At the Canterlot Castle, the Throne Room, 5:00 a.m.

Celestia sat on her throne, Shining Armor by her side. Before them six stallions stood. They were identical, as all of the Solar Guard. There was a pair of unicorns, a pair of pegasi, and a pair of earth ponies. Each one had a dull gray cloak with a hood, and a sword that was hidden under the cloth.

"None of you knows why you are here and why you are wearing these simple pieces of cloth instead of an actual armor." Celestia stated. "You six have a special mission. I suppose all of you know a strange equine named Andromalius."

The six nodded.

"Yesterday, he assaulted me, used mind-influencing spells on the guards, and denied a princess's will. While my dear sister Luna has faith in him still, I do not. You all have seen his fight against the captain Shining Armor, have you not?"

The six nodded again.

"I was told that Andromalius went to Ponyville yesterday, causing quite a disturbance there. I have no idea of his current plans, but being that close to the six mares, who wield the Elements of Harmony is certainly suspicious of him.

"I want you six to follow his every step. Do not hurt him, however, and certainly do not restrict him, he can melt the restrictors and becomes furious after he learns who did that, and you don't want to stand in his way. I repeat, he is extremely dangerous. If he notices you, you must get out of there as soon as possible.

"And remember, you have no right to tell my sister about anything that you've heard today. Understood?"

"Yes, your majesty!" the six said in unison.

"Go, then." Celestia said. After all the guards left, she sighed. "I'm sorry, Luna, but I can't leave our ponies defenceless."

Andromalius woke up, feeling himself much better. He still remembered the previous night, and the naughty fun he had, the memories brought a slight blush to his face. While he knew that it wasn't partly real, it seemed like it was. After all, no human has ever experienced a lucid dream with another one, especially a naughty dream.

Andromalius felt himself not just better, but more calm and more relaxed than he was. Sex is a good stress-reliever, after all.

So, his task is to find the three artifacts: the Sword of Equinaur, the Shield of Hippogriff, and the Alicorn Amulet. He decided to ask Inanna about it.

"Inanna, where can I find those three artifacts?"

"Try to start with antique shops. They sell all kind of ancient stuff, and rarely any shop owner knows about things they sell. Well, I know that Canterlot has a big antique shop. You've passed it when you went to the Galloping Pony.

"So, try to start searching there. But try to stay out of the guards' sight. I bet Celestia has already arranged a spy network on you that will keep your every action known."

"I know a spell that will do the trick." Andromalius scratched his chin. "While I was studying, I was trying to understand how Invisibility works that Stalkers of Dark Elves faction use. I came up with a rather simple idea... Invisibility is just an illusion that makes others think that there is nothing where the invisible person is. I've never had a chance to try it, though. Well, I'll take the risk and walk through the village without my cloak on."

Casting a spell on himself, he hoped that it will work like he wants it to. But he took the cape, just in case he needs to talk to anyone, and took his rather large bag of bits.

"I have no intention to return here anyway." Andromalius thought. "A nice place to stay low for a bit will be needed, however, and this house is perfect for it."

Andromalius was walking through the center of Ponyville, and no one noticed him. While he couldn't see the effect on himself, he understood that others couldn't see him.

However, ponies seemed to be very cautious, often looking in the direction of his house as if expecting it to go boom like a nuke.

"Well, appearing here was my stupid move, after all." Andromalius thought. "I should have handed that situation with Celestia better. But I have lost control, and now I am paying the price.

"However, I still don't know whether being free from her influence is a good thing or not. She wants me by her side, that is for sure, but she acted stupidly. If she didn't put that cursed ring on my horn, everything would've gone much better for her.

"Still, I don't blame her for her reaction, if think of it. She has a kingdom that knows no wars for many years, and even violence is extremely low to the point of being almost non-existent. I would be trying to remove every danger as possible, too.

"But the one thing she doesn't know about me is that I am far smarter than she thinks I am."

Sneaking in the train, Andromalius successfully traveled to Canterlot. He had to use the best of his agility to avoid bumping into ponies. They didn't see him, after all.

Thankfully, he wasn't caught. He left marks of his hooves, but there were so many of them that no one noticed anything.

Once he reached Canterlot, he already knew where to search. He went to the Galloping Pony, then searched around for the shop of antique stuff. It was really easy to find since the big sign 'All Ancient Things' could be clearly seen.

Andromalius removed the invisibility and put on his cloak. He entered the shop, and a small bell rang, announcing his entrance.

"Hello," the shopkeeper, a stallion by the counter greeted him. "What can I help you with, traveler? There is something that drew you to my shop... Something that you need to achieve your goal."

"I am searching for one particular item," Andromalius replied. "Do you have any artifacts that relate to alicorns, equinaurs or hippogriffs?"

"Never heard of the latter two, but I have something of alicorns." the stallion replied, then pointed at the glass dome, under which the Alicorn Amulet was situated. "I suppose you are searching for the Alicorn Amulet. It is one of the most powerful and mysterious artifacts... Far too powerful."

"I know one thing that is more powerful than that." Andromalius thought, pulling out his bag of bits. Bits clinked, drawing attention to themselves. The shopkeeper licked his lips.

"Would you like that artifact gift-wrapped?"

"Money is more powerful, of course." Andromalius rolled his eyes. However, he didn't need any wrappers, so he just bought the Amulet, spending all the remains of his bits.

"Until next time." Andromalius said his goodbyes and left. Once outside, he clasped the amulet around his neck.

Suddenly, whispers appeared inside his head, speaking too fast for him to understand. After a few seconds, a single word echoed through Andromalius's mind, and he understood it.

Dignus.

The great powers grew inside of him, Andromalius felt like he could destroy mountains. Wast amount of knowledge lied open for him to learn, new powers for him to use.

"That artifact makes you even more sexy and powerful." Inanna remarked.

"Thank you." Andromalius chuckled. "Now, when I have so much power in my grasp, I can do anything! But I better not forget what my true goal is, to free you.

"A power has no purpose if it is used for self-centered satisfaction. Power is only good when you can do better not just for yourself, but for others as well, thus earning their respect and devotion. Even the most powerful of kings are helpless without their people, and the power that was made on others' bones and blood is not worth the effort."

"You have a deep understanding of those things that I don't." Inanna replied.

"My father wanted me to become a politician." Andromalius explained. "I know that politics is a dirty game, but I know is that if people support you, you will stay alive longer and die less gruesomely than those who used others to get what they wanted."

Andromalius isn't a person, who thinks that everything can be instantly made perfect. One can't just give others what they want, but plan it according to the desires of others and the situation overall. One doesn't give freedom to slaves if they are still thought of as ones. Everything must be planned before even trying to make it a reality, and Andromalius knew it.

"Inanna, where should I search now?" he asked.

"In the lands of the Frozen North, a continent that was frozen three thousand years ago." Inanna replied. "It was the place where all nations lived, and a few still remain, you've read about that. Under the ice and snow there are ancient cities that even my ancestors know little to nothing about.

"The former capital of the Demon Alliance is in the farthest north. It once was a big city, three hundred meters in diameter, surrounded by white walls and protected by all sorts of things, from magical runes and defensive spells to something even more powerful.

"Most of the defensive spells were surely destroyed during the Purity's Curse, and the rest should've vanished by now, they were not supposed to last five thousand years. It is also possible that the city doesn't exist at all, destroyed by the harsh winds and cold storms."

And so, Andromalius's quest began.

A cloaked unicorn stallion entered the Throne Room of Canterlot Castle. Saluting, he reported: "Your majesty, we have found Andromalius! He is in Canterlot."

"What is he doing here?" Celestia asked, frowning.

"He was noticed near the Galloping Pony. Then, he used some sort of illusion that makes him fully invisible, save for his hoof marks that he leaves on the ground. That way, we will be able to track him down."

"Invisibility..." Celestia muttered to herself, shaking her head. Clearing her throat, she said: "It seems he knows that I have sent you for him. Well, try to stay out of sight anyway. And each of you will be given a jar with liquified dragon fire, as well as papers and pens. This way, if anything important happens, report back to me immediately. Dismissed."

"Serving the kingdom of Equestria, your majesty!" the pony saluted, then exited the throne room.

Andromalis looked that there will be a train in an hour, and it will travel straight to a few miner settlements in the north. He decided to take the train, still invisible. Now, he has to remain one at least until the train arrives.

He noticed a few strange ponies that were cloaked, and seemingly followed the hell stallion.

"I knew it." he thought as he saw one of them looking closely at the ground. "I need to make my hoof marks disappear, but by one of the laws that nature obeys, nothing can disappear without a single trace. Hm..."

"I don't think they will follow you deep into the north." Inanna said. "From what you've read, the temperature there is way below zero, about forty degrees Celsius."

"I'd been to Russia once, and it so happened that I traveled to one of the northern settlements to visit my grandma. It was sixty eight below zero, and I was fine." Andromalius chuckled. "And now I have hellfire, so I don't think cold will be a problem. What I expect is wild creatures made of ice."

"Why do you think it's possible?"

"No territory stays empty for long. That is another law of nature." Andromalius explained. "So, monsters of ice and snow will surely be there. I hope my hellfire will help me."

Celestia was in her bedchambers, reading another letter of what Twilight learned. This time, it was about old friends and new ones.

Suddenly, another letter appeared right in front of her. Celestia warily opened it and read.

Your majesty,

Andromalius took a train to the northern settlements. We still can't see him, but he is very close to us on a train. We will follow him and send a report once we figure out where he'll go next.

Your loyal servants

Celestia frowned. She knew that the Frozen North is a prison of Sombra. She didn't know for certain what Andromalius was up to, but for her it was obvious that he is up to something really bad.

So, she decided to send a letter to Twilight Sparkle. Grabbing a piece of paper and a quill, she began:

Dear Twilight Sparkle,

It seems that creature you encountered a week and a few days ago is still walking our lands free. Today, I found it on its way to the Frozen North, where the ancient tyrant Sombra is imprisoned. Obviously, the creature has been called by him to help him to escape his prison.

I require your and your friends' assistance in stopping him from the evil deeds, as well as his servant.

Sincerely,
Princess Celestia

Celestia left out some details on purpose. She didn't want any hesitation from the six, nor did she want them to know she had Andromalius in the castle. She knew that lying is bad, but she didn't know how to tell them.

Lies eat people from the inside, and Celestia knew it to be true. However, she was divided between telling them the full truth or to tell them lies.

With a sigh, Celestia tore the letter she wrote into pieces. She told herself that no lies must be made. It was her who made a mistake with Andromalius, and if she wanted Twilight to trust her, she must not lie.

With her sister's return, Celestia could have some time for herself again. But she was afraid that her sister will disappear again, that everything she fights for will vanish without a trace. She became paranoid, yet still she kept her mask of calmness. She was scared, and she badly needed an advice. And advice from somepony that is less paranoid that Celestia, somepony that is still sane enough to speak from the heart.

So, she began to write again.

Dear Twilight Sparkle,

I have hidden some information from you, and I am very sorry for that.

It is about a creature you met in the Everfree Forest. It was found out that it is sapient, and calls itself Andromalius.

He stayed at the Canterlot Castle for a little more than a week, having been teleported there by the Elements of Harmony. Until recently, he had shown no signs of hostility. He seemed to be scared of everything around him, and Luna kept him close to herself.

I've made a mistake, trying to restrict him. He is very dangerous, he possesses magic unlike ours, and is powerful enough to melt a magic-restricting ring. I acted out of fear, and now he ran away to the Frozen North, and I think he holds a grudge against me now.

I am scared of everything I've done, and I need your advice. I am helpless right now, and I hope to regain Andromalius's trust once more.

I know you are my student, but you are one of my few friends that I have, too. And I need your advice, as a friend.

If you can, please come to Canterlot. You may bring your friends along with you, and I will appreciate it if you do.

Sincerely,
Celestia

Andromalius exited the train, the snowy mountains greeted him. A small village was situated at its base, and a lone road led to it.

However, his destination wasn't that village. He was going way far from it, beyond the mountains and into the very depth of Frozen North. What awaits him there is unknown, what dangers lies under the snow are unknown to Andromalius. All he could do was hoping that he will find what he needs to accomplish his task.

The only companion that Andromalius now has is Inanna. She promised herself that she will stay with him until the end.

"Well," Andromalius thought. "Onwards, into the lands of ice and snow."

Author's Notes:

So, just a little explanation:

Celestia isn't bad. Over the years, mourning the loss of her sister, Celestia became very paranoid of any other than ponies. She understands her subjects, she knows what to do for them. Creatures such as Andromalius are unknown to her, and she is afraid of the unknown. That is why she acted bad in the previous chapters, that is why she wants Andromalius to either be at her side or powerless or even destroyed. Celestia is afraid that her ponies will be hurt, she is afraid of danger, yet she can't face it alone. And now, she understands that she needs help with that. She wants to be free of her curse.

Don't wish harm to Celestia. She is just a ruler, who have been one for too long. Being a ruler is a constant stress. Add hundreds of years of a life like that, and a loss of the closest one to her. I think most would go insane because of that. Celestia is on the thin edge, only a step to insanity. If she loses Luna or Twilight, everything will be over for her. Celestia understands that, and does everything she can to protect her dearest from harm.

Celestia is not a tyrant, not bad nor evil, and I don't show her like that. Think from her perspective, and you'll find out that she uses logic, even if her choice is wrong in the end.

Just in case, remember that the story is AU.