Memoirs of a Thief

Chapters

An Immortal Thief
Dreams of a Thief
A Thief's Awakening
The Redemption of a Thief
The Dark Lord and a Thief Part 1
The Dark Lord and a Thief Part 2
A Trip to the Zebra Homeland
A Thief and A Djinn: Stealing A Wish
Steps Into The Past Part 1: The Weakness and Strength of The Greymanes
Steps Into The Past Part 2: Island of Grey
prologue

An Immortal Thief

prolog two

As Grey Mane made his escape he gained the help of two very dangerous ponies. The first was a pegesai known as Gereon the bloodless, and the second was a unicorn known as Sharia the Shade. Both had been executed for crimes against their fellow ponies. Both hated each other for being what they where, but hated Grey Mane even more for stealing from them at one point in time though they both where generations before him. Grey Mane knew it had to be one of his predecessors who stole from them...and for good reason.

They had agreed to set a side their differences so they could get out of tartaros. But more for their own revenge, Gereon swore revenge on his former lieutenant who later became known as Commander Hurricane, as well as her descendents for her betrayal. Sharia wanted revenge on the hierarchy that had killed her while she slept. But it had never occurred to either of them that they where in tartaros for the many lives they took for their own pleasure.

What made the trip easy for them was that one of the minions sent to torture Grey Mane had succumb to laziness on many occasions and took short cuts too both the treasury and the exit, beating him across the walls while he was wrapped in razor sharp barbed chains. As they went up the side paths that Grey Mane was able to memories that led to the treasury Grey Mane had managed to get both of them to agree that stealing as much as they could would be of great use to them. Gold and silver would fetch a good price and help both on their path of revenge, Grey Mane on the other hand wanted one thing. To the others it seemed to be just some gaudy trinket made out of stone and glass with some cheap carvings. Unaware it was the one thing that could grant immortality to whom ever possessed it.

As they rushed toward the exit Gereon feared for the guard dog Cerberus who for some reason had gone missing at the time.

"What a stroke of luck for us wouldn't you say Grey Mane." Boasted Sharia the shade.

To Grey Mane this posed ill omen for not just him but to the world above, he had hoped to use the guard dog and the greed of the other two to betray them and make his escape. He shrugged it off giving a faint smile as if to agree with her as they ran to the ferry mare that brought any and all who would dare to speak to the dark lords them selves across the river. It was here he was able to leave them behind, their greed allowed a few guards to recapture Gereon and Sharia as Grey Mane jumped on the boat and set sail across the River of Styx.

"So long you two, and I thank you for all your help. For with out it I would never have escaped with the medallion. May we never cross paths again." Grey Mane shouted back toward them watching them being dragged away cursing his name.

As he started to relax he saw the great guard dog return chasing what appeared to be a ball. "Well I guess even he can have a soft spot for something a simple as that."

Laying back he pulled out the medallion and gave it one good look and pondered the many lives that had been claimed just so any one pony could have it. He knew the old tails surrounding it stated there was a price to be paid for such a gift. He scoffed at the thought as he turned on his side and closed his eyes, to get what felt like the only rest he had gotten in weeks. After felling the boat come to shore he rose up and tipped the ferry mare and jumped onto the land, stashing the medallion he took a deep breath feeling confident he succeeded. As he slowly walked away he heard shouting behind him, looking back he saw three demons chasing after him.

Two where just your typical 'mindless' minions, but the third was was an archdemon he knew only by description from what his predecessors had written down. Luckily there was enough information on the archdemon he could bind his power, but out numbered in this fashion all he could do was run and hope to catch them off guard later. Luring them away from the river he hoped for the best, but quickly saw they where not going to give up. Nor would they let him put any distance between them, till he found himself cornered at a cliff by a water fall.

He turned and faced them taking his defensive stance he prepared for the worst. "Never thought I would get to face the great Abaddon."

Dreams of a Thief

An Immortal Thief

As two of minons returned to Tartaros they feared to bring news of what had transpired in the world above. For they knew repercussions for their failure was certain death.

"Do you have any clue as to what could happen? He got away from us and to add to it Abaddon is dead!"

"I don't see what the problem is. Even if we didn't find him he's still just a mortal pony. There's no way he could survive the wounds he sustained, let alone the fall from the cliff. Sooner or later his soul will come back here and we can resume his punishment. Besides the only reason he's been alive for so long is because he's been here. And don't forget it was our masters dark magic that was keeping him alive, to make an example out of him."

"But that was only for the past thousand years. If you have forgotten he entered Tartaros around the same year Princess Luna became Nightmare Moon. The only thing we know about him is he used the fountain of youth for who knows how long. But it mite have been long enough to give him the motive to come here an try to claim immortality."

"Sooo as far as we know he could be older than he looks?"

"Yes, however we don't know anything just yet."

As the two slowly entered the thrown room of their dark lord, they where unawared to the fact that he had heared every word they said.

"What do you mean HE'S NOT DEAD!! You should have brought his head back to me on a SILVER PLATTER!!!" He shouted with a great rage causing his very domain to shake in fear.

"M-m-my lord you have nothing to fear he will die shortly."

"Have nothing to fear? I FEAR NOTHING. however, that thief should be dead and I cannot stress how important that is right now and...and...where is Abaddon? Well? Tell me where is that cowered. Why does he not show his face? Is the punishment for failure far to great for my single GREATEST WARRIOR?!?! Well? ANSWER ME DAMN IT!!!"

Out of fear one of the guards dropped to his knees. "A-a-ab-b-bad-d-ddon...m-m-my l-l-lord...is dead. He died at the hooves of that accursed thief."

"We chased him as per your orders with Abaddon leading the way. He ran for quite a while until we cornered him at a cliff side water fall. Located some where in the Everfree Forest. With his back to a corner he turned to face us only after saying a few words." The second guard spat out hoping to turn the dark lords rage onto the thief.

Believing they had turned his favor the first guard walked forth on his knees." We never anticipated that he could be that skilled as a fighter. Who would have thought a thief could have the skill and the power to kill one of the greatest warriors Tartaros has to offer. And stranger still when he spoke Abaddon's name, he seemed to have lost half his power. But not to worry my lord even though he killed Abaddon we rushed him when he was wide open. Our surprise attack left him mortally wounded."

"T-that's right and as a last attempt to try and live he jumped off the cliff. H-however..."

With his anger still on the rise he channeled a small amount of dark magic to his horn. And with the faint glow he slowly killed the demon who had been on his knees by slowly ripping his limbs off and tossing what was left of him into a small fire.

"However?"

With fear taking hold of him the demon froze in place as he began to sweat bullets. "H-h-however...we looked every where for his body starting with the base of the water fall and found nothing but a small hint of his blood on the jagged rocks that where just bellow."

"Had it never occurred to you that he could have tried to swim to safety?"

"In his condition I don't think he could with the river current being as strong as it was."

Scoffing at his ignorance he gave him a glare with the intent to kill. "Then why not jump in your self to find him?"

"Well...no." As the dark lord began to channel his magic once more the demon fell back. "B-but even if he did some how manage to survive, he has two mortal flesh wounds. I am more than sure that he will die soon enough my lord."

Walking to him the dark lord put the back of his hove on his right cheek and slowly caressed it. "Why yes...how right you are." Filling his hove with his rage he beats him into a pillar causing it to collapse. "IF HE HADN'T TAKE THE MEDALLION OF IMMORTALITY. I took the time to check the vault. And out of everything that had been returned, and according to his foolish lackeys, it's the only thing missing right now. NOW go back out there and bring me his head and the medallion."

"I-I-I'm afraid I can't do that my lord." He stuttered out of fear of his own life.

Vanishing from his sight the dark lord teleported right behind him, prepared to kill him. "And just why not?"

"W-w-we t-t-took the time too follow the river hoping he washed a shore further down. With no luck I'm afraid, and to add to the problem the river slows down as it comes to a head near a village called Ponyville."

As his rage grew he knocked a hole in the wall as he walked toward his thrown. "DAMN IT!!! Why...of all the places in the world. I knew he would run to Equestria. But so long as he remained out of any populated area we could handle him. And I dare not challenge Celestia... ...let alone the Elements of Harmony." Slouching in his thrown he placed his hove on his face closing his eyes. "Perhaps I can get her to aid us...yes...yes. Scribe, send a warning to Celestia... ...tell her a dangerous pony has escaped from Tartaros and is hiding in Ponyville. He will more than likely have disguised himself. And should anypony try to apprehend him they must use extreme caution."

As the scribe finished the message he walked toward the window. "I shall send it off now my lord."

"Excellent...soon both the medallion and that thief shall be back here." The dark lord boasted as he began to laugh diabolically.

As his plans where set in motion the dark lord was unaware that the thief had hidden himself in more ways than one.

Casually flying over the near by area with Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy spotted something along the shore of the river bank right out the corner of her eye. She pointed the object out to Rainbow Dash as she flew in as quickly as she could.

Seeing it was a badly beaten pony she quickly pulled him out of the river.

"Oh Rainbow, do you think he's okay?"

"I'm not sure, I've never seen a pony this badly hurt before. Now that I think about it...I've never seen him around Ponyville either."

Trying to pick him up as best she could, Fluttershy struggled just a tad as she tried to fly. "Well either way we need to help get him to the hospital."

As they rush off as fast as they can trying not to drop him, he awakens for a brief moment. "...T-thank...y-you."

"Hey save your strength, will have you at the hospital as soon as we can." Rainbow Dash reassured him.

"Oh I hope he's going to be alright." Fluttershy whispered to Rainbow.

Having swallowed the medallion shortly after making his jump he was more than alright. The power that came from the medallion was slowly closing and healing his wounds. As they reached the hospital his wounds closed up to appear deep and nothing more.

Once inside the hospital they rushed him into the back where they started by injecting him with morphine to numb the pain as they began to clean and stitch the large gashes in his flesh. Once the work was done they put him in a room with light supervision believing he would be a sleep for quite a long time.

"Well its a good thing you got him here when you did. Any second longer and no telling what could have happened. And from what we can tell aside from the lacerations, he has a concussion and will suffer some meory loss. But in time he will make a full recovery. Now he will be out cold for a few days and we shall keep an eye on him till he awakens." The doctor proclaimed with a small hint of relief.

Knowing he was in good hooves Fluttershy sighed as she started to sit down. "Thank you doctor, will you let us know if there is any change?"

"Of course I will, now do either of you know his na..."

As the doctor inquired about his name one of the nurses came running from down the hall. "Doctor! Its the patient in room seven he's...he's..."

"Yes? What is it. Come now spit it out."

Having just heard some of the medical equipment getting knocked over they watch him slowly come around the corner. Barely standing on his hooves, stumbling down the hall as he walked. His vision was blurred from the morphine.

"Where...am...I?" He asked slowly falling to the floor, while bracing him self on the nearest door.

As the orderlies came running in the doctor rose his hove and signaled for the stretcher right behind them as he walked toward the disoriented stallion. "Your in a hospital right now, you've been in a small accident. Its okay, where her to help you. Now if you can remember...what is your name?"

"M-my name?" As he starts to remember a sharp paralyzing pain shot through his body causing him to drop to the floor in a fit of pain. "I-I don't remember." He grunted just before losing conciseness.

As he passed out the doctor gave his stitches and bandages one quick look over just before the orderlies carefuly lifted him up. "Well...lets get him back into bed. I'll worry about his name later. And get some pony from security to keep a closer eye on him. The last thing we need is for his wounds to open up again."

They kept a close eye on him day and night for nearly a week. And while they believed he was resting peacefully thanks to the occasional injections of pain killers and muscle relaxers. All in a steady and careful dose. However just below the calm of his flesh was a pain the likes of which nopony ever knew of, not even the dark lords of Tartaros them selves knew of this kind of pain.

Attempting to force his memory it sparked a chain of images, and voices that ran threw his mind. All of it scattered and jumbled about, it was so incoherent and inconsistent not even a second made any sense. Only a few things stood out from being repeated again and again.

"What are you doing here?!?!"

"It's him...GET HIM!!!"

"That bounty on your head is MINE!"

"I thought I tolled you never to come back to this orphanage!"

"Look everypony big brother is back."

"GREY MANE!"

"It's good to see you Grey."

"Well, well, well if it isn't Grey Mane."

"Listen to me, I don't care how much money you bring in for this orphanage. Your a no good stallion and these foals don't need to have your influence. Now leave at once, or I'll call for the guard!"

As it all slowly subsided he began to awake. With the sun in his eyes and is vision still slightly blurred all he could see was a fuzzy shadowy figure that made him jump. The instantaneous movement caused him to grab his side in pain where one of the many of the stitches where.

Having watch him jump like Fluttershy being touched by a random falling leaf the good doctor couldn't help but chuckle behind the medical chart. "It seems some pony is finally ready to get up. Though I suggest taking slow steady movements if I where you."

As his vision slowly cleared he started to look around the room. "Where am I, how did I get here, how long have I been out?"

Looking under the last of his bandages the doctor quickly scribbled down a few things. "You're in a hospital, but for general location you're in Ponyville. You've been a sleep for almost a good week now. And if it hadn't been for Rainbow Dash, and Fluttershy here you mite not have survived."

Calming down as he looked over he saw the yellow mare with pink hair, and the blue mare with rainbow hair. "Thank-you." As he rushes to get out of his bed his body starts to ache with the source being right at his chest.

Using his magic to slow him down the doctor shook his head. "Easy now, though you're fine to leave, but you still need to take it easy for the next couple of weeks. Now if its not too much trouble for you, can you remember who you are or where you mite be from?"

As his eyes shifted back and forth, all he could get was jumbled bits of information that couldn't add up. "The only thing that stands out in my head is...Grey Mane...But I have no idea as to why."

"Did you just say 'Grey Mane'?" Inquired a lavender mare as she entered the room weighed down with books in her saddle sacks.

"Why...yes...why do you ask?"

"Well I just got done reading an old book with several stories and tails dealing with a pony who is believed to be a legendary thief called Grey Mane. According to the book he took to stealing for unknown reasons, and that he was untouchable. Not even royal guards could catch him. But as the stories go on with tails of him, get this, stealing even the stars them selves from the night sky. He just vanished around a thousand years ago. But he's just some old ponies tail sense there was never any prof that he was real. Some history books say that the leaders at the time believed he was real and put up wanted posters of him using the description used in the book."

Using her magic she levitated the book out of the sack and flipped threw the pages. "Ah, here it is. According to the book he's an earth pony who's coat, mane, and tail are dark grey. He doesn't have a cutie mark. And here is where it gets a little farfetched, he could fly and use some magic. All that aside its more than likely you've hear the tail when you where younger."

"Hey Twilight, not to be rude or anything but, what are you doing here?" Inquired Rainbow Dash as she leaned toward her.

Quickly putting the book away she brought out a letter. "Oh the Princess sent a letter with a warning. It says that a very dangerous pony escaped from Tartaros and will more than likely be hiding in disguise. I was on my way to inform the mayor of this and let her know that a few of the royal guards will be sent here out of uniform. I thought I should warn you guys as well."

Trembling behind the bed, no thanks to the news, Fluttershy slowly peeked over the covers. "D-d-does it say w-w-what this pony looks like?"

"Sadly, no. And the Princess has sent many letters back to Tartaros asking for more information. All we are tolled is to use extreme caution. However the letter also mentioned that Princess Luna would come by with a few of her personal night honor guard."

Having just opened the window the doctor looked out into the court yard. "Well its safe to assume that if he is going to disguise himself he would try not to bring any attention to him self. Now on a separate matter, you young stallion, until you can remember who you are I'll just write down Grey Mane under name."

As the doctor walked out of the room the security mare left as well knowing she wasn't going to be needed in that room any longer giving Grey Mane the oddest look. "Too think they where worried you where going to get up again and hurt your self."

Attempting to quietly tiptoe out from behind the bed fluttershy looked up at both Twilight and Rainbow Dash. "Oh I hope everything will be just okay."

Limping toward the door he Grey Mane gave a slight blank stare. "I'm sure everything will be fine."

"Where are you going?" Twilight inquired with one eyebrow cocked.

"I-I don't know...any where I guess."

Floating next to him Fluttershy put her hove on his shoulder. "With out your memory it would be much safer for you to stay here in Ponyville."

"I don't have a place to stay, nor do I have the means to get a place. I don't even know if I have the skills to do anything about it."

"Well...I have an extra bed at my cottage you can live with me till your memory comes back. And you can help me take care of all the little critters in exchange. I mean, if you want to that is."

"Oh that reminds me Apple Jack has the harvest coming up we can go ask her if she will accept your help when you get better. It will give you some work experience in the mean time." Twilight stated to get his hopes up.

Turning around he gave a faint smile as a single tear ran down the side of his face. "Thank you...all of you. I'm just some vagrant, and here you all are helping me as if we've known each other for years."

"Great...I'm going to see Apple Jack right now why don't you join me." Twilight hinted as she walked passed him.

Looking back behind her she saw Grey Mane limp as he struggled to walk. "Perhaps you should use a wheel chair."

"Its alright, I've been a sleep for a while. I just need to stretch my legs and get a little exercise."

As Rainbow Dash walked up she brought a wheel chair over to him."There's a difference between stretching your legs and over doing it. Now have a seat before you hurt your self again."

Looking at all three of them stare at him, he buckles and does as they command. "Very well then."

As they take the time to wheel him off to the Apple Farm they took the time to get to know each other. With Grey Mane being the only exception at the moment. He learned what he could, and when he was out of questions he read a few of the books Twilight had on her, starting with tail of the legendary thief, hoping to gain some insight that mite spark a memory or two.

As Grey Mane took small steps toward what could be a brighter and better future. The dark lord he escaped from was taking steps to recover his lost prize.

The guard that had narrowly escaped death, had found him self delivering yet another letter to his master. "Why can't the scribe do his job...its not like he has anything better to do." Opening the door he gazes at something he had never heard, nor seen, before. "Master, another letter...from...Celestia...has."

With a disgusted look he stares at the guard. "Has what?"

"Oh...umm...has come in. She still requests more information on our little run away."

"Send a letter back to her detailing how useless it would be if he has not only disguised himself, but if he has already gone into hiding."

Bowing as he starts to leave he takes one last look at the room. "As you command my lord. Umm...if you don't mind me asking. What are you up to if you don't mind my asking?"

"I am preparing to leave my body and take an astral form that lesser creatures such as your self cannot comprehend or see." As the guard started to leave, the dark lord turned and looked at him. "When was the last time that I raised your rank from minion to lesser?"

With a tremble in his voice he turned and faced his master. "I-i-its been about four hundred years. In fact I surprised that I had survived long enough to make lesser at that moment in time."

The dark lord's face grew blank as he closed his eyes. "I see. Well then lets change that." Using his dark magic the dark lord levitated his minion off the ground as the shadows around them moved toward the demon consuming him. "You are no longer some nameless lesser demon. Consider your self a proud ranking solder in my army. Hence forth with your new found strength and power you shall be known as the greater demon Abatu."

As the shadows left his body he barely hovered over the ground flapping his new wings. "I shall my lord."

As the dark lord began to sit down Abatu walked out of the room as a barrier was raised up behind him. "After you've passed the message along I want you to go to the ferry-mare. Oh and take Adramelech with you."

Cowering in fear Abatu looks back shaking in his knees. "W-wont the Lord of the Flies be angry?"

"You let me worry about that dried up excuse for a demonic god. Now...GO!"

As Abatu rushed off the dark lord began to focuses, as an eerie glow began to emit off his body. As his body fell over almost lifeless his astral form stood over it for a few seconds, then shortly after shot out of Tartaros with great speed. Flying past the River Styx, he made his way threw the Everfree Forest and into Ponyville where he began his search.

Going from one building to the next as he passed threw walls searching every nook and cranny for any signs of Grey Mane.

"Where could he be hiding. Even if he's a master thief he can't hide forever, all it takes is one slip up. All I need to find him is the smallest theft." As his patience grew thin he frantically took to the sky as he made his way out to Sweet Apple Acres. "He just has to be here some where."

As the dark lord came to a clearing he could see a barn with a few ponies standing around talking. Slipping past them he hid in the near by barn and eavesdropped on the conversation.

"So he has some memory loss but ya'll think he can help with the harvest. I'm sorry Twilight but the harvest starts at the end of the week. And from you said the doctor mentioned he would need two weeks at the least."

Raising from the chair and standing strong Grey Mane walked toward her with no problems what so ever. "Please I'll do any little thing you can think of till then Ms.?"

"Its Apple Jack."

"Apple Jack. I need the work. And I can prove I'm a hard worker. And its only half a week I'll need to get better any way."

Shaking her head with a faint smile as she put her hove on his shoulder. "I'm sure you are but I don't know if there's anything I can have you do till then. I'm sorry truly I am. And besides I know my friends wouldn't lie to me so don't go trying to push your self too hard."

As Grey Mane followed her trying to plead with her, the dark lord phased threw the wall to get one good look at him.

*No...can it be?* He thought to him self as a few young fillies came running past him talking about ways they could get their cutie marks.

As they passed by one of them knocked over a large bag full of sand onto a plank of wood that sent a few rocks flying in their direction.

"LOOK OUT!!!" Shouted the yellow filly with red hair.

As they both turned and looked Apple Jack attempted to get out of the way. Where as Grey Mane's instincts toward danger naturally kicked in causing him to jump right into the path of the falling rocks. While in mid air his hooves made contact with the rocks pushing them to his right as he moved like a snake threw them till all of the rocks had landed away from any pony.

Once on the ground a sharp pain shot threw his body starting from his chest.

Rushing to his aid they slowly helped him to his hooves. "How did you do that?" Rainbow Dash inquired.

"I... ...I don't know. It just happened."

As he slowly turned to check on every pony he heard a strange but familiar voice. "That is quite the display of skill."

As he slowly turned to see who it was the oldest, yet happy. memory came forth from the deepest recesses of his mind. In this memory he was able to recall a small conversation.

"Don't be afraid, your safe now."

"Who are you?"

"Me? Well I'm no pony important. Whats your name?"

"I'm woona."

As his memory came to an end he found him self staring at the ground. "L-lu-na?" He stuttered as he tried to piece together what just ran threw his head.

As he slowly regained control of him self he looked up and made eye contact with the princess of the night as she sat down in front of him. "Are you okay? You look a little pale."

"I...believe so."

Having one good look at his face Luna tilted her head slightly to the left. "You look familiar. Have we met some where before?"

"Oh lets hope so, any clue to help jog his memory would help." Fluttershy had gently stated with great optimism.

Seeing the look of confusion on Luna's face, Twilight walked over and bowed. "I'm sorry princess but our friend here has lost his memory due to an accident."

"Oh we're sorry to hear that." said Luna as a faint frown came across her face.

As he saw her start to frown Grey Mane gave a small smile. "Its quite alright. And you have nothing to apologize for, its just a..." As he tried to lighten the mood more memories came flooding back.

As a faint smile came across her face once more Luna extended her hove to him. "If you don't mind us asking, what is your name?"

Trying not to make any of them worry as he fought his way threw the many recollections, he reached out and kissed her hove. "Its Grey Mane. Sorry about this every pony but I need some time to think. Excuse me for a moment."

Watching him struggle to his hooves Apple Jack cocked an eyebrow. "What in tarnation?"

"That's one thing we forgot to mention. When his memories do start to come back...it seems to hurt him for some reason." Rainbow Dash said while rubbing the back of her head with a guilty smile across her face.

As he stumbled away Luna looked on with a small worried look on her face. "We hope he will be alright."

"Wait Twi, can't you cast a spell to help him remember?" Apple Jack asked enthusiastically.

As the lavender mare's ears folded back, she lowered her head. "I thought about that. But, if the smallest memory does this to him there's no telling what remembering everything at once would do to him."

Having witnessed every thing the dark lord pieced everything together. *It is him... ...though with his memory loss this can work to my advantage. And if everything goes well not only will the medallion and him be back in Tartaros but, I can also try and conquer Canterlot. All I have to do is get him to go there, and if the other dark lords question it I'll just put it down as a casualty of circumstance.

As the dark lord dissipated and returned to Tartaros, Grey Mane walked away from them and hid behind a few rows of trees as not to worry any of them. Knowing he was out of eye sight and earshot of any pony he buckled under the pain that pulsated from his chest as another old memory played threw his head.

"You know you didn't have to save me there."

"I was just returning the favor that's all. And we can't believe you lied to us. Was it part of some greater scheme just to get close to us? "

"Is that the reason you spared me from your guards, or is it something else?"

"You saved us when we where just a filly, and here you are now the same as you where then. You haven't aged a day, your not an alicorn, and your definitely not a unicorn casting an illusion. Your an earth pony...how is it that you have not aged?"

"That's the real question now isn't it?"

As the memory came to an end the pain started to subside as he found himself panting and sweating. In his weakened state his mind had open for a brief moment allowing him to receive a telepathic message.

As the message comes to him it appears to him as a faint whisper that came from all around him. *There are dark forces at work here great thief. Leave this town as soon as you are able or far greater harm will come to you and all ponies around you than what has already happen.*

As his mind closed its self off he called back in frustration under his breath. "Who said that?" When he heard nothing he shrugged it off. "Calm down Grey Mane, its more than likely just a memory coming back. You've gotta get a grip on your self, don't need anypony to think you've gone crazy." he hinted to himself as he sat down.

As he slowly calmed down, his breathing slowed to a normal rate. He still worried that he would never learn who he truly is, let alone whom he was.

As fear started to plague his mind a hove slowly rested on his shoulder causing him to jump. As he landed on his hooves his body had made instinctive movements causing him to turn around and take a defensive stance.

"Whoa now sugar cube. No need to get all excited and jumpy."

Having one good look at him self as he started to stand strait. He was confused as to how he took that stance with out ever knowing how to fight, or so he believes. Looking around he saw that it was only Apple Jack and nopony else around.

"I'm sorry, I'm...its..."

"Ya, I know. They tolled me. Ya'll have some memory loss."

As he sat down once more he closed his eyes and lowered his head.

"Now its not ya'lls fault ya can't remember nothin. But the best thing to do now is move on and make a new life for your self."

"And what if my memory comes back?"

"Then will help you make sense of it all."

"And what if it never comes back?"

"Then at least you have something to look forward to here in Ponyville. Now I've given it some thought and I've decided. I'll have you help around the farm as needed. Now how does that sound?"

As he started to smile he hugged her. "Thank you...thank you for giving me this opportunity."

As she started to smile knowing how she helped out a pony in need she patted him on the back. "Think nothing of it. Now come on every pony is worried about you."

As they got back they saw every pony talking over a nice tall pint of cider, and behind them was Big Mac. struggling with a rusted old pad lock on his tool box. "Having trouble with that darn thing again?" Inquired Apple Jack.

"Eeeup."

As Grey Mane started to walk up his eyes narrowed in on the old lock causing one of his oldest memories to return. "In some cases if a lock is old enough all you have to do is tap it with the back of your hove. Like so, and some of the mechanisms will fall out of place opening the lock."

As his memory came to an end, every pony watched him walk up with a blank stare. Squeezing between Big Mac and Apple Jack he looked at the lock and raised his hove. And with a small tap they heard something come lose in the pad lock as it popped opened with little effort.

As some of their jaws dropped from seeing this Big Mac walked up with a faint grin on his face. "Now how did ya'll know to do that?"

"It just came to me...I'm not sure how but it just did." As he stared at his hooves he slowly began to fear the words of warning that came to him just moments ago. The two words that stood out the most where great thief.

*I-I can't be a thief... ...can I?* He thought to him self trying not to hint his fear to the others.

Having just had a good look at him Luna put her hove on his shoulder. "We are surprised to see a stallion like you hasn't earned his cutie mark. Perhaps you mite me a lock smith?"

Looking at his own flank his fear started to rise even farther. Not even the question presented by the princess could draw his mind away from his current thoughts. He worried that if his memories came back would he be the same pony he was now, or would he just be some criminal? As his fears started to eat away at his mind he remembered they where looking for somepony that had recently escaped from Tartaros, this only made things worse and added to his fear as he slowly began to sweat.

Trying to keep a calm look on his face as he looked up the easiest of his many skills took root as he smiled. "Perhaps I lost it when I lost my memory."

As they all started to chuckle at how poor of a joke he just made the idea of losing a cutie mark just by losing ones memory seemed funnier in some small way. As they all sat around enjoying cider as they made jokes the dark lord had awoken in Tartaros with a guest looking over him.

"B-Beelzebub... ...how did..."

"You think I can't walk threw a week barrier as that?"

"So...what brings the demonic god Beelzebub to my domain?"

"The Arch-demon Adramelech has gone missing from my vast ranks of demons. Samael mentioned seeing him run off with one of your lesser demons. Care to... ...enlighten me Asmoday?"

"I know nothing of this. P-p-perhaps one of the other dark lords mite know?" He faintly stuttered in fear.

"Keep this in mind Asmoday, if I find out that you have something to do with this. Not only will Samael and my self bar you from the council of the dark lords but we shall strip you of your title." As Beelzebub ended his threat his body dissipated into a cloud of miasma.

Watching the cloud vent out of the room Asmoday's rage only grew. "Damn it...he wasn't even here, it was just another one of his tricks. Oh well if all goes according to plan I'll have the power of a demonic god and he will be the one licking my boots. But Grey Mane needs to be under lock and key for everything to work."

As he walked over to his desk at the far end of the room he removed the clutter that was laying on top. Under all the clutter and trash was a map with a knife stabbed threw it at the south of Unyasi and small markings of battle plans.

A Thief's Awakening

Dreams of a Thief

All the things one has forgotten scream for help in dreams. Elias Canetti. The human Province, 1978.

As days passed Grey Mane's memory slowly came back to him in his sleep. Though this reduced the amount of pain that he would feel, it also made him think it was his fear venting out threw his dreams. Where as unknown to him it was the steps he took that made him become the thief he once was and still is.

The memories started back with his oldest ones. Back when he was an orphan, helping run an orphanage along side his adoptive sister who was also an orphan. The two of them didn't have a name and where known around the place as brother and sister. While his sister took care of the books and trying to keep the place up and running, he helped the the few workers there keep an eye on the foals.

Till one day he learns the truth in his sisters office, that the orphanage was being closed down.

Shocked by what he has heard his pupils narrow as he slams his hove down on the desk. "WHAT DO YOU MEAN WHERE CLOSING THE ORPHANAGE...DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA HOW MANY YOUNG PONIES NEED US TO STAY OPEN JUST SO THEY HAVE A HOME AND FOOD?"

"Yes. including us and the staff there is a total of one thousand five hundred seven, but we are out of bits to keep this place going. We've been out of bits since you and I first got here fifteen years ago, when we where only a few months old. And to add to the problem we have only five years left until this place closes. And unless we can come up with ten thousand bits to cover the dept this place has accumulated over the years as well as another five thousand to keep us on our hooves then there is nothing we can do."

As the pupils in his eyes slowly began to fade from his anger he ran threw his mind making sense of everything, and trying to come up with a solution. "NO, there's nothing you can do...you need to stay here and keep running this place, I'm going out into the world to help us get more bits...even if I have to work till I drop."

From the many years she knew him, she could tell when he was messing around like a foal and when he was serious. "And what should I tell every pony here? Namely the young one's, you know they all look up to you." She replied as she shook her head.

Knowing they would cry from being separated from not just each other but from him leaving he turned and walked to the door saying the first thing that came to mind. "Tell them...tell them what they should know, and that I left to help them."

As he walked to his old chest his head hung low and his eyes where barley open, many knew the was something wrong but the foals ran up to him with toys thinking he was sad. Believing his sadness was just because no pony would play with him several of them had surrounded him. He said nothing, only reaching to give them a long hug good bye with tears in his eyes not knowing how long he would be gone, or how far he was going to go. Other foals rushed over to join in.After five minutes he let them go and gathered a few of his best work clothes and what bits he had saved up over the years and walked to the door. As many said good bye to him the foals all asked if he had finally been adopted by a family.

Knowing she couldn't tell them all the truth, his sister reached down and gave the filly a small hug with tears in her eyes. "Yes...he has."

He traveled far and wide asking any who would help him, going from town to town, village to village, door to door, and even from one pony to the next asking if there was anything they could give to help out the orphanage or where willing to give him some work. Many looked down on him thinking he was just some beggar, others would spit in his face, and the rare few would tell him a lie just to draw him into an alley and beat him with in an inch of his life, only to hear them say at the end 'why don't you just get a job.' This did little to stop him knowing what was at stake, after many months of searching he found a tavern full of ponies that called them selves day laborers.

Having found a place that would grant him work he spent three years taking any and all jobs that came up. It didn't matter how dirty, how humiliating, or how hard it was, he would answer the call for work. Near the end of the third year he started feeling down from working in a distanced land as a day laborer, while asking every noble pony he could find for a little extra help only to be turned down day in and day out. He slowly started to lose hope and began to doubt himself. Believing he failed not just his sister, but the orphanage as well he attempted to drown his sorrow in a pint of ale

The thought of what could happen to everypony there just made his heart sink farther, and drag him deeper into disrepair. Looking over from the far end of the bar the tavern keeper who kept a close eye on every pony there and knew their drinking habits, found it odd to see him with his new choice knowing he had never seen him drink ale or any kind of alcohol since the first day he walked in. Knowing that a change like this could only mean one thing he pulled out the house special cider, a warm brew made fresh every day and served hot with no added alcohol and flew over.

"Oi, me laddy have a pint of cider on the house." He said with a smile while placing the tall wooden glass on the table.

He looked up with his eyes pinkish red and full of tears, and saw him holding the large steaming glass with a grin.

"Uh...oh thanks umm?" he said with a tremble in his voice as he reached up for the glass.

With a cheerful tone to try and keep his spirits high he chuckled. "McTavorn, and ye must be brother...or so I hear them lazy lay about call ye any way. But that's not the point, ye seem down...more so than usual...and ye've been here for three years now, and each month you look worse. Now I know ye the best day laborer here so finding work can't be that hard for ya. Its a mare isn't it, ye be hav'n girl trouble?"

"Don't listen to McTavorn when it comes to the ladies, he gets shot down faster than he down a pint." Claimed the pegsai as he flew past them with a tray full of drinks and food

With a smile on his face McTavorn turned and pointed at him. "Now what have I tolled ye John?"

As he took the first sip of cider he felt a warm feeling grow from with in himself. "You could say I'm having some trouble with a mare."

"Ah aye knew it...tell old McTavorn all about it."

"I'm tell ya, you don't want his advice in this. Unless you're looking for a one night stand or a quickie, then he has all the answers." John stated as he flew back behind the counter.

With a big grin across his face McTavorn pulled out a bat with the words engraved on it 'Whacking Stick', and pointed it at John. "I'm warnin' ye."

"Put that damn thing away... ...nopony here want's to see you're stick. No mater how small it is." John joked as he grabbed several bottles and loaded his tray.

Putting the bat back under the bar as he chuckled. "Get ye mind out of the gutter."

"Its my sister." The young stallion managed to mutter out between light sobs.

Seeing the distraught look on his face the smile he had slowly began to leave his own face. "... ...John...that group in the far corner is about to start their poker game. Go take my place and clean 'em out." As John left with several bottles to join the game, McTavorn started to read his face. "Aye...family...come now tell me all about it."

"Well to start she and I are orphans we adopted each other, we...where orphans to began with. We took over the orphanage almost four years ago, and now we are about to lose it. All because of unpaid taxes, and the ponies coming to collect will just toss us out even the foals." As he explained tears started to form and roll down his eyes.

"Here...drink up, it'll calm ye nerves. Now I see what ye problem is, but ye work so hard. Days, nights, weekends, even holidays. For the first month ye was here I thought ye mite have been a puppet of one of these unicorns, that is till ye passed out on me bar. Now is there any thing old McTavorn can do to help ye?"

As he drank the cider it claimed his nerves, but still full of doubt he said, "Not unless you have fifteen thousand bits just laying around here."

As he started to laugh he attempted to contain it under by letting it out threw his teeth. "Fifteen thousand...I wish I had that much to give...aye, and as hard as ye work ye should have at least three times that by now."

Expecting him not to believe anything he tolled him, from the many years of getting beaten down and called a lair. "I would...but most of the ponies that I've worked for promised a lot of bits but only give me less than ten percent of what they promise, then they either fly away or threaten my life with magic or guards. I've only made enough to cover the rent here for the next few months and that's with food and drink...I had four years to come up with the money and I haven't even come close in the three years I've been here. I failed them."

Knowing how bad it was he replied with a mono tone in his voice, "Aye...that be too much burden for a pony of ye age to bare. And I know the ponies ye talking about, undesirables we call them. Clients that no pony here wants to work for, be they corrupt guards, politicians, or rich, none here will take work from them. And I wish I had that much...but I can still help ye."

With half the cider gone and his eyes watering up he stared at the pegsai with a small hint of hope. "How you said you didn't have that much bits."

Gulping down the untouched pint of ale with a twinkle in his eye he slammed down the glass. "Ye right I did say that...but I can still help. What would ye say if I tolled ye there be a pony that could help ye get all ye need and then some, to help keep ye orphanage open for a long time."

Finishing off the last bit of cider in his glass he arose to his hooves. "If that's the case then what are we doing here wasting valuable time? The orphanage only has another six months to a year left, and I don't want to wast a second."

"HAA HA...that be the spirit...Cake John, keep an eye on the place till I get back it'll be about a month or two!" He shouted with excitement in his voice.

With the sound of anger and annoyance in his voice he floated into the air. "For the last time its John Cake. Ya alcohol loving pegsai."

Rushing out the door he grabbed his bowl hat and exclaimed, "Atta boy ye know how to hold down the fort."

Not fully knowing the area around the tavern he pondered and thought about all the places that could take a month to travel to. "Where are we going that takes a month?"

Knowing the danger of what could come if followed he shut the door and whispered into his ear, "There be a cavern to the north, the trip only take two days but I need the extra time off."

As they traveled McTavorn looked back behind him not just to make sure the young earth pony was keeping up, but to make sure that no pony was following them. The location had to remain a secret from all for many, especially anypony associated with the royal guards in the world, for reasons that he would not explain. For two day's he kept this up, knowing that many would jump at the chance for fame the likes of which no pony could fathom, till late in the evening on the second day they came across the side of a mountain.

As they approached it McTavorn took to the sky and flew as fast as he could giving the surrounding area one last glance before landing. "Aye...its clear. Now here be the situation the pony we've come to see is not very well liked, but he be the only one that can help."

"What are you talking about there's nothing here, you said there was a cavern but all I see is just the face of a mountain."

Grabbing a small stone as he laughed the wall slowly vanished as he picked it up and put it back. "That is because he made it appear this way. It may be an illusion but while it's active its real to the touch, not sure how it works but then again I'm not able to use magic."

As they walked in McTavorn reached up and pulled a small rock out of place and watched as an illusion spell sealed the entrance so no pony could follow them, once this was done he reached out in the darkness for a hidden torch as well as a flint and steel to light. Once the flame was lit they traveled deep into the cavern until they meet an earth pony who's appearance, though shrouded by the shadows he sat in made it difficult to see him, was so aged it seemed as if death forgot him...or chose to mock him by granting a continued existence with out youth.

With a boastful smile full of confidence McTavorn walked forth "Oi, I tink I found the one ye been look'n for."

Watching the old pony rise to his hooves and walk around a stone pillar that seemed to be holding the roof up he vanished and reappeared behind them still concealed by the shadows. "McTavorn, is it already time for you to come by...I still have plenty of your grand cider to last me the year."

"Aye, it not be the time for me to come by. However this one be in need of ye help, and I think he can help ye in some small way as well."

As the young stallion turned around the old pony once again vanished and reappeared where he once was. "How are you doing that? Earth ponies and pegsai can't cast magic."

"Your right we can't due to the fact that we let our selves become narrow minded...but we can still preform illusions."

"That's just another form of magic." He stated with nothing but doubt.

"Wrong, an illusion is optical, audio, physical, and in some cases mental deception. You see me standing here but when I step behind the pillar you thought I would walk around the other end, instead I took a step back and slipped behind you. All suffer from tunnel vision it is this trick I use to appear as if I'm casting magic when in truth I'm just walking, running, or just simply moving around you."

Trying to keep his eyes on the old stallion he watched him as he stood there. "So then all I have to do is just make sure you don't trick me then?"

As his eyes never left the pony that stood in the shadows he heard his voice come from the far right. "Well you could but I know all the ins and outs of illusions, I've even tricked a unicorn who proclaimed to be the master of illusion spells."

Haven fallen over on the floor laughing McTavorn found it hard to breath. "Oh Grey Mane when are ye gonna stop play'n with the poor boy?"

"Wait...did you just say Grey Mane? As in the legendary thief Grey Mane? The old ponies tail Grey Mane?" He exclaimed in disbelief.

"Ye he be the one and only laddie."

"How do you know him?"

"Oh boy'o few ponies back at the tavern knows he's real." As he began to explain his voice took a dark and hateful tone as tears started to form and roll down his face. "I was just a young colt when I first met him, twenty five years to the day it be now. I grew up much like ye, an orphan, but unlike ye I grew up in the streets. Never knew me parents, all I can remember is the beatings I would get from this one small group of corrupt guards at the end of each week. One night while I was sleep'n they came to me in a drunk'n rage, ye could still smell the alcohol on 'em. The first hit that woke me up shattered me lower rib, the beaten felt like it lasted for hours. Then when I lost all hope, Grey Mane came and saved me with out hurting the guards, he just put them to sleep with a wave of his hove. Few days later I awoke here under his care and protection, and if not for him neither ye nor them other ponies would have a tavern to call home away from home. He done more for me than any pony ever have, he saved me life, and I know I can never repay that dept."

As McTavorn tried to cover his face to hid the tears Grey Mane walked up to him and put his hove on his shoulder. "Let it all go, whats in the past must stay in the past. You have done more than enough to repay me, you have given back the life I saved a thousand fold. And that is far more than I could have ever asked of you."

Wrapping his hooves around Grey Mane knowing he could not hold back his emotions as he fell to his flank. "And what would ye have asked of me?"

Pulling McTavorn in closer Grey Mane started to pat him on the back to calm his nerves. "To live your life as you see fit, and you have more than done that. You have given a home to ponies that need it, food to the starving, and drink to the thirsty. I could never have asked for anything more from you or John."

Astounded the young stallion looked at the two of them. "Wait... ...John knows of him as well?"

As he dried the tears from his eyes the tone in his voice seemed to calm its self. "Aye... ...John was saved by Grey Mane as well, his story starts off happy but turns tragic real fast. He was the son of a captain to the pegsai army, but his father knew too much about one politician who payed off his commanding officer and a few other soldiers to have him killed. So in the dead of the night they burned him and his family alive, John barely survived. His burns where so horrible he would have died, but like me Grey Mane found him and brought him here. I know not what be in that gourd of his, but it saved John's life. A few ponies back at the tavern found out about us thanks to him as well, but that's a different story."

Lifting his gourd and taking a small sip the stallion gave his guest a small look over. "And as I said whats in the past must remain behind us, other wise we can never move on. Speaking of which, you said he can be of help to me, but all things have their price. What is it that you ask of me?"

With a smile on his face McTavorn nudged him forth, "Go on boy'o tell him."

As he stumbled forward his eyes jumbled around as he tried to find the right words only to turn around and question the situation, "When you said he could help I didn't think it would be the legendary thief...who by the way is suppose to be just some old ponies tail. But at this point in time I can't be picky, now can I? I come here to ask you for fifteen thousand bits to help save a failing orphanage, I'll do any thing you ask...just please don't let anything happen to the ponies that live there."

As Grey Mane carefully walked around he pulled on his beard pondering the situation that was presented before him.

As he slowly walked around the room he pondered how far this young stallion was willing to go. "Any thing you ask...well then I have to ask you, how much are you willing to give up for this orphanage?"

With out missing a beat he shouted. "EVERYTHING...I was born an orphan and I know what its like out there, and I would rather die than to see a single filly or colt go with out a roof over there head; food in there belly; or even a warm bed to sleep in, not even for a second."

With out a shadow of a doubt in his mind Grey Mane smiled. "One in exchange for many...McTavorn you where right, this one is different. You know where I keep my money take ten times the amount and go give it to his orphanage."

Walking to the small rolling hills of gold McTavorn bowed then raised his head with a smile, "Aye...consider it done."

With a surprised, yet shocked, smile on his face the young stallion started to cry, but with held the tears as best he could. "What about me?"

Knowing he had finally found his replacement, or his heir, smiled as he walked up, "Stay with me. For I have chosen to adopt you. The only thing I ask of you is, that you take my name. Here is a map mark where McTavorn is to take the bits."

Confused as to what was going on he marked the location down and watched as McTavorn left with a cart full of bits. "What...but...hold on, why would you need me to take your name?"

Once McTavorn was out of ear shot Grey Mane gave a grim but blank stare. "Simple...I am dieing and the world still needs there to be a Grey Mane to help keep the balance of power."

Still unsure of what was going on he inquired with doubt filling his mind. "What do you mean by that 'keep the balance of power'...your just a thief, how can a thief keep the balance of power?"

He chuckled as he began to explain. "The current balance of power is with all the royal families that are out there in the world. And they all have kingdoms of their own, however with out a common enemy they will go to war with each other for power and domination. That is where we come in, to be that common enemy for them."

Knowing the old story he stares for a moment pondering how an immortal such as him became as aged as he was. "But according to every pony you can't die...in fact many say you've out lived thousands of alicorns and will continue to do so."

With a chuckle in his voice he thought back as to how he once made the same statement. "Is that what they have said about me...well lets set that strait. I am the forty-ninth grey mane to have lived we each live for about a thousand or more years longer than our normal life span. And I only out lived one alicorn, he was the captain of a royal guard and he died of exhaustion from hunting me down, all be cause I stole the hart of the unicorn he loved...but hey things happen. So what do you say?"

With a smile full of acceptance knowing that not only could he continue to help the orphanage, he had also finally been adopted by somepony after all these many years, never knowing who his real parents where. "When do we start father?"

After taking the time to walk over he put his hove on the young stallion's shoulder. "First there is a vow I would like for you to take."

"A vow?" He inquired as he pondered what a thief would need a vow for.

"Yes, it will help you in your darkest hour, to make the hardest of choices, ones that no pony can ever make. The ones that only we can make."

With a dumbfounded look on his face he tilted his head ever so slightly. "What kind of choices do you mean?"

As the smile slowly left his face his bright blue eyes slowly faded as storm clouds appeared to take the place of his true eye color. "Life altering ones, the kind that can make or break ponies."

Feeling the small change in his attitude he could see how dire the topic had become. "And you say this vow will help... ...in some small way?"

As the young stallion stared into his eyes he could faintly make out images that seemed to past choices, and former regrets that Grey Mane once dealt with. "In some small way... ...no. It helps it a big way each choice we make could change the path or fate of the ones we love or the ones around us. Do not take these choices lightly, or this vow lightly either. Do you understand?"

Looking deep into his eyes he could tell how dire this was. "I understand."

As he took the vow he stared deep into Grey Mane's eyes and watched as the storm clouds slowly receded and his natural blue eyes slowly returned. As the vow came to an end he pondered if he was right for the task, could he carry on such a task as if he had done so his entire life? Weather he liked it or not the new path he had chosen in life was now to be the next grey mane, the only thing he did like about this was the orphanage was saved.

As he finished reciting the vow he could see the playful nature that was once in Grey Mane's eyes had returned. "So... ...what do I get to learn first, picking locks, pouches, how to trick ponies into believing I can preform magic, or what about..."

As he stopped the young stallion in mid sentence, he put his hove on his chest and gave a small shove. "We'll start with eh...working on your balance and hove work to better prepare you."

As he stumbled to keep standing, he nearly fell. "Prepare me...for what?"

As Grey Mane walked over he moved his adoptive son's hooves into place. "For fighting, though it is best that you avoid any and all conflict as much as possible, it is also best that you know how to defend your self. I'll teach you the improvised style that has been passed down and perfected with each new Grey Mane. This hove to hove fighting style was developed by the third Grey Mane, She was the first to ever really get into a fight, sadly it was against a minion of Tartaros. Having barley survived the fight she ran to the closest kingdom and hid for a while, it was there she learned the basics of what she later developed as the improvised style, over time we each learn something new and adapt it to our fighting style to give us an edge over others. Be warned this is only to defend your self, or others that need it other wise stick to the shadows and remain unseen."

As he began training his adoptive son a familiar voice came forth to the old ponies mind from the astral plane showing its serpent like form only to grey mane. *Grey mane...is this one the right one?*

With out losing focus on teaching he carried on the telepathic conversation. *Yes he is the one to take my place.*

Knowing the danger of picking the wrong pony the voice reminded him of what could happen. *Just so you know, if he is the one from the prophecy...I will end him and pick a new one.*

Knowing full well what he spoke of he repeated the old warning. *The prophecy clams that 'a foolish, arrogant grey mane could cause the destruction of an entire nation because of a single choice.*

*And that is what worries me*

*Yes I know but its says he could, not he will.* He stated with the greatest of optimism.

*Then I have no choice other than to trust you and hope for the best, and I expect no less from him as I did for you and that means his training must be finished in one and a half years*

As he showed the young stallion proper hove movement, and several hove stances he gave a small smile as he carried on the telepathic conversation. *For an all powerful creature you do a lot of that...but I understand why. I just hope one day he does.*

Having made the choice to stay he learned all he could from his father. Days turned to weeks, weeks into months, each passing second brought something new for him to learn. Each day he started growing stronger, faster, far more cunning, and also bonding to his adoptive father.

He learned how to read a ponies movements from just looking at the tiniest reflection out of the corner of his eye. He learned the hove to hove style known only to the grey mane's as improvised, mixing all the different stiles of the world, and threw out all of time it had been perfected with the first lesson being that this style will never have a master due to its constant change. Once he learned to defend himself properly in any situation he learned when it was best not to engage in a fight and when to use stealth to get around as well as use it to take out large groups one by one.

The hardest lesson that took him weeks to learn, was fighting an opponent he couldn't see. "Okay tell me again why are we in the crystal caverns, and why am I blind folded? Its pitch black in here, I couldn't see in here even if I tried."

"Now don't lie to me my son, I've taught you how to adjust your eyes to see in the demist of lights."

"Ya that's dim lights not dark."

"Its not that dark in here and you know it, light constantly shines into this place threw the small opening at the far end, its reflections make it near dark and I know you can see just fine in that."

"Fine you've caught me there...now why the blind fold? ... ...Father? ... ...AHH!!!"

"Come now my son have you learned nothing? When you can't see your must... ..." He paused for an extended time to see if his son could figure it out.

"Learn to hear, feel, and anticipate everything."

"Good. Now lets try again. And this time really try and expand your mind, the slightest vibration from the ground, sound in the air, all these things can tell you where I am, when I will come at you, and how."

It was weeks before he learned what it took to fight when he could not see. As the weeks passed he got better at it, there wasn't a single movement that he couldn't anticipate coming. Feeling the vibrations from the ground tolled him how many and how fast they would come, the sounds he heard echoed in the cave but this only made locating his father easier. The sound of dripping water echoed threw the cave drowsing out and separating his own breathing from that of his fathers hove steps.

As the old stallion lightly pounced off the wall he cocked back his front left hove and prepared to attack with all that he could. As his hove slowly made contact with the back of his son's head he saw him make a quick yet fluid motion binding his body around the punch and quickly grabbing his fathers leg tossing him to a wall. Just as his body was about to make contact he spun his body around and landed safely on his hooves making him parallel to the wall as he pounced off it kicking a small piece of crystal in the opposite direction in an attempt to draw his attention else where.

As he landed behind a small mound of crystals he looked to where his son was only to see he had used the opportunity to vanish from his last known location, as he started to ponder where he had gone a hove found its way to his left shoulder. "Looks like I finally managed to land my hove on you."

As he closed his eyes he sighed with a great smile finding its way across his face. "Indeed you have my son. I thought you would have tried to hit me."

"You taught me better than that. If I recall the lesson you said, defuse the situation with little to no conflict and if at all possible break the line of sight and escape, and if I can not then I must single out the one that refuses to give up and put him to sleep with out truly harming them. It is better to not to harm, for if we hurt any pony we are no better than bandits, or common thugs."

As he turned around he wrapped his hooves around his son's neck and hugged him as he whispered into his ear. "You make me so proud my son. You've learned well and have mastered your senses. You may remove the blind fold."

As he removed the blind fold his eyes adjusted to what little light was in the cave. "Finally it feels good to see again, sort of, I think I tied this thing too tight."

As the old stallion smiled he gave a small chuckle as he turned to walk away. "Come now you must learn how to pick locks of all types then following that I sh... ..." As he began to set out a list of what was next for his son to learn he fell to the floor with a feverish sweat, coughing up blood.

"FATHER!!!" Rushing to his aid the young stallion removed the gourd from his fathers hip and popped the cork to pour no more than a swig down his fathers mouth. "Hold on your going to be okay."

As the small amount of clear liquid made its way down his throat, his sweating stopped, and his coughing came to a slow yet steady stop. "Thank you my son."

Giving a small sigh of relief as he sat down he put the cork back into the gourd and gave it back. "You really shouldn't over do it, that was way to close. And I would hate to think of what could happen if I wasn't here."

As the old stallion smiled his ears twitched to what he thought was a faint sound of a bell, and behind his son he could see a shadowy hooded figure holding an hour glass with the sand nearly gone, and the last bit brought to a slow stand still. "Its okay my son, for when my time comes a friend will be there."

As the old pony took the gourd and put it back on his belt line he looked up and saw the saddened expression on his son's face. "Father...I..." Trying to find the right words he turned the topic of death off into a new direction. "You're gourd is nearly empty, perhaps we should make more of the medicine."

Knowing he had hid the truth from him it became harder for him to tell his son the truth. "Oh don't worry about it... ...I'll make some more later...now where was I. Ah yes after learning to pick locks of all kinds I shall teach you how to make a powder that can teleport you. And I shall also teach you a small amount of ventriloquism to make ponies think your moving around or in many places at once. Then after that I shall teach you the more advanced techniques in the improvised style."

Knowing his father was dodging the conversation he chose to follow his example, seeing as to how one of his earlier lessons was to avoid any and all questions that could compromise who he was. "After I learn the advanced techniques will have mastered the the improvised style?"

"Oh my no... ...the improvised style can never be mastered, so long as there is still much to learn and adapt to it there can never be a master."

"Okay but answer me this, when will I learn to get past magical locks or even barriers?"

"In time it will come to you."

As his lessons continued he learned how to pick locks with what most ponies would say is impossible to do. Using a tooth pick to just knock a few of the more important components loosen causing them to fall out of place and releasing the locks. At first it seemed impossible to do this but once he had it down his next lesson was to pick the lock just as he learned but while under attack, and much later while he was also blind folded and under attack to better prepare him for any and all situations.

His final lessons comprised of making tools for scaling walls, and picking locks. Making a powder for teleporting, and putting an opponent to sleep when they least expect it with a grappling maneuver or a sleeping powder when necessary, with every lesson he had to learn the meaning to each phrase of a vow he would one day take. His last and final lesson was learning how to deal with magic of all types, and how to get past barriers or magical locks. Once all that he could learn had been taught his father passed down his cloak, an old but specially enchanted item that had been passed down since the first, the enchantment on the cloak was a difficult and rare spell for slowing decent.

"This enchantment my son is what has granted us the illusion that we can fly even if we are not pegsai...though many of your forefathers and mothers where pegsai that tried to keep the idea that we where always earth ponies. Funny now that I think about it, many ponies are coming up with the believe that we could be an alicorn...though there was one of us that was an alicorn. Sadly his life was short lived even for an alicorn, he was dieing of a rare disease that no pony could cure at his time. It is more than likely it has been cured by now. We picked up the spell from a distant land filled with a race of ponies called zebra, they have learned how to cast magic using rune like symbols, I shall teach you the one that was used on this cloak here should you ever need to use it later."

Hearing that he was going to be using magic drew up red flags in his mind. "Hold on, first of all you said that you couldn't use magic. And second even if you lied to me, we still can't cast magic due to the fact that we are earth ponies."

Giving a small chuckle as he started to draw a circle with strange writings in side of it. "Well I never lied to you, I merely bent the truth. And we can cast magic if we expand our minds and learn how, for you see having a closed mine is what makes it easier for any pony to be deceived. This is also true for ponies that have an open mind, that is why it is important for you to learn to see threw all kinds of deception. I shall also teach you how to see threw them, starting with this." As his son watched on he saw a faint wave in front of his eyes as a horn made its way into sight. "I've been concealing my true look from you with an illusion spell, but this enchantment believe it or not was taught to me by an earth pony, the Grey Mane that came before me to be more specific. I'm showing this to you now not only because you must know, but because I've grown too tired to hold up the spell."

As time went on he slowly mastered even this basic enchantment, along side making the two powders he would be using later. Once he learned all that his father had to teach him, he was fully dressed in the same appearance. His tools, and powders well hidden to appear as if he never had them, his cloak enchanted for a slow decent from high areas under his control. As he looked toward his father he could see nothing but pride in his eyes, as a final test to make sure he was ready he was required to review everything he had learned with his blind fold on.

As the time they spent slowly came to an end the old stallion constantly hinted away that his time was nearly up.

"My son...do you hear a bell?"

"Father I can hear many things in this cave but no bell." As he peeked up from his blind fold he could see his father slowly growing weaker by the minute, barely able to stand.

As he peeked threw the blind fold he frowned at what he saw. "Father...are you alright...do I need to get you your gourd?"

He gave a small smile of reassurance as he looked back hoping not to scare him. "No my son its quite alright...when you get to be my age you start to hear things that aren't really there. Come now come now, on with your training, I want you to be more than prepared for what is out there in the world."

All in the span of one and a half years he trained and learned everything from crafting tools out of just plain old garbage, to picking a lock with nothing more than just a tooth pick or several splinters if necessary. Being that the old stallion was a unicorn that used an illusion spell to conceal his horn, he even trained him to handle himself in a fight with anypony that can use magic. Until one faithful morning when the old stallion fell griping his hart.

Being blindfolded for months on end he heard him fall and rushed to his aid tearing off the rag shouting in fear. "FATHER!!!"

Knowing he could no longer hide his condition he gave a mournful smile as he spoke between gasps of air. "So...(wheeze)...this...(wheeze)...is it."

With the fear of his father dieing he started to cry and give words of hope. "No its not you just need your medicine where is your gourd?"

Reaching beneath his cloak he pulled out the gourd he had been hiding as not to worry his son. "Its here...(wheeze)...beside me where its always been...(wheeze)...but its empty...(wheeze)...there isn't anything any pony can do my son."

Fearful of what came next and how he had no idea how to handle the on coming situation he began to doubt what was happening before his very eyes. "NO...NO...there is still something I can do...tell me how to make the medicine. I can still save you."

Knowing that the time had come he smiled once more and put his hove on his son's shoulder as he tolled him the truth. "You can't make it...(wheeze)...it was filled with water...(wheeze)...from the fountain of youth."

Stunned with the truth he had no idea how to react."What are you talking about?"

Passing the gourd to his son he started to explain. "That is how all of the grey manes have lived thousands of years past their time...to tell the truth, I was already dead long before you ever came to me. The only reason I have been alive so far is because I have been sipping on the water all this time."

Knowing the tails of the fountain he looked at him and thought it was a lie. "But you've been aging all this time how can it be..."

"Because my son, over time the water stops regressing ones age from its constant use, until all it can do is ward of death until there is no more. Its the curse of the water, if one wants to use it to live using the water they can never go too far from the fountain."

As his fear took hold he started sobbing as he starting thinking of ways to save his father's life. "But there has to be something I can do."

"There is...(wheeze)...in fact there are a few things you can do."

With out hesitation and a smile full of hope he asked. "Tell me...what can I do."

"Take the gourd it is the only thing of value here to all the grey manes...and here...this necklace as well...it was a gift from my beloved. I want you to have it now. And as for the gold...(wheeze)...the trinkets; they mean nothing its just there to let us help ponies that need it the most. The second thing you can do is this...(wheeze)...take my body (points) and all three books over there to the sacred burial site of the grey manes...in the middle of the site is an old library lost to all but us, and I want you to add my books to the library."

"But...I'm not ready, I'm not ready to be grey mane...to take your place...I don't think I can do this."

"Oh your ready my son...though you may have only trained for only a year and a half, you are more than ready. If you have any doubts take the time to read for the next six months and learn from us all there is a map with the books to guide you there...just remember this you will be ready for all things physically and mentally. Spiritually and emotionally however...you will never be ready, I know this because I was never spiritually or emotionally ready."

"What do you mean...was any grey mane ready spiritually or emotionally?" He asked with tears flowing down his face.

As the smile faded from his face he started to explain. "No...none of us ever where...not until the end. Which brings me to the last thing I would like for you to do. It is when the black bell rings for you when your time comes, do as I do...as we all have done. When the reaper comes for us we've all greeted the reaper as a friend."

As the smile left his face he looked at his son and started to frown as he confessed the few things in his life he regretted.

"I'll tell you the one thing I never tolled any pony...that unicorn I fell in love with...(wheeze)...when she died I was at her bed side...(wheeze)...and I cried my hart and soul out. She and I wanted to have a family, but I knew that it would never work and she would always be in danger...not following my heart...that's what I truly regret...but in the end you came to me. And be came my son, I finally got what I wanted. And the alicorn...(wheeze)...the captain of the guard I mentioned, when he died I was at his bed side and even then I cried, and when I did he woke up one last time to ask me 'why do you cry? are you not glad that I am passing from this world to no longer chase you?' to which I replied, 'no...for you are the closest to a friend I ever have or will have.' he passed from this world with a smile on his face to know this. I even cried when the grey mane that trained me died. Just remember this vow my son. I take upon the name grey mane and title legendary thief; not for fame and fortune; but for life and love; though I know that my life is forfeit no matter what, I shall not harm the young and innocent, and I will not take a life for all life is precious and must not be wasted; let it be known in this life and the next that I will never sway from this path...even when tempted with one filled with my hopes and dreams. Now go my son...and live...and live...live...free...(sigh)."

He felt his fathers life leave his body as he held him in his hooves and began to cry. "Father...FATHER...FATHER..."

As he cried a voice spoke into his mind that felt as if it came from every where. *Grey mane I know that now is a painful time for you but you must continue on with out him and do as he asked...this world needs grey mane to help keep the balance go now.*

As the tears continued to fill his eyes he shouted out with a voice full of rage. "Keep the balance? WHO ARE YOU...WHAT ARE YOU...ANSWER ME."

*I don't answer to the grey mane...for they are my advocate, go now and be as free as the wind but know this...when the time comes I will call upon you to do a task that only you can handle.*

"I shall...but only because its the least I can do for him; my father and every pony that needs me."

*That's what I expect out of you now go.*

So grey mane traveled to the far north west, following the map and transporting his fathers body and his books filled with research, notes, and his dairy. The trip took him three weeks through rugged terrain and winding paths until not even the map could tell him where to go, let alone tell him where he was. As he stared out to the ocean he gave the map one last look and saw the words inscribed 'iftah ya simsim'. As he uttered the words a path shot up from out of the water that seemed to go on for days.

He walked the path and saw that for every ten steps he took the ten behind him crumbled back into the ocean, an odd spell he thought, if it was indeed truly a spell of some kind. He walked for what seemed like hours until he came to a large burial site and just as he was tolled off in the distance he could see a building untouched by time, and on the metal sign it read 'LOVE IS A MEMORY; A GHOST IN THE FOG'. Almost seemed like a joke of some kind since the island was shrouded by a thick fog and sealed off by a large stone wall, and the path that lead him had fallen back into the ocean, it was truly hidden either by some kind of natural force or a magical one. He could not tell which.

As he looked around he could see many head stones, each one baring the name grey mane and a number. Seeing this he now knew the truth, and how it must be kept a secret at all costs till the world was ready for the truth. Having one last look around he saw an open grave with a head stone marked 'GREY MANE 49TH' no date was inscribed for his birth, and noticing the one's next to it neither was theirs, nor the date of death. An Illusion for immortality if he head ever seen one, his father was right deception was one of the many key tricks he was going to use.

"This must be the place...hmm...father, you dug your grave years ago...its...its just waiting for you...like a friend...or a lover."

Carefully lowering his father's body into the grave brought back many memories of the time they spent together, though short, it had made a large impact on his life. All his praises, words of wisdom, and encouragement, it bought forth tears of joy that he found hard to hold back. Once he finished burying is father he closed his eyes and lowered his head giving him a much needed moment of silence.

Once the task was done he took the hint to dig his own grave and prepare for what will one day be his turn to join ponies long past. Following this he took the time to read every book in the library as he was instructed and learned everything that his father could not teach him. Far more advanced tricks and skills his father didn't have time to teach him even one such trick known as the devils curse, using a demons name to bind them to ones will required three key things. He would need to know their name, where they draw their power from, and what their purpose in life was, what made this even more interesting was that there was a list of demons and descriptions of what they look like, as well as their purpose in life, and where they draw their power. As he took the time to read all of them each one holding a new trick for sneaking around or rendering an opponent unconscious with just a simple tap or pinch, even secret tricks hidden between words should this place ever be discovered by the outside world. Until one day in his fathers books he learns about how like the last five before him had started searching for another alternative for the fountain, or even if it came to more drastic measures the purist form of immortality they even referenced something they called the leviathan and how it was always there to help.

What drew his attention even more was his fathers search for immortality, knowing how his father passed from this world with a faint smile and greeting death as a long lost friend or family member his mind started to question the reason for it. "Immortality? What would father want with that...now that I think about it all of the grey manes made a reference to immortality, and three ways to get it. Not that I would ever need it...now that I think about time and life, I need to go and see every pony at the orphanage."

As he rushes off for the orphanage he hears a voice that seems to come from every here calling out his name. As it does everything starts to turn a dark grey and wash away as if water was poured over it. He awakens from his dream to a construction pony standing over him and giving him a small shake.

"Grey mane...grey mane...grey mane...hey grey mane."

"Uh..."

The Redemption of a Thief

A Thief's Awakening

Revealing the truth is like lighting a match , it can bring light , or it can set your world on fire . - Unknown

As Grey Mane slowly awoke under the shad of a large oak tree he could see the lead constriction pony standing over him. "Hey, sorry for waking you on one of the few days you have off from the apple farm. But I'm short two ponies today and I could use your help."

Looking over to the nearly completed building he gave a smile. "Not a problem at all I'm glad to help in any way I can."

During the time he spent in Ponyville Grey Mane's older skills, and personality slowly came back. Going around helping in any way he can, as well as taking simple jobs during his day's off. In time his fear of being the pony the guards where looking for had slowly subsided and nearly faded into his subconscious, only enough that he barely thought about it at all, and many believed the warning from tartaros was just a prank of some kind.

During his first few months many suspected that he was the one they where looking for but could not find any prof. Over the years their suspension faded as they saw how kind and helpful he was. Most thought Fluttershy's attitude had rubbed off on him when in truth this was who he was and at one point in his life he had hoped it would never change.

"As you can see we're almost done with the repairs to this shop, all we have left to do is put new hay shingles on the roof and put up the new walls."

Looking at the task presented before him, Grey Mane smiled at the chance to put some of the tricks Big Mac showed him to the test. "Looks simple enough, care to make it interesting?"

"What have you got in mind?" The construction pony inquired as he cocked an eyebrow.

"Let the others put up the walls while you and me tackle the roof."

Seeing Grey Mane's playful nature he couldn't help but grin at the opportunity for some friendly competition. "Let me guess, its a race to see who can put the shingles up faster and get it done right. And the last one done pays for three pints of cider from the apple family?"

"You know it." Grey Mane said with a smile.

"I'll take that bet, besides you haven't won one yet." He said laughing threw his teeth.

"And neither have you."

As the two of them took to the roof with the prize in their eyes all the noise around them is drowned out by their hammering. Full of joy from the competition they almost seemed as if they where brothers constantly pushing each other to do better. As the work neared completion Grey Mane poked his head up and saw Rarity and Twilight engage in pleasant conversation just under the oak tree where he was napping, shortly after he saw how far behind the construction pony was behind him. Not wanting to ruin anything he slowed down and timed his pace so it would end in a tie.

As the two of them came near completing their little race, Rarity and Twilight engaged in a small conversation. "Oh fancy seeing you here darling hows your day been?"

"Its gone by quite well till this strange letter came flying threw my window addressed to Grey Mane." Twilight had mentioned with a small hint of annoyance in her tone. "The odd thing about it, is that even though it broke my window it wasn't tied to a rock and came in on a gentle breeze, not sure how it broke the window."

"Really, who's it from?" Rarity inquired with great curiosity.

Pulling out the envelope Twilight looked it over carefully only to see that it was addressed to Grey Mane. "It doesn't say, and I haven't opened it so I don't know what it says. All I know is that its addressed to Grey Mane."

Quickly jumping off topic as she had a quick look around while putting a hove to her chin. "Speaking of whom, you haven't seen him around any where have you? I went by Apple Jack's farm to see if he was there but was tolled it was his day off. Normally if no pony has asked him for help he's always under this tree."

"Sorry Rarity I haven't that's the same reason I came here to give him this letter. If you don't mind me asking what do you need him for any way?"

"Oh I'm trying out a new style, its a rugged yet gentle look that I thought he could help me try and get right." Rarity stated with a smile on her face.

As the two of them carried on with their conversation, Grey Mane and the lead construction pony had started to leave the work site. They where laughing over the situation, after many attempts to out do each other all they have done is push them selves to the best of their abilities.

As they continued to walked back toward the oak tree the construction pony couldn't help but feel baffled in knowing how it ended. "Another draw? Some times I think you're just holding back."

Grey Mane couldn't help but smile as he turned and looked at him. "Well... ...only a little, what do you say I pay for the cider, its the least I could do sense you gave me some work to do."

As he looked over he raised his hove and gave Grey Mane a small nudge across his face. "Na...I can't do that to ya its a tie. But speaking of paying for something here, we all pitched in a little."

Looking at his hove Grey Mane couldn't help but give a faint grin as he stared at the bag of bits. "No I couldn't accept this its far too much."

"Now we won't take no for an answer, you've worked hard and on your days off when we come to you for help. And on top of that during the past few years you've been in Ponyville you've gone and helped any and all who asked for help with out asking for a single thing in return. So you've more than earned this." He said pushing the bag into Grey Mane's chest, as he watched him take the bag with a smile he looked down and saw something strange hanging form his neck. "by the way what is that thing you have there?"

Lifting the medallion he looked at it with a strange yet satisfied felling. "I have no idea what it is, I just woke up one morning with it around my neck and thought it was a gift from Fluttershy. But she said she didn't give it to me. I took the time to ask Twilight to look into the strange markings on this for me." As they continued to walk he looked up and saw both Twilight and Rarity talking under the shade of the tree. "Hey why don't you go on a head and I'll catch up later, first few rounds of cider are on me."

Out of a sign of trust between the two of them they raised their hooves and taped the back of their hooves together as they started their separate ways. The construction pony walking off to the tavern to wait for the cider he was promised, and Grey Mane heading toward Twilight and Rarity. As he walked up to them he greeted them with smile and a small hint of exhaustion.

The closer he got to them he saw the letter Twilight was holding up addressed to him, as he looked at it his old fears slowly started to rise as he quickly tried to take his mind off the subject. "Hey girls did you come by to ask me for some help?"

Perking up to the sound of a helpful hove Rarity jumped at the first chance to make her request. "Why yes, perfect timing by the way. I'm working on a new line of outfits that I could use you're help with on getting it to look right. And if you could spare the time could you come by my boutique later?"

With a cheerful smile he looked up at the sky for a brief second then back to Rarity. "Sure thing I'll come by later this afternoon." As he slowly turned his head he looked at twilight hoping she came with some information about the item that he had found around his neck. "How about you Twilight, is there anything I can help with? Or did you find any information on this little oddity I found?"

Pulling out the letter once more she had a smile that seemed to hid what little worry she had. "Actually this came threw my window this morning addressed to you, I haven't looked at it as you can see the wax seal is still there."

Faking his enthusiasm as he smiled his hove slightly trembled as he reached for it. "Thank you Twilight, let me see what it sa... ..." As he read the letter all of his fears came pouring out filling his mind shocking him to his core. "...But how...I don't...this..." As he tried to sort out the information that was written on the parchment with the dreams he had, as he started piecing them together many of the blanks had been filled and a few questions had been answered. "This doesn't make any sense. Twilight do you know who sent this?"

"Sorry there wasn't anything to identify who could have sent it, I even tried looking into the mark on the wax seal. I wasn't able to find anything surrounding it. Except for a book that had the same mark on it, called the leviathan's cross, it was full of alchemical symbols and mixtures. The one used on the wax represents sulfur so who ever sent it wanted to make sure we couldn't figure out who they where."

As he looked at the symbol a faint voice echoed out from the back of his mind from an old memory. "I am a leviathan, the last of my kind. And as you are my advocate, I swear to do all in my power to keep you safe from any and all who's power are far beyond that of your own skill and whom you cannot out smart or trick into giving up."

As the voice from his memory ended his face slowly filled with confusion as it slowly mixed with fear, as his emotions surrounding the current situation grew Twilight began to worry for him she put her hove on his shoulder as he folded up the letter and tucked it away. "Whats wrong, are you going to be okay?"

As he slowly regained some of his composer he wiped the sweat from his head as he sat down under the shade of the tree. "Ya...ya...its just...I need some time to process this. I'll talk to both of you about this later at Rarity's. I have a promise to keep right now"

As they watched him trot off they started to worry about what was contained in the letter that caused such a reaction to spark with in him, as they turned to look at each other Rarity started to walk toward Fluttershy's cottage. "Perhaps we should get the others and meet up at my boutique, what ever was written in that letter has just caused a turning point in his life. It could be very hard for him, and if all of us are there to help him it could soften the blow and make this transition that much easier for him. I'll go and get Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash."

Agreeing with Rarity, Twilight simply nodded her head and took off for Apple Jack's farm. As they went off to get the others Grey Mane walked into the tavern with his head heavy over what had just happened. His fears that he had repressed and kept hidden just came running out screaming out as he tried to sort things out. As he slowly started to calm down he walked up to the bar and started to order the ciders as the construction ponies cheered.

The lead construction pony looked over and saw that the cheerful smile that always crosses his face had been replaced with a mournful fake grin. "Hey, you look down...whats on your mind?"

As he pulled out the letter his expression turned for the worst. "I just got this letter and it claims that some pony out there has more information about my past."

"Well isn't that a good thing? I mean after working around Ponyville for a few years just simply tying to piece together you're personal history with nothing to go on, this is a new lead and there is no telling what kind of doors could open up for you." He said with great enthusiasm.

As his confusion subsided his fear slowly swelled up threw out his body he did what he could to try and hide it. "I know I've always been looking for something to point me in the right direction and now that I have this, I'm just not sure i want this any more. I mean look at it I've got a life here now and I don't want to just throw that away. Not with all the friends I've made here."

Seeing how distraught Grey Mane is he sat down next to him and put his hove on his shoulder. "Hey think about it like this, anything you learn about your past is a good thing right now. And no matter what you learn you will always have a home here with friends that care about you. And speaking of others whats going on between you and Fluttershy, or Apple Jack for that matter, is anything special going on there?"

As he started to think about the question his mind brought all six of them into his answer. "There like sisters to me, same goes for Pinkie, Rainbow, Rarity, and Twilight. They where the first to help me and there is no way I can repay them for their kindness."

As he smiled at Grey Mane he took a big gulp of cider as he recalled words of wisdom. "Well one thing my great grand stallion tolled me, 'Its always better to know and have no regrets; than to never know and regret it for the rest of your life.'"

As his feelings started to take a turn for the best, Grey Mane took a sip of his cider as he started to smile. "Isn't that the truth... ...okay, I'll go and check it out. Oh and thanks again... ...for everything."

"Any time, now come on lets drink to what comes next."

As they drank their ciders he knew that no matter what happens nest, he had a home in Ponyville with friends. This did little to subside his fears as the thought constantly plagued his mind, 'What if my dreams are real, what if I'm just some good for nothing stallion, what if I really am a thief?' As the others continued to enjoy themselves he slipped out the door and made his way to Rarity's fashion boutique. As he arrived he took slow steps as he looked at the first statement of the letter once more, 'I know who you are and what you have done in life.' He was still unsure of what could come next or how he could tell all of them as his fear took hold. As he slowly walked in they could see that fear had taken root and cracked the foundation of his hopes.

As he looked around the room he saw that all the girls where there. "...This wasn't what I expected but it saves us some time."

They all knew that everything surrounding his life was going to change for better or for worse, knowing this caused Apple Jack's eyes to become fixed on the letter in his hove. "If you don't mind my ask'n, whats it say sugar cube?"

Holding up the letter he skipped the explanations and long winded statements to hid that whomever sent it claimed his was a thief. "It's a letter saying somepony out there knows who I am, and what I've done. And if I want to know more I must travel to the location marked on this map provided." As he folded up the letter he held out the map. "But I'm not sure I want to know any more."

"Well why wouldn't you want to know, I mean think about it this is big, BIG news." Pinkie exclaimed as she bounced around the room.

As he put the map down on a near by pony-kin he walked toward the window and sat down. "That's just it. What if I'm that pony the guards where looking for, the one that tartaros warned about. Who knows what I've done, or what I'm capable of. And even if that's not the case, what if I'm just some good for nothing stallion? I know I would have jumped at the chance to learn more about my self a while back but now... ...now I'm not so sure any more."

Seeing how distraught he was Fulttershy flew over and put her hove in his shoulder. "It doesn't matter what we find, in the time you've been here, you've shown that you're kind, gentle, and helpful. So no matter what you mite have done in the past it will not change our opinion of you."

"And ya'll have proven ya ain't some good-for-noth'n nether."

"Ya, and you've shown that you're willing to get down and dirty to help any pony here in Ponyville. No matter what the job is." Rainbow Dash exclaimed.

As he began to smile he couldn't help but wonder if the dreams he had been having where some how tied into this. "Thank you everypony, you've all been like sisters to me. You've taken me in, given me food to eat, and a chance to prove my self. And even now you're all willing to stand by me."

As they all gave him smiles full of comfort Twilight compared the old leather map to one of the current maps of Equestia. "Look at this everypony the location marked on the map is about half a days travel north of Talonpolis, into some woods. We can take the train there and make the rest of the way on hove. Sense the trip won't be that difficult we'll all go with you to help soften the blow it could have."

As he smiled back he took one quick glimpse out the window and saw a small glowing serpent that seemed to stare at him, as he doubled back to have another look the ghostly figure was gone. The figure brought back a faint memory that seemed to coincide with the symbol on the wax seal, 'Leviathan' rang threw out his mind as a calming feeling took hold of him.

Though the ghostly figure was gone Grey Mane could see the many vibrant hues of the setting sun. "Thank you everypony, if its alright with all of you lets leave first thing in the morning."

"Sounds like a good idea to me partner." Apple Jack stated with the others nodding their heads in agreement.

Remembering the main reason she had asked him to come over to the boutique in the first place, Rarity pulled out an unfinished dark grey hooded trench coat of the near by rack. "Now that every thing is settled could you try this on? I need to see what improvements would be best for this."

"Not a problem."

As he put on the coat it gave him a strange yet familiar feeling, as if it was natural to him. He disregarded the feeling as Rarity got to work on tweaking its design to give it just the right look. As she worked they made plans as to what they would need for the trip and planed for camping in the woods if necessary, and though they gave him much hope fear and uncertainty filled his mind bringing forth doubt.

That night he found it hard to sleep knowing he would finally have some clue as to who he is. As he contemplate the situation pieces of his memory that seemed scattered started to click together and make some sense, these pieces caused his mind to re-open and allowing him to see the ghostly serpent once more out side of Fluttershy's cottage. As he rushed out of her home to where he saw the figure he noticed it was gone, almost as if it was never there to begin with. He disregarded it and went back inside to try and get some sleep for the long trip he had the following morning.

Early the next morning they all gathered on the train ready to set off to discover more of Grey Mane's past, they had nothing on their minds but excitement. Grey Mane however was full of doubt, but all this did was bring out a strange feeling of determination that seemed to broaden his view as well as his mind. As they traveled he drowned out the noise around him as he stared out the window constantly thinking about the situation and what it could bring, each moment brought a new idea, a new hope, as well as a new fear.

The worst of his fears was to find he was some horrible pony that needs to be put down like a wild, rabid animal. The least of his fears was it could just be some prank and it could all be just a waist of time. The more he pondered the situation the more often he saw the ghost like serpent fade in and out in front of his very eyes, almost as if it was following him. As he turned his head away from the window he could see that even though they where excited for him, he shook off the feeling of being followed and put on a smile just for them, in the hopes they could not see threw his fake smile.

As they continued to travel Grey Mane couldn't help but look over his shoulder, only to spot the ghostly figure every now and again. The more he saw it the greater his determination seemed to strangely grow, almost as if the ghost seemed to push him farther. As they came to a small clearing Grey Mane took one last look over his shoulder only to make eye contact with the figure, what he saw was not what he expected. In most tails dealing with ghosts their eyes where either pitch black, or the pupils where faded. This one's eyes seemed to shine brighter than the sun nearly blinding him.

The blinding light brought forth the word 'advocate' to his mind almost as if it seemed to contact him. "Did anypony else see that?"

As he turned to look back at them he saw they where confused. "Perhaps it would be best if we set camp, after all ya seem to be under a bit of stress at the moment. It could be causing ya'll to see things sugar cube."

Realising he was the only one that saw the figure he knew either Apple Jack was right, or what ever this thing was did all it could to try and remain hidden. "You mite be right, but lets keep going for now. We've all come this far, no sense in stopping now just because of me."

As he shrugged off the thought of being followed by a ghost the feeling of being watched stayed on his mind. It was several hours till they came to the burnt ruins of an old building, many of the signs that once marked rooms and even the name of the building where either too chard to read or far to aged by time. All that they could tell was the building was at least two stories tall, and took up about as much space as the grand ball room back at the Castle of Canterlot.

As they looked around Twilight couldn't help but notice the many burned toys that littered the ground. "What was this place, a toy shop?"

As they continued to look around they all noticed several rows of beds. "Oh I wish I knew, it seems as though they may have been a day care center, or maybe a summer camp."

As they all looked around Grey Mane's memories slowly started to flow back like a small river as he pieced everything together. Before his eyes shadows seemed to move in the shapes of young foals and ponies. As the followed one up a set of stairs he found an office filled with paper work, as the shadows continued to move before his eyes faint images began to past themselves to the shadows and linked to voices as names slowly made their way back.

As the memories started to come-forth he felt weak in his knees as everything started to unfold right in front of him. As the girls looked at him they saw how his expression went from excitement strait to pain and remorse. As he walked the voices started to make their way as the many shadows moved and played about right before his very eyes.

He could hear the playful laughter of foals as his mind started to piece everything together. As his memories came into the light he could hear conversations he had long ago, 'Don't worry brother I'll always be there for you no matter what.' Some where even promises he made, 'Big browther, will you always be here to keep us safe?'

As he dropped to his flank he began to cry as he whispered. "I promises, nothing will happen to any of you."

As the girls made their way to his side in hopes of comforting him the watched as he rushed off and reached under a bed three rows down and pull out a doll. "Grey... ...are you okay?" Rainbow Dash asked as he held up the doll while trying to fight his tears.

"This belonged to Samantha, it was her favorite." Turing around they could see his fight was in vain as he pointed across to a bed with some carved art work into it. "And there... ...that was David's bed... ...he learned how to whittle wood with just a spoon into some fine pieces of art."

As they started to smile knowing his memories where coming back they also worried as to what this could also mean. "What else do you remember?" Fluttershy asked putting a hove on his shoulder.

"Up there was my adoptive sister's office, she and I where orphans... ...this place was an orphanage." As his memories of the place flowed back to him it all went from a small steady stream to a roaring river, as he rushed strait to the fairly good sized bed in the middle with an odd hump on it. "I grew up here. Every pony here called me brother, I never had a real name."

"Brother...hmm...well its not Grey Mane but its better than nothing." Pinkie stated as she started hopping around.

As he looked on at the bed he reached up and grabbed the blanket that covered the small mound. "This was my bed... ..." With fear taking hold his hove started to shake as he slowly removed the cover to reveal several burned bodies of many of the foals he once knew. "Samantha...David...Timothy...Jakie... ...everypony... ...I PROMISED YOU I WOULD ALWAYS BE THERE!!!! And now... ...what has happened, who could have... ...no, no, NO! I'm such a horrible pony, what ever happened here you still believed I would come to save all of you. That's why you came to my bed expecting me to be there. I've let you all down."

As he began to cry Apple Jack took notice of the situation. "Come on every pony lets give him a moment to sort this out. If you need us we won't be too far, will be making camp back at the clearing just over yonder."

As they left they could hear him start to cry as he attempted to sort things out. As he cried he constantly damned himself for the situation, and for not knowing what had transpired here. Looking up at them he could see they all held on to each other hoping for the best never knowing that he would never come to their aid.

As his tears flowed like a river his rage began to take hold. "WHY CAN'T I REMEMBER WHAT HAPPENED HERE?!?!"

As he shouted the ghostly snake he had seen before had made its self known to him as it took on a physical form. "Because you where never here for what happened!"

As the strange creature took on a physical form it seemed to imitate Grey Mane's image with one exception, a scar over his right eye. "Who are you... ...what are you... ...and why look like a pony?" He inquired as he fell back scared of what had just come before him.

As the creature looked at its hove it scoff as he spoke under his breath. "I see not everything has returned yet." Looking back at Grey Mane it faded in and out before his eyes as it moved around Grey Mane. "Me? I am a leviathan, it is also what you have always called me. As for my appearance, its a form easier for your mind to handle though to you I look like the pony that once spared my life."

"A Leviathan? Okay...please tell me what happened here." He asked as he stood up with eyes full of hope.

"Simple... ...the guard from one of the many kingdoms is what happened here. They where looking for you. It took them five years after you had gone to Tartaros to figure out that you came here every once in a while. Sadly for the young foals here they thought you where teaching them to one day do what you do. So they chose to be safe rather than sorry and burned this place down with every pony still inside. I'm sure you can still hear their screams, every last one of them cried out for your help...but you had chosen to steal the medallion of immortality. Sad isn't it... ...they helped you pay the price for it."

As his mind drew a blank, he stared on with a dumbfounded look. "What are you talking about, what's the medallion of immortality?"

As the leviathan floated toward Grey Mane he put his right hove on his head. "Here let me help you REMEMBER!!"

As the hove touched his head he could feel a sharp object pierce him and draw forth memories that had remained suppressed, and for good reason. "EEEEAAAAAAAAHHHH!!!" As the memories came forth everything flashed before his eyes.

In the distance the girls could hear his screams, Fluttershy jumped to her hooves and stared in the directions of the ruins. "Oh I hope he's okay...to remember everything at once and in this way it must be very hard on him right now."

"We all feel the same way Fluttershy, but none of us can pretend to know how he's feeling, the one place he called home is gone, and the only family he ever knew could be dead as far as any of us knows. Its a bleak way to look at it I know but all we can do is let him sort it all out and be there to comfort him when he needs us." Twilight mentioned in a small attempt to reassure them all.

At the ruins Grey Mane began to remember everything by force only with everything slowing down on the night he first left for Tartaros, the very same night he last saw his sister.

"How many times must I tell you not to come around here...these foals don't need your influence to take them down the wrong path in life." She claimed with a small hint of anger.

He looked back with shame and self loathing in his eyes. "I know...I just came by to say good bye for now...I know I won't live forever and like you said no pony should ever have to take this path in life, so I'll make it end with me."

Knowing the pain he was in she couldn't help but wrap her hooves around him. "And just how are you going to do that?" She asked concerned for her only brother.

As he hugged her back his voice trembled as he tried to voice his plan. "I'm going to become immortal... ...I know what I need to do it. I'm going to steal the medallion of immortality from the pits of Tartaros. With it I can be come immortal and no pony will ever have to walk in my hove steps and make the mistakes I've made."

Knowing that with out him the hope the foals had would slowly dim and fade. "And what should I tell them...I don't want you to influence them down the wrong path, but they love it when you come around and show them that with hard work and determination you can shoot for the sky and get the stars. Its that hope they need in life right now and you bring it to the every time you come around."

As he let go he turned and wiped the tears from his eyes he could see the faint flicker of torches in the distance near the road. "Tell them...tell them the truth...its too dangerous for me to come around here for a while. The many different guards have increased the patrols in the forest, and I don't want anything to happen to them."

Standing next to him under the night sky she looked on with a blank stare. "And how long will you be gone?"

"If everything goes the way I have planed... ...I'll be in Tartaros for two weeks."

"And if not?"

Bowing his head and pulling the hood of his cloak over as he slowly walked away. "Three months at the worst."

As his memory flashed threw to his first day in Ponyville he knew who he was and could remember everything. As he raised his head from his hooves he looked up at the leviathan and his new appearance. Looking on he saw the leviathan's lower half was that of a giant snake while his torso looked like a young dragon, but his head was that of a hydra with only one head.

"I... ...ah... ...how long?" He inquired as he slowly stood on his hooves.

"Hmm?"

"How long have I been gone? Two...three months?" He begged fearful of the answer that was soon to follow.

"Try one thousand years...and look you even have the medallion now. But let me ask you is the price worth it. To gain immortality it cost you the life of every pony close to you're heart, though the price isn't payed in full yet."

He took off the medallion and held it in one hove realising the mistake he made in taking on such a foolish venture and tossed it to the ground in front of the leviathan. "...Immortality...hmph... ...take the damn thing, no pony, not even my self should be allowed immortality if even one life has to be taken as payment."

Picking up the medallion with his jagged claws, he looked at Grey Mane. "Pity... ...the last payment is going to be made in a couple of weeks."

Stunned he rushed over and grabbed the leviathan. "Payment... ...what do you mean the last payment will be made soon.?"

"Search your heart. You'll find the answer."

As he began to rush threw his thoughts he began to think of ponies who had been close to his heart. As he drew them up one by one he knew that many of them had long passed from this world and are no longer among the living. Till he remembered how his heart raced, and left him weak in the knees at the sight of one mare.

As an image of Luna came to his mind his heart raced as it sank into disrepair. "No, NO, LEAVE HER OUT OF THIS!!! She has nothing to do with this, TAKE ME INSTEAD!" As he dropped to his flank he began to cry once more. "If any pony deserves death its me...please spare her...I'll do anything. Luna, don't let anything happen to her."

Using just one claw he pushed Grey Mane back with a little effort. "Its not my choice to make, nor is it I who will do the deed. In the next couple of weeks Canterlot will come under attack, and all because you made one bad choice and wouldn't listen to me when I tolled you not to go after the medallion. I even warned you a few years ago to leave Ponyville. I had even feared that one day, one of the Grey Mane's would be the end of a nation, so I'll let you morn over your loss, then I'll take your life."

As he looked at his hooves his darkest memory came forth and he could see the blood that once stained them, he even once asked for a way to repent for that night, now he sees a chance. "Give me a chance to repent for all that I've done... ...I can still make things right."

"And just why should I let you? For all I know you could just make matters worse."

"Because I remember that prophecy, and it said that a Grey Mane could, not will...there's still time."

As the leviathan looked deep in his eyes he could see that the former grey mane had influenced him in such a way that it became one of his many driving forces. "Your just like him... ...fine then but you must first go to the cavern where you first dawned the name grey mane, and prepare."

"No, that could take too long I have to get to Canterlot now." He exclaimed as he rushed off in the direction of the train.

As Grey Mane tired to run off the leviathan took on his astral state and flew a head of him slowing him down. "You fool the cavern that you trained in is under Canterlot. The entire city sits right above the crystal caverns, I would be amazed that no pony found the cave but then again it would take a mega spell from three alicorns to force that place open. In a way you can be thankful about that."

As he pondered the situation he knew that his home in the cavern would have many tools that could help. "Very well then... ...but I'm still going to warn the girls, they can use the elements of harmony. Should I fail then they can still save all of Canterlot."

Knowing how frail it has become the leviathan knew the only way a war between Equestria and Tartaros could be avoided was to trust his advocate just like in the days of old. "If you think they can help then go to them... ...after all even though you are my advocate... ... ...you're free to do as you please to handle the task presented before you."

As Grey Mane ran to the girls to warn them they are needed in Canterlot, the leviathan looked at the medallion pondering what to do with the artifact as it starts to whisper into his mind. "You want me to return you to him." As he listened to the artifact explain its plan. "I see, you've chosen not to take any lives as payment but instead have chosen to test him... ...very well then, lets see how he does.

As he fades from sight to enter the astral plain the night sky slowly takes its place as Grey Mane runs back to the girls. As the moon starts to shine threw the night his heart races as his mind draws on the worst, while he ponders who of his many enemies that could still be alive that would would have not only the forces, but the power to target Canterlot. What drew an even bigger question to his mind was how did they find out about his tiny connection to Luna.

As he arrived he was short of breath but did what he could to warn them between breaths. "Girls...your needed...in Canterlot, something terrible is headed there and the elements of harmony are needed."

Not sure as to what to believe Twilight turned and looked at him with a confused look. "What...are you sure?"

Believing he was still missing a lot of his memory Pinkie popped up from behind Twilight as if she had been there the whole time. "How can you be sure...all we found here was this burned down orphanage. Oh...sorry."

Knowing that time was of the essence Grey Mane did what he could to get them moving. "All of my memories are back, I remember everything. But now is not the time for questions or explanations get going I'll meet every pony there."

"Hold up there partner, if we are needed in Canterlot how did you find out before we did? And whats more where do you think your heading? Just moments ago you where having an emotional break down."

"I swear I'll take the time to answer all of your questions when the time comes. For now every pony needs to get moving, as for me, there's a place that holds something I need to get." He stated as he turned in the direction of his cavern and started to walk off.

Flying in front of him trying to stop him Fluttershy put her hooves on his shoulders fearing that he wasn't telling them everything. "Where are you going... ...please tell us."

As he looked at Fluttershy he tried to ignore her as he turned his head and saw they all had the same worried look. "(sigh)... ...I'm headed to my home. My second home there I will gather several things that I hope will help depending on what is on its way to Canterlot, now don't worry about me I'll be fine. Just head to Canterlot and I'll meet you all there."

As he moved Fluttershy out of the way he took off running as fast as he could, looking behind himself he saw them give chase. As he put some distance between himself and all of them he turned behind a tree and climbed it to hide in its branches and leaves. As they turned at the tree they saw he was no where to be found, almost as if he was never there.

Taking his word as truth they turned back hoping to see him later they gathered their things and traveled back to the train station using a torch Apple Jack put together in almost no time at all. Unknown to all of them Grey Mane had followed them back to the train and chose to ride on the roof of the lead car all the way back to the base of the mountain. As the train neared the first tunnel Grey Mane started running to the rear of the train to time his jump, one roof top after another he ran till he came to the last one and jumped strait up and bounced off the railing of the tunnel to make his landing on the ground a safe one.

Walking around to the right of the tunnel far out of sight of the tracks he came to the entrance still sealed off. Moving the small stone out of place and setting it back the main entrance opened, walking in he pulled out the hidden torch and struck a flame, once he had light he pulled on a stone as he entered the cave so the main entrance would close off. As he made his way to the back his mind drew up old yet happy memories of his time spent here.

Walking over to the few pony-kins that where in the far corner to the right of his bed he looked at the three cloaks as he pulled his spare off the one on the right. Looking at the one in the middle gave hims feelings of sentimentality as he dressed him self. Walking away he went to his old chemistry set that seemed to have survived the test of time and got to work using what little ingredients he had left.

Toward the end of the second week the powder he was working on finally settled and was ready to be bagged. Sadly he only had enough to make three small half ounce bags. Looking at them he remembered how many times this powder had got him out of many sticky situations while granting him the illusion that he could cast magic and teleport. The powder was a rare and unstable mix that required time to make, once it hits a hard surface the powder would instantly turn to smoke granting a small window of opportunity to teleport anything caught in it any where with in five miles. Grey Mane had noticed that in the event that he couldn't make them hit a close enough surface he could use other means to get the powder to work, either by hitting his own body with the bag or in the rare case the he could not move, smashing the bag under his hove.

When the time came he took the lower face mask that once belonged to his father and put it on. "Father... ...I'm sorry I failed you and every pony I ever cared about... ...but I'm going to make things right... ... ...even if I must die to make it happen." As he went to the back of the cave he shouted the words that allowed him to open any magical lock. "IFTAH YA SIMSIM."

As he made his way up threw the crystal cavern the back entrance to the cave sealed its self up. Rushing threw the cavern, he hoped that there was still time, more importantly that he was not late. Making his way threw the cavern off simple sounds and what little light shined threw he could hear the clanking of armor get louder and louder as he neared the surface. Popping out behind a bush he saw Twilight and the others walking with both Princess Celestia and Princess Luna, keeping hidden from them and the royal guard as best he could he followed them to make sure they stayed safe while keeping his distance as to not draw any attention to himself.

He sighed with relief to know that they where safe... ...for now.

The Dark Lord and a Thief Part 1

The Redemption of a Thief

Any fool can be happy. It takes a man with real heart to make beauty out of the stuff that makes us weep.

― Clive Barker, Days of Magic, Nights of War

As Grey Mane watched them from the trees at a distance he could see the guards where prepared for anything, but on Celestia's face he could see doubt, at his current distance he could not hear the conversation between Celestia and Twilight but did what he could to read their lips. "Twilight I think your friend mite have gotten a mixed message, we've had the guard heighten the security all around Canterlot for the past two weeks and nothing has happened."

As Grey Mane shook his head he knew that they where starting to doubt him. In the past when the leviathan warned him of such things he was never wrong, so why would he be now, he wondered. As they started to put the elements back into the gilded box there came a burst of dark magic that blew open a large hole in the castle wall. As the smoke and dust slowly settled two hulking figures came walking threw.

As they walked in one had tossed a helpless guard to the ground as he gave a sinister smile. "Well well well, so this is Canterlot... ...I like how the place looks, but I'm sure we can spruce things up around here. Make things look a little nicer. I'm thinking of re-painting the place red...with the blood of every pony here."

As the hulking demon rushed them his speed made it difficult for the guard to get into place to defend both Celestia and Luna. Many where cut down where they stood just for the sport of it. As the demon drew closer and closer he teared his way threw the few guards that where close by nearly tearing out internal organs as he passed. Once he was in arms reach of Twilight he raised his left claw and began to strike.

As the demon's claw came with in mere inches of twilight they where surprised by a cloud of smoke that appeared from out of no where. The only thing anypony could see was a single hove strike the demon across his face. They continued to watch as it pulled the demon into the smoke and tossed back into a tree near where he started. Many of the still standing but wounded guards where shocked to see this happen while many more where wondering what had just transpired.

As the smoke slowly cleared Celestia saw the dark grey cloak but doubted the old ponies tail. "It can't be."

As the demon rose to his feet he shouted in frustration. "WHO THE HELL!"

Before the smoke completely cleared the demon who had not moved from his original place took a few steps forward clapping. "Well done, I would expect no less from the legendary thief himself."

As the smoke cleared the two demons could see the rage in Grey Mane's eyes as he stared them down. "I have no idea what the minions of Tartaros want in Canterlot, but I'll give you one chance to leave before I send both you back to your dark masters as a pair of limp lifeless corpses."

As the other demon rose to his feet he laughed at the gesture. "You dare threaten me... ...the great Abatu? I AM NOT SOME MINION...NOR AM I A LESSER DEMON. I am a greater demon free of my own accord. And I've chosen to claim these lands for my self." As he boasted many where in fear of him, but he was merely trying to mock the pony who just dropped him with little to no effort.

As the other demon came walking out from the dust Grey Mane looked to him in hopes of ending this sooner and with out any further conflict, what gave him this hope was that he knew this demon from various images on the walls of ruins and old temples dedicated to him. "Adramelech, Chancellor and president of the high council of demons...care to tell me what you are doing here so that we can find some middle ground and end this sooner rather than later?" As he spoke the demon's name he used the conversation as an advantage to use the demon's curse and bind his power.

Feeling his own power diminish he knew that he had just been cursed, but thought nothing of it. "Well let me be the first to say, it is nice to see you finally come out of hiding...and as strong as ever. But as I said earlier I would expect no less from you Grey Mane. And when I heard there was going to be a chance to end your life well... ...I couldn't help but jump at the opportunity to say the least, after all its not every day you get to take on a legend, and I'm sure the feeling is mutual for you to face me."

Lowering his head as he shook it they could hear the sad tone in his voice. "Your right, its not every day one gets to face an Arch demon. But I was hoping that you would listen to reason. If you leave now and take Abatu with you then I will talk your masters on your behalf, both of you will be free from what ever punishment they may have in store for you."

Knowing Grey Mane was going to say this path and try to end it with conversation he raised his hand and pointed to his left at a random guard as he channeled his dark magic to the tip. "Well you see my master will forgive me if I bring him your soul. So either way I receive no punishment. And a fight with you and you alone is all I ask for any how, bu there are far too many ponies here. What do you say I cut the number down?"

As he turned and looked at the guard with the intent to kill a large stone hit him in the temple causing the arch demon to lose his concentration, as he turned to look back at Grey Mane a small bolt of fear shot threw his body as he saw the rage with in his eyes. "YOUR FIGHT IS WITH ME ADRAMELECH, SO IF YOU EVEN HARM ONE HAIR ON ANY OF THEIR MANES, SO HELP ME I WILL SEND YOU BACK TO THE HIGH COUNCIL OF DEVILS IN PIECES, WITH A LETTER ADDRESSED TO YOUR MASTER!!!" As he tried to calm him self he turned and face every pony behind him. "Princess Celestia, Princess Luna, get every pony back behind the castle walls...if any pony is going to get hurt today then let it be me and no pony else."

Knowing that much was at stake Celestia nodded her head as he signals to the guard to retreat behind the walls and others to get all civilians to safety. "At the moment I have to think of my subjects first...so for now I'll cooperate with you but I want some answers later."

As he looked her in the eye he gave a lifeless stare, as if he had already given up on his own life. "If I survive... ...then you can have your answers."

As every pony starts to make their way to safety the boastful demon abatu rushed toward Princess Luna. "You think I'm going to let this opportunity go? I'LL BE REMEMBERED FOR KILLING ONE OF THE ROYAL FAMILY MEMBERS."

As he drew closer it almost seemed to be with in a blink of an eye, Grey mane struck at his lower vertebrae severing his spine. Quickly using the momentum as he pounced off Abatu's back, he twisted his body and grabbed the demon by the horns and threw him to the hooves of Adramelech. As Abatu tossed and turned on the ground in pain, Adramelech couldn't help but smile. For the first time since he became an archdemon he finally found an opponent worth fighting.

As he gave a sinister smile he was in awe. "Amazing...so much skill, so much power behind each attack. And yet... ...he's still just toying with us. Truly this fight will be worthy of everything that I am. The old reports are true!"

As Abatu was able to subdue some of his pain he raised his hand. "Adramelech...give me a hand up... ...will kill him together."

As Adramelech reached down he grabbed Abatu's arm and chuckles. "No I'll take his life... ...you can just die. After all you've out lived your usefulness."

"No...NO...NOOOOO!!!"

As Abatu shouted many watched in horror as his flesh began to boil and pop. To say his death was slow and agonizing was putting it mildly to say the least. Grey Mane stared on never removing his eyes form Adramelech, even as many found their gaze drawn to Abatu who was slowly decaying into a steaming puddle. Grey Mane knew that Adramelech was not one to be taken lightly, his power was mostly given to him from the many young foals that where burned at alters dedicated to him in ancient times.

Removing the arm that once belonged to Abatu from his own, he turned his attention back to Grey Mane and smiles. "I'll give you the time needed to retreat every pony here but I must know...what is going threw your mind right now that you would not accept help? Does it have something to do with that one fateful night?"

As every pony runs back behind the walls for safety Princess Luna walked forth and stood next to him. "What are you talking about? My sister and I will aid him to save every pony if we have to." As she made her claim Celestia stood next to her with a determined look threw out her body.

"Agreed, Twilight gather the others and have the elements of harmony ready for the worst." Celestia ordered knowing this could go either way.

As they prepared Grey Mane hid behind the hood of his cloak. "NO...Luna, Celestia...GO BACK BEHIND THE WALLS...this is my fight and no pony else."

Believing that an earth pony would not stand a chance Luna tried to reason with him. "Didn't you just see what he did? You won't stand a chance on your own you need our help. If not both of us then..."

As she tried to get him to come around he stopped her mid sentence with a tone of self loathing, and self hatred, as he looked at his hove he knew that what Adramelech said struck a nerve that caused Grey Mane to question if he even deserves to survive the fight. "Although I can't help but agree with you... ...I cannot allow any pony to be harmed."

Knowing he struck a nerve Adramelech couldn't help but laugh in an attempt to mock him. "Go now princesses...I'll come for the both of you and every pony inside later, But before you go... ...Grey Mane, please share your thoughts with us as to why you decline their help."

As every pony in Canterlot was evacuated into the castle many heard him as they tried to make their way to safety. "MY LIFE FOR THEM. And I will not have it any other way."

As his words rang in the minds of many ponies they pondered what caused this sudden change in him. Had he lost the will to live and was looking for his own death, could he have turned over a new leaf, or was it something else? None knew what brought forth this change but many speculated what it could be.

While every pony moved as fast as they could to get to safety Adramelech constantly mocked Grey Mane in an attempt to get him to crack and attack. "Your life for them... ...haa haa ha...don't make me laugh. You the legendary thief, I know what you did, I know what you are capable of. I've read the report from that fateful night, the lives lost, how you're hooves are stained with blood. It was like listening to a symphony, so well orchestrated. But we both know who struck first."

The more he spoke, the more Grey Mane fell to despair the more he thought to himself, 'He's right...I'm no thief...I'm a monster who deserves to be killed, who deserves to be gutted, hung by its intestine and left to rot.' Thinking back to the night Grey Mane could hear the screams and smell burning flesh, and as he looked at his hooves he could see the blood. The more he was reminded of that night the more he fell to despair, he turned his head and looked up at the royal family, as his eyes made contact with Luna he was reminded why he continued, for the chance to find redemption in life, in the hopes that one day he mite be forgiven, even if only a small hove full knew about that night. Since that night he was looking for a way to redeem himself, and now he believed found the first step on the way to getting his wish, even if it cost him his life.

As he turns back he looks at Adramelech with a new found conviction in his eyes his expression became peaceful as if he found some form of inner peace. "I know what your trying to do, and I won't let you distract me this way. Such a poor tactic to use, but then again its common where you come from."

Several hours passed as the last of the ponies in Canterlot where evacuated into the castle grounds. As the gates closed behind Grey Mane, Adramelech rushed Grey Mane attempting to strike him from behind only to watch as his claw was pushed to the side as Grey Mane spun around and attempt to kick him in the head. As his hove came close to his head the archdemon blocked his hove and try to tear his flesh with his other claw while Grey Mane used the momentum his first attack created to lift himself out of the way and bounce off the demon's head.

As many watched the two fight it seemed as if they where well matched as they clashed, claw meeting hove, pony vs demon. The out come of the fight was uncertain as they exchanged blow for blow, blocking and retaliating. Reports where sent back to Celestia in the hopes that whom ever won the fight they would have the advantage of knowing how to fight them, especially if Grey Mane was the one to win. For an hour it appeared that the demon had the upper hand in the fight when he started to cast magic.

He threw fire balls, used lighting spells, and tried to freeze Grey Mane. As he kept Grey Mane at a distance he began to tire, each spell became harder and harder to cast, but Grey Mane appeared to still be at the top of his game. And for good reason too, when the demon started to use his dark magic Grey Mane started to use illusions to wear him out, using one more of his powders as he jumped behind the near by bushes to throw Adramelech off he teleported into a tree on the far left side of the archdemon as Adramelech set the bush on fire. Throwing his voice, and tossing what few rocks he had grabbed, made the archdemon believe he was in one location when he was in another.

As the fight heated up Adramelech expanded his senses and pulled Grey Mane out of the tree with telekinesis and slammed him down on the ground and dragged him across the cobbled stone ground strait to himself. As he lifted Grey Mane up by his back right hove he prepared to cut open his flesh with one claw as Grey Mane threw dirt into his eyes causing him to lose focuses and sight for a brief second. While he was stunned for the moment Grey Mane went behind him and ripped off one of his wings, enraging the demon knowing that when they are angered most will go into a blood rage and won't think about how they fight. Grey Mane hoped this arch demon would fall into such a rage granting him the opportunity he needed.

Sadly Adramelech was not the kind of demon to fall for such a trick and kept his composer as he cast a spell to grow his wing back. As he turned to face Grey Mane he saw that he had once again disappeared only to discover he had quickly ran up and got ready to catch Adramelech off guard and rip off both his wings this time. As Grey Mane stood waiting to see what he would do, Adramelech quickly discovered that he was merely trying to get him to waist his magic on such needless things and chasing down Grey Mane. Once he discovered this he resumed the attack and chose not to regrow his wings till he had time to recover enough of his dark powers cast the spell again.

As the fight continued the guards watched on as Grey Mane chose to step up his game. As Adramelech started to move faster Grey Mane started to move like a snake, while changing his fighting styles in mid attack. Going from the heavy hoved styles of Saddle Arabia, to the quick hoved style from Vietmane, and even heavy take downs from both Camelia and Minotauria. As well as a few fighting styles from the great dragon kingdoms, and several others that had been passed down, though thought lost, threw the ages. All of these different fighting styles gave Grey Mane the edge in the fight as a cloud of dust and dirt kicked up covering them and making it harder for all to see them.

As the reports slowly stopped flowing many believed that Grey Mane had the upper hove in the fight the second he stopped playing around. But with the cloud blocking the view of the fight none knew for sure as to who was winning, but what Adramelech could tell was Grey Mane was getting tired. His attacks became slower and weaker with each passing second, though he had taken much damage he knew he could out last Grey Mane and once he had his opening he would return everything a thousand fold.

As the fight raged on Celestia and Luna collaborated on what to do next from the one point in the castle that over looked the chasm below. It was considered one of the highest locations in the castle by point of view. And for many it was said to have one of the best views in equestria.

As Celestia analyzed what information they had gathered Twilight and the others returned with what little information they could find on both the demon and Grey Mane. "Hows everything going so far Princess?" Twilight inquired hoping for the fight to be near its end and some good news.

"As far as we can tell they're both still fighting, with out either of them giving in or giving up. And according to these reports it seems Grey Mane was or could still be winning this fight." Celestia said with a hint of optimism. "Hopefully you all have had better luck."

Lowering their heads Twilight shook her head. "Sorry but we haven't...both of them seem to know far more about each other while we know little to nothing about them."

Looking over the reports a second time Luna notices one key thing about Grey Mane. "Well other than him pulling off what seems to be impossible for an earth pony, he's quite adapt at hove to hove combat. He knows many different styles from around the world but doesn't stick to any one of them. But according to how he switched tactics its only a matter of time before this ends we can only hope the Thief of Legends comes out on top. That way we stand a greater chance of getting some answers."

"We can't be so sure he will simply give in like that, he is after all the legendary thief...who's to say this isn't some ploy of his to rob us blind. As an added precaution I sent several of the royal guard to the vault just in case but going off these reports there is a good chance they won't be able to handle him." Celestia claimed with a great doubt hanging heavily over her head, and with good reason.

"We are not so sure about that sister, when he said he would answer our questions, it seemed to me that there was much truth in his words. Perhaps we could show him some faith? After all his risking his own life for us, we all saw what happened to that other demon, there's no telling what this one could have done even if the two of us faced him. Grey Mane must have face a demon or two once before." Luna assumed with great optimism.

Before Celestia could speak Twilight pointed out a harsh truth. "And that could be the problem, how may has he faced, and how many could be willing to work with him?"

"That is what I thought too, for him to know so much about this demon in particular seems far to coincidental to be enemies. Acquaintances maybe, but if that's the case why not just end this threw simple conversation, why kill his own ally and fight. Unless they where working together and put on a show. I know we could have some faith in him and trust him a little bit, but if we give him an inch he could take a mile." The words Celestia spoke took the little faith any of them had in Grey Mane and turn it into doubt.

Sparking a new conversation having remembered what Twilight read in the book, Apple Jack perked up. "According to the book he disappeared about a thousand years ago. Now if he really is the Legendary Thief from this old ponies tail, where has he been all this time? And why now of all the days does he chose to come out of hiding?"

As they continued to talk Grey Mane was slowly losing the fight under the cloud of smoke, the time he spent making his way out of the crystal cavern took most of his energy, and the first hour and a half of the fight didn't do much for him even if he did find way's to rest while keeping Adramelech on his toes. What made things worse was by the end of the second half hour fatigue set in and started to take its toll, all the cloud did was give him a small advantage to remain hidden to sight. But all Adramelech needed to track Grey Mane was a small drop of blood, or sweat. And sadly Grey Mane was sweating like a fountain, making him a glowing beacon in the dark.

The longer this fight went on the harder it was for Grey Mane to remain hidden, let alone stand on his hooves. What made this worse was when he used the demon's curse to bind Adramelech's power to his own will it also drew on his own will power constantly draining it, the longer he held the curse the weaker he became. He knew the consequences and the threat of using the demon's curse but in this situation what choice did he have?

As he grew more and more tired he became sloppy and made far more mistakes than he normally would have. Till a moment later Adramelech found the opportunity he was waiting for, in the center of the cloud he mercilessly beat Grey Mane tearing threw his flesh, and bashing him into the ground. The only reprieve Grey Mane got was when Adramelech tried to end the fight.

Cocking back his right arm, flexing his muscles, and clutching his fist, Adramelech drew forth what he thought was plenty of his strength needed to kill Grey Mane in one punch, as he tossed him into the air. "Die."

As his fist came close Grey Mane brought up his front left leg just in time to block the attack as it sent him flying. As the force of the impact that sent Grey Mane flying, though it would have killed him if it had landed any where else on his body, he was dazed. Having used his own leg to soften the blow it had allowed him to take most of it, but not with out some internal damage as well as the broken bone in his leg.

Quickly giving chase after him Adramelech scaled the walls and jumped with all his might and continued to knock Grey Mane further and further into the air, beating him senselessly like a rag doll. As the battle between him and Adramelech raged, but the fight had finally taken its toll and Grey Mane knew he was out of tricks. And his cloak was so damaged the enchantment seemed to stop, to Grey Mane this appeared to be the end.

As the fight neared its end Celestia and the others continued to question if Grey Mane could be trusted or not. Only for them to see him come falling down from the sky completely unaware of his surroundings. As he neared them Twilight used her magic to slow his decent only enough for him to roll once he hit the ground. As they looked on the royal guard approached him with spears at the ready as they slowly surrounded him.

As he attempted to get up they saw he was bleeding profusely from long and deep lacerations. As he struggled to get to his hooves all saw as the bone in his front left leg pierced his flesh and popped out causing him to drop down to the floor grieving in pain. Using his front right he struggled to once more get to his hooves grunting and fighting back the pain and hoping not to pass out.

As he rose to his hooves struggling against the odds his mask fell to the ground exposing his face, and with a gasp Fluttershy and the others attempted to rush to his aid as the guards blocked their path. "Oh my...its Grey Mane." Fluttershy said with a gasp.

As the guards blocked them Luna had a good look at his face. "Sister their right, its the stallion we've mentioned that lost his memory."

As he managed to some how stand he looked at the guards that surrounded him. "It would be in your best interest... ...to back off." He struggled to say as he started to spit and cough up blood.

Knowing they would never have another chance like this a Lieutenant mocked him. "And just why should we? Look at you, you're beaten, you can't even harm a fly now."

As he boasted the other guards ran in fear as the arch demon manifested behind him and grabbed him by the neck lifting him into the air slowly clenching his grip. "Because he isn't the one you should be worried about... ... ...well not so long as I'm still alive."

As the arch demon continued to slowly squeeze the guards neck for his own pleasure, Grey Mane took a defensive stance as his knees shook, not from fear, but from exhaustion. "ADRAMELECH...LET HIM GO...THIS FIGHT...IS BETWEEN YOU AND ME."

Having one good look at he pony in his hand and another look at Grey Mane, he tossed the Lieutenant into the other near by guards. "You're right, in this fight you are the greater prize. And you know I have to give you credit, you managed to rip off not one but both of my wings and survive the beating I gave you. But looking at you now, you're no longer worth my time. But then again I hate to leave a project unfinished. But in any case I don't really care when I kill you, I just want to hear you to beg for death, I want to see you suffer before you die. It will give me a grand feeling of satisfaction."

Using telekinesis he slammed Grey Mane's back to the ground and held him there as he walked over. Standing over Grey Mane he pointed at him with is index and started to repeatedly stab him over, and over, and over again, pausing for a few moments in between each stab to wiggle his finger around and hear Grey Mane scream in agony, while he played with is internal organs. As Adramelech continued to stab and toy with Grey Mane he found his arm caught in an aura of midnight blue magic holding him back.

As he turned his head he saw Luna walking toward them. "That is enough, can't you see he is at his limit. He can't fight you any more."

Seeing the opportunity to claim more than one soul and be praised in Tartaros by his master, Adramelech lowered his arm and folded both arms behind his back as he slowly walked toward Luna and the others in a diplomatic manner. "Tell me... ...would you stop a duel between us, between a legend and a demon once worshiped as a god, simply because he chose to offer himself up? And would you be willing to do the same on his behalf, if it meant I would stop?"

Struggling to sit up Grey Mane noticed a way to end this fight but he needed Adramelech to be standing in the right spot. "Luna... ...don't answer him. He's twisting his words, the wrong answer will grant him the rights to your soul."

Giving a faint grin as he shook his head, Adramelech tired to discourage Grey Mane's words and hid his intentions. "Don't mind him, the pain has finally reached his head, after all I'm just trying to be reasonable and get one answer for many questions that have absolutely nothing to do with claiming a soul. Now then would any of you make the same choice as him, to give up everything for some pony you know nothing about?"

As Grey Mane once again struggled to his hooves every pony could see the tears in his eyes, but not one drop was because of the pain he was in. "FORGET ABOUT ME, I'M NOT WORTH A DAMN. I'M JUST SOME GOOD-FOR-NOTHING WHO CHOSE A LIFE OF THIEVERY. BUT ALL OF YOU ARE WORTH SO MUCH TO SO MANY... ...just please... ... ...don't answer him."

"We still have the Elements of Harmony, I say we forget your deal and just blast you with them." Rainbow Dash boasted as she attempted to stare down Adramelech.

"Oh by all means give it your best shot, in the time it would take for all of you to call forth the magic locked with in you're accursed artifacts, I would have killed at least three of you making them useless. So as you can see, I'm giving you a much better deal when you really think about it." Asmoday gloated.

Stepping forth Twilight stared the archdemon down. "If we say yes?"

"Then I will stop this madness." Adramelech replied keeping his answer as vague as possible.

Fearing the answer she would get Fluttershy tiptoed over and cowered behind Luna and the others as she barely poked her head up. "A-a-a-and what if we refuse?"

Giving a sinister smile as he laughed, Adramelech stared back at Grey Mane out of the corner of his eye and flexed his claw showing the blood stains in an attempt to force the deal in the direction he wanted. "Then I continue to kill him slowly right before you're very eyes. Isn't that right Grey Mane?"

Struggling to stand and stay conscious threw the pain and blood loss Grey Mane stumbled as he took small steps toward eveypony. "Do your worst... ...there isn't a damn thing you can do to me that I can't handle." Looking toward every pony he tried to plead with them once more hoping to keep them from making the wrong choice. "Girls please listen to me...if you say yes then he will kill us all, forget about me and live life to its fullest." As he struggled to get closer trying to save what little strength he had left he saw that Adramelech was right where he wanted him right next to the weakened wall, as he fell to the ground the strap to his gourd snapped and rolled off to the side, disregarding it he continued to drag himself closer. "Please... ...what ever you do, don't worry about me. There isn't a cell that can keep me locked away."

Looking at a dear friend they knew if the fight ended they could get him medical attention, and they also knew if the fight continued he would not be put into a cell... ...he would die, as they looked at each other they nodded. "We agree." Twilight stated as she lowered her head.

With a smile Adramelech flexed his muscles and prepared to attack them. As they realized Grey Mane spoke the truth Twilight was frozen with fear as the arch demon's claw came close to striking her. As everypony rushed to her aid they watched in awe as Grey Mane mustered the last of his strength, and stunned Adramelech with a buck to his ribs, and continued his assault by jumping onto Adramelech's back and using his front right leg to wrap around his neck and choke the arch demon forcing him to stumble back over the weakened wall and stumble off the edge.

"IF ANY PONY IS DIEING TODAY ITS ME... ...AND I'M TAKING YOU'RE SORRY ASS WITH ME BACK TO TARTAROS!!" Grey Mane shouted as the two of them fell to what seemed to be their deaths.

As they watched on they saw Grey Mane faded behind the mist as he whispered a few words as he smiled, 'I'm sorry everypony.' As the two of them fell Adramelech's screams could be heard threw out the castle, but Grey Mane remained silent. As Rainbow Dash and Princess Luna gave chase after Grey Mane hoping he was going to be okay and that his silence was from him passing out. Sadly the found his body nearly a mile down and attempted to bring it back, only to be stopped by Adramelech.

Laughing as he took small steps toward them, beaten and battered from the fall, his large intestine barley hanging out as he walked, he flexed his claw. "You ponies struck a deal with me, now your souls are mine to claim."

As Luna started to channel magic into her horn in order to prepare for a fight with Adramelech only for her and Rainbow Dash to watch as millions if not billions of poisonous insects started to crawl on his body, as a dark and evil voice shouted as if it came from all around them. "ADRAMELECH, YOU HAVE DEFIED ME FOR THE LAST TIME!"

Adramelech's expression went from proud and boastful into fear as he tried to plead and bargain for his own safety. "Master please wait...I have souls to offer unto you. Grey Mane's being the grand prize here as well as..."

As Adramelech was lifted into the air the insects continued to collect and gather into what appeared to be a giant claw, bringing the arch demon to what appeared to be a colossal demonic face. "ENOUGH!!! YOU WILL FORFEIT YOUR PRIZE, AND THE DEAL YOU HAVE STRUCK WITH THESE PONIES SHALL BE NULL AND VOID. YOU KNEW THE CONSEQUENCES OF LEAVING TARTAROS WITH OUT MY SAY SO."

In attempt to shift the blame and gain a lesser punishment Adramelech hoped for the best as he spoke. "But master Asmoday said..."

"ASMODAY!?!? I SHALL SEE TO HIM LATER, FOR NOW I SHALL DRAG YOU BACK TO TARTAROS FOR YOU'RE PUNISHMENT." He exclaimed as the insects busted and swarmed while stinging Adramelech while creating a tighter grip.

"No master... ...please... ...spare me." Adramelech cried out in fear as he turned and dug his claws into the near by stone wall.

As his temper slowly dropped the swarm of insects recollected and reformed the demonic face. "I already have, the Princess of the Night would have ended your life. Did you really think that by trying to kill Grey Mane the demonic curse would lift its self? It continues to plague you in a small way. And of what use to me is an archdemon that can't cast magic?" Turning gaze toward Luna the swarm lowered themselves so the face appeared to be making eye contact with both Luna and Rainbow Dash. "I apologize for what has transpired this day. Had I known sooner I would done all I could to spare the Leviathan's advocate his fate, but I can feel his life slowly fading if you hurry he just mite yet live. Come now Adramelech, I have a new disease I want to test on you."

As the swarm left they could hear Adramelech screaming in fear as he was dragged way to face what ever punishment his dark master had prepared for him. The great arch demon Adramelech who stood so proud earlier that morning was now being taken kicking, screaming, and crying like a foal. As they carefully brought Grey Mane's body back to every pony they where unaware his life slowly slipped away, all they could was hope they where not too late to save him.

As Grey Mane's life passed from his body the Leviathan felt the sudden loss of life from his advocate even while he cleared his mind threw mediation in the astral plain. "Ahh...Grey Mane? ...Perhaps there's still time." Quickly rushing threw the astral plain the Leviathan did all that he could to save Grey Mane but knew his soul was else where, and traveled to Tartaros to deal with any of the dark lords took advantage of the situation. For even if his body was restored he knew that his advocate would still parish if his soul was never recovered.

As the leviathan rushed threw the astral plain putting the pieces of his plan into action, knowing that there was only a few demonic lords that where willing to work with him, sadly the one that had Grey Mane's soul had much sinister plans in mind for the great thief. As Grey Mane slowly awakened in Tartaros the sound of a slow clap and sinister laughter. As he looked up he saw the dark lord he stole from, and the tails of this one in particular where true. His mane and coat where stained with blood, his teeth sharper than the claws of an elder dragon, and eyes so dark one could almost see the void its self, and the evil feeling he gave off made discord look like a harmless filly.

Trying to lighten the mood of the situation Grey Mane mocked the dark lord to make himself laugh a little. "I never thought you would look like a fallen alicorn. But then again even the purest of ponies have their demons don't they." He said as he struggled to his hooves. "So tell me did you fall from grace? Because from here I can tell you're mother was a hamster and your father smelt of elderberries."

As Asmoday slowly walked toward Grey Mane he smiled as he boasted, and laughed all while he mocked. "Congratulations Grey Mane...Canterlot is safe and only a small few ponies where harmed. But you're such a fool to give up the medallion, with it you could have survived the fight, but now." Rushing Grey Mane he cast a small spell that made the hair in is tail seem like steel and brush it against him causing thousands of small lacerations that seemed to be electricity charged, causing Grey Mane to drop and twitch in pain. "NOW YOUR DAMNED FOR ALL ETERNITY, YOU'RE SOUL IS MINE TO DO WITH AS I PLEASE. I watched your fight to the end, you could have stood a chance down here. But hero's lose everything in Tartaros."

"You're right...but I'm no hero." Grey Mane stated mocking Asmoday as he turned and punched him in the face. "I'M A THIEF AND PROUD OF IT!!"

Brushing away the hove that landed on his face as if it was dust, Asmoday started his brutal punishment by beating him senselessly, knocking him from one end of the room to the next. The beating continued for twenty minutes, but to Grey Mane it felt as if it was longer than eternity. As his beating went on Grey Mane's only thoughts where, *At least their safe.*

For a brief moment the beatings stopped and Grey Mane saw the opportunity to strike back, as he rushed the dark lord the shadows seemed to twist and bend as they formed into several spikes impaling him. "Its a nice trick isn't it. I took it from the unicorn that tried to escape along side you. She was delicious, she tasted like fear and her blood helped give the extra added taste of pain that...well...is a delicacy."

Struggling threw the pain as the shadows faded away leaving no signs that he had been impaled, bringing truth to the fact that it was an illusion that tricked both the eyes and the mind, as Grey Mane looked at the dark lord he struggled to get to his hooves. "What did you do to her?"

"I didn't think you cared but if you must know... ... ...I consumed her. All that she was is now part of me. Her talents, her tricks, her spells. If it helped make her become known as the shade it is now mine to command as I see fit." He said with a crooked smile stretching across his face.

Continuing to use the shadows to torture Grey Mane gave him much pleasure, the old reports the dark lords kept on all of the Grey Manes seemed to ring hollow. But what could Grey Mane do, he was at a disadvantage, he knew nothing of this demon so the curse would not work. All he could do was struggle helplessly as he slowly passed out.

Knowing he would get no satisfaction from beating him while he slept Asmoday turned away feeling triumphant. "Take him to the heart of my domain, I'm sure many of the prisoners there have a few things to say to him. Oh and from here on out I shall administer his punishment, to ensure he can never escape again."

As he slowly walked away his highest ranking guard shouted. "My lord...his body...its vanishing!"

Turning around to see him slowly fade he knew the where few reasons behind this. "Impossible...there's no way he..." Only having just realized that Grey Mane was coming back to life he summoned forth the darkest spell he knew as his horn seemed to drain any light near him causing the entire room to turn pitch black. "NO...NO...NO...IF I CAN'T CLAIM HIS IMMORTAL SOUL AS MY PRIZE, THEN I SHALL SEND HIM TO FACE TRUE OBLIVION!!!"

As they all watched as the spell flew strait toward Grey Mane, Asmoday laughed knowing he would end the Legendary Thief, that he would be the one to kill Grey Mane. As the spell made contact they watched on as it seemed to consume and burn the area around him. As the smoke slowly cleared Asmoday's laughter quickly turned into unbridled rage, only to see that Grey Mane had been protected by a creature far more ancient than the majority of the demonic lords, he could feel fear take hold of his heart as many of his greatest demons dropped to their knees begging for their own safety.

"LEVIATHAN...HOW DARE YOU..." Asmoday shouted shaking his realm to its core.

As the leviathan frowned he shook his head. "How dare I? This one is my advocate and there for under my personal protection...his life is forfeit only to the reaper when his time comes at the sound of the black bell, NOT YOU."

In an attempt to prove Grey Mane's soul belonged to him he pointed out the fight. "He killed himself this day and there for his life is forfeit to Tartaros...HE IS IN MY DOMAIN AND I DECIDE WHAT HAPPENS FROM HERE ON OUT!"

"He did not kill him self out some simple choice, it was a sacrifice and there for frees him from the bindings of Tartaros." The leviathan said knowing the laws of the dead and not willing to allow Asmoday claim Grey Mane's soul as his prize so easily.

"You think one act of a selfless sacrifice is enough to free him... ...despite all he's done for the grater good and diverting wars, there is still that one dark act he committed. And no deed in life will ever clear that away, nothing he does will ever wash away the blood stains on his hooves. How many lives where lost that night because of him, how much blood is on his hooves? It is because of this, he is MINE!" Boasted Asmoday with a smug feeling of satisfaction.

Looking at the situation the leviathan mocked the demonic lord Asmoday. "So you say, however you're losing him now...and if you truly want a soul in place of his that is worth thousands more you can try and take mine. But I know you wouldn't dare tempt my power, you know quite well what I am capable of."

As Asmoday began to boast he laughed. "Look around you. You're in my domain, my KINGDOM, my power can far surpass even you here, all I have to do is draw upon the eternally damned souls here...so don't you dare threaten me."

As the leviathan's rage grew he chose not to shout but speak in the same language as the ancient dragons with a calm tone in his voice as he closed his eyes and shook his head hoping it would not have had to come to such a thing. "Ahrk you forget faal knowledge I posses...Asmoday!"

As he heard is name spoken fear shot up his spine freezing him in place, he knew the curse wasn't used but he was fully aware that the leviathan was prepared to use it, in an attempt to hid his fear Asmoday put on a calm face. "You wouldn't dare?"

Continuing to push his authority the leviathan knew that there where other demons waiting to take the place of any of the dark lords. "Do course hin afraid wah hon hin name. Ahrk why wouldn't you, voth just hin name alone I can seal you away fah pah eternity...or worse. You see unlike Grey Mane faal lein doesn't need you, ahrk I know daar because there are thousands waiting wah take hin place. Grey Mane nau faal other haal is still needed."

As he prepared to fight the leviathan he saw a cloud of miasma and a mist of blood slowly close in far behind the leviathan, and Asmoday knew he would be fighting a losing battle even if it was just a one on one fight with the leviathan. "Take him then... ...but mark my words one day he will die, and when that day comes I'll be waiting to claim his soul."

As he turned to face Grey Mane he slowly calmed down. "Nust sul ok sil is left wah you is faal sul tol I dii. Come Grey Mane, they are waiting for you to awaken."

As the leviathan left with Grey Mane, Asmoday's rage grew as his domain shook along side it, clenching his teeth blood began to drip from his chin. "Damn...You...LEVIATHAAAAAAAN!!!"

As he slowly calmed down still filled with anger he watched as every demon in his court fell deathly ill while a pool of blood and cloud of miasma took physical forms. "AMSODAY!"

It was several months before Grey Mane could awaken and move on his own free will, once he did he found him self in a room and comfortable bed, his first thoughts where, *Cheap trick, I know how the cruel illusions of Tartaros work down here.* Struggling to his hooves he walked over to the window and had a good look out side and saw all of Canterlot. *So this is my punishment? To face an eternal beating in the last place I was alive.* He thought to him self, disregarding the many bandages he saw on himself believing they could also be part of the illusion.

Just out side, what he believes to be his prison cell, he can hear the guards talking, about simple day to day things and the current shift change that came with the routine check on Grey Mane that required both guards in the event that he should be a wake. Looking around the room he quickly plans for his escape, he knew there wasn't much and if the illusion was set for just the cell then the window and view where fake. Going for the oldest, and perhaps most redundant hiding tactics, he stood behind the door as it started to crack open. The guards laughed as they walked in unaware that Grey Mane was waiting for them, as they looked at the bed and found that it was empty, Grey Mane slammed the door shut and jumped the guards.

The second they where incapacitated he used what items where available to tie them down and jam the door shut on his way out, while doing what he could to ignore his pain as old wounds started to reopen. Making his way down the corridor he believed his cell was much bigger this time around and more than likely a maze, that the illusion spell had been cast on, in an attempt to keep him trapped; his main concern was being captured again. As he moved from one corridor to the next slowly making his way out, his stern belief was the more guards he saw the closer he was to the exit of this maze hoping that the thrown room in the castle was the exit to what he perceived as a maze in Tartaros.

As he slowly neared the thrown room he peaked around the corner to find a small group of guards standing around to have a quick conversation. *Five of them... ...if their lesser demons they won't be too much of a problem.* He thought to him self as three more came galloping frantically from around the corner.

Eavesdropping to their conversation he watched and noticed that the two guards he took out earlier where now up and free, what added to his problems was they had just informed the small group that was there, that he was now free. "Here's what we'll do, you two go strait to the thrown room and tell everypony there. And you two will go down that corridor and inform any and all who can help in the search."

As they saluted their commanding officer they all separated, taking notice of the two that went to the thrown room gave Grey Mane a direction to go, but he had to deal with the same two guards that where outside his room earlier first. Looking around he found a cart with fresh linens for one of the rooms near by with a maid inside, just down the corridor he saw a chandelier. Getting to work he managed a make-shift trap as the two of them slowly made their way near him.

"I still can't believe he got the jump on us back there." The light blue stallion hinted away at with a hint of being disgruntled.

"Hey you can't blame us he's the legendary thief after all, we weren't prepared for when he would awaken, come to think of it no pony here really could be prepared for him." The white stallion nudged away hoping to lift his friends spirit.

"Ya you have a point... ...you know what would suck though?" The light blue stallion inquired.

"What?" He responded hoping the response wasn't heading in the direction he thought it was.

"If he caught us off guard again and left us for some pony to find." He joked as he tempted fate.

Waiting for the two to come just a little further he waited in the near by room just under the bed to remain unseen by the maid. He watched as the two of them walked down the hall and heard a loud crash that drew the attention of every pony near by. Peeking out of the room he saw his trap worked, but not in the way he intended for, they walked into it but rather than being hoisted up and left dangling in the air, when the trap sprung their combined weight caused the chandelier to fall in such a way that it seemed to trap them in a cage.

*Not what I wanted but it gets the job done.* He thought as he snuck off to follow the two ponies to the thrown room, and hopefully in his mind freedom.

As he steadily made his way down the corridor he continued to plan out his escape knowing that this time around the ferry-mare would not be so kind, mostly do to the fact that the dead where not aloud to leave, with the only exception being if the reaper came for them. He had seen it happen a few times, the souls of those who had been dead far too long, that no pony even knew who they where, had been dragged off kicking and screaming while bound in chains by the reaper. But he knew the ferry-mare had a weakness to greed and intended to exploit that to his advantage.

As Grey Mane neared the great doors to the thrown room he saw the two ponies standing just a few feet away from the door arguing. "I don't want to tell them the bad news any more than you do Dave, but we have to." One of them said begrudgingly

"Well then why don't you do it Sam?" Dave blatantly said as he shoved him.

"No way not me... ...how bout we both tell them?" Nudged Sam.

"And how do you think we do that?" He said with a mournful stare causing Sam to lower his head in thought.

As he pondered the situation he perked up. "I've got it... ...how about we open up with a joke?" Sam said with great optimism.

Annoyed by the situation Dave poked at what holes he could find in the idea. "Like what? Knock knock, who's there, not Grey Mane cause he's vanished? Sorry Sammy but I don't think its going to fly. Not with royalty or any pony here, this is the Legendary Thief where talking about. We had him in our grasp and just like clapping you're hooves he's gone."

Continuing his optimism as he turned his back to Dave while lowering his head as the gave it more thought. "What if we tell them in joke form... ...I mean its kinda funny after all that he's bested us so far given how injured he is. Right Dave... ..." As he turned around he found that Dave had gone missing. "Dave? ... ...Come on man this isn't funny."

As he walked down the hall he found Dave wrapped up in the curtain, and hanging upside down by his tail, turning to run and alert every pony in the thrown room he found himself being dragged into the air by his tail, and left dangling only to hear sarcasm. "So... ... ...what was that about him getting the jump on us being funny?"

"Shut up Dave." Stating with a hint of annoyance in his voice.

Not being the one to pass up the opportunity to poke fun of other ponies, or kick 'em when there down so to speak, he continued to poke fun at Sam. "No no~o, I want to hear this. Please continue from where you left of, I think it was, 'Its funny how he can get the drop on us because of how injured he is?' Am I right? After all your the expert on this even though where hanging from the ceiling."

As Sam allowed his temper to slowly grew he tried to draw his mind of the situation. "Not now Dave."

"You know I do see the humor in it, after all HE JUST GOT THE DROP ON US!" Pointing out he pain strikingly obvious clue, as if he was a useless detective.

"I get it Dave now unless you have any idea as to how where getting down, then please...SHUT THE FUCK UP!" He exclaimed as he started to look around to see any signs of help.

Knowing it could be a while Dave couldn't help but continue to patronize Sam. "Wait wait I've got one more... ...Knock Knock?"

"... ... ...Who's there?" He inquired as he some how managed to turn around and stare at Dave threw the cloth in annoyance.

"Grey Mane."

"Fuck you Dave."

As they hung there for a moment Dave couldn't help but laugh about the situation. "Hey what was it you said this morning? 'See a bit and pick it up, all the day you'll have good what?"

"You're not going to let this go are you?" Sam inquired not truly wanting to hear the answer.

"Not so long as we're up here."

As Grey Mane slowly made his way back to the giant doors he nearly collapsed from pain, bringing his hove up from his ribs where the pain came from he saw blood and knew there wouldn't be much time before he would pass out. As he came to the door he found it was locked by magic, not too hard for him to get pass, but it did make him wonder for the moment. The Dark Lords know about him and the things he is capable of, a magic lock would not hold him back. Taking a moment to look around the hall he couldn't find any traps and could only figure there mite be a small band of greater demons just on the other side of the door waiting for him should he some how manage to make it that far.

Walking up to it he figure if there where any demons on the other side two of them would be close enough to hear the lock, with this stern belief he whispered. "Iftah ya simsim."

As the locks came on done the two guards just on the other side took immediate notice. "You didn't... ..."

Shaking his head the two guards drew Celestia's attention, as well as the attention of everypony in the thrown room. "Is something wrong?"

"Sorry your Majesty, as a precaution we've taken the liberty to lock these doors ever since Grey Mane was given a room to rest and recover do to his injuries. As you may have already guessed we locked the doors with magic, and well... ...they just came open." He said with a sign of concern.

Knowing it was their duty to stand strong and show no fear the other guard cracked the door to peek out. "I'll have a look to see who it is, more than likely it could be one of the other guards out he-"

As he looked outside of the doors they all watched as he was pulled out with a great ferocity as they all heard the loud clanking of metal hitting a wall, as well as a small skirmish. Attempting to be cautious the remaining guard stood center of the two doors as he used magic to slowly open them, only to be given a swift yet heavy hove to the face causing him to become dazed and confused at the moment. As Grey Mane walked toward everypony his expression was a mix between hatred and disgust.

As he sat down he leaned next to a pillar, believing he was about to be in for a fight of his life. "Dirty trick... ...disguising you're selves like that... ...DID YOU REALLY BELIEVE I WOULD THINK THEY COULD BE DOWN HERE? DID YOU REALLY THINK I WOULD FALL FOR YOU'RE TRICKS?"

With a smile Twilight walked toward him hoping to find out what he was talking about. "Do you realize how silly you sound right now?"

"Don't play coy with me... ...Tartaros is full of many tricksters, deceivers, and liars. I'm not so easily fooled. I don't care who you serve, now stand aside and let me pass!" He exclaimed knowing it was no longer with in his ability to try and fight at the moment.

Flying over and placing a gentle hove on his shoulder Fluttershy tried to console him. "You're in the castle of Canterlot, you're safe, the fight is over you won."

Struggling to brush her hove off he starred at her with a mix of emotions string with in him, the strongest ones being fear, determination, and hope. "Lie to me all you like I know all about the illusion spells that you demons use down here. And I'll be damned if you think I'll fall for any of them.

Having hear the resent commotion while walking by, as Luna came into the room she held out the gourd toward him as she began to speak. "No pony here is lying to you, though you did die what ever the contents was in this gourd some how brought you back to life."

As he slowly grabbed the gourd he looked up at Luna and coiled around her neck he could see the Leviathan unwrap himself still unseen by everypony but him. "How did you?"

Stepping forth with a faint smile Celestia began to explain. "Luna heard a strange voice instruct her to pour the contents of that gourd down your throat. And as you can see it saved your life."

Having taken a sudden internist in healing spells, potions, and items at the moment in time Twilight could find nothing relating to reviving the dead with out horrible side effects. "What was in that if you don't mind us asking."

Uncoiling him self from around Luna the leviathan kept his astral form and flew over to Grey Mane as he spoke to him threw telepathy. *Its okay to tell them what you believe is necessary, the times are changing and you will need all the help you can get. You're enemies are many and friends are far too few, I know you will make the right choice.*

Closing his eyes as he slowly exhaled, he braced himself for any reaction he could get for telling them a small portion of the truth. "Its water... ...from the fountain of youth. Its what has allowed me to live for so long. Its use is limited however, when the gourd is three fourths of the way gone it will no longer reduce the age of the user; But it will continue to revive and heal them as well as ward off death for a time, in a sense of things it grants temporary longevity."

With heavy hearts they lowered their heads believing they may have, in some small way, sentenced him to death. "... ...Sorry if we had known then..."

As Apple Jack tried to apologies Grey Mane raised a hove to stop her. "No... ...it was either use it all to save my life or none of it and leave me to my fate." Trying to hide the remorse he felt behind a smile as he slowly slid down to the floor. "I'm glad all of you did what you could to save me."

Knowing he would not stay awake Pinkie couldn't help but poke away at his age. "If it was really water from the fountain of youth then why didn't it reduce your age you look the same to me."

As he slowly slid to the floor he rose the hove that he remembered had been pierced by his bone. "Because the water healed me only enough to bring me back to life, as you can see the injuries are minor and will heal slowly over time. All life threatening wounds are healed first, if they weren't then how could I survive?"

Just like piecing together a new outfit, Rarity gave a mournful smile as she pulled out his mask. "If the worst of them where healed first, then its a good thing... ...here, I was able to repair the mask but your cloak is far to damaged I'm afraid. So I'm making something a little more presentable for you."

As he slowly fell a sleep he smiled. "I'll fined some way to pay for it, please excuse me... ...but...I need to take a small nap."

As he slept the medical mares took him from the thrown room on a stretcher and back to the room where he started, this time taking the precaution to strap him down to keep him from re-opening his wounds again. As he slept his darkest memory tormented him, he could see it all, the fire, the countless ponies who died on that fate full night, his hooves, coat and mane stained with blood, right down to the only moment of salvation he had when he heard the foals begging him to stop. As he looked at them he watched as the foals in his nightmare began to melt as flames consumed them while they walked toward him saying the one thing that constantly plagued him, the one phrase that the many demons in Tartaros would never forget to say as a harsh reminder of what he did, 'YOU'RE A MONSTER'.

As the nightmare shocked him into waking up he found himself in a cold sweat panting heavily out of fear. *I was afraid of this, you had repressed that memory along time ago. Though there was never any way you could truly forget now could you?*

Looking to his right he saw the leviathan coiled up like a snake on the desk still in his astral form. *How long have you been there?*

*Oh You know me I've always been near by, after all you're my advocate and there for under my protection. And I never should have doubted you, but fear took hold of me and I let it guide me. And for that I'm sorry, you and you're predecessors have always done the right thing even if the methods all of you have chosen are a bit... ...eeeh...questionable.* He said as he looked at Grey Mane.

*No... ...you where right. If I hadn't done what I did then none of this would have...* As the events of the past slowly consumed him he found it hard to even believe what the leviathan said.

Speaking the only truth he could find in the situation as he made eye contact with Grey Mane nearly blinding him. *What happened that night with the Order of Balance happened for a reason, you even saved a few lives and put them on a new path that gave them a chance. And if it wasn't you then it could have been some pony else and the situation could have been worse.*

*COULD HAVE BEEN? I AM THE WORST THING TO HAVE HAPPENED TO THIS WORLD... ...I DESERVE NOTHING WORSE THAN... ...* As he damned him self, his mind as well as his emotions slowly sank into despair.

Stopping Grey Mane from going down his current path in giving up on life the leviathan pulled the medallion out from the astral plane and tossed it to him. *You deserve this.*

Quickly slipping his left hove out of the restraint he caught the medallion. *The medallion of immortality... ...I don't deserve this.*

Speaking only the truth with the knowledge he possessed about the artifacts, the leviathan flew over and coiled himself on the bed as he smiled.*No you don't, in fact no pony or living creature deserves to have it. However the medallion never took any lives, it instead chose to take a different path and test you. It no longer makes the choice to use, it now wishes to be used and it has chosen you to help it make that first step.*

*But coveting immortality has cost me far too much.* As he turned to his left he saw Princess Luna sleeping next to the window in the moon light. *And it would have cost me far more, perhaps even everything had I not forsaken it.*

*True, however your duty as my advocate isn't over with. And since you can no longer use the fountain of youth it would be the wisest move, as well as the best one, for you to keep it close by.*

As he stashed it in the drawer wrapped up in his mask he looked at Luna once more. *Why is she a sleep?*

*Oh... ...she saw you having a nightmare and tried to enter your mind to see if she could help. I knew what she would see so I blocked her, it is the worst moment in your life. And you never tolled her before, and it is best that you be the one to tell her.*

Slipping his right hove out of the restraint as he leaned over and gently brushed her mane with his left. *I saw you around her neck earlier, she didn't know you where there did she?*

Faintly laughing at the thought as he started to hover over Grey Mane. *No... ...I've reached a mastery with my astral form that others could only dream of, and unless I wanted her to see me she couldn't. No pony can except for you. After all you're mind has expanded far enough to that point you can see me at will. And as for me being around her neck... ...well. I know how important she is to you, after all she did what no pony could do to you. She stole you're heart, so I chose to stay close by her and keep her safe till you where awake... ...should have known that when you first wake up you cause quite the commotion.*

Smiling at the fact that he did over react and should have noticed the signs that he was alive, key ones being that the guards where far too easy even in his state. *So then I continue on... ...being the legendary thief... ...I continue on being you're advocate. If that isn't a kick in the flank then I don't know what is. So then whats my first task now that I'm Xiuhtecutli?*

Looking up at his advocate he smiled. *Turquoise lord? ... ...Has a bit of a ring to it. I'm sure in time I'll get use to it. As for now I just want you to rest and recover, after that I'll guide you to the Kingdom of the Changeling their leader Queen Chrysalis has found the enchanted ring of Astarte. It once fell dormant when its former owner perished of old age, it will be come active in time. But if she learns that it can amplify her power one thousand fold it will far greater trouble. Recover this ring and lock it away.*

As he thought about it he scoffed. *The true purpose of the legendary thief... ...to keep power out of reach of the ones who can never control it. And now that I think about it, the changelings have a small stash of emotion crystals... ...if sold to the right pony they could fetch quite the price.*

*For what reason would you need to make a quick bit, not to cause you any grief but the orphanage that you aided is long gone.*

With a smile a small tear rolled down his face. *That doesn't mean I can't help out ponies that need it.*

*Should have seen that coming...but at least you finally learn why the lineage of the legendary thief is important. Keep the medallion as far as I can tell there will come a day when you will need it.*

*Fine...but I will not steal while in Canterlot or Ponyville.*

*If that is you're choice then who am I to say other wise. You're free to do as you please. I just hope that we never have to encounter an artifact nor a dangerous enchanted item in either location.* Xiuhtecutli said with a smile.

Just before laying back down he looked at Luna one last time causing his heart to pause for a second before continuing and giving him a warm feeling he had not felt in a long time. *I have to ask a few questions.*

*Such as?* He inquired as he cocked an eyebrow

*Well first thing is...you're not really a leviathan are you?*

*I am...I am the last of my kind a fate that I caused, and in some ways regret, but it was necessary and let us leave it at that. After all we all have our secrets Grey Mane... ...even me.*

With a smile he scoffed at the answer he got. *Fair enough but one last thing...* Having kept his eyes on Luna for the moment he looked Xiuhtcutli in the eyes nearly blinding himself. *Is it even possible for me to have a family, I mean to just one day settle down and leave this life behind me?*

Knowing he could never answer the question Xiuhtecutli attempted to doge the question while staying close to it. *You're free to do as you please. Just remember that you will have far more enemies than any pony can ever understand. For now just rest and when your ready to go back out into the world... ...and do what you have always done best. For now just get some rest.*

As he rested Grey Mane did all he could to keep his nightmare and the truth behind it hidden from everypony and put on a smiling face. One day when he was able to walk with out nearly stumbling over himself, they came to him with the book titled 'The Legendary Thief' written on the cover in gilded letters, it was then he knew they would ask about the stories written with in. They wanted answers, they wanted the truth, all he could do was tell them what was true, what was false. What he tolled them was just tails many ponies came up with, was his way to hiding the truth about the artifacts and the dangers that they held, dangers he knew from first hove experience.

It was months before Grey Mane had made a full recovery, on the near by dresser he found a gift from Rarity wrapped with care. As he opened it he found a coat that took the length of his body with a hood attached to it all in dark grey, it was a fine replace meant to the cloak he lost, no not even close, it was a gift form a friend who cared. And his ticket out.

As he smiled he shook his head knowing that it could incriminate her, but only if they saw him fly, better to have plenty of options if necessary he thought. *Hey Xiuhtecutli... ...you wouldn't mind put int the enchantment on this for me... ...you know the one.*

Nodding his head Xiuhtecutli drew upon an ancient magic known only to his kind. Opening his mouth he blew on the new coat casting the spell to allow it to slow the fall of whomever had it on, this would be his advantage sense they never inquired about that at all. While he blew on the cloak Grey Mane could feel the heat of his breath equal the same gentle heat of the mid-day sun, it made him wonder what the leviathans where like and what they could do, but that was a question for another time.

As he put on the coat and his mask he heard a knock on the door. "Its open." He replied with a shallow tone.

"The time has come." Stated one of the many guards waiting outside the room.

As he walked out of the room they parted the way and presented him with shackles and chains. "We are sorry it has come to this, and we wish there could have been another way. However..."

"Say no more Luna, I understand. I knew one day this would happen." He claimed as he raised his hooves and allowed him self to be bound in chains that where magically locked and escorted down the hall.

As they started to walk down the hall filled with guards on the ground and in the air armed to the teeth, Twilight voiced her opinion. "This isn't right, after everything he did the least we could do let him walked there with out the chains."

Having heard this he stopped and placed his hooves on her shoulders. "No Twilight this is how it must be, I have many enemies in the world. Who knows how many of them are still alive, or have had descendents that harbor a grudge against me. Show any form of kindness, or leniency to me and they will come for you and every pony else close to you just to get to me. Besides I'll be alright, now why don't you and Luna go a head and join every pony else. I'll be there shortly." He smiled to disband any doubt or fear she may have had.

As he stood back up he watched as Twilight and Luna took their leave and hurried to the thrown room as the guard yanked on the chains. "Come now we can't keep the princess waiting."

Not being the one to keep tensions high for too long, Grey Mane couldn't help but poke fun of how the guard pulled on the chain. "Not a problem... ...now is this trial going to take place before or after you beat me into submission and have me call you daddy? And are you going to put a rubber ball in my mouth and call me a bad boy?"

Many around him couldn't help but laugh at the terrible joke, the guard holding the chain with magic however didn't and tried to turn it around on him. "Sure and maybe I'll tie you up as well with one of the smelliest prisoners we have."

"Oh you mean like I did to you and privet do-nothing here a few months back? By the way when was the last time either you had a bath I can still smell shame on both of you." Having said that caused many more of the guards to join in on the laughter, many wouldn't let the two of them live it down.

Knowing he would just try to turn around anything they said they the simple choice to keep their mouth shut. As they entered the thrown room Grey Mane eyed the room, out of every pony there hidden among the members of the royal family, enraptures, prestigious families, and public officials from across Equestria, a single false cutie mark caught his eye. The weight and scales tricking every pony around it to believe the pony there was a banker of some kind stood tall and proud taking notes.

As they walked in Grey Mane lowered his head and took steady steps and hid beneath his hood. As he made his way to the front of the walk way still escorted by guards, he could hear the whispers among the many ponies there. Many wondered if he was going to be granted amnesty for what saving Canterlot, others wondered if he would be locked away for life in the dungeon, where as some believed he would be executed but then pondered how they would kill an immortal thief, if he could be killed. He drowned out the whispers as he walked forward and sat before Celestia and the others.

As he looked up to make eye contact with all of them his mind was blank, and with his memories completely recovered he found it hard to look Luna in the eyes, knowing that in the past he kept the truth from her, as he took a deep breath Princess Celestia brought forth a scroll and began to read the charges against him. "Legendary Thief Grey Mane you stand here accused of countless acts of breaking and entering, theft, pick pocketing, impersonation of a guard, impersonation of public officials, and six counts of assault, as well as many other possible crimes that will require further investigation if at all possible. You also have one count of heroism, how do you plead?"

Trying to make light of the situation he attempted an anecdote. "You forgot lord of the dance from my title. I would like to dance a gig to prove it but twiddle dumb-ass and twiddle-dip-shit over there put these shackles on too tight. And I am going to plead drunk, to be honest I think I'm about to pass out. Could you have the guard perhaps loosen the shackles just a tad?"

As a few ponies in the room started to snicker and giggle Grey Mane heard a few say, 'Well what do you know, trying to lighten the mood in the hopes of being let off easy.' Where as others would reply, 'You know he'll have to try harder than that.' He looked on to see the reaction he got out of Celestia and the others, and while some of them where giggling Celestia held her state of mind.

"Despite what you mite say, we won't remove the shackles." Celestia stated as she closed her eyes and shook her head.

"Well you can't blame me for trying, but I plead guilty on all charges." Before Celestia could continue Grey Mane saw the leviathan floating around the outside of the room. *Hey Xiuhtecutli, is any pony trying to read my mind right now?*

*Celestia has been trying but just like Luna she is having trouble. I've been blocking her ever since you first walked into the room.*

Looking over the charges and his recent acts, even the ones in Ponyville that where kept off record as to not incriminate anypony he came into contact with, Celestia began to present an ultimatum. "After all that you have done it was difficult to decide what to do. So I have come up with two options for you. The first is a sentence of no less than fifty years to life in the castle dungeons."

Making eye contact with her he knew that even if he made that choice the dungeons wouldn't hold him for long, but he didn't want to wait for the chance to escape at a later time. "And my other option?"

Looking over to her sister Luna they both nodded on the agreed upon decision that they believed befitted not only them but Grey Mane as well. "You are to join the royal guard and train ponies to be better prepared for situations much like what happened the two demons that attacked Canterlot. And in exchange we shall grant you amnesty with in our kingdom."

Thinking over how to word thanks but no thanks he walked over to the window on his left. As the guards prepared for anything he could try, Grey Mane looked out the window and could see hundreds of pegasi in the sky above, and almost double that in earth and unicorn on the grounds below. Spotting a cloud near by he came up with a plan of escape, not a good one but good enough.

*Xiuhtecutli, you see that cloud down there?*

*What about it?*

*I'll find some way to get into it if you can get my powder to me some how.*

*A little risky don't you think?*

*That's the point. Risky as hell and they wont be prepared for it.* As the leviathan got to work retrieving the last bag of powder, Grey mane whispered to the shackles on his hooves, 'iffta ya simsim.' As the locks came undone he carefully slipped them off, and prepared for the guards.

As the pegasi clustered together spears at the ready, the earth ponies and unicorns down below prepared for his attempt to jump, where as the guards in the room slowly inched their way toward him. *That mare gave us an advantage when she made this coat for you, the last bag is in your right pocket.*

As he smiled he kept his eye on the cloud that slowly made its way near by. "Its a lovely day isn't it? The sun is shining, birds chirping, and I can even feel the gentle breeze. All of it screams freedom in its own language."

As the guards slowly moved in Celestia stood up from her thrown. "You seem to be dogging the subject."

As the cloud came into position nearly fifty feet beneath the window he sat down, closed his eyes and expanded his mind to feel out the room. He could feel each heart beat, he could hear everypony breathing, he could even anticipate the guards. In his mind he plotted it out, *The guards in this room will move in to grab me when I give my answer, when they do I'll toss these shackles at them. At the instant I toss them I'll roll out the window to keep the distance between me and the pegasi that are out there. I will have to time my fall, hoping I stay near the wall I can push off to gain speed and fly right into the cloud and vanish.* As the guards took slow steady steps Grey Mane stood up. "I already gave my answer Celesta... ...when I said all of it screams freedom in its own language that was my choice." As the guards picked up the pace and started to gallop toward him, he turned and tossed the shackles strait at the hooves of the guard as he started to roll out the window in one fluid movement as he shouted. "I won't join the guard and I won't take imprisonment."

As the shackles hit one of the guards causing him to trip over himself the guard rolled as he fell and tumbled over two other guards allowing Grey Mane to roll out the window. As he fell out the window the pegasi gave chase as Grey Mane started to gallop down the tower wall, when he was three fourths of the way to the cloud he curled himself up and pushed off the wall with all his mite allowing him to go strait into the cloud. As he flew into the cloud he pulled out his last sack of powder and slammed it against his body, to everypony that watched him go into the cloud they thought he found some way to hid with in.

"You fool will just break up the cloud." Shouted one of the pegasi as they all busted strait threw only to find he was gone.

The second they saw he was not there they began to search the grounds knowing he couldn't have gone far. Many of the ponies there that saw the whole thing started to wonder if the old tails where true, could he really use magic, or did somepony help in his escape? As the guard searched the castle many had taken to searching the city leaving no stone unturned, the search went into the early to mid hours of the night before they gave up in the search believing he was long gone.

Having added in the search for a while Princess Luna made her way to the tower to keep an eye on the city threw the telescope. Keeping watch on the night as she always had, she started to ponder why she couldn't see into Grey Mane's dreams, and why couldn't Celestia see what he was planing. The two of them had always been able to see into the minds and dreams of ponies to better help them or prepare for the worst, but Grey Mane however was able to blocked them some how, or so they believe.

As Luna went about her duties while still pondering the possibilities she was startled by Grey Mane. "Wonderful night isn't it, to be honest I always preferred the night to the day. It grants me a form of clarity, and comfort that I can't get from the day."

Unable to wrap her mind around how he vanished from the guards and appear out of no where, Luna took small steps back. "You're... ...but how did...why..."

"Don't worry I'm just here to talk... ...like we use to. And also to apologize... ...I heard about how you be came nightmare moon, and in some way I can't help but feel that I'm the one to blame for it." He claimed as he sat down and stared up at the stars in the night sky.

Seeing the blame he placed on himself Luna stood her ground in the belief that no pony was to blame for her short comings. "Becoming Nightmare Moon was of my own doing. We became bitter towards my sister and allowed this bitterness to change us."

Lowering his head as he shook it in shame, he turned to look at Luna. "You became bitter because you where angry at me, this was one of the many things that helped cause you to fall. I was tolled by the demons in Tartaros that you mite not remember me or anything to do with me, and that most if not the vast majority of your memory would be blank. So I'll skip to where I made my mistake, I chose to keep my work as well as who I am a secret from you believing it would keep you safe. And one night because of a conflict with an old nemesis of mine you discovered the truth, when you did you grew angry with me. It was because of me that you fell and became Nightmare Moon. And for that, I am sorry. I swore to be there for you when you needed me the most I wasn't there."

"Even if you had been there what could you have done? The change came from with in." Inquiring his prior statement wondering what he was hiding.

As he walked passed Luna he narrowly opened his eyes as he stared at the ground. "There was plenty I could have done, I could have talked to you, clam you down and explain my self to you as to why I kept that secret. And even if that didn't work I would have searched the world for any means to save you and spare you the thousand years of banishment. Luna I would do anything for you..." As he turned around to face Luna he rushed her and wrapped his hooves around her, as he started to confess the truth he started to cry. "Luna I failed you because I lied to you and attempted to block out my feelings for you. I fell in love with you a long time ago, and that love for you has done nothing but grow. I learned why it is I do the things I do, I remove the dangerous and powerful items from the reach of those who should never have them under the title of a thief not because it helps to protect the world by giving everypony a common enemy. But to protect the ones I care about, to protect those I love."

"Grey Mane!" She whispered

As he let go he pulled the hood of the coat over his head and walked toward the ledge. "I didn't say that to get a reaction or to see how you feel about me. I know it would be impossible, after all you're a princess, and I'm just some good-for-nothing thief. I'm sorry Luna truly I am."

Hoping to find some clarity as to what he meant about the dangerous items that he hadn't mentioned before she place her hove on his shoulder. "Its okay but why didn't you mention this before? If you do this to help the world why hide it, and why turn down the offer my sister and I gave you? If you join the guard you would never have to work alone, and you could be closer to me like you wish. And you would have the full support of my sister and my self, as well as plenty of help to aid you."

Placing his hove over hers there was no doubt in his mind that he would share the secrets he kept. "No, I have to work alone. Would an entire nation slaughter a small village in a neighboring country if they where looking for one pony? The answer is yes but only if that pony was under the command of the other nation. However if both rulers where looking for the same pony they would be careful not to start a war and work together to hunt down the one pony. If I join the guard here in Equestria then I would put this kingdom in danger. I have to look at the bigger picture just like how you and Celestia keep the balance of harmony in Equestria just as every ruler does over the world, I have to tend to the balance of power threw out the world. The thousand years of peace and tranquility while I was gone was nothing more than a gift, if not a fluke."

"Will you tell me what these items are?"

Turning around to look her in the eyes he gently placed her hove on the ground. "Only because its you Luna, and because I owe you that much. Most of the times its just an enchanted item that was created to give far too much power to ponies that should never have it, or could never control it. Other times its enchanted items that took a large group to create and has the destructive power to make a mega spell seem like a magical burp from a new born unicorn. But on the rare occasions its something called an Artifact, so far I have thirteen of them each one has a mind of its own and will chose to either use or be used by whomever posses them, I do not know how many there are in the world but what I do know is that you and Celestia have what I like to call an Artifact Set here in Canterlot. I won't steal the Elements of Harmony because they have chosen to do a rare thing. They chose to be used by ponies and they pick out their users by using key characteristics found deep in their hearts, characteristics that can never truly be taken away from them or changed. Because of this they are not a threat to the world, so I chose to leave them alone."

Knowing that trying to read his mind would lead no where Luna tried to learn more. "Why not just talk to ponies about these items so they can give them up willingly?"

Knowing she was only hoping to help him find another way to deal with the artifacts, Grey Mane shook his head knowing what they are truly like from first hove experience. "If you knew you had the power that could shake the world down to its foundation and make even the dark lords of Tartaros tremble in fear like a new born foal, would you be willing to give up that power? Could you give up that power if it has already claimed you're mind? The answer to these questions is no, when an artifact has chosen to use whomever it comes in contact with it will send subtle messages to the mind of its host until that pony and in some cases a dragon, or worse, believe the thoughts are their own. Even the weakest of artifacts can force a war between nations."

Hoping to find a middle ground and some insight into what he knew Luna continued to poke away at his knowledge. "Has anypony ever tried to control these artifacts?"

Lowering his head in shame and disgust for himself he turned away and started to leave knowing that she would eventually figure out or learn as to how he knows they can't be controlled. "Plenty... ...but attempting to control them would be like me trying to make you and Celestia do what I want. On top of that any artifact that chooses to use will eventually posses their users, making them their host body." He warned her speaking from prior experience.

Knowing that he could no longer use the fountain of youth she took a step toward him. "You know you can't live forever, and one day you will need help."

As he looked around the base of the tower for a safe yet undetectable rout out of the castle he knew that she was right. "Then when that day comes all I can hope for is that the world doesn't need me any longer, and that I am granted the gift of retirement. And if I'm given that gift then I'll come back here to spend the rest of my years in peace." Walking to the railing he began to hoist himself up. "Farewell Luna, and may the years be kind to you."

As he began to lean over the railing Luna grabbed hold of the corner of his coat. "Wait."

"I won't answer any more questions dealing with the artifacts. The less you know the safer you will be. After all I'm not the only pony looking for them." He stated hoping she would let go.

"We don't have any further questions, but we would like to give you something." She said as she pulled out a small scroll.

Turning around he could see the calm confident look in her eyes as he reached for the scroll. "Whats this?"

"There is a wedding coming up, that's an invitation from us, and we figured perhaps you and I could talk some more then. Perhaps you could help fill in the blanks in my memory?" Luna said as she gave a small smile.

Tucking the invitation away in his coat as he leaned back on the railing and chuckled. "If I'm in town around then I'll find a way to come talk to you. After all I am a thief, and not very well liked around here. But I would very much enjoy to just spend time with you and talk, even if its just for a minute."

With a smile he rolled over the railing and left, fearing for his safety Luna gave chase hoping to catch him before he hit the ground only to find he had simply vanished. Giving the area thorough search she found no trace of him anywhere to be found, just like at his trial earlier that day Grey Mane had disappeared. As she went back up to the top of the tower to keep watch over Canterlot, Grey Mane slipped out from behind a small bush of vines hidden by the shadow of the tower and slowly climbed down.

*Are you sure that was a good idea telling her all of that? What if she tells Celestia and they start looking for the artifacts, then what? You would have made an enemy out of the one you love.* Xiuhtecutli scolded as Grey Mane neared the base of the tower.

Looking back up with a feeling of great relief he smiled. *I don't think so, Celestia knows to balance power with reason and Luna understands what it means to fall to corruption. But then again she and I both know this from first hove experience.*

*And what about telling her how you feel, surely there could be some kind of back lash from it. Even for you.* Xiuhtecutli said as he started to shake his head in disbelief.

Setting his hooves on the ground he slowly walked away. *I tolled her because I don't see a princess. I see a beautiful mare who has a caring and loving heart... ...but even if I don't know how she feels about me, in some way it makes me feel better knowing I said it. But I wonder... ...who does this hurt more, her or me? Oh well... ...and hey who knows maybe one day I could just leave this all behind me and see where this avenue takes me.* Scoffing at the idea that he would have more time at the end of this long road to even try, he remembered how is father loved somepony but could never act on it and that was his only regret, in fact it was the only regret all of his predecessors had according to the last entry in their diaries. *Thanks for bringing my climbing equipment, now lets get out of here before I start to cry and change my mind then try to find an excuse to stay here.*

Thinking back to earlier that morning Xiuhtecutli recalled how Grey Mane's eye stayed fixed on a single pony in a crowd of a few dozen. *Speaking of you're mind, just before the trial I could tell something had brought forth a deep routed hatred in you. What happened?*

Reflecting back to his last encounter with the Order of Balance, he slowly made his way to the entrance of the crystal cavern. *The last time I came into contact with the order was one month before I went after the medallion.*

*Yes you're single greatest nemesis was the one you spoke to. If I'm not mistaken he has a bastardized form of immortality from the artifact he managed to get his hooves on.*

Remembering the last time they spoke Grey Mane recalled the artifact and how it allowed him to take over the body of anypony who didn't have the willpower to reject him. *Yes, he called it the Possessing Amulet but that's just one problem. He said they started to rebuild after what happened, and the pony I saw today at the trial keeping notes on the whole thing, he had a fake cutie mark. What if he was telling the truth and the order has gotten back to its former numbers? And what if he's manipulating things here in Canterlot? I can't just leave Luna in danger I have to...*

Knowing Grey Mane would put aside his duty to deal with the order first believing them to be the greater threat than any of the artifacts or enchanted items. *As my advocate your duty is to the world first. Go and retrieve the ring from the changeling kingdom. And if this problem truly bothers you then I'll look into it for you, I'll even stay close by Luna and grant her my protection if that's the case.*

Smiling as he slowly started to make his way back threw the crystal cavern to his home, he stopped for a brief moment and looked up toward Canterlot. *Thanks, that's all I can ask for.* Having heard the sound of his hove making contact with metal Grey Mane looked down to find a set of tracks. *It seems somepony was digging here, good thing they never found the cave.*

Turning to fly back up to Princess Luna Xiuhtecutli left Grey Mane knowing he could not protect him on this journey. *Be careful, the changelings are masters at turning you're emotions against you.*

As he continued to make his way home he vanished behind a cluster of crystals. *And I'm a master thief. They can't trick me if they can't catch me.* Boasting as he began to plan out his heist. "Lets see last I remember I should have half a bag of sleeping powder, and I'll need to make more of the smoke powder. I wonder if any more poison joke grew in the garden. I know its been a thousand years but the garden is enchanted to take care of its self." As he came to the cave wall leading him home he heard the growling of his stomach. "I should also get my self something to eat while I have the time."

As he got to work preparing for his first heist in one thousand years he over looked an old map of the changeling empire hoping not much had changed. He knew that sneaking in wasn't the problem, the problem was remaining undetected long enough to steal the ring as well as a few gem stones and get out, the maps may have been old but with him being gone for so long there was a good chance that they never changed the location of the queen's chamber or the vault, both where the target. But while he was in the castle Grey Mane took a new map of Equestria and started to search for the right place he could fence the emotion gems he planed on stealing, and for places where he could sell them. But out of the corner of his left eye he saw something that drew his attention.

Walking over and sitting down he raised his hove to the old painting of the orphanage. Him, his sister, and everypony that was there, it was panted one year before he left to find work that had put him on the path to become who he is today. Looking at it he placed his hove on the painting and pulled it down to see his old hove writing, under a few of them he saw the words adopted. Knowing what had happened and how long he had been gone he saw the quill still sitting in ink he reached over pulled it out, hesitating to write the word deceased, he instead wrote across the top of the painting in bold letters 'NEVER FORGET', it was a reminder to him self of what once was as well as a guide to help light the dark blurry path they now lay before him.

As he turned to get back to work he saw an old hove drawn picture hanging on the wall near the garden, on it was an image of him and Luna back when she was just a foal above one figure was written 'Me', and above the other 'Grey', just under the two figures he saw the words 'Fwends For Ever'. Smiling as he walked away from it he entered the garden to find plenty of poison joke had grown as well as an over grown herb and spice section, but all he wanted was just one apple. As he carefully gathered the poison joke he would need for making the smoking powder he started to prepare his mind to better deal with the changelings should they discover him.

By the end of the week he was prepared to venture off and deal with the changelings. Taking with him all of his climbing gear, the sleeping powder, and six one ounce bags of smoking powder, he greeted the moon and night sky with a smile. *I've been given a second chance, lets not mess this up.* He thought to him self as he walked out of the cave, looking up toward Canterlot he smiled as he whispered. "Stay safe everypony."

The Dark Lord and a Thief Part 2