Crystal Twilight

by Gabrielangel13

Rating: teen
Tags: Romance, Adventure, Flash Sentry, Twilight Sparkle, Princess Celestia, Dark, Princess Luna, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, King Sombra
Length: 6326

Sombra is back! This time, Equestria will never be the same. Shortly after her coronation, Twilight Sparkle is teleported beneath the caves of Canterlot. In these caves, she will discover secrets bet left untouched.

Twilight's coronation was just recently, and nothing has gone wrong since. But alas, it could not last. King Sombra returns, and this time Equestria will not be rid of him so easily. Twilight finds herself in the caves beneath Canterlot, where she will learn secrets that are best left undiscovered.

Published 2013-09-30 17:00:01 UTC
Last updated 2015-09-12 20:08:18 UTC

Conversion

Shining Armor suddenly summoned a quill. In a swift motion he signed the divorce papers. He lifted his face from the floor, his sorrow replaced with rage.

"So, Mi Amore Cadenza, you never loved me? You were always a villain? It's bad enough that you betrayed me, but to tell me that Twilight is a traitor as well? To tell me that she is not even my sister? that is over-stepping my limit. TWILIGHT SPARKLE IS MY SISTER AND IS LOYAL TO EQUESTRIA! AS CAPTAIN OF THE ROYAL GUARD, YOU, PRINCESS MI AMORE, ARE CHARGED WITH HIGH TREASON ALONG WITH AIDING AN ENEMY OF THE PRINCESSES! AS FOR YOU, "KING" SOMBRA, YOU ARE CHARGED WITH ATTEMPTED MURDER, MURDER, ENSLAVING INNOCENT PONIES, AND HIGH TREASON AGAINST THE CROWN! YOU ARE BOTH UNDER ARREST!" Shining's voice had risen to a shout. He threw up a shield spell against the unicorn and alicorn. Twilight puffed up her chest in pride over her big brother.

"Oh, Shining Armor, you really are thick aren't you?" Cadence's voice sounded harsh. "I've been planning this day for years! I married you so that I could be close to my daughter, and so that I would have time to cast my spell."

"WHAT SPELL DID YOU PUT ON MY BROTHER?!" Twilight shouted with volume to rival Luna's Royal Voice.

"Oh, we'll show you, won't we, Shining Armor?" Cadence seemed to be taunting everypony. Suddenly, Shining Armor fell to the ground, his spell dropped.

"Empress Mi Amore Cadenza! Did I ever tell you how beautiful you are?" He said in the voice of a madly in love pony.

"Ms. Sparkle, when I started to foalsit you, do you remember what Shining and I thought of each other?" She asked.

"You hated each other."

"That's right! And I saw the potential that he had. So I cast a simple spell. He began to court me. Eventually, we were married. In that time I increased my spell. All I had to do was activate it, and your "brother" would be my slave. As you can see, it worked." She said with a sly grin.

"Shining Armor! Listen to me! I trust you above all the other guards. I know you can break the enchantment! Come on, Captain Armor, remember what she's doing to you! Think about what she's doing to Twilight!" Celestia called.

Cadence's horn lit up briefly. "The Empress is helping Twilight." Shining said.

A blast of golden magic flew past Sombra and Cadenza.

"Shining Armor, put a shield around these fools!" Sombra shouted. His horn lit momentarily, signaling him tapping into his wife's spell. In a flash, all but Sombra, Cadence, Shining, and Twilight were in a lavender bubble.

"Come here, Twily!" Shining Armor called to her. Twilight's horn flashed and she teleported beside the shield holding her friends and family.

"FOR EQUESTRIA!" She shouted and a bolt of pure magic flew at her old foal sitter. Sombra and Cadence threw up a shield that shattered instantly under Twilight's blast. Cheers came from the shield beside her.

"Your magic skills are amazing!" Sombra said with pride. "However, I can't have you attacking me like a foal. Cadenza, would you and Armor be so kind as to restrain our daughter?"

"Of course, darling." She said as lavender and blue magic dragged Twilight over to the trio.

"NOT. YOUR. DAUGHTER!" Twilight shouted with rage as she fought against the magical bonds.

"TWILIGHT!" The shout came from within the shield.

"Relax, the spell I cast on you when you broke out was too strong. Don't worry, you'll soon be the Twilight Sparkle we know and love." Sombra said evilly. He leaned in close to the struggling Alicorn, putting his face merely an inch from hers. Twilight suddenly reached out towards him with her head. She caught him right below the horn and bit down as hard as she could. She felt the warmth of his blood in her mouth. Sombra roared and yanked his head from hers.

"Just do it already. I want Twily back!" Cadence whined.

"Alright, dear." Sombra leaned in close and his horn glowed with dark magic. He touched his horn to Twilight's, and she let out a deafening shriek. Her whole body felt as if it were freezing, and being ripped apart. She felt her emotions become twisted, filled with anger and pain. She passed out.

Celestia watched helplessly. "TWILIGHT!" She shouted. She fought against the tears, but that was one battle she did not win.

"Send these ponies back to the Canterlot Castle!" Snapped Mi Amore. It was surprising how cold she had become. Shining obeyed and The ponies in the bubble found themselves in the castle. Twilight's parents didn't hesitate to teleport home, deeply depressed after the loss of their children. They also had the shock of finding that Twilight was not their own.

"Princess Celestia! I am reporting for duty from the Crystal Empire! I was to be transferred onto Princess Sparkle's guard. Where can I find her?" A familiar orange pegusus asked. The princess burst into tears at the sight of Twilight's "secret" admirer, Flash Sentry.

The Voice

Pain. Searing pain. Twilight's body felt frozen, colder than the blizzards in the north. She couldn't open her eyes, or hear anything around her.

"I'm trapped! I'm alone! I'm going to be trapped in this accursed darkness forever! What is happening to me?" Twilight screamed in her head. Her head was foggy, and her mind resisted her when she summoned memories.

"At last! My return! I can leave behind that life! My family is together again! Out glorious reign shall not end!" A voice echoed in Twilight's head. It sounded like her own, only twisted and cruel.

"Who are what are you?!" Twilight imagined if she could be heard, she would be shouting.

"There there dear! No need to shout! I'm in here with you! Whatever we think, the other can hear. I am you. Yet I am myself." It almost sounded as if it was mocking her.

"What do you mean?" Twily asked, almost frightened to hear the reply.

"You are the weaker form of myself. You are Twilight Sparkle, I am Coldlight Glimmer! Princess of the Crystal Empire. And, Princess Twilight Sparkle, I'm afraid you are no longer needed. Only I am. You need to accept me, Twilight, let us become one. Then will Equestria tremble under our might!" It replied. Malice was in its voice.

"Never! My friends will never let Equestria, or the Crystal Empire fall!" Twilight shouted, even as she spoke with confidence, fear edged its way into her thoughts.

"Oh…I feel your fear and doubt. Twilight Sparkle, tell me, who delivers mail in Ponyville?" Coldlight asked.

"Oh I know that! It's… WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO MY MEMORIES!" Twilight shouted.

"Relax…it's just phase one. It's time to wake up…Princess. You still have control, but I will break you." Coldlight commented as Twilight regained consciousness.

"So, Twilight Sparkle or Coldlight?" Cadenza asked.

"My name is Twilight Sparkle, and I hate you." She said and she attacked her old foal sitter.

"TWILIGHT STOP!" Twilight heard Coldlight scream in her head. The force of the shout made Twilight freeze. "That's right, Sparkle, you thought I was gone. Oh…I will haunt you until you give in. All you have to do is surrender to me, and all of your nightmares will cease."

"You're wrong, Coldlight Glimmer! You are my nightmare!" Twilight shouted back mentally. Her comment only earned an evil cackle.

"Well! At least Coldlight has some control! Now just listen to her, Twilight! This isn't you! Celestia's and Luna's spell were meant mainly to keep King Sombra imprisoned. We were just kind of thrown in! Several years ago, the prison weakened. Sombra could not escape, but we could. I chose to keep my memories, you chose to hide yours so that you could infiltrate at a deeper level. We cast an age spell so that I would be just old enough to foal sit you in the future! We found a family that had a baby that looked similar to you. We killed her and put you in her place. It's time, Twilight! You lived your life, now give me back my daughter! Please!" Cadenza's voice no longer sounded cold, instead it sounded soft and pleading. Twilight almost gave in when she noticed Mi Amore's horn glowing. She once again knocked her to the ground.

"Mind-influence spells don't work on me, Mi Amore! You're a terrible pony! I can't believe I let you into my brother's life! You'll never win! All I wanted was the life I had! I don't even want to call you 'Cadence' anymore! You don't deserve to be referred to in such a friendly way! Mi Amore-My Friend. That name isn't fitting, Cadenza! Twilight's rage had reached a boiling point.

"Not fitting, huh? To everypony, I was a friend. I was the one to calm you and your father, I was the one with a semi-caring heart! You are the monster here, Twilight! Keeping a mother from her filly? That's cruel!" Mi Amore shouted.

"You call that being a monster? You killed Shining Armor's sister! She didn't even have a chance at life! You are a sick excuse for a mother!"

"GIRLS!" The voice echoed around the room.

"Uh oh… now Dad's mad." Coldlight commented.

King Sombra entered just as regally as always. "If you two would cease your bickering then maybe something could be done around her!" His voice reflected his anger.

"Yes, sir." Twilight said, then realized what she had just said.

"Coldlight!" She thought.

"Well what you were going to say would have made him madder. So I simply pushed you to agree with him." Coldlight's voice was smug like she just said she discovered the cure for the common cold.

"Would you just get out of my head?" Twilight asked her.

"Ms. Sparkle, this was my head first."

It's PRINCESS Sparkle to you!" Twilight snapped angrily.

Twilight brought her attention back to the two ponies before her.

"My dear, anything you care to tell us about the Celestial Sisters?" Sombra asked.

Anger, fear, hatred, love, admiration, humility, friend, enemy.

Emotions from Coldlight and Twilight merged together at the reference to the royal sisters.

"Yeah… a message." Twilight said. She leaned over and firmly slapped Sombra's cheek.

that same time in Canterlot

"Sister, tis alright. We shall stop Sombra and his family. Please, stop your tears." Luna said in an attempt to lift her sister's spirits.

"My lady, if it isn't too much to ask, what happened to Princess Twilight Sparkle?" Flash asked with a puzzled expression. Only Rainbow Dash and Discord had enough composure to tell the story.

"We must save her!" Flash Sentry cried out after hearing the sad tale. He turned to fly off, only to be caught by a rope.

"Ain't no good, sugar cube. It took the Crystal heart to defeat Sombra last time. Without their princess, the Crystal Ponies won't feel any love n' unity. And it took the Element of Harmony to defeat him the time before that, and Ah recon' they won't work without Twi." Apple Jack said through tears.

"I like your initiative, though! Twilight definitely chose the right stallion to get…mnmnmmmn." The last part was muffled by an apple.

"To get what?" Flash's wings unfurled hopefully.

"To get transferred onto her guard!" Rarity was there to save the day from Rainbow Dash's almost embarrassing slip.

"Oh." Flash seemed to deflate a little, but then sprung back to joy faster than Pinkie Pie could. "You mean, Princess Sparkle asked for me? That's incredible!" He called. His joy only lasted a few moments before he dropped back into depression.

"Listen, everypony." Celestia said. Her sobs had ceased, but nothing could be done about the tears still flowed. "I intend to rescue my student. Who's going to help me?"

"I will!" Flash's reply was a bit too fast and too loud.

"Count the Elements in!" Rarity cried. Fluttershy yelped and hid behind Celestia's thone.

"I will help too, for Equestria, not its traitorous princesses.

"And what does that mean, sister?" Celestia asked.

"We can try to deny it all we want, sister, but Coldlight Glimmer is a sworn enemy of Equestria. As you recall, it was her powers that kept our battle against Sombra from being a quick one. Now she has your teachings. She must be stopped at all costs." Luna's voice sounded as if she had declared war.

"Luna! I will do anything possible to ensure the well being of my most faithful…" Celestia began. As she spoke, they watched Apple Jack pull the sweetest looking apple from her stash. She shoved in in the princess's mouth.

"Ah think we all agree that this here Coldlight Glimmer must be dealt with right away. But A think we also agree that Twi is our friend and she needs to be saved from 'er past life." Apple Jack stated. "Ah know Twilight Sparkle, and she was tellin the truth about not knowin what Sombra was talkin' 'bout. Anypony here that says Ah don't know the truth when Ah see it is a lier!"

"Applejack's right! We have to save Twilight and stop Coldlight!" Rainbow Dash called.

"YAY! THEN WE CAN HAVE A 'WELCOME BACK TO GOOD TWILIGHT' PARTY!" Pinkie said. She emphasized her point by blasting her party cannon.

"Good one, Pinkie!" Discord called as the confetti from the cannon turned itself into a feather and began to tickle the pink mare.

Author's Note

THANK YOU FOR READING! YOU ROCK!

Anyway, I feel like I had a bad start. I'm sorry. I hope that the story gets better, and that you will continue to read. Sorry the update took so long, it's been a hard month for me, but I won't bore you with the sob-story. Also I have been writing some other fics.

Aunt Celestia

"WHY THE HAY DID YOU DO THAT! WHAT WERE YOU THINKING? STOP IT, SPARKLE!" Coldlight Glimmer shouted, her voice was full of fear and rage.

"SHUT UP! GLIMMER!" Twilight shouted in response.

Currently, Twilight Sparkle was standing in a fighting pose. Shots of magic flew from her horn at the "King and Queen" before her. King Sombra lit up his horn and a ring appeared around Twilight's horn.

"Magic suppression ring, eh? Well, who says I need magic?" Twilight said with anger. She threw herself against the two and began to attack them with her hooves and teeth.

"Now Twilight, that's no way to treat your parents!" A familiar voice said. Lavender magic restrained Twilight's hooves and yanked her back.

"Shining Armor! Let me go!" Twilight shouted.

"And who's this? Kind of cute, don't you think?" Coldlight's menacing voice echoed in Twilight's head.

"STAY AWAY FROM MY BROTHER!" Twilight shouted out loud without intending.

"Coldlight, no more messing around, I want you back." Cadence cried.

"JUST SHUT UP ALREADY, CADENZA!" Twilight shouted. "Coldlight isn't coming back! This is my body now, and nopoy will force me out of it!"

"Twily, just give up already!" Shining pleaded.

"GIVE ME BACK SHINY!" Twilight's eyes went white and she shattered the magic suppression ring. Magic flew everywhere. Twilight as reminded of entry exam, and she groaned at the magic leaving her. Despite her efforts, she could nt shut off her magic.

"It's ok, Twilight. Calm down. Let me help you control that magic." Coldlight's voice sounded worried.

"Only Celestia can stop my bursts!" Twilight said tearfully.

"Let me try." Her alter-ego pleaded. Twilight collapsed as her magic ceased to flow.

"B-b-but how?!" Twilight demanded.

"I keep trying to tell you! Together we are stronger than we are alone. Give up, Twilight. Did you know that Celestia didn't trust you? She kept a great secret from you. Did you know that Sombra really is the rightful ruler of the Crystal Empire? Celestia is…"

CANTERLOT CASTLE

"Alright, here's what we'll do…" Luna began. She was cut off by a giant magical screen forming behind them.

"CELESTIA!" Twilight's form appeared on the screen. Her face showed her rage.

"Twilight! Are you alright?" Celestia asked fearfully.

"DECIEVER! LIAR! WHY DIDN'T YOU TRUST ME?!" Twilight shouted, she was on the verge of tears.

"What do you mean?" Her confused mentor asked. "I trusted you completely!"

"Then why didn't you tell me that you had a brother, Aunt Celestia?" Twilight's voice was full of hurt.

"Twilight…" Celestia began.

"SHUT UP! SOMBRA WAS RIGHT! YOU NEVER DID CARE ABOUT ME!"

"COLDLIGHT GLIMMER! SHUT YOUR MUZZLE!" Celestia asked.

"Why, dear princess. Twilight finally saw the hurt you've caused. Don't worry, she's safe, tucked away for good! Now begins my rule! You can not stop me! I have all of Twilight's magical knowledge, and my own! Equestria shall fall!" The evil Alicorn cackled and the screen disappeared.

"NO!" Rainbow Dash shouted. She flew straight at the screen as it dissipated. She screamed in rage when it dissappeared.

"Did she just call you her aunt? But that means…" Rarity began.

"Yes! I am Sombra's sister! He was given the Crystal Empire and Luna and I were given Equestria! He is the rightful ruler of the Crystal Ponies." Celestia said before she broke down in tears once more.

TWILIGHT'S OLD HOUSE

"What did we do wrong?! What happened to our children?!" Mrs. Sparkle cried.

"Darling, we have to do something! These are our children! Well, at least Shining is." Mr. Armor replied.

"TWILIGHT SPARKLE IS OUR DAUGHTER! JUST BECAUSE SHE WASN'T A ROYAL GUARD IS NO REASON FOR YOU TO KEEP PUTING HER DOWN!" Mrs. Sparkle yelled as tears flowed from her eyes. Her words quickly became sobs.

"We'll get them both back, dear. I'm sorry. You're right. I shouldn't keep doing that." His words did nothin to stop the tears. Before he knew it, the ex-general began crying quietly beside his wife.

Author's Note

YAY! THE NEXT CHAPTER!

Sorry about the long wait, and the short chapter. Hope you enjoyed!

I don't cry

"Mother, Father, we fly to the Empire." Coldlight said.

"Coldlight, your father lost his wings when we helped you escape from our prison." There was something in Cadence's voice. It sounded like fear.

"Ugh…here." Coldlight said with agitation in her voice. She lit her horn with dark magic, which shot out and sorounded Sombra. For several seconds, nothing could be seen of the unicorn tyrant, as he was covered by Coldlight's dark magic. When the magic died down, a dark Alicorn stood before them.

"Now this is more like it." Sombra said as he stretched out his new wings.

"Coldlight, won't Celestia expect us to attack the Empire right away?" Cadence asked, her face betrayed fear.

"Celestia will set up defenses there if we don't strike now! Besides, I've taken on the princesses before. Do you think me a weakling, mother? I have more power than you could ever dream of!" Coldlight looked upon her mother in disdain.

"I am powerful too, young lady, and you will not speak to me in that voice!" Mi Amore Cadenza shouted back.

Black magic suddenly flew from Coldlight's horn, and struck her mother. She flew against the wall in pain. "You call yourself strong? You could only leave the prison for a short while the first time! Had you been stronger, I wouldn't have had to take the place of a lowly citizen. You are worthless! If you didn't have your knack for controlling the Crystal Heart, I wouldn't even keep you around! Do not anger me!"

Cadence's face paled. "How did you know I got sucked back in?"

"Father talks a lot when you aren't in the room." She said with a smirk. "Enough talk, we must fly."

Coldlight flew in front, and her parents flew side-by-side behind her, forming a triangle.

"Thanks for the help in that conversation." Cadence muttered sarcastically.

"No need to make her mad at me too. 'For better or for worse' doesn't count when it comes to Coldlight. She does have a valuable point, though. You don't have raw power. You do have a quite efficient mind-control spell, however." Sombra replied.

"Maybe I should use it on her." Cadence muttered.

Sombra didn't respond, and simply flew on in silence.

CANTERLOT CASTLE

A streak of rainbow hit Celestia before anypony could react. Celestia was knocked to the floor under the impact.

"YOU LIAR! HOW COULD YOU HAVE LEFT THAT PIECE OF INFORMATION OUT!" Rainbow Dash yelled.

"I'm sorry… I'm sorry…" Celestia choked through her tears.

"RAINBOW DASH! GET OFF OF MY SISTER!" Luna ordered in the Royal voice.

"TWILIGHT TRUSTED YOU! WE ALL TRUSTED YOU! WHAT KEPT YOU FROM TELLING US? YOU DIDN'T EVEN WARN US THAT HE HAD A FAMILY! IT'S YOUR FAULT TWILY'S GONE!" Rainbow yelled.

"You're right, Rainbow." Celestia muttered.

"Look at you! All you're doing is crying over her. This is our fearless leader? Fearless ponies don't cry." Rainbow said in disgust as she stepped off of the Alicorn. She added quietly "I don't cry."

Celestia looked into the eyes of her subject, and saw tears, just for a moment. "Rainbow, only a heartless pony doesn't cry."

The tears that Celestia had seen moments before disappeared from the cyan pony's eyes. "I don't cry." She stated.

An orange hoof whacked Rainbow on the side if her head. "Y'all might be able to lie to the princess, it not to me." Apple Jack said.

Rainbow hung her head. The ponies there witnessed a sight that very few had ever seen. They watched in shock as tears fell from the pegusus's face, and silent sobs racked her body.

Rainbow cried for the first time in front of more than just Fluttershy. Flutters was the only pony that Rainbow had ever cried in front of.

Rainbow felt a pair of hooves wrap around her. She looked up to see the last pony she expected: Princess Luna. Soon, all the ponies were in a group hug around Rainbow and Celestia.

"You're right about one thing, Rainbow Dash. It is time to get my student back." Celestia said with determination in her eyes.

TWILIGHT'S FAMILY

"Be careful, dear." Twilight's mother said as she handed a saddle bag to her spouse. The stallion had just finished strapping on his old armor. He took the saddle bag in his magic and put it on.

"I'll come back with our children." He said. He hugged his wife and walked out the door. "Now to the Empire." He muttered.

Author's Note

A special thanks to Yonasomun for pointing out several plot holes. Also: a thanks to those who pressured me into finishing this chapter.

Boarding the Train

Twilight's father grumbled as he worked his way through the crowds at the train station. Of all the days to decide to steal Twilight, why did it have to be Friday? The train for the Crystal Empire was going to leave at any moment, and he still hadn't reached the ticket booth. Finally, he shoved past the last pony.

Mr. Armor tried to walk onto the train, but the engineer stopped him. "Ticket please." He said.

Mr. Armor pretended to search for it. "Oops, lost it." He said.

"No ticked, to ride." the engineer said.

The look on Mr. Armor's face could've rivaled Fluttershy's stare.

"My children have both been kidnapped and taken to the Crystal Empire. I'm getting on this train one way or another." The engineer didn't look impressed, so mister armor continued. "Princess Twilight Sparkle is my daughter. I doubt the Princesses would appreciate you keeping me from seeing her."

The engineer looked out at the crowd who was now watching him. A look of fear entered his eyes. "Welcome aboard, sir." He said and stepped aside. Mr. Armor merely snorted and boarded the train.

Princess Celestia gathered up a group of fourteen guards, including Flash Sentry, to accompany them. The rest were left for fear of Coldlight attacking Canterlot.

"We're ready, your Highness." Flash reported.

"Thank you, Sentry." Celestia acknowledged, she had regained her professional exterior.

Flash Sentry turned to leave, but hesitated. "Princess, are you alright?"

Celestia nodded. "We need to go, Sentry. Let's move out."

"Oh Princess! Aren't you forgetting somepony?" A voice echoed around the room.

Celestia sighed. "What do you want, Discord?"

Discord materialized in front of her. "Why, I want to help my friends, of course!" He slithered around and wrapped the Princesses and Twilight's friends in a hug.

"Oh, thank you. Discord." Fluttershy gasped. "But can you please let us breathe?"

"Of course, Fluttershy!" he said with a chuckle and unwound himself from the ponies. The squashed mares gasped for a breathe.

"Well now, since we can't all fly, how do you plan on getting to the Crystal Empire?" Rainbow Dash inquired.

"We're going to commandeer a few train cars." Luna answered with a mischievous grin.

"ALL ABOARD!" The train conductor called.

He looked around for any last minute boarders, but no pony made a move towards the train. He couldn't help but feel relieved after that stallion had made such a scene about getting on. Hopefully the rest of the day stayed normal. Just as he turned to board the train, a shadow fell over him, making him turn pale.

Luna swept down infront of the now pale train conductor.

"We need three train cars, now." Luna growled.

"I'm s-sorry, your magesty, but I can't do that." He stuttered.

"Oh? Why not?" Luna's eyes narrowed threateningly.

"Well, for all I know, You've turned evil again." He said.

Luna resisted the urge to hit him. "I don't have time for this!" She growled with a slam of her hoof, cracking the asphalt. "You want Nightmare Moon? How's this?"

The conductor's face paled even more as Luna transformed into the dark mare. "Guards! Guards! Help!" He shouted.

Luna smiled, showing fangs, as the poor stallion ran. The princess boarded the car closest to the caboose. She let out an evil chuckle, and tried not to giggle at the scampering ponies. She completely cleared two cars that way, but one passenger in the third would not move.

"Hello, Princess." Twilight's father said with a grin. "Mind if I join the fight?" Luna dropped her disguise in reply.

Author's Note

What are Twilight's parents' names?

so... new chapter!

Taking the Empire

Coldlight's flight to the castle was unsympathetic for her parents. She shielded herself to keep out the cold and wind, but allowed her parents to get it. She also refused to stop and let them rest when she herself was running on her Earth-pony stamina. By the time they reached the Crystal Empire, her parents were close to collapsing.

"Stand up straight!" Coldlight snapped. "This is when I take my kingdom, and if you wish to rule with me, you will appear strong."

"Yes ma'am." Sombra said humbly, but secretly he was thinking about how it must have felt during his own tyranny.

"Yes ma'am." Cadence mocked. Her tone turned serious. "Listen here, young lady! Just because you've gotten your super fancy wings and been spoiled rotten since we sent you to live with that family, doesn't give you any right to order us around!"

Coldlight turned to her mother, a look of rage on her face. "YOU UNGRATEFUL WENCH! DO AS I SAY AND RELEASE THE SHIELD!" Coldlight's magic lifted her mother into the air by her throat. "Unless you can't handle this. Then I'll have to dispose of you."
Cadenza shook with fear. "I hate you." she gasped as she was dropped.

"Go." was the only reply she got, and she obeyed. She walked into the city, sweat poured down her neck and she was sure that every pony was staring at her. Including Coldlight. Cadence considered hiding in the empire, but that idea was instantly thrown out; Coldlight would smash the shield eventually. She strolled as naturally as she could to the crystal heart and tapped into it. It momentarily resisted her touch,
but then it allowed her in. Her order to release the shield was rejected. Her mental conversation was short.

"Come on, you can do it. It's all right. I'm a good guy." She said gently. It trembled shortly before it collapsed the shield. Coldlight instantly appeared beside her with Sombra beside her.

"Thank you, Cadenza." Coldlight said sarcastically. "Now excuse me." She stepped forward, and her voice echoed across the empire. "LITTLE PONIES! BOW BEFORE THY NEW QUEEN! THE HEIR OF SOMBRA REIGNS NOW!"

"Save us, Princess Cadence!" One of the ponies pleaded. The princess merely turned her head as Coldlight punished the mare, but the screams couldn't be shut out.

"HER? SHE'S MY MOTHER! SHE LET ME IN!" Coldlight screamed. She turned to the Crystal Heart, malice in her eyes. A shot of pure dark magic sprang from Coldlight and struck the beautiful blue gem exactly in the center. The Heart shuttered, then began to rise in the air. It
trembled there for several heart-wrenching seconds before a darkness spread from the middle out. The once lovely and graceful heart turned black and jagged, striking ponies no longer with hope, but with fear. Coldlight reveled in the sound of anguish and distress radiating from the crowd, but she was not yet finished. A blast of magic flew from the heart, changing every crystal in the kingdom dark and jagged. All the ponies grew dull as their hope faded and the horrible truth hit them: no one would save them. The reign of Coldlight had begun. A black shield encased the Empire, keeping out all who would dare to challenge the new Queen. The twisted Alicorn grinned an evil grin as her plans began to fall into place. She could already sense Celestia approaching, and Celestia would never leave alive.

Coldight's Soldiers

"Y-your Majesty?" The young stallion ventured out at his Dark Queen.

"SILINCE CUR!" She snapped, turning to the 30 ponies before her.

"What do you want with us?" He gasped out, cowering back.

"I SAID BE SILENT!" She roared, motioning for Sombra. He stepped forward and slashed him across the back with a magic whip. He screamed and crumpled into a heap as his cut glowed a dark light. He trembled uncontrollably, the only sign that he was still living.

"Anypony else?" Darklight questioned, a sick joy filling her. At the silence, she turned back to the small crystals before her. She imagined that Twilight would've loved the thought of these Crystals holding instructions for spells, but quickly banished such thoughts. Twilight Sparkle wasn't real, she was just a spell. But then why were her thoughts still trying to find a place in Darklight's mind? "I'll have to deal with this later." She told herself. At last the proper spell found its way to her, and she grinned.

"Ah, My Little Ponies." She began, her voice holding none of the care that the Princesses put into the phrase. "I almost envy you. You will be used to such a glorious purpose" Her horn was surrounded by an aura of dark magic, so dark that even Sombra shuddered. The aura enveloped all of the Crystal Ponies before her, and it grew only darker and darker until any normal pony would've been driven mad by the mere sight of it. When at last it faded, what knelt before Coldlight were no longer ponies. No single word could perfectly describe these creatures, although "Demons" would be as close as you could come. They had the basic shape of an earthpony, only larger than even Big Mac, and barely seemed solid. As Cadence looked on them from her corner, she observed their shapes shifting in a cloud-like state. She shuddered at the sight, and hoped they would not be turned on her.

"GO, NOW, MY MINIONS! STOP ANY WHO WOULD DARE CHALLENGE YOUR QUEEN!" She shouted in glee as her creatures bowed even deeper in acknowledgement. "But do not harm them. That would ruin the fun yet to come. Bring me the young Princess." The creatures turned into dark wisps and departed to do their Master's bidding. A dark grin again found its way to Coldlight's face as she pictured Celestia lying dead at her hooves. Luna? Oh, Luna would make a wonderful pet.

Sombra's Family

Princess Twilight Sparkle walked the halls of the Canterlot Castle. It had only been a month since the coronation, and everything had been going just perfectly. Sweet Apple Acres had become so popular that the Apples had to buy more land. They bought enough land that Apple Jack lived in the Castle so that she could be closer to that edge of their orchard. Pinkie Pie was made court jester (it was a unanimous vote involving all nobles). So she was rewarded a room in the castle. Rainbow Dash had become a WonderBolt and lived in the WonderBolt wing of the castle. Fluttershy was hired to take care of the Canterlot Garden's animals. She lived in the castle with all her pets from Ponyville. Rarity's talent was recognized worldwide and she now lived in the castle as the Royal Fashionista. And as a Princess, Twilight now lived in the Castle. Yes, everything was going perfectly. So perfectly that Twilight hummed to tune to "morning in Ponyville"*. That is when everything went wrong.

One moment she was walking the halls of Canterlot Castle, the next she was in the caves beneath it.

"Hello? Chrysalis! The first time it was a bit creative, but this is just getting old! At least Discord didn't turn us I to the opposite of ourselves twice! Couldn't you have that much curteousy?" She called.

"Oh, I assure you Ms. Sparkle, I am not Chrysalis. But it is good to see you again. I hope you don't expect that little blast to keep me away for good." An eery, and definitely male voice said.

"Who are you?!" Twilight commanded. She gasped as a gray unicorn with a curved, red horn stepped from the shadows. "Sombra! It's Princess Sparkle to you!"

"Oh, very well,Princess Sparkle. Though, in that case, it's King Sombra to you. But I am not here to discuss trivial matters such as titles. I am here to welcome you back." He said

"What do you mean?" The Alicorn said with hatred in her voice. She didn't want to hear what this creep said. He had threatened her brother and sister-in-law, and no pony got away with that.

"Oh, my dear Twilight. Don't you think that life-changing secrets should be revealed before your friends and family?" The creep said. In a flash, Twilight's family, the mane 6, and the princesses, and Discord were there.

"Princess Celestia!" Twilight cried and ran to her mentor. Celestia put a wing comfortingly over her student.

"King Sombra! What are you doing here?" Princess Cadenza's voice was filled with spite for this dark unicorn.

"I figured you would want to be here to learn of the spy I've had in your midst for years. I'll give you a hint, it's one of you gathered here." Sombra said evilly.

"Discord! It's got to be him!" Rainbow Dash cried and pointed an accusing hoof at the draquness.

"WHAT! NO! You can't possibly suspect me?! I was reformed! You were there, Rainbow! I haven't done anything dangerously chaotic since. It might be Rainbow Dash! She's always hated me. She might do it just to blame it on me." Discord defended himself.

"Rainbow Dash is the Element of Loyalty. She would never betray us." Rarity defended. Such accusations and defenses were thrown around for around ten minutes. Only three were left unaccused by the end. Princess Celestia, Princess Luna, and Princess Twilight Sparkle.

"Oh, you ponies are so thick. Three have been left unaccused. One of them is guilty." Sombra's calm voice taunted them.

"Princess Luna?" Twilight's mother said. "She used to be Nightmare Moon."

"WHAT?'I WAS CURED BY THE ELEMENTS OF HARMONY! TIS NOT I!" She said with the Canterlot voice.

"Two left." Sombra said.

"Twilight Sparkle?" Celestia gasped. "How could you betray me?" Celestia took her wing off of her student and turned to face her.

"What?! No! I am loyal to Equestria! He's just trying to tear us apart! I would never betray anypony in here. Especially you, Celestia." Twilight was in tears.

"I'm ashamed, Celestia, you didn't notice sooner. It was you who banished us." Sombra said.

"NO!" THOU ART LYING! I CHECKED HER CUTIE MARK! IT TIS REAL, AND IT IS DIFFERENT THEN WHAT THY DAUGHTER HAD! THOU CANST EXPECT US TO BELIEVE THY LIES?!" Celestia rarely used the royal voice, but she was angry now.

"Cadenza, do you have something for your…husband?" Sombra asked slyly.

"I do. Shining Armor, I think I forgot to mention something. You're not my first husband. If you would be so kind as to sign these divorce papers, I'll be on my way, not as Princess, but as Empress." She said. She levitated said divorce papers to her husband.

"WHAT DID YOU DO TO MY WIFE, YOU MONSTER!" Shining Armor shouted and threw himself onto the evil king, only to be levitated off by Cadence's blue magic.

"Cadence, no…" Shining said as tears spilled out his cheeks. It was sad to see a grown stallion cry, but Shining Armor didn't care. He loved Cadence with all his heart, and now she was revealing that she was married to Sombra? Of all ponies? And that she still loved him?

"Oops, did I forget to mention I have two spies in your midst. Allow me to inteoduce my wife, Mi Amore Cadenza, and my daughter, Princess Twilight Sparkle." Sombra said and his evil laughter echoed down the caves. Celestia stood frozen in place with a look of disbelief on her face.

Author's Note

*belongs to Hasbro

Thanks for reading! Hope you enjoyed. Please comment and let me know what you think.