The Fifth Circle of the Underworld was nothing like the first. It was radiant and resplendent, with majestic castles and towering spires, a true monument to the craft and majesty of the monsters who lived there, who were so much more cultured and refined than the beasts and ruffians who dwelled on the First Circle.

It was also Rarity’s home, and she bore that honor with a great amount of pride.

She paced around the empty halls of her personal castle, opulent flowing robes trailing behind her as she marveled at her station and the luxuries she was afforded that she wouldn’t give up for the world.

She did wonder though, where had Sweetie Belle run off to? Probably stealing cookies from the kitchen, no doubt about it. Before Rarity even knew it, she was standing in the kitchen, and it was empty. No chefs or maids or servants of any kind, and certainly no Sweetie Belle.

Odd.

Oh well, it was no matter. The little dear would likely be at Rarity’s meeting today, causing a ruckus as always. The castle was always lively during the war meetings, and that always caused poor Sweetie Belle to become restless and anxious.

Funny then, how as Rarity paced down the spacious halls of the castle, there was not a single other creature in sight.

There was no one in the kitchen either, or the common areas or the balconies. Rarity’s relaxed pace quickly turned into a sprint as she raced through the castle trying to find someone, anyone, to tell her what the hell was going on.

Her clothes became torn on trees and branches that didn’t exist, ripping them away until she found herself in nothing but her red slingsuit that she wore on the First Circle… and she remembered that she no longer belonged on the Fifth Circle, she had been cast down by—

“Hello, Rarity,” the voice of the Empress chimed in Rarity’s ears from behind her, the vampire too terrified to dare turn around, but she didn’t need to as the Empress closed the distance between them and put her arms around Rarity’s waist from behind, whispering gently in Rarity’s ear, “unpleasant dreams?”

“What are you doing here?” Rarity said breathlessly, too proud to bow and too scared to be defiant.

“Please, darling,” the Empress chuckled and in the space of an instant stood in front of Rarity, binding the vampire with her magic and tracing a finger under Rarity’s chin, “nightmares call me like a siren song. And how could I resist dropping into yours?”

“What do you want with me?” Rarity said, squirming against her bindings.

“I can think of a few things,” the Empress chuckled and licked her lips, and for once Rarity was disgusted by her own beauty. “But I would never take advantage of a creature as powerless as you. On that note, I know you’re looking to acquire more power, the power of the pony soul, and claw your way back to the Fifth Circle.”

“How did—”

“Your dreams give you away,” the Empress shook her head slowly and clicked her tongue, “same as they do anyone else. You don’t have to worry, my little cohorts didn’t rat you out, if that’s what you’re worried for.”

“That still doesn’t answer why you’re here,” Rarity groaned as she tried to struggle against her bonds, but the Empress didn’t mess around. “OR why you have me tied up right now!”

“Hm, well the latter is just for fun,” the Empress chuckled, and Rarity’s cheeks were seared a bloody red. “And you know, even my power doesn’t match the ruler of a dream. If you wanted to be free, you would be.”

Rarity tried to somehow ‘will’ her bindings away, but they only squeezed her tighter, resulting in a pained groan. Either the Empress was playing some kind of cruel trick on her, or—

No, that must have been it. Rarity couldn’t consider any other options.

“To answer your other question,” the Empress said, looking unimpressed by Rarity’s continued struggling, “I’m here because I want to give you a piece of friendly advice. It might not seem like it, but I’m rooting for you to return to the Fifth Circle. I’m curious to see how you’ve changed by the time you reach it.

“But right now, you’re doing what you’ve always done. Rest on your laurels and let others carry your burdens for you. If you want that pony soul-” the Empress lurched forward, putting her snout a mere inch from Rarity’s and baring her fangs “-you need to TAKE IT!”

Rarity’s eyes snapped open, she was in bed. She wasn’t bound, thank goodness. She slowly sat up, sweat dripping down her body and out of breath, a hand instinctively clutching her heart.

The lights were still out, but it didn’t matter. Rarity knew what she had to do.

She needed to go to the prison and get her hands on the soul personally, and she needed to do it now.

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