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."

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