Shadow of an Empire

The train ride to Canterlot was long and very boring, Twilight explained the whole situation to the rest of the ponies.

"So the princess just decided to send ya'll a letter and not even tell ya' what's going on or why she needs us in Canterlot in the first place? Sounds might suspicous if ya' ask me."

The rest of the group nodded in agreement. They had no idea why the princess had called them to Canterlot on such short notice, but they were about to find out. The train screeched to a halt in the station, steam snaking out from underneath the cars. Each of the ponies stepped off the train and gathered their bearings. Twilight was the first off the platform and onto the cobblestone path. Followed closely by Rarity, Pinkie, Applejack, Rainbow, and Fluttershy. They all made sure that each one was here and accounted for. They almost forgot Spike who had fallen asleep on the train, but managed to scramble out at the last minute.

Now, with everyone accounted for, the group began the trek to the castle. Which was interrupted by a chariot flying out of nowhere and landing right in front of them. A lone stallion opened the door and said 2 words.

"Get in."

Confused for a moment Twilight questioned the stallion's intentions.

"Uh, why should we? I mean, it's pretty weird when somepony just lands his chariot next to us and demands we get in!"

The stallion sighed and gave the alicorn a look of frustration and desperation.

"The princess sent me. So, get in. Now."

The newly crowned princess looked at the stallion with bewilderment as to why the princess would send for a mysterious stallion to pick them up. Reluctantly though, Twilight stepped into the carriage and motioned for her friends to do the same. Each one showed some caution as the stepped into the carriage as well, and finally the stallion closed the door once everyone was inside and asked the gentlecolts pulling the carriage to go to the castle. With a hasty take off, they were off heading towards the castle with great speed. Inside the carriage the 7 ponies, and Spike, were all quiet no pony daring to ask the question on every one's mind. But of course it was Applejack who had to know.

"So what's goin' on here? Why did the princess need us, and what's this crisis she's talkin' bout?"

The stallion looked up at Applejack and sighed again. He knew this question would be coming, but he thought the princess would better explain it.

"Well, It would be easier for the princess to explain seeing as she knows more about it than I do. The only thing I know is that-" He gulped rather loudly "-the Heartless have returned."

Rainbow piped up this time attempting to call his bluff.

"But the Heartless is just an old pony's tale! They aren't real!" Twilight looked up at Rainbow.

"That's what they said about Nightmare Moon, and look what happened."

This caused Rainbow to scratch the back of her head and mutter an 'oh right' and every pony laughed a little. The stallion stopped abruptly and everyone else did the same.

"We're here." He swung the door open and allowed the group to get off. They were all right outside the Princess' chambers, Twilight motioned for everyone else to head inside while she thanked him and turned to go.

"Good Luck!"

The alicorn turned around to acknowledge him, but found the space where he had been was vacant. Shrugging it off, she headed inside also to join her friends, opening the doors she stepped inside, the gigantic hall making her feel like an ant in the grass. The walls were lined with murals of her accomplishments, which we have already been over. She kept admiring the handy work of the glass when her mentor called her over to her.

"Twilight! We have much to talk about."

The princess rushed over to her teacher and started questioning her.

"What is the crisis you told me about and why did you need all of us? Was it that bad that you couldn't handle it?!" Twilight started to hyperventilate and would have kept going had Luna not calmed her down.

"Ok Twilight, I will explain. The problem as you may have been told already is the Heartless."

Celestia was interupted by Fluttershy, who was just as curious as everyone as to what a Heartless was. Sure they had heard the legends, but that was passed down and didn't appear as scary as they actually were.

"Princess Celestia, what are...Heartless?"

Everyone was now worried as Celestia shuddered and started to shake a bit. Luna put a hoof on her sister's shoulder and calmed her a bit. Celestia regained her composure and collected her thoughts. If the Heartless were enough to make the ruler of Equestria freeze up in fear, then life as they know it could come to an end.

"The Heartless are ruthless demonic beings that are formed from the darkness in one's heart. Their speed is unmatched, and their attacks are fatal. They're pitch black with two legs and arms, with 2 beady yellow eyes that can make your blood run cold. The ferocity they exert is terrifying in itself. The worst part is when they purge you. They suck the darkness out of your heart, taking you life force with it and they replicate you. Then once the replication is complete, it forms into one of the others. Your body is just left there, lifeless and cold."

The once mighty alicorn princess was now shaking with fear, tears were leaking out of her eyes as she recalled the painful memories of those she had lost to the Heartless. The rest of the ponies in the room were now shaking as well Rarity was quaking with fear, staying close beside Twilight. The lavender alicorn trying to comfort her friend. Celestia blinked back the tears and proceeded with the rest of her tale.

"The last time I encountered the Heartless, I had defeated Discord and Sombra, as well as someone else."

Luna looked down in shame.

"They attacked Canterlot in force and destroyed most of the place. The only building left standing was the castle. It took us 3 years to rebuild. I had managed to use the elements of harmony to enhance a spell to seal them away in the ice cap. But when Sombra returned, the darkness in his heart was overwhelming, it awoke the Heartless and now they are on the loose again. Twilight, your brother discovered them, and was attacked. He barely made it out alive. Now the Crystal Empire is under the threat of the Heartless. Time is of the essence, with each passing second the Heartless grow."

When Twilight had heard that her brother had been attacked she was distraught at first, then realized the severity of the situation. Twilight had to ask the one question that was repeatedly attacking her mind

"But Princess, Why me? Why us?! You've done it before why can't you do it again now?!"

The princess knew this answer immediately and had reasons backing it up.

"Twilight, you and your friends are the elements of harmony for one thing, so I can't use the elements and besides I may not look it, but I'm an old mare. I don't have as much strength as I used to. Therefore I need you to defeat the Heartless. Twilight we are all counting on you. Failure is not an option."

She levitated Cadence's letter over to Twilight.

"Read this." She waited as Twilight skimmed the letter, her eyes dilating and her ears drooping. The look of pure fear was claiming her face.

"Twilight, Rainbow, Applejack, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy. Should you fail to stop the Heartless, then Judgement Day will be upon us. No pony will be safe from the onslaught of destruction and death."

The pressure was on, not only was the fate of Equestria on their shoulders now, but the lives of all the ponies residing in it as well! The group exchanged glances, knowing that this journey could very well be their last. They had been through a lot together, from that first day Twilight was in Ponyvile, to today.

"Do you all understand the severity of the situation?"

Twilight was the first to respond, followed by Rainbow.

"Yes Celestia."

"Yes ma'am!"

Then Fluttershy and Rarity's comfimation.

"Yes."

"Of course Princess!"

Then lastly Applejack and Pinkie Pie.

"Yup."

" Okie dokie loki!"

Celestia nodded and finalized the conversation with a nice little gift to Twilight.

"Twilight wait." The lavender alicorn looked at her former mentor.

"We both have something that may come in handy against the Heartless. But for now I'll just give you mine."

Celestia charged her horn and shot a beam of light at Twilight's horn, transferring the spell between the two. After a moment of fatigue from the tansfer, Twilight felt something odd surging through her body. She questioned what Celestia had done to her.

"What did you give me?"

Celestia looked at her former student and smiled.

"I have given you the Spell of Valor. Should you cast this on some pony, their strength will be unmatched, but they will start to feel fatigue earlier than if they hadn't used it at all. You should use this spell only and I mean only as a last resort. Confirm that you know this."

Twilight nodded before giving Celestia a verbal confirmation.

"Yes Princess, and thank you for everything." The rest of the ponies in the room also thanked Celestia for her help. The alicorn then sent the group off towards destiny.

"Twilight! Head to the Crystal Empire and when you get there head east towards the Griffon Kingdom!"

Twilight's voice echoed off the walls as they retreated back towards the entrance. "Thank you!"

Celestia sighed heavily, she didn't know what they would face on their travels, let alone if they could defeat the Heartless at all! Celestia looked down at her feet deciding whether she had just saved Equestria's citizens, or sent 6 ponies into hell. She noticed that Spike was sleeping soundly on the floor, obviously tired from the long day. She looked at Luna who lifted Spike up onto her back and carried him off to her room for the night. But before she went Luna looked at her sister one last time.

"Tia, I hope you know what you are doing..."

Celestia looked up at the ceiling and replied in a shaky voice.

"So do I, Luna. May god help us all."