It is easy to hate and it is difficult to love. This is how the whole scheme of things works. All good things are difficult to achieve; and bad things are very easy to get.
-Confucius

It had been nearly two years since Greymane first vanished from Equestria, by now most of the world knew he had returned, whereas the rest of it continued to stay in denial. However from the lands of Saddle Arabia to the homelands of the dragons, word of his work could be heard in small clumped groups as his oldest enemy moved silently in the shadows plotting against him. And though he had promised Luna he would return it seemed as if this promise was never kept, or so he made Luna and everypony believe.

Keeping his distance from her and the others allowed them all to stay safe while Xiuhtecutli continued to snoop around Canterlot for signs of the Order, while doing what he could to protect Luna at the request of his advocate. So far the only lead they had was the one pony taking notes the day of his trial, and that pony seemed to have either vanished, or in the worst case had already been eliminated to better conceal the whereabouts of any other members that could have infiltrated Canterlot or what they could be up to. Either way the only lead was slowly growing cold alongside the steady change in the seasons.

But this did not draw on Xiuhtecuhtli’s mind as much as Greymane's current mood. For the ninth time this year he had gone back to the burned down ruins of the orphanage and carefully sat down on his old bed, as he heard the creaking and cracking of the old wood he could hear the voices of the young foals asking him to play as they enjoyed themselves. As he sat there listening to the voices of the foals, he started to hear his sister's voice echoing in his mind from when they were foals all the way up to the last time he saw her; it was more than enough to bring tears to his eyes as he clenched his teeth and gripped the edge of his bed. Just in the distance from the foot of his bed was a small burial mound, near it was a carved bolder with the names of every pony he knew lived there on the stone with the words engraved just above their names, 'May You All Rest In Peace.'

Keeping to his astral form Xiuhtecutli came to Greymane with a heavy mind, "Here once more I see."

Clearing the tears from his eyes, he tried to put a stern tone in his voice but failed as his mournful attitude slipped in, "Come to give me another task...or are you here to lecture me again on how I should be preparing for the worst?"

Coiling himself up on the bed post Xiuhtecutli looked toward his advocate with worry, "Neither."

As he rose from his bed Greymane slowly walked toward the mound with his head hung low, "Then leave me, I wish to pay my respects in peace."

"Pay your respects?" Scoffing as he inquired, "You mourned for them the first time you came back, the second time you gave them a proper burial then paid your respects. Since then you've been sulking, it's time you moved on from this and let them rest in peace."

As tears filled his eyes Greymane turned to face Xiuhtecutli with rage filling his very being as he slammed his hoof on the ground, "AND HOW CAN THEY REST WHEN I FAILED THEM...WHEN THEIR KILLERS WENT ON THROUGH LIFE UNPUNISHED!? I never should have left them. I..." Stuck in between a fit of rage, and sorrow he found himself lost in his own thoughts as he fell to his flank and placed his hooves on his head, "...I should have stayed, then maybe they would not have died in such a way."

Taking his physical form Xiuhtecutli put his claw on Greymane's shoulder, "You're right, but could you have lived with the pain that would have eventually come. You would have had to watch them age and slowly die one by one, while you retain your youth and lived on. Now I'm not saying this was for the best not in any way, and as for their killers they are more than likely in Tartaros suffering for what they did here."

"All but one." Pulling out a small medal from under the lining of his cloak Greymane tossed it on the ground, "It belonged to a member of the Night Honor Guard."

Looking at the burned piece of metal Xiuhtecutli could barely make out the markings of the Night Honor Guard on the chard metallic object, "Greymane let this go. You may have every right to go seeking revenge but to attack the Night Honor Guard after all these years..."

Interrupting Xiuhtecutli as he stood up to face the grave stone Greymane had nothing but faith in what he knew, "I know it wasn't them, but I do know who was behind it. And I'll make that scum-sucking-son-of-a-whore pay for what he did!"

As his rage grew Xiuhtecutli hinted at the past knowing it could defuse the situation and calm him down, "Let it go...you remember what happened the last time you let your emotions get the better of you."

Looking up at the night sky Greymane found solace in its vast mystery, as well as the faint image of Luna that appeared in the moon causing him to slowly calm down and embrace the fact that the past had to be left alone, "You're right..." Placing his hoof on the gravestone Greymane felt that there was still something he had to do to avenge them, as to what he didn't know, "...but what if I'm right...what if..."

Waving his hand Xiuhtecutli knew that Greymane was not an easy one to gain control over but if his mind was scattered by his emotions then it was just as easy as taking candy from a foal, "If the Order is truly behind this, then it was to goad you into attacking them or anypony. You know full well what their leader is truly after, and if he gets those particular artifacts he can become unstoppable just by possessing your body. And we cannot allow that to happen, now make your way to Canterlot. You still have a promise to keep."

Turning in the direction of Canterlot he began to walk as Xiuhtecutli returned to his astral form, "Ya..." Letting out a regretful sigh Greymane worried if his presence in Canterlot would be noticed by any members of the Order, "...I know. But if keeping my distance from her will keep her safe then wouldn't it be wiser to stay away from Luna?"

"Though I would prefer you never saw any of them again, I have found no other signs of the Order in Canterlot. And even if they discovered your love for Luna she is more than well protected not even they would dare tempt the life of a princess and start a war with a nation. Now don't take this command as me going soft, I'm only suggesting you to go to her just so you can lighten your mood..." Pausing for a moment he let out a somewhat disgruntled sigh, "...after all, she does seem to have that effect on you." Xiuhtecutli claimed as he flew at a steady pace next to Greymane.

Staring at the ground he began to smile as the thought of seeing Luna again filled his heart with joy, even if he had gone to Canterlot and Ponyville in his spare time to check up on everypony from a distance. Applejack and Fluttershy where the only ponies to have even caught a glimpse of him for only a brief second at separate times then he was gone. Greymane knew that if the Order of Balance had truly infiltrated Canterlot they would not hesitate to attack any pony they believed were connected to him, so staying away from them granted them safety even if they did not know it.

Turning to smile at Xiuhtecutli he gave a sigh of relief, "Perhaps taking time to talk with Luna would do me some good, but I'm going to take the time to say hi to every pony in Ponyville along the way."

"If that is what you chose to do I cannot stop you." Giving a faint frown knowing the possibility stood that they may have chosen to alienate him for being a thief, but then again who wouldn't? "I shall head back to Canterlot and continue my search. I shall also check in on you when I can."

As Greymane started to make his way to Ponyville he noticed the assorted flowers he planted at the headstone had bloomed nicely this year causing him take a moment and smile; before taking off he whispered, 'Please forgive me, though I know I do not deserve forgiveness.'

Leaving the ruins he felt that redemption was far beyond his reach, but he was willing to do what he could if it meant being one step closer to it. Turning to the Southeast he began to run knowing that traveling by normal means was out of the question. Having returned back to being a thief of myth and legends meant keeping hidden from every pony was key to his survival, as well as the safety of everypony he held near and dear to his heart. Traveling at night and sticking to the shadows by day was the only way he knew to get around, but when he could not find shade from the sun and had no other choice but to walk amongst others, he would pack away his gear and cloak into his enchanted sack and hide in plain sight by either dressing up or drinking a potion that the eleventh Greymane had attempted to develop based off the changelings. It was a potion that would allow him to have a false cutie mark for no longer than three hours as well as grant him the chance to change his entire outward appearance only once, its only drawbacks was being so highly toxic that he had to wait nine months before he could use it again; the length of time between uses was to allow the toxic levels to leave his system slowly, taking it again anytime before then stood a chance to kill him or worse. But like many of the potions and powders the eleventh created this one was highly volatile if not mixed right, many of the Greymanes that came after him called him the master of poison joke, simply for finding several helpful uses for the accursed plant, when in truth as he claimed many times in his own notes and diary it was all pure luck that he survived every explosion from his carelessness.

Though the path he had to travel had little to no interaction with life of any kind his main concern was having to travel so close to the gates of Tartaros, or even being spotted by the few passersby from Beakbreack City. Once he was in the Everfree Forest he knew the path to Ponyville was a strait shot and he could avoid any and all hazards. The only ponies he did have to worry about where the bandits who had taken to hiding in the Everfree or worse, ponies who had lost their minds from being stuck out there for so long, many of whom had given up on life and were willing to kill anything that moved just for a meal even if it was another pony. To Greymane the monsters in the forest that many ponies had encountered where a mere blessing compared to what truly lay hidden in the tangled forest.

Upon entering Ponyville in the dead of night he stopped by the homes of the six ponies he hoped would be willing to talk to him. Starting with Fluttershy due to the fact that her home was closest to the Everfree, then Applejack at Sweet Apple Acre, soon he found his way over to Pinkie Pie at Sugarcube Corner, and shortly slipped over to Rarity's Carousel and Boutique. But none of them would answer the door, he figured they were all asleep and knew it couldn't be helped, but as he made his way to the library he could see the lights were still on. Filled with joy he rushed over and knocked on the door hoping Twilight would be willing to talk, as well as help him learn more about the strange diamond he came across in his recent travels.

As the door began to open he was greeted by Spike who was half awake, till he saw Greymane and proceeded to slam the door in his face.

As the door came to a close Greymane put his hoof in the way to keep it from slamming in his face, "Easy Spike it's just me." He said as calmly as he could.

"I know who you are!" Spike exclaimed backing away from the door as he pointed a broom pole at Greymane in fear as he slowly inched back.

As Greymane inched himself closer to Spike he could see the infant dragon sweating bullets of fear.

Sitting down he extended his right hoof, "I just came by to talk to Twilight, the others are asleep so I didn't want to bother them. If Twilight is still awake..."

Before he could finish his statement Spike shoved the broom pole into Greymane's chest and thrusted with all his mite nearly causing Greymane to fall over, "She's not here, none of them are. And even if they were here I don't think they would want to have anything to do with a lousy good-for-nothing thief!"

As his ears and head began to lower he reached into the lining of his cloak and pulled out a black diamond and set it down on the table near by, "I was hoping to have Twilight look into this diamond, I found it during my travels near a cave at the base of Mt. Fire Foal." As he started to stand he turned toward the door as he spoke with a mournful tone, "I'll just be on my way then. Sorry for troubling you."

As the door closed Spike ran after him having just realized what he just did, only to find no trace of Greymane anywhere not even a single hoof print. As Spike went back inside Greymane slipped out of the shadows and slowly walked toward the train station bound for Canterlot. His mind and heart where heavy, weighted down with the fact that he was a thief once more, and that ponies like them wouldn't want to have anything to do with him because they could be looped in with him and if caught they would be put on trial for aiding a known criminal.

Though he knew they said they were his friends he often recalled how in the past when he did make a friend when they found out who he was they abandoned him or tried to turn him in and it made him wonder, 'If they don't want anything to do with me then why would a princess be any different?'

Hiding in the cargo section of the train he pondered if Luna would truly want to talk with him, the last time they spoke she sounded sincere about it, however it had been nearly two years since they last spoke and in that time she could have changed just like Twilight and the others if Spike was right about any of his words. Closing his eyes he tried not to think about it in hopes of getting some much needed sleep as visions of his darkest deed flashed before his eyes, he could see everypony that died and how they died. Many burned alive, some impaled on stakes, as the visions went from one horrible murder to the next, as all acts he committed just seemed to get worse with each passing second; in time it forced him to awaken only moments later and find himself covered in a cold sweat. Panting heavily as he sat up, Greymane saw a young colt who's coat and mane were identical to his own as well as hazel eyes much like his own, a golden amber near the pupil with a light emerald green in the outer part of the iris. As he blinked the young colt vanished and could not be found.

Knowing he would not get any sleep he shook his head hoping to stir up his thoughts and draw his mind elsewhere while waited up for the train to come to the first tunnel on its way to Canterlot. As the tunnel came close he made his way to the top of the train and jumped off, allowing the enchantment on his cloak to take effect and slow his descent. Walking around to the hidden entrance he kept a close eye on the sky as well as his surroundings to ensure he wasn't spotted or followed. When he felt it was safe he moved a small stone out of place for a second allowing entrance unveil itself allowing him passage.

Once inside the cave he moved a small stone and watched as the cave began to seal itself once again as he pulled out a torch and began to light it, navigating the passages through the cave he could see that nopony had found his home as of yet and took it as a blessing. Walking to the back of the cave to sneak into Canterlot through the crystal caverns he passed by an old dust covered book just lying on the table. Stopping for a moment he opened the book only to see its pages were blank. Upon whispering 'Bayaterol San Mechtaba Oum Mino Dedero' the book started to glow. As the final word slipped his mouth the pages began to fill themselves all with his many adventures though written in what he assumed to be the ancient leviathan language the same language he just spoke, Grey smiled to now his diary had not been tampered with. Closing the book the pages went blank once more to conceal his past as well as the truth. But what stood out in the book was several pages stuck together in the middle stained by blood that soon faded away, the pages themselves where a memory he hoped would remain hidden from the world even long after he passed and was rotting in the ground.

Wrapping the book in an old rag to take with him Xiuhtecutli appeared before him in his astral form, "How was your visit in Ponyville?"

Attempting to hide his sorrow as he walked to the back of the cave he pulled the hood of his cloak over his head as he passed a room filled with pony-kins with cloaks on them and one with the coat Rarity made him carefully covered to keep the dust from collecting on it, "It was fine, they were not home so I didn't stay too long."

As Greymane walked toward the back of the cave his poster gave away his true feelings, "I'm sorry, but you knew that once you became who you are there was no turning back."

"But I didn't chose this life, I fell into because of circumstance." Looking at the wall of the cave he called out 'Iftah Ya Sim Sim'.

"Yes it was circumstance that brought you here, but it was still your choice. You could have walked out of this cave and never come back, but you were the one who chose to stay and even if you didn't have the obligations to save that orphanage I personally believe you would still have chosen to be the stallion you are. Not even your predecessor...no...your father possessed the power to force you to be who you are now, we all have our free will to do as we please and no one can take that away from us. Besides look at all the good you have done."

Making his way through the crystal caverns as the doorway closed itself behind him Greymane stopped for a moment as he lowered his head to see his blood covered reflection in the crystal just beneath himself, "What about all the evil I've done, three thousand lives lost in one night because of me. And countless more would have been lost in Canterlot all because of me and my stupid decisions, I brought destruction to their door steps because I thought no pony could harm me."

"You take on all this blame without looking at the lighter side of it all, Canterlot is safe now and the Dark Lords of Tartaros as well as the demonic gods themselves have a newfound respect for you. On top of that had you not attacked the Order of Balance who knows what they would have done in your absence, but while you were gone the last of them took the time to hide and slowly rebuild as well as lick their wounds. Where they are hiding I know not, but what I do know is they won't make a move now that you have returned. They fear you far too much." Though his words held much truth Xiuhtecutli doubted what he said fearing that the prophecy had be diverted only for the time being.

As they came out in Canterlot Greymane paused for a moment and looked around for any signs of life, "All but one of them you mean." With a sigh he ran to the closest alleyway he could find and took to the roof tops careful not to draw the attention of any pegasi flying by. "And if not for the foals there that night I would still be under the influence of the artifacts."

Having just notice the book Xiuhtecutli quickly changed the subject knowing that the current one was just going in circles, "I noticed you brought your diary, what do you intend to do with it?"

Stopping to hide under the shadow of a chimney stack Greymane pulled out the age worn book, "If Luna had any questions about us I was going to use it to show her rather than tell her. I learned how to use the illusion spell to show what is written on the pages some time back."

"Just don't show her that dark memory. You are trying to build bridges not burn them."

Tucking away the book as he turned to overlook the street Greymane began to use his mind to hold the conversation, *Be that as it may if she asks about it then I will share it.*

*You can't, even one minute of that memory would cause anypony to want you dead.*

Surveying the streets for any signs of the guards his ears leaned back, *Many want me dead already, what's a few more to that list?* Before Xiuhtecutli could even argue against him they heard Twilight's voice just under them, though out of direct line of sight due to an umbrella over their table

Looking down Greymane saw her tail just barely sticking out, but it was her voice that told him it was clear that Twilight and her friends were enjoying themselves as well as one or two others, "Well it's great to see that both of you are doing so well since the wedding." Letting out a sigh knowing that her thoughts may not be welcome after what had happened the last time Greymane was in Canterlot, "This is off the subject but, has there been any sign of Greymane since the day he vanished?" The lavender mare inquired.

"Now that ya'll have mentioned it I thought I saw him once or twice in the orchard back at the farm but when I went to look there wasn't any sign he had been there. No broken branches, out of place rocks, or even fallen leaves when there ain't auta be none. Not even one stinkin hoof print."

Pulling out a small one ounce bag Fluttershy chimed in with what she believed could be evidence that Greymane had come by her cottage, "I thought I saw him during a rainstorm we had about a month ago, but when the lighting struck he was gone. I didn't find any trace of hoof prints besides the ones where I saw him standing and this tiny empty bag. If he has been coming around he doesn't stay long and hasn't said a word at all."

Before he could take off Greymane heard the sound of a stallion's voice that seemed to be filled with authority though a few bits short of a full coin purse in his opinion, "Well as far as Canterlot goes we haven't seen anything to suggest he is here or that he's come by, nor have there been any reports to show that he might still be in Equestria though some rumors do come in from around the world. If Greymane is out there it's more than likely he has gone back into hiding." Having taken further interest in the conversation Greymane leaned in to listen further having noticed that the stallion had lowered the volume of his voice as well as the slight change in the tone as well as the mood that filled the atmosphere, "I also want to keep this between us here, only be cause I know I can trust all of you. Though the official search has been called off Princess Celestia is having a select few continue the search due to some new information being brought forth by Princess Luna. The last time Greymane was seen in Canterlot he told Princess Luna the reason he turned down our offer to join the guard, so only ponies we know we can trust have been selected to find him and escort him back to the castle so we can learn more."

Taking off Greymane broke a clay shingle drawing their attention, as Rainbow Dash took to the roof she found it vacant as well as the surrounding roof tops. Wanting to be thorough she surveyed the nearby alleyways and spotted Greymane's cloak as he rounded the corner, giving chase she found the alley he had slipped in near empty besides a few boxes and some trash bags. Knowing that he would take the chance to run if she over looked something Rainbow Dash hovered in place for the others keeping a close eye on the alley to ensure he couldn't slip away, at the moment she blocked the only way for him to slip out as the alley came to an end after a hundred yards or so.

As the others came round Rainbow Pointed down the alley without taking her eyes off it whispering, "I saw somepony turn the corner down this way all I know is they are hiding somewhere down there but I don't know where."

Taking the hint that whom ever it was could escape if they weren't careful Rarity and Princess Cadence lifted everything in the alley they could see while Twilight used a light spell to illuminate what they could not, but sadly there was nopony there and with no way out other than up Rainbow assured them that she saw nothing moving during the short time she was watching the area. As they set everything back where it was they were unaware that Greymane had already slipped to the roof tops when he first rounded the corner, it was the oldest trick he knew while also being the most effective, watching from the roof to behind Rainbow Dash knowing that some alley ways where dangerous to many who were not careful.

As they started to safely leave the alley Greymane made his way toward the castle while Xiuhtecutli felt a little confused, *Why not got and talk to them, you didn't have the chance in Ponyville because they were not there.*

*I don't want to impede on their lives, besides it's for the best they just forget about me and moved on.*

Stopping Greymane in his tracks Xiuhtecutli took his physical form with a stern but baffled look, "Where is this coming from, they are your friends, I'm more than certain they would give you the time of day. After all they haven't seen nor heard from you in almost two years or more."

Trying to go around him with a blank stare Greymane could hear Spike's words ring in his mind, "I just want them to be safe that's all. And if I'm near them then who knows what could happen."

"I know Twilight has a dragonling watching over the library in Ponyville, what happened there, what did he say to you that has caused you to change your mind?"

"It's none of your concern." Trying to hold back the sorrow in his voice as walked passed Xiuhtecutli

Stopping Greymane he looked him in the eyes, "Never trust the word of a dragon who is less than that of an Ancient. You know as well as I do that the younger they are the far more prone to their own nature they tend to be."

Though his anger grew Greymane kept his voice down so no pony could hear him, "And how many are left in the world? We only know of one and he is dying, let's face it the world is doomed no matter what or how hard we try. I'm even thinking of hanging up my cloak and starting fresh where nopony knows who I am."

Just before Xiuhtecutli could try and argue with him they heard a sinister laughter, "The world is only doomed so long as the ones who do what they can to save it give up." As they turned in the direction of the voice they watched as the shadow from a nearby chimney stack moved toward them and take form as a cloaked figure stood before them, "Allow me to introduce myself, I am Blisargon the Grand Enticer of Thieves and this is my lesser demon Ronwe the demon of knowledge. And might I say it is an honor to meet the Leviathan...as well as his advocate the Legendary Thief himself Greymane."

Staring down the demon that had presented itself before him Greymane couldn't help but feel uneasy, "I've heard of a demon that would lead thieves to vast riches only for their lives to come to an end. I take it that would be you."

Giving a bloodthirsty smile Blisargon couldn't help but chuckle to learn Greymane had heard of him, "Why yes, though to be quite fair I don't collect them as soon as one would think. Most demons would collect the souls of mortals they make a deal with after ten years, I give them twenty-five sometimes more if they make it worth my while."

"Ten years, twenty-five years, or even a thousand years, what would it matter to a demon. Time means nothing to an immortal." Greymane scoffed knowing that fighting this demon would be far more of a challenge than it was with Adramelech as he knew little to nothing about him, "But I take it you're not here to strike a deal with me are you?"

"To the contrary in fact, though I'm here for three reasons, one is a request, one is to share information. And the last one is my own, don't worry it has nothing to do with Equestria my business is elsewhere in the world..." Slightly turning his head he eyed a young pick-pocket with slippery hooves, instead of sticky ones, trying to steal an apple only for it to drop and fall down into a pile of trash and cause the stand to fall over from his attempted theft, "...for now anyway, besides I have no dreams of conquest as other demons do. I mean why try to conquer a nation through violence and war, when it's so much more fun to conquer with words and deals." Waving his hand the shadows quickly re-assembled the stand and placed everything back as if nothing had happened as the young colt took off running, as the young colt rounded the corner he found the apple he attempted to steal waiting for him on top of a barrel clean and ready to eat. "It always brings a tear to my eyes to watch a young thief try so hard only to fail, down on his luck a little help will give him the boost of confidence he needs; and when the time comes I'll seek him out for a little deal just right for him."

Knowing he had no chance against a demon of lord ranking without the use of the curse Greymane relaxed himself and sat down, "Very well then let's hear all three in reverse order."

Returning his gaze back to Greymane Blisargon couldn't help but seem cheerful, "Oh I intended to share them with you but only as I feel they should be shared. First and foremost there is a rumor going around Tartaros saying that the value of your soul has gone up to equal nearly one and a half the population of Canterlot, maybe even more and that includes the value of all three Princesses. Now as I said this is just a rumor, whether or not it's true doesn't concern me, but it does concern you."

As Xiuhtecutli began to argue against him the lesser demon stepped forth, "To be fair you have no idea as to how much your soul is worth. When a mortal is born they have no value because they have done nothing but breath, as they grow older they do many things and can accomplish quite a bit. Each thing they do for good or ill changes the value of their soul, and you have done the impossible. The devastation you brought to the Order of Balance, escaping and stealing from Tartaros, and defeating one of the greatest Arch-demons under the command of the great Beelzebub while ensuring no further harm came to those around you, are just a few things in the long list of accomplishments that have raised the value of your soul.” Wanting to see if Greymane would stand tall or waiver Ronwe held out his hand to show a faint image of Equestria sitting in its palm, “Why some even believe that your very soul could equal that of all Equestria, and some demons might be foolish enough to try and take it from you by any means necessary"

As to whether or not his words were true didn’t matter as Blisargon stepped between the two of them knowing that Ronwe was trying to tamper with forces he might not comprehend, "Which brings me to my next reason, I have a few..." Pausing for a moment the dark lord lifted his hand and began to count his fingers with this thumb no less than twelve times each, "...shall we say..." Pausing for a another moment he closed one eye as he looked to the sky in the hopes to find the right word that would not anger Greymane, "...investments I've come to cash in on. They are scattered around the world and it is high time I collected what is mine."

Staring down the demon with a disgusted look in his eyes Greymane knew the answer but couldn't help himself to ask, "And by investments you mean souls of mortals. For what reason would you have to collect them?"

With a slight chuckle in his voice Blisargon took a single step toward Greymane and kneeled down, "The same reason any demon would try and collect your soul. It's the value I've invested in, by striking a deal with them when they are worth just as much as the next living mortal I grant them the skills and talents for them to use. And when the time is right I cash in on that investment and grow in power, and though I am of lord rank I have already taken steps to take the last and final rank and join the lord of flies as well as a few small other demons in the rank of god. And to ensure that even if my plans fail I would like to have you on my side." Reaching into his cloak Blisargon pulled out a scroll sealed by wax bearing the mark of the demonic god Beelzebub, "Which brings me to my final reason, this was to be delivered to you with the utmost secrecy, it also contains further instructions for me."

Breaking the seal Greymane looked at it in confusion unsure of what to think when viewing the strange markings, "I..." Baffled he nearly laughed thinking it was some kind of joke, "...I can't read this."

Shaking his head as he turned around Blisargon waved his hand as he mocked Grey, "For being a thief of legends I wouldn't have thought you lacked the ability to read. But what should I have expected, you did start off as an orphan."

Holding up the letter Greymane snapped back at the demon, "It has nothing to do with being illiterate, I can speak, read, and write nearly twenty or more languages, many of which are dead dialects as of right now. But this is one I have never come across, I don't even have a reference to it."

Taking the letter from his hoof Xiuhtecutli looked it over while giving an annoyed sigh, "And no wonder, it's written in ancient demonic tongue. You can't read it, you have to listen to it." Placing the letter close to his ear Xiuhtecutli could hear multiple faint, incoherent, disembodied voices, "Few demons know of it, even fewer can speak it, but there are only two demonic gods that I know of who can write it. You were not lying Blisargon, and according to this you are to escort him back to the lord of flies unharmed at his discretion and with the greatest protection you can give. But what would the lord of flies want with my advocate? And why send an invitation written in hell speak?"

Ronwe scoffed as he stepped back into his master's shadow, "Sadly no, though I am known as the demon of knowledge, as part of a deal struck between my master and the Lord of Flies I am now restricted. It is a small price to pay for my continued existence." Choosing to remain hidden he spoke from behind his master's back, "As I can tell you don't trust either of us, we knew this would be the case so we came prepared. I know you've been looking into the recent movements that the Order has made with little to no success, so I shall share the information I have but I want something in exchange."

Walking around Blisargon Greymane’s curiosity increased, "And what would you want in exchange for this information?" Believing the demon to have alternative motives.

"That takes us back to the second reason, as they say little trust goes a long way; and that's all my master and I want from you. In the event our deal with the demonic gods fails and we are left high and dry, we will need a place to go as well as someone or something we can trust to aid us."

Not wanting to believe Ronwe, Greymane knew this was the only lead he had on the Orders intentions in Canterlot but to trust a pair of demons he knew nothing about was a stretch, even for him.

Before he could even voice his thoughts Xiuhtecutli slithered forward, "I can agree to these terms..." Pausing as he stroked his chin thinking of how he could set the deal to be far more in the favor of himself as well as Greymane, "...but I want to set a few of my own terms before we can truly agree on anything."

With an annoyed sigh Blisargon rolled his eyes before connecting them with Xiuhtecutli, "Very well then, what are your terms Leviathan?"

"First; I shall be the one going to Tartaros on behalf of my advocate, nothing against the Lord of Flies, but we can't risk any other demon coming after him, also I will not need an escort. Second; any and all information pertaining to the Order of Balance that is of importance is to be brought forth to us as soon as possible, and with no strings attached also all information you find, steal, and or learn must be kept under lock and key secrecy is our greatest asset. Third; if for any reason we call upon either of you, be it by name or a demonic summoning, you are to come regardless of what you are doing and aid us as needed. Finally; in the event that my advocate dies and there are none to succeed him, the two of you will aid me in keeping the balance of power in check until another has been found and prepared to take on this task." Looking down at Greymane he could see something was troubling him, "Do these sound like fair terms to you?"

Turning his head away from them as he slowly walked to the edge of the roof Grey overlooked a young couple across the street that had been stricken with love, "Any deal is a good deal, but must there be one to take my place? Haven't enough suffered this fate already?"

As Xiuhtecutli began to raise his hand in anger and lecture Greymane Blisargon stepped between them with a contract ready to be signed, "I can see this is a more private and delicate matter best discussed between the two of you, but perhaps it is best it waits for another time?"

Turning his attention from Greymane's current mood to the contract that was ready, Xiuhtecutli took the moment to read over it and ensure that there were no loop holes, no statements that could be misconstrued, no fine-prints, and no misprints that could change later.

Once he was satisfied with the document a small shine from his eye caused the leviathan cross to appear as he let out a disgruntled sigh upon looking up at Greymane, *I know you have trouble letting go, but one day I hope you do. What happened that night was not your fault.*

Thinking back to the time he spent in Tartaros he recalled how so many of the eternally damned cried out to rip his flesh from his bones, *Tell that to the many in Tartaros that not only condemn but also wish to tear me to shreds.*

Once the document was signed Blisargon nodded toward Ronwe, "Your suspicions about the order is right, though they haven't just moved in on Canterlot but all of the world. Every major and minor government has some of their influence Equestria is one of only few that just have their presences in their guard, though over the many years they've tried to make a move for more power by controlling key positions like the captain of the guard. If it hadn't been Celestia who had chosen the current captain then there's no telling where this could have gone." Watching Greymane's head lowering with to the fact and displeasure in knowing he was right drew some pleasure for Ronwe himself, "There is one other thing. In the past two hundred years Celestia had formed a small task group she could trust in secret, their purpose is to take the place of the element users in the event that they passed away or could no longer use the elements. They've proven themselves most effective in many other ways, being the best of the best, not even the Wonderbolts know about them, though some of them as well as a select few from the royal guard are picked to join this group. As of now they are only a few hundred strong, nothing for the Legendary Thief to handle if the reports are true. I know nothing of their skills, their ranks, nor what they call themselves, but what I do know is they answer to nopony but Celestia and are allowed to go where others are not and can break the laws if necessary. But for some reason you have come to the top of their list."

With a huff Greymane turned and stared down the lesser demon, "So what if I have, in the past I caught the eyes of whole governments from around the world and still remained unseen. The Order was the only group that could ever track me down but it took them months to ever find where I was at or where I was heading, and even then they were weeks behind and most of their information was wrong and led them in circles. There isn't a single creature in this world who can catch me."

With a grin and a slight laugh Ronwe tapped Greymane on the left cheek as he mocked him by questioning his thousand years in Tartaros, he continued to mock him by asking if his imprisonment was just equal to that of a simple day spa.

Knowing he was getting under Greymane's skin Ronwe chose to twist the truth just a tad in the hopes he could make Greymane try and fight this secret group, "And here is where things take a dark turn not just for you but for your dear Princess of the Night. In the past few years Celestia has come to question her trust in this group, only because she only picked the first ten members two hundred years ago, since then it's been them who decides which ponies join them and who do not. And this can mean that even members of the Order could have ended up being selected especially within the past fifty years." Walking back into Blisargon's shadow he gave a bow as he slowly faded back to Tartaros, "If I were a betting demon, I would have put my money on the Order taking advantage of this new group and the power that comes with it."

With a bow Blisargon slid back into the shadow of the chimney and back to Tartaros, "I'll shall eagerly await your arrival leviathan."

As Greymane started to move once more keeping to the roof tops and hiding when necessary Xiuhtecutli took to his astral form and took off for Tartaros, *Be careful Greymane, while I'm gone you will be without my protection.*

'Wouldn't be the first time.' He whispered to himself as he approached the castle walls.

Poking his head around the corner to survey the area he could see the guards were in the middle of a rotation as well as a quick patrol passing through. Starting to rethink the situation he looked to the sky and watched as Luna landed in the tower to take watch over the night, in that moment his feelings for her overwhelmed him pushing him to believe this was the best choice. Taking one last quick look around he discovered a quick route straight to the tower that left him unseen by all, it was a long path that took him nearly an hour of careful moments as well as timing the guards patrolling the grounds.

Upon finally making his way to the tower Grey reached out and began to climb the vines careful to cover himself with the overgrown brush should some pony pass by. As he neared the top he heard the sound of sinister laughter as a gentle breeze brushed by. Believing it to just be the wind he calmed his nerves and made his way over the railing behind Luna. Seeing her in the wonderful glow of the moon light he was speechless as he found himself lost for a moment in his emotions. Raising his hoof as his jaw lowered as he tried to call out her name, only to become frozen as Spikes words rang through his mind causing him to bite his lower lip and hang his head in shame.

Turning around in an attempt to sneak away he felt a hoof gently pull at his cloak along with the sound of a loving gentle voice, "It is rude to leave without saying a word. Especially to somepony you have not seen in a long time."

Not wanting to face her he reached for the railing as he sat down, "Forgive me, I couldn't find the words to speak up. Besides you're a princess and I'm a thief, wouldn't it be for the best that you forget about me? I'm sure everypony else has by this point..." Biting his lip he hoped to conceal the emotional pain he felt, "...after all I'm not worth even half a second in the day."

Sensing his despair and self doubt she wrapped her hooves around him, "That is where you are wrong. We have all worried about you, with no way to locate you let alone contact you, we all were scared that you could be dead. And like the missing sheep you have returned to us unharmed."

As his mind was filled with joy from her words he turned around and held her tight, "I'm sorry for making you and everypony worry, but I don't want any of you to be harmed." Letting her go he walked to the rail behind her that overlooked Canterlot, "The demons that attacked were looking for me, this you and everypony more than likely knew. But what you didn't know is that they were just two of many that hunt me down, or that did hunt me, and I would feel better if none of you tried looking for me out of my own fear that my enemies could come here just to draw me out. Besides I've always had Xiuhtecutli looking out for me." With a slight sigh he turned around and held Luna's hoof and stared her in the eyes with a faint smile, "Either way there's nothing for any of you to worry about."

"You being out there dealing with creatures much like those demons day in and day out is more than enough for us to worry about your safety." Luna replied with a mournful tone, "Besides the fact of what you may or may not think, you are our friend. And we all care about you."

Looking down toward the city as he held back a tear he felt more than welcomed in her presence, it was a feeling that he had nearly forgotten, "It's been so long since I've heard those words from any other pony, I almost forgotten the warm feeling that came with it." Looking back up toward Luna made his heart race as he reached into his sack and pulled out the book he brought with him still wrapped in its cloth, "But if I remember correctly I promised you a conversation, and so far all I've done is whine and complain. You deserve better than that."

Seeing the smile slowly come across her face brought one on him. They spent the next several hours talking through the night as well as laughing and giggling loud enough that some of the pegasi patrolling near by could hear, the few that looked into it left thinking they were crazy seeing the Princess of the Night with the Legendary Thief. As the two of them reconnected with one another Luna couldn't help but feel that she lost something of great sentimental value between the two of them.

As the night slowly came to an end Luna couldn't help but inquire about his recent feats, the questions did nothing to slow his answers for he knew this time was different.

Each place he had been to, what he had seen, and all he had encountered fascinated her, "I was wondering..." Knowing that he could simply say that he was too busy to come was not far from her mind as she started to ask, "...why had you not come to the wedding, We gave you the invitation, where you not near Canterlot that day?"

Slightly bowing his head as the smile slowly left his face he knew this question would come, "I was here in time for the wedding, slipping through the barrier was not that difficult infact it was as easy as a gentle breeze coming through an open window. The pony you had working on it is quite powerful but I know a trick or two for such a thing." Pointing out a rooftop in the distance just overlooking the grand plaza he explained, "I made it here some time after the changelings were defeated, and all the preparations were made. I sat on that rooftop and listened to the the ceremony, and watched the reception. When you finally arrived..." Letting out a slight chuckle filled sigh Greymane held up one of Luna's hooves as he looked her in the eyes, "...well...it's difficult to put into words how much I truly wanted to go down there and ask you for just one dance. Hell just one second with you would have been plenty for me."

With a baffled look Luna found no reason as to why he couldn't have show up that day even if many of the gussets would have know who he was, "Why didn't you? You were my guest."

"I could have Luna it wasn't hard. I could have disguised myself as one of the many servers there or perhaps one of the guards, nopony would have questioned one more. But I remembered that out of all my enemies that have come and gone throughout these many years, and of the ones that have been around far longer there is one that simply put I didn't want to show myself." As Luna looked him in the eyes she watched as his face slowly filled with sorrow and shame and the past seemed to replay with in his eyes, "It's because of him I've kept my distance this long. And as much as I HATE to say it, he is my equal. Move for move, plan for plan, and skill for skill, he's nearly as old as I am..." Looking him in the eyes she could see the shame that had began to slowly turn to self loathing as Greymane took a deep breath as the first sign of dawn began to show itself with the early morning dew, and with that breath Luna watched as the self loathing in his eyes was overcome with hate as if he were watching horrible acts being committed in front of him, "...he will do all in his power to get what he wants. I've seen him burn down villages, threaten the lives of the young, and beat the elderly not just because it helped him meet his goals but also for his own amusement. Stand against him and he will kill you, stay out of his way and he'll break every bone in your body for a laugh, bow before him and submit to his will and he'll give you a task that you cannot accomplish just so he can execute you on the grounds of failure. This is the kind of pony he is, and though I hate to admit to it, he and I are alike."

Placing her hoof on his shoulder Luna tried to find the look that she knew too belong to him as she attempted to comfort him, "But you are not, you have put the safety and well-being of others before yourself. You even belittled yourself just to try and save us, and when we would not listen to your pleas you still threw yourself upon the spear for those you love. And there is still one thing that separates you from him."

As the warmth of Luna's words began to fill his very soul he turned to look her in the eyes unsure of what she would say, "And that is?"

"You have friends that love and care for you, he does not." Having broken through to him in a way Xiuhtecutli could not, Luna watched as the smile returned to his face and a raging flame that gave him a new found hope that burned like a towering inferno took place with in his eyes. Just as it was in the years before he went to Tartaros, Luna truly did bring out the best in him.

As he looked Luna in the eyes Greymane picked up his diary wrapped in its cloth, "I know it's not much but, here..." Holding up the book he held it out for her to take, "...I would like for you to have my diary." As the book found its way into Luna's hoof Greymane smiled, "It's linked to my mind, any and all events that are of some importance to me will be recorded in that book. No matter how far I am or the time of day. It will help you to know if I am doing fine without having to look for me. You can read it if you want to."

Opening the book she could see the pages were blank and appeared as if they were never used despite how old the bindings appeared to be, "We do not understand, there is nothing written here." Flipping through the pages she could not find one word or even a letter, "We think you mite have the wrong book."

Placing his hoof on the book to stop her for just a second he closed his eyes, "Place your hoof here on the page..." Pausing to wait till he felt her hoof meet his Greymane could feel his heart race, "...close your eyes and take a deep breath..." Hearing her slowly breath in they could feel a faint breeze pass between them, "...and just clear your mind."

As she cleared her mind the breeze became a gust of wind that seemed to be filled with faint voices. As Luna opened her eyes she couldn't believe what she saw, right in-front of her was herself though much younger she saw the young mare was closer to a filly but well on her way to becoming a young mare, and for a reason she couldn't tell she was curled up crying on a balcony overlooking a forest. Reaching out with her hoof she stopped as Greymane snuck up by her unnoticed and sat down, while looking down at her he gently stroked her mane.

"GREY!!!" She cried out tackling him to the ground in tears. Sitting up he gently hugged her, and he knew she was worried about something.

Thinking it was him for being late he pulled his hood back and lowered his mask and even then he appeared to be the same age as he is now, "I'm sorry I'm late coming by this month, but I promised you that I would come by once a year to see you and I intend to keep that promise. So there's no need to cry." Gently pushing her back he looked her in the eyes and grinned as he wiped the tears from her face, "Besides, you are far more beautiful when you smile."

Blushing as she put her head back down on his chest with a sniffle as she took hold of his cloak, "It's not that, I heard my mommy and daddy talking to Tia. They said I'm getting old enough to raise the moon and call forth the stars by myself. I thought about talking to a few of my personal guards about how scared I am...but..." Pausing not knowing how to word the rest of her statement.

Burying half her face into his chest as she began to cry once more Luna did what she could to try and keep her voice down, "But I often hear the guards talking about how fear is weakness, and anypony who shows weakness should never be allowed to lead."

Gripping his cloak tighter Luna could hear the beating of his heart, it was faint but steady, looking up she could see a faint smile on his face and compassion in his eyes, "Fear is not weakness it is a tool, fear helps us to know what makes us weak so we can protect it and grow stronger." Leaning over he whispered into her ear as he took one quick look to the left and the right, "And between you and me, I'm afraid all the time."

Looking up as she wiped the tears from her eyes as she slowly started to smile and gave a little giggle, "You cannot be scared of anything you are a full grown stallion." Doubting his words knowing that most adults were not afraid of anything.

Letting out a slight chuckle he slightly tousled her mane, "It's true, I'm afraid of failing. Because I know that should I fail at the task given to me wars could break out and many lives could be lost. I use this fear to push myself to success through any means possible without the use of violence." Looking down at her he could see that his words got through, but she was still full of doubt as to whether or not she was up to the task.

Resting her head on his chest as she smiled while hugging him for his words and yet, Luna couldn't help but question his work though she had never seen him in any royal court let alone heard his name anywhere, "I had often forgotten that you are an emissary of some kind. Right?"

"I guess you can look at it like that, but nothing official." Sitting her down next to himself he reached into his cloak just under the clasp and took a necklaces off himself that had an amulet that was peridot in color hanging from it, "This is called a dragon's tear, there are many colors and they all do something different, or so the old ponies tales about them claim. As you can see this one is somewhat green, it's meant to bring good luck and good health to whom ever has it. My father gave it to me on his deathbed..." Holding the tear in his hoof he brought it around Luna's neck. "...and now I want you to have it."

As her eyes swelled up with tears once more she buried her face into his chest once again, "Grey please do not tell me..." She exclaimed crying out of fear for his life.

Gently wrapping his hooves around her as he chuckled knowing that he accidentally caused her to cry again he slowly started to rock her back and forth, "Don't worry I'm not dying nor shall I ever come close to death. Not yet any way..." Setting her down he watched as the tear shined in the moonlight just off her neck. "...I'll live another ten thousand years or more before I even think about letting death come knock on my door."

Sniffling as she wiped the tears from her eyes she looked up trying to smile, "Promise?"

"I promise. And so long as you keep that dragon's tear close by I'll always be with you." Holding up the dragon's tear just to look at it she slowly started to smile, "Well would you look at that..."

Looking up at him with a grin that went from one ear to the other Luna couldn't help but look around herself, "What is it?"

As she turned to look back at him confused she saw Grey smiling down at her, "There's the beautiful young mare I came to see. If your beauty keeps growing like this you'll have to chase stallions off with a stick."

Chuckling as she blushed Luna closed her eyes with one hoof one to her cheek as she used the other to gently shove Greymane, "Grey!" As they continued to laugh and enjoy each others company everything began to fade and wash away, before too long Luna found herself staring at Greymane in astonishment of what she had just seen.

With a blank stare Luna looked down at the book and for a brief second she could see an ancient script on the pages as they slowly faded away till the pages were blank once again, "That is amazing, how did you come by this book?"

With a smile and a sigh he looked up at what remained of the moon and the stars, "My father was the one who gave it to me, I have two more just like it. One records any and all new skills I come across and adapt to what I already know, and the other records experiments both failed and succeeded." Looking down at the guards that passed them by on the ground he felt relieved to share this information with her, "From what I've managed to learn poison joke has far more applicable uses than any pony could think of, so far I've only been using it to make a sleeping powder as well as a powder that helps me teleport. But if not done right it can have explosive results when mixed with the air, I don't have a need for such a thing so I try to play it safe when making the powders."

Thinking back to the day of his trial she recalled how he vanished in a cloud without a trace and even how he appeared from a cloud of smoke when the demons first attacked them, "So, that's how you get around, you teleport everywhere."

Taking a few steps toward her he reached out and started to turn a few pages in the book, "No, if I were to do that then my skills would become useless and when the time came that I would need them, well let's just say I'd be sloppy to say the least." Sitting down he smiled, "To keep my skills sharp I use them daily. I've been hiding in plain sight either as a slight glimpse in the corner of one's eye, or by walking alongside crowds and blending in. When I'm not in a city I keep to the trees as often as I can, jumping from one branch to the next using what surrounds me to get around."

"So how long did you and I know one another by that point in time?" Asking as a gentle breeze passed between them.

Taking a quick moment to hide under the shadows from the passing guard patrol, Luna watched as he almost seemed to fade into the dark corners just barely out of sight and though she knew he was there it was hard to actually see him, "We had known each other for about six years, I've known you since you were five years old." Looking back on it he couldn't help but remember how he fell into the role he now fills, and frowned at the thought that nearly everypony he once held near and dear to his heart where now dead, "I'm only fifteen years older than you are at least I think, I’ve never known my birthdate. But that’s not important right now; what is important is how you and I first met, and looking back on it I wish we had met under different circumstances. But I'm glad we did meet none the less."

"How did we first meet each other?" She inquired with a smile as he carefully stepped out of the shadows.

Turning a few more pages he stopped near the front of the book, as Luna looked down at the book she could barely hear him mutter a phrase. The only syllable she could catch was 'Bay'.

Before she could question him she watched as the world around them went black as a gentle yet icy breeze came across them, before she knew it they were up in the air as snow began to gently fall. And down below them in the dead of night before she knew it they were above an old kingdom that had long since come to an end, and Luna could see Greymane jumping from one rooftop to the next with a small bag tied to his hip as he slid in the snow covered rooftop to a stop. And what appeared to be a faint serpent like image that seemed to follow close behind.

"Okay I understand stealing a few things to hide what we really came for but please tell me this..." Reaching into the bag he pulled out a rather large mirror, too large for the bag itself or so it seemed, "...out of everything there that was of value, why is this piece of shit the most dangerous thing there. It's a crappy mirror, hell I could go to a salvage shop and find a better one for less than half a copper bit."

Luna watched as the faint serpent coiled itself around the top of the mirror, "This my young advocate is known to my kind as an artifact this one in particular is known as THE MIRROR OF THE VAIL, it has the power to allow the living and the dead to commune with one another."

Looking into the mirror Greymane could see a faint image of the previous Greymane that came before him, smiling as if filled with much pride, "I can see this being more helpful than harmful. Somepony could use this to gain closure with whomever they've lost." Looking deeper into the mirror he could see the image begin to swirl, "I just might learn who my birth parents are, and why they gave me up."

As he began to open his mouth and ask a question the serpent slid and coiled itself on top of the mirror barely blocking his view, "That could bring about destruction, for whatever reason they had, be it to save your life or because they didn't want you, that is not for you to know. You are Greymane now the Legendary Thief, what happened in your prior life means nothing and holds no standing with who you are now. And this mirror is just as harmful as it is helpful. In the wrong possession this mirror can bring about destruction the likes of which none are prepared for." Tucking away the mirror back into the bag he couldn't help but feel empty knowing that some of the greatest answers to his life were right in front of him, but depending on what they where it could cause harm not just to him but those around him. Tying the bag to his left hip his right ear twitched, drawing his immediate attention, "Greymane is something wrong?"

"Ya I thought I heard some filly scream just now!" Exclaiming as he raced off in the direction of the sound, "And I would rather be safe than sorry." Running as fast as his hooves could carry him across four rooftops leading him to a small shopping area as he slid stopping next to a chimney out of sight.

As the serpent kept its distance Greymane peeked around the corner and saw a young midnight blue filly, "As you suspected, and look about five of the local guard also heard her. Looks like we can leave." As the serpent began to fly away it turned to see Greymane focused on the situation almost as if he was stuck and unable to remove himself, "There's nothing you can do right now, the guards have it under control."

Looking down at the situation Greymane took notice that the young filly almost didn't want their help and had screamed for a different reason, "I don't know, see how she keeps backing away from them. This just doesn't seem right to me."

Slipping into the alley as the guard passed by he got close enough to hear them, "Well, well, well...look what we got here." Signaling the others to hold back as he moved closer to the young filly, "Are you lost?" As the scared little pony nodded her head the guard gave a crooked smile, "Well don't be afraid, we'll take good care of you. After all we need you in the best condition you can be if we want to strike it big at the slave auction."

Taking that as their ques, the other guards slowly started to move into place, with the exception of one taking quick notice of who she was, "Captain we can't take her in..." Coming in closer he whispered into the captain's ear, "...she's a princess, and to the royal family that's visiting no less."

"Then you know what that means Private..." Pausing to see the private's reaction, only to watch him slowly shake his head, "...It means we could get double at the auction for her." As he began to chuckle he licked his lips, "And if we sell her to the one's with a fetish for fillies we could get triple or more, the younger the better. We'll live like kings the rest of our lives."

As the Privet ran off wishing not to be apart of the situation another gave chase after him sword drawn prepared to kill. As the other guard drew closer to the Private he was tackled into the alley and quickly incapacitated by Greymane, quickly poking his head around the corner Greymane could see that the young filly took off running and the guards were just trotting after her as if they found some amusement in the chase. Dashing off right after them Greymane took them out one by one using the sleeping powder he kept in a half pound bag tied to his right hip.

As the last guard fell victim to the sleeping powder the young filly tripped and fell to the ground sliding in the ice a few feet to a stop, "Aww...did the poor wittle filly hurt herself, don't worry I'll fix you up. After all your value goes down with each little scratch." As the filly began to cry as she felt helpless believing that nopony could save her, and that she would never see her family again.

As his hoof drew closer to her the captain began to laugh at the thought of how rich he was going to be, only to find somepony grab his hoof and throw him into the nearest wall away from the filly.

Taking a defensive stance Greymane stood between the two and stared down the captain, "It would be in your best interest to leave now and forget having ever set eyes on her!"

As the captain slowly started to rise back onto his hooves he spotted the wanted poster just behind them that had been hung up as a joke during the last festival, "No..." He whispered to himself. "...It can't be..." Questioning his eyes as his voice began to rise as the image in the poster was spot on for the stallion that now stared him down, "...but I can make ten times more off you than what she's worth. Real or not."

Charging in the captain leaped into the air as he drew his sword, slashing down he watched as Greymane simply brushed the blade aside with his right hoof and use the momentum created to spin around to the left of the captain and buck him square into the ribs and down the street. Pouncing back up to his hooves he discovered that both Greymane and the filly had simply vanished, when in fact they were just around the corner on the rooftop above the alley.

Gently brushing the snow off her he watched her flinch to a small injury on her left shoulder, "Well it's nothing too bad, a few scrapes and maybe a bruise but I can fix that."

Pulling out his gourd he put a few drops of its contents on the open wounds and she watched as the scrapes healed right before her eyes as if it never happened.

Looking back up at him she watched him take off his cloak and wrapped her with in it, "Here this will keep you warm while I go deal with mud for brains down there." Before taking off he lowered his head, closed his eyes, and focused on the mental link that he shared with the serpent, *Leviathan do me a favor and keep her safe for a while.*

Turning to the street he quickly overlooked the area to find an advantage point for catching the captain off guard, *Yes...* Having a quick look at his current appearance Greymane couldn't help himself but to poke fun at his protector, *...as a matter of fact you do. But to be honest you look like fish bait most of the time.*

As the young filly slightly grind and giggled at the idea that a pony had mud for brains she watched as Greymane ran across the roof top and jumped from one street lamp to the next with ease and across the street undetected by the captain down below.

As the captain inspected the nearby area for where they could have gone, Greymane slid down between two buildings into the alley and calmly walked out into the street only four feet behind the captain, "I'll give you one last chance to just walk away, and I'll pretend I didn't see anything." He warned as he slowly walked out into the open.

"Walk away..." Giving a slight laugh the captain stared at Greymane with a shine to his eye as if he were looking at a literal mountain of gold, "...have you any idea how much I can get if I bring you in? Hell the amount I could get if I took you into the slave auction, a living legend. Anypony would pay any price just to have your HEAD MOUNTED ON THEIR WALL. Hell necromancers would even pay twenty times the price easy just to have your head, and thousands more if I brought them your body. I'll live like an emperor, nay..." Walking forth his iris seemed to fade as his own greed began to consume him, "...I could live like a god!"

Slowly shaking his head as he turned his back Greymane looked at his icy reflection on the ground, "Why can't you be reasonable? I'm giving you a chance to leave here unharmed."

Having taken notice that Greymane was staring at the ground he charged in raising his sword preparing to swing for Greymane's neck. As the young filly peeked over the mound on the roof dragging the cloak behind herself, she watched as Greymane waited for the down swing from the sword while preparing for his next move. As the sword neared the top of his neck he lowered his ears and head as he slowly felt the brush of the sword pass by his mane missing his head and striking the ground. Using the momentum created from the doge Greymane flipped forward and knocked off the guard's helm with his back right hoof and struck the captain in the head with his back left hoof dazing him for a moment. Spinning on his front right hoof he landed in a wide stance that left him low to the ground ready to strike once more should the need for it come, only to see the captain had stumbled over. As the captain looked up he could only to see a blur blow some dust into his eyes.

Within a matter of moments the captain fell into a deep sleep oblivious to the world around himself. As the young filly looked on in amazement she soon realized that she could be in far greater danger than she was before, trying to keep a close eye on him she watched him walk into the alley next to the building she was on as a cloud slowly flew over and dimming what little light she had. Hoping to keep a close eye on him she soon discovered he had vanished without trace as to where he could have gone.

Taking a few steps back her fear slowly began to take hold, "Sorry you had to see that. I had hoped he would listen to reason and walk away, but few ponies who have let their greed get the better of them listen."

Quickly turning around she saw him sitting next to the chimney, in her mind it was impossible for any pony to be that sneaky without the use of magic and clearly he was an earth pony. Pulling the hood hover her head she hoped he would simply just leave, as she began to whimper she felt his hoof gently pull back the hood till she saw his eyes. Looking up at him she began to cry, once again worried she would never see her family.

As the tears began to fill her eyes Greymane pulled down his mask as he wrapped his hooves around her and cradle her back and forth trying to shush her, "It's okay see, I'm just like everypony else."

Witnessing what he had done the serpent nearly revealed itself as he shouted into Greymane's mind, *YOU SHOULD NEVER REMOVE YOUR MASK!!! Should any living thing discover what you look like then the secret of your lineage and...*

*Can it!* He shot back. *Can't you see she's scared out of her mind. I've spent most my life around foals, if you level with them many will come to trust you and open up. And I wish to help her get back home...* Looking around he was unsure as to where she had come from, *...wherever... that may be.* Sitting down next to her, he wrapped the cloak around her a little more to help keep her warm, having another look at her he could see she had barely stopped crying but was still scared, "You know when I was your age I played with ponies who were my size all the time, sometimes the older ponies would play with us. But I never tried to play with any of the adults that watched over us."

As she smiled at the thought of playing with other ponies her own age she looked up at him, "Who are you?" she asked in a timid voice.

Smiling down at her he could hear the serpent shouting into his head reminding him with a lecture on why he should not let her know who he is, "I'm no pony important, but what is important is if you're okay. And where your family is so I can make sure you get home safely."

Smiling back at him she pointed at the castle, "Mommy and Daddy are there, they have business with the king and queen here. Me and my sister were playing hide-n-seek, I got lost in the castle and..."

As she started to cry again she found herself being lifted up onto his back as he smiled knowing where to go.

She watched him fasten his cloak around his neck while leaving the hood on her to keep the night air out of her face she could feel a small level of kinship from her savior, "All right, I just got done with my business in the castle not too long ago..." Giving a faint smile as he looked back at her he couldn't help but ponder, "...so what is your name?"

"Will you tell me what your name is first, so my parents can reward you properly?"

Smiling as he sighed and slightly turned his head to look at the path they would be traveling, "You can call me Grey, and I need no reward. Knowing you are with your family and safe is plenty for me."

"Luna..." Taking a quick moment to stretch before galloping he thought about her name in case he ran into her later, "...such a lovely name." Starting to sprint he called back to her, "Hold on tight Luna and I'll have you with your family in no time." As he felt her pull his mane tighter he started to run at full speed jumping from one roof to the next, while using lamp poles and trees to assist in their travel. Knowing she was still scared he tried to ease her worries. "So what business does your mother and father have with Lord Frostflame and his stuck up wife?"

"Our kingdom of Equestria is expanding faster than we expected it to, so mommy and daddy are trying to keep peace with them. In hopes we can expand here in the north without fear of war."

"Are you a king?" Perking up to the idea nearly caused her to fall off his back.

Slowing down he reached back to help keep her steady, "No, not at all. But I help keep peace between nations so wars don't break out."

Laying down as she held his mane she thought about the various positions in the court only to come to the conclusion of one, "So you're an emissary?"

Once he was sure she was safe and holding on tight he took off once more, "In a way yes."

Galloping across the roof toward the castle walls he timed the guard patrols so he would be at their backs as he passed them. As the two guards passed each other Greymane jumped between their backs and grappled a tree spinning around it to slow himself down and safely land on the ground. As it was something Luna had never seen done before in her life she almost shouted out how great it was, only to recall how the guards she first ran into were not the nicest bunch and didn't want to run into another group like them.

Sneaking past the patrolling guards he hid near the castle in the bushes, "If you're an emissary why not just use the main doors?" Luna inquired pondering why he stuck to the shadows like some kind of criminal.

Looking up at her Greymane smiled as he patted her on the head, "I'm not very well liked, I've exposed many corrupt officials that either wanted power, or had far too much of it just so they could abuse it. And I've kept many that wanted to wage war out of lust for money and power away from the idea, and because of these things many want me dead. But it doesn't matter to me, what does matter is that ponies like you get to live full rewarding lives in peace with their families. And that's all I can ask for." Hoping not to let on how sad she was for him Luna gently held him close; sensing her sorrow he gave a slight chuckle, "Don't worry about me, I've done fine so far and I don't see any way I could fall or fail." Peeking through a bush he could see the way around the castle to the dungeon was clear, but it was no place for a filly, "So where exactly are you and your family staying?"

As Luna pointed up he looked at the tallest tower, "We are staying in the third window up, they say it's the best room in the whole kingdom. But it doesn't seem like it, there are so many cobwebs, it's very dusty, and it smells funny."

Sighing as he smiled Greymane looked back at Luna, "Well that's what happens when her royal pain thinks a corpse flower would make a great conversation starter as well as brighten the room, she is right about one thing it does help start a conversation when some pony asks what the smell is." Looking around he could see there were no trees or walls that came close enough to the first window and the space between each one was far too much to simply try jumping from one to the next; his worst fear was there could be far more guards inside, clearing his mind he exhaled and thought of his cloak, "Hold on tight we're taking a short cut."

Before she could ask Luna could feel the use of magic surround them, in an instant he took off at full speed charging at the tower wall, "I don't think we can move through walls." She cried out.

"We're not going through it, we're going up it." Before she could ask him how Luna held on as tight as she could as he jumped toward the wall and began to run straight up.

To her it seemed impossible with out being a pegasus, even with the use of magic. As they neared the top Greymane jumped and reached out for the balcony, feeling the magic that once surrounded them fade she feared the high fall only to see him dangling off the edge. Pulling tighter on his mane she watched as he pulled himself up and peeked into the room to see if it was clear, once he felt safe he hoisted himself over the railing and walked into the room.

Sliding off his back Luna looked up at him and smiled, "Thank you Grey, I will never forget what you have done for me." Perking up she turned at the sound of her name being called, "Over here Tia, I am with a new friend his name is Grey, and...and..." Turning to introduce him she found that Greymane had vanished once again without her noticing, as a young Celestia walked into the room, "...he was right here."

"Well tell your imaginary friend that it's time for us to go Mother and Father have been worried sick, and both our personal guard as well as the local guard were looking for you. Where were you this whole time?"

"No I went to find someplace to hide but ended up outside in a run down part of town, my friend Grey helped me get back."

Hugging her sister Celestia brushed her mane, "Sister I think your imagination is starting to run wild."

Letting Luna go as she turned and walked away as Luna stomped one hoof on the ground as she pouted, "But my imagination is not running wild. He's real Tia I promise." As Celestia left the room Luna turned back to the balcony and saw Greymane waving goodbye, as she ran hoping to question him she watched as he jumped from the balcony and flew down to the city below, "I thought that only ponies with wings could fly."

As she watched him land on a rooftop unharmed Celestia walked out to the balcony, "What are you looking at?"

Pointing at the rooftop she hoped Celestia would see him this time, "My friend Grey he's an earth pony but I just watched him fly from here down to there."

Looking down at the city Celestia saw nopony but the guards near the castle, "Where?"

"He's right there..." Looking back down she could see he vanished once more, "But he was there..." pointing to the third building from the castle wall where she had last seen him only raised a few questions for her, "...on that building right there."

"Well earth ponies can't fly any way..." Thinking about the options for ponies who could fly Celestia rubbed her hoof under her chin, "...you sure he's not a pegasus or a unicorn with strong magic?"

"I know he's an earth pony, he doesn't have a horn and I was on his back so I know he doesn't have wings."

Laughing at the thought of an earth pony that could fly, Celestia turned and walked toward the door, "Well that settles that, you have a very creative mind."

Turning to pout and argue with her sister Luna looked down when she heard the sound of crumpling paper under her hoof, looking at the parchment she saw a small note addressed to herself, 'Luna though our time was short it was nice getting to know you. Perhaps we can meet again under much better circumstances. And in warmer weather, I'm not much of one for the ice and snow. Your Friend Grey.'

Looking back down at the last building she saw him at, Luna caught a glimpse of him running through the alleys. Wondering how an earth pony such as himself got around so fast while remaining unnoticed brought many new ideas to herself as she left the balcony smiling.

As Greymane left the city he took to what little woods there was to conceal his movements. Looking up at the night sky he saw a royal carriage leaving the city, as he smiled at the carriage as he saw Luna waving her hoof as they were leaving. Waving back to her he smiled as he sighed, knowing that she was safe and with ponies that cared for her.

Though he wasn't one to ruin a mood Xiuhtecutli knew he had to point out what he believed was the truth, "You know you will have to forget about her, after all if she continues to know of your existence she may just hunt you down one day when she learns the truth."

Dropping from the trees he turned and started walking toward the south, "If only it was so simple. She called me a friend, my entire life I've been called brother, son, from you advocate, from the guards I've been called any dirty thing under the sun and the moon. I feel that somehow this could be different for me, but I don't know why or how."

As the serpent humphed at the thought the world around both Greymane and Luna became milky and washed away, as the illusion surrounding them started to vanish it started showing that the sun was coming up in the present day.

Looking at the rising sun he turned away from Luna, "It seems my time here has come to an end, I must be off."

As he attempted to take off Luna pulled his tail with her magic just to simply hold him back, "Why not enjoy a meal with us. We will invite you as my guest. We can even ensure the guards won't lay a single hoof on you."

Smiling at the thought he looked back, "Sorry, though I would love to sit down and enjoy one meal with you, sadly I cannot Xiuhtecutli will be back shortly and when he returns he will have another task for me."

"That is the serpent we saw in that memory. What does he do?" Curious as to what the creature she saw was and what it was capable of.

"He helps me locate artifacts and enchanted items that would bring war and ruin to this world, so that I can hide them where nopony can ever think to look or even come close to reaching. He also protects me from anything I can't outwit or out match with my skills, but most of the time he's a pain in the flank." Walking up to him she placed her right hoof on his right cheek, and gave a worried look, "Luna I wish I could stay but... ..."

"Then why not stay, it is just one meal. Not only will we be there but so shall my sister, Twilight and her friends, as well as Shining Armor and Cadence. And as we said before Twilight and her friends as well as myself have been worried about you, and though it would not be right, my sister has a few questions for you..." As she looked him in the eyes she could see that just a simple blank expression from her was enough to make him question his own decision, "...please? If not for any of them, then for me."

As he looked Luna in the eyes his heart began to race and he found himself lost in her eyes while his jaw barely hung open. Looking away as he bit down on the inside of his lower lip he found himself at an impasse between what his heart has yearned for, and what his vow demanded.

With a sigh he smiled, "All right, but only because you asked. I'll find my way there."

Giving half a grin Luna couldn't help but chuckle at the thought of the guards finding Greymane walking alone in the castle, "We think it would be best for us both to meet down there by the main doors, otherwise somepony might think you are up to no good."

Closing one eye as he tilted his head to one side he thought about how easy it would be to just sneak over there, but at the same time he knew Luna was right, "Very well then. Go on ahead of me I'll meet you down there."

As Luna took off toward the main door Greymane allowed himself to fall back off the railing out of sight of anypony passing by while using his cloak to slow his descent to the ground, as he enjoyed the gentle fall down to the ground he couldn't help but smile at the way things were going as he stared at the sky, 'Perhaps I should have been more honest with her from the start. Oh well this time will be different, I'm more than sure of it.' He thought to himself.

As Greymane let his cloak gently carry him to the ground Xiuhtecutli was still busy dealing with a demonic god, slamming his fist down on the desk the entire domain to the Lord of the Flies trembled at just the amount of force used, "THE HELL DO YOU MEAN ASMODAY IS GONE!?!? I thought the demonic gods kept the boundaries of Tartaros sealed at the gate, and no demon of the rank 'Greater' through 'God' was not allowed to leave without the approval of at least two demonic gods or one of equaling power."

"Though this is true Samael and myself went to reduce Asmoday's power and remove his rank of lord, forcing him to give up his domain for his actions not just against your advocate but against the world above as well. And as per the pact agreed upon with the ninth Greymane to help keep us from losing far too many of our own in a war with the ever growing world above, so to deal with these little outbursts we punish our own..." Pulling up a set of blinds he looked down into a large room that contained Adramelech as he screamed in agony from whatever disease plagued his body, "...some punished harsher than others; I know that in time his demonic powers and his dark magic will return but for the time being Adramelech will be my new test subject. Also it has come to my attention that some demons posses the ability to pass through the gate without permission, Blisargon being a case in point. But Asmoday is a different case. At the time we thought we had done what was needed but..."

"He serves a demonic god that not only grants him his power and rank. But also possess the power to grant him and his army the right to pass through the gates and remain unseen by us. As of right now Samael is gathering the other demonic gods as well as the demonic lords for a meeting."

Worried that the Lord of the Flies was preparing for war Xiuhtecutli dug his claws into the desk that sat before him, "What kind of meeting?"

"We are going to break the seal on the gates and storm the world above. I'm afraid that to keep Azathoth from returning we will have to storm the world and turn all in our path to ash."

As Xiuhtecutli's eyes began to glow brighter than the sun he charged Beelzebub and pinned him to the wall with one claw on his neck digging in drawing a small amount of blood, "AZATHOTH REMAINS BEYOND THE VOID, USING HIS RELEASE AS AN EXCUSE TO STORM THE WORLD ABOVE WILL NOT WORK WITH ME!!! BESIDES THE ONLY THING THAT CAN FREE HIM RIGHT NOW IS THE VOID DIAMOND THAT WAS USED TO BANISH HIM, AND IT WAS LOCKED AWAY LONG AGO IN THE VAULT OF CHAOS AND DESTRUCTION!!! Nothing living, dead, or other worldly can remove it we all made sure of that."

Allowing him to vent his anger Beelzebub pulled a file off the shelf next to him, "This proves other wise..."As he tossed it on his desk Xiuhtecutli released him and picked up the file, "...over the past two thousand years Asmoday had sent no less than four thousand demons there granted with the gift of invincibility and each one somehow failed. We never knew of it till now when we searched his domain."

"If only it were true, if you look further down he writes saying that after your advocate earned his right to continue living and he was under greater watch; he started taking greater precaution and stopped sending demons through the gate, out of fear of what we would do if we discovered his actions sooner. However in your absence from your advocate he did what he could to watch him carefully and noticed that Greymane not only passed by the vault but found the diamond sitting just outside the only way in or out. His demons may have failed but they got it close enough that your advocate could see it and take it without being harmed. Which is why I had hoped he would be here to tell us where he might have taken it. Or in the greater possibility have it with him so we can lock it in the vault and deal with Asmoday should he come after it."

Quickly reading the file Xiuhtecutli griped it tighter and tighter as he slowly started to rip its bindings, "But I've never told him about the void diamonds, let alone the one we locked away. If he did have it..." Thinking back he knew how Greymane would often use a few ponies he trusted to gather information for him or even do some research into items he got his hooves on, "...Oh no!" As the file dropped on the ground Xiuhtecutli took his astral form and raced off, *Beelzebub hold them from storming the world above for as long as you can. My advocate and I shall deal with this matter post haste.*

*I can only grant you one day here in Tartaros, I'm not sure how much time I can truly buy you, but it's all I can do for the time being. For even we fear the return of Azathoth and will do all we can to stop it, I am sorry…* Though Xiuhtecutli could not see Beelzebub's face he could sense the heavy thoughts that came with making the choice he would soon have to decide on, *...but drastic measures must be taken if it comes down to it.*

As Xiuhtecutli race toward Canterlot he feared the worst but knew Greymane would not simply give up the location to any artifact, even one he had no prior knowledge of having. Upon reaching Canterlot he tried calling out to Greymane using the telepathic link they shared but got no response causing him to become frantic knowing that a demonic lord was among mortals, and his only target was Greymane so he knew that Asmoday would be careful in how he tried to deal with Greymane but would not hesitate to level all of Canterlot if it came down to it. Taking a moment to think he knew that his next step was to look for Luna, if anypony knew his last location it would have to be her if Greymane did speak with her.

As he searched the castle grounds he began searching for Luna frantically going from one room to the next till he heard a rather lively conversation, once he had found her he soon discovered Asmoday impersonating Greymane while he enjoying himself, laughing as if nothing had gone wrong while telling them of Greymane's recent adventures that he had documented so he could better learn how to eliminate him later. As everypony asked him questions after questions Xiuhtecutli tried to contact Greymane once more but still got no reply. Knowing the dark lord had something to do with it he lit up the room with small glowing green orbs that flickered and danced around like fireflies.

Looking up from her meal for a moment with another question pertaining to his work Celestia couldn't help but find her attention drawn to the small lights, "That's quite odd, I've never seen a firefly this late into the morning."

As Asmoday looked at the little light show he simply tried to ignore it as they seemed to fly into his face and circled around each other drawing themselves closer to him and slowly building as they became smaller and turned bright blue in color, "The little things are persistent to get attention that's for sure."

As Luna took notice she watched as they all clustered together before him and seemed to smoke and let of tiny magical surges, "Greymane what does Xiuhtecutli Look like?"

As his ear cocked back he looked around the room and could tell that all eyes were on him and Luna, "Who?"

Before Luna could ask again in greater detail they watched as the small glowing orbs exploded violently into his face without harming anything, or anypony, else and threw him back into a pillar. Shortly after they watched as he was tossed around by an unseen force making them feel helpless as they watch him be subjected to such a beating and become pinned to a wall. As his lower torso began to burn Twilight and her friends watched as a pony slowly came into sight out of thin air, but to Luna and Celestia he appeared to have the lower half of a snake and the upper half of a dragon. To both groups they could see that as he held whom they perceived to be Greymane, and this new pony started pressing up under his ribs and burning his flesh with some kind of spell.

"WHAT HAVE YOU DONE WITH THE DIAMOND!?!?" As he dug his claws deeper into Asmoday he made the flames burn brighter and hotter, "If you don't tell me where the diamond is I'll turn your insides to ash!"

As his flesh began to melt Twilight shot the intruder aside as Luna held him at bay, "How dare you attack my guest in my home!"

As Luna prepared to call the guards she watched as her magic that held the intruder was dispelled with a small gleam in his eye, "Your skill and knowledge in magic is equal to that of a larva when compared to me princess. Now stand aside so that I may deal with A..."

Before he could spit out a name they saw a dark aura shoot past them and hit the intruder square in the mouth, Looking in the direction it came from they watched as the same dark aura that hit the intruder was over the burns on Greymane's body.

As they watched Greymane heal himself with dark magic his flesh began to melt away and the tone of his voice become slightly lower but far more malevolent as he grew slightly taller than Celestia, "She is right you know. I always assumed that the great leviathans had far more manners than that. And to insult a princess, tsk tsk tsk..." Dropping the act he allowed himself to appear as he always was as he laughed at how hopeless things were quickly becoming for all of them, "...seems like somepony needs to teach you how to behave in public." Looking toward the group he gave a crooked smile as he licked his teeth, "The meal was eloquent I do thank you, however it was lacking in...flavor...shall we say. Oh and I'll pass your regards onto Greymane who should be enjoying his little nap with the fishes."

As he faded from their sight laughing like a lunatic Luna rushed over to Xiuhtecutli, "I'm sorry I had no idea it was you, Greymane never..."

As she tried to plead with him the spell that held his mouth shut faded from him as he shoved her aside, "AND FOR GOOD REASON... ...my appearance varies from one mind to the next. What you see before you is a humbled form which allows me to be within the same room as all of you. Other wise it would be quite impossible for me to be here let alone on this continent. But that aside it was none of your concern as to whom I am."

As the others rushed over they appeared to be in confusion as to whom stood before them now, and where he had come from, where as Rainbow Dash took offense to his attitude toward the Princess of the Night, "Hey bub she's only trying to help, we know a mistake was made so try calming down for a second."

They watched as Rainbow Dash's mane burst into flames they were all astonished that it did not burn her, "Perhaps you should have a flaming head to match that fiery attitude, rather than a multicolored one." As he moved between them they attempted to put out the fire only to watch it fade away as if it was never there leaving Rainbow Dash unharmed, "Now if you don't mind I have urgent matters to contend with."

Before he could take off he felt somepony enter his mind, feeling out the connection he turned his attention toward Celestia as he felt the link grow stronger.

As she stepped closer the feeling shortly came to an end, "I understand, but if you don't mind answering a few of my questions before you go. Like why would the dark lords of Tartaros march on the world, and what is the void diamond?"

As the others began to turn their thoughts on the questions Princess Celestia asked Xiuhtecutli found himself slightly cornered and enraged.

Before answering the questions he used the mental link Celestia had just created to read his mind for his own personal use, *Fair warning to you princess, the next time you even peek into my mind I shall devour yours and leave you as a mindless husk!* Moving to the far side of the room he watched Celestia attempt to keep her composed and regal expression and yet in her eyes he could see a hint of worry, turning his attention away from Celestia he called out to the Lord of Flies, *Beelzebub things are not boding well on my end. Greymane is missing and Asmoday was half a step ahead of us, how much time do we have?*

*It has only been five hours down here, but many of these lords are growing impatient out of fear and demand we march now, I'm not sure how much longer we gods can stall them. For the time being we are treating the issue as a bit of new business and are tending to older ones to stall for time, at the moment we are currently discussing the trafficking of souls and the overall impact it has on both sides. You should hear some of the ideas they’ve come up with to bring more valuable souls down here.*

Slowly pacing himself Xiuhtecutli tried to contact Greymane one last time, only to find the situation grew worse by the second, *I'm sorry leviathan but the mind you are trying to contact is preoccupied with dying as slowly and as painfully as possible at the moment, please try your call again after your demise.*

Realizing he would need more help than intended Xiuhtecutli turned around and faced everypony in the room with a stern expression and eyes full of worry, "First and foremost the dark lords and dark gods are only marching because they fear the return of a far greater evil, one that took the entire world to slow down, and back then we had far more greater creatures. And to ensure this evil does not return they will burn all in their path till they find the void diamond. However I have a few acquaintances that are currently stalling for the time being to give us a chance to keep that from happening." Turning his attention to Celestia he gave a stern look with a slight growling hiss, "And as for the void diamond all you need to know is that it's an artifact, to be more specific it's part of a set of twelve black diamonds in total and that is all you need to know."

As Xiuhtecutli continued to explain how dire the situation truly was, he emphasized as well as argued on how it was best they remained out of the current situation as much as possible. As they argued back and forth Asmoday had come to the northern shores of Zherbenok Bay and lifted Greymane out of the water shackled to a large bolder.

Walking up to him Asmoday watched as the medallion gave a small shine and Greymane began to cough up water and gasp for air, "Did you enjoy your nap?"

As Greymane looked up he gave a weakened smile as he chuckled, "Well I would have enjoyed it more if your mother was here. And I gotta say for a demon she was one sexy piece of ass."

Giving an annoyed sigh Asmoday cocked an eyebrow and began to press down on Greymane's chest, "For your information I killed my whore of a mother a long time ago. Ripped out her heart with this very hoof."

Joining Greymane in on the laughter Asmoday pressed harder and harder till he broke Greymane's ribs and ripped through his flesh, "Let's see you make jokes...without your lungs!" Bringing out one of Greymane's lungs slowly to ensure it remained attached to the bronchus Asmoday began to eat it as though it was a rare dish causing Greymane to cry out in agony, "You know, I've often wondered why the flesh of mortals always tasted better when they where alive." Finishing off one of the lungs he reached back in and pulled out the other to start devouring it humming the sounds of delight as he savored the second lung, "And now I remember why, you can taste the pain in each and every little bite...and how fear causes the blood to slowly simmer as doubt mixes in, it makes it so delicious that it becomes quite the delicacy." As he looked up at Greymane and could see that shock was slowly kicking in, "I thought I perfected that spell, but then again I have only been able to practice on the dead. No matter you'll bleed to death long before the shock of all this can take full effect."

As Greymane slowly bled to death he constantly pondered why Xiuhtecutli would not respond to his mental calls for help. As Greymane died from the blood loss Asmoday took the time to savor one more of Greymane's organs reaching back in to rip out the liver only seconds before the medallion could give off a small shine once again.

As Greymane's organs began regenerating themselves his wound close as he coughed up blood while gasping for air, "Your mother says hi, and wants to know why you never call her anymore, also she says for you to get your head out of your ass."

Biting into the liver slowly savoring the taste of living flesh he glared as he spoke out the side of his mouth, "Cute..." Swallowing the piece in his mouth as he sat down and brought a small bolder over to act as a table after using it to break one of Greymane's legs, "...you know there was a time when I did find these antics of yours amusing, but for the life of me I can't seem to remember when that was." Finishing off the last of the liver he placed his blood stained hoof on Greymane's shoulder, "But speaking of things that I find amusing I'm afraid I can't afford any more time to torture you for information not even for a single second, so what do you say. Care to tell me where you've gone and hidden the void diamond?"

Unsure of what he was asking Greymane quickly searched his recent memory but couldn't recall anything but the black diamond he left in Ponyville, "Sorry but I don't have any idea as to what you're talking about. Perhaps if you where to jog my memory a little."

"Very well then..." Coming in close Asmoday hissed as he ripped out Greymane's throat with his teeth, swallowing the tattered pieces of flesh and licking the blood off his lips as he hummed the sounds of delight once more with a chuckle, "...It's a black diamond that can open the void and grant safe passage from the horrors that lay within. I know you had it earlier but when I first captured you I could not find it, so you must have hidden it somewhere."

As he felt the life slowly fade from himself he watched Asmoday take another bite out of his flesh near his ribs just before he passed out.

As he awoke once more coughing up blood and gasping for air he gave a weakened smile at the demon, "O~oh that diamond, ya I can tell you exactly where I put it."

Laughing at the thought of where he would have hidden such an item if he had the chance, "Ya it took me a while but I found the perfect hiding place. Somewhere you couldn't reach."

"I shoved it up your ass, it was a lot easier to do once I removed that massive stick you had rammed up their. In fact I'm surprised you didn't even notice. But then again you just enjoy having something up there." Breaking out into a fit of laughter as Asmoday ripped a hole in Grey’s esophagus to silence him only for Grey to start gurgling blood in what some would have assumed to be a pain filled laugh.

Hissing as he pressed down on the hole in Greymane's neck Asmoday bit down and tore off a piece of Greymane's face, "I am growing tired of this little game you keep playing. Just one pain in the ass comment after another from you."

Within moments the medallion healed Greymane leaving no sign he had been harmed once again, "To be fair it shouldn't be much of a pain in the ass for you now that the stick is out."

With a disgruntled hiss Asmoday began to beat Greymane senselessly within an inch of his life, breaking bones and rupturing non-vital organs while taunting him as he asked if Greymane found this situation amusing and demanding he laugh.

As the beating came to an end several hours later with the setting of the sun, Asmoday removed the medallion and placed it around his own neck, "It has been fun Greymane, but like all good things sadly this must come to an end. Now before I kill you and then head off in search of the diamond tell me something. Does the medallion look good on me?"

With a broken jaw and a bruised face he stared down Asmoday as best he could, barely muttering as blood slowly dripped from his mouth, "You won't kill me..." Pausing for the moment to spit out what blood had filled in his mouth giving a weakened glare, "...you still need me to find the diamond."

"Now that's where you are wrong, you see it's said that the artifacts can't be destroyed. So I'll just go from one village, city, or town, to the next slaughtering lives, burning homes, and leaving the blood from it all at your hooves till I find it. Oh and don't worry about anypony you care about. They will slowly join you in death..." Lifting the boulder he had shackled Greymane to he gave a wicked smile full of a lust for blood, "...soon enough after I've had my fun torturing them as I have you. Who knows maybe I make Luna suffer more by slowly killing Celestia in front of her, after I show her your bloated corpse."

As Greymane stared down Asmoday with his one unswollen eye the intent to kill slowly grew alongside his rage, "Harm one hair on any of them. And I swear you won't walk away from any of this!"

Asmoday found it amusing to hear what he believed to be Greymane's last threat, "Oh Greymane you're in no position to be making threats or promises at this point in time. I however don't have to make any, once my master is free from beyond the void..." As his horn began to gleam the bolder slowly started to move over the open waters. "...none shall stand in our way!"

Trying to fight the pain Greymane struggled to free himself from the shackles knowing that if he could not break free then all that awaited him was an unmarked watery grave. As the bolder floated in the air suspended by the dark lord's magic Greymane could see nothing below him but the dark icy waters of the bay. As Greymane barely managed to free his left hoof he nearly cried out in pain as the bone in that leg snapped in half. Trying to reach for his gourd he found it missing only to see it laying in the grass where he was being tortured splattered in blood. In an attempt to free his right hoof Greymane found his shoulder was dislocated as well as nearly his entire right leg broken causing him to clench his teeth as he grunted in pain.

"Now I want you to remember that I gave you plenty of time to be reasonable Greymane..." Slowly releasing the bolder he could see the fear in Greymane's eyes, though it was not a fear of death for Gray had already accepted he could die at any moment and embraced death as a friend, but a fear for all he held near and dear to his heart, "...I was patient with you, and let you tell your jokes, but instead of working with me you chose to continue this meaningless fight. Sleep well Greymane." Releasing the bolder he laughed as Greymane took one final deep breath before falling beneath the water, just before leaving he watched as Greymane's image slowly became lost to the darkened waters, "Oh Greymane I forget. Do mortals need air to live I once heard something about that but I don't recall..." Holding a hoof to his ear as he listened closely for only a moment then nodded with a hum and lustful laugh, "...I guess not." Laughing as he vanished from the area, he felt successful in his endeavor.

Slowly sinking to the bottom of the bay Greymane did all he could to try and break free, only to slowly discover all his efforts were in vain. The beating he took from the dark lord both with and without the medallion took far too great a toll on his body and left him weaker than he originally thought.

Before passing out he looked up toward the slowly fading sky and sent out one last telepathic message, wishing for any whom could hear him would listen, *Please keep all whom I hold dear safe and out of harm's way. And please tell them... ...I Greymane am sorry.*

As last of what little air he had in his lungs were pressed out by the pressure of the water. His eyes closed with the faint image of the young colt he had seen on the train laying on the floor of the bay to become the last image he saw, while the cold embrace of death came for him.

Memoirs of a Thief

by grey mane

The Dark Lord and a Thief Part 1