The New Friend (Part 1 of a 2 part story)

Deep in the Arctic North, a dark pony was standing completely unaffected by the icy blasts of wind. He was an alicorn, and a prince. His eyes gleamed red, with snake like pupils. Red wisps of mist were emanating from his eyes. His horn was long and curved with a wicked point at the end, and his mane and tail rippled as if it were shadow.

Protruding from the snow, was a curved, red horn. The dark alicorn summoned his magic, making his horn, and the broken horn in the snow glow red.  The horn lifted up off the icy ground as shadows gathered from every direction, as if they were drawn to the horn. Slowly, the shadows started to take a shape.

The shape of a unicorn.

"Rise, King Sombra." the alicorn hissed, his red eyes flashing menacingly in the darkness.

The fully reformed unicorn landed on his hooves and opened his eyes.

The Crystal King had returned.

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Twilight Sparkle and her friends had trekked all the way to the Tree of Harmony. But to their disappointment, there was no other Element of Harmony.

"Well, that was a great waste of time and energy!" Rainbow Dash scowled, kicking a pebble with her hoof.

"This is an awful predicament!" Rarity complained, tossing her beautiful purple mane with annoyance. "All this way through a treacherous forest, all for nothing! Do you know how many leaves I've had to get out of my mane!?"

"Well, I got a few leaves and twigs in my cupcake, and at first I was like --" she gasped, "-- but then I was like "Ooooh!" 'cause it was just like SPRINKLES!" Pinkie Pie said excitedly.

"Hmm... Where could it be? If it's not here...... Hmmm....." Twilight muttered to herself, deep in thought.

"Princess Celestia said that the Element of Courage vanished with Midnight Shadow. Could it be that it's still with him?" Lightning Strike mused.

"I hope not. Because we don't even know where he is!"

"Well, I think we best find where it's at, and soon! 'Cause if Midnight Shadow does attack, we'll need all of the Elements of Harmony to stop him!" Applejack frowned at the troubling thought.

"If he has it, I'll --"

"Rainbow Dash! You have to remember that Midnight Shadow is still Celestia and Luna's brother! If we can help him, then we should! Not just banish him. It wouldn't be right!" Twilight said, interrupting Rainbow Dash.

"Sure, I guess." Rainbow Dash shrugged.

"The Element isn't here. We have to keep looking." Twilight said, leading the way out of the Everfree Forest.

As they were leaving, a mass of shadow materialized in front of them. It started to take shape, until an alicorn stood before them. It had a rippling dark and light purple mane and tail, and was wearing silver armor. He spread his wings, menacingly blocking their path.

Twilight and her friends gasped. Lightning Strike and Crimson Shield made a protective stance in front of the Mane Six.

The alicorn chuckled darkly, opening red eyes, red wisps of mist coming from them.

"Ahh.... Twilight Sparkle," he said softly, his eyes studying her.

Twilight shuddered, it was as if those eyes were looking into her soul.

"My sister's little student. We meet at last."

The alicorn took a step toward them.

Lightning Strike tensed. "Stay back!"

"Ha! Do you know who I am?"

"Midnight Shadow," Twilight whispered.

"Yes... smart girl." Midnight nodded. "And i know exactly who all of you are. I really must congratulate you for being able to use the Elements with such ease. It's quite.... impressive."

"Where's the Element of Courage!?" Rainbow Dash demanded.

Midnight Shadow looked at her thoughtfully. "How am I supposed to know? I have no use for it." he hissed, dismissing the thought with a shrug.

He laughed cruelly. "Oh, Celestia's so foolish to send a bunch of foals to stop my plan."

"We're not afraid of you!" Rainbow Dash yelled.

"Ah, but you should fear me. I am what lurks in the shadows. I am what goes bump in the night. I can be the one who causes your nightmares..." the dark alicorn said, stalking to the shade of the trees, where he seemed to melt into the shadows, his glowing red eyes glaring out at them.

"So many reasons to fear me... And yet you claim to have no fear in my presence. You claim to have the one Element you lack: courage."

"Now you listen here--"

"Ah, yes... Applejack. Do you really believe that you could beat me? Honestly? And timid little Fluttershy... can kindness really withstand the force of fear and darkness? Are you just going to watch and laugh, Pinkie Pie? Or are you actually going to get serious enough to help out? And if you all think that generosity, loyalty, and magic will be enough to stop me... you're wrong."

"No. You're wrong." Twilight said boldly, raising her chin.

"We'll see about that, Twilight." Midnight Shadow hissed, those eyes flashing before he vanished.

Applejack shuddered. "I don't know 'bout ya'll, but I ain't feelin' too good 'bout this..."

"If he took the risk of coming this close to Canterlot, then he must be getting stronger." Lightning Strike said grimly, scanning the trees and undergrowth for any threat. "We need to move. Now."

"I agree with Lightning. This can't be good." Crimson Shield said.

"But where else can we look? We've checked the Tree of --"

Twilight was cut short by a loud buzzing sound.

"What the --!?"

The group galloped to the edge of the forest in time to see a large swarm of changelings descend upon Ponyville.

They were being attacked!