“HERESY!”

The proclamation was punctuated by the authoritative bang of a judge’s gavel. The newly declared heretic could only scream as serpentine tendrils seized it by its body and hoisted it into the air. From their perch above the Court of the Damned, Tirek and Grogar watched as the wicked shade was impaled on a spiked wheel. With a groan of tortured metal, the contraption rotated to the corresponding portal marked with destination of its victim and then let the heretic fall to its doom.

“You’ve been to the Sixth Circle, have you not?” Grogar whispered out of fear of alerting the judge.

“Only once to find a spell to bribe that fool Sombra with.” Tirek replied quietly. “It’s all rows upon rows of idol and demon worshippers burning in metal coffins but if you want some forbidden magic, that’s the place to look.”

“I only ask to know how you got past Minos that time.” The bell-ringer clarified.

“Oh, I hitched a ride with a heretic as she went down.” The centaur answered simply. “If we find a wrathful soul, we can make this trip to the Fifth Circle a lot shorter.”

A commotion down in the court of the damned cut their plotting short. The doors burst open as a pair of chimeric hunters dragged a struggling third in before the judge. They tossed the wretch before the Baron of the First Circle and kept her pinned with arrows aimed at her skull.

"This is the one we were looking for, your honor." One of the hunters said as it bowed its own misshapen head. "She made a full confession."

“Did she now?” The booming voice of Minos reverberated through the room as he leaned forward.

What was once the mighty king of the minotaurs was now a colossal, emancipated corpse, crowned with the bleached bones of his once loyal followers. Much like the abominations that stalked his circle, the judge was fused with another creature that was just as decayed and dead as he: a multi-headed hydra. As he was blind from eons of entropy, Minos would use the obedient heads of the venomous serpent to seek out shades and bring them before him. Said heads had surrounded the three chimeras, fangs bared and hissing hungrily.

"So you were the one so bold as to subvert my authority!" Minos rumbled like an avalanche. "Thousands of damned souls awaiting my judgement and you just whisk them away and deliver them to that wretch Corona!"

"Your honor, please!" The demon begged. "It is not-!"

"SILENCE!" The judge banged his ebony gavel once like a crack of thunder. "You have defied not only me, the Judge of the Damned, but the edicts passed by our Sovereign Lord! And for what?!"

"A sum of gold, your honor." A hunter answered as he produced a bag of coins and presented it to the minotaur-hydra. "Thirty pieces to be exact."

"Thirty?" The huntress spat in disbelief. "That bitch promised me fifty."

"TREASON!" The judge passed sentence by bringing down his gavel on the treacherous demon.

The other two leapt out of the way as their prisoner was reduced to a insectoid green and yellow paste. Minos ground his symbol of authority into the ground for a bit before he lifted it, the crushed corpse of the fiend stuck to the bottom. The judge picked at the mess with a withered finger until he managed to peel it off and flick it into the maw of an awaiting hydra head.

"I guess we can assume he is talking about those newly arrived crystal souls." Tirek whispered. "And now old Blaze has them."

"And she is willing to work with demons to put her plot together." Grogar noted. "Until their usefulness comes to an end."

The judge suddenly perked up as if he had been alerted to something. He sniffed the air, his mucus encrusted nose flaring intently as he slowly faced the warlocks' hiding place. His sightless eyes fell on the pair and his cracked lips peeled back in a sneer.

“Who dares enter my House of Pain?” Minos rumbled. “Your feeble flesh reeks of the stench of hubris.”

The heads of the hydra found and surrounded the duo, venomous fangs bared. With hisses and snaps at their limbs, they herded the two closer to the necrotic judge. The once great king inhaled again.

“Ah, not one but two.” He addressed the pair with nothing but contempt in his hollow voice. “I smell thieves, a glutton and barrator, traitors and murderers.”

“We're a hoot at parties.” The ram’s fur stood up on end as his general crimes were listed. “A thousand apologies for intruding upon your court, your honor, but we travel to Pandemonium.”

“If you could send us down there, we would appreciate it.” Tirek added. “It should just be a matter of letting us hitch a ride with a wrathful shade.”

"For what purpose?" Minos asked as his serpentine appendages continued to stalk the wizards. "No good has ever come from that accursed place."

"We are answering the summons the Hierarch, Queen Corona." Grogar answered as he shied away from one of the hydra's forked tongue.

“Corona? A queen?” The judge cocked his head to the side. “Bah! That little equine no more rules the Nine Hells than I do!"

“Yes, we could not help but overhear how she overstepped her boundaries.” Tirek concurred as he checked for anyway out but found none.

“Perhaps we could speak to her on your behalf and have those souls returned.” Grogar ventured to the corpse-magistrate. “Surely there is no harm in sending two lone souls deeper into Tartarus, is there?”

“Everything and everyone has its proper place in Hell and will find it in time.” Minos said sagely. “The arrogant fools who believe otherwise are only deluding themselves. No one cannot hide from your sins, not even the Breaker of the Gates nor the Bell-Ringer of Tambelon!”

It was when he heard the dangerous hiss of the serpents that Tirek realized too late that the judge had no intention of helping them, not if he knew who and what they were. By their master’s will, the hydra’s heads struck and seized the two mages in their jaws. Both cried out in pain as the poisonous fangs dug into their flesh. The beasts brought them closer to the incensed judge.

“You are going back to the Fields in pieces!” He snarled at the centaur before addressing the ram. “And you were sentenced to the Malebolge! This false body you’ve created will not save you from the lake of boiling pitch!”

The heads bit down harder, threatening to crush the life out of them. Tirek searched desperately for anything that could help them. He only had one arm free and Grogar was in danger of being pulled apart at the seams. As the goat’s bells rang wildly, the centaur realized the he had a clear line of sight to the big one in the middle. Before the hydra could bite him in two, he fired a flurry of bolts at his partner, expending the last of his magic in the process. The spell struck serpent and goat alike with one lucky shot connecting the center bell on Grogar’s neck.

*GONG*

The deafening toll forced the hydra to recoil in pain, dropping the two wizards. Minos clapped his hands around his ears as his pets thrashed about wildly as their senses were overloaded. Bits of debris and shades were knocked to the floor by the crazed creature. Ignoring the ringing in his ears and the toxin burning in his veins, Tirek picked up a stunned Grogar and galloped for the sorting machine.

“I hope this thing works without a shade!” He said hurriedly as he grabbed a spike and hung on.

Slowly, painfully, the wheel turned. The centaur held onto the twitching goat as they were rotated over the gaping portals below the Court of the Damned. As the warlock had feared, the wheel ground to a halt between destinations. While they hung over empty space, the judge recovered from the shock of the deafening toll. The minotaur and hydra surged forward with an enraged roar.

"Please don't be Treason." Tirek muttered as he swung himself and Grogar toward the closest portal.

Just as the venomous jaws were about to close around him, the crimson centaur let go and fell into the swirling infernal energy. The stone of the House of Pain was replaced with a churning madness of gnashing teeth, glaring eyes and a soul-hollowing screech. Over it all was the mocking cackle of the unseen entity that had taunted them before. It was all the two sorcerers could do to keep their wits about them. Their endurance was rewarded when the chaos subsided and the two found themselves falling through open air once more. Unlike last time, there were no trees to break their fall.

“Grogar!” The centaur shouted over the howling wind. “Do something!”

The bell-ringer looked at the unforgiving ground rushing up to meet them then to his array of bells. He quickly and urgently rang a few in sequence only for nothing to happen. Just before the duo's journey came to an inglorious end, the ram tried again and achieved the correct order.

*Ring-a-ding*

A protective bubble was conjured around them and took the brunt of their landing. It shattered on impact but spared the wizards the same happening to their bones. The two laid prone for a few moments, the stress of transitioning between Circles and the hydra venom addling their bodies.

“I really hope that doesn’t become a trend but I'm not holding my breath.” Tirek grunted as he worked up the strength to pick himself off the ground. “You still in one piece, goat-lord?”

“Popped a few stitches but I’ve had worse. Nice shot, by the way.” Grogar complemented. “But next time, how about a little warning first? My ears are still bleeding.”

“One wrong move and that won’t be the only thing, interlopers!” An imperialistic voice interrupted.

Before them stood a tall stallion clad head to hoof in the segmented armor of an empire long gone by that had been warped by the corrupting influence of Tartarus. Accompanying him were a dozen or so giggling creatures, beautiful in appearance but deadly in intent. Tirek knew the succubi and incubi of the Second Circle well and the powers that commanded them. He raised his hands into the air in placation.

“Hail, Marc.” He greeted half of the ruling couple of the Second Circle of Lust. “Cleo treating you well?”

“Funny.” The militaristic equine huffed. “You are trespassing on sovereign territory.”

“We’re just passing through.” Grogar said, following Tirek’s example and raising his cloven hooves in the air. “On our way to-“

“Wrath, I am sure.” Marc cut him off. “Corona's little ploy has not escaped my attention. You will have to forestall your quest for the time being; my mistress desires your presence."

The stallion signaled his minions to apprehend the wizards.

"That is not a request." The armored stallion added. “Take them…And I mean arrest them!”

The succubi surrounded the ram and centaur, forked tongues running over their needle-like teeth in equal parts carnal and carnivorous glee. Grogar reached for one of his bells only to receive a blow to the back of the head. He collapsed face first into the dirt. Tirek did not even had time to put up a fight as one of the seductive demonettes jumped on his back and sank her teeth into his neck. With the hydra venom already running through his veins, the centaur had no means of fighting off the soporific hicky.

“I'm going to break your nose when I wake up.” He slurred one last non-sequester before consciousness abandoned him.

“Mmm, I like this one.” The succubus on his back purred. “Tastes like egomania with a dash of sadism.”

“Aw, you lucky slut!” The one that had knocked out Grogar complained. “Mine’s just a roaming conqueror. Wanna trade?”

“That's enough, you two.” Marc shooed them off their prisoners. “Tie them up and take them to the Carnal Tower. My Cleo is waiting and she wants them unspoilt.”

The demons obeyed and secured the two sorcerers. Dragging them behind them, the cohort made the trek back home. The crags they were in opened up to a windswept wasteland dominated by a colossal and eternal hurricane. Writhing tornadoes crisscrossed the hellscape, the shades of those who had let the mutual pleasures of the flesh dominate their lives tossed about like leaves in their flesh flaying winds. Standing tall and proud in the eye of the storms was a phallic tower of polished stone and gold. From atop this grand erection, a smiling mare watched her ever loyal lover navigate the swirling terrain with prisoners in tow.

“Mmhmm, my Marc does work fast.” She cooed with an expectant swish of her tail. “Corona has stolen my servants, it is only fair I take her pets.”

Noble and servile equines alike parted like the seas as Princess Luna passed through the halls. While she held her head high and proud, a pall of wrath loomed over her like a storm cloud. The Alicorn ignored the looks of fear she received from her subjects and trotted onward with purpose. Behind the calm regal facade, however, her mind was a tempest of contained rage.

"How dare she?!" Luna mentally fumed. "As if she has not made mistakes! Her former pupils up to Sparkle alone could fill a book!"

"It was spoken out of frustration and she apologized afterward." Her reasonable side argued. "She articulated it poorly but she did have a point."

"Not to mention that Grey agrees with her, sort of." A logical side added. "He wants to find his home and Celestia wishes for him to find it. Are you just being selfish?"

The navy Alicorn paused in the middle of an empty hall and sighed deeply. The more she thought about it, the more she realized that she wanted the animus to stay in Canterlot for her own benefit. Celestia was putting the well-being of their little ponies first as any ruler should.

"I should do the same." The younger of the sisters said as her anger began to wane. "I'm still going to get her back for bringing up Sombra though."

"Grilling her over Cadenza's charming of Armor should do the trick." A vindictive voice suggested. "Then again, the late captain as vicariously told her to 'suck it'. That will be difficult to top."

The Princess of the Night giggled at the thought of Grey's rather unashamed method of message delivery. With her mood marginally improved, Luna decided it would best to track down the shadow pony before she retired for the day. He seemed amicable when he left but the last thing Canterlot needed was an angry super ghost roaming the halls.

"He said he wanted to use the library." Luna muttered to herself. "Does he even know where that is?"

The Night Princess got her answer as she rounded a corner and spotted the tenebrous traveler. Grey had found a quiet alcove away from wandering equines and was currently digging through his own head with a limb shaped into a claw. With his back to her, Luna saw an opportunity to try his method of greeting unsuspecting ponies. She lightened her step and crept closer with a mischievous grin on her face.

"Egh. Damn solar magic." Grey grumbled as he dug out a glowing trace of Celestia's spell and flicked it away. "I much prefer your method, Princess Luna."

"Spoilsport." Luna mentally pouted.

"How did you know it was me?" She asked as she straightened up.

"You didn't scream and didn't blast me in the back so you couldn't be a civilian or guard." The animus answered candidly. "By process of elimination, that left you, your sister or one of the throne room guards. I had a one in three chance."

"You sound like a Las Pegasus house dealer." The navy Alicorn smirked. "I am sorry that your meeting with Celestia went poorly."

“On the contrary, I think that went rather well.” Grey said as she trotted up beside him. “Granted, that was perhaps the most polite way I have been told to 'get the Hell out'.”

"I am certain I will speak with her again before the day is done." Luna perked up as an idea came to her mind. "We could try again."

"No, I doubt there is anything we could say that could persuade her at this point." The animus shook his head. "If anything, coming forward with the rest of the truth would only earn me a place in her statue garden. My thanks for not telling her about my being the Lurker, by the way."

"As far as Equestria is concerned, the Lurker died in the Frozen North." The Alicorn of the Moon stated firmly. "At least you got a day to spend here."

"Most of which will likely be spent in the library." Grey said coolly as he began trotting through the hall.

Luna matched his somewhat brisk pace as they continued down the seldom used hall in silence. After some time, the Princess of Night spoke again in a somber tone.

“I’m sorry about what happened with your family.” She said earnestly. “I knew your time was wracked by war but to see a family torn apart like that, it goes beyond the pale.”

“We were divided long before.” Grey said evenly. “There was always some feud, power play, or other such rot going on. I grew tired of their games long before the great war, abdicated my seat at the council and withdrew to my small circle of true friends and colleagues. I only ever saw them again when there was dire need as you saw.”

“Oh.” A now downcast Luna said simply. “I guess the adage is true: A house divided cannot stand.”

“That’s why I left when I did lest the house collapse with me in it.” Grey said with an affectionate pat on the Alicorn’s back. “But that’s all in the past now and I've had many, many years to learn from it and move on.”

"So a thousand plus years of exile did work for him." The former Mare-in-the-Moon mused. "Then again, those responsible for it are all gone now and he still plans to reclaim his realm. Hmm..."

The pair of immortals came to T junction and stopped. They had their own tasks to attend to and knew they would be parting company. Grey had an important question though.

“Do you mind pointing me in the direction of the library?” He asked sheepishly. “I've just now realized I have no idea where it is.”

“The fastest way from here would be to cut through the guard barracks down the hall and to your left.” She answered after taking a moment to get her bearings. “Most of them are out on patrol so you should not run into any trouble.”

“Best I stick to the shadows then, just to be safe.” Grey said as he looked down the hall in question. “Unless there is somepony you do not mind me possessing.”

“I heavily advise doing that while you are here.” The moon mare said with a critical frown.

"Of course." The animus dropped the idea. "Would you like to accompany me?"

“I would love to but...*yawn*...I need to retire for the day." Luna said after a yawn. "Princess Sparkle may be in the library at this time. She may be able to help you but I cannot guarantee she is in a listening mood.”

“I'll take that under advisement.” Grey said he bid his companion farewell with a friendly pat on her shoulder. “Sleep well, Luna.”

"He is only going to be here for one night~" A sultry voice reminded her. "Make it one worth remembering~"

“I would visit you again tonight.” Luna pulled him in closer and whispered directly into his ear in a sly tone. “I will come to you once my duties are finished and we can enjoy each other's company properly.”

The shadow pony said nothing as the Lunar Princess slowly pulled away from him. With a playful smile and a glint in her blue eyes, she wordlessly turned around and trotted away to her chambers. Grey watched her the whole time, entranced by her tail flicking to and fro in time with the gentle sway of her hips. Luna eventually turned a corner and left the ancient animus alone once more.

"You just had your past with Sombra thrown in your face and now you are about to repeat it?." A temperamental voice criticized. "For shame!"

"It is just a dream meeting." Luna rationalized to herself. "There are a few things I wish to discuss with him and we can finally meet without a crisis overshadowing it."

"And if it leads to you adding some benefits to your 'friendship', all the better." A dark whisper teased knowingly. "We can hardly wait."

“Usually I’m the one that makes the first move. Maybe I should think about this.” The Lord of Shades mulled over the lovely Luna's invitation. “Alright I thought about it. It would be rude to leave a mare hanging even if that sounded a little…nightmarish.”

Perhaps he was being paranoid, but sultry Luna sounded real close to her darker self. Then again, it was not often a mare propositioned him. Most just galloped away screaming. Plans for his midnight rendezvous with Luna formulated and stowed away for later. The tenebrous stallion resumed his trek to the library. The shadows cast by the morning sun were deep enough for him to hide in case he ran across patrolling guards or civilian ponies. From his hiding spots, he was able to gleam some gossip from them. Most of it was garbage but amongst the drivel where nuggets of gold like Cadenza possibly renouncing her status of Princess, a few devious nobles looking to make an alliance with the mysterious Merchant Prince and who was most likely to be named Captain of the Guard.

“Hope he or she lives up to Armor’s standard.” The living shadow mused. "He would not be out of place among the heroes of old."

Before long, he came to barracks as Luna had described. It was a uniform hall of doors bearing the various ranks and names of the guardequines who were quartered within. It must have been just after a shift change as the corridor was mostly silent. Still, not wishing to get complacent, Grey remained in the shadows as he continued on. The uniformity was broken by a room with stacks of boxes piled up outside the door. Each was stamped with various destinations such as an address in Canterlot, Ponyville and disposal. A quick look at the nameplate showed that this was once Armor’s quarters.

“Looks like they’re moving out his possessions.” The animus concluded. “Wait, the book!”

Quickly, the amorphous being slid beneath the door and into the late Prince-Regent’s old room. It was mostly cleaned out but he could still tell Armor once lived there. A display case of medals bearing an insignia of the unicorn’s cutie mark stood against the far wall and a framed picture of a much younger and happier Cadenza sat on a worn desk. Most telling was the fact that the bed was made yet had a layer of undisturbed dust on it.

“Under the mattress, he said.” Grey recalled as he drifted to the full size bed.

Keeping an ear out for approaching hooves, the stygian stalker slid his formed claws beneath the mattress and frame and lifted. Underneath he found a moderately sized tome wrapped in packing paper with a sealed note addressed to Sparkle taped to the front. The tenebrous stallion was tempted to open both but decided against it.

“I doubt what is contained in these will be much use to me.” Grey mused. “But they will help me approach Princess Sparkle.”

Just then, his ears picked up the distinctive clip clop of ponies approaching. The interloper quickly phased the package into his body and righted the upturned mattress. He jumped up into the shadows on the ceiling just as the door opened. Two stallions of a military persuasion trotted in. One was a stone colored unicorn levitating a few empty boxes while the other was a gold-orange pegasus.

“Odd, I thought pegasi were supposed to be dyed white.” The Hidden One thought as he spied on the two.

“You can set them down right over there.” The pegasus pointed to a corner for the unicorn. “Thanks for the help.”

“No problem, Captain Sentry.” The stone hued soldier saluted.

“It's still just Guardstallion Sentry.” The orange stallion corrected. “The Princesses haven’t named a captain yet.”

“I know but everypony knows you’re the front runner.” The unicorn replied with a knowing grin. “I bet Princess Sparkle would vouch for you, Flash. A good word from her and Princess Celestia will have you commissioned by the weekend.”

“I can see that going well.” Flash said as his wings twitched in annoyance. “Hey, Twilight, I know you’re still grieving over your dead brother but I kind of want his old job. Can you put in a good word for me so I can replace him?”

“He does look a lot like Armor.” The shadow fiend noticed. “Blue mane, similar build, and their cutie marks are both shields.”

“I see your point.” The unicorn visibly wilted under Sentry’s sarcasm. “Still, your name has come up more than once. I’m just saying that since you and Princess Sparkle are close friends-”

“And I don't want to jeopardize that.” The pegasus cut him off as he shoved one of the boxes over to the display case. “Look, I want to be Captain but I want to earn the position due to merit not connections.”

“Right, of course.” The unicorn conceded. “I’ll be getting some this stuff down to the mail room. See you in the mess later, Guardstallion Sentry.”

Once the stone colored guard had left the room, Sentry opened the display case and inspected one of the medals. The dark creature silently moved from the shadows on the ceiling to the ones closer to the door. He was so close but he did not want to risk anything until the pegasus’ back was turned.

“I should get these framed and sent to his family.” Sentry murmured to himself. “I know Twilight is taking it hard but I can only imagine what his parents are going through.”

He carefully and respectfully packed away the medals. Judging by his actions, Grey could assume that the gold-orange soldier looked up to Armor as a mentor; a hero even. But, as with all mortals, the good Prince was doomed to die eventually. All Sentry could do now was honor his memory by rising to the task set before him. That is, if he got the position.

“I’ll take care of Twilight, Shining.” Sentry said aloud as he emptied the case. “I know you gave me a hard time like any good brother would but I promise I will make you proud.”

He closed the box and turned around to look for the tape. The shadow pony quickly and silently slid out of the room and back into the corridor. With no one in sight, it was only a left turn and he was on his way to the Canterlot library and the precious knowledge contained within.

“If I can find Sparkle while I’m there I can deliver one of Armor’s last requests.” He mentally planned. “Kill two birds with one stone.”

A short and uneventful trip later, Grey stood before the grand doors of the capitol library. Hearing movement within, he shifted into his nebulous state and slid under the doors like smoke. Inside was a massive, three tier room with shelves upon shelves of books, scrolls, and tomes that reached all the way to the dome roof. The musky sent of dried parchment and ink filled the air along with the sound of studious equines taking part in the wealth of knowledge.

They better have a history section. The dark creature thought as he began his search for information in the center of learning.

Not a moment after the thought passed through his mind, Grey came to an area with 'History' stamped on a gold plaque. There was a spattering of equines of all types browsing the books but most of them had their noses in their tomes. The shadow pony made a point of not drawing attention to himself as he perused the shelves. He picked out a few choice items and found an unoccupied space to read in peace.

“…the hatred, strife and anger dwelling within the hearts of equines called forth the Spirit of Disharmony from his wild abode. Amiss the chaos of constant, unremitting war did foul Discord draw his strength to cement his rule…”

"...along the fringes of Chaos, bastions of order formed from the scattered populace. Kingdoms rose and fell like the tides with only a scant few managing to survive for more than a few years. Yet even with a common adversary in the form of Discord did these petty realms fight amongst each other..."

Much like the library of the Crystal Empire, the one in Canterlot had an expansive collection of historical records but thus far they only dated as far back as the Reign of Discord and had an obvious bias toward Equestria and the Princesses. It was as if anything related to the Dark Ages had been deliberately lost.

“Or hidden like Sombra’s collection.” The voidian fiend thought as he read the passages. “I hope I don’t have to go through that mess again.”

If any good had come out of working with the slaver, it was the recovery of the Black Library; a sort of private collection composed of tomes, artifacts, and other items gathered by the rulers of the now destroyed empire. Said collection was now stored away in the room of the ‘Merchant Prince’ under lock, key and a few Khthonic runes. While he was sure this ill-gotten wealth of knowledge would benefit him, the Lord of Shades wanted to make sure he knew the state of his home before returning; if it was in ruins, awaiting his return or locked in war. That necessitated multiple sources.

“Which does me little good if said sources know nothing.” Grey mentally grumbled.

He replaced the books on their shelves and moved on. He was about to investigate other sections of the library when he came across a bare shelf. Every book from top to bottom had been taken. A quick glance at the label on the end showed that this was part of the ‘Myth and Folklore’ section. The tenebrous terror perked up.

“Perhaps what I would consider history has become myth to these mortals.” He thought. “Now if only I can find out where these went.”

The chime of magic from the opposite side caught his attention. A peek around the corner revealed a cream colored unicorn in an unflattering sweater and thick rim glasses. The mare had taken a book off the shelf and was already absorbed in its contents. The shadow stallion doubted she would acknowledge him so he took a risk.

“Excuse me.” He said cordially. “Do you know who took the ‘Myth and Folklore’ section?”

The mare did not even look up, as he suspected. Instead, she pointed down the aisle at an overloaded cart of books being pushed by a small purple dragon.

“He did.” The unicorn deadpanned. “Couldn’t have been noisier if he tried.”

“Ah, thank you.” The animus turned away from the studious mare and caught up with the struggling juvenile dragon. “Need help with that?”

“No!” The dragon grunted as his arms and legs trembled against the weight of the load. “Argh! Who am I kidding? Yes!”

Grey trotted up behind the cart and began pushing. The sudden change in speed caused the dragonling to face plant into the tiled floor as the cart got away from him. He quickly peeled his face off the floor and hurried to catch up with the stranger.

“Hey, slow down a little.” He huffed as his stubby legs tried to keep pace with the taller pony.

“No, you speed up.” Grey encouraged. “Come on, young one. Hustle.”

To his credit, the little dragon managed to catch up with the cart. The shadow pony rewarded his effort with a boost up onto the books, giving the young dragon a chance catch his breath. While the worn out juvenile was recuperating, Grey scanned over the books he had effectively commandeered.

“The Eleusinian Mysteries, Zeal and Fury: Cults of the False Gods, Lost Empires of the Dark Ages.” The shadow pony nodded in approval. “Now this is more like it.”

The small dragon finally sat up once he had recovered. At the sight of the pitch black, white-eyed pony, his jaw fell open. Grey braced himself for the screaming but got something he was not expecting.

“Whoa! You’re that Living Shadow!” He said, pointing a claw at the animus. “Awesome! Just like the Pony of Shadows!”

“And you’re a dragon.” Grey deadpanned. “It’s impolite to point.”

“Oh, sorry.” The little lizard said sheepishly as he dropped his hand. “It’s just Twilight always told me they were just a myth told to misbehaving foals. I believed her until I got this letter from Princess Celestia.”

“Ah, I thought he looked familiar.” The shadow pony realized as the dragon fished out the letter in question. “Princess Sparkle’s assistant, Spike.”

“I was climbing the shelves to get to the books on top when it came.” Spike said with a laugh as he rubbed his head. “Whole thing nearly fell on me. Oh, take a left here.”

He unrolled the piece of paper intended for the Alicorn of Magic and reread it as Grey took them to her.

“So your name’s ‘Grey’, huh?” He said with an arched eye ridge. “Not what I would call you.”

“I got a feeling I’m going to hear that a lot.” The shadow pony said neutrally. “Does it say anything else?”

“Just that you might be stopping by the library and that…” Spike did a double take to make sure he was reading it right. “…she should be careful around you.”

“Sage advice.” The animus thought.

“We've spoken recently, the Solar Princess and I.” Grey clarified before Spike could draw the wrong conclusions. “It was not the best meeting and she is effectively kicking me out tomorrow.”

“For what?” The dragon eyed him suspiciously.

"Princess Celestia, in her infinite wisdom, feels that I do not belong among the fair equines of Equestria." The living shadow explained with a slight dramatic flair. "I am inclined to agree with her; just look at me."

"Well, I'm a dragon and I fit in just fine...most of the time." Spike relaxed his guard. "You seem okay to me but you can't really argue with a Princess. Take a right here."

"Speaking of Princesses, how fares the newest one?" Grey switched topics as he guided the book cart down a side corridor. "I imagine recents events have not been kind to her."

“She’s hasn’t been herself since she got the news." Spike's green frills drooped sorrowfully. "Her friends and I have done just about everything we could to cheer her up but Shining meant the world to her. B.B.B.F.F and all that.”

“Were you close to him?” The abyssal apparition asked.

“Sort of.” Spike made a so-so motion with his claws. “He was like that super-cool uncle you don’t get to see much. Know what I mean?”

“I do.” Grey said knowingly. “And I think I might just be able to help Princess Sparkle.”

“You could? That’d be great! I hate seeing her like that.” The diminutive dragon perked up considerably. “Oh, here we are.”

The two came to a cornered off reading section of the library. A pair of imposing guards in tyrian armor flanked the only entrance. Just beyond them, Grey could see a lavender Alicorn hunched over a table surrounded by books and tomes.

“There she is.” The void escapee thought. “The dimensional traveler and catalyst of my return.”

“You’re not allowed here, whoever you are.” One of the guards said as she glared at Grey.

“It’s alright you two, he’s with me.” Spike said in what he thought was a smooth, confident tone.

“That’s just adorable.” The shadow pony held in a laugh.

The pair of guards shared glances before they slowly and begrudgingly stood aside. As Grey pushed the cart between them, one of them shot him the ‘I’m watching you’ look. He just stared at her until she looked away. Once they got close enough, the Alicorn’s assistant hopped off the cart and jogged over to her. The shadow fiend leaned against the book cart and waited for the usual awkward introductions to get out of the way.

"I wonder if she will recognize me from the empire." Grey thought. "If she does, this might get ugly fast."

“I’m back, Twilight!" Spike called out. "I-"

“Did you get the books I wanted?” Sparkle cut him off curtly.

“- have a letter from Princess Celestia.” Spike finished with less enthusiasm. “And yes, I did. Everything on the list.”

He held up the letter for the Princess to take in her magic. While she read it, Grey took a glance at her chosen collection of books. His eyes narrowed at what he found.

“Commentaries on the Necronomicon, Death and Other Falsehoods, Necromancy for Dummies?” The Lord of Shades realized what the Alicorn of Magic was researching. “Trying to bring Armor back, are we? Shame on you sweet Sparkle.”

“...use utmost caution?” The youngest Alicorn asked aloud.

“She's talking about him.” Her number one assistant pointed to Grey. "But he seems pretty chill to me."

The lavender Princess followed Spike’s claw to the patiently waiting shadow pony.

"Here we go." Grey braced himself for the worst as he waved in greeting.

“Good morning, Princess Sparkle.” He said calmly. “I see you are studious as you are graceful.”

“Alright, note to self: stop doing that.” The flatterer mental chastised himself. “Like magic, I can’t rely on the silver tongue for everything.”

“By Star Swirl’s beard!” Sparkle exclaimed, a glimpse of the eternally curious student showing through the layer of gloomy shut-in. “A real animus?”

“Told you they were real.” Spike said smugly as the Princess slid out of her chair and approached. “I bet zombies are, too.”

The Alicorn ignored her long suffering assistant and stopped in front of the tenebrous creature. Grey eased his guard slightly when she did not immediately attack him but the way she was intently staring at him told him not to drop it completely.

“But... all evidence says you shouldn’t exist.” The Princess of Magic scanned Grey up and down as her acute mind processed the possibilities. “The animus of an ancient pony fused with darkness…incredible!”

“While your interest is flattering, I’ve got eyes for a different Princess.” Grey said guardedly. “So please stop staring at my flanks.”

“S-sorry!” The Princess of Magic stammered in embarrassment when she realized that her gaze was lingering. “It’s just your very existence challenges several magical laws: shadows as a material for golems, the existence of ghosts, the magical ability of earth ponies beyond their natural abilities…”

“Is she normally like that?” Grey asked aside to Spike.

“No, but I like it better than what she was.” The small salamander shrugged. “She was impossible to talk to.”

“…and your lack of a magical signature violates the Mana Principle.” Sparkle suddenly realized that she had gone off on a tangent. “Uh, sorry. I didn't mean to go off like that.”

“It’s quite alright.” Grey said with an understanding nod. “But before you turn the magical world upside down, I think I’m more the exception that proves the rule.”

“Maybe.” The Alicorn admitted. “Still, the possibilities are-“

“Uh, Twilight, the letter?” Spike mercifully interrupted.

“Huh? Oh, right.” The Princess refocused with a very Luna-esque serious expression. “Celestia said you might visit but that I should be careful. Should I be?"

"She more or less just listed off all the reasons she should." The animus thought. "She's also got that veiled threat down pat."

“No one ever died from being too careful.” Grey responded coolly. “As for me, I suspect Princess Celestia is just looking out for her subjects. I am a stranger to this city after all.”

"She probably is." Sparkle agreed. "After what happened..."

The lavender Alicorn choked on her words as the pain of her loss resurfaced. Both Grey and Spike could see the normal studious mare be subsumed by the bitter shut-in once more. Her assistant jumped in to save her.

"Twilight, Grey said he had something for you." The young dragon looked over his scaly shoulder at the animus. "Didn't you?"

The ancient apparition reached into his stygian body and retrieved the wrapped book and letter addressed to Sparkle. He passed them off to the now curious Alicorn he took them in her magic.

“I was the last one to see your brother alive.” He explained. “He told me of a package hidden in his old room he wanted you to have. He said you would understand.”

“Shiny?” A mood somewhere between grief and hope came over the young Alicorn before dawning realization and recognition replaced them. "Wait. You saw him last? But that would mean...that was YOU!"

"Oh, Nine Hells." The former Lurker's eyes widened as Sparkle's horn ignited in a less utilitarian manner. "Think fast!"

"Your brother was on Death's threshold when I found him." Grey explained quickly as the Alicorn looked ready to vaporize him along with everything behind him. "I possessed him only as a means to bring him back to fighting condition while leaving him in control of his actions. We both worked to bring down the slaver."

"Such is the way of demons!" Sparkle's voice was rough with wrath. "To lie and deceive! Celestia was right about you!"

"Twilight, wait!" Spike put himself between the two with outstretched arms. "I think he's telling the truth."

"What?!" The Princess shifted her hard stare to the dragon. "How could you possibly know?"

"Call it a dragon's intuition." The juvenile said smartly. "Plus if Princess Celestia has already met with him, wouldn't she have blasted him if he was totally evil?"

"I don't know about a dragon's intuition but he does have a point." Grey gave Spike an appreciative nod.

"Armor and I also released Sombra's hold over Cadenza." The animus added, banking on Sparkle's respect for her fellow Alicorns to play in his favor. "You can verify that with her."

"You were the knight that helped him." Sparkle's magic dimmed but did not go out completely. "But the Solarii-"

"Ruthless zealots and fanatics." The shadow stallion said bluntly. "They think anything less than absolute purity should be eradicated. Like you said, I'm an old ghost bound to shadows."

"You're... not wrong." The academic Alicorn reduced her magic to simple telekinetic levels as she mulled over everything. "They attack him and then I... abandoned him. By the Sun, I shot him!"

"You are not at fault for that." Grey assured her gently. "Neither Armor nor I blame you for that debacle."

Sparkle looked away as she mulled over everything. The shadow equine felt her wrath was no longer aimed at him but had turned inward. As he thought of something more to say, one of the guards outside the reading area called out.

"Are you alright in there, your highness?" The guard asked urgently. "We heard shouting. Is that freak bothering you?"

"At ease." The Princess responded. "I'm fine."

With delicate care, she placed the package on the table and opened the letter. Choosing to respect a very private matter, Grey and Spike kept their silence and their distance. As she read her departed brother’s last message to her, tears welled up in Twilight’s eyes. By the time she finished the letter, sobs wracked the mare’s body.

“B-big brother. I'm so sorry.” The mare choked out between sobs. “I l-love you, too.”

“Look at that.” A teary eyed Spike said quietly. “She’s got me crying.”

Grey gave a soothing pat on the head to the sympathetic dragon. Tears still running down her face, Twilight carefully folded the letter and moved it aside. She gripped the package in her magic and began removing the wrapping with all the precision of a surgeon. Inside was a hardback book with a family coat of arms comprising of stars, starbursts, shields, and crescent moons emblazoned on the cover.

“Oh my, he actually made it.” Sparkle brought a hoof to her chest as she opened the book. “The family scrapbook.”

With Spike perched on his back so he could see, Grey cautiously trotted forward. Only after the Alicorn gave them a quick nod did they stand beside her to look through the album. It chronicled just about every important event in the family’s history with things ranging from a souvenir napkin from the diner where their parents first met to Armor and Cadenza’s wedding photo and a flyer for Sparkle’s coronation. Still, there was plenty of room for more to be added. On the first empty page, was a note scrawled in Armor’s style of writing.

“The life of the dead is placed in the memory of the living.” The Lord of Shades read. “True, I suppose.”

Sparkle stared at the note for a long time. She then took a long, hard look at the books and scrolls surrounding her. She inhaled and held it for a four count before letting out a calming sigh. Wiping the tears from her eyes, she gingerly closed the book and placed the letter on top of it.

“Armor’s right.” She said calmly. “As long as we don’t forget him, he will never be truly gone.”

The Alicorn suddenly pulled Grey into an embrace, almost dislodging Spike from his perch.

“I can’t thank you enough for this, Grey.” She said earnestly. “Nor you Spike, for finding him.”

“Hey, what are friends for?” The dragon said with a big smile as he wrapped his claws around the shadow pony’s neck to join the hug. “We help each other out.”

“Indeed.” The animus nodded, doing his best to hide his growing discomfort. “Now, can you two let go of me?”

The group hug lasted a few moments longer than he was comfortable with before the dragon and Alicorn released him.

"You're freezing cold, by the way." She said sheepishly. "Sorry for giving you the third degree."

"You are not the first." Grey said lightly. "Most likely, you won't be the last."

The Princess of Magic just giggled lightly as she packed her saddle bags with her belongings and the mementos. It had been a long time since she had done that. She looked over the tomes she had been researching for a few moments before turning away from them.

“Come on, Spike.” She said with a sigh. “Let’s go home.”

“Yes!” The drake cheered as he dismounted Grey and hopped on Sparkle’s back. “Can we stop by Pinkie’s on the way? I’m starving!”

“Of course.” Twilight replied. “Oh, while we’re at it, we should stop by Applejack’s to get some of her special cider before her stores run out.”

The two moved out of earshot, leaving the stygian stallion alone. For once, he did not have any cynical thoughts or patronizing comments. He had kept part of his promise to a good stallion and properly replayed somepony who had aided him, albeit unknowingly. The treasury of knowledge that had been left behind for him to plunder was just a nice bonus.

“I still have my reservations, but there are truly good ponies here.” He mused as he began absorbing the tomes off the table and cart into his nebulous body. “If Barathrum turns out to be a lost cause, I could make a home here with Luna's help. Maybe turn that Merchant Prince cover story into something substantial.”

With a collection of information in safe storage, the voidian creature began his trip back to his quarters. As he traveled by shadow, he took the opportunity to take in some of the latest gossip. Not much had changed in the few hours since he last checked but it seemed a noble named Blueblood made an ass of himself in front of Celestia (or she had turned him into an ass, the gossiper were not sure.) The exact details were not known but it involved Princess Cadenza.

“Which reminds me, I need to have a quick chat with her.” Grey thought. “Give her Armor’s last words.”

As he was thinking of a way to contact the distraught widow, he arrived at his room to find a pair of ponies fiddling with the lock of his door. Suspicious, the unseen shadow pony crept up behind the two trespassers undetected and listened in to their hushed whispers.

“Come on! Hurry up!” The earth pony urged his unicorn counterpart. “I thought you were good at this.”

“I am!” The burglar snapped. “It’s like something is fighting my magic!”

“I see the runes are doing their job.” The shadow stallion mused. “It will take something far more powerful than a base unicorn to get through.”

Still, with the contents of the Crystal Empire’s Black Library on the other side, he did not want to risk a breach and discovery. The stygian terror emerged from the shadows in his upright form and stood behind them. He pressed his bladed talons against the backs of their necks which caused them both to freeze in fear.

“Who dares come to my door?” Grey asked coldly. “Spies? Thieves? Assassins?”

“W-we’re just humble thieves, your grace!” The earth pony stammered nervously. “We haven’t got a bit to our names!”

“Word goes around that a wealthy merchant is staying in the palace and who doesn’t become a thief?” The unicorn added quickly. “We didn’t think you would miss a bit or twenty!”

“I see that Merchant Prince cover story has attracted the wrong type of attention.” The ancient apparition concluded. “But I sense there is more too this than a bit of greed.”

“You’re lying.” The 'Merchant Prince' accused. “Chose your next words with exceptional care or they will be your last.”

He pressed his talons harder against their necks to reinforce his threat. The burglars gasped in pain as they felt the blade tips prick their flesh, drawing blood.

“Ah! Okay! Okay!” The earth pony pleaded. “One of the nobles, I forget which one…

“Blueblood.” His partner in crime reminded him.

“…Blueblood hired us to break into your room and find out everything we could about you." The first continued. "He said we could keep anything we found inside as payment.”

“I think he’s worried you might buy out the Frozen North from under him and his cronies.” The unicorn added. “He tried to get the mining rights from Celestia but she shot him down.”

“Ah, he thinks I’m a new player in the Great Game of politics. How quaint.” The Lord of Shades thought. “But I’m not playing a game I've already won.”

“Hmph. Well, you can tell your master that I, the Merchant Prince, have no desire play his petty games.” Grey said imperiously. “I already have all the wealth in the world and if he thinks that a pair of feckless thieves will be enough to get a leg up on me his is sorely mistaken .”

“Okay!” The unicorn said pleadingly. “We’ll tell him! Just please let us go!”

“Lucky for you, I’m in a merciful mood.” The shadow stallion replied, taking the blades off their necks. “I’ll give you two until the count of five before that changes. One…”

The terrified thieves galloped down the hall away from the Merchant Prince as fast as they could. The shadow stallion shook his head slowly in disapproval. To go from seeing the best of Equestria to some of the worse quelled whatever positive mood he was feeling. He hoped his little show would get the nobles off his back but he had a feeling that it would not be that easy. It might just as well invite more unwanted attention. Deciding to file that concern away for later, the stygian stallion entered his room and added his new acquisitions to the collection.

“Now then, where to start?” He murmured as he re-locked his door.

The ancient animus selected a book from the Black Library, pulled up a chair in front of the bay windows with a spectacular view of midday Equestria, and dove into the magical land’s all but forgotten past.

“…thus did High Queen Faust, long may she reign, take in the two foal sisters. The elder she named Celestia, after the radiant heavens. The younger she named Luna, after the pale master of the night sky. While they were not hers by birth, none could deny the maternal bond between the Queen and her little Princesses…”