Chapters Equestria, a land thought to have been a peaceful one, and a bright place of friendship, now stood on the brink of war with the return of the dark, fearful King Sombra. The Crystal Empire has returned once more, but the king would not allow the citizens to live with their shining hearts of peace and love. He turned them to slaves, to serve him until they died. Sombra could care less about the torture and pain he was driving into the hearts of these friendly beings. He cared about one thing and one thing only, to take over Equestria for himself, and to destroy the last beacon of rule in the land, the mighty Princess Celestia. Canterlot, however, was not his first target. He had a strategy this time to take a town one at a time, to push fear more and more into the minds of all the ponies of the land, and in hopes Celestia would bow to him as the one and only ruler.
Night had fallen on the Crystal Empire, and all around black crystals, and deep depression was seen and heard all around as ponies were marching, chained to each other with shackles tightly wrapped around their hooves, blood could be seen dried, and some pouring because of the cuffs digging deep into the Crystal ponies legs. They were exhausted, with a tear in their eyes, and no shine of their coats that used to gleam brighter than the sun had. One of the ponies, finally gave in, and fell to the ground. She opened her eyes, the pain reflected deep within what used to be a beautiful emerald green, her once gray coat, that gleamed a bright silver, was covered in dust and blood, and tattered from all the weight she pulled during the stressful slave drives.
"HEY, NO SLEEPING! GET YOUR FLANK UP AND MOVE IT!!!" The gaurd whipped her back with a thorny whip.
She winced in pain and tried to stand, but could not muster the strength to stand up on all four, tears running down her face, she saw her little filly daughter looking at her over by the stone bed, where she was crying while watching her mom struggle.
"This one is no good to us, take her away and get rid of her!" The lead guard yelled out as she was pulled up by two other stallion gaurds and taken away to a dark pit. As she passed her daughter, she glimpsed at her and said in a feeble whisper, "be strong little one."
"My liege, another pony has been put out of our misery, and numbers are starting to dwindle."
The Dark King spun around while looking at the guard, then up at the ceiling and gave an evil chuckle.
"Beautiful isn't it? How strange the darkness can bring the happiness to me, and how much power I feel." The king trotted slowly down from his throne.
"Yes, I do quite agree my King, but the number of pony slaves we have are not hi..." He was cut short by Sombra muting him with his magic.
"I know the numbers are low you fool, but we will steadily take Equestria as the days continue on, Celestia will not know what to do when it comes to our surprise attacks, next we burn down the bright gleaming city of Manehatten!" His evil laugh was dark, and cold and even chilled the bones of the other guards around.
Canterlot was a beautiful castle and palace, atop the mountain, and could usually be seen by miles from several towns. However, the dark and glum pollution that had taken over from the industrialized power of the hard working ponies who were fighting Sombra, had killed off many of the once beautiful flowers, trees, and white pearly gleam of the royal palace walls. Even walking into the royal area, didn't feel the same as usual. It was just depressing.
Celestia, though strong at most times, was sitting on her haunches in the mane hall of the castle, reading letter after letter of despair. Such letters as needing more food, more materials, and money, was a few examples of them. Celestia, looked up for a moment out the window of what used to be a beautiful land of love. She stood up and walked over to the window and cleared the smudge and dust off that had built up over the last couple of months. Indeed, the mess that was started as soon as the dark and dreaded king had returned, had left the Princess of the Sun unorganized. Even the royal beautiful majestic colors of her white coat and sparkling mane and tail were no more, just covered in dirt.
"Rainbow Dash!" The princess hearkened.
A cyan blue Pegasus, with lightning fast speed and a blur of Rainbow colors appeared.
"Yes Ma'am?" Rainbow saluted to her superior.
"It is time to assemble the EUP, and gain as many other ponies that can fight. We need to prepare for battle. I feel, the darkened heart of Sombra, will not hold out for much longer..." she trailed off as she walked back to the Window and stared out across the land, a tear of pain and hurt rolling out of her beautiful eyes.
"Right away Princess!" Rainbow took off and sped out of the front entrance.
"Oh Sombra, why must you torture a world with pain and sorrow, from which you were born...A land of love?" Celestia, crying now, curled up onto the floor and fell into an uneasy rest.
About, 20 miles or so from Canterlot, Rainbow Dash, flew into Ponyville and went straight to the school yard and rang the bell as loud as she could. The bell echoed, in a more eerie way than usual. It was a cold gong, like the life had even been dragged out of it.
"CALLING ALL PONIES WHO CAN FIGHT IN ACTIVE DUTY. BY ORDER OF THE MIGHTY PRINCESS CELESTIA HERSELF! STALLIONS AND COLTS!" Rang out Rainbow's voice.
Though she was a mare herself, and not a stallion, Rainbow, after leaving Cloudsdale joined the EUP Gaurd in order to serve as a secret spy, and warrior for Celestia.
Ponies started coming out slowly, looking left and right, as if paranoid something or somepony would attack them. They saw Rainbow, her magenta eyes, gleaming as a beacon of hope as they came and stood before her. She stared at them with a stern, but comforting smile of love and compassion.
"Listen. Equestria is not good, and it has fallen under attack. This land was once one we wanted to stay and live in with love, peace and happiness for all." She took a deep breath, then continued. "Celestia needs your help, we are seeking any stallion or colts old enough that can train and be ready for war. Woman and fillies and younger colts, must stay and continue to protect the homes and fight against the looming terrors of the world we so love."
She stopped and looked around in silence. Although she was a strong mare, Rainbow was heartbroken at the damage all the ponies had taken during this period of destruction. She flew down to the ground and started speaking again.
"All ponies wishing to join in the fight please follow me to Canterlot."
Night had well fallen over Equestria, and the usual sounds of crickets, owls and other creatures that were usually heard, was not. Celestia was awoken by a crash through the door, as Rainbow and another Royal Guard appeared flying and running at top speed towards her. They stopped right in front of her, one with utter fear in his eye, and the other mixed with sorrow and anger in her expression.
"What is it?" Asked the Princess in sudden urgency.
"Manehatton has been destroyed and death arises from news out of Eastern Equestria. It seems Sombra has attacked the great city..." He sighed at the last part of his sentence.
Celestia was lost for words, not able to piece it together. She turned and looked Eastward out of another window, which was completely black and unseen outside of it. There was no more time to wait, she had to assemble and do it quickly.
"Rainbow, wake everyone up, start getting them geared and prepped for marching out, and be swift about it."
Without question Rainbow took off in a furious speed.
"Princess What are yo..." The guard was cut short by the powerful voice of Celestia.
"Listen, as Royal Guards you must protect this majestic palace at all cost as you see fit, and that it stays that way. Understand?"
He looked at her and bowed. "Understood your Majesty." He turned and ran outside.
"Sombra, you have destroyed enough of this land, PREPARE TO FIGHT!!!!" Her voice rang through the castle and grounds as ponies scurried along gathering items, for the long journey towards war ahead.
Manehatton was completely destroyed, buildings were in pieces, fires and smoke could be seen all around, yet King Sombra did not care, nor would he ever with his evil filled heart. He had an evil grin upon his face as he watched the great metropolis burning, as he stood on a cliff just outside the city limits.
"NO I WILL NEVER SERVE YOU, GET YOUR FILTHY DIRTY HOOVES OFF ME YOU JERKS!" A mare dressed in a dark and damp, gray outfit was trying to kick and scream at the guards that were dragging her to Sombra. She was a white coated pony with 3 diamonds, that looked a dull blue compared to the usual, and a purple mane and tail, that was roughed up and frizzed.
"Well, heheheh, who do we have here?" Sombra, leaned up to her face. The mare, could feel his cold eyes of fear and death, peering into her soul. She was terrified, and could hardly breathe.
"She is the leader of the industrial ponies here in Manehatton, or what used to be it!" The two guards teased and cackled with evil laughter at the pony standing in front of them.
"Screw you!" She kicked one of them square in the mouth, and a few teeth fell out and his mouth started to fill with blood and spew out of it.
The second guard, took his spear, and stabbed her in the left leg. With a shriek of pain and blood pouring down, she fell face first and began crying as she thumped into the ground. Sombra took his spear with his magic, threw it to the side and broke it in half. The guard took this as a warning, grabbed his companion and retreated away from him in a hurry.
"Well, well, well... Rarity I'm so glad we ran into each other...The leader of Manehatton." Sombra began to circle around her.
"Sombra, you will never defeat the love and fire of light that burns strong in the hearts of these ponies, you can demand all the slavery from them, but they will never be chivalrous to join you in your dark conquest." Rarity stated.
"Heh, come now Rarity, you must observe all the things that I control and will... and those who oppose will surely die a most painful death too."
Rarity stood up and shouted at him, "YOU WILL LOSE THIS BATTLE! CELE..." Sombra cut her off with a furious temper in his voice.
"CELESTIA CAN DO ALL SHE WANTS TO STOP ME! SHE WILL NOT SUCCEED IN KILLING ME EITHER!"
They both stood in silence and glared at each other, the smell of fire and warm winds from the destroyed city, blowing around them.
"So again, Rarity, I ask you, what can you do?" Sombra said waving his hoof towards her friends and workers.
At this point all the ponies that were being cuffed and shackled, crying in pain, stared to look up at their fearless leader. The guards kept whipping them telling them to stay in line and march, but they didn't move, not even in the constant stinging pain.
"My ponies! This will not last, remain and sta....uhhccckk!" She stopped in a blazing fire of pain. Sombra had taken his sword and stabbed her right in the chest where her heart was, as blood drenched her white belly, tears rolling down her face, and as she was fading away, she saw a glimpse of a rainbow flying over head... I am on my way home..... her eyes shut completely, and Sombra pulled his sword from her and she fell limp to the ground, blood pooling around her motionless body.
"NOW MARCH!!!!!!" Sombra shouted out to the ponies, stunned and paralyzed from what they just saw happen.
"Celestia... I'm coming for you!" Sombra laughed darkly as he walked away from the crumbling city, and the pony's corpse that lay there in the wake of the fire.
Rainbow Dash landed at the great mighty castle of Canterlot, and walked inside. What she just saw had ripped her heart open. The city of Manehatton was completely obliterated. Plus, what she just witnessed, her best friend, Rarity was killed, stabbed in the heart. Rainbow walked into the royal hall, trying to hold back the tears that she knew she couldn't keep from coming. Celestia and Luna turned and saw the hurt Pegasus pony.
"Rainbow, what happened?" Celestia walked forward to her. Luna closely behind her.
"Rar...Rari...Rarity is dead..." She sat down and cried. "I wanted to save her, but there was no way in without getting spotted on a low cloud I was sitting on and spying."
Luna, who had a look of deep disbelief upon her face, walked over and put her hoof out and lifted Rainbow's head up.
"You did what you could, Rarity was a firm leader, and she would want you to go out and stay strong during these tough and dark times."
"Rainbow, Luna and I have got a plan that we need to discuss as to stop Sombra moving forward and causing more destruction, I'm sorry for Rarity, but we need to keep moving forward as that would be her wish as well." Celestia stopped, then continued. "I have a friend that may be helpful in your side of things, Commander Pinkie? Please come join us."
Pinkie Pie, who was dressed in armor, which for her was surprising to Rainbow, walked out and joined Rainbow at her side. She wasn't her happy, go-lucky, usual self. In fact, her manner and attitude was that more of ready for war and to seek revenge of the ponies that had killed her family, except for Maud who seemed to have hidden and disappeared, where nopony, less Pinkie knew.
"Yes. Let's get talking." She said firmly.
Luna pulled a map out of thin air with her magic and Celestia made a table appear. She laid the map onto the table.
"We have found the possible hideouts, thanks to Rainbow's amazing spying skills, and flying around to the North of us. The new recruits from Ponyville, and those we found hiding out in the Everfree Forest as well, have been readily trained and willing to fight and die to save this world from the depressing darkness that wants to take over." Luna finished.
"We plan to start marching North at daybreak. Luna will take half and go Northeast to try and infiltrate some of the military, that may have stayed behind near Manehatton, Me, you, and Pinkie will head directly North towards the empire, taking out any small brandished areas that Sombra's troops may be lurking in or near." Celestia said.
"Affirmative, come on Rainbow let's go get some sleep." Pinkie nudged her friend.
Rainbow, smiling and happy, at least she had a close friend to be next to followed her friend out of the castle, and into the dark, smoggy night, to her headquarters.
Celestia turned to her sister. "Rarity's death is a tragedy, even for us my sister."
"Agreed, as the leader of such a strong force and powerful light of friendship. But, we must move on to stop Sombra, before he can take the power of love that remains in this land. For now, we must get some sleep. A long road ahead awaits." Luna said.
"Okay, goodnight my sister."
"March on for the army of United Equestria and EUP!" Celestia's voice rang out loud to all the ponies, about two thousand, and amongst cheers of love and strength, they started marching. All that could be heard by the guards of Canterlot, who saluted all the ponies as they marched out of the castle gates, was the strength and sound of hooves hitting the ground in sequence of each other.
About three hours passed, where they came to a road. Celestia and Luna both looked at the splitting ways, one split to the Northeast, and one straight North. Pinkie Pie and Rainbow looked at each other, and stopped the marching ponies about 30ft away from the sisters.
"Well, my little sister, we must split again. But, this time we will reunite and stay strong with each other." Celestia hugged her sister as a small tear rolled down from her eye.
"Of course. Stay strong, Tia. Come my ponies half you will follow me!" Luna turned and walked down the path with a strong troop of ponies behind her, her glittering blueish- purple mane and tale glowing and glittery as she walked further and further away.
"Rainbow, fly ahead and see if you see anything ahead. Pinkie, take some of the scouts and go through the woods and trees as we continue on."
Both ponies gave a firm salute, and took off with their orders at once.
"Come, we continue on now, with strength, let us once and for all rid the tyranny of the land!" Celestia said. The ponies cheered as they ventured down the path to whatever terror may lie ahead.
Loss of Feathers and a Scratch
Rainbow and Pinkie had been up ahead of Celestia's Army for quite sometime to scout and spy on the area to bring back information to the Princess if needed. But as they continued East ahead of the troops towards Filly Delphia, nothing showed a concern to them. They were talking about things that have happened so far since Sombra's return.
Really isn't much of anything left, crops are all dying, destruction is upon in almost every city..." Pinkie's voice was seldom the usual happiness, yet more depressed as she talked to Rainbow, who was flying just a little above her. "I mean, the whole world has been sucked of the peace and happiness that once used to rule this world, and it scares me to think what will happen Dash. I mean I already lost my... my...."
She stopped and started tearing up. Rainbow, who knew about her family being killed by Sombra's army, was pretty heart breaking and unbearable. Rainbow landed next to her best friend.
"Hey, Pinkie. I'm so sorry for your loss... I couldn't even imagine what it would be like. On the other hoof, they are always here to be watching you, guiding you. Let that fill your heart with passion and strength." Rainbow hugged her.
"Thanks Dashie, I really am happy we are best friends." They continued walking along the path in the hazy moonlight.
"What about Maud?" Rainbow asked.
"Don't know, we lost contact after she said that she had run from hiding at the farm. No idea on the position of her whereabouts." Pinkie said a little broken.
"I'm sure we will find her." Her friend said reassuringly.
They came upon the Hollow Shades. They looked at each other with a determined smile and entered in to the Hollows. They trotted along for quite a while already, unaware of the danger of Sombra's troops nearby.
"Hey, we got two right down there." The lead Pegasi whispered to the other on the tree to the left.
The third guard signaled to the two Unicorns on the ground behind the bushes, who nodded and sneaked around behind the two friends.
"Pinkie stop." Dash said quietly, yet firmly. "I just heard something."
Pinkie looked around intensely, then back at Dash. "Probably the wind in the trees..."
"The only thing is there is no wi... Pinkie look out!" Dash pushed her friend out of the way as the two unicorns came out and one of them shot a spell at the pink pony. Dash turned around and charged with a powerful bullet speed and punched one of them right in the jaw, which caused a loud crack, he fell and passed out.
"Dash help!" Pinkie screamed.
Unaware of the other three Dash kicked and tripped the other unicorn and raced over to Pinkie struggling to fight the other two Pegasi off. That's when the leader dropped down out of the tree and slashed Rainbow right across the eye. Blood spurted out as she screamed out in agony at the pain and she lost vision in her left eye.
"You son of a bitch!" She took out her sword and stabbed him right in the chest above his right side. He yelled in agony as he fell down. Rainbow left her sword there and ran to help Pinkie, but again was blocked by the unicorn she tripped earlier who teleported right in front of her. He tackled her down and bit her ear and tore a good chunk of it out. She screamed in more pain.
Pinkie finally had managed to fight off the other two and slammed them into the trees and ran to her friend's aid. She did a full 360 high kick spin and kicked the other troop right into the side and made him fly into the bushes.
"Quick Rainbow hurry!" She lifted her friend up who was dazed by the pain of both wounds and being tackled. She managed to stand on all four hooves solidly and at the moment the other two guards were running at them, Pinkie ran and grabbed Rainbow's sword and tossed it to her which she caught and stood in a tight defensive position ready for the oncoming enemies. One split off and flew over her head and the other, swung his sword and missed and Rainbow kicked him and stabbed him where his heart was. Then, the most intense pain she had ever felt and made her fall to the ground, the other guard that was going for Pinkie turned around and cut Rainbow's left wing clean off. Rainbow cried a loud shriek and fell to the ground, passed out as blood started to pool around her. Pinkie, grabbed Dash's sword.
"You'll fucking pay for that!" She yelled and before the other guard had a chance to respond she took the sword and slashed his throat open as he was turning around.
She ran over to Rainbow, and pulled out some bandages.
"No...No...No... Don't go Rainbow...." she murmured as she desperately tried to bandage the ear, eye, and wing that had been cut off.
At that moment Celestia appeared.
"I heard screa..." she stopped.
She looked from a panicking Pinkie, then to Dash who was lying on the ground and her face became shocked. She saw the other guards and, without hesitation helped Pinkie with the bandages with her magic and lifter her up onto her back.
"Pinkie, no time to lose, we must hurry!" Celestia said firmly, and they raced out of the hollows back to the troops.
Never had Sombra been so elated deep inside his soul less heart. He had a menacing grin on his face. As he walked with the slaves that he had just taken from Manehatton, the glowing orange of the destroyed city in fire behind them, he moved and trotted with confidence, not even concerned or showing the slightest bit of remorse. He turned to one of his guards and beckoned for the map. The guard, a little nervous pulled it out with his mouth and Sombra grabbed it with his magic.
"Where are we currently?" The dark king asked.
"About 22 horseshoes from Fillydelphia." One of the guards replied.
"Hmm... HEY YOU!" Sombra shouted to one of the Pegasi guards, who came down at once.
"Yes, my liege?"
"I want you and two others to go up ahead and scout the area and see what you can find. Kill all who oppose."
The guard nodded and pointed at two other Pegasi and they took off immediately.
"You think there is something ahead sir?" curiously asked one of his troops.
"It's not the thinking or the knowing, it's protection." Sombra said. "Now MARCH!"
The slaves and the troops and the mighty dark king started off towards the Hollow Shades.
Up ahead the three guards that were sent out ahead, were in and out of clouds swooping, swiftly, yet quietly through the Hollows. Periodically landing lightly on tree branches and scanning the perimeters. When they sat for a few minutes they would repeat the process again and again.
"You see anything?" Asked one guard.
"Negative." Answered the second.
"Not a feather." Answered the third.
They then flew to flying around the whole perimeter of the forest, and back through the middle of it. They then returned back to Sombra, who looked at them plainly as they landed in front of him and the whole marching stopped.
"Well?" Sombra asked impatiently.
"Nothing sir, we searched in and out and all around, high and low and nothing was heard nor seen in the Hollows."
"...Hmm...Go back that way... and you two," he pointed at two Unicorns, "Go with them back to the Hollows...and scout it again"
They both saluted as did the three Pegasi and all five went back in the direction of the trees."
Sombra seemed to have lost trend of thought, he was looking North towards the train tracks.
"Sir?" One of his guards said curiously.
Sombra who was snapped out of his trance looked at his troops and the slaves and pointed towards the train tracks.
"That way." he said solemnly, as they began to move Northward over the hills.