Princess Luna led Starstep north, away from the herd that trudged along towards the west as the grey overcast sky continued to drizzle. There, massive mountains speared up into the clouds, their snow-capped peaks hidden from below. Star spared a glance towards the imposing split cliff-face that marked the start of Howling pass. Even from miles away, he could tell it was enormous. His eyes wandered down to the snaking trail of ponies, carts and griffons. One last leg of the journey and they would all be safely in Trottingham territory. The thought should have given him a sense of hope, but Lighthoof's vision of the deaths to come put a damper on his mood.

Starstep noticed that Luna was looking back at him expectantly and hurried to reach her side. Quietly, the pair trotted up a gentle rocky slope towards a hillside littered with boulders and scraggly trees. Despite the rough terrain, his wife's pace was measured and calm as she took them further and further away from the other ponies, leaving Star to scramble about like a goat, dodging rocks and shrubs as he did his best to stay at her side.

Star hesitantly broke the silence. “So, uh... what'd you want to talk about?” He asked, his ears lowering slightly as he fought back the tightness in his gut.

She turned her head to look down at him, a smile on her lips as she watched him bound about, all the while gracefully dodging all manner of hazards effortlessly without so much as breaking her stride. “The true purpose of our detour lies yet ahead. However, there art a few matters I wished to speak of in private.”

Luna chuckled softly as the colt stumbled over a rock. “Do take care to not harm thyself, my love. The way is treacherous.”

Star blushed softly as he regained his footing, focusing more on the path ahead instead of the alicorn. “Yeah, I noticed. So...?” He let the question linger.

Her smile faded to a cool expression. “I am concerned for thee.” She paused. “How art thou faring? And I doth not mean physically.”

The young stallion shrugged. “Well enough, I guess. Why do you ask?”

Luna arched an eyebrow at him. “Truly, must I remind thee of all that thou hath endured in the last few months? Thou hath experienced more things than most ponies wilst in a lifetime.”

She faced forward as she rattled off a list, “Mine pranks, job and relationship stress, loss of thy flight, friends in danger, responsibility for a death, and let us not forget the terror below the ruins, which thou survived twice!”

“It wasn't all bad—there's been a lot of good stuff too. I've learned a lot about how to love, and I've enjoyed making you happy. That night at the club was awesome.” He gave her a warm smile.

The alicorn tilted her head as she considered his response. “Tis true. Yet thou hath begun to walk the shadowed path.”

* “She's on to you, little foal.”

Star blinked. “Shadowed path?”

“Were thou not engaged in harsh interrogation with the griffon just now?” Her eyes flicked down to his, a look that warned him against lying.

“Yes, but I swear we didn't touch him.”

A flicker of regret passed over her face. “I am well aware of the difference between screams of pain and of fear.” She sighed. “Still, is this the path thou wishes to journey?”

“We didn't have a choice.”

* “Careful with your words.”

Heeding Nightmare's warning, Star quickly continued. “If we didn't... I mean...” He stumbled, searching for the right way to answer without revealing too much. “It was worth scaring him wasn't it?”

“Was it?” Luna replied. “I doth not even know what thou hath discovered from him or thy meeting with the Red Empress.”

“Oh!” His cheeks reddened slightly, eyes glancing away. “Sorry, it's been a bit of a whirlwind day.”

He maneuvered around a jutting of rock and risked looking up into her piercing teal eyes. “The Red Empress said she kicked out all the outcasts that didn't side with her. Combined with the griffon's threat that his friends were going to attack us at some point, Light and I figured we needed answers. And well, after seeing what fear does to a pony in the ruins... we... sorta figured it'd get the griffon to talk without being brutes.”

“A reasonable conclusion. And yet, thou hath not answered my question. Was it worth it?”

“Well, yeah. We found out roughly where and when we're going to be ambushed. Light is letting command know now.”

Luna tilted her chin up. “Allow me to present a hypothetical situation. Thou learns of a pony whom may be a threat to the kingdom. Yet there is not condemning proof of her guilt. Whouldst thou use this same fear tactic to force her to speak?”

* “We could make them ALL speak. Like gibbering fools. They would confess everything.”

Star ignored Nightmare's rambling, but a knot formed in his belly as he realized where Luna was going with this. “I... don't know. Honestly, I guess it would depend on the level of threat and number of lives at risk.”

Luna regarded him coolly, her face not betraying her thoughts as they continued up the rocky slope. The longer they walked in silence, the worse the knot tightened in Star's belly. At last she looked away. “Therefore, thou art saying thou would engage in further fear induced interrogations or worse, if enough Equestrian citizens were at risk?”

* “Oh, you would. All for her.” Nightmare cackled gleefully. She was far too amused by the situation for Star's tastes.

“Yes.” He hung his head, feeling that somehow he'd made Luna ashamed of him. But he couldn't lie to her, he would never lie to her.

* “She would never trust you again.”

“Understand, my love. Most ponies would regard what thou hath done with disgust.”

He could feel his ears drooping. “Do you?”

“Neigh.” That single word gave Star a bit of hope that not all was lost. “Given his confessions of prior crimes, such a punishment is not unwarranted. However, let us present an alternative situation. What if he hath no prior crimes and thy interrogation technique revealed nothing? Thou wouldth tormented an otherwise innocent being.”

Star's eyes went wide. “I wouldn't have done it if I wasn't certain he was guilty. I didn't get any joy out of it. I did it because I had to. For you, for Princess Celestia and the other ponies.”

Luna studied his face for a long moment—Starstep imagined her beautiful teal eyes could see into his soul. At last the blue alicorn gave a soft sigh as she looked to the terrain ahead. “I believe thee. Understand that as a leader, to tread that grey area between justice and villainy tis difficult. Thou art not the first to claim they hath used darker methods in the name of thy fellow pony. Sombra himself was a champion of the crystal ponies, but he strayed too far, allowing his heart to become stained by the darkness.”

“Was I wrong?”

“My love...” She halted, bringing them to a stop, and reached out with her wing to draw him up against her side. Leaning down to gently nuzzle him, she said, “I chose thou for mine husband because I saw thy dedication to me and thy fellow ponies. I hath seen thou struggle with hard choices that others would never contemplate. I hath come to understand that thy name and cutie mark art not only a representation of thy love for the stars, but of thy special talent to walk the dark places between them.”

“I don't-” His words were cut off as she kissed his lips gently.

“Despite all thy hardships, all thy pain and pressures, thou persist and hold fast for thy love for others. I wouldth never have married thee if thou could not walk the shadowy paths at mine side. Do what must be done, but remember to stay true to thyself, and hold fast to thy love.”

Somewhere in the back of his mind, Nightmare was rolling her eyes.

He leaned against the larger pony and sighed. “I should have asked first. I'm sorry.”

Luna gave a soft chuckle and kissed his forehead. “Thou art forgiven. Though thou hath reigned in some of thy impulsiveness, I suppose it dost keeps things interesting. However, in the future when thou art able, consult me, and if thou cannot, do thy best and inform me thereafter.”

Star nodded quickly. “I will.”

“A final word of caution, and heed it well. Should thou stray too far into the darkness, I wilst deal with thee personally.” When she noticed him wilt under her dangerous tone she nuzzled his cheek. “Take heart, my love. I hath faith in thee. Our lives art within the grey, doing what others will not, and cannot. Yet, we must not become the monsters we strive to protect Equestria from. I wilst do all within my power to aid thee in navigating the shadows. To step between the stars, as it were.”

Luna gave him a reassuring smile before kissing his cheek and beginning to walk up the slope, letting Star slip from her wing. “Now, my love. Wilst thou tell me of thy meeting with the Red Empress and of the griffon prisoner?”

For the next few minutes, Star carefully told Luna about his meeting with Kresha, the Red Empress, and the griffon, taking care to filter Nightmare’s role out. . He hated himself for holding back information, but understood the necessity. Perhaps it was for similar reasons that Luna withheld her own secrets.

When he finished, Luna gave a slight nod. “And so, our fears art justified. Thousands of blood-thirsty griffons seek to hurt our ponies. Had it not been for thy investigations, the cost of lives wouldth been staggering.” She looked down at him with a proud smile. “Thou hath done well, despite the impulsive actions thou hath taken.”

Star smiled sheepishly. “Um, thanks, I guess.”

“Let us hope the command can draft an effective defense to prepare for the oncoming assault.”

They walked on for a few minutes more, Star concentrating on not tripping over himself until at last they rounded a pile of boulders and found themselves at the mouth of a dark cavern recessed into the sloped hillside. “Herein lies our destination.” She turned to face him.

Star leaned his neck out to peer into the dark mouth of the cavern. “What's in there?”

“Tis not what, but whom.”

“Who lives in a cave way out here?” Star raised an eyebrow.

“They doth not live here; rather, this is simply a rendezvous.” The Princess stepped into the shadowy entrance and looked over her shoulder at him. “Thou mayth remain here if thou wishes. I wilst be perfectly safe.”

“What?” His eyes widened in surprise. “Why bring me out here if I can't come?”

“Primarily, twas to speak in private. This venture is optional and twas a suggestion, not a command.” She gave him an understanding smile. “I would not fault thee if thou were hesitant of venturing into the darkness of the earth once more. Given thy recent torment in such places.”

Star defiantly lifted his chin and puffed out his chest. “It wasn't the dark I was afraid of.”

Luna's judged him for a few moments before she gave a curt nod. “Neigh, I suppose not.” She turned away, her horn tip flaring into a brilliant blue glow, illuminating the stone above and below her.

“Follow if thee wishes, my love. But know that thy initial meeting with them may not be pleasant.” With that, the alicorn gracefully descended the gentle slope into the cavern, crystal slippers sharply clicking on the stone.

* “Aren't you curious, little foal?” Nightmare teased. “Interesting things live in the depths.”

“More interesting than you?” he whispered.

* “Much more.”

Star exhaled before scrambling down the slope into the cave, pacing himself at Luna's right side within her halo of blue light. “So... who is this mystery group, anyway? If they're not exactly friendly, why are you meeting them?”

“Even without thy information from the interrogations, I anticipated trouble along our route. Therefore, I hath reached out to those whom may aid us.” She glanced at him, a slight smirk on her lips. “As for their identity, certainly thou appreciates the occasional need for secrecy, even amongst loved ones.”

* “Hah, she knows you left things out of your little tale.”

The rough natural cavern ended at a wall with a circular tunnel cut into it. It was two times Luna's height and just slightly wider with the wall a smooth polish that gently reflected Luna's horn-light. Star glanced at his wife as their hoof steps echoed down the passage. “Alright, can you at least tell me if they're dangerous?”

“To some.” She turned her head this way and that, studying the smooth walls of the tunnel. “That aside, tis most interesting that this passage is not natural.”

Star took a moment to examine the wall closest to him, noticing it did seem surprisingly slick for what appeared to be granite. “Unicorn miners? Maybe water worn?”

“Neigh, a Wurm I think.” When she noticed Star's nervous expression she giggled softly. “Fret not, my love. Tis only a juvenile that created this passage.”

“Gee, I feel so much better.” He made no effort to hide his sarcasm.

Luna gave him a gentle flank bump and a wink. “Thy Princess wilst protect thee.”

“Isn't it supposed to be the other way around? I was a guard, after all.”

She chuckled at his response. “Is it not humorous that perception is not identical to reality? We took guards to keep our subjects happy, for they wished to protect that which they treasured, yet is it not us whom they seek when they need protection?”

The pegasus pondered it a moment before replying. “I think you took guards so you'd always have somepony close by whom you could trust and confide in.”

Luna looked at him with an arched eyebrow and an amused smile on her lips. “A valid point, my dear husband. Well said.”

The tunnel banked to the right and eventually opened up into a massive cavern with bio-luminescent spots covering the roof. They stepped down a few inches into a shallow layer of water that appeared to cover the entire floor. The water rippled lightly from their hoofsteps, breaking the illusion of a twin sky of stars reaching out into eternal black. Luna glanced over at Star's wonderment.

“Dost thou know what the lights are?”

He swiveled his head this way and that, looking at all the bluish lights above them. “Some kind of worm I think. I read it in a book somewhere, but wow, the author didn't do them justice.”

Because of how high up the glowworms were, their illumination didn't extend very far, leaving only Luna's horn light to show the way in the pitch black cave. There were no walls to be seen, only occasional thick columns of stone and stalagmites. He followed close at the alicorn's side as they ventured deeper into the inky darkness, only the occasional drip of water and gentle splash of their hooves reaching his ears.

Not far into the cavern, Star felt a familiar tingle roll down the back of his neck. He had to resist the urge to look around as the feeling of being watched putting all his senses on high alert.

Luna noticed his tightened stride and perked ears. She tilted her head and offered a comforting smile. “ Is something wrong, my love?”

“I think somepony or thing is watching us.”

* “Watching? Not exactly, little birdhorse. Down here in the dark, eyes are worthless.”

“Of that, I have no doubt. We art a guest in another world.”

It was then that Luna's blue halo washed over the massive skull and snake-like bones of a long dead wurm. Alive, the thing could have easily swallowed Star whole, and he shifted his wings uncomfortably at the sight of its jagged teeth and the hollow eye-socket that seemed to follow him in the low-light.

“That's... not one of the things we're meeting down here is it?” In his mind he pictured lots of these things in the walls, just watching and waiting for a moment to strike.

Luna walked to the right of the skull and looked back over her shoulder at him. “Thou art not afraid art thou?”

They were walking parallel of the massive wurm's bones, water rippling from their hoof steps and around the remains. “No, Princess, just... cautious. So far, nothing I've met underground has been very friendly. Diamond Dogs, a slaver pony, angry ghosts, blood-thirsty griffons, and let's not forget Miss Nightmare and her sister.”

He could have sworn when he spoke Nightmare's name, a whisper rolled through the dark cavern sending a chill up his spine.

* “Oh come now, my sister was quite friendly and we had a splendid time together.”

Luna nodded thoughtfully. “Thou hast experienced many threats underground, my love. But not all things within the dark earth art hostile. Often they art simply misunderstood and feared without reason.”

As Star was looking at the corpse, still trailing his wife, he could have sworn he glimpsed some pale shape just outside Luna's blue halo watching him from the other side of the rib-bones, but it was so fleeting that he wasn't sure who or what it was. He stopped and peered into the darkness beyond the old skeleton. “Princess, there's somepony-thing here with us.”

Luna was still walking on, hooves gracefully stepping through the cold cavern water. “Tis quite alright. We're almost to the meeting spot. It wilst not accost theeeEEEEeee-” SPLASH

Star's head whipped around at the sound of Luna's voice pitching up in panic as she toppled into a hidden pitfall. He saw the glow from her horn under the water ahead of him and, as he scrambled towards her in the dimming light, there was a quick flash of her magic before the glow disappeared. He looked down into the pitch black water, seeing only the rippling reflection of the glow-worms up above.

“Luna?!” He called out urgently, resisting the urge to dive into the blackness. “Luna! Oh, what the buck, what the buck.” He began the pace back and forth a few steps, head swiveling towards the spot he guessed she fell in.

* “Calm yourself!”

Star grumbled under his breath, “Luna just vanishes and you want me to be calm?”

* “Do you really believe a little water could harm her? Calm yourself and act like the... prince she expects you to be.” She spoke his title with disgust.

His first reaction was to ignore the mare in his head, but the rational side of him knew she spoke the truth. Star stopped his pacing and took a few deep breaths. It was difficult to force himself to still his panic when his heart was gripped by his concern for Luna, but his mind reassured him that she was perfectly capable to taking care of herself.

Eventually, he calmed himself enough to consider his own situation. It was pitch black in every direction he looked. Only the little glow-worms above and their reflection on the water offered any semblance of light in the nothingness that seemed to stretch out forever. He perked his ears, his head swiveling to and fro as he hoped to see the telltale glow of Luna's blue magic rejoining him. Minutes passed, the surface stilled and all was silent except the occasional echoing drips from stalactites hidden on the dark roof.

Drip.

Drip.

Drip.

He placed a hoof to the feather on his chest and closed his eyes. “Luna,” He whispered. “Please, if you're okay, send me a sign.” He opened his eyes and looked down, but the feather did not glow as it had in the ruins. The pegasus sighed softly before lifting his head. “Hello? Whoever has been following us, could you tell me if the Princess is alright or lead me to her? Please? I could really use your help.”

Nothing but the steady drip of water answered his echoing plea.

* “They're still there, watching.”

Star mumbled to himself, “Well, why don't they say anything?”

* Nightmare gave a soft chuckle. “You are talking to yourself. Perhaps they believe you are a lunatic.” When Star opened his mouth to yell at the unseen observers, Nightmare tisked. “Calm yourself, foal. Even I know the importance of patience.”

He bit back a retort and instead decided to heed her advice. With nothing but blackness around him and dangerous pitfalls or worse close at hoof, at least Nightmare seemed to be on his side. Star took up a practiced guard-post stance and did his best to just clear his mind and wait. Even if the things in the dark never lent aid, he knew Luna would eventually find him. All he had to do was stay safe and stay put.

By his best guess, the short minutes he'd stood there had to have turned to hours. The pulsing lights of the glow-worms were almost hypnotic as he waited for somepony, anypony to come for him. His thoughts turned inward and he began day-dreaming about his time in the Royal Guards, his adventures with Luna and he wondered how much he could help her with his new position. Eventually, he began to reflect on how far he'd come since his foalhood in Ponyville. It wasn't that many years ago, but it felt like ages. He mused on how it always seemed to come back to one word: perception.

At some point when he was imagining running Night Court himself, handing out fair but humorous judgments against stuffy aristocrats, he noticed a faint white glow off to his right, swaying and bobbing about.

“Hello?” He called out, turning to face it head-on.

The bobbing lights paused, hovered for a moment, and then began to drift in his direction. Eventually his ears picked up the gentle splash of someone with four legs approaching through the water. Eventually, he could tell that the glow was from four little wisps of light that hovered about a cloaked figure roughly his size. However, the gentle light only illuminated the outline, even as the stranger came to a halt a few strides away. A brief memory of the cloaked druids caused him to tense his muscles, ready to fight or flight.

* “Well, well. This day has become interesting.”

An old female addressed him with a touch of annoyance in her voice. “It's about time I found you. I was beginning to wonder if this was a wild goose chase.”

The four little feathery lights bobbed and weaved over to Star, and he could make out a faint giggling as they circled his head. He watched as one landed on his nose briefly and found himself looking at a very tiny, glowing, cloud-like creature with a faint pony-face. Then just like that, the four floated back over to the stranger, bobbing about her head.

The cloaked figure turned and started away. “Welp, let's go. I don't have all night.”

Star blinked at her abrupt manner and followed after. “Wait a second. Who are you? Who sent you? Where are we going?”

She gave a sigh. “Who do you think sent me genius?”

* “Haha, I like her.” Nightmare was clearly amused.

“No offense, but you could be a griffon, or hippogryph trying to lead me into a trap.”

“If you really think that, feel free to stand around in the dark for a few more hours. It won’t hurt my feelings any.”

“Okay, assuming you're not, that still doesn't answer who you are or where you're taking me.”

She led a curving left path around another wurm skeleton before answering. “You can just call me Granny; all the rest do, whether I want them to or not,” she muttered at the end. “And I was asked to take you to safety, so up to the surface you go.”

The young stallion stopped suddenly, water splashing loudly. He tilted up his chin, his voice taking a firm tone. “Now wait a moment. My name is Starstep and I'm Princess Luna's husband. I came down here with the Princess and we accidentally got separated. Now, I'm sure she's okay, but she's my wife and I'm not going anywhere until I see that she's safe.”

“Well whoopdy-do. Is that supposed to impress me?” The figure stopped and looked over her shoulder at him, the shadow cast by her hood still leaving her identity a mystery in the low light of the wisps.

“No, it's supposed to convince you why it's important for you to take me to her.” He lifted the blue feather from his chest. “If you want proof, here's one of her feathers as a courtship token. So please, will you take me to my wife?”

The hooded female just stared in his direction for a few moments before turning to her right and starting away through the water in another direction. “Well, if you're going to be a drama-llama about it, fine. But complain about the dark or how spooky it is and I'll leave you behind, got it?”

Star hurried after her, trying to stay just inside the wavering halo of wisp light. “Got it. Thank you.”

“Don't thank me yet, child.” She cackled, the sound echoing loudly. “The Forgotten roam these caves.”

* “She has a nice laugh.” Star could see Nightmare grinning in the shadows of his mind.

“The Forgotten?”

“Oh? Not heard the tale? Well, when the pony tribes were looking for escape from the windigos over a millennium ago, a few noble houses tried to hide in these very caves, thinking they could just wait them out. Only, the fools got lost, and had to live off of mushrooms and moss for centuries, surviving in the dark ‘til all that was left was pale, blind, deformed, primitive ponies.”

Star remembered the pale shape that had watched Luna and him. “A tale, so, they're not real?”

“I've never seen them, but I often hear them scurrying about.” She chuckled darkly. “I'll bet they're following us, just out of sight.”

The pegasus couldn't help but glance over his shoulder; that feeling of being watched had never left him, but seemed to intensify now that he knew there really was something out there. He found himself closing the distance between him and Granny ever so slightly.

* “Whatever they are, they don't dream anymore.”

It was about then that they reached one of the cavern walls and, just a few paces down, came to a smaller passage, rough and natural, just large enough for three ponies abreast. Granny led the way into the tunnel, the little wisps gently bouncing off the low, jagged roof as they followed above her head, giggling ever so gently. The tunnel turned and split many times, but his guide never hesitated as she took path after path until Star was completely lost. He knew he'd never be able to find his way out on his own.

A tiny knot of worry began to form in his belly as time went on and questions about her being an ally began to surface. Just as he was about to question her, they rounded a bend and he saw a soft pulsing yellow light glowing around a corner. She paused at the end of the passage and in the flickering glow dancing across her cloak and robe, Star could make out the faintest outline of a pony-muzzle.

His guide turned to face him. “Now listen, child. We weren't expecting anyone but the Princess, and to be honest, I still think it'd better if we turn right around and take you top-side. You're not exactly going to receive a warm welcome.”

“Why?”

“Because...” She pulled back the cowl of her cloak, revealing long, tuffed ears and brilliant lavender eyes with vertical pupils. When she spoke again, he caught a glance of fangs. “Pony kind has never exactly welcomed us.”

Star blinked in surprise at the dark-grey bat-pony.

* “Why do you seem so shocked? Surely you've met my children before?” Nightmare's thoughts were strangely warm. It was a little unnerving for Star.

After a few quiet moments, Granny arched an eyebrow. “Bat got your tongue?”

The pegasus gave a polite smile, keenly aware of her judging eyes. “I'm mostly just stunned. Other than the two who guard the Princess on Nightmare Night, I've haven't seen any other bat-ponies.” A thought occurred to him. “I always thought they were just illusions for fun. Were they real?”

“Heck if I know. I don't keep up with holidays and all that nonsense.” She walked around the corner. “Welp, let's get this over with.”

Star followed, entering a large rounded chamber, dimly lit at the center by a glowing boulder-sized piece of amber that pulsed rhythmically every few seconds. Moths and other insects along with many pony-faced wisps buzzed and floated around the yellow crystal while below, bat-ponies of various colors huddled together in groups of five or more. Taking a quick count, Star figured there was around a hundred ponies.

He gave a slight jump when a pale coated bat-mare slipped out of the shadows from the side of the entrance and blocked him.

“Who's this, Granny?” she asked suspiciously, looking him up and down with those strange eyes.

The older bat-pony waved a dismissive hoof. “Oh, don't mind him none, Rime. The Princess invited him to come along.”

“Oh, really?” She gave him a skeptical look, one of her long tuffed ears giving a twitch. “Why'd she bring a pegasus down here? You know how they get.”

“Now, now. Don't get your tail in a twist. He may not look like much, but he did spend a couple hours standing alone in the glow-worm cave.” Granny's comment caused Rime to blink in surprise and look to Star with a hint of curiosity. “If you'll excuse us?” The older bat-pony brushed past her.

As Star trotted by, he met Rime's stare and gave her a polite smile. She simply studied him a few more moments before sidestepping back into the shadows. With their path cleared, Star now faced a room full of bat-ponies. He pondered on the strangeness of it all, for as far as he knew, bat-ponies in Equestria were so rare, very few citizens had ever met them. Yet, here he was, walking into a cavern filled with them.

Granny led him deeper into the dimly lit chamber, and he noticed more and more of the ponies turn to look at him before waking their sleeping companions. Yawns and stretches were quickly followed by intense stares in his direction. Whispers began to roll through the chamber as he found himself slightly unnerved by so many vertically pupiled eyes fixed upon him. Even the eyes of ponies far off at the edges of the cave reflected brilliantly in the crystal's light.

* “Beautiful, aren't they?” Nightmare beamed.

It was then that he noticed the expressions of those closest as he passed by. Many watched him with cold, judging eyes, following his every move. Some scrunched their noses up and looked away, a couple even pulled back their lips, giving a sneer that showed off their bat-fangs. And while there were plenty who looked on with wide-eyed curiosity or a calmness that betrayed nothing, he didn't see a single smile in the sea of shadowed faces. He forced himself to remember Luna's teachings on remaining diplomatic and noble, keeping his stride measured and confident, yet he took the time to look out among the masses, to meet eyes, and prove he wasn't afraid, nor too arrogant to ignore them.

They trotted around the amber's base and down a slight embankment towards one of the small passage in the opposite wall. Star noticed a gentle blue glow emanating from inside and began to feel the cool comfort in his heart that being near Luna provided. He couldn't fight back the smile that spread on his muzzle as they reached the opening in the wall. Granny led the way in and stood aside as Star exited the short passage into a smaller cave that was about the size of the royal quarters back home.

Luna looked up as he approached, a glowing orb of her magic providing light as it hovered above. She was laying on her belly surrounded by bat-fillies and colts, most a few years younger than Star. They were cuddled up against her three deep, limbs and necks weaving a living blanket that left only Luna's neck and top of her back exposed.

The alicorn gave him a welcoming smile then glanced down at the young, a look of compassion and pride in her twinkling eyes. Her gaze reminded Star of when his mother hugged him after he'd earned his cutie-mark. He quietly walked up and shared a gentle nuzzle with his wife over the sleeping forms, careful not to wake them.

Luna tilted her head up to whisper in his ear. “I doth apologize, my love. I hath been... detained.” She arched her neck down to gently kiss a pale yellow filly on the nose, a look on her face that caused his heart to ache. It was a combination of longing, love, and regret. His sometimes cold Goddess of the Moon seemed exposed here, nestled in a pile of young bat ponies.

Star nodded, giving her an understanding smile. “It's okay, somepony came to get me.” He whispered, glancing back at the entrance, but Granny had quietly slipped away.

The Princess used her magic and a wing to carefully scoot some of the young ponies aside. At her gesture Star slipped into the spot next to her side, her wing falling over his back before her magic replaced the others, trapping him against her in a pile of dozing forms.

While the occasional exposed fang or the odd velvet furred bat-wings unnerved him a little bit, he felt safe and warm amongst them. Oddly enough, even Nightmare seemed pleased by the situation content to curl up in the darkness of his mind, soaking in the sensations of touch and emotions he provided her. A part of him wondered what history the dark mare had with these bat-ponies. Here in this small cave, he could hear every breath and exhale, every shift of hooves and leathery wings. Carefully, he laid his head against Luna's neck and could even hear her pulse throbbing in his ear. There was something about being in the depths of the earth that seemed to heighten the senses.

“What happened to you?” he asked softly.

Star glanced up to notice the faintest embarrassed smile on Luna's lips. “An unexpected drop-off. Under the surface of the water, tis black as the void and I was without bearing. I teleported here with the intention of returning for thee. Alas, the little ones... attached themselves to me and I could not bear to deny them.”

“So, you sent Granny?”

“Indeed. Though, I did ask that she fetch thee hours ago.”

Star snorted and gave a wry smile. “I'll bet she took so long on purpose. I get the feeling she was expecting to find me a quivering ball of feathers, begging to go back to the surface.”

Luna nuzzled at the top of his head between his ears. “Perhaps. If tis any consolation, thou hath earned a little of her respect.”

The pegasus leaned up into Luna's affectionate touch. “I see how you look at these fillies and colts. Who are they?”

“My children.”

Star stiffened and heard Luna giggle softly. “Not biologically, my love.” At that, he relaxed and waited for her to continue. “The short answer; I am responsible for their ancestor's creation long ago.”

She gave a gentle sigh before continuing. “When I returned from mine banishment, I thought them gone, lost to time. Thou can only imagine mine joy at their survival.”

“I can see it in your eyes.” He glanced up and met her smile.

“Indeed. However, I hath had minimal contact since mine return. Tia expressed... concerns due to history and asked that I take proceed with caution in reuniting with them. During mine absence, my children made occasional attempts to rejoin pony society, but their appearance unnerves and frightens many. So much so, that there hath been violence against them in the past.”

Now the looks he got walking in made sense. The bat-ponies saw him as just another Equestrian citizen who would judge and fear them. He couldn't lie to himself, he did feel slightly uneasy as he looked down at the bat-winged fillies and colts. And those eyes... Nightmare Moon's eyes. He gave a soft shiver and mentally reminded himself that these ponies were not the enemy. Yet, he could understand why pony society would have a hard time accepting them. Ponies were naturally cautious of strange things. It was how they survived the wilds and hostile creatures before Equestria.

A clearing of a throat caught both their attention and Star looked up to find Granny at the exit passage. “I'm sorry to interrupt, Princess, but this bunch has work to do, and the rest of the colony is getting hungry. Trust me, you don't want that.”

Star arched an eyebrow, a little concerned what hungry bat-ponies were like. “Do they get aggressive or something?”

“No, they just get rather whiny.”

* “Hah!”

Granny looked to Luna expectantly. With a resigned sigh, the alicorn gave a gentle dip of her chin, her teal eyes sweeping over the dozing ponies around her. “Tis a shame they cannot linger longer.”

The old bat-pony slapped her hoof to the stone floor, the resounding crack ringing in Star's ears. “Alright you lazy ragamuffins. You've slacked from your duties long enough. Up, up, up!”

At her hoof-slam and stern voice, the other bat-ponies stirred and began to stagger to their hooves, groaning and protesting softly. A few glanced at Star with confusion, their sleepy minds not quite comprehending why a pegasus was snuggled up with them and the Princess. But they didn't have time to voice their questions as Granny herded them up with the efficiency of a sheep-dog. Within a couple minutes, the entire group had marched out of the room. Before she left, Granny looked over her shoulder at Luna.

“Princess, could you take a moment to talk some sense into Knight-Captain Gale? She's been gloomy since we left home. It's annoying to be around, especially since she's the one that's supposed to be leading this little field-trip. Bah, kids. Always with their muzzles against the tree bark.” She left Luna and Star, muttering under her breath.

Star cocked his head to the side. “Muzzles against the... what?”

Luna giggled softly. “I doth believe tis in reference to the saying, 'One cannot see the forest for the trees.”

She stood, stretching out her long legs one at a time, much to Star's quiet enjoyment, then proceeded to straighten her regalia and Star's feather before striding out of the chamber, leaving her husband scrambling to catch up.

Outside in the main cavern, lit by the soft pulsing light of the massive amber crystal, the bat-ponies were clustered into groups, being served something in deep tin pans by the younger ponies. Star mused that none of the ponies seemed younger than 16 or so. He made a mental note to ask Luna where the rest of the very young or very old ponies were.

Thankfully, the colony was so focused on their breakfast that they paid him little heed, instead giving respectful bows of their head when Luna passed close by. The pair strode across the chamber to another hole in the wall on the other side, guarded by a pair of fully armored bat-ponies. Their plating was black with purple trim that was complimented by the purple wrapped hilt of the swords belted around their waists. They bowed to Luna, but gave Star only skeptical glances, before gesturing to the tunnel between them. The Princess dipped her chin slightly in thanks and led Star into the passage.

About fifty hooves later, the rough cut tunnel opened up into a chamber about the size of Star's dorm-room. Light from a patch of pale blue crystals embedded in the ceiling illuminated a spot at the rear of the room where an armored bat-mare sat on her haunches, her back towards them. Her forehooves rested on the pommel of a long sword and her head was bowed. Before her was a jagged carving of a crescent moon with a glassy texture that appeared to be obsidian.

Except for the faint echoing of voices from the main chamber, the room was silent as Luna and he stood patiently waiting for her to finish. From the back, Star could only see her ears and flanks outside of the armor, noting her teal fur color and darker teal tail. Then she softly spoke, as though to herself.

“A thousand times—a thousand-thousand times I have awoken and said my evening prayers to you. Yet, tonight the words escape me. Oh, Mother Moon. Now that you walk among us again, those words I've said countless nights seem so hollow. Who am I to ask you for anything? I lost my faith in you. I am unworthy to even be here.” The mare slumped her shoulders, armor plates shifting.

Luna laid a slippered hoof on Star's shoulder, bidding him to remain before quietly walking up behind the bat-mare and draping a wing around her. “If thou were unworthy, thy Mistress wouldth not sent thee to answer mine call. As for the words to speakth, it matters not. Words art but air. Tis the emotion behind them; Hope, love, pride, compassion, even rage and anger. To feel is to live. One should be honest with their feelings. So, now that thou hast mine ear, speak true and from thy heart.”

Gale's voice cracked slightly, “Mother Moon... I-I thought you had abandoned us. Growing up, all I ever wanted to do was be a guardian of the night like my ancestors. I worked hard and became a Lunar Knight... but then we found out you had returned from the moon. And I waited for your summons. I waited, and waited... but you never called us home, you never came to us.”

The bat-pony exhaled. “I believed we were forsaken, unworthy of your attention anymore. I thought that... somehow, we'd done something to offend you. That I was... nothing.”

Luna tightened her wing around the other mare and leaned down to nuzzle at her cheek. “Thou art not forgotten. For tis the bat-ponies whom kept mine memory alive whilst I slept within the moon. For that, I am ever grateful. Twas simply a time and a place for our meeting.”

“Here and now?”

“Indeed. The Grand Mistress sent thee to command these ponies. So one must ask; art thou up to the task?”

“If you can forgive me for not being patient and losing faith in your return.”

“Thou art forgiven, for I understand all too well. However, I require thy loyalty and commitment for what is to transpire. May I place mine trust in thee to do what must be done?”

Gale gently laid her sword on the ground and turned to bow low. “My blade and life are at your command, Mother Moon. I swear that I'll repair the damage my shame has brought to the Lunar Knights.”

The blue alicorn lifted her chin. “I shalt watch thy progress with hopeful heart.”

* “She plays this game oh so well.”

The bat-pony gently lifted herself up and gave Luna a nervous smile. “May I make one request, Mother?” At Luna's nod she continued. “May I hug you?”

Star could see the smirk on his wife's face as she reached out and cuddled the armored pony to her chest, a smile forming on his own lips as Gale flailed about in surprise for a few moments before clutching tightly to the Princess.

* “You have a strange effect on her, bird-horse. She was never this... affectionate when I knew her.”

The pegasus turned away and whispered into his hoof. “You act like that's a bad thing.”

* “Not at all. That mare is putty in her hooves. You've simply given her more tools to use.”

He sighed at Nightmare's comment and found Luna looking at him curiously.

“Art thou well, Star?”

“Oh, yeah, sorry. I guess my mind was wandering.”

Luna released the bat-pony, whom replaced her sword in the scabbard and was eyeing the pegasus with wary caution. “Gale, allow me to introduce mine husband and Shadow-Guard, Starstep.”

Whisper's eyes widened slightly. “Husband?”

Star trotted over and gave a polite nod. “Yeah, it's a pretty recent thing. Anyhoof, it's nice to meet you, Gale.”

She looked down at the feather on his chest, then up at the one on Luna's before giving a shrug. “Congratulations? I mean no disrespect, I'm just not sure what to say, honestly.” Her eyes flicked to his wings but she said nothing about them. “This isn't the reason you called to us, is it, Mother?”

Luna gave a faint shake of her head. “Did the Grand Mistress not inform thee of the circumstances?”

“Only that I was to take the fastest fliers to meet you here and avoid detection at all costs.”

“I see. Then I must inquire—wilst thou and thy soliders protect non-batponies?”

Gale looked up into Luna's serious eyes. “Yes, Mother. We will protect the other pony races; we do have a little bit of enmity between us, but we've never forgotten that they are your subjects.”

“Splendid. Then allow us to brief thee on all that hast transpired and the task at hoof.”

Luna retold most of what had happened regarding the loss of Spurlin, the trip to Trottingham with the refugees, and the threat from the outcast griffon clans. She did leave out specifics involving the Red Griffon herself, and never told Gale that Star was responsible for the intelligence on when the griffons would be striking them.

With the story finished, Luna took on her commanding pose. “At this point, I must insist that all further information is given to others only upon great need.” She looked to her husband, “This also applies to thee, Starstep. Neither of thou shalt divulge what is to transpire unless lives art at risk.”

Luna didn't wait for acknowledgments, assuming it was a moot point. Her horn glowed bright and a sheet of blue magic washed over the stone wall, leaving behind a glowing map of the nearby valley pass. By Star's best guess, it had to be at least ten to fifteen miles of narrow roads and side passages that wormed their way through the mountains to the other side and Trottingham territory.

Around the half-way point there was a softly pulsing white glow. Star noted that many of the passages converged at this spot, including the only road wide enough to allow the herd to pass through at a reasonable pace.

The Princess pointed a slippered hoof at the glowing area. “Note this location. I suspect this wilst be the most likely of ambush points. It contains high cliff faces, little ground cover, and thick mud.”

While not a tactician, even Starstep could understand Luna's sound reasoning. Only a handful of narrow winding paths bypassed the spot, so it was almost assured they'd go through the choke-point.

“Celestia and the herd hath camped at the mouth of the mountain pass. There we shalt remain and prepare a defense.”

Gale studied the map for a moment. “Is the herd going to sit and wait for the griffons to come to them? I'll bet they'll try and panic the herd into the pass.”

“Indeed. My sister and I suspect this wilst be the case. Tis at this point that I call upon thy services.” Luna's horn glowed again, burning small arrows and unit markings into the wall. “Tonight, send thy stealthiest of ponies to assess the outcast's numbers and confirm their locations. It is imperative that they not be discovered.”

“I know just the ponies for the job.”

“Be careful of thy words to them, Gale. Tell them only to look for potential threats and report back.”

“Yes, Mother.”

“Then, thou art to report to me at dawn with thy findings, and bring an escort. I expect thee to impress upon the herd and Spurlin guards. Tis my wish that thy arrival wilst be the talk of the campfires that morning.”

At that, Gale raised an eyebrow.

* “My, my, our dear Luna is certainly setting up an interesting game. You should be taking notes.”

Star pushed Nightmare's words aside “Princess, are we just going to wait for the griffons?”

“In warfare, tis not only positioning that results in victory, but knowledge of thy enemy and timing. Have faith, husband. We will prevail.”

Gale and Luna discussed a few other minor logistics while Nightmare began to hum some old melody in Star's head. He wondered if the bat-ponies were the cause for the dark-mare's more pleasant demeanor. Despite her little snippy comments, she'd otherwise been relatively nice. He half-considered asking Luna to keep bat-ponies around at all times.

Then he noticed both mares staring at him. Gale seemed shocked, ears perked, both eyes wide, while Luna cocked her head slightly with an amused smile on her lips.

Star looked around, thinking maybe somepony had walked in behind him. Seeing nopony, he turned back. “What?”

The Lunar Knight's expression softened slightly. “That song. Where did you hear that?”

“Song? Wha...” And then he suddenly realized he'd started humming along with Nightmare. “Oh, honestly, I'm not sure. I've seen and heard a lot of strange stuff lately.”

“The Grand-Mistress used to hum that. The words are long forgotten, but she told me it had been passed down through the Masters and Mistresses, starting with the first who learned it from Nightma-...” Gales eyes widen and flicked to Luna. “I-I didn't mean to...”

“Tis quite alright. For me to deny whom I was in the past, is to ignore the mistakes I hath made.”

* “A thousand years and they still remember the tune of our song? I wonder what else my children remember of us?”

Luna used her magic to wipe away the map. “History aside, Star and I must take our leave. We hath much to prepare and thou hath a mission to complete.”

“I understand. Thank you for coming, Mother Moon. And thank you for believing in me. I wont let you down.”

“Indeed, together, we mayth yet save the refugees. I shalt look for thee come dawn. Night protect you, Gale.”

“Be well, Mother. Be well, Starstep.” Gale gave him a respectful dip of her head, which he returned.

“Fly safe out there.” he said with a smile.

Gale walked over to the exit and bowed respectfully as Luna left the room, followed by Star. But as he drew even with the bat-pony, she stiffened and jerked her head up, staring into his eyes in confusion.

“Mother Moon?” Gale called after Luna's retreating form.

The alicorn halted and looked over her shoulder, “Yes?”

“May I have a few moments with your husband?”

Luna smiled. “Tis up to him, as I am not his keeper. We hath a few moments to spare as I must offer my farewells to the others, lest the young ponies take offense with our sudden departure.” She looked to Star questioningly.

The pegasus gave a slight nod. “Sure, it's fine. I'll catch right up, Princess.” At his assurance, Luna continued on, soon vanishing around the tunnel bend. He turned to face the bat-pony. “So, what's up?”

Gale leaned in, studying his eyes before starting to circle him. “There's something odd about you. And familiar at the same time.”

Star unfurled a wing. “Black feathers?”

“No... not a physical oddity. It's a gut feeling. When you walked by, I felt like I should know you. Kind of like how I feel when I'm close to Mother Moon, but different.”

“Uh...” The pegasus backed away from the other pony. “Look, I'm flattered and all...”

Gale scrunched up her nose, ears flattening. “Not that kind of feeling. Something... off. I can't put my hoof on it.” She stopped in front of him. “Who are you, really?”

* “Don't look now, bird-horse. But I think this one is onto us.” Nightmare seemed amused by the prospect.

“A simple pegasus from Ponyville who loves Princess Luna. That's all I've ever been.”

The bat-pony closed the distance between them with frightening speed, placing a hoof-tip on Star's chest just to the side of Luna's feather. “You may be Mother's husband and I respect that, but there is something seriously strange about you. By the moonlight, I swear if you're hiding something that will hurt her, I will personally end you.”

* "I wonder if all my children have become this violent. I do hope so."

Star took a page from Lighthoof's book and gave her a crowd winning smile. “I am married to the Moon Goddess. Maybe you saw me in your dreams?”

Gale shook her head and snorted. “Not a chance. Mark my words, I'm going to figure out why you give me the creeps.”

“Look, I'd like for us to get along since the Princess loves you all like her kids. As cheesy as it might sound, my goal in life is to make her happy. So what can I do to prove it?”

"Explain why I have the urge to both hug you like Mother and run away screaming in terror?"

* "Perhaps it was something you ate?"

Star just shrugged his shoulders. "I don't have an answer."

Gale narrowed her eyes and laid back her ears. "Then we have nothing further to discuss." The teal bat-pony stepped aside. "I'm sure Mother is waiting for you, but this isn't over. I will figure it out."

"Uh, well... till we meet again, I guess." Star gave her a parting smiled before trotting away with as much grace and nobility as he could fake. Once outside the tunnel, he found Luna surrounded near the passage exit by the bat-ponies, clamoring for her attention.

Luna glanced back to see Star approaching and raised her voice. “Alas, my dear ponies. I hath pressing matters to attend to. Listen to thy Knight-Captain Gale and do thy best in the coming days. We shalt all gather again one day soon.”

There were sounds of disappointment from the younger bat-ponies and scattered pleas for her to remain, but as Star drew abreast with her, Luna's horn glowed bright and in a brilliant flash, the pair found themselves outside the cave on the rocky hillside, the waxing moon shining through the cloudy skies that had finally relented their drizzling. Far in the distance at the foot of the massive cliff-face that marked Howling pass, tiny campfires flickered, marking the position of the herd.

As Luna started off, Star took to her right and glanced up at her a few times, a question nagging at him. Eventually she smirked and caught his look. “Speak, my love.”

“I... well... I think it's great you got in touch with some ponies to help us with the griffons, but I didn't count more than maybe a hundred, a third of them being my age or a little younger. The prisoner told us there was least a thousand outcasts, maybe more.”

“And so, thou questions the effectiveness of such a small force in the battle to come?” At Star's nod she continued. “They wilst assist in saving some lives, but they cannot hope to shift the battle to our favor alone. However, they art not the only ones my sister and I hath reached out to for aid. Yet, we must assume they wilst not arrive in time and plan accordingly.”

“I'm just worried about the herd.”

“Take heart, we art not beaten yet for thou did not marry a weakling.” Her ethereal tail whipped around to snap him on the flank.

Star looked up into Luna's twinkling eyes and smiled. “No, I married a prankster incarnate.”

“Ha-ha, tis true! I shalt yet giveth Discord a run for his bits.”

“From what I hear, I don't think cotton candy clouds will deter the griffons.”

“Tis a shame, for they art quite tasty.” They shared a chuckle.

The pair walked in silence for a moment before Luna spoke, her tone a bit more somber now. “My love. Where fore didst thou hear that old tune?”

* “Yes, where did you hear it?” Nightmare was grinning like a cat.

He considered saying it was just a spirit from the ruins, which was technically true, but something nagged at him not to use that as an answer. Then he remembered an old saying: 'Sometimes the best lies are the truth.'

“From Nightmare that I met in the ruins.”

“Ah.” Luna turned away and began the long walk down the hillside towards the herd, Star taking his place at her right side. “To hear that tune doth brings me bittersweet memories. Twould thou hum it again?” She looked to the pegasus hopefully.

Much to Star's surprise Nightmare began to sing the notes to the song once more. After a couple of failed attempts to get the right key, he followed along, singing the tune instead of humming for his Princess. She wore a reserved smile with a bit of sadness in her eyes, but he could sense that she was pleased.

They journeyed on in the darkness towards the encamped refugees, Star's voice echoing across the hills, a melody over the backdrop of crickets and other night insects. At some point, Luna joined in, singing the forgotten words in a language Star didn't recognize, but the haunting sound of it sent a chill up his spine and filled him with a strange resolve he couldn't explain.

During a lull in the melody, Nightmare whispered to him.

* “The last song Goldwing ever heard.”

Author's Notes:

Chapter edited by Idylia /) Epic-Brohoof (\
Long time coming, but I do hope you've enjoyed the chapter.
Please take a few moments to tell me what bits you enjoyed and any thoughts/theories on things to come.