A Piece of Me

Sombra stepped outside the castle and inhaled deeply as he casts his gaze upwards into the night sky. A few ponies stopped and stared at him for a moment before turning in fear and fleeing to their home. Ignoring them he started to make his way through Ponyville as a slow smile spread across his lips.

"What a quaint little town you got here, Princess." Sombra chuckled to himself as he looked from building to building as he trotted down the dirt road. It didn't take him long to reach the edge of Ponyville before stopping and turning his eyes towards the south east. "Let's play this game a little while longer, shall we?" He asked as he started up once again, heading in her direction.

Twilight could hardly move as she just sat there staring at the ground for in her heart another hole was made as one of her last remaining close friends perished. She felt a heaviness upon her shoulders that seemed that it couldn't be lifted even with all the magic in Equestria.

"Twilight! We need to move. He could show up at any moment." Spike called to her as he tried to tug on her arm.

"What's the use, Spike. I've lost to many friends now cause they wanted to save me," Twilight said sadly as she laid down on the grass the tears building up in her eyes ready to burst forth at any moment.

"What about your brother? Or Princess Cadence? Can't they help us?" Spike asked as panic started to grip him little by little.

"No...no pony can help us any more. And I don't want them to get hurt, Spike. Don't you understand?" Twilight turned to him the tears now flowing down her cheeks. "They will only get hurt or worse...and no pony else needs to get involved with this mess of mine." Twilight faced away from him and continued to lay there on the grass as Spike looked at her worriedly wondering if there is anything he could do for her.

"Well maybe we can go talk to them. The Crystal Kingdom is protected by the Crystal Heart, right? So it should be a safe place to go." Spiked tried to reassure her as he walked over and placed a claw on her shoulder. Twilight thought about it and just nodded to him as she sat up and took a deep breath trying to calm herself.

"Maybe, Spike. Hold onto me, I'm going to try to teleport us all the way there. It might not work though for I haven't traveled that kind of distance since I had all that alicorn magic." Twilight closed her eyes as Spike wrapped his arms around her fore leg. As she gathered the magic around them they started to glow brighter and brighter until she was at her maximum capacity. "Here goes!" Twilight called out as she activated her teleportation spell.

A bright light, followed by a loud popping sound, appeared in the throne room of the Crystal Castle as a purple alicorn and baby dragon shot out of it slamming into a few near by guards with a metallic crash as their armor hit the wall. Everypony in there seemed a bit dazed for a moment before chaos unleashed itself and both Cadence and Shining Armor ran over to them.

"Twilight?"

"Twily!" They both called out as they helped Twilight and Spike up, both a little shaken and singed a bit but nonetheless unharmed. The guards shook off the surprise and went back to their post as Twilight hugged both her brother and sister-in-law. "What's going on? Is everything alright?" Shining Armor asked as he noticed the look and posture she had about her.

"No, everything is horribly wrong. I need help..." Twilight started but was interrupted by Princess Cadence.

"Everypony please leave the room." She commanded as they all started to head out of the throne room, the guards last to leave closing the doors behind them. Leading her over to one of the chairs she sat Twilight down before adding, "Twilight what's happening? Do you know why it's still dark outside?" Cadence was very concerned for her sister-in-law and the tone in her questions proved it.

"Princess Celestia and Princess Luna are...are..."

"Are what little sis?" Shining Armor asked as he trotted over and stood next to his wife.

"They're dead! They are all dead! My friends, everypony I cared about, even Starlight is gone now!" Twilight's eyes flowed with the tears of sorrow and pain as she yelled out those words which even she did not want to believe.

"No...but how...?" Cadence covered her mouth with a hoof as she sat down in shock as Shining Armor just stood there speechless as he looked at his sister. It was then he noticed the wounds on her body that were only hours old which brought him back to reality as he lifted her chin to look in her eyes.

"Who did this to you? To them?" Shining Armor's voice was firm and full of anger while his eyes filled with the light of battle as he continued to gaze into Twilight's eyes.

"Sombra..." was all she said before the visions of her friends laying dead around her filled her mind once more and she couldn't take the pain, falling to the floor as her soul wept for them. Shining Armor turned to Cadence as she returned his look both wondering how that could be possible.

"But we saw him get destroyed when Spike brought back the Crystal Heart!" Cadence said as she remember those events a long while back.

"That's right! We all saw it. There's no possible way that he could have returned." Shining Armor agreed.

"It's true!" Spike said as he comforted Twilight the best he could. "I've seen him with my own eyes. If Starlight didn't teleport us out of the castle then he would have killed me too." Both Princess Cadence and Shining Armor sat down right where they were standing as both of them just couldn't believe what they were hearing. Sombra has returned once more? "We should be safe here, right?" Spike asked breaking them out of their disbelief.

"Yes, of course." Cadence told him as she got up and headed to one of the nearby windows. It must be true for the sun was still not up and only Princess Celestia had the power to raise and lower it every day. Letting out a quiet sigh she returned back to Spike and added, "Let's take Twilight to one of the rooms so she could rest." Spike nodded and helped Twilight to her hooves as they slowly made their way out of the throne room leaving Shining Armor alone with his thoughts.

"Oh Twilight, you went to the one place I thought you wouldn't go. I guess you just couldn't resist, huh?" Sombra chuckled as he headed northwards at a leisurely pace. He was in no rush and this game of hide and seek was becoming enjoyable. "I was going to head there eventually but you've saved me the trouble of having to go there after finding you. Once again, thank you Princess." Sombra let out an evil laugh as he gathered his magical energy and used a teleportation spell of his own.

Sombra stood about ten feet from the protective barrier that surrounded the Crystal Empire as a harsh wind blew through his mane and tail, making his cape flap wildly about him. The cold and the snow never bothered him as he just grinned to himself as he slowly approached the magical barrier. There was so much light and love emanating from it that it brought a vile taste to his mouth and Sombra spat on the ground as he stopped for a moment.

"Disgusting," was all he said as he cautiously took another step towards the barrier. He was now only a few hoof steps away as he slowly reached up and touched the magic with a fore hoof. Much to his surprise there was no resistance as he pulled back suddenly waiting to see if any alarms have been set off or guards come rushing his way. A few minutes go by and there was nothing but the howling wind and snow as a hearty maniacal laugh built up inside Sombra as he sat down in the now letting it all out.

"Oh Twilght, you have given me much more than you know. I couldn't get through this stupid thing the last time I was here but now," Sombra couldn't help but laugh once more, "now it looks like I can freely come and go as I wish!" His muzzle twisted into a grin that was colder than the temperature outside the barrier as he stood up, held his head up high and entered the Crystal Kingdom.

Tending one of the many fields that grew bushels of crystal berries, a lone crystal pony sat down the baskets she was using to gather them up to take a break as she looked up into the night sky. Everypony still did not know why it was still dark out but they had their daily tasks to perform. As she wiped a hoof across her forehead she turned around to go get some water and ended up bumping into somepony which knocked her back onto her haunches.

"Oh I'm so sorry, I didn't se-" her voice cut out in fear for she was staring up at Sombra who was grinning down at her with an intense fire in his eyes. "S-s-s-s-s-" she tried to say but was completely frozen to the spot not able to tear away from his gaze. Slowly leaning down he touched muzzles with the crystal pony as her coat, mane and tail dulled and became uncrystalized, he quietly said only one word to her.

"Sombra." Her vision filled with red and her body toppled over, knocking over the baskets staining the berries with her blood as he held up only her head with his magic before tossing it into the bushes. Sombra picked up a few of those blood stained berries with his magic and tossed them into his mouth before proceeding on wards towards the Crystal Castle. It wasn't until he approached the first few buildings on the outskirts of the kingdom that panic started to flood the streets.

It was a group of foals and fillies who spotting him first as he walked by as the darkness around him seemed to just seep their happiness away for they ran away crying to their parents. By the time word began to spread through out the kingdom he was already half way to the castle, that same grin pasted upon his muzzle as he can just taste the power which he so longed for. Sombra expected some resistance to head his way for every pony that saw him instantly became uncrystalized and ran away in fear for their lives. He wasn't really there for them but he also won't let any pony stand in his way to Twilight.

"Stop right there!" A squad of royal guards ran towards him stopping about twenty feet, taking up their formation. "You will not go any farther!" One ordered as Sombra actually stopped and slowly casts his gaze from right to left as he made some calculations in his head.

"She sends only six of you to try and stop me?" Sombra questioned as he let out a laugh. "Such fools to think that will do any good. Get out of my way before I turn you into nothingness!" His command dripped with evil as his eyes lit up like green flames.

"Attack!" The head guard called as all six of them rushed forward, weapons drawn for battle, as they advanced on the gray unicorn.

"So be it!" Sombra growled and instantly closed the distance between them as he then flew past them stopping roughly fifteen feet closer to his goal. As the royal guards suddenly stop five of them exploded sending body parts in every direction as it rained blood down upon the entire area covering the last remaining guard. He slowly turned his eyes wide with horror as they rested on the back of Sombra before five spears pierced him killing him instantly where he stood. Releasing his magic Sombra continued his way towards the castle as the thirst for blood could only be satisfied by one single pony.

As Twilight just started to drift off to sleep her bedroom doors flew open and Shining Armor rushed in turning on the lights. "Twilight he's here! We have to go now!" Her brother called as he helped her out of bed and started to lead her down the hall. Still half asleep everything Twilight was seeing felt like a dream and it seemed like her brother was talking in slow motion.

"Go here? He's where?" She repeated as her brain and body tried to keep up with each other. It wasn't until they were back in the throne room where Cadence was giving orders to Sunburst on where to meet for he was taking Flurry Heart to safety.

"Twilight, good you're here. We have to go now! It's not safe here anymore. The Crystal Heart is not working." Princess Cadence explained as Twilight was now full awake.

"No! He's here. You guys have to get away, please!" Twilight begged them both as they just looked at her. "He's to powerful for any pony to fight. I don't want to lose you too!" She desperately tried to convince them to leave her there and flee but they weren't listening.

"I won't let him take you, Twily, no matter what." Shining Armor stated as they started getting their final preparations ready. Magical blasts and fighting could be heard on the other side of the throne room doors as everypony in the room froze to listen to the battle raging on just right outside. It seemed to only last a few moments before things were quiet once more as Shining Armor motioned with his head to the four royal guards left stationed in the throne room. As the guards slowly approached the doors they suddenly flew open taking them by surprise making them take a few steps back.

Sombra just laughed as he used his magic to create spell circles underneath each guard pony entrapping them before green hell fire erupted around each of them burning them alive as they screamed in torment and agony. Their flesh melted to their armor as it only made the fire hotter before all four collapsed into a pile of melted metal and ash. The remaining ponies just watched horrified as the smell of burnt flesh filled the area with a repugnant stench. Taking a deep breath he stepped into the throne room while Cadence and Shining Armor both stood in front of Twilight ready to defend her with their lives.

"Well look at this, the family's all here now. What a lovely picture, wouldn't you say?" Sombra gestured with a hoof as the two ponies just glared at him. "Don't be so angry, it's a family reunion. All I really want is Twilight. Give her to me and maybe I'll let you two serve me for all eternity," he offered them as he took a few more steps closer to them.

"If you think I'm going to give up my sister then there is something seriously wrong with you." Shining Armor growled at Sombra taking a more protective stance.

"Just make this easy for you. I've already lost enough quality subjects and you two would make great candidates for my empire."

"Back off! You're not getting her."

"I can't tell if you are being brave or just stupid." Sombra chuckled to himself.

"Enough talk! Either leave this place at once or I'm going to end you!" Shining Armor promised as he clenched his teeth in anger.

"Have it your way!" Sombra grinned as they both started to charge one another. Cadence tried to stop him but he was already gone as she watched terrified of what he will do to her husband. Everything seemed to slow down in time for Twilight as she watched her only brother yell in rage as he galloped towards the gray unicorn who easily stood a good few feet above him. There was only one thing she could do: scream.