Lumis: the Caliginosity chaptersby Ultimaexe24ChaptersChapter one: Ruler of the night (RW)Chapter 2: The dark king and the student (RW)Chapter 3: the Annoyance and A plan for conquestChapter 4: The defeated queen and the glistering empireChapter 5: A Changeling with the name Shallow nightChapter one: Ruler of the night (RW)Chapter 1: Ruler of the Night Location: The city of formerly known as Canterlot now Nightmareopolis In small dark town surrounded by eternal night there sits a castle that seem to have lost its luster of beauty, inside its better looking with black carpeting, the windows having dark blue curtains with dark blue and black suits of armor but what would stand out but seems normal is the armor seems to be formed for miniature horses. Further down the hall of what seemed like endless doors stood a pair of rather large doors with two black male unicorns wearing the same armor that decorated the hall, past those doors is a rather large room and although decorated the same as the hall prior with it’s carpentry and drapes it also was decorated with more statues but these statues were more detailed and looked life like as well as they all looked female, one is a Pegasus with an angry look in its face that seemed as if it was flying toward something, wearing a jeweled necklace shaped like a lightning, another was a pony with puffy hair with a shocked expression on it wearing a jeweled necklace of shaped like a balloon , another was a unicorn with a fearful look on her face with one of her legs extended out as if she was trying to reach for something wearing a jeweled necklace shaped like a diamond, another was a Pegasus with a little rabbit on her back kneeling down with her hooves covering her eyes wearing a jeweled necklace shaped like a star, another was pony wearing a farm hat and seemed to be running towards something wearing a jeweled necklace shaped like an apple, and the last statue is one of a unicorn seeming to standing with her eyes closed as if she was concentrating on something was wearing a jeweled crown with a shape of a six pointed star and the ceiling looked like as if it was and endless abyss of darkness. Far end of the room sat a throne dark and menacing with it’s look that seemed to fit the overall area as well as two more armored guards standing stoically at the sides but what’s different from the guards from the others were their bat like wings, and on the throne sat A midnight black equine with wings and a unicorn horn with a Navy blue mane that flowed like ripples in water and moves like smoke. With it’s tall and sleek physique and shape of it’s muzzle from the guards it appears to be a female or a mare for a better term dressed in silvery blue armor with a mark of a moon in a black background staring out a window. This winged unicorn mare just stared out to the night sky showing no interest to anything in particular but then a Tailed bipedal figure slowly approaches the throne, to others this figure would seem like a purple and green lizard but it was in fact a dragon, a baby dragon to be exact due to its diminutive size and lack of wings as well as the spines going down its back. It was carrying a small worn out note pad, it had the look of fear all over its face, the Black mare turned her gaze to the little dragon and said, “Ah young Spike what thou has for us today.” Without another word the little dragon called spike looked at her in the eyes and shakily said, “Wwwwell yyyour highness it sssems….” Her highness’s eyes focused more on the little dragon as she said, “Thou shall speak to us in a well-mannered way young drake, now continue.” with that Spike stood straight up and continued, “Well your highness Luna…” but was stopped by Luna’s icy glare and he quickly continued, “My apologies mistress Nightmare Moon, the weather ponies are having trouble with the storms over ponyvile due to the influence from the Everfree forest and would like some help on containing it.” “Hmph fine we shall grace them with our assistance what else.” Nightmare Moon said in her normal voice “Oh umm there also ponies entering the Everfree forest and have been going missing, as well as we still have not found the missing members of the wonder bolts.” Spike said “Hmm we are not amused by this, this whole ordeal is become most vexing to us but we shall handle this personally, anything else?” Nightmare Moon said, The young dragon frantically flipped through the note pad and answered “No your majesty.” “Very well you may leave us now.” Nightmare Moon said as she motioned the dragon to leave with her hoof. “Thank you, your majesty.” the little dragon said as he bowed and quickly went out the room. once the Spike was out of area Nightmare Moon scoffed and muttered, “Spineless welp, why do I put up with thee?” she then motioned to her guards and continued, “Leave me as well, we wish to be alone with our thoughts.” The two guards bowed and marched out of the throne room, once alone she closed her eyes and her horn glowed with a dark luminesce, for a moment nothing happened but seconds later from the darkness of the ceiling down came a cage covered in the same aura emitting from her horn and within it a figure laid motionless. As it stopped she walked towards it and said, “Well sister what do you think of the kingdom now when it’s under my rule?” the figure didn’t answer not even move and inch. Nightmare Moon frowned and shouted in a booming voice “Thou will answer us this instant sister!” the figure slowly turned to Nightmare Moon with sad eyes and it’s revealed to be another winged unicorn but this one’s coat looked to be a dark fuchsiaish gray her mane looked to be light cerulean and turquoise with a light cobalt blue and a pale heliotrope but dulled as if all the colors have been drained from her, she just looked at her and said, “Oh Luna what have you done.” “What I’ve done, this is how it should be, a world in an everlasting night dear Tia, but fear not my sister the sun shall rise but only briefly and by my power alone.” Nightmare Moon said. “Sister you must understand the night is not to last as long as it have, our people cannot possibly live this way don’t you see…” Celestia said, but was interrupted by her sister “No all I see is that you have always been jealous, jealous of my night, always wanting to make it shorter just for your precious sun loving ponies, to watch them wake up to your sunrise, forever praising thou for it while I get nothing but they’re sleeping snores and ridiculous fear of my night.” “But Luna it’s never...” Celestia said, but was once again interrupted by her sister in a cold and emotionless tone, “That is Nightmare Moon to you sister.” She then turned away from Celestia and continues, “And I will not hear any more of your lies, especially from one who would send assassins after us upon our return. That was faolish on your part my dear sister.” “As I’ve told Luna they were not assassins they were six ponies who..” Celestia said “Yes yes we’ve heard your lies too many times of six ponies who had some how come together to stop us from our plans and one of those ponies happened to be your very own student, and you are to expect us to believe you didn’t have a hoof in any of it.” Night mare Moon said looking over to her side. Celestia was silent, this made the midnight Alicorn mare frown even deeper as she said “hmph a likely story, it’s no wonder you have failed so miserably but also seek our forgiveness, look how far you’ve fallen Celestia.” Celestia extended one of her forelegs to reach the midnight Alicorn but she started to walk away as she said, “Sister please you can’t…” “There is nothing more to speak of this subject we tire of it, we’ve only come to tell you that we are aware of this foalish rebellion that wishes to dethrone me and place you back in the light, but worry not sister we consider ourselves as a malevolent ruler so once this rebellion has been found and captured they shall not be imprisoned no dear sister perish the thought, they shall be banish to the frosty north there they shall freeze or shall I send them to the mines.” Nightmare Moon said with a laughter that echoes throughout the room. “Have I truly lost you Luna?” Celestia said to herself then turned her head and looked at the statue of the closed eyed unicorn and continues, “My faithful student I’m so sorry for all of this.” just then another voice echoed throughout the room, “Well..well..well this is a surprise, talking to a little statue will not remedy this situation, but princess you of all should know that is not your sister……well that’s not entirely true.” Hearing this Nightmare Moon and Celestia looked around the room as the voice continued, “This, Princess Celestia is just your sister possessed by something call the Nightmare force.” “Who dares to enter my throne room, show thineself whelp.” Nightmare Moon said, “Oh my apologies dear mistress of the moon I’m kind of new at this.” The voice said. Both Mares looked frantically until they spotted a small dragon walking towards them. Nightmare Moon saw this and shouted, “Spike how dare you..” “Oh no no no Princess I am not Spike, but he is indisposed of for the moment.” the dragon said while touching each statue along the way. “What, then who are you?” Nightmare Moon said, “Oh my apologies again I’ve forgotten that I am in the company of the royal Alicorn sisters.” the dragon said as he came into view. It was a pale gray and dark yellow dragon with black and red gradient hair going down from the top of its head trailing along its back to the tip of its tail as well a little under its chin, two yellow horns that bend to the back of his head wearing a red cloak that seems to be hiding his wings, one long tooth and his eyes are red as crimson holding some sort of scepter with a dark jewel on top of it, and continued as he bowed, “You may call me Sharp tooth.” “You have our attention, speak little dragon what is it you want.” Nightmare Moon said, “Ah to the point I like that, ahem well I’m here to offer a proposition.” Sharp tooth said, “A proposition you say and what would you have for one who rules all of Equestria.” Nightmare Moon said jokingly, “Ah well as I said I know you’re not the real Princess Luna” Sharp tooth paused then continued, “well that’s not entirely true you are her just possessed by the Nightmare force from the moon am I right.” Sharp tooth said while grinning evilly, upon hearing this Nightmare moon frowned but then chuckled at him and said, “Oh we see, you are part of that foalish rebellion, so I should just turn you into stone like those who sort to come after us before you.” “Oh you won’t do that or more like you can’t.” Sharp tooth said with his grin getting wider “Oh, so please enlighten us on to why.” Nightmare Moon said as eyes turned brilliant white and points her horn at the dragon “Ah yes well for two reasons, one I am not part of this rebellion you speak of, and two I’m far more powerful than you can ever be.” Sharp tooth said then smiles devilishly “Oh really why don’t we see for ourselves.” Nightmare Moon said, Just then she shot out a dark blue ball of energy from her horn heading straight for the little dragon, but Sharp tooth just yawned as it got closer, then effortlessly he just batted it away the wand as if it was a fly. Nightmare moon saw this growled in anger then raised her horn and emitted lightning that seemed to strike towards the little dragon, but he just slowly step from side to side as he moved closer, but then in a haze of smoke disappeared and reappeared in front of Nightmare Moon staring her in the eyes and smiling evilly while placing the crystal end of the scepter gently on her chest, then suddenly a low humming sound could be heard and the white light emanating from his wand and in a bright flash a wave of energy shot out of the wand and struck her a force of a battering ram projecting her to the throne pinning her against the back of it. Sharp tooth smiled with such devilish delight as he walked towards his quarry listening intensively to her screaming in pain as if it was a child’s lullaby all the while as the bombarding beam of light changed into a multitude of colors resembling that of a rainbow. Celestia seeing this, slowly stood up and shouted, “Enough Sir Sharp tooth she has had enough.” Sharp tooth’s smile just widened exposing his sharp teeth as he said, “Oh no my dear Celestia she hasn’t, now watch as I make her bow down to me like a little foal should.” the wave of colors got brighter and Nightmare Moon screams intensified as tears started to form from her eyes, Celestia seeing this lowered her head and closed her eyes and concentrated as it emanated a yellow and whitish energy from her horn. Sharp tooth just laughed at Nightmare Moon and shouted, “Well your highness do you see now, do you see just how weak you truly are against me, ME a mere “lowly” dragon. So tell me how does it feel to be put through so much pain and humiliation by this lowly dragon huh! Do you understand now, you….” But sharp tooth was interrupted but Celestia shouting from behind him, “Leave my sister alone!” and shot out a large ball of lightning which speedily head towards Sharp tooth, but with one hand he held the ball of energy in place, Celestia gasped at the site. Sharp tooth then lifted the it up and it shot like a rocket through the ceiling leaving a hole in its path and dispersed into the night sky, Sharp tooth then ceased his attack on the midnight alicorn and turned his attention on the caged Celestia as her sister’s body falls on the throne unconscious. The dragon then pointed his scepter at her, soon the a dark aura was emitting from it, but the alabaster alicorn stood her ground with her head held high and her eyes focused on his. Sharp tooth frowned at this display of bravery and said, “I don’t understand you, seriously I truly can not understand you. Your sister, this retched waste of space not only turned six of your subjects into stone, one of which is your faithful student I may add, but also rules your lands through fear, and puts you in a cage that not only drains you of your magic but also leaving you as helpless as a little flightless bird but yet hehe… yet you still protect her, Why? I see no logic with that.” “Regardless of what she has done she is still my sister and I shall not abandon her, and if what you said is true that she is merely possessed then she shouldn’t be at fault for what has transpired here.” Celestia said weakly standing her ground. “If that’s what you think then…” Sharp tooth said. but stopped and lowered his scepter as the energy faded, and place it in his cloak and said, “Hmph fine I’ll comply to your request only because I have more pressing matters to attend to.” with that he walked towards her and grabbed a purple jewel from her necklace and disappeared and reappeared in front of the closed eyed unicorn statue wearing a crown. The dragon studied the statue and muttered to himself, “This will do as well just in case Celestia’s jewel dosen’t work as an anchor as well as a little of something else.” He was reaching towards it as Celestia shouted, “No, leave Twilight alone!” “Relax you little gilded bird I am not going to harm her.” Sharp tooth said as he crabbed the crown and tucked both items in his cloak, then in a haze of smoke disappeared and reappear again in front of Nightmare moon who was regaining consciousness, pointing his scepter at her head. Celestia saw this and shouted, “Sister!” But just then a bolt of energy flew right pass her grazing her cheek. Wide eyed she looked to Sharp Tooth as one of his fingers was extended with a little of smoke coming from the tip, “Silence you fallen sun goddess, the grownups are talking now,” Sharp tooth said as he grinned, “or else the next one one will do more than caress your cheek.” As Nightmare Moon regains consciousness she looks to see Sharp tooth giving her a cold emotionless stare with one foot on her chest, coming to terms of what she knows what going to happen next she closes her eyes and says, “You have bested us, we are at your mercy do what you will.” Sharp tooth just smiled evilly and says, “Indeed I have and now admitting to this I have one thing to ask of you,” he moved closer to Nightmare Moon and continued, “how would you like to have enough power to rule these lands without any type of resistance from anyone er any pony?” Nightmare Moon just stared at him in shock scuffed and said, “Do you forget I do rule these lands and with my power alone.” “Oh I don’t mean this kind of power I am talking real power, power to have anyone even your sister to kneel before you, the kind of power that the mere utterance your name would make even the bravest Pony to quiver in fear, the Name Nightmare Moon would strike fear even the villains of past and future a like, what I demonstrated is a mere fraction of the power I wish to offer you.” Sharp tooth said as he lowers the scepter and extended his claw to helped the alicorn to her hooves. “Interesting, and you can give us this power?” Nightmare Moon said regaining her composure. “Yes and much more if you so wish it, but all you have to do is take that first step and take it.” Sharp tooth said while placing his hand on her shoulder Nightmare Moon rubs a hoof under her chin as she ponders this, “For what he says is true then perhaps it’s better for us to take him up on his offer, if it’s anything like the magic he displayed then it shall be worth it.” she then nodded her head and said, “Thou has convinced us Sir Sharp tooth we accept.” “Excellent, now we can make our way.” Sharp tooth said, as he whirled his scepter a bright flash appeared and soon a whirling vortex of energy appeared displaying many different colors, and continued, “Now my princess what do you know of Parallel worlds?” “Only a little through old text, why do you ask this?” Nightmare Moon replied, “Well this is a portal that can take you to other alternate worlds parallel to this one some with small changes to your version other with extreme changes from your view for instance,” Sharp tooth said then with a wave of his scepter the inside of the vortex seemed to shifted but inside showed a scene of her getting hit with wave of rainbow energy, Nightmare Moon raised an eye brow as the little dragon continued, “just think of it, a world where you have been defeated,” he wave his scepter again showing her sister and her but smaller waving to a large crowd, “but only to go on living in peace with your sister and everyone Ahem sorry every pony around.” Sharp tooth said, “This is starting to displease us dragon.” Nightmare Moon said with a frown on her muzzle. “Ah but look at it in another way. You, well the now you enters that world and take it over without even so much as breaking a sweat.” Sharp tooth said. “Go on.” Nightmare Moon said. “Well through here can be that world and it’s all yours for the taking, Hmph your sister known of this as well as she has gone to an alternate world herself, but after some ehhh events she then chose not to intervene with another reality’s progress, well only when it suits her needs anyway.” Sharp tooth said while pointing to Celestia. Nightmare Moon widened her eyes in shock and thought, "What. She has gone to other worlds but how and when, perhaps after her banishing me to the moon or maybe before my banishment, but then how, through that mirror I've found, with the help of that old wizard no less." then she said, “If this is true then… then..” Nightmare Moon said, “No sister, we are to never interfere with another world’s well-being…” Celestia interrupted. “You will be silence sister!” Nightmare Moon quickly said in a loud booming while stomping a hoof, she then turned to Sharp tooth and continued, “Then let us go sir Sharp tooth.” “Great because that rebellion you mentioned should be waking up any moment now so we should get going.” Sharp tooth said. Just then loud noises could be heard from outside as Sharp tooth walked into the portal followed by Nightmare Moon but she paused to looked at her sister and said, “Fare thee well sister you can have this world for now but the day upon my return it will be your last and I will show these sun loving ponies who should really be on the throne.” just then the doors burst open and in came a Pony dressed in a purple and black schemed outfit with a wide brim hat with a bow on with a familiar little purple and green dragon on its back, with dozens of other ponies charging in, she then walked into the portal laughing, the last thing she heard was Celestia shouting, “No wait, Luna!” Upon entering the portal Nightmare Moon can hear the last word of her sister echoing through as she was slowly flying down a long pathway and filled with visions of events that has and haven’t happened,all being displayed in multitude of colors, some events being played the same as she remembers but with slight and significant difference, as she looks forward she sees her dragon traveler, he turns towards the midnight princess and said, “Ah Nightmare Moon I was thinking you had second guessed yourself and decided not to come.” “We are always decisive dragon, but we do have a question?” Nightmare Moon said. “Of course your highness ask away for I am here to please.” Sharp tooth said turning to his back. “Thou have known of the nightmare force but how, none are to known of its existence save me and my sister, so how can you.” Nightmare Moon said. “Ah that can be answered once we reached our destination.” Sharp tooth said as he pointed to another portal just ahead of them. Location: Unknown city, but looks familar As they exit the portal, the two looked around and saw that they were in some sort of kingdom but the houses were in shambles and deserted, the streets were old and dirty with no signs of life, the area was covered in black crystals protruding from the ground, the sky was covered with black and red clouds, behind them looked to be the entrance and outside it looked ravaged by time and barren of life with what looked like large crimson red crystals emanating yellow beams of light in a sweeping motion. Nightmare Moon looked at Sharp tooth with a puzzled expression and said, “Is this the world you promised us, this barren and dilapidated wasteland, with flying crystals?” “Oh no my princess this is but mere stop on our journey, we are here to pick up something and someone uh pony.” Sharp tooth replied. “Oh and pray tell who that would be.” Nightmare Moon said. “Oh I can’t just ruin the surprise now can I, I mean this place should be quite familiar to you, but for now let us head to that castle.” Sharp tooth said as he pointed to a long path way moving up a hill and at the top sits dark foreboding castle which seems to be to Nightmare Moon constructed in some perfect fusion of stone and crystal and floating around it are two more of those crystals she noticed from before. As they walked Nightmare Moon looked at her surroundings and notice a familiar structure and gasped and said, “Sharp tooth answer us, are we in the Crystal Empire.” “Y..es, well we're in the new Crystal Empire but it's called the city of Dark Shard, capital of the Sombrian Empire the old Crystal Empire is in a rather ruined state at the moment.” Sharp tooth said as they continued walking. “So we are here to see…” Nightmare Moon said as she frowned, but was interrupted by Sharp tooth, “King Sombra? Yes, yes we are.” Nightmare moon frowned upon this then in a haze of shadowy smoke disappeared, zipped past him and reappeared in front of him and stared at Sharp tooth as her eyes glowed white and said, “Ok that is far enough dragon, you are going to tell us everything we wish to know, now!” Sharp tooth blinked a few times, said, “You know you’re very cute when you angry.” Nightmare Moon’s eyes began to glow brighter, “Do not try my patience Dragon.” Fine fine very well but not here, come with me and I shall answer all of your questions.” he then looked around and saw one of the old houses that looked decent for what he wanted, with its door intact and open, he point to it and said, “Let us head to that house there to avoid spying eyes.” and started their way there. Inside the old home there was dust and cobwebs covering everything from the chairs and tables to the walls, sink, and beds, pieces of crystal were littered throughout the area. Sharp tooth closed the door and with a wave of his right hand dark red rune covered the area from the floors to the walls and then faded as if the were never there, he turn to the Alicorn and said, “Ok we should be safe in here,I’ve put a spell of covert silence so none besides us can hear what we’re talking about. Now what is it you wish to know?” “Firstly my question from before how is it thou has known of us, secondly what are you, clearly you are a dragon but I sense you are more than what you lead us to believe.” Nightmare Moon said. Sharp tooth sighed and said, “Ok first as you should know I am not of your world or this one.” “We have deduced this already dragon.” Nightmare Moon said. “Yes but what you don’t know I’m..” Sharp tooth paused for a moment as he hummed and stroked his long tooth then continued, “I’m what you would call a Shape-shifter or the closes thing is a changeling minus the whole draining emotions thing.” “What impossible changelings are nothing but ponyifed bugs, even if you are what you say is true they do not posses even a fraction of magic that thou has demonstrated.” Nightmare Moon said, but just then she saw the dragon suddenly turned in to a black shadow like figure and soon formed into herself. The second Nightmare Moon fluttered her eyes and said, “Do you like what you see?” The alicorn was taken back by this, as the second Nightmare Moon looking herself over, “You must excuse the whole bit with the shadows but see me transform is a little unnerving to some.” Now to say she was lost for words would be an exaggeration as many thoughts raced through her mind until she was able to say, “Wha..how..you are a changeling!” “Yes and no as I’ve said the close’s thing to my kind would be changelings due to both of us can change into any form but while they feed on a being’s emotion mainly love my kind do not,” the second Nightmare Moon said as she started to pace back and forth “oh sure if I were to change into a changeling how ever redundant that may be I would have to feed on love just as if I were to change into a diamond dog, a griffon, or a dragon I would require to eat ehhh meat. So to make little explanation even shorter what ever form I take I have to eat what it eats, but no matter what form I take there is one thing that my kind does that no changeling can do…” Sharp tooth said, but then changed back to normal and continued, “for you see my kind obtain all the knowledge through touch from our hands as long as it’s a living thing or was a living thing in some cases, haven’t you noticed me touching those statues in your throne room when I entered.” Nightmare moon thought for a minute and answered, “Yes but we thought of you as well um…” “Regardless that’s how I know about you well that and at the fact I’ve been to other parallel worlds with the same results of your conquest of having everlasting night but in that world the Celestia of those found out about this nightmare forces on the moon which answers your second of question.” Sharp tooth said while scratching his long fang. “So if what you say is true and it was similar to mine own then why have me follow you to this world for a world you described to me earlier and why are we seeking the king Sombra of this world.” Nightmare moon said as she was regaining her composure. “Ah well it is quite obvious really...well to me that is, I didn’t kill you.” Sharp Tooth said with a smug smile. “What!?” Nightmare Moon said with widened eyes “Yes I didn’t kill you, but lets be clear I don’t care you die or live I only care about just completing my all time goal even if I have to make deals to who ever wishes to follow me.” Sharp Tooth answered Nightmare Moon remained stoic as she said, “And Sombra?” “Oh another easy one, I’ve visited here well before seeing you, and just like you for your world helped him in his conquest but unlike you and every other version of you who I’ve helped within the shadows Sombra I’ve openly helped him.” Nightmare Moon eyes went wide as he said that then he continued “Oh please didn’t think that certain things happened that were too convenient.” “Uh…well…we…” was all Nightmare Moon could say “Anyway after I helped him I offered him the same deal I did you but he refused so I told him I’d return and here I am, I would have come back here earlier but I figured he didn’t believe me when I told him I travel to different realities so having you here is pretty much a bonus but also well…let’s just say you’re a bigger piece of the game board.” Sharp tooth said. “So we are to be your pawn then.” Nightmare Moon said angrily. “Oh no no no my dear, pawns are meant to be sacrificed and you are not and let us leave it at that, besides does it really matter I mean you’ll be getting what you want right.” Sharp tooth said to that Nightmare Moon nodded and answered, “Correct that is all that matters to us.” “Good now let us be off I suspect he already knows we’re coming.” Sharp Tooth said and with a flick of his claw the door opened and out they went. Chapter 2: The dark king and the student (RW)Chapter 2: The Dark King and the student Location: The city of Dark Shard, city square. As the two exited the old house Sharp tooth looks around and in the distance sees a fountain that seemed to have dried up years prior but what drawn his attention to it was figure stand next to it, seeing this the little dragon an idea came across him, “That maybe just what I need.” and heads to it with the midnight mare following close behind. As the two continue to walk Nightmare Moon was observing their surrounding more closely, as she scans the area some things that she didn’t notice before, for one thing there were not a living soul around, no birds, squirrels or any other animal that would run around any town or city, as well as there were no ponies, none of the citizens of this once city, all that surround them as dead silence that was broken by the occasional wind blowing some piece of litter that was on the ground. This brought a slight shiver down the Alicorn’s spine because to her this place remind her of the many years trap on her moon surrounded by the silence that permeated around them, a silence that was like a thick fog that’s attempting to smother them, with quick shake of her head the black Alicorn mare banished her thoughts of fear, seconds later she spots Sharp Tooth by an old dried up fountain and moves to him. As Nightmare Moon got closer she notices that her dragon escort was standing in front of a crystal statue of a unicorn stallion but something was different and kind of odd to her, upon further inspection the unicorn statue was too detailed for it to be any ordinary crystal statue from the mane and fur to the armor it donned and tail, then she paused as her eyes widened at a realization crossing her mind, “Tis was a pony of flesh and blood, this world’s Sombra has reached a new height of cruelty?” Nightmare Moon moved closer and noticed another pony statue but this one is of a little unicorn filly holding tightly to one of the stallion’s hind legs with the look of sheer terror within her eyes frozen for all those who pass to see, her attention then turned to Sharp tooth who seemed to be examining them all the while stoking his chin as if to be in deep thought. The dragon walked around the two and then said to no one in particular, “Ah so he’s been utilizing one of my spells but to what degree I wonder.” Upon hearing this Nightmare moon said through grit teeth, “You taught something like this to Sombra, art thou mad?” Then she noticed Sharp Tooth reaching his arm towards the stallion and asked, “What are you about to do? Without looking at her Sharp tooth answered, “Oh I’m going to get some information from these two.” Sharp tooth answered. “You’ve told us that you have been here before, what use would that be to you now?” Nightmare moon asked, but Sharp tooth just ignored her as he closed his eyes and place a claw on the crystal stallion's chest, then almost instantaneous his head jolted upward shaking and his eyes shot open and gave off a vacant look as visions of events pasted played out within his mind, moments later he quickly withdrew his claw and shook his head and started panting slowly and upon seeing this Midnight Alicorn moved closer to the panting dragon and said, "Sir Sharp Tooth are thou alright?" Sharp tooth just just answered with a devious smile and started to laugh maniacally as we wiped a little sweat from his brow, he soon regained his composure and said with his arms apart, “Ah…I see, so that’s what happened here, this is an intriguing find indeed.” Nightmare Moon arched her brow but then frowned and said, “We are puzzled dragon, we demand you tell us what you have found out this instant.” “Well according to this one here,” Sharp tooth said pointing to the stallion and continued “it has been four years since the last time I’ve been here and Sombra has taken over all of Equestria or six years of your world’s time this is most interesting…” he then looked up to the castle, scratched his long tooth and whispered, “most interesting indeed.” “How did he do this, we must know.” Nightmare moon said “Becoming quite the curious one aren’t we princess.” Sharp tooth said sighed then continued, “Ok but let us walk and talk I wish to move along from here post haste, I do not wish for us to be found.” Nightmare moon nodded and they started walking a rather large dark castle all the while telling her of the events that had transpired. Location: Dark Shard castle Moments later they have reached the castle doors and Sharp tooth said, “And after the defeated your sister, the Luna of this world and the others, they turned them into crystal using a modified version of my spell, I mean it’s an ingenious way of torture having the victim turn into crystal all while keeping them consciousness so they can see and hear everything that’s going on, as well as placing command seals within them making them the ultimate soldiers and hostages all at the same time.” The midnight mare disliked what was told to her but had to agree although cowardly in her eyes it was great way to both deal with those that would try to rise up and overthrow you but also put great amount of fear within the hearts of those you ruled. Nightmare moon looked to the pale dragon in front of her who was waiting for her to respond with is arms spread out, “Yes, verily so dragon. Prithee where are the Celestia and Luna of this world as well as the guards?” Sharp tooth turned to the large doors and answered, “If I’m correct they should be decorated throughout the castle.” “Interesting, and for what you tell us is true, Sombra and his apprentice could be far more powerful than even you.” Nightmare moon said. “Not quite my dear Moon saying that would be like saying a unicorn who just learned a levitation spell is the more powerful than you and your sister combined, for them to be even even the tiniest of a threat to me they would have to have their power combined and would have to be up there with the cosmos. Comparing me to anyone pony or other wise would be insulting I mean they couldn’t do anything without my help.” “Is that so?” Nightmare moon said with and arched eyebrow “Oh quite so my dear, it was only just the two of them against the entire nation of Equestria, yes they were able to take the crystal empire but that was child er uh foals play compared to attacking let alone conquering Equestria, but if you still think they pose a threat then worry not your highness I have a trump card.” Sharp tooth said “Oh and what is this trump card you speak of?” Nightmare moon asked. “Why you are my dear,” Sharp tooth said while pointing to her and continued, “for you see they defeated Luna but not you Nightmare moon, and as I’ve seen from countless realities you are far more powerful than her.” The dragon then opened the doors and what he saw was not what he expected,not that there were ponies turned into crystal statues were in different poses holding different objects such as plants, unlit torches and other things, what surprised the dragon was that the entire hallway was lavished so fancy with a decor of red carpeting and curtains to match and pictures of Sombra sitting in his throne regally but in different situations. Nightmare Moon looked with disgust as it reminded her of a certain spoiled brat pain in the flank of pony, she then looked to Sharp Tooth and could hear him muttering, “Wha..what is this? Where’s the doom and gloom, th..the installation of fear? When one enters here its suppose to instill the kind of fear that would make it last for years on end, not this.” With a heavy sigh he walked in followed by the Alicorn of nightmares with the doors slowly closing behind them. Loaction: Dark Shard Castle interior As they walked along the halls they noticed that the statues eyes followed them to which Sharp tooth thought, “Ehh at lease they got something right, nice touch though.” but there weren’t any guards or any of the castle attendees anywhere, even stranger was the further they went the darker the hall was getting even when the hall split, each walk way had a different contrast of darkness from pitch black to some semblance of light in it. The two soon reached another set of large double doors. Sharp tooth place a claw on one of the doors and was about to push it open but stopped and with turning to face her Sharp tooth said to Nightmare Moon, “Princess, if you would be so kind as to indulge me, I would very much so like you remain here for a moment I would be ever so greatful.” “What!? You would have us wait here as if we are some foal?” Nightmare moon said in disgust. “No, no my dear as I stated before you’re my trump card and I would not like to show all my cards in the beginning if I can.” Sharp tooth said, Nightmare moon frowned deeply, sighed lightly and nodded. “I thank you my lady, now is time to put on a show.” Sharp tooth said and opened one of the doors and entered the room. Once inside the throne room he noticed more black crystals protruding from the ground that seems to form a path to the center of the room as well as more crystal statues of other ponies all he had recognized too well and said to himself, “It seems these ponies may play a major role in these worlds progress, not only did I see them in this world but also in Nightmare moon’s world too, this is most interesting.” then looked forward to see two figures, a tall one sitting in a throne while the other a smaller one was surrounded by four stacks of books laying down looking into what he could make out a book while two scrolls, a quill, and another book levitated in the air surrounded by a dark purple energy. The tall figure was a dark grey male unicorn with a spiky mane and tail, a curved smooth sharp tipped horn that gradients form dark grey to red. He has two visible fangs, he has Brilliant scarlet eyes with purple mist emanating from them with red irises, wearing silver armor on his legs and neck, a crown with horn-like point in his head, the smaller one was a dark purple colored female alicorn, her mane and tail is a dark moderate sapphire blue with a dark moderate violet and brilliant rose streaks and wearing a dark silver armor on her legs and neck with a six pointed dark purple sparkle in the front of it on her flank is a mark of a six-pointed dark pink sparkle surrounded by five small black sparkles, her wings although the same color as her coat but it it gets darker until the tip of her wings, her horn and hooves seem to give off a ghostly whitish glow around them and her horn that gradients from dark purple to dark red at the tip and her eyes giving off the same dark mist like the male unicorn. Sharp tooth continued to walk towards them and said, “Ah hello oh great king Sombra it has been some time, I see you’ve increased your rule and your apprentice seems to becoming more matured in the dark arts.” King sombra just looked at him and said in a low somewhat distorted echoing voice, “Ah dragon you’ve seemed to have disappeared out of nowhere last we met and now you returned on the anniversary of my new kingdom no less. I’ve had my troops to search for your where abouts since that day and now I can end that search.” “Oh you have my most humblest apologies oh great King Sombra, but I had other things that required my attention, namely to make sure there were no secret society out there to pose a threat to your great rule of course.” Sharp tooth said as he bowed down, the unicorn king just nodded. the female Alicorn lifted her head from her book and looked at him and said, “You’re the one who aided us from before.” “That is correct Miss Twilight…” Sharp tooth said but was quickly interrupted, “That's Empress Midnight Sparkle to you.” Midnight Sparkle said with her eye turned brilliant white. “Ah Yes my apologies Empress Sparkle. I see that little hiccup hasn’t prevent your growth in magic but I’m not here to that or idle chit-chat I’m here for business.” Sharp tooth said then turned to King Sombra and continued, “Your majesty have you thought about my offer?” “Offer?” King Sombra replied. “Why yes, the offer we spoke about prior of my departure, but I wish to add a little something into the mix.” Sharp tooth said. “Ah yes I remember and my answer is the same no.” King sombra said. “Oh, too quickly you refuse it even before I show you what extra I am offering.” Sharp tooth said as he extended his hand and in a black and green blaze appeared the a golden tiara studded with sapphires and a magenta star shaped gem which levitated ever so slightly and then continued, “Do you know what this is?” the two looked at the object that's float and lightly pulsing a white aura, Midnight sparkle gasped and said, “That’s the element of magic from the elements of harmony, but..but how, that should not be here not after It's corruption by my dark magic.” “So what is your plan dragon, to use that to cooperate with or to maybe end my life.” King sombra said as his eyes started to turn brilliant white, “Well you see..” Sharp tooth said but was stopped when an unknown force had a grip on his neck and he slowly rose from the ground, he looks to see the dark lavender Alicorn standing with her horn emanating black and dark purple energy and is aimed towards him and the mist around her eyes glowed brighter as she shouts, “You will not harm my master!” Sharp tooth stared at her with a bored look on his face then tucking the crown back into his cloak and said, “I.... really don’t think you should do that my dear.” “Oh yeah and why’s that?” Midnight sparkle said through narrowed eyes, “Well…” Sharp Tooth said when suddenly a bolt of dark blue energy collided with the alicorn and sent her flying to the wall, and in entered Nightmare moon with her horn illuminating of blue aura around it, she slowly walks down wearing an emotionless look. Sharp Tooth land on the floor, cleared his throat and said, “I thank you my dear but I could’ve handled that myself you know.” "Forgive us Sir Sharp tooth for we could not stand to just sit idly by any longer as well we were merely protecting our investment." King sombra Looked in shock and said, “What, Princess Luna how is this possible, you should be a crystal statue.” “Yes, but we are not Luna but Nightmare Moon but rest assured she is a crystal statue by the looks of the ones by the windows.” Nightmare moon said as she points towards two crystal alicorn statues by a window, she then turns her attention towards Midnight Sparkle who had shook her head then gave a look of bewilderment then anger. Nightmare moon stopped in front of the fallen alicorn whose eyes are not only filled with anger and hatred and noticed the illuminating green and dark purple mist like smoke emanating from the ends of her eyes and said, “You. Thou art mine sister’s pupil are you not?” she brought her head close to the smaller Alicorn's until they were nose to nose, she then unfolded her right wing and flicked her on the nose and continued, “Hmph we see you have been enthralled by Sombra’s dark magic, hardly worth my time.” “Oh yeah, well let me show you what I have….” Midnight sparkle said, “Enough.” King sombra said interrupting them as his voice echoing throughout the room, “But master she…” Midnight Sparkle said, but was interrupted by King Sombra eyes glowed white as here stared at her as he said, “I said enough my pupil, I shall not repeat myself is that clear.” Midnight sparkle closed her eyes and lowered her head and said in a saddened tone, “As you wish master Sombra.” Sharp tooth walked over to Midnight moon, notices a slight smile and said, “Well you seem pretty happy for what you did.” “T’was nothing, and yes we quite enjoyed it.” Nightmare moon said as the smile grew. King Sombra looked at Nightmare moon and rubbed his chin in thought, “How could she be here and not crystalized, as Nightmare moon no less, unless she is not her at all, but everything about this one is exactly the same from her mannerism, to the way she looks down on others, she can’t be a simple fake a copy maybe perhaps from that mirror pool that was found.” Sharp tooth saw King Sombra staring at Nightmare Moon and said with a smirked look on his face , “I know what you are thinking Sombra and to answer your query is she is the genuine article the real Nightmare Moon but not of this world.” “What.” King Sombra said with the look of shock on him. “Allow me to explain, you see she is from a world where she has taken over when she returned, at that time your pupil and her friends have failed to stop her and were turned to stone.” Sharp tooth said, he then snapped his fingers and the element of magic appeared floating beside him as continued, “I was going to show you this because I knew of what happened to the elements of harmony here and well you know the rest.” “Hmm yes.” King Sombra said as he rubbed his chin and Midnight Sparkle sat next to him “I came to tell you that I can give you another world to conquer or to put it plainly conquer it with your own power, I mean yes you conquered all of this world’s Equestria but you’ve had help, from an outsider no less but not only that I also know you’ve been wondering if you could do it again now that you’re at your full power.” Sharp tooth said, he then walked over to the crystal statue of Princess Celestia then continued, “Oh sure you could de-crystalize her but that wouldn’t be a challenge, so you sit and wonder how can you get more of a challenge. So now I’m giving you a choice, either come with us to a world where you can really cut loose, you can even bring your pet student with you…” Midnight frown at that last comment “or stay here and always wonder what if and be bored, so what do you say I mean you have to agree for not only will it relieve your boredom but you would be extending you rule into another world.” King Sombra thought about this as he rubbed his chin, after a few moments and answered, “Very well dragon we are at an agreement, we shall accompany you to these other worlds.” Sharp tooth clap his hands together and said, “Excellent but we just need two things before we depart.” “And which is?” Sombra asked, and in a black haze Sharp tooth moved to Midnight sparkle touched her head then in a flash disappeared then reappeared holding a golden crown with a red jewel in the middle of it and a black amulet with a shape of an alicorn head on top of it and a crimson gem in the middle of it. Midnight sparkle saw them and yelled, “What are you doing with Celestia’s crown and the alicorn amulet?” “Nothing threatening to your king I can assure you.” Sharp tooth said as he tucked the items in his cloak then pulled out the red stared wand, whirled it around and a portal appeared. King Sombra smiled and said, “Hmm that’s some interesting magic you just performed I had no idea dragons can wield magic of this caliber.” “Well…” Sharp tooth said, but just then a commotion was heard from outside and in came a large group of ponies and other creatures led by a Pony dressed in a purple and black schemed outfit with a wide brim hat with a bow on by its figure it was a mare. Nightmare moon saw this and said, “That’s the same pony I saw in my world. We believe that one was called Mare do well.” “Really? Hmm well no matter we’ll be leaving this place.” Sharp tooth said just then a white unicorn with a mane and tail of moderate dark sapphire blue with and dark blue hooves walked through the crowd and said, “King sombra your evil reign of terror is at an end, we are here to stop you and get my sister back.” but was shocked to see a familiar figure stand tall glaring at the group with an icy cold stare and said, “Princess Luna but how..” Nightmare moon only scoffed at the comment and walked into the portal followed by King sombra. Midnight sparkle tiled her head up and gave wicked smile as her horn emitted black and purple energy and said, “Well if it isn’t my big brother, coming here to bring me back, well I’m sorry Shinny but I’m never going back to being your sweet and innocent little Twily. Well sorry to burst your bubble Shining but I like having this power, I’m not weak or being depended on by Celestia for saving the world from some mistake of hers of that week. I'm not going to give this up, ponies fear me because I have it and not you, Cadence, nor any other pony will change my mind.” She then pointed her horn him and shot out a ball of dark energy. As it flew towards the unicorn stallion all seemed to be in slow motion as he closed his eyes preparing for the sudden impact, but just then Mare do well quickly ran in front of Shining armor and with her horn glowing light blue deflected it to the side. Midnight Sparkle saw this and said, “Well if it isn’t my old foal-sister, I know it’s you in that ridiculous get up Cadance and it seems that you’ve improved on your magic since we’ve last met, but I can’t play with you right now with so much to do but I’ll be back and we can have all the fun we want.” She looked at her brother with a devilish smile and continued, “Oh and Shinny as a show of what little sisterly love I have for you when I return I’ll be visiting you first and then we can talk about all the good old times and how I’m going torture you.” and with that she walked into the portal, with her brother shouting while running to her, “Twilight wait” but was suddenly stopped by an invisible force. Sharp tooth saw this smiled and said “Aww sorry Shining Armor but I can’t have you ruining my plans now.” “Who are you and where you going with my sister!” Shining armor shouted as he pounding the invisible wall with his hooves, “Oh don’t worry Mr shinny hero she’ll be in my good capable hands, but when we return she’ll be better than ever ta-ta.” Sharp tooth said and started walking into the portal but stopped and said, “Oh before I go let me leave you with a sort of a memento of this occasion, hope you’ll like it.” then snapped his fingers and all the crystal statues started to turn into flesh and blood, but just sat there with blank lifeless stares, "Have fun taking care of them, oh and a word of advice diapers are a must." Sharp tooth laughs as he walk into the portal and in a flash it and he and the portal was gone. Chapter 3: the Annoyance and A plan for conquestChapter 3: The Plan Back with Nightmare moon she exits the portal and sees she’s in some sort of cavern of some sort with a large pool of water and a twisted slope that seems to lead out of the area, soon after King Sombra walked out of the portal followed by Midnight sparkle and later Sharp tooth. They all walked around the area, Nightmare looked up and saw nothing but darkness and said, “We must be somewhere in the Everfree forest.” she then closed her eyes and lifted her head as her horn started to glow and continued, "Yes we are in there Everfree forest I am certain of this." “How do you know this?” King Sombra asked, “The magic in this place, even here I can feel it but it feels different from what I remember.” Nightmare moon answered. “That because of this world and my tampering of this area.” Sharp tooth said, “Explain.” Midnight sparkle said. “Ah but that is for another time but first let us leave this place and if I’m correct then we should be where we need to be.” Sharp tooth said while pointing towards the twisted slope. As they reached the top something was blocking the way, Midnight Sparkle's horn glowed Dark purple as well as whatever was blocking their way and was levitated upward and revealed to be a boulder was covering a hole, they all proceeded out and Midnight sparkle released the boulder and it dropped covering the hole. They all looked around to see themselves in a dark forest of some sort, the ground was full of moss and broken twigs and leaves, the trees seemed to grow to a point where they looked like they were trying to hide the sky but as the four looked at them to see the sky they could tell it was night time, King Sombra was the first to speak, “So this is the Everfree Forest of this world, hmm nothing seems to have changed much from my world, but in my world I had it burned to ground.” “Hmm yes that would seem to be your forte Sombra while as in my world I had a prison built there, and it is far more feared than Tartarus.” Nightmare Moon said, just then Sharp tooth dropped to one knee covering his right eye with his right hand, Nightmare Moon saw this and asked, “Sir Sharp tooth are you alright?” just then as quickly as that little episode started it stopped, Sharp tooth regained his composure and said, “Yes I am fine Princess just a little drained is all, but forget about that we need a place to lay low until morning.” “There is the old castle of the royal pony sisters, if it still exists here it should be not too far from here.” Midnight Sparkle said, “Then that’s where we need to go and I can tell you everything you wish to know there.” Sharp tooth said and they started walking deeper into the forest. As they walked further King Sombra noticed it had become unnaturally quiet, and thought to himself, 'hmm perhaps the creatures find us more threatening than anything else here, but I sense something or some pony is following us.' he then slowed his pace to meet Midnight Sparkle and whispered, “Do you sense that my student?” “Yes master, we are being followed should I let the others know of this.” Midnight Sparkle whispered back, “No I believe they know of this too but have chosen to do nothing and so shall we, whomever or whatever is following us shall reveal itself in time but stay ever alert understand.” King Sombra said. “Of course master Sombra.” Midnight Sparkle said. Nightmare moon glanced at the two behind them and whisper to Sharp tooth, “Sir Sharp tooth it would seem King Sombra and Sparkle are whispering something perhaps we should intervene in their conversation.” “No that won’t be necessary, they are talking about whatever is following us.” Sharp tooth said. “Oh, so you’ve noticed it as well?” Nightmare Moon said. “Yes to some ways back, who or whatever it is is giving off some strange energy, I guess it thought it could hide its self in here with the this forest’s magic, let it follow us it’ll show it’s self in time.” Sharp tooth whispered back and they all continued. After some time they've reached a large chasm with a makeshift bridge that stretched to the other side and there laid a ruined castle, they all walked along the bridge while periodically looking behind them, as they reached the other side Sharp tooth motioned them to continue into the castle, as they were far enough he cut the ropes with his claws which in turn caused the bridge to fall and walked on. Inside the castle it was dusty with crumbling statues, the curtains were ripped and torn due to the passage of time taking its toll on them, Nightmare Moon smile a little and said, “Just as I remember it, all shall follow we shall head into the royal library.” she started walking and they all followed. Inside the library there were stacks of books everywhere, Sharp tooth seemed to look around in amazement and said to himself, “This is fascinating so many books so much knowledge if I read these I could apply what I learn here to whatever parallel version of this world and succeed much more quickly, I have to keep this place in mind just in case.” Midnight sparkle walked around and said, “Never thought I'd back in this place again,” then turned to Sharp tooth and continued, “ok dragon we are here now tell us everything.” “Oh right of course.” Sharp tooth said as he shook his head, he then pulled out a metal cube placed it on top a stack of books and continued, “As you should have figured out but I am not from your world or any version of it let’s just say that with all the magic you possess you still won’t have a fraction of a chance to find it but forget that now, I am not what I appear to be I am what your people would call my kind are changelings or to be more precise a shape shifter.” “That’s ridiculous you look nothing like them, the changelings are insect-like ponies, most of them are just drones who follow orders of their queen and from what I’m seeing you’re not a queen,” Midnight sparkle shouted as she turned to King Sombra and continued, “Isn’t that right Master Sombra.” King Sombra remained silent just staring at Sharp tooth, studying him, then walked behind him and said, “My student he is not lying he is who or what he says.” “What, but how can you..” Midnight sparkle said. “Use your true eyes and you’ll see what I am talking about.” King Sombra said, but just then Sharp tooth changed into King Sombra and said, “Yes my student you should’ve done this from the start, know your surroundings at all times.” then turned back to his pervious form. Midnight sparkle just stared with her mouth open just speechless. King Sombra saw this and said, “Close your mouth my student it’s very unbecoming of you.” “R..r..right, of course master Sombra.” Midnight sparkle said and did as she was told, Nightmare moon just chuckled a little. Sharp tooth continued, “Now my species are kind of immortal, semi-immortal you might say, oh we age just at a slower rate than most species in the multiverse, and we obtain most knowledge through touch.” “Through touch,how is that possible?” King Sombra asked “Well the short and sweet of it, it’s like reading your mind and knowing anything and everything that you know.” Sharp tooth said. “So if what your saying is true then why would you need us.” Midnight sparkle said. “Ah that’s an excellent question my dear Midnight Sparkle, what I want is to conduct an experiment to see whether or not if darkness can truly thrive without any light. I mean you've all conquered your worlds that’s true but what about other worlds where the darkness has lost and to answer any other questions no you are not pawns but merely the main pieces of the chessboard, the pawns are the people,..." Sharp tooth said but was silent for a moment then continued, "Ahem sorry the ponies of this and other worlds," he then placed his right claw over his chest extended his left to the others and continued, "And I ask of this to you, will you help me on bringing darkness and chaos throughout the multiverse or you can return to your worlds and remember nothing of this.” “I’ve given you my answer sir Sharp tooth as well as you keeping your end of our deal.” Nightmare Moon said as she walked to his side. “But of course my word is my lifeline. And what of you two, you’ve come this far will you continue now that you know your part in this.” Sharp tooth said as he pointed to Sombra and his student. Midnight Sparkle just walked to Sombra and said, “Whatever my master wishes I shall gladly follow.” King Sombra looked at his student, rubbed his chin and thought, 'Hmm with his help my rule can stretch to multiple worlds, my reign would be everlasting far more than my master envisioned for me' then turned to Sharp tooth and said, “Then you may count on our dark magic.” "Excellent." Sharp tooth said. “But know this dragon I only obey my master Sombra only understand.” Midnight sparkle said. “I understand clearly.” Sharp tooth said, "I hope you do." Midnight Sparkle said then walked towards him with her horn emitting dark magic and her eyes turning white and a purple haze becoming visible at the edges of her eyes she walked towards him, as soon she was close to him she lowered her head to the point they were nose to nose and continued, “but know this too dragon, if you do anything that would put my master in danger I will not hesitate to end you.” “I wouldn’t have it any other way.” Sharp tooth said while smiling nervously “Good as long as we understand each other.” Midnight sparkle said as eyes reverted to normal and she started to trots back to her master. “Right, now that that's out of the way it's time for business.” Sharp tooth said as he clapped his claws together then quickly turned toward the entrance and shouted, “We all know that you’re here so there is no use on hiding any longer, so you might as well come out!” nothing but silence was heard, Sharp tooth nodded to Sombra and his student and said, “King Sombra, madam Midnight if you would please.” they both nodded, just then and their horns emitted black and red aura seconds later they heard voices saying, "What the.. how did the find us." "It was probably your lame concealment spell not being up to par oh so-called great and powerful" just then in levitated two mares that struggle to break free, one was a light amber unicorn with moderate cyan eyes with a mane and tail of vivid crimson with brilliant stripes and on her flank, she has a mark of a sun and the other was a brilliant azure unicorn with dark grayish violet eyes, her mane and tail were a pale cornflower blue with very pale cornflower blue stripes wearing a purple cape that had blue and yellow stars on it,, on her flank she has a mark of a magic wand with a moon. Sharp Tooth just looked at them, smile and said, “Well well well so you two are the ones who were spying on us since we got here.” he then nodded and they both dropped to the ground, he then walked closer to them and said, “Do any of you know them.” Midnight sparkle moves closer to the cape-wearing unicorn and as she flicks her nose with one of her wings and said as she started walking away, “I know this one, her name is Trixie, don’t let her appearance fool you she may claim she’s all great and powerful but she’s just a hack of a magician.” “Hack magician you are mistaken for I am the great and powerful Trixie and I am no hack magician, but the great and apologetic Trixie shall forgive Twilight Snarkle and allow you and your stupid bangs to bask in Trixie’s presence.” Trixie said, Midnight Sparkle just remains silent with her head lowered, she can feel her anger slowly rising to a boil as she gritted her teeth and he left eye twitched. She slowly inhaled and exhaled a few times trying to maintain her composure but it wasn't working, she lifted her head and said with a forced calmness in her tone, "W..wha..what did you just call me?" "Sparkle control yourself." Sombra said in a stern tone, "Twilight Sparkle I know you've just become an Alicorn, but you will show The great and powerful Trixie her much needed respect, and as such Twilight Sparkle you will face the great and powerful Trixie when she is talking to you...." but just then Midnight sparkle’s eyes turned brilliant white and the haze on the end of her eyes got more visibly darker and said, “Don’t you dare call me that you hack.” just then Trixie's body was wrapped by a black aura the same aura that was being emitted through her horn, she then was lifted into the air. Midnight Sparkle just watch as the helpless unicorn was struggling to get free as well as gasping for air as the magical aura seemed to be choking her, soon she started spinning around in the air like a child flailing around a rag doll as she continued, “YOU'RE NOTHING BUT A WORM TO ME, NO LOWER THAN A WORM YOUR DIRT COMPARED TO ME AND AS SUCH YOU SHALL CALL ME MISTRESS MIDNIGHT IS THAT UNDERSTOOD OR SO HELP ME I'LL DRAIN EVERY BIT OF YOUR MINUSCULE MAGIC AND PERFORM SUCH GRUESOME EXPERIMENTS ON YOU THAT YOU WILL BEG ME TO END YOUR MISERABLE LIFE!" just then Trixie stopped spinning fell to the ground with a thump and was lying there unconscious. King Sombra looked at his student and shouted, “Sparkle!" the mare in question flinched and slowly looked to her master "You must calm down and control yourself, never let your anger control you is that understood.” “Y...y...yes master Sombra, it will not happen again.” Midnight Sparkle said as she lowered her head, the other unicorn shook her head and said, “Sombra as in the Sombra who was the ruler of the crystal empire over a thousand years ago but I heard that Sparkle and her friends took care of you.” “Ah, the word of my demise has been greatly exaggerated. You know of me young mare, then you know of my reputation so tell us who are you.” King Sombra said. “I am Sunset Shimmer I was Princess Celestia’s prized student until she didn’t teach me what I wanted to learn.” Sunset Shimmer said as she looked around. “Oh I know you yeah if I'm no mistaken Celestia told me of you once. Something about you going to another world.” Midnight Sparkle said. “Well then what are you doing here.” Nightmare Moon said as she walked closer to Sunset Shimmer. “Well I saw you guys walking in the forest and thought I, well me and little miss all-powerful here thought we should find out what you guys are doing.” Sunset Shimmer said. “Ah so you want to know what we are here to do huh.” Sharp tooth said. “Well yeah I mean I only know of this other world through Celestia’s magic mirror but didn’t think there were more worlds.” Sunset Shimmer said as she stood up and then continued “and I think we can help you guys out.” “Help us, you!” Sharp Tooth chuckled and continued as he walked around her and pulling out a wand from his cloak “my dear you think you would be any use to us here, fine then please pray tell how you can.” “Well we can sneak you into Ponyville and…” Sunset Shimmer said, “We can do that on our own and with my magic, it’ll be easy.” Midnight Sparkle interrupted, “Oh well what about in Canterlot you won’t be able to get in there and I happen to know all of the secret entrances there...” Sunset Shimmer said, “I know everything that is to know there including your little secret entrances.” Nightmare Moon said quickly interrupted. “Well I uh uh um.” Sunset Shimmer was trying to think of something else. “Well it looks like you have nothing to contribute to our cause so just like your little unconscious friend there you’re useless to us.” Sharp Tooth said. Sunset Shimmer looked around franticly and then said, “Oh yeah well what about us knowing all about you guys and everything you just said we could go to the princess and warn her.” A moment of unsettling silence fell into the room, just then the four let out a fit of laugher. This made Sunset Shimmer a bit shocked but although those in the room couldn't see it, it also, in turn, made her even more nervous, but she still confidently stood tall. The laugher was dying down as they were regaining their composure Midnight Sparkle was the first to speak, "Wow I needed this, you're going to warn princess Celestia oh that's rich, if I remember right your not even suppose to be here." then went back to laughing, "Verily so, this is most joyous for us, and to think coming to this world we would get such a laugh." Nightmare Moon said while holding her sides. Sunset Shimmer took notice on her comment and thought, 'Coming to this world, wait so they're really not from here, so then she's not the Twilight I've ran into.' "Who would have thought that the ponies of this world were such jokesters, so much so to make me laugh at such idiocy." King Sombra said as he was regaining his composure. Sharp Tooth wiped a tear from his eyes, exhaled and said "Whew So true, so very very true." he then cleared his throat and continued, "So if we don't let you help us you're going to.. oh what's the word I'm looking for, hmmm oh yes tattle on us to princess Celestia is that right." Sunset Shimmer grinned and said, "Thats right, I'll go to her myself with just one cast of a teleportation spell." "Well then there is just one major flaw in your plan my little Sunset Shimmer." Sharp Tooth said as he was fighting the urge to burst out in a fit of laughter again. "Oh yeah and what's that you stopping me, I can cast that spell faster than any of you have time to react." Sunset Shimmer said "Well not just us stopping you but if what Midnight Sparkle said was true, you're not supposed to be here," Sharp Tooth said, "I mean just think for a moment, even if you were to get there that's not including you taking your little unconscious friend beside you, how do you think Celestia would handle not only of you're being here but as well as your little news of us being here, I seriously doubt that she would believe you right then and there heck the first thing she would do is imprison you before taking you seriously and by that time it will be too late." he then glared at her with a toothy grin as his right eye emitting a red like flame. “Are you that stupid, even Trixie wouldn’t have told them any of that.” Trixie said as she was getting up. Midnight Sparkle chuckled and said, “Wow you know she is right, you really shouldn't have said you were going to to do that, that’s for sure.” “Yep and now that we know you pose a threat to our plans we definitely can not just simply let you go now can we, to put it simply, you done goofed.” Sharp Tooth said as he started tapped the wand onto his chin as started he circling the two mares, "But what to do with you two, I mean I could turn you into bugs and one of us could stomp on you, but then that would make a mess on them as well as the floor here and as you can see we have no servants here to clean up so we can't have that." "How about we send them to Tartarus, there they would be tortured until we have need of them" Nightmare Moon said. "No..no that would be too boring." Sharp Tooth said while still circling the two mares. "How about having them encased in ice or even use my student's idea and strip them of their magic and allow her to conduct gruesome experiments on them, you did promise her some fun while we traveled with you." Sombra said gave them a wicked smile. The two mares cringed at that idea but Midnight seemed to light up at it. Sharp Tooth continued to circle the two mares remaining ever silent with each step the said, "Hmm I'm loving that idea but then she would be the only one to have fun." This brought a sigh of relief to the two unicorn mares but a frown to Midnight's face, Sharp Tooth stopped in front of them turned around and said, "No, what I'm looking for is something that would give those a reminder of who they are dealing with, as well as to decorate the place here, oh sure we can gut them up and use their bodies as a flag but that's just way too messy and forcing them to be mindless slaves is just way too cliche." Sharp Tooth resumed circling the two, Midnight then stomped her hoof to the ground and said, "Ah ha I got it." she then trotted to Sharp tooth and whispered into his ear, suddenly a face of shock formed on him and then a wicked smile, Midnight stepped back and said, That way they would serve as a reminder to those who are here, as well as being lovely arrangements for the castle, and once we're done we can turn them back to normal and then I can have my fun with them." Sharp Tooth snapped his fingers and said, "Ah an excellent idea dear Empress Midnight." he stood in front of the mares and continued, "Well ladies it's looks like we won't be gutting you," the two mares breathed a sigh of relief "but instead you'll be turned into stone isn't that be nice, you should thank Midnight she just has given you a purpose". The two mares slowly were moving back as Sharp Tooth walked towards them but were stopped due to crystal formed around their hind legs, they looked to see their so-called savior was smiling was her horn was emitting dark magic. Sharp tooth raised his wand and said, " Well ladies it's been fun but we have to end this and oh thanks for the laughs, oh but don't worry, not only will you be serving a greater cause ours, but once all of this is over we'll be letting you go." the two mares shift their heads to the side and said in unison "Really?" "But of course, and that is a promise" both mares breathed a slight sigh of relief but tensed up as Sharp Tooth said, "Well once Midnight catches you well then it's out of hands." the two grabbed each other and shook with fear as Sharp Tooth pointed his wand at them, then a white electrifying beam shot out of it, as it was getting closer Trixie turned to Sunset Shimmer and said, "For the record I blame you." once the beam collided with them they screamed in fear as they were turned to stone. Sharp Tooth put the wand back into his cloak and said, “Now that the little annoyances are out of the way we can get back to business.” “Yes what are we going to do here. If we’re to conquer this world wouldn’t now be the best possible time being as we have the element of surprise.” King Sombra said. “Yes it would but what fun would that be and besides we don’t want to make the same mistakes as this world’s versions you all now do we.” Sharp Tooth said “No but…” Midnight Sparkle said but Sharp Tooth interrupted, “Exactly” he then walked to the small stack of books that held the gray cube and continued, “The first phase of the plan is to get as much information from key points of this world.” he then tapped the front of the cube and out projected an ethereal map that said Equestria and then he continued, “As you can see the map of this world is not so different from each of your worlds, now the key points for this to work are to the north the Crystal Empire, Canterlot, as well as Ponyville, Cloudsdale and finally Hollow shades these spots are crucial for the plan to succeed.” “We do not understand why these places, why not anyplace else?” Nightmare Moon asked. “Yeah wouldn’t Canterlot and the Crystal Empire be the only places we should be concentrating?” Midnight sparkle said, King Sombra, looked over the map and with grin said, “I see I understand what you are doing and I like it.” Sharp tooth was shocked, he knew King Sombra was smart in military operations but not enough to figure out his plan in mere moments of the explanation. “Is that so then please explain it to us Sombra” Nightmare moon said in disbelieve. “Certainly Nightmare moon." Somber said "You see getting information from Canterlot and the Crystal empire are the most ideal places due to the connection they have, Canterlot not only have your sister and a version of you here but from there they can oversee everything from Ponyvile to Cloudsdale, the Everfree forest and as well as the Crystal Empire, Canterlot has a vast knowledge of ancient and forbidden magic, so taking those points would be far more crucial but there is another, take it last as a sort of hostage point or even use the other points as hostages and for the sisters to surrender, as for Cloudsdale it houses the Wonderbolts if I’m not mistaken so leaving that free would give them the sky advantage take that and we would control it." He then pointed to another point on the map and continued, "Now the Crystal empire has a strong collection of artifacts that could hinder us take that and away and they would be powerless, ponyville I have to say the bearers of the Elements of harmony, create mass chaos there and they will not be able to obtain the elements which I believe would be in the royal vault wouldn’t you agree Nightmare moon.” “Yes, everything seems sound but what of Hollow shades what point would that be for us to acquire it” nightmare moon said “That I believe is more of something of a side quest am I right Sharp tooth” King Sombra said “Yes you are right I shall go there to acquire an army for us to use and they shall be the pawns” Sharp tooth said as he tapped the cube again and the map vanished “An army of pawns and who would they be” Midnight sparkle said “Why the changelings of this world ruled by a one queen Chrysalis” Sharp tooth said “What makes you think this queen Chrysalis would help us or you for that matter” Midnight sparkle said “Ah my dear Midnight sparkle I have something that she wants more than anything” Sharp tooth said as he placed the cube back into his cloak “Oh and what’s that” Midnight sparkle asked. “Why revenge, of course, you see you, well the Twilight Sparkle of this world and her friends have not only defeated her but did it twice, so getting that revenge is all she would want, but for now we need to rest up so we can start, in five days we should return here, King Sombra I wish for you to go to Ponyville I trust you can change your form we don’t need them in a panic just yet” “Hmph With my magic It can be done.” King Sombra said. “Excellent oh and have your student accompany you I feel if she go there alone she may loss herself when someone calls her by her former name.” Sharp tooth said “What how dare you think that I would...” Midnight Sparkle said but she quickly stopped and nodded, Sharp tooth turned to Nightmare Moon and continued, “And you my dear I need you to travel to...” but was interrupted by Nightmare moon "I shall go to the Crystal Empire, if it is the same as my world there would be something I would acquire there.” “Can you revert to your previous form.” Sharp tooth asked. “Of course it is a simple matter.” Nightmare moon answered. “Then I shall leave it to you then, as for the other places, on the third day we shall talk more on that depending on the information we gathered, now rest up we have a long day tomorrow or not it’s up to you do what you want on this downtime as for me I’m going to rest a bit and then head to Hollow shades to talk to this queen and have her join us, just don’t do anything that would draw attention to us.” Sharp tooth said as he walked out of the room into the hallway. In the hallway Sharp tooth walks down until he reached large wooden double doors, but suddenly he falls to one knee straining, he cover his right eye with his right hand and thought 'The energy of this place, this magic seems to be off-kilter but what could be causing it, could it be that this world has identified us as foreign entities and is trying to warn the inhabitants or is it something else, no it’s something else something familiar but no matter for my plan to come to fruition I have to press forward' just then a figure came behind him, Sharp tooth turned his head with a crazed look in his eye and a claw engulfed in dark blue flame and said, “Who dares to...” but stops as he saw it was Nightmare moon, he then regained his composure and said, “Oh my apologies princess, I have not meant for you to see me in this condition *Ahem* what can I do for you.” “We merely wish to see how you are bearing.” Nightmare moon said wearing a look of concern. “Fear not it’s nothing I just need to rest that’s all.” Sharp tooth said as he began to push open the doors. “No it is not rest you need, it is something else, something seems to be troubling you perhaps it has to do with the magic here or more or less this forest.” Nightmare Moon said as she helped him to open the doors with her magic. Sharp tooth felt as though he was defeat sighed and said as they walked into the rather large room with the doors closing behind them, “Yes I think it is as you say. I think it could be that this forest or this world’s umm magic, it seems different somehow or maybe its something else.” “No you are correct it is the forest, you see the Everfree forest is just that, ever free from all the other places of Equestria the magic here flows differently, clouds here move on their own, the animals fend for themselves, even the trees here grow differently, here you will not find any like it elsewhere in any other land, that is why my sister and I had this castle here to study it and learn what makes it what it is in my world anyway.” Nightmare moon said. “Really that’s interesting and what have you found out I mean from your world’s perspective.” Sharp tooth said. “It seems this place is like some sort of connection to others like it, we thought mayhaps other versions like it, that’s maybe why the area feels so other worldly.” Nightmare Moon said. “Hmm perhaps your right.” Sharp tooth said while covering his right eye but then started to lose his balance and dropped to one knee once again then shook his head, Nightmare Moon helped him to his feet and walked him to a pillar, Sharp tooth sat down next to it and said while breathing exhaustedly, “Thank you Nightmare moon, if I didn’t know better I’d say you’re taking a liking to me.” “Indeed I have, beyond contrary to belief I do care for the ponies in my world. I’m not some heartless monster you know, unlike Sombra and his student.” Nightmare moon said. “Well I thank you all the same but please I wish to rest if you don’t mind.” Sharp tooth said. “I understand but permit me to stay with you just to keep you company.” Nightmare moon said “I would like that your highness.” Sharp tooth said, Nightmare Moon then laid down next to him, Sharp tooth body then slid off the pillar and onto her, she took notice of this and saw he was asleep, she then placed a wing around him and whispered, " Sleep well sir Sharp tooth." Back with King Sombra, he and Midnight Sparkle are walking through the old castle. He looked to his student and said, “My student, what are your thoughts on the dragon's plan?” Midnight Sparkle looked down to the ground as if she was looking to find the answer, then lifted her head up and said, “Well it seems sound, it could work if we take the right actions but I don’t trust him, it feels like he is still hiding things from us, things I think we should know.” King sombra remained silent for a moment, then said, “I believe you are right on that regard but for now let’s follow his plan, if it seems to becoming short of his promise to us then we shall take control and do as we please, but not a word of this I do not want any suspicion to fall on us.” “I won’t master Sombra.” Midnight Sparkle said. “Good now let us head to this world’s Ponyville and see what it has to offer.” King Sombra said and suddenly they faded into the shadows. Hours have pass and the sun was rising and Sharp tooth slowly opening his eyes to see he was laying on Nightmare Moon with her wing around him, then got up and walked out of the large room through the hallway and outside, he studied his surroundings to see the cliff and on the other side he sees the bridge hanging down and thought, 'The bridge is still down we can’t have that, but if the bridge is still down how did those two get here, well no time to worry about that now I have to figure out my first move perhaps I should go to this queen Chrysalis first, if I do that our plans can move far more quickly, and I just know I’ll run into him here so the faster the better.' he then raised his hand and it started emitting a black aura and so did the bridge, he pulled his hand back slowly and the bridge floated to him, soon it reached the his side of the cliff, Sharp tooth walked to it and secured the ropes and said, “There that should do it at least we can come and go as we please without leaving a magic trail.” “Very wise Sharp tooth.” a voice said behind him. Sharp tooth quickly turned around and saw Midnight Sparkle and said, “What the...how long were you here?” “Long enough Dragon. I’ve only come here to look around while my master is resting.” She answered while walking past him “That isn’t the only thing is it.” Sharp tooth said. Midnight Sparkle stopped and said without even looking at him, “For whatever the other reason is it's none of your concern, rest assured I will not be seen by any pony in here.” “Any pony here, there shouldn’t even be any eyes in this forest but us, based on what I’ve found out from the last time I’ve been here no pony comes here.” Sharp tooth said. “Shows what you know a zebra Herbalist named Zecora lives in this forest, in my world she fled from the forest when it was on fire to who knows where, in this world seeing the forest is still here she should still be in her hut not too far from here but I’m not going near there.” Midnight Sparkle said then continued on her way, Sharp tooth shrugged and started walking back into the ruined castle. Inside he sees Nightmare moon walking towards him and said, “I see you’ve awaken.” “Yes we thought it would be best if we should head to the Crystal Empire and retrieve the item we seek.” Nightmare moon said, “Then do not let me stop you my dear, but I would prefer you to change your form prior to leaving so to leave no suspicion of any who dwell in or near this forest.” Sharp tooth said, and in a shadowy haze Nightmare Moon changed into a blue Alicorn with a cutie mark of a white moon in a black background with eyes of moderate cyan with light sapphire blue eye shadow and a mane of sapphire blue with a very light azure aura wearing a black crown and a necklace with a with moon in the middle of it. Sharp tooth saw this and said, “Wow.” “Yes but just to be clear I can only maintain this form until the moon rises otherwise I shall revert back.” Nightmare moon said, Sharp Tooth thought as he rubbed his chin 'Hmm even her voice has change but still this begs the question..' “So tell me how can I tell from you and the you of this world.” Sharp tooth said, “Look closely sir Sharp Tooth.” Nightmare Moon said, and he did so, as he looked into her eyes noticed they had a slight glow in them, faint and unnoticeable at first glance but if stared at them long enough you can notice them, then he said, “Ah I see, and what shall I call you if present among others?” “You should call us Princess Luna.” Nightmare moon said “I understand Princess Luna now if you would excuse me I shall talk to Sombra before I depart for the Hollow shades.” Sharp tooth said, bowed and went on his way, as he continued on Sharp tooth looked up at a specific door and notice a dark red glow was coming from it and said, “Sombra. He must be doing something that I should know about.” then levitated to the door and opened it. Inside Sharp tooth was stunned as he saw levitating was King Sombra resting with a crimson red sphere that slowly pulsated black covering him, there was no wind but yet some invisible force seemed to be pushing him back, Sharp tooth took notice to this and shouted “Sombra wake up.” and with that Sombra slowly lowered to the floor as the crimson sphere slowly disappeared and, he then stretched and shook his head and said, “Ah dragon, what is so important that would bring you here to disrupt my sleep.” “I’ve come to tell you, your student has departed to explore the forest….” Sharp tooth said but was interrupted by Sombra saying “I know of this, unknown to you I am always connected to her through my magic, I can communicate even with her through it as well. Now if you are through I wish to rest some more before my student and I depart for Ponyville.” "Then I shall take my leave to the Hollow shades and leave it you to it your highness.” Sharp tooth said as he exited the room with the door closing behind him. back in the hall Sharp Tooth shook his head and said, "Such dark magic, there shouldn't be a mortal alive to posses that much power, and I believe that was only a fraction of his might... he then levitated back down to the lower hallway and continued, "Hmm so, he will have his wish to battle them at full strength after all, that will be sight to see." as he landed he walks towards the entrance of the ruined castle. Outside he pulls out from his cloak a compass looked at it and thought, 'Ok according to this I should head northeast of here to reach Hollow Shades, I Have to make this quick and make sure I am not seen by anyone, pony or otherwise' then place it back into his cloak and pulled out a green star shaped jewel and said, “If she chooses not to join us then this will make it easier, I really don’t want to resort to this but I may not have any choice.” and with that he walked deeper into the forest, moments later he reaches a clearing and looked up and saw blue sky and thought, 'Well if I am heading in the right direction then it should take me only about perhaps a half of the day to get there' he then sighed and said, “Well I guess I have no choice then” he then lowered his head and closed his eyes, in moments his cloak started flapping as the sound of wind seems to be coming from it, suddenly the cloak started flapping faster and faster and the sound of wind is getting louder and louder stirring the ground beneath him until he shot into the sky like a rocket but then stopped at a high enough altitude. Sharp tooth looked around and saw how small the forest looked from his height, he looked ahead and said “Ok that went well, now to hollow shades to find this queen, ready or not here I come.” and like a bullet shot towards his destination emitting a loud boom behind him that echoed through the sky. Chapter 4: The defeated queen and the glistering empireIn the air Sharp tooth is speeding through, zipping through clouds, passing by any birds that were unfortunate enough to be in his way, slowing down his flight speed he looks down and sees the inhabitants just going on with their lives unbeknownst to them of what's above them. Then a thought came to him, 'Perhaps I should cause a little destruction just to draw a little attention to here. No I have to remain focused at the task at hand' he looks forward and sees a snow topped mountain coming to his view, he strokes his beard and says, “Ok over that mountain should be hollow shades if I’m not mistaken.” soon he stopped and looked down and saw what looked like to be a small village surrounded by trees, upon closer inspection he didn’t see anything out and about, no animals or anything it looked deserted, he then lands down in the middle of the town and walked around. As he walked he notices that the whole area seems to be voided of light except a from few lanterns he thought 'Something’s not right here, this is where I’m sensing her but there doesn’t seem to be a soul here. Could I've been wrong.' He shook his head and said "No, no I'm definitely sensing her, if she's like the last one I've run into then she's gotta be here." just then he heard a strange buzzing sound go by behind him, he quickly turned around and saw nothing, then he heard it again but this time it was to the right of him, he turned his head and saw nothing. This in turn was angering the dragon, in which he says, “Oh for Pete’s sake this is getting me nowhere.” he then stood still and closed his eyes, sounds could be heard now throughout the village and sharp tooth thought, 'Ok, so whatever or whomever are surrounding me, all I have to do is wait.' and in a matter of minutes his right ear twitched to a sound of hoof steps galloping towards him, he turns towards it and sees a figure lunging at him from the shadows, he then quickly extended his left arm and the figure stopped in mid air surrounded by a dark blue aura which to his surprise didn't seem to emit any light to reveal what it was levitating. As the figure floated in mid air and struggled to get free, Sharp tooth studied it and noticed it was small no more than half his size flailing it's little limbs, Sharp Tooth cracked a smirk as he then moved figure into the nearby light and what he saw shocked him, for what he saw was a mud brown filly. Her mane and tail was of a jet black color and messy as if she gotten out of bed just to roll around in the dirt or mud. Her eyes although giving Sharp Tooth a look that say to "Kill" were of light amber brown. As Sharp tooth studied the little filly she was trying to reach him all the while snarling and growling like a wild beast, he then slowly started to closed his claw and the filly started gaging and gasping for air, as Sharp tooth opened his hand the filly said in a hissing like raspy voice, “What business do you have here?” “Ah so you can talk good, now I am to assume that you’re a changeling correct.” Sharp tooth said, the little filly stopped her struggling and remained silent, “I’ll take that as a yes, well then I am here to see your queen we have something to discus that she may find interesting.” “There is no one of that nature, now release me and leave this place.” the filly said. Sharp tooth's eyes wondered as he noticed lightly glowing eyes and some movement within the shadows of the area for what he thought it to be more "ponies" trying to surround him, but he just dismissed it and brought his attention to his captive, “Oh you can’t lie to me creature, you will take me to her or…” he lifted his right claw, “I can find her myself and bring her to piles of broken and mangled cadavers and I doubt she would be pleased of that sight now would she? So if you don't mind, take me to her.” soon as he said that a blackish blue flame like aura was flowing from his claw which seemingly stared to illuminate the dark area they were in an evil blue like light, Sharptooth then started to close his claw again but this time the little filly was not gagging and gasping but she let out a scream of pain, not one that would fit a young filly but one that would fit a creature of unknown origins. As each second passed the scream intensified to a ear shattering high screech that that filled the area. To those within the shadows the dragon seemed to be delighted to hear the noise, he then slowly opened his hand and the screeching sound stopped but was replaced by the filly breathing heavily as a green ooze like substance was coming out of her mouth. Sharp Tooth squealed with joy as he said to the shadows calming voice, "Ah the sound of one's suffering is like a lullaby that could put me to sleep, but I'm not here for this mind you, you all know what I want so tell me.." he brought the little filly closer until they were eye to eye. She stared into them and saw a hint of blood lust of that of a raging beast that just howling to be let out, an evil toothy grin form on the dragon's face but quickly turn into a face of pure anger, he lets out a growl so low that only the filly could hear that seemed to escalate as he shouted as his eyes lit a blaze of the blue like flame, "WHERE...IS....YOUR...QUEEN..!" The little filly was shaking, frightened by the site that was in front of her. She struggled to speak but the words wouldn't come out. Sharp tooth losing his patience shouted, "THEN DIE!!!" The little filly was whimpering as she closed her eyes expecting the end, but suddenly there came a distorted voice, female to the sound of it, shouting throughout the area, “That will be quite enough dragon, put my drone down!” The flames being emitted from his eyes and the flowing aura vanished as Sharp Tooth turned to find where the voice was coming from. Within the shadows he saw a tall set of eyes was walking through a group of others, he put his arms down in turn cause the little filly to dropped to the ground with a thump and she scurried into the shadows. Sharp tooth stroked his beard and said, “So you must be the queen of the Changelings.” “Yes I am, now who are you and what business do you have here.” The figure said still hidden within the shadows, "Ah it is an honor to meet you. My name is Sharp Tooth and I am here to offer you a little proposition.” Sharp tooth said, he then tilted his head and lifted his right eyebrow and continued, “But um if you don’t mind could you come into the light, I really hate talking to those who hides in the shadows, it's so...cliche.” “As you wish.” The figure said as she walked toward the sun lit area that Sharp Tooth was standing in, was revealed to be a tall slender pony-like creature with a twisted unicorn horn, a pair of tattered insectoid like wings, a pair of sharp fangs and dark green moderate harlequin eyes with oval pupils, it’s mane and tail was that of a teal color, blue-green chitinous plating over her midsection, and it wears a small black crown tipped with blue orbs, her legs, mane, tail and wings are full of holes as well. The queen then spoke to Sharp Tooth in a voice that seemed like two voices are speaking slightly out of sync, “Now dragon you speak of a proposition, but I can tell that is not the only reason why you're here.” “Yes you do have a sharp mind your highness Queen Chrysalis." Sharp Tooth said. The Changeling queen was taken back by that comment, not as so much as of what he said but by the fact that he knew her name, then she thought, 'How did he know my name I never told him, perhaps that whelp Stock told him. No he didn't I observed their conversation so how....' but her train of thought was interrupted by a snapping sound that echo throughout the area, "Hey, if you have time to be dumbfounded by me knowing your name then perhaps you should listen to what I have to say." Sharp Tooth quipped as he was snapping his claws. Chrysalis just frowned and gritted her teeth at him exposing her fangs all the while her horn was charging with dark green magic as she says, "You will show me some respect you little troglodyte, you're speaking to the Queen of the changelings never forget that." "Easy there your highness I mean no disrespect, although you mean to disrespect me by call me a troglodyte but I'll let that pass." Sharp Tooth said as he scoffed, closed his eyes and held up a hand, "At lease you didn't call me a lizard, now that would have truly angered me, but on to the matter at hand er hoof." Queen Chrysalis recomposed herself and said, "Fine, now as I said before what is it that you're proposing?" "I have come here to give something that you have been longing for, an offer if you will. You see I know of your attempt to take over Canterlot and your attempt to drain the magic of one certain pony and I must say failed quite miserably.” Sharp tooth said as he walked around her, Queen chrysalis snarled a little and said, “I'm warning you dragon watch your tongue before I show just how miserable I really am.” “Oh I believe you could, for you see I know many many things about you." Sharp Tooth said. Chrysalis looking a bit amused, then chuckled as she waved a hoof and said, "Oh so you do huh, alright then do tell me what you know of me little dragon." "Why certainly. I know that you were equally if not more powerful then Celestia, I know that after that little incident at Canterlot you landed in some village and took it over and made it your temporary base, as well as how you’ve taken over Ponyville but obsessed over getting back at those six ponies who thwarted your plans or should I say one in particular a Twilight Sparkle, which in turn lead to your second defeat by her and her friends and you were locked up in a castle dungeon which I believe they left a replica of a certain pink pony just to annoy you, but you broke out and now out and at it again.” Sharp tooth said as he moved closer to her. “So what dragon. That is news that any pony can get from Canterlot and Ponyville but all that doesn't matter, yes what you say is correct but unlike then I have a perfect plan to take over Equestria.” Queen Chrysalis said as she turned her head away from him with a huff. Sharp Tooth suddenly disappeared and reappeared on her head and looking at her eyes upside down and said, “hmm let me guess, ummm you’re going to sneak into Canterlot, capture Princess Celestia and take her place, then have your Changeling children capture the citizens of Canterlot as well as ponyville again, but you want to know something....” then disappeared in a puff of dark purple smoke and reappeared behind her walking away, “You’re going to fail yet again.” “What. How dare you!” The queen said with tone of anger in her voice. “Yes you’re going to fail for you see you can’t possibly get even remotely close to that castle without giving attention to yourself, I mean yes you can capture every pony in ponyville again and Canterlot but how long will it take for Twilight Sparkle or even any of her friends to figure out that something is wrong. They've figured it out before and what happened, you failed. Haven't even thought about that they may have some kind a plan to find any Changeling that is hiding or will be hiding in Canterlot or Ponyville.” Chrysalis just remained silent, but Sharp tooth smiled and continued, “But that’s where my offer comes in I can give you an advantage over them if you follow me and help me with my plans.” Chrysalis just looked at him and laughed as did the others, Sharp tooth didn’t take this likely and shouted, “Was there something I've said that you've found so funny!?” “Yes. You, a little lowly dragon give me an advantage over them. Oh please do really think of me a fool, you may have some impressive magic I will grant you that, but you're nothing to me for I am Queen Chrysalis ruler of the Changeling kingdom beyond the froud Valley, I have an army of my children at the ready. What can you possibly offer me?” Chrysalis said. “Oh I have two things Queeny.” Sharp tooth said then pulled out one finger that emitted the same black flame like aura as before, “One I have three powerful allies who can put more damage to you and your little army than those who defeated you could ever have done to you, and two…” In a shadowy mist Sharp tooth disappeared within it, as the mist cleared what Queen Chrysalis saw shocked not only her but her Children as well. There stood herself smiling at her devilishly, the doppelgänger looked Identical to her in every way even to her voice, “I have a greater element of surprise than you do. I hope this is proof enough?” but before she could answer the same shadow like mist appeared, engulfed the other Chrysalis, once it dissipated there stood the long toothed dragon with a smug look on his face as he said, "Well?" The changeling queen just stood there with her mouth agape unable to even say a word, but then shook her head and said, “Wha..how..who are you, you’re not one of my changelings so explain yourself!” “Ah explanations, well it is that time now isn't very well, so well the short and sweet I’m not of this world but the rest have to wait for a later time. Now my question for you is will you join me or do I have to make you and you changelings be the first set of casualties of this conquest. Choose now, for the times a ticking.” Sharp tooth said with a devilish smile. “No dragon. How about I drain all of your magic and continue as if nothing happened.” Chrysalis said with sly a smile. Sharp tooth slowly looked around as he hears the sound of hooves slowly approaching towards him, he studied his surrounding and can see the eyes within the shadows getting brighter and a buzzing sound started to echo the area. He saw this Sharp tooth just shrugged and slowly shook his head, chuckled and said, “Why does it always have to be like this, I mean I give you an easy choice but it gets tossed aside.” He then sighed, shook his head again as extended his arm, it starts emitted a dark azure and black colored aura and raised it up, almost immediately flames of the same color sprouted from the ground and formed wolf like beast with eyes of a dull gold like color, just then surrounded him and stood their ground growling and swiping at anything that would get to close between them and their summoner. Chrysalis gasped at the site , she lifts a hoof motioning her subjects to move away from the dragon, they quickly obeyed as she said, “Such magic I’ve never come across any pony or otherwise with this kind of magic.” “Yes. Now you will take my offer or my little friends here will tear you and all of your children to pieces with just a snap of my fingers.” Sharp tooth said as he put two fingers together to snap them. Queen Chrysalis just frowned and said in defeat, “It would seem we have no choice in the matter.” “Oh you've always had a choice, it's just that mine was better and choosing mine was an excellent choice, an excellent choice indeed. Now that we are at an agreement let us get down to business shall we.” Sharp tooth said and with a snapped his fingers the threatening wolves suddenly disappeared, “Now I trust you know where the Everfree forest is seeing as you’ve been to ponyville before.” “Of course we do. That place is filled with such fearsome creatures that would have killed us all if we didn't hide in it's shadows” Chrysalis said. “Good. Now I shall teleport you and your Children there, once there you’ll find a ruined castle go there, await for my return, I shall be there shortly, but make sure you're not seen.” Sharp tooth said as he raised his arm “What, how can you..” Chrysalis said just before she and her changelings had simply vanished. Sharp tooth looked around to see if anyone was in the area then closed his eyes, soon his body started to emit a low greenish yellow light, he then extended his right arm with his his claw closed and all of the light seem to flow to his hand. Almost immediately he open his palm and a ball of light of the same color appear which soon turned into a small diamond that levitated a few inches from his hand. Sharp Tooth opened his eyes and studied the small gem, for a few moments it seemed as if he was hypnotized by it's beauty and simplicity, he then placed it ever so gently on the ground and the little gem buried itself into the dirt hidden to the world, he exhaled then lightly scratched his chin and thought with his eyes closed again, 'Now that that’s done what should I do now perhaps I should go to Cloudsdale just to get everything started or maybe something else.' seconds later he shot up into the sky like a bullet only to stop miles high in air, when he opened his eyes he looked down and seemed to be a bit dizzy at the site and said, “Whoa this is higher than before.” he then looked straight ahead and then continued, “Well I seem to be ahead of schedule, perhaps I should head to the Crystal Empire and see how Nightmare Moon is fairing.” he crossed his arms and started flying north at a slow speed as he studied everything he flew by. Sometime later Sharp tooth stops and lands near a river that leads toward a large city which seemed to shine and sparkle with the sunlight, looking around he sees the vast greenery landscape area that's full of trees, some patches of different kinds of flowers of different colors he saw this and said, “So that’s the Crystal Empire of this world, looks quite different from King Sombra and Sparkle's version." he walks around the grassy field all the while stroking his beard and continues, "Who would have thought that such beauty could thrive in such a harsh climate that's just a few feet away, I bet if Sparkle or Sombra were here they would've hate this and started destroying everything.” the thought of that scene played in his mind, he let out a little chuckle and started walking along the river path towards the glistering city. Moments later he spots a figure in the distance, it was a pink Alicorn mare lying next to the river stream with a mane and tail of moderate violet with moderate rose and gold streaks wearing a golden crown ,necklace and horseshoes.the crown has a purple gem in the middle of it and on the top it, she also has a cutie mark of a crystal heart with a single mirror-like facet at its center and she was surrounded by some birds and other little creatures. While still stoking his beard Sharp tooth thought, 'The way she looks she must be this world’s ruler of the Crystal Empire, she may be useful on get into the castle without any complications.' as he moves closer he could hear her humming to herself and says, “Ah it’s so good to get out and enjoy the day like this.” just then she hears a snap of a twig and all the little animals scurried away. She opens her eyes to see Sharp tooth walking towards her, she says, “Oh hello there.” “Ah yes hello, um by any chance are you the ruler here?” Sharp tooth said with a warming smile. “Yes me and my husband.” The alicorn said as she stood up “So you must be Princess Mi Amore Cadenza I take it.” Sharp tooth said. “Yes..” The princess said with a worried look on her face. Sharp Tooth saw this quickly waved both of his hands and said, “Oh no no no please I mean you no harm. I came here with Princess Luna but I wandered off and seem to have gotten myself lost and was wondering if you can help me to find her.” Sharp tooth said “Oh you came with Auntie Luna, are you her page?” the alicorn princess said with a face of glowing delight. “Uh yes first time on the job. I'm kind of embarrassed losing track of her Madame Amore Cadenza.” Sharp tooth said while scratching the back of his head and smiling sheepishly. “Cadence.” The Princess said. “Eh, I'm sorry what?” Sharp tooth said while wearing a look of confused shock. “Please call me Cadence, my full name make me sounds so...stuffy or higher than thou, you can understand.” Princess Cadence said. "Oh no princess I can't, that would be a great disrespect on not only you and your family, but as well as your illustrious title." Sharp Tooth said, "I insist. You know I can make it a royal order and I'm sure my aunt Luna will have no problem on having you follow it." Candace said with a sly smile. Sharp Tooth looked around nervously and thought, 'This little tart is become quite troublesome, perhaps she's on to me or is she truly serious about this. Better to play it safe and play along not to give any suspicion.' Sharp Tooth then gave a sigh of defeat, scratched the back of his head and said, "As you wish Princess Mi amore err I mean princess Cadence." "Thank you mister er uh.." Cadence said. “Ah then please call me Silver fang your highness Cadence.” Sharp tooth said as he bowed. “Well mister Fang shall we head to the castle.” Princess Cadence said and the both walked towards the large city. Moments later they reached the city, Sharp tooth looked around and saw different kinds of ponies but what was different, these ponies seem to shine with gradient mans and tails to him they looked like living crystals. As they walked further Sharp tooth's stomach growled, Princess Cadence took notice of this and said, “It would seem that your hungry Mr Silver Fang. Shall we get something to eat before we reach the castle, I know of place where I've been dying to try ” “Oh no that’s kind of you your highness, but it’s nothing I would like to finish my work with Princess Luna before anything else.” Sharp Tooth said as looked just then he sees a certain Alicorn heading in their direction, he waves and says, “Ah there is princess Luna. Princess Luna!” Princess Cadence looks ahead, her eyes seemed to light up as she spots the night Alicorn and said, “Auntie Luna.” Luna notices the pair and gave a look of bewilderment as the pink Alicorn ran to her and gave her a hug, Sharp Tooth looked to Luna and said, “Princess Luna please forgive me for I have wondered off and got lost. Your uh niece was kind enough to show me the way back.” “Yes, me and Mr Silver fang were just talking about getting something to eat would you like to join us.” Princess Cadence said, but she stares at Luna for a moment and notices a certain emotionless look in her eyes that gave off a feeling as if she didn't know who Cadence was and it scared her. Cadence brushed those thoughts aside and said, “Luna is everything alright, you seem a bit distant.” Princess Luna quickly shook her head, looked to Cadence and said, “Uh no, no we are pleased to see you, I am fine it's just I was in deep thought prior to your arrival, nothing to be concern with, but we must be going, but my page and I shall come see you again come, alone Silver fang.” and trotted off. Sharp tooth took Princess Cadence’s hoof, kissed it and said, “It was short but I enjoyed your company Princess, please let us do this again but with all of us.” the Pink Alicorn simply blushed and said, “Oh why certainly Mr Silver fang, and may you and Luna have a safe trip back to Canterlot.” and trots off towards the large castle. Sharp Tooth runs to Luna’s side, cleared his throat and asks, “So I take it you’ve acquired what you’ve been looking for?” “Indeed sir Sharp Tooth." Luna replied "but what surprises us is that you have come here, and entertaining that urchin.” Luna says while keeping an emotionless look on her face. “Well I thought I would gather some more intelligence on this place to be better prepared." Sharp Tooth said as he wave his hand nonchalantly "and I had to keep an appearance of not being a threat. I will say this for her she do seem quite observant of her surroundings, I thought she had figured me out and was keeping an eye on me, that is until you showed up." "Yes... but we need no foalsitter." Luna said with no emotion in her tone "Oh no of course not my princess, I thought of only helping you but instead you saved me from your niece and I thank you for that, but on to another matter, I’ve found out more on this place from your *ahem* niece.” Sharp tooth said. “Oh please that one means nothing to me only a stepping stone to my goal but what have you learned.” Luna said. “Well from what I’ve gathered from her memories there’s a magic barrier that can be put around the city so it can protect them from Sombra if he should ever return.” Sharp tooth said. “So this would pose a problem for Sombra but not for any other.” Luna said. “That’s correct but I have something that would help.” Sharp tooth said. “Oh and what is that?” Luna said. “Well we shall discuss that at a later time, now come let us return so we can organize everything for our final phase.” Sharp tooth said, seconds later they disappeared. Author's Note Ok now let me start off by saying that this chapter was going to be shorter, but as I was reading it I kept on coming up with more things to put into it and well me being the person I am I just had to write it in the chapter. Now to business I have to say I love that others are reading my fanfics, but I would love it even more when you give me feed back, come on don't be shy just by give me some feedback I can get some ideas from you maybe make some changes. Chapter 5: A Changeling with the name Shallow nightDeep within the Everfree forest the sounds of the wildlife can be heard, but suddenly they all ceased as a low flash appeared revealing Queen Chrysalis and her changeling children as she says, "Possibly...do...that." She blinks a few times and looks around and recognizes their current location, she breaths a heavy sigh as she says, "That infernal dragon actually transported all of us to this forsaken forest without any proper directions to this castle, still I'm quite amazed for him on accomplishing this feat, he must have a tremendous amount of magic." she looks with a frown to see her changelings, some were shaking the heads trying to regain their composure, while the others were either looking around jumping at even the slightest noise and shaking in fear with the look of panic in their eyes, or comforting those that are scared and confused. Chrysalis continued to look around all the while getting a head count when a voice said to her, "My Queen." She looks to see one of her Changelings walking towards her. The changeling looked like the rest of her children but with a few differences, for one his eyes are a different shade, "What is it Thrax I am busy at the moment." Thrax slowly bowed and said, "Forgive me my Queen, but I took the liberty of sending a small team out to scout ahead to look for that castle the dragon was talking about and.. and I believe they have found it." This sudden news had made the queen smile as she said, "Ah excellent work Thrax, you have pleased your queen. Now tell me, who was on the team you've sent so that their queen can thank them as well." Thrax lowered his head as he shuffled his hooves on the moist ground, all the while trying to answer. This made the changeling queen's smile to fall slowly to a glare as she said, "Well... out with it, who was part of the survey team?" "It was Buggy, Stock, Wisp and Shallow Night." Chrysalis just blinked and scratched her ear and said, "You have to speak louder my little drone I can not hear you." "It was Buggy, Stock, Wisp and..." Thrax gulped, "and uh Shallow Night my queen." he quickly closed his eyes and started to shake nervously out of fear as he waited an unavoidable and painful response. A few seconds have passed and nothing happened, Thrax raised his head as he opened his eye to see Chrysalis eyes shot wide open to the size of dinner plates, her pupils shrunk to the size of pin picks and a single drop of sweat dropped to the ground. He tilts his head to the side and said, "M..m..my queen?" In Chrysalis's mind her thoughts ran a million miles a second, one thought kept resurfacing o the front of her mind, 'No....no....no..nonononono. Not those four they'll ruin everything.' Her distant expression change into one of anger and hatred, as she gritted her teeth. She lets out a low growl as she said, "Especially that pony raised drone Shallow Night." "My queen?" Thrax said giving a questionable look towards the changeling queen. Chrysalis shakes her head, sighs and says, "I suppose it can't be helped, Very well." she turns the little changeling "Thrax I take it that they've returned, unharmed I hope?" "Well my queen they have returned, but.." Thrax said Chrysalis arched a brow and said, "But..?" "Well it's Shallow Night, although he is not badly injured he insist on well... you must see for yourself." Thrax said as he pointed to four figures in the distance. "Very well. Thrax assemble all of the others while I see to Shallow night." Chrysalis said as she started heading towards the figures. Thrax bowed and said, "As you command my queen." and went about to his task. Back with Chrysalis, she getting closer to destination but something catches her eye, although she recognize three of the figures as her changelings the forth she didn't. The figure sat on the ground with its back turned while the changelings were on the ground resting. The figure was taller than the others, seemed almost as tall as her but more burly and seemed to give off a sense of safety, she could make out a horn on the top of it's head as it glowed of a low light green aura that seemed to sway to a nonexistent wind, she looks to the three changelings on the ground and notices that the same green aura has surround their bodies and is healing their wounds. Moving closer towards them, the three changelings notices her approach and bowed to her. With the sounds of shuffling hooves the large figure's ear twitched, and without facing the Changeling queen it said with a voice that seemed to be devoid of emotion, "Your highness, forgive me for not moving to bow in your presence but it takes a lot of concentration to cast this healing spell for my fellow changelings here." Chrysalis diverted he gaze from the bowing changelings to the larger figure and arched a brow to see a dark blueish grey unicorn stallion, with a jet black mane and tail with two white streaks through them and a cutie mark of the moon what seems to be hiding under a shallow pit of water, throughout his body are cuts and bruises, even on his right flank there are three claw marks across his cutie mark, all trickling of green fluid. Chrysalis shook her head and said, "Honestly Shallow Night, I know you've been raised by ponies and have a soft spot for them, but I would at least thought that they would have taught you something about treating your wounds before anything else." The burly unicorn just sat there silent as the glow from his horn dissipated, he let out a heavy sigh and said, "My short up bringing from my adoptive pony parents has nothing to do with how I take my comrade's well being before my own, your highness." "If you must be that way then so be it, but at least change from that insufferable pony form, it's an eyesore to your queen." unbeknownst to the changeling queen, Shallow Night gritted his teeth but then let out another heavy sigh and without making an attempt to turn around said, "If that is your, wish your highness, I shall do as you ask." and just then a dark green flame appeared out of no where engulfing Shallow night covering his whole body. Soon the flame slowly started to wither away and reveling a different a figure entirely sitting facing away from Chrysalis, it was a Changeling dawned with a dark green helmet but compared to the others this one was different. The first was the color of the creature, although the other changelings were a greenish black this one was a dark ashen gray color with a few spots of black, next was it's horn, although curved it was longer and jagged on the sides. Next was the size of the creature, compared to the other three this one was a bit taller but not as tall as the changeling queen. Shallow night remained sitting, unmoving like a statue staring at the tree filled sky, he inhaled then exhaled deeply as to relax himself. He lowered his head a little and said, "Is this to your liking your highness?" Chrysalis shook her head and said, "Yes this pleases your queen my drone." Shallow Night gritting his teeth even more at the phrase "drone". The very word brought a bitter taste in his mouth, even more so hearing it from Chrysalis. A slight shiver coursed through his body as he tried to maintain his composure. "Thrax has informed me of you and your team finding the castle." Chrysalis said as she walks closer to him With each hoof step is heard his ear would twitch as if something within him was telling him to be wary of the owner of he sound. Shadow night just remained silent as Chrysalis moved even closer to him but unknown anyone or any changeling there each step was causing his repressed angry to rise, which would be evident if one would look to his face as he's gritting his teeth all to keep his anger in check. As Chrysalis was an ear shot away she lowered her head to his right ear and whispered as she patted him on the head, "You've done well for your queen my little drone, it seems you have finally learn where your place is." Chrysalis raised her head back up and started walking back as she continued with a wicked smile, "As long as you keep on pleasing me,that little village and your little pony friends will remain safe from harm." the three changelings could look in slight horror as Chrysalis walked away, not because of what she had said but because unknown to her there was a rather large tree branch with it's ends sharpened covered in a green glow, floating only mere inches from her head. They could only stare mouths agape at the object floating in the air, suddenly it slowly lowers down to the ground and the glow vanishes. Shallow night lower his head as he remains motionless to the world as many thoughts run through his mind, some of anger for not finishing the job he so desperately wanted to do, some were thoughts of worry for the family of ponies who took him in and treated him as if he was no different from them, as well as the little village that so kindly treated him. He remained lost in his thoughts until he felt a hoof tapping on his withers, he looks to his left and sees one of the changelings was looking at him with a worried expression. He raised his head and smiles to the changeling and says, "Do not worry Wisp I am fine, are you and the other feeling better?" Wisp just tilts his head and answered, "Yes sir we're fine but what about you?" he points to Shallow night's closed right eye "You should let us treat you eye for you before it gets infected." Shallow Night traced his eye with a hoof and felt three gashes going down to his cheek, he winced a little to the slight pain of the injury. As he removed his hoof he notice a green substance on it, it was blood but to be precise it was his blood. Shallow Night looks to the other changelings then to his hoof back to them and back to his hoof and thought, 'So that's why they wouldn't look at me directly, and here I thought I made out of it with just a small scratch.' He looks back to his fellow changelings, smiled then waved dismissively and said, "Don't worry yourselves about this, I'm perfectly fine all that matters is that you're all safe." The second changeling trotted up and said, "To fight a beast like that and make it out with just one injury is really amazing, I don't think even the queen could to that." Shallow Night let out a chuckle and said, "Well buggy I guest that's one more thing I'm better than her at, but still to think we would run into a giant blue bear deep within this forest, I would have thought one of the ponies would have ran into it or even that zebra." "She did say that that one was only a baby." Buggy said as he shuddered, "I couldn't imagine something that big being only a baby, just thinking about the size of it's mother scares me." Shallow Night chuckles, He then looks over to see the third changeling shuffling through a nearby bush. Moments later the little changeling came trotting to him holding in it's mouth a small brown pouch with a string tied to it. The taller changeling looked at it with puzzlement and whispered, "Uh Wisp, whats in that pouch that Stock is holding, it doesn't look like it's full of her little knickknacks." "No sir, actually its medicine that the zebra mare gave us. She noticed your eye and thought you could use it." Wisp answered. Shallow Night just looked at the changeling Stock as she placed the pouch in front of him and sat down next to it, he just smiles and said, "Thank you Stock but as I told the others I am fine, you don't need to go out of your way for me." Stock just shook her head then stared at him with a frown while pointing to the pouch and then to his eye. "Oh come on I already told you I'm...." Shallow Night said, but was interrupted by Stock stomping a hoof on the ground forcibly then pointed to the pouch and then to his eye again. "Sir she's just worried about your injury just as we are, let us patch your eye up for you. You've done much for us, the least we could do is this. We're just lowly drones and you go out your way just to keep us safe but when it come to helping you, you don't want let any ling do anything....why?" Shallow Night just blinked as the three changelings waited for his answer, as he sat there in thought as familiar memory played out in his mind. Sometime earlier in a small village town of Fairpass. In the middle of he night of this dusty village filled with dirt roads and several homes built out of lumber with stone chimneys some large some small, a school house with a bell located at the top, a well in the middle of this town and others are establishments that sell items for the homes, confectionery delights and provide entertainment. There are ponies walking around either to their homes for a nights rest or go to have a fun night with friends and loved ones. But inside one particular house a familiar young dark blueish grey unicorn stallion, along with an elderly earth pony Stallion who's coat was tan brown color and eyes of the same color. His mane, mustache, beard and tail was the color black with a hint of grey colored in, and with a cutie mark of a hoof print overlapping a metal hammer, and a grey unicorn mare who had a mane and tail of the color of light grey with strands of white through them. Her eyes were the color of bumble bee yellow and a cutie mark of a glittering gemstone with a thought bubble over it. The young stallion was wearing a pleading expression as he says, "But why, it would do a lot of good if I can go to the princess and worn her before they arrive." "Because Shallow Night it's too dangerous, not to mention the travel is long and far, even if you were to make there on time how would you be able to see the princess, it's not like you could go in and say 'Hey princess Celestia you will listen to me or else the city will be in danger' I seriously doubt that you would be able to walk out a free pony" the unicorn mare said. "But I can't just sit here and do nothing so many lives could be in jeopardy....no... many lives are in jeopardy unless some pony either stops the threat or for the very least warn them of the coming threat." Shallow Night said. "There is nothing you can do right now Shallow. I won't have you running off head first into danger again, it's only been a month and a half since that diamond dog incident and you rushed into that as well." The unicorn mare said. "But I had to do something, fire light and swiftly skies were taken, I couldn't let them take my friends or their families and waiting for the guard was out of the question, I just..." Shallow Night said but the earth pony mare place a hoof on his withers and said, "I know that and I thank Celestia that you and everypony else came back, but you were hurt so bad that I thought you were going to die, and now after your all healed up you wanna go and rush into danger again just because some ponies far away might lose to some queen bent on taking over Canterlot even with the princesses being there, no I'm not...." the unicorn mare said as sobbing and tears started to fall from her eyes The earth pony stallion walked up to the mare and placed a hoof on her back, she turned to him and said, "Hard hoof say something to him." The elder stallion named Hard hoof stroked his beard a few times and walked over to Shallow Night and sternly looked at him for a few moments, then smile stretches on his muzzle as he says, "You know sometimes ah forget your not really our son, what with you um what is it you said 'taking his form' was it." Hard hoof said. Shallow night ears folded to his head as he slowly nodded as he ignited his horn with green aura and just then a green flame quickly started to engulfed his body. As quickly as it came it dissipated and revealed a changeling. Hard hoof head jolted back a little as he said, "Whoa, never could get use ta that there changeling hocus pocus." Hard hoof coughed into his hoof and continued, "As ah was sayin you may not be our real son but you have his heart though, and ah know if our son was here today he would want to do the very same thing that your wantin ta do. So ah won't stop ya son" Shallow Night's face just lights up and wing buzz as he said, "Really Hard hoof sir um...I mean father." "Of course Shallow. There is some thing that mah pa would say at times like this, he would say 'somethings a stallion's gotta do what a stallion's gotta do' course he also says dogs can't look up and trees can grow upside down but that's beside the point." Hard hoof said with a slight chuckle. "Hard Hoof!" the unicorn mare said with a huff, "You can't seriously have him go out there and...and...." but she was interrupted by her husband dismissively waving a hoof as he said, "Now now Glimmering dream, you and ah both know that even if we tell him no he'll still up and go out to Canterlot. So it's best to just let him go with a little bit of worry in our hearts than for him to go without us knowing, finding out an worrying a whole lot, besides he a grown stallion an his mind is made up." "I know, it's just that.." Glimmering dream said with her hooves covering her eyes as she wept. Shallow Night walked over to her and hugged the elderly unicorn and said, "Don't worry Miss Glimmer I'll be back safe and sound and who knows hopefully I'll have a great story for the students upon my return." Glimmering dream embraced the changeling and said with the last of her tears falling to the wooden floor and a sad smile, "I know, I know just be careful son." Shallow Night closed his eyes, unknown to either the Hard hoof or the mare in his embrace he takes in the emanating caring emotion, his insect like wings buzz as he is being filled by the loving emotion from the mare. As they released their embrace there was a knock on the door, "Ah wonder who could that be?" Hard hoof said as he walked to the wooden door. As Glimmering dream watches Hard hoof as he starts to open the door, she quickly realizes that Shallow Night was not disguised as the blueish grey unicorn that they know. She quickly turns to him and says, "Shallow quick change back before Hard hoof...." but it was too late, Hard hoof had opened the door revealing a slight pudgy steel blue unicorn Stallion with a dark grey bushy Mustache, mane and tail, wearing a black formal jacket and tie as well as a top hat and a cutie mark of a black top hat and cane. Glimmering dream saw him, breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Mayor Tiptop it's so nice to see you. What can we do for you this evening?" The mayor tips his hat and says, "Evening Miss dream, Hard hoof. We've heard that there was a problem and we just had to come and help." "Problem?" Glimmering dream asked, "Yes. You see it's been brought to our attention that a certain hero of our fair little town of Fairpass, needs to get to Canterlot before a certain incident happens." The mayor said. "Yes, but how did you..." Hard hoof said. "Oh come now Hard hoof I'm the mayor. Surely you of all ponies should know that nothing escapes these here ears of mine as well as how fast the *ahem* 'word of mouth' travels in this here small town. I was bound to hear it sooner or later," Tip Top said, "although I wished to have heard it sooner so I could help out more." "Wait Mr mayor," Shallow Night said, "You said 'We', who else is with you sir?" "Well...." Tiptop said before removing his top hat and walking in. As the mayor waked into the home, at the entrance stood two figures. One was a peach-yellow colored Pegasus mare with a lime colored mane with a few stripes of light colors, she was wearing a long mud brown cloak that seemed to cover the rest of her body. Next to the mare was a Earth pony colt, his coat was the color of dull grey with spots of black on his left eye, right foreleg and his chest, his mane and tail although messy was the color of dark blue. The mare looked around until she spotted the changeling and frowned. Shallow Night saw this and immediately hid behind Glimmering dream but the mare stomped a hoof and said, "Shallow Night I know that's you, quit hiding behind your mother and look at me." The Changeling winced from behind the elderly mare and slowly did just that, at the same time Tiptop walked over to young mare and said, "Now now sweetheart you can't be too mad at him, he's only trying..." "Yes I can dad." The mare said, "He's going all the way to Canterlot just to try to stop an invasion that may or may not happen, from what I've heard it's going to be just a regular wedding the captain of the royal guard and some princess." Shallow Night slowly walked over to the mare and placed a hoof on her withers and said, "Miss Goodwill you must understand I'm the only one who can do this..." but Goodwill swatted away his hoof and glared at him with with tears staring to form in her eyes and said, "No your not the only one who can do this. They have hundreds of guards of both Princess Luna's night guard and Princess Celestia's day guard as well as both princesses as well and the bearers of the Elements of Harmony, and you think that this queen Chrysalis has a chance of getting into that city." Shallow Night frown and shook his head as he said, "Yes I am the only one who can do this, and I know she can get into the city she's done something like this in the past. It doesn't matter how many ponies there are around or who's there, it only matter on how even one changeling can sneak in to get the job done." "Then what about just talking to this queen Chrysalis, maybe she could settle everything peacefully." Goodwill said, "she can't just want war just like that. She wouldn't anything to gain except heavy losses." The changeling's frown deepened as he answered, "She will not want to end things peacefully, she's just too....pigheadedly stubborn. She'll trample over who ever she can just to get what she wants." Shallow Night then looked at everyone and continued, "Look I know I told Glitter... I mean mom and dad this but..." he looked towards his adopted mother and father and saw Hard Hoof give him an assuring nod. He takes a deep breath and continues, "We changelings are very....unique compared to every pony else, you see we don't eat like you, we eat emotions all kinds of emotions but we prefer to take in love." The mayor and Goodwill gasped while the little colt just looked with confusion. "What love, but how its..its.. unheard of." Tiptop said. "Well I won't go into too much detail but it's kind of like breathing in air, and we have a bad reputation with dragons, griffons, Minotaurs, Zebras as well as some pony places so we have to disguise ourselves and draw in the love from the unsuspecting. At times we foalnap an unsuspecting target and cocoon them, while the the changeling would disguise them selves as that target and take their place the hive feeds off of who is captured because of this ." Shallow Night said. He looks to the mayor and Goodwill as they had a look of shock and horror, he quickly shook his hooves in the air and said, "Oh no no no. Don't get me wrong, all hives do this and after a time they release them who would have no recollection of what happen, but for me I haven't done that in about a little longer than I've been here." "So, for eight years you haven't done that to any pony here?" Tiptop asked. "Well nine and a half but yes that's correct. After being among everypony here I felt I didn't need to, the love you have for each other was just radiating throughout the town, and when Mom and Dad found out who and what I was they took me in and treated me as their real son." Shallow Night said but then quickly shook his head and continued, "But back to the invasion, Chrysalis is doing this just so she could feed her hive, and if she's going all out just to take Canterlot then they must be starving and desperate, the fact that she didn't come to a town like this first just proves that fact." The little colt walked up to the changeling, tapped on his leg, Shallow Night looked down and looked at the colt. The little colt asked, "Will you come back Mr Shallow Night?" The Changeling playfully ruffled the colt's mane answered, "Of course I will Silent Step. I can't leave you kids alone with miss Goodwill, you'd drive her crazy." The little colt, Silent Step giggled while Goodwill puffed her cheeks, which in turn every pony laughed at her display. Shallow Night sighed as he looks at everypony laughing and thought, 'This feels right, Ponies and changelings living together without fear. Maybe I can show all the others that there is another way to live, that this is another way for us to live.' he then whispers "A better way." Once the laughter died down the changeling looked around to see a saddle bag siting in the corner of the area, his attention of the saddle bag diverted when Mayor tiptop said, "Well then Shallow my boy seeing as you're so dead set on going, how do you expect to get there?" "I was going to fly to the nearest town with a train and from there take it to Canterlot." Shallow Night said. Goodwill looked at him in shock and and disbelief then said, "The nearest town with a train is east of here and it's over a ninety miles from here, can you really fly that far for long." Shallow Night Puffed out his chest with pride and said, "Well if I use the night to hide and quickly travel by hoof for a few miles I can fly the for a few more miles, if everything goes well with only time to rest a little I should get there a day and a half two being the latest," he furrowed his brows and rubbed his chin with a hoof, "as long as the form I take can be maintained." "Well I figured as much." Tiptop said as he pulled out a folded piece of paper and gave it to Shallow Night, "Once you get to the next town take that letter to the station, there's a friend who I asked for help on transporting you to Canterlot." "Thank you mayor." Shallow Night said. "Think nothing of it my boy, it's the least I could do by providing 'The Hero of Fairpass' some help." Tiptop said. Shallow Night walked over to the saddle bags and placed the letter within it the turn to everpony in the room and said, "I should get going if I want to make it there on time." he then closed his eyes and a green flame engulfed him once again, as it dissipates revealing him to look the same but instead of a unicorn he was a Pegasus. Shallow Night turn back towards the saddle bags and saw that they were engulfed in a golden yellow magic and levitated onto his back, looks over to Glimmering dream and said, "Thanks mom." The unicorn mare wiped a tear from her eye and nodded. Hard hoof walked over to Shallow Night, placed a hoof on his shoulder and said, "Son before you go I wanna give you some advice that I gave my real son before he departed the guard," Shallow Night looked to the stallion as he continued, "Help those you can, and protect those that you can and above all come back safe to us. Can you do that for me Shallow Night?" Back in the Everfree forest As the memory fade he could here a voice from one of he Changelings saying, "Shallow Night sir, if you do not wish to tell us why, then we will not ask again." The taller Changeling looks over to the three changeling in front of him and shook his head, "No it's ok. The reason is something my father said but that's not important right now." "Yes sir, Oh by the way we've received word about that place you asked about." Wisp said. "Oh and what were you told?" Shallow Night said. "Well sir everypony there is safe and it's just as you've said, the positive emotions there is just radiating from there it's like it's made out of love." "Good that puts my mind at ease for now, but tell me what of the ones I've asked to be looked after." Shallow night said. "Well sir um the one called Goodwill has given birth of twins, the father an earth pony by the name of Satchel was over joyed." Wisp said 'Heh I knew those two would end up together and now they have twin foals, congratulations Satchel and Mrs Goodwill.' Shallow Night thought as he breathed a sigh of relief, "Tell me Wisp did our informant mention anything on the foals" Shallow Night said as he placed a foreleg around wisp. "Just that they were a unicorn and an earth pony." Wisp answered. "Good, and what of there others I've asked about?" Shallow Night said as he stood up. "Well sir about them it seems the one called Hard Hoof got hurt during a Diamond dog attack shortly before the foals were born, he's fine now but he's just taking it easy." Wisp said. "And Glimmering Dream?" Shallow Night asked with a little fear in his voice. Wisp's ear folded back as he said, "Well sir the first few months she was in a deep depression after she found out about what happened at Canterlot, thinking that you had died but Mirage had revealed herself to her and told her of your whereabouts, to be honest I think that was rather foalish of her to do but it seem to work and calmed the mare's worries in fact the whole village knows who she is and has accepted her within the village. " Shallow Night placed a hoof on his chest, closed his eyes and thought, 'Mirage shouldn't have revealed herself with the risk of the royal guards finding out but knowing the ponies of Fairpass she will be fine, and mom was always a worrier, and Dad just had to be the hero but I'm glad they're safe.' A tear runs down the side of his muzzle as he quietly said, "Times like these I wish I was their real son" Wisp tilts his head in confusion and asked, "Sir are you okay, you're starting to cry?" Shallow Night opened his eyes, sniffed and wiped his muzzle and answered, "Yes Wisp I'm fine, must be the injury that's causing it." Upon hearing this the Changeling Stock quickly picked up the small poach of medicine in her mouth then pointed to his eye, Shallow Night just chuckled at her display and said, "Okay Okay you win Stock you can treat my eye but first we should start heading back to the others to see what her royal highness wants before she has a fit, wouldn't want to be in that." Stock nodded eagerly, and the small group of Changelings started their way to the other Changelings. Author's Note Finally I've finished this chapter, after many days of nodding off while typing and all those times I keep hitting those writers blocks I've finally finished this. To all of my readers and watchers I thank you for being so patient with me. Now that this chapter is out of the way I can start on the next chapter of my other story, here's hoping that I can get it out quickly. Until then see ya next chapter.
Chapter one: Ruler of the night (RW)Chapter 1: Ruler of the Night Location: The city of formerly known as Canterlot now Nightmareopolis In small dark town surrounded by eternal night there sits a castle that seem to have lost its luster of beauty, inside its better looking with black carpeting, the windows having dark blue curtains with dark blue and black suits of armor but what would stand out but seems normal is the armor seems to be formed for miniature horses. Further down the hall of what seemed like endless doors stood a pair of rather large doors with two black male unicorns wearing the same armor that decorated the hall, past those doors is a rather large room and although decorated the same as the hall prior with it’s carpentry and drapes it also was decorated with more statues but these statues were more detailed and looked life like as well as they all looked female, one is a Pegasus with an angry look in its face that seemed as if it was flying toward something, wearing a jeweled necklace shaped like a lightning, another was a pony with puffy hair with a shocked expression on it wearing a jeweled necklace of shaped like a balloon , another was a unicorn with a fearful look on her face with one of her legs extended out as if she was trying to reach for something wearing a jeweled necklace shaped like a diamond, another was a Pegasus with a little rabbit on her back kneeling down with her hooves covering her eyes wearing a jeweled necklace shaped like a star, another was pony wearing a farm hat and seemed to be running towards something wearing a jeweled necklace shaped like an apple, and the last statue is one of a unicorn seeming to standing with her eyes closed as if she was concentrating on something was wearing a jeweled crown with a shape of a six pointed star and the ceiling looked like as if it was and endless abyss of darkness. Far end of the room sat a throne dark and menacing with it’s look that seemed to fit the overall area as well as two more armored guards standing stoically at the sides but what’s different from the guards from the others were their bat like wings, and on the throne sat A midnight black equine with wings and a unicorn horn with a Navy blue mane that flowed like ripples in water and moves like smoke. With it’s tall and sleek physique and shape of it’s muzzle from the guards it appears to be a female or a mare for a better term dressed in silvery blue armor with a mark of a moon in a black background staring out a window. This winged unicorn mare just stared out to the night sky showing no interest to anything in particular but then a Tailed bipedal figure slowly approaches the throne, to others this figure would seem like a purple and green lizard but it was in fact a dragon, a baby dragon to be exact due to its diminutive size and lack of wings as well as the spines going down its back. It was carrying a small worn out note pad, it had the look of fear all over its face, the Black mare turned her gaze to the little dragon and said, “Ah young Spike what thou has for us today.” Without another word the little dragon called spike looked at her in the eyes and shakily said, “Wwwwell yyyour highness it sssems….” Her highness’s eyes focused more on the little dragon as she said, “Thou shall speak to us in a well-mannered way young drake, now continue.” with that Spike stood straight up and continued, “Well your highness Luna…” but was stopped by Luna’s icy glare and he quickly continued, “My apologies mistress Nightmare Moon, the weather ponies are having trouble with the storms over ponyvile due to the influence from the Everfree forest and would like some help on containing it.” “Hmph fine we shall grace them with our assistance what else.” Nightmare Moon said in her normal voice “Oh umm there also ponies entering the Everfree forest and have been going missing, as well as we still have not found the missing members of the wonder bolts.” Spike said “Hmm we are not amused by this, this whole ordeal is become most vexing to us but we shall handle this personally, anything else?” Nightmare Moon said, The young dragon frantically flipped through the note pad and answered “No your majesty.” “Very well you may leave us now.” Nightmare Moon said as she motioned the dragon to leave with her hoof. “Thank you, your majesty.” the little dragon said as he bowed and quickly went out the room. once the Spike was out of area Nightmare Moon scoffed and muttered, “Spineless welp, why do I put up with thee?” she then motioned to her guards and continued, “Leave me as well, we wish to be alone with our thoughts.” The two guards bowed and marched out of the throne room, once alone she closed her eyes and her horn glowed with a dark luminesce, for a moment nothing happened but seconds later from the darkness of the ceiling down came a cage covered in the same aura emitting from her horn and within it a figure laid motionless. As it stopped she walked towards it and said, “Well sister what do you think of the kingdom now when it’s under my rule?” the figure didn’t answer not even move and inch. Nightmare Moon frowned and shouted in a booming voice “Thou will answer us this instant sister!” the figure slowly turned to Nightmare Moon with sad eyes and it’s revealed to be another winged unicorn but this one’s coat looked to be a dark fuchsiaish gray her mane looked to be light cerulean and turquoise with a light cobalt blue and a pale heliotrope but dulled as if all the colors have been drained from her, she just looked at her and said, “Oh Luna what have you done.” “What I’ve done, this is how it should be, a world in an everlasting night dear Tia, but fear not my sister the sun shall rise but only briefly and by my power alone.” Nightmare Moon said. “Sister you must understand the night is not to last as long as it have, our people cannot possibly live this way don’t you see…” Celestia said, but was interrupted by her sister “No all I see is that you have always been jealous, jealous of my night, always wanting to make it shorter just for your precious sun loving ponies, to watch them wake up to your sunrise, forever praising thou for it while I get nothing but they’re sleeping snores and ridiculous fear of my night.” “But Luna it’s never...” Celestia said, but was once again interrupted by her sister in a cold and emotionless tone, “That is Nightmare Moon to you sister.” She then turned away from Celestia and continues, “And I will not hear any more of your lies, especially from one who would send assassins after us upon our return. That was faolish on your part my dear sister.” “As I’ve told Luna they were not assassins they were six ponies who..” Celestia said “Yes yes we’ve heard your lies too many times of six ponies who had some how come together to stop us from our plans and one of those ponies happened to be your very own student, and you are to expect us to believe you didn’t have a hoof in any of it.” Night mare Moon said looking over to her side. Celestia was silent, this made the midnight Alicorn mare frown even deeper as she said “hmph a likely story, it’s no wonder you have failed so miserably but also seek our forgiveness, look how far you’ve fallen Celestia.” Celestia extended one of her forelegs to reach the midnight Alicorn but she started to walk away as she said, “Sister please you can’t…” “There is nothing more to speak of this subject we tire of it, we’ve only come to tell you that we are aware of this foalish rebellion that wishes to dethrone me and place you back in the light, but worry not sister we consider ourselves as a malevolent ruler so once this rebellion has been found and captured they shall not be imprisoned no dear sister perish the thought, they shall be banish to the frosty north there they shall freeze or shall I send them to the mines.” Nightmare Moon said with a laughter that echoes throughout the room. “Have I truly lost you Luna?” Celestia said to herself then turned her head and looked at the statue of the closed eyed unicorn and continues, “My faithful student I’m so sorry for all of this.” just then another voice echoed throughout the room, “Well..well..well this is a surprise, talking to a little statue will not remedy this situation, but princess you of all should know that is not your sister……well that’s not entirely true.” Hearing this Nightmare Moon and Celestia looked around the room as the voice continued, “This, Princess Celestia is just your sister possessed by something call the Nightmare force.” “Who dares to enter my throne room, show thineself whelp.” Nightmare Moon said, “Oh my apologies dear mistress of the moon I’m kind of new at this.” The voice said. Both Mares looked frantically until they spotted a small dragon walking towards them. Nightmare Moon saw this and shouted, “Spike how dare you..” “Oh no no no Princess I am not Spike, but he is indisposed of for the moment.” the dragon said while touching each statue along the way. “What, then who are you?” Nightmare Moon said, “Oh my apologies again I’ve forgotten that I am in the company of the royal Alicorn sisters.” the dragon said as he came into view. It was a pale gray and dark yellow dragon with black and red gradient hair going down from the top of its head trailing along its back to the tip of its tail as well a little under its chin, two yellow horns that bend to the back of his head wearing a red cloak that seems to be hiding his wings, one long tooth and his eyes are red as crimson holding some sort of scepter with a dark jewel on top of it, and continued as he bowed, “You may call me Sharp tooth.” “You have our attention, speak little dragon what is it you want.” Nightmare Moon said, “Ah to the point I like that, ahem well I’m here to offer a proposition.” Sharp tooth said, “A proposition you say and what would you have for one who rules all of Equestria.” Nightmare Moon said jokingly, “Ah well as I said I know you’re not the real Princess Luna” Sharp tooth paused then continued, “well that’s not entirely true you are her just possessed by the Nightmare force from the moon am I right.” Sharp tooth said while grinning evilly, upon hearing this Nightmare moon frowned but then chuckled at him and said, “Oh we see, you are part of that foalish rebellion, so I should just turn you into stone like those who sort to come after us before you.” “Oh you won’t do that or more like you can’t.” Sharp tooth said with his grin getting wider “Oh, so please enlighten us on to why.” Nightmare Moon said as eyes turned brilliant white and points her horn at the dragon “Ah yes well for two reasons, one I am not part of this rebellion you speak of, and two I’m far more powerful than you can ever be.” Sharp tooth said then smiles devilishly “Oh really why don’t we see for ourselves.” Nightmare Moon said, Just then she shot out a dark blue ball of energy from her horn heading straight for the little dragon, but Sharp tooth just yawned as it got closer, then effortlessly he just batted it away the wand as if it was a fly. Nightmare moon saw this growled in anger then raised her horn and emitted lightning that seemed to strike towards the little dragon, but he just slowly step from side to side as he moved closer, but then in a haze of smoke disappeared and reappeared in front of Nightmare Moon staring her in the eyes and smiling evilly while placing the crystal end of the scepter gently on her chest, then suddenly a low humming sound could be heard and the white light emanating from his wand and in a bright flash a wave of energy shot out of the wand and struck her a force of a battering ram projecting her to the throne pinning her against the back of it. Sharp tooth smiled with such devilish delight as he walked towards his quarry listening intensively to her screaming in pain as if it was a child’s lullaby all the while as the bombarding beam of light changed into a multitude of colors resembling that of a rainbow. Celestia seeing this, slowly stood up and shouted, “Enough Sir Sharp tooth she has had enough.” Sharp tooth’s smile just widened exposing his sharp teeth as he said, “Oh no my dear Celestia she hasn’t, now watch as I make her bow down to me like a little foal should.” the wave of colors got brighter and Nightmare Moon screams intensified as tears started to form from her eyes, Celestia seeing this lowered her head and closed her eyes and concentrated as it emanated a yellow and whitish energy from her horn. Sharp tooth just laughed at Nightmare Moon and shouted, “Well your highness do you see now, do you see just how weak you truly are against me, ME a mere “lowly” dragon. So tell me how does it feel to be put through so much pain and humiliation by this lowly dragon huh! Do you understand now, you….” But sharp tooth was interrupted but Celestia shouting from behind him, “Leave my sister alone!” and shot out a large ball of lightning which speedily head towards Sharp tooth, but with one hand he held the ball of energy in place, Celestia gasped at the site. Sharp tooth then lifted the it up and it shot like a rocket through the ceiling leaving a hole in its path and dispersed into the night sky, Sharp tooth then ceased his attack on the midnight alicorn and turned his attention on the caged Celestia as her sister’s body falls on the throne unconscious. The dragon then pointed his scepter at her, soon the a dark aura was emitting from it, but the alabaster alicorn stood her ground with her head held high and her eyes focused on his. Sharp tooth frowned at this display of bravery and said, “I don’t understand you, seriously I truly can not understand you. Your sister, this retched waste of space not only turned six of your subjects into stone, one of which is your faithful student I may add, but also rules your lands through fear, and puts you in a cage that not only drains you of your magic but also leaving you as helpless as a little flightless bird but yet hehe… yet you still protect her, Why? I see no logic with that.” “Regardless of what she has done she is still my sister and I shall not abandon her, and if what you said is true that she is merely possessed then she shouldn’t be at fault for what has transpired here.” Celestia said weakly standing her ground. “If that’s what you think then…” Sharp tooth said. but stopped and lowered his scepter as the energy faded, and place it in his cloak and said, “Hmph fine I’ll comply to your request only because I have more pressing matters to attend to.” with that he walked towards her and grabbed a purple jewel from her necklace and disappeared and reappeared in front of the closed eyed unicorn statue wearing a crown. The dragon studied the statue and muttered to himself, “This will do as well just in case Celestia’s jewel dosen’t work as an anchor as well as a little of something else.” He was reaching towards it as Celestia shouted, “No, leave Twilight alone!” “Relax you little gilded bird I am not going to harm her.” Sharp tooth said as he crabbed the crown and tucked both items in his cloak, then in a haze of smoke disappeared and reappear again in front of Nightmare moon who was regaining consciousness, pointing his scepter at her head. Celestia saw this and shouted, “Sister!” But just then a bolt of energy flew right pass her grazing her cheek. Wide eyed she looked to Sharp Tooth as one of his fingers was extended with a little of smoke coming from the tip, “Silence you fallen sun goddess, the grownups are talking now,” Sharp tooth said as he grinned, “or else the next one one will do more than caress your cheek.” As Nightmare Moon regains consciousness she looks to see Sharp tooth giving her a cold emotionless stare with one foot on her chest, coming to terms of what she knows what going to happen next she closes her eyes and says, “You have bested us, we are at your mercy do what you will.” Sharp tooth just smiled evilly and says, “Indeed I have and now admitting to this I have one thing to ask of you,” he moved closer to Nightmare Moon and continued, “how would you like to have enough power to rule these lands without any type of resistance from anyone er any pony?” Nightmare Moon just stared at him in shock scuffed and said, “Do you forget I do rule these lands and with my power alone.” “Oh I don’t mean this kind of power I am talking real power, power to have anyone even your sister to kneel before you, the kind of power that the mere utterance your name would make even the bravest Pony to quiver in fear, the Name Nightmare Moon would strike fear even the villains of past and future a like, what I demonstrated is a mere fraction of the power I wish to offer you.” Sharp tooth said as he lowers the scepter and extended his claw to helped the alicorn to her hooves. “Interesting, and you can give us this power?” Nightmare Moon said regaining her composure. “Yes and much more if you so wish it, but all you have to do is take that first step and take it.” Sharp tooth said while placing his hand on her shoulder Nightmare Moon rubs a hoof under her chin as she ponders this, “For what he says is true then perhaps it’s better for us to take him up on his offer, if it’s anything like the magic he displayed then it shall be worth it.” she then nodded her head and said, “Thou has convinced us Sir Sharp tooth we accept.” “Excellent, now we can make our way.” Sharp tooth said, as he whirled his scepter a bright flash appeared and soon a whirling vortex of energy appeared displaying many different colors, and continued, “Now my princess what do you know of Parallel worlds?” “Only a little through old text, why do you ask this?” Nightmare Moon replied, “Well this is a portal that can take you to other alternate worlds parallel to this one some with small changes to your version other with extreme changes from your view for instance,” Sharp tooth said then with a wave of his scepter the inside of the vortex seemed to shifted but inside showed a scene of her getting hit with wave of rainbow energy, Nightmare Moon raised an eye brow as the little dragon continued, “just think of it, a world where you have been defeated,” he wave his scepter again showing her sister and her but smaller waving to a large crowd, “but only to go on living in peace with your sister and everyone Ahem sorry every pony around.” Sharp tooth said, “This is starting to displease us dragon.” Nightmare Moon said with a frown on her muzzle. “Ah but look at it in another way. You, well the now you enters that world and take it over without even so much as breaking a sweat.” Sharp tooth said. “Go on.” Nightmare Moon said. “Well through here can be that world and it’s all yours for the taking, Hmph your sister known of this as well as she has gone to an alternate world herself, but after some ehhh events she then chose not to intervene with another reality’s progress, well only when it suits her needs anyway.” Sharp tooth said while pointing to Celestia. Nightmare Moon widened her eyes in shock and thought, "What. She has gone to other worlds but how and when, perhaps after her banishing me to the moon or maybe before my banishment, but then how, through that mirror I've found, with the help of that old wizard no less." then she said, “If this is true then… then..” Nightmare Moon said, “No sister, we are to never interfere with another world’s well-being…” Celestia interrupted. “You will be silence sister!” Nightmare Moon quickly said in a loud booming while stomping a hoof, she then turned to Sharp tooth and continued, “Then let us go sir Sharp tooth.” “Great because that rebellion you mentioned should be waking up any moment now so we should get going.” Sharp tooth said. Just then loud noises could be heard from outside as Sharp tooth walked into the portal followed by Nightmare Moon but she paused to looked at her sister and said, “Fare thee well sister you can have this world for now but the day upon my return it will be your last and I will show these sun loving ponies who should really be on the throne.” just then the doors burst open and in came a Pony dressed in a purple and black schemed outfit with a wide brim hat with a bow on with a familiar little purple and green dragon on its back, with dozens of other ponies charging in, she then walked into the portal laughing, the last thing she heard was Celestia shouting, “No wait, Luna!” Upon entering the portal Nightmare Moon can hear the last word of her sister echoing through as she was slowly flying down a long pathway and filled with visions of events that has and haven’t happened,all being displayed in multitude of colors, some events being played the same as she remembers but with slight and significant difference, as she looks forward she sees her dragon traveler, he turns towards the midnight princess and said, “Ah Nightmare Moon I was thinking you had second guessed yourself and decided not to come.” “We are always decisive dragon, but we do have a question?” Nightmare Moon said. “Of course your highness ask away for I am here to please.” Sharp tooth said turning to his back. “Thou have known of the nightmare force but how, none are to known of its existence save me and my sister, so how can you.” Nightmare Moon said. “Ah that can be answered once we reached our destination.” Sharp tooth said as he pointed to another portal just ahead of them. Location: Unknown city, but looks familar As they exit the portal, the two looked around and saw that they were in some sort of kingdom but the houses were in shambles and deserted, the streets were old and dirty with no signs of life, the area was covered in black crystals protruding from the ground, the sky was covered with black and red clouds, behind them looked to be the entrance and outside it looked ravaged by time and barren of life with what looked like large crimson red crystals emanating yellow beams of light in a sweeping motion. Nightmare Moon looked at Sharp tooth with a puzzled expression and said, “Is this the world you promised us, this barren and dilapidated wasteland, with flying crystals?” “Oh no my princess this is but mere stop on our journey, we are here to pick up something and someone uh pony.” Sharp tooth replied. “Oh and pray tell who that would be.” Nightmare Moon said. “Oh I can’t just ruin the surprise now can I, I mean this place should be quite familiar to you, but for now let us head to that castle.” Sharp tooth said as he pointed to a long path way moving up a hill and at the top sits dark foreboding castle which seems to be to Nightmare Moon constructed in some perfect fusion of stone and crystal and floating around it are two more of those crystals she noticed from before. As they walked Nightmare Moon looked at her surroundings and notice a familiar structure and gasped and said, “Sharp tooth answer us, are we in the Crystal Empire.” “Y..es, well we're in the new Crystal Empire but it's called the city of Dark Shard, capital of the Sombrian Empire the old Crystal Empire is in a rather ruined state at the moment.” Sharp tooth said as they continued walking. “So we are here to see…” Nightmare Moon said as she frowned, but was interrupted by Sharp tooth, “King Sombra? Yes, yes we are.” Nightmare moon frowned upon this then in a haze of shadowy smoke disappeared, zipped past him and reappeared in front of him and stared at Sharp tooth as her eyes glowed white and said, “Ok that is far enough dragon, you are going to tell us everything we wish to know, now!” Sharp tooth blinked a few times, said, “You know you’re very cute when you angry.” Nightmare Moon’s eyes began to glow brighter, “Do not try my patience Dragon.” Fine fine very well but not here, come with me and I shall answer all of your questions.” he then looked around and saw one of the old houses that looked decent for what he wanted, with its door intact and open, he point to it and said, “Let us head to that house there to avoid spying eyes.” and started their way there. Inside the old home there was dust and cobwebs covering everything from the chairs and tables to the walls, sink, and beds, pieces of crystal were littered throughout the area. Sharp tooth closed the door and with a wave of his right hand dark red rune covered the area from the floors to the walls and then faded as if the were never there, he turn to the Alicorn and said, “Ok we should be safe in here,I’ve put a spell of covert silence so none besides us can hear what we’re talking about. Now what is it you wish to know?” “Firstly my question from before how is it thou has known of us, secondly what are you, clearly you are a dragon but I sense you are more than what you lead us to believe.” Nightmare Moon said. Sharp tooth sighed and said, “Ok first as you should know I am not of your world or this one.” “We have deduced this already dragon.” Nightmare Moon said. “Yes but what you don’t know I’m..” Sharp tooth paused for a moment as he hummed and stroked his long tooth then continued, “I’m what you would call a Shape-shifter or the closes thing is a changeling minus the whole draining emotions thing.” “What impossible changelings are nothing but ponyifed bugs, even if you are what you say is true they do not posses even a fraction of magic that thou has demonstrated.” Nightmare Moon said, but just then she saw the dragon suddenly turned in to a black shadow like figure and soon formed into herself. The second Nightmare Moon fluttered her eyes and said, “Do you like what you see?” The alicorn was taken back by this, as the second Nightmare Moon looking herself over, “You must excuse the whole bit with the shadows but see me transform is a little unnerving to some.” Now to say she was lost for words would be an exaggeration as many thoughts raced through her mind until she was able to say, “Wha..how..you are a changeling!” “Yes and no as I’ve said the close’s thing to my kind would be changelings due to both of us can change into any form but while they feed on a being’s emotion mainly love my kind do not,” the second Nightmare Moon said as she started to pace back and forth “oh sure if I were to change into a changeling how ever redundant that may be I would have to feed on love just as if I were to change into a diamond dog, a griffon, or a dragon I would require to eat ehhh meat. So to make little explanation even shorter what ever form I take I have to eat what it eats, but no matter what form I take there is one thing that my kind does that no changeling can do…” Sharp tooth said, but then changed back to normal and continued, “for you see my kind obtain all the knowledge through touch from our hands as long as it’s a living thing or was a living thing in some cases, haven’t you noticed me touching those statues in your throne room when I entered.” Nightmare moon thought for a minute and answered, “Yes but we thought of you as well um…” “Regardless that’s how I know about you well that and at the fact I’ve been to other parallel worlds with the same results of your conquest of having everlasting night but in that world the Celestia of those found out about this nightmare forces on the moon which answers your second of question.” Sharp tooth said while scratching his long fang. “So if what you say is true and it was similar to mine own then why have me follow you to this world for a world you described to me earlier and why are we seeking the king Sombra of this world.” Nightmare moon said as she was regaining her composure. “Ah well it is quite obvious really...well to me that is, I didn’t kill you.” Sharp Tooth said with a smug smile. “What!?” Nightmare Moon said with widened eyes “Yes I didn’t kill you, but lets be clear I don’t care you die or live I only care about just completing my all time goal even if I have to make deals to who ever wishes to follow me.” Sharp Tooth answered Nightmare Moon remained stoic as she said, “And Sombra?” “Oh another easy one, I’ve visited here well before seeing you, and just like you for your world helped him in his conquest but unlike you and every other version of you who I’ve helped within the shadows Sombra I’ve openly helped him.” Nightmare Moon eyes went wide as he said that then he continued “Oh please didn’t think that certain things happened that were too convenient.” “Uh…well…we…” was all Nightmare Moon could say “Anyway after I helped him I offered him the same deal I did you but he refused so I told him I’d return and here I am, I would have come back here earlier but I figured he didn’t believe me when I told him I travel to different realities so having you here is pretty much a bonus but also well…let’s just say you’re a bigger piece of the game board.” Sharp tooth said. “So we are to be your pawn then.” Nightmare Moon said angrily. “Oh no no no my dear, pawns are meant to be sacrificed and you are not and let us leave it at that, besides does it really matter I mean you’ll be getting what you want right.” Sharp tooth said to that Nightmare Moon nodded and answered, “Correct that is all that matters to us.” “Good now let us be off I suspect he already knows we’re coming.” Sharp Tooth said and with a flick of his claw the door opened and out they went.
Chapter 2: The dark king and the student (RW)Chapter 2: The Dark King and the student Location: The city of Dark Shard, city square. As the two exited the old house Sharp tooth looks around and in the distance sees a fountain that seemed to have dried up years prior but what drawn his attention to it was figure stand next to it, seeing this the little dragon an idea came across him, “That maybe just what I need.” and heads to it with the midnight mare following close behind. As the two continue to walk Nightmare Moon was observing their surrounding more closely, as she scans the area some things that she didn’t notice before, for one thing there were not a living soul around, no birds, squirrels or any other animal that would run around any town or city, as well as there were no ponies, none of the citizens of this once city, all that surround them as dead silence that was broken by the occasional wind blowing some piece of litter that was on the ground. This brought a slight shiver down the Alicorn’s spine because to her this place remind her of the many years trap on her moon surrounded by the silence that permeated around them, a silence that was like a thick fog that’s attempting to smother them, with quick shake of her head the black Alicorn mare banished her thoughts of fear, seconds later she spots Sharp Tooth by an old dried up fountain and moves to him. As Nightmare Moon got closer she notices that her dragon escort was standing in front of a crystal statue of a unicorn stallion but something was different and kind of odd to her, upon further inspection the unicorn statue was too detailed for it to be any ordinary crystal statue from the mane and fur to the armor it donned and tail, then she paused as her eyes widened at a realization crossing her mind, “Tis was a pony of flesh and blood, this world’s Sombra has reached a new height of cruelty?” Nightmare Moon moved closer and noticed another pony statue but this one is of a little unicorn filly holding tightly to one of the stallion’s hind legs with the look of sheer terror within her eyes frozen for all those who pass to see, her attention then turned to Sharp tooth who seemed to be examining them all the while stoking his chin as if to be in deep thought. The dragon walked around the two and then said to no one in particular, “Ah so he’s been utilizing one of my spells but to what degree I wonder.” Upon hearing this Nightmare moon said through grit teeth, “You taught something like this to Sombra, art thou mad?” Then she noticed Sharp Tooth reaching his arm towards the stallion and asked, “What are you about to do? Without looking at her Sharp tooth answered, “Oh I’m going to get some information from these two.” Sharp tooth answered. “You’ve told us that you have been here before, what use would that be to you now?” Nightmare moon asked, but Sharp tooth just ignored her as he closed his eyes and place a claw on the crystal stallion's chest, then almost instantaneous his head jolted upward shaking and his eyes shot open and gave off a vacant look as visions of events pasted played out within his mind, moments later he quickly withdrew his claw and shook his head and started panting slowly and upon seeing this Midnight Alicorn moved closer to the panting dragon and said, "Sir Sharp Tooth are thou alright?" Sharp tooth just just answered with a devious smile and started to laugh maniacally as we wiped a little sweat from his brow, he soon regained his composure and said with his arms apart, “Ah…I see, so that’s what happened here, this is an intriguing find indeed.” Nightmare Moon arched her brow but then frowned and said, “We are puzzled dragon, we demand you tell us what you have found out this instant.” “Well according to this one here,” Sharp tooth said pointing to the stallion and continued “it has been four years since the last time I’ve been here and Sombra has taken over all of Equestria or six years of your world’s time this is most interesting…” he then looked up to the castle, scratched his long tooth and whispered, “most interesting indeed.” “How did he do this, we must know.” Nightmare moon said “Becoming quite the curious one aren’t we princess.” Sharp tooth said sighed then continued, “Ok but let us walk and talk I wish to move along from here post haste, I do not wish for us to be found.” Nightmare moon nodded and they started walking a rather large dark castle all the while telling her of the events that had transpired. Location: Dark Shard castle Moments later they have reached the castle doors and Sharp tooth said, “And after the defeated your sister, the Luna of this world and the others, they turned them into crystal using a modified version of my spell, I mean it’s an ingenious way of torture having the victim turn into crystal all while keeping them consciousness so they can see and hear everything that’s going on, as well as placing command seals within them making them the ultimate soldiers and hostages all at the same time.” The midnight mare disliked what was told to her but had to agree although cowardly in her eyes it was great way to both deal with those that would try to rise up and overthrow you but also put great amount of fear within the hearts of those you ruled. Nightmare moon looked to the pale dragon in front of her who was waiting for her to respond with is arms spread out, “Yes, verily so dragon. Prithee where are the Celestia and Luna of this world as well as the guards?” Sharp tooth turned to the large doors and answered, “If I’m correct they should be decorated throughout the castle.” “Interesting, and for what you tell us is true, Sombra and his apprentice could be far more powerful than even you.” Nightmare moon said. “Not quite my dear Moon saying that would be like saying a unicorn who just learned a levitation spell is the more powerful than you and your sister combined, for them to be even even the tiniest of a threat to me they would have to have their power combined and would have to be up there with the cosmos. Comparing me to anyone pony or other wise would be insulting I mean they couldn’t do anything without my help.” “Is that so?” Nightmare moon said with and arched eyebrow “Oh quite so my dear, it was only just the two of them against the entire nation of Equestria, yes they were able to take the crystal empire but that was child er uh foals play compared to attacking let alone conquering Equestria, but if you still think they pose a threat then worry not your highness I have a trump card.” Sharp tooth said “Oh and what is this trump card you speak of?” Nightmare moon asked. “Why you are my dear,” Sharp tooth said while pointing to her and continued, “for you see they defeated Luna but not you Nightmare moon, and as I’ve seen from countless realities you are far more powerful than her.” The dragon then opened the doors and what he saw was not what he expected,not that there were ponies turned into crystal statues were in different poses holding different objects such as plants, unlit torches and other things, what surprised the dragon was that the entire hallway was lavished so fancy with a decor of red carpeting and curtains to match and pictures of Sombra sitting in his throne regally but in different situations. Nightmare Moon looked with disgust as it reminded her of a certain spoiled brat pain in the flank of pony, she then looked to Sharp Tooth and could hear him muttering, “Wha..what is this? Where’s the doom and gloom, th..the installation of fear? When one enters here its suppose to instill the kind of fear that would make it last for years on end, not this.” With a heavy sigh he walked in followed by the Alicorn of nightmares with the doors slowly closing behind them. Loaction: Dark Shard Castle interior As they walked along the halls they noticed that the statues eyes followed them to which Sharp tooth thought, “Ehh at lease they got something right, nice touch though.” but there weren’t any guards or any of the castle attendees anywhere, even stranger was the further they went the darker the hall was getting even when the hall split, each walk way had a different contrast of darkness from pitch black to some semblance of light in it. The two soon reached another set of large double doors. Sharp tooth place a claw on one of the doors and was about to push it open but stopped and with turning to face her Sharp tooth said to Nightmare Moon, “Princess, if you would be so kind as to indulge me, I would very much so like you remain here for a moment I would be ever so greatful.” “What!? You would have us wait here as if we are some foal?” Nightmare moon said in disgust. “No, no my dear as I stated before you’re my trump card and I would not like to show all my cards in the beginning if I can.” Sharp tooth said, Nightmare moon frowned deeply, sighed lightly and nodded. “I thank you my lady, now is time to put on a show.” Sharp tooth said and opened one of the doors and entered the room. Once inside the throne room he noticed more black crystals protruding from the ground that seems to form a path to the center of the room as well as more crystal statues of other ponies all he had recognized too well and said to himself, “It seems these ponies may play a major role in these worlds progress, not only did I see them in this world but also in Nightmare moon’s world too, this is most interesting.” then looked forward to see two figures, a tall one sitting in a throne while the other a smaller one was surrounded by four stacks of books laying down looking into what he could make out a book while two scrolls, a quill, and another book levitated in the air surrounded by a dark purple energy. The tall figure was a dark grey male unicorn with a spiky mane and tail, a curved smooth sharp tipped horn that gradients form dark grey to red. He has two visible fangs, he has Brilliant scarlet eyes with purple mist emanating from them with red irises, wearing silver armor on his legs and neck, a crown with horn-like point in his head, the smaller one was a dark purple colored female alicorn, her mane and tail is a dark moderate sapphire blue with a dark moderate violet and brilliant rose streaks and wearing a dark silver armor on her legs and neck with a six pointed dark purple sparkle in the front of it on her flank is a mark of a six-pointed dark pink sparkle surrounded by five small black sparkles, her wings although the same color as her coat but it it gets darker until the tip of her wings, her horn and hooves seem to give off a ghostly whitish glow around them and her horn that gradients from dark purple to dark red at the tip and her eyes giving off the same dark mist like the male unicorn. Sharp tooth continued to walk towards them and said, “Ah hello oh great king Sombra it has been some time, I see you’ve increased your rule and your apprentice seems to becoming more matured in the dark arts.” King sombra just looked at him and said in a low somewhat distorted echoing voice, “Ah dragon you’ve seemed to have disappeared out of nowhere last we met and now you returned on the anniversary of my new kingdom no less. I’ve had my troops to search for your where abouts since that day and now I can end that search.” “Oh you have my most humblest apologies oh great King Sombra, but I had other things that required my attention, namely to make sure there were no secret society out there to pose a threat to your great rule of course.” Sharp tooth said as he bowed down, the unicorn king just nodded. the female Alicorn lifted her head from her book and looked at him and said, “You’re the one who aided us from before.” “That is correct Miss Twilight…” Sharp tooth said but was quickly interrupted, “That's Empress Midnight Sparkle to you.” Midnight Sparkle said with her eye turned brilliant white. “Ah Yes my apologies Empress Sparkle. I see that little hiccup hasn’t prevent your growth in magic but I’m not here to that or idle chit-chat I’m here for business.” Sharp tooth said then turned to King Sombra and continued, “Your majesty have you thought about my offer?” “Offer?” King Sombra replied. “Why yes, the offer we spoke about prior of my departure, but I wish to add a little something into the mix.” Sharp tooth said. “Ah yes I remember and my answer is the same no.” King sombra said. “Oh, too quickly you refuse it even before I show you what extra I am offering.” Sharp tooth said as he extended his hand and in a black and green blaze appeared the a golden tiara studded with sapphires and a magenta star shaped gem which levitated ever so slightly and then continued, “Do you know what this is?” the two looked at the object that's float and lightly pulsing a white aura, Midnight sparkle gasped and said, “That’s the element of magic from the elements of harmony, but..but how, that should not be here not after It's corruption by my dark magic.” “So what is your plan dragon, to use that to cooperate with or to maybe end my life.” King sombra said as his eyes started to turn brilliant white, “Well you see..” Sharp tooth said but was stopped when an unknown force had a grip on his neck and he slowly rose from the ground, he looks to see the dark lavender Alicorn standing with her horn emanating black and dark purple energy and is aimed towards him and the mist around her eyes glowed brighter as she shouts, “You will not harm my master!” Sharp tooth stared at her with a bored look on his face then tucking the crown back into his cloak and said, “I.... really don’t think you should do that my dear.” “Oh yeah and why’s that?” Midnight sparkle said through narrowed eyes, “Well…” Sharp Tooth said when suddenly a bolt of dark blue energy collided with the alicorn and sent her flying to the wall, and in entered Nightmare moon with her horn illuminating of blue aura around it, she slowly walks down wearing an emotionless look. Sharp Tooth land on the floor, cleared his throat and said, “I thank you my dear but I could’ve handled that myself you know.” "Forgive us Sir Sharp tooth for we could not stand to just sit idly by any longer as well we were merely protecting our investment." King sombra Looked in shock and said, “What, Princess Luna how is this possible, you should be a crystal statue.” “Yes, but we are not Luna but Nightmare Moon but rest assured she is a crystal statue by the looks of the ones by the windows.” Nightmare moon said as she points towards two crystal alicorn statues by a window, she then turns her attention towards Midnight Sparkle who had shook her head then gave a look of bewilderment then anger. Nightmare moon stopped in front of the fallen alicorn whose eyes are not only filled with anger and hatred and noticed the illuminating green and dark purple mist like smoke emanating from the ends of her eyes and said, “You. Thou art mine sister’s pupil are you not?” she brought her head close to the smaller Alicorn's until they were nose to nose, she then unfolded her right wing and flicked her on the nose and continued, “Hmph we see you have been enthralled by Sombra’s dark magic, hardly worth my time.” “Oh yeah, well let me show you what I have….” Midnight sparkle said, “Enough.” King sombra said interrupting them as his voice echoing throughout the room, “But master she…” Midnight Sparkle said, but was interrupted by King Sombra eyes glowed white as here stared at her as he said, “I said enough my pupil, I shall not repeat myself is that clear.” Midnight sparkle closed her eyes and lowered her head and said in a saddened tone, “As you wish master Sombra.” Sharp tooth walked over to Midnight moon, notices a slight smile and said, “Well you seem pretty happy for what you did.” “T’was nothing, and yes we quite enjoyed it.” Nightmare moon said as the smile grew. King Sombra looked at Nightmare moon and rubbed his chin in thought, “How could she be here and not crystalized, as Nightmare moon no less, unless she is not her at all, but everything about this one is exactly the same from her mannerism, to the way she looks down on others, she can’t be a simple fake a copy maybe perhaps from that mirror pool that was found.” Sharp tooth saw King Sombra staring at Nightmare Moon and said with a smirked look on his face , “I know what you are thinking Sombra and to answer your query is she is the genuine article the real Nightmare Moon but not of this world.” “What.” King Sombra said with the look of shock on him. “Allow me to explain, you see she is from a world where she has taken over when she returned, at that time your pupil and her friends have failed to stop her and were turned to stone.” Sharp tooth said, he then snapped his fingers and the element of magic appeared floating beside him as continued, “I was going to show you this because I knew of what happened to the elements of harmony here and well you know the rest.” “Hmm yes.” King Sombra said as he rubbed his chin and Midnight Sparkle sat next to him “I came to tell you that I can give you another world to conquer or to put it plainly conquer it with your own power, I mean yes you conquered all of this world’s Equestria but you’ve had help, from an outsider no less but not only that I also know you’ve been wondering if you could do it again now that you’re at your full power.” Sharp tooth said, he then walked over to the crystal statue of Princess Celestia then continued, “Oh sure you could de-crystalize her but that wouldn’t be a challenge, so you sit and wonder how can you get more of a challenge. So now I’m giving you a choice, either come with us to a world where you can really cut loose, you can even bring your pet student with you…” Midnight frown at that last comment “or stay here and always wonder what if and be bored, so what do you say I mean you have to agree for not only will it relieve your boredom but you would be extending you rule into another world.” King Sombra thought about this as he rubbed his chin, after a few moments and answered, “Very well dragon we are at an agreement, we shall accompany you to these other worlds.” Sharp tooth clap his hands together and said, “Excellent but we just need two things before we depart.” “And which is?” Sombra asked, and in a black haze Sharp tooth moved to Midnight sparkle touched her head then in a flash disappeared then reappeared holding a golden crown with a red jewel in the middle of it and a black amulet with a shape of an alicorn head on top of it and a crimson gem in the middle of it. Midnight sparkle saw them and yelled, “What are you doing with Celestia’s crown and the alicorn amulet?” “Nothing threatening to your king I can assure you.” Sharp tooth said as he tucked the items in his cloak then pulled out the red stared wand, whirled it around and a portal appeared. King Sombra smiled and said, “Hmm that’s some interesting magic you just performed I had no idea dragons can wield magic of this caliber.” “Well…” Sharp tooth said, but just then a commotion was heard from outside and in came a large group of ponies and other creatures led by a Pony dressed in a purple and black schemed outfit with a wide brim hat with a bow on by its figure it was a mare. Nightmare moon saw this and said, “That’s the same pony I saw in my world. We believe that one was called Mare do well.” “Really? Hmm well no matter we’ll be leaving this place.” Sharp tooth said just then a white unicorn with a mane and tail of moderate dark sapphire blue with and dark blue hooves walked through the crowd and said, “King sombra your evil reign of terror is at an end, we are here to stop you and get my sister back.” but was shocked to see a familiar figure stand tall glaring at the group with an icy cold stare and said, “Princess Luna but how..” Nightmare moon only scoffed at the comment and walked into the portal followed by King sombra. Midnight sparkle tiled her head up and gave wicked smile as her horn emitted black and purple energy and said, “Well if it isn’t my big brother, coming here to bring me back, well I’m sorry Shinny but I’m never going back to being your sweet and innocent little Twily. Well sorry to burst your bubble Shining but I like having this power, I’m not weak or being depended on by Celestia for saving the world from some mistake of hers of that week. I'm not going to give this up, ponies fear me because I have it and not you, Cadence, nor any other pony will change my mind.” She then pointed her horn him and shot out a ball of dark energy. As it flew towards the unicorn stallion all seemed to be in slow motion as he closed his eyes preparing for the sudden impact, but just then Mare do well quickly ran in front of Shining armor and with her horn glowing light blue deflected it to the side. Midnight Sparkle saw this and said, “Well if it isn’t my old foal-sister, I know it’s you in that ridiculous get up Cadance and it seems that you’ve improved on your magic since we’ve last met, but I can’t play with you right now with so much to do but I’ll be back and we can have all the fun we want.” She looked at her brother with a devilish smile and continued, “Oh and Shinny as a show of what little sisterly love I have for you when I return I’ll be visiting you first and then we can talk about all the good old times and how I’m going torture you.” and with that she walked into the portal, with her brother shouting while running to her, “Twilight wait” but was suddenly stopped by an invisible force. Sharp tooth saw this smiled and said “Aww sorry Shining Armor but I can’t have you ruining my plans now.” “Who are you and where you going with my sister!” Shining armor shouted as he pounding the invisible wall with his hooves, “Oh don’t worry Mr shinny hero she’ll be in my good capable hands, but when we return she’ll be better than ever ta-ta.” Sharp tooth said and started walking into the portal but stopped and said, “Oh before I go let me leave you with a sort of a memento of this occasion, hope you’ll like it.” then snapped his fingers and all the crystal statues started to turn into flesh and blood, but just sat there with blank lifeless stares, "Have fun taking care of them, oh and a word of advice diapers are a must." Sharp tooth laughs as he walk into the portal and in a flash it and he and the portal was gone.
Chapter 3: the Annoyance and A plan for conquestChapter 3: The Plan Back with Nightmare moon she exits the portal and sees she’s in some sort of cavern of some sort with a large pool of water and a twisted slope that seems to lead out of the area, soon after King Sombra walked out of the portal followed by Midnight sparkle and later Sharp tooth. They all walked around the area, Nightmare looked up and saw nothing but darkness and said, “We must be somewhere in the Everfree forest.” she then closed her eyes and lifted her head as her horn started to glow and continued, "Yes we are in there Everfree forest I am certain of this." “How do you know this?” King Sombra asked, “The magic in this place, even here I can feel it but it feels different from what I remember.” Nightmare moon answered. “That because of this world and my tampering of this area.” Sharp tooth said, “Explain.” Midnight sparkle said. “Ah but that is for another time but first let us leave this place and if I’m correct then we should be where we need to be.” Sharp tooth said while pointing towards the twisted slope. As they reached the top something was blocking the way, Midnight Sparkle's horn glowed Dark purple as well as whatever was blocking their way and was levitated upward and revealed to be a boulder was covering a hole, they all proceeded out and Midnight sparkle released the boulder and it dropped covering the hole. They all looked around to see themselves in a dark forest of some sort, the ground was full of moss and broken twigs and leaves, the trees seemed to grow to a point where they looked like they were trying to hide the sky but as the four looked at them to see the sky they could tell it was night time, King Sombra was the first to speak, “So this is the Everfree Forest of this world, hmm nothing seems to have changed much from my world, but in my world I had it burned to ground.” “Hmm yes that would seem to be your forte Sombra while as in my world I had a prison built there, and it is far more feared than Tartarus.” Nightmare Moon said, just then Sharp tooth dropped to one knee covering his right eye with his right hand, Nightmare Moon saw this and asked, “Sir Sharp tooth are you alright?” just then as quickly as that little episode started it stopped, Sharp tooth regained his composure and said, “Yes I am fine Princess just a little drained is all, but forget about that we need a place to lay low until morning.” “There is the old castle of the royal pony sisters, if it still exists here it should be not too far from here.” Midnight Sparkle said, “Then that’s where we need to go and I can tell you everything you wish to know there.” Sharp tooth said and they started walking deeper into the forest. As they walked further King Sombra noticed it had become unnaturally quiet, and thought to himself, 'hmm perhaps the creatures find us more threatening than anything else here, but I sense something or some pony is following us.' he then slowed his pace to meet Midnight Sparkle and whispered, “Do you sense that my student?” “Yes master, we are being followed should I let the others know of this.” Midnight Sparkle whispered back, “No I believe they know of this too but have chosen to do nothing and so shall we, whomever or whatever is following us shall reveal itself in time but stay ever alert understand.” King Sombra said. “Of course master Sombra.” Midnight Sparkle said. Nightmare moon glanced at the two behind them and whisper to Sharp tooth, “Sir Sharp tooth it would seem King Sombra and Sparkle are whispering something perhaps we should intervene in their conversation.” “No that won’t be necessary, they are talking about whatever is following us.” Sharp tooth said. “Oh, so you’ve noticed it as well?” Nightmare Moon said. “Yes to some ways back, who or whatever it is is giving off some strange energy, I guess it thought it could hide its self in here with the this forest’s magic, let it follow us it’ll show it’s self in time.” Sharp tooth whispered back and they all continued. After some time they've reached a large chasm with a makeshift bridge that stretched to the other side and there laid a ruined castle, they all walked along the bridge while periodically looking behind them, as they reached the other side Sharp tooth motioned them to continue into the castle, as they were far enough he cut the ropes with his claws which in turn caused the bridge to fall and walked on. Inside the castle it was dusty with crumbling statues, the curtains were ripped and torn due to the passage of time taking its toll on them, Nightmare Moon smile a little and said, “Just as I remember it, all shall follow we shall head into the royal library.” she started walking and they all followed. Inside the library there were stacks of books everywhere, Sharp tooth seemed to look around in amazement and said to himself, “This is fascinating so many books so much knowledge if I read these I could apply what I learn here to whatever parallel version of this world and succeed much more quickly, I have to keep this place in mind just in case.” Midnight sparkle walked around and said, “Never thought I'd back in this place again,” then turned to Sharp tooth and continued, “ok dragon we are here now tell us everything.” “Oh right of course.” Sharp tooth said as he shook his head, he then pulled out a metal cube placed it on top a stack of books and continued, “As you should have figured out but I am not from your world or any version of it let’s just say that with all the magic you possess you still won’t have a fraction of a chance to find it but forget that now, I am not what I appear to be I am what your people would call my kind are changelings or to be more precise a shape shifter.” “That’s ridiculous you look nothing like them, the changelings are insect-like ponies, most of them are just drones who follow orders of their queen and from what I’m seeing you’re not a queen,” Midnight sparkle shouted as she turned to King Sombra and continued, “Isn’t that right Master Sombra.” King Sombra remained silent just staring at Sharp tooth, studying him, then walked behind him and said, “My student he is not lying he is who or what he says.” “What, but how can you..” Midnight sparkle said. “Use your true eyes and you’ll see what I am talking about.” King Sombra said, but just then Sharp tooth changed into King Sombra and said, “Yes my student you should’ve done this from the start, know your surroundings at all times.” then turned back to his pervious form. Midnight sparkle just stared with her mouth open just speechless. King Sombra saw this and said, “Close your mouth my student it’s very unbecoming of you.” “R..r..right, of course master Sombra.” Midnight sparkle said and did as she was told, Nightmare moon just chuckled a little. Sharp tooth continued, “Now my species are kind of immortal, semi-immortal you might say, oh we age just at a slower rate than most species in the multiverse, and we obtain most knowledge through touch.” “Through touch,how is that possible?” King Sombra asked “Well the short and sweet of it, it’s like reading your mind and knowing anything and everything that you know.” Sharp tooth said. “So if what your saying is true then why would you need us.” Midnight sparkle said. “Ah that’s an excellent question my dear Midnight Sparkle, what I want is to conduct an experiment to see whether or not if darkness can truly thrive without any light. I mean you've all conquered your worlds that’s true but what about other worlds where the darkness has lost and to answer any other questions no you are not pawns but merely the main pieces of the chessboard, the pawns are the people,..." Sharp tooth said but was silent for a moment then continued, "Ahem sorry the ponies of this and other worlds," he then placed his right claw over his chest extended his left to the others and continued, "And I ask of this to you, will you help me on bringing darkness and chaos throughout the multiverse or you can return to your worlds and remember nothing of this.” “I’ve given you my answer sir Sharp tooth as well as you keeping your end of our deal.” Nightmare Moon said as she walked to his side. “But of course my word is my lifeline. And what of you two, you’ve come this far will you continue now that you know your part in this.” Sharp tooth said as he pointed to Sombra and his student. Midnight Sparkle just walked to Sombra and said, “Whatever my master wishes I shall gladly follow.” King Sombra looked at his student, rubbed his chin and thought, 'Hmm with his help my rule can stretch to multiple worlds, my reign would be everlasting far more than my master envisioned for me' then turned to Sharp tooth and said, “Then you may count on our dark magic.” "Excellent." Sharp tooth said. “But know this dragon I only obey my master Sombra only understand.” Midnight sparkle said. “I understand clearly.” Sharp tooth said, "I hope you do." Midnight Sparkle said then walked towards him with her horn emitting dark magic and her eyes turning white and a purple haze becoming visible at the edges of her eyes she walked towards him, as soon she was close to him she lowered her head to the point they were nose to nose and continued, “but know this too dragon, if you do anything that would put my master in danger I will not hesitate to end you.” “I wouldn’t have it any other way.” Sharp tooth said while smiling nervously “Good as long as we understand each other.” Midnight sparkle said as eyes reverted to normal and she started to trots back to her master. “Right, now that that's out of the way it's time for business.” Sharp tooth said as he clapped his claws together then quickly turned toward the entrance and shouted, “We all know that you’re here so there is no use on hiding any longer, so you might as well come out!” nothing but silence was heard, Sharp tooth nodded to Sombra and his student and said, “King Sombra, madam Midnight if you would please.” they both nodded, just then and their horns emitted black and red aura seconds later they heard voices saying, "What the.. how did the find us." "It was probably your lame concealment spell not being up to par oh so-called great and powerful" just then in levitated two mares that struggle to break free, one was a light amber unicorn with moderate cyan eyes with a mane and tail of vivid crimson with brilliant stripes and on her flank, she has a mark of a sun and the other was a brilliant azure unicorn with dark grayish violet eyes, her mane and tail were a pale cornflower blue with very pale cornflower blue stripes wearing a purple cape that had blue and yellow stars on it,, on her flank she has a mark of a magic wand with a moon. Sharp Tooth just looked at them, smile and said, “Well well well so you two are the ones who were spying on us since we got here.” he then nodded and they both dropped to the ground, he then walked closer to them and said, “Do any of you know them.” Midnight sparkle moves closer to the cape-wearing unicorn and as she flicks her nose with one of her wings and said as she started walking away, “I know this one, her name is Trixie, don’t let her appearance fool you she may claim she’s all great and powerful but she’s just a hack of a magician.” “Hack magician you are mistaken for I am the great and powerful Trixie and I am no hack magician, but the great and apologetic Trixie shall forgive Twilight Snarkle and allow you and your stupid bangs to bask in Trixie’s presence.” Trixie said, Midnight Sparkle just remains silent with her head lowered, she can feel her anger slowly rising to a boil as she gritted her teeth and he left eye twitched. She slowly inhaled and exhaled a few times trying to maintain her composure but it wasn't working, she lifted her head and said with a forced calmness in her tone, "W..wha..what did you just call me?" "Sparkle control yourself." Sombra said in a stern tone, "Twilight Sparkle I know you've just become an Alicorn, but you will show The great and powerful Trixie her much needed respect, and as such Twilight Sparkle you will face the great and powerful Trixie when she is talking to you...." but just then Midnight sparkle’s eyes turned brilliant white and the haze on the end of her eyes got more visibly darker and said, “Don’t you dare call me that you hack.” just then Trixie's body was wrapped by a black aura the same aura that was being emitted through her horn, she then was lifted into the air. Midnight Sparkle just watch as the helpless unicorn was struggling to get free as well as gasping for air as the magical aura seemed to be choking her, soon she started spinning around in the air like a child flailing around a rag doll as she continued, “YOU'RE NOTHING BUT A WORM TO ME, NO LOWER THAN A WORM YOUR DIRT COMPARED TO ME AND AS SUCH YOU SHALL CALL ME MISTRESS MIDNIGHT IS THAT UNDERSTOOD OR SO HELP ME I'LL DRAIN EVERY BIT OF YOUR MINUSCULE MAGIC AND PERFORM SUCH GRUESOME EXPERIMENTS ON YOU THAT YOU WILL BEG ME TO END YOUR MISERABLE LIFE!" just then Trixie stopped spinning fell to the ground with a thump and was lying there unconscious. King Sombra looked at his student and shouted, “Sparkle!" the mare in question flinched and slowly looked to her master "You must calm down and control yourself, never let your anger control you is that understood.” “Y...y...yes master Sombra, it will not happen again.” Midnight Sparkle said as she lowered her head, the other unicorn shook her head and said, “Sombra as in the Sombra who was the ruler of the crystal empire over a thousand years ago but I heard that Sparkle and her friends took care of you.” “Ah, the word of my demise has been greatly exaggerated. You know of me young mare, then you know of my reputation so tell us who are you.” King Sombra said. “I am Sunset Shimmer I was Princess Celestia’s prized student until she didn’t teach me what I wanted to learn.” Sunset Shimmer said as she looked around. “Oh I know you yeah if I'm no mistaken Celestia told me of you once. Something about you going to another world.” Midnight Sparkle said. “Well then what are you doing here.” Nightmare Moon said as she walked closer to Sunset Shimmer. “Well I saw you guys walking in the forest and thought I, well me and little miss all-powerful here thought we should find out what you guys are doing.” Sunset Shimmer said. “Ah so you want to know what we are here to do huh.” Sharp tooth said. “Well yeah I mean I only know of this other world through Celestia’s magic mirror but didn’t think there were more worlds.” Sunset Shimmer said as she stood up and then continued “and I think we can help you guys out.” “Help us, you!” Sharp Tooth chuckled and continued as he walked around her and pulling out a wand from his cloak “my dear you think you would be any use to us here, fine then please pray tell how you can.” “Well we can sneak you into Ponyville and…” Sunset Shimmer said, “We can do that on our own and with my magic, it’ll be easy.” Midnight Sparkle interrupted, “Oh well what about in Canterlot you won’t be able to get in there and I happen to know all of the secret entrances there...” Sunset Shimmer said, “I know everything that is to know there including your little secret entrances.” Nightmare Moon said quickly interrupted. “Well I uh uh um.” Sunset Shimmer was trying to think of something else. “Well it looks like you have nothing to contribute to our cause so just like your little unconscious friend there you’re useless to us.” Sharp Tooth said. Sunset Shimmer looked around franticly and then said, “Oh yeah well what about us knowing all about you guys and everything you just said we could go to the princess and warn her.” A moment of unsettling silence fell into the room, just then the four let out a fit of laugher. This made Sunset Shimmer a bit shocked but although those in the room couldn't see it, it also, in turn, made her even more nervous, but she still confidently stood tall. The laugher was dying down as they were regaining their composure Midnight Sparkle was the first to speak, "Wow I needed this, you're going to warn princess Celestia oh that's rich, if I remember right your not even suppose to be here." then went back to laughing, "Verily so, this is most joyous for us, and to think coming to this world we would get such a laugh." Nightmare Moon said while holding her sides. Sunset Shimmer took notice on her comment and thought, 'Coming to this world, wait so they're really not from here, so then she's not the Twilight I've ran into.' "Who would have thought that the ponies of this world were such jokesters, so much so to make me laugh at such idiocy." King Sombra said as he was regaining his composure. Sharp Tooth wiped a tear from his eyes, exhaled and said "Whew So true, so very very true." he then cleared his throat and continued, "So if we don't let you help us you're going to.. oh what's the word I'm looking for, hmmm oh yes tattle on us to princess Celestia is that right." Sunset Shimmer grinned and said, "Thats right, I'll go to her myself with just one cast of a teleportation spell." "Well then there is just one major flaw in your plan my little Sunset Shimmer." Sharp Tooth said as he was fighting the urge to burst out in a fit of laughter again. "Oh yeah and what's that you stopping me, I can cast that spell faster than any of you have time to react." Sunset Shimmer said "Well not just us stopping you but if what Midnight Sparkle said was true, you're not supposed to be here," Sharp Tooth said, "I mean just think for a moment, even if you were to get there that's not including you taking your little unconscious friend beside you, how do you think Celestia would handle not only of you're being here but as well as your little news of us being here, I seriously doubt that she would believe you right then and there heck the first thing she would do is imprison you before taking you seriously and by that time it will be too late." he then glared at her with a toothy grin as his right eye emitting a red like flame. “Are you that stupid, even Trixie wouldn’t have told them any of that.” Trixie said as she was getting up. Midnight Sparkle chuckled and said, “Wow you know she is right, you really shouldn't have said you were going to to do that, that’s for sure.” “Yep and now that we know you pose a threat to our plans we definitely can not just simply let you go now can we, to put it simply, you done goofed.” Sharp Tooth said as he started tapped the wand onto his chin as started he circling the two mares, "But what to do with you two, I mean I could turn you into bugs and one of us could stomp on you, but then that would make a mess on them as well as the floor here and as you can see we have no servants here to clean up so we can't have that." "How about we send them to Tartarus, there they would be tortured until we have need of them" Nightmare Moon said. "No..no that would be too boring." Sharp Tooth said while still circling the two mares. "How about having them encased in ice or even use my student's idea and strip them of their magic and allow her to conduct gruesome experiments on them, you did promise her some fun while we traveled with you." Sombra said gave them a wicked smile. The two mares cringed at that idea but Midnight seemed to light up at it. Sharp Tooth continued to circle the two mares remaining ever silent with each step the said, "Hmm I'm loving that idea but then she would be the only one to have fun." This brought a sigh of relief to the two unicorn mares but a frown to Midnight's face, Sharp Tooth stopped in front of them turned around and said, "No, what I'm looking for is something that would give those a reminder of who they are dealing with, as well as to decorate the place here, oh sure we can gut them up and use their bodies as a flag but that's just way too messy and forcing them to be mindless slaves is just way too cliche." Sharp Tooth resumed circling the two, Midnight then stomped her hoof to the ground and said, "Ah ha I got it." she then trotted to Sharp tooth and whispered into his ear, suddenly a face of shock formed on him and then a wicked smile, Midnight stepped back and said, That way they would serve as a reminder to those who are here, as well as being lovely arrangements for the castle, and once we're done we can turn them back to normal and then I can have my fun with them." Sharp Tooth snapped his fingers and said, "Ah an excellent idea dear Empress Midnight." he stood in front of the mares and continued, "Well ladies it's looks like we won't be gutting you," the two mares breathed a sigh of relief "but instead you'll be turned into stone isn't that be nice, you should thank Midnight she just has given you a purpose". The two mares slowly were moving back as Sharp Tooth walked towards them but were stopped due to crystal formed around their hind legs, they looked to see their so-called savior was smiling was her horn was emitting dark magic. Sharp tooth raised his wand and said, " Well ladies it's been fun but we have to end this and oh thanks for the laughs, oh but don't worry, not only will you be serving a greater cause ours, but once all of this is over we'll be letting you go." the two mares shift their heads to the side and said in unison "Really?" "But of course, and that is a promise" both mares breathed a slight sigh of relief but tensed up as Sharp Tooth said, "Well once Midnight catches you well then it's out of hands." the two grabbed each other and shook with fear as Sharp Tooth pointed his wand at them, then a white electrifying beam shot out of it, as it was getting closer Trixie turned to Sunset Shimmer and said, "For the record I blame you." once the beam collided with them they screamed in fear as they were turned to stone. Sharp Tooth put the wand back into his cloak and said, “Now that the little annoyances are out of the way we can get back to business.” “Yes what are we going to do here. If we’re to conquer this world wouldn’t now be the best possible time being as we have the element of surprise.” King Sombra said. “Yes it would but what fun would that be and besides we don’t want to make the same mistakes as this world’s versions you all now do we.” Sharp Tooth said “No but…” Midnight Sparkle said but Sharp Tooth interrupted, “Exactly” he then walked to the small stack of books that held the gray cube and continued, “The first phase of the plan is to get as much information from key points of this world.” he then tapped the front of the cube and out projected an ethereal map that said Equestria and then he continued, “As you can see the map of this world is not so different from each of your worlds, now the key points for this to work are to the north the Crystal Empire, Canterlot, as well as Ponyville, Cloudsdale and finally Hollow shades these spots are crucial for the plan to succeed.” “We do not understand why these places, why not anyplace else?” Nightmare Moon asked. “Yeah wouldn’t Canterlot and the Crystal Empire be the only places we should be concentrating?” Midnight sparkle said, King Sombra, looked over the map and with grin said, “I see I understand what you are doing and I like it.” Sharp tooth was shocked, he knew King Sombra was smart in military operations but not enough to figure out his plan in mere moments of the explanation. “Is that so then please explain it to us Sombra” Nightmare moon said in disbelieve. “Certainly Nightmare moon." Somber said "You see getting information from Canterlot and the Crystal empire are the most ideal places due to the connection they have, Canterlot not only have your sister and a version of you here but from there they can oversee everything from Ponyvile to Cloudsdale, the Everfree forest and as well as the Crystal Empire, Canterlot has a vast knowledge of ancient and forbidden magic, so taking those points would be far more crucial but there is another, take it last as a sort of hostage point or even use the other points as hostages and for the sisters to surrender, as for Cloudsdale it houses the Wonderbolts if I’m not mistaken so leaving that free would give them the sky advantage take that and we would control it." He then pointed to another point on the map and continued, "Now the Crystal empire has a strong collection of artifacts that could hinder us take that and away and they would be powerless, ponyville I have to say the bearers of the Elements of harmony, create mass chaos there and they will not be able to obtain the elements which I believe would be in the royal vault wouldn’t you agree Nightmare moon.” “Yes, everything seems sound but what of Hollow shades what point would that be for us to acquire it” nightmare moon said “That I believe is more of something of a side quest am I right Sharp tooth” King Sombra said “Yes you are right I shall go there to acquire an army for us to use and they shall be the pawns” Sharp tooth said as he tapped the cube again and the map vanished “An army of pawns and who would they be” Midnight sparkle said “Why the changelings of this world ruled by a one queen Chrysalis” Sharp tooth said “What makes you think this queen Chrysalis would help us or you for that matter” Midnight sparkle said “Ah my dear Midnight sparkle I have something that she wants more than anything” Sharp tooth said as he placed the cube back into his cloak “Oh and what’s that” Midnight sparkle asked. “Why revenge, of course, you see you, well the Twilight Sparkle of this world and her friends have not only defeated her but did it twice, so getting that revenge is all she would want, but for now we need to rest up so we can start, in five days we should return here, King Sombra I wish for you to go to Ponyville I trust you can change your form we don’t need them in a panic just yet” “Hmph With my magic It can be done.” King Sombra said. “Excellent oh and have your student accompany you I feel if she go there alone she may loss herself when someone calls her by her former name.” Sharp tooth said “What how dare you think that I would...” Midnight Sparkle said but she quickly stopped and nodded, Sharp tooth turned to Nightmare Moon and continued, “And you my dear I need you to travel to...” but was interrupted by Nightmare moon "I shall go to the Crystal Empire, if it is the same as my world there would be something I would acquire there.” “Can you revert to your previous form.” Sharp tooth asked. “Of course it is a simple matter.” Nightmare moon answered. “Then I shall leave it to you then, as for the other places, on the third day we shall talk more on that depending on the information we gathered, now rest up we have a long day tomorrow or not it’s up to you do what you want on this downtime as for me I’m going to rest a bit and then head to Hollow shades to talk to this queen and have her join us, just don’t do anything that would draw attention to us.” Sharp tooth said as he walked out of the room into the hallway. In the hallway Sharp tooth walks down until he reached large wooden double doors, but suddenly he falls to one knee straining, he cover his right eye with his right hand and thought 'The energy of this place, this magic seems to be off-kilter but what could be causing it, could it be that this world has identified us as foreign entities and is trying to warn the inhabitants or is it something else, no it’s something else something familiar but no matter for my plan to come to fruition I have to press forward' just then a figure came behind him, Sharp tooth turned his head with a crazed look in his eye and a claw engulfed in dark blue flame and said, “Who dares to...” but stops as he saw it was Nightmare moon, he then regained his composure and said, “Oh my apologies princess, I have not meant for you to see me in this condition *Ahem* what can I do for you.” “We merely wish to see how you are bearing.” Nightmare moon said wearing a look of concern. “Fear not it’s nothing I just need to rest that’s all.” Sharp tooth said as he began to push open the doors. “No it is not rest you need, it is something else, something seems to be troubling you perhaps it has to do with the magic here or more or less this forest.” Nightmare Moon said as she helped him to open the doors with her magic. Sharp tooth felt as though he was defeat sighed and said as they walked into the rather large room with the doors closing behind them, “Yes I think it is as you say. I think it could be that this forest or this world’s umm magic, it seems different somehow or maybe its something else.” “No you are correct it is the forest, you see the Everfree forest is just that, ever free from all the other places of Equestria the magic here flows differently, clouds here move on their own, the animals fend for themselves, even the trees here grow differently, here you will not find any like it elsewhere in any other land, that is why my sister and I had this castle here to study it and learn what makes it what it is in my world anyway.” Nightmare moon said. “Really that’s interesting and what have you found out I mean from your world’s perspective.” Sharp tooth said. “It seems this place is like some sort of connection to others like it, we thought mayhaps other versions like it, that’s maybe why the area feels so other worldly.” Nightmare Moon said. “Hmm perhaps your right.” Sharp tooth said while covering his right eye but then started to lose his balance and dropped to one knee once again then shook his head, Nightmare Moon helped him to his feet and walked him to a pillar, Sharp tooth sat down next to it and said while breathing exhaustedly, “Thank you Nightmare moon, if I didn’t know better I’d say you’re taking a liking to me.” “Indeed I have, beyond contrary to belief I do care for the ponies in my world. I’m not some heartless monster you know, unlike Sombra and his student.” Nightmare moon said. “Well I thank you all the same but please I wish to rest if you don’t mind.” Sharp tooth said. “I understand but permit me to stay with you just to keep you company.” Nightmare moon said “I would like that your highness.” Sharp tooth said, Nightmare Moon then laid down next to him, Sharp tooth body then slid off the pillar and onto her, she took notice of this and saw he was asleep, she then placed a wing around him and whispered, " Sleep well sir Sharp tooth." Back with King Sombra, he and Midnight Sparkle are walking through the old castle. He looked to his student and said, “My student, what are your thoughts on the dragon's plan?” Midnight Sparkle looked down to the ground as if she was looking to find the answer, then lifted her head up and said, “Well it seems sound, it could work if we take the right actions but I don’t trust him, it feels like he is still hiding things from us, things I think we should know.” King sombra remained silent for a moment, then said, “I believe you are right on that regard but for now let’s follow his plan, if it seems to becoming short of his promise to us then we shall take control and do as we please, but not a word of this I do not want any suspicion to fall on us.” “I won’t master Sombra.” Midnight Sparkle said. “Good now let us head to this world’s Ponyville and see what it has to offer.” King Sombra said and suddenly they faded into the shadows. Hours have pass and the sun was rising and Sharp tooth slowly opening his eyes to see he was laying on Nightmare Moon with her wing around him, then got up and walked out of the large room through the hallway and outside, he studied his surroundings to see the cliff and on the other side he sees the bridge hanging down and thought, 'The bridge is still down we can’t have that, but if the bridge is still down how did those two get here, well no time to worry about that now I have to figure out my first move perhaps I should go to this queen Chrysalis first, if I do that our plans can move far more quickly, and I just know I’ll run into him here so the faster the better.' he then raised his hand and it started emitting a black aura and so did the bridge, he pulled his hand back slowly and the bridge floated to him, soon it reached the his side of the cliff, Sharp tooth walked to it and secured the ropes and said, “There that should do it at least we can come and go as we please without leaving a magic trail.” “Very wise Sharp tooth.” a voice said behind him. Sharp tooth quickly turned around and saw Midnight Sparkle and said, “What the...how long were you here?” “Long enough Dragon. I’ve only come here to look around while my master is resting.” She answered while walking past him “That isn’t the only thing is it.” Sharp tooth said. Midnight Sparkle stopped and said without even looking at him, “For whatever the other reason is it's none of your concern, rest assured I will not be seen by any pony in here.” “Any pony here, there shouldn’t even be any eyes in this forest but us, based on what I’ve found out from the last time I’ve been here no pony comes here.” Sharp tooth said. “Shows what you know a zebra Herbalist named Zecora lives in this forest, in my world she fled from the forest when it was on fire to who knows where, in this world seeing the forest is still here she should still be in her hut not too far from here but I’m not going near there.” Midnight Sparkle said then continued on her way, Sharp tooth shrugged and started walking back into the ruined castle. Inside he sees Nightmare moon walking towards him and said, “I see you’ve awaken.” “Yes we thought it would be best if we should head to the Crystal Empire and retrieve the item we seek.” Nightmare moon said, “Then do not let me stop you my dear, but I would prefer you to change your form prior to leaving so to leave no suspicion of any who dwell in or near this forest.” Sharp tooth said, and in a shadowy haze Nightmare Moon changed into a blue Alicorn with a cutie mark of a white moon in a black background with eyes of moderate cyan with light sapphire blue eye shadow and a mane of sapphire blue with a very light azure aura wearing a black crown and a necklace with a with moon in the middle of it. Sharp tooth saw this and said, “Wow.” “Yes but just to be clear I can only maintain this form until the moon rises otherwise I shall revert back.” Nightmare moon said, Sharp Tooth thought as he rubbed his chin 'Hmm even her voice has change but still this begs the question..' “So tell me how can I tell from you and the you of this world.” Sharp tooth said, “Look closely sir Sharp Tooth.” Nightmare Moon said, and he did so, as he looked into her eyes noticed they had a slight glow in them, faint and unnoticeable at first glance but if stared at them long enough you can notice them, then he said, “Ah I see, and what shall I call you if present among others?” “You should call us Princess Luna.” Nightmare moon said “I understand Princess Luna now if you would excuse me I shall talk to Sombra before I depart for the Hollow shades.” Sharp tooth said, bowed and went on his way, as he continued on Sharp tooth looked up at a specific door and notice a dark red glow was coming from it and said, “Sombra. He must be doing something that I should know about.” then levitated to the door and opened it. Inside Sharp tooth was stunned as he saw levitating was King Sombra resting with a crimson red sphere that slowly pulsated black covering him, there was no wind but yet some invisible force seemed to be pushing him back, Sharp tooth took notice to this and shouted “Sombra wake up.” and with that Sombra slowly lowered to the floor as the crimson sphere slowly disappeared and, he then stretched and shook his head and said, “Ah dragon, what is so important that would bring you here to disrupt my sleep.” “I’ve come to tell you, your student has departed to explore the forest….” Sharp tooth said but was interrupted by Sombra saying “I know of this, unknown to you I am always connected to her through my magic, I can communicate even with her through it as well. Now if you are through I wish to rest some more before my student and I depart for Ponyville.” "Then I shall take my leave to the Hollow shades and leave it you to it your highness.” Sharp tooth said as he exited the room with the door closing behind him. back in the hall Sharp Tooth shook his head and said, "Such dark magic, there shouldn't be a mortal alive to posses that much power, and I believe that was only a fraction of his might... he then levitated back down to the lower hallway and continued, "Hmm so, he will have his wish to battle them at full strength after all, that will be sight to see." as he landed he walks towards the entrance of the ruined castle. Outside he pulls out from his cloak a compass looked at it and thought, 'Ok according to this I should head northeast of here to reach Hollow Shades, I Have to make this quick and make sure I am not seen by anyone, pony or otherwise' then place it back into his cloak and pulled out a green star shaped jewel and said, “If she chooses not to join us then this will make it easier, I really don’t want to resort to this but I may not have any choice.” and with that he walked deeper into the forest, moments later he reaches a clearing and looked up and saw blue sky and thought, 'Well if I am heading in the right direction then it should take me only about perhaps a half of the day to get there' he then sighed and said, “Well I guess I have no choice then” he then lowered his head and closed his eyes, in moments his cloak started flapping as the sound of wind seems to be coming from it, suddenly the cloak started flapping faster and faster and the sound of wind is getting louder and louder stirring the ground beneath him until he shot into the sky like a rocket but then stopped at a high enough altitude. Sharp tooth looked around and saw how small the forest looked from his height, he looked ahead and said “Ok that went well, now to hollow shades to find this queen, ready or not here I come.” and like a bullet shot towards his destination emitting a loud boom behind him that echoed through the sky.
Chapter 4: The defeated queen and the glistering empireIn the air Sharp tooth is speeding through, zipping through clouds, passing by any birds that were unfortunate enough to be in his way, slowing down his flight speed he looks down and sees the inhabitants just going on with their lives unbeknownst to them of what's above them. Then a thought came to him, 'Perhaps I should cause a little destruction just to draw a little attention to here. No I have to remain focused at the task at hand' he looks forward and sees a snow topped mountain coming to his view, he strokes his beard and says, “Ok over that mountain should be hollow shades if I’m not mistaken.” soon he stopped and looked down and saw what looked like to be a small village surrounded by trees, upon closer inspection he didn’t see anything out and about, no animals or anything it looked deserted, he then lands down in the middle of the town and walked around. As he walked he notices that the whole area seems to be voided of light except a from few lanterns he thought 'Something’s not right here, this is where I’m sensing her but there doesn’t seem to be a soul here. Could I've been wrong.' He shook his head and said "No, no I'm definitely sensing her, if she's like the last one I've run into then she's gotta be here." just then he heard a strange buzzing sound go by behind him, he quickly turned around and saw nothing, then he heard it again but this time it was to the right of him, he turned his head and saw nothing. This in turn was angering the dragon, in which he says, “Oh for Pete’s sake this is getting me nowhere.” he then stood still and closed his eyes, sounds could be heard now throughout the village and sharp tooth thought, 'Ok, so whatever or whomever are surrounding me, all I have to do is wait.' and in a matter of minutes his right ear twitched to a sound of hoof steps galloping towards him, he turns towards it and sees a figure lunging at him from the shadows, he then quickly extended his left arm and the figure stopped in mid air surrounded by a dark blue aura which to his surprise didn't seem to emit any light to reveal what it was levitating. As the figure floated in mid air and struggled to get free, Sharp tooth studied it and noticed it was small no more than half his size flailing it's little limbs, Sharp Tooth cracked a smirk as he then moved figure into the nearby light and what he saw shocked him, for what he saw was a mud brown filly. Her mane and tail was of a jet black color and messy as if she gotten out of bed just to roll around in the dirt or mud. Her eyes although giving Sharp Tooth a look that say to "Kill" were of light amber brown. As Sharp tooth studied the little filly she was trying to reach him all the while snarling and growling like a wild beast, he then slowly started to closed his claw and the filly started gaging and gasping for air, as Sharp tooth opened his hand the filly said in a hissing like raspy voice, “What business do you have here?” “Ah so you can talk good, now I am to assume that you’re a changeling correct.” Sharp tooth said, the little filly stopped her struggling and remained silent, “I’ll take that as a yes, well then I am here to see your queen we have something to discus that she may find interesting.” “There is no one of that nature, now release me and leave this place.” the filly said. Sharp tooth's eyes wondered as he noticed lightly glowing eyes and some movement within the shadows of the area for what he thought it to be more "ponies" trying to surround him, but he just dismissed it and brought his attention to his captive, “Oh you can’t lie to me creature, you will take me to her or…” he lifted his right claw, “I can find her myself and bring her to piles of broken and mangled cadavers and I doubt she would be pleased of that sight now would she? So if you don't mind, take me to her.” soon as he said that a blackish blue flame like aura was flowing from his claw which seemingly stared to illuminate the dark area they were in an evil blue like light, Sharptooth then started to close his claw again but this time the little filly was not gagging and gasping but she let out a scream of pain, not one that would fit a young filly but one that would fit a creature of unknown origins. As each second passed the scream intensified to a ear shattering high screech that that filled the area. To those within the shadows the dragon seemed to be delighted to hear the noise, he then slowly opened his hand and the screeching sound stopped but was replaced by the filly breathing heavily as a green ooze like substance was coming out of her mouth. Sharp Tooth squealed with joy as he said to the shadows calming voice, "Ah the sound of one's suffering is like a lullaby that could put me to sleep, but I'm not here for this mind you, you all know what I want so tell me.." he brought the little filly closer until they were eye to eye. She stared into them and saw a hint of blood lust of that of a raging beast that just howling to be let out, an evil toothy grin form on the dragon's face but quickly turn into a face of pure anger, he lets out a growl so low that only the filly could hear that seemed to escalate as he shouted as his eyes lit a blaze of the blue like flame, "WHERE...IS....YOUR...QUEEN..!" The little filly was shaking, frightened by the site that was in front of her. She struggled to speak but the words wouldn't come out. Sharp tooth losing his patience shouted, "THEN DIE!!!" The little filly was whimpering as she closed her eyes expecting the end, but suddenly there came a distorted voice, female to the sound of it, shouting throughout the area, “That will be quite enough dragon, put my drone down!” The flames being emitted from his eyes and the flowing aura vanished as Sharp Tooth turned to find where the voice was coming from. Within the shadows he saw a tall set of eyes was walking through a group of others, he put his arms down in turn cause the little filly to dropped to the ground with a thump and she scurried into the shadows. Sharp tooth stroked his beard and said, “So you must be the queen of the Changelings.” “Yes I am, now who are you and what business do you have here.” The figure said still hidden within the shadows, "Ah it is an honor to meet you. My name is Sharp Tooth and I am here to offer you a little proposition.” Sharp tooth said, he then tilted his head and lifted his right eyebrow and continued, “But um if you don’t mind could you come into the light, I really hate talking to those who hides in the shadows, it's so...cliche.” “As you wish.” The figure said as she walked toward the sun lit area that Sharp Tooth was standing in, was revealed to be a tall slender pony-like creature with a twisted unicorn horn, a pair of tattered insectoid like wings, a pair of sharp fangs and dark green moderate harlequin eyes with oval pupils, it’s mane and tail was that of a teal color, blue-green chitinous plating over her midsection, and it wears a small black crown tipped with blue orbs, her legs, mane, tail and wings are full of holes as well. The queen then spoke to Sharp Tooth in a voice that seemed like two voices are speaking slightly out of sync, “Now dragon you speak of a proposition, but I can tell that is not the only reason why you're here.” “Yes you do have a sharp mind your highness Queen Chrysalis." Sharp Tooth said. The Changeling queen was taken back by that comment, not as so much as of what he said but by the fact that he knew her name, then she thought, 'How did he know my name I never told him, perhaps that whelp Stock told him. No he didn't I observed their conversation so how....' but her train of thought was interrupted by a snapping sound that echo throughout the area, "Hey, if you have time to be dumbfounded by me knowing your name then perhaps you should listen to what I have to say." Sharp Tooth quipped as he was snapping his claws. Chrysalis just frowned and gritted her teeth at him exposing her fangs all the while her horn was charging with dark green magic as she says, "You will show me some respect you little troglodyte, you're speaking to the Queen of the changelings never forget that." "Easy there your highness I mean no disrespect, although you mean to disrespect me by call me a troglodyte but I'll let that pass." Sharp Tooth said as he scoffed, closed his eyes and held up a hand, "At lease you didn't call me a lizard, now that would have truly angered me, but on to the matter at hand er hoof." Queen Chrysalis recomposed herself and said, "Fine, now as I said before what is it that you're proposing?" "I have come here to give something that you have been longing for, an offer if you will. You see I know of your attempt to take over Canterlot and your attempt to drain the magic of one certain pony and I must say failed quite miserably.” Sharp tooth said as he walked around her, Queen chrysalis snarled a little and said, “I'm warning you dragon watch your tongue before I show just how miserable I really am.” “Oh I believe you could, for you see I know many many things about you." Sharp Tooth said. Chrysalis looking a bit amused, then chuckled as she waved a hoof and said, "Oh so you do huh, alright then do tell me what you know of me little dragon." "Why certainly. I know that you were equally if not more powerful then Celestia, I know that after that little incident at Canterlot you landed in some village and took it over and made it your temporary base, as well as how you’ve taken over Ponyville but obsessed over getting back at those six ponies who thwarted your plans or should I say one in particular a Twilight Sparkle, which in turn lead to your second defeat by her and her friends and you were locked up in a castle dungeon which I believe they left a replica of a certain pink pony just to annoy you, but you broke out and now out and at it again.” Sharp tooth said as he moved closer to her. “So what dragon. That is news that any pony can get from Canterlot and Ponyville but all that doesn't matter, yes what you say is correct but unlike then I have a perfect plan to take over Equestria.” Queen Chrysalis said as she turned her head away from him with a huff. Sharp Tooth suddenly disappeared and reappeared on her head and looking at her eyes upside down and said, “hmm let me guess, ummm you’re going to sneak into Canterlot, capture Princess Celestia and take her place, then have your Changeling children capture the citizens of Canterlot as well as ponyville again, but you want to know something....” then disappeared in a puff of dark purple smoke and reappeared behind her walking away, “You’re going to fail yet again.” “What. How dare you!” The queen said with tone of anger in her voice. “Yes you’re going to fail for you see you can’t possibly get even remotely close to that castle without giving attention to yourself, I mean yes you can capture every pony in ponyville again and Canterlot but how long will it take for Twilight Sparkle or even any of her friends to figure out that something is wrong. They've figured it out before and what happened, you failed. Haven't even thought about that they may have some kind a plan to find any Changeling that is hiding or will be hiding in Canterlot or Ponyville.” Chrysalis just remained silent, but Sharp tooth smiled and continued, “But that’s where my offer comes in I can give you an advantage over them if you follow me and help me with my plans.” Chrysalis just looked at him and laughed as did the others, Sharp tooth didn’t take this likely and shouted, “Was there something I've said that you've found so funny!?” “Yes. You, a little lowly dragon give me an advantage over them. Oh please do really think of me a fool, you may have some impressive magic I will grant you that, but you're nothing to me for I am Queen Chrysalis ruler of the Changeling kingdom beyond the froud Valley, I have an army of my children at the ready. What can you possibly offer me?” Chrysalis said. “Oh I have two things Queeny.” Sharp tooth said then pulled out one finger that emitted the same black flame like aura as before, “One I have three powerful allies who can put more damage to you and your little army than those who defeated you could ever have done to you, and two…” In a shadowy mist Sharp tooth disappeared within it, as the mist cleared what Queen Chrysalis saw shocked not only her but her Children as well. There stood herself smiling at her devilishly, the doppelgänger looked Identical to her in every way even to her voice, “I have a greater element of surprise than you do. I hope this is proof enough?” but before she could answer the same shadow like mist appeared, engulfed the other Chrysalis, once it dissipated there stood the long toothed dragon with a smug look on his face as he said, "Well?" The changeling queen just stood there with her mouth agape unable to even say a word, but then shook her head and said, “Wha..how..who are you, you’re not one of my changelings so explain yourself!” “Ah explanations, well it is that time now isn't very well, so well the short and sweet I’m not of this world but the rest have to wait for a later time. Now my question for you is will you join me or do I have to make you and you changelings be the first set of casualties of this conquest. Choose now, for the times a ticking.” Sharp tooth said with a devilish smile. “No dragon. How about I drain all of your magic and continue as if nothing happened.” Chrysalis said with sly a smile. Sharp tooth slowly looked around as he hears the sound of hooves slowly approaching towards him, he studied his surrounding and can see the eyes within the shadows getting brighter and a buzzing sound started to echo the area. He saw this Sharp tooth just shrugged and slowly shook his head, chuckled and said, “Why does it always have to be like this, I mean I give you an easy choice but it gets tossed aside.” He then sighed, shook his head again as extended his arm, it starts emitted a dark azure and black colored aura and raised it up, almost immediately flames of the same color sprouted from the ground and formed wolf like beast with eyes of a dull gold like color, just then surrounded him and stood their ground growling and swiping at anything that would get to close between them and their summoner. Chrysalis gasped at the site , she lifts a hoof motioning her subjects to move away from the dragon, they quickly obeyed as she said, “Such magic I’ve never come across any pony or otherwise with this kind of magic.” “Yes. Now you will take my offer or my little friends here will tear you and all of your children to pieces with just a snap of my fingers.” Sharp tooth said as he put two fingers together to snap them. Queen Chrysalis just frowned and said in defeat, “It would seem we have no choice in the matter.” “Oh you've always had a choice, it's just that mine was better and choosing mine was an excellent choice, an excellent choice indeed. Now that we are at an agreement let us get down to business shall we.” Sharp tooth said and with a snapped his fingers the threatening wolves suddenly disappeared, “Now I trust you know where the Everfree forest is seeing as you’ve been to ponyville before.” “Of course we do. That place is filled with such fearsome creatures that would have killed us all if we didn't hide in it's shadows” Chrysalis said. “Good. Now I shall teleport you and your Children there, once there you’ll find a ruined castle go there, await for my return, I shall be there shortly, but make sure you're not seen.” Sharp tooth said as he raised his arm “What, how can you..” Chrysalis said just before she and her changelings had simply vanished. Sharp tooth looked around to see if anyone was in the area then closed his eyes, soon his body started to emit a low greenish yellow light, he then extended his right arm with his his claw closed and all of the light seem to flow to his hand. Almost immediately he open his palm and a ball of light of the same color appear which soon turned into a small diamond that levitated a few inches from his hand. Sharp Tooth opened his eyes and studied the small gem, for a few moments it seemed as if he was hypnotized by it's beauty and simplicity, he then placed it ever so gently on the ground and the little gem buried itself into the dirt hidden to the world, he exhaled then lightly scratched his chin and thought with his eyes closed again, 'Now that that’s done what should I do now perhaps I should go to Cloudsdale just to get everything started or maybe something else.' seconds later he shot up into the sky like a bullet only to stop miles high in air, when he opened his eyes he looked down and seemed to be a bit dizzy at the site and said, “Whoa this is higher than before.” he then looked straight ahead and then continued, “Well I seem to be ahead of schedule, perhaps I should head to the Crystal Empire and see how Nightmare Moon is fairing.” he crossed his arms and started flying north at a slow speed as he studied everything he flew by. Sometime later Sharp tooth stops and lands near a river that leads toward a large city which seemed to shine and sparkle with the sunlight, looking around he sees the vast greenery landscape area that's full of trees, some patches of different kinds of flowers of different colors he saw this and said, “So that’s the Crystal Empire of this world, looks quite different from King Sombra and Sparkle's version." he walks around the grassy field all the while stroking his beard and continues, "Who would have thought that such beauty could thrive in such a harsh climate that's just a few feet away, I bet if Sparkle or Sombra were here they would've hate this and started destroying everything.” the thought of that scene played in his mind, he let out a little chuckle and started walking along the river path towards the glistering city. Moments later he spots a figure in the distance, it was a pink Alicorn mare lying next to the river stream with a mane and tail of moderate violet with moderate rose and gold streaks wearing a golden crown ,necklace and horseshoes.the crown has a purple gem in the middle of it and on the top it, she also has a cutie mark of a crystal heart with a single mirror-like facet at its center and she was surrounded by some birds and other little creatures. While still stoking his beard Sharp tooth thought, 'The way she looks she must be this world’s ruler of the Crystal Empire, she may be useful on get into the castle without any complications.' as he moves closer he could hear her humming to herself and says, “Ah it’s so good to get out and enjoy the day like this.” just then she hears a snap of a twig and all the little animals scurried away. She opens her eyes to see Sharp tooth walking towards her, she says, “Oh hello there.” “Ah yes hello, um by any chance are you the ruler here?” Sharp tooth said with a warming smile. “Yes me and my husband.” The alicorn said as she stood up “So you must be Princess Mi Amore Cadenza I take it.” Sharp tooth said. “Yes..” The princess said with a worried look on her face. Sharp Tooth saw this quickly waved both of his hands and said, “Oh no no no please I mean you no harm. I came here with Princess Luna but I wandered off and seem to have gotten myself lost and was wondering if you can help me to find her.” Sharp tooth said “Oh you came with Auntie Luna, are you her page?” the alicorn princess said with a face of glowing delight. “Uh yes first time on the job. I'm kind of embarrassed losing track of her Madame Amore Cadenza.” Sharp tooth said while scratching the back of his head and smiling sheepishly. “Cadence.” The Princess said. “Eh, I'm sorry what?” Sharp tooth said while wearing a look of confused shock. “Please call me Cadence, my full name make me sounds so...stuffy or higher than thou, you can understand.” Princess Cadence said. "Oh no princess I can't, that would be a great disrespect on not only you and your family, but as well as your illustrious title." Sharp Tooth said, "I insist. You know I can make it a royal order and I'm sure my aunt Luna will have no problem on having you follow it." Candace said with a sly smile. Sharp Tooth looked around nervously and thought, 'This little tart is become quite troublesome, perhaps she's on to me or is she truly serious about this. Better to play it safe and play along not to give any suspicion.' Sharp Tooth then gave a sigh of defeat, scratched the back of his head and said, "As you wish Princess Mi amore err I mean princess Cadence." "Thank you mister er uh.." Cadence said. “Ah then please call me Silver fang your highness Cadence.” Sharp tooth said as he bowed. “Well mister Fang shall we head to the castle.” Princess Cadence said and the both walked towards the large city. Moments later they reached the city, Sharp tooth looked around and saw different kinds of ponies but what was different, these ponies seem to shine with gradient mans and tails to him they looked like living crystals. As they walked further Sharp tooth's stomach growled, Princess Cadence took notice of this and said, “It would seem that your hungry Mr Silver Fang. Shall we get something to eat before we reach the castle, I know of place where I've been dying to try ” “Oh no that’s kind of you your highness, but it’s nothing I would like to finish my work with Princess Luna before anything else.” Sharp Tooth said as looked just then he sees a certain Alicorn heading in their direction, he waves and says, “Ah there is princess Luna. Princess Luna!” Princess Cadence looks ahead, her eyes seemed to light up as she spots the night Alicorn and said, “Auntie Luna.” Luna notices the pair and gave a look of bewilderment as the pink Alicorn ran to her and gave her a hug, Sharp Tooth looked to Luna and said, “Princess Luna please forgive me for I have wondered off and got lost. Your uh niece was kind enough to show me the way back.” “Yes, me and Mr Silver fang were just talking about getting something to eat would you like to join us.” Princess Cadence said, but she stares at Luna for a moment and notices a certain emotionless look in her eyes that gave off a feeling as if she didn't know who Cadence was and it scared her. Cadence brushed those thoughts aside and said, “Luna is everything alright, you seem a bit distant.” Princess Luna quickly shook her head, looked to Cadence and said, “Uh no, no we are pleased to see you, I am fine it's just I was in deep thought prior to your arrival, nothing to be concern with, but we must be going, but my page and I shall come see you again come, alone Silver fang.” and trotted off. Sharp tooth took Princess Cadence’s hoof, kissed it and said, “It was short but I enjoyed your company Princess, please let us do this again but with all of us.” the Pink Alicorn simply blushed and said, “Oh why certainly Mr Silver fang, and may you and Luna have a safe trip back to Canterlot.” and trots off towards the large castle. Sharp Tooth runs to Luna’s side, cleared his throat and asks, “So I take it you’ve acquired what you’ve been looking for?” “Indeed sir Sharp Tooth." Luna replied "but what surprises us is that you have come here, and entertaining that urchin.” Luna says while keeping an emotionless look on her face. “Well I thought I would gather some more intelligence on this place to be better prepared." Sharp Tooth said as he wave his hand nonchalantly "and I had to keep an appearance of not being a threat. I will say this for her she do seem quite observant of her surroundings, I thought she had figured me out and was keeping an eye on me, that is until you showed up." "Yes... but we need no foalsitter." Luna said with no emotion in her tone "Oh no of course not my princess, I thought of only helping you but instead you saved me from your niece and I thank you for that, but on to another matter, I’ve found out more on this place from your *ahem* niece.” Sharp tooth said. “Oh please that one means nothing to me only a stepping stone to my goal but what have you learned.” Luna said. “Well from what I’ve gathered from her memories there’s a magic barrier that can be put around the city so it can protect them from Sombra if he should ever return.” Sharp tooth said. “So this would pose a problem for Sombra but not for any other.” Luna said. “That’s correct but I have something that would help.” Sharp tooth said. “Oh and what is that?” Luna said. “Well we shall discuss that at a later time, now come let us return so we can organize everything for our final phase.” Sharp tooth said, seconds later they disappeared. Author's Note Ok now let me start off by saying that this chapter was going to be shorter, but as I was reading it I kept on coming up with more things to put into it and well me being the person I am I just had to write it in the chapter. Now to business I have to say I love that others are reading my fanfics, but I would love it even more when you give me feed back, come on don't be shy just by give me some feedback I can get some ideas from you maybe make some changes.
Chapter 5: A Changeling with the name Shallow nightDeep within the Everfree forest the sounds of the wildlife can be heard, but suddenly they all ceased as a low flash appeared revealing Queen Chrysalis and her changeling children as she says, "Possibly...do...that." She blinks a few times and looks around and recognizes their current location, she breaths a heavy sigh as she says, "That infernal dragon actually transported all of us to this forsaken forest without any proper directions to this castle, still I'm quite amazed for him on accomplishing this feat, he must have a tremendous amount of magic." she looks with a frown to see her changelings, some were shaking the heads trying to regain their composure, while the others were either looking around jumping at even the slightest noise and shaking in fear with the look of panic in their eyes, or comforting those that are scared and confused. Chrysalis continued to look around all the while getting a head count when a voice said to her, "My Queen." She looks to see one of her Changelings walking towards her. The changeling looked like the rest of her children but with a few differences, for one his eyes are a different shade, "What is it Thrax I am busy at the moment." Thrax slowly bowed and said, "Forgive me my Queen, but I took the liberty of sending a small team out to scout ahead to look for that castle the dragon was talking about and.. and I believe they have found it." This sudden news had made the queen smile as she said, "Ah excellent work Thrax, you have pleased your queen. Now tell me, who was on the team you've sent so that their queen can thank them as well." Thrax lowered his head as he shuffled his hooves on the moist ground, all the while trying to answer. This made the changeling queen's smile to fall slowly to a glare as she said, "Well... out with it, who was part of the survey team?" "It was Buggy, Stock, Wisp and Shallow Night." Chrysalis just blinked and scratched her ear and said, "You have to speak louder my little drone I can not hear you." "It was Buggy, Stock, Wisp and..." Thrax gulped, "and uh Shallow Night my queen." he quickly closed his eyes and started to shake nervously out of fear as he waited an unavoidable and painful response. A few seconds have passed and nothing happened, Thrax raised his head as he opened his eye to see Chrysalis eyes shot wide open to the size of dinner plates, her pupils shrunk to the size of pin picks and a single drop of sweat dropped to the ground. He tilts his head to the side and said, "M..m..my queen?" In Chrysalis's mind her thoughts ran a million miles a second, one thought kept resurfacing o the front of her mind, 'No....no....no..nonononono. Not those four they'll ruin everything.' Her distant expression change into one of anger and hatred, as she gritted her teeth. She lets out a low growl as she said, "Especially that pony raised drone Shallow Night." "My queen?" Thrax said giving a questionable look towards the changeling queen. Chrysalis shakes her head, sighs and says, "I suppose it can't be helped, Very well." she turns the little changeling "Thrax I take it that they've returned, unharmed I hope?" "Well my queen they have returned, but.." Thrax said Chrysalis arched a brow and said, "But..?" "Well it's Shallow Night, although he is not badly injured he insist on well... you must see for yourself." Thrax said as he pointed to four figures in the distance. "Very well. Thrax assemble all of the others while I see to Shallow night." Chrysalis said as she started heading towards the figures. Thrax bowed and said, "As you command my queen." and went about to his task. Back with Chrysalis, she getting closer to destination but something catches her eye, although she recognize three of the figures as her changelings the forth she didn't. The figure sat on the ground with its back turned while the changelings were on the ground resting. The figure was taller than the others, seemed almost as tall as her but more burly and seemed to give off a sense of safety, she could make out a horn on the top of it's head as it glowed of a low light green aura that seemed to sway to a nonexistent wind, she looks to the three changelings on the ground and notices that the same green aura has surround their bodies and is healing their wounds. Moving closer towards them, the three changelings notices her approach and bowed to her. With the sounds of shuffling hooves the large figure's ear twitched, and without facing the Changeling queen it said with a voice that seemed to be devoid of emotion, "Your highness, forgive me for not moving to bow in your presence but it takes a lot of concentration to cast this healing spell for my fellow changelings here." Chrysalis diverted he gaze from the bowing changelings to the larger figure and arched a brow to see a dark blueish grey unicorn stallion, with a jet black mane and tail with two white streaks through them and a cutie mark of the moon what seems to be hiding under a shallow pit of water, throughout his body are cuts and bruises, even on his right flank there are three claw marks across his cutie mark, all trickling of green fluid. Chrysalis shook her head and said, "Honestly Shallow Night, I know you've been raised by ponies and have a soft spot for them, but I would at least thought that they would have taught you something about treating your wounds before anything else." The burly unicorn just sat there silent as the glow from his horn dissipated, he let out a heavy sigh and said, "My short up bringing from my adoptive pony parents has nothing to do with how I take my comrade's well being before my own, your highness." "If you must be that way then so be it, but at least change from that insufferable pony form, it's an eyesore to your queen." unbeknownst to the changeling queen, Shallow Night gritted his teeth but then let out another heavy sigh and without making an attempt to turn around said, "If that is your, wish your highness, I shall do as you ask." and just then a dark green flame appeared out of no where engulfing Shallow night covering his whole body. Soon the flame slowly started to wither away and reveling a different a figure entirely sitting facing away from Chrysalis, it was a Changeling dawned with a dark green helmet but compared to the others this one was different. The first was the color of the creature, although the other changelings were a greenish black this one was a dark ashen gray color with a few spots of black, next was it's horn, although curved it was longer and jagged on the sides. Next was the size of the creature, compared to the other three this one was a bit taller but not as tall as the changeling queen. Shallow night remained sitting, unmoving like a statue staring at the tree filled sky, he inhaled then exhaled deeply as to relax himself. He lowered his head a little and said, "Is this to your liking your highness?" Chrysalis shook her head and said, "Yes this pleases your queen my drone." Shallow Night gritting his teeth even more at the phrase "drone". The very word brought a bitter taste in his mouth, even more so hearing it from Chrysalis. A slight shiver coursed through his body as he tried to maintain his composure. "Thrax has informed me of you and your team finding the castle." Chrysalis said as she walks closer to him With each hoof step is heard his ear would twitch as if something within him was telling him to be wary of the owner of he sound. Shadow night just remained silent as Chrysalis moved even closer to him but unknown anyone or any changeling there each step was causing his repressed angry to rise, which would be evident if one would look to his face as he's gritting his teeth all to keep his anger in check. As Chrysalis was an ear shot away she lowered her head to his right ear and whispered as she patted him on the head, "You've done well for your queen my little drone, it seems you have finally learn where your place is." Chrysalis raised her head back up and started walking back as she continued with a wicked smile, "As long as you keep on pleasing me,that little village and your little pony friends will remain safe from harm." the three changelings could look in slight horror as Chrysalis walked away, not because of what she had said but because unknown to her there was a rather large tree branch with it's ends sharpened covered in a green glow, floating only mere inches from her head. They could only stare mouths agape at the object floating in the air, suddenly it slowly lowers down to the ground and the glow vanishes. Shallow night lower his head as he remains motionless to the world as many thoughts run through his mind, some of anger for not finishing the job he so desperately wanted to do, some were thoughts of worry for the family of ponies who took him in and treated him as if he was no different from them, as well as the little village that so kindly treated him. He remained lost in his thoughts until he felt a hoof tapping on his withers, he looks to his left and sees one of the changelings was looking at him with a worried expression. He raised his head and smiles to the changeling and says, "Do not worry Wisp I am fine, are you and the other feeling better?" Wisp just tilts his head and answered, "Yes sir we're fine but what about you?" he points to Shallow night's closed right eye "You should let us treat you eye for you before it gets infected." Shallow Night traced his eye with a hoof and felt three gashes going down to his cheek, he winced a little to the slight pain of the injury. As he removed his hoof he notice a green substance on it, it was blood but to be precise it was his blood. Shallow Night looks to the other changelings then to his hoof back to them and back to his hoof and thought, 'So that's why they wouldn't look at me directly, and here I thought I made out of it with just a small scratch.' He looks back to his fellow changelings, smiled then waved dismissively and said, "Don't worry yourselves about this, I'm perfectly fine all that matters is that you're all safe." The second changeling trotted up and said, "To fight a beast like that and make it out with just one injury is really amazing, I don't think even the queen could to that." Shallow Night let out a chuckle and said, "Well buggy I guest that's one more thing I'm better than her at, but still to think we would run into a giant blue bear deep within this forest, I would have thought one of the ponies would have ran into it or even that zebra." "She did say that that one was only a baby." Buggy said as he shuddered, "I couldn't imagine something that big being only a baby, just thinking about the size of it's mother scares me." Shallow Night chuckles, He then looks over to see the third changeling shuffling through a nearby bush. Moments later the little changeling came trotting to him holding in it's mouth a small brown pouch with a string tied to it. The taller changeling looked at it with puzzlement and whispered, "Uh Wisp, whats in that pouch that Stock is holding, it doesn't look like it's full of her little knickknacks." "No sir, actually its medicine that the zebra mare gave us. She noticed your eye and thought you could use it." Wisp answered. Shallow Night just looked at the changeling Stock as she placed the pouch in front of him and sat down next to it, he just smiles and said, "Thank you Stock but as I told the others I am fine, you don't need to go out of your way for me." Stock just shook her head then stared at him with a frown while pointing to the pouch and then to his eye. "Oh come on I already told you I'm...." Shallow Night said, but was interrupted by Stock stomping a hoof on the ground forcibly then pointed to the pouch and then to his eye again. "Sir she's just worried about your injury just as we are, let us patch your eye up for you. You've done much for us, the least we could do is this. We're just lowly drones and you go out your way just to keep us safe but when it come to helping you, you don't want let any ling do anything....why?" Shallow Night just blinked as the three changelings waited for his answer, as he sat there in thought as familiar memory played out in his mind. Sometime earlier in a small village town of Fairpass. In the middle of he night of this dusty village filled with dirt roads and several homes built out of lumber with stone chimneys some large some small, a school house with a bell located at the top, a well in the middle of this town and others are establishments that sell items for the homes, confectionery delights and provide entertainment. There are ponies walking around either to their homes for a nights rest or go to have a fun night with friends and loved ones. But inside one particular house a familiar young dark blueish grey unicorn stallion, along with an elderly earth pony Stallion who's coat was tan brown color and eyes of the same color. His mane, mustache, beard and tail was the color black with a hint of grey colored in, and with a cutie mark of a hoof print overlapping a metal hammer, and a grey unicorn mare who had a mane and tail of the color of light grey with strands of white through them. Her eyes were the color of bumble bee yellow and a cutie mark of a glittering gemstone with a thought bubble over it. The young stallion was wearing a pleading expression as he says, "But why, it would do a lot of good if I can go to the princess and worn her before they arrive." "Because Shallow Night it's too dangerous, not to mention the travel is long and far, even if you were to make there on time how would you be able to see the princess, it's not like you could go in and say 'Hey princess Celestia you will listen to me or else the city will be in danger' I seriously doubt that you would be able to walk out a free pony" the unicorn mare said. "But I can't just sit here and do nothing so many lives could be in jeopardy....no... many lives are in jeopardy unless some pony either stops the threat or for the very least warn them of the coming threat." Shallow Night said. "There is nothing you can do right now Shallow. I won't have you running off head first into danger again, it's only been a month and a half since that diamond dog incident and you rushed into that as well." The unicorn mare said. "But I had to do something, fire light and swiftly skies were taken, I couldn't let them take my friends or their families and waiting for the guard was out of the question, I just..." Shallow Night said but the earth pony mare place a hoof on his withers and said, "I know that and I thank Celestia that you and everypony else came back, but you were hurt so bad that I thought you were going to die, and now after your all healed up you wanna go and rush into danger again just because some ponies far away might lose to some queen bent on taking over Canterlot even with the princesses being there, no I'm not...." the unicorn mare said as sobbing and tears started to fall from her eyes The earth pony stallion walked up to the mare and placed a hoof on her back, she turned to him and said, "Hard hoof say something to him." The elder stallion named Hard hoof stroked his beard a few times and walked over to Shallow Night and sternly looked at him for a few moments, then smile stretches on his muzzle as he says, "You know sometimes ah forget your not really our son, what with you um what is it you said 'taking his form' was it." Hard hoof said. Shallow night ears folded to his head as he slowly nodded as he ignited his horn with green aura and just then a green flame quickly started to engulfed his body. As quickly as it came it dissipated and revealed a changeling. Hard hoof head jolted back a little as he said, "Whoa, never could get use ta that there changeling hocus pocus." Hard hoof coughed into his hoof and continued, "As ah was sayin you may not be our real son but you have his heart though, and ah know if our son was here today he would want to do the very same thing that your wantin ta do. So ah won't stop ya son" Shallow Night's face just lights up and wing buzz as he said, "Really Hard hoof sir um...I mean father." "Of course Shallow. There is some thing that mah pa would say at times like this, he would say 'somethings a stallion's gotta do what a stallion's gotta do' course he also says dogs can't look up and trees can grow upside down but that's beside the point." Hard hoof said with a slight chuckle. "Hard Hoof!" the unicorn mare said with a huff, "You can't seriously have him go out there and...and...." but she was interrupted by her husband dismissively waving a hoof as he said, "Now now Glimmering dream, you and ah both know that even if we tell him no he'll still up and go out to Canterlot. So it's best to just let him go with a little bit of worry in our hearts than for him to go without us knowing, finding out an worrying a whole lot, besides he a grown stallion an his mind is made up." "I know, it's just that.." Glimmering dream said with her hooves covering her eyes as she wept. Shallow Night walked over to her and hugged the elderly unicorn and said, "Don't worry Miss Glimmer I'll be back safe and sound and who knows hopefully I'll have a great story for the students upon my return." Glimmering dream embraced the changeling and said with the last of her tears falling to the wooden floor and a sad smile, "I know, I know just be careful son." Shallow Night closed his eyes, unknown to either the Hard hoof or the mare in his embrace he takes in the emanating caring emotion, his insect like wings buzz as he is being filled by the loving emotion from the mare. As they released their embrace there was a knock on the door, "Ah wonder who could that be?" Hard hoof said as he walked to the wooden door. As Glimmering dream watches Hard hoof as he starts to open the door, she quickly realizes that Shallow Night was not disguised as the blueish grey unicorn that they know. She quickly turns to him and says, "Shallow quick change back before Hard hoof...." but it was too late, Hard hoof had opened the door revealing a slight pudgy steel blue unicorn Stallion with a dark grey bushy Mustache, mane and tail, wearing a black formal jacket and tie as well as a top hat and a cutie mark of a black top hat and cane. Glimmering dream saw him, breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Mayor Tiptop it's so nice to see you. What can we do for you this evening?" The mayor tips his hat and says, "Evening Miss dream, Hard hoof. We've heard that there was a problem and we just had to come and help." "Problem?" Glimmering dream asked, "Yes. You see it's been brought to our attention that a certain hero of our fair little town of Fairpass, needs to get to Canterlot before a certain incident happens." The mayor said. "Yes, but how did you..." Hard hoof said. "Oh come now Hard hoof I'm the mayor. Surely you of all ponies should know that nothing escapes these here ears of mine as well as how fast the *ahem* 'word of mouth' travels in this here small town. I was bound to hear it sooner or later," Tip Top said, "although I wished to have heard it sooner so I could help out more." "Wait Mr mayor," Shallow Night said, "You said 'We', who else is with you sir?" "Well...." Tiptop said before removing his top hat and walking in. As the mayor waked into the home, at the entrance stood two figures. One was a peach-yellow colored Pegasus mare with a lime colored mane with a few stripes of light colors, she was wearing a long mud brown cloak that seemed to cover the rest of her body. Next to the mare was a Earth pony colt, his coat was the color of dull grey with spots of black on his left eye, right foreleg and his chest, his mane and tail although messy was the color of dark blue. The mare looked around until she spotted the changeling and frowned. Shallow Night saw this and immediately hid behind Glimmering dream but the mare stomped a hoof and said, "Shallow Night I know that's you, quit hiding behind your mother and look at me." The Changeling winced from behind the elderly mare and slowly did just that, at the same time Tiptop walked over to young mare and said, "Now now sweetheart you can't be too mad at him, he's only trying..." "Yes I can dad." The mare said, "He's going all the way to Canterlot just to try to stop an invasion that may or may not happen, from what I've heard it's going to be just a regular wedding the captain of the royal guard and some princess." Shallow Night slowly walked over to the mare and placed a hoof on her withers and said, "Miss Goodwill you must understand I'm the only one who can do this..." but Goodwill swatted away his hoof and glared at him with with tears staring to form in her eyes and said, "No your not the only one who can do this. They have hundreds of guards of both Princess Luna's night guard and Princess Celestia's day guard as well as both princesses as well and the bearers of the Elements of Harmony, and you think that this queen Chrysalis has a chance of getting into that city." Shallow Night frown and shook his head as he said, "Yes I am the only one who can do this, and I know she can get into the city she's done something like this in the past. It doesn't matter how many ponies there are around or who's there, it only matter on how even one changeling can sneak in to get the job done." "Then what about just talking to this queen Chrysalis, maybe she could settle everything peacefully." Goodwill said, "she can't just want war just like that. She wouldn't anything to gain except heavy losses." The changeling's frown deepened as he answered, "She will not want to end things peacefully, she's just too....pigheadedly stubborn. She'll trample over who ever she can just to get what she wants." Shallow Night then looked at everyone and continued, "Look I know I told Glitter... I mean mom and dad this but..." he looked towards his adopted mother and father and saw Hard Hoof give him an assuring nod. He takes a deep breath and continues, "We changelings are very....unique compared to every pony else, you see we don't eat like you, we eat emotions all kinds of emotions but we prefer to take in love." The mayor and Goodwill gasped while the little colt just looked with confusion. "What love, but how its..its.. unheard of." Tiptop said. "Well I won't go into too much detail but it's kind of like breathing in air, and we have a bad reputation with dragons, griffons, Minotaurs, Zebras as well as some pony places so we have to disguise ourselves and draw in the love from the unsuspecting. At times we foalnap an unsuspecting target and cocoon them, while the the changeling would disguise them selves as that target and take their place the hive feeds off of who is captured because of this ." Shallow Night said. He looks to the mayor and Goodwill as they had a look of shock and horror, he quickly shook his hooves in the air and said, "Oh no no no. Don't get me wrong, all hives do this and after a time they release them who would have no recollection of what happen, but for me I haven't done that in about a little longer than I've been here." "So, for eight years you haven't done that to any pony here?" Tiptop asked. "Well nine and a half but yes that's correct. After being among everypony here I felt I didn't need to, the love you have for each other was just radiating throughout the town, and when Mom and Dad found out who and what I was they took me in and treated me as their real son." Shallow Night said but then quickly shook his head and continued, "But back to the invasion, Chrysalis is doing this just so she could feed her hive, and if she's going all out just to take Canterlot then they must be starving and desperate, the fact that she didn't come to a town like this first just proves that fact." The little colt walked up to the changeling, tapped on his leg, Shallow Night looked down and looked at the colt. The little colt asked, "Will you come back Mr Shallow Night?" The Changeling playfully ruffled the colt's mane answered, "Of course I will Silent Step. I can't leave you kids alone with miss Goodwill, you'd drive her crazy." The little colt, Silent Step giggled while Goodwill puffed her cheeks, which in turn every pony laughed at her display. Shallow Night sighed as he looks at everypony laughing and thought, 'This feels right, Ponies and changelings living together without fear. Maybe I can show all the others that there is another way to live, that this is another way for us to live.' he then whispers "A better way." Once the laughter died down the changeling looked around to see a saddle bag siting in the corner of the area, his attention of the saddle bag diverted when Mayor tiptop said, "Well then Shallow my boy seeing as you're so dead set on going, how do you expect to get there?" "I was going to fly to the nearest town with a train and from there take it to Canterlot." Shallow Night said. Goodwill looked at him in shock and and disbelief then said, "The nearest town with a train is east of here and it's over a ninety miles from here, can you really fly that far for long." Shallow Night Puffed out his chest with pride and said, "Well if I use the night to hide and quickly travel by hoof for a few miles I can fly the for a few more miles, if everything goes well with only time to rest a little I should get there a day and a half two being the latest," he furrowed his brows and rubbed his chin with a hoof, "as long as the form I take can be maintained." "Well I figured as much." Tiptop said as he pulled out a folded piece of paper and gave it to Shallow Night, "Once you get to the next town take that letter to the station, there's a friend who I asked for help on transporting you to Canterlot." "Thank you mayor." Shallow Night said. "Think nothing of it my boy, it's the least I could do by providing 'The Hero of Fairpass' some help." Tiptop said. Shallow Night walked over to the saddle bags and placed the letter within it the turn to everpony in the room and said, "I should get going if I want to make it there on time." he then closed his eyes and a green flame engulfed him once again, as it dissipates revealing him to look the same but instead of a unicorn he was a Pegasus. Shallow Night turn back towards the saddle bags and saw that they were engulfed in a golden yellow magic and levitated onto his back, looks over to Glimmering dream and said, "Thanks mom." The unicorn mare wiped a tear from her eye and nodded. Hard hoof walked over to Shallow Night, placed a hoof on his shoulder and said, "Son before you go I wanna give you some advice that I gave my real son before he departed the guard," Shallow Night looked to the stallion as he continued, "Help those you can, and protect those that you can and above all come back safe to us. Can you do that for me Shallow Night?" Back in the Everfree forest As the memory fade he could here a voice from one of he Changelings saying, "Shallow Night sir, if you do not wish to tell us why, then we will not ask again." The taller Changeling looks over to the three changeling in front of him and shook his head, "No it's ok. The reason is something my father said but that's not important right now." "Yes sir, Oh by the way we've received word about that place you asked about." Wisp said. "Oh and what were you told?" Shallow Night said. "Well sir everypony there is safe and it's just as you've said, the positive emotions there is just radiating from there it's like it's made out of love." "Good that puts my mind at ease for now, but tell me what of the ones I've asked to be looked after." Shallow night said. "Well sir um the one called Goodwill has given birth of twins, the father an earth pony by the name of Satchel was over joyed." Wisp said 'Heh I knew those two would end up together and now they have twin foals, congratulations Satchel and Mrs Goodwill.' Shallow Night thought as he breathed a sigh of relief, "Tell me Wisp did our informant mention anything on the foals" Shallow Night said as he placed a foreleg around wisp. "Just that they were a unicorn and an earth pony." Wisp answered. "Good, and what of there others I've asked about?" Shallow Night said as he stood up. "Well sir about them it seems the one called Hard Hoof got hurt during a Diamond dog attack shortly before the foals were born, he's fine now but he's just taking it easy." Wisp said. "And Glimmering Dream?" Shallow Night asked with a little fear in his voice. Wisp's ear folded back as he said, "Well sir the first few months she was in a deep depression after she found out about what happened at Canterlot, thinking that you had died but Mirage had revealed herself to her and told her of your whereabouts, to be honest I think that was rather foalish of her to do but it seem to work and calmed the mare's worries in fact the whole village knows who she is and has accepted her within the village. " Shallow Night placed a hoof on his chest, closed his eyes and thought, 'Mirage shouldn't have revealed herself with the risk of the royal guards finding out but knowing the ponies of Fairpass she will be fine, and mom was always a worrier, and Dad just had to be the hero but I'm glad they're safe.' A tear runs down the side of his muzzle as he quietly said, "Times like these I wish I was their real son" Wisp tilts his head in confusion and asked, "Sir are you okay, you're starting to cry?" Shallow Night opened his eyes, sniffed and wiped his muzzle and answered, "Yes Wisp I'm fine, must be the injury that's causing it." Upon hearing this the Changeling Stock quickly picked up the small poach of medicine in her mouth then pointed to his eye, Shallow Night just chuckled at her display and said, "Okay Okay you win Stock you can treat my eye but first we should start heading back to the others to see what her royal highness wants before she has a fit, wouldn't want to be in that." Stock nodded eagerly, and the small group of Changelings started their way to the other Changelings. Author's Note Finally I've finished this chapter, after many days of nodding off while typing and all those times I keep hitting those writers blocks I've finally finished this. To all of my readers and watchers I thank you for being so patient with me. Now that this chapter is out of the way I can start on the next chapter of my other story, here's hoping that I can get it out quickly. Until then see ya next chapter.
