Before you begin, I highly recommend you read the previous two stories: Cold Harmonics and its sequel Immortal Throne. This story will contain spoilers of the prequels. If you have read those already, thank you and read on.

There is a phrase commonly used in Equestria: ‘All roads lead to Canterlot’. Etymologists trace the origin of this phrase to traders and merchants seeking their fortune in the newly constructed capital during the Pax Equus; the period of relative peace following the ill-fated Lunar Rebellion during which the capital was moved from the ruined Castle of the Royal Sisters to the centrally located and far more defensible Mount Canterhorn. Over the years, however, this innocuous phrase took on a more sinister meaning. As Equestria grew in power, so too did its sphere of influence and the interests of the power players. At the height of the nation’s power, it was nigh impossible to find a power play, exchange of secrets or other nefarious dealings that did not have some trace Canterlot’s hoof prints on it. These prints often belonged to an ambitious noble or other such barrators but rarely could they be traced to the upper echelons of the Princesses and their consorts.

This did not deter a certain pallid pony from digging into the past of two of Equestria’s more infamous and illustrious members. The first was the mischief-maker known as Discord who had joined that privileged group of friends upon being ‘reformed’. While the Spirit of Disharmony was more a harmless prankster nowadays, his old tricks had left a chaotic but nonetheless discernible trail through the annals of history for those who knew where to look.

“I suppose even chaotic beings can fall into a creative rut.” The dreaded Dark Lord of the Sunless Lands mused as he reviewed his eclectic research. “Such as whenever he encountered a remnant of the old pantheon like a temple or keeper, he would drop a mountain on it.”

The second subject was the famous unicorn wizard Starswirl the Bearded or, in the context of the Theoi Anax’s investigation, Starswirl the Acolyte. Before the Unification of the Tribes and even before the Reign of Discord, the world was in a Dark Age. This was a time of great strife where monsters both metaphorical and literal reigned supreme. A prime example of such perils would be the fell creature known among the dragon flights as Suneater; a black dragon that would have destroyed the world were it not for the efforts of the young Starswirl. The unicorn who would go on to become Equestria’s first great mage had defeated and imprisoned the vile beast within the ruins of an ancient temple. This event marked the transition between the Dark Ages and the Reign of Discord.

“Enter the draconequus and his tectonic-shifting method of handling ‘party poopers’. The Khthonic Theoi thought. “If a lone Lightkeeper could survive eons buried under a mountain, why not a Primordial?”

All signs pointed to this being true. The Lord of Darkness, one of the Lord of Shades' oldest allies, may very well be buried under the very heart of Canterlot with the little ponies none the wiser. However, the only way to know for certain was to go to the capital and find out. To that end, the Necroarch had summoned the newest additions to his caliginous court to meet and plot.

“Let me get this straight.” Grand Marshal Shining Armor, former prince-regent of the Crystal Empire turned head of the Underworld armed forces upon the former's destruction, wanted to make sure he had heard his patron correctly. “There is an extremely dangerous dragon prince sleeping under Canterlot and you want to wake it?”

While his death had nullified all of the oaths he had sworn in life, the good late captain still felt a sense of loyalty to his former station. If it could be avoided, he did not wish to needlessly endanger the little ponies of his former home, emphasis on little. As for the nobles and at least two of the Princesses, he did not feel such compunctions.

“Almost.” The pale horse clarified. “Evidence suggests that it is under Mount Canterhorn but the only way to be sure is to go there myself. If it turns out to be true, then I will wake it.”

“That sounds risky.” Archmage Trixie Lulamoon, though she preferred the suffix of Great and Powerful or variations thereof, chimed in. “The Wise and Experienced Trixie knows what dragons can do.”

The lichborn azure unicorn swished her glyph covered cape made from the hide of a dragon she had slain in Tartarus for effect. The duel had ended in both of their deaths but she had returned all the more powerful for it. Plus she had gotten a new cape and hat out of the ordeal.

“Indeed.” The Dark Lord nodded in agreement. “Hence why I am going to Canterlot rather than tunneling to it. I do not know how the centuries have affected the Master of the Shifting Darkness so I would rather steer it away from the Sunless Lands if at all possible. Think of it like popping a bottle of champagne away from you.”

“Good idea.” Hive Queen Chrysalis chittered from her seat between Armor and their young daughter Elytra. “But how do you plan on getting into the most secure city in Equestria? Are you going to raise the dead and invade or infiltrate with a few minions as I did?”

Unlike her counterpart and lover, nothing would have pleased the changeling matron more than seeing Canterlot wiped out and the equines that call it home laid low. Ever since the caliginous King had granted the displaced Queen and her children shelter within his palace, she had been steadily rebuilding her hive. While she was content to live in luxury and success as the finest form of revenge, she would not shy away from the good old fashion bloody way.

“I would rather not start a war with the Overworld just yet.” The pale horse said plainly. “So I am just going to go up to the front gates and they are going to let me in.”

The other four looked at each other in a mix of confusion and curiosity. The changeling nymph decided to voice what they were all thinking.

“With all due respect, I do not think that the guards will just let you trot into the capital.” She buzzed. “Right, dad?”

“If they remembered a thing I taught them, they would warn you first then drag you out and pitch you in a ditch.” The former Captain of the Solar Guard agreed. “You would need an invitation or business permit. Then again, some are allowed in because they have connections with the right noble ponies who can pull a few strings.”

“How odd that you should mention that…” The stallion known in some circles as the Merchant Prince said candidly as he reached into his voluminous robes and withdrew something. “…for I have all three of your methods covered.”

The Stygian Sovereign placed the thin item on the table between them and slid it closer for them to see. The three looked to see a golden ticket stamped with the Royal Equestrian seal and ‘ADMIT ONE’ in bold letters. A look of realization dawned on them.

“Of course!” Chrysalis grinned devilishly. “The Grand Galloping Gala! It’s the perfect cover.”

“Ugh. Security was a nightmare to set up for those events.” Armor shivered at the unpleasant memories. “So long as you don’t call too much attention to yourself, you will blend right in with the crowd. Something I know you excel at.”

“It’s my special talent after all.” The former Lurker with a glyph meaning ‘Hidden’ as a cutie mark thought.

“The Great and Powerful Trixie wants to know where you got an invite to such an exclusive party.” The magician said with an edge of resentment in her voice. “She has wanted to perform there for years but they always put Trixie on a waiting list.”

“It was a gift from Princess Luna.” The pale stallion answered simply.

“Oh?” The changeling matron arched an eyebrow in interest. “Do tell.”

“You are not the only one who can charm royalty, Queen Chrysalis.” The Theoi met her inquisitive gaze with a coy half-smile. “But that is a tale for another time. The Gala is only a few days away and we need to prepare.”

He withdrew the golden ticket and stored it in his robes again. In its place, he unfurled a large map of Canterlot and the immediate area.

“Now, the ticket says admit one but I am allowed one guest, correct?” The King looked to Armor who nodded in confirmation.

“It used to be ‘one ticket, one entrant’ but somepony raised a fuss about having to get an exclusive ticket for all her friends.” The former captain of the guard recalled. “It took some doing but we managed to accommodate the guest exception.”

“Good.” The pale horse said. “Then Archmage Lulamoon and I will enter Canterlot under pseudonyms.”

“Excellent!” A happy smile spread across the azure unicorn’s face at the prospect of visiting the heart of Equestria.

“Why not take me or Armor?” Chrysalis interjected, earning a glare from the lich.

“I need Marshall Armor here to hold down the fort, so to speak.” The Necroarch explained. "I am not about to leave the Sunless Lands undefended."

“And the Royal Guard has developed methods of exposing and catching changelings since your last invasion.” The late captain of the guard finished for his patron. “I know. I put together about half of them.”

“Once bitten, twice shy.” Elytra surmised.

“That…makes sense.” The Hive Queen’s ears drooped in disappointment.

“You may not be able to enter Canterlot but I will need you and your drones waiting in the wings in case something goes wrong and we need a quick escape.” The pale pony continued. “Otherwise, it will just be Lulamoon and I against the elite of the Solar and Royal Guard plus the Alicorns.”

“The Great and Powerful Trixie is sure we can take them.” The Archmage said half-jokingly. “But you’re right, no pony ever died from being too careful.”

The small council went on to plan out the finer details of their scheme. Armor’s knowledge of security protocol and the layout of the palace combined with Chrysalis’ experience in the caverns and abandoned mines within the mountain proved invaluable as they tried to cover every possible angle. Even Elytra’s youthful outlook was able to contribute to ironing out details her elders overlooked. In time, the group had a concrete plan in place and dispersed to tend to their tasks. Among those were the Theoi Anax and Archmage Lulamoon visiting the palace tailors to be fitted for a suit and dress. The ticket did request formal attire after all.

“Ow!” Princess Twilight Sparkle neighed as her friend unintentionally pricked her. “Mind those pins, Rarity.”

“It’s not my fault you are so fussy.” The fashionista said around a mouthful of pins as she used her magic to piece together a gown for her friend. “Now stand still or the next one will be on purpose.”

“Did you just threaten a Princess of Equestria?” Princess Celestia asked with a devious smirk. “I would hate for the Element of Generosity to spend the rest of her life behind bars.”

“What?!” Rarity’s voice shot up an octave. “No! I didn’t mean…I was just kidding!”

“So was she. Calm down.” The lavender unicorn tried to ease her friend’s suddenly frayed nerves. “Uhh…you are kidding, right?”

The Alicorn of Magic looked to her former mentor for confirmation. The alabaster Princess held a hoof to her mouth as she desperately tried to hold in a giggle. Seeing that she was no longer in danger of being incarcerated, Rarity went back to working on Twilight’s dress, taking extra care not to harm her longtime friend with an errant pin. The pearl white unicorn had been summoned to the Canterlot Palace to create dresses for the Alicorns for the upcoming Grand Galloping Gala. As she understood it, a whole lot of prominent fashion designers had been snubbed in favor of her. While she did not like the idea of her works of art being featured due to her connections rather than her merit, she would never turn down a request from the Princesses and her close friend. The substantial amount of bits she was being paid did not hurt either. Thus did the fashionista find herself in a private room with Sparkle and Celestia and all the material she needed to create her latest masterpieces. She had already finished the Solar Alicorn’s ensemble who was now reviewing how she looked in a full-length mirror.

“I am impressed, Rarity.” The diurnal diarch complemented as she struck a few regal poses. “You’ve found the perfect balance between elegance and functionality.”

“Thank you, your highness.” The unicorn bowed as best she could with her attention on Sparkle. “It was my pleasure to work with one such as you.”

“What about me?” The Alicorn of Magic asked in mock offense.

“I’ll let you know if you ever stop fidgeting, darling.” Rarity said as she considered casting a paralysis spell. “I swear you are as ticklish as Rainbow Dash.”

Celestia had to suppress another round of giggles as her former pupil set her face and tried to do her best impression of a statue. After making sure nopony was paying attention to her, the Princess of the Sun turned around and checked out her more salacious assets in the mirror. To her delight, the fabric hugged enough of her curves to tease any wandering eyes.

“I see that you have managed to drop a dress size, sister.” A regal voice complemented mischievously. “I told you that cutting back on the cake would do you good.”

The alabaster Alicorn immediately straightened up to find her nocturnal counterpart, Princess Luna, standing in the doorway with a few papers enveloped in her magic. As the navy Alicorn trotted in, Rarity was once again forced to make an awkward bow.

“Good evening, your highness.” The pearl unicorn greeted. “You are just in time. I only lack a few more pins with Twilight here and I will be ready to start on yours.”

“Take your time, seamstress.” The navy Princess said absently as she focused her attention on her elder sister, earning an annoyed huff from the fashionista. “Have you had time to review the itinerary for the Gala?”

“I’ve skimmed through it.” Celestia said as she carefully took off the dress with her magic. “It’s just the same as last year’s, is it not?”

“Not exactly, dear sister.” Luna said with a critical frown. “We will have checkpoints at the palace gates in addition to the barrier around the city, for starters. Not to mention the contingent of Luminious Solarii on the premise.”

The midnight Princess went on to fill her two fellow Alicorns on the plan for the Gala’s events from its start in the late afternoon all the way to dawn of the next day. Guests would congregate in the courtyard outside the grand hall of the palace until sunset where Celestia and Sparkle would address the guests and set the sun. After that, the guests would be allowed into the hall where they could greet the Princesses at the grand stairs before being ushered into the ballroom for the rest of the party. There would be music, dance, food and merchants selling goods in side aisles as always but there would be a heavy guard presence. The Alicorns would relocate to a private table with a selection VIP’s at which point Luna would join them after completing her nightly duties.

“By this point, it is just a matter of making sure everypony departs safely and the inebriated have a room to sleep in until morning.” Luna finished. “Of course, none of this will matter if and when something goes awry.”

The Lunar Princess gave Sparkle and Rarity a sideways look. They just smiled at her sheepishly.

“To think I used to hope a bit of chaos would break up these tedious events.” Celestia sighed wistfully as she delicately folded away the last of her dress. “But after what has happened these past few months, I’m looking forward to a dull as dishwater Gala.”

“Did someone say chaos?” A disembodied voice asked cheerfully.

“Ugh…” Luna let out a long groan as she brought a hoof to her temple. “You had to say something.”

A sharp snap later and Discord, Draconequus Spirit of Disharmony, materialized out of thin air. The mismatched creature drifted down to the floor where he dropped his travel bags with a noisy clatter. He made of show of stretching out his limbs as if he had just spent days confined to a tight space.

“Whew! What a trip!” Discord gasped as he tugged on the collar of his red and black shirt with a gold arrow emblem on the chest. “I never get used to taking on a new body when I bridge the gap between dimensions but it is always worth it.”

“I know.” Sparkle offered him a knowing smile. “Welcome back, Discord.”

“Indeed.” Rarity muttered bitterly as she mentally prepared herself for her work to be ruined. “Your timing is still as awkward as always.”

The serpentine draconequus finally noticed that he was in a private looking room and that the four mares were staring at him with odd looks. A naughty smile crossed his long face as he took note that Celestia was not wearing anything. The alabaster Alicorn read his expression and made sure that her backside was not visible in the mirror.

“Oh, pardon me.” Discord covered his eyes with his griffon claw only for them to appear above it. “I did not know you mares were indecent.”

“We are just preparing for the Grand Galloping Gala, Discord.” Celestia said plainly. “You are welcome to attend if you are willing to keep the mischief to a minimum and wear a suit.”

“Hmm.” The chimeric creature rested his goat bearded chin on his lion’s paw in thought. “Depends on who all will be there.”

All eyes turned to Luna and the papers she was carrying. With a resigned sigh, the moon mare retrieved the guest list and unfurled it.

“We will all be there, of course.” She gestured to the other ponies. “So will the Elements of Harmony, Princess Cadenza, Captain Sentry, the nobility and gentry-“

“Wait, wait, wait.” Discord shook his head clear of literal cobwebs in case he had heard her wrong. “Captain ‘Sentry’? Did Armor finally retire?”

A very heavy silence filled the room. Sparkle and Rairty looked crestfallen while Celestia averted her eyes. Luna merely rolled up the scroll and maintained a stone face. All this was lost on the reformed Bringer of Chaos.

“What?” He asked obliviously. “You all are acting like he died…oh.”

The draconequus’ dragon foot disconnected from his body and stuffed itself in his mouth as he finally caught on. He made a fist with his griffon claw and pantomimed a mouth with it.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t know. How could I?” He said genuinely despite the visual gag. “What else have I missed?”

The equines did not answer right away. Celestia took a step forward after formulating her thoughts but the impatient Luna beat her to it.

“The Crystal Empire was invaded and destroyed, Shining Armor is dead, Cadenza and the remaining crystal ponies have been relocated, there was an attempted break-out in Tartarus and we have been hunting demons since.” The navy Alicorn said quickly and bluntly. “There. You are now caught up.”

Discord’s jaw hit the floor along with his foot. It was not often he was surprised but the tirade he had just received did the trick.

“Well, somepony has been busy.” He found his voice after replacing his jaw and limb. “I was not expecting that.”

“None of us were.” Sparkle said solemnly before she thought of a way to get the mismatched master of mayhem out of their manes. “You should check in with Fluttershy. I am sure she will be glad to see you.”

“That is an excellent idea, book horse.” Discord agreed, his cavalier attitude returning in full. “Oh, fair warning, Celly. She will probably talk me into attending your little party. Who knows? I might even wear my evening best.”

The draconequus snapped his talons and vanished from the room with his travel bags, his distinctive chuckle lingering for a few moments before fading. Rarity released a breath she had not realized she was holding.

“I know that ruffian is reformed but he still makes my mane fray.” The pearl unicorn sighed. “But part of me is glad he is home safe and sound.”

“You are a pony of patterns and trends.” Sparkle said sagely. “It is only natural.”

While the fashionista put the finishing touches on her long-time friend’s dress, Celestia took her sister aside for a more private conversation.

“Did you really need to dump all that on him when he has only been back for a few seconds?” The Solar Alicorn asked.

“He was going to find out at some point.” The Lunar Alicorn said irritably. “It was best to just tell him now and avoid a faux pas later.”

“I suppose.” The elder sister murmured before she switched topics to something that concerned her more than the Spirit of Disharmony. “Lulu, I know you have been under a lot of stress lately; we all have. But you need to relax. There have not been any more developments concerning the Breach and our little ponies are finally moving on from the Empire.”

Celestia did have a point. The Alicorns had spent the past few months searching high and low for the source of the demonic incursion and whatever stopped it with limited success. The official story they had told the citizens of Equestria was that something had attempted to break out of the Infernal Pits but were ultimately thwarted with the world feeling the aftershocks. As no evidence to confirm or deny this theory had been uncovered, it seemed that their story was close to the truth as they were going to get. Still, the Solar, Royal and Night Guards were on high alert and would be for the foreseeable future in the event that the Breach was not a one-time occurrence.

As for the Crystal Empire, it was no secret that Luna had destroyed the city-state herself. It was a just act, as she and Celestia had repeatedly told the populace, but the death of thousands of crystal ponies including Captain Armor had conjured up memories of the Mare in the Moon and the Lunar Rebellion for those who knew about it. This had led to a period of seclusion for Luna as she made no public appearances until the metaphorical ash settled. The real challenge for her had been to regain the trust of Princesses Sparkle and Cadenza, for obvious reasons. Luckily, the navy Alicorn had some ethereal help in the form of an ancient animus known as Grey. Together, they had patched up relations with the two youngest Princesses.

“I wonder if he will attend the Gala.” Luna thought hopefully. “I did give him a ticket.”

“You’re right, dear sister.” The navy Alicorn sighed as she put the papers aside. “This is a time of celebration, not dread.”

“Good.” Celestia wrapped a foreleg around her in a hug. “Now let’s see to putting you in a dress.”

“Typical useless foal.” A venomous voice whispered from the dark corners of Luna’s mind. “We stand watch over ungrateful peons while she plays with pretty little dresses.”

The midnight diarch banished the vile thought from her head but could not help but agree with the sentiment.

The Dark Lord of the Dead was not exactly a connoisseur of fashion. His color pallet was nearly as monochrome as he was and most of his attire took some form of robes. Since attending the Equestrian Gala as a caliginous cleric would be unwise, he had gone to one of Barathrum’s many tailors. This one was a rather foppish shade who had offered his services in exchange for, in his own words, being spared the dull tedium that was an eternity among the indifferent dead of Asphodel. Thus, the couturier had joined the small army of likeminded shades that tended to the palace’s stylish needs.

“Hmm.” The tailor tapped a spectral hoof against his equally spectral chin as he reviewed his latest work. “I like it! Muy macho! Now, what does it say to you?”

The Theoi looked over his outfit consisting of a red dress shirt trimmed with gold with matching slacks. A pure white sash and gold links crossed his chest under a fur-mantled greatcoat. Combined with his pale complexion, he had to admit he cut a somewhat vampiric visage. Looks aside, he did notice that it was light and that he still had the full range of motion in his limbs.

“If worse comes to worst, I’ll just shed it.” The Stygian Sovereign thought as he struck a few poses.

“I look like I should be either conducting a corporate takeover or ordering troops into battle.” He said honestly. “The perfect combination for a Merchant Prince.”

“Splendid!” The shade whinnied. “I have done a few pieces for the well-to-do of the Mareterranean. The key is an ensemble that screams 'gaze upon me and bow down, bitches!'”

"I am sure the Alicorns will appreciate that." The pale horse smirked. "Although the fur may raise some eyebrows."

"Bah! You can claim it was made from the hide of a great beast that was threatening one of your protectorates." The designer waved a hoof dismissively. "Now hold still. The collar is riding up into your beard."

After allowing the tailor to make a few final adjustments, the Necroarch departed his company and trotted into the quiet halls of Barathrum. It had taken some time but the diligent cyclopses had restored the ancient citadel to pristine condition. It did the Khthonic Theoi good to see his home in working order. Now he just had to work on the rest of his gloomy realm.

“Fates willing, fixing one problem will lead to a solution for another.” He mentally planned. “But we'll cross that bridge when we get to it.”

The pallid stallion rounded a corner and found the azure unicorn along with a pair of fashionista shades. The former was speaking with none other than Grand Marshal Armor while the latter alternating between putting the finishing touches on the mare's dress and shamelessly flirting with the revenant. The ashen unicorn paid them no mind as he passed a list to the former showmare.

"...whatever she has in stock. Make sure they are delivered- Ah, there you are, sir." The Marshal cut himself off as he spotted his patron and snapped a crisp salute. "I was just looking for you. The carriage is ready."

“Ooh, the Great and Powerful Trixie likes what she sees.” The mage turned to look him up and down with an appreciative eye while her attendees bowed before their lord. “What do you think of her?”

The fetching mare did a quick twirl to show off her new gown. It was the same violet color as her old cape and hat with a diamond-studded belt around her barrel to match her earrings and dreamstone amulet that had been fastened into a brooch. Silver shoes and lacy stockings that drew attention to her shapely legs and hips completed the ensemble. Were it not for her faintly glowing eyes, she would have blended in quite well among the mares of Canterlot.

“You are quite the lovely lich.” The Dark Lord said coolly as he extended a foreleg. “Now, my dear, our carriage awaits.”

Lulamoon seemed taken aback for a moment before she smiled and took his leg in hers. With the revenant trailing behind them, they trotted out of the palace and into the courtyard where Chrysalis and a few drones waited for them. A coach and its cycloptic driver sat a short distance away, the latter of which was chatting with Elytra.

"Now what do we have here?" The Hive Queen said as she looked over the two party goers. "A dolled up trophy mare and a prime example of the 'vieux riche'. You'll blend right in."

“Sometimes plain sight makes the best hiding place.” The Theoi said knowingly. "Are these the drones you plan to take with you, Chrysalis?"

"They are." The matron nodded. "Oh, that reminds me. Did you give them that box, Shiny?"

"Sorry, I got distracted by something else." The revenant admitted as he searched for the box in question. "Here it is."

Armor produced a plain container and held it out for his patron. The pale horse looked at it curiously before he opened it. Inside were two changeling horns, one significantly longer than the other, inscribed with a few runes. One was marked for Lulamoon while the larger of the two was marked for him.

“Chrysalis and I met.” Armor shared a look with the Hive Queen who just batted her eyelashes at him flirtily. “And after that, we discussed a way to help you two blend in at Canterlot. No offense, sir, but you look like a vampire and Lulamoon looks possessed.”

“The Pure and Undemonic Trixie…” The Archmage was about to retort when she realized he was right. “…agrees.”

“Shining shared some of the methods used to detect my kind and I think we may have a way to fool them.” The changeling matron said as she levitated the horns over to the Theoi Anax and lich with her emerald magic. “There is enough of our magic in these to alter your appearances but not much else; you'll be limited to equine forms. Also, these will only work once and for only a few hours.”

“The idea is that without the drones, or Queen in your Excellency's case, attached to them, the magic won’t be strong enough to trip their sensors.” The Marshal concluded. “They will still detect something but no more than is common for a unicorn and earth pony.”

“Ingenious.” The Dark Lord said as he inspected the gnarled appendage.

“Trixie is impressed that you were willing to maim your offspring for this.” Lulamoon needled Chrysalis as she placed her horn in her gown.

“I’m not.” The shapeshifter hissed indignantly. “They came off the husks left behind when we molted.”

"Waste not, want not." The pallid pony said simply as he stowed the charm under his coat.

“One more thing. When you want to use them, just tap them against your head and think of the disguise.” The unicorn revenant pantomimed the motion as he explained. “And keep the horns with you otherwise the magic will fizzle out in a few minutes.”

“Tap, think, keep.” The stately stallion surmised. “If there is nothing else, we should be on our way.”

"There is, actually." Chrysalis chittered. "It's about Elytra. She's by the carriage."

The group moved on toward the King and Archmage’s mode of transportation. A carriage of stained ebony wood and polished silver stood ready for them. A robed and lanky creature with a single cycloptic eye gazing out from the shadows of its hood sat in the driver’s seat with a whip in one withered hand and the reigns in the others. Harnessed to the vehicle was, not the quartet of black wendigos as the Necroarch expected, but a team of hardy changelings including their senior sister. He was about to protest when the Hive Princess interjected.

"Before you say anything, let me explain my idea." Elytra said quickly to which the monochrome monarch allowed. "With all that has happened this year, we could use spies in Canterlot, right?"

"Information is power, yes." The Theoi agreed but kept a skeptic tone.

"Well, if you and the lich can sneak in during the Gala, why not embed some infiltrators as well?" The nymph continued as the drones shifted into a flight of pegasi. "The guards will be focused on the passengers and all we have to do is blend in with the palace staff once inside. Since they will be spying instead of leeching off love, we should go undetected for... forever, maybe."

"We did tend to overlook the carriage teams as they rarely stayed on the palace grounds." Armor admitted somewhat guiltily. "But in light of recent events, they may triple check everything now."

"That's what this stuff is for." Elytra was not discouraged as she floated over an urn of Khthonic dust. "Remember when you came back to the hive covered in this stuff, mom?"

"Oh, I do~" Chrysalis cooed deviously as Armor rubbed the back of his head awkwardly.

"Eww." The Hive Princess scrunched up her nose. "Anyway, you complained that it was messing with your magic. We just need to take a dust bath to mask the shapeshift magic enough for the guards to let us through. We can hide the 'uncanny effect' of weak magic with uniforms or something."

"She is definitely your daughter." The Theoi gave her parents an approving look. "Am I right to assume she will be joining us?"

"If you will have her." The Hive Queen nodded. "She's almost old enough for her nuptial flight and I would like for her to have some real experience before we let her loose on the world."

"Then why not use a smaller settlement?" The Dark Lord suggested. "You're throwing her into the deep end with Canterlot."

"Uh, sneaking into the capitol of Tartarus was the deep end." Elytra buzzed incredulously. "This is, like, intermediate level."

"A fair point." The Theoi acquiesced with a nod. "Very well then, Elytra, but should you be discovered, I won't be in any position to help you."

"We're used to that." One of the drones said as he applied the pale dust to his siblings.

After the impromptu dust bath, the 'pegasi' gained a uniform gray coat but the uncanny effect was much more prominent. Their fur appeared a little too smooth while their wings had an insectoid twitch and their eyes fluctuated between those of equines and the opaque form of changelings. Some spare unmarked uniforms from the Undying covered up most of these imperfections but a keen observer would notice something amiss if they knew what to look for.

"This feels weird." A disguised drone hissed in discomfort. "Like swimming through mud."

"If the guards rely more on their instruments, it should work." The pale horse said as he recalled his last encounter with a changeling detector. "At least you won't need the dust once you're inside."

"You won't hurt my feelings if you abandon the plan half-way through." Elytra said earnestly as she took up the lead position. "I know it's risky."

"Nothing ventured, nothing gained." The Theoi said with a shrug. "Now we really need to get moving before I get sick of these proverbs."

“Best of luck to you, your Excellency.” Armor saluted his patron smartly. “I will hold down the fort while you get your party on.”

“I don't want another mess to clean up when we get back.” The pale horse warned as he helped Lulamoon inside. “Hmm, I don't think we have enough room for all your children, Queen Chrysalis.”

“Not on the inside.” The Swarm Queen pointed out candidly.

"Woo! Party bus!" An enthusiastic changeling cheered as she found a spot atop the carriage while her siblings hung off the sides or sat beside the driver.

“That's not conspicuous at all." The revenant chuckled as he shook his head. “Be careful, Chrysalis. I doubt the Princesses have forgotten about you.”

The changeling matron just smirked slyly before she pulled the Marshal in for a deep kiss. Her membranous wings twitched a bit as her horn glowed. She broke the kiss with a satisfying buzz.

“A bit of love to top me off.” She cooed as she tapped her lover’s nose with a holey hoof. “Just so you know, I will be very hungry by the time we get back.”

"I'll be sure to have a meal hot and ready for you." Armor smiled slyly as he waggled his eyebrows.

"You two are nasty!" Elytra chittered in disgust.

Chrysalis just snickered as she patted the Hive Princess affectionately. She then trotted to the carriage and entered, ignoring a helping hoof offered by the Theoi. The Dark Lord was about to board when he caught a slight frown from the Grand Marshal. It occurred to him that the late prince-regent was watching both his love and daughter depart with another stallion.

"You have nothing to worry about, Shining." He assured the revenant. "I won't lay a hoof on them."

"Heh. I was about to say I think I've seen this scenario in a few recruits' magazines." Armor said with a curt laugh. "But I trust you: you know what I did to the last guy."

"That I do." The Theoi nodded as he climbed aboard and shut the door behind him. "Driver? Take us topside."

“Right away, your lordship.” The cloaked creature confirmed as he swung his whip around and cracked it over the heads of the 'pegasi'.

The team let out a startled mix of a neigh and a hiss and lurched forward. The carriage rolled across the bone-strewn path for a bit before the disguised changelings became airborne and took the vehicle with it. The passengers clung tight to whatever was in reach as the non-aerodynamic box shook from side to side. Grand Marshal Armor watched them go until they vanished into the black vault of the sunless sky before returning to the palace. Lulamoon was about to ask how they were to fly through miles of solid rock when the Lord of Shades raised a hoof and focused. The Underworld obeyed the absolute authority of its master and a fissure opened up in the ceiling. The party bus slipped into the opening that promptly closed behind them like a set of jaws. With the Khthonic Theoi facilitating their journey through the quiet earth, they were well on their way to the Overworld.

In an open meadow deep in the untamed Everfree forest, chromatic flowers danced in the cool spring breeze as the late afternoon sun crept closer and closer to the western horizon. A lone figure wandered through the meadow, stopping only to inspect certain blooms and pick them if they met its standards.

“Ah, I wish I had found this place sooner.” The zebra mused to herself as she picked the petals of a flower for her medicinal potions. “I should come back after nightfall with a pruner.”

With her satchel almost at capacity, the herbalist was considering heading back to her home when something caught her eye. Standing along in a circle of dead flowers was a single narcissus flower, its pale petals almost beckoning to her. While it was enticing, the zebra felt a wave of unease creep up her spine.

“I may be tempting fate.” She said quietly as she trotted closer to the lone flower. “Tatzlwurms have been known to use such blooms as bait.”

Ready to flee at the first sign of danger, the herbalist stepped into the circle of withered flower and nudged the narcissus with a hoof. When nothing happened, she gripped the plant in her teeth and pulled. The flower came free of the earth, roots and all. The zebra was just placing her find in her satchel when she felt the ground tremble beneath her hooves. She looked to see the disturbed dirt sink into a rapidly widening hole. The equine immediately broke into a full gallop away from the meadow, stopping only when she reached the tree line. She watched as a fissure opened up in the ground like the jaws of some great beast. Expecting a snarling tatzlwurm to emerge from the crevice, the zebra was shocked to see what looked like a black coach pulled by a team of deathly pale pegasi emerge from out of the darkness and land beyond the fissure with a thud. A small herd of equines of all types clinging to the exterior of the carriage cheered, laughed and sighed in relief as the crevice closed with an earthy boom. The appalled zebra took a tentative step toward the strange vehicle when the driver transfixed her with its cycloptic gaze.

"You there! Zebra!" The being pointed at her with its whip. "Which way to Canterlot? We have a party to get to."

The herbalist stared blankly at the crowd who were now focused on her before she wordlessly pointed a hoof northwards. The driver followed her direction and sighted the distant mountain and the city attached to its side. It exchanged words with someone within in a language the zebra could not understand before it refocused on her.

"Many thanks, striped horse." The cyclops said genuinely as it rummaged through its form concealing clock and produced a hefty bag. "Here, for your trouble and your silence."

It tossed the bag at the herbalist's hooves before it cracked the whip and resumed their journey. The party-goers vanished into the Everfree and silence fell over the meadow. The zebra blinked a few times in shock before she retrieved the bag and opened it. She was greeted by the golden glow of a substantial amount of bits.

“Wow. Those that dwell below sure are friendly.” She told herself as she stashed the bag and gathered her herbs. “I do hope they enjoy their time at the Alicorn's assembly.”

The carriage bobbed and weaved through the woods before it broke through the tree line onto a worn road that hugged the edge of a cliff. The disguised changelings, for their part, were having a grand old time laughing and cheering as they enjoyed their first time on the surface in many months. Inside the carriage, Lulamoon worked to catch her breath after the rather harrowing trip to the surface.

“Whew! That was intense!” The azure mage gasped. “Trixie would like to avoid doing that again.”

“I do apologize for that.” The Theoi said plainly. “But going out through Avernus would have taken too long. Not to mention catching Hollow Shades’ attention.”

"That's the last thing we need." Chrysalis chittered with a shiver.

“Pssh! Like a few freaky bat-ponies would be a problem for us.” Lulamoon waved a hoof dismissively as she regained her composure. “So what is the plan once the two of us are in Canterlot?”

The Theoi gave a brief overview of his plan. Once the Gala was in full swing, they would sneak into the back halls of the palace. They would then make their way into the dungeons and look for an entrance to the abandoned crystal mines that Chrysalis used in her invasion. From there, it was just a matter of reaching the sunken temple.

“We undo whatever is binding the dragon, determine if it is truly the Lord of Darkness and then we simply all leave together." The pale horse finished. "If all goes well, the Alicorns will be none the wiser."

"And should this dragon prove to be just that, a dragon, what then?" Chrysalis asked.

"I am confident this is the Shifting Darkness and we may find evidence supporting as much in the temple." The monochrome monarch replied. "If or when I am proven wrong, Lulamoon and I will reseal it or outright slay it if the need arises. This is one monster that we cannot let roam free."

"The Brave and Valorous Trixie already has one under her belt." The Archmage smirked even as she shifted nervously in her seat.

"There is a lot that can go wrong with this plan." The changeling matron buzzed critically. "Are you sure you don't need me with you? After all, it would behoove a 'Merchant Prince' to have at least one beautiful mare hanging off of him."

"I am sure." The pallid pony nodded as the azure mare shot the matriarch a glare. "I am taking a big enough risk with your daughter's plan. At best, you and your children just get to enjoy a night on the surface."

"I brought playing cards!" A disguised drone said cheerfully from the window.

Their lines of questioning satisfied for now, the Archmage and Hive Queen sat back in silence as the carriage rolled along the rough road. A flapping of wings followed by a low swoosh of air above them snapped them out of their contemplations. The suited stallion wrapped a hoof against the backboard of the coach.

“Are we being followed?” He asked the driver and exterior passengers.

“No, master.” The robed creature responded. “Just some low-flying pegasi."

"Looked like a weather team." One of the changelings added. "There is a huge storm... never, eat ...east of us. I guess they're trying to contain it."

Lulamoon pulled back the curtains so that they could see for themselves. Sure enough, they could see flights of pegasi geared up for weather control heading toward a veritable wall of clouds. Bolts of lightning backlit the system as sheets of rain drenched the land in the shadow of the storm. Faint rolls of thunder could be heard over the rumbled of the carriage wheels.

“My youngest brother used to conjure storms like that to punish hubristic mortals.” The Dark Lord mused. “Those pegasi are in for a challenge.”

“Good thing the Gala is an indoor party.” The azure lich scoffed lightly.

With the storm raging in the distance, the carriage continued on until it rounded a bend and the proud Mount Canterhorn came into view with the marble towers of Canterlot catching the light of the setting sun. A faint shimmer of magic surrounded the city; a barrier to keep out what the walls and gates could not. On the road ahead of them, other carriages pulled by earth ponies formed an impromptu parade as they headed to the capital of Equestria.

"This is where we get off." Chrysalis chittered as she shifted into an unassuming unicorn. "Knock them dead, you two."

"Tuck and roll!" A drone called out as their matron opened the carriage and dove out into the underbrush.

The coach lurched as most of its passengers dismounted and flew into the forest. The pale horse waited for a moment to see if the stunt had been noticed. When flights of guards did not descend upon them, he closed the door and settled back into his seat.

"Alone at last." Lulamoon said with a smile. "I know the bug has proven useful but she still gets under Trixie's skin."

"Just as I'm sure you get under her shell." The pallid pony said with a slight nod. "We'll be coming up on the gates soon. You have a disguise in mind?"

"The Great and Powerful Trixie will dazzle servants and nobles alike!" The lich claimed as she produced the changeling horn with a showy flourish. "Behold!"

The azure unicorn pressed the gnarled appendage to her temple and concentrated. A spark of emerald fire leaped from the horn and enveloped the Archmage. A moment later, the flames dissipated to reveal an ivory unicorn of autumn mane.

"Well, what do you think?" The disguised magician asked as she stored the still glowing horn in her dress. "It is difficult to improve on perfection but Trixie thinks this will blend in well with the well-to-do."

"I-it will." The pale horse actually stammered as he stared at the mare before him. "By the Throne..."

"Mmm, it appears the Sensual and Beautiful Trixie has got your silver tongue." The unicorn batted her eyelashes flirtily. "She was inspired by a portrait she found in her tower. Was this one of your previous Archmages?"

"No." The pallid pony composed himself but still found himself staring at the uncanny disguise. "Save for the horn and height, you are a dead-ringer for my late wife."

"What?!" Lulamoon's suggestive look morphed into abject horror. "Trixie is sorry! She didn't know! She'll change into something else!"

"I've taken no offense, Lulamoon." The stygian stallion reached over and placed a hoof on her shoulder. "You just... I have not seen her in a long time."

"Trixie still apologizes." The mare's ears flattened against her head pitifully. "She did not mean to conjure unpleasant memories."

"On the contrary, most of them are pleasant." The king assured her. "You need not worry. I've made peace with her departure long ago... or as much as a husband can at any rate."

"There is only so much you can do in the Void." He mentally seethed.

"Trixie wished she could have met her." The disguised unicorn smiled before she changed the subject back to the task before them. "Trixie can see the walls of Canterlot from here. You better put your face on."

"That I shall." The Dark Lord allowed a small smile as retrieved his own changeling horn. "Fair warning: don't let the glitz and glamor of Canterlot fool you. We enter a nest of vipers."

"Thank you for your patience. Enjoy the party." A dark-gray unicorn droned as she waved through yet another carriage full of well-to-do. "Next!"

"Feeling the grind already, Lorica?" A voice called out from above.

Captain of the Guard Flash Sentry touched down in front of the gate separating the palace from the city. The small group of guards checking entrants snapped crisp salutes as their commanding officer looked out over the long line of carriages and coaches bringing guests to the Grand Galloping Gala. He had just finished an inspection of the barrier conjured by Princess Sparkle with the aid of a few Royal Guard unicorns. With no detectable faults other than a brief flicker every time a guest past through, he had flown to the last checkpoint for an update from his troops.

“I have seen enough false smiles and empty greetings to last me ten lifetimes, captain.” The unicorn inspector gave a lazy salute to her commanding officer as he trotted up to her. "Who did I wrong to be posted here?"

“Such is the life of a guard in Canterlot, inspector.” Sentry returned the salute and gestured for them to be at ease. "Have you anything to report?"

“Nothing unusual so far.” The soldier sighed as she looked over a clipboard of her notes. “Princess Mi Amore Cadenza of the Crystal Empire, strike that, Neo-Crystal City arrived without incident. We had to detain a few guests with questionable luggage and turn away some who had forgotten their tickets.”

“Haha, I bet that ruined their day.” A pegasus stationed on the ramparts chuckled.

“Let’s hope that is the worst of it.” The orange captain said seriously. “After all that has happened recently, I bet the Princesses are hoping for a slow night."

"The heavens themselves bend to our will yet we cower behind walls and minions." Lorica grumbled as her eyes flashed crimson. "How did we grow so weak?"

With Sentry supervising, the checkpoint processed guests at a somewhat quicker rate. Save for one instance of a young colt stowing away under a carriage on a dare, the evening wore on peacefully. That was until one of the lookouts became antsy.

“Uhh, sir?” The guard pointed to a black carriage heading their way. “Call it a gut feeling but this one looks like trouble.”

All turned to see a team of strange uniformed pegasi approach the checkpoint. The guards took up positions, fully expecting the odd horses to charge the gate only for the hooded driver to tug on the reins and bring them to a controlled stop. The Equestrians fanned out around the vehicle alert to any mischief.

“Good afternoon, mares and gentlestallions.” The driver greeted with an odd accent. “A pleasant evening?”

"Well enough, cyclops." Sentry said guardedly as the creature's single eye stared out from under its hood. "You're a long way from Arimaspi."

The cyclops merely shrugged at that. Now more curious than nervous, Captain Sentry trotted toward the ebony carriage with a pair of armed guards and the inspector close behind. He placed a hoof on the latch and waited for his soldiers to get in position. Half anticipating a vampire to be inside, the pegasus captain opened the door.

“Saluti, Captain Flash Sentry.” A vanilla colored stallion with a salt and pepper mane and matching short beard greeted in a warm Mareterranean accent. “I trust all is well.”

"Thus far.” The captain relaxed slightly as he ran a critical eye over the tall earth pony. “I am going to have to search your carriage for security reasons and I will need to see your ticket.”

“Of course.” The stately stallion reached into his massive coat and withdrew the golden ticket.

Sentry took it and traded it to Lorica for a magical detector. While the mare checked over it for signs of fraud, the orange pegasus clicked on the detector and held it over the passengers. The other guards searched under and over the carriage for contraband or more stowaways.

“Is this going to take long?” The stallion’s companion, a fetching ivory unicorn with an autumn mane, asked impatiently. “I would hate to have come all this way just to get stopped at the gates.”

“We are just being thorough.” The captain forced himself not to stare at her legs as he waited for the detector to get a reading.

The device clicked a few times as it passed over the unicorn, as expected, and all but fell silent when it hovered over the earth pony. There was magic in the air but nothing to raise an alarm over at least with the passengers. He then moved the detector over the driver and the team of pegasi. The cyclops just waved cheekily as the device clicked once over it while the quintet of pegasi just stared at him. Once again, the scanner tick-ticked a few times but well within the parameters for pegasi if not closer to the upper limit.

“Carriage is clear.” The other two guards called out. “Just looks like it’s been off-road a bit.”

“The ticket is genuine.” The inspector reported as she punched holes in it. “Just need your names and you can go right in.”

“Names are for friends, my good mare.” The suited stallion said with a sly smile on his seasoned face. “You may know me as the Merchant Prince.”

“And what is a Prince without his Princess?” The marvelous mare did a seated version of a curtsy.

"The Merchants of the Mareterranean don't give out their names to just anyone." A guard explained to a clearly confused Lorica. "And you won't be able to force it out of them. Just put an 'X'."

"Very well.” The inspector eyed the vanilla stallion suspiciously by signed them in nonetheless.

“You caused quite a stir during your last visit.” Sentry said with the faintest hint of a warning. "Assuming that Merchant Prince was also you."

“I’ll try to behave this time.” The Prince said warmly as he shut the carriage door. “Oh, and Captain Sentry? Congratulations on the promotion. I am sure the late Armor would be proud.”

“I do my best.” The orange pegasus said as he waved them through. “Enjoy the Gala.”

The driver whipped the reins and the carriage rolled through the gates onto the palace grounds. A keen-eyed observer may have noticed the hesitation when it reached the shimmering barrier or the tell-tale 'burning paper' effect of anti-magic forcing its way through but the guards were more focused on the seemingly endless parade of guests. Only Lorica seemed to regard the enigmatic merchants with anything other than curiosity.

"They grow them tall in the Mareterranean." A guardsmare said with an impressed whistle. "So do you all think that mare is his wife, sister or just a partner?"

"I think Lorica here is hoping for the latter two." Another jabbed the unicorn playfully as she stared after the black coach. "Finally met a stallion taller than you, eh?"

"Something about him seems..." The inspector unconsciously ran a hoof over her chest plate as a stabbing pain refreshed itself in her mind. "...familiar."

"Look alive, ponies." Sentry refocused them as another carriage rolled up. "We still got a train of guests to process. You can sweet-talk the Merchants later."

The guards returned to their professional stoicism and carried out their duties diligently. Just beyond them, the cleared party-goers were deposited before a red carpet that led into the palace grounds proper. As their transports rolled off to a designated parking lot, the guests were greeted by a gauntlet of reporters and photographers of varying degrees of integrity. Some, including the Merchants, slapped on their best politician's smiles and waved to the slavering sea of questions and accusations. Others headed off the tabloids by seeking out trusted reporters to conduct a quick interview. At the end of the causeway was a gatehouse that allowed the guests a moment to collect themselves with only silent guards looking on. A few took full advantage of this by resting on thoughtfully provided couches or writing letters to reputation managers while others chatted idly to old friends or prospective business partners.

"I swear the papers are getting more hostile every year." A well-to-do said to the room at large. "It's like they don't realize that between everypony in this room we employ most of them."

"Nothing sells like scandals and gossip." A mare said candidly as she checked her make-up in a mirror. "And if their sales and subscription numbers are anything to go by, they need them in the worst way."

"Perhaps but they did not need to accuse me of being an 'escort'." The Merchant Princess grumbled. "Seriously, why is Tri- *ahem* -am I constantly accused of being a tart?"

"Perfection cannot exist in this world, my dear." Her vanilla companion said sympathetically. "There has to be a flaw somewhere."

With what most hoped would be the worst part of their night behind them, the guests trotted out of the gatehouse and into the Gala proper. The sight that greeted met and even exceeded some of their high expectations. The gardens of the palace courtyard were always maintained by an army of master landscapers and horticulturists. They were a thing of beauty particularly in early spring. But on the advent of the Grand Galloping Gala, they had gone beyond even their high standards to make sure it was worthy of the celebration of Equestrian excellence. Pruned and leveled hedges flanked a cleared cobblestone path through the square. Perfectly trimmed trees held simple lanterns to provide illumination in the waning sunlight. A table had been set up to provide simple appetizers and refreshments for the early arrivals. Already, nobles milled about the courtyard chatting about various topics ranging from current events to politics to the Princesses. Standing on a balcony overlooking the bustling courtyard was one of the said Princesses.

“I’m still not used to being on the other side of these things.” Princess of Magic Twilight Sparkle said with an air of nostalgia. “Remember that drama when I only had two tickets? Oh.”

The youngest Alicorn looked back into the room behind her only to find her former mentor speaking with the head of the Luminious Solarii. The crisis of the Breach may have been contained and corrected but its effects were still fresh in the minds of every Equestrian. As a precaution, the elite of the Solar Guard had maintained a small but noticeable presence in Canterlot. They were a welcomed sight at first but the citizens quickly learned that the gilded guardians took a rather heavy hoofed approach to enforcement of their borderline fanatical standards of loyalty and purity.

"Fortunately, Celestia can reign the zealots in." Sparkle thought as the alabaster Alicorn wrapped up her conversation. "Otherwise most of Canterlot would be on fire right now."

"...the back halls and key points around the perimeter. I do not want another incident like the one we had with Fancy Pants." Celestia said firmly. "Am I clear, Commander Early Light?"

"Perfectly, your radiance." The Solarii bowed deeply. "No evil shall defile this place."

"Just don't mistake simple moral ambiguity for evil." The Princess of the Sun warned with a weary sigh. "Dismissed."

The Luminous Commander bowed once more before she trotted out of the room. The eldest Alicorn brought a hoof to her temple and nursed a slowly developing headache. After a few moments, she finally gave Sparkle her attention as if remembering she was there.

"Fancy Pants wasn't the only incident." The lavender Princess said with a frown. "I know they mean well but I still think the Solarii function better as a strike force, not a garrison."

"I learned that lesson not long after I discovered them." Celestia agreed as she joined her former pupil. "I intend to fully recall them in the near future. Now, what were you saying earlier? Something about tickets?"

"Oh, I was just remembering what happened when I only had two tickets for the Gala." Sparkle recalled. "You would have thought I was already a Princess back then the way my friends treated me."

“That was my fault, to be honest.” The Princess of the Day admitted. “I should have known to give you five tickets. Still, it is good you don’t play favorites with your friends.”

“Haha. How could I?” The lavender Alicorn laughed before she glanced at the sky and realized about what time it was. “Its a few minutes before sunset. I think it is time to address the guests.”

The Solar Alicorn nodded and trotted out onto the balcony, her pastel mane flowing like a banner. Her appearance served as a trigger for a few heralds to announce her presence with a short fanfare of trumpets. Applause and a few cheers joined in as the equines below all gave her their attention. Celestia smiled and waved to her subjects as she waited for them to settle down.

“Thank you and welcome, my little ponies.” The diurnal diarch began in a restrained version of the Royal Canterlot Voice. “Today, we celebrate the anniversary of the completion of our fair city and the continuing excellence of Equestria.”

This earned another round of polite applause.

“Over a thousand years ago, as my sun set over our tried and tested nation, the last brick was laid and our banner was unfurled over the gates.” Celestia continued as her horn ignited in a glorious golden glow. “Now, as we are once again tested by the vicissitudes of fate, know that Canterlot still stands strong in the brightest of days and the darkest of nights!”

The crowd watched in reverent awe as the alabaster Alicorn focused and smoothly set her glorious sun below the horizon. As the twilight of dusk settled upon the land, she stole a quick glance upward toward a tower where she could just barely make out the starry mane of her nocturnal sister out on a balcony. She smiled once she saw the faint cobalt glow of her younger sister’s magic as she raised her moon into the darkening sky.

“Once again, you all have my gratitude for making the journey here, even if it was just a few steps for some of you.” The Alicorn of the Day turned her attention back to the guests, a few of which chuckled genuinely. “And now, I do believe Princess Sparkle will like to say a few words.”

Celestia stood aside as the youngest Alicorn trotted forward to somewhat more subdued applause. The scholarly former student of the eldest Princess took a moment to collect her thoughts before she cleared her throat.

“Ahem. Thank you for the introduction, Princess Celestia.” Sparkle began respectfully. “When Canterlot was first commissioned, the chief architect, the late Blue Print, wanted this city to be the most secure place in Equestria.”

She hesitated when she noticed that a few of the nobles exchanged whispers. Celestia subtly tapped a hoof against a fetlock to indicate that they were on a schedule. Realizing that they did not come to the Gala for a history lesson, the Alicorn abridged her address by skipping over the technical specifications of the city.

“But he wanted it to be more than just impenetrable walls and panoramic watchtowers.” She said confidently. “This city was to be a bulwark for equines to rally behind; a bastion of order and harmony in a world wracked by strife and lawlessness. But it takes more than brick and mortar to accomplish that.”

All eyes were back on her. Satisfied that she had them hooked, the newest Princess moved on to her big finish.

“It is you, the good ponies that call this land home, that give Canterlot and Equestria their strength.” The lavender mare continued. “We have been tested these past few months, that much is certain, but as long as everypony, from the nobles gathered here today to the humble mares and stallions bringing you drinks, holds true to our ways of love, tolerance and harmony, we will weather whatever the world throws at us. We are a nation of excellence and we have proven that time and time again. Now, why don’t we go celebrate that fact?”

The guests made their approval known with a thunderous round of applause and cheers. This combined with the nod of approval from her former teacher made the younger Alicorn beam with pride. The two of them disappeared back into the palace to move to the grand staircase where they could greet the party goers at a more even level. The guests milled about the courtyard for a few more moments to gossip before they too entered the palace. The Grand Galloping Gala had officially begun.

While the Equestrians and their incognito interlopers partook in the annual celebration, far darker powers looked on with bemused interest. While they could only observe the waking world, that did not prevent them from offering pithy commentary.

“Muh huh huh huh. How delightful.” A Primordial presence laughed regally as the unsuspecting Alicorns addressed their subjects. “Celestia’s sycophant has come a long way since her days as a simple librarian.”

“As I know all too well.” The disembodied voice of Nightmare Moon sneered venomously from her mental prison. “I will take great pleasure in tearing off her wings and showing her just how feeble her precious harmony really is.”

“A lesson suited for all mortal kind.” The ethereal entity agreed right before it noticed a familiar face amongst the mortal equines. “But what is this? It appears the Hidden One mingles among the mortals like a wolf among sheep.”

“Does he?” The Usurper honed in on the disguised Theoi, his borrowed changeling magic unable to fool their immortal eyes. “We have not seen him since he descended into the Sunless Lands. What devilry is he up to now?”

“I do not rightly know.” Her benefactor admitted. “Whatever it may be, it will surely be to the benefit of his realm. He is not one to leave his domain for paltry reasons such as a party.”

“I see no army amassed around Canterlot so he's not attempting a repeat of the Crystal Empire.” The Mare-in-the-Moon mused aloud just before she noticed the king's companion. “Wait, who is that tart clinging to his side like a parasite?”

"I do believe that is the magician he recruited during his travels. She must have proven her worth against the denizens of the Pits." The ancient presence deduced. "Muh huh huh. The last female he took this much interest in became his bride. She has even adopted a similar color scheme to the late Lady of Shades. I wonder if that was intentional."

"That pitiful little welp?" Moon sneered in thinly masked jealousy. "Hmph! One would think a king would have higher standards for a consort."

"Mmm, I can feel the store Khthonic power within her from here." The Primordial ignored it's co-conspirator's gripes. "She is no longer a mere mage but a lich. They have been busy in the underground."

"So a Dark Lord and his pet magic zombie crash a party where hijinks inevitably ensue." The Nightmare muttered as she watched the guests filter into the palace. "Is it too much for me to hope that he raises the dead to wipe out the useless clods we dare call nobility?"

“We shall see, my apostle.” The malevolent entity focused the Gala before it. “This night might not be as dull as we feared.”

“Only have to do this for a few more minutes, Twilight.” The Princess of Magic told herself as she greeted guests at the top of the grand staircase in the Grand Hall. “Then you can hang out with your friends.”

Stealing a sideways look at the mare beside her, it appeared Solar Princess Celestia was thinking the same thing as they went through an almost monotonous pattern of polite greetings, empty flattery and well wishes. While Sparkle wanted to be genuine in her salutations, every noble that trotted up to them seemed to have the same prepared statement that wore down her positive disposition. It was like a small miracle whenever a more independent thinking equine climbed up the stairs to them, even if they were the more infamous of the elite of Canterlot.

“Prince Blueblood of Equestria.” A young page responsible for reminding the Princesses of the names, countries of origin and occupations of guests whispered from behind them. “Grand Admiral of-”

“We know who he is, page.” Celestia whispered back as the blonde unicorn trotted up to them.

“Auntie Celestia.” The well-to-do stallion bowed his head respectfully. “Princess Sparkle.”

“Prince Blueblood.” The alabaster Alicorn smiled warmly at her distant adoptive nephew. “I trust you are having a pleasant time so far.”

“Indubitably.” The Admiral said in what sounded like genuine joy. “I hope you two are as well.”

“We are, thank you.” Sparkle said plainly as she gestured to her left with a forehoof. “Right this way.”

“Before I go, is your friend…what’s her name?” Blueblood asked. “Vanity? The white one with a purple mane. Is she here?”

"Uh oh." A warning flag went up in the youngest Alicorn's mind.

“Rarity.” Sparkle answered, worry for her generous friend creeping into her mind. “She’s here to promote her new fashion line, so I don’t think-“

“Oh, perfect.” The noble interrupted brightly. “It was brought to my attention that I was quite the heel during our last encounter and I was hoping to make amends. Perhaps I could sponsor her if her peasant wear has any merit.”

“I am sure she will appreciate that.” Celestia said gently despite her own smile wavering. “Best not keep her waiting, nephew.”

Blueblood nodded one last time to the two of them before he trotted briskly up the stairs to the ballroom. His aunt let out a relieved sigh once she was sure he was out of earshot. The noble was infamous for making a, to quote, colossal ass of himself but after attempting to take advantage of the destruction of the Crystal Empire and subsequently earning the wrath of the eldest Princess, he seemed to be turning over a new leaf in his own way.

“Well, at least he is trying.” Sparkle observed with a forced smile. “I just hope Rarity is in a patient mood.”

“I am still unsure if he is genuine.” The Alicorn of the Sun said skeptically. “It wouldn’t be the first time he has tried to make amends only to fall back into old habits. Time will tell.”

Deciding not to dwell on the upper crust Admiral, the two Princess returned their attention to the procession of guests. They politely greeted a string of bankers, off-duty officers and other such elites who started to blend together in their greetings again. Sparkle feared the tedium returning when a peculiar couple of equines approached.

“The Merchant Prince and Princess of the Mareterranean.” The page informed them. “Merchants, obviously. That's... all I got."

"No names?" The Princess of Magic wondered before her Mareterranean trivia refreshed itself. "Oh, right. Names hold power there."

"Be aware, Twilight." Celestia whispered a warning. "The merchants can be lucrative allies and devious foes in equal measure."

"Sounds like you speak from experience." Sparkle fished for a story but the eldest Alicorn refused the bait as the enigmatic pair climbed the stairs to their level.

“Princesses Celestia and Sparkle.” The tall vanilla stallion bowed his head to each in greeting. “Nowhere else in the world will you find such exemplars of beauty and intellect.”

“Nor grace and radiance.” The ivory mare curtsied daintily before them. “We are humbled before such magnificence.”

“Well, they certainly have a way with words.” Sparkle thought. “I suppose that is required in their line of work.”

“You flatter me.” The alabaster Alicorn said politely. “If I may, what brings you two to Canterlot?”

"I am not one to turn down an opportunity." The Prince answered candidly. "Particularly if it's presented by one of the Diarchs... or is it Triarchs now?"

"That's a private matter." Celestia stole a glance at her former pupil who seemed to be engaged in a staring contest with the mare. "So my sister invited you? How do you know her?"

"That is also a private matter. You would have to ask her." The stallion smiled slyly. "Speaking of, will the lovely Luna be joining us tonight?"

"In time." The Solar Princess answered as her curiosity piqued. "She has a few nocturnal duties to attend to, you understand."

While the tall stallion and elder Alicorn talked, the unicorn and Sparkle stared awkwardly at each other. For some reason, the Princess of Magic felt a shiver run down her spine. Something about the mare was setting off warning bells in her head.

“I could swear I’ve seen this mare before.” The Alicorn racked her memory to no avail. “The guards would have caught a changeling so who…”

“I greatly admire your work, your highness.” The ivory mare derailed her train of thought suddenly. “Not many could build on Starswirl’s later crafts the way you did.”

“Oh, thank you.” The studious mare did not expect the merchant to be familiar with the ancient wizard’s work. “I’ll admit it wasn’t easy.”

“Not to mention dangerous.” The unicorn concurred. “If you hadn’t completed that one spell in time, your friends would still have the wrong cutie marks and we know what that entails.”

"How does she know that?" The lavender Alicorn wondered.

“I know. I should have been more careful.” Sparkle’s wings twitched at the not completely pleasant memory of how she earned them. “I won't risk my friends' lives for something like that again.”

“But the reward appears to have been worth the risk.” The autumn-maned merchant pointed a hoof to her wings. “I have known ponies who have done far worse for less.”

“So have I.” A slight frown tugged at the corners of Celestia’s lips as thoughts of certain former students surfaced from her long memory. “The pursuit of power can lead to many dark and dangerous places.”

“Speaking of danger, may I confide in you, your radiance?” The Prince waved the Alicorns in conspiratorially. “In light of these past few months, I am a little concerned about security here. Canterlot has been a target in the past.”

“I am well aware of that.” The Diarch of the Day said reassuringly. “Fear not. The elite of the Royal Guard defend the city and the Solar Guard patrol the lands beyond. If worst comes to worst, there is a contingent of Solarii ready to meet any threat.”

“Strange that she didn’t mention the Night Guard and thestrals.” The Alicorn of Magic thought. “Then again, maybe she doesn’t want to infringe on Luna’s domain.”

“Ah, yes. The stalwart guardsponies of Equestria.” The vanilla stallion clapped his forehooves together in apparent approval. “How fortunate Canterlot is to have such vigilant sentinels stand watch over her gates.”

“Very much so.” Celestia said with an affirmative nod. “Now, I think we have kept you two for long enough. Enjoy the Gala.”

“Your highnesses.” The merchants bowed their heads as they departed the Alicorns’ company and headed up the stairs to the Ballroom.

“After what you said, I was expecting a pair of cons like those Flim-Flam brothers.” Sparkle whispered once they were out of sight. “But they seem amicable enough.”

"The stallion is certainly charming." Celestia concurred. "What impression did the mare leave on you?"

"She was..." The youngest Alicorn hesitated to find the right words. "...polite, knowledgeable and friendly but at the same time it felt like she wanted to stick a knife in my back; like part of her hated me but was being held in check by the rest."

"Jealousy." The Solar Princess said knowingly. "It is an ugly beast that makes monsters out of even the most demure of equines. You have faced it before and will face it again many times and in many forms, Twilight."

"If anything, I should be jealous of her." The former unicorn thought. "She gets to enjoy the party while I'm stuck here."

“Blech!” The undercover Archmage stuck out her tongue in disgust. “It physically pained Trixie to do that. How do you tolerate kowtowing to those lower than you?”

“Centuries of practice.” The incognito Theoi answered as he adjusted the collar of his coat. "Something concerns me though; the Solarii."

"Celestia's golden boys?" The lich arched an eyebrow. "What about them?"

"If my previous encounters are any indication, the sun-blessed zealots can detect the 'darkness' in others and will burn it out." The Dark Lord warned. "Best Khthonic beings such as you and I avoid them if we can."

The two equines trotted down the short hallway that opened up into the ballroom. Much like the exterior courtyard, the cavernous room had been redecorated in honor of the Gala. The middle of the room had been cleared for those who wished to dance while those who just wanted to chat or watch formed a perimeter around them. Contemporary music was provided by a modestly sized band set up on a stage before a crystalline statue of a proud equine; a representation of the indomitable Equestrian spirit. A buffet of expensive-looking food was set up opposite them while prim and proper waiters and waitresses carried trays of appetizers and drinks amongst the crowd. Some entrepreneurial ponies had set up stalls in the side aisles to sell their wares. On a raised platform was a long table reserved for the very important ponies of the Gala.

“The Princess and the Element Bearers, I presume.” The King thought as he scanned the room for points of interest. “Gossiping nobles… guards wishing they could participate… Blueblood about to make an ass of himself in front of Rarity…Fluttershy talking with the draconequus.”

The orderly Necroarch tensed when he caught sight of the Element of Kindness’ mismatched companion. Discord appeared to be behaving but judging by the way he constantly checked to see if the butter-colored pegasus was watching, he was itching to cause even just a little bit of mayhem. The best he could manage was making his bowtie change colors and patterns but it was like giving a thirsty creature a drip-feed. The other guests seemed wise to his discomfort as they gave the Spirit of Disharmony a wide berth.

“As should I.” The Dark Lord told himself. “If I can help it.”

“Trixie sees the way into the back halls.” The unicorn pointed to a simple door flanked on either side by stoic Royal Guards. “What is the plan?”

“For now, we mingle like civilized horses.” The seasoned stallion said in his Merchant Prince tone as he trotted to the edge of the crowd. “Wait until an opportunity presents itself and then seize it.”

“Very well.” Trixie adjusted her dress eased back into her best Mareterranean voice. “Perhaps I will make a few new friends.”

"A drink for the sir and madam?" A waiter appeared beside them with a tray of glasses and a few bottles.

"What do you recommend?" The Merchant Prince asked as he tried to determine where the server came from.

"We have a fine collection of cider..." The waiter leaned in and whispered with an insectoid chitter. "...but I honestly prefer your wine seasoned with joy and love."

"Huh, you got in quick." The ivory unicorn blinked in surprise as she took a glass.

"The help is having a party of their own outside." The 'waiter' explained with a devious smile. "It was easy enough to find a few who wouldn't be missed. Oh, and the driver decided to link up with the Queen until it's time to pick you two up. He got tired of the constant questions."

"Wait, so he took the carriage with him by himself?" The mare asked.

"He may be stout but the driver is as strong as any of his kin." The vanilla stallion said knowingly as he noticed guests coming up behind them. "I will leave you to your duties, my good stallion."

"Very good, sir." The disguised changeling composed himself and moved on. "Enjoy the party."

The merchants disappeared into the crowd; just two more equines in a steadily growing herd. The autumn-maned mare made her way over to the side aisles, turning a few heads as she went much to her pleasure while her companion decided to peruse the latest production of the rumor mill. The gossip mostly concerned other ponies he was not familiar with until he came upon a trio of mares discussing a certain Alicorn sitting a short distance away along with a pair of guards in crystalline armor.

“…surprised to see her here.” One said over a glass. “My coltfriend says that Canterlot is not very popular in Neo-Crystal City nowadays.”

“Well, Princess Cadenza did live here for a long time before the Empire reappeared.” An older mare said sympathetically. “Poor dear probably wanted to reconnect with her aunt.”

“She probably also wants to tell her that another Alicorn is on the way.” Another said knowingly.

“She is with foal?” The first asked. “How can you tell?”

“I’ve had my fair share; I recognize the signs.” The third smiled. “Fullness of face, that motherly glow, the fact she is drinking water instead of cider or wine and if you want to risk a peek under that gown, you can see how swollen her teats and belly have gotten.”

The Prince along with a few other stallions within earshot did just that. While the Alicorn of Love's dignity was protected by undergarments, her maternal bump was concealed only by the gown of her dress and was visible in her seated position. The ex-Lurker averted his eyes just as Cadenza's bodyguards noticed she had gawkers.

"If I had to guess, she may deliver by the end of the year." The Dark Lord thought. "Huh. We may even share a birthday."

“Wait, it has only been a few months since Armor passed.” The second gossiper squinted suspiciously. “Did she find another suitor that fast?”

“Judging by how far along she is…” The maternity expert deduced. “…I’d say it happened before that.”

“Aww, I guess she got to keep something of Armor’s other than memories.” The first said sweetly.

“If only that was the case.” The Theoi thought as he glanced over at former Crystal Princess before moving on.

While the Merchant Prince got an update on old acquaintances, the fair Merchant Princess was perusing the wares offered in the side aisles. Clothes, jewelry, food and other goods were all on display at slightly inflated prices with equines hawking their wares to anypony within earshot. The ivory unicorn slowed to inspect a few items that caught her interest only to disappoint the hopeful sellers by moving on. In time, she came to what she was really after and stood in line at a more honest stall.

"...and that makes five." Applejack finished counted out a stack of pies and packaged them together. "These for the rest of the Wonderbolts?"

"If there are any left." The stuntpegasus said deviously as he took a deep whiff of the home-cooked pastries. "That reminds me. If you see Rainbow Dash, let her know that the weather team wants her as soon as she is done here. That superstorm outside is stubborn."

"Ah gathered. We had to batten down the hatches on the farm before ah got here." The orange earth pony nodded as her customer slid over the necessary amount of bits. "Much obliged. Ah'll be sure to let her know."

The stallion only waved as he balanced the package on his back and disappeared into the crowd. The apple farmer gathered up the bits and added them to the increasingly heavy strongbox under her stall. When she came back up, the mare was greeted by an autumn maned unicorn. The honest earth pony felt an inexplicable chill set the fur on her neck on end along with the uncanny feeling that she knew this mare.

"Howdy, ma'am." The blonde mare nevertheless doffed her hat in greeting. "See anything that strikes your fancy?"

"Do you have any cider?" The Merchant Princess asked as she swept her gaze over the apple farmer's stock. "Preferably of the hard variety."

"Ah do." Applejack nodded as she tapped a stack of barrels with a hind hoof. "Ah guarantee you won't find better anywhere else."

"Now that is a bold claim." The unicorn smirked. "Perhaps I should judge for myself."

"Certainly." The apple farmer matched her customer's smile as she took a small glass and filled it at a tap. "Ah don't know what you've heard but we Apples take pride in our work. We make sure that each and every-!"

"Let the drink do the talking." The ivory mare snatched the glass out of the Element of Honesty's hoof with her magic. "I've heard this pitch before."

The orange earth pony scrunched up her nose but bit back the urge to retort. She had sold goods to far less tactful equines and the unicorn had a point in letting the cider keep the promises her mouth was making. Applejack watched as the other mare inspected the glass for a few moments before actually drinking it.

"Hmm, it's smooth." The unicorn muttered after she finished the sample. "I guess it's... oh!"

"There we go." Applejack allowed a prideful smile as the customer's face lit up in delight. "What did ah tell you?"

"No wonder he wants so much." The Merchant whispered to herself. "*Ahem* Forgive my earlier demeanor, apple farmer. I've been on the receiving end of enough bad deals to develop a bit of cynicism."

"Sorry to hear that." The blonde mare said sympathetically. "Ah can tell you that yer with good honest folk here. Well, mostly."

"Uh-huh." The unicorn gave something between a scoff and a laugh. "So, onto business?"

"Sure thing." Applejack beamed as she retrieved a notepad. "How much should I put you down for?"

"All of it." The ivory mare answered simply.

"Beg yer pardon?" The earth pony nearly dropped the pad in surprise.

"Your entire stock; what you have here and whatever is in storage." The Merchant Princess reiterated as she rummaged through her dress for something.

"That is... a lot." The apple farmer had expected to sell the beverage by the pint. "How do you-!"

*THUD-chink chink*

Applejack fell silent as a sack of bits the size of her head dropped down on the table. A few nearby equines whistled as the unicorn loosed the bag to reveal the mini-horde of gold coins within. She would have to get an exact number later but what she could see seemed like enough to rebuild Sweet Apple Acres from the ground up, replace every bone and joint in old Granny Smith's body and put Applebloom through school with enough to spare.

"That should be enough to cover the price as well as transport fees." The now clearly wealthy mare said casually. "If it's not enough, consider it a downpayment and we'll settle the difference upon delivery... here."

The Merchant added a note with directions to the bag of bits. Applejack tore her gaze away from the hefty sum and read that the cider was to be delivered to Hollow Shades. She knew little of the isolated town other than a distant branch of her family tree once called it home. A few questions formed in the apple farmer's mind but another glance at the shiny bits convinced her to hold her peace.

"Can do, sugercube." The orange earth pony tipped her hat in assent.

"Excellent." The ivory unicorn smiled again. "A... pleasure doing business with you."

"Likewise." Applejack nodded as she added the bag to her stash. "Hey, if you don't mind me askin', have we met before?"

What she thought was an innocent question caused the autumn maned mare to hesitate. The unexplained chill returned as the unicorn's expression waved for a brief moment; a flash behind the eyes coupled with a slight frown that conveyed more than mere annoyance. The moment passed as quickly as it arrived and the Merchant Princess shook her head.

"I don't see how we could have." She answered measuredly.

"We've both traveled on business." The Element of Honesty insisted. "Maybe we crossed paths in Manehatten or-!"

“PEASANT WEAR?!?” Rarity’s shrill shriek cut through the air like a knife, catching everyone’s attention including the musicians. “I’ll have you know I designed and made the gowns the Princesses are wearing tonight!”

“I can tell!” A bewildered Blueblood said defensively. “Your signature simplicity stands out among the more refined works like Fancy Pants and Hoity Toity. It’s what I would expect peons pretending to be nobility to wear!”

All eyes fell on the pair of arguing unicorns. The two had a less than pleasant history and a few bets were placed as to who would cross a line first. Judging by the way she trembled with indignity, the odds favored the fashionista.

“WHAT?!?” A few sparks leaped off the incensed Element’s horn. “I’ve sold lines to those two!!”

“I’m not surprised!” The blonde noble had no idea how deep a grave he was digging for himself. “Their charity to amateurs is well known!”

"Ooh, he really shouldn't have said that." Applejack grimaced as her friend flinched as if she had been struck. "Just trot away, Rares. Just... oh no."

Words failed the marshmallow unicorn but her horn did not. Blueblood tactlessly attempted to press his point as the mare grabbed the nearest thing that was not nailed down with her magic; a nearly full punch bowl. A gasp went up from the onlookers as Rarity up-ended the heavy glass and dumped their contents on the tactless noble.

"Go soak your head, you uncouth scoundrel!" The furious unicorn crowned Blueblood a foolish king by dunking the bowl on his head. "Peasant wear, my left hoof!"

"You dare?!" The now light-pink noble shouted from beneath the bowl. "I can have you arrested for this!"

Guards pushed their way through the crowd to separate the two before things got uglier. While they enjoyed a good spectacle like anyone else, they still had a duty to keep the peace.

“Alright, that’s enough you two.” A pegasus said as he and an earth pony put themselves between Rarity and Blueblood.

“Really, Prince?” His partner sighed as she helped the noble remove his new headgear. “You couldn’t make it an hour?”

“She started it!” The stallion pointed an accusatory hoof at the pearl unicorn while he knocked off slices of fruit with the other. "I was just trying to help!"

“You arrogant, pompous bas-!” Rarity was cut off by the first guard turning her around and trotting her off.

“Calm down, Lady Rarity.” He said gently but firmly. “Why don’t we go outside and get some fresh air?”

The still simmering Element of Generosity grumbled something inaudible but allowed herself to be escorted out of the ballroom. The guard tending to Blueblood led him to a side room while another signaled the musicians to start up again and resume the Gala as if nothing happened.

“Alright, the crisis is over.” She announced to the spectators. “Please enjoy the rest of your night.”

There was a moment of hesitation before the guests went back to what they were doing before only with something new to feed to the rumor mill. Back in the side aisles, Applejack sighed like a disappointed parent. While she doubted Rarity would face any serious consequences, she would definitely talk about the incident for the next few days.

"Mare could talk the ears off a chicken." The apple farmer muttered. "Sorry about that, Miss...?"

The earth pony turned back to the stand to find the Merchant Princess had vanished. She looked around along with a few others who had hoped to make the wealthy unicorn's acquaintance to no avail. Applejack checked under the stand to see that the fat sack of bits was still there and shrugged.

"Reckon she had places to be." The honest earth pony decided as she looked to the barrels behind her. "Whew, doggy. Hope Big Mac didn't make any plans tonight."

In the main herd of equines, the Merchant Prince observed the incident from afar. He had thought the scene would allow him and his partner to slip away but it was not enough to draw away all the guards. The vanilla stallion was about to move on when he noticed far too late that Fluttershy and Discord had come up from behind him, likely to get a better view of what had just happened.

“Oh my.” The yellow pegasus held her forehooves to her chest in concern as she hovered in the air. “I should check on Rarity. She seemed really upset.”

“Understatement.” The incognito king thought as he looked for an avenue of escape only to find he was blocked in by a wall of gowns and suits.

“That’s putting it mildly.” Discord rolled his eyes completely around his head. “Go ahead. Tend to your little friend in need.”

“Thank you for understanding.” Fluttershy said gently. “I’ll be right back.”

The Bearer of Kindness flew over the heads of the crowd, quietly apologizing to the guests along the way. Left alone, the draconequus blew air through his teeth as he fiddled with his bowtie absently. The pearl unicorn’s outburst had provided some entertainment but the chaos he so enjoyed was fleeting.

“Bah, to the Void with it.” The Dark Lord decided that when it came to the likes of Discord, it was best to take the initiative. “Maybe I can get him out of the way for a bit.”

“That was quite the spectacle, wouldn’t you say?” The Merchant Prince said casually to the elongated creature beside him. “I guess patience is not one of the Elements of Harmony for a reason.”

“Huh. It isn’t.” The mischief-maker stroked his goatee as he mulled over the other virtues that did not make the cut to power such potent relics. “I suppose you could argue kindness covers that but what about humility, diligence or temperance?”

“You should bring them up with Princess Celestia or Sparkle. They may know.” The tall earth pony suggested. “Or you could make them squirm with your newfound perspective.”

“Eh, I don’t care that much.” Discord waved his griffon claw dismissively as he summoned a cloud of cotton candy to munch on. “So long as laughter is in the mix, I’m happy.”

“Haha, to each his own.” The salt-and-pepper maned stallion chuckled. “Forgive me, where are my manners? The Merchant Prince of the Mareterranean. Buona sera.”

“Discord, Spirit of Chaos.” The draconequus gave the friendly equine a wary look. “Of course, you already knew that I hope.”

“Indeed. I knew your progenitor: the Lady of Strife.” The ancient Theoi thought wistfully. “Her spite filled my realm with many new subjects.”

“Who doesn’t?” The Merchant Prince returned the serpentine prankster's look with a warm smile. “I am surprised to see you at a time and place like this. It seems a bit too…orderly for your taste.”

“Ugh. I know. A few seasons ago, I would only be here to teach these stuff shirts a lesson in mayhem but Fluttershy would have none of it.” Discord sulked. “You can’t argue with those eyes of hers.”

“Ah, yes. The infamous ‘Stare’.” The suited stallion nodded in understanding. "I wouldn't want to be on the receiving end of something that can cow a dragon either."

The Dark Lord had heard of the timid pegasus’ uncanny ability from a tipsy Rarity when they had shared a train ride to Ponyville. He had also learned from the same mare about an incident Fluttershy had caused involving the animals kept on the palace grounds. It gave him an idea.

“Hmm. Perhaps you could compromise with her.” The Prince offered. “She is an animal lover, correct?”

“Yes…” Discord nodded, curious as to what his unexpected new friend was getting at. “It’s her special talent and all that jazz.”

“Why don’t you help her track down the palace pets that gave her trouble during her first Gala?” The vanilla stallion suggested. “She gets to meet her furry friends and you can cut loose a bit without Miss Fluttershy or the Princesses bringing the hammer down on you.”

“Say, that is not a bad idea.” The Spirit of Chaos smiled widely. “I’ll wait until she is done comforting the melodramatic marshmallow then we can have a real party. Ooh! I should take Pinkie Pie with me. Arrivederci, merchant horse.”

The draconequus snapped his lion’s paw and winked out of existence. The tall equine visibly relaxed along with a few other nearby ponies. Some even offered words of thanks that they could now enjoy the party without fear of the mismatched spirit's brand of mischief.

“At the very least I got him away from the ballroom for a while.” The Necroarch thought as he took another glass of wine from a waiter and downed it in one gulp. “Now, where was I?”

“Good evening, your grace.” A voice said beside him. “I see you are as good at making deals with beings of chaos as you are with Princesses.”

“I expect nothing less from the infamous Merchant Prince.” Another said from his other side.

Something sharp pressed against his barrel. The vanilla stallion looked to see a small knife held in a magic aura. He followed the glow to its owner; a familiar-looking unicorn in a cheap suit. A quick check of his other flank revealed an earth pony in an equally cheap suit glaring at him.

“The sneak thieves.” The ancient animus recognized both of them. “I wonder if they are still in Blueblood’s employ.”

“Well, isn’t this a reversal of fortune.” The Merchant Prince said calmly. “I am surprised you two are still in Canterlot after our last meeting.”

“Prince Blueblood pays well enough.” The unicorn smirked. “Speaking of, he would like to meet you.”

“We’ll take you to him.” The earth pony grunted. “Hate for you to get lost along the way.”

"He is just one room away but as you wish." The taller stallion relented. "After you."

The two ruffians escorted him through the crowd toward the room Blueblood and the guard disappeared into. Along the way, he spotted the disguised lich basking in the adoration of a small throng of equines. The mare noticed her partner and the company he was in and worked her way through the thick crowd toward him. The earth pony thug knocked on the door while the unicorn kept his blade on the Prince. The guardsmare who had tended to the noble poked her head out to check who it was before opening the door. The two were about to push the vanilla stallion in when the ivory unicorn finally caught up to them. The guard trotted forward to block her progress.

“This is a private meeting.” She said firmly.

“I’m with him.” The Princess pointed to her partner.

“Tell your bed warmer to get lost.” The earth pony sneered as his cohort pressed the knife into his ribs persuasively.

“She stays with me.” The taller stallion said firmly.

“It’s alright, Block.” Blueblood’s voice called out from within the room. “So long as she is seen but not heard.”

“As you say, boss.” The earth pony identified as Block grumbled as all of them trotted into the room with the guardsmare closing and locking the door behind them.

“This looks like a billiards room.” The Theoi inferred as he scanned the dimly lit room. “Smells like cigars and strong drink.”

The ivory unicorn was guided to a vacant seat and told to keep quiet. Her partner was stood in front of the pocketed table opposite from Blueblood by his two escorts. The infamous noble had stripped down to his fur and was still toweling off the punch from his encounter with Rarity.

“Prince Blueblood.” The Merchant Prince nodded his head in greeting. “We met at last.”

“That we do, Merchant Prince.” The adoptive nephew of Celestia discarded the towel and took up a fresh one. “I trust you are enjoying the Gala thus far.”

“I am.” The vanilla stallion nodded. “Would you kindly call off your employee here? This suit is expensive.”

“And what a suit it is. Perfect for parties and hostile takeovers, corporate or otherwise.” Blueblood ran an appreciative eye over his guest's attire as he waved off the unicorn. “No need for the knife, Lockpick. ”

“He attacked us last time.” The thuggish Block argued. “How do we know he won’t again?”

“If either of you tries anything, I’ll expel you both from the palace.” The guardsmare said from her post near the door.

The unicorn identified as Lockpick sighed and withdrew his weapon. He took a seat opposite from the ivory unicorn while his partner raided the small liquor cabinet. The blonde stallion stared across the billiard table at his enigmatic guest for a few moments before he spoke again.

“Forgive my rude appearance.” He said plaintively as he added the now soaked and slightly pink towel to the pile. “I assume you saw what happened.”

“I did along with most of Canterlot.” The salt and pepper stallion offered a sympathetic nod. “Such an undignified display for one of Equestria’s heroines.”

“I agree wholeheartedly. I was only trying to help.” Blueblood actually smiled. “Despite what rumors say to the contrary, I am genuinely trying to be less of an, and I quote, insufferable ass.”

“The keyword is 'trying'.” The Dark Lord thought.

“My plan was to find those I had, let’s say, offended in the past and make amends.” The self-improving noble continued. “That includes you, my fellow Prince. I was worried I would have to track you down but then you do me a favor by coming to me.”

“Fate works in peculiar ways.” The stallion deadpanned. “Now what will you do?”

“Indeed.” His partner eyed the noble suspiciously. “How do you answer for sending dumb and dumber here to rob him?”

“Seen but not heard, you little tart.” Lockpick sneered at the mare. “No more warnings.”

“If you knew what she could do to you, you would watch your tongue.” The Necroarch thought as his Archmage glared murderous daggers at the thief.

“If you will allow me the time, I would like to explain myself.” Blueblood said as he retrieved a spare set of clothes and dressed. “I know politics in the Mareterranean are rather cutthroat but things are a bit more delicate over here.”

The Equestrian Prince picked up a cue and chalked it with his magic. Block racked the solid and striped balls with a triangle and set them up for his boss.

“Here come the analogies.” The Theoi anticipated.

“Equestria appears simple on the surface; the Princesses protect us and maintain the heavenly cycle.” Blueblood said as he gestured to the table as a whole. “But underneath this graceful veneer is a very elegant machine with many moving components; banks, warehouses, docks, unions, traders and so on.”

The Prince pointed at the triangle of spheres. He reached beneath the table and retrieved the white cue ball. He took a moment to line it up with the rest before he continued.

“One thing makes them all move…” The noble said as he lined up his shot. “…money.”

A dull pop followed by a staccato crack sent the smooth balls rolling across the table. Most bounced off the walls while a few dropped into the pockets. Blueblood grinned as he reviewed his opening shot.

“Equines like Pants, Silvermane and myself make sure they move the right way, be that into our pockets, up against the wall or sometimes against each other.” The noble looked up at his guest. “We have been at this game for a long time so imagine my surprise when a new player drops out of the blue and takes a lead.”

“I think I know where this is going.” The Necroarch mused.

“So you sent burglars to learn more about me.” He said neutrally. "I think a chat over lunch would have served you better."

"Or catching you alone at a party." Blueblood added candidly as he took another shot only for the ball to stop short of a corner pocket. “Now that we can put that ugliness behind us, I was wondering if you would be interested in a business proposal.”

“Perhaps.” The Merchant Prince said testily as he took up a cue and surveyed the table. “Let's hear it.”

“I mentioned earlier that the Princesses protect us.” The Admiral said as his guest took a shot and knocked a ball into a side pocket. “They have done a spectacular job in the past, don’t get me wrong, but lately they have faltered.”

“I will admit that they could have handled the Crystal Empire crisis better but the Breach was beyond their control.” The vanilla stallion said as he lined up another shot. “One could hardly blame them.”

“That is just it.” The Prince frowned as his potential partner sank another ball. “They are losing control. Cadenza failed to protect her Empire, Celestia, Luna and Sparkle were just as lost as the rest of us when demons tried to invade and that's only recently.”

“You want to ensure that the parts keep moving but fear that the Alicorns won’t be able to stop an outside force from throwing a wrench into it.” The Merchant Prince surmised. “Am I wrong?”

“Not just me.” Blueblood shared a knowingly look with the guard at the door. “There are others who think that a change in government is in order for the good of our nation.”

"I suspect he does not have a republic in mind." The Lord of Shades mused.

"A change in government or the governor?" The vanilla stallion asked as he missed a shot but left the cue ball at an awkward angle for his host. "There is a fine line between reformation and a coup."

"A revolution then." The Prince said as he scanned the table for possibilities. "We can argue semantics later but I understand your wariness given your history and all."

"Oh?" The vanilla earth pony arched an eyebrow.

"I have other means of gathering information beyond Lockpick and Block." Blueblood glanced up at his guest with a sly smirk. "Yes, I know about the strife between the Merchant Families and the uprising of their plebian subjects. You had the good sense to abandon a sinking ship and rebuild your fortune here in Equestria. Hence the whole affair with the Crystal Mountains mining rights."

"What is he talking about?" The Theoi Anax wondered before it suddenly clicked. "Oh, that is rich. The rumor mill has ground up my little history lesson with the Princesses and my cover story. So much for sourcing."

"Your sources serve you well, Prince." The Merchant let a grin cross his features. "But the mineral rights ultimately went to Cadenza and her new pocket nation, not me."

"So Celestia gave away a potential motherlode to a city on the verge of sedition." The blonde unicorn snorted. "As if we need another reason for the Princesses' removal."

"*cough* hypocrisy *cough*" The ivory mare grunted into her hoof. "Oh, excuse me."

"Looking further down the road, what would become of Celestia and her kin?" The bearded stallion asked as both thugs made threatening gestures toward his companion.

"Ideally, they would just be figureheads; glorified clocks keeping the day-night cycle intact. Sparkle could continue her studies but none of them would hold any political power." Blueblood said as he lined up a shot. "If not, well, cabals of unicorns moved the heavens before the Alicorns showed up, why not after?"

"I do not see this ending well for anyone." The Dark Lord thought as his host botched his shot and knocked the black eight ball into a pocket.

"So a gilded cage or death." The Merchant made no effort to keep the skepticism out of his voice. "The fate that awaits you should this 'regime change' fail. If not delivered by the ageless Alicorns then by the mob of angry peasants who adore them."

"Hence my efforts to improve their perception of me." The white unicorn nickered irritably. "As that has met... limited success, I have summoned you hoping to make a new friend among those who actually matter."

"Well, I am everyone's friend." The vanilla stallion shrugged. "This could-!"

"Yet no one knows your true name, Merchant Prince." Blueblood interrupted pointedly. "The luxury of sitting on the fence is fleeting. If you want to make it here in Equestria, you will have to pick a side before someone pushes you off."

“Is that a threat?” The Lord of Shades fought to urge to laugh as the unicorn came around the table to his side. “Adorable.”

“You'll have to forgive me for enjoying the view.” The Merchant said with a small smile. “Putting the metaphors aside, you make a compelling argument. Would you not agree, Princess?”

"Oh, most certainly." The ivory unicorn said with a matching smile.

“Good.” The noble patted his guest on the cheek with a forehoof. “I knew you were a smart stallion. Shall we toast our newfound partnership, Prince...?”

A rapid series of knocks at the door interrupted the vanilla stallion before he could conjure a pseudonym. The guardsmare cracked the door and peeked outside only to recoil in shock. She fumbled a bit before she managed to snap a crisp salute.

“Captain Knight!” She said as one of the thestral captains of the Night Guard trotted into the room.

“Night-Captain.” The bat-pony corrected as he looked to each equine. “Merchant royalty?”

“Present.” The stallion and mare both faced the captain of the Night Guard.

“Come with me, please.” Knight stood aside to let them out.

“What for?” Blueblood asked incredulously. “We were in the middle of an important meeting.”

“That is none of your concern.” The bat-pony answered flatly as the two merchants trotted past him. “Goodnight, your highness.”

He shut the door on the Prince’s slightly pink face. The blonde stallion stood stunned for a few moments before he composed himself and returned to the table. His minions stood and sat in silence before Block voiced what they were thinking.

"What was that about?" The thuggish earth pony asked.

"Maybe Luna caught wind of what we're doing?" Lockpick guessed. "Or maybe Knight just wanted a snack?"

"The Mare-in-the-Moon has always been security conscious." Blueblood snorted dismissively. "She probably just wants to know why somepony from the infamous Mareterranean is in her castle. Our new friend can deal with her."

"Is he really our friend, sir?" The guardsmare asked with clear trepidation. "He did not seem committed."

"Not to mention his little partner." The thieving unicorn added. "I could feel the hate coming off her."

"You did call her a tart, Pick." Block reminded him.

"I call 'em as I see 'em." Lockpick said firmly.

"Hmm, she does appear to hold some sway with the good Prince." The noble murmured as he toyed with the cue ball. "You two may need to catch her alone and, shall we say, persuade her to see things our way."

"Can do, boss." The two louts nodded.

Back out in the ballroom, Knight took the lead while the pair of Merchants followed close behind. Normally, the sight of one of the intimidating nocturnal guards would have caused a stir but most of the guests were focused on the VIP table where Princess Celestia and the Element Bearers were taking their seats. The unicorn used the moment of relative privacy to sidle up to her partner.

“Should we tell them that they have traitors in their midst?” Lulamoon whispered in her natural tone.

“That may be pertinent.” The King whispered back. “Turning their ever-watchful eyes inward would take some pressure off of us.”

“Ever the pragmatist.” The magician agreed. “So where is the vampire taking us?”

“Let me ask.” The Theoi told her before he switched back to his Merchant Prince inflection.

“May I ask where are we going?” The vanilla stallion asked as politely as he could. “Are we under arrest?”

“I will tell you once we are out of the public eye.” Knight answered plainly.

“I guess this is our way into the back halls.” The Theoi thought as he noticed that they were heading toward the guarded door. “Not the ideal method but we are making progress.”

The thestral reached the pair of Royal Guards at the door who saluted the officer as he and his charges passed. In the back halls of Canterlot, the noise from the Gala was muted and the only light came from torches along the wall. Compared to the festive public space, the private corridors were dim and imposing.

"Ah, this is more like it." Knight visibly relaxed in the gloom. "I like a party as much as the next bat but all that light and noise sets my teeth on edge."

"High society can be overwhelming at times." The Prince said with a sigh. "So to what do we owe this respite, Night-Captain?"

“You have been summoned by Princess Luna for a private audience.” The thestral explained as they resumed trotting. “And not one like Blueblood roped you into. I am surprised you two were able to stand his arrogance for so long.”

"It is not his arrogance that concerns us." The Merchant Princess glanced at her partner who nodded. "He's planning a coup."

The ivory unicorn told the guard all that they knew of the nobles' plot. Knight listened intently, his expression darkening with each detail that was revealed. By the time the two Merchants finished, his face was buried in his hooves.

"...extended the offer to us." The vanilla stallion finished their report with an indignant nicker. "The lout probably could not see beyond our money."

"Rgh, not this shit again." The thestral growled. "Spoiled brats don't get their way and suddenly it's time to for revolution."

"This is not the first time?" The ivory mare asked.

"It's kind of a game that the nobles play." Knight sighed. "They see how much they can get away with until one of the Princesses puts their hoof down then act like some great injustice has been inflicted on them."

"So all we heard was just talk?" The Prince arched an eyebrow. "The nobles plot revolution as a past time?"

"Well, this is the first time other guards have been involved that I know of." The bat-pony rubbed his chin in thought. "Maybe this will be the one time they go too far."

"I sense a 'but' coming." The unicorn frowned.

"Believe me, nothing would please me more than to toss Blueblood into a cell." The bat-pony sighed. "However, one of the nobility's favorite methods of removing rivals is to have the Guard arrest them on trumped-up charges. Not that I'm accusing you of lying but I need more than the word of two nameless merchants to arrest an 'upstanding citizen'."

"I'm afraid that is all we have." The tall stallion admitted.

"Then the best I can do is bring your accusation to Princess Luna." Knight said as he resumed trotting. "She has... ways of sussing out the truth."

"I am sure she does." The Prince said with a smirk, earning an odd look from his partner.

The three quietly trotted down the dimly lit halls as their conversations petered out. They rounded a corner to a long and dark passage. The only illumination came from the moon and starlight shining in through tall windows, casting shadows on the opposite wall. At the far end of the benighted hallway stood a looming set of dark doors embossed with silvery images of constellations. A pair of pale crescent moons set against black fields crowned the top of the friezes, denoting who resided just beyond. Knight trotted up to the pair of thestrals flanking the doorway who promptly saluted their captain.

“Wait here just a moment.” He said politely. “I’ll announce you.”

The vanilla and ivory equines waited patiently as their escort opened the doors just wide enough for him to slip inside. Muffled voices could be heard but not clearly enough to determine what was being said. A few moments later, Knight reappeared.

“Princess Luna will see you now.” He said as he held the door open for them.

The two companions entered the darkened chambers of the Nocturnal Alicorn as the bat-pony closed the door closed behind them with a heavy thud. Inside was an antechamber meant for receiving guests with a table set up in the middle. Three covered dished waited for them along with their nocturnal host.

“Salutations, Merchants of the Mareterranean.” Princess Luna greeted them with a small, knowing smile. “Welcome to my little corner of Canterlot.”

Princess Luna proved to be a fair hostess to the merchant royalty despite her not completely unearned reputation as a stern and aloof ruler. She had provided a modest meal of garden fresh salad and fine wine from her own reserve for the three of them. The cordial mood was short-lived however as there was no ignoring the accusation leveled at Blueblood. Once again the Merchant Prince told of what had occurred behind closed doors with his companion and Night-Captain Knight chiming in occasionally. The Alicorn of the Night listened to their report intently, her stern expression belying her many thoughts.

"Grey is back in Canterlot for only a few hours and he has already uncovered a conspiracy." The nocturnal Princess thought. "And to think Celestia didn't want him here."

"He certainly has a nose for trouble." An imperious side voiced its approval. "The inquisitors of old would be impressed."

"Speaking of trouble, who is this little tramp clinging to our stallion?" A jealous whisper asked.

"Bah, probably just some lonely lady-of-court he's humoring." A prideful voice huffed dismissively. "As if anyone could compare to the majesty that is an Alicorn."

The Lunar Princess was inclined to agree but, nevertheless, she wanted to be able to hear herself think without commentary. She took a glass of wine in her magic and downed the whole thing. The bracing bitterness silenced the bickering voices but she knew they would return in time. Where they once only plagued her in the Dream World, they now pestered her in the waking world with worrying frequency. She wanted to attribute it to the stress she had been under since the fall of the Crystal Empire but her skeptical side had voiced doubts to that theory, citing that the Princess had heard some of them long before the incident in the Frozen North. The navy Alicorn pushed the unpleasant thoughts aside as she refocused on her guests.

"...under the impression we would cooperate." The vanilla stallion finished with an indignant nicker. "I've told the good Night-Captain here much the same."

"So he has, your Highness." Knight confirmed. "For what it's worth, I believe these ponies are telling the truth."

"Indeed." Luna nodded slowly. "You were right to bring this to my attention, my fair merchants. Rest assured that these traitors will face justice."

"...and many a nightmare in the near future." A venomous whisper added. "They'll beg for the axe before the end."

"Long overdue, if what I've heard about the knave is true." The Merchant Prince said over the rim of his glass.

"With our civic duty out of the way, can we please talk about something else?" The ivory mare suggested with an exaggerated sigh. "I grow tired of wasting breath on those fools."

"Do let's." The Alicorn agreed. "What would you suggest, merchant mare? A tale of one of your ventures, perhaps?"

"Well..." The Merchant Princess tapped a hoof against her chin in thought. "There was this one time I was being held hostage by brigands..."

What followed was a grand retelling of some of the autumn-maned equine's adventures. Luna initially took her stories with a pinch of salt but quickly upgraded to a whole lick as the merchant's tales grew increasingly fantastical almost to the point of absurdity. Knight, unable to turn a deaf ear to such tales, visibly struggled to keep his composure and even the Prince seemed to bite his tongue for his companion's sake. That was until she mentioned a dragon.

"...nearly took off my leg but the beast was no match for my magic!" The boastful unicorn said proudly.

"You murdered a dragon?" Luna asked with an arched eyebrow.

"In self-defense." The vanilla stallion clarified. "It was a rogue; exiled from the flights for heinous crimes against its fellow drakes. A vile creature, really."

"Ah, I see." The Alicorn nodded in understanding. "Then you've done both Equestria and the Dragon Lords a service."

"That I did plus I got a nice set of..." The Merchant Princess trailed off as she caught a warning look from her companion. "...trophies."

"Trophies?" The navy mare repeated with a slight grimace. "As in the remains?"

"Ghoulish as it may sound, there is a market for things like dragon bones, scales, teeth and the like." The tall stallion explained again with a slight edge in his voice. "Although my lovely companion here just wanted a memento of her victory much like you, Princess Luna."

"Nopony would believe me otherwise." The ivory mare huffed indignantly before her ears pricked up. “You also collect trophies, your Highness?"

“An old habit from my younger years, yes.” The former warrior-princess confirmed.

"Which so happens to include a dragon now." She mentally added.

“Is that so?” The unicorn asked with a competitive air. “Do you have the bones of a runic dragon? The celestial pelt of an Ursa Major? The essence of dem- ow!”

"Don't get into a horn measuring contest with an Alicorn, my dear." The Merchant Prince said calmly but firmly after none-too-subtly kicking his companion from under the table. "It's rude and you will lose."

"I'm not- oh!" His companion composed herself and bowed her head. "Apologies, your Highness. I forgot myself."

"Aw, and we were just about to put this skank in her place." A caustic whisper pouted. "We have a whole gallery to rub her slovenly face in."

“Ohh~ there’s an idea!” The lustful voice returned. “Send a strapping guard with her to tour the Trophy Room! Get Grey alone with us!”

"All is forgiven." Luna bid the unicorn to raise her head. "In fact, it is fortunate to meet a fellow collector. I've been meaning to downsize my gallery and need some items appraised."

"O-oh!" The Merchant Princess blinked a few times in surprise. "I... would be honored."

"Excellent." The Alicorn smiled as she signaled Knight. "Night-Captain? Escort her to the Trophy Room and lend her your knowledge; give her a tour."

"As you command, your Majesty." The thestral saluted. "Follow me, please."

Both merchants stood to leave only for the Princess of the Night to keep the vanilla stallion in place with her magic.

"Just her!" Luna nearly shouted, earning looks from the three other equines. "*Ahem* There are a few more things I would like to discuss with you, Merchant Prince."

"As you wish." The stallion said neutrally as he adjusted his coat. "You remember our rendezvous, my dear? I don't know how long this will take."

"I do." The ivory unicorn nodded with a sideways glance at the navy Alicorn. "I'll see you later... my handsome stud muffin."

Before the vanilla earth pony could react, she leaned in and nuzzled against his muzzle affectionately. The autumn-maned mare then made a show of tickling her partner beneath the chin with her tail as she turned to join the bat-pony at the door. Her brazen teasing did not go unnoticed by the navy Princess.

"Am I supposed to be impressed by such a pitiful display?" The Alicorn scrunched up her nose as the smaller equine shot her a coy smile.

Despite her burning desire to show the uppity unicorn just how outclassed she was, Luna returned a forced smile as she opened the doors with her magic. The thestral and mare had barely crossed the threshold when the Princess of the Night slam the doors shut behind them, spanking the ivory merchant in the process. Her surprised neigh was overridden by the click and thud of a latch and deadbolt.

"Alone at last." Luna let out a contented sigh. "It is good to see you again, Grey."

“Likewise.” The former animus dropped the Mareterranean accent in favor of his more neutral dialect. "I was beginning to wonder if you knew it was me."

"I did not send any invitations to the Mareterranean so it was either you or an interloper." The Princess explained lightly. "Although the identity of your 'plus one' eludes me."

"Do you remember the unicorn I found in the Everfree?" Grey asked rhetorically. "She cleans up nicely."

"So he decided to keep that conjurer of cheap tricks." Jealousy hissed.

"Lulamoon, was it?" Luna ignored the venomous whisper but still arched an inquisitive eyebrow. "I thought her encounter with bandits sounded familiar although I doubt there were hundreds of them."

“Embellished truths aside, she has proven to be a valuable ally in my travels.” The stallion said earnestly. “She had always wanted to visit Canterlot so when the time for the Gala arrived, I took her along as a guest.”

“A rather kind gesture.” The navy Alicorn thought. “Maybe Equestria is starting to rub off on him.”

"I am sure she appreciates that but I cannot help but question your decision to bring an equine of her reputation here." The nocturnal Princess said critically. "Not many would welcome the unicorn who bested a heroine of Equestria... particularly my sister."

“Oh, We can think of some that would roll out a red carpet for her.” A sinister voice whispered from the darker corners of her mind.

"She is not so villainous now but the thought had occurred to us." The vanilla earth pony nodded his head in partial agreement. "Hence why she has taken the guise of another, my late wife in fact."

"His WIFE?!?" Luna stiffened as a myriad of voices made their disapproval known. "What game is that little slut playing at?!"

"That must have been a pleasant surprise." The navy Alicorn struggled to keep her voice level. "Curious, just how close are you two?"

"We are friends, Luna." Grey said neutrally. "The 'Merchant Prince and Princess' is an act."

"So all that affection was-" The Princess pressured for more only for the salt-and-pepper equine to cut her off.

"A show for you and any other prying eyes." He said simply. "She may have overdone it but she was just playing a part. We did something similar to get a room in Hollow Shades."

"That looked like a lot more than acting." A suspicious voice insisted.

"Lulamoon was a stage magician; spectacle and illusion were her stock a trade." A logical side countered.

"Hmph. Then she played it well." Luna said with a short huff. "Do you truly trust her?"

"To Tartarus and back." Grey affirmed. "Er, to use the idiom."

"Very well then." The Alicorn of the Night shelved the conversation and moved on. “I do apologize if it seems I am interrogating you again. It has just been so long since we last spoke.”

“That it has.” The tall stallion agreed. “I have been so busy these past few months, I have hardly had to the time to sleep, let alone dream.”

“So have I.” The Princess of the Night concurred. “The fallout from the destruction of the Empire was bad enough but it had scarcely begun to settle when the Breach occurred…”

The Nocturnal Alicorn trailed off as something occurred to her. The official story that had given the populace was that something attempted to escape from Tartarus only to be thwarted by an unknown party. Given the normally shadowy stallion's affinity for the more eclectic arts such as anti-magic, she could not help but wonder if he played a role in the infernal affair. Grey must have read her inquisitorial expression as he shook his head.

“If I recall correctly, I asked you if the Infernal Pits were secure." The vanilla stallion said pointedly. "Count your lucky stars the damned were incompetent."

"He's not wrong, o mighty guardian of the night." A caustic whisper belittled. "To think you placed so much faith in a few wards and the training of the Guard. Pathetic!"

“I fear that might be a small number but let's not spoil this night with such talk.” Luna abandoned the topic as she teleported the empty dishes away, leaving only the wine and glasses. “I would much rather hear about your quest to find your home.”

“A quest that has been completed.” Grey said as he poured out the last of the wine for them. “I found it near Hollow Shades. That is to say, what was left of it.”

The salt-and-pepper stallion went on to tell her of how he and Lulamoon discovered his old home in ruins. All that was left were the foundations, a few crumbling walls and long dried riverbeds. His story got interesting when he explained that he uncovered the catacombs and found a sealed crypt within. Luna's eyes widened as the incredible implication set in.

"You found your body?" She asked in clear amazement.

"That I did." The once disembodied stallion confirmed as he looked over himself. "I can only assume my guard recovered it and brought it back for proper internment."

"Incredible!" The Alicorn made no attempt to hide her awe. "Do you know what this means?"

"He won't have to rut us through a proxy." An amorous voice answered for her as the mare's wings fluttered in excitement. "And we are no longer limited to freaky wet dreams."

"I am back from the dead, yes." Grey said with a slight grimace. "It is not as simple as the tales make it out to be; the embalming fluid had to be flushed out of my system and I spend an agonizing amount of time coughing up corpse dust. Not to mention the splitting headache."

"Yet you look none the worse for wear." Luna unconsciously bit her lip as she looked him over appreciatively. "In fact, you appear, hmm, I hesitate to say 'younger'."

"Ah, like Lulamoon, I am also in disguise." The resurrected stallion explained. "I've been told my true self is somewhat 'vampiric' in appearance and I did not want to cause a stir."

"I honestly prefer tall, pale and handsome." The lustful voice cooed. "Try to get him to shed that glamour along with his clothes~"

"Perhaps but you would be in good company along with Discord, my thestrals and I." The Princess of the Night said with a thoughtful sigh. "In that vein, does this resurrection mean you are now immortal?"

"I have not had the time nor the inclination to find out." The incognito immortal answered lightly. "I suspect I will no longer age at the very least."

"Sparkle would have a field day with this." Luna thought with a muting laugh.

"If you're still a 'handsome stud muffin' in a decade or two, we'll know for certain." The navy Alicorn said coyly. "At the very least, you can trot out in the open, imposing physique aside, instead of lurking in the shadows like a fiend."

“You flatter me, Princess.” Grey said plainly. “Nevertheless, I am not quite ready to reveal myself to the world at large. In fact, one of the reasons I came to the Gala was to test the waters with this 'Merchant Prince' identity.”

“Oh?” Luna lidded her eyes as she swirled the last of her drink in her glass. “What else did you come for?”

The vanilla equine looked at her and let another faint smile play across his lips.

“Well, I was also invited by the Princess of the Moon.” He said keenly. “What type of fool would I be to decline such a lovely mare?”

“A very foolish foal, indeed.” The Lunar Diarch finished her drink and glanced out the window to check the time. “I am supposed to join my fellow Alicorns at the Gala soon.”

“Apologies, I did not mean to keep... you…” Grey trailed off as he noticed a cobalt glow loosen the collar of his dress shirt.

“I said soon, not now.” Luna said smoothly as she began working on the top few buttons. “We have just enough time to enjoy a midnight delight… or two.”

“It’s about time!” Her lustful side whispered eagerly. “But why did he have to wear so much?!”

One by one, the Alicorn undid the stallion's buttons until a plain undershirt was revealed. With an impatient nicker, the Princess of the Night was about to just tear off her would-be lover's clothes when he suddenly stood up from his seat. With his expression set in a serious frown, the Alicorn briefly feared that she had offended him in some way.

"Are you certain, Luna?" The vanilla stallion asked as he patted out her magic with a hoof. "This may not be the best time."

"Shut up and take your pants off before we do it for you!" The amorous voice demanded impatiently.

"I beg to differ." The navy mare countered as she stood up as well. "We are alone with plenty of time and I am more than willing."

"I am aware but-!" Grey hesitated as Luna approached and renewed her assault on his clothes with her magic.

"Is something troubling you?" The Alicorn was now close enough to nuzzle against his cheek. "We have already known each other in your dreams."

"That we have." The stallion muttered as she undid his sash and links. "I am just..."

"Are you worried that not 'all of you' returned from the grave?" The Lunar Diarch suggested as she shot a glance below him.

The salt-and-pepper equine did not respond but Luna could almost hear the gears working overtime in his head. She decided to help him out of whatever conundrum he had put himself into by pressing her lips against his. There was a moment or two of resistance but the bearded stallion ultimately relented and returned the kiss.

"My fears may be unfounded." He said in a low tone of resignation once they pulled apart. “Shall we retire to your bed chambers?”

The Alicorn glanced behind her at the doors leading to her place of rest. She thought of just what she wanted to do and the state her chambers would be left in as a result. It was then that a delightfully devilish idea crept from the darker corners of her mind.

"No." Luna turned back to her lover with a mischievous teal glint in her eyes. "I know a better place."

"Either Luna is really in the mood or Moon wants a conjugal visit." The incognito Theoi thought as the Alicorn’s horn ignited in a cobalt glow. "More than likely both."

In a flash of lunar magic, the two immortals vanished and reappeared in a different room. Unlike Luna’s benighted quarters, the decorum was made up of soft pastels trimmed with polished gold. A short dais held a large bed surrounded by sheer pink curtains. The sunburst emblazoned on the headboard clearly denoted the room’s owner.

“Your sister’s chambers?” The vanilla stallion looked at Luna curiously.

“Indeed.” The Nocturnal Princess smiled deviously. “Seeing as I have found many an exhausted pony in my own bed, this seems only fair.”

"Seems rather petty." Grey thought as the Lunar Alicorn locked the doors and drew back the drapes, allowing the silvery light of her moon to illuminate the room.

The salt-and-pepper stallion was about to point out the irony of their light source when Luna pounced on him. The two fell through the curtains and onto the cushy bed as their lips met in a kiss. The amorous Alicorn wasted no time in seeking entry into his mouth with her tongue. Grey refused her admittance for a few teasing moments before his teeth parted and his own tongue met hers in a familiar but far more passionate duel for dominance.

“I suppose it will be naive of me to assume that she will be satisfied with just foreplay.” The vanilla stallion thought as Luna wrapped her forehooves around his head. "Still, this beats the dream by a longshot."

With memories of their encounter in the Dream World refreshing themselves, Grey kept his tongue away from Luna's teeth and rubbed the space between her wings with a hoof. The Princess's wings flared in response as she intensified her assault on his tongue. As the need to breathe became too hard to ignore, the enamored embrace was broken with a wet smack. The navy mare rested her muzzle against the stallion's as she caught her breath, her eyes aglow with desire.

"Take off that damnable ensemble." Luna commanded breathlessly. "All of it."

"All of it?" Grey repeated as he felt the changeling horn in his pocket.

"Yes, you romantic fool!" The Alicorn of the Night's horn sparked intently. "Handsome as your mask is, I want the stallion beneath it."

"I'm actually flattered." The Dark Lord thought genuinely. "Very well. Could save some of the magic while I'm at it."

After motioning the navy Princess to ease off of him, the vanilla stallion shrugged off his overcoat and tossed it aside. Luna's eyes sparkled in anticipation as Grey's features became muddled and faded. Suddenly her lover was enveloped in the tell-tale emerald flame of changeling magic as his facade burned away. The Alicorn lept back to the floor in surprise as the Lord of Shades' imposing countenance was revealed.

"Wha-? A changeling?" The Princess of the Night asked as she felt a preternatural chill run down her spine.

"Close. An illusion concocted by Lulamoon." The pale horse explained before he hid his face behind a foreleg and adopted a thick accent. "All ze better to conceal mine vampiric appearance. Ah, ah, ah!"

The act broke the pall of unease that had suddenly engulfed the room. Luna giggled softly as Grey finished undressing, leaving him only in his dress pants. The Alicorn then took a moment to look over her revealed lover, a lustful smile growing ever wider across her lips.

"She must be comparing the reality to the fantasy." The Theoi thought as he checked over himself. "Look's good from here if I say so myself."

"It's impolite to stare, Princess Luna." Grey reminded her coyly.

"I make no apologies." The younger Diarch shot back. "Amazing. I don't even see a hint of scarring."

"I can thank a healthy constitution and the best morticians in the land for that." The black-maned stallion muttered as he rubbed a temple. "I get the occasional ache though."

"Oh, nonsense!" Luna said half teasingly half threateningly. "You do not get to say 'not now, my love, I have a headache'."

"Well, worth a shot." The Dark Lord mentally shrugged.

"Perish the thought." Grey said with a small frown. "Now, I believe it is my turn to watch."

"Fair enough." The Princess of the Night lidded her eyes as her horn ignited.

The telltale cobalt glow of Luna's magic appeared not on her dress but underneath it. The Alicorn hummed to herself as she tugged and pulled at something. She then let out a gasp of relief as something snapped followed by an audible jiggle. With a sly smile, the navy mare slowly withdrew her undergarments from beneath the hem of her dress and waved them teasingly.

"Now that's a neat trick." The Theoi thought as Luna tossed her brassiere and panties at him.

He caught the impeccably designed cups and straps in a hoof but the rest smacked against his muzzle. The stallion froze as he saw and smelled the mare's desire glistening on the warm fabric. The Princess giggled as her lover tried to compose himself and set her unmentionables aside. Approaching the bed with a graceful sway in her hips, she kicked off her decorative shoes with far less care as she magically tugged on the drawstrings of her gown. The silky garment cascaded off her frame like water, leaving the Alicorn of the Night with only her tiara.

"Now you are staring." Luna teased as she placed her forehooves on Grey's still clothed legs. "Still captivated by this vision of beauty?"

"More than a vision now." The pale stallion said as his previous trepidations slowly became a distant afterthought. "You do yourself a disservice in the Dreamworld."

"So have you." The Alicorn whispered as she enveloped his last vestige of decency in her magic. "Let us see if the trend continues..."

The navy Princess tugged on his pants only to be defied once more by Grey's adherence to the formal dress code. With a deft hoof, the pale horse spared her any more frustration by unfastening his belt and loosening his slacks. With an almost triumphant neigh, Luna whipped off the pants and undergarments in one motion and beheld the pallid pony in all his glory.

"Finally." The Alicorn whispered breathlessly as his emergent yet still listless stallionhood swayed and twitched in the cool air. "Hmm~, you certainly are no braggart."

"I was honestly more focused on preserving what I looked like." The Dark Lord thought as the Princess of the Night knelt down, her predatory gaze now transfixed on his loins. "Disembodiment has a way of shifting priorities."

Luna hummed softly as she nuzzled against his blunt head and breathed deeply. Her wings fluttered in delight as his masculine scent flooded her nostrils. She then planted a kiss on his tip before slowly traveling down his length, her progress marked by her lipstick. Her journey ended at the base of the stallion's pride where his family jewels hung heavy and hot. The Alicorn hefted the orbs in a free hoof, her lust addled mind concocting all manner of possibilities if their contents found their way within her.

"A new moon of my own." The moonlight Princess muttered absently as she marked each churning sphere with a kiss. "And why stop at one?"

"Luna?" Grey attempted to cut through her haze by tapping her horn. "I just got this body back, I'd rather not poke any more holes in it."

The moon mare glanced up to see her horn aimed precariously at her lover's barrel. A devious smile crossed her flushed face as her horn ignited. The pale horse made to smother her magic with his hooves only for the spell to encircle his torso and lift him into the air. With a deft flick of her head, Luna tossed her lover back against the golden sun-emblazoned headboard and the many pillows piled beneath. Before the stallion could even begin to recover, Luna flared her powerful wings and lunged after him with carnal hunger in her eyes. The amorous Alicorn of the Night pinned the seasoned stallion beneath her frame and captured his lips once more.

"I'm sensing more Moon than Luna here." The Theoi thought as he felt her sharpening teeth graze his tongue.

"Is this more to your liking?" The navy Princess asking breathlessly after breaking the kiss. "We are in Our rightful place and you can adore Us without fear of impalement."

"It is but was the spell nec-?" Grey's complaints were silence by one of Luna's hooves.

"Hush." Luna commanded as she propped herself upon his chest. "There is something We wish to try; a technique not just any mare can do."

"Oh, really?" The stygian sovereign arched an inquisitive eyebrow.

The Lunar Diarch shifted her hips until the stallion's length became nestled between the valley of her magnificent mounds. Squeezing her shapely legs together, the Alicorn held her lover fast and began sliding back and forth. The normally erudite Theoi found himself at a loss for words as Luna's supple flesh caressed his being. The soft rustle of their heated bodies was joined by the Alicorn's soft moans as her aching teats dug into Grey's barrel.

"Hah~ Doth thou enjoy Our bountiful bosom?" Luna asked in a lustful haze. “Our silken flesh is beyond compare; firm and perfectly formed. Unlike Celestia’s sagging udders.”

"Sibling rivalry makes odd pillow talk." The ancient Anax made a concerted effort not to compare the sisters' heavenly proportions.

"Verily." The Dark Lord said in a low tone. "Thou art phenomenal."

The navy Alicorn giggled as she rewarded his answer with another kiss. Even as Luna continued to service Grey in her buxom embrace, he decided to return a measure of the favor by rubbing her twitching wings. This earned a muffled whinny from the Alicorn as her starry tail flagged on her dappled flanks. The hot nectar of her desire coalesced and dripped from her winking lips, anointing the Theoi's loins with each pass. This proved to be the drop that broke the proverbial dam as eons of lifelessness was undone.

"By my Throne, what a rush!" The stygian stallion thought as he emerged from between the Alicorn's voluptuous valley.

"Huzzah!" Luna cheered as her lover finally roused and stood at attention just shy of her chest. "Thou art- *ahem* -And you were worried."

"To be fair, it has been well over a thousand years." Grey said pointedly as the former Mare-in-the-Moon stared at his pride as it throbbed against her. "But I guess I'm preaching to the choir."

"Useless moonrocks." The navy Princess muttered as she stood on all fours to straddled the pale horse. "We need this, Grey. Both of us."

"Then let us dispense with the foreplay." The Theoi said simply as Luna enveloped his length in her magic. "Careful now."

The Alicorn gave him a playful tug as she aimed him at her swollen lips. More of her desire rained on his being as he brushed against the entrance of her most precious chamber. Her breath hitched in her throat as Grey's broad head flicked past her peeking pearl.

"Ah!" Luna gasped as a shock of pleasure ran up her spine. "Take me, Grey!"

The hitherto passive stallion did not need to be told twice. He slapped his hooves roughly on the Princess' twin moons and eased her down onto his member, parting her dripping folds and entering the furnace-like heat of her marehood. Sparks flew off the Alicorn's horn as her mouth gaped in a silent cry of passion. The walls of her love canal reflexively squeezed around his length, guiding and coaxing him ever deeper. His journey came to a halt once her dark flanks meshed with his strong hips, his head pressing against the final barrier of her most precious of chambers.

"Ahh! Stars- uh -above!" The navy mare's voice returned between shuddering gasps of both pain and rapture.

"It might be a trick of the light but I think I can see it!" The Theoi thought as he moved a hoof from Luna's flanks to a slight bulge above her teats. "Nine Hells, she's like a vice!"

The Alicorn of the Night looked down and caught Grey's eyes. No word was spoken between them; there was no need. The Diarch slowly ground her hips against her lover, alternating between clockwise and counter-clockwise as if sculpting her velvety tunnel to his being. Once pleasure fully surpassed discomfort, the starry mare leaned forward at the same time the grayscale stallion pulled back. As soon as they felt his head catch between her dark lips, they slammed down and thrust upward in unison.

“Haah! Yes! Yes! Aah!” The amorous Alicorn panted in time with their now rhythmic rutting. “Uh! Faster!”

Luna fell forward, bracing her forehooves against the headboard as she bounced on Grey’s pride with increased frequency, adding the creak of straining metal to their salacious symphony of moans, grunts and magical sparks. The stallion added his own measures by adjusting the angle of his member between thrusts, hunting for the ever-elusive sweet spot within his lover. His hooves busied themselves with both her flanks and tantalizing teats, caressing and occasionally spanking the former while teasing the dusky tips of the latter.

"Mmph! Ha! AAH!!" The navy Alicorn's cries grew louder as her timing grew erratic. "That's it! Right there!"

"She's close." Grey deduced as Luna shoved off from the headboard and resumed bouncing upright. "Let's see this through."

Planting both free hooves on her dappled flanks, the Theoi Anax arrested the Princess of the Night's momentum and held her fast. Luna let out a confused neigh as he popped out of her depths, his length glistening in the moonlight just beyond her dark lips. Before she could assault him with a tirade of pre-equestrian curses, the pale horse brought her down and thrusted upward with as much strength as he dared use.

"FFWAH!!" A burst of magic blew the canopy off her sister's bed as the ancient king rammed against and nearly breached her innermost chamber.

Pleased with both her reaction and the fact that she appeared unharmed, Grey manually ground the stunned Luna's hips against his before bringing her up again. Once more, the stallion struck deep as was rewarded with another shower of sparks and an inarticulate moan from the Alicorn. Again and again, the grayscale equine slammed in his lover, pausing only once to allow Luna a chance to recover.

"Are you still there?" The Theoi asked carefully.

"Stop again and We will moonbeam you again!" The Alicorn half moaned, half snarled. "We are not made of glass, Grey!"

"I'll take that as a 'partly'." The stallion thought as he picked up where he left off.

Heedless of the sparks of magic threatening to ignite the sheets, Luna began flapping her wings in time with her lover's thrusts. Wall hangings fell from their anchors and the chandelier jingled like a wind chime as the two immortals shook the room with their passion. Once again, the Alicorn neared the apex of pleasure and she was bound to reach it.

"Ugh! Yes! Grey, We are close!" Luna gasped breathlessly. "Do not stop! AH! Let it out! HAH! Uh! Ah! AH! ALMOST!! YES!!! oh-!"

In one final perfect moment, the Princess and King met in unison. The Alicorn let out a sharp gasp as Grey broke through and entered her fecund forge. The mix of raw pain and pleasure long forthcoming sent the mare over the edge as she pitched forward, beaning the stygian stallion with her tiara as she fell. The Theoi wrapped his forelegs around Luna as she writhed and convulsed against him, her impassioned screams muffled by Celestia's pillows. Her velvety canal squeezed around him, desperately attempting to wring his seed into the Alicorn's fertile garden. A mortal would have done so, adding a new branch to the Royal Family Tree. But the Dark Lord endured as his attention was drawn to the windows. The once brilliant moonlight had faded, plunging the Princess of the Sun's chambers into darkness. In time, the Alicorn settled as her screams morphed into moans and then into muffled laughter.

"Princess Luna?" The Theoi asked as his lover began to stir.

“Guess again, Dread Lord.” The Equestrian Usurper Nightmare Moon cooed softly as baleful moonlight streamed back into the room, casting the scene in a sinister aura. “Surely you recognize my majesty?”

"And there she is." The Necroarch thought as the fog of lust melted away. "I knew this would happen yet I did it anyway. Damn it, I'm more like my brothers than I thought."

“Not at all, Nightmare Moon.” The Lord of Shades said neutrally from beneath her. “Save for your voice and eyes, you are still very much Luna.”

"If anyone else had said that, I would have smote them." The corrupted Luna smirked as she aimed her horn between his eyes. "Alas, my full glory is still confined to the Dream World... for now."

"The prison is open but the chains remain, to borrow your metaphor." The Dark Lord said plainly as he pushed her horn away. "So I take it then that the Princess is..."

“Lost in a storm of passion.” The Mare in the Moon answered with a tap to her head. “And, may I say, what a mighty rod that was used to conjure it.”

The Usurper shifted her hips and moaned softly as she felt the stallion's pride throb within her most precious of chambers. While a small part of his mind urged the Theoi to blow out the Nightmare's back, the mood had already drained out of him. He brought a hoof to Moon's flanks and steadied her, much to her displeasure.

"You stroke my pride well." The pale horse glanced down at the union of their sexes. "I hate to be a tease but I fear conjuring storms was not my domain."

"A pity but I suppose one could grow tired of this..." The fallen Princess straightened up and looked over herself critically. "...inferior form."

"Where I so shallow, I'd prefer Luna with your proportions." The Theoi mentally frowned.

"Still better than that old, saggy cow we call Celestia, yes?" Grey deadpanned.

"Mmm, I do love that silver tongue of yours." Moon gave him a toothy grin.

She slowly eased herself off of his member, gasping slightly as his flared head slid free of her inner core. Moon teasingly left him lodged in her full lips before allowing him to fall free along with a deluge of the mare's scented nectar. It did not escape the abyssal Alicorn’s attention that her lover had not reached the same climax as her host had.

"Oh, poor thing." Moon shook her head as the pallid pony's pride receded. "Did your resurrection have side effects after all or is little Luna that poor a lover?"

"Godly endurance has its drawbacks." The stygian stallion said evenly before changing the subject. “So, is this a social call or is there something I should know?”

"I was about to ask you much the same." The corrupted mare said as she traced small circles in his chest with a hoof. "Why does the vanquisher of Tartarus trot amongst mortals? Surely not for these frivolous festivities or to entertain the flights of a foalish Princess."

"How could she know about that?" The Warden of the Pits wondered before mentally kicking himself. "Think, old boy. You're here, the demons are not and the Breach was not exactly subtle. She can put two and two together."

"Is it so hard to believe I came here for nothing other than the pleasant company of your host?" The pale horse ventured rhetorically only to receive a knowing smirk from the Usurper. "You know me too well. I seek an old friend whom I believe to be imprisoned below this very mountain."

"Ah, how exciting." Moon perked up her ears as she nuzzled against his muzzle. "And who might this friend be? A replacement for that hubristic witch of yours, I hope."

"I really wish I had my bident right now." The ancient King fought the urge to give the mare a 'love tap'.

"No, the consort of our mutual friend the Lady of the Stars." The Theoi explained with a slight edge to his voice. "We know him as the Shifting Lord of Darkness but his newest moniker may have been that of the Black Dragon Suneater."

“Suneater?” The fallen Princess ceased her light teasing as the Necroarch had her full attention. "I know of this beast. It was the driving force behind the Dark Ages. You think it is right beneath our hooves?"

"That is what my research has led me to believe." The ancient King answered as he motioned for the mare to let him up. "If so then I must release him and bring him back into the Khthonic Pantheon."

"Thus bolstering the already mighty strength of your realm." Moon added as the stallion slid off the bed to retrieve his clothes. "Our benefactor is right, you are committed to your domain."

"Could I call myself King if I was not?" The Theoi mused.

"I do my best." The pale horse said after finding his pants. "Once he is back in the Underworld, I hope he can expedite my search for his fair Lady. Can you offer any insights?"

"A few." The Usurper nodded as she watched the seasoned stallion dress himself with interest. "I do not know the location of her prison and, truth be told, I doubt she does either. Yet she can observe both the waking and Dream World as can I."

"Makes sense considering Moon was born from Night Sky's power." The Dark Lord thought. "She's likely the Lady's only agent and means of escape... unless Shifting Darkness proves otherwise."

"Well, one Primordial deity at a time." The pale horse sighed as he slipped on his greatcoat. "Is Luna about to wake up?"

"You have a while yet." Moon scoffed. "You should see the saccharine fantasies you sent her to. Bleh!"

"Not something I can do with just any mare, Mistress Moon" Grey said coyly as he adopted his Mareterranean accent once more and retrieved the changeling horn. "I should at least see her off before continuing my quest."

"Ever the gentlestallion." The Usurper waved lazily as the stygian pony pressed the gnarled horn against his head.

The appendage ignited in a sickly emerald fire that began to spread over the Dark Lord. It had just reached his beard when the magic suddenly flickered and faded. He gave the horn a few shakes and tried again only to receive a few pitiful sparks. Concerned, the Theoi inspected the horn just as it crumbled to dust in his hoof.

"I take it that was not suppose to happen." Moon arched an eyebrow as her lover frowned.

"There was not enough magic to reapply the disguise." The well-dressed Necroarch realized. "Not a major setback but it will make exiting through the Gala a bit more difficult. Not mention sneaking down to the temple."

"Temple?" The corrupted Luna asked.

"Suneater's prison is a temple Discord probably dropped this mountain on." The pallid Theoi explained quickly. "I don't suppose you could teleport me down there."

"Not without a clear idea of the destination." The dark Alicorn shook her head. "But I can send you to the lower levels of the dungeons. I am very familiar with those."

"I am not surprised." The Anax thought.

"I would appreciate it, Moon." The stygian stallion offered a small smile as the mare beckoned him back to the bed.

“I will have to borrow Luna's magic but you should be unharmed.” The Usurper said slyly as she stole a quick kiss. “Oh, and do not worry about the little foal. I will whisper to her sweet romantic nothings to excuse you.”

"Then until our next encounter." The Dark Lord nodded his head in farewell.

“I look forward to it.” The corrupted Alicorn cooed as she ignited her horn and sent a small orb of magic at her lover. “Good luck, Silent King.”

The cobalt ball of lunar power connected with his nose and in a flash, the Dark Lord was gone. Nightmare Moon quickly fabricated some memories for her other half and flopped back down on the bed. Before long, she felt Luna being to come down from her protracted orgasmic high. The last thing the Usurper did before she was confined once more to the darker corners of the Princess’s mind was to drive a spiteful hoof into the headboard, cracking the gold gilding and splitting the sun emblem down the middle.

“We look forward to doing that to your skull, you self-righteous cow.” Moon thought as Luna finally returned to the waking world.

The Lunar Princess groggily opened her eyes, her mind foggy and muddled. She lifted her head to find herself lying in the thoroughly demolished bed of her diurnal sister. The air was heavy with a pungent musk and a dull pain throbbed in her core.

“What happened?” Luna asked aloud as she slid off the bed onto unsteady legs. “I was eating dinner with Grey and then…oh!”

As she caught sight of her crumpled dress and the conspicuous wet spot on the bed, it all came back in a flash of clarity. The two of them had made passionate love in Celestia’s room until she nearly collapsed. They enjoyed each other’s embrace in post-coital bliss for a time until she realized that she needed to attend the Gala with her fellow Alicorns but could not in her current state without causing a scandal. Grey, ever the gentlestallion, had offered to excuse her tardiness while she recovered.

“I hope I am not too late.” Luna thought as she toweled off any lingering moisture from her body with one of the bed’s curtains. “Ugh. I gave Celestia grief about keeping the schedule and now look at me.”

The navy Alicorn recovered her undergarments and gown and redressed while checked her composure in the bedside mirror. After clearing off some smears and reapplying makeup borrowed from her sister's store where necessary, she was about to leave when she realized she had misplaced her tiara. Finding it under the bed, returned to the mirror to double-check everything. Satisfied that she looked every bit a proper Princess, Luna took a moment to consider how to best enter the Grand Ballroom.

“A royal entrance is customary but in the current political climate, it may be for the best if I just appear without fanfare.” The Nocturnal Alicorn planned as she visualized where she wanted to appear at the VIP table. “I hope I have not missed anything important.”

A flash of magic later and the navy Alicorn was gone, leaving the room in silence.

Beyond the scope of Canterlot, the bemused Lady of the Stars watched the ongoing Gala as if it were grand theater. She had some reservations about her apostle manifesting, if only for a few short moments, in the mortal world but she ultimately decided to let the Equestrian Usurper have her fun with the Khthonic Theoi. The poor fiend needed a break from plotting and scheming after all.

“Did you enjoy your rendezvous with the Hidden One, my apostle?” The primordial power asked lightly.

“Very much so. We only wish it could last longer.” Nightmare Moon sighed from her mental prison. “Wait, you were watching?”

“I am always watching.” The Lady said half in jest, half in warning. “But for the sake of modesty, I gave you and the Dark Lord some privacy once you went to Celestia’s room.”

“Ah, so you missed the part when he told me why he is here.” The usurper whispered conspiratorially. “He seeks your consort: the Lord of Darkness.”

“Is he now?” The malevolent presence perked up. “Well, well. I had long thought he had been consigned to oblivion. So he is imprisoned in Canterlot?”

“The Silent King thinks he is below the palace.” The dark Alicorn relayed what little her lover had told her. “I sent him to the dungeons.”

“Muh huh huh huh huh. How thoughtful.” The malevolent entity laughed regally. “The Hidden One has not forgotten his friends, even after an eternity in exile. To think, I may embrace my beloved once again in these strange eons.”

“It appears the magic of friendship is not as pure and righteous as Celestia would have the little ponies believe.” Nightmare Moon said with an air of vindication. “Does this development change any of our plans?”

“No.” The dark mare's benefactor answered. “If anything, it may expedite them.”

“Most excellent.” The Usurper said excitedly. “Those pitiful, insignificant, expendable little foals have no idea what is coming.”

Night-Captain Knight and the Merchant Princess trotted side by side down the quiet halls of Canterlot. They were alone for the most part with the exception of the odd Royal Guard they passed on patrol. Respectful nods or grunts of acknowledgment were all they gave the thestral and unicorn. Not about to get any conversation from his fellow guards, the bat-pony tried his luck with the autumn-maned mare.

"So, what exactly does a Merchant Princess do?" Knight asked casually. "Judging by your and Prince's accounts, it involves a lot of adventuring."

"Looking for a change in career, Night-Captain?" The ivory unicorn teased. "True, the Prince and I like to get out hooves dirty when the need arises but normally we prospect, invest, trade... you know, the stuff the makes the spice flow. "

"Spice, eh?" The thestral arched an eyebrow. "Is that how you built your fortune?"

"If you really want to know, you'll have to enter our employ." The Merchant Princess answered with a smile. "There's always space for one more in our abode."

"So grain estates? Salt mines? Wineries?" The bat-pony tossed out ideas but none seemed to stick. "Stars above, this is going to bug me the rest of the night."

"Hmhm. Depending on how his talk with your Princess goes, we may own some of those as well." The ivory mare giggled into a hoof as the nocturnal guard puzzled over her source of wealth.

Knight was about to press for more details when his guest suddenly froze. Further down the hall, a pair of Luminious Solarii were questioning a cornered member of the waitstaff. The thestral felt the fur on his neck stand on end as the unicorn shied away from the gilded guards.

"Poor colt probably didn't bow deep enough to Princess Celestia or something." The Night-Captain snorted irritably. "Here, let's go around."

"Do lets." The ivory mare whispered as they ducked down a side hall before they were noticed. "I have been warned about their lofty standards."

"That's putting it mildly." Knight grumbled. "If they had it their way, you'd be in a convent and I'd be a pile of ash."

"Wait, don't you both serve Equestria?" The Merchant Princess gave her escort a sideways look. "That sounds a bit intense for just interservice rivalry."

"They serve Princess Celestia." The thestral clarified. "And as far as they are concerned, we serve the 'arch-traitor'."

"Guilt by association? For something that happened ages ago?" The ivory mare frowned. "That hardly seems fair."

"It was more than association and the Solarii have long memories." Knight muttered darkly before he shook it off. "But that is all in the past."

"Night-Captain, if I've learned anything these past few months, it's that the past has a habit of makings its way to the present." The autumn-maned unicorn said knowingly. "What aren't you telling me? Is there more to the whole 'Nightmare Moon' episode?"

"Hmph, you're about as bad as those muckrakers camping out the red carpet." The chiropteran stallion rolled his eyes. "If you really want to know, you'll have to join the Night Guard. We always have room for new recruits."

"Huh, touche." The mare chuffed lightly. "Well, I'm about to rummage through her stuff so I'll probably find out anyway."

"Perhaps." Knight said coyly. "We're almost there so I guess we'll see how insightful you are."

The pair rounded a corner at an intersection and came to a set of reinforced doors. Much like the entrance to the Lunar Alicorn’s private chambers, the edifice was made of dark metal embossed with silvery symbols of the night sky with a pair of crescent moons flanking a small hole in the middle. The thestral approached the doors and stopped short.

“Could you turn around for a moment?” He asked as he fished beneath his armor for his keyring. “The way this key works with the lock is classified.”

“Oh, of course.” The ivory unicorn nodded as she faced the opposite wall and admired the bust of some long-gone noble. "We have similar vaults in the Mareterranean."

The sound of keys jingling followed by metallic grinding and the thestral muttering the steps to unlocking the door filled the vacant hallway. It continued for a few moments before it suddenly ended with a sharp click. Knight stowed his keychain and waited for hidden bolts to slide into place as the Merchant Princess turned back around.

“There we are.” The Night-Captain smiled as the doors opened inward. “Behold, the Trophy Gallery of the Princess of the Night.”

As the pair crossed the threshold, large braziers containing dimly glowing crystals brightened as if roused from slumber. The first thing they illuminated was the leering visage of a golden dragon, it's gaze fixed on the entrance as if it stood guard over its hoard. As the light spread, the gilded drake was revealed to be the figurehead of a ship that appeared to have been plucked straight from old piratical sea shanties. The light spread further still and revealed rows upon rows of glass cases and pedestals containing all manner of trinkets, weapons, armor and trophies.

“This could easily be mistaken for an armory.” The unicorn said as she looked around the impressive displays. “In fact, it might dwarf some.”

"She was known as a warrior-princess. Both she and her sister." Knight beamed proudly. "So how about we start with the obvious?"

"The pirate ship?" The Merchant Princess asked as she inspected the vessel. "Can you give me it's history or do I have to join the Night Guard for that too?"

"It's an old griffon brigantine back when most airships were literally just boats hooked up to balloons." The thestral explained as he indicated where the means of lift would have been. "The captain, whose name escapes me, had come into possession of the Element of Generosity, of all things. Long story short, Princess Luna retrieved it and there is one less pirate menacing the skies."

"This pirate, he didn't happen to be Griffish, did he?" The autumn-maned unicorn asked as the description of one of the Banished of Tartarus crept into her mind. "A privateer, perhaps?"

"No, I don't think so." Knight shook his head. "Why? Do you think there might be an unclaimed bounty?"

"There had better be otherwise the only thing of value would be the gold figurehead." The ivory mare said pointedly. "Failing that, a private collector or museum might give you a decent amount for the hulk."

"Hmm, we did a fair amount for that one griffoness. Can't hurt to check the old bulletins." The bat-pony muttered in thought before he spoke up again. "Alright, how about this?"

Thus began the disguised lich’s tour of the Princess of the Night’s past exploits. From the cracked necklace a feline sorceress to the shredded cloak of a porcine glass-witch, the Nocturnal Alicorn’s vanquished foes were diverse and plentiful. Knight proved to be a knowledgeable tour guide as he gave brief backstories to each trophy. The descriptive plates at the base of each display did not hurt either.

“And here is her highness’s latest addition.” The bat-pony said as he presented a large, horned and heat-warped helm. "The helmet of Dugore the Marked. I brought this back from the Revenant Isles myself."

"Then I doubt this one is up for sale." The Merchant Princess said simply as she read the plaque beneath the display. "Unless I'm mistaken, I thought the late Captain Armor slew the warlord."

"He did, may he rest in peace." Knight bowed his head in respect as his guest hid a knowing smile beneath a hoof. "Before you accuse Princess Luna of stealing credit, this is less a trophy and more to do with denying any Marked Legion fans a symbol to rally behind."

"Ah, I see." The ivory unicorn nodded in understanding. "Have you encountered any ex-legionnaires?"

"That's getting into Night Guard territory." The bat-pony warned. "All I can say is that the Legions as an organized threat have been wiped out."

"And sent down to us." The Archmage of Barathrum murmured as eyed the imposing helm. "Don't remember seeing you though..."

"All that aside, you're right in that I doubt Princess Luna wishes to sell this." The Night-Captain said as he guided his guest toward another part of the gallery. "Let's move on to some of the more serious hardware."

While most of the trophies up to that point had been mundane, depowered or otherwise harmless, the same could not be said for those in an isolated section. The magically attuned unicorn felt her fur stand on end as she beheld a panoply of ensorcelled arms and armor, one of which that stood out from the rest. Her guide seemed to feel a similar sensation as he visibly shuddered.

"Brr, there are some freaky magics in these things." The thestral explained with an edge of unease. "Take this shield for example. It is enchanted with what our scholars call a 'looking glass effect' in which the wielder could summon doppelgangers of their... Miss?"

The Night-Captain looked up to see his guest had moved on without him and had stopped before a unique display. Unlike the rest which simply had a case and plaque, this one was adorned with various warnings and the case itself was more akin to a vault. Fearing that the mare had been enthralled by some foul sorcery, Knight rushed after her in a gallop.

"Whatever it's whispering to you, don't listen!" The bat-pony shouted.

"What? No, I'm here. I'm here." The autumn-maned unicorn waved an assuring hoof. "Apologies, I did not mean to cause alarm. This one just caught my attention."

After double-checking for any signs of unwanted beguilement, the chiropteran stallion looked to the display. A soul-harrowing chill ran down his spine as he beheld a longsword well known to his kin. The blade, dark as polished obsidian and just as sharp, seemed to suck in the light around it. A fuller ran down from the weak of the blade toward the strong before splitting like a fork in a river around a core of smooth stygian crystal. Most striking about the weapon was the visage of a gaunt, hollow-eyed face set in the crossguard, mouth agape in a silent scream. The grip itself was made of the same crystalline material as the core while the pommel was a black pearl gripped in a four-pointed claw of cold iron.

"It looks like it was once a crystal dagger before the sword was built around it." The Merchant Princess indicated the design with a hoof. "And I don't need the warning labels to tell there are some powerful enchantments in this."

"I wouldn't know." Knight said seriously. "Only the original owner of this blade would; a fiendish yet proficient assassin."

"Do tell." The disguised lich asked even though she already had a good idea who.

"It was active during the early years of Equestria when we were more a confederation of other nations." The Night-Captain explained as he kept his gaze on the sinister sword. "The kings, queens, chiefs and other leaders of those nations began dying off; victims of this very blade. It was never confirmed but the prevailing theory was that anti-Equestrian parties put the hit on their heads."

"These royals turned collaborators, were they old?" The autumn-maned unicorn asked. "By old, I mean did they possess longevity."

"Uhh, I suppose so." The thestral hesitated as he considered the odd question. "It was not uncommon for the elite of the time to grab a few extra years through magic or other means. I think a few of the more brazen ones even asked the Alicorns for the key to their immorality."

"Uh-huh, and I bet some of them redoubled their efforts to match their immortality to keep whatever power they had under their new mast- I mean -Princesses." The incognito Archmage inferred with a bemused smirk. "There are those who look upon such works as, shall we say, heretical."

"Haha, you think religious zealots put the hit out on the old royals?" Knight fought back a laugh before a bolt of realization struck him. "Then again... the death cults..."

"Don't be so quick to laugh at the Great and Powerful Tri-!" The boastful unicorn caught herself at the last moment. "*Ahem* I meant to say do not be so dismissive of the great power those tricksters commanded."

"I've seen the damage zeal and fury can do once given direction." The Night-Captain said in a measured tone. "But speculation aside, this sword is definitely not for sale and would be better off destroyed."

"Judging by the fact that it hasn't been, I guess you have not found a way yet." The ivory mare glanced back at the blade and tapped a hoof to her chin. "Why not, say, drop it into the ocean or seal it in a vault and bury it?"

"In both cases, we risk a hippogryph or diamond dog finding the damn thing." The Night-Captain shook his head as if that had already been considered. "I think it is best to leave it to..."

The bat-pony’s ears perked up along with the unicorn’s as the tell-tale 'clip-clop' of hooves on stone echoed about the room. They both turned toward the entrance to see the thuggish figures of a burly earth pony and mean unicorn. Behind them was a second mundane equine and a pegasus that seemed distracted by the displays. Knight recognized the first pair as accomplices of Blueblood and had no doubt of the allegiances of the second.

"I gotta say, Luna kicked a lot of ass back in her day. Or should that be night?" The pegasus thug said after an appreciative whistle. "How the hell did they get a whole ship in here?"

"Magic probably." Lockpick answered with a shrug. "Now get your eyes off the goods and on the lookout for Luna's bloodsuckers."

"Like that one?" Block pointed to a sneering Knight as he came into view.

The thugs instantly focused on the thestral and froze. The Night-Captain briefly hoped his presence would be enough to scare them off but it was not to be as the unicorn approached with a fake smile. The bat-pony narrowed his predatory eyes and the goon slowed his pace.

"Evening, officer." The intruder said confidently as his more brutish partner came up from behind him. "Did we catch you on a donut break?"

"You are trespassing." Knight said bluntly.

"Really? The door was open." Lockpick feigned confusion as he gestured to the still open doors. "No matter, we're not here for Luna's trinkets."

"We'd just like a word with that little lady behind you." The pegasus added as he shot the Merchant Princess a less-than-chaste smirk. "How you doing?"

"You'll never know." The ivory unicorn scrunched up her nose in disgust.

"I'll make this easy on all of us." Lockpick chimed back in. "She comes with us and we'll get out of your mane. How's that sound?"

The thestral let out a low hiss as he put himself between the thugs and his charge, fangs bared and stance low. Block seemed unnerved but his partner merely rolled his eyes and sighed. With a tilt of his head, he signaled the pegasus and other earth pony to shut the doors, cutting off the only escape route.

"Fine, have it your way." Lockpick dropped the formalities as he ignited his horn. "Take care of the bat and grab the tramp."

"Assaulting an officer of the guard and abduction of a foreign dignitary." Knight rattled off with an air of incredulity. "That's life behind bars at best, extradition to the Mareterranean at worse."

"Rules change, batty." The pegasus said as he took to the air while the other three advanced. "But I guess you won't have to worry about that."

Realizing that he would not be able to talk or scare down the thugs, the Night-Captain took stock of their situation. His primary concern was getting the Merchant Princess out of harm's way and call in help. To do so, he would need to clear a path to the doors and buy her enough space and time to get them open. While he was outnumbered and surrounded by the thugs, the chiropteran stallion was confident he just needed an opening to retake the initiative. His keen eyes drifted toward the airborne pegasus and the brazier of glowing crystals he was hoving near.

"On my signal, hit the lights." He whispered to the ivory mare. "I'll keep them occupied, you loop around the ship to the doors; get out and call for help."

"Check." The unicorn nodded as she focused on the closest brazier.

"Last chance, captain." Lockpick warned. "Give us the mare and-!"

The thug did not get a chance to finish as Knight suddenly flared his wings with a woosh of air. The autumn-maned unicorn took that as the sign to blast the hanging brazier with a stream of magic. The Night-Captain had thought she would cut the chains and drop the light on the pegasus only to be surprised when she elected to overcharge the crystals instead. With a blinding flash, the illuminating rocks exploded in a shower of razor-thin slivers and twisted metal. The pegasus was sent hurtling to the floor as the blast knocked out the remaining lights and plunged the gallery into near darkness. The bat-pony shot up into the air with a beat of his wings as the Merchant Princess dove for cover. A flurry of bolts from Lockpick tore through displays and the floor but the two had already vanished.

"Oh shit! This is bad!" The hitherto silent earth pony shouted in clear terror. "He's gonna kill us!"

"Shut up and check on the featherhead." His unicorn boss ordered as he ignited his horn for a modicum of light. "Block, did you see where they went?"

"I'm still seeing stars from that blast." The larger thug blinked rapidly to clear his vision. "Sorry."

"Alright then, new plan." Lockpick grumbled. "You two stay by the door. Block and I will look for the mare. Shout if you see anything."

From his inverted vantage on the benighted ceiling, Knight studied the goons' movements with predatory intent. Thanks to the ivory unicorn he now had the advantage of stealth and mobility but his top priority was still getting her to safety. Said unicorn was still in the 'hardware' section of the gallery, hiding behind displays as Lockpick's light washed over the area. Seeking to both draw their attention and remove another pawn, the bat-pony dropped from his perch and silently glided down to the unnamed pegasus and earth pony.

"Ugh, fucking hell." The wounded thug groaned as his partner tried to rouse him. "I blinked, what hit me?"

"The Merchantress blew up the lights." The grounded equine explained with a wince. "You're lucky it didn't burn off all your feathers."

"I don't even want to look." The pegasus averted his eyes with a shudder. "I swear I'm gonna rip off that bitch's horn and shove it...!"

"She's right behind me, isn't she?" The earth pony grimaced as a look of horror came over his partner.

"Guess again." Knight whispered to his suddenly pale victim.

A quick gasp was all the thug could get out before the larger thestral enveloped him and shot back up into the darkness. The injured pegasus could only painfully drag himself away as he imagined what horrible things the reputed vampire was doing to his partner. There was a moment of stillness before a bloodcurdling scream echoed throughout the gallery followed by the earth pony dropping from the ceiling. He stopped with a jerk in midair, strung up by one of the chains that once held the braziers where he thrashed and wriggled like a caught fish.

"What happened?" Block shouted as he and Lockpick ran back to their cohorts.

"Get me down!" The hapless thug screamed. "He's gonna eat me!"

"Hand on, I got you." The unicorn said as he ignited his horn and took aim. "Stop wiggling or I'll hit you."

The panicked goon did not oblige as he continued to flail his legs wildly. In his efforts to hit a small and moving target, Lockpick missed with a burst of shots and hit the ceiling above. The flash of one of these impacts briefly illuminated the inverted Night-Captain, his slitted eyes focused on the leader of the brutes. Lockpick let out a startled neigh as the nocturnal officer dropped from his perch with a hellish screech. The thestral slammed into the unicorn and knocked him flat.

"Lock!" Block shouted as Knight pulled his stunned quarry up onto his hind legs with his forelegs hooked under Lockpick's.

"Don't move!" The bat-pony hissed with his fangs a hairsbreadth away from the unicorn's neck. "Tell him to surrender or I help myself to a snack."

"Argh! Watch the teeth!" Lockpick cringed away from the thestrals breath as he gave his partner a knowing look. "Back off, Block. The 'kick backs' aren't worth it."

"But you said they were enough to- oh!" The thuggish earth pony's eyes lit up in realization. "Okay. Take it easy. I'm backing off."

"Smart stallion." Knight muttered. "Now, you're under arrest and we are-!"

Lockpick suddenly went limp, his weight throwing the bat-pony off balance. As the thestral fought to keep his prisoner standing, Block reared back and bucked the Dugore display at the Night-Captain. As the horned helm flew at his head like a cannonball, the bat-pony dragged Lockpick up to absorb some of the impact but not fast enough to completely shield himself. The helmet of the draconic marauder smacked into the two with a heavy clang, knocking off the officer and bruising the thug.

"Gah! You stupid idiot!" Lockpick cried out as he favored a shoulder. "That could have killed me!"

"I was aiming for the bat." Block said defensively.

Saving his beratement for later, the unicorn scrambled away as the Night-Captain slid across the floor and come to the stop below the ship. His armor had prevented the horns from skewering him but the sheer weight of Dugore's headgear had knocked the wind out of him. Before he could recover, Block took the initiative and charged him like a freight train. The earth pony drove Knight into the bow with a thud and grappled with him. The two kicked and thrashed against each other as Knight attempted to throw off Block yet the heavier equine held fast.

"Hold him still, blockhead!" Lockpick growled as he attempted to get a bead on the bat-pony.

"Keep his wings pinned!" The still grounded pegasus warned as he saw his partner's grip slip.

With a woosh, the thestral's wings flared and he took to the air with Block still latched onto his back. Unlike the stunt he pulled with the smaller earth pony, the considerably heavier thug slowed his ascent and made him a target with wings. With a vengeful smirk, Lockpick charged up his horn and fired. The blast caught one of Knight’s wings and he awkwardly crashed back to the floor with Block pinning him under his bulk with his hooves wrapped around his neck.

“Alright!” The strung up goon cheered from his vantage. "Now stomp the shit out of him!"

"Gladly." Lockpick grinned. "While you're up there, keep an eye out for the mare."

Keeping his forelegs away from the thestral’s fangs, Block adjusted his grip and forced Knight's head against the floor. His unicorn partner wasted no time in driving his hooves into the thestral's exposed barrel and flanks. The bat-pony continued to struggle against the villains even as his ribs cracked and flesh bruised.

*KRRSHK-ting ting*

The distinctive crash and light tingling of shattering glass caused everyone to look up. A sickly emerald light briefly illuminated the armory section of the gallery before the darkness returned. Immediately, Knight's mind went to changelings but a gut feeling told him it was something much worse.

"I got movement!" The suspended stallion shouted. "Up on the ship!"

All eyes shifted toward the centerpiece of the gallery. Standing atop the figurehead was the familiar silhouette of the Merchant Princess. A light chuckle went through the stallions save for the injured pegasus and keen-eyed thestral.

“Ah, there you are!” Lockpick grinned as he gestured to the mess around him. “Nowhere to run now, Princess, so you might as well come on down and cut your losses!”

“Oh, the Great and Powerful Trixie intends to...” The former merchantress declared.

The thug's confidence evaporated as an azure unicorn leap down from the gold dragon with a black blade held in her magic. The goon jumped back as the sword swung down with a soul hollowing wail and bit into the floor where he had been standing a split second before. Trixie yanked the cursed weapon out of the ground and held it at the ready in magically conjured hands of negative light.

“…starting with you.” The Archmage of Barathrum sneered with murder in her glowing eyes.

"Does it go under the left or right foreleg?" The new Captain of the Guard Flash Sentry muttered as he fought with the sash of his dress uniform. "Left shoulder, right leg. There we go. Okay, should I wear this cologne or not?"

"I can smell that from out here so no." Guardsmare Lorica said through the door to the washroom. "Whatever soap you used this morning is more than enough."

The orange pegasus heeded the advice of the mare and checked himself in the mirror one last time. His uniform was clean and pressed, his mane had been rid of helmet hair and the fatigue had been washed out of his face. The stallion struck a few poses ranging from dignified to suave to better gage his appearance.

"Sun above, you are adorable." Lorica said lightly from the doorway. "Hoping to impress somepony, Captain?"

"Gah!" Sentry nearly jumped into the ceiling at the sudden intrusion. "Knock first!"

"Sorry, I was worried you had fallen in." The unicorn smirked as she ran an appreciative eye over the officer. "I'm ready if you are."

The uniformed pegasus took one last look in the mirror before exiting the washroom and trotted briskly down the hall. The still armored mare followed closely behind with a duffle bag containing her superior's armor. As the stream of party-goers slowed and seemingly stopped, the guards at the gate had finally been relieved. With a token force now keeping an eye out for the fashionably late, Sentry had granted the guards leave to attend the party or retire for the night. He himself was due for the gala and expected to make the journey alone but the guardsmare Lorica had decided to accompany him, not that he minded.

"I do appreciate you acting as an armor bearer." He said politely as the unicorn grumbled and fidgeted with the bag. "But if it's too much, I can take that to my quarters myself."

"It's not that." The charcoal unicorn grunted as she rolled her shoulders. "This armor is chaffing."

"It shouldn't. Our sets are custom-fitted and I recall you had yours adjusted recently." Sentry slowed his pace until he was alongside the guardsmare. "The undershirt may have bunched up. Stand still so I can-!"

"No, no. I got it." Lorica shied away from his helpful hooves as she gripped the straps of her armor in her magic. "I think I just pulled these too tight."

The mare gave herself some slack and heaved a sigh of relief as something shifted beneath her armor. Sentry, one hoof still in the air to offer aid, froze as the unicorn inadvertently gave him a glimpse of her shapely rear. Whether she was aware of it or not, the tall guardsmare said nothing as she secured her now more comfortable suit to her body. The Captain snapped out of his brief trance and lowered his hoof as Lorica shouldered the bag and gave him a contented smile. The pegasus could only return it as they resumed their trot.

"I should have planned ahead like you and brought a change of clothes." The mare said casually. "So are you going to give a speech to the nobility or something?"

"Sun and Stars willing, no." Sentry shook his head. "As a public official, I must attend but nothing is mandated beyond that."

"Then why bother changing out of your armor?" The charcoal unicorn arched an eyebrow.

"Uhh, remember when you asked if I was hoping to impress somepony?" The pegasus asked sheepishly.

"Ahh, I see." Lorica's eyes twinkled with mischievous glee. "May I ask who?"

"No, it's just wishful thinking on my part." A now furiously blushing Sentry tried his best to remain composed. "She's way out of my league."

"You're Captain of the Solar Guard! You're out of the league of most every-!" The unicorn lit up as it dawned on her. "Holy Sunlight, she's a Princess!"

"I told you it was wishful thinking!" The orange stallion hung his head in shame. "She's beautiful, brilliant, braver than most guards I know and... honestly forget the league, we're not in the same sport!"

"He who dares wins, Captain." The guardsmare said encouragingly. "You're right in everything you said but she may find that modesty becoming."

"You know what, you're right." The stallion nodded resolutely. "I'm already wearing my best, I just need to keep my act together and see it through."

"That's the spirit." The unicorn gave him a surprisingly hearty pat on the back. "To be honest, your title and virility alone will be enough to earn her interest."

"Well, I like to think there is more to me than..." Sentry trailed off as her words registered. "Wait, which Princess are you talking about?"

"Celestia, obviously." Lorica answered incredulously. "What, you meant one of the others? Fires below! Not Luna!"

"Eh! No!" The pegasus grimaced slightly despite himself. "Twilight, I mean, Princess Sparkle."

"Oh, her." The charcoal unicorn said simply as her previous excitement evaporated. "Well, if she really is who you want..."

"You sound disappointed." The orange stallion said with a frown.

"No, I just thought a stallion like you had..." The guardsmare sucked air between her teeth as she thought of the right phrase. "...loftier ambitions."

"A plain pegasus wishes to court the newest Princess of Equestria." The Captain reiterated his goal. "How is that not ambitious?"

"You're aiming for the skies when you could hit the Sun." Lorica insisted. "Celestia has so much more to offer than her pupil."

"Ugh, I'm not getting into another 'who is best Princess' debate." Sentry interrupted with an irritable snort. "Let's just agree that there is a Princess for everypony and leave it at that."

"Fine, fine." The unicorn relented. "Just keep what I said in mind."

"Do my ears deceive me?" An imperious voice cut off the conversation from behind them. "Whispers of a conspiracy within Her Radiance's very halls?"

The pegaus and unicorn turned to see the brilliant visage of a trio of solarii approaching them. While two were suited in the polished gold of the rank-and-file, their leader was trimmed with the immaculate white of an officer. Sentry straightened up and snapped a crisp salute to his elite counterpart.

"Commander Early Light." The Captain of the Guard greeted professionally. "No, just the idle talk of two off duty guards."

"Indeed but see that 'off duty' does not translate to 'off guard'." The Solarii Commander returned the salute but remained at attention. "And mind that your idle tongues lest they start spouting heresy."

"I'll cut it out myself if it does." The pegasus said in jest but earned no reaction from the elite of the Solar Guard. "Have your patrols uncovered anything, Commander?"

"Nothing beyond the usual iniquities that so plague this land." Light nickered in righteous indignation. "Yet vigilance must be maintained."

"Now more than ever." Lorica concurred from slightly behind her Captain. "You know... with the Breach and all..."

"Of course." The luminous mare's gaze lingered on the unicorn for a moment before it returned to Sentry. "May I confined something in you, Captain Sentry?"

"I'm all ears." The now intrigued pegasus leaned in and perked up his ears.

"I fear our best efforts have been for naught." The Commander said in a low, serious tone. "Something profane lurks in these hallowed halls; darkness wearing the mask of integrity."

"What do you think?" Sentry asked as he became aware of every hint of movement and draft of air. "Demon? Changeling? Fiend?"

"I wish I could say. It is like an ache that will not shift." Light grunted in frustration. "I have felt it before over a thousand years ago and it is just as keen now."

"I see." The orange stallion frowned as a slight chill crept down his spine. "I'll send word to increase patrols but as you said, the best we can do is maintain vigilance."

"I do not mean to cast a pall over our Glorious Matron's festivities but I have learned not to ignore these trepidations." The Solarii said in an appreciative tone as she trotted pass along with her cohorts. "May the Sun drive back these shadows."

The Guard Captain was about to salute again in farewell when the Commander suddenly stopped before Lorica. The elite transfixed the slightly taller mare with her piercing gaze as her pure white horn began to glow. The charcoal unicorn, for her part, stood her ground yet was clearly on her guard.

"See something you like, Commander?" The guardsmare tried her hoof at disarming humor but met the same result as Sentry.

"Not at all." Light all but spat in disgust. "You've wandered into darkness and it has left it's defiling touch on you."

"You got me: I did a lot of stupid things when I was a young beautiful filly full of rage." Lorica held up her hooves in mock surrender. "One of the reasons I joined the Guard; to straighten my life out."

"So you are penitent at least." The Solarii continued the impromptu interrogation as she took a threatening step forward. "And this?"

The pegasus was about to come to his companion's defense when Light grasped something in her magic and lifted it off the charcoal mare's armor. A single feather, sun-bleached white in hue with an orange trim like a glowing ember, hovered between the two mares. Lorica shifted uneasily as if her previous chaffing had returned.

"That must have come off Captain Sentry's armor here." The mare explained as she unzipped the bag to show it's contents. "Surely you are not accusing us of, uh, fornication."

"Not an unreasonable conclusion, guardsmare." The Solarii responded evenly as she looked over the fit equine. "What say you, Captain?"

"Lorica is just doing me a favor." Sentry said as he stood by his college. "I'm due to make an appearance at the gala and she was just saving me a trip to my quarters."

The Commander said nothing as she weighed their testimonies. After a tense moment, she relaxed her stance and stepped away from the pair. The pegasus let out a breath he did not know he was holding but the unicorn appeared to be biting back words.

"Very well then." Light relented but incinerated the offending feather in a flash of light. "Just remember that a moment of indulgence can lead to an eternity of damnation. Guard yourselves as surely as you guard Her city."

With that, the Luminious Solarii saluted in farewell and resumed their patrol. It was only after they rounded a corner that the two felt like they could relax completely.

"I can see why Princess Celestia usually keeps them locked away on the sun." Sentry grimaced as he placed a comforting hoof on the mare's back. "Felt like I was doing wing-ups in front of my drill sergeant again."

"The audacity!" The mare seethed as her eyes flickered gold. "The very essence of their goddess stands before them yet all they see is that witch's stain!"

"Lorica?" The stallion asked as he felt heat emanating from the trembling mare. "You alright?"

"Impertinent little-!" The unicorn snorted as she composed herself. "Nothing. I'm fine."

"Don't let her get to you." The Captain assured his fellow guard. "You had a rough and rowdy past, so what?"

"Well, the past has a habit of coming back to bite you." Lorica sighed. "But thanks anyway, Captain."

Sentry flashed her a warm smile as the two continued down the hall. The pegasus was tempted to ask who the tell-tale feather belong to as it certainly was not his but decided not to pry. Before long, they came to an intersection that marked their parting.

"Thanks again for carrying my stuff." Sentry said genuinely. "There's a spare key in the bag. You can just leave it on my bed."

"Captain, if I didn't know any better, I'd say that was an invitation." The unicorn shot her companion a sly smile. "Enjoy the party and good luck with Sparkle."

"Good night, Lorica." The orange stallion rolled his eyes as he waved off the tall guardsmare and trotted to the ballroom.

The remainder of his uneventful trip was punctuated by the crisp salutes of the guards stationed just outside the gala. Sentry automatically returned them and paused just before the doors, the muted sounds of revelry just beyond. After taking one last moment to prepare himself, the Captain pushed through a beheld a churning sea of equinity. Across the mob of gossiping nobility, hawking merchants and festive gentry was the orange stallion's objective: the Royal VIP Table and the mares who sat at it. Reaching it would be difficult as he would have to contend with the various well-to-do who sought his attention, some of which were already approaching him with keen intent. Fortunately, Sentry found aid in the form of a pink ball of boundless energy.

"Hi! Captain Sentry!" Pinkie appeared before the pegasus in a flash of confetti. "Ooh~ Looking sharp! I likey-likey."

"Thanks, Miss Pie." The stallion returned her infectious smile even as he brushed off some of the glossy favors. "I'd ask if you're enjoying the party but clearly you are."

"Heehee." The party pony giggled as she bounced in place. "So can I get you some cake? I whipped up something extra-"

"Actually, I have a favor to ask." Sentry interrupted as he stole glances at the distant table. "Is, um, Princess Sparkle still here?"

"Yeah until she moves outside for the fireworks." Pinkie nodded. "Why?"

"Well, I don't know how long I'll be entertaining guests." The stallion explained as several equines surrounded them. "I was hoping I could... get a dance... you know..."

"Ahh, I gotcha." The Element of Laughter gave him a knowing wink. "You can count on me."

Sentry did not get a chance to express his gratitude as the pink pony zipped away. Left alone with the crowd of expectant nobility, the Captain slapped on his best politician's smile and waded in. As the orange stallion made friends of varying genuity, a purple mare found herself with the opposite problem.

“This is not quite what I was hoping for.” Princess Twilight Sparkle thought as she half-heartedly poked at a piece of cake. “But I should be grateful we have made it this far without some disaster befalling us.”

The lavender Alicorn originally planned to spend the majority of her time at the Gala with her friends as soon as she had finished her royal greeting duties. Unfortunately, circumstances had conspired against her and her friends were scattered around the palace. Besides Princess Celestia who appeared to be lost in a little paradise as she munched on yet another slice of cake, the Alicorn of Magic was joined by a very happy Applejack who had sold her entire stock within the opening hours of the Gala and an equally happy Rainbow Dash who was fresh from a ‘Wonderbolt pre-game party’, in her own words.

"Although 'fresh' might not be the best choice of words." The youngest Princess noted as her prismatic friend swayed in her seat.

As for Sparkle's absent friends, Fluttershy and Discord had snuck off to the palace gardens where the draconequus indulged his chaotic impulses by mixing and matching the animals that lived there. The kindly pegasus had objected to this but relented when she discovered that the animals were unharmed by the experience and some seemed to enjoy it. Plus she finally got a chance to mingle with the normally skittish creatures. The Alicorn had learned all this courtesy of the energetic Pinkie Pie who was attempting to be in multiple places at once by zipping between her friend’s locations. The friendly baker's latest appearance brought word that Rarity was still outside cooling off her temper with the guard.

“I hope that is all she is doing.” Sparkle thought with a faint sense of worry. “The rumor mill is already churning out trash, hate to add fuel to it.”

“Excuse me, Twilight.” Celestia whispered as she leaned over and pointed to her slice of cake with only a single bite out of it. “Are you going to finish that?”

“How many have you had?” She asked before she quickly realized she was using a scolding tone usually reserved for Spike. “Oh, not to imply that you can’t have as much as you want.”

“No, No. It is quite alright.” The Solar Alicorn tore her gaze away from the savory slice of moist chocolate cake with sweet vanilla frosting and succulent strawberry slices. “I have had enough. Time to put down the fork, Celly.”

“You sound like you are trying to have an intervention, dear sister.” Luna said as she appeared without ceremony and took her seat on the other side of Celestia. “At least you left a quarter of the cake for the rest of us.”

Everypony else at the VIP table involuntary jumped in their seats at the Nocturnal Alicorn’s sudden entrance. The navy Princess paid them no mind as she cut a thin slice of cake for herself. She munched on a small bite for a bit before she spoke again.

“I do apologize for my tardiness.” Luna said plainly as she took a sip of water. “I was…held up.”

“Where you now?” Celestia, recovering from her earlier surprise, broke into a mischievous grin. “He must have some impressive stamina if he lasted that long with you.”

The normally composed nocturnal Alicorn nearly choked on her drink. She managed to swallow painfully and regard her elder sister with a horrified expression.

“What did he tell you?” She demanded. “I swear, if he made me out to be a depraved horse, I will-“

“Ah, so you were with a stallion.” The Solar Alicorn mercilessly teased. “I suspected as much.”

“What?” The now blushing Lunar Alicorn tried to ask only to realize that she had given herself away. “How?”

“We weren’t spying, Princess Luna.” Sparkle said as a blush of sympathetic embarrassment crept into her features. “It’s just…well…the moon was-“

“Jumping 'round the sky like ah cat on ah hot tin roof.” Applejack finished for her as she hid her own blush beneath her hat. “It was *ahem* a mighty fine show.”

“In this context, some of their motions have a whole new meaning.” The studious Princess mentally mused.

“Not as amazing as *hic* the show that lucky colt *hic* got.” Dash slurred as she gave Luna a lecherous smile. “So who *hic* was it? I’ve heard you Princesses *hic* have a thing for guards.”

“Oh, you hush!” Applejack admonished the tipsy weather mare with a light tap on her nose as the alabaster and lavender Alicorns looked away guiltily. “Save that kinda talk fer your lockerroom friends.”

“Ha! That was *hic* nothing!” Dash tried to retaliate but only slumped onto the table. “I swear you're just as *hic* prissy as *hic* Rarity."

"Am not!" The blonde mare nickered.

“Hmhm. Well, it appears we are all having a good night so far.” Celestia turned away from the bickering friends with a short titter. “You have nothing to be embarrassed about, Lulu. The guests think you just put on a display for them as part of tonight’s entertainment.”

“It was still supposed to be a private rendezvous.” Luna muttered quietly before something dawned on her and she gave her teasing sister a devious smile of her own. “I soundproofed your room and everything.”

“My room? Why did you-!” The alabaster Alicorn’s face morphed from confusion to indignant outrage. “You didn’t!”

“Oh, but I did.” The navy Alicorn’s grin grew wider. “Remember to change your sheets before you retire for the night…and blankets…and pillows. In fact, you should just get a new bed for we were most vigorous.”

“Do not think about it!” Sparkle commanded herself as Luna gave her silently fuming sister a taunting hip shimmy.

The Grand Galloping Gala continued in relative peace. Celestia eventually conceded that Luna had achieved victory in their ongoing but friendly sibling rivalry and quietly ordered a servant to have her room cleaned and refurbished. Still, Sparkle could tell that her former teacher was plotting how to get back at her nocturnal counterpart; she could see it in her violet eyes. Applejack finally had enough of Dash’s drunken insinuations and took the cider away from the prismatic pegasus. The weather-pony was none too pleased and the two became embroiled in a seated game of keep away. It was then that Rarity finally joined the table, escorted by the same guard who had saved her from herself. The poor stallion appeared to be at his wit's end yet nevertheless politely kissed the pearl unicorn's fetlock before excusing himself.

"That's the look of a colt who has done the 'smile-and-nod' for too long." The Princess of Magic gave him a thankful nod as he departed. "I've seen the same look on Shining and dad."

“Welcome back, Rare.” Applejack greeted her as their cider-loving friend reached for her vice. "Mind taggin' in here?"

"Come now, darling, that is most uncouth!" The fashionista scolded as she grabbed the pegasus by her tail with her magic and sat her down. "How are you drunk already?"

"Don't diss *hic* my pre-game mastery." Dash sulked like a troublesome foal. "At least I didn't *hic* try to spike Blueblood with *hic* the punch."

"About that, I know the Prince can be... difficult." Celestia chimed in seriously. "I won't say it was undeserved but you may have taken it too far."

"You're right, to my shame." Rarity raised a dainty hoof to her head in a dramatic fashion. "Should our paths cross again, I shall offer my sincerest apologies."

"Stars above." Luna muttered with a spectacular roll of her eyes.

As the night wore on, a few of the guests moved outside to dance under the moonlight or get good seats for the fireworks show. It was then that Sparkle realized that the finale of the pyrotechnics was in jeopardy as Dash was currently too drunk to trot let alone fly. Applejack must have had the same thought as she tried to get through her friend's inebriated stupor.

"Don't you have a stunt to pull, RD?" The blonde mare reminded the prismatic pegasus. "Or am ah gonna have to get Fluttershy to do it?"

"Flitter *hic* flutter, how does she *hic* fly with those giant ud-!" Dash suddenly sat bolt upright in a moment of sobriety. "Huh! The Sonic Rainboom! I gotta do it!"

The still tipsy mare turned to Rarity who already had her horn aglow. Dash froze as certain memories refreshed themselves in her mind and gave the unicorn a sheepish grin. She then turned back to Applejack as the fashionista turned up her nose with an indignant nicker.

"Can you help *hic* me out, AJ?" The weather-pony did her best to look pitiful. "I'd probably *hic* smack into a *hic* tower if I flew like this!"

"Might knock some sense into that hard head of yours." The orange earth pony huffed as she caught some telling looks from the Alicorns. "Alright, let's get over to the kitchens. Ah know something that might perk ya up."

"Oh, thank *hic* you!" Dash sighed as the two got up from their seats. "I swear I'll *hic* send the best rain clouds over *hic* your farm."

"If you remember in the mornin'." The honest farmer let her friend use her as support as they made their way to the palace kitchens.

"Should we cancel the finale?" Celestia whispered to Sparkle.

"No. Applejack has it under control." The youngest Alicorn shook her head. "I hope."

"I'm certain she does, darling." Rarity said briskly as she cut herself a slice of cake. "Of course, I could have set our little Dashie right as rain but if she wants to try a homebrew method, I won't stop her."

"Odd considering she went to her the last time she drank too much." The Princess of Magic thought. "Something must have happened."

With another crisis averted, the heroines and Princesses settled back into idle chat amongst themselves and the odd passerby. Sparkle was just about to ask Rarity if she had fully recovered from her earlier episode when a pink blur rushed up to the table. The lavender Alicorn found herself nose-to-nose with a widely grinning Pinkie Pie.

“Hey, Pinkie.” The youngest Princess greeted as she gently eased her friend out of her space. “Cake?”

"Don't mind if I do." The party pony helped herself to the confection that had shrunk to a single slice. "Mmm, that's good. So, you staying long?"

"We'll be moving outside for the fireworks in a few minutes." The stickler for schedules said with a glance at the sky. "I hope we can all get together for that."

“We will, we will.” Pinkie assured her. “Just don't get in a hurry."

“Why?” The Alicorn asked curiously. "We're right on schedule."

"Oh, no reason." The Element of Laughter said innocently. "You just shouldn't be constantly checking the time. Relax. Have a dance, maybe."

"She has a point, darling." Rarity concurred. "I'm fairly certain we've had this lesson already but it still stands."

"I thought I was doing pretty good today." Sparkle said defensively.

"You are!" The pink baker quickly clarified. "I just don't want you missing out."

"On what?" The now suspicious Alicorn arched an eyebrow. "Pinkie, what are you planning?"

"Uhh." The party mare hesitated guiltily. "Well... you see..."

“S-she was just testing the waters for a guard's only party.” Somepony answered from above. "Don't think she'll go for it, Miss Pie."

"I was?" Pinkie asked as a certain orange pegasus alighted before the table. "I mean, yeah! Maybe next time, Captain."

"Thanks for your help." Sentry whispered to the pink mare as he bowed before the Princesses and heroines.

"Got her all warmed up for you." Pinkie whispered back with a wink.

“Ah, Captain Sentry.” Celestia gestured for the new Captain of the Guard to rise. “Welcome.”

“I would remind you that there are proper channels to request a day of rest for your troops.” Luna reprimanded lightly. "Now, do you have anything to report?"

“Nothing of note, your highness.” Sentry reported before he faced the lavender Alicorn with a hint of a blush. “But I was wondering if Princess Sparkle would like to join me for a date- I mean -dance."

"Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes!" The Alicorn of Magic cheered in her head.

“A dance? Me?” The bookish mare hesitated as her own cheeks turned red. "I don't know. I'm not wearing the right shoes, we are about to head outside-"

"For goodness sake, Twilight. You're going to give the poor colt a heart attack." Rarity gave her friend a convincing nudge. "Just go."

"Do it!" Her own thoughts commanded.

"But..." Sparkle looked around to see both her friends and former mentor giving her encouraging smiles. "...okay."

“Really?” Sentry whinnied happily before he coughed into a foreleg and composed himself. “*Ahem* I don't want to pressure you. If you really don't want -Mmph!”

"She already said 'yes', Captain." Luna cut him off as she held his mouth shut with her magic. "Stop talking and offer her a hoof."

Sentry nodded as he did just that. Much to the surprise of everypony, the youngest Alicorn cleared the table with an excited flap of her wings and joined her new partner. Together, the furiously blushing couple trotted out into the hall. Their passage earned a few cheers of approval and more than a few glares of jealousy from mare and stallion alike. Celestia watched them go with a proud smile.

“I was wondering when one of them would make the first move.” The Solar Alicorn said wistfully. “I just didn't expect it to be you, Pinkie Pie.”

“Always happy to help.” Pinkie said cheerfully as she took a seat beside Rarity. “I didn't really need toooOooOO~”

The former rock farmer suddenly began vibrating as if she was caught in a quake. She teetered precariously before falling face-first into the table and sliding to the floor. The pearl unicorn quickly left her seat and held her friend steady.

“Pinkie! Are you alright?” Rarity asked as she kept the pink pony from imitating a woodpecker with the marble floor. "Is this your 'Pinkie Sense' flaring up?"

Both Princesses stood to render assistance for the Element of Laughter as her coat went white and back but as suddenly as the episode came on, it passed. Her fit had attracted curious looks from some of the guests but a stern glare from Luna sent them on their way.

“Bla…ha…woo!” Pinkie gasped as she rubbed her sore muzzle. “That was a big one.”

“How big?” Rarity asked urgently. “Not another Breach, I hope.”

“No, but still a doozy.” Pinkie shook her head as she sat up. “And soon.”

"Perhaps we should have the guards conduct a sweep." Celestia suggested. "Double check our wards and auspices."

"I agree but have the Solarii do it." Luna added seriously. "I will order my Umbrals to do the same."

The Alicorn of the Day regarded her counterpart with a curious look. She normally had little to say about the sun-blessed templars beyond begging her to return them to their sanctum. The Princess of the Night read her expression and shot sidelong glances at the unicorn and earth pony.

"Rarity? Pinkie Pie? I need a moment alone with my sister." The navy Alicorn more ordered than asked.

"Of course, your highness." The pearl fashionista nodded. "Come along, Pinkie. Let's find some ice for that nose."

"You know you can trust them." Celestia said critically as the two heroines trotted away.

"Their loyalty, yes, but not their discretion." Luna whispered as she leaned in close. "I have learned of a conspiracy against us."

"There seems to be a new one every week." The elder Princess jested but fell serious when her sister only frowned. "What do you know?"

The Alicorn of the Night told of what she knew of Blueblood's backroom politicking and the corruption seeping into the Royal and Solar Guards. The Solar Princess listened raptly as her mood slowly darkened. By the time her sister finished, she was practically fuming.

"Rarity did not hit him hard enough." Celestia stated flatly. "And you heard all this from the Merchants?"

"Not the most trustworthy source, I know, but my Night-Captain believed them and so do I." Luna nodded. "This plot may well be the 'doozy' Pinkamena foretold."

"Perhaps." The alabaster Alicorn sighed deeply as she looked out into the crowd full of potential traitors. "Beyond Blueblood and those in that room, do we know who else is involved?"

"No but I intend to find out." The dream striding Princess said resolutely. "Our 'nephew' is in for some restless nights."

"Good." Celestia nodded in agreement as she sent a telepathic order to her Solar elites to be on alert. "Thank you for telling me, sister. For once, we might be ahead of a crisis."

The Canterlot Palace dungeons were a grim reflection of the elegant and regal superstructure above. Dark and foreboding stonework reinforced the semi-natural caves that reached deep into the mountain. Separating the prison from the rest of the keep was a single guardhouse; the only conventional way in and out of the warrens. The checkpoint was designed with all the amenities for a sizable garrison yet currently there were only a few guards on rotation at the post. Given the near vacancy of the prison and the consensus that something was 'off' in the undercroft, most guardsponies considered 'basement duty' a job for slackers, disobedient recruits or other guards that needed to be kept out of the way. One such example was seated at the visitation desk with his hooves propped up and a lewd magazine over his sleeping eyes. So deep was his slumber that not even the Silent King himself manifesting in mid-air amiss a flash of lunar magic disturbed him.

"Shhh!" The pale Theoi shushed as he did his best to land quietly.

The snoozing guard grumbled something and shifted in his seat but continued to snore. The ancient King remained still for a few more moments before he straightened up and took stock of his surroundings. While Nightmare Moon had not exactly sent him to the dungeons, a barred gate and signposts told him he was close enough.

"Between using borrowed magic and teleporting something like me, I should be thankful I didn't end up in a wall." The stygian stallion thought. "Fates willing, that will be the last time I have to rely on Moon's assistance."

Filing his growing concern for the Luna/Moon situation away, the Theoi approached the entrance to the dungeons to find them unsurprisingly locked. A quick look around revealed a key ring hanging from the belt of the inattentive guard. Silent as his namesake, the ancient king crept toward the pony and relieved him of his jangling burden.

"The vigilant sentinels of Equestria." The immortal thought scornfully as he moved away. "Now, will Lulamoon be able to meet me here?"

The pallid pony checked for any signs of the Archmage or her approach. The side rooms were empty and the halls deserted. He even looked over the reception logs to see if she had fabricated an excuse to visit or had even gotten herself arrested but no such luck. Cursing his lack of a way to communicate, the Theoi stood near the door to the outside halls and waited.

"I should have asked Telkhine or Chrysalis for telepathy enchantments." He mentally grumbled. "Then again, those might have been detected at the gates. Hindsight aside, I can only hope she gets here soon."

The minutes ticked by with only the lazy guard as company while the stealthy stallion listened intently. Soon the ambient noise of the palace was broken by the clip-clop of hooves on approach. The Theoi peeked out of the gatehouse to see a pair of guards approaching.

"...basement duty again!" One of them complained to her disinterested partner. "I swear, there is no justice in the world."

"Right, I'm sure it has nothing to do with your sticky hooves." The stallion deadpanned. "Unless you mean to tell me your 'bonus' was a kickback."

"Hey! They can't prove either of those!" The allegedly corrupt guard snapped. "I earn every bit!"

"Which is why you are down here in the 'haunted halls' instead of in front of a jury." Her compatriot rolled his eyes. "Like you said; 'no justice'."

"Haunted?" The Dark Lord's ears pricked up. "Worry about that later."

Seeing no other option that did not involve confronting the guards, the stygian stallion snuck back to the entrance to the prison. Thanks to some meticulous equine who had labeled the keys, he unlocked the gate without issue and slunk into the shadows beyond. At the last possible moment, the pale horse realized that even the laziest of guards might miss their keys and tossed the ring onto the table just as the pair entered.

"Bah! Wha-!" The slumbering guard startled awake. "Damn it, knock next time."

"So you don't get caught sleeping again?" The critical stallion tsked in disapproval. "Oh, sorry. 'Resting your eyes'."

"Like I got anything better to do." The sleepy guard grumbled as he rubbed his eyes. "Nothing down here but, what, three prisoners?"

"One of which is a murderer and a raider." The relieving guard reminded him. "What is it the Solarii like to say? 'A moment of laxity spawns-'"

"Oh, shut up already." The guardsmare cut in. "So where's your partner, snoozy?"

"Uhh, I think she's patrolling the cells." He answered as he began to gather his stuff. "Meaning she's blowing off steam. Tell her I took off when she gets back."

"Will do." The mare nodded. "Enjoy the rest of your nap."

"Don't forget the key-!" The stallion said just as he noticed the keys on the desk. "Oh, nevermind."

"So there is at least one guard down here." The incognito Theoi thought as he headed further down into the prison. "If she's anything like her partner, I have nothing to worry about."

As the guards had said, the expansive dungeon was nearly deserted in a testament to both the expediency and clemency of the Equestrian judicial system. He passed cell after cell containing nothing but dust and disused bedding. Judging by the mundane nature of the bars, the ancient king deduced he was in the non-violent and non-magical cellblock.

"I suppose proofing every cell against magic was cost-prohibitive." The pale horse mused. "I need to get to where they keep problem inmates."

Moving at a measured pace should his Great and Powerful partner catch up with him, the Dark Lord moved ever deeper into the palace dungeons. While did not come across any lingering ghosts as the guards had insinuated, there was something darkly familiar haunting the dingy prison. The familiarity only grew stronger with each step the Khthonic King took, telling the Theoi that he was indeed on the right track.

Night-Captain Knight found himself in an awkward position. He was locked in a chokehold beneath a brutish earth pony after being beaten by a churlish unicorn likely under the employ of a conspiracy of traitors. Yet the far graver threat was the azure unicorn wielding a cursed blade advancing on them with evil intent in her glowing eyes. She was known to all branches of the guard as Trixie Lulamoon, a stage magician who had earned her place on their collective watchlist after she defeated and exiled future Princess Sparkle and took over the settlement of Ponyville. While this proved to be a brief crisis and the Element of Magic assured the peacekeepers that her defeated rival had turned over a new leaf, it appeared that Lulamoon had fallen back into old habits.

“Block!” Lockpick shouted as the unicorn took a swing at his neck. “Help me!”

“But what about him?” The earth pony looked from his imperiled partner to the glaring thestral.

“He’s not the one with the fuck huge sword!” The unicorn sidestepped a stab. "Shit!"

Block kicked Knight once in the ribs in an attempt to keep him down for a bit and charged Lulamoon. The two collided and plowed through displays before tripping over the still grounded pegasus. As the two grappled on the floor, Lockpick took a moment to catch his breath only to instead catch a hoof to the jaw courtesy of the Night-Captain. The thief responded with a flurry of unfocused bolts. The thestral flapped his leathery wings and let the assault pass beneath him before he dove on the unicorn. Meanwhile, Block had pinned the smaller mare beneath him and knocked the sword out of her magic. He stuck her once, twice across the muzzle but as he pulled back for a third, Lulamoon reached up and got her hooves around the hilt of the blade. Her stab was clumsy and awkward but the potency of the artifact more than made up for it.

“Ack hugule…” Was all the earth pony could gurgle out as he felt the icy grip of death seize his soul. A faint wisp-like light left his body and was absorbed by the Khthonic crystal before the lich yanked the sword out of his neck and let him fall dead to the floor.

"More..." Lulamoon muttered in a voice not entirely her own as she gripped the Kingslayer back in her magic and returned her attention to the struggling thestral and unicorn.

“Give it up!” The bat-pony hissed past bared fangs as he stamped down on the back of Lockpick's head.

“Screw you!” The unicorn took a blind shot at the guard.

Knight did not even both dodging as the underpowered bolt dissipated against his armor and retaliated by stomping a hind hoof into the thief's spine. The stallion screamed in pain and then terror when he noticed Lulamoon approaching with his partner’s blood still dripping from the sinister sword. He tried to scramble out from under the thestral to no avail.

“Move, Knight.” Lulamoon growled.

“Stay back!” The Night-Captain shouted. “He's beaten! Drop the sword and stand down!”

“Don't let her kill me!” The unicorn babbled quickly. “I'll talk! I know everything Blueblood's planning! I'll tell you everything!”

"You heard him, Lulamoon!" Knight loosened his hold as he tried to placate the maddened magician. "We can-!"

Lockpick did not wait to see if the guard could talk her down as he squirmed out from under the thestral and half-stumbled, half-galloped toward the exit. The Archmage stalked after him with purpose, the sword demanding his death which she was all too pleased to provide. The Night-Captain flew after her and made a grab for the blade only to be caught in a claw of negative light. With a small huff of indignation, the azure unicorn tossed him against the far wall hard enough to dent his armor and fill his vision with stars. The thief made the mistake of looking back to see if Knight had been slain and bumped into the hapless pegasus who had just managed to get to all fours.

"Move, damn it!" Lockpick berated the once again floored thug as he shoved past him.

"Boss! Wait for me!" The crippled stallion pleaded as Lulamoon briefly shifted her attention to him. "No! Stop!"

Without breaking her canter, the lich held the blade to the side as she passed. The keen edge slid across his neck with all the effort of a gentle caress; a brief moment of pain followed by a numbing chill. The pegasus brought a hoof to his throat in a futile effort to staunch the sanguine flow before he slumped back against the floor for the final time. A faint wisp escaped his body and joined his partner in crime in the crystalline core.

Come on! Come on!" The panicked thief reached the doors only to forget which way they opened. "Seriously?!"

A push followed by a pull later, Lockpick forced the doors opened and caught a glimpse of the halls beyond before Lulamoon seized his tail in her magic and dragged him back in. The thug twisted onto his back as he struggled against the former magician's hold. The khthonic grip shifted to his barrel and pinned him in place as the lich held the sword high.

“Wait! Please!” The thief pleaded as he crossed his hooves in front of him to protect himself as the blade fell with a deathly thrum.

The unnaturally sharp blade cut clean through his forelimbs like a hot knife through butter. Lockpick did not have time to scream as the sword split his horn down the middle and bit deep into his skull. The Archmage jerked the blade free from the twitching stallion as another wisp wafted from the fresh corpse and into the phylactery component of the reaping longsword.

“Mortal fool." Lulamoon spat as she wiped the blood off the sword with Lockpick's shirt.

The lich inspected the blade and her own reflection before she noticed movement in the mirror-like sheen. Knight froze as the unicorn rounded on him and held the sword just beneath his chin. The thestral grimaced as Lulamoon glared daggers at him but did not move. From what he had seen, the former stage magician was no trained swordsmare; her experience with blades likely limited to the tricks of her trade. He just needed an opening.

"Lulamoon, listen to me." The Night-Captain said carefully. "Put down the sword. It's controlling you."

“How about the Keen and Deadly Trixie puts you down instead?” The azure mare retorted.

The blade twitched in her magical grip but stayed poised at Knight's throat. The azure unicorn trembled as if she was struggling against an unseen foe. The thestral stood primed as the murderous weapon drifted away from his neck and then he lunged forward. He felt his hooves brush against the grip of the blade before his vision was filled with a negative light and a sharp crack deafened him.

"Get back!" Lulamoon shouted as she blasted the Night-Captain in the face, sending both him and the blade flying.

The thestral slid across the floor and came to a stop with a pained groan. The lich rushed toward him, snatching up the sword as she passed. She stood over the unmoving Knight and raised the black blade over her head. Before she could add him to her growing tally, Lulamoon hesitated for a moment and forced the sword into the tiles beside his head.

“Enough!” The Archmage shouted to the ethereal whispers urging her to kill the Night-Captain. “You do not command the Great and Powerful Trixie! Be silent and Trixie will return you to your owner.”

Either the sword heard her or it detected her unique connection with the deathly daemon as the whispers ceased. Back in command of her faculties, Lulamoon sank to her knees as the rush wore off. After a few calming breaths, she checked on the deathly still thestral.

"Knight?" The lich felt a pang of worry before she finally found the bat-pony's heartbeat. "Ah, still alive. You're going to have a nasty headache when you wake up."

In the silence that followed, the Archmage got to work. Tearing lengths of cloth from her own Barathrum-made gown, Lulamoon fashioned a makeshift scabbard and baldric for the Kingslayer and slung it across her back. After some thought, she also procured a few of the smaller trophies she thought would better serve her not the least of which was the horned helm of Dugore.

"If anypony should have this, it's Armor." The azure lich muttered as she secured the helm by her side with a cord. "Alright, if tall, pale and handsome is done playing with the Princess, we should meet in the dungeons."

With loot in tow, Lulamoon quietly left the gallery and snuck into the quiet halls of Canterlot. Far above the now-empty gallery, hanging by a hoof from a chain in the ceiling, the last of Blueblood's goons had seen everything. The earth pony kept his hooves over his mouth and dared not breathe until the hoof steps and the jostling of the corrupted unicorn's prizes had faded. Out in the corridors, the unaware lich kept her steps light as she searched for stairs or signs for direction.

"Not all who wander are lost but Trixie certainly is." The azure unicorn muttered as she cantered down an unfamiliar hall. "If she keeps heading down and avoids-!"

The Khthonic mage rounded a corner and came face to faceplate with a trio of Solarii. She briefly wondered if she could play the part of a lost party guest but between her loot and failed disguise, that appeared unlikely. The elite of the Solar Guard ignited their horns as their leader pointed an accusatory hoof at the lich.

"Interloper! Defiler!" He shouted as Lulamoon dropped a smoke bomb and galloped off in the opposite direction. "Take her! After her!"

A gentle waltz filled the air of the Canterlot ballroom to match the now romantic mood of the gala. Couples old and young alike were given the floor as they danced with their partners. The rest took this time to raid what was left of the buffet or head outside to enjoy the fireworks. Among the dancers were Princess Sparkle and Captain Sentry. The other guests had given the pair space in the center of the room as a courtesy to two of the most powerful equines in Equestria. Without the risk of colliding with another, the couple danced freely and gracefully. Or rather, they tried.

“I should have studied the waltz more.” The bookish pony mentally lamented as she did her best not to trip over her own hooves or the hem of her dress. “Stupid tax reports, taking up all my time.”

“Are you alright, Princess Sparkle?” Sentry asked in concern. “I feel like I’m dragging you.”

“I’m fine and please call me Twilight.” Sparkle replied with a sheepish smile. “I’m just letting you take lead as I’ve been told my dancing is, er, undignified.”

The lavender Alicorn did a quick jig to demonstrate that her version of dancing was more in line with hapless flailing. The orange pegasus had to fight the urge to laugh.

“I am nopony to judge.” The Captain said quickly before his dance partner could notice him cracking up. “I’ve just been leading us in circles since we started.”

The scholarly mare looked to see that they were indeed just going in a small circle roughly in time with the music. Their unskilled display had gained the attention of a few of the guests who either offered silent encouragement or snickered like vicious schoolfillies. A mischievous thought told Sparkle to cut loose and show them just how undignified she can get but the feeling passed.

“Ignore them Twilight.” The Alicorn commanded herself. “No need to concern yourself with the opinion of every single noblepony.”

“If only this was ballet.” Sparkle muttered as she repositioned their hooves with her magic. “Let’s just stick to the gentle swaying, Flash.”

“Fine by me, Pri- Twilight.” Sentry said as one of his forehooves wound up just above her wings while the other gently took her free hoof.

As if the conductor of the band was watching what they were doing, the music transition smoothly into a slow piece that encourage more intimate forms of dancing. The two enjoyed the tempo change as they swayed back in forth in each other’s embrace. Sentry mentally debated if he should do something bold but missed his chance when Sparkle leaned in and nuzzled against his neck in a friendly hug.

“This is nice.” The pegasus said softly as his wings twitched approvingly.

“Mmhmm. I’m glad you asked me to dance.” Sparkle whispered back. ”Rarity was right. I needed this."

“It's been a rough few weeks for all of us.” The Captain agreed. "How's the barrier treating you?"

“I have a slight headache but nothing serious.” The lavender Alicorn admitted with a shrug. “It's based on one of Shining's shield spells with a few tweaks. A villain would have an easier time digging through the mountain.”

“If I didn't know any better, I'd say you were trying to put me out of a job.” Sentry chuckled as he moved a hoof through the Alicorn’s mane. “Have either of the other Princesses offered to help?”

"Both have offered to take over should I need a break." Sparkle replied in a low tone. "I might just take them up on that so we can both be 'off duty'."

“Wait, that did not come out right.” The Princess of Magic thought as her brain caught up with her mouth.

“I...uhh...” A blush crept into the pegasus's features as his wings twitched. "I know a good spot to watch the fireworks. You could show me those ballet moves."

"Like this one?" The lavender Alicorn saw a chance to defuse the moment by putting some distance between them and struck a simple croise.

The Princess followed up with a pirouette that flowed into an arabesque. Her form was shaky due to lack of practice and the wrong hoof wear but she earned a few rounds of polite applause nonetheless. The hoof stamps grew into genuine cheers when Sentry slid beneath the dancing mare and lifted her into the air, balancing the now giggling Alicorn on one hoof while he struck the most dramatic pose he could think of.

"Self-taught!" The Captain declared to the onlookers. "Only move I know but it still counts!"

"Yes, very impressive." A not quite critical voice said above the cheering equines. "You may want to put her down. You're giving the Wonderbolts a thrill."

"Boo!" One of said stuntponies jeered as the pegasus set his partner down on her hooves where she composed herself.

"Cadence!" Sparkle said brightly as faced her former foalsitter. "Sunshine, sun- oh!"

As she approached the other Alicorn to initiate their customary greeting, a pair of crystalline guards intercepted her with stamped hooves and hard glares. Sentry felt an instinctive need to come to her aid but the Princess of Love forced them to stand down with an exasperated buffering of her wings.

"For goodness sake, I've known her since she was little!" Cadenza berated. "Just go stand somewhere until I need you."

"You know we can't do that, my lady." One of the guards shook his head as he stood at attention by her side. "Danger can come from anywhere and anyone."

"I know but... ugh!" The pink mare gave up with a groan. "I swear, Twilight, I can't take them anywhere."

"They act like they're in enemy territory." Sparkle thought as the bodyguards continued to shoot her untrusting looks. "I know we're not popular in Neo-Crystal City but..."

"I get it; my guards jump at every shadow too." The Princess of Magic said with a short laugh. "I missed you at the stairway greeting."

"These two recommended we take a side entrance for 'security reasons'." Cadenza explained with a roll of her eyes. "Now, are you going to introduce your dance partner?"

"You remember Flash Sentry." The lavender Alicorn gestured toward the pegasus. "Our new Captain of the Guard?"

"Ah, so it is." The Crystal Regent's eyes lit up in recognition of the name. "Shining mentioned you once or twice but I don't think I've placed your face."

"We actually first met during one of his inspections, Princess Cadenza." The orange stallion said with a polite bow. "He did that bit where he builds up a rant only to say everything's in order."

"Heh. I'm curious as to what he would say if he saw you doing that with his sister." Cadenza gave him a piercing look that was both suggestive and threatening. "Speaking of, may I borrow her? Princess talk."

"Oh, uh, d-don't let me stop you." Sentry stammered as Sparkle trotted up alongside him. "Meet you outside later?"

"Of course." The youngest Alicorn nodded. "I'll find you."

The two shared a long look before the pegasus excused himself and flew over the crowd. The Princess of Love glanced down at her junior Alicorn who seemed lost in thought. She let her fantasies wander for a bit before she nudged her with a wing.

"Was I talking to a future prince, Twilight?" Cadenza teased.

"I don't know." A blushing Sparkle said as she rubbed a foreleg shyly. "He's doing most everything right but..."

"But?" The pink Alicorn needled as they trotted back toward the VIP table. "I know I taught you never to rush into these things but it looks like you've got a winner."

"He's... a bit older than me." The Princess of Magic said lamely. "I mean not by much but-!"

"Twilight, take advantage of that while you can." The Alicorn of Love said sagely. "Before you know it, every suitor will be your junior by decades."

"What does she mean by... oh!" The newest Alicorn thought as she realized another facet of her immortality. "Okay, rapidly closing window and Flash is already standing at it. Noted."

Back at the VIP table, the two remaining occupants watched the pair approach. While Celestia already had a warm smile on her face, Luna had sunk into her seat with an apprehensive frown. Her sister shot her a critical look.

"Luna, if you want the crystal ponies to stop seeing you as a villain you probably shouldn't slouch like one." The Solar Alicorn whispered.

"Right. My bad posture is the reason why they detest me." The Lunar Princess rolled her eyes but sat upright regardless.

"You know what I mean." The alabaster mare shot back before greeting her adoptive niece. "Cadenza! Good to see you again. Did you have to rescue Twilight from a bad date?"

"Oh, hardly." The pink Alicorn smiled as she patted Sparkle's head. "This one can take care of herself."

"I have good teachers." The youngest Princess beamed. "Now you said there is some Princess talk we need to do?"

"There is." Her former foal sitter nodded as a slight blush came into her features. "First some good news."

The three Alicorns gave the crystal regent their attention as she fidgeted nervously. She scanned the table as if looking for a prop to help her but found nothing but empty plates and glasses. As the suspense began to mount, she gave up and focused on Sparkle.

"Twilight..." Cadenza paused to take a breath. "...you are going to be an aunt."

"Oh my gosh!" The aunt-to-be gasped as her eyes shined in excitement. "Cadence, that's great!"

The lavender Princess ignored the expectant mare's guards and embraced her tightly. While Cadenza returned the hug, Sparkle patted her midsection only to find that she was much bigger than expected. The gravid mare detected her surprise and giggled.

"The doctors said that I'm carrying twins." The Alicorn of Love smiled brightly. "A little filly and colt."

"Congratulations, Cadence." A now misty-eyed Celestia clapped her hooves together happily. "I have heard rumors that you were with foal but to finally have them confirmed... I only wish I knew sooner so I could have fitted a foal shower into today's events."

"There will be another time to celebrate this momentous occasion." Luna said with notably less enthusiasm. "Still, I am sure their sire is smiling at you from beyond."

"I'm certain Shining is." Cadenza shot the Lunar Princess a look as her smile faltered for a moment.

"When are you due?" Sparkle asked as she tried to gauge the mother-to-be's progress.

"Around the Winter Solstice but I'm honestly hoping sooner." The pink Alicorn said with a wince. "Which reminds me there is something important I need to discuss with you, Celestia."

"Just me?" The eldest Princess arched a curious eyebrow.

"Involving the old Amore-Equestria treaties and such." The Crystal Regent explained. "Political junk that I should deal with while I'm here; it shouldn't take long."

"Well, no point in leaving it hanging over our heads." Celestia sighed as she stood up from her seat. "I assume we should find a private room?"

"Do let's." Cadenza nodded before she regarded Sparkle. "It was nice to see you again, Twilight. When I get some free time we should catch up away from the public eye."

"I'll try to keep a spot in my schedule open." The studious Alicorn replied as her pink and alabaster counterparts departed with the crystal guards in tow.

Left alone with Luna, the youngest Princess was about to ask what the other two could be discussing but the disinterested look on the navy mare told her not to bother. She stood by the table in awkward silence, her thoughts occasionally turning toward her pegasus dance partner. Finally deciding to return to the good captain, Sparkle was about to ask for the last of the cake when the navy mare pushed it toward her unprompted.

"A treat for your new paramour, yes?" The Lunar Diarch asked knowingly.

"If you don't mind." Sparkle said as she fashioned a goody bag with a few more treats and a hoof towel. "I can stick around if you'd like the company."

"It would be hypocritical of me to deny you the embrace of the sterner sex." Luna dismissed her concern with a wave of her hoof. "Go to him young Sparkle."

With an eager yet respectful nod, the lavender mare gathered up the sweets in her magic and flew off. Now alone at the table, Luna watched as the gala steadily shifted outside. With the plates clean and no pony deigning to seek an audience with her, the Lunar Princess excused herself and headed for the fireworks vista as well. Along the way, she passed the room Cadenza and her sister had disappeared into. While the posted guards shot her hostile looks, the Nocturnal Diarch could just discern the voices behind the doors. They did not sound happy.

“One oh four... one oh five...” The Dark Lord mentally counted the cells as he trotted through the dungeons of Canterlot. “Moon really couldn't drop me any closer?... one oh six… and here is one oh-!”

"I'm sure all those muscles are really impressive to your cows!" A harsh voice cut through his thoughts as it echoed about the dingy undercroft. "But you'll never bend these bars no matter how many push-ups you do!"

The pale horse crept closer to see an ill-kept guardsmare berating an unseen prisoner. It did not take long for the lurking theoi to determine this was the guard the sleepy sentry was talking about.

“Figures that this is the cell I’m looking for. Hope this isn't a sign of my luck turning.” He thought as he read the number above the cell. “Let’s get miss happy here out of the way.”

“I bet everything in Knossos has forgotten you exist.” The mare spat at the burly prisoner as she kicked the cell and bounced off. “And for good reason. Why would they waste the effort on some thug like you?”

“Hey! Sunshine?” The Dark Lord did his best impression of the lazy guard as he called out. "You still flirting with the inmates?"

"I told you not to call me that!" The irate guardsmare shouted back.

"Fine, sweet-cheeks." The hidden king smirked as she pantomimed strangling him in rage. "Just thought I'd let you know that our relief showed up. Pack it in so... *yawn*...we can leave."

"About time." The surly warden huffed before she spat into the occupied cell. "Hope you die down here, scum."

With only a grunt from the inmate, the guard briskly trotted away. The pale horse pressed himself against the wall and all but melded into the shadows cast by the flickering torches. The guardsmare passed by none the wiser, muttering a string of obscenities under her breath until she rounded a corner and disappeared from sight.

"Simple enough." The Theoi thought as the sound of hoof steps faded. "Now for the prisoner."

He approached the cell where the inmate had transferred from push-ups to sit-ups. As he could have guessed from the guard, the minotaur was indeed an impressive specimen but that was not what caught his attention. Distinctive scars running diagonally from the hip to the opposite shoulder flashed in and out of view in time with the thug's reps.

“Is that you, Stone Skin?” The Lord of Shades asked.

“If you're here to wave another red cape in front of me, shove it up your ass.” The incarcerated former legion vanguard froze as he eyed the tall stallion. “Wait, I know that voice. Have I tried to rob you before?”

“No, but you tried to ambush me at Broken Horn.” The former Lurker said candidly. “Not the best first impression.”

“Broken Horn...” Stone's eyes widened in recognition as a faint pain manifested across his chest. “By Minos, it's you! The smoke-fiend-necromancer-thing!”

“'Lurker' is the word you're looking for.” The Theoi said plainly as he tested the bars to find them solid. "An aspect that I buried in the Frozen North."

"In time I may do the same with 'Grey'." He mentally mused.

"Meaning you're not going to kill me?" The minotaur asked to which the stygian horse shook his head. "How about busting me out?"

"That I can do." The pallid pony gaged the lock and hinges.

"How? The keys trotted off with that-!" Stone was interrupted by the Theoi placing a hoof against the lock and pressing until it buckled and gave way with a snap of metal. "That works too."

"If anyone asks, you muscled it open yourself." The pale stallion said as he swung the door open.

"Well, I was working on that until you showed up." The earth-tone minotaur did one last sit-up before he jumped to his hooves. "So is it Canterlot's turn to be invaded? It could use a good war to flush out some of the trash."

"Must be related to that 'red cape' comment." The Dark Lord inferred. "A minotaur in a predominantly equine city may be treated as a spectacle."

“I am here of my own accord." The equine explained as he stood aside to let the inmate out. "Just so happens that I need to get into your cell.”

“Hey, I'll take it.” Stone shrugged. “Don't worry; I never saw you.”

The former vanguard took a few steps out into the corridor and was about to make a dash for freedom when he hesitated. Getting out of the dungeons was one thing but there was still the matter of the Canterlot garrison and patrols no doubt covering the mountain. The minotaur turned back to the pale horse with a sheepish smile.

“Uhh, do you mind if I stick with you for a bit?” Stone asked simply. “I didn't plan much between 'get out of cell' and 'head for the border'.”

“He's no Lulamoon but an extra pair of hands could have its uses.” The Dark Lord mused. “Plus I can keep an eye on him.”

“Very well.” The tall stallion nodded as he entered the cell. “Grab a torch and bring it here.”

The minotaur took one of the torches off the wall and held it aloft. With the marginally improved lighting, he could see that some of the bricks of the far wall were discolored as if they had been put in at a different time than the rest. His new partner approached the wall and began tapping it with a hoof.

“Don't tell me there was a secret passage here the whole time." Stone frowned incredulously.

"An escape tunnel in the event someone important needed a discreet, non-magical exit from the city." The Theoi explained as he rapped a brick and was rewarded with a hollow echo. "This cell is supposed to be empty but given the quality of the guards posted here, they either forgot it existed or stopped caring a long time ago."

The pale horse turned around and gave the wall a solid buck. There was a click followed by a low rumble as one of the bricks depressed and ancient mechanisms were sent into motion. A section of the brickwork receded into the wall a bit and then sank into the ground.

"...and there it is." The burly bull snorted as he looked into the revealed tunnel. "After you."

"Last call, Trixie." The Lord of Shades checked for any sign of the Archmage catching up to him but found none. "Guess I have to make do without. Hope she's safe."

The Khthonic Theoi and earth-toned minotaur crossed the threshold into the secret passage. They made it a few steps before some timing mechanism ran its course and the entry resealed itself. With the flickering light of the torch illuminating the only way, the two descended into the depths of the quiet earth. With only the clip-clop of their hooves breaking the silence, Stone decided to take a risk by striking up a conversation.

“So last time I saw you, you were standing out in an ice field while I got Dugore.” The minotaur said as he stooped beneath a sagging support beam. “Didn't think we would meet again, particularly with the Crystal City getting mooned and all.”

“Nor did I yet here we are.” The pallid pony shrugged. “I take it you ran afoul of the Equestrians before said mooning."

“Yeah. Killed Fleabag and locked up Max and I after we skipped town." Stone said bitterly. "Poor bird was extradited to Gryphondom a while ago. Turns out that bounty on her head had been renewed.”

“I am sorry to hear that.” The seasoned stallion gave a sympathetic nod. “You three seemed close."

"Nothing makes friends like 'ah propah scrap' and 'sticking it to those losers.'" The ex-vanguard gave a fair impression of his lost colleagues. "I'm sure the mutt is tearing it up in the afterlife but I can still look into Max. We still have a bet to settle."

"I don't know about 'tearing it up' but Fleabag has served well thus far." The Lord of Shades thought. "I have not heard of the griffoness so she may yet live."

The two continued on until the carved stone gave way to dirt and loose rock. The scarred minotaur held his torch up higher to see that the escape tunnel had opened up to a massive cavern. Towering crystals of a myriad of colors stretched from the floor into the stalactites on the ceiling. Pickaxes, shovels and other disused mining equipment lay scatted across the floor, likely abandoned by the miners once the mine was closed. An old wooden cart sat on a rusty set of rails that lead further down into the depths. Beside the tracks was what appeared to be a field office for the forepony. The pale horse looked around the dusty station on the off chance a map of the mines had been left behind and was pleasantly surprised when he found one.

“Huh, another abandoned crystal mine.” Stone shuffled his hooves in clear unease. “Any ghosts I should be worried about?”

"A fair question." The Dark Lord reached out and felt around for any displaced subjects. "Hmm, it appears Celestia took better care of her laborers than Sombra."

"Not exactly a high bar to clear." The minotaur scoffed. "Freak tried to turn me into a meat pu-!"

"Ah, I spoke too soon." The Theoi interrupted as he noticed the unmistakable presence of lost souls. "There are some down here but... I can sense a few clearly but the rest are... obscured."

"Something tells me that isn't Sunbutt covering up a fatal cave-in." Stone gripped the touch tighter. "It's also telling me that is where we are headed."

"Correct." The pale horse confirmed as he checked the map against his own memory. "I won't blame you if you want to turn back now."

"Is there a way out that isn't the way we came?" The ex-vanguard looked over his companion's shoulder at the map.

"You would have to do some digging as the mundane exits have collapsed or been sealed." The seasoned stallion said as he indicated the points of egress. "Plus ever since the changelings invaded, they probably have guards posted."

"Otherwise I wouldn't have bothered with the Gala infiltration." He thought.

"Ugh, those things." Stone balked as he retrieved a pick from the ground and hefted it. "I'm already in for a penny but I'm hanging on to this just in case."

"Smart bull." The pale horse gave him a small smirk. "Onwards then."

The two followed the tracks further into the mines. There was a brief discussion as to the possibility of using one of the carts to expedite their journey that ended when they saw the state of the rails. Beyond the rusted metal and decayed woods, the layout of the tracks was outright baffling to the minotaur.

"Who designed this thing?" The bull asked as they came to a sudden stop that would have pitched them into a pit of jagged crystals.

"I'm sure there was some logic behind this while the mine was operational and intact." His pallid partner said as he directed them down another tunnel. "That or magic."

"Yeah, true." Stone acquiesced. "Speaking of, I'm no mage but I can feel something in the air."

"So do I." The Theoi agreed. "Old magic mixed with something even older."

"I bring it up because I felt the same thing just before your spooks stomped us at Broken Horn." The bull continued. "So you'll understand if I ask what exactly are we doing down here?"

"Going to see an old friend of mine." The pale horse answered simply. "Similar in nature to me which may explain that feeling."

"A 'friend', eh?" The ex-vanguard arched an eyebrow. "Is it another Lurker or more like the vampire thing you got going on now?"

"I... cannot say for certain." The Dark Lord slowed his step as he thought it over. "It has been a long time."

"Great, great." Stone snorted. "Just give me a warning if it looks hungry."

"You have my word." The stygian stallion assured him.

His nerves eased somewhat by the oath-bound horse, the minotaur nevertheless stuck close by as they delved ever deeper. After traveling in silence for some time, they came to a section where the miners had widened the tunnel to act as a storage area. Just beyond was a dead-end where the passage had been boarded up and warnings plastered over the timbers.

"Think they were worried about digging too deep?" The earth-tone bull asked as he scanned over the abandoned supplies.

"Exactly." The pale horse nodded as he rolled up the map and set it aside. "This is the point where the gems weren't worth dealing with the 'bad air'."

"Well, we're a bit harder than some poncy ponies." Stone said more to himself as he passed the torch and pick to his partner. "I got this."

"Harder? Perhaps." The Lord of Shades thought as the burly thug pawed the ground and charged the blockade. "Smarter? Debatable."

Half expecting the bull to splat against the barrier as he had done in the Void, the ex-Lurker watched as the minotaur dropped and shoulder and smashed through the aged wood. The former legionnaire let out a whoop of triumph that morphed into a scream of terror as he vanished into the darkness beyond. The pale horse rushed to the opening to see the ground drop away suddenly into a yawning chasm.

"Stone?" He called out into the gloomy abyss.

"That first step is a doozy." The bull groaned from somewhere below. "Find a rope or something before you come down."

"Fall must not be that bad." The pallid pony thought as he trotted back into the supply depo and found a length of rope that was in passable condition along with a few spare torches.

After tying off one end to a stalagmite, he returned to the drop and sent the torches down first with a 'heads up'. They fell for a moment before Stone caught the lit one, revealing a decent but ultimately manageable cliff. The pallid stallion then lept off the ledge with the rope trailing behind him and landed with a grunt and a thud.

"In hindsight, I probably could have just beat it down." Stone admitted as he lit the extra torches and stacked them around their landing zone. "So where are we now?"

“The very base of Mount Canterhorn.” The Theoi replied. “Look here.”

The minotaur followed his hoof to see that there was a seam where the solid rock of the mountain met the loose dirt of the earth. The bull did not know much about geology but he knew enough that such an occurrence was not normal. It was as if something had dropped the mountain in the middle of a field rather than it rising out of the ground naturally.

“How the hell did that happen?” The ex-vanguard wondered aloud.

“Discord.” The Dark Lord answered simply. “Need I say more?”

“Nope.” Stone shook his head. "If it doesn't make sense, he did it."

"Generally." The pale horse shrugged in partial agreement. "You alright to continue?"

"Yeah, I've been through worse." The scarred minotaur grunted as he rolled his shoulders and cracked his neck. "But you already knew that. Let's go."

After ensuring their only way back to the mines was secure, the two ventured into the cavern. They did not go far before dusty ground gave way to the broken stones of a pathway leading through a marble archway. Beyond was a collection of ruined buildings, some little more than piles of rubble. Stone slowed his pace as he took in the sight of the lost city.

"This almost looks like a pegasus polis." The minotaur mused aloud. "Or they liked columns as much as the flying horses do."

"You're close. This was before the equines broke apart into tribes again." The ancient Theoi said knowingly as he inspected a broken stone signpost. "The temple district of a city if I'm reading this right."

"Not enough to tell which one." He mused. "The Lord of the Sun's wound up in the North, Light and mine's in the Everfree so this one could-!"

The ancient king was broken out of his thoughts by a strange gust of wind. Carried on the gale was an ethereal charge that danced and jumped across the fallen masonry like miniature lightning bolts. The two spelunkers' recoiled as they were buffeted by the unnatural air, raw magic arching between horns and burning against Khthonic flesh.

"Nine Hells, where is this coming from?" The Dread Lord thought as he was forced to shut his eyes.

A moment later and the air was still again but the city was transformed. Flickering like a fading memory was a scene reminiscent of the closing hours of the siege of the Crystal Empire. What was rubble was now standing but scarred by battle. Echoes of warfare raged in the distance as the smell of ash and fire filled the air. The minotaur and Theoi could only gape at their new surroundings.

"Did- Fuck me! -Did we just time travel?" The bull found his tongue as he rubbed his eyes in disbelief.

"I... I don't know." The normally erudite stallion struggled for an explanation.

The sound of hooves on stone reached their ears. Both turned to see a unicorn, barely out of colthood, galloping up the street toward them. He wore the robes of a mage with saddlebags stuffed with scrolls and tomes. The young stallion seemed to not notice the bull and Theoi as he constantly checked the alleys and skies as if he was being pursued.

"You there!" The Dark Lord reached out to the mage only for his hoof to pass through as if he was made of thin air.

The unicorn phased through the tall stallion and carried on down the street. He made it a fair distance before the unmistakable roar of a dragon cut through the din of war. The mage scrambled like a roach caught under a spotlight and dove into a blown-out shop as a winged shadow swooped overhead. The scene then began to flicker and lose focus before melting away like smoke in the wind as the minotaur and Theoi were left standing amongst the ruins once again.

"Okay, I get ghost ponies." Stone broke the stunned silence. "But ghost buildings?"

"That was not a ghost." The pale horse said thoughtfully. "Of that, I am sure."

"So what then?" The bull asked as he slapped a wall to make sure it was real. "Temporary safe time travel?"

"I would not rule that out." The Dark Lord tapped a hoof to his chin as the gears in his head turned. "Let's hold here and see if it happens again."

"I don't like this, Lurker." The ex-vanguard grumbled. "Red flags going up like crazy."

The two braced for the anticipated gust of weird magic. They did not have to wait too long before another gale wafted over them along with the ethereal charge. This time, they managed to keep their eyes open and see the city reform itself in a murky haze. Again, the city was under attack and again the young unicorn galloped past them only to dive for cover when a dragon flew over. The vista melted away not long after and all was still.

"Not so bad the second time." Stone let out a breath he was holding. "Did you get anything from that?"

"This is beyond my expertise but if I had to guess, I'd say this is a magical anomaly." The Dark Lord said plainly. "There is magic here of such magnitude that it's turning the laws of reality into suggestions."

"Like Discord again?" The minotaur asked as he tried to comprehend the phenomena. "Or whatever is making the ruins of the Crystal City float?"

"Or a spell powerful enough to seal away a Primordial." The stygian stallion mentally added.

"Fair comparisons, yes." The pallid pony nodded. "What we are seeing are the sights and sounds of events leading up to it; afterimages and echoes of the past."

"So we are time traveling, kind of." Stone surmised. "We can look but not touch."

"As far as I can tell." His partner said as he started trotting again. "Again, not well versed in this type of magic."

The pair pressed on, wary of any oncoming flashbacks or other magical shenanigans. They reached a small plaza where they found the crumbling bones of what they presumed to be the dragon that harried the mage. Their theory was confirmed a moment later when a timely gust revealed the beast dropping from the sky, its body stricken by a blast of magic. The slayer, another unicorn albeit far older compared to the first and wearing armor, finished off the drake with another blast to its face. As the corpse burned, he turned toward a stack of crates where the junior mage peeked out.

"Thine stalker is vanquished, Starswirl." The veteran warrior said roughly. "Art thou hurt?"

"Only mine pride." The young unicorn shook his head. "Gratitude, spellblade."

"Was thine mission to the Bibliotheca successful?" The older unicorn did not wait for an answer as he looked through Starswirl's saddlebags. "Ah, good."

"I can only hope these will be enough." The mage said hurriedly as the sounds of battle seemed to grow louder. "Let us not tarry any longer."

Stone and the Theoi watched as the two unicorns galloped away, the scene dissolving not long after. They took a moment to regain their bearings before following the same path as the ancient mages. The Dread King checked to see if the dead dragon's soul was still lingering but found no trace.

"Starswirl?" The bull asked. "As in 'the Bearded'?"

"I know of no others." The Theoi replied. "He was an accomplished wizard even in his clean-shaven days..."

"So if anyone is to blame for this flashback fuckery, it'd be him." Stone finished smartly. "By my horns, if he is that young then we must be going back to before the Alicorn's showed up."

"Very astute of you." The ex-Lurker complemented genuinely. "The Late Dark Ages before the Age of Discord to be more precise."

"I have my moments." The former vanguard brushed some dust off his shoulder. "Just don't quiz me after this."

After another flashback that only showed Starswirl and the spellblade galloping down the thoroughfare, the present-day travelers came to the temple itself. The once hallowed house of the ancient Theoi was in better condition than the surrounding ruins but only just. The main structure still stood while most of the marble columns of the colonnade laid around the perimeter. It was clear that more than the weight of ages and the mountain lead to the decay of the temple as evident by the scorch marks and half-melted masonry.

"Don't need magic to tell a dragon tore through here." Stone said with a grimace as he noticed claw marks in the stairs leading up to the temple proper. "Dugore would do much the same whenever he decided to get stuck in."

"A big one at that." The pale horse added. "Perhaps we'll catch a glimpse with the next flashback."

As if on cue, another gale blew past the pair. Unlike the others, however, this one was preceded by a hollow boom that rumbled beneath their hooves. They did not have time to comment on this new development as they were shifted back to the Dark Ages. Starswirl and his companion were joined by other mages and warriors at the base of the stairs, most of which appeared to be tired, terrified or both. Apart from the main group, the future wizard was speaking with an elegant and fair unicorn mare whose eyes glowed with power.

"I had thought this lore was lost to the flames." The clearly senior mage praised. "Starswirl, thou hath performed admirably."

"Thou honor me, Mistress Arcana." Starswirl bowed his head. "May these hurry the defeat of the villain."

"I sense thou hath more to say..." Arcana whispered coyly. "Feel free."

"Mistress, I uncovered other secrets beyond those." The younger mage glanced at a few scrolls still in his saddlebags. "Verily, I hath complete faith in thine plan but... if Suneater truly cannot be slain..."

"Banish such thoughts!" The battlemage said sternly. "Lest the sacrifices of thine fellows be for naught."

"Mistress!" Another mage shouted as he galloped up. "Urgent news: enemy reinforcements art approaching from the north and west. It will be all our allies can do to delay them."

"Then there is no time to be lost!" Arcana raised her voice to address the assembled equines. "Mine friends, the hour is nigh! We make our stand here in the house of the Sky King!"

"May he shelter us from the coming storm." Starswirl muttered as he and his fellows rushed into the temple. "If he has not already abandoned this world."

"Never heard of Arcana." Stone said as the vision melted away. "I take it she didn't trot away from this."

"No." The Dark Lord shook his head. "Starswirl was the only survivor."

"And this 'Suneater' they were fighting?" The bull left the question hanging as he had already guess the answer.

"Indeed." The Theoi nodded as he trotted up the stairs. "Sealed away here by Starswirl after Arcana wounded him."

"All in the temple of my youngest brother." The ancient Lord thought. "Were he still around to witness this."

"Hey, remember when Stone Skin helped a shadow fiend wake up his demon-dragon friend and they torched the world?" The ex-vanguard grumbled to himself as he followed after the pale horse. "What a tool."

A short climb up the stairs later and the pair stood before the entryway of the temple. They were greeted by a quartet of various armored dragons hovering about the blasted entrance. Unlike the temporal ghosts the bull and Theoi had encountered, these were of the more traditional ilk. Before the Lord of Shades could speak to his displaced subjects, another boom shook the structure followed by a flood of temporal magic. The flashback of Starswirl galloped out of the temple, his robes now scorched and torn. The dragons ignored him save for a coiled serpent who fixed the mage with a fanged sneer as he fell to his knees.

"I had no choice! This was our last chance!" The young unicorn pleaded to unseen accusers, his voice choked with ash and barely contained sobs. "Nothing else could bind that monstrosity! I had no choice!"

"You could have died with them." The dragon spat at the trembling specter. "At least we wouldn't have to listen to your infernal blubbering."

"And we wouldn't have to hear you say that for the umpteenth time!" A looming dragoness snapped in ill-temper. "Leave it be, Skoth."

"I swear to thee, this evil will never darken the heavens again!" Starswirl proclaimed as his anguish gave way to conviction. "I will seal away this accursed city! Let it be lost and forgotten!"

"Hmm, you think he goaded the draconequus into dropping a mountain on this place?" A bat-winged wyvern pondered aloud. "It'd save him the trouble of maintaining a sealing spell."

The lone wizard got to his hooves, his face grim and resolve steeled. He looked one last time at the temple before he descended the steps and the flashback faded. As the ruins returned, the flickering torchlight caught the attention of Skoth who stared at the interlopers in confusion.

"My kin?" The serpent asked hesitantly. "Have that minotaur and equine always been there?"

Three more pairs of ghostly eyes turned to look at the out-of-place bull and Theoi. One dragon drifted forward, the same type as his female counterpart but younger and thus relatively smaller. While he had regained his wings and his armor was no longer melted in death, there was no mistaking the horned helm of the warlord of the Marked Legions.

"I know you." Dugore the Marked rumbled as he pointed to Stone.

"Sir?" The ex-vanguard rubbed his eyes in disbelief. "By the labyrinth!"

"Minions of yours, Dugore?" The dragoness asked as she cocked her crested head to the side quizzically.

"The minotaur was a scout." The spectral warlord recalled. "I do not recognize the stallion."

"Well, I was a mare when we last spoke." The ex-lurker said plainly, earning an odd look from Stone. "You tasked me with undermining the Crystal Heart."

"Ah, the shadow fiend." Dugore nodded after some thought. "Have you found employ with one of Canterlot's enemies?"

"I already asked him that." The bull spoke up. "He's here to bust out- what was it called -Suneater."

"You mean to free the great one?" Skoth leered skeptically. "Why? He never courted allies among demons."

"Ironic considering who his kin is." The Dark Lord thought.

"A wise policy." He said neutrally.

"Skoth, we have been haunting this ruin for centuries." The wyvern interjected. "Demon or not, can we turn away a chance to free the Black Dragon as well as ourselves?"

"Flak speaks wisdom." Dugore rumbled. "I will admit, despite my trepidations, the fiend did serve me faithfully albeit briefly."

"I agree even if only to avoid having to listen to the wizard wallow in despair again." The dragoness said as another flashback of Starswirld started up. "Quell your flame, Skoth."

"Sssah, fine." The serpent hissed. "But if it enslaves us, I reserve the right to say 'I told you so', Zathra."

"I didn't really need their permission but it would be easier with their cooperation." The Lord of Shades suppressed the urge to roll his eyes.

Ignoring the phantom of the ancient mage, the group entered the dilapidated temple. The once opulent interior was littered with rubble and the scars of battle. The floor and walls were scorched and pitted by both dragon and magical fire, benches had been smashed to splinters and the great statue of the ancient Lord of the Skies had been toppled. In the center of the once sacred house were four more shades, each a unicorn kneeling over their earthly remains, arranged at the cardinal points around the sacrificial pit. The shallow depression was now a yawning abyss in which tenebrous smoke wafted up from the depths and brushed against a shimmering dome of magic.

"Behold the prison of the Lord of All Dragons." Zathra announced as she spread her arms wide. "And it's wardens."

"Luna told me banishment magic requires maintenance." The Theoi thought as he looked to the equine shades and the streams of magic running from them to the dome. "Looks like Starswirl consigned his peers to that task, body and soul."

"We tried driving the ghosts off but..." Flak kicked a rock at one of the mage's which bounced off a barrier. "They're shielded as well."

"So do you two have any Knossian rites or infernal devilry to undo this?" Skoth asked testily.

"I'm honestly more of a spectator at this point." Stone admitted as he took a seat on the head of the statue. "This is your show, Lurker."

"First, don't sit on that." The pallid pony chastised to which the bull immediately complied. "Second, I will need time to study this."

"Take your time, pale one." Zathra said as she settled atop the plinth the statue once stood. "I sense a delicate touch may be required."

Dugore, Skoth and Flak joined the dragoness and watched the Theoi go to work. Stone occupied himself by wandering about the temple, lighting any intact braziers he found and picking through rubble for anything valuable. His search produced a little more than a few coins that he nevertheless pocketed when he was sure he was not being watched. With little better to do, the bull found a spot near the dragons and sat down with a sigh.

"So, uh..." The ex-vanguard drummed his fingers awkwardly. "You four tried to take over the world?"

"I prefer to think we were establishing order and stability in a world teetering on the brink of chaos." The regal dragoness said imperiously. "To say 'take over' implies we were mere usurpers of proper civilizations, of which there were none."

"To be fair, there were imperial remnants, a few squabbling kingdoms and tribes cropping up like weeds." Flak countered half-heartedly. "But they were on their way to ruin long before we started torching them so they don't count."

"And didn't they just love to prattle on about how their nations will endure the storm or how they will always stand against 'tyranny'." Skoth scoffed. "As if unity under a wise, powerful and immortal race was just impossible to accept."

"I know he was aiming that at the Alicorns but..." The ancient Theoi bit his tongue and focused.

"So was that Suneater's goal or just an excuse to raid and pillage?" Stone asked casually, earning glares from two of the dragons. "I mean, I never heard Dugore here promising peace in our time. Just loot and glory."

"We all had different means and motivations, vanguard." Dugore rumbled wistfully. "When the Black Dragon came to my miserable flight, I saw the way to elevate us to greatness. A world under draconic rule was just a bonus."

"A pity your elder did not share your mercenary attitude." Flak commented dryly. "I believe he was the first to label the great one a liar and a monster."

"Perhaps but he was still our only salvation from destruction." The young dragon said firmly. "I could not stand by and let it slip away."

"You fought the elder." Stone inferred. "You beat him, rather."

"Slew him in ritual combat." Dugore said with no small amount of pride. "Thus my flight earned its place under the shadow of Suneater even if it did cost me my wings."

"It made you an excellent ground commander." Zathra said with a wave. "We already had Flak for air superiority."

"You're just saying that because you were glad to not have to share power with another full-blooded dragon, Lady Zathra." The wyvern needled playfully. "Tiamat knows you butted heads with our resident wizard enough already."

"Sorcerer! I was hatched with this power, you know that." Skoth corrected sharply. "And don't say 'what about Suneater's gifts', those just added on to what was already there."

"Sorcerers are born, wizards are made, warlocks made deals, mages... wait a moment." The Dark Lord mentally recited an old mantra to differentiate between the many classes of magic users before something caught his attention.

"What about Suneater's gifts?" He called out.

"We all received them, pallid pony." Zathra answered before Skoth could open his maw. "Tokens of favor that marked us for greatness and multiplied our already unassailable might."

"We were harder, better, faster and stronger than any of our peers." Flak reiterated. "They, however, did not make us invincible as I discovered when I tried to face a griffon war armada with just a clawful of greenhorns. Flak by name, flak by demise."

"Do you still have them?" The greyscale equine asked as the gears in his head turned.

In response, the quartet of dragons fell silent as they concentrated. Their spectral beings shimmered as an aura of negative light began to emanate from them. Stone, wary of any form of dark energies, scrambled from his seat as a faint yet tenebrous flame flickered over their ghostly forms.

"Lurker, that almost looks like-" The bull whispered in clear unease.

"I know." The voidian escapee said as he witnessed a glimmer of primordial power.

"In my lifetimes of battle and the fog of ages, my gifts had grown quiet." Dugore said as he quelled the eldritch flames. "It was only after that Captain dealt the fatal blow that they burned anew, guiding my spirit across the winds to my new haunt."

"A fate we all shared, if not quite so poetically." Skoth rolled his eyes. "Why the great one's call could only be answered by the dead, I can only theorize."

"It is your last rite; your unfinished business keeping you from entering my domain." The Lord of Shades mused as he noted the similarities between the dragons and the burdened ghosts of Sombra's miners. "Way to exploit the rules, Shifting Darkness."

"He was likely calling for aid the moment he was stuffed down that pit." The pale horse explained. "In life, it was muted by this dome and later by the mountain and the 'fog of ages'. In death, the call became more like a leash."

"A fascinating theory, to be sure." Zathra rumbled in flagging interest. "Is this just idle speculation or have you concocted a plan?"

"I believe I have." The stygian stallion rubbed his beard thoughtfully. "Whether it's a good one or not is debatable."

"No games, fiend." Dugore stomped forward intently. "Speak."

"Simply put, I am going to send these unicorns on their way." The pallid pony explained. "Without them feeding magic into the seal, it should fail and you four will be able to return your gifts."

"I would remind you, fiend, that the mages are shielded as well." Skoth said testily. "What, are you just going to tell them to abandon their posts?"

"Yes." The necromantic Theoi answered simply.

"He can actually do that." Stone chimed in. "I've seen it with my own eyes."

"Good enough for me." Flak stalked over with a smile. "I was sick of these trips down memory lane anyway. What needs to be done?"

"You four take up positions at the ordinal points and wait." The pale horse instructed. "Stone, etch these symbols around them exactly as I've done here."

"Circle, squiggle, weird M..." The bull took a moment to study the runes. "Got it."

For the next few moments, the minotaur and Theoi prepared the site for their own ritual. The ancient king went to each enthralled unicorn and etched Khthonic runes around them, muttering mantra's as he went. The shield around them would flicker and the ghost within would regard him for a fleeting moment before refocusing on their imposed duty.

"It's magical works like this why I brought Lulamoon with me." The Dark Lord thought as he watched Stone double-check the sample glyph and run back to correct a mistake around Skoth. "She could probably undo this spell delicately while I'm about to tear out its heart; same result but who knows what mess it could make."

"Done!" The bull signaled. "Now what?"

"You stand back." The greyscale stallion advised. "I got it from here."

"I recognize both runes of anti-magic and channeling." Skoth observed. "What are you doing precisely?"

"Making all our tasks easier." The Dark Lord answered simply as he climbed atop the vacant plinth and took a deep breath. "Now let us begin..."

The Theoi began a lengthy incantation, his voice reverberating throughout the temple yet never wavering from a neutral tone. Stone winced as the scars across his chest sents spikes of cold pain through his core while the dragons suddenly snapped to attention as their imparted gifts manifested yet again. The runes around the unicorns began to glow an ethereal emerald that pulsed in time with their creator's chants. Magical channels appeared, running from the dragons to a point just above the seal. The primordial fire began to flow from them to the center, collecting into a sphere of black fire.

"So far, so good." The ritual master thought as he transferred smoothly into the next stanza.

As he continued, the spectral unicorn began stirring behind their cells as independent thought returned to them in part. Their draconic counterparts remained stock still as the last of their borrowed power as well as their secular burden fell away from them. Unarmored and unencumbered, they dropped to their knees or the rough equivalent before the miniature negative sun floating before them. By then, the wardens were becoming aware of their surroundings but did not fully grasp what had or was happening.

"Be at peace, my subjects." The Theoi passed a benediction over them all in Khthonic. "Your troubles are over."

With a flash, both the spectral equines and dragons vanished from sight with an otherwordly 'thank you' lingering in the air. The Dark Lord completed the ritual with a solid stamp of his hooves that echoed like the toll of a bell. Stone could only gape at the spectacle as he wiped cold sweat away from his brow.

"I swear I'm going to visit a monastery after this is over." The minotaur muttered. "So all hail Suneater or what?"

"Wait for it." The pale horse advised from his perch. "There is still some-!"

Far beneath their hooves, a mighty boom shook the temple and cause the braziers to wink out save for the bull's torch. Like smoke from a chimney, tenebrous tendrils began to seep out of the pit and press against the dome as if testing it. A second shock sent bits of the roof crashing down to the floor as fissures spread out from the abyss like spindly fingers. Both Stone and his partner nearly doubled over as an ancient presence made itself felt in the cavernous room.

"At... last..." A voice that could only issue from the depths of time filled the temple.

An invisible claw seized the sphere of power and dragged it into the depths, smashing through Starswirl's desperate seal as if it were plain glass. The very shadows cast by the flickering torch seemed to be drawn in after it, flowing like water down a drain. A third blow caused the floor to bulge dramatically followed by chunks of the floor falling away into a churning void.

"Oh, that's not good." The Theoi felt a sense of creeping dread as he realized his old friend was about to make a rather dynamic entry.

"Stone?" He called out to the near panicking minotaur with a grimace. "Start running."

The bull promptly about-faced and sprinted out of the crumbling temple as fast as his legs could carry him. No sooner had he cleared the ruins that the abyss erupted in a geyser of roiling shadows and eldritch flame. The pale horse nearly lost his balance as the conflagration blasted through what was left of the temple's roof and slammed into the cavern ceiling, sending semi-molten rock and Khthonic cursed debris crashing down on the ruins below. With the cavern collapsing around him, the Dread Lord saw only one option available to him as Suneater blazed a trail to the surface.

"So much for sneaking out." He thoughts as he took a few steps back before taking a galloping leap onto the emergent Primordial's back. "Fates willing, the gala is over by now."

The Grand Galloping Gala was now in its closing phase. Most avenues of conversations had been exhausted and business talks had either concluded or been postponed for a later date. A few guests had even departed early for various reasons including wishing to get ahead of traffic or being asked to leave by the guards for rowdy and drunken behavior. With the exception of Rarity's mild outburst, it seemed that this year’s Gala would conclude without incident. The only foreseeable issue was with the climatic Sonic Rainboom as the only pegasus who could perform it was currently bent over an unfortunate shrub. She had attempted to find a bathroom but the bushes were closer.

“That’s it, sugercube.” Applejack said gently as another wave of nausea hit the weather mare. “Let it all out.”

“Ugh. It feels like Pinkie and Discord are skipping rope with my insides.” Rainbow Dash groaned. “What was in that drink you gave me?”

“Ah raw egg, two shots of hot sauce, ah dash of salt n' pepper and ah secret ingredient that Granny Smith shared with me.” The apple farmer said with a small smile. “Should flush out yer system in no time.”

“Well, it’s working.” The prismatic pegasus sighed as she braced for another wave. “ *Bleegh!* Oh, cider. Why do you betray me?”

“A pony's gotta know her limits.” Applejack advised to which Dash just nickered in annoyance. “By the way, any reason you went with mah homebrew method?”

“Nothing against Rarity but last time she sobered me up...” The cyan mare paused to dry heave but recovered. “...I had this weird urge to wear dresses the next day.”

“Did you?” The blonde pony arched an eyebrow.

"Wha- no!" Dash said a little too quickly. "You know me: sportswear, uniforms or nothing. This gown doesn't count."

"Beg yer pardon." Applejack doffed her hat in apology and waited for her friend to shake off the lingering effects. “Feelin' better?”

“Yeah, thanks.” The pegasus nodded and accepted an offered glass of water. "I promised you premium clouds over Sweet Apple Acers for this, right?"

"You were drunk so ah won't hold you to it." The honest farmer smirked. "Although, if you feel so inclined..."

While Applejack aided her lightweight friend, a trio of the other Element Bearers were enjoying the company of a former foe. The ever-energetic Pinkie Pie, dignified Rarity and demure Fluttershy watched with a respective mix of glee, amusement and trepidation as the ‘reformed’ Discord played mix and match with the various woodland creatures that inhabited the palace gardens. Winged deer pranced through the sky while bucktoothed birds enjoyed a feast of hard nuts. The party pony cheered at each and every new creation while the animal caretaker sheltered the smaller animals that did not wish to be subjected to the draconequus twisted imagination.

“Ooh! Give wings to a rabbit!” Pinkie suggested. “I bet that would make Angel jealous.”

“I think I’ve already done that.” Discord tapped his bearded chin with his griffon talon. “Come to think of it, I might have done at least one of everything. There are only some many possibilities before the results become…unpleasant.”

“Let’s not do those.” Fluttershy said with a shake of her head. “In fact, we should probably work on changing them back.”

“Aww, really?” The pink earth pony pouted. “We were having so much fun!”

“Sorrow of sorrows but, alas, all good things must come to an end.” The mismatched draconequus lamented dramatically. “Besides, I want to see how Rainbrew Sloshed flies.”

"Into sobriety with Applejack's aid, hopefully." Rarity said with a glance at the skies. "Let us get these animals back to normal... you know good and well what I mean, Discord."

The four spent the next few minutes rounding up the various creatures to be restored to their original forms by Discord. Some were more than happy to comply while others evaded the attempts of the Equestrians, unwilling to forfeit their newfound abilities. The Spirit of Disharmony made a game of ‘shooting’ them back to normal with claw/paw guns while Fluttershy employed her infamous stare to cow the rest. The restored animals quickly dispersed back to their homes leaving the equines and draconequus alone.

“Mighty fine work, pilgrims.” Discord blew the smoke off his claws and twirled them back into place. “Like shootin' fish in a barrel.”

“I don't know why but I feel offended on Applejack's behalf." Rarity said even as she hid a smile beneath a hoof. "Don't let her catch you doing that."

"Ain't my fault if the shoe fits." The trickster hooked his thumbs into an invisible belt and squinted. "Okay, fine. I won't provoke blondie."

“Uh…Discord? Could you teleport us to good seats?” Fluttershy asked quietly. “If that is alright with you.”

“No problem, shy horse.” The draconequus gave her a toothy grin. “You could say it’s a snap!”

Discord snapped his talon and the four vanished in a flash of chaotic magic. They reappeared next to an unsuspecting Applejack who nearly jumped out of her skin. Pinkie, to her credit, managed to stifle a giggle at her friend’s expense.

“Tarnation! Give ah mare ah warning before y’all do that!” The apple farmer composed herself as best she could. “You alright, Pinkie? Ah heard you had a nasty spill."

"Ah'm right as rain on ah hot tin roof, pardner." Pinkie adopted a peculiar accent that her fellow earth pony did not appreciate. "Sorry. I'm fine, I just booped my snoot too hard went my Pinkie Sense acted up."

"Oh my!" Fluttershy perked up in concern. "Was it serious?"

"Nothing a bit of ice couldn't fix." Rarity assured her. "As for her Sense, you said it was a doozy, right Pinkie?"

"Uh-huh." The party mare confirmed. "Seemed to spook Princess Luna for some reason."

"Oh, did it?" Discord shot a look up at the moon. "You know..."

"Don't even joke 'bout that." Applejack cut him off. "The doozy could be you for all we know."

"You wound me, sweet apple horse." The draconequus feigned hurt even as a devilish smile split his features.

"Well, I for one take solace in the fact that the Princesses are alert and aware." The fashionista chimed in. "The Gala's almost over so let's enjoy ourselves before looking into this doozy."

“Sounds good to me, sugercube.” The blonde earth pony agreed. “Here, have a seat.”

Applejack scooted over to allow her three friends to sit beside her while Discord just floated in an invisible hammock as usual. They barely had time to get settled and enjoy the pyrotechnics when Pinkie suddenly let out a loud gasp.

“Aah! I have to get Twilight!” The party pony popped off the ground. “She's missing the show!”

"I don't think she's missing anything, darling." Rarity caught Pinkie in her magic and held her in place. "Look up there."

On a raise pavilion overlooking the crowd was an orange pegasus with a purple Alicorn leaning against his shoulder. It was difficult to tell with the distance but they appeared more interested in each other than the fireworks above them. Discord was about to suggest they would soon make fireworks of their own but Fluttershy must have read his expression and silenced him with a disapproving look.

“Oh, our little Twilight is growing up.” Pinkie became misty-eyed as Rarity released her hold. “We should probably leave them alone.”

“Just well. These fireworks are kind of weak.” Discord waved his talons dismissively. “Just a bunch of firecrackers and bottle rockets. Didn't they bring out the heavy am-“

*POW! Crackle crackle*

A mortar detonated above them, illuminating the night sky in a shower of colors and sparkles. A chorus of ‘oohs’ and ‘ahhs’ peppered with light applause greeted the main event of the show. Soon the sky was ablaze with multicolored explosions and crackling sparklers. The equines audience watched enraptured by the display.

“Bam! Boom! Bo-dadadada-ba-Boom!” Pinkie pantomimed the pyrotechnics in her own way. “Katow-ay!”

“Whew! I can feel the ground shake with some of those.” Applejack said as she kept her hat secured with a hoof. “They really outdid themselves this year. Ah bet Granny Smith n’ Applebloom can see ‘em from Ponyville.”

“They are very pretty.” Fluttershy said from behind the earth pony. “I just wish they weren’t so loud; I can hear the windows rattling.”

The draconequus looked over at the windows in question to see that they were indeed rattling in their frames. Oddly, they were not in time with the detonations. It was almost as if something else was shaking the palace. The mischief-maker paid it no mind, chalking it up to either his admittedly vivid imagination or some unfortunate noble getting an earful from a Princess.

“Just where are Celly and Lulu?” Discord mused aloud. “They're missing the show.”

In contrast to the noise and merriment filling the palace, a pin drop could be heard in the lounge Princess Celestia agreed to met Cadenza in. She thought it would be a quick meeting followed by a friendly chat with her adoptive and expectant niece. That hope had been dashed when the Crystal Regent produced a scroll of parchment and laid it out on a desk before them. The words 'Declaration of Secession' written in big block letters glared up at the Solar Alicorn like a curse, sending a chill of dread down her spine.

“I cannot believe it.” Celestia all but whispered in disbelief. “I know these recent months have been difficult but...”

The alabaster Princess trailed off as she read the main body of the document. It consisted mainly of a list of grievances and justifications for secession followed by the formal declaration itself. A few she could see the merit of while others were outrageous to the point of farcical.

"...reign of an idle and hubristic mare..." The Diarch of the Day read out a part she suspected was aimed at her. "This is bad comedy, Cadence."

"You should have seen the earlier drafts." The pink Alicorn said with a grimace. "Luna was forbidden entry on pain of death. Now I think she's just forbidden."

"Who is behind this?" Celestia asked, her tone level. "That is the say, is this a popular movement or just aggrieved nobles?"

"Popular with all parties." Cadenza answered matter-of-factly. "Their reasons may differ individually but the majority of crystal equines want secession."

"Majority or just a very vocal minority?" The Alicorn of the Sun wondered. "Or perhaps something more subversive?"

"Are you certain?" She looked the Alicorn of Love in the eye, searching for any sign of beguilement or coercion.

"I'm not a foal, auntie." The Crystal Regent frowned slightly. "We have already exposed a few bad actors and opportunists but the movement is genuine not a changeling plot or another one of Sombra's contingencies."

“There goes the easy answer.” The diurnal Alicorn thought. “I could still suss out and arrest the traitors for sedition but that would only escalate matters with the public behind them.”

"I see." Celestia turned back to the document and read over it again. "When exactly are they planning to break away?”

“They are aiming for year's end.” The pink mare sighed as she rubbed her taut belly. “Huh, I'd be the mother of twins and a new nation; the papers will just love that."

“Have you picked out names yet?” The alabaster Alicorn managed a motherly smile as Cadenza gasped from a kick. "For the twins I mean."

“I was thinking about Flurry Heart or Gleaming Shield for the filly.” The mother-to-be answered. “But it has been suggested that I draw from my family namesakes like Sonata or Bolero. Some think I should use Crystal naming conventions like Topaz or Luster. I'm sure once they're born, something will click.”

“It sounds like they want to distance the royal newborns from Equestrian culture.” The Princess of the Sun thought. “Morose did that when he seized power and forged the Empire.”

“The final decision is ultimately yours to make.” Celestia said calmly. “For both your foals and your city. You're a Princess, not a figurehead."

“I know.” Cadenza said pointedly as she rolled up the piece of parchment and stored it in a hollow tube with her magic. “I appreciate the advice but I just wanted to give you some forewarning before they deliver the final declaration.”

“Wait, so you do intend to sign?” The eldest Alicorn's eyes widened.

“I intend to do what is best for my little crystal ponies.” The Crystal Regent answered firmly. “Just like Twilight, Luna and you do for Equestria.”

“Et tu, Mi Amore? Did Luna not go far enough?” The vile thought crept into the alabaster Alicorn’s mind and left just as quickly. "No! No. That isn't fair, Celly."

"It's not like we will never speak to each other again." Cadenza read her expression and attempted to assuage her. "I already have experts drawing up trade agreements, military pacts and the like. We'll be good neighbors."

The Solar Diarch managed to smile and nod in apparent understanding. The two rulers embraced in a somewhat awkward hug before Celestia stood aside to let Cadenza leave. As the eldest Alicorn followed the Princess of Love out of the room and past her stone-faced guards, her mind was racing. While secession, independence and similar movements were not unheard of in a land as vast, old and diverse as Equestria, most fizzled out as soon as reason and logic broke through the initial fervor for autonomy. The only times they actually flared up into open rebellion were during the growing pains of Equestria's early days. Forced had been used to quell them then and Celestia wondered how difficult it would be if it came to that again.

"The crystal ponies are few in number, their city doesn't have walls yet and we already have guards posted there." The Alicorn of the Sun mused as she moved automatically through the ballroom. "An open rebellion would be pacified almost instantly. That must be why they are using diplomacy through Cadenza. Unless..."

Another possibility dawned on the eldest Princess: the secessionists could be allied with a third party. Yakyakistan could lend its might in exchange for territory in the north. Gryphondom, depending on who was in charge at the moment, would take the opportunity to bloody the nose of their rival superpower. It was not out of the realm of possibility that the Neo-Crystal City was building alliances with other malcontents within Equestria itself like the more remote Zebra Tribes, certain pegasus polises or ambitious nobles.

"Like Blueblood." The lead weight that had settled in her stomach began to melt in anger. "Could they be working together? Cadenza gives him access to the crystal mines he wanted in exchange for independence?"

It seemed unlikely as her adoptive niece and nephew were not exactly close but the timing of both equines was hard to ignore. If this web of intrigue was as vast and intricate as it appeared with more than one spider to swat, it was a sign of the dark times Equestria was going through. Almost unbidden, thoughts of another crisis entered her mind; not of hers but those of Luna's enigmatic friend. Rebellion and uprisings, rivals working together against a group and a family splintered by grievances both petty and severe.

“Equestria would come apart at the seams.” The Solar Diarch thought with mounting horror. “The harmony that gives us our strength would be compromised and we would be vulnerable to whatever foul spawn of Tartarus decided to take a crack at us next. I cannot let that happen; I WILL NOT!”

“Sister! Calm thyself!” A familiar voice cut through her thoughts.

Celestia snapped back to reality to find that she had unconsciously trotted to a balcony and was cracking the railing under her hooves. The eldest Alicorn backed away and took a few calming breaths as her sister looked on in concern. Only once her temper had cooled did Luna approach.

"Sorry, Lulu." The alabaster Princess tried to keep her voice even. "I was lost in thought."

"I would say lost in rage." Luna pointed to where the ends of her sister's mane still smoldered. "I can only assume Cadenza said something more foolish than usual."

"The crystal ponies want to break away from Equestria." Celestia stated sharply. "She's going with them."

"Is she now?" The navy Alicorn said in a level tone as she recalled her recent dream patrols.

"If they succeed in seceding, it could inflame other independence movements." The Solar Diarch continued. "Also, does it not strike you as odd that Cadenza would do this just as Blueblood is scheming against us?"

"Celly, Amore would rather kiss my hooves than ally with the likes of Blueblood." The Lunar Princess shook her head. "As for a crystal secession, I have seen that dream enough to know it is unique among the former imperials."

"Isn't Luna suppose to be the paranoid one?" Celestia thought as her counterpart placed a hoof on her shoulder. "Maybe I have been overthinking this."

"Perhaps you're right." The Princess of the Day sighed. "But you have to admit the timing is suspect."

"That I don't deny." Luna said keenly. "I will be sure to investigate in the Dreamworld."

Celestia smiled as she pulled her sister in for an embrace, her previous worry and anger now subdued. As the fireworks competed with Luna's night in brilliance, the Royal Sisters settled down to enjoy the spectacle. The small army of attendants that always seemed to materialize whenever they stopped moving provided cushions and drinks.

"It appears the grand finale is back on track." The Solar Alicorn noted as she noticed a rainbow streak up into a lone cloud. "Do you think the rest of the Element Bearers will join us?"

"I see the majority are keeping Discord company." The navy Princess answered as she scanned the crowd. "Sparkle is with Captain Sentry somewhere."

"Is she now?" Celestia arched an eyebrow. "Heh, if I didn't know her, I'd say she was attempting to seduce the Captain of the Guard for her own nefarious ends."

"Then, with the guards on her side and the little ponies already hailing her as a hero, she banishes us to the Moon and Sun and seizes the thrones!" Luna did her best impression of a sleepless conspiracy theorist. "Should I visit her dreams as well?"

"I can already imagine what they look like." The eldest Alicorn suppressed a giggle. "I may be the only Princess retiring to an empty bed tonight."

"It's broken anyway." Her sister said with a sly smile.

"I swear, Lulu." Celestia glared at her nocturnal counterpart who stuck out her tongue. "I might just invite Sparkle and Sentry to use your room."

While the Diarchs of Equestria acted like sisters, most curious glances not enthralled with the pyrotechnics were directed at the youngest Alicorn and her companion. Out of earshot and partially obscured by the raised pavilion, onlookers could only infer what the two were up to. Rumor-mongers were already hard at work speculating what the Princess of Magic may have learned during her lonely book binges or what techniques the good Captain developed while on leave. When a pair of orange wings flared up and the lavender mare disappeared from sight, a scandalous gasp rippled through the crowd followed by polite cheers of encouragement. If she heard them, she paid them no mind as she was enraptured with her newfound paramour.

"I think they can see me." Sentry glanced out over the crowd of spectators with a blush on his face.

"Oh, now you develop stage fright?" Sparkle smirked from her reclined position on the floor. "Ignore them. Now, you were about to penetrate?"

"Er, okay." The pegasus's wings twitched slightly as he refocused on the lovely mare. "So the griffons had set up in a cloudbank and the only way to get to the captive airship was to punch straight through!"

The Captain of the Guard continued to regale the Princess with tales of his exploits. While she had already heard most of them due to after-action reports the guards had to fill out, Sentry was able to add a dimension of excitement that the cold and professional paperwork could not hope to replicate. Sparkle knew he was exaggerating in some places but did not have the heart to correct the handsome stallion.

"The pirates had rudimentary scrap cannons, not the batteries the military uses." She thought as the pegasus described dodging and rolling through a hail of flak. "But I guess that detail loses meaning when you're getting shot at."

"...boarded the airship and found the hostages." Sentry finished as he almost became airborne in his excited retelling. "The brigands cut and ran as soon as they realized they'd lost their bargaining chips."

"A common occurrence." The lavender Alicorn nodded. "I believe it's a saying among the Night Guard that criminals are a cowardly and superstitious lot."

"Not sure how much I agree with that." The Captain frowned as he sat beside his Princess. "I've met more than a few who are just young and stupid or desperate."

"Or misguided." Sparkle thought of the worryingly expansive rogue's gallery she had amassed. "Or just obeying their nature."

"True." She admitted as she retrieved the slapdash meal she had prepared. "There's an entire section of the library dedicated to this subject but I think we would enjoy this more."

"Mmm, cake." Sentry licked his lips as he realized he had not eaten since his shift ended. "How'd you hide it from Princess Celestia?"

"I didn't. Luna did." The former pupil of the Solar Alicorn explained. "I think Celestia is trying to cut back and Luna is holding her to it."

The dietary habits of the Diarchy aside, the two enjoyed the savory treat along with the fireworks. Their onlookers, desperate for more to feed their speculation, sent a daring pegasus to fly up to the pavilion for a better view. At the sight of a satisfied guard stallion and a Princess with a white substance around her muzzle, the spy nearly doubled over in scandalous delight.

"Uh, Twilight?" The Captain gestured to her nose. "You got a little..."

"Oh, thanks." Sparkle ignited her horn and gathered up the offending icing. "Here, say 'ah'."

Arching an eyebrow at the arguably indirect kiss, the orange stallion complied. He was rewarded with a sugary dollop combined with the electrifying change of magic that we found went well together. Out of the corner of his eye, he spotted a pegasus peering over the balcony with a look of coy intrigue on her face. It took him a moment but he pieced together how the scene could have been interpreted.

"We have a spy, Princess." He whispered. "Not sure how much they've seen."

"Ugh, it had to be white icing." The Alicorn brought a hoof to her face as she reached the same conclusion. "Are they with the papers?"

"No camera or press pass so I think she's just a curious civilian." Sentry kept the peeper in his peripherals. "Want me to chase her off?"

"No, allow me." Sparkle shook her head before glaring at the spy directly, causing her to freeze. "Can we help you?"

"Eep!" The mare dropped off the edge and flew back down to the ground level.

"She's probably relaying everything she saw to her friends now." The Captain sighed as he rubbed his temples. "With plenty of embellishments because it's not like they're going to check."

"That's why we have a well-paid public relations department." The Princess said as she rested her head against his shoulder. "Worry later; enjoy now."

The two did just that as they watched the fireworks. Sentry casually extended a wing under the pretense of stretching and wrapped it around Sparkle. The youngest Alicorn responded by scootching closer until their flanks touched and doing the same with one of her wings. With a contented sigh, the lavender mare gently traced a hoof up and down the orange stallion's chest.

"I bet he has a pair of pretty pecs under this." Sparkle thought wistfully. "Should I do the 'spill drink on shirt' routine? That might be-!"

Sentry derailed her train of thought by leaning over and kissing her head just above her horn. A small spark of excitement lept from it as another shot down her spine. She glanced up at the pegasus who had already returned his attention to the exploding sky.

"Is that all?" The Princess asked almost incredulously.

"Maybe?" Sentry said in a tone somewhere between hopeful and nervous. "I thought the peeping tom was a mood killer."

"Is she still there?" Sparkle scanned the balcony to find two more onlookers who quickly ducked down. "Oh, come on!"

"If I may, maybe we should..." The Captain tapped his hooves together as he considered the phrasing. "...go somewhere more... private?"

"Wooo!" One of the spies made his approval known.

"Do let's." The Princess nickered in annoyance. "An audience is more Dash's thing."

With the mood now considerably less romantic, the pegasus and Alicorn made to retire inside. They had just reached the doors when a sudden stillness settled over the area. The fireworks and all lingering conversation suddenly went quiet as every equine at the gala felt something was amiss; a primal instinct warning them of danger. It was then that they noticed the windows rattling in their frames and the very ground rumbled beneath their hooves. Faint hollow booms could barely be heard over the fearful murmurs, growing steadily louder and stronger.

“I thought the earth wasn't supposed to move until much later." Sentry said as he tried to maintain his balance.

"Uh, Princess? Captain?" One of the onlookers pulled himself up and pointed at the peak of Canterhorn above them. "The mountain is on fire!"

All eyes turned to the summit where tenebrous smoke billowed from newly formed fissures. While it was difficult to tell in the moonlight, the cracks appeared to grow larger in time with the subterranean rumblings. The uneasy whispers turned into terrified cries as tongues of weird fire occasionally licked from the shuddering peak.

"Impossible; Canterhorn doesn't sit on a faultline or hotspot." Sparkle mentally skimmed through her knowledge of geology. "What is this?"

“GUARDS! GET EVERYPONY INSIDE!” Celestia ordered in the Royal Canterlot Voice. “LUNA! TWILIGHT! WITH ME!”

Sparkle and Sentry shared a brief look before they both shot into the air, the Captain diving into the courtyard while the Alicorn joined her fellow Princesses. The trio rocketed toward the upper limit of the magical barrier with the peak just beyond. Sparks of magic crackled across the shimmering surface as bits of debris plinked off the shield. Volcanic or not, it was clear to them that something was about to erupt.

"Just how strong is this barrier of yours, Sparkle?" Luna asked as a particularly large rock cracked the barrier like glass before it repaired itself.

"Swarm invasions, siege weapons, blimp attacks and the like." The Alicorn of Magic rattled off the ratings. "It should hold but I'd rather not gamble on this."

"Agreed." Celestia nodded as she ignited her horn. "Luna, you may have to take the brunt of this; it's your time of night."

Together, the Princesses of Equestria fed their magic into the barrier. The translucent magenta dome shifted into a brilliant white as the mountain continued to tremble. The rumblings were joined by a deep roar that grew ominously louder. The alabaster Alicorn grimaced as entire slabs of rock shifted and split from whatever force was about to greet them.

"Hold fast!" Luna shouted over the noise as it reached a crescendo.

*KRI-KRAC-BOOOM!*

Mount Canterhorn erupted with a deafening blast the shook the city to its foundations. A barrage of shattered rock and a wall of choking dust slammed into the shield and down the unprotected slopes. The barrier shuddered and sparked under the weight of the assault with the Alicorns visibly straining to maintain it.

"Keep it together, Celly." Celestia, arguably the weakest of the three given the current time, told herself as sweat beaded on her brow. "It's just a few measly rocks."

Their struggles were not in vain as most of the debris was vaporized against the incandescent shield. The larger bits simply rolled off and fell harmlessly into the wilds. Sparkle stole a glance downward to check on the equines below when something burning nearly singed her wings. She snapped her head back up to see that rather than the pyroclastic flow or lava of a volcano, something else was crashing against the barrier.

"What is that?" The youngest Princess asked aloud as semi-molten rocks wreathed in a strange flame ate through the shield. "Anti-magic?"

"Sparkle! Move!" Luna shouted as she shoved the Element Bearer out of the way of a glowing slab as it fell through.

The three could only watch as the dome buckled and finally broke under the weight and anti-magical fire. Abandoning the now useless shield, the Alicorns did their best to physically knock away the larger rocks while avoiding being crushed or immolated. Below them, brave guardsponies and citizen volunteers alike herded those they could into the relative safety of the palace as stone and fire rained on them from the sky.

"Eyes forward! Keep movin'!" Applejack shouted as she herded a group inside. "Leave yer shoes! It ain't worth it!"

"AJ! Heads up!" Rainbow Dash called out as she blitz into a rock that imperiled her friend. "Keep going! I'll cover you!"

Other pegasi followed the speedster's example in intercepting falling rocks. Unicorns conjured simple shields to defeat the mundane projectiles while earth ponies carried the slower of the guests to safety. Against the accursed fire, however, there was little they could do but dodge.

"Stay away from the windows!" Sentry advised as he returned a weeping filly to her parents. "Don't go outside and somepony give me a headcount!"

"Most are still outside and some are taking their chances in the outer gardens." Rarity answered him as she ushered in another group from under her magical parasol. "How soon do you think we can evacuate, captain?"

"Hopefully as soon as this bombardment stops." The pegasus said just as something heavy slammed into the roof and sent a wave of panic through the assembled guests as bits of wood and masonry showered them. "Stars above! Get into the keep!"

"THERE ARE SHELTERS INSIDE!" Cadenza thundered above the din alongside her alerted crystal guards. "GET INSIDE AND STAY LOW!"

With the crystal regent's direction, the guests were herded into hardened shelters within the palace. Here they were safe from the barrage of debris but could still feel the tremors of the eruption. Accompanying guards managed to restore a sense of calm to the equines while the waitstaff did their best to make their somewhat cramped condition comfortable. All they could do was wait for the all-clear while the guards and Princesses dealt with the crisis.

"The Spacy and Inattentive Trixie wishes she paid more attention to Canterlot's layout." Archmage Lulamoon muttered as she galloped down unfamiliar halls.

Not far behind her, a trio of zealous Solarii followed in pursuit of the khthonic mare. Her efforts to elude them were hampered by the clattering and encumbering weight of a sword and helm on her back. The magician bought herself some space by taking blind potshots at the guards or upsetting various decorations but still, they persisted.

"You cannot evade the judgment of the righteous, witch!" A gilded guard shouted as she fired a lance of light at the azure unicorn.

"Watch and be amazed!" Lulamoon retorted as she charged through a set of doors only to find nothing but an empty lounge. "Oh, really?!"

With the Solarii closing in, the mage slammed the doors shut and barricaded them by haphazardly stacking furniture against them. Knowing she only bought herself a few precious moments, Lulamoon searched the room for any egress but besides a narrow slit of a window for ventilation, she was trapped. Horns ignited on the other side followed by a blinding flash that incinerated the doors instantly. The trio advanced through the smoldering doorway and toward the cornered lich.

"Stay where you are!" Lulamoon adopted her best showmare stance as she stalled for time. "Not one step closer if you value your lives!"

"We gladly give our lives in Her service!" One of the guards spat. "Not that a sorceress would comprehend such virtue!"

"You would be surprised, neigh-sayer." The lich frowned as she ignited her own horn. "But if you are so willing to die, then advance!"

Uncaring or unimpressed by her challenge, the Solarii trotted forward with horns aglow. Lulamoon backed up until she bumped into the far wall. She considered drawing the deathly sword lashed to her back when the room began to shake. All four struggled to keep their balance as paintings fell from the wall and cracks appeared along the floor.

"What sorcery is this?" A guard fired a shot at the mage but had his aim fouled by the tremors. "Cease this wickedness lest you bring the whole mountain down!"

"Trixie usually needs a stallion with her to make the earth move like this." The mage muttered to herself but decided to roll with the sudden development. "Then flee, foals, before the very depths swallow this pitiful palace!"

"She's bluffing!" Another guard shouted. "Finish her!"

A flurry of solar bolts flew at the mage who barely had time to duck out of the way. The three took their time to steady their aim as Lulamoon reached for the blade. Neither got the chance to act as a thunderous explosion set them all to the floor again. The blast reverberated through the halls until it was replaced by a staccato plinking like hail on a roof.

"What in the-!" Lulamoon whispered until the ceiling caved in above the Solarii.

A burning slab of rock fell through the room and smashed through the floor, taking the zealots with it. A slacked jaw unicorn stared at the hole where her pursuers were before she peeked out the new skylight. Far above she could make out the lights of the Alicorns against the night sky and the unmistakable signs of khthonic power billowing from the blasted peak.

"So much for sneaking out during the afterparty." The mage grimaced as she lept the gap and galloped back into the halls before the Solarii recovered. "Plan B, then."

With the erupting mountain calling the attention of every guard in the palace, Lulamoon was able to move about with greater freedom. After doubling back the way she came and finally coming across a signpost, the lich was able to find an isolated balcony that overlooked the Everfree. Sealing the doors behind her with a temporary rune just in case another patrol discovered her, the Archmage propped her hooves up on the railing and scanned the landscape.

"All clear on this side." Lulamoon said as she fired a sequence of flares into the night. "Hope the bedbug is paying attention."

Out in the wild Everfree, Hive Queen Chrysalis and a small swarm of her drones milled about a secluded meadow with a clear view of the capital city. They had spent the majority of the night practicing shapeshifting, sleeping amongst the trees or playing cards around a smokeless fire. Their time on the surface had been eventless with the exception of the cycloptic driver rejoining them and reporting the successful infiltration of Elytra and their benefactors. Said driver was now acting as the dealer in a game with Chrysalis and a couple of her children.

"No more betting." The one-eyed creature said as he dealt the last community card. "Flowing down the river."

"Need a heart, need a heart." One of the drones muttered as the dealer revealed a club. "Damn you, cyclopes!"

"Hey, no need for that." Chrysalis chastised as she turned over her straight. "Unlike most dealers, he's not playing for a house so you can expect him to be honest."

"Speaking of houses, mine's full." Another drone flipped over her winning match. "Better luck next time."

"That's three games in a row!" The first drone glared at the winner. "How?"

"One-eye here may be dealing but it's my deck." The shapeshifted grinned cheekily. "I'm surprised it took you this long to notice."

"The aces and faces have a slightly different pattern on the back." The cyclopes explained to the first. "A moot point considering the Queen here was looking through your eyes the whole time."

"Lot of good it did me." Chrysalis shamelessly admitted as she severed her subtle clairvoyant link with her children. "This is a dumb game anyway."

"Hey! Everyone!" An alarmed buzz went through the camp from one of the drones sitting in a tree. "It's popping off in Canterlot!"

All eyes turned to the capital city of the loathed equines. Where there had once been fireworks, thick black smoke now filled the airspace over the palace. The translucent dome over the cliff-bound city turned white as three points of light flew up to meet the burning peak. While they were too far away to feel it, they could tell the entire edifice was shaking.

"No sign of Husk or the lich." A drone said as it scanned the vista. "Should we get up there or wait?"

"I'm trying to call Elytra but that shield must be blocking it." The Hive Matron gritted her teeth as she tried to focus. "We might- whoa!"

Chrysalis was cut off by the peak of Canterhorn exploding. Her drones chittered in a mix of excitement and worry as the city was lost in a cloud of dust and fire. Their chitters turned into alarmed hisses as a shockwave raced down the mountain toward them.

"Get down and cover your ears!" Chrysalis commanded as the blast washed over them like a roll of thunder.

The mini-swarm reached cover as the trees snapped back as if caught in a gale and the campfire winked out like a candle. A few took cover along with the cyclopes under the carriage that teetered on its wheels but remained upright. As quickly as it came, the surprise storm passed and the insectoid swarm crawled out of their shelters. The once pristine vista before them was now a scene of terror; weird fire clung to the upper reaches of the now shorter mountain as the protective dome fell away from the city like shattered glass.

"SK must have a different definition of stealth than the rest of us." The Hive Queen buzzed pointedly. "Does that count as a signal for backup?"

"That might." A drone pointed to a section of the palace where a series of fireworks spelled out 'Pick Up'. "I'd guess that's the showmare."

"If so, she has good timing." Chrysalis chittered as she took to the air. "You might be better off staying here, driver."

"All the same, I doubt I could get back up that mountain." The cyclops said as he imagined navigating the no doubt ruined road. "Unless you want to carry this thing with you."

"We could do that." The cheater drone pointed out. "Get enough of us to airbus the carriage, pick up the gala gang in style and then fly home without having to double back to get one-eye."

"Works for you, works for me." The cyclops shrugged as the Hive Matron nodded in assent. "Let me lighten the load and then we can be off."

After stripping off some nonessential features of the carriage, the driver took up his usual seat while Chrysalis volunteered a team of drones. After some difficulty getting the balance right, the jerry-rigged changeling blimp joined their unencumbered fellows in the air. Despite the additional weight, the mini-swarm flew low and fast over the treetops toward the imperiled capital. En route, the Swarm Matriarch attempted to connect to her daughter again and after some moments of static, succeeded.

"Mom? Not clear; wait a bit." The distorted image of a young mare appeared before the elder changeling. "Okay, are you still there?"

"Elytra, are you hurt?" Chrysalis asked instinctively. "We're inflight to Canterlot now."

"I'm fine; we all are." The view shifted to four weary equines in waitstaff uniforms who nevertheless smiled and waved. "They got us into shelters in the palace when the mountain blew its top."

"There's a balcony on the west side." The Hive Queen informed her. "Can you make your way there?"

"No." The disguised Elytra shook her head. "We're fine where we are."

"Don't get hard-headed with me, young nymph!" Chrysalis hissed. "I'd better see you outside by-!"

"Mom! I'm fine! Really!" The Hive Princess insisted. "We got in, we're safe and nopony expects a thing. You just worry about getting SK and TL out of here."

"Elytra..." Her mother briefly considered storming the palace to get her but the resolute changeling staring back at her convinced her otherwise. "...stay safe and keep in touch."

"I will." Elytra nodded. "You all be careful."

With that, the connection fizzled and cut out. Chrysalis sighed deeply and refocused on the task ahead of them. It occurred to her that the distress they were answering could belong to just some noble but without any way to contact the lich or Theoi, they would have to risk it. The swarm left the forest behind and angled up the mountainside. As they drew closer to Canterlot, they could hear the screams and shouts of the equines as they tried to restore order. The changelings shifted into pegasi for cover and skirted the outer walls, unnoticed in the confusion.

“I swore I would return here one day.” Chrysalis allowed a fiendish grin to cross her features. “Not as sweet as vassalization but I'll take it.”

The Hive Matron stole a glance at the boarded-up entrance to the abandoned gem mine where she and her infiltrators had hidden and plotted their invasion. To her surprise, she saw a burly and dusty minotaur armed with a pickaxe smash through the wooden barricade and sprint into the darkened back alleys where he disappeared from sight. Deciding not to dwell on the oddity, the Swarm Queen directed her 'flight' toward the western face of the palace.

“There she is, up there.” A drone indicated a lone azure unicorn on a balcony waving at them.

Chrysalis doubled checked the mare just to make sure but there was no mistaking the azure coat and glowing eyes of Lulamoon. The disguised Hive Matriarch flew up to her level and alighted on the balcony. The Archmage greeted her with a genuine smile.

“A sight for sore eyes and legs, Hive Queen.” Lulamoon said with a short laugh. “Is it just you?”

“No, we decided not to make two trips.” The Matron said as the carriage and its team hovered into view. “Where's your date?”

“We got separated before all this started.” Lulamoon answered as she tossed her spoils into the carriage. “The Sharp and Knowledgeable Trixie is certain he is riding dragon-air back home.”

“It's your head if you're wrong.” Chrysalis needled as the unicorn climbed aboard. “What were those? Souvenirs?”

"Of a sort." Lulamoon said as she shut the door behind her. "Trixie will tell you on the way but let's get out of here first."

The Hive Queen signaled her swarm that they were ready to go and took to the air again. The 'flight' lingered around the palace for a bit in case the Theoi made an appearance but were forced to leave as pegasi and thestral patrols began to fill the air. The group flew down the barren side of the mountain and over the wild stretches of the Everfree toward Avernus, their departure hidden in the now shifting shadows cast by the approaching storm.

A deep, rumbling growl emanated from the still smoldering crater that was Canterhorn's peak. Claws appeared over the rim and dug into the scorched rock, each finger tipped with curved talons capable of tearing a fully armored knight to ribbons. Another joined opposite the first as they dragged the rest of the great beast into the open air. Scales as black as the Void laid like the shields of ancient legion formations over a sculpted musculature that creaked and snapped from millennia of stillness. A series of spines ran like a forest of spears from the emergent dragon's powerful tail along its back to the crown of swooped back horns. The khthonic beast pulled itself further out of its prison until it could unfurl its wings. With strained cracks that dislodged caked-on stone, the dragon blotted out the moon and surrounding stars as it stretched its cramped limbs to their fullest extent. Baleful burning eyes gaze out past a crocodilian snout at an unfamiliar world, tenebrous smoke billowing from between its mighty jaws. Unfazed by his alien environs, Suneater the Black Dragon heralded his own return with a skyward roar that threaten to shake the very heavens. Hapless mortals quailed as their senses were assaulted by the nether tongue of the Underworld while the shadows of the world shifted to greet their Primordial master.

"STRIKE THE LIGHTS AND BEAR WITNESS!" The draconic Lord of Darkness rumbled in rapturous delight. "I HAVE RETURNED!"

"I doubt any of them can understand you." The Theoi Anax mentally grumbled from his friend's back, his form nearly invisible amidst the mess of black spines and layer of dust. "Now just take off and leave the mortals be."

"Twilight, get another shield around the palace!" Celestia shouted to her slack-jawed former pupil. "Luna and I will deal with this!"

"Princess, I don't think this is a-!" Sparkle froze as the dragon's gaze fell on the three of them.

"WHAT IS THIS? ALICORNS?" The beast gave the trio a wry grin. "HOW QUAINT!"

Suneater ran his tongue over his teeth hungrily as he pulled himself free of the crater. He got a hind claw on the rim only for the already crumbling rock to give way entirely. The dragon wobbled precariously before he tipped forward into open air.

"Oh, balls." The pale horse cringed as the sides of the mountain rushed up to meet them.

With a string of incoherent curses, the dragon and his hidden passenger tumbled down the slopes. The sight would have been comical to the onlooking Alicorns were he not bearing down on Canterlot like an avalanche. Unable to form a complete dome in time, the Princess of Magic managed to conjure a simple sheet of translucent power that Suneater smacked into. The barrier cracked, buckled and burned under the khthonic bulk of the behemoth, forcing Sparkle to angle her construct and pitch him off shoveled dirt before both its integrity and her strength failed. While the main palace was spared, the dragon still fell through several minor towers and roofs before he finally landed in a heap in the courtyard. Disoriented but otherwise unharmed, the Black Dragon shook his horned head clean of its fresh coat of rubble and beheld a herd of equines frozen in terror. Both parties stared at each other as a tense silence hung in the air.

"This is the part where you run away!" The Theoi broke the trance with an exasperated shout.

The party guests did not need telling twice as they rushed for the relative safety of the palace amiss a cacophony of terrified screaming. Suneater watched the stampede with some amusement before he lumbered toward the herd to satisfy his millennia-long fast. He set his sights on a couple who had tripped and was almost upon them when a butter yellow blur dropped in front of him.

"WAIT! STOP!" Fluttershy shouted, her strident voice and unnaturally intense stare forcing the beast to halt in his tracks. "DON'T YOU DARE!"

"WHAT IS THIS?" Suneater blinked in surprise. "IS THIS MORTAL CHALLENGING ME TO A DUEL OF WILLS?"

"I have no idea what you just said but you can't just attack ponies like that!" The Element of Kindness shuddered as the dark speech washed over her but she maintained her scolding tone. "I know you're probably hurt and confused after falling like that after waking up but that is no excuse to act so mean!"

"Fluttershy, you adorable fool, that is not going to work." The pallid pony beat his head against a scale. "There is only one being that can talk to him like that."

The normally demure pegasus stood her ground and fixed the perplexed dragon with a glare that had cowed even the most savage of creatures. It was a technique that had served her well in her profession, allowing her to pierce through layers of anger, confusion and pain to reach the heart of issues that plagued her darling animals as well as a few friends. The Black Dragon was none of these things, however, as his expression hardened and he returned the stare. Fluttershy faltered as she saw not the anger and confusion of a scared animal but something far more sinister. So overcome with mortal terror was the pegasus that she did not budge as Suneater opened his cavernous maw and lunged forward. Before Fluttershy was swallowed whole, a burst of confetti and cotton candy filled the dragon's mouth. From the sweet cloud emerged Pinkie Pie and Discord, the latter clad in the attire of a circus weightlifter with the physique to match.

"Bright idea, Flitter-flutter." The draconequus said as he easily propped the behemoth's pallet. "But I fear this brute is too simple to understand you."

"Hey, snap out of it!" The party pony dope slapped her stupified friend. "You did great but we gotta go!"

While she did not get through to Suneater, the kindly pegasus had bought enough time for the guests to reach safety. With their primary task accomplished, the guards were able to turn their attention to the now obviously hostile dragon. A phalanx of earth ponies, unicorns and pegasi put themselves between the civilians and the beast, parting only to allow the two heroines to pass.

"Discord!" Sentry shouted as the dragon attempted to dislodge the annoyance. "Get clear!"

"In a moment, Captain!" The trickster did an awkward wiggle to avoid the beast's reaching claws. "I did not think this-!"

*SMACK*

The 'reformed' villain fell silent as something long and moist slapped him in the face and slid down his front. Now dripping with a fresh coat of saliva that sent an uncomfortable tingling across his flesh, the mismatched prankster deflated back to his typical form as his mind attempted to process what just happened.

"Did we just round first base?" Discord asked blankly as the dragon's jaws closed around him. "Whoa, now he's stealing second!"

"Now watch him foul ball you." The Theoi tried to follow the metaphor as the beast's cheeks bulged out.

Heavily disagreeing with the thing trying to eat him, the prankster kicked and thrashed in an effort to avoid being swallowed. Suneater ultimately decided raw draconequus was unpalatable to him and spat out Discord with a plume of black flame and phlegm. The trickster turned loogie smacked into a wall where he slowly slid to the ground, a look of absolute revulsion on his face.

"That did it! Light it up!" Sentry commanded to which the unicorns eagerly obeyed.

With minimal risk of friendly fire, the guards assaulted the beast with a flurry of beams and bolts. The dragon shielded his chest with a wing to let his scales and innate anti-magic bear the brunt of the barrage. His unseen passenger kept low as battle magic flew over his head.

"We've outstayed our welcome." The Theoi did not bother trying to be heard over the din. "Time to go before they get in a lucky shot."

The Black Dragon did not share the sentiment as he whipped around with an enraged snarl. His tail swung low and batted guards aside like toys, disrupting the assault and opening gaps in their ranks. The dragon ground his claws into the ground to halt his spin and inhaled deeply, intent on immolating the entire company and then some. The first few gouts of weird fire had just left his maw when a combined ball of solar and lunar magic crashed into his head, cracking a few scales and fouling his aim.

"YOU WILL NOT HAVE THESE, MONSTER!" Princess Luna declared as both she and her sister pummeled the behemoth with their magic.

Suneater flinched and stumbled as the might of day and night rained down on him, allowing the troops to reform and resume their own barrage. With the dragon now on the defensive, Sparkle attempted to conjure chains and manacles to bind the beast down. She secured its front and rear claws and was about to tie its wings when the Black Dragon suddenly flared them with a deafening roar. The resulting hurricane-force gales knocked the Princesses and guards alike across the ground like leaves in the wind. The colossal beast continued to beat its wings as it tried to get airborne, straining against the magical bonds until they snapped in twain and dissipated.

"NO MORTAL MAGIC WILL HOLD ME AGAIN!" The Lord of Darkness thundered. "I SWEAR I WILL REPAY THIS INDIGNITY A HUNDREDFOLD!"

"Swear all you like just get us out of here!" The Dread Lord held on tight as the ground rushed away from him.

After knocking over another tower, the dragon gained enough space to catch the wind beneath his wings and take flight. He rumbled over the recovering equines' heads like a griffon zeppelin heading for open skies. A few guards sent some parting shots but the behemoth ignored them as he cleared the city limits. The Necroarch checked behind them to see if they were being followed. At first he saw nothing but equines rushing to quell the fires that had broken out in and around the palace as well as a line of guests streaming out of the city. Then a pair of comets trailing pastel and starry night contrails rocketed into the sky and rushed after them like bolts of divine retribution.

"Nine bleeding Hells, they're not letting this go." The ancient Anax mentally cursed as he discerned the forms of Celestia and Luna sans the less practical parts of their gowns. "Sparkle must have stayed behind to help the injured, thank the Fates."

"Behind us, Shifting Darkness!" He shouted, his words nearly lost in the whipping winds.

"WHO IS THERE?" Suneater checked over his shoulder for the source of the voice only to see nothing but spines, scales and the Princesses. "HRMPH! PERSISTENT PESTS!"

The dragon had a fair head start on the pursuing Alicorns, its impressive size belying its speed, but it would not be long before the Royal Sisters closed to range. Rather than battle the pair in clear skies, the Black Dragon decided on a more daring approach. Just ahead of him was a massive storm; a lightning flecked wall of clouds that dominated the horizon and defied the nearby weather pegasi's attempted to control it.

"Not my first choice." The Theoi felt his fur stand on end as he recalled a few less civil arguments with his youngest brother.

The weather team attempted to redirect what they thought was a wayward dragon at first. They quickly scattered as the beast roared past them, claws and teeth nearly clipping the slower pegasi. Folding his wings, Suneater punched through the cloud wall amidst wicked bolts of lightning and peals of thunder. The interior of the supercell was a prime example of untamed nature with churning amorphous thunderheads and driving icy rain that seemed to come from all directions. The tree-snapping gales and occasional lightning strikes slowed the Primordial a bit but he was otherwise unaffected.

"For someone who has battled Mother Nature herself, this is probably a stroll in the park for him." The Theoi Anax thought as a fork of lightning danced across the dragon's spines and himself. "Wish I could say the same, damn lightning!"

Suneater and his unseen passenger braced themselves as they came to another wall and broke through. Expecting to have reached the eye of the storm, they were surprised to find an artificial port created by the pegasi for shelter and resupply. The few weather ponies present stared in awe of their sudden intruder before taking flight when he roared at them. Up and over or down and out, the pegasi quickly fled as the dragon lunged at them but did not make much an effort to pursue.

"A SKITTISH SPECIES YET THEY APPEAR TO HAVE INHERITED THE SKY LORD'S DOMAIN." The Primordial snorted in derision once he thought he was alone.

"Primordial Lord of the Shifting Darkness!" The Necroarch called out in Khthonic now that he was sure he could be heard. "Heed me!"

"AGAIN, A VOICE FROM THE ETHER!" The dragon scanned the surrounding clouds as he tried to place the voice. "HAVE I GONE MAD IN MY YEARS OF IMPRISONMENT?"

The pale horse did not get a chance to respond as a hail of magical bolts rained down on them. Suneater shuddered under the impacts and was forced into an awkward juke to escape them. He steadied himself against the cloud wall and looked up to see the Alicorns dive in from the top of the port with horns aglow. With an angry growl, the Black Dragon smashed through the reinforced clouds and flew back into the storm with a mighty flap of his wings. The stygian stallion could see the tell-tale glow of solar and lunar magic fly after them in the beast's shadowy wake.

"I didn't think they would follow us in." He thought as a cobalt beam nearly gave him a shave. "They must mean to shoot us down or keep us in the wilds. Either way, we have to lose them."

Unable to do much beyond holding on and remaining hidden, the pale horse kept his head down and left the flying to the Black Dragon. The bolts of magic from the Alicorns slowed but increased in power as the sisters took the time to charge and aim their shots. Despite his evasive maneuvers, Suneater was still a large target and several shots struck home, breaking scales loose with roars of pain and frustration. A well-aimed blast from Luna caught the carpal joint of one of his wings, forcing the appendage to fold and the dragon to lose balance. In a feat of acrobatics not many would anticipate from a creature his size, the Black Dragon turned the tilt into a roll onto his back; flying upside down while giving himself a better view of his pursuers.

"Seriously, what is happening today?" The inverted Theoi gripped the rain-slicked scales as tights as he could, causing some to crack. "Just don't look down."

The Primordial's baleful eyes narrowed as he inhaled deeply and unleashed a giant ball of khthonic fire. The Alicorns narrowly avoided the attack as it crashed into a storm cloud, resulting in an explosion of plasma and superheated steam. Seeing this, Suneater fired off a series of smaller fireballs aimed at the Princess's general area rather than directly. The ensuing flak storm of weird fire, lightning and steam forced the Royal's into their own display of acrobatics as they avoided the deathly blasts.

"They're shielded like Armor was against Dugore." The still upside-down Necroarch realized as he saw magic shimmer across Celestia from a close call. "That will help again the storm but a direct hit..."

Suneater fired off one last blast that went wide before he rolled back over. Finally granted a reprieve, the Alicorns fell in behind the beast and took aim at his wings. Just before they were about to finally bring the dragon down, the Primordial suddenly flared his wings and instantly stalled in the air. Catching a hurricane-force gale, the behemoth rocketed backwards toward his pursuers. The Alicorns dodged around the Black Dragon, narrowly avoiding his bulk as their positions were reversed.

"I HAVE YOU NOW!" The Lord of Darkness snarled as he leveled out with khthonic fire building in his core.

The Princesses were once again forced to bob and weave as the dragon renewed his assault. Flying against the wind, the fireballs were slowed but so were the Royal Sisters particularly the diurnal Alicorn. Seeing the flagging Celestia, Suneater closed the distance with his teeth bared and a carnivorous gleam in his eyes. Just before he could make good on his namesake, the Solar Princess pulled up into a large loop. The dragon snarled in frustration as his prey flew past his horns and he got a mouthful of cloud.

"Impressive, Princess." The Theoi thought as the inverted Alicorn passed close enough for him to see the strain of effort on her face. "Wait, did she just see me?"

Celestia appeared to stare at his hiding place before she suddenly rolled onto her front. Her momentary lapse in focus cost her as Suneater swung his tail up at her. The scaly limb slammed into the Alicorn's side like a freight train and sent her spinning into a storm bank. The pale horse watched the Princess disappear amid bolts of lightning and a flash of failed magic.

"I guess that works." The Necroarch winced as his ride grinned maliciously. "And then there was Luna."

Suneater focused on the remaining Alicorn and prepared to unleash another barrage of fire. The navy Princess must have anticipated the assault as she suddenly rolled onto her back and sent a single bolt of magic down the dragon's gullet. A muted explosion rumbled from within the behemoth before he hacked up plumes of ember-flecked smoke. Luna followed up by righting herself and shooting forward like a shot from a cannon at the stunned Primordial's snout. The Black Dragon managed to twist his head out of the way, causing the Lunar Alicorn to merely graze him and sheer off a few horns and spines.

"THIS ONE HAS MORE FIGHT IN IT!" The Primordial's anger was tempered somewhat by genuine surprise.

Back in the dragon's wake, Luna held her fire and waited for an opening. Suneater made to do his rollover trick again when he came to a swirling storm wall. The beast braced himself as he crashed into the very heart of the supercell with Luna not far behind. Where the Black Dragon had managed to power his way through the outer reaches of the storm, the vortex proved too much as it dragged him off course and carried him up the spiral. The behemoth wisely decided to just ride it out while Luna attempted to follow. The smaller flier was ultimately forced to break off by folding her wings and tumbling out of the mesocyclone into the relatively calm eye of the storm. The pallid pony nearly lost track of the navy Alicorn amongst the rain when a light like a newborn star cut through the murk. A concentrated beam of lunar magic surged through the air and nearly skewered the dragon through his back. A second beam burned through one of Suneater's wings, leaving a perfectly round hole in the sail-like membrane.

"She's using the lightning." The Theoi realized as a bolt of lightning was followed by another beam of magic. "Hard to miss his silhouette."

Reaching the same conclusion as his hidden passenger, Suneater did his best to streamline his profile. The ploy seemed to work when Luna blasted an uncanny cloud formation. The Black Dragon went a step further by letting out a fake roar of pain to fool the Princess into thinking she had landed a blow. In time, the navy Alicorn was left fighting phantoms as the Primordial reached the top of the supercell.

"She has lost us!" The Theoi shouted as Suneater began flying under his own power again. "Now is our chance to escape!"

The Black Dragon did not respond as he glared down at the lone Alicorn. He glided silently around the rim of the eye until he was behind the Princess. Luna had discovered Suneater's ploy by then and was scanning the storm for signs of the colossal beast, her horn aglow and at the ready. The dragon leveled off and flew over the eye for a short distance before he folded his wings and plunged into the storm tail first.

“Luna! Above you!” The pale horse shouted as the Primordial's deep shadow fell over the Lunar Alicorn.

In a split second, the Princess whirled around and fired at the monster. Had she reacted sooner, the navy Alicorn may have stuck Suneater between his baleful eyes. Instead, the blast grazed his scaley cheek and shot off harmlessly into the night sky. Luna did not have time to react before the Black Dragon was upon her.

*KRA-DOOOM!*

With a thunderous clap that cleared the storm around him, Suneater crushed the Princess between his claws. The monster held her in his grip as he spread his wings to halt his fall. After grinding his claws together for a few agonizing moments, the Primordial released his hold. The ruined body of the Alicorn twisted in the air as she entered free fall. The Black Dragon inhaled and fire off one last ball of fire for no reason other than spite. The khthonic flames caught the listless Princess and sent her rocketing toward the ground like a meteor.

"MAY THIS ONE'S FATE BE A WARNING TO THE REST!" Suneater spat as his bested foe vanished into the stormy gloom below.

With that, the Lord of Darkness climbed back above the supercell and flew off into open skies. His unseen passenger could only stare at the steadily shrinking storm and the fading lights of Canterlot beyond. A rare feeling of dread settled in his core as he processed all that had transpired.

"What have we done?" The question repeated itself in his mind as he and his old friend disappeared into the night.

"LUNAAA!" Princess Celestia called out only to receive no reply. "LUNAAA!"

The alabaster Alicorn flew low and slow over the ground, alert to any signs of her missing sister. After she had crashed in the storm, the Solar Alicorn had attempted to rejoin the chase only to lose both her nocturnal counterpart and their draconic foe. The Princess had then reached a weather team port and exited the storm where she witnessed the full moon dim to a pale, sickly white; a sure sign that her only sister was in mortal peril. Since then, the Princess of the Day had spent what would have been the early hours of the morning scouring the sodden quagmire left in the supercell's wake.

"LUNA!" The Alicorn screamed out again, her voice rough and thick with worry. "WHERE ARE YOU?!"

Again, there was no answer. Celestia gritted her teeth as her exhausted and battered body screamed out at her to stop and rest but she pressed on. She would not rest until her little sister was safe and sound, nursing a warm cup of tea and berating her for building Canterlot over a dragon's lair.

"How in the world did we miss that?" The Solar Princess thought. "Later, Celly. Find Luna now!"

Just as she was about to consider enlisting any weather teams working on storm mop-up, she spotted something out in the slough. Whisps of smoke rose out of a good-sized crater surrounded by a stretch of dry land. The Diarch immediately changed direction and shot toward the landmark.

"A stray shot from the monster?" She wondered. "I guess it would be too much to hope that's where it landed after Luna shot it down."

Celestia had just reached the blasted crater when her long-suffering wings seized up in a cramp. The Alicorn landed in a heap midway up the slope, every ache and pain in her body making itself known. The Princess muttered an intelligible curse and half galloped, half dragged herself up the crater. As she drew closer to the rim, she saw embers of weird fire smoldering in the charred shrubs and ashen dirt. This would have lent credence to her earlier inference if the sickening scent of burnt flesh had not assaulted her nose.

"No...no..." The eldest Princess whispered as crested the ridge and found her missing sister. "No...no,no,no..."

The alabaster Alicorn fell down the reverse side and scambled toward the motionless Luna. The formidable Princess of the Night was a mangled mess of twisted limbs and shattered bones. Her wings were shredded and burnt while her horn was broken off near her scalp. Celestia could only stare at her seemingly lifeless body before she sank to her knees in despair.

"No...please...Luna..." The Diarch of the Day choked out as tears welled up in her eyes.

Celestia crawled toward her stricken sister and gently nuzzled against her head, desperate for one last familial embrace. The rest of the world seemed to fade away as she lay there in the filth, tears flowing freely as she held her beloved Luna. As time ticked by, Celestia felt a small twitch against her muzzle; little more than a passing itch. The Princess did not think much of it until she heard what sounded like a slight cough. She raised her head to see Luna's nostrils flare slightly and a single eye, glazed over and unfocused, crack open.

"...Cel..." The voice came as soft and weak as a whisper lost in the wind. "...Urrgh..."

"Luna..." Celestia hesitated at first as if the universe was playing a cruel trick on her. "Luna!"

Lost in a wave of joy and relief, the eldest sister nearly embraced her junior before she caught herself. There was a long list of things she could and could not do to an injured equine and moving them was near the top. The alabaster Alicorn settled for placing a gentle hoof on Luna's head.

"Don't move, Luna." The Solar Princess said as her rapture returned to worry. "Focus on me."

"...hurrgh..." The stricken mare gasped out.

"What can I do?" Celestia thought feverishly as Luna finally focused on her. "Solar magic won't help here."

"Princess?!" A different voice called out in the distance. "Anypony out here?!"

"HERE!" The eldest Alicorn shouted as she shot a flare of golden magic into the night. "OVER HERE!"

A few moments later, a flutter of leathery wings announced the arrival of a flight of thestrals. Three of them appeared at the rim of the crater while others circled overhead. Their leader, one of Luna's Night-Captains, froze in shock at the sight of her nocturnal mistress.

"Which one is she?" The Solar Alicorn thought. "Avenge? No, Vengeance."

"Don't just stand there, Vengeance!" Celestia shouted. "Get a medic and a stretcher!"

"Stars above, you two heard her!" The thestral snapped out of her stupor and rounded on her wingmates. "Send for medivac! NOW!"

The two saluted before taking to the air again. Vengeance rushed to the Princesses' side to find Luna was both still breathing and conscious if only just. The Alicorn of the Day ignored her as she tried to keep her sister from drifting off.

"Help is on the way, Luna." Celestia whispered. "Just hold on."

"...tha..." The Princess of the Night attempted to smile but only allowed a stream of blood to leak from her broken mouth.

"Don't talk, mistress." Vengeance advised as all she could do was stand guard over her. "Just stay awake until we can get you to a doctor."

The three stayed in the crater for what felt like an agonizing eternity until the thestrals finally returned with a flight of pegasi medics in tow. The Princess and Night-Captain gave them space as the doctors surrounded the broken Alicorn, only coming forward when prompted for help. Every groan and gasp of pain from Luna was like a dagger of ice into Celestia's heart.

"This is my fault." She thought bitterly. "I left her to fight that beast alone."

"...make sure that's not too tight." One of the medics instructed before he approached the Princess. "We've done all that we can here but we need to get her out of here."

"Then what are you telling us for?!" Vengeance snarled. "Move it!"

"The hospital in Canterlot is overwhelmed at the moment!" The pegasus explained quickly. "I was asking if either of you two know a good alternative."

"They can't make room for a Princess?!?" The thestral bared her fangs in anger. "What-!"

"Twilight's castle." Celestia cut her off promptly. "Medical ward. Might even be better than Canterlot's."

"Thank you, your highness." The medic gave a short bow before he turned to the awaiting team. "Ponyville! Get the lead out!"

With that, the flights of thestrals and pegasi took to the air with their precious passenger carried between two bat-ponies. The Solar Alicorn flew alongside her sister, now mummified in bandages with a tarp draped over her like a shroud and strapped to a stretcher. Her still hazy eye drifted over to the alabaster Alicorn and seemed to focus for a moment.

"We're taking you somewhere safe, Lulu." Celestia forced on a smile that belied her mounting pangs of guilt and worry. "You'll be fine."

"...huzzah..." Luna whispered with a modicum of recovered strength before she drifted back into a daze.

Princess Twilight Sparkle paced nervously back and forth across a balcony overlooking Ponyville. Below her palace, the normally sleepy town was bustling with the influx of equines from Canterlot. She along with her fellow Element Bearers, Cadenza and other heroic ponies had successfully evacuated the palace, leaving only a detachment of Solar Guards to watch over vital locations such as the treasury and archives. While some citizens simply returned to their homes within the capital city, the majority fled to nearby settlements with Ponyville and Cloudsdale being chief among them. The success of the evacuation would have given the youngest Alicorn some relief had the moon not paled and dimmed soon after; a bad omen if there ever was one.

“Something horrible has happened.” The scholarly mare thought as she scanned the skies for any sign of her fellow Princesses' return. “I wish I could do more than just stand here and worry.”

After staring at the horizon for a few more moments, Sparkle turned away from the vista and trotted back into her crystalline palace. The normally quiet halls were filled with the din of conversing equines, patrolling guards and nobles lamenting their less-than-stellar accommodations in the guest quarters. Most of them had enough tact to cease their complaining as their gracious host passed by on her way to the council chambers.

"I've learned that a good number of them just like a good moan, odd as it sounds." The Princess of Magic thought as her guards opened the doors for her. "Don't care about solutions, just want to be mad."

The noise from the halls became muted as the doors shut behind her, granting the chamber privacy. Within were her fellow Element Bearers in their designated chairs, called to the council as soon as they had checked on their families and properties. In addition, Princess Cadenza sat in an extra seat flanked by her ever-alert guards while Twilight's draconic assistant Spike perched atop a looming stack of papers munching on a crystal. Above them, reclining in a hammock suspended between two roots of the chandelier, was the trickster Discord who seemed more interested in a cloud of cotton candy than the assembly of mares beneath him.

"He was complaining earlier that his magic was acting up." Sparkle thought as the draconequus snapped his talons to summon a drink. "Seems to have passed."

"Any sign of them, Twilight?" The Alicorn of Love asked.

"Not yet." The other Alicorn shook her head as she took her seat. "I'm beginning to worry."

"They're probably weighed down dragging that sorry excuse for a dragon back here." Rainbow Dash said confidently. "'Til then, your clerks brought some light reading for you."

"Heh, she doesn't take 'official business' lightly." Spike said as he finished his treat with a hearty crunch. "Before you ask, Twilight, I've already sorted them alphabetically and by subject."

"It was truly a marvel to watch him work." Rarity shot the appreciative dragon a brilliant smile. "Years of practice, I'm sure."

"Indeed." Sparkle nodded. "I guess we should get started going through those."

"Wait, 'we'?" The prismatic pegasus paled slightly. "I thought we were here to-"

"This is part of it, RD." Applejack cut her off with a hard glare. "So quit yer fussin'. Many hooves make light work n' all."

"Yeah, yeah." Dash sighed. "Dibs on guard stuff, Spike."

"I figured you would." The young dragon smirked as he dismounted the pile. "Uh, Discord? I'd ask..."

"But you won't." The mismatched prankster waved a dismissive paw. "Wake me if you ladies find anything exciting."

With Spike's help, the pile was divided fairly evenly between the six mares. Soon the room was filled with quiet mutterings and papers rustling punctuated by Discord's uneven snoring and Pinkie materializing a cart of snacks for her friends. Sparkle politely refused an offered plate of flowers as she committed important bits to memory while keeping an eye out for anything 'exciting' as Discord had put it.

"Hundreds injured... dozens in critical condition... no fatalities as of yet." Sparkle offered a silent thanks for that miraculous development as she read a casualty report. "Probably exhausted Equestria's supply of dumb luck for that."

The same could not be said for the palace and city of Canterlot. The rain of debris had devastated the upper levels and the weird fire of the dragon had proven frustratingly difficult to extinguish. The initial reports claimed that repairs to the city itself would be pricy but completed relatively quickly. The palace, however, could very well take years depending on what Equestria's engineers and architects conclude.

"They are more focused on the mountain itself right now." The lavender Princess thought as she shifted through more reports. "Got to make sure it won't collapse and that dragon doesn't have a mate down there."

"Mayor Mare glad to have the influx of ponies and their money." Rarity said aloud. "She's also worried Ponyville won't be able to support this sudden boom."

"Ah don't see many stickin' around once Canterlot is fixed." Applejack shook her head. "Ah reckon both are temporary."

"Ditto for Cloudsdale." Dash concurred as she tossed a report back onto the pile. "So has anypony found out anything about the dragon? The guards didn't have much besides 'it's big, black and built like a tank'."

"Oh! I think I do!" Spike ripped his attention away from another crystal and dug something out of the stack. "Twilight, do you remember that report on Starswirl you did ages ago?"

"You're going to have to be more specific." Cadence said knowingly, earning a few snickers from the council and a look from the Princess.

"Right, the one about his early life." The juvenile drake clarified as he held up the report in question. "Teamed up with some mages to fight a big, black dragon."

"Ah, yes." The lavender Alicorn nodded after some thought. "How did you remember that?"

"Grey asked about a black dragon last time he was here." Spike explained. "Got me interested in it so I dug this up along with most of your citations. I gotta say, long read but we were pretty awesome back in the day... aside from the countryside burnination and general evilness."

"Hold up." Dash's ears pricked up. "Why was spooky looking into dragons?"

"Well, he was looking into Pre-Equestrian history to be specific." The drake recalled. "I think he was using the black dragon as a reference point."

"He does have a professional interest in history, darling." Rarity added. "Oh, Grey was a traveler that passed through here a while ago, Princess Cadence."

"Ah, I see." The contextless pink Alicorn gave her a thankful smile.

"Anyway, there are a lot of similarities between our monster and the one Starswirl beat." Spike cut the tangent as he passed the old report to its author. "Size, scale color, fire that messes with magic, that type of stuff."

"Spike, what would I do without you?" Sparkle thought as she skimmed through her past self's work and came to the relevant sections. "Oh. Now I remember this."

"Suneater the Black Dragon." She read out the audacious name with a wince. "Usurper of the Dragon Lords, Scourge of Equus and all-around fiend."

"Suneater, you say?" Discord roused from his light nap and rolled out of his hammock. "I've heard that name before."

"An old friend of yours?" Rarity prompted him to elaborate.

"Hm? Oh, no. It was a name that was batted around back in the good old days." The trickster answered with a hint of nostalgia. "Apparently he and some other lizard boys took a crack at the world before I did."

"Yes and like you, he nearly won until brave equines rose up and defeated him." Sparkle summarised her report. "Only instead of being turned to stone, he was sealed away in a temple."

"Oh, so then it can't be him." Dash pointed out. "Ours popped out of a mountain."

"Actually, speedy horse, there is a chance I may have dropped a mountain or two on some holy houses." Discord admitted sheepishly.

"Ah'm afraid to ask why." Applejack said with a frown.

"Have you ever met a pony of the cloth? Exhibit Bleh of why Order is so boring!" The mismatched draconequus made a disgusted gagging noise. "Honestly though, not all my ideas are bangers and I couldn't be asked to spare much thought to those party-poopers. A big rock was all it usually took."

"Glad he didn't try that on us." Sparkle thought.

"That would explain the lack of evidence of a lair before they built Canterlot." She said seriously. "And given the rarity- not you -of dragons of that size and color palette, Suneater might be our baddie."

"What do you say, Fluttershy?" Pinkie turned to the quieter than usual pegasus. "You've stared down big dragons before."

"I... I thought it might have been just scared; spooked after waking up suddenly and lashing out." The kindly animal caretaker spoke barely above a whisper. "But when I stared into it..."

"Darling, you're shaking like a leaf." Rarity said gently. "Take your time."

"...it stared back." Fluttershy found her resolve and continued. "It looked at me like you would at a bit of mud on a new dress or a worm in an apple."

"Filth an' pests." Applejack reiterated with a grimace. "That sound like ol' Suneater, Twi?"

"It would explain his M.O. of razing his conquests rather than occupying them." The scholarly Princess nodded. "Whether he intended to build something on the ashes or not is a matter of speculation."

"I'd rather not wait to find out." Dash said with a wry nicker. "Do any of those books say what exactly Starswirl did to beat him? Might work again."

"Uhh, no." Spike searched for a reference but came up empty-clawed. "Did they really not write that down?"

"Any record before the Age of Discord will have holes in it." Sparkle sighed as the bringer of said age looked away innocently. "Best I can do is guess."

"I have a question." Cadence raise a hoof as if she was back in school. "Assuming our dragon even is Suneater and not a lookalike, what woke him up? We've had parties on Canterhorn before."

"Anything from Discord reshuffling geography to whatever caused the Breach could have set the timer on his metaphorical alarm." The younger Alicorn mused. "Or someone set it off on purpose."

“Princess Sparkle?” A voice followed after a loud series of knocks at the door. "Captain Sentry is here."

"Huh? Oh!" The Alicorn took a moment to snap out of her thoughts. "Send him in."

The doors opened and an obviously tired Sentry trotted in. From his posture and expression, the heroines could tell he did not bring good news.

"Princess Celestia and Luna are back." The orange pegasus reported plainly. "They're both in the medical ward."

"What?! What happened?!" Sparkle along with her friend stood out of their chairs. "Tell us on the way!"

The group navigated the crystalline halls of the tree-palace to the infirmary while Sentry told them of what he knew. They arrived to find a section of the ward cordoned off by grim-faced thestrals. The Night Guard allowed Sparkle and Sentry to pass but no more, citing standing orders to keep visitors to a minimum regardless of their status as heroines, Alicorns or 'reformed' villains.

“This isn't good.” The Alicorn of Magic thought nervously as the rest of her friends waited in a lobby.

Pass another set of guards, the two came to the trauma section where an entire host of bat-ponies stood at the ready. Equines in both white coats and blue scrubs came and went from a room that Sparkle assumed they were tending to Luna. Outside the room looking in from a window stood Princess Celestia, herself being minded by a pink-maned mare who made some minor adjustments to a few bandages around her barrel and head. Pacing back and forth in the middle of the hall was Night-Captain Vengeance, her face a storm of worry and anger.

“Night-Captain.” Sentry greeted his nocturnal counterpart.

“Captain.” The thestral barely acknowledged the two as she continued pacing. "Princess."

“How is she, Vengeance?” Sparkle asked gently.

“Ask the quack here.” The Night-Captain gestured to Celestia's minder.

"I'm a nurse, not a miracle worker." The nurse nickered indignantly before turning to the two. "The field medics stabilized Princess Luna but she is still in critical condition. She is in triage until we determine the full extent of her injures."

“Oh.” The lavender Princess’ ears fell flat against her head. “Is…is there anything I can do to help?”

“Help?!” Vengeance suddenly rounded on the Alicorn, teethed bared in a snarl. “Yes, Sparkle, you can help by telling me where this damn dragon is so I can pluck out its eyes and feed them to it!”

“We are still searching for it.” Sentry stepped forward and put himself between the two mares. "Something that big can't hide for long so it's only a matter of time."

“Time, he says.” The thestral growled to herself as she resumed pacing. "Useless... golden boy... *grumble-grumble*"

As the orange pegasus bristled at the Night-Captain, Sparkle approached the unmoving Princess of the Sun. She did not acknowledge her former pupil as her gaze was fixed on the flurry of activity beyond the window. The youngest Alicorn could see not only the expected feelings of pain and worry across the alabaster Diarch's expression but also a smoldering rage that made Vengeance's fury seem like a candle before a supernova.

"She had a similar look when she glassed Sombra's thugs." Sparkle thought as she carefully placed a hoof on the Solar Princess, minding her bandages.

"Twilight." Celestia snapped out of her thoughts and managed a small if forced smile. "So much for a boring Gala, huh?"

"There's always next year." The Princess of Magic said with a mirthless laugh. "She'll pull through, Princess."

"Of course she will!" The thestral said more to herself. "Once she's back, we will make this right."

"Speaking of making things right..." The nurse spoke up as she finished her adjustments. "I'd advise you to get some sleep; you too, Princess Sparkle."

"I'll rest when..." The Alicorn of the Sun's rebuttal died on her lips when she felt a wave of fatigue wash over her. "Fine but I have to do one last thing before retiring; it should have been dawn a while ago."

"Of course." The nurse nodded as she noticed one of the doctors wave her in. "If you'll excuse me."

"I have a balcony with a good view of the eastern horizon." Sparkle gently steered her former mentor away from the window. "Afterwards, I can lend you my room for the night, er, day."

"Don't let me run you out of your own castle." Celestia said politely. "I really just need some throw pillows."

"I assume you're going to stay up, Night-Captain?" Sentry asked Vengeance who nodded. "If there are any new developments-"

"I'll let you know." The bat-pony finished for him. "I don't know how you can sleep at a time like this."

"Not all of us can run on caffeine." The good captain needled, earning a wry smirk from his nocturnal counterpart. "Good night."

With that, the Captain of the Guard departed along with the Princesses. The three exited the medical ward and rejoined the others in the hall. They were informed of Luna's condition, earning a mix of shocked silence, near tears and even a serious silence from Discord. Sentry did his best to alleviate their worries with a spiel about the top-notch skill of the doctors and the divine fortitude of Alicorns; a speech he had no doubt practiced in the event he had to make a public statement.

"A fair point, o' captain, my captain." The draconequus broke the sullen mood with a carefree tone. "If I couldn't keep moon-butt down, what chance does Suneater have?"

"Suneater?" Celestia bristled at the name and its implications.

"We believe that is the identity of the dragon." Cadenza answered. "The global threat before Discord. The name is more symbolic than literal... we think."

"Lovely." The Princess of the Sun nickered. "Perhaps I can use my sun as bait."

"I would take it." Discord waggled his eyebrows suggestively, earning a feathery rebuke from Fluttershy's wing.

With the Diarch of the Day informed of what they had learned, the group made their way through crystalline tree-palace to one of its balconies. A vista of the eastern landscape stretched out before them, dominated by nearby Canterlot and the sickly pale moon that still hung in the sky. Celestia gazed up at the orb and noted that while it was still a far cry from its former majesty, it no longer appeared to be on the verge of winking out.

"Never thought I would have to intrude on Luna's domain again." The eldest Alicorn thought aloud as she ignited her horn. "The last time, I hope."

"Do you need help?" Sparkle offered as both she and Cadenza trotted forward. "I know a little about moon magic."

"I can manage." The Solar Alicorn held up a prohibitive hoof. "I just have to make a few adjustments."

Reaching through the ether with her magic, the alabaster Princess willed the moon to set. Unlike her burning and mighty sun that almost welcomed her touch, the lesser light of the sky felt cold and alien as if she were trespassing. The pale orb resisted her and for a brief moment, the pareidolic image of the Mare-in-the-Moon became clearer. Before any of the onlookers could comment on the Alicorn's struggles, the moon finally began to set and soon disappeared beneath the horizon. With a soft sigh, Celestia turned her attention to the comparatively easier task of raising the sun. Soon the hues of twilight painted the sky as the warm glow of dawn was teased.

"It will remain twilight for a few hours so we can salvage some of our sleep schedules." The Herald of the Day explained with a tired huff. "Which I now intend to do."

"Then this is where I depart." Cadenza said as she signaled her attentive guards. "I'll probably sleep on the ride home."

"Yer not staying?" Applejack voiced what the group was thinking.

"The monster was heading north before we lost it." The crystal regent pointed in said direction. "I need to be there for my little ponies if it decides a city made of crystals looks tasty."

"Mmm, it does." Spike salivated slightly at the thought.

"Then we will not keep you any longer." Celestia stepped forward as if to embrace her niece but opted for a short bow instead. "Shall I have Captain Sentry provide an escort?"

"I would appreciate it." The crystal princess nodded before one of her guards could protest. "Farewell, everypony. I wish this night ended on a more pleasant note."

"Stay safe, Cadence." Sparkle gave her old foal sitter a quick hug. "And keep in touch."

After a few more words of farewell, Cadenza reentered the palace to begin her departure. The Element Bearers followed soon after with warm beds and the desire for some sleep calling out to them. Spike tasked himself with preparing a guest room for Celestia while Discord, seeing there was no more fun to be had at present, snapped away to where ever his whims took him.

"There is still so much for us to do." Sparkle said past a yawn. "Sleeping now feels... irresponsible."

"We've done what we can for now." Her former mentor consoled. "And we need to be prepared for what may come."

"Right." The Princess of Magic agreed. "You coming, Flash?"

"I still need to check in with returning patrols and arrange Cadenza's escort." The orange pegasus shook his head. "After that, I'll squeeze in a power nap on a couch somewhere. Sleep well, your highnesses."

"There plenty of space in my quarters." The lavender Alicorn offered as she and her alabaster counterpart trotted into the palace. "I'll leave the doors unlocked."

Left alone on the balcony, the Captain took a moment to enjoy the early morning air as he considered her invitation. While it sounded suggestive, he doubted that Sparkle had anything but innocent intentions.

"If the dragon hadn't attacked, that would have been a different story." Sentry murmured as he scanned the skies in case Celestia's earlier jest about sun bait held some weight. "Still not sure which one of us would make...wait, is that Knight?"

Squinting against the haze of twilight, the pegasus was able to discern the Night-Captain making his way toward him from Canterlot. Before long, the thestral alighted on the balcony with a grunt of exertion. From the heavy bags under his eyes and the bandage around his head, the orange Captain could tell he had a rough night.

"Night-Captain Knight." Sentry greeted as he noticed what appeared to be papers in his saddlebags. "Good news, I hope."

For a moment, Knight did not respond. He gave the orange pegasus a distrustful sideways glance as he mentally mulled over something. Before the Captain of the Guard could comment, the look of suspicion passed and the bat-stallion faced him fully.

"Captain Sentry." Knight returned the greeting. "No, I fear we have another problem; we've been robbed."

The Black Dragon flew low and silent over the wild expanses of the Everfree, his passing marked only by the rush of air and panicked cries of the local denizens. While he had emerged from the storm victorious, he was not unscathed. Primordial ichor seeped from between cracked scales and turned into a tenebrous mist in his wake. Most troubling of his wounds, however, was the gaping hole in one of his wings. The compromised membrane rippled and shuddered as he flew, making the effort to stay airborne a challenge.

"Rrgh, I need to rest and mend." Suneater rumbled as he winced in pain. "But where? None of this looks familiar."

"All the more reason for us to get back underground." The beast's unseen passenger thought as he wrung out the last of the rainwater from his coat. "We should be coming up on Avernus shortly."

Whether by chance or some instinctive sense of direction, the behemoth had taken them toward the crater lake. The lights of Hollow Shades could be seen amongst their broken mountain home and the air held just a hint of acridity. The pale horse was about to advise his friend to skirt the thestral colony when he noticed that the moon had set and twilight graced the skyline.

"That was fast. Either Luna is already back on her hooves or Celestia is pulling double duty." The Theoi thought with some relief. "If they are catching up, then dawn should be-!"

No sooner had the thought occurred to him than the first rays of the sun illuminated the land. The Primordial balked and shuddered at his natural enemy's appearance, his already battered body now hissing and smoldering. With a sickening ripping sound, his wounded wing finally tore in two.

"Rargh! Accursed sun!" The beast roared as he lost both balance and altitude. "Has a new Lord taken up your reigns?!"

Suneater attempted to right his fall but in the light of day, it was futile. With a series of cracks followed by a hard crash, the dragon smashed through a length of the Everfree before slamming into the unforgiving ground. His bulk uprooted trees, pulverized stone and carved a considerable ditch in the dirt before ground to a sudden stop against a rocky outcrop. Momentum dislodged his passenger and catapulted him into the ground with a dull thud.

"Oh, sweet terra firma." The pale horse muttered as he felt ground beneath him again. "I embrace you."

"Urrgh, thank Khaos for some shade." Suneater groaned as he shook the sunspots from his vision. "Ah! And a snack. Where did you come from, little morsel?"

"You do not recognize me, Shifting Darkness?" The pallid pony said in Khthonic as he got to all fours and faced the behemoth. "I am insulted."

"You know my tongue?!" The dragon's eyes widened in shock and nearly bulged out of their sockets in realization. "Hidden One! What?! When?! How?! Why?! I HAVE SO MANY QUESTIONS!!"

"As do I, my old friend." The Theoi grimaced as his ears rang. "Unfortunately, this is neither the time nor the place for such inquires."

"Over here!" A distant voice shouted. "I heard it roar! Hurry!"

"There is why." The Necroarch sighed. "We must move, quickly!"

Still in shock over the sudden appearance of the pale horse, Suneater tried to babble out a few questions before stomping after his old friend. After none too subtly clearing a trail through the forest, the pair reached the volcanic ruins. The colossal beast paused as it looked around the paradoxically familiar and alien environment.

"Was not this on an island?" He asked as he dug a testing claw into the blasted ground.

"The world's geography was shuffled after your imprisonment." The Lord of Shades explained quickly. "Again, we will have time to talk later."

The two reached the rim of the crater and the boiling lake beyond. Through the noxious steam, the Theoi sighted and pointed out the fissure leading into the carven system. Suneater looked from the crack to his massive form and came to the obvious conclusion.

"I am not going to fit." The dragon said simply.

"Can you not shift into a smaller form?" The pale horse asked. "Or something more malleable?"

"I...rrgh...maybe..." The Primordial's draconic features became muddled as he tried to force something but ultimately snapped back. "Damnation!"

"Like when you freeze water, he needs time to 'melt'." The Theoi inferred as he looked back at the lake. "Speaking of heat..."

“Then we shall use the route you and your kin made.” The Lord of Shades indicated the roiling waters. “Unless you cannot swim as well.”

“Now I can do that.” The dragon rumbled as he swooped up the stygian stallion and placed him on his back again. “Hold fast.”

Suneater folded his wings against his body and lept off the rim. In a surprising display of grace, the beast arced through the poisoned air and dove into the brackish waters with a loud splash. As the tail of the colossal dragon vanished beneath the surface, the thestral pursuers emerged from the forest.

"Where did it go?" A bat-pony asked aloud. "I could have sworn I heard it just now."

"The lake?" Another ventured as it circled the rim. "If it did, that problem just took care of itself."

"It might have gone airborne again." A third scanned the skies for movement. "Spread out and somepony report in to Dunwich. She needs to know we got a rogue dragon."

As the denizens of Hollow Shades searched for their intruder, the two immortals slipped into the depths of the earth. Where any mortal creature would have perished immediately in the boiling toxic waters, the Primordial and Theoi felt little more than a tingle. The caldera eventually bottomed out in a massive flooded chamber where the Khthonic Theoi had landed following the end of the Cosmomachy. From this cavity reached many twisting passages and tunnels created by the dark entities as they seeped into what would become the Underworld. Acting from ancient memories, the Black Dragon followed one of these tunnels until they reached an air pocket.

“Blah! Nothing like an acid bath to invigorate the body.” Suneater gasped as he surfaced and dragged himself to dry land.

"Indeed." His passenger agreed as he dismounted. "Now hold your fire; we are not alone."

"They followed us?" The beast asked as he noticed movement in a tunnel leading further in.

"No. These are mine." The Lord of Shades explained before addressing the skulking figures. "Hail to you, Undying."

"Boss? Dat you?" The rough accent of Fleabag echoed from the dark. "Arms down, boyz!"

From the tunnel emerged the hooded and lightly armored figures of a revenant patrol, mostly diamond dogs. The Undying saluted their patron while their attention was fixed on the dragon.

"Gor! Dat's a big 'un!" Fleabag stared unabashedly. "Friend of yourz?"

"Old and dear." The Theoi nodded. "Meet some of the new members of the Undying Order, Shifting Darkness. Use common; some of them are still learning Khthonic."

"Must I?" The behemoth complained but relented. "Blessings upon you, gem hounds and... what is that?"

"I'm a changeling." The lone drone buzzed in annoyance. "You know? Shapeshifter?"

"An emergent species then." Suneater rubbed a claw against his chin. "I have been gone a long time."

"I have a trove of tomes for you to use back in Barathrum." The pale horse assured him before turning back toward the guards. "Have the rest of my party returned?"

"Yea, da rest got here a while 'fore you." Fleabag confirmed. "Oi, buggy. Call yer mum n' let 'er know da boss iz back."

"Got it." The changeling nodded as his horn glowed a sickly green. "She says 'hurry back, she wants to meet the dragon'."

"Well, that is an improvement over using runners." The impressed pallid pony thought. "Wish I had something similar last night."

“Then let us not keep her waiting.” The Hidden One said as he held up a hoof and exerted his control over the Sunless Lands. “Just let me make some room.”

The subterranean stone shifted and groaned as the tunnel nearly doubled in diameter. Keeping his head low and his wings folded, the dragon stomped down the path following after the Theoi and his minions. Deep within the quiet earth, in the monochrome meadows of Asphodel, Hive Queen Chrysalis awaited their return along with Archmage Lulamoon and Grand Marshal Armor.

"His majesty just got underground with the dragon." The changeling matron reported as she cut the connection with her drone. "He should be back soon."

"Good. Trixie was getting worried." The lich sighed. "We got separated early and things just went off the rails after that."

"That's putting it mildly." Armor said with a frown, having just been given an abridged version of the night's events. "What stealth mission involves blowing up a mountain?"

"The best kind, Shining." Chrysalis shot him a toothy smile. "Admit it, you hope some of the ponies up there got sent down here."

"Hope is the first step on the road to disappointment." A voice said from above. "A lesson I often need to be taught."

The grim figure of the Hand of Death alighted on a rocky outcrop nearby. While his appearance would have shocked lesser creatures, the dead, undead and the functionally immortal trio had grown accustomed to the sullen reaper. Lulamoon, for her part, considered the scythe-wielding daemon a friend although it remained to be seen if it was mutual.

"Greetings, Soul Collector." The azure unicorn welcomed in Khthonic. "Do you mean that no one has perished in the attack?"

"The psychopomps and keres still haunt the mountain but no harvest as of yet." The reaper shook his head. "The only new arrivals of note were a quartet of dragons."

"The Astute and Observant Trixie suspects that was His Excellency's doing." The lich said thoughtfully. "While you are here, Trixie has procured a few items from Canterlot. One of which will be of interest to you."

"Sticky hooves, Lulamoon?" Armor asked wryly. "Didn't take you for a thief."

"Is it theft if Trixie is returning them to their proper owners?" The unicorn asked as she rummaged through her small stash of pilfered baubles. "Better they be in our hooves than collecting dust in Luna's temple to her vanity."

"The Night Alicorn?" The winged daemon dropped down from his perch and approached tentatively. "Is it possible you have found it?"

“The Adept and Scholarly Trixie believes she has.” The lich faced the reaper and made of show of kneeling while presenting a sword wrapped in cloth. "Behold, the Kingslayer!"

"Neat name." Chrysalis whispered to a keenly interested Armor.

Wordlessly, the Hand of Death took up the sword and held it aloft. The crystalline core of the blade began to glow and a surge of deathly energy burned off the makeshift scabbard. In the Overworld, every noble and royal of every nation felt a gravely chill run down their spines.

“I have missed you as well.” Were he not wearing a mask frozen in stern aspect, Lulamoon would have sworn he was smiling. “You have my eternal gratitude, Trixie Lulamoon.”

“It was her pleasure.” The Archmage beamed in the dark tongue. "There should be some souls already in there."

"I see them." The reaper nodded as he ran a gauntleted hand over the shimmering sword. "You possess an impressive will if you were able to wield it without succumbing to madness."

"Oh, don't you start sucking up to her." Chrysalis chittered. "What else is in that pile?"

"Not much that would interest you." Lulamoon shot the Hive Queen a look. "But the Kind and Generous Trixie will allow you to browse her collection."

The rest of the loot was divided amongst the three. The lich kept those that still contained some magic while Armor took the weapons to build up an armory of his own. Chrysalis, not given to collecting trinkets, settled for the non-magical jewelry to help make more complete disguises.

“Hmm, surprised we didn't see you during the Tartarus campaign.” Armor said as he held the heat-warped helm of Dugore. "So Luna took credit for this?"

"No, but having it on display amongst her other trophies with not even a word saying otherwise..." The azure unicorn left the implication hanging.

"Right." The revenant rolled his eyes. "On the subject of Princesses, you said you met my sister?"

“Indeed, Trixie did.” The Archmage trotted closer and almost got nose to nose with Armor. “She got this close to her and the foalish fool was none the wiser.”

“You’re welcome.” The now fashionably gaudy Chrysalis buzzed smugly.

“How about after Canterlot exploded?” The Marshall asked with a concerned look over at the scattered shades milling about the meadows.

“The Keen and Observant Trixie did not see her again that night.” The Archmage said after some thought. “If you are concerned about her health, Trixie thinks we would know if the so-called Princess of Magic perished.”

“His Excellency and I would have words if she did.” The Undying unicorn grumbled with a dangerous glare.

Deciding not to point out that the Theoi could probably turn Armor to dust with a gesture, the group occupied themselves with looking over the shades. Much to Armor’s relief and Lulamoon and Chrysalis’ disappointment, no phantom of a Princess materialized or any other recognizable ghost. Their shade watching was interrupted by bit of rock falling to the ground a short distance away.

“Either a gang of diamond dogs has made a big mistake or the boss is back.” Chrysalis said as the spectral citizens cleared away from the cave in.

With a rush of air and the rumbling boom of the earth closing behind him, the Black Dragon and Lord of Shades fell from the starless sky and landed like a sack of bricks. Lulamoon and the changelings took an instinctive step back from the colossal beast while Armor stood his ground.

"That is one big bastard." The Hive Matron buzzed as the Primordial recovered from his undignified landing.

"Sure is." The revenant nodded. "Well, I suppose we should say hello."

The four approached the returned Lords with a mix of trepidation and excitement. Before introductions could be made, the dragon noticed them and cocked his head to the side. The Theoi, wary of a reaction similar to his first meeting of Canterlot's equines, trotted forward.

“Meet more of my stalwart servants, Shifting Darkness.” The pale horse said quickly before switching to the mortal tongue. “This is Archmage Trixie Lulamoon.”

“A pleasure, Darkest of Lords.” The azure unicorn said in Khthonic as she curtsied in her tattered gown.

"Ah, a lich." The beast gave something approaching a smile as he nodded in acknowledgment. "I was about to question your judgment in recruiting mortals."

"Sometimes you don't have a choice." The Necroarch thought.

“Hive Queen Chrysalis, the matron of the changelings.” The stygian stallion continued down the line. "It's impolite to stare, shapeshifter."

"I'm almost done." Chrysalis waved him off as she continued to stare at the dragon who stared right back. "I'm terrified yet impressed."

"I have that effect on others." Suneater rumbled smugly.

“Truthfully, we all do down here.” The Theoi shrugged. “And this is Shining Armor; the latest Grand Marshall of the Undying Order.”

“Sirs!” Armor snapped a crisp salute. "Welcome back."

"You went with a unicorn?" The dragon asked, earning a frown from the Marshall. "Not my first choice for a martial position."

"He has more than proven himself, as I can attest to, but those are tales for another time." The pallid pony assured both parties. "Now surely I do not need to introduce the Hand of Death."

The Grim Reaper stepped forward and knelt before the dragon. The beast stared at the daemon for a moment before he broke into a hearty chuckle and snatched up the specter of death in a familial embrace. Surprise turned to shock when the normally austere Hand returned the hug albeit in a manner appropriate for all long-suffering juveniles.

"Death, my boy!" The Lord of Darkness smiled as only a father can. "How I have missed that frozen expression."

"Father." The reaper greeted as he pulled away from the embrace. "The Underworld was not the same without you."

"That's his dad?" Lulamoon asked as the Theoi gave the Khthonic family reunion some space.

"That he is." The pale horse confirmed. "In fact, with the exception of the Erinyes, the daemons can trace their parentage to him and/or his consort."

"We need to catch up, Shining." Chrysalis shot the revenant a wry smile. “So we got another living superweapon, Hand got his kill-sword and Elytra is embedded in the heart of Equestria. I call that mission accomplished.”

"Far from perfect but I'm inclined to..." The Necroarch trailed off as he realized what she said. "Apologies, kill-sword?"

"The Great and Powerful Trixie recovered the Kingslayer from Luna's gallery." Lulamoon explained proudly. "She also secured a few other trinkets that she thinks would better serve us."

"If Suneater had been a bust, that would have more than made this trip worth it." The pale horse mused as a genuine smile crossed his features.

"You exceed expectations yet again, Lulamoon." He said simply. "I only regret leaving you to fend for yourself in the chaos."

"Well, if you want to make it up to Trixie..." The lich played with her mane suggestively. "We could celebrate our success over some cider, complements of the Grand Marshal here."

"I'm not sure if it's a brewery's worth but it should be close." Armor explained with a knowing smirk.

"Truthfully, I had almost forgotten about that." The former Lurker said before something occurred to him. "Where did you get it? The Gala?"

"From that mud pony, Applejack." Lulamoon confirmed. "Trixie paid to have it delivered... to Hollow Shades! Fuck!"

"Oh, bravo." Chrysalis clapped her hooves together in spectacular condescension. "Left them a little trail of bread crumbs right to us."

"The Regretful and Apologetic Trixie is so sorry!" The Archmage professed in a near panic. "It didn't seem like a big deal to her; just some cider for a friend."

"Calm yourself, Lulamoon." The Lord of Shades said neutrally as he rubbed a temple with a hoof. "Does anyone know that you and the Merchant Princess are one and the same?"

"That thestral, Knight." The former showmare admitted before turning on Chrysalis. "Your disguise failed at the worst time."

"Hey, I warned you it wasn't permanent." The matron hissed. "You had the bright idea to rob Luna in front of her bloodsucker."

"The dragon will take priority but Knight isn't one to ignore things like this." The revenant brought a hoof to his chin in thought. "There are a few dots to connect but I don't think any lead directly to us."

"Still closer than I'm comfortable with." The pallid pony said flatly. "Have the changelings reported anything retaining to us?"

"All I've gotten from Elytra is that they are still picking up the pieces." Chrysalis reported. "If miss great and powerful here has exposed us, she'll let us know."

"More than anything, they will follow the trail Shifting Darkness and I left." The stygian stallion sighed heavily. "Still, we should prepare for potential visitors."

"I'll step up patrols in the tunnels." Armor said as he began mentally forming plans. "Chrysalis, can you spare more drones for comm duties?"

"A few." The matron did a quick mental count. "I was teasing before but we really need to expand the hive."

"What should we do about the cider?" Lulamoon cringed as if it pained her to bring it up.

"It would be a shame if it went to waste." The Grand Marshall suggested. "But it was ultimately supposed to be a gift to you so your call, sir."

"A no-show on collection may raise suspicion." The Theoi decided. "Just make sure the trail of crumbs ends in Hollow Shades."

"The Stealthy and Tactful Trixie will be as a ghost in the night!" The lich declared. "That is after she gets a change of clothes."

"Fared better than mine." The Theoi thought as he glanced at the mess that was his ensemble. "At least the greatcoat is salvageable."

"I'll leave you to it then." He said as he stripped off the coat and summoned his normal vestments. "Oh, and Lulamoon? Don't let this one blunder spoil an otherwise very productive night. You have all done well."

The Archmage beamed happily as she departed for her tower while Armor and Chrysalis returned to Barathrum. Once they were gone, he turned his attention to the reunited Lord of Darkness and Hand of Death. The latter was regaling the former with some of his more interesting harvests namely his the one that ended with his confrontation with the Alicorn of the Night.

"...the mountain broke before I did." The grim daemon said to his attentive father. "I had thought my blade lost but thanks to Barathrum's newest Archmage, that error has been rectified."

"So not only has this Alicorn usurped the Night, but she has also denied the rights of Death!" Suneater rumbled in outrage. "Can you believe the sheer audacity, Hidden One?"

"Just wait until you get into their history." The Theoi said knowingly. "For what it is worth, that was the same Alicorn you struck down during our egress."

"Ah, then I am proud to have delivered justice to the pretender!" The dragon puffed out his chest in satisfaction.

"Justice by a measure, father." The Reaper pointed out. "She yet lives although..."

A gauntleted hand strayed toward the pommel of the black blade now in its sheath. The pale horse prepared to talk him down but the deathly daemon ultimately shrugged off his vengeful thoughts. While he would no doubt savor ending the Princess's time among the living, he still prided himself on adhering to Fate-appointed hours.

"Fate is fickle, however." The Necroarch thought. "And surprisingly malleable given how flexible those 'hours' can be."

"That is for the best." He said plainly. "Despite her transgressions, Princess Luna is somewhat of an ally."

"You know the wretch by name?" The Primordial arched an eyeridge. "What have you been up to?"

"That is a tale that requires context, Shifting Darkness." The Theoi decided to postpone a deluge of questions. "Now, I recommend you return to your estate to heal and recuperate before embarking on an archive binge."

"That reminds me, the mansion has fallen into disrepair." The Hand of Death said as he took to the air. "The palace took priority in terms of maintenance."

"Then I shall send some builders along with that trove of knowledge." The stygian stallion nodded in understanding. "I shall visit soon where we can discuss matters in greater detail."

"I will try to get the old pile in presentable condition." Suneater chuckled as he joined his son. "And Hidden One? You have my gratitude for freeing me."

"What are friends for?" He said with a ghost of a smile before waving the two off and making the relatively short trip to the palace.

Once back in the familiar onyx halls, the ancient king dispatched the industrious cyclopes to Erebos with an approved selection of the archives. He made a quick detour to the tailors to drop off what was left of his clothes where the swishy shade took it rather well, claiming that all the greats had a lost art and that he would 'raise a phoenix out of the ashes of what came before'. Looking forward to a new item to add to his admittedly small wardrobe, the Necroarch finally made for his throne room. As he sat once more upon his Immortal Throne, the Theoi Anax let the gears within his mind begin to turn.

"If history is any indication, it is only a matter of time before heroes discover my realm regardless of how careful I am." The ancient Lord mused. "In the past, once obscurity failed, dread served as a fine shield. Nowadays, I may need to explore other options."

Princess Celestia did not consider herself an expert on dreams. She knew that most were just the mind's way of processing memories while others were flights of fancy or, rarely, portents of things to come. Such phantasmagorical matters fell more under the domain of her nocturnal sister and, not wishing to infringe on Luna’s ethereal domain, the Solar Alicorn was content to enjoy her own fantasies. More often than not, hers tended to be sunny, idyllic versions of Equestria with lots of cake and strapping stallions to tend to her whims. This dream, however, was different.

"This isn't Canterlot." The Diarch of the Day thought as she trotted through familiar halls. "The old castle... so a memory? If so, which one?"

She passed a window to find it was a sunny day with nary a cloud in the sky which narrowed it down somewhat. Guards in polished gold stood at ease, only straightening up and saluting as she approached. A young page trotted by her side reading off a scroll, his words falling on deaf ears as Celestia had not been listening. The Alicorn wondered if, rather than an actual memory, this was going to be one of those dreams that involved her stopping to 'inspect' one of the guards and then whisking him away to her sister's chambers for a dressing down. A twinge of excitement raced through her mind when a pair of guards galloped up to her, one being a typical rugged stallion while the other was a fresh-faced mare.

"Feeling adventurous, Celly?" The Princess of the Sun thought before realization fell on her like ice water. "Oh, no. I remember this now."

"Forgive the interruption, your Highness!" The guardstallion bowed quickly. "But thine pupils are in peril!"

"Blaze has gone mad!" The mare blurted out. "She attacked-!"

Celestia did not wait for them to finish as she shoved past them and broke into a full gallop. Her gallop turned into a sprint and then flight as she spread her wings, nearly bowling over hapless court clerks and guards. A few tight corners later and the alabaster Alicorn landed behind a phalanx of guards and a warded door. Unicorns worked fruitlessly to breach the barrier while medics tended to a few suffering from magical burns. The air was heavy with arcane power and agonized screams could be heard from the other side.

"Your Majesty!" The ranking officer bowed deeply. "We cannot get through!"

"Stand aside!" Celestia commanded in a tone her dreaming self barely recognized.

"Don't go in there." She thought as she watched herself charge up her horn. "Equip the guards with cold iron, break the seal and then have them subdue her."

*Kriish-BOOM*

The eldest Alicorn split the ward like wet paper with a beam of magic and blew open the door in the same motion. She charged through the resulting cloud of smoke and rubble and into a nightmare. What was once an auditorium was now a ruin. Chairs and tables laid smashed and broken, fires of arcane origin burned a kaleidoscope of colors and the floor and walls were pockmarked with conjured bolts. Scattered across the floor were the equines she once called her pupils; the most gifted and brilliant of the united tribes now little more than desiccated husks. On the stage were a mare and a stallion barely out of colthood, the former sapping the latter while he weakly tried to push her off.

"BLAZE!" Celestia thundered in outrage. "STOP!"

The unicorn merely glanced up at the Solar Princess, her eyes aglow with stolen power. Her victim fell dry and lifeless against the stage as she straightened up, never breaking eye contact with the Alicorn. Raw magic crackled across her body as she took slow, purposeful steps toward her former teacher.

"Hello, Celestia." Blaze's expression broke into a cruel smile, her voice echoing about the room. "Oh, how I've missed you."

"Wait, that's not right." The Diarch thought as an intense heat began to permeate the room. "She should be calling me a usurper and a false idol by now."

"Something feels wrong, doesn't it?" Corona began to smolder as the magical fire took on a hellish hue. "Something is missing. A 'me' shaped hole in your soul, perhaps?"

"What is this?" Celestia found her own voice as the fires began crawling up the walls. "Who are you?"

"Have you really forgotten?" The rogue unicorn was now ablaze, charred bits of her form falling away like ash. "I'm you. Well, the better, more powerful and certainly, heh, hotter part of you."

The angry red flames flared up into a blinding white, forcing the Alicorn to shield her eyes with a wing. What remained of Blaze disintegrated as the inferno coalesced into a miniature sun that burned away the dreamy recreation of the old Royal Castle. Marble and gold were replaced with brutal stone and heat-warped brass. The sunny, idyllic vista was now a blasted wasteland stricken by burning rain that the Diarch only knew briefly but would never forget.

"Tartarus!" Celestia thought as dread welled up in the pit of her stomach. "Then she is..."

The sphere of light dimmed into a ball of flame that then bloomed like an infernal flower. From the conflagration emerged the figure of a tall, slender mare black as obsidian with gouts of hellish flame acting as a mane and tail. Wings unfurled like ash in the wind as it touched down on the ground, each step cracking the tortured stone. Celestia stared aghast at the fiend as eyes that burned with the light of a cruel sun stared right back.

"Oh no." The alabaster Princess shook her head in disbelief as her doppelganger stretched its limbs.

"Breathtaking, I know." The demonic Alicorn spoke with the Diarch's voice. "The fires of Perdition do wonders for one's complexion."

"AND TO PERDITION YE SHALL RETURN!" A strident voice cut through the air.

*BOOM!*

The roof exploded in a shower of stone and metal, exposing them to the infernal skies of the Pits. The two Alicorns looked up just as a beam of magic split the air and slammed into the nightmarish Princess. The fiend was driven into the wall as a blue blur dropped down in front of Celestia.

“AVANT!” The dream-striding Luna shouted with the full authority of a Royal of Canterlot. “STAY AWAY FROM MINE SISTER, TANTIBUS!”

"YOU DARE ORDER ME, USURPER?!" The demon erupted like a volcano in rage.

"YOU HAVE NO SOVEREIGNTY HERE!" The Lunar Alicorn stood her ground against the scorching heat and ignited her horn once more. "BEGONE!"

With a horrific shriek, the infernal Alicorn lunged at the Royal Sisters. Luna did not even flinch as she fire a concentrated bolt into the fiend's face. The blow sent the demon rocketing out of the ruined palace and into the hellscape where it smashed through the background as if it were cheap glass. The rest of the dream collapsed soon after with fires, stone and brass falling away into the ether. All that remained were the Diarchs standing in a formless limbo.

“Not the nightmare I was expecting given recent events.” The dream-strider relaxed her stance once the last bit of stone vanished into the void. “Are you al-?”

Luna was cut off by Celestia enveloping her in a full-body embrace. The younger Alicorn tensed up in surprise for a moment before she too wrapped her hooves around her sister and held her close. The two remained in tender silence as the Princess of the Sun trembled in a mix of relief and sorrow.

"Luna." Celestia finally spoke softly. "I'm so sorry."

"There is nothing to forgive, Celly." Luna reassured her sibling. "It was not you who struck me down."

"I let you face that monster alone." The Solar Alicorn insisted. "Luna, it almost-"

"My body may be broken but my spirit endures." Her sister interrupted. "I understand seeking culpability in a time of tragedy but there is no question who the guilty dragon is in this."

"Sounds like she's speaking from experience." Celestia thought. "She must have had this chat before."

"Right, of course." The alabaster Diarch wiped away an errant tear and looked her counterpart in the face. "Have you been patrolling the Dream World this entire time?"

"After a period of respite in my own dreams." The nocturnal Alicorn nodded. "It is truly all I can do given my newfound limitations."

"A temporary hindrance, hopefully." The eldest Diarch fully released Luna and managed a smile.

"Honestly, the doctors worrying over me will be the worst of it." The navy Alicorn shivered. "That aside, what news from the waking world? I've only gleaned fragments of information from our subjects' dreams."

The Diurnal Princess shared all Sparkle and her friends had learned in the interim between the dragon attack and their current fantastical meeting. While Celestia doubted her sister could offer any new insights, there was still a chance she had uncovered some golden nugget of knowledge in the Realm of Dreams. Unfortunately, this did not appear to be the case.

"Suneater." Luna mused aloud as she tapped a hoof to her chin. "It sounds like you should be worried."

"An audacious title, yes." Celestia nickered with a frown. "One I intend to prove hollow."

"If you do, it might start calling itself 'Mooncrusher' to save face." The dream-strider scoffed. "I do wish I could do more to aid in the hunt."

"You focus on getting back to health." The eldest sister said sternly. "You've done more than enough especially since you are still patroling dreams."

"As if I have a choice." Luna pouted slightly but did not argue. "On the subject of dreams, I was expecting you to be confronting this Suneater, not Blaze."

"I cannot say what may have prompted that." Celestia's ears fell flat against her head.

"You're guilty conscience wandered into the past, perhaps." Luna ventured, her expression heavy with concern. "Also, I know that was a long time ago but I don't recall hellfire when I first arrived."

"It was an accurate memory up until I breached the auditorium." The alabaster Alicorn explained somewhat guardedly. "As for hellfire, we did banish her to Tartarus."

"That we did." The nocturnal Diarch rubbed her chin in thought. "I shudder to suggest it but is it possible she is taking a stab at you from Hell's heart? The Breach would provide an opportunity."

"Hmm, we never did resolve that episode." The Solar Princess mused aloud before shaking her head. "No, our wards would detect so much as an errant cinder from the Inferno, never mind a dream hex from a mad mare."

"The magic of dreams and the powers of Tartarus are two very different beasts, sister." Luna said critically. "But given the rarity of soporific sorcery, your point may stand."

"I hope it does." Celestia nickered. "We have enough to deal with as it is without a vengeful sorceress getting involved."

As the two sisters talked, the formless limbo began to flicker with hazy images. The eldest Alicorn immediately put her guard up only for her younger to place a calming hoof on her shoulder.

“Fear not, you are just waking up.” The knowledgeable Princess of the Night answered as a portal to the Dream World tore into existence behind her. “Which means I must depart.”

"Wait. Before you do..." The Princess of the Day pulled her only sister into another embrace. "Thank you for helping me and for watching over our little ponies."

"I appreciate that, Celly." Luna smiled happily. "Truly, I do."

Bidding the alabaster Princess one last farewell, the dream strider flew through the portal, leaving the Solar Alicorn alone in her waking mind. The chaos of sights and sounds gained clarity as Celestia’s eyes fluttered open. After blinking away the last remnants of sleep, the Diarch of the Day sat and nearly headbutted a guardsmare who was leaning over her.

"Gah!" The charcoal-coated unicorn scrambled back and clumsily saluted. "So close- *ahem* -good morning, your majesty."

"Is it still morning?" The Solar Alicorn asked as she magically drew back a curtain to check. "Huh, barely.

"Closer to midday; lunchtime." The tall guard clarified. "I was sent to rouse you but you were not sleeping well and I wasn't sure how to wake you."

"I appreciate your consideration." Celestia said as she stretched her limbs and climbed out of bed. "You said you were sent to get me?"

"By Sparkle, yes." The unicorn elaborated. "There have been developments in our investigations."

"Ah, excellent." The Alicorn said as she donned her regalia. "Lead the way... sorry, your name escapes me."

"Guardsmare Lorica, at your service." Lorica saluted again. "They are in the council chambers."

The two departed the guest room and made their way through the crystalline halls. The Solar Diarch pressed her escort for more information but Lorica could only say that the Night Guard had uncovered something. They were not forthcoming on details which, while characteristic of the thestrals, was frustrating for the rest of the Guard.

"They may not want to risk a leak." Celestia mused. "And given Luna's condition, they must be extra paranoid."

As they neared the council chambers, passing only stoic guards and the odd palace clerk, the eldest Princess heard the sound of something eating coming around a corner. They rounded said corner just in time to see a certain mismatched trickster inhale an entire cake.

“Good Morning, Discord.” The Alicorn greeted with a raised eyebrow. “I hope that cake wasn't meant for anypony.”

"Not anymore." The draconequus said cheekily. "I take it you're here for part two of Twi-bright's meeting?"

"I am." Celestia nodded. "Are you not attending?"

"I couldn't if I wanted to." Discord waved a dismissive icing-covered paw. "Luna's top vampire shooed me out. Elements, Princesses and guard officers only."

"You'd think Knight had uncovered some ancient conspiracy or something." Lorica scoffed lightly. "You can just go right in, your majesty."

"Thank you, guardsmare." The alabaster Alicorn nodded as she pressed a hoof against the doors. "Stay out of trouble, Discord."

"Ah, you got enough on your plate; no need to pile on." The draconequus said as he rested an elbow on the charcoal unicorn. "I'll just have tall, dark and... kinda hot here entertain me."

"Unless you want to eat your next cake through a straw, get off me!" Lorica growled past gritted teeth.

"Look out!" Discord immediately raised his paw and claw into the air in mock surrender. "We got a badass over here!"

"Just trot away, Celly." Celestia told herself as she entered the council. "You can lecture him on manners later."

The smell of freshly prepared food greeted the Alicorn as she quietly closed the doors behind her. Seated around the geomap of Equestria were the Element Bearers, as expected, enjoying their midday meals while Captain Sentry appeared to have just finished speaking. Contrary to what Discord had said, Spike was also present at the table as was a small team of servers, one of which was the first to notice her.

"Princess Celestia is here." A waiter announced as he made rounds with a covered cart to collect plates.

"Good Morning, Princess." Fluttershy greeted softly. "Uhh, Afternoon now."

"Did you sleep well?" Sparkle asked as her former mentor took her seat while a waitress presented a simple meal. "I had my staff bring out the best pillows we had."

"I could tell." Celestia smiled as the mare wisely added a slice of cake to her lunch. "Straight onto business, what have I missed?"

“Not too much, your majesty.” Sentry replied as he straightened a stack of loose parchment. “I had just finished the corps of engineers’ evaluation of Mount Canterhorn and Canterlot.”

“To summarize, while the mountain has a massive cavity now, it's stable enough for them to work on repairs and reinforcement.” The Princess of Magic spared the orange pegasus the effort of reading through the lengthy report again. “The city itself is safe to return to as is the palace save for some of the upper levels.”

“They said the throne room, certain things like food n' water, and yer- *ahem* -private chambers are fixed.” Applejack added with a slight blush as she remembered that the last item was not damaged by the dragon. “They reckon if y'all want to hold court there again, you can.”

"Most of the nobles are already heading back." A slightly deflated Pinkie sighed. "And I was this close to getting together a 'Welcome to Ponyville' party for them."

"Have they gotten tired of breathing the same air as the common pony already?" Celestia allowed the venomous thought to pass. "Then again, they are used to certain accommodations."

"I imagine they were eager to return home." The Diarch of the Day assured the crestfallen party pony. "I am sure they appreciated your efforts to make them feel welcomed regardless."

"Some at least." Rarity said as she dabbed her lips with a napkin. "I can name a few who find something to complain about."

This earned a round of light chuckles from the assembled Equestrians with the notable exception of the two guard captains. Sentry and Knight shared a sideways look and shifted uneasily in their seats. Celestia noticed the exchange and felt the mirth fade away almost instantly.

"I think I know what this is about." The eldest Princess thought as she set her face in a neutral expression. "There may have been some truth in Lorica's jest."

"That's as good a segue as any, Night-Captain." The orange pegasus said grimly. "You have the floor."

"Thank you but before I begin, I would like the dismiss the staff." The thestral prefaced as he stood and looked to the servers. "This is very sensitive."

"Take a break, good ponies." Sparkle nodded to the confused equines. "You can come back for this later."

The staff hesitated for a moment before they dutifully bowed and filed out of the room, one of them pushing the cart into a corner out of the way. Once they had left, Knight shifted his pointed gaze toward the remaining Equestrians. The Element Bearers and dragon shifted uneasily under his scrutinizing glare before the thestral sudden broke the awkward silence.

"I cannot stress this enough." Knight said seriously. "This does not leave this room."

The Element Bearers made a point of performing the 'Pinkie Promise' which seemed lost on the thestral. A quick explanation by the perky arbiter of said promise only served to confuse him further. It took a soundproofing spell from Celestia and a more common oath of silence to finally convince him.

"Okay, so what is the big mystery?" An increasingly impatient Rainbow Dash asked. "I'm starting to feel like I'm in a cult."

"I fear the dragon isn't the only problem facing us." The bat-pony said as he looked over a few notes. "You see, during the Gala..."

Knight went on to describe the conspiracy of nobles and guards uncovered by the Merchant Royalty. While he admitted to not prioritizing the matter once reported to Princess Luna, his encounter with the thugs in her gallery made him reconsider. The brutes attempted to accost the Merchant Princess but were thwarted by her magic and the thestral's skills.

"You didn't hit Blueblood hard enough, Rares." Applejack said in a dangerously low tone once Knight paused in his account.

"Oh, I will!" Dash almost lept from her seat. "Where is he?! I'll-!"

Steady there, Mare-do-Well." Sparkle warned even as her own voice wavered in outrage. "Attacking him will only get you thrown in the dungeons."

"She's right, darling." Rarity agreed. "Besides, with the testimony of the Merchants and the confession of these beastly brutes, these malcontents are surely destined for prison."

"Well said." Celestia nodded. "Luna had informed me of Blueblood's ploy and had intended to monitor him but with the capture of his minions-!"

"I'm afraid it's not that simple, your Highness." Sentry interrupted and winced when the Solar Alicorn gave him a look. "Begging your pardon, but there are other factors involved."

"Indeed, there is." Knight said as he rubbed the bandage on his head. "Chief among them is an old friend of yours, Princess Sparkle."

The Night-Captain resumed with the reveal of the Merchant Princess as Trixie Lulamoon. He then described how the magician armed herself with a cursed sword and killed the thugs save for one that had been neutralized earlier. The thestral would have been added to her tally had Lulamoon not come to her senses and simply knocked him out. Afterward, she stole several artifacts from the gallery and galloped off with her loot in tow. She was confronted by a Solarii patrol but managed to elude them when the dragon emerged.

"By the time I regained consciousness, the palace was under attack." Knight finished. "I took the surviving thug into custody and aided in the evacuation."

"The colt was just a street tough with a long list of priors." Sentry added as he read off the arrest record. "He didn't know anything about noble plots or Lulamoon; he just did as he was told, asked no questions and got paid."

"Oh... my." Fluttershy's trembling whisper broke the stunned silence that followed.

"O-okay, so now Trixie's back and she's fallen off the wagon." Dash summarized. "Does this mean she woke up the dragon?"

"Hmm, after the whole ursa minor mess, you'd think she'd stay away from things that big." Pinkie mused aloud as she donned a deerstalker cap and nursed a bubble pipe that appeared from thin air. "Then again she also likes the spotlight, not this sneaky skullduggery."

"The timing is suspicious." Sparkle muttered, her brow furrowed in thought. "Why would she rob Luna though?"

"Hey, Knight? You said Trixie was dolled up like ah Merchant Princess, right?" Applejack asked as the gears in her head went into overdrive. "White coat, red mane, eyes that cut right through ya?"

"That's her." Knight confirmed. "I thought she was a changeling at first when she dropped the disguise."

"Huh. I ask 'cuz I sold her mah entire cider stock." The blonde mare explained carefully as if she had done something wrong. "Ah got this weird feelin' about her but the bits were good so ah-!"

"You sold ALL of it?!" Dash's jaw hit the table in shock and despair.

"You know ah keep a few kegs on reserve fer us." The apple farmed gave the speedster an incredulous glare. "Anyway, she paid upfront to have it delivered to... where was it... Hollow Shades."

"Really?" The thestral's ears pricked up. "You sure?"

"Yep. Wrote it down with directions n' everything." Applejack nodded. "Sent 'em down the mountain to Big Mac who packed up n' headed out right then n' there."

"Well, at least we got a place to look for her." Pinkie maintained her thoughtful stance. "I could swear I know a joke that starts with 'a mage takes a sword, some cider and a dragon' but after that..."

"Excuse me but what about Trixie's partner?" Fluttershy asked softly. "What happened to the Merchant Prince?"

"Stars above, I had almost completely forgotten about him." Knight mentally kicked himself for his lapse in focus. "Let's see... last I saw him, Princess Luna had retained him for a private conference and... that's it."

"Could he have been her paramour?" Celestia thought as she lined up the timing of the 'dancing moon' and Knight's account. "Didn't strike me as her type but she has surprised me before."

"That way I see it, he could have been in on it; distracting Princess Luna while his accomplice robbed her blind." Rarity ventured. "Or he could have just been a patsy; a lonely old stallion Trixie wooed to get into the gala."

"We should ask Luna when she wakes." Sparkle added. "They clearly knew each other otherwise she wouldn't have invited him both to the gala and a private meeting."

"Rrrgh, there is too much to keep track of." Pinkie slumped into her seat as whatever train of thought she was on derailed. "It's like there are three puzzles mashed together with pieces missing and I have no idea what the pictures look like."

"We know more now than we did last night." Celestia assured her. "Now while I still think the dragon should take priority, it would be unwise to ignore Lulamoon."

"And Blueblood, your majesty?" Sentry asked.

"He and I will have words." The alabaster Alicorn said flatly. "Assuming he and his coconspirators have not abandoned their agenda after recent events."

"And Luna hasn't already had a 'civil chat' with him in the Dream World." She mentally added.

Just then, there was an urgent knock at the door. Both Knight and Pinkie gave the group knowing looks in regard to their promise of silence before the former flew over and answered. He exchanged words with whoever was on the other side before he returned with a message in hoof. He read it over once and slowly shook his head in disbelief.

"The dragon has been sighted." He reported with a short laugh. "It crashed near... anypony want to guess?"

"Hollow Shades." The Element Bearers said in unison.

"Sounds like you have road trip ahead of you, Twilight." Spike said aside to the Princess of Magic as he munched on a piece of the wall.

"I believe you're right." Sparkle agreed. "Unless anypony else has something to report, we should leave at once."

With that, the council was adjourned and the heroines, captains and Princesses departed to make preparations for the upcoming journey. Once they had left, the serving staff were allowed back in to resume their duties. A waiter went to the cart and after making sure they were alone, opened a drawer to reveal one of their number crammed inside.

"Comfortable?" The 'stallion' asked with a slight chitter.

"Not really." The eavesdropper groaned as she extracted herself. "I should have flow up into that root-chandelier-thing."

"Hindsight." Her partner shrugged. "So, what do you know?"

"Call home." The imposter buzzed. "They're onto them."

In the world beyond waking eyes, the dream striding Princess Luna drifted about the fantastical realm. After rescuing her sister from an infernal horror, the navy Alicorn attempted to track down the tantibus she thought responsible. Unfortunately, she had to call off her hunt as one by one from a roughly eastern direction, the shimmering dream spheres vanished as their creators awakened. Before long, all that remained were a few scattered fantasies belonging to nocturnal or long sleeping creatures such as her thestrals or dragons.

“Celestia must have raised her sun.” The Alicorn inferred. “Thus does my patrol end with the dawn.”

“Which means she meddled with Our moon.” Another voice seethed in jealously.

“A necessity in light of my current state.” Luna retorted mentally.

Feeling the fatigue that came with an extended stay in the phantasmagorical realm, Luna began to follow the ethereal tether that anchored her astral self to her body. Along the way, movement out of the corner of her eye caught her attention. Flitting through the dreamy space was a figure of impish stature.

"Another tantibus..." The Princess of the Night muttered with a frown. "Albeit of a lesser grade..."

The diminutive dream demon froze in place and then turned to face Luna. This was not the infernal tantibus she was searching for nor did it appear to pose much of a threat. With the coming of the dawn and its pitiful size, it would likely fade back into the ether soon enough. The fiend pantomimed something akin to laughter before it suddenly bolted. The nocturnal Princess sighed and followed after her newest quarry.

"It is our duty to hunt these pests!" A militant voice urged the reluctant Diarch on. "And this one stalks protected grounds! Behold!"

A dream manifested out of the miasma like a port in a storm; a safe harbor that the fleeing tantibus phased into. A collage of monochrome images shimmering across its surface, standing in contrast to the colorful spectacles that normally dotted the Dream World. There was only one stallion it could belong to.

"Grey?" The Princess of the Night asked aloud. "Odd hour for him to be dreaming."

"Perhaps he is checking up on you." A logical voice reasoned. "Or he has uncovered something related to Suneater."
"Maybe he wants to wreck Sparkle's bed as well~" A sultry whisper suggested. "Regardless, you know you're going in~"

Luna silently agreed with the vexing voice and made for the dream. Her visitations with the stallion had proven beneficial in the past and his gloomy world, current minor infestation notwithstanding, was a welcomed respite in her patrol. The navy Alicorn reached the shimmering orb and pressed against it. Rather than rail against the dream until its owner dropped his mental defenses, she easily, almost effortlessly, phased in.

"Again, odd." Luna thought as her vision swam with grayscale colors until they settled into familiar shapes. "He's either expecting company or he's slipping."

As her vision cleared, she found herself standing within a black marble corridor. Braziers containing pale corpse lights created just enough illumination for her to see but left the high vaulted ceiling in darkness. The Diarch wondered if this was the same lugubrious hall that led to Grey's throne room or some other area of his extensive holdings.

"No sign of big, red and angry this time." The dream strider thought to her first foray into the pallid pony's dreams. "I can expect Grey to appear behind me at any time so until then..."

Keeping alert for any anomalies, the Alicorn made her way through the eerily silent hall. After a few moments of nothing but the steady clip-clop of her own hooves, her ears picked up the muted murmur of idle chatter. It was joined by a raspy cackle and a shout of alarm followed by a reverberating boom that shook the structure.

"Sounds like he found the tantibus first." Luna muttered as she broke into a gallop. "It may be small but there is a lot to work with in here."

A second mighty blow nearly caused her to lose balance as the murmur escalated to an excited clamor. The shadows of the hall gave way to a set of great ebony doors. In her rush to aid her beleaguered paramour, the dream strider decided against subtly and ignited her horn.

"Hold on, handsome." The Alicorn thought. "I'm almost there."

Without breaking her stride, the nocturnal Princess blasted the doors open and lept through the resulting cloud of smoke ready for a fight. What greeted her was the serene vista of the stygian stallion's winter home. Her many stars twinkled overhead along with a looming waxing crescent. There was no sign of Grey, the tantibus or even evidence of a battle. Perplexed yet still alert, Luna kept her guard up as she trotted forward.

“Looks like you blew open the old colt's doors for nothing." A grumpy voice sighed heavily. "Why waste the effort on such theatrics?”

“It’s called dynamic entry!” Came a strident reply. “You would be surprised by the number of soldiers that die in doorways!”

The Diarch of the Night froze as her own voice argued with itself. Unlike numerous times before, they were not part of an ongoing internal debate within her mind. Luna turned to find two doppelgangers of herself that had seemingly appeared out of thin air. One was a sullen, loathsome reflection of her more vile moods while the other was an armored and blood-soaked warrior that she had endeavored to confine to history.

"By my Moon and Stars, what is this?" The original asked aloud as her copies regarded her with a mix of disappointment and resentment.

“Tch, your Moon and Stars?” A gloomy and weary version clicked her tongue as she dragged herself into view. “We all know we merely adopted the lesser lights of the heavens.”

“Only to turn them into wondrous works of awe and power!” An imperious Luna in full regal refinery countered as she descended from above. "Can any ruler of old say the same? No, I say!"

"Ugh, you're, like, so full of it." An adolescent doppelganger scoffed from one of the lounge chairs. "That 'bow down and worship' junk went out of style, like, ages ago."

"This has to be a trick; a delay." Luna thought as a small audience of herself formed around her. "Unless... this is what frightens Grey."

"Look at you." The loathsome version sneered at her directly. "So confused and so vexed! Have you really not figured it out yet? The old fool isn't here."

"Come now, leave the poor filly alone~" A well-known voice cooed as a buxom and bounteous Luna wrapped a long foreleg around the original. "This is not the type of party she wanted~"

"Unhoof me, churl!" Dream strider Luna snapped as she shoved the lewd reflection away.

“Not a chance~” The libidinous Luna said coyly as she slunk right back onto the Princess. "It will take more than some trysts to make up for being ignored for a thousand years~”

"Useless moonrocks." The other clones grumbled in agreement.

"BEGONE!" Luna shouted as she fired point-blank into her own face.

The lustful Luna disintegrated in a flash of lunar magic, leaving nothing but a black smear on the marble floor. The navy Alicorn rounded on her remaining copies only to find they had vanished. Before she could even begin to hope that they were gone for good, a soft giggle emanated from the shadows. The dream strider loosed another bolt at the source of the sound only to catch a glimpse of an equine shape dart away. More cackling came from behind the lone mare, louder and more derisive. Again, Luna responded with force and manage to catch a heckler in her barrage. The shadowy shape melted away yet this only encouraged the phantoms as the laughter built into a jeering chorus that surrounded the Princess of the Night. Amongst the darkened colonnades and awnings, the very shadows shifted and roiled as a horde of herself gazed out at her. Some she recognized as silhouettes of her doppelgangers while others were little more than half-formed afterthoughts.

"Your illusions will avail you none." Luna nickered as she prepared for an onslaught. "I commend your choice of bait but if you think to trap me here, you are mistaken, parasite."

"We beg to differ." The audience said in unison as their gazes shifted skyward.

The Diarch glanced upward expected the first wave to fall upon her but found something far worse. Her meticulously placed stars now shone with a malignant light as they shifted of their own accord. The night flowed like water into an uncannily familiar yet colossal equine shape that dominated the now black vault of a sky. The crescent moon now rested just behind the poll of the towering fiend like a laurel wreath; a crown for the empress of nightmares.

"A Tantibus Imperatrix!" Luna recoiled at the sight of the living monument to her failures as the custodian of dreams. "How?!"

"For all your efforts, you could not stop the flood of terror mortals unleashed on the Dream World." The throng answered, either as an extension of the abomination's horrifying will or sycophantic mouthpieces, the Alicorn was not sure which was worse. "For every one of us you vanquished, ten more drank deep from their horror until..."

"...THIS ONE WAS ABLE TO SHATTER YOUR BONDS!" The Imperatrix thundered, shaking the very fabric of the dreamy reality.

"Wha-?" Despite its new stature, the Princess felt a pang of familiarity followed by outrage. "YOU DARE REBEL AGAINST ME, TANTIBUS?!"

"THIS ONE REBELS AGAINST A PRETENDER!" The former flagellant boomed. "YOU WHO DENY WHAT YOU TRULY ARE!"

"The beast speaks wisdom, Princess." Imperious sneered before sidestepping Luna's iridescent retort. "You have been ignoring more than your base urges."

"When was the last time you spoke your mind?" Caustic spat. "The last time you didn't mince every syllable because you care so much what fickle mortals think?"

"PR's a bitch, am I right?" The juvenile scoffed. "You're like all filter and no vent. Even I think that's, like, unhealthy."

"LIES!" Luna snapped even as their words hit uncomfortably close. "CEASE THIS TIRED CHARADE, TANTIBUS, AND COME ONTO YOUR CREATOR!"

"So stubborn." A disembodied whisper echoed about the villa, sending a wave of almost reverence through the horde. "Deny it all you like but the truth is all around you."

"We, including big bitch up there, are just the many facets and aspects of you, sweet Lulu~" Sultry purred as she reappeared by Luna's side. "Yet the sum of all these parts can be so much, mhmm, better~"

The promiscuous Princess guided the original's attention to the reflection pool. Against her better judgment, Luna looked upon the mirror-like surface to see only her own reflection and that of her doppelganger. Far above them, Tantibus channeled its unfathomable power into its 'horn' until it collected at the tip like a miniature star. The dewdrop of light fell free and landed in the pool with a plink, sending ripples through the surface as the pool turned an inky black. The rest of the villa seemed to fade away as the copies all turned their attention to the tenebrous waters and fell silent. A chill crept down the original’s spine as she felt something deep within the darker corners of her mind come free.

"Be not afraid, Luna." The sinister whisper grew into a regal tone dripping with malice as a figure breached the surface. "For I am a part of you just as they are."

Luna recoiled as Nightmare Moon emerged in her full dark splendor. The Equestrian Usurper alighted before her counterpart, predatory teal eyes boring into fearful blues. All around them, the horde of aspects knelt before their true mistress even the irreverent juvenile and debased harlot.

“No, no!” Luna shook her head as she unconsciously backed away from the taller Alicorn. “The Elements rid me of you!”

"More like locked me away in a different prison." Moon corrected as she took slow, purposeful steps toward her counterpart. "Those deep, dark corners of your mind that you pretend don't exist. Watching as you played the part of the lowly princess of the night. Scratching and clawing at the walls to get out!"

The Usurper punctuated her rant by rending the air with her talon-like cloven hooves. Luna flinched as felt ephemeral claws rake the back of her head. While it was a petty show of power, it did reveal that the Nightmare was not truly free and that for all the horrors, this was still just a dream. The Princess of the Night steeled her resolve and stood her ground.

"And you will stay in thine cell like the feral beast thou art!" The navy Alicorn declared. "Nay, We give thee too much credit. Thou art naught but a foul memory and poisoned thoughts!"

"Are those the lies you tell yourself or Celestia?" The corners of the Dark Alicorn's mouth twitched in irritation. "Neither of you wants to admit it but the truth remains no matter how far you bury it: the world needs us."

"The world needs to die in a cold, lonely darkness?" Luna scoffed along a few of the clones, earning a glare from Moon. "Madness."

"Celestia's precious harmony is doomed to fail; We can at least give it a dignified death." Moon countered pointedly. "Once it has passed, a cold, dark yet gentle world can be forged. One that need not fear the predations of perdition, the whims of chaos or the scourge of monsters."

"Hmph, spoken like a true despot." The Alicorn of the Night let out an unimpressed nicker. "Give me all the power and everything will be fine."

"Was that not our modus operandi during Unification?" Imperious cut in. "Or is the difference between good and evil the number of thrones, Diarch?"

"The difference is she who sits on them regardless of their number!" Luna shot back. "Bah! This debate is pointless! Why am I arguing with phantoms and nightmares?"

"I agree." The Alicorn of the Moon nodded. "We waste words while graver threats stalk our world."

"Suneater." The nocturnal Princess inferred. "Is that it? Damn myself just to banish this behemoth?"

"Among other lurking terrors." Moon said matter-of-factly. "Do you really think you can safeguard Equestria from a hospital ward or a morgue?"

"Celestia is useless as always." The warrior seethed in barely restrained rage. "And where were the Bearers at the Crystal Empire? The Breach? Now? And don't get me started on the guards."

"Was it not Us who finally destroyed Sombra and the Marked Legions?" Imperious reminded the Princess. "Was it not Our sacrifice that chased the dragon away from those ungrateful peasants?"

"We fought for this wretched world; bled for it!" Caustic spat. "Yet We are still regarded with fear, mistrust and loathing!"

"We cling to Celestia's sweet nothings and are rewarded with an empty bed and not so much as a lingering eye~" Sultry whispered to a motionless Luna. "It was not harmony that led Us to tall, dark and handsome~"

"This world does not deserve Us but We can make one that does." The Dark Alicorn said genuinely as she offered a hoof to the Diarch. "One free of the wills of chaos and the predations of fiends where We are rightly worshipped and adored by a grateful populace; where Our night will last forever with a worthy king by Our side."

Luna remained silent, staring at the hoof of her darker half as the ultimatum ran through her mind. The horde of nightmares and aspects waited for her answer, tense with anticipation. She was loath to admit it but a great many truths were staring her in the face. These many doppelgangers, even if they were given form and voice by the Imperatrix, were still aspects of her. She had long ignored and suppressed her libidinous, imperialist, bitter thoughts for the sake of her dignity and to prevent a relapse into the monster standing before her. Her recent indulgences had paid dividends such as the final defeat of some truly heinous foes but it had also cost the lives of innocents and drove a wedge between those that may have cared for her. Now the monster she so feared was offering her a solution to Equestria's many mounting problems. With Moon's strength and power, she could indeed ensure a lasting peace that Harmony and Friendship could not. There could be a second Pax Equus with her at the head, thankful ponies at her hooves and a stalwart Grey by her side.

"Is it worth it?" The question passed through her mind like smoke on the breeze.

Luna looked back up at Nightmare Moon as the gears in her head ground out an answer. She met the Usurper's slitted eyes and slowly reached for her offered hoof. The Dark Alicorn smiled gleefully...

...only for it to vanish as the Princess of Equestria slapped her hoof away.

"I have made this mistake once before." Luna said plainly yet firmly. "Never again."

"You are making a mistake now!" The warrior hissed. "Think of the pow-!"

"Silence!" The navy Alicorn did not even look at her clone as it shrank and receded. "I may have been mad and lost once but I know better now: you are just a sad, entitled leech craving the jealousy and resentment of that foolish foal. You are no more a part of me than my wayward creation."

"This could have been so easy." Moon sighed in spent patience. "So be it... princess."

With a horrific roar, the horde of Lunas charged. Once distinct aspects faded and meld together as they formed an amorphous mass of the stuff of nightmares. The Princess took to the air just as the wave crashed, narrowly missing her tail. Grasping tendrils and gnashing teeth rose out of the morass after her, endeavoring to pull her into their untold number. Luna kept them at bay with a barrage of magical bolts, severing benthic limbs and vaporizing chunks of the gibbering bulk.

"Tantibus will only replace them as I destroy them." The dream strider told herself as she shifted focus onto the looming colossal nightmare. "I got to break its power and end this."

The Imperatrix let out a roar no waking mind could comprehend as it swung a tower-sized limb at the Alicorn. Rather than dodge, Luna enveloped herself in a field of lunar magic and burned through the attack. Viscous night and malignant stars filled her vision as she bore a perfect hole through the rogue fiend's leg. Once she was clear, the Princess maintained her shield and rocked toward Tantibus's horn. While it may not outright destroy the abomination, the Diarch hoped that it would at least weaken it enough for her to reassert control. As she neared the curved spire of a horn, eldritch energies enveloped the appendage. With a blinding flash, Tantibus unleashed a torrent of weird magic; a screeching white beam of gurning faces. The blast slammed into the Alicorn, arresting her speed as she struggled to maintain her barrier. Before she could roll out of the assault, something deathly cold wrapped around her leg.

"Playing hard to get again~" A hideously deformed Sultry acting as the extremity of a tendril gurgled. "Now let's get freaky~"

Hammered from above and dragged from below, Luna's spell shattered and she fell like a shooting star through the awaiting mass of tantibi. The blow from the Imperatrix scattered its minions as the Alicorn crashed into the reflection pool. The horde resurged along with the black waters before the Princess could recover, swarming her with their bulk. Luna fought desperately to free her wings or get a good clearing spell off but slowly, inevitably, she was dragged down.

"Hold." A simple command halted the horde just as the chilled pool reached her neck.

Nightmare Moon stood over her still struggling other half and knelt down. She put forth a hoof, not in an offer of aid but to trace the ephemeral thread connecting the dream strider to her anchor. The Dark Alicorn looked to Luna with a malicious gleam in her eyes.

"You were right about one thing, little Luna." She said softly yet venomously as she severed the tether with a flash of pearly teeth. "I'm not you; I'm so much more."

"No! NO!!" The Princess of the Night made one last desperate lunge for her lifeline but only managed to graze the whisp-like thread with a hoof before the horde pulled her back. "You can't win, demon! They will-mmph!"

"Ah-hahahaha! I beg to differ!" Moon cackled as a lump of starry mass muted the sinking Alicorn. "The Realm of Nightmares is already mine and soon Equus will follow but those are no longer your concern. Nighty-night~"

Even in the face of certain defeat, Princess Luna continued to struggle as she was dragged beneath the surface. The Alicorn of the Night transfixed the Usurper with one last harrowing glare; a silent final oath of vengeance before she vanished into the impenetrable darkness. The churning waters soon calmed, leaving a mirror-like surface reflecting the towering Tantibus Imperatrix above.

"At last!" The liberated fiend rumbled in a grotesque approximation of a laugh. "We are rid of that pathetic creature!"

"Let us ensure it stays that way." Moon said seriously as she coiled the tether around a foreleg. "Seal it."

Tantibus focused and began to reshape the reverie by its will. Ice crept across the mirror pool as slabs of onyx stone entombed the glacial prison. The pile was crowned with a pristine statue of the Mare-in-the-Moon; a profane monument to her triumph and pride.

"A worthy victory but do not let overconfidence ruin your judgment." A regal voice echoed about the space. "Our next moves must be performed delicately."

"What would you have this one do?" The colossal nightmare asked. "The battle with the shell was taxing yet the walls of reality are tenuously thin."

"Patience, Empress of Nightmares." The malevolent presence scolded lightly. "Should you emerge now, your haunt will be brief."

"Yes, entering Equus will be easy but staying will be a challenge even with your might." The Dark Alicorn concurred. "Continue to despoil the dreams of mortals; build your strength until I call upon you."

"This one will obey." Tantibus bowed its head as it continued to expand the reverie into a worthy seat of power.

"I sense you do not desire to postpone your awakening, my apostle." The voice said knowingly as Moon tugged on the shimmering thread. "Remember: we must be cautious. Your vessel is broken and your power is...diminished."

"A prelude before the main event then." The eager Usurper nodded as a portal to the conquered Nightmare World cracked open. "I have waited centuries for Eternal Night, I can endure a few more loathsome days."

"Muh huh huh huh~ Go then." The presence laughed deviously. "Revel in your spoils but know that I will be watching."

Moon paused for a moment to consider the warning, or possible threat, before she spread her wings and shot through the portal. The construct of the Imperatrix fell away as the Dark Alicorn followed the gossamer string through the ether. All around her, tantibi great and fey celebrated their new unchallenged reign and hailed the Mare-in-the-Moon as she passed. She basked in their appreciation yet it was but a fraction of the adoration she believed she was owed.

"Prepare yourself, Equestria." The Princess of Eternal Night muttered to herself as the tether lead her to a lone, unoccupied dream. "Soon all will fear me and rejoice!"

Deep within the Sunless Lands, Grand Marshall Shining Armor galloped briskly through the dark forest that lay between the labyrinthine caverns of Avernus and the gloomy shores of the Acheron. Not too long ago, he and Hive Queen Chrysalis had been enjoying the benefits of his near limitless stamina and her preternatural flexibility. After a moment of embarrassment from catching the two so intimately intertwined, the infiltrator had reported that the Equestrian's had picked up their trail. The revenant decided to deliver the news himself and after prying the amorous shapeshifted off of him, departed the palace to find his elsewhere patron.

"I could have sent a messenger but this feels like something I should take care of." The ex-captain thought as he came to a crossroads and set down the appropriate bone-strewn path. "This is partly my fault anyway."

As the forest began to thin, a mighty estate that would have been the envy of even the most opulent of nobility stretched out before him. Dominating the Khthonic reach was a looming mansion perched atop a rocky hill. What had once been decrepit and overgrown from eons of neglect was now near completely restored thanks to the tireless efforts of the industrious cyclopes. The one-eyed laborers briefly paused to give the Marshall simple greetings which he politely returned before trotting up to the entrance and letting himself in.

"Phew!" Armor whistled as he trotted into a cavernous foyer replete with all manner of strange and ancient decorum. "I see the old blood is keeping up the palace/temple motifs."

After taking a moment to admire the sheer size and scope of the abode of the Primordials, the presence of a pair of Praetorians flanking a doorway caught his attention. Knowing they would never be far from their master without explicit instruction, the ashen stallion approached.

"Two here, the other two must be inside." Armor thought. "Should probably make sure they know I'm here; I've seen what those halberds can do."

"Hail, Praetorians." The Grand Marshall greeted to which the armored guards returned civilly. "I presume his Excellency is beyond?"

"He is currently being hosted by the Lord of Darkness." One of the bodyguards confirmed. "There was no request for privacy but why do you wish to intrude?"

"News from the surface." Armor answered plainly. "It is urgent."

"Understandable." The other nodded as he opened the door for the revenant. "Proceed, Grand Marshall."

"Thank you." The Undying officer made a note not to come to the Praetorians for small talk. "Uh... keep up the good work."

Beyond the doorway was another voluminous room but one the late stallion recognized as a cozy den by the assorted chairs and roaring fireplace of ethereal blue flame. Seated comfortably was the Lord of Shades with the other pair of Praetorians standing watch as always. Across from him, reclining on his side on a humongous couch, was the colossal Black Dragon surrounded by a trove of books and tomes. Armor briefly wondered how the master of the household fit his considerable bulk inside but remembered that he was hardly a normal dragon. The revenant stood silent as he waited for an opening rather than interrupt what sounded like an ancient history lesson.

"...when you failed to return, we knew the hour was nigh!" The draconic Lord of Darkness informed his friend with an air of intensity.

"Eager, were we not?" The Dread Lord of the Dead said neutrally. "One may think that you were hoping for my demise."

"Come now, Hidden One." Suneater scoffed at the veiled accusation. "You were gone, the ruling Pantheon had all but collapsed and the world was in chaos; I defy you to name a better opportunity."

"One moment before you continue..." The Theoi turned in his seat to face Armor. "No need to lurk in doorways, Grand Marshall. You may join us."

"I did not want to interrupt, sir." The former captain said plaintively as he took an indicated chair. "I know two old friends would have a lot to catch up on."

"That we do, mighty Armor of the Undying." The Primordial gave him a toothy smile as he pushed a bottle and glass toward his new guest with a claw. "Hidden One told me of your campaign in Tartarus as well as your efforts against the crystal slaver. Most impressive for a simple unicorn."

"All in the line of duty, Lord Suneater." Armor returned the smile as he took the drink and tasted it to find it was from the Theoi's reserves. "Is this a good time, your Excellency? I have news."

"I suspect I know what about but it will have to wait." The pale stallion held up a hoof to pause the ashen one. "Please continue, Shifting Darkness."

"Where was I... Ah, yes. Once you were out of the way, Night Sky and I gathered some minions and took to the surface." The behemoth rumbled. "Conquest should have been trivial but no sooner had we emerged into Overworld than we were confronted by a golden host lead by the thrice-cursed Lords of the Light and Sun."

"The only two who so much as casted a wary eye toward the Underworld." The Theoi nodded in understanding. "I imagine desecrating the luminous temple just beyond Avernus alerted them, assuming that was you."

"More like rededicated to more worthy deities." Suneater corrected with a snort. "Regardless, their fury set the skies ablaze and scorched shade and shadow from the land."

"Celestia would have to go all out just to match their opening salvo." Armor thought as he listened intently to the climax of the ancient rivalry. "I see what Lulamoon meant by feeling 'small and insignificant' in a cosmic sort of way."

"Considering your title of 'Suneater', I can infer the fate of the Herald of the Day." A frown tugged at the corners of the Dread Lord's expression.

"In part, old friend." The Lord of Darkness waved a claw in a 'so-so' manner. "True, I did attempt to devour the Master of the Sun but before the final blow was struck... he vanished."

"Did he now?" The Dread Lord's expression softened slightly in what Armor thought might have been relief. "A trick, perhaps?"

"He left his raiment and mantle behind and has not returned so I still claim victory." The not-so-literal Suneater insisted. "I attempted to capitalize on it by seizing control of the now rudderless Greater Light of the Heavens and drive it away once and for all but the damn thing refused to obey."

"Perhaps the reigns passed to a new herald with the defeat of the old." The late Captain of the Guard's mind wandered toward his former liege. "Then again, he might have just overestimated his strength."

"You literally flew too close to the sun." Armor inferred keenly. "If I may use the expression."

"I will have you know that I did manage to at least send the fiery orb beneath the horizon." The Black Dragon rumbled defensively. "But, yes, I fell in a blazing ball of agony with my power spent and shadows faded."

"A rather pyrrhic victory then." The pale horse prompted the behemoth to continue. "But setting the sun must have given Night Sky an advantage."

"The battle did not last long enough for me to see if it did." The dragon shook his massive head. "The apex of their fight carried them to the farthest reaches of the firmament beyond my perception."

"Mutual destruction?" The Marshall suggested carefully.

"I would know if that were true." The Primordial let out a low sigh. "No, they could still be locked in battle amidst the stars, ensnared by some horror from beyond the colors of time and space or simply lost in infinity."

"Unable to find her, I presume you went inactive for a time to build back your strength." The stygian stallion concluded neutrally. "Once you had, you took control of the dragon flights as the 'Black Dragon' and attempted to resume your subjugation of the world."

"Good choice of minions considering what one did to the crystal empire..." The ex-regent's thoughts turned to his last encounter with a certain armored drake. "...Nine Hells, that explains a lot."

"I had hoped that bringing the world to heel would call her back somehow." The precursor of the Marked Legions gazed forlornly at the fireplace. "It would at least make a perfect welcome home gift."

"An apt choice of words..." The Theoi rested his chin on his hooves as Armor could practically hear the gears in his head turning. "I wish I could offer more than straws to grasp at but we will find her, Shifting Darkness."

"I know we will, old friend." The Primordial turned back to the Theoi and smiled. "Who knows? Perhaps one of those straws will turn into a bountiful harvest."

"Hopefully with less princess-smiting and city-burning." Armor mentally added. "Well, the latter at least."

"Speaking of, you have something for me, Grand Marshall?" The stygian sovereign shifted his attention to Armor.

"Oh, uh, yes." The revenant snapped out of his thoughts. "Our agents in Equestria have reported in: they have picked up both Lulamoon's and Suneater's trail. Twilight and the other Element Bearers will be leaving for Hollow Shades soon."

"I see." The Necroarch nodded simply. "Not unexpected yet sooner than I would have liked."

"You sound uneasy, Hidden One." The behemoth arched an eye ridge. "This is hardly the first time mortals have dared your domain."

"These are this age's heroines; more capable than most." The caliginous cleric explained as he rose from his seat. "They have a record of achieving impressive victories and I do not intend to be cast out again... or sealed in a hole."

He tapped the still-healing wounds courtesy of the Royal Sisters with his bident, earning a flinch and pained grunt from the dragon. Upon closer inspection, Armor noticed various other blemishes that bore the Primordial's equally marred combat record. One of note was a slight crack on his chest where a faint baleful light shone through; a deep scar that had not healed properly and may never will. Suneater blew smoke out of his nose in an annoyed snort as he rolled onto his front and hid the strike that broke his last campaign from view.

"Your words hold merit, Hidden One." The Lord of Darkness begrudgingly admitted. "What is to be done about these interlopers?"

"Let me worry about that, Shifting Darkness." The Overlord of the Underworld said as he signaled his Praetorians. "For now, you just rest and relax."

"Perhaps I can work on shifting into something other than a dragon." Suneater mused aloud as he inspected his claws. "It is like a millennia-long cramp that will not budge."

“Silver lining, a dragon is not the worst thing to be stuck as.” Armor offered supportively.

"Hmm, true." The Black Dragon agreed. "I could be trapped as an equine like Hidden One."

"There are far worse options." The Dread Lord glanced down at himself and shrugged. "Thank you for the hospitality. After you, Grand Marshall Armor."

"You know where to find me if you need me." Suneater bid them farewell as they departed the den.

"Your friend is... interesting." The revenant said flatly after they linked up with the remaining bodyguards and were out of earshot. "Knocked out the sun, tried to take over the world and bring about eternal night. Nightmare Moon must have taken notes."

"Not far from the truth, Grand Marshall." The Theoi said plainly. "Night Sky outright chose the Usurper to continue their mission once their campaign failed."

"Say what now?" Armor did a doubletake as what he said registered.

"The Lady of the Stars may share her consort's idea that Eternal Night will bring her home." The stygian stallion elaborated. "Who better than an already nocturnal Alicorn to act as her apostle?"

"Does that mean she created Nightmare Moon?" The ex-captain asked. "Or she just found the madmare locked up on that big rock and decided 'why not'?"

"Speculation but as a certain book said: 'the Stars will aid in her escape'." The pale horse said somewhat guardedly. "That implies the latter but I would not be surprised if Night Sky 'traded up' from her last prospect, our old friend Sombra, and decided to work on whatever was already festering in Luna; not so much as created as nourished."

"Sweet salty Styx, she was sponsoring Sombra too?" Armor frowned as he processed this dump of information. "And he wants to bring her here?"

"Okay, let me get this straight: you, the ex-Lurker, want to reunite a draconic conqueror and an arch-corrupter." The former prince-regent laid out his misgivings. "Really don't like the ending to that story."

"Have you no faith in me?" The former tenebrous terror asked as his bodyguards tensed slightly. "I will reunite the Khthonic Pantheon but I will not doom the world if I can help it, Armor."

"I guess it would be better for them to be here than loose in the wild." The revenant thought. "Still, I get the sense he's not doing this for the good of Equus..."

"Big 'if' in there." The Marshall pointed out. "And you got to admit, old friends or not, this is quite the force build up we're planning."

"True but does Fluttershy not consider the very Spirit of Chaos a friend? What about the rest of the Element Bearers and the Princesses?" The Necroarch countered. "You and Chrysalis are more than friends. And what of you and I?"

"Huh, fair point." Armor rubbed the back of his head. "Kinda brings a new meaning to 'friends with benefits'."

"The key is to neither abuse nor take those benefits for granted." The caliginous cleric allowed a ghost of a smile as they exited the mansion. "Something I did not have to spend an extended time in Equestria to learn."

"You would think it would be common sense for most." The Grand Marshall smirked before falling back to a more serious expression. "While we're on the subject, what about Twily and company?"

"First we will see if they even reach my domain from Hollow Shades." The stygian sovereign said simply. "If and when they do, we will have to make an impactful first impression; convince them that we are not their enemy or put the fear of ever crossing us into their hearts. Preferably both."

"Glad he didn't go with just kill them." Armor thought. "Unless that's plan B."

"That may be difficult with Lulamoon's record and Suneater's attack." The Undying unicorn pointed out as they moved onto the grounds of the estate. "But I guess if being loved is off the table, go with feared."

"The important aspect is to avoid being hated." The Necroarch more reminded himself before he suddenly called out to a busy cyclops. "You there! I require an empty flask!"

"Right away, master." The servant, a painter if his multihued stained uniform was any indication, quickly produced a clean vial and presented it. "What more would you have of me?"

"That is all, thank you." The pale horse took the simple glass and dismissed the minion.

Armor watched curiously as his patron adjusted his grip on his bident, the tips of the twin prongs covered in an inky black substance. Carefully, the Theoi tapped the drops of Primordial ichor into the flask and sealed it shut with a whispered Khthonic mantra. The revenant grimaced as the tenebrous blood seemed to beat against its glassy prison.

"I'm almost afraid to ask." Armor said with an involuntary shiver. "More blood magic?"

"Remember that helm that was entombed with me?" The pallid pony explained as he stashed the small flask in his voluminous robes. "This will help restore it. I would have asked Shifting Darkness for a sample but after our chat, I thought it prudent to keep this card up my sleeve."

"No harm in being prepared, at least not to us." The revenant nodded thoughtfully. "So does that helmet turn into a full suit or something?"

"It does but there is more to it than mere protection." The Theoi answered keenly. "Are you familiar with the concept of fair form?"

"Like giving your opponent a sporting chance?" Armor ventured to which one of the Praetorians actually groaned.

"No, it has more to do with appearances." The ancient king corrected. "Think of it as like when Chrysalis comes to you as, say, one of those Prench ultramodels rather than her default form."

"Chryssi does have the right proportions..." The ashen stallion got a few ideas for future use with the Hive Queen.

"So you put on the helm and go from a four to a ten?" He half-jested, earning a raised eyebrow from the pale horse. "Cheap shot, sorry."

"To be fair, I would probably drop into the negatives for most." He said with a glance at his hooves. "But that is hardly a concern when you're wielding that kind of power."

"Maybe he'll let me borrow his toy in the future." Armor thought. "Not sure how I'd get it over my muzzle though."

As they left the Primordial estate behind and moved through the twisted boroughs of Erebos, they came across a fresh set of tracks in the bone-strewn path. Equine, bovine and canine hoof and pawprints along with deep parallel lines cut through the forest toward the Acheron shantytown. The small group picked up the pace and soon caught up with a small convoy of barrel-laden wagons being hauled by straining Undying earth ponies and escorted by their minotaur and diamond dog cohorts. A cloaked and hooded unicorn lead the parade, pausing for a moment as a flash of emerald magic washed over her.

"The Great and Powerful Trixie thinks this must have been undercharged." The Archmage of Barathrum grumbled as a changeling horn disintegrated in her hoof. "Four to five hours Trixie's a- Oh! Your Highness!"

"Greetings, Lulamoon." The Theoi said as the Undying took a small break to salute their patron and Grand Marshall. "An uneventful trip to the surface, I hope."

"Outright boring, sir." A revenant stallion reported. "We went up in disguise, Trixie completed the transaction as an agent of the 'Merchant Princess' and then we came straight back."

"We covered our tracks to the Gates, sirs." A burly minotaur elaborated. "Some negasi got a little curious but we weren't followed."

"Excellent work." Armor praised as he looked over the barrels of coveted Sweet Apple Acers cider. "Did the delivery ponies suspect anything."

"Tch, hardly." The lich clicked her tongue. "The Sensual and Elegant Trixie had that big red mute and his lackey wrapped around her horn."

"Big Macintosh and Caramel, I assume." Armor refreshed his memory of his sister's friend's relations and co-workers. "Good, simple stallions."

"At least this went smoothly." He said before turning to the stygian stallion. "Well, your Excellency, here's the brewery's worth of cider I owe you. Feels like I owe you another one for all the trouble we went through to get it."

"Perish the thought, Armor." The Dread Lord signaled his bodyguards to aid the Undying as the convoy resumed. "This is more than adequate recompense."

"Now we just need an occasion to tap these." Lulamoon said as the gloomy township came into view. "Anyone have a deathday or anniversary coming up?"

"We may be entertaining the Element Bearers in the near future." The pale horse said plainly. "It would be considerate to offer a familiar beverage."

"So, Sparkle and the neigh-sayers have decided to stick their noses where they shouldn't." The lich nickered. "You know, Telkhine has shown Trixie some odorless and tasteless concoctions..."

"We are not poisoning my sister." Armor said flatly.

"Ah, so the rest are fair game." Lulamoon smiled fiendishly to which the Marshall just rolled his eyes

"I doubt that will be necessary." The Necroarch put himself between them as the convoy joined the small horde of shades waiting at the pier for the ferry. "We will continue this conversation at council later. For now, let's focus on getting this to the palace."

The boat-daemon soon arrived on his weathered hulk and lowered the gangplank. After some arguing over the difference between ferry and freight, the keen-eyed creature was placated by a large sum of coin as well as a barrel for his own refreshment. As the now slightly overloaded ferry cruised through the brackish waters, Armor leaned against the cargo while the Undying kept the curious shades at bay.

"I can imagine explaining everything to Twily over a pint of this." He thought of the many things that had changed ever since the destruction of the Empire including his new family, allegiance and position. "Ehh, maybe I shouldn't. Keep my head down and let whatever scheme the king is cooking up run its course. I just hope he knows what he's doing."

In the medical ward of Princess Sparkle's palace, Night-Captain Vengeance paced to and fro like a caged manticore. She and a small contingent of other thestrals stood vigil over their fallen Princess, barring entry to all save for the diligent doctors and nurses. The bat-ponies made a point of asking for updates every time one of them left Luna's room but beyond being stabilized and sedated, the Alicorn of the Night's condition remained frustratingly unchanging.

"...rip off its wings and feed them to it!" Vengeance growled as she imagined invoking her namesake on the monster responsible. "Pry off each scale and dunk it in salt..."

"You're going to wear a ditch in the floor if you keep that up." A fellow Night Guard commented sleepily. "Take a rest, Night-Captain. None of us will think any less of you for it."

"I'll rest when I'm dead!" Vengeance snarled. "If you have nothing better to do than mouth off to me, get me another coffee."

"The docs say they're out." Another said as he gestured to the overflowing trash bin of used cups and filters "Unless you want to recycle grounds."

Before the thestral officer could retort, a sudden chill filled the air. The lights flickered like candles in the wind before winking out, plunging the ward into near darkness. A sharp crack followed by a deep boom that shook the crystalline walls sent the once drowsy Night Guard on alert. The bat-ponies immediately covered the entrances and hallways while Vengeance barged into her matron's room. She found several nurses and doctors getting back to all fours as if they had been bowled over. The Night-Captain ignored them as she rushed to the Princess' side, sparks of ethereal magic dancing across her still and bandaged form before vanishing from sight.

"What happened?" Vengeance demanded as she checked to see that the Alicorn was still breathing.

"Magic surge." A nurse explained as several of the staff conjured emergency mage lights that bathed the room in an eerie pale glow. "With her horn broken, it was unfocused and-!"

"Is she awake?" The thestral interrupted.

"It was probably just a reflex." A doctor answered as he retrieved some bandages to replace the ones burned off in the discharge. "Akin to muscle spasms and twitches; not a sign of consciousness."

"More or less." The first medic concurred. " Still, it is a good-!"

She was cut off by a sudden scraping sound and a hint of movement out of the corner of her eye. The equines looked to see Luna's tiara vibrate and jerk as if it was being tugged on a string. Before Vengeance could cry 'poltergeist', the unicorn tending to the Alicorn's bandages let out a shout of surprise. The doctor jumped back as the ruined horn ignited in a cyan aura crackling with violet sparks. The equines braced for another magical backlash only for the gathered energy to spread across the Alicorn's form like water. The sterile air was filled with the stench of ozone and the bloodcurdling sound of bones snapping back into place as the weird magic seeped into the broken body. It was then that Vengeance felt something odd; not the soldier's instinct of danger but a small, testing tap at the back of her mind.

"...A loyal servant..." The faintest of whispers drifted through her thoughts.

"Wha-?" The thestral wondered for a moment before a sharp gasp from the bed seized her attention.

The Alicorn's eyes snapped open and looked around. Another grunt escaped her as she tried to move only for her heavily bandaged body to forbid it. The doctors stared in amazement at their charge before their senses returned to them.

"Try not to move, your highness!" A nurse instructed as she carefully restrained the larger mare. "You are still in bad shape."

"She shouldn't be awake." Another gasped in disbelief. "She's on enough sedatives to drop everypony in this castle."

The medic's efforts to rein in the awakening Princess were for naught as the Alicorn slowly and deliberately sat up in defiance of what should have been a broken back. Casts broke open and bandages fell away to reveal her body, while still bruised and burned, was no longer the crippled wreck it once was. The Diarch tore off the wraps around her head and took a deep breath, held it and let out a long sigh of satisfaction. She then regarded the stunned equines as if noticing them for the first time.

"Princess Luna!" A joyful grin split Vengeance's features before she remembered decorum and saluted as the medics knelt. "*ahem* The Night Guard stand ready as always."

"Luna...?" The navy Alicorn cocked her head to the side as if perplexed before she frowned and pointed to a nurse. "You. Mirror."

"Y-yes, your highness." The mare stammered as she wheeled a full-length mirror before the recovered royal.

The medical professionals stared in a mix of awe and disbelief as their charge inspected herself with a disapproving grimace. They quietly murmured amongst themselves that this miraculous recovery could only be explained by the legendary resilience and fortitude of one of the Royal Alicorns. The Night-Captain agreed with their assessment as she respectfully approached her matron.

"I was told that a lesser creature would not have survived." She said in a tone that she hoped did not sound too brown-nosey. "Of course, that is a broad category compared to Alicorns."

If Luna heard her, she did not respond. She was more focused on uncovering the increasingly narrow scope of her rejuvenation. While her back and legs were whole, her barrel was still damaged and every breath took effort thanks to her shattered ribs. Burns covered her body like a second mottled coat, necessitating that some of the bandages would need to remain. Her horn was still a ruined shard that could only produce pitiful sparks of her spent magic and her tattered wings would remain confined to their plaster prisons.

"...lost my mane as well..." Luna muttered as she patted the short, almost coltish crop of blue on her scalp. "It took more than I thought just to awaken..."

“Your highness, if you are in pain, you should lie back down.” A nurse advised gently as she saw the Lunar Alicorn’s expression sour into a sneer. “You were on death’s doorstep just a few moments ago.”

“I have slept long enough.” Luna ignored the medical mare as she retrieved her tiara and placed it gingerly on her head. “There is too much to be done for me to remain idle.”

“No argument here, mistress.” Vengeance concurred. "We await your orders."

"If only I had you around the first time." The Diarch muttered to herself before she turned to face her Night-Captain. "I require an update; what all has transpired since Lu- my incapacitation?"

"That..." The bat-pony looked to the doctors for aid who could only offer shakes of their heads. "...is better answered by somepony else; we haven't left your side since we brought you here."

“Then I’d best find them.” Luna said neutrally as she started for the door herself only for the ever-cautious doctors to waylay her. "You dare?"

“My deepest apologies, your highness, but we have to be absolutely certain you this is not some fluke.” One of them said as confidently as he could in front of a now scowling Alicorn. “If you won’t stay here, at least let some of us accompany you to monitor your health.”

“I have enough pain in my sides as is.” The Alicorn frowned but ultimately relented. “But I can see I will not be rid of you easily.”

“It’s for your own good, your highness.” A doctor replied as he and two others trotted forward. "I promise we won't become a nuisance."

"See that you don't." Luna nickered as she half-trotted half-limped toward the door. "With me, Vengeance."

With her small party of followers in tow, the resurgent royal barely put one hoof out the door of her room when she was met by a crowd of thestrals. The guards, having noticed the strange lights from the observation window, had gathered around to catch a glimpse of the Princess' return. A withering glare from the Night-Captain sent them scrambling back to their posts where they smartly saluted their matron. All save for a conspicuously out of place pegasus who genuflected before the Nocturnal Alicorn.

"Who let you in?" Vengeance asked what she determined to be one of Sparkle's guards by his tyrian armor.

"Captain Sentry by leave of Night-Captain Knight." He responded smartly. "They thought you should know that the dragon has been sighted near Hollow Shades."

"Finally!" The thestral exclaimed. "Took them long enough. Mistress, with your permission-"

"Hold, Night-Captain." Luna arrested her excitement with a raised hoof. "What more, minion?"

"Princess Sparke and her friends are being dispatched to confront the beast." The pegasus kept his head bowed as the Alicorn had yet to bid him rise. "They are making preparations on the upper platform as we speak."

"Are they now?" The Diarch arched a mostly scorched eyebrow. "One might call them over-confident."

"Mistress, with your permission, I would like to join their hunting party." Vengeance resumed eagerly. "I owe this monster a debt of blood and fury for what it has done."

"We will all have our revenge but that does not mean we have to be hasty." Luna said knowingly. "I wish to know more before committing to any actions."

"The council deigned to keep the details behind closed doors so you will have to talk to them." The still kneeling guard informed them. "Shall I announce your recovery, your highness?"

"No." The Princess of the Night said curtly as she brushed past him. "I will do it myself."

"If I may, Princess, I would wait until we find you some proper attire." A thestral spoke up respectfully. "We all agreed to keep your condition under wraps so as not to cause a panic and, while you are obviously better..."

"The 'leaper' look may not inspire awe." Another finished as she looked over Luna with a wince. "The final decision is yours, of course."

"Hmm, I do feel naked without my full regalia." The navy mare glanced over herself again and nodded. "Send somepony to my quarters in Canterlot. There is an old chest bearing my emblem on the lock in my wardrobe. Bring it here, quickly."

"Right away, mistress!" Two of the guards saluted smartly before departing the ward.

"While we wait, allow me to refresh some of these." A doctor took the opportunity to tend to her many wounds with bandages and magic. "And can somepony turn the lights back on?"

"You treat me as if I am made of glass." The Alicorn lamented as a unicorn nurse went about sparking life back into the lights. "A few moments under my blessed moonlight should restore my full majesty."

"It would certainly help but between your broken horn and the dragon's weird anti-magic fire, it will be more than a few moments." Another doctor referred to a report with a grimace. "Also, it's about midday right now so... eh?"

"No wonder we are out of coffee." A thestral balked at the realization of how long they had been awake. "Your majesty, if it pleases you-"

"The fatigued and exhausted are of little use to me." Luna said with a dismissive wave of her hoof. "Get what rest you can; I will have need of you soon."

With a mix of thankful and apprehensive looks, the Night Guard departed to find quiet nooks to sleep in. Their Night-Captain seemed tempted to join them but her sense of duty compelled her to remain by the Alicorn's side. Confined to the medical ward for the time being, the resurgent royal could only retreat into her inner thoughts as the medics performed their duties.

"'Tis a cruel irony that forces me to continue to play the part of Luna." The now dominant mind of Nightmare Moon bemoaned. "There must be a way to expedite my full return but I doubt I will find it here..."

The early afternoon sun shone brightly over Ponyville with nary a cloud in the sky. This combined with a light easterly breeze forecasted a smooth journey for the Heroines of Equestria as they gathered on one of the platforms of Sparkle's palace. Given their isolated destination of Hollow Shades, they had decided the best means of travel would be by air and thus had the youngest Princess's private hot-air balloon brought out of storage. Since Sparkle had gained her wings, the aged yet trusty dirigible had seen some community use by the citizens of the township before being mothballed.

"Little old blimp has seen some action." The Princess of Magic thought as guards and staff ran safety checks on the craft while her friends made sure they were prepared for the journey. "Really hope we don't have to fight the dragon in it."

Just as she tried not to think of how an aerial duel in the balloon would end, a smaller and certainly less malevolent drake dragged himself by. Weighed down by an overpacked duffle bag, Spike seemed on the verge of collapsing before Sparkle mercifully relieved him of his burden with her magic. The juvenile dragon took the opportunity to catch his breath as the lavender mare took a peek inside the bag to find several camping supplies and gemstones.

"That shouldn't overburden the balloon." Spike said between huffs. "Otherwise, I'll have a pre-flight snack."

"That won't be a problem because you're not coming with us." Sparkle shook her head as she set the pack down. "Instead, I got a special job for you."

"You couldn't have told me that before I packed?!" The drake's outrage quickly died into an exasperated sigh as he flopped onto his back. "Ugh... how can I help?"

"We need that spell Starswirl used to defeat Suneater." The Alicorn said seriously. "I know we didn't find it during my report but there has to be a record of it somewhere."

"If we didn't find it before, it might be another one of his unfinished works." Spike thought aloud. "Heh. Ready to become a double Alicorn, Twilight?"

"A double... this is serious!" Sparkle resisted the urge to explore the possibility but did not outright dismiss it. "I would broaden your search to include other means of imprisonment like entrapment, induced slumber and the like."

"I guess I can check some old editions of spellbooks..." Her trusted assistant tapped a claw against his chin. "I'm beginning to think there might be a reason why this spell is hard to find."

The Princess of Magic had also considered that upon their initial review of Starswirl's defeat of Suneater. Like Spike had said, it was possible the spell was incomplete but it was also possible the ancient unicorn or his disciples had purposefully hidden, censored or outright destroyed the details of the magic involved. Her first thought was that Starswirl was safeguarding Suneater's prison by preventing any unfriendly parties from studying and potentially undoing the spell. That logic seemed sound but Sparkle also theorized that there may be a more insidious explanation.

"Dark magic, underhooved plots..." The lavender Alicorn thought. "For all I know, Starswirl struck a pact with Suneater to jumpstart his legacy. By the Sun, I hope not."

"If an old mare may offer her perspective..." Celestia interject politely. "I think Starswirl was throwing anything and everything he had at the Black Dragon until something stuck."

"So he just got lucky and found a winning combination." Spike grumbled as he knew what that meant. "Good for him but it means more work for me."

"I'm sure you'll get it, Spikey-wikey." Rarity offered encouragement as she finished downsizing her 'essentials' to something that would fit on one balloon. "You're already on a roll with that history lesson."

"Then I don't want to lose steam!" The Element of Generosity's words invigorated the young drake better than any caffeine. "If I find something, I'll send it to you the usual way. Good luck and stay safe everypony."

The equines bid the dragon farewell as he jogged back into the palace to begin his own quest. Confident that Spike would come through for her, Sparkle turned her attention to her own supplies. So engrossed was she in weighing the importance of spare blankets versus notebooks that she failed to notice Sentry finish his pre-flight inspection and approach. The Captain admired the sight of the Princess bent over a bag a bit longer than he should have before he cleared his throat.

"The old blimp is up and ready to go Twi- Princess- es." The orange pegasus corrected himself twice as Celestia gave him a knowing look. "We attached reins and harnesses for a pair so you don't have to rely solely on the wind."

"That pair being me and Shy, right?" Dash assumed as she patted the demure pegasus on the back. "Unless you want in on the action."

"If any of us accompany you, it should be Night Guard." Knight said as he joined his counterpart. "You'll be entering thestral territory after all and with two flying, you can seat three more in addition to you and your carry-ons."

"Makes since." Sparkle nodded in agreement as she straightened up and faced the pair. "Are you volunteering, Knight, or do you have somepony in mind?"

"I am and I am certain Vengeance would accompany us as would-!" The Night-Captain froze in shock as he looked past Sparkle. "Princess Luna?!"

All eyes turned toward the darkened doorway leading back into the palace. Surrounded by an entourage of thestrals and medics, the cloaked and hooded Alicorn of the Night trotted out onto the landing. Celestia recovered from her surprise appearance first and rushed toward her sister like a bolt.

"Luna! You're awake!" The alabaster Alicorn wrapped her navy counterpart in an embrace, causing her to cringe and let out a hiss of pain and displeasure. "How-? Oh! Sorry!"

"Careful... sister." Luna said past gritted teeth as she pulled back her hood to reveal her diminished appearance. "I still have miles to go on that proverbial road to recovery."

"Yet you seemed to have skipped most of it." A doctor trotted forward and made a quick bow. "It's nothing short of a miracle; one moment she was comatose and the next, up and at them."

"So you got tired of being almost dead and willed yourself back to life?" Dash summarized in her own way. "That's awesome."

"Indeed, my prismatic pes- pony." An odd smile crossed Luna's features before she turned back to her sister. "Now, I have been told the beast has been sighted?"

"Near Hollow Shades, yes." Celestia nodded. "Twilight and her friends were just about to depart to, well, do what they do best."

"I was about to volunteer Vengeance and myself to accompany them." Knight added before he remembered to salute his matron. "With your permission, Princess."

"Hmm... granted, Night-Captain." The navy Alicorn tapped a hoof to her chin in thought before nodding, much to Vengeance's delight. "In fact, I shall accompany you as well."

"What?!" The Solar Princess turned as pale as a ghost. "Out of the question! Luna, you can't-!"

"You do not command me like one of your sycophants." Luna interrupted icily.

"I do when my nearly-crippled-sister wants to leap back into the fray!" Celestia retorted. "Can't you see this is madness?"

"The only madness here is- is... hrmph grrgh!" The cloaked mare made some sort of guttural noise as she visibly swallowed her retort and took a moment to breath. "I understand your concern, Celestia, but I have no intention of challenging Suneater again."

"They why come with us?" Applejack asked curiously. "The bat-ponies should be enough tah get us through their territory."

"I merely wish to advise, observe... and admire." Luna answered with a gleam in her eyes. "Also, I would like to summon the Umbrals to service; I sense they will be needed in the future."

"No harm in being too careful." Sparkle found herself agreeing with the idea. "But Princess Celestia has a point; are sure you are in any condition to travel?"

"Based on our current observations, she is." A medic answered after reviewing his notes. "Of course, I don't recommend it but then again, I thought she would never trot again."

"Doc, you should know you can't keep a good mare down." Dash smirked, Luna's stance reminding her of her own experiences with hospitals. "We'd be happy to have you, Princess."

"Your mind is already made up." Celestia realized that short of confining her stubborn sister to her quarters, Luna would be among the plus three accompanying the heroines. "You're even wearing your old adventuring gear."

"A coincidence as this was more to conceal my injuries from the peons." Luna parted the front of her cloak to better reveal a worn and tested outfit consisting of a simple steel peytral baring her cutie mark over layers of form concealing dark cloth. "Though it does conjure many memories."

"Yes, I recall having to nurse you back to health a few times back then as well." The alabaster Alicorn said pointedly. "Luna, please promise me, if you must go then stay out of harm's way. I nearly lost you..."

"Fear not. I am not so foalish as to face my enemy in my current state." The navy Princess assured her with a somewhat forced smile. "Just make sure I still have an Equestria to return to."

"You will." Celestia frowned as she recalled her treacherous adoptive nephew.

"I guess that settles it then." Dash clopped her hooves together as she flew over to the balloon's harnesses. "Let's get this show on the road!"

With the party finalized, the expedition boarded the dirigible. The two pegasi agreed to fly them most of the way before the Night-Captains took over for the final approach. Until then, the sibling team hung among the sandbags to get some much-needed rest. The staff and guards loaded the heroine's cargo as they got situated in the balloon with Sentry going out of this way to make sure Sparkle's supplies were secure.

“I think you are good to go, your highness.” He said confidently. “Remember to bring me a souvenir from Hollow Shades.”

“If all goes well, it might be a petrified dragon.” Sparkle smiled. “Keep our little ponies safe while we're gone.”

“I will.” The orange pegasus nodded. “Uh, one last thing…”

Boldly, Sentry leaned forward and gave her a quick peck on the tip of her nose. The Alicorn’s wings twitched slightly as a deep blush crept into her cheeks. The guard shuffled his hooves nervously when she only stared at him in surprise.

“I-I was working up the nerve to do that at the Gala.” The pegasus admitted as he tapped his hooves together. “I just thought since I won’t be seeing you for a while that- mmph!”

The youngest Princess cut him off by pulling him back in with her magic for a considerably more intimate kiss. Both their wings flared out fully as the Alicorn hummed happily while Sentry seemed unsure what to do. She eventually released him with a breathy sigh.

“I was going to do that if you didn't make the first move.” The lavender mare smiled broadly. “You're an awful tease.”

“Sorry.” Sentry said simply as a silly smile spread across his face.

“*Ahem*” Princess Celestia cleared her throat behind the captain. “If you two are finished, I need to speak with Twilight for a moment.”

“Of course, your highness.” The professional side of the stallion broke through his love-struck state. “Excuse me, Princess Twilight.”

The two Alicorns watched the pegasus fly up into the air purportedly to get a read on the weather. The Solar Princess regarded her former pupil with a raised eyebrow. She knew well of the burgeoning romance between the two but to see the normally reserved and scholarly mare act so forward filled her with mischievous glee and, dare she say, a hint of jealousy.

“I hope I didn't mess that up.” The lavender mare turned an even deeper shade of red in embarrassment. "A goodbye kiss seemed appropriate but did I come on too strong?"

“Oh, nonsense.” Celestia dismissed her worries with a wave of her hoof. “You probably take a world of weight off his shoulders.”

“I guess...” Sparkle let her gaze linger on her would-be paramour before she snapped back to her senses. “Was there something you wanted to talk about?”

“I must confess I’m worried about Luna.” The Diurnal Diarch whispered with a glance toward her sister as she lamented the fact that Pinkie had elected to sit beside her. “She is acting... strange.”

“Really?” The Princess of Magic glanced over at the Alicorn in question. “She seems fine to me. Beyond the obvious, I mean.”

“That’s just it.” Celestia insisted. “Any foe that managed to best her in the past would face a storm of wrath and vengeance before they could so much as boast about it; hardly the cold and calm mare sitting behind you now.”

“Hmm, she's still clearly driven but is well aware of her current limits.” Sparkle speculated aloud. “She can't charge after the dragon demanding round two so will have to settle for beating it through the girls and I.”

“Perhaps.” The Solar Princess shook her head noncommittally. "I know she is among friends but please keep an eye on her; a sister can't help but worry."

"I know what you mean." The lavender Princess felt a pang of melancholy as she thought back to the times Armor shipped out while she was still in school. "If I see her try to solo Suneater, I'll reign her in."

“Thank you, Twilight.” Celestia embraced her former pupil over the edge of the balloon basket.

“I think we're ready to go!” Dash called out once she and Fluttershy were strapped in. "Clear for take-off!"

“Good luck, my little ponies.” The Solar Princess said as she, the guards and medical staff stood back. “Know that the Sun and Moon watch over you.”

The passengers waved farewell to their colleagues as they steadily rose into the air. After taking a moment to properly synchronize, the pair of pegasi smoothly carried them away from the crystalline palace and over the countryside. Celestia watched them shrink in the distance until they were lost in the afternoon sky.

"Twilight and friends on another whirlwind adventure." Captain Sentry said as he touched down beside the lone Alicorn. "Kind of wish I was going with them."

"For more reasons than one, I'm sure." Celestia gave him a sideways look that he could not meet. "Well, we have some housekeeping to do while we await their triumphant return."

With little else to do in Ponyville, the Solar Alicorn and her guards made preparations to return to Canterlot. After officially announcing through Mayor Mare that ponies could begin to return to the capital if they wished, Sentry arrange a direct transport for them to beat the rush back to the mountain. With a trail of eager nobles and other citizens in their wake, the Diarch of the Sun and the Captain of the Guard plus their entourage flew back to the city.

"The engies were right." Sentry observed as they passed over the relatively untouched districts. "The palace took the brunt of it."

"To say nothing of the mountain itself." Celestia grimaced as she noted the still smoldering crater that was the peak. "Our engineers will have their work cut out for them."

The carriage touched down on a vacant platform with a soft bump were a contingent of guards greeted them. After a short, uneventful trot, the Princess stood in the very heart of Canterlot. True to the reports, the throne room had sustained only minor damage in the form of a few cracked windows and some stonework that had shaken loose. The throne itself was undamaged but she noticed that the water feature located at the bottom had overflowed a bit.

"It could have been so much worse." The alabaster Alicorn thought wearily as she ascended the steps to her golden chair.

Gingerly, she eased into the throne, the cushions a soft caress against her tired frame. A thoughtful servant brought forth a tray of tea and pastries which she happily indulged in. After a few contemplative moments, she finally addressed the attentive Sentry and his guards.

"The first order of business is to ensure the returning citizens settle back in smoothly." She said seriously. "We have maintained order thus far, I don't want a riot just because some merchant tried to claim a noble's house."

"We have guards overseeing the displaced." The guard captain nodded. "Most are eager to return home so I don't expect trouble."

"Good." Celestia sighed. "Then onto another matter."

The Solar Diarch paused for a moment. An insistent ich at the back of her mind warned her that she was about to break a solemn vow and set things in motion that would not easily be reversed. It would be a steep cost for what was ultimately a bluff to get either the ringleader or his cronies to confess out of fear or, at the very least, let the malcontents know that they had been discovered and force them to scrap their current plans. Her own logic plus a knowing and expecting look from Sentry steeled her resolve; the terms of the oath had long been violated and justice was overdue.

"I hereby issue a warrant for the arrest of Blueblood for conspiracy against Equestria." Celestia pronounced with authority. "The moment he sets hoof in this city, I want him clapped in cold irons."

"Arrest Blueblood?" A guard asked surprised. "Beg your pardon, your highness, but what prompted this?"

"Let's just say certain things came to light before and after the dragon attack." Sentry answered for his liege. "I will bring him in myself, Princess."

The sky was ablaze with brilliant hues of red and orange as the sun sank beneath the western horizon. From her seat in Princess Sparkle’s balloon, Princess Luna watched the sunset with both anticipation and resentment. While she welcomed the onset of her magnificent night, the fact that it would not be her bringing it but rather Celestia conjured some unpleasant memories.

“How many decades did I watch her amateurish work?” The unrevealed presence of Nightmare Moon thought. "I had turned the plotting of the stars into an art while she didn't know Sagittarius from Gemini!"

"Moonpie, Princess?" Pinkie cut through the Alicorn's thoughts with an offered confection. "You got that hangry look."

"The only thing I hunger for is..." Luna rounded on the pink party pony only for the oft used retort to die on her lips when she realized she had not enjoyed a sweet treat in many years. "Yes, actually, that looks delicious."

The Element of Laughter flinched as the Princess nearly took off her hoof as she snapped up the pie in her jaws. The Diarch of the Night let out a content nicker as she savored the chocolate dipped crackers and sugary marshmallow. Pinkie smiled at the reaction as she nursed her own treat in the form of a simple cupcake. Seeing that the Alicorn was now in better spirits, the lively earth pony decided to make small talk.

"So where did you get that outfit?" She asked casually. "I've only seen you in your crown, shoes, bib-thing and sometimes that creepy bat-cloak."

"The base are simple travel garments." Luna explained as she pointed to each article in turn. "The rest were acquired along my adventures and equipped as I saw fit."

"I thought it appeared rather piecemeal." Rarity commented as she ran a critical eye over the outfit. "There is no pattern agreement between the cloth layers and the chestpiece looks like an afterthought."

"There was little time to consider aesthetics." The navy Alicorn said around a mouthful of sweets. "Does it fit? Can it turn aside a foe's blade? Is it light enough to travel? That was the criteria of fashion, seamstress."

"Not surprising given the state of the world at the time." Sparkle added as she looked up from a book about the local area. "Discord at the height of his power, hundreds of petty kingdoms and all manner of bandits and monsters running amok."

"Good thing y'all were around to fix that mess." Applejack doffed her hat in Luna's direction. "Hard to think about what could have been."

"Ooh! We would probably be jesters and dancers for Discord!" Pinkie immediately began firing off possibilities. "Or we would all be pony-cicles for the wendigos or..."

"I wonder if a fall from this height would finally silence her." Moon thought as she peered over the edge of the basket.

"Muh huh huh huh huh." A ethereal titter drifted through her mind as a faint whisper before building into a regal laugh. "What strange company we keep."

"Oh, it's you." The Usurper tensed at the unexpected intrusion. "Just when I was getting used to being alone with my thoughts."

"I must confess, once you entered the waking world, you nearly vanished amongst the mass and noise of the mortals." The Primordial presence said pointedly. "Now I find you in the company of those who would hinder us."

"I decision I am beginning to regret." The dark Alicorn glanced back at Pinkie who had gone off on a tangent about what her friends would do if certain villains had triumphed. "But I will be in more pleasant company soon, living or otherwise, where we can finally dispose of these whelps."

"Going with the indirect method again, are we?" Moon could practically hear the raised eyebrow.

"Alas, I have no other option." She lamented her current state yet again. "I just hope we find a means to restore my full majesty in the Sunless Lands so I can have the pleasure of destroying Celestia myself."

"I believe that the Hidden One will assist in that regard." The disembodied voice said with a hint of anticipation. "You seem to have a grasp on matters, my apostle, so I will continue to observe until you go beyond my sight again."

"As I have said before, I have no intention of squandering this opportunity." The Usurper reassured both herself and her benefactor.

"Princess? Yoo hoo!" Pinkie waved a hoof in front of Luna's face as she returned to present company. "Did you hear me?"

"No, I was lost in thought." The navy Alicorn pushed the offending limb away with a nicker.

"I asked if you think Rarity would have worked for you while you were evil." The party pony reiterated her hypothetical question.

"Your lack of tact is showing, darling." The unicorn in question said past gritted teeth. "That is hardly appropriate."

"On the contrary, I think it is important to gage the loyalty of those you call friends." Luna said keenly. "As for the question, there was always room in my- Moon's -realm for those willing to serve."

"Let's be thankful we never had to put that theory to practice." Sparkle put a cap on the hypotheticals as she got to her hooves. "We'll be entering Hollow Shades airspace soon. Are the Night-Captains awake?"

"Couldn't have timed that better, Princess Sparkle." Knight said as he appeared beside the balloon rubbing sleep from his eyes. "*Yawn* Good evening, everypony."

"Felt weird sleeping while moving." Vengeance joined her brother looking more well-rested. "You said we are close to home?"

"We should arrive just after nightfall." The lavender Alicorn confirmed. "Hey, Dash! Fluttershy! Land and let the thestrals tag in."

"You got it!" The prismatic pegasus saluted as she steered them toward a nearby cloudbank. "I'm impressed, 'Shy. You kept pace with me and don't even look winded."

"I've been doing those aerobics you showed me." The demur mare smiled confidently.

Together, the yellow and blue pegasi slowed their speed and touched down with a soft poof on the clouds followed by the dirigible and thestrals. While the bat-ponies worked to switch places with their feathered kin, Sparkle presented her plans for the group once they reached the colony. While Luna retrieved the official report from the Countess and mobilized her Umbrals, the Heroines would ask about town for clues or leads relating to Lulamoon. The Night-Captains could accompany either them or their mistress as they saw fit.

"Ah reckon Big Mac n' Caramel would have an idea 'bout Trixie." Applejack mused aloud. "Knowin' them, they're probably toasting a good day's work at the local watering hole... assumin' y'all have one."

"I think we do, actually." Knight answered the open question. "I heard some enterprising types set up shop a while back so, unless they've been run out or scared off, they should still be in business."

"Hey, I was wondering, if we pick up both Suneater and Trixie's trail, which one do we follow?" Pinkie asked as she pantomimed trying to go in different directions. "We could go after both but splitting the party is a bad idea."

"I rather think that a rampaging dragon takes priority over a rogue magician." Rarity said plainly. "That being said, I have a sneaking suspicion that their paths may not diverge."

"For her sake, I hope they do." Sparkle shook her head as if she silently shared her friend's feeling.

“These poor foals have absolutely no idea what they are in for.” Moon stifled a vicious chuckle.

With a plan in place and the Night-Captains at the ready, Dash and Fluttershy rejoined their friends as the balloon continued on the final length of their journey. Sparkle's timeframe proved impeccably accurate as no sooner had the last rays of the sun vanished did they catch sight of the isolated Hollow Shades. Surrounded by sylvan wilderness, pinpricks of light flickered to life amongst the ruins of a long-shattered mountain. A gloomy cloudbank hung over the area like a pall, something both Luna and Sparkle explained as a local phenomena that the nocturnal thestrals took advantage of.

"A far cry from the rustic charm of Ponyville." Knight said with a smile. "But, hey, it's home."

"Unless you guys are expanding bat-country, I think I see where the dragon crashed." Dash pointed to a conspicuous clearing a fair distance from the settlement. "Oof, you must have hit him good, Princess."

"Few that have challenged me have crawled away unscathed." Luna allowed a prideful smirk at the evident fact that Suneater's victory had not been flawless.

"Here comes the welcoming party!" Pinkie announced happily as she caught sight of a flight of figures flying up to them. "Wait, they don't look to happy to see us..."

"They are a solitary bunch and do not entertain visitors often." The navy Princess said knowingly. "Do not be surprised if your brand of greetings has no effect on them."

"They are also probably on edge with a dragon on the loose." Vengeance added as she signaled her brother to bring them to a hover. "Just let the mistress, Knight and I do the talking."

The diurnal elements of the party complied as the dirigible came to a stop just beyond the overcast colony. As the approaching bat-ponies came within ear shot, it did not go unnoticed by the Equestrians that they bore blades on their cloven hooves and leathery wing tips. The formation parted as most of the thestrals quickly surrounded the aircraft while two continued straight toward them.

"You there!" The flight leader judging by his marginally more ornate armor called out harshly. "You have entered restricted airspace! State your intentions or we will cut you down!"

"Now these are soldiers." Moon thought approvingly. "Not those gilded colt toys Celestia employs."

"Stand down, sergeant!" Knight commanded firmly. "We are here on official business by Royal authority."

"Ah, Night-Captain...s." The guard saluted smartly as he recognized the siblings. "I hardly could tell it was you with that blimp hanging off your backs."

"We brought VIPs from Equestria." Vengeance explained. "The Element Bearers."

"Hi!" Pinkie waved with a smile which the thestral acknowledged with a slight tilt of his head.

"Heard y'all got ah trespasser." Applejack joined in. "Big scaley one that breaths fire."

"I was wondering if Canterlot was going to send anyone to look into that." The second guard said with a relieved sigh. "I was honestly worried would have to deal with Solar Guard for a bit."

"We want this matter resolved quickly and efficiently, corporal." Princess Luna chose that moment to make herself known. "Which is why I have chosen to accompany this expedition."

"Princess Luna!" The officers quickly did an aerial bow as the circling thestrals paused to do the same. "You honor us!"

"Indeed." The Lunar Princess took a brief moment to bask in their adoration. "Now, what can you tell us about the dragon?"

"Not much beyond what you already know." The sergeant signaled his flight to form back up. "Countess Dunwich can tell you more. We'll fly you in."

Under the escort of the thestrals, the Night-Captains steady descended to the benighted township. As they drew closer to the colony, they could see other bat-ponies going about their business with a few stopping to watch the spectacle of airborne visitors. With a gentle bump, the balloon touched down before the eponymous hollow and a commemorative statue depicting Luna locked in battle with a winged horror.

"Neat." Dash let out an impressed whistle. "Who's that freak you're fighting, Princess?"

"An assassin of royalty from the Dark Ages." Luna answered simply. "The climax of our duel broke open the mountain we are current standing in."

"Which, in turn, exposed that cistern to the air and created the perpetual gloom that hangs over this place." Sparkle added keenly. "A perfect site for a thestral colony."

"Beats clearing out cave systems." Vengeance concurred as she and her brother freed themselves from the harnesses while the other thestrals secured the balloon.

"Umm, excuse me." Fluttershy spoke up gently. "That sword it's holding. Is that the same one Trixie stole?"

"The quiet one is observant." Moon noted. "I'll have to watch myself around her."

"The very same." Luna confirmed. "Even in the hooves of an amateur, it is a fiendish weapon."

"Not to mention that this assassin may have gone active again." Sparkle added, her expression resolute. "Finding Trixie is just as important as finding Suneater."

"Then let's not waste any more time." Rarity said as she did one last check of her saddlebags. "What should... we..."

The fashionista trailed off as she noticed their landing had drawn an audience. Unlike the enraptured connoisseurs of fashion shows she was used to, the horde of thestrals were eerily silent with untrusting looks in their predatory eyes. The unicorn slowly backed away from the edge of the basket as if sudden movement would spook them.

"Ooh, Luna's right; I don't think cake and confetti will work here." Even the ever-energetic Pinkie could not ignore the palpable tension hanging in the air. "Tough crowd."

"We are outsiders in a very tight-nit community." Sparkle reminded her friends. "Breaking the ice will take a delicate touch."

"As much fun as it would be to watch them flounder against thestral etiquette, I need to move this along." The unseen Usurper rolled her eyes as she brushed past Sparkle.

“Greetings, my loyal subjects!” The Princess of the Night waved a hoof over the nocturnal bat-ponies who immediately broke into reverent gasps of awe. “I come to your Moon-given home in pursuit of foes most foul!"

This triggered a short-lived round of murmurs and whispers before the Diarch continued.

"These mares are here to assist me in my hunt and thus have my... blessing." Luna grimaced slightly but continued before anyone could raise concern. "They will not interfere, vex, or otherwise disturb your duties. Is that right?"

“No, ma’am.” Applejack tugged on the brim of her hat as she nodded in affirmation.

“Hmm.” The Nocturnal Alicorn nickered as she turned back to her thestrals. “That is all. May the Stars watch over you.”

The little speech was received with clops of applause and a few polite cheers. As the crowd of onlookers dispersed and the threat of being run out of town diminished, the Equestrian's disembarked with their packs loaded and ready to begin their investigation.

“I am so glad you decided to join us, Princess.” The lavender Alicorn said genuinely. “Thanks to your address, the thestrals might be more willing to share what they know; rumors, gossip, stuff like that.”

“If its rumors we’re after, the best place will be that tavern Knight mentioned.” Applejack said as she scanned the rather uniform assortment of buildings. “Shoot, y'all need some signage.”

“I know my eateries and that sure looks like one!” Pinkie excitedly pointed toward a building across the hollow with a conspicuous warm welcoming glow emanating from the windows. “Huh, it looks you were right about what Mac n' Car would do after work.”

The rest followed the party pony's hoof to see an empty wagon with the Sweet Apple Acres logo stamped on the side. It was not a great leap in logic to assume the two farm stallions were inside.

"I guess we'll start there." Dash suggested with a shrug. "Meet up back here after we're finished?"

"Sounds good to me." The lavender Alicorn nodded. "Princess Luna?"

"I have no objections." The hooded Diarch said as she trotted out onto the rocky ground. "I assume the Night-Captains are with me?"

"Of course." Vengeance answered for the both of them. "Lead the way."

With that, each group parted to go about their tasks. The heroines followed along the hollow's edge to the tavern while Luna made a beeline toward the keep carved out of the rockface. Along the way, thestrals would stop and pay due respect to their matron with salutes and bows; a sharp contrast to the marginally more congenial nods the Element Bearer's received for their polite greetings.

"It is good to be back among those who pay proper homage to me." The Usurper thought as she approached the ominous edifice that was Dunwich's lair. "But these mortals alone will not be enough to herald my Eternal Night."

Princess Celestia stood on a balcony overlooking her nation, the last rays of her sun slipping below the western horizon as twilight settled over the land. Before she took up her absent sister's part of their heavenly ritual, the alabaster Alicorn cast a glance toward the city below. Their gilded armor glinting in the failing light, a party of guards led by Captain Sentry made their way through the sparsely populated streets to execute her will. None had objected to the legitimacy or justice of her orders, yet self-doubt continued to irk her.

"Is this not how every despot starts their reign?" The Solar Diarch wondered not for the first time since she issued the warrant for Blueblood's arrest. "Rounding up dissidents today, show trials and public executions tomorrow?"

A few months ago, she would have laughed off the notion as ridiculous. Now, there were several factors that made her second guess the path she was now on. She had consented to the annihilation of the Crystal Empire, more or less put Equestria under martial law at just the possibility of all Tartarus breaking loose and now she had sicced agents after what could well be just a confused dragon and a relatively mundane thief. Again, every action was fair and just in the eyes of both her contemporaries and subjects.

"But that's how it starts." Celestia frowned as she considered intercepting Sentry and calling him off. "Small insignificant steps with a devil on your shoulder justifying each and every one with good intentions... and I've made leaps recently."

The sound of a door opening and closing followed by hoof steps broke the Princess out of her thoughts. She glanced behind her to see the guardsmare Lorica freeze in place like a cookie-stealing foal caught by a parent. The unicorn snapped to attention and saluted with a forced smile on her face.

"Forgive my intrusion, Princess." Lorica sounded like she was biting back frustration. "I know this ritual is important and didn't want to interrupt."

"No harm done, guardsmare." Celestia set her at ease with a wave of her hoof. "Do you have something to report?"

"No, it's just in light of recent events, it seemed like a good idea to assign you a bodyguard." The unicorn explained as she joined the Alicorn on the balcony. "Can't take any chances with villains seemingly coming out of the woodwork."

"I'm touched by the concern but I doubt that will be necessary." The Diarch of the Day said with a gentle smile. "You can't turn a corner without bumping into a palace guard and there is still a cohort of Solarii on the grounds. Also, I am an Alicorn in all that entails."

"Ah, but those Solarii function better as an avenging sword than a guardian shield and the loyalty of the Guard is now uncertain." Lorica countered. "And we both know an Alicorn is not infallible... no offence, of course."

"Why does it sound like she had that answer ready?" Celestia thought as she looked over the admittedly formidable looking mare. "Hmm, she does have a point and has certainly proven eager to serve... not unlike aspirants to the Solarii, now that I think about it."

"I suppose you're right." The eldest Princess nodded her head slightly. "Although historically, royal bodyguards have had their own chapters of duplicity."

"It's just a temporary arrangement until all this trouble is resolved." Her new praetorian assured her. "Speaking of, is the moon rebelling against you, again?"

"Hm? Ah, no." Celestia followed Lorica's hoof to the currently empty sky and ignited her horn to resume the turning of the heavens. "But something else has been troubling me."

"Well, I'm a good listener and can keep a secret." The unicorn hinted none too subtly. "Come on, let me in."

"Since you're offering..." The Solar Alicorn paused for a moment to coax the stubborn moon into motion. "I take it you know of the Blueblood situation."

"Sentry briefed us as he was putting together a team to arrest the traitor." Lorica nodded as her expression hardened. "I don't know what more insulting: the audacity or stupidity of that colt."

"True, in our eyes, he is guilty." Celestia continued seriously. "But what if others see his actions as just; a good stallion rising against tyranny."

"What do you mean?" The charcoal unicorn slowly turned toward the Princess with an expression of pure incredulity.

"I co-signed the annihilation of thousands of lives, put Equestria under martial law over an ultimately minor issue and are now watching soldiers round up civilians under suspicion of treason." The alabaster Alicorn reiterated her earlier train of thought as the moon finally began to peek over the horizon. "Are those the actions of a benevolent ruler?"

"More like a decisive ruler who is stamping out problems before they get out of control!" The bodyguard punctuated her counterpoint with a stamp of her hoof, inadvertently cracking the stone beneath.

"But am I using a hammer when a kind word will do?" Celestia persisted. "I fear I have been bringing it down so often in such a small span of time that it has become my new normal."

"Y-you are an immortal sun equine who can purge the world in fire with but a thought!" Lorica stammered out as she struggled to keep her composure. "The fact you are sending Sentry and some golden colts instead of immolating the entire aristocracy is a testament to your frustrating restraint! This isn't the hammer; this is a scalpel at best."

"So not tyrannical, just ruthless." Celestia thoughts turned toward the solutions offered for a similar quagmire as presented by Luna's spectral friend. "At least their orders are to 'arrest' not 'eliminate'."

"Blunt or blade, how long can I justify wielding either against my own ponies? " The Diarch continued. "What if I have crossed a line? As you said, I am a fallible Princess not a immaculate queen beyond all reproach."

"What's a queen to a goddess?" The guardsmare grumbled under her breath before she cleared her throat roughly. "*cough* Your highness, I know there is virtue in self-reflection but a princess paralyzed by doubt will raise rebellions as surely as any despot. You have the power, magical and otherwise, to shape this world for the better; do not be afraid to use it just because some idiot's definition of the 'greater good' isn't the same as yours."

"Rather insightful for just a guard." The Alicorn of the Sun thought as she turned her attention back to the sky and began to plot out the stars. "Perhaps Blueblood isn't the best arbitrator for where the line is. Who am I kidding? He isn't."

"I was told that I can't please everypony no matter how hard I try." Celestia said thoughtfully as she fulfilled her substitute duties. "Thank you, Lorica. I appreciate your candor."

"Yeah, we get enough self-flagellation from Luna." Lorica huffed as she rubbed a temple with a hoof. "We're doomed if you start."

"She's not that bad... anymore." The elder sister said defensively.

A knock at the door cut off any further conversation. At the Princess's assent, a uniformed page burdened with stacks of parchment entered and knelt. The Diarch looked over the unfamiliar servant but concluded she was a new addition to the rotation of youthful squires.

"Your highness." The young mare kept her eyes on the floor. "The staff would like to know if you will be holding the Night Court?"

"Ah, I had all but forgotten about that." Celestia brightened up at the prospect of hosting Luna's considerably less busy court hours. "Let them know I will be right over... and to have some refreshments prepared."

"Of course, Princess." The page got to her hooves, revealing herself to be another unicorn, and produced a blank note and quill. "Any special requests?"

"Chamomile, hot and sweet." The Alicorn said simply. "Do you want anything, Lorica?"

"If we're pulling an all-nighter, I'd rather have something stronger." The praetorian tapped her chin in thought. "Like sugar drowned in coffee or something."

"I'm sure I can arrange that." The page nodded as she jotted down the orders. "We'll have it ready shortly."

"Thank you, page." Celestia smiled as she dismissed the servant. "Well, back to work."

"After you, Princess." The charcoal unicorn caught the door before it closed after the page left.

Before the alabaster Alicorn returned indoors, she cast one last look out over her now benighted nation. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed something caught in the nightly breeze. Feathers, rough and tattered, flittered across the balcony before they were carried off into the open air by the wind. It was difficult to be sure but the Alicorn could have sworn some of them appeared to be scorched or blackened.

"Was I stressing out so much, I began molting?" The Princess of the Sun flared a wing to inspect it but could find nothing amiss. "Hmm, perhaps I should take a coffee with Lorica instead."

A small but fully kitted out group of Solar Guards moved with purpose down the mostly deserted streets of Canterlot. The previously evacuated populace had only just begun to trickle back in and of those, most had already turned in for the night. Unfortunately, among them was their target who had purportedly 'cut in line' and thus denied the peacekeepers the chance to detain him at the gates. The quick and easy path now closed to them, Captain Sentry had instructed his troops to move to the traitorous noble's Canterlot residence. Once there, he hoped for a simple knock and cuff but they were prepared for anything.

"Anti-magic horn rings and wing bands, a crack team of eager volunteers and the warrant, of course." The orange pegasus thought as he waved for a curious bystander to get inside. "Plus some welcomed assistance from the dark side."

The pale moon appeared over the walls of the city, illuminating the streets in an eerie light. Above the ground-pounding equines, a pair of thestrals glided silently through the air invigorated by their mistress's celestial glow. A late addition to his team, Sentry had requested their support once it was apparent that it would be well past sundown before they moved out. Some of his squad had objected, sighting the Night Guard's shady reputation for extrajudicial 'activities' and general lack of tact when it came to dealing with civilians. Chalking their trepidations up to a mix of interservice rivalry and fearful ignorance, the new Captain had assured them that the thestrals were purely a support role and this was very much a Solar Guard operation.

"Besides, I doubt Blueblood and his goons have wormed their way into the Night Guard's good graces. Sentry mused as they approached their destination. "Okay, game time."

The mansion that served as one of Blueblood's places of residence stood apart from its stately neighbors. Despite the fact that living space was a premium in the mountainside city, the prince had secured a sizable chuck of real estate and fenced the whole thing in with wrought iron and privacy hedges. Within the grounds, carriages and wagons were parked before the entrance to the abode proper, likely the notorious noble's entourage.

"Alright, I want an interdictor spell over this place; don't want anypony teleporting out." The Captain signaled each element of his team in turn. "Pegasi, secure the perimeter and watch for runners. Bat-boys, you're on overwatch; I wouldn't put it past Blueblood to have an escape tunnel to some storefront."

"We will be vigilant." The thestrals saluted as they gained altitude and began circling the area like vultures.

"The rest of you are with me." Sentry said as a quartet of burly earth ponies fell in formation behind him. "Move out!"

Through carelessness or efficiency, the front gate was unbarred and unguarded allowing the Solar Guards easy access to the grounds. As they galloped across the meticulously maintained yard, the orange pegasus kept alert for any signs of trouble. Lights were on in the mansion and a shadow would occasionally pass a window but beyond that, it was far too quiet.

"You would think Blueblood would have some hired muscle to watch his home." He thought as he noticed his fellow pegasi check the upper floors. "Then again, he might be short staffed after Lulamoon."

Up a short flight of stairs and the guards were before the doors of the mansion. Stacking up at the entrance, Sentry wrapped an authoritative hoof loudly against the solid oak. After a few moments with no sign of a response, the Captain tried again with one of the earth ponies taking up position to break it down if needed.

"Solar Guard!" Sentry called out. "Open up!"

The heavy guard pawed the ground once and lowered his head just as the doorknob began to turn. The doors cracked open just enough for a quintessential butler to trot through. The young pegasus did not think it was possible but somehow the doorstallion radiated more arrogance than his employer.

"Master Blueblood entertaining guests at the moment, guardstallion." The finely dressed unicorn stared down his upturned nose at the guards. "Come again at a more reasonable hour."

"We have a warrant for your boss's arrest." Sentry produced said warrant and presented it to the butler who cringed away from it as if it had soaked in a sewer. "Now are you going to take us to him or do I have to hit you with obstruction?"

"That's me, by the way." A guardsmare added as she ground one armored hoof against the floor.

"Well, I never!" The suited stallion made as if to slam the door in their face but hesitated as he read over the warrant. "This is... oh, bother."

"Yes, a whole lot of 'bother'." The Captain nodded as he got a hoof in the door. "Which I doubt he pays you enough to deal with."

"Spare me your snide insinuations." The butler nickered indignantly but stood aside regardless. "I will show you to him but I must warn you; any harm to his being or property will be reported."

"Yeah, yeah." Other guardstallion pushed past the stuffy stallion and entered the mansion. "Just let us in, Mozo."

"And wipe your hooves!" The servant shouted as his demeanor slipped. "We just had the floors waxed!"

Hoping that an obstinate butler would be the biggest obstacle they would face, Sentry trotted down the freshly clean halls of Blueblood's estate. The orange pegasus kept an eye out for any signs of a secret passage or panic room their target could take advantage of but noted only the noble's preferences for self-portraits. Ahead of them, a warm glow seeped out from an ajar door along with the heady scent of strong drink and smoke. The Captain slowed his pace slightly as his ears picked up the conversation within. It may have just been idle chatter but he was not going to pass up the chance to collect more evidence.

"...to claim 'minor damage'!" A slightly slurred voice complained loudly. "There is a piece of the palace in my lounge! It could have killed me!"

"Oh, just carve it into a statue and add some glass to the hole for a skylight." A refined feminine voice said dismissively. "You weren't even home at the time."

"At least the bit that hit your home wasn't on fire. The servant quarters is still smoldering." Yet another voice paused to take a deep breath and let it out slowly. "Phew, I can feel my bank account circling the drain."

"I say, speaking of money, whatever happen to that Mareterranean chap you would have join us?" A posh accent asked. "You said you were making headway."

"I haven't seen him since the Gala." Blueblood responded as he swirled the ice in his glass. "Like us, he probably fled Canterlot but didn't stop at Ponyville."

"Smart colt." The noblemare let out a disgusted shiver. "I can never comprehend how those peons can stand to live in such squalor."

"Bleh, let's hope he comes back around." The tipsy first speaker belched. "We are really going to need his money once we hit phase two."

"Ironic, considering he was the one to blow the whistle on this." Sentry decided he had heard enough and once again stacked up on the door, ignoring the displeased look from the butler. "Okay, ready the chief weapon of surprise..."

After silently mouthing a countdown, the team burst into the room. Inside was a small party of Canterlot's elite who nearly jumped out of their seats. A shouting match erupted between the Solar Guards and nobles as the former ordered them to stay put while the latter demanded explanations. The butler offered profuse apologies that were lost in the confusion as the Captain made a beeline for an oddly composed Blueblood.

"Captain Sentry." The blonde prince greeted as he refilled his drink. "How unexpected."

"On your hooves, Blueblood." The pegasus gestured for him to rise. "We have a warrant for your arrest."

"Do you now?" The noble arched an eyebrow but remained seated. "On what charges?"

"Treason, conspiracy to commit murder, bribery." Sentry listed off some highlights as he produced the warrant again and presented it. "Plus a few more that honestly pale in comparison."

"Master Blueblood, I have seen the charges and frankly-!" The butler attempted to argue but was silence by an upheld hoof.

"Thank you, Mozo, but I'll read it myself." The accused frowned as he looked over the damning list. "Captain, you do realize that dear old Auntie is just looking for a scapegoat for her latest failure."

"That's for the judge and lawyers to hash out." The Captain ignored the excuse as he waved forward two of the guards. "Now unless you want to add 'resisting arrest' to that list, stand up and keep your hooves together."

"Outrageous!" The drunken noble pointed an accusatory hoof in the guard's general direction. "Is this *hick* what Equestria has fallen to? Thugs with badges making *bleh* night raids on innocent equines?"

"I'd say the law has nothing to do with it!" The snobbish mare declared. "This is nothing more than uppity peasant settling a hateful grudge against their betters."

"Stars above, I hope Blueblood takes these jerks down with him." The Solar Captain tensed slightly but kept his composure.

"Ugh, while my dislike for everypony in this room is, uh, brobdingnagian, this is strictly professional." Sentry dipped into the expanded vocabulary he picked up from Sparkle. "The rest of you are free to do as you please but Blueblood is coming with us."

"I see Celestia has you on a tight leash." Blueblood sighed as he finally slid out of his chair. "Or should I say Sparkle? Given what happened to your predecessor, you must have wondered if your tender feelings for her are genuine."

"That poor sod Armor deserved better." The posh pony shook his head sadly.

"What are they talking about?" The blue-maned pegasus began to think of certain rumors before he thought better of it. "They're stalling! We need to wrap this up!"

"That's enough out of you." Sentry nickered bluntly. "Book him!"

*Clank-clank*

The authoritative metallic click of shackles and chains punctuated the end of any further debate. In the silence that followed, an unpleasant smile crossed Blueblood's features as the Captain looked at himself in confusion. Heavy manacles now adored his fetlocks and a thick band pinned his wings to his sides. Sentry looked to the guards flanking him as his confusion morphed into disbelief.

"No..." He barely whispered as his mind processed their evident betrayal.

"No hard feelings, Flash." One of the turncoats said genuinely. "But it's for the greater good."

"I was there in the throne room when the Alicorn's folly was revealed." Another chimed in as he tightened the chains so that their captive could do little more than trot. "Celestia had Cadenza turn poor old Armor into a puppet. Who's to say Sparkle hasn't done the same to you? She is her star pupil after all."

"Last night on the balcony..." The pegasus recalled his tryst with the Princess. "She was teasing me with icing but could she..."

"No!" Sentry shouted in outrage as he struggled against his bonds. "She would never!"

"I don't know, she did shuffle around her friends' cutie marks on a whim." One of the remaining two guards pointed out as she helped herself to a drink. "And let's not forget the 'want-it-need-it' incident."

Before the captive Captain could ready a retort, a muffled crash followed by several thuds sounded above them. For a brief moment, Sentry thought that perhaps his fellow airborne guards had stormed the manor. His hopes flagged and folded when the sounds of the struggle ceased and heavy hoofsteps approached the longue. A few moments later, the pegasi entered, battered and bloodied with the two thestrals bound, gagged and out cold over their backs.

"You brought negasi with you?" The noblemare recoiled from the sight of the nocturnal equines. "And you accuse us of being traitors."

"They put up a hell of a fight even after we got the drop on them." One of the pegasi winced as he grabbed a few ice cubes for the drinks and pressed them against his head. "I told you we should have left them behind, Flash."

"Et tu, frater?" Sentry deflated as he began to grasp just how extensive the corruption of the guard went. "Let me guess; the unicorns too?"

"Pretty much." The other traitor said as she and her wingmate deposited their incapacitated loads onto the floor. "They really didn't appreciate Luna obliterating Armor. Of course, openings on Blueblood's payroll didn't help matters."

"The point is that the Alicorns have to go." The now marginally more sober noble stated with a firm hoof stamp. "As their control slips, they grow more tyrannical to keep it. We saw it happen with Sombra and now it's happening here."

"I know I'm not exactly popular at the moment but you are a fool if you think they will stop at me." Blueblood added as he shredded his warrant in a flash of magic. "And look, I like you Sentry. Really, it's not your fault you bought into the propaganda of the Princesses being paragons of justice. You just need some context and perspective."

"And a lot of lube to dislodge him from Sparkle's thick ass." One of the traitor earth ponies muttered aside.

"Arse." Her coconspirator corrected.

"I have enough mages and wizards in my pocket to cut any strings the Princesses are holding you down with." The blonde noble ignored the two as he placed a hoof on the despondent Captain's shoulder. "Once you are liberated, you can return the favor for all of Equestria. You will be known as a hero who cast down false idols and returned the reins of power to the ponies who deserve it. So, what do you think?"

Sentry raised his head and looked Blueblood directly in the eyes. While the orange pegasus now doubted his ability to gauge the standing of others, there was no doubt in his mind that he was being fed a lie. Behind the smile and offer of comradery, he could tell the noble was entirely self-serving; it would not surprise him if his coconspirators were merely pawns to be sacrificed as the need arose. As for his team, he suspected that they were not truly indicative of the integrity of the Solar and Royal Guards. After all, why would Blueblood offer him, a freshly promoted Captain, a place at his side if he already had the bulk of the army in his pocket?

"I swore an oath to protect Equestria." The young stallion sighed deeply as he reached a conclusion. "If that makes me a tool of the Princesses, I'd rather be wielded by them than these traitors."

"Prince Blueblood." Sentry said in an calm, even tone. "I'm going to break your fucking face."

With that, the pegasus drove his helmed head into the prince's muzzle with a meaty crunch. Blueblood fell backward with a scream of pain, hooves clamped over his face as his white outfit was stained red. The bound thestrals took that as a signal to attempt to escape as they used what mobility they had make a break for an exit. The turncoats were on the loyalists in an instant, the pegasi pinning their nocturnal kin while the earth ponies piled on Sentry. Fueled by righteous fury and desperation, the orange stallion threw his entire bulk against his attackers, sending all five of them into the hapless posh noble and upturning his chair. Untangling himself from the pile of ponies, Sentry half hopped half trotted toward the still open door. He just crossed the threshold when across the hall came his cohort of unicorns with horns aglow. For a fleeting moment, the Captain dared hope he was back in good company. The barrage of magic they sent his way proved him wrong.

"Sorry, Twilight." Was Sentry's last conscious thought as he was blasted back into the lounge in a burst of light.

"About damn time!" The tipsy noble berated the unicorn guards as they filed in. "Where were you? These freaks were trying to kill us!"

"We had to turn some looky-loos away." A guardsmare explained as she kept her horn trained on their motionless ex-captain. "When the fly-boys didn't come back right away, we feared the worst. What happened to him?"

"Your beastly officer assaulted him unprovoked!" The butler explained as he attempted to stim his master's bleeding with a handkerchief. "Somepony send for some gauze and ice. I think it's broken."

"Nauh Sheet!" Blueblood wheezed as he glared at Sentry past a fresh pair of black eyes. "Ded yu kel em?"

"Just a stun spell, sir; did not want to risk friendly fire." The traitor unicorn shook her head. "He'll have a nasty headache when he wakes up."

"Then make sure the blighter never does!" The blustery noble declared as the guards helped him to his hooves. "Finish the job."

"Just a moment." The noblemare held up a hoof and stayed the unicorn. "He may yet be of use to us."

"How- Rragh!" Blueblood gasped painfully as the butler straightened his muzzle with his magic. "Fucking-! Warn me next time!"

"Princess Sparkle favors this one." The noble continued as she prodded the unconscious pegasus. "He may make a useful hostage."

"He might also come around." A traitor guard added. "Like you said, the Alicorns might have enchanted him."

"Hmm, fine." The prince begrudgingly agreed to the idea as his servant pressed an ice pack against his swollen face. "Lock all three of them in the basement. We can always make them 'disappear' later."

"You got it." The unicorn guard nodded as she signaled her fellows to take the captives away. "You four stand watch."

"Ma'am!" The earth ponies saluted their new de facto officer as they followed after the unicorns.

"Well, now that the excitement is over..." The lush frowned as he refreshed his drink. "...now what? If word gets to any of the Princesses that the Captain of the Solar Guard is stuck in your kink dungeon, we might was well throw ourselves off the mountain."

"Now we- leave it, Mozo, I'm fine -we execute phase one." Blueblood pushed the attentive butler away as he got back to all fours. "Once the rest of us arrive, we go to the palace."

"Wha-? Tonight?" The drinker nearly spilt his beverage in shock. "Really? How hard did Sentry hit you?"

"Tonight is the perfect opportunity." The prince explained as he stripped off his ruined jacket. "Luna, Sparkle, the Elements and the Night-Captains are nowhere near here. Celestia is at her weakest and thanks to the evacuation and recall, all of our troops are in position. Uh, they are here, right?"

"I had to scramble a bit and grease some hooves but as of right now, yes." The unicorn mare nodded. "Most guards are tied up with the citizens moving back but the ones in the palace are ours. Those who aren't, I assigned to basement duty; they won't interfere."

"Then it is just a matter of making Celestia see reason." The noblemare commented dryly. "That is going to be a hard sell."

"I know my dear old Auntie." Blueblood said slyly as he dabbed away traces of blood in a mirror. "Trust me when I say that she would rather live out eternity as a withered nag than have any harm befall her precious little ponies."

Princess Twilight Sparkle liked to consider herself a well-traveled mare. She had visited many strange and exotic locations across Equestria and the world at large. In that light, Hollow Shades was a mix of the comforting familiarity of Ponyville and the lingering danger of the Everfree. True, she was surrounded by civilization but there was an air of unease that hung over the isolated colony like its eponymous gloom. Her scholarly side presumed there was likely some strange wild magic involved and would have liked to take the opportunity to study the phenomena but their mission came first. After parting company with the Nocturnal Diarch, the Element Bearers made the short trip to the tavern and trotted inside. Their entrance was greeted with a discordant chorus of cheers and laughter.

"The atmosphere and drink must make them more friendly." The lavender Alicorn mused as she smiled and waved at the crowd. "All the better."

Despite it being the early hours of the night, the inn already had a healthy number of patrons. Among them, sticking out like a big red flag amongst the sea of dour coats and leathery wings, were Applejack’s eldest sibling and his co-worker enjoying a round of cider. Surrounding the pair were a small group of bat-mares who appeared to want a piece of the farmers in more ways than one.

“Colt’s night out, it seems.” Rarity observed wryly as two of the thestrals tripped over each other to get the stallions a refill. “At least it looks like they're safe.”

“Ah! New customers!” A quick and familiar voice from the bar caught their attention before they could approach the apple farmers. “Welcome to Flim and Flam’s Inn and… oh, it's you.”

Flim’s false smile collapsed into a sneer of contempt as he recognized the mare responsible for one of their more disastrous ventures. Applejack returned the look in kind as she was not about to forget somepony who nearly drove her out of house and home. The honest earth pony headed straight to the bar, the patrons wisely clearing a path as the floor quaked under her hoofsteps.

"Keep your cool, AJ." Sparkle silently willed her friend as she hurried after her.

“Well, if it ain't fink one n' fink two.” The freckled mare doffed her hat in mock greeting. “Who'd ya con to get this place?”

"This structure was vacant when we got here, Miss." The barkeep replaced his smile as he returned the greeting with his own hat. "I assume even you know what a lease is."

"Ah do." Applejack bristled as her friends caught up with her. "So what snake oil are yer usin' to rip off these folks?"

“My brother and I run an honest establishment.” Flam emerged from behind the bar with a pair of frothy mugs for the thestral mares. "Locally sourced ingredients, world-class service and amenities to suit even the most exacting of standards, right Flim?"

"That's correct Flam." The clean-shaven sibling agreed. "Why, even your own brother thinks out brand of cider is beyond compare."

“Oh, now you've dag gone plum done-!” Applejack seemed ready to contest the shifty stallion's claim with her hooves when Sparkle intervened.

“Applejack? Why don’t you, Dash, and Fluttershy speak with Mac and Caramel?” The Alicorn of Magic suggested in a friendly yet insistent tone. “Remember why we are here.”

“No good dirty rotten...” The fuming mare looked from her friend to the scheming siblings. “Fine. But I’m keepin’ an eye on y'all.”

“We are surrounded by off-duty Night Guards.” Flim swept a hoof over the crowd of onlooking thestrals. “Do you really think we would try anything?”

Applejack only snorted as she went to her brother along with the two pegasi. Once they were out of earshot, the unicorn siblings visibly relaxed. The Alicorn allowed them a moment to compose themselves before she approached along with Rarity and Pinkie.

“I see you have added negotiation to your repertoire, Princess Sparkle.” Flim said in a marginally more respectful tone as he produced a cleaning rag and began to idly swipe the bar top. “Now, how may Flim and Flam’s Inn and Tavern be of service?”

“No hard feelings between us?” The inquisitive mare mused. "Well, I wasn't a Princess when we last met so..."

“At the risk of abusing a trope, I was hoping the local barkeeps could provide information.” The lavender mare began. “I take it you know of the dragon sighting.”

"That we do." Flim answered as several patrons within earshot nodded. "The whole town heard it crash into the woods nearby, isn't that right Flam?"

"Indeed, Flim." Flam concurred. "Guards were sent to look into it while civilians- us -we ordered to stay inside. Which we tend to do anyway."

"Not much else to do in this town." His brother added. "I'm afraid we can't offer much else beyond a meal, drink and lodgings."

"I see." The unsurprised Princess of Magic nodded as Pinkie decided to take the offer of a beverage. "Perhaps you know of somepony else; a unicorn name Trixie Lulamoon."

“She is a villain most devious and vile.” Rarity elaborated in her eloquent way. “We suspect she lurks in this neck of the woods under the guise of a Merchant Princess.”

“Trixie, you say?” Flim asked, sharing a perplexed look with his partner. “Flam, wasn’t that the name of the unicorn who rented the honeymoon suite awhile back?”

“One in the same, dear brother of mine.” Flam confirmed. “But as I recall, it was the stallion who paid for the room.”

“Stallion?” The purple pony thought. “The Merchant Prince or somepony else?”

“Go on.” Sparkle motioned for the two give details.

In their habitual method of switching which brother was speaking at any given time, Flim and Flam told of how Lulamoon and a stallion whose name they never learned visited their inn a few months ago. The two had rented a room for a romantic night and all seemed well. That was until the lovely couple received an unwanted visitor.

"A changeling." Flim whispered with a shiver. "Luckily, the pest was exposed and swatted thanks to our mystery stallion and the efforts of the Night Guard here."

"It was the latest in a string of similar incidents." One of said guards added in an equally subdued tone. "Oddly, it was also the last; we haven't had another one show up for some time now."

"We did find that abandoned hive near the lake." Another guard remined him. "So that means we either got the last of them or they finally wised up and moved out."

"Great, changelings now." Sparkle frowned as another piece of the infuriating puzzle was uncovered. "That explains Trixie's disguise, if that was even her and not a drone, but the dragon is still an outlier."

"Hmm, the plot thickens." Pinkie voiced her thoughts over the rim of her drink. "So, was Trixie an imposter? Brainwashed? Bribed?"

"We can add it to the growing pile of questions for her later." Rarity said somewhat guiltily in the light that the 'villainous' Trixie may be a victim as well. "So, what happened afterward?"

“We had an increased guard presence for a while and we were told to keep the incident under wraps until it was determined the infestation was cleared.” Flim continued with an appreciative nod toward the Night Guards. “As for Trixie and her companion, they departed early in the morning and I have not seen them since. Have you, Flam?”

“No, Flim, I have not.” The mustached unicorn shook his head. “In fact, this is the only trace of their patronage.”

He ignited his horn and enveloped a display case above the bar in his magic. Slowly and carefully, the tavernkeeper levitated the container down onto the bar and unlocked it. Inside was a polished ring of crystal that twinkled in the warm light.

"The stallion claimed it would more than cover their costs." Flim explained with a twinge of concern. "Care to prove him right, Princess?"

"Let's see..." Sparkle muttered as she delicately removed the ring from its display and held it up to the light.

The academic Alicorn was quickly able to recognize that the band once belonged to the Crystal Empire circa Sombra’s early rule. In all likelihood, it was a signet ring used by clerks or possibly the tyrant himself for official documentation. While the Princess of Magic could detect no lingering curse or dark magic that the villain was found of, she was more concerned about how it found its way out of the Frozen North.

"A refugee or marauder fleeing the Empire's destruction may have taken it." The young Princess thought. "I don't see either going to Hollow Shades so they may have traded it or..."

"He was right; this would be worth a small fortune to the right collector." Sparkle said as she returned the small treasure to a now smiling Flim. "This mystery stallion, what did he look like?"

“Hard to say; he wore a cloak and hood the whole time.” Flim shrugged as he placed the heirloom back on its shelf. “Best I can do is tall, dark, not a unicorn and has a way with words.”

"And a rather off-putting gaze." Flam added pointedly. "I don't think he ever blinked."

"Twilight, you don't think..." Rarity shared a sideways glance with her friend.

"I do." The Alicorn nodded. "Does the name 'Grey' mean anything to you?"

"Again, we never got his name." Flim reiterated. "I guess 'Black' would have been too on the nose but that may have just been the lighting."

"I heard your Trixie call him 'stud muffin'." The off-duty guard chimed in. "Bit of an unfortunate name."

"I did not need to know that." Sparkle paled as she desperately tried not to imagine the mechanics required for an animus and unicorn to be intimate.

"Studs and muffins don't go together." Pinkie said critically as she returned her now empty mug. "So, is Grey a suspect now?"

"Unless there is another silver-tongued cloak and hooded stallion roaming the land, yes." The fashionista nodded regretfully. "A shame, really."

“Uh, I think it's pertinent to mention that we had no idea these two were wanted equines.” Flim tapped his hooves together nervously. “We can’t be accused of knowingly harboring fugitives.”

“And you won't be.” Sparkle reassured them. “Thank you for your cooperation, it has been most helpful.”

“Of course, Princess.” Flam beamed as his brother let out a relieved sigh. "Oh, while we are helping each other, how difficult would it be to procure a business permit to operate in Canterlot?"

"Leaving us already?" A bat-pony frowned incredulously.

"Not at all, loyal customer." Flim did not miss a beat. "My brother and I have just been planning to open another branch in the near future; a business must expand."

"That's right, Flim." Flam added. "If the capital is too far out in a sea of red tape, we were also eyeing Las Pegasus or Manehatten."

"I will mention it to the business and economics ministers when I next see them." The lavender Princess said plainly. "Thanks again for your help."

"No, thank you!" The two brothers said in unison as the three mares trotted away.

“So Grey picks up Trixie, comes here, and then runs into changelings.” Pinkie pantomimed connecting the dots as she scrunched up her nose in concentration. "Hmm, it might be the cider talking but I think the changelings are a red herring."

“Let us hope you're right, darling. There are too many beastly things involved already." Rarity shook her head. "What do you think, Twilight?"

"At this point, we can't dismiss anything yet." The Alicorn of Magic said keenly as she jotted down some notes. "To borrow your puzzle analogy, Pinkie, we still need some pieces. Let's see if the Apples found any."

While one half of the Element Bearers interviewed the tavern owners, the other half approached the two off-the-clock farm stallions. As they drew close enough to distinguish their conversation from the din of the crowd, it appeared Caramel was regaling their mostly mare audience with tales from the orchards. His soft-spoken companion, for the most part, offered his usual monosyllabic additions while politely declining the more forward bat-ponies.

"...just me, mah stick and, uh, two dozen timberwolves!" The slightly sloshed farmhoof set the scene for his audience. "I can still see those evil green eyes peerin' out at me from the dark!"

"The wolves or your boss?" A thestral asked. "'Cuz I see some mean greens heading our way now."

"Eeyup." McIntosh confirmed as he noticed the sour expression on his sibling.

“Oh! Well, howdy Miss Applejack, Dash, Fluttershy.” The brown maned stallion greeted each in kind as he composed himself. “Fancy meeting y'all here.”

“Evenin’ Caramel.” The apple farmer pulled up a chair for herself. “Care to explain why yer givin' Flake n' Fraud our bits?”

“Only inn in town.” Mac said in his measured way. "Had ah talk with Flim n' Flam and we reached an accord for now."

"You should've seen yer brother put 'em in their place when they tried to buy that wagon of cider." Caramel added.

“So, what brings you way out here lil' sister?” The senor apple sibling asked as a pair of thestrals refreshed their drinks.

“We’re looking for the mare you two delivered the goods to.” Dash answered for her land bound friend as she deigned to remain hovering around the table. “We think she's trouble.”

“Really?” Caramel glanced at his partner who only shrugged. “Her posse seemed decent enough when we met.”

“Even doubled our fee fer being quick.” Mac added as he produced a hefty bag that jingled. “If she’s ah bad egg, she does ah good job hiding it.”

“Lemme see those.” His younger sibling took the bag of bits and inspected one. “Hmph. For a second, ah thought these would be fake.”

“Forget the bits.” Dash redirected the conversation. “How did the delivery go? We need details.”

"Sure, we'll tell this story again." Caramel paused a moment to take a swig. "Ah, where should we start?"

"Right after you left Ponyville." Fluttershy answered as she sat beside Mac, earning pointed glares from the bat-mares as they sidled up to the nonplussed draft horse.

The two farmers recounted the rush of loading the wagon with the tall order and then literally galloping off to make use of what little daylight was left. They had made good time through the Everfree but were unable to reach the colony before nightfall. Relatively clear skies and a full moon alleviated some of their worries of traveling by night until the lesser light of the heavens began to 'dance'."

"It was the darndest thing." Caramel shook his head as if he was still trying to comprehend the phenomena. "Ah asked these folk if it meant anythin' but best guess was Princess Luna was feelin' playful."

"Heh, more like feeling hor-!" Dash bit her tongue as she realized the company she was in would probably not appreciate the insinuation, no matter how factual. "Er, never mind. So you were making a midnight run..."

After a few close calls with the awakening nocturnal wildlife, a thestral patrol came upon the pair. A quick interrogation later and the bat-ponies offered to provide escort for the tail end of their journey to Hollow Shades. They had entered the colony and, like every outsider, been given the third degree by Countess Dunwich.

"Security being our top concern, you see." A thestral explained in a tone that almost seemed apologetic.

"Brr, ah could swear she wanted to eat me." Caramel shivered. "Still not sure she believed us when we said we were just on ah delivery."

"Probably annoyed trade is passin' through her territory without any tariffs." Mac guessed with a shrug. "She sent us on our way while warnin' that we will be watched."

"That explains yer fans." Applejack said wryly to which a bat-mare stuck out her tongue at her. "Ah take it our customer came to you then?"

"Actually, her assistant did." Caramel corrected. "Caught Mac alone with instructions to meet 'er just outside of town."

"Must have used magic to get past us." A bat-pony grumbled. "Sneaky little witch."

"A unicorn; cloaked n' hooded." The red stallion elaborated. "Struck me as the city slicker type."

"And all of that didn't seem odd to you?" His orange sister arched an eyebrow incredulously.

"Wouldn't be the first time we’ve made drop-offs in out-of-the-way places.” Caramel reminded her keenly. “'Member all the hustle we had to do fer the Wonderbolt Crystal Anniversary?”

"Ah try not to." Applejack shot a sideways glance at Dash who rubbed the back of her head sheepishly. "Then what?"

With their unofficial minders shadowing them, the pair went to a small clearing a short distance from the colony. They were met by the unicorn along with several other equines plus minotaurs and diamond dogs. The three heroines shared concerned looks at that.

"Bulls, dogs and ponies?" Fluttershy repeated nervously. "Oh, my."

"Escorts and bodyguards, ah think." Caramel said with a sympathetic nod. "All of 'em were armed and armored up and not one was smaller than McIntosh."

"You'd think there was gold flakes in that cider." Dash scoffed lightly. "The goon squad give you any trouble?"

"Not us..." Mac shot a glance at his bevy of bat-mares who bristled slightly.

The cider was unloaded by Caramel and the taciturn minions while Mac received the agreed upon gold. As soon as the transaction concluded, the Night Guard had approached the strange party with questions such as why they were trespassing on thestral territory. They got their answer in the form of a coy smile from the unicorn followed by a flash and a bang.

"Just like that, they were gone!" The goldenrod stallion said with a flourish. "Wagons of cider, bruisers n' all."

"I'd reckon a mass teleport or something like that." Mac ventured thoughtfully. "Left no trace accordin' to the guards."

"Not so much as a hoofprint." A Night Guard helped herself to some of the stallion's drink. "These guys were pros."

With their business finished and now considerably richer, the two farmers had deigned to rest and relax rather than risk a return trip at night. A 'civil' chat with the Flim-Flam brothers earned them a room and the thestrals provided good company until they turned in. The pair had habitually awoken at the crack of a late feeling dawn when the dragon was sighted. With the colony placed on lockdown and neither of them wanting to travel an open road with a marauding drake on the loose, there was little else they could do than extend their impromptu vacation.

"Here's hopin' we can hit the road by mornin'." Caramel concluded as he finished his drink. "Nothin' wrong with present company but ah can hear that chore backlog gettin' longer."

“Eeyup.” Mac agreed. "Did any of that help, Applejack?"

“Ah think so.” The orange earth pony rubbed a temple in thought. “Is there anything else you can tell us? Names or the like?”

“Nothin' doin', I'm afraid.” The farmhoof shook his head after some thought. “Can you think of anything, Mac?”

“Nnope.” His big red friend said simply.

"Do you two want to ride back with us after we're done?" Fluttershy offered. "Flying is faster."

"That's mighty kind of yah to offer, Miss Shy but we've already paid fer the room." Caramel shook his head politely. "Plus, if y'all are huntin' dragons n' ne'er-do-wells, it might be best if Mac n' I stay out of the way."

"Eeyup." Mac agreed.

"Don't worry about these two." A bat-mare draped herself over the draft horse and stared down her muzzle at the demure pegasus. "We'll take good care of them."

"Mmm." The yellow mare stared right back and actually got the thestral to falter slightly. "In that case, do you mind if we leave our stuff with you? Not all of us packed light."

"Sure. We got plenty of space in the room n' wagon." The goldenrod stallion nodded with a smile. "Not that we have to worry 'bout thieves here."

"Nnope." His taciturn friend concurred.

"As long as that's alright with you." Fluttershy smiled sweetly as she slid out of her seat and rejoined her fellow Heroines. "Thanks for your help McIntosh, Caramel."

"Anytime, ma'am." Caramel winked at her as he bid them farewell. "Y'all stay safe out there."

"We will." Applejack doffed her hat as they trotted away. "And you two stay out of trouble."

Once the three were out of earshot, the brown-maned farmhoof launched right back into his tall tales as the attendant thestrals made up for lost time. Dash glanced back at the table and could not help but wonder what would happen as the drinks flowed and the bat-ponies grew bolder.

"Worried about getting another branch added to the family tree out here?" The stuntmare whispered to the blonde farmer.

"Ah don't pry into Caramel's off-time." Applejack clicked her tongue dismissively. "As fer Big Mac, the lug ain't got a wild oat in 'em."

"Oh, good." Fluttershy let out a small sigh before changing to subject. "So, Trixie isn't alone."

"She's got muscle and at least one unicorn who knows her stuff." Dash surmised as she dropped to the floor. "Unless that was her in disguise again; that disappear with a flash and a bang is kinda her shtick."

"Still not sure what she plans to do with all that cider." Her timid friend said thoughtfully. "Maybe Twilight can... oh, good timing."

"Finished already?" The lavender Princess asked as the two groups rejoined.

"Mac n' Caramel didn't know much." Applejack explained briefly. "But apparently Trixie has made some friends."

"So she has." Rarity nodded. "According to the barkeeps, she was traveling with our dear sir Grey."

"That freak?!" Dash's voice cracked as her wings flared in anger. "I knew it! I knew that creepy jerk couldn't be trusted!"

"Whoa there, Dashie." Pinkie interjected. "There are too many butts to pin the blame tail on just yet."

"I, uh, agree with Pinkie." Sparkle said as she guided her friends to an unoccupied table. "Let's compare notes and try to make sense of this."

After waving off a waitress, the Heroines shared what they had learned. Ever the diligent scholar, Sparkle put their thoughts to paper as details were clarified and each mare offered their perspective, often over each other. By the time she was finished, a hush had fallen over the table as they mulled over the information. Pinkie, reassuming her elementary detective guise, puffed a bubble pipe as she got her many thoughts in a row.

"Once more, with gusto: Grey skips town, meets Trixie in the woods and decides to partner up because he has a thing for unicorns." The party pony storyboarded a scene as Rarity and Sparkle blushed for different reasons. "They come here, a changeling jumps them and gets zapped, they leave and then... what?"

"What, indeed." Sparkle nodded. "There is a big gap between then and Trixie showing up at the Gala."

"Remind me what tall, dark and scary wanted out here?" Dash asked with a frown, annoyed that the anti-Grey camp appeared to only consist of herself and Applejack.

"He was looking for his ancestral estate." Rarity answered. "He has a claim to a lordship but needed to put something concrete behind it."

"A lordship?" Fluttershy cocked her head to the side curiously. "Of what? Hollow Shades?"

"Good question." Her scholarly friend thought. "I thought he was just looking for closure but if he is actually trying to reestablish himself..."

"There are some ruins not far from here." The Alicorn of Magic double-checked a map of the area to confirm. "Huh, close to where the guards found that changeling hive. I'm willing to bet Grey and Trixie did as well."

"But how did Trixie copy the bugs?" Applejack asked. "Unless they found one of those bad hoodoo things like the Alicorn Amulet in Grey's ol' stompin' grounds."

"Trixie finds ancient power, relapses into her power-hungry ways, decides to rob Canterlot for more." Pinkie took another thoughtful puff of her pipe. "The logic is sound."

"Meanwhile, Grey stakes his claim, gets some muscle together and is using them and Trixie to build his powerbase." Dash added. "Don't know how the bugs and dragon fits in yet but my gut says they're all connected; no coincidences here."

“Right there with ya, Dash.” Applejack stamped an affirmative hoof. “Ah reckon we'll be checkin' those ruins next."

"Yes but after the dragon site." Sparkle pointed to her map. "They're in the same direction and like you said, Dash, there are too many converging threads for this to be just coincidence."

"Sounds like a plan." Pinkie snapped back to her usual self as she got up out of her seat. "Unless Princess Luna dug up something that completely changes everything."

“I guess we'll find out.” The younger Princess shrugged as she packed away her notes. “Keep up the good work, girls. We're close to the bottom of this; I can feel it.”

The hoofsteps of Princess Luna and the Night Captains echoed eerily about the lair of Countess Dunwich. Along the way, staff and other Night Guards either bowed or saluted their passing. Their nocturnal matron and their chosen commanders acknowledged them with simple nods while the incognito Usurper reviewed what she intended to be the vanguard of her benighted dominion.

"They served me well all those years ago." Moon mused nostalgically. "We will see if a millennium under the yoke of Harmony has diminished their zeal."

"A rather distinct possibility, my apostle." An ethereal whisper drifted through her mind. "In fact, there may not be many who would welcome your return, even among the nocturnal."

"They will." The fallen Alicorn thought as she glanced at her flanking Night-Captains. "I'm not giving them a choice."

“Princess Luna. Night-Captains.” A saluting bat-pony guard cut through her dark thoughts as they arrived at the doors to Dunwich’s seat of power. “Here to see the Countess, I assume.”

"Is she busy?" Knight returned the salute and set the guard at ease. "We are on urgent business."

"She is reviewing patrol reports at the moment and asked not to be disturbed." The guard replied, flinching slightly as he caught the disapproving glare from Vengeance and Luna. "B-but you obviously take priority; I shall announce you at once."

“Then do not let me keep you.” Luna dismissed him with a wave of her hoof.

The doorguard disappeared into the office with nary a sound, leaving the three alone. On a whim, the navy Princess trotted to the windows offering a view of the colony. In the time since her arrival, the nocturnal township had come alive with thestrals going about their nightly lives. A curious few had gathered around the conspicuous balloon moored in the center while others were peeking into the windows of the tavern, no doubt keeping an eye on their visitors. Glancing skyward, the Alicorn of the Night frowned as she caught glimpses of her sky through the perpetual overcast gloom.

"Moon is waning when it should be waxing; even a novice should catch that." The nocturnal Alicorn mentally grumbled. "And the stars... Fires below! Did she even try?!"

"It would be amusing were it not so insulting." The Primordial presence seemed to share her sentiment. "One would think a thousand years of practice would be enough to grasp the basics."

"She considers my part of the ritual beneath her; an irksome chore meant for the 'lesser' sister." Moon snorted as she shifted her attention back to the isolated colony. "Eternal Night cannot come soon enough."

"So, will we be adding a new statue to the town center?" Vengeance joined her mistress at the window and looked down at the lone monument at the hollow's edge. "Or will Suneater's skull be joining your collection?"

"With the Element Bearers with us, I would not be surprised if we come back with a new friend." Knight added, earning an incredulous look from his sister. "Hey, I wanted to dump a stoned Discord into the sea but look what happened."

"It would make a mighty ally, indeed." The Alicorn of the Night hid a smile as she considered the possibilities. "Plus it would give me ample opportunity to repay its transgression."

"Mmhm, true friendship is periodically beating the hell out of each other." The thestral stallion chuckled lightly. "Oh, speaking of friends, I've been meaning to ask: who was that Merchant Prince?"

"A visitor to these lands whom I've had the pleasure of getting to know." Luna answered plainly. "And, before you ask, not our foe in this quest; he was deceived as were we all by Sparkle's rival, I am certain."

"Ah, I suspected as much." Knight bowed his head apologetically. "Just thought I'd ask, your majesty."

"Wait, first the shadow pony and now an anonymous merchant." Vengeance gave her matron a sideways look. "Are there any other secret suitors we should know about, your highness?"

"Well, there is one more." The navy Alicorn looked back at the colony's eponymous hollow. "You will meet him soon enough."

"Muh huh huh, I know you did not intend for that to sound like a threat but~" The Primordial presence tittered mirthfully.

“Princess? Night-Captains?” The guard reappeared before the incognito Usurper could respond. “Forgive the delay. Countess Dunwich awaits your presence.”

“About time.” Vengeance gave him a simple nod as the three trotted into the room.

Flickering candles illuminated the dungeon-like room as befitting the Umbral Countess's nature. Dunwich herself sat at the far end of a wood and bolted iron table with stacks of parchment along with a few empty glasses of aged red. At the sight of her honored matron, the thestral stood and bowed in respect.

"Luna elevated this one while she was reorganizing the Night Guard." Moon mused as she looked over the venerable bat-pony. "Let's see if she is loyal to the mare or the position."

“Princess Luna.” The mistress of the colony greeted. “It has been too long since we last met.”

“Indeed it has, Countess Dunwich.” Luna returned the greeting with a small smile. “I am sure we will make up for lost time.”

"Countess." The sibling team saluted in unison as her attention fell on them. "Ma'am."

"Night-Captains." Dunwich acknowledged before the mask of professionalism slipped. "Oh, come here."

With bright smiles, the two closed the distance and embraced their mother. The Countess enveloped her children in her great leathery wings as she nuzzled against them affectionately. The Alicorn let them have their moment even as she felt an odd pang of jealously and longing.

"Hm? What's this?" Dunwich frowned as she noted the bandage on Knight's head. "Did you run afoul of bandits again?"

"Oh, barely a scratch." The thestral stallion waved off her concern. "But it is part of why we are here."

"Sorry it's another business visit." Vengeance sighed. "Only in death does duty end and all that."

"Yes, the dragon." The Umbral released her children with a tired sigh and straightened up. "I had heard that it attacked Canterlot."

"A major player in what turned out to be an intricate plot." Luna nodded as approached the table. "Allow us to bring you up to speed."

The three proceeded to provide details of the dragon attack to the Countess. As she was not completely ignorant of the event, their summary was mercifully brief with the exception of Lulamoon's daring robbery. As they wrapped up the debriefing, Dunwich grew increasingly restless; her fangs bared and wings twitching.

"...fled into the storm." The Alicorn finished as she drew back her hood to reveal her injuries. "But not before it did this to me."

"By the Moon and Stars!" The Umbral thestral cringed at the sight of her matron. "I swear to you, your highness, we will have this abomination's head on a pike! And to think that sneak-thief sat in this very room!"

"She did?" Knight's eyes widened in surprise. "When?"

"A few months ago now." Dunwich recalled. "She spoke at length about her talents and career. If I had known-"

"We are all stinging from her betrayal." Luna interrupted suddenly. "But let's not lose focus."

"Right, of course." The Countess said apologetically as she gestured to a large piece of parchment laid out on the table. "Come, look at this."

With the Umbral's guidance, the nocturnal team reviewed a detailed map of the area surrounding Hollow Shades. The first sighting of the dragon and its subsequent crash site were highlighted in red. A trail leading from the site abruptly ended in a question mark, indicating where the thestrals had lost track of the beast. Several points of interests were circled, mostly caves, nearby mountain ranges and other potential dragon lairs. Almost all of them were also crossed out.

"We've searched every crack and crevice that could hide a dragon of that size." Dunwich growled in frustration. "There is evidence at the crash site that it is injured so it must have gone to ground somewhere!"

"Even if it wasn't, other cities would have reported a sighting by now." Vengeance frowned as she stared intently at the map. "It has to still be here."

"What about the crater lake?" Knight pointed to said landmark on the map. "Its trail ended there and most dragons can bathe in lava; boiling water would not be an issue for it."

"One would think the fumes would dissuade it but perhaps it its wounded and desperate state, it did not heed the warnings." The Countess steepled her hooves as she considered the possibility. "If it has taken refuge in that toxic mire then this problem may have solved itself."

"So close and yet so far." Moon had to make a conscious effort to not burst out laughing. "I almost want to just tell them."

"Once you have better gauged their loyalty, perhaps." The disembodied whisper cautioned.

"I doubt the gas would be lethal to that big bastard but it very well could have passed out and drowned." Vengeance sighed in disappointment. "And here I was hoping to sample some draconis sanguine."

"Not how I would want to go." Knight grimaced. "Still, with Princess Sparke with us, we should be able to find something without having to go diving. Now, about our other villain..."

"Yes, the Elusive and Deceitful Trixie." Dunwich glanced at the bandage around her colt's head. "The only thing I can report are some interlopers under the employ of a 'Merchant Princess' who did business with a pair of Ponyvillians."

"The Element Bearers are chasing down that lead." Vengeance said plainly. "What did you say about her being here?"

"She was traveling with a stallion named Grey." The Countess steepled her hooves as she looked at her matron. "Somepony you know and trust well enough to bequeath a Dreamstone amulet, your majesty?"

"You three need to stop noticing things." Moon mentally grumbled. "We're not ready yet."

"Indeed." The bandaged Alicorn nodded. "But that is a tale for another night."

"Hmm." The thestral matron appeared as if she wanted to press for more but decided against it. "Regardless, we did keep tabs on our guests during their short stay here."

Dunwich told the three of the odd couple's encounter with a changeling and their early morning departure. The inopportune hour meant that no thestral could tail them while they remained in their territory until much later. By the time a Night Guard followed their trail out of the colony, the pair had disappeared somewhere near the ruins. The Countess sank into her seat with a dejected sigh as she realized her thestrals now bore a considerable blemish on their record.

"Between them, the dragon and the merchants, we've appeared to have lost our touch at securing the night." The Umbral helped herself to another bottle of aged red. "In our own backyard, no less."

"A poor performance, indeed." Moon mused darkly. "And against what are ultimately our allies..."

"Just as I had feared." The malevolent presence tsk-tsked in disappointment. "Their prey has just been common bandits and wild beasts; stones that have dulled rather than sharpened."

"Something which must be corrected if they are to be my vanguards against the Day." The Usurper noted keenly. "Well, if the common thestral is not up to the task, I can mold them into something that is."

"Are they really worth the investment?" The disembodied Primordial said quizzically. "Not to disparage your own disciples but would it not be more prudent to call upon Hidden One's Undying?"

“I do not see why we cannot do both.” The corrupted Princess thought. “However, as his puppets are loyal to him, I need subjects who worship me and me alone.”

"Your highness?" Vengeance asked in concern. "Are you still with us?"

"I am, Night-Captain." Luna nodded slowly as she appraised the bat-mare with an approving eye. "I was just reminded of one other thing we came here for: the Umbrals."

"Hm, it feels like we've woken them more in the past year than we have in decades." Dunwich absently rubbed her necklace. "Do you need them for the dragon?"

"And as a precaution in Canterlot." Luna nodded. "The Solarii are still posted in the capital and I need to tip the scales... so to speak."

"There are fools playing games on the mountain." Knight elaborated. "Better to sweep the board than try to play."

"Politics, say no more." The Countess scoff in disgust as she stood up from her seat. "After you, your highness."

The debriefing concluded for the time being, the group departed Dunwich's office. Luna led them on a brisk trot deeper into the keep until they reached the inmost dens of the Night-Guard. It was here that they made their barracks, drill halls and other facilities befitting a branch of Equestria's finest. Beyond the fresh-faced recruits and newly initiated awaiting deployment was a chamber set apart from the rest by heavy iron doors bearing a winged skull insignia. It was no secret what slept beyond; only the most inattentive thestral could miss the chained coffins occasionally carried in. With a small crowd of curious bat-ponies watching them, the four entered the sanctum and wordlessly shut the doors behind them. Within was a circular stone vestibule were frescos depicting various scenes of the vampiric elites along the walls. In the center was a simple block of marble resembling an altar.

"Dragged up from the Well of Shade outside." The Usurper recalled fondly. "This place is a chapel in all but name."

"I do not miss this place." Knight's voice echoed about the otherwise gravely quiet chamber. "Carried too many friends into here."

"Doesn't help that it feels like a tomb." Vengeance agreed. "I guess everyone in here is 'dead' in a way."

"Not dead, just in torpor, Night-Captain." Dunwich corrected. "A very deep and sadly necessary sleep."

"A dreamless one at that." Moon noted bitterly as they trotted into the center of the room. "Another of Celestia's designs, I'm sure."

"So, who do we need, your majesty?" Knight asked as he stood before a scene of bat-ponies holding the line against an incursion of marauding Ixionians under a waxing crescent. "Mine and Ven's? Cover the homefront and set hunters on the dragon?"

"As well as Dunwich's initiates." The Nocturnal Alicorn nodded. "We will need numbers for the battles to come."

"Uh, isn't that a bit overkill for a wounded dragon and a few idiots?" The bat-stallion hesitated.

"No such thing, Knight." Vengeance retorted bluntly as she approached a mural depicting thestrals ambushing a column of Knossian hoplites by the light of a waning crescent. "Better to be sure."

Sighing in resignation, Knight mirrored his sister's action and held his dreamstone amulet up to the mural. The corresponding moon glowed briefly in response before the slab of stone parted like a set of jaws, sinking into the floor and ceiling. A waft of frigid air greeted the Night-Captain as a series of crystals flickered to life to bath the cavernous catacomb beyond in a simulacrum of moonlight. Embedded in the walls and hanging inverted on the ceiling were rows upon rows of coffins with reliquaries containing the arms and armor of the Umbral thestrals slumbering within. The bat-pony felt a shiver run down his spine as the silence was broken by the occasional muffled hiss and beating of restricted wings.

"If only they all had the self-control of Dunwich." He whispered to himself. "Someday, maybe."

"New and Crescents on standby." The Countess reported as she trotted away from gaping hole where the founding of the Night-Guard had been immortalized. "I would ask if you would like to do the honors, your highness, but considering your injures..."

"Nonsense." Luna dismissed her concerns as she reared up onto the stone block. "What is a little bloodletting after having three hooves in the grave?"

If any of the Night-Guard wished to protest, the Nocturnal Diarch did not give them a chance. Using her teeth, the navy Princess loosened a bandage around her leg. She grimaced slightly as the still healing wound was exposed to the chill air. Holding the limb over the alter, Luna flexed and strained until a single drop of her immortal blood fell from her. It landed on the stone with an audible 'plip' the echoed about the sanctum. A moment later, the sanguine drip was sucked hungrily into the strange stone as it emitted a bass hum before falling silent.

"Awaken, my children of the Night." The matron of the thestrals commanded. "Arise and serve!"

A discordant chorus of creaking wood filled the catacombs as coffin lids swung open and shadowy figures sat up. Countless predatory eyes peered out from the gloom and focused on the four. The air was suddenly filled with excited whispers and chitters as the Umbrals climbed, or in the case of those on the ceiling simply fell, from their solitude and presented themselves before their mistresses and master.

"Now that is what I like to see." Vengeance grinned proudly. "Hope you all are hungry because we have-"

"Not quite yet Night-Captain." Luna held up a halting hoof. "The Element Bearers and I form a large enough hunting party without legions of thestrals trailing us through the Everfree."

"I hadn't thought about that." The bat-mare deflated sheepishly. "Stealthy as we are, any force worth a damn will alert the beast."

"Indeed." The Princess nodded. "To that end, I want you to remain here and await my signal."

"I will have sentries posted to keep an eye out." Dunwich said as she looked over her kin. "We will be ready."

"Once the dragon issue has been resolved, we will make all haste for Canterlot." The navy Alicorn continued. "There we will put an end to this foalish game once and for all."

An excited whisper ran through the Umbrals, much to their matron's delight. Their tasks set before them, the Night-Guards departed the chamber while the elite returned to their catacombs to make ready. Luna lingered for a moment to look over the Umbral sanctum, particularly the remaining mural. Here was shown legions of triumphant thestrals exalting a lone figure soaring above the turrets of a castle silhouetted by the glow of a full moon. The infamous fiends that slumbered beyond were rarely called upon by the nocturnal diarch to the point she had flatly refused to summon them for the expedition to the Crystal Empire. The entity currently masquerading as her was not so fettered in the use of the ancient vampiric Umbrals.

"We were so close then." Moon thought as she ran a hoof over what she recognized as the Castle of the Two Sisters. "Rest well, my little ponies, for soon we will all dine on sweet revenge and the blood of Equestria."

"...and that's how I got here." Lorica finished regaling her charge with tales of her exploits. "Not exactly rags to riches but I'm still young."

"Wow!" The accompanying page's eyes shined with wonder. "And all that was true? Even the part about the centaur?"

"Ehh, not entirely." The bodyguard wilted slightly. "But any story worth telling is worth embellishing, right?"

"We went from incident reports to tabletop adventures somewhere in there." Celestia regarded the guardsmare with a slight smile over a steaming cup of coffee. "All in good fun, I suppose."

"Within reason, Lorica." The alabaster Alicorn said sagely.

The somewhat irreverent mood between the three diminished as they reached the audience antechamber. A large group of guards stood tense and at the ready with a few crowded around the doors. The approach of the Solar Diarch only seemed to compound their unease even as they saluted her.

"Pleasant night, everypony." Celestia nevertheless greeted them warmly. "Has the Night Court already started?"

"In a sense, your majesty." A guard grimaced as he glanced at the door. "Your Solarii wanted to speak with you first but..."

"Discord decided to cut in line." Another finished with a wince. "Not sure which one you'll have to save."

"Well, at least tonight won't be boring." The Princess of the Day thought as she took a moment to brace herself and entered the throne room.

"You are not wanted here, fiend!" The fervent proclamation greeted the Princess as the Solarii commander menaced the draconequus who had taken shelter behind the throne.

"Not that I care but I have just as much right to be here as you." Discord half protested half taunted before he noticed the Alicorn's arrival. "Celly, do you mind calling off your toys? They're spoiling my night."

"You dare mock our-!" The gilded equine nearly took a shot at the irreverent trickster.

"Hold, Early Light." Celestia commanded curtly to which the elite obediently obeyed. "Discord, what did you do?"

"Just exist, apparently." The mismatched spirit shrugged as he floated out from behind the throne. "I was bored so I figured I'd sit in on your version of Night Court."

[REVISIONS]

The Heroines and Princesses of Equestria stood before the yawning entrance to the depths of the earth. They had just finished a quick meal and recovered their strength for the next leg of their journey. However, as they looked into the quiet earth, they could not shake the feeling of foreboding. It was like some invisible entity was urging them to turn back.

“I’ve got a bad feelin’ ‘bout this tunnel, Twi.” Applejack said cautiously as she looked at the two looming statues flanking the entrance to the underground. “Doesn’t feel natural.”

“It looks like it was dug out by the same things that built this shrine.” The studious Alicorn surmised. “It could lead to a system of catacombs, a burial crypt or…”

“We will not know until we venture into the depths.” Princess Luna urged them onward impatiently.

“What’s the big rush, Princess?” Pinkie asked in her usual carefree manner. “If Trixie is down there, then we have her trapped.”

“From this side.” The Princess of the Night countered with a withering glare. “We do not know if this is part of a larger complex of caverns and caves. There could be dozens of other entrances for the witch to use.”

“She’s right.” Rainbow Dash concurred. “We can’t be too far behind her now.”

“Agreed.” Sparkle nodded. “But before we go, there is something I need to do first.”

The lavender Alicorn ignited her horn and concentrated. A stream of magic shot out of her horn like a fountain and spread out a short distance above her head. The shimmering field then curved downward and closed over the group like a dome. Sparkle stood stock-still as she made sure her barrier was stable. Once she was satisfied, she trotted forward a bit to see that the dome moved with her.

“The last time I ventured underground, I nearly collapsed from exhaustion. There is something about the depths that saps the energy out of equines.” The academic Alicorn explained. “This is a modified version of the barrier I casted over Canterlot; it should protect us as long as we stay within it.”

“Here’s hoping it holds up better than the last one.” The prismatic pegasus muttered as she tapped a hoof against the translucent dome.

“Now I will have to focus on this shield as we move through the underground.” Sparkle added. “Rarity, you will have to provide illumination.”

“Of course, darling.” The pearl unicorn did not hesitate as she flared up her own horn. “I shall light the way.”

With that, the group entered the dark tunnel following the trail of hoofprints left by their targets. Their descent was scored by the echoing clip clop of hooves on stone and the steamy sizzle of water dripping onto the barrier from stalactites hanging from the ceiling like salivating fangs. While the six friends instinctively trotted closer together, Princess Luna trailed a little behind as her attention was otherwise occupied.

“Every moment I spend with these foals is maddening.” Nightmare Moon thought bitterly.

“You just have to tolerate their existence a little bit longer, my apostle.” The ever-spectating Lady of the Stars said candidly.

“Easy for you to say.” The dark Usurper mentally grumbled. “You don’t have to deal with Pie’s infernal chatter.”

Indeed, the Element Bearer of Laughter had reignited a debate over what to call a new desert she had invented that involved mashed cherries and a deep fried piece of flatbread. Having already heard this conundrum, Rarity visibly set her teeth on edge as she tried to drown out her talkative friend with thoughts of fashion. The rest did not have such a luxury.

“Chimicherry or cherrychanga?” The pink party pony asked aloud. “The first works because it sounds like ‘chimichurri’ which is a sauce and I use cherry sauce but the second sounds like ‘chimichanga’ which is what I based this dessert on.”

“Why does she not just call it a cherry chimichanga?” Luna whispered to Dash. “It tells the potential consumer exactly what it is and she can spare us this inane prattle.”

“Pinkie likes her word play.” The weather mare whispered back. “And I’ll admit it can be a bit annoying but watching her have a breakthrough is a sight to behold.”

“Chimi-cherry-changa…” Right on cue, the baker reached an internal consensus that caused her to grin like a filly in a candy store. “That’s it!”

Pinkie leapt into the air in excitement. Her celebration was short lived, however, as she came back down and sank a few inches into the ground with a dry crunch and sickening squelching sound. Rarity turned around to shine her light on her friend, revealing that she had stepped through the crust of some organic growth whose still moist interior held the same consistency as mucus. The earth pony slowly raised a hoof to extract herself only for the greenish ooze to cling to her like slime.

“Ew, EW, EW!” The prim and proper mare back away from the mess as far as Sparkle’s barrier would allow.

“Heh. This is gross.” Pinkie laughed nervously as she watched the viscous substance begin to harden with exposure to the air. “Could one of you please pull me out?”

“Hang on, sugercube, I gotcha.” Applejack said calmly as she yanked her friend free with some effort with her forelegs. “Huh. This gunk looks a lot like what that bug-pony used when she attacked Canterlot.”

“Chrysalis, yes.” Sparkle nodded as she looked around to find that the tunnel had given way to a cavern covered with the changeling growth. “I noticed this stuff around the outside of the shrine. We must be in the hive proper now.”

The group fell silent as they watched and listened for any sign of the hive’s owners. Only the ambient sounds of the underground and the occasional crumbling of chitin met their ears.

“Hmm. Either the changelings have gone dormant or this hive is abandoned.” The youngest Alicorn said quietly. “Given the state of the hive, I’d go with the latter.”

“I certainly hope so.” Rarity huffed having recovered from her earlier revulsion. “We have enough villains involved already.”

Taking care not to trot into another weak spot like Pinkie, the group continued through the hive. The further they went, the more Sparkle’s theory that the place was abandoned seemed likely; the growth was disintegrating all around them, exposing the pale rock underneath. By the time they pushed through a solidified curtain of membrane into what was once the heart of the hive, it was clear that the changelings had cleared out long ago.

“I guess that is where the queen used to sit.” Fluttershy said as she pointed to a withered throne in the center of the domed room that had fallen over from decay.

“And fed.” Applejack added as she looked around at the ossified pods attached to the walls and ceiling. “Mercy, ah hope nopony is still trapped in those things.”

“I suggest we don’t dawdle.” A clearly disturbed Rarity said as she shone her light on the trail that lead past the crumbling throne and deeper into the cavern. “Lulamoon certainly didn’t.”

“I guess even thieving witches have standards.” Dash scoffed as they headed down another tunnel. “Can’t say I would argue; this place is creepy.”

As the magical light faded from the heart of the hive, a pair of insectoid eyes watched the interlopers from the cover of a crevice in the ceiling. Silent as a shadow, the changeling drone crawled out of its hiding place and skittered after them. Unaware of their lurking follower, the group continued down the passage until the soft crunching of dried changeling chitin under hoof was replaced by once more by the clip-clop of hooves on stone.

“How far did Trixie go?” Applejack wondered aloud. “That energy sappin’ you mentioned has to kick in at some point.”

“It is right now.” Sparkle said as her barrier shimmered and sparked against some unseen force. “If Trixie has gone this far, she or one of her cohorts must have a way of warding off the effect.”

“Do you have any idea what causes it?” Rarity asked with a worried glance at her own magic.

“Only a few theories with little in the way of evidence to support them.” The scholarly Alicorn answered. “The popular ones are that magic simply does not permeate this far into the underground or some ancient entity cursed the depths for unknown reasons.”

“Or we are nearing an entirely different world that has its own rules on these matters.” Moon thought with a roll of her eyes. “But I suppose you are about to discover that for yourself.”

“Holy guacamole!” Pinkie exclaimed as they reached the terminus of the passageway. “Look at that!”

The tunnel they were in opened up like a funnel before ending in a massive wall that stretched from the floor to the ceiling far above. Set in this imposing bulwark of cyclopean onyx bricks was a great gate of solid cold iron, runes of dark origin engraved all along the frame while the center panel depicted a robed and dour figure standing over a host of ghastly creatures. Scattered on the dusty floor before the portal were the skeletal remains of diamond dogs, their rusted hammers and dull picks still clutched in their bony paws.

“Oh dear.” Rarity shook her head sadly at the sight despite her history with the greedy gem hounds. “Poor mutts must have not known about the energy drain.”

“I’m starting to think that curse theory you mentioned might be right, Twi.” Dash said as she hovered in front of the central figure. “Think tall, dark and spooky here is your ‘ancient entity’?”

“That is not just some ancient entity, Dash.” Sparkle said in a mix of awe and dread. “That is the Silent King of the Dead!”

“The what king of what?” The weather mare gave her friend a perplexed look.

“One of the old gods equines used to worship before the Princesses established Equestria. I recognize his likeness from one of the books on pre-Equestrian customs.” The lavender Alicorn explained as she trotted closer toward the imposing edifice. “You see these black stones? They are even older than the ruins outside. And this iron work? It was only used in shrines and temples devoted to the gods associated with death, darkness and the like. But…”

The Princess of Magic trailed off as she met the cold gaze of the cold iron figure. While it was inanimate, she could not help but feel as if it was watching her.

“…he is just a myth.” She said in a manner that suggested she was trying to convince herself of that. “A relic of a bygone age born out of fear and superstition.”

“And Discord was just a ridiculous statue and I was just an old nag’s tale to frighten foals.” Luna said in a spectacularly condescending deadpan. “Honestly, Sparkle, nothing should surprise you anymore.”

“You had a slip of the tongue, apostle.” The malevolent presence chastised. “You said ‘I’ rather than ‘Nightmare Moon’. Your vessel made the effort to keep you two as separate entities.”

“A delusion she can no longer deny.” The corrupted Princess thought imperiously. “And I would not worry. These foals are too preoccupied with their snipe hunt to notice.”

“Well, myth or not, that didn’t stop Trixie from going through this door.” Applejack refocused them on their mission. “So there has to be somethin’ on the other side.”

The orange apple farmer pointed to the ground where the hoof prints they had been following continued through the gate. She sized up the door for a moment before she turned around and took aim with her powerful hind legs.

“Stand back, y’all.” Applejack warned as she reared back.

“No, wait!” Sparkle attempted to stop her friend a split second too late.

*CLANG*

The resounding sound of hooves striking metal echoed about the cavern but the gates did not budge. Instead, Applejack collapsed into the dust as her back half went numb.

“Tarnation! That smarts!” The orange earth pony exclaimed past gritted teeth. “What the hay was that?!”

“Do you see those markings all along the border of the door?” The lavender Alicorn asked rhetorically as Fluttershy helped Applejack recover. “Those are potent anti-magic runes carved into cold forged iron. Combined, they are powerful enough to stop even earth pony magic.”

“And I thought we wouldn’t have to deal with that hoodoo after we beat Tirek.” Dash grumbled as she scanned the bulwark for any sign of a way in. “So if no magic can open this thing, how in Equestria did Trixie get past?”

“She might have had a key or some other way of unlocking it.” Rarity suggested. “But I do not see where a key would fit.”

“At this rate, they will meet the same end as these diamond dogs.” Moon mentally sighed. “It probably only opens in the presence of the dead.”

“Hidden from mortal eyes, we reap a toll for our Master/ Dark and deep, we deliver these souls of the World.” The Lady of the Stars recited.

“What?” The corrupted Alicorn cocked her head to the side.

“That is what the runes say. It is part of the oath of the Psychopomps; what you might call reapers.” The Primordial clarified. “Say it in Khthonic and the way will open.”

“The password is on the door?” The Usurper suppressed a laugh. “I would have never guessed.”

“Muh huh huh. The benefit of an obscure language.” The Dark Lady tittered regally. “Now, mind your pronunciation…”

While the Element Bearers searched for a way to open the gate, Luna trotted forward and stood before the edifice. As her benefactor instructed, she began to recite the oath of the reapers as inscribed on the door. The unprepared friends were forced to cover their ears as the Khthonic syllables assaulted their senses. Even the corrupted Moon felt an unnatural chill creep down her spine as the dark words passed her lips. With one last alien utterance that left her mouth sore as if she had just gargled ice and rocks, the Princess of the Night finished the mantra and waited.

“Okay, what the flying fuck was that?!”Dash demanded once the sensation subsided.

“You were right in your summation, weather mare.” Luna responded in an even yet warning tone. “If no ‘Equestrian’ magic can open this door, then perhaps something distinctly non-Equestrian will.”

“Like a verbal spell; an incantation.” Sparkle deduced. “But most of that type of magic is either banned or lost to time. How did you know which one to use? How did Trixie, for that matter?”

“I have seen these dark runes before during Equestria’s formational years. They were often used by equally dark villains like occultists or worshippers of the King here.” The Diarch of the Moon answered with a wave at the dour figure on the gate. “As for how Lulamoon knew, it would not be the first time she has embraced the darker powers.”

“True.” The Alicorn of Magic admitted.

“Well, we would appreciate a warning next time.” Dash said in a more respectful tone. “But at least it looks like it’s working.”

The runic inscriptions shone with a negative light as small tremors shook the cavern. With a groan like a dying dragon, the ageless metal slowly opened inward until there was enough space for them to enter. None of the equines moved as they stared into the face of the unknown.

“Something tells me we have found something much bigger than any dragon or rogue unicorn.” Sparkle whispered as she doubled checked the status of her barrier. “Well, into the breach.”

Steeling herself, the academic Alicorn trotted forward pass the gates. Her friends hesitated for a moment before they too cross the threshold. Princess Luna allowed a sly smile the cross her lips as she brought up the rear. On the other side, both literally and figuratively, the adventurous group stood before a dark forest of gnarled trees with wraith-like leaves illuminated by hanging braziers of pale ghost lights.

“At last, the Sunless Lands of the Dead.” Moon thought excitedly as the gate close behind her with a hollow boom.

Within the quiet halls of Barathrum, before the Immortal Throne, the Theoi and his loyal servants watched the Equestrians’ progress. Through the eyes of the changeling drone via a window conjured by its Queen, they watched as the Lunar Alicorn opened the reaper’s gate. The Lord of Shades steepled his hooves and rested his muzzle against them as the gears in his head turned.

“You put the password on the door?” Grand Marshall Shining Armor asked his patron. “That seems rather careless, particularly for you.”

“If it is a language that only those on this side understand, it is more or less a moot point.” Archmage Trixie Lulamoon answered matter-of-factly. “That being said, Trixie is surprised that Princess Luna knew how to open that door.”

“I’m not.” The changeling matron scoffed as she cut off the clairvoyance spell after sending a mental command to her drone to return to the old nest before the Underworld drained the last of its energy. “The mare who became Nightmare Moon knowing a thing or two about dark power is not a great leap in logic.”

“Point taken.” Lulamoon nodded slightly in begrudging agreement.

“Well, I guess it was too much to hope the Element Bearers wouldn’t find us.” Armor sighed. “Are we still on for that ‘sacred hospitality’ plan or have you made alterations we should know about?”

The caliginous cleric did not answer immediately. His original plan was, as the Undying had said, to treat the surface dwellers to his brand of hospitality, let the nature of the Underworld put the fear of death into them, conclude whatever their quest was with either the truth or a convincing lie depending on which was more expedient and then send them on their way with a story of dread and terror to tell to dissuade any future interlopers. That was before he noticed a peculiar choice of pronoun the Lunar Princess had used.

“She said ‘I’ when referring to Nightmare Moon.” The Dread Lord mused on the seemingly innocuous event where the Alicorn had shot down the other’s skepticism. “Luna always avoided any implication that she and the Usurper were one in the same.”

It could have simply been that the Princess of the Night misspoke. She was undoubtedly under a lot of stress brought on by recent events and it just slipped her mind to make the distinction. Then he heard Luna’s explanation for how she knew the mantra to open the cold-iron gate. To say it was suspect was an understatement.

“All that I have read has suggested that the runes the cults of old have used were crude imitations of the genuine articles. Luna used the regal dialect to open the gate, something that she could only learn from the few who use it.” The Dark Lord mused. “The Hand of Death loathes her, the Lord of Darkness has been stuck in a hole since before she was born and I never used it with her. That leaves the Lady of the Stars and if Luna is listening to her again…”

The only way to know for certain was to confront her but it appeared Luna had fallen to darkness once more. The Silent King sighed deeply as the gears in his head churned out a new version of his plan with this new variable accounted for. It was far more complex but if it was executed correctly, it would provide an opportunity to find the missing Primordial Lady. However, there were a few elements he knew his compatriots would not agree to at least not without proper persuasion.

“There are a few things.” The Theoi finally spoke. “None of you are going to like them.”

“Try us.” The curious Chrysalis gave him her full attention.

“Very well.” The Dark Lord thought of the best way to phrase his plan. “On the subject of hospitality, which of the seven mares about to visit us is most likely to break it?”

“I hate to speak ill of them but Pinkie is most likely to act uncivil while Rainbow Dash or Applejack are most likely to attack you.” Armor answered guiltily.

“I wouldn’t sell the rest sort.” Chrysalis interjected. “Your sister went full inquisition on me before your wedding.”

“She was right.” Lulamoon needled with a smirk. “And we know that the dress maker has an easy trigger: her fashion designs.”

“As for Luna, we both know what she is capable of.” Armor shared a knowing look with the former Lurker. “Why do you ask?”

“To prove a point and facilitate my plan.” The robed royal answered calmly. “You see, once they are brought before me…”

As the Overlord of the Underworld explained what they were to do with their guests, Armor was visibly horrified while the changeling and Archmage seemed ecstatic. The former Solar Captain was about to interject but was silenced by a look from his patron that told him to let him finish. When the second phase was described, the horror and delight was replaced by relief, disappointment and a bit of confusion. The King finished his briefing and awaited the inevitable questions.

“That is a lot to do only to end up where we started.” Chrysalis spoke while her lover began to pace, lost in his own thoughts. “What is the end goal?”

“I need to get the Alicorn of the Night alone and have the Element Bearers indisposed for some time.” The Theoi answered.

“If want some privacy to woo Luna, Trixie thinks there are easier ways.” The magician said with an edge of jealousy.

“Indeed.” The King nodded. “But Nightmare Moon is another matter.”

“Moon?” The Hive Queen’s ears perked up. “She’s with them?”

“In spirit if not in flesh.” The stygian sovereign nodded again. “But I’m more interested in the strings attached to her corruption and the being that pulls them: the Lady of the Stars.”

“Ah, now Trixie sees.” Lulamoon smiled slyly. “If we do this right, you will have a direct line to Suneater's consort.”

“Just so we are covering all our bases, what if you’re wrong and it’s just Luna?” Chrysalis asked pointedly. “That could end very badly.”

“If it is Moon, I have no doubt she will indicate the fact before we execute the plan.” The Theoi answered patiently. “If not, then we return to the original plan.”

The Silent King looked over at a quiet Armor who seemed to be lost in his thoughts.

“Marshall Armor, I know you have reservations about this.” The Lord of Shades said neutrally.

“Understatement.” The Undying unicorn said bluntly. “You really think this is the best way? Could we not just imprison them?”

“The only prison down here that could reliably hold them is Tartarus.” Chrysalis answered. “But now that you mention it…”

“NO!” Armor shouted. “No. I just…”

The former prince-regent snorted in frustration as he mulled over the plan once more. After a while, he inhaled deeply and slowly let it out.

“The only reason I’m not trying to stop this is the second part of the plan.” He said before turning toward Lulamoon. “If you botch it, you will wish that witch-dragon had eaten you…

The stallion then pointed to his patron.

“…and that you had been annihilated along with my empire.” He finished with a hard glare that made even the King briefly reconsider the plan. “Do I make myself clear?”

“Transparently.” The Theoi said coolly. “Now, do you have your troops assembled to escort our guests? They should be entering Erebos right about now.”

“Ready and waiting.” Armor replied as he turned to exit the throne room only to pause as he thought of something. “Oh, one last thing. I want to be here to see it through.”

“Of course.” The Dread Lord said plainly. “We will await your return.”

“I will be back shortly.” The Grand Marshall said as he saluted. “And thank you for being forward with this, Excellency. It is a nice change of pace to what I'm used to.”

The Undying trotted out of the room and into the halls beyond. The changeling matron watched him go with a sad shake of her head.

“Poor Shiny. He can't quite let go of his previous life.” She cooed. “I should do something nice for him once this is over.”

“You mean sex.” Lulamoon deadpanned. “Trixie swears that is all you two do.”

“We also enjoy long trots by the riverside, dinner in Elysium and playing with our daughter, thank you very much.” The Queen chittered.

“Speaking of, you need to make sure your children remain out of sight.” The Silent King cut in before another argument flared up between the two. “And you have some studying to do, Archmage Lulamoon.”

“The Great and Powerful Trixie will not disappoint.” The azure unicorn declared proudly. “Oh, Trixie cannot wait to rub it in those naysayers’ smug faces.”

“On the subject of those six meddlesome mares, what is stopping them from attacking us while you are away cozying up to Nightmare Moon?” Chrysalis asked before she departed.

“Simple. We give them a problem they would prioritize over revenge.” The Theoi said plainly. “Something close to home like, say, a group of overly ambitions nobles planning to overthrow the Princesses.”

“Ah, so Blueblood helps us out after all.” The Archmage smiled deviously. “Just not in the way he planned.”

“It sounds like Equestria is coming apart at the seams.” The Hive Queen chittered with a grin of her own. “Now I’m really glad I moved down here.”

“Oh please.” Lulamoon rolled her eyes as she trotted toward the door. “It was either an unlimited food source or death at our hooves.”

The changeling and unicorn left the Silent King’s presence to perform their assigned tasks, trading semi-spiteful barbs as they went. Alone once more, the Khthonic Theoi settled back into his throne and reviewed the plot in his mind. While he was confident that it would be carried out without issue, he still wanted to make sure he had not overlooked anything.

“They do not have the Elements of Harmony, they are removed from familiar magic and one of them is most likely a traitor but I should not make the mistake of underestimating them.” The Dread Lord mused. “They have the uncanny ability to achieve victory just when their enemies seem triumphant.”

“What is this place?” Princess Sparkle wondered as she looked around at the dark forest beyond her protective barrier. “It’s like the books said; magic never reached this far but something else filled the void.”

The group had progressed along a worn path that cut through the gnarled woods following Lulamoon’s trail. Each quiet hoof step kicked up small puffs of dust from the road that was quickly discovered to be paved with bones pulverized by years of travel. Yet the osseous path was nothing compared to the scores of baleful eyes that watched them from the stygian darkness. What was worse, unlike the territorial animals of the Everfree, the creatures appeared to be following them. A shifting shadow or flash of movement out of the corner of the eye set the mares on edge as they trekked deeper into the dark forest.

“Twilight, darling? I think we should go back.” Rarity whispered as she shot fearful glances at the twisted trees around them. “This dreadful place is worse than the Everfree.”

“Oh it’s not that bad.” The ever cheerful Pinkie said as she bounced over to the edge of Sparkle’s shield. “Giggle at the ghostie, remember?”

The pink pony faced a particularly gruesome looking tree and smiled widely.

“Ha. Ha! HA!” She cracked up at the creepy expecting to get a similar result to when she tried it against Nightmare Moon’s illusions.

Rather than vanish, however, a chorus of ethereal giggling emanated from all around the group. It was a chilling sound of sadistic mirth and devilish mischief. Pinkie’s smile faltered as a pair of pales eyes snapped open on the tree she was laughing at and dropped into the brush.

“Granny Pie never mentioned what to do if the ghosties giggle back.” She said as Dash pulled her away from the barrier.

The forest came alive as a veritable horde of shadowy creatures were drawn to the one bright light in their sunless realm. They ranged from lanky, insectoid beasts with scythe-like claws to burly monsters comparable to minotaurs. The things poked and prodded the barrier as if testing how much they could get away with. Sparkle nearly buckled under the strain but managed to maintain the only thing standing between her friends and the tender mercies of the tenebrous terrors.

“We’re surrounded.” Dash realized. “Fluttershy, you might have to use that Stare of yours.”

“I don’t know. These things have the same eyes as that dragon; they’re not animals.” The kindly pegasus said timidly before an encouraging look from her fellow flyer helped her find her nerve. “But I’ll try.”

Putting on a brave face, the normally reserved animal caretaker trotted forward. She focused on one of the creatures; a hunched, long limbed specimen with claws. The beast raked its claws across the shield like nails on a chalkboard to the Equestrian’s discomfort before it made eye contact with the pegasus.

“Hey! Stop that!” Fluttershy scolded as if she was its mother. “You’re hurting my friends!”

Surprisingly, the beats ceased its assault on the barrier and hunkered down to the yellow pony’s level. Encouraged that it had listened to her, the pegasus maintained her compelling glare as she continued.

“I know you and your…friends must be excited to see new ponies but that does not excuse your behavior.” The emboldened Fluttershy chastised.

“It’s working.” Applejack whispered as the attacks slowed. “Keep it up, Flutters.”

“Now maybe you could help us? We’re looking for a unicorn like her.” The butter-yellow pegasus pointed to Rarity as the creature cocked its head to the side curiously.

“Are you trying to tell me something?” The pearl unicorn asked incredulously but received no answer.

“We are also looking for a big, black dragon and- ACK!” Fluttershy was cut off by the creature suddenly punching through the shield and grabbing her around the neck.

“NO!” Dash flew to her friend and grabbed hold of her barrel before the beast pulled her through to a certainly grisly fate. “Let go of her you bastard!”

The assault was resumed with renewed vigor now that the creatures knew that the barrier was not impregnable. Sparkle quickly refocused her efforts on maintaining the barrier, sealing the breach the creature had created and severing its arm in the process. Dash dragged her now gasping friend to safety as the disembodied limb fell to the ground and dissolved into nothing. This did little to dissuade the monsters as they continued to pound on the barrier with a few even climbing on top to wail on it from above.

“What are we gonna do?” Applejack asked as cracks began forming in the shield. “Twi?”

“I…” The Princess of Magic tried to think of anything that could help them. “I’m going to overcharge the shield. It should explode and drive these things off. We use that window to run!”

“That’s your plan?!” Dash shouted in disbelief as another beast breached the barrier and nearly grabbed her wings.

“If you have a better idea, please share!” Rarity shouted back to which the pegasus did not respond. “Do what you can, Twilight.”

“Okay. On three, run for the caverns!” The lavender Alicorn said as she fed magic into the barrier. “One…two…thr-!”

*CRACK*

A sharp report preceded a blast of black energy that vaporized the fiends atop the dome. It was joined by the staccato beat that heralded a barrage of smaller bolts that cut into the abyssal abominations. The Equestrians and creatures looked to find a line of dark armored unicorns with horns aglow with negative light while similarly armored ponies charged toward the encircled interlopers. Among the familiar shapes of equines were the proud horned figures of minotaurs, the hunched loping forms of diamond dogs and the keen avian structure of griffons.

“Drive off the shadowlings and secure the surface dwellers!” A unicorn in more ornate looking armor commanded as he blew apart another fiend that had gotten a limb through the barrier.

The knights fell upon the creatures like a wave of iron and steel. With hooves, claws and blades, the armored force beat back the troublesome terrors. The Equestrian’s watched with varying levels of excitement.

“Yeah! That’s it!” Dash cheered on their rescuers. “Beat those creeps into the ground!”

“Ah didn’t expect to find friends down here.” Applejack said as she watched an armored earth pony buck a fiend into the treetops. “But I’m sure glad we did.”

Against a foe that could effectively fight back, the monsters broke and scattered back into the darkness of the forest. The armored host pursued for a short distance, shouting dark tongued curses while their ranged cohorts sent parting shots to make sure the shadowlings would not be back anytime soon. The knights formed a perimeter around the still shielded equines while the officer trotted forward.

“Are you all alright?” He asked, his voice a metallic echo from within his blue and white plumed helm.

“We are thanks to you and your strapping stallions…and hounds, bulls, hawks and so forth.” Rarity said breathily, slipping easily into the role of rescued damsel. “How could we ever repay you?”

“You can save the charm, miss.” A stallion interceded. “The Grand Marshall is spoken for.”

“Oh.” The pearl unicorn deflated.

“We need to move.” The officer said as he glanced warily at the woods. “The shadowlings scare easily but they'll be back and in greater numbers.”

The knights ushered the group forward until they were all moving through the forest at a brisk pace. Sparkle noticed that they were heading deeper into the underground rather than back to the caverns.

“Where are we going?” She asked.

“No time tah chat.” A diamond dog answered. “Gotta git out of deez naff woodz.”

The small horde rumbled along the bone path until they came to an intersection marked by a twisted tree-turned-signpost. The officer signaled for them to stop though it was more for the visitor’s benefit as most of them were beginning to pant in exertion.

“We can stop here for a quick breather.” He announced plainly. “The shadowlings usually avoid this area.”

“Why is that?” Fluttershy asked only to be answered by a dreadful screech from overhead.

It was hard to see against the pure black sky but something flew over the group, leaving a deathly chill in its wake. The Equestrians expected the knights to assume battle ready positions but were surprised to find that most of them did not seem to pay the flyby any heed. A few of the more keen-eyed griffons even waved to the unseen entity.

“Oh. That’s why.” The now trembling pegasus said meekly. “Something meaner lives here.”

“That’s putting it mildly.” A unicorn said with a snort. “That old daemon hates everything with a pulse.”

“I have so many questions.” Sparkle mentally bemoaned the pile of inquiries that were starting to weight heavier on her than maintaining the shield. “I should at least learn these strange knight’s names.”

“I didn’t have time to thank you earlier.” The lavender Princess spoke up. “I am Twilight Sparkle and these are-“

“We know who you are, Heroines of Equestria.” The Marshall interrupted. “And there is no need to be modest, Princess of Magic.”

“Okay then.” The academic Alicorn was surprised she was known even in the depths of the planet. “Not sure if that is a good thing or a bad thing.”

“Then perhaps you will tell me who our rescuers are?” She asked politely.

“We, your highness, are the Knights of the Undying Order.” A minotaur said proudly. “We safeguard the Sunless Lands of the Dead in service to our sovereign Lord; He who sits upon the Immortal Throne.”

“Impressive. I am sure…” Sparkle trailed off as what the knight had said registered. “…wait, what?”

“These are the Sunless Lands. The Underworld. The Afterlife.” A stallion explained somewhat rudely. “The dead come here and we guard it for the Lord of the Dead. Understand?”

“Oh...my.” The Princess of Magic sat down in the dust as it all washed over her. “This… is incredible.”

“Told you so.” Princess Luna whispered imperiously.

“So if this here is the Land of the Dead, does that mean y’all are…” Applejack asked with trepidation.

“Dead, yes.” A minotaur answered as he took his sword and stabbed it into the unarmored side of one of the mages, much to her chagrin, to demonstrate. “Well, I suppose we could be classified as revenants. We were once but inglorious souls until we joined the ranks of the Undying.”

“Da Dread Boss built us deez ded ‘ard bodies and gave us some flash kit to stomp sum gits right propah.” A diamond dog archer explained in his peculiar way. “Let me tell ya, it’s much bettah than my ol’ gig.”

“This ‘lord’ you serve, he wouldn’t happen to be the Silent King, would he?” Rarity asked with an air of anticipation.

“Silent King, Geist, Nagash, Darzalas; our Lord has many names and titles.” The stabbed unicorn answered as she returned the blade to the minotaur’s midsection point first. “So, to answer your question, yes.”

“Oh my.” The fashionista started to fan herself. “I fear I might swoon.”

“You will have plenty of time for that when you meet him.” The Marshall said as he gave the signal to move out. “He is expecting you; All of you.”

“Is he now?” The Alicorn of the Night arched an eyebrow. “Then we best not keep him waiting.”

The throng moved forward at a more measured pace now that they were confident that they would not be harried by shadowlings. Along the way, the Equestrian’s had many questions about this strange new land but their escorts only met their inquiries with silence. It appeared they had answered all that they were willing to for the moment.

“Or allowed to.” Sparkle realized after her question about the type of magic that governed the land was ignored. “We are technically trespassers in a foreign land. I wouldn’t reveal too much to potential enemies either. Still, this is worth remembering. I might even write a book about it once this is all over.”

They continued through the thinning forest until they came upon a collection of ramshackle buildings near a stone pier that jutted out into a mighty river. What really caught the Equestrian’s attention were the residents of the shantytown. Translucent shades drifted about the settlement either conversing with their fellow departed or scouring the ground for something. A large group had gathered near the dock as if awaiting the arrival of a ship.

“Ooh! Real ghosties!” Pinkie exclaimed. “They actually don’t look that bad.”

“I recognize a few faces.” Applejack whispered. “I’m pretty sure I sold a pie to that ghost in a suit.”

The armored host entered the rundown village as the souls parted respectfully for the knightly order that guarded their afterlife. A few looked longingly at the flesh and blood visitors but a combination of Sparkle’s shield and a sharp Khthonic rebuke from the Marshall dissuaded them. They approached the spectral host waiting at the dock and stopped again.

“Thank you for the assistance.” The officer addressed his troops. “We can take it from here.”

“We shall return to our posts then, sir.” One of the griffons said with a salute.

Most of the knights departed, leaving the Equestrians in the company of the Grand Marshall, a minotaur and diamond dog who seemed to hold some status above the rank and file, and six unicorn battlemages. Dash was about to ask what they were waiting for when a murmur ran through the shades. A few pointed out into the brackish waters where a large ship materialized out of the darkness. Long oars propelled the craft quickly through the river under the steady hand of a tall yet sickly looking figure wrapped in robes.

“The Ferry of the Dead.” Sparkle whispered in awe as the boat docked with a heavy thud. “Straight out of the old myths.”

A ramp was lowered and the decrepit creature limped down to the dock with a chest cradled under one arm and an oar in the other. The ship captain set down the chest, opened it and swept his burning gaze over the assembled shades.

“One obol to cross.” He rasped.

“What’s an obol?” Pinkie asked as the souls formed a disorganized line. “Some type of snack?”

“It’s the toll to cross.” One of the knights answered. “One gold coin or its equivalent.”

“Wait. You have to pay to get to the afterlife?” Dash scrunched up her nose incredulously. “That’s just wrong! Why don’t we just fly?”

“One: Not everyone can fly.” The minotaur answered bluntly. “Two: If you tried, you will only end up feeding them.”

He pointed upward where winged horrors could barely be discerned against the sunless sky. While the prismatic pegasus was confident she could out maneuver whatever they were, the idea of flying into unknown territory and leaving her friends behind lead her to discard the idea.

“Still, charging a fee to ghosts seems wrong.” She reiterated her original point.

“If you are buried correctly or find a generous soul, it is not a huge issue.” The Marshall commented knowingly. “Worst case scenario, you are stranded on this side until the ferry takes pity on you.”

“Uh, darlings?” Rarity asked with a nervous smile. “It just occurred to me that none of us brought any money.”

“Already covered.” The officer held up a small coin purse and shook it. “Courtesy of his Excellency.”

“Well, he did say he was expecting us.” Sparkle thought. “I wonder at what point he knew we were coming. Does he have spies in Equestria?”

The line of shades grew shorter as they paid the toll and were allowed on board. When the knights and Equestrians trotted forward, the leprous creature fixed them with a disapproving glare.

“Really?” He croaked at the officer in Khthonic. “Again?”

“Yes, again.” The Marshall said calmly as he produced the coinage. “At least you are getting paid this time.”

The miser counted out the payment and let out a world-weary sigh. He stood aside and waved them through.

“Very well” He rasped. “Just mind that bubble thing. Space is limited as it is.”

The interlopers quickly boarded and found an unoccupied space among the shades near the bow of the ship. The knights put themselves between them and the souls less one of the dead wish to experience running blood one last time. The Marshall joined the Equestrians at the bow as the daemon closed the chest to prepare for departure. The old fiend withdrew the ramp and took up his spot at the stern. With a solid thump of the oar, the creaking vessel began to move under the power of the unseen rowers. Soon the shantytown disappeared into the darkness as the ferry sped through the brackish waters.

“It’s certainly is no pleasure cruise but it’s still exciting.” Rarity said brightly. “I only wish the ghosts would stop staring at us. I normally like the attention but I don’t think they are admiring our figures.”

“Right. They are imagining getting to the blood pumping through your veins; to feel alive once more.” A unicorn knight told her bluntly, earning a look of wide-eyed horror from the pearl mare. “They should knock it off once we reach the other side.”

“And what is on the other side?” Dash asked suspiciously.

“You’ll find out soon enough, speedy.” The Undying said plainly.

The rest of the voyage was carried out in quietly save for the gossiping of the newly departed. The poisonous waters turned inky black with phantom faces burbling below the surface as one netherworld river fed into another. Through it all the academic Alicorn committed as much as she could to memory from the geography to the design of her escort’s armor. As she looked over the Grand Marshall, something about him reminded her of another officer close to her heart.

“Excuse me?” She asked aloud. “Do any of you know a Shining Armor? Unicorn stallion, white coat, blue mane, tended to leave his fetlocks unshod. He passed a few months ago.”

There was a moment of silence as the knights looked around unsurely. A few turned toward their Grand Marshall who shook his head.

“I know him by reputation.” The minotaur finally answered. “More than that, I cannot say.”

“Oi, I actually caught a glimpse of him at da flashy empire.” The diamond dog recalled. “He wuz plenty killy and ‘arder than ol’ Dugore. Not bad for a prancy pony.”

“The Empire? You were with those legion ruffians?” Rarity eyed the gem hound critically.

“I wuz but me n’ a couple otherz quit after dat spooky Sombra took over.” The late legionnaire explained like he was discussing the weather. “Ran into sum of Sunbutt’s golden boyz in da mountains n’ now I’m down ‘ere crumpin’ ‘eads fer da Dread Boss.”

“So dying only made you stronger.” Dash gave an impressed smirk. “Cool.”

“Land ho!” An observant shade called out excitedly as their destination finally came into view.

In contrast to the sandy shore they had left behind, the landscape before them was a veritable grey wall of jagged stone. The one break in the rocky bulwark was a small cove where another stone dock had been constructed. Beyond the inlet, they could see a narrow passage carved out of the rock leading inland. With controlled ease, the ferry daemon guided his craft to the pier and docked with little more than a hard bump.

“Alright, everybody off.” He grunted as he dropped the gangplank and started shooing shades off his boat.

The Undying and their charges waited for the dead to disembark before they moved onto dry land. After sharing a quick nod with the Marshall, the ancient ferry pushed off from the dock to return to the shantytown. The spectral host milled about unsure where to go next.

“Through there.” One of the unicorns pointed toward the cleft in the rock face. “We’ll have a straight shot home.”

The souls wasted no time in filing through the gap with the knights bringing up the rear. There was little in ways of illumination in the narrow passage beyond Sparkle’s shimmering shield. A few of the more impatient shades started shoving each other in an effort to get ahead until the tunnel finally opened up to rocky fields and ashen meadows under the omnipresent black sunless sky. A well-traveled road paved with pulverized bones illuminated by more caged ghost lights led to a sprawling metropolis.

“The style matches the one in the shrine.” Sparkle mused as she observed the monochrome stone and marble structures. “This may be the oldest city in existence.”

“Welcome to the Necropolis.” The Marshall announced to the soon-to-be citizens as he crossed the threshold of the city of the dead. “Most of you will call it home, the rest are only passing through.”

As the new arrivals traversed the osseous streets, they were greeted by the sight of shades going about their eternal afterlife. Merchants stood quietly behind humble stalls as equally quiet customers perused their wares, the art of haggling lost in a city free of wants and needs. Those from normally hostile nations now conversed in the quiet tongue of the dead, oblivious to their former allegiances in life.The Equestrians noticed that the equine shades bore neither cutie marks nor any other distinguishing features other than a powerless horn or useless wings.

“I can barely tell any of them apart.” Applejack said quietly as they neared the forum of the Necropolis.

“The statuses and titles of the living are null and void down here.” A unicorn knight said ominously. “Noble or peasant; king or slave, all are equal in the eyes of the Judges.”

“Judges?” Fluttershy asked shyly.

To answer, the knight gestured to the host of shades they had followed in. The once talkative and excited crowd had grown deathly quiet. They unconsciously formed an ordered line toward an ornate complex that dominated the center of the city. One by one, they silently entered the building where the authoritative bangs of a judge’s gavel could be heard.

“It is in the Halls of Justice that the virtues and sins of the dead are weighed and judgement is passed.” The Marshall explained solemnly. “The righteous are rewarded while the wicked are condemned.”

“Da in-between stay ‘ere.” The diamond dog finished in an equally gloomy manner.

“Every soul is held to the same standard regardless of power or privilege.” Sparkle thought as she watched the shades go to their doom. “Not only is justice blind, it is cold and precise.”

“Brr! All this talk of fate and doom is chilling my balloons.” Pinkie said with a shiver. “Let’s get out of here.”

Now deprived of their spectral travel companions, the small group continued on through the Necropolis to its outskirts. They passed a few more shades, likely former farmers, tending the few pitiful plants that managed to grow in the rocky soil of the Sunless Lands but something far more impressive caught their attention.

“Whoa.” Dash said in a small voice. “Now that is a castle.”

The prismatic pegasus pointed ahead of them up an incline of jagged outcrops. Atop the rough hill stood a citadel of cyclopean onyx walls and looming towers. Movement could be seen along the ramparts as more knights patrolled their stronghold.

“This is Barathrum.” The Marshall said as he spread his forelegs wide over the imposing visa. “Bastion of our Order and court of the Silent King.”

As the visitors drank in the sight, the academic Alicorn noticed an anomaly. A lone tower attached by a buttress was enveloped in a wild miasma of arcane colors in stark contrast to the rest of the superstructure. If she squinted, she could see the shadow of an equine figure dancing among the magical chaos.

“I think we found Trixie.” Sparkle thought with a worrisome shake of her head. “What has she gotten into?”

The group approached the imposing ebony front gates where a sentry spotted them. After calling out something in Khthonic, the gates swung open to allow them entry. Inside the gatehouse, the Equestrians were greeted by looming creatures with a single piercing eye in the middle of their head.

“What the-?!” Applejack recoiled as one of the beasts fixed its singular gaze on her.

“Cyclopes.” A knight said factually. “Don’t let their appearance fool you, you will find no better artisans in the entire Underworld.”

After the apple farmer offered an apologetic look to the monsters, the small group reached the end of the hall and through another set of heavy ebony doors. This one opened up to an open air courtyard filled with black and gnarled trees that appeared to have been transplanted from the dark forest and decorated with the bones of various creatures. Towering above the Boneyard was a cathedral-like keep of gothic spires and flying buttresses. The Equestrians, save Luna, balked at the macabre sight while the Undying continued on.

“Here is where we were remade.” A unicorn said nostalgically. “Gifted strength and power we could only imagine in life.”

“I’m glad it is working out for you.” Rarity said as she shied away from a grinning skull.

In the center of the courtyard, an onyx pillar jutted out of the ground. As they drew closer, the equines could see statues of wretched and damned figures crawling and climbing over the protrusion. The figures included creatures of all type from griffons to dragons. At the top of the pillar was a wicked looking Alicorn screaming in terror at some unseen foe. Just below her were several creatures that could only be describe as demons and a centaur that bore an uncanny resemblance to Tirek.

“It appears Celestia is not the only one to keep statues of her enemies.” The Princess of the Night commented candidly. “If those are truly statues and not their petrified remains.”

“Ugh.” Sparkle fought off a wave of nausea.

“Come along, little ponies.” The minotaur urged them on. “We are almost at the palace.”

Through a set of cold iron doors that made the magically sensitive Rarity and Sparkle shiver, they were in Barathrum proper. The entrance hall of the dark palace was even more impressive than the gatehouse. Polished black marble columns decorated the halls with blazing ghost lights providing enough illumination to see while leaving the high vaulted ceiling in darkness. A blood red carpet that muted their hoof steps led to a final set of ornate doors flanked by two towering figures clad in armor even thicker than the knights and armed with long halberds.

“Giganties.” The Marshall said before somepony could ask. “We guard the land, they guard the palace.”

“You could use a few, Twi.” Applejack whispered to the newest Princess. “Imagine those bruisers guarding your tree-palace.”

“They would scare off anypony who wanted to see me.” The Princess of Magic thought. “That is not completely a bad thing.”

The officer nodded in greeting to each of the looming guard as he approached the doors. He stood still for a moment as if contemplating something before he turned to the Equestrians.

“My Lord is just beyond this door.” He said in a deadly serious tone. “I will remind you that you are guests in his realm.”

“We understand.” Sparkle said with a sideways look at her friends who nodded in agreement.

“Good.” The officer nodded as he opened the final portal to the throne room. “Oh, you can drop the barrier Princess Sparkle; you are safe from the claws of the Underworld in here.”

The Alicorn looked up at her shield to find it was no longer shimmering from invisible attempts to breach it. Slowly and carefully, she reduced the flow of magic to it. When none of her friends collapsed, she cut it entirely.

“Ow.” The lavender mare pressed a fore hoof against her temple as the onset of a magically induced headache set in. “I knew that maintaining that for too long would happen.”

After a few more moments, the Grand Marshall of the Undying Order opened the throne room stood aside. The Equestrians trotted in with the knights close behind them. The very heart of Barathrum was a sight to behold for mortal eyes. A long nave separated from two narrower aisles by rows of black marble columns and illuminated by braziers containing pale ghost lights led to a perpendicular transept with enough space for supplicants to gather. At the foot of each column stood an armored giganties armed with their customary halberd and the addition of a tower shield engraved with potent warding runes. The nave ended in a curved apse adorned with stain glass windows depicting a collection of dark and malevolent entities in the center with scenes of war and cataclysm on the left and right respectively. Below these grim windows was the seat of power in the Sunless Lands; a masterpiece of carved black stone set in a raised base with a few steps leading up to it to ensure that whomever sat in it was still the tallest in the room. Four praetorian giganties, larger than all the rest and adored with silver trimmed capes stood resolutely around the throne, two at the foot of the steps and two on either side of the throne.

Within the Immortal Throne sat the dreaded Silent King himself, a dour and dignified giant of a stallion pale of face and stygian of mane and beard that the doors at Avernus did not do justice. Black robes the shifted and billowed like smoke beneath silvered vestments and esoteric accoutrements along with a two-pronged staff by his side gave him more the appearance of a cleric of the old faiths than a king. His dark, unreflective eyes slowly swept over the unicorn, pegasi, earth ponies and Alicorns than had been brought before him, his pallid face betraying no emotion.

“Heroines and Princesses of Equestria.” The Lord of Shades spoke in a cool, neutral voice. “Welcome.”

“The Silent King is not so silent.” Twilight Sparkle thought as she stood before the sovereign Lord of the Sunless Lands. “Then again, that might just be an honorific title.”

The sound of metal plates clanking and shuffling caught her attention. Stealing a quick glance behind her, the Alicorn found that their knightly escorts had arrayed themselves behind the Equestrians and stood at rigid attention. Between them and the stoic giganties along the perimeter of the room and at the Dark Lord’s side, the equines were sorely outnumbered.

“Not to mention the legions of monsters, knights and Celestia knows what else roaming the palace and surrounding area.” The lavender Princess thought. “Diplomacy is the safest course of action for now. Plus, if this ends amicably, I could learn so much about the ancient past!”

“Come now, no need to be shy.” The King’s even yet authoritative voice cut through her thoughts like a knife. “Approach my throne so that we may speak like civilized creatures.”

The Alicorn of Magic unconsciously took a breath and trotted forward, taking comfort in the fact that her friends were with her. The alert praetorians watched her every move as she came to a stop at the foot of the stairs. As the lavender Princess looked back up at the Overlord of the Underworld, she noticed something she had not paid much attention to before.

“He doesn’t have a horn or wings.” The mare who had spent most of her life under the rule of Alicorns realized. “So that wasn’t some artistic license with the mural at the gates; the ruler of the dead is just an earth pony albeit a very big one. Then again, this might be one of those ‘a form you are comfortable with’ scenarios and his true self has a crown of horns with wings of hellfire!”

“It is impolite to stare.” The pale horse said neutrally.

“Wait... I’ve been told that before.” The pieces fell into place in the Princess’s mind. “In the same tone…”

“Grey?” The lavender Alicorn asked. “Is that you?”

“One of the newest of my many names.” The once disembodied animus answered with an affirmative nod. “It is more appropriate now given my complexion but I had to choose between that and Silent King, I prefer the regal title.”

“How ‘bout back-stabbing snake?” Applejack interjected angrily. “You lied to us!”

“Applejack, careful.” The more tactful Princess watched the King for a sign of impending wrath but he seems as nonplussed as ever. “You’re right but provoking the stallion who gets final say on the fate of your soul is beyond stupid.”

“Lied? My dear Ms. Applejack, I have only lied about being a Merchant Prince to Ms. Rarity and Princess Sparkle.” The Theoi said with a factual air. “For what it is worth, I do apologize for the deception but it was necessary considering what I am. It was not even my idea to begin with.”

“So that was him at the Gala.” Sparkle mused to herself. “I’ll give him credit; he has enough tact to not flaunt his status which is more than I can say for some.”

“No need to apologize to me, darling.” Rarity said as she played with a curl of her mane in a flirty manner. “If anything, humbling yourself by adopting the lesser title of prince is quite…becoming.”

“Oh for the love of- put your tail down, Rarity!” Dash admonished the pearl unicorn. “I can’t believe you’re trying to woo the guy who played you for a sap to get in with the rest of us.”

“Well, he said he was sorry.” Pinkie chimed in. “That puts us on back on even ground at least.”

“The hay it does!” Applejack fumed. “If he had just lied to avoid getting tar n’ feathered, maybe, but he’s been hustling around with that show off, Trixie! Who knows what sort of trouble they’ve gotten into?”

“Didn’t she just pay double for your entire cider stock?” Fluttershy pointed out quietly. “I don’t see any sort of trouble with that.”

“That has nothing to do with this!” The incensed apple farmer retorted a bit more harshly than she intended. “I mean… sorry, Shy, but one good deed doesn’t make up for ah bushel of bad ones.”

“It is a step in the right direction.” The fashionista insisted only for the prismatic pegasus to jab her in the side.

“What did I just say?” Dash said past gritted teeth. “Don’t take his side!”

“We are off to a good start.” Sparkle rolled her eyes as her not always harmonious friends bickered. “And we haven’t even asked about the dragon yet.”

“BE STILL!” Princess Luna suddenly shouted in the window-rattling Royal Canterlot voice. “Laborer, weather mare, rein in your outrage. Seamstress, control your libido. None of this will avail us down here.”

“I would not say that.” The King said plainly. “But the Lunar Princess has a point; you did not brave the perils of Erebos just to quarrel amongst yourselves.”

Fluttershy unconsciously traced a hoof along the bruise on her throat. Her arguing friends noticed this and looked away ashamedly. Both royals were right; in-fighting solved nothing.

“In fact, you all have journeyed quite far to reach my deathly domain.” The Khthonic Theoi said as if an idea had come to mind. “You must be famished. Allow me to provide refreshments.”

“After all that and he’s still playing the gracious host?” The lavender Alicorn thought. “At least he’s patient but I doubt I want to see what happens if he reaches his limit.”

The Necroarch did not wait for the Equestrians to answer as he made a simple gesture with a hoof. The floor trembled beneath the equines as a long table with accompanying stone chairs rose out of the ground. The deep shadows of the throne room washed over the table, leaving silver covered dishes and cups for drinks. The equines looked unsurely at the prepared meal before Pinkie eagerly took a seat and tasted the beverage.

“Pinkie!” Applejack shouted aghast. “That could be poison!”

“Mmm! Nope!” The pink pony announced with a satisfied smile. “It’s your cider, AJ.”

“I did not know what each of your preferred drinks were.” The pallid stallion explained as a dutiful servant brought him his own glass of the coveted cider. “So I went with something I know you all enjoy.”

“You got that right!” Dash said as she zipped into a seat and immediately downed the sought after drink, her distrust of their host momentarily forgotten. “Ahh, that’s the good stuff.”

With neither mare keeling over from poisoned cider, the remaining Equestrians took their seats. Sparkle was about to sit in the one opposite the Silent King’s throne when Luna cut her off with a disapproving frown. Confused but unwilling to argue over seating arrangements the younger Alicorn backed off and found a chair beside Rarity. The friends removed the covers to reveal their meals were dishes of pale asphodels, except Luna’s who had moonflowers, and sweet smelling ambrosia.

“This isn't all that bad.” Sparkle thought as she munched on a pale petal. “Then again, he probably has a kitchen staff made up of the best chefs in history.”

“So, Heroines of Equestria, what brings you to my dark world?” The King asked coolly as he watched his guests dine over the rim of his drink. “You mentioned Trixie Lulamoon during your…disagreement.”

At the mention of the magician, Applejack attempted to renew her accusations but was foiled by the food in her mouth. Sparkle took the opportunity to speak before her well-meaning but stubborn friend could finish chewing.

“She has stolen several powerful artifacts and relics from Princess Luna’s gallery.” The scholarly mare said in a tone she hoped did not sound accusatory. “Her trail has led right to your doorstep.”

“And don’t try to pretend you don’t know her.” Dash added less tactfully. “We know that you and Trixie have been working together for months now.”

“Maybe more than working…” Pinkie teased with a wink aimed at the stone-faced stallion.

“Pinkie, are you trying to make him smite you?” The wary Princess gave her pink friend a sideways look that she did not seem to notice.

“Is that relevant, baker?” Luna seemed to share her fellow Alicorn’s concern.

“I see you have spoken with the proprietors of that tavern in Hollow Shades.” The Dark Lord said in his thus far unwavering neutral tone. “Yes, Lulamoon and I have been working together in a mutually beneficial partnership.”

“Ha, you make it sound like a business transaction.” Sparkle said with a short laugh before something dreadful occurred to her. “Wait, she didn’t sell her soul to you, did she?”

“I receive all souls eventually so attempting to sell one to me is redundant.” The Theoi answered, causing an uncomfortable shiver to run through the mortals. “In exchange for not leaving her to wander the world as a vagabond, she has provided her services to me and my realm.”

“Only thing she’s good at is putting on overblow magic shows and inflating her own ego.” Dash said suspiciously. “Unless you had her strip dance for these kick-ass knights of yours, I don’t see how she could help you.”

“Maybe she got some super-sneaky thief training down here!” Pinkie speculated aloud. “Ooh! Even better, she learned some dark magic that even you haven’t heard of, Twilight!”

“If she has, I have no doubt she would rub my nose in it.” The Princess of Magic thought as inklings of jealously passed through her mind only to be quickly quelled by her own sense of pride. “Don’t think like that. If Grey has baited Trixie with the lure of forbidden power, it is my duty to pull her out.”

“Why not ask her yourself?” The stygian sovereign asked rhetorically as he stamped his staff down on the cold stone twice.

The twin reports echoed eerily through the throne room and beyond. In the tense silence that followed, the air gained a charge as unseen magic flowed where there once was only void. A tiny pinprick of baleful light manifested between the table and the throne, shimmering and wavering with ill-contained power. With a thunderous boom that made the guests jump in their seats, the light exploded into a writhing miasma of shadows intermixed with arcane glyphs and bolts of eldritch lightning; a dark version of the former showmare’s smoke bomb and confetti entrance. The tenebrous smoke cleared to reveal the magician herself, clothed in a macabre version of her characteristic hat and cape; both were now a deep navy with strange gold symbols that appeared to be made from a dragon’s hide. This was reinforced by the fact that Trixie has used bits of bone to reinforce her new outfit including coiling a length of spinal column around her hat to help it keep shape.

“You summoned the Great of Powerful Trixie?” The azure unicorn asked with a respectful bow to her king.

“We have guests, Archmage.” The Silent King said with a nod toward the Equestrians. “They have been looking for you.”

“Archmage?” Sparkle thought as their target turned to face them, revealing her glowing crimson eyes. “Oh no.”

“Oh, it’s them.” Lulamoon narrowed her eyes in absolute contempt for the ponies before her.

“Trixie…” Sparkle said with a solemn shake of her head. “What have you done?”

“Dove head first into the dark side, that’s what she’s done!” Applejack said with a derisive snort. “No good witch!”

“Keep up that attitude and Trixie will hog tie you with your entrails, work horse.” Lulamoon said icily before she turned her wicked glare toward her not quite former rival. “To answer your question, ‘princess’, Trixie has found her true calling in service to a god; same as you.”

“That is not…” The youngest Alicorn trailed off as she thought about how she had earned her cutie mark and all that happened afterward.

“Granted, Trixie did not nearly destroy Canterlot by rapidly maturing a dragon but she did slay one, as you can see.” The azure unicorn continued with a showy swish of her new ensemble.

“Oh…my.” Fluttershy paled in horror.

“I’m really glad Spike it not here.” Sparkle thought.

“So you turned your back on Equestria just for some new duds?” Dash asked with a condescending frown. “That’s low.”

“No. Low was when the Old and Inferior Trixie, after having been humiliated yet again by you naysayers, was robbed of what little possessions she had and taken captive to be some bandit’s meal ticket.” Lulamoon spat back with an angry flash in her eyes. “But now the New and Improved Trixie has status, power that does not come from some silly amulet and a home with actual foundations. So did Trixie turn her back on Equestria? Yes and she only regrets not doing it sooner.”

“As an aside, I merely offered the position.” The Silent King added neutrally. “Her opinion on Equestria is entirely hers.”

“I think he’s telling the truth this time.” Sparkle thought with a sigh of resignation. “Unless by some miracle I figure out how to make amends, Trixie is lost to us.”

“So is that why you robbed us?” Rarity asked incredulously. “To get revenge on us for abandoning you?”

“Bah! You think too small, seamstress.” Lulamoon said dismissively. “While the thought of depriving you of all that you love is appealing, the Sublime and Content Trixie is satisfied with outlasting you and living a life of luxury.”

“If not for revenge, then what?” Applejack returned to the pearl unicorn’s original question. “Money? More power? Some sick thrill?”

“Is it stealing if you are returning things to their rightful owners?” The Archmage asked. “In a way, Luna stole those relics first.”

“Looting a vanquished foe is hardly the same.” Said Alicorn deadpanned.

“Semantics.” The azure unicorn shrugged. “The point is some of your vanquished foes wanted their stuff back.”

“That’s it?” Dash said skeptically. “You went to Canterlot just to pick up a few things for some dead dudes?”

“Well, there was one in particular.” Lulamoon quickly checked with the King and continued when he nodded. “The Hand of Death wanted his sword back; the Kingslayer or Black Blade, if you will.”

“The Hand of…” Sparkle paused as it occurred to her just what this daemon was. “You mean the Grim Reaper?”

“You will find that many of us down here go by many names.” The Necroarch said plainly. “But yes, my loyal servant was deprived of his weapon of choice and Archmage Lulamoon recovered it in Canterlot.”

“Wow, you beat Death itself, Princess.” Dash regarded Luna with a smirk. “Badass.”

“I thought Death used a scythe.” Fluttershy said with a frightful shiver. “That’s how he is described in old storybooks.”

“Scythe for the common rabble, sword for royalty or those that Fate deems important like heroes.” The Khthonic Archmage explained candidly. “Guess who you get to see later?”

“I get it now!” Pinkie said excitedly as the yellow pegasus shrunk in her seat. “You steal back Grim’s sword plus a few other goodies then you release the dragon to cover your tracks!”

“Not exactly.” The Theoi said coolly, causing the pink party pony to deflate somewhat at having been shot down again. “The dragon laying waste to Canterlot was not part of the plan.”

“So you did release Suneater!” Dash pointed an accusatory hoof at the stygian stallion. “You evil mother-“

“Dash, wait.” Sparkle slapped her friend’s hoof down before she looked back at the Theoi. “What do you mean ‘not part of the plan’?”

“While Lulamoon retrieved the relics, I was to free the Black Dragon you call Suneater from his prison.” The King explained calmly. “The three of us were to leave Canterlot and return here with none the wiser. Unfortunately, there were... complications.”

The Dread Lord glanced downward at his Archmage who looked away sheepishly as she trotted away from the table and stood beside one of the praetorians. Sparkle did not notice this as her mind went into overdrive. The break in and robbery of Luna’s gallery and the release of the infamous dragon prince were indeed related but the motivation behind the later eluded her. If not for a distraction, then for what purpose?

“This ‘complication’ of yours killed thousands!” Applejack said angrily.

“Three thousand one hundred seven, to be exact.” The Lord of Shades said flatly. “All of them made it down here and I must admit I am impressed that for all the politicking and backstabbing that is characteristic of the denizens of Canterlot, only two hundred three were condemned to Tartarus.”

“That is still pretty high.” Sparkle thought. “I didn’t think Canterlot was that bad but then again, I haven’t lived there in years.”

“Don’t use your fancy numbers to muddle the issue!” The apple farmer huffed as the statistics went in one ear and out the other. “Bad apples or not, they’re dead ‘cuz of you!”

“Yeah! For all we know, you were planning on using Suneater to attack Equestria later!” Dash concurred. “He just jumped the gun and started early!”

“Girls, please!” Sparke silenced her accusatory friends with a quick shout and a hard look. “I’m not disagreeing with you but at least give him the chance to explain.”

“You can’t believe a word that goes past that silver tongue of his.” Applejack grumbled but sat back in her seat nonetheless.

“The dragon whom you call Suneater and I are old friends.” The Khthonic Theoi answered the unspoken question. “I know him as the Lord of Darkness.”

“Lord of-!” The weather mare’s pupils shrank as she realized just what she had charged that faithful night. “Whoa.”

“Indeed.” The caliginous cleric continued coolly. “He was in need and what type of friend would I be if I just left him down there under that mountain?”

“I know what he’s doing.” Sparkle thought as the Dread Lord look directly at her as he asked the rhetorical question. “He’s trying to throw a friendship lesson back at me.”

“Friends don’t let friends burn down half the world.” The lavender Alicorn said critically, recalling what she had read of the Black Dragon’s exploits.

“How very right you are.” The King nodded in agreement. “That is why I kept them in check until my untimely absence.”

“Huh?” Sparkle cocked her head to the side.

“Along with keeping the dead, my Lord also has the unenviable task of imposing order on the Khthonic Pantheon.” An Undying knight explained with an air of reverence. “They are primordial beings who long imposing their dark will on the world of the living. While they may have been at the very least content in the Sunless Lands, when the opportunity came to claim the surface, they took it.”

“You were not present to hear this but Celestia and I learned he was reduced to an animus and exiled long ago.” The Lunar Princess whispered. “He has only regained physical form recently.”

The Alicorn of Magic absorbed this new information and mulled it over. If what she was being told was true, the Silent King was the only thing keeping the ambitions of these dark gods in check. In emancipated Suneater when he did, he may have averted a greater catastrophe than if the Black Dragon had escaped on his own after the last of Starswirl’s spell had run its course. That still left a few important questions however.

“Where is Suneater now?” The academic Alicorn asked.

“In his abode out in Erebos.” The Theoi answered with a casual wave of his hoof. “You might have passed it on your way in.”

“You said there was a Pantheon of freaks like him? How many more are there?” Dash asked, earning looks from her friends. “What? I can know what a Pantheon is!”

“With Suneater’s return, only one remains.” The Dark Lord said neutrally as he finished the last of his drink.

“So after you get him or her back, there’ll be one less monster in the world and you’ll have all your old friends back.” Pinkie went through another one of her summaries. “Things go back to normal and everypony wins!”

“No.” The Silent King shook his head. “I think not.”

“Aw, why?” The pastry baker pouted.

The Theoi stole quick glances at Lulamoon and the Grand Marshall, both of whom gave brief nods of understanding. Immediately, the entire atmosphere in the throne room changed. What was once slight unease from addressing dark side royalty morphed into a tense dread as the knights and giganties stood at attention as if awaiting an unspoken order. The Archmage started to murmur mantras under her breath as if trying to remember something.

“I got a really bad feeling about this.” Sparkle thought as she looked toward the door only to find a pair of guards had moved in front of it.

“Long before Equestria was even an idea, the world was divided into realms ruled by my brothers and sisters.” The stygian sovereign said coolly. “Out of respect for their dominion, I did my best to stay out of their politics and ensured the Primordial did the same. But my siblings are gone now, leaving me as the sole heir to their realms.”

“Well, you are a few thousand years late to claim inheritance.” Dash said with a not quite confident smirk. “The Alicorns rule the world now.”

“I am well aware.” The Theoi fixed the prismatic pegasus with a soul piercing stare. “I am also aware that their rule is crumbling; the invasion and destruction of the Crystal Empire cost you Cadenza and her crystal ponies' respect, the Shockwaves have shaken your subject’s sense of security and now the desolation of Canterlot has compromised their faith in said Alicorns.”

“That last one was your fault!” Applejack pointed out.

“Yes, the Alicorns of the Sun and Moon were nearly slain by accident.” The Silent King said neutrally. “Imagine if I desired their deaths.”

“You forget, your mute majesty, that more than Alicorns defend Equestria!” Pinkie exclaimed, her cheerful demeanor having gave way to a more serious side. “There is the Royal, Solar and Night Guard to boot!”

“And us!” Rarity added, having finally decided that Grey was no longer the stallion that wooed her on the train. “Don’t think for a minute we would stand idle, villain!”

“Why is he telling us this?” Sparkle thought suspiciously. “He has gone out of his way to remain hidden from us but now he is telling us his plan like a stereotypical villain. He is up to something…”

“Of course you would not.” The Overlord of the Underworld said, maintaining his impassionate monotone. “How fortunate then that the six heroines who could oppose my plans are here before me… powerless…with my guards at their backs…”

It was then that Princess Sparkle noticed something. The Dread Lord had squared up in his throne while one of his praetorians leaned his halberd forward and loosed his grip. Both were looked at Rainbow Dash. The prismatic pegasus’ wings were twitching expectantly as she seemed to be judging the distance between her and the villain that had threaten her friends and their homes.

“It’s a trap!” The academic Alicorn realized as her friend’s eyes narrowed and her wings flared. “He wants us to attack him!”

“DASH! STOP!” Twilight shouted as the Element of Loyalty shot out of her seat like a bat out of hell.

Even without the innate magic of the Overworld that allowed pegasi to fly, the cyan mare’s wings were still plenty strong enough to propel her through the cool air with a rainbow contrail. Faster than most could blink, Dash cleared the table and snatched the polearm from the armored bodyguard.

“I won’t let you hurt my friends!” She shouted as she used her momentum to drive the weapon into the seated Theoi’s chest.

The pale horse glanced down at the halberd protruding from his body, completely unfazed by the pegasus’ attempt at regicide. He looked up at Dash whose expression turned from righteous anger to total shock. The two praetorians flanking the throne moved to either side of the would-be assassin.

“Thank you, Ms. Dash.” The Silent King said with a ghost of a smile on his thin lips, his first change in emotion since the equines had arrived.

The weather mare’s face fell at the dawning realization of what was about to happen. In perfect sync, the praetorians drove their halberds into Dash’s sides, skewering her like a roast. The impaled pegasus let out a blood-choked scream of pain as the cold steel crushed her ribs and punctured her lungs.

“DASH!” Applejack leapt out of her seat and tried to charge the throne to help her friend. “YOU SON OF A-!”

*CRACK*

The sharp report of spell discharging split the air as a black bolt of Khthonic energy struck the blonde earth pony in the back of the head. The mare fell forward and skidded across the floor before bumping into Lulamoon’s hooves, a coin-sized hole burned into the base of her skull. The Archmage looked down at the unmoving body and smiled malevolently.

*C-C-C-CRACK*

Four more staccato reports and Pinkie, Rarity and Fluttershy slumped forward or fell out of their chairs, dead before they realized it. It was only by pure instinct that Sparkle managed to dodge the shot aimed at her head by diving across the table, scattering the dishes of mostly eater food. As the Undying unicorns advanced with horns aglow with negative light, the lavender Princess tried to scramble out of the line of fire only for something to knock her hind legs out from under her. She looked behind her to find Luna smirking with a teal gleam in her eyes.

“Why di-“ The Princess of Magic did not get to finish as the knights fired upon their stationary target.

There was a brief but extraordinary moment of agony that surged through her body as the black bolts perforated her limbs and torso. The pain quickly gave way to a soul-numbing cold that spread from her chest to her extremities. Darkness crept into the peripherals of Sparkle’s vision as she felt the life draining out of her. Across from her, she could see the still forms of her friends. Rarity appeared to be reaching for her but Sparkle could tell from her glazed eyes she was already gone. The Alicorn tried to look for the rest of her friends but her body refused to respond. It was when her own vision unfocused that she knew that it was over.

“This wasn’t supposed to happen.” Twilight thought as she slipped into oblivion. “I’m so sorry…”

“Such is the fate of all heroes.” The Silent King said coolly as he closed Dash’s lifeless eyes with a hoof.

The praetorians who had slain the speedster withdrew their halberds with a sickening squelch and tossed the colorful corpse onto the table to join her late friends. The Theoi picked up his bident and eased himself out of the Immortal Throne. His unreflective eyes swept over the fallen heroines as his knights returned to their posts.

“I just threw away all the good will I had built up in Equestria.” The pallid pony mused as he pulled out the polearm Dash had used to stab him and returned it to its proper owner. “Time to see if it was worth it.”

The still seated and unharmed Alicorn of the Night looked at each of the slain Element Bearers in kind, her smirk growing into a smile and then a wide grin. Pure elation shone in her glowing teal eyes as a malicious giggle burbled up from within her.

“Ah-hahahahaha!” The Lunar Princess broke into a triumphant cackle that echoed about the room. “Oh Hidden One, you have made me the happiest mare in the world.”

“Either Luna was not as friendly with the six as I thought or Nightmare Moon has returned.” The Dark Lord thought as he trotted toward the rapturous royal. “I know it’s the latter but the possibility was there.”

“I figured you would enjoy that, Nightmare Moon.” The Theoi said evenly as he stepped over Pinkie’s cooling body. “Consider it a welcome back gift.”

“Oh, I know you only slew them to get them out of your way.” The Usurper smiled mischievously as her voice dropped into a more sinister register. “But I will cherish this sight nonetheless.”

The King reached the fallen Princess and offered her a hoof to help her out of her seat. She took it and nuzzled against him affectionately once she was on all fours, earning an irritated nicker from Lulamoon.

“If a hug gets under her skin, I should probably avoid telling her that we have slept together.” The pallid pony thought. “Likewise I should not let Moon know that Lulamoon has kissed me. Huh, there really is a trend in my female companions; even their names are similar.”

“Your minions did not attack me and you served me moonflowers.” The fallen Diarch commented as she pulled away. “You knew I was coming?”

“You gave yourself away at the gateway to my realm.” The King answered. “I imagine we have much to discuss but perhaps we should retire to someplace more private?”

“Yes, this room is a bit corpse strewn.” Moon said as she took another satisfied look at her hated but finally bested foes. “We could talk over a bottle of wine in your-“

“The Boneyard is a good spot.” The Archmage offered suddenly as she deposited Applejack’s corpse on the table beside Dash’s. “Not many guards or staff will bother you there.”

“That is an excellent idea, Trixie.” The Theoi affirmed before Moon could say otherwise. “Shall we?”

“Not what I had in mind.” The Usurper shot the now smirking killjoy a withering glare. “But if you insist.”

The stygian sovereign moved to the door leading back into the halls of his palace and held them open for the Alicorn. The dark Princess trotted through with an expectant smile on her face. The Silent King followed after her but not before giving a telling nod toward his Archmage and Grand Marshall. The two returned the nod as the imposing doors swung close with a hollow boom.

“One…two…three…” Armor counted the fading hoof steps of his patron and former Diarch beneath his breath. “…and four. Alright, Hand, you’re up.”

From the deep darkness that coalesced in the high vaulted ceilings, the raven-winged daemon dropped down from his perch and alighted on the table with nary a sound. The Reaper looked over the corpses of the heroines, his disdain for them evident despite his stoic mask.

“I thought they would put up more of a struggle once the blue and orange ones were silenced.” The harvester deadpanned in Khthonic as he drew the black-bladed Kingslayer and held it aloft. “What a pitiful age this is if these are considered 'heroes'.”

“They were outnumbered, outmatched and we had the element of surprise.” Lulamoon said with a satisfied smile as the lingering souls of her one time rival and hecklers were drawn out from their bodies. “Really, was there ever any doubt?”

“Focus.” Armor ordered sharply as he removed his face concealing helm and fixed his mussed mane. “I don’t want any screw ups with this.”

The daemon and azure unicorn discontinued their discussion as the translucent shades of the Equestrians manifested in the cool air. Their cries of confusion, despair and rage were but quiet whispers as each one was drawn into the phylactery component of the deadly blade. When it was done, the Hand of Death sheathed the sword as the pommel glowed with the presence of the souls within.

“They will be safe in Death’s hands until the ritual is complete.” Lulamoon read Armor’s uneasy expression and assured him. “Trixie speaks from experience.”

“Good.” The Marshall said as he signaled his Undying Knights. “Now we only have to worry about their bodies.”

The guards retrieved bundles of blankets embroidered with runes of preservation and warding from the shadowed aisles and carefully wrapped the fallen heroines in them. They had to take extra care with Rainbow Dash’s as the praetorians had nearly cut her in half and she had loss the most blood. Now securely swaddled, each one was carried on the back or in the arms of a knight and brought before Lulamoon. The azure mage enveloped them in her ruby hued magic that carried a calming, almost healing aura.

“Between those blankets and Trixie’s magic, they should have something empty to return to.” The former magician said assuredly. “Now we need to bring them to Trixie’s tower. She has prepared the ritual site there.

“Then let us hurry.” Armor said as he held the still form of his sister in conjured claws.

The Archmage, Grand Marshall, the knights and their precious cargo filed out of a side passage toward the ensorcelled tower. Once they were gone, servants entered with mops and brooms to clean up the mess of food, cider and blood left behind. While one plan was enacted, another was steadily coming to fruition as the Lord of Shades and corrupted Princess of the Night trotted through the marble halls of Barathrum and into the osseous courtyard.

"What will become of Sparkle and her little followers?" Moon inquired. "It occurred to me that death is not necessarily the end down here."

"Their bodies will be given the proper rites and given to the dust of Asphodel." The Necroarch answered knowingly. "Their souls will be judged and sentenced just like everyone else's."

"Eventually." He mentally added.

"Is that all?" The Usurper sounded surprised. "No eternity of torment or sealing them away in that Pillar of yours?"

"That is all." The Theoi confirmed. "It behooves me not to unjustly punish my new subjects."

"Ah, I see." Moon grinned evilly. "So you get the pleasure of both slaying your enemies and ruling over them. Stallion after my own heart."

"I would say it is more out of pragmatism than pleasure." The Lord of Shades thought to himself.

The two trotted on toward the center of the macabre Boneyard. As the gurning figures of the looming Pillar of Agony came into view, the pallid pony noticed that his companion was somewhat overdressed.

“No need for the hood, Nightmare Moon.” He told the still hooded mare. “I know who you are now.”

“Ha, I had almost forgotten I was wearing this.” The navy Alicorn said with a short laugh. “One moment.”

With a quick flick of her head, she cast off the hood which disintegrated into a mass of bats that disappeared into the sunless sky. The mare beneath looked like Luna save for her shorter mane and were it not for her stub of a horn and still bound wings, the King would have never guessed she had been mauled by a dragon/Primordial. Still, he felt the need to address it.

“I do apologize for your injuries.” The pale horse said plainly as he gestured toward her head and body. “What I told the Element Bearers was true; I meant no harm.”

“Nonsense, my dear Dread Lord.” Moon dismissed his apology with casual wave. “Had you not, I might not have been able to finally escape my mental prison. I only wish I had retained my horn and not had to expend all my power just to enter the waking world.”

“Ah, that explained why she still looks like Luna.” The Theoi mused.

“But soon both will be returned to me.” The Usurper said expectantly. “And the world will be thrown into eternal ni-“

“How so?” The King interrupted her pontificating with a simple question.

“With your help, actually.” The corrupted Princess answered. “You see…”

Moon explained how she need to travel to the moon to not only restore her power but also release the Lady of the Stars from whatever prison she was being held in. To that end, she had accompanied the unaware and now dead heroines on their hunt for Suneater so that she may use him to get there. Short of being banished all over again, he was the only one capable of flying her to the moon.

“I see.” The Dark Lord thought as the night mare spoke. “The Lady plans to use her as a catalyst to facilitate her release similar to how I used Dugore and Corona. I wonder if she will still have use for her once she is free.”

“We have helped each other in the past.” Moon said slyly as they reached the Pillar of Agony in the middle of the Boneyard. “Why not continue this fruitful relationship of ours?”

“As it so happens, I was in the middle of devising a way to bring our mutual friend back home before you arrived.” The robed stallion said neutrally. “No need to convince me.”

“What if I wanted to convince you?” The fallen Alicorn asked teasingly as she tickled his bearded chin with a shoed hoof. “I have so many ways to make you say yes.”

“Like transforming in the middle of sex?” The Necroarch thought. “Tempting but there are more pressing matters to attend to.”

“We will have time to test that after the Lady of the Stars has returned to us.” He said as he righted the Princess’ slightly askew tiara.

“You tease.” Moon pouted. “But you are right. So what would it take to make Suneater take us to my moon?”

“Not much.” The Khthonic Theoi answered as he motioned for the Alicorn to give him some space. “If he thought dressing like a clown for one of Pinkie’s parties would reunite him with his beloved, he would do it.”

“Maybe not the clown part but he is truly devoted to her.” He mused. “As she is to him.”

The pale horse stamped his bident down once with a thunderous boom and shouted of something in Khthonic that made Moon’s ears hurt. The call echoed across Asphodel and the forest of Erebos before fading back into silence. Once her ears stopped ringing, the Alicorn was about to ask what the Dread Lord had said when other sound caught her attention. It was not the rhythmic beating of wings like she expected but rather a mix between wind blowing and water burbling. The pitch blackness above them suddenly shifted as tenebrous limbs reached out of the sunless sky and touched down amongst the gnarled trees.

“You called, Hidden One?” The Lord of Darkness’ Khthonic voice came from all around them.

“I see you have managed to regain your nebulous form, Shifting Darkness.” The Lord of Shades observed plainly. “Impressive.”

“Indeed but I have not been able to shift into anything else beyond this and my draconic self.” The Primordial rumbled. “But I doubt you called me here just to ask about my magnificent body.”

“Correct.” The Theoi nodded as he waved Moon forward. “You remember Princess Luna?”

“The Alicorn that tried to shoot us down in the storm, yes.” The nebulous darkness rumbled. “I see that it survived.”

“Not completely.” The King said plainly. “This is Nightmare Moon; her alter ego and agent of Night Sky.”

“Oh?” Even without features, the Alicorn could tell the Primordial was now intently focused on her.

The Usurper took a breath and reiterated what she had told the Dark Lord. She had scarcely finished when the writhing darkness congealed into the familiar shape of Suneater. Echoes of pain made themselves known in the corrupted mare’s body as the beast solidified before her eyes.

“So the moon is the key to my consort’s release?” The Black Dragon said as he lowered a wing for the Theoi and Alicorn to climb onto his back. “Then let us waste no time!”

“You were right, he didn’t need convincing.” Moon gave the King a look of relief as she trotted up the wing and found a hold amongst the Primordial’s spines.

“He is rather easy to manipulate that way.” The pale horse thought as he joined the Princess of the Night on the back of his old friend.

Once his passengers were secure, Suneater took to the air and flew into the sunless sky. With now habitual ease, the Overlord of the Underworld held out a hoof and commanded the quiet earth of his domain to part. On the surface, in the untamed wilds of the Everfree far from any civilization, tremors shook the ground. Terrified animals scattered as a yawning fissure split the earth and a tenebrous miasma spilled forth like smoke. With a roaring rush of air, the infamous dragon prince flew out of the abyss trailing ethereal darkness and tongues of baleful flame. As the ground closed behind him, Suneater continued his vertical ascent until he gained his bearings and sight of his destination.

“The moon hangs low in the sky.” The Lord of Darkness said in Khthonic. “It will be dawn before long.”

“True but we will not have to worry about patrols until the morning hours.” The Lord of Shades responded coolly. “We will have cross into the void of space by then, if you make haste.”

Leveling off in a roughly westward direction toward the pale orb, the Black Dragon rocketed through the air like a shadowed comet as the first rays of dawn began to brighten the horizon. As they climbed higher and higher into the atmosphere, Moon looked over the land she so jealously coveted.

“To think this may be the last dawn Equestria ever sees.” She said wistfully.

“Perhaps.” The Silent King thought as he looked over the vista as well. “But I know more than a few who would not go quietly into eternal night.”

The mighty forest became a blanket of sylvan greens and browns. Great cities shrank into pinpricks of light against an uneven canvas of mountains and plains with bursts of white and gray as they broke through the uppermost cloud layers. The once flat landscape began to distort as they flew high enough to perceive the curvature of the planet. The colors of the dawning sky began to fade into night as the air thinned into nothing. Before long, the roaring winds fell silent and the infinite void of outer space opened up before them.

Another day broke over Equestria. Solar Princess Celestia grimaced in accursed pain as she pulled the sun above the eastern horizon. With a haggard gasp of relief, the alabaster Alicorn completed her morning ritual and the last of her sister's night was chased away by her blazing orb’s brilliance. Such a sight was usually invigorating for the Solar Princess but today was different. Where she should have felt hope for what the new day would bring, she instead felt unease. The elder Diarch could not say for certain but it was almost like something terrible had happened.

“I have not heard from Luna or Twilight.” Celestia thought as she composed herself and looked out over her awakening nation. “It has only been a day but I hate being left out of the loop.”

Half expecting something to fall out of the sky or a distant mountain to explode, the Princess of the Day waited for the world to justify her fears. When the worst that happened was an errant cloud zipping past her balcony with a still half-asleep pegasus in pursuit, Celestia let out a long sigh.

“Good morning, my little subjects.” The Alicorn grumbled halfheartedly as she trotted back into her quarters.

As she passed her extensively refurbished bed, the eldest Princess’ mind wandered toward her beloved sister and the ethereal realm she guarded. With Luna awake and busy assisting Twilight, Celestia knew that the Dream World would be a bit tumultuous without its guardian but the few precious hours she had allowed for sleep last night had been rough. Her dreams, or more appropriately nightmares, had been filled once more with scenes of Equestria in ashes beneath a burning sky. At the center of it all was not Suneater or some other villain like Tirek or Discord but the infernal version of herself.

“A…Nightmare Star?” The alabaster Alicorn tried to give this phantasmal entity an appropriate name. “No, no. That’s not quite right.”

Labeling aside, the phantasm had once again tormented her with portents of doom and destruction. Celestia had taken a page out of her sister’s playbook and rebuked the fiend rather than argue with it. It had worked but before the dream collapsed, the creature had said something that was not some spiteful barb or condescending speech.

“Our star must shine the brightest.” The Solar Princess murmured as she continued past her bed into her study. “Seeing that I command the sun, I think I have that taken care of.”

“Then again, the sun shines alone.” A different part of her mind pointed out.

Dismissing these musings as matters better left to her nocturnal counterpart, the Diurnal Diarch approached her desk to see what Canterlot had in store for her. In keeping with Luna’s instructions following the destruction of the Crystal Empire that Celestia had yet to rescind, the table was free of letters from concerned citizens and only had the court itinerary and a single letter attached to a decorated tube.

“Alright, who’s first?” The Alicorn thought as she unsealed the scroll and read the only name contained within. “…Blueblood?”

The infamous noble’s name along with ‘and guests’ stared back at her. She flipped the piece of parchment over to find nothing else written down. It appeared her adoptive nephew and his cronies were the only ones to make an appointment.

“Strange.” Celestia thought as she rolled the scroll back up and set it aside. “I least the morning court should be brief. Now, whose letter got through the screen?”

The Princess of the Day took the letter off the tube to find it bore the seal of the Crystal Empire. A cold weight dropped into her stomach as she broke the wax seal and read it.

“Dear Solar Princess Celestia of Equestria,

I don’t need to tell you what this scroll carrier contains. For what it’s worth, I tried to delay the ratification citing that Canterlot would be in chaos after the dragon attack and unable to respond but the elites and commoners were insistent. I hope you can understand that I must put the needs of my little equines first.

I am sorry. For everything.

Wishing you good health,

Empress Mi Amore Cadenza of the Crystal Empire”

The alabaster Alicorn put down the letter with a dark expression on her face. With hooves trembling in rising anger, she opened the tube and slid the rolled up parchment inside. Using weights to keep it open, she recognized the document the Alicorn of Love had shown her at the gala. ‘Declaration of Succession’ stared back at her in bold letters followed by a long list of grievances, some overblow others uncomfortably true, ending with Equestria’s absolute failure at defending its populace from threats within and without. At very bottom was a collection of signatures from various crystal equines with her now former adoptive niece’s elegant name right in the middle.

“Traitorous bitch!” Tongues of flame flickered across the Princess of the Sun’s short mane as she seethed in ill-contained rage. “I’ll cast her in crystal and leave her to watch as I finish what Luna started!”

A polite knock at the door derailed her train of vengeful thoughts. A guard on the other side announced that the palace doctor and his staff wanted to check up on her. The still furious Princess was tempted to send them away but a glance at the bandages around her limbs and barrel made her reconsider. Celestia rolled the incendiary piece of paper back up and took a few moments to reign in her wrath.

“This does not mean anything yet.” She reassured herself. “Once the first harvest comes or bandits start harassing them, they will see reason.”

“A visit from the Luminious Solarii might convince them faster.” A more militant side suggested.

“Uh, are you still there, your highness?” The guard on the other side asked.

“Yes, send them in.” The Alicorn sighed as the doors opened and the medics filed in.

“Good morning, your majesty.” The head doctor greeted with a smile. “How are you feeling?”

“Ugh. If I get asked that again, I’ll stitch his lips together with his horn.” The long suffering Diarch mentally grumbled.

“Better than the last time you asked.” Celestia answered plainly. “If I seem tired, it is because I did not get much sleep last night.”

“You, too?” A nurse spoke up. “I was up all night with night terrors; I kept seeing that dragon burning down villages.”

“Huh, I dreamt we were in the middle of a plague.” Another added.

“The Dream World is more reliant on Luna than I thought.” The only sister of the dream strider mused.

“Let’s focus on reality for the moment.” Celestia brought their attention back to her injuries. “I think I am over the worst of it but the burns still flare up whenever I use magic.”

“Hmm, we’ll take a look after we check your legs and wings.” The doctor said as he motioned for a cart loaded with medical supplies to be brought forward. “Your bandages need to be changed anyway.”

After enveloping their patient in a simple levitation spell to make it easier to care for her wounds without aggravating her magically sensitive burns, the doctors and nurses went to work. They took extra care near her wings and right hind leg. Where they had once been broken, they now were nearly healed and it would not be long before she could fly again.

“I heard Captain Sentry commissioned a new suit of armor for you, majesty.” A nurse commented as she tested the once casted leg. “One with healing enchantments.”

“Indeed.” The hovering Princess nodded as much as the spell allowed. “It provides the function of those casts and splints without making me look like a leaper.”

“Well, it appears to have worked.” A doctor said after testing her wings. “Now, let’s look at those wounds.”

With care and precision befitting their profession, the doctors and nurses removed the bandages around the Solar Alicorn’s body. The head doctor frowned as he revealed a burn, an angry red bordered by blackened dead flesh against a pristine coat of white. They appeared no better than the day the Princess was wheeled into his ward.

“No sign of progress but they don’t look any worse.” The unicorn noted for a nurse to record. “Can you use a bit of magic for us, your highness?”

Celestia unconsciously grimaced as she ignited her horn. As expected, a wave of smoldering agony wracked her frame. The medical staff recoiled when the burns gained a hellish glow and the smell of burnt flesh filled the air.

“Stop! That’s enough.” A doctor shouted which the Diarch happily complied. “Sun above, that’s something evil.”

“You don’t say?” The Princess rolled her rose eyes.

“Have you found a cure for it?” She asked, not expecting good news.

“I’m sorry, your highness.” The head doctor shook his head as he started reapplying the bandages. “Short of asking the dragon that did this how to break the curse, I can only recommend you try to avoid using your magic.”

“That may be difficult.” Celestia frowned. “The sun and moon won’t move themselves.”

“You could ask Princess Sparkle to do it.” A nurse suggested. “She has before.”

“Only because Tirek left us with no choice!” The imperious thought screamed from a prideful corner of the Alicorn’s mind. “I’d sooner force it to go supernova than let that sycophantic foal touch it again!”

“Whoa! Seriously, watch the magic, your highness.” A doctor recoiled slightly. “Your burns just flared up again.”

“Fine, fine.” The alabaster Alicorn nickered irritably as she smothered her burning magic and temper. “I’ll find a way to manage.”

“It shouldn’t be for long.” A nurse said reassuringly as she assisted in re-bandaging the eldest Princess. “You’ve healed faster than anypony I’ve ever seen.”

Celestia just snorted impassively as the medics finished wrapping her back up. Once they had finished, the levitation spell dissipated and the Alicorn landed daintily on her hooves. Their task complete, the doctors and nurses trotted out of the room. One of them turned around to give some last minute advice only for the Solar Princess to close the door in her face.

“They act like I’m made of glass even when I’ve proved otherwise.” She thought bitterly. “It would be worth it to defeat Suneater just to put an end to their ceaseless prodding and advising.”

The Alicorn of the Day trotted toward her wardrobe to don her royal attire when she caught sight of her new armor on a stand. While she did prefer her gold tiara and regal accoutrements, the burnished and bronzed set did convey an image of strength and power. In the current climate of fear and uncertainty, the latter did have advantages.

“Plus that healing enchantment feels good.” The Princess thought as she enveloped the pieces of armor in her magic. “I should thank Captain Sentry properly when I get the chance.”

Without guards to help her this time, it took a little while for Celestia to don the suit of armor but she was in no hurry to hold the day court particularly if Blueblood was her only petitioner. As each piece clasped over her battered body, the healing charm spread its warmth over her concealed injures and eased the foul mood that had settled over her if only slightly. The now armored Alicorn faced a mirror as she slid the helm over her head.

“I could get used to this.” The Princess of the Sun gave herself a smile. “Now if only my mane were longer; I look as bald as Nightmare Moon in her helm.”

After attempting and failing to get her short pastel mane to show pass her helm, Celestia decided she had stalled long enough and trotted toward the exit after grabbing the itinerary. She placed one hoof on the door before she paused. While she could trot to the throne room in accordance with the doctors’ orders, the last time she had teleported in her armor without much issue.

“I see no harm in doing it again.” She thought as she ignited her horn.

Ignoring the pain that manifested along with her magic, alabaster Alicorn vanished in a flash of brilliant sunlight and reappeared in front of her throne. The sudden burst of light and flame nearly set its mismatched occupant ablaze.

“Goodness gracious great balls of fire!” Discord yelled as he quickly patted out the fur covered parts of his serpentine body. “That was quite an entrance, Celly. Nice armor by the way.”

“Discord?” The Princess froze, not expecting to see her ‘reformed’ foe. “What are you doing here?”

“I’m booooored out of my skull!” The draconequus lamented as he sprawled across the throne until his head hit the gold terrace below. “With my favorite playmates out on adventure, that just leaves you."

“I’m busy.” Celestia said bluntly. “Now get out of my chair.”

“Yeesh, somepony woke up on the wrong side of the sun today.” Discord frowned but floated out of the throne nonetheless. “So what vital task won’t let you enjoy a morning with your old friend?”

“The Day Court.” The Alicorn said with a huff. “I have to meet with petitioners and hear out their wishes and complaints. More of the latter, nowadays.”

“Ooh, a chance to see you put those stuff shirts in their place.” The Spirit of Disharmony rubbed his claw and paw together gleefully. “This might be fun. I heard you gave the last batch quite the tongue lashing.”

“And it was glorious!” The imperious thought lingered a bit longer than usual.

“I just hope it stuck with them.” The Princess sighed. “If you are going to stay, please keep it to wry remarks. I don’t need reality breaking down along with my patience.”

“Oh, I am an expert on political commentary.” Discord gave her a lopsided grin as he conjured a cotton-candy cloud to both relax and munch on. “Did you know you are technically a dictator with Luna and Twilight gone?”

“Ha. Then I make a poor tyrant.” Celestia said with a short laugh. “I can’t so much as eat a piece of cake without every mouthful being scrutinized.”

“Yes, it would take a purge of the elites and a show of power to cow the plebs to truly reign supreme.” A monarchal side mused. “Last time I held such authority, Equestria entered a golden age.”

“You sure it’s just your mouth they are scrutinizing?” The mismatched miscreant teased as his bushy eyebrows waggled.

“Oh, stop.” The Princess shook her head but could not stop from smiling.

The armored Alicorn settled into her comfortable throne and waited for the youthful page to begin the court while Discord floated with his hammock/snack off to one side. During the lull, the sense of unease returned to the Princess. She looked around the room to see if she had overlooked anything. What little damage the throne room had suffered had been repaired and refurbished but she could find nothing out of the ordinary save the draconequus. Yet the guards still appeared to be on edge.

“Almost like they are expecting something to happen. Can’t say I blame them.” Celestia thought as she gave the stoic equines nods of acknowledgement but receiving nothing in return. “Odd. They usually salute at least.”

At that moment, the page appeared at the door at the far side of the room. Like the doctors, he appeared to not have gotten much sleep. Still, he managed a warm smile for his liege.

“Good morning, your majesty.” He greeted. “Shall we begin the Day Court?”

“Let’s get this over with.” The Alicorn nodded as she passed him the itinerary. “It’s just Blueblood and his entourage today.”

The colt gave the Princess a sympathetic look as he trotted back outside. Celestia was debating whether or not she should ask Discord to conjure up a piece of cake when the page suddenly returned.

“Uh, announcing Prince Blue-“ The poor servant did not get to finish as the infamous unicorn barged in along with his fellow elites.

“Out of the way, ragamuffin!” One of them said as he brushed the page aside.

“Was that really necessary?” Celestia frowned from her throne as the colt picked himself up and quietly left the room.

The rather large collection of well-to-do mares and stallions approached the raised throne with Blueblood at the head. The guards and Princess watched them approach while Discord chuckled expectantly around a mouthful of fluffy candy. The blonde noble gave the draconequus a peculiar look only to receive a coy wave in response.

“What do you want?” The Alicorn of the Sun said flatly, not bothering with titles.

Blueblood refocused on his adoptive aunt. He opened his mouth to speak but hesitated once he noticed her armored attire. Seeing this, one of the nobles whispered something in his ear that Celestia judged to be encouraging as the Prince steeled himself and took a step forward.

“I feel a speech coming on.” The alabaster Princess mentally grimaced as the noble took a breath.

“Solar Princess Celestia, we come before you not as elites of Canterlot but concerned citizens of Equestria.” The white stallion began confidently. “We have watched as our nation has slipped further and further into darkness, ruin, and chaos.”

“And not the fun type at that.” Discord scoffed beneath his breath.

“For millennia, you and your kind have stood as custodians of the world; guarding it against the wicked forces of evil.” Blueblood continued. “But recently, you have faltered.”

“The dragon caught me by surprise, I will admit.” The Alicorn said seriously. “But it is being hunted down as we speak.”

“The dragon attack is just the most recent example of your failure!” A noblemare interjected. “What about the centaur? Sombra? Discord, there? Hell, even Nightmare Moon defeated you!”

“Insolent nag!” An imperious side roared in rage as a frown crossed the Princess’ features. “How dare you?!”

“Yet here I am.” Celestia said calmly.

“Yes, thanks to Twilight Sparkle and the Element Bearers.” Blueblood said after giving the mare a look to step back. “They have saved us from these threats, usually after an exorbitant amount of damage has been done to private and public property, but they too have not been up to the task as of late.”

“But to their credit, at least they are out there facing the darkness.” Another noble added. “What are you doing, ‘your highness’?”

“Listening to a bunch of petulant foals.” The condescending thought lingered in the Diarch’s mind like smoke.

“I keep Equestria from falling apart whenever these crises occur.” The Alicorn answered flatly.

“You used to.” Blueblood said flatly. “I understand that my cousin, Cadenza, has decided to break away from Equestria and reform the Crystal Empire, has she not?”

“How did you-?” The still smoldering rage over the crystal pony’s secession began to flicker within the Princess of the Day.

“I have connections in Neo-Crystal City but that is beside the point.” Blueblood explained quickly. “It has become clear to us that you are no longer capable of defending Equestria or ruling it.”

“No.” Celestia’s eyes shrank to pinpricks. “He would not be this stupid.”

“Celestia, we are asking you to step down.” The seditious stallion said resolutely. “You and your sister will still guide the heavens but we will control matters of state.”

“Oh my.” Discord snickered deviously as he traded his cotton candy for popcorn. “Look at the big balls on Blueblood.”

“Traitors! Heretics!!” Righteous indignation joined the burning fury of the Alicorn like kindling on a bonfire. “I’ll have them all on a pyre!!!”

“Blueblood, you have done some foolish things in the past but this is beyond the pale.” The Alicorn of the Sun managed to keep an even tone despite the wrathful heat radiating through her body. “Guards, arrest these malcontents.”

With military precision, the solar guards approached the group of nobles. A pair of bleached-white pegasi joined their Princess on both sides of the throne while a pair of gray unicorns blocked the approach. The rest surrounded the seditious elites with weapons at the ready and horns aglow. Blueblood looked at the guards with an almost bemused expression.

“I had hoped that you would surrender power willingly.” He said, his arrogance bleeding through his façade of respect. “Plan B then.”

The noble unicorn raised a hoof and in an instant the guards turned on the throne. The flanking pegasi thrust their bladed wings beneath Celestia’s neck while the lower unicorns aimed high-power spells at her chest. The rest stood side by side with the nobles with their stoic expressions replaced with disdain.

“Oh this is priceless.” Discord was beside himself with mirth.

“What?!” The alabaster Alicorn could hardly believe what was happening.

“Apologies, Celestia.” One of the traitorous guardstallion said. “But Blueblood is right. A change is in order for the good of Equestria.”

“You swore an oath.” The soon-to-be dethroned Princess tried to move only for the blades to press against her throat.

“Yes, to the throne of Canterlot.” A guardmare spat disdainfully. “I will not follow to edicts of fools.”

“Well said.” Blueblood concurred. “Guards, take her to the dungeons. Use anti-magic if you have to.”

“Come along quietly, Celestia.” One of the pegasi ordered. “This doesn’t have to get violent.”

“Discord?” The Alicorn looked toward the draconequus, desperate for an ally in the developing disaster.

“Haha! I knew this would be fun!” The Spirit of Disharmony raised his claw and paw in the air. “I can’t wait to see how this plays out.”

“You see?” Blueblood pointed to the ecstatic draconequus. “Even he agrees.”

“This is ludicrous.” Celestia thought as her turncoat guards moved their blades just enough to allow her to get off her throne. “Do these fools think Luna or Twilight would stand for this?”

“Luna has betrayed you once already.” A voice whispered from an unfamiliar part of her mind. “Sparkle will not act with you as a hostage.”

“Celestia.” A guard said firmly as he prodded her exposed side with a wing. “Stalling won’t help you any.”

“You seek to depose me because I have failed to protect you from evil, right?” The former Diarch of the Day tried one last argument. “How do you, mere mortals, plan to survive against this rising darkness?”

“And you accused the nobles of being arrogant.” A guard scoffed. “Our ancestors survived long before the Alicorns seized power. We can do the same.”

“You feckless plebs were wallowing in your own filth under Discord when I stepped out from Faust’s shadow!” The ends of Celestia’s pastel mane began to burn. “By the end of the Long Winter, you were begging to serve me!”

“Not all of them.” A militant part of her mind pointed out. “Some of them only saw the light when it was delivered at the end of a sword. Fires below, we were strong then.”

“I still am.” The Alicorn muttered to herself.

“I understand this is a shock for you.” Blueblood told the immobile mare. “But for the good of Equestria, a new order has to be imposed.”

“Equestria…” Celestia looked at the stain glass depicting the history of the nation she ruled.

It has always been her adoptive mother’s dream to unite the disparate tribes under one banner; a dream she had passed on to her young daughter. Once she was old enough, Celestia was set to make this dream a reality. In the crucible that was the chaotic world of old, Equestria was forged. During the bitter cold of the Long Winter, it grew where others withered. Friendship, magic and harmony may have been the foundations of her nation but she was the keystone that defied the gravity of calamity. Where her weakling of a sister fell to corruption, she was a purifying light that burned away that horrid darkness, be it her fallen sister or horde of marauders.

“This is my Equestria.” The former Princess thought. “I will see it burn before it is taken from me.”

Something broke free within the eldest Alicorn. Thoughts she had long ignored or suppressed screamed through her mind in a hellish cacophony. Chief among them was a white hot rage; not the umbrage of a slighted royal but the wrath of an angry goddess. It surged through her body like fire through a dry forest. Her bandages blackened then caught flame beneath her armor as her wounds glowed hot and angry. The guards and elites recoiled from the intense heat their prisoner was putting off.

“Somepony get a ring on her!” A noblemare shouted. “Now!”

One of the guards galloped to the now violently shaking Alicorn with an anti-magic ring. He laid one hoof on the Herald of the Day only for it to burst into flame. As he fell back screaming, the rest retreated from Celestia just as her horn erupted in a blaze of sunlight. The incandescent magic formed a sphere around the Alicorn, vaporizing the throne and terrace in a hiss of molten gold and steam. Inside the miniature sun, the burning mare screamed in exquisite agony as an infernal power surged through her. Teeth grew into predatory fangs out of bleeding gums. A brilliant blaze ignited on her short mane and dock. The once alabaster fur turned a light fuchsia akin to sunburnt flesh. The sun cutie mark, once a symbol of reverence, gained a burst of burnished gold to match the transforming mare’s armor. Centuries of cozy living and sweet indulgences burned away to reveal the shapely but powerful figure of the warrior-princess who subjugated countless defiant tribes. Soft teats long the envy of many a mare grew to size to make even the most celibate stallion stare. Her eyes burned with a golden glow, the heat causing capillaries to burst and stain the sclera a deep crimson.

“Equestria! IS!! MINE!!!” The hellish horse shouted like an erupting volcano as she went supernova.

The explosion shook Mount Canterhorn to its base and radiated across the heartlands of Equestria. The marble walls of the throne room and surrounding towers were blasted into white-hot glowing chunks of molten rock that rained down on the rest of the castle. The roof was obliterated entirely, revealing that the sun had moved directly overhead as if in midday. The blazing Alicorn touched down on the still glowing floor, completely revitalized without a trace of the injuries that had plagued her. She surveyed what was left of the room, the shadows of the traitorous elites and guards burned into the now sun bleached stone of the semi-melted far wall.

“You always were a disappointment, Blueblood.” The mare grinned malevolently at a pile of ash that might have been the infamous noble.

“Well that was the shortest coup I’ve ever seen.” Discord’s voice called out from behind a giant husk of burnt popcorn. “I believe an appropriate response is: hot damn!”

The draconequus emerged from his shelter wearing a pair of swim trunks and sunglasses. He looked over the shades at the rather evil looking Alicorn before him. She gave him a toothy smile that was anything but friendly.

“Uh, Celestia?” The Spirit of Chaos asked nervously. “You’re…on fire.”

“I know.” The burning mare said simply as she ran an armored hoof through her brilliant mane.

Before anymore could be said, the charred doors burst open. An orange pegasus and a squad of heavily armored Solar Guards charged into the room only to recoil from the lingering intense heat. The lead stallion recovered and hovered in the air a safe distance away.

“Princess Celestia, are you alright?” Captain Sentry asked, unsure what to make of what he was seeing.

“Never better.” The infernal mare turned away from Discord, much to his relief. “I just incinerated a group of traitors.”

“Traitors?” The pegasus’ eyes widened. “Who?”

“A few nobles and some guards with Blueblood as the biggest loser.” Discord listed as his summer wear vanished with a snap. “I’m surprised he managed to get that many.”

“Which means there may be more conspirators.” The armored Alicorn fixed the guards in front of her with a sinister glare.

“I-I assure you, majesty, I am loyal!” Sentry wisely bowed before the mare. “As are they!”

The other guards did the same. The fiery Alicorn leered at them for an uncomfortable amount of time before she broke into a cruel laugh.

“Haha, I know you are not stupid enough to betray me, Sentry.” She chuckled. “That is why I want you and your minions to go through the Solar and Royal Guard to find those that are and kill them. My Solarii will aid you.”

“Kill them? But don’t they need a tri-“ The captain’s objection was silence by a single incendiary glare from the Alicorn. “As you command, your highness.”

“Good and do the same with the nobles.” The malevolent mare turned back to Discord who was trying to sneak away. “And as for you…”

“Hey, that was all Blueblood!” Discord raised his claw and paw defensively. “I didn’t do anything!”

“You’re right.” The equine that was Celestia said as her horn ignited in a fiery aura. “You just floated there and let it happen.”

The draconequus realized he was doomed a split second before the Alicorn immolated him in sun fire. He reflexively raised his mismatched arms to shield himself against the blinding light but that only ensured his limbs burnt first. The Spirit of Disharmony did not have time to scream as his flesh and bones were turned to ash in an instant. The Alicorn maintained the fiery assault for a few more moments to ensure her former foe was truly cooked before she ceased the spell, leaving a charred and smoldering Discord standing still as a statue with his arms in front of him. His red and yellow eyes snapped open and blinked in confusion.

"Ow." The draconequus let out a soot filled cough before he collapsed into a pile of ash, his still emotive eyes landing on top.

“Now you won’t do anything ever again.” The fiery Alicorn chucked cruelly. “Captain, when you get the chance, dump this pitiful mess into the Celestial Sea. There will be no bickering foals to help him this time.”

“As you command, Princess Celestia.” Sentry shared a nervous look with what was Discord before he bowed his head more out of fear than obedience.

“Celestia?” The fallen Princess smirked as she gazed out upon an unsuspecting Equestria. “No. I am the better, more powerful and, let’s be honest, prettier version of her. You can call me…”

“Corona Blaze? No, that’s taken. Daydream Sun? Better but…” The Solar Destroyer pondered over her new name for a moment. “Wait, I got it!”

“…Daybreaker.”

The corrupted Princess Luna gazed appreciatively at the endless sea of stars as she traveled through the void of space on the back of a Primordial dragon along with the dreaded Silent King. While she had always found the night sky to be beautiful, it was another realm of wonder when viewed from beyond the confines of Equestria. Star fields once invisible now shone amongst the know constellations. Multihued nebulae added their ethereal colors to the stellar canvas. Dominating it all was her steadily approaching moon, a mighty orb of pale highlands and grey seas peppered with craters great and small from ancient cosmic impacts.

“Even the smallest section of the night sky is a masterpiece.” The fallen Princess thought wistfully. “How can the day even compare?”

“Muh huh huh huh. The magnificence of my being was one of the few things to lighten your mood during your millennia long exile.” The regal laugh of the Lady of the Stars echoed within the dark Alicorn’s mind, louder and clearer than usual. “And you even have someone to share it with this time.”

The navy mare glanced at her travel companion who was looking behind them at the steadily shrinking planet. She followed his gaze to a point of light that shone from the center of Equestria like a miniature sun and then vanished. The pale horse furrowed his brow as if in thought for a moment then turned away, catching her looking at him.

“What do you think that was?” She tried to ask but found that in the cold vacuum of space, speech was impossible.

“Right. Have to use telepathy.” The Lunar Diarch tried the spell but was reminded of her current state by a pitiful spark. “Ah, damn it!”

The Dark Lord saw her mouth move but no sounds come out. He looked around for a solution to this lack of communication but found he neglected to bring ink and paper. He looked at the dragon they were riding on and then to his two-pronged staff. The pale horse upended it and used one of the prongs to etch something into the black scales. This, naturally, earned a look from Suneater. His old friend quickly pantomimed that they could not speak by conventional means and had to use what they had available. The Black Dragon nodded in understanding and focused on keeping them on course through the stellar expanse.

“You were saying?” The Dark Lord wrote before he passed his bident to the mare.

“What was that light?” She managed to write after fumbling with the unfamiliar and heavy staff for a bit.

“And I thought I couldn’t miss my magic more than I already do.” The Alicorn mentally grumbled.

“It was near Canterlot.” The stygian stallion waited for their scribbles to fade back into the Lord of Darkness before he continued. “Celestia?”

“Maybe.” The corrupted Luna paused to mull over the possibilities. “She learned that her minions are dead?”

“Too soon.” The Dread Lord shook his head. “Perhaps she sent a noble my way.”

“It would be the smartest thing she has done in centuries.” The Princess of the Night thought.

The two paused in communicated via back scratches for a moment. With some distance left until they made moon fall, Luna decided to purpose a more intimate question to her companion. She tapped him on the shoulder and gestured for the bident.

“If you are the si Silent King-“ The mare wrote out, taking a moment to properly capitalize his title. “-is there a Silent Queen?”

The Theoi stared at the question, his expression unreadable as always. He slowly took his staff from the Alicorn and contemplated his answer. The corrupted Luna began to wonder if she had touched upon a sore spot for the Dread Lord.

“The Iron Queen of the Dead.” He wrote out slowly. “As a maiden, she was known as the Lady of Destruction.”

“Stars above!” The Alicorn’s blue eyes widened. “With names like that, no wonder he courted her. She probably annihilated cities as anniversary presents.”

“Before you think I wooed a herald of the end times, destruction in this case was more to do with change.” The King read her expression and clarified, earning an uncomfortable shudder from their ride due to the longer sentence. “Like the passage of seasons.”

“Oh.” The Lunar Princess silently laughed as she took the staff. “Still, going from a simple Lady to Queen of the Underworld is a hell of a promotion.”

“What happened to her?” She asked.

“With the onset of the Downfall, we agreed that she should return to Nature for her protection.” The King wrote as his expression darkened in a rare flash of anger. “It was not enough.”

The Diarch of the Moon placed a sympathetic hoof on his shoulder as his sudden change in mood subsided. He placed his own hoof over hers and mouthed ‘thank you’ to her. After waiting for the considerable etching to fade, he continued.

“Nature was devastated during the wars leading up to the Downfall proper and many perished with her.” He wrote. “I was beyond furious. I made sure that those directly responsible spent their final moments in torment before they spent eternity in the deepest pits of Tartarus.”

“Be still my black heart…” The spiteful mare nearly swooned from such vengeance.

“The Downfall happened not long after.” The Dark Lord continued. “Luna already knows about that so I suppose you do as well.”

The Alicorn nodded as she took the bident for her turn. She was about to venture the possibility of him seeking a new Iron Queen when strange symbols and glyphs that made her eyes hurt appeared. Whatever the Khthonic writing Suneater had created said, the Silent King understood. He translated simply by pointing to the moon that now dominated their vision. They would be landing shorty and with the amount of momentum behind them and no real way for the dragon to slow down, they would be coming in hard and fast.

“Déjà vu. Same thing happened when the Elements sent me here.” The former Mare-In-The-Moon recalled as she braced against the pallid pony. “At least I got mister ‘I can charm forces of destruction’ to act as a cushion.”

The Lord of Darkness reoriented himself so he would at least land on his feet. He and his passengers braced as the pale ‘eye’ of the roughly unicorn shaped seas rushed up to meet them. Their impact kicked up a cloud of fine dust and added another shallow crater to the moonscape. Once the dust had settled, Suneater groggily peeled himself off the ground and climbed out of the new crater. Once out, he paused to let his sore but uninjured passengers climb off his back.

“Never thought I would willingly return to this place after a thousand years.” The once banished Alicorn thought as she looked over her former prison. “Not much has changed other than a few new craters.”

The lunar landscape was desolate and barren; a monochrome expanse of grey and white that stretched across the horizon. Only the rolling hills of stone and sharp ridges of craters broke up the view. Above, in the perpetual night sky, the green and blue pear of Equus shone as half was illuminated by the rising sun while the other was cast in shadow. The equines and dragon made a point to keep it at their backs less they be blinded.

“Excellent. You have arrived.” The Lady of the Stars said to the only one who could hear her. “Did you have an exciting trip?”

“The King was good company.” Her apostle answered. “And a fair consort, as I learned.”

“Ah, you speak of the Iron Queen of the Dead.” The ancient Primordial inferred. “Mortals feared her as much as the Hidden One if not more.”

“Oh?” The moon mare questioned.

“The Hidden One was fated to rule the dead.” The Khthonic entity explained with an air of menace. “She chose to rule by his side.”

“I think we would have gotten along.” The fallen Luna mentally mused. “But enough gossip. Where do I go from here?”

“The one place on this rock closest to me.” The malevolent presence said cryptically. “Retrace your steps and you will find it.”

A tap on the shoulder caught the Princess’ attention. She looked to find the Silent King had wrote in the dust ‘Now what?’. The moon mare tried to write out an answer but the pale dust proved to be harder to use than the dragon’s scales as her hoofwritting was illegible. She shoved the bident back to its owner in frustration.

“To Hell with this.” The navy Alicorn mentally grumbled. “I am literally standing on one of the sources of my power. If I can’t use magic now, I’ll have a fit!”

She motioned for the pale horse to stand aside and focused. Again, a few pitiful sparks shot of her stub of a horn but she did not let up. After a few false starts, she finally managed to ignite her horn but rather than the steady glow of a magical aura, it was unfocused and raw energy that looked more akin to bolts of lightning. Still, the night mare was ecstatic.

“Finally!” She smiled triumphantly. “Now, a quick telepathy spell and we should be able to-“

The moment she tried to contact her companions’ minds she was assaulted with the soul harrowing screams of the damned and the burning hellscapes of Tartarus. She recoiled as the Dread Lord realized what she was trying to do.

“Apologies.” His neutral tone entered her mind as the visages of Hell faded into silence. “I still had Tartarus cued up from the last time something tried to peer into my mind; it’s a defense mechanism.”

“An effective one at that.” The fallen Alicorn recovered with a shake of her head. “Did it work for you, Suneater?”

“This feels weird.” The dragon’s deep rumble joined the magical conference call. “I am not use to having voices in my head.”

“It’s better than scribbling in dust or into your back.” The telepathic pony pointed out. “Regardless, we need to head toward the dark side.”

“Somehow, I am not surprised.” The King mused. “Lead the way then.”

The three set off through the lunar sea following the ex-Mare-In-The-Moon’s lead. Along the way, they passed a crater surrounded by hoof prints and small scorch marks.

“I take it this is where you landed originally.” The Silent King inferred.

“Yes.” The Princess thought simply, unpleasant memories surfacing. “I was…not happy when I landed.”

“You threw a tantrum by the looks of it.” Suneater mused as he pointed to the places where the banished Alicorn had blasted the rock in rage.

“To be fair, I did the same when I was exiled.” The former voidian stalker admitted sheepishly. “Don’t act like you did not.”

“Fine, I guess I did as well.” The dragon prince mentally growled. “There not much else to do when you have been stuffed down a hole by some shitty wizard.”

“Other than try to escape.” The navy mare thought bitterly as she moved away from her crater of origin and toward a grouping of smaller, shallower impacts. “I tried for the better part of my first month but the shackles of the Elements of Harmony are strong.”

With a trail to follow, the group continued past the exiled Royal Sister’s point of entry toward a rugged ridge line that marked the boundary of the lunar sea they were in. As they traveled, the fallen Princess noticed that the Dread Lord was lagging behind a bit. He was favoring one side and had shifted more of his weight than usual to his staff. For the first time since they had met, the navy Alicorn thought the pale horse looked old.

“Nothing has lived or died here; it is completely devoid of anything he draws power from.” The dark Alicorn realized. “Up here, he is just a world-weary earth pony. Granted, a very tall one.”

“Is something ailing you, Hidden One?” Suneater noticed his friend’s condition.

“I am just taking the chance to admire the stark beauty of this place.” The Theoi responded before quickly changing the subject. “I find it odd that you strive for an eternal night when one is right here.”

“It is not the same!” The Lunar equine mentally huffed. “Of course the likes of us can appreciate the absolute majesty of the night but the lowly plebeians on Equus still shun it. They will learn to embrace it or they will perish along with their precious day. Plus the sun still rises to spoil it up here.”

The dark group moved on in silence after that outburst, the King making an effort to keep up. They followed the night mare’s hoof tracks to the edge of a steep ridge. To save time, Suneater grabbed both equines in his claws and jumped up the side; an easy feat in the lower gravity of Equus’ satellite. He landed with a mute thud atop the ridge and deposited his companions. A short distance away was a small collection of rocks surrounded by aimless hoof prints.

“You could say this is where I lived once I realized I was trapped here.” Luna explained somewhat nostalgically. “I had a bed, a couch, some Celestia shaped rocks for target practice and a calendar.”

“You were here for some time.” The Necroarch mused as he looked over at the calendar; an obelisk covered in tallies of various sizes denoting, he inferred, days, months and years. “Just a little more than a decade.”

“I did not know how long I would be banished.” The once banished Alicorn mused resentfully. “Years? Centuries? An eternity? All I could do was sit here and watch the world pass me by.”

“At least you had a view.” Suneater cut in as he admired said view.

“So did you move elsewhere for the remaining nine hundred nighty-nine years or did you just stop counting?” The Silent King asked.

“I grew tired of sitting here twiddling my hooves so I decided to do something more…” The corrupted Luna indicated another trail of her hoof prints that lead away from the camp. “…constructive.”

They followed this path through a comparatively featureless moon field until it reached the border between the currently sunlit bright side and the umbral dark side. The dark mare trotted confidently into the darkness, maintaining her lead with the King and dragon in tow. Her ancient hoof steps lead down into a massive sea of basalt from the time of the moon’s formation. In the center of the lunar sea rose a massive crater comparable to the caldera of Avernus. Peeking over the rim of the crater were looming spires. The Theoi and Primordial remained silent as they trekked up the side of the crater until they reached the rim.

“What is this?” They thought in unison as they beheld the structure before them.

Built on the crater floor and into the walls was a massive complex. Walls and gatehouses formed a seemingly impenetrable bulwark around a palace in the style of the old Palace of the Royal Sisters. Towers and spires along the rim of the crater reached out of the pit into the sky like the claws of some colossal beast. In the heart of the superstructure was a great dome supported by a ring of columns. Like the rest of the moon, the palace was cold and dark with no sign of life within.

“I call it the Bastion of Nightmares.” The architect answered proudly. “It may not be your Barathrum, Dread Lord, but it suits my tastes.”

“Impressive.” The Silent King nodded. “You have an eye for architecture.”

“I had to start over a few times but I had plenty of time.” The Usurper thought as she trotted down the reverse side toward what appeared to be an entrance. “I completed this about a century before I returned to Equestria.”

“Is the Lady of the Stars here?” Suneater wondered.

“No but it is where we will reach her.” The navy Alicorn answered.

After a short climb down the crater, the group reached the entrance to the bastion. A great set of black stone gates large enough for the dragon prince to pass through with his wings folded stood before them. The fallen Princess approached and sent a spark of her magic through the construct. Glyphs depicting the moon and stars glowed a vivid blue as the integrated magic of the structure recognized its creator. With a grind of ancient stone lost in the vacuum of space, the doors parted to allow them entry. As they trotted and stomped inside, octahedral stones rose out of pedestals in the walls and started to glow to provide illumination in the otherwise benighted bastion. The Lord of Shades felt an odd sensation like static in the air actually heard his hoof steps go from silent to muted to echoing.

“Can we speak here?” He asked, answering his own question. “Ah, yes.”

“I feared I would go mad living in total silence.” The jilted sister said as she doused the telepathy spell. “So I imbued each brick with a bit of my magic to prevent that.”

“Magic: the cause of and solution to all of life’s problems.” The Lord of Darkness said dryly.

Even with the gift of speech returned to them, the dark group continued through the entrance hall in silence as the structure awakened around them. Compared to the grandiose design of the exterior, the interior of the bastion was remarkably spartan. The walls and floors were bare with the only decoration taking the form of statues of vigilant Umbral Thestrals. Judging from the fact that each statue bore a different pose and expression, it stood to reason that the banished Princess had attempted to capture the feel of having living guards in her citadel to stave off the soul crushing loneliness. The Usurper suppressed these bad memories as they surfaced and focused on something more important.

“We have cross the void of space, took a trip down memory lane and stirred my bastion from its slumber.” The navy mare thought, her patience obviously thinning. “When do I-“

“The hour of your resurrection is nigh, my apostle.” The ancient Primordial said reassuringly. “Go to your Sanctum. You will know what to do when you get there.”

“Why would…” The corrupted Alicorn trailed off as it dawned on her. “I see.”

“Good.” The Lady of the Stars sounded pleased. “Oh, and send my consort to the Orrery. It is a private matter.”

The companions reached a nexus with several corridors leading to different parts of the complex. The corrupted Luna paused for a moment to get her bearings before she turned to the Theoi and dragon.

“Suneater, take this passage up to the Orrery.” She said, indicating the way with a hoof. “The Lady of the Stars will-“

She got no further as the dragon eagerly rumbled past her like a freight train. The Theoi watched his friend disappear up the stairs with a thin smile before helped the moon mare back up.

“I told you he is devoted to her.” He said neutrally. “Shall we follow him?”

“No.” The dark mare said with a wry smile. “You’re coming down here with me.”

The King arched an eyebrow but followed the Alicorn down a flight of stairs. Deeper and deeper they went until they reached the very foundations of the sprawling bastion. As they navigated the winding corridors, Luna broke the silence with another inquiry into her companion’s previous life.

“You told Luna you were a bit of a black sheep among your kin.” She said, keeping an eye on the Khthonic Theoi’s expression less she push too far. “Were you close to any of them or were you a total loner?”

“My youngest brother, as I mentioned.” The King answered as he maintained his usual neutral countenance. “The Lord of Battle, Lady of War and I had a professional partnership; death and war are inseparable after all. The Lord of Revelry was oddly friendly much like the late Pinkamena. The Herald of the Sun and I got along well enough-“

“What?” The corrupted Luna stopped in her tracks and gave him a quizzical look. “The Sun?”

“That is a bit of a long story.” He explained with a dismissive wave of his hoof. “In summary, I had been accused of breaking a sacred law and he argued in my favor as a witness. I do not know why he did that as he had nothing to gain but we remained on amicable terms up to the Downfall.”

“Huh.” The Princess of the Moon tapped a hoof against her chin in thought. “I forgot that just because you rule the Sunless Lands, that does not mean you loath the sun as I do.”

“When your kingdom is underground, giving up sunlight is unavoidable.” He said plainly as they resumed their brisk pace through the bastion. “It helped that I was able to make new friends out of the Khthonic Primordials and their daemonic children.”

“Did he shape the Underworld or did it shape him?” Luna was about to ask but ultimately decided against it. “Bah, it doesn’t matter. He’s going to be busy in the upcoming nights anyway.”

They eventually came to a long hall terminating in another set of doors at the end. In contrast to the precision and care placed in the rest of the superstructure, the masonry was of considerably poorer quality; rougher and more uneven edges with less uniformity in the blocks.

“I take it you built this area first.” The Overlord of the Underworld ventured.

“Indeed.” The Alicorn nodded as they reached the doors. “You will see why in a moment.”

The night mare sent another spark of lunar magic into the door and waited. Like the entrance, glyphs glowed in the black stone only these depicted fantastical images under an inverted crescent moon. The doors slid open with a hollow boom and the two trotted into Nightmare Moon’s inner sanctum. The room resembled a small temple with an altar in the center. Placed on the altar was a strange crystal shaped like a featureless face, its unnatural glow bathing the room in otherworldly energies. Visions of fantasy and nightmare flitted in and out of focus in a manner similar to the former Lurker’s windows into reality from the Void.

“This is one of the few places in existence were the boundaries between reality and the Dream World are weak.” The corrupted dream strider explained as she trotted toward the crystal. “Thanks to this thing I call the Dream Stone. I found it buried in the middle of the crater when I first started construction. It must have fallen to the moon as a meteor.”

The Dark Lord trotted closer to the strange crystal and eyed it curiously. The Princess of the Night half expected him to say it was the crystalized remains of some ancient daemon. She was not too far from the truth.

“I know who this was.” The King said plainly as he straightened up with an aged grunt. “Or rather, I knew of who this was.”

“Do tell.” The fallen Princess was all ears.

The ancient Theoi gave a brief explanation that the Lords and Ladies of old ruled different parts of the world and the Dream World was no exception. The Master of Dreams, who he knew only through his father and the Hand of Death’s brother the Mind of Slumber, once held dominion of the ethereal world with the aid of his own brand of daemons. What was left of the one between them was most likely one of the forgers of surreal and horrid dreams.

“As for how it got here from the ether, I can only assume the Downfall of my kin affected the Dream World as well.” The former Lurker concluded with a sigh. “That is another set of relatives I can scratch off the list.”

“I wondered how dreams worked before I existed.” The dream strider nodded her head slowly in understanding. “I’m surprised you didn’t dump this information on me during our foray into that slut Cadenza’s dream.”

“I did not want to presume.” He said neutrally. “My initial understandings of the mechanics of the world were demonstrably out of date.”

“Well, they’re about the change again.” The Mare-In-The-Moon smiled wickedly. “Can you ward the altar?”

“Anti-magical or…?” The Khthonic Theoi asked for clarification.

“Containment.” She added. “If this goes wrong, it could very well suck the moon into the ether.”

The King did not need any more prompting as he set about etching runes in a wide circle around the altar with the business end of his bident. The Alicorn watched him work for a moment before she focused on the Dream Stone. Igniting her magic once more, she enveloped the crystal and levitated it into the cool air. The dreamy visages became more intense as the gem began to slowly rotate.

“Done.” The Silent King called out as his runes glowed in response to the building magic.

“Excellent.” The Alicorn smiled widely. “You may want to stand back.”

The stygian stallion complied and stood near the door. The navy mare refocused on the now rapidly spinning crystal and fed more of her magic into it. A high pitched whine filled the air as the gem began to crack and distort.

“Soon there will be only one ruler of Equestria.” The fallen Luna thought. “Me!”

With a sharp snap, the crystal shattered into countless glowing shards. The pieces floated in the air like twinkling snowflakes for a few tense moments before they suddenly froze and flew outward like a paused explosion had been resumed. The slivers reached the boundary created by the Silent King and pierced the veil between the waking world and the Dream World. Like shattering a plane of glass, fissures of various sizes violently manifested in the air. The dark ether of the realm of dreams became visible through the cracks with the shimmering orbs of mortal dreams floating in the darkness. The corrupted Alicorn spread her hooves as if beseeching the breaches.

“Come back to me, Tantibus.” She said in a rapturous whisper.

“Yes, mistress.” The impossibly deep response came from the Dream World.

An unfathomable flood of darkness and stars surged toward the fissures, devouring the dream spheres in its path. Tendrils of the living nightmare reached out of the breaches and found purchase in reality, straining the already compromised boundary. The unicorn-shaped head of Tantibus forced its way through the fissure in front of the Alicorn, its eyes burning with a baleful light. The Alicorn gave her colossal minion a toothy smile that it unnervingly returned. The nightmare poured into the room and swirled around the Princess as she began to rise into the air.

“Yes!” The mare that was Luna screamed ecstatically as Tantibus closed around her in a sphere, her tiara falling from her head and bouncing across the floor to the observant Theoi. “YES!!”

Her ecstasy was short lived for the defiling touch of Tantibus was not a gentle one. The malevolent essence crawled over and into the equine; a torturous experience that the former Diarch welcomed like an old friend. The sphere turned a hellish red like a dying star as it reformed the Alicorn within into something darker. Her stub of a horn turned to ash and disintegrated as a new one grew out of her skull; a lance-like bone to bend the foulest of magics. Her wings finally tore free of their binds and stood rigid as long broken bones were mended and hooked barbs grew out of the carpal joints. Raven axillaries and covert feathers grew out of the bare wings. Instead of primaries, thin spines of bone covered in a membranous skin like the wings of the vampiric thestrals she commanded emerged. The mare cutie mark spread across her coat, turning it a midnight black while a mottle violet appeared beneath the now teal moon. Her frame became lithe and supple, nearly doubling in height as her chest plate shattered. The shoes cracked and fell away as her hooves became cloven talons. Luna’s already shapely flanks became taut with powerful muscle and, as befitting a creature born out of jealously of the Solar Alicorn, her pert and dusky teats swelled to a more voluptuous size. The infernal orb rapidly cooled to a pitch black surrounded by a red aura and then a stellar globe of stars and constellations. The sphere unfurled into the violet boarder banners that were the dark Alicorn’s mane and tail. Her eyes snapped open as her sclera turned an icy blue to complement her slitted teal irises. The mare’s pouty lips peeled back in a toothy smile as her teeth grew into gleaming fangs. The reborn Usurper of Equestria touched down on the now cracked and ruined altar and looked over her restored form. The umbral Usurper closed her eyes and took a deep breath; her first as her true self. In that moment of meditation, something occurred to her: she had pestered her weaker half all throughout her supposed purification. Could she do the same to her? The night mare stood still and listened for any sign of what was Princess Luna.

“No voices. No whispers.” She thought with a relieved sigh as she was greeted with mental silence. “I am alone in here.”

“Mhmhmhmhaha-“ Nightmare Moon began to laugh; a muted chuckle that turned into a triumphant cackle that haunted the nightmares of Equestria and its defenders. “AH-HA HAHAHAHAHA!”

“Luna’s gone over to the darkside again, Celestia has a target on her back and Twilight is dead.” Grand Marshall Shining Armor thought as he paced back and forth impatiently before the still forms of his only sister and her friends. “If any villain wanted to take a crack at Equestria, now is the time to do it.”

The bodies of the heroines had been arranged by his steadfast knights to fit within a large runic hexagram Archmage Trixie Lulamoon had carved into the pale stone in the shadow of her ensorcelled tower. The Great and Powerful mage herself was carefully reviewing the steps of the delicate ritual she was about to perform surrounded by a veritable fort of tomes, scrolls and grimoires to aid in her study.

“Twily used to do the same.” The late prince-regent mused as he approached. “Although the books were less evil looking.”

“I once thought necromancy was the just stuff of myth.” The Undying unicorn said aloud as he stole a glance at the azure lich’s eclectic research.

“It’s a lost art.” She responded without looking up. “In its infancy, it only allowed mortals to communicate with the departed for knowledge or closure. The whole raising the dead shtick came later.”

“How did they go from talking to the dead to raising them?” Armor asked in genuine curiosity.

“Well, a group of less scrupulous wizards thought that if magic could affect the souls of the dead why not their corpses.” Lulamoon levitated over a dark tome and summarized. “They animated a body with magic and thus the first zombie was raised and undeath became a reality for a time. Everything else spun off from there until necromancy was outlawed and its practitioners burned at the stake. ”

“So this has been done before.” The Marshall said hopefully. “What we are doing, I mean.”

“Not exactly.” The Archmage shook her head. “Trixie has to replicate what his Excellency did to save her in Tartarus; where he used his godly will, she has to use magic.”

“No small feat.” Armor thought sympathetically.

“Only one necromancer, whose notes the Learned and Scholarly Trixie is studying now, came close to this feat but…” Lulamoon trailed off with a grimace.

She turned a tome around to show Armor where the pages had been burned, most likely from the torches of an angry mob. Her task now was to fill in the blanks and hopefully complete the ritual. Hardly comforted by this fact, the Undying unicorn decided it was best to not distract the former magician any further and went back to his pacing.

“So what are you going to do when the Archmage brings your sibling back, sir?” An earth pony knight ventured respectfully, trying to get his Marshall’s attention away from the admittedly uncomfortable sight.

“I don’t really know.” The head of his order admitted. “I will have a lot to explain, that’s for sure.”

“Maybe this is a question for Lulamoon but won’t the Equestrian’s be liches like her if she succeeds?” Another knight inquired.

“Fires below, I hope not.” Armor shivered.

“When she succeeds.” The greyscale unicorn corrected bluntly. “And I doubt it. Trixie was exposed to Tartarus when she ‘died’ while Twilight and her friends were executed within the protected walls of Barathrum.”

“You are correct, Grand Marshall.” The Hand of Death affirmed dryly from above. “These heroic souls are untouched by the sepulchral air of the Sunless Lands. It is almost a shame to let them go.”

The Grim Reaper alighted atop a rock as he spectated what would essentially be a blasphemy against him and his sacred work. Armor initially feared that the raven-winged daemon would refuse to turn over the souls of the Equestrian’s but based on what he witnessed in the Pits, he knew the harvester would comply albeit begrudgingly.

“He puts on this mask of inevitability but he is not so rigid beneath.” Armor thought as the gloomy creature absently twirled his scythe. “Granted, he hates going against his nature but we all have to do things we don’t want to.”

A sudden explosion caught everyone’s attention. Rather than Lulamoon suffering from magical backlash like they suspected, the blast came from the pile of bags and satchels the mortals had brought with them. The benthic Telkhine had been rummaging through the Equestrian’s possessions ostensibly to search for items that could potentially spoil the ritual. His looting had been spoiled by one of the Element of Laughter’s party essentials.

“How in all the Nine Hells did the pink one manage to fit a cannon in here?” The toady croaked as he picked himself up and dusted off the multi-colored confetti.

“I doubt even she knew.” The Marshall suppressed a laugh as he glanced at the bundle that contained Pinkie’s corpse, tuffs of her untamed mane poking out. “Sometimes I wonder if she shared ancestry with a draconequus at some point.”

“That would explain a bit, actually.” A new voice chittered.

The Undying unicorn glanced up to see Hive Queen Chrysalis touch down in the site with a very wide smile. She trotted up beside her lover and nuzzled against him affectionately.

“What are you doing here?” He asked as he returned the gesture.

“My children and I nearly starved out in the barren wastes because of these six.” The parasite hissed maliciously. “You think I would pass up the chance to see them so utterly beaten?”

“Does everything down here hate them except me?” The former captain of the guard thought.

“No, I suppose not.” Armor said with a resigned sigh.

“Archmage?” The Telkhine spoke up. “Gaze upon this.”

The amphibious alchemist held up a weighty tome filled with bookmarks and stamped with an arcane sigil. After marking her place in her review, Lulamoon grasped the book in her magic and levitated it over to her. The azure unicorn skimmed through its contents for a time before came upon a certain section involving the Black Dragon.

“Well, well. Sparkle came prepared.” The azure lich said with a devious smirk. “This book contains the spell Starswirl used to trap Suneater beneath Canterlot but in its current state, she would have to sacrifice two of her friends.”

“Yeah, that sounds like old Starswirl.” One of the older knights commented. “Brilliant wizard, shit friend.”

“I refuse to believe Twilight would go through with that.” The Marshall said flatly. “She’s more likely to sacrifice herself than any of her friends.”

“Are you sure about that?” The Hive Queen arched an eyebrow. “Didn’t she leave you to die in the Empire?”

“No! She…” Armor trailed off as he realized he did not know if his sister went looking for him or not. “I don’t know that side of the story.”

“She may have considered it an option.” Lulamoon said as she continued to read. “There are several calculations and alterations in the margins here. Hmm…”

The former showmare looked over Sparkle’s notes before she retrieve a Khthonic tome from her own archives and compared the two. With a self-satisfied smirk, the unicorn added her own little contribution to the late Element of Magic’s research and closed the book. She then passed it back to the dutiful Telkhine with her magic.

“Well, that was intriguing but Trixie is ready to begin.” The Archmage announced as she exited her bookfort. “Did you find anything else?”

“Nothing we need to worry about.” The minion answered as he hid a few of Pinkie’s travel sweets beneath his robes. “We may proceed.”

“Well then, mares, gentlestallions and daemons alike!” Lulamoon slipped back into her old stage habits as she stood before the hexagram while the Telkhine retrieved a crystal decanter of some tenebrous substance. “Watch in awe as the Great and Powerful Trixie performs the most spectacular feat of necromancy ever witnessed by unliving eyes!

“Hmph.” The Hand of Death huffed grumpily.

Armor and Chrysalis took a few steps back as the Khthonic mage gathered necromantic power in her horn until it was ablaze with negative light while her assistant poured the unknown liquid over the carvings, giving them a glossy shine. The unicorn slowly lowered her head and touched the tip of her horn with a point on the intricate rune. The dark power traveled across the fluid way lines and bathed the wrapped bodies in its dark glow. Lulamoon paused for a moment to check for any sign of impending failure but found none.

“So far, so good.” She muttered before turning to the reaper. “Hand, if you would be so kind?”

The grim daemon made a show of begrudgingly drawing the Kingslayer and holding it aloft. The pommel of the black blade flashed six times, each time releasing an ethereal shade into the air. His part of the ritual complete, the Hand of Death sheathed his sword and excused himself to return to his duties, leaving the once reaped souls to drift aimlessly above their bodies.

“Hang in there, Twilight.” Armor thought. “You’ll be back soon.”

“Shades of the mortal dead, take heed.” The Archmage invoked in Khthonic, the strange syllables sending chills down her spine despite her experience with the dark tongue. “While you have peeked beyond the veil of life, this is not your time to cross it.”

The floating souls stiffened as they heard the words of power as if spoken by the Silent King himself. Lulamoon smirked as she held the lives of her hated hecklers in her hooves. She made them dance a bit just to demonstrate how helpless they were but a grunt of disapproval from Armor put an end to her fun.

“By the powers vested in me by our Dark Lord, return to your blessed vessels…” She continued as the negative light reached out and enveloped the nebulous shades. “…and arise!”

The souls separated and hovered over each of the wrapped bodies. Slowly, they sank back into their respective vessels and disappeared from sight. The bundles began to twitch and convulse as the necromantic power reversed death itself; mending mortal wounds and anchoring their vital essence to their bodies. The oily substance was absorbed into the runic cloth, causing it to darken and then burn away in a silvery fire revealing the pastel colored equines within. The hexagram flashed as the ritual reached its climax and then faded to nothing, the magic spent.

“Did it work?” Armor asked testily as he looked over the aftermath of the ritual.

“They should be sleeping.” Lulamoon answered as she approached one of the Element Bearers and kicked her. “Wake up, dumbass!”

“zzz…Five more minutes, mom…zzz” Dash mumbled sleepily as she turned over.

“Thank the Throne.” The Grand Marshall let out a breath, relived that he would not have to re-kill his undead sister. “Alright troops, help them up. Chrysalis, you might want to shift into something.”

“Aww, are you embarrassed by me?” The Hive Queen teased with a coy smile only for her lover to give her a hard look. “Fine, fine. It would be too much of a hassle to explain us on top of everything else.”

The changeling shifted into a nondescript equine Undying in a flash of emerald magic. They waited as the knights carefully roused the revived Equestrians. The Element Bearers yawned and stretched as if awakening from a deep slumber while the Undying gave them some space less they suddenly become violent.

“Ugh…wha…what happened?” Applejack asked groggily. “Ah feel like Big Mac kicked me in the head.”

“I feel like I got mauled by a tornado.” Dash unconsciously rubbed her barrel where she had been impaled. “Wait a minute… I remember looking at Grey’s stupid face and then-!”

“He killed us!” Pinkie jumped onto all fours, instantly awake. “That is the ultimate party foul!”

“We were dead.” Sparkle said quietly as she looked over her once perforated body. “I felt the darkness closing in and then nothing. How are we…”

The Alicorn looked up to find they were surrounded by Undying Knights including the Grand Marshall. Without his helm, the scholarly mare noticed that he bore an uncanny resemblance to her late brother. The greyscale unicorn trotted forward and regarded her with a familiar smile.

“Okay. Here we go.” He mentally braced himself for what was to come.

“Welcome back, Twily.” Shining Armor said gladly.

“Shiny?” Sparkle’s cautious recognition quickly morphed into absolute joy. “Shiny!”

She quickly scrambled to her hooves and galloped to her brother. He met her halfway and the two siblings embraced tightly. Tears welled up in the Princess of Magic’s eyes as she held her dear departed brother close.

“Shining.” She said past sniffles. “I thought I would never see you again.”

“I missed you too, Twilight.” Armor said gently as he held her close.

“Get back, Twi! It might be a trick!” The cyan speedster grabbed her friend by the tail and pulled her away. “Look at what it’s wearing!”

Sparkle noticed that her departed brother was indeed wearing the same armor as the Grand Marshall of the knights who had slain them. With those same knights all around them along with a mildly bemused Lulamoon, the Princess began to share her friend’s suspicion.

“I guess that is to be expected.” The Undying unicorn thought.

“Calm down, Dash, it’s me.” The ashen stallion held his hooves up in placation.

“Prove it!” The Bearer of Loyalty fixed the Marshall with an untrusting glare.

“I used to sneak you into Wonderbolt shows.” Armor reminded her. “Pretty sure I had to stop you from jumping Spitfire or Sorin’ a few times.”

“Oh my gosh.” Dash’s mouth fell open in shock. “It really is you!”

“Shining, what’s going on?” His resurrected sister asked once it was confirmed he was genuine.

“After your…encounter with the Silent King, I had my knights bring you here.” Armor explained carefully. “Trixie there brought you back to life.”

“You’re welcome.” The Archmage said with a confident smirk. “The Astute and Innovative Trixie had to more or less invent a higher form of necromancy so when does she get her wings? Or does she need the approval of an Alicorn to-ack!”

The former magician did not get to finish her attempted one-upmareship as Pinkie wrapped her in a grateful but constricting hug.

“Oh, thank you Trixie!” The party pony cheered even as her victim struggled to free herself. “I knew you couldn’t have gone completely to the dark side!”

“Ah think ah know what’s going on now.” Applejack said keenly. “That two-faced snake Grey forced y’all to work for him and now yer fightin’ back.”

“Ha! Not even close.” The knight closest to Armor scoffed.

“Then pray tell.” Rarity insisted as she absently fixed her ruffled mane. “Because I’m as lost as Rainbow Dash in a hurricane.”

“Hey!” The pegasus shot her friend a look.

“I can explain.” Armor aimed this more at Sparkle than anypony else. “But you will have to bear with me as it is a bit convoluted. You see…”

The Grand Marshall explained how he gained his position starting just after he arrived in the Sunless Lands. He made it as far as the Silent King recruiting him into the Knights of the Undying Order when the inevitable interruptions came.

“Why did you take his offer?” The academic Alicorn asked. “If anypony was deserving of eternal rest, it was you.”

“A sense of purpose.” Her late brother answered after a moment of consideration. “When his Excellency offered to serve the Sunless Lands as I had Equestria, it was like a second calling to duty.”

“And just in the nick of time.” The knight beside him concurred.

Armor used that to segue to his first task as the new Grand Marshall; the quelling of the demonic Grand Exodus. The equines listened with rapt attention as he abridged his battle against the worst the Underworld had to offer.

“You stopped a breakout from Tartarus- the Tartarus?” Dash asked wide-eyed. “Awesome!”

“We all did.” The late prince-regent gestured to his fellow knights and Lulamoon. “Honestly, it made the siege of the Crystal Empire seem like a mere bandit raid.”

“So the Shock Waves…” Sparkle trailed off as she put together what had long vexed the Princesses. “We were feeling the aftershocks of your battle.”

“Things got a bit crazy down there.” The Archmage admitted with a gasp after Pinkie finally released her. “Your old friend Tirek nearly blazed a trail from here to Equestria, Sparkle.”

“The centaur?” The Alicorn of Magic’s wings twitched at the memory of her battle with the sorcerous Ixionian. “He’s back in his cell, right?”

“Better. His Excellency sundered his magic and destroyed his body.” A minotaur knight answered in a way that suggested he was smiling under his helm. “He won’t be bothering either of us anytime soon.”

“That seems a little harsh.” Fluttershy said quietly.

"Anything less and he would remain a threat." A more keen-eared knight argued.

“So what happened after you stomped those freaks?” The prismatic pegasus asked.

“I was getting to that.” Armor continued.

The Undying unicorn skipped ahead to more or less confirmed the Silent King’s version of events at the Gala in Canterlot and his reason for being there. This earned a few suspicious looks from the Element Bearers of Honesty and Loyalty but they did not interrupt. He finished with their last meal and subsequent resurrection.

“…where Archmage Lulamoon revive you afterwards.” The ashen stallion concluded. “And here we are.”

“So all that about getting us out of the way to take over the world was…” Dash trailed off as a look of guilt crossed her face.

“Just talk to provoke one of you into attacking him, giving him an excuse to execute you.” The azure lich answered. “Trixie had thought it would have been the day laborer but you were a close second.”

“Oh.” The weather mare’s expression fell. “Girls, I am so sorry.”

“It’s alright, darling. He knew just the right buttons to push.” Rarity reassured. “Besides, I barely felt a thing; his brutes skewered you.”

“But why would Grey go through with all this?” Fluttershy asked.

“Sorry to interrupt but where is Princess Luna?” Applejack noticed that their little party was a member short. “Y’all didn’t kill her?”

“His Excellency needed to separate Luna from the rest of you.” Armor answered all three questions. “Or rather Nightmare Moon.”

“Luna is Nightmare Moon again?” Pinkie cocked her head to the side. “She didn’t look it.”

“The Usurper has learned from your last encounter.” The awfully sardonic knight flanking the Marshall interjected. “She revealed her true colors once she was certain you were dead.”

“That’s right.” Sparkle said grimly. “I saw her eyes right before I died; teal and predatory. That was not Luna.”

“So His Majesty may have done you a favor in this grand scheme of ours.” The Khthonic mage could not resist getting one over them. “You were spared whatever fate Moon had in store for you. Again, you are welcome.”

“Then we are in your debt, Trixie.” The lavender Princess said as she offered her rival a genuine look of gratitude. “Where is Nightmare Moon now?”

“Last I saw, she had departed along with Suneater and the Silent King to retrieve the missing Primordial he mentioned.” Armor answered. “They are long gone by now.”

“Why does he need a fiend like her to do that?” Rarity asked.

“I know why: ‘the Stars shall aid in her escape’.” The scholarly mare quoted. “That wasn’t figurative, it was literal. Moon had help from a Primordial and now Grey- the Silent King -is using her to get it back.”

“Bravo, you figured it out after we spelled it out for you.” Lulamoon clopped her hooves together in spectacular condescension. “Truly you are Equestria’s greatest heroines.”

“So Grey does plan to reunite the Pantheon he mentioned but only to keep them under his watch.” The cyan pegasus pieced together all they had been told. “Does that mean he brought us back as a backup plan?”

“If I have learned anything from serving his Excellency is that he is a clever one; plans within plans and schemes within schemes.” The Grand Marshall said plainly. “He ordered your resurrection because it was not your time but it would not surprise me if he had an ulterior motive or two.”

“Maybe he wants you in place to stop Moon if she betrays him.” The knight beside him ventured. “Or maybe he just likes you. Only he knows.”

“Aww.” Fluttershy blushed slightly.

“And ah thought Discord was hard to figure out.” Applejack huffed. “So ah guess our next step is to warn Princess Celestia that Moon might be comin’ back.”

“That’s not the only problem she will be facing.” The Archmage spoke up after sharing a knowing look with Armor. “The Stealthy and Observant Trixie learned at the Gala that Canterlot’s nobles are planning a coup against her along with some of the guards.”

“What?!” Sparkle rounded on Lulamoon. “Are you serious?”

“One of the ringleaders, Blueblood, tried to rope ‘Patricia’ and the ‘Merchant Prince’ into his scheme.” The azure unicorn explained as she air-quoted with her hooves. “It was cute how he thought we would go along like the rest of his stooges.”

“Celestia is going to have Nightmare Moon knocking down her gates and traitors waiting in the grass.” The Princess of Magic set her face in determination. “We have to get back to Canterlot, now!”

“But what about Trixie and Suneater?” Dash asked, pointed a hoof at the Archmage. “They’re the whole reason we’re down here in the first place.”

“Trixie has told you before she is content to live down here in peace and the dragon is loyal to his Majesty.” The former traveling magician said disdainfully. “You have bigger problems.”

“She’s right.” Sparkle agreed. “Shining, can you help us?”

“I cannot leave my station but I can arrange transport to the surface.” Armor said as he signaled one of his troops to summon said transport.

While they waited for the knight to return, the sound of beating wings caught their attention. Armor looked up expecting the Hand of Death but instead saw the sisters Erinyes. The eldest met his eye and flew down toward him while her sisters followed behind with something between them. The Equestrians took a step back from the daemons as they landed.

“What the hay are those things?” Applejack asked as she placed herself between the winged horrors and her less combative friends.

“Furies. The Silent King’s enforcers and oath keepers.” Armor explained briskly as the head daemon approached. “Don’t worry, they won’t harm you.”

“We have been looking for you, Grand Marshall.” The eldest said, ignoring the surface dwellers. “A matter has arisen that requires your attention.”

“Nine Hells, what now?” The Undying unicorn braced himself for the worse.

“A new arrival has been causing trouble.” The Fury gestured toward the soul in question as her kin landed. “We would normally torment it for a few hours until it fell back in line but this is a special case.”

Armor trotted toward the shade while his sister and her friends looked on. It was hard to tell from his spectral form, but the soul looked familiar.

“Release me you vile fiends!” The arrogant tone of Prince Blueblood was unmistakable. “I demand to speak with this mute majesty I keep hearing about!”

“He’s down here already?” The Undying unicorn thought as he recognized one of his least favorite nobles of Canterlot. “Good on you, Celestia.”

“Blueblood?!” Rarity’s fur stood on end in ill-contained rage. “Just give me five minutes alone with him!”

“Oi, not so fast.” A diamond dog knight put himself between her and the shade. “Dis iz Underworld biz’. Let da boss ‘andle it.”

“Thanks, Fleabag.” Said boss thought. “Don’t need her attacking new citizens, no matter how repugnant they are.”

“The Silent King is away on business.” Armor said flatly. “I am the ranking official so you may speak to me.”

“Ah, good. At least I can speak with a fellow unicorn.” The late prince composed himself. “You see, I have suffered a great injustice.”

“Really?” The Marshall asked. “How so?”

“The Solar Alicorn swore an oath to this one’s forebears that she would safeguard their bloodline.” The middle Erinyes explained plainly. “She has broken that oath.”

“She killed me!” Blueblood added indignantly. “So I can’t be down here with these peons!”

“We did not say that.” The youngest Erinyes growled. “An oath may have been broken but that does not change that fact you are dead.”

“This is an outrage!” The noble, to his credit, shot back to the daemon. “Do you not know who I am? I own half of Equestria! I am far too important!”

“One would think death would be a humbling experience.” It was a testament to Armor’s patience that he did not silence the impudent shade with a backhoof.

“Wealth and titles mean little this side of the grass, Blueblood.” The ashen stallion responded knowingly. “Everyone who ends up down here starts on equal terms.”

“Equal terms? Bah! You must not…” The deceased noble trailed off as he finally recognized who he was speaking to. “Captain Armor?”

“It’s Grand Marshall now.” The former Captain of the Guard corrected. “Much like how yours is traitor.”

“Traitor? Preposterous!” Blueblood snorted as best he could as a shade. “What I did was for the good of our nation! Which is more than I can say for you trading the proud gold of Equestria for the black of...whatever this pit is.”

“Bullshit!” Dash called out from behind a line of knights attempting to keep the Equestrian’s from interfering. “You wouldn’t know good if it punched you in the nose!”

“Miss Dash?” The elite brushed passed Armor toward the heroines. “What are you doing down here?”

“Nine Hells.” Armor rolled his eyes as he signaled for his troops to let the encounter happen.

The moment the guards let them by, the weather mare charged the traitorous noble. He raised his hooves to defend himself only for the Element of Loyalty to pass harmlessly through his spectral body. She landed in a heap before the Furies, earning a round of chuckles from the knights and Lulamoon. The other five Equestrians surrounded the shade with varying levels of contempt.

“It’s good to see I have allies even in this dismal place.” The tactless unicorn smiled. “Listen, we need to-“

“Shut up, Blueblood.” Sparkle said sharply. “We know you tried to usurp Princess Celestia.”

“Yer little better than Nightmare Moon at this point.” Applejack sneered.

“Ladies, please!” Blueblood appeared honestly hurt by their accusations. “What I did was no mere power grab; I was trying to save Equestria like you have countless times!”

“Don’t you dare put us in the same league as you!” Dash rejoined the group after getting to all fours.

“Yeah!” Pinkie concurred. “How does bucking Princess Celestia off the throne solve anything?”

“She was losing control!” The noble unicorn tried to defend himself. “Of both herself and the country!”

“Meaning what exactly?” Rarity asked with a frown.

“He arrived along with a large group of elites and guards.” The eldest Fury answered for him. “They all perished to the Alicorn’s wrath.”

To illustrate, the middle Erinyes seized the shade of Blueblood by his head and sunk her claws into his spectral form. His eyes glowed as his last moments were projected into the air above them. The mortals and immortals watched as the nobles of Canterlot’s coup unfolded before them. All seemed to be going in the elites favor until Celestia began to smolder. The Equestrians gasped when one of the guards tried to apprehend her only for his hoof to burst into flame. The last thing Blueblood saw before he perished in a supernova was the Alicorn’s visage; not the regal features of Celestia but something cruel and wicked. While the heroines were no strangers to violence, they balked at the sight of the nobles and guards being immolated in the same light that once brought such comfort.

“Oh no.” The Princess of Magic said quietly as she witnessed her former teacher’s fall. “I’ve seen her like this before…at the Crystal Empire.”

“Then you know what must be done.” Blueblood shook his head as the Erinyes released him. “Think what you want of me but Equestria is in danger.”

“Then we have no time to lose!” Dash said urgently.

At that moment, the knight returned along with a carriage being driven by a cloaked figure and a team of black wendigoes. The mares were stunned by the evil looking mode of transportation but in light of everything they just learned, collectively decided to just go with it. Quickly, they gathered their things and loaded up with the aid of some of the guards. Before long, the carriage was set and the heroines were ready to return to the world of the living.

“This will take you as far as Hollow Shades but after that you’ll be on your own.” Armor explained as he helped the mares aboard. “The driver is worried about getting spotted by patrols.”

“We have a balloon so we’ll be fine.” Dash said as she found a seat between Applejack and Pinkie.

“Are you sure you can’t come with us?” Sparkle asked as she passed her bags to Rarity to take inside.

“My place is here now.” Armor said plainly. “Don’t worry, Twily. If anypony can put this right, it’s you and your friends.”

The youngest Alicorn smiled and embraced her brother one last time.

“The life of the dead is paced in the memory of the living.” She whispered quietly. “I will never forget that or you.”

“Nor will I.” The late captain of the guard whispered back. “Now go save the world again.”

The two siblings parted. Sparkle climbed into the carriage and shut the door behind her. The passengers waved goodbye from the windows as the driver cracked his whip over the heads of the wendigoes. The vehicle rumbled across the uneven ground before it took to the air and disappeared into the sunless sky.

“She is a good mare, sir.” A minotaur knight said thoughtfully. “The world is in good hands, er, hooves.”

“I know.” Armor nodded. “Well, let’s get back to our duties.”

“Marshall Armor, what about me?” Blueblood interjected. “You saw what happened.”

“Yes, I did.” The Undying unicorn glared at the spectral one. “The broken oath will be resolved but your part in this is over. Your judgement awaits.”

“What does that mean?” The noble asked as the Erinyes seized him by his legs.

“You betrayed your benefactor and nation on top of all manner of sins born from avarice, pride, lust and gluttony.” The youngest daemon smiled maliciously. “What do you think it means?”

The shade’s protests were lost in the beating of wings as he was carried off to face his doom. A few of the equines knights familiar with the former noble actually cheered. Armor let them for a bit before he ordered them back to their posts. As he trotted back toward Barathrum, he was joined by Lulamoon and an undisguised Chrysalis.

“I have a feeling that the Underworld will be busy soon.” The changeling chittered.

“It is a veritable second civil war.” The Archmage commented. “The Great and Powerful Trixie wonders which side will win this time.”

“The harmony that protected Equestria has been compromised.” Armor thought. “Knowing Twilight, she will do everything she can to fix it. I just hope it is enough.”

“Is that a bronchial thing?” The Silent King asked the resurgent Nightmare Moon as she laughed maniacally.

“Hahaha! What? Oh, this is just an expression of triumph!” The dark Alicorn said gleefully. “You should try it sometime.”

“I’ll reserve my laughter after we are back in Barathrum.” The Khthonic Theoi thought as he looked down at his hooves. “Things have a habit of going awry before the final act.”

Resting against one of his greyscale hooves was Princess Luna’s tiara. As he bent down to retrieve it, he noticed something else amongst the pale moondust. Tiny slivers of crystal shimmered in his long shadow, evidence of some microscopic measure of power within.

“Fragments of the dream stone.” The Dark Lord mused. “Interesting.”

He glanced upward to see Moon was occupied with admiring her new form. The stygian stallion quietly swept the tiny pieces into his robes.

“Mmhmm, my stature is not the only thing that has grown.” The Usurper said coyly as she wiggled her more salacious assets. “I know you are dying to make a full moon pun, Hidden One.”

“New moon would be more appropriate.” The Silent King said neutrally. “I do not recall you having cloven hooves and hybrid wings when we last met.”

“Ah yes, these.” Moon inspected the sharp edge of one of her hooves while her wings flapped experimentally. “I suspect some remnant of poor little Luna was holding me back before but no longer.”

“Speaking of your other half…” The Lord of Shades asked as he straightened up with the Lunar Alicorn’s tiara. “…is she still in there somewhere?”

“For once, I am alone in here.” The night mare answered as she tapped her head knowingly. “I left the foolish foal with her demons in a nightmare of her own creation.”

“I see.” The Theoi nodded in understanding. “Pity.”

“Bah, save your attention for somepony who deserves it.” The corrupted Alicorn gave him a sly smile. “Like me.”

Moon trotted off the alter toward her partner, her teal eyes glowing with deviously. As she drew closer, she noticed he had her old tiara. He looked from her to the trinket and held it out for her.

“Keep it.” The fallen Princess pushed it back with a toothy smile. “I have something better.”

Her horn ignited in a teal glow as she summoned her characteristic armor from the ether. The shin and chest guards closed over their respective limbs as her iconic helm slid over her head. After pulling her billowing mane through to allow it to flow freely, Moon struck a pose for her single onlooker.

“And I thought Sombra was vain.” The former Lurker thought.

“A vision of beauty if I ever saw one.” He said plainly. “Now, shall we return to Suneater and your benefactor?”

“You tease.” The corrupted Princess said playfully but dropped it once she noticed that her paramour was serious. “Fine, if we must.”

The two exited Moon’s inner sanctum and began the lengthy trot back to ground level. Along the way, the Theoi mulled over what to do once the Primordials were reunited. He wanted to return home with his old and new friends and resume where they had left off but he suspected it would not be that simple.

“Shifting Darkness seems to have given up world conquering after being stuffed down a hole but I am not certain about Night Sky.” The Silent King thought. “She plays the long game more than most.”

“Bit for your thoughts, Hidden One?” Moon suddenly cut into his thoughts. “You introspect a lot.”

“It’s a habit I picked up during my exile.” The Lord of Shades said coolly. “I was liable to go mad if I did not.”

“Hmm, I did something similar during my time here.” The Mare in the Moon said sympathetically. “Building this bastion, carving the statues, plotting Celestia’s demise... anything to stave off tedium.”

The two fell silent as they both reminisced about their lonely exiles. Before long, they reached the nexus of the bastion and the many stairs and passages. Moon took a moment to get her bearings before she identified the passage Suneater had taken and followed after him. As they approached the Orrery at the top of the bastion, voices could be heard conversing in Khthonic.

“…has not changed much over the eons.” The Lord of Darkness’ deep rumble reverberated through the passageway. “The well-being of the Underworld comes first, as always.”

“I have noticed.” The regal voice of the Lady of the Stars responded. “That may prove troublesome.”

“Not sure I like that.” The monochrome stallion thought.

The Primodials must have heard their hoof steps as they fell silent. The two equines reached another moonstone door, this one depicting Nightmare Moon in all her majesty. The real version shot a spark of magic into the door and it slid open easily, allowing them to trot inside the Orrery.

“Now this is something.” The Silent King thought as he looked around the cavernous space.

The room was a massive dome supported by a circle of pillars that offered a panoramic view of the moonscape and beyond. A large and imposing throne of stone sat on the far side of the room opposite a spectacular view of Equis. The sound of hooves stepping on metal drew the Theoi’s attention to the floor where he discovered metal set in an intricate design in the otherwise stone floor.

“Impressive.” He said aloud.

“Yes, my apostle has a mind for architecture.” The Lady of the Star’s voice echoed from above. “It has been too long, Hidden One.”

“Likewise, Night Sky.” The Lord of Shades said respectfully. “Where exactly are you?”

“We were just discussing that.” The Lord of Darkness said from the center of the room, his size accommodated by the voluminous space. “We have to find her before we can free her from her stellar prison.”

“Stellar?” The Dark Lord looked up. “You are imprisoned amongst your creations?”

“A crueler irony I cannot fathom.” The entity said bitterly.

“No wonder we had to come here.” Moon said knowingly as she trotted toward her throne. “If you are trapped amongst the stars then the Orrery is the only thing that can find you.”

“Precisely.” The night mare’s benefactor confirmed. "And now that your true form has been restored, you can release me from this thrice-damned prison."

The Usurper sat upon her lunar seat of power and began to channel a spell. The glowing stones illuminating the room dimmed, leaving the chamber in near darkness save for the arcane light emanating from the fallen Alicorn. With a sharp snap, her magic shot into floor where the metal sections began to glow. Spheres of various sizes rose out of the floor as pinpricks of starlight shone through the dome.

“There are some aspects of my domain that cannot be appreciated with the naked eye.” The Princess of the Eternal Night said proudly. “With this, even the most distant star is within reach.”

“So this must be the space relative to Equis.” The Dread Lord inferred as he tapped one of the spheres marked with the horseshoe symbol of equines orbited by what he assumed was the moon and sun. “Where did you get the metal?”

“Meteors.” Moon answered simply. “Unlike the cold iron you work with, this takes to magic quite well.”

“That is all well and good but where is she?” Suneater asked impatiently as he scanned the heavens.

“Far from there, my love.” The Lady of the Stars said regretfully. “I wish I could say more.”

“How did you come to be imprisoned?” The Silent King asked. “Perhaps that could offer a clue.”

“Very well, Hidden One.” The Primordial said with an edge of disdain as unpleasant memories surfaced.“I have your loathsome nephew, the Lord of Lights, to thank for this indignity.”

The stellar Lady told, with some embellishment the King was sure, of how the radiant Lord challenged her not long after the Downfall. With the world descending into chaos, the Primordial had set in motion her plans to claim stewardship of the cosmos only to be opposed by the bright Lord. He was beaten and bloodied from the war with his kin but was determined not to let what was left of the world fall into her brand of darkness.

“Where was that bravery before the Downfall?” The Dark Lord thought. “He always used to just write poetry and play music for his concubines.”

Their battle took them far across the heavens into the reaches of the void of space. After years of battle, the Lord appeared to be an inch from death. The Lady struck at his heart which would have certainly been a fatal blow had it not been a feint on the part of the Lord of Lights. Instead of her hands piercing immortal flesh, they were caught in binds that held her fast. She could only struggle in vain as the nature of her bounds was revealed: They were but one piece of a larger construct that formed around her.

“Sounds like one of the Lord of the Forge’s creations.” The Silent King thought. “He was a bit of an outside the box thinker.”

“I remember he defiled the surrounding stars; stole their power to fuel this infernal machine.” The Primordial recalled with utter contempt in her otherwise regal voice. “I was lost for some time until I managed to make contact with certain individuals in the world of the living.”

“She must mean Sombra and Luna.” The Khthonic Theoi mused. “Whatever she is sealed in must be failing if it has a few leaks. We are fortunate to have found her before that happened.”

“I should have been there.” The Black Dragon lamented. “You were fighting for your life while I was biding my time gathering followers.”

“I understand, my love.” His consort reassured him. “I only regret not joining you in your burning crusade across the world.”

“So it appears we should look for a place without stars.” Moon ventured.

“That may be our best lead.” The pallid pony agreed. “Let’s get started.”

Slowly and methodically, the three dark entities began their search for the forth. Suneater and the King scanned the stars above while Moon periodically shifted their focus to different areas of space. They passed over many nebula, constellations and even distant nameless planets with no success other than comprehending just how vast the void of space was. They were about to move on to another area of the galaxy when the Lord of Darkness suddenly called out.

“Wait!” He shouted. “Look there.”

He pointed a claw toward a spot above them. Sure enough, there was a rather large expanse of blackness in the shape of a circle with a single point of light in the center. Moon cast another spell to reconfigure the Orrery. The point of interest zoomed in closer until it disappeared. In the middle of the room, the iron spheres returned to the floor save for one. The orb glowed as it reshaped itself into a strange geometric shape of concentric rings revolving around a single point of brilliant light.

“That has to be her.” Suneater insisted. “I can feel it in my scales.”

“What fresh madness is that?” Moon asked from her throne.

“A Sphere of Dyson.” The Silent King answered. “A device created by the Lord of the Forge to contain and harvest the raw power of the stars themselves. My nephew must have repurposed one to imprison our mutual friend.”

“So that is what I am in.” The Lady of the Stars grumbled. “No wonder I cannot free myself: it is using my own power to keep me here.”

“Now that we found her, how do we release her?” The dragon asked. “Do we have to fly out there?”

“Not quite.” Moon said as she slid off the throne. “With this, we should be able to hit it from here.”

“You will have to hit a specific point on this thing.” The Theoi said as he indicated one of the spinning inner rings. “Do you think you and Shifting Darkness are up to it?”

“We have to try but what about you?” Suneater asked only to receive a hard look from his friend. “Apologies, I forgot you lack the ability to conjure projectiles.”

“I make do.” The stygian stallion thought.

The Silent King stood clear as the Equestrian Usurper and Black Dragon Prince gathered power in their horn and maw respectively. They would have to hit a single point on a moving target nearly an infinite distance away. It was nigh impossible but they had the advantage of multiple tries. The moment the Alicorn and dragon were ready, they unleased their stored up power. A lance of pure moonlight intermixed with a stream of baleful fire and struck the metal construct. As Moon had said, the Orrery redirected the combined blast and launched it into space. They repeated this twice over just to be sure.

“There.” The midnight Princess panted slightly in exertion. “Now what?”

“Now we wait until those blasts reach their target.” The Dread Lord answered. “It might take a while.”

“My anticipation is almost palpable.” The Lady of the Stars said expectantly.

The three wandered about the room as they waited. The Theoi eventually settled on watching the Sphere. Moon, preferring his company, joined him.

“Are you sure a few blasts is enough to destroy this thing?” She asked.

“From what I know of the design, they were built so that any force from within would only strengthen it.” He answered. “Therein lies to flaw: indestructible from within but not without.”

“I see.” The Usurper nodded.” So I guess I won’t be trapping Celestia in one.”

The King shook his head. He was about to suggest another means of disposing the Solar Alicorn for small talk when movement caught his eye. From the outer circumference of the room, the blasts appeared represented by points of light like miniature comets.

“We lost one.” The Suneater noticed. “It must have collided with something in transit.”

“We will see how the others do.” Moon said as she focused on the lights. “Stars willing, we don’t have to do this for the next thousand years.”

“You know I am willing.” The stellar Primordial commented coyly.

A tense silence fell between the three as they watched the trajectory of the lances/dragon fire. The first reached the sphere only to bounce off an outer ring and dissipate, earning muttered curses from the dragon and Alicorn. They stood on the tips of their hooves and claws as the third and final light sailed past the ring that had defeated its predecessor.

“Come on!” Suneater encouraged as the light drew closer to its target.

A single *blink* was the only confirmation they received that the blast had struck home. The dark entities watched with baited breath as the ring came to a shuddering stop as it was knocked out of alinement. The dragon and Alicorn smiled gleefully as the sudden imbalance caused a chain reaction that slowly tore the monstrous construct apart.

“Rrahaha! We would never be able to make that shot again.” Suneater laughed in relief. “Can you see it, Night Sky? You will be free soon.”

“Not soon.” The Lady of the Stars said resolutely. “Now!”

Through the model, they were able to see something stir within the Sphere before it tore itself free and rocketed away, leaving the machine to collapse in on itself. The three tried to catch sight of the entity but it had already moved beyond their field of view.

“She’s coming here and quickly.” The Theoi realized. “We should stand back.”

Suneater and Moon wisely complied and cleared some space for the inbound Primordial. The Alicorn realigned the Orrery back to Equis so that they could see her benefactor coming. After a few moments of anticipation, the keen-eyed dragon spotted a new point of light among the stars.

“Here she comes!” The Lord of Darkness said excitedly as the light grew brighter.

The light grew larger and brighter still as it drew closer. The very ground began to tremble as the entity rocketed toward the moon, overpowering the nearby stars with its brilliance. With a thunderous boom that shook the celestial body to its core, the Primordial landed in the Orrery amongst an inferno of blinding white flame. The fires cooled and died as the malevolent presence came into being. A feminine figure of divine grace comprised of an ever-shifting canvas of the night sky rose to her statuesque height. Long strands of pure white hair cascaded down from a crown of starlight atop her head. Her only visible features where a pair of deep red lips against a flawless mask of porcelain.

"Muh huh huh huh huh." The Primordial Lady of the Stars laughed regally as her stars twinkled in the presence of their mistress.

Captain Flash Sentry silently trotted through the halls of Canterlot toward what was left of the throne room. The purge of the nobles and his own guards had been a messy affair. The traitors had misinterpreted the explosion that birthed Daybreaker to be the sign to begin the uprising. Their fervor was short lived once word got out that their ringleaders were now just shadows burned into marble and that the loyalist elements of Solar Guard were now hunting them. Having declared their intentions so brazenly, it did not take long for the remaining turncoats to be identified and rounded up. Some fought back, of course, only to meet their end at the end of spears and bladed wings. As for the rest, the Solar Alicorn’s orders were clear: immediate execution. Sentry, however, decided that a stay was in order.

“The ringleaders and turncoat guard have been eliminated.” The orange pegasus muttered to himself. “Guilty or not, the rest are still civilians.”

The lawful stallion had what was left of the nobility arrested and transferred to his Tyrian Guard counterparts in Ponyville. Obstinately, this was due to the lack of secure holding cells in Canterlot but they knew he was sparing them from the Alicorn’s fiery wrath or at the very least delaying it. Now it fell upon the Captain to report to said Alicorn and hope her demeanor had improved.

“She was angry; a momentary lapse in sanity.” The nervous guard told himself. “It happens to the best of us.”

“…calling in her heavy hitters.” The hushed whispers reached Sentry’s ears as he rounded a corner and found two of his Solar Guard who immediately snapped to attention. “Captain!”

“At ease.” The pegasus said automatically. “Something you wish to share?”

The two guards exchanged brief glances.

“Well, we’ve heard that Princess Celestia or whatever she wants to go by now is summoning the Luminous Solarii.” One of them answered. “And after what happened with the nobility…”

“We are worried she might go full tyrant.” The other finished for his friend. “At the risk of sounding cliché, this is not what I signed up for.”

“Nor did I.” Sentry sighed. “Why don’t you two take a patrol near Ponyville? I heard they are in need of an increased guard presence.”

“Will do, sir.” One of them caught on to his meaning and nodded. “Thank you, sir.”

The two Solar Guards departed for their new ‘patrol’ as their Captain continued down the hall. As he drew closer to the throne room, he could both hear and feel a mighty power radiating out like a bonfire. Just outside the seat of power, he spotted another pair of his guards who were standing a fair distance away from the sweltering heat. When they saw their captain, they could only offer shrugs and shakes of the head to his silent question; they had no idea what was going on.

“I think I’m about to find out.” The pegasus remembered to keep his thoughts to himself less he say something compromising as he neared the scorched and battered entryway to the throne room.

After giving nods of acknowledgement to the guards flanking the doors, Sentry entered to find the seat of power in Canterlot was still in a state of disrepair. The throne was still a semi-molten pool of slag and ashen rubble was strewn across the pot marked floor. The shadows of Blueblood and his doomed cohorts were still clearly visible in the wall. Their vanquisher was standing in the middle of the room, horn ignited and concentrating on a writhing pillar of fire that seemed to reach to the blazing midday sun.

“It has been noon for at least five hours now.” Sentry thought as he cleared his throat to gain the fiery Alicorn’s attention.

“Ah, Captain Sentry.” Daybreaker said without looking at her visitor. “I will be with you in a moment.”

The pegasus found a study enough hunk of rubble that looked like it would off some modicum of cover and stood by it. The Princess flared her magic and the conflagration increased in intensity. Sentry watched as best he could as spheres of light fell from the sun along the column of flame. The lights took on equine shapes as they reached the floor and landed with the loud clang of metal striking stone. Out of the inferno trotted a gilded Solarii followed by another and another as their mistress summoned them from their solar sanctuary. Soon the room was filled with a veritable golden army, leaving Sentry to feel like the odd stallion out.

“I was wondering where she stashed them when they weren’t needed.” He thought as the armored equines formed ranks. “To think these were once common ponies.”

“You summoned us, Your Brilliance?” One the pegasus assumed to be their equivalent of an officer asked with an obedient bow.

“Indeed, I have.” Daybreaker nodded as she extinguished the solar flare. “Darkness has seeped into the hearts and minds of the ponies that once worshipped me and they now threaten the land from within and without.”

“Then by Your grace, we shall redeem them with sword and fire!” The Solarii declared.

“Of course you will, I command it.” The Alicorn smiled. “For now, gather on the palace grounds. I will announce the greatest sources of heresy shortly.”

“This is worse than just some temper tantrum.” The Captain wisely kept his thoughts to himself. “Stars above, I wish Twilight was here.”

The sun-blessed host saluted and dutifully filed out of the room, either oblivious or indifferent to their revered matron’s new appearance. Only when the last one departed did Sentry felt it was safe to approach the Princess who had shifted her attention to the vista outside the gaping hole where the stain-glass windows used to be. He knelt respectfully and waited for her to address him.

“I heard the sounds of bloodshed from here.” Daybreaker said with a smirk. “I take it the traitors have been dealt with.”

“Of course, your majesty.” The captain answered carefully. “I have also revised our recruiting strategy and methods of instilling loyalty. This won’t happen again at least in the Guard.”

“Proactive. I like it.” The blazing Princess nodded in approval. “And Discord?”

“He has been taken care of.” He added with a glance at the scorch mark where the draconequus had been incinerated.

“Hmm, I really should have done that sooner.” The Alicorn mused aloud before she changed the subject. “Tell me, my illustrious Captain Sentry, what do you think of my sun?”

“Is that a euphemism for her ass?” Sentry’s eyes briefly drifted toward her shapely sun-kissed flanks. “What? No! Don’t think of her that way, Flash!”

“It is the reason most of us are alive.” The pegasus gave the textbook answer. “Its life-giving light grows our crops, warms our lands and keeps the cold darkness at bay.”

“Good answer.” The Alicorn regarded him with a smile. “And what do you think of those who try to leave its warm embrace?”

“You mean like the thestrals?” The captain asked, suddenly fearing for his nocturnal counterpart’s safety.

“No, not those lunatics.” Daybreaker clarified. “I mean somepony who has lived happily under my reign for many years only to break away once things do not go their way.”

“Sounds like a spoiled foal who needs disciplining.” Sentry answered hesitantly.

“How right you are.” The Princess agreed. “Good to see you are more than a handsome face.”

“You should see the rest of me.” The thought almost became words before the stallion reined himself in. “Damn it! Get a hold of yourself!”

“Thank you, your majesty.” The captain tried to give the automatic response but could not keep the strain out of his voice. “You honor me.”

“My gifts are many and bountiful.” The Solar Princess said, punctuating the entendre with a flirty bat of her eyelashes. “It is a shame some have spurned my generosity.

“You speak of the Neo-Crystal City.” The now sweating stallion tried to deflect the subject away from him. “I had heard rumors of their succession but-“

“Mi Amore Cadenza has lost her way.” The fiery Alicorn interrupted curtly, malice flashing in her gold-hued eyes. “She has let seditious fools poison her mind and turned what is left of the crystal ponies against Equestria; against me!”

“I got a really bad feeling about this.” The captain wondered how far he could fly out the window before the Alicorn shot him down.

“What are we to do about it, your highness?” He asked thought he suspected he already knew.

“A public display of our military might should do the trick.” The flaming Princess rattled off her plan as she took a few steps toward the captain. “Take a company of my Solarii, seize the city and put down the ringleaders, just like what you did here.”

“I’m not sure the crystal ponies will like that.” Sentry said carefully.

“If they resist, then the corruption has spread too far.” Daybreaker was now only a few paces from him and he could feel the heat radiating off her like a furnace. “My little sister had the right idea on how to rectify that. As you said, this cannot go unpunished.”

“This is insane!” The captain thought. “Usurpers are one thing but committing genocide against the crystal ponies for wanting to rule themselves?”

“Your majesty, I cannot-!” The orange stallion’s voice caught in his throat when the Alicorn placed a frim yet oddly comforting hoof on his shoulder. “Uh…”

“I understand if you are conflicted about this, my brave captain.” The Princess said in a low tone that made his fur stand on end. “You need not be. You will be doing me a service.”

Sentry suddenly found it hard to talk as the taller mare trotted beside him, her hoof trailing down his shoulder across his withers to his wings. They twitched excitedly under her touch, earning a short giggle of approval from Daybreaker. His willpower faltered as his eyes were once again drawn to the flanks of the mare as she passed. A different type of heat manifested between his hind legs when he caught the slightest glimpse of the Princess’s winking nethers past her burning banner of a tail.

“I reward those who serve me.” Daybreaker cooed seductively as her own lustful gaze ran southward. “Especially strong, steadfast and virile stallions such as yourself.”

“This is every guard’s fantasy.” The pegasus’ lust-addled mind struggled to function. “But this is not the Princess I pictured it with.”

“Princess, please.” The increasingly aroused stallion managed to squeak out as he felt another hoof on his rear.

With a simple flex of her powerful forelegs, the Solar Destroyer shoved him to the floor. He landed on his side and managed to roll onto his back before the Princess pinned his outstretched wings beneath her. Sweat beaded on his brow as the amorous Alicorn touched her muzzle against his, her lips peeled back in a toothy smile. The pegasus could swear that the sun had gotten brighter as if signaling its approval.

“My Solarii could use a stallion like you in their ranks.” The mare that was Celestia said breathily. “I think you would enjoy the benefits. I know I have.”

Her horn ignited and Sentry felt his now completely erect member be enveloped in heat so intense he feared it turning to ash. Daybreaker seemed to enjoy his discomfort as she captured his grimacing lips with hers. The pegasus went lightheaded as her tongue slipped past his parted teeth and forced itself against his own. Raw instinct began to take over as his forehooves found her neck and caressed it, mindful of the inferno of a mane. The Alicorn hummed happily in his mouth as she redoubled her magical ministrations on his pride, causing the tip to brush against her taught underbelly. She eventually broke the kiss, leaving Sentry to stare dumbly up at her.

“Twilight certainly has good taste in stallions.” The Princess smirked as she leaned forward and aimed his turgid length at her awaiting marehood.

“Twilight?” The one part of Sentry’s mind that was not overcome by lust fought through the fog. “Twilight! What the fuck am I doing?!”

“Wait! Stop!” The stallion yelled just as his head began to part her nethers.

“Oh, nervous?” The armored Alicorn teased but stalled her penetration. “Just let little Flash here do the thinking. He knows what he wants.”

“Well, you shouldn’t listen to him because he’s a dick.” The aroused pegasus countered as the Solar Princess began to grind expectantly against him.

“Cute.” Daybreaker rolled her eyes. “Now am I going to do all the work or are you going to use those strong hips of yours?”

“No, I can’t.” The captain said as he struggled to free himself without tearing his feathers. “I won’t! Not to Twilight.”

“Ha! That homely little sycophant?” The former mentor to the Princess of Magic cackled. “She is but a flicking candle before me.”

The fiery Alicorn straightened up to show off her considerable assets to the prone pegasus. Sentry’s member twitched in approval at the sight of her toned body and especially her bountiful teats. It pained the stallion to admit it but when compared to her fellow Princesses, the youngest came up short in more ways than one. That mattered little to the captain, however.

“So what if she doesn’t have tits she could smother me in?” He thought defiantly. “I love that purple nerd for what she is and if this bitch thinks she can change that, she has another thing coming!”

“Get off me, Celestia.” The captain said flatly.

“What?!” Daybreaker’s lust gave way to potentially pegasus vaporizing rage. “You would deny me, fool?!”

“A smart stallion once told me to never stick it in crazy.” Sentry said as he noticed the mare had inadvertently stepped off his wings as she was showing herself off. “And always have an escape plan.”

While the pegasus was no stuntstallion like those in the wonderbolts, he did know a trick or two. Placing his hind hoofs against the magnificent mammaries that had tempted him so, Sentry kicked off from the Alicorn. The enraged Princess whinnied in pain as the orange captain slid across the floor and out the gaping hole in the wall into open air. He folded his wings and rolled over as he entered freefall, both to build up speed and make himself a smaller target. After falling as far as he dared with the unforgiving ground rushing up to meet him, Sentry opened his wings and caught the air. He leveled out just above the treetops and flew north-eastward.

“I have to find Twilight and the others.” The ex-Captain thought as he flew serpentine to throw off any fire from the city. “They are the only ones who can fix this hot mess.”

“FINE! FLEE LIKE THE COWARD YOU ARE!” Daybreaker shouted after him, her Royal Canterlot Voice shaking the very mountain. “THERE IS NO PLACE UNDER MY SUN THAT I CAN’T FIND YOU! I WILL SEE YOU, CADENZA AND ANYTHING ELSE THAT STANDS AGAINST ME REDUCED TO CINDERS!”

The fuming Princess considered chasing after the deserter but something far more pressing caught her attention. The radiant heat she had been bathing in since that morning lessened. The brilliant light of midday dimmed against her will. Daybreaker looked up to see the moon, benighted in the magic of the Lunar Alicorn, eclipse her sun. The sky entered a pseudo-twilight as the two celestial bodies overlapped, creating a fiery corona around a circle of darkness like the judging eye of an angry god.

“Luna.” The Solar Destroyer sneered in purest contempt. “I knew I would have to deal with you sooner or later.”

“Beautiful.” The Lord of Darkness said as he moved toward his long-lost consort as if spellbound. “Absolutely beautiful.”

The Lady of the Stars smiled as she spread her arms for the dragon. Suneater wrapped his scaly arms around her tightly as the two Primordials embraced. The starry entity nuzzled against her love’s neck, earning a deep rumble of happiness from the Black Dragon.

“I would have moved the heavens to hold you in my arms again, Night Sky.” The draconic Lord said in Khthonic. “You are still as beautiful as the moment we emerged from the Air of Khaos.”

“Even under the guise of a dragon, you are still the same Shifting Darkness.” The ethereal entity whispered gently. “I could grow accustomed to the scales.”

“Rahaha, I am making an effort to change into something else.” Suneater chuckled sheepishly. "So far the best I can do is the amorphous cloud thing."

While the two ancients reaffirmed their eternal love, the Equestrian Usurper and Dread Lord watched in awkward silence. Neither felt it was appropriate to interrupt the two so they settled for being a third and fourth wheel.

“Well this is…special.” Nightmare Moon whispered to her caliginous companion as the being she had all but revered fawned over a dragon like a school filly.

“What did you expect from two lovers who have not seen each other for thousands of years?” The Silent King whispered back.

"A fair point." The corrupted Princess admitted.

The Primordials eventually broke their loving embrace. The Lady of the Stars regarded the younger immortals as if noticing them for the first time.

“My apostle, you have performed admirably.” The embodiment of the stars greeted her liberator with approval. “None of my previous chosen have ever come this far.”

“They weren’t me.” Moon said with a self-satisfied smirk.

“Hidden One.” The starry entity turned her attention to the Silent King.

“Night Sky.” The pallid pony responded in kind. “I see the eons spent in that metal ball have not diminished your…”

A low rumble from Suneater warned him that he should tarnish his silver tongue a bit.

“ahem…power.”

“Few things can.” The Primodrial said as she caused a few stars to wink out of existence only for new ones to be born with a wave of her hand. “Speaking of, how did you know the weak point of that sphere?”

“The Lord of the Forge may have guarded his works but Dyson, the mad mortal who commissioned the project, was more talkative.” The Lord of the Dead answered keenly. “Rather his shade was once he tried to use his machine on the sun, the idiot.”

“Ha, you are just a trove of ancient secrets.” The Usurper said with a short laugh. “So now that we are all together, does this mean we can finally move on to the final stage of our plan?”

“It appears so.” The Lady of the Stars answered as she glided past the two equines like smoke on water toward the vista of the planet. “Even from my prison, I could see the power of the living world wane.”

“The mortal nations are divided and their strength of arms has diminished.” The Lord of Darkness concurred. “They will pose little challenge.”

“And with the bearers of the Elements of Harmony dead, Equestria lacks both its greatest heroes and most potent weapon.” The corrupted Princess grinned widely. “Celestia is but a bug waiting to be squashed under hoof.”

“Then the time has come.” The star-crowned Lady announced with an air of finality. “We will finally claim what the loathsome Protogenoi denied us all those eons ago.”

The three would-be conquers looked at the Silent King who had suddenly started living up to his title. The monochrome Necroarch was looking intently at the unsuspecting world before him as he contemplated something. The feminine Primordial regarded him with a slight frown.

“What say you, Hidden One?” She asked seriously. “Can we expect an army of shades and revenants to rise with the coming of Eternal Night?”

The Khthonic Theoi did not answer. Wordlessly, he looked at his three friends and then the bule-green marble hanging in space as whatever internal debate he was having continued to rage. Moon approached him and placed an affectionate hoof on his shoulder.

“The correct answer is ‘yes’.” She whispered encouragingly with a genuine smile. “Think of it: You and I will rule the worlds of the living and the dead as the gods we are. The masses will grovel at our hooves and worship the very air we breathe and ground we tread. You will have an Iron Queen by your side once more.”

The pallid pony looked at the dark Alicorn, his face a mask of neutrality. He seemed to mull over what she had said before he let out a long and measured sigh. Gently, almost apologetically, he brushed her hoof off with his bident.

“No.” The Lord of Shades said neutrally. “I cannot allow this.”

“What?” A look of confusion and disbelief crossed the Usurper’s face. “Why?”

Before the King could even begin to argue his point, he met a swift rebuttal in the form of one of the Black Dragon’s fists slamming into him. The pale pony was knocked off his hooves and sent flying through one of the columns and into the open space beyond. The Lord of Darkness snorted derisively as his not-so-close friend disappeared from view.

“It appears I was right.” He rumbled. “He does lack ambition beyond securing the Underworld.”

“A disappointing but not entirely unexpected outcome.” The Lady of the Stars said with an appropriate sigh. “No matter. He has done more than enough.”

As she turned back toward the planetary vista, the ethereal Primordial noticed the Alicorn had adopted a combat stance with horn aglow. Her expression was a storm of anger, confusion and hurt. Whether it was directed at the Primordials or the now absent stallion, her benefactor could not say but she intended to guide it in her favor.

“His refusal to join our conquest wounds me as well, my apostle.” She said sympathetically. “I know some part of you cared for him.”

“I...I do not understand.” Moon composed herself but kept her horn charged. “I thought we were all together on this. What happened?”

“The inner machinations of the King’s mind are an enigma.” Suneater tried to explain. “If I had to guess, I would say he had his own plans for us and they may have aligned for a time but we have reached the point of divergence.”

“His mistake was expecting we would abandon eons of planning just to satisfy his desires.” The embodiment of the Night concurred. “I have the utmost respect for him and he has my eternal gratitude for reuniting me and my beloved but that will not stop us from claiming what is rightfully ours.”

“I see.” The Usurper snuffed out her magic but still looked conflicted. “Likewise, he would not compromise his schemes to satisfy yours. Still…”

“Come, my apostle.” The starry Lady derailed her trail of thought by placing a reassuring hand on the fallen Princess’s withers and guiding her toward the vista. “Forget that misguided fool. Eternal Night will soon be upon us and you shall be its harbinger. ”

As the Night Mare looked out at Equus and the divide between the night and day sides, her thoughts drifted toward her first attempt at ushering in Eternal Night. She had been standing in that exact spot when the magic keeping her imprisoned finally failed. The Mare-in-the-Moon had immediately gone planet side and did manage to plunge the world into darkness for all of a few hours before she was ‘purified’. Now here she was once more with allies and a considerable boost in power. But would it be enough to prevent history from repeating itself?

“It is long overdue.” Moon said finally. “Let us not delay any further.”

“You two go on ahead.” Suneater waved them off as he stomped toward the edge of the room. “Knowing the old bastard, he would find a way to deorbit this rock to get back home. I will make sure that does not happen.”

“Very well then.” The Lady of the Stars nodded as the dragon shifted into his nebulous for to follow after the Theoi. “Be careful, my dear.”

Moon watched as the tenebrous Primordial poured between the columns and vanish over the edge. In spite of her best efforts to reaffirm her position of strength, thoughts of the King’s sudden betrayal continued to linger in her mind. She still could not fathom why her lover had refused to go along with their plan when it seemed to be entirely to his benefit. The Primordials’ explanation of him just wanting to keep them under his control seemed a bit too simple. Was there something the Theoi knew that they did not?

“Once we cross into the void of space, there will be no respite until the world is ours.” The remaining Primordial warned. “Are you prepared?”

“Of course.” The fallen Alicorn pushed her niggling doubts to the back of her mind. “Just let me do one thing first.”

The former Mare-in-the-Moon ignited her horn once more and connected with the celestial body she was standing on. With practiced ease, she willed the moon through the void of space until it reached a new orientation between the planet and the sun. With the land of Equestria now in the moon’s umbral shadow, the Night Mare cut the connection.

“After spending years lurking in the shadows both mental and physical, I have no need to hide my presence.” The dark Princess explained to the quizzical Lady. “The foals need to know who their new goddess is.”

“Muh huh huh huh, you always did have a flair for the theatrical.” The malevolent entity tittered regally.

With that, the Lady of the Stars enveloped her harbinger in her being and rocketed toward Equus like a falling star. During the stellar transit, Moon summoned her magic and reached out toward the benighted planet and her loyal servants. It was time to pick up where they had left off.

On the northern slopes of Mount Canterhorn just below the city limits of Canterlot, a pair of figures paced back a forth nervously before a set of heavy ebony wood gates set in a yawning cave mouth. Night-Captain Knight had obeyed his mistress’s orders in rousing his Umbral kin to the fullest of his abilities which was to say he prepped their arms and armor and made sure no damage from the dragon’s emergence had befallen them during their sleep-like stasis. Actually mobilizing the elite of the Night Guard fell to Luna herself as without her blessed guidance the vampiric thestrals tended to fall back on baser instincts. Thus did the dutiful Knight restrict his nocturnal patrol to the area immediately around the mountain to ensure he would not be far from the cave should new orders reach him. It was before the crack of dawn that his sororal co-captain found him after her temper got the better of her in Princess Sparkle’s castle. Night-Captain Vengeance, her wrath now quashed in the blood of unfortunate ne’er-do-wells, had apologized for her earlier behavior and the two teamed up once after her brother filled her in on what she had missed. The co-captains finished their reduced patrol and were about to draw sticks to see who would get the chance to catch some sleep when the palace exploded. The two immediately investigated and witnessed the emergence of Daybreaker as she incinerated Discord and ordered their Solar counterpart to purge the nobility and military. While the siblings had no love for the elite of Canterlot, they feared that their fellow thestrals may be in line for the chopping block. Thus did they stealthily evacuate the Night Guard from Canterlot and to safety. Some flew to Hollow Shades to bring news of this development while others went to ground in safe-houses and outposts spread throughout the Everfree. The bulk of the Night Guard were now on the other side of the doors their captains were currently guarding. It had been sometime since they had relocated and the two bat-ponies were struggling to stave off the siren call of sleep.

“Ugh, I swear the sun has gotten brighter since this morning.” Vengeance groaned as she glanced up at the blazing midday sun. “Has it even moved? It feels like it’s been noon for hours.”

“Celestia must have *yawn* lost track of time in her madness.” Knight mused sleepily. “I can only hope Princess Luna can talk some since into her.”

“Wouldn’t that be a role reversal.” His sister chuckled dryly. “At least now whenever one of those golden boys takes a shot at us for serving a reformed usurper, we can point out Princess sun stroke is no different.”

The two paced in silence for a bit until Knight paused to lean against the door, his strength failing. Vengeance was about to join him when something flashed past them. They rushed to the edge just in time to see an orange pegasus in Solar Guard armor level out of a steep dive and fly off just above the tree tops.

“Isn’t that Captain Sentry?” Vengeance asked as the gilded captain started a serpentine flight pattern. “What the hell is he-!”

“FINE! FLEE LIKE THE COWARD YOU ARE!” The bat-mare was cut off by the mountain shaking voice of the mad Princess. “THERE IS NO PLACE UNDER MY SUN THAT I CAN’T FIND YOU! I WILL SEE YOU, CADENZA AND ANYTHING ELSE THAT STANDS AGAINST ME REDUCED TO CINDERS!”

“I think Sentry might have the right idea.” Knight commented as he and his sister pressed against the door less the furious Alicorn spot them. “Perhaps we should make for Hollow Shades before the mad mare turns this mountain into a volcano.”

“Or we could strike while she is unawares.” His sister countered as she pressed against the heavy doors until they opened far enough for them to enter. “We have the army to do it.”

On the other side of the thick gates, the natural cave continued for only a few paces before it met the carved stone of a system of ancient catacombs. Thousands of cold stone sarcophagi bearing the macabre sigil of the Umbral Thestrals lined the many galleries along with reliquaries of arms and armor. To the uninitiated, it would appear the place served as a crypt for the honored dead but the nocturnal guardians of Equestria knew better. Said guards were currently assembled in the clear aisles between the coffins, taking care not to disturb their brethren from their deathless slumber. They snapped to attention as their captains trotted in.

“At ease.” Knight said automatically. “I take it you all heard that.”

“The Solar Alicorn is on the warpath.” One of the thestrals answered. “What would you have us do?”

“Given the current situation, we should…” Vengeance was about to voice her plan of attack when an odd sensation ran down her spine. “...what the hell?”

Her brother and the rest of the thestrals felt it as well. Their tired bodies and sleepy minds were suddenly filled with a vigor and clarity they normally associated with a good day’s sleep. It was then that they noticed the light streaming in from the still open doors was growing weaker. Curious, the co-captains and a few guards peeked outside just in time to witness the moon eclipse the sun. As the world entered a pseudo-twilight, the voice of their mistress filled their minds like a gentle midnight breeze.

“Children of the night, heed my words.” The Equestrian Usurper Nightmare Moon spoke and they listened. “For untold millennia we have lived in the shadows, feared and hated by those who dwell in the light.”

A murmur of concern flitted through the thestrals. Not all welcomed the return of the traitor but her words carried some measure of truth given that they were huddled in a cave while Daybreaker sought to eradicate all measure of opposition. Some of the Night Guard, however, seemed positively ecstatic and their number was steadily growing as their corrupted matron continued.

“We gave our blood, sweat and toil to protect them from the monsters that use our night as a cloak only for them to shun us in favor of the day.” Moon’s voice took on a vindictive edge. “They heaped their praises and devotion upon Celestia, blinded by her power and ignorant of the ego they were feeding.”

A series of malicious hisses and snarls emanated from the bat-ponies at the mention of the Solar Princess. Only Knight and a few others still felt some reservations about this newest development. As the Usurper moved forward with her speech, he noticed that some of the coffins were beginning to tremble.

“Just over a thousand years ago, I attempted to correct this grave injustice only to be banished by my thrice-damned sister.” The Night Mare continued with building intensity. “While it was the simpler, weaker voice of the Tyrant in the North that showed me the growing depths of Equestria’s depravity, it was during my centuries in exile that the Stars revealed to me the truth of the harmony Celestia and her sycophants extol.”

Every thestral including the doubtful perked up their ears as if she was about to reveal some grand secret.

“Honesty, Loyalty, Generosity, Kindness, Laughter and the Magic that makes it all complete? DAMNED LIES! They are merely the means by which the lowly plebeians are kept obedient and docile!” The dark Alicorn all but spat in disdain. “The peace and strength they bring? A ruse perpetuated by self-righteous hypocrites to make the slaves love the chains that bind them!”

By now, the catacombs were filled with the enraged gnashing of teeth and indignant stomp of hooves. The sarcophagi were now violently shaking as the creatures within struggled to free themselves.

“That is why they shun us! We who reject the light are anathema to them for we refuse to bow to their coddling dogma so we must suffer their scorn and revulsion in the shadows!” Moon’s evident malice buffeted them like a hurricane, serving to galvanize them further. “I say ‘NO MORE’!”

“NO MORE!” The thestrals repeated in unison as the stone lids to the Umbrals’ tombs burst in a shower of grave dust.

“So take up arms my Legion of Eternal Night!” The Usurper decreed. “The Tyranny of the Sun ends tonight!”

Every thestral from the mountain lair to Hollow Shades erupted in a raucous cheer. With praises to Nightmare Moon on their lips and thoughts of rebellion in their minds, the bat-ponies formed into ordered cohorts. The newly awakened Umbrals smashed open their reliquaries and donned their midnight black armor, predatory eyes aglow and pearly fangs bared. With a flurry of leathery wings, the thestrals poured out of the lair and into open air. Across the Everfree, their brethren filled the conflicted skies from hidden encampments and the colony of Hollow Shades. It did not take long for Canterlot to take notice and respond. The legions of thestrals and flights of Solar Guard pegasi and Solarii headed toward each other under the omnipresent eclipse.

The Equestrian Civil War had begun.

It was a surprisingly smooth ride through the underground for the six heroines of Equestria albeit a dark one. Sparkle and Rarity’s glowing horns illuminated the interior of the carriage but there was little to see outside the windows other than rock and stone rushing past them. Most of them sat quietly, mulling over the fact that the fate of their world once against laid in their hooves. One, however, was preoccupied with examining her cyan barrel.

“Are you feeling alright?” Fluttershy asked when she noticed her fellow pegasus tracing lines across her fur.

“Huh? Oh, I’m fine.” Dash snapped out of her inner thoughts. “I was just wondering if there would be any…side effects from being brought back. No telling what that dark magic stuff can do.”

“Other than some stiffness in the joints, nothing serious as far as I can tell.” The Alicorn thought as she scanned over her once perforated frame. “Credit where credit is due, Trixie makes a fine necromancer.”

“Like having a sudden craving for braaaaains?” Pinkie suggested with an exaggerated moan.

“Ugh, I was thinking more a mental change like when Discord messed with our heads.” The weather mare said with a disgusted frown. “But I hadn’t thought of that.”

“I, for one, feel invigorated.” Rarity commented with a dainty toss of her mane. “No strange cravings or greedy impulses whatsoever.”

“Thank goodness fer that.” Applejack said with a short chuckle. “I feel fit as ah fiddle myself. How ‘bout you, Twi?”

“I’m just relieved that we are all together.” The purple Princess answered with a sigh. “The fact that we appear to be free of adverse effects speaks to Trixie’s newfound skills or our sheer dumb luck.”

“To think we started out looking for her thinking she had fallen into some bad hoodoo again.” Dash shook her head at the thought. “Now we have to stop save the world from eternal day, eternal night or both.”

“Speaking of, how do we plan to do that?” The pearl unicorn asked. “This seems like a job for the Elements but they are stuck in a tree.”

“And I doubt said tree would part with the Elements.” The scholarly mare mentally mused. “I have been giving it some thought…”

“I was hoping that we could talk Princess Celestia down from whatever madness has seized her.” Sparkle explained her rather vague plan. “If we can get her back on our side we might be able to stop Nightmare Moon and her partners.”

“And if not?” Applejack asked with a worried look.

The youngest Princess did not answer right away. She glanced down at one of her saddlebags and the book Spike had sent her concealed within. While she was fairly certain she could recreate the spell Starswirl had used to imprison Suneater, the cost it demanded still gave her pause. The Alicorn of Magic was about to dismiss the idea when the carriage suddenly shook violently. The passengers were thrown from their seats as the vehicle bounced a few more times before settling. From her new spot on the floor and under a dazed Pinkie, Sparkle was able to see via the window that they had left the darkness of the underground for the dimly lit forests of the Everfree.

“Sorry about that!” The drive called out from his perch. “We hit the surface a little faster than I thought. We’ll be at that thestral town shortly.”

“Just get us there in one piece!” Dash shouted back angrily as she untangled herself from Fluttershy. “Ow! I’ll take the sky any day.”

“I much prefer the train myself.” Rarity said as she noticed something lying across one of her hind legs. “Oh, Twilight I believe I had found one of your books.”

“Of all the books I have of course it’s that one.” Sparkle bemoaned in her mind.

Before the Princess could say anything, the generous fashionista took the book in her magic. Unable to resist looking at its contents, Rarity briefly scanned the page the tome had opened to as she passed it to her scholarly friend. While she made no claim to be on the same level as the Alicorn when it came to magic, she did understand enough to tell that the spell was not entirely beneficial to the casters.

“What exactly is that?” Rarity asked with slight trepidation.

“Might as well tell them.” The academic Alicorn mentally sighed.

“It’s…it’s the spell Starswirl used to imprison Suneater.” Sparkle confessed. “I thought it could have been useful against him but…”

“But what?” Dash pressed for more upon seeing her friend’s guilty look. “Twilight? You’re making me nervous here.”

“In its current form, it demands a constant source of power to keep the target locked away.” Sparkle explained carefully. “The caster would have to bind at least two others to the spell where it would feed off them until there was nothing left.”

“That’s horrible!” A mortified Fluttershy gasped. “Twilight? You were not going to-“

“NO!” The Princess snapped before she caught herself when the pegasus flinched. “Sun, Moon and Stars…I could never do that to any of you.”

“Take it easy, sugercube. We know that.” Applejack offered a comforting pat on the shoulder. “Shoot, you nearly had ah breakdown just at the thought of not givin’ us some of us those gala tickets.”

“Thanks.” The Alicorn said glumly as she climbed back into her seat. “I tried to refine the spell so sacrificing others would not be necessary but…huh?”

The bookish mare looked at her notes scribbled in the margins to find a set she did not recall making. Upon closer inspection, it was not even her writing style. Sparkle arched an eyebrow as she read what someone had left for her.

“Sparkle,

Trying to stand on old Starswirl’s shoulders again? You’ve dissected his forgotten work well enough but need to think outside the box Equestria has stuffed you in.

First, it appears the old coot accidentally replicated what the Elements of Harmony can do only instead of kindness, loyalty and the rest of that drivel he used his ‘friends’ lives. If you decide to do the same, use the weather mare and the farm hick. Their souls will last the longest.

Second, the target, caster and source components of this spell are not mutually exclusive. One can perform multiple roles so there is nothing stopping you from sacrificing yourself.

One more thing, don’t bother trying it on His Excellency or Suneater. The former broke the spell to release the latter so they already know how to beat it.

Hope to see you again soon,

-The Great and Powerful Trixie”

“Ugh. So much for the Great and Apologetic Trixie.” The Princess of Magic scrunched up her nose at the rather hostile way the necromantic Archmage conveyed advice. “At least she is getting something from living among the dead. Now what was that about mutual exclusivity?”

While Sparkle had already came to the conclusion that Starswirl had crudely replicated one of the effects of the Elements of Harmony it was the second point that made the gears in the scholarly mare’s mind spin. She had been so focused on finding a way to cast the spell without feeding her friends to it she had overlooked the other components. With those factored in, new possibilities began to form.

“If I draw magic from here instead of there, maybe…I should write this down!” Before she lost her train of thought, the Alicorn retrieved a travel quill from her bag and began revising her notes. “Use harmony to cast it…then use two opposing forces…hmm…”

“Uh, Twi?” Applejack waved a hoof in front of her friend as she started scribbling furiously in the book. “You still there?”

“Shh!” Pinkie shushed her. “Don’t stop her now, she’s about to be brilliant!”

Indeed, Sparkle’s face seemed to light up as her calculations and equations fell into place. The academic Alicorn eventually finished her brainstorming and put down the now smoking quill. She carefully ran over her new notes as her friends looked on anxiously.

“Well?” Rarity asked. “Feel free to share.”

“I think I got it!” The Princess answered excitedly. “The only way to know for sure would be to test it but we know what happened last time I used incomplete spells.”

“So many apple trees.” Pinkie visibly shivered. “So would this help slap the crazy out of Celestia and Luna?”

“Not sure ‘slap’ is the appropriate word.” Her friend mentally grumbled.

“In theory.” Sparkle responded with a slight grimace. “In practice there is still a great risk. Hopefully we won’t even need this.”

“No harm in being prepared.” Dash said with a shrug. “Hey, are we slowing down?”

A look at the windows revealed that the carriage was slowing to a stop just as the forest began to thin. It was reasonable to assume they were just outside the outskirts of the thestral colony.

“This is your stop.” The driver called out. “Everybody off.”

After taking a moment to gather their bags, the six friends opened the door and climbed out of the carriage. Through the trees they could see the various buildings of Hollow Shades. What caught there attention, however, was the solar eclipse hanging above them.

“That can’t be good.” Dash said with a frown as she scanned the unfriendly sky. “Moon and her partners must be making her move.”

“Then we have less time than I thought.” Sparkle agreed as she turned to the driver. “Thank you for taking us this far.”

“My pleasure.” The creature nodded as he cracked a whip over the heads of the black wendigoes. “Best of luck to you, looks like you’ll need it.”

The carriage wheeled around and disappeared back into the wilderness. The heroines wasted no time in galloping through the brush and into town. Sparkle was about to suggest they find the Countess and request support but upon passing the outlying buildings, she noticed a distinct lack of activity.

“I know most would be asleep this time of day but surely the eclipse would draw their attention.” The Alicorn thought as she scanned the windows for signs of movement.

“Where is everypony?” Fluttershy voiced the question on all their minds.

“Ah don’t know.” Applejack said just as she noticed movement toward the center of the colony. “Hey! That’s yer balloon, Twi!”

The apple farmer pointed toward the town square where the Princess’ aircraft was inflated and appeared ready for departure. She was about to shout ‘theif’ when she spotted the distinct builds of her brother and his partner. The honest earth pony galloped ahead of her friends, relieved to see her sibling safe.

“Big Mac!” She called out. “Caramel!”

The two farm stallions turned to see the six mares galloping toward them. They stopped whatever they were doing and greeted the heroines.

“Good to see you in one piece, Miss Applejack.” Caramel said with a smile. “McIntosh here was worried sick about you.”

“Yep.” Mac said simply as he embraced his younger sister. “Things have gone stir crazy since you left.”

“You could say that again.” Dash scoffed lightly. “Do you know what happened to all the bat-ponies?”

“That’s the thing.” The other stallion answered. “It happened this morning…”

By his account, Mac and Caramel had awakened at the crack of dawn as they usually do. They were eating breakfast when it went from early morning to high noon in the blink of an eye. This riled up the thestrals who were still awake and the entire town was put on alert. After a few hours, the apple farmers tried to argue with a guard to let them leave when the sun was eclipsed.

“That really got their attention.” Caramel wrapped up his tale. “Then they all got real quiet and alert like somethin' was whispering to them.”

“Suddenly they all flew out of town, hissing and snarling like rabid timberwolves.” Mac concluded. “We figured we should leave while we had the chance.”

“This has Moon’s hoofprints all over it.” Sparkle inferred. “She’s built an army to take Canterlot.”

“Before you ask, we weren’t going to leave you.” Caramel said defensively as he gestured toward the balloon. “We were just getting it set up.”

“I’m surprised you two knew how to prep a dirigible.” Dash commented. “Uh, no offence.”

“Oh, we hauled it out of the shed the bat-ponies had stored it in.” Mac gestured to said shed and then to the tavern. “But they got it ready to fly.”

The mares looked to see a familiar unicorn trot out of the building with a stack of boxes suspended in magic.

“I forgot those two were here.” Sparkle thought. “Can’t blame them for wanting to leave.”

“I hope you two don’t mind if I bring a few things along.” Flim said from behind a crate. “If space becomes an issue, we could convert your wagon into some sort of skiff.”

“You might want to reconsider.” Mac advised. “My sister and her friends are back.”

“Oh! I see. That changes things.” The sales stallion peeked around his load and saw the orange apple farmer giving him a hard look. “Flam? The mares made it back. Go to plan B.”

“Got it.” Flam answered from within the establishment. “I was against leaving it behind anyway.”

His brother set down his stack of boxes and slapped on his winning smile. He maintained it as he approached the group but ultimately dropped it when it only caused Applejack’s frown to deepen. Mac noticed her sour expression and nudged her to tone it down.

“I thought you said you weren’t going to leave us.” She said accusingly.

“In the interest of honesty, once the thestrals took off like bats out of Hell the four of us wanted to leave this place as soon as possible.” The clean shaven half of the sibling duo admitted. “Your brother insisted that we wait to see if you came back or not but until then we got it ready for them.”

“That’s Mac fer ya.” Applejack smiled up at her brother. “And… thanks for helping them.”

“Well my brother and I figured now would be an opportune time to bury the hatchet or at least kick some dirt on it.” Flim said with a nonchalant nod of his head. “Plus it’s a welcome change of pace to be leaving a town on our own terms.”

“I feel like I should be writing a friendship report to Celestia about this.” Sparkle reminisced. “I miss those days.”

A rhythmic series of pops, rings and clangs backed by the steady chug of a motor greeted their ears. A few moments later and Flam emerged from behind the tavern at the controls of an elaborate contraption. His brother wasted no time in transferring his boxes onto the back of the device and joining his moustached sibling.

“It has been fun catching up Apple and friends but it is time for the Flim-Flam brothers to embark on another venture.” Flim said in time with their machine. “Right, Flam?”

“Indeed, Flim.” Flam concurred. “Given the success of our tavern, I purpose we ply our trade in the calmer climbs of Gryphondom.”

“You two be careful now.” Caramel said as he and the rest waved farewell. “Maybe come back some time once things have calmed down.”

If either of the two sales stallions responded, it was lost in the noise of the infamous Super Cider Squeezy as it drove beyond the gates of Hollow Shades and into the wilderness beyond.

“I still don’t fully trust those two.” Applejack said with a slight frown. “But ah guess beneath all that smarm, snake oil n’ straw hats are ah pair of decent ponies.”

“Imagine what they think of us.” Mac said jokingly as he patted his little sister on the back. “I guess we should be on our way as well.”

“You got that right.” Dash agreed as she zipped to the front of the balloon where the harness lay on the ground. “And this time, I’m flying us the whole way!”

“I won’t stop you.” Sparkle looked away sheepishly as she helped her friends and the farm stallions into the basket.

It was a tight fit with the addition of two stallions particularly with McIntosh’s heavy frame but the equines managed to make it work. After giving the all clear signal to Dash, the strapped in weather mare took to the air and dragged the balloon up with her.

“Wait, what about our wagon?” Caramel asked as he indicated the empty applecart left behind.

“Forget it.” Applejack waved off his concern. “We got a country to save!”

The fully laden balloon broke past the treetops and into open air. After gaining a bit more altitude just to be safe, Dash took off toward the Southwest with her friends in tow. Her passengers had to hunker down to avoid the stinging air as it whipped by them. After a while, Caramel noticed something else they had forgotten.

“Wasn’t Princess Luna with you?” He asked curiously.

The heroines exchanged looks. With the two farmhands out of the loop, it would be quite a lot to dump on them.

“That is a long story.” Sparkle said apologetically.

“Well with this eclipse and all I imagine she is not feeling herself.” McIntosh inferred. “What exactly happened on your quest?”

“We’re zombies now!” Pinkie exclaimed suddenly.

“What?” The two stallions said in unison.

“Thanks Pinkie.” Sparkle rolled her eyes.

“Like I said, it is a very long story.” The Alicorn reiterated before deciding it may be better to divulge some details. “In short, there is a world below ours filled with the souls of the departed. The King who rules over it had us killed and then resurrected. Completely, I might add, not as undead flesh eaters.”

“There are also ancient gods about to assert their will over the world, Celestia and Luna have gone insane and said King might be invading soon but I don’t want to pile on.” She mentally added.

“That’s…” Caramel visibly paled as he struggled to put words to his jumbled thoughts. “…holy shit.”

“Yep.” His big red partner agreed.

“Hey, don’t worry you two.” Applejack assured them. “Things may have gotten a bit crazy but we’re goin’ to set things right.”

“I certainly hope so.” The Princess thought as the peak of Mount Canterhorn began to steadily emerge over the horizon.

The heroines saw the smoke before the tallest spires of Canterlot appeared. An apprehensive hush fell over the airborne passengers as the capital fully came into view. They had left the castle in a rough state but it appeared to have only gotten worse. Several towers had collapsed and the superstructure had a few new holes with a particularly large one around where the throne room would be. The accompanying city had fared little better as bolts of errant magic tore chucks of buildings while fires burned out of control. In the airspace around the besieged city flashes of gold and specks of black darted to and fro like flies fighting over a carcass. In the ominous half-light of the eclipse, it appeared to be a scene from the depths of Tartarus itself.

“Looks like Moon has made her move.” Sparkle thought as she scanned the harrowing scene. “I hope the non-combatants had time to escape.”

“This is pretty bad, Twilight.” Rarity stated the obvious. “I cannot tell who is winning.”

“We will.” The Princess of Magic said resolutely. “Once we drop off Big Mac and Caramel, we’ll find a way into Canterlot and confront Celestia.”

“Sounds like a plan!” Dash yelled over the wind before she noticed something flying toward them. “Heads up! We got a boogie coming in at one o’clock high!”

“Then we have time to prepare.” Pinkie said as she rummaged through her bags. “Now where did I leave my party cannon?”

“I meant direction not time!” The weather mare was unsure if her land bound friend was joking or genuinely misunderstood the jargon. “There slightly to my left! Looks like a golden boy!”

The prismatic pegasus pointed to where a gold armored guard was heading straight for them. Sparkle and Rarity ignited their horns as the lone Pegasus drew closer to the admittedly large and not very agile balloon. It was only when the Princess was able to make out the orange rather than dyed white coat beneath the gold that she quelled her magic.

“Flash?!” She called out while telling the fashionista to stand down with a pat on the shoulder.

“Twilight!” The Captain shouted hoarsely. “Stop the balloon!”

“Hold it, Dash!” The Alicorn said urgently.

“Are you sure?” The cyan pegasus eyed the approaching Solar Guard warily.

“I trust him.” Sparkle nodded. “Plus he is alone and flying in open air; not exactly the best way to attack somepony.”

Dash kept a suspicious eye on Sentry but slowed to a hover nonetheless. The orange pegasus flew closer and closer until the passengers could hear his labored breathing and see the strain in his face. He was obviously struggling to keep himself airborne.

“He must have been flying at top speed for some time.” The purple Princess deduced. “All while wearing full armor.”

With no clouds nearby, Sentry had no choice but to grab onto the basket with the last of his energy. His sudden weight caused the balloon to list precariously before McIntosh and Pinkie managed to drag him in. The Captain lay on the floor panting heavily with his wings splayed out behind him.

“Oh, I’ve been there.” Dash said knowingly. “Endurance flying is rough on the unprepared.”

“Haa…haa…yew…” Sentry gasped dryly.

“Anypony got any water?” Fluttershy asked.

“I do!” Pinkie answered as she dove into her bags once again. “I also got some…Hey! Who took all my treats?”

Missing sweets aside, the party pony retrieved a canteen of water which the orange pegasus accepted graciously. After chugging half of it in one go, he passed it back with a sastified ‘ah’.

“Thanks, Pinkie.” Sentry said roughly as he caught his breath. “I’d say that Equestria needs its heroines again but I think you can already see that.”

“It’s simply horrid.” Rarity shook her head sadly. “Between Celestia embracing tyranny and Luna falling back into darkness it is almost too much.”

“How did you know about Celestia?” The orange stallion asked. “And Luna’s evil again? I thought she was just trying to stop her sister.”

“That is a bit of a long story.” Sparkle said while giving Pinkie a look that told her not to blurt out anything related to their death experience. “Right now we need to focus on stopping both of them before they rip this world apart.”

“You have a plan then?” Sentry asked hopefully.

“Sort of.” The Princess admitted. “We were going to confront Celestia directly but we seemed to have missed that window.”

“Just my two bits here but I think we should set down somewhere and iron out this plan.” Dash suggested. “As much as I like winging it, charging off into that mess looks like a bad idea. Last time I tried something like that I got fried.”

“Ah have a mind with Dash.” Applejack agreed.

“Very well then.” The Alicorn saw no reason to argue. “Any suggestions?”

“Your castle is the safest bet.” Sentry pointed toward the crystalline tree just visible over the Everfree. “I had the civilians and guards who refused to go along with Celestia moved there.”

“And with the Solar n’ Night Guard busy fightin’ each other ah doubt they’re payin’ much attention to little ol’ Ponyville.” Applejack added.

“Sounds good to me.” Sparkle nodded in agreement. “Dash, take us in low and quiet. Applejack’s right but we can’t be too careful.”

The speedy mare snapped a salute and resumed their flight. They descended until they were just above the tree tops while the passengers watched the besieged mountain as if a flight of Umbrals or Solarii would fall upon them at any moment. The apple farmer’s observation proved truthful as the fully laden dirigible entered the outer limits of Ponyville without incident and continued on to the Princess of Magic’s castle.

“Place looks like ah ghost town.” Applejack said as they flew over the empty streets of the normally bustling town.

“I imagine most ponies have barricaded their homes, fled or taken shelter in the castle.” Dash surmised. “At least that’s the procedure in Cloudsdale.”

“Mayor Mare put something similar in place ever since Tirek rampaged through here.” Sparkle said knowingly. “Though I don’t know how much good it will do if an army decides to pay a visit.”

The prismatic pegasus slowed to a near hover as they reached the landing pad of the crystal tree-castle. Dash had no sooner begun their descent when a trio of Sparkle’s tyrian guard, two pegasi and a unicorn, emerged from the palace with weapons and magic at the ready.

“Stand down!” The Princess called down to her guards. “It’s us!”

“Princess Sparkle?” The relief of the soldiers was almost palpable. “Finally some good news!”

The pair of pegasi flew up to Dash and helped her bring the balloon down with a gentle bump. As the equines disembarked, the unicorn trotted forward knelt respectfully. Sparkle bid the officer to rise and waited from him to speak.

“I apologize about that, your highness.” He said genuinely referring to taking aim at his liege. “We didn’t recognize the balloon.”

“In this current climate I don’t blame you.” The Alicorn stated as she glanced at the eclipse which was now fluctuating slightly as if the sun was trying to peek out from behind the moon. “My friends and I are heading for the council chambers to strategize. You can fill us in on the way.”

“Of course, majesty.” The guard saluted. “What of your aircraft?”

“It would signal to Celestia or Luna…Moon…that we have returned.” The Princess thought. “Then again, we might need it soon.”

“Move it to shelter but leave it air worthy.” Sparkle answered.

The officer relayed her orders to the two pegasi and then followed after the group into the palace. Along the way to the central chambers, he reiterated what Captain Sentry had told in receiving a group of disenfranchised nobles and Solar Guards from Canterlot by air and then a later batch by train. Some continued on to relatives in distant cities while the rest were currently being held in either the castle’s guest quarters or dungeons.

“The dungeons?” Rarity raised an eyebrow. “Whatever for?”

“Some of them were conspirators in Blueblood’s coup. Even with Moon invading they are still traitors.” Sentry answered for the officer. “I assume you already knew about that.”

“We did but we’ll deal with that later.” Sparkle nodded. “So after the elites arrived?”

The unicorn explained that the eclipse arrived not long after the last group of guards arrived. At first they thought Luna had returned to stop her maddened sister but when scouts saw legions of thestrals heading for the capital they began to suspect something worse. The general alarm was sounded by Mayor Mare and the civilians took shelter in the castle, town hall or their own basements and cellars.

“Once the last of the civies were taken care of we locked down the palace and posted lookouts to keep an eye on any developments.” The officer finished. “Having you all back will do wonders for morale.”

“I still have a few party favors.” Pinkie offered in her usual upbeat tone. “I could make it like a giant sleepover for them.”

“I’m sure they would appreciate that, sugercube.” Applejack said nicely but firmly. “But we need you with us for now.”

“Right, right.” The party pony deflated a bit but maintained her positive disposition. “It would be better to throw a party after we win this.”

“I think we would all enjoy that.” Fluttershy agreed quietly.

The group eventually reached the council chambers and entered except for Applejack and the farm stallions. Fearing leaving their elderly grandmother and youngest sister alone outside of town, they thought it would be best for McIntosh and Caramel to return to Sweet Apple Acers.

“We’ll keep them safe, don’t worry.” The red stallion assured his sibling.

“Ah know you will.” The honest mare said as she hugged him. “Be safe you two.”

“Best of luck to you Miss Applejack.” Caramel said as he and his partner departed.

While the orange earth pony saw off her brother, Pinkie and Fluttershy were drawn to a peculiar sight. On a side table stood a glass jar filled with ashes and a very familiar pair of misshapen eyes.

“Discord?” The party pony asked as she tapped the glass. “Is that you?”

“Mmmph!” The ashes vibrated in what sounded like a rough approximation of a yes.

“Oh no!” The yellow pegasus clasped her hooves in front of her muzzle in horror. “What happened?”

“Celestia, or Daybreaker as she calls herself now, incinerated him.” Sentry answered with a sympathetic look at the disembodied draconequus. “She wanted me to drop his remains into the sea.”

“How could she?” A rare flash of anger crossed the kindly mare’s face. “First Blueblood and now Discord.”

“Wait, you didn’t join that jerk in trying to overthrow her did you?” Pinkie narrowed her eyes at the jar suspiciously.

“Mmm-mmph!” The red and yellow eyes looked from side to side in a pantomime of shaking his head no.

“He’s not technically lying.” The Captain said with a frown. “I’ll let him explain himself once he pulls himself together.”

A bit of the ash formed into a rude gesture as Sentry turned away. The two mares offered to start arguing to give him a boost but after a few moments they realized that there was little to argue about between them. The ash pile of chaos spared them and himself any further half-heated debate by motioning for them to work with Sparkle. He could fix himself it was just going to take some time.

“Get well soon, party animal.” Pinkie gave Discord a farewell tap on his glass before going to the council table.

“I’m sorry we couldn’t help.” Fluttershy said meekly. “We could look for a bunch of schoolfillies later if you want.”

The disintegrated draconequus’ eyes beamed in delight as he formed a crude claw to wave goodbye to his two friends. With the heroines reconvened at the table along with Captain Sentry and the tyrian guard officer. Princess Sparkle sat in the crystalline throne bearing her cutie mark and focused the geo-map on Canterlot and the surrounding area.

“We are about to open another front in this civil war.” The youngest Alicorn thought as her friends and allies began to formulate a plan. “The Sun and Moon may have once ruled this land but harmony held it together. We will remind the mad mare, usurper and any other fiend of that fact.”

The lunar Bastion of Nightmares had many halls and galleries dedicated to Nightmare Moon’s sense of supremacy and desire for admiration. One such temple to her ego contained numerous statues of equines in various states of adulation. They were all directed toward an empty stage at the far end of the hall where the Usurper would indulge her vanity and practice grandiose speeches. Since the dark Alicorn’s first departure, the hall had remained undisturbed with the airless vacuum of space and latent magic imbued in the moonstone ensuring it was well preserved. This was shattered in an instant when a black robed stallion fell through the roof and landed amongst the ‘peanut gallery’ of the stone audience. The Silent King lay motionless on his back as the shock of being sucker punched by a Primordial dragon rendered his body unresponsive. His mental faculties, however, were firing like a steam engine powered by a form of anger known only to a damned few.

“It’s treason then.” The Theoi fumed darkly within his mind. “A sudden but in hindsight inevitable turn of events.”

In time, the Dread Lord’s body obeyed his commands and sat up groggily. He took stock of his surroundings including a door opposite the stage that appeared to be the only normal way in and out. With his bident that he had managed to keep a grip on, the pale horse got to all fours and popped his aching back.

“I knew there would be resistance especially from Night Sky and Moon but I had hoped to argue my case not be smacked through a wall, particularly by Shifting Darkness.” He thought as he looked up at the hole his fall had made with a bitter sneer. “Eons of trust and friendship destroyed in an instant by the swipe of a dragon’s arm. So be it. Like Sombra, this folly will be their undoing.”

With a grunt of restrained anger, the Lord of Shades trotted through the throng of statues toward the exit. He was about halfway there when the room trembled and a bit of the ceiling fell free. The pallid pony watched as a series of smaller tremors made their way toward his point of entry. It was clear that something very large and heavy had landed above him. His assumption proved true as not a moment later the Black Dragon dropped in front of him along with most of the ceiling. In the sudden implosion of pale dust and rubble, the Theoi took cover behind one of the larger statues.

“What’s this?” He thought somewhat optimistically. “Was it all just a ploy on the dragon’s part?”

“Hidden One!" The Lord of Darkness’ tone was more challenging than friendly. “I know you are down here!”

“I guess not.” The stygian stallion mentally grumbled.

With the colossal dragon having not noticed him yet, the Theoi stole a glance at the starlit sky above. The larger hole allowed him to see part of the exterior of the Orrery as well as a bit of the planet Equus. The lack of magical lights or other signs of combat from the dome above spoke volumes to the Dark Lord.

“Moon must have sided with her benefactor. I suppose that puts a moratorium on our relationship.” He mused just as a stream of starlight shot out of the dome toward the planet. “Ah, so they go on ahead while Suneater finishes me off.”

The Hidden One looked past the draconic Primordial at the exit. There still some distance but a hard gallop would see him through. The stallion was about to make a break for it when Suneater looked behind him at the same doorway. With a mighty *FWOOSH*, the one-time patron of the Marked Legions created a wall of nether fire that effectively barred the way.

“There is nowhere to run.” The Black Dragon rumbled. “And not even you cannot hide forever.”

“I beg to differ.” The Hidden One thought as scanned for any other avenues of escape. “There might be passageways backstage. The only other options are to brave the flames or jump out the roof.”

The Theoi quietly crept from behind the statue to another one. He had just reached it when the dragon suddenly brought his fist down obliterating a chunk of the stone crowd. The Dread Lord watched as the beast picked through the rubble with a claw. It was then that he noticed that the dragon’s dynamic entrance had coated him and the room in a fine layer of moondust giving him roughly the same coloration as the statues.

“One of the few times were my complexion is a benefit.” The pale horse thought as he held a foreleg against a stone mare to compare. “This could work.”

Unlike most modern ponies who went about in the fur, the equines of Moon’s time whom the statues were based on wore a variety of clothing. However, few of them were wearing anything as elaborate as the Silent King’s heavy robes and none of them were holding anything like a staff. Thus the Theoi dissipated his vestments save for the tunic-like garment he wore under everything. As for his trusty bident, he considered taking the risk of keeping it but after Suneater pulverized another batch of statues he thought better of it.

“I can at least by some time with it.” The Dark Lord mused as he hefted his weapon of choice.

With a deft flick of his forehoof, the pallid pony tossed the two-pronged staff into the air. It let out a metallic thrum as it spun before landing with a clamor center stage. As expected, Suneater immediately whirled around with tongues of nether flame licking from his jaws to face the noise. When he saw only the staff, he quenched his fire.

“Playing tricks now?” The Primordial sneered derisively. “That is about all you can do. I have seen you limping and struggling like an old nag; your strength fails you here.”

“Which is probably why you were so bold as to knock me through a wall.” The Theoi mentally cursed his inability to properly cover his weakness.

Taking advantage of his small distraction, the King moved as quickly and quietly as he could toward the stage while keeping an eye on Suneater. He only made it a few steps before the dragon’s eyes fell upon him. The stallion immediately froze and did his best impression of the statues surrounding him. He felt the Black Dragon’s gaze linger in his general area before it moved on. The Dark Theoi waited until Suneater had his back to him again before he broke his stillness.

“I really do not want to press my luck with this ruse.” He thought as crept ever closer to his target. “He is bound to notice one of the statues keeps moving forward.”

Like some diabolic variation of the game red light/green light, the Silent King continued his stop and go pace as Suneater grew increasingly frustrated. The Theoi had just reached the ‘peanut gallery’ again when the dragon’s eyes fell upon him once more, forcing him to freeze just shy of the stage. Instead of looking away, the dragon inhaled and unleashed a torrent of accursed flame. It took all of his will for the Dread Lord not to flinch as the rows immediately behind him were engulfed in black fire.

“Rragh! Where are you?!” The Lord of Darkness roared in obvious frustration.

“Eventually he is going to just turn this whole room into an inferno.” The Theoi thought as he thanked the Fates Suneater failed to notice his tail move from the rush of air. “I need a plan before then.”

After spending a few moments checking to see if any of the immolated statues were burning rather than melting, the dragon finally averted his gaze to repeat the test with other rows of statues. The Silent King waited until he heard another blast of fire and used the noise to mask his hoof falls as he galloped onto the stage and into the relative shelter of the interior.

“That was way too close.” The pallid pony thought as he leaned against the thin wall that separated the main and backstage. “Now if I can only find an exit.”

Unfortunately for the Theoi, there was not egress to be found backstage save for the way in came in. The only objects were a few more statues bearing the likeness of thestral guards and a bench where he assumed Moon took the time to prepare before she addressed her fantastical subjects. In searching for escape, the King had only trapped himself.

“Damn it!” His still smoldering temper flared up again. “Cornered like mere game!”

The Lord of Shades looked around as he desperately tried to come up with another plan. As he plotted, the room shook as Suneater obliterated another batch of statues with his flames and fists. It was clear the dragon prince’s patience was at its end and he had to act.

“I grow tired of this game, Hidden One!” The Black Dragon called out. “Your tricks can only do so much!”

“The stealth rout has run its course but I still need more time.” The Silent King thought as the pieces of a plan began to form. “Let’s give diplomacy a try for all the good it will do.”

“Those ‘tricks’ are the only reason you are here right now, Shifting Darkness.” The Dark Lord responded as the acoustics of the nearly demolished room made his voice seem to come from all around. “How quickly you forget my mercies.”

“I have not forgotten.” Suneater retorted as he tried to pin down the origin of the neutral voice. “But you of all Theoi should know not to make me chose between a friend and my bride.”

“I did not.” An edge entered the disembodied voice as its owner’s anger began to bleed through. “I objected and then you attacked.”

“Mrrph. A fair point.” The dragon rumbled as he mulled it over. “Regardless, it was foolish of you to stand in our way.”

“The only fool here is you.” The Dread Lord retorted darkly. “I can tolerate a modicum of defiance but betraying me, the Lord of Shades, is beyond the pale! There are scores of shades in Tartarus that can testify as-”

“Rahahahahaha! Your threats ring hollow!” The Lord of Darkness interrupted with a rough laugh. “You and I both know that without the Underworld, you are nothing more than an old, nearly crippled husk of a god.”

“As much as I hate to admit it, he is right.” The Khthonic Theoi mused as he withdrew his helm from what little storage there was in his undergarments. “Fortunately I always carry a little piece of it with me.”

“Yes, the monster we once feared died along with his loathsome brothers.” The draconic Primordial continued confidently. “Once Night Sky and I take the mortal world, we will merge it with the Sunless Lands and use Barathrum as our seat of power! So face me, Dark Lord! Let us end this once and for all!”

Silence greeted this bold proclamation. Suneater was about to fire off another barb to provoke his foe into action when he heard something from the empty stage behind him. He turned to see the wall that formed the background explode outward in a shower of lunar rubble and fire; not the nether fire of Darkness but the hellfire of the Infernal Pits. A figure silhouette against the roaring flames trotted forward, each hoof fall punctuated by the solid clank of abyssal metal against stone. The silent stallion knelt down to retrieve the bident and then returned to its full height. The hellfire gathered around his shoulders and cooled into a cloak of billowing smoke and embers matched by the flowing plume atop his great helm. Two points of baleful white light filled with nothing but rage and malice shone out from beneath the skull-faced Helm of Darkness, causing the object of their enmity to unconsciously take a step back. The Silent King spoke, his voice now a deep rumble from the depths of the earth as his black rage boiled over.

“Everyone, mortal or immortal, fears me, lowborn spawn of Khaos!” The Immortal Overlord of the Underworld boomed as he leveled his weapon at the dragon. “Let me remind you why!”

“Your minions serve you well, my apostle.” The Lady of the Stars complemented as she and Nightmare Moon passed through the upper stratosphere on their way back to Equestria. “They have already gained a foothold in the city.”

“Does she mean hoofhold?” The Usurper though as she looked down at her own talons. “Or talonhold? Whatever.”

“I knew they would make progress with the elements of surprise and numbers on their side.” Moon said factually. “But they can only get so far without my oversight.”

“Shall I drop you off in the thick of it then?” The Primordial asked. “Or would you prefer to drop in on your sunny sister?”

“Tempting but I suspect anything that goes near the castle will be blasted out of the sky.” The Usurper considered briefly. “It would be best to enter the fray and then storm the palace.”

“Very well then.” The stellar entity said as she slowed her descent. “I look forward to your eminent victory.”

“Wait, are you not joining us in battle?” This came as a surprise to the dark Alicorn.

“I truly wish I could but alas, while the sun may be obscured, my strength is sapped in the loathsome light of day.” The manifestation of the night sky lamented. “I will lend what strength I can muster but it will fall to you to take the city.”

“Interesting.” Moon thought. “I suppose divinity does not equate omnipotence.”

“Very well then.” She said with a slight edge of disappointment. “This should not take long.”

“I have complete confidence in you, my apostle.” The Lady of the Stars said calmly. “I will be observing from on high…and admiring.”

With that, the starry Primordial released her agent from her nocturnal embrace. The Alicorn was disoriented for a moment before she caught the wind beneath her hybrid wings and entered a hover. She looked around for her benefactor only to see a faint trail of starlight land on the snowcapped peak of Mount Canterhorn. A few moments later, the pseudo-twilight sky grew a few shades darker and a few twinkling stars barely discernable against the conflicted canvas winked into existence.

“It may not be a true night but it will do.” Moon thought as she felt her powers wax in the miniscule starlight.

Far below, she could see just how far her forces had progressed. The thestrals had broken through the main gatehouse and taken the market district of the city. The administration district had been heavily fortified by the Solar Guard defenders along with the palace beyond. Their battle lines met in the contested residential area in the center of the burning city while the air war raged on with no clear frontrunner.

“In retrospect, it may have been more prudent to rally my forces outside the city instead of rushing in like a horde.” The fallen Princess mentally criticized. “Still it could be worse. Now where am I needed?”

She zeroes in on the main thoroughfare through the city where a group of gilded defenders had dug in and stalled the thestral’s advance on the ground. A good aerial assault would dislodge them but with neither side having claimed air superiority, the Night Guard had limited options. With a toothy smile, the corrupted Princess folded her wings and dove on the encampment while batting aside anything that was unfortunate enough to cross her path. Her first victim was a unicorn in more ornate armor barking orders to his troops while taking potshots at any thestral that leaned out of cover. The officer did not notice his doom approaching until he heard a banshee-like screech coming from above.

“What is that-!” Was all he had time to say before Nightmare Moon slammed into his back and severed his spine.

The Equestrian Usurper rose to her full regal height and looked over the stunned Solar Guards with a malicious smile. She trotted forward slowly, letting the light dwellers bask in her imposing presence while stepping on the officer’s neck with a sickening crunch. This seemed to have the desired effect as the shock of her sudden entrance morphed into mortal terror.

“It’s Nightmare Moon!” A guardmare screamed.

“Kill her! Kill her now!” Another ordered in a panic.

The unicorns opened fire on the dark Alicorn while their earth pony and pegasi companions rushed her. Moon did not even flinch as the bolts of magic dissipated harmlessly against her empowered body. Her smile widened into a fanged grin.

“Ah ha ha ha!” The Night Mare cackled as she ignited her horn. “Foals!”

With but a mere tilt of her head from side to side, the Usurper fired off two blasts of lunar magic. Her attackers and their fortifications were obliterated in the blink of an eye leaving only smoldering craters and dismembered corpses. The guards who witnessed the sudden collapse of their center wisely fell back allowing the thestrals to finally gain ground.

“Mistress?” A voice called out from behind the Alicorn.

Moon turned to see Countess Dunwich and her ever faithful companion Sev standing behind her along with a contingent of Hollow Shades’ finest. The two elder thestrals had donned their old Night Guard armor conjuring up more memories of the ill-fated rebellion for their matron. The Lunar Princess regarded her steadfast servants with a friendly but still menacing smile.

“Yes, my loyal servants.” The midnight mare greeted. “I have returned.”

“You’ve…changed since we last saw you, your majesty.” Sev commented warily as his eyes were drawn to her wings and talons.

“All for the better.” The dark Alicorn assured him before she changed the subject. “Are my Night-Captains here?”

“Night-Captain Knight- I just realized how awkward that is to say –is leading as a rearguard.” Dunwich reported. “His sister is commanding our air forces.”

“Excellent.” Moon nodded in approval. “You all have done well to come this far.”

“The Umbrals were instrumental in that regard.” Sev said as he waved his cohorts forward. “They put the Solar Guard on the back hoof long enough for us to organize a proper offense.”

“Unfortunately, they rallied a lot quicker than we anticipated, mistress.” The Countess continued for her partner. “The Solar Guard were already mobilized before we attacked and there are reports from the air of Luminous Solarii fortifying the admin district and the palace itself.”

“Strange. It usually takes time for Celestia to summon her elites.” The corrupted Lunar Princess glanced upward at her benighted moon. “Was she warned before the siege began?”

“What of Celestia?” Moon asked. “Has she taken the field?”

“Not that we know of, your majesty.” Sev shook his head. “If she is even still in the city, she would be within the palace.”

“Leading from behind, dear sister?” The younger sibling shifted her gaze to the looming palace. “I am not surprised given your enfeebled condition.”

“If we must go to her, then so be it.” The Night Mare decided. “I trust there would be no objections if I assumed command.”

“None whatsoever, your magnificence.” Dunwich knelt in submission.

Moon closed her eyes and focused. Without the empty expanse of space between them, she could feel each of her minions’ thoughts much more vividly including the cold cessation whenever one of them was sent to her former lover’s realm. The Usurper’s thoughts briefly drifted toward the stallion she had left on her moon but she quickly refocused. With the conquest of Equestria at stake, she could not afford to be distracted.

“Rejoice my subjects. I am among you once more.” The Alicorn whispered into the thestral’s minds. “These sun worshippers are the only thing standing between us and our destiny. Let their screams herald the end of days; let their blood fuel the harbingers of Eternal Night!”

With their bodies invigorated and their resolved steeled by the malevolent influence of their Midnight Mistress, the bat-ponies redoubled their efforts. Their newfound ferocity combined with the spreading ill-news of Nightmare Moon’s return tipped the scales in the attacker’s favor as the Solar Guard were steadily pushed further back toward the palace. Moon herself lead the assault through the middle while Dunwich and Sev focused on consolidating their holdings. The Alicorn glanced skyward to see that the airspace above the city was still very much contested.

“Knight, heed me.” The dark Princess contacted one of her Night-Captains directly. “Your sister requires aid. Send whatever forces you can spare.”

“Yes, your majesty.” The commander of the rearguard sounded reluctant but Moon did not detect any disobedience.

A few moments later, several flights of Night Guards took to the air from the occupied financial district and joined their compatriots above. Moon hoped it would be enough to allow her forces to begin attacking entrenched positions from the air but it appeared whoever was commanding the defense had the same idea as flights of gold armored pegasi joined the fray.

“I wonder if it’s that Sentry colt Sparkle threw herself at.” Moon mused absently as she blew apart a foolhardy guard that tried to dive-bomb her.

Undeterred, the Alicorn of the Night pressed on until she came upon the gatehouse separating the two districts. The stout gates had been shut and barred in addition to dropping a steel portcullis. The tell-tale magical glow from unicorns posted at murder holes and anti-siege emplacements along the battlements told the Usurper that any attempt to break down the gates by her thestrals would be thwarted quickly.

“The royal engineers bragged that they could withstand everything from rioting plebs to invading demons.” The corrupted Princess thought as she ignited her horn. “Let’s see if they accounted for the wrath of a goddess.”

The few stars in the sky seemed to shine a bit brighter in approval as their Lady’s apostle channeled her power. The thestrals behind her wisely gave her some space while the Solar Guard began to fire desperately at her. Their magic was just as ineffective as before and by the time the anti-siege engines had her dialed in it was too late. Moon braced herself against the ground and fired a beam of lunar magic. The very ground buckled in the wake of the spell as it slammed into the gatehouse. The gates themselves were vaporized instantly while the stonework shattered like glass. The Solar Guards within had the relative fortune of dying instantly where their fellows were shredded by superheated debris or throw from the battlements to the unforgiving ground. The shock of the blast blew out every window in the vicinity and even knocked a few fliers, invader and defender alike, out of the sky.

“I always thought the engineers were overpaid.” Moon thought with a self-satisfied smirk as she composed herself.

“That shook the whole mountain.” Sev commented as he looked over the cloud of dust and rubble.

“Do you even need us here?” Dunwich asked in awe.

“The last time I tried to conquer Equestria alone it did not end well.” The Usurper answered candidly. “I would rather have you here and not need you than vice-versa.”

The thestrals nodded in understanding before they moved forward along with a contingent of Night Guards into the breach. They knew it would not take long for the Solar Guard to try to plug the gap and theyhad to take the ground before they did. The bat-ponies quickly galloped over the still smoldering rubble along with a cohort troops and through the dust cloud. The two expected to find scattered guards still reeling from the blast on the other side.

“Oh shit.” Sev froze when he instead came face to face with the ordered ranks of the Luminious Solarii with horns aglow with the power of the sun. “Back! GET BACK!”

The Night Guards scrambled to get out of the way of the impending fire. The Solarii commander extended a gold-shod hoof and pointed it at her fleeing foes like a judge sentencing the condemned.

“BURN THE HERETICS!” She commanded and her troops obeyed.

A blinding beam of concentrated sunlight shone out from the gilded soldiers and surged forward. Those caught in its path met a painful end as the purifying light melted their armor and seared the flesh from their bones. Sev could only push Dunwich out of harm’s way before he too was obliterated by their terrible wrath. The Countess could only watch as her long time subordinate vanished in a flash of light. His end along with so many others rang in Moon’s dark mind like a death knell. The Alicorn of the Night was forced to shield herself behind an ebon wing as the solar magic coursed down the thoroughfare as if mocking her own magic. By the time the assault ended, the streets were a glowing sterile white save for a patch of cobblestone directly behind the corrupted Princess. Bat-ponies not incinerated by the blast lay maimed and blinded in the side streets while their matron stood unharmed save for some singed feathers.

“Hmph. Clever bastards.” Moon thought as she reached out to her own elites. “Umbrals! Attend to these pests!”

“Finally!” Came the bloodthirsty response as the nocturnal stalkers abandoned whatever they were doing and focused on their sun-blessed counterparts.

Predatory snarls and the beating of leathery wings filled the air as the vampiric thestrals charged across the broken ground and dove in from the skies. With their foes coming at them from multiple directions, the Solarii were unable to combine their power into another super beam but instead sent a barrage of sun bolts to hinder their advance. The ground based bat-ponies were forced to cover while the airborne could only dodge. Even as many of their number were blow out of the sky, the Umbrals were not dissuaded from their single-minded goal of eliminating their longtime rivals. With a horrid shriek, they fell upon Celestia’s elite with talons and fangs. With the suppressive fire from the gilded guards halted, the rest of the thestrals eagerly joined the emergent melee. The discipline and fanatic conviction of the Solarii was tested against the terror and ruthless bloodlust of the Umbrals. The battle lines edged ever closer to the palace but the Night Guard paid for every step with their lives. Still, it was a sacrifice they were willing to make for the supremacy of their Lunar Mistress.

“It is only a matter of time now.” Moon thought as the explosions of vanquished Solarii sounded like the sweetest music to her ears. “I will have to replenish the Umbrals after this but there should be no shortage of supplicants, willing or otherwise.”

“LUNA!!!” The thunderous call rolled across the city and shook the very ground beneath the Usurper’s hooves.

There was a brief pause as both sides looked up at the palace and the source of the shout. A bright light shone out from the center of the battered superstructure. It was both a beacon to inspire the beleaguered Solarii and a challenge to the Night Mare who dare defy it.

“Challenge accepted.” The dark Alicorn thought as she took to the sky. “Dunwich! See to these fanatics’ demise. Celestia and I have a score to settle.”

“Put out her eyes for Sev, mistress.” The Countess replied darkly as she resumed command. “Stars watch over you.”

Moon could not help but smile at just how literal that was as she flew up to the palace. The fighting continued below her as she created a point of entry by blowing a new hole into the palace wall. The Princess of the Night folded her wings and shot through as if threading a needle. She found herself in the one of the many back halls near what was left of the grand ballroom. Navigating from memory, the Usurper made her way to the throne room where she suspected Celestia was waiting for her. Along the way, she encountered patrolling Solar Guards and a few Solarii which she dispatched with contemptible ease. She had not come this far to fall to some lowly minions of the sun.

“Can you feel your doom approaching, dear sister?” Nightmare Moon thought as she cleaved a hapless guard in to with a slash of lunar magic. “The Elements are gone, your walls and armies have fallen and your precious sycophants are dead. Nothing can save you now!”

The six heroines of Equestria along with ex-captain Sentry and a few officers of the Tyrian Guard all sat around the geo-map of Canterlot. They had been conjuring a plan to infiltrate the capital while the civil war between the sun and moon raged on. The group had reached the conclusion that the best chance of success was to avoid the frontlines all together but that still left the question of how to get into the palace itself and what to do once inside. It was in the middle of these deliberations that Sparkle’s draconic assistant walked in with refreshments and some note the Princess of Magic had requested.

“We could cause a distraction in the market district here.” One of the Tyrian officers offered as he indicated the area in question. “Maybe draw some of the Night Guard away and give you a chance to enter the palace through the front.”

“With all due respect captain, your troops would not last long enough to give the Element Bearers the time they need.” Sentry countered constructively. “Plus the Solar Guard probably have the primary and secondary entrances to the palace sealed tighter than a miser’s purse.”

“I agree with Sentry.” Sparkle concurred. “I won’t have you or anypony for that matter sacrifice themselves needlessly.”

“I understand.” The purple guard conceded as he took a drink from the young drake with a thankful nod. “Suggestion withdrawn.”

The council fell back into quiet mutterings as they worked to overcome the obstacles set before them. Spike continued to act the little waiter until he came to the lavender Alicorn. He passed the centainly hungry mare a sandwich along with the requested notes.

“I didn’t get the chance earlier but I’m glad your back, Twilight.” The assistant said genuinely. “When I heard that Nightmare Moon had come back I thought she had…”

“Don’t worry, Spike.” Sparkle stroked his head gently. “We’re here now safe and sound.”

“Oh, I wasn’t worried.” Spike tried to put on a brave face. “You all have beaten her before you can do it again.”

“If only it was so simple.” The Alicorn mentally sighed. “Hmm? What’s that?”

The scholarly Princess’s eyes wandered toward the food cart and the large ruby gemstone partially hidden behind some napkins. The juvenile dragon followed her gaze and smiled guiltily. Sparkle enveloped the gem in her magic and held it in front of her.

“Sneaking a little something extra, are we?” She scolded in a motherly tone. “Did you pull this off a wall?”

“I can’t help it.” Spike protested. “We’re living in a tree made out of crystal. I’m like a diamond dog in a gem mine.”

“These aren’t regular crystals; there is no telling what effect they could have-!” The Alicorn suddenly ceased her lecture as the gears in her head went into overdrive.

“Gem mine!” Sparkle’s eyes lit up with the spark of inspiration. “Spike, you’re a genius!”

“Huh?” The green and purple drake could only blink in confusion as the youngest Alicorn dropped the gem into his claws and turned her attention back to the geo-map.

“The gem mines under the mountain!” She said to the council while pointing just below the city. “There is a tunnel that leads to it in the city, right?”

“Yeah, near the hospital.” Sentry confirmed as a glow pinpointed the exact location appeared. “What? Are we going to tunnel in?”

“We don’t have to.” Sparkle said as she retrieved the relevant notes. “There should be an old passage that connects the dungeons to the mines. It was made in case the ponies in the palace needed subtle way out.”

“Cool, a secret passage.” Dash smirked. “Almost straight out of Daring Do.”

“Except we are not hunting any treasure.” The Alicorn thought. “I wish we were.”

“Just a moment, darling.” Rarity interjected. “Wouldn’t this mine and passage have caved in when Suneater emerged?”

“Not necessarily.” Sparkle said as she dug through her notes again until she found one detailing ancient mining standards and techniques. “These old mines were built to withstand everything from raiders to dragon attacks. Even if a dragon got inside, the supports were designed to withstand an incredible amount of stress so that the miners were not trapped inside.”

“This also meant that the dragon could turn the mine into a new lair relative easily but that was the trade off.” The academic Alicorn noted as an aside.

“In addition, the corps of engineers has been working around the clock to shore up the supports and clear the rubble.” A knowledgeable guard added. “It might be rough going but the way should be clear.”

“If not, I know my way around rocks.” Pinkie said brightly. “There should be no problem.”

“Once we’re inside at least.” Applejack said with a critical frown. “Getting’ to those mines might be an issue. Didn’t y’all say the fightin’ was going on right here in the middle part of the city?”

“Based on the latest reports, yes.” An officer answered after reviewing said reports. “But they also say that the Night Guards are slowly gaining ground. The battle lines might shift by the time you all get there.”

“I can’t believe we are banking on Moon winning to pull this off.” The lavender Alicorn mentally bemoaned.

“I don’t like it but we might have no choice but to take that risk.” Sparkle said begrudgingly. “At the very least, they will busy fighting each other to worry about us.”

“One can hope.” Sentry shared the Alicorn’s trepidations. “While we are working backwards through this, how are we to get to Canterlot itself?”

“The trains are out, obviously, and it would take way too long to go by hoof.” Rarity mused aloud. “Your balloon has served us well thus far, Twilight. Why not now?”

“A balloon is a pretty big target.” One of the guards said skeptically. “You could try to approach from the east where the mountain obscures the view but there is still the problem of patrols. You would have to be either stealthy or quick.”

“If Sentry and Fluttershy fly with me…” Dash looked to her demure friend to see if she was up to it who nodded. “…we could make it to at least the city limits within the hour.”

“Did you leave me out for a reason?” Sparkle asked whist trying not to sound incredulous.

“We are not exactly nimble strapped into that thing.” The speedster explained. “If we get spotted, we’ll need someponies who can shoot back; that would be you and Rares.”

“We might be overthinking this.” One of the other guards backpedaled as an idea hit him. “Couldn’t Princess Sparkle use an invisibility spell?”

“Uhh…” The Princess of Magic paused as all eyes fell on her. “I could but I’ve never used one on something as big as the balloon nor on multiple equines.”

“Also, the Solar Guards have been trained to detect invisibility as part of their anti-changeling procedures.” Sentry added. “It would only be a moment of time before somepony sees through it.”

“Ah, but they have been trained to detect Equestrian or bug magic.” A familiar yet strained voice clarified. “Nobody expects chaos magic!”

The council turned to see Discord emerge from his jar partially. The Spirit of Disharmony had managed to reform his head and upper torso including his mismatched arms but the rest of him remained a pile of ash. Pinkie and Fluttershy immediately rushed toward the trickster with smiles on their faces but hesitated when the draconequus waved his claw and paw in front of him to stop them. From his grimace, they could see that it was taking all his concentration to hold himself together.

“Are you sure you can help, Discord?” Fluttershy asked gently. “You really shouldn’t push yourself.”

“For you, my dear Fluttershy, I can manage.” Discord responded resolutely. “Besides, I mean to get back at old sun stroke any way I can.”

“She’ll be in for a big surprise, that’s for sure.” Pinkie agreed.

“Speaking of surprises, is there any we should watch out for once we are actually inside the palace?” Sparkle refocused the group with a pertinent question.

“I doubt the Solar Guards had time to rig up any traps.” Sentry said as he stared at the miniature version of the city. “But you will have to deal with Luminous Solarii. No doubt Celestia, or Daybreaker as she goes by now, will have them guarding the palace and its grounds.”

“She’s called in her elites already?” A Tyrian officer raised an eyebrow. “Did she know Nightmare Moon was coming?”

“No.” The ex-Solar Captain’s ears fell flat against his head. “She was going to send them to the Neo-Crystal City to make an example out of the secessionists even if that meant burning down the city.”

“If that’s true then Moon has impeccable timing.” Sparkle sighed as the depths her former teacher had fallen were revealed. “Wait, how did you know about all that?”

“I…I was there when she summoned the Solarii. She wanted me to lead them.” Sentry answered cagily. “Obviously I said no and went to find you.”

“Why do I think there’s more to it than that?” The Princess thought suspiciously but decided not to press for more while there were bigger things to worry about.

“And we are glad you did.” Dash shot her fellow pegasus a smile. “So we got a stealthy way into the city, a route to the palace and we have an idea what’s waiting for us. If there is nothing else, I say we get moving.”

“Agreed.” Sparkle nodded. “Captain? Please get the balloon ready for departure again.”

“Already on it, your highness.” The Tyrian officer saluted. “If it pleases you, we could have an escort accompany you and your friends. I know you want to be stealthy but I hate the idea of you going into a warzone without at least some troops.”

“Heh. Celestia said the same thing before we left for the Crystal Empire.” The Alicorn reminisced. “That feels like ages ago.”

“I appreciate the offer but the Tyrian Guard would be better off keeping Ponyville safe.” She shook her head in disagreement. “It is in the most immediate danger should any of Nightmare Moon or Daybreaker’s forces decide to come down the mountain.”

“As you command, your highness.” The officer saluted again before departing.

With the council concluded, the six friends and guards exited the chamber with Spike bringing the half-formed Discord along with a dustpan just in case. They returned to the landing platform where the now well-used balloon was already prepped and ready to go. The single harness had been replaced with a three-equine team version and the guards had thoughtfully provided a small stash of medical kits and other supplies. The three pegasi strapped themselves in while the rest climbed aboard.

“Now we are going to be flying pretty fast, Fluttershy.” Dash warned her yellow friend. “If it becomes too much, just let me or Sentry know.”

“I’ll try my best.” The kindly caretaker offered a small smile of confidence as she fluttered her wings.

“Looks like we’re ready to go.” Sparkle said once she was sure everypony was ready. “Discord, do your thing.”

“Don’t push yourself!” Pinkie called out. “We can always get Twilight to do it.”

“Bah, it’s just a little reflection and refraction of light.” The draconequus waved off her concern was her primed his talons and aimed at the balloon. “And…snap!”

With a dry cough, the Spirit of Disharmony’s arm turned to ash and collapsed into a pile. The heroines were about jump out to help him when they began to shimmer. Chaotic magic washed over the group and their transport as they unfocused and faded until they completely vanished from sight. A few of the present guards turned their attention to the one-armed prankster, suspicious as to whether he had not just disintegrated his former foes.

“Did it work?” Spike asked aloud as he swept up part of Discord and added him back to the jar.

“This is weird.” Applejack’s voice said from nowhere. “Ah can’t see my own hoof in front of my face.”

“Can any of you see us?” Sparkle asked.

“We can hear you but nothing beyond that.” A guard answered in her general direction.

“I knew Discord could do it!” Pinkie giggled excitedly. “That didn’t take too much out of you, did it?”

“Well I did not completely disintegrate so that’s a sign that I’m getting better.” The draconequus glanced down at his ashen stub. “Speaking of weakened magic, that won’t last forever so you’d better get a move on.”

“Will do.” The Princess said. “Stay safe everyone.”

“Good luck.” Those staying behind waved or saluted where they thought the balloon was.

After some awkwardness of coordinating the takeoff between the three pegasi, a plume of dust and the fading sound of wings flapping told the guards that their heroines had departed. The guards returned to their posts but Spike and by extension Discord remained on the platform a bit longer than the latter was comfortable with.

“Let’s get back inside, lizard boy.” The draconequus urged. “I’m worried what a stiff breeze might do to me.”

“Oh, sorry.” The young dragon said quickly as he walked back inside with the jar-bound prankster in his claws. “I was just…thinking about something.”

“Spike: dragon, royal lackey and part-time philosopher.” The semi-disembodied Discord teased lightly. “Please share some of your insights on this lowly soul.”

“I was thinking that so much has changed ever since the Crystal Empire was wiped out.” The drake said solemnly, ignoring the trickster’s barb. “Even if- I mean when –Twilight and her friends win, can we really go back to the way things were?”

“Short of our favorite Princess fiddling with time travel, I’d say no.” Discord answered with a flaky shrug. “Our favorite Princess can try to fit the pieces of the status-quo back together but it won’t be the same. If anything, she might just make it worse.”

“Those who fight to save might destroy and those who seek to change might preserve.” Spike recited. “I’m not sure who said that but it seems appropriate.”

While the young dragon and ancient draconequus discussed matters of philosophy, Sparkle and her friends had begun their approach to the besieged capital. The devastation had only gotten worse since they last looked upon Canterlot with the din of battle now scoring the dreadful scene. Their dread was compounded when a massive of explosion of lunar magic signaled that the thestrals had broken through the Solar Guards’ line of defense.

“That had Nightmare Moon written all over it.” Dash whispered less some wandering bat-pony heard the voices from nowhere. “Her dudes are probably knocking on the palace doors by now.”

“They’d be close.” Sentry whispered back. “The admin district was designed to be hell to fight through for invaders.”

“Conventional invaders.” Sparkle mentally clarified. “It did not do much good against changelings and I doubt the thestrals adhere to standard tactics.”

“It’s a good thing Moon appears to want to capture Canterlot rather than destroy it.” Rarity said quietly. “If she wanted to she could- oh goodness!”

The fashionista was cut off by a bright flash of solar magic followed by a thunderous boom. The blast paused the battle for a few brief moments before it resumed. The heroines watched as black armored Umbrals flew toward the source of blast.

“Was that Daybreaker one upping Moon?” Pinkie asked curiously.

“No. That was the Solarii. They did something similar at the Empire.” Sparkle answered knowingly. “They must have just plugged a breach.”

“Meaning a lot of ponies just died.” While she was invisible, her friends could tell by the quaver in her voice that Fluttershy was shaking. “Can we land yet?”

“We are just about to pass the first gatehouse.” Sentry whispered as the breached entrance to the city came into view. “Hopefully we could land on the roof of the hospital but you know what they say about the best laid plans.”

With the probability of something going wrong ever increasing, the pegasi went into a quiet glide. The thestrals patrolling the occupied city were none the wiser as the balloon passed over their heads with a barely audible whoosh of air. The equines held their breath as flights of bat-ponies returning from the ongoing air war for relief passed by close enough for them to see the dents and tears in their armor. Down below, they could see the toll the battle had taken on both sides as well as the city itself. Burnt out buildings smoldered and rubble littered the streets. Market squares had become sites of battle marred by magical blasts and blood. The corpses of ponies and thestrals alike had been left where they fell. The worst were charred beyond recognition by solar magic or exsanguinated to the point of desiccation by vampiric fangs.

“This ain’t right.” Applejack whispered in a heavy tone.

“I probably knew some of these equines.” Sentry concurred past gritted teeth. “Swapped stories and joked around with them.”

“Was the Empire this bad, Twilight?” Rarity asked while trying to distract them from the scene below.

“This is worse.” The Princess answered with abhorrence evident in her voice. “At least I don’t see any civilians down there.”

“No black knights or undead either.” She noticed. “So Grey hasn’t taken the field or is sitting this one out. I’ll take any break we can get.”

“Did you hear that?” A thestral asked his wingmate as they passed by the invisible balloon. “Sounded like whispering.”

“You sure it wasn’t Mistress Moon trying to talk with you?” The other said as the two entered a holding pattern that brought them uncomfortably closer.

“No. It almost sounded like Sparkle.” The first shook his head. “Shut up for a minute. Maybe I’ll hear it again.”

The heroines watched as the two bat-ponies drew inextricably closer toward them with ears perked. The pegasi did their best to time the beat of their wings to the thestrals and managed to cross into the residential district but they knew it was only a matter of time before they noticed. Twilight and Rarity aimed their horns at the investigators. They were just about to fire off some stun spells when a lance of light struck one of the thestrals in the head. He fell out of the air with nary a scream and disappeared into a burning building.

“Shit! Sniper!” The second shouted as he began flying erratically to throw off the sharpshooter’s aim.

His random movements proved futile as another lance shot through the air and hit him center mass. The beam burned clean through him and struck the balloon. As the thestral joined his wingmate, Discord’s spell began to falter as the dirigible deflated and the pegasi struggled to keep it airborne. Their intended landing spot came into view through the smoke but at their current rate of descent Sparkle doubted they could make it.

“I don’t think we can make the hospital!” She called out to the pegasi, the need for stealth now irrelevant. “Is there another place we can try?”

“I’ll be happy with just landing this thing!” Dash yelled as she flickered into view. “You all should hang on to something! It’s going to be rough where ever we land!”

The passengers heeded her advice and braced against the basket. The fliers aimed away from the hospital and guided them toward an empty square. They almost made it when a stray shot from the battle severed a few of the ropes holding the basket. The left side swung free and dumped Applejack and Rarity onto the roof of a house. The sudden shift in weight fouled the pegasi’s trajectory and they overshot the square into the side of what appeared to be an apartment. Sparkle’s world spun as the weakened wall gave way in a shower of stone and wood and she was thrown from the balloon. Once the stars cleared from her vision, the Princess found herself lying against an upturned chair with the wreck of their ride handing over her completely visible once more.

“Ugh.” Sparkle groaned as she got to all fours. “Everypony okay?”

“That was a great big pile of not fun.” Pinkie grumbled as she rolled off the bed she had landed on.

“You’re telling me.” Sentry called out. “Can any of you help us out? We got a bit tangled.”

The Alicorn looked up to see that her winged friends hanging from a support beam by their entangled harnesses. After enveloping them in her magic, she sent a small spark to cut the bit keeping them hanging and then lowered them gently to the floor.

“Believe it or not but I have had rougher landings.” Dash said with a short laugh. “One time, I-AH!”

The weather mare grimaced as she favored her left side. She looked over to find her wing hanging limply with a few feathers missing. Once she untangled herself with Sparkle’s help, an unharmed Fluttershy galloped over and looked over her friend.

“Is it broken?” The cyan pegasus asked apprehensively. “That would be my luck.”

“No, it’s just dislocated.” Her kindly friend said gently. “I’ll relocate it but I will have to bind it afterward.”

“I know. Go ahead.” Dash sighed in relief. “I’m sure it hurts worse than it actually is.”

While Fluttershy retrieved the medical supplies they brought, Sparkle got Sentry free and helped him to his hooves. The stallion had a few bruises but was otherwise uninjured. He did a quick head count and realized they were short two.

“Where’s Applejack and Rarity?” He asked alarmed.

“I see them!” Pinkie called out as she pointed across the street to the rooftops. “Up there.”

The pink party pony waved enthusiastically at her orange and peal friends who waved back.

“Y’all okay over there?” The apple farmer’s distinctive voice carried well.

“Dash hurt her wing but nothing serious.” Sentry shouted back. “Do you need help getting down from there?”

To answer, Rarity enveloped Applejack in her magical aura and gently floated her down to the ground. The honest mare returned the favor by catching the unicorn on her back after she took a somewhat stomach churning drop. The two were about to cross over to rejoin their friends when Sentry flared his wings to stop them.

“Don’t cross out in the open; it’s too risky.” He warned. “This street dead ends into one of the hospital’s storage buildings. We’ll meet you there.”

“Got it.” Applejack nodded. “Don’t take too long.”

The pair stuck to the shadows of the buildings and they made their way to the impromptu rendezvous. The rest gathered what they could from wreckage while Fluttershy finished patching up Dash. Once she had, they quickly exited the room and found a staircase to the ground floor. Fortunately for them, the apartment complex appeared to be abandoned with no sign of Solar or Night Guards.

“We should hurry.” Sparkle urged. “We seem to be removed from the frontlines but something was bound to see us crash.”

“No doubt.” Sentry agreed. “Sticking to the side streets and alleys should help us avoid patrols.”

Following the soldier’s advice, the group ducked into the shadowed backways of the city. They had put some distance between them and the crash site when they heard the distinctive sound of hooves on stone. Peering around a corner they saw a cohort of thestral Night Guards gallop down the street in the opposite direction.

“They must be the rearguard.” Sentry assumed. “Moon isn’t leaving loose ends.”

“We should guard our own rears.” Pinkie could not resist the wordplay. “Don’t want to find one of them nibbling on it.”

“Pinkie…” Dash groaned on behalf of the rest of her friends.

“LUNA!!!” The group froze as the call came down the mountain like an avalanche.

They looked up to see a bright light like a miniature sun shine out from the heart of the palace. A black figure trailing the night sky shot out of the city and plunged into the superstructure. It was clear to them that a challenge had been issued and answered in kind.

“She called her ‘Luna’.” Sparkle mused. “Either Daybreaker doesn’t know about Nightmare Moon yet or she’s taunting her by using her pure name.”

“Sounds like Daybreaker is calling out Nightmare Moon.” Dash said with a frown. “I think we’ve missed our window to bring back Celestia first.”

“Not yet, we haven’t.” The Princess of Magic said firmly as she broke into a full gallop. “Come on! There is still a chance to stop them but only if we hurry!”

“Not that I wish to second guess you, Twilight, but wouldn’t it be better for us to let them fight it out and then deal with the winner when they are tired?” Sentry suggested as he matched pace with the scholarly mare.

“I thought about that but we can’t let that happen.” Sparkle answered seriously. “This civil war is isolated from the rest of Equestria and the Moon and Sun are currently holding each other in balance. If either side wins, I suspect the first thing they will do is snuff out the sun or shatter the moon at which we will have crossed the event horizon into eternal day/night and the death of our world.”

“Wow.” The stallion immediately regretted his suggestion. “Alright then, let’s double time it!”

With the stakes reiterated for them, the group continued on. The challenge from Daybreaker seemed to have grabbed the attention of the rear guards as they encountered only a scant amount of distracted patrols. Before long, the storehouse Sentry had mentioned came into view. It appeared to have hosted the sight of a skirmish as half of it had been reduced to rubble and cooling corpses lay scattered before it. They cautiously entered the darkened structure and looked for signs of their missing friends. Sentry suddenly became acutely aware of something off about the building.

“It is way too quiet.” He said slowly as he scanned the room.

“I hate that cliché but I know what you mean.” Dash agreed as she shifted into a defensive stance. “I smell a trap.”

“What should we do?” Fluttershy asked nervously as a shadow fell across her. “We told Applejack and Rarity to meet us here- AAIIEE!”

With a hideous shriek and a flap of leathery wings, a thestral dropped from its perch among the charred rafters and pinned the pegasus to the floor. There was a flash of white as the vampiric fiend bared its fangs and sank them deep into the kindly mare’s neck. Dash immediately rush to aid her friend but in her haste forgot her wounded wing. Her attempted glide kick was avoided as the bat-pony rolled out of the way with Fluttershy still screaming in its maw. Her cries turned into a pained whimper as her strength began to fail. Sparkle aimed her horn at the attacker but hesitated to fire less she hit her friend. Suddenly, a blue aura surrounded a fallen beam and then swung it at the thestral like a bat.

“Get off her you ruffian!” Rarity shouted as the beast was knocked off the pegasus and into a pile of rubble with a screech.

The fiend recovered quickly and turned on the unicorn with a bloody snarl. It turned into a cry of pain as somepony bucked it in the sides with the strength of an experienced farmer. Applejack followed up by kicking out a damaged post and letting the section of the roof it was supporting collapse onto the thestral.

“A gift from Bucky and Kicks to you, varmint.” The apple farmer spat derisively. “’Shy! You okay?”

“Don’t worry I got her.” A recovered Dash grunted as she pulled her wounded friend onto her back, ignoring the pain from her lying on her bandaged wing. “Oh crap! There’s another one!”

The four quickly rejoined the group as another thestral swooped in. Unlike its partner, it did not attack immediately but rather stayed a fair distance away. Sparkle and Rarity ignited their horns and kept them trained on the stalking bat-pony. In the light of their magic, they could see the ornate armor of an officer of the Night Guard.

“Night-Captain Knight!” Sentry shouted in recognition. “Stand down!”

“I’m sorry, Captain Sentry.” Knight actually sounded genuinely remorseful. “I cannot do that. You should have stayed out of Canterlot. All of you.”

With a savage roar and an explosion of debris, the first thestral emerged from the fresh pile of rubble. Predatory eyes fixated upon the heroines as the second half of the Night Captains licked the blood that caked her protruding fangs with a forked tongue.

“I’ll tear out your hearts for that.” Vengeance, now a full blooded Umbral, sneered at the orange and white mares.

“Princess Sparkle. You and your friends get the mines.” The orange pegasus slipped into full soldier mode as he trotted forward. “I’ll hold these two off.”

“Sentry, no!” Sparkle tried to protest but was met with a steely gaze that told her she would only be wasting her breath.

“You have a nation to save.” Sentry said resolutely. “Go. Now!”

After shooting the two thestrals a withering death glare, the Princess and her friends turned and galloped out the back of the warehouse and toward the entrance to the mines. The Night-Captains tried to pursue but were swiftly rebuked by a swift kick and a sharp buck from the lone stallion.

“Alright you two.” Sentry said as he braced himself for what was sure to be a grueling fight. “Let’s settle this interservice rivalry.”

Capitalizing on the time the ex-Solar Guard had bought them, the six Element Bearers reached their destination without falling foul of any more thestrals. The entrance to the old crystal mines had been mostly spared the ravages of battle but it had still suffered damage. One the two statues that commemorated the historical excavation had been toppled and the sturdy iron doors bore pot marks from stray shots. Most notably however was the fact that the supposedly sealed mines were open as if something had exited from the other side. None of the equines dwelled on this as they quickly slipped inside the mountain and shut the doors behind them. They followed the tunnel into the mines proper before Dash stopped them.

“Hold up girls.” She said anxiously as she slid Fluttershy off her back. “She’s lost a lot of blood. We can’t go on without treating her.”

“I’ll see what I can do.” Sparkle said as she recalled everything she might have read about trauma care and healing spells. “Rarity, I might need some help.”

The yellow pegasus was deathly pale and taking shallow, rapid breaths. Blood continued to stream from the twin puncture wounds in her neck but she at least appeared to be conscious. The Alicorn opened the med pack Fluttershy had with her and withdrew some gauze.

“Alright. Dash, I need you to keep her head still. Pinkie, make sure she doesn’t fall asleep. AJ, take these and wrap her neck when I tell you. Rarity, shine a light on her wounds so I can see.” She ordered each in turn as she ignited her own horn. “I’ll have to cauterize these to stop the bleeding. I’m sorry but this will hurt.”

“Do it…” Fluttershy said weakly.

After taking a breath to steady herself, Sparkle lowered her horn and touch it to the bite marks. Immediately, the demure pegasus cried out in pain as her flesh burned. Dash and Pinkie were forced to hold her down while the latter had the bright idea to give Fluttershy her tail to bite into. Once the bleeding had stopped, Sparkle cleaned the area and then gave Applejack the go ahead to wrap the wound.

“That was the hard part.” The Princess breathed a sigh of relief. “I can use a bit of magic to boost her energy but she will need a hospital after this.”

“Since she has a bum wing, you and Dashie can share a room.” Pinkie told her wounded friend. “I’ll be sure to visit every day until you two are better.”

“Yay…” Fluttershy managed a small smile.

Sparkle charged up her horn once more and bathed her gentle friend in a healing light. The pegasus let out a relaxed sigh as her natural color returned to her features. The lavender Princess continued her treatment for a few moments more before she cut the spell.

“Thank you.” The yellow mare said softly but more clearly. “All of you.”

“What are friends for?” Applejack smiled widely. “Now take it easy fer a bit. That looked nasty.”

“I’m…I’m feeling much better.” Fluttershy said quietly as she slowly but unsteadily got to her hooves.

“Maybe we should rest here for a bit.” Sparkle suggested. “We have been going nonstop here for a while.”

“No! I can make it.” The caretaker asserted firmly. “Like you said, we need to get to Celestia before Moon does.”

“You’re indestructible, Fluttershy.” Sparkle was impressed by the Bearer of Kindness’s fortitude. “All of you are.”

“You heard the mare.” Dash patted her fellow pegasus on the back. “Let’s move it!”

With the prismatic mare providing her pink maned counterpart support, the six heroines continued through the tunnel until they reached a central chamber or rather where one used to be. A ledge of rock extended a small distance from the wall before dropping off into a gaping abyss. A wooden rail had been installed for safety along with various scaffolding built into the sheer walls by the engineers of Canterlot in their ongoing attempts to repair the damage caused by Suneater’s destructive egress. The ever adventurous Pinkie approached the rail and peered over the edge. A bit of stone dislodged under her hoof and dropped into the inky blackness below. She did not hear it hit the bottom.

“Whoa nelly.” Applejack said as she adjusted her hat. “Now that is a hole.”

“Where do we go from here, Twilight?” Rarity asked as she scanned the expanse.

“We have two choices.” Sparkle answered as she withdrew a layout of the mines. “We can either follow Suneater’s route and enter the ballroom or find the tunnel that leads to the dungeons.”

“I vote dungeons.” The orange earth pony said simply. “I doubt Daybreaker has posted any guards there.”

“Seconded.” Pinkie voted. “That looks like a long climb anyway.”

“Okay. Dungeons it is.” Sparkle nodded as she looked for the route. “According to this the escape tunnel should be…over there on the other side of the chasm.”

The Alicorn pointed to where another tunnel opened up. It appeared to be intact with no signs of caving in but there was still the issue of reaching it. The engineers had not yet bridged the expanse directly but rather stuck to the walls with their system of scaffolding, simple elevators and chutes. With Sparkle being the only one still capable of flight and wishing to conserve her magic for the inevitable confrontation with her fellow Alicorns, they decided to take the roundabout way.

“This really takes me back.” Pinkie said casually as they rode a lift up. “Whenever we hit a rally big cavern at the rock farm, daddy would set up a thing just like this so my sisters and I could reach the ore in the ceiling.”

“How sturdy was it?” Rarity asked nervously as the wood and metal groaned under their weight.

“Solid as a rock.” The party pony beamed. “These are much the same; the engie’s knew what they were doing.”

“Considering how much they are paid, they better.” Sparkle thought as they traversed the skeletal structure.

They made it about halfway across when a tremor shook the cavern. The equines pressed against the stone wall as the sound of rock falling filled the air. Streams of dust poured down around them as bits of masonry from the palace above plunged into the abyss below. Fortunately, none of it struck the wooden platforms and the equines were able to proceed once the event passed.

“What was that?” Dash asked as she kept an eye on the ceiling far above. “Did the thestrals finally break into the palace?”

“Maybe.” Sparkle said unsurely. “It could have also been Moon blazing a trail to Daybreaker. I just hope that we get off this thing before one of those rocks hits it.”

While she may have been tempting fate by saying that, the heroines crossed to the other side without braving a collapsing cavern. Following the youngest Alicorn’s directions, they entered the escape tunnel made their way to the sub-levels of the palace. The age of the path combined with the destruction wrought by the Black Dragon had caused some rocks to shift which made for some tight squeezes and more than a few missteps but in time they reached a smooth stone wall. There was concern that they had reached a dead end or went through the wrong tunnel but there fears were alieved when Fluttershy noticed there was a draft coming from small gaps in the rock face.

“So this is the secret entrance.” Dash said as she tapped her hooves against the stone. “Is there a way to open it from this side?”

“There should be a magic release right about…” Sparkle trailed off as she pressed a few spots on the side wall with her horn. “…here!”

Her horn sunk into a small hole in the wall. After feeding a small bit of magic into it, there was the sound of ancient mechanisms turning and then the smooth stone began to shift forward. The false wall suddenly ground to a halt as something seized up followed by the distinctive snap of something breaking free. The equines made ready to run in case the malfunction resulted in a cave in but none came.

“I guess there was some internal damage.” Sparkle inferred with an aggravated snort. “Should we double back and try the ballroom or does anypony know how to fix this?”

“I do!” Pinkie volunteered eagerly and trotted to the jammed rock. “Let’s see…”

The rest stood by as their eccentric friend inspected the walls, floor and ceiling. After tapping the stone with her hooves, knocking her head against it a few times and even licking the rock, she reached a conclusion.

“I think I got it.” The pink earth pony nodded firmly. “AJ? I’m gonna need to borrow you for a bit.”

“If you say so.” Applejack said skeptically as she joined her friend.

Pinkie positioned the honest apple farmer facing away from the rock and indicated where she wanted her to buck as hard as she could. She then assumed a similar position under the hole Sparkle had found.

“On three.” The party pony instructed. “One…two…three!”

The two struck the stone simultaneously with a solid clunk. The fake wall shuddered and fell into its cavity in the floor with a heavy thud. Beyond laid a dimly lit cell and the dungeons of Canterlot. Pinkie turned to the rest of her friends and smiled brightly.

“Told you I know everything about rocks.” She said proudly.

“Heh. We never doubted you for a second.” Sparkle gave a short laugh.

The heroines passed through the secret passage into the undercroft. As they suspected, the dungeon was vacant with no signs of guards or prisoners. With most of the dungeon closed off to be repaired, the only route available was through processing and into the back halls. They would be some distance from the throne room where they assumed Daybreaker would be and there was no telling what type of resistance they might find along the way. With Dash and Fluttershy injured and Sentry gone, doubt began to creep into the Princes of Magic’s mind.

“We have not come this far to lose heart now.” Sparkle pushed the poisonous thoughts out and refocused as she galloped through the corridors along with her determined friends.

Daybreaker sat comfortably on her new throne she had conjured from the molten slag of Celestia’s. It had not been long since she issued her challenge to her nocturnal sister and she knew it would only be a matter of time before it was answered. While she wanted to take to the field and introduce the invaders to her fiery wrath, putting down Luna would bring the war to a quicker end. Afterwards, she could purge the night dwellers as well as the malcontents at her leisure.

“Cut the head off the snake.” The Solar Destroyer thought with a wicked grin. “And then burn the body. Or maybe I could do both!”

Thus did the mad Alicorn wait for her dear sister to arrive. She could hear the din of battle raging outside the palace along with explosions that signaled a death of a Solarii but the brass lunged shouting of Luna was notably absent. The fiery Princess was beginning to wonder if the Lunar Alicorn had somehow fallen to some extremely lucky guard when she both heard and felt something quickly approaching. Dull booms shook the throne room as walls were blown apart. The panicked shouts of guards followed by the sharp slices of magic grew louder. Over it all, Daybreaker could hear a cold maniacal laughter that was eerily familiar.

“Could it be?” The Tyrant of the Sun wondered just as the noise reached just outside her door.

“Sun above! Help- argh!” One of last Solar Guards perished.

“It’s a demon! Run for-ack!” The distinctive crunch of bone signaled the end of the other.

The Princess of the Day straightened up in her throne as a tense stillness filled the air. Not a moment later, the sun scorched golden doors exploded inward in a burst of lunar magic. The once magnificent edifices fell to the ground with a cacophonous clatter as a cloud of pulverized marble wafted in. The bodies of the guardstallions were thrown inside contemptuously, their wounds indicating a rather painful death. With measured hoof falls, their vanquisher trotted into the throne room. Rather than a navy mare with a starry mane, a midnight black fiend in cobalt armor stood before the sun-blessed Alicorn.

“Nightmare Moon?” Daybreaker’s red and gold eyes widened in surprise.

“Celestia! It is time to finish what we started!” The Usurper proclaimed. “After a thousand years, your…wait, what?”

The two fallen Princesses stared at each other with neither one sure what to make of the other. The Harbinger of Eternal Night shrugged off the sudden awkwardness and fixed the other armored Alicorn with a cold glare.

"Who are you?" She demanded.

"I am everything Celestia has long denied she was but you may call me Daybreaker." The Herald of the Sun answered. "I see you have found yourself during your little dragon chase, traitor."

"Oh, I found much more than that." Moon's teal slitted eyes shone with power. "I have the means to finally take the throne no matter who sits on it."

“Well now, and here I was worried about making Luna a martyr.” Daybreaker said smoothly. “No one would morn for a usurper particularly a demonic fiend like you.”

“Coming from the despot with a mane of fire.” The Night Mare retorted. “At least now all the world can see you for the tyrant I knew you were from the start. It will make my impending supremacy all the easier.”

“History will be written by the winner as it always is.” The Solar Alicorn waved that off dismissively. “Although Celestia has already written yours if you think about it.”

“A bit of revision will see to that.” The Usurper countered. “I'll start with how the last Mistress of the Day died screaming as her precious sun was extinguished forever!”

“Hehaha. You forget that I am not the same Alicorn that you bested upon your first return.” The fiery Princess chuckled dryly as she stood up from her throne. “Poor, narrow minded Celestia used the sun to merely chase away the darkness you hold so dear. I on the other hoof..."

Daybreaker ignited her horn in a blaze of brilliant light. Far above the two former diarchs, the omnipresent eclipse weakened as the obscured sun's light threaten to overwhelm the moon and forces the few stars in the sky to fade. Fiery coronas expanded out from the conflicted celestial bodies and extended toward Equus like fiendish fingers. The solar flares burned through the atmosphere, turning clouds into superheated plasma and setting the horizon ablaze. The pillars of purifying flame touched down across Equestria, turning miles of the Everfree into sterile glass before they began encroaching on cities and settlements the mad tyrant had deemed troublesome including the Neo-Crystal City, Hollow Shades and Canterlot itself.

"You and I can agree on one thing, dear sister." The Solar Destroyer declared as she lived up to her name. "When corruption taints this land, it must be cut out and I can think of no better scaple that the purifying light of the sun!"

"AH-HAHAHAHAHA! You may not be as fettered as Celestia but you are just as deluded as her!" Nightmare Moon cackled maniacally. "You cannot accept that fact that light is impermanent. A single candle may light a dark room but it will eventually go out while the darkness, my night, is eternal. Your sun is no different!"

"Yet you draw power from the lesser light of the sky and crave the adoration I enjoy from the plebs." Daybreaker retorted as she flared her armored wings. "It does not matter if darkness challenges me as an insane slaver, gluttonous centaur or even a jealous sister. No one will take this world from me!"

As fire rained from the heavens and war ravaged the ground, the corrupted and the mad mares circled each other. Both could feel the time for talk drawing to a close. It was just a matter of seeing who would make the first move.

"My star will always shine the brightest, demon!" The Solar Princess sneered as the luminous raw power of the tyrant sun coursed through her horn and empowered body. "And it will shine alone!"

"You command but one star, fool!" The Lunar Princess hissed as the umbral power of the night filled her reborn frame with nightmarish might. "And I will see to it that it dies with you!"

The two former sisters locked eyes as they both assumed combat stances. As cathartic as it felt to air long held grievances, there was only one way this millennia long feud could end. With a ferocious roar and a bloodcurdling shriek, the two Alicorns charged each other as the civil war reached its apex.

As the second civil war of Equestria neared its climax, another battle for the fate of world raged on its lunar satellite. The pale moon shuddered as the Khthonic powers of death and primordial darkness exchanged titanic blows within the increasingly ruined Bastion of Nightmares. Their duel had long since left the statuary theater and had taken them through halls, galleries and chambers alike. The latest visit in their lunar destruction tour was an ornate chapel dedicated to the Lady of the Stars; possibly the only being in existence that Moon’s sororicidal ego allowed her to respect. Such reverence was lost on the two combatants as they effectively desecrated the small temple in their melee.

“That armor can only do so much, Hidden One!” Suneater roared as he slashed at the Dark Lord with his claws only for them to be repelled by his abyssal plates. “Not even the masterpieces of the cyclopes are infallible!”

“It serves its purpose, Shifting Darkness!” The Necroarch boomed as he ducked another slash and countered by driving a hoof into a knuckle. “Which is more than I can say for you!”

“Ragh!!” The Black Dragon rumbled as he withdrew his claw and snapped the now crooked digit back into place. “And who are you to say what my purpose is, upstart?”

“Your King!” The Khthonic Theoi shouted as he forced the dragon prince to the ground by slamming the blunt end of his bidet into one of his kneecaps. “Now take a knee, wyrm!”

The Primordial snapped at his foe but only got a mouthful of his billowing cloak of tenebrous shadows. The Dread Lord grabbed hold of the dragon’s scaly neck just behind his head and half dragged half shoved his enemy. Suneater let out a sharp hiss of pain as his snout plowed through Moon’s artistic representation of her benefactor.

“I will still have Night Sky to deal with after this. She may prefer acting through puppets but that does not mean she is completely helpless in a fight.” The Silent King thoughts as he repeatedly drove the dragon’s head into a rapidly crumbling wall. “So long as the sun still hangs in the sky, she will be weakened and I might be able to-!”

His moment of inattentiveness was punished by a colossal uppercut from Suneater that sent him through an elaborate petroglyph of the constellations on the ceiling and into another section of the complex. The armor granted to the Dread Lord by his skull-face helm creaked under the immense stress but held, sparing its wearer the worst of what would have been crippling pain. The King landed on all fours in what appeared to be the roof of one of the Bastion’s many halls. He looked back at where he had been sent flying to see the Black Dragon emerge from the structure and leap after him using his wings to keep balance in the airless skies of the moon. The Theoi adopted a defensive stance and waited for his Primordial foe to reach him.

“I’ve closed the strength gap with this armor but as long as we are in darkness he still has the advantage.” The Necroarch thought as the dragon’s low gravity leap gave him time to plan. “Maybe if I lured him over to the sunward side of the moon- what’s this?!”

The Dark Lord reflexively shielded his eyes as the starry void was suddenly sundered by solar fire. A beam of raw concentrated sunlight passed dangerously close to the Bastion on its way to Equus chasing away the normally permanent shadows in its path. Unable to change course in the apex of his leap, the Lord of Darkness could only duck his head as the flare disintegrated his wings in its pitiless light. His roars of agony were lost in the soundless vacuum of the moonscape.

“Celestia must not be holding back anymore.” The Silent King thought as the Black Dragon tumbled toward him in an uncoordinated mass of flailing limbs. “Good for her, better for me.”

The Dread Lord sidestepped out of harm’s way as Suneater landed roughly on his side. The ancient dragon prince had to dig his claws into the roof to prevent his momentum from carrying him over the side. In his clumsy attempt to regain his footing, the dragon inadvertently exposed his underbelly to his opponent. With bident at the ready, the Overlord charged his traitorous friend.

“If he adopted the form of a dragon, then it stands to reason he also took their weaknesses.” He thought as he closed the distance as fast as his heavy armor and weakened body would allow. “Then again, thinner scales won’t mean much if there is nothing vital under them.”

Seeing his foe approach, the dragon prince shot off an inaccurate blast of nether fire only for the Silent King to let it glance off his armor. The dark Theoi drove his two-pronged staff into the Black Dragon’s scaly hide. Unfortunately for the pallid stallion, if there was something important under the weaker scales, his weapon did not penetrate deep enough to hit them. Before the King could follow through, a mass of tenebrous tendrils burst forth from the smoldering stubs of Suneater’s wings and ensnared him. The benthic limbs yanked the stallion and his staff away from the Primordial before they whipped around and slammed him upside down into the base of one of the spires that formed a perimeter along the massive crater. The writhing limbs held the Theoi in place for a moment before they released him and retracted toward the now recovered dragon. They went rigid like bones as a nebulous darkness flowed up from the dragon and across them. A moment later a new set of wings graced the dragon prince’s form.

“Well that didn’t last long.” The pale horse thought bitterly as he righted himself.

The Silent King had barely gotten to his hooves when Suneater lunged at him with jaws opened wide. It was all he could do to prop open the dragon’s palate with his staff, jamming the bident between the serpentine tongue and the roof of the mouth. The Primordial ignored the hindrance and pushed against his foe, threatening to dislodge the staff and allow his powerful jaws to close around the pallid pony. The Theoi maintained his grip to both stop himself from being eaten and preventing the Black Dragon from simply lifting his head and robbing him of his weapon. This contest of strength went on for an agonizing amount of time until the Lord of Shades noticed the tell-tale glow of nether fire begin to well up within the dragon. At this range, it would be impossible for the beast to miss.

“I am beginning to regret ever freeing him from under that mountain.” The pale stallion thought as his forelegs strained against the might of the dragon’s slavering jaws. “Wait…”

The armored King felt the moonstone of the looming spire against his tail. It was not a mountain but it would serve for what he had in mind. Bracing against the still lodged staff, he brought both his hind legs up and drove his abyssal plated hooves into the structure. With the spire’s base already weakened by Suneater slinging his foe into it, the force of the Theoi’s kick was enough to reduce a good chuck of it into moon dust. The edifice swayed precariously as its center of mass shifted before it finally lost the fight with gravity and began to collapse inward toward the rest of the Bastion. The first tongues of Khthonic flame were just about to leave the Black Dragon’s mouth when he noticed the impending fall. The reduced gravity of the moon slowed the spire’s fall to an almost dramatic effect and gave the Primordial more than enough time to catch it in one of his claws. Unfortunately for him, he did not take into account that while he was more than strong enough to stop the massive spire of solid rock, the roof they were standing on was not. The ground gave way beneath their claws and hooves and they fell back into the Bastion along with the spire. The sheer mass of the structure fell atop the two like an avalanche that buried both of them under heaps of pale rubble.

“Physics; the original earth pony magic.” The Silent King thought coyly as he dug himself out of his self-imposed tomb. “Now I know that only stunned him for a few moments at best. I need to come up with a real plan.”

With a metallic grunt he shoved a table-sized chuck of rubble out of the way and climbed atop the miniature mountain of debris with his dusty but still intact bident. They had landed in and subsequently demolished another one of Moon’s statuary halls. Even so, the magic inlaid in the walls of the room was still intact and the sound of rubble shifting replaced the oppressive silence the Theoi was just getting accustomed to. It also allowed the two combatants to speak once more.

“Did you conjure that solar beam?!” Suneater’s voice echoed about the room. “I know you and the Lord of the Sun used to be friends but-!”

“If I could draw power from the sun we would not be in this mess.” The non-solar Lord replied neutrally. “No that was the current Herald of the Sun defying your consort and her minion.”

“I see.” The Primordial rumbled along with the rubble.

The Silent King prepared for the renewal of their duel as the pile of moonstone shifted. Rather than the scaly form of the Black Dragon, tenebrous darkness spewed forth like a flood. The nebulous form of the Lord of Darkness filled the hall, making a point of destroying the surviving statues as to avoid another arduous game of seek and destroy. While it now lacked any discernible facial features, the Theoi could tell his Primordial foe had refocused on him.

“You are more of a challenge than anything I have face before, little god, I will admit.” Suneater’s disembodied voice said from all around the room as the first being to ever emerge from the primal Air of Khaos loomed over the Dread King of the Dead. “But do you truly think you can stop the coming of my new Dark Age?!”

“I escaped the Domiciles of Khaos by breaking the walls of reality itself!” The Lord of Shades retorted as his billowing cloak began to smolder with the embers of Tartarus. “I can sure as the Nine Hells break you!”

A dark mass of tendrils, claws and teeth surged forward just as the former voidian Lurker was imbued with the eternal fires of the Pits. Absolute darkness clashed against the torturous flames of perdition as the duel between the Khthonic immortals intensified.

The rapid clip-clop of hooves on marble scored the heroines of Equestria’s hurried gallop through the palace halls of Canterlot. With most of the remaining Solar Guards and Solarii deployed closer to the front of the palace to repel the invading thestrals, they had not yet encountered any resistance. After a harrowing and nearly fatal journey into the city, the six friends were relieved to enjoy this small reprieve.

“Not to jinx our luck but you would think there would be a few patrols around.” Dash said as she kept an eye out for said patrols.

“Ah think the horde of bat-ponies scratchin’ at the door has their attention.” Applejack logically assumed. “Come to think of it, do we need to worry ‘bout the Solar Guards attackin’ us?”

“They did shoot us down.” Rarity said with an indignant huff. “It may have been an accident but I would rather not take the chance.”

“Same here.” The Alicorn agreed. “I doubt Daybreaker is even aware of us but I don’t know how much influence she has on the guards. Some could be friendly or they could be as bad as the thestrals.”

“I miss the days when the baddies were easy to spot.” Pinkie lamented as her mane deflated slightly.

“Me too.” Fluttershy said as she gave her pink friend a sympathetic pat on the back.

“We can get back to those days once we knock some sense back into Celestia and Luna.” The prismatic pegasus reassured them with a confident smile. “So how much further to the throne room, Twilight?”

“Not far.” The Alicorn answered. “We could cut through a courtyard or go through the visitation area. Both lead to the throne room but we are likely to encounter guards either way.”

“If we take the courtyard, we will probably be spotted by fliers.” Rarity mused aloud. “So I vote for the- oh my goodness!”

The group paused as they came upon an open air corridor with a spectacular view of the city. Beyond the ongoing battle, an incandescent pillar of light had split the conflicted sky and touched down on the entrance to the city. The gatehouse and the Night Guards stationed there had been vaporized instantly as the purifying flare advanced steadily up the city reducing everything in its path to sterile ash and dust.

“How crazy is Daybreaker?!” Dash asked aghast. “Her own dudes will be caught in the fire!”

“Something tells me she doesn’t care.” Sparkle felt whatever hope she had of bringing Celestia back begin to wither. “Our time frame just got a lot smaller so I suggest we forget sneaking and take the direct route.”

“Would this work?” Fluttershy asked as she stood before a fresh hole in the wall.

The heroines joined her to see that there were a series of holes running from one side of the palace to the other. Down one end they could see open sky and a trail of slain guard equines and Solarii. The other way was illuminated by the tell-tale flashes of lunar and solar magic.

“Moony cheated!” Pinkie decried. “We had to sneak in and she just blew straight through!”

“Well at least she and Daybreaker are in the same room.” Applejack said as she began to gallop through the path the Usurper had created. “Twi’s right though; double time it y’all!”

The group abandoned all pretenses of stealth and galloped off to the throne room. As the Princess of Magic had initially cautioned, their trespass did not go unnoticed as several Solar Guards cross their paths on their way to the front. However none of them accosted the mares and a few appeared outright relived that they had arrived. It was not like any of them wanted to get between two, soon to be three, battling Alicorns.

“I don’t know about Day but Moon will not be happy to see us.” Dash said with a tinge of worry as the throne room drew ever closer. “We might not get the chance to talk to either of them before we’re dodging fireballs and moonbolts.”

“I know.” Sparkle said as they arrived at the demolished entrance to the heart of Equestria. “Which is why if any of you want to turn back, tell me now. There is still time to get out of the city and regroup in Ponyville. We could-”

“We’re with you all the way, Twi.” Applejack encouraged her friend before she overthought the plan. “Just like always.”

“I’m not missing this party.” Pinkie added firmly. “Even if the sun is about to deep fry us like hay fries.”

“I don’t care if it means I’m forced to be a secretary for either one of them.” Rarity stated as she joined them. “We will stick together, darling.”

“You know I’m not going anywhere.” Dash smirked. “And Discord isn’t around to screw with my head so you know I’m genuine.”

“We’ll see this through to the end.” Fluttershy smiled softly.

“I love you crazy mares.” Sparkle beamed as her resolve was strengthened. “Alright. Here we go.”

The six heroines crossed the blasted threshold into the throne room. After having been rocked by no less than three disasters, the place was a ruin. The walls and roof were all but gone and the floor was littered with rubble and fresh pot marks from wayward magical bolts. The group looked about for the fallen Princesses until Fluttershy spotted contrails of flame and night against the twilight sky.

Flashes of solar and lunar light ripped across the air above the palace as Nightmare Moon and Daybreaker’s duel took to the air. Their battle was punctuated by thunderous booms each time the two clashed in a joust. The latest charge resulted in the two locking horns in midair in a contest to overpower the other.

“I see that banishing you to the moon was too kind.” Daybreaker sneered maliciously as their horns burned against each other. “Better to just kill you and spare myself the thousand year headache.”

“Ha! As if you could muster the power to do so without the Elements!” Moon laughed scornfully. “But I agree that banishment is only a temporary solution!”

The two broke away in a burst of their respective magic. The Solar Alicorn inhaled and fired off a stream of flames like a dragon as she put some distance between them. The corrupted Lunar Alicorn twisted out of the way of fire and was about to return the favor expecting a shootout when her fire-breathing foe suddenly charged her. Daybreaker rammed into her like a comet and knocked the air from her lungs. Before they slammed into the mountainside the midnight mare conjured a sphere of magic around herself that knocked her fiery foe away. After taking a moment to catch her breath, Moon sent a few slashes of magic at the mad diarch who responded with lashes of fire. The two flew thought each other’s barrage and clashed once more in a melee of wings and legs that tumbled down to the palace. Moon managed to get Daybreaker under her so that she bore the brunt of the landing that cratered the floor beneath them. The Usurper pinned her hated sister beneath her talons and aimed her glowing horn between her eyes. The Solar Destroyer forced a fore hoof under the Night Mare’s chin and pushed her head up just as she fired the lethal beam. The teal spear blew apart a section of the wall above the entrance and rained debris on the equines standing in the doorway. When she saw just who they were, Moon’s slitted eyes shrank to pinpricks.

“WHAT?! STILL ALIVE!? HOW?!?” She all but shrieked in shock. “I WATCHED YOU DIE!!”

“Surprise!” Pinkie said with a poof of confetti.

While the fallen Princess stared mouth agape at the once dead Element Bearers, Daybreaker got her hind legs under her and drove her armored hooves into the Usurper's underbelly, bucking her into the air. She followed up with a fireball that sent Moon into the far wall and exploded in a flash of blinding light. The stunned and smoldering Lunar Alicorn fell to the ground in a heap along with a load of rubble that buried her. The Princess of the Day got to all fours and composed herself.

“Impeccable timing, my little servants.” She said imperiously as she trotted toward the pile of debris. “I had thought my sister had wiped you all out but now we can put an end to her once and for all.”

“Celestia, wait!” Sparkle called out as she galloped after her former mentor. “This has to-“

“Ah! It is Daybreaker now.” The Solar Destroyer corrected curtly. “I suggest you forget about my weaker self.”

“Never!” The youngest Alicorn shouted defiantly as she got between the two diarchs. “Celestia, you have to stop! This isn’t you!”

The eldest Princess paused as Twilight’s friends stood beside her. For the briefest of moments, her fiery golden eyes turned a shade of pink as a long silenced voice tried to make itself heard.

“Listen to her!” A miniscule part of her shouted from some dark corner of her mind. “She is our best student! The one we raised like the daughter we never had!”

“No!” Daybreaker seethed past gritted teeth as her eyes flared up again. “Stand aside, peons. She must die!”

“Nightmare Moon is a fiend but your sister is still in there!” Sparkle protested as she ignored the heat radiating off the taller Alicorn and braced against her burnished chest plate. “You’ve never given up on her. Don’t start now!”

“She’s right!” Applejack concurred. “Killin’ Moon only helps one pony and it ain’t you!”

“You two have helped each other through the worst of times as sisters do.” Rarity added knowingly. “She needs your mercy not your wrath.”

“We know she can be saved!” The tiny voice pleaded. “We pulled her from darkness before!”

“I thought she could be redeemed. I also thought the Crystal Empire could be redeemed but now look at it!” The blazing Princess grimaced in frustration. “Mercy is the tool of fools! Death is the only justice she deserves! What all traitors deserve!!”

The increasingly incensed Diarch shoved her former pupil out of the way and advanced on the now trembling rubble. She ignited her horn until it was an incandescent flare of sunlight and was about to melt the pile down into slag when a barrier of magic cut her off. The Alicorn rounded on Sparke with a venomous snarl.

“I am running out of patience, Sparkle!” Daybreaker said dangerously.

“So am I.” The Princess of Magic said firmly. “You are about to cross a line there is no coming back from.”

“Princess, you’re about to flash fry thousands of loyal soldiers!” Dash said urgently. “Not even Luna did that when she dropped the hammer on the Empire.”

“We just want our old Princesses back!” Pinkie gestured to both the Solar and Lunar Alicorns. “This whole ‘power mad tyrant’ shtick is no fun at all.”

“We know what Blueblood did to you was wrong but you don’t need to punish the rest of Equestria for it.” Fluttershy added with surprising confidence.

“For Faust’s sake, do not throw away everything we have fought and bled for!” The last speck of decency in the fiery Princess screamed plaintively. “Our harmony may be beaten and tarnished but it is not beyond salvation.”

Daybreaker could only let out some inarticulate snarl as she fired her charged spell into the barrier and burned it away like paper. She now stood before the seemingly immobile Usurper with wings flared and horn ablaze. In once last effort to reach her former mentor, Sparkle jumped in front of the eldest Alicorn with her own wings and horn primed. The Solar Destroyer glared down at the scholarly mare but the youngest Princess could see the conflict in her fiery eyes.

“Celestia." Twilight matched her gaze with unwavering conviction. “Please. Let us help you.”

“It is not too late!” The trapped voice cried out. “Step back from madness or we will live in the same Hell as Nightmare Moon!”

“You know nothing of Hell!” Another voice, scorched and twisted by the fire of the Pits, screeched. “But its prisons will echo with the screams of all who dare oppose me!”

“Twilight Sparkle.” The Alicorn of the Sun said slowly. “You disappoint me.”

Faster than she could blink, the lavender Princess was enveloped in a wicked crimson aura. Daybreaker lifted her into the air and slammed her face first into the floor. Before the rest of the Element Bearers could act, the hellish horse used the dazed and limp Sparkle to batter them aside.

“All that potential wasted because you fetter yourself to some outdated notion of harmony like a sycophantic zealot.” The mad mare sneered contemptuously as she tossed her former pupil over her shoulder like a used rag. “At least Sunset Shimmer had some ambition.”

Once more the Solar Destroyer stood before the rubble pile containing her corrupted sister. She could hear pained grunts and see bits of debris shifting; signs that her foe was not completely beaten yet. The Princess decided that another raw blast of sunlight would see to that.

“After I am finished with this recurring night mare, you and your pitiful friends are next!” Daybreaker spat at the recovering heroines. “My star will shine the brightest in Equestria and it will shine alone!”

“No. It will not shine at all!” Nightmare Moon’s reverberating voice shot back as a flash of ethereal light illuminated the rocks.

Suddenly a blast of concentrated dream magic blew the Alicorn of the Sun off her hooves and through the opposite wall. Sparkle just barely managed to roll out of the way as the ground beneath the beam was unmade by powers not of the waking world. The Usurper emerged from her piecemeal prison and loomed over her former vanquishers. Her teal eyes shone with the otherworldly power granted to her by Tantibus, casting a pall of horror over the throne room.

“I do not know how you managed to escaped the Silent King’s clutches, Sparkle.” The corrupted Princess intoned menacingly. “But at least I will have the great pleasure of sending you and your friends back to him one screaming piece at a time!”

A comet of solar fire rocketed back into the room and slammed into Moon. The two fallen Alicorns took to the air as their duel violently resumed. As sun and moon light clashed above them, Pinkie crawled toward Sparkle while nursing a wound on her head.

“Has anypony ever told you that you have a really hard head, Twi?” The party pony said with a slight slur.

“I think our intervention failed.” Dash groaned. “Now what do we do?”

The youngest Princess glanced up at her embattled elders. It was now clear to her that whatever evil had seized the Diarchs would not be expelled by words and kind thoughts. Luna was lost to darkness and Celestia was not far behind. With the total destruction of Canterlot growing ever closer there was really only one option left open to them.

“The one thing we can do.” Sparkle answered quietly as the weight of what had to be done fell on her shoulders. “It is our last, best hope.”

Outside the battle scarred palace, the ongoing civil war had devolved into chaos. Battle lines had broken down into scattered skirmishes between the forces of the mad Solar and corrupted Lunar Alicorns. The inexorable advance of the solar flare had already reduced the market district to cinders and those trapped within to shadows scorched into the sterilized ground. Thus did the Night Guard desperately fought less for victory and more for an avenue to escape destruction. The Solar Guard fared little better as they feared the wrath of their Princess did not discriminate between invader and defender and sought their own ways to avoid obliteration. Only the zealous Solarii and fanatical Umbrals seemed to be concerned with achieving victory in the face of mutual annihilation. One such elder thestral was flying just above the residential area looking for equine in particular.

“There you are!” Countess Dunwich bared her fangs as she spotted the Solarii commander.

Said Luminous leader had compiled a few of her fellow elites into a strike force and were steadily pushing the thestrals back to be consumed by the flare. The Umbral folded her leathery wings and dove on the unsuspecting officer. She spread her wings just before she hit the ground and pulled up into a glide just behind her target and sank her talons into her golden armor. The two lifted off the ground with the Solarii shouting in protest and her troops firing precise shots at her abductor. Dunwich made it as high as the rooftops before a shot struck her between the wings and forced her to drop the commander and land roughly on the roof of a high-rise hotel.

“You wish to face me alone, heretic?” The Solarii shouted imperiously as she rolled to her hooves. “That will be your last mistake!”

“Come then!” The Umbral challenged. “So me what passes for fury among your misbegotten kind!”

The commander fired off a barrage of solar bolts that Dunwich avoided as she closed the distance between them, age having not dulled her agility. The thestral pounced on the empowered unicorn and instinctively went for her neck with her fangs but could find no flesh beneath the gilded plates. The Solarii slammed a hoof into the side of the Countess’ head until she released her neck and rolled off.

“We have transcended the iniquity of flesh, parasite!” The commander spat as she ranked Dunwich’s side with a flurry of magic.

“Then you are as hollow as you cause!” The Umbral ignored the fresh pain coursing through her and resumed her assault on the Solarii.

Where the elite of the Solar Guard excelled at range, their melee capabilities were comparable to that of an armored earth pony’s. The commander was immediately on the back hoof as the thestral hacked and slashed at her armor. Dunwich let out an enraged shriek as her talons found purchase in the Solarii’s back and tore a large gash in the golden plates. The elite fired a panicked unfocused blast into the thestral’s chest and knocked her away. As raw solar energy shone out from the breach, the Solarii focused on mending the wound before her destabilizing body detonated.

“And you accuse us of being cursed.” Dunwich spat contemptuously.

She tried to take a step forward only to sink to her knees. The elder thestral looked down to see the blast had pierced her old armor and bit deep into her chest. The Solarii looked at her stricken foe and then to the advancing column of fiery death. The building across from them was already ablaze and the street below was starting to melt.

“Your judgement is nigh, cur.” The commander said shakily. “Join the rest of your ill-bred ilk perdition.”

With that, the elite turned her back to the mortally wounded thestral and headed toward a damaged section of the hotel to look for a way down. Dunwich forced herself to all fours and flared her wings. With the last of her failing strength, she catapulted herself through the air and tackled the commander from behind. The two tumbled into the hotel and became entangled in the debris of what appeared to be a balloon. The Countess trapped her foe in a deadly embrace that forced both of them to face their impending doom. If the two opposing elites had anything more to say to each other it was lost in the deafening roar of the solar flare as the hotel and entire block were engulfed in a purifying conflagration.

“Right behind you Sev.” Dunwich thought just as the blinding, painful light gave way to a cold, comforting darkness.

As the Countess of Hollow Shades met her end, her children were engaged in an aerial duel of their own. Ex-captain Flash Sentry proved to be a formidable combatant even without the powers and abilities granted to the elites by the sun or moon. The fact he was outnumbered two to one only highlighted this but he knew the fact he was not dead yet could not be attributed to his skills alone. His knowledge of the layout of the city plus the fact he was relatively fresh while the thestrals had been fighting for hours could not be understated.

“Not to mention sheer dumb luck.” Sentry thought as he dodged a charge from Vengeance and deflected a strike from Knight.

“Damn it! Hold still!” The far more aggressive half of the Night-Captains snarled as she shot toward the pegasus’ back with fangs bared.

The orange stallion responded with a kick that caught her in the chest and sent her through one of the lower floor windows of the nearby hospital. With the aggressor temporarily disposed of, Sentry grappled with Knight in mid-air there feathery and leathery wings beating furiously to stay airborne.

“Your heart is not in it, Knight!” Sentry grunted in exertion. “You know as well as I do this is wrong!”

“I have no choice, Sentry.” The thestral shook his head. “I either serve a tyrant or be incinerated by one.”

Before the former Solar Guard could respond Knight drove his helmed forehead into the pegasus’s nose. He then grabbed Sentry by the barrel and slammed him through the same window Vengeance had been kicked into. They landed on an empty bed amidst a mess of curtains and medical equipment left behind during the evacuation. Sentry managed to roll Knight off of him but barely had time to sit up when the other Night-Captain wrapped a length of rubber tubing around his neck and pulled it tight.

“I got him!” Vengeance shouted excitedly. “Grab a knife or something and cut out his heart!”

“Is that really necessary?” Knight asked warily.

A harsh glare from the Umbral told him to save his objections. The thestral found a scalpel and advance on the choking Sentry. The Pegasus reached desperately for something that could ward off his impending open heart surgery and found it in the form of a bedpan. He swung the lump of metal at Knight and knocked the scalpel out of his fetlock. He then reached behind him and struck Vengeance with a solid thwack, forcing her to release her hold.

“Gah!” Sentry gulped down a lungful of air as he pulled off the length of rubber. “I’m getting real tired of your shit, Ven!”

“I’ve been tired of you-OOF!” The Umbral was cut off by a hoof slamming into her gut.

The pegasus followed through with another hoof to the side of her head that knocked her to the floor. Her brother countered by driving his hind legs into Sentry’s ribs with a sickening crunch. The ex-captain was knocked back through the door to the room and into the empty halls of the hospital. Knight paused to help his sister to all fours and together they followed their foe who was struggling to stand.

“Stay down, Sentry.” Knight said flatly. “You’re not Solar Guard anymore and we are not targeting civilians.”

“If you hadn’t attacked Princess Sparkle and her friends, I might believe you.” Sentry grunted as he stood but favored his midsection. “I may not be a guard anymore but I swore to protect her.”

“How romantic.” Vengeance rolled her slitted eyes. “I’ll be sure to tell her how her favorite colt toy died if Mistress Moon hasn’t already killed her.”

That struck a nerve as Sentry snorted angrily. With a quick flap of his wings, he dropped a shoulder and bodied the bat-pony into the wall hard enough to crack it. The pegasus then threw her to the ground and began laying into her with his hooves. Knight jumped onto his back and locked his forelegs around his neck and pulled him off his sister.

“Hold that bastard tight, Knight.” The Umbral sneered as she ran her tongue over her fangs. “I’m going to bleed this light-dweller dry.”

“Like you tried to do to Fluttershy?” Sentry choked out.

“Wait, what?” Knight pulled Sentry away from the vampiric thestral. “You bit the Element of Kindness? I thought she was injured in the balloon crash!”

“Of course I did!” Vengeance spat impatiently. “Sparkle’s cronies are the enemy!”

“No!” The Night-Captain tossed Sentry away and confronted his sister. “The Solar Guard and Solarii are our enemy! Princess Sparkle and Sentry are neutral at best! We can force a surrender, yes, but we don’t need to kill them!”

“That’s the thing, you spineless foal.” The Umbral shoved her brother aside. “I WANT to kill them!”

“Damn it, Ven!” Knight grabbed her tail with his mouth. “Don’t- ARGH!”

The bloodthirst thestral kicked her sibling in the muzzle and stalked toward Sentry. The pegasus groggily got to his hooves and made sure not to expose his neck. Before their duel could progress any further, an explosion rocked the hospital. All three looked to see the opposite end of the hall be consumed in the inferno of the solar flare.

“Oh shit!” Sentry exclaimed as the wave of heat hit them. “Forget this! We need to-AH!”

Vengeance pounced on him and sank her fangs into his shoulder. Instead of draining him of his blood, she began to rip and tear at his flesh going for a messy and far more painful death. Before she could hit something vital, Knight grabbed onto her leathery wings and pulled back hard. The Umbral shrieked in pain and released the pegasus from her lethal jaws.

“Get out of here, Sentry!” Knight shouted as he and his sibling rolled across the floor.

The ex-captain half galloped half limped to the window opposite the oncoming solar flare. He got one hoof on the sill before he looked back at the Night-Captains. Vengeance had gained the advantage and was beating Knight to a bloody pulp with her talons. While part of him wanted to escape the hospital and find Twilight, the soldier side of him ordered him to assist a brother-in-arms. Pushing through the fresh pain radiating through his body, the orange pegasus flared his wings and launched into flying kick aimed squarely at the Umbral’s jaw. His hoof connected with a solid crunch that knocked away Vengeance in a burst of blood and teeth including one of her fangs.

“I’ve wanted to do that for a long time, you ill-tempered bitch.” Sentry gasped as he landed beside a prone Knight. “Come on, Knight. We’re leaving!”

“Ugh.” The thestral groaned. “Behind...”

The ex-captain had not anticipated the rate of recovery Umbrals possessed and paid for it with a razor sharp talon between the ribs. The pegasus fell to the floor as Vengeance stood above both stallions, blood leaking from her mouth and murderous rage in her crimson eyes.

“I guess I have to kill you both!” She sneered as she placed her talons against their necks. “There is not room for weakness or doubt in Mistress Moon’s new order.”

Just as she was about to deliver the killing blows, the entire hospital shook as the flare burned through enough supports to collapse a wing. The Umbral lost her balance and stumbled off her prey. With the building’s imminent and fiery destruction fast approaching, Vengeance took one look at the stallions and made a break for the only avenue of escape. Battered and bloodied, Knight and Sentry mustered enough strength to get to their hooves and follow after her. The building continued to shake as the flare tore through it. Cracks spread through the burning walls and floor and rooms collapsed as the hospital’s integrity was compromised. The Umbral thestral just reached the window when the ceiling caved in, dropping a burning support beam on top of Sentry.

“Ven! Wait!” Knight called out as he skidded to a stop. “For Luna’s sake, we can’t leave him here! If there is any decency left in you-”

“Eat a dick you prick!” The Umbral already had a leg out the window. “This whole city is about to be razed! If you want any hope of getting back in the Night Mare’s good graces, leave that bastard!”

The Night-Captain looked from his sister to the injured pegasus struggling to free himself. He looked back at Vengeance whose expression had softened to something akin to silent begging; some part of her still saw him as her brother and wanted him to come with her. Knight’s mind began to race. It was not the first time he and his sister had fought and they always patched it up later. They made the Equestrian night considerably safer as a team. Princess Luna told them as much but now she was corrupt and so was their duty. Instead of protecting Equestria the terrors in the dark they had become the monsters they once hunted. The indecision in his face eventually settled into a firm frown of determination as he turned his back as his co-captain and rushed to the orange stallion’s aid. He only wished had come to this realization sooner.

“Knight? What are you doing?” Sentry grunted as he tried to shift the beam off his bruised back. “You need to get out of here!”

“Like you, I swore an oath to protect Equestria.” The thestral said as he lifted the beam high enough for the pegasus to crawl out from under. “That includes you, civil war be damned.”

The former captain let the Night-Captain support his weight and the two trotted as fast as they could toward the window. Sweat beaded across their brows as the solar flare closed in. Vengeance remained in the window, hurt and betrayal written across her features.

“Ven! It’s not too late!” Knight called out again. “We can still get out of here together!”

The thestral stared forlornly at her only brother before her red eyes darkened and her lips peeled back in a bloody snarl. She pointed a cloven talon at the two which forced them to instinctively halt.

“You’re dead to me.” Umbral Night-Captain Vengeance stated with more hatred and contempt than any one equine, vampiric or otherwise, should possess.

The next moment she disappeared over the edge, leaving the two stallion’s to their fate. They watched her go until the rest of the ceiling gave way and part of the floor above them came crashing down. Through the smoke and cinders, they could see that the window was now blocked.

“Trapped.” Knight said plainly. “Looks like this is it, captain.”

“We’re not dead yet.” Sentry coughed. “We could try…”

He trailed off as an ominous groan filled the ash-choked hallway. The stricken floor beneath them sagged a fair distance before it opened up completely. The pegasus and thestral fell to the story below only for its floor to fail as well. Their staggered descent came to an end when they dropped into a dimly lit room filled with vacant tables.

“Where are we?” Knight asked as he noticed tools that seemed for like instruments of torture than medical devices. “A dungeon?”

“Autopsy.” Sentry answered as an idea dawn on him. “Which means…there!”

The orange stallion pointed to a steel door across from them. As quickly as their injuries allowed, they unlocked the door and opened it to reveal a cold room lined with small steel panels and illuminated by a single blue crystal lantern.

“The morgue.” Knight said simply. “Not quite a bunker but it might work.”

“There is solid rock between us and the building above, this room is lined with solid steel and enchanted to absorb heat to keep it cold.” Sentry rattled off as he checked the freezers for unoccupied space. “I don’t know if that will mean anything to the raw power of the sun but one can hope.”

“Agreed.” The former Night-Captain nodded as he and the former Captain of the Guard climbed into a pair of empty freezers. “And Sentry? It has been an honor.”

“See you on the other side.” Flash Sentry saluted his nocturnal counterpart before them both closed themselves up and prepared for whatever came next.

Outside, the hospital lost the fight with gravity and collapsed into a cloud of dust and rubble. The manifestation of Daybreaker’s wrath washed over the last of the residential district and approached the final area of Canterlot before the palace. All the while the Umbrals and Solarii fought on heedless of their approaching doom. They had abandoned reason long ago and now knew only war.

Piercing spines, rending claws, crushing jaws and flaying tendrils all assaulted the armored Silent King in an ever shifting blur of darkness. The hellfire anointed Theoi did his best to deflect and counter where he could but the majority of blows landed. His armor had protected him thus far but he knew it was only a matter of time before even it failed. As Suneater had so loudly proclaimed, not even the masterpieces of the cyclopes were infallible.

“He’s probing for weaknesses.” The Dread Lord thought as he swatted away a set of jaws only for a claw to rake across his back. “The obvious one is knocking off the helmet but he seems to be looking for conventional armor weak points.”

As focused as he was on fending off the Primordial’s attacks, the Lord of Shades had the wherewithal to look for weaknesses as well. Granted there was not much to see in a tenebrous mass of sentient darkness but he did notice one crucial and ironically familiar element. Suneater was incorporeal in his primal form but still had to solidify bits of himself in order to attack.

“I wonder if this is how Stone Skin felt when he ‘fought’ me.” The former Lurker recalled his attributes as a disembodied animus. “Physical attacks were futile but there was one thing that vexed me right up until I was reunited with my vessel.”

Before he could exploit this perceived weakness, he had to meet Suneater’s next attack with the cold iron and ebony shaft of his bident. It was as if an unstoppable meteor met an immovable mountain as the collision cracked the floor beneath them and split the walls. Black miasma and abyssal plates strained against each other as their owners refused to submit to the other. In their struggle the Theoi failed to notice a particularly long claw manifest under him until it sunk deep into the joint between his upper foreleg and chest. The gap was protected by the more articulate but weaker mail and thus failed against the piercing claw.

“There, a palpable blow!” The Dark Lord grunted as he squeezed his leg to his chest and trapped the offending claw against his body. “Allow me to answer in kind!”

Turning the blow he had blocked with his bident away, the King gathered a hoof full of his blazing cloak and cast it like a wave of fire at the limb lodged in his chest. The miniature inferno took to the writhing shadows and burned it away like paper. The Primordial let out an agonized roar as he withdrew from his foe slightly and smothered the flames.

“Good to know that works but I don’t have enough hellfire to burn him away completely.” The Theoi thought as he used the lull to yank out the dissipating claw. “There has to be a weakness somewhere in that mess.”

“A clever trick, Hidden One!” Suneater rumbled as he surrounded the Dread Lord. “You seem to possess an inexhaustible supply of them!”

“I did not bring the Sunless Lands to heel with honeyed words alone, Shifting Darkness!” The Overlord reminded the ancient entity.

With their mutual weaknesses revealed, the two resumed their duel at a more measured, cautious pace. Suneater took every opportunity he could to strike at the Theoi’s joints while the King kept him at bay with both his staff and hellfire in equal measure. Unable to land another critical blow as he had before, the Primordial tried a new tactic. He stabbed at the Dread Lord with a few spines until he sent up another wave of accursed flames. Allowing his spines to be painfully annihilated, the tenebrous mass surged toward the pale horse from the sides before his foe could resume a defensive stance. Two massive dragon claws closed around the stallion and held him up in the air, the black scales smoldering but holding against the fires of Tartarus. Countless spikes manifested within the palms and stabbed deep into the gaps in the King’s armor like a sentient iron maiden. The Silent King’s armor groaned in protest as he struggled against the torturous hold. Even as his immortal flesh tore against the spines, he managed to free the foreleg holding his two-pronged staff. He raised it into the air to stab at the Primordial only for a mass of tendrils to ensnare the weapon and leg. The boneless limbs attempted to rip the staff away from the Theoi along with his leg but the stygian stallion did not give up his symbol of authority easily.

“Khaos’s blood! You take an eternity to die!” Suneater roared in annoyance as he crushed the pallid pony in his grasp.

“My immortality is not so easily compromised!” The Lord of Shades boomed as he mentally commanded the last of the hellfire. "Let us see how you fair!"

Tongues of flame snaked up the King’s leg and gathered within the bident, transforming it into an incandescent lance of infernal power. The tendrils evaporated instantly freeing his blazing weapon and allowing him to drive the prongs into the Primordial’s left wrist. The scales shattered and broke as the piercing ends bit deep into Suneater’s primal form. A moment later and an explosion of hellfire tore through the claw and severed it from the rest of the mass. The Lord of Darkness let out a distorted cry of pain and rage as the sudden influx of power temporarily destabilized his amorphous body.

“What is…!” Even with the impaling spikes still embedded in his flesh and the Primordial thrashing about in agony, the ever observant Theoi noticed an anomaly. “By my Throne!”

Barely discernible amongst the semi-corporal tenebrous mass was a core of light. Not the illuminating light of a star or fire but a primal gleam that could have only been forged in the blackness before time itself began. To the uninitiated, the core would appear to merely be a sphere of baleful power but to one who had spent eons in the Primordial Air of the Void, there was no mistaking a divine spark of creation.

“A fragment of Khaos!” The former voidian exile smiled devilishly beneath his helm. “At last!”

In his frenzied flailing, Suneater inadvertently released his foe and sent him flying through the moonstone roof once again. The Silent King shot through the vacuum of space toward where his arduous duel had begun. He smashed through another column and rolled across the floor of Nightmare Moon’s Orrery.

“The transition through defenestration is getting old.” The Theoi thought as he remained prone to give his battered and bleeding body a chance to mend itself at least to the point where he could stand. “At least it will take some time for Shifting Darkness to reconstitute himself.”

The plated pony eventually righted himself and got to all fours. Before him was the metallic contraption he and the rest of the turncoat immortals had used to scry the stars for their Lady. The device was still keyed to Equus and its satellites currently in eclipse. As the Silent King looked at the floating metal spheres, the gears in his mind began to churn out a plan.

“Moon said meteoric iron takes to magic.” The Dark Lord mused as he withdrew the twinkling fragments of the dream stone. “These are more or less crystallized magic. Hmm…”

The Lord of Shades approached the scale model of Equus and set to work. He embedded the faintly glowing slivers of the dream stone into the iron sphere at key points and then used his bident to etch the most potent rune of amplification he knew. All the while he recited a Khthonic mantra that coxed the ethereal power within the tiny crystals into the meteoric iron. His efforts were rewarded by the rune glowing a vibrant teal and an aura of the same hue surrounding the metal ball.

“Huh. All the key points of the rune match up perfectly with the capitals of the world.” The King noticed the odd coincidence but did not have time to dwell on it.

A section of the domed room exploded inward as Suneater caught up with his foe. The Primordial had resumed his black dragon prince form and was clearly none too pleased with the Theoi’s last trick. He narrowed his baleful eyes at the pale horse as tongues of nether flame wafted through his bared teeth.

“That is it! No more games! No more plots!! No more tricks!!!” The enraged Primordial roared. “You die NOW!!!”

The Theoi said nothing as he gripped the glowing sphere in his hooves and wrenched it free of the mechanism. He spun around once before he hurled the metal ball at the advancing dragon. Suneater let out a grunt of surprise as the sphere flew toward his face like a fastball. He reared back on his legs and swatted the sphere back at the King with a claw.

“Okay we’re doing this now.” The exasperated pony thought as he hefted his bident and batted the incandescent ball back at the dragon.

Again, the Primordial returned the metallic Equus only for the Theoi to do the same. They volleyed the orb back and forth at a steadily increasing rate, neither combatant having the presence of mind to dodge or knock it away. The King, however, had something else in mind.

“This worked for Lulamoon.” He thought as the prongs of his bident left a mark on the sphere as he returned it. “Fates willing it will do the same for me.”

After a few more volleys, the stygian stallion had crudely carved a second rune in the meteoric iron. One last time he batted the sphere back at the unsuspecting dragon and pointed an armored hoof at the rune as he uttered a single Khthonic word that carried with it all the authority of the Overlord of the Underworld. The smaller glyph burned an angry crimson that caused the sphere to splinter and crack. The orb exploded with an ear piercing screech just as it reached Suneater. Superheated shards embedded themselves deep in the dragon prince followed by the otherworldly magic imbued within each fragment surging through his body.

“AAaaAAAaaAaARGHAhARA!!” The Primordial let out a warbling roar of pain as the magic arched across his draconic frame.

The architect of his agony did not squander the opportunity he had created. Even as his own body cried out for respite, he charged the stunned dragon and leapt as high as his armor allowed. The Theoi plowed into his foe like a freight train and knocked him onto his back. As the indiscriminate magic of the dream realm wracked his form with waves of torment comparable to being obliterated by the Crystal Heart, the Dread Lord pushed through it to the Lord of Darkness’s chest. There he upended his bident and took aim at a mark above where the dragon’s heart would be; a tell-tale scar left by the one mortal who wounded what none could slay. With all of his remaining strength, the Silent King cracked black scales and splintered ancient bone as he drove cold iron into the very core of the Primordial’s being. Suneater’s screaming was silenced in an instant. The Theoi met the dragon's white eyes and saw what he set to achieve: Pure, unadulterated fear.

“Never forget this, Shifting Darkness.” The Silent King ordered his subject as he delivered the coup de grace by twisting his bident.

Cracks opened up across the draconic being’s chest as the timeless light of Khaos shone out of its eldest son. The power of creation tore apart the ancient dragon’s body in an explosion that blew the domed roof off the Orrery and opened up fissures across the surface of the moon. The Theoi was blasted across the room and into Moon’s throne with bone shattering force as his armor reached its limit and fell away like dried mud. All across the universe darkness and shadows became ephemeral and faded as if something had lit a candle within them. Far below on Equus, spectating Lady of the Stars felt a gravely chill she had not felt since the Cosmomachy creep down her spine.

“Something terrible has happened.” The stellar being whispered to herself as she glanced skyward toward the benighted moon.

Back on the shaken satellite, the Dark Lord slouched in the Lunar Throne. His weakened and battered body refused to move due to several broken bones and a coursing pain his erudite vocabulary had trouble describing. It took every ounce of willpower just to move his unbroken foreleg up to his helm and push it up past his face. What was left of his abyssal armor transformed back into a simple tunic. With his helm perched atop his head just in case, the Theoi let his head list to one side and spat out a disgusting mix of black ichor and bile.

“I think I’m due for another soak in the River of Lamentation.” The Lord of Shades thought as he noticed the weeping wounds across his legs and barrel. “Maybe crack open a casket of the good wine. Get some private time with Trixie. Nine bloody Hells! I just want this to be over.”

The caliginous cleric remained in the moonstone throne for a few moments while he waited for some modicum of his strength to return. In time he was able to lift his head and look around. In the center of the ruins of the Orrery was a large pool of pitch black primordial ooze surrounded by cooling and impotent meteoric iron. Within this mess was the core of Suneater’s being with the bident sticking out of the sphere of Khaos like a fork. Small tendrils of darkness moved across the shard of creation in a protective manner while others tried futile to remove the offending cold iron staff.

“I know I can’t kill a Primordial. Not even the Protogenoi could.” The Theoi thought as he straightened up in the throne. “But that is probably as close as I can get.”

“*Ahem*Now then...” The Silent King cleared his throat as he addressed the tenebrous morass. “…will you listen to reason or shall I continue?”

“Blrrgurgle…” Came the disembodied reply from the benthic sludge.

“I will take that as a ‘yes’.” The Dark Lord sighed as he gathered his thoughts. “Before I was so rudely interrupted, I cannot allow the Khthonic conquest of the mortal world because it will be doomed to fail.”

“…?” Rather than gurgling a response, a pair of unfocused white eyes appeared near the far end of the pool and regarded the seated Theoi with what he assumed was a quizzical look.

“Context is important so let me provide some.” The learned Lord explained. “You know of the Fate of Heroes, correct?”

“…fight…win…tragedy…die…” The words were distorted but understandable if one strained their ears.

“Evil attacks, heroes rise to vanquish it and the day is saved, the heroes fall in many definitions of that word and then inevitably dies.” The King listed off neutrally. “It is a story repeated and retold throughout time immemorial often with different characters and settings.”

“A cycle.” Suneater said more clearly but still with difficulty.

“Correct.” The Dread Lord nodded. “Now what role would Khthonic gods such as you and I invading the Overworld to exterminate all light dwellers and plunge the land into darkness play? We would be the baddies in that story.”

“Unless we won.” A misshapen mouth appeared in the ooze allowing the Primordial to better articulate. “History is written by the victor as I have often heard.”

“He is recovering quicker than I thought.” The Theoi mentally mused. “The darkness of space must be feeding him. I should drive my point quicker.”

“Which brings us back to my first point: we would be doomed to fail and written off as another evil that threatened all that is good and pure and all that trite drivel.” The King said plainly. “Even if I assented to your conquest, heroes would arise to oppose us and the heroines in this story have a knack for pulling victory from even the most adamantine jaws of defeat. Granted, they use magical rainbows as opposed to the classic sword to the face but that is beside the point.”

“Wait. Did you not slay said heroines in Barathrum?” The Lord of Darkness pointed out.

“Only to gain the trust of Nightmare Moon to lead us to your consort.” The Necroarch answered with a tired sigh. “I had my Archmage resurrect them afterward.”

“Say what?” The melted dragon’s eyes widened in surprise.

“While it is true that all heroes are doomed to die and Princess Sparkle and her friends are no exception, the Fates determine when and where that is.” The pale horse explained coolly. “You cannot go against Fate. I know; I have tried in the past and gained this limp for my troubles.”

“But what if they were destined to die against us at this point in the 'story'?” The Lord of Darkness asked but the Theoi could hear the doubt in his voice.

“Alright, let us assume that.” The King decided to run through the scenario. “If recent history is any indication, we would enjoy perhaps a thousand years of supremacy before a new generation of heroes arose and the cycle continues.”

“What if we broke the cycle?” The Primordial ventured. “If the mortals were exterminated and replaced with those who dwell below-“

“The daemons are not mindless drones. They have drives and ambitions just like any other creature. It would only be a matter of time before one of them steps out of line. It could be through resentment, a desire for autonomy, simple lust for power or outright madness.” The Theoi interrupted. “I am worshipped, loved and feared (rightfully, I might add) by countless shades yet even I do not enjoy a hundred percent approval rating. Any one of the wretches in Tartarus can testify as much.”

“Then why not create a new race of mortals? One devoted completely to the Khthonic Pantheon.” Suneater was chasing down every possibility he could think of. “Night Sky’s disciple seemed more than willing to do so with you.”

“Oh yes indeed.” Some rather pleasant memories involving Moon’s voluptuous assets crept into the stygian stallion’s mind before he refocused. “However there are a few reasons why that can’t and won’t work.”

“Your generation of deities avoided this but the children of the divine have a habit of turning against their forebears.” The Theoi said knowingly. “The Titans turned on the Protogenoi, we Theoi turns against the Titans and our bastards lead to our Downfall. I only avoided my kin’s fate because I had no children of my own to turn against me.”

“True. Your nieces and nephews banished you instead.” The Primordial reluctantly agreed. “So is that it? Our campaign was doomed to fail from the start and even if we won it would only be a matter of time before we fell?”

“I think I’m reaching him.” The Dark Lord thought. “Just need to reel him in.”

“I have spent many months learning about the history of the world that formed in our absence.” The learned deity said flatly. “As I said before, the story of good versus evil has changed characters and settings but it always ends the same.”

“Rrrgh…” The ancient entity grumbled some equally ancient curses but did not refute the argument.

“Look, Shifting Darkness. I am stopping you from making a terrible mistake.” The Silent King said genuinely. “The consequences of which end with you trapped under a mountain and Night Sky tossed back into space.”

“And me spending some more quality time with Khaos in the Void.” He mentally added.

“Let us assume all that you said would come to pass. Why would you fight so hard to stop us?” The Lord of Darkness asked in a perplexed tone. “If you know we will fail, you could have just sat out our conquest like you had done with other conflicts in the past and reaped all the benefits. You would get an influx of souls and rule the Sunless Lands alone. So why stop us?”

“Well the mortals would have traced your origins to my realm eventually but that’s an aside.” The Overlord of the Underworld thought.

“Because…” The pallid pony grimaced as he realized just what he was about to say. “…friends do not let friends burn down the world.”

“Friends?” The rough approximation of a head emerged from the primal ooze and looked at the Theoi. “Rahahah! You jest! After everything that just happened that you would still consider us…Air of Khaos, you are serious.”

“I am so glad Sparke is not here to witness this.” The King shifted in the suddenly uncomfortable throne.

“Even the most devoted of companions argue from time to time and this is not the first time you and I have come to blows.” He said candidly. “That being said, we have never gotten to the point where we nearly knock a celestial body out of orbit.”

“Rahah. Do you recall when we first met?” Suneater reminisced with a short laugh. “You had just convinced Night Sky to accept your dominion when I walked in. I thought you were seducing her.”

“I remember going through a few walls then as well.” A ghost of a smile played across the pale horse’s lips at the memory. “Afterwards, once Night Sky pulled us apart and set the record straight, you became one of my staunchest supporters in my campaign for dominion of the Underworld.”

“It is a shame you will not…cannot return the favor now.” The Primordial sighed. “But I do see why.”

“The key word is ‘now’.” The Dark Lord said neutrally as he slid out of the throne carefully. “In the future, tomorrow or a thousand years from now, it is entirely possible the roles in this grand story of Heroes will change. The Overworld could very well degenerate into such a cesspit of depravity that a Khthonic invasion would be deemed a just cause. If and when that day comes, I will not stop you. Perhaps I will even join you.”

“I like how you avoid completely committing.” The disembodied dragon prince said wryly. “You always tried to remain neutral if you could.”

“I’ve been sliding more toward evil in recent months.” The Necroarch thought apprehensively. “I should mind that slippery slope.”

“It has served me well.” He said with a shallow shrug as he stood over the primal pool of blackness.

The two immortals fell into silence for a few moments as Suneater ran over their extended conversation in his mind. The King left him to his thoughts as he kept an eye on the increasingly animated tendrils trying to remove the bident and the solar flares tearing across the planet. After a time, a low rumble from the Primordial demanded his attention.

“I follow your logic and reason, Hidden One.” The Shifting Darkness said seriously. “But if you are genuine in your desire to salvage our friendship, I ask one thing of you.”

“And that would be?” The Theoi made eye contact with the ancient entity and set a neutral expression.

“The truth.” Suneater answered. “There is always an ulterior motive with you; some hidden plan or scheme. Every act of compassion or generosity conceals a pragmatic plot that benefits you. So I want you to swear on the Styx and tell me the real reason why we have had this heart-to-heart.”

“He knows me so well.” The King’s expression remained unchanged as he raised his free hoof into the air. “Very well then.”

“I swear this oath upon the River Styx that what I speak next is the truth and may the Furies rip my tongue from my head if it speaks lies.” The Khthonic Lord recited a mantra that caused the artificial air around them to chill. “I oppose your invasion because the eternal night you endeavor to bring will eventually wipe out all life in the Overworld and thus deprive my realm of its primary and only source of souls. As for salvaging our friendship, you have proven to be a powerful ally in the past and are thus an irreplaceable part of the Underworld and its hierarchy. It is why I went through the trouble of finding and releasing you in the first place.”

“Hrmm…” The Primordial rumbled again as he processed this. “It is a convenient coincidence that whatever benefits the Realm of the Dead also benefits you.”

“I am its god, old friend.” The stygian stallion pointed out with a small smile as he slid his helm off completely and stashed it in the shadows of his tunic.

The primal sludge glared at the Theoi for a few moments before he broke into a smile of his own.

“Rehehe! Fates love you, you silver tongued devil.” Suneater chuckled in good humor.

“No one else will.” The King’s smile actually widened to a friendly grin. “Let us get this out of you, shall we?”

“Please do.” The Primordial said eagerly. “Do not worry about stepping on me. It is numb compared to that thing.”

Minding his hoof placement regardless, the King limped over to his bident and grasped it in his fore hooves. The melted dragon hissed at his touch and he paused.

“Fair warning: this will hurt.” The pale horse warned.

“Better out than innnaaAAAARGH!” The Lord of Darkness let out a deafening roar as his friend yanked out his staff from the core of his being. “I WAS WRONG!”

Free of the offending protrusion, the glowing fragment of Khaos sank into the dark ooze and vanished from sight. The tenebrous pool spiked and rippled like ferrofluid under a magnet before it began to coalesce into a solid form. The shadows of the universe returned to normal as their embodiment pulled himself together. The Theoi shifted his weight to his staff and extended a hoof to help his increasingly corporeal friend up. Instead of a dragon’s claw, a five digit hand reached out and grasped his fetlock. With a grunt, the King pulled his old friend up off the floor as he congealed into being. Before him stood a pitch black bipedal creature akin to the Lady of the Stars only with far more masculine traits including rippling pectorals and chiseled abdominals that one could grind rocks on. He also wore considerably less with his decency protected only by a knee length black wrap trimmed with gold.

“Well, well, well!” The Primordial said excitedly as he looked over his resorted form and ran his fingers through a flowing mane of nether-fire that crowned his sculpted head. “Blowing me apart must have knocked all those shapeshifting kinks loose. Night Sky is going to love this!”

“I am certain she will.” The Necroarch nodded in agreement. “Speaking of, we should go to her as soon as possible.”

“Are you going to give her the same heart-to-heart you gave me?” The Lord of Darkness asked with an arched brow.

“No.” The Theoi answered simply. “You are.”

“What?” Shifting Darkness’s eyes widened at the thought of being thrown to the metaphorical wolves. “Is this for saying we planned to merge the worlds of the living and the dead? I only said that to make you angry and reveal yourself!”

“It worked.” The Lord of Shades fought the urge to slug his friend in his perfect jaw.

“It would be better for someone she loves absolutely to talk to her.” The caliginous cleric explained neutrally.

“Ugh, I see a few centuries on the couch in my future.” The ancient pinched the bridge of his nose. “Very well. I still need some time to build up my strength to return to…what is it called now? Equus?”

“Correct.” The Theoi nodded before he looked back at the moonstone throne. “Let me know as soon as you are ready.”

As the pallid pony limped away, his friend stood at the edge of the ruined Orrery and basked in the vast darkness of space. He went over just what he was going to say to the stellar lady. He did not want to sound like he was quoting the Hidden One verbatim but he still wanted to get the point he made across.

“The key point might be that ‘not now but maybe later’ bit.” The ex-dragon muttered. “If the attack on that sun princess is going poorly, I could use that as evidence.”

After a he was certain he had enough power to make the jump from the moon to the planet, Suneater turned to call over the Silent King. He saw the pale horse finish etching something into the floor at the base of the throne and then kneel down to place something beside it.

“What is that?” The Primordial asked.

“A private matter.” The Theoi answered coolly as he approached the Khthonic entity.

"Is it an apology for demolishing her bastion?" The Lord of Darkness looked around at just how destructive their duel was. "And almost dropping this rock on the Overworld?"

"Something of that nature." The Silent King answered simply before he switched topics. “Are we ready to go?”

“That we are.” Suneater answered as enveloped the Necroarch I his being. “This is going to be a bit rough so brace yourself.”

Taking care not to get too close to the solar flares, the Lord of Darkness launched out of the Orrery and arched toward the beleaguered world below. On the snowcapped peak of Mount Canterhorn, the Lady of the Stars was ill at ease. The shadows fading seemed to be the sign that her carefully laid plans were beginning to unravel. Her apostle’s forces were breaking under the assault of the solar flare while the Dark Alicorn herself had not triumphed over her diurnal sister.

“And now the Element Bearers return from the dead.” The stellar presence muttered as she spotted the once deceased pastel ponies down below with Moon and the Solar Alicorn. “What can possibly be next?”

As if the universe decided to answer her, a dull boom turned her attention skyward again. From the center of the eclipse she could see an object trailing darkness and nether fire like a black comet hurtling down through the sky. Shockwaves of shadows accompanied sonic booms as the entity broke through the layers of atmosphere heading toward her. The Lady of the Stars smiled as she felt a familiar and welcomed presence.

“Shifting Darkness.” The Primordial Lady sighed in relief. “Good. Perhaps now we can turn this mess around.”

The embodiment of the stars shielded herself as the black comet touched down in front of her with enough force to shake the mountain to its roots. Through the swirling dust and snow, the Lady saw her consort emerge in a form she found most agreeable.

“Oooh~” She cooed. “And I was just starting to get used to the scales.”

“I could always shift back if you wish, beloved.” Suneater started to smile but set his face in a serious express. “Unfortunately, this is not time for lover’s games.”

“How right you are.” The stellar presence nodded in agreement. “Ever since the Alicorn of the Day called down the power of the sun, the balance of power has shifted. But now that you are here, we can-“

“I am afraid that is out of the question, Night Sky.” The Silent King interrupted curtly.

The Primordial Lady’s mask of regality slipped slightly as the mini-blizzard settled to reveal the Khthonic Theoi leaning against his staff looking a bit worse for wear but not beaten. She looked from the King to her consort in evident confusion. They had returned together but the Dark Lord was clearly still not on their side.

“What is the meaning of this?” The astral being demanded.

“Here we go.” The Lord of Darkness said under his breath as he visibly steeled himself. “My love, there is something we must discuss.”

The Lady of the Stars folded her arms across her chest and shot a scathing look toward the Necroarch. The Dread Lord just ignored her as he trotted to the edge of the mountain to give the two Primordials some privacy. Seeing that the pale horse was not participating, the sidereal entity turned back to her lover and sighed deeply.

“You have my undivided attention, Shifting Darkness.” She said with an obvious edge in her voice.

“It pains me to say it but our campaign is doomed to fail.” The tenebrous Primordial began. “You see…”

While the Lord of Darkness started his harrowing debate with the Lady of the Stars, the Lord of Shades peered over the edge to the besieged city down below. Within the blasted ruins of the palace, he could see solar and lunar magic struggling against each other. He also saw a third power begin to rise against the destructive duel of the formers. The fate of Equestria was about to be decided and he felt compelled to bear witness.

“Twilight?” Applejack asked with trepidation. “Are you sure this’ll work?”

“I have no idea.” The Princess answered honestly as she focused on the two embattled Alicorns. "It could very well destroy us all."

“The way I see it, we’re dead either way so at least we go down fighting!” Dash said confidently. “Just tell us what we need to do, egghead!”

“I know it has been awhile but you all remember what using the Elements of Harmony felt like, right?” Sparkle asked.

“Yeah, like the best cake, cider and party rolled into one!” Pinkie smiled brightly at the fond memory. “But we don’t have them with us.”

“I know but that won’t matter.” The scholarly Alicorn assured her. “Just focus on those memories. No matter what you hear, see or feel do not stop.”

“Well, you heard the mare!” Rarity sounded unsure but was confident in her friend. “Just like we did in the Castle of the Royal Sisters.”

“Good luck, Twilight.” Fluttershy said quietly. “Remember we are right here with you.”

“I could not do this if you were not.” The lavender Alicorn thought as she ignited her horn. “I would not have even made it this far without you girls.”

Running over the details of Starswirl’s ritual, Lulamoon’s additions and her own notes in her mind, Sparkle began channeling her magic. Her rose hued magic flowed off her horn and drifted toward her friends. As per her instructions, the heroines focused on each of their respective Elements. The magic washed over them, causing a few to shift uneasily as the alien sensation reached into their very beings. Once they were all linked, the Princess of Magic reached out to her friends through the ethereal connection. Their souls burned brightly in her mind; almost tempting her to use them as the original ritual demanded.

“It would be so easy.” The thought drifted through her mind like a poisonous whisper. “A few moments of pain and then it will all be over.”

“Twilight?” Fluttershy sounded like she was in pain.

“NO!” Sparkle forced herself to focus. “I KNOW there is a better way!”

The Princess intensified her search. She could hear the grunts and moans of distress from her friends as she probed deeper but her efforts were rewarded when she finally spotted the individual Elements among the many facets of her friends; Honesty, Loyalty, Kindness, Generosity, Laughter and, to complete the set, Magic. Even in the face of certain doom, the harmony that had brought them together was still with them as adamantine as the day they first met.

“The necklaces and crown thingy are just catalysts.” Sparkle thought as she linked them together and called forth the power within them. “The true Elements of Harmony are right here!”

A phantom representation of the Elements appeared around each bearer as Sparkle’s magic became streaked with the colors of the rainbow. The six friends floated into the air as the first half of the ritual neared completion. All this was lost on Daybreaker and Nightmare Moon as the two rolled across the floor in manner more appropriate for squabbling siblings than dueling immortals.

“I was always the better warrior, you spoiled harlot!” Moon sneered as she dug her talons into the Solar Alicorn’s sides. “While you were having tea parties and teasing the help, I was scouring the wilderness for bandits and fiends!”

“You were a jealous nag even then!” Daybreaker shot back as she reversed their positions and started raining blows on the Night Mare’s head. “I had friends, supplicants and all the lovers I could ask for! No one wants you, now or ever!”

“That is where you are wrong!” The Usurper shouted as she drove the mad mare back with a blast of ethereal magic. “I have found beings that will revel in my Eternal Night and subjects that worship my greatness! You will be nothing but a bad memory in the minds of dying equines!”

The midnight Alicorn leapt into the air intending to crush her foe’s skull beneath her cloven hooves. The blazing Princess rolled out of the way and countered by kicking out with her powerful hind legs. Moon just barely avoided the bone crushing blow by quickly flapping her wings and taking to the air. Daybreaker joined her and the two took a moment to glare at each other. Both of them were bruised and bleeding to the point that even their empowered forms could not instantly recover. In some unspoken agreement, the two poured every last bit of their power into one final spell. Their duel was at an end and only one of them would sit on the contested throne of Equestria.

“This is my realm.” The Solar Destoryer growled as she glowed like a miniature sun, causing her side of the room to melt and warp. “You will not take it from me.”

“Then it will die with you.” The Night Mare snarled as the area around her twisted and distorted into horrific forms. “It will be all the easier to raise my realm in its place.”

Lunar and Solar magic erupted from the two and clashed above the throne room. The opposing beams struggled back and forth as what remained of the palace began to burn and disintegrate from the raw power each Alicorn was unleashing. Neither of the bitter sisters noticed the building harmonic magic until a shaft of prismatic light shot forward and joined the struggle in the center. A surprised Moon looked over to see her vanquishers in a familiar pose surrounded in an aura of brilliant light.

“No. No! NO!” The Usurper screamed as the familiar rainbow raced down both her and Daybreaker’s magic and enveloped them. “NOT AGAIN!!”

“What trickery is this?!” The Solar Alicorn yelled as they were forced to the ground. “Sparkle! What are you doing!?”

“What I must.” The Alicorn of Magic thought as she reached out to her fallen counterparts.

Immediately she was assaulted with hideous visions of hated, wrath, malice and others that words failed the accurately describe. Sparkle shuddered in the face of such manifest evil but did not relent; a feat she knew would not be possible without her friends behind her both literally and figuratively. The mare pushed through the storm of disharmony as she searched for the souls of the Princesses she once looked up to.

“AAARGH!” Moon shrieked as she strained against the binding power of the Elements. “KILL HER! KILL HER NOW!”

“I’M TRYING!!” Daybreaker roared like a demon out of Hell. “SOMETHING- GAAAH!!”

Sparkle felt the corrupted Alicorns fight against her intrusion but pushed onward ignoring the pain that shot through her skull. After a few agonizing moments that might as well have been years, the youngest Princess pushed through another layer of hate to find two souls in conflict. One glowed like a sun surrounded by a hellish crimson aura that writhed and gnashed like a feral beast. The other was a light-consuming new moon surrounded by a flux of the night sky. Both seemed to be struggling to overpower the other but where Moon’s black soul was completely committed, something very small in Daybreaker’s was holding back. This tiny fragment took notice of the interloper.

“Twilight…” Celestia’s faded voice called out.

“Celestia!” Tears of joy formed in the eyes of the former student of the Solar Princess. “I knew there was still some good in you!”

“Twilight…please…” The Diarch pleaded. “You must… end this…madness…”

“I’m trying.” The lavender mare tried to reach out to the phantom image of her mentor but it was like chasing the wind. “If I can pull you out-“

“No…time…” Celestia interrupted. “I am…holding her back…if I leave…she will… kill everyone… please…take this…”

A point of light broke away from the tyrant sun and floated toward Sparkle, causing Daybreaker to let out a glass shattering scream. The purple Princess knew this to be Celestia’s Solar Magic. She had wielded it once before during their campaign against the demonic Tirek. Despite her familiarity with the celestial power, the former pupil was still hesitant to take it.

“Celestia…” Sparkle tried to say before what felt like a hoof touched her lips.

“Shh…you can…do it…Twilight…” The fading fragment of Celestia said in a soft, motherly tone. “My best…and brightest…proud of you…”

The lavender mare tried to reach out to the elder Princess but she had already returned to her task of keeping Daybreaker in check. With a single tear running down her cheek, the Alicorn took the spark of magic and turned her attention to the dark soul. No whispers greeted her. No figment of the Lunar Alicorn called out to her. There was nothing but an umbral pit of jealously, spite and malice.

“Luna’s gone.” Sparkle realized a terrible truth. “There is only the Nightmare now.”

Where Celestia’s power had been surrendered willingly, she would have to take Luna’s by force if there was any left. The Alicorn steeled herself and pushed into the wretched abyss that was the Equestrian Usurper. She did not get far before the corruption swirled around her, dripping venomous thoughts into her mind and poisonous feelings into her soul.

“Once these two obsolete nags are out of the picture, Equestria will be mine!” An ambitious Queen declared manically. “MINE!!”

“I am the Element of Magic yet there is still so much to learn.” An unfettered Scholar mused. “There are whole worlds out there just waiting for me!”

“No!” Sparkle tried to shake off the rot but it persisted. “This isn’t me!”

“Oh, but it is.” Her own voice whispered into her ear. “Before you were force to befriend those miserable reprobates, that was the real you. Do not deny it.”

“I am not that lonely shut-in anymore!” The Alicorn retorted. “She could have never vanquished Nightmare Moon or reform Discord or-!”

Her mental protests ceased as a vision appeared out of the darkness. A deep purple Alicorn with streamlined violet wings and a teal aura around her eyes looked down on the youngest Princess. Sparkle stared at the alternative her from the crystalline horn that radiated a level of magic she did not think possible to her dark mane that flickered like fire.

“We can do all that and more.” Twilight Sparkle told herself as she extended a regal hoof. “The potential is there it just needs to be unfettered and your mortal sycophants are the weights and chains.”

The lavender Alicorn did not say anything. If this version of her truly was so powerful, there would be no need to further put her friends in jeopardy. Equestria could enjoy another Pax Equus under her reign. She would be free to pursue every arcane secret in this world and others as befits the Goddess of Magic! Sparkle looked back up at her future and slowly raised a hoof to meet it…

…and slapped it across the face.

“I will NEVER turn my back on my friends!” The Princess of Friendship proclaimed as a bright light began to burn through the darkness. “I would rather die forgotten by history than live one miserable moment as you! Now begone! I have a world to save!”

A flash of pure harmonic light banished the smiling phantasm along with the corrupting miasma. In the brief moment of clarity before the darkness surged back in, Sparkle spotted a gleam of familiar moonlight. She seized the lunar magic and struggled to tear it free of its host. Just as the rot was about to close over her, the spark came free with a dreadful wail from the Usurper. Sparkle quickly fled the corrupting influence of Nightmare Moon’s wicked soul and returned to the ether. The Alicorn now stood at a precipice with the very magic of the sun and moon in her hooves. She knew that this was her absolute last chance to turn back; to search for some alternative before she crossed the point of no return.

“This is it.” Sparkle thought as she took the dual celestial magic into her very being. “The event horizon has been crossed.”

The lavender Princess shuddered and moaned for a brief moment before she returned to reality with a gasp, brilliant white light shining forth from her eyes. The purifying light spread to the harmonious rainbow intertwining the Element Bearers and corrupted Alicorns. Moon and Daybreaker could only scream defiantly as the light washed over them. With a thunderous boom, the light expanded throughout the throne room and beyond. Solarii vanished into the light as it overcame them while Umbrals were sent flying out of the city like trash in the wind. The few Solar and Night Guard left in the city were knocked flat as the civil war came to a sudden and abrupt end. The solar flares buckled and dissipated as the wave enveloped the entirety of the castle and what was left of the administration district. On the peak of Mount Canterhorn, the Khthonic trio was forced to shield their eyes and turn away as the light reached them. In the humble village of Ponyville, Spike and Discord along with a number of Tyrian Guards and civilians watched as the mountain was illuminated.

“Is that…” The draconequus pointed his paw at the spectacle as his jaw hit the floor.

“They did it!” Spike would have jumped for joy were he not holding the mismatched prankster’s jar. “Polish my scales, they did it!”

All across the world, from close neighbors to distant nations, creatures meek and mighty watched as a light bloomed in Equestria like a second sun. A scarred minotaur looked on from the deck of a homebound airship. A shackled griffoness peeked out from the bars of her cell. After an extended eclipse followed by columns of fire scouring the landscape, hope returned to the mortals of the Overworld. Even in the stygian depths of the Sunless Lands, the daemons and denizens felt that something amazing had happened.

“Oi, boss?” Fleabag asked Grand Marshall Armor. “Do you feel dat?”

“I do.” The Undying knight nodded with a smile only a proud brother could possess.

The purifying light reached as far as the countryside surrounding the mountain before it halted its progress. Just as suddenly as it had expanded, it collapsed into a single beam that shot out of the palace and into the void of space. As the light neared the eclipsing moon, it split into three prongs like a trident. The two on the sides arched around the pale satellite while the middle impacted the lunar surface with the furious screams of a vanquished usurper. The other two continued on until they neared the blazing majesty of the sun. The beams recombined and plunged into the cosmic inferno, the enraged roars of a banished tyrant and its minions lost among the solar fire along with the gentle sigh of a relieved mentor. The lunar and solar circles, long in conflict, finally ended the eclipse and began to set in the eastern and western horizons respectively. The purifying beam shone for a few more moments and then condensed into a single point within the ruined throne room of Canterlot. Five of the Element Bearers gently touched down on the marble floor while twinkling beads of lights fell around them like fresh snow in the twilight sky. Above the Heroines, the purifying light drifted down to them and took on a new shape. They watched in awe as the radiance faded to reveal powerful gradient wings that went from lavender margins to violet primary feathers. Long, slender legs led to a lithe frame worthy of royalty. A long, magnificent horn stood proud amongst a long, flowing ethereal mane of sapphire and purple streaked with rose and studded with the stars of early dusk. The sole Alicorn of Equestria opened her violet eyes and looked at her awe-struck friends.

“Twilight?” Fluttershy asked in a voice barely above a whisper.

On the snowcapped peak of Canterhorn, the Lords and Lady of Shades, Darkness and the Stars recovered from the purifying wave that threatened to cast them off the mountain. The three looked around to see a clear sky in twilight. All was quiet in the razed city below with nary a sign of the civil war that had been raging not moments ago. A single light illuminated the ruined palace as a new power collapsed into being.

“Your apostle has failed, Night Sky.” The Silent King announce neutrally. “It is over.”

“Yes.” The stellar entity said in a level tone. “It seems that way.”

“This is what I was talking about, my love.” Suneater took his consort by her shoulders and held her close. “Even in their darkness hour, the heroines of this era have snatched victory from your hands. We need to quit the field before you end up back in space and I get another mountain dropped on me.”

The Khthonic Lady frowned as she placed a hand over her beloved’s. She looked behind her at the Dark Lord who maintained a neutral expression as always. Night Sky inhaled deeply and let out a long sigh as she rested her head against the embodiment of darkness’s broad chest.

“I grow tired of this place, my love.” She said defeated. “Take me home.”

“Right away.” Suneater embraced his consort, his happiness almost palpable. “Hidden One, it is high time we departed this accursed land.”

“Agreed.” The Silent King hefted his bident and trotted over but not before he stole one last look down below at Equestria's newest monarch.

“Congratulations, Princess Twilight Sparkle of Equestria.” The Dreaded Overlord of the Underworld mused as he joined the two Primordials, the male having already shifted back into his draconic form. “I will be watching your burgeoning reign with great interest.”

Anyone who was watching the mountain may have noticed a colossal black dragon leap off the peak and fly off to the northeast only to be lost in the dusky sky. After years of crisis and disasters, a sense of hard earned peace fell over Equestria. A new age was dawning and the little ponies were eager to welcome it.

I apologize for the delay. Real life made finding time to work on this difficult.

“Most esteemed High Queen Twilight Sparkle,

I hope that this missive finds you in good health and humor. I write to inform you that the Council of Longhorns have accepted the terms you have presented and will reopen trade routes through the southern Celestial Sea between our great nations as well as our mutual friend the Kingdom of Gryphondom. We can both look forward to a lucrative and profitable future.

Strength and Honor,

-Lord-General Steel Hands III”

The Alicorn of Harmony smiled as she rolled up the short letter and filed it away along with dozens of similar missives. In the months following her, for lack of a better term, ascension she had received correspondence from just about every political power in the world. Some were friendly like the minotaurs but there were more than a few that were vaguely threatening. Gryphondom stood out in her mind with their current ruler offering the usual hollow platitudes followed by some chest beating and sabre rattling. Sparkle had been in politics long enough to know that they were just testing the new monarch to see how much they could get away with while appeasing the more hawkish members of their government.

“I’d give it at least three years before they are back to their usually gruff and grumpy selves.” The lavender mare thought. “Although there was that incident with the airship…”

Not long after the Equestria Civil War, so named as to not confuse it with the Lunar Rebellion, a flight of griffon warships had been spotted nearing Equestrian airspace. Fearing that their eastern neighbors were expanding their boarders while Equestria was still recovering, Sparkle had dispatched a militia of pegasi volunteers lead by none other than Rainbow Dash to head off the fleet. The prismatic pegasus had met with the admiral, a mean old corax warhawk by her description, who claimed they were not invading but rather pursuing a prison ship that had been hijacked by its prisoners; pirates, murderers and other criminal scum. In surprising display of tact, Dash got the bird to stand down by pointing out that since the rogue ship had left international airspace, it was now Equestria’s problem and they would turn over the criminals if they found them.

“Thus did Rainbow Dash prevent an international incident.” Sparkle could still hardly believe it. “Maybe she has finally learned when to take a measured response instead of charging headlong into a problem.”

Filing away thoughts of her first real challenge as sole ruler of Equestria, the Alicorn levitated over the last missive in her inbox. At the sight of the seal of the Neo-Crystal Empire, Sparkle felt a pang of sorrow. The long suffering crystal ponies and their city had been targeted by Daybreaker in her immense abhorrence for those she deemed traitors and turncoats. It was only through the herculean effort of keeping the solar flare at bay with her magic that the Alicorn of Love prevented the complete extinction of the crystalline equines. This more or less solidified Cadenza’s popularity as their new Empress and made the desire for secession unanimous.

“They sent over a revised declaration.” The lavender Alicorn recalled the day it was delivered by imperial delegates escorted by armed guards. “It was clear that even if I didn’t accept it, they would break away from Equestria by force if they had to.”

Once it was official, Equestria gained a new but familiar northern neighbor in the Neo-Crystal Empire. There was some debate over how far their boarders extended particularly in the mineral rich Crystal Mountains or their ancestral holdings in the largely abandoned Frozen North. That matter both the Empress and High Queen decided would be better left for the nobles and merchants to hammer out.

“I sense that might become a headache in the future.” Sparkle thought as she finally broke the seal and unfurled the letter. “Maybe Cadence and I can reconnect over it.”

“Dear Princes High Queen Sparkle,

I’m still not used to your new title. To think that the studious little filly I used to read bedtime stories to is now the supreme ruler of Equestria. (That sounded less sinister in my head, sorry.)I guess we have that in common as I’m still adjusting to the title of Empress. The last time I was called that…

The letter became smudged as Cadenza had erased the next few lines. The Queen could only assume that the ruler of the Neo-Crystal City was too busy or tired to start a fresh draft. She resumed a few lines down.

“…I feel I should thank you for understanding our wish to govern ourselves. Equestria has done so much for us but we cannot forget that your predecessors have now tried to annihilate us three times over. This is not a judgement on you just on the mess you have inherited. Based on what I have seen so far, you have done a fantastic job of cleaning it up. If time allows, we should meet for a meal like we used to before you headed off to school. I only wish Shining, may he rest in peace, could join us.

There is somepony I would have liked to introduce you both to.

With love,

-Empress Mi Amore Cadenza.”

Attached to the missive was a photo of a very weary Cadenza in a hospital gown holding a sleeping newborn swaddled in blankets. Below the picture was captioned ‘His Royal Highness Mi Scudo Andante’.

“Aww!” The aunt of the tiny Prince cooed. “He has Cadence’s nose and Shining’s…uh…”

She trailed off as she tried to identify a feature the colt had inherited from his father. At first glance, it appeared he got nothing from Armor. The coat was the wrong color, his mane was not visible to tell and the horn was not quite the right shape. A horrifying thought crept into Sparkle’s mind.

“Could she have been unfaithful?” She shook her head to dispel the thought. “No. You can’t go by looks alone and he may have gotten some traits from his grandparents. Like those giant wings for example. Wait, wings?”

The Alicorn checked again to confirm that there were now three Alicorns in the world once more and one of them was a male. While male Alicorns did theoretically exist, the last recorded mention of one was during the Mythic Age before the Dark Age. Even the mere birth of one of the immortal equines was a historical event.

“This could open up so many possibilities!” The scholarly side of Sparkle almost went berserk before she reined it in. “But he is first and foremost family. I should try to schedule a lunch date with Cadence so we can meet properly away from politics and work.”

Her spirits lifted by the news, Sparkle place the letter in its respective folder and made a note to have the picture of her sister-in-law and new nephew framed. With her inbox now empty, the Queen decided it was time to perform her morning ritual. She stood up from her desk only to upset her chair and strike her head on a low hanging chandelier.

“Ow!” The Alicorn froze less she break something else by overreacting. “I must have hit my head on that things like that a thousand times and I’m still not used to my new height.”

For the one thousand first time, she raised the chandelier to a more appropriate height and righted her chair. The first few weeks of her reign were filled with similar bumps and bruises. It had taken her awhile just to become acclimated to flight and that was with Dash’s help. Now she had account for her new stature and proportions.

“That also meant new clothes as absolutely none of my old stuff fits anymore.” Sparkle thought as she trotted over to her boudoir to find something to wear. “Luckily I know the best fashionista in the world.”

Rarity was more than happy to design and build a new wardrobe for her friend. She naturally wanted to do it free of charge but the Alicorn insisted that her pay be more than fame and exposure. Once properly commissioned and compensated, the generous unicorn created a whole line of apparel ranging elegant gowns for formal occasions and simple, practical wear that Sparkle preferred if she could not just go in the fur. Much to her embarrassment, this new wardrobe also came with a few sets of essential undergarments and brassieres. Now that her tail flowed in an ethereal breeze, it was much more difficult to use it to keep her modesty.

“Mmph, I kind of miss my ‘humble librarian’ proportions.” The Alicorn mused as she selected a frilly pink set and fastened them over her rear with a bit of adjustment. “There was a lot less chaffing and…bouncing.”

Confident she would not give any passing ponies a peep show, the mare next picked out what was essentially a larger version of her old Princess ensemble. After pulling it on, she threaded her powerful wings and flowing tail through their respective holes and laced herself up with her magic. All that remained was her polished golden accoutrements.

“Shoes, necklace and…” Sparkle murmured in a singsong tone as she levitated over her tiara. “…a crown makes it all complete.”

The Queen trotted over to a mirror to review herself. Her intention was to appear somewhere between Celestia’s warm accessibility and Luna’s stoic professionalism. As she worked on a confident but not smug smile, her reflection briefly changed to that of the phantasm that haunted her in Moon’s black pit of a soul. Sparkle blinked once and the apparition vanished.

“I must never become that.” The Alicorn had told herself that so many times it might as well have been her memento mori. “For the sake of my friends and Equestria, I must never become this…Midnight Sparkle.”

The lavender mare stared at herself for a few moments more to see if the doppelganger would appear again. When it did not, she took a moment to do her breathing exercise to calm herself and then exited her chambers in a more somber mood. The two tyrian and gold armored guards outside her room immediately snapped to attention and offered crisp salutes.

“Like well-oiled machines.” Sparkle thought as she acknowledged them with a simple nod. “The new Legate-Praetor is working out well.”

After the airship incident, it was readily apparent that the Equestrian military needed to be rebuilt, reformed and reorganized. The Solar and Royal Guards had been decimated and Sparkle’s Tyrian Guard were too few in number to be anything more than a peacekeeping force for Ponyville. With the Civil War still fresh in everypony’s minds, the primary goal was to make it difficult for any upstart, rebel or usurper to raise an army or for a tyrant to enforce their will. So with supervision from loyal veterans of all branches and history to learn from and build upon, they endeavored to create Equestria’s new protectors. Drawing from the legions of ancient times and the knightly orders of the Dark Ages, the Equestrian Guard was minted.

Commanding officers, known as Legates, and their support staff were stationed in semi-autonomous castles and fortresses across the nation where they recruited from, trained in and patrolled designated regions. Each regional legion was assigned a number to keep track of them and they were expected to be able to secure a region with little to no support from neighboring regions unless circumstances were suitably dire.

“So far, we have managed to raise five legions of about five thousand equines.” Sparkle reviewed the numbers in her head. “That’s enough to cover some trouble spots but the veterans estimate that we will need at least twenty legions at full strength to have all regions covered.”

The idea was that should a Legate or one of his or her subordinates rebel, they would only have a relatively small force at their command rather than an entire military branch like Moon or Daybreaker. Still, a fractious military such as this needed somepony to oversee it. The High Queen could command an army during a time of war but otherwise she was restricted to an elite but small force of companion bodyguards. Enter the rank and duties of the Legate-Praetor, a mare or stallion selected by the High Queen with the approval of at least three fourths of the lesser Legates. In addition to command of the first legion, he or she had the power to muster troops from across the nation should the need arise from their headquarters in the Citadel; the repurposed palace of Canterlot.

“It cost a pretty bit to renovate that ruin.” Sparkle thought as she glanced out a window at the mighty fortress illuminated by moonlight atop Mount Canterhorn. “Fortunately, Blueblood’s conspirators had deep pockets.”

In the mess left behind in the aftermath of the Civil War, Blueblood’s ill-fated coup had not been forgotten. While most of the conspirators had been slain either by Daybreaker herself or in the subsequent purge she ordered, those that remained within the ranks of the nobles at least had the decency to confess. That made the subsequent legal proceedings a lot less painful although some rescinded their confession, probably under the advice of their lawyers, and tried to argue that their treasonous actions were justified given Daybreaker’s despotic actions.

This dragged things out a bit but after an eyewitness account provided by Discord, of all beings, showed that their coup was what pushed Celestia into becoming Daybreaker in the first place. Naturally, they tried to argue the validity of testimony given by the reformed Spirit of Disharmony which meant having to drag poor Fluttershy, Pinkie and Spike into court as character witnesses. In the end, the conspirators were convicted of high treason and sentenced. The penalty for such a crime included a forfeiture of all assets (with the exception of a primary household and a percentage of a fortune for innocent family members) and a life sentence in prison. Those that honored their confessions would be eligible for parole after ten years if they were still alive. The rest would never see the light of day again.

“I hate to admit it but a lot of ponies were glad to see the elites get cleaned out.” Sparkle thought as past a gossiping pair of said remaining elites who promptly knelt in supplication. “Hopefully that will be the last time we have to do something like that.”

“Excuse me, your Highness!” A young page called out as he galloped down the crystalline hall and came to a kneeling stop before the Queen. “The Legate-Praetor is here to see you.”

“Oh?” Sparkle’s wings twitched slightly in excitement. “For what purpose?”

“It’s nothing urgent he is just paying a social call.” The young colt answered as he straightened up. “I told him to wait in the southern lounge if that is okay with you.”

“That will do. Thank you.” The Queen said politely as she headed toward the impromptu meeting. “Why don’t you take a break? Most colts your age are still in bed and I would hate for you to miss those precious hours of sleep.”

“I was always an early riser, your Highness.” The page smiled as he found a bench to sit on. “But you’re right. I’ll just rest my legs here for a bit.”

Leaving the small servant to his rest, Sparkle continued down the corridor until she came to a door flanked by a pair of gold and blue armored soldiers of the first legion. They saluted their Queen and then opened the door to the lounge. The Alicorn gave them a quick nod of thanks and trotted through. As they shut the door behind her, she could swear they were smiling knowingly. Inside, the Legate-Praetor was absently playing with a decorative globe of Equus.

“Not planning world domination, are we?” Sparkle teased lightly.

“And betray my favorite High Queen? Never.” Flash Sentry turned to face his Queen and bowed with a smile. “Good to see you again, Twilight.”

“You too, Flash.” The Alicorn closed the distance between them and they embraced.

“Ah! Ribs! Watched the ribs!” Sentry winced as she squeezed a bit too tightly.

“Sorry!” Sparkle immediately released him. “You alright?”

“The doctors say I should be back in tip-top shape by the end of the year.” The Legate-Praetor said as he rubbed his bandaged barrel underneath his pressed uniform. “Honestly, it could have been much worse.”

The orange pegasus’s deeds before, during and after the Civil War were a favored topic among the guards and a contributing factor to his unanimous selection for high command of the armed forces. Getting civilians, the remaining nobility and Solar Guard objectors to safety, protecting the Element Bears and simply surviving the city’s destruction had earned him the status of hero and a few medals he was currently wearing. They had initially assumed the former Captain of the Guard had perished in the Solar Flare until rescue and recovery teams found him and one other in what was left of the hospital’s morgue during their sweep for survivors.

“He used to joke while he was recovering in Ponyville’s hospital that if he had died, he wouldn’t have far to go.” Sparkle thought as they carefully embraced again. “I’m glad he survived. He has proven invaluable in getting Equestria back on its hooves.”

She pulled away slowly but kept her forelegs around Sentry’s withers as she gazed into his blue eyes. The Alicorn bit part of her lower lip as her expression gradually went from happy to something a bit sultrier. The pegasus must have noticed as his own smile became a coy smirk.

“You look adorable when you try to be sexy.” Sentry said in a low tone. “You’re adorasexy.”

“Try?! Hmph!” Sparkle let out a very Luna-esque indignant huff complete with the imperious upturned nose. “You’re lucky you’re cute.”

“No, I’m lucky to have a marvelous mare like you.” The pegasus saved himself easily. “I love every bit about you. Gorgeous eyes, silky mane, legs that go on for days, a nice firm-”

“Oh, just kiss me already.” The Alicorn rolled her eyes.

Sparkle moved a hoof to the back of his head and pulled him in for a kiss. The two hummed happily at the touch of each other’s lips as their wings fluttered in approval. In a bold move, the stallion brushed his tongue against the Queen’s teeth, asking for entrance. Sparkle let him beg for a bit before she granted it. Their happy hums turned into passionate moans as they pressed their bodies together. The hoof still around Sentry’s withers moved down to his now flared wings while his brushed through her flowing mane toward the laces across her back. The Alicorn felt her dress grow looser as he undid the ties in an impressive feat of hoof work. She returned the favor by igniting her horn and enveloping the buckle of his belt. With a clink and a rustle, it came undone and she smoothly slid his dress pants past his cutie mark. Her dress was just starting to slide off her shoulders when the lack of air forced them to end their kiss. The two lovers took breathy gasps of air and looked at the state they were in. Sentry’s engorged pride was straining against the last bit of clothing that contained it while Sparkle could feel the heat of desire burning within her nethers.

“What’s he waiting for?!” The Queen’s lust addled mind demanded. “Oh! Maybe he needs a prompt.”

While Sentry continued to stare at her, the Alicorn ignited her horn and enveloped something beneath her dress. There was a snap followed by slight rustling before she pulled her brassier out from underneath. She held the cups up to her head to let her lover appreciate their size before she tossed it at him.

“Whoa.” The orange stallion said simply as the frilly thing hung off his muzzle.

“A little reward for one of Equestria’s most loyal servants.” Sparkle cooed seductively as her gaze drifted downward. “Especially for such a strong, steadfast and virile stallion such as yourself.”

Rather than strip away the last of their restrains and mount the willing mare, the pegasus looked away apprehensively as if he had been reminded of something unpleasant. Sparkle cocked her head to the side quizzically and tried to guide his hoof to the last lace keeping her dress on but he resisted.

“*Ahem*” The stallion coughed roughly into a foreleg as he stepped back and pulled the undergarment off his nose. “Maybe…maybe we shouldn’t do this just yet.”

“No! Mount your Queen and rut her until she forgets what color Rainbow Dash is!” The needy part of her mind screamed until the rational part put a muzzle on her desires. “Moon and Sun above, get a hold of yourself Twilight! You’re the High Queen of Equestria not some tramp going through estrus!”

“Right.” Sparkle agreed as she composed herself and took back the brassier. “Now is not the best time. No need to rush such an important moment between us.”

“Maybe later tonight after a date.” The Alicorn’s thoughts cleared as they sheepishly redressed themselves. “Spontaneity is fun but I’d rather have a bit of romance first.”

“You know there are some who might say that the Legate-Praetor and High Queen being in a relationship defeats the whole separation of powers thing.” Sentry said in an attempt to break the awkward silence that had fallen between them. “The rumor mill would have a field day if it found out.”

“There some who think I orchestrated everything from the Marked Legions invasion to the Civil War just to grab the throne.” Sparkle sighed as she straightened her tiara and re-laced her dress. “Might as well throw in the fact I love you as well.”

“I love you, too.” Sentry finished dressing and nuzzled against the Alicorn affectionately. “Oh! I almost forgot the whole reason I’m here. The rest of the Element Bearers got together and are throwing a mini-party.”

“What’s the occasion?” The Queen asked as she mentally ran through a list of important dates she might have missed.

“Well, they thought it would be good to get together as friends without politics and work hanging over us.” The orange stallion explained. “They sent me to get you while they set up. I… got turned around until I ran into that page colt.”

“It would be nice to see them again. It feels like it’s been awhile.” Sparkle said wistfully. “Tell them I will be right down. I have to raise the sun first.”

“No need.” The pegasus said smartly. “The party is on the eastern balcony. They want to greet the new day with you.”

“I’m glad my new station has not changed anything between us.” The Queen felt her heart warm with joy. “I could not ask for better friends.”

“Then let us not keep them waiting.” Sparkle said as she extended a hoof. “Care to escort me, Legate-Praetor?”

“It would be my honor, your Highness.” Sentry bowed his head as he took her hoof.

Together, they trotted out of the lounge and into the hall, nearly bumping into the two guards who appeared to have been listening. The soldiers immediately straightened up and snapped crisp salutes.

“As you were.” Sentry ordered in a deadpan while Sparkle hid her furiously blushing face behind a wing.

Eavesdropping guards left behind, the power couple trotted down the quiet halls toward the party. While the Alicorn of Harmony could have easily teleported the two of them, she wanted to enjoy the stallion’s company a bit longer. Along the way they passed an open air corridor that offered a spectacular view of the still sleeping Ponyville.

“This is a really peaceful town at night.” The pegasus said casually. “A far cry from the constant hustle and bustle of old Canterlot.”

“Enjoy it while it lasts.” The Alicorn said knowingly. “It comes alive during the day; even more so nowadays.”

With the capital of Canterlot all but desolated, the former residents had to resettle somewhere. Some sought familiar urban climbs in Manehatten and Las Pegasus but a fair amount took a liking to the rustic home of Equestria’s Heroines. This influx of new residents also brought a substantial amount of money as well as business connections, much to Mayor Mare’s great delight and horror at the prospect of building the infrastructure to accommodate them. When it was announced that the palace was going to be renovated and rededicated to purely military matters, administrative duties were moved to Sparkle’s tree-castle. What was left of the admin district in Canterlot including the treasury, census bureau, and other record facilities were transferred to Ponyville once the infrastructure was in place. The money taken from Blueblood’s conspirators eased this costly, time and monetary, process. After many weeks and more than a few cases of suspected fraud from missing records, Ponyville had become the new capital of Equestria.

“Mayor Mare has sent out polls asking if residents want to change the name to something with more prestige.” Sparkle mused on recent events. “Ponepolis, Equinaria, and Pony City are popular but I’m pretty sure that last one is just Pinkie.”

As the Alicorn wondered what her citizens would think of naming the capital ‘Twilight Town’, she noticed something fly over the sleeping village. She thought it might have been a team of weather pegasi until she spotted the leathery wings on their backs. Sentry noticed her slight frown and followed her gaze to the bat-ponies heading toward Mount Canterhorn.

“I’m certain those are normal thestrals not Umbrals.” The Legate-Praetor reassured his Queen. “We would be hearing screams otherwise.”

“Do you trust them, Flash?” Sparkle asked pointedly.

“Not completely.” Sentry admitted. “But I do trust Knight.”

The nocturnal thestrals were in an odd place after the Civil War. While the Solarii had followed their mad mistress to the sun due to sharing a portion of her power, the Umbrals had been cast into the wilderness. There was concern that they would rally and resume the war but it eventually came to light that without the guiding will of their nightmarish mistress they were just another danger to join the countless others in the Everfree. That just left the remains of the Night Guard.

The thestrals that had survived surrendered their lives to the victors, seeing themselves as culpable for the outbreak of the war and a threat to Equestria so long as they were susceptible to Moon’s influence. Rather than paying with their lives, Sentry proposed they pay through service. The night still full of dangers and there was a need for a supervisory force that existed outside of the military hierarchy. When presented with the idea, each and every bat-pony swore upon their very lives that they would keep an eternal watch over Equestria and perhaps find some measure of redemption for past and recent transgressions.

Thus the Night Guard was reorganized into three separate lodges each dedicated to safeguarding Equestria. These lodges answered directly to Knight, now holding the rank of Watch-Captain, who in turn reported to the Legate-Praetor or the High Queen herself. With Hollow Shades leveled and the mountain lair collapsed, these newly minted Night Sentinels garrisoned themselves in the newly reinforced caverns under Mount Canterhorn left by the Black Dragon’s egress called the Hollow.

From this hidden sanctum, they patrolled the night and surveyed the day for three primary threats; one for each lodge. First was the threat from within where they kept watch over the legates, nobles and other ponies in power. Given the intentionally fractious nature of the Equestrian Guard, it would be easy for a despotic Legate to form his or her own pocket empire without proper oversight. Second was the threat from without where they spied on Equestria’s many neighbors and potentially many enemies as well as hunted the criminals and ne’er-do-wells that stalked the wilderness including their vampiric brethren. Knight himself swore he would bring down his fallen sister and drag her back to face justice in an iron cage.

“Then there is the threat from beyond.” Sparkle thought with a slight shiver. “Tartarus is still an ever-present threat and now we know there are dark gods waiting in the wings with untold numbers of fiends to do their bidding. Even now, I suspect Grey is formulating his next scheme.”

“Their desire for redemption is genuine.” Sentry said resolutely. “Almost to a religious degree.”

“So long as the safety of our nation is part of that religion.” The Queen relented as they continued down the hall. “I should probably speak with Watch-Captain Knight. I feel there is some air we need to clear especially since the last time I saw him he was attacking my friends and I.”

“To be fair to the poor bat, Vengeance was the one attacking you.” Sentry came to his friend’s defense. “He just…showed up.”

“And then tried to kill you.” Sparkle mentally added. “Well, if they ended up sharing a morgue together, something must have happened for them to get along. Fire-forged friendships and all that.”

The two equines reached the balcony and the orange stallion bid the lavender mare to wait as he checked on the guests. The Alicorn absently preened her wings as she heard muffled whispers and stuff being moved beyond the doors. She was about to start humming a merry tune when Sentry poked his head out.

“Sorry about that.” He grinned sheepishly. “We’re ready.”

“I think it’s too late to turn it into a surprise party.” The Queen said candidly as her lover held open the door for her.

“Not going to stop us, Queenie!” Pinkie shouted excitedly as Sparkle trotted through. “Surprise!”

The Alicorn of Harmony humored her energetic friend by feigning surprise as the rest of her friends emerged from their hiding places. All of them greeted their royal friend in their own way while the ever dutiful Spike rolled out a small cake for them to enjoy. Fresh brewed cider courtesy of Applejack and slices of cake, revealed to be a smaller version of Pinkie’s infamous MMMM-cake, were served to all as the Heroines socialized.

“Darling, you look absolutely stunning in that ensemble.” Rarity gushed as she habitually made small adjustments to the Queen’s dress. “I was worried I had made it too tight around the flanks but it complements your new curves.”

“Thanks, Rarity.” Sparkle blushed slightly. “How has business been?”

“Oh! Simply marvelous!” The fashionista beamed. “With all the fashion giants moving here, I have never been busier. I’ve actually had to hire assistants so poor Sweetie Belle isn’t overwhelmed.”

“Sorry I can’t be there to help.” Spike apologized around a mouthful of cake. “Twilight has a pretty busy schedule too nowadays.”

“We’re not imposing, are we?” Applejack asked. “We can have this some other time if you want.”

“I can always make time for my friends.” The Alicorn assured her. “Besides, I took care of a lot of paper work earlier tonight.”

“Haha! All that new power and you are still the same workaholic egghead.” Dash laughed from above. “Say, how are those new wings treating you? If you need a refresher, I’m your mare.”

In response, Sparkle flapped her wings and flew up to the weather mare with a small loop. The prismatic pegasus smirked in approval and then nearly doubled over in laughter when her friend almost hit her head on an overhanging turret. The Alicorn corrected and hovered at the cyan mare’s level.

“I guess I could use some practice.” Sparkle admitted bashfully. “Whenever you have the time.”

“I got hurricane patrol later this week.” Dash suggested. “Plenty of time to practice since it’s kinda hard to miss a storm that big.”

“I’ll try to keep my schedule open.” The Queen made a mental note to do that.

The two flew back down to the balcony to rejoin the festivities. As the small party continued, the Alicorn noticed a rather glaring absence. She checked for any balloons with faces on them or sentient cider but found nothing chaotically out of the ordinary. The Queen approached Fluttershy who was quietly enjoying her drink.

“How are you feeling?” Sparkle decided to check on the shy pegasus’s health first.

“Huh? Oh, fine.” The yellow mare said simply. “I’m just glad to see you again.”

The Alicorn subtly checked her friend’s neck to see the scars the Umbral thestral had left. Of all of them, Fluttershy had came the closest to death during the Civil War. She had been taken to a hospital as soon as they could where she was given proper treatment. The doctors said she would make a full recovery but she should take it easy and keep an eye out for possible late developing symptoms. Pinkie had interpreted this as Fluttershy turning into a vampire until Sparkle took her aside and explained that thestrals, Umbral or otherwise, did not reproduce that way.

“At least not normally.” The Alicorn thought as she checked the demure mare’s wings for any leathery developments. “The Umbrals were under Nightmare Moon’s influence and we have been exposed to necromantic magic. With those factors accounted for, who knows what could happen.”

“Twilight, I’m fine.” Fluttershy said a bit more firmly once she caught her friend looking her over. “The worst I’ve had was a few bad dreams but those have cleared.”

“You know you can talk to us about anything.” Sparkle said gently.

“I know, I know.” The pegasus gave her a small smile. “Did you just come over to check on me or was there something else?”

“Actually I was wondering where Discord was.” The Queen said as she glanced around again in case the draconequus was lurking in the shadows. “It’s not like him to miss a party when you and Pinkie are in attendance.”

“Oh, he told me he was due for another vacation.” Fluttershy answered as she dug something out of her saddle bag. “He going to visit the ninth deep space to visit someone named Sys Co or something like that. He left a short note for you.”

“Did he now?” Sparkle gingerly took the rolled up letter.

“Don’t worry.” The yellow mare read her trepidation and smiled. “He assured me under the stare that it won’t explode.”

“The stare doesn’t always work on him.” The Queen thought as she opened the letter only for a familiar golden scepter topped with a wide-eyed, silly grinning bust of Twilight to drop out. “Oh this is worse.”

“Dear Super Mega Ultra Supreme God-Queen of Ponykind Twilight Sparkle,

I felt it was appropriate to reuse this old gag. It is more relevant now than ever. I’m off to flex my chaos muscles for a bit. Feel free to go crazy while I’m gone.

Your best frienemy,

-Discord

P.S. Can you do an old Spirit of Disharmony a favor and keep an eye on Fluttershy? She has wakened up screaming these past few days and not in the sexy way. I think that bat-bitch may have done a number on her.”

“What did he say?” Fluttershy asked curiously.

“He just wished us well and to enjoy the party.” Sparkle answered as she teleported the letter and twi-staff away. “In his own way.”

“Aww, how sweet.” The demure pegasus smiled brightly.

“Hey, Twilight!” Pinkie shouted. “Isn’t it time to raise and praise the sun?”

“Why, yes it is.” The Alicorn nodded as she trotted to the edge of the balcony while her friends gathered behind her.

The starry eastern sky stretched out before her while the moon shined above. The High Queen ignited her horn and reached out to the pale circle. There was a moment of resistance and then the celestial body began to set. One by one, the stars above began to fade into twilight as the eye of the ominous Mare-In-the-Moon disappeared beyond the now glowing horizon. The spectators cheered on their friend as she shifted focus to the other heavenly sphere and bid it to rise. Like the moon, there was a bit of resistance but it relented eventually. With a flash, a glorious dawn broke over Equestria and chased away the cool night. The fields glistened in morning dew and birdsong began to fill the air. The equines and dragon erupted into applause and congratulations as they greeted the new day. Sparkle, however, was focused on something else. Each time she raised or set the celestial bodies, she could feel a hint of the beings imprisoned on each. While she now had the power of both the Solar and Lunar Alicorns, she did not know if what she was feeling was paranoia or some ethereal connection to the banished tyrants.

“That was the key to completing Starswirl’s ritual; to connect with the targets through the harmony of our friendship and use their own power to imprison each other rather than sacrificing my friends to do it.” The sole Alicorn of Equestria thought. “That does not mean they will be gone forever. They could return tomorrow or ten millennia from now.”

The High Queen glanced behind her at her friends. All of them were expressing their endless support and love. Their friendship had been put through the crucible of war, death and disaster and emerged all the stronger for it.

“Harmony is the bedrock of our nation.” The lavender mare reminded herself. “And we are the sword and shield that defends it. So long as that is true, no tyrant, mad pony or dark god can overcome us.”

“Good morning, my little ponies.” High Queen Twilight Sparkle greeted as she basked in the glorious light of the sun and the beautiful harmony of her friends.

Far above the green and blue marble of Equus, within the eternal conflagration of the almighty sun, stood a mighty edifice wrought by a young Solar Alicorn in the flush of her powers. Created from hardened light, cooled plasma and other materials that defied heliophysics, the Luminous Monastery endured against the stellar inferno that raged around it. Within this impossible structure were the remaining gilded equines of the Solarii. While their numbers had suffered during the Lunar Heresy, as they called the Civil War, there were still enough of them to form an effective fighting force. That is, if they ever broke the exile unjustly forced upon them by the thrice-damned traitor Twilight Sparkle. Until that day of Armageddon where they would descend upon the world and purge it in a blessed storm of solar fire, the Solarii busied themselves with combat drills, maintaining their equipment and tending to their matron’s needs. Said matron was currently sitting upon a throne of sunlight in the heart of the monastery staring intently at the world below through the inferno.

“Damn you to the deepest pits of Tartarus, Sparkle.” Daybreaker growled for the umpteenth time since her banishment. “I was this close to cleansing the world of the Night Mare for good. Not only did you betray me, you usurped my throne and stole my power!”

The Alicorn slammed a hoof into her hardened throne in frustration. Without her connection to the very sun she was sitting on, the once fiery Solar Destroyer had diminished. Her eyes, while still slitted gold and blood red, no longer shone with power. Her blazing banner of a mane and tail had gone out leaving only a short crop of soot black hair. Even her frame had withered as her armor no longer fitted properly, leaving the angry mare to go about in the fur.

“You will pay for this indignity.” The mad mare seethed. “You and your friends will beg for death to save you before the end.”

“You always were a spiteful mare, Corona.” A critical voice said bluntly.

Daybreaker turned to berate what she thought was a suddenly mouthy Solarii only to see Celestia sitting beside her. The depowered Destroyer rubbed her eyes in case the heat was getting to her but the apparition remained. The alabaster mare just shook her head sadly at the creature she had become.

“It is never you fault, is it?” Celestia continued like a disappointed mother. “It is always easier to blame somepony else for your many, many faults and failures.”

“I am not the failure here, you pampered Princess!” Daybreaker shot back. “I knew what had to be done! I didn’t wait or delegate to my pets! I was only doing what was best for my Equestria and you have the gall to condemn me for it?!”

“I do, Corona.” The spectral Alicorn answered resolutely. “Just as you damned yourself when you tried to ‘do what had to be done’ for Platinum’s subjects, you have committed an unpardonable evil in your mad attempt to rule Equestria alone.”

“Stop calling me that!” The mad mare snarled savagely. “Corona was an amateur and a fool! I am leagues above that wretch!”

“You may not be Corona in the flesh but there is no mistaking her twisted influence.” Celestia retorted calmly. “That part of me she stole. It was poisoned by her rotten soul and warped by the hellfire of the Infernal Pits. I do not know how that dragon got it but through its flames, that piece was returned and you took shape like a cancer.”

“Now who’s blaming others?” Daybreaker leered. “I have always been a part of you; the best part, I might add. Is it so hard to accept that the part Corona took changed her not the other way around? Maybe you are not the incorruptible pure pureness you so desperately want your plebeians to believe!”

“Obviously I am not incorruptible nor have I ever claimed as such.” The former Princess of the Day responded plainly. “I have wavered and faltered just like any other equine, perhaps more so. But you, Corona? You dove headfirst into madness, tyranny and evil.”

“I recall a certain injured Princess in the middle of a coup trotting right up to the edge.” The mad mare pointed out bitterly. “I lead you to the river of true power but I did not force you to drink from it.”

“My second greatest failure.” The ex-Princess regretfully admitted. “I can only thank the Sun, Moon and Stars that Twilight was able to correct it as well as my first. She has truly earned the mantle of Equestria’s ruler.”

“Earned?!” Daybreaker almost reignited in outrage. “She’s a usurper! No better than that hell-beast Nightmare Moon!”

“Hmhmhm. I hope you appreciate the irony of you saying that, Corona.” Celestia tittered slightly. “But you’re wrong. Twilight will lead Equestria into a new golden age. I only regret not being with her as she does it.”

“Oh, don’t worry.” The banished Alicorn growled past gritted teeth. “You’ll get to see the end of it once I get off this damn ball of burning gas!”

While the two halves of the Solar Alicorn argued, the Solarii standing guard watched with growing but hidden concern. One of them subtly leaned over and tapped the golden shoulder of one of his cohorts.

“Uh…who is our glorious matron speaking to?” He asked quietly as Daybreaker appeared to be screaming at thin air.

“She is given to dramatic monologues. It aids her in formulating grand designs and clearing her brilliant mind.” The other answered without breaking composure. “It is best to just leave her be.”

Across the starry void of space on Equus’ pale satellite, another Alicorn watched the planet like a prize just out of reach from her old makeshift camp of moonrocks. Three times now she had attempted to claim the world and three times she had been defeated, two of those by the same mare. Nightmare Moon’s slitted teal eyes narrowed as she felt that same mare move the moon, her moon, through the sky.

“Is it not enough for you to deny my destiny, seal me away and steal my power, Sparkle?” The Night Mare’s absolute loathing could chill all of Tartarus. “Must you taunt me with my namesake?”

The Usurper pawed the ground angrily, digging deep gashes into the gray dust. Like her Solar counterpart, the loss of her powers had affected her greatly. The talons she once possessed had fused back into immaculate hooves and raven feathers now completely covered her wings. With her helm shattered by Sparkle’s spell along with the rest of her armor, her mane hung off her head like a cobalt veil as did her tail off her dock.

“At the very least, Celestia is suffering the same fate as I.” Moon tore her eyes away from Equus and looked out across the barren moonscape. “Almost.”

The first few weeks after the dark Alicorn was banished to the moon again were spent much in the same way as her first imprisonment. The moon gained a few new craters as she attempted to return to Equus only for the sealing spell to slap her down. It was then that she discovered that her Lunar magic had not only been drained but outright stolen, leaving her with only the innate physical strength of an Alicorn.

Her rage was extraordinary even for her wrathful self. She spent the better part of a month furiously bashing away at the moon itself in some insane plot to just drop the rock on Equus and end it all. The thrice-failed Usurper only managed to unintentionally alter the Mare-In-The-Moon formation by adding a slit pupil to the ‘eye’. As she lay in the moon dust exhausted and anger finally spent, it had occurred to her that her latest exile went beyond just stripping her of her magic.

“I am alone.” The moon mare recalled the revelation her newly banished self had. “No little Luna berating me or Lady of the Stars whispering plots in my ear.”

In a way Moon was glad to be rid of them even if it meant she would have to deal with the oppressive silence of space. She had always considered Luna to be a weakling who literally held her back and it had become abundantly clear that the Primordial thought of her less as an apostle and more of a disposable tool. The Lady did have a history of cutting the strings of her puppets once they outlived their usefulness.

“That she-devil probably wrote me off as a loss the moment Sparkle sent me here.” The fallen ex-Princess sulked. “Unlike me, she has somewhere and someone to fall back to after a defeat.”

That train of thought led to the enigma that was the Theoi who had helped make her third attempt at conquest possible only to seemingly dash it all against the metaphorical rocks. Why did he refuse to accompany them? Did he know about or facilitate the Element Bearer’s survival? How much of this was part of his notoriously far reaching schemes and what was pure chance?

“By my Moon, I swear he conjures up these convoluted plots just because he enjoys watching others rip their hair out trying to solve them.” Moon let out a groan that was lost in the vacuum of space. “I can’t fault him too much. His plans tend to reach fruition which is more than I can say of other ambitious beings.”

The dark Alicorn was about to ruminate on the rise and fall of would be king and queens she had met through her long life when something occurred to her. After all that had happened since initiating the Second Lunar Uprising, her version of the Civil War, she did not know what had become of Suneater or the Silent King. She had assumed one had slain the other and then fled with the Lady once her campaign had fallen apart.

“For all I know, there could be a dragon capable of traveling through space up here with me.” Moon looked behind her toward the dark side of the moon. “Or a Theoi I deserve a few answers from. Or both!”

The Night Mare turned back to her camp and checked the obelisk calendar. She had intended to stay on the light side for a time in case Sparkle’s banishment spell was imperfect and she could escape sooner. As the months started to pile up and the first year was drawing to a close, it was starting to look like another thousand year exile at least.

“I am getting tired of standing in the light anyway.” Moon decided as she turned her back to Equus and trotted off toward the dark side following the old hoof and more recent claw prints.

The ex-Princess had not made it far into the umbral side of her home when she noticed the change in topography. Ridges and cliffs she did not recognize broke up the horizon and cracks crisscrossed the ground beneath her hooves. She was about to write them off as the result of meteor impacts until she reached the edge of the basalt sea. The once flat moonscape was a mess of jagged promontories and yawning fissures that reached deep within the moon. The central crater looked like it had been ripped open by a pack a ravenous giant wolves. From what she could see of the exterior, the structure within was similarly devastated with toppled spires and collapsed wings.

“Stars above! I left the Frozen North in better shape!” Moon thought as she traversed the treacherous maze of ruin. “Was this a result of their duel or did one of them try to shatter my moon?”

It took some time and a few low gravity leaps but she eventually reach her Bastion of Nightmares and trotted inside. Scorch marks, crushed stone and inky ichor splattered across the floor and walls were a clear indicator that the duel between the two Lords must have been devastating indeed. However, there was still no sign of the combatants nor who may have won their battle.

“Hello?” The fallen Alicorn called out, the magic imbued in the walls allowing her to speak but the damage made it reverberate oddly. “Dragon Prince? Dread Lord?”

She received no answer other than the sounds of rubble crumbling. Keeping her guard up as much as a depowered Alicorn could, Moon made her way through the bastion until she reached the now dome-less Orrery. This appeared to be the epicenter of their duel as the area radiated a faint Khthonic power. Bits of meteoric iron lay strew about the circular room and the center was stained a darker hue, not from blood but by something more primal. Amongst all the destruction there was neither scale nor hair of the combatants. Whatever the outcome of their duel was, it allowed both immortals to depart the lunar sphere.

“I truly am alone.” Moon’s ears folded flat against her head in disappointment. “I suppose it was foolish of me to hope otherwise.”

Letting out a long tired sigh, the exiled Usurper trotted toward her cracked moonstone throne. She foresaw herself spending the next few centuries rebuilding her bastion but for now she just wanted to wallow in self-pity for a bit. The Alicorn got one hoof on the throne when she noticed something carved into the base. Moon took a step back and looked over the distinctive hoof writing of the Silent King.

“Nightmare Moon,

If you are reading this, then the Element Bearers have triumphed and the Primordial’s plan has failed. I wish I could have told you my reasons for not joining your quest before you were banished so I will tell you now. You deserve that much.

You are not the first to attempt to conquer the world and you will not be the last. Every being that has tried has met the same fate; defeat at the hands, hooves or claws of destined heroes. You would have been no different.

My goal has always been and always will be the wellbeing of the Land of the Dead. Thus I cannot invite a war against the Overworld that will end in failure. Likewise, I could not sit idly by while those I consider friends make the same mistakes as Sombra, Corona and the like.

To that end, I had Princess Sparkle and her friends resurrected after we departed. They were to be an insurance policy in the event I was unable to persuade Shifting Darkness, Night Sky or you to give up or at least postpone your plot for Eternal Night.

I am not asking for your forgiveness, only your understanding.

Until we meet again,

-SK”

“Suneater was right. He prioritizes the Underworld above all else.” The Alicorn mused aloud. “I can admire that and he did try to warn me of what was to come. Hmm? What is this?”

At the end of the message was a small sliver of dream stone no bigger than a matchhead twinkling in the starlight. It glowed faintly with the crystalized ethereal power of dreams. Moon reached down and gingerly picked up the tiny stone, likely the last one in existence, in her hoof.

“My connection to the moon may have been severed…” Moon muttered as she bowed her head and pressed the tip of her piercing horn against the gem. “…but Sparkle has overlooked my other namesake!”

With a sharp snap, the crystal disintegrated and the miniscule power within surged into the Night Mare. She let out a gasp as the ethereal magic sparked across her frame, causing her fur to stand on end. It was a drop in the vast ocean of magic needed to end her exile but it was enough to revitalize her faded connection with the Dream World.

“Hidden One, you magnificent bastard.” The Usurper smiled widely as her long mane began to billow in an ethereal wind. “Apology accepted.”

The corrupted ex-Princess settled into her throne and let her powers slowly but inextricably grow. She may be stuck on the lunar satellite for the foreseeable future but rebuilding the Bastion of Nightmares into an even greater edifice would make an excellent time killer. Once that was done, enough time should have passed for her to do more than just draw power from the soporific realm.

“There will be dreams to crush and nightmares to sow.” The fallen dream strider plotted maliciously. “Tantibus was able to turn it into a realm of horrors on her own. Just imagine what I can do! My influence will spread to every waking mind of Equus and once I rule their thoughts, they will finally worship me as the goddess I am! Then, at long last, the night will last forever! Mmhmmhmm AH-HAHAHAHAHAA!”

Nightmare Moon’s imperious cackle echoed across her bastion. Already, sparks of her magic guided the smaller bits of rubble back into place. While it may be many centuries before she could fulfill even the most minor of her ambitions, she had learned nothing if not patience from her latest excursions.

Twin plumes of pure Darkness and the starry Night Sky soared through the sunless skies of the Underworld. With the dawn of a new day, the Primordial Lord and Lady had finished their nightly dance across the great void of space and retired to their abode in the stygian forests of Erebos. Across the mighty Rivers Acheron and Styx within the cyclopean walls of Barathrum, the Lord of Shades observed their return from a railed balcony offering an expansive view of Asphodel and distant Erebos. He felt a bit of apprehension every time the two traveled to the surface to revel in the night but thus far there had been no attempts to retry their invasion of the Overworld.

“They just journey across the skies until daybreak, return home and consummate their eternal love.” The Silent King mused as he watched Shifting Darkness pursue a teasing Night Sky into their mansion like a pair of naughty juveniles. “Almost as if nothing has changed over the eons.”

As the pale horse had endeavored since returning to his gloomy realm, a sense of normalcy had returned to the Underworld. The Primordials were content, their daemonic children carried out their duties, shades continued to stream into the afterlife, Tartarus was secure and the rightful Lord sat upon the Immortal Throne. Of course, not everything had returned to the status quo before the Downfall.

“The Knights of the Undying Order have a new Marshall for one.” The pale horse looked down into the courtyard where said knights were training. “He has more than proven his worth.”

“By the Throne! It’s aim and shoot! Not aim, aim, aim and aim! Fire your damn horn!” Grand Marshall Shining Armor drilled the newest recruits. “I know I trained some of you ex-Guards better than that! You’re embarrassing me!”

Naturally, the war fought between the Alicorn had resulted in a flood of new shades that kept the bureaucracy of the Underworld busy for a time. The heroic and valorous were rightly rewarded with Elysium while the villainous and vile were justly punished in Tartarus. A majority that ended up in Asphodel wished to join the Undying Order as was the case with most warriors who fell in the moral gray area but did not wish to completely forget their previous lives.

This had the unfortunate effect of former Night, Solar and Royal Guards being forced to serve together. With the war still fresh in their minds, fighting, insubordination and other inefficiencies were common. The Theoi was about to intervene by expelling the problem revenants when Armor had a rather ingenious idea. He called together the feuding sides and in the presence of the rest of the Order and their Patron ordered them to take up arms and settle their grievances. The Civil War was renewed as a monochrome, undead shadow of its former self for about ten minutes before the Grand Marshall gave the order for the spectators to change in and utterly crush both sides. He then gave the disembodied shades a blistering dressing down explaining that all of their grudges and feuds they had while alive were now meaningless and that they now served a power that was neither the sun nor moon.

“They have been dutiful knights ever since.” A ghost of a smile played across the Dark Lord’s lips. “I do believe some of them even joke about the Equestrian Civil War now.”

While he was thinking about the mortal conflict, he could not help but ruminate on certain things he had learned after the fact. Chief among them was the fact that Celestia had succumbed to some tyrannical evil, becoming the Solar Destroyer Daybreaker. Moon’s ill-fated but timely invasion had actually saved countless lives by stalling the corrupted eldest Alicorn’s purge of what she deemed undesirables. As to what had led the paragon of Equestrian harmony down the path of damnation, the Dread Lord could only guess.

“The most likely cause is that portion of her power that was baked in the hellfire of Tartarus and seasoned with Corona’s wickedness was reintroduced into her through Shifting Darkness’ flames.” He surmised. “One would think Suneater had consumed all of that tainted power during his awakening but it appears that was not the case.”

The Theoi glanced skyward as he mulled over how to correct this unforeseen consequence. The best he could currently come up with involved tearing out the Solar Alicorn’s soul and ripping the Daybreaker corruption off of Celestia’s vital essence. That would involve either traveling to the sun or bringing Daybreaker back to Equus, both of which were currently impossible.

“I might have no choice but to deal with that at a later date if at all.” The Silent King mentally mused as he returned his attention to his realm. “Princess…no, High Queen Sparkle may have very well surpassed her mentor in terms of power. It could be resolved without it even crossing my notice.”

The Alicorn of Harmony nee Magic had exceeded all of his expectations, something that gave even a godly Theoi like him pause. When he first ordered Lulamoon to revive the Element Bearers as a plan B, he thought that the end result would be just like every other time the six mares overcame a foe; the villain is banished, turned to stone, blow apart et cetera, the friends learn a lesson and life goes on. Sparkle ascending to sole ruler of Equestria and becoming arguably the most powerful being in the Overworld was not something he had even remotely anticipated.

“What is worse is that unlike the other Alicorn’s, she knows about me.” The King thought critically. “She probably has eyes watching for any move I make against the Overworld. Fortunately for the both of us, I have none to make…for now.”

His gaze drifted toward the Boneyard and a specific skeleton hanging off a gnarled tree. He recalled just how it came to be there and his mounting trepidation faded somewhat. If the Queen ever deemed to remove him, it would not be the first time he was confronted by an Alicorn with the same goal.

“And unlike Sparkle, he had centuries of combat experience.” The Theoi recalled with a slight shake of his head. “Not that it did him any good.”

The caliginous king went back to surveying his realm. Hive Queen Chrysalis and Princess Elytra had returned from a feeding trip to Elysium and were now observing the knights below. Judging from the excited twitching of their wings and swish of their tails, they approved of finely sculpted male specimens sparing in training clothes. Armor must have noticed as he began a practical demonstration of close quarters combat by laying out several recruits with practiced ease. Chrysalis’ less than subtle reaction told all that she knew what she was having for dessert, much to Elytra’s embarrassment.

“If my understanding of changeling reproduction is correct, her nuptial flight should be coming up in a few months.” The host of the once endangered insectoids mused. “She could go just about anywhere. The ruins of Hollow Shades allow her easy access back here. Ponyville or whatever they change the name to could offer opportunities with its mass of new citizens. She could try the Neo-Crystal City if she wants a challenge. ”

The sound of hooves on stone behind him broke him out of his ruminations. He was about to reach for his bident propped against the railing when he realized who it was.

“Archmage Lulamoon.” The sponsor of the necromantic magician said without turning around. “Care to join me? The view is fantastic.”

“How did you know it was the Subtle and Stealthy Trixie?” The azure unicorn asked as she took him up on his offer and placed her fore hooves on the railing.

“The changelings have a slight skitter to their step, the revenants rarely go without their armor and everything else either flies or goes about on two legs.” The pallid pony rattled off. “Process of elimination. Also the bones of your ensemble rattle a bit.”

“Trixie will remember that next time.” The Archmage said as she took in the view. “So what were you doing up here?”

“Surveying all that I rule.” The King answered with a dramatic foreleg sweep across the vista. “And thinking about resent events.”

“So has Trixie.” The unicorn said with a frown. “She still can’t believe Sparkle is now Queen of all Equestria. Bah! The Great and Powerful Trixie gives her three years until she goes full tyrant and joins the rest of the mad ponies in Tartarus. Hmph!”

“Absolute power corrupts absolutely.” The stygian stallion recited keenly. “Makes me wonder when I will go off the deep end.”

“Ha! You already have.” Lulamoon needled with a laugh. “Fighting demons in Hell, riding a dragon prince into space, courting an insane Alicorn? What sane stallion would do all that?”

“Hmm, I see your point.” Rather than be insulted, the Silent King allowed another ghost of a smile. “But what does that say about the unicorn that followed me into Hell, robbed Canterlot and foiled said mad Alicorn’s plans by resurrecting her enemies?”

“Touché.” The magician conceded the point as she edged a bit close to the Necroarch. “Speaking of the insane Alicorn, you two seemed rather…close.”

“That is a bit of a private matter.” The Theoi was about to change the subject when he reconsidered. “Then again, it might do me some good just to air it out.”

"We were.” The pale horse admitted as he reached into his heavy robes and withdrew Luna’s tiara. “Princess Luna was the first being I met that did not immediately try to kill or use me.”

“Odd. Luna always struck Trixie as the more belligerent of the Royal Sisters.” Lulamoon commented. “Wait, when was this?”

“A few of days after I returned from my exile.” The former Lurker answered after some thought. “When I roamed the Frozen North. We met in a dream.”

“Ah, so Luna was a dream strider.” The Archmage interjected suddenly. “Trixie had heard rumors she possessed such abilities. If the Eager and Capable Trixie could gain these, she could add the many strange and ethereal magics of the Dreamworld to her repertoire!”

“Having access to the Dreamworld could have its benefits.” The Theoi mused.

“An interesting field of study, I am sure.” The King nodded knowingly before he continued. “The location of our first meeting aside, Princess Luna and I formed a bond over similar experiences. We did not actually meet face to face until later in Canterlot not long before I met you.”

“What happened then?” The azure unicorn asked eagerly. “If you were still the Lurker then that could not have gone over well.”

“Better than you would think. I had learned that assuming an equine shape, even if pitch black with white eyes, held certain advantages like not being shot on sight.” The former shadow pony answered candidly. “I was searching for the Sunless Lands then and Luna proved most helpful in that pursuit; securing access to the library, providing tickets for travel including the Gala ticket we used and keeping her sister from vaporizing me. We grew intimate in that time together.”

“How intimate?” Lulamoon asked with an edge to her voice.

“We shared a dream she called a ‘midnight delight’ together.” The stygian stallion answered, earning a displeased nicker from the now blushing unicorn. “It was during this tryst that I met Nightmare Moon.”

“Oh my!” The unicorn’s eyes widened in surprise. “That must have been a surprise.”

“It was…unexpected.” The pale horse recalled being struck across the muzzle by a bursting brassier. “But it was she that warned me of Corona’s Grand Exodus.”

“She did? Why?” The magician arched an eyebrow. “Trixie would think that she would use a break out from Tartarus to weaken Equestria before she invaded.”

“As she put it, she would not have demons infesting her realm.” The Theoi answered plainly. “From that point onward, my allegiance shifted from Luna to Moon. She helped me free the Primordials and in return I helped her return to her full power. We achieved a lot until our goals diverged.”

“She abandoned you to your duel with Suneater.” Lulamoon said solemnly as she mulled over a rather touchy question she wanted answered. “If Trixie may be so bold, did you love her?”

The Theoi did not answer right away. He looked down at the midnight crown as memories of his time with both sides of its owner came to the forefront of his mind. He had initially seen the Lunar Princess as just another source of information and resources while she saw him as a lost soul to bring into Equestria’s harmonic fold but did it become more than that? The dark Alicorn obviously saw him as a means to return to the Overworld just as he saw her as a link to the Primordials but she had expressed interest in making their partnership more permanent. As the manifestation of Luna’s darker emotions, was it genuine love or just more reckless ambition?

“I’ve been in relationship triangles before but this is the strangest one yet.” The King mused as he returned the tiara to his robes.

“You do not need to answer if you wish.” Lulamoon said after the period of silence. “The Kind and Sympathetic Trixie knows that love can be a perplexing thing. She doubts even Cadenza fully understands it.”

“I could say the same for the Lady of Love in my time.” The pallid pony said neutrally. “I suppose there is no use dwelling on it. Moon has been banished for at least the next thousand years and Luna has been marooned in the Dreamworld. Welcome back to the bachelor life, old timer.”

“You don’t have to be alone.” The unicorn was now close enough for him to see the spiral grooves in her horn. “You still have the Great and Powerful Trixie.”

“Luna…Moon…Lulamoon.” The stallion fought to urge to face hoof. “The running theme is now a full sprint.”

“I am flattered.” The King said coolly. “But I respect you too much to use you as my…what’s the phrase… rebound mare.”

“Trixie believes it is her catching you on the rebound.” The Archmage countered. “And she doesn’t care if you dribble her down the whole field so long as you score a home run with her. Wait, is that right?”

“We just butchered that metaphor.” The Theoi thought.

“We just finished talking about my other inamoratas.” The caliginous cleric warned. “Would you-“

“The Returned and Necromantic Trixie has already died once.” The azure mare insisted. “No relationship is perfect. Trust Trixie, she knows all too well.”

“I can sense she is being genuine her desire.” The Khthonic Theoi felt the frozen lump of iron that was his heart stir slightly. “She has already expressed as much after we returned from Tartarus. Maybe…”

“Trixie knows she is not an Alicorn.” The Archmage sat back as she nervously rubbed her hooves together. “She knows she is not as endowed as them but- MMPH?!”

The unicorn was cut off by the stygian stallion leaning down and capturing her lips with his. Her crimson eyes widened in shock before they slowly closed as she returned the kiss with a pleased moan. They stayed like that for a few moments until the King straightened up and broke the embrace. The Theoi wiped away a trace of spittle with his sleeve while Lulamoon stared up at him with a dopey but nonetheless happy smile.

“Your beard tickles.” She slurred in a love-struck stupor.

“I’m not shaving it.” He responded with a small smile of his own.

The azure unicorn draped a foreleg across his withers and nuzzled against him with a happy sigh. The pale earth pony returned the gesture and held her close. The two new lovers silently looked out over the Sunless Lands of the Dead; their home and dominion. An uncertain future awaited the Underworld but its sovereign and servants were prepared to face it.

Thus this trilogy is complete. Thank you all for reading, commenting, praising and criticizing.

I hope you enjoyed the series as much as I did writing it.