Shallow Soul: Past a Different Life
Shallow Soul: Past a Different Life
By CyberneticWolf
“When you run with your past chasing you, You cannot catch your future”- Celestia
My name is Shallow Soul, and this is my past that chases me.
I grew up in a small village in the Frozen North. Called Silverbreeze. It was a quiet peaceful village with a small population. That is until he came.
Sombra, a black unicorn with a heart of darkness. He donned his traditional silver armor with his red woolen cape that flowed behind him. His horn glowed a blood red color, threatening all who crossed its path. Sombra's eyes radiated with a dim green glow to them. His heart was as dark as ebony and his actions swift and merciless. He would incinerate entire towns, grinning the entire time and laughing menacingly to himself for all those around to hear. He took pleasure in seeing all the misery and destruction he caused. For him, this was all just fun and games.
At the time I had no idea who this pony was or his business being in Silverbreeze. Even at the age of 6, he was dangerous and destruction was on his mind. He came without warning. He burnt any building that crossed his path. I remember seeing several of the town's guard going to fight, but never saw any come back.
I remember the village in a fray. Ponies fleeing in all directions with only one goal; get out of Silverbreeze. Get to safety. That was my plan the minute I saw him. I had to get to my parents. The problem was they were down a main street that was set a blaze by the quickly spreading fire. I had to take the risk. I had to try for if I didn't I might not be here today.
At the time of the attack I was in an alley playing by myself. I really hadn't ever bothered to go and make new friends. Although my parents always encouraged me to. I always just waved it off and moved on. It was hard for me, being alone. I always thought I didn't need any friends. I had always been so independent. I was so consumed with reading that I never made time for friends.
When I heard a loud boom come from beyond the towns center. I saw flame spark from an alley adjacent of me, and ponies scattering to get out of the way. That's when I saw him. Sombra, with a magical black cloud hovering nearby, under his control. I paused for a moment, stunned in fear. But that second was all he needed. He turned and stared at me, but the stare he gave wasn't of anger, or pleasure. No, it didn't even frighten me. I felt my mind lighten, like his stare had mesmerized me. I felt like everything that was happening didn't matter. Everything was going to be OK. That if I were to walk up to him I would be safe. I didn't want to stop staring, I couldn't stop. I was locked in a trance for that one moment. I didn't want it to end.
Luckily, a flaming plank had fallen in front of me., the embers hitting my face, burning it and sending a pain through my body to my brain signaling for it to wake up. I quickly snapped out of it and ran to search for my parents. I ran down the main road I took home from school. It was a wide road lined with mostly shops and some restaurants. Now all burning in the fire of Sombra's destruction. I got about half way down the road when a large support beam fell in front of me. I managed to avoid it but then a wooden plank came crashing down on me and knocking me unconscious.
After some time I started to regain consciousness. I tried to open my eyes but they were as heavy as bricks. With a second effort I managed force them part way open. I peaked through the slits to see the sky reddened with the color of the village flames. I looked forward and saw another wooden beam blocking some of my vision. I tried to move my body, but couldn't. I tried with a second effort but was met with no avail. I felt like crap, my body hurting from head to hoof. I tried to moved my eyes even further open but was met with blurred vision and my eyes falling shut again.
I managed to open them once more and saw what looked to be a pony heading for me. The pony seemed to be walking, slowly. I tried to cry for help but was met with an aching throat and moans of desperation.
My eyes closed again and I had struggled to get them open. The image slowly took shape. I wanted to deny it. I wanted to just shut my eyes and open them again to see my parents but I knew it was useless. I wanted to run, I wanted to just run but my body wouldn't let me. I looked up once more to see he was about 30 yards from me and closing slowly.
Then it struck me that feeling again. That same feeling I felt in the alley, like I was safe. I heard a voice in my head speak to me. “Sleep”, a dark voice bellowed in my head. Even though the dark voice sounded like it could en douse fear on any pony. For me, it felt soothing. I wanted to be here. I didn't want to run. At this moment, I wanted to sleep. Sleep? Yes, that's what I wanted the most, sleep. Sleep and everything will be OK. Sleep and everything is going to get better. Sleep and I will be safe again.
As I started to lose what was left of my conscious, The black pony stood over me. I managed just enough energy to look up at him. And what I saw at that moment made my heart stop, a grin. Then that was it I blacked out the image of the black unicorn grinning at me burnt into my mind. Leaving me to wonder, what was going to happen to me? Why did he grin? Am I still alive?
After the event of Silverbreeze I woke up in a damp cave. The cave was of medium size, though I was no cave expert. The cave had a tall ceiling and a wide interior. The walls had a blue that was common in most caves in the Frozen North. The entrance was wide, with the cold blizzard of the Frozen North threatening to breach the caves interior. With a closer look I could tell that the Blizzard looked to be held back by a magical barrier. Come to think of it the cave wasn't cold at all, it was warm.
What had happened after Silverbreeze was anything but a miracle. I had been taken in by Sombra. At first it was odd. I questioned why instead of killing me he decided to keep me alive. His form of communication was odd as well. When he spoke through his voice he only bellowed one, maybe two words at a time. But with his magic he communicated with me through telepathy.
Sombra explained why he kept me alive and why I am not dead. Sombra told me it was because he saw great potential in me. That I was a special breed of unicorn that was always underestimated. I asked about my village but when Sombra replied, he said that it was not my concern anymore.
Strangely, I believed him. I don't know why but I felt safe. That same feeling I had when I store at him in Silverbreeze. I felt no need to worry about my village anymore. It was behind me now.
I asked why I was with him then? Sombra told me that he is going to train me, take care of me, and I would be like his apprentice. He said that if I stayed with him I could gain great power and learn how to use it against my foes. I smiled at that and at that moment I knew things were going to be fine. I knew that as long as Sombra was there with me I was sure to be safe. Safe, that was all I could feel, safe
I was concerned though. I was missing essential memories in my life. The most important was my name. I had no idea who I was. Sombra responding to this gave me a long look and came up with the name Shallow Soul. The name stuck with me from that point on.
We quickly went to work, Sombra using my knowledge of the basics to teach me at a fast pace. Sombra's style of teaching was different then any teaching I was familiar with. Or at least all the teaching I could remember. Sombra told me the spell, then showed me how exactly it was done. Then he had me do it. With limited resources and that one example to go off of I had to learn quickly. With every new spell I learned I was thrown straight in to the next. Learning almost two to three spells a day.
Sombra was never much of the fatherly type. I was never treated like I was his son, even though I considered him my father. Sombra explained that this relationship we shared was specifically master and apprentice. That's also how I got to calling him Lord Sombra. He would keep me fed and well rested but any other need I had he refused. Even though I was still a young colt. This taught me to grow up fast and to learn fast.
Every day I spent with Sombra an even deeper change started to happen. One that I hadn't seen coming. My lavender coat started to change. The light peaceful color of lavender changing slowly to the grim and dark black color that was the main attraction of my coat. Also an orange that lined both my nose and my hooves. My mane also turned from the several shades of purple and reds, to a neon green on the outlining of my mane, and bleach white which centered my mane. I also felt my personality flip inside out, going from energetic and constantly hyper. To a more calm and serious personality. I was no longer just the colt Sombra had taken in for his own personal gains. I was now his right hand pony.
I learned just about every spell he had ever taught me. A few months in I also learned what my talent was. I earned my cutie mark when I created the first object out of pure magical energy while I was learning to change a snowball into an apple. It had come as a surprise at first, I had been focusing all my energy on the snowball when an image of sword had come into my brain. I lost focus on the snowball and the magical energy I was releasing was gathering up in one space. As I focused more on the image of the sword the physical representation started to take shape. After what seemed like an eternity I collapsed, exhausted from exerting my powers. I felt horribly exhausted. When I opened my eyes a few seconds later a red glowing blade was floating above my head.
I looked over at Lord Sombra who had a look of pleasure on his face. He walked over to me slowly and knelt beside me. Lord Sombra explained that he also underestimated my talent. He explained that my talent was one that only came in certain generations of unicorns. From that point on the two of us started to focus on me trying to master my talent. Which I cam to learn was no easy task.
The cutie mark portrayed two swords crossed with a golden shield that were all glowing a dark red with magical energy. My talent for creation magic could only be used to create special weapons or defenses. I could create any offensive or defensive weapon a pony could think of shields, swords, axes, spears, you name it I can create it. My favorite of all though is the dual swords. It took me a several months to learn how to hold the dual magical blades at once. My level of concentration had to be only focused on my target and the swords I was holding. As I learned how to hold them without much concentration I could start focusing less on holding the blades and more on what was going on around me. It took me another month to learn how to use the swords for long distance situations. I learned that I could shoot the blades at any target around me then with a little more focus I could return the sword to me, ready for the next situation to occur.
After sometime I managed to master my talent. When another unseen change occurred. It happened when I was out in the Frozen North helping Lord Sombra hunt for food. We were looking for frost berries a rare berry that only grew in the Frozen North. When a polar bear had attacked us. I quickly created a large hammer to defend us. That's when we both noticed the change. As I created the construct the magic that was being emitted from my horn started to change from it's usual light red to a more dark purple with the occasional black spurt come from it, and a green outline. My constructs took the exact color of my magic as well. Lord Sombra was impressed and told me this was the most powerful form of magic there is because dark magic is not restricted by the laws that were placed upon normal unicorn magic. I was honored to have the ability to use this form of magic. And having this form of magic allowed for me to learn a few new spells that were long forgotten.
Lord Sombra taught me a few spells that were forbidden to ever be used by any unicorn. These spells were outlawed after their creation in the tribes era.
These spells were created during the tribes era when a unicorn by the name of Darius Whitmane, created these spells and intended to use them to take over the unicorn tribe and then use the tribe to conquer all the others. His plans were unfortunately cut short when the current leader of the Pegasus tribe caught Whitmane in the act of casting the spell on a defenseless earth pony caravan. The pegasi leader hurried to the unicorn palace and told the unicorn leader of this act of betrayal and asked if it was the unicorn leader who ordered Whitemane to attack the caravan. The unicorn leader denied all claims and began to grow suspicious of Whitemane. Punishment did not come until two weeks later when the unicorn leader found Whitemane's studies on the spells and his plans to overthrow the leader. Whitemane denied these claims as well but the truth was already out. The unicorn leader seized Whitemane and banished him to the Frozen North where he would be escorted to a far away tower with his studies. Whitemane was then left at the tower to fend for himself. He could not go out alone into the Frozen North or he would end up a frozen pony. He later past away in the tower his studies left to never be found again. That is, until Sombra came across them
.
He never told me how he learned of these spells but I knew it was not my concern. It took me quite some time to learn these as well. These spells being of master level were among the hardest spells I had ever been taught. But when I did learn them I knew both my master and I were an unstoppable force. What we didn't know there was something even bigger was building up inside of me.
During the several years in that cave I went through many magic surges. Lord Sombra always told me that he could sense insurmountable loads of magic built up inside of me. My body couldn't handle the amount of magic, and constantly had to release it in these surges.
A magic surge is when a unicorn releases enormous amounts of magic at once. They can be dangerous and have been known to cause damage to anything it touches. Although these are rare and normally only happen when a unicorn is stunned, surprised, scared, or in a position where there is no other option. Mine happened at random, and more frequently.
Neither me or Lord Sombra could predict when they would happen. They just happened, and when they did they were dangerous. Lord Sombra had to cast a barrier around me when these surges happened for I was known to construct massive weapons and hurl them in all directions. The barrier could barely hold the energy being given off. At some points the barrier would crack and threaten to break but Lord Sombra would catch these just in time to repair it. When I did manage to regain control of myself he released the barrier and checked to make sure I was OK. Checking up on me after the surges was about all the fatherly Lord Sombra got. He would grab water that was melted from the snow of the blizzard outside of the cave, and feed it to me. When I was done drinking he would leave me to rest for several hours. Then when I woke up we would eat and get back to my training.
A few more months and several long training sessions later I was finally about ready to complete my training. Then Lord Sombra brought some news to me. Lord Sombra was always the one who wanted to be great. Even though he never mentioned it I could tell by the way he trained me. I just never thought what he was about to tell me was true.
In exactly two weeks from that time Lord Sombra told me he wanted to take over the Crystal Empire. He was telling me the idea of a hostile takeover of one of Equetria's greatest civilizations. The worst part was it was only going to be the two of us. I didn't doubt my master nor did I want to question him. I just doubted myself and my abilities. I didn't think I was ready for this mission. But Lord Sombra reassured me saying that he will do whatever it takes to have me ready to take the Crystal Empire in the two weeks.
I didn't doubt him at all. I simply nodded and began my preparations for the mission. I only had one concern. Why was I being told this just two weeks prior?
Lord Sombra explained that he was afraid I would not have trusted him if I was told all those years ago. He was also afraid I might have been to young to handle the responsibility of this task. That I would have been to focused on the takeover than my training.
I believed every word Lord Sombra said. I trusted him for so many years with my life. If there was any time I could depend on him to have my back it was now. I was ready for whatever the Empire could throw at me.
For the next week and a half we ran through the plan. Lord Sombra and I talked for several hours on end everyday on how we were going to takeover the Empire. And with everyday that past I felt more and more confident that the plan was sure to work. I could feel anxiety building up in my stomach all to be washed away with confidence that Lord Sombra and I were about to overthrow a government and takeover an entire civilization.
A week and a half later it was time to set out for the Crystal Empire. A new order was about to take place and that order would consist of Lord Sombra and I. Nothing is going to ruin this opportunity for us. We set out for the Crystal Empire with the black essence of Sombra's magic following us. Fading into the cold blizzard of the Frozen North.
We approached the Crystal Empire, Lord Sombra's black cloud of magic trailing not to far behind. The Empire looming in front of us. The Crystal Palace towering above all else. It's shining exterior brightening the city beneath it. The ground beneath the empire is a bright green color. As if the blizzard has never touched the land. From this distance we can see dots of crystal ponies lining the streets as if they had no idea of our presence.
As we approached even closer I stop in my tracks as does the black magic. The magic starts to circle the Crystal Empire's exterior. Lord Sombra moves on, heading straight for the palace. I watch as he approaches slowly with every sign that he means trouble to any pony who crosses his path.
A few moments later I hear a loud boom come from one of the pathways ahead of me. Crystal ponies scatter everywhere as many more explosions take place in the trade district of the empire.
I ready myself for the wave of crystal ponies that are heading straight for me. The plan now, no pony escapes. As the crowd approaches closer to the edge of the Crystal Empire, I ready myself for the leap out of the darkness. That moment came not to long after. I quickly sprang out and every crystal pony stopped in their tracks, frozen in fear, knowing I wasn't there to help. I gave them a menacing stare and many of the ponies slowly backed away. Before any could take action I raised my horn in the air and started to construct a barrier. I felt some of Lord Sombra's magic seep into me giving me the extra strength I needed to perform the spell. I focused as much energy I could as the magical black barrier formed and constructed into a dome, rising high above the empire. When it was complete it made a loud boom and a green pulse ran down the dome all the way to the ground.
When I finished I still felt amazing as I absorbed more of his magic to rejuvenate any magic lost. As I did this I saw a group of unicorns step forward. I gave them a confused look wondering who would be brave enough to fight some pony like me.
They all stood lined up, six in total. They took an offensive stance as if planning to charge me. I humored them and took an offensive stance as well. The six unicorns began to charge their horns and beams started to form. The beams crossed combining into a colorful display. One massive beam shot out instantly at me, but I was already one step ahead of them. My offensive stance was a trick, I quickly summoned magic into my horn and constructed a shield in front of me. The beams as I planned hit the shield and I absorbed every last bit of magic the shot at me. Their beams began to fade after about 20 seconds and in less time than that, they faded completely.
I gave another grin and teleported behind them. Forbidden spell number one: mass paralysis. The spell hit the entire group of crystal ponies, and all were instantly frozen in place. Why didn't I simply “end” them all? The second part of the plan was not to kill any pony. Why Lord Sombra wanted everypony alive? He never gave me a clear answer. When I asked him why he would ignore the question and change the subject.
I looked behind myself to make sure all crystal ponies in the area were frozen in place. When I was satisfied, I ran to meet up with Lord Sombra near the palace. When I found him he was halfway down the main street to the palace. Crystal ponies were running in all directions to find cover from Lord Sombra's terror. I caught up and we walked side by side toward the palace.
We make it a quarter of the way down when a squad of the Crystal palace's royal guard surrounded us. I looked up at Lord Sombra who gave me a gruesome grin. I returned a grin of my own, and stepped forward and planted my hooves firmly.
Forbidden spell number 2: Magic pulse. Why this spell was forbidden? Lord Sombra had never explained this to me. Maybe because it can take out entire armies if casted right? Lord Sombra's magic enveloped me again this time gluing my body to the ground. I forced as much energy I could into my horn and the result was a black and green pulse followed by a loud boom. I looked to see the squad go flying in different directions, clearing a path for us to walk without palace any resistance.
We finally reached the palace and as I ready myself to enter, I am stopped suddenly by Lord Sombra’s extended hoof. I gave him a look of confusion. I was then asked to stay outside the palace and guard the palace entrance. To make sure no pony intrudes on Lord Sombra's final phase of the plan. I look at him and nod giving no complaint.
As Lord Sombra enters the palace I take a defensive stance summoning two shields in front of me, ready to defend him with my life.
I hear nothing for a few moments then I hear a loud noise come from the palace throne room. The noise makes my ears ring and disorientates me for several moments, muffling all other sounds. When I regained control over my hearing and sight I opened the chamber door and looked inside. What I find is Lord Sombra standing alone in the throne room, no other pony insight. I would have thought there to be a king or some pony like him with Lord Sombra but the chamber was empty.
Lord Sombra looked back at me and said “It's over, we won, the Crystal Empire is now ours.”
I stared at him with a mixture of emotions, confusion, joy, sadness even managed to creep inside of me. Lord Sombra walked over to me as if noticing my conflict of emotions. He stood over me. He looked down and leaned in close and I could here his voice in my head utter a word I never thought I would here him say again “Sleep.” He uttered in a deep voice.
At that moment I felt tired. My body began to shake. My eyes began to feel heavy. I couldn't force myself to stay awake. I wanted to sleep. I collapsed, my entire body falling to the ground, thudding on the clear crystal floor. After that everything went dark.
I awoke sometime later lying in a bed meant for royalty. I still felt fatigued but I had enough strength to force myself out of bed. I had no idea what just happened. All I remember was that word, sleep, that ran through my head. My legs felt like jelly, making every step a challenge to take. In a few minutes I managed to make it to the hall. Several doors led to other rooms and a few had looked to be opened. I took a right and made my way to the throne room passing several rooms occupied by crystal ponies who hid and closed their doors as I passed.
The throne room was a long ways away from the room I had been placed in. the whole walk had made my head hurt. As I moved closer to the throne room voices began to fill my head. They uttered words that I couldn't understand at first, but as I moved closer I could hear them clearly. They said things like prophecy, destiny, chosen, conflict, and darkness. But there was a sentence that struck out at me, and became louder as I made my way to the chamber. That sentence was “He will come for thee.” I still wonder about that to this very day, but at the time I was still to weak to let the voices get to me.
When I reached the chamber doors the voices seemed to be at their loudest. Almost shouting at me to listen to them. As I opened the doors the words screamed into my head making me disorientated. Then when I entered the chamber they stopped and I quickly recovered from my disorientation. I looked around hoping to see Lord Sombra around. He was no where in sight.
I felt a presence creep behind me and I looked back to find Lord Sombra standing over me. His look had been straight almost no emotion showed. As he walked by me and I could here his voice fill my head. “You have done a wonderful job helping me take the Crystal Empire, Shallow Soul.” His voice bellowed in my head making it ache slightly. “I want to reward you for all your hard work over the years.”
“Your appreciation is thanks enough Lord Sombra.” I replied confused where he was going with this.
“No, you will be rewarded with the greatest of honors. You deserve the best and only the best my young one. You deserve a position that I can only trust to the one who has been by my side for the longest of times. From this moment on You will be in charge of my army. You will be my general, and you will also be in charge of the crystal mines.”
“I am speechless my lord. Do you actually believe I am ready for this roll.”
“I have all the confidence in Equestria that you are ready to take on this roll. After all, you were the one to summon the dome around the empire. You were the one who took out an entire squad of the royal guard.”
“You're right Lord Sombra I accept these positions and I promise not to disappoint.”
“Good, now please accompany my to the balcony, we have an empire to watch over.” We walked to the balcony as two green flames were being lit on gold braziers. We stood there looking over the land and the enslaved crystal ponies bellow. The royal guard had been transformed into black crystal ponies. The land had been turned from its lush green to a dull brown color. The crystals that had stood tall were now blackened and twisted into odd shapes. The crystal ponies bellow had now been chained up and forced to work in the crystal mines. All hope the crystal ponies ever had was crushed. Sadness plagued them for the years Lord Sombra ruled. Any sign of rebellion was quickly found and the rebels would be taken down to the dungeons. I was the enforcer, the rock of the empire. If Lord Sombra found any ounce of hope, I would be sent down to crush it, all that was left over was the shattered pieces of any dreams a crystal pony would have. Freedom in the empire was just a myth. The Crystal Empire had fallen.
This goes out as a warning to all. I have witnessed a great tragedy today. Two ponies walked into the Crystal Empire a black cloud of magic following them. No pony ever came out. A black barrier stands guarding the empire in all it's former glory. I have sat here and watched the impossible happen before my lives. Again I send this letter to the princess and all ponies who may be wanting to go the the Crystal Empire. Do not go. I still write this trying to consult my brain as to what just happened. The answer is right here. The Crystal Empire is fallen. I repeat the empire has fallen. The empire has fallen. Princess if you read this please help them the poor ponies trapped inside. Please help them,
-signed
anonymous pony
“Royal Canterlot Council I bring a proposal to you today, it is time for us to strike back against King Sombra and his dark army. After four years of rule over the Crystal Empire King Sombra has created famine and has enslaved thousands of innocent crystal ponies. I will not stand for this any longer. It is at this time that our own army is at its full potential we are finally ready to finally take action against his tyranny.” Celestia called out standing at the base of what was the Canterlot council room.
The room was a circular shape, with a tall ceiling. It was big enough to fit all 42 council members. They sat all around the room surrounding Celestia, eyes looking down at her. Celestia with all her pride stood tall, and proud. She projected her voice so all council members could here her. Celestia was waiting for this moment for a long time. Of course, it was hard to get all the members of the council to agree to a meeting like this. War was a subject the council did not like to talk about all that often. Let alone an attack on an empire that had stood strong for years before even the three tribes of ponies could set their differences aside. How they agreed to this Celestia will never know. But that didn't matter now. Now all she was focused on was their agreement to go to war with king Sombra.
“We have seen this coming for some time now princess. It's just that we are afraid that emotions might still cloud your judgment. You do know what we are talking about, right?” One of the council members spoke. Of course she was talking about Luna or now known as Nightmare Moon, her sister.
It wasn't to long ago that Celestia was forced to face down her own sister. The battle ended in Luna being sent to the moon. This was the moment that broke Celestia. After the event she had been cast into a horrible state of depression. She refused any meetings, and any letters that were sent to her went unread. It was also at this time when she was forced to move to Canterlot, the battle had left her old castle in ruins. If the news couldn't get any worse a letter that read urgent written in red, had been delivered. The messenger insisted that Celestia read the letter. Celestia who was annoyed at the messenger's persistence agreed to open it. What she read almost made her pass out. Another load had been pushed onto her. The Crystal Empire had fallen to King Sombra, and Celestia was sent deeper into her depression, knowing that she had failed twice to do her duties as princess.
She then called her first meeting with the council and proposed a counter-strike at the new Crystal Empire. They denied her proposal saying she will fail due to her state of mind and the state of the Canterlot army. This denial led to a string of denials further on. They had to bolster their forces if Celestia's army was going to stand any chance against King Sombra and his already immovable object of an army. Four years might have seemed to long but Celestia looked at her army now and saw that all this time and effort out into training this force, made taking back the Crystal Empire look extremely likely. Now she had to convince the council to finally let her have her chance. She couldn't take no for an answer.
“I assure you, all of you, that I am at full strength and so is my army. Just remember members of the council with every second we waste arguing about war there are crystal ponies starving at the hands of King Sombra's tyranny.” Celestia projects her voice further at the council emphasizing every word.
The members of the council all look at each other. Almost as if they understand each others look one member speaks up. “It is agreed then we will let you go to the Crystal Empire.”
“Thank you council I assure you I will no...” Celestia is interrupted mid sentence, by a council member on the opposite side of her.
“We will let you go only if you take the magic element of harmony with you.” The elderly council member says.
“Why only one element?” Celestia replies giving a questioning look at the elderly councilman.
“This is so you have protection from King Sombra's dark corruption, if you do not have this element it will seek to corrupt your soul.” Says another councilman.
“The magic element of harmony will be enough to protect you. Use it and fight with your life.” Says another adjacent from the precious.
“But be warned princess, King Sombra is not to be underestimated, he did take out an entire empire by himself.”
“He will seek to get into your mind. He does not wish to fight. His psychological games will seek to corrupt you with fear. Use this element to protect your mind and soul and force him to fight you face to face.” The final councilman speaks.
“I will not fail you. Thank you for this opportunity.” Celestia bows to the council and trots out of the council room, her mind in total focus on the fight to come.
Halfway down the hall she sees a hooded pony walking straight for her. She slows her pace to a slow walk looking at the oddly dressed pony. The two stop when they are directly in front of one another. When the hooded pony removes his hood Celestia immediately recognizes who he is.
“Oracle Silverlight! What are you doing here?” Celestia blurts, noticing the volume of her voice was louder than she intended.
“Save your words princess I am not here to talk, I am here deliver a warning.” Silverlight speaks the features of his gray face showing how serious he truly was.
“Tell me please!” Celestia blurts, again not controlling the volume of her voice.
“I come to deliver a warning of a great power that exists within the Crystal Empire...” The oracle starts to speak but is interrupted by Celestia.
“You mean King Sombra?”
“No this ones power is even greater than King Sombra's. I have seen a vision, but I could not see the pony who possesses this power. His name and face are hidden from me. But the horror that I saw made my heart sink for you princess. I saw his power summon a beast that once lived before the time of the ponies. Before magic was became a form of controlled matter. A dragon but not one made of scale and bone, no. This one was made of magic, pure magic. I saw you standing in its shadow and before the beast could strike all went black.” Silverlight's expression went from serious to complete horror in less than a second.
“Silverlight I have trusted you for many years but now I am afraid I consider you a crazed pony. Do you expect me to believe some random pony can summon something as powerful as a dragon?” Celestia laughs at the oracle giving him a playful grin.
“Princess I know these words sound like I am toying with you but I warn you now if you go to the Crystal Empire you will lead a civilization to vanish forever.” Silverlight looks up at Celestia all seriousness written on his face forcing the alicorn to stop in her place.
“I am sorry Silverlight but I must do this I will not fail as princess again. If this vision comes true I will be ready for it. I promise you oracle I will not let any pony down. King Sombra will fall.” Celestia's expression changes to the same look as Silverlight's.
“I understand, you must do your duties as princess. Go then, but heed my warning, if this vision does come true, a civilization will vanish and you will be the one counted responsible. You must do everything in your power to prove me wrong. Good bye Celestia. May our paths cross on happier terms again.”
The two stare at each other for several moments before they both bow and walk away in opposite directions.
Celestia walks down the hallway to the balcony where her army stands waiting the next order. She stands on the balcony looking down at the massive force. She then gives the order to attack the Crystal Empire. The pony army cheers and cries out, the voices being able to be heard from miles away. Celestia stands proud ready to take on the dark force of King Sombra's creation. But in the back of her mind hidden far deep she can still here the oracle's words speak to her. The words that could spell her doom. A dragon made of pure magic. She thought. What if he is right? What if there truly is a pony there who can summon a dragon of such creation? What if this is my end? No, no if this is my end I will go out fighting for what is right no matter the cost.
Rippling booms sound through Crystal Empire. I feel the stress of the outer attacks trying to force their way through the barrier set. I walk at a fast pace trying to keep my head from exploding from the stress of holding the dome shaped barrier from collapsing on itself. My path was directed to the balcony where Lord Sombra stands waiting for the inevitable war to break out. I was half way down the hall when I fell over, my head screaming in agony. One major hit on the barrier sent me into a state of shock and disorientation.
I finally regained control of myself and picked up my pace to Lord Sombra. When I finally reached him my body was nearly ready to give out. Lord Sombra was standing on the balcony eyes directed to the forefront of Celestia's army. Below us was a very army of our own. From what it looked like they were moving into defensive formations around the palace. Lord Sombra had no intentions of defending the rest of the Crystal Empire. “Lord Sombra the armies are already in motion to defend the palace. They are waiting for further orders.” I said struggling with every word. My head burning with every strike forced on the barrier.
“Good, How are you feeling Shallow?” He asked in his usual telepathic communication, giving me a look of concern.
“I...I feel fine my lord. Why do you ask?” I replied, returning a questioning stare.
“How long do you think you could hold up the barrier?”
“I have at least another hour of energy at this rate they are attacking at.”
“Good, drop it.”
“What?” The expression on my face became even more confused than before.
“Drop the barrier and prepare the army for a defensive strike.”
“But, my lord I can hold the barrier for another hour that would be enough time for us to get into better position.”
“Drop the barrier, prepare the army for a defensive strike, and one last thing.”
“Yes Lord Sombra?”
“Let the princess come to the palace.”
“But Lord Sombra I...” I was interrupted with a stare of annoyance from Lord Sombra. I knew right there to stop and do as he commanded.
Before I dropped the barrier I gave the command for the army to spread out toward the city, and most importantly No one touches Princess Celestia. When they were all in position I readied my self to lower the barrier. I focused all of my energy to my horn which glowed with the dark magic. The magical shield began to dissipate and the war cries from the outside could be heard clearer and clearer with every inch that went away. When the task was all finished I nearly fell over from the relief of stress.
I managed to hold myself up and turned to see Lord Sombra had already left. I turned back around to see the massive force that Princess Celestia brought together for her attack. She isn't joking around. I thought, We must be outnumbered three to one.
Princess Celestia's army was a force made of all different kinds of ponies. From the air were the pegasi who looked to only be support more than offensive. From the ground were the magical unicorns (like me) who took to the back providing long range rays of magic and what looked to be cover with massive rocks held up by several groups of unicorns. At the front were the armor covered earth ponies who's strength and power were used as an offensive advantage.
Our army was comprised of the crystal guard that had been corrupted by King Sombra's magic. Even though we were outnumbered the benefit home field advantage was ours. The mines hadn't just been to dig out for crystals. Lord Sombra and I also planned out elaborate underground routes to certain control points around the city. These control points were vital to our victory. The first set of four control points were set around the massive exterior of the palace. The others were set behind the city as flanking points. All connected by the underground tunnels. If all these points were to be controlled by us. Our army could easily trap Celestia's army in, while limiting the number of escape routes.
As the two armies collided with one another below. The sound of battle resounding all across the Crystal Empire. I raced down the staircase leading to the mines. My plan, to hold as many control points as I can before I go to meet up with Lord Sombra.
I entered the mines which, in times of war, are used as shelter for the families of crystal ponies. Lord Sombra had sent a squad of the crystal guard to protect them. A squad of the crystal guard stood waiting for me at the far north entrance to one of the tunnels. I stopped in front of the group and nodded giving the signal to attack the control points.
We ran down the lengthy tunnel. Our only source of light was the light we emitted from our horns. When we finally came to the ramp leading to the first point I stopped the group. They all came to a halt and stood at attention for the next order. To be honest, I had no plan at this point. I hadn't thought this far ahead. I had to come up with one right off the top of my head, and the best I could come up with was, well, charge! And that's exactly what me and the squad of crystal ponies behind me did. We ran up the ramp to be met with an attack from Celestia's men that had already taken the point.
I managed to weave myself in position, in the middle of the chaos. My squad had also taken position and quickly ducked for cover. The enemy had no idea what was about to happen. I planted my hooves down and channeled my magic into my horn. The result was a black and green pulse that sent any pony that was caught in the open flying in all directions. I dropped my head in exhaustion from that one spell. I felt spent, but was then met by one of the crystal guard lifting my head and pointing toward our backup coming to defend this point. I smiled at that and directed my squad toward the next outer point.
The other control points went about the same as the first. After the third point it just became second nature to run in, cast the pulse, and defend the point until our backup came to defend it. It seemed as if the princesses' army wasn't even trying to hold the points. I also hadn't seen any sign of Celestia. I was growing suspicious and looked toward the Crystal Palace. Nothing, almost as if her army was avoiding it. That or our defense was doing better than expected.
I looked around to see our plan was working as expected. Celestia's army was being held inside the city and only a few narrow escape routes remained. We hadn't gained control of all the points yet, but I had to find my master. I looked back at my squad and told them to capture the rest without me. One asked how they could capture the rest without my pulse. I reassured them that they could do this without me. There was only two control points left both right next to the palace. If they were to get into trouble they could retreat down the tunnels and if the enemy decides to follow them down the unfamiliar tunnels, then use the tunnels to their advantage. With a new confidence the squad went out into the fray, and I turned to look back at the palace still glowing even in this dark time. I took off for the palace gardens where I was sure to find Lord Sombra, and Celestia.
There was no easy path heading to the palace I had to weave my way through the small conflicts, assisting in as many as I could before reaching my destination. As I reached the palace the battles lightened and my path had cleared. The gardens were directly in front of me and I charged through the entrance to the wide opening of the main courtyard. What I found was a magic battle locked between Celestia and Lord Sombra.
Their horns had clashed many times. With every strike bright sparks of light and dark magic flew in all directions. When Celestia cast a spell it would be immediately countered by Lord Sombra, and vice versa. The two were locked in a neutral conflict. Neither pony giving an inch. I stood looking on as the two casted spell after spell and horn clash after horn clash. That is until I noticed my master made a vital mistake.
Lord Sombra had given Celestia an opportunity to take flight. The one thing my master couldn't do. Being an alicorn Celestia had wings unlike my master who was only a unicorn. The white alicorn flew circling Lord Sombra, who had gotten reckless, firing his black and purple magical beam in various directions. This had given Celestia the opportunity to fire a well placed beam of magic at Lord Sombra, hitting him directly in the chest and sending him crashing to the ground. A smack could be heard from where I was. To this point I had refused to intervene, due to the fact I knew this was my master's fight. But now this was different he was staring into the eyes of death and I had to do something about it.
“King Sombra your rain of tyranny ends here.” Celestia started as she landed. “You have enslaved these innocent ponies for to long. This empire has suffered under your rule and I will be the one who stops this. When I am done you will never return to the Crystal Empire again. You've met your end, accept it and leave this world.” Celestia began charging the amulet above her head. The red star started to shine a bright rainbow color. But just before she could use it on my master I ran and stood in front.
My face had a determined look on it and I had taken a defensive stance, ready for whatever spell she was about to cast. But it never came. Instead Celestia had not accounted for my sudden appearance and lost focus on the spell. The amulet went back to its red color and a surprised look had fallen on Celestia's face.
“I won't let you hurt him. If you're going to get to Lord Sombra you're going to have to go through me first.” I gave her a stare of anger and determination showing no signs that I was going to back off.
“Stand aside young pony you don't know what you are doing. That pony has committed heinous crimes and must be punished for it.” She replied with a look of irritation.
“That pony happens to be my master and I won't let you hurt him.” My position stayed the same.
“Your master?” Shock had replaced the look of irritation on her face.
“That's right, Lord Sombra was the one who took me in when my village was burned down. He was the one who took care of me my whole life. He taught me everything I know. He's told me I was meant to do great things in my life. That I have great potential.”
“What lies has he put in your head? You really believe what King Sombra has told you?”
“I believe every word he has spoken to me.”
“Can't you see what he has done to you? The corruption has taken you over, Sombra has been lying to you your whole life. He is just using you, all you're doing now is buying him time to recover. I will ask you one more time to move or I will be forced to use this element on the both of you.”
“And I said no.”
“Very well then, I am sorry I have to do this to you but since you refuse to move then I will have no choice but to take the both of you out.” The amulet on the top of her head started to glow once more. That bright rainbow color shined and created a blinding light. Celestia then directed the light at both me and Lord Sombra, and fired a bright rainbow beam at the both of us. I quickly reacted and created a shield in front of us.
As the beam hit the shield at full force, nearly knocking me over, the shield threatening to break. I felt a strange pulse fly through my body. A strange feeling began to form in my gut. My body began to shake and the next thing I know everything goes white, then black,
I awoke to see a light shining above me creating a circle of light that surrounded me. Darkness filled the rest of wherever I was. Then a row of light shined and seemed to form a path. The path ended a little ways away from where I was and seemed to form a platform. On the platform lay a blue box with a key next to it. I picked my self up and hesitated for a moment. I slowly walked up to the path and placed a hoof down gently to check if it was safe. When all felt safe I slowly stepped into the path of light and started slowly toward the box.
All that I could see was what was brought in front of me, the rest was darkness. I finally reached the platform containing the box. The box wasn't all that big about hoof height. It looked to have one keyhole and no indication as to what it was for. I looked around to find a key which was lying next to the box. I looked down at the key to see nothing special with it other than it looked like it could open the box.
I slowly picked up the key with my magic and cautiously inserted it into the box. I turned the key gently bracing myself for whatever was going to happen. When the box was unlocked it opened to reveal bright light that lightened the whole area around me. Then something sprang out of the box. It was hard to see at first due to the blinding light. But when my eyes adjusted I gawked at what was before me. A dragon made of pure magic store at me with a passive look. Before I could turn and run it dove at me and everything went white again.
When I regained consciousness I still felt my body pulsing with power. The feeling eventually started to fade and my body began to lower to the ground. I managed to land on all fours but I felt weak and struggled to keep myself up. When my eyes stopped glowing, my vision was incredibly blurred. I blinked a few times to clear my vision when I heard Celestia say something.
“T...This is ...impossible!” Celestia exclaimed. “This can't be! How can one pony summon something like that. They...They haven't been heard from for thousands of years. Before ponies ever existed. Before magic was a controllable element!”
What is she talking about. I thought. Before magic was a controllable element? Wasn't it always able to be controlled? And what's is she talking about one pony summoning whatever it was she was talking about? I finally managed to clear my vision to only see the alicorn with a dumbfounded look on her face. But she wasn't looking at me? No, she was looking up. Right then I felt it, a strange presence looming above me. I didn't want to look up but I forced my self to. What I saw was unimaginable. That same dragon that I had seen in that place was now floating above my head.
It was massive, almost twice the size of a normal dragon. It was made purely of magical essence. Was that my magical essence? I thought staring wide eyed at the beast. I began to feel fear creep into my kind and I started to panic. If that dragon attacked me in that place. Then what's stopping it from attacking me again? I slowly began to step backwards, and as I did I noticed something. I set one hoof back then the magical dragon began to back up. Am I controlling this beast? I took a few more steps back to see the magical beast do the same. I stepped forward to see the dragon move slowly forward. Then an idea began to creep into my mind replacing the fear with a new found confidence. I looked back at Celestia who was still looking at the magical dragon with wide eyes. I have no idea where I got the energy to summon something as massive as this, but it doesn't matter now I can control this and its time to end this war.
I gave Celestia a wide grin and took and offensive stance. The alicorn looked back at me speechless, frozen with fear. Now was my time to strike. I focused only on Celestia and as I did its almost as if the dragon read my mind, like we were connected. It gave a loud roar and made a diving swoop at the princess.
“Stop Shallow Soul!” A low voice boomed in my head, and I forced the dragon to stop mid-dive. The Dragon reared and turned to fly back over my head.
“What?” I looked back at lord Sombra to see he had risen fully to his feet. I gave him a questioning look. Wondering why he wanted me to stop now? I could have ended this war right there. I felt annoyed but waited for him to respond.
“Do not harm the princess, This is my fight Shallow. My fate is set, I must be defeated here today.” He stares back at me with a passive look.
“No I won't let it happen.” I respond immediately.
“Shallow Soul you must let fate take its course. I will one day return you must save yourself, your purpose is for a greater cause. Go on the dragon, run far away from here. Find somewhere safe. You have what it takes to take care of yourself. I have all the confidence in the world you will do fine without me”
I don't know why but I didn't argue any further. I just let my mind take me from there. I called the magical dragon and climbed its back, to the mid section where the wings parted from the dragon's back. I casted a spell that locked my hooves in place so I wouldn't fall and commanded the dragon to take off. The Dragon gave a loud bellowing roar, spreading its wings and took off straight up into the air.
Halfway in the air I looked back to see a rainbow beam of light and a bright flash follow. I stopped the dragon for a minute to look back at my master who disappeared in the rainbow light.
After a few seconds I noticed an ominous mass heading for me. A closer look and I found that a black cloud of magic was flying towards me. I hesitated but that's all the cloud needed. It hit me and I felt my body absorb all of the dark magic. I felt dizzy but I quickly got control over myself. I didn't feel any different after I absorbed all that magic. Then I noticed something happen down below.
The entire Crystal Empire started to fade into the Frozen North. I stared wide eyed at the spectacle as buildings and the palace slowly faded into nothing. Before long the entire empire was nothing. All the crystal ponies, guards, and buildings were nothing. All that was left was a snow covered landscape Celestia's army.
A tear formed and started to make its way down my face. I then wiped my eyes with my hoof and started to turn around and fly to find shelter. Before I turned completely I caught a glimpse of the white alicorn flying full speed at me.
I quickly turned and commanded the dragon to fly as fast as it could. With a heavy flap it did just as I commanded. I looked back to see the alicorn gaining on me. I had no intentions to fight at this point. I just wanted to find shelter. I then came up with an idea. It was risky and would take up the rest of my energy but I had no choice.
I summoned what was left of my energy and casted a teleportation spell. Both me and the magical dragon disappeared into the Frozen North. Leaving Celestia no traces where we went.
Where I had teleported myself was the only place I knew she wouldn't find me. The place where I grew up, the cave.
I felt exhausted, all my energy spent from today's events. I dropped off the dragon landing on all fours in front of the cave. As I entered the cave my legs began to give out and my walk slowly became a crawl. The dragon gave one more roar that sounded more like a sad cry, and disappeared. I managed to find myself the corner where I slept before the events of the Crystal Empire and I curled up into it. As I begin to fade, I started to hear voices. I couldn't understand any of them, and I tried to ignore them. They became louder as I faded even more into a deep sleep. What do I do from here? I thought. I then heard one final word the clearest one out of all the voices that seemed to answer my question, “survive”
“You only have power over ponies so long as you don't take everything away from them. But when you've robbed a pony of everything, he's no longer in your power - he's free again” - Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn****