Lost Innocence, and a Growing Insanityby MStar709ChaptersCh.1- Settling the scoreCh.2- ReturnCh.3- The Crystal EmpireCh.4- Search for the Crystal HeartCh.5- AwakeCh.1- Settling the scoreThe chains clinked idly against the wall where I dangled. I can hear the shadows screaming, warning me to run, but I couldn't and now master was going to punish me for failing. It's all that merchant's fault, we should have never bought those items. A loud familiar scream soon echoed through the walls. A sob escaped me. "I'm sorry Erick..." I could hear the hoofsteps growing closer, the shadows screamed. 'THE MASTER IS HERE!!! THE MASTER IS HERE!!!' I saw a tell-tale shadow coming 'round the corner, outside my cell. The shadow became the very pony I grew to fear. King Sombra, a dark gray unicorn with a black mane and tail. Unlike regular unicorn horns, the master's horn is curved, smooth, sharp at the tip and it gradients from dark gray to red. He has sharp teeth with two visible fangs unlike other ponies and red irises, sometimes his white eyes appear green and have a purple mist emanating from them. He wore silver armor on his legs and neck, a crown with horn-like points on his head, and a red cape that covers his flank. The cell door unlocked itself and he stepped inside. The master looked at me briefly and scowled. "Iggy." I was half tempted to hide in my shell, to close my eyes and forget all of this. "Iggy... You IDIOT!!!" Sombra let loose a strong magic blast, normally it would have killed anyone, luckily for me it only left a large burn mark. "You led them straight to me!!" I tried to hide my smirk,' So they arrived, good'. Unfortunately Sombra saw my smirk and electrified me, the wounds healed instantly. "Well now guess what, you are going to distract them." Sombra pulled me closer. "You and your idoit brother." I suppressed a growl and nodded. Sombra smirked and tossed me a couple of my things, a magical wand, my crystal ball, and a capsule containing my 'pet'. "Now GO!!!" I nodded and ran towards the throne room where I will soon meet my opponents. They were close now, she could feel it. In the crystal halls were two alicorn ponies the taller one being Princess Celestia and the more shorter and darker one being Princess Luna. ' After all this time, your reign of tyranny stops here Sombra! And not even the two drakes can save you this time, I will make you pay for what you did.' The two stopped in front of the large crystal door, the taller one Princess Celestia turned towards her sister. "Luna are you sure you want to do this, I can handle them myself." Luna snorted. "Nay sister, thou cannot possibly handle the two drakes yourself, besides we are no filly we do not need you watching over us." Celestia nodded at her sister and pulled her into a hug. After a few seconds the door started to open itself. The two looked at each other and nodded. As the two walked into the throne room, the huge door behind them slammed closed, soon a demented laughter filled the room accompanied by a childish laughter, they would be lying if they said that the laughter didn't unnerve them. "SO THE PRINCESS ARRIVE TO THE FRAY? BUT WHICH PAIR OF SIBLINGS SHALL SURVIVE THIS BRAWL? ITS A BATTLE TO THE DEATH! NO HARD FEELINGS BUT WE RATHER NOT BE DEAD." In the center of the room were two dragon like creatures one taller than the other, several doors behind them. The taller one had green hair shaped like the top of a pineapple, he had a yellow and tan skin complexion, as well as a green head, he also had four fangs sticking out of his mouth. He has large, oval eyes with blue-ringed irises showing a bit of madness the glasses he wears have very thick lenses. As well as his distinctive glasses, he wears the same metal, spiked cuffs as does his younger sibling both of them had shells, Iggy's being green. The shorter one named Lemmy, looked no older than a baby dragon. Lemmy had a rainbow Mohawk with a yellow ponytail, his shell was a dark orange, just like his older brother he also wore spiked cuffs, his most distinctive feature was the fact that he was cross-eyed and that he was currently balancing in a bright yellow ball with orange stars. Nether of the princesses felt right fighting with the disabled dragon, but it had to be done. "Iggy! If you truly value the safety of your brother, then you will let us through the door that leads to Sombra!" Iggy looked behind him as if he were thinking about it, but then the younger sibling Lemmy started to get electrocuted, Iggy seeing this ran towards him. The electrocution stopped and his wounds healed, the two sisters looked at them disgusted that Sombra would go to such measures to keep their loyalty. Iggy turned towards the two. "I see two ignorant princesses. Sombra missing? What a mess." Iggy raised his wand to the air and spun it around a few times and fired three fire balls in front of the princesses, the two tensed up a bit, they knew what was coming, suddenly the flames disappeared and from it came three similar beings, all of them were bipedal turtles wearing helmets, the first one had a green shell and was carrying a hammer, the second had a red shell flames leaking through his claws, the final one had a light blue shell, balls of ice in both hands. "Think one of the doors will lead to him? Step on through--it's sink or swim!" With that the three turtles begun to attack, demented laughter echoed through out the room. (Iggy's P.O.V.) 15mintues later I parried another furious swing from Celestia’s blade before hitting her in the chest, sending her sliding backwards. Even through my mighty koopa clown car Mrk. 2 (just imagine the koopa clown car from smash bros.), I felt the heat radiating off her body. As she slid back she hurled her blade at me. I barely managed to dodge it and saw the part of the castle behind me practically explode from the force. I rocketed forward and dodged a beam of magic before stabbing at her. She raised a bubble shield just in time, but already I noticed cracks. I planted my feet and began spinning my drills like a helicopter blade, pummeling the shield with both ends of the weapon. I saw her strain under the attack as her barrier began to crack. Before it did she grasped her sword in her hooves, dropping her levitation spell, and stood on her hind legs, dispelling her barrier before it broke to swing at me. I ducked under the first blow before sliding the vertical cut that came next, the heat radiating off the blade enough to glass the ground where it struck. I responded by grabbing her horn, ignoring the burning sensation in my hand, before hurling her aside into the other side of the room. Luna screamed in rage before she rocketed towards me and swung her blade. Lemmy jumped in with his own clown car and blocked the attack with a shield, yet the force was powerful enough to send us tumbling. She responded by charging forward and swinging her blade down, which I blocked with my drills, causing them both to lock. Celestia flew towards us and used her magic to control my drills, freeing her forelegs to slam into my chest and send me sliding backwards. They charged forwards again, ready for another attack, when I countered by summoning a Thwomp into the room, using it as a living shield as their face collided with the stone wall. They flapped their wings to recover and readied her blade as I dashed towards her. After an initial locking of weapons that sent loose a massive shockwave we began viciously strike at each other. A massive burst of fire magic exploded in my face, sending me bouncing across the throne room smashing though five statues of Sombra, stopping on the sixth. "Stone statues of a fool, and though I am his tool, I cannot help but be grateful for the save." Soon the sounds of explosions filled the room, I turned towards my brother and saw his koopa car destroyed and Luna trying to dodge all of the bombs he is summoning. I saw Celestia land behind me. "Iggy, I know you don't want to do this and although the situation feels helpless, I want you to know that we can help you through the pain." I gave Celestia a sad smile. "It hadn't been easy fighting the pain, where survival might hang in my choice. But all resistance against him is in vain, I have tried and now my brother has lost his will and his voice." I wave my wand a bit. “If I am to lose today please aid me in my time of strife. And please save my brothers life.” Lemmy moved closer to me, I saw Luna and Celestia get out six gems. "Iggy know that we only do this because we have to, we will free you once we find a way to free your brother and do not worry, you wont be awake to live through it." I stood there confused for a while, until I saw the gems rotate around the two sisters, soon everything went black. Ch.2- ReturnAnother day, another boring session going over matters concerning Princess Celestia in her duty and obligation as Princess. Sitting in her throne room, her assistant levitated a stack of papers for her to look at and either sign or decline. 'Almost makes me whish that something would happen.'she thought guiltily with a sigh. *SLAM* She perked and was surprised to see one of her roaming Royal Guards. The guards-pony run up announcing, “News from Northern Equestria!” He stopped as he remembered proper etiquette and bowed, “Uh, Your Highness.” Dismissing her assistant and the papers, she asked, “Yes?” “Your Majesty, I have been sent by your agent,” Emerald explained, and instantly Celestia knew this was important. “I am simply to tell you that… it has returned.” She gasped, for she knew exactly what “it” meant, Celestia ordered her attending guards, “Find Prince Shining Armor and Princess Cadance!” “Yes, Your Highness,” they obliged and hurried out. Standing up, Celestia moved towards a window, looking out to the northern region of her kingdom. Narrowing her eyes, her horn started to glow… There was definitely something out there, and it brought with it the promise of either harmony or great disaster. But it also resurfaced memories long past, memories beautiful and happy that turned into a path of disaster-filled nightmares that still caused her heart great pain, from loss and betrayal. 'Iggy...' Taking a scroll and quill, she began to write a message. “‘My dearest Twilight, You must come to Canterlot at once…’” King Sombra looked at the Crystal Empire with disgust in his red eye's. "Foolish pony's. Soon I will have my throne back and you will all crumple under my iron hoof!" He closed his eye's and contemplated his next move. Instantly King Sombra's eyes widen, and he let out a small chuckle, his horn started to glow a bright red and instantly a stone statue had appeared, in the statue were two dragon-like turtles. "Awaken my servants..." The statue glowed red before cracks started to appear, soon enough the statue exploded and stood the two dragons. "Hahahah ahahahaha ahahaha!!! In Canterlot Tower, a new stained-glass window adorned the hall, of Prince Shining Armor and Princess Cadance bending towards each other, positioned to form the outline of a heart, their wings spread, clearly immortalizing their feat of saving Canterlot from the changeling invasion almost a month ago. The Royal Sisters gazed up at it, Luna asking, “Are you sure you don’t want me to go as well?” “No, I have complete faith in Twilight's abilities,” Celestia said with uncharacteristic animosity. “Besides, Prince Shining Armor and Princess Cadance are already there," Celestia said reassuringly. "The others will join them soon enough." “The empire’s magic is too great a risk to lose again, my sister,” Luna reminded her. “They will succeed in their respective tasks,” Celestia insisted. “And when they do, we will know that Twilight is that much closer to being ready.” “Ahem!” They looked to see Twilight at the threshold. Luna and Celestia nodded as the Princess of the Night excused herself, walking past the unicorn. “You wanted to see me, to give me a test?” Twilight asked, anxiously as she levitated the saddlebags off of her. “I brought my own quills, and plenty of paper to show my work!” Unfortunately, she dropped her bags, causing a mess and one scroll to bridge the space between her and her teacher. “Sorry, sorry!” Twilight started trying to roll the scroll back up, forgetting to use her magic to do so. Kindly, Celestia put the study aids back neatly into the bags, “This is a different kind of test …The Crystal Empire has returned.” “The Crystal Empire…?!” Twilight looked into some books, unfamiliar with the subject. “I’m sorry, I- I thought I’d studied!” – Celestia took some of them from her, leaving her to look in the last one – “I don’t think there’s anything in my books-” “There wouldn’t be,” Celestia corrected, much to Twilight’s surprise. “Few remember it ever existed at all.” Twilight watched as Celestia opened a glass case set beside her throne and levitated out a lavender crystal and set it at their hooves before flashing it with a spell. Twilight backed up as an illusion shined, revealing a glorious miniature realm, the main streets forming a hexagram-shaped snowflake, centered by a crystal citadel. “The Crystal Empire beholds a powerful magic,” Celestia explained as her student watched the illusions of happy crystal ponies. “One thousand years ago, it was tyrannized by King Sombra, a Unicorn whose Heart was as Black as Night.” They watched as the landscape became riddled with thorny and jagged dark crystals, the citadel corrupted into a bleak fortress, and an image of a black unicorn stallion’s face appeared and a flash revealed him standing upon a balcony, lording over the enslaved crystal ponies, two drakes were standing behind the black unicorn. Sombra was tall for a unicorn, not quite so as tall as Celestia but certainly taller than Luna, even Shining Armor. His coat was gray like ashes after a forest fire, his mane and tail black like obsidian. He wore cold metal armor, a kingly cape flowing across his back, concealing his cutie-mark. His crown was horrific but not so horrific as his eyes! They were hate-crazed red, the whites long-turned to a poisonous green, and wreathed in a purplish miasma. He smiled wickedly, flashing a pair of fangs, and his horn was unusually smooth as well as curving up a little, reddening from the base to the tip into blood-red, crackling with black electricity. Suddenly the whole room was filled with a demented laughter accompanied by a childish laughter. Twilight started to panic and look around the room. Finally her eyes settled to the crystal, the image of the empire started to warp. "Wha-What's going on?" Celestia's face remained unreadable. Suddenly the laughing got louder and the image of the empire changed into two dragon- like turtles, the taller one had a pineapple shaped hair and a green shell, the shorter one looked slightly younger than Spike, he also had a rainbow Mohawk with a yellow ponytail, he also had a orange shell on his back. "Who are they?" Celestia looked at the image sadly. "They are Iggy koopa and Lemmy Koopa, they were two very unfortunate souls who were enslaved into becoming Sombra's main fighting force, Sombra keeps their loyalty with promises of freedom or with fear of being tortured, if Sombra has returned then there is no doubt in my mind that you are going to face these two as well." The image changed into Sombra again. “King Sombra was ultimately overthrown, turned to shadow, and banished to the Frozen North.” They watched as Sombra’s body dispersed into incorporeal shadow and his face was twisted with rage as he was sucked into an icy crevice, enclosing him into cold, unforgiving darkness. “But not before he was able to place a powerful curse upon the empire, so powerful it was that it made the entire empire vanish into thin air!” The images faded away and Celestia levitated the crystal, “If the empire is filled with hope and love, they are reflected over the whole of Equestria!” The crystal illustrated her point by reflecting a rainbow of comforting colors, “But if hatred and fear take hold…” Twilight gasped as Celestia’s eyes turned completely green, her horn bubbling with purple energy as a bolt of black lightning struck the crystal, casting a shadow that reached out along the floor towards Twilight as the shadow split around her, and the dark crystal sprung up, ugly and repulsive. Celestia promptly destroyed them with a beam of pure light, and the fear was gone. “Which is why I need your help to find a way to protect it.” “You want me to help you protect an entire empire…?” Twilight was overwhelmed by the idea. “It is as I said, a different kind of test,” Celestia remarked as she put her crystal back in its glass case. “But one I am certain you will pass.” Twilight looked at the ground for a minute before turning towards her teacher with a determine gaze. “Where do I begin?” "Hmm.... So quick to put your trust on someone so young, Soon she well wish that agreeing to take this mission was but a slip of the tongue.... The pieces are set and there I see; The prey of my game-to-be. Run fast little pony Because soon this day could be your last.... HAHAHAHAHAHAA!!!" Ch.3- The Crystal EmpireTwilight wasn't sure if she was prepared for this. When she honed her knowledge in preparation for the test that Princess Celestia planned for her, she had no idea this was the test! Only a mere six months passed since she was face-to-face with the changelings, but now she was to face something much, much greater. After a millennium, the mysterious Crystal Empire suddenly popped back into existence. Not even her teacher knew what triggered its reappearance, but it mattered little. The empire's magic was powerful. If it was filled with hope and love, then all of Equestria would benefit from it. If hatred and fear took hold... Well, it chilled the young pupil to the bone to contemplate the consequences, for she knew nothing about the nature of hate and fear incarnate. She didn't want to find out, either, especially after Princess Celestia's demonstration. How in Equestria could she possibly find a way to protect it, all of it, without any help from anypony? Sighing, Twilight rested her forehead against the window's cool surface. The vibrations caused by the moving train helped her drain out the voices of the others. All of them were blissfully unaware of her fears as they happily chatted various speculations about their destination, though she was too caught up in her thoughts to make out what was said. It wasn't until a certain fashionista spoke up that she realized just how much time had passed. “Twilight, darling,” she said, placing a hoof on her shoulder. “Come now, time to snap out of it. We're arrived.” Smiling, she reached into one of her saddlebags and she produced a navy-blue scarf. “Here,” she added, using her magic to carefully wrap it around the other unicorn's neck. “The others poked fun at me for packing so many of these, but—ha!—I'm the only one here who came prepared! Just take a gander outside. The weather is absolutely horrid!” “Well, Rarity, we are in the Arctic North,” replied Twilight. As her friend trotted towards the door, she looked down at the given accessory and was pinched by a pang of guilt. In her haste, she neglected to bring warmer clothing. Behind them, Spike snorted as he struggled to keep the massive mound of Rarity's luggage from toppling off his back. “You got that right,” he grumbled. Despite the weight he carried on his narrow shoulders, he was able to make it off the train shortly after Twilight. The moment the howling wind struck him, however, he had to fight to keep his balance. “Yikes!” he exclaimed, shuddering. “Ugh, It's so cold,” groaned Rainbow Dash. “Where's this empire supposed to be, anyway?” That was an excellent question. As Twilight surveyed their surroundings, she was surprised to see that there was only a seemingly endless blanket of snow all around them. If there was anything out there, there was no seeing it past the blizzard. “Well, it has to be around here somewhere,” she said loudly. Fluttershy pressed herself against Applejack as another gust of wind struck them. “We... We better find it s-soon,” she whimpered. “It's s-so c-c-cold!” Biting down on her lip, Twilight stepped off the wooden platform as she continued to regard the area. That is, until a voice called out to her. “Hey, Twily, over here!” Through the fury of the falling snow, a dark figure slowly came into view. Squinting, Twilight raised a foreleg to shield her eyes so that she could get a better look. She smiled widely once she caught sight of his white coat and two-toned blue mane. “Shining Armor?” she called. “Is that you?” Sure enough, it was her big brother. He was clad in a protective set of goggles, as well as a scarf that appeared tightly wrapped around his muzzle. As he approached them, he removed both; the goggles were moved to the secure spot behind his horn, and his scarf was lowered to the base of his neck. “The one and only!” he chuckled, opening his forelegs. He then shared a quick hug with Twilight before he motioned for them to follow. “Princess Celestia messaged us that you and your friends were on the way,” he added, “and I sure as hay wasn't going to let you get yourselves lost out here. You wouldn't want to be here too long.” "Why's that?" “Let’s just say the empire isn’t the only thing that’s returned…” Shining Armor answered ominously As they trekked the tundra, Shining Armor explained, raising his voice over the roar of the wind, “Something keeps trying to get in! We think it’s the unicorn king who originally cursed the place!” “But Princess Celestia sent me here to find a way to protect the empire!” Twilight brought up. “If King Sombra can’t get in, isn’t it protected already?!” Before Shinning could respond an ominous laughter soon started to echo through the tundra. “Get to the empire, run! Everypony run!” In response to the white unicorn’s words, a plume of smoky shadow erupted from the snow and from the darkness did appear a very familiar pair of frightening eyes! Twilight quickly levitated Spike onto his back, discarding all of the scarves Rarity brought, and joined the herd as they galloped for their lives, Rainbow Dash flying protectively above them. “Go, go!” Twilight screamed, and looking ahead they saw a shiny blue dome. “Almost there!” Shining Armor yelled, soon enough Shining Armor skidded to a halt, as he faced the fury of the darkness. The shadowy mass leered down at him, Shining Armor making the first move as he fired a magenta laser from his horn. The darkness dispersed to avoid it but bunched back together as it came down upon the unicorn prince. “Shining Armor!” Twilight screamed, Twilight saw two mechanical claws grab Shining Armor, the two claws started to pull him into the dark cloud. Twilight desperate to save her brother pulled back with her magic, grunting she pulled with all her might, bringing Shining Armor out, and bringing him into the force field. “Shining Armor!” Twilight gasped, “Your horn!” "Stupid little unicorn!" I slammed my claws on my Koopa Clown Car (K.C.C.). "Looks like if I have to beat them I have to send some units." I got out my wand. "Hello!?" No response. "HEY!!!" "....zzZZZzz...." "IDIOT WAKE UP!" The small orb on my wand started to get cloudy, and soon enough a figure appeared on the orb. "My lord, how may we assist thee?" The figure on the orb was known as 'The Crystal King' one of the last bosses, I had defeated and had them join me. The Crystal King is a transparent being with only eyes and a furry blue coat and a crystal crown visible, three icy beings where floating next to him, he was one of the best magic users I know. "Crystal King, I have a job for you." The king eyes widen, "oh? Is it time for us to join the brawl?" My grin widened, "oh yesss... and here what I want you to do..." And if everything goes according to plan, soon the tyrant king will fall, and the Era of the Koopa will begin. Ch.4- Search for the Crystal HeartKing Sombra looked at the Crystal Empire with disgust in his red eye's. "Foolish pony's. Soon i will have my throne back and you will all crumple under my iron hoof!" He closed his eye's contemplating his next move. He already felt the presence of darkness in his kingdom. "That mean's that some pony has found the first illusion." This did not boad well for his plan's. It seemed that he would have to use send Iggy after them. Even if the pony's manage to get there hoof's on the Crystal Heart, Iggy would have already intercepted them, 'I may not like relying on him to much, but his skills in conjuration and magic are useful.' Sombra's horn glowed and behind him stood a unconscious baby dragon- turtle, purple smoke leaking through his eyes. 'And besides I still have his brother. ' 'Soon I will rule my kingdom again and eventually all of Equestria!' "hahahahaha ahahahahahah ahahahahahaha" As if the very air agreed with him a few bolt's of lightning and the rumble of thunder was heard as the mad king laughed at his own genius. Crystal Empire Mean while back in the Crystal Castle Twilight Sparkle made her way down the flight of stair's that she had discovered. The Dark purple beam that she had fired at the crystal throne had revealed a hidden flight of stair's that led into a dark abyss below the castle. Desperately trying to find any hint of The Crystal Heart she followed the step's with her horn providing a light source. "Hey Twilight are you doing ok down there?" Spike her assistant called out to her from the top of the step's. "Ya spike I don't think I have much further to go." She called back. Curious she dislodged a small dark crystal from the side of the wall and levitated it over the dark hole and dropped it. She strained to here the sound of stone on stone. When she was done with that put her hoof to her ear to catch the sound wave's that would soon come. A few second's later she heard the sound and her ear's dropped. 'That is a long way down.' She thought to herself. "Hey Spike how's it going outside?" She called up to him. He got up from the top stair step and ran to a window to see. He saw the sunny and cheery sky illusion begin to flicker on and off. "It's not looking good Twilight. Candace's magic is fading fast. We have to hurry up and find the Crystal Heart." He shout down into the hole. As soon as Twilight heard this she kicked herself into high gear and took the step's two at a time. Unfortunately in her haste to get to the bottom of this never ending stair case she lost her balance and tripped on a broken step sending her tumbling end over end to the bottom. she quickly caught herself in a levitation field to stop the impact. Spike yelled from the top of the stair case. "Hey Twilight are you ok?". "Ya Spike. I'm at the bottom now." "Good. Do you see anything?" Twilight looked around her surrounding and instantly locked her eye's on a big royal red door engraved into the rock wall, two torches were on the side of the door. "huh?" Just as she was about to open the door, the door started to open by itself. Twilight took a few calming breathes, before heading inside. As soon as Twilight went inside the doors slammed shut behind her. "Spike!? Spike!? Can you hear me!?" Twilight desperately called. "Hehe, there's no use in calling for help little pony." Twilight slowly turned around to see who was talking, the creature was similar to Iggy in appearance, he had a red turtle shell just like Iggy, but his didn't have spikes, his body was more bulkier, also he was bald. "Allow me to introduce myself, I'm Boom Boom." The creature got into a fighting stance. "And this is as far as you go!" The koopa growled before he lunged at Twilight trying to catch her off guard. Twilight jumped up and landed on the turtle’s back forcing him into his shell. Twilight then kicked the shell sending it flying towards the wall. "Ouch! Looks like I underestimated you." Boom Boom got back up, "Well I wont let that happen again." Boom Boom reared his head back, his snout glowing red. Suddenly Boom Boom unleashed several large fire balls, Twilight gasped and teleported away before she was able to get hit. "Stay Still!!!" Twilight looked behind her and saw the large beast only a few inches away. Boom Boom's claw crash down to the spot Twilight was, "*groan* forgot she can teleport." Twilight appeared behind the koopa and fired several powerful magic blast at his shell. Boom Boom got up his face red, "That's it!" He roared and lunged at Twilight, his arms swinging all over the place. Twilight turned her back and kicked the large turtle with her back legs, sending him wheeling through the air. Boom Boom crashed into the crystal wall's starting to feel exhausted, " I wont *pant* let *pant* you- win...I still have my magic!" Boom Boom took out a wand and started to swing it around. "Let's see how you do against a flying opponent." Suddenly a purple foot stomped on his head, Boom Boom wobbled around a bit before he collapsed face first completely unconscious. "Twilight!" Twilight gasped and ran towards her savior. "Spike!" The two shared quick hug. "What are you doing down here!?" "I came here to find you, you were taking quiet a long time." The ground shook, both Twilight and Spike turned towards the source of the earthquake, suddenly another door appeared. As Twilight stepped through, Spike asked warily, “What’s in there?” “Stairs,” she sighed as they both looked up to a column so high they couldn’t see the top. Encircling it were, “Lots and lots of stairs.” Twilight took the first few steps but then looked to Spike, “Maybe you should come with me this time.” Spike smiled brightly and followed her without hesitation. Ch.5- Awake2000 years ago Earth, Brooklyn It was a beautiful night in the city of Brooklyn the moon shining magnificently on the night sky, the stars twinkling like fireflies scattered across the sky. The beauty of the night was ruined by the city below it, while most of the city looked nice, this side of Brooklyn did not, countless trash littered across the floor, the homeless gathering around a flaming trash can in hopes of gathering warmth. Truly this wasn't one of the nice parts of the city. "You ungrateful brats! Come back here!" The silence of the city was broken as two small boys ran from their drunken father who was holding a baseball bat. "Michael, my feet hurt." The younger brother moaned. The older sibling hung onto his brother, determine not to slow down. "Just wait a little longer please." Not far now; the figure following them was nearly out of sight, jumping fluidly over the litter and easily avoiding the occasional sleeping beggar. The wind was helpful in masking any noises, but the older brother didn’t want to take any chances when it came to his brother's protection. "Michael can we please stop?" Michael turned towards his brother, "Fine, it seems we lost him anyways." "Michael look!!!" He turned and saw a what appeared to be a toy store. "Erick, I don't think it's a good idea buying toys, we should be trying to save our money." "awe, please." Erick turned towards his brother. "*groan* fine, put only one toy." (Michael P.O.V.) As we both entered into the shop, and instantly realized that this wasn't a toy store. There were signs and poster and stands for all of the best video games in the world. I think I even saw one for the fifth installment of the Mario & Luigi RPG series. It was pretty a popular game, but the only Mario game we played was Super Mario World, and Yoshi's Island for the Gameboy. "Ah! Welcome!" We both turned around and a creepy looking merchant. He looked at us a bit funny. "Aren't you two supposed to be in bed by now?" I bit my tongue. "Umm..." "Ah, doesn't matter as long as your buying something then its okay." Erick took this as a sign to go ahead, and ran of. "Erick! No running!" I called after him. I looked around the shop seeing al kinds of cool items, however only one caught my attention was a black ball with eyes and teeth, I grabbed the ball and looked around it. "BARK! BARK!" I nearly drooped the ball in shock, I looked at it a bit more and saw a button on the bottom. "Hey Michael!" I turned towards Erick and saw him bouncing on a yellow ball with orange stars. "Can we get it please?" We went to the cash register to pay for the two balls, I couldn't resist buying the small black ball. “Eh. How much for the two balls?” I asked trying to hide my enthusiasm. “For you two? How about eight bucks?” His smile creeped me out a bit, but how could I pass up that deal? That would still leave us with enough to rent a room in a local motel. "Deal." Immediately after we left, I felt the floor beneath my feet give way and I started to fall. I felt the ball flung from me and Erick fall into the abyss below, me right behind him. I screamed as loud as I could, but there was nothing but darkness to hear me out. "Hmmm... I know those two look a bit young." Moments after the two boys left, the merchant stayed in a bit of a guilty state. "The two couldn't possibly survive that long without any help, they're too young!" The merchant stood up and walked to a nearby shelf, "Good thing I already know what they're going to turn too." The merchant grabbed a toy plushy from the shelf, "Hopefully this will ease my guilt." The plushy glowed and in a bright light it disappeared. "Take care of them Kamek." I don’t know how much longer it was when I awoke, I only knew that my back was incredibly sore. “Ah, ooh, that stings,” I groaned getting up off the ground I was on. I stood up shakily and took in my surroundings. Somehow I went from a big city to the middle of a dense jungle. “How did I get here?” “Through magic,” responded an unseen voice. Okay, now I was scared. “Who said that? Hello? Where are you?” “I’m right here, my lord.” I looked up and saw a weird creature, he wore blue robes covering his whole body, except for his head, his head looked a bit like a turtle's, he was currently sitting on a broom. I was so speechless all I could do was gape. “Lord Iggy? Are you alright?” That brought me out of my confused state. "Iggy?" I ran towards the pond that was next to me, and what I saw made me scream. Instead of me being in the reflection, there was a dragonlike creature, my reflection showed that my black hair had changed into a rainbow mohawk, it had a yellow and tan skin complexion, as well as a green head, I also had four fangs sticking out of his mouth. I had large, oval eyes with blue-ringed irises showing of the glasses I wears have very thick lenses. As well as my distinctive glasses, I wore some metal, spiked cuffs, I looked behind me and saw a green shell with spikes. Suddenly something brought me out of my confused- terror, I heard my brother's scream. Running past the turtle wizard, I ran to the source of the scream instead of my brother, I saw another creature who looked like me, he had a rainbow Mohawk with a yellow ponytail, his shell was a dark orange, just like me, he also wore spiked cuffs, his most distinctive feature was the fact that he was cross-eyed and that he had a bright yellow ball with orange stars. "Erick?" The dragon creature turned towards me and screamed, "Please don't eat me." "Erick, its me Michael." The dragon looked up. "Michael?" I sighed in relief, "Yes Erick, it's me." We both heard a familiar voice calling for us. "My lords!" The old turtle-thing flew towards us, "I'm so glad I found you two." "BARK! BARK!" Behind the turtle, was the same black ball I had bought at the store, the black ball hopped towards us and nuzzled my leg. I looked up at the robed turtle, it looked familiar. "Kamek?" I remembered him from Yoshi's Island. 'Kamek' smiled, "ah so you do remember me! That is most fortunate, I was worried that you lost your memory." “Uh Kamek, do you know where we are?” “uh, no” He looked at the ground in shame, “I do not know where we have ended up. Though I do not think there any life forms around us. A good thing as it will give us time for you to control your powers.” "My powers?" Kamek nodded, "Oh yes, and we need to get started soon, so hurry up and let's go." Kamek turned back and started to fly away, I grabbed Erick and started to follow Kamek, who hopefully will keep us safe.
Ch.1- Settling the scoreThe chains clinked idly against the wall where I dangled. I can hear the shadows screaming, warning me to run, but I couldn't and now master was going to punish me for failing. It's all that merchant's fault, we should have never bought those items. A loud familiar scream soon echoed through the walls. A sob escaped me. "I'm sorry Erick..." I could hear the hoofsteps growing closer, the shadows screamed. 'THE MASTER IS HERE!!! THE MASTER IS HERE!!!' I saw a tell-tale shadow coming 'round the corner, outside my cell. The shadow became the very pony I grew to fear. King Sombra, a dark gray unicorn with a black mane and tail. Unlike regular unicorn horns, the master's horn is curved, smooth, sharp at the tip and it gradients from dark gray to red. He has sharp teeth with two visible fangs unlike other ponies and red irises, sometimes his white eyes appear green and have a purple mist emanating from them. He wore silver armor on his legs and neck, a crown with horn-like points on his head, and a red cape that covers his flank. The cell door unlocked itself and he stepped inside. The master looked at me briefly and scowled. "Iggy." I was half tempted to hide in my shell, to close my eyes and forget all of this. "Iggy... You IDIOT!!!" Sombra let loose a strong magic blast, normally it would have killed anyone, luckily for me it only left a large burn mark. "You led them straight to me!!" I tried to hide my smirk,' So they arrived, good'. Unfortunately Sombra saw my smirk and electrified me, the wounds healed instantly. "Well now guess what, you are going to distract them." Sombra pulled me closer. "You and your idoit brother." I suppressed a growl and nodded. Sombra smirked and tossed me a couple of my things, a magical wand, my crystal ball, and a capsule containing my 'pet'. "Now GO!!!" I nodded and ran towards the throne room where I will soon meet my opponents. They were close now, she could feel it. In the crystal halls were two alicorn ponies the taller one being Princess Celestia and the more shorter and darker one being Princess Luna. ' After all this time, your reign of tyranny stops here Sombra! And not even the two drakes can save you this time, I will make you pay for what you did.' The two stopped in front of the large crystal door, the taller one Princess Celestia turned towards her sister. "Luna are you sure you want to do this, I can handle them myself." Luna snorted. "Nay sister, thou cannot possibly handle the two drakes yourself, besides we are no filly we do not need you watching over us." Celestia nodded at her sister and pulled her into a hug. After a few seconds the door started to open itself. The two looked at each other and nodded. As the two walked into the throne room, the huge door behind them slammed closed, soon a demented laughter filled the room accompanied by a childish laughter, they would be lying if they said that the laughter didn't unnerve them. "SO THE PRINCESS ARRIVE TO THE FRAY? BUT WHICH PAIR OF SIBLINGS SHALL SURVIVE THIS BRAWL? ITS A BATTLE TO THE DEATH! NO HARD FEELINGS BUT WE RATHER NOT BE DEAD." In the center of the room were two dragon like creatures one taller than the other, several doors behind them. The taller one had green hair shaped like the top of a pineapple, he had a yellow and tan skin complexion, as well as a green head, he also had four fangs sticking out of his mouth. He has large, oval eyes with blue-ringed irises showing a bit of madness the glasses he wears have very thick lenses. As well as his distinctive glasses, he wears the same metal, spiked cuffs as does his younger sibling both of them had shells, Iggy's being green. The shorter one named Lemmy, looked no older than a baby dragon. Lemmy had a rainbow Mohawk with a yellow ponytail, his shell was a dark orange, just like his older brother he also wore spiked cuffs, his most distinctive feature was the fact that he was cross-eyed and that he was currently balancing in a bright yellow ball with orange stars. Nether of the princesses felt right fighting with the disabled dragon, but it had to be done. "Iggy! If you truly value the safety of your brother, then you will let us through the door that leads to Sombra!" Iggy looked behind him as if he were thinking about it, but then the younger sibling Lemmy started to get electrocuted, Iggy seeing this ran towards him. The electrocution stopped and his wounds healed, the two sisters looked at them disgusted that Sombra would go to such measures to keep their loyalty. Iggy turned towards the two. "I see two ignorant princesses. Sombra missing? What a mess." Iggy raised his wand to the air and spun it around a few times and fired three fire balls in front of the princesses, the two tensed up a bit, they knew what was coming, suddenly the flames disappeared and from it came three similar beings, all of them were bipedal turtles wearing helmets, the first one had a green shell and was carrying a hammer, the second had a red shell flames leaking through his claws, the final one had a light blue shell, balls of ice in both hands. "Think one of the doors will lead to him? Step on through--it's sink or swim!" With that the three turtles begun to attack, demented laughter echoed through out the room. (Iggy's P.O.V.) 15mintues later I parried another furious swing from Celestia’s blade before hitting her in the chest, sending her sliding backwards. Even through my mighty koopa clown car Mrk. 2 (just imagine the koopa clown car from smash bros.), I felt the heat radiating off her body. As she slid back she hurled her blade at me. I barely managed to dodge it and saw the part of the castle behind me practically explode from the force. I rocketed forward and dodged a beam of magic before stabbing at her. She raised a bubble shield just in time, but already I noticed cracks. I planted my feet and began spinning my drills like a helicopter blade, pummeling the shield with both ends of the weapon. I saw her strain under the attack as her barrier began to crack. Before it did she grasped her sword in her hooves, dropping her levitation spell, and stood on her hind legs, dispelling her barrier before it broke to swing at me. I ducked under the first blow before sliding the vertical cut that came next, the heat radiating off the blade enough to glass the ground where it struck. I responded by grabbing her horn, ignoring the burning sensation in my hand, before hurling her aside into the other side of the room. Luna screamed in rage before she rocketed towards me and swung her blade. Lemmy jumped in with his own clown car and blocked the attack with a shield, yet the force was powerful enough to send us tumbling. She responded by charging forward and swinging her blade down, which I blocked with my drills, causing them both to lock. Celestia flew towards us and used her magic to control my drills, freeing her forelegs to slam into my chest and send me sliding backwards. They charged forwards again, ready for another attack, when I countered by summoning a Thwomp into the room, using it as a living shield as their face collided with the stone wall. They flapped their wings to recover and readied her blade as I dashed towards her. After an initial locking of weapons that sent loose a massive shockwave we began viciously strike at each other. A massive burst of fire magic exploded in my face, sending me bouncing across the throne room smashing though five statues of Sombra, stopping on the sixth. "Stone statues of a fool, and though I am his tool, I cannot help but be grateful for the save." Soon the sounds of explosions filled the room, I turned towards my brother and saw his koopa car destroyed and Luna trying to dodge all of the bombs he is summoning. I saw Celestia land behind me. "Iggy, I know you don't want to do this and although the situation feels helpless, I want you to know that we can help you through the pain." I gave Celestia a sad smile. "It hadn't been easy fighting the pain, where survival might hang in my choice. But all resistance against him is in vain, I have tried and now my brother has lost his will and his voice." I wave my wand a bit. “If I am to lose today please aid me in my time of strife. And please save my brothers life.” Lemmy moved closer to me, I saw Luna and Celestia get out six gems. "Iggy know that we only do this because we have to, we will free you once we find a way to free your brother and do not worry, you wont be awake to live through it." I stood there confused for a while, until I saw the gems rotate around the two sisters, soon everything went black.
Ch.2- ReturnAnother day, another boring session going over matters concerning Princess Celestia in her duty and obligation as Princess. Sitting in her throne room, her assistant levitated a stack of papers for her to look at and either sign or decline. 'Almost makes me whish that something would happen.'she thought guiltily with a sigh. *SLAM* She perked and was surprised to see one of her roaming Royal Guards. The guards-pony run up announcing, “News from Northern Equestria!” He stopped as he remembered proper etiquette and bowed, “Uh, Your Highness.” Dismissing her assistant and the papers, she asked, “Yes?” “Your Majesty, I have been sent by your agent,” Emerald explained, and instantly Celestia knew this was important. “I am simply to tell you that… it has returned.” She gasped, for she knew exactly what “it” meant, Celestia ordered her attending guards, “Find Prince Shining Armor and Princess Cadance!” “Yes, Your Highness,” they obliged and hurried out. Standing up, Celestia moved towards a window, looking out to the northern region of her kingdom. Narrowing her eyes, her horn started to glow… There was definitely something out there, and it brought with it the promise of either harmony or great disaster. But it also resurfaced memories long past, memories beautiful and happy that turned into a path of disaster-filled nightmares that still caused her heart great pain, from loss and betrayal. 'Iggy...' Taking a scroll and quill, she began to write a message. “‘My dearest Twilight, You must come to Canterlot at once…’” King Sombra looked at the Crystal Empire with disgust in his red eye's. "Foolish pony's. Soon I will have my throne back and you will all crumple under my iron hoof!" He closed his eye's and contemplated his next move. Instantly King Sombra's eyes widen, and he let out a small chuckle, his horn started to glow a bright red and instantly a stone statue had appeared, in the statue were two dragon-like turtles. "Awaken my servants..." The statue glowed red before cracks started to appear, soon enough the statue exploded and stood the two dragons. "Hahahah ahahahaha ahahaha!!! In Canterlot Tower, a new stained-glass window adorned the hall, of Prince Shining Armor and Princess Cadance bending towards each other, positioned to form the outline of a heart, their wings spread, clearly immortalizing their feat of saving Canterlot from the changeling invasion almost a month ago. The Royal Sisters gazed up at it, Luna asking, “Are you sure you don’t want me to go as well?” “No, I have complete faith in Twilight's abilities,” Celestia said with uncharacteristic animosity. “Besides, Prince Shining Armor and Princess Cadance are already there," Celestia said reassuringly. "The others will join them soon enough." “The empire’s magic is too great a risk to lose again, my sister,” Luna reminded her. “They will succeed in their respective tasks,” Celestia insisted. “And when they do, we will know that Twilight is that much closer to being ready.” “Ahem!” They looked to see Twilight at the threshold. Luna and Celestia nodded as the Princess of the Night excused herself, walking past the unicorn. “You wanted to see me, to give me a test?” Twilight asked, anxiously as she levitated the saddlebags off of her. “I brought my own quills, and plenty of paper to show my work!” Unfortunately, she dropped her bags, causing a mess and one scroll to bridge the space between her and her teacher. “Sorry, sorry!” Twilight started trying to roll the scroll back up, forgetting to use her magic to do so. Kindly, Celestia put the study aids back neatly into the bags, “This is a different kind of test …The Crystal Empire has returned.” “The Crystal Empire…?!” Twilight looked into some books, unfamiliar with the subject. “I’m sorry, I- I thought I’d studied!” – Celestia took some of them from her, leaving her to look in the last one – “I don’t think there’s anything in my books-” “There wouldn’t be,” Celestia corrected, much to Twilight’s surprise. “Few remember it ever existed at all.” Twilight watched as Celestia opened a glass case set beside her throne and levitated out a lavender crystal and set it at their hooves before flashing it with a spell. Twilight backed up as an illusion shined, revealing a glorious miniature realm, the main streets forming a hexagram-shaped snowflake, centered by a crystal citadel. “The Crystal Empire beholds a powerful magic,” Celestia explained as her student watched the illusions of happy crystal ponies. “One thousand years ago, it was tyrannized by King Sombra, a Unicorn whose Heart was as Black as Night.” They watched as the landscape became riddled with thorny and jagged dark crystals, the citadel corrupted into a bleak fortress, and an image of a black unicorn stallion’s face appeared and a flash revealed him standing upon a balcony, lording over the enslaved crystal ponies, two drakes were standing behind the black unicorn. Sombra was tall for a unicorn, not quite so as tall as Celestia but certainly taller than Luna, even Shining Armor. His coat was gray like ashes after a forest fire, his mane and tail black like obsidian. He wore cold metal armor, a kingly cape flowing across his back, concealing his cutie-mark. His crown was horrific but not so horrific as his eyes! They were hate-crazed red, the whites long-turned to a poisonous green, and wreathed in a purplish miasma. He smiled wickedly, flashing a pair of fangs, and his horn was unusually smooth as well as curving up a little, reddening from the base to the tip into blood-red, crackling with black electricity. Suddenly the whole room was filled with a demented laughter accompanied by a childish laughter. Twilight started to panic and look around the room. Finally her eyes settled to the crystal, the image of the empire started to warp. "Wha-What's going on?" Celestia's face remained unreadable. Suddenly the laughing got louder and the image of the empire changed into two dragon- like turtles, the taller one had a pineapple shaped hair and a green shell, the shorter one looked slightly younger than Spike, he also had a rainbow Mohawk with a yellow ponytail, he also had a orange shell on his back. "Who are they?" Celestia looked at the image sadly. "They are Iggy koopa and Lemmy Koopa, they were two very unfortunate souls who were enslaved into becoming Sombra's main fighting force, Sombra keeps their loyalty with promises of freedom or with fear of being tortured, if Sombra has returned then there is no doubt in my mind that you are going to face these two as well." The image changed into Sombra again. “King Sombra was ultimately overthrown, turned to shadow, and banished to the Frozen North.” They watched as Sombra’s body dispersed into incorporeal shadow and his face was twisted with rage as he was sucked into an icy crevice, enclosing him into cold, unforgiving darkness. “But not before he was able to place a powerful curse upon the empire, so powerful it was that it made the entire empire vanish into thin air!” The images faded away and Celestia levitated the crystal, “If the empire is filled with hope and love, they are reflected over the whole of Equestria!” The crystal illustrated her point by reflecting a rainbow of comforting colors, “But if hatred and fear take hold…” Twilight gasped as Celestia’s eyes turned completely green, her horn bubbling with purple energy as a bolt of black lightning struck the crystal, casting a shadow that reached out along the floor towards Twilight as the shadow split around her, and the dark crystal sprung up, ugly and repulsive. Celestia promptly destroyed them with a beam of pure light, and the fear was gone. “Which is why I need your help to find a way to protect it.” “You want me to help you protect an entire empire…?” Twilight was overwhelmed by the idea. “It is as I said, a different kind of test,” Celestia remarked as she put her crystal back in its glass case. “But one I am certain you will pass.” Twilight looked at the ground for a minute before turning towards her teacher with a determine gaze. “Where do I begin?” "Hmm.... So quick to put your trust on someone so young, Soon she well wish that agreeing to take this mission was but a slip of the tongue.... The pieces are set and there I see; The prey of my game-to-be. Run fast little pony Because soon this day could be your last.... HAHAHAHAHAHAA!!!"
Ch.3- The Crystal EmpireTwilight wasn't sure if she was prepared for this. When she honed her knowledge in preparation for the test that Princess Celestia planned for her, she had no idea this was the test! Only a mere six months passed since she was face-to-face with the changelings, but now she was to face something much, much greater. After a millennium, the mysterious Crystal Empire suddenly popped back into existence. Not even her teacher knew what triggered its reappearance, but it mattered little. The empire's magic was powerful. If it was filled with hope and love, then all of Equestria would benefit from it. If hatred and fear took hold... Well, it chilled the young pupil to the bone to contemplate the consequences, for she knew nothing about the nature of hate and fear incarnate. She didn't want to find out, either, especially after Princess Celestia's demonstration. How in Equestria could she possibly find a way to protect it, all of it, without any help from anypony? Sighing, Twilight rested her forehead against the window's cool surface. The vibrations caused by the moving train helped her drain out the voices of the others. All of them were blissfully unaware of her fears as they happily chatted various speculations about their destination, though she was too caught up in her thoughts to make out what was said. It wasn't until a certain fashionista spoke up that she realized just how much time had passed. “Twilight, darling,” she said, placing a hoof on her shoulder. “Come now, time to snap out of it. We're arrived.” Smiling, she reached into one of her saddlebags and she produced a navy-blue scarf. “Here,” she added, using her magic to carefully wrap it around the other unicorn's neck. “The others poked fun at me for packing so many of these, but—ha!—I'm the only one here who came prepared! Just take a gander outside. The weather is absolutely horrid!” “Well, Rarity, we are in the Arctic North,” replied Twilight. As her friend trotted towards the door, she looked down at the given accessory and was pinched by a pang of guilt. In her haste, she neglected to bring warmer clothing. Behind them, Spike snorted as he struggled to keep the massive mound of Rarity's luggage from toppling off his back. “You got that right,” he grumbled. Despite the weight he carried on his narrow shoulders, he was able to make it off the train shortly after Twilight. The moment the howling wind struck him, however, he had to fight to keep his balance. “Yikes!” he exclaimed, shuddering. “Ugh, It's so cold,” groaned Rainbow Dash. “Where's this empire supposed to be, anyway?” That was an excellent question. As Twilight surveyed their surroundings, she was surprised to see that there was only a seemingly endless blanket of snow all around them. If there was anything out there, there was no seeing it past the blizzard. “Well, it has to be around here somewhere,” she said loudly. Fluttershy pressed herself against Applejack as another gust of wind struck them. “We... We better find it s-soon,” she whimpered. “It's s-so c-c-cold!” Biting down on her lip, Twilight stepped off the wooden platform as she continued to regard the area. That is, until a voice called out to her. “Hey, Twily, over here!” Through the fury of the falling snow, a dark figure slowly came into view. Squinting, Twilight raised a foreleg to shield her eyes so that she could get a better look. She smiled widely once she caught sight of his white coat and two-toned blue mane. “Shining Armor?” she called. “Is that you?” Sure enough, it was her big brother. He was clad in a protective set of goggles, as well as a scarf that appeared tightly wrapped around his muzzle. As he approached them, he removed both; the goggles were moved to the secure spot behind his horn, and his scarf was lowered to the base of his neck. “The one and only!” he chuckled, opening his forelegs. He then shared a quick hug with Twilight before he motioned for them to follow. “Princess Celestia messaged us that you and your friends were on the way,” he added, “and I sure as hay wasn't going to let you get yourselves lost out here. You wouldn't want to be here too long.” "Why's that?" “Let’s just say the empire isn’t the only thing that’s returned…” Shining Armor answered ominously As they trekked the tundra, Shining Armor explained, raising his voice over the roar of the wind, “Something keeps trying to get in! We think it’s the unicorn king who originally cursed the place!” “But Princess Celestia sent me here to find a way to protect the empire!” Twilight brought up. “If King Sombra can’t get in, isn’t it protected already?!” Before Shinning could respond an ominous laughter soon started to echo through the tundra. “Get to the empire, run! Everypony run!” In response to the white unicorn’s words, a plume of smoky shadow erupted from the snow and from the darkness did appear a very familiar pair of frightening eyes! Twilight quickly levitated Spike onto his back, discarding all of the scarves Rarity brought, and joined the herd as they galloped for their lives, Rainbow Dash flying protectively above them. “Go, go!” Twilight screamed, and looking ahead they saw a shiny blue dome. “Almost there!” Shining Armor yelled, soon enough Shining Armor skidded to a halt, as he faced the fury of the darkness. The shadowy mass leered down at him, Shining Armor making the first move as he fired a magenta laser from his horn. The darkness dispersed to avoid it but bunched back together as it came down upon the unicorn prince. “Shining Armor!” Twilight screamed, Twilight saw two mechanical claws grab Shining Armor, the two claws started to pull him into the dark cloud. Twilight desperate to save her brother pulled back with her magic, grunting she pulled with all her might, bringing Shining Armor out, and bringing him into the force field. “Shining Armor!” Twilight gasped, “Your horn!” "Stupid little unicorn!" I slammed my claws on my Koopa Clown Car (K.C.C.). "Looks like if I have to beat them I have to send some units." I got out my wand. "Hello!?" No response. "HEY!!!" "....zzZZZzz...." "IDIOT WAKE UP!" The small orb on my wand started to get cloudy, and soon enough a figure appeared on the orb. "My lord, how may we assist thee?" The figure on the orb was known as 'The Crystal King' one of the last bosses, I had defeated and had them join me. The Crystal King is a transparent being with only eyes and a furry blue coat and a crystal crown visible, three icy beings where floating next to him, he was one of the best magic users I know. "Crystal King, I have a job for you." The king eyes widen, "oh? Is it time for us to join the brawl?" My grin widened, "oh yesss... and here what I want you to do..." And if everything goes according to plan, soon the tyrant king will fall, and the Era of the Koopa will begin.
Ch.4- Search for the Crystal HeartKing Sombra looked at the Crystal Empire with disgust in his red eye's. "Foolish pony's. Soon i will have my throne back and you will all crumple under my iron hoof!" He closed his eye's contemplating his next move. He already felt the presence of darkness in his kingdom. "That mean's that some pony has found the first illusion." This did not boad well for his plan's. It seemed that he would have to use send Iggy after them. Even if the pony's manage to get there hoof's on the Crystal Heart, Iggy would have already intercepted them, 'I may not like relying on him to much, but his skills in conjuration and magic are useful.' Sombra's horn glowed and behind him stood a unconscious baby dragon- turtle, purple smoke leaking through his eyes. 'And besides I still have his brother. ' 'Soon I will rule my kingdom again and eventually all of Equestria!' "hahahahaha ahahahahahah ahahahahahaha" As if the very air agreed with him a few bolt's of lightning and the rumble of thunder was heard as the mad king laughed at his own genius. Crystal Empire Mean while back in the Crystal Castle Twilight Sparkle made her way down the flight of stair's that she had discovered. The Dark purple beam that she had fired at the crystal throne had revealed a hidden flight of stair's that led into a dark abyss below the castle. Desperately trying to find any hint of The Crystal Heart she followed the step's with her horn providing a light source. "Hey Twilight are you doing ok down there?" Spike her assistant called out to her from the top of the step's. "Ya spike I don't think I have much further to go." She called back. Curious she dislodged a small dark crystal from the side of the wall and levitated it over the dark hole and dropped it. She strained to here the sound of stone on stone. When she was done with that put her hoof to her ear to catch the sound wave's that would soon come. A few second's later she heard the sound and her ear's dropped. 'That is a long way down.' She thought to herself. "Hey Spike how's it going outside?" She called up to him. He got up from the top stair step and ran to a window to see. He saw the sunny and cheery sky illusion begin to flicker on and off. "It's not looking good Twilight. Candace's magic is fading fast. We have to hurry up and find the Crystal Heart." He shout down into the hole. As soon as Twilight heard this she kicked herself into high gear and took the step's two at a time. Unfortunately in her haste to get to the bottom of this never ending stair case she lost her balance and tripped on a broken step sending her tumbling end over end to the bottom. she quickly caught herself in a levitation field to stop the impact. Spike yelled from the top of the stair case. "Hey Twilight are you ok?". "Ya Spike. I'm at the bottom now." "Good. Do you see anything?" Twilight looked around her surrounding and instantly locked her eye's on a big royal red door engraved into the rock wall, two torches were on the side of the door. "huh?" Just as she was about to open the door, the door started to open by itself. Twilight took a few calming breathes, before heading inside. As soon as Twilight went inside the doors slammed shut behind her. "Spike!? Spike!? Can you hear me!?" Twilight desperately called. "Hehe, there's no use in calling for help little pony." Twilight slowly turned around to see who was talking, the creature was similar to Iggy in appearance, he had a red turtle shell just like Iggy, but his didn't have spikes, his body was more bulkier, also he was bald. "Allow me to introduce myself, I'm Boom Boom." The creature got into a fighting stance. "And this is as far as you go!" The koopa growled before he lunged at Twilight trying to catch her off guard. Twilight jumped up and landed on the turtle’s back forcing him into his shell. Twilight then kicked the shell sending it flying towards the wall. "Ouch! Looks like I underestimated you." Boom Boom got back up, "Well I wont let that happen again." Boom Boom reared his head back, his snout glowing red. Suddenly Boom Boom unleashed several large fire balls, Twilight gasped and teleported away before she was able to get hit. "Stay Still!!!" Twilight looked behind her and saw the large beast only a few inches away. Boom Boom's claw crash down to the spot Twilight was, "*groan* forgot she can teleport." Twilight appeared behind the koopa and fired several powerful magic blast at his shell. Boom Boom got up his face red, "That's it!" He roared and lunged at Twilight, his arms swinging all over the place. Twilight turned her back and kicked the large turtle with her back legs, sending him wheeling through the air. Boom Boom crashed into the crystal wall's starting to feel exhausted, " I wont *pant* let *pant* you- win...I still have my magic!" Boom Boom took out a wand and started to swing it around. "Let's see how you do against a flying opponent." Suddenly a purple foot stomped on his head, Boom Boom wobbled around a bit before he collapsed face first completely unconscious. "Twilight!" Twilight gasped and ran towards her savior. "Spike!" The two shared quick hug. "What are you doing down here!?" "I came here to find you, you were taking quiet a long time." The ground shook, both Twilight and Spike turned towards the source of the earthquake, suddenly another door appeared. As Twilight stepped through, Spike asked warily, “What’s in there?” “Stairs,” she sighed as they both looked up to a column so high they couldn’t see the top. Encircling it were, “Lots and lots of stairs.” Twilight took the first few steps but then looked to Spike, “Maybe you should come with me this time.” Spike smiled brightly and followed her without hesitation.
Ch.5- Awake2000 years ago Earth, Brooklyn It was a beautiful night in the city of Brooklyn the moon shining magnificently on the night sky, the stars twinkling like fireflies scattered across the sky. The beauty of the night was ruined by the city below it, while most of the city looked nice, this side of Brooklyn did not, countless trash littered across the floor, the homeless gathering around a flaming trash can in hopes of gathering warmth. Truly this wasn't one of the nice parts of the city. "You ungrateful brats! Come back here!" The silence of the city was broken as two small boys ran from their drunken father who was holding a baseball bat. "Michael, my feet hurt." The younger brother moaned. The older sibling hung onto his brother, determine not to slow down. "Just wait a little longer please." Not far now; the figure following them was nearly out of sight, jumping fluidly over the litter and easily avoiding the occasional sleeping beggar. The wind was helpful in masking any noises, but the older brother didn’t want to take any chances when it came to his brother's protection. "Michael can we please stop?" Michael turned towards his brother, "Fine, it seems we lost him anyways." "Michael look!!!" He turned and saw a what appeared to be a toy store. "Erick, I don't think it's a good idea buying toys, we should be trying to save our money." "awe, please." Erick turned towards his brother. "*groan* fine, put only one toy." (Michael P.O.V.) As we both entered into the shop, and instantly realized that this wasn't a toy store. There were signs and poster and stands for all of the best video games in the world. I think I even saw one for the fifth installment of the Mario & Luigi RPG series. It was pretty a popular game, but the only Mario game we played was Super Mario World, and Yoshi's Island for the Gameboy. "Ah! Welcome!" We both turned around and a creepy looking merchant. He looked at us a bit funny. "Aren't you two supposed to be in bed by now?" I bit my tongue. "Umm..." "Ah, doesn't matter as long as your buying something then its okay." Erick took this as a sign to go ahead, and ran of. "Erick! No running!" I called after him. I looked around the shop seeing al kinds of cool items, however only one caught my attention was a black ball with eyes and teeth, I grabbed the ball and looked around it. "BARK! BARK!" I nearly drooped the ball in shock, I looked at it a bit more and saw a button on the bottom. "Hey Michael!" I turned towards Erick and saw him bouncing on a yellow ball with orange stars. "Can we get it please?" We went to the cash register to pay for the two balls, I couldn't resist buying the small black ball. “Eh. How much for the two balls?” I asked trying to hide my enthusiasm. “For you two? How about eight bucks?” His smile creeped me out a bit, but how could I pass up that deal? That would still leave us with enough to rent a room in a local motel. "Deal." Immediately after we left, I felt the floor beneath my feet give way and I started to fall. I felt the ball flung from me and Erick fall into the abyss below, me right behind him. I screamed as loud as I could, but there was nothing but darkness to hear me out. "Hmmm... I know those two look a bit young." Moments after the two boys left, the merchant stayed in a bit of a guilty state. "The two couldn't possibly survive that long without any help, they're too young!" The merchant stood up and walked to a nearby shelf, "Good thing I already know what they're going to turn too." The merchant grabbed a toy plushy from the shelf, "Hopefully this will ease my guilt." The plushy glowed and in a bright light it disappeared. "Take care of them Kamek." I don’t know how much longer it was when I awoke, I only knew that my back was incredibly sore. “Ah, ooh, that stings,” I groaned getting up off the ground I was on. I stood up shakily and took in my surroundings. Somehow I went from a big city to the middle of a dense jungle. “How did I get here?” “Through magic,” responded an unseen voice. Okay, now I was scared. “Who said that? Hello? Where are you?” “I’m right here, my lord.” I looked up and saw a weird creature, he wore blue robes covering his whole body, except for his head, his head looked a bit like a turtle's, he was currently sitting on a broom. I was so speechless all I could do was gape. “Lord Iggy? Are you alright?” That brought me out of my confused state. "Iggy?" I ran towards the pond that was next to me, and what I saw made me scream. Instead of me being in the reflection, there was a dragonlike creature, my reflection showed that my black hair had changed into a rainbow mohawk, it had a yellow and tan skin complexion, as well as a green head, I also had four fangs sticking out of his mouth. I had large, oval eyes with blue-ringed irises showing of the glasses I wears have very thick lenses. As well as my distinctive glasses, I wore some metal, spiked cuffs, I looked behind me and saw a green shell with spikes. Suddenly something brought me out of my confused- terror, I heard my brother's scream. Running past the turtle wizard, I ran to the source of the scream instead of my brother, I saw another creature who looked like me, he had a rainbow Mohawk with a yellow ponytail, his shell was a dark orange, just like me, he also wore spiked cuffs, his most distinctive feature was the fact that he was cross-eyed and that he had a bright yellow ball with orange stars. "Erick?" The dragon creature turned towards me and screamed, "Please don't eat me." "Erick, its me Michael." The dragon looked up. "Michael?" I sighed in relief, "Yes Erick, it's me." We both heard a familiar voice calling for us. "My lords!" The old turtle-thing flew towards us, "I'm so glad I found you two." "BARK! BARK!" Behind the turtle, was the same black ball I had bought at the store, the black ball hopped towards us and nuzzled my leg. I looked up at the robed turtle, it looked familiar. "Kamek?" I remembered him from Yoshi's Island. 'Kamek' smiled, "ah so you do remember me! That is most fortunate, I was worried that you lost your memory." “Uh Kamek, do you know where we are?” “uh, no” He looked at the ground in shame, “I do not know where we have ended up. Though I do not think there any life forms around us. A good thing as it will give us time for you to control your powers.” "My powers?" Kamek nodded, "Oh yes, and we need to get started soon, so hurry up and let's go." Kamek turned back and started to fly away, I grabbed Erick and started to follow Kamek, who hopefully will keep us safe.
