The man walked down the streets of Garthram with his companions following behind him. Nathaniel found the city to be beautiful, the dark and grey buildings being in so many different shapes and sizes. Some houses they passed where very narrow but tall, reaching at time seven stories while others where extremely wide but not very tall. The mismatched buildings out the city outskirts fit their inhabitants, the ponies of the dark kingdom bearing demon like appearance.

Some ponies they went past held yellow or red eyes, the colours almost glowing. Others held small horn like protrusions on their foreheads, the white bones looking pretty sharp. They all had darker coloured coats, the mares especially, some of them blending into the shadows with their black manes and bodies. It made Rose look colourful in comparsion, which was saying something considering she was grey.

When the group passed through a market did their bat pony guide point to places of interests, like statues of their gods or shrines dedicated to them. The most colourful places where just those shrines, having so many different coloured pieces of cloth sown around them they almost lit up the streets around them. The guard leading them around offered them more tours of each place later, but was declined by Rose. They had work to do.

After telling their guide of their need to see the Empress were they brought towards the royal palace immediately, walking through districts where the houses looked nicer and more symmetrical. The palace itself could be seen in the distance, looking more like a temple to honor the gods than the living space of the ruling family. The thing held six towers, one at each corner and two in the middle. Its roof was flat with what looked like a garden on top of it, flowers and trees resting on the palace roof. The roof was held up by great black pillars and beyond them the four walls making up the shell of the empress home. All around the palace where there stairs leading up to it, making it look even more like a temple. The two silver gates however stood out the most, even from far away. They seemed to start from the ground and reach the roof, covered in indicate designs of stars and deities.

"Your city is very beautiful" Nathaniel said with a small smile and the stallion ahead of them nodded.

"It truly is honored Guardian. We have kept it safe for generations against filthy Mutants and greedy Griffins" The guard said with pride as they walked past a large white mansion.

"That is the home of the Equestrian ambassador. She's been very sick lately my lord, barely even leaves that house" They were informed, Osiris letting his eyes flick to the place before looking at Nathaniel with discomfort.

Something was wrong, yet the scout didn't seem to want to share the information of what was wrong out in the open. Rose caught his look and frowned, the mare showing clear suspicion of the buildings around them. Even Blaze was starting to get agitated when they walked past the ambassador's home. They would have to see what was wrong later, right now they needed that water for Luna and to allow Silver to deliver Crystal Sword's message.

Nathaniel was even more impressed by the palace when they got closer to it. The garden on top of the building was truly an impressive display of art. The different battles and gods carved into the pillars holding up the roof were also impressive, being detailed enough for the human to think it must have taken years to get it all done. The outside didn't do justice to the inside however, the sudden golden and red colours assaulting the young man's mind.

The inner hall of the palace had a long red carpet running through it, the thing looking a bit old but still well kept. The walls were adored with paintings of the inhabitants gods, one of them called "Deus" drew the teen's attention. The painting depicted a stallion with extremely fluffy blue fur. His orange eyes seemed to hold a certain madness to them and it was with good reason, the world burning around him. The title given to the stallion in the picture was "God Of Madness", something awfully fitting for the stallion's look.

Another god from the dark ponies (as Nathan had come to call them) pantheon was someone called Minnelia. She was depectied as a succubus with red mane and grey coat, her eyes holding a bright green tint to them. It was almost like the painting was watching him, following his every move. The title given to the succubus was very fittingly "Goddess Of Lust". The gods of the Dark Ponies seemed to mostly embody negative emotions or acts, only a few standing out as their god of love or their god of light.

The walk down the long hall had more than just paintings however, many statues littering the place as well. The statues seemed to be that of former rulers, most of them being empresses with the exception of one or two emperors. They all were made out of white marble which clashed with the black marble floor, a choice most likely made for that reason. One statue stood out as the mare depicted had striking similarities to Silver, having the horns of a succubus along with the demonic tail.

"Empress Doniella Black. Commander of the demonic army, lover of Solarium, mother of Empress Broken Sky, High Mother of the succubi and defender of the faith" The guard said as he noticed the human's interest in the statue.

"Was she the first empress?" He asked as they walked towards two blood red gates, guards on each side of the great entrance.

"The first, and the greatest" The guard responded before the gates opened, revealing a large throne room.

Upon that throne sat a mare with a white coat and black mane. Her brown eyes had what looked to be mascara under them, her mane was braided around the large silver crown resting on her head, her body was wrapped in a thick red cape and her expressionless face made the human grip his sword tightly.

"Presenting Guardians for the Lunar Princess and Royal Envoy of the Crystal King!" A mare called out from somewhere and the sound of hundreds of metal clad hooves saluting made the teen flinch.

They were surrounded by guards on each side of the throne room, all of their eyes on the group. The throne room was made out of white marble, with the red carpet leading up to the elevated throne having pillars on each side of it. The ceiling was beautiful, having been painted by someone who loved the sky. It was a mix of the night and day, the sky holding a deep blue or midnight black in a swirl of colours with some stars dotting over the ceiling. It was a balance between the two forces, an unbreakable harmony. What Celestia and Luna should be.

"Welcome Guardians. I expect you have a good reason to leave your princess's side" The empress suddenly called out, her voice carrying through out the chamber.

"You are correct Your Majesty. We have come for the temple of Shadows, we need some of its holy water to heal our charge" Rose said, the Empress expression going from a cold mask to genuine surprise.

"Has the mistress of the night fallen victim to the corruption? Yet it can still be cured by your spell-weavers, unless.." The ruler of Garthram said.

"The infection started in her heart Your Worship! She will die without that water!" Osiris yelled and Rose gave him a glare.

"I see.. I understand the severity of this situation, but I cannot allow you access to the Temple of Shadows, our most holy sanctum" She said and the human couldn't believe what he was hearing.

"W-What!? If you don't give us that water Luna will die!" Nathaniel yelled and stepped before the Empress, Rose biting back a growl.

"I did not know Celestia had apes trained, but clearly I've been mistaken about what your kind can do" The white coated mare said, looking at the human with mild amusement, like he was some kind some zoo animal.

"I killed a monster to get into your city miss, I've really have had enough for one day" The teen growled before suddenly being pulled back by Rose.

"Nathaniel! You represent Equestria! Do not yell at other rulers!" The sanguine hissed but was silenced as the Empress raised her hoof.

"You killed the corrupted RootEater roaming the woods? My guards had hunted that beast for weeks without success. Perhaps you might be worthy after all.." The mare said and got up and walked down the stairs leading up to her throne.

"But I want to speak with your Royal Envoy. If my nephew have sent me a letter then I must look at it, if you do not mind Lady?.." The ruler said and went past the three guardians.

"Silver Page Your Worship" The succubus squeaked out and the empress smiled.

"I feel honored for having a letter delivered by one of the old ones" She said and took the letter handed to her by Silver, opening it.

Nathan couldn't quite get it into his head how little this mare seemed to care if Luna lived or not. She seemed to show more concern over that Luna even had attracted the disease than the fact that she might die from it. The green eyed teen let his hand rest on Valkyrie as he watched the Dark Pony read the letter from Crystal Sword.

"My nephew says you speak the truth about the princess illness, that you must be granted entry to our most holy building" Garthram's ruler said and looked to Nathaniel.

"Only you will be granted access, with watch of our high priest and guards. You will take the water needed from the well, but not a drop more. If you attempt to steal anything from the temple my guards will kill you" The empress finally said and the human let go of Valkyrie's handle with relief.

"Follow me Guardian Ape, I will show you to our temple" She said and walked towards another coupe of gates, the man giving his companions a look before following her.

Whatever the water in this well could do it better had to be good. Luna's life hanged in the balance, and he would not fail her again. The image of the princess scumming to the disease made him shudder and hurry after the royal mare, twenty guards following after him.

Lord Protector Silver Wings's POV

I looked at the fortress with skepticism, seeing only griffins patrol the small island it was resting on. It was worrying not seeing any of our own soldiers on the fortress still within our borders, especially since every commander we had met was a griffon, not a single pony. I knew that the agreement was at least four pony commanders in the towers and fortresses across the sea, so where had they gone.

"All tools I have with me indicate a spike in magical activity to the east, where the griffins have their largest and most well armed base. This fortress is said to look like a sand castle in comparison according to our soldiers in the first tower" Spectral said from my right, a slow nod being drawn from me.

How could this project become such a mistake? We had the same amount of soldiers on the sea as the griffins yet something had clearly gone wrong. I saw Minted Surprise walk up to our ship from land, his worried face telling me all I needed to know.

"They said all workers and soldiers where called back home. But such a order was never given by Celestia sir, she had called home the navy and those troops spread out in the north. Every soldier and worker in the towers and fortresses were asked to wait" He said and I felt dread creep over my mind.

"Tell them we're done here Commander Shield and that we will head for the fourth tower, we cannot remain here anymore" I said and the mare hurried off to tell the griffin commander our goals.

"There are meant to be ropes for the ships everywhere my lord, but I can only see a few. The same goes for left over constriction materials, not even our best mages could clean up this quickly.." The unicorn stallion said and I felt my wings twitch.

"Perhaps they just dumped it all in the ocean? Griffins aren't known to be cheap, so why would they care abut a few bricks and rocks?" Minted asked.

"Just keep all wards and spells powered up Spectral, I feel a storm coming" I told my scout who nodded and hurried back to the helm.

Violet joined us fairly quickly, pulling up the platform and helping Spectral pull away from land. She looked tense and cast glances towards the island as we sailed across the water towards our next destination. I couldn't help but to do the same, feeling like the world was just waiting to release a storm of bad things our way.

"Some of the griffin soldiers speak a bit loudly, too loudly. I overheard something about their navy but that was it, meaning it might just have been small talk or something important" She said and I sighed.

"Just be ready for anything, we do not want to be attacked out here. Our borders or not, without our navy close by it won't matter what flag he have" I said and the commander nodded, heading below deck.

"Lord Protector, what if they have sized control of all towers and fortresses? Holding our boys hostage? The griffins wouldn't only earn a military advantage but things they could trade with. They know we cannot go to war, so why not use this opportunity to bleed us dry of bits?" The unicorn at the helm said.

"We cannot go to war YET, but Celestia have started to call back our troops. No this is more than just getting some free military bases and money" I grumbled and looked to the horizon, seeing the next tower being far away.

"Do you think they know that the princess is calling back our soldiers sir?" Minted asked and I shrugged.

"If they do it doesn't seem to phase them in the slightest, which worries me. They're so sure they'll come out on top they don't care if we're prepared or not.." I told my squad and let my wing rest on the spear of Arx.

The weapon had been my father's, made by him and his fellow pegasi to match the unicorn's magic. The sky metal weapon had been never been used in such a way however, peace having been found between the races before a war could break out. Yet that didn't mean it wouldn't come in handy now, the weapon powerful enough to knock back an armored Yak running towards you at full speed.

I had been given the weapon by my father on his deathbed. I had acceded the ranks in the army to be granted the title of Solar Guardian, my father had been so proud that day, the look in his eyes when Celestia gave me the medallion in the shape of a sun. He'd fallen ill not too long after that, his final wish being that I would protect my princess and country at any cost. It was only after I swore on my mother's grave he let me have the spear. He had smiled and told me I would become greater then him one day. Then he died.

I was disturbed from my path down memory lane when Minted gave me our daily ration of food. I thanked the private and started to eat, the tomatoes tasting a little bitter but not bad. I knew we would have to return sooner or later from this journey, considering that we had only brought with us food for a couple of days. The second day was coming to an end, the sun in the sky heading towards the horizon. It framed the fourth black tower in a beautiful red hue, making me think of the old ruins in the Mutants desert.

Once we finally reached the tower could I only see griffins, not a single pony. Commander Shield was the one to head down the wooden platform once more, asking the griffon in charge where our workers and soldiers had gone. She spoke with the leader before heading back quickly, looking back towards the armed soldiers.

"Same story my Lord. They say our soldiers and workers have gone home" Violet told me and I growled, looking to Minted who was watching the sea from the railing.

Whatever he saw made him pale, the young stallion heading towards the captains quarters with his eyes filled with fear. I didn't need to ask him what he had seen, it didn't matter right now. It meant we couldn't be near the tower any longer and that we should head for the next fortress.

I gave Spectral the sign and helped Violet pull back the platform onto the ship. The Griffins seemed confused over how little time we spent there but I couldn't care less, we needed to get away quickly. My scout steered the ship away from the tower only for the griffin commander to land on our deck, his eyes scanning us for any sort of signs.

"You are very eager to leave Lord Protector? Are you certain you cannot wait a few more minutes?" He asked me, my eyes starring back into his own.

"We have limited time for each place commander, you must understand we cannot spend to much time on any of the towers" I said and watched as more griffins soldiers landed on deck.

Spectral was making sure to gain as much distance between the black tower and the Spellbinder as possible. I looked at the armed soldiers and saw Minted walk out from Spectral's personal quarters. He saw the griffins and gave me a look that screamed "trouble!", something I took to heart as I let my wing wrap around the spear hanging from my side.

"Yes of course, but you see, we NEED you to stay behind Lord Protector. There has been an accident at the second fortress and you cannot go there right now" He said and I narrowed my eyes, my silver coloured mane hitting my snout in the wind.

"And if we refuse to stop?" I said calmly, seeing Spectral's horn ablaze as he powered up a spell.

"Then there will be trouble" The griffon growled and I didn't hesitate, grabbing the spear of Arx.

The sudden blast of magic hitting one of the soldiers in the face caught his squad off guard, letting me slash towards the commander with the sky metal weapon. The impact from the spear sent the griffon flying straight into the mast. Violet and Minted both took down the rest of the griffins with quick slashes of their weapons, sending them onto the deck in a pool of blood.

"Sir! I saw our workers and guards when we stopped at the tower! They had tied ropes around rocks and then attached our soldiers to them! They drowned them! They threw them into the sea!" Minted yelled and I swore loudly, looking at the commander as he got up and tried to crawl away.

I walked towards him slowly, letting the tip of my spear drag through the deck as I finally stood over him. The griffon turned around and screamed in fear as I sunk the spear into his chest, blood pouring around him to form a puddle. I enjoyed seeing the light leave his eyes, seeing the damn traitor spasm before finally dying.

"Silver! We cannot return to Equestria!" Spectral suddenly yelled and I looked back at him in confusion, my confusion slowly turning into fear.

From both directions ships came sailing through the water, bearing the flag of the griffin nation. Their fleet had taken control of the sea, they had used our alliance as an excuse to build these damn structures to then steal them. They effectively had a blockade that separated the two halves of the Celestial sea, and the two sisters castle was on their side.

"Spectral! Use your fancy runes and get us out of here!" I yelled to the unicorn and he nodded, the Spellbinder started to sail faster with the runes carved into its wood, the magic seemingly giving it a strong push over the water.

Yet even when we outran the fleet were we not out of danger, a green blast from above barley missing us. Spectral yelled out in surprise and turned away from the steaming water, fish floating up to the surface where the beam had hit, boiled alive. We couldn't see what had fired the blast, but it didn't do so again, meaning we must have escaped the griffins for now.

"What's your orders my lord? Where should we go?" The stallion at the helm yelled at me, I looked to the Griffin kingdom to the east, growling.

"They have betrayed Equestria and a promise made to the world council. Head for the Dragons Spectral! We will show them what happens when you become an enemy of Equestria" I said coldly, the unicorn heading towards the draconian land.

Nathaniel's POV

He looked at the black temple in slight intimidation. It reminded him of one of those Greek ruins he'd seen pictures of back at earth. Though this wasn't a ruin, it looked really maintained and polished. The walls were sleek and almost shined in the afternoon sun, reflecting the golden orb as it headed towards the horizon. They would need to sleep in the city before heading back towards the Golden Stallion.

The temple had two large doors made out of black marble that slowly opened as the empress approached. A mare dressed in red robes with five horn like protrusions on her forehead waited for them, eyeing the human with suspicion. Her blue mane and yellow coat looked like they had been bleached, her entire appearance a bit dull. But her red eyes held such a spark of life the man almost wanted to look away, like she would see through his soul otherwise.

"Why have you brought this creature here?" The priestess asked the empress who bowed.

"Holy keeper of the well, this being seeks water for the princess of the night, to heal of the corruption's evil grip" The ruler said and the priestess bowed as well.

"If you consider this creature worthy then I will not question your will Darkest Dreams, but if he steals anything.." The mare dressed in red growled and the empress nodded.

"Then my guards will cut him down" The leader informed and the human bit back a growl.

'I'd like to see them try..' He thought and followed after empress Dreams.

The large chamber they found themselves in were filled with glass display cases on both their left and right side. They were filled with old urns, rusted swords, strange glowing books and jewelry which made the human feel dread by looking at them. The floor was made out of a black rock like substance but it was almost to black, like all light was sucked into it and not let go. The curved ceiling was made out of the same material, making him almost want to cling to the walls that were made out of marble.

The floor was covered in a red carpet like the Palace, but this one seemed very old, having words written on its edges that didn't look like anything he'd seen in Luna's books. It was almost enthralling just trying to pronounce them, his mark glowing brightly before the priestess suddenly spoke.

"The well, our container for Darnim's tears" She said, the teen having no idea who Darnim was.

The well itself was at the end of the room, looking more like a pool than any well he'd seen. It was decorated beyond belief, gems and golden coins fused into the grey edges of it. The mare that had lead them to the well grabbed a small glass bottle (one that looked a lot like what Starswirl would use for his potions) and dipped it into the water. She filled it so slowly and carefully Nathan wondered if the water itself was made out of glass, seeing how the priest were trying not to break it.

After she had filled the bottle she out a cork on it. The yellow maned mare whispered a few words in a language Nate didn't understand, a symbol briefly appeared on the bottle, looking a lot like a red glowing pentagram. Finally she handed the thing to the human, the man taking it and looking it over.

"A holy gift to your princess, to cure her of a disease we all hate" The priestess said and he nodded, putting the bottle into his bag.

"I will have rooms made available for all you. You can rest and then leave my city" Darkest Dream's said and walked away, the human following her.

Once they walked out of the temple was the doors closed behind them, and for some reason Nathan felt like he would never see them again. He ignored the feeling and made sure to keep up with the empress, starting to feel hope blossom in his chest. He had the water, they could save Luna's life. Now they only needed to get back home, they were almost at the journey's end.

Rose's POV

Once Nathaniel was taken to the temple of shadows I immediately left for the ambassador's home. Osiris had told me that the guards watching from the windows had been griffins, something that was not right. We had sent our ambassador with twenty new guards from Canterlot's academy, all of them given orders to watch over Peace Treaty and keep any strangers away from her.

Osiris had asked where the griffins had come from and the guard that had guided us through the city had responded with a mutter about how the ambassador had one day just showed up with them, telling the empress that the griffins would protect her now. They had no clue where the original guards had gone, only that they were no longer in Garthram.

I almost felt as paranoid as Celestia when I approached the white mansion. I could see a griffon's beak from one of the windows and I growled, heading to the front door. I knocked loudly on the door and held my knives hidden within my wings just to be safe. When the door was opened by a griffon I could see a flash of uncertainty run over his eyes before he cleared his throat.

"Ambassador Peace is very sick ma'am, she is taking no visitors" He said and I out on the sweetest smile I could muster.

"I'm certain we can some to some sort of an agreement? I mean, I don't want to tell Celestia that a group of Griffins didn't let me see the ambassador" I told him and his eyes flicked to the moon amulet around my neck.

He looked to be struggling with forming words for a second, his brown feathers puffing up for a second like he was trying to look intimidating. He was handsome for a griffon, I'd give him that. His blue eyes and brown body giving him a sleek look, even if the ugly bronze armor he was wearing made him look a little small. But handsome or not, he was shit at lying. It was clear that the ambassador was not sick, that something else was going on.

"I deeply apologize for not seeing your status earlier Guardian. I will inform Lady Peace of your arrival" The young griffon said and hurried down the hall to the right.

I didn't wait and took the hall to the left, walking past white coloured walls with portraits of the Griffin kings. Why would they be here? Furthermore, why hadn't we heard about this sudden change in guards until now. We had simply thought the lack of letters from the Dark Kingdom meant our Ambassador finally took some time off, but it seemed it was a much more nefarious reason for her lack of letters than a simple break.

I hid in the shadows whenever a griffon guard came close, using the darkness of the house to my advantage. It didn't take long for them to start looking for me, running down the well decorated halls yelling something about "sanguine scum". I had never really like Griffins, to aggressive in bed for my liking. But the more I saw how many Griffin paintings and statues littered the place the more I started to realize they hadn't just kicked out the pony guards, they had turned this into their own home.

I growled and let my sensitive hearing track their movement, making my way up a couple of stairs when I heard the sobbing. It was the voice of a mare, a distressed one at that. I quickly hurried over to a locked door, using my knife to destroy the lock. I hurried inside and saw our ambassador, on the floor. Her turquoise coat and dark blue mane was dirty, looking like she hadn't taken a bath in weeks. She looked malnourished and weak.

"By the gods... Peace.." I said and she turned around with wide eyes.

"Lieutenant Thorn! You're here! I thought I was gonna die all alone!" She said and hurried over, hugging me tight.

"Lieutenant? How long have they kept you in this room?.." I asked and looked her over for any serious injuries.

"Weeks! Oh I was so afraid! The empress had my guards taken to the desert and left them there! She's obeying the griffin king! That's what they said!" Peace rambled and I put my hoof on her snout, silencing her.

"Who said that? The new guards? And why would one of the most powerful rulers in the known world bow to Guto?" I asked her with a strict tone, she looked to the door before speaking.

"Those griffins outside said they took the heir! That they have the empress's firstborn in a dungeon across the sea!" The ambassador whispered.

"And to keep her child safe the empress obeys guto.. Dammit!" I hissed and heard movement coming towards our door.

The lock was busted but I had still closed it, looking to the boarded up window as an alternative escape route. I took my knife again and with help from Peace I managed to get loose the first wooden plank. It took us a few minutes and close calls before we had the window free, the earth pony mare looking at me in slight fear.

"What are we supposed to do miss Thorn? I can't climb down" She said and looked down onto the ground was the darkness was settling over the sky.

I didn't get time to respond before the door burst open, a griffon soldier seeing us. He yelled for his companions before I threw a knife into his throat, sending him to the floor with his talons clutching his bleeding throat. I picked up Peace Treaty who was screaming in fear and jumped out the window as more soldiers stormed into the room. I unfolded my wings and managed to carry us both down to the ground below.

The same second we touched ground I ordered the mare to run. She didn't need much encouragement, stumbling forward and running down the street. I helped her run into some side alleys and knocked down any guard trying to stop us, I couldn't trust anyone in this damn city of demons.

Eventually I was forced to stop, Peace's body not managing to keep up with so little food in her. I ushered her into another side alley and sat down, panting heavily as I watched the stars. Everything had gone well a few hours earlier, we'd been welcomed as heroes by the people and Nathaniel had been given access to the temple. Now I couldn't go back to the palace, I knew that whatever waited for me there could not be pleasant.

I used what energy I had left and stole a cloak for me and Peace Treaty, the pieces of cloth saving our lives a few times as guards rushed by, both griffins and ponies. It hurt know I would be forced to leave my friends to fend for themselves, but Nathaniel had Valkyrie and Osiris hopefully had Blaze. They would figure out that they would need to get to the gate, until they did so however I waited with Peace, letting her rest.

Osiris's POV

"What is it now?" I asked with a groan as the damn hound barked and growled at a couple of stairs.

I had been left alone with the wolf after Rose left and the kid was lead away by the cold empress. I had spoken with miss Page for a while before she was called away by the guard that had lead us here. He would show Silver to her chambers so she wouldn't end up getting lost. I wished he'd given us the same courtesy as I had wandered these never ending halls for what felt like hours.

The dog had been pretty good company, as the beast was smart enough to keep away from Garthram's inhabitants. I didn't dislike them per say, but some of them could make things float without a horn or turn into smoke. Those kinds of abilities freaked me out, even more so when I thought about what the mutants of the desert could do. Hopefully would their attempt at forming their own nation soon be crushed, the empress seemingly having increased the amount of soldiers that walked around the city.

It had been as we looked for a room to sleep in that Blaze had started barking and growling at a couple of stairs leading down into what I assumed to be a basement. I wanted to yell at the wolf for bothering the sleeping servants at first but quickly I let it go, taking a deep breath and moving up next to him. I thought first that the wolf had simply seen a cat or something but it was soon made clear to me that it was something far worst. A familiar shriek could be heard from the darkness the stairs lead down into, making me shudder.

There was a guard standing in front of us with a stoic expression, giving me an annoyed look at the wolf's barking. His attention was drawn elsewhere however, seeing guards further down the hall dragging away what sounded like a very angry and intoxicated stallion. He walked after them as the stallion got violent, leaving the stairs open for any creature to descend.

It was at this moment the hound decided it was time to explore from where that sound came from, suddenly bolting down the stairs. I followed him as quickly as I could, feeling dread creep over my bones the further down the stairs we came. Eventually we appeared in what looked like a dungeon, the hallway in front of us lit up by a few torches. Yet it was the lack of cells that made one see that this was no dungeon, instead there was cages, everywhere.

I looked at the corrupted creatures surrounding me and the barking wolf in growing horror, seeing more corrupted RootEaters and even a midnight black deer with red eyes. They were the occupants of this dungeon, they were the real thing that needed guarding here. I saw a few cages with normal RootEaters in them as well, their long snout in a bowl of water. Yet that water-bowl was made out of a red crystal, a very familiar red crystal.

I didn't see a dungeon for monsters anymore, I saw a place where one could produce them. Why would the empress ever allow such a thing!? This was madness, a death wish! I had to destroy it all, I couldn't let my friends die to one of these beasts. I ran over to one of the torches and pulled it down from the wall. I then looked for anything flammable, something the wolf happily rolled my way. They had urns filled with oil down here, most likely a storage for whenever their equipment needed it. To bad we needed it more right now.

I quickly poured the content on the floor below the corrupted creatures cages. The corrupted RootEaters tongues tried to grab me several times, my response being by cutting them off. The blood that hit my fur as I did so felt almost alive for a second before dying, the corrupted blood dying without the host. I saw the normal creatures and gave them a quick death with my dagger, fearing that they already carried the disease.

It took me and Blaze many minutes before we felt enough oil had been dumped over the cellar. I could hear armored guards coming down the stairs and I looked for another way out and saw a door further down the horrible basement. I threw the torch onto the oily ground and ran, the hound not far behind me. I could hear the guards yell for water as the creatures screamed in pain, burning alive in their cages.

As I opened the door I saw it lead to the sewers. Without much choice I ran down the stinking place, trying to follow the flow of the water. Wherever the sewer lead that meant away from the monsters the empress had hid in her basement. Blaze looked back and whined, not wanting to leave his master behind in the Palace. I just pushed the wolf forwards and kept on the trail. The kid would be fine, he wouldn't let them touch him with that war-hammer. Right now we needed to get out of the city, and fast.

Silver Page's POV

I looked at the room around me with an awed smile. I had never been given such a luxurious room in my entire life, the mirror having a frame made out of gold, the walls being made out of white marble and the carpet made out of the purest silk. The bed was large enough to fit seven ponies and there was a bathroom with a bath large enough to fit four ponies to my left. I was so lucky.

"I hope this room will be to your satisfaction miss Page" Our guide said and I only nodded slowly.

"I.. I hear that the griffin king will have a room very similar to this one" He said and I turned to look at him in confusion.

Why would that information be relevant? I couldn't care less about what rooms there was in the griffin kingdom, I had been given a great one right here! I nodded and looked out the window, overlooking Garthram as lanterns were lit and lights hanging between the houses started to glow. It was so beautiful.

It was then something hit me over the head. I felt sudden pain flare up before I hit the floor, groaning in pain. I let my eyes look at our guide who held a sword in his hoof, he'd hit me with its pommel. I mumbled, trying to ask him why. The stallion looked ashamed before sheeting his sword, walking over to me.

"I will do anything for the empress and the heir. Even if that is hurting one of the dark blood" He said firmly.

"Wh-What?.." I mumbled and tried to stand, my legs feeling like jelly.

"The griffin king requested that we would give him a demon if we ever came across a full blooded one. You are that miss Page.. I do not want to know what he'll do to you, but if it saves the heir then so be it" The guard said and I felt fear blossom in my chest.

I couldn't go back to being anypony's pet! I wouldn't pleasure the sick perverted dreams of another mad king! I wouldn't! I couldn't! I felt my fear turn to rage and I let my eyes lock onto the stallion. He sighed and prepared to knock me out fully, only for a red ominous aurora to wrap around his neck. He let out a fear filled scream as he was picked up into the air.

I rose up and growled, my eyes a burning red as I looked at him. I could see in the mirror how my horns were lit ablaze, a red aurora surrounding them and within that aurora small black bolts flew around, giving it a corrupted look. I used magic for the first time in my life to bring him face to face with me, a deep growl starting in my throat.

"Never. Again." I said and threw him into the wall, knocking out the scared stallion.

I came to my senses and looked at what I had done. I gasped and looked at myself in the mirror, fear gripping my heart. But I couldn't let it stop me now like when the human fought the beast, I had to keep moving. If the empress was ready to give me to the griffin king of all creatures then I was not safe here anymore.

Knowing I didn't have much time I ran out from the room. The large hallway lead down to a window and back towards the throne room. I saw guards walking down towards me. They stopped at first when they spotted me but soon ran down the hallway, weapons drawn. That meant the window was my only way out. I ran towards it and used my newfound power to pick up a wase, throwing it towards the window. It broke and I threw myself out of the newfound hole, plummeting towards the ground.

Just before I hit the houses below I unfolded my wings and gained altitude, hurrying towards the gates at the end of the city. I needed to find the Guardians, they would know what to do, who to trust. I felt an arrow fly by my head and hurried up to get away from the Palace, Garthram was no longer a free city, it was the griffins now.

Nathaniel's POV

He walked back into the throne room with the empress, looking around to see if he could find any of his friends. When he realized none of them where around his suspicion grew. Nathaniel hadn't excpected all of them to be there, but maybe at least Blaze would wait for him. The man's train of thought was interrupted as the empress walked back to her throne and sat down. She looked to the shadows in the room and sighed, looking at the human.

"I'm sorry it had to come to this Guardian, but the Griffin king will not have you return to Equestria. Lay down your weapon and you will be granted a quick death" Darkest Dreams said as griffin soldiers appeared from the shadows.

"I must get this water to Luna, if you stand in my way then I will KILL you" The teen growled and gripped his war-hammer, the weapon humming from his touch.

"You don't have they eyes of a killer, but the eyes of a boy" The ruler said as the soldiers started to rush him, the man closing his eyes.

When the soldiers all fell upon him the human slammed Valkyrie into the ground, sending out a shock-wave in all directions. The griffins were sent flying and the mare sitting upon the throne looked at the man in surprise. Nathaniel only glared at her before running, hitting one of her own guards in the chest as she tried to block the gate.

The green eyed man rushed down the stairs of the Palace as the bells around the city started to ring. There was smoke in the sky, the fire spreading through the Palace's lower levels. The man only knew he had to keep moving, arrows flying past him. One cut his neck, not enough to be real wound but enough to draw some blood.

As Nate ran he saw the silhouette of Silver Page flying across the sky, the mare heading towards the gate far away. The man simply hurried up, seeing the building of the ambassador surrounded by griffins. When they saw him they yelled and ran after him, the teen hitting any griffin getting close with Valkyrie.

He ran for several minutes, never stopping. Eventually he ran into Rose and another mare, the sanguine only told him to keep running an advice he happily took. Once they got to the gate were they joined by Blaze and Osiris, the scout and wolf smelled and looked like crap. They seemed to have come from a door leading into the sewers. Yet the reunion didn't last long, several griffin guards standing by the gate with grins on their faces.

"Fuck.." Nathan said and looked around before finally looking to the war-hammer in his hands.

"You look like you have an idea kid" Osiris said and pulled out a dagger covered in blood.

"Whatever you're gonna do you have to do it now, we're out of time!" Rose said and he nodded.

Nathaniel let every ounce of mana he had be absorbed by the weapon, it was a wild guess if it would work or not but he didn't have time to test theory. With a mighty yell of threw Valkyrie towards the gate, the weapon picking up more and more speed as it spun around in the air. Green lightning flew from the war-hammer and the griffins screamed in fear as they jumped to the side. The weapon collided with the gate and the closed stone gates swung open with enough force for them to hit the wall on the other side.

The human didn't care that he coughed up the black tar like liquid or that he felt like crap, they could get out of the city! Nate ran with all strength he could muster past the downed griffins and out onto the planes. The group of Guardians was joined by Silver as she landed and ran with them towards the jungle. As they finally broke through the tree line was all they could hear from the city the bells, slowly ringing out over the land.

King Guto's POV

The idol whispered to me as I slept, waking me to grab a letter that had arrived. It said that I had to read it and so I did, I skimmed through it, growling as I finished reading. They had failed, not only was the Lord Protector alive but a chance to get rid of three guardians and bring me a live succubus had failed miserably. I cursed the names of the ones that had failed me and I looked through other reports.

Even with the Lord Protector alive however we still held the Celestial sea, and he could not go past our blockade with a ship. Flying and walking would take to long for him to get back in time, which meant the princess was without her best soldier. Not only that, with the Lunar Guardians hurrying back to Equestria with a cure for their dear princess would it mean they wouldn't be in the country either by the time my plan was finally put in motion.

The idol hummed and I nodded slowly with a grin. The war was just around the corner, just one more piece had to be moved before the ponies would finally be eradicated from this planet. I thought back to the empress failure and shock my head, if she kept disappointing me then her son would die, slowly. I almost hoped she would fail again, a part of me that sang with the idol wanted to see that little bastard scream.

But I couldn't loose my cool now. The heir was to live until he was no further use for me, then he would die, along with his mother and the rest of her people. I could almost see it in front of me, Garthram burning in green flames as my trusted soldiers cut them all down one by one. That would be my victory day. I looked to a portrait of my father and grinned. No, our victory day.

Author's Notes:

Thank you for reading the sixteenth chapter of CoN! We're so close to the war now, but before that we have a princess to save!