The faint scent of carnal indulgences mingled with the sharp stench of ozone in the industrious Soul Forge of the Fourth Circle. The fabricated fiend known as the Soul Smith had been busy forging his lustful acquisitions into many wondrous creations such as an armory of excruciating weapons to complement a set of form-fitting armor. He had refined the process into a perverse art form and had just completed the crown jewel of the panoply. A rare pristine succubus, untouched by the ravages of the denizens of the Second Circle, had been broken down and molded into a crown fit for an emperor.

“My finest work yet save for the Rainbow.” The demonic smith buzzed as he reviewed his creations. “Perhaps Blaze would be in the market for a new raiment once she rules the Overworld.”

As the craftsdemon mulled over what he could possibly charge for the set of weapons and armor, a tremor shook the room. Metal scaffolding creaked and groaned and loose objects clattered to the floor. The Soul Smith steadied himself until the quake passed. One of his many servile automatons began beeping as it detected something. He signaled for it to report what it had found.

“Alert: auspices have detected a massive spike in demonic power in the Fifth Circle.” The servitor informed its mechanical master. “Probability of demonic mobilization estimated at ninety-five percent.”

“It appears Queen Corona is about to execute her mass exodus.” The Soul Smith droned thoughtfully. “Continue monitoring them for the time being and let me know if and when they pass through the Fourth Circle.”

“Affirmative.” The automaton buzzed before resuming its duties.

“...may the hellhound fuck her corpse...” A disembodied whispered hissed from the crown.

“What was that?” The metallic demon perked up. “Did someone say something?”

The servitors buzzed negative and the whisper said nothing more. Dismissing it as just background noise, the red-robed fiend refocused his attention on his projects. He was about to start on another item when a harmonic humming caught his attention. He looked over at his collection of trinkets and noticed that the Tambelonian bell was resonating. Curious, the Soul Smith turned away from his workbench and moved toward the offending object.

“Strange vibrations.” The de facto Baron of Greed hummed suspiciously as picked the bell off the shelf to inspect it. “What is-!”

The bell suddenly began to glow with an inner power, causing the mech-demon to drop it in surprise. Instead of falling to the metal floor, it rose into the air. With an echoing gong, the bell flashed and two figures appeared out of thin air. Grogar and Xi fell to the floor in a terrified huddle, muttering pleas for protection to whatever may be listening.

“Intruder alert!” A few defensive servitors snapped the attention with weapons ready. “Executing defense protocols!”

“Cancel that!” The Soul Smith ordered. “Lord Grogar of Tambelon? What are you doing here?”

“Smithy?” The blue ram peeked out from beneath his forelegs before he broke into a relieved smile. “Yes! The recall charm worked! Haha!"

The Tambelonian celebrated his little victory in escaping Pandemonium with gusto. The forgefiend let him self-congratulate for a moment as he turned his attention to the other intruder. His single red eye shone with approval even as Xi glared at him.

"A pristine prime succubus." The smith beeped in approval as he offered a hand. "Corona's assistant as I recall."

"No longer." The succubus swatted his hand away as she stood up by herself. "Touch me and you will lose that arm."

“Noted.” He droned as he returned his attention to Grogar who had calmed down finally. “I expected to see you again at the head of an army of demons but clearly something has changed that.”

“Let’s just say I’ve…fallen out of favor.” The goat lord said defensively. “I had to get out while I could.”

“Well, you cannot stay here.” The mechanical menace informed his unexpected guests with a warning buzz. “I have calculated a high probability that the Infernal Exodus will pass through here and I do not want them to find fugitives here.”

“I know. That’s why we're not sticking around.” The blue ram glanced over at the idol of Fortune. “How far can that thing send us?”

“I have sent drones as far as the Hellmouth to scout for materials but…” The Soul Smith paused to run some mental calculations. “…the last run with you and the centaur nearly collapsed my workshop. I am not about to risk another jump just to save your patchwork hide.”

“Would another one of my bells help?” The Tambelonian ventured, knowing that the greedy smith would require compensation. “You can even have this leg back.”

“Out of the question!” The demon whirred angrily. “No amount you can offer is worth the trouble.”

Grogar was about to argue further when one of the many servitors let out a blaring alarm that was soon joined by the rest of the servile drones in a disorganized chorus of noise. The goat, lust and machine demons had to cover their ears as the din threatened to overwhelm their senses.

“Mute!” The Soul Smith commanded above the cacophony. “You there. Unmute and report.”

“Priority alert: A massive spike in both anti-magic and Khthonic power has been detected outside the boundaries of Tartarus.” The servitor reported dutifully. “Notice: Power signature is a seventy-five percent match for the entity known as Kyl'menus Pol'ydegmon; with anti-magic concentrate factored in: eighty-seven percent.”

“By the Fires!” Xi's eyes widened in awe. “The Dark Lord approaches!”

“I guess Marc was right after all.” Grogar murmured just as an idea came to him. “Hmm, this changes a few things.”

“Explain.” The Soul Smith demanded with an edge in his voice-box.

“If you send us ahead of Corona’s Exodus, I can speak with the good Overlord and get into his good graces.” The ram explained. “Maybe even put in a good word for you.”

“A good word?” The fabricated fiend whirred in obvious unease. “I require clarification.”

“Oh, I was just thinking what would happen if he found out you remade the Rainbow of Darkness....” Grogar hinted none too subtly. “…and gave it to Queen Corona.”

“Oh.” The Soul Smith’s one red eye turned blue in fear as realized he had not considered that possibility.

“That’s right.” Xi added deviously. “An artifact made out of the souls of crystal ponies stolen from Judge Minos, I might add.”

“You have made your point.” The mech-demon buzzed as he conceded. “You remember how Fortune works, right?”

“I stand before her and she does the rest.” Grogar recalled as he looked up at the looming idol.

"Correct." The mech-demon beeped. "Just give me a momen-!"

"Wait just a minute." Xi interjected as she looked around the workshop. "What happened to my kin?"

"They were put to good use." The smith indicated the panoply automatically.

The succubus looked toward the collection that shimmered as if the demons within detected her presence. The demonette stared at the fate of her siblings with horror and building rage as the crown whispered something to her. The insensitive Soul Smith failed to notice the impending danger even as Xi faced him with murder in her eyes.

“Perhaps you could present it to Pol'ydegmon?” The mech-demon suggested. “If he has interest in Auric arm-AAH!”

The forge fiend’s voice shot up an octave as the enraged succubus' clawed had shot beneath his red robes and seized something precious.

“Release them!” Xi snarled. “Now!”

“I-impossible!” The Soul Smith grunted. “They are bound to the metal!”

“Xi! There's nothing we can do for them!” Grogar warned as the surrounding servitors warmed up their weapons again. "Let him go."

The succubus applied a little more torturous torque to the mech-demon's ball bearings but ultimately relented. While the fabricated fiend doubled over in pain, the ram ushered the still fuming demonette toward Fortune. The defensive servitors tracked their movements all the while.

"You send us to the Fields and I persuade the Dark Lord to spare us." The bell ringer reiterated their deal. "That is all we-"

"Just get out of my Circle." The Soul Smith buzzed shortly as he activated the statue.

The glyphs etched into Fortune burned a vibrant violet as Grogar and Xi were lifted into the air. The statue became animated and cupped its hands around the pair. Bolts of lightning arched off the idol as infernal energy built within it. In a blinding flash of light, the ram and succubus vanished from the Fourth Circle. As it had before, the Soul Forge shook violently from the aftershocks, collapsing sections of scaffolding and sending parts of the roof to the floor. Once the tremors had subsided, the mech-demon took stock of the damage to his workshop.

“Structural integrity has been compromised. Remind me not to use Fortune again until we make repairs.” He beeped grumpily to which his minions confirmed. "Grogar had best keep his end of the... wait. What happened to the crown?"

Despite having traveled between the Circles of Tartarus via teleporter before, Grogar was still not prepared for the unfathomable nightmare that made up the journey. Once again, horrid visions of gore-soaked talons and gnashing teeth along with the cacophonous chorus of a billion throats screaming in eternal agony assaulted his senses. It was all the bell ringer could do to close his eyes and cover his ears in order to preserve his fraying sanity.

"Had a change of heart?" The primordial voice returned to torment the traveler. "It matters not."

After what felt like an eternity, the wild ride ended and Grogar was spat back out into the hellish reality along with his partner.

“Is it finally over?” Xi asked in a trembling voice.

“I think so.” The ram answered. "I swear that gets worse every time."

The Tambelonian opened his eyes to see the succubus lying beside him, shaking like a leaf. Grogar hesitantly pulled her into an embrace until she calmed down. The succubus reciprocated the hug for a moment before she pulled away.

"That voice..." She said simply.

"It has been harrowing us ever since Tirek and I started our quest." Grogar explained. "Something is spectating this whole mess."

After helping Xi to her feet, the bell ringer took stock of where they were. As the Soul Smith had said, the teleporter had deposited them out just beyond the maw of the Hellmouth in the bottom of the jagged crater in which it resided. He also noticed that the area around the hellhole was flatted in the shape of a giant handprint.

“When that hekatonkheires tried to pulverize Tirek and me.” The ram recalled. “We didn’t even get into Hell proper before something wanted to kill us.”

“It looks like we are in the clear for now.” The succubus said after finding the crater empty. “Do you know the way to the Brass Gates?”

“That I do.” Grogar nodded before he felt the need to address something. “Listen. I'm sorry about your siblings.”

“Thank you.” The demonette sighed. “I suppose I should thank Corona for sparing me from becoming this.”

Xi held up a golden crown with a glowing jewel in the center. The ram looked from the pilfered treasure to the now deviously smiling succubus. He eventually returned the smirk and even laughed a little.

"What's your plan for that?" He asked.

"Evidence."The succubus answered simply. "In case your word is not enough to sway the Dark Lord, I can at least prove that the order of the Circles has been disrupted."

"That would throw the Soul Smith under the bus." Grogar pointed out.

"So?" Xi arched an eyebrow. "He made a deal with you, not me."

"Good point." Grogar admitted. "Come on, let's get out of this crater."

With that, the patchwork Tambelonian and lithe succubus began their ascension out of the tooth-lined pit. They reached the rim to find the stricken ground and burning skies of the Fields of Punishment stretching out before them. The line of wicked shades being herded to the Hellmouth was curiously absent as was the colossal warden. The pair did not question their turn of good luck as they struck out across the blasted plains.

"You know, there is a third option." Grogar speculated aloud as they passed one of the many claw-like prison towers. "We could find a hideaway here and wait for the Grand Exodus and the Dark Lord's forces to do battle. Slip out in the confusion."

"That might work for a few days; maybe a week." Xi shook her head. "We may make it to the surface but we would have to deal with demons razing the world or Kyl'menus' agents hunting us down for escaping. It would be a delay."

"Yeah, I was just throwing it out there." The ram shrugged off his own suggestion. "I actually tried that when Tirek escaped with the Crystal Empire. I got far enough to see the roots of trees before I got caught by-"

The bell ringer was cut off by the hunting howl of a hound. It was joined by two more that synchronized with the first and echoed across the fields. Grogar paled as there was only one creature the call could possibly belong to.

"Not again!" The patchwork goat felt a gnawing pain manifest in his body as something very large bounded toward him and Xi.

The shade of Shining Armor, Trixie Lulamoon, and the changelings sat quietly as they watched the once dead palace come to life before their eyes. The once dust and bones cyclopes quite literally picked themselves off the ground and got back to work as if their eons of deathly stillness were just a long lunch break. Those that were not reviving their forges or repairing the dilapidated undercroft had entered their resurrected master’s now vacant tomb to retrieve his collection of knowledge and transfer it to Barathrum’s archives. Said master, now flanked by the quartet of praetorian giganties, had taken aside one of the one-eyed smiths and conversed with him in the dark tongue out of earshot of the mortals and shade.

“When he claimed he was a lord, Trixie had no idea that he was 'the' Lord with a capital 'L'.” The magician broke the silence with a simple statement. “The Silent King of the Dead! Trixie can hardly believe her eyes!”

“It does explain a lot.” Chrysalis mused aloud as she kept a wary eye on the Dark Lord. “Like how he knows so much about those Theoi you mentioned. He is one. I do wonder why he isn’t an Alicorn like the Princesses.”

“No magic to tap into and very few places underground big enough to fly in.” Armor said with a stern expression on his spectral features. “Where he ranks compared to the Alicorns aside, I’m more concerned with this uprising he wants to put down.”

“How so?” Elytra asked from beneath the Hidden One's discarded cloak.

“Do you remember that wave of power that hit us while we were on the boat?” The former captain reminded her. “I have felt something similar when Canterlot was attacked by Tirek; a centaur that managed to escape Tartarus. I suspect something worse is about to happen.”

“You are smarter than you look, Shining Armor.” Tisi said approvingly as she ran a finger over a barbed scourge hanging off her belt. “The denizens and hellions of the Pits are indeed conspiring to escape.”

The Equestrians and changelings exchanged glances at this revelation. They all knew of the Infernal Prison and its infamous inmates. The ponies knew they posed a great risk to their former home but the changelings were of a more neutral stance.

“I take it they will head for the upper world if they escape.” Elytra inferred. “Go after those that kicked them into Tartarus in the first place.”

“Perhaps we should let them.” Chrysalis suggested with vengeful look upward. “Crush them once they get it out of their systems and are picking bits of Alicorn out of their teeth.”

“Speak for yourself, Chrysalis.” Armor chastised the insectoid mare with a critical glare. “I know you don’t care for the Princesses and I wouldn’t mind seeing them taken down a peg but there are a lot of innocents that would be caught in the meat grinder.”

“Speaking of the Princesses, shouldn’t they be able to handle a demonic invasion?” Lulamoon asked. “If they have defeated these cretins before, surly they can do it again.”

“It took the combined might of four Alicorns just to defeat just one inmate of Tartarus.” Meg said with an air of disdain. “Against a whole army of them, their chances fall from suicidal to futile. As fun as it would be to watch the hubristic Overworld burn, these demons threaten the Underworld as well.”

“So we stop them here or kiss both worlds goodbye.” The nymph surmised. “No problem, right?”

“Husk... Silent King... Grey? The Theoi doesn’t seem worried.” The Swarm Matriarch said as she looked back at the pale horse. “Here’s hoping he has a plan.”

“He usually does.” Armor spoke from his experience with the being once known as the Lurker. “A better question would be how we fit into it.”

While the mortals discussed the upcoming battle against the forces of Hell, the Lord of Shades turned over one of his artifacts to the cyclopes. It appeared that the ages had not been kind to his instruments.

“What can you tell me?” The caliginous cleric asked as the one-eyed creature inspected his black metal helm. “It feels like the power has gone out of it.”

“I am afraid it has, my Lord.” The smith confirmed. “I can restore it but it will take some time and the proper materials to do so. A wicked soul to rejuvenate the charm and enough ichor from the Shifting Darkness to quelch it in should do the trick.”

“Hmm….” The monochrome monarch tapped a hoof on his bearded chin in thought. “The ichor is out of reach but I just may have the soul. I will send it to you once I extract it.”

“Very good, my Lord.” The cyclops nodded dutifully. "As for your bident, it has fared better but I would not trust my life to it."

"I may not have a choice." The pallid pony sighed. "Thank you for your input."

The Dark Lord turned away from the master smith and faced his whispering minions. They fell silent like school children once they noticed his gaze upon them.

“I can't imagine how many questions they have right now.” The Theoi mused.

“If you have questions, feel free to ask them.” The Dread Lord said coolly. "Just try to keep them short."

"When were you going to tell us that you are... all that you are?" Lulamoon fumbled a bit to find the correct words.

"Right now, actually." The pale pony answered candidly. "I thought it prudent to slowly reveal the nature of my realm and myself before I dropped the whole 'Overlord of the Underworld' on you."

"Yeah, I've been there more times than I care to count. " Chrysalis agreed as absently ran a hoof over the holes in her limbs. "Dumping the entire truth all at once is a good way to get shot at... or burned... or blown out."

"Applejack is probably having a conniption fit right now." The God-King thought with a skyward glance.

“The Erinyes, Tisiphone, told us what we are up against.” The shade of Armor spoke up grimly. "How do you plan on literally stopping all hell from breaking loose?”

“With powerful magic, low cunning, raw military might...” The pale horse answered as he turned toward his more Khthonic friends. “...and daemonic power."

"They are truly doomed." Alek flashed him a fanged smile. "So if you are finished entertaining mortal curiosities..."

“Telkhine. Take Miss Lulamoon to the Ensorcelled Tower. Give her a quick tour of her new quarters and let her top off her magic.” He directed to which the alchemist complied. “Megaera. Show Swarm Queen Chrysalis to the conservatory on the eastern side. Have her assign however many drones she needs to convert it into a hive. We will meet up in the Boneyard afterward.”

"As you command, my Lord." The toady gave a short bow before he tugged on the magician's cape. "Follow me, blue horse."

“The Great and Powerful Trixie.” The unicorn corrected as she joined her amphibious guide. "And she is a shade of azure, not something so mundane such as blue."

"Bugs, you are with me." Meg gestured for the changelings to follow her. "Do not wander off."

“I know 'bug' is not inaccurate but I still feel insulted.” Elytra chittered.

"Trust me, sweetie." Chrysalis said as she and her swarm fell in line behind the middle Erinyes. "You will be called much worse by the time you're my age."

"Armor. You're with me." The Dark Lord told the shade as the group began to move out. "Time to put together an army."

“Dare I ask what type of army?” The spectral stallion asked with a glance up at the imposing giganties.

“An Undying one.” The Theoi said simply.

The master of Barathrum informed Armor that while the giganties were impressive, their small numbers limited them to protecting the palace and its staff. The defense of the rest of the Underworld fell to the revenants of the Undying Order. The organization was initially founded for shades of Asphodel, usually former soldiers, as an alternative to obliterating their identities. Over the ages, the Order had transformed from a glorified club to an effective fighting force worthy of the patronage of the Lord of Shades.

“However when you have city-state hoplites, imperial legionaries, Dark Age knights and now modern-day guards from all ways of life serving under one banner, you need someone to oversee them. ” The pale horse concluded. “I can think of none better to don the mantle of Grand Marshal than you, Shining Armor.”

“That’s quite a promotion.” The former Captain said brightly. "I mean, it's not quite 'prince-regent' but I'll take a military role over an administrative one any day."

“After what he went through in the Frozen North, he deserves it.” The pallid stallion thought.

The group returned to the entry hall of Barathrum where the once dormant laborers and towering guards were now busy repairing their home and resuming their patrols respectively. They only paused in their duties to pay their due respect to their awakened master. Lulamoon and the changelings parted company to follow their guides but not before the Dark Lord caught the alchemist's attention.

“Telkhine.” He called. “I will have the Obsidian Shard and cold iron ring back now.”

“Of course, master.” The cloaked servant waddled over and presented the last vestige of the Crystal Empire’s power and anti-magic band. “I could swear by the Styx that it was whispering to me.”

“It probably was.” The Necroarch thought as gave the toady leave and trotted out into the macabre courtyard along with Armor and the remaining daemons.

The caliginous cleric pocketed the ring and held the Shard before him and tapped it with the business end of his bident. In response, the dark artifact began to glow like the heart of a volcano with the power of the souls trapped within. A chorus of whispers filled the osseous garden as the crystal pony souls were roused.

“The Lord of Shades has returned!” They cheered rapturously. “You have need of us?”

“The monster that committed genocide against you threatens the world of the living and the dead.” The necromantic Overlord responded. “You will aid me in ensuring his final defeat.”

“Yes!” The vengeful souls voiced their eagerness.

The Obsidian Shard began to tremble and shoot off bolts of energy as the long-suffering souls attempted to break free. The Dark Lord dropped the crystal on the ground and facilitated their escape with the blunt end of his staff. With a burst of incandescent ectoplasm, the shades spewed forth from the shattered gem like a fountain. Hundreds of spectral crystal unicorns poured into the Boneyard, much to the attentive daemons and shade’s surprise.

“By the Night and Dark!” The Hand of Death gasped in surprise. “How did I miss such a bounty of souls?”

“Their anger and hatred is almost overwhelming!” Alek cringed. “It is a cry of vengeance that has gone unanswered for centuries!”

Armor could only look on in awe at the sight before him, his mind reevaluating what he knew about the Crystal Heart. The last of the crystal shades exited the mass phylactery and joined the host of unicorn souls getting use to their now spacious surroundings. With a single stamp of his bident, they all suddenly faced the Necroarch with expectant looks on their nearly identical faces. As was the case with the ghosts that haunted Broken Horn Mine, their centuries spent in the Crystal Heart had taken a toll on them.

“Hmm. A good start but I would need more if we are to hold Tartarus.” The resurrected Theoi thought. “At least they’re obedient.”

“Welcome home, shades of the mortal dead.” The Dread Lord addressed his new subjects. “Before we go on, there is a small matter we must attend to: Where is Sombra?”

At the mention of the loathed tyrant, the crystal shades let out a collective snarl. The spectral host parted and two ghosts trotted forward with a limp figure supported between them. The Lord of Shades watched as they contemptuously tossed the cursed soul of Sombra into the bone-dust where he lay unmoving. The pale horse knelt down and waved his two-pronged staff before the late emperor’s noticeably dull eyes. He did not so much as a blink. The wicked intellect that had vexed the Frozen North was clearly no more.

“You and Amore’s plaything destroyed his flesh.” The ethereal unicorns whispered in unison. “We shattered his sanity.”

“A fitting fate for one so vile.” The abyssal monarch thought as he prodded the hebetudinous slaver.

“Crystals…” The tyrant slurred weakly.

“It is a shame you are not lucid enough to comprehend what is about to happen to you, Sombra.” The greyscale equine said coldly as he turned away and waved forward the youngest Erinyes. “Tisiphone, take this to the master smith. He will have use for it.”

“Right away.” The Fury uncoiled her scourge and wrapped the barbed length around the shade's neck. "Come along, you."

The former captain watched in silent contempt as his utterly broken enemy was none-to-gently dragged into the palace. The pale horse did not need to be in his head to know that the stallion had not quite gotten over everything that had happened at the Crystal Empire. The Theoi redirected the shade's attention toward his crystal counterparts. Armor could not deny the almost surreal feeling of standing before a herd of ponies he once ruled over, more or less. The late prince-regent decided to clear the air.

“I had no idea you were trapped in the Crystal Heart.” Armor said almost apologetically. “Had I known, I would have done everything I could to free you.”

“Ah, good. He figured that part out.” The Dark Lord thought. “One less thing I have to explain to him.”

“We thank you for the sentiment, prince of Equestria.” The crystal shades whispered softly. “Though you fell victim to the last Amore’s wiles, you have proven to be a stallion worth following when you deposed her and slew the tyrant.”

“I’m trying to put that first part behind me but thanks.” The spectral stallion bristled slightly. "So, how many of you have prior combat experience? Soldiers or guards?"

Of the thousand or so crystal shades, roughly a third trotted forward. Armor broadened his criteria to include anypony with training in offensive and defensive magic and got another hundred. The late captain turned to the Necroarch with an uncertain look.

"Not to disparage their abilities but I don't think this will be enough if we are going against Tartarus itself." He said bluntly.

"There are more at the Brass Gates but your point still stands." The robed horse stroked his beard in thought. "Perhaps we could-"

The sound of gates opening cut him off. At the far side of the Boneyard, a veritable horde of shades poured in lead by a hooded giganties guard. Armor's eyes grew wider and wider as the throng of spectral beings of nearly every mortal race gathered before him.

"We must have had quite the backlog of shades." The Dark Lord mused.

"Now this is more like it." The late prince-regent said approvingly.

"Excellency." The giganties approached and bowed respectfully. "I bring aspirants who wish to join the Order."

"Impeccable timing." The Dark Lord nodded in affirmation.

"Do you take all comers or put them to trial or something?" Armor asked as the horde looked about unsurely.

"Your predecessor favored trial by combat but you do what you think is best." The patron of the Undying reminded him. "You are the Grand Marshal now. I just offer my patronage."

"Right..." The commander of the Undying grumbled as he approached his would-be brothers and sisters in arms. "So you all wish to join the Order, is that right?"

The shades murmered amongst themselves uncertainly. Eventually, the horde parted and the ghost of a diamond dog trudged forward. Both Armor and the Theoi recognized him but could not place his name.

"I think he was one of Dugore's legionaires." The pale horse mused.

"Da judges told us dat wez too bad ta get into Paradise but not enuff to be kicked into da Pits." The hound said solemnly. "Said dat wez could either drink dat river water dat wipes ya mind or join da Undyin' Boyz."

"I... see." Armor said after deciphering the diamond dog's distictive accent. "You have a name, boy?"

"My mates called me Fleabag." The late Legion vanguard answered. "I used ta run with da Marked Legion."

"Ah, yes. He was with that minotaur and griffon at Borken Horn." The Dark Lord recalled. "Last I saw, they were fleeing the Empire. I wonder whatever became of them."

"Legion, eh?" The spectral unicorn's expression darkened. "So you were at the Crystal Empire."

"Yea but I had nuthin' against you ponies. I wuz just aftah flash loot like most boyz." Flebag whined pitifully. "I know I've been a bad dog so I wuz hopin' to make tingz right by servin' you n' Da Dredd Boss."

"He speaks for all of us." An earth pony shade concurred. "We are at your mercy, mighty lords."

The throng shared this sentiment by kneeling before the ghostly unicorn and pale stallion. Armor looked to the Theoi who, once again, emphasized that this was his decision to make. The late prince-regent mulled it over and decided that in the face of the demonic invasion, he could not be picky nor let any grievances from when he was alive affect his judgment.

"I expect loyalty, courage and more from those who wish to join my army." Armor announced as he slipped into his old Captain of the Guard mode. "If any of you lack those qualities, it will be beaten into you. Welcome to the Undying Order."

"Thanks, boss." Fleabag's spectral tail wagged happily. "We won't let ya down."

A quiet cheer went up from the horde as they rose back up. They joined up with the crystal shades and got acquainted. The Grand Marshal looked over the troops now under his command and felt a twinge of cotent; that this is what he was meant to do rather than act as a tour guide for the deceased.

“So, is there a knighting ceremony?" He asked the monochrome monarch. "Or do you just wave your hooves and poof we’re knights of the realm?”

“There is a quick initiation ritual.” The Theoi answered as he raised a hoof for attention. “Heed me, initiates of the Undying.”

The specters immediately snapped to attention as the Lord of Shades exerted his absolute authority over them including Armor. With a silent command, they formed ordered ranks according to their species. Equines formed the majority with an even distribution of pegasi, unicorn and earth ponies along with a few zebras. A close second were the griffons along with their flightless and nautical cousins the demigriffs and hippogriffs respectively. Knossian and Ixionian minotaurs, a motley collection of diamond dogs and a spattering of other creatures rounded out the newest members of the Order.

"Hmm, no dragons." The Dark Lord noticed. "I guess that one at the shanty town didn't make Asphodel."

"Repeat after me." He said reverently. "Upon my soul and the black waters of the Styx, I do swear undying loyalty to the Lord of Shades and unwavering obedience to the officers of his realm. From dust I am reborn and to dust I will return if I fail in my duty. May I find the glory in Death that I did not in Life."

The shades repeated the oath vehemently, earning a subtle nod of approval from the Overlord and the oath enforcer Alek. In one smooth motion, he lowered his hoof back to the ground and the souls slipped beneath the dusty surface. The pale horse began muttering Khthonic incantations as he took his staff in both forelegs and traced a large intricate rune in the ground around where the shades disappeared. The deep shadows of the Sunless Lands seemed to coalesce around him as he finished and reviewed his work. Satisfied, the Overlord of the Underworld reared back on his hind legs and drove his bident into the ground with an echoing clang. The Boneyard trembled as necromantic power was channeled directly into it, causing the decorative bones to rattled and danced.

“Souls of the mortal dead bonded with the Bones of the Earth.” The Hidden One intoned in the dark tongue as he uprooted his staff. “Arise and serve.”

On cue, the ground erupted in an explosion of dust and dirt. A horde of creatures, pale as bone with ashen hair, dragged themselves out of the cold earth. They looked at each other and themselves, faintly glowing eyes wide in amazement.

“We live again?” One of the revenants asked.

“Not quite.” The Necroarch answered. “Your spectral forms were all but immune to physical attacks but would dissipate against magic, which our foes use quite extensively. The vessels you now inhabit balance that. Plus you will be able to use weapons and armor.”

“It feels like I could do more than that.” Armor said as he flexed his new limbs and felt the strength within.

"Harhar! I could probably krump my old alpha now!" Fleabag concurred as he inspected his improved physique.

“Quite.” The pale horse agreed. “Armor? Try using ‘magic’. It should feel familiar to you.”

The former captain nodded and concentrated. A negative glow enveloped his horn and shot off into the sky like a bolt. A quiet chorus of 'ooh' came from the unicorns at the small display of Khthonic magic.

“It feels…cold.” The Marshal shuddered involuntarily as he placed where he had felt this power before. “Like when we broke out of the crystal dungeons.”

“Exactly.” The robed royal said plainly. “You may have to help your fellow unicorn revenants get used to it but it should not be difficult.”

The now corporeal unicorn nodded in agreement and started organizing his new troops. While Armor instructed his fellow Undying, their patron ordered the hooded giganties to retrieve armor and weapons from the Order’s chapterhouse. As he departed to do his master’s bidding, Chrysalis, Elytra and Megaera reappeared on the palace threshold. Accompanying them were only a few of the more robust drones.

“I felt the ground shake a while ago.” The Hive Queen said as she trotted into the Boneyard. “Did you finally put the High and Mighty Trixie in her place?”

“No.” The Dread Lord shook his head. “I did raise an army, however.”

"Literally." The middle Erinyes observed as he waved a hoof over the latest additions to the Undying Order.

The changelings looked over the revenants with various levels of curiosity. Chrysalis was particularly interested in her old flame. Besides the obvious fact he was no longer made of ectoplasm, the height difference between them had shrunk and he was a bit more chiseled than he once was.

“Ooh~ Shining.” The swarm matron chittered playfully once she caught sight of the revitalized stallion. “I guess our relationship is no longer restricted to being platonic.”

“Mom!” Elytra scrunched up her nose in disgust. “Gross!”

“Lucky me.” The nonplussed Armor deadpanned as he turned back to his troops.

“I take it you have found your new arrangements.” The Dark Lord said as he approached the changelings. “Are they to your liking?”

“It’s dark, cold, and full of dead plants.” Chrysalis grinned. “It’s marvelous.”

“Better than hiding in some dingy cave at any rate.” The Hive Princess added. “But I guess we are still doing that.”

“From a certain point of view, yes.” The pale horse agreed. “Did you happen to pass Miss Lulamoon on your way back?”

As if on cue, the magician appeared in a showy flash of magenta magic and conjured fireworks. Telkhine emerged from the palace not long after having apparently sprinted the whole way after the magician teleported without him.

“The Great and Powerful Trixie is back and better than ever!” The unicorn announced. "Raw magic now courses through her and she can put even the most proficient mages to shame!"

“Outstanding.” The Dark Lord said approvingly. “I take it you had no problems with the Arcane Nexus?”

“That magic fountain thing?” Lulamoon shook her head. “None whatsoever. Telkhine was most helpful.”

At that time, the giganties returned with several cyclopes in tow carrying equipment for Armor and the other revenants. While they were being outfitted, the Theoi excused himself from his new servants and trotted over toward his quietly waiting daemon allies.

“Your patience is appreciated.” He said in Khthonic before outlining his plan. “Once the Undying here are properly equipped, we will march on Tartarus by way of the Phlegethon.”

“What will you have us do in the meantime?” Alek asked.

“I want you and your sisters to fly on ahead of us and render aid to the defenders.” The pale horse instructed. “We are severely lacking in aerial warriors even with the new pegasi and griffons.”

“I may have a solution for that, Hidden One.” The Hand of Death spoke up. “I can summon the keres to our aid if you would allow me time to gather them.”

“Do what you can.” The Overlord nodded. "Telkhine, I know you prefer to stay out of battle..."

"Oh, those demons would punt me around like a ball." The alchemist shuddered. "But I did bring some things that may aid your warriors: blessed oil and whetstones from Elysium, imbued silver and purified salt and a few other things."

"Excellent." The Theoi said approvingly. "That is all for now. Fates guard you.”

With a respectful bow, the daemons spread their wings and took to the air. Their master watched them gain altitude before they leveled off and went their separate ways; the Furies toward the distant fires of Tartarus and the Reaper back into the shifting darkness of Erebos. The Lord of Shades turned back to his mustering army and shifted his weight onto his staff as he waited for them to finish.

“I will not delude myself into thinking that the war with Tartarus will be an easy one.” The Dark Lord mused to himself. “The demons and monsters of the Nine Hells are brutal, cunning, and without mercy.”

He looked over the destitute magician turned Khthonic mage, the deceptive Hive Queen that once brought Canterlot to heel and one of Equestria’s greatest sons now a dark knight of the dead. The army now under his command were an eclectic lot but they appeared to be unified in their desire to guard their new home and make amends for past transgressions.

“But we will be worse.” The Theoi Anax allowed a ghost of a smile to cross his lips.