Vengeance

by EquestrianKirin

Rating: teen
Tags: King Sombra, Tragedy, Princess Celestia, Main 6, Princess Luna, Gore, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Dark
Length: 12782

After Tirek's attack, King Sombra had found a way to escape the grip of love, and is now seeking revenge on the world.

It had been only a month since the attack by Tirek, and all seemed normal in and of itself. Twilight Sparkle is now the established princess of friendship, with her new crystal rainbow castle to symbolize the very essence of friendship and love...However, the event did not end completely without consequence.

Thanks to the absence of Alicorn magic for that one quick moment, the king of crystalline shadow, Sombra, had managed to resurrect himself from the grave of the icy north...and now, He is seeking revenge on those who stood against him on that faithful day.

Published 2014-11-04 23:40:03 UTC
Last updated 2014-12-19 16:32:57 UTC

Dreamscape

The princess of the night continued on her trot through the Celestial plain, doing her nightly duty of helping out ponies in their dreams. The night's of the equestrian population were varied between pony to pony, and outta all of them, it was Luna's job to seek through and help when she could. Tonight though, Luna didn't had much to work with in terms of dreams. Most of the ponies were sleeping more soundly, even the fillies and colts (which compared to adult stallions and mares, have more trouble in their dreams due to childish impulses). Regardless of the lack of work, Luna still had a good walk through the cyan blue celestial plain. After all, the land of stars was a beauty to behold, no matter what kind of work was needed. Usually for Luna, a night would at least have a good amount of dreams needing help, and she couldn't get them ALL at one night, impossible to. She would go around, take a look at a population's dreamscape, and would decide if she would go in to help, or simply go on her way. This was similar to an art gallery to Luna, one of those art pieces you feel like you could "walk" into. Anyway, the night was nearly over (around 3 in the morning, to be exact), and Luna sensed that it was time to head back into the real world. How she was able to figure out in a world where the sun and moon doesn't exist, when to stop her work, nopony knows exactly. Luna looked around through the various dream bubbles around her as they started to disappear, signifying ponies are starting to wake up for Celestia's day, and telling the dark blue Alicorn that her job is finished for the night.

"Seems this night had gone very smoothly. Time to retire to Canterlot," Luna thought aloud. Since she was alone in this plain, she felt more free on her words and is able to talk to herself without other ponies hearing or eavesdropping on her as of were. The only voices that were heard were the faint whispers and echoes of the dreams beginning to finish their stories. However, before Luna opened her wings to fly back to reality, a unique noise caught her ears. It wasn't a pony echo from a dream, nor any sort of voice she could recognize from pass trips. The strange noise sounded like, oddly enough, a machine's cooling wheeze, or some sort of moaning phantom... At first, Luna, wasn't too sure on investigating, being that she needed to get back soon, but something about that voice sounded so...familiar...

"Luna..." The voice beconed her, slow and ominous, yet at the same time, a voice she had to answer to... Luna turned around, a bit hesitant at first as to the maker of such voice, but her curiousity enticed her to at least see who was speaking her name, and in such a place as the Celestial plain, where only her and Celestia could venture into. The only other pony she knew that came here was Twilight, and that was thanks to celestia herself. A hoof stepped forward, and Luna forced herself to remain still as the voice became more and more clear...louder...closer...creeping up onto her, apparently.

"Who's there?" Luna asked, a bit confused, and on defense as to what voice beacons her from this realm. What mostly intrigued Luna about that was who is exactly calling her? Like for mentioned, only she and celestia can freely access this plain...unless a pony has a power to come to such a place, which Luna was hoping not. Than again, it could simply be a finishing dream, but that idea was shattered when she realized no dream bubbles were present. The wait for such a reply was FAR too long for her to really handle, and she turned around, just about to leave when...

"LUNA!" The voice was very close now, sounding inches from her. The name came out more of a huff rather than in any real tone, which nearly made the alicorn jump upon hearing. Luna, not wanting to wait in that suspenseful jump, quickly spun around, horn at the ready...nothing...

"WHO'S HERE?!" Luna involuntarily used that "canterlot voice" of hers on that part, and tried to calm herself to correct, but as it turned out soon afterward, it wasn't necessary. Just seconds after the boom echoed around the celestial plain, a deep, evil laugh echoed on through her brain. Luna stood firm, but something grabbed all 4 of her hooves, firm and painful like a bear trap, as Luna gasped in shock. her eyes bolted to her front hooves, able to see a dark, fog-like substance wrap around her ankles, climbing up her body as the laughter echoed again. Luna tried to flap her alicorn wings, but the fog wrapped tightly around them, grounding her where she stood! The fog yanked down her wings to the floor, making Luna scream in pain. She was forced to lay down on her knees so her wings wouldn't tear off her, though blood started to course through her legs and wings, and into the fog, as if the fog was trying to drain her like a vampony!

"AH! Let me go! NOW!" Luna screeched...nothing...dead silence...until she began to hear hoofsteps coming closer to her. The sound of horse shoes echoed, until a strong stomp was slammed down on her flowing tail. Luna tried to turn her head to see who was doing that, but the fog grabbed her chin and yanked her head forward...then the voice, clear as the crystal empire, whispered softly into her ear.

"Did you miss me, Luna?" Luna could barely move her eyes far enough to see, but the figure gave her the privalidge to see who he was. The vision of grey armor, red royal cape, red horn, and green eyes, made it far too real...Luna knew immediately who was present in the celestial plain...though she wished he wasn't there at all...

"No...Sombra...but...but how, your..."

"Dead?...You're sadly mistaken, princess. I'm still here, as you can plainly see..." His voice was deep, and powerful, the information hitting Luna like a freight train...but how was it possible? Such a monster in front of her, and he wasn't supposed to be there!

"But...how? You're supposed TO BE DEAD!" Luna retaliated, leaning towards the canterlot voice. Yet, the figure in front of her wasn't fazed by the booming voice. In fact, he simply laughed at her.

"Indeed, I can see you're confusion and defiance against the truth...but let me tell you something, Princess Luna. This is real. And, no matter what you do, or what you say, it's not going to change that." Luna flew into a rage, trying to shake and struggle out of the gripping, draining fog, but the fog suddenly started to suck out her life, to the point where she felt too weak to stand. The blood turned black as it touched the floor, as Luna fell down to her side, wings spread out from her back, to weak to contract back to her own body. the figure leaned towards her ear again.

"Struggle as much as you wish, Luna. The fog will suck you completely dry as such." He said, oddly in some sort of coo, as Luna tried to keep conscious in front of the horrid monster she is confronted with. Luna could only look up to Sombra with gritted teeth and anger-filled eyes, as Sombra looked right back with a calm, ruling sense edged onto his face.

"How did you get here?" Luna growled. Sombra smiled, showing his gleaming, white sharp teeth in his mouth.

"You tell me, Luna."...no words were focus between them for what seemed like forever. Sombra just snorted, and turned around from Luna, the blue alicorn unable to move due to the fog surrounding her, draining her of her strength.

"Wait. Wait. What are you going to do with me!" Luna croaked, as the fog swirled around her neck, sucking out her breath. Oddly enough, Sombra gave a rough huff towards it, the fog actually responding by letting go of her neck so Luna could breathe. Half of Luna knew that would happen, but the other half of Luna was shocked beyond belief. Sombra's controlling this draining fog? Unable to move a muscle in her body, Sombra lifted her head so her eyes are locked with his. Instead if a smile, he had a look similar to a teacher would when scolding a student when they screwed up.

"You're just gonna...take a vacation, if you will. You just rest here, and everything will go along just fine..."

"I can't! and I won't!"

"How can you go? my fog had already fed on your very essence, to the point when you can't even stand. Besides Luna, you should be thanking me. After all, you've hardly gotten much rest yourself..."

"YOU LET ME GO OR I'll -" Luna's croaked voice was cut short when Sombra gave a swift, yet brutal whack to her temple by his bony hoof. The hit spun Luna around about a foot away, making her fall on her side, landing harshly on her wing, which lost all feeling at that point. Sombra eyed her down, seeing how weak she was, literally inches away from death. his hoof slowly lifted upward, the fog finally letting her loose...but the fog was replaced with chains, stuck inside the bones of her legs. so she couldn't escape without ripping her legs off her body. these same chains clang in her wings and inside her neck, for the same purpose. Sombra grew another smile on his face, seeing the alicorn roll onto her stomach, chains still intact.

"Not so easy being locked away, is it, Luna? Now, if you excuse me." Sombra turned around, and began walking away from Luna's sight. Luna turned and tried her magic on the chains, only to find her magic blast right through them...and then rematerialize back, making that completely useless. Sombra chuckled.

"Don't even try your magic, dear Luna. You may have plenty of magic tricks up your sleeves, but none of them can break the grip those chains have on your body..." Sombra gave Luna a wink, as Luna tried to blast him to oblivion, but that didn't seem to work, as the rays of magic went through Sombra. as if Luna was blasting at a cloud. Sombra began walking away from her, his hoofsteps echoing in the plain...and he disappears...Leaving Luna trapped...and Alone...

****

Princess Celestia hummed up a tune to herself, as she walked down the castle's main hall leading to Luna's room. It was a bit later that Luna would be sleeping in, but this wasn't the first time that Luna would sleep in, being the princess of the night and all. Celestia found Luna's doors closed up, and opened them to find a sound asleep luna still laying in her bed, not doing her job to lower the moon just yet. Celestia looked out her window, and crept pass Luna, lowering her moon, and raising her sun. Then she turned to Luna with a soft smile on her face.

"Time to get up, sleepyhead," Celestia said, softly yet lord enough for Luna to hear. Usually, this'll fallow by either a groan by Luna, not wanting to get up, or simply nothing as she slept. And in this case, Luna didn't react to Luna's presence. Celestia nudged her sister on the shoulder, understanding her tiredness.

"Come on, Luna. It's time to get up, sister," Celestia repeated. Again, there was no reaction from the blue alicorn laying in her bed, as if Luna couldn't hear Celestia. The white alicorn looked over her sister some more, seeing the lack of reaction from her.

"Luna, get up," Celestia said, slightly less soft...nothing.

"Luna."

Still nothing...

"Luna! Up, now," Celestia knew when a joke dragged on a bit too long, and Celestia used her telekinetic magic to lift her sister outta bed, neatly putting the covers back as she did so. She levitated luna over the floor next to her bed. What'll usually happen was Luna would drop Luna on the floor, and Luna would wake up startled and Celestia getting a chuckle outta Luna's expense. Not exactly the nicest way to wake up a family member, but a way non the less. Celestia removed the telekinesis from around Luna, as Luna dropped down roughly on the floor, her face slamming on the floor under her as the rest of her body tumbled down like a Timberwolf with termites in it's legs...Nothing...absolutely nothing. Now Celestia was in more of a worry over her sister.

"Luna? Luna! Wake up, Luna!" Celestia said, urgent filling her tone as she loomed over Luna's body. The body didn't move in the slightest, not even a twitch came from Luna's lifeless body. The commotion got a couple of her guards to investigate the worrying scene.

"Princess, is something wrong?" one asked. Celestia tried to calm herself before turning to face them.

"My sister won't wake up! I have to find out what's wrong with her," Celestia levitated Luna back into bed, as a guard walked to Celestia's side.

"Shall I get a doctor, Celestia?" he asked.

"Get the best one you can find, and hurry," Celestia ordered. The guards galloped out of the room, as Celestia looked down at the body of her sister. What happened to her?

Haunt

Pacing back and forth just outside Luna's room, Celestia was in over her head about the condition Luna was suddenly under. The guards did indeed find a doctor for Luna, yet he insisted she stay outside the room as he worked. The questions racing through Celestia's mind as she was forced to wait outside: What's wrong with Luna? Why was she unable to wake up? Can Luna be cured? What would happen if Luna never woke up? As Celestia continued pacing around, the doctor finally ventured out of Luna's bedroom, and by the expression on his face, it wasn't any good...

"Princess Celestia...You're sister, she...well..." The doctor had some trouble giving her the news. Though he had gone through such events before, there's a major difference between a normal pony and the princess of the world. Celestia walked over to him, urgent for an answer.

"What's wrong with my sister?" Celestia asked. The doctor sighed sorrowfully, giving Celestia the indication that the news will tear at her.

"It pains me to say...but...her vitals aren't working properly. I've tried everything I could, but..."

"But, WHAT?!" The doctor took a step back at the rough response given to him by the ruler of the world. He calmed down after a few long seconds, trying to keep his own composure together in front of Celestia.

"Luna...Luna had passed..."

"...no...NO!" Celestia rushed into Luna's room, nearly trampling the doctor just to get inside. Inside the room was Luna, laying O so peacefully on her back. Eyes closed, and hooves laid sprawled out, as if Luna was still sleeping as Celestial had found her. Her wings were folded to her side, and her head was turned to face the ceiling. The doctor had a machine, a heart monitor, placed next to Luna's bed, that dreaded flat green line shown on its screen, as that horrid buzzing echoed throughout the room. Celestia simply stared at Luna, a tear shedding down her face as she slowly walked over to her sister. Just yesterday, her sister was alive and well...and now...here she was, on her death bed. The princess of the sun lowered her head in disbelief over such a sudden loss, and so unexpected without any warning from any soul present in Canterlot.

"I'm so sorry, Celestia..." The doctor said eventually, a hoof placed on Celestia's shoulder as she wept softly. Celestia sighed grimly, as she turned away from Luna and the doctor.

"I...I need to be alone for a while..." After that, Celestia walked away, without a second glance back at the body of her sister. The doctor could tell Celestia was hurting, and gave a sigh of grief himself as he walked over to the monitor. Without any words or thoughts, he began to turn off the machine, and started to remove the wires connecting to Luna's legs in order to track her heart. Of course, there was no longer any point to keep it in tact anymore, so pulling them out wasn't that much of trouble. However, as the doctor worked out the wires with his teeth, something...odd...began to catch the doctor's attention.

As he was working out the wires, an odd material began to seep into the room, where he was working. The doctor himself didn't notice it until it was going around the doctors feet. It appeared to be some sort of fog, pitch black in coloration, as it was slowly advancing around the room. The doctor fallowed the fog back up to Luna. He froze upon the sight that was seen before him. Luna's eyes, now pitch black as the night itself, had that exact same fog seeping out of them. Her mouth and nose too had that same dark fog flowing out of them, and into the room. The doctor took a few steps back in utter shock at this horror display being brought out in front of him.

"What in the world?" The doctor suddenly snapped back to his senses, and rushed to the door, fear of what the heck this fog is. But before he was able to reach it, the fog wrapped around his front legs, yanking them back behind him with such force, the doctor could feel his leg bones snap under the force! He fell harshly, slamming in the door as the fog wrapped around his body, in a constriction hold. The doctor tried screaming, but the fog wrapped around his muzzle and throat to keep him quiet, as he could only watch the horror happen next. He fog grew up from Luna's body, creating a huge loom above her as the doctor struggled to get free of the binding fog around him. The fog constricted tighter and tighter around his body and limbs, as the fog above Luna began to take shape. Slowly, but surely, the mass of fog began to materialize into an equine shape. Eyes suddenly glowed from the shape, staring right at the scared medical pony with steam fuming out from it...

A powerful scream echoed throughout the castle....

~~

Twilight fluttered around inside her crystal castle, as she was trying to find her new books she was suppose to look at that day. Ever since her defeating the centaur, Tirek, she had gotten her brand new castle up in order, to make it even closely similar to her old treehouse castle. It was still quite a lot to get used to, all things considered, yet Twilight managed to work it out through her time staying in the crystal home. Though her arrangements, in this case her books, still need some working out.

"Oh, where is it where is it where is it?" Twilight said to herself, as she browsed rough her many books inside her library piece, which resembled the library back in Canterlot before she moved to Ponyville. As she was searching around the top shelves, her assistant, Spike, got her attention after a minute of searching.

"Over here, Twilight," Spike called, the alicorn turning back to him. She landed next to him, levitating the book from Spike's claws with her alicorn magic.

"Thanks Spike," Twilight said, trotting out of the library with Spike fallowing behind, smile on his reptile face. He was indeed happy to help out his friend, all and all, but the book Twilight wanted to get was quite...interesting, to say the least. Twilight sparkle trotted flown to her room, placing her book on the desk inside, and was just about to begin when Spike tapped her on the shoulder.

"Why do you need this book again?"

"Oh Spike, even an alicorn needs some sort of study." Twilight opened up the book to begin reading, but just before she could, another sound interrupted her concentration. It sounded like some sort of cast, a spell, but not much of a usual one. More like spike giving a letter then much else. Twilight turned around and, indeed, a letter was left on the floor, rolled neatly on a cylinder as spike covered his mouth after a burp past through. Twilight took the time to lift up the letter, unravel it, and began reading.

Dear Twilight Sparkle:

I've come to you on this day, as a tragic event had just occurred. My sister, Luna, had recently met a abrupt end. I humbly wish for you to come to her funeral tomorrow morning.

Sincerely:
Princess Celestia

...Twilight remained quiet for a while, taking the information in. Luna? Dead? How could that be...? Spike himself was rather blank faced and confused among it all, and was given the letter, reading the same awful news. Before he could get any reaction though, suddenly another burp escaped his mouth, as another letter burst into light. Twilight was a little confused and picked up that letter as well, unraveled it, and began reading...

Twilight:

I don't have much time left, but I must warn you of the grave danger. Sombra has returned. And he's coming back to take over. Hurry Twi

The letter was abruptly ended there, as if the writer was cut off. There was no signature written on the page either, only ending in a smudge. Twilight couldn't make heads or tails of that, but the mention of the unicorn returning is a horrifying thought to bring around. Twilight remained quiet again, but didn't give that letter to spike.

"Twilight?"

"Spike. I need a message given to Celestia." No sooner after she said that, Spike rushed off and minutes later, came back with quill and paper ready. Twilight cleared her throat as spike began to write out Twilights words.

"Dear princess Celestia. I've received your message about your sisters death, and I promise I will be present to the funeral. Though I must warn you, of the danger that is King Sombra, has returned to Equestria."

Twilight ended there, as spike wrapped it up and sent it off to its destination...

Tears and Victories

The skies near Canterlot became cloudy, and blurred to the moaners, as the funeral took place. Many ponies from all over Equestria ventured out of their way in order to reach such a funeral. Among the crowd of ponies, the mane six all were up front alongside Celestia. Each pony there were sorrowful over the loss of their nightly ruler, but there also was a hint of confusion among the ponies: how can a god die?...well, they could only assume not all things are as they were thought to be. The many ponies, normally of many colors, were dressed in formal attire for such a sad event, the mane six included. While the colts wore black to brown tux, the mares wore similarly colored dresses as well. Almost every pony had their heads aimed towards the cold dirt, some of the mares already crying before...before the "guest of honor" arrived. As a large path was made, a group of six, grey colts walked towards the grave in front of the crowd. The object all of the colts were carrying was a large coffin, dark blue in coloration to symbolize whom was resting inside. The "guest", Luna, was laying on her back, eyes closed as if she was asleep. Her wings were folded in ever go gently, her front hooves close together as if the Alicorn was holding her heart inside her from escaping. Her once beautiful flowing midnight tail and mane, now loss of all its magic, reverted to short, light blue hair that layed out around Luna's head and legs. Celestia couldn't even bare to watch, as the coffin was, with the help of the unicorn magic, was gently placed down in front of the grave dug out for the deceased. The speaker turned to the crowd, as the old pony cleared his throat.

"Our princess has done so much for us. Our dear Princess Luna had succumb many a struggle for as long as we can remember... May she -" before the speaker could continue, the princess of the sun raised her hoof to stop him, not looking towards the speaker. Her eyes were purely on Luna. Despite her sorrow, Celestia turned to the crowd of ponies, and cleared her throat to begin.

"This pony was a brave, yet kind soul. She would never give into the face a doubt. This is a pony that will proudly take her own life for anypony else...Luna was banished, and yet still willing to help us anyway she could. She help make Equestria into the land it is today...*sniff* may she rest in peace..." Celestia broke into silent sobs, even the princess of the sun had a hard time taking in what's happening in front of her. Her faithful friend, Twilight Sparkle, walked over to the coffin, and placed her gift beside her in the coffin: a single blue violet, followed by a small sapphire, courtesy of Spike, whom was taking it just as hard as every other pony there. One of the ponies, an orange one named Applejack, had her cowboy hat over her chest in respect to their night goddess, as her friend, named Pinkie Pie, was balling in tears as the event took place. Celestia turned to them during this, tears down her own face, as she too took out something for Luna. The Alicorn, with her magic glow, lifted over Luna's crown, placing it gently and neatly on her head. Among every pony present at the funeral, Celestia was taking it the hardest of all of them. She and Luna had gone through so much together. The battles they faced, the laughs they shared, the sacrifices they made...She knew that one day, they would split apart...who knew it would be like this?

With a sad nod of her head, Celestia turned away and sat down nearby as the colts covered Luna's body with a blanket, and closed the coffin up. The six colts proceeded then to place the blue coffin into the grave, making sure not to slip. The various ponies watched as the coffin was buried steadily and slowly into its grave...it was indeed a sad, sad day for the residents, and their living princess...then it was done. The funeral was finished. Time ticked by slowly and painfully, as more and more ponies went on home. It didn't take very long before Celestia and the mane six were the only ones left at the grave. Celestia had her head down to her hooves, tears still streaming down her face. Pinkie pie was still deeply baling over the grave, her normally big, puffy mane completely deflated and flat, as Applejack placed a hoof on her shoulder. Pinkie Pie looked to her like a sad kid, and hugged her in sorrow. Applejack then turned to the others.

"I'm going to bring Pinkie home, if that's alright," Applejack said in a sad time. Twilight turned to her and gave a small smile.

"It's okay Applejack..." With those words, Applejack began to head back alongside Pinkie Pie, whom was trying to wipe away her tears as they walked sadly away. Twilight then walked over to Celestia, a hoof placed on her wing, as Celestia turned to her with tear-filled eyes...

"I don't know how it happened..." Celestia managed to say between choked tears.

"It's not your fault, Celestia," Twilight assured, trying to cheer her up. But she knew all too well that cheering her up was close to impossible by then.

"I coulda helped her...I was too late I...i...oh twilight!" The last part was brought out in a wail of sorrow, as she hugged her student, her cries nearly as loud as Luna's Canterlot voice. The ringing of her cries echoed throughout Canterlot castle, nearly every pony able to hear it within miles of the moarn...these same wails reached down to Ponyville as well, nearly all the ponies there looking to Canterlot castle with a sad expression on their faces... However, one particular pony had a devilish smile on his face, the cries being like pure music to his own ears, as if it was a symphony rather than mourning over the loss.

"If only they knew...oh well," he thought, as he began walking behind the crystal rainbow castle. It's light gleamed in pure glory over a battle won. For many, it is a becon of pure friendship and love...but to the unicorn, it is his own treat. Licking his lips in anticipation, his red horn glowed a magenta of dark purple as a small magic beam was zapped at the base of the castle, a black spot zapped in place by his dark magic. The magenta on his own horn disappeared, but the magic placed on the castle was slowly starting to spread around, making the area in front of the unicorn close to pitch black in appearance, and was spreading quickly. The unicorn chuckled in his low, monotone voice as he literally walked through the dark magic with ease, as if there wasn't even a wall there to begin with, as the magic continued to spread around the castles base, climbing upward like a group of snakes coiling around a tree.

~~

It did take a while, but eventually the mane six did start heading back towards home, distraught from the experience at hoof. After all, the goddess of the moon is now dead, what's gonna happen now? The only ones who stayed with Celestia were Twilight and Spike, being the closest to her. Since Applejack and Pinkie Pie already left earlier, the ones together were Rarity, Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy, each one in deep remorse over the whole thing. Among them all, Fluttershy was the most heartbroken, being a kind-hearted pony, the thought of loosing someone alone was harsh on her, let along loosing one of the rulers of Equestria. Rainbow Dash, however, didn't want to show any tears. Being the strong hearted type, Rainbow wasn't one to completely collapse in front of death, not what the deceased would want. Although, it still hurt her quite a bit, despite her lacking much interaction with the moon goddess herself. Rarity, being around the middle when it came to the level of sadness, turned to Fluttershy.

"There, there dear. It'll be okay," Rarity assured her friend. Fluttershy didn't say a word, not able to find anything to really say. Rainbow dash continued off ahead until she was able to get a eye view of the castle...the very sight of it stopped her in her tracks...

It took a little bit longer before Rarity and Fluttershy noticed as well. They did see the rainbow castle...but the appearance of the castle was completely different. Just that morning, the castle was beaming with life, crystalline colors of the elements shining off its exterior in the sun of the world...but now, the castle looked more dead than alive. The entire castle now was completely black, and apparently looking drained. Each "branch" looked ready to collapse, and the base was almost completely surrounded by black crystals, jagged and menacing. The balcony was Alined with purple and green flames in symbolic respect to the invader that took hold. The light of the sun couldn't even penitrait the darkness that surrounded the new castle. They could also see the residents of Ponyville looking onward in confusion and fear, indicating that this change recently occurred, the ponies unsure what to do...

"Rainbow, get Twilight please," Rarity said after a minute. Rainbow Dash didn't need to be told twice, as she quickly made a U-turn back to Canterlot castle. Whatever was happening here, it can't be good...

Playing for a Fool

Time seemed to had stopped for the princess of the sun, both metaphorically and literally, as she was too heartbroken and depressed to even bother to move the sun as night began to draw near. Her emotions were being poured out into her pillow, as she laid there in her bed, sobbing sadly. Though tears stopped flowing from her eyes, the pain still hovered over her head like a raincloud, forced above a pony that deserved her life to be miserable. Celestia didn't bother to speak to the guards outside her bedroom door, no matter how many times they asked her emotional condition. To be blunt, the alicorn princess had a piece of her heart torn due to this event. The strangest and saddest thing was that she didn't knew why. There was absolutely no clues before her "death" occurred to give Celestia at least a hint of insight, which made Celestia more guilty than miserable. The only other creatures that were alongside her were Twilight Sparkle and Spike, whom stayed with her soon after the burial took place as their friends went on towards home. Aside from Luna, Twilight and Spike knew Celestia better than anypony else, practically growing up aside her and all through the past years, so they knew just how she would act to such things. After a few more minutes, and soon after the crying ceased of volume, the baby dragon walked over to Celestia's side, the princess turning to see him while she laid there on her stomach.

"Can I get you anything?" Spike asked, as calmly as he could. Though he too was having a rough time with the situation as well. Celestia's hoof raised and petted spike softly on the head.

"Some water would be nice..." Celestia said after a bit, her voice sounding winded from the crying earlier. Spike nodded in agreement, and went out Celestia's bedroom door and went off to get her highness some refreshment. Twilight remained in her presence, however, not wanting to leave her unattended in such a predicament as this. Twilight had seen Celestia's share of hardship, but this was a bit big, even for her. Even her banishing her sister wasn't as heart wrenching as now, and they both knew it as well. Twilight laid a reassuring hoof on her shoulder to comfort her, though she knew it'll take more than that to handle this problem.

"It's going to be okay, Princess Celestia...I promise..." Twilight assured her former teacher. Celestia turned to the alicorn, face of dried tears, and her eyes still full of sorrow. But Celestia knew that, although it was unexpected and sad, she had to put herself together. It will be okay, in time...though it still hurt, it's not what Luna would of wanted...not even close. Celestia sighed, and managed to get back on her hooves.

"You're right...Luna wouldn't want me to lay here, anyway." As if on cue, Spike returned with a glass of water held in his small clawed hands, making sure not to spill any as he walked to her. Celestia turned to the dragon, using her magic to lift the glass from his claws. With a nod of her head, and a quick drink, she began to head out to face the world again...yet she still felt that wretched pain in her, she knew her role as a princess can't be ignored for long, especially now that a princess was lost...again...

~~

"...Such sorrow read on that alicorn's face... Can't take such events, i suppose."

The dream realm was, at least soon after Sombra's change to the rainbow empire, became a new regular visit to the evil unicorn. He found the dream realm a slight escape from reality's harsh vertues. Although, such a position Sombra ended up in in such a short amount of time meant he shouldn't stay for long. But, due to the burial that took place sometime before, it gave Sombra a break in order to head back to such a dreamscape. The exact news of Celestia's hardship had gotten to Sombra oddly quickly, but not directly, as Sombra coulda guessed that even Celestia would take the loss pretty hard. Luna was her sister, after all...Although, Sombra wasn't just visiting the dreamscape for some time away from the real world...he had someone to see.

It only took a short walk through the sea of bright neon blue stars, but eventually he did find what, or who, he was looking for. in her chained up binds, now her life thread almost diminishing, she simply laid there as Sombra ventured into her view. Strange really, such an alicorn were to keep her soul alive, even after everypony else in the physical world thought such a ruler was long gone...

"A pleasure to see me again, Luna?" Sombra asked, mockingly. Luna's condition here wasn't any better than back at home. Although her physical body was dead, Luna would much rather BE dead at this point, the chains keeping her firmly in place onto the floor. Sombra examined the alicorn's state, and it's evident she tried to break herself free, ala the blood dripping down her legs, even after nearly 2 days of being trapped in the place she always spent her nightly work of helping those in dreams. Indeed, ironic, the very place she visited so many times, and she now regretted coming here. All Luna could do was grit her teeth in his presence, too weak to shoot Sombra with any magic by then.

"Release me...or so help me...you'll regret it," Luna wheezed, indicating she struggled long and hard to escape the chains before Sombra came back. Sombra gave Luna a toothy smirk.

"Regret what exactly? You're chained up in your own dreamworld, and everypony else believes you are dead...Then again, killing you would make things easier." Sombra gave a low chuckle at the last part, thinking on the scene unfolding in his own mind as Luna could only stagger up on her front hooves, glaring at the monster.

"Then why don't you kill me? As far as I know, you much rather less merciful than this," Luna groaned. Indeed, it was rather confusing that Sombra, a pony who'd kill anypony without question, was keeping her alive in such a way. Sombra knew she was right, in his past, he didn't even bother with any dialogue, or wasted much time. His last visit to the crystal empire proved such a thing, himself not needing to speak, and just went right for it...but that resulted in his demise...again. Sombra, despite such memories returning, gave Luna a huff.

"You aren't wrong, Luna. But, just because I was locked away for 1000 years AND was defeated by your unicorn, doesn't mean i don't learn. I admit, I've made some disastrous missteps on my part, near death at my expense. But i've learned a few things from my last escapade of the crystal empire..."

"Like what?" Luna growled.

"For example, just charging in and killing your enemies may have a chance to remove the trouble faster. But not every problem can be solve in such a case. Of course, death does comes if you plan it right, but you can't expect it so fast on your attempts. You've got to find strategy, not force...Yes, this is sounding a bit off from a unicorn like myself, but, there's a first time for anything, is there?"

Luna just stared at the unicorn, unsure on how to truly react to such a statement. Yes, ponies do learn from pass mistakes, that's just a natural thing, but this much change in so little time seems...unnatural, even for somepony like Sombra. That alone frightened her; how much did Sombra learn from such a passage of time?...

"So you've learned how to cheat death, then?" Luna asked, eventually. Sombra turned away from the Alicorn for a moment, and sat down, looking away for a moment before he spoke once more.

"Come here."

Luna didn't move, nor knew if she even could. After all, her wings and legs were chained down from her bones, and just the slightest yank resulted in sheer pain and even more loss of feel. She was lucky to made it this far, but it was obvious Sombra didn't care for that. Sombra looked back, the purple steam seeping from his eye sockets as he glared back at her.

"I said, COME HERE."

This time, Luna felt a yank from the chain connecting to her neck, causing her to yelp and choke in pain, forcing her forward. Sombra could hear her blood-filled chokes, as the red liquid started to seep out again from the connection in her throat. Sombra only stopped once Luna was at his side, letting Luna breathe again. The brutal pull was so rough, Luna had to cough out some blood before she could take in even breaths again, and only then did Sombra answer her. His horn glowed in a purple magenta, as a orb began to materialize in front of them both, like a crystal ball. At first, Luna couldn't see anything inside of it, but eventually, the images started to show themselves.

"Take a good look, Luna. This will answer that dying question of yours..." Luna had no other choice but to watch.

The images that began to play out was the events back at the crystal empire, right towards the end seconds after the crystal heart had been placed back in it's original position. The love started to flow through the crystal ponies, as Sombra, whom was standing on top of a giant dark crystal spire, looked down in anger. The flash of light from the crystal heart's love exploded all around him, his body starting to crack of bright white colors. Sombra gave a anger, blood curdling scream just before his body Dematerialized, along with him dark crystals. His horn flew off out of sight of the crystal empire, and it all mainly seemed as it had been told to her before...but more was shown. The horn that was blown off, landed far off into the tundra ice and snow. The red and black unicorn horn tumbled in the air by the harsh wind before finding it's landing place: a crevice within the ice. The horn flew right in, bounced off the cavern's walls, and landed unharmed on the cavern floor, outta the way of any dangers from the outside...This cavern, although in small amounts, did have more crystals inside of it, as Sombra's dark magic turned the once white crystals, into black dark skeletal daggers...Sombra's green eyes mirrored in the crystals...and the vision ended there.

Luna simply stared off into the void of the orb. She couldn't believe what she had seen, among all other things, that was something she didn't expect in the slightest...however, that didn't give her the exact answer she needed. If sombra did remain alive down there, then why until now did he finally show up? Apparently, mind reading was also a new trick Sombra picked up, because he began talking soon after that crossed her mind.

"Those crystals did keep me present...but they weren't enough to free me. The magic of love still remained in that empire, and so long as that alicorn was there, the magic would a stayed, and I would a died down there...until..."

The orb began showing more images once again, this time it was much more recent. This time, it shown the images of Twilight Sparkle, full fledged Alicorn, fighting off the horrifying Centaur, Tirek. The scene played out her "defeat", as Tirek sucked out what Alicorn magic had ceased to exist in equestrian...The orb, panned over miles back to that same cavern that Sombra remained trapped in. The unicorn had sensed the presence of the Alicorn, and love, had completely vanished...it was now or never. The dark magic, locked up in those crystals, spread out inside, concealing the horn as well. A loud and violent roar was heard, as Sombra, now fully materialized, burst free of his icy tomb in a loud crash of the ice above. His hooves slammed down hard into the snow, as he looked on with an angered glare...Sombra was now free...

Only by then, did the orb disappear. Luna was simply speechless, as Sombra began to walk away again. Luna knew Tirek had gone on a rampage before, taking away all pony magi, but she never would a guessed that such an act would bring a diabolical beast from the icy grave. Sombra looked back at Luna, staring at him with a whole new sense of fear edged on her face...and Sombra loved every inch of that fear filled face.

"You're scared of me now, Luna?...I'm glad." Sombra suddenly levitated the chains on Luna's wings, causing her to scream in sheer pain and agony, as she was lifted 4 feet off the ground by sombra's magic. The chains moved Luna around like she was a tortured puppet, until she was right in front of Sombra again, Sombra giving her his signature grin.

"Stop! It's Hurts!"

"Of course it hurts, what else would you expect?" Sombra tossed around Luna some more, the pain rocketing in her again, blood beginning to pour out of Luna's now blood-stained wings.

"MAKE IT STOP!" Luna shrieked. Oh how Sombra LOVED to hear his enemies beg for mercy.

"I'm sorry, I thought you said I'm not as merciful," sombra reminded, as the chains yanked on her wings again. Sombra watched in simple amusement as Luna struggled in mid air. Sombra then commanded the other chains on her legs to pull hard, Making luna suspended in mid air, legs spread apart by the powerful pulls...then they stopped. Blood was seeping down each chain at this point, Luna's head hanging downward, as Sombra smirked. It hurt so much...Luna looked at Sombra, tears falling down her face...then he did it.

With one simple command, each chain on her legs and wings brutally pulled with all their strength, a bloody crack heard from each bone broken inside of her! Luna screamed out in agonizing pain, intensity over her Canterlot voice, as she could no longer feel her hooves and wings anymore. Sombra removed command from the chains, letting Luna drop hard on her side, as a pool of blood surrounded her body, Luna wheezing and crying in pain as Sombra looked down on her with a smile.

"Please...K-kill me..." Luna pleaded, as Sombra snorted at her, her blood getting on his hooves.

"...No..."

"W-what?..."

"That would be too easy. I got better plans for you, Luna."

Luna could only watch as Sombra began to turn and walk away, his hooves echoing in her ears. But before Sombra could go, he turned back to the moon goddess with a sinister grin.

"Oh. And by the way, I bet your wondering how I know about the battle with Tirek...Let's just say that fight scarred Twilight more than you think..."

And with that, Sombra disappeared...

Disharmony PT1

The princess of the sun ventured back to her throne room, though now not visibly showing her dismay over her sister, she still felt it. The alicorn simply sighed, and sat down back on her throne, as Twilight Sparkle and Spike followed her back. The Alicorn and Dragon were unsure of what else to truly say to her, as they've already said the various usual stuff upon talking, such as "It's going to be okay" or "It'll be fine" and so on. Celestia herself had her mind wrapped around the whole thing, so soon did the fact of Luna's death took place, was slightly rough for her to deal with. How her sister lost her life in her sleep, and she was unable to do anything...

...Lost her life in her sleep...

...something came up in her head, as she began to unravel the events in a different light. She woke up, and found Luna unable to wake up. She managed to get the best doctor in equestria, whom told her that Luna had passed on...whom disappeared soon afterwards. The funeral that took place later that same day, and the sorrow she felt throughout...it didn't made sense...non of it did, now that she thought about it...

"Is there anything else you need, princess?" Twilight asked, a bit quiet in her words. Celestia however, didn't answer her so quickly. her sorrow blinded her to the facts that represented itself, as she calmed down from her previous troubles.

"Twilight Sparkle...Something not right with all of this..." But before Celestia could say what, suddenly one of the windows was hit with something hard, as it spun around for a good 3 seconds before a blue blur shot inside, a bit dizzy from the spinning. It was Rainbow Dash, looking a bit in worry, yet urgency. She shot up to her hooves,, wings raised, and eyes locked onto Twilight.

"Twilight! *pant* Castle! *pant* Dark! *pant* Evil! *pant*"

"Rainbow, calm down! now tell me, calmly, what happened?" Twilight instructed. Rainbow took a minute to relax before telling Twilight the news.

"The castle! Twilight, the castle it's - I dunno, it's turned into - into -"

"Into what?" Not able to find the right words, Rainbow simply flew up, and aimed a hoof down to ponyville, where they are able to see the castle...only the castle they knew was no longer standing there, instead replaced by a black abomination of what it once was. The events must of distracted them as it transformed from rainbow castle into it's state now. The princesses took sometime to take it in, before Twilight stepped forward to the window, studying the appearance a bit more. Celestia could recognize the crystals far too well, yet needed some time to believe that it was real first. Celestia and Twilight turned to face one another, and gave a nod in unison.

"Rainbow, come on," Twilight said. Rainbow didn't need to be told twice on such a choice, as all 3 flew off towards the location.

~~

The castle in Ponyville stood up in it's horrifying gaze, as the town of ponyville looked on in curiosity, unsure of how to truly react to such a change. The sun was setting by now, giving much more ominous feel around it, if the look of jagged crystals wasn't dangerous enough. Celestia, Twilight, Rainbow and Spike (whom was riding on Twilight's back) Landed nearby the confused citizens of Ponyville. Some of the mane six, up front, was also looking on in thought, though they were mainly waiting for rainbow to return. Almost immediately after arrival, the ponies already began their feared questions.

"What's going on?"

"What happened to the castle?"

"Can you fix it?"

These and other questions were thrown at them for awhile until Celestia raised her hoof to quiet the worrying crowd of pony residents. Twilight took a moment to study the crystals lining the castle's mainframe. They seemed...oddly familiar in someway. As she tried to put 2 and 2 together, Celestia took the time to address her subjects.

"Attention Ponyville, we advise all of you to leave this place until the danger has passed. We will give word once the danger has creased," Celestia ordered, loud enough for everyone to hear her. This news startled the ponies a bit, but they knew the princess knew what she was doing, so they didn't waste any time, and began heading back into town to start packing. After that, she turned to the mane six, hom looked at her in confusion. Rarity stepped forward.

"What happened to the castle?" she asked the princess. Celestia turned to the crystals, Twilight turning to her from her spot. As she stepped away, Celestia walked towards the crystalline fence that surrounded said castle...Celestia sighed.

"Dark Magic." Was her only reply. The mane six felt quite surprised on such a thing, this was the rainbow castle they're talking about, how could it be affected by any magic of evil origin?! It was made by friendship, right?

"But, how? it's made outta friendship right?" Rainbow asked eventually.

"Not exactly. The castle itself was brought to life by friendship, the magic of friendship resides in all of you, not the castle," Celestia explained.

"But who could of done -" Before rainbow could finish, a low rumble could be felt from inside the castle walls, not enough to knock the ponies off their feet, but enough to get their attention. Celestia stepped back as, from out of nowhere, the walls in front of them suddenly fell into the earth, creating a path for them inside. the tunnel looked extremely dark, unable to see the end of it in the slightest. They were just about to go, but Celestia blocked their way, not trusting the situation.

"Hold on," Celestia advised. Celestia looked down the tunnel, and created a beam with her magic, shooting it down the tunnel so she could see inside in case of traps...however, nothing seemed to be placed, but Celestia didn't want to take any chances with such a thing.

"Twilight, you and the rest of the ponies stay out here," Celestia instructed.

"But Celestia - "

"Please I have to do this alone. It's too dangerous for you all to go in."

"We're the elements of harmony! There's no way we're gonna stand by and watch!" Rainbow Dash insisted, ready for anything. Celestia looked around to the other ponies, all with a similar expression on their faces. Looks like she didn't have much choice.

"Very well then..."

...Of course, their conversation didn't go unnoticed, as the reflection of green eyes shown themselves, just outta sight of the ponies gaze...

the group of ponies, and Spike, ventured off inside the castle. It didn't truly seem like there's much of anything, as they continued. The walls were dark and crystalline, as they ventured onward, not even appearing like the inside of their castle. In fact, it looked more like an underground cave than a hallway, the floors not even being recognizable. The fact that such changes were made alone was surprising. Each pony kept moving until their "path" ended in a dead end, covered from top to bottom in jagged black crystals, some aimed right at them, other aimed towards each other, similar to black jagged teeth. Celestia looked for an opening, not finding any in the slightest to help them get through.

"Now what do we do?" Applejack asked after a bit, trying to look around. Celestia suddenly felt a dreaded sense...something wasn't right here...and she wasn't wrong.

Seconds after, the path behind them was replaced by black crystals, making the group trapped inside! This gave them all a bit of a shock, Fluttershy the most. To make matters worse, the walls suddenly began to close in on eachother! Instinctively, Applejack, Pinkie and Rainbow quickly bolted to one of the walls, trying to get them to stop moving. Rarity huddled in closer to Celestia, as Fluttershy, in panic, backed away from the walls. However, the wall behind her touched her back, and with a yelp, the wall suddenly opened up again, Fluttershy tumbling back inside!

"Fluttershy!"

Rainbow quickly bolted to grab her, but the wall closed just before she got there, Rainbow slamming hard into the crystal wall. Fluttershy is now gone, and the world was closing in on them. Celestia, angered, began to conjure up her own magic. The ponies stepped back as Celestia released a powerful pulse from her horn, the crystals around them disappeared into smoke, including the one blocking there way...but Fluttershy wasn't seen anywhere...

~~

The yellow pegasus laid in her spot for a minute, feeling cold and alone. her tumble came completely unexpected from the panic that had already made it's grip onto her, and now she didn't know where she'd fallen into. She could barely see the room around her, eyes beginning to adjust to the darkness around the frightened pegasus.

"Hello?" She squeaked out...nothing. Not even an echo of sound...that was until she heard hoofsteps, coming closer and closer to her. Her heart raced, her breath quickened, and she backed up into yet another wall, not falling into it like before. The poor creature huddled in the corner, eyes fixated on the general location of the noise...Then eyes began to take shape in front of her. Bright green, steam of purple flowing out, red reptilian pupils looking right down at her. A low sigh was heard, as Fluttershy felt the cold breath of her opposition, standing above her.

"W-who...w-who are..." Fluttershy barely managed to speak, she was so terrified. But the stranger made the room glow a faint blue hue, just enough so Fluttershy could see...Sombra had found her...

"How typical. The the elements of harmony venture into the castle...Sometimes, you make things far too easy," Sombra mocked, his voice low and menacing. Fluttershy hunkered down in his presence, trying to regain herself, but found that impossible. As far as she knew, Sombra was pretty much deceased by now...yet here he was, right in front of her in all his glory.

"W-why are you here? HOW are you here?" Fluttershy wheezed, the fear making her even more vulnerable. It didn't help that Sombra laid down next to her, inches away.

"I've always been around, my dear. A bit lacking in power, perhaps, but now I've regained my original strength..."

"B-but...b-but y-your-"

"Supposed to be dead? Is that what your gonna say? Funny. In this world of such magic, I'd thought escaping death wasn't anything big for ponies like you...Then again, you are a pegasus." Fluttershy didn't speak, unsure of what to even say. She was lucky she was still breathing at that point. Sombra sighed, his cold breath giving Fluttershy goosebumps.

"I'm surprised at you. Such a shy, and loving soul, like you, venturing into such a place like this. Only because your friends say so."

"B-but they're my friends..."

"And you're point? I'd thought you take off running by now, instead of fallowing your elements. And by the way, are they really your friends? From some resources, i'd thought you wrecked their lives, from the pain you've left them."

"I would never harm my friends!" Fluttershy gasped, taken aback by such a horrid statement. Sombra gave her a look of disapproval, but not one of aggression. Sombra, if not taken down already, would a killed Fluttershy by now. But some facts made him less of psychotic. One; Fluttershy was far too scared to attack him, and two; he wanted to watch her suffer some more. Suffer equals satisfaction towards the evil unicorn tyrant.

"Oh no? Have you forgotten something?" Sombra conjured up the same orb he showed back to Luna before, and placed it down in front of Fluttershy. The orb swirled in place for a second or two, before images began to play out...

The images linked back to Fluttershy, Rarity, and Pinkie pie. However, it wasn't a simple get together, as Fluttershy saw herself circling Rarity and Pinkie, anger read out on the fluttershy's face. She knew this all too well: It was the day she took assertive lessons from Iron Will, a deep mistake as it turned out. And here is where she'd done her absolute worst, and it was taken out in front of her best friends. The images were bad enough, but she was also treated to the horrid voices the "new fluttershy" spat out.

Why not? I'd thought petty is what your all about, Rarity, with your petty concerns about fashion!

"Please stop."

And what are you passionate about? Birthday cake? Party hats?

"Please!"

I cant believe the most ignorant ponies in ponyville are telling new fluttershy, how to live her life, when their throwing theirs away on pointless pursuits, that NOPONY ELSE GIVES A FLYING FEATHER ABOUT!

That did it, Fluttershy turned away from the orb as Sombra made the images disappear from the orb, a tear down her face. To this day, Fluttershy wanted to forget she did that horrid act to her friends. But then she realized something; how did Sombra know? This was before she even got to crystal empire, let along knew about Sombra. But, as before, Sombra knew her questions.

"Let's just say some nightmares make some facts too clear," Sombra concluded, turning to Fluttershy, tears down her face. Fluttershy gulped, but some sort of courage she had left spat out "That's over, I'm better now!"

"Are you?" Sombra made the orb show more memories in front of Fluttershy. She wanted to look away, but Sombra stomped harshly on her tail with his back hoof, so she couldn't move away. Sombra wanted her to watch, as more images presented themselves.

The images that appeared over and over again were horrid to watch, and half of them weren't even on the same day she learned assertiveness. Other events include: Her stealing Celestia's pet bird; Her using the stare on various animals, the animals looking in fear; Her going in complete psycho mode at the grand galloping gala. All of these various images made her feel less afraid, and more guilty...but then one image presented itself that made her rather confused; Her trying to befriend discord. As that played out, Sombra spoke again.

"You sure are a monster, Fluttershy. All these acts, and yet you brush them off...such a pity, really."

"But...But discord -"

"Before you finish that, think about this. What you've done, and knowingly did, was not befriend Discord. You manipulated him. Such a devilish act to use your own kindness to control such creatures...You knew what you were doing, and yet you done it anyway. A well sign, of a monster." After that explanation, Sombra made the orb disappear, Fluttershy staring off blankly into space, tears pouring down her face. He was right; the acts she committed belonged to a monster rather than a pony, and yet she never truly realized how badly these acts really were until Sombra showed it to her...She was a monster...Sombra got up, and walked a few feet away, stepping off Fluttershy's tail. Fluttershy thought to fly away, but looking around, she was unable to locate an escape route. Even if she did, she doubted Sombra would let her simply fly off.

"This world is full of monster, Fluttershy...You just so happened to be one of them...Would it be better they could just go away?"

Sombra conjured up something else in front of the pegasus; a sharp, small crystal spire, large as a sword. Fluttershy just stared at the thing, as Sombra used his magic to pull it out of the ground...

"You have a chance to make things right..."

Sombra handed her the spire, Fluttershy reluctantly taking it from him. The spire rested lightly on her hooves, as she stared right at it, her reflection going of it...She knew what Sombra wanted her to do...She placed it down, in a way that it's aimed at her...she back away...ready to run...

"...Good Girl..."

Disharmony PT2

The group was in a panic. Fluttershy had suddenly gone missing during that ultimate freak out just a minute ago. Now, the mane six (excluding fluttershy), and Celestia, all now were in a complete worry over what the heck happened to their friend. What's worse, Sombra's still going about in the castle, and they needed to find him and take him down too. Celestia tried to calm herself while the others around her continued to frantically search for any sign of Fluttershy, or anypony else for the matter. The alicorn princess turned back to the mane six, after scanning the ground for any clues.

"Enough panic everypony! Now's not the time for that." The mane six tried to relax, but it didn't work so well. Celestia's horn glowed for a second and then turned back.

"I found her location. You all have to find her..."

"But what about Sombra?" Twilight asked.

"...I will fight him. You just focus on finding Fluttershy, and meet me then, understood?" The others didn't had time to argue, and so, Celestia used her magic to reveal the pathway to where Fluttershy was located, and rushed off ahead to find Sombra while the mane six went to find fluttershy...all the while, that same danger kept his eye on them all...

The mane six, soon after the split up, quickly began on the path marked by Celestia, trying their best to relocate the poor pegasus. Among them all, Rainbow Dash was the most worried over her closest, lifelong friend, and what could of happened to her after all that...However, it didn't take long for the mane six to find out...

the path they were going through begun to open back up into a larger cavern: the same one Fluttershy had tumbled into earlier...the room didn't have anypony inside. No trace or evidence of anypony present inside. What happened to her? wasn't she in there?

"Fluttershy?" Rainbow called. There were only the sounds of echos being heard. The ponies began to look around the place, trying to find some sort of clue as to the condition of the yellow pegasus inside. She had to be somewhere...anywhere...

"Fluttershy! Fluttershy where are -"

"Is that you i hear?"

Everypony stopped when the voice was echoed through the cavern. The voice sounded much like fluttershy's voice, but it didn't sound much alive at all. In fact, it sounded more of a ghostly sigh than much else...then they heard footsteps.

"Fluttershy? are you -"

"Hush now. It's alright..."

The voice became more exact in terms of location, as the mane six turned off to one direction: a dark shadowy corner of the cavern. The footsteps became more prominent, as the body of fluttershy began to take shape...but Fluttershy didn't look like herself. Her chest had a large gouge on it, as if impaled, and her eyes pitch black, and dark fog oozed out of each one. Her friends froze in utter shock as their deceased, undead friend came into view. Rainbow was the most hurt, as she landed in front of the poor, poor pony...a tear ran down on her face, seeing what had happened...

"No...NO!...FLUTTERSHY!!" Rainbow hugged her friends corpse, the shock and sadness overwhelming her. But that was quickly replaced with anger, as she spun around.

"WHO'S RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS?! SHOW YOURSELF!!" Rainbow demanded...her answer came far sooner than she expected it to...Just behind Fluttershy, that same fog began to manifest itself into a far too familiar unicorn shape, just behind her. The mane six were about to fight, but the shadowy figure was unable to be hit, as Twilight tried to blast it...It's eyes glowed in a all too familiar green colour tint, glaring down at all the ponies. They thought about attacking, but then, it suddenly spoke...

"...bow before the King..."

~~

Meanwhile, Celestia herself flew through the castle, looking for any signs of Sombra's presence during her flight around. Her dash through the halls lead her right for the main throne room, which she didn't waste anytime to barge in, battle ready.

"Sombra! Where are you?!" Celestia demanded...nothing. The alicorn examined her surroundings for any sort of trap or clue, but there didn't seem to be anything. The throne room didn't appear manipulated where a trap could be set down (except for the dark crystals, but thats about it). The alicorn began walking on ahead, keeping her eyes and ears wide open for any danger. Her senses peaked, Celestia caught the sound of breathing right behind her. And good thing too, because soon after jumping in the air, the opposition revealed himself, nearly skewing her with a dark crystal shot down from the ceiling! Sombra himself appeared before her, charging at her with all his strength, but Celestia easily dodged each one of his attempts. Sombra expected as much from the ruler of the world. Celestia too tried to attack with a barrage of magical weaponry, but Sombra was just as evasive as she was to his attacks, dodging each one due to his shadow form. Sombra tried his best to use his fear spell on Celestia, but that wasn't as easy as it sounded, as Celestia avoided staring right in his eyes during the fight. While the fight, at least to Sombra, was enjoyable, he had his limits, and his patience wore thin as the fight dragged onward.

"You just can't accept fate, can you?"

"Fate had no plans for you, Sombra!" Celestia charged right for him once more, but Sombra jumped out of the way, his back hooves slamming the back of Celestia's head. The alicorn slammed into the floor, as Sombra made a U turn back at her, horn ready to stab her. Celestia though spun around, reflected his assault with a whack of her wings, sending him tumbling towards the wall. The black unicorn landed on his hooves, but still slammed into the wall regardless of his recovery over the hit. Celestia aimed her horn right at Sombra, her wings spread, ready to attack the unicorn again, but Sombra didn't move...but instead, gave a grin after a bit of examination.

"Charge. I dare you."

Celestia wanted to, but she knew better than that. Though she didn't charge, she still kept her battle stance if Sombra did attack her. Sombra just stood up from his spot, looking Celestia directly in the eye. He couldn't use his spell on her yet, needing to get close enough, and he knew Celestia wouldn't give him that chance in this fight. Instead, Sombra horn glowed a red hue, as the crystals suddenly went wild, charging at her from all directions. Celestia took action, blasting the crystals out of existence as Sombra walked closer while she was distracted. Celestia did shot back at Sombra a number of times, but the crystals attacking her kept her off her guard from the unicorn. Sombra edged closer and closer as Celestia continued until he was right behind her... then it happened.

Sombra commanded a Crystal to charge behind Celestia, and of course, the alicorn spun around and shot it to dust. But suddenly, Sombra gripped her horn with his teeth, and in one yank, the horn was literally torn off!...torn off...Celestia couldn't believe what just happened to her. Falling to the floor, blood starting to pour from her head, Celestia looked to Sombra who had her horn gripped in his sharp teeth, holding it like a spear or a dagger. The alicorn tried to get up, but the crystals jabbed her wings down to the floor, making escape impossible for her. Sombra walked over to her, aiming the horn so it's directly pointed right at Celestia. The Alicorn princess struggled in her bind, but the crystals didn't budge, and since her horn was torn away, she couldn't perform any magic to help her escape...She was at the mercy...

"No! No! Sombra you don't understand what you've just done!"

Sombra pat out the horn, it now levitating in front of him as he continued to speak.

"I do understand, Celestia. With you out of the way, my rule will be legendary. Sombra: the sun slayer..."

"But we can't live without the sun!"

"Is that so? I was trapped in darkness for a century, and I'm still standing...Besides, wouldn't the world be doomed anyway, now that Luna's dead?"

"SILENCE!" Celestia bellowed, shaking the foundations of the castle. That didn't deter Sombra, however.

"Celestia, your reign had gone on long enough. You brought this upon yourself; banishing me in that icy tomb. You are a disgrace of a ruler."

With that, Sombra rotated the horn, aimed it right at her chest. Celestia tried again to get out, but the wound on her head was beginning to take it's toll on her, the amount of blood loss causing her to weaken. She could only see a blur of her once proud horn, aimed directly towards her open wound, like an arrow to it's target...she knew what was coming. And there was nothing left she could do...

...

"Goodbye, Princess Celestia."

...

Epilogue

...How long had it been?...

...Since the fall of the once proud rulers of equestria: Celestia and Luna...

...The elements of harmony were no longer a happy memory, for not even them were able to stop him...

The world of pure darkness. Hard to believe that such a land was once the magical land of Ponyville. The village that stood appeared more dead than alive, each building crystallized with black daggered crystallic stone. The skies above held no sun, nor no moon. The only light left in the world was the purple and green fire that lit up the town, and even that hardly made much of a difference in light...if one could even remember what true light looked like anymore. The ponies weren't much better off than anything else: living under a dictator's rule in the world of pure darkness. Each pony, as far the eyes could see, didn't share any sort of smile, any remote happiness was removed...All they could see was sorrowful, dim-coloured ponies, going on their schedules that were forced upon them by their new ruler. Many mares and stallions were completely chained up, hooves and necks chained up like prisoners of their own town, as they were forced into their own slave labour. It was a sad sight to any pony with pure common sense and guilt. The crystal castle, now nearly invisible in the pitch black twilight, stood in all of it's demonic glory, as the ponies were forced to work under it's gloomy gaze...In one of it's balconies, their dictatorial ruler, King Sombra, looked down on his own empire, full of newfound pride, a feeling he hadn't felt in many years. The look of disciplined depression on everypony in his presence made him feel accomplished in his victory. After gazing down on the empire's residents, Sombra ventured back inside his castle.

The inside of the castle had been a bit modified to suite his liking: his black crystallined mainframe of the halls mirrored his reflection in an almost perfect way (as best a daggered crystal could do). Kept polished by some of Sombra's slaves daily would do that to the castle. Speaking of which, Sombra checked on the servants down in the throne room, who he assigned earlier to clean up on the throne room for that "day" (if one could even call it a day without the light). After some wandering through his halls, he found his throne room, his servants continuing to wipe down the throne Sombra had them assigned to do. The unicorn confronted them as the pony turned back and bowed in his presence, something he enjoyed. Sombra looked over the throne for a bit, not seeing any smears or smudges on his lovely throne. With that, he nodded and allowed them to go clean the rest of the palace. Sombra sat down on his throne, looking around his throne room.

"Feels great to be back..." Sombra sighed, feeling grateful to had returned to his rightful place as king again. As he continued to look around his magnetic crystals, his eyes caught to a personal decoration. The white wings of a long forgotten ruler spread above his castle's main door: a reminder to that fateful day. The unicorn smiled in triumph as he got up, eyes looking into it. His eyes look up at it for a while until...

"Sombra? You ready?"

Normally, Sombra would be angry for such a innteruption into his castle, but he recognized the voice, and had a smile instead as he turned around. The unicorn's guest looked rather tall, about the same height as Sombra, though thinner and more dark blue than black. Her armor gleemed in the light of Sombra's fiery torches as she drawed near. Sombra smiled deeply, letting her pass him.

"Go right ahead, my dear," Sombra insisted, a hoof aimed to the main doorway. his guest walked over to the doors, swinging them open wide so she could observe the world outside. Her long, sharp horn glowed bright blue, and suddenly something began to rise from the horizon. The only main source of light that the world of Equestria had left: the moon. With just one minute of use, the full moon's rays shined down brightly upon the world, The rays of the moon ventured inside Sombra's castle, his armor shining in the moonlight. His guest smiled back at him, her teeth sharp like his own. Her eyes, pupils in a slither like that of a reptile. Her wings were spread, her horn gleamed in the light...Sombra smiled at his princess, walking towards her side...

"As beautiful as ever, my dear sweet Nightmare."

"I'm glad you think so, sweetheart..."