In early morning Lucky Eight was laid to rest in the Royal Guards cemetery that was on a field in the skirts of the mountain, below Canterlot. It was a quiet, very well-kept place. Woods surrounded this eternal home of many brave ponies. White tombstones were arranged into perfect rolls. They were all unnamed, only the cutiemarks were engraved on every white surface. The graves were pointed at the direction of the rising sun, so that the sleeping Guardians  saluted her Princess every morning.

The beams shined on the white stones. The newest edition was the fist on the new roll. Six ponies were standing silent in front of the freshly put stone. In the brown earth were planted tens of seeds of many flowers. A tradition that was as ancient as the Guardians themselves. The priest was quick with the prayer and then quietly left the friends of the dead to give their respect to him.

The wind was warm but it felt ice-cold to Foxy. She couldn't look away from the carved eight with wings. There was no sign from the sadness in her heart. Tail kept it all inside like the beast before it. Her orange eyes were as cold as before. After a full night of crying over his lifeless body, no feelings were left in her at this moment. There was no hate, no anger, no happiness. Just nothing like an empty shell. Her emotionless self had returned again to protect her from this world full of emotions.

Quarter Key, Diamond Rod, Spy Filly and Metal Eye grievously were staring down. The loss was too painful for everypony. His death left large holes in their hearts. Just when he got to know joy, destiny twisted again and this time it took him with her. That bitch, who played with his feelings and sanity, had to take his life too just to make a point: no pony could run from her, no matter how hard.

Celestia was watching the sad ceremony from her tower. She was not happy of last night's event. The one of the saviors of this world left the living world far too young. The Princess knew that his death was a part of an unholy plan but what was this new menace? What were its goals? Who was standing behind it?

Questions and more questions, which the answer, She did not have. Last night, while Foxy was having the worst moment of her life, Celestia realized how fragile the peace was in the Kingdom. It was built on deception and dishonesty. This false sense of serenity in the Kingdom was going to crumble someday and her subjects were going to see the truth about the world around them. It had already started. Yesterday a journalist came to her with questions. She was easily dealt with but what will happen when everypony starts asking them? Then Celestia would not be able to stop the truth from escaping and maybe her subject might turn their backs on her.

This murder complicated things. Thankfully, the Royal Guards were able to clean the scene before too many eyes were able to take a look at all those corpses. The only witness was taken care of by a couple of psychiatrists that were able to convince him that he was not going to die. The poor pony, he couldn't stop shaking from fear all night. The witness stayed in the hospital for further treatment. And the doctors, well, they were politely asked not to spread the news of what happened. Did they opened their mouths later on, it was not known. However, in the later months there was a rumor of an horrible murder, which took place in the Capital, though none believed it.

Returning to the present, the Princess was having deep thoughts about the future, when a dark blue figure appeared at the entrance of the balcony. Her sister came as asked and was looking concerned.

"Good-Morning!"

"My it be good." Celestia greeted without turning at her. She sounded troubled.

"What is so important that you have to wake me up from my good sleep?"

"Haven't you heard? Lucky Eight is dead." Celestia said in a calm voice.

Luna froze. The other day they were giving him their congrats and royal gratitude, and now this pony was no more. What a change in the tides of time...

"The shade?"

"Maybe, though I'm not ruling out the possibility that it was another evil force that sent us a message. The attackers were ninjas from her island. She left none alive." Celestia turned to her sister and looked her seriously in the eye. "Black clouds are forming near, I can feel it. We must speed up Twilight's ascension. She has to become an alicorn in no more than an year and I know what her next challenge will be."

"The Crystal Empire." Luna whispered in the royal kind of way. "Do you think she is ready for it? Do you believe that she can become one of us in that little time?"

"My faith in her is strong. With the help of the book of Star Swirl The Bearded, Twilight Sparkle will find a way. Also, I'll step up her training, so that she'll be ready to overcome every obstacle in her path."

"I'm not so quite sure, big sis." Luna went to her and looked below them, where the cemetery was greeting the newest soul. The two had eagle eyes and were able to see everything that happened there. "What if Twilight Sparkle can not endure the stress? She may hold great power inside her but magic can burn even the most skillful sorceresses."

"If she fails, then we'll know that my choice was wrong and we'll have to look for another."

"Like your previous one?"

Celestia glimpsed at her blue sister. The Princess of the Night touched a delicate string.

"She holds the most powerful magic and that is the magic of friendship. Twilight will prevail! I know it."

"I do not question your wisdom, sis. However, even We make mistakes."

Celestia had to agree on that. In her long life, she made some mistakes that took centuries to fix and some were raising again left and right. Like she made the mistake of putting the stoned body of Discord in the Royal garden and forgetting that even though he was powerless inside the marble sculpture, the master of ponies found a way to escape and almost destroyed Equestria. If it wasn't for her faithful student and her friends, they'd not be having this conversation.

"What about his partner? Is she alright?"

The white alicorn focused on the dot that was Foxy. She was in the middle of the small group. Even from the balcony, her dark presence could be felt very strongly. Something very bad, the lone mare was planning and Celestia knew exactly what it was. She had seen it in others, who had chosen that shadow path.

"Yesterday, Tail came to me, carrying him on her back. She swore an allegiance to me and in return, she wanted me to save her love. This little warrior looked so determined to reach her goal but after I told her that I can not bring him back, I saw how this strong mare lost her entire strength in just a trice. Like a wax figure in a fire, her spirit fell on its knees. She cried all night."

Luna looked sadly at her bigger sister. Her rainbow mane waved fluently. Her pink experienced eye showed no emotion, just like a master strategist.

"That's awful."

"Yes. However, her heart is closed now. I sense many dark thoughts. I fear that she'll go on the path of revenge. Just like the molten figure, she may turn into something horrible."

"We must stop her!"

"We can, we must but we won't."

Luna was not sure that She go that right.

"We mustn't get in her way because inside Foxy Tail beats the dragon heart and we know that the dragons do not like to have their freedoms taken away. She is the master of her own destiny. Her choice is hers only and we have no right to interfere."

"But-but like you said she might choose the path of death. No pony should ever make that choice. At least, let me talk to her. I used to be the warrior Princess, so I bet that we'll find a common language."

Celestia slowly shook head.

"Once the dragon heart has chosen its path, no force can change its mind. Do what you think is best. I'll not try to stop you." the white alicorn said with a quiet voice.

Luna turned her eyes again to the cemetery. She was not fond of the idea of doing nothing. The dark alicorn wanted to help this most unfortunate pony in this sunny morning.

Quarter Key and Diamond were the first to leave. Then under the suggestion of Metal, Spy joined them at the entrance. The old horn couldn't stand the thought that an younger friend of his died and desperately wanted to be far away from here. The earnest unicorn had nothing else to say to the forever resting pegasus and accompanied the old Guardian. This lonely place was not for little ponies and Metal didn't want his future son to stay too long in this silent white forest. He should be in school, playing with others in his age and be carefree. Though this would be a lesson for the little spy about death and in the future this would be one of the truths, on which his life was going to be guided by.

Only Foxy and Metal Eye stood in front of the white tombstone. It was not easy for both of them to say one last good-bye. The pegasus knew that the silent ninja was in complete turmoil and she needed some help to overcome the loss.

"May you rest in peace, my friend." Metal sadly wished.

"No, he won't rest until the pony responsible for his death joins with him in Tartarus."

The darkness in her voice worried him. Was she planning to do something, from which there was no return?

"What are you saying?" he looked at her with his big pink eyes.

"I'm going back to the little hell hole, from which I came and I'm going to avenge Lucky."

As if a lightening struck him. The seriousness and the simple brutality in her tone made him a little afraid of her. This mare was ready to dive deep into the black to give rightful retribution to anypony, who would dare to stop her holy quest.

"Foxy, hate and revenge won't ease the pain. It will only seal your soul with the demons and from that point you'll never be able to feel happiness again. Only more misery and death awaits on that path." he grabbed her on the shoulders and turned her to him. Metal now saw the demonic eyes, which were so corrupted by the darkness that had lost the spark of life in them. "Hear me. Lucky was more than a friend. He was like a brother to me. We shared happiness and pain together. Yes, I'm angry and my heart demands from me to honor his name with the souls of those, who did this to him but I won't because it will lead to only more killing and suffering. Please, do not do it! Do not become a slave to anger and hatred!"

"Just watch me! No pony can stop me."

"Think what Lucky would do, if he was standing in your place. He'd not go on a personal mission of revenge!"

"That's because Lucky was blind and wouldn't stand the slightest chance against a single clumsy ninja. Metal Eye, you better get your hooves off me or you'll regret it!"

He backed off a little, while constantly looking her in the eye. The spy would not give up easily, so he did the unexpected:

"If you can not be persuaded to choose life, then I'm coming with you, not as an avenger but as the beacon of light. I'll pull you from your darkest hour, I'll be with you, when you decide to not throw your life away!"

"No, you will not. You have a son to take care of. The place, where I'm heading is not safe. There's a big chance that you will die. The orphan doesn't have to endure your death too."

Metal dismissed the warnings and now was more confident in his words.

"Junior can hold on his own and I'm not planning to perish in a foreign land. I'll promise him that he won't live a lonely life and I never brake my promises!"

"Brave words." Foxy then looked again at the grave of her dead love. "Too bad they have no meaning in the Pit." she then looked up at the bright blue sky. Somewhere, at the top of the world, her white pegasus smiled on them. Tail wanted to believe that his soul was in a good place, waiting for her to join with him in the dance of the dead. The reality was too oppressing, no forgiveness was going to be shown. "It's decided then. You'll come with me."

"How are you thinking of getting to an isle that is far in the ocean?"  

"Via the portal that connects the mainland with the island. But first we need a ride to get there first."

"The airship, by which we came here."

"However, it needs to be faster and I know just the pony, who might make it so." Tail turned away but before being able to make a step, a hoof landed on her shoulder.

"Remember, Foxy. I'm doing this because Lucky would want to see you alive and happy in Equestria. The moment you get too deep..."

"I'll drag you with me." she ended the sentence with an evil tone. Then the grey mare began walking in this maze of relics. Her gait was steady, her shadow was big and frightening. This pony of might had one goal in her life: to kill the leader of her clan. Simple and merciless, like a sword she was going to pierce his heart to make sure that he was going to feel her pain as well before his ending.

Metal Eye turned to his friend under a meter and an half of fresh soil and said:

"Why you had to choose her, pal? Whatever the answer is, I'll make sure she returns here and lives a good life. I'll promise you that! So long!"

Then the white pegasus went after her and they joined with the waiting unicorns. Together they left this place of eternal rest, where many heroes had their rightful sleep. Now Lucky was part of them and they welcomed this new brother with opened arms.

Later that morning, the two went in the Royal Hospital, a large building that gave the impression of sterility. Two guards met them at the door. They were standing like unhappy statues. The two unicorns glimpsed at the visitors, when they saw the pegasus they saluted. Metal Eye answered the greeting and then first entered inside. A doctor and two nurses were discussing medical matters. The room was vast. There were three corridors that led to different parts of the building. The walls were painted in bright colors and paintings of beautiful scenery decorated them. The floor was constructed with dark wood as well as the benches on the two sides.

The pink mare looked at the newcomers and ceased the conversation with her colleagues. Her crystal blue eyes pointed in the orange ones of the grey earth pony. She immediately could tell that darkness surrounded her soul, though the doctor's smile didn't disappear. The other seemed to hide sadness behind his tough skin.

"What can we do for you?" the pink pony asked.

"I'm Metal Eye from the Royal Guards. I have to see with the two inventors that are being healed here. Could you point me the way to their room?"

"Of course. Follow me."

A red ball bounced off the wall and returned to its owner. The yellow unicorn grabbed it and then quickly hurled the round object in front of him, repeating the process again and again. Every time the ball hit a solid mass, it produced a sound, that was getting on Volt's nerves.

The brown pony turned around in his bed and covered his ears with the white pillow. It did no help. He only wished for few minutes of silence but his partner was too bored and this repetitive exercise of his was the only thing keeping his brain functional. The medical personnel wouldn't let them have a single pen and a piece of paper, on which to draw what ever his sick mind could think of. At least they gave them books, which Phoenix ate with covers.

This bright room felt so oppressing, as if chains were holding his every hoof. This was the most obnoxious healing process in his entire life and because of his activity, Phoenix was making it a real hell for his friend.

The ball was coming his way, he stretched his hoof to get it, when a flying pillow ruined his amazing score of three hundred and twenty one throws without a single omission. Though, he was not angry at Volts for that. The red ball landed next to his bed but Phoenix was too lazy to get it.

"You could have just asked me to stop."

"I asked you four times, nevertheless you kept throwing that darn ball of yours! Can't you let me have some sleep, for her Majesty's sake?" the brown pony sounded tartly.

"I'm sorry, Volts. I'll try to keep my boredom inside myself." the yellow unicorn lied down and stared at the white ceiling. This was proving to be more difficult than he thought, when they were shown this room for the first time. He missed experimenting, finding the answers for the endless questions and inventing new tools. Was he going to be allowed to invent again? Maybe after they were cured completely from the dark energies. But even then it wasn't very sure. What he'd do for a screwdriver and a basket full with different parts.

There was knocking on the door, which immediately grabbed the attention of the two prisoners. Inside the room entered an huge, strong unicorn in gold armor. He made room for the visitors. First was the familiar pegasus but the mare Phoenix couldn't recognize.

"Metal Eye? What brings you in our humble corner of the hospital?" the yellow unicorn asked from his bed.

The white pony nodded to the grey guard, who then wordlessly left the room and closed the door behind him.

"What is the matter?" Volts sensed that something was not quite clear of why the two visitors were here.

"We've come to ask for your help." Metal moved forward and looked at the yellow pony. "We need your brain for the task."

"What?!" the unicorn was surprised. "You can not be serious. Though from the tone of your voice, I can safely say that you are but could there be a slight chance that you are mad?"

The mare jumped on his bed, marched towards him, grabbed him and lifted his weaker body, so that he could barely touch the bedding with his rear legs. Her cold orange eyes stared at his frightened blue ones. By how seamlessly she was holding him in the air, this soulless creature seemed to have the strength of ten ponies. The reptilian skin on her tummy was perfectly visible and Volts couldn't look away from it. Who was this muted pony?

Then, like a thunder in a bright sky, Phoenix learned who she was. Those eyes and unbelievable strength could be described to only one pony.

"Foxy Tail? What happened to your costume? Oh, my gosh! Is Lucky here? Has he come to guide me through the light? To help me recover faster?"

"He is dead!" she said with a dark voice.

At first, Phoenix thought that he didn't hear right but then the realization struck him like a lightening. The world around the unicorn broke into pieces that reflected different lights and then blackness surrounded him. He was numb and needed a strong shaking from the mare to wake him from his trans.

"You are going to help me get to the portal in the south as fast as possible!" she ordered him. "You two are going to make the airship faster, got it?"

"Please, stop her! She is going to kill him!" Volts jumped from his bed and tried to stop her. Somehow Foxy managed to kick him in the face without losing balance on one leg.

A friendly hoof touched her shoulder, which ceased the strong shake. She let her animal instinct to dictate her actions. The invisible pain, the source of all darkness in her heart was pulling her strings like a puppeteer and that meant that no pony was safe around her.

"Foxy, calm down. Let him go. You are making too much noise, the guards might hear something." his friendly voice was like a guide for her to get to that state of spirit, where she could maintain inner equilibrium. The grey ninja slowly put him down and moved away from the unicorn, while keeping her demonic stare at him. Phoenix was trying to get some air. He was shocked by the news and need a minute before he could get his thoughts together.

"He-he is dead... No, no, no no... that can't be right. Lucky Eight is supposed to help me get better. He has to to show me the peace inside my head. I dreamed about it!" the unicorn seemed, as if he was starting to lose his mind.

"It's a fact." Metal Eye said. "Though I may not approve it, Foxy is planning to punish the pony responsible for his death. I'm coming with her only to make sure that she'll return here alive and less bloody, though I do not know if that's possible with her. We are planning to take the airship, with which we came to Canterlot. Foxy wants you to make it fly faster. I know that the idea may sound ridiculous but we need you both to come with us."

"Count me out." Volts stood up from the wooden floor with a blue spot around his left eye. "I do not want to have trouble with the Princess again."

"I'm in." Phoenix said confidently. Metal and Volts were stolen upon by his quick decision. Only Foxy kept her serious look, as if she knew that he was going to say that. "Although I barely knew this pegasus, there was a secret bond between us. He was the one, who saved us from becoming real monsters. And he was supposed to guide me out of my little hell." the unicorn looked at his little offended brown friend and continued: "Dear Volts, do not take it like an insult. You are and always will be my best friend! However, an ill pony can not cure others. Only the one, who is pure from all demons can help us. And now he is dead. His name must be honored by fulfilling his closest friend's sacred mission. I understand why you do not want to come, Volts. I hold no bad feelings towards you."

"Phoenix, if you leave the hospital then you will be punished! Please, think this out thoroughly!"

"I'm sorry, Volts. This is the way it has to be!" then he turned to her. "When do you want me to modify the ship?"

"Today, before midday. We are going to steal it in eleven o'clock."

Phoenix looked at the round clock on the wall. The arrows showed fifteen past nine. There was barely any time to prepare.

"Aren't you rushing a little?"

"It's my speed of doing things." Foxy said.

"Then the next logical question is how are you going to get me out of the hospital without anypony noticing? As you can see the windows have grates. In no means, I think that you can not break them but the guards are not that deaf."

"I think I have an idea!" the most unlikely source spoke up. They turned to him and listened to what he had to say: "The nurse that checks our condition should be arriving anytime soon. I can use an illusion spell and make him look like her. No pony will notice him sneaking out of here, unless there is an unicorn, who is powerful in magic. Here's what we need to do..."

There was knocking on the door. They didn't have time for other discussions. The plan was a go.

A white mare entered in the room, where the two visitors were silently siting on Phoenix's bed and the unicorns were innocently lying in their beds.

"How are you feeling today, Mr Phoenix and Mr Volts?" she asked smilingly with sweet ringing voice.

"We are fine. How are you today?" Phoenix asked in a friendly tone.

"Fine. Thank you for asking." she went between the two beds and placed new books on the short table. "I've brought you something new to read. I've never seen such an inquisitive reader like you, sir. Hey, why are you all staring at me like that?"

There was no sound to warn the guards outside, who were having very delicious pies. It was their first meal In their twenty four hour long guard shift. Even if they heard something, their lips would not move away from the pans.

Foxy was holding her very tightly. The nurse couldn't scream cause of the grey hoof in her mouth. The skilled ninja was so quick that the medical pony didn't realize what happened, until she was captured. The unlucky mare made an attempt to break free but the much stronger Tail was bear hugging her and not a centimeter, she let her make. Metal and Phoenix tied her with the white bedding and gagged her mouth with a yellow towel. The innocent mare tried to resist this filthy act but what could she do against three of them? Then they placed her on Phoenix's bed. Volts sat down on the floor and stared at her. The nurse was scared shitless. The brown unicorn concentrated on her and soon his horn flashed in pink and violet light. Then a magical beam came out of his long end, which twisted around his friend like a snake. White bright light engulfed him and in just a second the entire magic show ended. The result was a perfect copy of the nurse.

"Woaw, I feel strange." Phoenix admitted, while looking at his new body. Suddenly he realized that his voice didn't change like his appearance. "What the? Why I do not have a girly voice?"

"Because the spell only changes your appearance. It doesn't actually alter your body but makes everypony else think that you are the pony, on whom the spell is used. Try not to talk much or you'll get spotted quickly. Also, there is a telepathic link between you and the nurse. For example, when she feels scared or happy, you get those feelings too."

"Aha, so that's why feel kind of uneasy and yes, scared. Where did you find this spell?"

"In a book. You should better hurry because I won't be able to maintain the incantation for long. This the least I can do for you."

"Thank you, Volts." the fake nurse hugged him, though the brown unicorn was having more trouble with the spell because of that. If he lost concentration for even a second, then the spell would cease.

"Stop. Hugging. Me. Please, Go!" Volts seemed a little annoyed.

"I'll pray that Celestia doesn't get too mad at you. Bye!"

The door was quickly opened and the three silently skinned away, leaving Volts and the fortunate mare alone. She stared at him with big scared green eyes. Actually, that was the color of his. Now he noticed her beautiful auburn mane. For some reason Volts felt pity for her, though she wouldn't be harmed at all. She looked quite pretty, while being tied like a hostage. Her virginal body for some reason called for his heart. The unicorn tried not to give in to such thoughts and concentrate harder on the task.

After a minute of staring at her, he couldn't stand looking at her frightened face. Volts stood up, without losing sight of her and approached her slowly.

"I'm sorry for the inconvenience. Bear with me a little longer and I'll set you free. I promise!"

The mare seemed to calm a little but not enough for him.

"Would it be better, if I got rid of the towel around your mouth? Could you promise not to scream for help, if I remove it?"

The nurse nodded, while trying to make a intelligent sounds with her blocked mouth.

"Alright then." he slowly touched the yellow towel and steadily began removing it from her face. The mare didn't scream, like she promised and now her true beauty could be seen. Volts froze. Strangely, he had seen her thrice but now, as if she opened like a book and his eyes were looking at her soul.

"Why are you all doing this?" there was still fright in her voice.

"Uhm... because of lost love, I guess." he answered quietly.

Her cheeks blushed. They seemed like two little blooming roses. The stallion was trapped in those two green abysses. Energy was moving from her to him. He couldn't quite describe it 'cause his heart had never felt such a thing before.

"Mr. Volts, I really like your mustache." her voice of with the epithet of innocence and youthfulness.

"And I really like your eyes and I do not want to see an ounce of pain in them."

The fright left her and on its place came this pretty feeling. Everything turn in pink for some reason. He was her focus, she the big fail of his spell.

They were on their way to the exit, when for some reason Phoenix felt this unbelievable sensation that he couldn't resist. Metal Eye noticed the sudden change in him, though he wasn't ready to defend himself from the fake mare, that moved inside his personal space. He could only look in shock how Phoenix was giving him one of the most passionate kiss. The pegasus tried to escape but without success. Foxy turned around and saw the scene that reminded her of gone happiness. The pain hurt very much. She really wanted to hit them both.

Then Tail heard somepony coming. She quickly tapped Metal on the shoulder, warning him of the danger. The pegasus understood and took the matters in his own hooves. He hugged Phoenix and faked that he was enjoying the kissing. The doctor approached, slowed his pace, only glimpsed at them and carried on.

When he was far enough, Metal dropped Phoenix on the ground, who had already changed his appearance. There was no word to describe his disgust of kissing another stallion.

"What was that all about?!" the pegasus was barely holding himself from yelling.

"It wasn't me! Arggg... The feelings overwhelmed me and I couldn't stop! As if I was being controlled." Phoenix looked a little pissed by this fiasco. "What are they doing back there?"

"My guess, something worthy of their time." Foxy answered with a serious voice. "The deception is over and we need to think fast how to restore it."

"Give me a sec. I need to remove something from my mouth." Metal coughed a few times to get all alien germs out of his mouth.

"Oh, it wasn't that bad. I for one, enjoyed it for what it was." Phoenix then looked around. All doors were closed and they were completely alone in this hallway, but for how long? "I might have an idea. You two shall stand on my two flanks, hiding my cutiemark, so that they can't recognize me easily."

"Can't you just teleport us out?" Metal Eye asked.

"No, the other unicorn in the hospital will sense this magic and they'll know that somepony has escaped. You see, when teleporting, my horn will produce residual magical energies that will travel in all direction. Their spread is just like the waves after the rock hits the surface of a water. Depending on how thick are the walls and from what material they are made, those 'waves' will lull differently. Knowing that this hospital was constructed primarily with rocks, concrete and wood, I can safely say that everypony with a horn will notice the flash and it doesn't take a genius to figure out that it was me, cause such sort of magic is very complicated and only a few can do it."

"I see. Metal, be on his right side, and you..." she turned to the only unicorn. "... try to hide as much as possible. The doctors may no be able to notice you, if they are still engaged in other matters."

They quickly rearranged and marched forward. They were lucky that no pony was coming their way. The corridor seemed too quiet to be true. The blue nuance that was everywhere was very depressive for the unicorn. Only their hoofsteps sounded here, as if everypony was dead silent inside every closed room. There were some pictures on the walls, that showed many happy patients with cured or fixed problems. They felt kind of creepy, all starring at him, knowing that he was escaping from this generous prison.

They got to the big reception, where the same doctor and nurses from early were having a quiet debate. The three moved inside like no pony's business. Metal and Foxy showed iron faces, the pony in the middle started to sweat. The medical ponies didn't notice his presence. While they were approaching the front door, Foxy steadily moved to Phoenix's back, so that she could hide him from the unwanted eyes. This was a success. Metal smirked, Phoenix could smell the taste of freedom again. They were just a hoof away from the handle, when the door suddenly opened. The spy froze like an ice cube, his big pink eyes couldn't believe what they were seeing. The unicorn fell on his knees and started shaking from fear. Foxy stared without a drop of emotion at the dark alicorn.

Her blue transparent mane with hundreds of mini stars waved majestically without there being any winds. Her cyan eyes looked deep in the eyes of the trio and wondered what they were up to. The Princess of the Night stepped inside like a ruler of all, her might was unlimited. The only pony could oppose her was the broken ninja, who didn't show any fear from her.

"What's the meaning of this?" she asked in her royal accent.

"Not your business!" the grey mare moved in front of Luna, still staring at her, as if She was her biggest enemy.

"Oh, yes it is. You are trying to escape with the inventor. Why you need him?"

"Ain't. Your. Darn. Business! Now, move out of my way!" the darkness in her voice didn't scare this glorious Princess, 'cause she used to be a warrior like her at one time. Luna understood the pain this little pony was going through and guessed correctly of her intentions: "You are going to avenge him, aren't you?"

Foxy didn't answer. Anger was raising from the deeps and was starting to take over her body piece by piece.

"Princess Luna!" the healers shouted from the other end of the reception. "Welcome to our hospital. Wait a... that is Phoenix's Just! Quickly, surround them!"

"All stay back!" Luna ordered with her powerful voice. "This is a matter between me and them."

The doctors stopped their approach like good little puppets and watched the scene from a safe place. Luna was now completely serious and ready to play game with Foxy.

"Your silence betrays you. Foxy Tail, I know your pain but revenge is not the answer. It will not bring him back to the living."

"I'll avenge him. Lucky didn't have to die!" she shouted in her face, the latter took it calmly.

"Causing pain to others won't solve anything. It will bring more misery and I do not think that's what your love wanted you to do."

"It's exactly what he told me to do! Get them! Yes, I'll kill the pony responsible for his death and anypony standing in my way will receive equal amounts of my rage! That applies to you too, Princess."

Luna sadly shook head.

"Don't you get it? You are ready to hurt those, who have nothing to do with your lover's death. That's not honoring his name, but acts of a broken warrior, who seeks destruction. Going on that path will turn you to something Lucky would not want to call his love. Think about it, Foxy Tail."

Metal Eye anxiously looked at the ninja. The mare was staring the wooden floor, trying to rationalize everything she heard. Her previous threatening look had disappeared, replaced by confusion and uncertainty. The Princess was right but her happiness was taken away forever. Her soul would not bear knowing that the Dragon Claw leader was waking up every day and Lucky not. One sleeping the eternal dream under the earth, the other sitting on his rightful throne. In his memory, she had to make that cursed pony pay for his crime with his own blood.

Foxy looked up, in her eyes there was pain and deep anger. She made her mind, now was time to go and finish this torture once and for all. Luna regretted seeing those orange circles of a demon, of a dragon, who would not be stopped, even if the entire Equestrian army was sent at her.

"We are leaving." Tail said quietly. She forcefully lifted Phoenix from the floor and pushed him forward. Luna stood like an old statue of hope, which was disregarded like an old history book. She didn't try to stop them. Foxy was forging her own destiny and no pony had the right to interfere in her grand path. Metal Eye quickly saluted and left too. Luna only gave him a warning stare. He was very embarrassed and it was difficult for him to hide it. The medical ponies were standing in shock. One of them moved barely forward and immediately was ordered by the Princess:

"Do not follow them! Do not warn the guards! The ruler of this land commands so!"

"Yes, your Majesty."

Across the sea, in a secret cave, one white pony was meditating in front of an ancient shrine. He tried to concentrate on the little order that still remained in his head. The madness was taking over his mind too quickly and Circle needed more time, if he was going to finish the job. Then, in those dark moments, when the legendary ninja was in a deep meditation, his soul sensed changes in the energy net that connects every living thing. He learned that a special pony will be returning home with a broken heart.

Fate now had a different task for him. A holy mission, which would cost him dearly...       Next Chapter: Chapter 33: We Part Ways, Destiny Awaits Estimated time remaining: 4 Hours, 4 Minutes