Ghost of the Crystal Empire

“Cadance!” Shining Armor exclaimed, rushing over to his wife. “Something’s wrong!”

“I know,” she replied calmly. “The citizens can feel it…and so can I.”

“Do you have any idea what’s causing all this anxiety?” The Doctor cut in.

“It’s the same feeling I had when we first encountered Sombra, but that’s impossible…” she muttered to herself.

“Well, do you have any idea where your uneasiness is coming from…anywhere in the empire where you feel the most uncomfortable?” The Doctor pressed.

“Yes…we’re standing there.”

The Doctor looked around the central chamber before pulling out his Sonic Screwdriver, activating it as he scanned the walls and the ceiling before pointing it at the center of the floor which held the same crystalline insignia as the one outside.

He dropped down onto his stomach, knocking on the center of the design with a hoof before pressing his ear against it.

“Sometimes late at night…can you hear things?”

“You mean like voices?” asked Shining Armor.

“Yes, well…not really voices, but more like whispers…” she replied, nervously.

“I thought I was just imagining things because of how tired I am, but…”

“Could you make any them out?”

She shook her head.

“No, I couldn’t make sense of any of them…just that they sounded sinister and full of hate.”

“That definitely sounds like Sombra…” muttered Shining Armor.

“I think you two are right.”

“But Doctor, how is that possible!?”

“I don’t know, yet.” He admitted. “But, I’m working on a theory.”

He turned to face Cadance.

“Is there something below this floor? A sewer tunnel, an old mine shaft, anything at all?”

The royal couple exchanged glances before she replied.

“Why, yes-this whole structure was built on top of Sombra’s old castle…I think it was because the Crystal Ponies wanted to erase any memories of him…any evidence that he ever existed.”

The Doctor nodded in understanding.

“Well, we should probably head back to the TARDIS if we want to get down there without destroying your floor.”

He put his ear back down to the floor and listened.

“Cryssstal.”

“Vengeaaance.”

“My Slaaavesss.”

They all seemed to speak at the same time, almost as if they were separate entities, despite the fact they possessed the same voice.

“Doctor, I’ve not had a good night’s sleep in a while…but, I think I have just enough power to teleport us down there and back f things get too dangerous.”

“Are you sure?” he asked.

She nodded before casting the spell.