The Final Daily Report, November 10, 1015 MTPF (Meta Treis Poni Fyles)
King Sombra sat at his throne and looked out the castle window to the west. The stars in the night sky were still circling back and forth, like dancers of an ancient song. The notes of “Theophany of Ponysius” echoed in his mind. The night was black for just a moment more, and then the sun began to rise from the west, waving back and forth as though it was intoxicated. Stupid draqonequus, King Sombra thought to himself, though he is becoming more predictable. King Sombra had risen to power over the Crystal Empire merely twenty years ago, in the year 995 M.T.P.F, and in that time he had noticed that Lord Discord’s movement of the heavenly bodies had become more conventional over the years. Sure, there was the occasional wobble back and forth, but for the time being, King Sombra could relax in knowing that the Lord of the sun and moon had become bored with making them perform in erratic behavior. If only he could do the same thing with the night stars.
There was a knock at the door to the throne room. King Sombra raised an eyebrow, knowing that there would be only one pony on the other side. Just as he expected, the doors opened to reveal a thin, white unicorn on the other side. His mane was slicked back; the streaks of grey and black appeared almost painted over his neck. The unicorn took a few steps into the throne room and immediately bowed before King Sombra.
“My liege,” Theoria Scripture said, “I bring to you the daily schedule.”
King Sombra groaned. For years, the schedule had been the same: news from the southern land of Discordia, where Discord ruled over the unicorns, the ponies of the soil, and the pegasi, status reports of the Crystal Cave Excavation Project, and finally the internal reports of the submission levels of the crystal ponies. The final report was always a laugh; in the years that he had been King, nopony stood up to him. They all fell, like pawns when placed in front of a bishop or rook on a chessboard. Still, King Sombra straightened his black mane, and brushed his grey fur once more as he awaited the daily report.
“Viceroy Theoria,” King Sombra growled, “What news do you bring me today?”
Theoria turned his dark brown eyes towards King Sombra and smiled.
“I have interesting news from the lands of Discordia.”
King Sombra shuffled in his seat.
“Oh?’ He replied, “Tell me, faithful servant.”
“Lord Discord has finally engaged in an overt war against the Celestial Sisters.” Theoria replied, “And they have taken the battle away from the Capitol City down south, beyond the Appaloosan Mountains.”
“Do you believe that he will need assistance?”
King Sombra hated the idea of helping Discord, but the thought of having to reintroduce treaties to beings such as the Celestial Sisters made his stomach roil. If needed, he would use the powers of the Psukeineuma Crystal to convert any number of his subjects into vesperqui soldiers to assist in the matter. The image of leathery bat-like winged ponies with eyes black as night filled his mind. Theoria coughed and King Sombra shook his head, removing himself from his reverie.
“Do you believe that is the reason the sun and moon have been acting less… erratic, my liege?” Theoria asked.
“It is possible,” King Sombra growled, “They claim that they are the rightful heirs to the sun and moon. What other news do we have?”
“The crystal ponies on the east side of the caves have uncovered a very distinct energy signature within the caves below. Though the caves are impassable for the time being, the energy readings have remained consistent. I have to admit that the energy signatures they report are complimentary to the ones that the Psukeineuma Crystal exudes.”
King Sombra’s eyes widened. He leaped from his throne and landed in the middle of the room, just in front of Theoria, who took a step back. King Sombra’s eyes opened, revealing a solid layer of green iris. Tufts of purple smoke emitted from the corners of his eyes, and moments later, black streaks of lightning cracked inside the room. As they landed on the floor, shadows began to stretch along the floor, revealing a small, circular staircase. King Sombra marched silently down the staircase, with Theoria following closely behind. The descent took many steps, until the light at the top of the staircase was but a pinpoint. At the bottom of the staircase was a wooden door with a grey crystal over it. Theoria watched as King Sombra pointed his horn at the crystal and sent a flash of green aura over it. The door opened easily, and both unicorns walked inside. The room was empty, save for three pedestals. Two of the pedestals were empty, but the third pedestal held a small green crystal that glowed both green and dark grey.
“My liege,” Theoria said, “I truly believe that the energy signatures could be from the Helioselenian Crystal. The crystal of the Empolemitheon of Light and Shadow is within our grasp.”
King Sombra closed his eyes and inhaled the imagined scent of power that ran through the ideas presented. With the Empolemitheon Crystal of Spirit and Law Psukeineuma, already at his hooves, he was able to control the crystal ponies with ease. Once he gained the powers of Helioselene, then the final crystal, the Empolemitheon Crystal of Soil and Sky Kosmosaion, would be easy to discover. The thought of crystals filled King Sombra’s thoughts.
Crystals… crystals…
King Sombra turned to the door only to see Theoria staring up at his countenance with reverence and a twinge of fear. He mentally shook his head. Even his viceroy held fear in his heart for his lord. He looked over at the unicorn’s cutie mark, the symbol for a pony of the cloth. He looked over at the smaller unicorn for a moment, then trotted past him and made his way up the stairs, listening to the smaller pair of hooves behind him.
*****
Theoria glanced over at his lord as he stared at the crystal. There was no doubt that King Sombra enjoyed the sight of all crystals, but up until this point, the only two to truly move him were the Imperial Crystal Heart, which he had hidden away in a secret location, and this one. The removal of the Imperial Crystal Heart took away the powers of the crystal ponies to be sure, but it was Theoria’s discovery of the Empolemitheon Psukeineuma that turned the otherwise grey unicorn stallion into the vessel of Psukeineuma, giving him the powers over the mind and in some cases, the ability to read them. Theoria had read the scriptures of Empolemitheon, the War Torn Gods, and knew that one day, a unicorn that walked like a shadow would come into his life. As his lord looked deeply into his eyes, Theoria couldn’t help but lean forward a little. His eyes locked onto King Sombra’s features: his glowing red horn, the trails of purple aura that twisted out of the corners of his eyes, the fangs in his mouth that could easily pierce a stallion’s neck. Surely, King Sombra appreciated the fact that Theoria gave him these powers by giving the crystal to him.
Please, Theoria thought, praise me.
He watched as King Sombra continued to look into his eyes for a moment, only to watch him turn and walk back towards the staircase, his red cape swaying back and forth as he ascended the stairs. Theoria sighed and followed him back up to the throne room, where he took the opportunity to remind his lord of the final portion of the daily report.
“Oh, and my liege,” Theoria said, “There is one more item on the daily report.”
King Sombra once again took a seat on the crystal throne. He waited, implying for him to continue.
“It appears that another stallion has reached the age of majority. He has already been summoned, and should be arriving momentarily. I’ve met with him once, and given the previous news, it is my professional opinion that he should be assigned to the eastern caves.”
“You opinion has been noted, Theoria. Please leave.”
Theoria bowed down and then turned to leave, making sure to close the doors behind him. He stood on the steps of the Crystal Castle. The sun was rising normally now, though in the opposite direction, while the moon was bouncing along the southern horizon like a ball. A long line of crystal ponies stood outside at the entrance to the east caves. They were all connected by chains at their hooves. Each of them held their heads down, and their eyes drooped to the ground. Their hooves were scratched and dirty, and the smell of sweat and musk filled the air. They must find the Empolemitheon Crystals, Theoria thought, the prophecies will be fulfilled.
Theoria heard hooves approach him, and he turned his head to see a young stallion fast approach him. The stallion’s coat was light yellow, and his mane a multitude of blue hues. As he stood next to Theoria, he knew that his initial assessment of placing him in the eastern caves would be heeded. Muscles seemed to burst out of every limb and core. The eyes, however, surprised him; they almost glowed. A few days in the mines will fix that, Theoria thought.
“Ivory Machiti.” Theoria said, “You have reached the age of majority. Therefore, it is now your duty to-”
“Where is he?”
“Excuse me, pony?”
“Where is King Sombra?”
Theoria stood back a moment and worked to control his rage. He smiled internally at the thought of what his lord would do to this young stallion. He couldn’t wait to observe from behind the closed doors. Occasionally, there would be a stallion that approached him with this attitude, but the moment they were in the presense of King Sombra, all of the bravado trickled out of them and usually ended up in a foul smelling puddle on the floor.
“Come with me, Ivory.”
Theoria turned and trotted back to the doors to the throne room. He stood by the side and pointed his hoof at the handle, waiting to see the hesitation in Ivory’s eyes at the thought of opening the doors on his own accord.
*****
The shadows had retreated back into King Sombra’s eyes and the staircase had just disappeared when the doors to the throne room burst open. His eyes shot up and he saw a young stallion standing in front of him with yellow fur and blue mane.
“You will bow, slave.” King Sombra growled.
The stallion didn’t budge. King Sombra trotted up to him and glared into his eyes. His eyes held a light in them that he hadn’t seen in years. King Sombra bared his teeth, but the stallion still didn’t flinch.
“You fool!” King Sombra growled as the shadows began to emerge from his body, “You feign your courage now, but larger stallions have been brought to tears at my sight.”
The stallion still didn’t move, and King Sombra still saw the light in the stallion’s eyes.
“You’re a coward.” The stallion said.
King Sombra screamed and a blast of black aura escaped from his horn, striking the stallion. The hit of energy finally caused a scream of pain to escape from the stallion’s mouth.
“You… and that minion of yours…” The stallion struggled to stand, “Had to take away our own power just to fight us.”
King Sombra let forth another aura wave and levitated the stallion into the air. King Sombra raised an eyebrow as he splayed the stallion out before him. As his four limbs stretched out, King Sombra watched as the combination of muscles stretched and flexed across his body.
“If you think you’re so strong,” The stallion said through gritted teeth, “Fight me without your magic.”
King Sombra’s eyes squinted. In the past twenty years, nopony had ever addressed him in such a manner. A strange feeling erupted in his barrel – he was excited. This stallion, in but a few moments, had made him feel something unique. His aura dimmed around the stallion, and as the stallion landed on the ground, a soft grey aura surrounded him for a moment. King Sombra winked at the stallion as he looked at him curiously.
“Simple healing spell,” King Sombra growled, “I want this fight to be as close to fair for you as possible. I am, after all, a just king.”
King Sombra removed the crown from his mane and placed it on the throne. He looked over to the stallion, and as he unlatched the cuirass that covered his barrel, a lecherous grin appeared over his face as a soft blush rose from the young stallion’s neck. Ah, King Sombra thought, we can make this rather fun. The towering grey unicorn then began to unlatch each of the four schynbalds that covered the front of his legs. All of the pieces of armor now rest on the throne, and finally, King Sombra’s aura surrounded his red robe, and it landed on the throne with the rest of his armor. Finally, he turned to the stallion, body bare. He noticed that the stallion’s attention had turned to his flank.
“What is your name, slave?” King Sombra growled.
“I am Ivory Machiti,” The stallion replied, “I am not your slave.”
“Your body will be mine. And then your mind will be, too.”
They stood still for a moment, and King Sombra couldn’t help but notice that Ivory must have understood the basics of fighting. He didn’t charge him haphazardly as expected. Instead, the two of them began to walk in a circle. King Sombra looked at the legs of his challenger to look for any changes in his pattern: left hind leg, left front leg, right hind leg, right front leg. The cannon, the gaskin, and the stifle of each leg moved in perfect rhythm like the wheels of a train. King Sombra glanced at Ivory’s neck muscle. When it twitched, he knew the younger stallion was preparing a strike. King Sombra easily stepped out of the way as Ivory galloped and spun his body to buck the king with a hind kick. King Sombra threw a hoof at Ivory’s barrel, sending him across the room. King Sombra smiled as Ivory’s body fell to the ground. He closed his eyes for a moment, but that turned out to be a mistake as a moment later, he felt a hoof land directly against his neck. King Sombra took a step back and coughed. Ivory began to charge again and spun around in time to buck him once in the barrel. King Sombra stood on his haunches and threw his hooves down onto Ivory’s head. Ivory grunted and took a step back. Blood began to seep down the side of his mane as he charged once more, but with a little less energy. King Sombra smiled and reached his hooves around Ivory’s neck just as he approached. As he threw Ivory to the ground, he struggled while on top of him.
“Why did you want to fight me?” King Sombra growled.
“You, destroyed my family,” Ivory replied as he struggled to free himself from King Sombra’s grasp, “You destroyed my home. All to get your hooves on crystals.”
King Sombra bit down on his back just where his mane ended. Ivory yelped in pain. But as he began to cry out, King Sombra raised a hoof to cover his muzzle.
“You have no idea what it is that I seek, pony. As I said before, your body and your mind are now mine.”
Ivory’s bucking became erratic and his eyes went wide as he felt another one of King Sombra’s hooves reach down and trail along his barrel, and down his flank. King Sombra’s mind raced as he positioned himself on top of the younger stallion. Then it hit him. This is what it means to submit, King Sombra smiled to himself as he felt the hot breath of the stallion against his hooves and heard the muffled screams of his challenger. A pony cannot truly be put into submission if they do it willingly. Submission is something that needs to be taken.
*****
Theoria stood at the closed throne room doors with his eye against the keyhole. The shouting had driven his curiosity, and he had looked in just in time to see King Sombra begin to fight Ivory in hoof to hoof combat. As his lord felled Ivory finally, a knot began to form in his stomach as he watched the grey unicorn position his body over Ivory. As Ivory’s muffled screams continued, Theoria couldn’t tear his gaze away. A few minutes later, he watched as King Sombra moved to the throne and covered the armor over his body again, completing the dress with the red robe. The knot in his stomach was joined by a knot in his throat when he heard King Sombra utter the next words to Ivory.
“I think I may have a better job for you, Ivory.”
*****
The sound of numerous chisels echoed through the mines in the Eastern Caves as the crystal ponies stood against the walls and struck the chisels against the rock. Their faces were blank, their eyes empty. Amidst the crystal ponies, standing on top of a large rock outcropping, stood both Viceroy Theoria Scripture and the newly minted Head Regent Ivory Machiti. King Sombra had approached Theoria after the events in the throne room to advise him of Ivory’s new position.
“He tried to fight you!” Theoria had said, “How can we even trust him?”
“He has something that I haven’t seen in a stallion in a long time.” King Sombra had growled.
The words continued to echo in Theoria’s mind as he stared at the stallion next to him. Ivory’s mind, just like his body, had fought King Sombra. Theoria could see that the fighting, in fact, still continued in the yellow stallion’s eyes. There were times that an older mare or stallion would stop working to tend to a sore hoof, and Ivory still couldn’t bring himself to raise a hoof to punish the pony, leaving Theoria to grab the whip from Ivory’s hoof with his magic and strike at the offending pony.
“Why are you so cruel to them?” Ivory asked.
“You have no idea what goals Lord Sombra seeks,” Theoria replied, “We need to find crystals.”
“When I was a little colt,” Ivory whispered, “You used to be the village pastor. I remember that.”
Theoria turned to Ivory, who had begun to trot towards the injured pony and rubbed her hoof. A few nearby crystal ponies glanced over to the three of them, but continued with their work.
“Your family came to our empire years before Sombra came here.” Ivory said, his eyes twitching back and forth, “You had a gift to comfort us all during hard times. What happened?”
Theoria looked at Ivory, then at the crystal ponies. The distinctive noise of chisel against rock ceased. He parsed his mind, and then smiled internally. He nodded his head and cleared his throat.
“Do you remember the Empolemitheon Prophecy?” Theoria asked.
A few of the crystal ponies shook their heads, but a large number of their ears perked at the words. Ivory stood and trotted towards Theoria. Theoria turned and raised his muzzle to the rock outcropping so that they could discuss these issues alone. Once they arrived back at the outcropping, and the sound of chisels echoed once again through the caves, the two guards of the crystal ponies continued their conversation.
“Do you remember the Empolemitheon Prophecy?” Theoria repeated.
“Bits and pieces,” Ivory replied, “My parents thought you were wrong about that section of scripture.”
“No offense to your late parents,” Theoria said dryly, “But scripture is something that I simply am not wrong about.”
“Something about Discord’s rise to power, and something about the old gods being trapped in… crystal.” Ivory’s eyes widened quickly.
“I see that you already understand the implications.”
“Why are you telling me this?” Ivory asked.
“Because Lord Sombra trusts you,” Theoria said as a smirk appeared, “Therefore, I must trust you, too.”
A crystal pony shouted as a large chunk of rock fell, revealing a wall of crystal. Theoria smiled as a wave of pain rushed through his horn. We’re near it, I can tell. What perfect timing. Theoria turned back to Ivory.
“You see,” Theoria said, “Lord Sombra has already claimed one of the Empolemitheon Crystals and gained the powers of Psukeineuma.”
“So, whoever gains the crystal gains the power of the old god?” Ivory asked.
Theoria laughed to himself.
“Of course,” Theoria replied, “Lord Sombra would want you to know this information.”
Ivory took a few steps away from Theoria, but Theoria followed him until Ivory was inches away from the edge of the outcropping. Theoria leaned in next to Ivory so that he could inhale his scent. Ivory’s musk smelled of crystal berries and grass in the autumn wind. He finally pressed his cheek against Ivory’s and whispered into his ear.
“We are rebuilding god,” Theoria said, “And Lord Sombra will be so grateful for what the crystal ponies have done for him. What they have done for us.”
Another wave of pain flew through Theoria’s body, and he knew that the crystal ponies were near the crystal.
“Enough!” Theoria shouted, and the crystal ponies stopped.
Theoria and Ivory ran down from the outcropping and to the wall of crystal. Waves of energy pulsated through the room. None of the ponies noticed it, though. The energy was something that only unicorns could feel. Theoria was sure that his king could feel it, too. He would arrive soon, just in time. Theoria snatched a chisel away from a nearby pony and began to chisel at the crystal. He used as much energy as he could to break through the large crystal. Soon, the crystal began to glow grey and blue. The regular crystal had been hollowed out, and the smaller crystal that contained the grey and blue hues hovered in the empty space. The white aura left the chisel and it fell to the ground. Everypony in the room turned, however, when they saw a grey orb appear in the center of the room. The grey orb continued to grow until King Sombra exited out of it. All of the ponies bowed to the ground, except for Ivory. Ivory turned away from King Sombra and ran towards the crystal.
“Ivory,” King Sombra growled as his horn began to glow, “The crystal.”
Ivory’s hoof touched the blue crystal, and his screams could be heard moments later throughout the caves. Theoria galloped in front of Sombra and stood in between the now convulsing figure of Ivory. He watched as Ivory’s eyes grew white, and a streak of white appeared in his mane. He finally stopped convulsing and stood to his hooves. Ivory’s white gaze turned to Theoria, and then to Sombra. The crystal ponies had all dropped their tools and ran to the corner of the caves behind the king and his viceroy. Ivory’s mouth opened.
i skia vasilia
enas theos dimiourgise
ainai i parentheti
gia to poni pou periechei ola
King Sombra’s eyes widened as Ivory began to charge towards him. Before he could reach the king, however, Theoria leaned forward and began to run towards Ivory. As their bodies met, Theoria jammed his horn into Ivory’s neck. Theoria closed his eyes as the first drops of blood ran down his horn and landed on his cheeks. He heard the sound of gurgling as Ivory began to choke. Ivory’s weight began to bear down on Theoria’s smaller body, but due to the position he was in, he couldn’t move his body away. The weight was gone a moment later as a black and grey aura surrounded Ivory’s dead body and lifted it off of his horn. Theoria sighed and looked up to King Sombra, who glared at him in anger. His aura surrounded the newly discovered crystal.
“My little slaves…” King Sombra growled, “You may rest.”
Theoria closed his eyes as King Sombra wrapped the two of them in his aura.
*****
King Sombra reappeared in the throne room, where the spiral staircase had just appeared. He held the Empolemitheon Crystal of Helioselene as well as Theoria’s body in his aura. He held Theoria even more tightly in his grasp, and Theoria groaned in pain, but the groaning just made King Sombra squeeze his grasp. When they finally reached the bottom of the stairs and opened the door to the room of the three pedestals, he threw Theoria to the side and levitated the crystal onto another pedestal. Finally, he turned to the small unicorn in the corner of the room.
“Why did you let him touch the stone?” King Sombra growled.
“If he was worthy of your trust,” Theoria sneered, “He wouldn’t have touched it in the first place.”
“You told him about the nature of the crystals, didn’t you?”
“I was testing him,” Theoria replied, “I didn’t trust him. And I was right. He was nothing but a glorified earth pony, my liege.”
“There was something special about him, Theoria.” King Sombra growled.
“He was a child!” Theoria yelled, “He was naïve and stupid. If you had given him a few days in the eastern caves, like I had advised, that foolish naivety would have disappeared within a few days and he would have been just like all of the other filthy crystal earth ponies!”
King Sombra’s aura wrapped itself around Theoria and hurled him across the room. He landed against the wall with a thud. But a moment later, King Sombra was caught off guard with an empty pedestal surrounded by a white aura crashed against the side of his head. He raised a hoof to his muzzle, only to see that his hoof was now painted red. He glared at Theoria, who now stood near the new crystal.
“It is my right,” Theoria shouted, “To rule by your side, alongside whoever the third will be once we find Kosmosaion.”
“You intentionally told him about the nature of the crystals, knowing that his curiosity would get the better of him.”
King Sombra lifted a hoof and swung at the side of Theoria’s barrel. Theoria wheezed but then rammed his horn at King Sombra, who turned in time to avoid the stabbing, but not in time to avoid a deep cut against his flank.
“Didn’t you read his mind?” Theoria asked, “The moment he saw the crystal, his only thought was to destroy you.”
King Sombra remained silent, but used his aura to levitate Theoria against the wall. He galloped to the wall where he had placed Theoria and jammed a hoof into his barrel and another on Theoria’s horn. As he gripped the horn tighter, he could hear the muffled cries escape from Theoria’s muzzle. Theoria opened his eyes and stared into King Sombra’s, and it was then that he felt a similar feeling. I will make you submit, King Sombra thought, you will learn what submission means.
*****
As Theoria’s body was thrust against the wall, his vision doubled. He suddenly felt a hoof punch his barrel and another grab his horn. The pain wracked through his body, but the knowledge that it was his lord doing it sent shivers down his spine. He opened his eyes, only to see King Sombra’s stare returned at him. He looked at his king’s face and saw the trail of blood that streamed down his muzzle.
“I will teach you what happens to those who believe they don’t have to submit to me.”
Theoria quivered, but tried as hard as he could to keep his excitement from expressing itself. Yes, my liege, Theoria thought, please teach me. King Sombra’s aura continued to surround him, and Theoria immediately felt a pulling at his skin. He looked down at his fore leg and saw the pressure from King Sombra’s aura rip open a piece of skin. He felt King Sombra’s muzzle press against his neck and then two fangs pierce his skin. Theoria could feel his consciousness begin to waver from the pain as he was thrown onto the ground. He tried to lift his body, but he had no strength in his fore legs. Each time he tried to use magic resulted in only pain in his head. His vision began to tunnel as he turned around to see King Sombra standing over him, his erection growing until it reached his cuirass.
“I will show you how to submit.”
Theoria tried to contain his smile as he felt King Sombra’s body position itself on top of him as his consciousness left his body.
*****
King Sombra climbed the steps to the throne room, leaving the unconscious body of his viceroy in the secret room at the bottom of the staircase. He levitated the two Empolemitheon Crystals in front of him. He knew he would have to find another secret location for them. He thought of the words that Ivory had said before he was killed. The shadow king, a god created as a substitute for the pony who absorbs all. He was not a placeholder. He was the rightful vessel of Psukeineuma. After the ritual, Theoria would become the vessel of Helioselene, and then they simply needed to find the third crystal.
King Sombra turned to the window as Discord’s sun began to set in the east. King Sombra's eyes squinted until he could make out the figures of two ponies. They were alicorns, one white and one blue, and they were flying towards the Crystal Empire.
Great, King Sombra thought, new diplomatic discussions have arrived.
Author's Note
tusk (verb): to stab or pierce with a horn
