Prologue

Twilight looked deep into the familiar eyes of her princess. As she searched those deep pools of seemingly infinite wisdom, a cacophony of muffled explosions grew steadily louder—as did the patriotic yells of Equestrian soldiers that flew to meet the enemy. An enemy that Twilight still had yet to name.

“I hear what you’re saying,” she said, “I just don’t understand.”

Celestia gave her former student a firm look, “I know this is a lot to take in, Twilight, but there is no time for questions. Luna is holding them off as we speak...”

“Who?!” Twilight cried out in frustration.

Celestia ignored Twilight’s outburst, “She will only be able to buy us a few minutes, so explanations must wait. Now, there is one more thing I must do.”

Celestia’s horn began to glow a brilliant yellow as loud, thundering footsteps and cracking stone began to echo from the southern corridor. Celestia's aura encased Twilight, pulsing around her as it worked it's magic. To Twilight, it was as though the earth had suddenly shifted. She staggered, legs shaking in an effort to hold herself upright.

After a few moments, Twilight shook her head and straightened. She looked at the room around her; everything seemed different now, as if she were looking at it from a slightly different angle or through a new filter. She couldn’t place exactly how it had changed, she only knew that it had.

“Listen, Twilight,” Celestia’s urgent voice pulling Twilight's attention, “the instructions I’m about to give you will be the most important tasks I’ve ever set: Bring together the Elements of Harmony once more and use them to protect Equestria. Even if you have to wait for the beginning again, you must do this.”

The barred door leading to the Southern corridor began to lurch and whine as a creature of monstrous size slammed against the wooden frame. Splinters flew as the middle began to crack.

“Equestria is depending on you, Twilight. You are its new princess, and now you must be its new savior.”

Celestia turned to face the buckling door, summoning her battle armor in a brilliant flash of white light. The gold, plate barding covered her from ears to tail, lined with flames that licked at the edges of the armor. Twilight could not help but look on in awe.

The princess took her battle stance, summoning a halberd of light before her. “Now run.”

It was a command, not a request. Twilight turned from her mentor, sprinting into the Northern corridor. Only a few paces down the first hall, the rear entrance finally give way.

The scent of burning wood reached her nostrils, metallic clangs and guttural growls resounded behind her. The hum of war magic vibrated through the walls and up through Twilight’s legs, the sheer power and alien nature of the violent energy nauseated her.

Twilight flinched as something that sounded like a dragon’s roar spliced with a train screech assaulted her ears from the room. She stopped cold, wondering what could make such a noise. She wanted to turn back, to fight at her princess’ side.

Celestia’s battle cry sent a spike of adrenaline though the young mare’s body, propelling her forward in spite of her wish to aide her mentor. Twilight turned right at the fork in the hall at full speed, flapping her wings in order to keep her balance. What is going on?! Why is this happening?

She looked up in time to see a changeling drone fly into the hall, blocking her path. As it took in the sight of her it raised its lips into a threatening hiss.

”Princessss...” it seemed to say.

Twilight didn’t even bother to stop. With a flash of her horn she appeared at the far end of the hall, disappearing down yet another corridor.

The drone would have been an easy fight. Even the numerous other drones that were inevitably following behind wouldn’t have drawn a sweat from the newly coronated alicorn, but they would slow her down. The drones were not the problem.

”Princessss, we must follow the princessss...”

Twilight didn’t know much about changelings, the literature on them was stringent at best. What she had learned was enough to know that the drones acted through a hive mind. What one knew, they all knew.

Now that she had been spotted, their queen would know where she was.

She had to move, and quickly.

As she ran, she remembered the location of a window—one flight up and down the hall. The window was large enough for a full-grown alicorn to fit through. For a mare her size, it would provide a perfect escape.

Twilight once again turned right, her hoofbeats echoing throughout the passage.

As she ascended the stairs she began to think, assessing the situation. Changelings were invading, and they seemed to be everywhere. Now that she realized what they were up against, she could feel their magical signatures all around her. It had been mere luck, or perhaps clever planning on Celestia’s part, that she had only run into the one thus far. Canterlot had been overwhelmed. What was worse, Cadence was in the Crystal Empire while Shining Armor was in Canterlot; apart, and therefore unable to channel the power of love to expel the vermin from the beloved city.

She reached the top of the stairs, which opened up into a vast room. Twilight had only moments to take in the overly tacky decor when she heard an approaching buzz. Twilight cast out her senses again. There were no less than two-dozen drones closing in on her position, and fast.

Twilight spared a few seconds to cast a quick protection charm. She then opened her wings, flapping them for a good stretch, then took off at a full gallop towards the window. She saw the drones flood into the hallways out of the corner of her eyes, and pulled her wings as tightly to her sides as she could. She pushed all of her strength into her hind legs and squeezed her eyes shut, throwing herself with all her might through the plate-glass window.

The protective charm kept her from feeling the full impact, but she still winced as the window shattered around her. As she began to fall in the rain of broken glass, she spread her wings. Cool night air rushed around them, ruffling her feathers in the soft breeze. As she opened her eyes, she saw the bright light of Luna’s moon, sending a momentary wave of hope through Twilight’s chest.

She hadn’t yet learned to fly. Instead, she descended at a slow glide. As her hooves connected with the cobblestone bridge, she smiled. She flapped her wings a few times and shook herself, throwing the glass that had fallen upon her away.

Twilight peeked over the edge, past the river below, to the lower level of the castle. The sun and moon guard were out in full force, the sounds of battle echoing up the artificial ravine.

Twilight turned, looking over her shoulder. Her eyes widened at the sight of a shadowy figure floating above the pinnacle of the castle's highest tower. She only saw the silhouette for a moment as it disappeared within a massive, black cloud of drones rising up behind Canterlot castle.

They spread out into the night sky, blotting out the stars. The drones were on the outside of Canterlot’s protective barrier for now; flying this way and that in a giant mass of black bodies, searching for a weakness.

Twilight gulped, eyes wide. She shook her head, ears flattened back.

The drones that had converged upon the receiving chamber as Twilight fled flew out of the broken window. The green, multi-faceted eyes watching her intently.

Twilight teleported to the end of the bridge, reappearing behind a rocky outcropping. She peeked her head out around the corner and watched as the changelings fell in waves over the bridge and below, searching for her. Twilight took a deep, steadying breath, then snuck away towards the gates leading to Canterlot proper.

As she made her way to the gates she encountered no more drones. It seemed that capturing—or killing—her was a secondary objective. Without the distraction of the changeling swarm, she was able to think clearly for the first time since Celestia had called her to the war room.

Get to Ponyville, gather my friends and the Elements... But what if Ponyville has been invaded? Twilight furrowed her brow, her body moving the familiar pathways as of its own accord. My friends wouldn’t sit idly by. Applejack and Rainbow Dash would be out in the field, protecting their friends and neighbors. Rarity would probably be helping coordinate an evacuation; fighting would be too vulgar in her mind. Fluttershy would likely be with any refugees, caring for the weak and wounded. Pinkie Pie would be... well, doing whatever it is that Pinkie Pie does...

Twilight cantered across yet another bridge that would take her to the gates, but as she approached she spotted a large group gathered on the far side—hundreds of ponies. The entire population of Canterlot, maybe more, had converged on the entrance of the castle. Many in the crowd carried weapons. Some brandished swords and spears while others carried simple bats, rakes, and shovels. Two unicorns were attempting to break down the gates with their magic as Pegasi threw themselves at the protective barrier above the walls.

The crowd was incensed, shouting and stamping. Strain as she might, it was too loud for Twilight to make out what they were saying.

They must be here to try to help protect their princesses, she thought. She crept closer to the gates, hoping her voice would carry to the citizens beyond, “Ponies! Return to your homes! It isn’t safe for you here, the changelings...”

The ponies began to quiet while she spoke, and a mare’s voice cut through what remained of the din, “And who are you to tell us what to do?!”

Twilight hated pulling rank, she preferred that ponies followed her out of respect. Then, she noticed that the ponies were squinting through the bars, some right through her. She forgot that one of the protective enchantments would cancel out the view of any pony moving around inside the gates.

“Twilight Sparkle, newly coronated princess of Equestria.”

“It’s her!” The mare cried out, eliciting several screams of anger from the crowd. They redoubled their efforts to pull down the gates. That was when Twilight remembered, the protection spells surrounding Canterlot castle only worked on those who meant harm to the ponies whom resided inside.

Twilight took a step back, her heart hammering in her chest. Changelings had made it past the barriers, and some sort of revolt was happening outside. The situation was looking more and more grim by the second. She couldn’t go out the gates and subject the ponies to the horrors inside. To do so would be to lead them to slaughter.

THAT’S why Celestia and Luna aren’t fighting at full force, Twilight thought as she turned to head back up the bridge. They aren’t holding back, the anger and hate of the ponies they rule is dampening their power!

Behind her, a loud, sickening shriek stopped her cold in her tracks. Looking back over her shoulder, Twilight watched as the gate bent and twisted, curling in upon itself. Twilight’s mouth fell open. Somehow, the unicorns were breaking a hole in the protective barrier. If they broke open the gate, not only would they get in, but they would dispel the enchantments and cripple the barrier, allowing the cloud of drones to break through.

She had to act. Twilight began calling her magic. In her mind’s eye she weaved the spell upon itself for strength. She added a secondary thread of magic into the spell — it would act as a barrier, preventing ponies from getting in.

She looked at the spell she had created. It wasn’t pretty, hastily thrown together with a rigid spell signature, but it would be effective. Just as the gate pulled away from the walls, Twilight pushed her spell at the barrier, weaving her own magic to Celestia’s and Luna’s spell. This way the barrier would only suffer the initial shock and wouldn’t weaken further.

Twilight nodded, marginally satisfied. She let out the breath she had been holding and turned, prepared to trot back the way she came. Before her fore hoof hit the ground she froze, mouth gaping.

A dark, writing mass of shadow descended, stopping above the ground mere feet from her. From this darkness extended a hoof, followed by foreleg covered in a coal-black coat. The shadow dissipated, leaving behind the form of one of the most feared unicorns in Equestrian history.

King Sombra.

“Why, Celestia's pretty pet does have some skill,” the snakelike voice sent a chill up Twilight's spine.

Twilight recoiled, eyes wide. He grinned, fangs glinting in the moonlight. He stepped towards her, red eyes traveling up and down her figure. She wrinkled her nose in disgust, then side stepped. They circled each other—Twilight cautiously, Sombra languidly.

"And here I thought you just left all the heavy lifting to your brother and his wife."

Twilight glared at the dictator king, "Why are you here, Sombra?."

In a last, hopeful effort, she sent her senses out towards Sombra. She sagged a little with the knowledge that the stallion across from her was not a changeling.

Sombra's face lost it's mirth, smile replaced with a glare. He advanced on Twilight, a growl growing in his throat.

"We are here to take back what is rightfully ours!"

Twilight nearly tripped over her own hooves at his sudden approach. A thin bolt of electricity arced from Twilight's horn towards her aggressor. He easily knocked it aside with a glow of his shield.

"Oh stop," he said, his muzzle curling into a crooked smile, "It tickles."

Twilight gasped and disappeared. She came out of her teleport several yards away at a full gallop.

Twilight cursed in frustration at not yet being able to call upon her magic as an alicorn. Her own unicorn power, though powerful, wouldn’t be enough for her to stand up to Sombra alone. So far all she had was wings, and she could barely use those properly. She wasn't sure whether her promised earthpony strength had manifested, but a battle with a thousand-year-old shadow unicorn didn't seem like the wisest place to find out.

Twilight risked a look over her shoulder. Sombra had taken to the air, his body transformed into a cloud of smoke as he raced behind. Twilight pushed magic into her muscles, willing herself to go faster. Her body responded, carrying her nearly as fast as Applejack could run at her best.

Her muscles weren't used to this kind of strain, but she'd deal with it later. Right now she had to escape. Twilight had to get to her friends and the Elements. Equestria would burn, or worse, if she did not.

As she reached the bridge that led back to the castle, she heard the unmistakable sounds of battle below. Closer now, and more fervent. She turned and followed a path that lead towards the lower levels of the castle exterior. As she descended, she shifted her gaze away from the path to the undercastle. Sun guards and Moon guards crossed blades with their fellow soldiers.

Twilight came to an abrupt halt as she rounded the next curve. Flecks of blood few into her coat as Moon Guard’s spear struck home through the neck of his adversary. The Sun Guard’s eyes went wide and his knees buckled as he sank to the ground. The Moon Guard twisted the handle of the spear, then pulled it back. The Sun Guard’s body shuddered once and fell limply to the side. After a few moments, its form melted into the body of a changeling drone, green blood spreading out from the corpse. Knowing it hadn’t been one of her own allowed Twilight to feel somewhat better, but the violence still made her stomach tie itself into a knot.

The Moon Guard took notice of his audience. He approached slowly, never taking his eyes off Twilight. She knew he was trying to determine if she was, in fact, a changeling. She stood absolutely still; he may not be a unicorn, but all soldiers in the royal guard were granted the gift of being able sense the aura of the royal princesses, Twilight included. After a brief, agonizing moment he nodded with a curt “your highness,” then took to the air.

She turned back to the path ahead, no longer knowing where she was going. She just knew that she had to get away. The path then opened up into the castle gardens. She looked around quickly, unsure of her next move.

“You’re not Twily!”

Shining Armor... She'd recognize her brother's voice anywhere. Twilight turned, bringing to mind the first shield spell she could think of, prepared to meet a head-on the attack. She only had to hold him off long enough for him to realize who she was. Instead, she saw him cornering an unnervingly convincing version of herself, decked out in that ridiculous court regalia Rarity adored so much.

Shining Armor didn’t see the not-Cadence preparing to attack him from behind.

“Shining!” Twilight cried. She didn’t know any fighting magic, so she just threw the force of the shield she had already prepared at the imposter. It hit the changeling with a wave of kinetic force that slammed the pretender to the ground as Shining removed Twilight’s own doppelganger’s head from its shoulders. Twilight felt a wave of nausea as the two creatures reverted back into their changeling forms.

“Remind me not to get on your bad side,” Shining Armor said as he saw the crumpled remains of the drone she had flattened.

“Shining, I just came back from the southern gate. There was a mob trying to break it down! I managed to patch it but I think the barrier may have weakened. Is it this bad all over Canterlot? Are the defenses hold—'

"Watch out!" Shining yelled as he jumped in front of her. He threw up a shield just in time to block a magic missile.

“Haha, you weak little ponies.” Sombra said as he stepped out of the clearing smoke, "Do you honestly think you can take me on without your princess of love?"

“You again!?” Shining yelled. “Twilight, go get the Elements, I’ll hold him off.”

“Are you sure? He’s—”

Shining’s shield was rocked by another explosion, his shield showing small cracks along its edges “This is me we’re talking about, remember? Now get out of here!”

Twilight’s worried glance was lost on Shining as he turned his full attention to the battle before him. With a glow of her horn she was gone.

With a flash, Twilight reappeared on a bridge on the lowest level of the under castle. Sun Guards and Moon Guards clashed all around her, and casualties from both sides littered the ground.

She took off, sending waves of energy to knock down drones that blocked her path. The gate was no longer an option. Her best bet would be to descend to the lowest level of the castle and make a small cut in the barrier, seal it behind her, and make for Ponyville.

A dead weight slammed into Twilight's back, throwing her to the ground. Claws raked at her sides as the changeling drone grasped wildly to keep its balance. Before she could recover, the drone sunk its teeth into her back, drawing a cry of pain from her lips.

Twilight attempted to teleport out from underneath him by a few feet, but the drone’s proximity allowed it to say tightly tethered to her back. She tried throwing waves of energy at it, but all she managed to do was knock herself over, the creature still clinging to her and drinking in her hope.

Twilight winced, and began to rear, buck, and roll as instinct took over. She tried to remember all the times she had watched Applejack at the rodeo and throw the rider in mere seconds. Nothing seemed to work. She didn't have the earth pony strength, after all.

Twilight felt the last of her hope leached into the changeling drone’s maw. Her knees buckled and she sank to the ground. She stared at the ground blankly. There was nothing left. Why was she even trying? Why?

A loud hum echoed from behind and a small explosion sounded from above. Green goop flecked her back and mane as the drone slid to the ground beside her. Twilight just looked at the drone’s corpse, knowing that she could escape now, but didn’t have the will. Instead, she turned to look at her savior.

There, still decked out in her battle armor, was Princess Celestia. Breathing hard and covered in splashes of red and green blood, she turned to meet a fresh barrage of changeling drones that were barreling towards her. She let out a battle cry filled with so much force that the oncoming wave of drones split and flew in opposite directions, away from the wrathful princess.

The swarm banked to make another pass to flank Celestia and her student.

The sight of the princess, standing so protectively over her, made Twilight’s heart beat with joy. The happiness and relief broke through the lethargy she had been left with at the fangs of the drone. She stood, legs shaking, beside the closest thing to a god pony kind had ever known.

They met the swarm head on, Celestia cutting down drone after drone with her halberd. Twilight sent out feeble waves of energy, barely managing to take out a few. The swarm dissipated yet again, there was a pile of corpses before the two princesses.

This time the swarm did not come back, their buzz fading into the distance. Twilight turned to her mentor and they embraced.

Celestia looked her over, taking in Twilight’s state. Disheveled didn’t even begin to describe how she looked: covered in dirt and changeling blood, with huge gouges on her wings and sides where the drone had clung to her. Even her magic was dangerously close to failing her.

Twilight winced when Celestia leaned forward, horn glowing brightly. She expected the wounds to heal, at least, but instead she felt a sudden surge of adrenaline and willpower. Her wounds still dripped blood into a small puddle beneath her.

“That is all the magic I can spare for now,” Celestia said. “Now come, we must hurry.”

The Princess turned and ran, Twilight following close behind. She led Twilight further into the lower level of the gardens, sticking near the mountain. Celestia lead them to an old, chipped statue of a pony long forgotten to history.

Celestia’s magic flared, and with a momentary rumble the statue slid aside, revealing a passage Twilight never knew about.

“Follow me,” Celestia said, and leapt into the hole.

Twilight swallowed her nervousness and jumped in after, lighting her horn in the dank, musty tunnel. After a moment the statue slid back into place behind them. They continued to run, though at a slightly less manic pace. They were less likely to be intercepted and would need to conserve their energy for the trek to Ponyville.

Twilight used the moment of peace to finally get some answers. “Princess, what is going on?”

The tunnel curved, and Twilight struggled to keep up despite the slower pace. She shot her body with yet another surge of magical adrenaline, but both her physical and magical stores were running low.

“Princess, please!”

Celestia spared Twilight a look over her shoulder. “Our enemies have banded together. It appears neither Chrysalis nor Sombra were killed, merely defeated and temporarily weakened. They found each other through their mutual hated for the ponies that stood in their way. So, Chrysalis fought for control of new territory to establish, swelling the numbers of her ranks ten-fold. Sombra disguised himself and quickly rose through the ranks of my court, underneath our very noses. Together, they gained control of some of the most important ponies in the public eye. Through this mutual subterfuge, they were able to convince the ponies we turned you into an alicorn ourselves, that we gave you that power. They convinced the public that I could give it to all of them, but was hoarding the power for myself and those who gained my favor.”

The tunnel opened up into a large antechamber, and Celestia slowed to a walk. Twilight trotted up next to her, thankful for the respite. “How do you know all this?”

“Because it’s exactly what I would do!”

Celestia turned and Twilight saw that her eyes were no longer kind pools of infinite knowledge, but green with slitted pupils filled with unfathomable cruelty.

Twilight gasped, but before she could call any spells to mind she was hit in the back of the head. She fell unconscious to the floor.

* * *

Twilight regained consciousness slowly. Pain shot through her as she tried to raise her head but found it was being held, suspended at an awkward angle by what looked like a shadow.

“She’s waking up,” Chrysalis hissed.

"Then hurry,” came Sombra’s annoyed response, “I can only suppress her magic for so long.”

Twilight’s grogginess disappeared, and she fought her eyes open through the pain. She tried again to raise her head, but the shadow was too strong.

Something was moving across her field of vision, glowing with the sickly green fire that signified Chrysalis’ magic. Twilight grimaced as the thing moved back and forth across her line of sight, sending a grinding sensation as well as increasingly stronger stabs of pain through her head. Tears flooded down Twilights cheeks.

Twilight felt something sharp and edged grinding into her horn, cutting deeper with each pass.

She screamed in pain. "Augh!! What are you doing? That hurts—it hurts! Please, stop!"

Pain shot into her head and she felt cold steel click down through the first layer of her horn. She froze.

They were cutting off her horn.

“No...” Twilight whimpered, “no, please.”

She struggled against her bonds. Without her horn she couldn’t bleed off the magical energies that would build up inside her, causing a backlog of power. It would be months, maybe years, before her horn grew back, and there was no telling what the accumulation of magic would do to her.

Twilight reached for her magic, trying desperately to cast a spell, any spell. It was no use—the drain of the fight before had drained her, leaving her unable to push past Sombra’s magic block. Not that she would have been able to fight it, anyways. Sombra was over a thousand years old.

Blood mingled with tears as Chrysalis’ reckless strokes with the saw broke skin and ivory.

Twilight’s heart sank. Failure. I’m a failure. I’ve failed everyone.

Twilight cried out as her horn fell to the floor and rolled away. Her head lolled to her chest as Sombra released it from his hold.

Failure... failure... failure...

Oh, don’t be so dramatic said a voice inside her mind. Twilight’s eyes widened, but didn’t have the strength to look around. Besides, she knew where the voice had come from.

Celestia prepared for this possibility, you know That voice was somewhat familiar, but she couldn’t place it, then again... it’s Celestia, she’s prepared for any eventuality.

“Only one more thing to do!” Chrysalis said happily.

Sombra nodded gravely, once again using his magic to grab Twilight’s head and push it back. A strap wrapped around her forehead, tightened, then buckled itself. When Sombra let go, Chrysalis approached.

Chrysalis laughed and whispered softly into Twilight’s ear, “Your fear and your anguish are just exquisite, my dear.”

Chrysalis pushed her face in close, breathing in deeply, taking in the scent of fear. The hive queen licked her lips as she took a step back, her horn began to glow.

"And now you get to watch every juicy, little detail."

Twilight couldn't help but whimper as her eyelids were forced open. Even after the hazy glow of green magic faded, Twilight couldn't close them again. This left Twilight staring at a wall. At the edge of her vision she could see Chrysalis leaning in to drink in more of her emotions.

“Enough, Chrysalis. It is time; they are ready.”

Chrysalis sighed and pulled back. Taking her place next to Sombra she continued to watch Twilight through narrowed eyes.

Twilight pushed against her bonds to no avail. She was held aloft and upright by her arms, legs, and neck - strapped to a board behind her. Her horn was gone, her magic was depleted, and two of the three most powerful enemies she had faced were plotting in front of her very face. Equestria was doomed.

Hush, you little drama queen, I’m trying to listen

Sombra’s curved horn began to glow, followed shortly after by a loud rumbling. Dust billowed off the walls, irritating Twilight’s vulnerable eyes. Chrysalis lit up her own horn, and slowly the wall behind began to lift, revealing a another cave-like room. A thick plate of glass separated the occupants of each.

“No!” Twilight screamed.

Twilight felt herself sag in horror at the sight of Rarity, Applejack, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, and Pinkie Pie all strapped to boards in a similar fashion to her on the other side.

They were alive for the moment, but immobilized. Rarity’s horn had also been cut off, and Pinkie Pie’s hair had gone completely flat. Rainbow struggled against her bonds, shouting words Twilight couldn’t hear. Stripped of her trademark hat, Applejack glared through the glass as though she knew that her captors lay behind. Fluttershy was stoic, as though she had been paralyzed.

A sixth board, burdened with its own pony, was carried into the room by four changeling drones. As it was raised to hang next to the others, Twilight let out a muffled sob. So light pink she was almost white, and a limp, rose mane was all that was left of Twilight’s last hope. Princess Celestia, hip emblazoned with a cutie mark of the sun, hung unconscious in the room before her.

Sombra walked forward, “This, dear princess, is a token of gratitude.” Twilight didn’t respond, she was too busy staring at her friends in the far room. “Before you lies all your hope, all your dreams. Before you lies every piece of the puzzle you need to defeat us. But no... you’re powerless to stop us.”

It was then, Twilight realized, that Luna wasn’t in the room or on the other side of the glass. If she had been captured, they would have paraded her in front of Twilight with her sister to grind the lack of hope home. There may be nothing left for her, but maybe there was still hope for ponykind after all.

She had to stall, as long as possible. A fresh breath of hope entered her lungs, “Who’s behind all of this. Who do you answer to?”

Sombra laughed, “Oh, Twilight Sparkle, grasping at straws, are we?”

“Oh, please... even together, neither of you have the ability to pull bring Canterlot to it's knees,” She looked at Chrysalis as best she could with her head strapped to the board behind her, “You might be cunning enough to find your way into some stallion’s bed, but never close enough to Celestia to manufacture something on a scale such as this.”

She turned as best she could toward Sombra, “And you... you used to be a tyrant king, and perhaps even a brilliant war strategist. Your political savvy may have been enough to trick the noble families of Canterlot, but you never would have been able to fool Luna and Celestia. You must think I’m daft, thinking I’d believe either of you are competent enough to pull off a coup of this magnitude.”

Sombra sent a wave of magic at her so forcefully it snapped her head to the side, even within the bonds. A trickle of blood fell from her nose and into her mouth. A small smile managed to form on Twilight's lips. The voice that couldn’t have been her own urged her forward.

She spat the blood that had pooled in her mouth, struggling to turn her head to face her old foes, “Neither of you could possibly hope to make this plan a reality. The answer is obvious... Discord has finally made his move.”

She heard the little voice in her mind sigh in what she could only describe as disappointment.

Sombra and Chrysalis exchanged displeased looks. Chrysalis nodded, and Sombra turned towards Twilight. Shadows spilled out from around him, swallowing up everything except his face as he approached her.

“You are very smart, little princess. But oh so very, very wrong,” he hissed.

He leaned up next to her ear, sending her heart racing, “Someone you haven’t accounted for has found the darkness in themselves.”

A piece of rope appeared around Twilight’s muzzle and pulled tight. Sombra pulled back, the shadows fell away.

A sadistic smile twisted his lips, “Now, where were we?”

He phased through the wall into the room where her friends were being kept. He laughed as her friends glared at, yelled at, or just outright ignored the ruthless dictator.

All except Celestia, who remained unconscious. Sombra walked among them, throwing taunts, spewing lies, or saying whatever it was he was saying on the other side of that wall. He turned to the glass, horn glowing.

“Hmmmm... where should we begin?” He asked, his voice now carrying through the walls.

Dash’s voice carried through as well, “Hey, don’t ignore me! I’m talking to you, you bucking coward!”

Sombra didn’t even look her way as a wave of his magic slapped her across the face.

"Maybe the loudmouth? No... we should break her spirit first,” he walked past her, then turned to face Fluttershy, “Or perhaps the shy one? She’s already damaged.”

He laughed, leaned down and looked straight into Fluttershy’s eyes, “I heard you can use the stare little one. Is that true? Can you bend me to your will?”

He waited for a moment, but she just continued to stare into space. Sombra barked out a laugh. “No! No, I think we will start with somepony a little more... special,” he strolled over to the opposite end of the row and stood in front of the sun goddess. He placed his horn at the curve of her throat, the sharpened tip drawing a few, small drops of blood.

“This is for that thousand years of banishment, you ungrateful bitch!” he yelled.

You shouldn't to have to see this

Suddenly, everything went black. Twilight's heart rose.

"L...Luna?" she whispered. Had she come to save them? Would her friends be okay?

It only took a manner of moments for her hopes to be dashed. It wasn't the dark. Her eyes hadn’t even closed. She realized that what her eyes were seeing wasn’t being sent to her brain. Distantly, she heard the screams of her friends, Sombra’s voice, and the sound of something ripping.

Twilight thought at the little voice in her head, They’re my friends!

And you want to watch Sombra torture them and tear them apart? Trust me, Twilight Sparkle, you cannot watch this. It will break you, and Celestia put me in here to make sure that you wouldn’t be broken

Twilight suddenly recognized the voice, wondering at how she hadn’t before,But what about you?

I, well... I can cause just as much mischief up here in your noggin. But now we have to fight me, too, and not just them.

That doesn’t make any sense!

It will in time. Now, I know you never have before, but for now, you need to trust me.

The sounds of ripping and tearing and clanging never seemed to stop, almost as constant as the screams from her friends. Their cries pulled at Twilight—calling out for her, for Celestia, or for their own mothers. Each of them had their own turn under the sadistic hooves of Sombra.

And so Twilight sat in the dark, listening to the distant cries of her friends. She cringed at the sound of pain in their voices. Twilight couldn’t help but wonder if the situations that wiggled, unbidden, into her imagination were worse that what was being met out upon her friends.

Her companion assured her that they were not.

With no warning the screams and wails died out as one, and Twilight asked the voice if it had taken away her hearng as well.

No, Twilight, it responded, They’ve finished.

Author's Note

This is what happens when I have too long to sit in an airport terminal xD

Thanks again to all who helped this story become a reality :)