The Hour of Twilight

by Lord Sylus of Night

Rating: teen
Tags: Alternate Universe, Sad, Anthro, Dark, Tragedy, Adventure
Length: 7872

There comes a day where the student must overtake the master, and claim their spot as their own. With the new princess ponies believed that it would come easily and bring peaceful times. But peace cannot be made without war, and without hatred...

The Hour of Twilight approaches…our final time where darkness shall embrace Equestria…she who shall inherit the Eternium is the one who was thrice defied evil, born as the final day of Spring dies…he who shall wield the Eternium shall rule over all of Equestria…The Dark Lord shall aid in the rise of the Hour of Twilight…For the Hour of Twilight approaches…

One Immortal must wield the powers of darkness, The Eternium must decide how that power is used.
Equestria could not be in better times. All darkness seems to be vanquished from Equestria, with the return of Twilight and Rarity from their quest in the North of vanquishing the last of Sombra's magic. Both returning with the titles of "The Paladins of Harmony".

But all is not as it seems. For stirring in the Everfree Forest is a dark force that has not existed since the reign of Discord. Twilight senses something dark and finds a dark truth that will change her future forever.

Rarity is praised by the princesses and awarded another title. Celestia and Luna share a secret about Rarity's family that will change not only her job but her life as she continues on.

Both of these Spirits of Harmony will be pivotal in either the destruction or in the saving of Equestria.

This is my redo at doing a "Corrupted Twilight Fic" and I hope this delivers it. I have got a lot of hopes for this fic as it goes on. The above prophecy is one that is inspired by the one in Harry Potter and the other thing is a redux of 'The Rule of Two' from the Darth Bane books. Sorry, a bit of a super nerd over here. And I will be canceling War of Immortals because it is just becoming a jumbled mess. Consider this a combination of my old Dark Apprentice fic and War of the Immortals.

Coverart by: MysteryEzekude

Published 1970-01-01 00:00:00 UTC
Last updated 2015-07-17 20:50:57 UTC

Prologue

Rise of A Dark Lord

"Your resistance, *sisters*, is admirable. But you are not strong enough to ever hope in defeating me." He sneered. His voice seemed more coiled and more twisted in madness than Celestia could ever think possible. Every word enunciated with darkness and with promises of destruction, something that made Celestia recoil in utter disgust. She curled the corner of her mouth in distaste at his statement, where had he gone?

Every muscle in Celestia's immortal body shivered and shook, seizing with sapped strength and spasming with rapid succession. Her breaths short and exasperated with distress. Her wounded gaze moved down to her limp and bleeding form. Resting amidst broken rubble and fallen comrades. Her armor dented and smashed with the strength of immortals and bruises all around her that were not covered with scarlet tears. Her tabard of the Celestial Eternium* shredded and torn, billowing off of her with every dark gust that blew. The only pieces of her armour that remained was the spaulder on her left shoulder, her metal shoes, the crest of her chestplate, and the hoof brace around her left hoof. She summoned as much strength as she could to spit up the blood that collected in her mouth, all strength leaving the deep cuts all along her body. Her eyes half open, trying to force herself to stay conscious, inspecting the levels of destruction that were all around her.

Flames leaping into the sky and joining the smoke as it filled the air with its poisonous and noxious fumes. The walls of the Eternium Castle were caved in and the ceiling torn asunder. The large entrance hall filled with burning scaffolding and many tapestries having that point in history destroyed. Tales of heroes burning away, the air filled with the smell of burning flesh and the fear of an entire nation. Terrible Ghuls crawled all around entrance hall, with rapid advances and with jittery hooves waiting to sink their teeth into ponies that were not paying attention. Hellhounds feeding on the bodies of the dead Eternium Soldiers, blood splattering at the wild tearing of their flesh. Bones crunching in their sharp toothed maws. Their wild eyes occasionally setting on Celestia, growling but quickly dying knowing that she was the true prey of their master.

Celestia clutched her golden sword in her hoof and clenched in pain as another wave washed over her. Celestia growled in raspy tone, "The only thing that will defeat you will be your pride."

She stared long at the alicorn brother she once called brother. His long dark red fiery mane under a helm of fear and despair that imparted on Celestia, dressed from head to hoof in thick ebony armour. Spikes and skulls decorating the surface of the armour to inspire fear and power. A glowing savage red aura loomed off of the twisted and archaic sword that was in his hoof. Four and a half feet of pure dark steel with the guard adorned with a dual sided skull. A loose fitting scarlet cape waved off of him in the dark breeze. His bright yellows eyes glowing with hatred stared with a neutral look, assuring and promising her absolute destruction and no mercy.

She clenched her sword arm closer and with all the strength she had left lifted off of the ground to stand in defiance of her brother, she shouted, "Look at yourself. Are you proud of what you have become!? Have you gained father's love now!? The countryside you promised to protect with your sword is now burning and erupted in chaos because of YOU!!!"

Like a lion he rumbled, "I am proud of one thing and one thing only, Celestia. I am proud that I do not have defeated the two most powerful beings in all of the Eternium and absorbed their powers. I am the King of the Eternium! I choose what body shall rule the sky! And I am going to paint them both red with both of your blood as a reminder of my victory."

"Augustine...stop this madness...stop all of this-"

Celestia felt herself keel over to the side as a ripping and burning sensation tore itself over her chest, fresh blood spilling over the floor. Celestia caught herself with her hooves and groaned at the sudden pain, spitting and sputtering up blood. Already she could feel her lungs strain and clutch as it filled up like balloons full of blood. She suddenly was pulled up and suspended in air, clenching and clutching for air. Her airways straining tight, her life choking away. She struggled as she tried to break free. A red band  of magic wrapped tight around her throat, she looked as Augustine held up his open hoof and roared, "I am not Prince Augustine anymore! That weakling died when I embraced the true magic of Equestria! I will not allow you or anypony else impede my true goal...I will see the empire that you were to inherit burn and be reborn in anarchy and shadows. Starting with your death-"

"NNNNOOOOO!!!!!!!!!" Celestia watched as a blur of black and dark blue crash against Augustine and push him down. Celestia landed on her hooves, hunching over to try and prevent herself from toppling over. She looked up and saw her sister, Princess Luna, fight their brother in combat. Her scythe flying and clashing with Augustine's blade, he named Acies Tenebris. Luna's scythe named, Lunam. Sparks flashing at Luna's swift and strong attacks, dressed in thin layered ebony dark plate over her chest and hooves. Thin pieces of cloth tucked under the armor to make it look like she was wearing a dress underneath, a battle skirt it was called. Split down the middle to offer more mobility in combat as was proven correct in this situation. In quick flurries of her scythe she tried to find a spot in his defenses to exploit.

Celestia clutched her shoulder and knelt down, groaning at the pain once more. Agonizing pain rising through her veins as blood continued to spill out of her cuts. Running down off of her neck, her hooves, and her chest. Her tabard completely torn away and now rising through the air like a leaf. Celestia closed her eyes and wiped it on some of the blood that spilled from her chest and whispered with words of great power, "In the name of the sun, the moon, and the stars, I ask of you to bear upon me your most righteous powers-"

Her eyes closed and her head bowed in the dead dust of Eternium Castle. Crackling flames drowned out and died as she drew holy symbols on her bare arm. Slowly she felt small wounds and bruises heal. The air crackling with holy and righteous power, continuing on with her powerful prayer, "-Let your voices be heard on this night! In the night's darkest of hours, let your requiem song of the forgotten be heard and let your voices rise once more in this most desperate hour! For I am your Holy Avenger! For your names shall be written in the stones of history for centuries to come! Grant me your blessing of power! In the name of the Lights, Amen!!!"

Another dark wind danced over Celestia's body as a shaft of light pierced through the darkened heavens as the Ghuls began to gather around her. Their eyes burning and their skin blistering in the pure light. Finishing her symbols on her arm, now covered in holy symbols. Briefly flared and glowed a dark orange. Permanently emblazoned on her skin, pumping power through her veins. The power she felt when she raised and lowered the sun now rising in her veins and healing her wounds. Opening her hoof out she willed her sword to fly into her grip. She caught her sword named, Luxultima, and the symbols on the golden blade of the longsword glowed and responded to the symbols on her arm. Her muscles healing and regaining her former loss of magical strength. She stood up tall and in her other hoof white light erupted, like a beacon in the night and smashed her hoof against the ground, her eyes glowing the same white light. A wave of light shot out from Celestia and evaporated the Ghuls into ashes. The cracks in the ground responding to the sudden light eruption.

Her voice filled with righteous anger as she shouted to Augustine, "The bell tolls for thee, brother!"

Luna smacks the opposite end of Lunam against the side of Augustine's head and lowers his defense. Luna tucked and rolled into the shadows. Shouting out as she remained knelt in the shadows, "Now sister!"

Celestia pumped pure sunlight into Luxultima and growled as she slowly advanced towards Augustine. Her sword glowing with bright rays of the sun. She growled, "Pray to the Fates that they have mercy on your soul..."

Celestia charged and with a single beat of her wings she flew straight towards Augustine, a battlecry ripping through her throat and guiding her to her once respected older brother. Celestia pulled Luxultima in and thrust it deep inside Augustine in the stomach. Blood wrenched out of the wound and splattered over Celestia, she twisted the blade and growled, "Aeternae Sacrementum. The Eternal Pact is complete."

Celestia pulled out the blade and caused another tide of blood to splash over her. She rested her sword to her side and watched as Augustine clutched his wound with his hooves. With disgust and shock stricken on his face he said, "You...you are not...you are not the Eternium?...You are not my destined end?"

Celestia crooked her eyebrow and asked, "Not your destined end?"

Augustine looked up and as he did, clouds parted as if making way for Augustine's death. The moon shone bright and the stars twinkled against the midnight background. He stared up long at the stars and said, "My fate lies with the brightest star..."

He fell to his knees and continued to stare at the skyline. Augustine muttered, "My death is through the Eternium."

Augustine moved a neutral gaze to Celestia and said, "I shall return, sisters. I will take my birthright, and you will be powerless to stop me."

Celestia stared in wonder and confusion at his statement. Concentrating on the wound that now started leaking shadows rather than blood. Augustine smiled as his material form faded into ashes, "Our pact is complete, sister. Do with your destiny as you see fit."

He transformed into ashes and flew out and away on the wind, carrying him to a far away land. His statements cryptic and mysterious. Celestia gave out a hard breath, the magic she once radiated now died and her symbols died down. She cleaned the blood from her sword and sheathed it, rolling her shoulder to try and snap it out of dislocation. Luna joined her sister at her side and said, "My fate lies with the brightest star? What in the name of Equestria does he mean?"

Celestia closed her eyes and replied, "I don't know. But I fear to know when the time comes...come sister, we have business to attend to."

Celestia knew that one day Augustine would return, and on that day. Augustine will know what it is like to feel the true wrath of the sun.

Chapter I

A Warm Welcome Home Part I

"Bleed them, make them suffer for their sins. Leave none of them alive."

"Ugh...Pinkie Pie...they're just jelly donuts?" Rainbow Dash said as she lifted the pan with her hooves. Pinkie swiped a jelly donut and holding a small baggie underneath it she kept an angered face on it. Scorn filling her eyes and burning two holes into the donut. Her Mouth curled and snarling in anger like a rabid dog defending its territory.

Pinkie growled, "But they were over cooked, they do not deserve mercy. They will suffer for this."

Squeezing tight, the jelly donut slowly bled jelly filling. Oozing out like blood from a wound, the bright purple jam running down her hoof, sticking to her coat. The smell fresh on the air and danced its way into her nostrils. This was the last time Pinkie Pie ever got something from Donut Joe's, she doesn't want to educate an amateur on jelly donut making. She would assume that since it was his special talent that he could at least be proficient at it. Or what Pinkie thinks, Rainbow just saw her ranting rambling on and on about proper desert etiquette. Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes and said, "So what if they're overcooked, Pinkie. I'm hungry and everypony is waiting for us outside."

The sun was bleeding into the dining area of Sugar Cube Corner, bright orange and red rays. The day had gone pretty normally, they planned this welcome home party since they left. Every detail calculated and every precaution already made. The balloons, the guests, the food, and the music. Everything crafted nearly to perfection. Rainbow Dash had done some exercising and was hankering for a sloppy hay sandwich that was calling her name. The sweet sweet taste of sloppy hay sandwich.

Pinkie slowly turned her head and held the carcass of the once proud overcooked donut in her hoof. She tossed the carcass in the baggie and threw it in an open waste disposal and said, "Rainbow Dash. Twilight and Rarity have been gone for months, I can't let them come back home with imperfections. Everything. Must. Be. Perfect."

Pinkie stepped into Rainbow Dash' face with boldly enunciated words, both shaken and somewhat scared at her pink friend Rainbow Dash backed into the edge of a table and set down the pan of donuts. Rainbow Dash stared into her maddened gaze and saw a familiar look there. The same gaze Pinkie gave her when they all planned a surprise birthday. Scorn and unyielding hatred await past those bright blue eyes. Trying to die down the fear rising in her throat, Rainbow Dash coughed, "Jeez, you are reminding me of Rarity. What's next you start a sewing business and you buy a cat? And start talking like a Canterlotian and say things like "darling" or "Oh my"."

Pinkie chuckled at Rainbow's best Rarity impression, Rainbow released a breath of relief that Pinkie did not go crazy for a second. Pinkie had a tendency to lose her nut once in a while. Everypony goes grazy once in a while, but she takes it a LITTLE bit too far. Her light pink colored face moved out of Rainbow Dash's face and gave her time to think and to breathe. Rainbow Dash was excited, two of her friends were returning after leaving for a mission in the North. A notion that Rainbow Dash found both curious and annoying, she wanted to be a part of it. She wanted to know how things were going with Shining Armor and Cadence and to help her friends with the dangers of the mission. Why was it only a mission for Twilight and Rarity? And why was Rarity tagged along, she could barely lift her hoof in a fight without hoping she wouldn't break a hoof? The more and more Rainbow Dash thought about it, the more and more it gave her a headache.

It irritated her but gladdened her at the same time. Confusing, and emotions that she had to battle with all on her own. Rainbow Dash smiled and said, "I'm going to wait with the others outside."

Rainbow Dash pushed open the doors, hovering with the gentle flap of her wings, she saw in the main square. Everything was set up and ready for Twilight and Rarity's welcome home. All the ponies gathered and waited for the arrival of Twilight and Rarity. Bright red streamers hung high and flapping into the wind. Balloons stapled to both tree and picnic table. A mural picture holding both Twilight and Rarity in the picture. The hot summer day thought was unpleasant on Rainbow Dash's dry skin, gave a small amount of solace knowing that her friends would be returning. Oh she could not wait for her friends to spin tales of their quest in the north. But moving her gaze over the crowd Rainbow Dash spotted two ponies that stuck out like a sore hoof. Celestia and Luna. Though they were not invited, that did not mean that they could not show up. Rainbow Dash coughed, what were they doing here?

Rainbow Dash hovered her way over there, her gaze not moving off of the two monarchs. Their stone gazes not moving from the entrance of Ponyville. Hadn't they went with Twilight and Rarity to the north? Their usual garb was donned and their backs straight awaiting the arrival of their two beloved champions. Rainbow growled inwardly, hovering close to eavesdrop on their conversation. Seeming to Rainbow Dash that it was a minor dispute as Luna said, "But are you sure that they are ready for the responsibility that comes with such titles?"

Celestia sighed, "Though I am not certain of the future, I am sure that they can carry such a title."

"But they are simple ponies, duties that come with-"

"I have complete faith that my student will be able to carry the weight of a title such as this."

Luna knit an eyebrow, "But what of Rarity? Surely after the crucible that she had gone through she can handle such a title? Correct?"

Celestia seemed to dislodge at the sudden use of the white unicorn's name, "I-yes...yes I would assume so."

Luna shrugged and moved her gaze over the crowd of ponies, "Let us hope that she can live up to her legacy."

Legacy? What does she mean by that? And what titles? Spirits of Harmony wasn't enough? The more that Rainbow Dash thought about this, the more that it sounds like they are showing favoritism. Unicorns have always been praised as higher evolved than pegasi and earth ponies. That notion made Rainbow Dash sick to her stomach, and made her sad. How could this have happened? Harmony could not be pure without balance, but she did not have enough evidence to support this notion. Rainbow Dash took in a large breath and put on a friendly face.

She stepped into view of the princesses and bowed low, "Princess Celestia. Princess Luna."

Celestia had a warm smile as she greeted, "Rainbow Dash, as always it is a pleasure to see you."

Rainbow Dash simply got a acknowledging nod from Luna, Rainbow stood back up and said, "So, what brings you here?"

"We came here to see to the arrival of my student and Lady Rarity." Celestia answered.

Rainbow returned, "But didn't you two leave with them?"

Luna answered this time and said, "We had to leave early, on account that our positions were compromised and our safety was in question."

"There was a threat to Equestria? Why wasn't the Elements put together?" Rainbow questioned.

Celestia answered, "Because it was simply a mop up of King Sombra, taking care of the rest of his magic so the Crystal Empire can sleep at night. We only sent Rarity and Twilight because it was an easy task, as well as the fact that they were most heavily resistant to Sombra's magic. It was a simple mission, I did not want to trouble all of you for something so trivial."

Luna grunted, "Huh, trivial is not the word that I would use sister..."

"Luna, please." Celestia silenced her sister.

Rainbow said, "If it was trivial then why were some of the guards sent to the Crystal Empire?"

Celestia waved a hoof, "They needed extra hooves, they were low on protection and they still need some of the guards to watch the empire."

Celestia rubbed a hoof against her forehead and groaned as if trying to get over a pain. Rainbow knit an eyebrow, "Is everything alright your majesty?"

Celestia answered still rubbing her head, "Yes, you need not worry about me. Just a headache that I have not been getting over for the past few days...anyways, I hope that they arrive soon."

Rainbow nodded and said, "I will leave you two be then. By your leave my majesties."

Rainbow bowed and on her way up Celestia nodded, "A pleasure as always to see you."

Rainbow turned around and whispered to herself, "Wouldn't have been simpler to just have all of us do this together, probably would made the mission go faster..."

Either the princesses were hiding something or trying to avoid anything else that Rainbow would have to say. She needed to tell somepony else about this. Her attention returned from her deep thoughts as she heard Applejack's voice call out, "Hey sugarcube!"

Rainbow turned and saw the cowpony trot towards her and said, "Afternoon."

Rainbow nodded, "Hey Aj..."

Her voice trailed off in thought and Applejack took note of this as they continued on their way, "Everythin' alright sugar cube?"

Rainbow Dash shook her head gently and said, "Do you ever think that we are slowly becoming unneeded Applejack?"

"Huh? What're yeh talkin' 'bout?"

"I mean that the princesses are slowly forgetting about us." Rainbow said, sitting on a bench on the other side of the main square looking at the princesses. Applejack sat next to Rainbow in silence for a few seconds.

She spoke up, "Come on now Rainbow, course they're not goin' teh ferget 'bout us."

"Look at the facts Applejack," Rainbow chided, "There has not been an Equestria threatening event in over a year and now Twilight and Rarity are getting new positions in the government. Face it Aj we're being left in the dust."

"Is somepony jealous?"

"I'm not jealous," Rainbow growled through gritted teeth, trying to keep her anger under control, "I'm just worried that we'll be left behind and forgotten."

Applejack wrapped a hoof around her shoulders and said, "Come on now sugar cube, that there is stinkin' thinkin'. There ain't no way that our friends will forget 'bout us. We should be proud of what they accomplished, otherwise what are we to them."

Rainbow thought about it for a few seconds but could not dissuade her feelings from the scorn she felt inside. She buried her feelings and put on a joyful face and cracked a smile and said, "Yeah, you're right Aj. It's probably just my imagination."

Applejack smiled and said, "I usually am. Now come one, let's go bobbin' fer apples."

Rainbow Dash stood up with Applejack and said, "You go on ahead I'll be right there."

Applejack nodded and pranced off towards the apple bobbing area a few paces away, Rainbow Dash looked over towards the Princesses and said to herself, "I'm going to find out what you two are up to."

Taking in a large gulp of fresh spring air, Rarity released a sigh of contentment. For months all that she had breathed was the fogs of war and the dry air of the north. It was refreshing to breathe in the true air of Equestria after so long being away from it. It was lively to say the least. Twilight noticed this euphoric feeling and said after her own breath, "You seem more jovial than usual."

Rarity opened her eyes and turned towards her friend who was dressed in cloth layers with patches of leather, a spaulder and breastplate of cracked leather. A cloak around her neck but the hood pulled down with her longer deep violet mane cascading down her armor. Her staff sheathed to her back, and the arcanic mark emblazoned on her cheek. Rarity smiled and answered, "I am just glad to return home to my friends."

Twilight mirrored the smile as they continued on the dirt path, "Yeah, I can't wait to get back home."

Rarity focused her gaze back on their path and saw that they were now walking in the Everfree forest. Normally her heart would flutter in fear and shrink on horror. Dirt. Dust. It all would frighten Rarity. But not now, now it was a numb feeling. After everything that they both went through, it pales in comparison to what they saw together. The shadows that they had to face. Rarity clenched her jaw tight as she remembered that final confrontation with Sombra. They had come close to losing their lives to Sombra. Rarity took her hoof and pulled out a crystal attached to a leather cord that was about her neck, staring at the bright yellow crystal.

She could feel it thrumming with power, power that only she could sense. It transformed into a magical shield that protected them with some sort of interaction Rarity had with the crystal. She heard Twilight ask, "Have you figured out how to use it yet?"

Rarity shook her head, "No...but I will figure it out."

Twilight added looking at the crystal, "I wish I could help you but-"

"-I know you can't sense anything...it's just...I can feel a connection with this crystal...like...like it's sleeping almost." Rarity said continuing to stare at the gem that pulsated with dim light. Rarity tucked it back under her tunic and metal breastplate. It had taken her a few weeks to get used to the steel armor but now it just felt a part of her. The bracers, the stompers, the leggings, the spaulders, it all felt like second nature to move around. Armor that has saved her more than once, something that she is not about to forget. Despite it being made of metal it was surprisingly light.

The sun was high and was bleeding its rays through dark clouds. Ponyville just got over a storm the night before, she could tell. They stepped into a grove of trees and Rarity said, "What is it you miss the most about not being home?"

Twilight looked at the tops of the trees and answered, "Oh most definitely the feeling of being around so many books. That and I miss Spike a lot...what about you?"

Rarity looked down and asked herself that question. What did she miss the most? Her sewing machine? Her thread? Her boutique? No, the answer came easily after she thought about it for a second. She answered, "I missed Sweetie Belle."

After their parents died about a year ago they became closer and now Sweetie Belle was her complete responsibility. She could not count on any other pony but herself to protect and raise Sweetie Belle this time. It was all her, and she left Sweetie Belle alone for a few months. There was no feeling greater than seeing her face light up at seeing her big sister return home.

"Aw...that's so sweet." Twilight gushed.

Rarity smiled and said, "It's the truth...I miss her the most...she's grown up so much..."

Twilight snorted, "Sweet Celestia you sound like her mother."

Rarity smiled and returned playfully, "Shut up Sparkle."

They shared a round of laughter and continued on with a few minutes of silence. They were a few minutes away from Ponyville yet. Already the forest became denser and they were passing through a very familiar section of the Everfree. She kept an extra eye out for the poison joke that would be nearby. Rarity's expression grew as dark as the forest, she said, "What will we do?"

Twilight swallowed hard and said, "Rarity...we've been over this. We can't tell anypony what we saw, for the integrity of all of Ponyville and Equestria itself...we cannot repeat what we saw."

Rarity turned and said, "We can't keep the ponies in the dark about this...surely they will-"

"What they don't know can't kill them."

Rarity chided after a few seconds of silence, "No, but it will kill us."

"Rarity," Twilight rubbed her nose, "We have each other to talk about it. We aren't telling anypony, end of discussion."

Rarity dropped the conversation and listened to the sound of the forest, the scraping of twigs against trees, the distant sound of birds chirping. It was relaxing and kept her mind at ease from the discussion they have had more than once. Twice actually. Rarity just had a strong feeling that Equestria needs to know the truth about its past villains. They are darker than what the princesses hide from them, Sombra being the worst amongst them. Rarity rubbed a scar on her collar bone beneath her armor, permanently branded on her skin. The wound that would never heal, a magical wound she would carry for the rest of her days. Twilight glanced at Rarity and saw her consoling her wound and said, "How is it?"

Rarity continued to massage her wound and said, "The pain is numbing now, and something that I am used to. It's just-"

The wound flared and she groaned, stopping in her tracks to try and alleviate the pain. Clenching her eyes shut and flexing her jaw, she heard Twilight stop in front of her and said, "Rarity, are you okay?"

Rarity waved a hoof and groaned, "Yeah...it just flares from time to time."

Rarity massaged it and felt an alien hoof press warmly and tenderly on the wound, the pain melting away. Rarity opened her eyes and raised her head. With genuine concern in her big purple eyes, inches away from Rarity's face. Twilight said, "I can help you."

Her hoof slipped under her tunic and gently rubbed the wound, her hoof spreading warmth over her body. Rarity breathed heavily with how close she was and hesitantly moved her hooves up and pulled her in closer. Rarity whispered, "Thank you. For everything."

Twilight smiled and Rarity stared long into her starry eyes. Twilight has seen the best and worst of Rarity, for the good and the bad. Rarity likewise for her. It was not the first time that she was paired with Twilight on a mission of some kind and Rarity prayed to the goddesses that it would not be her last. Rarity, without thinking, pressed her lips against Twilight's. The amount of times that Twilight had saved her sorry hide was too many to count and being the generous spirit that she was needed some way to repay her. So a kiss wouldn't be that bad. Twilight's lips were warm and soft as silk itself. Twilight did not raise a hoof to object, in fact she curled her hoof around Rarity's neck.

She parted her lips and let her tongue slip inside of Twilight's mouth. Her tongue was even softer than her lips, their tongues wrestling together for dominance. Pressing Twilight in closer, their bodies collided and caused a yeep to escape Twilight. After a few seconds Rarity pulled back and she said, "I've wanted to do that for a while now."

Twilight smirked, "Rarity. Don't you know that you shouldn't keep secrets from your friends?"

Rarity returned the smile and added, "Yes, but I was afraid of your reaction...it would appear that your reaction was the one that I did not expect."

Twilight kept her adorable face and continued, "Aren't you into stallions?"

Rarity felt a slight blush form on her cheeks, "I prefer either...I hope this means that we get to see more of each other?"

Rarity had never seen Twilight so flustered and so happy before. Sure she had this look whenever she got a new book but it was always a come and go look that Rarity has come to adore. A look that was permanently plastered on her face. Rarity smiled and said, "I'll take that look as a yes."

She leaned in once again and stole another kiss from Twilight. This one lasting shorter and with their new found feelings for each other they continued on toward Ponyville with high spirits and smiles on both of their faces.

Twilight has been known to predict things before they happen. She could predict when the next comet would grace itself across the sky. She could predict the next diplomatic meeting of the royals. But what she could not have predicted were those kisses that Rarity had given her. Twilight has always secretly wanted Rarity to pay special attention to her, she expected it. She was a noble of Canterlot, the stallion/mare of her dreams was literally a few doors down. Twilight could have foreseen this, she should have, but she did not. She kept it sheltered and protected it against everything and now that a storm has been cleared she can now understand her feelings. She loves all of her friends, but none were closer to her heart like Rarity was.

        Twilight released a contended breath as they parted from the kiss. Twilight thought out loud, "Wait what about the others? What will they-"

        Rarity rested her hooves softly on Twilight's cheek, her soft delicate hooves soothed her now growing paranoia and her nerves settled as her serene voice explained, "They are our friends, they will understand. And all of the other ponies that don't...well...then they should just be left alone."

        Twilight settled down and said, "Thank you Rarity. You always know what to say."

        She smiled and combed a hoof through Twilight's mane, "It's my speciality."

        Rarity leaned in and gave a light peck on the lips, her lips like silk against her own. Twilight had never been more calm and more collected in all of her life. Never has she ever been in such a sustained state of bliss like that moment, nothing was greater. Twilight had wondered when she would find somepony who meant more to her than just a friend. She kept the thought but always had more priorities then to find her special somepony.

        Twilight smiled and said, "Lets not keep everypony waiting, we kept them waiting long enough."

Chapter II

A Warm Welcome Home Part 2

"Woe to you, O earth and sea...For the Princesses send the chosen with wrath...because they know that the hour is late...let he who hath understanding reckon the will of the Eternium...for it is a simple host of souls that is the days long since forgotten by many ponies...it's members...are the last remaining souls left forgotten by the gods, the last of the Eternium...for your task was simple, you were to take the throne of the crystal ponies so that you might have them prepare for my arrival on Equestria--"

Tantibrus hated one thing in all of his immortal existance, and it was failure. The mere thought of failure caused him to repulse and convulse as the simple thought of such an outcome came to mind. Tantibrus thrust his hoof forward and with his remaining magic held Sombra in a choke. He had granted limitless dark powers at his disposal and he squandered such gifts and accepted death as penalty. The stallion squirmed and gasped for air, even here, even in Tartarus. He could feel his throat collapsing at his immortal hold on the shadow king. Consistency. Legitimacy. Nobility. Vanity. Things that this disgrace of a unicorn embraced and caused his mind to be lapsed with false judgment and with weakness. Tantibrus had cleared his mind and made him devolve into something less than a pony. A shadow of what he once was. A walking testament that even the most noble hearted king can fall to darkness.

Flames crackled and flickered with dark light as the chateau of hellfire burned eternally around them. Like the points of a crown blood red rock jutted up the sides, almost as if they were growing there so they might stab through the veil of magic to once again see the glorious light of Equestria. To once again live in the bathing light of such beauty. But tis a mere fantasy of a dying soul wishing to be more than just rock to be stepped on. So many souls forgotten and left to rot by the gods. How could they have abandoned such a beautiful place? Tantibrus returned as he felt Sombra squirm and wriggle under his tight grip. Red mist swirled off of his hoof and dissipated into the hot air, for once Tantibrus saw fear in his eyes. True terror that was placed ever so seemlessly in his eyes. His eyes that were meant to impose such fear as now. Just as he saw his mortal life being slipped away Tantibrus released his hold he had on his throat and let him drop to the floor. Tantibrus turned and kept his back on Sombra as he said, "Give a logical reason as to why I should not kill you now and show that I do not accept impotence in my dark empire."

He folded his hooves behind his back as he looked out at the swirling river of lava that was one hundred meters above the chateau of hell rock he stood upon. His voice was a chorus of many, echoes of the many that he devoured. Shadows rolled freely off of his robed form, for he stood a full ten feet tall, for this was his now true form since he had taken up the true dark powers of Equestria. A permanent stern look was plastered on Tantibrus' face as he said, "You say nothing because you have nothing to say, you have failed and it as simple as that...To think that you were so close as to get what you desired most."

He glanced back at the dark king and while he was prone he scampered to Tantibrus' hooves and begged, "No please...don't-don't harm her...I'll do whatever you ask, I will not fail you this time just...please..."

Tantibrus was not convinced nor did he find sympathy in the pony's voice. He kept his stern gaze on the lava and said, "I am hardly a judge of character but you have not proven yourself worthy of my trust any longer. You embrace my gifts and then you squander them--"

Tantibrus turned with fury in his eyes and with red magic forming around his hoof he raised Sombra to the sky getting him eye level with Tantibrus, the immortal shadow searched into his eyes and growled as Sombra gasped for air, "--You lose faith in the powers that I granted you so you asked for more, I grew to trust you so I granted you power...and yet you still could not defeat two simple ponies!"

Bones snapped as Tantibrus strangulated Sombra's neck, skin breaking and blood slowly oozing out of the wounds. Tantibrus pumped energy into him to just barely keep him alive. Sombra sputtered, "Yes...but...they...are...elements...of...harmony..."

He choked on his own words as blood came out of his mouth, now filling his lungs. Tantibrus scoffed, "Irrelevant, I made you resistant to the elements of harmony. Hardly a-"

"The elements are no more...they can...control their powers..." Sombra explained becoming absolutely pale. Tantibrus found this interesting, information that would help surely. For his hour of return would come soon, any minute now he would break free of eternal damnation and be released to wreak havoc on Equestria. But that prophecy he was told so many years ago was so vague that it could work out in his favor. All he needed to do was to find out who these chosen are.

Tantibrus found more use in this unicorn king than he gave credit for. Tantibrus released Sombra and healed his wounds and ordered, "Tell me more about these Spirits of Harmony. What are their abilities and do you know when they were born?"

Sombra remained knelt and took in large breaths, after catching his breath he explained, "The two that sought to destroy me once and for all are named Twilight Sparkle and Rarity...Rarity is a descendant of a War-Maiden, I could sense the magic on her...and the other is a new princess, a new alicorn...I cannot recall directly but all that I know about both of their birthdays are just before winter begins."

Tantibrus kept a neutral face on the lava river and thought to himself. Two chosen? Could it even be possible? Well that could not be right,  they each needed to have defied evil three times...watching their exploits this Twilight Sparkle has done more than her fare share of vanquishing evil, Nightmare Moon, Tirek, Chrysalis, and even herself. Now this Rarity, she helped in the defeat of Nightmare Moon and Discord but there was nothing...oh, but she did defeat the Nightmare Forces. Yes, they are both the chosen ones of the prophecy. And yet this made him feel empty. Surely he could manipulate one of them into joining the dark but not two. And he would certainly stay clear of this Rarity, a War-Maiden is not easily convinced nor manipulated. Tantibrus waved a hoof at his side, telling Sombra to join him and said, "Tell me more of this Twilight Sparkle. What is she patron of?"

Still shaken and scared he dusted himself off and ran his hoof over his collar to try and soothe his tense and irritated muscles. Coughing, "She is patron protector of magic, and an exceptional practitioner in magic. Though Celestia stunts her so that she might be kept under wraps. She is more powerful than even Starswirl the Bearded was at his prime. And she is just getting started gathering her power. In the fight against Tirek she held all of the powers of the alicorns without even being torn to shreds or driven to insanity. And that is not even taking into account that she is exceptionally smart and is a tactical genius, often times she would be ten steps ahead of me."

Looking down and trying to imagine such a pony before him he said out loud, "Extraordinary."

Tantibrus stepped away and walked towards a stone altar that held many different items and tomes. Although he was in Tartarus, the Pits of Eternal Doom, he was well accommodated for his "eternal" banishment. He glanced over the items on the stone altar and finally picked up what he was looking for. It was a pure silver chalice that was archaic in design and held more dark power within it than anything else. It looked as if it was formed from silver bones of ponies. The Chalice of Umbra, the very relic that will aid in Tantibrus' escape. He grabbed the chalice and looked at it closely and chided, "This Twilight Sparkle will serve perfectly and it would seem that it plays well with the name of the prophecy, the Hour of Twilight. Catchy if you asked me. But such pleasantries must be set aside now--"

A blade materialized in his hoof and in a flash of light a chained crystal pony appeared at his hooves. Horror in her eyes with wounds and burns all around her body. Ropes were bound about her hooves and she screamed as she saw Tantibrus above her and her horrified gaze fell on Sombra and pleaded with eyes as wide as dinner plates, "Platinum! Please...help me!"

Sombra had scorn in his eyes as he looked to Tantibrus and screamed, "We had a deal Abbadon! I kept up my side of the bargain, what about yours!"

Tantibrus growled as he flicked his hoof in Sombra's direction and spat, "You will not refer to a name that was forgotten years ago, you will refer to me as Tantibrus only. And you must now--"

The mare lifted to the sky and she float just below Tantibrus' muzzle and he said, "--I never needed your blood in my return. I needed her's."

She sputtered and quivered under the dark grip of Tantibrus' magic and he said brandishing the blade in his grip, "Truly I never wanted it to end this way, little king. I was going to blame it on rogue hellhounds or that beloved Cerberus himself of your love's death. Then I would kill you, you see I held all the cards in the deck and dealt you the losing hand. I would say that I am sorry but I really don't, your devotion until this point was appreciated but I must move on...I will find another to be my avatar. Now are there any final words you wish to say to your love before I open her neck?"

Sombra spat up blood and looked with great emotion in his eyes to the crying mare, he shed a tear and choked, "...I'm sorry...I'm so sorry. I love you..."

The mare returned, "I-"

Her words were cut short as the chalice was underneath her throat and in a single cut Tantibrus opened up her throat, a stream of blood leaking out of the wound below her chin but at the top of her neck, where the head and neck met. The blood falling down into the cup, her last dying breath being just sputters and chokes as blood fell out of her throat. As she choked out her last breath Tantibrus chanted, "Equestria will be reborn in a new age of darkness. One where shadows shall rule over all. I was close before but I could not defeat my sisters. But now, I will have the assistance of Princess Twilight Sparkle. The new Avatar of Abbadon. The Bringer of the Hour of Twilight."

As Sombra watched as his once true love was given as a sacrifice for Tantibrus' return to Equestria. Tantibrus fed off of his despair and hatred for the dark lord. Truly he was ignorant of he believed that Tantibrus would not fall back on his word. The power given to him was now being taken back and Tantibrus watched as he withered away into dust, growing older and older as he casted the dark spell. Sombra looked up and just before he was not able to speak again he asked, "Why did you not kill her sooner?"

Tantibrus drained the mare of all of her blood and walked over to Sombra and left him a shrivalling old pony, resting prone on the ground in defeat and despair. Sadness welling in his eyes, Tantibrus leaned down and whispered into his ear with a cruel grin, "Because I wanted you to watch."

Tantibrus finished the spell and Sombra disappeared into dust. He stood up and raised both of his hooves, a dark blade in one and a chalice filled with blood in another and rose his voice, "The time is short Equestria! Your prince returns, and this time with true power and darkness!"

Tantibrus thrust the chalice to his lips and swigged down the blood. Chugging down the life force he felt the cavernous walls shake and shatter, thunder rippled across the echoing walls and lightning exploded. Dark lightning struck Tantibrus and he felt crackling power surge through his veins and he felt his infinite power return to him. For centuries he felt so empty, so devoid of power that he had forgotten what it was like to hold such power within his veins. It felt exhilarating. A deep rumbling laugh echoed forth from Tantibrus, with what sounded like a whole host of other voices joining it. As his mind adjusted to this power he took the memories of Sombra and found out all he could about this Twilight Sparkle. Gathering everything possible about this mare and with enough information he cackled and in a storm of dark lightning and shadows transformed into a large wall of great dark mist and galed, "You will soon belong to me, Twilight Sparkle."