Twilight, Princess of Shadows

A week had passed by and Twilight continued to see Shining. A couple days ago she had invited him to sleep in her bed and he obliged. It even got to the point where she removed the crystals on his horn without having to worry about him trying anything. Meanwhile Sombra and Twilight came up with a plan of attack. They needed to get their troops over the boarder to get to Canterlot. Fortunately after their initial victory over Equestria when the war started they had greatly expanded the empire’s boarders. It was so vast that Equestria wouldn’t be able to properly defend it all. After much searching they finally found an area that was lightly guarded and could be penetrated without drawing attention. Then the empire’s forces would launch an attack against an Equestrian outpost as a diversion while Sombra and Twilight would lead a smaller force to launch a surprise attack on Canterlot. But before they went ahead with it there was something they needed to know first.

Twilight entered her room. “Shining come with me, there’s something I want to show you.”

Shining got up and followed behind her. They made it to a room and she opened the door. Sombra was waiting inside and she went to stand by him. But what caught Shining’s eye was a suite of armor on a mannequin and he went to take a closer look. It had some similarities to the armor the empire’s troops wore but enough changes were made to make it distinguishable from the others and instead of the steel look the others had it was colored black. But the main change was to the helmet which had a different look then the others and had a detachable mask that would completely cover somepony’s face, eyes included. Also it wasn’t enchanted so the wearer could retain their individuality and not end up an obedient drone like the others.

“What’s with the armor?”

“It’s a gift for you should you choose to accept. Equestria is nearing its end and it’s time to make a decision. Will you fight for the Crystal Empire, Captain,” said Twilight.

Shining grabbed the helmet, looked it over, and let out a sigh. If I do this there will be no going back.

Shining gave a look of determination and put the helmet on, he then started to equip the rest. “A wise decision.”

Celestia had the Elements of Harmony still incased in stone spheres moved from their resting place in the Everfree Forest to her throne room. She contemplated on how she could use them to her advantage after losing her connection to them.

If what Sombra said is true and Twilight is the bearer of the Element of Magic then that would explain why I can no longer wield them. It also means that there must be five other bearers out there. There may still be a chance to turn this around, but how do I find the other bearers?

Sombra and Twilight briefed Shining on their plan, afterwards the diversionary attack force were given their orders and told to attack the next day at sunset when the sun touches the horizon. Once night had fallen Sombra, Twilight, and Shining lead their forces under the cover of darkness to the boarder. Before they reached it Sombra and Twilight went ahead to neutralize the guards. As the troops passed Shining noticed all the guards were standing at their posts like a statue with dark magic in their eyes.

“Twilight what exactly did you two do to them?”

“Well if you must know, we used our magic to mess with their minds and put them in sort of a standstill for the moment. Once we leave the area they’ll go back to their old selves and go about their business as if nothing happened.”

“Huh, impressive.”

It took all night but they finally made it to the base of the mountain and in the caves before the sun came up. Since the attack wouldn’t start until sunset they used this time to let the troops and themselves rest after their long march to get here. The day passed by and the sun was lowering with only minutes until the attack would begin. They found the boarded up entrance to Canterlot and the troops were waiting for orders.

Twilight went up to Shining. “So you ready for this?”

“As I’ll ever be I suppose.”

She gave him a kiss. “You’ll do great.”

Sombra appeared and approached them. “The sun has touched the horizon, it’s time to begin. Twilight and I will take our positions, Captain wait about thirty seconds after we leave and then storm the city. Once things get underway we’ll begin our infiltration of the castle, when the city is subdued meet us in the throne room.”

Sombra and Twilight disappeared, Shining then addressed the troops. “Soldiers of the Crystal Empire the time has come, the war ends now. Our objective is to take the city and kill or subdue any guards we come across. But remember this is an occupation not a massacre so I want to keep civilian casualties to a minimum. Don’t attack any unless they put up a fight. Understood?!”

They saluted. “Yes sir!”

Shining attached his mask and faced the entrance. He then charged a spell and blasted the wood to pieces which was loud and noticeable. “CHARGE!”

Before ponies could figure out what just happened they panicked and ran as enemy troops started storming the streets. The guards that were out on patrol were easily overwhelmed. Shining hung back a little to better observe and direct his troops as necessary, quickly gaining a lot of ground. As they advanced Shining came across the one thing he prayed he wouldn’t. Shining saw his father Night Light outside ready to start a fight with a couple of soldiers and his mother Velvet halfway hiding in the doorway of their home trying to coax him back in. Shining grabbed Night Light in his magic and tossed him through the doorway landing on his back, Velvet went to check on him as Shining made his way inside. His father looked at him with anger and his mother with fear, both turned to shock when he removed the mask.

“S-Shining?” said Velvet.

“It’s not safe out there at the moment. Stay inside until things die down.”

“How could you?” said Night with disappointment in his voice.

“I promise when this is over I’ll come back and explain. Just stay inside for now.” Shining reattached his mask and left. The troops were moving on ahead while Shining decided to slow his pace and take in his surroundings. There were screams in the distance, some of the streets ran red with the blood of dead guards, ponies were cowering in their homes, and a lost filly was crying for her mom. He hung his head low for a moment. No going back.

Shining picked his head up and his pace to rejoin the others. Once most of the city was locked down Shining rounded up some troops to march on the castle. They busted through the front gate and approached the barrier surrounding the castle with a few guards standing on the other side of it. “Steel yourselves men, they can’t make it through that shield!” said an officer.

The guards on the other side felt safe in their current position. Unfortunately for them Shining’s knowledge of and talent with shield spells allowed him to create a small opening for his troops to funnel through. The guards were aghast, they quickly ran inside and tried to block the door, but there were too many and the enemy forced their way in. Some stood and fought while others thought it best to lay down their weapons and surrender. When the fight was over the ones that surrendered were rounded up.

“You men stay behind and watch them. The rest of you with me.”

A guard recognized his voice. “Captain?” Shining looked at him and removed his mask, surprising the guards. “What did they do to you?”

“You men just cooperate and you’ll make it through this.”

Shining dropped his mask and left it behind feeling he no longer needed to hide his face. He and the others began to make their way to the throne room.

(Earlier)

Sombra and Twilight watched as the city descended into chaos after the attack was launched. “It’s time to make our move, let’s go,” said Sombra.

They made it to the statue, moved it aside, and went into the tunnel. Their progress was slowed as they carefully searched for any traps or defenses and disabled them as they went.

Celestia was setting on her throne when Cadence and a guard came rushing in. “Your highness Canterlot is under attack!”

Celestia was shocked. “How could they have made it here without being noticed?! We can’t let them in! We must do whatever we can to holdout until reinforcements arrive!”

“You don’t understand they’re already in. The Crystal Empire’s forces are surging through the streets. It’s like they just appeared out of nowhere.”

Celestia couldn’t believe what she just heard and a chill ran down her spine. She got up and went over to them. “Then we have to act quickly before it’s too late. We must-” Celestia was interrupted when she heard something behind her. The three looked over and a group of floor tiles to the side of the throne started to rise up and slid to the side. Sombra and Twilight emerged from it and sealed the opening behind them with crystal. “Impossible.”

“Hello Celestia. Well look what we have here, it seems you recovered the Elements from there resting place. Not that it will do you any good.”

“There’s no way you could have known about the escape tunnel or made it through undetected.”

“Oh but there is. The good captain was very informative once persuaded properly.”

The guard knew he needed to go and get help. He made a break for the door but Twilight appeared in front of him cutting him off. “Going somewhere?” She cast a spell that began to rapidly turn him to crystal and he let out a brief scream before he was completely consumed. She began to walk past him and deliberately bumped her flank into him causing the guard to fall over and break into several pieces. “Oops.”

While that happened Sombra used his magic on the room to prevent the princesses from teleporting away. “There’s no escape for you Celestia, your reign is over. This ends now.”

Cadence looked terrified. “Cadence you need to get ahold of yourself. We can take them, just follow my lead and do what I say, okay?”

Cadence nodded but they weren’t about to get an opportunity to coordinate a strategy. Sombra and Twilight fired a bolt in their direction and the two moved to dodge, but they weren’t being targeted. The two beams met in the middle and created a shockwave that forced Celestia and Cadence away from each other. Sombra quickly engaged Celestia to keep her busy while Twilight appeared next to Cadence and blasted her with a spell that pushed her back to the wall and crystals formed on her horn. Sombra broke off for the moment and Twilight turned to face them.

“Well some help she was, looks like it’s just you against us now.”

Celestia gave them a look of intense frustration and the two attacked. Celestia was able to hold her own throughout the fight but was on the defense for the most part and was slowly being worn-down. She managed to force Twilight back towards the throne with Sombra off to Celestia’s right when the throne room doors burst open drawing their attention. A few guards rushed in and tried to block the door behind them.

“Princess the castle is being over…ah shit.”

The doors flew open sending the guards back and some troops entered spears at the ready. They parted a little and Shining stepped forward in front of them, surprising the guards and princesses. “You men get one opportunity to lay down your arms and surrender. I advise you to take it.”

The guards looked at each other and knew it was over, they tossed their weapons away. Twilight seized the opportunity and sent a blast of dark magic at Celestia. She just noticed it in time to put up a shield and the beam deflected hitting the sphere containing the Element of Magic, starting a reaction. A beam shot from it connecting to the other Elements. No pony knew what was happening. The Elements rose from their stone spheres and flew over to Twilight, then began circling her gaining speed until she became lost in a swirling rainbow of colors. But the colors soon started to darken and dull followed by a blast. Smoke clouded the area where she had been standing but quickly dissipated.

Sombra muttered. “Yes.”

Celestia muttered. “No.”

The Elements were lying on the floor dull and gray, as if drained of their power. As for Twilight she looked mostly the same except for the new bat wings, ear tufts, and slitted pupils along with her coat and mane becoming darker in color. Twilight looked herself over and outstretched one of her wings to examine it.

Click Here: The New Twilight

Sombra started laughing. “Celestia your situation just became beyond hopeless. Let’s finish this.” Twilight fired a bolt and Celestia shielded but it quickly began to spider web and shattered. Sombra quickly followed up with a spell before she could recover and crystals appeared on her horn. Twilight cast another spell that knocked her down and kept her down. Celestia tried summoning her strength, struggling to get up but Twilight went over and made black tendrils come out of the ground and wrapped around her to keep her still. Sombra approached her as well with a smug grin. “You lose, and here I thought victory couldn’t get any sweeter.” He turned his attention to Twilight. “Look at you, an alicorn. Albeit a little different looking, but it suits you. How do you feel?”

“Fantastic.”

Sombra turned a little to look at Cadence. She had barely moved an inch since being taken out of the fight. She was crying and visibly shaking. In her fear induced state of mind Cadence did the only thing she could think of. She fell forward onto her belly and put her hooves over her head.

“I-I surrender, p-please mercy.”

It pained Celestia to see her niece like that but couldn’t blame her seeing the way things are going. Sombra decided she could wait for the moment and turned his attention back to Celestia. He created a crystal sword and took aim. “Any last words?”

“You may have won for now but mark my words one day you’ll fall and Equestria will be restored to its former glory,” she said in an angry tone.

“Duly noted.” Sombra plunged the sword into her chest, piecing her heart. She fell limp and he left the sword in. He turned and approached Cadence, who looked up at him with pleading eyes. She could be a liability. Although she may prove to be an asset. “Captain, put her in the dungeon until I figure out what to do with her.” Shining went over to her and Cadence tried to get up but had lost the feeling in her legs. So Shining picked her up in his magic and left. “Soldiers take these guards and round up the others that have surrendered in one spot. I shall deal with them soon.”

The others left leaving Sombra and Twilight alone. “So what’s next?”

“I want messengers sent to every corner of this land to tell of what happened here. Equestria is no more and the Crystal Empire is now a proper nation, not just some isolated city state. We’ll have to address our new subjects and make sure the old guard doesn’t cause any trouble. After that we can begin reshaping the nation we see fit. So let’s get to work.”

(Meanwhile)

In the statue garden Discord felt a magical disturbance that made him wiggle all over, that is if he could move. Then his stone prison began to crack until he broke free. He then proceeded to feverishly scratch an area on the lower part of his back. “Ooooh sweet relief, having an itch you can’t scratch for close to a century is so annoying.” He finished scratching and stretched a little. “Now what was that I just felt? It was powerful, but what could it have been?” Discord’s expression turned thoughtful and he pulled a calabash pipe seemingly out of nowhere and put it in his mouth then started blowing bubbles with it. “Hmmmm.”