Author's Note

This, by far, has been the hardest chapter to write to date.

The reason? Lack of inspiration, writer's block, feeling cornered - up to the point where I managed to untangle my own mess.

It is quite hard to write sympathetic characters making poor choices, then facing the consequences.

I hope that you enjoy my work, as a lot of blood and tears were put in this chapter. And of course, if you want to make a comment, feel free to do so.

PS: Now with edited goodness for your enjoyment. I hope it is to your liking! =D

Dark Souls (Edited by AuthorGenesis)

Canterlot City, Royal Palace.

Inner Security Chamber,

Time: 20:00

From an illusion showcasing a full moon framed by a window—this illumination aid beaming its light down into the candle-lit room, where a large group of ponies were gathered … Twilight and her friends in one section, which had been reserved for them and thereby seating them closest to Princess Celestia and Princess Luna, with Cadance and Shining’s on the other side of the Royals of the Sun and Moon.

And just as unfortunate—for Twilight Sparkle and her entourage—was the fact that the meeting was indeed related to the magical matrices which had appeared in Ponyville’s Everfree Forest, The Crystal Empire, and over the wasteland which housed the Gates of Tartarus.

“As you can see, your Highnesses, Harmonic Element Bearers … members of the Council—the projections are clear, if we go by the evolution of the magical constructs being shown to everypony,” Hammer Helm explained to the ones present at the chamber.

Along with all four princesses, the prince consort and the former bearers of the Elements of Harmony; there were also present several noble representatives from the different houses, all of whom held power within the socio-political and socio-economic structures of Equestria in general, and Canterlot in particular.

As to what they were being shown … it was a progression of each magical matrix that appeared in each of the places.

The one at the Gates of Tartarus—officially named Tartarus Matrix—portrayed as its first picture the image of a Tree taking root upon a skull that took a quarter of the image displayed, with the Dark Blade impaled on the skull’ forehead … and the progression detected showed this: the spell matrix was slowly changing into a different one, where the skull was growing in size as the Dark Blade dispersed, and the roots of the Tree were beginning to wither and decay from restraining the skull entangled within its root system. Its current state was of the Tree slowly being uprooted as the skull slowly began changing shape, taking on a sinister appearance … as several bones started to protrude from the skull, as well as shadows that gave the appearance of devils.

‘Isn’t that the Tree of Harmony, portrayed there as taking root upon the skull? Why is it failing to keep a hold of it?’ Twilight reflected as she saw the pictures displayed within the visual component of the matrix.

Silence filled the chamber, with the exception of the sound of breathing, or of one or more ponies taking a sip of water as they examined the findings from the Guard and the Weather teams posted at each site.

In another part of the chamber, the spell matrix over the Everfree Forest—dubbed the Forest Matrix—was showing the most radical changes, much to Twilight and her friends’ concern.

The starting matrix portrayed the following picture: the initial picture, which was drawn two hours after it had appeared, portrayed the same tree—rooting upon the figures of the bipedal, armored wolves which appeared to be dead frozen in place, with the Dark Sword glyph displayed as if it was the counterpart to the tree pushing roots through the bodies, its tendrils digging into them.

The picture which had been taken eight hours ago was of the Dark Sword glyph almost faded into nothing with the Tree losing its rooting—and the wolven bodies were starting to move and shift away from the glyph’s center, as if attempting to fill the entirety of the design with their numbers.

‘What is the meaning of this? Why have the numbers of the wolf-beings increased as the glyph of The Dark Sword faded away?’ Twilight reflected as a part of her consciousness kept track of what the expositor was saying concerning their findings. ‘And why is the glyph of the Tree collapsing without its influence?’

Pinkie Pie, in an uncharacteristically quiet voice, asked herself as if in serious disbelief of what she was seeing: “Are those wolfies trying to break out of the picture?”

Taking that as part of Pinkie’s … Pinkyness, Twilight ignored her, focusing her attention on the next picture … .

The magical matrix being projected onto the artificial sky of the Crystal Empire which showed her a radically different design, yet the changes were just as profound as with its two counterparts.

The initial drawing of the matrix showed the same Tree Glyph, with its roots serving as a cage for the design, while a very stylized Crystal Heart functioned as a padlock, with the body and shackle itself wearing the design of the Dark Sword. The unusual way it was drawn, was that the padlock itself projected chains over all the bars—as if fulfilling a reinforcing function to the Tree’s. And more importantly … .

It seemed to come from the Crystal Heart itself, with the Dark Sword serving more as the padlock’s body—and thus, the protection for the Heart itself.

The thing which they were guarding was unclear, only a black spot could be distinguished in the background.

The drawing made at the same time as the others, on the other hand … .

The matrix had changed, with the padlock all but eroded—its chains starting to show signs of strain in the design—while the bars themselves were beginning to dissolve, the Tree slowly losing its grip on what was trapped within its roots.

At the center, behind the all-but-gone padlock with the Crystal Heart shape being the only thing keeping the bars closed with its chains… was what seemed like a shadow which had no actual shape … if one were to judge if looking at the figure of a spiders’ leg, a crab claw, a dragon claw, a falcons’ beak, a vicious dogs’ flesh-rending jaw, and a plethora of other various limbs and parts with no discernible logic behind the creature’s placement of its body parts.

‘The first picture in the background of the Crystal matrix looked like an orb sealed behind bars… is—is it slowly unfolding as the matrix is changing!?’ Twilight wondered in fearful fascination with the progression between images.

Her attention was drawn back to the one doing the exposition regarding their findings.

“Since we know little to nothing about the purpose or function of these matrices, we inquired with our contacts within the College for Gifted Unicorns … and they reached two conclusions—”

At this point, Hammer Helm struck the floor hard with one hoof to emphasize his point, which caused several of the nobles’ attention—which were beginning to get distracted—to return to the subject being expounded upon in a flash.

“—First, more than a summoning spell being on display, it is more akin to an animated visual warning about the contents contained behind each glyph-work …”

Hammer Helm struck the floor with his hoof once more, while looking at the audience with a frown on his face.

“And second, something must have happened to the magical systems powering these matrices sometime during the last week, which thusly actuated the glyphic power failure early warning system—hence causing the changes within the glyph-work from the time of its first appearance unto this day,” the old unicorn stallion added to his exposition, before snorting in frustration.

“Do you know the geographical source points for these … projections, Hammer Helm?” asked a pegasus stallion wearing an impeccable frock, speaking in a very grave, educated voice.

Hammer Helm shook his head, “No at this point, Lord Kestrelis—and not because of incompetence, before you ask—since the sources of this projections are cloaked in the same fashion as the Gates of Tartarus, but to this day we haven’t found the magical key to expose them, in order to find out what is causing them.”

The Head of Inner Security snorted again, before adding, “The only one we have a clear clue about is the Crystal matrix, since it is being projected with the palace as an epicenter, and the figure of the Crystal Heart is a clear clue that it is in itself an active part in keeping whatever it is employed to contain, contained.”

“Do we know what these … matrices are warning us about?” inquired with might in his voice another of the nobles, this one a unicorn whose coat was white as snow, with his mane and tail graying out from its original blond, and wearing a white tuxedo.

“No, Lord Patrician, the scholars have yet to discover any information regarding that subject,” Hammer replied to the stallion.

“So, whatever warning the glyph-work are giving us, is useless without us knowing the level of danger it is warning us about, or why whatever is contained is deemed so dangerous by whoever crafted and activated these glyphs … we are running a lot of risks with this lack of information, Helm,” chastised another unicorn lord from the council, this one with a coat of grey and sporting a slightly grayer mane, who glared at the Head of Inner Security.

“... that is correct … Lord Hex,” Hammer Helm replied professionally, while his eyes narrowed in a gaze of disdainful loathing as he looked upon the unicorn he was addressing.

“I think that all the current findings concerning these … matrices are indicative of the fact that they are simply warnings, rather than spells designed as either dead-pony switches or a fail-deadly measure against us equines by an unknown party to date,” Lord Martinet Patrician spoke out loud, his grave voice hushing the whispering nobles.

“Your concern is noted, Lord Patrician—up to this point, the scholars have all agreed that the normal thaumaturgical structure for a summoning spell does not follow this design, nor are the measurements which have been taken of these glyphs thaumically draining like a standard summoning spell. It has been proposed that its intent or purpose displayed so far has been this: to simply being … a visible component.”

“Considering that these are all the findings which the Royal College and Royal Guard have acquired so far, I would advise caution and begin preparations for the worst-case scenario and do hereby propose that the Equestrian military begin making preparations to deal with whatever threats which might appear from these three matrices,” another unicorn Lord proposed, while there was an uproar at the proposal of both approval and dissent—with more than a few comments being passed about ‘Equestria’s prosperity will be in peril if this state of things continue further’.

“Motion for the approval of the mobilization of the Royal Army is currently the motion being decided,” intoned another pony, this one a pegasus with a bored look on his face, before addressing the VIP seating area, “Your Highnesses, all motions concerning the mobilization of troops within Equestrian territory fall within your authority. What is your decision? Will the motion pass? Or shall the motion be denied?”

Princess Celestia and Luna looked at one another, an imperceptible nod passing between them before Celestia replied in a regal voice to the audience.

“Motion for the mobilization of troops approved, under the condition that the military outposts along our borders maintain the necessary military pony-nell … and that military campsites are to be established within seven days, and allowed to remain in place near the anomalies for a maximum of thirty days,” Celestia commanded as the ponies gathered within the chamber started an uproar at the conditions, before Princess Celestia motioned for silence before she continued, “Due to the progress of the changes in time registered, we believe that there is less than a month available for the mobilization—there is a high chance that the Forest Matrix will be the first to manifest its nature before an actual base can be established.”

“Motion approved with conditions,” the same pegasus droned on, “all that approve,” as several green lights flashed on the wall, and waited for the lights to go out before droning, “all that disapprove,” and a fifth of the wall lighted up red, with several nobles having abstained from voting.

“Motion carried! Mobilization of troops upon potential regional threats is to be executed within the following seven days to secure the aforementioned areas within the range of these unknown phenomena.” The pegasus speaker then said to one of the secretaries writing notes next to him, “Please send a message to General Iron Spear, for a meeting about the logistics of this mobilization of Equestria’s military. Meeting adjourned,” the pegasus stallion droned before rising from his place, with all the other nobleponies rising at the same time and leaving the chamber … while Princess Celestia remained behind to address some of the issues the nobles which were approaching her likely had concerning her decision in the matter.

However, as Twilight and her friends were making their way to the exit of the room, with Cadance and Shining Armor bidding them goodnight and leaving at a quick trot—as they mentioned that Sunburst was waiting for them with Flurry Heart—their attention was drawn as Princess Luna approached them with a grim look on her face.

“Princess Luna? Is anything the matter?” Twilight asked to her more senior, fellow princess before Luna turned her eyes to see around … the princess of the night humming in satisfaction for some reason before turning to face Twilight and the former Element Bearers … .

As Luna placed her snout close to Twilight’s ear, she spoke to her in a hushed whisper, “Twilight Sparkle … I fear the worst, that this … magical matrices’ appearance is somehow connected with our prisoner,” Luna whispered, “and I dare not say out loud what will need to be done to find out what is the problem, and much more importantly,” she used her wing to close Twilight’s mouth as she was going to voice a question, “what will be … required for us to solve it.”

Princess Luna then turned to face the former bearers of the Elements of Harmony, and said with grim resolve “I’d … like your assistance for a certain task. Would you accompany me?” The last part of her speech—unlike its wording—actually sounded like she was actually begging them to come without explicitly saying so, as she eyed once again the crowd of nobles dispersing.

As if speaking for all present, Rainbow Dash spoke with confidence at her. “Of course, Princess Luna! We’ll never leave a friend hangin’!” while Twilight and the other former Element Bearers nodded with conviction.

Luna’s smile was one of relief, as she said to them, “Then please accompany me, and I’ll let you in on the details as to what needs to be done.”

Luna led Twilight and her friends quietly, teleporting the whole group every now and then—as if afraid of being followed by someone—until they reached a part of the palace which Twilight hasn’t been inside during her entire life as a student of Celestia’s: The Medical Ward of the Royal Barracks.

Upon entering, they saw how one of the Nightwatch guardsmares, who had been posted at the reception desk, exited from behind the desk and approached Princess Luna at a brisk trot.

“Your Highness? How might we be of assistance?” The mare asked after saluting, her webbed wing and yellow slitted eyes being the highlight on an otherwise dark gray coated mare covered in dark blue armor of a draconic appearance.

“I brought assistance to aid me in our research, Lieutenant Rose Palm,” Luna informed the guardsmare matter-of-factly. “And I want the guards who are posted around the unconscious prisoner’s room to remain on high alert for the duration we are inside.”

With her eyes widening, she snapped off a crisp, professional salute unto her highest military authority before barking some orders in an unknown language to her fellow guards, who replied in the same fashion.

Luna grunted, apparently satisfied at what had transpired and without saying a word, motioned at her companions with her wing and indicating that they should follow her, which they did … .

But not before looking at one another nervously, the unvoiced question being: Who’s the prisoner?

As they walked through the silent corridors, a medic or nurse trotting quietly past as they kept moving towards the heart of the complex where the ICU ward was located. At the entrance to the restricted area one of the nurses took notice of them and called them to the side, where she asked them to go to the nurse’s changing room to put on white robes and masks, plus hoof-shoes made of cloth—which made them look like they were wearing hoofy booties for foals—to prevent contamination from that point on for the more delicate patients.

Thus, they kept walking … until they reached an entire section which was under heavy watch by the Royal Guard, which due to the time of day it was, was composed of mostly rousseponies—commonly known as batponies. Upon entering the room, they all saw the prostrated and familiar shape of the same stallion that they had met all those days ago.

“Princess Luna? Why’s he here, instead of in Tartarus where he belongs?” Rainbow Dash asked to their guide with a raised eyebrow, while the others stared at the immobile figure—immobile aside from the slow motion of his barrel rising and falling from his breathing being the only evidence of him still remaining among the living.

“Rainbow Dash … as much as I wanted that, there were practical reasons to not doing that—one of them being the fact that I suspected that such a fierce adversary wouldn’t leave his defeat unavenged.” Luna declared as she frowned at the changes she had seen from the first days that The Warden had been hospitalized.

For one, his wings were bandaged—something she’d need to inquire about, as she didn’t remember any standing orders to treat his possibly self-inflicted injuries to increase his wing-range of action.

Luna turned to meet everypony’s gaze with her own, “And considering what has been transpiring during these last few days, I felt vindicated in that regard.”

“Hmm … Princess Luna? How can we ask him? He feels … wrong now.” Fluttershy inquired as she eyed the unconscious stallion lying still on the cot, his breathing being rhythmical like a metronome.

Luna turned to see Fluttershy … and moved her sights back towards the unconscious stallion next to them, setting her eyes on the figure.

Luna then said to them in a careful tone. “From what the doctors have said from their examinations a few days after he was admitted, he’s apparently been in a coma due to hypothaumic shock … and there is a high chance that he’ll never awaken. This is why we’ll enter his mind by way of his dreams, everypony.”

“Hypothaumia? Coma? Bu-but the Rainbow Power is supposed to bring balance and cleanse wicked influences over ponies, not to harm them!” Twilight exclaimed at the news, feeling sickened at the reality of the situation … as well as realizing why Celestia didn’t reply to her letter concerning The Warden to this day.

Something lingered in her memory, almost recognized, but Twilight Sparkle couldn’t place it as she stared at the results of her decision to preemptively use the Rainbow Power given to her and her friends against this mysterious figure.

“We know, Twilight … we don’t understand either. He was supposed to be either cleansed, as I had been when I was Nightmare Moon, which reduced me to a smaller stature, and magically weaker state—which did happen, as The Warden was the size of my sister before being purged by the Rainbow Power; Or, I thought that he might have turned to stone, like what happened with Discord; or banished to Tartarus, like you did when welding that Rainbow Power against Tirek.” Luna replied in a neutral tone of voice as she looked Twilight in the eyes.

She then turned to meet the gaze of all the other ponies present, for the first time showing fear in her eyes as she said with a careful tone, “I … I don’t know what we’ll find inside, everypony. If you don’t want to risk yourselves I’ll completely under—”

“Now, now, Princess Luna.” Rarity chided the ruler before clicking her tongue, “You’re our friend, and you said that you have a way to find out what is going on with those matrices … if you want our support, we’ll gladly give it to you!” she finished saying as all the ponies present walked closer to show their solidarity toward Luna.

Luna breathed in … and released her breath, determination in her eyes now as she asked them, “Everypony? Are you certain of this?”

“Ah’m as ready as ah’ll ever be.” Applejack stated calmly as she removed her stetson and placed it next to her as she followed Luna’s wing to approach the cot.

“I … I hope we can understand him better. Perhaps he wasn’t such a bad pony? That tar thing on him when we first saw him might have corrupted him.” Fluttershy said softly as she approached too.

“I am ready to kick flank and be as awesome as I wanna be! And I’m already as awesome as I wanna be!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed, going airborne for an instant before landing next to Fluttershy, her wing extended over Fluttershy’s barrel in order to calm her friend, who smiled behind her hair at her rambunctious friend.

“Well, who knows what we’ll find inside—so we better make sure that the end of the world isn’t at our doorstep.” Rarity said as she approached the forming circle around the cot, before adding with exasperation, “And I most certainly want to get this over and done with! This manecap’s ruining my mane!”

“Yeeperonni! Maybe this way he’ll awaken and be our bestest friend ever!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed as she approached her spot, only for her mane to go even puffier than before, and exclaimed once again as she realized, “Ohh! I’ll get to throw him both a ‘Welcome to Equestria’ and a ‘Congratulations on no longer being corrupted and a meany-pants’ parties!”

As all of the ponies present gave the walking sugar rush a look, Twilight shuffled nervously towards her place next to Luna before saying, “Luna? How might being inside his dreams will help us find what we’re looking for?”

Luna shifted a little, discomfort showing in her features as she explained, “Twilight, everypony … I know a spell that will allow us to project our souls into his, and explore his mind in return. But this spell is power-intensive, and I can only use it when the moon is full, as it is today.” She then turned to see everyone present sitting on their haunches, waiting for her to say anything else.

With a nod of determination, Luna started to cast the spell. Her horn began to shine brightly, layer after layer of power manifesting over it … the condensing magic branching out and touching the heads of each member of the Council of Friendship.

At this display of power and arcane arts, Twilight looked with awe at Luna’s spellcrafting as her eyes sparkled. Luna couldn’t help but blush at the unsaid flattery, feeling warmth in her heart as she noticed something had changed—and everything went dark for her, and everyone connected to her spell joined her in her blackout transition.

When Twilight Sparkle opened her eyes, she was graced by the sight of several familiar faces looking down upon her with concern. Blinking several times, she straightened up—and as her friends moved a little to give her enough space to rise to her hooves, after which she started looking at the environment they were in.

She also could see how worried Luna looked, as her wide eyes took in the scenery before them: Black, all over—no way to tell where the horizon was, there was no way to see the ground—except for their presences, which somehow were highlighted.

“This—this cannot be! All living beings dream! Even those in the sleep of coma dream! Did I commit a mistake when casting my spell!?” Luna exclaimed in panic, breathing quickly as her wings fluttered, deep concern settling into her as she took in the dead space they were currently stuck in.

“Luna! Calm down! Getting worried about what happened won’t get us anywhere!” Twilight exclaimed to Luna as she trotted to approach her, her friends following close by as they looked at the dark, featureless expanse.

“Princess Luna? Why is this place so … sad?” Pinkie asked as she looked around worriedly, her puffy mane starting to deflate just from being there.

“Here I thought we were going to fight him, and instead we find … whatever this is!” Rainbow Dash fumed as she flapped to maintain her hovering position.

“Princess? Why is everything just black?” Fluttershy asked as she placed herself next to Luna, who was looking around with wide eyes still.

“Well, this is positively worrisome! When I thought we were going to see his mind, I imagined dark towers looming ominously as we demolished his fortifications like heroines from storybooks!” Rarity commented off-hoofedly before noting, “At least we don’t have to worry about wearing those hospital uniforms—how unsightly!”

“Well, everypony … ah can’t say ah’m feelin’ too worriedsome ‘bout this turn of events.” Applejack said as she adjusted her stetson, before adding, “Then again, ah do hope there ain’t surprises in store within this place.”

“Princess Luna? Could it be that … our Rainbow Power actually—?” Twilight started speaking to Luna as a queasy feeling began to overwhelm her, to which Luna immediately placed her wing on the young princess’s shoulder to calm her down slightly.

Luna tried to soothe Twilight’s nerves, saying to her, “Nay, Twilight. It wasn’t your fault, or anypony’s for that matter. ‘Tis nothing but an unfortunate incident—” but was cut off by a voice she hadn’t heard in a long time.

Specifically, the last time she heard him speak out was before her banishment—the same year that they suffered the loss of the Crystal Empire to Sombra’s machinations, when him and his thaumical research team vanished after investigating the magic from Sombra and The Warden, which came to be known as Dark Magic, as well as a potential wellspring of an unknown type of magic to ponykind.

The old stallion’s voice echoed into the expanse, saying to them: “It was an unfortunate incident indeed—but one that could have been prevented … if you all had actually attempted diplomacy—instead of just bum-rushing into attacking someone who didn’t attempted once to attack you even in self-defense, even if you were suspecting him of aiding in a conspiracy!”

------------------ 1199 years ago, Castle of the Two Sisters -------------------

“It wast an unf'rtunate incident indeed—but one ye couldst has't prevented … if 't ye all hadst actually attempt'd diplomacy—instead of just blindly charging foolheartedly into attacking someone who hast not attempt'd once to attacketh thee, even in self-defense, e’en if 't be true ye wert suspecting that non-pony o’ villainy out of mistrust of his craft!” Star Swirl The Bearded exclaimed in rage at the two melancholic rulers in the privacy of the meeting chamber, with Clover the Clever just watching the situation unfold while one of their companions—Smart Cookie—just shuffled nervously along with Private Pansy.

Commander Hurricane, though—he seemed … pensive as he waited for them to finish the discussion to advance the proposal of their agenda. Perhaps him stepping down from Cloudsdale’s command, leaving Burning Feather as his successor to serve as the new ruler of Cloudsdale had something to do with it.

The old unicorn, though—he kept his tirade as the two rulers just looked at each other, then turned their sights on their mentor and guide during the years after Equestria’s foundation, ears flattened on their skulls as he kept yelling at them in anger.

“To maketh matt'rs w'rse, ye e’en wait'd a full year to inform me tha’ th're wast such a pow'rful us'r o’ an mystical and arcane art!? One yond tha’ ye antagoniz'd despite ‘e not being initially hostile, upon which this tragic turn of events end'd with the disappearance of an entire Empire!?” The old unicorn took a breath in, and everypony present in that room reeled from the force his voice acquired to highlight the unmigitated outrage in the aftermath of this most recent disaster which was presented before him after their return from the Crystal Empire. “This chain of events yond did cause a m're unic'rn withstand th’ both of thee and an entire company of royal guardsponies!? This m're unic'rn seal’d aw’y an entire kingdom with a spelleth so devious, its duration shalt last a millennium!?”

The wizened wizard collected himself, breathing in and out in a rhythmic fashion while moving his forehoof back and forth from his barrel outwards … after a few seconds of which, the red flush left his appearance, it returning to his normal light gray fur that he was usually recognized by, beard and wizardry attire only making his appearance further unique to him.
Star Swirl, now having communicated his fury and disappointment during his apoplectic fit, continued speaking with a soothing tone instead of the scathingly scolding one he had employed after hearing the news about the Crystal Empire’s disappearance.

“Well, with what you’ve hath said to me I do think the solution is clear … investigation and discovery!” he exclaimed rather loudly and enthusiastically, whereby making the two alicorns jump out from his outburst. He looked at Celestia and Luna with a raised eyebrow. “Well? since this is as worthy an opp'rtunity as any, h're is mine own proposal f'r th’ ensuing thaumaturgic researcheth; I hereby proposition tha’ th’ thaumic research take place in the dead lands near the Hoofhousen settlement to the n'rth—which shall forthwith include research into this dark magecraft ‘e did employ and discover how to contain o’ destr’y it. ”

He started to further expound his proposal to his rulers as they watched him with both awe and anxiety as he talked … .

Castle of the Two Sisters, Everfree Town.

Two weeks after the meeting.

“Well, mine kin. This is a see ye lat'r, rath’r than goodbye—so by thy leave, wilt ye permit this fusty stallion to journey on with his team?” Star Swirl chortled as he hugged Celestia and Luna, while several pegasi chariots were being readied and stocked full of supplies and various equipment.

“Please, do be careful mine cousin. I know not what I shalt do if we should suffer th’ loss o’ thee! or Hurricane, Clover, Smart Cookie, 'r anypony accompanying ye f'r tha’ matt'r!” Celestia said to him tenderly as she nuzzled him, making him laugh.

“Oh, mine b’lov’d kin! Still, e’er th’ same w'rrywart, aren’t thee?” Star Swirl teased Celestia before turning to Luna. “So, mine own sweet Luna … I desire thee apply yourself to learneth what arcane less’ns I hath left f'r thee af're I return, as I believeth ye to has't th’ most wondrous potential f'r oneirothurgy.”

Luna sniffed, before glomping the old stallion as she said to him, “Please return to us anon, lief cousin! Our castle shan’t be th’ same without thee!”

“Heh! With a foal in the care o’ mine own sist'r, whilest we w'rk at the bord’rs o’ Equestria, return I do so intend!” Star Swirl exclaimed good-heartedly as he hugged his budding disciple.

A few moments passed before they released each other, and he turned towards Clover, who was becoming teary-eyed at the sight while wearing a smile.

“Shall we journey forthwith, mine precious love?” Star Swirl asked her, who simply sniffed and nodded with a smile before everypony started to board the carriages, the twelve pegasi per chariot readying themselves to fly with their cargo.
Luna and her sister watched how they turned into dots the farther into the distance the carriages traveled, going northwards as the sun began to set … .

Hoofhousen, northeastern Equestria.

Six months after Star Swirl’s Research Team departure.

Luna gazed at the burned remains of what had been the settlement of Hoofhousen, the last census made on the settlement numbered the population at around fifteen hundred ponies total. However, no corpses, remains, or survivors had been found within the hauntingly empty structures of Hoofhousen, or on the barren fields and mountain caves outside the town.

Hoofhousen was founded in the unforgivingly cold mountains near where the Crystal Empire used to be—the ashes from the burnt remains of the town was being scattered abroad by the cold winds blowing from where the great city once stood. This gave the impression of a graveyard, for those present and surveying the scene of destruction—as chunks of charred and burnt wood jutted out from where once stood the columns which gave the houses their shape … as if they were the unmarked tombstones of all the ponies missing.

“Is this all that remains, S’rgeant Setting Moon?” Luna asked the roussepony standing by at her side, with a detachment of Night Guard ponies searching through the devastated settlement for any clues as to what might have happened to Hoofhousen, and why all communication was lost with the town.

The roussepony stood at attention as she replied to her. “No, your highness. aside from detecting a large amount of ambient dark magic within the area, but so far our unic'rn exp'rts has't been unable to pinpoint a cent'r.” She shivered as she added, “they persist in declaring th’ thaumic energy signature for this dark force is coming from und'r the affect’d terrain at a slow, but constant rate … as if 't be a true thaumic wellspring.”

“Keep me inf'rm'd of any development, s'rgeant.” Luna replied as she rose into the air, and focused her strength and energy into reaching Everfree town as fast as she could.

All throughout the journey, she constantly found herself fighting back her tears from streaming from her eyes as her gut instinct kept telling her that the worst had actually happened to her little ponies in Hoofhousen—and that somehow The Warden of The Dark was involved in this disaster, as this dark magic echoed with his own thaumic signature.

Castle of the Two Sisters, Everfree Town.

Two weeks after the disappearance of Hoofhousen’s settlers, and six months and two weeks since Star Swirl’s Research Team vanished from the research post at Hoofhousen.

Princess Luna was looking forlornly at the empty court as once again no pony had shown up, which had slowly but inexorably become a frequent occurrence since their discovery and journey inside Tartarus.

She turned her sights towards her roussepony guards posted about the Night Court’s chamber; their slitted eyes, tufted ears, and webbed wings also had been a source of contention from the more … odious petitioners amongst the pegasus and unicorn nobleponies which liked to think of their own tribe as the superior tribe whenever they bothered to ‘honor’ her with their exceedingly dubious and contentious company.

The open doors allowed her to catch sight of a royal nightguard—a mare, judging by the size, Luna thought to herself—as the guardsmare stopped at the base of her throne and bowed.

“Your Highness! I do bring urgent tidings from the investigation you’re o’erseeing! The Warden of The Dark wast seen w’thin the settlement of Hoofhousen!” the courier announced before bowing again to the Princess, whose irises had turned to pinpricks.

Trying her best to calm her rather tumultuous feelings of both anger at the one who had taught Sombra his dark arcane knowledge, and rage at the ponies lack of gratitude regarding her and her plethora of royal duties and her nightly celestial artistry, she replied to the courier: “Did thy companions magically tag tha’ exceedingly vile fiend, tha’ we might follow him at a distance?”

The courier gulped, causing Luna to frown in suspicion, as the guardsmare spoke out softly, “They did verily make th’ attempt, but by the time yond spelleth wast cast, He had already vanished into white fireth! Th’ sum o’ our intelligence ist that He kept staring at the burn'd wreckage o’ th’ city, a’ter which He then stood as still as a statue, as if 't He wast tarrying f'r something, or somepony—only to suddenly vanish ‘nto th’ aer!”

Princess Luna arose from her seat, glaring hatefully back toward the throne upon which she sat before schooling her expression upon her face back into a neutral one, and was going to speak out—

—When she was shaken to her core by a sudden spike in Dark Magic located in the northeast direction … as if a massive spell had been cast.

Unlike Sombra, this show of power felt downright asphyxiating as she tried her best to not fall on her haunches, as the rousseponies next to her looked toward her with curiosity upon their faces as to why she was reacting in the way that she was—Luna feeling something which she hadn’t felt in quite a while ever since she was a foal.

Fear. True, primal fear.

The guards bearing witness to Princess Luna’s breakdown didn’t need to wait long for a counter-response, as Princess Celestia appeared in a blindingly bright flash of teleportation—running straight toward her sister, all of her royal accoutrements missing as she stared in the direction where Luna was staring, her own eyes showing how small her pupils were as she stood next to Luna’s side, as she felt her younger sister flesh quivering under her coat.

“Luna? Did thee perceive it as well, to be o’erwhelmed wi’ such feeling o’ terror?” Celestia asked her sister—whose eyes were wide open with pupils shrunk—however, her sister’s silence remained, like the permanency of the grave.

Luna eventually spoke out after several seconds of her previous state of silence, which had felt entirely too long during this moment of panic and distress. “Sist'r. The Warden wast sighted at the ruined remains of Hoofhousen,” Luna stoically said while looking with her eyes unfocused as she stared at her Court’s wall, as though looking at someplace far away.

Too bad all she could do was consciously stare at a stone wall, rather than a window to at least enjoy the sight of her majesty-filled night that her subjects didn’t even appear to appreciate.

Luna’s mind was reeling from the sheer amount of emotion and memories invoked by that particular voice, only to quickly remember to turn and face the source of that old, outraged voice.

As she did, everypony with her was also turning to the one who had been addressing Princess Luna … and all Luna could do was to ask quietly, as if she were once again a filly meeting her beloved uncle. “Star Swirl? Art thou he, forsooth?”

“My dear Princess Luna! As much as I’d like for us to catch up, there is much to discuss and far too little time by which we may do so!” Star Swirl’s apparition manifested at a distance from the group, trotting towards them to close the distance. As the apparition of the old stallion approached them, Twilight’s expression began changing very quickly.

At first, her face showed elation at finally meeting her idol. Seconds passed by, and as Star Swirl got closer, a frown formed in her face as she stepped in his path toward Luna, and barred his passage as she ignited her horn and barked: “Not one step closer, Warden!”

The bearded unicorn’s expression—who looked stern but with a terse smile upon his face as he had been approaching Princess Luna and her entourage—his smile changed into a reserved expression as he stepped back from the group. As he switched his focus upon Twilight Sparkle’s disapproving gaze—Luna quickly stepped up next to Twilight’s side and berated him, “Fie! To be fooled by your illusion! You truly are a dreadful enemy, Warden of the Dark!” before lighting her horn, the other mares present in her entourage joined her to face him—some more eager to fight him than others.

At first, only the phantasm of Star Swirl was present … but that soon changed when several more shades manifested to approach them—and to their shock, the enemy began to count in the hundreds in a matter of seconds.

At a closer look, they realized that among the equines sent against them, there were many who were not equine in their appearance at all.

Of course, this turn of events caused the more combative ponies to actually step back as they witnessed the sheer number of shades approaching them.

Adding to this, their facial expressions went from glaring at the bearded unicorn to outright nervousness, as more and more apparitions continued to appear before them.

Stallions, mares, colts, and fillies started to gather and look at them with curiosity, the differences in age showing among those surrounding Princess Luna and her entourage.

They also noticed a ram standing at a distance, pride, and arrogance in his posture as he looked down at them; several bipedal pig-like creatures keeping close to him as they watched the gathering.

On another part of this … dreamscape, there gathered deer-like folk with massive antlers adorning their heads. Their leader also looked at the mares with barely restrained disdain, as the ghosts next to him kept their attention focused on them—an animalistic sense coming from them as they eyed the ponies.

“Twilight? Why do all of these ponies appear like ghosties?” Pinkie Pie asked her with her Pinkie Cheer as she procured a cupcake from her mane, offering it to a phantom pegasus stallion in ancient armor that was really close to her—observing her with clinical detachment.

This stallion, after eyeing both it and the mare holding it … actually took it with a slight inclination of his head and went on chewing on it, rumbling “mmmm!” as he expressed his enjoyment of the dream cake with eyes closed in delight. Pinkie’s face lightened up as if it were a lightbulb as she eyed the rest of the phantoms … .

While Pinkie was busy thinking about how to try to bring a smile to the rest of somber faces, a unicorn mare approached Star Swirl and nuzzled him before asking him, “Shall I tell them, my love?”

Princess Luna’s attention snapped to the mare, and asked incredulously “Clover? art thou her?”

The young mare giggled, before replying to her “Please, your highness … we have all learned how to speak modern Equish by living life through our host as the years passed by, so don’t force yourself on our behalf to speak in the old way.” She then eyed Twilight carefully, and her mouth took the shape of an ‘oh’ before asking, “Your Highness? Pray to tell who is this new princess? Much must have changed in the last millennium, for another alicorn to appear.”

Twilight forced herself to smile while she felt unnerved internally as she thought, ‘Star Swirl and Clover the Clever were—are a couple? Why didn’t my history books mention that!?’, before turning her sight a bit and strangling a gasp of recognition, ‘Are—are they Smart Cookie and Private Pansy over there? And Pinkie is with—oh sweet Harmony, she’s now placing a table with Commander Hurricane’s help!? And there are ponies making a file, waiting for them to finish!?’, before speaking out loud in reply, “I am Twilight Sparkle, Princess of Friendship and former bearer of the Element of Magic. And these,” Twilight motioned with her wing to her friends, “are my friends. Rarity.” The white unicorn curtsied. ”Rainbow Dash.” The brash pegasus grinned while attempting to do a cool pose. “Fluttershy.” The aforementioned pegasus squeaked at her introduction. “Applejack.” The farmpony inclined her head slightly at the ghost. “And the earth pony mare helping Hurricane set a table with all sorts of pastries is Pinkie Pie,” Twilight finished while trying to keep her composure at the evidence laid in front of her about Pinkie’s capabilities.

Luna shook herself from the shock that she had received, and said to Clover out loud, “Clover? There is another alicorn as well, who now rules over the Crystal Empire.”

To this statement, all the ponies not in Princess Luna’s entourage redirected their attention and looked at Luna with clear interest in their faces. Star Swirl said with genuine relief to that, “Oh, thank Harmony! You must have been through a lot to force the Crystal Empire to reappear!” He stood still for a moment, before shaking his head and saying out loud, “sadly, we don’t have the time to share stories!”

Before the old wizard could say anything, Luna asked with a tremor in her voice as she remembered something that Clover had mentioned earlier, “Why are you here? And what is that talk about your ‘host’?”

Luna, as well as all her companions, realized that all the ponies present started to look at each other, awkwardness visible in their faces … .

Until at last, Star Swirl broke the silence and replied to them soberly. “We are souls that became tainted when we were exposed to—or touched—the Warden’s power … and cannot pass on to the Elysium Fields because of it, Princess Luna.”

Rainbow Dash cried out in rage at this statement, “What!? That monster did this to you!? When we get out of here, I’ll go buck him all the way to Clouds—!”

“You will be quiet!” Star Swirl roared at Rainbow Dash, who immediately went silent and landed on the ground with a ‘thump’ as she looked at him wide-eyed and ears splayed against her skull.

As the remaining mares looked at him askance, Twilight Sparkle asked out loud to him. “Star Swirl the Bearded? Why are you defending The Warden?”

“Because he’s way more than what you know, your Highness … and your choice to purge him of his power will have serious repercussions for the future of Equestria, if not the entire world!” Star Swirl replied hotly, making Twilight backpedal a few steps from the intensity.

“Ah think what Twilight's really askin’ is this: why ah’ you on his side? He was plannin’ somethin’ awful against us.” Applejack interjected … only to backpedal herself as all the ponies present started to defend The Warden from that accusation fiercely, forming a cacophony that didn’t let them hear clearly what was each individual saying.

An earth pony mare with a ghostly farmer’s hat and old-fashioned formal frock with puffed shoulders replied back calmly to Applejack once the crowd calmed down. “Young mare? All of us here shared access to all his memories, like the souls that kept him company before our arrival.”

This caught Fluttershy’s attention. ‘Shared access to his memories?’ She thought to herself before hearing Applejack reply to the phantom mare.

“What has that got to do with everything?” Applejack questioned the phantom with a raised eyebrow.

Unperturbed, the phantom mare continued. “We all have shared in memories from his past and present. This means that we know him in a way that you do not.” To the silent ponies paying attention to her, she added, “And this stallion had truly little ambitions when compared to beings given power at his scale.”

The ghost sighed in regret, before continuing her exposition. ”Those that inhabit him are fully aware of all his actions and thoughts, as we are a part of him. At first, he was immensely displeased and unhappy with us being lodged within him … yet he still granted us sanctuary as souls marked as tainted. Unfortunately, the slaughter of Cairn Niall happened a few hundred years ago.”

“What happened then? If you don’t mind me asking, that is.” Fluttershy asked softly to the ghost, who smiled wanly at her before answering.

“In his rage, despite our pleas for him to both spare those ponies and to forgive our kin for their madness, he forbid us from speaking to him ever since. But we could feel his paranoia and mistrust growing, until he reached the point where he secluded himself within Minotaur territory—with what we now know was a variation to the unicorn’s teleportation spell that was particular to him, to keep in contact with other races that he preferred to be with—until this day,” This particular earth pony then kept going, as Applejack’s face showed troubled confusion at that statement. “He had no plan to take revenge upon Ponykind if we stayed away from him and those whom he chose to aid.”

The former Element Bearers and Luna looked unsure about the statement—all but Applejack, whose irises were shrunk into pinpricks as the reality of the statement settled into her mind.

Clover cleared her throat before speaking. “Thank you, Smart Cookie. Unfortunately, that desire is now bound to change, as our host lost far more than just power because of your actions.” Clover commented sadly while shaking her head, “to make matters more tragic, all of this could have been prevented, had your Highnesses not attempted to attack him on sight, but rather initiated some diplomacy toward him … to just hear him out despite his non-ponylike appearance.” She then turned her sights on the now extremely uncomfortable ruler of the night, with what looked as genuine regret on her eyes. “I cannot think how, though … something masked his true presence, and even we were frightened of him when he took possession of our souls.”

Fluttershy’s ear twitched at that statement, and wondered inwardly: ‘Was that tar on him what was clouding all of our senses concerning him? How can such a thing be possible?’

Unknowing of the pegasus’s mind, Clover turned towards the two alicorns before her, and asked them bluntly, “Not that we don’t appreciate your arrival, your highnesses … but could you be so kind as to state why are you here? This realm doesn’t appreciate intruders into it, and it is taking our collective strength to prevent your banishment.”

Luna, hearing that statement, immediately projected from her horn a picture of the three matrices and how they had evolved, and said to the unspoken leaders of the herd, “This is the reason why we came for answers, Star Swirl and Clover. This matrices bear his glyph within the designs, and have begun changing after appearing in the sky.” She then added ominously, “I believe they are some kind of thaumic spell crafted by the Warden’s, in case he was vanquished. We need help to disarm them, as Equestria could be in danger from his craft.”

Luna waited for an answer … but all she found was a look of genuine dread on all the ponies present before her.

As for the non-ponies? The ram and heavily decorated caribou started to uproariously laugh at their expressions as their minions just stared at their masters with unreadable expressions on their faces.

Twilight asked the phantom ponies, “Why are you so frightened? Are his spells that powerful?”

Twilight then made a conscious effort to filter out the mocking laughter from the ones that had remained outside the herd of ponies to listen to the old stallion.

Star Swirl started to glare at them, before saying in a dangerously calm voice, “Powerful? Absolutely. Dangerous? Sure, let’s go with that. An intamperable deadly spell? Not at all.” He then started to breathe in and out, forehoof moving back and forth from his barrel outwards. Once he had done the motion a few more times, he said with steel in his voice, “From what we learned of his past while in this world, this individual aided the Maker of this world in the sealing of powerful entities that had invaded her creation … and you just said that the seals containing said entities are unraveling?”

Twilight’s mind immediately reeled, as the nagging memories came to the fore in full strength within her mind … .

—The brown-coated alicorn, along with a coral-coated earth pony mare worked together to craft a world from the remains of that pony-lich, the soul of the pony-lich locked within a magical matrix bearing the same sigil … .

—The spider-monster and its shadows were trapped within some crystal caverns by the alicorn knight by using the same magic he used to bind the pony-lich—a massive magical matrix shown at the place of imprisonment bearing his glyph and sigil … .

—The image depicted the bipedal wolves’ bodies piled up, the shades of their existences being sealed within the woods’ foundation—a magical seal in the process of being made by the same alicorn … .

—The alicorn stallion looked like making a seal linked to the Tree itself—as if it fed from the Tree itself … and his own power. And from it, the power seemed to divert to three different directions—the Tree shining brightly in response … .

Twilight’s mane frazzled in a matter of seconds, as her pin-pricked eyes just stared into the depths of the darkness surrounding them—

And into the many pairs of eyes that looked specifically at her from the horizon, its chained body keeping the entity from approaching and eating them whole.

Twilight could see from the floor at the memorial windowpane, how a shade made of smoke came out of the Shadow Hydra’s dissolving corpse entered the stallion knight’s body—the shade’s expression being one of absolute terror at what was happening to it.

Next to this monstrosity that filled the horizon, there was another one—one that looked as if reality itself cracked around it. What was curious about it, was that it gave the impression of a shifty-looking pony, one that gave her the feeling of the Flim-Flam Brothers and their ‘less than honest’ business practices.

“What have I done?” Twilight whispered softly as she looked at the distance, barely hearing what was going on around her.
Unheard by her friends, it was Rarity who asked the ancient stallion and mare, “If The Warden didn’t taint, and then slay you … who did it then?”

Before either could reply, a haughty and growling voice replied with real pride in his voice. “It was I who slayed the ponies in front of you, after experimenting with them in order to understand the power that The Warden wielded—just so that I could harness it!”

All the ponies turned and saw how the ram who had so far remained outside the conversation marched towards them with a swagger and a wicked grin on his mouth that betrayed the sheer coldness in his heart and eyes.

Rainbow Dash didn’t lose any time in launching at him, her heart boiling in rage as she flew really fast to tackle him—only to pass through him as if he were smoke.

“What the hay!? What gives!?” Rainbow Dash demanded in a very smart tone as she returned to her friends as fast as she was flying, flapping over the ram—who was getting all sorts of stink-eyes from the pony shades.

Luna glared at the interloper and answered as coldly as she could to his taunting. “Who are you, fiend?”

The ram feigned being insulted, before replying in mock offense, “My name is too much for one such as you. As for what I did … hmm!” He gave the appearance of thinking intensely before answering with mockery to Luna, “I didn’t experiment on only the bearded horn and his team of incompetent fools … I imprisoned the entire town next to them first, then went after the fool and his team to learn more about the dark magic they had managed to contain and study!”

Twilight’s ears twitched as she registered the ram’s confession, and started glaring at him too, while Fluttershy simply asked with a quiver in her voice: “Why? Why do so much harm to so many ponies?”

The ram marched around them, eyeing them as he said with disdain in his voice while speaking to them as if they were foals. “The better question is, why not? I was planning to become the lord of this world! insignificant things such as ponykind’s right to exist were things beneath my notice! I researched through the blackest arts all over the world, in order to become a master of them. Of course, this netted me a lot of benefits and successes in the execution of plenty of projects as a result! From my walled city of Tambelon, hidden in another realm … all the way down to researching the myths surrounding this immortal being, in order to learn how to become a true immortal and take over his power!” The unnamed ram gesticulated with his forehooves until he finished speaking … while purposefully ignoring the looks that he was getting from the shades.

Looking at the expressions of befuddlement from the visiting ponies, the ram smirked. “That isn’t all, you know? I learned more in that week than I did in most of my life as a necrothurgist and umbral mage! I learned that all those who become tainted by his brand of magic turn into souls incapable of leaving this world—making them excellent sources of eternal fuel, to raise golems and the corpses of the dead with their power, if one’s willing to handle the power tainting their essences with the blackest of the arts of necrothurgy and umbral magic!”

“You monster.” Spat Luna as she glared at him, wings flaring in defiance along with Twilight and Rainbow.

Ignoring the now furious ponies and shades, the ram continued. “But the best prize was provided by my dear bearded unicorn here,” the unnamed ram ruffled Star Swirl’s mane deprecatingly before adding, “since he found a way to handle this new type of magic and to bind it into place and focus it into a wellspring of magical power.”

The ram scoffed in derision at the old stallion, “the fool just wasn’t able to tell just how useful that was,” and his voice lowered as he ranted at the end, “but still … in the end, it was all useless against this elder being’s might, even as I attempted to drain him of his power!”

Luna’s mind rewinded to that moment, half a year after Star Swirl and Hoofhousen’s disappearance … and how she and Celestia felt a massive output of dark magical power in that region.

She unconsciously gulped before focusing her sight to Star Swirl, who looked just as displeased as all the other ponies present at the ram … and asked him, “Star Swirl? If you know what needs to be done, please aid us—the spell I used was supposed to link us to his soul and allow us to read his memories through his dreams.” Luna turned her head ashamed as she continued saying, “instead, we are here—inside this bizarre realm within him, where all of you are inhabiting somehow.”

Twilight’s ears turned in the direction of her idol—and failed to pay attention to Fluttershy’s squeak as the entire environment started to distort from afar, the princesses and her friends too preoccupied to realize that. The shades apparently didn’t notice either, as they were focused on what was being discussed.

“Um … girls?” Fluttershy squeaked very quietly, fright being all that she was feeling at this point, as the entire location they were inside started to ripple in ways that started to give her goosebumps. ‘Are—are those ripples within ripples in mid-air? And why is the background rippling in layers? Are—are those parallel lines intersecting with each other!?’ Unable to stomach what was happening, Fluttershy closed her eyes, trying to clear her mind of the disconcerting things it had just been subjected to.

There was no way that the whirlpools were suspended horizontally—and all the images of rotting flesh and bone still moving towards her, which was being shown within many of the whirlpools—were good to the well-being of anypony who looked at them.

Unknown to the shy mare’s plight, the phantoms answered to Luna. “Well, the answer is really hard to give, as we ourselves don’t know exactly what this place is,” Clover answered awkwardly as Star Swirl nodded in assent. “All we know is that when we were under this … mad and twisted fool’s thrall after dying, we were in pain while inside his golems and diverse constructs—the kind of pain that can and will drive you insane if exposed for too long. When The Warden defeated him—we all were absorbed into him, and ever since then we haven’t felt that pain.”

“My name is Grogar, you insolent fo—” The ram started to roar in rage, only to receive a hoof-full in the mouth to keep him quiet, courtesy of Clover who simply looked at him with a look normally reserved by mothers to let children know they are way out of their depth.

“However, there is one thing that one of the older souls that used to live in here shared with me.” Star Swirl said as he glared at the living ponies in front of him, before scrunching his snout and brows in thought. “I think she called herself Mullenkamp, that nice hyuuman mare—” only to be softly smacked on the shoulder by a pouting Clover, causing him to chuckle at her jealous reaction, giving her a nuzzle to reassure her before continuing, “Don’t deny it, Clover—she gave such ear scratches and tummy rubs that one could feel as melting! I remember you cooing as she did that to you, too!”

Clover just gave him a raspberry before smacking his shoulder again. Laughing at her reaction and noticeable blush, he continued speaking to his visitors. “She once shared with me that only those that didn’t desire The Dark could control it … and by sacrificing one’s phantom soul one could inherit the right to command The Dark after performing a ritual of succession. And much, much later in another time, she showed me how proud was she of her descendants Sydney and Aldous, who guided their chosen successor to inherit the full power of The Dark, which no hyuuman had been able to fully contain up to that time—one who Sydney knew would not abuse its god-like power for his own benefit.”

“Excuse me for finding that hard to believe, my friend—but no normal pony would slay an entire army of ponies for no reason other than spite, as the battle was long over after he showed up to confront my sister.” Luna said, all while trying her best to not grit her teeth at that statement coming from her former mentor, defending what was to her knowledge a monster—

—A monster who, to her knowledge, might just as well be toying with them … manipulating their emotions through their memories in an attempt to sell them deceit masked under truth to seal their damnation while inside his … what was this place in reality, anyway? Why there were Caribou among the phantoms and more to the point … what was this talk about ‘the souls which were living here before they arrived?’

‘Why can’t I shake this feeling that something’s not right … but not in the way I expected it to be?’, Luna asked herself before reflecting on what she knew of magic—and the forbidden arts of necrothurgy she once learned in order to surpass her sister shortly before her fall. ‘There is no force—not even necrothurgy and umbral magic—capable of denying passage to the souls of sapient and living beings … so why do these illusions feel so … alive? So much detail, so much knowledge they have despite everything. This must be a trick to lure us further into darkness, right?’ Luna’s mind realized something but was drawn to the shade of her mentor’s voice as he replied to her statement.

“No reason?” Star Swirl answered back, disbelief in every word coming from his mouth. “I don't claim moral superiority, as I would’ve done the same if it had been within my power—if an army came and took from me all I cared and loved for no justifiable reason!”

Fluttershy, though … was distracted looking at the changes that were happening in the dark, dreary place they were in.

“Star Swirl? We’ll probably get in trouble for this … but why not help them see who The Warden really is? They will inevitably see the memories about the Seals, while at it.” Smart Cookie proposed as she eyed Princess Luna carefully.

Taking the initiative, Luna spoke out loud. “Star Swirl, I cannot fully trust anything that any of you say, as you might as well be tricking us into a trap to ensnare us to our demise … which is why I must ask you to do this.” Luna made a pause as the old stallion looked at her askance, his ear twitching in a familiar fashion. “Prove to me that you’re real and not some construct by the Warden intended to deceive us.”

Star Swirl examined his former student carefully, only to be interrupted by the flapping of wings from one of the phantom pegasi present.

Landing quietly, Star Swirl turned to meet the face of Private Pansy, who spoke out softly. “Your Highness? Can you use your magic to check on other ponies’ dreams while inside here? Or more precisely, wander into our inner selves?”

And it was at this point that some of the shades began to notice the changes around them as well, being too distracted by Pinkie Pie’s pastries that she somehow brought to them, many of the foals chewing joyfully her cupcakes stopping to see the ripples spreading through this place.

“Everypony? Something’s happening to Ashley’s core self.” Commander Hurricane commented as he eyed the sub-world changing around them, the feathers from his wings fluttering a little as they moved restlessly—betraying his true feelings despite his apparent coolness to the ponies around him.

Luna felt how her dream magic started to work as if she were within one of Mythy's creatures, rather than her previous sense of disability that had so far hampered her progress into The Warden’s memories. However, she thought while reeling inwardly from the changes happening within this place, ‘Ashley? What kind of name is that?’ Before wordlessly testing her dreamwalking spell on Private Pansy to test her claims about their ‘inner selves’ … only to snap her eyes open in shock as she stared at the pegasus, who smiled sadly at her. Luna started to test her magic again on Twilight next to her, then chose Star Swirl and Clover for comparison … and gasped as she took a couple steps back, eyes wide open as she now looked at the shades in front of her.

“Remember, your highness? How it is said that those who pass away are resting in Elysium, waiting for their loved ones to join them? That we are, in fact … slumbering down to the end of the world, waiting for our return to life with our Goddess when she remakes the world anew?” Pansy said softly, her eyes digging down on Luna’s conscience, who now was on the border of tears as she realized just how wrong this whole scenario was, and how it sickened her that her friends were now bound as slaves of a dark beast’s mind.

‘What in the name of Tartarus is this being?’ Luna thought, an unnameable fear growing within herself.

As this occurred, the former Element Bearers stared at the changes as they happened all around them.

From where there used to be darkness, now stood alien structures all around them, some seamlessly fusing as if in a transition between architectural styles. As the ponies and shades looked carefully at the changes happening around them, Rarity noticed how on one section there was a building style very similar to Trottingham, another part looked very much like Manehattan, with plenty of architectural notions that made them gasp as to their raw alien nature.

For one, some of the buildings were incredibly tall—impossible architectural designs which caused Twilight’s mind to reel, while reminding her of the pictures and structures that she had seen while on the other side of the mirror with her friend Sunset Shimmer.

Twilight’s attention was broken away from staring at Luna’s reaction after using her spells on the shades in front of her—and looked for the first time into the distance, where she noticed the architectural pattern manifesting into this realm. Turning in a circle, she took it in … and realized that the architectural pattern displayed seemed to drastically change at one point.

To her surprise, the change from modern Manehattanite towers for human scale changed into one much more primitive, one that resembled the ruins that one archaeologist had brought pictures and drawings from—the ancient Roam and the neighboring Hyppolia—and from there it grew up stranger still.

Steppes, prairies, woods, deserts … even frozen wastelands and structures made of ice, and others made of what looked like pelts from animals.

She reeled at the sheer scale that this whole display showed—it even showed bizarre architecture with plenty of curves, made of wood which seemed to seamlessly blend with its surroundings.

And which for some reason abused the sculptures of truly bizarre dragons—too long when compared to their claws, as if they were distant relatives to Discord. Also, they all held a sphere on one claw for a reason.

Or the sculptor got bored and decided to add in an orb for the dragon to hold.

Her ears twitched, as she thought she heard something truly abnormal. As she turned around to meet her friend’s sights, she realized that they were looking pale, ears twitching as well as the sound came again to their ears.

The sound of foals laughing.

Turning around, Twilight saw the reason why her friends were pale—ethereal shadows of humans passing by within the structures—from human foals to elder humans—all coming and going … and all turning to dust as more replaced them.
This scene was happening in all the aspects of the varying architecture—until it showed itself once, then twice, repeating itself as if in a loop within each defined section.

“Fluttershy?” Rainbow asked the shy mare kindly as she saw her walking towards what looked like the human equivalent of Trottingham’s structures, where a single boy looked at them with an empty look.

Fluttershy’s curiosity and empathy drew her towards the apparition, feeling drawn to the human foals’ expression—one that she had seen when receiving visitors from the Ponyville Orphanage, who took the foals out on excursions to learn from her animal friends.

The face of a foal who has finally realized the fact that he’s been abandoned by his own flesh and blood.

The kind mare felt her heart being ripped apart at the expression being shown within the child’s eyes, while outwardly the child had a look of calm resignation all over his face and posture.

As if drawn by an unknown force, Fluttershy extended a hoof towards the translucid figure and asked him. “Why are you sad?”

“Fluttershy! Don’t touch tha—!” Twilight started saying but got cut off as their entire environment swallowed them up into parts unknown.

The last thing heard was Pinkie Pie’s squeal, screaming as if she were on a very long slide down towards a pool.

Shortly after the end of the meeting of the Security Council, Princess Celestia found herself talking to several of the nobleponies who stayed afterwards—feeling a pang of envy as she saw her sister Luna approach Twilight and her friends, only to leave afterward.

She sighed within her mind, as she tried her best to pay attention to the noble complaining about how this decision would cause a great increase in expenditures, and where pray would she be getting the funding for such a decision? drone on and on, with the regular cacophony of the hooflickers sending their fabricated evidence to validate their claims.

‘At least Luna’s getting to be with our friends.’

After being stopped by the fifth noblepony who said the same thing as the rest, she managed to return to her quarters—surrounded by her guards for a change. Once inside, she felt a numb pang running through her heart at the empty chamber. Shrugging it off like she usually did, she snorted and with a spark of her horn all her royal garments went into their places over upon the ponnequin.

As she got ready to go to bed, she noticed over her desk a scroll from the Royal Guard, with a red seal on it with glyphs surrounding the scroll.

In a rush, Celestia defused the magical glyphs securing the parchment, and she quickly scanned the document … only to read it again at a much slower pace, to make sure she was reading right.

***URGENT***

***FOR PRINCESS'S EYES ONLY***

***FROM AGENT SPEARHEAD***

Griffinstonian agent reports troop movements through Griffinstone and Minos Alliance territories.

Estimated headcount: twenty-five thousand strong.

Races found by cloaked scouts: Minotaur, Centaur, Roussepony, Griffon, Zebra, Diamond Dog and Changelings sighted among the Minos Alliance forces.

Minos Alliance forces currently staying within Minos Alliance territory. Performance of military maneuvers has been witnessed by our scouts.

Troops are practicing defense against sharp weaponry and magic in live exercises, and unknown class of harmonic magic has been observed in action.

Observations: Lethality of weaponry reduced to minimum when accompanied by use of unknown magic, plus actual live healing magic has been observed in addition to a variety of spells ranging from offensive and defensive spells used in tandem with close quarter combat maneuvers.

Request from the nobles from Griffon lands to diplomatically intercede, as they are both confused and deeply concerned at this sudden change in policy from the neighboring nation.

***END OF MESSAGE***

‘This—this is bad.’ Celestia thought as she shakily placed the scroll in a metal bucket, where the enchanted parchment caught fire and reduced itself to ashes. ‘If facing The Warden once was terrifying enough … how will we fare against twenty-five thousand strong that know his arts, if they come our way?’

That night, Princess Celestia didn’t sleep well.

For one, the fact that the scouts went undetected by the Minoan forces was hard to swallow, considering that they had both Diamond Dogs and Changelings among their forces.

The second, and most scary fact to her, was to fully know that the Minoan Army could be martially powerful enough to conquer its neighbors quite easily—Equestria included.

She shivered as she remembered the reports from her contact within Minos Alliance Armed Forces that she received ten months ago … .

Canterlot, Royal Palace.

Celestia’s Private Quarters, ten months ago.

Another day at court, and another day that she felt that the same group of nobleponies were trying their hardest to bring out the worst in her with their insane notions about ponykind’s superiority over the other species.

‘Really? Is it really that hard to understand? That friendship with other kinds will only strengthen our bonds, rather than weaken them?’ Celestia wondered with a heavy heart. ‘Why the opposition? We ponies are a friendly and welcoming race now. We even have changed from the early years from before the Windigos. … Have we not learned that hatred will bring winter upon our lands and hearts?’

Using her magic to remove all of her royal accoutrements, she saw a glyph-protected scroll over her private desk. She felt as if her heart had skipped a beat when she recognized both the spellwork and the glyphs used to protect the contents from prying eyes.

A very special glyphwork, attuned to be disarmed by her very own magic. Another pony—her sister included—would find themselves with a burnt document that would be cursed to not be allowed to be rebuilt to its original state.

Definitely, her contact outdid herself when making that spell.

Opening the scroll with her magic, Celestia unrolled it and started reading the contents.

***URGENT***

***FOR PRINCESS'S EYES ONLY***

***FROM AGENT SPEARHEAD***

Performance of military maneuvers from Minos Alliance been witnessed by scouts.

Indeterminate magical capabilities witnessed from trained soldiers within ranks.

Brand of magic unique, yet Harmonic in nature at its core, thaumic potential unknown as any specie can handle it, shown by Diamond Dog soldiers resisting Changeling magic bolts thrown at them.

From the mentioned example, plus many others, conclusion is: Non-ponies have the capability to defend themselves from pony magic, as shown by changeling recruits shooting magic at the training soldiers.

Nature of spells wielded by soldiers: Unknown.

Recommendation: Diplomatic and peaceful approaches are suggested to prevent or discourage conflict.

Efforts to rescind outdated and specieist laws should be an acceptable show of good faith for Minoan authorities about the sincerity in Equestrian interest in coexisting with them.

***END OF MESSAGE***

“How is this possible?” Celestia asked herself as she placed the scroll inside a metal bucket, where it caught fire and burned down to ashes. ‘I—I never knew that other species could wield magic in the way that ponies could. Were we wrong in that assumption?’

She looked down at her copy of her own schedule for tomorrow … and blinked as she saw a block of time devoted to a meeting with a certain ambassador.

‘Well, I will have to do my best. That is all I can do at the moment.’ Celestia thought to herself glumly before getting ready to go to bed.

‘But perhaps a cup of jasmine tea would do the trick to calm my nerves.’ The princess thought as she eyed her small kitchennette, where one teapot and source of fire were, along with several small cans containing an assortment of flavored infusions, teas, and seasonings to accompany her drinks.

Celestia rose up from her bed and went on to prepare herself a cup of jasmine tea, hoping that the hot beverage would allow her to relax a little, so she could rest.

‘Just how much knowledge and power did The Warden share with the Minoans?’ Celestia wondered as she digested the report, sipping on her jasmine infusion delicately—letting the naturally sweet and slightly bitter aftertaste cleanse her queasy stomach. ‘Did he know other classes of magic besides Dark magic? What if … what if we were wrong from the beginning? What, then?’

She just stared at the flames crackling on the hearth, her belly upon the carpet as she held her teacup on her magic kinesis.

Unknown to Celestia, there were others who were awake at this time, as they made plans for the near future.

In the darkness, a male voice talked out. “Ma’am. The units are in position—and all have successfully planted the thaumical charges to detonate when the signal is released.”

“Are the Reliquarians in place?” the other, older voice speaked out, her distorted voice crackling through the air.

“Been planted during the last year, ma’am. No one expects janitors and salesponies to turn on their neighbors.” The same voice spoke out cryptically in reply.

“And our Black Templars? Are they in place as well?” the elder female asked again.

“They will move to slay the alicorns and royals along with their supporters while the Reliquarians are moving against the Guard and the civilians as a distraction.”

“Good! Good! We will take our opportunity that the alicorn loyalists are distracted by the diversion to prevent our true intentions.” The crackling voice said before going silent for a few seconds, only to add abruptly, “We must move out within three days, when they move out a part of their garrison towards the three places. This plan must succeed, All Star.”

“The plan is foolproof, your highness.” The stallion said, a smile being felt in his words. “How is the alicorn child? Is she ready to serve our cause?”

“She has been trained since young, and we took measures so that the white nag couldn’t detect her. Tell our agent that soon he will be given what he is seeking in exchange for him granting us his child.”

“I will, your Majesty! The Alicorns and the Element Bearers will die for our cause!” The one known as All Star exclaimed as he cut off his side of the communications.

The mysterious figure said to herself, now alone. “And now … to wait until all the ponies are tainted with Dark Magic, now that the seals are being unmade. My Lord … soon we will join you when you come in power.” She started to giggle to herself, before speaking out in joy. “I hope that the sacrifice that we’re preparing for your feast is to your liking!”

Within Canterlot city, another group made plans for their own purposes, unaware of the plots being performed within the city by other interests.

However, this time they had their meeting inside one of the noblehouses closest to the palace, courtesy of one of their most influential members.

“Taupe Rose? Are our agents keeping track of where the alicorns and element bearers currently are?” Grand Master Onyx Horn inquired towards the noblemare in front of him, sitting across the table—the candlelight being the only source of illumination showing the mare’s cold expression.

“Of course they are, Grand Master.” Taupe Rose snorted. “We also are keeping those mud-blooded fillies and dragon back at Mudponyville under watch.”

“What about that student of the blood traitor?” Onyx Horn inquired neutrally.

“Of course she’s under watch as well. We are only waiting for the chance to bag them, after our agent manages to secure the artifact from the museum.”

“Excellent.” Onyx Horn replied, apparently satisfied at her answer before wordlessly bidding her goodbye and making his way out of the mansion.

Walking on the empty streets of Canterlot, under cover from the elements by a dark grey weather cloak, the unicorn reflected upon his plans. ‘Soon, all the pieces will be in place … and we will become as gods, and lead unicorn-kind into a new age.’

‘Or should I say … I will become a god.’

This last thought brought a predatory smirk on his face as he continued moving within the shadows of night-time Canterlot.

At the same hour, within the Minos Alliance Embassy at the Embassy District of Canterlot City.

“An alicorn, you say? A stallion alicorn? Did I hear that correctly?” Silver Gauntlet asked his agent within the Royal Guard, who simply nodded in confirmation as the minotaur tried cleaning out his ear.

“This stallion’s appearance happened seven days ago and is being kept a secret by Royal order, who is currently being kept under heavy guard. Then there are the rumors that are now trickling through, that this stallion … is apparently a powerful Dark Magic user. There is even a spark of Dark Magic funneling continuously to him, only for it to be converted into Harmony Magic through some as of yet, unknown process, if what the thaumic examination report information is correct,” the Royal Guard mole stated before pulling out of her saddlebag a sheaf of parchments. “This here is an exact copy of the thaumic examination report, sir,” the mare said before handing over the documents to the minotaur, who received them with an outstretched arm and opened hand and nodded.

Having disbursed Equestrian governmental secrets to Silver Gauntlet and a cavalier wave of dismissal from her client, the roussepony guardsmare left the building under the cover of night.

The minotaur started to examine the sheaf of papers … and frowned at the diagnosis.

’This—this is bad. If Iron Ash is truly incapacitated and turned into a pony—Harmony knows how—then we are down a really strong asset.’

Silver Gauntlet then turned to observe the sleeping city outside his window.

’Can we stop the incoming tidal wave without his strength?’