Chapter One: Prologue
Author's Note: Holy shit this chapter took forever to finish! Hope you guys enjoy and let me know if you want more! Thanks for reading!
Princesses Celestia and Luna stood in a large room with their friend and former mentor, Starswirl The Bearded. A map of Equestria and the surrounding kingdoms covered a large, round table in the center of the room. The map was pinned to the table by an assortment of pins, marking seemingly random locations on the map. These pins marked the cities of Equestria already destroyed by King Sombra's army.
"He's already captured our western bases.", The elder princess explained, "And his troops are moving South, towards Canterlot."
Luna scoffed, "A rather bold move. What is he thinking attacking the most armed city in all of Equestria?"
"On the contrary sister", Using her magic, Celestia placed a knight chess piece on the Eastern border, "Most of our troops have moved to the East."
"Then we move them back!", the young princess proclaimed, becoming agitated, "Sombra has nothing compared to us, yet he has been able to capture half our kingdom in mere months!"
"Our troops have been strategically placed to-"
"Strategically placed my flank!", Luna interrupted, slamming her hoof on the table, "We need to go strait to the source! Cut him off at his base!"
"Luna compose yourself", Her older sister took a stern tone, but it did little to discourage the stubborn mare. Suddenly, a chuckle echoed across the table. Both princesses turned their head to stare at their bearded friend.
"And just what is so amusing Starswirl?", Luna inquired, rather sharply.
"Why, you two of course", Starswirl peered at the two from under his hat, "I remember when you two fought over silly things, like which doll belong to whom. It seems you never lost your knack for arguing. But this is not the time for such things", His light tone abruptly halted, as his expression became serious, "Luna is right. We need to go strait to the source. We must invade the Empire."
"And how, do you propose, we go about that?", Celestia questioned, "Our ground forces are no match for him. And you know what he can do to our pegasi."
"That's why I will go.", Starswirl said, "I believe if I concentrate my magic, I will be able to defeat him."
"And if you can't?"
"Then," He motioned to a spear resting against the wall across the room, "I'll have backup."
Luna gave a small smirk and raised an eyebrow, "Are you quite sure your up for this old man?"
Starswirl only chuckled in response
The Crystal Empire was once a beautiful place. Everything from the buildings to the pavement glimmered in the sunlight. The crystal ponies went about their days in peace, singing and laughing and dancing. And the beautiful castle. One-hundred percent crystal. Crystal Pony craftsmanship at it's finest, even more beautiful than the castle of the two sisters in Canterlot. But, all of that was irrelevant now. Now all that remained of that beautiful city was ruins, covered in dark crystals. The only thing still standing was the castle, now encased in a shield of black crystals. These crystals were undoubtedly conjured by Sombra for protection, and to make his new abode feel more like home.
"Coward", Luna remarked, standing on the hill overlooking the ruined empire.
"Smart coward.", Celestia responded, her face twisted into a stern expression.
"A weed by any other name is still a weed", Starswirl chimed in, using his magic to lift the silver spear and aim it at the castle. Luna examined the great unicorn's movements. He was by no means weak, but he was stiff. His hooves shook slightly with each step he took, and his magic quivered with each spell he cast. There was no doubt in her mind that her mentor's power was fading.
"Are you sure you're up to this old man?", she asked
Starswirl chuckled, "I'm quite certain, Princess."
Luna heaved a sigh as she and her sister launched into the air. In a flash of blue light, Starswirl appeared at the edge of the crystal shield surrounding the dark castle. A golden aura formed around Celestia's horn, and a beam of magic blasted a hole straight through the shield. Starswirl stepped through the gap and examined his surroundings. The once beautiful courtyard was now dark and made of nothing but black crystals and dead plants. The unicorn stared mournfully at the once beautiful castle. Upon noticing him, the crystal guards charged at Starswirl, swords aimed squarely at him. Before the guard were able to pierce the bearded unicorn's skin, the two sisters dropped down from above, slicing them clean in half with their swords. A siren sounded, echoing through the courtyard and causing more armed guards to charge out of the castle.
"Starswirl go!", Celestia called to her mentor, "We'll fend them off!"
With a nod, Starswirl charged into the castle. Upon entrance, he was attacked by several more guards, all of which were taken out easily with a simple fire spell. He stepped over the scorched corpses and navigated his way to the throne room. There, sitting on a throne of pure black crystals, his scythe leaning on the stairs below him, and his eyes glowing with dark magic, sat King Sombra.
"Well well. It appears I have a visitor", Sombra smirked, using his magic to lift his scythe.
"Give up Sombra", Starswirl commanded, "As we speak the rulers of Equestria are destroying your dark kingdom."
Sombra gave out a low, dark chuckle, "You honestly believe you can defeat me fighting alone? Look at you! You're weak." In a flash of magic, the dark king was standing directly in front of Starswirl, his scythe clashed against his spear. Starswirl pushed hard on his spear, knocking Sombra backwards.
Sombra grinned evilly, "You're weak old man. Your hooves are shaking, your spear is quivering. You are no match for the Dark King!" Black magic shot from his horn as a crystal prison formed around Starswirl.
In a flash of light, the bearded unicorn was outside the prison and once again aiming his spear at Sombra's heart. On instinct, Sombra swung his scythe towards the unicorn, but before it could make contact, the silver spear was locked firmly against it.
A low, dark chuckle echoed around the room, "You're a fool old man", Sombra taunted, "You should have stayed at the library." In a burst of sudden strength, Starswirl was thrown across the floor, his weapon sliding in the opposite direction. Pain shot through his leg, preventing him from hoisting himself onto his hooves. The unicorn lay there, eyes narrowed, panting. The dark king sprang towards him in a cloud of smoke, and a howl of pain and terror tore from his throat. In a burst of smoke, debris, and blood, Starswirl the Bearded was no more.
