Valkardian held the box and examined it a minute carefully before passing it to one of the last three surviving gargoyles, pulling a cloth out he wiped the blood from his sword before sheathing it and tucking the blood streaked rag away.

Walking to Luna he stood her up and removed the gag and undid her bindings slowly before stepping away.

"Luna... Tell me how to shut down the magical field that keeps others from teleporting in or out without using one of..." He pointed at the runic circle. "Those."

Celestia gagged in protest while starring daggers at the both of them as Luna hesitated before nodding slowly. Her sister tried to crawl towards her screaming through the gag in rage as she carefully explained how to disable it, nodding Valkardian brought his hands up and channeled a spell.

A magical burst went out leaving the air tingling for a moment.

Looking at Shadow he informed her across their mental link that until they left she was not to speak her name aloud and would instead be referred to as "General."

"Your sister remains bound and gagged until further notice."

Examining the box again as the construct held it firmly he turned to Steelshod's corpse and with a little magic freed it from the floor and started to sift through the pockets and pouches. Undoing the buckles and removing the breastplate he opened the gambeson and kept digging until he removed a small key.

His blow had shattered the chain causing the key to fall down and become hidden but looking its blood covered form over for damage he turned to the chest and inserted the key and turned it. A soft click emanated, opening it slowly Valkardian put his hand inside the velvet lined interior and examined its contents before shutting the box and locking it again.

"Everything is where it should be, let us begin then."

Removing a crystal from his pouch he looked into it making it glow and humm slightly before walking away and placing it on the floor, another was removed and repeating the process he placed it a few feet away from the other before stepping away and raising a hand.

A bright flash of light filled the room before dissipating, the crystals were still there but now Cadence filled one spot while Twilight and her brother Shining filled the other, rings had been placed over their horns to prevent them from using magic while behind them two Death Knights stood quietly to make certain they did not try anything.

Seeing Applejack bound up and gagged Twilight cried out happily and started to run towards her but was grabbed by the guard behind her and held firmly in place.

"No, you will wait. Right now there are more important matters to attend too, your friend "Applejack" will be just fine."

Luna took a deep, shaky breath before stepping forward.

"Name thy price."

"The price is you agree not to draw alliances against me, use your knowledge or funding to... "Encourage" others to invade in your stead. You will also forfeit a tract of land as specified in this document."

Removing a scroll and passing it to Luna she looked it over quickly before grimacing.

"A high price to pay."

"For land you do not even use nor ever will."

"It will make a hole in Equestria."

"One that already exists, now Celestia..." Valkardian walked over and stood over her as she tried to spit fire through the gag. "I am going to stand you up, undo the gag and I expect you to act civilized. The war is over, you lost."

She recoiled from him as he reached out, stepping forward he grabbed her and yanked her upright and undid the bindings on her hands before stepping away. Celestia tore the gag free and snarled at him.

Joining her sister she tore the scroll from Luna's grasp and without looking it over tore it to pieces.

"You do realize Celestia that I control your horns... I could just... Teleport them away and leave you destitute forever."

Valkardian removed his helmet and passed it to the gargoyle holding the box.

Celestia looked at Twilight and Shining a moment then finally looking at their horns before calming herself.

Removing Cadence's horn from the box Valkardian walked over to her.

"Kneel."

Slowly kneeling down the princess lowered her head as he reattached the horn and resealed it before retrieving Luna's and within moments her horn was reattached. Celestia however would not budge till her sister almost pushed her down, once attached Celestia sprung back up.

A yellow aura flooded along the horn as she tried to grasp a weapon on the floor but a yelp of pain made her stop.

"You will find that your horns will require at least forty-eight hours to properly attach themselves, I did not make it a perfect mending on purpose."

"Bastard."

Wide eyed the other princesses and prince watched as Celestia marched towards Valkardian with her wings fanned out and rage burning on her face.

"Enough!"

Luna's howl echoed in the chamber stopping Celestia.

"Sister, do you know how many this thing has murdered?! And you want to make a deal with it?!"

"I know all to well dear sister, but I also know that the ones he killed were traitors, if they had not died by his hand they would have died by mine."

"He's right Princess Celestia..." Twilight piped up with a nervous twitch. "He even freed the prisoners that the besieging forces held in Ponyville, another was a prisoner and she was left with us."

"Sister, I made a deal with him and intend to keep it no matter how... Distasteful, it may be."

Celestia turned to Luna with her mouth hanging somewhat open before she righted her posture.

"Do you forget how many he murdered in his last invasion?!"

Valkardian interrupted Luna before she could talk however: "I will remind you Celestia that I killed Steelshod's father in order to save you, in return for my gracious action you invaded a small town named Moss Dell and slaughtered even the foals in their cribs..."

"That does not excuse your actions!"

"Really? You sacked a town that had nothing to do with anything or anyone for that matter, you even had limited trade with them and yet you still burned it to the ground and slaughtered every last one of them including the foals in their cribs. If you are trying to claim a moral high ground here you are even dirtier than I am since I invaded to force you to stop your invasion of my domain. It worked too, three large populated counties were harvested to fill out my ranks but you still INSISTED on invading."

"Lies! They were under your protection and were nothing more than an extension of your own empire!"

Jaws dropped as Celestia did not deny her involvement in the attack nor her actions, the captive audience exchanged looks and became more nervous as the heated argument continued.

"Oh? Well lets consider your own track record shall we? You YANKED protection from city-states that would not bow to your will allowing them to be slaughtered by the gnoll's or various other parties. Hell you even unleashed Windigoes on the population to make them obey you and yet you blame me for extending a hand to protect those that needed it?"

Realizing the audience was watching Celestia turned her head towards the others quickly.

"That is a lie!... I had to remove my forces because they no longer wanted them there!"

"Only because your price was their absolute subservience..."

"And you did not demand anything!? What about those nobles you executed!?"

"They broke the deal Celestia, all they had to do what pay the tithe of wheat, barley and oats but they refused to even pay a measly five percent of the crop in exchange for my knowledge of how to construct windmills and water powered mills. Yes, I made them pay the price for their betrayal but the locals were still very much alive afterwards."

"Sister, you must calm down, this is not helping matters..." Luna laid a hand on Celestia's shoulder and tried to calm her.

Shoving the hand away Celestia fumed. "You murdered our fiance! We were to be wed!"

"Oh hell not this again. I spent months trying to get you to break it off and even showed you his journal and records of what he planned to do with you. His son now lies dead right over there as proof of the plan and you still refuse to believe he betrayed you?"

"Those journals and papers you brought were either forged or written by his son! I showed them to him and he dismissed them, once married he was going to rebuke his son!"

"Its like talking to a stone wall..." Valkardian grimaced as Luna leaned forward holding onto her sister again.

"He is right sister... Did you not listen to what Steelshod said?"

"That monster murdered our future husband!"

There was a long pause as the gathered ponies looked back and forth trying to keep up with what was happening as Celestia let out a sob. Valkardian shook his head slightly before slowly moving his jaw back and forth.

"Stinging bitch is it not? Being betrayed by those you love and not wanting to believe it... Kind of like how I felt towards you for a time when you rebuked me despite my attempts to warn you."

Twilight stammered a moment trying to speak before finally formulating her words: "You were in love with Celestia and Luna?"

He nodded. "Correct, I was, while I accepted their decision I could not stand by and allow Steelshod Sr. to carry out his plans and that meant dealing with the problem quickly, so I slipped inside his castle and removed his head."

Shining Armor was showing signs of anger and it finally boiled over.

"Celestia and Luna would have never destroyed a town and murdered everyone! This is impossible!"

"No Shiny, they did." Cadence had her hands up as she slowly walked towards her husband, none of the guards stopped her. "I saw it, Valkardian took me there and showed me what they did, Celestia's crimes go beyond even that however."

"Very true, shall you tell them about the thestrals or shall I Celestia?" Valkardian waited a moment as Celestia and Luna looked at each other quickly, Celestia spoke first.

"Something had to be done, they are the source of vamponies and their beliefs are a complete contradiction of harmony and friendship!"

"By who's standard then? That they believe in revenge? Harsh punishments? Or... Is it that you wanted their land and they were not interested in becoming your docile servants? Equestrias' destiny was greater than their small nation and you wanted to bring all the races to heel?"

"That is not true!"

"Actions speak louder than words Celestia, YOU are the one who invaded THEIR land and put them to the sword. Poisoning rivers, burning away forests that even today have failed to regrow, while I myself believe in treating my enemies with a scorched earth policy you take it to a whole new level."

"You allied yourself with them! We had to!"

"Actually it was the other way around but then again who wouldn't seek out help even from an evil bastard like me when they are facing extinction at the hands of a kind, accepting and loving goddess?"

"And so you took them in and protected the vile demons!"

"Vamponies are not "vile demons," yes they drink blood or "life force" but your little fanatical religion has continued to picture them as terrors in the night out to murder ponies in their sleep. Good job by the way, your religious doctrine did marvels."

"How they exist is an abomination and any race that would willingly accept them is-"

"Sister you should stop-"

Celestia pushed Luna away. "-no better than them! They enthrall their victims to do their bidding and carry out kidnappings and murder!"

"Cherry picked arguments. Just admit you can not stand them because they survive differently than you, thralls? Hardly, you can and HAVE enthralled others in the past. Just because a regular pony marries a vampony does not make them a thrall or tainted."

Another Death Knight entered the room and nodding towards Valkardian took a place along the line of spectators. Celestia looked at the figure and pointed.

"Are you telling me your army and that thing is not an abomination? Does it even have a face?!"

"I will have you know madam that I have a name." Looking at Valkardian a moment the Death Knight removed its helmet. "Herr General Blutlanze and I take great acception to being called an abomination!"

Twilight was standing closest to him and backed away slightly as he turned her way and looking her over shook his head and put his helmet back on.

Valkardian looked at Luna for a long moment before turning his gaze back to Celestia.

"I know how this ends then, Luna will agree to the deal anyway, you will play along to survive long enough to rebuild then the war starts all over again."

Albtraum spoke up, "perhaps we kill her and be done with it?"

Celestia shot an angry look at him as the others fidgeted, Luna stepped in front of her sister and pushed her back a little.

"The deal was to save us not kill us and that includes my sister."

"I know and she will be safe for now..." He watched as Celestia continued to channel small amounts of magic into her horn trying to repair it faster, there was still time before she would attack.

"Very well then! Luna do you agree to the terms I gave?"

"Yes."

"Cadence, you will uphold your end of the deal yes?"

She nodded.

"Good that just leaves Twilight and the "prince" here to announce their intentions. So tell me what are your intentions when Celestia orders you to kill me hmm?"

Cadence gripped her husbands arm so hard he winced and whispered in his ear, he still looked angry but finally nodded leaving Twilight standing alone.

"Well Twilight?"

"I... Um..."

Cadence put a hand on her shoulder and whispered a moment making Twilight's eyes widen for a moment and looking at Celestia she slowly shook her head.

"Very well then Twilight, it would appear Celestia that you have one still flying your banner."

A snarl escaped Celestia making the others jump or reach for weapons as she powered forward at Valkardian with her horn glowing, a blade lifted from the floor into her hand and driving it towards his chest at a blinding speed Valkardian had no time to draw his own weapon.

The sheer impact of the blade sent both flying backwards as Celestia continued to propel herself forward trying desperately to pierce the armor and Valkardian used one hand to grip the sword and another to push her back.

As the blade finally broke past the magical defenses and threatened to pierce the armor he brought a leg up and kneed her in gut hard and swung her sideways while grabbing her face and clawing at the eyes.

Celestia sprung free and tried to attack again but Albtraum kicked her hard from behind in the joint behind the left knee making her howl in pain and collapse forward. Rising up Valkardian grabbed her sword hand quickly and squeezed until bones popped and her grip on the sword loosened.

Yanking it free as Albtraum pulled her back by the wings Valkardian threw the sword one way while the Death Knight heaved Celestia in another. Grasping for another sword to renew her attack it was not the Death Knights or gargoyles that tackled her but Luna.

Luna wrapped a hand around her sisters horn and yanked back making Celestia gasp in pain as the two flailed on the floor, one trying to get free the other trying to save her sisters life.

Retrieving his helmet and putting it back on Valkardian snarled at Celestia.

"This is why I cant stand you damned ponies! Utterly blind to reality unless it somehow fits into your perfect little world!"

Cadence held her hands up as Twilight and Shining were restrained by their guards, Shining had largely quit struggling and was now more confused as to what he should do while Twilight was struggling out of pure panic.

"Please! Don't harm her! We agree to your terms!"

Valkardian looked at Cadence then the writhing mass of fur and feathers on the floor as Luna finally subdued her sister.

"Good."

Celestia spat blood and continued to struggle against her sisters grasp.

"Don't think I do not know about your kingdom! I know who you shelter and you will pay for murdering so many of my ponies!"

"Then my armies shall march forth again... With the same results."

"You cant kill me, I know that! You are as trapped as I am! When I find you down there, wherever you may be hiding, I will erase you and all of them from existence! You are not the only one who spent time preparing for war!"

"I would not doubt your word for one second except I have been well aware of your research into spells to destroy the undead. Unfortunately for you... I can strike anywhere, at any time." Valkardian turned to her and looked down at the alabaster princess. "Maybe I do not even have to strike, maybe you have already sealed your own fate."

Celestia slowed her struggling for a moment as confusion crossed her face, Luna looked worriedly towards Valkardian as he motioned towards one of the winged figures in the room, they held up a crystal and with a motion is began a replay in living color of the events in the throne room before another wave silenced it.

"Consider this extortion princesses. You agree to my terms and stay away from my domain and peace will reign across the lands above and below. Refuse..." His hand motion towards the corpses littering the room gave them the general idea. "Celestia... You are right, we are both prisoners in our own ways but unlike you I will not try and force everyone to agree with me or genetically alter the various races and breeds of ponies to make them more docile and agreeable. If you attempt to break this deal I swear I shall not target you but burn the world around you to ASHES! You will be Empress of a charred wasteland."

Looking at the crystal she struggled harder but failed as he walked towards the other alicorns.

"Cadence, for the record, speak aloud your intentions."

"I, Princess Cadence swear that Celestia shall receive no aid from the Crystal Empire if she attempts to wage war against you." She nudged her husband and he spoke the same begrudgingly.

"Last chance Twilight."

"I cant, she is-"

"Very well. Next time I will not be saving Ponyville then and its fate rests firmly on your own head." Stopping he looked at Cadence and removed a folded piece of paper and handed it over. "While I made one agreement, I never swore not to inform others of how it might affect them."

Cadence unfolded it and looked it over before glaring at the paper. "Thank you for the warning."

One of the Death Knights in the room had never taken their eyes off Celestia the entire time and now turned to Valkardian as if glaring through their helmet, he nodded and recalled the gargoyles from their posts.

The figure walked over to Celestia and held up her royal regalia.

"I claim this as blood-price for what you did to my family since I am not allowed to take your life, it is not enough but it will have to do... For now. This was given to you by your mother was it not?"

Screaming in rage Celestia tried to rise up but failed as the being walked away slipping the items into their pouch, behind her Celestia howled out curses and screams of revenge but they were ignored as the Death Knights began to file out of the room.

Valkardian looked back at the gaggle as they stood in the shattered throne room.

"The rings on your horns will come free in twenty-four hours, any attempt to follow us will result in the destruction of the city, uphold your end of the deal and there shall be peace."

Valkardian knew they were not going to try anything, Celestia was the only one who would remain a problem but the balance of power had been restored even if it was not perfect, but it was not a perfect world.

As they walked through the streets the army was long gone and even the bodies of Steelshod's soldiers had been removed while their emperors corpse was being carried by a gargoyle along with the head.

Walking up the ramp and over the walls Shadow looked out over the city as the few fires that had started from the fighting were put out as ponies came out of hiding to see what had happened.

They lined the streets to gawk at the procession of Death Knights as they moved through the streets but there was no celebration, only a sombre reminder of what had just happened. Relief filled most faces, even without being told they knew the ordeal was over and soon life would hopefully return to normal, there would be no occupying army this time.

Shadow kept her gaze on the one who had taken the royal regalia, it was a she from the voice and had bat wings just like her, this one was not one of the undead.

"Valkardian... Who is that?"

"Blood Rose."

Her gut clenched realizing what had almost happened today and it made her wonder just how much willpower she had to exude not to have taken a bloodier price on the one responsible for her daughters murder.

"She does not object to my wearing her daughters armor right? Or the shield?"

Valkardian turned towards her slightly and laughed. "To her it was poetic justice so she did not object."

"Will they uphold the deal you gave them?"

"Oh they have no choice at this point without exposing themselves. That little crystal recorded it all in perfect living color and if they dare to try anything there is nothing to stop me from projecting it around Equestria, not only that but if she tries to say we must be stopped well..."

"We left in peace and she has no legs to stand on, we saved them."

He nodded. "We have left her with no justification and since the capital was preserved so well and I have the recording of Twilight as well... Any attempt to twist things will fail not that she may not try anyway."

"She will put her own hoof in her mouth if she tries."

"Close enough."

Their walk continued in silence as they bypassed barricades that were being torn down by the locals, they stopped and backed away at their passing but did nothing otherwise. It was strange to her, it had taken over an hour to fight through the streets but now it had taken them only thirty minutes to reach the tunnel.

Once they were well inside Valkardian stopped and triggered a series of explosions collapsing the tunnel behind them, if Celestia meant to follow them she would be very hard pressed to do so along this route. During the exchange of words in the castle the army had already been withdrawn and sent back to the safety of the underworld leaving only a couple of golemns to make the long trudge home.

Filing through the portal Valkdian stayed behind, he would return later as the control crystals had to be permanently removed from the two sites, Celestia would most certainly try and seize them despite the deal so best not leave her anything to find.

Walking through the portal Shadow stood in a fortress with the others as they filed off or gave commands to the servants once the portal closed. Shadow desperately wanted to talk to Blood Rose but decided it was best to leave her be for the time being as the vampony stood to one side turning Celestia's crown over in her hands slowly.

One by one they left to various fortresses to oversee the task of repairing and rebuilding now that the war was "officially" over leaving Shadow alone with Blood Rose. Standing the vampony sighed and gave out a new command and the portal was powered up again and motioned for Shadow to go through.

On the other side new orders were given and again they waited before passing through again but at the next stop she waved for her to follow, they would have to wait on Valkardian to get caught up now.

Sitting around a table in the interior of the fortress Shadow kept fidgeting until Blood Rose finally put the crown on the table and stared across at her.

"Say it."

Shadow visibly flinched. "I... Uhh..." She sighed. "I dont know what to say."

"About my daughter or myself?"

"You, but Lily too..."

Blood Rose sighed, "whats done is done, I understand why he did not kill Celestia on the spot and although I hate it... I agree. Whatever sick powers watch this world require a certain "balance" to be maintained and it requires her to remain in power... For now." Her head looked down at the crown. "This is the best I can do, my daughter and grand-daughter were taken from me but at least I can take away the last thing those two have to remember their mother by."

"Rather... Vengeful. Not that I object!" Shadow watched as the helmet turned upwards at her. "I was wondering though! What did Celestia mean by "those you shelter" and-"

"Only he can tell you that, we are not allowed to tell you anything for the time being."

Shadow slumped in her seat at hearing that, more secrets were being kept from her but for how long? Blood Rose titled her helmet a little sensing the others dismay.

"Shadow... Whatever you choose to do... Choose carefully, no world you choose to live in will be perfect."

Before she could ask her what she meant Blood Rose stood and left the room, Valkardian had returned and would take of things from here. Looking him over as he arrived she asked what had happened, the portals control crystals had been removed and the portals overloaded until they exploded denying Celestia or others anything to study.

The last one at Canterlot mountain had been used one last time allowing him through before it exploded, atomizing everything in a controlled blast.

"So you are back to square one if you have to invade Canterlot?"

"I have no intention of invading that city again, if she intends to start the war and somehow manages to successfully raise an army to do it with the ponies in the other cities will pay the price like they did back then."

"So will she?"

"Maybe, maybe not. Luna learned the truth and will serve as a counter balance for a long time to come and without Cadences support..."

"You trust her?"

"She owes me her life twice over, the life of her husband, sister-in-law, unborn child too for that matter... Her kingdom and lastly one little warning."

"About Chrysalis?"

"Yes, while free to terrorize Equestria I never said I would not warn others... It also served as a nice way to make certain her invasion will result in another stalemate keeping Celestia in check for at least another century. It helps to make certain they are all looking over their shoulders too worried about each other than me."

"Wont Celestia just ignore it like she did Steelshod?"

"Certainly, but Chrysalis is targeting her directly so... Turn her back on me and wind up a prisoner, it all works itself out in the end."

"I hate politics."

"So do I but you get used to it."

"Home at last..."

Shadow looked down the hall after leaving the portal room, it was strange to feel happy to see her prison again. A loud sigh from Valkardian caught her attention though.

"Get your armor off, bathe and meet me in the living room in an hour."

Hurrying away she took off the armor and laid it out near the bed, servants collected it and took it away quickly but she held onto the pouch holding her sister. This would be... Interesting.

"Valkardian, my sister is still in the pouch-"

"Keep her there for now."

Shadow nodded despite herself, being able to telepathically communicate was still odd but had become almost second nature now.

"A little food and water for her?"

"Yes."

Retrieving a little bread, water and dried fruit jerky from the kitchen she opened the pouch a little and peaked inside, her sister looked up with terrified eyes but Shadow just smiled and handed the food down.

"Its alright now! Battle is over and your perfectly safe! I think... Just hold tight, I will let you out later!"

Yanking the pouch closed despite the screaming she shuddered at how she had just treated her own sister but knew it was for her own safety. Keeping it close she bathed and put on the clothes servants brought her and moved to the living room quickly and stretched out on the cushions and relaxed for the first time in forever.

Valkardian came a little while later, back in his robes once more and sat in his plush chair and let out a sigh as he leaned back and relaxed. Cracking one eye open he watched her a moment.

"You sister?"

"Here. Safe... Right?"

He waved his hand, "I will not harm her. You have my word."

"When I first came here you almost cut my throat."

"True."

"Do you... Regret not killing me?"

His eyes snapped open as he looked at her.

"No, you have brought some life to this place that was sorely lacking."

"Blood Rose said I should carefully but what was she referring too? Oh and what did Celestia mean by those you are sheltering?"

"Care to throw your own ideas at me?"

"Those thestral cities did not just disappear, did they."

"Hmm... Alright, before I answer that there is something you need to know."

He sat upright and turned to face her, he was deadly serious and it made her squirm whenever he gave her that intense gaze.

"Remember your assassination of Goldbit?" Shadow nodded. "What I did not tell you is I wiped a few key memories of you, it was easy since they were only aware of you for less than ten hours, others will remember you but without those key witnesses, namely the guards, you have a clean slate."

Shadow furrowed her brow a little. "Why?"

"At the time... I dont know, it just seemed like the right thing to do, I will not deny I like you a great deal which brings me to the most important thing we have to discuss..."

As she watched it was clear he was uncomfortable with what he was thinking about saying.

"I am giving you two choices: One, you can remain here and I will answer all your questions or two you can go home, just... Do not get caught. Also I will have to remove the memories you have of the tunnel network and the portal locations. I will take my time and you will not be in pain."

Sitting upright she looked at him to see if he was being serious. She could go home? Just like that?

"Why?"

"You have served me well and as I said you have become quite endearing to me, perhaps even too important to me... I refuse to keep you imprisoned here."

Part of her prickled while another was left confused, she liked him a great deal as well despite it all, only in fantasy stories did anything like this ever happen and he had gone out of his way to help her. He had even gone above and beyond to spare her family then even allow her the time to rescue her sister in the middle of an all out battle going so far as to send her column on a direct path to her sister while Albtraum had been sent to find her and mark the location.

Two vacations one of which she could only have dreamed of opened her eyes to a whole new world that none in Equestria knew about and though she had been taken prisoner and almost tortured he had come for her immediately and tortured a pony to death over it; he even allowed her to take revenge on one of them.

Revenge, he had taught her a whole new range of emotions and beliefs that had been alien before, training her to fight and so much more, he had opened doors for her.

But what about her family? Would she ever be able to see them again? Secrets must be kept and after seeing Celestia she understood why he guarded his realm so well against intrusion. Would her sister have to remain here or would she be allowed to go free?

"What about my sister?"

"She will be returned to your family immediately."

"No mind wipe?"

"...Do you want me to erase her memories of you and recent events?"

Looking at the pouch she pondered it seriously, on the one hand if she stayed it would not matter but then again... Did she want her sister to have such horrible memories? There was a very long pause as she pondered what to do.

"She must learn from it..." Shadow choked a little as a sob threatened to escape her. "Remove her memories of me though, if she ran to Celestia or others they might come for my family."

"Logical..." Valkardian nodded slowly and looked at the pouch Shadow now cradled.

Shadow looked at Valkardian as he stared back, long ago he had been a terrifying figure, a wizard and necromancer that did unspeakable acts but as she looked at him now what she saw was not someone terrifying. Though his hair and beard were snow white his features were not of a worn old man, a few creases in his features spoke of his age but he was far from being the old evil wizard she had first seen.

When had it begun to even matter?

"If I stay... I will no longer see my family."

"Not true, you may still write letters and visit them occasionally but you must always keep this realm a secret."

Her head shot back up, "Really?"

"You will no longer be a prisoner but there are rules to maintain security."

"Oka- Wait! I will be staying... HERE, here right?"

"Yes, if you want."

"So that makes me what... Your, marefriend?!"

Valkardian almost said something but stopped and kept looking at her quietly.

"I had seen you as a protege of mine but I will cast that illusion aside and simply admit that yes, I like you a great deal more and considering how many times we have slept in the same bed, that would be a... Fair conclusion."

"Wow... Uhm... You know what? Screw it. Nopony in all of Equestria would do what you did for me, none, zero. Yes you almost killed me and even enslaved me but you gave me my freedom right back again and even took me with you around the world. You even let me command a small army! I... I cant believe this but part of me wants to go home and just run away from it all but I still want to stay. I want to know more and see what else is out there and I can never do that by going back."

"You realize that if you agree to this..."

"You will watch me grow old, wither away and die, I will never be allowed to simply go back to being a "pony" again."

"Actually about that... When you were unconscious I undid Celestia's tampering with your species and gave you a few... Boosts."

Her eye twitched. "What kind of "boosts?"

"Well for one you are faster, strong and have increased regenerative abilities... Also that means your lifespan is somewhat increased."

"Somewhat increased?"

"You will probably outlive all the ponies above by a few decades. Except the princesses."

"Still doomed to kick the bucket?"

"Not really, a long time ago I figured that one out but if you walk down that path you will live to see everyone around you die including your family."

"I will anyway... Thank you though for... Whatever it was you did."

He nodded, "do you have more questions or would you like to make your decision? You can take your time, your sister can be tended to and sent off while you decide."

"No!... I want to bring her back myself." Shadow brought her hands up to her face and dragged her fingers down in exasperation. "I cant believe I am saying this and I hope it is not a mistake but... I'll stay."

"You will stay then but not as a prisoner, you are free to come and go as you please so long as you do not speak of this place to others nor reveal the secrets of the Underworld. Agreed?"

"Agreed."

Valkardian clapped his hands making her start a little as he stood up and walked towards her.

"Before I answer all the other questions lets get your sister taken care of first."

Taking the pouch from her he looked inside quickly before placing it on the table and stepping back, a terrified bat shot from the bag and hit the ground running but was yanked into the air by magic and left floating as she struggled to free herself.

"Nighty? Meet Valkardian..."

A terrified scree emanated from her before she fell limp.

Valkardian let out a sigh and brought her closer. "Fainted. Well that makes this easier. Hold her if you would, she only needs to loose a couple hours worth of memories so this will be easier."

Accepting her sister from the magical grip she restrained her a little as Valkardian held her head and closed his eyes, her body began twitching now and then she never awoke. Moving back he held the pouch out and putting her back he closed it up.

"Where do you want to take her?"

"My family is still in Dodge Junction, right?"

"No, they left a day ago to get home, if you want you can beat them ther-"

"Yes!"

Valkardian showed her from the room after giving the pouch back and led her to the portal room as servants collected the necessary crystals. In a short time her sister would be back at home safely and none the wiser as to what had really happened.

Shadow looked at the pouch with a heavy heart, her sister would not remember the lengths she had gone through to save her but it would be for the best, she would not understand anyway.

It had been very easy to put her sister to bed and lock the front door again and with so few about at that hour none had seen them slip into the village or their departure. Back inside the mansion Shadow took a shaky breath and turned to Valkardian.

"Okay, now what?"

"Now I answer your questions about what Celestia meant and any others you may have."

As they walked down the hallway she caught sight of the tunnel that had never been finished again and pointed.

"First, what is that?"

"Long ago I had planned this building to not only act as my home and private library, treasury and minor research facility but also to house a family if I ever had one. I called off the digging a very long time ago because that would never be a reality and instead focused on the library and treasury."

Looking up at him her eyes narrowed.

"Getting any new ideas?"

"Are you?"

Stepping out and onto the grand porch she looked over the private garden and off at the towering wall.

"Now, you asked what Celestia meant."

Shadow followed him as they walked down the road towards the distant gate, Ruby glared at them as they passed but continued to muck the mushroom fields, after meeting Chrysalis she did not feel anywhere near as sorry for Ruby anymore.

"Even before Celestia began her war against your ancestors there were those that wound up wandering deep into the caves, in time they naturally encroached on my borders as I continued to expand my reach. At first things did not go so well but other times it did, as millennia wore on wars drove more below until only the last few city-states remained."

He paused and opened a large, heavy, metal door and beckoned her inside the tower and began climbing the stairwell.

"Refusing to surrender to Celestia and Luna they instead came to me asking for help but the damage had been done, they were trapped inside and no amount of aid would stave off the inevitable. The agreement struck was they would be sheltered in my domain and remain self governing in return for their services though I would ultimately have the last word on matters if I ever cared too. I did not care to meddle in their affairs though mind you."

Leveling off he stopped at a well secured door.

"They agreed to the terms and a great migration took place, the result, was this."

Unlocking the door and removing the braces he pulled it open and motioned her out and onto the parapet. Walking to the edge and looking out Shadow was awestruck by the majestic city that stretched out before her.

This was the largest cave she had ever seen, a great, gaping maw hidden deep in the earth with natural stone pillars that supported the caves roof, they were big enough to swallow the largest buildings in Manehatten that she had seen pictures of. Nestled between all of this the sprawling city reached out in all directions with sleek stone buildings that varied in height and shape, some were mansions that rose up with sleek, elegant curves while others were smaller but no less elaborate.

A road reached out from the gate below her and ran the length of the city and off into the distance with several other adjoining roads and streets, she could make out gardens, parks, markets and even figures moving about in great masses while others flew overhead.

Everything had a glow to it from the mosses that lined the streets and the towering, glowing mushrooms illuminated things further, lamp posts lined the streets and road casting bright light over their surroundings.

There was too much to see and so much more she could barely make out due to the distance, the city tapered out the closer it got to Valkardians's wall before finally ending a few hundred yards away from it. Looking directly below the parapet she could make out fields of plants with a few farmers tending to the fields.

Valkardian stood beside her looking out at the city.

"Thestrals were the only ones not immediately hostile to me and also I did not care to see Celestia do to them what she was doing to everyone else. They are allowed to stay and in return they aid in defense of my domain, construction of my armies using runes since they lack magic to do so otherwise... Mining, smithing and so on."

"How are you so alone then?!"

"Rarely do I get along with others as it is and after a time I just quit bothering to try. Not worth the effort."

"How many?"

"Oh... Millions and millions, not really certain how many, you would have to ask at the city hall over there, that tall one with the two glowing obelisks outside. There are several other cities and towns of varying sizes throughout the Underworld, this city is called, ironically enough... Last Hope."

Shadow looked at the city a moment, she was free to explore all she wanted and lifetimes worth of exploration awaited her.

"So you are what... King? Or is it Emperor since you hold the last word."

"I am just me, no titles though many took to calling me either master, lord and even a few high lords now and then but I could care less, they handle affairs on their own quite well."

"It still confuses me as to how you could stay locked up and remain alone when there are so many out there. You are just... You are either lazy or just so jaded and pessimistic it boggles the mind." Shadow looked at him, "you need to be broken out of it too."

"Is that a declaration?"

"Yes, yes it is. I dont know how but you are going to have something to do with others again starting with me."

"Making it official that you are my, what did you call it? Marefriend?"

"Uh... Yes, alright, but I have no idea where to start."

Valkardian looked out over the city and watched the thestrals going about their day.

"How about... Talking, lets start by talking."

Author's Notes:

This concludes the story "Underworld" for the time being but I left more than enough loose ends that I can come back and make a continuation if I ever decide to and if enough readers are interested. The "Crocodile Dundee Theme Song" fits well here.

Furthermore: My next story will be based in Zebrica and Saddle Arabia: Zebrican Warlord. Name is not final but most of the premise is written out but I want to fill in as many holes as I can before writing even the first chapter.

So those of you who are interested in reading my future story do not forget to watch so you can catch any updates I put out or when I finally release the story!

If you have not rated the story make certain to do so and leave a comment!