiff. “We don’t want to keep Lord Triton waiting.”

“Oh quite right sir,” Seafoam said, swimming after the minotaur and bailiff.

The bailiff escorted them to a massive pearlescent door and knocked on it three times, the door opened revealing Lord Triton’s inner sanctum. The massive round room contained at its center a round table with chairs for each of the Lawgiver’s most trusted knights and councilors. Currently Lord Triton was sitting in his seat listening to one of his councilors discussing how the raiding against the Domain of Earth was going. Seeing Sir Stouthorn and Seafoam, his eyes lit up. Finally some excitement! He carefully studied the minotaur. Seeing his greying coat and well scared body he nodded approvingly, this knight carried himself well and his eyes revealed he was experienced in the ways of battle. Looking at seapony the Lawgiver could tell that although he was young, he was battle hardened and knew the taste of combat.

The bailiff swam towards Lord Triton and announced them. “Lord Triton,” he said, “I present to you Sir le Boeuf Stouthorn, the chivalrous, of the ‘Most Illustrious Order of Triton the Lawgiver’; and his page, knight in training Seafoam.”

Triton thoughtfully stroked his magnificent kelp mustache with his right fin, as he floated around the knight and his page. “Sir Stouthorn,” he said, with a voice that commanded respect, “I understand that you braved a quester’s challenge?”

Sir Stouthorn nodded and looked at his liege in the eye. “Lawgiver,” he said, “that’s your honest own truth.”

Triton’s swirling body of kelp and water circled around the minotaur. “That was quite a gambit indeed,” he said, inspecting the well-worn armor Sir Stouthorn was wearing. “I take it your quest was an important one then?”

“Lawgiver it is the most important quest of my career,” Sir Stouthorn said, “I wish to challenge your champion.”

“Why would you risk everything just to challenge my champion,” Triton asked. “Surely you know he’s never been defeated.”

“Lawgiver, the quest demands it,” Sir Stouthorn replied.

“You seek from me a boon I can’t refuse, am I right?” Lord Triton asked straight to the point.

“Lawgiver that is your own truth,” Sir Stouthorn said. “Without your boon, the quest will undoubtedly fail.”

“Well then what are we waiting for,” Lord Triton said, clapping his fins together in anticipation.

“Podo, Codo,” Lord Triton said, turning towards two seaponies sitting at the round table. “I want you to get Terrorantula ready to fight in the arena.”

“As you wish Lawgiver,” Podo said, brushing his black mane away from his green eyes. As one of Lord Triton’s beast masters, the white seapony was in charge of making sure the many beasts that fought for the Lawgiver were well cared for. Looking at his twin sister Codo, he motioned for her to follow him towards the arena. “Come on sis, we have a spider to rouse.”

“Okay Podo,” the white seapony mare said. Spying Seafoam standing near Lord Triton, she shook her black mane and batted her blue eyes at him. “I wish you two knights good luck. Terrorantula has never been defeated before.”

“Terrorantula,” Sir Stouthorn asked, “what sort of pony name is that?”

“Not a pony,” the Lawgiver said, “a giant spider. He’s from another world entirely, from a place called Antonica.”

“Well…” Sir Stouthorn said, unsure if he really wanted to fight such a beast, “I was expecting one of your knights to be your champion.”

“Normally I would have pitted you against Sir Tsunami, or Sir Storm Breaker,” the Lord of Water said with a wry smile, pointing towards two seaponies sitting at the round table. “But seeing as you need a boon I can’t possibly refuse and as Terrorantula has been so bored of late, I’ve decided to pit you against him. It’s not too late to back now if you want.”

“Lord Triton,” the minotaur said, bowing deeply to his liege, “a knight of the Lawgiver never backs down from a challenge.”

“I knew you wouldn’t,” Lord Triton said, rubbing his flippers together in anticipation of the fight. “Sir Stouthorn I eagerly await your victory so I may grant you your boon and crown you with golden laurels.”

The grey minotaur knelt down and presented his weapon to the deity, “Lawgiver,” Sir Stouthorn reverently said, “bless my weapon so I might be victorious.”

The Lord of Water picked up the large ax and blessed it with his essence, then handed it back to his knight. “Sir Stouthorn,” he said, “go and bring honor to my name.”

“Of course my liege,” Sir Stouthorn said, standing up. “I look forward to entertaining you today. Come Seafoam, I must prepare for battle.”

“Of course Sir Stouthorn,” Seafoam said, floating after his master.

The Lawgiver frowned as the knight and his page left his inner sanctum. Sitting back down in his seat he stroked his magnificent mustache thoughtfully. “Terrorantula, Lord Triton?” Sir Tsunami asked. “But Sir Stouthorn is well into his fifth decade! It’ll be a miracle if he survives.”

“That knight carries the scent of the Earth all over him,” Lord Triton replied. “Although I hold no ill will towards the Slave King, his dishonorable behavior threatens to bring us all to ruin. If fate decrees that Sir Stouthorn is to prevail, then I will grant him his boon. Otherwise I hope that the Summerlands welcomes him with open arms.”

“Lord Triton,” Sir Storm Breaker said, “what if Sir Stouthorn succeeds and the Slave King is planning for war?”

“Then my knights,” Lord Triton said, frowning grimly, “I shall marshal my knights and bring forth my armies to fight the Slave King. We shall defend Equestria and meet him on the field of battle.”

Several hours later Sir Stouthorn waited anxiously inside the great coliseum of Marelantis as he waited for the match to be announced. “Sir Stouthorn,” Seafoam said. “I just want you to know that whatever happens I will continue the quest in your name to the best of my ability.”

“Thank you Seafoam,” Sir Stouthorn said, with a grin, “but there’s never been a beast that has been able to stand before my ax.”

“Well didn’t you hear what the Lawgiver said,” Seafoam said, “this Terrorantula is from another world altogether, and has never been defeated.”

“It’s only undefeated because it hasn’t had the pleasure of facing me in battle,” Sir Stouthorn said, while adjusting his armor and testing his weapons sharpness.

“Alright it’s time,” a seapony guard shouted. “Wait for them to announce you, and then step out onto floor of the arena so we can begin.”

“Alright lad, wish me luck,” Sir Stouthorn said, as he headed towards the arena’s entrance.

The sound of the seaponies and other denizens of Marelantis cheering were reverberating from above. The sounds of their cheers and shouts filled the air with a sort of electric energy that made Sir Stouthorn’s blue and grey hairs stand up on end. From the other side of the door he heard Lord Triton welcoming everypony to the arena and introducing the event. “Today’s fight is between one of my knights, Sir le Boeuf Stouthorn, the chivalrous.”

“He forgot to say of the ‘Most Illustrious Order of Triton the Lawgiver’,” Sir Stouthorn grumbled. “That’s the most important part.”

“Who’s facing off against everypony’s favorite undefeated arachnid that needs no introduction, Terrorantula!” the Lawgiver said, to the assembled crowd who was cheering in a frenzy.

Sir Stouthorn knew it was now or never and boldly walked out onto the floor of the arena, to the cheers of thousands of seaponies. Looking up he saw Lord Triton looking down from his throne drinking wine and whispering to one of his advisers. “Behold the brave knight of the Lawgiver!” Lord Triton shouted to the throng of assembled seaponies. Instantly the audience broke out into applause and started throwing flowers down into the arena.

Almost immediately, the crowd went silent as Sir Stouthorn heard the floor of the arena making an awful racket. Turning around, he saw a massive spider being raised up from below the arena. He saw both Podo and Codo removing the chains that were attached to the giant arachnid, which quickly left the arena floor once their task was completed.

“Behold Terrorantula!” the Lawgiver shouted. As soon as the words had left his lips, the seaponies applauded even louder than before.

Looking at Terrorantula, Sir Stouthorn saw that his opponent was well scarred from fighting. Each of its eight legs, each thick as one of the coral columns of the arena itself were covered with thick hairs. Its eight eyes were as black as the night itself. The spider’s carapace was brightly colored with red and yellow markings, with a bright white skull on its abdomen.

“Your armor won’t save you from my venom,” a deep throaty voice said.

Recognizing that Terrorantula had spoken to him, Sir Stouthorn bowed his head and readied his ax. “I’ve not yet met a beast whose hide was stronger than my ax,” he said.

“I shall feed upon your carcass, and decorate my lair with your remains,” Terrorantula declared.

“You’ll have to catch and kill me first,” Sir Stouthorn retorted.

“Exactly!” Terrorantula shouted, rearing up on his legs.

“Then let us see who shall be victorious, and who shall be dead!” Sir Stouthorn shouted.

In response, the spider rushed forward to attack the minotaur. Sir Stouthorn ready for the beast, swung his ax and rolled out of the way. Looking at his weapon he saw the black ichor covering his ax’s blade and confidently smiled. “Good sir,” he said, “I see that the first blood goes to me.”

“Insignificant insect!” Terrorantula bellowed, launching some of its webbing towards his opponent.

Sir Stouthorn tried dodging the webbing but found that it had caught on his greying fur. Terrorantula in victory chattered his mandibles and pulled hard, causing the minotaur to lose his footing and fall muzzle first to the ground. Pulling the struggling knight towards its waiting fangs dripping with saliva, the beast said, “I shall enjoy feeding upon your fluids.”

“Oh bollocks!” Sir Stouthorn cursed, trying to figure out how to escape this predicament.

“Oh Shaw darling, do be careful,” Showboat said, kissing him on the beak lightly. “I don’t know what I’d do if you were to end up horribly mangled or something.”

“Don’t worry dear I’ve got this in the bag,” Shaw said, trying to sound as confident as he could to put his marefriend’s mind at ease.

“Shaw, are you ready?” Slick asked, as he popped a few diamonds into his open mouth. “Lady Zephyr is waiting for you.”

“Yes,” Shaw said, “I’ll be out in a minute.”

Looking at a map of Equestria on the table next to him, he saw the race’s route marked with little flags. “Hmm let’s see,” Shaw mused. “First we have to go through the howling pass of Darkpaw’s Spine, and then I need to head southwest towards the Razor Reef north of Marelantis. After navigating that death trap I’ll need to head east towards the ghastly gorge south of the Everfree Forest. Ugh, I hope the quarray eels aren’t as bad as I’ve heard. Then I need head south towards the badlands and past the Howling Canyon and the eye of the needle. Finally, I have to navigate the Steamspout Fields west of the Dragon’s Necropolis and finally come back here.”

Satisfied that he had that race’s course charted out in his mind, Shaw exited the room and trotted towards Showboat and Slick who were standing near Lady Zephyr. “Good luck darling,” Showboat said. “I’ll be cheering for you.”

“Yeah Shaw, don’t let us down,” Slick said. “We need those items. Clover and Sir Stouthorn are counting on us to succeed.”

“Shaw, are you ready?” Lady Zephyr asked, unfurling her wings.

“Yes I am,” Shaw replied, flapping his wings a few times.

“Alright the first to navigate the race’s course shall be declared the winner,” Lady Zephyr said. “Who’ll watch the race to ensure it’s fair for everyfeather involved?”

“Zephy love, let me do it!” Lady Suzaku said. “I’ll make sure it’s both fair and entertaining.”

“Zuzu, no playing around I warn you,” Lady Zephyr said, warning her friend against playing any pranks.

“I wouldn’t dream of it,” Lady Suzaku said. “Besides somefeather needs to show everyfeather here how the race is progressing.”

Shaw looked at the Phoenix and tilted his head. “I have no objections to her watching over our race,” he said.

“See Zephy, even your vassal is okay with me playing the referee!” Lady Suzaku crowed.

“Alright Zuzu I’ll permit you to run things,” Lady Zephyr said. “But I’m still a bit miffed with you.”

“Perfect,” Lady Suzaku chirped, as she placed a wing on each of their heads. Slowly a bright red feather grew in their plumage. “Alright everyfeather, as long as this feather remains in your plumage I’ll be able to track your movements and be able to display them for everyfeather to see.”

“Displayed where?” Slick asked, biting down on an emerald.

“Oh you’ll see cutie,” Lady Suzaku said with a sweet smile. Leaping into the air her feathers caught fire and burned freely. Soaring high into the sky, the phoenix flew in a large oval leaving a trail of flames in her wake. When the oval was completed, she flew through the center and released a mighty shriek. The flames from her body expanded outwards meeting the edges of the flaming oval.

Gracefully landing, Lady Suzaku pointed towards the sheet of flames overhead with her wing, “Now watch and be amazed,” she said, opening her beak to sing. The song the phoenix sung was so hauntingly beautiful it brought tears to everypony and feather present. When the song was finished, she pointed up towards the flames. Displayed in full color, was an image of both Shaw and Lady Zephyr and their surroundings.

“Lady Suzaku,” Showboat said, “that’s quite impressive. Would you care to teach me?”

“I’m sorry little unicorn,” Lady Suzaku said, “but a lady never reveals her secrets.”

“Humph,” Showboat pouted, as she trotted over to Shaw and gave him a passionate kiss. “Darling, I’ll be waiting for your safe return.”

“How sweet,” Lady Suzaku cooed.

“Get a room you two!” Slick growled. “I swear by the great hoard, you two can’t keep your hooves off each other for more than five minutes.”

Both Showboat and Shaw blushed at the accurate accusation. “Come Lady Zephyr,” Shaw said, hoping to remove attention from his embarrassment, “Let’s begin the race.”

“Yes let’s,” Lady Zephyr agreed. “Are you familiar with the course the race takes?”

“Yes I’m pretty sure,” Shaw said.

“Lady Zephyr handed Shaw a bauble attached to a chain. “Shaw, wear this around your neck,” she said. “If you ever lose your way, it will direct you where to go.”

“Thank you Lady Zephyr,” Shaw said, securing the chain around his head.

“Now shall we depart?” Lady Zephyr asked.

“Yes I’m ready,” Shaw said, flaring out his rainbow hued wings.

“On your marks…” Lady Suzaku shouted.

“Let me guess your wings were a gift from Loki and Lugh weren’t they?” Lady Zephyr asked, flexing her talons against the stony earth.

“Get set…” Lady Suzaku continued.

“Perhaps they were,” Shaw replied, leaning his body forward.

“Go!” Lady Suzaku shouted as loud as she could, sending flames high into the heavens.

Lady Zephyr launched herself into the air, with the speed of the north wind beneath her wings. “Nofeather is faster in the open skies then me,” she shouted, leaving Shaw behind in her wake.

Shaw smirked and launched himself into the air chasing after the mistress of the sky. Beating his powerful wings he soon caught up with the goddess. “You may be the wind,” he said, beating his wings as hard as he could, “but I’m still faster than you!”

“That remains to be seen hatchling!” Lady Zephyr retorted, enjoying the banter. Pointing her talon towards the largest mountain in Darkpaw’s Spine she said, “More than speed is required to win this contest. Behold the Howling Pass, only somefeather with endurance can navigate its unceasing winds.”

Banking sharply, she entered into a steep dive leaving Shaw behind in her wake. Not one to be outdone, Shaw banked as well and felt himself being buffeted on all sides by a powerful maelstrom of winds. Looking down at his bauble, he saw that the path he was required to take would make him have to weave between dozens of mountain passes until he finally hit the Western Sea.

“Come along my little egg,” Lady Zephyr’s teased, her voice being carried over the wailing winds, “if you want to win your prize you must brave the tempest.”

Shaw gritted his teeth and pumped his wings, desperately trying to keep a straight heading through the merciless winds of the Howling Pass. As he fought against the wind he heard his opponent let out a melodic laugh. “You’ll never beat me if you only rush into things headlong,” Lady Zephyr said, chiding him for wasting his energy so early in the race. “Look for your headwind and follow its path to the end.”

Taking her advice, he found a headwind that was going in the direction he wanted and rode it. Although it wasn’t the straightest path, Shaw found that it allowed him to conserve his strength for the remainder of their race. “Good job my hatchling,” Lady Zephyr said, as she left the Hallowing Pass behind her. “Hopefully you won’t require any assistance in the Razor Reef.”

Shaw growled and chased after his deity, trying to recover the lead. After several hours, he found himself approaching the western sea. The cool sea air reflecting the heat of the midday sun created plenty on wonderful updrafts for him to glide on. Looking down at his bauble, he saw it was guiding him out over the sea towards the west.

Flying high overhead, Lady Zephyr was circling and waiting for Shaw to finally catch up with her. “Ah the fledgling has arrived,” she said, leading the way towards hundreds of rocks jutting up out of the sea. “Whereas the last challenge was one of endurance, this shall be one of agility. Navigate the reef and try not to get clipped by the razor sharp jutting obsidian. Fly too high and you’ll fail. Fly too low and the salt air will weigh down your feathers and make you drown in the Western Sea.”

Lady Zephyr tucked in her wings and started flying through the reef weaving back and forth, effortlessly avoiding the razor sharp rocks jutting up from the water’s surface. Shaw followed closely behind, trying his best to at least keep up with the Mistress of the Air. As the waves of the sea broke against the obsidian columns, the griffin could feel his feathers beginning to get heavier as they were coated by the salt spray. Looking at Lady Zephyr, he saw her spinning. Narrowing his eyes in curiosity, he wondered what the point of it was. By now the salt coating his feathers was beginning to be too much, and he felt himself being pulled down by the extra weight. Desperate to stay aloft, he tried everything he could think of to knock the salt deposits on his feathers off. But found all his efforts were for naught.

Before the Western sea could claim him, Shaw in desperation tried emulating Lady Zephyr. Tucking in his feet, he tilted his wings and started spinning. His forward momentum combined with the spin caused his feathers to twist and bend, knocking away some of the salt deposits. “Ah,” he thought to himself, “that’s why she’s been spinning as she flies.”

“I’m so proud of you my little chick,” Lady Zephyr said from overhead, when she noticed that Shaw had finally figured out how to knock loose the salt from his feathers. “I would have hated to have to fish out your remains from the Western Sea.”

Shaw ignored the goddess and concentrated on navigating through the jagged rocks that seemed to jut out of the water like sharp teeth threatening to devour him.

“Perhaps it’s time to step up your game now?” Lady Zephyr taunted, as she flew in front of Shaw’s face beating him past the final outcropping of stones and once again leaving him to taste her wake.

“Damn it,” Shaw growled, when he saw that once again Lady Zephyr had beaten him.

“Don’t dawdle, my little egg,” Lady Zephyr laughed, as she flew eastward towards the Everfree Forest.

With a mighty growl, Shaw forced himself to go even faster. The air in front of him fought back not wanting to give way, but Shaw’s iron will pushed him through allowing him to cut through the air like a knife. The feathers along his wings burned with energy as he passed over the great city of Marelantis, Leaving an explosion of colors in his wake.

Scourge leaped forward at the dracoliche, his razor sharp fangs bared in defiance at the much larger beast. The guardian of the Dragon’s Necropolis used its head to knock the huntsdog to the side and against the smooth stone walls of the chamber.

“Trespassers, I was going to show you mercy,” Travenro hissed, holding a skeletal claw up to the left side of his charred skull, “but that ship has sailed. I’m going to take my time with each of you.”

“You can try,” Scourge growled in defiance, “but I think you’ll find I’m not that easy to kill.”

“Bawhahaha,” Travenro laughed derisively, “perhaps if you were a unicorn I might have reason to fear you. But seeing as you’re winded and nearly broken, I think I will end you first.”

Scourge refused to answer the dracoliche’s taunt, but instead pulled back his head and released a howl that caused the earth to tremble in fear. “Clover, take Shanks and get what we came for and run away as quickly as possible,” the doom hound shouted, as the chamber violently shook.

“But what about you?” Clover asked in concern.

“Just flee you stupid pony!” Scourge roared, throwing himself back at the construct of bones.

Hesitant to leave their guide behind, Clover nodded his head and used his magic to levitate a large scale and spine. The dracoliche enraged at his attempted theft, raised his claw to stop them. Before he could bring it down Scourge leapt on his back chewing once more on the vertebrae in his neck. Roaring in anger the guardian of the Dragon’s Necropolis tried using its claws to remove the doom hound, but round its passenger’s teeth was too deeply buried in his bones.

“Come Shanks,” Clover said, struggling to keep Lord Ouroboros’s cast offs levitated, “we’ve got to hurry up and leave.”

Shanks yelped in agreement. “Mister Clover,” he barked, following after his friend, “you think the bad dog be okay?”

“I don’t know Shanks,” Clover said, as they raced past mountains of bones and scales. In the background mighty roars were heard echoing from the repository, as the earth trembled and shook from what must be a mighty battle.

The dracoliche roared in frustration when he saw the unicorn and pup escaping, rolling in the piles of scales it tried removing the doom hound but found its efforts were stymied. Switching tactics, Travenro started slamming his neck into the walls of the chamber hoping to crush Scourge. Scourge felt the walls pounding against his weakening body, but still held fast. His King had charged him with the safe keeping of those two, and he fully intended to fulfill his mission even if it meant his death.

Satisfied that he had given them enough time to get a head start, Scourge let go of the dracoliche’s vertebrae and ran towards the opposite side of the room. Finally free of the annoyance, Travenro turned towards the exit to chase after the two that had slipped through his claws.

“My master cares little for how he receives that which he seeks,” Scourge said, sneering at his much larger opponent. “Go on and give chase to them, and my mission will be completed.”

Travenro roared in frustration and pounded the stone walls of the chamber with enough force to make the entire room shake. “For your insolence,” he hissed, “I will cripple you and save you for last!”

“Construct, I believe that even that simple task is beyond your abilities,” Scourge said, taunting the dracoliche. “You had ample opportunities to slay us all and did nothing. If the rest of Lord Ouroboros’s servants are as stupid as you, we have nothing to fear from the upcoming war.”

With a look of pure rage and hate, the dracoliche roared and charged towards the doom hound. Waiting for the right moment, Scourge jumped into the shadows of a nearby pile of spines. With an earth shattering crash, the bone dragon had rammed the wall so hard that pieces of the ceiling began falling.

Jumping out from the shadows, Scourge laughed at Travenro’s sorry state. The dracoliche bones were cracked from the impact, and the once potent magic’s powering the draconic runes were now a sickly shade of green instead of the vivid green they had once been. Panting, the doom hound malevolently grinned. “Why not rest those weary bones,” he said, “in fact I could help you rest permanently.”

“I shall enjoy seeing you suffer doom hound,” Travenro replied, preparing himself for another charge. “I think that you have only a little strength left in your soon to be corpse.”

“Whether I live or die is of no concern,” Scourge replied, jumping into the shadows once again. “Before the day is through you will see the pit by my paws…”

“That’s just fine with me. All who come here, come to die,” the guardian said, opening his mouth to release a jet of magical green flames. When he released the flames, everything they touched started glowing with magical energy.

From his shadows, Scourge felt the heat from the magical fire devouring his place of refuge. “I can’t take much more of this, there’s so little of the shadows left,” he thought.

“Trespasser, I can keep this up all day,” Travenro said with a laugh, preparing to release even more flames. “However, I think you’re time is running out.”

Scourge knew his opponent was right, soon the shadows would be all burned away and he would have to face the dracoliche. Although this place was seeped heavily with the Domain of Fire’s power, he could feel the familiar ley lines connected to the Domain of Earth as well. Using the last vestiges of his power, the doom hound prepared to make his last stand. “Oh dread master, I hope my unworthy service has pleased you,” he thought, stepping out of the shadows to face the guardian of the Dragon’s Necropolis.

“So coward,” Travenro spat, “finally run out of places to hide and decided to beg for mercy?”

"Not quite,” Scourge snarled, “tonight I’ll enter the pit and take you along with me.”

“Fool,” the dracoliche laughed, “the house of the dead can’t hold me.”

“Perhaps not guardian,” Scourge said, conceding the dracoliche’s point. “But I’m sure a thousand tons of earth will.”

“What?” Travenro shouted in confusion, as he felt the earth rumbling in protest.

“My King…” Scourge murmured, pounding the ground with his paws. Instantly the earth broke open swallowing the contents of the room, before closing again.

Clover ran as fast as his hooves could carry him, he didn’t know how long Scourge could keep the dracoliche at bay for. “Mister Clover!” Shanks shouted in warning. “Watch out.”

Clover was about to ask why, when he felt the Earth rumbling violently. Looking behind him, he saw a large explosion of earth and stone originating from the repository. “Scourge has fallen,” he said. “Hurry Shanks, the dracoliche is sure to be on his way now.”

Shanks nodded in agreement, as he resumed running towards the exit to this desolate place. “Maybe the bad dog not so bad after all…” he thought to himself.

The city that once lived was silent except for the sounds of a lone hammer pounding against the unyielding metal on the anvil. The Slave King inspected his handiwork, the weapon was nearing completion. He only needed the objects of power and it would be ready for its first taste of battle.

“King, you hairless monkey,” a jovial voice said. “What in Equestria are you doing?”

The man working at the forge nearly dropped his hammer and tongs in surprise. “Snowe, don’t sneak up on me like that,” the man said in protest, the fire and heat of the forge illuminating his pallid flesh. “I nearly had a heart attack.”

“You humans are so excitable,” the griffin teased. “But what are you doing out at this hour? If Lasher catches you it’ll be the whips again.”

“Lasher can go hang himself with his own whip,” King replied. “If he gives me any trouble I’ll tell him I’m working on some repairs for the master.”

“You certainly play a dangerous game antagonizing him so,” Snowe said. “Brother if I didn’t know better I’d say you enjoy the thrill of annoying him.”

“Let’s just say he’s not the first taskmaster I’ve had to toil for,” King said, his eyes flashing with mischief. “Besides brother, our forms of entertainment are extremely limited.”

The mottled griffin gave his friend a disapproving look. Captured the same day years before, the human and he had grown close enough to consider each other family. Although physically the weakest of them all, Snowe considered the human the most resilient creature he knew. Never willing to give up his hope of escaping to a better life no matter how bleak the future looked, he found King’s optimism infectious. “Brother is that what I think it is?” the griffin asked, pointing his talon towards the metal near the forge.

“It is indeed,” King replied with a chuckle. “You know how the master’s rival owns a dragon don’t you?”

“Yeah Smurg I think his name is. What of it?” Snowe asked in curiosity.

Smurg is probably the only other slave more eager than me wanting to escape,” King explained. “And since I so happened to make the locking mechanism for his restraints and his cage...”

“Another escape attempt?” Snowe asked in disbelief. “But you barely escaped with your life during the last one.”

“Well a little bird told me that Smurg might just be really hungry after being cooped up for so long,” King explained. “It would be a real shame if some of the slaves got eaten before he left.”

“Ah,” Snowe said, as he finally understood how his brother was planning to let them escape. “And Smurg actually agreed to it?”

“Well who do you think came up with the idea?” King said, resuming shaping the metal. “Just make sure you and Bleu are standing near me in the great market tomorrow.”

The human stood in the market stall hawking the jewelry, metal work, and leather work he had spent the previous week making for his master. Both Little Bleu and Snowe were there calling to passersby to see the finest craftsmanship to be had in the Diamond Vale.

“Don’t worry it’ll be soon,” King said, straightened up some of the assorted wares.

“Not soon enough for you,” an angry voice said.

Turning around King stood face to muzzle with the surliest minotaur to ever walk Celestia’s green earth. “Lasher,” he said, resuming straightening the wares, “what an unexpected surprise.”

“He’s not coming he’s dead,” the minotaur said.

“Who’s dead?” he asked.

“My apologies my King,” Second said, unsure how the Slave King would take the news of the loss of his lieutenant. “Scourge’s gem has gone dark.”

The Slave King opened his mouth to say something but thought the better of it, turning around he resumed shaping the metal at the forge. “That is unfortunate,” he said, his voice void of any emotion.

“Shall I call for my hounds to slay his killer?” Second asked, hoping to secure his position as Scourge’s replacement.

“Leave me Second,” the Slave King said, his hammer not missing a beat. “That will be all, you’re dismissed.”

Once Second had left him, the Slave King found his chest tightening and constricting while his eyes burned from something other than the heat and smoke of the forge’s fire.

“Brother, It was a sound plan,” Snowe said, trying to console his friend. “He was old and tired.”

“But it’s my fault he died trying to escape,” King replied, feeling responsible for Smurg’s death.

Snowe placed his talon on the human’s shoulder. “At least he died a free dragon.”

“Perhaps I should abandon this mad quest,” the human said. “I don’t think I could ever forgive myself if either you or Bleu were to suffer the same fate.”

“Never give up,” Snowe fiercely said. “Your optimism is the only thing keeping me from slipping into despair.”

“Alright brother,” King replied.

“Let’s drink to his memory,” Snowe said, offering a wineskin full of cheap booze to his brother.

“To Smurg!” they said in unison, taking a small swig of the cheap alcohol.

“Here’s to you King, may your hopes be rewarded,” Snowe said, offering a toast.

“Here’s to you Snowe,” the man said, “may you keep me grounded.”

When he didn’t hear a response the Slave King looked behind him and saw nothing but the ruined city all around him. Shrugging his shoulders, the Lord of the Earth resumed his work on the weapon.

As his hammer fell, sparks flew and the metal groaned in complaint. The echoes of the hammer strikes filled the dead city, only to be interrupted by the quiet echo of the words “Here’s to you Snowe.”

Sir Stouthorn struggled against the unyielding silk he was tangled in. The blighter Terrorantula had him for sure. Try as he might, he found his ax completely useless for cutting the sticky strands of silk. Looking down at his prey, Terrorantula chuckled evilly. “Any last words for your next of kin?” he asked, the struggling knight.

Sir Stouthorn couldn’t think of anything to say. Instead he did the first thing to come to his mind, swinging his ax as hard as he could and hoping for the best.

Terrorantula saw his prey attempting a last ditch effort to save his fluids. Before he could react however, the sky above the arena lit up with an explosion of color blinding all eight of his eyes. Before he could recover from being blinded, he felt the ax bury itself deeply into his face,

“Arghh!” Terrorantula screamed in pain. Shaking his head back and forth and using his mandibles, he tried desperately to dislodge the weapon buried in his head.

Sir Stouthorn gripped the ax tightly and felt himself being freed from the strands of silk holding him to the ground. Now freed from the spider’s snare, he pulled hard on his ax, removing it from the giant spider. Once it was freed from his head, Terrorantula screamed once again as black ichor issued forth from his gaping wound.

Blinded and wounded Terrorantula stumbled around blindly trying to find the minotaur so he could end the fight quickly. Sensing Sir Stouthorn’s vibrations, the arachnid turned towards him and raised a leg to knock him to the ground. Before the spider could unleash his blow the knight deftly spun out of the way and swung his ax hard, cleaving the limb in twain.

“I will devour you slowly for this outrage,” Terrorantula bellowed, blindly shooting webbing in all directions.

Sir Stouthorn dodged the silken strands and positioned himself behind the spider’s thorax. Raising his weapon he brought it down, cleaving the spider’s spinnerets.

Black ichor and liquid silk oozed out of the gaping wound, as Terrorantula screamed in pain, “Ahhh!”

The audience watching the fight looked on in silent fascination, as they watched Sir Stouthorn’s ax expertly dispatching the giant spider.

Terrorantula, now blinded, wounded, and lame, struggled to keep his balance as he cowered in the corner afraid for his life.

Sir Stouthorn looked at the great beast and began singing in a baritone voice:

Sir Stouthorn approached the spider with his weapon at the ready.

Raising his ax, the minotaur prepared to land a killing blow.

Then thinking better of it, Sir Stouthorn lowered his weapon.

Walking away from Terrorantula, Sir Stouthorn bowed to the Lawgiver.

Ending his song, Sir Stouthorn bowed to the audience and to Lord Triton.

The audience having held their collective breathes during the fight applauded and cheered the knight for impressive display of martial skills.

Lord Triton looked at his champion quivering in fear, and shook his head in disgust. “Podo, Codo,” he said, “see to Terrorantula.”

The twin seaponies nodded affirmatively and floated down towards the arena floor to escort Terrorantula below the arena.

Lord Triton raised his hand to quiet the audience, “All hail the champion!” he said, placing a golden laurel atop Sir Stouthorn’s head. In turn the audience followed along shouting their praises to the minotaur. Lord Triton stroked his mustache, and led the assembled seaponies in a toast to the knight’s great prowess in battle. “Sir Stouthorn, I shall gladly grant you any boon, if it’s in my power to give,” he said.

“Lord Triton,” Sir Stouthorn said, wiping off his ichor covered ax with a cloth, “My quest requires one of your pearls.”

Lord Triton nodded his head, “Ah, so he thinks to use my power against me?” he said, pulling out a pearl from beneath his robe. “Well I gave my oath after all. I just hope you realize how vulnerable my domain is now.”

“Lord Triton,” Sir Stouthorn said, taking the pearl and placing it in his satchel, “the Slave King has sworn an oath by his iron crown that no harm shall come to you by us completing our quest.”

“Regardless Sir Stouthorn,” Lord Triton said. “Remember your oath and to whom you have sworn fealty.”

“Lord Triton, I have also sworn an oath to the quest,” Sir Stouthorn replied, his green eyes looking up at his lord.

“Can I convince you to give up your quest for the Slave King?” Lord Triton asked the knight plainly.

“Only death will dissuade me,” Sir Stouthorn replied, “and even then it will have a fight ahead of it.”

Lord Triton shook his head sadly, “If that’s your wish knight,” he said, before returning to his seat.

Dozens of his finest knights converged on Sir Stouthorn with their weapons drawn. Seafoam seeing his master outnumbered by the many knights of the Lawgiver surrounding him drew his trident and leapt off the stands to join his master’s side. “Sir Stouthorn!” he cried, pointing his trident towards the nearest seapony.

“Seafoam,” Sir Stouthorn said, readying his weapon, “while your devotion is admirable, there’s no need for both of us to fall.”

“I’m sorry master, I can’t let you face them all alone,” Seafoam said, “if we must die today, then I’m proud to go down fighting by your side.”

“Knights you're to offer them no quarter,” Lord Triton said, as he prepared to watch the massacre commence.

“Shall I go high and you go low?” Seafoam asked, his gold eyes looking back and forth.

“I thought we should take the low road instead,” Sir Stouthorn said, flipping a coin into the air.

“Is that…” Seafoam asked.

“It is,” Sir Stouthorn said, “let’s hope Nidhogg isn’t tardy.”

Almost immediately the earth beneath their feet began rumbling as a large black head emerged from the ground. “Well hello there, did anypony miss me?” Nidhogg said, laughing like a loon. “I’m assuming you want passage for two?”

“Thank you for your prompt arrival Nidhogg,” Sir Stouthorn said, keeping his weapon aloft to hold the other knights at bay. “It’s most appreciated.”

“I take there’s no time to see the sights?” Nidhogg asked hopefully.

“Regrettably no,” Sir Stouthorn replied. “I think the Lawgiver will be out of sorts for the next little while.”

“What are you waiting for?” Lord Triton shouted to his knights, “stop them before they escape!”

“And that’s our cue to get the hades out of Utz’ Slith Slaan,” Nidhogg said, coiling around his passengers. “Grab hold of my spines, and for the love of Celestia whatever you do don’t let go!”

“Sir Stouthorn,” Seafoam asked, as they sank into the earth, "do you think that Lord Triton will forgive us?”

“Well he can’t fault us for following the first or second laws,” Sir Stouthorn replied.

“Well we can only hope that the Slave King is a stallion of his word,” Seafoam said.

“Trust in the quest lad, it will provide a way,” Sir Stouthorn cheerfully replied.

“I just hope the others are doing better than us,” Seafoam said, his face full of worry.

Sir Stouthorn gave a hearty laugh, “If I know Shaw and Clover, they’re doing swimmingly,” he said.

“I just hope your right,” Seafoam replied, “I just hope your right.”

“The ghastly gorge certainly lives up to its name,” Shaw muttered, as he fought against the powerful headwinds that threatened to knock him into the walls of the deep gorge.

“Be careful my little egg,” Lady Zephyr said, “things are going to get progressively more difficult, and we haven’t even faced the quarray eels yet!”

“Oh damn, I forgot all about the quarray eels!” Shaw grumbled, bitterly cursing his own stupidity as a massive eel narrowly missed biting him in half.

“Oh that was a close one my little egg,” Lady Zephyr said, her musical voice filling the air with her laughter.

Up and down, back and forth, Shaw artfully weaved avoiding the giant eel’s jaws. Pumping his wings repeatedly, Shaw vowed he would finish first this time. Lady Zephyr’s tail was directly in front of him, all he needed to do was release another burst of speed and he’d be able to reach the end of the gorge before the goddess and possibly gain some headway.

“You’ll never win if you stare at my supple flanks all day,” Lady Zephyr said, pumping her powerful wings a few times once again leaving Shaw behind.

“Damn it!” Shaw cursed. “I’ll never win at this rate.”

On nearly the other side of Equestria atop the largest peak of Darkpaw’s Spine, Showboat watched the ongoing race. “Oh dear, Shaw seems to be having trouble keeping up with Lady Zephyr,” she said, biting down on her lower lip in worry.

Lady Suzaku noticed the unicorn’s concern, and flew down next to her. “Enjoying the race love?” she asked, staring at Showboat with her ruby eyes.

“I’m just so worried for Shaw,” Showboat said, confessing her unspoken fears. “The last three challenges were brutal, and I don’t know what I’d do if Shaw was badly hurt.”

“Your Shaw is somefeather that knows how to take care of himself,” Lady Suzaku said. “You’re lucky to have somefeather like him to love. I envy you mortals sometimes.”

“Why is that Lady Suzaku?” Showboat asked her blue eyes full of curiosity. “You’re beautiful, graceful, and powerful. Anypony would love to have you for their special somepony.”

“Among mortals yes,” Lady Suzaku sighed. “But among the pantheon, finding an eligible mate is a bit trickier. Most of the males of the pantheon either already have somefeather or are single by choice.”

“Seems that being a goddess is a lonely job,” Showboat said.

“Well it can be sometimes,” Lady Suzaku said, “but sometimes seeing somefeather’s love blossoming like what Shaw and you share makes it all worthwhile.”

“Perhaps you should consider a mortal, if there’s nopony suitable on the pantheon,” Showboat suggested.

“How scandalous!” Lady Suzaku giggled. "I wonder what Zephy and the rest of the pantheon would say if I consorted with mortals. But your kind’s lives are so fleeting.”

“Isn’t it said, tis better to have loved and lost then never to have loved at all?” Showboat replied.

“Perhaps I shall consider it one day,” Lady Suzaku said, before returning her attention to the magic flames overhead. “Oh look, they’re about to reach the Howling Canyon near the Diamond Vale. What a magnificent city it once was. Have you ever had the chance to see it before it was destroyed?”

“I’ve only been there recently,” Showboat said, carefully trying to avoid revealing any important information. “But from what I could see the city must have been magnificent to behold.”

“Indeed it was,” Lady Suzaku agreed, “but of late it appears to have suffered under its new management. Perhaps it could use a woman’s touch.”

Showboat shivered involuntarily when she thought back to her meeting with the Slave King. “Well he didn’t strike me as the sort of pony who’d care to settle down.”

“Hmm,” Lady Suzaku mused, “perhaps once your business here is concluded you could formally introduce me to him.”

Showboat raised her eyebrow questioningly at the deity, “Well perhaps if we survive all this,” she said.

“Alright then it’s a deal,” Lady Suzaku replied.

“Hey look at Shaw,” Slick called out, “he’s neck and neck with Lady Zephyr.”

Showboat looked up and saw Shaw and Lady Zephyr racing each other at breakneck speeds through hundreds of progressively smaller stone rings that made the distinctive howls of the Howling Canyon. “Wow look at Shaw threading the eye of the needle,” she said, marveling at Shaw’s impressive agility.

For once Lady Zephyr was at a disadvantage. Shaw being a bit smaller than the mistress of the air and having a smaller wingspan was able to navigate through the stone rings easier. Unable to fly through the stone rings side by side with her challenger, Lady Zephyr was being forced to fly after him instead.

“Woo hoo Shaw, you can do it!” Showboat whooped in excitement, pounding her hooves in applause.

“Don’t be counting your victory just yet,” Lady Suzaku said with a gentle smile. “They still have to complete the most dangerous leg of the journey, the Steamspout Fields.”

“The Steamspout Fields,” Showboat asked with concern in her voice. “What exactly is the Steamspout Fields?”

“Oh the Steamspout Fields is only the most dangerous place in all Equestria,” Slick said, chewing on a ruby.

“What?” Showboat shouted. “Just how dangerous are we talking about?”

“Well the fields are full of geysers that could go off at any time,” Slick explained. “The water is so hot it could cook a full grown pony in ten seconds flat.”

“Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear,” Showboat said, starting to panic. “We have got to do something before somepony is hurt or seriously killed.”

“I don’t think Zephy is in any real danger,” Lady Suzaku said, “besides a steam bath would help her get rid of that horrid black dye.”

“I’m talking about Shaw,” Showboat said, “who in their right mind thought that crossing something that was an instant deathtrap was a good idea anyways.”

“Well it was a race across all of Equestria after all,” Lady Suzaku said. “I couldn’t just leave out the Domain of Fire out of the circuit. Lord Ouroboros might have gotten upset knowing he was being left out.”

“What,” Showboat asked, “what’s that got to do with anything?”

“Well dragons can be a bit petty,” Lady Suzaku explained. “Believe you me. You don’t want to have a dragon holding a grudge against you. Why one time I remember a green dragon and I were…”

“We need to do something,” Showboat said, interrupting the phoenix’s story.

“Well I suppose I could help you, but I promised Zephy not to interfere,” Lady Suzaku said, placing a pinion to her beak.

“Help me and I’ll make sure that the Slave King knows it was you who ensured our success,” Showboat said, hoping her offer would entice the goddess to help them.

“Deal,” Lady Suzaku said, plucking out a feather from her plumage and handing it to Showboat. “When you deliver the items to him, hand my feather to the Slave King and advise him his secret admirer wishes him well.”

“Alright,” Showboat agreed. “So how do we prevent Shaw from being roasted alive?”

“Oh leave that to me,” Lady Suzaku said, flying off towards the ring of fire. Hovering in front of the image of Lady Zephyr, the phoenix’s eyes burst into flame. “Zephy,” she said, “How are you doing?”

“Zuzu,” Lady Zephyr muttered, “Not now, I need to concentrate, I’m almost at the Steamspout fields.”

“Yes, about that Zephy,” Lady Suzaku said. “You know how I promised to not interfere…”

“Zuzu don’t you dare,” Lady Zephyr growled. “Or so help me I will give you such a pinch when I get back.”

“Sorry I hope you’re not too mad,” Lady Suzaku said.

“Sorry for what…” Lady Zephyr asked, right before a wall of steam blasted her from below.

Lady Zephyr screamed and fell towards the ground when she felt the boiling water hit her divine flesh. Although immortal, she could still feel pain and right now she was feeling quite a lot of it. “Zuzu!” she cried out. “I’ll get you for this.”

Overhead she saw Shaw flying through the Steamspout fields unmolested. Apparently Lady Suzaku was using her divine powers to provide the griffin with a safe path to the other side. Weak and exhausted, the mistress of the air was about to concede the race when she saw Shaw banking sharply and heading towards her. What is that hatchling trying to do, she thought to herself.

“Lady Zephyr are you alright?” Shaw shouted, as he dove towards the ground.

“Yes I’m in a bit of pain but I’ll be okay,” Lady Zephyr replied. “But if you’re hit by the geysers here you’ll be killed for sure.”

“Then let us be off before that happens,” Shaw said.

Both griffins nodded in agreement and launched themselves into the air, right before the ground exploded sending a gust of steam skyward.

“Shaw,” Lady Zephyr said, as geysers of steam shot up all around them, “the steam spouts here explode at random, so the best thing to do is move forward as fast as you can and keep your eyes peeled and hope for the best.”

“How far do the fields extend for?” Shaw asked, banking to the left to avoid a geyser of steam.

“Just before we hit the Dragon’s Necropolis,” Lady Zephyr said, avoiding several more columns of steam. “If you have any speed left in those wings of yours I would suggest using them now.”

“Alright, I probably have one more burst of speed left in me before I keel over in exhaustion,” Shaw said.

“Okay,” Lady Zephyr agreed, “I’ll ride in your wake and we’ll use it to escape the Steamspout fields together.”

Nodding in agreement, Shaw began beating his wings as fast as he could, ignoring his muscles screams of agony. Picking up speed, magic crackled along his rainbow hued wings as he forced himself through the air.

Seeing the sight before her, Lady Zephyr was amazed by the griffin’s power. Preparing herself for the oncoming explosion, she closed her eyes and hoped for the best. Moments later a magical wave of energy hit her and she found herself being carried forward even faster then she had ever gone before. Opening her eyes, she looked downwards and saw the landscape moving past them at unimaginable speeds. Looking forwards all she could see was Shaw’s rainbow wake. Mustering all her power she screeched at him in hopes that he could hear her, “How do we stop?” she asked.

A moment later she heard his response, “I’m not sure,” he said with a chuckle. “I usually just keep going till it stops on its own. Hopefully we’ll stop before we hit mountains up ahead.”

“Oh buck me,” Lady Zephyr swore.

Clover and shanks were running through the Dragon’s Necropolis as quickly as they could. Although it had been over an hour since the tremors they’d heard earlier had stopped, he wasn’t willing to take any chances. “Come on shanks, we’re almost home free,” he said, spying the gateway that led into the canyon that would take them into the Domain of Fire.

“Little pony why are you trying to leave without saying goodbye?” a familiar voice cackled. “I still have to give you your parting gifts.”

“Ahhh!” Clover screamed in fright. “Shanks run as fast as you can, I’ll try to keep the dracoliche at bay!”

“I think not!” the voice menacingly said, as bones rose from the earth barring the path out of the Dragon’s Necropolis. “Now it’s time to put you two to bed.”

“Shanks, stay close to me!” Clover said, as his eyes frantically searched for their tormentor.

“Little pony I must congratulate you on your performance,” Travenro said. “Noscale has ever gotten as close to escaping as you did.”

“Travenro, show yourself,” Clover shouted, feeling fear beginning to overtake him.

Shanks whined as he smelled the dracoliche’s scent getting stronger all around them. “Mister Clover…” he barked. “The dead thing is close. Me so scared.”

“Little pup,” Travenro mockingly said, “dying isn’t so bad, I died earlier today and I’m none the worse for the wear. I mean that Scourge fellow put up such a fight when I ended him. He thought he could send me to the pit, but I saw him off instead. You mortals are such funny little things.”

“Now since you’re exhausted and tired I’m going to be nice and let you die quick, or if you want I’ll let you fight me. Which would you prefer?” the dracoliche asked.

“Me Gem Biter,” Shanks growled. “Me fight you until the end!”

“Sorry Travenro,” Clover said, dropping the scale and spine by the bones that were barring their path while filling his horn with magic. “We’ll not go quietly to the slaughter.”

“Ugh!” Travenro growled in annoyance. “Why can’t you adventurer’s just lie down and die. Have you no common courtesy, do you have any idea how long it’s going to take me to clean up after your little stunt, ages. And let me tell you what else, Lord Ouroboros isn’t going to be pleased when he sees what’s happened to his repository.”

“Maybe if you let us go and get to cleaning, it will be over before you know it,” Clover suggested.

“I think not,” Travenro growled. “In fact I’m not even going to bother with any more witty banter.”

Clover felt the earth beneath his hooves shake, “Shanks run,” he shouted, lowering his horn to fire at the first sign of the dracoliche.

Before the blue unicorn had the chance to cast a single spell, the ground beneath his hooves exploded upwards sending him flying towards the bone barrier. “Ugh,” he moaned, trying to regain his bearings. Looking up he saw the dracoliche approaching him menacingly.

“I’m so going to enjoy this,” the dracoliche said with a laugh.

Shanks, desperate to protect his friend ran towards the dracoliche and bit down as hard as he could on his claw. Travenro just flicked the pup away with his claws, sending him into the air to land on Clover. “Now which one shall I kill first,” the dracoliche said, strumming his claws on the ground. “Oh I know, since you’re such good friends how about if I crush you both at the same time!”

Raising his skeletal claw above them menacingly, the dracoliche laughed. “Tell the doom hound better luck next time when you see him,” Travenro said, as he prepared to crush the two friends.

“Sorry I was unable to protect you Shanks,” Clover said.

“Mister Clover you my bestest friend,” Shanks replied, licking the unicorn weakly. “Me happy to see my ma, pa, brothers, and Lord Darkpaw again.”

“Master I’m sorry about your hat…” Clover said, closing his eyes as he prepared to receive the deathblow.

Clover felt the ground rumbling beneath his feet, and heard the dracoliche roar in pain. “Argh! My good eye!” he screamed.

Looking up, Clover saw a wake of magical rainbow colored energy across the sky. Looking towards the blocked path, he saw that the bones blocking it had been knocked down. Seeing that this was their opportunity to escape, he prodded Shanks with his muzzle and lifted the scale and spine with his magic. “Quickly Shanks, now’s our chance to escape!” Clover said, galloping towards the exit.

Not needing to be told twice, Shanks ran past Clover like a bat out of hades. Clover galloped after him as quickly as he could. Slowly he felt the innate magic’s of the Dragon’s Necropolis fading away. Using his magic he levitated the magic coin to summon Nidhogg out of his saddlebag and hoped that the dracoliche couldn’t follow after them. Behind him in the Dragon’s Necropolis, he heard the dracoliche’s frustrated roars when it discovered that its prey had escaped it once again.

Not even daring to look back, Clover continued to run as fast as his hooves could carry him in a frantic race for survival. Up ahead he saw that Shanks had made it out of the valley and into the Domain of Fire, from behind him he felt the thunderous booms as the dracoliche chased after him. The exit was now only fifty lengths away, the unicorn could almost taste freedom as he pushed himself to reach the end before Travenro could catch up with him. Now only twenty lengths away from the exit, he could hear the guardian of the Dragon’s Necropolis bones grind together as he chased after him. His muscles and magic were nearly spent. His body pleaded with him to let it to rest but at only five lengths away from safety, Clover redoubled his efforts and forced his body to continue galloping forward. The foul stench of death filled his nostrils, as he smelled that the dracoliche was now nearly on top of him. Cresting over the rise that led into the Domain of Fire, he pushed himself a bit further and jumped as he felt the mighty jaws of the bone dragon nearly missing his flanks.

Flying through the air, the exhausted unicorn rolled down the dusty hill, coming to a stop at the base of the hill next to where the spine and scale had landed. Looking up, Clover smiled triumphantly at the scowling face of the dracoliche whose head was sticking out from the path and looking back down at him. After a minute the dracoliche frowned and asked, “What are you smiling about? I’m like right next to you.”

“You mean you can leave the Dragon’s Necropolis?” Clover asked, his face going pale.

“Well technically no,” Travenro admitted.

Clover felt relief fill him when he heard the dracoliche’s confession and tried standing up. “Well I’m glad that’s over,” he said, panting in exhaustion.

“Actually,” Travenro said with a dark chuckle, placing a claw on the Domain of Fire, “I’m only technically not supposed to leave. But you know I’ve never been one to follow the rules.”

Travenro looked down at the little pony that had caused him so much grief, “You know,” he said, “I normally would have probably given up at the gates, but since you’ve caused me so much grief I’ve decided to make a special exception for you.”

“Shanks run away as far as you can!” Clover said, trying unsuccessfully to fill his horn with magic. All he could muster was a few pathetic sparks that quickly died out.

“How rich little unicorn,” the dracoliche gloated, “powerless and now at my mercy.”

The dracoliche picked up the exhausted unicorn and flung him up in the air. As Clover spun in the air, he looked down and saw the waiting jaws of the dracoliche. Too tired to care any longer, he prayed to Celestia that it wouldn’t hurt too much.

Right before Travenro was about to enjoy his pony snack, he felt himself sinking into the ground. “Hey what gives,” he said, looking down at the earth in confusion.

Clover taking advantage of the dracoliche’s confusion landed on his snout and trotted down his spine towards the waiting ground.

“Hey get back here! I was planning on eating you, you know,” the dracoliche demanded, slamming his right claw against the earth in an attempt to free his body only to find that his claw sank deeply up to his elbow.

“What kind of sorcery is this?” Travenro shouted, leaning on his left arm to help pry himself free, only to sink even deeper into the unyielding ground. Trying to access the innate magic of the Dragon’s Necropolis to free himself, the dracoliche found himself completely cut off from the source of his power. “Oh so that’s why I wasn’t ever supposed to leave.”

“So Clover, where’s Scourge,” a mischievous voice asked.

Clover looked up and saw the grinning face of Nidhogg above him, “He didn’t survive,” Clover said, tears of relief streaming down his face. “He sacrificed himself to save us. I’m sorry.”

“Oh the Slave King will not be happy when he hears about that,” Nidhogg said, looking at the dracoliche thoughtfully.

Travenro, now just a skull and a few vertebrae sticking out of the ground, looked back and forth nervously with his remaining eye. “Hey now there’s no reason we can’t all just get along you know,” he said, with a nervous laugh.

“Clover, what should I do with him?” Nidhogg asked, slithering around the helpless skull.

“Hey come on guys,” Travenro said, pleading for his life. “I was just doing my job and you guys come in and wreck the joint.”

“Leave him…” Clover said, wiping the tears from his muzzle with his hoof. “We have to return the scale and spine to the Slave King before it’s too late.”

“See you were always my favorite pony!” the dracoliche said, as Clover, Shanks, and Nidhogg sank into the earth.

“So now what?” the dracoliche wondered aloud as a raven landed on his head. Looking up he felt the bird begin pecking at his skull. “Oh I’m never going to hear the end of this…”

“Shaw, I must commend you on an excellent race,” Lady Zephyr said, handing him a bag containing three of her feathers and the fang of Darkpaw. “And seeing as I was riding in your wake as I crossed the finish line I concede the race to you.”

“Thank you Lady Zephyr,” Shaw replied, taking the bag and handing them to Showboat. “As per our agreement I will tell you why we sought the items.”

“Oh how exciting,” Lady Suzaku said, “interdomain gossip! I just can’t wait to hear what this was all about.”

“The Slave King,” Shaw said, "is facing off against Lord Ouroboros in a few days and he needed the items to make a weapon of some sort. That’s all we were told.”

“How curious,” Lady Zephyr said, placing her talon to her beak. “What good would that weapon do, he’s not vulnerable to the domains of the air or earth.”

“That’s something we don’t know,” Shaw admitted. “But the Slave King did ask us not to tell you of the reason for our task.”

“Oh the plot thickens!” Lady Suzaku chirped, excitedly clapping her wings together. “I can’t wait to see the look on that jerk’s face when the Slave King faces him.”

“When are the Slave King and Lord Ouroboros facing off against each other?” Lady Zephyr asked.

“I believe in three days,” Showboat said.

“You’ll never make it in time,” Lady Zephyr said. “Shall I have some of my griffins carry you to the badlands?”

“Thank you Lady Zephyr, but no,” Showboat said, flashing a silver coin into the air. “Our mode of transportation has already been arranged for.”

“Then I wish you all good luck,” Lady Zephyr said.

“Shaw, make sure you keep your mare happy,” Lady Suzaku said. “And I look forward to attending your wedding.”

“Wedding…” Shaw said, narrowing his eyes at Showboat as they trotted down the path away from the Golden Eyrie. “Just what were you up to while I was racing against Lady Zephyr?”

“Darling, don’t worry about it,” Showboat said, with a coy smile. “I’ll tell you all about it on the way back to the Diamond Vale.”

“Mares… Ouch, damn it!” Shaw grumbled, as he felt Showboat bite down hard on his wing. “What the buck was that for?”

“Just my little way of saying I love you,” Showboat said, before silencing Shaw’s protests with a tender kiss on his beak.

“I think I’m going to need a drink,” Shaw said with a sigh.

“Hey Nidhogg’s waiting for us,” Slick excitedly said, as he breathed flames on a scroll. “Finally we can end this nonsense and get back to making money.”

“Who was that for?” Showboat asked in curiosity.

“Oh just a status report for the princesses,” Slick replied, biting into an emerald.

“So I take it everything went well?” Nidhogg asked, as he waited for his passengers to board.

“Yeah, well enough I suppose,” Shaw replied.

“Okay everyscale, you all know the drill,” Nidhogg said, flexing his muscles as he preparing to dive into the ground, “keep anything you wish to keep attached to you to close to my scales, and keep your mouths closed unless you care for the taste of dirt.

Sinking deep into the ground, Nidhogg chuckled when he heard his passengers spitting the dirt out from their mouths. “Heh, heh, heh,” he laughed. “That never gets old.”

Scourge awoke lying in a green field. Far above him he saw the Celestia’s sun shining down bathing him with its golden rays. Spying a path, he followed it till he came across a tree that seemed to reach towards the heavens. Spying a mare sitting under its shade, he asked, “May I share this tree with you?”

“I’m sorry I can’t,” she said. “I’m saving this spot for somepony very important to me.”

“Ah I understand,” Scourge replied, resuming walking down the path towards places unknown.

Authors Notes:

As always gentlereader comments are always appreciated. At ninety-four thumbs up, the story is nearly at one hundred, and thereby eligible for the box up top. So if you enjoyed the story, and haven't given me a thumbs up yet. Please consider it so my next update will hit the featured stories list so more people can find out about the story and enjoy it.

Thank you gentlereader for reading and more importantly for your patience. I must admit I found these last two chapters trying to write. I knew I wanted the quest to retrieve the divine objects to be epic, but didn't know quite how to go about it. Hopefully the end product was worth the wait. With all but the final confrontation between Lord Ouroboros and the Slave King and the epilogue to write, the story is drawing to its close. Fortunately I know exactly how I've wanted to write the next several chapters, so gentlereader the wait between chapters should be much quicker.

Again gentlereaders my most sincere apologies for making you wait so long.

Now onto the interesting bits, the song Sir Stouthorn sand during his arena battle is based off the song "Old Fat Spider" by Maury Laws inspired from The Hobbit by Tolkien, and expertly sung by the talented Glenn Yarbrough. Old Fat Spider. Terrorantula and Antonica were lifted from Everquest.

So gentlereader we find that the Clover's Fellowship has all succeeded in retrieving their requested items. But not without great cost, Sir Stouthorn and Seafoam might never be welcome back in Marelantis and the Domain of Water. Shaw has lost his power of seduction, but seeing as how he's in a committed relationship perhaps that's for the best. And Scourge has fallen.

With the items of divine power soon to be in his possession, the author wonders what exactly the Lord of the earth has planned.

With second scroll being sent to the princesses, we can only wonder if Celestia and Luna will allow the Slave King's plan to go forward unimpeded.

With Lord Triton being embarrassed publicly by Sir Stouthorn, I wonder what will he do? It sounded like he was prepared to send forth his armies against the Earth.

And what of Lady Suzaku and Lady Zephyr? What could those two be planning. Revenge perhaps, or something even more terrifying, like seducing the Slave King?

Let's not forget Lord Ouroboros, with his Dragon's Necropolis desecrated and the Guardian indisposed, we can only speculate how he might react.

With the Slave King's memories becoming more lucid, we can only hope that he can cling to his sanity until after the fight between himself and Lord Ouroboros.

Once again gentlereader thank you for reading the latest chapter of the ongoing story, The Great Slave King. Once this story has been completed expect the second book to commence almost immediately. Until next time!