The next day passed relatively quickly. Aldus, along with the rest of Luna’s servants spent most of the day sleeping. Luna’s presence in Aldus’ dream was something he was not expecting, but it was something he sorely needed. He realized this once she finally departed his dreams and went to sleep herself.

Aldus allowed his mind to freely wander and relinquished his loose control over the dreamscape. For hours he slept and recalled nothing of what transpired in his dreams until he found himself in a familiar environment. It was the small elevated area near the back of Canterlot Palace. The hedge maze could be seen below, and the city walls bordered the area making it seem much smaller than it actually was. This was the ‘play’ area for the students in Celestia and Luna’s school of magic, but it also served as a secluded public park.

Aldus was sitting under his favorite tree with two books in front of him, he remembered the smell of this place, as well as the feeling of the tall grass and the gentle sound of wind blowing through the tree above him. But his serenity was about to be broken when he noticed the familiar figures of the group of unicorns who used to pick on him while he was at the school.  The old feeling of dread started to creep its way into Aldus’ mind, but it didn’t matter in here. In here, he had control. However, before he attempted to change the dream, a pegasus colt landed in front of him and placed himself squarely between Aldus and the group of approaching unicorns. The pegasus looked to its left and as if on cue, a unicorn colt of about the same size materialized beside the pegasus.

“Took you long enough,” the pegasus said with a cocky tone, “I had to fly here, and I still beat you.”

The unicorn laughed, “I had time, I was exploring all these winding streets in your city. I’m not from here, remember?”

Aldus smiled as the two ponies in front of him continued to bicker. Aside from Lilith and Luna, the friendship he struck with these two was one of the best things of his youth.

The group of unicorns confronted the two ponies in front of Aldus, then slowly wandered off to go cause trouble elsewhere.

Aldus got up and jumped on the pegasus who allowed himself to be knocked to the ground. He laughed and messed up Aldus’ mohawk while the unicorn smirked and shook his head in mocking disapproval.

“Rigel! Polaris! Its wonderful to see you!”

“We wouldn’t miss a chance to come see our best friend.” Rigel said, “How is school treating you, Aldy?”

“Its going good, I’m actually learning a few new spells and incantations today.” Aldus said, and motioned to the books by the tree.

“Well we had better leave you too it then,” Polaris said.

“Ah geez, Pol. We only just got here, I don’t want to abandon little Aldy. I have some moves I need to learn for junior speedster flight camp, and you must have some training to do. Lets stick around. We won’t bother Aldy while he’s studying.”

Polaris thought about it a moment, “I suppose theres no harm in that.”

Rigel nodded and bent down to get within eye level of Aldus, “I’m going to spend all day with you, Aldy. We’ll get something for dinner later, and don’t worry about those other foals. Nopony will lay a hoof on you while I’m here.”

Aldus grinned and nodded, he then watched Rigel climb into the air and perform amazing aerial maneuvers. Polaris was practicing some combat wards and doing one hoofed push ups.

The dreamscape tensed for a moment then went back to normal. Normally that meant somepony had entered the dream. A black shadow was cast over Aldus, then it shrank to its usual size. He turned to see a large black alicorn sitting near the tree silently observing him and his surroundings. None of the other ponies in the dream seemed to notice her. In the dreamscape, Aldus had a degree of control... but it was truly her domain.

She could warp this space to whatever form she desired. In fact, in many ways she already had. Whenever they were together like this she always adopted the form of the black alicorn. She looked the spitting image of Nightmare Moon, but was less threatening without her armor, and was even taller. Though in truth, that observation was likely due to Aldus’ current state as a foal. That seemed to be a common theme lately. Aldus didn’t know why he was a foal in many of the recent dreams. Was it simply due to the dreams he was naturally having? Or, was the nightmare influencing them somehow? There was still much he needed to learn.

“Um, Selene?” he said cautiously.

The black alicorn stood up and walked over to him, she was so tall Aldus almost fell over looking up at her. She must have noticed this, since her next move was to lay down on all four hooves. She bent down to be at eye level with him.

“Yes little one?” she said with a warm almost motherly smile.

It was odd, for some reason she spoke to Aldus in his mind. He knew she could speak, but she simply didn’t do it when it was just the two of them. Aldus wagered that it was due to their bond.

“I’m going to need to get used to calling you that name,” Aldus said, “And I’m not that little, contrary to how I look in here.”

Selene smiled again. “But you are little, in the dream and in the waking world. Besides, our current forms speak truths about who we are. I am infinitely older than you, so when compared to me you really are just a foal. Well... just a cute foal.”

Aldus rolled his eyes and turned away from Selene, “I see Marigold has been rubbing off on you. Perfect.”

Selene wrapped a hoof around Aldus and pulled him in close to nuzzle him. A gesture that he begrudgingly accepted, and she found even cuter. Eventually he relented and sat down to lean against her.

“Have you visited Marigold’s dreams yet and introduced yourself?” Aldus asked.

“I may have eavesdropped on a few of them, but I have not personally met her yet.”

Aldus laughed, “Do I detect shyness? I’ll gladly introduce you if thats what it takes.”

Selene looked down at Aldus and saw him smirking. She enveloped him with a soft blue cloud of magic that caused him to slowly float off the ground. It was an anti gravity spell. Aldus floated up in front of her face and scowled at her.

“Very funny,” Aldus said, “I’ll just...”

Aldus attempted to dispel the magic that was keeping him aloft, but the energy collecting at the tip of his small horn sputtered and fizzled out.

“Ugh...”

Selene giggled and raised a hoof to Aldus and gently pulled his tail causing him to spin in the air in front of her. He groaned in resignation as he tumbled in the air. He was about to tell her enough was enough when suddenly a gust of wind blew him into the air. Aldus was still spinning and was having trouble seeing Selene and his friends.

Then, seemingly all at once, a familiar feeling washed over him as he blinked rapidly. The dreamscape had changed completely and his stomach tightened to the signal that he was falling. He opened his eyes to find himself plummeting to the ground. Tears began to form as he passed cloud after cloud, though he could not tell if they were due to him falling or being terrified. He briefly saw the old pegasus fortress above him, confirming his memory of this place. He tried to steady himself but could only wince as he saw the ground rushing up to meet him.

“No! No! No!” He screamed, but could barely hear the sound of his own voice over the air rushing past him.

Aldus clenched his teeth together, “Rigel help me, help me!”

Suddenly a black silhouette streaked past and spread its large black wings to slow its descent and position itself under him. Aldus crashed down on top of it and immediately took its mane in a death grip. Slowly it reduced speed and floated to the ground.

“Selene?” Aldus croaked.

“Yes little one its me, you’re safe.” Selene replied warmly as she laid down on the grass.

Aldus was panting with tears streaming out his eyes. He buried his face in Selene’s mane. “Thank the goddess.” he muttered.

Selene could feel the colt on her back trembling violently. The long tendrils of hair that made up her black mane wove themselves around him to guard against the wind.

She slowly craned her neck to look at Aldus out of the corner of her eye, “I’m sorry, I didn’t know playing with you like that would cause you to lapse into a nightmare.”

“Its not your fault,” came a muffled reply, “I didn’t know either.”

Selene frowned, “But it was my fault, I was too relaxed in my control of the dream and let it get away from me. I won’t let it happen again, I promise.” she said, while gently tightening her mane around Aldus in reassurance. “You’re safe here with me, nothing will ever harm you in here. Now relax...”

Aldus felt the gentle touch of her mane, and her soft fur. Selene was warm, he was able to stop shaking and dry his eyes. Aldus knew much about life, it was part of his special talent to know things after all, but with this entity he was learning new things every day. This nightmare, this being, had grown very close to him. In truth, he still could not believe it, but here he was, nestled safely under her magical mane. Part of being a successful noble and ambassador was never letting your guard down. Aldus had very few ponies in his life that he could feel at ease around, yet he felt completely safe with her. The feeling of love and care was similar to what he felt growing up with Lilith, and yet it was different, perhaps more intense, motherly even?

Was this what everypony with parents felt? A feeling that no matter what, everything was going to be alright? With her mane covering him he couldn’t see much, but he felt her looking at him wondering if he was alright. He answered by snuggling up close and affectionately nuzzling her neck.

“Feeling better now?” She cooed.

“Yes, thank you Selene.”

“If you don’t mind me asking, what was that?”

“The falling nightmare?”

“Yes, you screamed his name before i caught you...”

Aldus raised his head through Selene’s soft locks to find them back in the park in Canterlot. Selene was watching Rigel perform quick maneuvers in the air, and Polaris was practicing punches and kicks.

“It was a moment in my past when I traveled to the cloud fortress where Rigel was...from...” Aldus finished with a yawn. Suddenly he was becoming very sleepy.

“What happened there?” Selene asked.

Aldus yawned again and rested his head on her neck. “Even though I had magic to allow me to walk on the clouds, I was careless and slipped off, Rigel saved me.”

“He saved you then, and looks after you here at the school as well. I only knew him as the leader of the Shadowbolts, I never got to know him as anypony else. This time I won’t make the same mistake.” Selene said with conviction.

“No, you won’t” Aldus said drowsily, “You will be friends with all of them, just like with the crusaders, I know it. And you won’t have to wait long to meet Rigel, we’re going to go get him tonight when I wake up.”

Selene chuckled, “Sound’s like somepony is getting sleepy back there. Its funny, you can get tired here, but still wake up well rested, and you’ve done a lot in the dreamscape tonight, little one.”

Aldus muttered an inaudible reply into Selene’s fur which made her laugh. The wind picked up again and the sun disappeared behind approaching rain clouds. She knew her little colt still had some time left before he would wake. With care, she slowly rose to her hooves and headed for the the palace entrance.

“Selene?” Aldus asked

“Mmm?”

“Can we wait just a bit? I want to stay with them a little while longer.”

Selene stopped and looked over her shoulder, “Alright little one, if you insist.”

--------------

Princess Luna stood outside on the castle’s landing pad with Marigold. The chariot was prepared and was surrounded by both old guards and new recruits. Luna was amused by how excited Marigold was acting.

Rigel hasn’t even come back yet and he already has a fanmare.

Marigold noticed Luna grinning at her and looked confused. “What is it, Luna?”

“Oh, nothing.” the princess said with a laugh

Marigold tapped her left hoof in irritation, “Where is Aldus? He said he’d be here!”

As if on cue, Aldus emerged from the castle and trotted up to join them.

“Apologies ladies, but I needed to take care of something first.”

Luna regarded Aldus suspiciously, “Take care of something? Like what?”

Aldus jumped into the chariot and adjusted his robes for the trip, “Finances for a little project I came up with. It ties into something Celestia asked of me.”

“A project?” Luna inquired with an arched eyebrow.

“Yes, Luna. I can tell you the details when we return, or now if you prefer.” Aldus offered.

Marigold let out an exasperated sigh, “You’re doing it when we get back, I’m sick of waiting! Lets go!”

Luna laughed and got in the chariot as Marigold commanded the guards to assume formation and take off.

The journey was short since Rigel’s prison was located in a sunken temple within a swamp near the borders of the everfree forest. Luna was amused to learn he was imprisoned there given her portrayal of the Shadowbolts to Rainbow Dash, the element of loyalty. As Nightmare Moon, she had called them the best fliers in the everfree forest, technically she wasn’t lying.

The chariot landed in the swamp and the guards took up a defensive perimeter. They had not brought provisions for a camp this time since they were so close to Canterlot. The temple housing the prison was a modest one, nowhere near as large as the one Aldus was locked away in.

“The architecture of this seems similar to the one in the north,” Marigold observed.

“Yes,” Aldus agreed, “The book Celestia gave me confirmed that Zebras built them all. Now, lets get inside...”

Aldus cast the spell on the door and it slid open revealing a musty smell. As the group entered, they saw that many plants grew on the ground and walls. It seemed roughly half the temple was flooded. After locating the chamber with the prison Marigold was confused.

“How come Aldus had so much stuff in his temple but there is practically nothing here.” Marigold asked Luna.

Aldus was configuring the prison’s control panel when he answered Marigold, “While there might not be many relics or treasures here from his past, I’d say of the things that are here carry great significance.”

Aldus slid the last crystal into place and motioned for Marigold and Luna to follow him to one of the corners of the room. The light in the prison chamber was dim before the lighting crystals became fully charged and began to better illuminate the area. Marigold gasped and rushed past Aldus to examine what she found.

Three large rectangular slabs of stone were arrayed around a simple pedestal. The design of the pedestal and the stone was that of typical pegasus architecture. Resting on top of it was a Shadowbolt flight suit and goggles. However, Marigold noticed it was not in the normal colors described in the books she had read. Instead of purple and black, this suit was a strange deep red color. It was so red it reminded her of dried blood. The logo was a bit different as well. It was still the winged skull, however there was a lightning bolt behind it emblazoned on a crescent moon.

Marigold examined the rectangular stones and suddenly realized their purpose. Many small symbols were carved into the stones. The symbols were the ancient crest of Celestia’s army during the Equestrian Civil War, and there were hundreds carved into the stones.

“Impossible,” Marigold whispered, “These are...”

“... His victories, yes,” Aldus said with a smile. “In the air, Rigel was without a doubt the best fighter in all Equestria.”

Marigold was without words, she looked closer to see many the markings carved to the stone were that of the Wonderbolts. She attempted to move to the next stone but tripped over something and landed on the floor.

Aldus extended a hoof and pulled her up, “And here I thought I’d be the one falling on my face,” he said with a laugh, pointing to his veil.

Marigold looked down see she had tripped over a hammer. The floor on this side of the room was littered with hammers, chisels, and all manner of tools. A workbench and small scaffold were erected next to some sort of structure that was covered by a large sheet. Marigold pulled off the covering to reveal a partially finished statue of a pegasus. It was quite large and missing its left hoof and wing, however the rest of it seemed to be finished. The pegasus wore plate armor and a helmet, its face was one of stalwart determination.

“This is...” Marigold stuttered, “Why? Why is a statue of him in here?”

Aldus looked at the statue and shook his head in disappointment, “Its here because it had to be, and for no other reason. Rigel certainly would not have wanted it here.”

Marigold was confused, but after seeing Aldus and Luna’s sad expression when they saw the statue, she did not press further.

Aldus moved to the console and initiated the release. Just like before, the soft blue light of the prison faded and the body of a tall pegasus stallion fell to the floor. However, unlike Aldus, the pegasus was completely wrapped in blankets and rags, obscuring all but his black and blue mane.

“Is he alright?” Marigold asked with concern as Aldus evaluated his friend.

“He seems to be fine for now, but he is not a unicorn like me, and so does not have magic available to hasten his recovery.”

Luna stepped forward and cast a blue light over Rigel’s crumpled form, “I suspect he may wake sick and malnourished. We should return to Canterlot immediately.”

“I agree,” Aldus said as he commanded the guards that accompanied them to make the chariot ready for departure.

Luna and Aldus levitated their courtier to the chariot while Marigold followed. Before she left the room she took one last glance at the statue in the corner. For some reason, it made her uneasy.

-----------------

Back at Canterlot Rigel was in Aldus’ bed and still asleep. A check with the doctor’s and nurses indicated he was indeed in good health. But without the aid of magic it would likely take him awhile to recover. Marigold had dinner brought to them as they sat by the fire. Luna had left to perform her nightly duties.

A few hours passed and was about midnight when Rigel began to stir. Marigold had nodded off on a pillow near the fire while Aldus brought a chair to the side of the bed and had been reading.

Rigel’s eyes slowly opened and focussed on Aldus, who was leaning forward in his chair and smiling, “Aldus? What is this...? Is this the eternal shores..? Where is Epsilon?”

Aldus felt a wave of sadness wash over him after hearing that. “Rigel, look at me. You aren’t dead, you’ve been imprisoned for one thousand years.”

Rigel didn’t move, but continued to blink to restore his vision, “I’ve been what?”

“The war is over, Rigel. It’s been over for one thousand years. We lost... but Luna is back.”

Rigel coughed as his eyes widened in surprise, “She is!?”

“Yes, now don’t move. I’ll bring over some food, you should try to eat something.”

“Rigel sat up in the bed and leaned back, “All those years I spent looking out for you, it seems odd you doing it for me now. Alright, Aldy, fill me in. I want to know everything.”

Aldus levitated a tray of food in front of Rigel and grinned, “As you wish, lets start with the nightmare.”

--------------

Outside the Castle it began to storm. Arcs of lightning streaked through the sky illuminating the ominous dark clouds that gathered over the city. Each clap of thunder made Mountain Laurel jump as she hurried through the castle to the princesses towers. She had never heard of anypony arriving to the castle this late, and on such a stormy night. Though on thinking it over, it made sense that things would be more lively since the Magister had returned.

Mountain Laurel entered one of the long hallways that overlooked the courtyard below. She never liked these hallways, they always seemed so empty and quiet. As she hurried along, lightning flashed in the sky briefly illuminating the surroundings. Shadows seemed to leap out of the walls from the various tables and benches situated about the passage. She neared the end when another flash occurred, but this time she was looking at the wall opposite the windows, and saw for a brief second another shadow following her own.

She whirled around and nearly jumped out of her skin. Her mouth opened to scream but no sound came out at all. Mountain Laurel slowly moved to the windows to get a better look down the hallway.

“Hello,” she squeaked, “Who- whos there?”

No reply, other than another loud crack of thunder. She cursed under her breath and slowly turned around. She had read too many horror books to know that turning around rapidly in situations like this usually resulted in something terrible appearing behind you. But perhaps she was just being paranoid. Mountain Laurel practically ran to the tower entrances and didn’t look back until she reached the Magister’s chambers.

A few moments after she departed, a servant mare trotted down the hallway with a washbucket and rags. She softly whistled a tune while the periodic flashes of lightning revealed a sharp glint in her green eyes.

------------

Rigel had finished eating and was now leaning against the headboard staring at the ceiling. Aldus remained seated in the chair beside his bed while a tall black pegasus mare sat on the other side.

“So this... thing, erm... this mare is Nightmare Moon?” Rigel asked, while cautiously examining the pegasus.

“Not exactly. Like I said, Nightmare Moon was when this entity existed inside Luna, now you could say its... Nightmare Aldus, I suppose.” Aldus replied while smiling at the black pegasus.

The black pegasus shook her head while putting a hoof to her face.

Rigel chuckled at that. “Well whatever she is, she sure chose a beautiful form. Does she have a name other than Nightmare?”

Aldus looked at the pegasus and saw her nod in approval. “Her name is Selene.”

Rigel considered the name. A name given to the Nightmare, the thing that could be responsible for the civil war. After hearing Aldus explain his time in his own prison trapped with it, Rigel did not know what he should think about it. When the war started one thousand years ago, Rigel was largely indifferent to it. He, like Aldus, had seen the signs and knew a conflict was coming. Nightmare Moon was simply the catalyst to light the flames, it was not the sole reason for the war. But now he was back, he should have been long dead. And being here now wasn’t all bad, he had some familiar faces at least. Rigel considered the circumstances and decided to make the best of them.

“Well, Selene its a pleasure to meet you. I suppose I served you during the war, among others. Perhaps now I’ll be able to do so again.” Rigel said with a weak smile.

The black pegasus mare trotted over and nuzzled him affectionately.

“Daaw... I think she likes you, Rigel!” Aldus said in a slightly mocking tone.

Rigel was about to say something clever but was interrupted by the door bursting open revealing a panting and frightened Mountain Laurel. She saw Aldus, Marigold, and Rigel, then finally saw the black pegasus after it moved from Rigel’s side. Two hooves came to her mouth to stop the scream from coming out.

Aldus motioned her to come inside and shut the door, “What is it Mountain Laurel?” he asked.

Mountain Laurel was shaking as she looked at Selene, “What is that?” she squeaked.

Aldus recognized what she was afraid of and moved in front of her to get her attention, “She is a friend, now what is it? Why are you here?”

Mountain Laurel regained her composure and took a deep breath, “The mare you requested a meeting with is here. She informed me this was the soonest she could come.”

“Excellent,” Aldus said, “Where is she?”

“I told her to wait in one of the hearth meeting rooms near the library.” Mountain Laurel said.

“I see, well I suppose I shouldn’t keep her waiting.”

“Meeting mares in the dead of night? Seems I taught you well, Aldy” Rigel mused. Though in truth he wondered what his friend was actually doing.

Selene too wondered what was going on, she regarded Aldus with a look of confusion.

“I’ll be back shortly,” Aldus said as he and Mountain Laurel stepped out the door into the tower hallway.

“You stay here,” Aldus pointed to Selene, “And Rigel, there is somepony who was very eager to meet you.” Aldus said with a grin as he shut the door.

Aldus trotted to the stairs leading out of the tower when he felt a hoof on his shoulder, it was Mountain Laurel.

“What is it Moutain Laurel? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

The assistant mare bit her lip, “I- I know this will sound strange, but I think there is something here in the castle.”

“Something here?” Aldus asked.

“On my way here, I had the strange sensation of being followed, perhaps I’m just jumpy due to the storm.”

“Perhaps...” Aldus replied thoughtfully, “Or, perhaps not. Did you see anything? What exactly do you think was following you? Did you see any lights or hear anything, particularly a buzzing or clicking sound?”

Mountain Laurel was surprised by the questions being thrown at her, and at her being taken seriously. This actually made her even more afraid, what if there really was something following her?

“I- didn’t hear anything, and the only lights I saw were from the flashes of lightning. But during one of the flashes I saw another shadow on the wall following my own, when I looked behind me there was nothing there.”

“Alright, Mountain Laurel I need you to listen to me very carefully.” Aldus said as he leaned in close.

“Ye- yes?” she said timidly.

“While roaming around the castle at night I want you to be very careful, if you feel afraid ask one of the guards to escort you. Also, if you see a pony that you don’t recognize find the guards immediately. Do you understand?”

Mountain Laurel gulped and nodded in agreement.

“Good,” Aldus said as they both departed the tower.

-------------

Rigel slowly climbed out of bed and paced around the room stretching his legs and wings. Selene silently watched as he flapped his powerful wings and slowly ascended into the air. Rigel moved about the room looking at all the books. Aldus’ desk was completely covered with books and scrolls.

Looks like he hasn’t changed much in regards to how seriously he takes his work, Rigel thought as he flew over to the balcony doors. It was still storming outside, so he couldn’t fly around the castle without getting soaked.

Selene flew over to sit beside Marigold and motioned with a wing for Rigel to sit with them.

“Ah yes,” Rigel said, landing on a pillow opposite Marigold.

Selene gently nudged Marigold and the sleeping mare slowly got up and rubbed her eyes. When she opened them she saw a pegasus stallion staring back at her.

“Hello there,” the stallion said casually, “I’m Rigel, what's your name?”

Marigold seemed to have swallowed her tongue. The pegasus sitting in front of her had the same deep red-almost black color to his fur as the flight suit she saw in the temple. His mane was a deep shade of blue with black stripes. The eyes that stared back at her seemed golden when reflecting the light from the fire. They showed a confidence that Marigold could not understand, but also a certain sadness similar to Aldus’ eyes when she first saw them.

Marigold felt a gentle nudge from beside her to see the black pegasus mare sitting nearby. She nearly jumped into the air at being startled, but calmed down when she saw its soft green eyes and gentle smile.

“Um, I’m Marigold.” she said, “You were leader of the Shadowbolts.”

“Its a pleasure to meet you, Marigold.” Rigel said as he bowed his head, “And yes, I was their leader and founder.”

“I’ve read so much about you, and them.” she said flapping her wings happily. “I have so many questions.”

“I have some questions too,” Rigel said with a sly grin, “Tell you what, I’ll answer your questions... if I can, if you answer mine. Deal?”

“Deal!” Marigold said as she clapped her hooves together in excitement.”

Selene watched the two of them chat while she concentrated on sensing Aldus in the castle, there was something off. When she finally found him he felt nervous, on edge. She would need to find out what troubled him when they next met in the realm of dreams.

-------------

Aldus rounded the corner to the hearth meeting room, before he opened the door he stopped to straighten his robes and adjust his veil. He placed his hoof on the door to open it but hesitated as he heard a sound coming from the otherwise quiet wing of the castle. Aldus took a few steps back listening to the rubbing noise to find a servant mare with a washbucket. She was scrubbing the floor further down the hall where apparently somepony had spilled some food.

Aldus shrugged and entered the room to find the mare he was expecting standing behind one of the chairs near the hearth. The mare sported a khaki coat with a black and grey mane. Her eyes were a shade of red and her cutie mark seemed to be some sort of compass rose. She wore a green vest and held a tan pith helmet at her side. She saw Aldus enter the room and gave him a nod as greeting.

“Can’t say I’ve ever been called to a meeting this late at night before,” the mare said, seemingly amused.

“Yes...” Aldus said, “I apologize for that but it was necessary.”

“Really?” the mare said, “I can’t wait to hear what's so impor- wait, you’re that wizard thats come back from dead, aren’t you?”

Aldus smiled as he took a seat in one the chairs near the hearth and offered her to sit as well. He found it interesting that word of his return had spread so quickly. And if the rumor was he came back from the dead, well, that would only serve to make him seem more powerful. That was a rumor he did not mind being spread.

“Hmm back from the dead, thats one way of putting it... I suppose.” Aldus said with a chuckle.

“Well isn’t this something, to think I might take a job from somepony like you, at least... I’m assuming thats why you’ve called me here. Seems a bit late to be calling and asking for an autograph.”

Both the ponies laughed.

Aldus leaned forward and his eyes began to glow green, which didn’t seem to affect the mare seated opposite him in the slightest. “A job? Perhaps... but first tell me Ms. Derring Dew, just how Daring are you?”

The mare smirked and ran a hoof through her dark mane, “As daring as I need to get the job done, so how about you tell me just what it is you want.”

Aldus nodded, “Alright, take a look at this.”

He produced a map from his robes and spread it out on small table between them. There was a red circle marked on the map that Aldus pointed to.

“This is an area located at the border between the northwestern territories of Equestria and one of the southern Gryphon kingdoms. There is a temple here that holds an artifact of great importance. I need you to retrieve it for me.”

Derring Dew looked at the map a moment then looked Aldus straight in the eye, “What's a temple doing all the way out there on the outskirts of Equestria? Who built it?”

Aldus leaned back in his chair and stared into the fire, “It is a temple of chaos, built during the rule of Discord. I imagine the maps would have looked quite different back then.”

Derring’s eyes widened, “A temple to Discord, I’ve never heard of such a thing.”

“Neither have I until a few nights ago,” Aldus said, “The time of his rule predates the founding of Equestria, I doubt many temples such as this still exist, which is why I’m certain what I’m looking for might be found there.”

“What are you looking for?” Derring asked.

Aldus produced a small piece of parchment and handed it to Derring.

Derring opened it, “A book?”

Aldus nodded, “Gryphon’s have been spotted in the area, they must not be allowed to get their claws on it.”

Derring smirked at Aldus, “A temple of chaos, no doubt full of nasty surprises. And the Gryphon Kingdom of the Golden Nest, one of the more... problematic of them, if I recall correctly. I can do this, but its going to cost you extra. Double my usual fee, since you did say you need me.” she said with wink.

“The matter of your price is not a problem,” Aldus replied. “I have been given control of my assets once again, and they have accumulated in the thousand years of my absence. If you can do this successfully, and without the gryphons spotting you, I’ll pay you triple and give an added bonus. There might even be more jobs like this in the future, if you’re interested...”

Derring stood up and took the parchment and map. She walked over to Aldus and held out a hoof, “We have a deal.”

Aldus took her hoof and shook it, “Excellent, good luck.”

Derring trotted over to the door and donned her pith helmet, “I don’t need luck Magister Aldus, goodbye.”

-----------

The storm outside showed no signs of dying down, the wind whipped at the trees and the rain continued to pour. Aldus teleported to the statuary garden outside the castle. He pulled his hood up and trotted over to the statue in the middle of the garden. Aldus looked up at it and smiled. He thought some probably considered it a grotesque abomination. The creature before him was an amalgamation of several creatures such as a goat, horse, lion, lizard, and eagle. It was the spirit of chaos, Discord.

“Oh Discord,” Aldus mused as he assumed his own grotesque disfigured form. “I have to admit your last pose while in stone was a lot more entertaining than this one.”

The draconequus stood with arms outstretched and a look of shock and horror on his face.

Black wings dripping with a tar like substance formed from Aldus’ sides as he rose into the air to look Discord in the eye. “A shame that very few ponies know you can still hear things even while trapped in stone. How do I look? Pretty gruesome huh? I doubt we have much in common, but I dare say we probably draw the same looks of disgust, shock, and horror from the ponies.” Aldus said with a laugh as he removed his veil and stared at Discord with green glowing eyes.

“But I believe its rude to drone on and on to a captive audience such as yourself, so I’ll be brief.” Aldus flapped his inky black wings and floated casually around Discord’s statue. “A little birdie tells me that you will be released soon. It seems Celestia has plans for you to be... reformed... by the elements of harmony. If and when this occurs, I urge you to seek me out, I just might have something for you.”

Aldus inverted himself so he was looking at Discord upside down, “Sound good? Nod if you understand. Hahaha oh wait... haha I kid. I’ll see you later Discord.”

Aldus flew off over Canterlot laughing in the storm and downpour. The statuary garden remained quiet after he left, except for the sound of small cracks in stone at Discord’s clawed hand.