Pinkie Pie devours a stack of three waffles in one bite and asks for seconds. Shade sits at the table eating her waffle cautiously. Her difficulty controlling the fork and knife did not contribute to the reason for her eating slowly not at all. Death sat across from Shade beaming from ear to ear as she rests her head on her pasterns.

"These are really gooood, DB!" Pinkie Pie compliments the cerise mare before shoveling a second stack of waffles down.

"Thank you, Pinkie," Death replies and leans forward smiling harder at Shade.

Shade quickly casts a glance up at Death and returns to focusing on her breakfast.

The three ponies sat at the square dining table with the only light peeking above the tops of the curtains. It may have been dark for normal ponies, but for Shade, the room has enough light to not warrant her goggles and able to see her gray food.

"It is palatable," Shade grumbles.

Death's heart soars with overflowing joy. A choir of Angels sings in her mind. Shade grimaces at Death's disgustingly happy face. Regret immediately sets in.

"Pinkie, dear, didn't you say you had to work?" Death politely reminds Pinkie Pie.

Pinkie Pie gasps and shoots up from her chair. "You're right! Thank you for the breakfast, DB!" Pinkie Pie zooms around the table and hugs Shade from behind, "See you later, Shadey-wadey!"

Shade chokes on the waffle in her mouth as Pinkie Pie skips out the kitchen through the swinging doors.

"I heard you shout earlier. Are you okay, Shadey-wadey?" Death asks with a concerning smile after Shade clears her pipe with milk.

Shade's face grows dark and she stabs the fork and knife in the table. "I know you are manipulating my dreams to make me hate my mother."

"What?" Death sits back in her chair with a serious expression, "I am doing nothing of the sort."

"Bull. Shit."

"If I wanted to, I could have just made you love me from the beginning and erase Valkyrie permanently."

"So why didn't you?"

"You know why," Death frowns.

"So why not you just erase her from Grey's memory?"

"His love for her prevents me. Love is one of the most powerful Forces; even more powerful than me." Death heaves a sigh. "I should have killed her before he ever laid eyes on her." She looks up from the table at Shade and smiles, "Well, I guess she did do one thing right."

"Don't think for a second I will buy your hollow words and flattery," Shade hisses.

"You must have me confused with Valkyrie because I have never once lied to you."

Shade's patent icy glare bores into Death's hard, pink eyes. After gaining no further information from Death's eyes, Shade huffs. "Since Pinkie Pie is a new friend, unlock one of my abilities."

Death's face instantly brightens again. "I already did! And because you completed a challenge at your party, you have one more point you can spend and I will answer any five questions you have."

Shade tilts her head to the left. "'Challenge'? What 'challenge'? Not killing everypony?"

Death brings her hoof to her lips and winks at Shade, "That's for me to know and you to find out!"

"For my first question, what are these 'challenges' you speak of?" Shade questions with a smirk.

"Cheater!" Death pouts. Seconds of moping later, Death tells Shade, "Look at your left foreleg." Shade picks up her hoof to examine and sees a bracelet around her hoof. Before she could say anything, Death continues, "That will allow you to access your abilities at will. The big jewel in the middle will access your abilities and you can see how many points you have, the smaller jewel on the left will show you challenges you can complete to gain bonus points and earn Death tokens you can redeem for anything! Lastly, the jewel on the right will show the status of your friends and their affinity towards you. You can use it to help remind you about birthdays and what each friend likes and dislikes."

Shade knits her brows, "You play too many video games."

Death chortles, "I got the idea from a manga, actually!"

"Question two," Shade hesitates for a second, "Fl-Fluttershy was from this world, right? Is . . . is she around?"

Death smiles knowingly, "Yes and yes. What's question four?"

"What?"

"You asked two questions so now you're on question four," Death smirks.

"Shrewd. Question three: how can you control dreams?"

"Answer: because I created this universe, I can do anything I want. But since I didn't create you, my options are limited."

"Question four: can I ever go back home?"

Death rubs her chin pensively and remains quiet for a moment before answering, "If I told you no?"

"Then I guess I'll have to start my plans for world domination."

"Returning home is not out of the realm of possibility," Death grins.

Shade runs her hoof through her mane. She pushes herself from the table and gets up from her chair. "I'm heading over to Applejack's."

"I might not be home tonight."

Shade stops in her tracks and snaps her head to Death, "What?"

"Iiiiiii. Miiiiiight. Nooooooot." Death says loud and slow.

"Fuck off," Shade dismisses Death, sucking her teeth.

Death giggles and watches Shade leave. "Love you, too."

Sure, Death can teleport to Canterlot, but she wants to enjoy her world and the beautiful scenery she is master to. Despite the majesty of the mountains, the beauty of the trees, the sparkling blue rivers and lakes, Death believes that her sisters are better architects with their respective mediums: Āshū with Earth, Wyohtā with Water, and baby sister Næschwäā with Nature.

She frowns thinking about Næschwäā's current state back home and tears well in her eyes thinking about Wyohtā's death. She sighs, "Where did you go, big sister?"

Her thoughts scatter when the conductor speaks over the intercom. Peering out the window, Death sees her destination in sight: Canterlot. The immaculate, high, white walls protects the city from the freezing mountain winds and enemies in centuries past.

The train comes to a soft stop. Death smiles as she exits the train car and enjoys all the ponies around her. She dislikes living in places with large crowds of people but visiting them every now and then did not hurt.

Today, Death plans on visiting the castle library for her research. Of course, she needs the proper paper work which takes weeks to acquire so, she decides instead of materializing the papers she will sneak in. Her entirety bubbles with excitement giving her extra pep in her step.

That extra pep does not go by without stallions, and some mares, staring at her peppy assets. Her thoughts delve into the naughty side as she thinks about how sex is as a pony and if the stories of stallions ring true. She will have to find out some other time; alas, her heart, soul, and body are for Grey and Grey alone. That does not mean she can not "practice" and get "experience" if the time came. She takes a mental note to stop by the red light district toy shop before leaving.

Death whistles at the impressive structure towering before her known as Canterlot Castle. Just entering the courtyard and she can see three towers to the right of the castle and one tower to the left. Death continues her journey through the main doors of the castle, playfully winking at the guards she passes.

An information desk catches her attention. She trots over to ask for help.

"Welcome to Canterlot Castle!" A sky blue mare with a bright green, braided mane greets Death with a complimentary smile, "Do you require assistance?"

"Why, yes, I do." Death returns the smile. "I am looking for the library."

"Only those with permission are allowed in the library or archives and you do not look like one of the regular researchers that have been scheduled today," the mare informs Death.

"I figured as much. What do I need in order to receive permission to the library or archives?"

"An ID, proof of residency or citizenship card, seal of research approval by the Research Society of Equestria, and pay the one hundred bit fee up front."

"Only one hundred bits to access unlimited amounts of knowledge?" Death opens a saddlebag with her pink magic and brings out a brown sack. She sets the sack on the counter which jingles the gold inside. "Here is one thousand bits for a temporary pass to the library," Death smiles broadly.

The mare behind the counter picks her jaw up and clears her throat. "That is all well and good ma'am but rules are rules and procedures need to be followed."

Death smirks and returns the sack to her saddlebag. "You pass the test, Ocean Topaz."

The mare drops her jaw again, "H-How do you know my name? What test?"

Death shifts her eyes around the area to make sure she could not be overheard by the ponies in the (empty) area and leans closer to the perplexed mare, beckoning her closer, Death whispers, "I am with the Royal Staff Internal Affairs Bureau and am conducting an investigation about reports of staff committing larceny and taking bribes."

Ocean Topaz gasps then nods her head, "It's about time somepony does something about it. I already know a few ponies off the top of my head who I've seen stealing and taking bribes."

"Excellent. I need an all access pass to the entire wings of the castle and the names of the ponies."

"A-At once, ma'am!" Ocean Topaz begins to write the names down of ponies, "I can only grant you a bronze pass which should be enough to get you to the barracks and first and second floors of the castle."

"Perfect. I'll report to Captain Ironshoe right away. This has gone on for far too long." Death nods firmly.

"Here you go." Ocean Topaz passes the note and bronze paper to Death.

Death accepts the articles with her magic from the mare's mouth. "I'll make sure you get at least a promotion," Death winks at the mare.

"Good luck!" Ocean Topaz waves bye.

Death walks away with satisfaction pulling the edge of her mouth.

Fifteen minutes later, Death finds herself in the library. A spectral spell allows her to sneak inside without the guards at the doors any the wiser. She stumbles upon an unforeseen sight as she searches through the aisles of books: one Twilight Sparkle sitting at a table with mountains of books surrounding the lavender filly and her nose in one. Death smiles affectionately.

"Aren't you just absolutely precious!" Death gushes beside an unsuspecting Twilight Sparkle and hugs her.

"Huh?! Wha?" Twilight sputters in confusion. "No pony is supposed to be here," the filly begins and squirms out of Death's embrace. She stares up at Death in awe, "I have never heard of a pony with more than one horn, let alone seen a pony with three!"

Death giggles. "We're a rare breed."

Twilight shakes her head. "Regardless, nopony is supposed to be here. This is the time Princess Celestia and I reserve for my studies."

"So is the princess in the restroom?" Death asks while searching around the area.

Twilight's ears fold down and she suddenly finds interest in the floor, "Princess Celestia is usually held up at court and meetings. . ."

"That's unfortunate." Death gently lifts Twilight's head and flashes a motherly smile, "I may not be the princess but I know a great deal about magic and pretty much everything. You can ask me all the questions you have. Although," Death tussles Twilight's mane, "I'm sure a bright, young filly like yourself knows just about everything, too."

Twilight beams from the praise, "Yup!"

A voice rings alarms in Celestia's mind. Who did the guards let in? Somepony will be getting toilet duty for their insubordina

Her thoughts shatter when she sets her eyes on the back of the dark pink mare beside her faithful student, the visage and voice breaking her plans for future punishment.

"M-Mother. . .?" Princess Celestia's voice barely escapes her lips.

But the mare hears her.

And she turns around.

And their paudrette gems lock.

And she smiles tenderly.

"I dunno if I should take that as a compliment or you see me that old, Princess," she smiles then bows.

"Princess Celestia?" her student's voice carries concern.

Celestia shakes her head and regains her composure. "My apologies. Your resemblance and voice has an uncanny similarity to my mother's."

"Then I am honored, your majesty," the mare bows again.

"I beg your pardon, but what is your name and why are you in the library? My guards have explicit orders to not allow anypony inside while Twilight studies."

"My name is Deathly Belladonna, your majesty. And no guards tried to stop me when I entered the library." Technically, not a lie.

"Deathly Belladonna was just telling me about the war with the centaurs!" Twilight squees.

"There was no war with the centaurs," Celestia dismisses.

"Contrary to what you might think, Princess Celestia, there was a history before you." Death smiles.

"Then how come I do not know about it?"

"The queen or perhaps the nobles, history is blurry about it, but somepony wanted to erase centaurs from memory so many of the documents about them were destroyed by ponykind." Death explains.

"How do you know about it?"

Death grins. "I said 'ponykind' not centaurs. I leaned about it from the centaurs and many other things about them."

Princess Celestia studies Death for a moment. "Are you a researcher?"

Death rubs her chin in thought. "I am a paleohistorian, one of many titles. Technically, I am Doctor but I got tired of ponies coming up to me and asking me to diagnose them."

Twilight giggles.

Celestia smiles. "Are you working on anything at the moment?"

"Actually, there is one thing that has my interest right now and is the reason for my visit." Death grins mischievously, "I came here to find more information about the 'Mare in the Moon' prophecy."

Celestia's eyes widen then narrow at Deathly Belladonna, "I think you should leave, Doctor."

"Of course, your highness," Death bows. Before leaving she turns to Twilight Sparkle and says, "Remember Twilight, everything in a book is only ever a portion of the story and be sure to question everything."

"Hello, sir! How may I be of assistance?" Ocean Topaz greets a stallion in a tan overcoat and wearing sunglasses.

The stallion pulls out a badge from inside his coat and shows it to the mare, "I am Special Agent Snow of the Royal Staff Internal Affairs Bureau. Do you know if Captain Ironshoe is in?"

"He is. But why would they send two agents here?" Ocean Topaz gasps, "Is the problem that bad?"

Special Angent Snow lowers his glasses and green irises stare at Ocean Topaz. "What do you mean 'two agents'?"

"Another RSIAB agent was here. She said I passed a test and told me her identity. I gave her the names of ponies I saw steal and she went over to Captain Ironshoe."

"Did she present her badge?"

Ocean Topaz scratches her head in thought, "Well, no. Now that you mention it, she never told me her name,"

"Tell me what she looked like. I will need the names you gave her, as well," Special Agent Snow orders.

Death walks down the hallway while staring out the windows at the beautiful garden below, when she bumps into something. Somepony.

"Hey! Watch where you're going!" the orange, flame maned filly interjects.

"Oh, excuse me. I was not watching where I was " Death is cut off by the filly.

"Do you know who I am? I am Sunset Shimmer! The next princess of Equestria! I could have you thrown in jail for what you did."

"Wow," Death smiles and coos, "You remind me so much of my darling daughter, Shade." Death's face grows dark and she picks up the orange filly with her pink magic by the neck. "Unlike my daughter, I have no love for you."

Sunset Shimmer chokes and flails in the tightening hold. Her eyes full of fear.

"You tread a dark path. Perhaps I should do the universe a favor and nip the problem in the bud?"

Sunset Shimmer begins to lose consiousnes.

Death slams the filly to the ground and sneers in her ear, "Remember this day as your brush with death incarnate and how merciful I am."

Sunset weezes and chokes on the floor. Her lungs yearning for oxygen and her neck aching. She begins to sob as she saw herself burning in the eyes of Death Incarnate.

"Huh," Death muses with a grunt, "'Joy's Toys'."

Death's face splits into a wide grin and she opens the rainbow door expectantly.