Humani Victoria

Chapter 34~ None Shall Thrive

"Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely."

~Lord Acton

Several Thousand Kilometres North-East of Stalliongrad Borders, Thursday, 9th of April, 2:22am, 2206 AC

The northern winds whipped and screamed across a barren wasteland, snow shot through the air like bullets, and not a single speck of life could be seen here. To the east one could scarcely make out the huge lumbering forms of black mountains that stretched across the horizons, within that rocky landscape lived large creatures of fur and horns. The only spot of civilization for a thousand kilometres in any direction, such has it been for a millennia.

Such was not to last.

Cracks spread across the ice, curving and moving along the fields. From these cracks bled a strange ethereal energy, it was purple tinged with blackness and it rose into the air like a noxious gas. It was followed by light, a bright blue and cleansing light. The two entities seemed to mingle, almost battle one another in the crisp northern air before the entire earth began to shake. Ice broke away and fell down into a dark chasm below. The blue light began to solidify, come together in a huge semi-transparent dome that blocked out the snow and seemingly the cold along with it. The last pieces of ice was smashed to dust as sharp objects pushed themselves upwards, light reflected off of the polished crystalline surface as the city pushed itself to the surface. A bright light shone from the top of the highest peak and cast shimmers across the vast city of crystal, rays of blue light pulsed off of that point in a heartbeat pattern until slowly the star-like object lowered itself and disappeared.

Outside of the blue dome the black has continued to bleed, it coalesced and formed together as a single cloud. Black tendrils reached out and probed the dome only to recoil as if pain, a long wail echoed across the land. Reaching both the mountains to the east and a city to the west, it spoke of hunger, of anger, of untempered desire. Something had awoken.

Castle of the Two Princesses, Canterlot, Equestria, Thursday, 9th of April, 2:22am, 2206 AC

Luna gasped in horror as she shot up in her bed, a cold clammy sweat damped her fur as she caught her breath. The vision had been so vivid, so real, it had been an age since any such premonition had reached Luna, the last time it occurred the world had been thrown into a long and bloody night by her own doing. Without a thought Luna threw off her blanket and ran out of her chambers, not sparing a thought to properly groom herself or don her regalia, she caught her guardsmen completely off guard as she burst through her chamber doors and took off down the hall.

"Y-your majesty!" One of them called, Luna ignored him.

When she entered the main hall Celestia was already there, looking just as frazzled as Luna was, with a grim look upon her face, several guardsmen were with her as well as what looked like a courier Pegasus. Luna came barreling in and stopped to catch her breath, barely gasping out her message.

"...Tia, I had... A dream... The crystal... Sombr-"

"I know," Celestia said solemnly, holding up two letters that were unsealed. "From Stalliongrad and Yakyakistan."

"Wake Shining Armour and Princess Cadence," she said to the guards. "They must leave at once to assess the situation, and summon Jason and the Element Bearers to the throne room."

"Yes your Majesty, but..." One of the guards hesitated. "What is going on?"

"Something I did not calculate," Celestia answered. "The Empire has returned."

Jason's Assigned Quarters, Castle of the Two Princesses, Canterlot, Equestria, Thursday, 9th of April, 2:34am, 2206 AC

A loud knocking woke Jason up, his eyes opened lazily and took one through the window before Jason concluded he would brutality murder whomever was knocking in his door without mercy and defile the body. As he slowly pulled himself into a up-right sitting position he formulated his escape plan, by the time he drummed up the energy to pull off his blanket and swing his feet off the edge of the bed he had already planned out how he would defect to the Gryphon Kingdom and gain status as a political refugee. The knocking continued and Jason sighed before standing up, he calmly walked over and opened the door.

A guard stood in the other side, luckily for him Jason was too nice to murder him right there and then. Although he considered Celestia as a target as the guard informed him that their dear sunbutted princess wanted him down in the throne room. Why does she always need [my help?

"I'll be there in a minute," Jason said drowsily.

It took him nearly ten minutes.

When Jason did eventually drag himself from his room he made his way down to the throne room. Celestia and Luna were waiting with the main six and Spike whom looked both worried and annoyed when a drowsy zombie-like Jason stumbled in.

"Glad you could join us, Jason," Celestia said.

"Yep, speedy-like that's me," Jason mumbled as he rubbed the gunk from his eyes. "So what's so important?"

"The Crystal Empire has returned."

Jason was lucky his hands were already so close to his face. Had they not been, he probably would've sustained injury from the sheer force of them hitting his face. Fortunately a simple wrist turn and his face was held in his hands as he wondered if druggies experienced shit like this. He decided they probably didn't and if they did they would quit whatever they were smoking immediately.

"The what has returned?" Jason asked in exasperation when he emerged from his hands.

"The Crystal Empire," Celestia repeated. "An ancient land that was powerful and prosperous but fell to the whim of a dark tyrant. King Sombra, he utilized dark and cruel magic to subjugate the Crystal Ponies and wage a war with a young Equestria. One that we won, but he managed to escape into some sort of shadow realm and taking the entire empire with him."

"Of course he did," Jason said with a raised eyebrow. "So what's so special about this empire? Besides the fact that it was kidnapped by a guy with a Spanish name."

"It is the home of an extremely powerful object," Luna explained, she had a forlorn and almost stricken look on her face. "The Crystal Heart."

"Really?" Jason asked, his curiosity piqued. "What's the story behind this heart then?"

"It's one of the Lost Artifacts, wielded by an Alicorn," Celestia said. "One you've already met. The Crystal Heart was the artifact of Aphrodite whom is now Chrysalis as you well know,"

"Oh goody, so what's this heart do? Spew glowy love radiation like Cadence does?"

"It's an object of pure power with no real direction," Luna said solemnly. "It essentially allows the wielder to have unlimited magical energy. The catch is that the heart gets this energy from the emotions of the Crystal Ponies and it reflects that in how it acts. Ideally it reflects a positive and good energy but under Sombra's tyrannical rule it only produces a dark and damaging magic."

"So El Sombro wants the magic rock, got'cha," Jason concluded. "I assume to continue the enslavement of the Crystal Ponies and go all Germany across the world."

"Well, perhaps we should explain more," Celestia said. "Once Sombra was the legitimate king of the Crystal Empire, he was fair and just but also tough and strong. A good King all around, but he grew… Obsessed with not only gaining power but the Crystal Heart itself. It corrupted him, and no matter what we did or said… There was no saving him from himself.”

"Magic has a mind," Jason said, nodding his head in understanding. "So what's our task then?"

"Candace and Shining Armour are there already," Celestia explained. "Cadence is maintaining a shield around the city to keep both Sombra and the harsh Arctic storms out, but she can't hold it forever. Your task is to locate the Crystal Heart and bring it to her for she is the Alicorn of Love thus she can wield it properly and hopefully take on Sombra."

"It shouldn't be too difficult," Twilight said although she seemed nervous. "We just need to save an entire empire from a extremely powerful tyrant, no pressure."

"You'll do fine, Twilight," Celestia said kindly. "No go on, times a wasting."

"Of course, come on girls!" Twilight said as she lead her friends out of the throne room. Jason went to follow them but Celestia's voice stopped him.

"One more thing, Jason," she said. "Sombra wasn’t just trying to gain power for no reason… He sought to ascend himself to be an Alicorn.”

"...Okay, now I'm not so eager to go. Was there any particular reason why he sought that out?" Jason

“We… We were… I mean,” Luna stuttered, the pain on her face made Jason feel for her and for Celestia to place a comforting wing over her back. “We were… Betrothed. To be married, it was a smart and calculated decision at first, a way to unite our two pony nations and hopefully set a trend for the rest of pony kind. But it became… More then that… I… I developed feelings for him, he was gallant, kind, and strong. He truly loved and care for me, I thought… And I believe it was that passion that lead to his doom. It wasn't long before he realized exactly what it would mean to love an immortal Alicorn and he began to study deeper and deeper into the ancient magics and history of the Alicorns. He assured me it was simply to satisfy curiosity, oh how naïve he was… I only realized he was lost to me when it was too late. And still I refused to even consider engaging him, I couldn't… Until his people began to escape and seek sanctuary in Equestria from his wrath..”

"...Luna I'm so sorry,"

“I wish not to speak of it further,” Luna said. “But this is why we must stay behind, Sombra… He is too personal for us, for me. I don't think I have the will to face him.”

“I understand,” Jason said gently. “I'll handle it, and Cadence ain't a pushover either.

"I shall see you out,” Luna said, and she and Jason turned to go.

“Jason..” Celestia calked once more, a strange feeling to her voice. Jason turned around and stared at the look on Celestia’s face, on the surface it was a neutral expression. But somehow that amplified the unbridled and clear rage that was hidden under that mask. For the first time in quite a while Jason felt afraid of Celestia and he couldn't help but be reminded of the raw destructive power this Sun Goddess wielded. “Show him no mercy, Jason. Not one inch.”

“…I’ll do my best,” Jason said with a meek voice before trying not to run out of the room. Luna and him walked through the halls of the palace towards the entrance in silence, the only sound was the echoes of hoofbeats and footfalls alike as they made their way. Jason kept glancing at Luna whom was clearly upset by all this but he resigned himself to silence, she would talk when she needed to.

And inevitably she did.

“When Sombra fell..” Luna said. “I couldn't accept it, I thought I could help him, save him, somehow. My sister and I we fought often about it, it destroyed us as siblings and we barely spoke outside of curt words and angry screams. So foolish was I that I didn't believe he was truly lost, not when dark takes reached my ears from the kingdom of the north, not when his armies could be seen patrolling every road and passage. Only when those poor ponies lay themselves at my hooves and begs is to save them… Even then I barely fought him, it was mostly my sister who took his corruption as a betrayal of me and destroyed him for it. It was the bloodiest battle I have ever witnessed since the war, and even still we did not truly win. At the apex of his defeat my lov- Sombra, he showed his power that day as he opened a tear into… Somewhere. I've heard tales of the Void but to see it open there before me was horrifying, it bled ancient and dark magic that was alike that which Sombra himself was wielding. He pulled himself and the entire Crystal Empire into the Void leaving nothing but the howling of the cold winds to mark where it had once stood.”

“Celestia and I, we were never the same after that. We spoke less, clashed more, I became distant, lonely, withdrawn. I began to blame my sister for my turmoil, I… Hated her,” Luna’s look was of sorrow and regret. “The seeds were planted and they grew and… I think you know what they became.”

“Yeah, I get it.” Jason said and drew Luna in for a hug. “You’re too good a person for all this you know? I'll never understand how you feel but what I can't do you is spare this from happening again. Sombra… He won't hurt you, ever again. You hear me?”

“Please be careful,” Luna said, her face full of worry. “He's as powerful as any Alicorn.”

“Yeah?” Jason said with a grin and a raised eyebrow as he held Luna at arm's length. “Well then he won't be a problem for a Human will he? See you later, Luna.”

“Farewell, Ser Jason.”

Jason caught up with the main six and their dragon companion at the train station. They were off without delay and Jason's eyes were soon greeted with the unpleasantly familiar grey craggy rocks and frozen tundra of Stalliongrad. They stooped briefly at the city before the train continued along a track that was marked "Wilderness Track" that extended east for several hours. The snow slowly picked up even in what was supposed to be spring. Soon enough visibility was nonexistent and all sight lines were replaced by a wall of white and the occasional grey shadow of something off in the distance.

The train came to a stretching halt next to a rather make-shift train station. It was really just a small platform made of out off some-low quality wood that was frozen solid. Jason and company were careful not to slip as they stepped off the train. The wind whipped at them, tearing like an angry animal set upon killing them brutally. The world was a bright blaring sea of white light with the sun seemingly shining from all directions. Jason could barely even open one of his eyes let alone both of them, but through his limited vision, he saw a figure struggle through the wind towards them.

"Twily!" Shining Armour exclaimed, pulling his scarf down from his mouth and pushing his goggles up.

"BBBFF!" Twilight said back, and they embraced.

"Yay, love, friendship is magic and all that shit. Can we do this somewhere else? Preferably somewhere that I can't use my balls to cool a drink," Jason said.

"This way, and keep close. You don't want to get lost out here," Shining replaced his goggles and scarf before leading them into the harsh tundra. Jason knew the cold and the snow but this was a whole other level, and he was reminded of the last time he was caught in a blizzard. He really doubted Ed was nearby to save him this time. The snow was hard and his his skin like small bullets, they stung and and turned his flesh red and raw.

Yet it was not the cold that fuelled Jason's anxiety. It was an unknowable sense of fear that radiated from the landscape. Constantly Jason though he saw something move just out of sight, barely in his range of peripherals. It was formless, a shadow that moved in the dark. It made Jason's skin crawl, his blood thin, and set his teeth on edge. The fear led to anger and before Jason could question why he was furious. At the snow, at the cowardly being that taunted him, and at his friends. Why'd have to drag him along through this fucking cold? Why did he have to save their asses half the time? Maybe he should just ditch them, or teach them a lesson. He did have his sword after all...

"Look out!"

At Rainbow Dash's cry Jason snapped out of his enraged state and whipped around. Behind him rose a huge black cloud of smoke. It shot towards him like a wild animal and Jason jumped backwards just barely out of the way of it. He tumbled into the frozen ground and the snow burned cold along his hands and face. Jason slipped and fell as he tried to get away from the smoke cloud in a rabid state of panic. If it wasn't for Spike's firm claws pulling him up he probably would've been swallowed by the shadowy demon that pursued them. Without hesitation the whole lot of them broke out in a sprint as the cloud descended upon them like an angry storm. They climbed a hill and were nearly blinded by the sparkling city before them, ornate towers of red, green, and blue crystal shines beautifully in a light that shined down from the cities tallest spire in the centre of it all. Like a smaller sun brought close to the earth by some greater power.

None of them really had time to admire or even truly register the existence of the city outside as understanding that it was haven from the darkness. When they reached the edge of the city a somewhat transparent barrier came into view. It encompassed the entire city and was a very familiar shade of pink. Jason passed through it and felt sparks run up his arms and spine as the powerful magic passed through him, when he did so the cold disappeared instantly along with the wind. When Jason looked back he saw the black smoke pressing against the pink barrier but unable to breach it.

"W-what was that?" Spike asked, cowering on the ground.

"That," Shining said breathlessly. "Was the shade of Sombra. Come on, let's get to the keep Cadence is waiting for us."

As they moved into the city proper Jason had time enough to catch his breath and actually take a proper look at the city. The Crystal Empire certainly lived up to the 'crystal' part of its name (although Jason questioned the 'empire' part seeing as the place only seemed to contain one city.) Tall buildings lined wide streets that were scarce for the most part, said building were of course made of crystal. Large slabs of the stuff were carved into bricks and walls that sparkled and shined. At what appeared to be the centre of the city was a tall spire with three legs supporting it, like a huge crystal Eiffel Tower to which the top of shone a brilliant white light down upon them. It seemed to carry warmth as well, and as a warm wind tinkled Jason's face he realized that somehow the city maintained an oasis like state in the middle of an arctic desert.

"You said that... Thing was the shade of Sombra? As in, not actually Sombra himself?" Jason asked Shining.

"Yep, some sort of magical projection that Sombra cooked up to keep people inside the city. His physical form we think is somewhere in the tunnels below but he's using most of his energy maintaining that shade and without the Crystal Heart he can barely whip up a blizzard let alone stage an attack," Shining answered.

"Right, Crystal Heart... Where is that then?"

"We know it's in the palace," Shining said, pointing at the bright light that shined down upon them from the distant spire. "It's the thing keeping us warm right now but it's not doing its full potential. According to the locals it's also supposed to shield the city from the arctic conditions, but without someone to wield it most of the Heart's power is gone. Cadence is maintaining the barrier you see now, but it's draining her strength and I don't know how much longer she can keep it up."

It was about then that Jason began to notice the residence of the Crystal Empire. The aforementioned Crystal Ponies walked aimlessly through the streets and most of them seemed confused or unawares of the world around them. Jason had to admit he was expecting more... Sparkles, sure the Crystal Ponies definitely had a gem-esque quality to them with smooth coat like cut Quartz and such. However, the whole lot of them seemed dim in every meaning of the word, their colours were muted and they all carried themselves in such a defeated manner that Jason couldn't help but feel pity.

"Cheery bunch," Jason commented as one of the passerby residents avoided his gaze. "But I suppose these aren't exactly cheery times for them."

"It goes beyond that I think," Twilight said. "Think about it, Sombra enslaved them for years when he was in power and this is the first time they've had any freedom from him. It's been thousands of years in reality but for them it's only been a matter of days since they were an oppressed peoples. That takes some adjusting."

"I guess that makes sense…” Jason said, the downtrodden way the Crystal Ponies carried themselves wasn't exactly comforting. He would've preferred it had they stared at him like most people did, but instead they didn't even acknowledge his presence.

They made their way to the central spire in a timely manner and Jason was quite taken aback by how tall the thing was. It easily blocked out the sun and probably would overshadow the Palace of the Two Princesses. They entered the tower and were immediately greeted by a wide spilling staircase that seemed to go on forever. Jason’s legs ached just at the sight of them and he quietly wondered why there wasn't a magic elevator of some sort to spare his poor knees. Alas, it was not to be and Jason soon found himself huffing and puffing up the endless trials of upwards stairs.

Eventually, painfully, they did eventually climb the whole of the tower to where Cadence was waiting. They found her lying on the floor and staring blankly ahead with her horn alight with power, and Cadence looked terrible. Bags lined her eyes, her hair was unwashed and frazzled, her coat matted and greasy, and if Jason wasn't mistaken he could have sworn that she was thinner.

“Sweetheart,” Shining went to her immediately and nuzzled his wife. “Twilight, Jason, and the rest have arrived. Cadence?”

“Mm?” Cadence blinked as if coming out of a trance and her tired eyes looked to them. She offered a weak smile that didn't mask her exhaustion. “I'm glad you could come, thank you.”

“Wouldn't leave you hanging, love-butt,” Jason said, kneeling down besides the Alicorn. “How’re you holdin’ up?”

“Oh, I'm just peachy,” Cadence rolled her eyes. “Shielding a city twice the size of Canterlot from a very determined undead King, plus a very angry blizzard isn't exactly what I'd call an enjoyable experience.”

“Point taken,” Jason said. “So what's the plan?”

“That's fairly simple,” Twilight spoke up. “You, me, and Spike will search the castle for the Crystal Heart. The rest of you will head back down and try to cheer up the people. The heart reflects the emotions around it right? If you can get the entire city to be cheerful it could be enough to push back Sombra’s dark presence.”

“You've come to the right pony!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed. “I'll turn their frowns upside down! Woo! Crystal Empire party! Let's go!” She shit out of the room like a bullet but the rest remained.

“Are you sure you don't want us helping you find the Crystal Heart? We could cover more ground with all of us. Not to mention I suspect Sombra may be lookin’ for the heart too. What if you run into him?” Applejack said in concern.

“No!” Twilight snapped, surprising everyone. She took a deep breath. “No, I have to do it. Besides, Jason’ll take care of me, but finding the heart is my test.”

“If you say so,” Applejack said, her brow still furrowed in concern. “C’mon girls.” They all left leaving Jason, Twilight, and Spike alone with Shining and Cadence.

“Don't give up yet,” Jason said, giving Cadence a comforting pat. “We’ll find the heart soon enough.”

“We need to hurry,” Twilight goaded. “We should probably check-“

“The library,” Jason, Cadence, Shining, and Spike all recited getting a glare from Twilight.

“Yeah… That,” she said.

“Let’s a-go then,” Jason said as he stood up.

They left the room and made their way down the epic journey that was the staircase before taking a turn that led into the castle's library. It was as if at least nearly as big as the Canterlot Library was. With tall wife bookshelves filling the walls top to bottom and times both ancient and new filling them. Immediately Twilight lost her shit as she squeed and magically grabbed what looked like thirty-percent of the library's content before sitting down and beginning to read them. Jason simply walked over and grabbed one of the few books that had survived the wrath of the purple nerd and sat down to read it.

A Humble History of the Crystal Empire by Silver Comet

The founding and creation of the Crystal Empire is shrouded in mystery and myth. The only information one could find is old tales and legends that tell of the fabled Age of Alicorns and their war with the Humans. According to most popular accounts of the story, the Alicorn Goddess of Love Aphrodite had wielded a powerful artifact known as the Crystal Heart, and this is where the contention over whether or not the story is true or not comes from. The Crystal Heart is very real as it floats high above the Crystal Empire as these words are being written, but many are loathe to believe in the frankly ridiculous tales of a war, of gods, and of other things.

Regardless of that the story goes that Aphrodite gave up her ownership of the Heart and use it to create a city in the far north. A haven for her followers and supporters that would be protected and plentiful due to the Crystal Hearts protection. After that accounts become even more vague and wild but for one reason or another, Aphrodite supposedly disappeared never to return or be seen again.

According to the legends a guardian was chosen to be the caretaker of the heart, to protect it and act as the ruler of the Crystal Empire. This task would be passed down through the generations and if one were to believe these tales, it would end with our current King. The Great Honourable and Wise King Sombra whom has reined for almost twenty-three years now and for all intents and purposes is the caretaker of the Crystal Heart. It should also be known that it is widely believed that the Crystal Heart possess some form of consciousness, and while this author is not suggesting that a magical artifact possess the complexity of mind on par with a Pony. It is not completely far fetched to suggest that such a high concentration of Magic could show reaction to its environment and act without direction. After all the Third Law of Magic is that ‘Magic Has a mind.’

It is because of this theory that one much also consider that the Crystal Heart may possess the ability to consciously protect itself. Including perhaps influencing its guardian and the people he rules…

“….Hey, Twilight?” Jason called.

“Mm?” She answered.

“It says here that the Crystal Heart is… Alive. Sorta, or at least it has some sort of self-determination.”

“Really?” Twilight said, perking up.

“Yeah, here,” Jason said, he tossed the book and Twilight caught it in her magic. She read through the first few chapters quickly.

“I have an idea,” Twilight said, she placed down the book and flared her horn bright. Jason felt his skin prickle as his own magical aura reacted to the waves Twilight was releasing. It continued for a solid minute before she drew her magic back in with a surprised look on her face.

“And that was…?” Jason asked.

“A search spell,” Twilight explained. “When ponies are distressed their magic gives out a certain wavelength. I theorized that if the Crystal Heart has any sort of self-determination it would be under distress right now. I found a wavelength that's nearby but I can't exactly place where it is… It felt below us but also above.”

“Well that helps,” Jason said. “What now?”

“Well we-“ Twilight was cut off as she jumped away from the quickly collapsing floor. The stone bricks fell away into a dark void and reassembled themselves into a long staircase that led down into the darkness.

“Huh,” Jason said and suddenly he felt a warm breeze run by him. It made him feel comfortable and at ease but also caused silver sparks to jump across his arm hair.

“Feel that?” Twilight asked. “It's the Heart. I think it wants us to find it.”

“That's… Slightly creepy,” Jason said, patting the sparks away. “Into the darkness then?”

“You sure we can't stay up here?” Spike said shakily.

“No Spike, we need to find the Heart as soon as possible,” Twilight said, lighting her horn and descending into the void. “Coming?”

“Why is this my life?” Spike said in defeat.

“We’re following a purple unicorn into a dark staircase of death… I see no way this could go wrong,” Jason said, tightening his sword hilt to his side. “Come on. Cardio will be good for you and those stumpy legs.”

“I'm not stumpy!” Spike barked as they followed Twilight downwards.

Twilight’s horn barely illuminated herself. Jason snapped his fingers a few times and a silver orb of light burst to life in the palm of his hand and he held it out in front of him, but with minimal effect. The darkness was like a thick fabric that nearly suffocated him and he found himself loosing focus of where he was and sometimes loosing sight of Twilight. He kept track of Spike by the pattering of his scaled feet on the strobe steps and similarity Twilight my the clop of her hooves. However, both faded to an echo and with a blink Jason found himself alone with nothing to mark the disappearance of his companions.

He concentrated and flared his orb of light brighter and revealed that he no longer stood on stairs but in some sort of sewer tunnel. With a rounded stone ceiling, a damp rocky ground and walls coated in hard sludge and filth. The tunnel continued seemingly infinitely both toward and backwards with no sign of the staircase that has supposedly brought him there.

“Lovely,” Jason said. With no clear direction to take Jason was completely lost, but not without options. With a flick of his wrist Jason extinguished the light in his palm and he was shrouded in darkness once again. He then focused his energy so it accumulated and crackled around him in waves that probed through the darkness.

It took a while but soon something reacted as a small white orb phased through a wall and floated over near Jason. Their auras interacted and caused sparks of silver and white to fly and sizzle to the ground and with a small push of his magic Jason made a connection to the soul. The white orb grew and expended, morphed, shifted, and changed into the familiar form of a pony. He filled with the colours of dark blue fur and golden eyes with a lighter blue mane as the long-dead Crystal stallion formed right in front of Jason.

“W-what?!” the stallion said in panic as his head whipped around in search of familiar locale. “Where am I? W-where's Diamond?!”

“Whoa, whoa, hey now…” Jason said as calmly as he could to the ghost. “Take a deep brea- hm, well I guess you can't do that uh… Just calm down huh?”

“I… What… Huh?” the stallion blinked in confusion. “W-who are you… What are you?”

“My names Jason, I’m a Human, and I'm not going to hurt you,” Jason said soothingly. “What's your name?”

“It… My names Quarts Quarter.”

“And what's the last thing you remember, Quarts?”

“I… I was mining with my friend, Diamond Dust,” Quarts Quarter said shakily. “We had been ordered down here for punishment labour. We had been starvin’ from the famine you see and we could help but steal some extra rations. Worst mistake of my life ‘cause I have never seen a place as dark or accursed as this. The last thing I remember was loosing track of Diamond before I felt something touch my… Neck”

“…Listen, Quarts…”

“I'm dead aren't I?” Quarts said with a strange resolve. “I… I think I knew. It's been so long with me just… Floating in not dark nor light and unable to speak or breath. I felt shackled but also free at the same time.”

“You died an unnatural death,” Jason said with a nod of respect. “You weren't able to let go completely and we're stuck between this world and the next. I pulled you over here and out of limbo and when I’m done here I'll send you forward.”

During his training Luna had stressed that no spirit should be tethered to the world forcibly or left abandoned on the wrong side of the veil. Not only was it unimaginably cruel to do so but often such spirits went mad and became troublesome and even violent.

“I’ll do what I can to help....”

“Thanks, now can you tell me what you were supposed to be mining down here?”

“Magic deposits, supposedly a lot of magic seeped into the ground around here a long time ago and after hundreds or maybe even thousands of years it solidifies into the rare purple crystal. The Mage-types can draw a lot of energy from these crystals so you can imagine why Sombra would want ‘em,” Quarts explained.

“And did you ever find any?” Jason asked.

“A couple small deposits, but the detection spell we use isn't fully reliable. There's a lot of interference down here – some sort of powerful magical signal that drowns out everything else.”

“The Crystal Heart,” Jason concluded.

“You think?”

“It's worth a shot,” Jason shrugged. “Can you detect it now?”

“Yeah, I guess being a ghost makes you more in tune with the magical fields. It feels like I'm on a beach and the tide is lapping at my legs.”

“Alright, lead me to it.”

“Okay, but be warned there's a lot more than just crystals down here…”

Elsewhere

“H-hello?” Twilight called. “Spike?”

“I'm here,” the Dragon said shakily. “Can you give us some light?”

“Yeah, just a moment,” Twilight said, there was a spark and hum of magic before a purple light illuminated the damp and muddy tunnel that they had arrived in. Water dripped from the ceiling an in places one could see sparkling gemstones poking out of the walls.

“Where are we?” Spike asked.

“Some sort of mining tunnel,” Twilight said. “Under the palace…”

“Wait… Where's Jason?”

“Oh Celestia, Jason!” Twilight’s voice echoed through the deep. “Jason!”

No answer came, and Twilight stood on shaky hooves and looked up and down the seemingly endless tunnel. Her horn flared as Twilight attempted to cast a detection spell that would seek out Jason’s unique magical wavelength. She immediately flinched and yelped in pain as a splitting headache struck, all around her was a constant and overwhelming magical presence. It was hostile, somehow Twilight knew that.

The caves melted away into liquid shadow and everything shook violently as reality was torn asunder. A malevolent darkness fell upon Twilight as her magical light was snuffed out in an instant. It wasn't cold but nor was it warm, there was simply a lack of temperature in any meaning of the word, a lack of sensation, a lack of any feeling or wisp of reality. There was a lack of air as well, and Twilight struggled for air, struggled to keep her body going in this endless and overbearing Void.

Within this void was a presence, not the one she had felt just earlier but a much more potent and.. Angry power. The magical presence from just before had been strong but familiar, as if a powerful unicorn was maintaining some sort of power. But as Twilight clenched her jaw from the skull-splitting pain she felt she knew the thing out there in the darkness was no unicorn. No, it was much too chaotic, too boundless, too wild, if it weren't for the potency of it all Twilight might had mistaken the magic to be Jason. The field, the wildness, the feeling that control could be lost at any moment, that the power that held her was fuelled by will and emotion rather than wisdom and knowledge. Whatever this darkness was it felt distinctly Human.

A name came to Twilight through the dark. Whispered in dark tones and dead tongues and soon it reverberated through her bones and flesh like the angry chants of fallen warriors.

Nyxeresith.

Nyxeresith

Nyxeresith

“Nyxeresith,” Twilight breathed.

“W-what? What you say Twi?” Spike asked shakily.

“What?” Twilight blinked. “I didn't say anything, Spike.”

“But I thought you said…”

“You must be imagining things,” Twilight said. “C’mon, we need to find Jason.”

No response came from Spike and in a panic Twilight whipped her head around to where she thought her dragon friend had been, he wasn't. Instead just an empty solid mass of shadow filled where Spike had once been, as if the dragon had never existed.

“Spike?” She called, dread blossoming through her as she brightened the light on her horn. “SPIKE?” Her voice echoed through the caverns with no reply… For a solid twenty seconds.

“He's not here, Twilight,” Celestia said. Twilight spun around again and standing there in all her splendour, but something seemed… Off. The Princess didn't give off the warm and comforting glow she usually did, instead the light from Twilight’s horn cast ugly shadows across Celestia’s face leaving only part of her visible. The one eye Twi could see was filled with… Something, for some reason the look made Twilights muscles tense and her ears droop. If she wasn't mistaken the look was filled with contempt, and fury.

“C-Celestia?” Twilight said tentatively. “What are you doing here?”

“I knew you couldn't handle this, Twilight,” Celestia said without a hint of emotion to her voice. “I knew you were useless, pointless, it was Luna who convinced me to take you on as a student did you know? I should have never had agreed, you were a complete waste of my time. You’re a failure.”

“W-what?” Twilight said, tears stung her eyes. Why was Celestia saying this?

“I would say I was disappointed, but I never even diluted myself into thinking you would be worth teaching. Goodbye Twilight, perhaps you shall find somewhere that can handle your ineptitude,” Celestia turned and walked into the darkness disappearing instantly.

“C-Celestia? CELESTIA?” Twilight called, her voice cracking with emotion. She broke out into a run after her long term mentor. “COME BACK!”

She ran, she ran and ran and ran and ran some more. Her hoofbeats echoes across the Rock and came back to her minutes later making her feel as if she was being chased, the light from her horn casting wild shadows on the walls that danced and flickered like dancing demons. Twilight soon forgot why she was running, was she running towards something? Away? Her head was so confused and full of fear that she couldn't think straight. Eventually she had to stop, her legs and hooves were aching like crazy and she felt nauseous, Twilight slowed and came to a halt. She breezed heavily and without warning her stomach clenched and she vomited out her breakfast along with a good amount of bile.

Her nose and eyes streaming Twilight stumbled further down the cavern, her horn flickered as she barely had the energy to keep it lit. She bumped into the walls, fell down a few times, her head was spinning. She managed to keep what remained of her breakfast down as she stumbled a few more meters, but even through the haze and lightheadedness she couldn't miss the figure crouched on the ground.

His cloths were in tatters, his skin was pallid and hung off his bones like he had been starved, brown hair was long, wild, and greasy. And as Twilight stared in horror a pair of glowing silver eyes turned to look at her, they were wild and filled with a mad hunger that Twilight had only ever seen hints of when he used his magic too much.

“J-Jason?” Twilight whispered shakily.

Jason didn't respond, he only opened his jaw wide revealing cracked and sharp teeth. Silver wisps of magical energy bled from Jason's eyes and mouth like smoke. Twilight took a step back as Jason released a low throat-based growl that was completely and utterly inhuman.

Twilight screamed.

Wherever Jason Is

Jason never thought he'd willingly follow a ghost into a dark underground tunnel. Yet, here he was.

Quarts’ hooves left ghostly wisps behind as he trotted with a purpose, however neither his ghostly glow nor Jason’s magical light could effectively pierce the solid shadow around them. Quarts Quarter didn't seem phased at all, but then again there's not much to fear when you’re a ghost. Jason on the other hand couldn't shake the constant feeling like there was something watching him, studying him, following in his footsteps…

Jason shivered, it had been getting steadily colder as they went deeper and deeper into the caverns. The air was stale and it stung his lungs and dried his throat with every breath, Jason’s limbs were becoming heavy, his eyes often drooped but he forced them to stay open. He needed to concentrate on the task at hand not to mention maintaining the magical tether between Quarts Quarter and the mortal world. But he was just so tired, a yawn escaped his mouth, then another, what's the harm in just closing your eyes for a bit? A small voice in his head told him. Just rest your head, relax.

Jason closed his eyes.

Immediately a chanting filled his ears, a thousand impassioned voices called put a name into the darkness that surrounded them That name echoed across mountains and rock and reached the deepest parts of the void where its owner resided.

Nyxeresith! Nyxeresith! Nyxeresith! Nyxeresith! Nyxeresith!

This wasn't the only name called, no. Others joined the chorus and with every name uttered a new sensation washed across the land, darkness, biting cold, the air escaping ones lungs. Jason’s head spun and his ears hurt from the raving and screaming of the rabid sounding chorus.

Glalÿir-Hux!

Gofanvul!

Hongwilfion!

Druaash-Xoch!

Chaereuraphy-Aeth!

Nyxeresith!

The sounds of battle, marching troops, and the death screams of thousands roared in Jason’s ears. He saw a horde of Alicorn’s charging a trench full of Human soldiers, he saw great fireballs raining from the sky, he saw buildings topple and the ground shake and tear away. He saw great tsunamis crash against tall cliffs while smashing what looked like battleships against the rocks. He felt pain, he felt fear, but most of all he felt angry. A primal and unbridled rage bubbled up from inside Jason and it filled his entire body. How dare they How dare they A mass of Alicorn’s and Human’s created a giant moshpit of clashing blades, gunfire, the heat of magic and fire. How dare they He saw a clock tower, Big Ben? Already in ruin but soon it would shake and rock with explosions until there was no sign that it had ever existed. How dare they He was chained to a rock, an Alicorn who's face was hidden behind a deep hood stood before him. It drew its dagger from its claim and swiped it through the air and as if tearing through fabric the knife tore through… Reality, it was hard to comprehend what he was seeing. The world moved away from the tear in a waving and unstable barrier between the universe and what lay beyond. A endless and all encompassing void of darkness, a scream escaped his throat. A primal and guttural sound that sounded more animal then human, the scream became more twisted and desperate as that void closed in and he was consume by it. That fear was replaced by anger and anger led to rage, an unbridled and uncontainable fire that burned through his very spirit. All outward sensation was gone, his body froze and died a thousand times over but yet he remained. Why? It was simple, the fire within him was stronger then the darkness around him.

“Nyxeresith,” Jason felt himself saying as he came to, he was lying on the floor of the cavern with sore limbs and a sour taste in his mouth. Above him the ghostly form of Quarts Quarter stood, looking concerned or as concerned as a dead stallion could look.

“Your connection to me got severed for a moment,” he said. “What happened?”

“I-I'm not sure,” Jason said, shakily getting up.

“Hm, well I'd thought you'd like to see this,” Quarts pointed a transparent hoof to what at first appeared to be a pile of rocks, but when Jason managed to magically bring forth light he saw that it was actually the skeleton of a unicorn. Long dead it seemed, bones yellow and brittle with the horn bone cracked at the tip. It wore the moth-eaten and rotten reminisce of a robe of some sort that had long since lost any colour. A leather saddlebag with several holes eaten through it was strapped to the skeletons side. Jason moved to crouch next to the body, wondering why this pony had been down here.

“Sorry, mate,” Jason said as he carefully opened the saddlebag. Inside there was quills broken and rotten, ink bottles dry as a bone, and several tomes of varying sizes. Jason pulled them out carefully, they were all old, dusty, and with yellowed pages. The first was a thick and heavy one, Legends, Myths, and Tales of Equestria and Beyond by Rune Stone. Not very interesting, it just detailed folk legends and such. The second book did catch Jason’s eye however, because he had seen it before in Twilight’s own library. On the subject of Humans and Humanity by Starswirl the Bearded, now why did this particular Mage have an interest in Humans? And why would he bring such a book with him into a place that seemingly had no connection to Jason’s people. The third book had no title, it was leather bound and appeared to be some sort of journal. With curiosity driving him Jason opened it up and began to read.

This is the account of testimony of Brother Winter Star of The Followers, I have been tasked with exploration and documenting of the caverns beneath the Crystal Empire. It it the belief of our most learned scholars that the good King Sombra has come into contact with one of the holy Eternal Men. My heart quickens at the chance to meet him! The knowledge and power he must wield! Enough to take on the defiant and arrogant Alicorns whom sought to overthrow the First People's. Truly it would be an honour to simply stand in the presence of one of the last living members of such an ancient and holy race.

I've done my research and compiled my notes and I am convinced, Sombra’s recently growing power comes not from that Alicorn trinket but from the end, see power of the Void itself. And if the lore books are to be trusted there is only one true unchallenged master of the eternal darkness, Nyxeresith, The Man of the Darkness. I've studied his tale and I shake with emotion every time I think of it, so justified his anger! I wonder why he chose to assist Sombra but perhaps the good King is worthy of such gifts and perhaps… Perhaps I may be worthy too! Nevertheless I must find where Nyxeresith’s magic is strongest, but truly the prospect that an entire nation may soon be under the holy hand if a Human is an exciting one indeed...

The rest was unreadable, but Jason really didn't want to read anymore anyway. His head was spinning, he felt sick, but this wasn't from some strange magic in the air no, this was from what he had just read. Eternal Men? The Follower’s? And the way this stallion had clearly revered Humanity as gods… It made Jason very uncomfortable. And then there was that name again Nyxeresith, the one that still echoed in the darker reaches of Jason’s mind. This was just too much, it would have to wait until later. Jason slipped the journal into the satchel he carried with him and followed Quarts further into the dark.

Another sound echoed to Jason’s ears, a rapid breathing, distressed moaning, and a distant voice. Jason and his ghostly friend headed towards it and the sounds became louder and clearer until Jason could make out the the voice.

“Come on Twilight!” Spike’s panicked voice cracked with emotion. “You gotta get up!”

Jason turned a corner and his macias light illuminated a worrying scene, Twilight was lying on her side as limp as a corpse, her eyes wide open and glassy, her mouth was wide open as her breath went in and out twice as fast as normal. Spike was desperately shaking her as tears streamed down his face, calling her name but to no avail. Jason knelt down next to Twilight and felt her head, she was cold as ice and shaking as if in a stage of hypothermia. Jason frowned, he knew some basic healing magic but this was beyond his ability or comprehension to heal. Spike stared at Jason with tears in his eyes.

“P-please, help her…” He sobbed. “She's… She's all I have.”

“Spike..” Jason began, he wanted to tell him that he couldn't help Twilight, that he didn't have the power. But his words died in his throat, his chest hurt, he couldn't do it. Once again he wondered what was the point of wielding such power when it failed you when you most needed it? Jason sighed and gently pushed the loose strands of Twilight’s mane from her face and behind her ear.

“There is a way,” Quart’s Quarter spoke up. He was staring at Twilight, Jason looked at Spike whom didn't seem to be privy to Quarts’ presence. “Can you feel it? Her soul is waning, as if something is slowly pulling it out. If we don't act soon she shall be lost… Not dead, no, a shell empty of everything that made her… Her.”

“What do we do?” Jason asked softly, Spike didn't notice him speaking to seemingly no one.

“Whatever is devouring her essence it only wants one soul… And it doesn't matter which one it is,” Quarts Quarter looked at Jason sadly. “I don't know her, I barely know you but… I've never been a stallion of great importance, I've been stuck down here so long I don't even think I could move on. You, her, call it some sort of intuition but… I feel as if you still have much to do in this life. Me… There's nothing for me here or on the other side, at least this way… This way I can make a difference”

“Quarts… I can't ask you to do that,” Jason said. “I don't know what will happen to you.”

“What is dead may never die, my friend,” Quarts said. “Who knows? It might be nice where I'm going.”

“…You’re sure?”

“Strangely, yes. I'm not sure why but… Something is telling me this is right, it's like destiny you know?”

“No, but… If you’re sure about this. I don't know how to thank you Quarts, really.”

“I know how you can,” Quarts said with a smile. “Remember me, kid.”

“Always,” Jason said, sparking his magic. There wasn't a spell for this, he wasn't even sure exactly what was doing but just as Quarts was guided by instinct to make his decision Jason somehow intuitively knew what to do. Gently he took hold of Quarts’s soul and guided towards the weak energy that was Twilight’s own soul. A dark force was there, tugging and tearing at Twilight’s essence and with a push of magic Jason pushed it away briefly before basic allying shoving Quart’s soul into the maw of the beast. He didn't resist and within seconds, everything that Quarts Quarter was, had been, or ever would be was gone from existence and the dark magic retreated. Twilight's breathing steadied, her shifted and blinked before weakly speaking up.

“W-what happened? Jason…”

“Twilight!” Spike exclaimed, embracing Twilight around the neck and squeezing her hard. “I thought, I thought….”

“Urk! Spike! Ow!” Twilight gasped.

“Sorry!” Spike exclaimed, releasing her.

“Are you alright?” Jason asked.

“I feel weak but… I think I'll be alright,” Twi answered. “Help me stand, Spike?”

“Right!” Spike exclaimed and Twilight shakily got to her hooves while leaning heavily on Spike. “We need to keep going.”

“Take it easy, okay?” Jason said.

“Well, I don't think I have to go far,” Twilight gestured to something behind Jason. He looked around and saw that the endless tunnel that had backed him before was now replaced by a short hall that lead to a tall wooden door flanked by two torches wreathed in purple magical flame.

“Well that's not suspicious,” Jason commented. “Come on, let's see what's behind door number one.”

They moved slowly due to Twilight but Jason soon creaked open the heavy door and they entered cautiously. The room on the other side was well lit which was a welcome change, it was huge and circular with a domed roof, more of that green fire along torches illuminated the room. And in the centre, sitting on a rugged throne made of sparkling crystal and rock was King Sombra himself. Jason had to raise an eyebrow at his appearance. His coat was pure black and brushed to a shine but most of it was hidden under a steel plate armour suit that covered his entire body bar his neck, head, and underbelly. His back was covered in a warm looked red cape trimmed with a white fluff border, his mane was long wild and an oily black and his horn was long black with a tip coloured an angry red, but it was his eyes that were most disconcerting. They were and angry red surrounded by a sickly green rather then white and from the corners of his eyes bled what appeared to be magic, purple tendrils bled from his eyes in smoky wafts as he stared right at Jason.

“Who approaches the King in the North?” Sombra asked, his voice deep and even. It was casual, highborn, not challenging nor overtly intimidating either. Jason carefully stepped forward into the light, gesturing for Twilight and Spike to remain behind. Sombra perked up as Jason entered his gaze, he seemed genuinely surprised at his presence. “A Human? You… You are not Nyxeresith no… Who are you, Old One?”

“My name is Jason.”

“Not one of the Eternal Men.”

“I uh.. No?”

“I see,” the king rose from his throne and slowly approached Jason. “I am Sombra of the Eternal Dark.”

“…Charmed,” Jason said, standing his ground as the unicorn approached him. He could feel static crackling along his fingers and hair, this being was very magically powerful there was no doubt about that.

“I did not know of any Forerunner other then the seven Eternal Men,” Sombra stated.

“I've been… Away,” Jason said, trying not to focus on the fact that there was supposedly seven of these “Eternal Men” he tried to focus on the task at hand.

“I see, I welcome you to my empire. God of the Old World,” King Sombra said, with a small respectful bow. “To what do I owe the honour of your visit?”

“I.. I come at the bid of my friend, Cadence, Alicorn of Love,” Jason said.

“Ah yes, I sensed her spirit above. Strong, she has resisted both my shade and the stroke of the north all without the Crystal Heart,” Sombra looked steadily at Jason.

“And that is what you seek, the Heart?”

“I'm afraid it is.” He said, trying to sound casual.

“A shame,” Sombra said, he sounded genuinely disappointed. “Regardless, it's always an honour to meet one of the few Forerunner’s. Goodbye, Jason.”

Without warning Jason was violently thrown back, he flew through the air and slammed against the ground before rolling over several times and coming to a halt. Twilight and Spike were at his side quickly, helping him to his feet. Sombra stood still, but the magic bleeding from his eyes began to intensify and his entire body was soon giving off a dark magical aura that evaporated off of him like wood smoke.

“I am done waiting,” Sombra said, a clear rage held in his voice despite his actual tone not changing. “I am Sombra of the Eternal Dark, Rightful King of the Crystal Empire, Guardian of the Crystal Heart, King in the North, Slayer of Dragons, First Sword of Nyxeresith of the Void, and the God of Darkness. I shall no longer tolerate this infringement upon my kingdom's sovereignty, I have given this Cadence every opportunity to leave but my mercy only extends so far.”

Sombra lifted a hoof and slammed it down, the entire cavern shook violently and torches dimmed as the shadows lengthened. The darkness moved and collected together on the floor next to Sombra like some dark liquid, it bubbled and frothed before a form began to rise and take shape from the pool of darkness. It was the largest sword Jason had ever seen, taller then he was and wider then both his hands together, the greatsword was polished ebony and the tip extended in a large heavy spike. Sombra gripped the hilt magically and hefted the sword over his back as if it weighed nothing at all. Then his throne began to shake and crack apart and from within it burst what could only be the Crystal Heart, it was a sparkling pink jewel that was as bright as a star and glowed and crackled with energy and it made Jason’s own silver magic manifest around him in response. The Heart came to float next to Sombra whom gave Jason one last look.

“Long live the King,” he said and with a flash of darkness he was gone.

“Hold on to me,” Twilight said through gritted teeth. “I'm bringing us to the surface.”

“Are you sure? You’re still weak,” Jason said.

“I'm fine,” Twilight said defiantly, her horn sparking and smoking with power. “Take a breath-“

There was a crack! and the powerful rush of wind as Jason’s vision became a blur of colours. He landed flat on his back and squinted his eyes against the bright light that assaulted them. He was disorientated and dizzy but the sounds of screams and destruction were as clear as day. Jason sat up and looked around as his eyes adjusted, they were indeed back topside. The palace stood silhouetted against the sun and around it smoke rose from the city, several fires burned and the howling of wind carried the ashes through the air like snow. As Jason watched several Crystal Ponies ran for their lives past him, he turned to where they ran from and sure enough spotted Sombra. He stood solidly, staring up at at palace. There was the crack and boom of something breaking the sound barriers and a shockwave slamming into Jason and a blur shit past him and the next thing he knew Cadence had appeared in full plate armour and had thrust her rapier towards Sombra’s chest whom in turn caught the blade with the flat side of his greatsword. The raw power of two godly beings pushed against one another and shook the ground and buildings around them, they cancelled each other out and both of them were send skidding back on their hooves. Cadence spared Jason a glance before brandishing her rapier again, the blade was glowing and magical lighting the colour of Cadence’s magic sparked from the tip to the ground.

“Relinquish the Heart and yield, Sombra,” she demanded. While her body was wreathed in a magical glow Jason could see she wasn't at her best, her eyes were tired, her stance had a weakness to it. Compared to Sombra whom looked well rested and mighty Jason was very worried for Cadence.

“A shame,” Sombra said calmly. “You are fairly beautiful, you could make a good queen. Alas..”

He shot forward suddenly, propelled by his magic and swing his greatsword through the air the mere action of which created a gust of wind. The blade swung towards Cadence’s neck but she ducked under with the ability of a cat and came up with a slash at Sombra’s face but he simply pulled his head back and swung his sword around to chop towards Cadence’s back. Thus began their deadly dance, neither of them seemed to land a solid blow but the fight was only in the realm of the physical so far.

That changed when Sombra’s horn glowed more intensely and the Crystal Heart which floated by him. The Heart was consumed by the dark aura of Sombra’s Magic and suddenly the sun above did not seem so bright, the shadows lengthened and took solid form before shooting towards Cadence who was forced to step back and surround herself in a shield which the assault of shadows beat against. Jason could see that is was wearing Cadence down, he needed to do something but… He was frozen, he felt weak, he didn't know if this was Sombra’s magic or his own cowardliness but Jason couldn't bring up the will to manifest his magic, he was stuck, useless.

“You cannot defeat me,” Sombra said evenly, almost as if addressing both Jason and Cadence. “There is none whom can challenge my power.”

“I would not be so sure of that, my dear,” a soft and familiar voice echoed powerfully. Sombra was suddenly sent flying into a nearby wall which allowed Cadence to collapse onto the ground, her energy spent. The sky grew dark but it was not the black shadows of Sombra’s making but the cool blue hue of nighttime that was dotted with stars, the sun was gone and replaced by the bright pale light of a full moon which highlighted the figure how flied above. Her eyes were as bright as the moon, her body cloaked in a fabric that shimmered and flowed with the power of nighttime, she landed and Jason saw that over her shoulder was a long metal pole topped with a curved silver blade that glowed with energy.

“Sombra, it has been too long,” Luna said, her scythe spinning in a slow but deliberate circle that left a light trail as the blade cut through the air.

“Luna.. My love,” Sombra said, climbing to his hooves and eagerly approaching the Princess. “Finally, we can be together agai-“

Luna didn't hesitate before she shot forward like a bullet, her scythe cut through the air with a him of metal and with a clear sound of impact she slashed right through the middle of Sombra’s horn. She halted so she was standing just beyond him, her back turned to her former lover but her eyes set straight forward.

“I care not for your poison words,” she said as Sombra’s greatsword and the Crystal Heart clattered to the ground with loud crashes.

“B-but.. You can't do this, I am the God of Darkness..” Sombra choked, his eyes wide and full of pain.

“No, my dear,” Luna said sadly. “That would be me.”

Sombra didn't move as the Crystal Heart slowly rose from the ground seemingly of its own accord, it flew past Sombra and came to hover just over Cadence whom remained on the ground but raising her head weakly to look at it. She began to glow with the Heart’s energy and as Jason watched as the weakness left her, her legs strengthened and Jason could’ve sworn he saw her grow ever so slightly larger. She rose to her hooves with a small smile on her lips, her coat sparkled and shone with power and she began to slowly but deliberately approach Sombra.

“No.. No!” He said both in anger and fear, his magic gone completely as the cracks along his horn lengthened. “You are not of royal blood! How!?”

“All Hail to the Crystal Queen” Luna said, and with that Cadence’s horn glowed and white cracks spread across Sombra’s form and he roared as his very being was ripped apart and cast from reality.

Outskirts of the Crystal Empire, Thursday, 9th of April, 6:12am, 2206 AC

Jason and Luna walked together just outside of the city, the Crystal Heart shone above them like a star and the protective shield it cast was just barely visible. Inside the shield it was warm and comfortable, they had left the care of the empire to Cadence naturally as it seemed that she would be its sovereign. Jason was a little confused about how that worked, but he was happy for her all the same.

Luna had been quiet for most of their walk, Jason spared her occasional glances. Her face was neutral and contemplative, the light of her moon danced across her eyes and ethereal hair and Jason was once again reminded of her beauty. He wanted to say something but he thought it better to let her start if at all.

“You needn't worry about me, Jason,” she said. “I let Sombra go a long time ago, this was just business.”

“You lived with him,” Jason stated.

“Once, fleetingly, it was little more then a flare of passion doomed to fail I think,” Luna said. “I was young… Younger, but it's over now. I can move on.”

“I’m glad,” Jason said, paused, then he added. “You’re too pretty for him anyway.”

Luna giggled, it made Jason happy just hearing it.

“Your capacity for humour in light of dark times is a joy,” Luna said, she reached up and pecked Jason on the cheek. “I'm glad for your help, even if it came down to me to stop Sombra. You’ve once again proven yourself a good friend and… I'm glad to know you.”

“Aw, stop I'm blushin’ darnit,” Jason said.

“Hm, but one thing worries me,” Luna said, pondering. “Sombra’s power.. It was beyond that of the Heart. I felt it when my blade touched his horn, the heart was there but something but more… Malevolent was also present.”

“I think… I think I know why,” Jason said, he reached into his bag and pulled out the leather bound journal that he had found in the caverns. Luna took it and frowned as she opened it and read. Jason spoke as she did.

“What do you know about the Eternal Men?”