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]

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