Shining Armor groggily opened his eyes to a dark, wintry sky. He had lived in the Frozen North long enough to recognize the onset of a blizzard in the swirling clouds. This one looked like it would be a monster.

“Ugh, what happened?” He groaned as he tried to recall the events leading up to him waking up on his back on the cold ground. "I feel like I've had the moon dropped on my head."

Armor remembered, with immense satisfaction, delivering the killing blow to the loathsome Sombra and tossing him off the Crystal Tower. He also recalled the revelation that Lurker-Grey had been working for the tyrant but ultimately made the right choice in switching sides. After that, he and the animus had reunited with his sister and were on their way out of the city when they were confronted by Solarii who thought he was possessed, which he was but not in the way they suspected. Sparkle fled, they were forced to dispatched the Solar Elites, he and Grey saw Princess Luna powering up and then there was a blinding light and a lot of pain.

“She destroyed the city!” The unicorn realized. “I knew things were bad but had we really crossed the point of no return?”

The Prince-Regent brought a hoof to his head in disbelief only to discover that he could not feel it. It slowly dawned on the stallion that he was very much danger close when the Lunar Alicorn brought the hammer down on the empire. Dreading what he would find, Armor brought his foreleg before his face. Where there were once snow white fur and cobalt hooves was now pale translucent ectoplasm.

“Oh.” The stunned ghost of Shining Armor stated simply. “I’m dead.”

He stared at his spectral body for a long time, trying not to freak out about being dead. His first instinct was to fall back on his military training but his drill officers had only covered how to cope with the death of a squad mate not his own. At the memory of his days in the academy, Armor thought about the rest of the ponies in his life. He would never again feel Cadenza’s warm body against his or help Twilight with her studies. He would never again taste Applejack’s seasonal cider or sneak Rainbow Dash into Wonderbolt shows.

“I never got a chance to say goodbye to anypony.” Armor said weakly. “I can’t even remember the last time I talked to my parents. And Twilight...I did not want that to be our last meeting. But now its finished.”

Everything he had worked for, all that time devoted to bettering the world, it was all over. Every oath and vow sworn to those he loved and respected were now null and void. Any and all of his problems and obligations while he was alive were gone. It was as if a great weight had been lifted from his shoulders but a void of purpose had been left in its place. The former soldier soon realized that it will take a lot more than just laying on the ground to come to terms with his new state of being. Slowly, uncertainly, he got to all fours. As expected, it took no effort but it was still a foreign sensation to the ghost.

“Where am I anyway?” The spectral Armor wondered.

The ghostly unicorn surveyed his surroundings properly. As far as he could tell, he was still in the Frozen North. He was standing on a slab of crystal suspended in midair. All around him, veritable islands of all shapes and sizes floated in open space while bits of debris along with snow swirled around as if caught in a blizzard. The sky was still a featureless grey of winter weather with only the briefest of breaches allowing him to catch glimpses of the starry sky beyond.

“I must still be in the city.” Armor surmised. “Well, what’s left of it.”

He peered over the edge of his little island and felt shivers of fear run down his ghostly body. Far below him was a gaping maw of a crater miles long in diameter with stress fissures reaching even further beyond. Occasionally, a magical anomaly would manifest within the center of the abyss. Some were little more than a discharge of magical lightning but others were great storms of wild magic that attempted to suck in the suspended islands only for them to fizzle out and the floating hunks of rock, ice, and crystal would return to their original positions. The destruction of the empire had left a magical void and the wild magic of the Frozen North was attempting to fill it. Such a phenomenon would eventually collapse the floating islands but it could very well take decades if not centuries. Until then, chaos ruled here.

“Old Discord would love it here.” The lone horse chuckled nervously as he backed away from the edge. “Now, how am I going to get out of here?”

Armor started to pace on his little slice of rock. He was completely without his magic and unless something with wings found him, he was trapped. The ghostly unicorn was mulling over the possibility of navigating the maelstrom of rubble down to ground level when a peculate sight caught his eye. A small plume of shadows jumped from a piece of ice onto his island. It glided across the surface and paused at the edge as if looking for a way to proceed.

“It’s a…mini-lurker.” Armor could not help but smile at seeing the once intimidating creature in such a, dare he say, cute form. “Where you off too, tiny?”

The tenebrous plume did not make a sound. Instead, it coiled up and sprung across the gap to another floating island. There it met another dubbed ‘mini-lurker’ and the two merged together. The new larger plume glided to the edge and waited again. Armor watched the whole thing attentively.

“They’re reforming him.” He realized. "So that's how he came back from being blown apart by the Crystal Heart."

Seeing little reason to stay put, Armor got a galloping start and leapt across the expanse. Keeping his eyes focused on his landing and not the yawning abyss below, the specter managed to stick a ten point landing on the slab of crystal. He rejoined the mini-lurker on the edge and looked for more of the puny plumes.

“I don’t see anything, soot ball.” Armor said as he scanned the sea of rubble. “If any of you fell into that pit, you might be a few short.”

The tendril was not listening as it pointed to a large chunk of crystal. The late Prince-Regent recognized what was once part of a plaza. Specifically, the site of his duel with the legion warlord as his grave marker and helm were still there. Dugore’s horned helmet had somehow survived the storm destruction and stood defiantly among the ruins. The marauder's monument was being leaned on by a semi-amorphous Lurker. The stygian stalker was too focused on recalling and absorbing the many bits of himself to address Armor.

“Wish I could do that.” The spectral unicorn grumbled. “I don’t think you can make that jump, mini.”

The little lurker seemed to nod in agreement and then hopped up onto Armor’s back. It secured itself as best it could to ectoplasm and waited.

“But, apparently, you think I can.” The stallion arched an ectoplasmic eyebrow. “Fine. Hold on.”

Armor gave himself some galloping space and then took a flying leap across the expanse toward the reforming Lurker. He had just reached the apex of his jump when a rogue chunk of rock fouled his trajectory by colliding with his head, dissipating it in a burst of ectoplasm. The ghost was sent flailing, his sense of direction lost.

“Oh shit, oh shit, oh shit!” Armor screamed as his head reformed too late to correct his plight. “Oh shit, oh shi-ah!”

His spiraling came to a halt with him hanging upside down by his tail. He looked up to find the dangerously thin arm of the Lurker holding on to him. The plume of shadows shot up Armor’s back and into the arm which swelled into the familiar mighty limb. His strength restored, the Lurker effortlessly pulled the ghost to solid ground.

“That was way too close.” Armor said as he backed away from the near fall. “Thanks.”

“And thank you for returning the last bit of me.” The reformed animus said as he brought himself up to his usual looming height. “You have no idea how hard it is to pull yourself together over the course of three days. It’s like trying to solve one of those pitfall marble mazes blindfolded.”

“It’s been that long?” Armor’s eyes widened in surprise.

“Give or take a few hours.” The tenebrous terror admitted. “So, it’s not often a stallion is confronted with their own mortality. How are you holding up?”

“I’m coping as best I can.” The new ghost said unsurely. “Well, to be honest, I’m terrified. I have no idea what to do, where to go, or anything. Death isn’t though of much in Equestria beyond funerals.”

“For what it’s worth, you’re not alone in that regard.” The Lurker turned him around and gestured to the sea of floating islands with a wave of his hand. “Behold.”

Armor did not see anything at first. Then, materializing out of the dust and fog, he saw the spectral forms of ponies, minotaurs, griffons, and diamond dogs. Imperial, legionnaire and Equestrian alike were milling about the suspended ruins, looking as lost and confused as Armor when he first came to. Almost all of them wore either the armor of the warring factions or the rags and chains of slaves.

“Whoa.” Armor gasped as he took in the haunting sight. “There are thousands of them! Hundreds of thousands! What’s going to happen to us?”

“Excellent question.” The Lord of Shades stroked a formed chin in thought. “An event like this should have attracted pyschopomps and keres from miles around. Their absence does not bode well.”

The Lurker sighed and looked down at Armor then to the phantasmal host of imperial citizenry and brutish thugs. There was only one thing to do and he would have to do it himself or leave these poor souls to haunt the Frozen North for eternity. He spread his arms wide and called for everyone’s attention.

“Shades of the mortal dead, heed my words.” The Lurker's voice was heard loud and clear over the ambient noise of the floating islands and blizzard.

A few of the shades were once the vanguards that had accompanied Stone Skin to Broken Horn. They had seen firsthand just what the creature was capable of and sent word though the ranks of ghosts to pay attention. In a few moments, the towering terror had their undivided attention.

“While your lives have come to an abrupt and violent end, you need not despair.” He said with the conviction of an ancient bishop. “The gates of the afterlife stand open for all of you. It’s just a matter of getting you there.”

An excited murmur ran through the congregation of shades, Armor included. Lurker-Grey waved his claws hands over the host as if passing a benediction as he intoned a mantra in his native tongue. A calming sensation filled the air as each shade began to glow. Soldiers' armor slid off their bodies while slaves's chains snapped and their rags evaporated. Soon all were relinquished of their secular weights and burdens, rendering them nigh indistinguishable from each other beyond species.

“Go now and may you rest easy.” The Lord of Shades bid farewell to his new subjects.

A contented sigh was heard throughout the air as the ghosts vanished from the world of the living. After all the bloodshed, destruction and war, the fact they could just leave it all behind set them all at ease. Before long, the spectral host had departed the world of the living. All save one.

“Unfinished business, Armor?” The caliginous cleric asked the lone pony.

“I have a favor to ask.” The spectral stallion said. “If you see Cadence again, tell her…”

Armor paused as he thought about what his last words to his wife should be. He was hoping to come up with something poetic and deep. When that failed, he settled from something simple.

“…tell her I will always love her." He finished. "And that I forgive her.”

"He may forgive but I know he won't forget." The Lord of Shades mused to himself. "For better or ill, he will carry the memories of what has happened here for eternity."

“You’re a good stallion, Shining.” The tenebrous being said earnestly. “If I see her, I’ll be sure to tell her. Anything else?”

"Yes. There should be a book and letter under the mattress in my old quarters in Canterlot." Armor said after some thought. "I assume you're going there next? I want Twilight have them."

"I will also try to explain myself to her. That misunderstanding should have never happened." Lurker-Grey added the request to his mental list as the spectral stallion nodded in agreement. "Anything more?"

"There is." Armor's expression soured. "Give this to Celestia for telling Cadenza to brainwash me...and this to Luna for obvious reasons."

Armor made the obscene gestures for 'suck my dick' and 'fuck you' respectively with his hooves.

“I’ll make sure they get the point.” The Lurker nodded. “If that is all, the afterlife awaits.”

“Thank you, for everything, Grey.” Armor said sincerely as he began to glow with an inner light. “Perhaps I’ll see you on the other side someday. I’ll buy you that brewery.”

“Oh, I know we’ll meet again.” The master of Barathrum thought as he waved farewell to a vanishing Armor. “And when we do, you’ll be bowing to me.”

Shining Armor, Prince-Regent of the Crystal Empire and Captain of the Guard of Equestria, left the world of the living with a quiet sigh of relief. The Lurker was left alone amiss a storm of ice and ruin. He looked around to make sure there were no others shades sticking around. When he found none, he set about ascending to the highest point of the floating islands, just to give himself something to do as his mind formulated a new plan.

“As of right now, only three living souls in the world know I even exist: Princess Luna, Cadenza and Sparkle." The ancient animus thought. "Luna and I are, at the very least, friends and I’d imagine 'the knight in shining armor' is the last thing on Cadenza’s mind. Sparkle has only caught a glimpse of me so I have some leeway with her."

The Lurker reached the pinnacle of the ruins. From his perch, he could see miles of frozen wasteland ending at the mighty Crystal Mountain range. He had done all he could in the north. It was time to head south to the land of friendship, harmony and magic to continue his quest. It was time to go to Equestria.

“Fortunately, I’ve already been invited.” Grey thought as he shut his baleful eyes and drifted once again into the Realm of Dreams.

---

Princess Luna scowled as she drifted through the dreamscape. The last three days had been a nightmare both figuratively and literally. The first day, the few crystal ponies that had escaped Sombra’s foul sorcery and gotten to safety openly declared her a monster; Nightmare Moon reborn. Preposterous, of course, but she understood their anger. Both she and Celestia tried to allay their rage with apologies, explanations and a very generous compensation in the form of a parcel of undeveloped land they could settle. The Lunar Alicorn doubted their animosity would ever be quelled but, at the very least, they stopped publicly called for her head.

“I won’t be visiting, what do they call it, ’Neo-Crystal City’ or something like that any time soon.” The fuming Princess thought. “Not that I’d want to.”

The second day was worse. It was discovered that Prince-Regent Armor was unaccounted for and presumed dead. That did not go over well with his wife and sister. Twilight did a fair impression of Celestia in supernova. Luna could swear that she was about to kill her. Fortunately, cooler minds prevailed when Celestia managed to calm her former student. She had explained that Luna merely performed the duties of her office to protect Equestria by whatever means necessary. It was better to place blame on the party that had forced her hooves: Sombra and the Marked Legions.

“Good old Celly.” Luna sighed. “Always knows just what to say.”

After that, it eventually came out that Sparkle had actually left Armor behind when a pair of Celestia's Solarii thought he was possessed. The scholarly Alicorn rationalized that, rather than being the host of a demon, her brother was merely suffering from dark magical taint. He had just come out of a duel with Sombra and the tyrant was a known corrupter. This, of course, meant that she had abandoned her brother to the less than tender mercies of the fanatical Solarii. Celestia had made a point of reprimanding her elites for their blind hatred for anything bearing even the slightest hint of darkness but this did little to alleviate the lavender Alicorn's grief.

"But I know the truth." The dream strider thought. "Not that she would hear if from me or anypony else."

The Princess of Magic had buried herself in her studies not long after that. Her friends and family did their best to reach out to her but they knew this was the scholarly mare’s way of coping. She would be back to usual self in time but the relationship between her and Luna would now always be tainted by this event.

“Wish I could say the same about Cadenza.” A weight of guilt formed in the moon mare’s stomach.

Luna had elected to deliver the grim news to the pink Alicorn herself. Once it was broken to her, the mare had sunk into a deep depression. She hardly ate, coldly and often violent shoved away anypony who attempted to console her, and was reported to spend her nights alternating between sobbing and destroying her room in a blind rage. Luna had made the mistake of attempting to use the same argument Celestia had used on Twilight but that only earned her a bloodied nose. The Solar Alicorn then tried to salvage the mess by offering Cadenza a place of government with the resettled crystal ponies in private. Luna did not know what exactly transpired between the two but she learned the answer was a definite no.

“I swear Armor and Grey got out of the palace.” Luna mentally grumbled. “Once the Heart was taken care of, they were supposed to escape long before the siege even began. Right?”

She was met with silence from the Dream Realm. Her subject’s dreams offered only opinions on the matter and they were a surprisingly mixed bag of thoughts. Of course, there were a few that shared the crystal pony’s viewpoint. They called attention to the fact that the last time the empire disappeared, the Lunar Rebellion occurred not long after. Fortunately for Luna, they were a minority that did not like her much to begin with. As for the rest of Equestria, they did not seem to hold any strong opinions one way or the other. The merchants were displeased with losing their primary source of crystals and gems but the value of any and all imperial goods was multiplied tenfold so they kept their peace. The nobles, Blueblood chief among them, all but celebrated the demise of some of their rivals behind closed doors. Once the facts of the matter were revealed, the common citizens came to a consensus that while the annihilation of the empire was unfortunate, the destruction of both the tyrant Sombra and the marauding Marked Legions was worth it.

“I wonder if they would be singing a different tune if Celestia had destroyed the empire instead of me.” Luna thought bitterly. “Fickle equines that they are.”

So here she was on the night of the third day, watching the dreams of her little ponies run the gauntlet of the heroic actions of the Princesses to save the world from evil to Nightmare Moon laying waste to the land in a bloody tide of vengeance. The dream striding Alicorn had decided not to visit anypony’s dreams. In fact, both she and her sister had agreed that she should not make any public appearance until this mess settled down.

“It took about a year the first time I had to do this.” Luna huffed as she glided into the empty dream space where nothing lived. “There better not be another holiday that celebrates me at my worse again when I return.”

The nocturnal Alicorm floated in the emptiness in contemplative silence. The voices had mercifully let her be and she was glad to not have another internal debate, at least for now. What she did not know was that deep in the dark corners of her mind, her malignant self was conversing with a malevolent presence beyond the scope of her world.

“We have done more for Equestria in the span of a few days than Celestia has ever done in a thousand years.” The sinister voice gloated. “We have that fool Sombra to thank for opening Our better half’s eyes.”

“I could not agree more.” The entity replied. “Sombra had his uses but was ultimately nothing more than another expendable pawn.”

The two shared a laugh at the doomed slaver’s expense. As far as long term plans went, theirs was shaping up nicely. There was one element that the whisper did not find so agreeable, however.

“A shame this Lurker-Grey of Luna’s had to share his fate.” The voice almost sounded disappointed. “He could have made a powerful ally.”

“An ally?” The being teased. “Or something more intimate?”

“Why not both?” The voice did not deny it. “Not that it matters now. He’s dust in the artic wind.”

“On the contrary, my ambitious apostle.” The otherworldly entity said as Luna noticed a single dream out where the empire once stood. “He seems to be very much alive.”

“It can’t be.” Luna said aloud as she stared at the monochrome dream a fair distance away. “Could it?”

The Princess shot through the dreamscape toward the lone dream. As she got closer, she could tell it had to be Lurker-Grey’s. He was the only being she knew that dreamt of grayscale landscapes. She made contact with the window and phased into it. Once again, Luna found herself in the field of colorless grass but there were a few new features. The burbling river had risen past its banks and ghostly figures could be seen moving in the distance. The visiting Alicorn made her way to the familiar willow tree where she assumed the animus would met her.

“He would not sleep unless he wanted to see me again." Luna murmured as she wondered just how this visit was going to go. "Then again, he might just want to ambush me for nearly slaying him."

“The temptation is there.” An all too familiar calm and collected voice said behind her.

The Lunar Alicorn turned around to find Grey standing behind her, leaning his weight on his staff. As usual, his bearded stone face betrayed no emotion save the slight frown on his thin lips. Nonetheless, Luna was glad to see him.

“Do you always sneak up on ponies like that?” She asked lightly.

“Force of habit.” The pale horse deadpanned.

“I almost missed your dream out in the middle of nowhere.” Luna said before she looked away guiltily. “I’m glad you’re alive. When I heard Armor didn’t make it out of the tower, I thought-”

“That reminds me.” Grey interrupted as he repeated the gesture Armor had shown him to Luna. “From Armor to you.”

“I…guess I deserve that.” The Alicorn winced at the insult. “Wait, he lives?”

“No.” The stygian stallion said bluntly. “His spirit gave me a few last requests before passing on.”

“Oh.” The Alicorn’s ears flattened against her head.

She awkwardly ran a hoof through the grass while Lurker-Grey kept his eyes on her. She knew he was waiting for an explanation but wanted to make sure she chose her words carefully. The tall pony ultimately broke the silence.

“If memory serves, Princess Luna, you were adamant about not destroying the empire.” He said in an almost accusatory manner. “What changed?”

“It was as you predicted.” Luna explained, looking Grey in the eye. “Any trace of good that was left in the crystal ponies was extinguished. Sombra had infected the city with his ideals; his corruption. My sister and I could not risk that spreading. It posed a threat to all of Equestria and beyond.”

A pointed silence fell between the two as the robed equine mulled over Luna’s words. The nocturnal Princess decided to clarify something that she hoped would alleviate some of the blame he no doubt placed on her.

“I thought you and Armor had already escaped the city.” She said plainly. “That was part of the plan, correct?”

“When the plan was to drive out the legions with your army, yes.” The pallid pony maintained his neutral expression. “The only reason Armor and I were still in the tower after dealing with the Crystal Heart was so that we could eliminate Sombra less he escape in the confusion of the siege.”

“And did you?” Luna asked just to clarify.

“Armor stabbed the tyrant with his own horn and threw him off the tower.” Grey answered. “Without it or the Crystal Heart, there is no way he can return.”

“At least something good came out of this mess.” Luna sighed in relief. “Listen, Grey, I don’t-“

The seasoned stallion held up a hoof for silence.

“I do not fault you for your actions, Princess.” He said evenly. “It would be hypocritical of me if I did. I just wanted to know what changed your mind so suddenly.”

A wave of relief washed over the Alicorn. Her inability to read Grey’s emotions made it impossible for her to gauge his standing on her actions. Unsurprisingly, he seemed to fall into the neutral category.

“Then I hope my explanation satisfied you.” She said plaintively. “I expected you to be angry.”

“Oh, blindingly so.” The Lurker said with a threatening step forward. “Fortunately for you, I had three days to pull myself together.”

“None-the-less, you have my sincerest apologies.” Luna professed urgently. “I have few friends left in Canterlot now and I do not wish to lose you. If there is any way I can make restitutions, please let me know.”

“Well, now that you mention it.” The ancient animus said coolly. “Is that invitation to Equestria still open?”

“It is.” Luna said hopefully. “Do you mean to travel here?”

“The only alternative is wandering this frozen wasteland.” Grey pointed out. “I really only have one choice.”

“Oh, I see.” Luna deflated slightly. “Well, I’m not about to leave you out there. I’ll send two of my most trusted thestrals to pick you up.”

"I trust they are more accommodating than your sister's Solarii." The shadow fiend said testily. "We would have been out of the city if not for them."

"They might just like you, actually." The matron of the Night Guard said candidly. "But just to be safe, I'll explain to them what you are before dispatching them. You should also try to take an equine form, if you can."

“I will. You have my thanks, Luna.” The hollow-eyed earth pony broke his stoic mask with a thin smile. “I look forward to finally meeting you face to face.”

“As do I.” The dream striding Princess said with a small smile of her own. “Oh, before we depart, the thestrals are a bit paranoid and they might challenge you regardless of what I tell them. If they do, tell them to never forget the Seventh Solstice.”

“Will do.” Grey nodded.

With that, a portal back to the Dream World manifested. The two immortals bid each other farewell and Luna disappeared back into the Realm of Dreams. Left alone once again, the Lord of Shades willed himself back into the waking world.

“The lovely Luna comes through for me once again.” He thought as he awaited his air life out of the accursed land.

---

Night-Captains Vengeance and Knight crested the Crystal Mountain range and glided on leathery wings into the Frozen North. Their mission was to extract a single stallion from the ruins of the Crystal Empire and bring him back south. It was supposed to be a simple in and out operation but both of them were prepared for whatever could and may go wrong.

“I’ve got movement below.” Knight called out to his wingmate and sister. “Looks like diamond dogs.”

“Bah, they’re just vagrants.” Vengeance bared her fangs in disgust. “Unless they turn south, they’re not worth the trouble.”

The Night Guards recently had their hooves full with the gem-hungry hounds. The few surviving mountain dwelling tribes had been driven south, bringing them into conflict with their subterranean southern kin. While the thestrals were content with leaving the dogs to fight it out, their little fights for territory tended to spill out onto the surface and into equine settlements.

“I still think we should prop up the least detestable of them.” The bat-pony stallion said. “Having one that shares our interests could have its benefits.”

“Until it gets tired of taking orders and turns on you.” The thestral mare growled. “Better to put them all down like the animals they are, I say.”

“You’re all heart, sister.” Knight muttered under his breath.

The siblings continued on in silence. As they neared their destination, the ground became broken and jagged. Towering columns of rock and ice reached into the air like claws. In time, they came to the outskirts of the imperial ruins and the massive crater that marked ground zero of the empire’s fate. Above them, suspended by the storm of lunar and wild magic, were what Equestrian mages and historians had dubbed ‘The Revenant Isles’.

“Whew. We have to find one stallion in that?” Vengeance let out a low whistle at the task ahead of her and her brother.

“Yep.” Knight sighed. “First to find him gets twenty bits.”

The two split up and began scouring the maelstrom for their target. High and low, the siblings looked through the ruins. Broken storefronts, shattered plazas and countless chunks of ice and rock all turned up nothing. After hours of fruitless searching, the bat-ponies met up near the top of the ruins.

“Find anything, Ven?” Knight asked. “All I found was this horned helm. Think it’ll make a good trophy.”

“Not a damn thing!” The bat-mare grumbled. “We should have brought more thestrals to search an area this big.”

“Maybe we should-OW!” The bat-stallion was cut off by a rock bouncing off his helmet.

His sister looked up at the source of the projectile to find a figure silhouetted against their mistress’ moon waving down at them.

“Oh, there he his.” Vengeance said plainly as she flew up to the highest island in the sea. “You owe me thirty bits!”

“I said twenty!” Knight shouted behind her as he secured the helm to his back with a length of rope. “And technically, he found us!”

The bickering guards touched down on the island. A solid black pony with pale white eyes stood before them patiently. Knight trotted forward with his guard up in case this turned out to be a trick.

“Are you Grey?” He asked.

“That I am.” The shadow equine said evenly.

“I think ‘Black’ would be more appropriate.” Vengeance whispered.

“Don’t be rude, Ven.” Knight nudged her with a hoof.

“I was told to never forget the Seventh Solstice.” The stygian stallion said calmly.

The sibling team fell silent and looked at each other then back to their charge. That phrase was never spoken likely and rarely by those outside the Night Guard. It was a sign that Princess Luna trusted this pony of shadows.

“Well, I guess that eliminates the possibility of you being a changeling.” Vengeance said in a slightly friendlier tone.

“Princess Luna instructed me to use it should you two doubt my identity.” Grey explained. “May I ask the significance of that date?”

“It was the Seventh Solstice after the first disappearance of the Crystal Empire.” Knight began.

“The night of the Lunar Rebellion.” Vengeance finished.

“I see.” Grey nodded in understanding. “An event worth remembering.”

“Indeed.” The bat-mare trotted past her sibling and dropped a wing toward the tenebrous traveler. “Well, enough talking. Mistress Luna wanted you back south two hours ago. Climb on.”

Grey carefully got onto the thestral’s back. After adjusted to his rather light weight, she took to the air and headed south with Knight not far behind. The Revenant Isles faded into the tempestuous distance as the three flew over the wintry wastes of the Frozen North toward the warmer climes of the Equestrian Heartlands.

“My journey continues.” The Lurker thought as he left the accursed empire behind. “Every step brings me ever closer to the Immortal Throne and my rightful place as Overlord of the Underworld."

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