Author's Note

The amount of distractions I encountered during the making of this chapter was too damn high!

Anyways I will most likely not be able to write the third chapter for about two weeks due to me being a sports instructor at a camp. Maybe I will but most likely won't. After all I didn't buy spearfishing gear for nothing right? Anyway I hope you enjoy this chapter, don't forget to hit that hate button erm I mean LIKE button, and as always, *Russian accent* Hev nice day.

• Ghost gone

Dark Rising

Dark Rising

Eight months later. . .
Location - Unknown

A dark red sky swirled with black clouds, forming a tornado-like vortex above a dead landscape, giving everything a reddish hue The ground was a burned black and gray with dead trees scattering the scene. In the distance volcanoes burned, lava rivers flowing from them, creating a sense of despair and death. A dull hot breeze blew through the land, making dead branches and twigs rack against one another, some breaking and falling to the charred ground.

In a tree before a clearing, a large raven with jet black feathers sat perched on a branch. It's six red eyes darted around the area, searching for any signs of danger. A sudden humming of energy caused the raven to crouch and freeze, wings semi-open, ready to spread and flee from the threat. In the clearing a purple/black portal swirled into existence, sending the raven cawing into the skies, leaving a few feathers behind slowly fluttering to the ground.

The portal swirled vertically a foot above the ground like a misplaced whirlpool when a noise like running water sounded and out of it shot a misty shadow. The shadow hovered in the air for a moment before settling on the ground and materializing into a strange creature. This creature was female and had a black coat and grey set of skimpy armor that barely covered her nether region and bountiful bosom. She stood in a crouched stance which allowed her to be both bipedal and quadruped. On her back was a pair of leathery bat wings. The face had a feline appearance and two small fangs poked out of her mouth and on her head were long pointy ears. Her mane was a silver color and was loose to the shoulders. Small spines stuck out from the mane and ran through the center from the forehead to the neck. Her eyes were red and slitted and from her plump rear went a long lions tail with extra fluff at the end.

The creature shook herself and stretched her wings. She looked around the clearing then up at the black mass of clouds. The swirling vortex seemed to hypnotize her as she didn't stir for a good five minutes.

The portal behind her suddenly collapsed on itself with a loud CLAP! She squeaked and jumped forward, wings flared out. She turned, pupils the sizes of pinpricks.
Seeing nothing she closed her eyes and placed her left hand on her heart, breathing deeply, trying to calm her racing heart.

"Why can't he fix the stupid portal problem already?"

She said to no one in particular in a sweet voice.

And to think he's so high and mighty yet can't even provide decent portal crystals for his subordinates.

She shook her head and after a few minutes took to the darkened skies. The warm wind felt nice through her mane and she couldn't help but close her eyes and smile, enjoying the feeling on her fur.
A blast of wind to the face broke her moment of bliss and she looked around the dreadful landscape.

*sigh*

Why can't things be like they are in Equestria?
She thought to herself.
Everything is so green, so beautiful, so . . . full of life.

She continued her train of thought until the air around her dropped from a pleasant warm to a teeth-chattering freezing and the atmosphere became even more dark and sinister.
Her fur stood on edge and she crossed her arms as close as possible to preserve some heat, her double Ds bulging outwards, threatening to escape from their prison.

And another thing. Why do we have to wear these skimpy outfits? The only thing these things can offer are hungry horn dogs!

Lightning cracked disturbingly close and she quickened her pace, dropping to a lower altitude. Soon visibility was as dark as a moonless, starless night and everything lost all color into a dull black and gray. She strained her eyes trying to reflect as much light as she could to help navigate in the gloom.

Soon her vision picked up the silhouette of a huge castle resting in the midst of steep sharp cliffs. Soon she landed outside of the main gates and folded her wings. With quick motions of her hands she straightened her mane then made the rest of herself presentable and walked towards the gates, back straight chest out, perfect.

As she neared the gates she couldn't help but feel intimidated by the appearance of the palace. No matter how many times she returned she couldn't get used to the place. Up close it's sheer size and foreboding architecture set off every alarm in her head, screaming for her to turn and flee as far away as possible from the monstrous establishment.

The gates slid upwards with a long and extremely ear-splitting screech, forcing her to flatten her long ears as much as possible and cringe, shivers shooting through her every nerve. Once inside the courtyard she strut across, preparing herself for what was to come at the beginning of the steps to the main double doors.

She reached the steps and walked past two fifteen foot stone gargoyle statues flanking the steps. Her ears perked up as the sound of crumbling stone softly echoed behind her.

Wait . . .
She put more sway in her hips.
Almost . . .
She continued like this to the halfway point.
Now!

She spun around and stared straight at the two gargoyles, both with their heads turned and glowing green eyes on her lower region, biting their lower lips. The gargoyles jumped and stumbled over themselves to face forward again upon realising they were caught. She chuckled and called out to them,

"You boys enjoyed the view?"

The only response she got was some incomprehensible mumbling and some uncomfortable shifting. She put on a full blown grin and rolled her eyes, shaking her head and resuming her trip up the steps. She finally got there and waited. Silence. She tapped her foot and put her hands on her hips. Still nothing. Losing patience she crossed her arms and huffed, her tail twitching in agitation.

"Are you fr-"
she began but was cut off by the sound of the doors opening.
"Finally!"
She entered the palace and total darkness engulfed her. At the bottom of the steps the two gargoyles looked back at the now shutting doors then at each other. The two began conversing in a strange garbled language. One lifted its arms and made groping motions while flicking his tongue up and down swiftly. The other rolled its eyes and reached across, smacking the other upside the head. Said gargoyle grunted in a questioning tone, rubbing the sore spot. The assailant grunted an answer and both resumed their posts, both becoming encased in solid stone once again.

The feline navigated her way through the blackness by memory through corridors and great halls until she came to another set of large double doors. Stopping in front of them she took several deep breaths and knocked three times, each noise echoing eerily into the darkness.

The great doors slowly opened revealing a huge throne room. The place was illuminated in a dark purple glow from torches that emitted strange plasma particles instead of flames. Massive pillars stretched up into the darkness and in between each pillar crouched on their knees with their fists on the floor were more gigantic stone gargoyles, their heads facing down in a bowing posture. A dark purple carpet with black trimming led up to a large black throne that was decorated with glowing purple crystals. The armrests were made of two large dragon skulls and from the back came spikes that stabbed in every direction and a purple/black mist danced around like flames. But the most fearsome feature was the being seated on the throne. It's massive muscular arms rested on the skulls and its hooded head faced downward, no indication of open eyes or breathing.

She trembled slightly before getting herself back under control and walked up to the foot of the throne and taking a knee, her right knee on the floor, her left arm on her left knee, and her right fist in the carpet.

"Y-your Darkness First Novus Kittibra returning from reconnaissance mission."

She didn't dare look up or breath, her heart racing. This was her second time having a face to face encounter with the Lord of Darkness Himself. The figure on the throne opened his eyes, the orange/yellow torches burned into her head, causing her to squirm involuntary, and sat up, leaning back into the throne.

"Ah . . ."

His voice instantly paralyzed her, the deep dark vibrations dominated her every sense, making her feel like his slave, completely in his power.

"So, my new Novus, what does your harvest reap?"

"We- *ahem* well, t-the Equestrians a-are unsuspecting o-of anything. Their military forces are more focused on Canterlot due to a recent Changeling invasion."

"Good. This will only make things easier. Well done Novus! Your service to me is much admired. I am sure a promotion is in your near future."

"T-thank you Your Darkness."

"It is well. Go, have your fill of meat and wine, for soon we shall make our existence known to all of Equestria."

"Y-yes Your Darkness."

Kittibra stood and bowed deeply to the Dark Lord and turned to walk out of the room. Suddenly not ten feet ahead a portal hummed into existence and a male creature emerged, clad in black and silver armor. He also had leathery wings but they were tattered. His physique was that of a drake with black and dark green scales and his eyes were also bright green and slitted, his red mane was spiked up in a mohawk and a long scaly tail came from his rear. Kittibra's face instantly soured and the drake's turned into a cocky smirk.

"Novus" He said in a haughty tone.

"Dick-anus" Kittibra replied, giving him her own smirk as his turned into a scowl.

"Its Decanus. You'd better start addressing me by my true rank title or there will be punishment. Is that understood, Novus?"

He hissed. Kittibra put on her bedroom eyes and sauntered over to him.

"Punish me . . ."

She whispered to him and walked past, leaving him blushing and flustered. As Kittibra exited the room the drake went over and knelt before the Dark One.

"Have you found her?" The Dark Lord's tone was deathly serious.

"Yes we have, Your Darkship. She is in the Crystal Empire. She rules side by side with the Alicorn of Love. Though she was recently reformed by the Elements, that shouldn't be a bigger issue than a slight delay."

A sinister grin spread across the dark face and a malicious chuckle escaped his lips.

" Excellent."

He stood off the throne and took three strides before turning to the still bowing drake.

"Rise my subject."

The drake stood straight and was a little taken aback. He himself was 6'4 and the tallest of his kind. The Lord of Darkness was a whole head and a half taller, standing at at least 7'7.

"Ready the Fallen. We move at the start of the solstice."

The drake bowed his head and headed out of the room. The Dark Lord watched him leave then went behind the throne, a hidden door opening and shutting behind him. He walked up a long spiraling set of stairs in pitch blackness. At the top he approached a wall and waved his right hand in front of it. A circular doorway melted and a room appeared. He walked through and the wall reformed itself. Inside the room was illuminated by the same plasma torches and a set of broken glass doors led to a balcony and a cracked window faced out into the black sky.. The place was furnished with a large black bed, black table, several bookshelves, and a glowing three-dimensional rotating holographic map of the planet.

Without wasting time he approached the map and pressed a continent. The map instantly changed form as it erupted in particles and reshaped itself into a flat three-dimensional map of Equestria. Tapping another location in the northern hemisphere the map zoomed in on the Crystal Empire, showing what was happening inside the city real time. He observed the casual atmosphere of the crystal ponies for some time before pressing the palace in the center. The palace grew in size until it took up the entire span of the hologram.

"Come out come out wherever you are, Your Highness."

The Dark Lord's fiery eyes scanned every inch of the rotating palace.

"Aha!There you are!"

He excitedly pressed upon a balcony and the map zoomed in on a mare that just walked onto it. The mare had a black coat and mane/tail. From her forehead went a reddish horn and a purple mist flowed from her red-green eyes. On her head was a black and silver tiara and a cape was wrapped around her slim figure.. The mare leaned on the railing and gazed out into the city. Closing her eyes and breathing in the pleasurable chilly air.

"Soon, Your Highness, soon you will learn it is impossible to escape your destiny. Especially if one like ME is involved in it."

The Dark One zoomed in on her face and reached out, stroking her mane. The mare's eyes shot open and she faced him, a surprised look on her face. The Dark Lord grinned and flicked her snout. She squeaked and scrunched up her snout, rubbing it with a hand. She looked around his area for a few more minutes but after not seeing anything turned and went back inside the palace.

"Sleep well your majesty, I hope all your dreams come true."

He stepped away from the map and headed towards the window, the map reforming itself back into the rotating planet. The Dark Lord crossed his arms and stared out into the distance, a wicked smile appeared on his face.

"Just remember that nightmares are also dreams . . ."