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

"So, what exactly does a Merchant Princess do?" Knight asked casually. "Judging by your and Prince's accounts, it involves a lot of adventuring."

"Looking for a change in career, Night-Captain?" The ivory unicorn teased. "True, the Prince and I like to get out hooves dirty when the need arises but normally we prospect, invest, trade... you know, the stuff the makes the spice flow. "

"Spice, eh?" The thestral arched an eyebrow. "Is that how you built your fortune?"

"If you really want to know, you'll have to enter our employ." The Merchant Princess answered with a smile. "There's always space for one more in our abode."

"So grain estates? Salt mines? Wineries?" The bat-pony tossed out ideas but none seemed to stick. "Stars above, this is going to bug me the rest of the night."

"Hmhm. Depending on how his talk with your Princess goes, we may own some of those as well." The ivory mare giggled into a hoof as the nocturnal guard puzzled over her source of wealth.

Knight was about to press for more details when his guest suddenly froze. Further down the hall, a pair of Luminious Solarii were questioning a cornered member of the waitstaff. The thestral felt the fur on his neck stand on end as the unicorn shied away from the gilded guards.

"Poor colt probably didn't bow deep enough to Princess Celestia or something." The Night-Captain snorted irritably. "Here, let's go around."

"Do lets." The ivory mare whispered as they ducked down a side hall before they were noticed. "I have been warned about their lofty standards."

"That's putting it mildly." Knight grumbled. "If they had it their way, you'd be in a convent and I'd be a pile of ash."

"Wait, don't you both serve Equestria?" The Merchant Princess gave her escort a sideways look. "That sounds a bit intense for just interservice rivalry."

"They serve Princess Celestia." The thestral clarified. "And as far as they are concerned, we serve the 'arch-traitor'."

"Guilt by association? For something that happened ages ago?" The ivory mare frowned. "That hardly seems fair."

"It was more than association and the Solarii have long memories." Knight muttered darkly before he shook it off. "But that is all in the past."

"Night-Captain, if I've learned anything these past few months, it's that the past has a habit of makings its way to the present." The autumn-maned unicorn said knowingly. "What aren't you telling me? Is there more to the whole 'Nightmare Moon' episode?"

"Hmph, you're about as bad as those muckrakers camping out the red carpet." The chiropteran stallion rolled his eyes. "If you really want to know, you'll have to join the Night Guard. We always have room for new recruits."

"Huh, touche." The mare chuffed lightly. "Well, I'm about to rummage through her stuff so I'll probably find out anyway."

"Perhaps." Knight said coyly. "We're almost there so I guess we'll see how insightful you are."

The pair rounded a corner at an intersection and came to a set of reinforced doors. Much like the entrance to the Lunar Alicorn’s private chambers, the edifice was made of dark metal embossed with silvery symbols of the night sky with a pair of crescent moons flanking a small hole in the middle. The thestral approached the doors and stopped short.

“Could you turn around for a moment?” He asked as he fished beneath his armor for his keyring. “The way this key works with the lock is classified.”

“Oh, of course.” The ivory unicorn nodded as she faced the opposite wall and admired the bust of some long-gone noble. "We have similar vaults in the Mareterranean."

The sound of keys jingling followed by metallic grinding and the thestral muttering the steps to unlocking the door filled the vacant hallway. It continued for a few moments before it suddenly ended with a sharp click. Knight stowed his keychain and waited for hidden bolts to slide into place as the Merchant Princess turned back around.

“There we are.” The Night-Captain smiled as the doors opened inward. “Behold, the Trophy Gallery of the Princess of the Night.”

As the pair crossed the threshold, large braziers containing dimly glowing crystals brightened as if roused from slumber. The first thing they illuminated was the leering visage of a golden dragon, it's gaze fixed on the entrance as if it stood guard over its hoard. As the light spread, the gilded drake was revealed to be the figurehead of a ship that appeared to have been plucked straight from old piratical sea shanties. The light spread further still and revealed rows upon rows of glass cases and pedestals containing all manner of trinkets, weapons, armor and trophies.

“This could easily be mistaken for an armory.” The unicorn said as she looked around the impressive displays. “In fact, it might dwarf some.”

"She was known as a warrior-princess. Both she and her sister." Knight beamed proudly. "So how about we start with the obvious?"

"The pirate ship?" The Merchant Princess asked as she inspected the vessel. "Can you give me it's history or do I have to join the Night Guard for that too?"

"It's an old griffon brigantine back when most airships were literally just boats hooked up to balloons." The thestral explained as he indicated where the means of lift would have been. "The captain, whose name escapes me, had come into possession of the Element of Generosity, of all things. Long story short, Princess Luna retrieved it and there is one less pirate menacing the skies."

"This pirate, he didn't happen to be Griffish, did he?" The autumn-maned unicorn asked as the description of one of the Banished of Tartarus crept into her mind. "A privateer, perhaps?"

"No, I don't think so." Knight shook his head. "Why? Do you think there might be an unclaimed bounty?"

"There had better be otherwise the only thing of value would be the gold figurehead." The ivory mare said pointedly. "Failing that, a private collector or museum might give you a decent amount for the hulk."

"Hmm, we did a fair amount for that one griffoness. Can't hurt to check the old bulletins." The bat-pony muttered in thought before he spoke up again. "Alright, how about this?"

Thus began the disguised lich’s tour of the Princess of the Night’s past exploits. From the cracked necklace a feline sorceress to the shredded cloak of a porcine glass-witch, the Nocturnal Alicorn’s vanquished foes were diverse and plentiful. Knight proved to be a knowledgeable tour guide as he gave brief backstories to each trophy. The descriptive plates at the base of each display did not hurt either.

“And here is her highness’s latest addition.” The bat-pony said as he presented a large, horned and heat-warped helm. "The helmet of Dugore the Marked. I brought this back from the Revenant Isles myself."

"Then I doubt this one is up for sale." The Merchant Princess said simply as she read the plaque beneath the display. "Unless I'm mistaken, I thought the late Captain Armor slew the warlord."

"He did, may he rest in peace." Knight bowed his head in respect as his guest hid a knowing smile beneath a hoof. "Before you accuse Princess Luna of stealing credit, this is less a trophy and more to do with denying any Marked Legion fans a symbol to rally behind."

"Ah, I see." The ivory unicorn nodded in understanding. "Have you encountered any ex-legionnaires?"

"That's getting into Night Guard territory." The bat-pony warned. "All I can say is that the Legions as an organized threat have been wiped out."

"And sent down to us." The Archmage of Barathrum murmured as eyed the imposing helm. "Don't remember seeing you though..."

"All that aside, you're right in that I doubt Princess Luna wishes to sell this." The Night-Captain said as he guided his guest toward another part of the gallery. "Let's move on to some of the more serious hardware."

While most of the trophies up to that point had been mundane, depowered or otherwise harmless, the same could not be said for those in an isolated section. The magically attuned unicorn felt her fur stand on end as she beheld a panoply of ensorcelled arms and armor, one of which that stood out from the rest. Her guide seemed to feel a similar sensation as he visibly shuddered.

"Brr, there are some freaky magics in these things." The thestral explained with an edge of unease. "Take this shield for example. It is enchanted with what our scholars call a 'looking glass effect' in which the wielder could summon doppelgangers of their... Miss?"

The Night-Captain looked up to see his guest had moved on without him and had stopped before a unique display. Unlike the rest which simply had a case and plaque, this one was adorned with various warnings and the case itself was more akin to a vault. Fearing that the mare had been enthralled by some foul sorcery, Knight rushed after her in a gallop.

"Whatever it's whispering to you, don't listen!" The bat-pony shouted.

"What? No, I'm here. I'm here." The autumn-maned unicorn waved an assuring hoof. "Apologies, I did not mean to cause alarm. This one just caught my attention."

After double-checking for any signs of unwanted beguilement, the chiropteran stallion looked to the display. A soul-harrowing chill ran down his spine as he beheld a longsword well known to his kin. The blade, dark as polished obsidian and just as sharp, seemed to suck in the light around it. A fuller ran down from the weak of the blade toward the strong before splitting like a fork in a river around a core of smooth stygian crystal. Most striking about the weapon was the visage of a gaunt, hollow-eyed face set in the crossguard, mouth agape in a silent scream. The grip itself was made of the same crystalline material as the core while the pommel was a black pearl gripped in a four-pointed claw of cold iron.

"It looks like it was once a crystal dagger before the sword was built around it." The Merchant Princess indicated the design with a hoof. "And I don't need the warning labels to tell there are some powerful enchantments in this."

"I wouldn't know." Knight said seriously. "Only the original owner of this blade would; a fiendish yet proficient assassin."

"Do tell." The disguised lich asked even though she already had a good idea who.

"It was active during the early years of Equestria when we were more a confederation of other nations." The Night-Captain explained as he kept his gaze on the sinister sword. "The kings, queens, chiefs and other leaders of those nations began dying off; victims of this very blade. It was never confirmed but the prevailing theory was that anti-Equestrian parties put the hit on their heads."

"These royals turned collaborators, were they old?" The autumn-maned unicorn asked. "By old, I mean did they possess longevity."

"Uhh, I suppose so." The thestral hesitated as he considered the odd question. "It was not uncommon for the elite of the time to grab a few extra years through magic or other means. I think a few of the more brazen ones even asked the Alicorns for the key to their immorality."

"Uh-huh, and I bet some of them redoubled their efforts to match their immortality to keep whatever power they had under their new mast- I mean -Princesses." The incognito Archmage inferred with a bemused smirk. "There are those who look upon such works as, shall we say, heretical."

"Haha, you think religious zealots put the hit out on the old royals?" Knight fought back a laugh before a bolt of realization struck him. "Then again... the death cults..."

"Don't be so quick to laugh at the Great and Powerful Tri-!" The boastful unicorn caught herself at the last moment. "*Ahem* I meant to say do not be so dismissive of the great power those tricksters commanded."

"I've seen the damage zeal and fury can do once given direction." The Night-Captain said in a measured tone. "But speculation aside, this sword is definitely not for sale and would be better off destroyed."

"Judging by the fact that it hasn't been, I guess you have not found a way yet." The ivory mare glanced back at the blade and tapped a hoof to her chin. "Why not, say, drop it into the ocean or seal it in a vault and bury it?"

"In both cases, we risk a hippogryph or diamond dog finding the damn thing." The Night-Captain shook his head as if that had already been considered. "I think it is best to leave it to..."

The bat-pony’s ears perked up along with the unicorn’s as the tell-tale 'clip-clop' of hooves on stone echoed about the room. They both turned toward the entrance to see the thuggish figures of a burly earth pony and mean unicorn. Behind them was a second mundane equine and a pegasus that seemed distracted by the displays. Knight recognized the first pair as accomplices of Blueblood and had no doubt of the allegiances of the second.

"I gotta say, Luna kicked a lot of ass back in her day. Or should that be night?" The pegasus thug said after an appreciative whistle. "How the hell did they get a whole ship in here?"

"Magic probably." Lockpick answered with a shrug. "Now get your eyes off the goods and on the lookout for Luna's bloodsuckers."

"Like that one?" Block pointed to a sneering Knight as he came into view.

The thugs instantly focused on the thestral and froze. The Night-Captain briefly hoped his presence would be enough to scare them off but it was not to be as the unicorn approached with a fake smile. The bat-pony narrowed his predatory eyes and the goon slowed his pace.

"Evening, officer." The intruder said confidently as his more brutish partner came up from behind him. "Did we catch you on a donut break?"

"You are trespassing." Knight said bluntly.

"Really? The door was open." Lockpick feigned confusion as he gestured to the still open doors. "No matter, we're not here for Luna's trinkets."

"We'd just like a word with that little lady behind you." The pegasus added as he shot the Merchant Princess a less-than-chaste smirk. "How you doing?"

"You'll never know." The ivory unicorn scrunched up her nose in disgust.

"I'll make this easy on all of us." Lockpick chimed back in. "She comes with us and we'll get out of your mane. How's that sound?"

The thestral let out a low hiss as he put himself between the thugs and his charge, fangs bared and stance low. Block seemed unnerved but his partner merely rolled his eyes and sighed. With a tilt of his head, he signaled the pegasus and other earth pony to shut the doors, cutting off the only escape route.

"Fine, have it your way." Lockpick dropped the formalities as he ignited his horn. "Take care of the bat and grab the tramp."

"Assaulting an officer of the guard and abduction of a foreign dignitary." Knight rattled off with an air of incredulity. "That's life behind bars at best, extradition to the Mareterranean at worse."

"Rules change, batty." The pegasus said as he took to the air while the other three advanced. "But I guess you won't have to worry about that."

Realizing that he would not be able to talk or scare down the thugs, the Night-Captain took stock of their situation. His primary concern was getting the Merchant Princess out of harm's way and call in help. To do so, he would need to clear a path to the doors and buy her enough space and time to get them open. While he was outnumbered and surrounded by the thugs, the chiropteran stallion was confident he just needed an opening to retake the initiative. His keen eyes drifted toward the airborne pegasus and the brazier of glowing crystals he was hoving near.

"On my signal, hit the lights." He whispered to the ivory mare. "I'll keep them occupied, you loop around the ship to the doors; get out and call for help."

"Check." The unicorn nodded as she focused on the closest brazier.

"Last chance, captain." Lockpick warned. "Give us the mare and-!"

The thug did not get a chance to finish as Knight suddenly flared his wings with a woosh of air. The autumn-maned unicorn took that as the sign to blast the hanging brazier with a stream of magic. The Night-Captain had thought she would cut the chains and drop the light on the pegasus only to be surprised when she elected to overcharge the crystals instead. With a blinding flash, the illuminating rocks exploded in a shower of razor-thin slivers and twisted metal. The pegasus was sent hurtling to the floor as the blast knocked out the remaining lights and plunged the gallery into near darkness. The bat-pony shot up into the air with a beat of his wings as the Merchant Princess dove for cover. A flurry of bolts from Lockpick tore through displays and the floor but the two had already vanished.

"Oh shit! This is bad!" The hitherto silent earth pony shouted in clear terror. "He's gonna kill us!"

"Shut up and check on the featherhead." His unicorn boss ordered as he ignited his horn for a modicum of light. "Block, did you see where they went?"

"I'm still seeing stars from that blast." The larger thug blinked rapidly to clear his vision. "Sorry."

"Alright then, new plan." Lockpick grumbled. "You two stay by the door. Block and I will look for the mare. Shout if you see anything."

From his inverted vantage on the benighted ceiling, Knight studied the goons' movements with predatory intent. Thanks to the ivory unicorn he now had the advantage of stealth and mobility but his top priority was still getting her to safety. Said unicorn was still in the 'hardware' section of the gallery, hiding behind displays as Lockpick's light washed over the area. Seeking to both draw their attention and remove another pawn, the bat-pony dropped from his perch and silently glided down to the unnamed pegasus and earth pony.

"Ugh, fucking hell." The wounded thug groaned as his partner tried to rouse him. "I blinked, what hit me?"

"The Merchantress blew up the lights." The grounded equine explained with a wince. "You're lucky it didn't burn off all your feathers."

"I don't even want to look." The pegasus averted his eyes with a shudder. "I swear I'm gonna rip off that bitch's horn and shove it...!"

"She's right behind me, isn't she?" The earth pony grimaced as a look of horror came over his partner.

"Guess again." Knight whispered to his suddenly pale victim.

A quick gasp was all the thug could get out before the larger thestral enveloped him and shot back up into the darkness. The injured pegasus could only painfully drag himself away as he imagined what horrible things the reputed vampire was doing to his partner. There was a moment of stillness before a bloodcurdling scream echoed throughout the gallery followed by the earth pony dropping from the ceiling. He stopped with a jerk in midair, strung up by one of the chains that once held the braziers where he thrashed and wriggled like a caught fish.

"What happened?" Block shouted as he and Lockpick ran back to their cohorts.

"Get me down!" The hapless thug screamed. "He's gonna eat me!"

"Hand on, I got you." The unicorn said as he ignited his horn and took aim. "Stop wiggling or I'll hit you."

The panicked goon did not oblige as he continued to flail his legs wildly. In his efforts to hit a small and moving target, Lockpick missed with a burst of shots and hit the ceiling above. The flash of one of these impacts briefly illuminated the inverted Night-Captain, his slitted eyes focused on the leader of the brutes. Lockpick let out a startled neigh as the nocturnal officer dropped from his perch with a hellish screech. The thestral slammed into the unicorn and knocked him flat.

"Lock!" Block shouted as Knight pulled his stunned quarry up onto his hind legs with his forelegs hooked under Lockpick's.

"Don't move!" The bat-pony hissed with his fangs a hairsbreadth away from the unicorn's neck. "Tell him to surrender or I help myself to a snack."

"Argh! Watch the teeth!" Lockpick cringed away from the thestrals breath as he gave his partner a knowing look. "Back off, Block. The 'kick backs' aren't worth it."

"But you said they were enough to- oh!" The thuggish earth pony's eyes lit up in realization. "Okay. Take it easy. I'm backing off."

"Smart stallion." Knight muttered. "Now, you're under arrest and we are-!"

Lockpick suddenly went limp, his weight throwing the bat-pony off balance. As the thestral fought to keep his prisoner standing, Block reared back and bucked the Dugore display at the Night-Captain. As the horned helm flew at his head like a cannonball, the bat-pony dragged Lockpick up to absorb some of the impact but not fast enough to completely shield himself. The helmet of the draconic marauder smacked into the two with a heavy clang, knocking off the officer and bruising the thug.

"Gah! You stupid idiot!" Lockpick cried out as he favored a shoulder. "That could have killed me!"

"I was aiming for the bat." Block said defensively.

Saving his beratement for later, the unicorn scrambled away as the Night-Captain slid across the floor and come to the stop below the ship. His armor had prevented the horns from skewering him but the sheer weight of Dugore's headgear had knocked the wind out of him. Before he could recover, Block took the initiative and charged him like a freight train. The earth pony drove Knight into the bow with a thud and grappled with him. The two kicked and thrashed against each other as Knight attempted to throw off Block yet the heavier equine held fast.

"Hold him still, blockhead!" Lockpick growled as he attempted to get a bead on the bat-pony.

"Keep his wings pinned!" The still grounded pegasus warned as he saw his partner's grip slip.

With a woosh, the thestral's wings flared and he took to the air with Block still latched onto his back. Unlike the stunt he pulled with the smaller earth pony, the considerably heavier thug slowed his ascent and made him a target with wings. With a vengeful smirk, Lockpick charged up his horn and fired. The blast caught one of Knight’s wings and he awkwardly crashed back to the floor with Block pinning him under his bulk with his hooves wrapped around his neck.

“Alright!” The strung up goon cheered from his vantage. "Now stomp the shit out of him!"

"Gladly." Lockpick grinned. "While you're up there, keep an eye out for the mare."

Keeping his forelegs away from the thestral’s fangs, Block adjusted his grip and forced Knight's head against the floor. His unicorn partner wasted no time in driving his hooves into the thestral's exposed barrel and flanks. The bat-pony continued to struggle against the villains even as his ribs cracked and flesh bruised.

*KRRSHK-ting ting*

The distinctive crash and light tingling of shattering glass caused everyone to look up. A sickly emerald light briefly illuminated the armory section of the gallery before the darkness returned. Immediately, Knight's mind went to changelings but a gut feeling told him it was something much worse.

"I got movement!" The suspended stallion shouted. "Up on the ship!"

All eyes shifted toward the centerpiece of the gallery. Standing atop the figurehead was the familiar silhouette of the Merchant Princess. A light chuckle went through the stallions save for the injured pegasus and keen-eyed thestral.

“Ah, there you are!” Lockpick grinned as he gestured to the mess around him. “Nowhere to run now, Princess, so you might as well come on down and cut your losses!”

“Oh, the Great and Powerful Trixie intends to...” The former merchantress declared.

The thug's confidence evaporated as an azure unicorn leap down from the gold dragon with a black blade held in her magic. The goon jumped back as the sword swung down with a soul hollowing wail and bit into the floor where he had been standing a split second before. Trixie yanked the cursed weapon out of the ground and held it at the ready in magically conjured hands of negative light.

“…starting with you.” The Archmage of Barathrum sneered with murder in her glowing eyes.

---

"Does it go under the left or right foreleg?" The new Captain of the Guard Flash Sentry muttered as he fought with the sash of his dress uniform. "Left shoulder, right leg. There we go. Okay, should I wear this cologne or not?"

"I can smell that from out here so no." Guardsmare Lorica said through the door to the washroom. "Whatever soap you used this morning is more than enough."

The orange pegasus heeded the advice of the mare and checked himself in the mirror one last time. His uniform was clean and pressed, his mane had been rid of helmet hair and the fatigue had been washed out of his face. The stallion struck a few poses ranging from dignified to suave to better gage his appearance.

"Sun above, you are adorable." Lorica said lightly from the doorway. "Hoping to impress somepony, Captain?"

"Gah!" Sentry nearly jumped into the ceiling at the sudden intrusion. "Knock first!"

"Sorry, I was worried you had fallen in." The unicorn smirked as she ran an appreciative eye over the officer. "I'm ready if you are."

The uniformed pegasus took one last look in the mirror before exiting the washroom and trotted briskly down the hall. The still armored mare followed closely behind with a duffle bag containing her superior's armor. As the stream of party-goers slowed and seemingly stopped, the guards at the gate had finally been relieved. With a token force now keeping an eye out for the fashionably late, Sentry had granted the guards leave to attend the party or retire for the night. He himself was due for the gala and expected to make the journey alone but the guardsmare Lorica had decided to accompany him, not that he minded.

"I do appreciate you acting as an armor bearer." He said politely as the unicorn grumbled and fidgeted with the bag. "But if it's too much, I can take that to my quarters myself."

"It's not that." The charcoal unicorn grunted as she rolled her shoulders. "This armor is chaffing."

"It shouldn't. Our sets are custom-fitted and I recall you had yours adjusted recently." Sentry slowed his pace until he was alongside the guardsmare. "The undershirt may have bunched up. Stand still so I can-!"

"No, no. I got it." Lorica shied away from his helpful hooves as she gripped the straps of her armor in her magic. "I think I just pulled these too tight."

The mare gave herself some slack and heaved a sigh of relief as something shifted beneath her armor. Sentry, one hoof still in the air to offer aid, froze as the unicorn inadvertently gave him a glimpse of her shapely rear. Whether she was aware of it or not, the tall guardsmare said nothing as she secured her now more comfortable suit to her body. The Captain snapped out of his brief trance and lowered his hoof as Lorica shouldered the bag and gave him a contented smile. The pegasus could only return it as they resumed their trot.

"I should have planned ahead like you and brought a change of clothes." The mare said casually. "So are you going to give a speech to the nobility or something?"

"Sun and Stars willing, no." Sentry shook his head. "As a public official, I must attend but nothing is mandated beyond that."

"Then why bother changing out of your armor?" The charcoal unicorn arched an eyebrow.

"Uhh, remember when you asked if I was hoping to impress somepony?" The pegasus asked sheepishly.

"Ahh, I see." Lorica's eyes twinkled with mischievous glee. "May I ask who?"

"No, it's just wishful thinking on my part." A now furiously blushing Sentry tried his best to remain composed. "She's way out of my league."

"You're Captain of the Solar Guard! You're out of the league of most every-!" The unicorn lit up as it dawned on her. "Holy Sunlight, she's a Princess!"

"I told you it was wishful thinking!" The orange stallion hung his head in shame. "She's beautiful, brilliant, braver than most guards I know and... honestly forget the league, we're not in the same sport!"

"He who dares wins, Captain." The guardsmare said encouragingly. "You're right in everything you said but she may find that modesty becoming."

"You know what, you're right." The stallion nodded resolutely. "I'm already wearing my best, I just need to keep my act together and see it through."

"That's the spirit." The unicorn gave him a surprisingly hearty pat on the back. "To be honest, your title and virility alone will be enough to earn her interest."

"Well, I like to think there is more to me than..." Sentry trailed off as her words registered. "Wait, which Princess are you talking about?"

"Celestia, obviously." Lorica answered incredulously. "What, you meant one of the others? Fires below! Not Luna!"

"Eh! No!" The pegasus grimaced slightly despite himself. "Twilight, I mean, Princess Sparkle."

"Oh, her." The charcoal unicorn said simply as her previous excitement evaporated. "Well, if she really is who you want..."

"You sound disappointed." The orange stallion said with a frown.

"No, I just thought a stallion like you had..." The guardsmare sucked air between her teeth as she thought of the right phrase. "...loftier ambitions."

"A plain pegasus wishes to court the newest Princess of Equestria." The Captain reiterated his goal. "How is that not ambitious?"

"You're aiming for the skies when you could hit the Sun." Lorica insisted. "Celestia has so much more to offer than her pupil."

"Ugh, I'm not getting into another 'who is best Princess' debate." Sentry interrupted with an irritable snort. "Let's just agree that there is a Princess for everypony and leave it at that."

"Fine, fine." The unicorn relented. "Just keep what I said in mind."

"Do my ears deceive me?" An imperious voice cut off the conversation from behind them. "Whispers of a conspiracy within Her Radiance's very halls?"

The pegaus and unicorn turned to see the brilliant visage of a trio of solarii approaching them. While two were suited in the polished gold of the rank-and-file, their leader was trimmed with the immaculate white of an officer. Sentry straightened up and snapped a crisp salute to his elite counterpart.

"Commander Early Light." The Captain of the Guard greeted professionally. "No, just the idle talk of two off duty guards."

"Indeed but see that 'off duty' does not translate to 'off guard'." The Solarii Commander returned the salute but remained at attention. "And mind that your idle tongues lest they start spouting heresy."

"I'll cut it out myself if it does." The pegasus said in jest but earned no reaction from the elite of the Solar Guard. "Have your patrols uncovered anything, Commander?"

"Nothing beyond the usual iniquities that so plague this land." Light nickered in righteous indignation. "Yet vigilance must be maintained."

"Now more than ever." Lorica concurred from slightly behind her Captain. "You know... with the Breach and all..."

"Of course." The luminous mare's gaze lingered on the unicorn for a moment before it returned to Sentry. "May I confined something in you, Captain Sentry?"

"I'm all ears." The now intrigued pegasus leaned in and perked up his ears.

"I fear our best efforts have been for naught." The Commander said in a low, serious tone. "Something profane lurks in these hallowed halls; darkness wearing the mask of integrity."

"What do you think?" Sentry asked as he became aware of every hint of movement and draft of air. "Demon? Changeling? Fiend?"

"I wish I could say. It is like an ache that will not shift." Light grunted in frustration. "I have felt it before over a thousand years ago and it is just as keen now."

"I see." The orange stallion frowned as a slight chill crept down his spine. "I'll send word to increase patrols but as you said, the best we can do is maintain vigilance."

"I do not mean to cast a pall over our Glorious Matron's festivities but I have learned not to ignore these trepidations." The Solarii said in an appreciative tone as she trotted pass along with her cohorts. "May the Sun drive back these shadows."

The Guard Captain was about to salute again in farewell when the Commander suddenly stopped before Lorica. The elite transfixed the slightly taller mare with her piercing gaze as her pure white horn began to glow. The charcoal unicorn, for her part, stood her ground yet was clearly on her guard.

"See something you like, Commander?" The guardsmare tried her hoof at disarming humor but met the same result as Sentry.

"Not at all." Light all but spat in disgust. "You've wandered into darkness and it has left it's defiling touch on you."

"You got me: I did a lot of stupid things when I was a young beautiful filly full of rage." Lorica held up her hooves in mock surrender. "One of the reasons I joined the Guard; to straighten my life out."

"So you are penitent at least." The Solarii continued the impromptu interrogation as she took a threatening step forward. "And this?"

The pegasus was about to come to his companion's defense when Light grasped something in her magic and lifted it off the charcoal mare's armor. A single feather, sun-bleached white in hue with an orange trim like a glowing ember, hovered between the two mares. Lorica shifted uneasily as if her previous chaffing had returned.

"That must have come off Captain Sentry's armor here." The mare explained as she unzipped the bag to show it's contents. "Surely you are not accusing us of, uh, fornication."

"Not an unreasonable conclusion, guardsmare." The Solarii responded evenly as she looked over the fit equine. "What say you, Captain?"

"Lorica is just doing me a favor." Sentry said as he stood by his college. "I'm due to make an appearance at the gala and she was just saving me a trip to my quarters."

The Commander said nothing as she weighed their testimonies. After a tense moment, she relaxed her stance and stepped away from the pair. The pegasus let out a breath he did not know he was holding but the unicorn appeared to be biting back words.

"Very well then." Light relented but incinerated the offending feather in a flash of light. "Just remember that a moment of indulgence can lead to an eternity of damnation. Guard yourselves as surely as you guard Her city."

With that, the Luminious Solarii saluted in farewell and resumed their patrol. It was only after they rounded a corner that the two felt like they could relax completely.

"I can see why Princess Celestia usually keeps them locked away on the sun." Sentry grimaced as he placed a comforting hoof on the mare's back. "Felt like I was doing wing-ups in front of my drill sergeant again."

"The audacity!" The mare seethed as her eyes flickered gold. "The very essence of their goddess stands before them yet all they see is that witch's stain!"

"Lorica?" The stallion asked as he felt heat emanating from the trembling mare. "You alright?"

"Impertinent little-!" The unicorn snorted as she composed herself. "Nothing. I'm fine."

"Don't let her get to you." The Captain assured his fellow guard. "You had a rough and rowdy past, so what?"

"Well, the past has a habit of coming back to bite you." Lorica sighed. "But thanks anyway, Captain."

Sentry flashed her a warm smile as the two continued down the hall. The pegasus was tempted to ask who the tell-tale feather belong to as it certainly was not his but decided not to pry. Before long, they came to an intersection that marked their parting.

"Thanks again for carrying my stuff." Sentry said genuinely. "There's a spare key in the bag. You can just leave it on my bed."

"Captain, if I didn't know any better, I'd say that was an invitation." The unicorn shot her companion a sly smile. "Enjoy the party and good luck with Sparkle."

"Good night, Lorica." The orange stallion rolled his eyes as he waved off the tall guardsmare and trotted to the ballroom.

The remainder of his uneventful trip was punctuated by the crisp salutes of the guards stationed just outside the gala. Sentry automatically returned them and paused just before the doors, the muted sounds of revelry just beyond. After taking one last moment to prepare himself, the Captain pushed through a beheld a churning sea of equinity. Across the mob of gossiping nobility, hawking merchants and festive gentry was the orange stallion's objective: the Royal VIP Table and the mares who sat at it. Reaching it would be difficult as he would have to contend with the various well-to-do who sought his attention, some of which were already approaching him with keen intent. Fortunately, Sentry found aid in the form of a pink ball of boundless energy.

"Hi! Captain Sentry!" Pinkie appeared before the pegasus in a flash of confetti. "Ooh~ Looking sharp! I likey-likey."

"Thanks, Miss Pie." The stallion returned her infectious smile even as he brushed off some of the glossy favors. "I'd ask if you're enjoying the party but clearly you are."

"Heehee." The party pony giggled as she bounced in place. "So can I get you some cake? I whipped up something extra-"

"Actually, I have a favor to ask." Sentry interrupted as he stole glances at the distant table. "Is, um, Princess Sparkle still here?"

"Yeah until she moves outside for the fireworks." Pinkie nodded. "Why?"

"Well, I don't know how long I'll be entertaining guests." The stallion explained as several equines surrounded them. "I was hoping I could... get a dance... you know..."

"Ahh, I gotcha." The Element of Laughter gave him a knowing wink. "You can count on me."

Sentry did not get a chance to express his gratitude as the pink pony zipped away. Left alone with the crowd of expectant nobility, the Captain slapped on his best politician's smile and waded in. As the orange stallion made friends of varying genuity, a purple mare found herself with the opposite problem.

“This is not quite what I was hoping for.” Princess Twilight Sparkle thought as she half-heartedly poked at a piece of cake. “But I should be grateful we have made it this far without some disaster befalling us.”

The lavender Alicorn originally planned to spend the majority of her time at the Gala with her friends as soon as she had finished her royal greeting duties. Unfortunately, circumstances had conspired against her and her friends were scattered around the palace. Besides Princess Celestia who appeared to be lost in a little paradise as she munched on yet another slice of cake, the Alicorn of Magic was joined by a very happy Applejack who had sold her entire stock within the opening hours of the Gala and an equally happy Rainbow Dash who was fresh from a ‘Wonderbolt pre-game party’, in her own words.

"Although 'fresh' might not be the best choice of words." The youngest Princess noted as her prismatic friend swayed in her seat.

As for Sparkle's absent friends, Fluttershy and Discord had snuck off to the palace gardens where the draconequus indulged his chaotic impulses by mixing and matching the animals that lived there. The kindly pegasus had objected to this but relented when she discovered that the animals were unharmed by the experience and some seemed to enjoy it. Plus she finally got a chance to mingle with the normally skittish creatures. The Alicorn had learned all this courtesy of the energetic Pinkie Pie who was attempting to be in multiple places at once by zipping between her friend’s locations. The friendly baker's latest appearance brought word that Rarity was still outside cooling off her temper with the guard.

“I hope that is all she is doing.” Sparkle thought with a faint sense of worry. “The rumor mill is already churning out trash, hate to add fuel to it.”

“Excuse me, Twilight.” Celestia whispered as she leaned over and pointed to her slice of cake with only a single bite out of it. “Are you going to finish that?”

“How many have you had?” She asked before she quickly realized she was using a scolding tone usually reserved for Spike. “Oh, not to imply that you can’t have as much as you want.”

“No, No. It is quite alright.” The Solar Alicorn tore her gaze away from the savory slice of moist chocolate cake with sweet vanilla frosting and succulent strawberry slices. “I have had enough. Time to put down the fork, Celly.”

“You sound like you are trying to have an intervention, dear sister.” Luna said as she appeared without ceremony and took her seat on the other side of Celestia. “At least you left a quarter of the cake for the rest of us.”

Everypony else at the VIP table involuntary jumped in their seats at the Nocturnal Alicorn’s sudden entrance. The navy Princess paid them no mind as she cut a thin slice of cake for herself. She munched on a small bite for a bit before she spoke again.

“I do apologize for my tardiness.” Luna said plainly as she took a sip of water. “I was…held up.”

“Where you now?” Celestia, recovering from her earlier surprise, broke into a mischievous grin. “He must have some impressive stamina if he lasted that long with you.”

The normally composed nocturnal Alicorn nearly choked on her drink. She managed to swallow painfully and regard her elder sister with a horrified expression.

“What did he tell you?” She demanded. “I swear, if he made me out to be a depraved horse, I will-“

“Ah, so you were with a stallion.” The Solar Alicorn mercilessly teased. “I suspected as much.”

“What?” The now blushing Lunar Alicorn tried to ask only to realize that she had given herself away. “How?”

“We weren’t spying, Princess Luna.” Sparkle said as a blush of sympathetic embarrassment crept into her features. “It’s just…well…the moon was-“

“Jumping 'round the sky like ah cat on ah hot tin roof.” Applejack finished for her as she hid her own blush beneath her hat. “It was *ahem* a mighty fine show.”

“In this context, some of their motions have a whole new meaning.” The studious Princess mentally mused.

“Not as amazing as *hic* the show that lucky colt *hic* got.” Dash slurred as she gave Luna a lecherous smile. “So who *hic* was it? I’ve heard you Princesses *hic* have a thing for guards.”

“Oh, you hush!” Applejack admonished the tipsy weather mare with a light tap on her nose as the alabaster and lavender Alicorns looked away guiltily. “Save that kinda talk fer your lockerroom friends.”

“Ha! That was *hic* nothing!” Dash tried to retaliate but only slumped onto the table. “I swear you're just as *hic* prissy as *hic* Rarity."

"Am not!" The blonde mare nickered.

“Hmhm. Well, it appears we are all having a good night so far.” Celestia turned away from the bickering friends with a short titter. “You have nothing to be embarrassed about, Lulu. The guests think you just put on a display for them as part of tonight’s entertainment.”

“It was still supposed to be a private rendezvous.” Luna muttered quietly before something dawned on her and she gave her teasing sister a devious smile of her own. “I soundproofed your room and everything.”

“My room? Why did you-!” The alabaster Alicorn’s face morphed from confusion to indignant outrage. “You didn’t!”

“Oh, but I did.” The navy Alicorn’s grin grew wider. “Remember to change your sheets before you retire for the night…and blankets…and pillows. In fact, you should just get a new bed for we were most vigorous.”

“Do not think about it!” Sparkle commanded herself as Luna gave her silently fuming sister a taunting hip shimmy.

The Grand Galloping Gala continued in relative peace. Celestia eventually conceded that Luna had achieved victory in their ongoing but friendly sibling rivalry and quietly ordered a servant to have her room cleaned and refurbished. Still, Sparkle could tell that her former teacher was plotting how to get back at her nocturnal counterpart; she could see it in her violet eyes. Applejack finally had enough of Dash’s drunken insinuations and took the cider away from the prismatic pegasus. The weather-pony was none too pleased and the two became embroiled in a seated game of keep away. It was then that Rarity finally joined the table, escorted by the same guard who had saved her from herself. The poor stallion appeared to be at his wit's end yet nevertheless politely kissed the pearl unicorn's fetlock before excusing himself.

"That's the look of a colt who has done the 'smile-and-nod' for too long." The Princess of Magic gave him a thankful nod as he departed. "I've seen the same look on Shining and dad."

“Welcome back, Rare.” Applejack greeted her as their cider-loving friend reached for her vice. "Mind taggin' in here?"

"Come now, darling, that is most uncouth!" The fashionista scolded as she grabbed the pegasus by her tail with her magic and sat her down. "How are you drunk already?"

"Don't diss *hic* my pre-game mastery." Dash sulked like a troublesome foal. "At least I didn't *hic* try to spike Blueblood with *hic* the punch."

"About that, I know the Prince can be... difficult." Celestia chimed in seriously. "I won't say it was undeserved but you may have taken it too far."

"You're right, to my shame." Rarity raised a dainty hoof to her head in a dramatic fashion. "Should our paths cross again, I shall offer my sincerest apologies."

"Stars above." Luna muttered with a spectacular roll of her eyes.

As the night wore on, a few of the guests moved outside to dance under the moonlight or get good seats for the fireworks show. It was then that Sparkle realized that the finale of the pyrotechnics was in jeopardy as Dash was currently too drunk to trot let alone fly. Applejack must have had the same thought as she tried to get through her friend's inebriated stupor.

"Don't you have a stunt to pull, RD?" The blonde mare reminded the prismatic pegasus. "Or am ah gonna have to get Fluttershy to do it?"

"Flitter *hic* flutter, how does she *hic* fly with those giant ud-!" Dash suddenly sat bolt upright in a moment of sobriety. "Huh! The Sonic Rainboom! I gotta do it!"

The still tipsy mare turned to Rarity who already had her horn aglow. Dash froze as certain memories refreshed themselves in her mind and gave the unicorn a sheepish grin. She then turned back to Applejack as the fashionista turned up her nose with an indignant nicker.

"Can you help *hic* me out, AJ?" The weather-pony did her best to look pitiful. "I'd probably *hic* smack into a *hic* tower if I flew like this!"

"Might knock some sense into that hard head of yours." The orange earth pony huffed as she caught some telling looks from the Alicorns. "Alright, let's get over to the kitchens. Ah know something that might perk ya up."

"Oh, thank *hic* you!" Dash sighed as the two got up from their seats. "I swear I'll *hic* send the best rain clouds over *hic* your farm."

"If you remember in the mornin'." The honest farmer let her friend use her as support as they made their way to the palace kitchens.

"Should we cancel the finale?" Celestia whispered to Sparkle.

"No. Applejack has it under control." The youngest Alicorn shook her head. "I hope."

"I'm certain she does, darling." Rarity said briskly as she cut herself a slice of cake. "Of course, I could have set our little Dashie right as rain but if she wants to try a homebrew method, I won't stop her."

"Odd considering she went to her the last time she drank too much." The Princess of Magic thought. "Something must have happened."

With another crisis averted, the heroines and Princesses settled back into idle chat amongst themselves and the odd passerby. Sparkle was just about to ask Rarity if she had fully recovered from her earlier episode when a pink blur rushed up to the table. The lavender Alicorn found herself nose-to-nose with a widely grinning Pinkie Pie.

“Hey, Pinkie.” The youngest Princess greeted as she gently eased her friend out of her space. “Cake?”

"Don't mind if I do." The party pony helped herself to the confection that had shrunk to a single slice. "Mmm, that's good. So, you staying long?"

"We'll be moving outside for the fireworks in a few minutes." The stickler for schedules said with a glance at the sky. "I hope we can all get together for that."

“We will, we will.” Pinkie assured her. “Just don't get in a hurry."

“Why?” The Alicorn asked curiously. "We're right on schedule."

"Oh, no reason." The Element of Laughter said innocently. "You just shouldn't be constantly checking the time. Relax. Have a dance, maybe."

"She has a point, darling." Rarity concurred. "I'm fairly certain we've had this lesson already but it still stands."

"I thought I was doing pretty good today." Sparkle said defensively.

"You are!" The pink baker quickly clarified. "I just don't want you missing out."

"On what?" The now suspicious Alicorn arched an eyebrow. "Pinkie, what are you planning?"

"Uhh." The party mare hesitated guiltily. "Well... you see..."

“S-she was just testing the waters for a guard's only party.” Somepony answered from above. "Don't think she'll go for it, Miss Pie."

"I was?" Pinkie asked as a certain orange pegasus alighted before the table. "I mean, yeah! Maybe next time, Captain."

"Thanks for your help." Sentry whispered to the pink mare as he bowed before the Princesses and heroines.

"Got her all warmed up for you." Pinkie whispered back with a wink.

“Ah, Captain Sentry.” Celestia gestured for the new Captain of the Guard to rise. “Welcome.”

“I would remind you that there are proper channels to request a day of rest for your troops.” Luna reprimanded lightly. "Now, do you have anything to report?"

“Nothing of note, your highness.” Sentry reported before he faced the lavender Alicorn with a hint of a blush. “But I was wondering if Princess Sparkle would like to join me for a date- I mean -dance."

"Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes!" The Alicorn of Magic cheered in her head.

“A dance? Me?” The bookish mare hesitated as her own cheeks turned red. "I don't know. I'm not wearing the right shoes, we are about to head outside-"

"For goodness sake, Twilight. You're going to give the poor colt a heart attack." Rarity gave her friend a convincing nudge. "Just go."

"Do it!" Her own thoughts commanded.

"But..." Sparkle looked around to see both her friends and former mentor giving her encouraging smiles. "...okay."

“Really?” Sentry whinnied happily before he coughed into a foreleg and composed himself. “*Ahem* I don't want to pressure you. If you really don't want -Mmph!”

"She already said 'yes', Captain." Luna cut him off as she held his mouth shut with her magic. "Stop talking and offer her a hoof."

Sentry nodded as he did just that. Much to the surprise of everypony, the youngest Alicorn cleared the table with an excited flap of her wings and joined her new partner. Together, the furiously blushing couple trotted out into the hall. Their passage earned a few cheers of approval and more than a few glares of jealousy from mare and stallion alike. Celestia watched them go with a proud smile.

“I was wondering when one of them would make the first move.” The Solar Alicorn said wistfully. “I just didn't expect it to be you, Pinkie Pie.”

“Always happy to help.” Pinkie said cheerfully as she took a seat beside Rarity. “I didn't really need toooOooOO~”

The former rock farmer suddenly began vibrating as if she was caught in a quake. She teetered precariously before falling face-first into the table and sliding to the floor. The pearl unicorn quickly left her seat and held her friend steady.

“Pinkie! Are you alright?” Rarity asked as she kept the pink pony from imitating a woodpecker with the marble floor. "Is this your 'Pinkie Sense' flaring up?"

Both Princesses stood to render assistance for the Element of Laughter as her coat went white and back but as suddenly as the episode came on, it passed. Her fit had attracted curious looks from some of the guests but a stern glare from Luna sent them on their way.

“Bla…ha…woo!” Pinkie gasped as she rubbed her sore muzzle. “That was a big one.”

“How big?” Rarity asked urgently. “Not another Breach, I hope.”

“No, but still a doozy.” Pinkie shook her head as she sat up. “And soon.”

"Perhaps we should have the guards conduct a sweep." Celestia suggested. "Double check our wards and auspices."

"I agree but have the Solarii do it." Luna added seriously. "I will order my Umbrals to do the same."

The Alicorn of the Day regarded her counterpart with a curious look. She normally had little to say about the sun-blessed templars beyond begging her to return them to their sanctum. The Princess of the Night read her expression and shot sidelong glances at the unicorn and earth pony.

"Rarity? Pinkie Pie? I need a moment alone with my sister." The navy Alicorn more ordered than asked.

"Of course, your highness." The pearl fashionista nodded. "Come along, Pinkie. Let's find some ice for that nose."

"You know you can trust them." Celestia said critically as the two heroines trotted away.

"Their loyalty, yes, but not their discretion." Luna whispered as she leaned in close. "I have learned of a conspiracy against us."

"There seems to be a new one every week." The elder Princess jested but fell serious when her sister only frowned. "What do you know?"

The Alicorn of the Night told of what she knew of Blueblood's backroom politicking and the corruption seeping into the Royal and Solar Guards. The Solar Princess listened raptly as her mood slowly darkened. By the time her sister finished, she was practically fuming.

"Rarity did not hit him hard enough." Celestia stated flatly. "And you heard all this from the Merchants?"

"Not the most trustworthy source, I know, but my Night-Captain believed them and so do I." Luna nodded. "This plot may well be the 'doozy' Pinkamena foretold."

"Perhaps." The alabaster Alicorn sighed deeply as she looked out into the crowd full of potential traitors. "Beyond Blueblood and those in that room, do we know who else is involved?"

"No but I intend to find out." The dream striding Princess said resolutely. "Our 'nephew' is in for some restless nights."

"Good." Celestia nodded in agreement as she sent a telepathic order to her Solar elites to be on alert. "Thank you for telling me, sister. For once, we might be ahead of a crisis."

---

The Canterlot Palace dungeons were a grim reflection of the elegant and regal superstructure above. Dark and foreboding stonework reinforced the semi-natural caves that reached deep into the mountain. Separating the prison from the rest of the keep was a single guardhouse; the only conventional way in and out of the warrens. The checkpoint was designed with all the amenities for a sizable garrison yet currently there were only a few guards on rotation at the post. Given the near vacancy of the prison and the consensus that something was 'off' in the undercroft, most guardsponies considered 'basement duty' a job for slackers, disobedient recruits or other guards that needed to be kept out of the way. One such example was seated at the visitation desk with his hooves propped up and a lewd magazine over his sleeping eyes. So deep was his slumber that not even the Silent King himself manifesting in mid-air amiss a flash of lunar magic disturbed him.

"Shhh!" The pale Theoi shushed as he did his best to land quietly.

The snoozing guard grumbled something and shifted in his seat but continued to snore. The ancient King remained still for a few more moments before he straightened up and took stock of his surroundings. While Nightmare Moon had not exactly sent him to the dungeons, a barred gate and signposts told him he was close enough.

"Between using borrowed magic and teleporting something like me, I should be thankful I didn't end up in a wall." The stygian stallion thought. "Fates willing, that will be the last time I have to rely on Moon's assistance."

Filing his growing concern for the Luna/Moon situation away, the Theoi approached the entrance to the dungeons to find them unsurprisingly locked. A quick look around revealed a key ring hanging from the belt of the inattentive guard. Silent as his namesake, the ancient king crept toward the pony and relieved him of his jangling burden.

"The vigilant sentinels of Equestria." The immortal thought scornfully as he moved away. "Now, will Lulamoon be able to meet me here?"

The pallid pony checked for any signs of the Archmage or her approach. The side rooms were empty and the halls deserted. He even looked over the reception logs to see if she had fabricated an excuse to visit or had even gotten herself arrested but no such luck. Cursing his lack of a way to communicate, the Theoi stood near the door to the outside halls and waited.

"I should have asked Telkhine or Chrysalis for telepathy enchantments." He mentally grumbled. "Then again, those might have been detected at the gates. Hindsight aside, I can only hope she gets here soon."

The minutes ticked by with only the lazy guard as company while the stealthy stallion listened intently. Soon the ambient noise of the palace was broken by the clip-clop of hooves on approach. The Theoi peeked out of the gatehouse to see a pair of guards approaching.

"...basement duty again!" One of them complained to her disinterested partner. "I swear, there is no justice in the world."

"Right, I'm sure it has nothing to do with your sticky hooves." The stallion deadpanned. "Unless you mean to tell me your 'bonus' was a kickback."

"Hey! They can't prove either of those!" The allegedly corrupt guard snapped. "I earn every bit!"

"Which is why you are down here in the 'haunted halls' instead of in front of a jury." Her compatriot rolled his eyes. "Like you said; 'no justice'."

"Haunted?" The Dark Lord's ears pricked up. "Worry about that later."

Seeing no other option that did not involve confronting the guards, the stygian stallion snuck back to the entrance to the prison. Thanks to some meticulous equine who had labeled the keys, he unlocked the gate without issue and slunk into the shadows beyond. At the last possible moment, the pale horse realized that even the laziest of guards might miss their keys and tossed the ring onto the table just as the pair entered.

"Bah! Wha-!" The slumbering guard startled awake. "Damn it, knock next time."

"So you don't get caught sleeping again?" The critical stallion tsked in disapproval. "Oh, sorry. 'Resting your eyes'."

"Like I got anything better to do." The sleepy guard grumbled as he rubbed his eyes. "Nothing down here but, what, three prisoners?"

"One of which is a murderer and a raider." The relieving guard reminded him. "What is it the Solarii like to say? 'A moment of laxity spawns-'"

"Oh, shut up already." The guardsmare cut in. "So where's your partner, snoozy?"

"Uhh, I think she's patrolling the cells." He answered as he began to gather his stuff. "Meaning she's blowing off steam. Tell her I took off when she gets back."

"Will do." The mare nodded. "Enjoy the rest of your nap."

"Don't forget the key-!" The stallion said just as he noticed the keys on the desk. "Oh, nevermind."

"So there is at least one guard down here." The incognito Theoi thought as he headed further down into the prison. "If she's anything like her partner, I have nothing to worry about."

As the guards had said, the expansive dungeon was nearly deserted in a testament to both the expediency and clemency of the Equestrian judicial system. He passed cell after cell containing nothing but dust and disused bedding. Judging by the mundane nature of the bars, the ancient king deduced he was in the non-violent and non-magical cellblock.

"I suppose proofing every cell against magic was cost-prohibitive." The pale horse mused. "I need to get to where they keep problem inmates."

Moving at a measured pace should his Great and Powerful partner catch up with him, the Dark Lord moved ever deeper into the palace dungeons. While did not come across any lingering ghosts as the guards had insinuated, there was something darkly familiar haunting the dingy prison. The familiarity only grew stronger with each step the Khthonic King took, telling the Theoi that he was indeed on the right track.

Next Chapter: Ages Past Estimated time remaining: 9 Hours, 54 Minutes