Before the Darkness

by Riku006

Rating: teen
Tags: Gore, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Alternate Universe, Changelings, Original Character, King Sombra, Tragedy, Crystal Ponies, Adventure
Length: 28817

When one commits a crime so great and terrible, all acomplishments they achieved are for naught.

[Includes mature themes, reader discretion is advised]

Before the Curse, there was prosperity,
Before the fear, there was love,
Before the downfall, there was resistance,

And before the monster, there was the stallion.
This is his story, unhindered and true.

Part of the Universe of the White Mare
Inspired by the video A Tale of One Shadow by Natasia Solitude, and by the Song of Storms trilogy by The 24th Pegasus.

Any and all constructive comments and criticism is welcomed.

Published 2015-03-07 18:20:02 UTC
Last updated 2016-10-05 15:57:33 UTC

1: The Dusk before Dawn

My Mother would not often speak of her journey to what would become our home, though she always told me that, like many others, she was escaping the horrors of War. It would be many years later before I would learn the demons of which she faced, and be thankful to the White Mare that she arrived to such a welcoming embrace.
--Excerpt of Sombra’s Journal

Sunbeam imagined this was what Tartarus was like.

Outside her small wooden hut came the roar of battle, the cries of death and the sounds of horrors even her nightmares would flee from. The silver unicorn mare cowered in fear, putting her fore-hooves over her pale blonde mane as she hid next to the pile of her belongings that she had barricaded her door with. A yellow aura loosely still held it in place, though with each thud and blast from outside it strengthened a little more.

Although she knew the country was currently in the middle of the largest war the world had ever seen, she didn’t understand why it came here, to her small northern frontier town of North Hayton; a town that had been standing for barely two years before this day.

Despite the fear that ran rampant throughout her being and her head telling her that what she was about to do was a terrible idea, Sunbeam opened her emerald green eyes and slowly crawled towards the window while strengthening her hold over the barricade. Reaching the wall, Sunbeam rose slowly and peaked outside at the fighting.

The first thing that flashed before her was an arc of crimson liquid as the limp body of a unicorn stallion in obsidian and gold armour fell to the ground just outside her home, the image shocking Sunbeam as though someone had injected ice into her veins. She dared to look away and spied a creature standing on two legs. Its tangled, dirty fur was rust-brown in colour and its canine jaw smirking, revealing razor sharp fangs that had already tasted pony blood given the dark red stains around its mouth.

Before it could savour the kill, however, a shadow dropped from the sky and passed by the wolf-like being, creating another arc of blood to spurt into the sky. The shadow, now identified by Sunbeam as a pegasus soldier, turned and, wielding the feather-like blades attached to their wings, proceeded in carving more gashes into the beast before leaving it for dead and launching into the sky to continue the battle.

Staving off the urge to vomit, the sight that greeted Sunbeam confirmed her earlier assumption that her once peaceful small town had indeed descended into Tartarus.

The sky above her was dark with the smoke of the burning buildings of the town, and immediately made her grateful that her house remained untouched for the moment. Dark shapes soared overhead as aerial monstrosities did battle with brave pegasi soldiers. The battle was just as intense on the ground, as unicorns and earth ponies fought with sword, spear and magic against fell beasts even though their numbers were far less than those of their opponents. It was then, as the ring of clashing steel sounded continuously throughout the town, that the severity of her fate hit Sunbeam with the force of an avalanche.

North Hayton, and her along with it, would soon become casualties of the Discordian War.

A large explosion rang out and drew Sunbeam’s attention to the right of her field of vision. There she saw several soldiers – four pegasi, two earth ponies and a unicorn – doing battle against a singular opponent. She couldn’t see the evil beast as the ponies worked in unison to strike against their foe, creating a near-impenetrable sphere of whirling blades and magic. But then a dark purple light shone from within, forcing the soldiers back and giving Sunbeam her first look at the monstrosity.

He was a large creature, most likely as tall as Princess Luna if not Celestia. As he stood up on all fours, she saw his body was a mix of various beings; he had the grey-feathered forelegs and tail of a gryphon, the blood-red wings of a dragon, the dark chestnut coloured body of a stag as well as lithe reindeer horns and the steel-blue hind legs and head of a unicorn, his red eyes scanning the enemies surrounding him.

With little warning one of the pegasi dove down from behind, sword clenched within his teeth as he arched his neck to take the beasts' head. The stallion swung but the creature was faster; spinning left on his hooves he swatted the sword away with one claw and summoned dark magic to gather and swirl around his other before digging it think into the side of the pony’s face. The pegasus dropped dead within seconds, his cheek and throat now decorated with new air holes as the blood literally started pouring onto the hardened soil.

Two of the other pegasi landed, joining both earth ponies in charging the beast at once in hopes of cornering him. The beast evaded this with a mighty flap from his draconic wings, and was soon metres in the air. The third pegasus zoomed towards the beast, her wings extended as the blades running down the length of each primary feather stood ready to severe a limb, or at least leave a deep gash. But again the beast turned and caught the wing, allowing the mares’ momentum to break the wings’ bones at the joint before releasing his hold. Turning on the spot, he landed a strong, open claw into the mares’ chest before forcing her down to the ground, into the group that had tried cornering him mere moments ago.

As the dust from the landing settled, it was revealed one of the earth ponies was crushed underneath the pegasus mare, whose chest was now stained crimson due to the monsters’ claw. Without a word, the beast raised his blood-covered claw, dark energy once more surrounding it before he slashed at thin air, releasing dark energy slashes that cut clean through another of the pegasi and more creatures further away, be they pony or otherwise.

“DAMN YOU!” The beast heard the roar of hatred as he turned to see the last pegasus, a cream-coated mare beneath the black and gold armour of Equestria’s army, charged at him, a spear held in both forehooves with its tip aimed at his dark heart. The beast sidestepped the attack with barely any effort, and he just as simply took hold of the spear shaft in his mouth and yanked it from the mare before striking her with the blunt end and releasing the spear into the air just long enough for him to grab it with a claw and impale the soldiers’ head from above, watching as the life quickly vanished from her azure eyes.

Before he could enjoy it any further, the last earth pony leapt up onto the beasts’ back and tightly wrapped his hooves around his neck, hoping to choke the monster out. The monster bucked and bolted yet the earth pony’s grip may as well have been made of iron, as there was no way he was going to let go.

“You ain’t shaking me, varmit!” The soldier shouted in a southern drawl directly into the monsters’ ear. Agitated, the beast bent low and, with a large flap of his wings and pushing off the ground with his legs, rocketed into the sky and knocking a pegasus off course along the way. When they reached the apex of their climb, the monster angled himself so that his back, and the earth pony, when facing the ground before summoning two dark energy orbs in his claws and firing a large beam skyward. The force of the blast made sure it could be seen from over a mile away, as well as accelerating the two towards the ground at unfathomable speeds.

The landing sent tremors throughout the village, making it hard for Sunbeam to keep her balance. Once they stopped, she dared to look out the window again, and saw through the settling dust that the beast hardly looked worse for wear, and the only signs there was an earth pony was a lifeless hoof outstretched from the small crater they had formed upon landing. The beast spent one moment more looking at the pony that had dared to ride him like a bull at a rodeo before he got blasted by a beam of light blue magic. Sunbeam turned to see the unicorn from earlier standing his ground and firing beam after beam at the beast, hoping that he could strike the killing blow with magic.

Sunbeam watched on intently but the reality that she was in the middle of this warzone was realised when a loud crash sounded out very close by, and she turned to see another fell beast now standing in her home after tearing through its walls, looking at her like a timberwolf would at a helpless foal. This beast did in fact resemble a wolf, though it stood on its hind legs and its arms were muscular, one of them holding a dull, rectangular-bladed sword. Her emerald eyes narrowed to points as she backed up against the wall, fear freezing her in place as the wolf drew closer whilst raising its sword for the killing blow.

No, she prayed, hoping the princesses or someone, anyone, would come to her rescue. No, please… Help me… As the sword rose to its highest point, Sunbeam hid her head beneath her hooves like a small scared filly.

“Someone help me!” She screamed what she believed were her last words.

Only they weren’t. As the wolf began bringing the sword down, something flew through the window and knocked it out of his clutches. Sunbeam dared to open her eyes, wondering why she wasn’t dead yet, and almost lost her lunch at the sight of a severed pony head on the ground next to the sword, the head of the unicorn she had seen earlier. Then through the came a large beam of darkness, outlined in purple as the wolf was propelled back through the hole it made in the wall. Confusion ran rife through Sunbeam’s mind until she felt something standing just to her right.

“It’s so hard to find good help these days,” said a sly, confident voice. Sunbeam turned to see who it was only to shrink as low as she could in fear. Standing right next to her was the beast that had killed the squad beyond her window. Sunbeam couldn’t move, she couldn’t scream due to her all-encompassing fear. He looked down at her, his blood red iris’ meeting her emerald ones as he smiled a confident smile, like a cat that knows it’s cornered a mouse and now wishes to toy with it before the kill.

Before she could utter even a sound the monster lit up his horns, darkness surrounding them before summoning more of it to encircle the house in a cocoon of shadows. Yet despite this, Sunbeam could still see everything clearly even though the shroud blocked out the sun.

“There,” the beast said with a small yet satisfied expression before turning to face Sunbeam. “Now we won’t have any pesky distractions.”

“W-W-W-What do y-you want-” Sunbeam stuttered as she crawled away from it only to back up against a wall.

“Now now, there’s nothing to fear,” he replied, his face looking calm as if he was being truthful, yet this only scared Sunbeam more. “I promise that no harm will come to you.” Sunbeam simply stared at him in fear, her chest tight as she tried organising her mind through the fear in vain.

“You don’t believe me, do you?” He asked, mocking emotional pain as he already knew the answer, which was the mare shaking her head. “Very well,” he continued, bowing as he spoke. “On my honour as one of the Thirteen Sons of Tirek, I swear no harm shall befall you. There, happy?”

That name almost made Sunbeam faint in shock as the control over her breathing started to weaken and she sat back on her haunches. Tirek was a name only whispered in the darkest of shadows in Equestria, and here was one of his sons; a spirit created by his own twisted hands, standing in her house holding her life in his claws.

“W-Why are you sparing me?” Sunbeam bravely asked, though it was easy to hear the tremor in her voice.

“Ah, now there’s a good question,” the spirit smiled coyly as he walked over to examine the large hole in the wall. “Despite this war still being in our favour, something in my gut tells me that I will soon encounter Celestia again, and considering what I’ve done to her, chances are one of us won’t be walking away from a fight of that magnitude. So then I got to thinking, ‘who would carry on my craft of destruction if I’m banished back to Tartarus?’

“That’s when you decided to scream, my dear,” he turned to face Sunbeam again, a sinister smile now adorning his features as he slowly walked back to her. “And then it all came together for me. After all,” he leaned down, his muzzle inches away from hers, “what better being to inherit my legacy and power than an heir?”

“…No…” Sunbeam gasped as she realised what he meant, the cruel torture he had in mind for her. “No, please, anything but that.” A claw shot past and into the wall to the left of her head as the beast slowly drew near.

“Don’t worry my dear, it won’t hurt. Much.”

---\*/--/-

The land was still and quiet when the shield faded into dust on the wind and the beast walked through the hole in the wall before pausing to look back at the form of Sunbeam curled up, shivering on the floor.

“Well, that was fun,” he heartlessly joked, though no reply came. “I doubt we’ll see each other again so just in case you have any ideas…” He then fired a red beam from his unicorn horn, hitting its mark just above her flank. Yet the beam left no scars, not even a mark, and Sunbeam flinching when it hit proved she was still alive.

Satisfied, the beast turned and walked towards the large mob of fell beasts waiting for him amongst the smouldering ruins of North Hayton, the air filled with the metallic scent of blood as the setting sun looked red through all the smoke billowing from the fires. He stopped a few feet from the group, looking over the mostly unscathed detachment he commanded and noticing there were at least twenty of their number missing. Scowling at the thought, he looked back up at the group, now looking for one face in particular.

“Scrag, where are you?” He said calmly yet his voice carried the steely authority of someone not to be trifled with. Within moments the wolf-like creature stepped forward from the mob and knelt on one knee.

“Y-Yes, Lord Ragnarok?” Scrag asked worriedly, knowing his masters’ temper a fickle and ferocious thing to behold, and now he was within its crosshairs.

“While I understand you were just doing your job, what made you think that mare was worth killing?”

“Um, well,” Scrag stuttered, starting to sweat under the glare of Ragnarok. “She-She was an easy target, a-and you were busy with a squad of soldiers so I-I thought I’d save you the trouble and-”

Before Scrag could utter another excuse he was teleported at least ten feet into the air, and Ragnarok soon teleported beside him, grabbed his throat with a talon and slammed him into the ground, creating a small crater. Scrag, gasping for air through a throat being squeezed tight, looked back to see the silent fury stirring within Ragnarok’s eyes.

“Don’t ever claim to know my intentions Scrag,” Ragnarok told him, his tone as hard as diamonds as he ever so slightly tightened his hold on the wolf’s throat. “And if I want you to do something, I’ll tell you to do it.” He then looked back at their audience, most silently thankful they weren’t on the receiving end. “Understood?” Every single one of them nodded before Ragnarok turned back to his victim. “Understood, Scrag?”

“Under… stood, s-sir,” Scrag barely managed with little access to oxygen.

“Still, just to make sure the message got through…” Ragnarok inhaled deeply before spitting plumes of dark dragon fire forth from his mouth, burning Scrags’ face without a hint of mercy or regret as the rest of the horde looked on worriedly, knowing that their master wouldn’t think twice about doing the same to them. After a few moments, Ragnarok let up and released Scrag, who now had half of his face burnt and partially melted, gasped as he lay immobile due to the pain.

“Hm, having two faces suits you Scrag,” Ragnarok quipped before stepping out of the crater and looking back at the horde. “Do we have our next objective?”

“Yes Lord Ragnarok.” A rust-brown minotaur answered, stepping forward and kneeling before offering a scroll tied together with a stick of candy. “This message arrived from your brother while you were in the hut.” Ragnarok rolled his eyes at how the note was held curled up before taking it within his magic and opening it. From the paper grew a giant red arrow that soared skyward before turning at a right angle and pointing east, a scimitar dangling off of the tip of the arrow.

“Saddle Arabia?” Ragnarok asked in annoyance, looking at the scimitar. “That’s halfway across the planet! Why in Tartarus does Discord want us there?” As if to answer his question the head of a beautiful, familiar mare appeared impaled on the blade; with the exception of near her severed neck, her coat was the purest white one could imagine, with a long horn, rolled-up magenta eyes and a long mane with the colours of the morning sky hanging lifelessly in the wind.

At once Raganrok knew what Discord wanted and a cruel smile worked its way onto his face. “So, my gut instinct was right.” He murmured before looking back at his horde of minions. “Someone pull that filth out of the crater. We’ve got a date with Celestia!”

A bloodcurdling roar sounded from the horde as Ragnarok stamped a claw down on the ground, summoning a large, purple magic circle that soon encompassed his whole group. After building its power for a while Ragnarok grinned as he activated the spell and, in a flash, the monsters disappeared for their next venue of war.

---\*/--/-

Even long after the horde’s departure Sunbeam remained motionless, curled up on the floor of her wrecked hut with her blonde tail between her legs. She dared not fall to sleep, convinced that were she to move something would end her life, though considering what she had just survived she might have wished for death. But, when her sides started to ache from her curled up position, she eventually sat up, moving as gingerly as possible. Without a sound, Sunbeam turned and headed for the hole in the wall, her tail still between her hind legs making it a little awkward to walk.

When she looked up from the ground, the sight nearly made her fall back on her haunches. The buildings that weren’t still burning were reduced to rubble, and the flames provided enough light to see as the sun had now set on North Hayton for the last time. And then there were the bodies. Ponies of all kinds, as well as beasts of all shapes and sizes, lay motionless all around the town on grounds that were stained with their blood.

Sunbeam averted her eyes and looked south, towards the centre of Equestria. She knew that the refugee colony established by the princesses soon after the wars’ inception was the safest place in her right now but as she took one step out of the hut she hesitated, and though he was now far away she thought she could hear Ragnarok’s voice antagonising her.

There’s no point, she almost heard him say in the back of her mind. If Celestia couldn’t ensure your safety here, what makes you think you’ll be safer further into Equestria?

Even though she hated to admit it, the voice had a point. It was in central Equestria that most of the combat was taking place, as well as most of the distortion of the world brought on by Discord’s mere presence. And so, allowing a single tear to fall to the ground in remembrance of her former home, Sunbeam circled her hut until she was heading north and kept walking. She didn’t know where she was going nor did she care, for as long as it was away from the war it would be good enough for her.

On and on she trekked. Past the burning huts of her former neighbours and past the fields surrounding the town. Due to night’s dark embrace, she had no clue what time it was, how much time had passed or how far she had travelled. All of these facts didn’t matter regardless. Everything she had was gone, and would most likely be taken away if she returned to civilization. No, it was better she was alone, especially after her ordeal.

As hints of orange began filtering into the early morning sky on the horizon she finally collapsed, her strength spent and her vision fading. She was cold, tired and more than willing to let the darkness of sleep shroud her vision. But as she allowed the fatigue to wash over her body, a muffled shout reached her ears. They twitched in the direction of the sound and soon Sunbeam swore she heard hoofsteps coming towards her. As she turned her head and slowly opened her eyes, dark figures soon surrounded her, though even through slightly blurred vision she could tell the silhouettes were those of ponies, the largest of which now rested beside her.

One of them said something but it was far too muffled for her to understand, and she tried squinting her eyes to get a better look at her new acquaintances only to feel her eyelids droop in protest, denying her the knowledge. The last things she as and felt were her tired body lifted off the ground and onto something that felt cold and hard, but also strong and shaped like a pony. A dull flash filled what was left of her vision before she finally succumbed to unconsciousness.

---\*/--/-

Softness. That was the first thing that Sunbeam felt as she began surfacing from the darkness of exhaustion. She was encompassed up to her neck in something both as warm as a reassuring hug and as soft as the down of a baby bird, and her head rested on something just as comfortable. Struggling to open her eyes, the first thing she saw was canopy of green fabric that matched her eyes hanging above her, held up by four shimmering pillars.

Barely turning her head to her left, Sunbeam was starting to question if she was indeed awake, as she saw she was in a large bed, the covers the same colour as the canopy while she was within a large room that appeared to be made of crystal. Beside the bed was a small table, also made of crystal, upon which stood a three-piece candle stick that had since been put out. A glance to her left revealed a small drawer with a vanity mirror standing above it. Before Sunbeam could figure out where she was, one of the double doors on the far side of the room opened, its handle surrounded by a light green aura, as a pony entered the room while levitating a tray of food.

Only this mare was unlike any other Sunbeam had seen before.

She stood a few inches taller than Sunbeam did, and had an aqua-green coat complimented by a long silver and pale-lime green mane and tail that had a small streak of gold running through it. She also wore a silver torc and shoes and a small crown on her head. But the thing that stood out most was her long horn and a pair of folded wings.

Even though she was exhausted, Sunbeam realised she was in the presence of royalty.

“Ah, thank goodness you are awake,” She said in a sweet tone, like that of a relieved mother as she set the tray of food down on the bedside table and sat next to the bed.

“W-Where… Where am I-” Sunbeam asked as she tried sitting up, but quickly felt her chest tighten in pain and a magical aura gently push her back down.

“Easy now,” the new mare shushed. “You need rest. You should consider yourself fortunate my husband found you when he did. In your state I doubt you would have been able to escape should a monster have found you. May I ask what you were doing journeying so far to the north?”

Sunbeam was about to answer before, in the space of a few seconds, her memory came flooding back all at once. The battle, the monsters, North Hayton left in ruins, and him. By the time it was over, Sunbeam couldn’t stop her face from contorting into of fear and pain, one her guest quickly caught onto.

“Oh, I-I am so sorry,” She said, her unsure tone showing she understood. “I did not mean to pry.”

Sunbeam shook her head, looking back at the other mare. “N-No, it wasn’t your fault, Your Highness.”

“There is no need for formalities.” She replied with a smile.

“B-but you’re an Alicorn."

“Oh no, I am not an alicorn, at least not like Princess Celestia and Princess Luna. Would you like me to explain?” Sunbeam barely nodded before her guest began anyway. “An alicorn is a powerful creature as they contain the power of all three of your pony tribes; the strength of an earth pony, the wings, speed and sky magic of a pegasus, and the magic and longevity of a unicorn. Alicorns are also ageless, rather than being immortal as some would suggest.

“I am, however, a winged unicorn, or a lesser alicorn if you will. Unlike pure alicorns like Celestia and Luna, I only have the powers of unicorns and pegasi, but lack those of an earth pony. Also, lesser alicorns are not ageless, but rather our lifetime is stretched far longer than that of a normal pony to the point where we seem ageless.” Coming out of her lecture, the mare realised that Sunbeam was staring at her, taking in all the information but remaining quiet all the same.

“Ahem,” the mare went on, blushing just a bit. “Forgive me, I do tend to ramble at times. Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Jade, Queen of the Crystal Empire. May I ask your name, miss?”

The unicorn tilted her head slightly in confusion. “Crystal Empire? I’ve never heard of it.”

“It makes sense that you have not heard of us, as we have remained hidden to protect ourselves. Now, your name miss?”

“Oh, I-I’m sorry for being so rude. My name is Sunbeam, Your Highness.”

“A pleasure to meet you Sunbeam,” Jade replied before her smile faded slightly, “Though, if I may ask a favour of you, please do not use my title when we are alone.”

“But why? You are a queen.”

“Yes,” Jade sighed. “But there is no need for you to do so; I already have an entire kingdom doing that for you.” Looking away, the queen turned and walked to a window just to the left of the bedside table. “Depsite being a lesser alicorn, ponies still treat my husband and I like deities, and our positions as king and queen do not help either. I just wish to have someone to talk to without them bowing and praising me with every breath, to rest at ease without a kingdom’s worth of burdens weighing me down.

“Sunbeam,” She said, turning to face the young mare. “I know this seems very sudden and I understand if you require time to dwell on it, but... well, would you be my friend?”

Sunbeam simply stared back at Jade’s pleading look as a small silence fell upon the room. For several moments her mouth made the attempt to reply only for her voice to disappear. Most fillies would have given up everything to have this opportunity yet, with all that had happened, Sunbeam wasn’t sure if she deserved it.

“Forgive me,” Jade spoke again when she saw Sunbeam would not. “I do not wish to overwhelm you. I shall give you some time to think it over.”

“No, wait!” Sunbeam cried out, her mouth suddenly faster than her brain. Jade looked back to see a scared look in Sunbeam’s green eyes, a foreleg stretched out towards the queen as she was now sitting up in the bed. Sunbeam herself didn’t know why she did this. Maybe it was because she didn’t want to be alone, which given what she had endured might have been the case, or maybe deep down she did wish to be Jade’s friend.

Regardless, the young mare lay back down, looking away in confusion and embarrassment for just blurting out like that in-front of royalty. There was no verbal response, however, as all that was heard were the sound of hoofsteps coming closer before their owner sat next to the bed before her, a compassionate smile on her face.

“Perhaps,” Jade began, placing a hoof softly on Sunbeam’s cheek, directing her to look the queen in the eye. “What you need most right now is not a friend, but merely someone to be here for you. Am I correct?” After a few moments, Sunbeam slowly nodded. “Then rest Sunbeam, and when you are ready, know that I shall be here for you.”

Sunbeam kept staring at Jade despite the fatigue of past events once more catching up with her. This mare, royalty or not, had extended a generosity Sunbeam knew she could never return and had elected to remain with her when fears of solitude raised their head, all for something as simple as her friendship.

“Thank you, Jade.” Sunbeam whispered as she faded back into the dark embrace of sleep, finally feeling safe once more.

2: Early Concerns

I shall always regret the amount of trouble I gave my Mother during my youth; even before I was born I was causing her concerns. To this day, those facts weigh heavy upon my heart.
-- Excerpt of Sombra’s Journal

Sunbeam couldn’t be sure how long she would be safe.

She sat at her palace bedroom window with a long shall draped over her shoulders, looking out over the lights of Glacier Spire at night while thinking about what she should do. It had been over four months since she had been delivered to this safe haven, during which time the Princesses had brought Discord’s reign of anarchy to an end. But instead of returning to Equestria Sunbeam elected to remain in the Crystal Empire, due in no small part to her friendship with Jade. She had made a life in the palace, aiding the staff and fitting in as best a unicorn amongst sparkling ponies could.

But even those facts seemed to be a momentary pleasure. Sunbeam knew at some point somepony would notice why she was slowly becoming a recluse, why she wished to eat in her room and why she recently started wearing a dress everywhere she went. She wasn’t sure how effective her lies were on the palace staff, but she was certain Jade and King Cobalt Blade were aware something was wrong.

Her gaze turned from the wandering ponies down below to a small sketch adorning her bedside table. Depicted in it were her and Jade smiling like fillies with Cobalt standing to the side, also grinning at the two mares. It was tearing her up inside, but Sunbeam knew at some point she’d have to leave, lest she wish to be deemed a threat.

“Sunbeam, are you awake? It is me, Jade.” The familiar voice called out, Sunbeam’s melancholy thoughts were interrupted by the knock at her door.

She froze, remaining silent in the hopes of staying this discussion a few moments longer at least. Despite this, Jade remained at the door. “Sunbeam, I am concerned for you, we all are. You rarely leave your room anymore, and when you do it is not for long. Please, tell me what is wrong. Cobalt and I can help.”

Realising Jade wouldn’t leave this time, Sunbeam sighed and turned away from the door. “No one can help me with… this.”

“With what Sunbeam? Please let me help.” Jade pleaded, concern raising the volume of her voice.

Sunbeam felt so ashamed, shutting out her best friend like this. She had to. How could she know how Jade would react? What guarantee did she have that her friends wouldn’t change their mind?

“Sunbeam,” a more determined voice called out, one she instantly recognised as Cobalt’s. “Please, open the door. Whatever troubles you, we can help.”

Sunbeam sighed and dropped her head, knowing there was no point resisting if both winged unicorns were waiting on her. Though she did not move, she closed her eyes and awaited the inevitable as she unlocked her door with a flicker of magic.

Within seconds the door slammed open and Jade rushed to Sunbeam’s side, her slightly dishevelled mane proof of how long she must’ve been waiting on the other side of the door before speaking up.

“Sunbeam,” she said, embracing the unicorn from side on. “I know not what troubles you, but you do not have to face it alone. Why shy away from us, from me?” Cobalt came to her other side, a more reserved yet still concerned look adorning the figure of the Empire’s ruler. Sunbeam glanced at him and then back to Jade before sighing.

“Because I wasn’t sure… if, if you would want me here…”

“Why on Equis would we ever turn you away?” Cobalt asked calmly. Sunbeam closed her eyes and a shimmering yellow aura removed the shall.

“Sunbeam, I do not understand-” Jade started, but then stopped herself when she noticed it.

There, on Sunbeam’s belly, a small bump was starting to show.

Silence fell upon the room for a moment, Sunbeam’s one of dread whilst Cobalt and Jade were stunned. Finally, the quiet was broken by the king. “Sunbeam… you are with foal?”

Sunbeam nodded as Jade examined the bump more closely. “Why did you not tell us? Sunbeam, this is wonderful-”

“No it’s not!” Sunbeam shouted, tears beginning to form as memories of North Hayton were starting to return. Jade sat back, looking at Sunbeam in confused shock. She had never seen her like this before while Cobalt brought an armoured hoof to his chin in thought.

“In North Hayton… he…” Sunbeam continued, though it was clear doing so wasn’t easy. “In my home, he…” In her mind’s eye flashed the face of that monster, and the ensuing memories that followed culminated in tears running down her cheeks.

In an instant Jade embraced the crying mare while giving her space near her flank. “I am so sorry Sunbeam.” Sunbeam hugged back, letting her tears run into Jade’s coat. “I did not realise.”

“Do you know where the father is?” Cobalt asked, his brow furrowing. “I have some choice words for that pathetic stallion.”

Sunbeam shook her head. “I-It… wasn’t a stallion…” She inhaled, knowing full well what she was about to say would bring. “He… he said he was… a son of Tirek.”

Jade gasped, and looked to see Cobalt’s expression quickly morph from shock to one of determined thinking. Jade knew that look, one he wore when he weighed up important decisions, especially those related to national security. Subconsciously, her hold on Sunbeam tightened by a fraction.

“I am so sorry,” He said sincerely before standing and turning away.

“Cobalt, wait!” Jade called out, raising a hoof before he teleported away, most likely to contemplate what to do. But Sunbeam’s quiet sobs reminded her where she was; embracing a friend who had seen and experienced things no living being ever should.

“W-What happens now?” Sunbeam asked through the tears. “I’ll be banished, won’t I? Or even…”

“No.”

Sunbeam opened her eyes and looked up, seeing a compassionate, yet determined face looking back at her. “But, but I’m-”

“You are my friend,” Jade interrupted. “What happened to you was a travesty, one I am sorely appalled you had to endure. But that should not define you, for I have seen the kind, helpful mare you truly are.

“And upon my crown I swear to you; no one, not even my husband, shall lay a hoof on you as long as I am Queen.”

Sunbeam didn’t know what to say. So many warring emotions ran rampant through her mind and here stood her best friend; willing to stand beside her and even defend her if necessary. With renewed tears she embraced Jade tightly, one the queen returned as the two sat in the quiet room.

---\*/--/-

Sunbeam felt very dizzy when she woke, finding herself in her bed once more. Drearily looking to her right, she saw Jade sitting and staring out the window as she herself had done not ten hours earlier. The un-queen like bags under her eyes told Sunbeam that she must’ve stayed up long after the unicorn fell asleep.

Before she could say anything, a nauseous feeling quickly spread all over her body. Out of the corner of her eye she spotted a silver pail and grabbed it before vomiting loudly. A few minutes went by before she felt confident enough that there was no more on the way. Silently cursing morning sickness, she pulled her head back to see that Jade had been holding both the pail and her mane back with her magic.

“I guess that explains the mystery of the foul teleporting pail,” Jade said with a sympathetic smile. Sunbeam blushed. In her ill-conceived attempts at hiding her morning sickness, she had been using her newly-learned teleportation spell to send her pail to random areas of the palace and then stealing it back once it was clean, much to the confusion and annoyance of the cleaning staff.

“I’m sorry,” Sunbeam said, only to see Jade shake her head in response.

“If in your position, I would have teleported it to the edge of the city. Though with your limited teleportation experience I am unsure how far you could teleport it. Given what I have seen, perhaps your spell could reach halfway down one of the main parades.” Jade looked back to see Sunbeam staring at her.

“Oh… I was rambling again, huh?” Jade asked with a sheepish grin, to which Sunbeam nodded.

“Oh, I don’t mind.” Sunbeam replied as the two began to laugh. The laughter stopped, however, when a knock rang out and the door opened to reveal a soldier in the glittering silver and gold trimmed armour of the Imperial Royal Guard.

“My apologies for interrupting, Your Highness,” He said with a bow to Jade. “The King has requested your presence, and that of Lady Sunbeam, in the Throne Room.” Jade nodded in thanks for the message, and he turned to return to his post. Sunbeam sighed but looked up when a hoof rested on her shoulder, seeing Jade looking back with that look of reassurance she wore so well.

“What’s going to happen?” She asked as she slid off of her bed.

Jade shook her head. “That is for the King to decide,” She replied, but carried on upon noticing the unicorn looking down. “But I meant what I said last night. Should the need arise, I shall fight alongside you.”

Those words gave Sunbeam some measure of hope and, with a deep breath, she followed the queen out the door and down the corridor. The halls glistened with the trademark sheen that the cleaners were so renowned for. Some were still at work, pausing only to bow in Jade’s wake and offer a curious glance or cheerful smile to Sunbeam.

Reaching one of the four staircases of the palace, the two friends began their climb. One main complaint that Sunbeam had with the palace was the stairs themselves. The real reason why she decided to learn the teleportation spell was to avoid using them, as she always swore there seemed to be more steps each time she used them. But since she was walking towards the decision on her future, and being alongside Jade, Sunbeam shelved her curses towards the stair-crazed architect.

“Sunbeam!” A voice brought Sunbeam out from her thoughts one floor from their destination. Looking down the hall she saw her friend Mirror Shine, a mare on the cleaning team, rushing away from her job of wiping down the walls to meet them. Her black maid’s uniform, much like her pale coat and lavender mane, shone like diamonds as she approached.

“Sunbeam, where have you been?” She asked. “It’s been ages since we last caught up. Why haven’t you been around? I-” Mirror would have continued her concerned questions had she not noticed the Queen standing a few feet away. At once she bowed. “M-My apologies, Your Highness. I didn’t know you were standing there.”

“It is alright, though Sunbeam and I have urgent matters to attend to in the throne room. Once we are finished, and if she feels up to it, you may speak with her then.” With that, Jade turned and continued ascending, leaving Mirror looking to Sunbeam for answers.

“I’ll tell you later,” Sunbeam added, forcing a small smile before catching up with Jade. Together they stood at the crystal doors before they swung inward to reveal the throne room.

“Her Highness, Queen Jade, and Lady Sunbeam.” Imperial Guard Captain Fracture announced as the two mares walked in. Sunbeam had been in this room a scant few times, and each occasion made her look on in wonder. The ceiling was twice the height of the rest of the palace and crystal stalagmites formed pillars in-between open sections of wall. Through these spaces one could look out over all of Glacier Spire and many kilometres beyond.

And at the end of the carpet stood an elevated throne within a shimmering outcrop of crystal, its owner sitting with the poise only a ruler could possess. A regal red cape ran down his back and covered his light blue wings, while amongst his midnight blue mane and horn sat the small crystal wreath that represented his station as King.

“Leave us,” he muttered, his expression unreadable as his golden eyes were focussed solely on Sunbeam. With nothing but a nod from Fracture, the guards filed out of the room until the unicorn and lesser alicorns were its only occupants.

For a long time nothing was said, which only made Sunbeam more nervous. She knew Jade would be there if necessary, and while she trusted Cobalt enough that anything worse than exile was beyond him, she still felt terrified for her future.

“W-Well?” Sunbeam asked when it was apparent Cobalt wouldn’t be the first to break the silence. “A-Aren’t you going to punish me?”

“Why would I do that?” Cobalt replied, maintaining control over his emotions.

Sunbeam was surprised. This wasn’t how she was expecting this would play out. “B-Because I, I’m carrying the child of a son of Tirek. How-”

“Ragnarok.” The King interrupted.

“Huh?”

“That is the name of the vile beast who did this to you.” With a light blue magic, Cobalt raised a book and flipped through it until he found it. Once he did, he turned to show Sunbeam, a picture of the monster greeting her before he began reading out loud.

“‘Ragnarok, the third son of Tirek and Spirit of Destruction. Amongst the thirteen sons, only Grogar, Spirit of Rage, and Discord, Spirit of Chaos, are mightier.’” Cobalt then looked up to the worried features of Sunbeam. “You are fortunate he spared you.”

“Fortunate?” Sunbeam asked incredulously before pointing to her foal bump. “You call this fortunate?! And what if this Ragnarok comes back to find us?”

“Princess Celestia herself buried him under two kilometres of glass, along with all of his servants and over four hundred of her bravest soldiers. He will never rob anyone of anything ever again.” Cobalt explained coldly before softening his tone as he descended from the throne to stand before the unicorn. “Furthermore, there is a chance that sparing you may be the undoing of Ragnarok’s plan.”

“What do you mean?” Jade finally spoke up, moving to sit beside Sunbeam.

“I will end it if it is born a monster. But, if born a pony, then the task will fall to you to raise it and keep it in check.”

Sunbeam took a few moments to register Cobalt’s edict. “W-What?”

“Should your child be born an ordinary pony, then you should raise it as one. With the right guidance and care, its upbringing may be enough to keep it from fulfilling the legacy its father desires.”

“You… You want me to… raise it?”

“Well, a foal does need somepony to care for it,” Jade replied, “and you would receive all the aid in the Empire if that is what you wish.”

“But, but its evil!”

“No one is born evil, Sunbeam,” Cobalt countered. “A being is defined by the lessons they learn and the experiences they live through. Ragnarok was taught the foul lessons of Tirek’s vitriolic darkness, and knows only the experience of enduring Tartarus’ horrors.

“But your child, should you still wish it, will be raised in one of the most peaceful and love-filled nations Equis has ever witnessed and, as Jade mentioned, you would receive any and all aid you require in raising it.”

“B-But…” Sunbeam stuttered, trying to find some excuse she could use to avoid this. Despite the reassuring words, her fear of what this child could become still terrified her. She stopped, however, when Jade placed a hoof on her shoulder and looked her dead in the eye.

“Sunbeam,” she spoke, the calm yet firm tone of a Queen in her voice. “Would you really condemn an unborn foal to death merely due to its lineage?”

That question stopped Sunbeam’s argument in their tracks, shaking her to the core. When all bias and fear-mongering was removed, that was exactly what she was doing. She walked away from the two nobles and stood at the glassless window, looking down on the southern parades of Glacier Spire, her thoughts running through everything said. Despite the claims her fears practically yelled at her, there was calm and well-thought out truth to Cobalt and Jade’s words, and she knew she could trust them.

“But,” she asked, her fears mounting one last attempt to worm her way out of this. “But what if I fail? What if I’m a terrible parent, and it hates me.”

“No child is perfect,” Jade said with a small smile, glad Sunbeam was finally seeing the truth of their words. “After all, Cobalt once stole his mother’s jewellery to give whilst courting me.”

“You are never going to let me live that down, are you?” Cobalt asked, the slightest red tinge adorning his cheeks as he joined them, Jade giggling all the while.

“My point, Sunbeam, is that raising a foal is never an easy task. Every parent I know will attest to this. But they will also agree that the end results are worth all the pain and tears; that at the end will stand a filly or colt that brings you nothing but pride and happiness.

“And, as we have both already promised, we will be there to aid you throughout that journey. The only remaining question is will you follow that path?”

“The choice is yours and yours alone Sunbeam.” Cobalt added. “We cannot force your decision.”

Sunbeam took this all in and closed her eyes in thought. The wind passed through her mane and every possible outcome played out in her mind. Cobalt and Jade waited patiently and, after a few minutes of silence, Sunbeam opened her eyes, shaky determination radiating from them.

“I-I’ll do it.”

“I am so proud of you,” Jade replied as she embraced Sunbeam, and looking over the unicorn could see Cobalt’s mask of authority had fallen, revealing a small, proud smile.

“I only hope it won’t be too much trouble,” Sunbeam murmured.

---\*/--/-

“I told you you’d get in trouble,” Quartz Guard told his unicorn friend as the two ten year old colts sat outside the door of Headmistress Rosetta Stone. Every now and then some other students or a teacher would pass by, offering either a snickering glance or a disapproving stare. Sombra was used to those. Such disdain from the majority of his peers was the reason he once again waited for whatever punishment was being hammered out behind that door.

“I know,” the unicorn sighed, looking to his only real friend before donning a small smile. He was thankful to have a colt like Quartz as his friend, as the shimmering grey pony always stood up for him no matter what snide jokes or back-hoofed comments were thrown. “But you didn’t have to punch Lapus in the face.”

Quartz shrugged. “Well, he’s always been a jerk. Plus, after what he said about your-”

The door chose this moment to swing open as Sunbeam backed out of the room, offering its occupant an apologetic look before turning to the two grey colts.

“Quartz, you can go in now.” She said, a hoof pointing to the door all the instruction necessary for the crystal pony to trot in. He offered one last glance back at Sombra before Sunbeam closed it behind him. With a sigh, she then fixed him with an annoyed glare before walking past him.

“Wait, we aren’t teleporting home?” Sombra asked as he slid off the chair, confused that she wasn’t telling him off inside their home by now.

“No,” Sunbeam replied, stopping but not looking back at her son. “This way you can experience the embarrassment first-hoof.” With that she began walking again, with Sombra rapidly falling in line behind her after grabbing his saddlebags. A few students they past grinned and giggled at him, one such pony being the shimmering Lapus Lazuli from before. The unicorn glared at the azure colt, whose smug grin showed satisfaction at the result of his now blackening eye.

Once outside the academy mother and son turned left, heading for the south east parade of Glacier Spire before turning towards the Palace and inner district. As they moved further inwards through the cold winter breeze, Sombra kept his gaze down, trotting close behind his mother’s blonde tail and trying to ignore the glances from passers-by. She was right; this was more embarrassing than simply getting yelled at back home. His mind dwelling on whether things could get worse, those thoughts were answered when he bumped into Sunbeam.

Looking around her, Sombra quickly realised why. Standing in their way was none other than Gilded Statute; a highly influential noble and a constant thorn in his mothers’ side. His tailor-made suit, pristine white coat and slick black mane and tail were enhanced only by the natural shine of his crystalline coat. Once his blue eyes zeroed in on the young unicorn his trademark cocky smile emerged.

“Trouble with your miscreant son, Milady?” He asked, mockingly bowing to Sunbeam despite them holding the same rank of power within the Empire. At the mention of him, Sombra hid behind his mother slightly.

“That’s none of your concern, Statute,” Sunbeam replied in a cold tone. “What’s more, I am in no mood for anything you have to say. You’re also in the way of me getting home.” She pointed to a grand-looking building only a few houses down. “Step aside.”

If the show of restrained aggression had any effect on Statute he didn’t show it, instead still wearing his smug grin. “I was only asking a question, clearly not enough of a crime to warrant such aggression. Although…” He peered around to once again spot Sombra. Despite the smile on his lips, there was a coldness in the lord’s eyes that sent a shiver down Sombra’s spine. “The saying that an apple doesn’t fall far from its tree does spring to mind.”

The ponies within earshot were watching on to see where this led. Sombra, meanwhile, witnessed his mother sport a face of shock before it rapidly morphed into one of rage. She instinctively lowered her head, pointing her horn at Statute and readied a spell. Sombra’s mouth dropped open in surprise, and even Statute began looking nervous at the magic before him.

A bright flash shone for but a moment, and Sombra opened his eyes he and his mother were by the front door, in the familiar surroundings of their home. To his left was the kitchen, cordoned off by the bench, while to his right sat the living room; three lounges surrounding a soft rug and the large fireplace. The living room area also housed the stairs to the bedrooms while beneath them was the hall that led to the laundry, Sunbeam’s personal study and the back yard.

Sombra dared to look back at his mother and saw her on the verge of exploding. Her teeth were bared and she angrily huffed, staring menacingly into the space before her. While terrified, Sombra was also ashamed that his actions allowed her to get this enraged.

“Sunbeam?” A voice called out before Mirror Shine appeared at the top of the stairs. “I thought I heard-” She trailed off as she saw the state Sunbeam was in, quickly rushing to her friend’s side. “Sunbeam, what’s wrong?”

The unicorn took a few minutes to breathe deeply and regain some composure before responding. “Nothing.” She then turned to Sombra, who had been trying to make himself as small as possible. “Sombra, this is the third time this semester you’ve been sent to Headmaster Stone’s office. You can’t keep fighting all the ponies that make fun of you for being a unicorn.”

“B-But it wasn’t my fault.” Sombra replied, trying stand up for himself. “Lapus was the one who-”

“I don’t care who started it, I’m ending it.” Sunbeam interrupted as Mirror looked on worriedly between the two. “You’re grounded for a month. The only reason you should have to leave this house is for school. Now go to your room.”

“But Mum!”

“Now!”

Sombra stared at her for a moment before running up the stairs as fast as his small legs would carry him. He turned right and slammed his bedroom door before leaning against it as tears started building up. The blue wallpaper and toys strewn across the floor were of little comfort as he sat there crying, his mind fixated on the angry glare of his mother.

He wasn’t sure how long he’d been sitting there; whether it be minutes or hours didn’t concern him. Sniffing away the last of the tears, Sombra moved over to his bed and pulled something small out from underneath it with his red-hued magic. Turning it over, Sombra blew the dust off the cover of one of the spell books from his mother’s study, and turned to a bookmarked page.

The page for teleportation spells.

---\*/--/-

“He said that?” Mirror asked incredulously as she and Sunbeam sat at the kitchen bench, each with a cup of tea and some sandwiches she had prepared. Evening had fallen upon the empire through the front windows as Sunbeam had explained the days’ events; her day organising the expansion attempts of new towns in the Empire, the meeting about Sombra’s latest fight, and then her encounter with Gilded Statute.

“I wanted to blast him right then and there,” Sunbeam admitted tiredly, all the energy from her earlier rage subsided. “But if I had I would’ve proved his point. I have to set a good example for Sombra.”

“And yelling at him was a good example?” Mirror asked before taking a sip.

“I know,” Sunbeam sighed. “But I thought Sombra had learned his lesson after the last time this happened. I mean, he said he didn’t care about being teased for being a unicorn anymore.”

“Maybe it was something else?”

Sunbeam sighed again, looking up at the roof towards Sombra’s room. “What do I do now?”

“I think you should give him a little space for the moment. Maybe talk it out in the morning.” Mirror gave her a reassuring smile. “After all, it’s not like you drifted apart after the last time you were mad at him, right?”

“Thanks Mirror.” She said, giving the crystal mare a hug. Sunbeam felt a small smile emerge at Mirror’s words. She was lucky Mirror quit her job to serve as her housekeeper, but even more so to have her as a friend. “Hey, could you send some food up to Sombra? I may’ve grounded him but that doesn’t mean he should skip dinner.”

“On it,” Mirror said with a grin, carrying the sandwich on a plate as she headed upstairs. Arriving at Sombra’s room, she gave it a good knock. “Sombra,” she asked, her tone gentle. “It’s me, Mirror. I’ve brought you some dinner.”

Silence from within the room greeted her, causing concern to start slowly coiling within her. She slowly opened the door, finding the candles unlit and a lump underneath the bed sheets.

“Hey, Sombra?” Mirror asked again, setting down the plate as she moved over to the bed. “Are you okay?” She prodded the lump with a hoof, only to find it offer less resistance than expected. Confused, she ripped the sheets away and terror filled built up at the result.

The lump was a pillow.

“Sunbeam!” Mirror yelled.

---\*/--/-

A sneeze was the only sound apart from the chilling wind as Sombra slowly walked away from the only home he’d ever known. Looking back he could still see the towering spires of the palace shimmering in the distance. The long-range teleport had taken all the magic his little body could muster, ending up just beyond the borders of the city. His mother had always mentioned Sombra had a large wellspring of magic for a colt, but he often brushed it off, not believing it himself.

Another gust rushed past him, tugging at his favourite red scarf. Making sure it and his saddlebag full of hidden snacks were secure, Sombra set off at the same tired pace as before, trudging through the light snow that had begun to fall. All the while, his mind replayed all the events of the day; Lapus’ awful insult that sparked the fire, then witnessing his mother’s barely contained fury.

I’ve never seen her that mad before, he thought to himself. She must really hate me. This sobering thought stopped him, and he sat down, his feelings started to get the better of him again. He sniffed once more before the breeze sent a chill through him once more.

“Sombra!”

Sombra looked up, his ears swivelling to try and find the faint voice. Seeing no one around, he shrugged, assuming it was the wind and started walking again.

“Sombra, stop!”

This time he definitely heard someone. A shadow zoomed over him before its owner landed, his midnight blue mane blown about by the wind.

“Uncle Cobalt.”

“Sombra, what are you doing out here?” The winged unicorn asked as he came up to the colt. “You had us all worried.” Sombra didn’t reply, looking away in embarrassment. Of course his mother would go to the King and Queen for help, she considered them as family. Why didn’t he think of that?

“It does not matter,” Cobalt sighed once he realised Sombra wouldn’t reply. “Come along, we should be heading back.” With that, the King charged his horn and fired off a flare spell, the light climbing high before bursting in a blue flash and descending slowly.

“I-I’m not going back.” Sombra stuttered, though whether that was due to the cold or his fear of defying the King was unclear.

“Pardon?” Cobalt asked, surprised by Sombra’s meagre declaration.

“I-I don’t belong there. E-Everypony would be better off without me.”

“Sombra, what is wrong?” Cobalt sat next to the young colt, draping a wing around him when he didn’t respond. “You can tell me, I will not laugh.” Looking up at the reassuring smile of the King, Sombra sighed as he focussed on what happened.

“Well, at the academy, there’s this one colt, Lapus Lazuli. He’s always picked on me because I’m not a crystal pony, calling me ‘dirt pony,’ ‘wannabe noble,” and other stuff. I’ve tried ignoring him, but then, today…” Looking back up Sombra saw that Cobalt was still listening. “Well, today, he called Mum a ‘horned leech,’ said she was sucking up to you and Aunt Jade to be popular.

“When he made fun of Mum, that’s when I started fighting him. My friend got involved too but I was the one who got into a lot of trouble. Then, when Mum came and got me, she was really mad. And then she bumped into that Gilded Statute pony and she got even madder. She… she yelled at me… as if she hated me.” Emotions getting the better of him once more, Sombra sniffed as he tried wiping away the tears that no doubt made him looking like a wimp.

“Sombra,” Cobalt finally spoke up after allowing the colt to calm down. “Believe me when I say that your mother loves you more than life itself. Why else would she rush to your aunt Jade and I, begging us to help find you?” Sombra looked down, considering Cobalt's words as he continued.

“I understand that it may be hard to ignore barbs aimed at you and your mother, but you need not defend your mother from foalish insults. This ‘Lapus’ has only said such things to get under your coat and agitate you.”

“But, but what he said isn’t true.”

“I know, but you reacting angrily will only give him what he wants. And do not worry about Statute. Your mother and I can handle him.” With that, Cobalt stood up and turned, angling a wing to show Sombra his back. “Now, how about I take you home? I am sure your mother is anxious to see you home safe and sound.”

---\*/--/-

“Don’t worry Sunbeam,” Mirror said as she watched Sunbeam pace by the lit fireplace. “I’m sure the King and Queen will find him.”

“But I should be out there looking for him,” She replied. “I know that any moment now Sombra could come home, but I can’t just sit here and wait.”

A knock from the door stopped Sunbeam’s speech, as she stared at it while Mirror Shine went to open it. All the while Sunbeam was praying to the White Mare that Sombra would be on the other side of the door. The opened door revealed both the King and Queen, and clambering down from Cobalt’s back was a tired-looking grey colt.

“Sombra!” Sunbeam nearly yelled, rushing over and hugging her son the second he was inside. “You had me so worried. Why did you run away like that?” She backed up to see him looking uncertain. Cobalt cleared his throat, gaining Sombra’s attention for a moment before encouraging him with a nod.

“I-I’m sorry I ran away Mum,” Sombra began, struggling to look Sunbeam in the eye. “But, but I wasn’t sure, if you wanted me around anymore…”

It took only a second for Sunbeam to understand his words. “Sombra, I was disappointed that you got in trouble again, but that doesn’t mean that I don’t love you. No matter what happens, I’ll always love you. And, I’m sorry too. It was wrong of me to yell at you like I did. I was just angry at what Gilded Statute said about you.” Mother and son then embraced as the three ponies watching on had relieved smiles on their faces.

“So,” Sombra dared to ask. “Am I still grounded?”

Sunbeam chuckled. “We’ll see.”

3: A New Craft

Throughout my childhood, I had always been reminded of the stigma of being different that I bore. I often wondered whether I could ever be somepony that contributed and be accepted for not what they are, but what they can do. I am therefore grateful beyond belief to have ponies that recognise this and stand by my side.
--Excerpt of Sombra’s Journal

“Keep it up everypony! Stay focussed and visualise.”

The instructions echoed up from the grassed central courtyard of Crystal Academy to the second floor window, from where Sombra sat as he watched his classmates in their most, and his least, favourite class. Looking down, he spotted Quartz, standing rigid with his head bent in concentration. His glistening coat seemed to flicker for a moment before he stomped the ground with his fore-hooves. In the same instant, a crystal matching his grey coat colour unearthed itself before him. While he felt happy for his friend, Sombra couldn’t help but be tinged with sadness as well over the feat.

Crystalmancy. The greatest ability by crystal ponies and the source of most of the Empire’s innovations and defences. Being similar to earth ponies, crystal ponies had a connection to the earth; much like pegasi did with the sky and unicorns with their magic. By channelling this connection, crystal ponies could spawn and control the vast amounts of crystal that lay below the soil of the Empire, shaping it to their will as they so desired.

Like the small groups his classmates formed in the courtyard, crystalmancy could be used in a variety of ways. The three main uses, however, were construction, crafting and combat, the latter being Quartz’s focus as he struggled to levitate the crystal before willing it into a few targets set up further along. The stone failed to hit the mark, but it got closer than most others attempting to hit the targets, Lapus included.

A shame though that Sombra couldn’t see it up close. Being the only unicorn at the academy meant he had no need for attending the class, and doing so often led to Lapus and his retinue of followers to unleash whatever they considered their best new insults. So Sombra sat alone, up in an empty class, watching his classmates achieve something he never could.

“Sombra.”

The colt jumped at the sudden voice, turning to see the sparkling steel-grey coat and bun-donned maroon mane of Headmistress Rosetta Stone. While normally she wore a face of either busy indifference or tired concentration, gazing at Sombra were bespectacled brown eyes that held a look of something bordering sympathy.

“H-Headmistress?” Sombra asked, instinctively sitting a little straighter in his stool. “I-Is there something I can help you with?”

At first, she didn’t reply, instead continuing to analyse the young colt before answering. “Sombra, I know it must be difficult sitting through the class only watching, but you should still be down there learning all that you can. Crystalmancy is an important part of life in the Empire after all.”

“Yeah, only for those that can use it,” Sombra muttered dejectedly, looking back out at the class down below. There was no immediate reply as Rosetta considered her response. Sombra went back to looking down at his class and, since the Headmistress not standing right next to him, resisted the urge to make a fool out of Lapus with his magic.

“Well then,” Rosetta spoke up, moving to stand between Sombra and the window to get his attention. “What if I was to say that unicorns can use crystalmancy?” A small grin of satisfaction crossed her muzzle as the colt immediately looked at her, wide-eyed and curious.

“What? Who? When?”

“Well, let’s make a deal, shall we?” Rosetta sat down, looking Sombra in the eye. “As this is your last class before the day ends, I’m willing to allow you to leave early.” Sombra’s mouth opened to unleash the barrage of questions, but a raised hoof stopped them before they could escape as Rosetta continued. “In exchange for leaving early, your task is to research crystalmancy and present me your findings in one of two ways; either a five page essay on the craft and the unicorn who was able to master it.

“Or,” she glanced behind her before leaning closer in. “You bring me a shard you yourself summoned using crystalmancy.”

Sombra’s inquisitive energy died right off once the headmistress finished. “What? That’s not fair!”

“I never said you had to agree to my terms Sombra,” Rosetta replied with the well-refined calmness of an experienced teacher. “However, the alternative to this project is sitting here, all alone, inside this empty classroom for the next twenty five minutes. But that is entirely your decision.” With that, the mare turned and left, a knowing smile hidden from the colt’s view.

“W-Wait!” Sombra called out before the Headmistress could step through the door, his saddlebags hovering behind him. “I-I’ll do the assignment.”

---\*/--/-

“Great, now what?” Sombra sighed to himself as he began the slow trot home. Walking down the side street, he racked his young brain on what to do. He wasn’t sure if his mother had any imperial history books at home, and despite the Headmistress’ words, he was still pretty sure unicorns couldn’t use crystalmancy. But he had agreed, in a desperate attempt to escape the boring and sad empty classroom.

So consumed in thought, Sombra didn’t realise where he was going until he bumped into someone, falling back onto his flank. “Oh, I’m sorry,” he said instinctively.

“No, it’s my fault, I wasn’t looking where… Sombra? What are you doing out of the academy?”

Sombra, recognising the voice, looked up to see the familiar form of Mirror Shine looking back, empty saddlebags strapped across her barrel. “Oh, hi Mirror. I’m not skipping class, honest.”

“Uh huh,” Mirror replied after a moment as Sombra stood up, her disbelief easy to spot.

“No, really,” Sombra went on, levitating the note Headmistress Stone had given him to Mirror. “Headmistress Stone said I could leave early if I did an extra assignment.” He waited anxiously, fiddling with his scarf as she read through it. A wave of relief rushed throughout his body when her smile returned.

“Geez, these are pretty tough terms, aren’t they?” Mirror thought out loud before passing the note back to Sombra. “Well, your mother hasn’t come back from her duties at the palace yet, so why don’t you stay with me for a little while?”

“That’s okay, I could teleport inside.”

“Did you forget about your mother’s ban on teleportation spells? Your last teleport is why you’ve been grounded the past week after all.”

“Oh… right.”

Seeing him drop his head, Mirror placed a hoof on his shoulder. “It’s not all bad,” she said as they started walking down the main parade. “I’m sure you could learn a lot about crystalmancy from everypony down at the markets. Surely someone there will be able to help.”

“Y-Yeah,” Sombra replied, feeling a little better. Despite this, a thought suddenly made itself known to him. “Wait, Mirror, can you use crystalmancy?”

“Of course I can, silly.” Mirror replied with a chuckle.

“Well, it’s just, I’m not sure I’ve ever seen you use it.”

“I use it all the time back at home, I’ll admit, the way I use crystalmancy probably isn’t as exciting as what you’re learning at the academy, but it’s how I got my cutie mark and my old job at the palace.” As the two entered the outer district further down the parade, Mirror looked to her side to see Sombra levitating a notepad and quill, no doubt taking notes.

“So, you use crystalmancy to clean?” He asked, his face showing confusion about the concept in his mind.

“Yes. I… oh… How can I explain it to you? You know we crystal ponies have a connection with the crystals when we shape them?” Sombra nodded. “Well, my connection isn’t as strong as some other ponies. When I was little, I struggled to summon any decent sized crystals. After a while, I was about to give up when I tried making one gem bigger when it shone instead.

“What happened was my will to improve the gem made its surface sparkle and gleam. I just have to press my hoof hard enough against the crystal and will it to shine brighter. It might not be the usual skill-set crystalmancy’s used for, but it works for me.” Mirror finished her small story with a proud glance at the mark adorning her flank; a feather duster with an opal attached to the end. Looking back, she saw Sombra finishing taking notes before looking back at her with a big smile.

“So, crystalmancy can be used in different ways other than the main three.”

“Yes, and I bet there are other ponies down here in the market that use them in different ways too.”

Sombra looked up from his notepad to see the two were now in the outer district markets. Lining the sides of the parade and side streets were a plethora different stalls, manned by all sorts of ponies selling all sorts of wares. Sombra also noticed something lacking from the inner city; self-entitlement. Many ponies that lived in the inner district of Glacier Spire were all either nobility, military or had extremely well-paying jobs. To be among less privileged ponies felt better. Yet something still nagged at him in his mind.

“Hey, Mirror, why aren’t we shopping closer to home?”

“Well, I like it here.” She answered with a simple smile. “Besides, I grew up down here, and the shops in the inner district always charge a forehoof for stuff you could get down here for a few bits.” With that, Mirror turned and started gazing around before settling on a produce cart a fair way down the parade.

“Well, ‘ello there Mirror. Been a while.” Behind the cart stood an orange stallion with brown hair hidden beneath a wide-brimmed hat, his laid-back attitude was easy to discern through his smile.

“Hey Bronze.” Mirror replied cheerfully. “It has, hasn’t it? I’ve just been a little busy, especially with this little guy to keep out of trouble.” A nod of her head drew the stallion’s attention to Sombra, who instinctively moved behind Mirror a fraction.

“Oh, so this is the little fire-starter, huh?” He asked with a chuckle. “No need t’ be shy, buddy. Name’s Bronze Crop. Ah take it yours is Sombra?” The colt nodded slightly, the easy-going nature of the farmer starting to make him relax as he stepped out from behind Mirror. “Well then, how ‘bout an apple for the little guy, on me this time.” With that, Bronze tossed him a fresh red apple, Sombra only just catching it with his magic before the fruit impaled itself on his horn.

“T-Thank you sir,” Sombra replied, though Bronze waved it off.

“Aw shoot, you don’t have to thank me for that. An’ call me Bronze from now on. Ah’m not too fussy on titles. So,” Bronze went on, now turning back to Mirror, “What can Ah get you?”

“I’ll need... hm,” Mirror brought a hoof to her chin. “For now, just a hoof-full of lettuce leaves and a few carrots, apples and onions.”

“Comin’ up,” Bronze answered with a smile as he got to work. It wasn’t long, however, before he noticed Sombra staring at him. “Somethin’ Ah can help you with?”

“Huh?” Sombra squeaked before clearing his head with a shake. “Oh, um, I-I was wondering if you would like to help me with something.”

“Well, what kinda somethin’?”

“A class project,” Mirror answered as she hoofed over a small amount of bits for the bag Bronze handed her.

“I’m researching crystalmancy,” Sombra went on, feeling a little more confident. “And I was wondering if you wouldn’t mind telling me how you use crystalmancy?”

A hoof placed itself on Bronze’s chin. “Well, Ah don’t use it too often. Usually all Ah use it for is makin’ a barrier ‘round my crops, so critters can’t bury underneath and steal my stock. Bein’ a farmer means Ah don’t need to use it too much.”

As Sombra scribbled notes down in his notebook, a faint noise began ringing out. Swivelling his ears, Sombra looked around, hoping to find the source. While he couldn’t see it, he could see a few surrounding ponies groan as the sound got slightly louder.

“White Mare damn it, he’s at it again.” Bronze Crop grumbled.

“Who’s at it? What’s that noise?” Sombra asked, turning back to face the two older ponies.

“It’s Stone Cutter,” Bronze replied, his carefree attitude not so anymore, replaced by an agitated one. “Lives on the outskirts of the city, not that it helps with all the blasted noise he makes.”

Not understanding, Sombra turned to Mirror for answers. “He’s an old crystal smith who lives out in the expansion district. He makes all kinds of stuff out of crystal shards, but I thought he had an apprentice who took over from him. What happened to her?”

“Apparently she couldn’t stand him pesterin’ her. Can’t say Ah blame her, what with how stubborn that old coot is.” Bronze shook his head with a sigh. “You two sure are lucky living so far in the city. He’ll sometimes work all through the night! Drives most folks ‘round here up the wall.”

“Well, I’m sure he has his reasons,” Mirror replied, trying to play peacemaker. Sombra, meanwhile, looked out towards the outskirts of the city, where the noise seemed the loudest. Within moments, he figured out a plan.

“Hey, Mirror? I think I’ll head back to the academy, see if Quartz is finished there.”

Mirror, looked at him for a moment before nodding. “Alright, but no getting into trouble. I don’t want your mother thinking you’re out breaking the rules again.”

“Oh, let the colt be a colt.” Bronze cut in with a sly grin. “You only get be young once buddy, so you’d best make the most of it.”
Sombra nodded before heading back in towards the city, leaving Mirror keep shopping around in the markets. Once he was a few blocks further into the city, he took a left down a side street. Daring a glance back down the main parade, Sombra was both relieved and a little guilty that Mirror didn't see him purposely turn down the wrong road. Trotting a little further in, he widened his stance and concentrated, his horn slowly glowing crimson.

Sorry Mum, sorry Mirror, he thought as he cast the spell.

And in a flash, he was gone.

---\*/--/-

After a moment of hesitation, Sombra stepped off the crystal roads of the outer district and onto the grass of the edge of the city. Dubbed the “Expansion District” by the rest of Glacier Spire, this was where the lowest income earners of the city lived. Being beyond the crystal roads of the outer district meant the ponies living here were living in danger, for if the city were to be attacked, the walls designed to rise and protect the city would separate them from everypony else.

But walking through the pathways between smaller huts and houses, Sombra still felt at ease. These ponies, though visibly poorer than everyone else, seemed happy with what they had. Furthermore, there were more patrols of the Imperial Guard out here, and the main barracks were stationed in the north of the expansion district.

The banging Sombra had been following snapped him out of his sightseeing, focussing on a slightly larger building than the rest, though it was a fair way away from the other buildings, and backed out onto the expanse of the southern plains. The sound was nearly deafening here, proving to Sombra Bronze’s complaints weren’t exaggerations. Looking around, he took a deep breath and entered the front door.

The inside was mostly taken up by aisles of shelves, all of them full of various items, trinkets, tools and even weapons of crystal. Some items even hung on the roof from thin pieces of string. A bell rung as Sombra walked in over the crystal floor, closely examining a suit of golden armour with a blue star adorning the chest piece.

“Welcome to my shop, what can I do-” Sombra turned to see a sparkling, slate-grey stallion with messy silver hair and glass goggles hanging around his neck walk out from a door behind the counter. Age was starting to have a visible effect on him, given the slight slouch of his neck, but his hooves still looked strong and his steel-blue gaze sharp. Said gaze was now thoroughly examining Sombra.

“What are you doing in here?” The stallion asked suspiciously. “Where are your parents?”

“Oh,” Sombra stumbled, caught off-guard. “Um, they’re not here right now. I’m just, ugh… Looking through, I promise.”

The pony’s brows furrowed as he began walking towards Sombra. “I’ve been chasing off no-good colts long enough to know when I’m being lied to, son. So unless your parents are waiting outside, I want you out of my store. Now.”

Gee, Bronze Crop wasn’t kidding, Sombra thought. Seeing the firm stare he was getting, he sighed, deciding honesty was the best policy.

“I’m sorry for just walking in here, Mr. Stone Cutter. It’s just, well, I’m doing an assignment for my class at the academy. I need to research crystalmancy and its uses throughout the empire, and I thought ‘Nopony would know more about crystalmancy than a crystal smith.’” Sombra lit up his horn, showing Stone Cutter his note from the Headmistress as proof. “So… I know it’s a little rude, but… could you perhaps teach me a little about crystalmancy and how you use it?” Stone Cutter remained silent throughout Sombra’s story, reading through the note before hoofing it back.

“Sorry, son,” He said with a shake of his head, “But you’re better off learning from a book than me. Besides, you’re distracting me from my work.” With that, he turned and began heading back to the door out the back.

“Well, can I at least watch you work then?”

“I already said you’re a distraction.” Stone Cutter stopped but didn’t turn around. “I value perfection in my craft, which will be impossible with you in the room. Plus, this project is for one of those up-tight nobles in the inner district. They’re tight-plots about the detail so, like I said, I can’t have you distracting me.”

“I won’t say a word.” Sombra said desperately, stepping forward. “You won’t even know I’m there.”

“I said no!” With that, Stone Cutter turned around and slammed his fore-hooves onto the crystal floor, summoning a wall of jagged emerald gems between him, the shelves and Sombra. Nervous, Sombra was forced to back up as, with each forceful hoofstep Stone Cutter took forward, the wall matched his movements and advanced closer to the young unicorn until he was back at the front door.

Sombra looked back at Stone Cutter’s stubborn glare, anger growing inside over the stallion’s blind dismissal. It wasn’t a huge favour he was asking. Just to answer a few questions or sit quietly and watch. Was that so much to ask for?

“Fine!” Sombra shouted, his horn glowing as he slammed his fore-hooves on the floor of the door way. With a loud cacophony crashing around him, Stone Cutter looked around to see a majority of his wares scattered on the floor. He turned back to shout, only to see the unicorn running away.

“Stupid colt,” Stone Cutter grumbled to himself as he started the slow process of putting his shop back together. With a firm stomp, the wall he had summoned shattered into smaller pieces. “Hm, these might be useful.” He started placing the shards in a pile when he noticed something different. Something… out of place. Upon closer examination, his eyes widened before looking back out the door, in the direction Sombra had run away.

---\*/--/-

“Sombra, I have to say I’m a bit disappointed,” Headmistress Stone said after reviewing everything Sombra had done for his report. All three and a half pages of it. Looking over at the colt, however, it was obvious he had at the very least tried. There were bags under his eyes after a hard night of studying, and his drooped head showed nothing but resignation and exhaustion. Looking at his work again, she was actually impressed. Despite not reaching the five page minimum, he’d gone into detail on all three basic uses of crystalmancy, as well as a few that branched outside those categories. It was obvious from this he’d been paying attention from the few crafting lessons he’d participated in, but he still failed.

“I will give you credit for your hard work, but you did fail to reach five pages. As such, you now need to attend all crafting classes whether you like it or not. Understand?” Sombra nodded and as about to hop off his chair and leave before a knock came at the door. “Come in.” A young mare with glasses, which Sombra recognised as Peridot, stuck her head through the door.

“I’m sorry to disturb you Headmistress, but there’s someone who wishes to see you.”

“Send them in.” She replied with a nod before turning to Sombra. “You may go to class Sombra. Better hurry though, you’ve only got a few minutes before first period.” Sombra nodded and began trotting out until he saw who stood at the door.

There, wearing a weathered blue jacket, was Stone Cutter.

“Can I help you sir?” Rosetta Stone asked, noticing Sombra’s sudden tense posture around this stranger.

“Yes,” He replied with a nod. “My name’s Stone Cutter. I’m a crystal smith from the expansion district, and I was hoping I could talk to this colt here.” A hoof pointed to Sombra and the young unicorn’s mind filled with all sorts of scenarios, most of them involving Stone Cutter getting revenge for his shop.

“What is this about?” Rosetta asked sternly, moving to Sombra’s side.

“Oh, no, it’s not like that.” Cutter replied, putting his hooves up in defence. “You see, this colt came into my store yesterday asking if I could help him out. I was in the middle of work so I may’ve been a little hasty in saying no.”

“W-What do you mean sir?” Sombra asked, stepping forward.

“This.” With that, Cutter pulled out a gem fromhis pocket and placed it on the floor before teacher and student.

“It’s just a red gem,” Sombra admitted after studying it for a few moments.

“Sombra… That’s no ordinary crystal,” Rosetta said with shock slowly encompassing her features.

“It’s a pure ruby,” Cutter explained. “It’s one of the rarest crystals in the Empire, and one of the hardest to summon. I found it while cleaning up my workshop after our… encounter.”

“So?” Sombra shrugged. “It’s a rare gem. What does this have to do with me?”

“You summoned it.”

A stunned silence descended on all four ponies in the room, including Peridot, who was still listening from the half-opened door. Sombra stood there, slack-jawed, glancing between Stone Cutter, the ruby and back again.

“I-I did that?” He stuttered as the bell for first period rang.

Cutter nodded. “And, if you want, I can help you master crystalmancy.”

“…I could summon crystals…?” Sombra muttered as he stared back at the gem, the gears in his mind spinning frantically over what this could mean for him.

“Sombra?” Sombra turned back to see Rosetta smiling at him. “Why don’t we retry your assignment down there?” She pointed at the window, Sombra quickly picking up her meaning. Still a little shocked, he nodded and led the way to the courtyard, Stone Cutter and the Headmistress following in tow as they passed classes, including his own, on their way.

Once on the grass, Sombra took the same broad stance that he saw Quartz take during each lesson. While Rosetta stood back and watched, Cutter was circling the colt, analysing his technique before stopping before him.

“Let’s see what you can do.” He instructed.

Sombra nodded, concentrating much like he would when casting a spell. But instead of directing his energy through his horn, he focussed hard, trying to redirect it through his hooves instead. As he did this, he also envisioned a gem the size of a hoofball, willing it to be summoned. Once he felt he was ready, Sombra struck at the ground with all the might his little body could muster.

Nothing.

The ground before him didn’t even show a bulge. Flashbacks of his first few crafting lessons rocketed into his minds’ eye, and the embarrassing memories made him realise that most of the classes were actually looking down, wondering what was happening.

“Ignore them,” was Stone Cutter’s blunt response, snapping Sombra out of it. “You’re more used to channelling energy through your horn, correct?” Sombra nodded. Cutter looked down, pacing in-front of the colt in thought before facing him again. “Then do that. Channel your energy through your horn, yet still go through the motions you’ve learned here.”

Sombra looked up at his horn, then down at his hooves before finally settling on the grass before him. Doubt began circling in his mind, along with thoughts of what his peers were whispering right now.

“Come on Sombra! You can do it!” Surprised, Sombra turned to see Quartz Guard standing next to his mother, smiling as confidently as he always did.

With that little boost, Sombra took a deep breath, his features now more determined. He took the stance again and focussed once more, following Cutter’s instructions and channelling his energy to his horn rather than his hooves. Clenching his eyes, built the pressure higher and higher before finally slamming his hooves down. As his hooves made contact, the tell-tale sound of displaced earth roared before him. Panting a little, he slowly opened his eyes to see the result.

There, standing before him, was a massive ruby monolith, easily the height of a classroom ceiling.

Sombra just stood there, regaining his breath as he, and everypony else watching, stared in awe of what just happened. This didn’t last long though, as Sombra was soon tackled off his hooves.

“That was amazing! Way to go Sombra!” Quartz yelled joyfully as he let his friend up, beaming from ear to ear. “How’d you make one that big?”

“I… I don’t know,” Sombra admitted.

“Nicely done, son. You’ve got one heck of a talent there,” Cutter said as he came over to the two colts. “In more ways than one, it seems.”

“W-What do you mean?” Sombra asked. Stone Cutter just showed a small smile as he pointed a hoof. Sombra followed it and the shock on his face rapidly turned into joyous relief.

Upon Sombra’s flank was a newly appeared image of a three-pronged outcrop of ruby crystal.

4: The Fair

The Crystal Fair. An event more grand and amazing than one could imagine. Regarded as the most important event on the Imperial calendar, it is a day every crystal pony holds dear. As such, not one of us saw coming the event that would forever change our nation, and our lives.
--Excerpt of Sombra’s Journal

“Sombra, hurry up!” Stone Cutter yelled over the banging of hoof on crystal.

“Give me a second!” The unicorn stallion shouted back, refocussing on the ceremonial glass sabre on the workbench before him. Channelling his energy as Stone Cutter had taught him a decade prior, Sombra brought his hooves down, willing the odd rough surface of the blade back into line. A few more strikes sounded out before Sombra stopped, took off his goggles and levitated the weapon close to examine his craft. With the smile of a job well done, he slid the sword back into its scabbard and walked out to the display portion of the shop, where Stone Cutter and a well-dressed pony waited.

“Sorry for the delay, sir.” Sombra said as he brought the sabre before the customer. “Just making sure it was flawless.”

“I would hope so,” he replied in a bored tone as he examined the blade. “Master Statute will most definitely demand a refund if such is not the case.”

“If Sombra says it’s flawless, then I’ll stand by that,” Stone Cutter spoke up. The action brought a small smile to Sombra’s face, seeing someone defend what he worked so hard on. “Now, our fee?”

“Oh, yes. Of course.” The customer placed a brown fabric bag on the counter, the sound of bits jiggling within. “One hundred and forty bits, as agreed.” Stone Cutter took a look inside before nodding to Sombra, who then placed the sabre in a velvet-lined case and hoofed it to the customer. “Good day to you both.” With that, he turned and left, the ringing bell ringing out his exit.

“Up-tight plot,” Sombra grumbled, the smiling face he put on for customers crumbling instantly.

“Well, that’s what you get when you’re raised with a silver spoon in your mouth up there in the inner district.” Stone Cutter replied, a sly smile on his face as he placed the bits in the crystal vault beneath the counter.

“Hey! I was raised in the inner district and I turned out fine.” Sombra mock pouted, turning his head in a huffy manner before the two stallions started laughing.

“Well, Mr. Upstanding Citizen, why don’t you call it a day? I can close up on my own.”

“What?” Sombra asked, looking a little surprised. “You sure you can manage it without me? You’re not exactly in peak physical form.”

Looking over his mentor, it was obvious age now had a visible effect on him. There was a lot more grey hair in his mane and tail, and his posture lacked the strength it once processed. Sombra had even had to use his magic to help him lift a few items from time to time.

“Son, I was managing this store long before you wandered in, so I think I’ll be fine. Besides, I might not be as big as you, but these hooves of mine still have some strength left in them.”

Sombra shook his head with a smirk. “Fine. I know when not to argue with a stubborn old mule.”

“This stubborn old mule has the power to fire you,” Stone Cutter shot back with a sly grin of his own. “Now get out of here. You’ll just get in the way.”

“See you tomorrow,” Sombra called out with a laugh as he magically put on his scarf and saddlebags on the way out. The dusk held a small chill as Sombra stepped outside the workshop, yet nopony showed any sign of discomfort. The few ponies that were present on the expansion district path were either on their way home after a hard day’s work or just chatting casually with friends. As Sombra entered the outer district, he spotted one such friend shopping around the parade markets.

“Quartz.” Sombra called out as he came over to meet his childhood friend and roommate. Like Sombra, Quartz Guard had grown into a strong stallion, though he lacked a few inches compared to Sombra. “What’re you getting?”

“Oh, just some stuff for tomorrow,” he shrugged as he paid the salespony and grabbed a bag of food. “You should’ve seen some of the lines in the inner district shops though. I almost thought one of them would’ve come into the outer district.”

“I bet the nobles were scared of getting robbed this far out.” Sombra laughed as he and Quartz turned down one of the side streets towards their shared house. “So, how were the students today?”

“Ugh, don’t get me started on Diamond Crown,” Quartz groaned, bringing a hoof to his face. “Just because she’s the daughter of some uptight noble that makes her believe she could do a better job teaching the class. Tartarus, she’s barely summoned a gem bigger than a pebble, yet she’s even more of a brat than Lapus was!”

Sombra rolled his eyes as they came up to the front door. Despite following his mother’s hoofsteps and becoming the crystalmancy instructor at the academy, Sombra knew Quartz wanted to join the Imperial Guard and “defend the Empire as a hero”, as he put it.

Opening the door, Sombra let Quartz place the shopping on the kitchen bench to the right of the entrance before passing the unicorn and collapsing on the couch to Sombra’s left with a loud sigh. Sombra, meanwhile, levitated his scarf, goggles and saddlebag up the stairs in-front of him and around the corner into his room.

“So,” Sombra asked as he grabbed an apple from the bench and took a bite. “You have any plans for tomorrow, or are we just going to lay about here all day?”

“Of course we’re not staying here all day,” Quartz replied, looking over the back of the couch like Sombra had sprouted a second head. “Not with all the mares around.”

Sombra planted a hoof firmly into his face. “Quartz, please don’t tell me you’re going to spend all day following mares.”

“Don’t need to,” Quartz replied with a cheeky grin. “Opal Orchard asked me out.”

Sombra immediately spat out his bite of apple. “Opal Orchard?! How in Tartarus did that happen?” It didn’t make any sense to Sombra. Opal Orchard was one of the sweetest and most popular fillies back in the academy, and her popularity carried over into financial success with her inner district flower store. So for someone like her to randomly ask out Quartz seemed unlikely.

Quartz shrugged. “I don’t know. I got out of the academy and then out of nowhere she strikes up a conversation. Next thing I know, she wants to meet me later on tomorrow.” The crystal stallion laid back, resting his fore-hooves behind his head. “I don’t know about you, but I have a feeling tomorrow’s going to be an incredible day.”

“Yeah… Me too…” Sombra replied, his smile covering a small bout of uncertainty.

---\*/--/-

“Hear ye, hear ye! Their Majesty, King Cobalt Blade and Queen Jade, do cordially welcome one and all to the four hundred and ninety eighth Crystal Fair!” With the royal crier finishing his proclamation, Cobalt lit his horn and shot a bolt of magic into the bright sky, the spell exploding in a dazzling array of colour to signal the start of the Empire’s most cherished tradition. Down below, the gathered crowd of ponies roared in delight at the announcement, Sombra and Quartz joining in.

“So,” Sombra asked as the crowd began to disperse to each of the different booths set up for the fair. “You off to meet up with Opal?”

“Not yet,” Quartz shook his head. “We can look around and see what’s on offer. Corn on the cob?” Sombra nodded, and the two set off for their desired food.

The next few hours passed quickly as Sombra and Quartz followed the throng of ponies enjoying the fair. They enjoyed special delicacies, watched on as entertainers performed in the streets and bought a few knickknacks, all of which Sombra teleported back to the house. After a while though, one event caught the eye of both stallions; the jousting. Joining the growing crowd in the stands, the two friends sat and watched excitedly as members of the Imperial Royal Guard would take turns charging at one another.

“That guard’s real good,” Quartz commented as the winning stallion waved to the crowd for what was his fifth consecutive victory. “You think he can beat the captain?”

“Doubt it,” Sombra shook his head. “Fracture’s an incredible jouster. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him lose.”

Quartz shrugged. “Doesn’t matter. It’s getting close to the time Opal wanted to see me. Want to come?”

“I don’t think Opal would like me tagging along with you two,” Sombra pointed out as he stood. “I’ll probably look for Mum. I was planning on spending the final hours of the fair with her anyway. Come on, let’s go.” Nodding, Quartz followed the unicorn down through the crowds. But before they could exit the stadium, Sombra saw something. Coming towards them was the seemingly unstoppable Royal Guardspony.

“You two, halt!” He called out, the two friends complying. While Quartz’ eyes were lighting up with excitement, something seemed familiar about that voice.

“Yes sir.” Quartz replied with a prideful salute. “Can we help you with something?”

“Not really,” the guards answered with a smirk that Sombra instantly recognised as he removed his helmet. “Although it’s nice to see you two outcasts finally showing me some respect”

Staring back at them was the midnight-blue coated face of Lapis Lazuli.

“You flank-kissing plotho-” Anything else Quartz said was muted as Sombra cast a sound dampening spell, one he used on Stone Cutter’s workshop to stop complaints, as well as lifting him off the ground in case he tried using crystalmancy.

Lapis smirked. “Well, and here I thought you becoming an instructor would’ve tempered your foul mouth. Then again, it is a shame the fillies and colts of the Empire are denied a quality instructor because of nepotism.”

Quartz’ eye twitched before he let loose with a tirade of silent swears. Sombra strengthened his grip on his struggling friend before turning his annoyed gaze back at Lapis. “What do you want?”

“Oh, nothing more than to show these ponies a good time, as well as prove my standing as a stallion worthy of respect. You two should stick around. After all, I’m about to become the first soldier in Imperial history to best Captain Fracture in a joust.”

“I’m afraid we can’t stay,” Sombra replied in a neutral tone as Quartz crossed his forelegs and looked away. “However, if you like, I could give you a tip about Fracture.”

This caught both Lapis and the silent Quartz off-guard. “Excuse me?”

“No, really.” Sombra said. “He’s incredibly tough, but I’ve seen him practice. I know his technique, and if you want I could let you in on it.”

Quartz’ mouth hung agape as Lapis’ confident smile returned. “Well, it seems you aren’t as big a loser as I thought, Stick-head. Go on then, but make it quick; I need to prepare for the bout.”

Sombra ignored Lapis’ insulting nickname for him and pressed on. “Well, the key to beating Fracture is knowing where he’s going to strike, and that’s always where the armour is weakest.” The unicorn then took a step forward, examining the side neck-guard of Lapis’ armour. “I’ve made dozens of suit of armour for the Royal Guard, and all of them are pretty well forged. But sometimes, if you strike with enough force right here,” Sombra explained, placing a hoof onto the armour right near the left shoulder, “Then it can cause the suit to shatter and do some serious damage.”

Sombra stepped back and allowed himself a small smile at the sight of Lapis’ face; draining of colour and fixed with a mixture of fear of shock. “And judging from the hoof-work on yours, it has the same problem. A problem Fracture is very aware of. But I’m sure a valiant Royal Guard such as yourself will be fine. Good luck with your match.” With that, Sombra released Quartz and turned, proudly marching away from the now visibly worried Lapis Lazuli.

“Sombra,” Quartz spoke up again as the two walked away from the stands. “That was amazing! Oh, wait until Opal hears about this!”

“You really want me to come along?” Sombra asked with eyebrow raised.

Quartz shrugged. “I don’t see why not.”

Sombra sighed. “And you wonder why you’ve been denied before. You go on ahead, I don’t want to bring down any chance you have with her. Besdies, I promised Mum I’d see her before the Crystal Heart powers up. But you have a good time, and say hi to Opal for me.”

“Okay then. See you later.” With that, the two friends split up; Quartz headed down one of the side streets while Sombra carried on down the parade and into the upper district.

---\*/--/-

As he kept browsing through the high-end stalls, one thing Sombra observed was that, like in most previous years, the upper class rarely spent the day outside their own district. Instead they would rather enjoy bragging about an achievement or show off an expensive trinket, much like Gilded Statute, who Sombra spied wearing the ceremonial blade he made yesterday.

Ignoring them, Sombra came to the central plaza; home of the palace and the Crystal Heart. Hovering in place in-between two spires directly beneath the palace, it was said to be carved by the Empire’s first queen and that she was gifted the powers of love and unity to fill it with from the White Mare herself. With each Crystal Fair, the nobility and all citizens would give the power of these values they believed in to the jewel, which would in turn use it to purify and protect the land from all that would harm it.

“Sombra! Over here!” His ears swivelling, Sombra quickly discovered the source of the voice. Near one of the palace entrances stood both Queen Jade and his mother, the latter holding a cone of ice cream with her magic.

“Hey Mum,” Sombra answered as he approached, giving the now smaller mare a hug before slightly bowing his head to the Queen. “Your Highness.”

“Hello Sombra,” Jade smiled. “Enjoying yourself?”

“Of course.” Sombra then noticed his mother smirk out of the corner of his eye. "What’s so funny?”

“Oh,” Sunbeam giggled. “I just remember when you were a colt, and how you got scared when the Crystal Heart was activated.” The two mares broke into giggles as Sombra blushed slightly.

“Mum, not in public.” Sombra whispered, looking around nervously at who was listening while his mother and aunt burst into another bout of laughter.

“Sorry, but you were so cute back then.”

“And you know,” Jade added. “Most mares actually prefer cute stallions.” The playful smile grew as Sombra’s face grew redder by the moment. “Say, where is your friend Quartz Guard? I hear it is rare you two are not together.”

“He’s off with somepony else.” Sombra hurriedly replied, thanking the White Mare for the subject change. “We’ll meet up later on.” Before Sunbeam could reply, the sound of trumpets rang out from above them. Looking back down from the ceiling, Sombra noticed their group was joined by another familiar face.

“Your Majesty,” he said as he bowed his head in the presence of the King.

“Greetings Sombra, Sunbeam.” Cobalt Blade replied before turning to his wife. “It’s time.”

“Yes, I did hear the signal.” Jade replied with a smile as the two came together and walked out towards the gathering crowd of shimmering ponies, Sunbeam and Sombra following a small distance back.

The citizens lined the border of the palace. There were a few guards stationed within the perimeter, but no one would dare try anything with what was coming. That said, Sombra quietly noticed there were still a few ponies milling about. While it was understandable that the shopkeepers would stay behind or beside their stalls, for almost every year he could remember there was never a single crystal pony that would miss the activation ceremony. One other important thing he noticed was that Opal was close by, yet Quartz was nowhere to be seen.

“Citizens of the Crystal Empire!” Cobalt called out with a booming voice, garnering everypony’s attention. “I thank you, one and all, for attending and helping to make this Crystal Fair a thoroughly enjoyable experience. For centuries, this day has been a time to come together. Whether you be nobility or commoner, soldier or civilian, we come together to renew the spirit of love, light and unity that we hold dear, and help spread them across our great land.

“So now, I ask you not as a King, but as a fellow citizen of Glacier Spire. Please, as we have for centuries past, and hopefully for centuries to come, help us ignite the beacon that will spread love and light throughout our great Empire!”

Turning towards the Crystal Heart, Cobalt gracefully bowed before it, the crystalline paving beneath him beginning to glow. Jade followed his lead, as did everypony gathered together. As the glow from the ground continued to spread throughout the city, Sombra and Sunbeam shared a happy glance before they too bowed. Like his mother taught him years ago, Sombra charged his magic while envisioning the happiest, love-filled thoughts and memories. Times he messed around with Quartz as a colt, the gifts and care he received from Mirror Shine and his adoptive aunt and uncle, and his mother’s love flowed out from his heart, and the soft glow from behind his eyelids and the slight tug on his magic told Sombra he was successful in joining in.

As the glow grew brighter and brighter, it suddenly vanished as all the energy was drawn into the Crystal Heart. The sacred gem increased its rotational speed, spinning faster and faster until all the collected energy was released in a burst of blinding light. The pulse quickly expanded past the gathered citizens, and as it passed over Sombra he felt his coat become tingly and strange.

Standing straight and opening his eyes, a smile quickly formed when, for this one moment each year, his dull grey coat shimmered just as brightly as everypony else. Looking around, he saw he had risen a fraction earlier than the others. His mother was still bowed, savouring the moment and feeling of a shining coat as well, and Cobalt and Jade were beginning to rise. But casting his gaze across the crowd, Sombra’s face froze and his blood ran cold at the sight.

Scattered throughout the crowd, even amongst the Royal Guard, were dark, pony-like creatures with insectoid wings and jagged horns. For a moment they, along with everypony present, were stunned by the sudden appearance. Then the one Sombra first noticed charged its horn, green magic surrounding and extending past it, and swung to its right, carving a large gash into the pony next to it.

The moment the stallion dropped dead on the ground, chaos erupted.

Suddenly, all the creatures began slaughtering everypony in sight, be they civilian or Royal Guard. Some took to the skies on buzzing wings and blasted ponies from above, while others used their magic to lay waste to the former celebration. As the Royal Guard hastily tried to combat this threat, the crystal ponies were running in a blind panic, their once shining coats now a duller hue of their former selves. A buzzing noise grew louder as Sombra turned to see one of them closing in from above, its horn aimed directly at Sunbeam.

“Mum, get down!” Sombra shouted, leaping over her to tackle the creature out of the sky. Getting to his hooves quickly, Sombra looked up to receive a hoof full of holes to the cheek, knocking him down again. The creature leapt on top of him, horn charging up the killing stroke. Sombra braced for the end as he heard his mother scream, her voice growing closer.

But a cry of pain roared out instead of his end, and after feeling wet droplets fly onto his face, Sombra looked up to see a light blue crystal blade embedded in the beasts back. A blue aura grabbed the handle as the sword lifted the creature into the air, only to have three more swords manifest from the palace walls itself and skewer it in the head and torso.

“Sombra, are you alright?!” Sunbeam cried out as she skidded to a stop beside her son. Sombra’s response was to tightly embrace her, his breathing shaky.

W-Why, Sombra thought as he witnessed the chaotic scene before him. He didn’t have much time to ponder this though, as three more beasts charged at him. “Mum, get back!” Flinging his mother out of the way, Sombra channelled his energy and struck the ground, summoning a wall of ruby for the insects to run into. Two connected hard with the wall while the third took flight, only to be caught by the blue magical hue and thrust to the ground, its head impaled on a newly summoned spike of crystal.

Sombra looked behind him to see Cobalt staring their way, a mask of unbridled fury adorning his usually calm face. Around him, the Royal Guard were starting to gain ground in the fight against the bugs, Sombra noticing Captain Fracture escorting Jade into the palace, swiftly ending any enemy that dared approach.

“ROYAL GUARD!” Cobalt roared, his voiced magically amplified to a level Sombra didn’t know the King could reach. “PROTECT OUR CITIZENS! LET THIS FILTH KNOW OUR WRATH!” With that, the King rocketed forward, four crystal blades instantly summoned and magically held near his outstretched wings as he proceeded to carve up enemies in a vicious, unforgiving chain of attacks. By the time he stopped, twelve insects dropped dead on the ground. Emboldened by their King, the Royal Guard followed suit, bringing the fight to the intruders.

“Mum, are you alright?” Sombra asked, dragging his gaze away from the bloody conflict to his mother. Sombra recoiled a little. He had never seen Sunbeam this terrified. She sat there, shaking with her forelegs wrapped around her shoulders. Quickly glancing around for any nearby creatures, he instead found Opal Orchard hiding beside one of the inner district mansions. A plan forming, Sombra swiftly lifted Sunbeam onto his back and galloped towards the closest door of the palace.

“Get her inside and keep her safe!” Sombra barked at the guard protecting the entrance before bolting the mansion, dodging green beams of magic and scuffles between creature and guardspony. “Opal! Opal!”

The cowering mare heard his cries, her eyes widening at the sight of him. “S-Sombra?” She asked, the tone of her voice bordering on hysterical. “What’s going on?”

“I don’t know,” Sombra sharply rapidly. “Where’s Quartz? What happened to him?” Opal’s quizzical gaze did nothing but increase Sombra’s worried heartrate. “He said you asked him out yesterday, and he went off to meet you.”

Opal slowly shook her head. “I haven’t seen him today. I haven’t even talked to him in months.”

Those words ramming shards of icy fear into Sombra’s heart, he turned and ran, disregarding Opal’s cries for an explanation as he frantically looked for his friend. He poured energy into his horn, spreading his magic as far as possible to try and find his friend’s distinctive presence. All around him the battle raged on; insect magic squaring off against crystalmancy. Above him, five of the beasts tried to bring down Cobalt Blade, hoping sheer numbers and ferocity would be enough. But Cobalt deftly dodged each attempt, slicing off wings and limbs in a flurry of crystalline blades.

Finally, after dodging a brawl, Sombra finally felt Quartz’s presence down one of the side streets. Racing down the road, Sombra turned into an alley in the middle of the road to find his friend, though he wasn’t alone. Quartz sat there, his eyes faded green as if in a dream, as one of the creatures had its mouth on his throat, its body radiating a growing wellspring of magic.

“Get away from him!” Sombra yelled, summoning a chunk of ruby before hurling it at the bug. It backed away from Quartz, fangs on display, before charging at the unicorn. Sombra stood firm before teleporting next to Quartz, shaking his friend. “Quartz, can you hear me? Quartz!”

Before Sombra could get an answer, something struck him hard in the cheek and sent him crashing into the alley wall. His head swimming, he looked back up to see the insect charge up its horn before firing a green bolt of lightning. Pain seared throughout every vein as the bolt struck true, leaving Sombra writhing on the ground in pain.

Struggling to open his eyes, Sombra saw the creature turn to the prone Quartz Guard, summoning the same magic blade he saw earlier around its horn and arching its neck back. In that instant, Sombra knew what was about to happen.

He was about to witness Quartz’s execution.

A strange, unknown feeling instantly sparked to life within Sombra; something primal, something sinister. This feeling gave him strength enough to block out the pain and stagger to his hooves.

The bug was about to swing, but stopped and stare in what the unicorn thought was shock. Sombra took a strong, wide stance as the beast charged at him, blade ready to decapitate. Sombra charged his horn with as much magic as possible, the sensation almost feeling like it burnt his horn doing so. Just as it was about to strike, Sombra released the built-up magic with an animalistic roar of rage.

Sombra’s vision went black with flashes of purple for a moment as the noise of his magic unleashed deafened him to everything else. Once it was over, Sombra immediately brought a hoof to his head, his aching horn and a sudden migraine nearly sweeping him off his hooves. Shaking the strange exhaustion away, Sombra looked up to try and find the creep that dared hurt his friend.

What he found threatened to bring everything he had eaten that day back at once.

A ditch had been roughly carved into the ground by Sombra’s magical blast, as well as a large crater in the wall of the building in-front of him. But then Sombra noticed the green stains running along the ditch’s edge, as well as various organs, or what was left of them, and bone shards that led to what remained of the bug. Sombra didn’t get too good a look at the corpse, but he was fairly certain it was missing its head and at least one leg.

“Mm, Huh? Wh-Where am I?” A familiar voice murmured. “Sombra? What… Tartarus… Sombra, what happened here?” Sombra didn’t answer, still focused solely on the dismembered corpse he had literally just blown to smithereens.

His mind scrambling for answers while fighting off the nausea from the blast, Sombra hyperventilated before finally losing his lunch.

5: Premonitions & Preparations

In hindsight, my decisions in the days following the initial attack were blinded by determination and national pride. But, even if I retained my current memories, were I given the chance to make those choices again, the result would be the same.
--Excerpt of Sombra’s Journal

With a shout Sombra shot to a sitting position, his breathing rapid. Slowly, he regained his composure and looked around, only to almost lose it again.

Sombra sat in darkness. Apart from the occasional swirl of grey or purple, there was nothing else. Even beneath him there appeared to be nothing, like he was floating in a void despite gravity still holding sway.

“H-Hello?” He called out, rising to his hooves as his ears swivelled and eyes scanned his bleak surroundings. “Quartz? Quartz, what happened?” Fears beginning to increase, Sombra readied a light spell, only to get a splitting headache in response. As he reached for his horn, something caught Sombra’s eye. It vanished before he could turn to see it, yet mere seconds later it flashed by again.

“Hey, wait.” Sombra hurried after it, running on darkened air after the only thing other than himself. It flashed once more in-front of him; a pony-like form turning right. Sombra leant right, only to smack into an invisible wall. Quickly clearing his head, he kept moving forward, his tail dragging against the wall until there was none there.

Sombra wasn’t sure how long he had been following this pony, twisting and turning through this invisible maze. But regardless how long he may have been taking, the image always seemingly waited for him before flashing again. Finally, Sombra came to some form of distinguishable landmark, an area where the ground glowed a soft purple. Yet what he saw stopped him dead in his tracks. In this area were dozens of the insectoid ponies from the Crystal Fair, climbing on the invisible walls and hovering as they gathered around something in the centre. Looking through a gap in the group, Sombra’s blood ran cold.

In the centre was an unconscious Quartz Guard.

“Quartz!” Sombra yelled, rushing forward only to be blocked by a large group of bugs. Sombra tried using his magic again only for a migraine even stronger than before nearly swept him off his hooves. Looking back up, Sombra caught a face full of green magic. The blast blew him back, slamming into another wall with a loud smash, a visible crack merely floating in the abyss. Shaking the cobwebs out of his head, Sombra looked back up to see himself surrounded, the beasts smiling wickedly at him.

“No,” Sombra pleaded, backing up against the wall as he felt his horn begin to burn. “Stay away!” The bugs responded by advancing, their jagged horns alighting with a green hue. Despite the rush of fear and the burning sensation of his horn, something else sparked inside him, that same feeling from earlier.

“I said stay back!” Sombra roared, his magic finally unleashing its fury in a blinding flash of darkness. As Sombra’s sight began returning, he noticed the burning sensation and that familiar feeling had receded, and all of the insectoids had vanished.

“S-Som… bra…”

Sombra quickly looked around, not seeing anything until he looked down. Instantly, he wished he hadn’t.

There, where those vile insects had been mere moments before, lay an injured pony. Save their head, the body was limp, contorted in ways Sombra dared not imagine. That is, the parts that were still attached. Out of the corner of his eye he noticed an entire hind leg off in the distance, as well as a few organs strewn around within the large pool of blood.

But that wasn’t what scared him. It was who the pony was, and the tear-filled emerald eyes that bore into his soul.

“S-Sombra… My little Sombra… why?”

---\*/--/-

“NO!” Sombra cried out as he sat ramrod straight. The sound of metal clattering on the floor around him did little to calm him down as the young stallion’s eyes quickly darted all around, his surroundings a bright blur.

“Sombra, calm down! You’re safe.” Hearing that voice, Sombra’s panicked state began to fade. Forcing himself to take deep breaths, his surroundings became all the more clearer; a curved rectangular room with crystal walls. Beds like the one he currently sat upon lined the outer wall, with ponies in medical garb and bedridden spectators stared back at him in surprise and another emotion Sombra couldn’t pinpoint. And, standing beside his own bed, stood his mother, concern filling her emerald eyes.

“M-Mum?” He panted, half convinced this was merely another scenario like before.

“You’re safe Sombra,” Sunbeam replied calmly, slowly bringing her son into a reassuring hug. “It was only a bad dream.” Sombra’s racing heartbeat began to slow, his muscles relaxing. After a few moments, he pulled back to see his mother flash that loving smile of hers.

“Sorry Mum,” Sombra mumbled tiredly while looking at his surroundings more. “Where are we?”

“We’re in the medical ward of the castle,” Sunbeam replied before shaking her head. “And it’s alright. After what happened yesterday, anypony would be exhausted to the point of nightmares.” This caught Sombra’s attention. He was about to ask what happened before it all came rushing back; the first, fatal strikes, the ensuing chaos, Quartz.

“Quartz,” Sombra asked rapidly, panic slowly creeping back into his voice. “Where is he?”

“Here.”

Sombra turned to his right, the voice coming from a familiar, glasses-wearing mare on the opposite side of the next bed. Recognising his old headmistress, Sombra slowly looked down as he clambered out of bed, ignoring the complaints of the medics. Sombra struggled to swallow the lump developing in his throat as he watched his best friend lay unconscious in the bed before him.

“I’m sorry miss,” the unicorn muttered, finally looking back at her tired features.

Rosetta Stone shook her head. “It’s not your fault Sombra. If you hadn’t found him when you did, Quartz might not be here today.”

“Will he be okay?”

“He just needs rest. But…” Rosetta’s resolve wavered a little before forcing herself to continue. “But there’s a chance his coat will never shine again.” The news hit Sombra with the force of an avalanche. Looking back down, Sombra now noticed how Quartz’s grey coat no longer had the shine crystal ponies were known for. But looking back up, Sombra realised Quartz wasn’t the only one.

All ponies in the room lacked their shining coats.

While the young colt in him would’ve been cheering for such an event, he knew something was severely wrong, and that there was only one pony that could answer him. Determination now pumping through his veins, Sombra tapping Quartz’ shoulder, passing on his wishes of a swift recovery, before turning for the door.

“Hey! Where do you think you’re going?” Sunbeam scolded, stepping between her son and the exit.

“I need to find Uncle Cobalt. I need answers” He tried side-stepping her but Sunbeam once again blocked his path.

“You need to rest,” she said while levelling a stern look at her taller son. “You’re in no condition to be walking around right now.”

“She’s right son,” one of the medics spoke up. “You need to regain your strength after what happened.”

“I’m fine, really.” Sombra protested. “Besides, I need answers and right now the King is the only one who has them.” Sombra then turned to Sunbeam, looking her in the eye. “Mum, please.” The two unicorns held each other’s gaze for a moment that seemed to stretch on and on.

“You’re so stubborn,” Sunbeam sighed before turning to the medic. “I’ll accompany him. If he collapses I’ll teleport him straight back here.”

The medic looked ready to protest, but sighed in defeat as well. “As you wish, Milady.” Sombra smiled at Sunbeam, with her returning a weary one as the two walked out of the medical ward.

As they walked, Sombra glanced out the palace windows to the city beneath a darkening, evening sky. The sight stopped him in shock, as the only souls visible down below were all members of the Royal Guard. Any civilians he saw were nervously looking out from their homes. But, like everyone in the medical ward, not one pony’s coat was shining.

“Sombra,” Sunbeam called out, and soon he fell into step beside her as they reached one of the main staircases.

“What happened to all the bugs?” Sombra asked after a few minutes of silence.

“Cobalt and the Royal Guard fought them off. They either fled or were ki-” Sunbeam stopped and shook her head. “I’m just glad Cobalt found you and Quartz out there.”

“So, he brought me back?” Sunbeam nodded as the two exited the stairs, a pair of royal guards passing them in a hurry. Sombra breathed a sigh of relief, with two of his questions sated. But in their place a new one rose to the surface of his mind. “Are you okay Mum? I mean, you were pretty shaken up yesterday.” Sunbeam froze for a moment, causing Sombra to stop and look back in concern. “Mum?”

“I… I’m fine now Sombra,” Sunbeam admitted. “It’s just… it brought back memories, that’s all.”

Sombra’s eyes widened. “Memories of what?”

“I’ll tell you later,” She replied, quickly walking past him. “Come on, Cobalt might be in here.” Sombra looked at his mother strangely for a moment before following her towards a door at the end of the hall. The door was flanked by two royal guards, who crossed their crystalline halberds before it.

“I wish to see the King and Queen.” Sunbeam stated, regaining her composure. “I have their permission to enter this chamber.”

“We know, Milady,” one of the guards replied, “But given yesterday’s attack, we will need confirmation of who you are.”

“What?” Sombra asked, but a look from Sunbeam silenced him.

“Our enemy is one that can shapeshift,” the other guard responded, his professionalism helping him keep his emotions in check. “All civilians are being asked for confirmation as to who they are so we can be sure there aren’t any more of those monsters masquerading as one of us.”

“Very well,” Sunbeam responded, lighting her horn for them. Upon checking its golden hue with a nod, the guards’ attention turned to Sombra. Putting his annoyance aside, Sombra stomped a hoof and summoned a chunk of ruby from the floor. Satisfied, the guards withdrew their weapons and let them pass.

Once inside the room Sombra had to stop to take it all in. The walls were draped with either flowing tapestries, beautiful paintings or noble coat of arms. Below them were bookshelfs and a desk littered with papers and ornaments crafted from gold. Before a burning fireplace on the far side of the room lay a large, elaborate mat, surrounded by expensive-looking lounges lined with the softest velvet. On one of these lounges lay Jade, her face lighting up when she saw her new arrivals.

“Sombra!” She nearly shouted, flying off the lounge to embrace the young stallion. “What are you doing out of bed? I thought you still needed rest.”

“It’s okay Aunt Jade, I’m fine.” Sombra smiled sheepishly before looking around. “Is Uncle Cobalt around? I wanted to ask him something.”

Jade’s mood dimmed slightly as she shook her head and led her guests to the lounges. “No. I’m afraid he’s still in a meeting with Fracture and his advisors. They’ve been in discussion for most of the day, and not wanting to take any chances, he asked that I stay here until he’s done.”

“You’ve been stuck in here all day?” Sombra asked in surprise. “That doesn’t sound like Uncle Cobalt.”

“Well, he is trying to protect us from shapeshifting monsters Sombra,” Sunbeam answered. “I’d do the same for you if need be.”

“Of that I have no doubt.”

The three ponies turned to see Cobalt and Captain Fracture entering the room, the bags underneath the King’s eyes a rare sight for all gathered. As Fracture stood by the door, Jade met and embraced her husband.

“You need to rest,” she told him, looking into his weary golden eyes.

“I’ll rest once this threat is dealt with and everyone is safe, including you.” He replied softly, bringing a hoof to her cheek for a few moments before noticing Sunbeam and Sombra. “Sombra? Why are you out of the medical ward?”

“I need answers,” the unicorn began, “and I figured you’re the only pony in the Empire that would have them. What were those things that attacked yesterday? Why did they attack us, and what did that one do to my friend Quartz?”

“Sombra, that’s enough questions.” Sunbeam chided him, but the king raised a hoof to stop her.

“It’s alright Sunbeam, I believe you’re all entitled to some answers.” Motioning with his hoof, Sombra, Sunbeam and Jade sat down and awaited his explanation. Fracture stayed by the door, but Cobalt had become accustomed to the professionalism that the stallion held.

“It’s taken some time,” he began, “but we were finally able to extract some information from one of our captives. The foul beasts refer to themselves as Changelings; a travelling insectoid race that feed off of strong positive emotions, their favourites being hope and love. It’s my understanding that they came here to feed on masse, given how we here in the Empire hold those emotions as core values of our nation.”

“Then how come they weren’t blasted away by the Crystal Heart when it activated?” Sunbeam asked.

“We believe that,” Fracture stepped forward to explain, “At the time of the Crystal Heart’s activation, it didn’t recognise the Changelings as a threat. After all, they were disguised as crystal ponies.”

“Which is why the Royal Guard has been conducting identity checks throughout Glacier Spire,” Cobalt continued, “and I’ve ordered these to be performed in the Empire’s other cities and towns as well.” The other ponies present lowered their heads in thought. That was, until Sombra stood up from the lounge.

“What happens next?”

All eyes turned to the king, who closed his own and bowed his head in thought for a moment before determination brought life back to his tired gaze.

“We cannot allow this attack on our most sacred tradition, on our Empire’s very ideals, go unpunished. Fracture,” Cobalt called, the captain stepping forward and standing to attention. “Raise the expansion wall to full height and the outer wall to half height. Double the border patrols and ensure nothing slips through undetected.”

“Yes, Your Majesty,” Fracture saluted, yet remained in place as Cobalt continued.

“Furthermore, spread word to all corners of Glacier Spire; Any and all ponies of sound body and mind are asked to gather near the palace at first light if they wish to join the Imperial Army. Ensure this message is spread to all other cities and towns, and have their volunteers head to Granite Wall. As of this moment, the Crystal Empire is at war.” With a small nod, Fracture galloped out of the room.

“War?” Jade asked, bringing his attention back to the other three ponies in the room, his concerned wife especially. “Cobalt, I understand the severity of the situation, but… War? We haven’t been at war in centuries.”

“Jade,” the king began, bringing a hoof to his wife’s cheek. “These vermin attacked us on our most sacred day, our most sacred tradition. They slaughtered scores of ponies and injured many more. They even dared bring harm to my family,” Cobalt said with a glance to Sombra and Sunbeam before returning to Jade. “They tried to kill you. I am unwilling to give them a second chance.”

Jade closed her eyes, leaning into Cobalt’s hoof before looking him in the eye. “Then promise me. Promise me you will return.”

Cobalt’s serious expression finally cracked a little, a small smile forming upon his muzzle. “Of course.” With that, king and queen embraced, sharing a gentle kiss before Cobalt noticed something. “Sombra, you have something to say?”

The unicorn nodded, having stepped forward a little. “Your Majesty, I wish to join the army.”

“What?!” Sunbeam nearly shouted as Cobalt’s regal composure returned. “Why?”

“Mum, we were attacked,” Sombra retorted, turning to face his mother. “I want to do whatever I can to make sure that doesn’t happen again.”

“But… Cobalt, you can’t allow this.” Sunbeam demanded of the king.

“Sombra is of age,” Cobalt calmly replied, understanding the reasons behind her otherwise disrespectful outburst. “It’s entirely his decision.”

“See?” Sombra continued. “Uncle Cobalt said its okay.”

“But there are plenty of ponies already in the military,” Sunbeam shot right back. “I’m sure they’ll be able to manage. And what about your job? How do you think Stone Cutter will take this sudden decision of yours?”

“Better than you,” Sombra replied, as the argument intensified. His headache from earlier returned slightly, but he paid it no heed. Meanwhile, Sunbeam was growing more and more irritant, which drove Sombra to continue. “Mum, you’ve always been supportive of me up until now. Why take that support away? Why won’t you let me do this?”

“Because you’re a son of-” Sunbeam yelled before slamming a hoof in-front of her mouth. Her eyes grew as wide as saucers as she realised what she nearly did, while Cobalt and Jade had similarly shocked expressions. The outburst stunned Sombra into silence and, after slightly regaining her composure, looked her son in the eye while tears started forming in hers.

“B-Because… because you’re my son.” She sniffed. “I… I-I just don’t want anything happening to you. If you…” With that, Sunbeam’s tears ran freely down her face as she sat down, head bowed as her emotions took hold. But shock forced her eyes open when someone brought her into a tight embrace, that someone being her son.

“You won’t lose me,” he calmly said, his chin resting on top of her head. “I promise I’ll come back.” Sunbeam moved back slightly so she could look her son in the eye, scanning it for something she realised wasn’t there; fear. In its place was nothing but honesty and compassion.

“I’ll hold you to that.” She finally relented, hugging back just as hard as she shed tears once more. Jade joined in on the hug, her eyes also watery.

But Cobalt, simply smiling at the scene, turned and left the room before alighting his horn and vanishing in a pulse of blue light.

---\*/--/-

“White Mare, what a mess,” General Steel Scabbard sighed as he leaned back into the chair of his office. Reports of the attacks in Glacier Spire, as well as those throughout the Empire, were scattered haphazardly across his crystalline desk. His home, the great fortress city of Granite Wall, was on high alert with curfews being implemented and border patrols and gate examinations being intensified to ensure security.

The grey stallion brought a hoof to his forehead, cursing every son of Tirek he could remember for the headache these attacks had brought. He wasn’t one vain enough to obsess over his reputation, but never before in his ten year tenure as General had the Crystal Empire been attacked on this scale.

Opening his steely blue eyes, Steel Scabbard looked to his left. Hanging on the wall was a map of the Empire, with gems matching his eye colour protruding from each location that was attacked, the most damning of the eight locations being the capital and Granite Wall.

When a stray sheet of paper flew past his line of sight, he leapt out of his chair as a flash filled the room. Instincts and training taking over, Scabbard landed and summoned a broadsword in one motion. Taking the handle in his mouth, he swung it over his shoulder to point at his intruder, yet he released his grip when he realised who had entered his office.

“A-Apologies, Your Maj-” Scabbard began, only for Cobalt Blade to silence him with a hoof and cast a spell, a light blue bubble engulfing the entire room before fading.

“I’m sorry to barge in unannounced General,” Cobalt began, “But there is something which I need to discuss with you.”

“There’s no need to apologise, Your Majesty,” Scabbard replied after a hasty salute. “But what was that spell you just cast? And what could be so important that you’d arrive unannounced.”

“A Silence Field. It ensures everything said within this room will not be overheard by any undesirables. Recent events have forced my hoof to be discreet, as I’m sure you understand.” Scabbard acknowledged with a nod as he returned to his chair. “With these attacks, I’ve decided to mobilise the army. You’ll be receiving new recruits from Glacier Spire first thing tomorrow morning, and others from the rest of the Empire will arrive thereafter.”

Scabbard brought a hoof to his chin. “Won’t the savages who attacked us use this as another opportunity to strike?”

“I’ve already ordered all available crystal smiths to forge a suitable countermeasure, to help reveal any Changelings posing as crystal ponies. But until they are completed, you and your men will need to be vigilant and thorough in your identity checks.”

“Understood Sir.” Scabbard nodded. “Was there anything else?”

“Yes. One of the recruits tomorrow shall be… different from the rest.”

“It’s the son of Lady Sunbeam, I take it?”

Cobalt nodded. “Yes. His magic will make him a valuable asset, but I fear about troop comradery should a unicorn try to join military ranks.”

“We’ll stamp that out Sir. That I can promise you.” Scabbard said with a small smirk.

“I have no doubt about that, but that isn’t my only concern for him.” Scabbard said nothing but looked on, waiting for the King to continue. “I want you and your instructors to observe him; his personality, his actions, his interactions with other recruits. And I want weekly reports on his progress.”

“With all due respect Your Majesty, these seem like extreme measures to watch over a noble’s son.”

“It’s not because he’s Sunbeam’s son Scabbard,” Cobalt sighed, turning to the map to his right.

“It’s because I fear what he could become.”

---\*/--/-

Sombra took a deep breath of the crisp morning air, his stomach tying itself in knots as he stood outside Stone Cutter’s workshop. The sun had barely peaked over the northern mountains but Sombra knew time was short. Steeling himself and adjusting his lucky scarf, he stepped inside.

Despite being early in the morning, Sombra stepped through the barrier of the dampening spell and was bombarded by the sound of crystal being shaped. Huh, he thought to himself. Cutter usually waits for me to arrive before getting started. The banging soon ceased, however, and the old stallion poked his head out of the back door.

“There you are, you lazy colt.” Stone Cutter said with his usual grumpy tone. “Come on. We’ve gotten a mass order from the King for the army. We’ll both need to work overtime just to fill today’s quota.”

“Hey, Cutter,” Sombra began, tugging at his scarf. “Can we talk for a second?”

“Talk while you work,” Cutter replied curtly as he went to disappear out back again.

“But it’s about work, and me…” There was silence from the other room before Stone Cutter trotted out and stood before Sombra. Despite being younger and larger than him, Stone Cutter could still be intimidating when he wanted to, like at that moment as he levelled his annoyed glare on Sombra.

“Well?” Cutter asked, almost as if he already knew this wouldn’t be what he wanted to hear.

Sombra took a reassuring breath before meeting Cutter’s gaze. “I’m joining the military. I already have both the King and Mum’s approval… I’m sorry Stone Cutter.” Sombra closed his eyes, expecting a verbal barrage. Instead there was silence. Opening his eyes, Sombra saw Stone Cutter was just standing there, still glaring at him. This both confused and terrified the unicorn. “Well?”

“Well what?” Cutter responded quickly, his tone clearly unimpressed.

“Well…” Sombra paused, considering his next words very carefully. “I thought you’d be more… furious.” Stone Cutter didn’t respond that time, simply shaking his head and walking out back whilst muttering to himself. Sombra was about to follow before one almighty bang rang out from the workroom. Sombra lowered his head, mentally chiding himself for saying that.

But Sombra reeled back when a sheathed sword landed not far from his head. Looking back up, Sombra saw a now angry Stone Cutter in the doorway.

“What the Tartarus is wrong with you?!” Somrba yelled, a fire lit in his belly.

“If you’re going to die like an idiot, you might as well use that,” Cutter shot back. “Might actually help get you home instead of being crystal-fodder!”

Sombra was about to shout back when he stopped to look at the blade. The more he looked, the more detail he noticed and the more his anger made way for curiosity. Lifting the sword from the floor with his magic, Sombra inspected every inch as he would a product he would forge in this very building.

The guard and pommel were made of shining silver, with intricate lines curling around red jewels in the centre of each section. The grip was encased in dark fabric, and in his magic Sombra felt the weapon was well balanced weight wise. The scabbard was made of polished dark steel, dark enough to reflect Sombra’s face. Unsheathing the sword, the thing that caught Sombra’s attention most was the blade itself. Ninety centimetres long and fifteen wide, there was no curve near the tip of the blade, making it look like a roughly-cut rectangle with a sharpened point at the end. Then there was the material of the blade.

“It’s made of ruby,” Sombra commented, still turning the blade over and over in his magic.

“You have no idea how fortunate you are for your talent to be shaping rubies. Most crystal smiths have a lot of difficulty shaping it, let alone summoning it. That sword is most effective for parrying, though I guess you could ruin it faster by hacking away like some lumberjack.”

“Wait…” Sombra stopped, looking back at a somewhat calmer Stone Cutter. “You can’t summon rubies. Where’d you get these?”

“From you.” Sombra’s confused gaze forced a tired sigh from Stone Cutter before he continued. “Remember back when you got your cutie mark?” Sombra nodded. “Well, the academy kept a fair chunk of it, but I kept the rest. I forged it shortly afterwards, but it’s been difficult trying to refine it.”

Sombra looked at Stone Cutter, then to the sword and back to the old stallion, one question on his mind. “Why?”

Stone Cutter sighed again. “I’ve always known you wouldn’t stay here forever. I just never thought you’d be stupid enough to risk your life joining the army.” Sombra pouted, but Cutter ignored him and carried on. “But, regardless of what you chose, I wanted you to have that as a reminder of your time here.

“And if you come back, once this whole thing’s blown over…” Stone Cutter paused, walking over to Sombra before putting a hoof on the unicorn’s shoulder with a sombre smile. “I can only hope you come back here, even if it’s only for a visit.”

Sombra, finally getting what Stone Cutter was saying, smiled back and put hoof on his mentor’s shoulder in kind. “I’ll be back. That’s a promise.”

Stone Cutter nodded, his smile now genuine as he pushed Sombra away and headed back to the workroom. “Well, go on then. I’ve got a lot of work to do now you’ve gone and abandoned me. Go ahead and leave.”

“Says the pony that boasts he could do twice the job without me.” Sombra shot back with a grin as he headed for the door.

“Well now I can prove it, so go on. Get.” Sombra shook his head with a smiled as the pounding of hoof on crystal returned. But as he was about to leave it stopped once more.

“Sombra.” The unicorn looked back to see Stone Cutter standing in the doorway one last time. “Give those bugs Tartarus for me.”

“Will do.” Sombra replied with a salute before stepping out of the store, sheathed sword now strapped over his shoulder. Breathing in the morning air once more, he broke into a gallop and headed towards the central plaza.

6: Trying Introduction

We fight as one,
We fall as one.
Unity will see us through.
--Creed of the Crystal Imperial Army.

As Sombra arrived at the central plaza, he immediately noticed the large crowd of mares and colts gathered outside the palace. Standing at the edges of the promenade and in-front of the palace were the Royal Guard, scrutinising every single pony who had gathered. As he made his way into the crowd, he noticed the majority of volunteers seemed to be from the Outer and Expansion districts.

Typical, he thought. Those uptight jerks wouldn’t fight unless someone was stealing their riches or embarrassing them in-front of open court.

Stirred from his thoughts by the sound of flugelhorns, Sombra and the crowd of ponies looked forward to see their King approach, flanked by Jade to his left and Captain Fracture to his right. The bags still present underneath Cobalt’s eyes were a surprising sight for Sombra on a face that was unreadable to most. Despite the determination and strength he carried himself with, his uncle was tired. Jade’s composure was more sombre, her expression a mixture of Cobalt’s exhaustion and sorrow. Of the three, Fracture was the one who Sombra had difficulty discerning, no doubt attributed to years of service for crown and country.

Cobalt’s eyes swept over the crowd, lingering on Sombra for a second longer than everyone else, before looking behind him and nodding. Sombra followed his gaze to see four members of the Royal Guard surrounding the Crystal Heart. With simultaneous stomps, the four channelled their energy into the heart, which spun rapidly and pulsed once. But as it passed over the crowd, Sombra realised this wasn’t like the pulses held during the Crystal Fair. Not only did the coats of all crystal ponies present fail to shine, but some were sent flying into the air in a flash.

Gasps filled the air as all ponies present witnessed the flying ponies stripped of their disguises, their insectoid forms revealed. Most were flung beyond the borders of the town, though one managed to right itself with a buzz of its wings. Its freedom didn’t last long though. One lightning fast crystalline sword through the skull saw to that. As some looked on in horror, Sombra turned back to see Cobalt sigh as he released his magical hold on the blade and turn his attention to the crowd.

“I apologise for what you just witnessed,” He began as guard ponies rushed towards the outskirts of the city. “However, that is but a demonstration of how vigilant we must be against this threat. These vermin seek to undermine the very ideals our Empire stands for, and therefore they should be offered no quarter. That said however, should you choose to back away now, having seen what your service will take, I will not blame you.”

Quietly, a few ponies began backing out of the crowd. Some bowed their heads or offered words of apology to the King, though Cobalt would offer his own in return. Eventually, about one fifth of the crowd had dispersed and returned to their homes. Cobalt’s expression barely changed; now a slight look of sorrow adorned his exhausted features.

“To those of you who remain, I offer my deepest gratitude. The task you are about to undertake is an arduous one, and I cannot guarantee all of you will return here when this campaign is over. But, as you have demonstrated here, your resolve is strong, and I am honoured by your willingness to serve and protect your homes and families.”

Cobalt stepped forward, the final stomp sounding out loud as the light of a magic circle expanded beneath the crowd. Squinting against the glare, Sombra recognised the markings as those belonging to a long-range teleportation spell. Soon the circle encompassed the gathering of ponies, and Somba looked back to see Cobalt still charging the circle with magic.

“I am sending you to Granite Wall, the great fortress city on the Empire’s northern border. There, you will be instructed on what it takes to serve in the Imperial Army.” As the spell neared completion, Cobalt looked over the crowd one last time, his sweeping gaze coming to an end at Sombra. “May the White Mare watch over you all.”

And with that the spell was cast, and Sombra and the rest of the crowd were engulfed in a blinding light.

---\*/--/-

As the flash of the spell vanished, Sombra had to steady himself. He felt dizzy, his body clearly unprepared for the intensity of the teleport. Though the spell felt somewhat similar to the one he cast when he ran away all those years ago. That, and his being accustomed to magic, must have been how he weathered the teleportation. But shaking the cobwebs away and looking around, he realised he fared better than most. The majority of ponies who joined him on this journey were either on the ground panting, showing the world what they had for breakfast this morning, or both. With a quick glance, only about a dozen ponies were standing, yet they too were still processing the spell’s effects.

Standing with more growing confidence in his body, Sombra took in his new surroundings. The weary crowd of ponies were now in the centre of a large courtyard, surrounded by high walls. All around him, crystal ponies all wearing the silver armour of the Imperial Army were rushing around the group, focussed on other assignments. To the north, over the walls of the courtyard and the tallest spires of the city beyond, stood the massive Mount Everhoof; its snow-capped peak glistening like the ponies below should have in the morning sun.

“On your hooves, runts!” Shouted a voice demanding compliance. Sombra, as well as the rest of the crowd, looked forward to see eight ponies in armour standing before them. All eight stood ramrod straight, disciplined glares observing the gathering of ponies finding their hooves before turning to face them. Sombra took note of their differently-coloured armour; the helmet and shoulders were a dark lavender as opposed to the standard silver of the rest of their armour, and all had a very solid build regardless of gender. A ninth had differently-coloured armour to the other; her helmet and shoulders were navy blue trimmed with what looked like ruby.

But the soldier that shouted the order caught Sombra’s attention the most. Not because his helmet and shoulder were dark steel trimmed with gold, but because it was a pony he faintly recognised.

“Now listen up and listen well,” he carried on, beginning to pace in-front of the crowd as he stared, analysing each and every pony, “because I’m only going to say this once and time is one luxury we simply don’t have.

“I am Steel Scabbard, General of the Imperial Army and Governor of Granite Wall. You’re here because you wish to protect the Empire from this new threat we face. Is that right?” A few ponies nodded, some even shouted cheerfully. Having grown up around military ponies like Captain Fracture, Sombra braced himself for the outburst.

“Who cheered!?” Steel Scabbard bellowed, even making some of the passing soldiers glance towards them. “Who was it?” Nervously, a few ponies raised their hooves. The General wasted no time in marching over to stand inches in-front of a now visibly shaking beige mare, rising to his full height add to the imposing act.

“You think what you’re about to go through is something trivial enough to cheer for?” He asked quietly, yet with deadly seriousness. The mare was too terrified to answer, shrinking down as Steel Scabbard glared her down.

“Hey, leave her alone!”

All at once, the courtyard went dead silent. Sombra looked to see a red stallion with wild orange hair staring daggers at Scabbard. As even the more experienced soldiers in the courtyard stopped to watch the standoff in stunned silence, the General returned the stallion’s gaze with one just as frigid. That made it surprising for most the lightning speed with which Scabbard locked the stallion’s hooves in crystal before dragging him forward so that he could grip the idiot’s shoulder and glare just inches away.

“What was that, son?” Scabbard vehemently whispered.

“You heard me,” the red stallion repeated, regaining his foolish bravery after a moment of shock at being immobilised. “Like you said; we all signed up to help protect the Empire. We’re all on the same side, so berating a pony for wanting to protect their home and family goes against what we should stand for.

“And for the record, Sir, I cheered as well.”

The last chill of morning passed through on a small breeze as Sombra awaited the retribution this idiot no doubt had coming for talking back to a commanding officer. He watched closely, waiting for Scabbard to put the new kid in his place as the two continued their glaring match.

Instead, Scabbard smiled.

“I hope all of you were paying attention,” He called out, making sure all ponies present heard him with a sweeping glare. “Because that is the kind of bravery and comradery you will need to serve and protect the Empire from this new threat.

“That said,” Scabbard continued, turning back to the red stallion as the crystal locks around his hooves shattered. “You obviously need a lesson on respecting the chain of command. So son, while your comrades get acquainted with their squad mates, you will be running one hundred laps of this courtyard at full gallop. Slow down and it’s another lap added.”

“What?!” The stallion argued, only to be levelled with another glare from the General.

“One hundred and one laps. Now!”

Sombra released a breath he didn’t know he was holding as the stallion decided against pushing his luck and started galloping. With the show now seemingly over, the watching soldiers returned to their duties, while some of the other recruits now stood a little straighter.

“Well,” Scabbard resumed his speech, moving back to stand in-front of his subordinates. “Now that that’s out of the way, you will spend the next few months here in Granite Wall, learning what it takes to become soldiers fit to serve in the Imperial Army. If you’re concerned about those spineless shapeshifters sneaking in here, then you’re smarter than you look. Crystalsmiths all across the Empire are working on a countermeasure, but until then you will need to provide identification via crystalmancy. Understood?” All recruits gathered either nodded vigorously or shouted “Sir, yes Sir!” in response.

“Good.” Scabbard nodded. “Now then. These nine ponies behind me are the ponies that will make your lives Tartarus for the next few months. When they call your name, line up behind them and follow their orders.” The General paused for a moment, his gaze, like that of the King, briefly rested on Sombra. “Train hard, learn all that you can, and remember; We fight as one, we fall as one. Unity will see us through.”

With that, Steel Scabbard turned on the spot and marched off further into the barracks. As Sombra watched him go, the first soldier began calling out names, and soon ponies began lining up with their respective superiors. It took about twenty minutes or so, but soon the soldiers had called all the names they saw fit. Except for the one with the blue/ruby armour. Sombra began realising something was up when the groups marched off, yet he and five other ponies (six including the one doing laps) remained in the courtyard as the sun’s heat started setting in.

“Alright rookies, bring it in.” The soldier called out before turning to the running stallion. “Except for you Red. Eighty three laps to go.” A tired groan made itself known before the stallion continued as Sombra and the others trotted over to their new superior. As he approached, Sombra took a good look at each of the ponies he assumed would be his new teammates.

There was the beige mare who Steel Scabbard had singled out earlier, and he assumed the crimson stallion running was also in the team. Then there were two ponies; a lime green mare with silver mane and tail, and a stallion whose colours were identical but reversed. The final fellow recruit was a golden stallion with a short but well-maintained light-blonde mane and tail. The way he held himself just screamed nobility. Finally, there was their commanding officer; a maroon mare with military-styled blue mane and piercing yellow eyes, which now analysed each of her new charges.

“First things first.” She said as she looked over each pony before resting her gaze on the one doing laps. “I’m Sergeant Garnet Grit. If you want to be a successful member of this squad, let alone this army, then you’re going to need to learn how to act as a squad.”

“We did hear the General, Ma’am.” The noble muttered. Unfortunately for him, Garnet heard him and barely a second passed before a gem of her namesake rocketed from the ground into the gold pony’s face and send him flat on his flank. Sombra struggled to hide the smirk, and easily imagined Lapus’ face onto this stallion.

“Then I guess you already know that whatever effects one soldier in a squad effects the entire squad. If one of you were to go down, the entire squad need to reorganise immediately to compensate. Let this motto squeeze into your brain if your ego will allow it Goldy; ‘We fight as one, we fall as one. Unity will see us through.’” She then swept her gaze over the rest of the squad. “So you know what that means?”

“W-We have to… join Ruby doing laps?” The beige mare asked nervously.

“That’s right Little Miss Terrified,” Grit replied with a smirk. “That’s eighty two laps with Red at full gallop. Better get to it.” Not wanting to end up nursing their muzzle like their golden teammate, Sombra and co broke into a gallop and soon began their own laps, passing their red comrade. With each initial pass, however, Sombra saw just how tired he was. Coming around to pass him again, Sombra slowed just enough to still be galloping, yet keep pace.

“You… doing okay?” Sombra panted, earning a tired but sly smile from the stallion.

“Why?” He shot back. “Getting… tired?”

Sombra soon found himself grinning as well, as both stallions pushed hard to accelerate past the other.

---\*/--/-

An hour later, five ponies sat on their hunches while their crimson comrade was flat on his back. All were exhausted from their laps around the courtyard.

“There, that wasn’t so hard, was it?” Sombra looked up to see Garnet Grit wearing a satisfied smirk before helping them back to their hooves one at a time. Sombra managed to stand up on his own, as did the golden noble. “Well, I hope you all learned an important lesson about acting as a unit. Come on, this way.” With that, the armoured mare turned on the spot and began walking towards one of the passageways into the southern end of the courtyard. After a brief moment of hesitation, the group followed, though Sombra and the beige mare hung back with their exhausted colleague while they passed by off-shooting hallways.

“You shouldn’t have spoken up like that,” Sombra murmured to him as the group soon exited the passage and into a street they quickly crossed. “The top officials like making examples out of upstarts.”

“Well,” the stallion replied with a grin. “They want a look at what I’m made of, all they need to do is ask. Name’s Ruby Rage, and this here’s Pearl Patches.” The mare on Ruby’s other side bent over to smile and wave at the unicorn.

“Sombra.”

The group took a right at the next street to enter another courtyard, though fairly smaller than the previous one. Three quarters of the area had been sealed off by a thin wall with windows stretching across it. Sombra realised where they were as, in the larger space, there were a few soldiers summoning crystals before launching them at targets at the far side of the space.

“Alright rookies,” Garnet Grit began, bringing them to a halt. “Before we even think of doing combat exercises, I need to know what I’m working with. So, we’ll start with testing out how good you are with crystalmancy. You’re up first, Clownface.” The group turned to the stallion twin, though he looked confused at the name.

“It’s Silver Shield, Ma’am,” he answered cautiously, though Sombra could hear a hint of annoyance.

“Maybe,” Garnet replied with a shrug. “But it takes a while for me to remember names. That, and its fun giving you rookie’s nicknames. Now, let’s see what you’ve got.” Following Garnet’s gestured hoof, Silver Shield stepped into the shooting gallery before taking a summoning stance in-front of one of the targets. A look of concentration briefly flowed across his features before summoning a silver shard of crystal and bucking it straight at the target, hitting the ring third from centre.

“Hmm, not bad.” She then turned to the lime mare. “Alright Sister Act, you’re next.”

The mare blinked. “How’d you know we’re related?” The group went silent for a moment, Silver Shield following the golden stallion’s lead and slapping their hoof to their face. Garnet just stared with a deadpan expression.

“Because I’m psychic,” she replied, filling the sentence with as much sarcasm as she could. “Now hurry up.”

The trials continued swiftly after that. Both the lime mare and gold stallion managed to hit the target. Ruby Rage hit it as well, yet even with the amount of crystal he shot he failed to hit the bullseye. Annoyed, he stepped away and Pearl stepped up. She followed everyone else’s example, yet her shard barely made it three quarters of the way.

“Try again Miss Terrified.” Garnet called out. Pearl tried psyching herself up, only for her shot to fall short again.

“Come on Pearl,” Ruby called out, catching her attention. “You’ve got this.” Sombra noticed Pearl’s somewhat nervous gaze gain a little resolve as she turned back, ready to try one more time.

Just in time to see a large pillar of solid garnet rocketing towards her.

“Pearl!” Ruby called, ready to leap to her defence. But two things stopped him. The first being Garnet Grit’s grip on his shoulder, and the second being Pearl summoning a large wall of crystalline spikes and bracing for the worst behind it. The pillar shattered, having impaling itself against her defences.

“Get used to this place, Missy,” Garnet said as she came up to Pearl and delivered a stern buck to the spiked wall, shattering it. “Because you’re dead weight until you can hit the target.”

“Don’t talk to her like that!” Ruby nearly shouted as he marched towards their superior, only for Sombra to hold him back with his magic.

“I’m not being mean for the sake of it. It’s the truth.” Garnet’s tone had lost its teasing tone, exerting the authority of being a commanding officer as her glare zeroed in on Ruby. “If she can’t hit a target from this distance, then she’s merely crystal-fodder that will weaken our strength as a unit. You’re only as strong as your weakest link and if she’s our weak link, then we wouldn’t last an hour in a real battle.

“Also,” she added, standing very close to Ruby as she looked him in the eye. “You talk back to me like that again, I’ll have you running laps of the city perimeter. Am I understood?” A tense silence followed before Ruby looked away and nodded. “Understood?!” Garnet barked again, not satisfied.

“Yes Ma’am,” Ruby muttered. Confident the situation was over for now, Sombra released the magical grip on Ruby before Garnet levelled her glare at him.

“Your turn, Glimmer.” Sombra nodded, stepping into the training area and giving Pearl a reassuring pat on the shoulder as she stepped out. Turning to the target, Sombra took a wide stance and concentrated, letting the magic flow from his horn, down his legs and into the ground below. In an instant, Sombra brought his front hooves up and down again in a heavy stomp, summoning a large chunk of ruby before spinning on the spot and bucking it with all his might. The gem launched forward, embedding itself in the centre of the target and shattering the golden shard the noble recruit had shot there earlier. Looking back, Sombra saw said noble wore a look of annoyance and the rest shock.

“Nice shot,” the soldier said with a grin. “But since you’re a special case, let’s see what that horn of yours is capable of.”

A stomp of her hooves summoned six shards of garnet at the far end of the area. With a flick of her hooves, they rocketed towards Sombra. Charging his magic, he blasted the closest one with a beam of pure energy. He got the next two before sidestepping the fourth, only to get struck across the cheek by the fifth and tripped over by the sixth. Sombra’s head swam in dizziness and pain for a little bit before his vision focused on Garnet looking down at him.

“Not bad,” she noted, “But your awareness and mobility could use some work.” With that, she helped him to his hooves and turned to face the rest of the group. “Looks like we all have some room for improvement, haven’t we?” Everyone remained silent. “Well, we’ve only got a few months before you’re sent out to fight, so let’s get started whipping you rookies into shape. Back to target practice. I want every single one of you hitting the bullseye by the end of the day.”

---\*/--/-

“Not a bad day to start your training, huh?” Garnet asked with a smirk as she opened a door for her weary recruits to step through. The squad had sent nearly two hours in the courtyard practising their crystalmancy, with Pearl finally managing to hit the target, albeit on the outer ring. Following that exercise, Garnet put them through the wringer by leading them through all the important areas of the military base and finished with a time trial to test their reaction speed. The group was to dodge balls thrown at them for as long as they were able. None of them lasted more than ten minutes, and the slackened posture and slightly bruised coats of the ponies were all one needed to know that these six were spent.

Inside the long room were three bunk beds, and further back a table and chairs. On the far side of the room was a wide window, looking out towards the civilian wards of Granite Wall. Silver Shield and his sister, whose name Sombra learned was Emerald Breeze, immediately made for the closest bunk before sitting against it. The noble made for the window, overseeing the dying light of the evening recede from the city. Sombra stayed near the door alongside Ruby Rage and Pearl Patches, turning back to Garnet.

“Better get as much rest as you can,” she added as she made her exit. “Because tomorrow the real training begins.” With that the door closed and Sombra felt as though he could finally relax, removing his scarf and sheathed sword with his magic and leaving them next to the door.

“Well,” Emerald spoke up, sounding optimistic despite her exhaustion. “Anyone else think it’d be like this from the start?”

“It wouldn’t be so hard if some of us could hit a blasted target,” the noble muttered, intentionally loud enough for everyone to hear.

“What was that?” Ruby replied, his seemingly trademark fuse lit once again.

“Ruby, don’t.” Pearl pleaded, though Ruby ignored her as he moved further into the room.

“I didn’t realise your hearing was as disabled as your friend’s crystalmancy.” The golden stallion shot back, turning to answer Ruby’s heated gaze with an icy one of his own. “I mean really; who takes an hour to finally hit a stationary target?”

“You take that back!” Ruby roared, leaping at the noble. A flash of light shone in the room as Sombra teleported in-between the two, turning to hold back Ruby both physically and with his magic.

“Ruby, let it go.” Sombra nearly yelled as Silver came to help as well. “He’s not worth it.” Ruby struggled a little more before huffing, turning back to stand near Pearl, who gave Sombra a nod of thanks. With that, the unicorn whirled to face the noble. “What is your problem Goldy? You do know we’re meant to be teammates from now on, right?”

“Like our commanding officer, I’m merely stating the truth.” He replied with a shrug before becoming more serious. “And my name is Golden Hilt, savage.”

“Hey, quit acting so high and mighty,” Silver spoke up. “In case you forgot, there’s no social ranking in the military. So why don’t you pull your head out of your flank and apologise?”

“Let it go guys,” Sombra spoke up, addressing everyone. “Like it or not, we’re all on the same side now. So let’s just put this behind us and focus on getting our rest. If today was only a warm up, then we’ll definitely need it.”

Golden Hilt turned back to the window in a huff as the others went to Pearl, checking to see how she was doing. As Ruby kept glaring daggers into the back of Hilt’s head, Sombra sighed at the sight.

“This is going to be fun,” Sombra muttered to himself sarcastically.