The doors to the throne room opened, Cadence opening her eyes from the ten second nap she was taking. Having to keep up the shield for hours on end was tough for her, as she could feel Sombra's cold embrace trying to encompass her very being, let alone trying to break or corrupt the shield. Using magic is like extending your nervous system and brain. If something is powerful enough to break the shield or smash into it hard enough, its like someone digging a needle into your head. She sat straight up, her body running on fumes as she looked at the new ponies in the room. She smiled as she saw Twilight, as well as her husband. But her smile soon dropped when she saw that his horn was corrupted by Sombra's magic.

" Cadence!" Twilight called out, a smile on her face as she rushed up to her. Cadence did the same, stepping off the throne as they met halfway.

" Sunshine sunshine ladybugs awake! Clap your hooves and do a little shake!" They both said, making Cody's brain go dead and every other human raise a brow. The two laughed together, Kevin still trying to process what they did.

" Is that how they greet each other?" He asked, to which the others just shrugged. Suddenly Cadence winced in pain, her horn, as well as the shield outside, flicking to stay alive. She exhaled heavily, her eyes showing exhaustion before smiling to Twilight.

" One of these days we need to get together when the fate of Equestria isn't hanging in the balance." She sighed again, her face showing one of pain. Twilight gave her a worried look.

" Are you okay?" She asked. Shining stepped up to his wife, while Kevin and his friends took a few steps to the right of the group, as they surveyed the windows. Kevin glanced to the group, as Shining began to talk to Twilight. Looking back out, Kevin could see through the shield, even if barely. The blowing winds, the cold grasp of death within the snow, and that... thing. Shaking his head, he walked up to Alex, placing a hand on his shoulder to get his attention.

" Keep an eye out alright? I want you to stay in this room and survey the surroundings." Alex nodded, before going back to scanning the city, but with much more focus than last time. Kevin came up to the group, twilight seemed to have a smile on her face as she was mumbling to herself.

" - and deliver it to you! This is great! I love research papers!" Twilight said, as she trotted back to her friends. Rainbow gave Pinkie a teasing smile.

" Yeah, who doesn't?" She said sarcastically, but apparently Pinkie didn't take the sarcasm into account.

" Oh oh oh let me guess! Is it Spike? No no Fluttershy? Rarity?" Everyone just rolled their eyes at her antics, Twilight coming up next to her brother.

" Don't worry brother I am really good at this sort of thing." She said. Cody felt a hoof bring him down into crouching, as Pinkie continued.

" What about Cody?" Zack chuckled lightly, as he tried to get out of her death grip. Kevin walked up to Twilight, kneeling down so the four could talk.

" Twilight, since we are here to protect you and your friends, I'll be splitting us up. You can cover more ground with a rationed out protection." She put a hoof under her chin in thought, before nodding .

" I believe that would be the best course of action Kevin, good thinking." Kevin nodded as he returned the smile, before standing up.

" Alright, Alex and Cody, I want you both up here and keep over watch of the city, Cody you are covering fire if things get iffy. Call out anything you see as a threat, but you must be one hundred percent sure. Zack since you have the most explosive power I'm keeping you with the girls, those explosives will keep the thing at bay. I'm with you Twilight, just in case if you stray too far to the barrier, let alone traps." Everyone/pony looked at each other after hearing Kevin's orders, before they all gave him their own versions of agreement. Nodding in self satisfaction, Kevin checked his rifle before walking up to Twilight. " On you." He said, as Twilight began to walk out the throne room, the other girls, as well as her two human companions following in tow.

**********

Twilight looked worried as the door closed, Spike grunting in annoyance.

" Ugh, well that was a total bust." He said, as Twilight walked down the steps, where Kevin was waiting. He looked at her and with a shake of her head, he sighed, straightening up as they continued to walk.

" Hey Kev, the girls are starting to split up what should I do?" Zack asked worryingly. Kevin reached up, raising a hand for Twilight to stop.

" Just stay in the middle, that is where everyone is Rendezvousing."

" Roger that." Zack said, before the connection went silent again. Above all of them, Alex and Cody watched, as they circled the throne room, checking through the windows on the crystal city. Alec glanced over to Cadence, who had her eyes closed and a pained look on her face. The bags under her eyes showed she was barely getting any sleep, and that she was beyond exhausted. As Alex was about to switch windows, he saw Cadence as she began to falter. Quickly rushing over, he caught her before she fell off the side of the throne, grunting slightly as he did. Her eyes shot open as she looked at Alex, who calmly smiled as her helped her up.

" I-I'm sorry Alex, You shouldn't have-" Cadence winced as her horn flickered, Alex sighing as he carried her up the throne, making her lightly blush. Even though she knew she had a husband, Cadence still had a hard time being bridal carried, since Shining never did that. Gently placing her down on the seat, Alec checked her over in case of injury before gently scratching behind her ear, making her sigh in relaxation.

" It's fine miss Cadenza. I don't know how much energy this magic taking from you, but please, you need to relax, and try to put the rest of your energy into stay awake." Alex said, Cadence nodding as she laid down on the throne, getting into a more relaxed position. He smiled, before going back to watching the city. As Alex scanned, Cody sighed as he took off his helmet, as well as the rest of his headgear. Placing it on the ground near the throne, he continued to scan the surroundings. He felt hot, as small beads of sweat were visible on his face. Wiping the beads with his forearm, he shook his head before re focusing. ~yesssssss~

**********

" Huh?" Zack said, as Pinkie took off her Fluttershy costume, before zipping away. As the group met up, they all had looks of disappointment. Applejack came up, sighing as she walked up.

" Sorry Twilight, these crystal ponies seem ta have some kind of collective amnesia er somethin. Only thing I was able to get out of them was somethin 'bout a library." At the word library, Kevin could see Twilight light up, as her eyes grew wide with excitement.

" The library... well why didn't you say so!?" She said, getting into Applejack's face with a smile. Applejack smiled back, with a brow raised.

" uh, I thought I just did." She said, which actually earned a small chuckle from Zack. Kevin nodded, raising his hand to his headset.

" Alex, Cody, listen, we found a lead and are heading to a library. Ask Cadence or Shining Armor where it is in the city and I want Alex to keep over watch in that location." Above them, Alex sighed as he nodded his head.

" Got Kev. I'll see what she knows about it."

" Excellent. Kevin out." As Kevin took his hand away, and began to walk with the group, Alex was above looking down, before looking to Cody.

" Hey Cody keep a lookout, I'm gonna ask Cadence really quickly." Alex was about to walk up, but turned to Cody, a brow raised as he wondered why he was being so silent. His eyes widened when he saw Cody. Cody was lightly sweating, his eyes slightly squinted as he shook his head.

" Hey Cody. You alright?" Alex asked, stepping over to him.

" What's wrong?" Cadence asked, as she shakily stood up, giving Alex a worried look. Alex shrugged, walking up to Cody as he placed a hand on his shoulder. Cody tensed, his back hitting the wall as he started to pant. He stared at the ground, using his knees for support as his hands seemed to tremble. Alex knelt down, looking up at Cody in panic.

" Hey! Cody what's wrong!? Can you hear me!?" Alex stared into Cody's eyes, something seemed off.

" Alex, I... I do...don't know what to do. I-I-I can't see." He said, rubbing his eyes with his forearm, catching some of the sweat. Alex looked at him in horror.

" Wh-what? Bu-but you can hear me yeah?" Alex said, Cody nodding, making Alex sigh. He looked to Cadence, worry on his face.

" What's hapenning to him!? He can't just go blind like that, there has to be something behind it!" Alex said, Cadence nodding as she carefully stepped down from the throne. Once on even ground, Cadence rushed to the two humans. Quickly reaching Cody, she raised a hoof to the side of Cody's face, checking his face as she stared closely. After a few seconds, Cadence gasped, as she stepped back with a look of fear clear on her face. Alex walked up to Cadence, a look of confused worry on his.

" Cadence, what is it?" He asked. Cadence furrowed her brow.

" He has dark magic." Just as she said that, Cody grunted in pain, making Alex turn to him. Cody got onto his knees, his hands clutching his head, as a very faint trail of what appeared to be purple mist on the sides of his eyes.

" What!? H-how!?" Alex asked, stepping back as panic began to fill his mind. Cadence did the same, but a look of worry was still present.

" Sombra must have infected him. But how?" Cadence asked. This time, Cody grunted louder, shaking his head slightly.

" Agh! What the hell? Get out!" He cried, his eyes clenched shut as the purple mist began to seep out with more vigor. The two could only watch, as Sombra's magic continued to grow inside one of Alex's closest friends.

**********

Kevin pushed open the doors, revealing what was one of the biggest libraries he had ever seen. His eyes widened at the amount of books that were on the shelf, as Twilight did the same.

" I just... I don't even know what ta... there are no words." She said, the glistening in her eyes showed visibly as she stared.

" Ahem... may I help you?" Everypony turned to see an old mare, with reading glasses and a scroll for a cutie mark. Kevin and Zack backed off to the side, as they continued to observe the library.

" Yes. We're looking for a book." Twilight said, a smile on her face. The mare simply gestured to the library.

" We have plenty of those." She replied.

" You do, you really do." Twilight said, the glisten returning to her eyes as she circled the place continuously, taking in all of the details. Kevin simply smirked, shaking his head on how Twilight was so attracted to books. Applejack stepped up, the mare's focus on her now.

" We're lookin' for a history book. Somethin' that might tell us how the Empire might have protected itself from danger back in the day." She said. The mare was in deep thought, rubbing her chin.

" Yes, of course. History, history... Ah yes!" The mare said, making all of the ponies smile. That is, until the silence in the room became awkward, Twilight sheepishly smiling as she rubbed the back of her head.

" Which is where, exactly." She asked. The old mare looked around, her face one of concern.

" I... I can't seem to remember. I'm not sure if I even work here." Everypony deflated at that, Rainbow's face hoof echoed through the library. Kevin sighed, feeling bad for the old mare as he waited for Twilight's orders.

" We'll just take a look around. I'm sure we'll find it on our own." She said, Kevin straightening up as they began to descend down the stairs to the first floor. Zack followed behind, as the old mare stood still.

" Let me know when you find anything." She said, before leaving the group to do their search.

" Well this is just great, just where are we gonna start?" Kevin asked, Twilight just sighing in disappointment.

" I guess we'll just have to sweep this floor by floor." She said, making the others groan as well. Kevin stretched a little, as the group began to split up and search the bookshelves.

" Hey Zack, let's look over here alright? Twilight, we're going this way." He said, as she nodded in response. Kevin and Zack walked off to the side, as they began to search the library.

" Ah shit... Totally forgot we can't read squat." Kevin said. He turned around, a sour taste in his mouth as he felt useless. Sighing, he started to move to the center, where he saw a small table with a chair.

" Mystical monsters of the arctic. Crystal Sprites and snowy goblins" Kevin stopped in his tracks, a brow raised as he turned around. Zack stood in front of the bookshelf, reading off the titles. Kevin was stunned to put it lightly.

" Zack, how the hell can you read?" He asked, Zack seemed to be entranced in the books before shaking his head, re opening his eyes. Looking from the shelf to Kevin, he had a look of worried confusion on his face.

" I, I-I don't know. I felt, distant." Zack said, as he scratched the back of his head. Kevin simply stared, his mind trying to process what Zack was saying. He tilted his head in confusion.

" What do you mean Zack? Distant?" Zack nodded his head.

" Yeah, I felt like-" Zack's eyes widened, as he wobbled slightly. Kevin looked at him with worry, which then turned to panic as Zack stumbled back, hitting the bookshelf hard as he slid down. Kevin ran up to him, kneeling down as he grabbed Zack's shoulder.

" Hey! Zack? Zack!? Hey can you hear me?" Kevin asked, shaking his friends lightly, as Zack's eyes were staring off into the distance, a hint of green began to haze over, his iris becoming a darkened red. Kevin looked at him in horror, before standing up and running over to the girls. When he arrived, Twilight and the others were looking at one book, with a rust colored cover, with what appeared to be crystals and writing above them. " Twilight! Hey!" Kevin ran up, startling the ponies as he skidded to a stop.

" Whoa there Kevin, relax will ya? What happened?" Applejack asked, concern on her face.

" It's Zack! Something isn't right!" Kevin could only say those few words before the screaming of pain echoed throughout the library. Wide eyed in horror, Kevin quickly rushed back to Zack, fear pumping his body. Upon reaching Zack, he could see him, hands grasping at his head, the hat and communicative headset removed as he gripped his head, like it would make the pain go away. The ponies gasped, when Zack looked up, his eyes devoid of life, the iris red. The whites of his eyes were green, as purple magic seeped from the corner of his eyes. The girls stepped back, while Twilight seemed to stand there, the shock stuck like stone on her face. Kevin looked to her, then to Zack, motioning with his hands for her to do something. Twilight quickly trotted up, staring into Zack's eyes.

" H-his eyes aren't focused. It seems he can't see us. This is dark magic but, how did he get it? There is no way he had it in his body the whole time, we would have felt it a long time ago." She said, looking up at Kevin in concern. Kevin bit lightly on the joint of his index finger, his thumb under his chin as he desperately tried to remember anything that could have affected Zack in this way.

" Shining dude get out of the fucking way-" Cody never finished, the black smoke crashing down. The shock wave sent the humans back, Kevin grunting as he landed. Cody and Zack fell back, coughing as the smoke flew over them. Alex fell back into a small snow pile, grunting in pain as he landed on something. Cody coughed as he began to stand up, Zack taking a knee as he checked his sub-machine gun. Cody groaned in pain as he hip fired into the smoke, making it dissipate quickly. Growling, the smoke cleared away, as it seemed to disappear. Cody looked around, seeing Shining as he got up.

" The smoke..." Kevin said, his eyes widening at the realization, Twilight looked at him expectantly, waiting to hear what he came up with. " When we were attacked by that thing, it impacted Shining armor, disabling his horn. Cody and Zack must have accidentally inhaled the dark magic." Kevin said, worry clear on his face. Twilight looked down at Zack, he stopped screaming, as he was as still as a statue, his eyes with the same distant stare, his breaths still labored as he held his head.

" And now, it's eating away at him from the inside." Twilight said, her friends looking to Kevin, his headgear hiding the heartbroken expression on his face.

**********

" Cody! Cody common man stay with me!" Alex said, Cody's only response was clutching his head tighter, un aware that it was one of his closest friends that was trying to keep him sane.

" Cody! Cody! Co~dy... Cody" Cody stood in the dark void, the voice that was once Alex had now changed. It wasn't one of hard gravel or of monotone evil. It was a voice, as smooth as silk. Cody looked around, but only found darkness, as he was as blind as a bat. Continuing to search, the voice called out to him, trying to lead him somewhere. Cody took his first step forward in the darkness, and as he did, he smacked into something hard, something, wooden. With a raised brow, Cody felt the surface, feeling a doorknob as his fingers ran across it. Quickly, he grabbed the handle and twisted, pushing the door open as light filled his vision. His eyes were closed for a brief second, before he hesitantly re opened them. Then, his jaw hung open in shock. He was inside a living room, as simple as it may be he remembered it all too vividly. The red couch, the coffee table with a coffee stain on the side when he forgot a holster. The flat screen for the whole family. The smooth white carpet, and the lamp in the corner, that would never work. He couldn't believe it.

Am... am I r-really? Kevin took another tentative step inside, the floor creaking under his military boot as he stepped forward. Taking another step, with much less hesitation this time, he felt the floor, as well as the sunlight that shined through the window. Cody smiled, the feeling of complete happiness, as well as feeling like a huge weight had been taken off his shoulders. Quickly putting his brain back in focus, Cody walked into the hallway of his home, checking both sides. To his left was their front door, so he turned to the right, heading into the kitchen.

" Mom!? Dad!? " Cody called out, as he raised a brow, but his smile was still holding strong. he turned the corner, entering the kitchen, as he saw his mother, her long brown hair that went down to her waist, her blue sweater that she wore brought more happiness into Cody's heart. He took a step forward and was about to say something until~

" Sweetie the police are trying. I'm sure he is just fine." Cody turned to his right, seeing his father walk in, his mom began to sob silently as she grabbed onto him, her legs giving out as he held her.

" I can't! I don't know if I can take this anymore! I miss him, I miss him so much" His mother said, Cody's face turned into one of worry instead.

" I miss him too sweetie. He's our child and I would do anything for him, but you have to understand, we can't do anything. We have to let the police do their job at finding our son."

" Mom, mom I'm right here!" Cody said, trying to get there attention as he got closer. His father looked up, the phone ringing behind Cody. Cody smiled, hoping his father would see him. His eyes were instead staring at the phone, rather than into Cody's. Cody raised a brow, surprised that his brown eyes past through him as he stood. Cody's father sighed as he walked up to Cody. Cody's eyes widened as his father passed through him.

Wha-what? How? Cody turned around, seeing his father pick up the phone.

" Yes? Uh-huh. I understand. Okay" His father placed down the phone, his face one of defeat and lost of hope. Suddenly, hi father screamed, throwing the phone on the ground. Cody stepped back, fear on his face as he could only stare. His father was heaving, his shaky breath the only thing that could be heard before he sighed in frustration.

" It was the police... There is no trail, they decided to put the case on hold for now." Cody shook his head, wanting this whole scene to just end. He could hear his mother crying behind him, as his father slumped to the ground with his back resting on the wall. He heard his mother stand up, as she quickly embraced his father, as he could only watch his parents become a broken heap. Cody shook his head.

" No! NO! Mom dad please you have to see me! I'm right here please! No this can't be happening." Cody tried to walk over to his parents. His first step changed the scenery in the blink of an eye. He was still in the kitchen, but what he saw he screamed in pure terror. In front of him was his parents, but they were long gone, nothing but bones as his house was old and destroyed. Cody looked out the window, the same gray atmosphere doing nothing but bring tears to his eyes. Cody fell to his knees, his eyes only staring at his parent's skeletons. A ear ran down his cheek.

" I want to go home. Please, just make this stop..."

" Oh sweetie~" Cody turned around, only for his fear to grow. It was his mother, as she knelt down and held his face in her palms, her hands gently holding his chin. But her eyes were one of the void, pure black holes, her skin a dark grey as her body looked withered.

" You came back... Welcome back~" Cody screamed for all he was worth, closing his eyes as he pushed her away, only to feel air.

" You will NEVER come back." The voice said in it's harsh tone, that and being his mother brought Cody screaming again. Suddenly, his world turned black, and he was no more.

**********

Zack had a worried expression, as he walked down the street of his neighborhood, the one he shared with Alex. They were just about to go into college before all of this happened, now he can continue.

Why am I here? Di-did I find my way back home? Zack continued to walk, the streets as dead and night, No house had it's lights, no noise in them or out, just Zack, as he walked though the void of night.

Just a few more blocks and there should be my house. Zack thought to his family. His mom, his dad, as well as his sister. Zack smiled as he remembered her, his pace quickening as he did. Her sweet deep blue eyes, her shoulder high golden hair, her soft peach skin. And her smile. Zack's smile widened, hoping to see her again as he walked. Zack looked around, the night not really giving him much view as he surveyed the area. He raised a brow slightly as he looked at the street lamps, noticing that they were not on. Zack shook his head.

Boris needs to remember to fix these things. After all it is his job, silly old geezer. Zack looked up and noticed his house on the left side, five houses down. Smiling, Zack started a light jog as he drew closer. He was past the second house when he saw the door open. He slowed down as he raised a brow, but his eyes soon widened in surprise. His sister Emily laughed and screamed, as she was followed by two of her friends, as they ran out into the yard. She wore a white wife beater and had jean shorts on, as he could only stare, A feeling of complete happiness filling his heart. She giggled and laughed, as her friends threw a ball at each other, practicing catching and honing in their throws.

" Your almost there sis." Zack said, knowing how his sister had always wanted to be on her favorite team. Zack continued to jog up, the feeling of reuniting with her painful as he was so happy. However, time seemed to slow, as the ball rolled.

"I'll get it!!!" Emily seemed to say, her eyes completely unaware of the two headlights that were now piercing the night. Her face was still one of happiness, as she reached down. Zack screamed something incoherent, his eyes brimmed with horror, as he mad dashed to her.

NO NO NO! Emily sweetie get out of the way!!! He could only stare, as she turned to the lights, her face one of confusion before it happened. The horn of the car, how the metal seemed to bend from the impact, how the car swerved to the side and stopped, how Zack screamed. His world shattered, as his sister lay there, unmoving. Zack stared with horror, tears brimming as he hoped she was okay. However, he knew that this tiny spark of hope, would be doused in a sea od despair. Something lightly hit Zack's foot, as he shakily looked down. It was the ball, a small drop of blood stained the side he was staring at. Quickly, Zack dashed forward, his face dripping with tears now, as he could see a small growing puddle of blood, that tried to swallow his sister. He heard his parents come outside from the door, his mother screaming as his father asked her friends what happened, as they seemed to only cry. Zack couldn't stop himself, he was moving to fast. Sliding on his knees, he grabbed his sister, holding her as he stared. A huge gash showed on her chest, blood coming out of her mouth as her eyes gave him a distant stare. And of course, the whimpering... Zack couldn't take it, sobbing as he held her, staring back into her eyes as his tears fell onto her face. He held his sobs as he saw one of her hands, rising to meet his cheek. She felt so real, her skin was as smooth as silk, Zack closing his eyes as he cried even harder.

" You're gonna be okay Emily! Please stay with me!" Zack pleaded, but she only stared, as she tried to say something.

" B-big br-bro-ther... i-i-t... it H-hu-hurts~... Zack opened his eyes, his sister, his life, gone in his hands.

" EMILY!!!" Zack wailed, rocking lightly as he held her close to his chest. " no no no please... don't leave, please don't leave me, please..." Zack's sobbing was the only thing that could be heard, the night was first one of calmness, but it now brought despair, and death.

**********

Twilight's magic dwindle away as she sighed, a worried look on her face as she stared at the two humans. After Zack has passed out in the library, Twilight found the book and returned to the castle, Kevin holding Zack as they did. When they arrived in the throne room, the same thing was happening to Cody, much to the group's dismay. Placing the two together, Twilight cast her magic on them, nullifying the dark magic that lingered within their system. Turning to Kevin and Alex, Alex continued to survey, but at a much slower pace, while Kevin simply sat on one of the steps of the throne, a solemn expression on his face.

" Are you alright Kevin?" She asked, slowly approaching him. He blinked a few times, before looking up at her, those eyes seemed to lighten up a little, but the dull feeling remained.

" Oh, hey Twilight." He said, before looking back at the ground, a hand under his chin as his rifle rested against his chest. Twilight walked up to him, sitting down next to the human as she looked to his friends, before looking back.

" I'm sorry Kevin. Really I am." She said, resting her head against his shoulder. Kevin sighed, taking off his helmet as he continued to stare.

" It's not your fault Twilight. We engaged him without knowing the consequences."

" But how can you know how to fight Sombra? I haven't heard of him since recently either." She said, lightly rubbing his shoulder in hopes that Kevin could see the brighter side of things. But then again, what was the bright side? Kevin chuckled lightly.

" Yeah, I guess. Are they gonna be okay?" Kevin asked. Twilight leaned in, looking Kevin in the eye.

" They're going to be fine Kevin. Sombra's dark magic seems to be showing them their worst fears rather than trying to ki-kill-"

" Kill them, thanks." Kevin said, finishing her sentence. Twilight winced as a sign of saying sorry, before walking back to her friends.

" Kevin, I know me saying sorry isn't enough for what has happened, but please know that I wish I could do more." She said.

" I know Twilight. It's just you and your friends mean so much more to us than you know." Twilight stopped in her tracks, looking back at Kevin, her eyes wide.

" What? What do you mean?" Kevin looked up at her, a small smile on his face, but his eyes were still focused on the status of his friends.

" You mean the whole world to us Twilight, we came here to make sure you and your friends won't even breath the same air as Sombra." Twilight lightly blushed, wondering what Kevin meant, and why they were so important.

" Because...?" Twilight urged on, Kevin leaning back as he looked to the ceiling.

" Because you and your friends may be our only way out of this place." He said, Twilight gasping as he did.

" Wait what? How?" Kevin looked to her, his face showing hope.

" with the powerful magic in the Elements of Harmony, as well as the three princesses', the combination of great magic should be enough to connect our waves back to the familiar waves of our Earth. It may require more than that, but I believe it should be enough. Remember when I asked you to tell me what you found in the books back in Ponyville, and sending me your reports on your discovery?" Twilight nodded. " It turns out, Cody and Zack were researching and asking questions behind me and Alex's back, but that sounds wrong. They wanted to keep our minds at ease, making it their burden to bear. We all had a conversation before we deployed with you. When we went into our room, we all agreed on this theory about you and the princesses. Knowing that this was the best lead we have, we swore to protect you, in hopes you can grant us a way back." Twilight was speechless, her mind taking in all that Kevin had said, the truth of his motive seemed to hit her hard. He saw her shocked expression, standing up and putting his helmet back on. He sighed. " Don't worry Twilight. I'm not using you. I'm asking you, one friend to another, to help us return home." She continued to stare, before lightly smiling. The word friend relaxed her more than she thought, knowing that Kevin was still a friendly soul.

" I promise Kevin, we'll make sure that you can return to your family." Kevin smiled, before the doors opened, revealing Shining Armor and Cadence, as she needed to walk around in order to not fall asleep.

" Shining! We found something that could help you!" Twilight said, Spike holding the book with a smile. Shining smiled as he helped Cadence to the thrown, Kevin standing on her other side, placing a hand on her back, making sure she didn't fall over.

" Thanks." Shining said, Kevin nodding as he sat back down on the edge. Alex walked over, before giving a worried glance to his two unconscious friends. Twilight looked at the book, Spike opening it to the page he saved, as she began to read.

**********

Alex grunted in frustration, turning off the blue laser as he placed the gun down.

" Alex, is something wrong?" Shining asked, to which Alex just exhaled, slowly as he tried to calm himself.

" Sorry man, it's just that I hate waiting and just looking through these stupid windows, over and over and over again." Alex looked to his two friends, Zack had tear stained cheeks, a look of discomfort on his face as the magic continued to seep from his eyes. Cody wasn't fairing any better, a look of anger on his face as he tossed and turned, grunting as a stray tear escaped his eye.

" I'm gonna kill this motherfucker for doing this... make sure it's far more painful than what they are going through." Alex said, cracking his knuckles in one hand as he snarled. Shining looked to his friends, then to Alex.

" We will end Sombra, for good. I promise that." Shining said. Alex smiled, one of malice than happiness.

" Make sure you save a few hits for me alright?" Shining was a little freaked out by the humans mad demeanor, but nodded his head none the less. Under the castle, Twilight and her friends, as well as Kevin stood at the carnival, crystal ponies changing here and there as the place was filled with joyous laughter and ponies talking. Kevin walked with Twilight, noticing that a few of the ponies were giving him odd looks, but shrugging it off along the way.

" So this is how the mighty Sombra is gonna fall? Ponies becoming happy without a care in the world?" Kevin asked, Twilight nodding.

" I believe so, with the power of love and unity, I'm sure the ponies can defeat Sombra. Remember, he is not as powerful as he was before, so trying to fight would ultimately end in him losing." Twilight said. Kevin raising a brow.

" I thought you said you never heard of him until now? I could you know how powerful he was before?" Twilight shook her head.

" When we were running from him in the snow, I felt his magical presence. It was like his magic reserves were running on fumes. Like how a cup is supposed to be full, but Sombra was nothing but a few drops. I just hope that he doesn't get too strong in this short time to cause any serious danger." Kevin nodded, quickly glancing above him and remembering what that fraction of power did to his two friends. They stopped in the middle, next to the crudely cut out piece of art that Twilight made, but Kevin neglected to say that to her. He sighed, looking down at her as she continued to read the book.

" That still doesn't mean we should take him lightly. As the saying goes ' Always overestimate your enemies' we have to prepared for anything that King Sombra can do." Twilight nodded, looking up from her book to Kevin and smiled.

" That is true, anything can happen." Just as Twilight had finished her sentence, Kevin heard the sound of what appeared to be a jet, as Rainbow flew over, placing a flag over the crystal heart with a panicked expression on her face.

" Guys! We have a problem!" Twilight giving her a confused look while Kevin's brow furrowed.

" What happened?" Kevin asked, bending over a little so he could talk, as well as Dash not being able to strain her neck too bad. She gulped.

" The crystal heart, it's not a fair piece, it's supposed to be powered by the ponies to help defend the empire!" She said, Twilight giving her a shocked expression, as Kevin thought about the words.

" Like a magical relic!?" Twilight asked, her tone one of worry.

" Something like that yeah!" Rainbow said, Twilight looking over to Kevin with a worried face as he mirrored her. Twilight quickly looked over to Applejack.

" Applejack! Guard the heart right now! Rainbow, Kevin throne room now!" Twilight ordered, Kevin nodding as he followed Twilight, Rainbow flying over their heads and into the castle as the two ran up the stairs, hoping to tell Shining and Cadence in time. Above, Cadence's left hoof couldn't hold her, as she leaned against Shining for support. He gave her a worried look. Alex stopped watching from the balcony and looked over, a worried expression on his face.

" How long has it been?" Alex asked.

" She's been holding out for the whole day. Sombra's been constantly attacking the shield, which is putting a lot of exhaustion on her magic." Shining looked to Cadence, his worry growing.

" As well as her mind." Cadence's face scrunched up, her horn fazing slightly before the shield did the same. Alex gave him a worried look.

" She's on her last ropes, we need to find a better way." Alex brought a hand to his chin, hoping if there was some way they could delay this Sombra any further. Suddenly, the doors burst open, Kevin and Twilight, as well as Rainbow Dash running in. They skidded to a stop, Kevin rushing over to Alex.

" We have a problem Alex. The heart, it's supposed to be a -"

" I didn't know it was an actual relic!" Twilight said, flipping though the book with a worried expression. Alex's eyes widening at the sign of more trouble. Kevin looked to Twilight as she continued to scan the book faster than any human reader Kevin had ever seen.

" The book didn't mention anything about the crystal ponies powering the heart!" She said, flipping to the last page. Well, it was the last page, except for the one that was ripped out.

" There was a page missing, how did I not notice?" Twilight said, raising a hoof to her forehead as she began to panic. Cadence swayed slightly, Kevin noticing it from the corner of his eye.

" It-it's alright, Twilight." Suddenly, Cadence fell over, Shining went wide eyed, but Alex quickly reacted, grabbing her as Shining ran dashed up, holding his wife's head as her horn flickered, before dying out.

" Oh fuck that is not good."

" Twily..." Shining said, a look of horror on his face. The roar echoed through the kingdom, the dome beginning to flicker, before completely disappearing. Everyone looked to their horror, seeing Sombra's eyes as his face morphed in the fog.

" Agh! Motherfucker!" Everyone turned to the voice, which came from the throne room. Another noise was heard, something akin to gagging, as the sound of something wet hitting the ground was heard. Kevin as well as Twilight and Dash ran inside, the ponies gasping, and Kevin going wide eyed at what they saw. Cody was resting his back on the throne step, one hand clasping his head as he grimaced, his eyes were slightly bloodshot, but the magic was gone. Zack was on his knees, his hands shakily holding him up, a small puddle of his stomach contents was on the ground as he breathed heavily, his chest heaving as the three could see a few tears dripping into the substance.

" Cody! Zack you alright!?" Kevin ran up, grabbing Zack's shoulders as he helped him into a sitting position, Zack having his eyes closed quietly sobbed. Cody snarled at the noises Zack made, his hand clenched into a fist as it shook.

" Kevin... that motherfucker... it was him." He said.

" I know Cody. When you two engaged him, you inhaled some of his magic. I'm sorry I should have been more careful with you guys." Kevin said, but Cody shook his head.

" I don't care about that Kevin, I could honestly not give a damn. We knew what we were doing... But this bastard... He's gonna fucking pay..." Cody stood up, walking over to his LMG as well as his helmet. Grabbing his LMG in his left hand, it shook violently, the bullets rattling in the box magazine, as Cody growled. He turned, the ponies could feel the hate seeping from his eyes, the rage of a wild beast. Kevin had seen him made before, especially when the person had done something unforgivable to him or anybody else he cared for. His teeth clenched tight enough to draw a small amount of blood from his gum, as he looked to the group.

" THIS SON OF A BITCH IS GONNA DIE FOR WHAT HE DID TO ME!!! FOR WHAT HE DID TO ZACK!!!"

Author's Note

Aaaaaaaaaand... scene.
Sorry about the cliffhanger, just don't want to make this chapter too long. Sorry about not publishing this sooner, just didn't get into the mood of writing as much this month. But I'm getting back into it!!!
Hope you enjoy the chapter, part 2 is gonna have a lot of action, as well as anger...
Anyways, if you need me I'll be writing the next chapter in the other room,

KEEP ON WRITING AND KEEP ON READING!!!