Chapters What Once Was Now Comes to Pass
"You were foolish to believe that I would have been so easily defeated." Sombra snickered as he stood over the defeated princess, a magical barrier surrounding her the only thing that kept them apart. "You are probably asking yourself how this all came to be so let me enlighten you, your highness." He added mockingly as he slowly walked around her barrier her eyes glaring at him with a blazing intensity that could melt any block of ice.
"You see it all started back a few years ago when I was able to return along with the Crystal Kingdom. It was unfortunate that you had to show up with your so called friends and yet it wasn't you that defeated me." Sombra grinned down at her as he completed his circle and now stared down at Twilight. "That moment was all I needed to place my essence within you as you were trapped atop the Crystal Palace. From there on all I had to do was gather my strength yet I did not expect you to become an alicorn which in turn helped me, so thank you."
"We have defeated you once! We will do so again!" Twilight spat back as she shakily got to her hooves her legs feeling weak with the lack of strength and the exhaustion of the battle. Blood dripped from her muzzle as she stood proud before him her magic slowly draining as she kept the barrier up.
"We?" Sombra echoed as he looked around him waving a hoof to the devastation before them and the bodies of five ponies laying scattered about. "There is no we , Princess Twilight. There is only you left and you don't have the power left to defeat me. I took that power with me along with your friends. It is just you and me that's left now. Even the sisters can't stop me!" Sombra laughed as he banged a hoof against her barrier.
Twilight's eyes drifted from one of her best friends to the next, each laying lifeless on the ground, one even crushed by some of the rubble only one of her legs visible from beneath it. The pain of seeing every one of her friends was unbearable and it just broke her heart into a thousand pieces. As tears flowed from her eyes she placed them back on Sombra as he laughed at her despair still banging away on the barrier that surrounds her.
"You will pay for what you have done!" Twilight screamed as she tried to gather up more magic from deep within her.
"I payed the price long ago and now it's time for me to collect," Sombra replied as he took a few steps back and grabbed the broken body of Rarity and slammed it against the shield, pressing her now blood red coat against it. Twilight gasped as she took a step back into the far side of the barrier bumping up against it.
"Save me, Twilight!" He moved her mouth with his magic as he pressed her body against the shield. Sombra just laughed hysterically as he tossed her body to the side as he started to charge his own magic into his horn. "So what's it going to be Twilight? You can't keep that up forever and very soon now I'll be reborn into a world where my dreams will be made reality!" Sombra's laughter echoed throughout the ruined building they were in and into the night sky towards the stars above.
"Celestia! Luna! Please, help me!" Twilight desperately cried out looking up into the heavens.
"Ahahahaha!" Sombra continued to laugh. "Oh you cling to their name as if they would drop out of the sky and save you. Your despair, it's delicious!" He licked his lips as he stepped up to the barrier and placed both front hooves on it, his face only inches away as his eyes filled with lust for power and malice.
Fear started to replace the pain as her magic flickered slightly the barrier fading slightly before going back to normal. Twilight could feel its icy grip starting to slowly wrap around her heart as all she could do is stare at the unicorn before her. She knew she didn't have much more magic left in her and sat down against the far side her breathing ever increasing as she started to frantically look for a way out.
"It's a pity really," Sombra went on, "to see one like yourself fall to such a disgrace. You're a princess. Act like one. At least die with some dignity!" He mocked her as he placed his hooves back on the ground his horn glowing with magic, waiting patiently for his moment to strike.
"Please..." Twilight cried to him.
"What's that?"
"Please..." She repeated as she cried knowing that any moment her magic will fail.
"Please what?" Sombra cocked his head slightly as he narrowed his eyes at her.
"I don't want to suffer any more. Please make it quick," Twilight begged him as her magic flickered once more as the barrier started to become less visible.
"Well it's the least I could do for you since you did help bring me back to glory and with your death I shall have all my power returned to me." Sombra grinned as he watched her magic slowly fade, Twilight's horn glowing less and less untill it gave out one last spark and the barrier dissipated. As Sombra slowly stepped over to her he asked her one final question. "Any last requests?"
Twilight just looked up at him, tears flowing from her eyes, a small smile upon her muzzle as she gave him an answer. "Let me join my friends."
"So be it!" Charging the magic in his horn to it's maximum, Sombra grinned wickedly as he released it all at Twilight, a bright light followed instantly by a huge explosion which shook the entire area and as the dust settled the only sound that was heard was his laughter as he stared down at the crater that was made.
"What's so funny?" A familiar voice said from up above him. Quickly gazing his eyes up Sombra noticed that Celestia was standing tall on one of the broken pillars the seriousness in her eyes shown as bright as the sun. Sombra then noticed another pony standing not to far behind her and he let out a growl of rage and hatred. Luna had the unconscious Twilight on her back as she started to take to the night skies above.
"You're not going anywhere!" Sombra yelled and fired a beam of magic at Luna. Celestia acted quickly and shielded herself as she moved in front of it blocking the blast before calling back to her sister.
"Get Twilight out of her, Luna! I'll take care of Sombra."
"Are you sure, sister?"
"Yes, now get going!" Celestia landed about twenty feet from him and Sombra now noticed she was wearing her battle gear and a slow smile spread across his muzzle.
"I'm getting a feeling of dejavu," he said as he composed himself.
"This ends once and for all, Sombra," Celestia promised.
"Didn't you say that the last time we met?" Sombra mocked her. It was then that Celestia noticed the bodies of Twilight's friends and her eyes widened slightly before resting back on him.
"How could you do something like this?"
"It actually wasn't that hard really. That Twilight sure has a lot of power inside her. To bad she will never be able to use it now that her friends are gone." Sombra laughed once more as Celestia clenched her jaw and launched herself at Sombra but the unicorn was quicker and saw the attack coming. Using a teleportation spell he easily avoided her and reappeared on the other side of the room.
"Well now what's the rush? We don't want to end the fun so soon, do we?" Sombra's words pierced Celestia as she turned around and started to gather up her magic before releasing it at him in a gigantic blast. "Fine, I guess you just want to get things over with." Sombra said as he stepped towards her into the blast, a powerful shield around him protecting him from her magic. Screaming with rage Celestia put even more power into her blast it becoming twice as big and ten times as strong which actually made him stop in his tracks.
"I can not fail again. Not this time!" Celestia said as she continued to release her magic at him. Sombra's grin was slowly being replaced with a look of worry as his shield started to crack under the pressure of her magic.
"What?" He growled as he tried to keep his shield up. "That's not possible! You don't even have the Elements any more." Sombra's shield started to crack all over and was being weakened by the second as Celestia concentrated all her magical energy into her spell.
"DIIIIIEEEEE!" Celestia screamed as she unleashed every bit of her magic tearing through the rest of his barrier and engulfing Sombra as he disappeared into her beam, screams of agony were drowned out as Celestia fell to her knees when her spell finally ended. Panting heavily she looked to where he was and saw nothing was left. There was a good size hole in the broken wall and the nearby forest was now missing a line of trees in the shape of her magical beam.
Sitting up Celestia tried to catch her breath as she looked up into the sky. "We finally did it Luna. That's the last we'll ever see of Sombra."
"It sure is!" Sombra cried out as a nearby spear flew through the air and pierced Celestia's heart as she fell to her side, eyes wide with shock as he made his way over to her. "That was a close one. Almost had me there for a second." He told her as he stood over Celestia as she gasps for air.
"But...how...?" She coughed blood as Sombra pulled the spear out of her chest with his magic and hovered it over her. The wound pumping blood out with each beat of her heart.
"You can ask Twilight when she meets you soon enough. It's all thanks to her."
"T-Twilight...?" Celestia echoed as her eyes started to glaze over, her breathing becoming slower and slower as her wound made her majestic white coat a deep crimson color. Sombra tossed the spear to the ground as he watched her take her last few final breaths before Princess Celestia remained still, her eyes frozen with a look of failure and despair as Sombra continuously laughed into the night.
A shutter coursed through Luna's body and her wings twitched uncontrollably as she tried to regain her flight but with carrying the unconscious Twilight she couldn't get herself steadied and dropped to the earth hitting the ground pretty hard the battle gear protecting her from the fall as Twilight was flung into a nearby tree hitting the trunk and resting on the ground. A moan was heard as Twilight moved slowly and as she opened her eyes she saw Luna breathing heavily and she looked like she lost something dear to her.
"Princess Luna...? What happened? Where am I?" Twilight asked as she tried to get to her feet but from having all the magic drained out of her her body wouldn't cooperate.
"Sister...? Why can't I feel her? Why can't I feel Celestia???" Luna cried out as she started to go into a panic. Twilight crawled her way over to her and sat in front of her looking into her eyes.
"Luna! What's happened? Talk to me!" Twilight tried to get her under control as she stared into her eyes. It took a few moments but Luna finally regained her composure and shook her head back and forth as if trying to wake from a bad dream.
"Twilight, you're awake. Thank the heavens you are okay." she said as she also sat down feeling a bit drained herself from flying.
"I've been better," she replied as she let out a sigh. "Where are we? Can you tell me what happened?"
"We are are few hours flight from Ponyville. Something terrible has happened and I need to go back. I need to find my sister." Twilight suddenly looked worried and her thoughts cleared for a moment to reveal those tragic events that happened not so long ago.
"Oh no! Is Celestia okay? Please tell me she's alright."
"I think she is in trouble. Can you make it back safely?" Luna asked as she got to her hooves and stretched out her wings.
"After a short rest I should be able to start heading back. Let me come with you. I can help!" Twilight begged as she tried to stand but fell back onto her haunches.
"No, Twilight Sparkle. You can barely stand let alone fight. Head back home and wait for us there. Recover your strength for I fear the worst is yet to come." Luna ordered her as she took to the sky and headed back towards where the battle took place leaving Twilight in the now quiet of the forest as she laid down the memories of her friends laying dead all around her flooded back into her head as she broke down, tears streaming down her cheeks.
It only took Luna half the time to get back to where they rescued Twilight for she wasn't carrying that extra weight but she couldn't just leave her sister all alone to fight that monster. Hovering over the scene it took her only but a moment to assess the situation for the light of the full moon shone down upon the lifeless form of Celestia. Landing silently next to her sister, Luna's eyes filled with sorrow and hatred as they threatened to burst forth with tears as she knelt down next to Celestia's face.
"Forgive me, my sister. I should not have left your side..." Luna said softly as she gazed upon her frozen face and the look that death left in her eyes. Using her magic she closed her sister's eyes as she sat next to her cold body the pool of blood already soaked into the stone and dirt of the surrounding area.
"Well, well, well. Look who we have here?" Sombra's voice called out from the shadows. Quickly getting up on her hooves Luna searched the darkened areas to locate where his voice was coming from.
"Show yourself, fiend! Face me and I will show you a real nightmare!" Luna's voice was dripping with rage and every word she spoke was as clear as crystal.
"Don't be in such a hurry. There's plenty of time to play together. Celestia made that mistake and it brought her a quick end." Sombra let out a quiet laugh before continuing. "But I guess that's how she wanted it." Luna's quick eyes caught some movement in the shadows yet it seemed to melt into them.
"Your undoing comes swift. You will not leave this place alive!" Luna threatened as she casts a spell which lit up the area banishing all shadows. It was then she spotted him sitting in a broken chair and she turned to face him. "Only cowards hide behind the darkness."
"Then you must be the biggest coward of us all." Sombra taunted her as he got up and slowly walked towards her closing the distance between the two one step at a time. Luna just snorted at him as she got into her battle stance awaiting the first move. "You know your sister said almost those same words before I pierced her through. The question now is will you share the same fate as the almighty Celestia?" It was then that Luna shot a powerful beam of magic at him which Sombra easily avoided.
"I will finish you once and for all!" She screamed as she picked up the bloodied spear and attacked him with it. Sombra deflected it away as she continuously tried to cut, stab, slice, or just beat him with it as he advanced on her. Then suddenly as she went for another attack he teleported and reappeared right in front of her which caught her off guard, while at the same time casting an imprisonment spell around her which pinned her to the ground.
"You fool! Do you think you can really stand against the most powerful unicorn in Equestria?" Sombra spat in her face as Luna tried to break free from the spell. "It's useless to struggle once I've got you in my trap. Not only does it confine you it also stops you from using your magic. You should have noticed that all your power amounts to nothing when you're going against someone who's stronger than you." Luna said nothing in reply for she knew he spoke the truth. There is no way she can escape now and it felt like all of her magic just left her body.
"Then finish me quickly! Come on, get it over with!" Luna snarled as she just glared up at him.
"Oh you would want that, wouldn't you? You see the problem with that is Celestia's death was to quick, to uneventful, but yours," he gave her a soft chuckle as he leaned in close to her as they almost touched muzzles, "yours will be long and satisfying." Luna's eyes widened with fear as he stood back up the evil in his eyes shining brightly as he levitated four large pieces of rubble over and above them. "I'll make you a deal, princess, the more you scream the quicker it will be!"
Sombra then flattened Luna to her belly with his magic as he spread all of her legs away from her torso and if on que he dropped all four pieces of rock at the same time on top of them breaking her front and back legs with a sickening crunch. Screams of pain rang off the walls while at the same time Sombra's laughter made for a vile harmony. Blood seeped out from the rocks as one of them rolled over revealing a shredded and flattened limb as he lifted it with his magic taking a look at it.
"Does it hurt?" He asked softly as he let her leg drop to the ground. Luna was breathing rapidly and her face was a few shades lighter as he slowly paced in front of her. "I have all night and I really hope you do to," he told her as he created a magical hammer out of thin air. "Shall I keep going?" Luna's vision blurred slightly as she did her best to put on a brave face which made Sombra smile brightly to her. "That's the spirit!" he called out as he slammed the hammer into her horn cracking it in half as another scream pierced the night sky.
"Oh dear, it didn't break off after the first hit. Hold on let me try this again." He told her as he slammed it against her horn once more sending it flying off into the darkness as blood flowed from the wound and down her face. "There we go. Much better wouldn't you say?" Sombra commented as the hammer disappeared. Luna's breathing started to slow down and it looked like she was on the edge of falling unconscious but Sombra had a plan for that as well.
"Here, drink this," he told her as he produced a small vial and forced it into her mouth. In only a few quick moments Luna was fully alert as the pain flooded her senses making her cry out once more.
"Please, end this..." she begged as she stared up at him.
"But we've only just begun, my dear Luna." Sombra replied as he conjured up another weapon. This time it was a small blade like one as he slowly made his way over to the body of Celestia. "I've always wondered what I would look like as an alicorn," he thought out loud as he started to lower the weapon to her body.
"No! Don't do it...please, I beg of you!" Luna cried out as the only thing she could do was watch as he began to cut off her left wing followed by her right. He levitated them against his armor and turned to show Luna, a look of curiosity in his eyes.
"What do you think? To big? To white? Hmm, maybe I'll just stick to being a unicorn," Sombra watched Luna's horrified face as he tossed her sister's wings back onto her lifeless body. "But you are right, we need to finish this soon. There's an alicorn with my name on it and I really shouldn't keep her waiting." He told Luna as he stepped back over to her picking up that same spear with his magic. "Poetic, no? Two princesses with the same spear. Be still my heart! Well actually your heart but who's counting!"
As Sombra raised the weapon above Luna a soft smile spread across her muzzle as she closed her eyes knowing that she would be joining her sister very soon. Sombra drove the bloodied blade down into her neck as she started to choke on her own blood until she took her last breath and fell still as a quietness swept through the area leaving the gray unicorn alone once again. Letting out a sigh of pleasure he walked back over to the chair he was sitting in and sat down wiping his forehead with a hoof.
"Now, Princess Twilight, let the hunt begin. You can not hide from me for I can see your every movement, know your every thought and when you are within my grasp once again I shall have true power!" Sombra's echoing laugh filled the quietness with a heavy malice as it seemed to reach the stars above as excitement filled him to his core and with a surge of magical energy he was gone and the hunt for Twilight Sparkle begins.
Twilight awoke in the stillness of the quiet night as she moved her stiff limbs with a slight groan as she slowly stood up. Twilight must not have been out for long for it was still dark out as she flexed her wings before making her way into the starry sky. It took her a little more than an hour to get back to her castle. Twilight landed outside the front doors and using her magic she opened the doors before trotting inside and quickly closing them behind her.
Twilight collapsed in the hallway still weakened by the fight with Sombra as she heard frantic hoof steps approach her. Her wounds still caused her great pain as she tried to get up but was unable to on her own. She felt hooves wrap around her and help her to her feet when she finally noticed it was Starlight that was helping her.
"Twilight? What happened to you? Where are our friends?" Starlight's questions dripped with worry as she helped the princess to her room.
"It was Sombra. He...he..." Twilight tried to explain but the visions of her dead friends made her choke on her words as tears filled her eyes once more.
"Sombra?" Starlight echoed as she tried to calm Twilight down as best as she could. "But from what I've heard I thought you guys defeated him a few years ago."
"Well he's back! And all my friends are dead, Starlight! They're all dead!" Twilight yelled as the tears rolled down her cheeks the look of pain and revenge in her eyes as Starlight took a step back from her at her sudden out burst. "Where's Spike? I need to send a message."
"Spike? I sent him into town to get a few things for me. He should be back in a little bit. Also shouldn't it be light outside now?" Starlight couldn't help but wonder out loud. It suddenly dawned on Twilight as she looked outside and saw the ponies of Ponyville starting their day yet it was still dark outside.
"No! Please no. Please please please," Twilight started to panic as she backed away from the window.
"Twilight, what's going on? Please tell me!" Starlight worried for her friend.
"You have to leave! You got to get out of here, Starlight. He'll come for me!" Twilight told her as she looked around frantically as if trying to find something.
"I won't leave you, Twilight. Tell me what to do." Starlight watched her friend pace back and forth not sure on what she should do for her.
"Starlight you must go! It's not safe for you to be here. No pony is safe any more while he is still alive." Starlight moved in front of the princess and placed her hooves on her shoulders and looked into her eyes.
"Twilight I'm not going any where. Now tell me what to do so I can help you!" Starlight said reassuringly. "I won't leave you, no matter how bad it gets."
"But he's killed my friends and I don't want to lose another one..."
"You're not going to lose me, Twilight."
"Promise?"
"I promise." Starlight smiled to her and gave her a hug before stepping back and looking around her room. "Now what's the plan?" She asked as she pulled a few books down and started to go through them.
"Those won't help you. He's to powerful and he only wants, no needs, one more thing."
"And what's that?" Starlight asked as she continued to go through a few more books half paying attention to Twilight.
"Me..." Twilight said with a sadness as she sat down wanting everything to just go back to how it was. Suddenly her ears perked up and she stood up and started to head down stairs.
"Twilight? What is it?" Starlight called after her as she dropped the books and went after her. Twilight reached the bottom of the stairs as she laid her eyes on Spike closing the doors, returning with the items that Starlight requested. She rushed over and threw her hooves around him and held him close to her almost making Spike drop the items he was carrying.
"Twilight! You're back. Oh, Starlight I found almost everything on the list, but why did you send me out in the middle of the night?" Spike seemed a bit confused as Twilight still held on to him as Starlight took the items from him with her magic as Spike pushed back away from Twilight as he looked over her. "Are you okay?"
"No, Spike," Twilight told him as she sat down next to him. "I need you to send a message to my brother for me, Spike."
"Okay. Let me go get a scroll real quick." Spike replied as he ran off down the hall and returned a few short moments later. "Alright all set. Go ahead Twilight." Twilight started to explain everything that has happened as Spike quickly wrote down every word she said. When Twilight was finished she told him to quickly send it to Cadence who in turn will tell Shining Armor. Right as Spike took a deep breath so he could send the message there was three loud knocks on the castle doors.
BOOM. BOOM. BOOM. "Can Twilight come out to play?" A deep menacing voice resonated from the other side of them. Before any pony could answer, the doors were kicked open and standing in the thresh hold was Sombra in all his might as he grinned towards the two ponies and baby dragon that just stared wide eyed at him. As he slowly stepped into the castle it seemed the darkness from the outside followed his every step, his heavy hooves echoing through the halls.
"Well this is," Sombra paused for a moment as if searching for the right word, "pleasant." He chuckled to himself as he walked towards them. "Starlight Glimmer. It's a pleasure to finally meet you." Sombra's smile was as evil as his words as he stopped in front of Twilight who was hiding Spike behind her.
"How do you know who I am?" Starlight questioned him as she moved next to Twilight.
"Oh I know all about you, Ms. Glimmer," Sombra chuckled again as she gave him a look of confusion and uncertainty. "I see you need a bit of enlightenment so I shall tell you. Starlight Glimmer: you once had your own little village where you took away every pony's cutie marks to make them all the same until Twilight here showed up and ruined all your plans. Then you followed her around till it was time for you to take your revenge on her. I do have to admit that time travel spell you used was incredible and the way you handled Twilight with your magic," Sombra just laughed as he towered over all three of them.
"Yeah, so what?" Starlight glared up at him as she replied. "Every pony knows that story and they also know that I have changed for the better."
"Perhaps you have," Sombra said reluctantly as he eyed her closely. "But deep down inside we both know what you really want." Starlight's expression softened slightly for his words did ring a small bell inside her. "Now you on the other hand," he turned his attention on Twilight as he took a step towards her, "we have some unfinished business." Twilight was terrified and was shaking slightly. Starlight moved in between them and stood up for her friend.
"Leave her alone," she commanded. Sombra just stood there and laughed as he looked down at the small unicorn who stood in his way.
"Do you honestly think you could stop me?"
"We have stopped your return once and we will do it again!" Spike called out from behind Twilight as he glared up at Sombra who's smile just became wider with delight. His horn started to glow as he wrapped his magic around the baby dragon and pulled him away from Twilight with a scream of shock as Sombra held him close to his face.
"Give him back!" Twilight yelled as she moved around Starlight.
"Oh I'll return him to you, perhaps not the same way he is now," Sombra promised as his magic tightened around Spike making him scream out in pain.
"Stop it! Don't hurt any more of my friends! Please, I beg you!" Twilight pleaded as she stared teary eyed up at the gray unicorn. There was a sudden flash of light and Spike found himself back next to Twilight as Starlight casts a teleportation around Twilight and Spike making them both disappear before turning her attention back to Sombra.
"Well, well, well. I knew you were powerful but to actually see it with my own eyes is intriguing," Sombra stated as his eyes shown with power as he faced Starlight. "It doesn't matter where you have sent her for I know her exact location. You only delayed the inevitable."
"Not if I stop you here and now." Starlight stated as she stood her ground in front of Sombra. Her stance was firm as she stomped her hoof making each and every word ingrain itself into his ears. Sombra just laughed as he took a step back and after a few moments he took a deep breath while he composed himself before replying to her statement.
"You are not the first to say those words to me, nor will you be the last. The only question I have is how much fun will we have?" Sombra's grin never faltered as he took a step towards her. Starlight felt the overwhelming power that flowed from him as he drew closer with every hoof stop but she kept her stance as he stopped only a foot away from her. Sombra leaned down close and they almost touched muzzles as he softly said in that menacing voice of his, "Let's play a game, Starlight Glimmer."
It was then that Starlight acted and shot a powerful beam of magic point blank into Sombra's face before taking a few hops back as she gathers up magical energy in her horn. Sombra just lifted his head back up and gave a slight chuckle has he seemed to barely take any damage as his eyes shown with delight as he held his head up high and took another step towards her.
"I really do hope that's not all you have got." Sombra's words dripped with pleasure and malice as he watched her waiting for her next move. He felt quite a bit of power resonating from Starlight and he licked his lips with hunger as he continued to slowly make his way closer to her. Starlight suddenly smirked as floating magical symbols began to surround Sombra which made him stop and look at them. "What is this magic?" He questioned her as he seemed a bit nervous for this was new magic to him and wasn't sure what it was going to do to him.
"It's an ancient spell that was lost in time which belonged to Starswirl the Bearded," she explained with a look in her eyes that said I got you now.
"What? How could you know that kind of magic?" Sombra called out as the symbols closed in on him, restricting his movements as Starlight continued to cast the spell, her horn glowing brighter and brighter.
"That's what makes me different than Twilight. Sure she's the element of magic but if she knew half the spells that I knew she probably would have held her own against you." Starlight explained as she finished the spell. "Now go back to where you came from!" She called out as the symbols collapsed upon Sombra creating an implosion before blowing the castle doors out wards along with pieces of the walls. When the dust settled Starlight saw that he was still alive but was brought to his knees.
"Heh, that's much better," Sombra said as he got back up on his hooves as some blood flowed from his mouth and a few cuts on his neck and body. "Ahhh this pain. It makes one feel alive again." Sombra smirked as he wiped his muzzle with a hoof looking at his own blood for a moment before licking it off of his hoof as his eyes fell upon Starlight once more.
"What? That's not all I've got!" Starlight growled as she casts another spell, an imprisonment one this time, as a cube formed around Sombra as he started to suffocate for Starlight began to remove the oxygen from it. Sombra was gasping between laughs as he stomped his right hoof upon the ground shattering the spell that surrounded him. Taking a deep breath he just smiled at her and waited for her next set of action.
"Not to bad there. What else can you do?" Sombra taunted her as he took another step towards her. Starlight's eyes shimmered slightly with fear as she thought quickly on what she could do to stop him. Then an idea popped into her head; one spell that she hasn't used in a long while which could disable him for good. Smiling, Starlight started to charge her magic up as she prepared the spell as Sombra continuously moved slowly towards her. When she was ready she unleashed her magic at him, surrounding him with a pale blue light.
"Is this supposed to tickle?" Sombra mocked her as he stopped only a few feet from her as he looked at his body before returning his dark gaze upon her.
"Why is it not working? I don't understand..." Starlight was utterly confused as fear now shown upon her muzzle. "Why isn't it stealing your cutie mark?" She demanded as Sombra laughed heartily, his deep voice bouncing off the castle walls.
"Now I understand. Take a good look, Starlight," Sombra told her as he turned slightly and lifted up his cape revealing that he did not possess a cutie mark which made Starlight's eyes grow wide in amazement mixed with terror as she took a frightened step back from him.
"No! Stay away!" She screamed as she tried to move but the fear inside her froze her legs in place.
"Now it's my turn!" Sombra said as he seemed to just disappear before reappearing right next to Starlight her eyes filling with green magic as he just laughed while Starlight seemed to stare off into empty space.
"Why am I here?" Starlight looked around the throne room as Twilight got off her chair and made her way over to her. "Twilight? Oh thank Celestia you're safe. But what happened to Sombra?"
"Sombra? What are you talking about, Starlight? Sombra was defeated a few years ago. The question is: what are you doing here?" Twilight asked her as she moved in front of her.
"Twilight? What's wrong?" Starlight asked worriedly.
"What's wrong is that you are still here."
"Huh?"
"You have failed in your friendship lessons and are no longer my student." Twilight told her. Starlight just blinked a few times for she couldn't believe what she was hearing.
"No longer your student...?" Starlight echoed as tears formed in her eyes as she watched the princess walk around her and towards the doors. "But I thought we were friends..."
"You have no friends here anymore. No pony in Ponyville wants to be friends with you." Twilight said as she stopped at the doors her back to Starlight.
"I-I thought we were all friends. And, and Trixie is my best friend." Starlight stated as she sat down staring at Twilight's back.
"Ha! Let's see what she has to say about that." As Twilight spoke she opened the doors and Trixie stepped into the throne room and stood next to Twilight as they both faced Starlight.
"Trixie?"
"The Great and Powerful Trixie wants nothing to do with this pony. Trixie has much better things to do than be friends with her." Trixie said as she smiled towards Twilight then walked out of the room leaving Starlight with a look of shock on her muzzle as Twilight stepped over to her looking down at the broken unicorn.
"When I get back you better not be here and if I ever see you step hoof in Ponyville again then I will send you to the depths of Tartarus." Twilight promised her as she walked out of the map room, closing the doors behind her as Starlight just sat there her mind blank, eyes filled with pain and despair, as she had no idea on what to do anymore.
Sombra just laughed as he watched Starlight fill with sadness, just sitting there, the visions that he was making her see completely control her. "Enjoy your last moments here in Equestria," he said as he started to gather up his magic. "But I have more pressing matters that concern me," Sombra added as he circled her before stopping right in front of her. "Good bye, Starlight Glimmer." Sombra produced a magical symbol underneath her as he started to cast a powerful spell. "Say hello to Celestia and Luna for me!" He grinned as a beam of magical energy shot up from the symbol tearing through the roof of the castle while engulfing Starlight completely before tearing her apart a piece at a time.
Sombra just laughed as he watched her cry out in pain before her body ripped apart and disintegrated within the beam before the spell completed and the beam vanished with nothing left other than a giant scorch mark upon the ground with a matching hole in the roof of the castle. His laughter continued to echo through out the halls as he relished in the delight of his power before he turned and walked out of Twilight's castle and into Ponyville, each hoof step a bit closer to his end goal.
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.
