It's Me Devil Man

Its hard to explain the feeling but the closest thing to it would be like floating in a orange hot spring with a spot light on you. Each beat of my heart echoed throughout the fluid like a single instrument orchestra. This peace was interrupted by a giant white light.

As the great light faded I was standing on the cliff I had stood on so many times before but this time the ocean was calm and the sun was out with a bright blue sky to compliment it. I sat down removing my hoodie and boots, feeling the sun on my skin was a blessing even if this was a magic induced vision, it felt real and that's all that mattered. Which reminds me if I'm in my head might as well enjoy it before it goes to shit. I stuck out my hand and a pair of black sunglasses appeared in my palm, sliding them on my face I collapsed on my back staring at the sky. My eyes shut and began staring at the back of dreamless eyelids.

"What a peaceful mindscape for a young prince." This was the voice I had herd in my dreams just not yelling now and it was coming right from behind me. I rolled over to the sight of myself but not, his hair was a fiery red and orange, while his eyes were insanely green and were spliced like a reptile with a couple red scales around his eyes, It gets weirder as he had a set of red wings with scales, and even a matching tail.

"See a week ago I would be freaking out but this self image bullshit is getting stale. I slid back onto my back and directed my attention to the bright blue sky, "Those wings are pretty tight though."

"Thank you and I would like to introduce myself, I am Draig or the red dragon formally a servant of Crimson Sun and all those who've held the mantle of the sun. We are face to face finally after many years and you look just like him." I could hear the friendliness in his voice which was weird as he was usually yelling about "The white one" as he puts it.

"By him I'm guessing you mean Crimson."

"Indeed."

"I'm sorry about being an ass about this but it's hard to believe a dragon that's been in my head just shows up to talk about Crimson. On top of that you haven't made your presence known until recently."

"Well you were never strong enough to even hear me until recently. Even if you could it would of surely meant many deaths as you were once quite the demon and managed to kill plenty without my help. In fact you still aren't strong enough it's the pool of life and the woman of the moon at work that allows us to meet like this. If only they didn't put that damn hex upon you."

"You know who did this to me?"

"I saw them through your eyes but I do not know in which they affiliate."

"Damn, well what's so important that Selene's lazy ass is pulling strings?" I could hear his steps toward me as I sat up.

"I was instructed to give you the mark of the sun to get you through your upcoming trials." He pressed a glowing hand to my left shoulder and a burning sensation rapidly came and passed leaving a golden spot that trickled down to my elbow and from within the gold emerged a red sun and a few red stars. I continued to thrash a little as the pain subsided and I herd a chuckle at my struggle, "No matter what generation you're all the same." I could feel the world slipping away.

"Well thank you Draig hope to see you again sometime." He just smiled and nodded.

"Tell the women of the moon that the dragons heart should provide a gift as generosity is shared to those who bare dragons." The world faded into obscurity with his words.

Flutter Shy's Cabin

The gentle breeze seems to be a theme in my head or the Pool Of Life setting my subconscious at ease. This was the setting of my nightmare at The Bath of Sin so it seems its ready for round two. Moving to sit up I felt many body parts covering my legs arms and torso. Moving the covers I saw the sleeping figures of Aj , Fluttershy, Twilight, Rainbow, Vinyl, and Spitfire.

"What the fuck!?"My confusion got ready to peak as Aj stared back at me with big blue eyes. "You're not the real Apple Jack." The faker sat up in bed and just smiled.

"Well of course not Sun but I wanted to say good luck in person and save you from having red wings. Also nice choice for a mental safe space its rather homey." It was my sword in women form, weird.

"Well thank you Selene but what about the wing thing?"

"Don't worry you will see soon." Without waiting for my snarky response she pressed her hand to my right shoulder leaving a black mark to match my gold with a blue moon and blue stars. "

"Hope you got my back." With that the world turned white for the last time as the orange fluid filled my vision and the need to breath returned. In a rather dramatic fashion I broke the surface thrashing and gasping for air. Looking to my shoulders my two new tattoo's were there, on top of that my skin shined orange like my regular tan color was turned up to 11. I took a few breathes to calm down but my heart still raced, I feel like I could fight 8 Sombra giants. Checking my surroundings it looked like a bath house with many confused or blushing humans and ponies with a certain princess looking both.

"Yo Cadence look who got their cutie mark, I've been waiting for so long we have to do the whole party thing." My joke had no effect as everyone just continued to stare, actually one of the guards was trying to hold in a laugh mental note that guys my friend.

"You got a lot more than that Sun and by the way you're naked." I felt myself die as she said naked and in a desperate attempt to cover up I tried to dive back into the deeper parts of the Pool but two new large appendages from my back stopped me from diving as they were completely stuck spread. I instantly forgot I was without cloths and grabbed my left wing .The black feathers were so soft and gave off a shine like conditioned hair.

"So you guys were watching when did I get wings?" I'm sure it was my lack of emotion that sent Selene into a laugh attack in my head.

Cadence was still in shock but stuttered out, "It was a giant flash and then you were bursting out of the pool."

"Well I think I might have a problem fitting into my armor with these attached to my back."

Cadence gave out a long breath while pinching the bridge of her nose, "Someone send for the flash prototype." She turned her attention back to me," And you get a towel and go to the crystal heart for the war ceremony when you're done."

Barracks

I stumbled through a few doors and found the general barracks and what I learned from a couple soldiers was the barracks was built around the pool when the empire was first founded to protect it. Sitting my towel wrapped body down on a bench in front of the mirror I scanned my somewhat normal complexion as two green eyes without black veins looked back at me. Losing interest with my eyes quickly I began picking and pulling at my new shoulder art. There was no flaking or bleeding from the pool, these are big boy tattoos. Hard to explain but still pretty cool.

The door abruptly swung open making me jump and slip on the floor landing on my back. "Fuck that got me." I looked at the door to reveal a human guard struggling to keep a straight face holding a black crystal a helmet and white thermal underwear. "How's it going buddy?"

He saluted, "I was tasked with bringing you the flash prototype and reporting on the outcome to the princess."

"Cut the military crap for a second and toss me the underwear." He complied and sat down on the other bench and gave the wall a intense look as I changed into the elastic garment." So do you have a name or do I have to call you guard?"

He smiled a little as I created conversation, "It's Jeremy Lionheart."

"Well its nice to meet you Jeremy my names Apollo Sun and I haven't had a regular conversation with another human in months."

"Well Apollo it's pretty cool what you're trying to do."

"I'm thankful you feel that way Jeremy. One day I'm going to make the rest of the world like the Free North."

"Well we are counting on it." He was sincere in his words and gave a smile to compliment it.

I gave a nod, "Well I won't get you in trouble with the Princess, let's get this started." He tossed the crystal and as I caught the crystal it began to glow dark purple and vibrate.

"Apollo you might want to take off your necklace and put the crystal over your heart." I herd the protest of Selene but I reached back with my free hand and unclipped the silver necklace letting it fall to the ground. As I placed the crystal in position over my heart it then stuck in place.

"Wow Jeremy what an amazing prototype you got here." Sarcasm soaked my words and he just laughed in response but karma kicked in as the crystal began to melt and cover my torso, neck, arms, and legs. It was like my head was floating and my body was eaten by a shadow. The black substance started to form to my body more making a suit similar to the one I wore under my night guard armor but it felt like I was still just in my underwear. The suit was now like a big pad, completely resistant to a couple love taps I administered to my inner thigh. A second layer of padding formed on my pecs, abs, bicep , triceps , forearms, thighs, shins, quads, shoulders, and back, This layer of padding was grayer than the rest of the black suit and was even tougher than the previous layer. I looked myself up and down in the mirror and my wings tucked in almost blended in with the suit. "Yo Jeremy pass the helmet." His eyes looked surprised at it's success but didn't say anything.

He passed the helmet and then paused, "I forgot a couple pieces, set up the helmet until I get back." He then rushed out of the barracks his heavy armor bouncing as he left.

"Set up the helmet?", I rolled it around in my hands noticing there was no mouth and a outline of a nose but no holes there was also two protrusions on the top like spikes or ears. Sliding my head into the helmet I found it super easy to breath but even weirder was at the bottom of my vision was a single blue bar and tabs like innovatory, status , radio, and map. A blue bar began to rush across my bottom vision and as I turned to follow it the motion died and I was left looking at the door of the barracks. The door was then swung in by Jeremy carrying some weird looking boots, gloves, and belt.

He stopped and stared at me, "Apollo you look like some kind of bat." I turned to the mirror and he was kind of right the spikes did kind of look like ears but what really caught my attention was that the eyes glowed red.

"This thing is all kinds of bad ass." I was passed the rest of my gear, some seriously padded black combat gloves, a belt that must of linked up to the inventory, and weird boots that went up to my knee. I say weird because they had no strings and as I slid my foot into them a circle on the side spun and tightened them from calf to foot." Getting in and out of this is going to be a bitch."

He smiled at my childish like enthusiasm, "Well I will see you later Sun."

"Yeah see you Jeremy." He left for the last time and I slid on Selene and the helmet which locked into place. "How do I look oh wise moon sword."

"You look good but I miss the flare of the old suite but I can fix that."

"We don't have time to magic art the suit up right now."

"That's where you are mistaken young Sun as you are wearing 100% magical padding that I can manipulate as it is interfaced with your nervous system."

"Do it then we could use some flare." And with that the padding began to shimmer as my blue moon and blue stars covered my chest while my arms and legs were traced by the lightning bolts that ended on my arms at the cutie mark wheel of the elements of harmony, the eyes switched to a matching dark blue glow to match the suit. Now I'm ready to go to war.

It was finally my turn to push open the barrack door to the outside world. The world was not as I left it, as black ash like snow fell from the sky and the sick flashes of green lightning smashed against the protective dome. I positioned for take off and spread my new wings.

Selene poked into my brain half laughing," You are not even close to ready for flying just practice gliding with excel."

"Yes Mom," I was a little disappointed but found it best to just comply." I folded them in and launched into the sky, within a second of reaching max altitude I began a steady lean into a controlled dive towards the crystal heart. Little blue markers began to appear and disappear rapidly as I soared over houses and the air pushed against my armored face and it lacked its icy claws that came from not wearing a helmet. I leaned in to my dive harder and I must of looked like a black comet as I approached the crystal heart. I could now make out the large force of guards and infantry equipped with swords and shields congregated around the princess who was facing the heart. The force was divided by a red carpet that lead up to the heart and my landing pad. I released my new wings and they stopped my rapid flight into a crawl, wobbly placing my legs to the make shift runway I was at a jogging pace that quickly turned into a walk. I could feel the tentative stares as many didn't recognize my new winged figure. I continued to walk calmly as I removed my helmet to the sound of chatter of many metal clad soldiers witnessing the only winged human in existence.

"So Cadence you ready for war?"

"Ceremony first war after, and take your spot next to Shinning Armor so I can get started." I complied jogging next to my half bandaged comrade. Settling next to him I went stock still and Cadence paused her gaze for a skeptical second then turned towards the crowd.

Immediately I turned to Shinning, "You're not fighting are you?"

He looked at my with a smile, "I know you are going to miss me but my wife would kill me if I went out in this condition so I'm stuck on organization duty." He returned to a forward facing stare, "You are going to have to beat the clock if we are going to win this."

My curiosity itched at me, "What do you mean?"

"We don't have the stamina to hold a front especially against a dark force with only one real head to cut." His voice still held a impressive amount of optimism as if he saw a future unscathed by negative forethought. I'm not as fortunate to be gifted with such pleasant forethought as my mind clung to past images of a slain Boss laying with the little remains splattered across every surface including myself and Solaris, the lives taken in my early teen years taken by my suppressed murderous rage pushed at my head in a way it hadn't in years.

Selene popped into my conscious brain, "Don't let him get to you Sun."

"I won't just a lot of stuff is getting dug up and I wasn't always the greatest person." Regret and disappointment flooded from the fuzzy memories that only gave the minimalist details.

"It's okay Sun you aren't even going to kill Sombra just exorcise the evil magic controlling him and for the regret of your past life, everyone had a reason for going into the pit it's not your fault you were always the one to walk out." A smile crossed my face but not out of happiness but out of confidence and hopefulness. "By the way Draig wants me to tell you that the dragons heart may offer me a gift, could he be referring to the crystal heart.

"Yes dumbass what other heart is round or relevant, for your information during this ritual the soldiers of the Crystal Empire touch the heart for luck in battle and you maybe provided a gift as it is a formality for dragons to present dragon bloods such as yourself with gifts of war or knowledge."

"Lovely all I can ask is that it won't shock me or give me a strange illness." The congregation of soldiers clapping broke me out of my psychic conversation and back to reality.

Cadence voice boomed with gripping authority, "Now touch our light, our collective heart that binds us and may it protect you through the thick of your trials." The crowd roared once more and began filling into a line to reach the heart. For a strange reason a tightness formed in my chest causing me to squeeze on my helmet under my arm. I was motioned for by Shinning and I complied following him into line with the others and once again let my observant nature take hold as I tried to dissemble the dreadful sky with my eyes, each sick bolt of lightning was like the confusion and anger of the tortured land lashing out. I understand now this place so revered for its freedom doesn't show this kindness out of scars of the past but the bleeding wounds of today infectious and ever growing and In turn I think if the council was ever forced to assimilate humans into the ranks of society or face annihilation it would be a closer decision than most think. Would I ever corner them under the threat of war to make my dreams a reality even if it means scarring the land south as it is here, I don't know the answer anymore. I wouldn't put it past the brothers of mine who wield power like me to revenge our fathers legacy and peoples honor.

I closed my eyes firmly and let out a long sigh as I had been steadily approaching the crystal heart for some time and was now upon it. As if programmed like a machine I pulled my left hand from my glove and pressed it to the center of the heart. A blast of energy pushed against me and bright colors like orange red and pink where emitted from where my hand was placed and foreign words filled my mouth, "Love is a division of the light which puts it in the domain of the Sun, so let it bless the world as the suns ray's do and give me the power to protect those who wish to bask in this light." The light halted and left everyone in awe as my monotone facial expression broke into confusion as if my face was released from its control but I didn't have time to dwell on my strange possession as I was left with a sword handle. This handle radiated a warm power much like Solaris but its dimensions were unique, it started at a circle which lead to a spiral grooved grip that ended at two wings extending to either side of a emblem of three crystals, it was almost translucent with a red tint. I flipped it in my hand and it was as light as my other two swords but it felt empty and lacked a blade for use. Thanks Draig hope this comes in handy, a little poke in my head told me he returned my sentiments, I slid the hilt into a loop of my belt that gripped it firmly.

Cadence was in war mode as she once again took control of the situation as she sent her troops off with thunderous words of morale boosting support. I slipped my left glove back on and rapidly turned my head in hopes of locating my helmet before locking eyes with Shinning as he soundly shoved a blunt object into my stomach, "Don't lose your head Sun." I stared down at my helmet now in my hands and without words nodded to him and placed it on my head. I stanced up and took off hovering a good distance over the main force. The communication gem from within the helmet came to life with the voice of Cadence, "To all commanders and Sun we will be operating on open channels so communicate Sombra sightings and Sun we need you to keep your stamina up we are going to need you to slay the beast."

"Understood." My confirmation was followed by 6 variations of roger that held different levels of excited or nervousness. I flew freely and practiced flapping and diving, occasionally I would roll or flip to work out the new flyer awkwardness you would expect from someone who got wings that day but the comfortable progression of the main force matched my own progression of comfortableness with my new appendages. I zoned out as we still had much ground to cover.

Outside the Dome

I was rocked from my fantasy world as the harsh wind and ice beat down upon me nearly grounding me. I flapped vigorously until I caught a good up draft and was now higher than before and was dangerously close to the storm clouds and before I could adjust I was struck by a vengeful green light that left me in darkness. The words "system reboot" filled my vision along with a count down, "10... 9...8". "I don't have fucking time for this", Wrenching the helmet from my head I was plummeting to the icy ground and was only given a split second to prepare for impact, Tucking my wings in tight I collided with the ground. Bouncing and rolling snow filled my vision and sent chills through my face. I pulled myself from the heap of my crash and brushed the snow away in pursuit of my lost helmet. Moving a large pile of snow a hand attached itself to my wrist and tried to pull me down, fighting back I flew backwards landing on my back and as soon as contact was made many hands began latching onto my body holding me to the snow as the original wendigo pulled itself from the snow, once a human it still had bits of cloths and flesh clinging to its bones.

Lunging upon my shackled form it let an ungodly howl and hovered over me grabbing my face, flashes of chains and past beatings crossed my vision. Something deep within me moved in response and what followed was a war cry filled with savage intent, my hands ignited in a extreme red and orange flame. The heat given off purged the snow surrounding me and eliminated the bony arms holding me down. I advanced on the wendigo grabbing my face throwing it off and pursuing ruthlessly laying waste with a flurry of flaming punches. I kicked its leg shattering the magical bone and as it collapsed I grasped its collar bone , with the other hand I plunged my fingers in it's eye sockets. There was a short screech before enacting all the force I could easily ripping its head from it's demonic shoulders and turning it back into snow. I carefully sat in my burn mark and let out a couple breaths gaining control and standing back to my feet . I could see a group of guards making their way to me, most likely sent because of the original crash. They were almost in ear shot when I could see one of the soldiers scoop my helmet up from the snow.

Close enough to talk regularly over the wind one of the guards approached me, "Sir is everything fine."

Annoyed from my tussle in the snow I motioned for my helmet, "Please don't call me sir but I'm fine and Sombra is using wendigos under the snow as ambushes." My helmet returned I relayed the message to the other commanders who regarded me with a roger that, beside commander 6. "Commander 6 can you hear me?"

After another pause the silence broke with patchy words, "....heavy fire..... reinforcements." Urgency pulled at me and I turned toward the guards who were sent too recover me.

"Where is commander 6 in the formation?!"

The guard who once held my helmet spoke up, "Right side, opposite of us."

"Thank you!", I rocketed up in the air and deflected a incoming bolt of vomit green lightning away from myself and the guards. I pulled my helmet off as the risk of going blind wasn't a option and clipped it to my belt. I ripped of across the sky in the direction I was given and was soon upon a isolated group slowly being pulled under the snow while the rest of the force was being directly attacked by a force of wendigos that seemed to appear from the wind. I circled the smaller force laying down a constant beam of fire severing the dark magic moving through the snow, completing the full circle the demonic hands turned too snow and allowed the pinned down force to recover and move forward. I hovered for a second at my realization, holy shit I just need to sever the magic. I broke off again at speeds that would make Spitfire proud and I encircled the conflicting force repeating my experiment and once again the creatures crumbled.

I couldn't help but smile as I sped through the air free as any being ever could. I turned and spun like a great bird, this was right, this is were I belong in the heat of battle for freedom. I hovered my back to both the army of guards and the empire and recognized the coming conflict.

Apart of the blizzard compressed and revealed the jet black crystal castle that would be the true siege. Turning to my comrades I rose my hand motioned to advance before descending close to the ground and scorching a path into the earth in which they could charge, In an instant the force was following me to the monolithic black structure. The banging upon shields and hollering of war cries sounded over the land and it hollered with us the wind at our backs pressing us onward. The hands of the wendigos were crushed under crystal boot as we pushed ever closer and we still soared high with ambition of victory, I stopped my forward momentum as we stood about a mile from the castle that extended high into the sickening sky.

I reached for my helmet still at my side and slide it on , "Commanders come in, we should begin setting up the line here." the acknowledgment sounded and I touched down for the first time since we left and once again removed my helmet. I directed my attention to the mass of soldiers at the front of the pack, "I need everyone to stand back!" They complied and seemed to hold their shields tighter. Taking off I began to encircle a larger area burning away the potentially hazardous snow. After a couple of passes a roughly 400 meter circumference oval was burned into the ground, A hoof ball field should be enough right? The mass of soldiers began to move in and fit snugly in the circle with the shields on the exterior line with the lances behind them and a HQ forming in the center. Touching down I hurried to the half formed tent already containing yelling commanders about the next move. I paused before entering the flap, I let out a breath and stepped inside.

Eyes immediately shifted my direction and conversation died, "What is our next move?"

An older human about 50 cleared his throat, "Like I was saying we need to wait for him to expose himself and capitalize on his historically sloppy offensive tactics."

A middle aged unicorn countered him, "In all respect Comet we haven't had the same resources as in the past", a genuine smile was sent my way from the unicorn.

Comet sent me a serrated look, "That's commander 1 to you and we are sending an amateur night guard to kill the demon king and I don't put all my eggs in one basket, especially a basket not even half my age."

Wings folded in I plopped my armored body down in a open chair and placed my helmet on the war table, "talking like I'm not here is great and all but you're missing the point of me putting the circle here." Comets gaze didn't get any more pleasant as he gave me his full attention. "We are far enough away that when me and Sombra fight he will have to put more effort in to maintain a front on both of us, my idea is if I give him one hell of a fight you can advance with less ambushes and take the castle and at least seal him for another 1000 years."

I received nods almost unanimously except the old angry bastard, "that could work but you will have to get into the castle to fight him and its locked up tight according to my scouts so how do you suppose you gain entry?"

My stern voice earned me a couple of head nods , "I suppose , we should go with your waiting plan its most likely going to put us in a good position to execute my plan."

His face turned red with anger, "No GRUNTS IN THE WAR ROOM!" I sat up lazily grabbed my helmet and made my way to the flap not before throwing a salute to the unicorn that had set me up to talk earlier and it was returned before I excited into the cold air.

The sun must of set as it was becoming much darker and colder but the strikes of green lightning continued to light up the sky, an arc gave light to the entire camp and I saw a glimpse of Jeremy with a group of guards laughing. It seemed to be calm now and a itchy feeling picked at me. The psychic connection of Selene poked at me, "I see you have been busy Sun."

"Yeah I have and I hope you have been too."

"I mean stopping psychic attacks takes a lot out of a magical spirit like myself and you weren't completely useless you figured out how to sever the magic, even if it was by accident. "

"What do you think the chances of me getting sleep is ?"

"I don't recommend it as without you the snow creatures could over take the circle."

"Selene I will let you know they are very capable soldiers."

"I'm not denying that but they wouldn't have got this far without you. What are they going to do when you have to fight Sombra?"

"I think our friend in white is going to make a appearance so don't be to worried."

"And what makes you think he would help! He could just as easily ice this entire army and maybe you along with it." I scanned the icy landscape as if looking for the ghost.

"Call it a gut feeling but I feel like this will all work out." As if on command two large chunks of black crystal removed themselves from Sombra's castle. "Am I always fucking wrong or something!?"

"I honestly think you are usually a pretty lucky guy you just have very fine moments where it sucks to be you." A genuine laugh left my lips and would of appeared insane if any attention was in my direction. Guards rushed passed me and took up defensive positions as two hulking crystal giants moved towards our camp.

"Well Selene it's time for both of us to get back to work."

"Roger that Captain Sun."

"Shut up." I could hear her laughing almost become distant, Is my head really that empty? I pulled my helmet from my side and slid it on slapping the sides for good measure. I jumped in place a little and stretched my wings trying to work out my soreness.

The communication crystal cracked in my helmet, "Sun this is Cadence, please deal with the giant problem."

I could hear shuffling in the background and Shinning's voice, "Tell him if he can do it in less than 10 mins this time I will make him a shield."

"Challenge accepted." The buzzing of the crystal feed died and I leaped into the air engaging excel, and with three magic circles of propulsion I was airborne and flapping at my own high speed pace. The black snow that had been put on pause returned in full force along with its green electric counter part. The weathers vendetta slowed my pace as I did my best to race through the slalom of lightning and destroy the crystal giants.

Nearing the giants their features became more distinct as they both resembled humans, one was shorter and fatter and the other tall and skinny. They shared two things in common one was there ominous green eyes and the second was their attempts to knock me down as I dashed through the air above them. The shorter one proceeded to pull boulders from the earth and throw them at my ever agile figure. Though the weather had other plans as a bolt of lightning nearly turned me to ash and halted my aerial acrobatics. This was all the time the giant needed to throw a even larger boulder, without time to evade I charged my hands with as much lightning that could be summoned in the split second and released it upon the boulder. Exploding into hundreds of pieces and seeking a counter attack I reached out to the floating pieces of rock which were enveloped into my yellow magic grasp, making a throwing motion with my hands. A blizzard of sharp stones rained down and immediately chipped away at the large giant and it even lost its arm in its own defense. The crippled beast was struggling to move as I charged a immense amount of lightning. Light blue arcs sparked off my armor as the magical energy grew, green bolts from the sky attempted to strike me down but were repelled by my positive charge. Loosening my grip on the lightning and in a flash the giant was reduced to chunks of crystal writhing on the ground. I descended quickly while shooting bolt after bolt of lightning into the remaining giant that returned fire with its own crystals coming forth from its hand. Evading to the best of my ability didn't suffice as the ballistic onslaught chipped at my armor and embedded in my wings. My descent turned into a directed crash smashing full speed into the giant. It's legs buckled and fell on its back, rolling off and landing with my hands emitting a yellow aura I pushed at the earth and to my luck it pushed back where I wanted it to and the recovering giant was pierced through its torso with harpoons of half frozen rocks and crystal.

Relaxing my hand and giving it a little shake removed the fuzzy post magic feeling and I slumped crisscross apple sauce in the snow and like a dragon casually igniting my body aflame, leaving me looking like a candle and deterring grabby hands in the snow. Pulling off my helmet, little dings and scratches revealed the natural silver color of the extremely light black metal helmet. Moving the helmet to my right hand I pulled my left glove off with my teeth, giving the helmet another once over I spat on the bruised metal and fruitlessly rubbed with my thumb to try and restore its former condition. Failing I placed it on the ground as my wings extended revealing shards of cursed crystal lodged largely in my right wing. Pulling plucking and patching up my wings left several large and many smaller fragments of crystal surrounding my prone position. I picked up the largest of the bunch and pressed down and with my magical grip that was easily able to reduce diamonds to dust began to struggle, yellow and strangely black light began to escape from in between my fingers along with a burning sensation from my hand that made the breakdown of the material significantly harder. After about a minute the egg sized crystal was finally dust, "Hard to manipulate and destroy you better not be wearing armor made of this you dickhead." My own mumbling ended and the ground shook and I rocked my body into alertness pressing my un gloved palm to the ground but there was no seismic activity but there was waves of energy coming from the fortress and to my amazement/horror more giants pulled themselves from the castle and even exposed the inside of the structure to the elements as they slid down the outside of the castles outer wall. Jumping to my feet I slide on my helmet and glove as the crystal in my helmet came to life and Cadences voice filled my ear.

"Sun this is it, begin your assault."

"Understood." My wings remained tucked in tightly to my back as I took off at high speeds, butterflies once present in my stomach burned away by the fire whelming up inside me. Deep inside of me I knew Selene laughed as I bounced the length of the gap to the castle with excel. Giving my shoulder a turn a blizzard could be seen starting to envelope my comrades but not too much to remove all visibility as fighting raged on back at camp and for a split second I thought a couple wendigos were enveloped in a wall of ice. Returning to my jumping the final launch sent my throttling to the enormous castle but more specifically a large hole left by the departed giants.

Sombra's castle

The hard smack of metal on crystal sounded through the hollow hallway that spiraled towards the sky on a more than a gentle incline. Based on pure fifty fifty chances I fought the slanting hallway upwards towards top, the clicking of my boots on the floor filled the halls forever. Selene's psychic barrier must of exceeded its limit as static encroached upon my peripheral vision. It wouldn't be too long now as I was quickly encroaching on the top of the tower. The crystals that formed the hallway started to be more complex and taking shapes like tables, chandeliers, and book cases. The once empty inside of the halls began to be almost crowded as I broke speed records in the halls. Finally a red crystal carpet was slowly forming from the floor and like on command two large black doors came into view. A pit seemed to form in my stomach as I gripped the rings made to open the door.

"1...2....3", The doors flew open as I rushed in magic fire and lightning drawn and crackling with anticipation.

Throne room

The long red carpet I stood upon was like a tongue that ran up too the lions mouth, the room was almost completely open aside from the black columns that resided on both sides of the room leading too the grandiose throne that had many black crystal weapons stretching outward like a budding flower and at it's center sat the pair of green eyes that sustained itself upon the knowledge that it would get to fight at least one more time. He was human but it didn't faze me as it was a result of the cesspool of magic that was pulled from me and Shinning but what did get under my skin was my own faces sharp sneer with all his sharp teeth. His skin was a light grey and his hair was black with almost a red glow at the tips. It was silent almost like he was a manikin, unmoving but studying.

"I'm going to defeat you whether you like that or not." The smile he gave was genuine even if it was deranged.

"How do you suppose that you are going to do that?" His laughter bounced around the room.

"I know this is usually the bad guys line but I'm going to steal your soul and pluck the real Sombra out of that husk." I gestured to the crystal hilt.

"And I thought you were a bright kid, how do you think that tiny thing will be able to hold me? I will give you props for the effort but you are not your Dad, not Celestia or Luna, not even your brothers, I've seen everything in your head you were physically shaped as a work horse and a pit fighter not a mage or magic knight. You have so much potential but you choke down the beast inside you, think about how strong you felt when you were a gladiator."

"But it was wrong and I killed because I couldn't process my pain in a healthy way. The beast that waged its bloody campaign that left my ledger a deep red drown in its own anger and blood lust."

"You only think it's gone but just wait I will push you to your limit and your animal instincts will kick in again, you will fall to the nightmare curse like so many have before you."

"Yeah Nightmare Sun doesn't sound that great though." I sprung forward with excel activated both my hands clenched in flaming fists. My fist collided with the throne where his head once resided. Pulling my hand from the crystal I gave it a shake and turned to a sword welding Sombra standing almost half the room away. "Someone got faster", I pulled a black sword from the throne its dimensions where that of a two handed broad sword. Turning towards the dark lord I threw myself across the room in the pursuit. He was forced onto defense and very nostalgically was forced on his heels and adopted a very serious face. I pressed the assault harder, as he appeared to become uncomfortable, It was too easy. In a flash his face resumed a sickening smile and the floor I stood upon was launched upward pinching me to the ceiling at high speed. Returning to the floor with a bounce he began to laugh. Coughing the lack of blood was pleasant but by the time I tried to gain my footing I was cracked across the face with a sword and sent sprawling. The remnants of my helmet rolled off in pieces, blood began to accumulate as a steadily stream down the right side of my cheek.

"You're predictable and that's disappointing Sun." My hands ignited a deep orange and red as the fire burned from my anger caused by being caught off guard. The flame engulfed the sword and it looked like a burned sword with licks of flames rolling off its deep black blade. He began to study again and with the direct approach obsolete we began to circle. A quick jab step and our swords crossed violently pushing us both back. Then one after another the short steps turned into longer sword plays cutting and slashing, and once again I pursued him on a offensive spree but before going overboard I pulled back and where I once stood crumbled as many crystals jutted up like angry harpoons. Jumping over the crystals Sombra's face lit up with amazement at the wildcard move as any of the crystals could of just extended further and impaled me. With a frustrated war cry I brought my flaming sword down on the spot my target stood tenths of a second ago but he was favoring my right side as I was using the sword in my left hand, as he dodged my slam attack I twisted my body and released the sword.
Soaring through the air it impaled Sombra and continued its flight finally coming to a halt in one of the crystal columns. His eyes were wide with distress and I choked on my heavy breaths as I charged lightning in my hands. Releasing the blue arcs upon the pinned figure caused him to spaz and convulse. After a couple seconds he let out a ungodly shriek that broke my concentration. The magic ceased to flow to my hands as his body slumped over still attached to the column by the sword. His body sizzled and shook every couple seconds. The burnt smell filled the room and I approached the cooked body with hesitation. I pulled Selene from my neck and the sword formed in my hand, she remained silent and it was becoming a growing anxiety as I struck the sword in the ground and began the chant that was in the book on royal fire, "I who rises in the east and falls in the west bless this world with the light, I wish to cast this spell on a individual for their redemption as they lean towards the pit of the damned with unresolved sins...." A giant magic circle in the shape of a red sun appeared on the floor with me at its center. I stared at Sombra who just looked angrily. He brought a fist down onto the sword of his own creation and smashed it into a million pieces. A dark pool of black liquid ran from his stomach as he crawled on the floor his eyes giving off their purple fog.

"You are afraid of the dark and I have eaten at every thought you've had since you got here you miserable idealist." He stood to his feet, "You aren't getting out of here with me if you can't channel that darkness or that animal instinct Sun." He held something in his hand and as he twisted to throw I pulled Selene from the ground ending the magic circle and sliced the oncoming object that to my horror covered me in the inky blood of Sombra. It began to burn and increase in intensity until I was writhing in pain the halls echoed my screams back to me, my eyes seemed to burn from my head. I could feel the familiar sensation of infection and the burning persisted. He must of returned to his feet as the sound of his boots crept towards me, "You rely on these magic armors and swords too much, it's capping your potential hex or not."

"You don't know shit." I tried to look at him but the water filling my eyes in their own futile protection of themselves only caused me more strife as I tried to scoot away from the large looming figure approaching me. He slashed a sword across my chest and it cut the crystal and for a second nothing happened until the armor I so newly acquired faded and the crystal form which it came in laid in two on the floor my body nearly exposed besides the metal boots and underwear provided by Jeremy hours ago. Sombra sauntered over to my lunar sword expecting its dimensions before casting a large magic circle and dark chains came from the ground locking my sword in place, simultaneously the psychic channel between me and Selene turned into a pit of screaming and flashes of death and gore. Embarrassment was clouded by anger as my whole body was engulfed in a red flame and the crystals that reflected my image revealed my eyes were giving off a black fog similar to Sombra's purple.

"It seems someone is reacting differently than last time." I brought the blade less hilt that dropped from my belt loop to bear and it glowed a dark red Plunging it into the floor and pulling it upwards revealed a new double sided black blade attached too the hilt. The dark magic absorbed from the crystals that formed the blade trickled down turning the crystal emblem black and the grip dark black. My grip tightened and a flame crawled up the blade and the inky black magic crawled through my veins and reached up to my face, the pain wasn't there but the extra power was and the swinging of my blade released blast waves pushing the dark lord off his feet.

Bringing his sword to bear we clashed and in near invisible movements dashed a crossed the room trying to get an edge or find a critical slip up that would compromise the others defense. In our pursuit of each other Sombra went airborne and before I could attempt a takeoff my boots were secured by thick black crystals from the floor. Rooted like a tree ,Sombra charged up a giant ball of dark magic. I smashed the releases and with a mechanical whine the boots opened enough to free my feet and I dove out of the way of the sickly green and purple orb. As I dove the room shook violently rolling to my feet and spinning I saw the scorched remains of my boots. I continued to move defensively, zigging and zagging behind the large columns as more flaming balls of dark energy were sent my way. I soon found myself at the final piece of cover and I peeked my blade out of cover to spot Sombra charging a larger shot. Pulling my blade back I held my eyes tight waiting for the spell to be discharged...1...2..3. The room shook as the spell hurtled towards the column I was behind and the magical circle of excel formed under my feet and in a instant I bounced off the wall and three of the pillars of crystal in a path much like a lightning bolt across the throne room. Time slowed almost as I brought my sword over my head in a mighty slash and he brought his sword in a cross block and in a explosive display of power we became two mighty nexuses of dark energy. I pressured him down and the black veins in my arms bulged outward and my sword gleamed with inky black energy coming off it like smoke. The point where the swords connected began to spark and pull all energy towards its center and the pressure in the air dropped with a pop and a flash of light I rode a vicious shock wave across the room. Mimicking a tossed doll I bounced and slid a crossed the crystal finally coming to a stop on my stomach facing the equally shell shocked dark lord across the room. He bled heavily as his arm that once held his sword was useless, torn to shreds by the remains of both our blades leaving his limb resembling shredded meat leaking inky black gore. My own arm was close to the same fate and was in the process of painting the floor red in dark pools of blood. The makeshift blade was no more as just the handle remained with the dark coloring fading, the dark magic dissipated with the blade. I grabbed my bleeding right arm and pressed my back to one of the remaining columns of crystal pushing myself to my feet and stumbling towards Selene still fixed in the ground. Each step was awkward and I was leaving a red trail that was steadily draining my life. My pale face lacked the black fog around my eyes and just stared sickly back at myself through the crystals that made up the room as I hobbled towards my sword. Falling to my knees my stomach released my last meal mixed with blood but my hands made it to Selene and the direct connection brought on a screaming of voices and in the sea I could hear her just barely shrill and panicked.

"Feel the light within and banish the darkness." Wasn't that the point from the beginning, too many people allow the darkness take them and guide their decisions. I am supposed to be a symbol of good but I forget that every time I get angry and channel this poisonous magic that hurts not just myself but Selene and Draig who share my mind.

I pulled on Selene but the chains didn't budge. I rose from my knees pulling with my remaining might and the chains shocked me in response causing my knees to buckle once more and cough up blood. I reached out for the now blood soaked handle but I was denied the sharp pain of the shock from the chains for the sharp pain of the shock from Sombra's magic tossing me once again across the door coming to a rest with my back to the door of the throne room. My eyes fuzzed over as the figure loomed towards me. My eyes finally shut and I searched my mind for the light and energy needed to save the day. The hard smacking of boots began to get closer but my eyelids protested and required extra effort to pry open. Two slits of vision tried to focus on the oncoming blob as It crashed against my stomach launching my body threw the doors and smashing into the hallway wall groaning and bleeding.

His voice was more pissed now than snarky, "You are afraid and that makes you weak," his words were followed by a swift kick to my gut. "You were afraid to defend innocent people your whole life and you think crawling out from under your rock now will atone for that." He picked me up slamming me into the wall repeatedly, "People like you are the reason I am like this, being afraid to act isn't a excuse not to act." His hand glowed green and the hallway wall fell exposing us to the freezing air. I fell to my stomach as he released me. I could see what he wanted me to and it was the troops surrounded by hundreds if not thousands of wendigos and a few crystal giants laying siege on the camp. There was a figure in all white barely visible tearing through the dark force with a torrent of ice, Nova moon he was fighting hard but still getting pushed back. I looked at Sombra who lacked his purple mist around his eyes and tears rolled down his face but his rough voice stood firm, "You weren't willing to fight with everything possible to win and now all of them are going to die, killed by the tortured souls of the past."

I felt my heart twist and a internal fire lit in my blood, "Doing things the wrong way and losing yourself isn't the way to make things better."

His eyes peered into mine still full of tears, "I know that better than anyone."

"Then why do all of this!"

"Because if I can unite Eqestria against me then maybe they will reflect on their own horrible ways."

"This isn't the way Sombra let me help you." I held up a hand to him and he gave it a long stare processing the gesture before he twisted inorganically giving a shriek before his eyes turned green once more and gave off the purple fog. Grabbing my right arm that reached up to him he smashed it across his knee breaking my two bones of my fore arm in half. I screamed in pain and pulled the broken limb close into my chest.

"I respect the attempt but stronger have tried and stronger have failed." Cold and unfeeling was his words, complete opposite of the Sombra that was crying just moments ago. I felt him grip on my wing and he began to drag me to the edge, "Long live the prince of the Sun." He kicked me in attempt to make me plummet to my death but I caught the edge with my left hand. The constant abuse from the earlier fight left my wings useless so I hung onto the edge staring up into the eyes of a tortured soul and a stallion trapped within his own body.

I screamed over the wind, "Please Sombra I'm going to change the world and you can be apart of it, no one will have to live with the regret of lost friends and family we can do it together!" His eyes looked conflicted and he took a single hesitant step towards me but seemed to snap out of it again but not before I threw myself up and in a leap of faith grabbed his foot causing him to fall and giving myself the ability to fully pull myself up over the ledge. "The light within me break these poisonous bonds!" The red and gold of my arm tattoo began to glow and I leaped forward pressing my left hand to his face and flash of light blinded me.

Sombra's Subconscious

The black crystals formed millions of outwardly jutting stalagmites forming a circle that had one path that left to empty nothingness. The ground shook aggressively and Sombra began forming from a black magic circle in the middle of the floor. I reached for my sword and what was present was a glowing almost see through blade that connected to the crystal handle now boasting a white wrapped overhaul replacing the black that was once there. I took up a stance with my sword gripped blade angled at the fully formed Sombra. With only seconds to spare I closed my eyes and pictured a bright burning sun that brought warmth and light. Then a foreign feeling within my arm seemed to pour down like water and filled the sword that felt so empty. A long breathe left my mouth and my eyelids pulled back to show me glowing a red and gold aura around my body with red and gold visible veins stretching down my arm from the sun tattoo on my left arm, my left eye also boasting a red fire. My aura was penetrating the sword turning the soft red crystal to the dark red of my aura.

He stared daggers at me that just so happened to form in his hand about the length of 4 feet a piece. I lunged forward earning a cross block from the dark figure, lurching back he pushed against my weight sending me back but didn't stop me from changing my level and slashing his shins with the 5 feet reach of my sword. Contact with the sword caused his shins to burn quite visibly.

"Light banishes darkness." He didn't speak just howl a bloodthirsty cry and lunge at me like a animal. We clashed weapons over an over and he would use a blade to block and another too attack that was easily dodged the occasional chunk of crystal would spike through the ground ineffective in its pursuit of me. He did almost pierce me coming in for a slash across my chest and with the now large gap between us he placed his hands onto the ground summoning a ....... giant wolf. A piece of his aura ripped off forming a purple wolf. A wolf falls under a avatar of the moon which actually fits his proper dark magic roots. I returned the gesture by mimicking the hand placement and focusing on the dragon in my head.

"Draig come on out." Half confident that it would work but to my surprise the room was filled with flames as my red aura split forming a red dragon with glowing green eyes. The two magic entities clashed tearing at each others necks but it was quickly made clear Draig was much stronger slashing its throat and cleaving its head off. I gave a salute to the dragon who let out a monstrous roar before popping out of existence. My aura returned and the feeling was almost electric and the boost was obvious by the explosion of my aura acting with actual force cracking the ground around me. The opposite effect had plagued my opponent who bent over puking his guts out. I didn't give him a chance to recover throwing my sword at lightning speed sticking him to the crystals behind him. He sizzled from the light magic and gave his own hisses above those of burning flesh. I watched Sombra protest and felt the lack of spirit in his animal like actions. The path that once lead to nothing now was a blinding light, it finally made sense to me.

"I could cleave your head of right now and take your powers without your snarky fucking voice in my head or I could let your other half make its case." I received snarls and a actual attempt to slash my eyes out." I don't know what I was expecting from a embodiment of blind evil."

I turned and walked the new path that lead to a blinding white light.

Bright side

The Sun hung high in the sky, young ponies and humans ran and played together while adults socialized. A familiar gray unicorn with black hair whispered to a colt and filly before letting them go and turning towards me. He motioned me over which I hesitantly did and sat in the grass next to him.

He looked forward but began talking, "Have you ever herd the saying the path to hell is paved with good intentions?"

I paused tossing the words over with new meaning, "I have indeed."

"I have enough good intentions to pave to hell and back. To save my family I left it and they died because of it, to stop the Griffins I had to turn the empire into a dictatorial state that enslaves everyone so we could better unify, to ...."

"I get the gist Sombra."

"Well I'm ready to start over and make a real difference, the only question is why you are going to such lengths to give me a fresh start."

"Before fighting you it was for your power and appeal to your good side but now after everything I think its about both of us working towards resolving our sins. I let countless people die because I was to afraid to do what was right and you were to willing to justify the means to an end."

"It's going to be weird killing myself."

I cracked a smile "I'm sure you will get over it."

He turned his face towards me to reveal a normal unicorn stallion with red eyes and nothing extra. "Before we leave this plain of existence and just encase we fail and die just take a look behind you." I was taken aback by the sight.

"Holy shit is this?..."

"Yup its the Crystal empire in the summer no snow, when there isn't an immortal spirit of pain pulling the misery from the earth its a lot more docile." Grass stretched for miles outside the dome and only failed to evade the steep inclines of the mountains.

"That's our first goal as a team, destroy the cloud barrier covering the Empire."

"Sounds like a plan."

"But first let's get out there and kill your sorry ass." He gave me a genuine smile that didn't include sharp teeth. I reached my glowing red hand out and he grabbed it turning the world into a white flash.

Sombra's castle

The flash of pain shocked me to life once more, followed by the bitter cold of the icy wind. My left arm now bore the red veins and glowing tattoo and too my knowledge I had my fiery eye. Rolling to my feet the crystals became white under my touch even that of my feet, the dark magic was being destroyed by my new magical connection to the light and darkness. I stumbled and braced myself on the wall accidentally using my broken right arm. The pain was immense and I fell to the ground as a result of failing to brace myself. The crystals began glowing under my body and the feel of them had significantly changed, then an idea hit me. Spreading out on the floor I began to move in the motion of a snow angle the many crystals collecting to my chest arms and legs. The process was taking too long, taking a huge breathe and flipping to my back I began to sink into the crystal floor. In a moment of terror the dark magic tried to overtake my light magic and trap me under the floor. Sitting up I was completely covered in a thick sheet of the rough material that held my broken arm in place. Raising a glowing hand and the crystals around my head melted allowing for my gasping breaths. I was now a miniature crystal giant that was struggling to move as my joints were blocked. Bringing my left arm upward the blockage of my elbow was resolved and I was now free to tear off the remaining joints along with the back and stomach. Next step find the handle, I made my way through the throne room door to the sight of a feral like Sombra pacing daggers in hand.

The voice of Sombra filled my head in a rather casual manner, "If you ever felt like you needed to hold back you can stop now, that thing is 105% evil and I can't be free while it lives."

"Don't worry I have a special plan for anything that crawls, growls, hisses, or in this case uses evil dark magic."

"And what is that Sun?"

"Kill it with fire." In a wicked twist of fate I caught the glimpse of the handle on the belt of the shifty figure who in that moment noticed my presence and began to charge I felt like a change of strategy was in order and in a quick flex of my hand four crystal blades extended from my four knuckles on my hands. I charged in return and we clashed in the center of the room. I caught both the blades of his daggers between my knuckle blades and held the beast back before advancing, smashing my head against his and dropping my level I slammed my fists into his stomach and slowly lifted him above my head with both my bladed hands deep in his stomach. He screeched in pain and anger as he slashed at my armored back and chest. He had actually cracked some crystal getting close to my wings but I turned my palms away from each other and ripped them in opposite directions giving out a war cry and the room sounded with screams along with wet gurgling noises as the flesh ripped and his torso and legs were split apart covering me with black intestines and blood the latter running down my face in droves. The creature squealed and attempted to crawl for its legs but its lower half was incinerated by a lance of fire leaving dust and my blade less handle. I retrieved it and plunged it into the white crystal and pulling it from the floor revealed the four foot white blade, concentrating harder the rough crystal smoothed out and became a smooth dual sided blade. I returned to the pursuit of the upper half and its black smear trail made it a easy task but It curved around one of the pillars. I kept my eyes glued to the trail as I rounded the corner and to my surprise the path stopped I looked both ways with no sign of him. To my disgust a drop of black blood peppered my shoulder and I only looked at the shoulder before giving my attention upward to see the little demon clinging to the column. It dropped towards me with a hiss only giving me half a second to react its full body weight came crashing down getting impaled on my sword. The fight didn't leave it as it clawed at my face and its blood began covering me and pooling on my torso. It stopped scratching and Its hands raised glowing with black magic circles that was then pressed to my eyes. The burning seemed to stretch to the back of my head and I seized trying to resist or at least close my eyes but to no avail. The demon finally slumped over and I rolled over tossing my sword aside resuming my knuckle blades tearing into the corpse with the ferocity of savage beast, my yelling was only countered by the wet tearing noises of the body being torn to shreds. If I wasn't already covered in blood then I definitely was now I stared at my reflection and was strangely attentive to my eyes they looked strange like they were surrounded by a thin black outline. Wiping at them only proved there legitimacy, I studied the new editions to my eyes more intensely.

"Hey partner what's up with my eyes?"

"They are your marking of a dark lord."

My breathe caught in my throat even though I wasn't talking, "What the fuck Sombra?!"

He kind of laugh, "I never took on a apprentice and there isn't any candidates left so some presence within you made you the most likely candidate to inherit the power."

"We will talk about this later." I raised my hand out towards Selene as the chains were no longer in existent. The grip of my magic pulled the sword to me and before it reached my fingers it turned to a necklace. "I guess we all had a long day." Selene's presence was definitely dormant which pushed back the inevitable headache of getting screamed at for almost losing. I had made my way to the throne room door during examination of my necklace and turning around to face this place for the last time. I raised my unbroken arm and let loose fire burning the room to cinders and slammed the door. With my back to the door I wobbled over to the huge hole in the hall way blowing in a cold breeze not as harsh as it once was and as I got closer I could see a blue sky and a rising sun. "That fight was all night, damn." The entire force of soldiers had gathered at the base of the tower. Looking down I gave a wave and they cheered slumping down I tried to spot my brother but he had vanished, I was thankful for his help. I put my left hand against he castle wall and began to slide down trying to keep my speed from getting out of control by latching onto the crystals and coming to a stop in a giant snow drift. Guards surrounded me and began lifting up my crystal covered body and cheering. I felt my chest tighten and my magic drain as the hex had finally took effect which lead to most of the crystals to break off and expose my injuries and there were some concerns for my safety but the last thing I saw was Jeremy hollering my name and in return I gave him a thumbs up and the world went black. "Please let me wake up in the hospital."

Author's Note

Inspirations for this chapter: Iron man for most of the armor, Arkham knight for the helmet, Devil Man Crybaby for Sun's dark eye definition {picture reference down bellow}, Fallout pip boy for the heads up display (HUD) in the helmet. Lion king reference when Sombra tries to kick Sun off the ledge. Suns eyes: