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.