Princess Celestia, Princess of the Sun and Herald of the Dawn, exited her room onto a balcony overlooking the sleeping land of Equestria. In contrast to her usual radiant appearance, her coat was a dull drab white and her long mane hung limp and pink against her svelte body. The eastern horizon was aglow with the first rays of sunlight. In but a few moments, the Alicorn would raise the sun into the sky and bath the land in its golden glory. She just had to wait for her lunar sister to lower her pale moon before she could begin. It was normally done by the time she awoke in the early hours of the morning but today the moon was only just now dipping below the skyline.

“It’s quite unlike Luna to be late.” The elder Alicorn though as she glanced over at her sister’s tower balcony.

She only caught a brief glimpse of the midnight blue mare as she disappeared back into her quarters, her tardy part of their morning ritual complete. The moon disappeared from the sky and left the world in a state of twilight.

“I should try to make time for her.” The concerned sibling planned as she ignited her horn for the task ahead. “These last few days have been rough on her. On all of us, really.”

Focusing her power as the Princess of the Sun, Celestia reached out into the heavens and commanded her fiery orb to rise. Bit by bit, it obeyed. The Alicorn allowed a prideful smile to cross her features as her sun finally crested the horizon and chased away the last of Luna’s night sky. As the golden rays raced across Equestria, she felt a rush of power once they washed over her. Her coat brightened to its flawless alabaster hue as her mane sprung to life in a billowing banner of pastel colors. The rejuvenated Princess spread her mighty wings wide in greeting of the new day.

“Good morning, my little ponies.” She said like a mother waking her child.

Far below her, a few early risers had already exited their homes to begin the day. The morning dew glistened in the sunlight like mimicries of her sister’s precious stars. Birdsong accompanied a gentle breeze that made the Alicorn’s wings flutter in delight. Celestia lingered for just a moment longer to enjoy the dawn before trotting back into her room. She wanted to be in a good mood before she started the day court as a few of the ponies that would be visiting tended to get under her skin.

“And unlike Discord, I can’t pass them off to Fluttershy if I want some peace and quiet.” The sunny mare thought as she donned her golden accoutrements from her closet. “Or can I?”

She ultimately decided she could not do something so cruel to the shy pegasus. Not even the Element of Kindness could tame the selfish fiends that were Canterlot’s nobility. Only gold bits or a particularly grand display of power could do that. Still, a Princess could dream.

“Alright, let’s see what Equestria has for me today.” Celestia sighed as she came around to her ornate desk.

Rather than the towering stack of papers and letters she was expecting, there was but a single note and the usual scroll stamped ‘Day Court Itinerary’. The letter was stamped with blue wax and the moon crescent of her sister. Curious, the alabaster Alicorn levitated the note up to read it.

“Celly~

I know you have been buried in paperwork as of recently. As I am mostly to blame for our current situation, I have asked your secretary to divert all inquiries related to the Crystal Empire and it's destruction to me for now. You deserve a break from the tide of accusations and demands.

~Lulu”

“Oh, Luna.” Celestia said with a sad shake of her head. “You’re too hard on yourself.”

She was about to file the note away when she noticed her sister’s eloquent writing continued on the back of the folded stationary. She flipped it over to read on.

“P.S. I have made an appointment to have an audience with you during the day court. It’s important.”

The Princess arched an eyebrow at this. It was unlike Luna to make appointments to speak with her. She normally just approached her whenever she saw fit. The Solar Alicorn opened the scroll containing the scheduled petitioners who would be visiting her during the day court. Sure enough, at the top of the list was ‘Princess Luna of Equestria’ along with ‘Guest’.

“Well, dear sister, you’ve piqued my interest.” The Princess of the Day thought as she tucked the itinerary beneath a downy wing. “I do hope you’re well.”

The Princess ignited her horn and vanished from her chambers in a flash of golden magic. She reappeared in the grand throne room a split second later. The steadfast Royal Guard saluted their ruler which she acknowledged with a nod. Celestia turned and settled comfortably into her golden throne, the new cushions feeling like clouds against her shapely rear. Once she was seated, a young page approached and knelt before her.

“Good morning, your highness.” He greeted timidly. “With your permission, shall we start the day court?”

“That we shall, page.” The Princess announced as she floated over the itinerary. "It should be relatively simple today."

The servant took the parchment in between his teeth and trotted out the large doors leading to the antechamber. There was a brief moment of silence as they waited for the first visitor to arrive. Celestia was about to order some refreshments when the doors creaked open again. A now very nervous looking page held the door open for a single figure.

“A-announcing Princess Luna of Equestria!” The colt stammered.

It was as if speaking the midnight Princess’s name aloud brought ill fortune. The air grew chill and the guards shifted nervously in their armor as the Lunar Alicorn entered in her full regality. Her long shadow seemed to suck the light out of the room as she passed the stain glass windows, compounding the guard’s growing trepidation. Celestia could understand their unease given Luna’s recent history with their northern neighbor but there seemed to be an unnatural air about her. Regardless, she still greeted her beloved sister with a warm smile.

“Good morning, Luna.” She said cordially. “I found your note on my desk. I appreciate the help but you didn’t need to do that.”

“Nonsense.” Luna replied with a weary but happy smile of her own. “After the monsters we have faced, a few angry letters are foal’s play.”

Celestia wish she could say she shared Luna’s attitude. She could see the diminished state of her only sister. Dark circles of fatigue had formed under her eyes and the ethereal element of her mane was fading, allowing the more mundane light blue the show through. Then again, the latter could be attributed to Luna being awake at an odd time for her.

“Still, you didn't have to face them alone.” The Solar Alicorn said gently. "We overcame our worst foes together."

“I know.” The Lunar Princess sighed. “Which is why I'm here before you now. You see...”

Celestia allowed her sibling to preface their discussion; context was important after all. The Night Princess had dispatched a pair of her thestrals to search the floating ruins of the Crystal Empire, the Revenant Isles. The bat-ponies recovered a trophy in the form of the helm worn by the legion warlord that had invaded the city. They had also found a lone stallion. This got Celestia’s attention as well as the guards who whispered the start of rumors to each other.

“Somepony survived?” The alabaster Alicorn asked. “How is that possible?”

“He is not a normal pony.” Luna explained. “He’s an animus.”

This triggered another round of whispers of speculation. A single disapproving look from Celestia silenced them. She had heard of animi before in tales and legends from the Dark Ages before the reign of Discord. Most of them were simply really old ghosts. If Luna had found one that was genuine, they could learn a lot about that dark period of history from him. That is, if he had not gone insane from the ages spent in a state of unlife.

“I take it he’s your guest mentioned in the itinerary.” She inferred with a critical frown. “Which means he’s here now.”

“Correct.” Luna said with a somewhat guilty look on her face. “I apologize for not consulting with you first, but I trust him enough to bring him to our capital.”

“After only a few hours?” Celestia arched a puzzled eyebrow. “Luna, I know your social skills have improved since your return but not even Twilight has made friends that fast.”

“Actually, we have met before.” The deep blue Princess responded with an incredulous frown.

Before Luna went into further detail, she trotted closer to Celestia’s throne. The elder Alicorn could only assume she did not trust the guards enough to not spread rumors and gossip. It was not completely unfounded as, for all their talk of love and tolerance, the ponies of Canterlot were remarkably paranoid and prone to assume the worst.

“I have visited his dreams a couple of times.” The dream strider whispered. “I'll admit, I did not trust him at first but we did find some common ground.”

“And what would that be?” A now very curious Celestia asked.

“We…” Luna’s expression darkened before she continued. “...We were both banished by our loved ones. The worlds we once knew were confined to the annals of history and we had to learn the ways of the present or be outcasts forever.”

“Oh.” Celestia's ears folded flat against her head. “I didn’t mean to open old wounds, Luna. I just want to make sure this character can be trusted.”

“Of course you are.” The former Mare in the Moon sighed. “His name is Grey, by the way, and I know we can trust him. He assisted the late Prince Armor in undermining Sombra’s tyranny.”

The Princess of the Sun’s eyebrows shot up in surprise. She was under the impression that Armor stood alone against the forces of the slaver and his minions. If this 'Grey' had indeed aided him, then she wondered why his involvement was kept from her.

“He did?” She tried to pry some more information from her sister

“Oh, yes.” Luna nodded. “He spied on the villains from the shadows and relayed information to Armor who, in turn, informed me. We might have been left in the dark otherwise.”

The diurnal Alicorn shuddered to think of what could have happened to the Frozen North if Sombra had been allowed to inflict his maniacal will on it unopposed. While the empire may have been destroyed, there were fates far worse than death. She knew a few lawn ornaments who could attest to that.

“In the interest of transparency, I do consider him a friend and I think he would be a boon to Equestria.” Luna continued her glowing recommendation. “He was hesitant at first but he had at the very least agreed to visit.”

Celestia pressed her hooves together in thought. Anypony who opposed the likes of Sombra was a pony on the side of right in her eyes. However, Grey’s chosen method had shades of duplicity to her, as if he had used Armor and Luna to achieve his own goals. The fact they seemed to align with Equestria’s could have been just a fortunate coincidence or rather something far more sinister. This sole survivor was proving to be a puzzle and like any puzzle, the only way to solve it was to first take a look at it.

“I am glad you’ve found a kindred spirit, Luna.” She said, ignoring the unintentional pun. “I would like to speak with him face to face before we go any further though.”

“Very well then.” The younger Alicorn said as she stamped a hoof on the floor. “You may come out now.”

To Celestia’s and especially the guard’s surprise, a tenebrous hoof emerged from Luna’s shadow with nary a sound. It was joined by another that pulled a head, neck and shoulders from the navy Alicorn's shade. The Sun Princess watched warily as an jet black stallion pulled himself free and stood before her, his white eyes locked with her violet ones. Neither one of them said a word.

“He’s studying me.” She realized. “Like a predator sizing up his prey.”

The alabaster Alicorn was about to prepare a spell to protect herself when the stygian stallion suddenly bowed. Compared to the ones she received from nobles, this one at least felt genuine and respectful. She did note that he bowed rather than knelt; a sign of respect but not fealty.

“Princess Celestia of Equestria, radiant Child of the Sun and Herald of the Dawn.” He greeted in a voice as cool and calm as a frozen lake. “It is an honor to finally make your acquaintance.”

"Child of the Sun?" The Solar Alicorn mused. "I had not been called that in decades."

“I forgot to mention he’s got a finely polished silver tongue.” A frowning Luna whispered to a now slightly blushing Celestia as she moved to her side to let Grey have the floor. "Please try to keep your tail down."

“Is that jealously I hear in your voice, little Lulu?” The sunny mare thought before addressing her guest.

“I see you are as polite as you are stealthy, Mister Grey.” She said with a gesture for him to rise. “Though I recommend you don’t make a habit of hiding in shadows. Some may find it...unnerving.”

“Apologies, but I find it difficult to trot out in the open in my current state...” The stygian stallion replied as he returned to his full height which Celestia noticed was not much shorter than her. “…as Equestria’s finest here are about to demonstrate.”

He waved a hoof over the guards. A few of them had weapons at the ready and looked ready to attack the admittedly villainous looking animus. One stern look from Celestia was enough to get them to stand down. Still, they kept an eye on the dark horse that had managed to sneak by them.

“Now, the lovely Princess Luna mentioned my joining of your great nation.” Grey said with a quick nod toward the Herald of the Dusk. “I have had plenty of time to think about it and I think such a partnership would benefit us both.”

“I could not agree more.” Luna gave him a small smile. “I think I speak for both of us when I say that-“

“Just one moment, Luna.” Celestia interrupted. “There is something I want to know first.”

She ignored the annoyed nicker she got from her sister and continued.

“You were banished by your family, yes?” She began, keeping an eye out for any subtle cues in Grey’s body language; twitch of the eye, hoof shuffling, and the like. “Can you please elaborate?”

“Celly!” Luna hissed only to receive a silencing hoof.

For but an instant, the younger sister’s eyes flashed teal. She knew Celestia was only trying to get to know the shadow pony better but she did not appreciate her touching on a private subject nor being shut out of the conversation. It was she who had discovered the stallion, after all.

“Oh, that is a long, sad tale.” Grey sighed in a world wary way. “But if it will earn your trust, I’ll give you a brief summary.”

"Actually, I have a better idea." The Solar Alicorn said before he could begin. "Instead of telling us, I would have you show us."

"Oh?" The animus cocked his head to the side. "How so?"

"Celestia, you are not thinking about using the daydream spell, are you?" Luna whispered critically. "That is very invasive."

"So is intruding upon our little ponys' dreams." Celestia whispered back but caught herself when Luna narrowed her eyes at her. "I did not mean it like that. Yes, both our ways are intrusive but they are ultimately beneficial."

"But...fine." The nocturnal Alicorn tried to argue but decided to let it be. "At least tell him what you are about to do."

"Should I start worrying?" Grey asked apprehensively as the two Diarchs whispered back and forth.

"Not yet." The alabaster Alicorn shook her head as she stood up from her throne and approached him. "I am going to use a spell that will allow us to view your memories as if in a dream."

"It will be similar to what we have done." Luna added. "Your memories will be projected for us to see."

"I see." The shadow stallion said with a sideways glance at the attentive guards. "Is there anything I need to do?"

"Just turn around and relax." Celestia instructed as she sparked her horn. "There will be some mild discomfort but the daydream spell itself is harmless."

Grey stared at the Princess of the Day for a few tense moments before he silently turned his back to her and sat down. The Alicorn came up behind him and gently placed her hooves on his temples. She shivered slightly from his unnatural cold skin.

"You have a delicate touch, Princess." Grey commented candidly.

"You might not think so in a moment." The Herald of the Dawn warned. "Remember to relax."

Her glowing horn brightened as she channeled the daydream spell into the animus. Celestia felt her magic poke and prod at his mental defenses until Grey finally allowed entry. The animus stiffened as his eyes involuntarily widened and non-baleful light shone out from them. A jumble of images appeared in the air before him that flickered and jumped like a film projector. They eventually cleared and focused on a plain white screen. Celestia released her hold and Grey and returned to her throne.

"This feels very strange." The stygian stallion said in obvious discomfort.

"That feeling should pass once we begin." The Alicorn of the Sun assured him as she, her sister and the guards gathered to view the impromptu play. "Now show us how you came to be banished. Oh, and don't try to 'remember things differently'. We'll know."

"Very well." Grey conceded as shapes and colors began to materialize out of the white void. "Let us start with my arrival to the capital."

Hundreds of thousands of years ago, the pallid stallion that will eventually be known as Grey rode an ornate lift of brass up a smooth stone shaft carved out of a mountain. He rubbed his face with a hoof and sighed, fatigue evident in his posture. He looked down at his robes and brushed off some offending dust.

"Nice duds." One of the guards in the present commented. "You got a mix of some old time bishop and sorcerer going on."

"They served their purpose." Present-Grey said with a shrug.

After a rather extended ride in the elevator, the lift finally came to a stop with a metallic clank before a set of gilded doors. The ancient Lord composed himself and pushed through. He trotted into a corridor of white marble with polished gold inlays. The right side was lined with statues of various figures and simple benches while the left offered a spectacular vista of towering mountains past billowing curtains of regal purple.

"Where are we?" Celestia asked. "I don't recognize any landmarks."

"My youngest brother's palace in the Crown of the World mountain range." Present-Grey answered. "This combined with an elite legion of empowered pegasi stationed in numerous cloud-bound citadels effectively made the skies his realm."

"Cool." A pegasus guard enjoyed a bit of vicarious supremacy.

The robed stallion turned away from the view and trotted down the hall, the steady clip-clop of his hooves joined by the metallic stamp of his staff. Along the way, he approached numerous equines of all types in either the simple tunics of laborers and servants or the elaborate robes of nobility. Guards in kit not too dissimilar to those of the Royal Guards stood watch or patrolled the halls.

"What language is that?" Celestia asked as Past-Grey came within earshot of the conversations. "I can pick out bits of Imperial but the dialect is...odd."

"It is an even older form of it." Luna said brightly, earning an inquisitive look from her sister.

"I have learned enough of modern Equine to translate if you wish." Grey offered before the Lunar Alicorn could explain herself. "But that would require me to 'remember things differently' as you warned me against."

"Fine." The Solar Alicorn relented for her benefit as well as the guards.

The memory paused and rewound to the point before the pale horse came within earshot. A menu of languages popped up, scrolled down past several other unidentified languages and stopped on 'Equine'. The menu closed and the memory resumed.

"...everything is gone." A noble mare lamented. "The rebels took everything of useful and burned the rest."

"I heard that some of the Lords and Ladies are sending aid to them." A worker whispered to a college as they dusted off a statue. "I do not know if they want to get in their good graces or if they just want to undermine the Sky King."

"Well, we know who benefits the most the longer this war goes on..." The color left a noble stallion's face as Grey's long shadow fell over him. "Fates preserve us, it is him!"

The din of conversation died out into a fearful silence. Nobles bowed their heads and backed away. Laborers ceased their tasks with some hiding behind their works. Even the steadfast guards gave him a wide berth or stiffened in their armor. The pallid pony ignored them as he made his way down the corridor. He soon came upon an ornate set of doors flanked by a pair of elite guards who snapped to attention as soon as they saw a figure approach.

"Halt! None are allowed...entry..." All the authority and bravado of the guards drained out of them as the Lord trotted silently onward.

One of the sentinels wisely stood aside while muttering hundreds of apologies. His companion remained rooted to the spot more out of terror than defiance. The Lord's shadow fell over the trembling guard like a pall as the taller stallion loomed over him. There was a gasp from the audience as the twin prongs of Grey's staff came into view followed by a relieved sigh when he only used them to brush the hapless guard aside.

"They feared you." Celestia flatly stated the obvious as Past-Grey trotted past the smarter guard who had opened the doors for him. "From humble worker to stalwart guard to dignified noble."

"I had quite the reputation." The shadow pony said with a shrug. "And one Hell of a power trot."

"Sounds a bit like you, Princess Luna." A guard commented wryly, earning a look from the navy Alicorn.

Grey moved down an entryway toward what sounded like a heated debate well underway. The stallion paused with one hoof resting against another set of doors with voices coming from the other side. He took a deep breath and let out a long sigh of apprehension. The audience of the present day perked up in curiosity.

"We are about to witness the last council of the powers that ruled the world." The tenebrous stallion sounded like he wanted a stiff drink and a warm bed to enjoy it in. "My family."

The doors parted to reveal possibly the most ornate council chambers the Equestrian had ever seen. Three tiers of flawless marble circled an expansive geo-map of the ancient world illuminated by an oculus in the domed ceiling. Upon each tier were thrones of unique design and make; some of crystal, others carved wood and others still of stone. Opposite the entrance stood a raised terrace where a pair of thrones of polished white-gold, one embossed with hawkish figurehead and the other with jeweled peacock feathers, were elevated above the rest. Occupying most but not all of these thrones were a diverse bunch of equines. Most of them appeared to be larger versions of the primary three types but what caught the audience's attention were the two pegasi that sat above the rest. The male looked every bit a ruler from his large frame to his powerful wings. A long silver mane and accompanying beard lent him an air of wisdom while his electric blue eyes shone with the fury and power of a storm. His companion, likewise, carried herself like any queen would with regal poise and elegance. Her flowing auburn mane and form flattering dress would catch the eye of any stallion but her striking doe-eyes betrayed a cruel cunning.

"That would be my youngest brother and his wife." Grey answered before anypony could ask. "If the rest of us were Lords and Ladies, they would be King and Queen to use modern hierarchical terminology. They ruled justly but were not above petty squabbles and other such failings."

"So the youngest held the highest authority." Luna regarded her elder sibling with a smirk. "Now isn't that interesting, Celestia."

Grey's entrance appeared to have gone unnoticed as the assembled rulers of the world continued to argue heatedly. They were clearly discussing the rebellions mentioned by the populace outside and were divided on how to best approach them. A beauty of a mare currently held the floor, her flowing golden locks accentuating her feminine features as they caught the light. This provoked an immediate reaction in all, past, present, mare, stallion and animus alike.

"By my Moon!" Luna stared at what was possibly the single most beautiful equine she had ever laid eyes on.

"And what a moon it is!" A very excited guard was nearly salivating at the sight. "I could bounce a bit off of it."

"That would be a cousin. I suppose she would be my time's equivalent to Princess Cadenza." Grey said factually even as he fought to keep less-than-pure thoughts from being projected. "Do not be fooled by her beauty, however. Her tongue could be sharper than any blade and whole cities have burned with but a honeyed word from her"

"Grey? If you don't mind me saying, the blood runs hot in your family." A guardsmare said in a somewhat flirty manner. "It makes me wonder what you looked like."

"*Ahem* If the running commentary is becoming a nuisance, I can dismiss the guards." Luna cleared her throat as she fixed the guard with a glare that threatened an eternity of kitchen patrol.

"That won't be necessary." The animus said plainly. "But as we are about to get to the main event, I would request that questions and comments be held until afterwards. I will provide context where I think is necessary."

"You have been most patient." Celestia nodded in affirmation as she gave a compulsory look to the now sheepish guards. "Please proceed."

The late arrival stayed hidden in the shadows of the entryway as the beautiful mare continued her impassioned speech. Around her dainty hooves on the geo-map, red banners depicted rebel positions in areas of desolation. Even as she spoke, a few more sprung up like weeds. A concerned murmur ran through both past and present crowds as rebellion was a sore spot for both.

"Our subjects abandon us in droves and leave our cities in ruins!" The lovely Lady said in a sweet but serious tone. "If they love us not, how can our love reach them? We must remind them that life was better under our loving care."

"Love? Bah! Love has nothing to do with it!" A familiar crimson stallion in bronze armor interrupted, earning disapproving jeers from the modern audience. "These wretches have been a thorn in our sides for decades! It is high time we quash this nuisance along with all their sycophants!"

"NO!" The king slammed a hoof down on his throne with a booming roll of thunder. "The upstarts have the hearts of the plebeians! If we march on them, they will become martyrs and drive even more to their cause, you fool!"

"Our father speaks the truth, brother." A fine stallion in gilded armor that seemed to glow with an inner light advised the warmonger. "Stay your wrath. Slaughtering our subjects only helps one."

"Our resident patron of the arts." The shadow stallion said with an air of disdain. "He spent most of his time composing poems, basking in the adoration of mares and perpetuating a soft culture of luxury but he could be a fair fighter if pushed hard enough."

"It will help us all!" The warrior insisted. "Everything else we have tried in the past has only-!"

"SIT DOWN!" His father thundered.

The crimson stallion flinched but did not obey immediately. He seemed prepared to challenge his father only for a familiar dour mare in practical yet form flattering dress to place a restraining hoof on his shoulder. He looked at her and she shook her head slowly. The warmonger grunted something illegible and took his seat.

"The Lord and Lady of War. Each embodying the ugly and noble sides of battle." Grey provided a bit of trivia. "They are normally bitter rivals. The fact that they were together should have warned me something was amiss."

"The stallion once tried to cajole an army to fight the upstarts from Grey." Luna whispered to Celestia. "He put him in his place in spectacular fashion."

"Good." The alabaster Alicorn said with an approving nod. "I can tell that warmonger would not stop at putting down rebels."

"I am sorry, my son." The stormy pegasus said in a less angry king and more stern father tone. "I understand your rage but war is what started this mess. I fear what another may do."

"Then what do you propose, brother?" A unicorn, similar in build to the king but with a deep brown mane and nautical style armor with a voice as big as the sea, asked. "We cannot stand idly by while the world tears itself apart yet we cannot act without exacerbating our downfall."

"My younger brother." Present-Grey explained quickly. "Ruler of an island kingdom inhabited by arcane unicorns and undisputed master of the seas through earth-shaking magics. The quintessential middle child in all that implies."

"I wouldn't mind serving him." A unicorn guardsmare said candidly.

"We can act but it must be done carefully." The golden stallion said as he looked intently at the geo-map. "They once loved and worshiped us but recent events has turned that to hatred and revulsion."

"Finally, you understand the fickle nature of your subjects." The hitherto silent Grey broke his extended peace and trotted forward.

Much like the equines outside, the reaction from the assembled Lords and Ladies to his surprise appearance was immediate and evident. Most gasped and recoiled in shock while a few of the more militant such as the warmonger reached for weapons. The only exceptions were his two younger brothers who both greeted their elder with genuine smiles.

"Ah, welcome, brother, welcome!" The Sky King spread his forelegs wide. "Thank you for making the journey here."

"Haha! Maybe now we can get something done!" The Sea Master concurred with a good natured laugh. "Good to see you again, you old devil."

"Likewise." Grey nodded to each of his siblings in turn.

"Father, he does not belong here." The patron of the arts advised urgently. "Any scheme he proposes could only serve to-"

"He is here at my request." The pegasus cut him off with a hard look. "This matter concerns all of us even him."

"Indeed." The pale horse said neutrally as he turned to the apprehensive mare. "Now, my dear, I believe you were speaking."

"Y-yes. I was. Thank you." The gorgeous equine composed herself again and returned to her point. "The war that spawned this mess left large swaths of the world devastated. The populace is desperate and has turned toward those who they think have the answers. I propose that we extend our compassion to them; show them the benevolence that has seen them through countless other perils."

"Nine Hells, you literally want to spare the rod and spoil the children in the midst of a tantrum!" The ever belligerent warmonger shouted. "We cannot extend a withered olive branch nor can we wait and see like some of you want to!"

The crimson stallion glared at Grey as he said the last part. He then stood out of his brass throne and stomped forward full of conviction. The ancient Lord looked past him and caught the tail end of the warrior's sister disappear into a side hall.

"I had about a hundred red flags flying at this moment." Present-Grey said apprehensively.

"I have seen the armies the upstarts are raising." The warmonger continued feverishly. "They have already decided to go to war! It is not a matter of if we want war or not but when do we attack!"

"I too have seen these so called armies." The middle brother scoffed. "These are not myrmidons or gigantes but desperate plebs with sticks and stones."

"Brother, is it not possible you are letting the slight you suffered during the war cloud your judgement?" The golden stallion asked his ruddy sibling.

"I have never seen things more clearly!" The warmonger growled at the artistic equine.

"I agree with our son, dear husband." The queen said knowingly. "Soldiers can level cities but a mob of angry, hungry peons can topple empires."

A murmur ran thought the council as just how dire their situation was became clear. Lines were soon drawn as some sided with the warrior in stamping out the rebellion with extreme prejudice while others favored the loving Lady's compassionate plan. Only the three brothers formed a third faction of undecided or hopeful for a compromise.

"May I propose a third option?" Grey ventured. "Rather than dropping the hammer on the rebels, you use a knife. Cut out the upstarts leading these rebellions and let the masses settle down."

"Oh, do not act like you care." The golden stallion scowled. "Whether we decide, you only stand to benefit. For all we know, you are funding the rebellion."

"I have to agree with our nephew, brother." The Sea Master said after some thought. "Not that you are undermining us but that eliminating the upstarts would only leave a power void that could be filled by something worse."

"At the very least we know the upstarts." The Sky King added. "Your plan may have worked if implemented at the first hint of rebellion but we may have waited too long."

"Yes, wait and see! That is all any of you do nowadays!" The crimson stallion shouted derisively. "What happened to the king who would call down the lightning from on high or the master who would drown entire cities?!"

"Son, I have just about enough of your impudence!" The youngest brother thundered dangerously. "Hold your tongue or I will cast you out!"

"Weak! All three of you are too weak to act!" The Lord of War was not intimidated. "And the rest of you are nothing but a bunch of cowards!"

"ENOUGH!" The king boomed. "BEGONE FROM THIS HALL!"

"COME UP HERE AND MAKE ME!" The warmonger shouted back. "THIS COUNCIL IS A FARCE! WE NEED TO ACT NOW AND IF CANNOT SEE THAT THEN TO HELL WITH ALL OF YOU!"

This proclamation was punctuated by doors being busted down and armored soldiers rushing in with weapons at the ready. The Lord and Ladies found themselves set upon by a legion of warriors as centuries of politicking, bickering and scheming reached its boiling point. Those who could teleported out while the rest were forced to fight for their lives. The clash of steel, bloodthirsty war cries and crack of battle magic filled the air as Grey dueled with and against his dysfunctional family. To Celestia's surprise and concern, the guards seemed thrilled by the sudden and ugly turn of events.

"Yeah! Get 'em!" One of them cheered Past-Grey on as he crumpled the helm of an unfortunate solider with a blow from his staff. "Teach those traitors a lesson!"

"Your sea brother needs help!" Another called out as the Master of the Seas was dragged down by foes. "Hit that brute with the...there you go!"

At some point in the frantic fighting, the ancient Lord bumped into his youngest brother who was a storm of righteous wrath. The two of them formed an impromptu tag-team that saw many foes be blown apart by the storm power of the pegasus or crushed under the awesome strength of his earth-bound brother. The two stood back to back as soldiers surrounded them but hesitated to attack.

"I am sorry for getting you involved in this, Hidden One." The Sky King said genuinely as he fried a foolhardy villain with a bolt of lightning. "To think I hoped a consensus could be reached. I appear to have grown naive in these dark times."

"I cannot fault you for trying, Sky Father." Grey replied as he skewered a victim and then pitched him into the air for his sibling to blast. "I suggest you take whatever allies you have left and find a safe haven. You cannot win here."

"And what of you?" The King of the Skies asked with concern.

"I imagine most here have wanted to take a crack at me since I quit this court. Let me hold their attention." The ancient Lord responded. "Just another favor for my dear brother."

"I swear I will pay you back in full someday." The king said with a trace of sorrow as their lull ended and combat resumed in earnest.

"They did care for each other in their own way." Celestia thought as he glanced at her only sister.

The fighting went on for some time. A few of the Lords and Ladies managed to escape their hardline kin including Grey's brothers who fled through the oculus in a storm of lightning of the king's conjuring. The ancient Lord was about to make his own get away when the crimson stallion confronted him.

"You are not going anywhere!" He shouted as he swung a blood soaked mace at Grey's skull.

"Kick his ass, Grey!" A guard shouted encouragingly.

Their dual was a brutal one. The warrior fought with the ferocity of a whole army while his uncle stayed on the defensive where he had the advantage. Their battle reached its climax as Grey ducked another swing and counted by driving the blunt end of his staff into his foe's nose. He followed through by pinning him against the wall with the shaft of his weapon pressed against his neck.

"Argh! I guess we now know what it takes to get you off your throne!" He chocked out as the wall cracked behind him.

"You don't have to take that from him!" A guard retorted. "Choke him out!"

"Guards!" Celestia shouted. "That is enough!"

"A better solution would have been to break his neck or just run him through." Grey absently brought a tenebrous hoof to his chest. "I will be suffering the consequences for that mistake right about...now."

His vision flashed white as the tip of a spear erupted from his chest, spraying the warmonger with his blood. The crimson stallion shoved the impaled stallion off of him and then swung his mace into the side of his head with a meaty thwack. The projection blurred and sound became muffled as the Lord hit the floor while the fighting raged on around him. Whispers of worry rippled through the audience only to fade when the image eventually refocused. During Grey's daze, the fighting had either ended or moved out of the council chambers. He was on his knees on the now shattered geo-map held in place by two soldiers. The crimson stallion stood before him with a victorious grin on his face.

"Always cover your flanks and rear." He needled. "That is basic warfare, uncle."

"So what does picking a fight you cannot win count as?" Grey asked shakily. "Your father was right, you are a fool."

"I would remind you that you are the one kneeling and bleeding." The warrior retorted derisively.

"Our uncle speaks the truth." A voice said behind him as the spear that was still lodged in his body was yanked free. "If you had waited until my signal, we might have captured them all."

The dour mare trotted around Grey and glared disapprovingly at her brother. The Lord at each of them and groaned more in grim realization than pain.

"If you two have starting working together, then it truly must be the end times." He deadpanned. "I should have stayed home."

"You are half right." The Lady of War regarded her stricken uncle with a trace of regret. "It is the end of an era."

"And the beginning of a glorious new one." The Lord of War finished as he hefted his mace. "I would ask you to join us, dear uncle, but all three of us already know the answer to that."

"Then I will not waste my breath." Grey steeled himself for what he suspected would come next. "I will just take solace in knowing you two will destroy each other once you run out of enemies."

He received a rebuttal in the form of the warmonger's mace slamming into the side of his head again. This was followed by another on the back-swing then another and another. Over and over, the crimson stallion bludgeoned his uncle with ill-contained sadistic glee. Present-Grey visibly flinched in time with each blow as the Equestrian's looked on in horror.

"Barbarian!" Celestia scrunched up her nose appalled.

"Savage!" Luna hissed.

"Oh, it's about to get worse." Grey's voice strained as he effectively relived his execution.

Yet another blow from the mace resulted in a sickening crunch followed by half of the Lord's vision turning black. The Lord of War pulled back for another swing only for his sister to stop him by putting her spear between them. Grey had trouble focusing on them and their voices sounded miles away.

"You are wasting time." The Lady of War criticized. "We have more pressing matters. Father was seen heading toward the Storm Fort. "

"No, I consider this time well spent." The crimson stallion chuckled as he batted her spear away and brought the mace down hard on the Lord's skull for the umpteenth time. "But you are right. Go ahead and end this stubborn devil then we can see to our dear father."

The warmonger tore a piece of cloth from a fallen soldier and began cleaning his weapon as he trotted away. His sister watched him carefully for a bit before turning toward Grey. She let out a regretful sigh and withdrew a book from her armor.

"He does not know when to stop fighting." The pale horse slurred. "He will turn on you once you run out of enemies."

"I know, uncle." The dour mare said simply as she turned to a bookmarked page. "Until then, he serves his purpose. You, however, are far to dangerous to be left in play. I am sorry."

"You are going to miss me." The ancient Lord said ominously.

The Lady of War signaled the soldiers to drop the stallion and stand back. She then began reciting an incantation from the tome in a language that the animus could not accurately translate to Equine. An ethereal breeze blew through the room as black lightning arched around Grey's body. The breeze turning into a hurricane as something tore open behind the wounded stallion. As the dour mare reached the apex of the invocation, the eldritch lightning surged into the Lord. Both past and present versions screamed in agony as the animus was violently torn from his vessel. The disembodied soul saw his battered corpse collapse just before the ritual cast him into a swirling vortex of darkness. The daydream distorted into static and then cut out.

"Are you satisfied, Princess Celestia?" Grey asked wearily as he rubbed his tenebrous temples with a hoof.

"For the most part." The Solar Alicorn nodded. "I apologize for making you relive that."

“Hopefully, for the last time.” The shadow stallion cleared the last of the spell from his mind and turned to face the Princesses and the attentive guards. “I thought that to be the end of my tale until about a week ago when, in defiance of the eons long exile, I collapsed into being in the Frozen North. Princess Luna knows the rest.”

The alabaster Alicorn glanced at her navy blue counterpart who finished Grey’s story for him.

“You sought out the Crystal Empire to learn the history of our world only to get swept up in the schemes of a tyrant and a marauder.” Luna recapped. “Then you aided Prince-Regent Armor and, by extension, us in combating this threat.”

“That is the gist of it, yes.” The dark equine nodded. “That’s my story, Princess Celestia. The latest chapters at any rate.”

The Princess of the Sun held her hooves together and rested her muzzle against them. She had thought that his exile would have been more along the lines of what had happened between her and Nightmare Moon. If his recollection was reliable, the truth was not so clear cut. She still had a few questions for the strange stallion before she could reach a conclusion however.

“So now that you’re here…” Celestia spoke after a contemplative moment. “…what do you intend to do?”

“I learned much from the Crystal Empire, but not all that I needed.” Grey admitted. “The knowledge that will either guild me back home or reveal its fate still eludes me. I hope to find it here.”

The eldest Alicorn was silent again, deep in thought. Again, if he was being truthful, his desire to work with Equestria was to further his own goals rather than a genuine friendship. It was not the most agreeable of motivations but it was far from the worst and he was being forthcoming. Luna leaned in to whisper to her.

“Sister, when all is said in done, he just wants find where he belongs.” She said. “After what he has done for us, surely we can assist him.”

In time, Celestia nodded her head slowly. The pursuit of knowledge was a noble endeavor but it could lead into dark places. Even Twilight had stumbled into them a few times. She always managed to get herself out but some of those places had claws that would not let go. The Solar Alicorn could not help but wonder if those same claws had already gotten into Grey.

"I still have my suspicions about you, Grey." The Diarch of the Day addressed her guest. "You clearly ruled through fear in your time and you do not shy away from duplicitous means."

"I can ex-" The animus was cut off by Celestia holding up a silencing hoof.

"Furthermore, you seemed content to stand by and let innocents suffer so long as you were not directly involved." The Solar Alicorn continued, earning questioning looks from her sister and narrowed eyes from the shadow pony. "However, given your actions at the Crystal Empire, you appear to have changed in that regard."

"I had plenty of time to meditate on the matter." Grey said coolly.

"Indeed." Celestia agreed. "That being said, I fear that Equestria might not be the best fit for one such as yourself. You desire to find your home, yes? I encourage you to continue that quest."

"What?" Luna whispered a bit louder than she intended. "After all that, you're-"

"I understand you perfectly, Princess Celestia, and I will respect your decision." The ancient animus interrupted in a respectful and collected. "I do humbly request that you allow me, say, one day to make use of Canterlot's wealth of knowledge. I would hate to have made this journey for nothing."

"Of course." The Alicorn of the Sun nodded. "I hope you find what you are seeking. Thank you for understanding and good luck."

Grey bowed his head in respect before rising and silently drifting toward the exit. He had just reached the doors when he perked up as if remembering something. The animus turned back to face the Alicorns.

"Oh, one last thing." He said with a slight air of mischief. "The late Prince-Regent told me to tell you something, Princess Celestia."

"Oh?" The alabaster Alicorn arched an eyebrow as a look of realization dawned on Luna. "Please share."

Grey reared up on his hind legs and repeatedly made a chopping motion over his groin with his fore hooves. A stunned silence fell over the throne room that was only broken by stifled snickers from the guards. The Lunar Alicorn struggled to contain her own laughter as Celestia stared wide-eyed as if the animus had just smacked her with his pride.

"W-what?!" She stammered in outrage.

"The good Prince learned many things at the empire including the fact that Princess Cadenza had charmed him." The animus said candidly as he tapped his head with a hoof. "Something you suggested she do."

The restrained laughter turn to gasps of shock. All eyes turned to the Solar Alicorn whose outrage had given way to mortification. Luna gave her sister a particularly hard look.

"Sister?" She asked suspiciously.

"I suggested it as a means to protect Armor from being enthralled again." Celestia explained defensively.

"A noble intention but we know all about those." The Lunar Alicorn frowned critically. "Did you think Cadenza would not abuse it?"

"I thought we had taught her better than that." The former mentor to the Princess of Love asserted.

"We?" Luna arched an eyebrow. "I was not here for her tutelage."

"We'll talk about this with her later." Celestia derailed the conversation before it fully turned against her. "Thank you for...bringing this matter to my attention, Grey."

"Oh, I was merely fulfilling the last wishes of a good stallion." The animus said simply with a bow. "I shall take my leave now. Good morning."

With that, the shadow pony melded back into the shadows and vanished from sight. The Princess of the Sun scanned the throne room a few times to ensure he had actually departed before visibly relaxing. Her sister did the same before she trotted in front of the throne. She looked less than pleased.

"Cadenza's folly aside, that was perhaps the politest way I've seen you kick somepony out." She said with an air of disapproval.

"I wouldn't say I'm kicking him out." Celestia responded with a sigh. "I just think he will have to change in a drastic way if he wishes to join our nation."

"He helped us against Sombra and could reveal more forgotten history to us." Luna insisted. "You were willing to give Discord, who had been nothing but a thorn in our sides for centuries, a chance."

"Discord was- is -different." The Alicorn of the Day said in thinning patience. "We know him. We know that for all his mischief and trouble-making he just needed a true friend. Grey is...I don't know what he is! For all the good he had done us, something about him gives me pause! There is something dark about him and I don't mean his appearance."

"He is not a shining exemplar of Equestrian principles, I will admit." The navy Alicorn frowned. "But I trust him. Is that not enough to at least give him a chance?"

"Coming from the mare who bedded Sombra? No!" Celestia snapped and instantly regretted it.

Luna recoiled as if she had been struck. The air grew chill as the light seemed to flee from the insulted Alicorn. Celestia slapped a hoof over her mouth, eyes wide in horror at her own loose tongue.

"Luna, I'm sorry." The Alicorn of the Sun said quietly. "That was uncalled for. I-"

"Nay. Thou art in the right." Luna said in an eerily calm but archaic tone. "We art not the best arbiter of equines."

The navy mare turned around and trotted calmly toward the doors. She was composed and regal but her sister could tell she was beyond furious. The Diarch of the Day tried to salvage something from the ongoing disaster.

"Lulu, please." Celestia pleaded. "I made a mistake. I did not mean-"

"Nonsense! Thou art the most wise and supreme Princess of the Day whom can do no wrong." Luna waved her off as she opened the doors with her magic and trotted through. "We art naught but the humble guardian of the night. Good day, sister."

"Luna..." The alabaster Alicorn tried one last time.

"We said good day!" Luna slammed the door on her attempts at reconciliation, cracking the stone door frame and rattling the glass in the windows.

"Why did you say that, Celly? You know that is a sore spot for her." The Diarch scolded herself as she slouched in her throne. "She truly isn't the best judge of character but it's not like you haven't been deceived before. Sun above, you really stepped in it this time."

"Uh, your majesty?" A guard asked gently. "Should we do something? Bring her back? Let her go?"

"It would be best to leave her alone for awhile." Celestia sighed. "I'll talk to her later tonight."

Signaling for a servant to fetch some refreshments, she composed herself for the rest of the day court. At lot had been revealed and the day was only a scant for hours old. She could only hope the worst was already behind her.

“Send in the next one, page.” She ordered politely.

“Yes, your majesty.” The colt poked his head out the door to summon the next in line. “Ahem. Announcing Prince Blueblood of Equestria! Nephew of Princess Celestia! First Citizen of Canterlot! Grand Admiral of the…”

“This is going to be a long day.” Celestia thought as she downed a thoughtfully provided glass of hard ice tea.

The Hellmouth was an appropriate name for the gaping maw of a crater that lead into the infernal depths of Tartarus proper. Standing on the rim looking down into the gullet, it greatly resembled the jaws of a great beast with inward facing rows of jagged rocks that resembled teeth. The wicked shades were being drawn like moths to flame by a power only they could perceive down a winding path that lead down the slopes to the bottom where a flaming pit marked one’s last chance to turn around and stay in the Fields of Punishment. Tirek the Warlock and Grogar the Bell-ringer both were considering that option.

“You know, they say Tartarus was constructed from the petrified remains of a Primordial Demon-God.” The crimson eyed ram said trying to lessen the feeling of all consuming dread. “That was way before our time, of course.”

“Now’s not the time for a history lesson, jingle bell.” The centaur said curtly. “We need to get a move on before we’re spotted by the warden.”

“After you then, red.” Grogar waved his centaur companion onward.

Carefully, the two made their way down the scorching rocks. Fortunately for them, the great behemoth that acted as the warden for the blasted plains was elsewhere at the time. They eventually made it to level ground but it was then that Tirek noticed a problem.

“There’s no cover from here to the pit.” He whispered. “If that metal monstrosity decided to glance over here, we’re doomed.”

“Then the best we can do is stay inconspicuous.” Grogar whispered back. “Just trot in like we own the place.”

Seeing no better option the centaur emerged from their hiding place and trotted out into the crater basin. Grogar waited a few moments as if to see if the red warlock's intrusion would be noticed before he did the same. A few shades glanced up at them but most were too preoccupied with wallowing in self-pity and loathing to raise a fuss. As they drew closer to the Hellmouth, the stretch of decay and brimstone assaulted their senses. It came in steady, rhythmic waves as if something was breathing. Tirek was about to put stock in Grogar' s petrified demon theory when the area was bathed in a hellish red glow. The hermit looked up to see the sky had been blocked out by a colossal beast with spotlight eyes shining out.

“YOU!!!” A hurricane of a hundred voices roared at once.

The all too familiar bulk of the hekatonkheires loomed over the crater, its multitude of angry eyes focused on the centaur that had dared to escape the Infernal Prison. The monstrosity raised one of its many fists, easily bigger than a mountain, into the air. Tirek galloped as fast as he could, fueled by mortal fear. He heard the groan of flesh and metal and the rushing air as the titan brought its colossal fist down to reduce them all to paste. As the shadow of impending death fell over the crater, the centaur dove for the pit. He collided with a horrified Grogar and knocked them both into the gaping chasm just as the giant impacted the ground with all the force of a falling star. The two were sent rocketing down the chasm by the resulting rush of air like a shot from a cannon. They instinctively clung to each other as they fell, the noise of the air rushing through the cramped hole sounding like a roaring dragon. Over the deafening noise, something taunted them.

"What do you hope to accomplish, mortals?" A primordial voice from the dawn of creation inquired. "Suffering and torment are all you will find down here."

It was only when the cacophony suddenly ceased that Tirek opened his eyes. They had exited the chasm and were now freefalling along with thousands of condemned souls. Below him stretched a thick forest not too dissimilar to the Everfree. That same forest was also quickly rushing to meet him.

“Shit!” The warlock quickly tried to conjure some sort of protection spell. “Come on!”

Due to his limited magical reserves, Tirek only managed to form a simple ward around him and Grogar. Bracing for impact, the two crashed through the upper canopy and branches of the trees before coming to an abrupt and undignified stop on the ground below. The centaur waited for his vision to stop spinning before he groggily got to his hooves. As he did, pain shot through his left arm.

“Gah! Damn it!” He swore angrily.

A quick inspection showed that his arm had been dislocated at the shoulder. Not wanting to go one with one less limb, the red ravager snapped a limb off a tree and bit into it. Grimacing, he gripped his arm and wrenched it back into place with a painful crack. He let out a muffled grunt of pain and bit the piece of wood in his mouth clean in two.

“Note to self: don’t do that again if I can help it.” Tirek murmured as he flexed the corrected arm. “Grogar? You dead?”

“Not yet.” The ram’s voice called out from above.

The centaur looked up to find the blue wizard hanging by his horns some distance above him. He waved down at him, all too aware that he was completely helpless. Tirek could not help but smile at his partner’s plight.

“I’d call you an ornament but Hearth’s Warming was weeks ago.” He jeered. “Hang in there, I’ll get you down.”

“Please hurry.” Grogar said worriedly. "I think our entrance might have attracted the wrong type of attention."

Pointing his finger at the limb the bell-ringer was stuck on, Tirek fired a simple spark of magic at it. He dared not use anymore as there were only so many places in Tartarus for him to recharge his magic and demons controlled all of them. The branch caught fire and slowly bent down under Grogar’s weight. After a while, he slid off and fell to the forest floor with a thud.

“Ow.” The ram grunted as he rubbed his rear. “Thanks.”

“Mmhmm.” The centaur grunted. “We cut it a bit close up there.”

“Bah, it was just a hundred-handed giant that could stomp Equestria by itself.” Grogar said with a dismissive wave. “There’s far worse down here in the First Circle.”

As he said that, a high pitched shriek sounded from the depths of the forest. Thunderous bellows and chitinous clicking answered the call followed by screams of terror. Tirek and Grogar looked at each other and promptly took off in the opposite direction of the horrid sounds. As they crashed through the underbrush, they came upon the lone shade of a lost pony. The ram was about to ask the soul for directions when another shriek cut through the dark forest, closer this time. Before the two mages could blink, the pony disappeared in a flash of chitin and fur. Like before, an eerie clicking answered the shriek only this one was behind them. Tirek glanced over his shoulder to see a grotesque amalgamation of a stallion, scorpion, and mantis about to attack.

“Hunters!” He shouted. "Move!"

The two leap forward just as the abomination snapped its claws where they just were. Running on pure survival instincts, the centaur and ram barreled through the forest. All around them, the calls of the vile Hunters and the screams of their prey echoed across the circle.

“We got to get to the center!” Grogar called out. “It’s our only chance!”

The only indications that they were going the right way was when the sylvan smell of the forest gave way to sulfur and brimstone and when shades stared becoming more common than monsters. Tirek was so focused on these signs that he failed to notice when Grogar ducked beneath something. He ran smack into a nigh invisible web spun between two trees. The glue-like strands held him fast despite his best efforts to free himself. As he struggled, the weaver of the trap slowly crawled out from its hiding spot. The sight of the disgusting combination of a mare’s body with a spider’s legs and mandibles made bile rise in the back of his throat.

“Where's a newspaper when I need one!” He snarled as he struggled against the web.

As if it could understand him, the spider-mare laughed as it crept closer. He could feel the poisonous spittle dripping off its fangs as it came close enough to see the animalistic hunger in her eight milky eyes.

*Ring-ring* A dinner bell sounded the coming feast.

“Wait, dinner bell?” Tirek wondered just as a concussive blast of sound blasted him and the web.

The spider was sent rolling into a tree while the centaur extracted himself from the shredded remains of the trap. He was a bit deaf now but it was better than having his insides liquidated. A soft tingling of bells announced the presence of a smiling Grogar.

“We’re even now.” He said smugly as he quieted one of the larger bells around his neck. “Come on, we’re almost there.”

Tirek mumbled his gratitude and followed the ram. After a short time, they emerged from the sylvan hunting grounds of the chimeric beasts into a clear field. Before them, dominating the hellscape, was a mighty stronghold. Seven concentric walls of black stone surrounded a single looming tower crowned with a leering bull’s skull. Both Tirek and Grogar knew this structure well and the being who dwelled within.

“The House of Pain.” The red centaur said dryly as he pulled his ruined cloak tighter around himself.

“Court of Judge Minos, First King of Knossos now Baron of the First Circle.” The blue ram finished as he made sure his bells were still securely fastened to him. "A hanging judge if there ever was one."

The pair of wizards steeled themselves and began moving toward the ancient fortification along with scores of wretched shades. While they were relived the have made it through the Dark Forest of Limbo, their journey through Tartarus had only just begun.