A warmth overcame the room as a fire burned in the background of the grey pagasus. The radiant warmth of the fire helped to remove or at least, uplift the bitter feeling of the blizzard cold. Two undead ponies discussed the manners of what had recently transpired hours ago in front of the blazing fire. Their long capes, adorned with the same red cross as the spiders, draping behind them. A spider, wearing the same hung from the ceiling by it's abdomen. Stretching out its limbs close enough so that they would not burn but be warmed by the welcomed heat. The room itself was part of a small building, a remnant of Pruina's kingdom that had been banished and scattered about across the icy caverns of hell.
It wasn't in best condition as red curtains laid ripped and seemingly sewn back together in an attempt to preserve it as long as possible and the walls were beginning to peel. Paint flaking off at almost every touch of a hoof or claw. Derpy's body laid wrapped underneath a rather old blanket. It was thin and worn but served to alleviate some more of the cold that had managed to dodge the warmth of the fire.
She ruffled her feathers underneath the blanket and scooted her body further under it as she laid next to Morion whose hooves laid on an opened book they both were reading. Derpy looked over to her left as she saw a small baby spider crawling among a stack of books that contained information on different styles and types of magic and history.
Aw how cute.
Derpy thought as the spider merely looked at her.
“Pay now attention pegasus! Important matters are at hoof!”
Derpy gave a disapproving groan. “I know but...it's so boring!”
“Weather it is boring or not my dear it is important that you know this information.” Rosaline chimed in.
“Where is Alexandrite? That armored pony?”
“Probably off training with the other soldiers. Even in death he does not cease to swing his sword.” Morion answered. “Which means he is either in the training room so named or outside.”
“In the cold?”
“That does not phase him. Besides, like us, he's dead anyway.” the stallion stated bluntly.
“True...”
Derpy's eyes wandered to the back of her. Setting upon the sights of the fire and the capes of the two ponies who stood in front of it.
“Hey, what does those crosses on you guys capes mean?”
“They are suppose to be a symbol of our loyalty until death to our kingdom. An oath is sworn upon our hearts to which I and soldiers alike carry with great respect. Unfortunately, that was not to be. At least, to some of us.”
Rosaline walked over and laid next to them both. Interested by the conversation that was being discussed between them. The two did not mind her intrusion.
“What...exactly happened between you guys and Pruina?”
“A lot of stuff.” Morion stated as he looked down at the book. Though he bore no eyes, Derpy could see his hurt clearly expressed.
“What Morion means is that we care about Pruina deeply but what she is doing, what she has done before in the past we do not approve of. Morion is, after all, her most faithful of students and learned most of his magic under her reign. I was a personal ambassador and representative of the queen. Alexandrite, was one of her most faithful and greatest soldiers.”
“Wow. So you all know her pretty well huh?”
Rosaline chuckled. “Of course we did. We all, including Pruina, were like family. She was a kind pony, beloved by all.”
“Really? She sure didn't seem like it. Well, at least til' recently.”
“Pruina must still be upset over what transpired over a thousand years ago. Who would have thought she'll carry a grudge for that long.”
“Grudges are not something that just disappears. If some who live long can hold it til death then I am not surprised that Pruina can hold it past that.”
“What crawled in her fur and died to get her so salty?”
“Fleas and a lot of them.”
Rosaline gave Morion a look. “A feeling of being judged wrongly. We were not present in all that unfolded. We only know what others had told us and what Pruina, before our banishment, have told us.”
“The black plaque came among us and various other nations. So deadly and contagious was it so. Ponies, gryphons, horses and others were dropping like leaves. At this time, it wasn't long before your princesses became rulers and the the Crystal Empire, our home, had formed an alliance with your newly founded land.”
Derpy was caught off guard. “Wait, just wait. Your both from the Crystal Empire? How?”
“Our Queen founded the empire. The crystal heart that protected us from the cold, was also crafted by her.” Rosaline explained.
The revelations shocked the pegasus. “That wicked mare did all of that?”
“Indeed she did. In order to keep back the sporadic and hectic blizzards. The fuel was the emotion love as such was of abundance and more resourceful than a material item.”
“It seems odd that Pruina, whose carrying a grudge would make something of, well, love.”
“Indeed it is but such things did she do. So powerful was her ability to learn and understand magic as an earth pony that not only did she craft a powerful artifact but almost as a blessing, bestowed upon her a longevity unheard of in the day and even now.” Morion flipped through his book.
“Pruina was not always a hateful and deceptive pony. She was one like your princesses. Loving, caring and a noble leader. Accepting all those no matter how different. The Crystal Empire reigned during the years when the alicorns roamed the world in abundance and still stood after their fall.” Rosaline explained.
“What exactly happened for Pruina to get banished down here? And you guys too?”
“Like said we only know so much but from what we understand so far, when the plaque struck, Pruina was determined to find a remedy. No matter the costs. No magical spell known or even crafted so far during the time worked so Pruina turned to the last thing she believed could help and that was Black magic.”
“Isn't that just dark magic?”
“No. It is not. Dark magic is the twisting and corruption of white magic. Black magic are magical properties gained through the use of devils.” Morion explained.
“Like demons?” Derpy said in shock.
“Yes. Demons. Contracts.”
“But your princesses did not approve and forbade her from doing such. Worried what gifting the knowledge of worldly magic to devils could do. Of course our queen continued until finally your princesses had had enough. Taking away her ability to do magic for a time. After that, a domino effect seemed to have happened. The kingdom fell into ruin with the decreasing populace and the entire empire was under medical emergency. Our economy, stability and subjects had all but depleted into nothingness and for Pruina, like us, she lost her family. Her sister, her stallion, her foal. Having succumbed to the effects of the reapers breath.”
“That's..horrible. But it seems weird that princess Celestia and Luna would just do something like that.”
“In their eyes they did what they believed was of necessity. In our eyes and Pruina's...” Morion flipped a page in his book. “...they disgraced us. The nation grew bitter, angry and wanted an answer from the princesses. Pruina believed she was done wrongly and in so set out to cast her own mark of justice.”
“By doing what?”
“Removing your princesses from the throne. But I and even my dear Rosaline and a few refused. As much as we ourselves we're angered, marching onto Equestria for war would not solve any problems but our queen didn't listen. Blinded by rage.”
“Some of those who were in opposition even went so far to tell the sun and moon princesses themselves on what was to befall them. Against their loyalty of the empire out of moral obligation. This gave ample time for them to prepare and only fueled Pruina's rage more. Both the Crystal Empire and Equestria went to war but Equestria emerged victorious and out of Pruina's sin we too paid punishment. Your princesses used the elements of harmony which sealed away not only Pruina, but her forces, army, and even nearly all of the kingdom.” Rosaline continued. “I still remember her last words. “'I will return'”
“Since then we been scattered through out the plain of hell itself. Guarding Pruina's confinements out of what little we could do. This, something like this, is what we were desperate to prevent.” Morion added.
“It is of importance that we get your friend back little pegasus. Morion, do you have any idea as to why Pruina may want with her friend anyway?”
“I'm not sure but considering all of these magical spells she know of and could use and the circumstances surrounding us currently, I believe she used a soul transfer.”
“Soul transfer?”
“In short, she stole your friends body.”
Derpy's eyes widened. “What?!”
“That scene that happened hours back seem as though Pruina was sucking the soul out of your friends body and replacing it with her own in her body.”
“W-why would she do that?”
“To probably escape. The dead can't leave but the living can. If she has a living vessel its a one way path out of here since the living doesn't belong anyway.”
“She did mention something like that but that leaves one more problem, you all are dead! How are we going to go after her once she leaves hell? I'll be alone!”
Morion chuckled. “Hardly. Pruina is cursed just like us. We all are bounded to that curse. Pruina being the heart of it all as it was cast upon her first. Wherever she goes, we have privilege to follow.”
“So let me get this right, since she's leaving you guys can leave too?”
“In simple words, yes and when we do we must be prepared to face her along with you." Morion closed the book he was reading with his hoof and gave a sigh before standing up. "I have a rather firm understanding on what magic spells she may use but that does not guarantee she'll use everything I know of now. We shouldn't be surprised if she has a few tricks up her tail. As for you pegasus, I have since discussed over with Alexandrite of what shall be done with you."
The mage, took hold of the book in his dim magic and placed it over alongside the other stacks of books that littered the floor. "Be sure to rest up now while you have the chance. Your going to need all of which you can get."
"What for?"
"Your training will soon begin."