While Stella continued to quietly rule her beloved empire, Ombra was living a much different life. In the darkening depths of Tartarus he constantly paced his cage. Day after day, night after night. Kicking and blasting every spell he could at his barred prison. Only to have it be magically absorbed by the metal barriers.

Ombra finally yelled out in frustration and plopped down in his cell, lying on his side and staring at the endless void. His thoughts drifted to Starswirl and his family. To every time he had felt wronged by them, to every time he wished he could go back and change what happened.

“Hello there,” a voice spoke into the darkness. It was feminine and yet alluring, there was a powerful darkness to it, but also a certain elegance only heard in royalty.

“What do you want?” Ombra spat.

“A favor.”

“I can’t do much right now.”

“How about this: I get you out of there, and you promise to do whatever I ask?”

“Can you really get me out of here?”

“Promise to do something for me in return, whatever I may ask.”

“Can you or-”

“PROMISE!” the authority of the voice was powerful and commanding, a voice that would make those who followed them cower.

“Aleight, alright, I promise,” Ombra insisted. “Yesh.”

“Do you promise on your life that you will not betray me?”

“I promise on my life I will not betray you.” Ombra’s tone was clearly annoyed and a tad lifeless as he repeated her words.

“Good.”

He saw a bright green flash from the darkness, then Starswirl the Bearded stepped out of the shadows.

“What are you doing here?!” Ombra yelled, throwing himself against the cage.

“Silence,” ‘Starswirl’ ordered.

He lifted his hoof to the lock and Ombra listened as the lock clicked open. There was a flash of green fire and suddenly a strange creature of alicorn qualities stood before him.

The story of the Crystal King and the Changeling Queen is for another time. But know that once Ombra repaid his debt, he immediately returned to face his sister.

Stella met her brother at the edge of the core city, prepared to fight until the very end.

“Ombra, stop what you are doing,” Stella ordered.

“Never!” Ombra snapped, he now adorned silver armor and a red cloak lined with fur. “Give me this kingdom or I will take it by force!”

“I will never bow to you.”

“Then let us fight, sister.”

“You are no brother of mine!”

With those harsh words, the battle began. Protecting her subjects had been her top priority, so she had met him on the outskirts of the city.

Their battle raged in the snow, horns aglow and eyes flaring with rage. They grew crystals and shot spells at one another, trying to gain an edge over the other. There was one issue for them both, they knew each other's moves. Having practiced magic all their lives together, they knew each other’s tells.

For example, Stella knew that whenever Ombra picked up and dropped his right hoof, he was going to grow a crystal cage. In the same way Ombra knew that when Stella tensed her shoulders she was going to shoot a beam of magic. Because of knowing these little signs, they could practically predict the others move.

The only problem, Stella was tiring. Ombra was fueled by anger and hatred, and he was bubbling over with these emotions. Stella needed love and a desire to protect, yet she was wrestling with every emotion known. And Ombra knew this, he watched as his sister slowed. He inwardly laughed maniacally and began a roused slow with her. Just as she believed him to be weakening, he struck her with all of his power.

Stella fell to the snow as the light began to drain from her eyes, her brother stood over her. He laughed, priding himself on his doings. He had finally won! The kingdom was his at last!

“Ombra, why…?” Stella breathed weakly.

“I am no longer Cristallo Ombra!” he whispered menacingly. “I am now King Sombra!”

“You will always be Cristallo Ombra,” her voice was hoarse and fading as tears pooled in the snow beside her, freezing in the harsh cold. “You will always be the lost prince, my brother…”

Sombra turned his nose to the air, dismissing her and walking over her towards his prize. The guard and citizens tried to stop him, but he overpowered them with ease. In mere minutes, he had everypony in shackles. He walked proudly through the city, having overpowered everypony with his nightmare magic. Then he spotted the ultimate prize, the Crystal Heart. The symbol of hope for them, their final resort had they been able to find love in their hearts while he battled their queen. He snatched it away and took it into the palace, prepared to seal it so deeply in darkness that only a fool would seek it out. He had finally done it, he had finally conquered the Crystal Empire.

Author's Note

You are all so very quiet, no need to be shy. I do not bite, I promise. Maybe...