Count Sombra

It’s been weeks since Shining and Cadence have been married, and Cadence hasn’t heard from Luna at all. She’s worried for her friend. A horrible thought comes to her mind. What if that stallion got to her just because Cadence refused his offer? She paces around in worry as her husband comes in.

“Is everything alright, Cadence?” he asks in genuine concern.

“No, nothing is right. I’m worried about Luna. I have not heard from her ever since she got married. I do hope she is okay.” Cadence sighs quietly.

Shining gives her a reassuring smile. “Hey. I’m sure she’s fine. She probably just needs time with Trixie. They did get married the same time we did, after all.”

“You may be right. I just...can’t shake the feeling that something is wrong.” Cadence bites her lip. Maybe a visit to Ponyville would be best. She could check up on Luna, see how she’s doing.

“Oh, I forgot to tell you. A letter came from Ponyville about five minutes ago. It must be from Luna.”

Cadence takes the letter from Shining’s hoof and opens it quickly. She scans it and she turns pale. No...no, it can’t be...

“What is it, dear?” Shining asks as he sees the letter float to the ground.

She looks at him and her eyes are filled with tears. “Luna is dead.”

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The journey to Ponyville is a quiet one. Shining and Cadence are the only two on the train and they just sit and hold each other, occasionally whispering words of comfort. Cadence is the most devastated; she lost her best friend in the world. The letter didn’t explain how she died, it just told them that she was found by Professor Celestia van Helsing and that the memorial service would take place in a few days. But Candence can’t help but wonder if the stallion had any role to play in her death. She certainly hopes not. Once they arrive in Ponyville, Shining and Cadence go to the cemetery for the memorial service. Cadence doesn’t even hear the priest’s words; she’s too caught up in grief. Her and Luna have known each other since they were foals. They were practically inseparable...

“You must be Madame Cadence,” a voice says, “who was such a good friend to Miss Lucy.”

She looks up and sees a stallion with a green mane. “Yes.”

The stallion extends a hoof. “Celestia van Helsing. I assume this fine stallion is your husband?”

“Yes, he is.” She shakes his hoof. “His name is Shining Armor.”

“It’s nice to meet you, sir.” Shining smiles politely.

“You have just returned from the Crystal Empire, have you not? Tell me; were you bitten?”

“Just once.”

Celestia nods. “Then in a few months you shall return to your former self.” He turns to Twilight, Trixie, and Applejack. “Now, we must meet back here in two weeks time.”

“Here? Why here?” Twilight asks, a bit of irritation in his voice.

“I am sure Celestia knows what he is doing. Let’s not be so quick to judge,” Trixie states, his voice scratchy and quiet.

Celestia doesn’t seem to hear the grieving stallion. “If the vampire only took her blood, then all is good and well. We need not continue further. But if they shared blood — him to her and her to him — I fear we have a bigger case on our hooves....”

“Now you have gone too far, Professor!” Applejack storms over and the others block his way. “What nonsense is this you speak of? Surely you do not think Luna will become one of the undead! This is madness!”

“Please! I know how difficult this must be for all of you!” Shining pushes his way through the blockade of stallions. “But before you tell him no, you must understand. I will tell you my story of my time in the Crystal Empire. Allow me to share my experiences. If the Professor is right, we need to be prepared.”

The tension in the air is so thick that it could be cut with a knife and not be broken. All is still for a moment before Applejack finally speaks, his voice strained as he grits his teeth. “Very well.”

Shining leads the way to his home and the group follows. The cemetery seems to be quiet except for the sound of hoofsteps. Count Sombra emerges from the shadows, a smirk on his face. They have no idea that this funeral is not much of a funeral after all; no, this is a birth. The birth of his new dynasty. He looks over and sees Luna, her cainines now long and sharp.

“In no time,” he says softly, “you will become a goddess of Equestria. Go, my dear. Show the world your dark potential!”

Luna smiles. Her wings spread and she takes off into the night in search of prey. Sombra, however, comes up with a plan.

He will make sure Cadence is his, whether she likes it or not.