Chapters Over a millennium ago the Crystal Empire for a long time was ruled by the malevolent King Sombra. He enslaved the crystal ponies, and thought that nothing in Equestria would dethrone him. But he thought wrong. He was ultimately overthrown, and turn in to a shadowy mist by two alicorn sisters that were sworn to keep all of Equestria safe. As a last ditch effort King Sombra cursed the empire causing it to disappear.
After a thousand years the empire and King Sombra reappeared and it was up to Twilight Sparkle and her friends to save the empire and get rid of Sombra once and for all. Everypony thought that Sombra was destroyed, but his horn survived, landing very far away from the empire. The land where his horn landed was cold, dark, and isolated; just the ideal place for him to rejuvenate.
However it took many years for his body to fully recover. And during those years many things happened; Princess Cadance and Shining Armor ruled the Crystal Empire peacefully and with love and hope. They also had three lovely children. Their eldest Princess Skyla was born an alicorn, their second eldest Iron Shield was a unicorn, and their youngest Princess Lucina also a unicorn. The three of them never lived a day without peace, love and tranquility. Twilight and her friends lived a happy life as well. Twilight married Flash Sentry, Rainbow Dash married Soarin, Pinkie Pie married Cheese Sandwich, Rarity has been dating Fancy Pants for a long time, Fluttershy found a very nice colt that likes animals just as much as she does, and Apple Jack married another apple farmer.
During all those years Sombra watched everypony live their happy and peaceful lives, just waiting for the day that he takes his vengeance on everypony in the Crystal Empire and then all of Equestria. Once his full body recovered(but not in his true form) he casted another spell to construct his castle made up of umber crystals, however it took up all of the strength that he had and he collapsed into the snow.
The next thing that Sombra knew he was in one of the beds in the Crystal Empire Infirmary. He blinked his eyes a few times only to come face to face with a light pink filly with big purple eyes.
“Thank Celestia that you’re ok Mister.” the filly sighed in relief.
Sombra looked around confused. “What am I doing here?”
The small filly turned her head shyly and rung out her hooves. “Um….. Well we found you on the outskirts of the empire unconscious. So we brought you back to the infirmary.” She looked straight at him and smiled. “But I’m so glad that you are ok now. I was worry that you were attacked or something.”
Sombra was thrown off for a moment. No pony bother to worry for him before, so what this filly was saying was unexpected.
Thunder Clap stood up straighter and proceeded to deliver the message to the princess. “Your highness it’s getting late and I believe it’s time to return to the palace.”
“Maybe you’re right Thunder. Thank you.” She said and turn her attention back to Sombra. “I must go, but I’ll be back tomorrow to check on your recovery. I mean if it’s no trouble for you.”
“It’s no trouble at all Princess.” He smiled and a plan came to him. “If I gain the trust of this small princess I may be able to get into the castle and overthrow that stupid Princess Cadance and Shining Armor.”
Lucina left the room then with the guard and made it to the door of the infirmary, only to turn right back around and run back to the room and stuck her head through the doorway. “I forgot to ask, what’s your name?”
Sombra wasn’t surprise by this at all. He actually half expected it. The princess was a filly after all. He gestured for her to come closer as if to tell her a secret and whispered. “It’s Sombra,” then he pulled back and spoke normally, “but you can call me Shadow if you would like.”
She smiled softly, “ok Shadow, my name is Princess Lucina, but you can call me Lucina.”
Lucina rejoined Thunder Clap who was waiting patiently for her return.
“Come along princess, your mother and father must be waiting.”
“Coming.”
As Lucina fallowed the guard she thought back on when she found Shadow. She was trying to get away from her “princess lessons” and went exploring on the edge of the empire. She knew that Thunder Clap was never far behind. He maybe a guard in training, but it does not give him the excuse to fallow her everywhere.
Today Lucina went further away from the empire than usual. The land was cold and snow fell everywhere. She found it beautiful and began to play. With her limited unicorn magic she through a snow ball at Thunder.
“Nice shot your highness.” He said without emotion.
She continue to play in the snow when she saw a dark figure in the distance. Her curiosity got the best of her and she went to investigate. As she got closer she could see that it was another pony. The stallion was unconscious and she became worried. “Thunder Clap come hurry I need your help.”
Thunder rushed over as fast as he could. “What is it princess? What’s wrong?”
She pointed with her hooves at the unconscious stallion. “We need to help him. He maybe injured.”
Just then the ground began to shake. They collected the stallion and got out of there. They didn’t dare look back, thinking that if they did they would be swallowed up by the ground. Little did they know that a castle was being built.
Author's Note
Please go easy on me, this is my first story after all. Feel free to point out any errors in the comments section,and tell me what you think........ Thanks:)
Dinner Talk
Lucina walked through the castle door only to be welcomed back by her big sister Skyla, and they proceeded to do the chant that their mother taught them when they were very little.
“Sun shine
Sun shine
Ladybugs awake
Clap your hooves
And do a little shake!!!!”
When they finished they both broke out into a fit of giggles. Perhaps their giggles were a little too loud because their brother Iron Shield came out of the training room.
“Must you two be so loud?”
They looked at him not sure if they should answer the question or not. They both smiled and Skyla answered his question. “I suppose not. However, what would be the fun in being quiet?”
“Mares.” he said with a huff and walked over to Thunder Clap. “Come on dude, let’s leave my sisters to their stupidity.”
Once Iron and Thunder were out sight Skyla proceeded to ask Lucina why she wasn’t at her princess lessons.
Lucina didn’t even bother to meet her sister’s blue eyes, afraid that they would be shining with disappointment. “I was bored.” She said flatly.
“Just bored.” Skyla put one of her hooves to her forehead and shook it in disappointment. “Luci you know better than that. To skip one of your princess lessons is very irresponsible of you.”
“Your sister is right Lucina. Learning how to become a proper princess is essential for the future of Equestria.” Princess Cadence said as she enter the entry hall.
“Yes mother.” Lucina bowed her head in shame.
Skyla nodded and went into the training room.
Over the royal family dinner Lucina listened to her family talk about their day. It’s the same thing every day. Her mother would go to Canterlot to visit Aunt Twili, her father would train the new guards, Skyla goes to her princess lesson with Princess Celestia, and Iron Shield would be in her father’s lesson for the new guards.
Lucina wasn’t sure if she should answer the question or not. She was already scolded by her sister and mother for not going to class, she was afraid that her father would be mad too. “Fine.”
Shining Armor was a little skeptical. “Are you sure? Because I can just order Thunder to tell me what you did.”
She let out a sigh and confessed. “I didn’t go to my lessons.”
Surprisingly he wasn’t upset. He suspected something since Thunder Clap didn’t even attend his. “If you didn’t go then what did you do.”
She was happy that he wanted to hear about her adventure. “I went exploring on the outskirts of the empire and played in the snow and I saved a pony’s life.”
Shining Armor cut her off. “You did what?”
Unsure of what she did was a good thing she continued. “Yeah he wasn’t moving and was unresponsive, and the ground began to shake. So Thunder and I brought him to the infirmary.”
Shining Armor glowed with pride that his daughter saved somepony’s life. “That’s my girl, always willing to help others.”
Skyla’s ears perked up. “Oh, so who is this pony?”
Lucina put her hoof to her chin thoughtfully. “I’m not really sure. All I know is that he is not a crystal pony.” She thought back dreamily to the stallion and remembered when he opened his eyes. For some reason his eyes shifted back and forth between ruby red and emerald green and she found it interesting.
Skyla caught her sister’s dreamy stare. “So what’s his name?” she teased.
A little apprehensive she answered. “I think his name was Shadow.”
Skyla raise an eye brow. “Ooh…Shadow how mysterious.”
“Skyla stop teasing your sister.” Cadance scolded. “Luci I’m happy you made a new friend.”
“Thanks mom.” She said with a smile.
For the rest of the dinner the royal family ate in silence.
During the royal family dinner Thunder Clap stood guard in the dining room listening to the family’s conversation. All during their talk he didn’t move his eyes off of Lucina. Her purple gaze never failed to catch his attention. Her smile always kept him entranced and her laugh sounded like a bell.
The only other ponies that know of his feelings for her were Shining Armor and Iron Shield. Shining Armor didn’t mind that he felt something for her. After all Lucina did resemble her mother when she was her age. And Iron Shield at first wasn’t very approving of his best friend being in love with his little sister, but he got over it. He still would tease him about his little crush though.
When he caught their conversation about what they did earlier that day he couldn’t help but pay close attention. He noticed Lucina with a dreamy far off gaze. All of a sudden he felt some jealousy boil in the pit of his stomach. He knew that that look on her face was not directed towards him.
He knew that he had to keep his jealousy in check. Once he heard the name of his rival he decided to pay him a visit. But he had to figure out who this mysterious colt was.
After the royal dinner was complete he went to the Crystal Empire library to do a little research on this Shadow character.
He didn’t really find much about him, however he did find a picture that was eerily similar to the stallion in the infirmary.
He read all of the legends and stories about a very dangerous stallion that terrorized the empire many years ago. This threatening creature went by the name King Sombra. He continued to read on and his worries worsen. The creature could control shadows, feed off of other ponies’ fears, and use dark magic.
After all his research was done he went straight for the infirmary.
The Visit
Sombra laid down in his hospital bed plotting about how he was going to take over the Crystal Empire once more.
Those ponies will pay for trying to destroy me. I will get my revenge.
There was a knock at the door of his room. The smart thing is to ignore it, but the polite thing to do is to allow whoever the dolt is to come in.
“Sigh… come in.”
The same crystal pony guard who was there earlier with the filly princess came in.
“Can I help you soldier?”
“Who are you exactly Mr. Shadow?” he asked.
“Me? Well I am an average stallion that just so happen to have been in great peril.” He said in mocked elegance.
The guard wasn’t amused. “For the safety of the princess and the rest of the royal family I must insist that you reveal who you are and what you were doing on the out skirts of the empire.”
Sombra got up from his bed and began to circle the guard tauntingly. “Leave it to a royal guard to suspect that I a stranger in your empire of being a threat. However you aren’t a real castle guard are you?”
The guard didn’t say a word.
Sombra stopped in front of him. “No definitely not, a trainee perhaps? Now the question is why does it matter who I am or not?”
The colt looked everywhere but at him. “It’s for the empire’s safety.”
Sombra continued to taunt him. “Ah but before you said it was for the safety of the princess.”
“I did.” The colt confirmed.
Hm... This colt isn’t as dumb as I thought. With his limited magic Sombra proceeded to search the guard mind for his biggest fear.
It isn’t uncommon for a royal guard’s to put up a brave facade in front of other ponies, but every pony has their weakness.
Sombra looked deep inside the colts mind. What he saw was nothing out of the ordinary for a royal guard of the Crystal Empire. They all think the same: Keep the princesses safe and defend Equestria. How boring. And then he found it. The colt was afraid that something bad would happen to the filly princess and or somepony would take her away from him.
“I see, so you’re afraid that somepony harming the princess.” He smirked.
The guard didn’t waver. “All guards are afraid that something bad would to the princesses.”
“We’ll just see.”
Looking through the guard’s mind took a lot out of Sombra. He was still weak from earlier. He needed rest so he went back into his hospital bed and fell asleep.
The next morning Sombra woke up to the purple eyes of the light rose pony watching him. “How do you feel Shadow?”
“Better thank you.” He responded.
The filly smiled. “I’m glad.” She brought up a bouquet of crystal flowers, and held it out to him. “I thought that you might like them.”
“I really don’t care much for flowers.” He began.
The filly’s face fell.
“But thank you anyway.” He finished.
He took the flowers from her with his magic and placed them in a vase by the window sill.
“Shadow where are you from? I mean you’re not like the other ponies in the Crystal Empire. You look more like me and my family.”
He placed his hoof a top of her head. “What a smart filly you are. You got all of that just by observing.”
“Of course I have. I’m very observant. Nothing can get past these purple eyes.” She giggled.
“To answer your question little princess, I’m from a land not too far from here.” He began.
“Oh”
“I grew up on the out skirts of the empire alone. I remember there was a lot of snow and ice.” He continued.
“That so sad. I can’t believe that you were abandoned.” Lucina said sympathetically
He held out a hoof. “It’s fine. I learned to get use to it and I also learned how to use my magic. So I became stronger so nothing stop me.”
“Oh.”
Sombra continued to tell his story with a little bit of lies thrown in, and Lucina hung on to every word.
“How about you tell me about yourself princess.”
Lucina blushed. “Um… well I’m the third child of Princess Cadence and Shining Armor. Both of my siblings have their cutie marks already, and I don’t. I hate my princess lessons.”
“Is that why you were on the out skirts of the empire the other day.” He inquired.
She blushed again. “Yeah.”
“I’m glad that you were out there the other day, or else I would have frozen to death.” He smiled.
The filly looked up at him and smiled as well. “I’m glad too. If I never have skipped my class I wouldn’t have had met you.”
There was knock at the hospital room door and a different guard from last time entered. “Princess it time to go.”
“Ok Emerald Archer, I’m coming.” She said cheerfully. “Bye Shadow. I’ll be back tomorrow if that is ok.”
Sombra smirked. “It’s no trouble at all princess.”
“Shadow you know you don’t have to call me princess all the time. You can just call me Lucina.” She told him.
Lucina saw Sombra’s eyes shift from emerald green to ruby red again when he touched her face. “Perhaps I’m doing out of respect your highness.”
Lucina was lost in his gaze. “Um… well ok then. I guess I’ll go then, bye Shadow.”
And with that the young filly princess left the hospital room on her merry way with another guard of the Crystal Empire right behind her.
Sombra gather a lot of information during that little exchange of good byes. The little pony princess was afraid of being over looked and no pony caring about her. There was something else deep down that he couldn’t pinpoint, but he’ll figure it out in due time.
“Don’t worry princess your time will come and you’ll rise above all the other ponies. One day you’ll rule over them all.”
The Release from the Infirmary
Author's Note
Sorry for the wait.
The Release from the Infirmary
Days, weeks, months have pass since King Sombra was found in the snow of the Crystal Empire. Lucina visited him every day during his recovery.
She brought him treats, books from the royal library, news about the latest gossip in the empire or in Canterlot, and sometimes to keep him company.
With every day that Sombra stayed in the infirmary he could feel himself become stronger and all of his powers coming back to him.
He knew that with the amount of power that he had right now he could have converted himself into a shadowy mist and left the infirmary by now, however something was holding him back. But what?
Lucina walked into the infirmary room, “Shadow I have some good news.”
Sombra gestured for her to continue.
“You can finally leave the infirmary now,” she said excitedly.
Finally is right, he thought.
“Isn’t that great?” she squealed.
“Yeah,” he answered absently.
One of the Crystal Empire Infirmary nurses walked in to check his vitals, “okie dokie Mr. Shadow it would appear that you are healthy enough to leave the infirmary. You just need to sign these forms and then we’ll let you go on your merry way.”
The little filly smiled ear to ear, “and just in time for the Crystal Fair too. Right Nurse Gem Heart?”
Nurse Gem Heart nodded, “oh yes, how could I forget?”
The Cristal Fair the root of all of Sombra’s suffering. He could recall in the pass whenever the time of the Cristal Fair came along he would fall ill, no matter how much he promised his best friend Radiant Hope, he was unable to go. He would feel so weak and have the sensation of being torn apart from the inside out as the fair continued. However the next day he’ll be feeling much better and go on with his life as if nothing ever happen. And it continued like that for many years. Later on in his adult years he discovered the sores of his suffering and it was the Cristal Heart. From that moment he vowed that he would destroy the Cristal Heart, however he couldn’t, something inside told him that would be wrong. So he hid it away.
When he was defeated the first time he brought the empire down with him. When he was defeated the second time he was destroyed during the Cristal Fair over fifteen years ago by the Cristal Heart. How ironic?
After Sombra finished signing the papers required to leave the infirmary him and Lucina went for a walk around the empire (with Thunder Clap not that far behind). They watched as the Cristal ponies created booths and stands for the up and coming festivities.
Unable to stand the silence Lucina began to ramble. “I can’t wait till the Cristal Fair starts. It’s going to be so much fun. What about you Shadow? Aren’t you excited?”
Looking down at the young filly he answered her question in sarcasm, “ecstatic.”
Knowing fully well that her new friend was using sarcasm Lucina raised an eye brow, “you’re lying Shadow.”
Sombra ruffled her mane, “there is no getting anything pass you. Huh princess?”
Lucina fixed her lavender and sky blue mane back into place, “no there isn’t. Now tell me the truth.”
Sombra looked out into the distance, “I am afraid I won’t be able to attend the fair.”
Lucina was shocked, “what? ..... Why not?”
Sombra continued to look out at the horizon of the Crystal Empire, “I need to return to where I came from. Besides I don’t belong here. I mean look at me I’m not even a Crystal pony.”
Lucina placed her hoof on his shoulder in reassurance, “sure you do Shadow, and what does it matter whether or not you are a crystal pony.” She put her hoof down and smile up at him, “just look at me, I’m not a crystal pony either and neither is my family and we’re happy here. Besides every pony from all over Equestria is coming.”
“Are you really sure princess?” he questioned.
She smiled brightly at him, “definitely… and we’ll have so much fun that we won’t know what to do with ourselves afterwards.”
The clock tower in the middle of the town square rung six o’clock in the afternoon.
Thunder Clap came up to Lucina, “it is time to return to the castle your highness.”
“Oh right,” She said, “Supper would be starting soon.” And with a grand bow she bid Sombra a farewell.
“Will you be alright going back to the castle on your own princess?” Thunder asked “I have some errands to take care of before I continue my guarding shift.”
Lucina nodded her head, “ok, I guess I’ll see you back at the castle then.”
Thunder Clap waited till Princess Lucina was far enough to be out of sight and ear shot, then he turned his attention to Sombra, “you listen to me and listen to me good, stay… away… from… the… princess.”
In a show of boredom Sombra disregarded Thunder Clap’s words, “I should be telling you the same thing soldier.”
Thunder became flustered, but recovered quickly and became cocky, “I know your secret “Shadow” or should I say Sombra.”
Sombra was unfazed, “don’t forget young trainee I know your secret as well.”
Thunder Clap was thrown a back. How did he know? No it can’t be… he’s bluffing… he doesn’t know anything about how I really feel for her highness.
Sombra listened in on the young unicorn guard’s thoughts and could help but laugh to himself. This is what he lived for; make ponies fear the unknown and feed off that fear like a drug.
“What are you laughing at?” Thunder snapped.
Sombra smiled to himself maniacally, “oh it’s nothing of your concern soldier. Believe me.”
With that Thunder Clap just walked away all while muttering under his breath how he doesn’t understand foreign ponies.
Sombra looked around what use to be his empire and plotted, “enjoy all of your happy lives while it last my former subjects, because I am coming back with a vengeance and it will be hell.”
The next day Sombra waited for Lucina at the entrance of the Crystal Fair. For each moment that he waited for her, he could feel his strength waning.
Lucina came up behind Sombra and surprised him, “Good morning Shadow.”
Unfazed by her sudden appearance he gave her a greeting of good morning as well.
Lucina could tell that something was off with her friend, “Shadow are you ok? You seem ill, do you need to go back to the infirmary?”
“NO…” Sombra yelled out. Knowing that he made a mistake he tried to rephrase it, “I mean no… I’m fine... thank you.”
Lucina was still not convinced. She could clearly see the sweat trickling down his face, “ok, if you say so?”
With every step that Sombra took as they walked through the fair was like torture. He could feel himself being slowly torn apart. It took everything inside him to keep himself in one piece.
Lucina watched Sombra warily, she would occasionally give him and undetected rub against his body, in the hope that whatever was troubling him would ease up somewhat.
As the fair proceeded Sombra continue feeling his physical form chipping away. He was unsure how long he would be able to hold up much longer.
Lucina couldn’t take it any longer, “Sombra, something is wrong, and don’t say that it’s nothing, because you’re lying.”
Sombra had to give the young filly credit, she could see through him, and through any lies that he might tell.
Just then the Crystal fair reached its climax and the Crystal Heart began to glow and pulse with a love wave from the other crystal ponies. The wave was so strong that Sombra’s form deteriorated.
"It can’t end like this."
Lucina was watching all of this unfold in front of her. In a panic she casted a powerful spell that came out of nowhere. The spell enveloped Sombra making him think that it was coming from the heart. Once the spell was finished Lucina collapsed in front of a star shaped crystal barrier.
“It’s so warm. Where is this warmth coming from?” Sombra was surrounded by a warm light. “What is this light?” He noticed that he was inside a crystal dome and still in one piece. “I’m still alive but how?” Once the light cleared up he saw that Lucina was unconscious right outside of the barrier. “So the princess did this?” he was truly grateful. “Thank you.”
Sombra could sense that the shield was fading and the magic from the Crystal Heart was seeping through, so he used a teleportation spell to teleport both him and Lucina out of there.
Once both of them were beamed outside of the Crystal Empire and out of the blast range of the Crystal Heart, Sombra conjured up a wool cloak and placed it on Lucina to protect her from the cold. He also levitated her on to his back and began his trek to his umbra castle.
Thunder Clap was not that far from where Lucina was the whole time. He watched over her as she was out with the strange stallion.
“I thought I specifically told him to stay away from Lucina.”
He continued to watch over the both of them. From what Thunder could see, the strange stallion was having a hard time walking and that his coat was peeling off.
“Now isn’t that strange.”
Thunder even saw Lucina rubbing against the stallion. A twang of pain hit him in his heart suddenly. “Is this pain jealousy? No it can’t be, that’s just ridiculous. They’re just friends right?”
Thunder could clearly see that the strange stallion was in pain as well. “Wonder what’s causing your pain marefriend stealer.”
The time came for all the crystal ponies to send all their love to the Crystal Heart. Thunder send his and heard a scream of agony coming from Lucina and the stallion’s direction. He watched as Lucina casted a spell that created a crystal fortress in a shape of a star, and collapse to the ground right in front of it.
It felt like everything was moving in slow motion as he tried to get to the princess. And in the next instance both Lucina and the stallion were gone.
“PRINCESS LUCINA,” he yelled out.
Thunder Clap ran straight for the palace to tell Shining Armor and Princess Cadance that their daughter went missing.
Once he arrived at the palace he was out of breath, “Captain Shining Armor, Princess Cadance Lucina is missing.”
“WHAT????” Shining Armor yelled out.
“What happened?” Cadance spoke a little more gently then her husband.
Thunder began to explain what happened, “I was watching over her as she was enjoying the festivities with the patient from the infirmary, when suddenly she disappeared along with the patient.”
“We have to go looking for them,” Shining ordered, “Thunder, where were they the last time you saw them?”
“Come with me and I’ll show you.” Thunder said.
Shining Armor, Princess Cadance, and a couple of the crystal royal guards followed Thunder Clap to where he saw Lucina last.
He pointed to the spot that Lucina was with his hoof, “she was right here unconscious.”
One of the crystal guard stepped forward to investigate the scene, “it looks like a teleportation spell your highness.”
“Can you track where the spell tapers off?” Shining inquired.
“Sir, it would appear that the spell tapered off somewhere outside of the empire.” The guard responded.
“Can you tell who casted the spell?” Princess Cadance asked.
“It looks like it could dark magic, but I’m not sure who could have casted the spell to be honest your highness.” He answered her.
Shining Armor and Cadance know exactly who could of foal napped their daughter. They both looked at each other and nodded their heads in agreement of what they must do.
“Let’s go looking for her men.” Shining Armor ordered.
“Yes sir,” all the guard said in unison with a salute.
And they were off.
Author's Note
Tell what you think
Lucina woke up from her unconscious state to find herself on Sombra’s back, “what happened to me?”
“You casted a mega spell that was too much for your body to handle, and you passed out.” Sombra deadpanned.
Lucina was ashamed that she couldn’t control a powerful spell. Sombra could feel her disappointment with herself rolling off her.
“Cheer up Princess. Even though you collapsed in the middle of the spell, you still saved my life.” He tried to assure her.
“And how did I do that exactly?” She questioned.
“If you didn’t conjure up that shield, I would be scattered into the wind thanks to the Crystal Heart.” He continued.
Curiosity got the best of her, “is that why you didn’t want to go to the crystal fair?”
“Yes,” he responded.
“I’m sorry,” she apologized softly.
“It’s fine Princess. I shouldn’t have met you this morning in the first place.” He said not unkindly.
Sombra could hear Lucina sobbing, “I’m really, really sorry.”
Sombra conjured up a handkerchief for her to dry up her tears. “There, there, there no need for tears. I’m fine now… See.”
Lucina dried off her tears and calmed down somewhat.
They continued the trek in silence, but Lucina was unsure of where they were going. “Shadow where are we going?”
Sombra answered her question without hesitation, “We’re going to my castle.”
Lucina was puzzled, “you have a castle?”
“Yes,” he answered.
“Does that make you a prince?” She quarried.
“No even better than a prince,” he smirked.
“What could be better than a prince?” She challenged.
“A King of course.” He replied.
Lucina thought back on all the stories her mom and dad told her, “mommy and daddy said that kings and queens are evil. Are you evil Shadow?”
“It depends on who you are asking Princess.” He answered coldly.
Lucina brought her hooves around his neck and hugged him gently, “well I don’t think you’re evil King Shadow. You’re too kind to be evil.”
Sombra casted a sleeping spell on the princess to keep her from digging too deep into his heart. “Kindness can always be evilness in disguise. Remember that little one.”
“The trail ends here your majesties.” One of the guards said.
Thunder Clap looked out into the snowy horizon and couldn’t see a hair or tail of Lucina or the strange stallion.
“Where could they be? The land outside of the Crystal Empire wasn’t really explored more than the train tracks.” Princess Cadance worried.
“Cadance is right, they could be anywhere by this point.” Her husband agreed.
Thunder Clap wasn’t going to give up so easily, “they have to be somewhere. We have to continue looking for them, they might freeze out here.”
“But the trail ends here.” The same guard pointed out.
Thunder wasn’t having it, “then let’s split up in different direction from this point.” He drew an X on the spot that the guard indicated.
“That’s a good idea Thunder.” Shining Armor praised.
The search group split up into three groups. Princess Cadance, Shining Armor, and Thunder Clap each leading a group. Princess Cadence’s group looked to the east of the mark, Shining Armor’s group to the north, and Thunder’s group to the west.
Sombra arrived to his umber castle with Lucina’s still unconscious body on his back. He walked into the empty foyer and conjured up a shays lounge made up of umber crystal and gently placed her onto it.
Lucina didn’t move a muscle and kept on sleeping. Sombra just watched her rest, unsure on what to do next because bringing the princess to his castle was never a part of his plan.
A few moments later Lucina slowly open her eyes and was looking into the ever changing emerald green and ruby red eyes of Sombra. “I never asked this before but why does your eyes change colors all the time.”
“What do you mean?” he asked.
She stared right into his eyes and he backed up away from her breaking the spell, “you know ever since we’ve met your eye color would change with your emotions.”
Sombra was confused by her comment. He thought that his true form was hidden behind a façade.
“I’m not sure what you’re talking about princess.” He played off.
“Right,” She said skeptically.
Lucina dropped the conversation but only just. She got up from the shays lounge and began to walk around the foyer. “So this is your castle.”
“Yeah,” he said bluntly.
She turned to him smiling meekly, “Do you mind giving me a tore?”
Sombra felt a pang of pain in his chest where his heart was. He looked away from her and rubbed the back of his neck with his hoof. “Um sure.”
As they went through the castle Lucina would ask questions about it. Little did she know that the castle was modeled after her own home, the only difference is that this castle was made up of umber crystals. Soon enough she began to notice that no pony was around, “um Shadow where’s everypony else?”
“There is no ponies,” he said without thinking.
Lucina tilted her head to the side, “why not?”
“I like my loneliness that’s why.” He said coldly.
Lucina’s eyes narrowed, “is that so, I guess I’ll just leave then.”
“This filly is a real smart ass.”- He smirked.
With all the walking that they did Lucina didn’t even notice she had a cutie mark till the cloak she was wearing shifted off her. She saw her reflection in one of the umber walls and her eyes went wide. “Um… when did I get my cutie mark?”
“When you saved my life” Sombra said automatically.
Lucina studied her reflection and saw that her cutie mark was a malty color star with an inner light shining through. “It’s beautiful.”
Sombra tried not sound like a perverted old stallion with his comment, but then he thought screw it. “Yes, it is.”
Lucina wasn’t weirder out by his comment at all. She smiled at him in appreciation.
Author's Note
-""- = inner thoughts
Thunder Clap’s search group came upon some tracks leading deeper into the snow cover pasture.
“Do you think we should follow it, Sir?” one of the crystal pony guards asked.
Thunder Clap didn’t have the patients for a stupid question like that. “Of course we follow it, it’s our only lead to where the princess may be. Now move out.”
“Yes Sir.” They all saluted.
Lucina was exploring through the umber castle oblivious to the search parties looking for her. And King Sombra was planning on keeping it that way.
Sombra sensed that one of the magical motion detectors were activated. He sent out a bit of his shadow magic to investigate. What he didn’t expect was that the guard in training to be leading one of the search parties.
-That damn colt is persistent.-
Sombra conjured up a door, “Princess I think you should go into this room.”
Lucina was confused, “What? Why?”
He levitated her and forced her into the room, “I’m sorry about this Princess, but this is for your own good.”
Lucina struggled to break free from his levitation spell but it was too strong, “wait what’s going on?”
Sombra wasn’t listening, he broke the spell, locked the door behind him and made the door disappear.
She pounded her hooves against the umber walls, “Shadow what’s going on? Let me out, please.”
Sombra teleported himself outside of his castle to meet up with the search group. “May I help you stallions?”
Sombra sudden appearance surprised the crystal ponies. Thunder Clap cleared his throat, “yes, we’re looking for Princess Lucina. It would appear that she went missing during the Crystal Fair.”
“My apologies but I have not seen the princess. After all I left the infirmary yesterday and came straight back home.” Sombra answered in boredom.
“I would like nothing more than to contradict you Sir, however there are eye witness’s accounts that the princess was last seen with you.” Thunder spoke with reserved patience.
“Is that so?” Sombra drawled. “Then it must be somepony else, after all I’ve been on the outskirts of the empire for a full day now.”
While Sombra and Thunder bantered one of the guards was tracking the teleportation spell that Sombra used. “Sir, I tracked the point of orientation of his sudden appearance. It’s this way follow me.”
Thunder Clap gave the king a smug triumphant smirk. “Lead the way soldier.”
The stallions gathered around the front entrance of the umber castle.
This castle wasn’t here before. - Thunder thought to himself. –I mean only a few months ago this was an empty field. What’s going on here? - He looked over to Sombra for a sign that the stallion was going to explain anything, but alas he stayed silent.
Just then he could hear a pounding sound coming from inside the structure. Without warning Thunder Clap charged through the palace following the beating sound of what he could only assume was Princess Lucina.
King Sombra knew that the jig was up and that the crystal pony guards were going to find Lucina in any moment. So without the other ponies noticing, he created a shadow duplicate of himself to help them search for her. He then teleported himself to another location within the umber castle and transformed into his true form.
“It’s been ages since I was my true self, and sweet Luna it feels good.”
Sombra stretched out his limbs and conjured up his blood red cape and his crown. He made his way to the direction of where the royal soldiers and his duplicate were heading. After all there is no point in hiding any longer. He had to make his presence and intentions be known sooner or later, why not now?
He stopped stationary in front of the wall where he had poor, dear, darling, little Princess Lucina was imprisoned behind.
It didn’t take long for the royal guard to join him. He mentally cackled at the confused expression that Thunder Clap had smeared across his face.
“Looking for something soldier in training?” King Sombra taunted.
Thunder Clap looked back and forth between Sombra and the doppelganger, “WHERE IS SHE???????”
Sombra was unfazed by his outburst. “Who? The princess? I can assure you, young warrior, she’s perfectly safe.”
Thunder took a menacing step forward, “why do I have a feeling that you are lying.”
He shrug one shoulder, “believe what you want.”
Thunder Clap’s horn began to glow yellow and it looked like little lightning sparks were protruding from it. “TELL ME WHERE YOU ARE KEEPING THE PRINCESS, NOW!!!!”
“Ah…. Yes I could tell you where she is being imprisoned,” he taunted, “but where would be the fun in that?”
Thunder lost his patience then and blasted the king with a lightning blast that sounded like thunder once it hits its mark.
But Sombra got out of the way just in time, but the damage was already done.
They both heard a scream coming from the room that Sombra had Lucina trapped in. “PRINCESS!!!” They both yelled out when they saw a giant part of the debris falling towards her.
Lucina could hear arguing from the other side of the wall she was trapped behind. She was able to make out five silhouettes through the crystalized wall. Based on the voices she could hear it was Thunder and Shadow who were fighting, but is sounded more like Thunder was doing most of the verbal argument than Shadow. The strange thing was Shadow didn’t sound like himself, his voice sounded more menacing, cold, and echo-y.
Then she saw that the argument became physical when Thunder’s horn began to glow. Once the discharge hit the wall she let a scream of fear. Little did she know of the debris was falling above her.
Last thing she felt was herself rushed by two massive forms and looking into a pair of beautiful rube and emerald eyes with purple mist perturbing from them.
-My hero. - she thought wistfully.
Author's Note
- = inner thought
After the collapse of the wall in the umber castle that almost killed Princess Lucina, King Sombra disappeared into the shadows. Thunder Clap and the other crystal guards arrested the shadow doppelganger for the attempted foal napping of the princess.
Lucina never really knew what happened after the accident, because after it happened Thunder teleported her out of the palace. For all she knew, her friend was going to be interrogated and left alone.
Shortly after the doppelganger was put into one of the cells in the dungeon of the crystal palace, the double disappeared.
Five years have passed since the foal napping of the princess, and in this time King Sombra’s kingdom grew in population. The population mostly consisted of runaway ponies from all over Equestria. He was of course kind enough to give these ponies the choice to stay in his kingdom or not. For those ponies who were willing to stay, he turned them into umber ponies.
Every once in a while Sombra would find himself going to the Crystal Empire (in disguise of course) to check on Princess Lucina, and every time he went he watched as the young filly grew into a beautiful young mare.
Her mane and tale grew to the same length as her mother’s, but a little wavier. The sky blue and lavender color more pronouns then when she was a filly. Her violet eyes glowed with a vibrant inner light. And her rose coat shone with a radiance that would make other mares jealous.
However Sombra was not the only stallion to notice Lucina’s loveliness, quite a few colts were interested as well, but she paid them no mind. Of course that is not the only reason why they didn’t try to approach, and court her, they were always stopped by Thunder Clap. He would ward them off mostly by standing sentry as her bodyguard. The colt knew exactly what he was doing, he wanted to keep the princess all to himself.
Thunder Clap was promoted to captain of the guard. He graduated top of his class, and earned his spot as Princess Lucina’s personal body guard. It’s too bad she only saw him as a really good and loyal friend, but deep down he knew he was going to have her in the end, it was only a matter of time.
Even though Princess Lucina was a grown up pony now, she was not allowed to leave the Crystal Palace unless for a royal family event or a political event or for her princess lessons with her aunt Twilight and her sister.
One day Lucina became fed up with staying inside the palace walls. She waited for the right moment to escape. She knew that Thunder Clap always left her for about an hour and thirty minutes to speak with her father about guarding strategies after he finished warning her about “the dangers outside of the castle walls”. She grabbed a bed sheet that she secretly turned into a cloak, went out onto the balcony and casted a levitation spell on herself. She had to make sure that she stayed focus or else she would plummet down to her doom.
Once she was gently settled on the crystal ground the hood to her cloak fell off to reveal her sky blue and lavender mane.
“Your highness is that you?” said a half crystal pony half dragon mare.
“Fire Ember!!!!!” she exclaimed, “Wa … wa… what are you do… doing he…here?”
“I should be asking you the same question, your highness,” she smirked.
Lucina stayed silent.
Ember held out her clawed hoof, “wait don’t tell me, my cousin was giving you trouble again.”
“How did you know?” she questioned in mocked surprises.
“Mare friend let me tell you, there is nothing that doesn’t pass through my dragon hearing. I totally heard him trying to pass off Equestria as a dangerous place. I’m glad you snuck out though.” Ember spoke reassuringly.
Lucina sat back and fiddle with her front hooves, “you’re not going to tell anypony that I’m out here are you?”
Her best friend waved off her concern, “of course not, what kind of best friend would I be if I didn’t keep your secret outing a secret.”
“A bad one that’s for sure.” Lucina giggled her agreement.
Ember placed her arm around Lucina’s shoulder, “come on Luci let have a day on the town.”
Lucina nodded, “yeah let’s.”
The security briefing that Thunder Clap had with Shining Armor ran shorter than normal, and on his way back to Lucina’s room. However he spotted his cousin Fire Ember speaking with a cloaked figure outside of the castle doors. He watched them carefully making sure that the cloaked pony was no treat. Then he saw Empire placed her arm around the pony and shifting the hood that hiding the pony’s identity, but once he saw a wave of sky blue and lavender spill out he knew exactly who it was. Thunder ran out of the palace to recollect his charge, but the two mare were to fast for him.
“Lucina when I get my hooves on you, you are going to be big trouble” he growled as he chased after his cousin and Princess Lucina.
Author's Note
Sorry I took so long to write this chapter, I've been very busy with work and school, but I was lucky to have a little bit of free time to write. I hope you enjoy this chapter tell me what you think.
Author's Note
Sorry everypony for bring away for so long I school and work to deal with and couldn't find the time time. I apologize in advance if this chapter seems rushed. I'll try to spit out next chapter as soon as possible.
The Club
Princess Lucina and Fire Ember journeyed all through the Crystal Empire. They stopped off at many shops just to look around. Ember couldn’t resist trying on a few gowns at every dress store they went pass. Of course not every outfit fit right, her wings were too big and they couldn’t go through the holes that were provided in every other gown. Lucina on the other hoof stayed under her cloak disguise watching her friend try every gowns.
“Ugh….. This is sooooo frustrating,” Ember whined.
Lucina nodded her head in agreement, “I understand what you mean. These dresses are totally not made for you. But you do know since you are my best friend you get to have access to the best seamstresses in all of Equestria.”
“I know,” Ember responded, “I’m just trying these on as a reference point for what I want to wear for the New Year Mascaraed Ball.”
“Oh my Celestia I totally forgot,” the princess said in surprise.
Fire Ember shook her head in disappointment, “I thought you would. I can’t really accept anything else, since you’re stuck in your tower all the time.”
“That’s not true. I get out sometimes.” Lucina argued.
“Really…… when was the last time you left your room?” Ember questioned.
Lucina thought hard trying to remember when the last time she went out was. “Six months ago I think.”
Ember placed a clawed hoof on to her friend’s shoulder, “exactly, I mean seriously girl, you wouldn’t know jack squat about what was going on outside of your own window if it weren’t for me sending all those flame mail.”
“I guess you’re right,” Lucina relented.
Lucina and Ember continued their window shopping excursion till the moon came up. It was dark and Lucina’s night vision was nil. They tried to avoid every guard that they spotted by taking ally way behind shops and houses.
“Welcome to the night life Princess,” Ember said when she saw her best friends discomfort.
“Gee thanks buddy,” Lucina retorted all while almost tripping over a knocked over crystal trash bin.
Ember let out a snicker, “don’t hurt yourself princess on my account or else my cousin will have my ass.”
Lucina just gave her friend a dirty look, “har har you are so funny. Where are we going anyway?”
Ember stood in front of a dark crystal door, “We’re going to a night club, princess. It’s amazing that you haven’t gone to one up to this point. However, it is understandable why you haven’t since Thunder Clap has you trapped up in your room like a prisoner.”
Lucina pulled a face that didn’t really argue her friend’s observations.
Ember made the same face then knocked on the crystal door. At first there was no answer.
“M… m… maybe we should go. I mean its way past my curfew and Thunder might have already discover that I am missing.” Lucina said meekly when she sensed sensation of unease pass right through her.
Ember just looked at her skeptically, “relax princess nothing’s gonna happen.”
Just then the dark crystal door opened, and a giant dark crystal pony stepped out. “What do you want?”
“To party, duh.” She spoke without fear.
“And her?” the stallion asked.
“Her too.” Ember continued the appearance of being tough.
He just looked at them skeptically and Lucina hid behind Ember. With a roll of his eyes the dark crystal pony bouncer let them in. ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Not that far behind lurking in the shadows was Thunder Clap, he watched the girls every move and followed their every step. He even knew that Fire Ember was on to him. If he was to be honest with himself, he didn’t expect less from a half pony half dragon hybrid.
Once they were in the club, he rushed in and cast a sell on the bouncer pony to let him in.
He found Princess Lucina and Ember dancing in the middle of two male crystal ponies. One of the cults was getting too close to the princess and Thunder felt it was his duty to defend her. However, there was an odd looking crystal pony that passed in front of him, and once it passed he lost track of the princess.
-Damn it. – ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
In the darkest part of the night club was a dark and menacing figure, he was just watching the going on of the other ponies that are enjoying themselves while dancing to the melodic music.
If he was going to be honest with himself, he was far from interested with what other ponies do during their free time. He didn’t even want to be at the night club in the first place. He much rather be in his castle plotting out a strategy if he is going to take over the Crystal Empire or follow the uncontrollable urge to check in on the mare that held his attention captive. The only reason why he came was because he was doing one of his subjects Neon Phoenix a favor by coming.
He sensed her even before he saw her. Her presence just lights up the room and her warmth drew him in.
When he did see her, she was wearing a cloak that did nothing to hide her beauty. Her lavender and sky blue mane excepted the hood that kept her identity unknown.
He could see that she was with a half dragon half pony hybrid and between two colts. He knew that those two were harmless and they would not touch the mares. His eyes narrowed when he spotted the crystal guard in training.
The stallion waited for the right opportunity to sneak in and take the enchanting mare away. He asked Phoenix to distract the crystal guard in training, while he appeared out of nowhere in front the mare and teleported them both out of the night club.
“Hey what’s the big deal?” entrancing mare asked angrily.
The shadow pony pulled back the mare’s hood and smirked, “is that anyway t great an old friend?”
The mare got a better look at the stallion and flung herself at him, “Shadow!!!!”
King Sombra embraced the mare back, “hello again Princess.”
