The Sun Goes Dark

Just outside the border of the Crustal Empire, A grey unicorn stallion sat, looking out into what he used to call home. The streets were dotted with his former slaves, going about their daily lives, and not giving a hoof about their old king. Sombra searched among the crystal ponies, hoping to find his favorite of all, Amber Leaf. Amber was the only pony who really cared about Sombra, but now she, like all others, cringed at the thought of meeting him again.

Sombra knew he must not enter the Empire, but could not fight the urge any longer. He rose, flung his cape upon his back, and placed a hoof on the smooth crystal road. He flinched at the feeling, for it had been over a thousand years since he had last touched the grounds of the Empire. A second hoof entered the kingdom, then another, and finally, Sombra was officially inside his beloved Crystal Empire.

As Shining Armor stared out over the balcony he noticed something different about the Crystal Empire. Everything was quiet, too quiet. "Has Cadence returned yet?" He looked to one of the guards standing behind him.

"Not yet, Sir."

Shining said nothing, but turned to take a second look at the kingdom. He sat staring out into space, until he heard a familiar voice coming from behind. Shining Armor immediately knew who his visitor was, and was not happy about it. Not one little bit. "What do you want, Flash?"

The young pegasus was surprised to hear his name come out of Shining Armor's mouth, especially after all they had been through the past month. "I'm afraid we have company. As I was pa-"

Flash Sentry stopped mid-sentence, for Shining Armor signaled him to be quiet. He hated his Captain, but was determined to get on Shining's good side, for Twilight. "Did you hear that?"

"Hear what?" At this point, Flash was getting worried about the unicorn before him, but that only lasted until a sudden rumble shook through the entire Empire. King Sombra had returned.