Chapters After the battle, everything went by too fast.
Fluttershy had no idea what was going on. There was an ominous dark flash, and a menacing laugh. Followed by it was a dark shadow that cast all around. Cadence and Shining Armor were banished, just like Sombra was 1,000 years ago. They were forced to go back into Equestria, along with the Royal sisters, in defeat.
But she and her friends had not been so lucky.
Since they had tried to defeat lord Sombra, they had all been separated and forced to go through Sombra´s door, and face their greatest fears, or do labor and live poorly for the rest of their lives
They all chose the latter.
But poor Fluttershy seemed to get the worst of it. Sombra thought it was amusing out of all that had happened, and Fluttershy was still timid and quiet. He had made her his personal servant. She honestly thought that he thought of her as a pet.
It wasn´t that bad; she wasn´t forced to work endlessly, or live a nightmare. It was very leisurely compared to what some of her friends, like Rainbow Dash, had been assigned.
Most of the time she just sat there in a miniature chair-like-bed, where she spent most of her time, closely resembling what a pet might lay in, but it was much larger and comfortable.
The tasks she were given were very simple, like fetching her lord´s breakfast, or sitting there, bored most of the time, answering his questions.
At first, Fluttershy had been extremely afraid of Sombra, but after a while, she learned that he wasn´t a monster, he was just misunderstood.
Fluttershy´s presence had a bit of an influence on him, making his punishments less cruel, or as un-cruel as you could get with him.
He didn´t acknowledge her much, but when he did, it wasn´t too horrible. Most of the time he was just annoyed with some various problem, and would let it out by criticizing her, or not paying much attention.
But Fluttershy didn´t mind, she understood mostly why he was upset, or what had upset him.
It was very lonely very often, because the questions Sombra asked her were not very precise or in her range of knowledge. She usually didn´t have a very good answer, and the questions were occasional, short, and random.
Most of her time was spent with Sombra, in the throne room, where he would sit, usually reading, or sleeping.
It was always quiet, except for the pitter-patter of rain that could be heard and seen from the windows. It was always raining.
Fluttershy wondered how that worked, and why the empire was not completely flooded, but another servant told her it was because Sombra controlled the weather, and could have the ground absorb as much water as he liked by just using a simple rain spell.
She often felt dreary, and lonesome, wishing to talk with one of her old friends. But they would most likely not see each other for a long time, if not ever again.
~~~
Fluttershy was not one to eavesdrop, but she couldn´t help but overhear a conversation taking place outside the exquisite door to the throne room. It seemed to be between Sombra and another stallion, but she had no idea who.
"What do you mean you´re not sure? This could be the death of all of us! This will be our end- our demise!"
"It is very unlikely that he will be back. There was enough bickering with him and his family for him to be sent away forever."
"Sombra, it may be difficult to escape from the stars, but it is not impossible."
"If he is to escape, we shall become allies, and together banish the Royal nuisances who call themselves true rulers of Equestria."
"But he is unpredictable!"
"So am I."
The conversation ended abruptly, and Fluttershy almost didn´t have enough time to get back onto her chair-bed
Sombra entered the room, obviously angry and exhausted.
He slumped onto his dark crystal throne, and used his magic to lift a book from his wide collection.
Fluttershy looked back down, and decided to sleep and try to figure out what the two were talking about.
~~~
When Fluttershy awoke the next morning, she realized something was wrong. Sombra wasn´t in the room, and it was very late morning. She could tell that she had overslept, and had not been awoken to perform her duties. She looked around cautiously and timidly, trying to fathom what had happened.
Suddenly she head many footsteps and put her head back into the pillow, pretending to still be asleep.
The doors opened to reveal an extremely frustrated Sombra and many of his Crystal mercenaries assisting him.
They quickly set up a large round table and chairs. They started to discuss battle plans and strategies.
Why would they need to talk about that?
They weren´t planning a war, were they?!
If that happened, she could only imagine if it was, and probably is, against Equestria.
Her homeland would be destroyed, and all of her friends back home would be hurt or even worse.
Killed.
This thought made Fluttersny so upset and scared that she forgot to breathe.
For a moment she thought she was dying of fright, but realized she just needed to take a quiet breath in.
This calmed her a bit, and she decided to listen and learn what the guards and Sombra were discussing.
"No... She will be harder to capture, now that she is back in enemy lands."
Were they talking about one of her friends?
"Should we declare war and use the hostages we have as of now captive in the dungeon?"
"No, they´ve been in our clutches for too long now. The sisters probably think they´re dead by now."
Fluttershy nervously gulped.
"Strengthen the empire´s barriers. Direct orders."
"Yes, sir."
A guard exited the room, and went off.
"Should we capture more hostages?"
"No, too tricky."
"Perhaps steal the elements?"
Sombra paused for a moment.
Another guard stepped in.
"No, the elements themselves are not needed. The subjects that represent the elements are just the same. They could be ignited the same way. All of them together are a super-weapon."
"But we are missing the element of magic!" One chimed in.
They were talking about Twilight! She had escaped!
Fluttershy could only imagine what horrible punishment she had been given, seen to how she was related to the empire´s former rulers who had been in the way of Sombra´s plans.
Not to mention she was the personal student of Princess Celestia.
"Gather all element bearers. After all of them have been rounded up we shall claim to have them executed if that Twilight doesn´t come back."
"Are you sure the plan will work?"
"It must. That pony has done rash things like that before, and I doubt she will change her foolish ways anytime soon."
"Shall I gather the element bearers?"
"Immediately."
"Yes, sir."
Fluttershy felt the heavy feeling of dread slowly start to sink in.
She would be forced to use the elements against Equestria? That sounded horrible!
He flew out of the room like the first one.
Sombra looked like a heavy weight had been lifted off his chest.
"Dismissed."
And as quickly as the guards had entered the room, they had left, gathering the table and everything.
Sombra walked up to his throne.
He let out a small chuckle and sat down.
Fluttershy wondered why he had chuckled, until she realized that in the position she was sleeping, you could see her flank.
She blushed, and buried herself into the bed even further.
Sombra didn´t seem to notice her again for a while though, and went back to his usual things.
Fluttershy sat in the bed, thoughts swirling around in her head.
It was quiet for a long time, until a guard from earlier came back into the room.
"Sir we have four of the element bearers gathered."
Sombra seemed annoyed.
"Where is the fifth?"
The guard pointed.
"Her."
Sombra scowled.
"Bring her to where the rest of them are."
"Yes, sir."
Sombra went back to his work, although it was clear something was bothering him.
The guard was emotionless and said "Miss, come with me."
All of the sudden all Fluttershy could think of was how the guard´s spear was so sharp and how dungeons were filthy and crowded with horrible ponies who had done horrible things.
Fluttershy was so afraid, she fainted.
~~~
When Fluttershy awoke, she was very weak.
She had no idea what had happened, all she remembered was how Sombra was going to make her stay in the dungeon. She shuddered at the mere thought of that.
"Oh, I'm glad to see you've finally woke up!"
Her fears were interrupted by a cheerful peach earth pony nurse who appeared to be caring for her.
"W-What happened?" Fluttershy stammered.
"Why, you poor thing. Well, when you were about to be... Escorted... You fainted at the thought of it. You hit your head on the ground pretty hard back there. You were knocked out cold. I'm just glad to see you're feeling a little better.
She smiled warmly at her.
"Oh, well, thank you for taking care of me but I really should-"
"Oh no ya don't sweetheart."
Fluttershy tried to sit up from her bed but was far too weak. She squirmed in pain.
A soft "Ow" escaped from her throat.
"How long was I out?"
"My, it must have been a solid month."
"A month?!"
"Don't fret sweetie. You're a Pegasus, and it takes longer for your kind to heal."
Fluttershy looked down at her folded up wings.
"I guess you're right."
She tried opening up her wings but they were very sore. She folded them back up. She never really used them anyway.
"Why don't you stay in bed honey, you weren't ever very strong to begin with."
The nurse tapped some papers on a clipboard that must have been some sort of health record, but from where she got it, Fluttershy had no idea.
"Oh, ok." The nurse came over to herbed and fluffed her pillows.
"There you are sugardrops. All nice and comfy."
Fluttershy fell asleep to the soft humming of a lullaby.
~~~
[spoiler][/spoiler]
"Th- There are two kinds of elements?!"
A frightened light grey Alicorn stallion stuttered out the words in a jumbled mesh.
"Yes. In harmony, there is chaos. One cannot exist without the other. Light, darkness, all the same, but not quite."
A voice that sounded particularly familiar filled the room.
"N-No! I... I will destroy these 'elements of disharmony' and make my father proud!"
"Tsk tsk. You have very much to learn if you are to be the next ruler of Equestria. Perhaps it is not your fate to rule."
"No! I was destined to rule!"
"Then you must retrieve the elements of disharmony and use them. The harmonic ones are becoming too strong and overused."
"But, then there would be chaos!"
"Your point?"
"It... It's not right. It shouldn't be like that."
"You misunderstand, my dear friend. The elements of disharmony aren't necessarily bad, just... Misunderstood. Like you and me."
"But it's wrong! My kingdom does not want disharmony overpowering them!"
"Your kingdom?"
"It shall be mine to rule soon enough."
"Well, my dear friend, the inharmonic elements won't overpower the harmonic ones. Things will just be evened out, like it's supposed to be. What would the purpose of the elements of harmony have if there was no disharmony? Like I said, one without the other is meaningless."
"So... I must use these other elements; and create evils that the elements of harmony must destroy?"
"Ah, you seem to get it now!"
"But, then they are not equal."
"Well..."
"These other elements are not represented correctly! Somepony must stand up for them!"
"Your words my friend, not mine."
"They need to be respected, and find their equal place!"
"Your point?"
"I shall turn the tables and keep everything in balance. I shall make father proud!"
~~~
Fluttershy awoke with a start.
Who was the other voice?
She was dazed and worn out from her dream. She yawned and stretched, extending her wings.
What was she thinking about again?
Her thoughts were interrupted by a slam of the door.
A guard entered the room.
"Miss Fluttershy. I have been told that you must join the rest of your; 'friends' downstairs at once. Direct orders."
"I- But- Well, o-ok."
She reluctantly got out of her bed and followed the guard. She was feeling much better, but she was still pretty weak. The nurse was no where to be found. More guards came to escort her. She supposed the reason was to make sure she wouldn't escape, but she was too tired and timid anyway.
They led her down the dark stone halls, and to a spruce door leading to a stone flight of spiral stairs. It looked moist and moldy down there. Fluttershy hesitated, but a guard shoved her head the other way, and she was forced to follow.
They continued down the stairs for what seemed like forever. When Fluttershy's legs just about couldn't take it anymore, the guards halted. One of the main guards who was a unicorn used to magic to take a key and unlock a cell door. So that was this horrible place. The dungeon.
Fluttershy let out a scared whimper.
He shoved her inside, making her collapse on the ground. She was very weak to begin with, not to mention she hadn't had a good meal in a month.
The guard immediately closed the door and went off to do more of his duties, leaving Fluttershy alone.
Well, she at least thought she was until she noticed a soft blue aura illuminating behind her. She gasped.
"Rarity? Oh my Celestia! You look awful!"
Fluttershy hadn't meant to be hurtful, and immediately regretted her choice of words, but she was being honest. Her mane was a ruffled mess, and her white coat was dirty and full of grime. She looked malnourished, and starving.
"Oh my! Fluttershy! You're- you're alive!"
She was a bit startled.
"Why-why wouldn't I be?"
"Oh darling, we were so worried! After Twilight went missing we figured that was it. But now you're here!"
A raspy voice came from the darker side of the cell behind her.
"We thought you were dead like she was."
Fluttershy gagged.
"Twi-Twi-Twilight's dead?!?!"
"Well, it's only what we could assume, since nopony has seen her for so long."
Fluttershy was about to cry, until she realized that being Sombra's personal servant hadn't been so bad after all.
"A-Actually, um, I think she might be ok."
"Really???!!!"
Pinkie Pie came in behind Rainbow Dash. Both of their coats were faded and dirty, like Rarity's.
"Um, yes?"
"Well sugarcube, don't keep it in. Tell us what ya' gotta say."
Applejack followed in after Pinkie.
"I, um, was close to, um, Sombra, when we were, uh, separated, and I um, heard some guards say that Twilight may have, escaped..."
Rarity squealed with delight. "So she might be ok?!"
"I, I'm not very sure, but it's possible."
A wide grin appeared on Pinkie's unusually sad face.
"TWILIGHT MIGHT BE OK!!! THIS IS AWESOME!!!"
She bounced off the walls in delight.
Rainbow Dash and Applejack were smiling, exchanging glances with one another.
"She hasn't done that in weeks" Rainbow Dash mumbled.
"Wait, Fluttershy darling, why were you around Sombra?"
She mid behind her long pink mane.
"I, um, worked for him."
She was bombed with questions.
'What was it like?' 'Was it absolutely horrifying?' 'Were those guards mean?' 'What did you do?' 'Are you ok?' 'What happened after that?' 'What else did you do?'
'Was it lonely?' 'What questions did he ask?' 'What books did he read?' 'What else?!'
Fluttershy felt overwhelmed. She tried to answer as many as she could, without breaking down. They were trapped in a dungeon, and it wasn't as spacious as it sounds.
They were all so loud that a guard had to come over to their cell and scream 'Quiet down! It's curfew! I don't want a single word coming from any of your mouths!'
Fluttershy shrank back into a corner and shivered. It was cold in the dungeon. She used her wings to warm herself by covering herself with her body, but they were still sore, and her wings were cold too anyway.
She fell asleep, into another dream.
~~~
"No! You don't know what you're doing!"
"This isn't right, you know better."
"Hand over the elements, now!"
The same Alicorn from earlier was confronting two other Alicorns, who both seemed to represent the night and day. The stallion, whom was darkness, had a dark coat with wispy wings and white stars dotted all over his body. He wore a silver crown with a purple gemstone in it. The other female, which represented day, was white, with a sunset orange covering her wings, and had a dark purple and orange mane with stars in her coat as well.
"You don't know anything! My patron has taught me well. He has shown me the errors of your ways! And I shall over-rule you, and restart Equestria, and restore its former glory!"
"Son," the male Alicorn pleaded. "You do not know what you are doing. Please, stop, we need to talk about this."
"After all you have done for me? Ha! Your rule has come to an end, just like the prophecy said. And I shall be the new ruler, and have the power all to myself!"
"No." The female stepped in. "The prophecy states that two rulers are to take our place, and that they shall reign for Equestria. We give our crowns to your younger sisters."
"Not if I can help it."
The young Alicorn charged at his mother, ready for the fight of his life.
~~~
"Roll call! Roll call!"
A guard woke Fluttershy up. She would have preferred to stay in bed, but apparently that wasn't an option. The rest of her friends were up, and Pinkie was nervously trying to move Fluttershy by the cell door for attendance.
Two ponies who were the same person were fighting inside of Sombra's mind.
"No! I will never surrender to you! I shall find a way to overpower you, one day soon."
A deep voice laughed. "And how do you think you can defeat yourself, Sombra?"
"I-I don't know. But I will find a way!"
The voice laughed again. "Your plan will not prevail. It is too late. You are powerless. You should've known better than to allow the dark magic to corrupt your soul. Now I have full control."
"But-"
"No! I have no weakness! You shall crumble underneath my wrath eventually. How a fragment of your good side still exists is a mystery to me."
~~~
Prison was the worst.
You barely got any food, the food you got was disgusting and stale, there were absolutely no sanitary conditions, all the other inmates were scary and rude, and the guards were cruel.
They would always shout and scream at all of the prisoners. There was one in particular, however, Crimson Aura, who was always a bit more unjustified than the others. He yelled the most, and had a sword over two dark red crystals for a cutie mark. It went fine with his navy blue coat and jet black mane.
"Alright, ALRIGHT! There's a reason why all of you unworthy pieces of scum were sent down here, and I don't care why. All you need to know is that we are not equals, and under any circumstances are you to ever disregard an order from me. Ever."
He would send a dark scowl upon all of them, and stare deep inside of them, with his Crimson eyes.
He yelled at Rainbow the most, for silly things, like how she was much too close to the cell bars, or that she was not allowed to drink that much water, and would be grounded to a five day ban from meals.
Their days were dull, and boring. Inside the cold wet dungeon, nothing happened. There was always the stench of boredom and thirst for freedom that clung to the air, and was overpowering. Fluttershy needed to get out of this place. She usually slept in the back corner near her friends, but her spot was near the cell door, only a few steps away from the prisoners next door.
They were a group of stallions, who had horrible violent things for cutie marks.
Fluttershy remembered when she first arrived, the guards eyed hers suspiciously. Crimson Aura came up to her and asked, "Wow. Nice cutie mark. What'd you do, kill somepony with butterflies?" He started to crack up, and when Fluttershy opened her mouth to respond, he told her that any unpermitted words or actions would be punished upon greatly.
She shut her mouth and ignored the growling of her stomache.
~~~
Twilight was exhausted.
She had managed to evade capture again, but things weren't looking too bright for her anytime soon.
She was going to have to teleport somewhere else before the Crystal guards could find her.
She was headed to Canterlot, in hopes of finding Princess Celestia, and have her help get her friends back.
But so far, she wasn't having much luck. She had to keep running, and teleporting little by little, since her magic was growing thin.
The reason was because all of Equestria's magic seemed to be disappearing.
Fear and hatred were inside of the Crystal Empire, and it was reflecting off of all of Equestria.
Twilight needed to get to Canterlot; fast.
She was trotting past the edge of the Everfree forest, nearby her home. She wanted to go and visit there, and hopefully grab some supplies before she had to run off again, but she didn't want to put any of her other Ponyville formed in danger.
Her mane was a mess, and the rest of her wasn't looking very good either.
She kept trudging on, slowly but surely. The closer she got to Canterlot, the stronger she could feel her magic become. Perhaps Celestia had protected it from any outside dangers like Shining Armor and Candence's wedding.
After a few miles, Twilight found the strength to teleport.
She breathed a sigh of relief.
"Surrender traitor!" A voice directed to her called out in the distance.
Just in time.
Before the Umbra earth pony knew what hit him, the purple unicorn mare had dissapeared, in a smoky flash.
~~~
"Dear sister, I fear that something horrible has happened."
"I am afraid so, Luna. He has returned."
Luna sighed and looked at the ground.
"Is he...dangerous?"
Her voice cracked.
"Quite possibly, yes. But he is still very weak. It will take him some time to regain his full power, but not enough. We need more time!"
Celestia stomped her hood into the ground, clearly frustrated.
Luna cleared her throat.
"Ahem, Yes sister. But if he returns, is it possible to-"
Celestia looked down on her little sister with a sad gaze.
"I do not know, Luna. I know how hard this must be for you, considering that you two were very close."
There was a hint of hurt in her voice.
"I am sorry sister. I did not mean it that way."
The white Alicorn princess nodded.
"Of course you didn't."
~~~
Imagine a huge, overwhelming pool of darkness.
Now picture a single, tiny sliver of light, about the same size as a speck of dust.
That is what it was like inside of King Sombra's mind.
After a huge mistake and hard decision, the unicorn King had resorted to dark magic in order to protect his loved ones.
But he had failed.
He had been tricked, and was consumed by the evil inside of him. He could no longer think clearly, and his headaches were driving him close to insanity.
He would have loved to have his only problem be the slight inconvenience of insanity.
But it was not so, and he was corrupted. His thoughts turned dark, his heart black, his soul to crystal ice.
Any trace of him was long gone.
~~~
But there was one chance for hope.
