One of the ancient rules of war claimed that ‘to the victor go the spoils’. The Marked Legions were inclined to agree with who or whatever had created this system as they pillaged the newly conquered Crystal Empire. They took any and everything that had not been destroyed in the siege. Jewelry, gold bits, luxury items, and the like were pilfered with abandon. As for the defeated crystal ponies that once called the city home, their fate was up for debate. All were dragged out of the shelters located in the sub-levels of the towering Crystal Palace and put in chains. As was standard legion practice, the defeated ponies were offered a chance to join the winning side. Some signed up willingly as proverbial black shirts forsaking their perceived weak nation or collaborators seeing monetary opportunity. Others were forcibly taken into the legion as prisoners, particularly wealthy looking nobles and foreign visitors to be ransomed back to their friends and family in Equestria. The rest were left in chains to wait for whatever fate the resurrected King Sombra had in store for them once he made his debut, likely slavery if history was anything to go by. Until then, the Marked Legions had won a hard fought victory and it was time to celebrate in their own way; feasting, drinking, and fornicating to their heart’s content. However, there a comparatively small number of more somber and religiously minded legionaries tending to the solemn matter of giving their fallen warlord his last rites. With no known living relatives and no one willing to transport the body all the way to the Dragon Lands, the legionaries had elected to bury Dugore in his armor along with his warhammer in the crystal plaza. Among them was the minotaur vanguard Stone Skin.

"Rest easy, sir." He whispered as he placed the dragon's horned helm atop an upright crystal spire acting as a headstone.

The minotaur stepped back into the attendant crowd and joined them in reverent silence. While he did not consider himself a religious bull, his encounter with the Lurker had made him aware of such matters. The last thing he wanted was Dugore's wraith haunting him.

"One is bad enough as it is." He muttered under his breath with a glance skyward at the ominous circling clouds.

After a few more moments of giving the dead their due, the legionaries departed to lift their sullen moods. Stone gathered up his loot sack and made for the palace and the feast he knew was being held in the great hall. The burly minotaur passed a pair of revelers in the darkened halls of the corrupted palace. He paid them no mind as they tumbled together into an empty room, the passionate sounds of hard loving soon following. The legionnaire adjusted his grip on a sack of loot slung across his broad shoulders. It had been awhile since he had known the company of the opposite sex but he was more concerned with counting out his loot and getting a mug or two of something strong in his belly.

“Wonder if they have oxymel.” He thought aloud. “I'm getting tired of cider.”

The legion veteran cast a casual glance out a window as he moved through the corridor. The blizzard that had accompanied the legion in the city had finally subsided but ashen clouds till hung over the landscape. In the crimson light of sunset, the once majestic towers of the palace now looked more akin to an intimidating fortress of some dark overlord. The malevolent maelstrom swirling overhead only compounded this observation.

“Defiantly not going to stay here long.” Stone muttered as he continued down the corridor toward the palace’s great hall.

Just as the entrance to the minotaur’s destination came into view, the flapping of wings behind him caught his attention.

“Hey, Stony!” The rough voice of Max called out to him. “Wait up!”

The vanguard paused to allow the griffon to catch up. She landed with a thud, sacks of presumably loot tied to her sides jostling with metallic jingles. Stone gave her a friendly smirk.

“Been wondering what happened to you.” He greeted as she matched pace with him. “You get a good haul?”

“You know it.” Max said, indicating her bags. “One advantage of having wings is being able to get to the noble’s houses first.”

“I suppose so.” The vanguard agreed before moving on to a different topic. “You remember our bet, right?”

“How could I forget?” The griffoness said slyly as she eyed the bag slung over his shoulder. “How many did you get, bull boy?”

“Seventeen.” Stone said, showing her his tally-marked gauntlet. “Twenty-one if you count assists.”

Max’s sharp beak fell open in shock. She held up her own armguard with a similar amount of kill marks scratched on it.

“No fucking way.” She swore in disbelief. “Me, too.”

The two stared at each other. Neither of them had anticipated a tie and had no clue how to resolve such an unlikely occurrence. The awkward silence was broken by Stone’s stomach rumbling.

“How bout we talk about it over a pint or ten?” He offered. “We’ll think of something fair, I'm sure.”

“No argument here.” Max nodded. “Just to warn you, I'm a mad drunk.”

“You’re mad now.” The minotaur jabbed playfully.

This earned a playful yet still solid punch from the griffoness. The two compatriots laughed it off as they reached the large double doors leading into the great hall. Stone pounded a free fist against the wooden frame and waited for someone to answer. The sounds of raucous celebration within made him doubt someone would but after a few seconds, the door creaked open and an unsteady pony peeped out.

“We’re closed!” The inebriated equine announced.

“Very funny.” Max sighed with a roll of her eyes. “Let us in, asshole.”

She got a belch as an answer but the door opened wider none the less. They pushed their way in before the drunken pony on the other end could shut them out. Inside, the once elegant dining hall of nobles had been turned into a facsimile of the mead halls of old. The air reeked of strong drink and smoke. A massive bonfire raged in the center of the room, providing warmth, light, and an easy way to dispose of trash what or whoever that may be. The conquering legionaries were scatter about, retelling personal victories, admiring their loot, or singing off key tunes. As Stone looked for a vacant spot to settle in, a familiar voice caught his attention.

“Oi, Stony! Beaky! Ovah ‘ere!” Fleabag waved the pair over to an unoccupied table with a keg and mugs waiting.

The diamond dog was sitting on a sizable pile of shiny and golden treasures along with a few other canine crooks. It looked like the once menial mutt was moving up in the world and some of his fellow hounds knew it.

“I see you made out like a bandit.” Stone greeted his fellow vanguard with a friendly smile. “Just what do you plan to do with all that?”

The dog let out a rough laugh as he ran an affectionate paw over his haul.

“Harhaha! I’ll tellz ya wot I’m gonna do. Me ‘n some ‘o da boyz ‘ere iz gonna get the ‘ardest, flashiest kits this stuff can buy an’ take over da clanz in de south! Dey need ah dog like me down there.” Fleabag explained proudly. "Then after we get da powah, we get da bitches."

Stone nodded in approval as he and Max unloaded their sacks of loot, mindful of any grubby paws straying too close to them. The dog may have been a simple creature but he had his priorities in line.

“I can see it now.” The griffoness said, spreading her claws out in front of her as if reading a headline. “Warchief Fleabag, Master of Hounds and Alpha of Equestria. Has a nice ring to it.”

“Ya damned right, it doez!” The prospective warchief agreed with a celebratory swig of beer. “How’z about you? Wot you gonna do with your loot?”

“Well…” Stone trailed off in thought as he filled a pair of mugs for himself and Max. “I’ve been thinking about going back home to Knossos. Invest some of this gold and live like a longhorn.”

“No Sos?” Fleabag cocked his head to the side in confusion. “Ain't evah 'eard of dat place. Where’s dat at?”

“It’s a big island a ways off the west coast of Gryphondom.” Max answered for him. “You can catch a zeppelin there if you got a ticket.”

"Speaking of Gryphondom, I've been curious about something." The minotaur regarded his feathery friend. "Most other griffons I know have a name that starts with 'G'. Gregori, Gwen, Gabby and so on."

"Mm! That is a bit of an unspoken tradition for the birds that live in Grffonstone." The griffoness explained after taking a swig of her drink. "I'm from Skywrath; we don't have such naming conventions."

“Don't think I've ever heard of that place.” Stone said after some thought. "Care to share a bit?"

“Not at all. It's kind of like that pegasus town, Cloudsdale if you know it, except we used mountain peaks as a base instead of pure clouds.” The griffon said proudly. “It has a bit of a reputation as a pirate haven. I used to raid treasure airships out of there with a crew before signing on with the legions."

The former air pirate took a long sip of her drink before speaking again. She had an almost wistful look in her sharp eyes.

"Actually wouldn't mind going back. Get a crew together and find a ship." She said thoughtfully. "I think the bounty on my head expired months ago."

“No ting stoppin’ ya.” Fleabag said. “Wot with da Big Boss ded ‘n all. ‘Less you’re chicken.”

“I am not a fucking chicken!” Max squawked indignantly.

Stone stifled a laugh as the avian legionary turned a bright shade of red, either from embarrassment or anger. Likely the latter given the murderous glare she was giving the diamond dog. He mulled over the possibilities of the three of them travelling south with their ill-gotten gains while Fleabag tried to calm the fuming griffon.

“I got an idea.” He said before Max could throttle Fleabag. “How about we pool our resources and travel together?”

Max tapped her chin with a talon as he pondered over the minotaur’s proposal. She did not plan on staying in the empire long, especially with Sombra taking over. It would not hurt to have a companion or two by her side that she could trust. It also gave her an excuse to stay close to the burly bull.

“I don’t see why not.” She said finally. “Alright, deal.”

“Yea, I’m in ‘n so are they.” Fleabag added while the new members of his growing pack nodded. "Ain't noting dat can stop us!"

The three clinked their mugs together in a cheer.

“To us!” They cried before chugging their drinks.

The three settled into silence for a while, counting their spoils and thinking about the future of the Marked Legions. Without a warlord, the legionnaires were divided about what to do next. Some wanted to stay put in the relatively secure empire until a new warlord rose to the occasion. Others were not so keen with being Sombra’s brainwashed puppets and wanted to head back south and rebuild like they had done before while under Dugore.

“So who’s da git dat krumpted da big boss?” Fleabag asked, breaking the silence.

“I heard that the pony prince blew a hole in him.” Max answered. “But not before old horn-helm turned him into pastel paste with that meat tenderizer of his.”

“Huh. I heard that Sombra got some of his minions to hold him down while that shadow demon tore out his heart.” Stone argued. “I don’t know. I was nowhere near where it happened.”

Feathers and fur stood up on end between the three as the mention of the Lurker brought back memories of spectral foals, ghostly miners, and a tenebrous monster trying to kill them. The simple minded Fleabag recovered first.

“Where iz ol’ Spookums now?” He asked nervously, casting glances at the dancing shadows from the bonfire. "I haven't seen him since da mines."

“Probably trying to get Sombra to sell our souls to it.” Max said while rubbing her neck.

“All the more reason for us to get out of this frozen hellhole.” Stone added, the scar across his chest burning at the memory of his one-sided duel with the necromantic enigma. "I vote we take out leave at dawn."

"Aye." The griffoness and diamond dog agreed.

---

At that moment, the Lurker possessed Mica was inspecting her physical form while Sombra rummaged through Armor’s closet. They had made a quick detour into the royal quarters where Cadenza was being held to get the tyrant some clothes. The enthralled legionaries stood by as still as statues, having not quite reached obedient autonomy as the former crystal guardmare, Spinel. Said lackey was keeping an eye on the deposed Alicorn with a contemptuous scowl.

“I can’t believe this slut was our Crystal Princess.” She spat at the tied and bound Alicorn. “Did you know that the only reason she married Armor was because Celestia arranged it? She would have just humped and dumped him like every other colt she’s been with.”

“I doubt that.” The Lurker thought while his host just gave a noncommittal grunt. “I’ve seen the way she and Armor look at each other. My wife and I used to do the same.”

Mica refocused on her body. The wounds she had sustained had long since healed thanks to his influence, rendering the bandages unnecessary. She absently peeled them off and tossed them.

“This host has served me well but I question her use outside the Frozen North.” The stygian creature mused. “Crystal ponies are somewhat uncommon beyond the mountains.”

The hollow mare glanced over at Cadenza, her subsumed mind processing the possibilities. Wings and a horn were a considerable upgrade from a normal pony. Plus she was trusted by her fellow Princesses. It would make gaining access to the Equestrian heartlands without alerting the likes of Celestia worlds easier should the offer from Luna fall through. The Lurker guided his host to the bed where Cadenza lay and placed a hoof against her head. The pink Princess fidgeted at the cold touch as an otherworldly presence carefully infiltrated her mind. Spinel looked on in a morbid curiosity that overrode her master's programming.

"Let's have a quick look." The Lurker thought as he got a brief glimpse of the Alicorn of Love's inner workings.

For starters, everything was tinted pink and covered in lovely hearts. The ancient apparition was instantly reminded of another immortal being with an love affiliation. He fought the urge to gag.

"I'll give Cadenza credit, at least she included the mental and spiritual side of love, not just the physical. The Lurker observed. "Although she definitely enjoys the latter."

The comparison was reinforced by a gallery of some of the Princesses former lovers in their full glory. It was not as big as Spinel had implied but it was still considerable. Most of the stallions had the strong, rugged yet nice guy look to them with the exception of one or two rough and tumble drifters but all of them bore an eerie resemblance to Shining Armor in terms of build. The Prince-Regent himself was in the center of the gallery, enshrined in gold and decorated with flowers and doves.

"This almost looks obsessive." The dark creature mused. "I need to move on, this pink is giving me a headache."

Going beyond the mental configuration of the mare, the void escapee found a carefully preserved memory: her wedding. The end was a typical affair with joyful relatives and loving couples but the beginning was most interesting. Before preparations for the big day had finished, Cadenza had been attacked and imprisoned by an cunning, insectoid creature.

"So this is a changeling." The Lurker observed the parasitic shapeshifter with interest. "Fascinating, this Chrysalis."

The changeling queen had impersonated Cadenza and taken her place as Armor's bride in a bid to obtain enough love to overpower the defences of Canterlot and invade. Similar to what the warlord, sorcerer and himself had accomplished at the Crystal Empire but unlike the present situation, the parasite's ruse was uncovered by the ever heroic Twilight Sparkle. With the help of her friends, they reunited Cadenza with Armor and expelled the swarm with, of all things, the power of love. The invasive interloper backed out of Cadenza's mind and mulled over this information.

“Hmm. No.” The Lord of Shades decided after a moment of consideration. “She is too well known and the defenders of Equestria would be wary of any changes in her demeanor. Hive Queen Chrysalis saw to that.”

“What did you do?” Spinel asked once Mica backed away from the Princess.

“Just some soul searching.” Mica replied calmly.

“Well, how do I look?” Sombra unknowingly interrupted as he trotted out from behind the overthrown Prince’s closet.

The resurrected monarch had found his old ceremonial steel armor and the regal red and fur trimmed cloak. He now looked every bit the dark tyrant history remembered him as.

“Like the one true king!” The thrall answered zealously.

“Agreed.” Mica said evenly. “All that’s missing is a crown.”

“Among other things.” The tyrant said with a smile. “Which reminds me…”

He called over Spinel who quickly trotted to her master’s side. He patted her affectionately before giving her new orders.

“I need you to act as my herald.” The slaver told her. “Take a few bodyguards and announce to the rabble squatting in my palace that I am offering them all a place in the new imperial legion. I will be down there shortly.”

“As you command, your majesty.” The mare said flirtily as her eyes flared with the king’s dark power.

She departed with a few minions in tow, eager to carry out her lord’s orders. Mica watched her go with a sad shake of her head. Sycophancy was a sad sight to behold.

“You think you’re going to get many legionaries to sign on?” She asked a pleased Sombra. "I think most of them prefer to say mobile."

“Oh, I know I will.” He responded wickedly.

“You’re setting yourself up for a big fall then.” The Lurker mentally criticized.

After one last check to make sure the unconscious Princess was not going anywhere, the two exited the royal chambers and descended the winding stairs to the ground floor. Once they were at the bottom, Sombra turned around and faced where they had just came. Mica was about to accuse him of stalling but the king cut her off.

“Remember why I said unicorns can’t teleport up these things?” The slave master asked with a gesture towards the long flight.

“A precaution, to use your exact words.” Mica answered flatly.

“Watch this.” Sombra said with a knowing grin.

The dark unicorn charged up his curved horn and shot a bolt of magic into the stairs. Coils of energy ran up the sides about halfway up the flight before reconnecting. After a moment of nothing, the hallway began to tremble. Crystal that had not moved in years creaked and groaned as the stairs began moving inward. Soon what had once lead upward now lead down into the depths of the city's foundations. Mica gave Sombra an inquisitive eyebrow, asking for an explanation.

“When my forbearers carved out the catacombs, they had trouble with unicorns accidentally teleporting in or triggering the secret passage.” Sombra explained factually. “So they charged up the crystals with inhibiting magic that only they knew how to counter and boom, problem solved.”

“Clever.” The crystal mare said with a nod. “Shall we, then?”

She gestured for the king to lead the way. Sombra ignited his horn for illumination and they descended into the undercroft of the ancient city. Once they had cleared the entrance, the stairs swung back into place, shutting them alone in the near impenetrable darkness with the magic of the sorcerer as their only guide.

“This leads right into the bedrock of the city.” Sombra said as they moved down the sepulchral tunnel. “Hope you don’t mind a trot.”

“I’ve made it this far, haven’t I?” Mica replied, keeping an even pace with the king.

“So you have.” Sombra admitted.

He fell silent as if contemplating something. After mulling over it for a few moments he addressed Mica again.

“You know, there are plenty of positions open in my resurgent empire.” He said slyly. “Head assassin or spymaster come to mind. The damage you could do to Canterlot alone.”

“That is a considerable step down from what I have in mind.” The Lord of Shades mentally scoffed. “I’d rather go with Luna’s deal.”

“I appreciate the offer.” Mica said neutrally. “I’ll consider it.”

“Allies are hard to come by, my friend.” The slaver said smoothly. “Especially for the likes of you.”

“I really don’t like the way he said that.” The voidian being noted.

The pair continued to delve into the depths in silence with the exception of their hooves on the cold ground and the steady thrum of Sombra’s magical light. In time, the incline of the stairs leveled out and they stood in front of an iron door emblazoned with three crimson gems arranged in a familiar pattern.

“I saw the same pattern over the entrance to the city.” The shadowy creature recalled. "Some type of sigil, perhaps."

Sombra approached the door and pressed each of the gems in a certain order. A metallic click echoed about the subterranean tunnel and the door slowly opened inward. The smell sterilized air wafted out along with a few loose pieces of parchment.

“Behold, the Black Library.” Sombra said dramatically as he shot a spark of magic into the center of the dark room.

It struck a lantern crystal and quickly illuminated the large room. The two trotted inside and looked around. Bookshelves stretched from the floor to the ceiling, each one filled to capacity with tomes, scrolls, and other literature. In addition, glass cases displayed all manner of artifacts and trinkets.

“This more of a museum than a library.” Mica said aloud as she took in the wealth of knowledge before her.

“We kept whatever was important down here.” Sombra explained. “It’s mostly books so we called it a library. Now, if you’ll excuse me for a moment…”

The hollow mare read a few of the titles on the shelves while the tyrant moved over to one of the display cases.

“The First Triumvirate…Trials of Saint Megan…The Faustian Reformation… what a lovely collection.” The Lurker thought. "This is exactly what I was looking for."

His host picked the old tomes off the shelf and carried them to a reading table in the center of the room beneath the lantern. He suspected that it would take a lot more than three volumes to fill in the time gap between the Downfall and the formation of Equestria but this was a good start.

“You have my thanks King Sombra.” Mica said to the unicorn.

Sombra did not respond immediatly as he popped open the display case and withdrew the items inside. He turned around and in his magical grasp were two crowns, both polished silver inlaid with precious stones but one looked bigger than the other.

“His and hers?” The hidden figure guessed.

“You are most welcome but I think I have been ‘king’ long enough.” The tyrant said as he looked over the larger crown. “It’s high time this empire had an emperor again.”

“One ruined city hardly constitutes an empire but whatever.” The Lurker mentally rolled his eyes.

“Then who’s the other crown for?” Mica asked though she had a feeling who the emperor to be had in mind.

“There’s room in my empire for an empress.” Sombra replied with a wicked smile. “One who already has the hearts of the slaves wrapped around her dainty little hoof.”

“Trust me, you are not her type.” The possessed mare bit her tongue to keep herself from saying that.

“Mi Amore Cadenza.” Mica inferred. "I am surprised you don't plan to simply kill her."

"Oh, our rivalry goes back generations." The tyrant explained candidly. "Killing her is not enough. I need to destroy the legacy of the Amores and what better way than to bring the last of them into my thrall?"

"You're making the same mistake as Luna and Celestia." The Lurker thought.

"If you think that is best." Mica said neutrally as she turned back to the books. “I'm sure she will prove most useful."

“Indeed, my friend.” The dark unicorn said evilly as he built magic in his crimson horn. “It’s a shame your usefulness has come to an end.”

“Wasn't that the same thing he said when…!” The tenebrous terror remembered what had happened to the centaur warlock at the last possible second. "OH SHIT!"

Mica whirled around just in time to catch a bolt of dark magic in the chest. She fell to a kneeling position as what felt like molten iron coursed through her veins. Sombra chuckled at the helpless mare as she twitched and spasmed.

“Sorry about that, shadow demon.” He taunted. “But let’s be honest with ourselves. Between you, Dugore and I, we were bound to betray one another eventually.”

“Damn it!” The Lurker thought as he tried to regain control of his cursed host. “I saw this coming but not this soon!”

“I don't know if the hellions sent you after me or if you escaped along with us, demon.” The usurper continued with malicious glee in his voice. “You have been helpful but you are far too dangerous to let roam free. A cage is the only solution for an abomination like you.”

Mica’s body suddenly froze as if paralyzed. At her hooves, crystals began growing out of her flesh. They quickly spread up her legs to her chest and flanks, turning her into a literal crystal pony. The sinister stalker tried to force his host to move but she refused his commands as her blood turned to silicates and bones crystallized.

“Celestia’s not the only one that can have a statue garden.” Sombra said as he watched the mare painfully transform in front of him. “I’ll have some of my minions stick you in the plaza once I’ve solidified my rule. You can keep Dugore company.”

The treacherous tyrant laughed again as Mica’s body was completely covered, leaving only her head exposed. As the spell began moving up her neck, the mare’s expression changed from desperate worry to a stoic stare. Sombra’s felt a chill run down his spine despite himself.

“We’ll see about that.” The Lurker said though Mica’s mouth in tone colder than the entirety of the Frozen North.

The possessed pony maintained her neutral expression even as the crystals enveloped her face. When it was over, a solid mass of crystals in the shape of an equine stood in the middle of the archives. Sombra shook his head and pulled his fur trimmed cloak tighter around himself.

“And they called me a monster.” The sorcerer murmured as he left the library.

He sealed the iron doors behind him and began the long ascent up the stairs. There was one last thing he had to take care of before he could assume full control of his empire. The hopeful emperor withdrew the smaller crown from his side.

“Cadenza is going to be a tough nut to crack.” He pontificated as he climbed the hidden staircase. “But she wouldn’t be the first Princess I've won over.”

---

Shining Armor was in limbo, caught between the numbness of unconsciousness and the agony of reality. Like a cork in a stormy sea, he would surface into wakefulness and catch glimpses of where he was before sinking back into oblivion. He was lying in the palace courtyard, bleeding from his wounds with the sounds of war raging around him. Then he was being dragged by his hooves through a dark hall. His captors talked amongst themselves, mentioning their victory despite the death of their warlord.

“Where…” The Prince-Regent tried to speak to his captors but a ragged whisper was all he could produce.

While too weak to speak, he could still listen to the marauders’ conversation.

“…Sombra in charge now?” One of them, an earth or crystal pony judging by his silhouette, said.

“I hope not.” His rather obvious pegasus compatriot said. “I'm not turning tricks for that creep.”

“Me neither but, with Dugore gone, what can we do?” The first sounded nervous.

“I guess pack up and leave." The pegasus said testily. "It will only be a matter of time before Canterlot find out we're here and brings the hammer down...”

The conversation faded into the background as Armor slipped away. Lost in the sea of darkness again, he tried to find something- anything -he could latch onto less he sink into the absolute blackness of death. He found it in the form of white hot pain. He jerked awake to find a sleepy eyed unicorn trying to treat his wounds while the two ponies who brought him in stood by. Without his armor, the Solar Guard veteran could see just how bad his injuries were. His side and chest were caved in, bruised and ragged flesh punctured by shattered ribs. The white horse’s sudden movements caused the medic to back away and caught the guards’ attention.

“How the Hell is he still alive?” One of them asked, bewildered.

“That’s Armor for you.” The now clearly crystal pony replied. “Too tough to die like some lesser equine.”

“He shouldn’t be awake. Hold him down.” The doctor ordered disinterestedly. "Out like a light, my ass."

The guards forced Armor down even as he struggled to move. The legion medic produced a shot glass of something strong smelling and levitated it to Armor’s mouth. The Prince-Regent refused to accept it, turning his head away.

“Fine, be that way.” The doc huffed irritably. “You’ll probably pass out from pain soon regardless.”

He went back to repairing the wounded stallion, ignoring his patient's agonized groans. Armor’s eyes rolled back in his head as torturous pain engulfed his being and he fell back into unconsciousness. The veteran Solar Guard floated about a dreamless sleep for a while until he became aware of something cold and hard against his cheek. He also heard distant sounds of marching beings and the ambient noise he associated with living in a tower.

“Wake up soldier, you got work to do!” Part of his mind imitated his old drill sergeant and coaxed him awake.

Groggily, Armor opened his eyes. He was lying in a dingy cell somewhere in one of the sublevel dungeons. Strong iron bars made up the door with the rest being solid crystal. His only accoutrements were a straw bed and a bucket for bodily functions. In short, a far cry from the royal suite he had shared with his wife.

“Well look at that. You’re alive.” The voice of the crystal stallion said from the gloomy corridor in front of the cells. “Those wounds should have killed you.”

“Who’s –argh!” Armor tried to sit up but a sudden pain in his ribs cut him off.

“Oh, right. Try not to move too much.” The unidentified guard warned. “That looked pretty bad when the sawbones patched you up.”

The Prince-Regent looked down at his body. He had been stripped to the fur and heavily bandaged around his middle. Numerous cuts and bruises covered his limbs but what concerned him more was his horn. Looking up, he could just barely see that the tip of it was blackened like ash. That was a sure sign that he had burned out; used more magic than he could handle. He would recover in a couple of weeks but until then, he might as well be an earth pony. A sickly, crippled, and beaten earth pony.

“You should see the other guy.” Armor said weakly. “You’re legion, I take it.”

The guard trotted into what little light there was. He was a one-eyed crystal pony wearing the characteristic armor of the empire but with the dragon claws of the Marked Legions etched into the side. Armor frowned like a disappointed parent. This pony was a traitor to his nation and his fellow equines. The guard gave the unicorn an almost apologetic look.

“Sorry, Armor.” He said downcast. “It was either serve or die. You may have gotten Dugore but Sombra is poised to take his place.”

At the mention of the hated tyrant, the white stallion groaned and pressed his head against the floor. He did not need to be reminded that the empire’s greatest foe had cheated death once again and beaten them so soundly. Dugore was just a pawn, granted a really powerful pawn, maybe more like a rook but Sombra was the one really moving the pieces.

“Great.” He thought bitterly as he covered his face in his hooves. “First the Lurker, then Dugore, and now Sombra. It’s official: the universe hates us.”

“Do you know what happened to Cadence?” Armor asked after a period of frustrated grumbling.

“The last I heard, she was near the top of the central tower.” The guard whispered so that any nearby guards would not hear him consorting with a prisoner. “She’s being kept prisoner like you. I think they might ransom her or something.”

“So not all hope is lost.” The husband of the Princess thought as a relieved sigh escaped his lips. “I’ve got to rescue her but first I need to get out of this cell.”

“You have a name, son?” Armor asked as friendly as he could.

“Diamond Cutter.” The legionnaire said.

“Alright, Cutter, do you have the keys to this cell?” The Prince-Regent asked as he pointed to the heavy duty lock of his cell.

The legion guard shot a quick glace to his side where a ring of keys was securely fastened to his belt. He looked back to his former ruler and slowly shook his head. Armor frowned.

“Don’t you dare trot away!” He thought angrily.

“I’m sorry, Armor.” The crystal pony said as he began backing down the hall. “If you escaped, they’ll kill me. Probably torture me first.”

“That won’t happen!” Armor pleaded as tried to persuade his one hope of egress. “Please! We can get through this! This empire has survived worse!”

“No, we can’t.” Diamond Cutter said defeated. “You may have slain the warlord but our army has either been smashed or assimilated, you can barely move, and Equestria is not going to help us. There’s no other way to say it; we’ve failed. It’s over. This empire was doomed the moment the Lurker broke in.”

“Not while I’m still breathing, it’s not!” Armor said through gritted teeth. “I won’t just roll over and die!”

The traitor guard was unmoved. He shook his head one last time and disappeared deeper into the dungeons to continue his rounds. The former Crystal Prince watched him go with ever-growing rage. He ground his teeth together as he imagined beating sense back into the cowardly crystal pony.

“Fine! If he won’t help me, I’ll break out of here myself!” Armor thought.

The Captain of the Solar Guard once again tried to sit up and once again fell back down as crippling pain tore through his body. He remained on his straw bed, breathing raggedly as he waited for the agony to dull to a manageable level.

“Damn that Dugore and his overcompensating hammer!” He swore.

“Shut up in there!” A different guard rattled her weapon against the bars.

Armor growled like a feral animal but did not say anything. He waited for the guard to move one before reviewing his situation.

“The dungeons are deep in the permafrost layer.” He remembered. “Even if I had magic and a working body, I couldn’t tunnel my way out.”

He decided he would need outside help to escape but with his subjects coerced by the legion, aid would have to be from outside the empire. His thoughts turned toward the south and Equestria.

“If Cadence managed to summon allies from Canterlot, they should be here soon.” Armor thought hopefully.

The Prince-Regent imagined the remaining three Princess and the Elements of Harmony along with an army of Solar and Night Guards crossing the Crystal Mountains and liberating his fair city. The fantasy brought out a pang of guilt in the white stallion. It had been awhile since he had written to his immediate superiors or his younger sister.

“They all seem so far away.” He mused solemnly.

Armor gingerly adjusted his position on the straw bed and settled in. He doubt he would be able to sleep. His chest still felt like somepony was sticking a knife in it and he did not want to miss an opportunity to escape if it presented himself.

“There has to be something that can help us.” He mumbled to himself. “Anything.”

Next Chapter: Lurking Variable Estimated time remaining: 3 Hours, 13 Minutes