> The Blind Sun
>  by Dragonfire2lm
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> The Scarlet Hive
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Scarlet Changelings did not sleep the same way most other creatures did. Instead of a dreamless sleep or a harrowing nightmare, the crimson shelled bugs returned to their hive. The Scarlet Hive was a strange thing, a towering hollowed-out tree, claw-like branches stretching out as if to grasp the sky itself and decorated with lamps and lanterns that glowed with the red fires of nightmare essence. Its roots extended into winding tunnels deep far below the earth.

It existed both in the waking world and in the Nightmare Realm. The realm itself was a forest, a vast expanse of trees, dark wooden limbs in the shape of an open claw, and whenever a being slept deeply enough, a red flame would light within these branches. Every tree represented a sleeping individual and every lit flame a nightmare born of their own subconscious.

Hearth stood just outside the entrance to the hive, her chitin discoloured in places where the burns were still healing, and her wings still useless ribbons of membrane crusted with blue hemolymph. Her body in the waking world was sound asleep in Grimm’s carriage, the pair on their way to wherever it was The Troupe Master was headed before stopping to retrieve her. It had been many moons since she had last reported to the hive, the slowly worsening state of The Badlands Hive had taken up most of her time, she had gone weeks without rest, a feat doable for a Scarlet Changeling, but not without drawbacks.

Hearth had spent the last few years running on embers, on whatever scraps of nightmare essence she could get, usually from eating the nightmares of her fellow 'lings. It wasn’t ideal but changelings born of the nightmare realm weren’t as rigidly bound to the laws of nature as the other hives.

The changelings under her care had been worse off. The wounded 'ling kept all of this mind as she walked at a brisk pace. The inside of the hive was as lavishly decorated as any palace or castle. Red tapestries, banners and ribbons hung on the walls, elegantly embroidered cushions of every colour imaginable lay in piles up against the sides of the large hub of walkways and tunnels that made up the Mainway, the central hub of pathways that led to most areas of the hive.

She kept her mind closed off from the hive and walked to the largest tunnel that led deeper underground. The gaping entryway was guarded by a pair of stockier bugs as tall as a yak, wearing white heart-shaped masks and their red armour-like carapace was decorated with unique markings in white paint. One guard held out a spindly limb to stop her.

“Are you not headed to medical?” they asked, pointing to a doorway lined in white cloth to make it stand out amidst the varying shades of red.

Hearth shook her head. “We have a rogue Queen, I must present my findings to the court.”

As the guard sighed, clearly worried, their co-worker chimed in. “Let her through brother, A Kindler’s duty comes before themselves. You know that.”

“…Very well, but afterwards, go see the healers.” The guard relented and Hearth nodded.

“Of course.”





The Crimson Court was a collection of important 'lings responsible for running not only The Scarlet Hive, but The Nightmare Realm as well. The room they held their meetings was a large round stage, raised seating for onlookers to watch as the court members sat on cushions on the floor. The room mirrored the look and feel of a circus tent, walls covered in red curtains, seats filled with the occasional onlooker or young grub.

Ba-dump, Ba-dump, Ba-dump…

Suspended near the ceiling via glowing, vein-like cables, was a red patchwork heart of red cloth, dotted with holes that glowed with a white light, like eyes, as the sound of its rhythmic beats filled the room.

Hearth took comfort in that sound, as it did every scarlet changeling as she walked into the room. The Crimson Courtroom was a place the changelings of the Scarlet Hive were free to enter, to voice their concerns.

Only one member of the court was present, an older changeling whose physical form looked more like a bee than the pony-like quadruped Hearth herself had chosen to become in the final stages of her growth. Red fuzz covered the changeling’s torso. The ‘ling’s legs tucked beneath her body as she sat on the cushion reading from a piece of parchment. The antennae atop the changeling’s head twitched as Hearth approached.

“Hello, Grand Harvester Pollenna, I bring news from The Badlands Hive.” Hearth said, respectfully dipping her head as Pollenna looked up, red eyes widening in shock at the state Hearth was in.

Pollenna set down her reading material. “Goodness, what happened?”

Hearth, though knowing full well what to say, found the words were stuck in her throat. The memories still fresh and the Kindler could feel every tattered remnant of her wings, could point out every section of still healing chitin. The goal of getting back to the hive, of surviving, had kept her mind focused, but now in the safety of her home and knowing Grimm watched over her in the waking world Hearth was at a loss.

She was quickly becoming frustrated with herself, leading to only upset her further.

The Grand Harvester got up and gently coaxed her into sitting on one of the cushions. “You’re the Badlands Kindler, aren’t you?”

She nodded.

Pollenna hummed in sympathy. “Your first hive and already dealing with a bad egg, poor dear. I’ll send a squad of Harvesters to monitor the ‘lings and inform the rest of the court,” she smiled warmly. “You did your duty little kindler.”

“I- the grubs. Everyone’s starving,” Hearth forced out. “I tried everything I could think of but I can’t love an entire hive and The Queen…She’s a monster.”

Crack.

The noise came from above, everyone looked up to see the centre of the heart had opened and a figure could be seen within.

The Nightmare King.

The tall bug, wrapped in a crimson cloak with spiked ends and a high collar, bore a striking resemblance to The Troupe Master, save for the fact that this bug’s horns were longer, and his chitin was red as opposed to Grimm’s glossy black. He appeared in the middle of the room in a flash of red smoke and turned his glowing red eyes towards Hearth.

“So, Chrysalis is starving her subjects?” he asked, and it took Hearth a moment to remember that yes, this was the same bug that had rescued her hours earlier.

His presence in the nightmare realm was daunting, a bonfire of power barely contained within his ruby shell.

Hearth nodded and The King’s maw dipped into a frown. He bowed low to the smaller bug. “Forgive me Kindler, I’ve been busy with other matters. Had I known of such cruelty, Chrysalis would have been dealt with much sooner,” he said sincerely. “I have an important meeting to attend, but once it is done. I shall see to the rogue queen myself.”

It was well known that King Grimm upheld a changeling’s freedom to express themselves and pursue their own lives alongside their chosen duties. The hive operated independently from his duties as the ruler of the Nightmare Realm, but he still took his position as Changeling King seriously. Many a tale had been told about how he dealt with threats to his subjects and though he let The Queens run their hives as they saw fit, he would not stand any ruler, any parent that would harm those under their care.

“Thank you, Your Majesty.” Hearth bowed as the king straightened up. She was still reeling from everything that had happened, her thoughts out of sorts and swiftly left the room as Grimm and Pollenna launched into a discussion about which Harvesters to send to send aid to The Badlands Hive.





Following the paths marked with white cloth, Hearth made her way to Medical. Her surroundings called to mind the years of her youth spent in these halls as she entered the large chamber. The lanterns that illuminated this area of the hive were lit not with red flame, but the white fires of Soul Magic. The power that was the will made manifest was present in pulsing white runes carved into the walls and floor, and stitched into the plain looking bedsheets that lined the round nests that were in neat rows on either side of the main chamber.

Even the staff, changelings that shared their ruler’s bipedal stance, dressed in white, clean cut uniforms, had glowing white eyes and delicate wings. And as soon as they spotted the injured Kindler, they herded Hearth into a nest and began checking her over, silent.

Healer 'lings were purely telepathic, their heightened cognitive abilities allowed them to search for what was wrong should a patient be unable to tell them. Hearth never had the stomach for medicine, not for lack of trying, but it took a smarter 'ling, and one with a stronger constitution than her to spend their days tending to the sick and injured. The time she had almost fainted trying to put wrappings on a fellow changeling recovering from surgery was proof enough that she wasn’t meant for the job.

She felt a mental poke at her link to the hive. Hearth carefully opened her senses to the enclosed environment of the Healer Hivemind and the healer tending to her paid her troubled emotional state no mind, sympathy bleeding through from the other ling.

The kindler stared at the wall in front of her, mind adrift, thoughts steadily becoming a calm sea of incoherent snippets as opposed to the storm of stress they had slowly been warping into. After a time, with the sterile environment soothing her frayed nerves, the healer got her attention with another mental poke.

The news was delivered in a concise, clean stream of thought.

Damage to flight membrane irreversible, recommendation: Full Metamorphosis.

Upon waking, please head to the nearest hive or colony for assistance. Until then, please remain here.

Hearth nodded and the healer left to attend to other patients. She curled up in the next, the bedding soft against her chitin.

Metamorphosis huh? She mused. …What would I even be?

She was certain that after dealing with The Badlands Hive, she had no desire to remain a Kindler. As much as she loved the job, she had been subject to far too much in the last day or so to agree to a new posting at another hive or colony. Though the colonies were smaller, they still required a Kindler to advise them.

And Kindlers were but one type of Scarlet Changeling. With the prospect of finding a new purpose for herself, Hearth began to ponder over the other roles she could eventually claim for herself.

She dismissed the thought of becoming a Knight, as strong as the warriors of the hive were, fighting off night terrors and the more dangerous, wild aspects of the realm never appealed to her to begin with.

She knew she’d never have the will to be a Healer either.

Her thoughts drifted to her ruler. She had no idea if he had simply been passing through when he found her, or if he had sensed her out in the barren wastes and come to collect her himself. It had been centuries since a Kindler had been in her position, and tales of The King swooping in to save abandoned or mistreated 'lings was a common tale passed around in both written and spoken form.

It had also been centuries since a 'ling had taken the mantle of Mothling, the personal servant of The Nightmare King, not since Pyre the Fearless had sacrificed themselves to allow Grimm to flee The Crystal Empire.

As the room around her became hazy and her mind drifting away from the depths of sleep, Hearth resolved to ask Grimm about it when she woke up.





Hearth awoke with a start as the carriage hit a bump in the road, jostling its passengers. She felt Grimm steady her with a hand and looked up to find the black and red being watching her curiously. She had fallen asleep in his lap some time ago, daylight peaked through the edges of the curtains drawn shut over the windows.

“Greetings friend,” he said with a smile. “And what do the healers make of your situation?”

“I need to undergo a full metamorphosis,” she replied. “My wings are too damaged. Where are we headed?”

“I am headed to Canterlot to speak to Equestria’s ruler,” Grimm explained. “Princess Celestia has summoned me to her kingdom to meet her niece, a monumental occasion to be certain.”

His gaze focused on Hearth’s shredded wings. “…If you wish, I can request a room for us and stay for a time, long enough to ensure your recovery. You may do as you like afterwards,” he looked back at her, curious, and Hearth was caught off guard by his next question. “Have you given any thought to what you wish to be?”

She stumbled over words. “Y-yeah, for the most part,” at his insistence, she elaborated. “I don’t want to be a Kindler… I know I’m downplaying my situation but… it was rough to say the least. The less I dwell on it, the better.”

She took a breath, bracing herself for the worst, he was unlikely to get angry over her next request, but several moons of skirting around the volatile Chrysalis had left its mark. “I was thinking, with your permission, of serving under you directly.”

“A Mothling… It has been an age since I last accepted one…” Grimm was quiet as he pondered the suggestion. “You are aware of the rumours? They are only true to the degree you want them to be, a Mothling’s duty to me is more than that of a servant or minder, they are as closely tied to my heart, to my realm, as I am…”

Still, she waited, cautiously watching him for the slightest change in expression or body language. He was pensive and Hearth kept her thoughts closed off from her ruler lest he pick up on her ill-founded worries.

“You are also in need of support,” Grimm continued, peering down at her. “While you saw the healers, I took a cursory look at the state of the Badlands Hive. It is as you said, starving lings… Poor, frightened things living in terror,” He shook his head ruefully. “Truly detestable.”

“I’m fine,” she insisted. “They’re the ones who need help.”

He arched a brow at her. “They are not the ones that were beaten and left for dead. Had I not found you, I daresay you would have been worse off…If you survived at all.”

She grumbled in frustration. She was frustrated in herself, her injuries, in her own failings to truly stop Chrysalis… It was an endless loop of doubt and helplessness. She did her best to put it all aside and sighed. “I know…but I was responsible for their safety! Who will do that now?”

“I have Harvesters watching over Chrysalis and her brood, they are ensuring every ling gets the food and medical treatment they need without the rogue queen knowing,” Grimm explained. “I’ve also sent some Knights over to help those who wish to leave the hive but fear retribution if they do. The situation is well in hand.”

Hearth blinked, processing the information. “The Queen?”

Grimm stared at the wall. His gaze unfocused, seeing something beyond the confines of the carriage. “…If left to her own devices, she will be embroiled in the trials that Equestria will face in ten years’ time, her hive a swarm of starving, desperate subjects…” He blinked, scowling at the revelation, and heaved out a sigh. “I believe I shall end those events before they can begin, Chrysalis shall be dealt with and cast out. For too long I, and others, have been idle. Content to see to our own responsibilities and nothing more.”

“Isn’t that normal?” Hearth asked.

“That doesn’t mean everything takes place in isolation. With all that is to come, actions must be taken and unlike others I shall not name, I will not be idle,” Grimm said, bringing his attention back to the changeling still sitting in his lap. “Heed my words friend, a Mothling’s duties are loosely defined. Should you choose to walk down this path, you will be aiding me in my duties…I trust you understand what that entails?”

“A rough idea,” she admitted. “You oversee the nightmare realm, you are the harbinger of endings and beginnings, and you act as a mediator between the other Higher Beings.”

He nodded, smirking. “I admit, I have only had the company of my troupe these last thousand years, I had assumed you would choose to join them.”

She had forgotten about the troupe, a mix of living beings Grimm brought into the fold, and Grimmkin, spirits native to the Nightmare Realm that followed Grimm as he did his duties. The troupe and their tent was The Nightmare King’s home when away from the Scarlet Hive. Hearth never had the pleasure of seeing the troupe in person but those 'lings who did often spoke of wonderous performances and Grimm delighting in bringing something joyful and colourful to the world despite the serious nature of his work.

Here was a being that was a symbol of death, a final warning for tyrants and beloved rulers alike.

“Are you certain you don’t mind if I choose to be a Mothling?” Hearth asked him hesitantly. “After what happened with Lady Pyre, I understand if you’re not comfortable with the decision.”

“It has been a thousand years since their sacrifice… And I have been with the troupe for too long,” Grimm reassured her, resting a hand on her back. “Chrysalis’ attempt to overstep her bounds, the mistreatment of her children that went on unnoticed until now… I am in need of someone able to see the trees and not the forest…”

She took a moment to really look at him. It was an old saying. Meant to instil the notion that the small scale, personal struggles were just as important as the bigger picture, and Hearth had always wondered why he hadn’t caught wind of Chrysalis’ scheme sooner. It had simply been a case of the king, of everyone really, being too wrapped in their own responsibilities to take notice. Even Hearth herself had only acted when she could no longer stand to see the hive destroying itself from the inside, and she had tried to save it. She had tried to sneak as much food as she could get away with to the grubs, to the sick, to so many changelings that Hearth was often called the hive’s princess in secret.

She was no princess, to Hearth, she was only doing what was right.

“I guess…I’m your personal Kindler?” she suggested. “That’s what it sounds like anyway, keeping an eye on the little things and all.”

Grimm chuckled. “So long as you don’t interfere with my duties, you may do as you please. Mothling’s are more mystical in nature than I could accurately describe. You will understand upon completing metamorphosis.”

She nodded.

“You were asleep for quite some time, we will be at Canterlot in a few hours,” Grimm said and smiled fondly. “I look forward to seeing how far pony kind has come since I last walked among them.”

“Will we be using disguises?” she asked.

Grimm looked at her, perplexed. “We were offered safe passage, invited. We need only be ourselves.”

“Oh…” her ear fins drooped in embarrassment. “…I’ve never been outside the hive without a disguise before…”

“Fret not, no harm shall befall you,” he said coolly. “We are dealing with ponies, Hearth, they are harmless.”

She winced. “Master, you haven’t seen what a pony is capable of.”

He looked at her curiously but said nothing more on the subject.
> City of Spires
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Canterlot was a city of ivory towers that reached to the heavens, gold plated spires gleaming in the midday sun. From her place bundled up in Grimm’s arms, Hearth looked up at the maze of walkways that connected one tower to another.

Grimm walked at a steady pace along the cobblestone sidewalk, taking in the sights along with her as wagons laden with goods trundled down the smooth marble roads and unicorns adorned in elegant suits, dresses, and robes went about their business. A few eyed the two insects warily, many more went out of their way to ensure they would not cross paths with the king.

Both king and subject could sense the undercurrent of distrust in the air. It made Hearth feel exposed and she resisted the urge to transform into something small and hide in a crevice somewhere. 

“Same as ever I see…” Grimm commented quietly.

A soft breeze and the movement of cloth caught her eye and she looked at the elaborate banners that hung off window ledges and above doorways, advertising the various shops and services the city had to offer, all packed into the spires around them.

“Canterlot was founded by The Mages Association a hundred years before the fall of Everfree City. When Princess Celestia needed to relocate her people and government after the fallout, The Association offered up their mountain peak city of towers,” Grimm explained as they walked. “The wall that stretches around Canterlot is the foundation of a magical barrier that allows the city to function as an enclosed ecosystem despite the high elevation.”

As they rounded a corner, the road led to a large domed building. The stained-glass roof drew their gaze, a rainbow of colours amidst the stark white architecture of the rest of the city. Sky blue banners depicting the image of a golden, stylised sun were attached to poles that lined the road to the building.

The main entrance was a golden arch, the area beyond it obscured by glittering pink magic. A pair of unicorn guards, in gem encrusted golden armour, stood silently on either side of the entrance. As Grimm carried Hearth, the guards stepped forward, horns glowing.

“State your business.” One of them spoke.

Grimm produced a letter from the inside of his cloak and handed it to one of the ponies, the guard taking it in his magic. Tension filled the air as the stallion read its contents.

The guard nodded and returned the letter to The Troupe Master. “Papers are in order, please head to reception and mind yourselves while you are within Equestria’s borders.”

“Thank you Gentlecolts.” Grimm replied amicably and stored the letter away in his cloak.

Hearth could only stare at the oddity of it all. The city was certainly impressive to look at, but unlike The Scarlet Hive, it lacked personality, the heart and soul of its inhabitants. The ponies they had passed on their way here were indifferent at best and distrustful at worst. An emotional coldness permeated Canterlot that made the changeling feel unwelcome.

That feeling persisted as Grimm stepped through the magical gate, its magic washing over Hearth in a way that felt invasive to the smaller being.

The interior of the building was just as opulent as the city outside it. Sunlight streamed in from the glass roof above, a kaleidoscope of colours dancing across the blue carpet. The lobby of the building led to several different rooms hidden behind large wooden doors carved with ornate runes and magical symbols. Tucked into the corner of the large space, was a dark wooden, clawfoot desk behind which sat a mare in a light blue uniform, the collar of which had the same stylised sun as the banners outside. The pony had not noticed their arrival, too absorbed in reading a news article.

“This is The Royal Sanctuary,” Grimm said as Hearth looked around. “A magic academy that is home to one of the world’s largest collections of artefacts, tomes, and records. As well as home to Princess Celestia herself.”

Given that Grimm himself spent most of his days living in a reality defying tent, the fact that the ruler of ponies lived in a school didn’t phase her all that much. She wondered if it was a quirk unique to Higher Beings, Princess Celestia was the Steward of the Sun after all. Her musings were cut short as Grimm approached the reception desk in the corner of the room.

The mare looked up at him, wide-eyed.

Grimm, as always, was cordial. “Greetings, I am Troupe Master Grimm, I believe Princess Celestia is expecting me?”

The mare collected herself, clearing her throat. “Ah, yes sir, a room has already been prepared for you. Do you need an escort?”

“Yes, we would appreciate that, thank you.”

“A guard will see to you shortly.”

A pair of light blue benches were up against the nearby wall and Grimm placed Hearth on one and took a seat on the other.

Their present situation stuck to Hearth as odd. “Master, would it not have been better to arrive in the carriage? Or in a way more fitting your station?”

Grimm smirked at her. “And deprive us the chance to see how this city truly runs? I think not my friend,” he said, expression shifting into something bordering on weary. “As much as I adore the finery and splendour of the upper class, I also tire of it. There is much one does not see when looking down from on high, here among the masses is where I prefer to be.”

The sound of approaching hoofsteps caused Hearth to glance up as a unicorn guard, in dark blue dress uniform, approached them. Pinned to the lapel of his uniform was a shield shaped badge with a six-pointed star on it. He looked younger than his peers as he offered Grimm a salute.

“My name is Shining Armor, I’m your assigned guard for the duration of your stay here.” The stallion said and while Grimm raised a brow, he didn’t comment. “I’ll escort you to your room.”

Hearth carefully slid off the bench to walk beside the taller being, Grimm looked down at her.

“Are you certain you can walk on your own?” he asked, concerned.

“…I think you’ve coddled me enough, Master,” She admitted as they follow Shining Armor down a hallway. As much as tolerated his fussing, there was pride in being able to move under own power despite the aching protest of her battered form. “Besides, I can rest when we reach our room.”

“Um…” Shining asked from ahead of them, looking back at her. “Sorry, but I just wanted to ask, what happened to you? You look like you got mauled by a chimera.”

It was Grimm who answered. “The victim of a terrible abuse of power I’m afraid. I was lucky to reach her in time.”

“Oh, that’s horrible,” Shining replied sympathetically. “Do you want to stop by the Hospital Wing? I can ask the doctors to take a look at those wings.”

Grimm smiled at the sincere offer. “Thank you, but there is no need, we bugs have our own ways of treating wounds.”

“If you’re sure, let me know if there’s anything I can do to help.’

“We will,” Hearth chimed in. Shining’s concern was a welcome feeling that soothed the lingering unease still crawling in her shell.





Hearth stared at the massive, four-poster bed that was the centre of the room while Grimm inspected the contents of the desk that was beneath the large window that overlooked the Sanctuary gardens. The room was spacious, with various plush white couches and seats up against the walls and a large wardrobe tucked into a corner. Even the floor, soft, velvety blue carpet, practically screamed opulence and luxury.

This is a bit much... she thought.

It was grand to be sure, but there was a coldness to it, a sterility that sucked the beauty out of the otherwise enchanting décor. It reminded her too much of the Badlands Hive.

Grimm had finished poking around the desk and had strolled over to inspect the attached bathroom. “A private bathing area, how generous.”

Hearth looked over at him, the dried blood on her ruined wings suddenly wildly uncomfortable. “Do you mind if I freshen up?”

The Troupe Master stepped aside and gestured for her to go ahead. “See to your injuries, friend. I believe I will go in search of a meal for the two of us.”

She nodded her thanks as Grimm departed the suite. She entered the bathroom warily and was greeted with a wide porcelain tub, gold trimmed basin, and polished wooden flooring. She eyed the nearby shelf filled with soaps and bottles of liquid cleansers with suspicion and chose a simple washcloth hanging off the rack beneath it as she used her magic to run herself a bath as warm as the hot springs in The Scarlet Hive.





She exited the bathroom to find the Troupe Master lounging on one of the longer couches, cloak polling around his form as he basked in the sunlight streaming in from the window. Hearth spied a bowl of fruit and a platter of smoked fish covered by glass lids on the desk.

Grimm looked at her lazily. “Her highness has requested I join her for dinner this evening, until then I am free to do as I please,” he gestured at the food. “I’ve received word from the healers regarding your condition, and they recommended simpler fare to start with. You’ll need a stockpile of nutrients for the metamorphosis after all.”

She nodded and picked up a piece of fish in her magic, floated it over to herself, and gave it an experimental nibble.

Salmon.

She hummed in appreciation and began to eat in earnest, walking over to an armchair to sit while she ate. There was plenty of time before their appointed dinner with the princess, and Hearth knew she didn’t have to attend given her main priority was to recuperate.

Swallowing her mouthful of fish, she looked over at him. “What do you plan to do now?”

“Hm…” Grimm mused. “I shall relax as well for I need not return to the Nightmare Realm until much later. My Troupe is between performances, so I am not needed there either. And in truth, I’d rather not leave you here alone while you recover.”

He pushed himself up into a sitting position as Hearth tore at her fish, jaws snapping shut over her prize. “You will be attuning yourself to me, thus your transformation will be smoother if I am close by.”

She nodded and vocalised her agreement with a grunt. She finished her piece of fish and floated over a golden apple from the fruit bowl over to her as Grimm relaxed, lying back down on the plush couch to resume his sunbathing.

“I wonder what sort of Mothling you will be?” he mused.

A calm, lazy silence settled over the room. Hearth ate her fill while Grimm dozed. As time passed, Hearth began to think on her nearing metamorphosis. She’d need somewhere to make a cocoon for starter, and somewhere safe. Though with Grimm in the room, she knew she was in good hands.

She glanced over at the bed, it looked comfortable, as did everything else in the room, but it wasn’t quite right.

She eyed the wardrobe, a tall wooden thing shoved into the right corner by the bed. She finished her meal, licked fruit juices and bits of fish off her fangs and got up.

Moving over to inspect the wardrobe, she opened it to find it was empty, ready for the room’s occupants to store their own clothes, it was also large enough for her to step inside.

So, she did.

Closing the door shrouded her in darkness. She stood with ample room to move, more than enough room for a cocoon. She stepped back out again to find her roommate watching her curiously.

“Find a good place to begin?” he asked.

“Do you think the ponies will mind?”

“There is nowhere else for you to go, the nearest colony is well beyond this kingdom’s borders,” Grimm replied. “If anyone has an objection, I will handle it.”

“Yeah, see you when I wake up?” she said.

“Of course, rest well, Hearth,” Grimm replied, dipping his head in respect. “May you find illumination.”





Encased in hardened, ruby red magic, Hearth dreamed.

It came as surprise to the ‘ling, expecting to wind up in some hidden corner of the Scarlet Hive. But no, her hooves felt the dead, packed dirt beneath her, a stale breeze sending small dust clouds rolling off into the distance.

The sky was dark, no moon, no sun, no stars. The horizon of nothingness went on forever, an empty lifeless land.

“Sad, is it not?”

Hearth turned around to see another changeling standing behind her. Red plates of carapace protected their shining white hide. Black fluff encircled the base of their neck like a mane, and feathery antennae curled gracefully atop their head. Red moth-like wings with white eye-like markings lay limp at their sides. The ‘ling’s pink eyes were focused on some unseen thing in the distance, an expression of unwavering calm across their face.

They spoke again. “Look closer, Noble Kindler.”

Hearth blinked.

An army of beings marched in a procession in the distance, hailing from every kingdom and every type of creature that roamed the world, red robed Grimmkin floated in the air alongside griffons, dragons, pegasi, and small bug-like wraiths of living shadow. Each one had red nightmare mandala rising off their form. Ponies walked side-by-side with changelings and diamond dogs alike.

And at the helm, shining as bright as bonfire, was The Nightmare King.

“God of Nightmares and Rebirth, Changeling King, Father of the Discarded,” the other ‘ling said calmly. “He will remain long after this world is naught but ashes and dust. And remake the world anew, for his light casts the greatest shadow of them all.”

Hearth watched the parade of ghosts in silence. Something rose from the darkness, a towering horned beast, an entity of shadows and mystery, yet no more malevolent than Grimm himself. This great creature walked alongside her king, flowing beside him as if the two were old friends.

“What does all this mean?” she asked as the armoured changeling walked over to stand beside her.

“What do you think it means?” They asked in turn.

She wasn’t sure, an answer came to mind, but it was difficult to swallow. “…What about the other Higher Beings? Where are they?”

“…The Moon scorns him, The Sun ignores him, his Twin hates him, and the Pale Light fears him… Only the Silent Void remains in his presence.”

Hearth thought back to Grimm’s comments on the upper class, his desire to see to her wellbeing, the simple joy he seemed to find in any situation.

Out there, with naught but the dead and dark for company, Grimm looked incredibly lonely. She understood now why he valued free will and self-expression in his subjects, they were all he had in the face of the thankless duty he performed.

“Trials lay ahead, Noble Kindler,” the other changeling said. “Shifts in power, a dance of disharmony between the Higher Beings, and His Majesty is the one that stands before it all.”

“And he’ll do it for us…” Hearth said softly, heart melting in a desire to comfort, to soothe. “He’ll do all he can to stop the world from tearing itself apart and pick up the pieces after everything is said and done.”

“And what will you do, now that you know all this?”

Her brow furrowed as she frowned. She was just one ‘ling, one ‘ling could not love a hive, one ‘ling could not stop a tyrant, but…

If she didn’t do something, who would?

“He needs someone,” she decided. “Someone to support him, to remind him of the little things…”

“And that someone would be you, Noble Kindler?” the white ‘ling raised a brow at her. “You would devote eternity to staying by his side?”

Hearth laughed. “When you put it like that, it sounds like I’m going to take him as a mate,” the two of them chuckled at the joke. “He’s lonely, I think. And does it really matter what I am if it means he has someone there for him?”

“And,” she continued. “If the Higher Beings are in disharmony, then it affects everyone. Someone needs to remind them that their power affects more than each other…”

“A bringer of Harmony? A voice of the people?” the other changeling mused. “Surely you would settle for being His Majesty’s assistant or maiden?”

Hearth looked them in the eye, drawing herself up to her full height. “No.”

If she were to truly express herself, to free herself from the shackles of fear, of doubt, of the seeds of servitude Chrysalis’ tyranny had sown, she needed to decide her fate for herself, to live and breathe with confidence.

And what better way than by embracing the one saving grace she had as Kindler of the Badlands Hive, her empathy, her drive to teach and nurture.

No more suffering.

No more blind obedience,

No more cowardice.
> Father of the Discarded
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

As the day dragged on, Grimm flittered around room, occasionally glancing over at the closed wardrobe Hearth resided in. The former Kindler had encased herself in a cocoon of red magic, its hard exterior faintly pulsing with light that peaked through the crack of the slightly open wardrobe door.

He'd already received news from the ‘lings he’d sent to the Badlands Hive that they’d snuck in with ease. The changelings loyal to Chrysalis fell for the ruse so long as his Knights projected a sense of obedience and loyalty into the hivemind. From there, the Knights had found a series of small tunnels that ran to several key areas of the hive. The tunnels had been discretely marked with an image of an open flame. These tunnels had proved instrumental in smuggling out grubs and ‘lings out from the tyrant queen’s nose.

It appears Hearth had been busy during her time as Kindler. Grimm couldn’t be more proud of her.

But the king was also saddened at how long things had gone unnoticed, it was rare that a Queen went rogue for years without reprimand. It had once more reminded him that despite the vast amount of knowledge at his disposal, that even things could escape his notice. All that could be done was to rescue those they could until he could see to Chrysalis in person.

And he would once his business in Canterlot was concluded.

His thoughts were brought back to the present as his gaze settled on the afternoon sun streaming in from the window above the desk. The hour was growing late, and Hearth still had not emerged. 

He would not leave her while she was this vulnerable. Despite her determination, her fate had hung in the air, he had seen what would have happened if he had not taken a detour to retrieve her.

And she was but one of many that suffered under Chrysalis rule.

No more he thought with a sigh. I will not be idle while this world crumbles around me. Ah, that reminds me, this visit will not be as pleasant as Celestia wishes it to be…

The presence of another in the room drew him from his musings. In the shadows in the corner of the room, a pair of glowing white orbs peaked out from the shadow cast by the desk. Grimm recognized the concerned mind brushing up against his.

“I did not pull you from your shell just to fret over me,” He pointed out. At another wave of worry, and agitation, Grimm properly sat up in his seat and patted the empty seat beside them. “Speak your mind my child, you know you are always free to.”

The reply was not a voice, yet it was still a form of telepathy, an image of words written in a stilted script.

It-

At Grimm’s expectant look, the being corrected themself.

I am worried. You have no power here.

“I have no power in most kingdoms,” Grimm replied smoothly. “it is the way of things.”

Yet you were invited…This worries It-me. The Sun could wish you ill will.

“Celestia has always been cordial, though she puts her subjects first, as do most benevolent rulers.” Grimm reassured them.

Yet the shadowy being was not convinced. It emerged from its hiding place, a shade of shadows with a pair of proud, three pronged horns. Its body a mess of tattered inky darkness, and a slender pair of arms, bug-like in appearance and ending in clawed hands. Even in their wraith-like state, the being was still double Grimm’s height, their head bowed to prevent their horns from scraping the ceiling. 

The creature floated over and pointedly sat themselves down at Grimm’s side. They pointed a claw at him.

This land hangs on by your own thread, a golden age set to end in ten years’ time. Why try to salvage this kingdom when one ruler wishes to steal your power and the other too blinded by affection to see it?

“Hollow,” Grimm chided. “The future is not so set in stone, there is time to change things yet.”

Hollow crossed their arms, discontent rolling off them in waves.

Father, the ponies do not care for you, you have not stepped foot in Equestria since the fall of Everfree.

“All the more reason why I am eager to speak with Celestia, it has been an age since we have spoken,” Grimm said, warm smile fading as he looked over at the wardrobe once more. “Though I may have to reschedule that dinner…”

No, The Sun has all the power here, go appease her.

Hollow raised a hand and with a snap of their fingers, a gleaming white, nail-like blade was summoned into their lap.

I will watch over the Mothling. You have a performance to prepare for.

Grimm nodded, sighing. “You are right, I should not risk offense just to soothe my own worries,” Tension left his shoulders as his worries eased. His eldest child was more than capable of defending Hearth from harm. Though he knew it would not reach such extremes, the assurance was welcome. “How are your siblings? The White Lady is staying true to her word, yes?”

Grimm received a nod.

Yes, they are doing well. Petal would like to see the gardens of Canterlot, but they understand this meeting is important, even if they cannot grasp why.

Grimm hummed in thought. “I would request an extended stay in the city. It is a rare thing, to see a kingdom during the final years of an era,” he smirked, a spark of mischief in his glowing red gaze. “Yes, I’m sure Celestia wouldn’t object to allowing our little family a long overdue vacation…You last saw her when you were still but a child in the custody of The Pale King.”

Hollow tilted their head. 

The others would like that…

Grimm’s smirk softened. “But not you?”

The shadowy bug looked to struggle with the finding the appropriate response.

No…No, save the spotlight for Ghost, It-I am done with being the centre of attention. My presence would only serve to unnerve The Sun, I think.

“So, there is nothing you would care to do in this grand city of wonder and opportunity?” Grimm asked and watched as Hollow stared at the floor in contemplation.

I would like to see the Hall of History… Stained glass has always been a sight to behold.

“I shall see what I can do, perhaps the notion of wanting to spend some time with my children will improve my chances of success?” Grimm suggested as he stood up. “After all, my warnings may be falling on deaf ears for all we know, or the end result is our little family being shunned by both Sun and Moon, though I certainly hope that will not be the case.”

There was a knock at the door. The moth straightened his cloak and glanced out of the window. The sky was beginning to darken, and Grimm rested a hand on Hollow’s shoulder. “Time grows short my child, wish me luck.”

Break a leg.





A different guard led Grimm to a dining room. The round table overlooked a large window from which a view of the city could be seen. Grimm politely took a seat, ignoring the wariness rolling off the guard in waves.

The sound of another set of hoof steps turned his attention to the doorway and The Princess of Equestria walked into the room. 

Princess Celestia was a tall, white furred pony with both feathered wings and a long, spiralled horn. Her mane and tail were elegant wispy trials of moving sunlight and the mare’s purple eyes looked at Grimm with polite kindness.

The Princess was dressed in a sweeping sky-blue robe and a golden tiara that resembled the sun rising over the horizon. She walked over and took the seat opposite Grimm and smiled as staff wheeled in a silver trolley laden with plates of food.

Wine glasses were set before both Higher Beings as a servant dressed in a suit poured them both a glass.

Grimm politely took a sip of his drink. 

“It’s good to see you after all this time Grimm,” Celestia said. “Thank you for coming all this way.”

Grimm dipped his head respectfully as a plate of salad was placed in front of him. “A summons to meet a potentially new Higher Being? How could I refuse?” Grimm replied cordially. “I take it your niece won’t be joining us tonight?”

“Cadance is spending some time with her special somepony, I thought it would be best to save introductions for tomorrow. I’ve heard one of your subjects was wounded recently.”

Grimm grimaced. “Indeed, my eldest child is looking after her at the moment.”

“Oh?” Celestia was intrigued. “I thought you swore off of having young.”

Grimm chuckled. “I have, my eldest and their three siblings were lost souls I’ve taken in as my own. Their fates were… cruel to say the least. I was hoping you would allow me to show them around the city. One of my youngest wishes to see the gardens, and my eldest rarely leaves the troupe.”

“And as busy as you are, you want to spend more time with your children,” Celestia surmised. “I know many of my ponies that express similar wants, and I would be honoured to accommodate you and your family.”

A lull in the conversation allowed Grimm to pick at his salad and observe the princess. As much as it warmed his heart to see her well, this was no simple social gathering.

“Celestia,” Grimm said after a moment. “You’ve done well in leading your subjects these past thousand years, but this era of peace is drawing to a close…”

“I know,” Celestia sighed, giving him a serious look. “But I do not need your assistance, I have a plan in place to deal with Nightmare Moon. My sister will be returned to me.”

“Oh? Care to enlighten me?” Grimm asked curiously.

His pleasant mood was starting to sour. He knew full well what Luna had tried to do all those years ago. Nightmare Moon was nothing more than mask, a falsehood The Sun crafted in her denial.

“My student is one of the most powerful unicorns I’ve seen since Starswirl the Bearded. I have no doubt that her power will be enough to awaken the dormant Elements of Harmony and free Luna from the dark magic that ensnares her.” Celestia explained.

“Tia…Luna is not ensorcelled by some dark power, she made her choice, and paid the price for it,” Grimm tried to explain gently. “And your reliance on mortal made magics will not work, there is nothing to cleanse.”

The stern look the princess gave him spoke volumes, “She was lost and confused! And your magic warped her, changed her in a way she should never be. If you had never given her that boon.”

And there it was, the lingering hurt and anger from events long past. The jab at his power still stung, but the moth merely sipped at his wine. “I gave her the right to tend to the nightmares of her subjects, to try and give her a new purpose. If it were not for me, Luna would have tried to kill you instead.”

“My sister would never do such a thing,” Celestia insisted. “I know Twilight will succeed. I have time to teach her everything she needs to know.”

Grimm arched a brow at her. The Elements, powerful though they were, relied on strong bonds between the users. “And how do you plan on finding compatible ponies to awaken the Elements?”

“There will be no need, just as they called out to Luna and I a thousand years ago, so too will they call out to their new bearers.” Celestia explained.

Grimm reached out with his foresight, despite this new information, one outcome was still the most likely to occur. “A bond that strong cannot be formed overnight, and even then, your sister is not some corrupted monster.”

“Then what else is she? She would never act like this unless it was a reaction to your magic” Celestia demanded. “First, you fail your own sister, then the Crystal Empire, and now you offer empty promises when you’ve done nothing to prevent any of this from happening? Out of all of us, you should have been the one to step in and prevent these things from occurring.”

Grimm’s eye narrowed as his maw dipped into a frown. “I understand you were not present for the tragedy that befell Hallownest and The Crystal Empire until the very end. But I did what I could, I did more than I should have, given the circumstances,” he leaned back in his seat. He was known for his patience, little could stoke the fires of his fury, but reminders of the souls lost, the toll he paid to be where he was now… “Or perhaps the results of my aid have gone as unnoticed as those of your sister. After all, I have not seen, nor heard any reference to her outside of some childhood tale made in your honour and an autumn holiday…”

“What results?” Celestia asked. “The Radiance is sealed away thanks to The Wyrm’s efforts, The Crystal Empire has vanished from existence and my sister is imprisoned in the moon. I have spent the last thousand years tending to my duties and my subjects. Not meddling in affairs outside of my domain!”

“Everything ends Celestia,” Grimm said gently. He needed to salvage the conversation without dragging his children into this, no matter how eager he was to prove the alicorn wrong, he would abide by Hollow’s wishes to remain outside of her knowledge. “I merely want to ensure that the ending we get is best possible outcome.”

“And I assure you, my plan is sound.” Celestia said sternly.

He could sense Hollow poking him mentally in concern, the former vessel having no doubt sensed his carefully hidden disappointment and anger towards the princess. He sent back reassurance for he would not pressure his eldest to face something they were not ready for.

Hollow was unconvinced but returned their attention to guarding Hearth, sending him their own reassurance that the former kindler was still asleep and unharmed.

“Grimm, are you listening?”

He blinked. “My apologies, Princess, my eldest was just checking up on me, they worry about me, never truly settled until I return to the troupe safe and sound.”

At that, Celestia smiled. “They sound adorable.”

“Though fully grown, they are more sensitive than their siblings. A joy to see given the state I found them in,” Grimm said and waved a hand idly. “But back to the matter at hand, if you refuse my aid, then might I suggest an addition to your plan, on the off chance your student fails?”

“And what would that be?”

“Allow your student to spend some time with me, to learn about my duties and what it will mean for Equestria when the time comes,” Grimm suggested. “Should she succeed in ten years time, I can aid in helping your sister adjust to the changes in society that have come about since her absence. If your student fails, I will welcome her into my troupe and ensure her safety.”

“And you will remain silent about the plan?” Celestia asked. “I’ve kept Twilight in the dark about all of this…after what happened with Sunset, I thought it would be for the best that she finds the answers herself.”

“...You are risking the future of your entire kingdom on the whims of one soul, a dangerous game, Princess,” Grimm warned and sighed. “But it is clear my warnings will not be heeded. I do hope there are no hard feelings?”

Celestia’s expression turned sharp. “So long as you keep your magic to yourself, and stay out of Equestria’s affairs, then we won’t have an issue,” Her hard look melted into something motherly. “Though there may still be a rift between us, I will not hinder you, nor your desire to spend time with your children. You are free to wander the city with them while you are here… and I will think on your offer to mentor my student.”

The meal continued in tense silence. Grimm reached out to Hollow.

Would you like me to bring you anything?

Hollow’s response was hesitant but tinged in excitement.

Cake?

A splendid idea. And tell your siblings they may follow you here if they so wish, The Princess has given us permission to stay for a time.

Hollow replied immediately.

Father, Ghost is insisting on fighting the princess. They want to Challenge The Sun. What happened?

We came to an... agreement…Ghost is already on their way here, aren’t they?

Yes, though they are bringing Petal with them.

Do tell Ghost that they are not to, and I quote, “challenge the sun”. I have no desire to see what little respect The Sun has for me be destroyed because one of my children took offense.

The short exchange that Grimm was privy to was rather humorous, causing Grimm to smirk as he ate.

Sibling, no. Father said- You cannot fight The Sun because father said so. Your status as a Higher Being does not concern It. It has relayed the message per father’s wishes.

It is still older than you by several minutes, so please do as It asks. Maybe It will spar with you if you behave.





A quick visit to the kitchen after dinner had resulted in Grimm snagging a beautifully decorated carrot cake topped with dried raspberries. He returned to his room, cake held in one hand, and scooped up the little bug that attempted to dash past him.

No larger than a pony foal, they had stubby black limbs, and their head was a white mask like shell with two thin horns that curved upwards, ending in two small prongs. The bug struggled in his hold for a moment, the tattered grey cloak that grew from beneath their mask twisting around them from their squirming.

Grimm passed the cake over to Hollow and with his other hand freed, cradled the child in his arms to his chest, plucking a blade shaped nail from their grasp.

Empty black sockets stared at him as the little one crossed their arms in an obvious display of frustration.

“Ghost,” Grimm chided. “You are not to go running off while you are here,” he turned his gaze over to Hollow and another small bug peeking out from behind his eldest’s shadowy form. Hollow had given themself a pair a legs and longer cloak to stabilize themself while the smaller bug clung to them. Grimm nodded at his other two children. “The same goes for the two of you. Welcome we may be, but that does not mean it is safe for the likes us.”

The child staying close to Hollow was slightly smaller than Ghost, their cloak a vibrant red, and they had two sets of short horns on each side of their mask that curled up slightly. The smaller bug walked over and looked up at Grimm, their head tilted to one side.

Their telepathic script was messy, the unpractised scrawl of a young mind.

father? can I have some cake?

“Only a small piece, I want to save some for Hearth.” He replied. 

The young bug looked over at the wardrobe.

hollow said she was really hurt.

Ghost’s annoyance had faded into quiet reluctance, Grimm set them down. He nodded at his youngest as Ghost hopped up onto a vacant seat and the sound of them rustling through something in their cloak filled the room.

“She was, but she will be fine,” he reassured the smallest of his children. “I have some good news Petal, Celestia has given us permission to visit the gardens.”

The excitement he felt from Petal brought a smile to his face as Hollow tapped the edge of the desk to get their attention. The eldest sibling had a glowing white knife in hand, the cake rested on the desk, cut up into several pieces. Petal happily scurried over to receive their share while Grimm took a seat next to Ghost.

The moth rested a hand on Ghost’s back, prompting their silent gaze to turn to him.

“I understand your frustrations, I too wish Celestia would see reason,” Grimm said. “But you cannot rush in and solve everything yourself my child. We Higher Beings influence more than our individual remains. Our powers affect countless innocent lives, it may be many years until such consequences are seen, but nothing happens in a vacuum.”

Look at us, sibling. Hollow chimed in. We are children of Root, Wyrm, and Void. No voice to cry suffering, yet our cries were still heard.

Ghost nodded, calming down as Hollow walked over to hand Grimm his own slice of cake. Grimm smiled, set Ghost’s weapon aside, and broke the piece in half.

He held the larger piece out to Ghost. “There are other avenues we can take, please do not act rashly while we are here Ghost, I want us all to have a grand time.”

Ghost nodded, accepting the offered cake, and nibbling at it. Their telepathy was much quieter than their siblings, writing faint against a backdrop of darkness.

…Sorry father.

Certain that the lesson had been learned, Grimm patted Ghost’s head. “Not everything can be solved by beating it into submission,” he looked around the room, there was no sign of the last of his adopted children. “Did Javelin choose to remain in Hallownest?”

Hollow nodded.

Hornet has agreed to train them, Herrah was pleased to let her do so.

Grimm smirked. “The Beast so does love to entertain you four, How fares young Hornet?”

Hollow perked up, a quiet joy leaking into their telepathy as they shared the adventures they and their sister had gotten caught up in during their last visit to Hallownest.

Ghost would softly correct them when in excitement, they would attempt to add more flair to the tale, much in the way Grimm would during his stage performances with the troupe. 

Hours passed, the four of them swapping stories and talking late into the night.

In the early hours of the next morning, as the sun began to rise, a loud crack sounded from the wardrobe.

Hearth was waking up.
> Meandering
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

For Hearth, waking felt like getting doused in ice water. Her senses were sharp, raw in their level of sensitivity and her cocoon felt several sizes too small. Instinct guided her newfound power to crack the hardened shell of magic she was encased in, her magic sputtering out shortly after the first cracks began to form.

She stumbled out on stiff legs, eyes adjusting to the early morning sunlight and blinked at the four bugs in the room with her.

“Uh….?” She said as Grimm smiled and one of the small bugs with a set of curved horns waved at her from where they sat on a couch.

“Welcome back friend. How do you feel?” The Troupe master asked.

“Different,” she replied, experimentally moving the long antennae on top of her head and was amused at their heart shaped, fuzzy ends.

She noticed that most of her body, except for her head, neck, and legs, was covered in fluffy red fur. Her wings rested on her back in the form of white tendrils. They unfurled at her whim, revealing white membrane like her original wings. She noticed that she taller now, at her best guess, by a rough comparison to Grimm’s own tall stature, she estimated she was as tall as the average changeling queen.

The most startling change was the power that hummed beneath her chitin. A sense of strength and will Hearth had never known before.

She wasn’t sure if she was afraid of her new strength, or worried about it. Feeling her legs protest their lack of movement for hours on end, she took a few unsteady steps around the room.

A horned shade walked over to support her, letting her lean up against them.

“Oh, uh thanks,” she said awkwardly, and the being nodded. “Sorry, I’m still a bit out of sorts.”

Grimm spoke up as she focused on getting feeling back into her legs. “Perfectly normal but I believe introductions are in order,” she looked over at him as the moth gracefully gestured to the other three bugs in the room with them. “My dear Mothling, these are my children, Ghost, Petal, and my eldest, Hollow.”

Oh.

What Scarlet Changeling hadn’t heard of The Royal Siblings the children adopted by The Nightmare King? Every ‘ling knew of them, yet very few knew them, such was the extensive measures Grimm took to ensure his children loved the lives they wished, free from the public eye and free to pursue their own interests and hobbies.

Hearth looked up at Hollow, the bug looking at her curiously. She wasn’t quite sure what to do with the information.

“Hi?” she said uncertainly and was met with telepathy in return. 

It was strange, she expected spoken words and instead got writing directly implanted into her mind. It was jarring, but not overwhelming to her still adjusting senses.

Hello.

“Now then,” Grimm’s voice drawing everyone’s focus back to him. “We have some time yet before I am to meet this Princess Cadance. What shall we do in the meantime?”

Hearth smiled at the sight of Petal tugging on Grimm’s cloak.

gardens? please?

“I will show you them in time, my child,” Grimm promised, offering the child a fond smile before turning his attention to the rest of his children. “Ghost, Hollow, any ideas?”

Ghost hopped off the couch and wandered over to their older sibling and pointed at them, almost insistent.

Grimm chuckled at their antics. “Where they go, you go. I know my little shade. Perhaps we should split into two groups?” At Hollow’s nod and Ghost’s indifferent shrug, he elaborated. “I will show Petal around the gardens while it is still quiet out, and the two of you may go where you wish… so long as you don’t cause any trouble.”

“I could keep an eye on them.” Hearth suggested.

There was a niggling feeling, a drive, a sense that where Hollow went, she should follow. An instinct as sharp as her empathetic senses.

“I don’t want you to strain yourself-” Grimm began.

“I need to stretch my legs anyway and there won’t be too many people around at this hour,” she said and glanced over at Hollow, who was still offering her support as she stood on her still unsteady limbs. “… I get the feeling they would be better off with me there…”

Grimm nodded, accepting her reasoning. “And do you agree Hollow?”

The shade nodded. Their words chosen carefully.

It would appreciate the company.

Grimm looked worried at the way Hollow referred to themselves as It and from the emotions Hearth could pick up from the family, it was a conversation that had been brought up numerous times.

But before she could interject, Ghost spoke.

Hollow likes being an It…

The moth’s red eyes grew sharp as he looked over at the small bug. “Only because that is all they have known since they climbed out of The Abyss…. Damn that wyrm and my sister…”

Hollow crouched closer to the ground and Hearth could sense how much they wanted to disappear into it. She laid a comforting claw on their back and watched as Ghost stubbornly refused to budge on the topic.

So? Is it such a bad to want to claim something for yourself, even if it came from a bad time in your life?

Grimm blinked, shoulders sagging as Ghost stared at him. Hearth had the distinct impression this was more than conversation between parent and child. There was something more to Ghost that she wasn’t ready to look into.

“And yet I worry that their quirks will be to their detriment. Others could very easily try to manipulate any of you, and I would be powerless to stop it.”

Ghost crossed their stubby arms across their chest.

Just as Hearth was about to step in, Hollow rose to their full height, the mothling they were supporting readjusting her stance to stand without their aid, and snapped their fingers to get their attention. A small red flame danced in the palm of their hand.

And their words were brimming with purpose, a strength of character that would cow the weak willed.

It is not weak.

It is not foolish.

It knew chains for too long.

Never again…

Hollow glanced down at the flame and then over to Hearth. Whatever courage they had was gone, replaced with an unwavering sense of calm. Grimm and Ghost both silenced by their statement.

Hollow leaned down to hand the flame to her.

You eat these, yes?

She nodded, bewildered at the sudden change in atmosphere. Wordlessly she snapped up the small piece of nightmare essence, already beginning to feel more like herself as its power refreshed her.

“Thank you.” She said gratefully.

Hollow nodded and looked back over at their father.

Do you not trust The Sun to keep her word? Or is it her subjects you worry could cause a scene?

“In truth, I do not know. Both I think,” Grim admitted. “Celestia knows very little about me and my duties… And I fear her obsession over reuniting with Luna has driven her to lose her Purpose as a Higher Being.”

“Purpose?” Hearth asked. “Like her job or special talent or something?”

“A Higher Being holds vast amounts of power within them, aligned to one of the forces of nature. Be it dominion over nature, a certain area, or in my case an entire realm of the mortal soul,” Grimm explained. “Our Purpose is what we do to maintain and control that power, what or who it is tied to. The various rituals and connection to mortal kind that gives our power focus. Should a Higher Being be threatened to the point of losing that focus, their Purpose… They go mad as they latch onto a new purpose in an effort to reclaim control… and often with destructive results.”

“And you think Celestia’s Purpose was tied to her sister?” Hearth asked.

She grew up hearing the stories of the other Higher Beings. The rage and insanity The God of Dreams succumbed to, the almost Tartarusian bargain The Pale King struck with The Nightmare King and Lord of Shades just to keep his kingdom alive, to even the madness that The Moon fell prey to and forced Grimm’s hand. The grandiose, the major pieces of information were all spread and shared by The Scarlet Hive, but Hearth had never known the why or how behind the events.

“They gained their power at the same time. The Royal Sisters have always been connected on some level…” Grimm mused. “I had no choice but to seal Luna away, if she is to be saved either both sisters must see reason or…”

Petal tugged on his cloak again, drawing him out of his musings.

father? can we go now?

“Hm? I suppose this is a conversation for another day.” Grimm said.

Hollow nodded in agreement.

Go have fun, we will be fine.

Ghost nodded.

Yes, go... wait, can I have my nail back?

“No.”

…Please?

Grimm smirked at them. “Can I trust you to not start a fight?”

…I won’t hit first.

“Ghost.”

…But The Sun could hurt you…

Ghost’s words were tinged with worry, a deep-seated fear born from experience. Grimm walked over, Petal trailing behind him, still gripping the ends of his cloak. The Troupe Master knelt to look Ghost in the eye, a reassuring smile on his face.

“I assure you, even if Celestia chooses to raise her magic against me, I will be fine. Hollow is more than capable of fending her off and I know you little shade, you will not let a lack of weaponry stop you,” he smirked, the glimmer of something sinister in his glowing eyes. “And though confined in this shell, I am not as powerless as I appear…”

Definitely The Nightmare King Hearth thought as she felt the short burst of power Grimm let out to accompany his words. It was easy to forget that the moth was one of the oldest Higher Beings with power that spanned the entirety of the globe and brushed against every soul to ever walk the land.

This display of power, however brief, eased Ghost’s worries and they darted forward to hug the moth before returning to Hollow’s side.

Stay safe father…

“And I wish the same for you,” Grimm replied as he stood up. “I do hope the three of you can get along. I understand how sudden all of this is.”

Hollow shrugged. It just wants to see the stained-glass windows this place is known for. Something peaceful.

Hearth could understand the sentiment. “That sounds like a good idea actually, we can stay out of the way, and we can all meet up later.”

“Very well, if everyone is in agreement then I shall see you this evening at the carriage. Enjoy yourselves.”





The Hall of History was a long hallway chronicling the history of Equestria with beautiful stained-glass windows. Each colourful display had a plaque beneath it detailing the events that took place. 

Nary a soul was out in the early hours of the morning, so Hearth was free to stumble about following Hollow’s leisurely stroll.

Her new height was taking some getting used to.

Her new everything was taking some getting used to.

Ghost meanwhile, was darting about the hall, flitting to whatever caught their eye, and then doubling back to check on the other two before zipping off again. They seemed to have boundless energy and insatiable curiosity.

From the kingdom’s founding over one-thousand-five-hundred years ago, to the various feats of heroism performed by The Pillars of Equestria, these windows showed it all. Hearth stood by Hollow’s side as they stopped before one from a little over a thousand years ago.

The mismatched visage of The Lord of Chaos, puppeteering mortal ponies for his own twisted amusement, was an unsettling sight no matter how eye catching the craftmanship was. 

“We had our own history with The God of Madness,” Hearth said, and Hollow looked her, tilting their head in curiosity. “My memory is a bit fuzzy on the details… but the fear he instilled in mortal kind carried into their sleep, the world was plagued with suffering and nightmares, and it was growing out of control. To prevent the new nightmares from crossing the boundary into the waking world, The Nightmare King created servants that shared his affinity for nightmare essence.”

The first Scarlet Changelings? Hollow guessed.

She nodded, little details coming to mind as she focused on the tale. “My ancestors didn’t look like changelings, they looked like the very nightmarish monster’s mortal kind had dreamed up in their torment. Over time we adopted traits more in line with mortal changelings.”

Hollow nodded and gestured at her. And yet your lineage as a being of nightmares remains.

They were right and it was something openly known and accepted by The Scarlet Hive, another form and facet of their lives that rarely affected the day-to-day running of the hive.

“True, but aside from needing nightmare essence as a staple food alongside physical matter from the waking world, it only really comes up when the hive or The Nightmare Realm is in danger,” she replied. “The Scarlet Hive hasn’t been in any real danger since The Old Light tried to burn her way into The Nightmare Realm.”

And if the hive were in danger?

“Every ‘ling that can stomach being on a battlefield sheds their physical shell and embraces the nightmare to defend the hive,” Hearth replied. “There are defence plans, evacuation routes, emergency orders and everything else the hive could need if something big enough to threaten us came along though.”

It was at that point that Ghost returned to them, staring at them curiously.

You don’t change for fun? The small bug asked.

The question took the mothling by surprise. There was nothing that said a ‘ling couldn’t shed their physical shell whenever they wanted, but the process wasn’t pleasant, and the energy expended to both take on their ancestral form and reform their physical shell afterwards did not make the ability viable for constant or casual use.

And in truth, most ‘lings weren’t too keen on leaving the shell they’d been born in, that mix of a semi-mortal form and the more mystical nature of nightmare creatures gave her kind the resilience needed to traverse The Nightmare Realm unbothered by the nameless horrors and twisted creatures that roamed the darker pockets of the realm, the very same monstrosities their ancestors had been made to hunt.

“It takes too much energy to transform to and from that state,” she explained to Ghost, “Sounds fun in theory, ends up being a hassle in practice.”

Different from Void then, Hollow and I can change whenever we want.

“Oh?” she looked over at Hollow. “Is that why you’re a shade and your siblings have physical forms?”

Hollow nodded. It can make Itself a body, It prefers being a shade. Taking on a physical form brings up… unpleasant memories.

They looked away, hesitant. Perhaps It could share those memories with you in the future?

Ghost nodded in agreement. Yes, do it!

Hollow gave their sibling a sharp look. Only if she wishes to hear of such things.

Do it!

“Calm down Ghost,” Hearth said, foreseeing the seemingly harmless prodding turning into something that would only upset Hollow. “I’m honestly glad they want to tell me about themselves, and I wouldn’t mind talking more.”

Friends? Ghost asked and Hearth got the impression that they wouldn’t let up until a bond of friendship existed between her and the two siblings.

She was confused by their insistence, but they seemed harmless enough. “Sure? I don’t see why not.”

That satisfied them and with a nod, they went back to exploring the hall. Hollow shook their head at their sibling’s antics. 

Do not mind them, for all their quirks, they are a kind soul. They only wish for It to find joy in the same way they have, with trusted friends.

With her bafflement gone, Hearth was left amused by the situation. “They’re earnest and you seem nice enough,” she paused, wracking her brain for the last time she had people she could consider friends and was unfazed when her last friend was a schoolmate, she’d parted ways with them once she’d graduated. “I’m not really much of a people person, but I don’t mind, might even do me some good.”

It appreciates this. Hollow made a sweeping gesture around the room. Very few have indulged It’s hobbies over the years.

“What sort of hobbies?” she asked, more than happy to continue the pleasant conversation and unable to recall the last time she was able to enjoy such a simple thing.

Whatever has It’s interest at the time. Hollow explained. Though reading is a pastime It greatly enjoys. It finds comfort in the written word.

They went to explain as the two them continued their amble down the hall, the early morning light spilling through the windows providing an enchanting backdrop to Hollow’s musings.

When reading, there is no pressure to act, to interact. It can simply exist, connect, and feel for those the words bring to life. A book does not judge, a book does not expect anything of It, other than to read the contents within.

Writing in turn, gives It time to think, a blessing when conversation are purely reactionary for the most part. And very few are compatible with It’s form of telepathy and no one aside from father and our siblings speak Krik.

“You can speak Krik?” Hearth asked and Hollow leaned back a bit in bewilderment.

She didn’t blame them. Krik was an ancient tongue that was comprised of simple sounds and vocalisations to convey emotion and intent. Less a language in the modern sense, and more a means of communication. 

It was once used by bug kind before the invention of Invertae, the written bug language, and long before the translation spells interwoven into the population were first created.

Hollow trilled at her in surprise. Ghost echoed their call from further down the hall, a curious note to their short chirp.

Hearth let out a warble, a greeting, and soon the three of them were trading chirps, trills, whistles, and calls. They weren’t really saying much of anything and simply taking joy in calling out to one another.

So caught up in the moment, the trio completely missed a stained-glass window depicting a dark blue mare framed by the familiar red fires of nightmare essence, a red full moon above her armour-clad form.
> Two Ends Of A Spectrum
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The gardens were beautiful. A winding marble path led Grimm through a sea of flowers, bushes, and trees all neatly arranged into flowerbeds and eye-catching displays of flora from around the world. He kept a close eye on Petal as they carried a notebook and a pencil in their small limbs, happily drawing a sketch of the bird of paradise that caught their eye. 

His child had spent the last several hours happily sketching plants and copying the name of each from the little metal plaque as they did. He was certain they would bombard The White Lady with questions upon their return to Hallownest and Grimm couldn’t be more pleased. Despite his misgivings towards The Pale King or The White Lady, he allowed Petal and the others to meet with their biological parents if they so chose.

Petal had taken to Hallownest like a duck to water. Javelin, for as quiet as they were, was slowly carving out a life of their own under the watchful guidance of Herrah and her daughter Hornet. He knew it wouldn’t be long before those two requested to leave his care to pursue their futures.

Given what is to come, it is for the best. He mused and turned his focus briefly towards his other two children.

He was pleased to note that they were getting along with Hearth, the mothling adapting well to Ghost’s curiosity and energy. 

For The Nightmare King, there was always something to ponder about, something to focus on, such was the scope of his domain. In the time it took for Petal to move on to drawing another flower, Grimm had assessed the situation with his three children within Equestria’s borders, made certain that his new mothling was adapting well to the transformation, and monitored the status of The Badlands Hive. Things were moving smoothly, all that was left to do was deal with the wayward Queen.

So, when someone new entered the gardens, he was immediately curious. And when he and Petal rounded a corner, he came face to face with a small, purple dragon.

The dragon, body pudgy with baby fat, blunt green spines running down the back of the young dragon’s head, back and tail looked for all the world to have simply run ahead of their caretaker. Large green eyes looked up at Grim with curiosity and wonder all babes expressed.

“Well now, what are you doing all the way out here, little one?” Grimm said and knelt to tap the dragon’s snout.

He watched Petal scurry back the way they came from out of the corner of his eye. They were never one for interacting with others. Though he assumed that they were more concerned with documenting plants than paying attention to the baby dragon. He would give his youngest a few minutes to do what they wished before he went to collect them. 

The baby dragon giggled, babbling at him, and waddling a few steps forward to get a closer look at him. He smiled and with a snap of his fingers, he summoned a large emerald and gave it to the baby dragon. With wide eyes, the dragon began sucking on the jewel.

“Spike? Spiiikke!” A young voice called, and Grimm turned his head to see a purple coated unicorn filly in a yellow sundress trot down the path and then freeze in her tracks as she caught sight of him.

She recovered quickly, trotting up to him as her flight or fight instincts gave way to curiosity. Of course, it was difficult to be frightened of Grimm when he was cooing over a child.

“What are you?” the pony asked.

He chuckled as he straightened up. “I am a moth little pony, one of the bug folk. My name is Grimm.”

“…You’re a big moth,” She commented and looked thoughtful. “What kind of moth are you?”

“Bug folk do not necessarily resemble bestial insects, I am more an approximation of what a moth is,” Grimm paused as this answer only served to confuse the filly. “Though I have been compared to a vampire moth, if that helps.”

He gestured towards the baby dragon. “And you know this young dragon?”

“That’s Spike, I hatched him six months ago.” The filly replied matter-of-factly.

She what?

“…And who is looking after him?” he asked hesitantly.

“My parents?” the filly replied with a confused head tilt. “Why?”

He was torn between making sure Spike was cared for and adopting the baby himself. Though he hadn’t be in Equestria for quite some time, he was more than aware the kingdom was very isolationist in nature and other species often struggled to live comfortably, especially those that had a diet that greatly differed from pony fare. 

The colonies that his scarlet changelings called home were dotted about the other kingdoms and they frequently opened their doors to all manner of people that were returning to their homeland after trying to eke out a living in Equestria. Many returned home when it sunk in that Equestria rarely had institutions that catered to non-ponies, whereas almost every other kingdom, except for Hallownest, had everything a pony could need to live comfortably.

Though, he couldn’t go telling a child that. No, that was something best saved for when his patience with The Sun finally ran out.

“Well, keep in mind that dragons require a mix of gems, metals, rocks and bone for a healthy diet.” He settled on saying.

“Huh, most of my books on dragons said they just eat gems.” The filly commented.

“And how many of those books were written by dragons?”

At that comment, the pony looked at him in surprise and excitement. “There are books written by dragons?”

“And Griffons, Abyssinians, Changelings and Bugs,” Grimm replied. “Equestria mainly focuses on the cataloguing of knowledge pertaining to magic, but in terms of an archive containing almost everything known in this world, Hallownest has the most expansive store of information. If you wish to find a book about raising a dragon, you should find one there.”

“Still,” he continued. “I am concerned, it is rare for a dragon as young as Spike, let alone an egg, to be away from the nest. You said you hatched him?”

“It was part of my entrance exams for Celestia’s School for Gifted Unicorns.”

Grimm was at a loss for words. “The Princess’s School, here in this very building, uses dragon eggs to test potential applicants.”

The poor pony was confused. “Um, yes? I actually looked it up not long after I became The Princess’s personal student. It’s been a long-standing tradition for hundreds of years.”

“Ah, you must be Twilight, Celestis has told me about you,” Grimm said. “I’ve been told you’re bright for your age, but… Twilight, what the school is doing is taking a new-born child and using them as an object to test the expertise of other, older children simply because they are different. Dragons are not animals or pets, they are people.”

“But… I hatched him, my parents are looking after him…” Twilight’s face fell, seeing Spike in a new light. “I didn’t know!”

“But the others around you should have. If you like, I can speak to your parents while I’m still in town and offer to provide them with the information they need to care for him correctly,” Grimm suggested. “He isn’t sick, or stressed, or unhappy living with you. I am more concerned about his diet and whether he’ll grow properly. While dragons can eat pony food, one so young trying to live off it would stunt their growth in the long term.”

“Oh, yeah that might be a good idea, can you wait here while I go tell Princess Cadance? She’s looking after us while I’m studying under Princess Celestia, and I sort of ran ahead when Spike ran off…” Twilight said with a sheepish grin and darted off.

As she left, Grimm scooped up Spike and cradled the baby in the crook of one arm. The Troupe Master looked bemused at the babe still focused on devouring the shiny jewel. The life that Spike would lead, the big, the grandiose, the larger picture unfolded before The Nightmare King in a blink of an eye.

“If only your destiny lied with me little one, alas that is not the case,” Grimm commented. “I can only hope the importance of your personhood has been understood by Twilight, she is still so young herself after all…”

Spike looked up at him, entranced by his glowing eyes and gurgled happily around the emerald in his mouth. Grimm’s heart was warmed by the simple joy Spike expressed.

Saying Grimm had a soft spot for children was an understatement.

Be they lost souls he adopted, or young ones that found their way into his care, Grimm would never turn a blind eye to the presence, potential and intelligence of a child.

A wave of nostalgia heavily tinged with grief washed over him. How many times had he held his own son like this? How long had it been since The Child had been lost to him?

They looked so small as they lay unmoving in his arms, their body as cold as the icy wind and snow around him.

The Light was blinding as his brave and noble Mothling urged him to flee.

He could feel searing heat on his chitin, an armoured form shoving him into the snow as The Shade Lord’s towering, horned visage blotted out The Light…

It took Petal, having returned from their jaunt, tugging on his cloak to draw him out of memories from a very long time ago.

He could sense their concern as they looked up at him.

are you okay father?

The words felt thick in his throat as he spoke. “I am fine, my child… merely reminiscing.”

He would be fine, for their sake.





Twilight returned with a pink alicorn princess in tow. Her mane done up in a ponytail and lacking regalia or symbol of her station. Dressed in a simple white robe decorated with purple, grey, and black birds in mid-flight.

There was a moment of recognition on the princess’s face, and then she was beaming as she trotted over to Grimm.

“Uncle Grimm!”

The familiar spark, the presence of another tied to an aspect of the mortal soul danced across his senses and Grimm felt overjoyed at the reunion.

Agape reincarnated, wonderful!

“A princess? My my, still trying to work towards the betterment of pony kind I see,” he said. “Tell me dear, what name have you chosen this time?”

The alicorn grinned, in equally high spirits as him "I am Princess Mi Amore Cadenza, but I personally prefer Cadance.”

“You two know each other?” Twilight asked.

Cadance nodded. “Yup! Remember when I told you that I’m older than I look? I’ve known Grimm for ages,” She opened a wing to gesture at him. “I asked Princess Celestia if we could invite him to Canterlot so we could all catch up.”

Petal held onto the end of his cloak, content to observe the conversation. Cadance noticed them and smiled at the small bug.

“Hello there,” she said as Twilight also took notice. The princess looked over at Grimm. “Does Celestia know about them?”

“She knows I have adopted children originally from Hallownest,” Grimm said. “Petal here wanted to see the gardens and two of my four children are with one of my subjects exploring the area.”

“They look adorable, Celestia adores children almost as much as you do!” Cadance said and elbowed him with a wing playfully.

“My meeting with The Sun did not go as smoothly as I’d have liked,” he admitted. “I can only hope my children will not bear the weight of my mistakes.”

A wing was placed on his back and the feel of soft fur met his side as Cadance sidled up next to him. “And that’s part of the reason why I came back, you can’t keep doing this by yourself.”

The sound of movement caught to the attention of the two adults. Twilight and Petal had sat down next to each other on a nearby stone bench. The two children had established communication by way of writing in Petal’s notebook and passing it between each other.

Spike squirmed in his grasp and Grimm gently set the dragon down, who immediately went over to join the other children by crawling up the side of the bench and into Twilight’s lap.

“I have The Troupe, The Grimmkin, The Scarlet Hive,” he politely argued. “I am not doing anything alone.”

“Uncle…” Cadance fixed him with a worried stare. “You know what I mean…”

“I know…” he sighed. “But you needn’t worry, all will be well in time.”

“I don’t think so.” The mare argued and Grimm raised a brow at her.

“Care to enlighten me?”

She left his side to stand in front of him, with a raised brow and half-open wings that suggested he was ignoring the obvious. She kept her voice low so as not to disturb the children. “I know what you’re planning Grimm…” her expression melted into one of concern. “You’re the only family I’ve ever known, and I know you and Celestia have a rocky friendship but please, don’t try and fight her on this.”

“The Sun is a blind fool,” Grimm commented quietly. “And I will not take kindly to her baseless belief that I alone am at fault. I admit, my efforts to help Luna backfired spectacularly, but Luna was too far gone when I held out hope that she was not.”

He shook his head ruefully. “A shame then, that Celestia is intent on vilifying me… She may do something rash.”

“And you won’t?” Cadance retorted.

Grimm smoothed out his cloak, red eyes pleading at the princess to understand. “...I have lived as this incarnation for far too long. Yet I cannot renew myself. This life may be my last in the mortal realm, but I am in no hurry to see it end. I will bow out when it is time and no sooner.”

“If you need help with anything, you let me know and I’ll be there in a heartbeat,” Cadance said and the two adults turned their attention to the children. Cadance spoke up, sympathetic. “Your children… Do they know?”

Grimm leaned into her. “Ghost is the new Lord of Shades, they carry the knowledge of the previous Lords… and I’m certain Hollow suspects something. The others are still not mentally mature enough to understand.”

“Hollow, as in--”

“The wyrm’s Pure Vessel?” Grimm spat. “Yes, them. I pulled their shade from their shell and left my sister to rot in the braindead shell left behind…Both she and the wyrm were fools, and The White Lady is no better for enabling what her husband did… but the rulers of Hallownest are trying to make up for their mistakes, and my children have a right to know their biological parents.”

Grimm offered Cadance a smile. “Enough talk about what has passed and what is yet to come, tell me little jewel, how goes your life among the pony folk?”

The two of them walked over to another bench opposite the three children. Cadance’s face lighting up in joy.

“Well, I’ve taken the title of The Princess of Love. I’m trying to get ponydom to be a bit more open minded and understanding. Love and empathy are experienced in so many different ways after all, that the fact Equestria only upholds a few of few of them is something that worries me as The Higher Being of Empathy and Bonds,” Cadance said as they sat down. “Most ponies think I just represent romantic love, but I encompass all forms of it, I could go on and on about the things I’m trying to change but we’d be here all day.”

She grinned. “I have been lucky though, my Special Somepony has been nothing but supportive when it comes to our relationship.”

“A potential lifelong companion?” Grimm asked. He was glad she was able to find her purpose in this reincarnation and that there were those she could rely on.

He loved hearing about the people his loved ones cherished, be they romantic partners or dear friends.

“Oh, he is an absolute dork and I love him for it,” Cadance said. “He’s also kind and has a strong sense of duty, he works as a guard here in Canterlot. His friends dared him to ask me out on a date and he put genuine effort into it. We just as good friends as we are partners, and I couldn’t be happier.”

She shot Grim a sly look. “I don’t suppose you could give me a little insight on how things will play out?”

He smirked. “You don’t need me to tell you how it will play out, I can tell from how you speak of him that your bond with him is strong.”

“I know,” Cadance replied, expression shifting into a slight frown, concern dancing in her eyes. “But you know as well as I do that there are two sides to every coin. And love and lust have been ingrained into pony culture as being part of a healthy relationship for such a long time that… I worry sometimes that romance, my love, won’t be enough.”

“And yet you ask a God of Nightmares, Passion, and Carnal Desires,” Grimm pointed out. Despite the two of them being on opposite ends of the spectrum when it came to such matters, he could understand her concern. “There are many a day where I too wish mortal kind could see the division between matters of the heart and matters of the flesh.”

He laid a hand on her shoulder comfortingly. “There is little advice I can give aside from what you yourself preach, talk to him. Tell him of your worries and face them together. If he cares for you as much as you do him, then the matter of sharing a nest will matter little to him.”

“You’re right and I know, but sometimes you need to hear things from someone you trust before going through with it,” Cadance replied, looking at him with a grateful smile. “…Maybe I should have stayed as a moth and moved to Hallownest…”

“And would you do as much good in Hallownest?”

Cadance thought on that for a few moments, staring at a flowerbed. The calm silence only broken the scribbling of a pencil on paper from Petal and Twilight’s voiceless conversation.

“No…” the princess finally settled on. “Hallownest has always been progressive, they have words to describe mortals like me, or you and that’s something I wanted to share with ponydom.”

She looked at him with determination in her eyes and conviction in her voice. “I want the people of Equestria to be that accepting one day, to change their values for sake of those they’d prefer to shun or ignore.”

“And that is what you will do, that is what you will work towards,” Grimm said. “If you ever need time in a more welcoming environment, The Troupe will always welcome you, I also have a summer home in Hallownest you are free to make use of.”

“The Nightmare King has a summer home?” Cadance asked playfully.

“It is a nice place, with more rooms than my little family needs really,” Grimm replied, smiling as he recounted how his children took to the large house out in the small town of Dirtmouth. “Petal tends to the small garden we have there, Ghost has decorated most of the walls with various artworks or knick-knacks they’ve made, and Hollow claimed the office as their own personal library. My fourth child, Javelin, prefers to stay in Deepenest or The White Palace, wherever there is access to an armoury and training grounds.”

“Aw, that sounds lovely!” Cadance cooed. “Your kids sound adorable.”

“Ghost and Hollow are somewhere on the premises with a recently metamorphosized Mothling, shall I introduce you?”

Cadance looked absolutely delighted at the prospect. “I would love to.”

He nodded. “Very well then, please allow me a moment to get in touch with them.”

With but a thought, Grimm reached out to one of his children, his simple inquiry met with Ghost’s curiosity.

Would you and Hollow care to meet my niece? Hearth is more than welcome to join us if she wishes.

Ghost’s wariness did nor surprise him, even as it warred with the small bug’s passion for discovery. He sent back reassurance along with the knowledge that the princess of love was on their side.

She will do us no harm little shade. She is the God of Empathy and Bonds. She is of The Dream, but not of The Old Light.

There was silence, and then Ghost hopped up out of a shadow, a set of white, glowing wings opening on their back. They flapped their wings once and landed in front of Cadance as their wings vanished back into the folds of their cloak.

“This is Ghost,” Grimm said to Cadance before looking over at Ghost. “Ghost, this is Princess Cadance, a fellow higher being whose domain often intersects with my own.”

“It’s very nice to meet you.” The princess said, giving Ghost a warm smile.

She was meet with Ghost’s silent stare for several long seconds. Not that Cadance seemed to mind, simply nodding back at them.

That appeared to ease any worries both father and child had, for Ghost nodded back and hopped up onto the bench to take the small, empty space on Grimm’s other side.

And just as he was about to ask the whereabouts of Hollow and Hearth, Ghost motioned for him to wait. Grimm blinked in confusion, his questioning mental prods meet with Ghost’s stubbornness, so he stared at the garden and waited.

He was not disappointed.

In a flash of red smoke, Hearth teleported into the garden, stumbling as she did. The mothling quickly righted herself and looked around as her face lit up in joy.

“I did it! I actually did it!” she cheered, a grin spreading across her face.

“Still adjusting I take it?” he asked and the ‘ling caught herself, mood returning to the passive state he’d seen from her before.

“Yeah… we’ve spent the last few hours working out how my magic works,” Hearth replied and looked at Grimm quizzically. “Are we interrupting something?”

“Not at all!” Cadance chimed in. “I was wanting to meet you all anyway. Please, call me Cadance.”

“I’m Hearth the uh, mothling,” Hearth said awkwardly and took a seat under the shade of a tree. “It’s going to be a while before this is all normal.”

“Oh, I know,” Cadance replied sympathetically. “Granted, reincarnating isn’t quite the same as metamorphosis, going from one physical form to another is always an adjustment process.”

The tendrils of Hearth’s wings moved in a shrugging motion. Hearth moved to lie on her stomach, hind legs tucked beneath her fluffy body and her front legs crossed over one another. “Well, I doubt adjusting to this is going to be any more difficult than when I molted into an adult.”

Cadance winced in sympathy. “I’ve been all sorts of bug folk over my lives… I can relate.”

“Yeah… the worst part is the change in diet…You’re an adult now, time to learn what you can and can’t eat.”

“Right!?”

As the two conversed, Grimm felt Ghost move beside him, he looked over to see them leaning forward to look around the Troupe Master. Cadance’s attire had caught their attention. He watched them rummage through the contents of their cloak before pulling out a charm and sticking it on the outside of the cloak for all to see.

The charm was shaped like a frog, purple in colour with spots of white, grey, and black across its surface. Ghost hooped off the bench and walked over to Cadance, showing off the brightly covered charm.

The mare broke off from her conversation with Hearth to look down at Ghost in surprise. “You too?”

In a small flash of blue magic, a similarly coloured butterfly shaped charm was in Cadance’s magical grasp. She pinned to her robe, grinning.

“Oh hey,” Hearth spoke up. “I know that one!”

Grimm spotted Hollow peering at the group from their place hiding in the shadow cast by the tree Hearth was seated under, interested in the conversation.

“You do?” Cadance asked. “Not many outside of Hallownest do. It’s related to a very… niche subject.”

“Something to talk about later?” the mothling suggested before she glanced over at Ghost. “Wait, would it be appropriate—”

Grimm spoke up. “Ghost’s physical development is stunted. Were it not, they would be more similar to Hollow in size as they are the same age.”

“Ah,” Hearth said. “No worries then, I’ve seen more than my share of late molters after all.”

“I could enchant some candles and have a flame mail service for the three of us?” Cadance suggested and looked over at Grimm. “Uncle, you can use it too! I’d love to catch up like this more often!”

“A splendid idea.” He agreed.

Grimm’s good mood soured as he sensed Celestia teleport near them. He turned his gaze away from his friends and family to see The Sun round the corner as if she had merely run into the group during her own stroll.

Worry twisted in his gut as the radiant smile on her face gave way to shock at the sight of his children, a friendly greeting stuck in her throat.

Hollow had sunk into the darkness out of sight.

Petal was too absorbed in their written conversation with Twilight to notice much else.

Ghost whipped around, reaching for a weapon that wasn’t there. They settled for simply staring at The Sun with the silence of The Void. 

Cadance and Hearth went quiet, watching. Grimm noticed how Hearth tensed, her body language screaming that she didn’t want to be noticed.

The Steward of The Sun got over her shock, her expression schooling into something unreadable. Grimm rose from his seat and offered the mare a cordial dip of his head.

“Celestia, good of you to join us!” he said cheerfully. He would put aside his misgivings for the moment.  Higher Beings had fought amongst themselves for long enough in his eyes. “These are my wonderful children, Petal and Ghost. My Eldest is—”

“Your children?” Celestia said.

“I did say I adopted did I not?”

She looked out of sorts, thrown for a loop as she fumbled to find the words to express her disbelief. Anger flashed across her face for a moment and Grimm couldn’t tell if it was directed at him or a certain wyrm, perhaps both. Eventually, she cleared her throat, the expression of a calm ruler firmly in place.

“Grimm, can I have a word with you?” she asked.
> Furious Sun
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Celestia led The Nightmare King to an elegant white gazebo in a nearby section of the gardens. The floor, like many places in The Royal Sanctuary, bore the image of a stylized sun. Grimm leaned up against one of the supporting pillars of the structure as Celestia stood before him, her regal mask giving way to confusion and hint of something else Grimm didn’t care to name.

Oh Tia… don’t fall now…

“How can there be more vessels?” she asked. “The Pale King said he only made the one…”

“The Pale King fooled all of us,” Grimm said calmly. “He was very good at making us believe there was only one.”

And poor Hollow did an excellent job at making everyone think they were truly hollow…

“But how can this be?” Celestia said, still bewildered. “And why are you calling them your children?”

It was here that Grimm realized the level of ignorance Celestia employed in matters that did not directly concern her ponies. He wasn’t sure whether to be impressed or insulted at her willingness to ignore the rest of the outside world.

“…They are children Tia, his children,” Grimm explained carefully. “He sired thousands of young and tossed them all into The Abyss to infuse them with void…I found the few that still lived and took them in.”

Celestia’s eyes widened as she had an epiphany. She took a step back, staring at him wide-eyed. “…The Lord of Shades returned because of the creation of those vessels…By taking them in you allowed the return of Void.”

Grimm closed his eyes and sighed. “Void is no more harmful than nightmares. When given the proper respect and consideration, Void is but another part of the natural world.”

“Yet your interference in the world beyond your domain is the most unnatural thing.” Celestia commented and at that, Grimm opened his eyes to fix her a stern look and walked forward to meet her in the middle of the gazebo.

She huffed. “Am I wrong? Let me provide you with a few other examples,” the mare began to pace, self-assured steps leading her in a circle around him. “You took Discord’s torment on my ponies and twisted it into those nightmare changelings…”

Grimm bristled at the insinuation that his changelings were monsters but kept silent.

“You allowed your own sister to wage war against The Pale King, and we both know how that turned out…”

At that the moth scoffed, a bitter retort on the tip of his tongue. But The Nightmare King said nothing, these arguments were centuries old, and no amount of reasoning would change Celestia’s stance on them.

“And in the middle of said war you summon The Lord of Shades to a battlefield, and we lost The Crystal Empire in the process!” Celestia said. “Then you tempt my sister with power outside her influence and drive her mad with it!”

He remembered the conflict in The Crystal Empire, with his sister enslaving the locals by way of an enthralled, mad king and his affinity for her crystals. He and the troupe had been summoned by the few desperate survivors that had escaped The Radiance’s reach and was caught in the crossfire.

He did not summon The Lord of Shades… When he lost The Child… Ghost had reacted. Reaching and calling upon something they did not understand until after the dust had settled and The Empire had vanished without a trace.

Just when he was about to finally speak up, to point out that she had no right to blame him for any of what happened with his sister and the wyrm, she stopped in front of him, wings spread and deep-seated hatred on her features.

“You know nothing of the pain of losing someone you love! Luna and I were family and for the last thousand years it feels as if a piece of me is missing!”

“You act as if she’s dead,” Grimm said flatly. “Mark my words, she will return.”

“With the way she is now? She may as well be!” Celestia snapped and shook her head. “How could you possibly understand…”

The spike of rage that followed her words was sharp, memories of The Child came to mind and Grimm hissed at her.

“Do not think me cold-hearted,” he said lowly. The last wisps of his nearly bottomless well of patience vanishing into the seething fury burning beneath his shell. “I too. know pain and I did everything I could and I still--”

The Sun interrupted him. “Losing the key to your ritual is not the same!”

He saw red.

Power and rage snapped free and with a snarl, Grimm loomed over the mare, looked down at her as swirling nightmare mandala danced off his form and the sound of his heart roared in his ears.

“I lost my son!” he roared, voice crackling with power like an inferno. The Princess stepped back in shock at the intensity of his rage. “A vessel in my visage they may have been, but they were still a child! My child!”

“And you dare see them as something lesser?” he growled.

The Sun regained her composure, matching his anger with a heated glare of her own. “And you think that gives you the right to do what you want?”

“My domain is Nightmares and Worldly Passions. I do as I see fit for the good of all because my realm encompasses all mortal souls that ever have and ever will walk this world.” Grimm explained curtly as he stepped back.

He was struggling to reign in his fury. It would be so very easy to simply gather up his children and Hearth… and walk away. To rescind his protection over The Sun and her subjects, let them wander lost in their sleeping hours as the nightmare essence generated by their own minds took hold and spun the most delightful terrors…

He did not create nightmares, he kept them in check.

But there had been enough fighting. He was tired of fighting, of being painted as some cruel master of the terrifying, twisted, and dark aspects of the mortal soul. He governed passions and emotional intensity. Fear was but one aspect of his nature.

And here, with tempers flared and magics barely kept in check, The Steward of The Sun sealed her fate.

“Then perhaps this world no longer needs nightmares.”





Hearth had been frozen in place since sensing the storm of emotions Celestia had gone through upon seeing Ghost and Petal.

Something was very wrong with The Sun. It screamed of something dangerous and yet her body had refused to move, the mothling was gripped in her own spike of panic and terror.

Since Grimm had left, the group had been silent.

Cadance stood up and walked over to the young filly looking at the spot Princess Celestia had been just moments before from over the top of Petal’s notebook.

The older mare got the filly’s attention with a wave of a wing. “Twilight? Why don’t we take Spike and go have lunch? I’m sure Princess Celestia will be back in time for your afternoon lessons.”

Twilight glanced between the path Celestia had gone down and Petal, who was looking around and starting to fidget. “But…”

“I’ll talk to Petal’s father about letting you visit or write to each other, alright? I’m sure it’s just a misunderstanding,” Cadance said reassuringly. The princess looked over at the others present. “Will you guys be okay? You can come with us if you want.”

Ghost immediately shook their head.

“I agree with them,” Hearth said. “I’ll stay here and wait for Grimm.”

Cadance nodded sympathetically. “You’re more than welcome to join us later.”

With a final glance their way, the princess rounded up the filly and dragon and left the group of bugs in the quiet of the gardens. Twilight waved goodbye to the bugs as she left. Once the trio rounded the corner, Ghost nodded and waved Petal over.

Hollow poked their head out from their hiding spot within the shade.

I’ll take Petal back to Hallownest. Ghost said, their telepathic writing decisive. Stay safe.

“We’ll just wait here. Things’ll be fine.” Hearth said.

Ghost watched the two of them for a few seconds. Once the bug was certain they would be fine, Ghost stood beside Petal. The younger bug had gathered up their notebook and was looking forward to leaving based on the way they fiddled with their cloak in excitement.

And in a swirl of shadows, the two of them were gone.

Which just left her and Hollow. The eldest sibling was just as worried and scared as she was and so the two of them had remained silent as Hearth struggled to get her emotions under control. The farewells had been but a brief respite, now with nothing to distract her and the only other person there also too wrapped up in their worries, Hearth was left with naught but the uncertainty of the situation and the worry it planted in her mind.

So, she waited.

It was then, just when things had begun to return to a sense of normalcy, Grimm strode up to them. The power rolling off him made her worried.

She didn’t like it.

“We’re leaving.” He said curtly and looked around. “I take it Ghost escorted Petal back to Hallownest?”

Hearth nodded, too intimidated to speak.

Grimm heaved out a sigh, the magic he was letting out eased. “I apologize, Celestia crossed a line.”

“I crossed a line?”

Hearth turned around at the sound of Celestia approaching them. The mare looked furious, her mane and tail whipped into a frenzy and a steely gaze fixed firmly on Grimm.

Hearth’s fear and worry was pushed aside by her protective instincts, The Sun’s behaviour screamed of danger and the mothling put herself between the alicorn and the target of her rage.

Celestia looked at her, the two almost eye to eye, and frowned. “This doesn’t concern you, stay out of this!”

“Just what exactly are you going to do?” Hearth asked.

The last thing she wanted was for a fight to break out between anyone. But Celestia wasn’t going to let them walk away.

“It’s clear to me now that my ponies don’t need nightmares, Grimm and his magic have done nothing but frighten and twist innocent souls,” Celestia stated. “My ponies are doing just fine without dreams, and we do not need nightmares plaguing our rest!”

Hearth barked out a laugh in shock. The comment was so absurd that she didn’t know how to react. “You’re… joking right?” She couldn’t wrap her brain around the logic The Sun was using. “My people are born from nightmares! It’s our lifeblood, our food source, and in turn we ensure everyone else aren’t affected too deeply by their subconscious mind when they sleep! Removing nightmares would… would…”

Hearth could only stare as Celestia remained steadfast, her muzzle still locked in a frown and unmoved by her statement.

“Do you even care that removing nightmares would be the equivalent of burning every single farm in your kingdom?” Hearth blurted.

Surely this was just a misunderstanding. Hearth hoped that she could talk Celestia down, show that nightmares were a part of life, they happened but they weren’t inherently dangerous. The longer the tense silence went on, the less sure she was.

Puzzled, she focused more on the surface layer of emotions Celestia was exhibiting. What she found disgusted her, it was unfathomable to her, and she spoke up again. “… You think you’re justified…”

She could see the alicorn was just waiting for a chance to lash out, to be proven right, and eliminate both Grimm and The Scarlet Hive in one go.

Hearth was insulted.

“How can you think that?” she demanded. “I thought…” she paused and took a deep breath. Opinions long suppressed in the wake of Chrysalis’ tyranny returned in full force alongside her indignation. “We’re not monsters! We’re not any more dangerous than one of your ponies!”

“Be that as it may, Grimm has overstepped his bounds and is not welcome is the waking world--”

“And how are you going to get rid of me?” Grimm said pointedly. “You invited me here, no Nightmare Lantern has been lit, there is no Ritual to banish me with,” the politeness and flair in his voice felt forced, a farce everyone present knew was a show. “If you wish for me to remove my gifts to ponydom, then I will do so and never set foot in your kingdom again.”

“Oh, I will make certain you will never give your gifts to anyone,” Celestia stated, horn alight, “The Nightmare Realm is no longer needed, and I will see that your magic will never harm anyone else again!”

Hearth was pulled behind Grimm, the taller bug calling forth a pillar of red flame to shield himself from the beam of solar magic.

There was a flash of red smoke as the pillar burned itself out and Grimm had vanished.

“Enough of your trickery!” Celestia shouted and followed him in a flash of yellow light.

It was too much for her to take in. Flashes of Grimm’s black and red form skittering away from blasts of golden light and striking out with an uppercut or a lunging charge whenever Celestia attempted to strike him with hooves or horn.

Hearth was frozen stiff. Everything was happening too fast, escalating too quickly. She scrambled to think of something to do but came up blank, which only fuelled the steadily building feeling of helplessness.

I have to do something, don’t I?

Why is she doing this?

She watched as a beam of The Sun’s magic splashed against Grimm’s cloak after he’d been baited into a swipe at the mare. He hissed and teleported once again, Celestia hot on his heels.

“Hollow, what do we do?” she asked quietly and looked down at the shade as they watched the conflict unfold.

Hollow tilted their head in thought.

…Father does not want to fight The Sun. Hollow pointed out. But if this continues, he will be pushed to engage properly, for there is no such thing as a harmless Higher Being.

They all have fangs, but some merely choose not to bare them.

“Yeah…” she agreed. “…But this? This is horrible even if he’s just defending himself. It shouldn’t have reached this point to begin with.”

It could distract The Sun for a moment and allow father the chance to flee.

“There has to be another way… what if we could, I don’t know, immobilize her or something?” she suggested.

She wished she had more time to get used to her new form. But her magic was basically useless until she could adapt to it and control it.

Cadance might be able to do something. The God of Empathy is a powerful force of the living soul. If anyone can stop the fighting, she can.

Hollow pulled themselves out from the shadows, preparing to jump into the fray. Their next line of telepathy was accompanied by a sense of respect for The God of Bonds. There is a reason The Old Light brought an end to her previous life.

“Okay.” She said as she stood up, a plan was already forming, a half-baked, desperate plan, but it was better than nothing. “You distract Celestia, I’ll go find Princess Cadance.”





Hollow summoned their nail as Hearth hurried out of sight. Celestia was still doggedly pursuing Grimm and the moth teleporting with more frequency, putting more power behind his blows, and it had the vessel worried.

They watched the chaos unfurl and as The Sun moved to dive bomb Grimm, they acted.

In a swirl of shadows, they reappeared before the angered mare, nail raised to block the blow and sensation returned with the formation of their physical form.

Celestia was pushed back, stunned by their sudden appearance.

Like their siblings, they body was black chitin and their head encased in a white, mask-like shell. Their cloak, long and pale grey, grew from beneath their mask and hung off their form like a cape.

A form greater than that of even the Pure Vessel, a reflection of glory and what might have been.

They stood in a defensive stance, nail held in both hands and angled so the alicorn would strike the flat of the blade should she attack again. But The Sun merely stood before them.

“No…” she said weakly, recognition dawning on her face. “How can this be?”

Grimm spoke up, bitter and tired. “I gave that blasted Wyrm exactly what he wanted. A vessel with no will.”

Stop. Hollow instructed both higher beings. There has been enough fighting.

“I agree, my child,” Grimm replied from behind them. He elaborated when it became clear that Celestia could not hear Hollow. “We should indeed end this before it gets out of hand.”

“If you think I’m going to just let you--”

Do. Not.

Ponies were not a naturally telepathic species, Hollow knew this, and so to be heard, the vessel forced the message directly into the alicorn’s mind. The mare winced in pain, the sensation akin to tapping a hammer against her skull, and Hollow was more than ready to continue the onslaught if it got her to stop.

That was all they wanted, an end to the fighting, to the bitterness.

Do not…

Celestia grit her teeth. Her horn lit and Hollow’s nail caught the steady beam of magic that followed. They dug their feet into the dirt, pushing back against her.

All they had to do was keep her occupied long enough for Hearth to get help. But they were disappointed. At their father for letting this go on for so long, at Celestia for being blinded by her emotions, and at themselves for not wanting to get involved until it was too late.

I will not let you hurt him.

Each word thrown at the princess only added to her struggle, the magic pouring from her horn wavering with each brief lapse in concentration.

I will not let you two destroy each other.

Hollow took a step forward, blade still braced to take the continuous stream of magic as Celestia glared at them.

Maybe, just maybe, they could resolve this on their own. It was a nice thought, one that bolstered them even as their arms shook from the strain.

Princess Celestia, just st

The Sun let out a scream, muzzle morphed into a snarl and wild look in her eyes. Light exploded from her horn and the sheer amount of power sent Hollow sliding back.

The vessel shifted and dug the point of their nail into the ground to stabilize themselves.

The light before them was--

It was too bright.

Was it just their eyes burning? Or were their insides burning too?

Were they not chained? Was this a dream?

A sickly-sweet taste filled their non-existent mouth, thrummed beneath their shell, and their very thoughts felt as if they were on fire.

An enraged roar filled their ears, they lifted their nail and prepared to fight The R--

And golden light gave way to a familiar shade of red as Celestia’s pain filled scream filled the air. Hollow returned to their senses to see The Sun engulfed in a towering inferno of red flames.

Grimm stood next to them, impassive as The Sun burned.

Father?

The Nightmare King kept his gaze firmly on the crimson fire.

“…I will not lose another child.” He said in quiet fury as the flames dies out and Celestia, the tips of her horn and wings charred black, and her blue dress reduced to cinders, collapsed.

Hollow placed a hand on his shoulder, concern shining clear through their telepathic bond.

You did not have to do this.

“You are correct, but the fool of a mare will be fine,” Grimm replied. “As dramatic as that looked, I merely forced into slumber.”

A painful slumber.

“Yes, she was trying to kill you.” He stated.

And you! Hollow insisted.

Grimm chuckled darkly.

“I would have given her the same treatment I gave her sister had you not intervened,” Grimm said coldly. “I do not regret sealing Luna away when the alternative was so much worse…”

Are you alright?

They were worried he might be hurt, that the heightened emotions that still lingered in the air had awakened something in the moth.

Does The Ritual call to you?

Grimm looked up at them, eyes wide in surprise. He sighed and took a deep breath.

“…So, you already know…”

They nodded. The Pale King.

“Of course he told you, bastard…” Grimm muttered.

Hollow turned to face their father and leaned down slightly so the two were eye to eye.

It worries about you! The Pale King shared what he knew of The Ritual so It would be prepared if… if…

They didn’t want to acknowledge it. The fate that awaited the one that pulled them from a life of agony, that saved them.

Grimm pulled them into a hug, their head resting on his shoulder. “Oh Hollow, my body may perish but my soul remains. Upon my final performance, The Ritual will remain incomplete, and I will be sealed within The Nightmare Realm and my heart along with me,” he said soothingly. “Why do you think I taught you and Ghost to traverse my realm?”

But…

“Hush, we shall speak of this later, when we’ve both had a chance to clear our heads.” Grim said and pulled away. Hollow stood up and looked over at the unconscious mare.

Hearth went ahead to find Princess Cadance. She should be back soon.

They looked at the moth, sending him their exasperation. We will leave The Sun be.

“I like to think I’m deserving of letting her suffer through at least one night terror,” Grimm huffed but remained by Hollow’s side as they waited for Hearth to return. “She made it clear she didn’t want my protection.”

No.
> Compassion Rescinded
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hearth hurried down the corridor, dark wooden walls, polished stone flooring, and large windows ignored by the changeling as she spotted a familiar guard.

“Hey, um, Shining?” She called out and the stallion in question turned around and looked up in surprise.

He blinked. “Huh, your friend wasn’t kidding when said you guys had your own medicine.”

It took Hearth a second to understand. “Right yeah, this is the new default, so to speak,” she glanced around. “Say, do you know where Princess Cadance is? Something urgent’s come up and we need her help.”

“Urgent?” Shining asked, “Something The Royal Guard needs to know?”

“No!” she said quickly. Whatever was going on between The Sun and Grimm, it was far beyond the scope of mortals. “It’s a Higher Being thing… and um…”

She trailed off, did Cadance keep her identity a secret? She didn’t seem like the type, but in the rush to find her Hearth hadn’t really thought that far ahead.

Shining nodded in understanding. “Higher Being business, I got it. She’s having lunch in one of the smaller meeting rooms, this way.”

“Oh thank fires,” Hearth said, relieved and followed the guard.

She was led into a small, lavish room. Cadance, Twilight, and Spike were seated at the table, plates of food half eaten.

Cadance and Twilight were in the middle of a conversation.

“So, Princess Celestia is mad at your uncle because she blames him for what happened to her family?”

“Unfortunately, just don’t tell her I told you, okay?”

“Okay, but he’s not a bad guy, right?”

“No, he’s not.”

Shining cleared his throat. The two ponies looked up and Cadance looked at Hearth worriedly.

“How bad is it?” The princess asked.

“Bad, she’s trying to…” Hearth glanced over at Twilight. Saying The Sun was trying to kill another Higher Being wasn’t the best thing to say in front of a child. “Princess Celestia wants to get rid of The Nightmare Realm.”

Cadance stood, wings snapping open. “She what?” In an instant the God of Empathy was striding across the room. “Shining, stay with Twilight and Spike.”

“Is something wrong?” Twilight asked.

Cadance looked back at the filly, expression soft, “Celestia is making a very big mistake, she could hurt everyone in the world if I don’t stop her.”

“But aren’t nightmares bad?” the filly replied curiously, trying to understand,

“Nightmares are… scary,” Cadance explained. “But they’re not bad and Uncle Grimm makes sure no one is left scared by them for long.”

Hearth added her own insight. “I’m a special kind of changeling that eats nightmares, my people live in The Nightmare Realm. If there were no more nightmares, I’d have no home and no food.”

Twilight’s eyes widened. “But Princess Celestia can’t do that! She wouldn’t, right?”

Cadance sighed. “She’s angry Twily, very angry. I don’t think she’ll be able to stop herself. I need to go and sort this out, stay here with your brother.”

“…Alright.” The filly said meekly.

Cadance looked over at the mothling. “You know where they are? I’ll teleport us there.”

Hearth nodded and was about to tell her when she felt an unfamiliar presence brush up against her mind. An experimental poke led her to the waiting telepathic link to Cadance.

“Former moth, kept a few tricks,” the mare explained.

 



They appeared in a flash of blue light to find The Sun passed out on the pavement with Grimm and Hollow off to the side.

“What happened here?” Cadance demanded and Grimm looked over at her with a sad smile.

“I do apologise, Little Heart, but she tried to kill me,” he said. “When Hollow stood between us to end the fighting, The Sun caused them to have a flashback, and I intervened before either one of them could end the other.”

Hollow looked startled at that and stared down at their nail. Grimm patted their side. “Everyone is fine, I kept things from escalating further.”

Cadance was stern as she moved to stand before the still unresponsive alicorn. “Wake her up, I want everyone’s account of the situation before I pass judgement.”

Grimm obliged with a snap of his fingers. Celestia began to stir and came to. She blinked up at the other mare, blinking for a moment until her mind caught up with her.

“Cadance! Grimm cannot be allowed to roam free!” she began but Cadance raised a hoof to silence her.

A tense silence filled the air. The grooves of Cadance’s horn lit up with a white light.

“Does everyone present consent to allowing me to see their memories of what transpired here?” she asked, her tone was strong, authoritative, and Hearth wondered if another fight was going to break out based on the way The Sun was glaring at Grimm.

“But of course,” Grimm said amicably. Hollow nodded beside him.

Hearth shrank back from the tension in the area, sticking close to Grimm’s side. He rested a hand on her back in comfort as he offered her a smile.

“Worry not, all will be well.” He said quietly.

“If it will mean an end to this once and for all, then I accept,” Celestia said wearily as she pulled herself to her hooves. “Do what you must, Cadance.”

Cadance nodded, ribbons of soul magic spun out from the tip of her horn and attached themselves to the foreheads of those present.

For Hearth, it was uncanny, less a hivemind, forum, or telepathic link as changelings knew it, wherein everyone could participate at their leisure, and more like a two-way path, streamlined and designed for a specific function. In a blink, the mothling’s memories were already being viewed and processed by Cadance, Hearth felt lightheaded at the unfamiliar sensation and leaned into Grimm for support.

Sorry. Cadance sent in reply. I’m in a hurry, normally this doesn’t hit as hard.

“M’ okay.” Hearth muttered and grit her teeth as the world swam around her. As intense as it was, it only lasted a few seconds, and with Grimm as a grounding presence for her, the mothling recovered.

Still feeling out of sorts, Hearth watched the proceedings carefully, ready to run. On Grimm’s other side, Hollow shifted, and adjusted their grip on their nail’s handle.

Cadance was in the middle of taking in all that information, with eyes closed and brow furrowed, she looked to be intently focusing.

And slowly, the intense look of concentration became, seething, scathing, fury. The God of Empathy and Bonds opened her eyes, and locked eyes with Celestia.

“I can’t believe you,” Cadance spat, and The Sun was gobsmacked. Stunned into silence as the other mare rounded on her. “You thought attempted murder and genocide was a good idea? You’re lucky Grimm had enough sense not to tear you to pieces!”

“You have proven that you are willing to ignore consequence, warnings and knowledge from your equals,” Cadance said. Chains of shining white metal erupted from the ground to bind the white alicorn and a seal of binding flared to life around her horn. “You will either be tried under Equestrian Law, or I will call a Higher Summit.”

With that, she faced Grimm, much calmer. “As the one who was wronged, the choice is up to you.”

“Summit,” Grimm answered readily. “Her people will be too lenient.”

“Wait, what about Equestria? Who will raise the sun? Guide my little ponies?” Celestia pleaded. “What about Twilight?”

Cadance was cold in her reply. “You had plans drafted up in case Luna took you out of commission, we’ll put those into effect immediately. For now, your sole duty is just to raise and lower the sun. If I hear anything about you trying to contact Twilight…No, I will be the one responsible for her education. I don’t feel safe letting you anywhere near her right now…”

She let the sentence hang and The Sun looked displeased as she strained against the chains. “So, you would choose his side over mine?”

“I choose the lives of every living thing that lives in The Dreaming!” Cadance exclaimed. “It doesn’t matter if they live in The Nightmare Realm,they are as alive as you or anyone else in The Waking World!”

In a flash of blue flames, Cadance’s form shifted. Where once stood a pony, now stood a golden furred moth with pink limbs, fluffy pink antennae, and large pink and yellow wings.

“This is what I was first born as, this is a part of who I am!” Cadance stated, blue eyes pleading with Celestia to understand. “If you want to kill Grimm, you’ll have to go through me.”

The seconds dragged on, heartbreak and betrayal plain as day on Celestia’s face. Hearth felt herself being pushed back as Grimm and Hollow geared themselves up to fight. She righted herself, words stuck in her throat as once again, she wanted to do something.

But she couldn’t.

“Please Celestia,” Cadance begged, sounding tired, “Hasn’t there been enough fighting?”

Celestia blinked, seeing something behind the group and for a split second, the mare looked terrified. But the moment passed, and she bowed her head, the chains around her form going slack.

“I surrender,” she said at last. “Do with me what you will but please, leave Equestria out of this.”

Hearth just couldn’t understand this mare’s logic. She stepped forward, still staying close to Grimm in case The Sun tried anything.

“You’re their ruler, their Princess,” the mothling said in a mix of confusion and frustration. “Everything you do or say reflects back on Equestria and you have the bright idea to try and kill us?”

“I was only after--”

“If Grimm didn’t… If he...”

She trailed off. It hit her then, how close she would have been to serious injury or worse. She was fresh out of a metamorphosis, and it wouldn’t have been safe to do another so soon. Grimm had once again saved her life.

First Chrysalis and now this?

Her thoughts were a jumbled mess as something tapped her back leg. She remembered that Celestia had noticed something behind her and turned to look.

It was Ghost.

The little bug tilted their head to one side, a quiet chirp of concern soon followed.

“I…”

She tried to say I’m fine, but the words caught in her throat. She didn’t know what to say, nor what she wanted to do.

She knew Grimm was talking things over with Cadance, Celestia morose and staring at the floor in defeat.

Ghost tapped her leg again gently. She struggled to calm herself.

She couldn’t. She felt like she was made of paper, ready to crumple at the slightest thing, even as she fought back tears, she felt helplessly weak.

She loathed herself in that moment.

Ghost took a few steps back, head pointed skyward, and let out a strange, wailing shriek accompanied by a burst of black energy.

Were those faces? Hearth thought.

The noise got everyone’s attention and Ghost pointed at Hearth, chirping insistently in Krik.

“…We should save this for the summit,” Grimm said after a moment and Ghost quieted down, pleased with themselves. “You have a kingdom to stabilize, and I have other duties to perform.”

“Yeah…” Cadance sighed and in a second flask of blue fire, she returned to her pony form. She winced. “Been a while since I had to do that.”

Grimm looked over at her, but the mare waved him off. “I’ll be fine, just a bit rusty. Being dead for a thousand years will do that to you.”

The two gods chuckled at the bit of dark humour. Grimm bowed gracefully, “Take care, Cadance.”

“Same to you Uncle, stay safe.”

Ghost let out another impatient chirp. Grimm shook his fondly at their antics and looked over at Hearth.

“Are you alright?”

What else could she say other than the obvious?

“No.” she squeaked, on the verge of losing the battle against the whirlwind of emotions she was going through. “I don’t…”

No matter what she did, her throat felt tight, she knew she could explain if just kept trying, but words failed her.

Grimm was sympathetic as he walked over to her. “You need not justify nor explain yourself to me, friend. You need somewhere to gather your thoughts, yes?”

She nodded. The conversation helped, it gave her something to focus on, a distraction.

“Would you like some company?” he asked gently and this time he was met with a shrug of her wings. He nodded understandingly. “Very well, perhaps a neutral party? One not involved with all this mess. Perhaps the anonymity of a stranger may help?”

I know someone. Ghost added softly. I know lots of people and you could meet them!

“Another time, child,” Grimm suggested. “I doubt our new friend is up to that just yet.”

Hollow ambled over and knelt before her, worry rippling off them like a leaf disturbing the still surface of a pond.

Hearth could feel a sense of comradery between her and the eldest sibling, they were similar in a few ways, different in others, and in the short time she had known them, there was a strong desire to learn about them, know them.

To be their friend.

“I trust Hollow.” she said meekly, catching theirs and their family’s attention.

Hollow nodded, standing up and addressing their father.

It will stay with her.

Grimm nodded. “Take her to the manor, I have other matters to attend to, but I will return in a few days’ time.”





Hearth blinked as she looked out over the fields of dark blue grass and the village of round, shell-like houses. Hollow had teleported them to a small hill just outside of town. The cobblestone road was lit by street lamps filled with firefly-like lumaflies. She looked above her to see the black expanse of an underground cavern.

Dirtmouth looked calm, peaceful even as Hollow stood beside her.

Would you like to take the long way? Hollow asked and Hearth took a moment to look down at the place.

“What time is it?” She asked.

Hollow glanced around as well. The middle of the night, Hallownest is on the other side of the world from Equestria.

She was emotionally, and mentally worn out. As much as Hearth wanted to explore the town, at that moment she just wanted to curl up and relax for the rest of her waking hours.

“I’ll save the tour for another day.” She said.

Stay still, It will warp us home.

And in a blink, they were standing in a large lounge room. The furniture was a mishmash of styles and types, as was the art and sculptures that adorned nearly every inch of available space on the walls. The dark coloured walls and wine-red carpet only added to the ancient charm of the place.

Bedrooms are through there.

Hearth followed Hollow's gesture to see a large doorway, covered with a thick curtain instead of a door, which led off to another portion of the house.

She looked back up at the taller bug. “Do I just pick a room?” she asked and Hollow nodded.

Pick any room that does not have a nameplate on the door.

She nodded, thoughts dulled as she moved through the house. The place had personality, it felt lived in, and was such a welcome contrast to the emotional coldness of Canterlot that the ‘ling felt at ease just ambling down the hallway and inspecting the names on the already claimed rooms.

Hornet

Quirrel

Sunset Shimmer

Javelin

Petal

Ghost

Hollow

Grimm

“You have a lot of people staying here, huh?” she asked as she stopped outside of an unclaimed room between Hollow’s and Grimm’s.

Hollow shrugged. Only those that have earned father’s trust earn a room… As a family, we prefer our privacy.

“Sunset Shimmer… That’s a pony name, right?” She asked. She shouldn’t pry but it stood out amongst the rest. She shrugged, she didn’t have the energy to worry about something like that. “I guess if Grimm trusts them…”

Sunset is a member of the troupe, the youngest currently. Hollow explained and Hearth opened the door of the empty room she had been eyeing.

The furniture matched what she’d seen in the lounge room, a wardrobe, dresser, and armchair all of varying styles. The bed near the back wall was round, a common sight even in The Scarlet Hive, as most bug folk and changelings curled up to sleep.

Pale light from the lights outside streamed in from the large glass doors that led out to a small balcony. The room itself was smaller than the one back in Canterlot, but still larger than anywhere she had previously called home.

“This’ll do.” She said and strolled over to the bed, giving it a more thorough look over. “…I think I’m going to just relax for a few hours…Is there anything to read around here?”

Hollow perked up, quiet joy radiating off their form.

It will show you to the library. Do you have a favourite genre?

“Uh…” Hearth struggled to remember what she enjoyed reading. It had been a very long time since she had any sort of free time. “Fantasy and murder mysteries? Used to read a lot when I was still training to be a kindler.”





Grimm walked into The Badlands Hive as if he owned the place. Eyes leered at him from every nook and cranny of the maze of tunnels, but none dared to strike him.

They were starving, not stupid. He made his presence known in their hivemind as he headed down the winding maze of tunnels towards the throne room, bright as a star and just as powerful. The rogue queen was snarling, shouting in the minds of her subjects to destroy him.

Grimm silenced her screeching with but a thought. He had long stopped caring for the crazed nag, it was clear she wouldn’t see reason and unlike The Sun, Chrysalis was one he could handle at his leisure.

He held his head high as he entered the throne room.

“You!” The Queen snarled, horn alight with sickly green magic. “I will end you!”

He nimbly avoided the blast. This was no performance, no dance, just the viscous hatred of a queen gone mad with power. Grimm had no need for flair or elegance as he teleported and landed in front of Chrysalis, his fangs locked around her horn before she could so much as scream.

Shards of chitin went flying in all directions as his jaws snapped it to pieces. Her blood tasted sour, like something left to rot and he spat out the blueish green substance along with pieces of her now broken horn.

“Save your prattling,” He said coldly as the changeling queen opened her mouth to hurl obscenities at him. “You have failed in your duty as a Queen, as a mother, and so I sentence you to an end by my own fangs and claws.”

He stared down at her, the anger from his encounter with Celestia still roared in his veins. A tug, a pull from duties long left unfinished vied for his attention. Grimm snarled, frustrated, angry, lost.

Chrysalis took to the air, the air thick with her fear. Grimm lunged with a skyward uppercut that clipped her chin and sent her crashing down to the cold stone ground.

He was on her in an instant. A chant whispered in his ears, power coursed through his form, unstable, wild, and beckoning him to finish his duties.

Fangs and claws and searing fire felled the mad queen, Grimm almost consumed by the urge to follow The Call, to continue what had been interrupted oh so long ago.

Shadows dream of endless fire,

Flames devour and embers swoop,

One will light the Nightmare Lantern,

Call and serve in Grimm's dread Troupe.



A spark of red lights darkest dream,

Scarlet nightmares bright and wild,

Visions dance and flames do speak,

Burn the father, feed the child.



Dance and die and live forever,

Silent voices shout and sing,

Stand before the Troupe's dark heart,

Burn away the Nightmare King.


“Through dream I travel, at lantern's call

To consume the flames of a kingdom's fall…” He recited and looked down at the remains of the queen, her blood dripping from his teeth and claws.

He took a deep, shaky breath, and willed the voices to fade, the call to cease.

“I cannot answer,” he said. “I cannot…”

A familiar tune danced in the wind. Bombastic, loud, and glorious. And with it, came the revenant chorus of those devoted to that age old dance.

Light the way with a fleeting spark!

Through our dance we will honour him!

Feed the child of the beating heart!

Sing the praise of the master Grimm!

“Enough!” he snapped. “There is no Ritual!”

It took a tremendous amount of effort, but Grimm willed for it all to stop, for silence. The noise, as tempting as it all had been, faded into nothingness once more.

He burned the corpse at his feet and cleaned the blood off his hands and face with a spare rag he found lying around, tossing it into the makeshift pyre.

Queen Chrysalis was no more.

Grimm heaved out a sigh and watched as her body burned.

“Ten more years…” he mused. “And then my closing act.”

He knew he needed to talk to Hollow about this, Ghost too. Then there was also the matter of his new mothling and how she would adapt to his duties.

Was she even aware of The Ritual?

His maw dipped into a frown. There was little time before the summit, a few months at best, and he could not in good conscience ask for it to be delayed, not after everything The Sun had done.

No, she needed to be brought to justice.

As much as he disliked the idea, he also needed to talk to The Pale King. He may dislike the bug, but he had his uses and Grimm was trying to be on better terms with the wyrm, for the sake of his children.

First, he needed to calm down. He teleported out of the hive and in a plume of red smoke, he arrived at one of Hallownest’s many underground hot springs. Thankfully empty at this time of night, he slipped into the warm waters and allowed his mind to drift.

The warm water soothed the lingering pain from his fight with The Sun and the low lighting provided by the glowing white water eased the strain on his eyes from being out in the sun for hours on end.

It was no small feat that he and Hollow had managed to hide their photosensitivity from the world. But Grimm had more than enough magic to shield himself from the worst of it, and his eldest rarely ventured above ground to begin with.

Grimm’s was a natural part of him, eons upon eons of being a creature of the night, of fear and darkness. Natural light was his antithesis, which was why his sister favoured it so much.

Opposites in every way. He mused.

Hollow’s condition was a result of their time as The Sealed Vessel. Something neither of them wished to recall.

A splash caught his attention and he looked over to his left to see a familiar form had jumped into the spring.

“Ghost, I thought you were headed home?”

They shook their head and waded through the water to sit beside him.

“You were worried.” Grimm guessed and Ghost nodded. The smaller being had picked up Grimm’s mood and remained silent, content to simply sit and enjoy the silence in his company.

Grimm missed quiet moments like this. There was still much to do, things to prepare for. But for now, Grimm lived in the moment.

There was nothing to do but simply be.