Long Shot

" Hey, kid? If I were to teach you a spell, would you like to help me with something?"

" Yes, sir." Sombra showed the burly unicorn the spell he'd used to transform him, and the two of them set off. They were transforming the other guards much faster than Sombra could've by himself, doing two at a time instead of one. In about a half hour, they met back in the main room in the castle. All of the other soldiers were making their way there, as well.

" Kid, you never told me your name."

" Shieldshine."

" Ah, now the cutie mark makes sense."

" I get that a lot."

" Right. Now, then, I think it's time we headed out to do the closing ceremonies. Celestia said five, right?"

Bullseye and Ruby squeezed their way into the crowd that was gathering near the castle. They had worked their way into a pretty good spot and were just settling down when they heard Sombra's deep voice coming from the balcony. " Greetings, everypony! Now that the Crystal Fair is coming to a close, I would like to introduce a friend of mine. This is Shieldshine, the captain of the new and improved crystal guard."

" Hello, everypony. My name is Shieldshine, as you were all told. Sombra and I have some very special news for all of you."

" We're going to take back the empire together, but under new circumstances. You will not be treated as slaves, --"

" --but as regular citizens!"

" Everypony will have basic rights. As long as you stick to those rights, I'll stay off your back."

" If you step out of line, however, expect to be punished accordingly," Shieldshine added.

" Oh, and don't worry about your little royal couple. I'll be taking care of them soon enough."

Bullseye was furious. " You have no right to take over the empire again!"

" Oh, and why is that little one," Sombra cooed, clearly amused.

" Yes, do tell," Shieldshine chimed in, just as amused as his new friend.

" Everypony here is scared of you, and there's no way any of them want you to rule over them. Also, do you really think that anypony will believe you about the guards? You're 'friend' up there is obviously a member of the royal guard that was corrupted with your crazy dark magic. I'll bet all of the guards up there have been corrupted!"

" And what if they are?"