"There should be something in here." Silvia said as she led Death back into the room with the shrine, Thunder's core cradled in one wing.

The core began to glow and a portion of one wall slid way to reveal a secret passage lit by several torches. Silently they moved down the passageway and like the room it was connected to there was no sign of corruption.

"Did you know this was here?" Death asked as they approached a dead end.

"That room was one of the few fully renovated, corruption proof places in this entire facility and had something extremely valuable within that had yet to be stolen by previous adventures," Silvia stated as Thunder's core glowed again to reveal another hidden door. "I've played enough table top RPG's and video games to recognize a safe zone when I see one."

They passed through the doorway and found themselves in a cluttered room with a variety of books, scrolls and large pieces of equipment stacked against the walls. In the epicenter of the mess, slumped over a writing desk covered in parchment was a white maned, yellow furred alicorn colt with an electric blue lightning bolt striking open a geode for a cutie mark.

He was smaller than Silvia with long legs and the beginnings of a more muscular stature that showed he was still in his teenage years. His wings were a mess of feathers and on the end of each wing was a wrist joint connected to five thin, bony 'fingers' that formed the skeletal structure of a hand or claw with a quill held in one and an ink pot in the other.

"Apathy Syndrome," Silvia muttered as she held Thunder's core over his body. "He was disconnected from his soul for too long and fell into a coma, still I suppose that's better than the alternative of a psychotic break..."

The core floated up out of her grasp and with a brief flash of light, vanished into Thunder's body.

"Now we wait for him to awaken and hope his time in that construct hasn't damaged his mind somehow." Silvia said.

A considerable amount of time had passed by the time Thunder started to stir. Death idly watched on as Silvia rushed to the colt's side and helped him to his hooves.

"Wait, Silvia...? How did you...?" The yellow furred colt asked in hazy confusion. "What happened?"

"You've been separated from your core for quite some time, give yourself a few moments to adjust." Silvia said gently.

"How long was I- Lillia was supposed to deactivate the construct, why did she leave me like this?" Thunder asked as he became more alert.

"We can discuss that soon friend but I need to be sure you're alright," Silvia replied calmly. "Can you move?"

The younger alicorn carefully walked around the cramp room but as he unfurled his wings, he winced.

"My claw's are stiff, could you uh...?" he asked and stretched his wings out towards her.

The thin hand like claws on the end of his wings twitched but wouldn't budge. Silvia used the feathery claws on the end of her own wings to prod and poke at the joints and upon finding nothing wrong physically, activated her magic sight. The flow of magic in Thunder's body wasn't the series of vein like rivers of magical energy Silvia knew she should be seeing as it was more akin to trickles of power that was steadily rising to what it once was.

"The arcane pathways in your body haven't quite readjusted," she said. "You'll be sore for a while as you heal up, trust me I know how that feels but with some food and rest you should be right as rain in a couple of weeks."

"With that said, I'll need to ask you some questions in case your memory was damaged," she continued. "They may sound odd but please, humour me?"

"I know the drill, gotta make sure I don't relapse or have a psychotic break right? Ask away." Thunder casually replied.

"Where were you on the day Tartarus came into being?" Silvia asked.

"That was the last day of the war, I was with Drake and Rose at the base in Shadowfern Forest. We were getting everything ready for Animus so he could lead the civilians from the underground city." he replied.

"And everyone else?" Silvia prompted.

"Lillia was scouting the area so we didn't get ambushed or flanked, Animus was evacuating the underground city while you stalled for time by confronting the enemy directly."

"Then what happened? How did the war end?"

"There was a huge earthquake, a loud boom and the air was thick with excess magic, afterwards everyone showed up at camp and you, despite being dead on your hooves, told us that it was all over." the yellow alicorn said.

"Is that all?" Silvia asked seriously. "Is that all you can recall?"

"No...I wasn't satisfied with the answers you gave us, I could tell you were trying to protect us from something but I- we needed to know," Thunder replied sadly. "I convinced the others to join me and we snuck into the city...I'm still sorry about doing that..."

"I know." she said, the nudge to continue left unsaid.

"We found the entire underground city and every single combatant turned to stone. We tracked the residual magic to the epicenter and found the largest and most complicated series of rune circles we'd ever seen...Rune circles that bore your craftsmareship."

"We didn't take it well," Thunder stated. "But I still think we shouldn't have gone off at you like that, I mean if Lillia hadn't gone looking for you the next day to apologize..."

"I wouldn't be here," Silvia said softly before she schooled her expression into a kind yet firm look for her next words. "You wish to find out what has transpired here do you not?"

Taken aback by her shift in tone, Thunder nodded.

"Just as I tried to spare you further grief and strife in the past, I will try to do so now but the choice is up to you," she explained. "Either I knock you out, erase your memory of this conversation, take you to the Equestrian capital and lie to your face or I let you leave here under your own power after you have sworn to live with your actions be they unintentional or not."

"That bad huh?" he asked weakly.

"Regardless of which choice you make I will help you in any way I can." Silvia replied softly.

"I want to know, If Lillia betrayed us then... Then I need to know just what in the Ancestors name she was getting me to do." Thunder said.

"Do you swear to push past the tragedy that awaits and live to fight another day?" Silvia asked.

"For my clan, for my people and for my friends I will not only survive but flourish." Thunder stated wholeheartedly.

A faint glow illuminated the room briefly and the younger alicorn blinked in surprise.

"So that's what making an oath feels like..." he muttered in awe.

"Come on, I'll follow your lead and explain things as best I can." Silvia said.

Upon entering the shrine room, Thunder paused as he noticed the metal plaque on the wall.

"I didn't put this here and wait, these are my notes...Someone's copied them." he said.

Death followed from behind as he watched the snow white all-sworn gently explain things to her friend while Dust had decided to perch on her back and run his beak through her mane. He found it odd that his bird was acting in such a way but given Dust's cry of "I'll help!" as he landed on Silvia's back he supposed the crow's actions were harmless enough.

The rider did ponder the fact that Silvia herself giggled at the black bird as he landed and jokingly praised him for his assistance, did she speak crow? Still, it was a curiosity Death put aside for the moment as he kept an eye out for any lingering remnants of corruption.

He suppressed a snort of annoyance as Thunder once again stopped to stare in horror at the corpses and had half a mind to simply leave them behind and wait for them back in Canterlot but his keen gaze noticed the limp in one of Silvia's forelegs and the way she kept one wing slung limply over Thunder's back in a gesture of comfort and the other closed tightly at her side as they walked.

He couldn't help but be impressed at the fact she carried herself as if she was completely fine despite her injuries and exhaustion. He understood that Thunder himself was in pain from his body being starved of magic for several centuries and Death could only guess how his travelling companion was fairing from having no magic flow through her arcane pathways at all.

From what he remembered about angels, most of their magical energies flowed through their wings and arms. Beneath his mask Death frowned.

He decided it wouldn't do either of them any good if she was constantly forcing herself to fight. He wondered how she managed to stay airborne, even he knew most flying creatures could be brought to the ground by attacking the wings, the shock of pain often caused them seize up.

Death watched as Silvia gently herded the shell shocked Thunder back to the shrine room with a warm smile and a certain grace in her movements that gave the rider pause.

Perhaps she was stronger than he realized. Either way he decided he should keep an eye out for anything that might help heal her and he made a note to visit Vulgrim later.

"All those corpses, are you sure the construct was using their souls for something?" Thunder asked urgently. "I need to do something about this, their families-"

"Will be notified in due time friend, calm down," Silvia interrupted. "Remember that you are a victim as much as they are and this is not your fault."

"But-" he tried to protest and Silvia silenced him with a claw over his muzzle.

"You need to heal before you can help, I'll inform my daughters of what happened here and they can distribute the news as they see fit," she said. "Besides if you are to help anyone then you'll to do something important."

"What is it? I'll do whatever it takes!" Thunder stated.

Silvia smiled and pulled the younger alicorn into a hug that consisted of both hooves and wings as she replied to his eagerness.

"I need you to learn Thunder, civilization has only advanced in the time we've been gone and if our people are to one day return to protecting this realm then we need to see what advancements have been made in our absence. Just imagine it! New magic, architecture, technology and science! things we could use to improve the lives of the creatures of this world long after we have dealt with the threat of corruption."

Thunder looked up at her, skepticism written all over his face.

"So I have to go back to school?" He replied flatly.

"I thought you liked learning about those kinds of things?" Silvia asked.

"I do, I just...thought I'd have to do something important that's all... not what I've always been doing." he admitted.

"I need you to do what you do best and right now that's learning as much as you can and apply that knowledge for the betterment of the realm." she said and nuzzled him affectionately.

"Ok, I'll pack up my stuff, Oh! i think I have some your things here too from when you uh...You know..." Thunder trailed off uncertain on what to say.

"Back when I was, shall we say seeing Celestia and Luna's father," she stated before she looked over at Death. "I'll tell you that story in due time I just...it might take a while for me to gather my courage to actually tell it..."

"I take it he wasn't the friendly sort?" Death asked.

"Something like that, yes." she replied as Thunder rounded a corner to gather his belongings.

"Uh, there's something you need to see." Thunder called out.

Both the rider and the older alicorn shared a look of confusion and headed around the corner to an area stacked with crates. They found Thunder standing in front of an ornate chest with another metal plaque bolted to the wall above it.

Dear Thunder,

My mom failed to kill me, yay! I teleported into The Vault of the Ancestors juuust in time and I finally got to meet grandpa, he is so cool!

Anyway I left the realm to try and help the other races n' stuff but I got captured by demons, they were dumb though and couldn't do anything to me.

I got rescued by a guy with a huge awesome looking sword, I can't wait for everyone to meet him, he's quiet but he seems nice so I'm helping him stop some evil jerk called the Destroyer. Woo! Adventure!

I met Lillia's dad too, he was kinda weird but he taught me some new spells.

I left some stuff for Silvia, could you give it to her when you see her next?

Sorry about copying your notes and you know, not stopping Lillia directly but a filly can only do so much.

Love you guys,

Faith Weaver.

"Holy shit, she's alive." Thunder and Silvia said at the same time.

"A friend of yours?" Death asked in amusement.

"The Weaver clan was another noble house that took part in the pact, Faith was the daughter of the clan head and a powerful demoness," Silvia explained shakily. "She was born deformed, I only knew her as a young filly, we...she was one of my best friends before her mother..."

"Her mom wasn't happy that her child was the way she was and tossed her into a portal that led to the abyss," Thunder stated and turned to Silvia. "Man, your dad was furious I've never seen an archangel so angry before, heck it was the first time angels and demons were of like mind since the pact was formed."

Silvia cracked a smile and said "Indeed, it was quite a show to see the most powerful members of heaven and hell band together to cast Faith's mother out of the realm, it seems even demons don't like anyone bringing harm to their own young."

"I'm glad to hear she's safe," she added. "The Weaver clan were known for their genetic memory and the mysterious capacity to see into and manipulate time to a certain degree, perhaps we'll see her in the future."

"At least we know she's on our side," Thunder stated. "She left something for you right? I wonder what it is?"

Death wordlessly walked over and opened the chest and the skeletal arms of his reaper form lifted out four golden boots clearly meant for the white alicorn.

"I suppose I do need new shoes," Silvia commented as she inspected the gift. "Completely void of enchantments too, If I had my tools..."

"I have your crafting tools around here somewhere." Thunder said.

"Good to know, I'll return to Canterlot and inform Celestia and Luna of the situation." Silvia explained and left the two males to sort out the packing.

Silvia found her daughters in the middle of a conversation as they walked down one of the halls in Canterlot castle. She gave them a quick summary of events and with a nod, Celestia left with a few guards to oversee Thunder's move into the palace.

Luna, however had other ideas.

"Mother, thou art wounded!" the blue alicorn exclaimed. "Come! We must see to this at once!"

"Luna, I'm fine, really." Silvia protested and her eyes widened as her child lifted her clean off the ground with her magic.

"No if ands or buts Mother, we will see to your treatment posthaste," Luna stated she walked down the all with Silvia floating behind her like a giant balloon. "I'm sure nopony will mind if we borrow the royal baths and I'll have a guard fetch the potions necessary to aid in thine recovery."

"I don't know whether to feel proud that you've recovering so quickly or annoyed that you're disregarding my authority as your mother," Silvia grumbled. "At least make sure to inform your sister of our whereabouts, I want to hold a meeting to discuss what has transpired recently after you've sigh patched me up..."

"But of course." Luna replied.

Death watched in amusement as Silvia's youngest daughter practically dragged her away while a maid happily chattered at Thunder as she led him to the medical bay to be examined by Equestria's finest doctors. Princess Celestia stood beside him and smiled at the proceedings as the two other alicorns were taken to other parts of the castle.

"Since it seems everyone is busy, perhaps I could take a moment of your time?" the princess of the sun asked. "There are a few things I would like to discuss with you."

"Well it appears I have some free time." Death replied.

"As one of Equestria's rulers and as one of The Sealed Realm's protectors I'm afraid I'm going to ask about your plans once you leave," Princess Celestia asked as she lead the horseman down the hallway. "While we have kept many establishments such as the currency and various schools of magic the many worlds from beyond the barrier are familiar with, this place is a world divided and ruled by many races and yet does suffer the level of conflict and destruction you might find elsewhere."

"You wish to know if I plan to spread word of your realm's existence to The Charred Council." Death summarized.

"Yes and while I understand the role and influence they have, this world has existed since before their rise to power and there are many, my mother included that would like this place to be left alone if a peaceful negotiation cannot be reached."" the princess explained and waked into a well decorated office.

Death sat down on one of the chairs situated near a coffee table while the sun princess sat opposite him on a large red cushion.

"Before we continue, would like refreshments?" Celestia asked as she summoned a tea set and poured herself a cup.

"If it's all the same to you, I'd rather not, princess." the rider replied.

"Very well, so I have explained my reasoning for wishing to speak with you and while there is more I'd like to inform you of, I do have subjects to protect and while you appear to be cooperating for the most part-"

"Cooperation?" Death scoffed. "Were it not for your mother's willingness and courage to work with me there would be nothing in this realm that would keep me from doing whatever it takes to leave this place. I assure you sooner I leave the safer your world will be."

"A bold statement, yet a false one if I'm not mistaken," Celestia commented. "Your threats and mask of indifference will not fool me, nor will they fool anyone who knows my mother."

"Do you know something I don't? Please Princess enlighten me." Death sneered.

Celestia smiled warmly even as she spoke. "The power that bound Mother to the Tree of Life was a curse she placed upon herself, one which can only be broken gradually through the respect and kindness of another. Even if such things were almost unnoticeable, as long they exist in some form then the chains would break."

"You are the one who freed her are you not?" Princess Celestia asked with a grin.

Death muttered darkly under his breath.

"What would you have me do?" the horseman finally asked. "I have my own reasons for clearing the corruption from your realm as does your mother, there may come a time where we can no longer work together."

"Mother's curse is not yet fully broken though I suspect that it may continue to weaken as she does more to assist you on your journey," Celestia explained. "Please just humor her Death, she will seek the joys and comforts of small things as she travels, perhaps you might come to enjoy them as much as she does?"

"As long as it won't prove to be an inconvenience, then I suppose I could...play along, perhaps with a little incentive," Death countered. "I wouldn't be opposed to acting on your behalf, properly paid of course."

The princess mulled it over as she sipped her tea.

"I admit things may go more smoothly for the both of you if you had the crown supporting you, however I shall decide on the matter once everyone arrives to discuss things openly." she stated.

Their conversation was cut short as the door swung open and a rather irritated Silvia walked in, her mane and tail slightly damp. She took a deep breath and sat down between the rider and the princess of the sun.

"Luna is grounded." she said flatly.

"Oh dear, what did she do?" Celestia asked.

"She was too aggressive in her attempts to help me, you do not try to summon another all-sworn's core out just to check how damaged it is," Silvia grumbled. "She could have put both of us in danger since she didn't know what was she was doing."

"I assume something would have happened?"Death asked.

"At best, we would've been pulled into the Preservation of Vitality Environment or PVE for short and forced to resolve the conflict between us in a an enclosed pocket dimension," Silvia explained. "At worse she could have damaged both of our cores from the stress of the situation."

Luna looked away and mumbled an apology.

Silvia sighed "But that is something for another time, there is much to discuss. Firstly we were able to rescue Thunder however he needs time to heal, perhaps if he were to spend time learning of the modern world?"

"I have cleared some of duties to spend time teaching Luna, Thunder would be more than welcome to join her in her studies." Celestia replied.

"Good, I'll leave it you to inform him as I'm afraid we don't have the time to relax, Lillia is planning something sop it would be best to gather supplies and head to Griffinstone as soon as possible," Silvia explained. "Food, camping equipment and a reliable source of meat would be appreciated, Ponies may be herbivores but we are not."

"In that case you will need to speak to Mayor Mare in Ponyville about requesting the services of the local Ranger, She'll be able to supply you with a hunting permit." Princess Celestia replied

Author's Note

Final Edit Notes- Ok, since this thing has been sitting around for months, I polished it off as best I could with a broken keyboard.

Let me know if there are any typos.

A message from Faith Weaver
"What's the point of having phenomenal cosmic power when you can't have fun with it?"