Chronicle of the Immortals

Sanction

"Celestia had a growing empire, uniting the human tribes and cities. We marched across Equestria, destroying any who refused to bow to her. Our base was in the greatest of fortresses: Everfree castle, before the unnatural forest had grown there. As I recall, the regal city of Canterlot, and the young, thriving settlement of Fillydelphia were the most recent to kneel before our banner. She was a conqueror then, so long ago; honored by her subjects and feared by everyone else. It is so strange, a thousand years later, she's so different. She talks constantly that the old ways failed, that peace and diplomacy have proved to be far more useful, and war should be left behind. It's like she's a whole different person. I don't know how I will fare in this new time, it is true that peace has accomplished much more than conflict. But, I was always the soldier, the tactician, Celestia trusted me with organizing and leading  the armies. Now I feel, quite honestly, useless. Perhaps it is best that I have nothing, I still remember the last war I ever waged. In the frozen north, my sister had given me sanction to invade the Crystal Empire, it was there that I discovered the power I had to shape my own destiny..."

-Personal Journal: Princess Luna,

One Thousand years ago

The freezing snow creates a haze of white in all directions. Through the blinding storm, a large dark mass is visible. Writhing and shifting it's way slowly across the snow covered fields. The legion of armored bodies moves slowly, in perfect unison. At it's head stands a tall, slender figure. She is easily taller than any of the other warriors in the army, her body is wrapped in long billowing robes, clipped together at her chest with a medallion in the shape of a crescent moon. Her face is hid from view by a thick cowl. Her large wings are tucked against her back tightly. She strides at a brisk pace, far ahead of her army. Her eyes trail absent minded at the white blanket below, it is useless even for her to try and see through the blizzard. The icy wind blows through her cloak, but she hardly notices the chill.

As she marches another figure drops from the air, crashing to the ground, and flinging snow in all directions. The figure rises to full height, she is incredibly tall for a mortal, reaching almost six and a half feet. A pair of copper colored wings still beat lightly at her back, and she wears a heavy suit of black and gold armor. Her helmet leaves her aged face exposed, and it brings her black hair up to form a thick mohawk sprouting from the top of her helm.

"Ah, commander Hurricane. What news?" Princess Luna greets the warrior, her voice just loud enough to pierce the gale.

The commander salutes rigidly then replies "My lady, the Crystal Empire is within sight. The storm appears to have masked our approach, they are unprepared for an assault." She has to shout to be heard "Shall I have my valkyries clear the sky?"

"No, I want you and your fliers to make the preliminary attack. I will clear the storm myself, and then I will join the battle. We will break their defenses, then the humans and mages will follow us in to finish the job." Luna states, barely above a whisper and she can be heard easily.

"Your going to clear this storm by yourself?" Hurricane asks in disbelief

"Do you doubt my abilities, commander?" Luna inquires coldly

"N-no, Ma'am!" Hurricane shouts, taking a respective military stance, averting her gaze from the princess "Forgive my rudeness, I will prepare my forces at once." Luna nods to her, an invisible smirk on her young, hidden face. Commander Hurricane leaps from the earth, her wings beating furiously as she disappears into the sky. Luna turns her eyes upward, she raises her freehand. Power floods through her veins, a cascade of energy rushes into her outstretched palm. Shimmering blue energy surrounds her body, as the snow begins to race faster and faster, and the wind changes direction suddenly. For miles around, the storm closes in on itself, all of it is pulled rapidly towards the Princess of the night. A sphere of ice and condensed wind builds around her hand. As more and more of the blizzard is pulled into the grey orb, the haze of white dims. In the distance the looming form of the Crystal Empire materializes, as does the hundreds of winged forms high above. Much of the snow upon the ground lifts up as well, erasing many of the large dunes and leaving only a foot or two left on the earth. After a few moments the storm has completely died out, and Luna holds in her palm a sphere of ice encircled by an atmosphere of rushing air, roughly the size a bowling ball, and weighing over three tons. Luna admires the sphere intently, an entire blizzard condensed down to a pinprick of it's normal size, but maintaining the same weight.

She looks ahead to get a clear view of the city before her. The occupied city seems to form a ring around the main palace, with large roads forming an intricate web cris-crossing the city. The surrounding buildings seemed to be an assortment of black, jagged crystal buildings, of varying sizes. The city She narrows her eyes at the dark, sprawling central palace. It was the tallest structure she had ever seen, it's black jagged tip scrapes the grey clouds, and it's base is split into thin spokes that somehow support the entire structure. The scope of the building is immense, even from this distance. Not only in height but sheer scope, even to Luna, it is daunting. The top of the palace leaks an inky black vapor into the sky, which dissolves into grey smoke, forming the unnatural clouds here. Celestia had once told Luna that for reasons yet to be discovered, the condition of the citizens in the Crystal Empire affected the land around them. Under the tyrannical rule of king Sombra, the land around the empire is dying, freezing over, and each day the blight spreads further into Equestria.

Ahead she can see her fliers have nearly reached the city, and she knows they will need her support to clear a path for the rest of the army. She looks back to see her battalion of ground forces, hastily making their way towards the city. Seeing everything is in order, she kneels down slowly, extending her long wings and inhaling deeply. And, in an instant leaps from the ground explosively. Kicking up a wave of snow and chunks of frozen earth in all directions. The air cracks ferociously, and a visible wave of energy radiates outward. She breaks the sound barrier an instant after leaving the ground, and disappearing from the sight of her forces.

She quickly reaches the formations of valkyries and speeds to the head. Her robes are whipped about by the rushing air from her flight, her wings beat rapidly. She comes up alongside Commander Hurricane, the Crystal Empire rushes towards them. Below they can see the hasty gathering of forces, mobilized at the sight of a wave of attackers. From this height the slave soldiers appear to be little more than insects. Though as the thought crosses her mind, Luna chuckles, mortals had always seemed like insects to her. Celestia had an affiliation, almost a love for them, which might explain why she hardly went to battle personally anymore.

No, now it was Luna's duty to exterminate Equestria's roaches. What credit did she get for all the wars she had fought, all the battles won in her sisters name? She was labelled a monster, a slayer of men. Almost no one in Equestria even knew of her existence, they all think that the night is made and inhabited by demons. Those that did know of her, they thought that she was the demon. Her blood begins to boil, rage fills her chest. Just at thinking of the injustice, at the senseless hatred of her and the night, she could feel blood pounding in her temples. Shadows whispered to her, they always had, voices in her head. Whenever she felt rage, jealousy, even brief moments of lust, the voices were there. She never could make out what exactly they spoke of, but their intangible words fueled her darker emotions.

She noticed the attack force begin to slow, and decided to pull her mind away from anger, and the voices. She slowed with her valkyries. "Commander, secure the outlying roads and buildings, smash the defenders. I will capture the main road myself." Luna shouts to Hurricane, to which she is met with a curt nod. The valkyries begin disappearing in all directions, most squadrons head towards the ground, including Hurricane herself. But, a few individuals make for the clouds high above; a tactic Luna devised herself long ago, for the valkyries to use their control over weather to call down tactical lightning strikes. Luna herself looked down at the main road leading to the monstrous palace. It is swarming with slave soldiers, taking poorly executed battle positions. Luna grips the storm sphere in her hand tightly, before letting her wings snap back together.Her descent is rapid, without her wings beating she falls at intense speed. She closes her eyes, and feels he peace of the air rushing past her youthful face.

Far below the battalion of ragged soldiers looks skyward in confusion. They see a single winged body free falling. Their eyes track the doomed warrior intently, as its body smashes into the street. A large crater is formed when its body is pulverized into the stone street. A cloud of dust and a shower of gravel is thrown high into the air. The slaves all begin running to inspect the poor fool who had fallen to their death. The dust settles rapidly, and by the time they arrive to see the not-so-poor fool. A woman kneels in the center of the crater, clutching a large ball of ice in her hand. Her body is clothed in dark robes, the cowl hides her lowered head, and her wings are tucked neatly against her back. They all stare in amazement.

Luna rises from her crouching position. She sees the horde of gathered soldiers staring with dumb curiosity. All of them have a strange consistency to their skin. It is said that the people of the Crystal Empire actually had skin made of crystal. But, these people had skin made of stone. All of them had a strange rock like appearance to them, but smooth, like dull pearl. The astounded looks on their faces change into wide eyed masks of terror as she comes to full height. From beneath her cowl her teal eyes skim the crowd. With one long stride she is free from the crater. The mortified soldiers all back away from the enormous woman, no doubt mistaking her for Celestia. With her free hand Luna reaches up, and grasps the moon shaped clip, holding her robes together. With a quick tug the clip is removed, she gives a rip and the robes are sent flying away all together. The fabric settles some feet away, but the soldiers can only look at the sight before them.

Luna stands confidently, her body clothed in a grim suit of armor. The black armor fits tightly around her lithe torso, accentuating her perfect beautiful figure. The shoulders of the armor extend far out, rows of spikes rise wickedly from their surface. All long the breastplate of the armor warped faces and skulls shriek silently, scenes of battle play out in memorials across the demonic looking, black armor. A thick necklace hangs down, marked with a crescent moon. The armor is sleeveless and legless, allowing for increased mobility. Her arms are exposed down to a pair of spiked gauntlets, similarly her legs are bare except for a set of wicked grieves. Running down the flanks of her hips, a long black kilt adorned with stars hangs down to her calves, complete at the center with an equally long tabard featuring an ornate design of the night sky. Her short blue, short cropped hair flutters in the wind over her right eye. Her pale skin reflects the cold sunlight brilliantly, making her look almost to be made of snow.

She scans back and forth amongst the gathering of her slack-jawed enemies, before selecting her target. An older looking man, wielding a spear. "Catch." She commands nonchalantly, tossing the compressed storm to him like a softball. He has good reflexes, he drops his spear immediately and reaches out to catch the object. All of the other slaves track the balls movement  towards the target. As he catches the sphere, his body is thrown back with massive force, the intense weight of the compressed storm hitting him like an avalanche. His body goes sailing down the street, before hitting the ground and bouncing. The intense momentum of the storm continues to carry his body through the army until it becomes too distant to see, pulping any unfortunate enough to get in its way.

The second the sphere strikes its target, Luna leaps forward. Her fist crushing the skull of the first man within reach, she quickly darts to the next, kicking him hundreds of feet upward into the sky. By now the others have looked back to see the goddess bearing down on them. Faster than any of them could blink, let alone raise their swords, her fists, feet, forearms, and knees carve into them. In a flurry of movement she moves, her attacks crushing bones, severing limbs, throwing men hundreds of feet in all directions. She darts back and forth, each step brings one of her blows into deadly contact, silencing another enemies cries of terror. Dozens of soldiers are scythed down by the goddess, as she powers through the army of mortals like a knife through butter, they begin retreating. When the full battalion within reach lies scattered about, the majority of them dead, she sprints to the next far ahead.

She passes by two craters in the street, created by her makeshift weapon's bouncing. The troops ahead attempt to flee, but none can outrun the lady of the night. She quickly reaches them, they run as fast as they are able, like a heard of frightened cattle. She raises one of her hands, suddenly a fork of lightning leaps outward. The blinding bolts strike out at the men, causing their bodies to thrash violently before their corpses hit the earth. The bolts chain outward, striking more men with each one already struck. Within seconds another battalion lies defeated, a single bead of sweat runs down the side of Luna's face. The next battalion is closer now, its members fleeing, as does the next, and the next after that. Luna rushes forward once more.

She catches the nearest man, gripping the back of his tunic in her large fist. She raises him up like a rag doll, before punching his helpless body down through the street. Shattering stone with his weak, mortal frame. The rest of the battalion turns their mortified eyes toward her, obviously fearful of suffering a similar end. Luna looks upon them, their fear sickens her. It is plain that they are unaware that if they actually attacked, they might have a chance of beating her. She is a goddess, but that didn't mean she is invincible. She decides to take pity on them.

"Be still!" Her massive booming voice can be heard to every battalion from the main road to the palace, the air ripples in front of her face. The men beyond the ones already starring at her look back, for hundreds of feet they all look to see the speaker. "Surrender now you curs, and we shall spare your lives." Her thunderous voice calls out once more. Almost immediately the poor excuses for soldiers drop their weapons, and raise their hands. Every single one. This too sickens Luna, though she must remind herself that most of them are slave soldiers, not real troops. She is however, happy to be rid of this distraction, now able to focus on reaching the real target. "Good, your decision pleases your new Princess." She says to them mockingly. "Now get out of our way!" She commands fiercely. The soldiers all make for the edges of the road, parting the way for the princess as quickly as possible.

She strides at a brisk pace, her long pale legs taking massive strides. She passes more craters, following them she searches for her lost weapon. The palace is close now, with hundreds of frightened prisoners all around, she finds the sphere lying in a heap of remains. From this distance she can see the large balcony of the palace, as well as the dark figure waiting there. She narrows her eyes at the high up form, and continues watching it even as it turns and enters back into the palace. She quickly snatches up the fallen storm in her hand, her wrist still aching from throwing it earlier. She winds up powerfully, then with a burst of strength, hurls it with all her might. Sharp pain stabs through her arm, she grimaces slightly. The sphere closes the gap between Luna and the palace in a second. It strikes the balcony with such force that it blasts a hole the size of a Canterlot mansion through the face of the dark crystalline tower. The tiny sphere erupts like a cannon ball from the opposite side of the palace, sending it and a hail storm of debris into the sky. The loud thunderclap from the sphere breaking the sound barrier resonates across the Empire.

"Wait here, keep your weapons on the ground. Fail to disobey this order and the rest of our army will kill you, comply and you will remain unharmed." Luna shouts simply to the soldiers around her, a few muttered responses greet her. She wastes no more time, her wings snap outward, and she rockets from the ground towards the palace. With just a few flaps of her icy blue wings, Luna reaches the breach in the palace wall. Slowing down she hovers cautiously through the monstrous hole. Chunks of debris continue to rain down from the rim of the breach. The inside Luna finds herself in a large chamber. It's black, crystal walls adorned with tapestries of King Sombra, and at the far end sat his grim throne. The throne itself had been almost completely demolished by the collision, the grey sky could be seen through the blast zone in the wall.

Luna lowers herself to her feet, moving slowly, cautiously. Her keen eyes easily able to pierce the dark of the palace, she searches intently for signs of life. In here she notices, the sounds of the outside world seem to diminish, even with a pair of large holes in the walls. The thunder from lightning strikes, and the cries of battle are diminished to almost nothing, the only real sound that Luna can hear is her own heartbeat thundering in her ears. It begins to annoy her, grate on her nerves. She scowls at the air in the room.

"I was wondering when Celestia would send for me." A low, calm voice says from behind. Luna turns sharply on her heel to face the speaker. Standing there a tall man, for a mortal, looks at her blankly. His flesh appears as the crystal citizens did, only darker, more sombre, like dark grey marble. His steel crown frames his face, and holds back his long flowing hair, dark as pitch. His blood red eyes weep purple mist from their corners, and he is dressed like a true king, in red silk, and white furs. A long bloody spoke extends from his forehead, it seems to resonate with dark power.

"It was I who deemed it necessary to silence you, Sombra." Luna states coldly. "My sister merely gave the order." She says with more venom than intended, venom directed not at Sombra.

"So you're a lap dog then?" Sombra asks with a guttural laugh, pacing towards her slowly. Luna narrows her eyes at him.

"I am no pet, I am Luna, Princess of the night, Goddess of the moon, sister to Celestia." Luna speaks with obvious pride, but Sombra's eyes see more lies than truth.

"Yes, of course you are. Proud, faithful Luna." Sombra whispers methodically, beginning to let his feet carry him slowly in a wide circle around her. Luna stays constantly face to face with him, he grins slightly, revealing his sharpened teeth. "Do not play games with me, Luna." He says knowingly. "I can see through you, you're nothing but an open book. You carry a great deal of pride on your shoulders. Pride for your family, pride for your country, pride for your people. But, what is the truth?" His mocking tone burns Luna to her core, she can feel her rage starting to surface once more. The pounding of her own heartbeat only helps to quicken her anger. The voices begin chanting once more, invisible chattering, rattling about in her skull. Sombra continues to pace around her. Her fists are balled up at her sides crushingly.

"The truth is you have about five seconds left to live." Luna growls menacingly, the voices in her head grow louder. Sombra only laughs.

"My magic is rare, Luna." He says ignoring her threat. "Rare, and powerful. It revolves around hate, jealousy, and spite. I can see these things in all beings, even one as powerful as yourself." His gaze is drawn to a large portrait of himself hanging on his wall. Luna only stares at him. "And, you are absolutely brimming with them, my dear." He finishes, still not looking at her.

"Don't call me dear, I am hundreds of years older than you. You're but an insect compared to me." Luna spits

"Then, if I am such an insect, why am I not dead yet?" He questions looking at her. Her anger flares again, release me, she picks the phrase out of the incessant babbling in her head. "Is it because this insect is the only one who truly understands?" His voice is soft now, almost nurturing, yet predatory at the same time. "The plight you've faced since you were a child. Oh yes, I can see it all. Every ounce of jealousy you have ever had, every drip of resentment for others. Living in your sisters shadow." Luna's face softens at hearing this, but her rage only builds. Now images of Celestia surrounded by crowds who would give anything just to see her with their own eyes, while they shunned Luna as a monster. Unleash, tangible words begin appearing more and more now. She can't say anything, she grits her teeth in anger, her fury burning white hot in her heart. Lash out, the command is compelling, but she cannot. She knows the King speaks the truth.

"No one would ever listen to you, the naive little girl. No one would ever respect you, the lesser of two children." Sombra continues, his voice grows slower, and softer with every word. "No one would ever love you, the monster who fell in love with the night." At the last word, Luna's rage explodes, kill! She lets loose a deafening cry, launching herself at breakneck speed. She slams Sombra against one of the chamber walls, cracks lance out across the dark crystal. Sombra grunts in pain, Luna holds him there by his shoulders. Tears stream down her cheeks as she stares daggers into him. "But, it doesn't have to be that way." He grunts. "I can help you." He says raggedly. Release me.

"How can you help me?" Luna inquires with a shaking voice.

"I can see your fear too. You fear a great many things, though you don't want to admit it. But, above all else you fear, hate, and loath Celestia." He coughs. Cold, so cold. "You cannot challenge her, because she is stronger than you, and she always will be." Luna gives no response other than a murderous stare. "I can make you stronger." Luna's eyes narrow at this, her grasp releases. Sombra slides down to his feet, free from her clutches.

"How?" She questions, suddenly interested.

"Dark magic has a way of... unlocking hidden potential." He states, breathing wearily. Burn the liar.

"Ah, I see." Luna says disbelievingly, her hand lashes upward, clasping around Sombra's throat suddenly. He chokes out a gurgled breath as he is lifted from his feet once more. "You just want to make me into one of your shadow puppets." Live in the shadows.

"No." He gasps out. "Won't... work... not on... you." He chokes

"Do you take me for an idiot, thinking that I'd believe you would help me for nothing in return?" She shouts

"Didn't say... nothing... in.... return." Luna releases him down to the floor once more. He breathes in deeply, coughing violently.

"What do you want?" Luna asks, looming over him, ready to attack again. The voices in her mind begin to dim, the conversation acting as a perfect distraction from her anger.

"There's a nine foot tall goddess in my throne room, here to kill me. What do you think I want?" He spits in an annoyed tone.

"So, I spare you... you give me this power?" She asks, her eyes still narrowed.

"Yes, you let me live, and tell Celestia that I'm dead. Do that, and I will gift you with my power. The power to overthrow her, and forge your own destiny. If the people of Equestria will not love Luna, then make them!" She contemplates his words carefully. All her life she had lived in Celestia's shadow, jealousy was a feeling she had always held closely. But, she also knew that Celestia hated her, it was obvious there was no love in her sisters heart, except for herself. Luna knew this is what she wanted, but how could she? She knew she would have to kill Celestia, it was the only way for Equestria to love her. She clenches her eyes shut, squeezing out a single tear.

"Damn you 'Tia, for making me do this." Luna whispered to the air.

"I take it we have an agreement then?" Sombra asks still with an irritated tone.

Luna nods. "Get out quickly and quietly, Celestia will think you are dead." She says solemnly.

"Good, then I too will uphold my end of the bargain." Sombra says with a fanged grin. "Shall we begin?"

"No." Luna states flatly, Sombra gives a confused look. "I will give Celestia one last chance, and if I do decide to do this, it must be at the right moment." Luna decides, knowing full well that when she receives the power it will be obvious to Celestia. Sombra laughs.

"Delicious." Sombra says liking his teeth. "I have the perfect thing for you." He says, suddenly his horn becomes coated in a thick black aura. From near the destroyed throne, a small case is lifted from the ground by an invisible hand. "There were only four in existence." He explains when the case reaches his hands. The lid from the case opens to reveal a soft velvet interior. Held inside were three glass prisms. One rectangular, one triangular, the third an orb. Within each of the prisms a thick black liquid flowed. A fourth space, in the shape of a star also inhabited the case. "I used the first on myself, and the others I have saved for special occasions." Luna admires the objects.

"The Vilanthyr." Luna breathes. "The source of dark magic, thought to be lost destroyed thousands of years ago." She stammers wide eyed.

Sombra delicately takes the orb from the case in his hands. "When the time is right, destroy the orb. The shadows within will be released, and they will latch onto the hatred within you. Do not waste this gift, it will bring about a more powerful change than you can possibly imaging." Sombra instructs, the two admire the orb for a long time after. Luna takes the orb in her larger hand. With a flash of magic the orb evaporates into the air. "What was that?" Sombra asks wide eyed, staring at the space where the relic had just been.

"Pocket dimension. Makes for an excellent carrying space. Celestia will not be able to detect its power while it is contained within." Luna explains.

"You are more cunning than I thought, Princess." Sombra says with a laugh. " I should go, before your forces completely destroy the city." He says turning to leave.

"I will inform my sister of your death." Luna states walking the opposite way.

"Oh, and should our paths ever cross again, perhaps it will be on better terms." Sombra says turning back to her, she looks back at him, one eyebrow cocked. "And, perhaps we could use your sisters bed, it must be massive." He says with a booming laugh, Luna chuckles, secretly disgusted.

"Perhaps." She says humoring him, trying to hold herself back from ripping his head off with her bare hands. She turns  and lift off back into the air, leaving Sombra blissfully unaware that she had placed a magical ward on him, and now she could find him anywhere in Equestria. High in the air, overlooking the scarred ruin of the empire, she could see her full army was well into the city now, the majority of Sombra's forces had been either dealt with or taken prisoner. "Time for your test 'Tia, let's see if you have an ounce of love for me left." Luna mutters under her breath, she stops mid air, hovering. She scans the city, searching for commander Hurricane. She quickly locates the warrior, at the rear of the forces, no doubt issuing orders. Luna takes a deep breath. "Okay." She says on the exhale. She closes her eyes and raises her fist. With all her strength she drives her fist into her own chest, severely denting her ornate breastplate. The sound and feeling of two of her ribs cracking reaches her.

Crying out in agony, she clutches the wound. She screams for a few moments, she looks back to Commander Hurricane. Breathing heavily through broken bones and splintered armor, she turns her back on the direction of the commander. With one great flap of her wings she is suddenly speeding backwards through the air. After a time of sailing through the air, wincing and clutching her self inflicted wound in pain, she feels the ground below. Her body strikes the earth, kicking up a shower of rock, before bouncing like a doll. Her body lands a second time, stopping instantly. She screams as pain attacks her chest once more. She waits there for what feels like an eternity, breathing raggedly. Soon a group of winged Valkyries rushes over to her, including Hurricane.

"Princess! What happened?" The commander shouts, kneeling beside Luna.

"Damn that Sombra!" Luna coughs through gritted teeth "Tricked me, used the condensed storm against me. He's more powerful than we thought." She grunts, breathing unsteadily. "Order the mages to send a telepathic message to my sister: I need immediate support from her!" Luna commands, trying to sit up. Hurricane barks the orders to her Valkyries, then she turns back to help Luna up.

"Will you be alright, my lady?" Hurricane asks, sounding just somewhat concerned.

"I've had worse, it'll be fine." Luna grunts, rising unsteadily to her feet. A robed woman rushes up, gives a quick bow, and says:

"Princess Luna, your message has been received. Princess Celestia informs us that support is inboun-" The mage is cut off by a sudden blinding light. Golden rays of light shine out across the whole empire, all of the soldiers shield their eyes quickly. From the epicenter of the light appears a single figure. "I... I didn't think she'd be coming her personally." The mage stammers wildly.

As the golden rays begin to dim the figure lowers itself to the ground. All across the Crystal Empire hundreds of soldiers bow their heads in respect for the descending figure. Every soul in the empire shows respect, except for Luna. She smiles upward at the angelic form of her sister. Celestia lands gracefully, across from Luna. Celestia wears a simple white dress, her golden necklace and crown still upon her head. She had teleported directly from the throne room, Luna realized, she really wanted to get here. Her massive stature was daunting, even to Luna. Her pink hair hung down to the base of her back, and she wore an expression of extreme disappointment. Luna's smile faded slowly at the sight of her sisters expression. Celestia turned her head slowly to look out upon the Empire.

"Forces of Everfree!" Celestia addressed, the art of 'The Royal Canterlot Voice' made her voice shake the ground below them, the air rippled with power around Celestia. Every soldier currently in the Empire could hear her easily. "Return home! Leave the prisoners, they can all rot in this frozen wasteland!" Celestia shouts, eliciting a cheer from the soldiers, and painful sorrow from their prisoners. Celestia turned back to Luna. "Commander Hurricane, you may leave as well. My sister and I will deal with Sombra from here." She said, returning to her normal tone, not breaking eye contact with Luna.

"Yes, ma'am" Hurricane saluted formally before leaping into the air.

Soon enough the forces surrounding the sisters had left in a hurry, and the rest of the force was mobilizing to leave as well. The air between the goddesses was electric. Luna with her ashamed look, and silent burning anger. While Celestia simply stared at her. "Beaten by a mere man." Celestia states coldly, finally breaking the silence.

"He tricked me, I'm sorry. I underestimated him." Luna winces, still not looking at her sister. "I did manage to place a tracking ward on him, we can still find him." She says, a hint of hope in her words.

"We? What makes you think I want you to face him again?" Celestia asks in a scolding tone.

"He... I... but Celestia you'll need my help." Luna stammers, not knowing what to say.

"Luna I gave you control of the armies because I thought you could handle combat without me." Celestia says, averting her gaze from her little sister

"But I ca-"

"No, you can't. You did fine in skirmishes, but when you have to fight a real foe, it seems you fall short. You will accompany me to find him, but then, you've lost your command." Celestia said harshly, turning her back on Luna.

"You can't do this, 'Tia." Luna says sorrowfully, tears welling up in her eyes.

"Yes I can, Luna!" Celestia shouts, the anger in her voice betrayed by the sad expression on her face. She doesn't allow Luna to see her own eyes grow watery as well. "That is my right as ruler, and your elder." She finishes silently. "Come then, let's find this king and be done here." Luna nods, sniffling. Set me free.

The two fly over the Empire at a moderate pace, Luna scours the snowy wasteland beyond the empire for the King. Sniffing out the traces of magical essence left on him like a hound, she tracks Sombra to a remote glacier. The flight is silent for the two sisters, Luna's thoughts drawn to the relic in hiding. It was obvious that Celestia knew nothing of forgiveness. Now Luna had no other choice. Anger and sorrow were flooding her system, so much that it was difficult for her to hold back tears. The night.

Finally they had found a solitary figure, trekking out in the snow. Luna recognized Sombra instantly, signalling Celestia that they found him. The two let their speed drop, descending slowly down to the king. They landed just behind him, both staring cold and unblinking.

"King Sombra!" Celestia shouts. The dark mage whips around, his red eyes going wide at the sight of them both.

"Celestia." He breathes in terror. "And, Luna?" He questions in confusion, before his dark sight allows him to see the deceit in the younger princesses heart. "Oh, you are far more cunning than I thought." He growls.

"You have been sentenced to execution, do you have any final words?" Celestia asks formally.

"I do." Luna pipes in, Celestia turns to loo at her with a questioning gaze. "King Sombra does not deserve death." Luna states silently, only appearing to make Celestia angrier and more confused. Sombra as well raises an eyebrow at this. "I suggest we give him a fate worse than death: the millennium exile." Luna finishes forcefully, staring at Sombra. Celestia seems to contemplate this for a moment.

"Very well." She says nodding. "King Sombra, you shall suffer the millennium exile. Your physical body will be stripped down, until age can no longer affect you." She begins, raising her right hand to the air.

"And, you shall be imprisoned in this blight that you have created, for one thousand years. Your mind will break down, and when you are free, death will be your only desire." Luna finishes coldly, raising her left hand, and giving a smirk only Sombra could see.

A sphere of yellow light appears around Celestia's raised hand. From her palm she spouts a cone of brilliant white light. As the light strikes Sombra it begins to sear his flesh, he shrieks in agony. His body begins to burn away, revealing only a swirling cloud of shadows. He howls as more and more of his body is reduced to vapor. From Luna's outstretched hand a beam of violet energy leaps forth, striking the snowy earth below the king. The ground begins to quake, and a great tear forms in the ice. The ground pulls itself apart, creating a massive trench. With his body fully destroyed, only Sombra's head remains.

"You may be rid of me... But, you will never have my city!" Sombra roars, his horn begins to glow with a bloody red illumination. The two energy beams from the Princesses merge together as one, pulling the shadowy king down into the trench bellow. With one final effort, the jaws of ice snap shut, imprisoning the king for the next thousand years...

Present Day

Twilight closed the small blue book silently, reciting the last lines of the log as she did. "Imprisoning the king for the next thousand years, and with him his city vanished from Equestria." She sighed out wearily. She set the book down next to her, written on its cover in elegant letters: Luna's Journal. Twilight took her head in her hands, rubbing her temples to alleviate some of the pain pounding in her skull. She sits on the newly repaired royal throne, Celestia's throne. The royal chamber is empty except for her. She looks outside through one of the new windows, seeing the full moon high in the night sky. Most of the repairs on the throne room had been complete since Nightmare Moon's last attack.

It was strange, everything was so surreal since then. Coming to Canterlot, finding the destruction, and Celestia torn apart. Nothing felt real anymore. Celestia had taken only a few days to heal, but since that day she had locked herself in her private chambers, refusing to see any body. Twilight, being the only Princess left, took up stewardship of Canterlot. The task was daunting, but Twilight always was a natural born leader. But, the stress was getting to her. It had been weeks since the attack, and there had been no sign of Nightmare Moon anywhere. Which meant the moon wasn't going down until Twilight devised a way to take control from Luna, which she is convinced is impossible. And, to make matters worse, she is losing sleep, and consequently had begun hearing things lately. At first it seemed like nothing nothing, Twilight never was a stranger to sleep deprivation, but after reading that journal entry...

"Hey Twilight, watchya reading?" A familiar voice asks. Twilight is taken away from her thoughts, and looks to see Rainbow Dash standing in the doorway to the throne room. Her cool, calm, collected attitude showing as she leans against the door frame with her arms crossed over her chest. Twilight hadn't even noticed her come in.

"Oh, hi Rainbow." Twilight sighs. "Luna's journal, I was trying to see if there was anything in here that could help us find a way to beat Nightmare Moon. But, the info I've found has been limited." Twilight states sadly. With a few flaps of her blue wings, Dash lowers herself down next to Twilight, siting on the armrest of the throne.

"Hey, we'll find a way." She reassures, placing her hand on Twilight's shoulder. "You need to get some rest, with the sudden, temporary, eternal night thing going on, everybody's been a bit thrown off on sleeping schedules." Dash says with a warm chuckle.

Twilight shakes her head. " You know Celestia went a thousand years without sleep, so she could raise the sun and the moon constantly. Doing a little research isn't going to kill me." Twilight says, her head beginning to sag with weariness.

"Celestia had hundreds, if not thousands of years under her belt at that point. You don't need to do this to yourself." Dash says softly.

"I suppose you're right, Dash." Twilight says with a yawn. "Release me..." She grumbles, smacking her lips as she falls into slumber.

"What was that, Twilight?" Rainbow whispers, until she hears Twilight's light snoring. She chuckles to herself. "Good night, Princess Sparkle." Dash says, falling asleep herself. Her body slumps over, and she unknowingly wraps her arms around Twilight. Both of their snoring providing the only noise in the hall.