“Grogar did what?!” Corona flared up like gas tossed on a bonfire at the news of the bell ringer’s actions.

“As I said, the feckless fraud assaulted me and the Major-general after we discovered he was plotting to betray our cause and fled into the city.” Rubric repeated his report to the fuming Alicorn. “A few of the wrathful pursued him as far as the bridge over the abyss where one of the sentinels got the drop on him. We have not found a corpse, so we assume he is still alive.”

"He took your secretary with him." A still slightly groggy Gordon added. "I fear they are doing more than eloping."

“After everything I’ve done for them!” The Infernal Queen snarled as her horn ignited. “If that ungrateful bastard isn’t dead now, he will soon wish he was!”

The Archfiend focused and searched for the rogue ram through her hold over his patchwork flesh. She could only find faint hints of where he had been like wisps of smoke in the wind. When she could not find him in Wrath, Corona broadened her search to the neighboring Circles. Rather than down into Heresy like she suspected, the trail actually jumped up into Greed and then beyond the range of her malignant powers.

“Treasonous son of a two-bit whore!” She growled as she snapped out of her trance. "He made it to Greed and then beyond."

“Expedient little goat.” Rubric gave the seething Alicorn some space. “Tirek, you traveled with Grogar for some time. Do you have any idea why he would betray us to Geist?”

“His end goal has always been to raise Tambelon from the ashes.” The empowered and newly armored centaur champion said after a moment of thought. “With a god-tier necromancer, as you put it, coming to pay us a visit, he must have decided to take his chances with him.”

“Then the blighter has made a bold gambit with potentially fatal dividends.” The griffon said as he drummed his talons against the floor in thought. “What is to be our next move then?”

“This changes nothing.” The Hierarch said flatly as she reigned in her anger. “Even if he tells the Silent King everything he knows, it would be too late for him to do anything about it. We continue as planned.”

“Fine by me.” Tirek shrugged. “It will be a long march from here to the Gates so we’d better get a move on.”

“Who said anything about marching?” Corona asked rhetorically. “We’re going to taking a more direct route.”

“Are you suggesting a mass teleport?” Rubric cocked his head to the side.

“Oh, I’ve been on that ride before.” Tirek said with a sneer as memories of his first escape come to mind. “Damn crazy-eyed slaver.”

“Nothing so complex.” The fire-maned Alicorn shook her head. “I’m going to physically take Dis up to the Fields; envelope the whole tower in a barrier and shoot through the upper Circles like a drill. We’ll have a straight line from Pandemonium to the Fields.”

“So we are effectively creating the longest hellevator in existence.” The dragon tapped a claw against his cheek in thought. "Not an impossible feat."

“The Barons of Limbo through Greed are not going to appreciate us drilling through their backyards.” Gordon pointed out.

“Like I give a damn what those complacent fossils think.” Corona spat dismissively. “You three put together a vanguard party and bring them in here while I prepare the spell.”

“Right away, your majesty.” The scholarly salamander gave a short bow. “Come along Tirek.”

“From one blue partner to another.” The centaur muttered to himself. “Hope this one turns out better.”

The three parted company with the Archfiend to go about their tasks. Without the Alicorn commanding his attention, the dragon could not help but review the physique of the empowered centaur. Even a drake as magically attuned as he was impressed by the raw power that rippled across Tirek’s frame, most of which stemmed from the pulsating Rainbow of Darkness hanging around his neck.

“Didn’t know you had wandering eyes, lizard.” The warlock said tersely. “Is it the beard or the horns?”

“Do not flatter yourself, half-breed. My only true love is the pursuit of knowledge.” Rubric responded with an air of disdain. “I am just curious as to how you are acclimating to such a potent artifact.”

“Not easily.” The centaur answered with a pained grunt. “It is less like I am wielding a weapon than I am holding the leash of a rabid animal.”

“So you must give it what it desires or it will take it from you. Fascinating." The drake rubbed his pointed chin in thought. "Perhaps the crystal souls that comprise the Heart have some inkling as to what you did to them.”

“Only Corona would sponsor the creation of such a vile thing.” Gordon added with a shiver.

“Speaking of Queen Hot Head, I got a question for both you.” Tirek changed subjects to get his mind off the pain that did seem to have a vengeful edged to it.

“Ask and I will attempt to answer it to the best of my abilities.” The wordy wyrm said while the griffon just nodded for his partner to continue.

“I understand that everyone down here, especially me, despises Equestria and its Princesses, right?” Tirek began. “But Corona seems to have hate-on for Celestia specifically. Do you have any idea why?”

“I am afraid that particular chapter of history is known only to Corona and Celestia.” The dragon admitted. “The Solar Alicorn had her infernal counterpart’s name and deeds stricken from the historical record.”

"My historical expertise focuses more on the East." Gordon also admitted.

“So none of your precious books or ancient tomes have told you anything?” The centaur arched a bushy eyebrow skeptically. “Nothing at all?”

“Well, now that you mention it.” The drake quickly glanced around before he motioned for his partners to lean in closer so he could whisper. “I did manage to uncover an interesting piece of trivia from when Equestria was just a hatchling nation born from the cold cradle of the Long Winter.”

“Then don't keep us in suspense, old chap.” The Major-general urged the dragon on.

“Before she was banished here, Corona was the matriarch of an enclave of unicorns within old Princess Platinum’s kingdom.” Rubric whispered. “She is not a natural born Alicorn.”

“Interesting.” Tirek stroked his beard in thought.

“You did not hear that from me, by the way.” The scholar added with a conspiratorial glance over his scaly shoulder.

The three put a stop to their gossiping as they found a balcony overlooking the crowded streets and squares below. As they appeared before the masses, a cheer erupted from the demons at the site of their champion and two of their generals. Tirek took a moment to indulge in the adulation before he motioned for them to quiet down.

“Alright you cursed and damned wretches listen up!” The centaur bellowed, his voice amplified by a bit of dark magic. “The hour of our Exodus is nigh!”

Another cheer erupted from the frothing hellions. The warlock impatiently waited from them to simmer down again before he continued. He decided it would save time to just be blunt.

“Corona needs some volunteers to form the vanguard!” Tirek announced. “If you want to be among the first to see sunlight again, get in here!”

The clattering of weapons mixed with battle cries answered his call. Gordon ran a critical military eye over the abundance of volunteers rushing into the tower and came to the conclusion that he needed to filter out some of the chaff.

“I am pleased to see so many brave creatures are willing to cross blades with the warriors of the Undying Order!” The griffon said loudly, causing a few of the fiends to hesitate as they reconsidered. “Why, some of you may have the fortune of facing... Rubric, what do the demons call Darzalas? Really? Bloody hell ...facing Kyl'menus Pol'ydegmon!”

The demons whose fear of the deathly Theoi outweighed their desire for freedom fell silent and promptly about-faced. Only a much more modest number of hellions continued forward to join their champion in the tower. Tirek took note that they were mostly younger inmates and demons with more enthusiasm than experience.

“Smart move, bird.” The centaur said the three of them retreated back inside. “Weed out those who would lose their nerve upon seeing his mute majesty.”

“Sharp talons win battles.” Gordon puffed out his chest proudly. "A sharper wit wins wars."

“Nevertheless, the reputation of Geist hangs over Tartarus like an ill omen." Rubric said seriously. "If you can defeat him, it will go a long way in emboldening our troops.”

Tirek did not respond. He had not thought much but it went without saying that he was fully expected to combat and overcome the Overlord of the Underworld. For all his newfound strength, there was still a niggling doubt in his mind that he could perform such a herculean task. His introspection was suddenly interrupted by a surge of pain from the Heart around his neck as if it was punishing him for lack of faith.

“It will be difficult, to be sure.” The centaur champion said through gritted teeth. “But I have accepted the challenge and it shall be done.”

“I certainly hope so.” The scholarly salamander said seriously. “For all our sakes.”

The Rainbow of Darkness seemed to share this sentiment as it ceased its torturous reprimand on Tirek. The three moved down to the lobby to greet their vanguard party. Even with Gordon’s little test, there were still enough demons to assemble a veritable army.

“We stand ready, Lords Tirek, Rubric and Gordon!” One of the Wrathful declared confidently.

“Huh. I’ve haven’t been called a lord in a long time.” Tirek muttered to himself. “I like it.”

"I appreciate the sentiment but I hold the rank of Major-general and expect to be addressed as such." The griffon said critically. "Now then, how are we going to organize this little expedition?"

The three Banished went about selected their troops. There was some debate as to who commanded the fliers between Rubric and Gordon as well as a few demons who did not wish to take orders from anyone other than Tirek. In the end, the centaur gained overall command of the ground-bound hellions while the Major-general took the air while Rubric would hold as a reserve force.

“I will inform her Infernal Majesty that we are ready to depart.” Rubric said once they were done as he breathed a plume of fire into his claws where Corona’s visage appeared in the flames. “The vanguards are assembled and ready, your highness.”

“Excellent.” The projection of the Archfiend grinned in anticipation. “You all may wish to brace yourselves.”

Having learned from his last experience, Tirek braced himself between two support pillars away from any windows. Rubric, Gordon and the demons took cover to the best of their abilities and waited. The magically attuned dragon’s glyphs shone as they detected a change of magic in the air. Lashes of infernal energy lept from Dis and rushed down the great chains that held it. Explosions shook the Woeful City as the anchors were obliterated in showers of stone and fire. Free from its moorings, the capitol tower was encased in an octahedron of blazing energy before it began to rise higher into the air. Faster and faster, the improvised projectile rocketed toward the upper boundary of the Fifth Circle. Dis slammed into the rocky ceiling with a thunderous crash and kept going, the magical barrier sparking and groaning as it drilled through the accursed bedrock.

“Well, we’re not dead yet!” Tirek shouted above the deafening grinding noise. “Off to a good start!”

“Do not jinx it you fool!” Rubric roared. “I cannot even begin to calculate the number of things that can go wrong!”

Before long, the tower punched through the floor of the Fourth Circle. Factories and workshops were smashed aside with the many workers sent flying across the industrial wasteland. It was all the Soul Smith could do to prevent the Soul Forge from collapsing outright. The passengers were granted a brief reprieve from the noise as they soared above the smokestacks before inevitably crashing into the soot-encrusted ceiling. Another round of drilling through rock ended in absolute revulsion as the stench of the Third Circle filled the air. Blood, bile, and waste boiled away in the wake of the infernal intrusion. The bloated Worm was forced to halt its eternal quest for sustenance as the tremors overwhelmed its senses. As the tower rose above the osseous spires into the fetid air, something ancient took notice.

"So you have made it this far." The primordial voice rumbled with malignant mirth. "Suffering and pain waits for you all."

"Oh, bugger off already!" Gordon shouted.

"You know that thing?" Rubric asked having not encountered the spectator before.

"No, but it knows us." Tirek answered. "Corona had better get the lead out."

As if the Infernal Queen heard him, Dis shuddered and accelerated its ascent. The structure met the dripping roof of Gluttony and with a horrid squelching sound, penetrated into the windswept Second Circle. As if to spite the residents inside, they nearly toppled the Phallic Tower of Cleo and Marc on their way up, interrupting the two Barons’ latest attempt to copulate. The capitol of Pandemonium pitched and rolled as it was buffeted by the hurricane winds of Lust. To her credit, Corona managed to keep her seat of power upright as it punched into the penultimate level of their journey.

“What devilry is this!?” Was all Judge Minos could say as his chimeric hunters witnessed the Wrathful tower burst out of the twisted forest from his court in the House of Pain.

Their ascent through Limbo slowed once more as the Alicorn guided her relocating home toward the burning gullet of the Hellmouth. Even with the preexisting hole, the tower still had to bore through the stricken layer of stone on the final leg of their journey. With one last burst of magic, Dis exploded out of the pit of Tartarus. Momentum carried the tower out of the jagged crater until it came to a stop a good distance above the now gaping abyss leading back into the Circles.

“It appears our ordeal is at an end.” Rubric said as he cautiously raised his head.

“I smell brimstone and ash.” Tirek concurred with a sniff. “I’d say you’re right.”

"Blimey, that was a rush." Gordon smoothed down his now ruffled feathers.

The centaur, dragon, griffon and demons took a peek out a window to confirm their suspicions. As the fiery barrier fell away from Dis, they beheld the accursed Fields of Punishment, some for the first time. Volcanoes in the distance belched smoke and fire into the acrid air. Ash and cinders rained down on the iron cages hung from looming towers above the broken ground. Tirek rolled his broad shoulders as he recalled his time crammed into one of the cages swinging in the howling wind.

“Is everyone accounted for?” A disheveled and diminished Corona asked as she appeared in the lobby with the aid of her attentive bodyguards.

“No casualties, thanks to your talents.” Rubric reported confidently. “But how are you doing? You look unwell.”

“I’ll be fine.” The Alicorn said with a pointed glare at the drake. “Getting us here just took more out of me than I anticipated.”

“I guess Grogar has until she regains her strength before she reaches out and immolates him.” Tirek muttered to himself before he spoke up. “So where do we go from here?”

“INTERLOPERS!!!” A hurricane of voices bellowed in unison.

All eyes turned toward the windows. Outside, the view was dominated by the colossal form of none other than the Hekatonkheires. The hundred-handed giant was heading directly for the intrusive tower, murderous intent in its multitude of crimson eyes.

“Oh shit.” The salamander squeaked pitifully. “I completely forgot that was up here. This one is all yours, Tirek. You are the only one with enough power to even challenge that thing.”

“I really hope you're right.” The warlock looked from the Heart around his neck to the primordial warden stomping toward them. “Otherwise this will be a short Exodus.”

“Rubric and I will stay here and facilitate getting the rest of my army up here.” Corona shrugged off her assistants to stand on her own. “Once you dispose of that monster, take your vanguards and move on the Brass Gates. You may be able to pick up allies in those prison towers. Bind those willing to serve and slay the rest.”

“Very well.” The centaur champion nodded and signaled for the spearhead of the demonic legion to follow him out. “Gordon, we'll need your air force.”

"Right away, old bean." The Major-general nodded. "Chocks away, lads."

With that, Tirek and his cohorts exited the tower via a quick jump out the front door down to the Fields. The griffon and his fliers flew out the windows and circled the tower to gain altitude before setting into formation. To all of them, the towering monstrosity was just another obstacle to overcome on the long road to the ultimate prize: Freedom.

The burning waters of the River Phlegethon flowed directly from Asphodel into Tartarus. The shades of the newly condemned were pitched into this river of fire to be taken to their infernal prison as a prelude to the suffering that will know for eternity. For those who wish to travel to the Pits without taking an excruciating swim, there existed an ancient thoroughfare of carved stone built by cyclopes hands that followed alongside the Phlegethon. It was on this highway to Hell that the new revenants of the Undying Order and their mortal auxiliaries marched, their rhythmic steps contrasting with the anguished cries of the river-borne damned. Clad head to tail in baroque armor that concealed their features, the resurrected creatures marched in lockstep while those capable of flight flew in formation above them. At the head of this army were Grand Marshal Armor, his new rank denoted by the plume of blue and white atop his helm plus a short cape, Lulamoon in her customary magician garb plus her glowing moonstone amulet and the Theoi Anax himself flanked by his quartet of taciturn giganties. His attention was focused on the Erinyes’ ledger containing the names and deeds of all the damned of Tartarus.

“I see punishment in the form of banishment to the Nine Hells is not unique to Equestria.” The Dark Lord thought as he perused the lengthy tome of the living world’s former foes that he now had to deal with. “When will the rulers of the Overworld learn that death is not too good for their enemies?”

“So what exactly are we up against?” Armor asked curiously. “Demons seem to be too broad a term for my liking.”

“The denizens of the Pits are a diverse yet divisive lot. When they are not tormenting the damned, they are feuding with rival Circles. It takes a certain type of devil just to get them in the same room without killing each other, much less unite them in a common cause.” The pallid pony gave a brief overview of infernal politics. “Enter Corona Blaze, the mastermind of this 'Grand Exodus' and her champion, Tirek.”

“Ugh, him. I’m not surprised that hot mess involved in this.” The former captain of the guard snorted irritably. “I’d like to see him try to take my magic again.”

“Trixie has heard of that centaur and his desire to leech magic from others.” The azure mage chimed in. “But who or what is this Corona?”

“Sounds like Sun Butt’s dom name.” Chrysalis added from above.

“If only.” The pale horse thought.

“She is the self-appointed Infernal Queen of Tartarus.” The monochrome monarch read his would-be usurper’s entry aloud for everyone's benefit. “Her sins fill three whole pages of this book: violence against neighbors and kin, perjury, treason against her benefactors, et cetera.”

“Lovely.” The changeling matron scrunched up her nose in distaste. “So what singled her out from the rest of the dregs as 'Queen'?”

“Power.” The shadow cloaked stallion answered knowingly “She was once a pupil of Celestia in the early days of Equestria. She betrayed her and attempted to drain the Alicorn of her magic. She was banished for this but I suspect she managed to retain some portion of the Solar Alicorn's magic.”

"It must have been enough to give her a leg up on the competition." Armor inferred. "Huh. I don't remember reading any of that in history class."

"The Astute and Observant Trixie thinks Celestia had that record expunged." The magician spoke up. "Let Blaze be forgotten and left to rot."

"Possibly." The Dark Lord mentally mused. "According to Luna, she, Celestia and Blaze were the only witnesses to that event."

“No wonder she teamed up with the centaur.” Elytra buzzed. “Similar methods and enemies.”

“Speaking of methods, I think it’s time we discuss how to best apply yours.” The pale pony snapped the book shut and waved down the airborne changelings. “Fly down here for a moment.”

The two royal shapeshifters and their entourage dropped altitude and joined their grounded allies.

“I’m not sure how good we’ll be in a fight without numbers.” Chrysalis said with a look over her chosen few. "And soldier drones are better served as tunnel fighters."

“I have numbers taken care of.” The Necroarch pointed out. “I am more interested in the range of your ability to infiltrate and consume emotions.”

“Ponies, griffons, maybe small dragons…” The nymph listed off as she shifted into each form. “We can change into anything once we have a good look at them.”

“Positive emotions like love and joy are the most delectable.” The matron ran her forked tongue over her lips at the thought. “Sorrow tastes like salt and you know what rage and hate does to us.”

“Where does hope fall on that spectrum?” The Lord of Shades asked.

“Hope…” The changeling chittered amongst her children before answering. “It ranks up there with love."

"Excellent." The pallid pony nodded as the gears in his mind began to turn. "That may very well be the advantage we need to quell this uprising."

The Undying continued their march along the burning Phlegethon deeper into the depths of the Underworld. Before long, the stench of brimstone and ash mixed with blood filled the air. An unnatural pall of dread fell over the army and bestial snarls and the distant sounds of battle joined the screams of the burning shades. Steeling themselves, they crested a slight rise in the road and beheld the Brass Gates of Tartarus itself. Or, to be more accurate, what was left of them.

“Some of it may be salvageable but most of it will have to be rebuilt.” The Theoi thought as he surveyed the damage with a frown. “Damn it, Tirek.”

Even with the fall of the Brass Gates, the guardians of Tartarus had not abandoned their posts. Amongst the ruins and nearby outcrops, the old guard of the Order had set up an armed camp. Arcane battlemages and dexterous archers provided cover from the high ground while a solid wall of shields, spears and swords held the line against assaults from the Fields of Punishment. The dutiful Erinyes flew above the encampment, diving down on any stragglers that managed to slip past the relatively small shield wall.

“They are to be commended for holding back the infernal tide for this long.” The patron of the revenants mused. “But it is fortunate I got here when I did; their numbers are dwindling.”

“The Erinyes spoke the truth! The cavalry’s here!” One of the archers called out upon sighting his reinforcements. “Thank the Fates!”

Said cavalry marched down the rise and into the fortification. The very presence of their long-absent patron filled the defenders with renewed vigor while the demons close enough to the front line immediately fled once they realized their advantage had vanished. With the immediate threat taken care of, the defenders used the opportunity to rearm and rotate in fresh troops. A few came forward to greet the new arrivals.

“The Silent King returns and with him comes aid.” A pegasus snapped a smart salute. “Perhaps now the tides will turn in our favor.”

“Indeed.” The Theoi agreed. “Who is in command here?”

“I suppose I am, your Excellency. Quartermaster Steel Hands.” An ashen minotaur with a shoulder cape added to his worn armor answered. “The command structure crumbled over the ages and collapsed outright when the last castellan perished with the destruction of the Brass Gates. I was the closest thing to an officer until now.”

“You are all to be commended for holding the line this long.” The stygian stallion said genuinely as he waved Armor forward. “These are your troops, Marshall Armor. I place them in your command.”

“Armor?” A griffon cocked his head to the side. “As in Equestria’s Captain of the Guard?”

“That won’t be a problem, will it?” Armor slipped into his old military habits and gave his new subordinate a hard look.

“Not at all, sir.” The soldier respectfully saluted his Marshall along with the rest. "Tales of your accomplishments have reached even our ears. We will obey."

“Good.” The late prince-regent gave a simple nod. “Now, let’s talk strategy. We got a war to win.”

While the Undying got better acquainted with their newest additions, the Theoi trotted over to a conspicuously vacant area near the base of the wall. Large bones gnawed down to the marrow littered a small clearing in front of a shallow cave. Claw marks decorated the interior of the cave along with a matted bed of straw and furs. The whole place reeked of dog.

“It seems Cerberus has run off again.” The hellhound’s owner said with a frown.

“Oh, he hasn’t gone far.” One of the revenants said once she noticed her master’s displeasure. “He caught the scent of something and took off into the Fields. In fact, here he comes now.”

The monochrome monarch moved to the gap in the wall where the Gates used to be. As she had said, the three-headed hound was heading straight for them. The middle head was barking rapidly while the left and right heads remained conspicuously silent. The dog’s owner had little time to ponder this as the house-sized canine noticed him and made a beeline for him with puppy-like glee.

“Cerberus, down boy!” The Theoi commanded to no avail. "Wait, wait- oof!"

The burly monster pounced on the caliginous cleric and knocked him flat. The middle head then assaulted him with affectionate licks. His minions watched the scene with a mix of amusement and awe. The diamond dogs actually dropped to their knees and bowed before the aspect of one of their canine deities.

“Trixie expected the Hound of Hell to be a lot fiercer.” The azure mage had to stifle a giggle. “Perhaps the tales were exaggerated.”

“He’s really a big softy unless you try to escape from Tartarus. Then he earns the label of hellhound.” The robed royal managed to say once his excited pet ceased its affectionate assault. “Okay, boy, let me up.”

With a woof, Cerberus backed off his master and sat down, tail wagging happily. The Theoi took a moment to wipe off the fresh layer of saliva before he turned his attention to the panting pooch.

“I heard you ran off before the Gates fell.” He said sternly, earning an apologetic whimper from the middle head. “Why?”

The middle head looked to its flanking fellows expectantly. The right spat out a very unhappy succubus.

“You son of a bitch!” The demonette screamed as she tried to attack the dog only to be pinned under one of his paws with almost contemptible ease.

“Save your strength, daughter of Lust.” The Overlord said sternly. “He is the least of your problems.”

“Who the fuck-!” The lithe seducer craned her neck to give the speaker a piece of her mind only for her retort to die on her lips. "Pol'ydegmon! Tartarus spare me."

The left head kept its mouth shut and turned away stubbornly. Pointed looks from the other two got it to relent and it dropped a chewed up metal leg.

“Okay.” The stygian sovereign prodded the prosthetic with his staff. "Is there more of it?"

The middle and right heads let out a warning growl directed at the left. Reluctantly, it bent over and disgorged a terrified, three-legged blue ram and a few loose bells.

“Gah! Thank the Hundred Bells of Tambelon!” The patchwork bell ringer gasped as he crawled away from the still drooling jaws of Cerberus. "Stay back! You can keep the leg!"

“Grogar!” The succubus called out to her partner. “He is here.”

“I know that name.”The Lord of Shades recalled the ram’s rather lengthy entry in the Fury’s tome. “The Erinyes had plenty to say about this piece of work.”

“Lord Grogar the Bell Ringer of Tambelon.” He greeted neutrally. “You are a long way from the Eighth Circle.”

The old goat finally noticed the imposing stallion looming over him with a nonplussed expression on his pale face. The fallen lord attempted to compose himself only for one of the giganties to strike him from behind with the blunt end of his halberd, sending him back to the ground.

“Impudent worm!” The praetorian growled. “Kneel before your king!”

“Ah! A-A thousand humble apologies, your immortal eminence.” The pained ram said from his place in the ash. “I forgot myself in your indomitable presence.”

“Trying way too hard.” The Dark Lord thought.

“You may dispense with the pleasantries.” He said dismissively. “Why are you here?”

Before he answered, the patchwork goat took a cautious look around at the surrounding eclectic collection of revenants, changelings, and daemons. With the exception of the succubus pinned beside him, he had no friends here. He would have to choose his next words with exceptional care.

“I’ve come to parley.” The ram said carefully as he was fully aware of the beast that was breathing down his neck. “Not on behalf of Corona but for myself.”

“Continue.” The Hidden One motioned for him to get started.

“I have spent a long time as the Infernal Queen’s pawn and thus I possess intimate knowledge of her plans and strategies.” Grogar did his best to sound confident. “I am more than willing to pass what I know onto you in exchange for a favor.”

“Oh?” The pale horse maintained his neutral countenance much to the fallen lord’s discomfort. "And what would that be?"

“I humbly request that you return Tambelon from the grave.” The goat said as respectfully as he could.

A cold chuckle rippled through the more knowledgeable Undying. Grogar felt a lump of ice form in his stomach as the Khthonic Theoi’s unreflective eyes narrowed.

“You should be up to your horns in boiling pitch in the Malebolge.” He reiterated the sentence Judge Minos rendered upon the bell ringer. “Why should I trust the word of a barrator who comes before me in false flesh?”

“I…” The ram hesitated to find the correct words. “You shouldn’t. I make no excuses for my past but I assure you I bear you no ill will.”

“Your assurances ring hollow.” The Necroarch said bluntly as he closed the distance between them. “This is my counter offer: I will take what you know and then decide what to do with you.”

Grogar barely had time to blink as the pallid equine laid an ice cold hoof on his head. His mouth fell open in a silent scream as the sensation of benthic tendrils slithered into his skull. Memories from when he first took the mantle as lord of Tambelon all the way to his ill-fated deal with Corona came unbidden to the forefront of his mind. As the goat’s life flashed before his eyes, the Dark Lord reaped all information he deemed pertinent. One thing that stuck out to him was Grogar’s first dealings with Tirek and his role in the centaur’s escape from Tartarus along with Sombra’s Crystal Empire.

“I see.” The mental interloper mused. “So you drew Cerberus away and then tried to escape on your own. Almost made it had Sparkle not returned him in time.”

The next batch of memories detailed the bell ringer's ghastly reconstruction by the flesh sculptures all the way to the Infernal Council where the Rainbow of Darkness was presented to Tirek. After what felt an eternity for the unfortunate goat, the Theoi gleamed all he needed from him and withdrew from his mind but kept him bowed under his hoof.

“After all you have done, you have the gall to ask me for a favor.” The tenebrous king said in a tone that suggested Grogar was seconds away from another death. "Judge Minos may have been too lenient with you."

The ram did not answer. He only twitched beneath the King’s hold as his seams and stitches began to smolder. It was when tongues of hellfire started appearing around him did the Lord of Shades realize that this was not his doing.

“It appears that deal with the Archfiend has come back to bite you.” He said to the self-immolating goat. "An appropriate end for the likes of you."

“Please…” Grogar gasped out through the pain. "Help me..."

The Theoi forced the smoking bell ringer into an upright position. With his bident, he thrust into the ram’s patchwork body and impaled his very soul on the twin prongs. In one smooth motion, he withdrew his staff with the shade of the fallen lord wriggling on the end like a stuck fish. The now vacant vessel stared dumbly at its disembodied vital essence before it completely burst into flames. Grogar’s soul watched aghast as his burnt out body crumbled into a pile of ash, blackened bones, and cracked bells.

“Thank you, merciful one.” He said in an ethereal whisper.

“Do not thank me yet. I still have half a mine to feed you to Cerberus.” The stone-faced horse said evenly. “But I suspect you may still be of use to me.”

The Dark Lord turned to Cerberus and whistled for him to release the succubus. Once the seducer was upright, he unceremoniously pitched the ghost of Grogar off his weapon and into her arms.

"I am placing him into your custody until this is over." The Lord of Shades stated firmly. "Do not wander off."

"Of course, your Excellency." The lusty demon bowed her head in submission before she remembered something. "My Lord? There is something I need to show you if you have the time."

"Make it quick." The Necroarch said plainly.

"I don't know how much you saw in Grogar's mind but the integrity of the Nine Circles has been compromised." Xi explained as she gently set the ram's shade down. "Behold."

The former secretary of Corona produced the golden crown and presented it. The Dark Lord took the artifact and was immediately greeted by the voice of the succubus trapped within. Xi'vili detailed the deal Corona had made with her kin, being sold to the Soul Smith, what exactly went into the creation of the Rainbow of Darkness and other blasphemies against the natural order of Tartarus. Once she had finished, the Theoi returned his attention to the crown. With about as much effort as it took to flatten a tin can, he crushed the ornament in his hooves. A faint whisp rose out of the lump of gold and flew around the pale horse and Xi happily. The succubus waved farewell as the spirit of one of her sisters disappeared into the ether.

"Thank you for bringing this sacrilege to my attention, Xi'vili." The Overlord said sympathetically. "I will send the Erinyes to Greed after we are done here."

"Thank you, Excellency." The succubus bowed deeply. "Thank you."

*Ring-ring*

A light jingle caught their attention. They looked to find one of the Tambelonian bells atop the ash pile was glowing with infernal power. A small orb of magic materialized above the golden trinket and Corona’s fire wreathed image appeared out of its swirling depths.

“Alas, poor Grogar.” The Archfiend spat venomously at the ash pile. “Such is the fate of all who oppose me.”

“Probably checking to see if her curse worked.” The Dark Lord inferred. "Hmm, she even looks a little like Celestia."

The Theoi bent down and picked up the glowing bell. The communication charm distorted for a moment before it refocused with the Hierarch of the Nine Hells and the Dread Lord of Shades facing each other. The malevolent mare seemed perplexed for a moment before she realized who was on the other end.

“Well, it appears the Silent King has finally crawled out from his lair.” The Alicorn smiled in false civility. “And here I thought you were just a corpse propped up on a throne by your deluded minions.”

“They’re not quite that fanatical.” The pale pony thought. "Most of them."

“I apologize for disappointing you, Queen Corona.” The Khthonic Theoi said calmly. “I would demand your capitulation but I suspect I would just be wasting our time.”

“You would be correct.” The Archfiend nodded. “I have sacrificed far too much just to surrender to a decrepit relic from a bygone age like you.”

"Thus does diplomacy fail once again." The pale horse mentally grumbled.

“As you wish.” The Theoi Anax said with a tired sigh. “But know this: no matter how complex your schemes, how many demonic armies you raise or false promises of hope you make, your blighted soul will never see the light of day again.”

Before Corona could prepare a report, the Overlord leaned in so that his austere visage filled up her side of the charm. He was done being polite.

“I will flay the flesh from your bones and hang it from the tallest spires of Dis for all of Tartarus to see!” The God-King of the Sunless Lands allowed the mastermind of the Grand Exodus a glimpse of just why he was the most feared entity in his time. “Your pelt will fly in the wind as a flag to your failure!”

For a brief instant, Corona's facade of infernal regality and splendor slipped, revealing the terrified mortal unicorn beneath. A moment later, it was gone and the Mistress of Pandemonium returned. Without a word, she severed the communication link and the orb of magic vanished with a poof. The pale horse discarded the bell as it crumbled in his hoof and turned back to his army to make preparations for battle. He was greeted by an array of impressed but fearful looks.

"Damn, sir." Armor said with a short laugh. "Remind me never to make you angry."