Night descends upon the sleepy land. Princess Luna nervously works to keep all the ponies nightmare free, which as it turns out, is far more easier than finding new ways to torment them. She stops at one house in particular.

Her teal eyes break through the darkness and focus on the sleeping ivory tricorn. Back on the moon, Luna had seen her-- Shade-- in the dreams of many ponies; yet Shade had remained obstructed from view. Celestia had informed Luna about Shade's deeds, perhaps in hopes to dissuade Luna's feelings for Shade.

Luna had wanted to kill Tirek but her "ever so merciful elder sister" felt that Tirek could change for the better. Ha! How she would have loved to see his face while Shade feasted upon his brains!

She blushes as her thoughts about Shade's bestial nature and strength turn towards the naughty. She shakes her head to clear her mind of such things.

Suddenly, Shade sits up in bed which frightens Luna. She holds her breath and dares not to move while Shade's luminous eyes scan the room. The orbs of faint yellow lock onto Luna's position, freezing the blood in her veins. Shade kicks off her covers and gallops out of the room. Luna releases her breath and is left wondering why Shade left.

A song floats delicately about in Shade's dream. A song that reminds her of when she is a child. A song only Grey sings. A song-- a lullaby-- that her. . . father. . . wrote only for her. . .

"It's time to go to bed, my dear," Grey sings in a soft baritone to a young Shade cradled in his arms, "Don't you worry your head. I will be here. I will be here. Drift off to sleep. You don't need to weep." Grey wipes Shade's wet cheeks with his thumb, "I am right here. I am right here."

Shade launches herself up. Her ears perk up and pick up the faint chords of her song playing nearby! How is it possible? How can anyone here know the song? Then she hears his voice and is off like a rocket.

She blazes down the stairs.

There is no need to cry.

She practically barges down the front door

In the morning you'll see why.

And stops.

"Because. I'll. Be. Here."

She finds herself staring into the golden eyes of her father in a large gray tricorn pony body.

"There she is," Grey grins, "my baby girl."

Shade's mind goes blank. She stares at Grey with a slack jaw. How is it possible for him to be here? Then the answer dawns on her: Death. She shakes her head to regain her senses and stares at Grey pensively.

"I know. I cut my hair," Grey cracks.

A cool wind blows down the street and between the two souls standing in the middle of the street. Shade keeps a neutral expression as well as holds her tongue.

"Cat got your tongue?"

After a long silence, she finally speaks, "For the longest time I thought about what I would say to you if I ever saw you again. I can't even remember. Why are you here?"

"I wondered about that for the past three years," Grey behind and steps closer to Shade, "here you are-- my reason to live."

Shade takes a step back from the gray stallion, "Ever since Death separated me from Valkyrie's influence, my emotions, my thoughts, my dreams have all been more difficult to handle. I want to punch you. I want to kick you. I want to blast you with magic." Shade's features soften and she gazes up at Grey, "I want you to hug me. I want you to sing to me. I want to scream. I want to cry. I want everything to go back to normal. I want--"

Grey wraps a hoof around Shade's neck and pulls her in for a loving embrace. He nuzzles her and says, "I love you."

Shade's rigidity melts away with Grey's heat and love. She wraps her hooves around his thick neck. His bulk makes her feel like a child again.

"I don't deserve your love," Shade whispers.

"No, no you don't." Grey breaks their embrace. He stares into Shade's confused eyes and smiles, "My love for you is unconditional."

Shade pulls her eyes away from Grey in shame, "I'm sorry--"

"Don't start," Grey stops her. "I have already forgiven you."

"How?" Shade's face twists into confusion.

Grey heaves a heavy sigh then smiles, "Time and love. So where have you been?"

"Tartarus," is her succinct reply.

"Uh-huh. Well, I've been making my living being a blacksmith. I spent the first two years prospecting and mining and exploring."

"Can you make me shoes?" Shade asks.

"Is that a rhetorical question?" Grey smirks.

Shade rolls her eyes and pushes her father towards the smithy.