Mirror, Mirror

The Crystal Empire. The shining pillar of hope in the frozen wastelands in the north. Ponies everywhere, having fun, giving their contribution to society in the only way they know. One individual, who had studied that peculiar mineral, retired for the night. Unlike the Crystal Ponies below, he felt alone. No father to scold him, nor mother to love him. He was tuly alone. Prince Sombra was unique, for he had no mark upon his flank. Yet he still ruled the land.

His subjects knew, but did not know how to act because of it. To be a part of an empire to a prince with no mark... it was almost dishonorable. It became clear to the prince that his position could be overthrown at any time. Only reason it hasn't yet, was the order to keep every pony out of his castle walls. As he lay in bed, many thoughts crossed through his mind. Thoughts of freedom, of joy, of sorrow. Feelings of anguish of not having parents, of pride for the kingdom he created in spite of his failings.

"'Truly I have hit a tough spot in my life. As my time creeps closer, so too grows the shadow of failure in what I could not accomplish.' And that's enough for tonight." Sombra closed the book and placed it on his nightstand. "Tomorrow is a new day, and I have more research to conduct." He closed his eyes and fell asleep.

Sombra woke up the following morning to a riot outside his room. "Come out, false prince! We'll not wait any longer!" With that, the door to his room shattered, and the posted guards flew in to protect him. Wave after wave of ponies flooded the room, as the prince teleported away to a safe room, leaving his guards to deal with things.

"Early morning, and already an overthrow attempt. They won't find me up here." He turned and saw the Crystal Heart. "Why do they hate me so? It is the result of being markless? Is it that bad to not have a talent?"

"I don't believe so, my Prince," the standing guard announced. "After all, you have lead this land to greatness, in spite of your tragedy."

"Thank you, White Wind. Your words are a melody of inspiration." He sighed and looked over the edge at his falling empire. "Where did I go wrong... What happened that made everything go to tartarus?" White Wind was silent, as the prince sought no reply. "Nevertheless, this is my castle. They will learn not to intrude upon my domain." He faltered.

"It appears you are not wholly convinced. Before you are two paths, I see. One is the path of the leader. This one will be full of trials, tribulations, and an immensely heavy back load. The other is the path of the conqueror. Down this path, you will find darkness, but at the same time, you will have no work to do, as your subjects will do it all for you."

"You believe there are two ways to rule subjects? To be loved or feared?" Sombra walked closer to his guard. "Which do you prefer?"

"It matters not which path you walk. You are my prince, and therefore am bound by duty to obey." White Wind looked at the prince with fear in his eyes.

Prince Sombra saw it and stepped back. "You think me to be a conqueror, is that the right of it? You fear me. You are not loyal by choice!" His heightened volume pushed back the guard. "You, and the rest of the land will have right to fear me!"

"You are convinced, then?" a voice called out. "Of the path you wish to walk?"

Immediately, Sombra turned to the stairs, seeing nothing. "Show yourself, coward!" No response. "Show yourself or I will force you out!"

"Such bold words from a lonely prince." A blinding light forced Sombra to shield his eyes. "Have you the ability to back them up?"

"I need not to," he replied as the light dimmed. It revealed a tall white alicorn with a burning red mane and tail. "For you are here now, whatever you are..."

"I am The Divine Creator, The Ultimate, The Mother. I am All, I am One. As I have many names, I may take many forms. My abilities are grand and miniscule, and none are without price."

"The... Mother? Of who?" Sombra walked closer to the towering pony. "Me?"

"To all life on this planet. That includes, but is not limited to, you, Prince Sombra."

"Why have you come? Surely there is a reason."

"I am here, to grant you that which you desire most: the ability to instill fear with a single look." Her horn lit up a rainbow of colors as a dark outlined mirror took form. "I give you a mirror that peers into the very soul, and traps the viewer in an illusion of their deepest fear."

Sombra walked over to it, then turned back to White Wind, who had vanished. "What do you want me to do with it..."

"Destroy it, conquer the world with it, give it away, it matters not to me. It is yours to do with what you want." A bright light wrapped around Her as she disappeared inside it, leaving his new mirror.

"Hmm. Darkest fear... What do I fear most?" Sombra looked into the mirror, and became trapped.

"Sombra? Sombra!" White Wind called out. "Sombra, my Lord, what have you done?!" The world around him turned to ruin before his very eyes. Pillars of lava erupted from the ground, nopony in sight. Sombra looked at his guard, or rather, his mangled form.

"You should not have defied me. This, is your end." Sombra lit his horn a black glow, and dissolved his guard into dust. "You feared me first, but you will not be the last. All of Equestria will bow down to my power!"

Sombra shook his head out of the illusion. "Perhaps it didn't show me my fear, or rather what became of me should I use its power to instill fear to everypony else..." The door broke down, revealing himself. Sombra quickly moved the mirror into their line of sight and they all froze in horror. Every one of them started mumbling, then crying out for help. Some went insane, and jumped. Others stayed in place. This is incredible! He turned the mirror away as they all snapped out of it and fell to their knees.

"What ... did you do to us..." one asked.

"Your fear, tell me what it was!"

"you... you ruled us for eternity..."

"Then so it shall be!" he bellowed. He forced each and every pony to gaze into his mirror. Over the years, he forced them to rebuild a dark castle. Only to be sealed away in the very far reaches of the tundra he once called home.

King Sombra had the last laugh, as he and his partner split ways, the Crystal Empire vanished into nothing..