Born In Light, Forged In Darkness

by Jest


Trial Fifteen: A Secret Millennia In The Making

Kanathara stood atop the outermost wall of Canterlot City, her gaze sweeping over the merchant quarter before her. From her vantage point, she could see the devastated homes and businesses that had fallen victim to Nightmare Moon’s army. Though not overly numerous, the signs of fighting were still present in the form of burnt-out buildings or damaged structures.

The main point of conflict seemed to have been a marketplace several blocks away from her position. Blood-soaked cobblestone and smashed stalls were everywhere, as well as roving demons and their cultist overlords. The battle must have been fierce, as chunks of the road were missing, and several nearby properties had been destroyed.

Save for that, the fighting had likely been sporadic, as there were few other battlefields that Twilight noticed. The demonic presence was also minimal, with the more organized amongst them either falling back to the next wall, or grouping up. Others were still searching through the rubble, looking for new slaves or living creatures to satiate their blood lust.

“I don't think they expected to lose the outer wall so quickly,” Rainbow Dash remarked, brushing aside enough snow that she could sit comfortably beside her mistress.

“It sure seems that way,” Kanathara agreed. “Those with half a brain are turning tail, though I’ve noticed that a large group are holding up near that apartment building.”

Rainbow Dash followed her mistress’ hoof to where hundreds of demons, cultists, and their imp slaves had gathered. Though numerous, there were few truly powerful demons in their midst, and a very select number of cultists. The mass of imps was also constantly on the move, flying from one house to another and occasionally returning with a new captive.

“Looks like they are trying to grab as many ponies as they can before they pull back,” Rainbow Dash pointed out.

“Dumb bastards,” Kanathara muttered.

“What do we do?” Rainbow Dash asked.

“We’ll leave it up to the ponies,” Kanathara answered. “It's not necessary to save them, but morale will suffer if we don't at least make the attempt.”

“And the rest of our forces will continue pushing to the next barrier,” Rainbow Dash reasoned aloud.

Kanathara nodded. “I assume father had similar thoughts?”

“You two really do think alike, you know,” Rainbow Dash remarked. “He’s already doing exactly what you’ve just suggested.”

Kanathara hummed. “I suppose we should oversee the operation, though I don't think I’ll offer much in the way of help. I will need to conserve my magic for breaking that wall.”

“Ya mind if I lend a hoof? All these ponies' desire for vengeance is making me antsy,” Rainbow Dash exclaimed.

Kanathara waved a dismissive hoof in the direction of the apartment building. “Go ahead. Just don't do anything too risky. I can't afford to have my best mare out of the fight this early on.”

“Love ya too,” Rainbow Dash retorted with a smirk.

Kanathara snorted. “Yeah yeah. Get outta here before I change my mind.”

Rainbow Dash chuckled as she leaped off the wall and glided down towards the growing mass of ponies below them. The motley battlegroup was swiftly assembling into a more organized army, their numbers swelling as more of them entered the city. Behind the gate, waiting for their chance to enter, was the rest of the army, or at least those who didn't have wings or the ability to simply leap over the wall. They would have to wait, as the pony volunteers were marching swiftly to their countrymen’s aid.

“Good luck,” Kanathara exclaimed, raising an invisible cup in toast.


Rainbow Dash hopped eagerly from hoof to hoof, watching from her position atop a grocer as the army moved around her. Paladins made up the central bulk of the group, their gleaming shields and sparkling armor drawing the focus of the demonic defenders. Who rained spells and bolts from on high, harrying the slowly marching attackers pushing towards the front entrance.

Pegasi tested the defenses by swooping in, but were repulsed by a build of imps each time. Magic flashed and sizzled, briefly illuminating the night with explosions of fire and lightning. More mundane missiles were fired back from hidden archers placed within the windows of nearby buildings.

“Screw this, I’m going in,” Rainbow Dash declared.

With a stomp of her hoof, the vengant’s armor descended across her form, encasing her in enchanted demonic metal. Now completely protected, the demon then took a running leap from the rooftop, her wings pumping hard. Hellfire erupted from the leathery membranes of her wings while smoke billowed out of the grille of her helmet.

No one moved to try and stop her, though Applejack muttered her disappointment from her position at the head of the advancing column. Save for a few half-whispered words of annoyance, nothing stood in the way of Rainbow Dash’s reckless charge. Bolts both magical and mundane bounced off her armor or simply splashed harmlessly against the demonic plates.

Even an unfortunate imp found itself turned to paste by the speeding bullet that was Rainbow Dash. A split second later, Rainbow Dash had blown past the meager defenses arrayed before her as well as the wall. Exploding plaster heralded the demon’s entry, catching a trio of cultists completely by surprise.

Rainbow Dash wasted little time dispatching the small group, starting with the unicorn, who she bucked through a wall. The pegasus assassin in their midst attempted to sneak around the vengant and stab her in the back, though she was not successful. Rainbow Dash saw this coming and snorted a burst of hellfire in her direction, igniting her clothes.

Now screaming and rolling around on the ground, the assassin was out of the fight, leaving only a single target. A large earth pony stallion wielding a shortsword which he quickly threw to the ground before running away. Rainbow Dash’s immediate urge was to chase after him, but the stink of sin was light upon his shoulders, unlike in his allies.

So she ignored him, allowing the terrified male to flee into the hall.

“You're going soft,” Rainbow Dash muttered to herself. “Damned ponies.”

Her first urge was to continue her rampage, but with so many potential hostages, she was hesitant to do so. The added complications were a bothersome addition, but thankfully there was another option available to her. Above her head, several floors up, there was a complete absence of innocence and an overwhelming stink of sin.

“Jackpot,” Rainbow Dash remarked aloud.

She spread her wings as wide as possible and flexed her muscles, aiming her body straight up. As she prepared herself, demons and cultists alike poured into the room in a confused frenzy.

“You there, halt!” bellowed a pony soldier.

“Wait, that's a vengant,” added another.

“Screw this, let's head to the teleporters before we get left behind,” declared a third.

Rainbow Dash ignored them all, merely pouring her innate magic into her wings and hooves. With all six limbs burning hot, she pushed off, launching herself into the air like a missile. The floor above her head did little to slow her advance, the wood exploding outward in a shower of splinters.

Safe inside her armored shell, Rainbow Dash barely even felt the impact, her wings pumping when she was between levels. The confused screaming of terrified pony cultists vanished the moment Rainbow Dash hit the floor above that one. More yelling and orders were barked, and more were ignored by the vengant who continued upward still.

The frequent explosions were hurting her forward momentum, but with hellfire still shooting out from all six limbs, she had thrust to spare. After the fourth floor was destroyed by her sudden assent, Rainbow Dash flared her wings, arresting her speed in an instant. Hovering in the air, she looked down on a pair of confused and startled creatures, one demonic, the other very mortal.

The middle-aged pony seemed to have at one point been a noble, as she still wore what looked like court attire. With a foppish wig, an overly polished breastplate, and an outfit dominated by blues and golds, she looked ready to go to a ball. Her associate, however, wore nothing but lengths of blackened iron chains that bound its form tightly and completely.

Barely an inch of flesh was visible to the naked eye; only its burning red eyes could be seen. Tall enough to be forced to bend over while within the apartment, the demonic entity was the first to react. Without a word having to be uttered, it flung a hook-bearing chain at Rainbow Dash who dodged it easily, weaving to the right.

“What, you're not going to beg for your life?” Rainbow Dash demanded.

“Only a fool wastes their breath asking for mercy from a vengant,” uttered the chain demon, its voice sounding almost like two pieces of metal rubbing together to create sound.

“Now, Bethrreial, this is an Equestrian demon. Surely she is more reasonable than her infernal cousins,” offered the pony in a kind, almost gentle tone.

“Yeah, that's not happening,” Rainbow Dash declared. “The stink of sin is so heavy on you two that I could smell you from a block away. There is no way I'll let you leave here in a single piece.”

“Now now, surely there's something you desire,” pressed the pony, a wide smile remaining plastered to her face. “Money, power, eternal life, slaves, or-”

Rainbow Dash turned and spat a gout of hellfire into a darkened corner of what had once been someone’s living room. An equine form made of shadows leaped from its hiding spot, shrieking and rolling around as its body was consumed by flame.

“Nevermind then. I’ll get the portal ready,” murmured the former noble. “We will have to make do with what stock we’ve already acquired.”

“Hurry,” declared the chain demon.

Rainbow Dash saved her breath and charged the demon, ignoring the screaming coming from the assassin she had torched. Again her foe sent out a hooked chain, though this time it twisted away and launched a second immediately after. Weaving around the hellfire-infused snort Rainbow Dash had shot his way, the chain demon managed to wrap a length of blackened iron around the vengant’s barrel.

Grunting in pain, Rainbow Dash lurched at the chain demon, forehooves outstretched and ready to crush his head. The second hook hitting her flank was enough to stop her dead in her tracks and drop her to the ground. The pain was excruciating, but the vengant had enough presence of mind to grab and shatter one of her bindings.

It was unfortunately replaced a moment later by another, and then a third, followed by a fourth. In what felt like a blink of an eye, nearly her entire body was encased in a layer of demonically infused metal. Chains snapped, and her struggles continued, but for each one that Rainbow Dash broke, another two took its place.

“Excellent work. Perhaps we should test the obedience collar on her rather than the rabble we’ve collected from this miserable quarter,” remarked the noble, a ripple appearing in the air a foot away from her.

The chain demon grunted, falling to one knee as it struggled to hold Rainbow Dash down. “Don't bother. Just get that portal opened already.”

“Right, it's almost ready,” replied the demon’s companion, horn still glowing brightly.

“Nothing. Can contain. Vengeance!” bellowed the vengant.

The chains wrapping around her body suddenly grew white hot before being shattered into a million pieces. Her foe was still reeling in shock and pain when Rainbow Dash slammed into it, hooves gripping either side of its head. With a sharp tug, the vengant forced the chains to part and reveal the other demon’s mouth and the razor-sharp teeth within.

It wasn't able to put those natural defenses to use, however, as Rainbow Dash exhaled a concentrated beam of hellfire straight down its throat. Eyes wide with terror, the chain demon struggled to escape the vengant’s grasp for several seconds before going slack. Its torso glowed brightly before melting away, sloughing off its upper half and flowing across the ground in a wave of metal.

“Come on, come on,” muttered the pony.

Rainbow Dash snorted and turned her head, the grille of her helmet reforming around her mouth once more. “So, still think I’m reasonable?” Rainbow Dash asked with a chuckle.

“Uh, yes?” muttered the noble.

Rainbow Dash merely chuckled.


Kanathara sat outside in the snow, forehooves dangling off the lip of a building, gaze sweeping over the apartment building. The battle had been brief and one-sided, with the paladins having led the charge to great effect. Dozens, possibly hundreds of demons lay dead or dying on the street, their forms slowly turning to ash.

Occasionally a particularly stupid or brave imp or other winged creature would attempt to escape. They would be taken down by a bolt, a blade of a pegasus assassin, or a bored Kanathara. She was turning a particularly ugly imp inside out when she felt an anti-magic pulse roll over the area, disrupting her spell casting.

A moment later, the build-up of magical energy dissipated in an explosive manner. The entire block shook, and the apartment building seemed ready to collapse before stabilizing suddenly.

“Guess they got the teleporters,” Kanathara muttered.

Her musing was interrupted when a shape was suddenly launched out of one of the higher floors. Clad in blood-stained ceremonial armor and half a wig, the pony had likely been a noble at one point, Kanathara reasoned. Though now they were likely dead, and that was before they slammed into the wall of a clothing store followed by the ground.

Rainbow Dash emerged through the hole made by the pony before launching into the air with a powerful flap of her large wings. Diving down towards Kanathara’s position, Rainbow Dash arm-barred an unfortunate imp, splattering the contents of its head all over the street. A moment later, the vengant skidded to a stop atop the snow-covered roof Kanathara had been lounging on.

“Did you have fun?” Kanathara asked.

“Tons,” Rainbow Dash replied, her helmet recoiling to reveal her smiling face. “Can you believe they tried to bribe me? Me! I’m the least bribable creature in existence.”

“I don't know. I can usually get you to do just about anything with the promise of a kiss,” Kanathara retorted.

Rainbow Dash snorted. “Yeah, probably.”

The vengant then plopped down next to her mistress and looked out over the street. “So, anything interesting happen while I was busy?”

“Not really,” Kanathara replied with a shrug. “They won fairly handily and without much outside help required. It will probably be a few minutes before they finish up and we can move on.”

“Wanna go see if we can steal a few guilty souls in the chaos?” Rainbow Dash asked.

Kanathara chuckled. “Always.”


Kanathara peered intently up at the magical barrier before her, as did Twilight Velvet. The pair inspected the wall critically, attempting to find some flaw in the underlying spellwork. Yet no matter how long their horns lit up and their inspection lasted, they continued to frown.

After a long while, Kanathara let the energy she had gathered dissipate, and she began a more mundane hunt. Using only her eyes, she searched along the physical wall which lay behind the magical one. Manned by the occasional cultist or bound demon, the enemy’s forces were gathered mainly near the largest guardhouse.

There dozens of hooded ponies stood gathered amongst the crenelations, occasionally peeking over the side. Despite only being a single block away from the ragtag army Kanathara had gathered, these other forces seemed relaxed. No weapons could be seen, and laughter could even be heard occasionally coming from the group.

“So, what do you think? Cocky or confident?” Velvet asked, gesturing to the cultists.

Kanathara snorted. “A little bit of both, I think. The barrier certainly seems invulnerable, but then again, there is more than one way to skin a cat.”

“A brutal metaphor, though perhaps an appropriate one, given the circumstances,” Velvet muttered. “I wonder what Blood Tithe has planned. He never really seemed like a true believer.”

“You haven't talked much about the stallion,” Kanathara pointed out.

“He is… aloof, childish almost. He makes it seem as though he treats everything like a game, though I know he is actually quite a serious guy,” Velvet remarked. “That goes for almost his entire personality.”

“What exactly do you mean?” Kanathara questioned.

“He wants everyone to underestimate him and acts accordingly. Had me fooled for probably a year or so before it became apparent that there was more than meets the eye,” Velvet answered.

“Interesting,” Kanathara murmured.

The sound of flapping wings heralded the arrival of Rainbow Dash, who landed to Kanathara’s right. A flurry of snow was kicked up by the demon’s entrance, though it was quickly melted by the faintly glowing vengant.

“Well, that was fun,” Rainbow Dash declared. “You should have seen those dumbasses try to run! One of them tried to hide in a barrel.”

“And what about the captives? Were they able to be saved?” Velvet inquired.

Rainbow Dash nodded. “The paladins managed to free the majority of them. I think a few of the would-be slavers managed to get away with a couple of hostages, but the portal was fairly close, so they’ll probably get caught soon.”

“Good,” Velvet stated.

“So, what's with the barrier? Think we can take it down?” Rainbow Dash asked.

“I’m not sure,” Kanathara admitted. “It has the usual wards against teleporting on the other side, and it's also incredibly well fortified. It may take a while to bring down.”

“Well, let's hope not. The ponies are all riled up after seeing what Nightmare Moon had planned for the civilians,” Rainbow Dash exclaimed with a snort. “Heck, I’m a little worked up too. We're dealing with some real psychos.”

“We should gather the other casters and start working on cracking this thing,” Kanathara remarked, gesturing across the street to the barrier. “I want to start on it as soon as possible, lest we get bogged down here.”

“Right, wouldn't want to get snowed in. The shit’s already starting to pile up,” Rainbow Dash muttered.

“I’ll go gather the command staff,” Velvet offered.

“Good thinking,” Kanathara complimented.

The older mare began walking away, though she didn't make it more than a few feet before a magically enhanced voice stopped her in her tracks.

“Hello, hello, hello!” greeted a jovial masculine voice. “I see we have attracted quite the motley assortment of visitors this fine night.”

Velvet stopped and stared up at the gatehouse. “Wait, is that… Blood Tithe?”

“Welcome to Canterlot, or as Nightmare Moon calls it, the future sight of the world’s largest graveyard,” Blood Tithe continued. “I, personally, am not a fan of the name change though.”

“Yeah, that's him,” Velvet muttered.

“As you have become no doubt aware, there is a giant, impenetrable barrier stopping your advance! One so great, so powerful that it would take you weeks to bypass or destroy!” Blood Tithe continued.

“Get to the point!” Rainbow Dash shouted.

“Oh ho ho! So impatient,” remarked the stallion atop the wall. “Fine, I will cut the preamble and offer you all a deal.”

“What kind of deal are you offering, Blood Tithe?” Velvet bellowed.

“Oh, is that little Velvet down there? How perfect. Do bring that wayward daughter of yours to the gatehouse entrance, and we can discuss things in a more personable manner,” exclaimed Blood Tithe.

Then, before anyone had a chance to respond, the distant shape turned and disappeared amidst the mass of black cloaks. Who stood impassively atop the wall, staring silently down on the gathered army before them.

“I don't like it,” remarked Tirek, the centaur trotting up behind Kanathara. “Smells like a trap.”

“I don't think so,” Velvet retorted. “Blood Tithe has always been a bit of a trickster, but when he lays a trap, you don't learn of its existence before he springs it.”

“Then he's off his game,” Rainbow Dash declared with a shrug of her shoulders.

“Unlikely,” Velvet stated.

“Regardless,” Kanathara began, “we’ve got nothing to go on, and too much to lose if we end up stalled out here. We are doing the meeting.”

“Ya want me to sneak along for the ride?” Rainbow Dash asked.

“He’ll know,” Velvet remarked.

“No. We’ll handle this,” Kanathara declared.

Rainbow Dash shrugged. “You're the boss.”

“I still don't like this,” Tirek grumbled.

“We’ll be fine. Come on,” Kanathara bade.

Together Kanathara and Velvet began to trot over to the guardhouse entrance, leaving the army behind. Kanathara simply levitated herself above the snowbound street, while Velvet somewhat awkwardly trod atop it. Regardless of how they traversed the difficult terrain, they soon found themselves standing before the barrier.

When nothing happened for several seconds, Kanathara glanced over her shoulder and looked back at her forces. Paladins, necromancers, militia, and every other cobbled-together group was arrayed across the street. They filled nearly every nook and cranny available, peering out at the barrier with curiosity as well as hope.

A magical surge brought Kanathara’s attention back to the barrier and the hole now visible in it. Standing on the other side was a smiling twenty-something stallion who wore a black top hat and a fluffy coat. The winter jacket was a similar shade of black as his headgear, though it also sported a tuft of bright red fur that rimmed the collar.

His coat was a soft, ashy grey, and what little of his mane they could see was as dark as his clothing. The only thing that really stood out, other than his rather silly-looking hat, was his bright crimson eyes. In the low light of the moon, they almost seemed to glow, giving his smile an eerie quality.

“Welcome, ladies,” he greeted, stepping back and gesturing towards the open door next to the sealed gate. “Please, do come in. I’ve put on the kettle and ordered a round of hors d'oeuvres.”

Kanathara snorted. “Lead the way.”

“As you wish,” Blood Tithe exclaimed.

The stallion then momentarily swept into a low bow and started to trot towards the entrance, leaving his guests to follow close behind. Kanathara immediately began to subtly cast a deadly spell, but was stopped when Velvet bumped into her shoulder.

“Trust me,” she whispered.

For a moment the demon wanted to ignore her, to just kill the silly stallion anyway. Then she sighed and stowed away that urge, assuaging her bloodlust by wondering what secrets he may know. Walking in silence, Kanathara entered the guardhouse and followed as Blood Tithe walked into a side office.

The space reserved for customs officers had been cleared of the usual desk and replaced by two couches. Between which sat a small coffee table where the aforementioned treats waited for them. The moment Kanathara stepped inside, she felt an unnatural warmth roll over her, setting off red flags in her mind.

“It's just a heating enchantment,” Blood Tithe remarked, falling into one of the couches and reclining. “Though if you wish to check for yourself, be my guest.”

Kanathara’s eyes narrowed, her horn burning brightly for a few seconds before finally allowing her frown to fall away. “So it is,” she said simply.

“Come, sit,” Velvet offered, patting the spot next to her.

Kanathara reluctantly did just that, staring intently at their host. “So, what is this deal?”

“Oh, it's not actually a deal, more of an… offer,” Blood Tithe exclaimed.

The stallion shed his jacket and grabbed a piece of dark chocolate from one of the plates. He tossed it into his mouth and chewed loudly before downing it with a gulp of fragrant, sweet-smelling tea.

“Go on, help yourself,” he urged.

Kanathara stared down at the platter of chocolates tempting the demon to reach out and indulge. Reluctantly, she gave into that urge and grabbed a rather interesting piece of candy that sported bits of raspberry in it. After a brief magical scan, Kanathara bit into it and enjoyed the delicious sweetness that cascaded over her tongue.

Next to her, Velvet was doing the same, following it up with a tall cup of mint tea. Kanathara declined the drink offer, instead choosing to go back for seconds and then finally thirds. After she had eaten her fill and reluctantly took a small cup of steamed leaf water from her mother, Kanathara glanced back to their host.

“Feeling a bit more relaxed? Not tempted to blast me when I’m not looking?” Blood Tithe asked with a smirk.

“I wouldn't rule it out,” Kanathara muttered.

“She won’t,” Velvet exclaimed.

“That's great to hear. I would hate for our partnership to be marred by you murdering me,” Blood Tithe replied with a chuckle.

“Partnership? You must be joking,” Kanathara retorted.

Blood Tithe laughed aloud. “Oh, I do joke, but not this time. Though before we get to that, I should probably explain a bit of history about my organization and family.”

“I don't care,” Kanathara deadpanned, forehooves crossed over her chest.

“You will, for you see we are not quite so one-dimensional as we may look. Especially when you find out who our true founder is,” Blood Tithe teased, waggling a hoof at the keeper of secrets.

Velvet blinked and leaned forward in her seat. “Wait. You're telling me it wasn't that ancestor you mentioned all those years ago.”

“Yes, and no. My super great grandfather Bleak Wind did in fact establish the Blackguard, though he was only the cofounder, and back then our organization had a different name,” Blood Tithe explained, pausing to smirk at the pair. “Interested now, oh keeper of secrets?”

Kanathara grumbled. “Yes,” she admitted reluctantly.

Blood Tithe chuckled. “Then I will stop beating around the bush and just get out with it then. We were founded in part by Luna herself, and back then we were just called the Night Guard.”

“Wait… what?” Velvet exclaimed, standing from her seat. “But the Night Guard exists even today.”

“A front, created by Celestia in order to cover for our origins,” Blood Tithe dismissed.

“Wait. Why would she be covering for…” Kanathara’s eyes widened. “You and Celestia are working together! That's how they got the black hunger and the Elements!”

“And how you managed to bail me out of jail!” Velvet declared.

“Ha, you two really are as smart as they say,” Blood Tithe exclaimed, clopping his hooves together.

“Wait, so you're telling me this whole Blackguard thing was a thousand-year-old honey pot operation?” Kanathara asked.

“Pretty much,” Blood Tithe admitted with a shrug. “Celestia knew that Nightmare Moon would return eventually, so she pardoned what Night Guard survived the war and established the Blackguard. From there we’ve been secretly working with her to undermine Nightmare Moon and keep tabs on her operation.”

“But those slavers,” Kanathara pointed out.

“Were specifically told to stay behind just as you lot were entering the city,” Blood Tithe replied. “Giving you just barely enough time to catch and kill them before they could escape. Nice job, by the way.”

Velvet fell back onto the couch, a shocked expression plastered firmly to her face. “All this time, I thought I was spiting Celestia, yet I was basically working for her since day one.”

“Oh, you were indeed spiting old fat flanks. She didn't want you to get involved at all and urged me to help convince you to stay home,” Blood Tithe admitted.

“Hold on a second. You were Shining Armor’s mystery contact,” Kanathara declared.

“Oh, he didn't know that, but yes, I was,” Blood Tithe admitted.

“I’m not sure how to feel about this. I mean, I’m relieved, don't get me wrong, but wow… this is going to take some time to process,” Velvet muttered.

“Well, that's one thing we don't have a lot of at the moment,” Blood Tithe warned. “Nightmare Moon is doing a good job at kicking Celestia’s flank and besting the Royal Guard remnants. Even while the Blackguard is throwing a wrench into things and slowing her down.”

“So what now, we just group up and push to the castle together?” Kanathara inquired.

“Oh no, nothing quite so simple,” Blood Tithe exclaimed. “I have to keep control of what few of my generals Nightmare Moon hasn't mind-controlled or otherwise bought out. I won't leave you empty-hooved, however.”

The stallion then paused and retrieved a heavy tome from a black portal he conjured with magic. He then dropped the thing on the table, before adding a small black pearl to the pile of goodies.

“As you probably already guessed, I can't simply destroy the barrier myself, but I can at least give you the full details of the spell itself,” Blood Tithe continued, tapping the book.

“And the rock?” Kanathara asked.

“A one-time contact node that connects you to me,” Blood Tithe explained. “Keep it in case of an emergency, but know that using it will likely blow my cover, so do try to not get me killed.”

“We won't,” Velvet declared, snatching up the pearl and tucking it into a pocket of her armor.

“Good to hear,” Blood Tithe stated before rising suddenly. “Now then. That's about all the time we’ll have until you kill that vile bitch and save the world. Good luck by the way. We’re rootin’ for ya.”

“Thanks,” Kanathara concluded.

“I have so many questions,” Velvet confessed.

“Best keep them till after this whole debacle is over,” Blood Tithe warned. “I can only pull the wool over the big boss’ eyes for so long and we’re already pushing it.”

“Right, of course,” Velvet muttered. “Just, come here a sec.”

“Sure, I’ll take a hug,” Blood Tithe replied.

The cultist leader walked around the table and was about to open his forehooves when he received a hard slap to the cheek.

“That is for lying to me all this time,” Velvet declared. “And this is for finally making it right.”

She then leaned in and pulled the grinning stallion into a tight embrace.

“Ha, I knew you’d do something like that. Though I didn't think you had quite the backhoof,” Blood Tithe admitted while rubbing his bruised cheek.

“Unlike you, I took the physical training quite seriously,” Velvet retorted.

Blood Tithe chuckled mirthlessly. “Oh, I’d love to be able to, but I get a little busy running a con on one of the most powerful beings in existence.”

“Alright, let's go, Velvet,” Kanathara encouraged, tucking the book into her own pocket dimension. “He can't help us if you break his spine.”

Velvet grumbled, but reluctantly released the stallion from her tight hold. “Fine, but you better not die on me before you answer my questions.”

“I’ll do my best,” Blood Tithe declared while giving Velvet a lazy salute.

“Right then, we can go now,” Velvet muttered.

Kanathara nodded and led the way back out into the cold. Once more in the frigid night, Kanathara paused to watch as the barrier slid shut behind her.

“So,” she began, “did you really have no idea?”

“I knew that there was something there, but I assumed he was attempting to usurp Nightmare Moon or steal her power somehow. Not… that,” Velvet admitted.

Kanathara chuckled and bumped her hip against Velvet’s. “You're getting slow in your old age.”

Velvet snorted. “And you're getting snippy. Come on, let's go knock this barrier down.”

“Sure thing, mom.”