All Hail, Midnight Sparkle!

Chapters

Princess Woes
Sunday in the Park with Sombra
Two Minutes to Midnight
The Midnight Hour
New Ally
Creation of Darkness
Ending the Evil
Stroke of Midnight
Nightmareland
For the Stallion Who Has Everything
For the Stallion Who Has Nothing
Crystal Clear
Battle for the Crystal Heart Part I
Battle for the Crystal Heart Part II
Journey to the Center of Twilight's Mind
At the Stroke of Midnight
Darkest Night, Brightest Dawn
A New Day
Prologue
A Chink in the Armor
Epilogue: Watcher in the Darkness

Princess Woes

Twilight rubbed at one eye and smacked her lips in a post-nap yawn, thankful to have experienced at least a brief instance of uninterrupted sleep. The nightmares that had been plaguing the young princess over the last few months prevented her from getting a complete good night's sleep and despite Spike's protestations, refused to ask either Princess Celestia or Luna for help. Lifting her head up, she pushed away from her desk and strode out of her new bedroom, her hooves clinking against the crystalline floors. Following the battle with Lord Tirek, Golden Oaks Library had been reduced to a burnt-out husk of wood and torn papers, a sad fate for what had become Twilight’s home. Thanks to the Tree of Harmony, however, a new castle had appeared to replace the library and everypony was ecstatic for the new headquarters, informally dubbed "the Castle of Friendship."

Everpony, that is, except for Twilight.

It wasn't that she didn't feel any sort of appreciation for the new castle, the glittering crystalline structure a gift from the Tree of Harmony for saving Equestria once again. The issue was that the castle just lacked the coziness that the library gave her, giving her a sense of home and belonging in its wooden walls and stacks of books. On the other hoof, the castle was too clean and sterile, emitting a feeling of impersonal coldness that made her skin crawl. Like the other issues occurring in her life, Twilight was resigned to just grin and bear it. After all, it was her duty as a princess to do what was needed of her, regardless of personal discomfort.

Twilight slid past the double doors and entered a large room where six chairs surrounded a circular table with a holographic map of Equestria in the center, hence the unimaginative title of "the map room." Spike was seated atop a throne bearing Twilight's cutie mark, his nose deep in a comic book. At the moment, the others all off attending to errands and other personal tasks, thus leaving only the two of them as its only occupants. Spike glanced up from his comic book and upon spotting Twilight, hopped down from the throne and hastily dusted it off.

"I was, uh, just keeping it warm for you!"

Twilight rolled her eyes and took a seat. "What's on the agenda for today?" She asked somewhat testily.

Spike winced at her harsh tone and retrieved a small notebook with a shaking claw.

"Well...there's the interview with the reporter from the Canterlot Gazette, your allotted 'Twilight Time' with the Cutie Mark Crusaders, the meeting with Mayor Mare to go over Winter Wrap-Up preparations..."

Rubbing her temples, Twilight let out a groan and slumped back into her throne. For reasons beyond her, royal duties had become tedious and even loathsome, becoming akin to pushing a boulder up a hill only for it to roll back down just as it reached the peak. Paperwork was one thing, an activity that Twilight enjoyed immensely but the constant demands for her time and attention were starting to grate on her. Things were much simpler when she was just Celestia's student, back when the only issues she had to consider were her studies. Now she was a celebrity, somepony that the masses watched constantly for her next success or failure and lapping it up like milk.

It's difficult, isn't it? Giving all the time when everypony else just takes? Funny how they didn't give you this kind of attention until AFTER you became a princess.

There it was again. Ever since her first official date with Sombra, Twilight had heard the occasional input from a voice that sounded much like her own, only more snide and superior-sounding. It was sometimes unwelcome and intrusive but helped to bring Twilight's inner turmoils to the surface. The alicorn told nopony about the voice, believing it to be a coping mechanism for stress and even if she wanted to, she felt there was no need to. No, it was more than that. She was compelled to secrecy, as if she was unable to speak her mind about the subject.

"Um, Twilight?"

Twilight jerked her head to stare down at Spike. "Sorry, I was deep in thought. You were saying?"

"I was saying that you have to check back with Princess Celestia on the Summer Sun Celebration-..."

"Oh to Tartarus with the Summer Sun Celebration!" Twilight snapped abruptly, the sudden outburst sending Spike sprawling with his back on the floor. She leapt down from her throne and began to pace around Spike, her violet eyes blazing with hatred.

"First she claims all the glory and demonizes the night, portraying herself as some faultless goddess. Then she has the gall to add Luna to the celebration as some sort of a consolation prize! What about me?! That-that arrogant, back-stabbing, high-and-mighty..."

The purple mare froze, her gaze slowly drifting over to peer at her number one assistant. The drake's eyes were saucer-wide and full of confusion as well as...fear. His chest heaved in slow but hard breaths, one claw held up instinctively as his employer and guardian towered over him. Twilight felt her heart sink at the sight, her unfurled wings falling limp at her sides, the horror of what she'd done crushing her heart in a tight grip. What was happening to her?

"Spike, I...I'm so sorry," she choked and hung her head sorrowfully, tears beading her cheeks and soaking her coat. "I don't know what got into me."

A short moment later, she felt a small but strong claw grip her shoulder and peered up through blurry eyes to find Spike flashing her a reassuring smile.

"It's okay, Twi. I know things have been tough lately." His expression then became serious. "You should talk to Princess Celestia about this. You can't keep living like this."

"N-no," Twilight replied with a sniffle, scrubbing at her eyes. "I'm fine. It's just the stress getting to me."

"But Twilight-..."

"Promise me you won't tell anypony."

Spike sighed and nodded, pulling Twilight into a one-armed hug. "I promise."

Unbeknownst to Twilight, and much to his own shame, Spike had his fingers crossed.

~*~

From her room in the upper levels of the castle, Princess Celestia stared down contemplatively at the streets below, beholding her subjects going about their daily routines, unaware of the internal strife of their co-monarch. It was only a few months ago that she found herself lying beaten and weak in the street, her former lover and most ardent foe holding her at sword-point. What she'd told Sombra that day was true; she indeed felt remorse for everything that'd transpired as a result of her own carelessness. Facing her possible demise bestowed the solar princess with a certain level of clarity, bringing to light her various wrongdoings over the course of her thousand-plus years of life. Celestia exhaled, bringing the wine glass to her lips and allowing the sour-sweet liquid to flow down her throat.

"Sister? Are you well?"

She'd not heard Princess Luna enter her room and turned to face the mare.

"I'm alright, Luna."

"You're thinking about him, aren't you?"

Celestia had to grin at this. Even after so many centuries apart, it was startling how well her little sister could still read her. Placing her wine glass aside, she nodded.

"I created him. One of the worst threats to Equestria and it was because of me. If I hadn't been so selfish-..."

"You made a mistake, Tia. It takes a lot of introspection to be able to admit it. Now the question is, what are you going to do about it?"

In truth, Celestia had no idea. Sombra was a fugitive from the law but he did attack her and numerous guards, openly practiced dark magic and was responsible for property damage and causing a public panic. In all fairness, he deserved to be a criminal but only because Celestia forced a kiss on him. The thought of such a deplorable action filled her with much self-loathing. If she'd been able to control herself, if she hadn't tried pursuing Sombra in the vain hope of stoking the embers of their dying romance, then maybe he would still be in custody as opposed to Faust-knows-where. The last anypony had heard of Sombra was that he'd left Equestria altogether.

"I don't know," Celestia finally answered. "But I swear, one day I will make it up to him."

A rolled-up parchment dropped from the ceiling, landing right in front of Celestia. Cracking open the seal, she unfolded the parchment and read through it, eyes widening as she made it to the last word.

"It's from Spike. Apparently, Twilight has become very irritable and quick to anger. What's more is that she's been having reoccurring nightmares for the past few months, ones strong enough to scare her awake."

Luna's brow furrowed in confusion. "That's not possible. If Twilight has been having nightmares, then I would've been able to detect them whilst in the Dream Realm."

"I know, this is very troubling news. Do you think it's possible anypony could shield Twilight's dreams?"

"It'd have to be somepony very powerful. Sombra perhaps?"

Celestia shook her head. "As strong as a spell caster as he is, not even he has the power to affect the dream world in such a way. Plus, Sombra never acts without some greater goal in mind. What benefit could possibly come from torturing the mare that he loves?"

"Fair enough. I shall visit Twilight's dreams tonight and see if anything is amiss," Luna vowed and turned to leave. "I will let you know what I find. If I find anything at all."

The door latched shut behind her as Celestia turned to once more face the window. She didn't know what was happening but couldn't shake the feeling that this was merely a prelude to something much, much more nefarious.

Sunday in the Park with Sombra

In the heart of Manehattan, there lay an expansive park that was a popular site for locals and tourists for the past two hundred years, an eight hundred and forty-three acre recreational center of hills, rolling fields and wooded areas. It was dotted with ponds, lakes, and playgrounds, making it the perfect location for families and couples. Today, it was abuzz with activity as ponies flocked to it to enjoy the beautiful day as Princess Celestia's sun shone overhead and was accompanied with a gentle breeze. Amidst the revelry, a lone stallion stood next to the bank of a small pond, seemingly unaware of the festivities occurring around him as he stared into the rippling surface. Despite being a unicorn, he tossed some clumps of bread into the pond with his hooves, watching them fatten with moisture and float atop the water before disappearing into the bills of a passing flock of ducks.

In the eyes of the public, he was just a stallion with a red-brown coat and blue-gray mane and tail, the image of a question mark adorning his flank. The truth was, however, he was none other than Sombra, former ruler of the Crystal Empire and criminal fugitive. This was due to the glamour charm he wore, disguising his true appearance and thus allowing him to navigate his way through the bustling metropolis undisturbed. Emptying the bread bag, Sombra dumped it into a nearby trashcan and slung his saddlebags onto a wooden bench before taking a seat next to it. Anonymity was a double-edged sword: there was nopony who bothered you out of recognition but on the same token, you were completely and utterly alone.

Sombra unfurled a newspaper and skimmed through it, musing how interesting it was that current day-to-day events were compartmentalized for the usage of the commoner. Princess Celestia met with the scorponies to grant them their own lands, agreeing to permit them a stretch of land ranging from the Badlands to Mackintosh Hills and a sliver of the Mysterious South to colonize. An Abyssinian witch was caught foalnapping and her hut was torched to the ground, the arsonists managing to rescue a young pegasus filly she'd captured from the inferno. Strange seismic activity was reported in the Frozen North and vanishing just as quickly. Patients in a Canterlot mental institution were all gibbering about a rising darkness and a "returning emperor."

So good news all around?

Snorting contemptuously, Sombra crumpled the newspaper up and stuffed it back into his saddlebags. He turned and found an earth pony filly seated next to him, her large golden eyes unblinkingly inspecting him. She had a light rose coat, orchidish gray mane and a cutie mark of three bright red strawberries. Sombra had very little experience dealing with foals and thus shrank slightly as the filly beamed at him, pushing himself and his saddlebags further down the bench. The filly's grin never wavered, however, and she pulled her swirly lollipop out of her mouth to address him.

"Hi there! I'm Strawberry Fields! What's your name?"

"Um...Guess Who?"

"Hi Guess Who!"

Sombra eyed her curiously. "Where are your parents?"

"Well Daddy is at the record company managing a band and Mommy is over at the stand getting ice cream."

Ah yes, ice cream. Sombra had become familiar with the frozen treat during his travels and had become quite fond of it. Between ice cream and cookies, he was fearing that he was going to become a big fat slob and it took all of his willpower to refrain from partaking in such sugary delights every day. It was not just the food that'd changed during his banishment and subsequent imprisonment but also the music, mandolins and flutes giving way to guitars and switchboards. Although he preferred classical, rock n' roll and jazz were both enjoyable to listen to.

"How come you're sitting all alone?"

"Because I am alone."

Strawberry stared up at him sadly. "No family? Friends? A special somepony?"

Sombra sighed and stared off into the distance. "I...have a special somepony. But it's complicated."

"How come?"

He turned once more to face the filly. "Because relationships are never simple."

"Mommy and Daddy sometimes fight but then tell me that they're not fighting, they're just 'disagreeing.' Are you and your special somepony disagreeing?"

Sombra's initial discomfort vanished, replaced with the need for companionship, even if his current companion was too young to understand his situation. "No but like I said, it's complicated. Her friends don't like me very much. Not that I blame them."

Time away from Equestria had changed much of Sombra's views, affording him opportunity for self-reflection. Oh he was still angry with Celestia but his rage had been tempered quite exponentially, leaving him more irritated than enraged. It pained him to betray the trust of Twilight and her friends, who had tried so hard to get to know him and try to make his life easier. His quest for vengeance had hurt him more than Celestia. He was still a fugitive and despite their demoralizing encounter, which ended in Celestia being publicly beaten, the alicorn was still in charge and ruling Equestria.

"Why, did you do something bad?" Strawberry innocently inquired.

Snapping out of his musings, Sombra peered down at her. "I did. And now, I can't be around my special somepony. The fact is I can't do anything to make things right."

"Did you try apologizing? My Mommy says, 'Sorry is the hardest word in the Ponish language to say but the easiest one to spell.' I think, er, yes."

For once since their conversation started, Sombra smiled at Strawberry. Foals were paradoxically both simple-minded and complex thinkers, their naivete and straightforwardness containing an odd kind of wisdom. He hadn't spoken to Twilight in months, keeping his distance so as to evade arrest and to keep her safe but as a result, it seems to have strained their relationship. Perhaps it wouldn't hurt to reach out to her, at least in a limited capacity. He stood up and pulled on his saddlebags, this time remembering to use his magic.

"Thank you, Strawberry Fields. Have a nice day."

"You too!" The filly shouted, wildly waving a hoof.

As he exited the park, Sombra contemplated his options for contacting Twilight and repairing their relationship. He'd tried astral projection several times but something seemed to be blocking his astral form from entering the castle, which was the only place that he could safely speak to her. The last time that he'd checked, Celestia had only warded Twilight's home from physical intrusions so perhaps the solar princess wised up to his tricks. Using Zecora as an intermediary was no longer an option as the normally reclusive zebra's constant visits would raise too many questions. Making a hard right, Sombra continued his journey downtown, vigilantly watching passersby should his glamour slip up.

At one point, Sombra had considered moving to Ponyville and adopting an assumed identity but that idea had quickly been scrapped. There would be census and tax records to be filled out on a yearly basis and there would be inquiries into the past of a newcomer to a small town. Then, of course, there was the fact that it was the home of Celestia's former student and she was known to pop in for a visit every now and then. As much as he liked Twilight's friends, with the exception of Rainbow Dash, he didn't trust them to keep his identity a secret, as their loyalties were tightly bound to Celestia and the good of Equestria. Not that he entirely blamed them, mind you.

The environment gradually changed, morphing from pristine skyscrapers and squeaky-clean intersections to dilapidated buildings and trash-littered streets. Downtown Manehattan was the poorer section of the city, an area where the noponies lived and this made it the perfect place for a fugitive to stay. In the slums of Downtown Manehattan, nopony cared who you were or what you did and as long as you lived your life without issue, nopony asked any questions. One might think that a former king would take umbrage with living in squalor but Sombra wasn't always royalty and considered a filthy, graffiti-covered apartment building a step up from the icy wastes of the Frozen North. For all of his faults, one of Sombra's shinning virtues was that he was a survivor.

Entering an alleyway that led to the building, Sombra froze upon hearing a crashing sound nearby and checking to confirm his current solitude, dropped his glamour, once more assuming his natural form. He carefully strode towards a stack of crumbling cardboard boxes, his horn burning with a red glow and ready to thrash the fool who wished to challenge him. Manually tossing a few of the boxes aside, he paused once he found the source of the racket. It was a puppy sniffing at a broken jar of rotten pickles before spotting the umbrum and wagging his tail jubilantly. Sombra powered down his horn and heaved a sigh before lifting the puppy up by the scruff of its neck.

"So you're the one making all of this noise?"

The puppy yipped, panting at him with a large grin. It, or he rather, was a dark brown with shades of red, a splotch of white over his right eye and black tips on his floppy ears. His fur was coated with mud, soot and other kinds of filth, evidently never receiving a proper bath. Sombra sniffed at the puppy and recoiled, the stench of rancid fruit assaulting his nostrils. He cocked his head at the mutt's dopey grin.

"You're not afraid of me?"

Another excited yip escaped the puppy's muzzle. Frowning, Sombra bared his fangs at the puppy in the largest scowl he could muster, his eyes glowing green with streams of purple fog. In response, something moist shot out and lapped at his nose, causing him to draw back in shock. The green retreated to reveal Sombra's bewildered red eyes.

"D-did you just lick me?"

The puppy happily barked seemingly in confirmation.

A smile worked its way onto Sombra's face. "Very well then. I suppose I can't leave you out here to gnaw at scraps. Come, Sir-Licks-A-Lot, I'll give you a bath and some proper food. Maybe the closest orphanage will have better use for you."

With that, Sombra cradled the puppy in his free foreleg and gingerly carried him inside the apartment building, once more adorning his disguise.

Two Minutes to Midnight

"Thanks for letting me in, Applejack. I really needed somepony to talk to."

Applejack nodded in understanding. "It's no problem, Sugarcube. Now tell me what's on yer mind."

The two sat in the kitchen of the Apple family house, a glass pitcher of fresh apple cider and a few sliced apple wedges situated on the table between them. Applejack was in the middle of her daily chores when Spike came up to her and asked to speak to her, looking absolutely distraught and inconsolable. Dropping everything to help her friend, she led the drake inside and waited patiently for him to let her know what it was that was eating at him. Spike wrapped both hands around his cup, staring into the golden liquid as if searching for answers. Finally, he let out a sigh.

"It's about Twilight. Ever since that business with Sombra, she starting...changing." Applejack nodded but said nothing, knowing full well what he was talking about. "At first, it was minor stuff, like forgetting things or having trouble sleeping. And then after beating Lord Tirek, things just got worse. Now she's having full-blown nightmares that keep her up all night and just exploding for no reason."

"Yer worried 'bout her. Ah am too. Just tha other day, Ah saw her yellin' at a pony fer accidentally bumpin' into her when she walked by," Applejack stated worriedly. "Ah'm not sure if it's missin' Sombra or tha stress of bein' a princess but Twilight's in some serious need of help."

Spike sniffled, his green eyes moistening with tears. "I don't know what to do. She won't talk to me, just insisting that everything's fine when it isn't. I look at Twilight and sometimes I don't know who she is anymore. It's like...it's like living with a stranger."

Applejack pushed her chair back and quickly made her way to Spike's side, placing a comforting hoof on his shoulder. "There, there, Spike. Things'll work out. They always do."

"I don't know about this time," Spike sighed sorrowfully.

"Why don't we mosey on down to Sugarcube Corner an' see wha Pinkie's up ta?"

Spike gave a sad sniff and nodded. "Okay."

~*~

Twilight Sparkle anxiously paced around her room back and forth like a caged lioness, her mind a torrent of frustrations and negative thoughts. She rubbed at her aching temple, wishing that her migraine would abate and despite all of the medicine and magical remedies, it continued to plague her relentlessly. Of course it did. Lately, things have been progressing from bad to worse with no end in sight, no reprieve from the insurmountable stress that she had to endure. She had Spike cancel all of her appointments and sent the drake out for some leisurely time just so she had a minute alone to herself.

It's those ungrateful ponies. Twilight reasoned, gritting her teeth while her body trembled with seething rage. They don't appreciate what I do for them. Especially my so-called "friends."

Friends are supposed to help each other, aren't they? The Voice whispered.

Whenever somepony has a problem, no matter how insignificant, Twilight was the one who was expected to fix it. Everypony goes to her for help and advice in the misguided belief that she just has all of the answers. What about Twilight? When can somepony else take the lead and let her rest? She may be a princess but she's a pony like everypony else! For saving Equestria time and time again, she deserved it!

A series of knocks rang out, breaking Twilight's concentration. Who dared to interrupt her?! Following the intrusive pounding, which were amplified by the castle's crystalline walls, she arrived at the front doors and magically yanked one of them open. There, on the doorstep, there awaited that funny-eyed mailmare. Twilight frowned at her disapprovingly.

"Yes?"

Derpy, ignorant of Twilight's snippy tone, beamed widely. "Hi Twilight! I got a letter for you!"

"A...letter? From whom?"

The pegasus held out a sealed enveloped in one wing. "All I know is that it came from Manehattan. There's no name or return address so who knows who it's from."

Twilight snatched the envelope and turned away from Derpy.

"Well, I hope you enjoy your letter and have a nice-..."

Slamming the door in Derpy's face, Twilight hastily ripped the envelope open and roughly unfolded a sheet of paper covered in small but neat hoofwriting. She gasped at the familiar calligraphy and quickly read the letter, hungry for the details that it provided:

My dearest Twilight,

I know that I am late in writing this and even later in its delivery. Many times have I jotted these words down but I've had the most difficult time in composing them in a proper manner. I know that it has been months since we've last spoken and that in all that time, I could've sent you a thousand letters comprised of my experiences whilst on my travels. However, aside from my current legal state, I found that I could not contact you out of fear that doing so would distract me from my journey. Hearing back from you would no doubt result in me dropping everything to be in your embrace once more. The truth is, I still have no clue as to my place in this world, a world that has moved on since my banishment.

Good, evil, harmony, chaos. It's a strange place this new time where such concepts are absolutes. Over a thousand years ago, things were not so black and white. It was a period of war and strife, where survival meant fighting for what was yours in order to protect yourself and your kin. Nowadays, ponies don't have to live in such a way, letting the law and societal niceties dictate their every move. If somepony runs into you, you can't retaliate with physical force and the police are brought in to handle the situation. I learned that lesson the hard way. My point is, I still feel lost and it's taking time to adjust to the changes made in my absence but I'm doing what I can to get with the times.

I hope that this letter comes to you during a time of personal joy and fulfillment. Even now, it's astounding that the mare that I'm writing to is a princess, a leader and model citizen for the rest of Equestria to admire. I am so proud of you and if you can find it in your heart to forgive me for my foolishness, then I eagerly await your correspondence. I am here for you til the end of time.

Love, now and forever,

Sombra

Droplets of salt water dotted the letter as Twilight finished the last line. She dabbed at her cheeks and held the letter tightly to her chest, almost as if contact with the paper were tantamount to feeling her coltfriend's warmth. For an instant, all of her anger and hatred vanished, washed away in a flood of her love for the umbrum. For all of his faults, Sombra certainly had a way with words.

This is so touching. "Absence makes the heart grow fonder," they say. You know, Sombra would be here right now if it wasn't for Celestia. She's the reason he can't tell you this in person.

And like that, the malice filled Twilight once more.

"You're right. Celestia wants Sombra for herself and is keeping me from him."

Yes! She takes everything that she wants, regardless of how others feel!

A bright cyan light filled Twilight's eyes.

"Dear Tia, always being selfish. Almost as bad as that treacherous Luna!"

They must both pay for their actions. All must pay.

"All will pay."

Twilight took a few wobbling steps to the left and shook her head in confusion.

"Wh-what was I saying? Sleep. I need sleep."

~*~

Sugarcube Corner, the center for sugary goodness and entertainment for Ponyville, was surprisingly slow that afternoon so Applejack and Spike had no difficulty in obtaining a private table in the back of the shop. The Cakes were busy attending to other customers so Pinkie Pie could join the two in their discussion involving Twilight's deteriorating state. Pinkie deflated upon hearing Spike's account and gave her own two bits on the matter, having become privy to the situation herself through her own interactions. Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy and Rarity soon were added to the meeting, the lack of customers aiding in the confidentiality of their conference. After an unhealthy feast of sweets, they all swapped stories and observations about their friend.

"I was simply telling Twilight that the dress she was admiring didn't match her coat color and she went ballistic!" Rarity said in her usual dramatic fashion, though this time it was warranted. "Said something about not asking or needing my input."

Fluttershy gulped, "Yesterday I asked Twilight for help relocating some robins' nests and she told me that she didn't have time to worry about...'stupid birds.'

Rainbow Dash placed a wing over Fluttershy. "I don't know what's wrong with her but she needs to get over it!"

"Ah don't think it's that simple, Dashie. With everythin' that's been happenin' lately, Twilight's been under a tonna stress."

"Maybe we should do something to take her stress away!" Pinkie exuberantly declared. "We just need to remind her that we're all here for her!"

"Pinkie, darling, I don't think a party is what Twilight needs right now," Rarity frowned.

Spike scratched his chin pensively. "It wouldn't hurt to try, right? Things just keep piling up so Twilight feels restricted, right? Maybe a party is exactly what she needs right now."

Applejack beamed at the dragon. "Then it's settled. Tomorrow, we throw Twilight a party ta show how much she means ta us!"

~*~

With the sun lowered and Princess Celestia retiring for the evening, Princess Luna once more tended to her nocturnal duties, namely raising the moon and patrolling the dreams of Equestria's citizens. She entered the Dreamscape, a world between worlds that served as the realm of fantasies but also nightmares. It was here that she protected ponies from their darkest fears, offering guidance and protection as they contemplated the events of their waking lives. There was one, however, who required her immediate attention. Fellow princess Twilight Sparkle was in serious need of aid and Princess Luna was happy to oblige, providing assistance to the mare who freed her from Nightmare Moon's influence and helped her to adjust to the new eon.

Passing through a warbling hallway of doors, each one the residence of an individual pony's nighttime self, Princess Luna soon arrived at a particular door, one violet and adorned with the cutie mark of a twelve-sided white and pink star. Tentatively pushing it open, she entered to find herself in a castle of some kind surrounded by an endless maze of bookshelves, all of them reaching towards an unseen ceiling. It figured that Twilight would dream up such a place. She navigated her way through the literary labyrinth to happen upon a mildly shocking sight. Twilight lay curled up on a large chair next to a roaring fire, a book levitating in front of her face.

What made this surprising was that the mare wasn't alone. Sombra himself was seated comfortably beside her, a foreleg draped over her withers, a warm smile of contentment dominating his features. At their hooves lay a pair of foals playing with wooden blocks, a colt with Twilight's color scheme and a filly that resembled Sombra. Although this was hardly what Princess Luna herself would conjure up, it was heartwarming nonetheless and she silently approved of the dream. Neither seeing or feeling anything amiss, Princess Luna elected to make her way back to the door and exit Twilight's hopeful reverie, content in her friend's happy imaginings of a future that may or may not ever come true.

Closing the door behind her, Princess Luna strode back through the hallway, her mind uneasy despite the sight she'd just witnessed. Spike's letter had informed her that Twilight was suffering terrible nightmares every night for months and yet nothing appeared to be wrong. The Princess of the Night was confounded. How can one suffer from nightmares if she couldn't even sense any signs of emotional or mental turmoil in the Dreamscape? This required further study but for now, she had other ponies to see to and the night did not last forever.

~*~

Upon Luna's departure, Twilight's hypothetical paradise wavered and ripped away, revealing the portrait of horrors concealed underneath. Ponyville was demolished in flames and rubble, the peaceful town buried beneath a thick cloud of smoke and ash that reached up to claw at the blood-red skies above it. The Elements of Harmony lay shattered next to the destroyed Friendship Castle. A charred stetson tumbled through the dirt as a torn Wonderbolts' uniform fluttered on a piece of debris. Sugarcube Corner and Carousel Boutique had both been leveled and a pile of yellow feathers were scattered by the winds that ripped through the empty town.

The only sound that echoed in the ruins aside from the still-crackling flames and howling winds were that of agonized weeping. A filly knelt in the dirt and soot, strongly resembling Twilight Sparkle. This was all her fault. She wasn't smart or strong enough to protect everypony. They all believed that she could keep them safe but they were sorely mistaken.

A pair of slitted, dark green eyes penetrated the darkness followed by a malicious grin.

"Soon, Sweet Luna. Soon."

The Midnight Hour

Twilight rolled onto her side and pulled the covers tightly around her with her teeth, creating a cocoon of fabric with which to shut out the outside world. Why couldn't she sleep? Surely going through a series of trials meant that she could catch at least a few minutes of rest. She huffed angrily and threw the covers aside, adding in a few petulant kicks for added measure. She let out a frustrating groan and dragged herself off the bed, her hooves landed on the crystalline floor with a loud clink-clop.

I hate this castle.

Golden Oaks was a part of the land, a living thing full that provided her with warmth and a sense of belonging. It'd been her home, the sight of some of the best moments of her life, at least until Lord Tirek obliterated it. The castle, on the hoof, was artificial and lifeless. In spite of its admittedly impressive architecture, it was ultimately a hollow shell, a cold, pretty reminder of what Twilight had lost. Her foul mood increased as she trudged through the glimmering hallways.

"What the...?"

Twilight paused and backtracked to peer at her reflection in the iridescent wall. Her eyes were a brilliant cyan that glowed devilishly in the overcast shadows. She slammed her eyes shut and reluctantly reopened them, only to see her regular violet pupils staring back at her. Chalking it up to sleep deprivation, she soon found herself in the map room and sagged onto her throne. Muttering incoherently into her hooves, Twilight rubbed her face irritably and groaned aloud.

"You're fine, Twilight. You're just a little...stressed, that's all."

"Oh, it's a tad more than that, child."

In a flash, Twilight was on her hooves, her horn burning with magic.

"Who said that? Show yourself!"

That voice...no, it couldn't be...

"Yes, it's me."

She spun and froze at the sight of the mare standing in the doorway.

"That's impossible! We destroyed you!"

"Did you now? Huh, that doesn't sound especially harmonious."

A raspberry bolt struck the empty space where the mare had just been standing. Mocking laughter echoed from all sides of the room, sending a series of chills down Twilight's spine. She crouched low, eyes scanning her surroundings as her aura lightly hummed with energy. No, this was impossible! This had to be a dream, the result of sleeplessness and stress.

"Ha ha ha, I assure you, I'm quite real."

Twilight's eyes widened as the mare's voice changed in mid-speech. A dark blue violet mist seeped into the room, gradually coalescing into a pony-shaped mass. It looked like...her. The faux-Twilight's pupil-less eyes were orbs of burning cyan light, a streak of light carving into her face to form a sardonic grin.

"Oh, what's the matter? You look like you've seen a ghost."

"You...you were in the voice in my head all along!"

"Look who finally figured it out," Faux-Twilight stated mockingly. If she could roll her eyes, she would.

"What do you want?"

"Oh, you know, the usual: vengeance, the throne of Equestria, all of ponykind bowing before me." The mare then began to close the distance between them, mist crawling up to wrap around Twilight's horn and limbs like steel fetters. "But first...I need you."

Twilight's shrieks reverberated throughout the castle's halls and were just as quickly silenced.

~*~

"A little to the left...a little more...a little mooooore..."

"Pinkie," Applejack grunted, "If this thing goes anymore left, then we won't be able ta walk through tha door."

"Perfect!"

Applejack slid down the side of the jukebox and panted heavily. She wiped her brow and took a moment to assess the decor. Mulberry, purple and raspberry balloons and streamers decorated Sugarcube Corner's exterior while several long tables with violet table clothes were arranged in horizontal rows. To top it all off, a violet banner reading, "WE LOVE YOU, TWILIGHT!" proudly towered above the bakery. She had to admit it, Pinkie and the others really came through.

Not that there was any doubt.

Rainbow Dash finished wrapping streamers around the banner's posts as Fluttershy practiced with her bird choir. Spike helped Rarity arrange the plastic silverware into folded up napkins displaying Twilight's cutie mark, tying them off with ribbons that were coiled up at the ends. A blue-maned unicorn set up her DJ equipment while an earth pony mare readjusted the strings on her cello. The cross-eyed mailmare and that weird inventor stallion finished setting up the bouncy castle as the three flower mares readied the refreshments table.

"Great work, everypony. Now let's get tha guest o' honor an' get this party started!"

There was an eruption of cyan light that temporarily blinded everypony. Once the discombobulation wore off, they all turned to find the source. Although the mare resembled the Twilight Sparkle they all knew and loved, there were several details that separated the pair. Her wild rose, violet and sapphire-blue mane stood straight up and pulsated like a crackling fire, a matching untamed tail flowing from her hindquarters. A glowing cyan vein ran through the pair of dark black-violet wings upon her back and a twisted horn corkscrewed from her head. The mare's mulberry eyes were pinpricks, adrift in the glowing cyan of her scleroses and two illuminated cyan wing-shaped ornaments adorned the edges of her eyes.

"Oh, there's no need for that. I've already arrived."

"Twilight?" Spike gasped, only for the newcomer to chuckle cruelly.

"Close. Think back to your first adventure as friends. I was the one that brought you all together in the first place." She then grinned. "Seems only fitting that I will be the one to tear you all apart."

"Nightmare Moon," Applejack muttered in disbelief.

The mare smirked. "Call me Midnight Sparkle."

Rainbow Dash was livid. "Give Twilight back to us or else!"

"'Or else?'" Midnight let loose a high-pitched cackle. "Really? Because from where I'm standing, it seems as though you lack the power to back up your threat."

With a rebellious yell, Rainbow launched herself full-speed at the mare, intending to knock her off her hooves and demand the return of her friend. A pale, light grayish cyan beam snatched Rainbow from the sky and knocked her back to terra firma. She winced at the pain in her back and felt something twitching wildly. A glance in a nearby window revealed the source: two tiny feathery extensions took the space where her proud wings once rested.

"M-my wings! She took my wings!"

Midnight Sparkle shot her a toothy grin. "Just be thankful that's all I took. Your new queen is quite merciful."

"'New queen'?" Fluttershy echoed, and then winced when Midnight appeared right in front of her.

"Yes, me: Midnight Sparkle, the Queen of Magic!" She then frowned at the whimpering pegasus. "Ugh, you're so cowardly. For once in your life, stop being such a cry-baby!"

"Leave her alone!"

Midnight turned to Rainbow. "Ah yes, the so-called 'Element of Loyalty.' When was the last time you ever stuck by any of us instead of pursuing your own selfish goals? Why should we care about some mare that doesn't even care about us?"

"That is enough!" Rarity yelled. "There's no need to be so cruel!"

"Me? Cruel? The only cruel thing is the fact that we keep you around." Midnight circled Rarity like a hungry shark. "I was the brains, Applejack the brawns. Even wimpy Fluttershy's Stare is useful. What do you do besides babble on about fashion and behave like a prissy little weakling?" Rarity's face scrunched up, tears flowing down her ivory cheeks. "You know, I was thinking of possessing you, feeding on all of your insecurities but you're more trouble than you're worth."

Applejack growled, "Ya don't talk that way ta mah friends!"

Midnight took a step back, placing a hoof on her chest in a show of mock surprise. "But Applejack, I thought you valued honesty?" Her face took on a more sadistic visage. "Here's some honesty for you: your parents would still be around if it wasn't for you."

Applejack's eyes widened. "Wh-ha are ya-..?"

"If you hadn't pretended to be sick just to get out of going to that apple cider convention, then your folks wouldn't have taken that detour to pick you up that medicine and Applebloom would've grown up knowing her parents."

The farm pony tilted her stetson down, her chest heaving as she silently wept. Satisfied, Midnight turned to Spike. "And you, my Number One Assistant," she chided in a childish tone. "You're always bending over backwards to please me, always clinging to me like a wart. So desperate to find a parental figure, aren't you? It'd be funny if it wasn't so pathetic."

Spike's eyes filled up with tears. "You...you're not Twilight. She'd never say such horrible things."

"Not to your face."

Suddenly, Midnight rapidly shook her head, her eyes once more violet.

"G-guys, I'm so sorry! Please help me-..."

She grunted, her head twisting around on her neck. Violet switched back to cyan eyes.

"Mmm, she's a feisty one. Anyway, where was I? Ah yes, the hatchling crying out for somepony to kiss his boo-boos and tell him that he matters."

"Stop making my friends cry!" Pinkie wrapped her forelegs around Spike. "Stop it right now!"

Midnight snorted derisively. "Why so serious? I thought you were supposed to be the clown? You know, the one we can all point and laugh at. What, you thought ponies actually liked you? All those weird things you can do and the stupid parties you throw in a foalish attempt to make friends? Ha! Why would anypony want a freak as their friend?"

Pinkie's bottom lip trembled, her poofy mane now lying lifeless against one side of her face. She gripped Spike tightly and began to weep into his shoulder, causing the dragon to begin comforting her. The bystanders stood by in abject shock at the events unfolding around them. How could Twilight be so heartless towards those that she called her friends?

"As much fun as this has been, I have places to go," Midnight yawned as if bored with her own handiwork. "Seeing as this is a party, why don't I give you some party favors?"

Her twisted horn pulsated with crackling power before she fired it at her brokenhearted friends. When the magic subsided, Applejack found an ancient, gray-maned mare in Rarity's place, hunched over atop wobbling limbs. Rainbow Dash was clutching a crying filly that resembled a miniature Fluttershy. Pinkie's mane remained straight, only now her expression was one of dead-eyed disinterest. Applejack frowned, wondering why she was next to Pinkie all of a sudden.

"Now if you'll excuse me, I have a kingdom to take over! Toodle-loo!"

One crackling sphere later and she was gone.

"Whoa nelly, Ah've got such a killer migraine!"

"Spike," Pinkie stated monotonously. "Why are you talking like Applejack?"

"What do ya mean...?"

Applejack stared down at her hooves. No, claws.

"Guys, I feel really weird," Spike groaned and then stared at Applejack.

"We're in each other's bodies!" They both screamed.

"This is dreadful!" Rarity wheezed. "Hold on, I need to sit down. My legs are killing me."

Rainbow Dash stared down at the pink-maned filly. "Fluttershy?"

The filly babbled something and then, realizing her predicament, let out an agitated whine.

"What do we do now?" Pinkie droned. Oddly enough, she was behaving exactly like her sister Maud.

Applejack took a breath, composing herself. "Let's not lose our heads now."

"Don't lose our heads?!" Rainbow barked incredulously. "I don't have my wings, you're stuck as Spike, Rarity is older than dirt-..."

"Hey!"

"...-Spike's in your body, Fluttershy is a foal, Pinkie is, well, not Pinkie and Twilight has been taken over by Nightmare Moon. How in the hay can you expect any of us to not lose our heads?!"

Applejack held up a claw then shut her mouth. "Ah...Ah don't know." She gazed out into the distance.

"Ah just don't know."

~*~

Twilight's eyes flickered open and slowly she began to rise. She was in a circular stone room, around a hundred feet in diameter, one that lacked torches but was somehow still lit, albeit dimly by an unknown source. Where was she? The last thing she that remembered was-

Nightmare Moon! She was back!

How could I have been so foolish! It was Nightmare all along!

A twinkling on the other side of the room caught her attention and with leaden hooves, she approached it, discovering that it was a oval glass window big enough to theoretically fit her head through. Peering through it, she found herself somehow looking down at the floors of the map room before the environment outside the window swiveled to stare at a pair of purple hooves. Puzzled, Twilight lifted up her own hooves and to her shock, found them to be an exact match. The other hooves turned as the window shifted, as though Twilight were watching somepony else inspecting them. Clopping sounds echoed as Twilight watched the wall approaching her until a shape appeared in the crystalline wall, one that resembled her.

"Well now, who is that pretty mare in the mirror there?"

Twilight yipped in surprise and launched herself backwards, tumbling onto her back at the sound of her voice, or rather, one that sounded like hers. This voice, however, was slightly deeper, more silky but possessing a coldness to it. Finally, all the pieces clicked into place. Nightmare Moon had taken her over and locked her inside her own head!

"Nightmare, let me out!"

She was met with giddy, borderline psychotic laughter. "Let you out? After all of our time together? I'm afraid that's just not possible." Twilight, or Nightmare rather, continued to inspect her reflection, running a hoof over her chest and stomach. "Hmm, a bit pudgy in the middle and a tad fat in the flank but overall, not bad. Yes, this'll do quite nicely."

"Nightmare, please-...!"

"Ugh, 'Nightmare Moon' just doesn't work anymore, does it? Hmm, neither does this form, at least, not without some cosmetic changes. I think it's time for a makeover."

A pale blue glow encapsulated the mare and Twilight recoiled at the final result.

"Say hello to Midnight Sparkle."

Twilight could only watch in horror as Nightmare, or "Midnight" as she preferred, tormented her friends, attacking them at their emotional and mental weak spots with accurate cruelty. Judging by the prowess with which she did so gave the imprisoned alicorn some idea as to the full confrontation between Princess Celestia and Nightmare Moon a millennium ago. She banged on the window with all of her might, pounding on it with her hooves, screaming for Midnight to leave her friends alone. Her magic refused to work so she resorted to kicking at the window, slowly creating a cobweb of cracks. Her hooves finally broke through the glass, propelling her back in control.

For about five seconds before being violently shoved out, sending her tumbling headfirst into an inky abyss. She found herself once more inside the circular stone room, which had greatly shrunken in the brief space of her absence, now being only thirty feet. The window was back, except now it was thicker, like a wall of blue ice. She tapped it lightly, finding it possessing a hard, diamond-like texture. Midnight wasn't taking any risks now that she knew Twilight would fight back.

Outside, Midnight continued to toy with her friends, even using her magic to change them, reducing Rarity to an elderly mare and Fluttershy into a foal. Rainbow Dash lost her wings, something that no pegasus should ever have to go through twice. Applejack and Spike has swapped bodies while Pinkie Pie was an emotionless husk of her former self. Twilight struck at the window harder than before but failed to make even a single scratch. A teleportation spell had been cast and now Midnight was in the Everfree Forest, standing in front of the ruinous remains of the Castle of the Royal Pony Sisters.

"It's just like coming home," Midnight sighed almost nostalgically. "My, have I missed this."

"Why did you do this? To get back at me and my friends?"

"You and your friends?" Midnight scoffed. "Believe me, as thoroughly enjoyable as that was, don't think yourself that important. This goes well beyond six meddling mares and their dumb dragon."

"Then why?!" Twilight was pleading at this point. "Why are you doing this?!"

"Let's just say that I have a long-overdue talk to have with the 'Royal Sisters.'"

New Ally

Spike clamped his new hooves onto the sides of his face, shaking his head in distress. He peered out over sadly at his friends. Pinkie Pie was stoically placing an ice pack on Rarity's left knee, the elderly mare sighing in relief while Rainbow Dash was rocking a filly version of Fluttershy in an attempt to stop her crying. Applejack, now in Spike's body, took turns inspecting his-her-claws, wiggling each digit curiously. How could this have happened?

His best friend was possessed by a monster and he couldn't do anything to help her. After everything Twilight had done for them, they were unable to save her. Now Equestria was once more in peril and without Twilight, the Elements of Harmony were as useless as an umbrella filled with holes. Spike planted his rear on the ground and sniffled. He knew that Twilight would never put him or their friends down like that but hearing such awful things hurt him all the same.

"What do we do now?" He whimpered.

"Ah don't know, Sugar Cube," Applejack admitted. "We're not exactly in any kinda state t' do anythin' 'bout it, ain't we?"

Rarity smacked her gums. "We could try to get a message to Princess Celestia and warn her."

Applejack inhaled and blew out a thin cloud of smoke. Frowning, she tried again and again but this didn't bring about any different results. After a few minutes, she stopped altogether, exhausted from the attempt. "Ah can't," she wheezed in between breaths. "Golly Spike, how do ya do this?"

"I just kind of...do it. Princess Celestia enchanted my fire so I don't have to think about it."

"Ugh, if I had my wings, this wouldn't be an issue!" Rainbow groaned, her puny new wings flapping madly in a vain attempt at getting her airborne. "Dang it!"

Fluttershy, or rather, Flutterfoal, giggled at this.

"It's not funny," Rainbow pouted.

"You do look pretty silly," Pinkie stated flatly, the edges of her mouth crinkling into a poor imitation of a smile. She then dropped her smile and glanced downward. "It's just not the same."

"Come on, Twilight needs us...whoa!" Spike tried to stand on his hindlegs, stumbling forward and catching himself before he face-planted into the dirt. Remembering which body he was in, he resorted to using all four hooves. "We have to do something!"

"Spike's right, gals. We have t' stop Midnight."

"I don't see how we can do that," Rarity murmured, a tight pain shooting through her joints as she sat up. "Even if we find her, we have to stop her but without the Elements, it's hopeless!"

Applejack instinctively tapped a claw to her chin then paused briefly to stare at it. "Wha we need is uh way t' stop Midnight an' free Twilight. Maybe somepony tha knows uh thing er two 'bout magic."

"Not just that but dark magic," Pinkie pointed out.

"And it has to be somepony that can take Midnight on if things get ugly," Spike chimed in.

They all shared a knowing but uneasy glance.

Rainbow's eyes widened. "No, no, no, no, a thousand times no!"

Applejack sighed, "We need King Sombra."

"But how can we find him?" Rarity asked.

"Twilight has this summoning medallion thingy that Sombra gave her," Spike answered. "She sometimes takes it out to just stare at it. I bet it's still at the castle under her pillow."

"Then we ain't got time ta lose. Let's giddyup!"

~*~

The Canterlot Home for Orphaned Foals was a simple but presentable four-story limestone structure surrounded by a three-foot faded brick wall. Chalk drawings decorated the cement walkways and toys littered the lawns as a small group of colts and fillies laughed and ran with a puppy. Charity Case, the home's director, was a cream-colored pegasus with a two-toned red mane and jade-green eyes, an admittedly lovely young mare. Even a total stranger could detect the sincere devotion she had for the happiness of her charges. She clapped her hooves in delight at seeing the shrieking gleeful foals.

"Thank you so much, Mr. Guess Who!" Charity Case smiled. "The children absolutely adore him. Oh, you have no idea how much this means to them."

Sombra, or "Guess who," merely nodded, watching the foals playing with the dog. A mixture of happiness and sadness developed within him but he ignored it. "He'll be much happier here."

After giving Sir-Licks-A-Lot a much-needed bath followed by a small meal, Sombra brought him over to the home and met with Miss Case so that the orphanage could formally adopt the pup. For some unfathomable reason, he felt an ache in his chest at giving the stray up, instead preferring to keep him. But no, a pet was something that would have no place in his life and believed that this was a better option for the both of them. He turned away from the joyful sorrow sight of the gaiety and took a big gulp, dislodging the lump that'd formed in his throat. He'd lingered long enough and just wanted to get out of there.

"I must be going now."

Charity Case looked surprised at the detachment in the stallion's voice. "Wait, don't you want to talk to them? I'm sure they'd love to thank you."

"No need. Have a good day," Sombra responded and left without another word.

It wasn't until he closed and latched the door to his dingy apartment that Sombra allowed himself a breather, throwing himself onto the steel-framed mattress and releasing a long sigh. The apartment was small, consisting of a kitchenette, a dining area barely large enough for two ponies and a bedroom. Egg-white wallpaper with light brown vertical stripes peeled away from the walls and an assortment of trash ranging from candy wrappers to Styrofoam cups littered the obnoxious pine-green carpets, parting gifts from whomever lived here last. Aside from a flower vase containing a single daffodil atop an upturned milk crate, there were no decorations of any kind, not even a painting or a clock. The smell of dust, burnt coffee beans and rotten fruit permeated the air.

Sombra shook his head. Why was he getting all bent out of shape over one mutt? He didn't even like dogs! Especially loud, smelly, inexplicably cute dogs that possessed an endearing innocence about them. Was it because it was one of the few things to not fear him? If so, then something must seriously be wrong with Sombra if he couldn't even scare one miserable little back-alley mongrel.

He sat up and took a disparaging glance around his abysmal domicile, the emptiness of it making the apartment look much larger than it actually was. Purple smoke writhed like living serpents from Sombra's eyes. Disregarding any fears of being reprimanded, he leapt off of the bed and with a roar, blasted the small plastic table in the dining area into the kitchenette. He turned his attention to the vase, telekinetically shattering it and then torching the daffodil, reducing it to ash. Drawing in heavy breaths, Sombra inhaled through his nostrils and slumped to the floor.

Oh, Sombra knew why letting go of the mutt-Sir-Licks-A-Lot-bothered him like it did, why he just went ballistic on his residence's interior. The truth was...he was lonely. And perhaps, in some twisted way, he believed that he deserved it. In his path for vengeance, Sombra had hurt innocent ponies, those he'd cared about and even some who he didn't even know but unjustly punished for the transgressions of others. He was no fool; he could never wash away the stains of what he'd done but maybe this isolated existence would somehow aid in atoning for it, even if it kept the ones he loved at arm's length.

Cadence....Twilight...

It was possible that they were better off without him.

A hum from his horn snapped Sombra out of his self-pitying state.

"What..what is-...?"

He looked to the carpet in front of his bed and watched as a series of crackling blue streaks raced across it, slowly forming a glowing magic circle:

Sombra raised a hoof, only to find that it was being sucked away in a streak of blackness towards the circle. He tried to flee, only for the rest of his body to follow suit, contorting into a mass of mist-like shadows. Before he could even let out a yell, he was fully yanked into the circle and through an inky dark void. Racing through the void like a bolt of lightning, he was propelled into a pinprick of light and was smacked with a sudden explosion of blinding luminescence.

~*~

The sextet stood anxiously in the center of Zecora's hut, feeling safe amidst the various herbs, remedies and spices that the zebra had collected over the years. Once Spike had retrieved the medallion, fumbling with it until Applejack elected to carry it, they headed off to the Everfree Forest in order to seek aid from the one who gave it to Twilight in the first place. Zecora was only too happy to lend a hoof upon hearing of their plight, feeling just as anxious as they were once they explained everything to her. Clearing away a sizable spot on the dirt floor, she carefully placed the medallion down and took a few steps back.

"So ya can make this thing work now?" Applejack inquired.

Zecora shook her head. "My means would bring about only harm, for it takes unicorn's magic to fuel the charm."

"Right. Rarity, could ya...?"

A drawn out snore emanated from the old mare's throat, followed by a sleepy mumble. Rolling her eyes, Applejack nudged Rarity, causing her to startle awake.

"The Peanut Butter Wizard did it!" Reassessing her surroundings, Rarity tittered nervously. "Sorry everypony, I didn't mean to take a nap. Turns out being old is quite exhausting."

"It's okay, Rarity," Spike smiled at her. "We just need you to fill the medallion with magic."

"I still think we're making a huge mistake."

Applejack glared at Rainbow. "Do ya got any better ideas?"

The pegasus' mouth quickly slammed shut and she instead redirected her attention to the filly strapped to her chest.

"Well, I'll see what I can do." Rising to her hooves with Zecora's help, Rarity peered at the medallion situated on the dirt floor. "Right, here goes nothing." She grunted as little blue sparks fizzled and popped around her horn. Fighting through the sudden onset of exhaustion, she managed to direct a thin ray of light into the medallion, the symbols upon its surface burning a bright blue.

A whooshing blast of energy shot from the medallion and a swirling tornado of darkness erupted from its center, forming into a black cloud. A set of hooves formed from the cloud's bottom, which began slowly receding to reveal a large, dark gray stallion, his muscular frame wrapped in a ragged black cloak. He drew his head back and the cloud vanished into his dark mane as the stallion's eyes shot open to reveal brilliant and dark scarlet pupils. Sombra quickly spotted the group and scowled, his dark red horn blazing with a black, violet and green aura. Purple smoke poured from his eyes.

"What is this? What am I doing here?"

Applejack stepped forward. "Now hold on there, pardner. We just want ta talk ta ya."

The aura and smoke vanished, a look of confusion appearing on Sombra's face. "Applejack?"

"Eeyup. We're inna bit of uh jam an' we need yer help."

"I'll have to pass."

"Please Darling, we have nopony else to turn to."

Sombra cocked a brow. "Rarity? I have to say, you've become quite unattractive."

"I BEG YOUR PARDON?!"

Spike held back the flailing mare. "Please Sombra, it's about Twilight!"

Looking Spike up and down, Sombra shelved his question for later. "What about her? Did something happen?!"

They each took turns telling him the story, explaining Twilight's recent behavior, the party planned to cheer her up, her conversion into Midnight Sparkle and their own embarrassing fates. Throughout it all, he remained silent, even when Pinkie veered off into a non sequitur about finding the elusive thirty-second flavor of ice cream. At the story's finale, Sombra nodded thoughtfully, digesting the information calmly though his eyes betrayed the worry that he felt.

"With the tale at it's end, will you offer aid to saving their friend?" Zecora asked.

"Yes...but on one condition."

"Name it," Applejack pressed.

"You must promise to allow me my freedom once this is all done. I walk away and you don't try to stop me."

Rainbow shot up in her seat. "What?! We can't promise something like-..."

"Done."

Rarity gave Sombra the stink eye but remained where she was. "Do you know what this is that we're dealing with?"

"Indeed I do. It's what's known as an eidolon."

"Aha, I knew it." Pinkie donned a deerstalker hat and puffed on a pipe, a series of bubbles floating up from the bowl. "What's an eye-do-lin?"

Sombra folded his hooves together. "It's the most dangerous type of spirit in existence. Sometimes when a pony dies, they leave behind a kind of echo of consciousness, which is where ghosts come from. An eidolon, however, is far worse as it is a culmination of that pony's anger and hatred. As it lacks a solid form, it acts as a parasite, attaching itself to a living host and feeding off of their worst emotions: fear, envy, rage, et cetera."

"So this thing is what made Twilight so moody?" For once, Rainbow addressed the stallion without any kind of an attitude.

"Partially. In order to keep up a consistent food source, the eidolon takes what is already there and fuels it. If, for example, a pony has a quick temper, the eidolon will create strife so that the host will become more agitated. This is why they are so feared and why we've got to free Twilight from it's grip as soon as possible."

"You sure know a lot about these things."

Sombra turned to Spike, his expression somewhat haunted. "Let's just say that I've had my own dealings with them." It was clear that he wasn't going to say more on the matter so Spike didn't push the issue.

"If what you say is true," Zecora intoned worriedly. "Then dear Twilight must've had a serious issue or two."

A heavy sigh escaped Sombra's lips. "I am partially to blame. I thought that If I stayed away and kept our correspondence to a minimum, then she'd be safe. But I was wrong." He stood up and held his head high. "Everyone, I swear to you that Twilight will be freed of this monster."

Applejack nodded and grinned. "Then let's get started."

Creation of Darkness

It'd taken them some time, but the band of ponies-and one dragon-had managed to traverse the Everfree Forest relatively unnoticed by the beasts that lurked in its gloom. In all honesty, they all felt that the umbrum leading them was ten times as scary as anything they could encounter on their journey. At least the various monsters in the forest were just deformed animals looking for their next meal or protecting their territory. After dealing with the grootslang, which had become quite docile post-gem removal and was easily corralled into a nearby ditch, they turned back around and resumed their quest, traveling to the place where their adventures together first started. What none of them wished to acknowledge was that it could very well be the same place where their adventures could end.

Applejack sat in between Sombra's shoulder blades, her claws gripping either side of his neck in order to stabilize herself. The sensation was, simply put, downright weird. She was used to walking under her own power, easily trotting across the dirt or leaping over fields. Instead, she had stubby legs that she was still learning how to use properly and due to her small size, had to be carried on top of the stallion in order to keep up with the others. Now she knew how Spike felt.

Rainbow Dash wiped her brow. "Can we take a break? We've been walking forever!"

Sombra, however, refused to break his stride. "We're nearly there. Come along, Dash."

"Come on Sombra, one li'l ole break ain't gonna hurt nopony," Applejack reasoned.

Pinkie Pie held up a paper bag that she didn't have a minute ago. "I've got cookies."

After a short beat, Sombra relented and lowered himself to his haunches, allowing Applejack to stumble onto the ground. "Very well then. Five minutes, and then we're gone."

"Thank Goodness," Rarity mumbled as Spike set her onto a nearby log, her forelegs resting on top of her new cane. "As comfy as Ap-Spike's back is, it's not doing my neck any favors."

Spike rubbed one of Rarity's shoulders. "Are you okay, Rarity?"

"Much better, Spikey-Wikey. Thank you. Oh, how dreadful it is to be old."

"Well you're timeless to me," Spike beamed, which Rarity reciprocated, albeit closed-lipped.

Rainbow groaned and lifted Flutterfoal out of the baby sling. "How're you holding up, Flutters?"

Flutterfoal shrugged and made a so-so gesture with her hoof.

"Great. Just hold on. We're going to fix this."

The filly nodded and gave her a big grin.

"Cookie time, yay," Pinkie said, passing around cookies and miniature milk cartoons.

As the group settled into a small semi-circle, Applejack couldn't help but notice Sombra had made no move to join them. Whether it was due to his own personality or uncertainty of their relationship, she didn't know but figured it wouldn't hurt to extend an invitation. She strode up to him and cleared her throat.

"Ya okay there, Sombra?"

"I'm fine." He lacked the usual shortness in his voice, sounding more distantly formal but polite.

"Would ya like somethin' t' eat?" Applejack asked, holding up a cookie.

Sombra eyed the treat, lifting it up with a red aura before taking a sizable bite. "Thank you, Applejack."

"Muh pleasure."

"Hey...Sombra? Could I ask you something?"

The umbrum turned to Spike. "I suppose."

"Erm, earlier you said something about dealing with eidolons before." All conversation died, everyone's eyes now directed towards Sombra. "What did you mean by that?"

Sombra turned away and then turned back. "I doubt it's a tale you'd like to hear."

Rainbow waved a dismissive hoof. "Please, we've fought Discord, Nightmare Moon, comic book villains, diamond dogs and changelings. A scary story is nothing!"

"If you insist..."

"We do, we do," Pinkie nodded slowly.

Drawing in air through his nostrils, Sombra released a heavy sigh. "Very well then."

~*~

The Frozen North was in a state of serenity, the rampant blizzards and thrashing winds having decided to inexplicably take the day off, allowing the lone pony to traverse the bone-white fields undisturbed. King Sombra marched through the snow, his stress-lined face as cold as the wastes but his red eyes burning hotter than the flames of the Dragonlands. Normally he would be accompanied by some of his mind-controlled guards but this was a private matter, one that he would attend to alone. Following the ordeal with Garnet, Sombra decided that he needed a distraction and this would serve nicely. Besides, it'd been too long since he'd last seen his home, his real home.

"Shortly after my conquest of the Crystal Empire, I'd felt as though my revenge was complete. Those responsible for my kinds' fate had been punished and yet there was an old feeling of incompletion in my soul. Studying the darkest of texts, I poured over necromantic rituals so that I could inform my parents of my triumph and allow their spirits to finally rest."

The king's signature red curved horn flashed with green and black energy, its aura mimicking the signaling of a firefly as the umbrum searched the horizon. He knew that it was in this direction, both from his location charm and his own memory. He paused a few times, his single-minded goal keeping him going. Sombra gulped, his throat aching with dryness. He was afraid of revisiting the site but was determined to see it through.

"I'd decided to relocate the remains of my old village and enact the ritual there. What a fool I was."

His horn's glowing intensified, releasing a soft ringing sound. A few minutes later, he made it over a small hill and approached some knee-high stone walls half-buried in the snow. This was it. Sombra's stomach twisted into knots, his chest constricting with anxiety and his limbs trembling.

His every step felt heavier than iron, memories flooding his mind like a deluge the more he drank in his surroundings. He could almost hear the shrieks of youthful laughter, the chatter in the town square and the clanging of hammers in his father's forge. For the briefest of instances, the villages halls and huts were no longer burnt, splintered remains but tangible dwellings, its inhabitants walking around as if nothing had happened. Sombra's flesh tingled at the onset of wetness on his cheeks and shook his head angrily, chastising himself for being so emotional. Now that he was king, he needed to show better control.

Swiping away a thin layer of snow, Sombra went to work crafting the glyphs, slowly drawing them onto the dirt. He paid no mind to his racing heart as the last glyph was finished and connected to the others in an unbroken circle. Sombra charged his horn, magical energies flowing along every part of his body. Snow and dust swirled around Sombra's hooves, his mane and cape fluttering in as the air crackled with eldritch power. The glyphs seared and smoked, emanating a burning red hue as the dark spell took effect.

Black streaks were yanked from various parts of the village, smacking and colliding into each other as they gathered within the magic circle. It coalesced into an oily, solid mass that soon towered over Sombra. Sorrow and fury radiated off of it, scaring even Sombra with the intensity of its emotions. A multitude of whispers chattered all at once, belonging to different ages and genders. Despite the mass' lack of eyes, it stared directly at Sombra, all the while the voices continued.

"The pain..."
"Put out the flames before they-..."
"To the last stallion-..."
"Hilde, no!"
"Betrayers! Murd-..."

The mass' middle rippled, slowly forming a vaguely pony-shaped face.

"Sombra? It's been so long..."

The stallion's heart dropped at the familiar tone.

"Mother?"

"Yes, my sweet sonur," the voice confirmed. "We have missed you..."

"'We'?"

Another face appeared alongside the first.

"Our child has come home at last."

Sombra took a step forward. "Father?"

"Aye, lad. It's been so long. We hoped you would've come sooner."

More and more faces stretched out of the black quagmire, a chorus of voices joining them.

"You can set us free..."
"The crystal ponies must pay..."
"Justice will be swift..."
"All will suffer..."
"Avenge us..."
"Nothing will stand in our way..."

Sombra tried to back away but his limbs refused to obey him.

"Join us, Sombra," all of the umbrums chanted in unison. "We feeeeeeel your desire for vengeance. Your righteous fury. Merge with us...become one with the Darkness..."

Regaining control, Sombra turned and fled, hoping to get away from the abomination as quickly as possible. Something grabbed his hindleg, forcing him to smack into the ground and pulling him through the snow. An arm had formed and was wrapped around his leg like a tentacle, several more arms twisting out of the mass. Two more seized him, coiling around his other hindleg and midsection with an iron grip. All of the faces bore toothless grins.

"Join us...we will have everything..."

"Let go of me!"

Teleporting a few feet away, Sombra watched the mass shift into a more equine form, its eyes white pits of emptiness. A twisted horn and a pair of wings appeared, making it resemble a shadowy alicorn. Spreading its dark wings, the creature advanced, breaking free of the magic circle, the now-useless glyphs sputtering and dying. Sombra could only remain stationary as the horrid thing grinned at him through a mouthful of black fangs.

"You cannot hide," it gargled. "Let us be one..."

Sombra fired a magic beam at the creature, ripping through its chest. The creature chuckled, the hole immediately mending itself. He aimed for the head, blasting away half its face only for the same result to occur. Sombra ducked to avoid a black energy missile and raced towards the exit, taking stock of his situation. This thing could control darkness like him and was comprised of three-hundred demented umbrum souls, all of whom were crying for bloody revenge and wanted to fuse with Sombra in a forcibly symbiotic relationship. This was going to be a problem.

"Ssssombraaaa....!"

A patch of snow exploded next to him, the impact knocking him off his hooves. He rolled and, swerving his head to avoid a sharp stone, collided with an old spinning wheel, shattering the burnt out husk. Pieces of wood stabbed into his back but Sombra ignored it, instead placing all of his focus on the shadowy creature shambling towards him. Whatever this thing was, it was not getting a hold of him. Purple smoke erupted from Sombra's eyes, a low snarl rumbling from his mouth at the sight of the being that dared to make a mockery of his people's memory.

"BEGONE DEMON!" Sombra roared, his horn erupting with a violent flash.

A swirling black and red cloud appeared above the creature, red particles flaking off of it as a small cyclone swirled out of the center. The creature frantically clawed at the ground, its hooves converting into talons in an attempt to anchor itself but it was no use. It howled in three hundred voices as it was yanked and sent hurtling through the portal, vanishing into thin air. Drawing in several breaths, Sombra collapsed onto his back, both physically and emotionally drained.

"I don't know where I sent the beast, only that it was far away from me."

~*~

Sombra stared into the distance, his features speaking volumes of his anguish. Everyone stared at him, not a single one of them daring to say a word, not that anything could be said. Pinkie's face was partially concealed behind her straight veil of hair, the only sign of any emotion being the twin trails of tears racing down her cheeks. Spike rubbed Rarity's back soothingly while Applejack sniffled and scratched at her eyes. Even Rainbow was visibly affected by Sombra's story, her mouth left slightly ajar, her magenta eyes misting over.

"I never went back there," Sombra finished painfully. "Sometimes I wonder if their shades remained in the village and I merely aided in giving them a more tangible form or if I pulled them away from paradise and crammed them into a shell of loathing. Perhaps it was punishment for my selfishness."

Flutterfoal let out a sobbing squeal and buried her face into Rainbow's chest.

"So...why didn't ya look fer it?" Applejack wondered.

"It was no longer my concern. The fact is, that thing was away from me and that's all that mattered."

Spike raised a hoof. "But if it was really that powerful, then it could've gone after some innocent ponies."

Sombra considered this briefly. "Perhaps it did. However, other ponies don't matter to me, not then, not now."

"What? How can you say that?" Rainbow pointed accusingly at him.

"That's a bunch o' horseapples," Applejack declared defiantly, arms folded across her chest. "Yer spouting two-talking nonsense."

A flicker of surprise momentarily registered on Sombra's face. "What did you say?"

"I read inna newspaper about uh 'living shadow' that saved uh family from uh mugger. We both know who that was."

"That," Sombra snapped before composing himself, "Was a momentary lapse in judgment."

"Lapse in judgment mah hoof! Er, foot!"

"Regardless, it was a mistake. I reserve concern only for myself and those close to me. You can't seriously expect me to care for each and every living thing in Equestria."

"Why not? It's what we do!" Rarity asserted. "We help ponies and other creatures if they need us."

"And that is the issue." Sombra rose to his full height. "This modern age is too soft...too comfortable. Ponies flock to Princess Celestia or you to fix all of their problems. They don't have to struggle to get what they need. You're teaching them to depend on others to solve everything for them."

"But what about Nightmare Moon? Or Discord?" Spike brought up. "Somepony had to stop them."

Sombra gave him a pitiful shake of his head. "And that's fine but you seriously can't expect me to believe that all of you will make a real difference. Good and evil, light and dark, you're all just spokes in a giant wheel. You're beloved by the masses today but what happens should one or all of you fail in your duties? The public will turn on you, despite all you've done for them. You can play hero as much as you want but at the end of the day, the wheel just keeps turning forever."

Before anyone else could jump in, Sombra turned and began to trot away.

"We've rested long enough. Let us get going."

Reluctantly, one by one, they all began to follow his lead and the rest of the journey was filled with silence.

Ending the Evil

Twilight rested her forehooves against the glass, panting heavily as she recovered from another bout with the troublesome fixture. Midnight had somehow discovered a hidden vault housing a grootslang, a creature from the era of the dreaded Reign of Monsters, a time of strife preceding the Umbrum-Draconequus War when Equestria had nearly been conquered by the dark sorcerer Grogar. Such beings were believed to be creatures of legend, even with the concise historical records, and yet one had somehow been kept locked up practically in Ponyville's backyard. Upon witnessing the terror of the fabled chimera, she returned to her attempts at escape, attacking the window with all of her might but to no avail. Now that Midnight was fully aware of Twilight's resistance, the dark alicorn was on high alert, fighting tooth and hoof to keep her new host under her control.

"Stop struggling, Princess. You're only making it worse," Midnight groaned irritably.

"Making it worse? How can it get any worse?!" Twilight spun around and threw a series of frenzied kicks, her hooves bouncing off of the window.

"Knock it off!"

As Twilight's hooves struck the glass, a cyan-blue glow encapsulated the mirror's surface, causing her strike to send her tumbling through the air. She rolled and collided with the floor, the impact knocking the wind out of her. Hoisting herself to a half-seated position, Twilight winced and rubbed her right wing. Her mouth hung open in shock and confusion, unable to comprehend what had just transpired.

"How can this hurt? I-I don't even have a body."

"Because you're inside your own head and since I'm in charge, that means that I WILLED it to hurt," Midnight scowled. "Now sit there like a good little filly or I'll think up FAR worse ways of keeping you quiet!"

Twilight let out a groan as she stood up and dragged herself back to the window. So it seemed that she was little more than a mental projection trapped within another's mindscape. Of course! Everything in here is powered by thought and imagination, hence the so-called "room," which was no doubt a manifestation of the mind. As for the "window," it had to be representative of her, or Midnight's, point of view, though Twilight had no idea how that worked.

They were once more at the Castle of the Two Sisters, Midnight seated atop the platform that used to hold the Elements of Harmony, a decision that had to have been consciously chosen for the sheer irony. She kept her focus upon the door, intently waiting for the arrival of Twilight's friends to face her. Twilight dreaded this moment; the growing apprehension of the wait sending her heart into overdrive at the coming confrontation. She'd seen first-hoof the power that Midnight wielded and knew that without the Elements of Harmony, none of them stood a chance. The villainess was not only a skilled magic user but was also cunning with a volatile nature, a very dangerous combination to have in an enemy.

"Why do you hate the princesses so much?"

Midnight practically leapt to her hooves. "Why? Because like all ponies, they have such a precious gift and yet they waste it on petty squabbles and vainglorious insecurities!"

Twilight tumbled back away from the mirror, caught completely off guard by Midnight's outburst. The dark entity had been so egotistically cheerful that the surge of anger came completely out of left field.

"What gift?"

"Life. They came into the world, got to experience joy and love, to know what it feels like to have the sun shine on their fur or the succulent taste of fresh strawberries on their tongues." Pausing, Midnight lowered her head, her voice now coming out in a near-whisper. "They grew up in the lap of luxury, heirs to the throne and beloved by all but it's not enough for them. What I would give to have lived for even one day."

This was a side Twilight didn't even know Midnight possessed. Her hoof gently made contact with the window's cool surface, wishing that she was physically in the room with the other mare. She could almost feel her despair, the emotion engulfing every fiber of her being.

"Do Celestia and Luna know about you?"

Midnight returned to her seat, swallowing lightly as she stared off towards the main entrance.

"No. My time on the moon is a bit foggy but I do know that Luna became aware of me at some point, although the Elements of Harmony seemed to have affected both of our memories when we were separated. Then there's the fact that spending the last thousand years alone doesn't exactly help one's recollection. It was by the second or third century that we started talking to rocks."

"Midnight, I'm so sorry-..."

"Don't you dare pity me!" Midnight scowled. "I'm not some wayward soul you can fix with an apology and a hug. When I'm queen of this land, no longer will I have this pain in my heart. And I will destroy anyone that gets in the way of my goal!"

"What about my friends? You're not actually going to...kill them, are you?"

Midnight grinned. "That depends entirely on YOU, my little dove."

"Me?"

"Yes. Don't fight me and I promise your little friends will come out of this alive and intact."

"How do I know I can trust you?"

"You have the word of a Princess of Equestria. Isn't that enough?"

As much as Twilight was aware of Midnight's wrathful, deceiving personality, she didn't want to risk her friends getting hurt as a result of upsetting the being. Reluctantly, she agreed.

"Yes-..."

"Good. Now shut up. We have company...."

~*~

Passing the wobbly old bridge, the party arrived at the Castle of the Two Sisters. Even in the light of the day, its crumbling battlements and crooked towers loomed overhead like the corpse of some foul beast. Each and every one of them shuddered, recalling their past experiences with the place, from their first battle with Nightmare Moon, to spending a hair-raising night in the old castle. For Sombra, however, the ruins held no memories for him; the castle hadn't even finished construction until after his takeover of the Crystal Empire. Instead, the dark energies encompassing the grounds kept his attention hooked, his every nerve screaming out warnings at the inhospitable atmosphere.

Although the whole forest was a nexus for dark magic, this point in particular was seeping with malefic energies. Sombra's long stride was interrupted as his hoofsteps became more unsteady, a malaise washing over him like swamp water. His heartbeat quickened, his chest catapulting air out in bursts. A sense akin to vertigo began to take a hold of him. Sombra fought the needlepoint jabs at the back of his head and continued forward, his mind focused on the battle ahead.

Pain like a vice suddenly seized the stallion's skull, sending him pitching forward and nearly causing Applejack to tumble off his back. He hissed, clutching his head as the others hurried to his side, all of them worried about his abrupt outburst. Sombra's face was twisted into one of agony, his lips peeled back to expose his fangs while muffled grunts flowed between his firmly clamped jaws. Something was clawing at his horn, transmitting spasms of stabbing pain into his forehead.

"Sombra!"

"What's wrong with him?" Spike asked concernedly.

Applejack patted Sombra's neck. "Ya alright? Yer not lookin' too good."

Shaking his head, Sombra grimaced, "It's...it's this place. There's so much darkness here."

Rarity twisted the end of her walking stick into the dirt. "I can't sense anything."

"Not surprising. I was trained heavily in the forbidden arts so I can sense the usage of dark magic," Sombra groaned in between breaths. Sweat raced down his brow, his breathing slightly ragged. "There's so much here. I didn't know that hatred this strong could even exist."

Rainbow looked as though she was going to place a hoof on his shoulder but then drew back.

"So what's causing it?"

"Tambelon," he uttered, creating an instant wave of goosebumps in everyone in attendance.

"Tha's jus' a story, right? A myth ponies made up t' scare foals?"

Sombra exhaled, standing up straight once more. "Myth is often truth contorted into fiction. Every legend, every story we've ever heard or read has some basis in reality, some more horrifying than others."

"Are you okay?"

Sombra nodded, patting the top of Pinkie's head. "I'm fine. Believe me, I've experienced far worse than this."

Although concerned with the umbrum's well being, they resumed their trek, one-by-one pushing past the rickety wooden doors and passing through the castle's main entrance. Sombra soon took the lead, his horn alight with a burning, black-edged red glow, illuminating the dusty and crevasse-marked halls. The broken stone floors crackled beneath their hooves, a thin layer of mist clinging around their forelegs like transparent claws. Spiders scurried on overhanging webs, their multitudinous eyes glinting in the darkness. The walls creaked as a gust of wind flew past the septet, filling the air with a screeching moan that would've scared off the weak-hearted due to its despondent intonation. If Midnight's intention was to chill them to the bone with a creepy atmosphere, then she was succeeding. However, as scared as the ragtag team was, not one of them faltered nor fled, not when their best friend was in peril.

"So how do we free Twilight anyway?" Rainbow pondered.

"I know how," Pinkie stated, raising a foreleg.

"We're not going to throw her a party," Sombra replied, causing Pinkie to lower her foreleg. He then frowned when a pink limb raised itself again. "Yes, I'm certain."

Sombra then cleared his throat. "Eidolons are tricky beings. Once they have their hooks inserted into a host, they'll fight tooth and claw to keep it. What we need is an emotional anchor, something-or someone-to appeal to Twilight and this will give her the strength to fight back."

Rarity nodded, "Right, you."

"No, not me. As much as we care for one another, it has to be deeper than that. Someone that she's known for a long time, one akin to family, such as an ersatz younger brother."

Spike halted. "Me?"

"Yes, you. Someone she trusts unquestionably, someone with tons of memories attached to them."

Rainbow darted in front of Sombra. "Hold on! Spike was there when Midnight first appeared and that didn't do anything! What's so different about this time that it'll actually work?"

A red aura surrounded Rainbow and lifted her out of Sombra's way, allowing him to stride right past her.

"You didn't have me."

They made it a few feet before Sombra let out an introspective hum.

"What's wrong?" Applejack wondered.

"I was just thinking...eidolons are essentially just bad emotions, existing only to feed on others, to survive. From what you've told me, this one is especially vicious, using psychological warfare to take down its foes. Whatever has Twilight under its spell goes far beyond a simple angry spirit." He then shook his head. "Come, we have a mission to complete."

They soon found themselves in a massive conservatory, the very same one where they defeated Nightmare Moon in what felt like ages ago. Atop the former resting place of the Elements of Harmony, Midnight Sparkle stood poised, wings outstretched and eyes aglow. Everyone stopped in mid-stride, taking care to stay close to each other and preparing themselves for whatever tricks she had lying in wait. She grinned, the shadows framing her face, giving her an air of malevolence. Leaping off of the platform, Midnight gracefully landed and began prowling towards the group in a predatory fashion.

"Ah, my old friends have come to pay me a visit. How quaint."

Undaunted, Sombra levitated Applejack onto the floor before taking a step forward in front of the drake.

"Twilight Sparkle is no longer your plaything, eidolon. Leave her at once."

Midnight giggled sultrily, "Oh, well aren't you the clever one! Mmm, I can see why she has such an interest in you." Sashaying towards Sombra, the alicorn stopped before him, her added height allowing her to meet his steely gaze. "Handsome and smart, with a dash of dark and brooding. We could have such fun together, you and I."

Purple smoke filtered out of Sombra's eyes. "Leave Twilight's body now. I won't ask a third time."

Sighing, Midnight shook her head ruefully. "Such a waste. Oh well."

A bolt of cyan energy leapt towards Sombra, the umbrum just barely deflecting it and redirecting it skyward, sending the bolt smashing through the roof. Dancing around the debris, he raised a magical barrier to keep the larger chunks from striking his companions as he charged his foe at full gallop. Blue light surged through the walls and floor, collecting the stone and piling it into two ten-foot golems, their bodies composed of jagged rocks with glowing eyes and veins. The colossi lumbered forward, their clubs raised to crush the intruder for their mistress. The closest golem's club descended, impacting the floor with a thunderous crash, seemingly crushing Sombra.

When the golem lifted up its club however, there wasn't a body or even a hint of one, instead finding a black smudge on the weapon's surface. Two glowing green spots appeared in the smudge, which then sprang out and, kicking off of the golem's head, hurtled towards Midnight with a black, green and purple magic greatsword. He swung his weapon at Midnight, only for a cyan-colored energy sword to deflect his strikes, blocking each and every blow with practiced finesse. The two engaged in a flurry of parries too fast for anyone to track, their strikes cleaving through air and stone alike as the swords flashed like lightning. Midnight pelted Sombra with diamond-shaped missiles but the stallion was prepared, the flying blades each bisected by an orbiting wheel of swords.

Meanwhile, the others evaded the two golems, the behemoths' clubs thundering with every missed blow upon the rapidly crumbling floor. Spike dove away from the golems, finding difficulty with both keeping his balance and ensuring Rarity remained where she was on his back. Huffing, Rainbow Dash evaded a horizontal swing, keeping a foreleg protectively around Flutterfoal's face. Astride Pinkie, Applejack grabbed a length of rope from Spike's saddlebag and cursed to herself as she tried to tie a knot. What was normally a routine practice had been made nearly impossible by her new digits.

"Spike, Rainbow, keep those things offa muh tail 'til Ah can get this lasso ready!"

"On it!"

"Pinkie, can you-...?"

In her normal undefinable way, Pinkie had managed to wheel out a party cannon.

"...Never mind. It's time t' rock an' roll!"

Pinkie's party cannon boomed, battering one golem with compressed bursts of confetti, greatly slowing its advancement. This kept it distracted as Spike dove between the golem's legs, Rarity managing to fire off several magic bolts and nailing it in the face, blasting off its right eye and half of its jaw. Suddenly rendered half-blind, the golem madly swung its club around, nearly taking Spike's head off. At that moment, the second one was busy playing Whack-a-Pony with Rainbow and Flutterfoal, the former bobbing and weaving to evade the golem's blows. Despite the loss of her wings, the prismatic-maned pegasus was no slouch when it came to running, nimbly zig-zagging from her assailant's frenzied attacks with surprising speed and grace.

Applejack semi-audibly murmured to herself, her clawed hands fumbling with the rope before she managed to form a loop. She began recalling the rope-tying lessons she'd received as a filly, taking her back to a midsummer afternoon with her grandfather Cortland Apple. Let's see...little brown rattlesnake comes out of the burrow...slithers into the hole...comes out of the hole...goes back into the burrow again. Finally managing to complete the knot, she held it up with pride.

"Awright, y'all, Ah've got it! Move 'em on!"

Nodding to one another, the gang took their cue to try and corral the behemoths, rolling and sprinting in an attempt to get their attention. Waving her arm around, Applejack swung the lasso as high above her head as she could and gave Pinkie's mane a firm squeeze.

"Giddyup, Pinkie! Let's cut 'em out!"

Spinning around her party cannon, Pinkie kicked the hunk of metal in the direction of the one-eyed golem, slamming the device into its leg and slightly tripping it. Zipping past Spike, Rainbow ensured that the golem was advancing on her, bringing it closer and closer not only to Applejack but its counterpart. The two golems now stood nearly shoulder-to-shoulder as they lumbered towards the ponies. Rarity assaulted them with a weak but efficient barrage while Pinkie hopped-galloped just out of arm's reach of the nearest golem. Almost there...

"C'mon, ride 'em in! Heeyah!"

With that, Applejack tossed the lasso as hard as she could, the loop securing itself around one golem's neck. As it raised its weapon, Spike and Rainbow both wove between its legs and, grasping the rope with their teeth, began to pull with all of their might. The rope went taut, causing the golem to lurch forward and crash into the one-eyed golem, smashing them both to pieces. Gradually, their veins flicked in and out before vanishing, followed shortly by the glow of their now empty sockets. Their enemies reduced to rubble, the dragon and ponies cheered.

Sombra's sword cut through air, his cut narrowly missing Midnight's head, though this was by design. Ducking the slash, Midnight inadvertently opened herself up to an attack, which came in the form of an energy blast to the chest, propelling her backwards. She barely had time to blink when Sombra followed this up by seizing her limbs with ebony appendages, stretching her out in an X-shaped position. Closing the distance, Sombra's horn glowed a smoky purple and several black crystals sprouted from Midnight's own horn. Despite this, her smile widened.

"Mmm, I had no idea you were into this sort of thing."

"Just do us both a favor and shut up," Sombra growled, his patience long since vacated.

Midnight clicked her tongue. "Such rotten manners for an ex-prince. Tell me Sombra, what do you think the others will do once this is over? Throw you a parade? Invite you over for a slumber party? You and I both know that no matter what you do, they will never accept you."

An incensed rumble emanated in his throat. "Perhaps you'd prefer to be back on the moon? I can arrange that."

They were quickly joined by Applejack and the others.

"Nice work, Sombra. Spike, yer up."

Hesitantly, Spike trotted forward and gulped. "T-twilight? I don't know if you can hear me but it's me, Spike. You know, your Number One Assistant?" Tears sprang forth from his green eyes. "Please Twilight, I need you."

Midnight's features softened. "S-spike? I-..." She shook her head, pupil-less glowing blue eyes flashing from her skull. "No! She's mine! I'll destroy you all!" She screeched while thrashing around in a beast-like manner. "I-I'm in control! I'm the Queen of Magic!"

Telekinetically holding Midnight's head still, Sombra locked eyes with her, his own a pair of burning green orbs. "You're going to-stop! You're going to halt what you're doing and submit."

Spike was crying now, his voice trembling at the sight of his adoptive sister and guardian. "Twilight, fight it! We've faced bigger odds than this and we've beaten them! Fight, Twilight! Fight!"

"NOOOOOOO!"

Tossing her head back, Midnight let loose an unearthly wail as beams of light filtered out of her mouth and eyes. Gusts of wind swept through the room, sliding everypony back except for Sombra, who held on for dear life as the beams widened. They swirled above Midnight's head, forming the visage of a shadowy mare shrieking in agony before exploding in an eruption of crackling, popping coronas. Twilight's head slumped forward, smoke pouring out of her horn. She blinked, once, twice, until her violet eyes caught glimpse of all in attendance, sleepy recognition registering on her face.

"G-girls? Spike?" Twilight turned to the gasping stallion. "Sombra?"

"Welcome back," Sombra managed and took a gulp of air. He then carefully freed Twilight from his shadowy hold and pulled her into his embrace, which she wholeheartedly reciprocated.

Spike waddled forward and reached a hand out before gazing upon it. Touching his face, he excitedly whooped, "Hey, I'm me! I'm me again!"

"Well Ah'll be, me too!" Applejack tilted her hat on her head and released a sigh of relief.

Pinkie's mane poofed back into its normal, unruly cluster as she bounded around the room with several audible squeaks. "Yay, I'm bouncy again! Bounce, bounce, bounce, bounce!"

Rainbow quickly took to the air with her restored wings and hollered excitedly while Rarity tossed aside her now-useless cane and stood under her own power. Fluttershy gave Rarity a hug and rejoined the others, relieved to no longer be a diaper-clad foal.

"Is it over?"

Everyone turned to Twilight.

"I think so. Spike, could you write a letter to the princesses-...?"

"Already on it!"

"Good. I just want this nightmare to be over and I'd feel a lot safer if they were here."

~*~

The sun set gently in Canterlot, the burning orb giving way to its pale but gentle twin as the last of the sun's rays vanished in the horizon. Princess Celestia touched down on her bedroom window balcony and made her way inside, thankful for another long but productive day. Setting aside her crown and slippers, she magically poured herself some pink lemonade and sipped the beverage, deciding that wine no longer suited her as a casual beverage. Ever since confronting a captive Sombra in a drunken, spiteful rage, Celestia had become aware of her inner demons and quit all alcoholic drinks now and forever. She flopped down onto her bed and let out a groan of relief at the chance of relaxation.

One day, she'd like to be able to leave her little ponies in more capable hooves but for now, she was just happy to serve. Day Court was busy but nothing that she couldn't manage, just the usual taxes and government budget discussions. The only real issue she'd experienced was another session of her "nephew" Prince Blueblood bringing some starry-eyed fan girls into the palace for a private tour...again. How was it that a colt that she'd raised had turned into such a thankless brat yet her biological daughter, who'd been brought up by different ponies, was a sweet and kind-hearted cherub? Motherhood was in all honesty one of the hardest challenges of her life and this came from the mare that once had to perform a dance-wrestle-smashing ritual to appease a yak king.

Many innocent tables and chairs were lost in that ritual.

A scroll plopped and rolled onto the bed, snapping Celestia out of her musings. The seal informed her that it was from Twilight and she idly wondered what sort of strange shenanigans she'd been roped into this time. Unfurling the parchment, she began to leisurely read it when certain keywords caught her attention, leading to her racing through to the bottom. The darkness that had converted Luna into Nightmare Moon had returned and possessed Twilight! Whew, thankfully her friends, with the aid of Sombra of all ponies, had managed to vanquish the dark spirit and were now awaiting both her and her sister's immediate presence in Ponyville for their combined guidance.

Once more donning her royal regalia, Celestia hurried to find Luna and get to the bottom of this latest development.

It was time that this ended once and for all.

Stroke of Midnight

"Twilight!"

Spike dove forward and captured the mare in the largest hug he'd ever given her, even bigger than the hug he'd gifted her with after she got him a custom gemstone pastry cookbook for last year's Hearth's Warming. Weakly, she returned the gesture, managing a strained laugh as she rubbed his back with one hoof. Never before had a hug from Twilight felt so good to the drake.

"It's good to see you too," she wheezed before the rest of the party joined in.

"Group hug!" Pinkie squealed, somehow ending up on top of Applejack's shoulders.

There was one, however, who didn't join in, instead remaining off to the side.

"I'm...glad to see that you're alright," Sombra admitted, though still maintaining his distance.

Everyone backed away as Twilight wobbled into a standing position and slowly made her way to the stallion. Reaching a hoof up, she tenderly caressed Sombra's face, causing him to close his eyes contently.

"You came for me."

His red eyes reopened, focusing solely on her. "Was there any doubt?"

Twilight responded by laying a chaste kiss on his lips.

"None whatsoever."

"D'awww!"

Sombra shot Pinkie and Rarity an annoyed glance.

"Oh clam up!"

"But you're both so adorable!" Rarity gushed. "It's like a romance novel!"

"Yeah! You're officially my OTP!" Pinkie cheered.

"OT-what now?"

"Uh guys? Hate t' break up this here tender moment but shouldn't we be headin' back now?"

Twilight nodded, "Applejack is right. We really should be-ah!" She turned to leave when her front foreleg twisted, sending her into a near meeting with the floor if not for Sombra manually catching her. "S-sorry. I'm trying to catch my bearings..."

"Don't apologize," Sombra lightly admonished, pulling her close. "You've had a trying experience."

"That's an understatement! Are you okay?" Rainbow asked worriedly. Twilight was sweating profusely, her features looking pale and a series of light tremors rocking her body.

"I think so. I'm just...so tired..."

Gingerly, Sombra telekinetically lifted her onto his back. "Rest easy. We'll be back at your home soon."

He then began to navigate his way through the partially destroyed ruins and the others followed close behind. The return journey back to Ponyville was spent mainly in silence, primarily for Twilight's sake as she was looking shaken up from her ordeal. Then again, what could any of them even say? Twilight seemed to drift in and out of consciousness but this was from exhaustion so they let her be. Every now and then, Sombra would catch Rainbow glancing at him, her expression one of what appeared to be approval, though he chose not to comment on it and neither did she.

Turning his head away from her, Sombra briefly smirked.

"Hey Sombra?"

He found Spike trying and failing to match his stride so he slowed down to allow to him to keep up. Strangely, Spike had elected to walk right alongside him though he figured it was to be closer to Twilight. Not that he could blame him in the slightest. The two were practically family.

"Yes?"

For once, a large smile of gratitude graced Spike's cheeks. "Thank you. For helping us."

"I did this for her," Sombra gestured to the mare on his back. He then sighed, allowing himself a smile. "But you're welcome."

~*~

While Princess Celestia appeared the perfect picture of regal serenity, Princess Luna was not so fortunate, her right hindleg bouncing wildly in place for the better part of six minutes. When news had reached her of Nightmare Moon's return, she nearly collapsed, listing to the side and smashing into a wheeled tray. The servants had to keep her steady as she regained her balance, the poor mare looking terrified beyond belief. Despite Celestia's insistence of handling this alone, Luna elected to accompany her, asserting that her presence was essential in case the threat wasn't over. She had, after all, lived with such a menace inside of her mind and controlling her actions for more than a thousand years and knew more about it than anyone.

This, however, was not the reason for her apprehension at a possible reunion. True, the idea of meeting back up with the entity that ruined her life was nerve-wracking enough, nearly sending her into a full-blown panic attack. No, the truth was, something felt wrong to her. Much of her banishment on the moon was foggy to Luna's recollection but she did recall how insidious the dark spirit was, how conniving and manipulative she could be, which she proved in their first encounter with the new Element bearers. It took six of the most powerful items in Equestria to exorcise the being from her body but now apparently all it took was brute force and emotional support?

"You're worrying over nothing."

Luna turned sharply to face her sister. "No...I am not. You don't know her like I do. I told you before, Nightmare or Midnight or whatever she chooses to call herself is far more than just a wicked force."

Celestia maintained a calm look of sororal love. "Luna, we've talked about this-..."

"Don't speak to me as though I'm a filly!" Luna snapped, surprising both of them. "You don't know what it was like to have that-that thing inside of my head, whispering terrible things, driving its hateful bile further and further into my core. So when I tell you to take this seriously, do it!"

"I am taking this seriously! But I have faith in both my student and her friends. They've proven time and again that they have what it takes to beat the odds. You're turning Nightmare Moon into an unbeatable demon."

"And you're still acting as though everything will go according to your plan!"

Celestia sank back in her seat. "What does that mean?"

"It means that this has to stop. No more lies, plots or manipulation. Your games have to end."

"You think that I believe this is a game?!" The Solar Princess leaned towards Luna with critical severity. "What I do is for the good of Equestria. You have no idea what I had to go through to ensure that our kingdom survived."

"I HAVE NO IDEA?! I WAS TRAPPED ON THE MOON FOR A THOUSAND YEARS!"

"DO NOT USE THE ROYAL CANTERLOT VOICE ON ME!"

"Um, Y-your Majesties?" They both turned to the royal guard seated across from them. "We'll be, uh, landing soon. Just thought that you'd like to know."

"Thank you, Corporal," Celestia said softly before facing Luna again. "We'll discuss this later."

Luna turned her body away from Celestia and muttered under her breath, "You always say that."

~*~

Ponyville was rather quiet, with most of its residents in their homes either sleeping or tending to their nightly rituals, leaving only the occasional straggler as the octet made their way towards the castle. Despite his most sincere efforts, there was no mistaking the uneasiness that was on display for Sombra, which had lessened given the lack of ponies in sight. He was in unfamiliar territory walking around in the open and with no kind of disguise or perception spell. Spike insisted to him that it wasn't necessary so he took the dragon's word in lieu of his own reservations. He didn't belong here; Ponyville, Equestria, the modern age, they were all alien, as foreign to him as he was to the Element bearers.

"You and I both know that no matter what you do, they will never accept you."

Sombra took the familiar pain of isolation and locked it away. Now was not the time for self-pity.

"Sombra? Are you alright?" Twilight asked concernedly. She'd recovered enough to walk once Ponyville was in sight and while this was fortunate, it also meant that Sombra's back was feeling noticeably less warmer.

"It's nothing."

She placed a hoof on his shoulder. "Don't shut me out. Tell me what's wrong."

The umbrum's eyes soon found Twilight's. "I can't be here. Once you're inside the castle, I have to leave."

"Do you?" Her hoof found his cheek, gently sliding down his coat. "You could stay the night."

Sombra snorted, "As tempting as that is, you know I can't."

Their muzzles were almost touching.

"Are you sure?" She inquired breathlessly.

"Look!"

They followed Rarity's hoof to find a chariot landing nearby, its occupants well known to everyone. Sombra immediately backed away from Twilight, purple fog curling from his eyes. Though Applejack and the others agreed to allow him his freedom, he had serious doubts that the Royal Sisters would honor this bargain. Luna was a slave to the whims of her sister and could be so much more if she could just remove herself from out of Celestia's shadow. And Celestia was...Celestia.

The six-pegasus team unhooked themselves from their harnesses and formed a line on either side of the princesses as they exited the chariot, a lone unicorn guard accompanying them. A grey earth pony mare shouted from her window about the new guests, leading to the creation of a small crowd. Sombra rolled his eyes but still kept his guard up in case things went south. Princesses Celestia and Luna stopped in front of the group and inspected them, finally noticing a much healthy-looking Twilight and a suspicious Sombra. Celestia furrowed her brow somewhat.

"Sombra."

"Celestia. Good to see you're actually doing something."

"And it's nice that you're contributing to the solution rather than the problem for once."

"Beggin' yer pardon, Princess, but Sombra helped us wi' this fiasco even though he could've said no."

The mask of maternal authority figure was easily slipped on.

"Thank you Applejack, but I read Spike's letter so I am well aware of this fact. Although I don't agree with letting Sombra leave here with his freedom intact, I do think that it's best to honor your promises."

"What do we do now?" Fluttershy wondered.

"The best course of action would be to-..."

A bolt of cyan-blue light slammed into Celestia's head, sending her collapsing into an undignified heap. Everyone spun to gaze incredulously at a giggling Twilight, the mare's face adorned with a sadistically bemused grin.

"Oh, you have no idea how long I've been waiting to do that." Light erupted around her, transforming her once more into the form of Midnight Sparkle. "Looks as though the sun has gone down once again."

Princess Luna rushed over to her sister's side. Carefully rolling Celestia over, she observed the light expansion and contraction of the unconscious mare's chest, so she was at the very least still breathing. Luna light her horn up with a slow, blinking light and conducted a quick magical scan. Thankfully, the beam was merely a sleeping charm so there was no permanent damage. This, however, did nothing to quell the rage building inside the Lunar Princess.

"Bloody harridan!"

Princess Luna fired an energy ray at Midnight, who simply teleported out of the way and re-appeared, releasing several missiles that spiraled towards the Lunar Princess. She easily smacked them away with a swipe of her horn, replying via launching a large sphere at Midnight, who fired a beam that split the sphere, sending both halves flying harmlessly past her. Several shards of blue light flew at Luna, pelting her barrier and shattering like shards of glass before she emitted a hyper beam that split into five smaller beams. Teleport-running, Midnight dodged the attacks and was ready to fire once again when a black and violet streak sent her skidding on her hooves. Both mares found Sombra scowling at the dark alicorn, eyes now glowing completely green as purple smoke leaked from the edges of those orbs, his horn engulfed in a black aura as purple orbs bubbled around it.

"I warned you, eidolon. This ends now."

Midnight's mouth stretched in a rictus of pure sadistic glee. "You know what?" She giggled. "You're right."

A flash erupted from Midnight's horn, blinding everyone with its radiance before darkness claimed them all.

~*~

It didn't take Princess Luna long to figure out where she was. As the Princess of the Night, the Dreamscape was a realm that she was intimately familiar with, having a basic layout practically burned into her mind. What concerned her, however, was her appearance in the world of dreams. Sleeping spells were a dime a dozen but one that transported a pony there while fully conscious was a powerful enchantment not known to anyone besides Luna herself and Celestia. Then again, the being that was inhabiting Twilight Sparkle once took residence in Luna's own mind so it made sense that she'd have access to that kind of knowledge. A chill ran down Luna's spine at the many other possible spells that Midnight had in her arsenal, courtesy of both Luna and Twilight.

At it's core, the Dreamscape was actually quite simple to navigate, consisting of a cloudy purple, black and blue void littered with trails of stardust and pollen-esque light specks. Luna noiselessly made her way along a thin, flat road suspended in mid-air, her horn ignited and eyes nervously scanning the surrounding area. Multitudinous glowing orbs passed by her, each one depicting the dreams of every stallion, mare, colt and filly in Equestria. A wall-eyed pegasus bounced across the tops of giant floating muffins like trampolines while brown paper packages flapped by on paper wings. An earth pony in a cool bowtie was being chased by what appeared to be large metal pepper shakers with whisk-arms.

One orb darted up to Luna's face and she immediately felt her heart drop. Celestia was in what appeared to be the Castle of the Royal Pony Sisters' throne room, suspended by her forelegs by chains and her head hung low. A hoof grabbed the interior of the orb and pulled it to the right, revealing a smirking Midnight. She waved at Luna and mouthed the words, "I'll see you soon," before the orb turned black. Luna let loose a low growl and without a hint of reluctance, entered the dream, determined to save her sister from this menace.

Luna found herself in the castle hallway, except that it resembled the way that it looked in its heyday. Before Luna gave into her anger and jealousy. Brushing the guilt aside, she moved cautiously through the hallway until arriving at the giant double doors to the throne room. She obviously knew that this was a trap but couldn't figure out why Midnight would pull her into the Dreamscape and not immediately imprison her. Slowly, she pushed the doors apart and entered.

In the center of the room, Celestia was still hanging chained up to the ceiling, softly whimpering. Luna gasped and galloped over to her, wrapping her forelegs around her sister and squeezing her as tightly as she could. The elder sister's head popped up in shock, her eyes darting around the room.

"Luna? Luna, you have to leave! She's insane!"

A teeth-chattering metallic squealing cut through the air, followed by Midnight's creepy sing-talking:

"One, two, Midnight's coming for you..."

Luna spun around, her horn blazing. "Show yourself!"

"Gladly," Midnight whispered, appearing with her head over Celestia's shoulder. She let out a manic giggle. "Here we all are. My, how I love reunions!" She then sighed, her face drooping as she slowly made her way around Celestia. "You don't know how long I've suffered, all of my patience and planning, all in the anticipation of this one moment."

The wheels steadily turned in Luna's brain. "You...it was you that shielded Twilight Sparkle's nightmares from me!"

"I've spent more than a thousand years rattling around inside that head of yours. Did you really think that I wouldn't have picked up a few tricks along the way?"

Luna aimed her horn at Midnight's heart. Assuming she had one. "What do you want?

Midnight blinked. "Do you really not remember our time on the moon? Do you not remember who I am?"

"I...no." Truthfully, Luna's imprisonment was a bit of a blur.

The purple alicorn peered at Celestia. "I'm your sister." Then, at Luna. "Your twin sister."

"What?!"

Everything fell into place. The darkness that manifested at times. The voice in the back of her head. Instances in which Luna felt furious or frightened but had no idea why. As a foal, she would have dreams within dreams connected to nightmares, where a filly would invite her to play and then try to strangle her. Midnight's revelation had opened the door to lost memories, memories Luna had either suppressed or simply forgotten. Her previous anger faded, now replaced with epiphanic shock.

"I remember now..."

Midnight circled back around and casually leaned up against Celestia while standing on her hindlegs.

Luna swallowed. "But, I don't have a twin..."

"You're partially correct," Midnight admitted bitterly. "Mother and the physicians thought that it was a mistake but the truth is, you absorbed me in the womb," she explained, her face twisting in rage as she jabbed her hoof in Luna's direction. "You...stole...my...life!"

"I...what?"

"Leave her alone!" Celestia shouted defiantly, earning her Midnight's ire.

"Oh, now you want to protect her? Where was this a thousand years ago when you banished us to the moon? If you'd just paid attention to your sister, you would've realized how hurt she was."

Midnight turned to face Luna once more. "And let's not forget sweet wittle Woona," she mocked childishly. "'Mommy didn't pay me enough attention and my subjects didn't love me like my big sister, boo-hoo-hoo.' Bleh! Do you know how pathetic you sound?! You had it all: wealth, power, a cushy lifestyle. Even that misshapen miscreant Discord practically worshiped the ground you walked on and yet all of that wasn't enough for you."

Luna swatted the accusing hoof out of her face. "You put all of that hatred and self-doubt in my head!"

"I may've stoked the fire but you're the one who ignited the flame. All of that jealousy...all of that hatred...that was all you, sister dearest."

"So why?" They both turned to Celestia. "Was all of this just to get back at us?"

A series of orbs appeared all around the trio, a wave swirling towards Midnight to bob and weave around her as if they were planets caught in the sun's gravity. Each orb held moving images, visions of normal, everyday ponies exploring their perspective dreamworlds. They ranged from the dreariest mundane, such as going to school, to the fantastically imaginative, like folding cities and buildings made of cottage cheese. Whereas Celestia and Luna saw wonderment, Midnight was less beguiled, the light causing shadows to fall on her disgruntled face as she scooped up the closest orb in her hoof.

"Look at them. So peaceful, so hopeful." There was a tragic derisiveness in her tone, as if she were making a joke yet all traces of humor were dropped from her voice. "All of them breathing, laughing, running, loving. They are given the most precious of gifts and yet they waste it on silly dreams, pointless fears and wasteful arguments. What a farce."

She released the orb, allowing it to zip past her to join the others. "You both are prime examples: a vain, controlling, self-righteous brat and a spineless emotional wreck with mommy issues. This land deserves a better ruler..."

The mare dematerialized in a slowly-dissolving cloud of blue mist.

"...and I'm going to give it to them."

Nightmareland

The room had significantly decreased inside Midnight's mind since she transported Twilight's friends into the Dreamscape. Balancing on her forelegs, Twilight shoved her hindlegs up against the wall, feeling it slowly inch closer and closer, her front hooves lightly scraping along the floor. The ceiling gradually dropped, lowering to the point that it nearly caused Twilight to bump the tip of her horn along the craggy stonework. There was a soft rumbling as the walls closed in, their vicinity to Twilight meant that she could barely open her wings all the way. Globules of sweat trickled down the alicorn's brow, her teeth gritted together with the vain effort of keeping the wall back from its trajectory.

Meanwhile, Midnight was peering into a floating orb and watching with immense delight as Fluttershy fled through a dark forest of dead, grotesque trees away from a multitude of shadowy, cackling beings. The oneiromancer's grin widened when Fluttershy collapsed against a rotten tree and curled into a ball, her chest wracked with small sobs. It was actually a stroke of both genius and malice to trap each of the Element Bearers and Spike in their own personal nightmare, torturing them with their fears and inhibitions. Princesses Celestia and Luna, on the other hoof, were prisoners of the dream-world, fully conscious of both their defeat and the dark alicorn's true identity. Sombra's fate was possibly the cruelest of the unconscious prisoners, surpassing even Twilight's expectations of malignity, given the villains that she'd faced before.

"Midnight, you, ugh, s-said you wouldn't hurt them!"

"Twilight, Twilight, Twilight," Midnight replied in a condescending tone. "Our agreement was that I was forbidden from killing them and, true to my word, they're all still breathing. You never said I couldn't torture them a little."

"But why?!"

"Why not? After all, if I am to reign unopposed, I must quell any notions of rebellion. Examples MUST be made."

"Please, haven't they suffered enough?"

Midnight's haughty grin evaporated. "Suffer? You have no right to use that word!"

Tossing away the sphere, she ripped away a space in the Dreamscape and entered the waking world, appearing atop Ponyville Town Hall. Down below, the citizens were in a panic from earlier events, debating amongst themselves the next course of action. The princesses and the Element Bearers were missing and a brand new villain was the culprit, so who could they turn to next?

"What do you or any of these peons know about suffering?" Midnight inquired bitterly, sweeping a foreleg out in front of her. "About pain? Of crushing loneliness and soul-rendering despair? No, none of you could even fathom such a concept."

Twilight put her struggling on hold. "Midnight, it's not too late. Stop what you're doing and I'm sure everypony will forgive you. Let me help you. You don't have to be alone any-..."

"Enough! What, you think if you prattle on about friendship or sing a little song, everything will be fine? Such a naive filly. Some things can't be so easily fixed."

The ceiling lowered half an inch with a sonorous screech.

"What's happening?!"

Midnight snorted, "Since you gave me control, your consciousness has slowly been taken over by my own. Within a few hours, there'll be nothing left of Twilight Sparkle but a distant memory."

Slamming both forehooves on the window, Twilight frantically pressed her face against the glass, the tiniest sliver of hope forming that she could make one last appeal.

"Midnight, please, don't do this!"

"Hush now, Twilight. You're giving me a headache."

~*~

Another blue streak smacked against the wall of the castle, which rippled like water before settling back into its solid form. Releasing a sigh, Princess Luna seated herself on her rump and stared down at the floor, uncertain of what to do or what to think. So far, her magic hadn't even made a dent. She and the others had been so secure in their victory that they never stopped to consider that Nightmare Moon had not truly been destroyed. And while everypony went on with their lives, Nightmare, or Midnight, had been waiting, gathering her strength and then, like a rapid chimera, she attacked.

How could this have happened?

"We've failed. I failed."

Startled, Luna turned to find Celestia staring off into the distance.

"W-what?"

Celestia sighed and shook her head. "How could I have been so foolish?! Of course the Elements of Harmony didn't destroy Nightmare; their function is to keep balance not to take life. And yet, I was just so...blinded by pride in my student. No, pride in myself, in my role as a teacher. It was my ego, Luna. It was always my ego."

"Sister, I..."

"No, there's no point in denying it. The fault is mine."

"...really think you should shut up now."

The elder alicorn's bewildered gaze snapped to her sister. "What?"

"I mean, here were are," Luna began as she rose to her hooves. "Trapped in the Dreamscape by my psychotic unborn twin sister who, by the way, hates us and everything we stand for, and is probably wreaking havoc on innocent ponies and yet, all you can think about is yourself. Some things never change."

"Luna, I'm admitting my culpability in all of this-..."

"Oh stop it!" Celestia winced at the tone. "'It's all my fault. I should've done more.' Do you even have a head large enough to contain all of that ego? Nightmare tricked us all, played us all for fools. Now, are you going to help me get out of here and stop that madmare or are you going to order some tea to go along with your little pity party?"

Surprise gave way to pride and Celestia nodded, "Yes, let us get out of here." Golden tendrils coursed through the bindings holding her in place, snapping the chains like pretzel sticks, allowing the Solar Princess to unfurl her wings. "And for the record, we're going to resume this discussion when we get home."

Facing the barrier, the two shared a nod before Luna blasted it with a cerulean beam, carving out a sizable chunk. As it began to mend itself, Celestia poured her own magic into the hole, wrenching it open while Luna joined it, their combined magic ripping open an opening large enough to fit a pony through. Or more specifically, a full-grown alicorn.

"Now!"

Luna launched herself through the opening and then spun around, summoning a two-fingered claw to keep it open long enough for Celestia to pass. Once they were both outside, Luna released her magic and wiped her brow. Giving each other an approving grin, they raced towards the Hall of Dreams, searching each and every sphere for the dreams belonging to their friends. If they had any chance of stopping Midnight and freeing Twilight Sparkle, they were going to need the Elements of Harmony but first, they needed their bearers.

Locating Applejack's, Celestia held it up, discovering the farm mare galloping through some kind of swamp, pursued by shadowy figures with burning red eyes. "I've found one!"

"Excellent. Wait for me. I'm going in."

~*~

Applejack pushed herself further than she'd ever gone, her legs propelling herself so hard and fast that they began to ache from the effort. Passing branches smacked her in the face but she ignored the stinging, her focus on evading her pursuers overwriting any and all pain. Her lungs burned, her chest ready to combust. The woods appeared to stretch on for miles, every tree resembling the last, something that bothered Applejack minutely. It didn't matter; escape was on the forefront of her mind and she was in desperate need of a miracle.

Just gotta keep ahead o' them. Can't slow down. Not now...

She twisted her head back to gauge the status of her pursuers and was dismayed to find them keeping up with her. Pony-shaped masses of pure, semi-solid blackness sped towards the farm mare, their eyes burning red, faces twisted into mocking smirks. Gliding soundlessly just over the ground, they darted through the air like black arrows and Applejack was unsure if she was truly outrunning them or they were purposefully allowing her to take the lead just to prolong the chase. Their cackles tore through the open air, sending spasming shivers down Applejack's spine and into every fiber of her being. She turned back just in time to meet with a low-hanging tree branch, knocking her off of her hooves, sending her tumbling down a hill and face-first into a small pond.

Once the stars subsided, Applejack groggily lifted her head up and spat up the musky water, dry heaving air back into her lungs. She now found herself in a swamp, a small bog of claw-like trees and multitudes of glittering eyes. Staggering to her strained limbs, she peered around, finding no trace of the shadow-things and this put her on edge. Her ears swiveled around, only to find there was nothing: no wind, no birds, no living creatures of any kind. The only sound she could hear was the sound of her labored breathing.

Pivoting on her hind legs, Applejack spun to find the shadow-things right in front of her. She wanted to run, tried to run, but her body was petrified, either from fear or exhaustion, she couldn't tell. The shadows drew nearer, their silhouettes like those of a mare and stallion respectively, the mare being short but extremely fair, the stallion bulky with a stetson atop his head. The first shadow giggled, a sound Applejack once found sweet and comforting but was twisted into something eerily cruel. She leaned in close and let out a sigh.

"Aw, why did'ya run, sugarcube? We jus' wanted t' talk t' ya."

"She's right, li'l lady," the stallion agreed sardonically. "Tha's no way t' treat yer parents."

"Y-yer not mah parents! Y-ya monsters!"

"It was all yer fault," the mare grinned. "Ya shouldn't have lied. We wanted t' spend time with ya but y'all wanted t' to goof off with yer friends."

"Stop it..."

The stallion began circling her. "Fer how much ya talk 'bout responsibility, ya sure were an unruly rascal. If ya weren't so selfish, we'd still be alive. Yer a liar an' uh coward."

Tears stung Applejack's eyes. "No...no Ah'm not..."

"Liar an' uh coward," the mare agreed.

"Enough!"

Princess Luna descended, her wings flapping furiously at the shadows.

"Begone!"

The shadows screeched, their forms bending and contorting beneath the force of Luna's wings.

"Liiiiiiar!"

"Cowwwward!"

Unearthly shrieks escaped the shadows' jaws before they were swept away, reduced to obsidian dust in the wind.

Princess Luna placed a hoof on Applejack's shoulder. "Applejack? Applejack, are you alright?"

Applejack stared past her and gulped, swallowing away the hurt. "Ah...Ah think so. Thank ya, princess."

"My pleasure. Now then, let's go find your friends."

~*~

In Sugarcube Corner, Pinkie Pie was slumped against the wall of the monochromatic establishment, facing a group of ponies that looked like her friends. She glanced out from her veil of hair to peer weakly at them.

"Please," she sniffled. "Leave me alone."

"Why would we do that?" Twilight smirked maliciously. "It's sooooo much fun."

"Remember that little party she threw for herself?" Fluttershy tittered. "Now that's hilarious!"

"Guys, please stop..." Pinkie begged.

"Darling, why can't you just be normal like the rest of us?" Rarity chimed in cruelly.

Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes. "Duh, because her weirdness makes us look even better! Why else would we keep her around?"

Pinkie tried and failed to stop the tears rolling down her cheeks.

"Aw, ya gonna cry now? Look at th' li'l filly cryin'," Applejack mocked.

"Pinkie Pie!"

Pinkie's head shot up. "Princess Luna?"

The Princess of the Night came charging in through the window, a volley of magic beams popping the evil duplicates like balloons.

"This is just a nightmare, Pinkie. Your friends love you and are worried sick."

"They are?"

"Of course! Now come on, they need you."

~*~

Spike's footsteps thundered throughout Ponyville, his rapidly growing body casting a titanic shadow over the crowds of distraught citizens. No matter how hard he pleaded, no one wanted to be near him out, instead screaming their heads off and fleeing in mortal terror. To them, he was just another dragon. Didn't they know that he'd never do anything to hurt them? He soon spotted a familiar white unicorn and carefully made his way over to her, slowly reaching a claw out.

"Rarity, please it's me-..."

"Get away, you monster!"

"But...I'm not a monster! It's me, your Spikey-Wikey!"

In lieu of a response, she let out an ear-splitting shriek and galloped away as fast as she could.

"Don't go....Please, don't leave me..."

"Spike!"

"Huh?"

Princess Luna soared up to the behemoth and landed on his snout. "My, talk about dreaming big. Spike, this isn't real. You know and I both know this."

Spike couldn't meet her gaze. "It...it could be..."

She smiled maternally. "I promise you, this would never come to pass. You're kind, gentle and thoughtful. Besides, everyone knows you're too cute and dorky to be intimidating."

"Hey! Wait..."

"Let's go. You're needed elsewhere."

~*~

"What do you mean, 'too slow'?!"

Spitfire rolled her eyes. "Exactly what it sounds like! You're...too...slow!"

Rainbow Dash couldn't believe what she was hearing. "Please, just let me try again..."

"What, are you deaf? You didn't make the cut. Now scram, loser!" Spitfire callously spat.

"This has got to be a mistake!"

"We don't make mistakes. We make winners. And you'll never be one of us."

The cloud beneath Rainbow opened up and she was sent plummeting through the air, descending down, down, down the endless drop to the ground. She tried to flap her wings but they refused to obey her. Why was this happening? She was the best, wasn't she? She worked hard, followed the rules. It wasn't fair!

A dark blue shape managed to pluck her out of the air and to Rainbow's relief, it was Princess Luna.

"Need a lift?" she grinned.

"So this is all a dream?" Rainbow wiped her brow. "Whew, this was intense!"

"It's going to become more intense out in the waking world if we don't stop my sister."

"What, Princess Celestia?"

"No, the one who calls herself 'Midnight Sparkle.'"

There was a pause until:

"Wait, what?!"

~*~

Inside the Carousel Boutique, Rarity was panicking, searching each and every room, tearing the building apart and completely disregarding the destruction she was wreaking on her workplace. The latest fashion line didn't matter right now, not when there were more important things-important ponies-to worry about. Dashing down the stairs at break-neck speed, she skidded to a stop when she caught sight of the filly she'd been looking for. Sweetie Belle sat on her haunches, staring at the standing mirror, completely ignoring the world around her. Rarity released a sigh of relief.

"Sweetie Belle, where have you been? You scared me half to death! I was tearing this place apart looking for you and all this time you were right here-..."

"Oh, so you do care?" Sweetie Belle turned from the mirror, green eyes full of anger and disappointment. "That's a relief."

Rarity's jaw dropped. "Of...of course I care, Sweetie. Why would you ever say such a thing?"

"Why? Why?!" The filly strode furiously up to Rarity. "Admit it, you don't care about me!"

"That's not true! I love you so much-..."

"Suuuure you do!" Sweetie said mockingly. "If you love me so much, how come you ignore me? It took latching onto Applejack for you to finally acknowledge me! You say you love me, so how come you ditch me whenever Mom and Dad ask you to babysit? You're never around when I need you."

Rarity couldn't believe she was hearing this. "S-sweetie Belle, you have to understand that I have responsibilities. I run a business and try to keep Equestria from falling apart on an almost weekly basis."

Sweetie Belle let out an uncharacteristically cruel chuckle. "That's your excuse? Applejack works on her family's farm, Pinkie is always throwing parties to keep everypony happy, Twilight is a princess, Fluttershy tends to all of Ponyville's animals, and Rainbow Dash is training to be a Wonderbolt and yet they all find time for their loved ones. While you're off dreaming of your precious future husband, I'm stuck here with no cutie mark and no future."

Rarity winced at every word, her eyes beginning to moisten from the spite in them.

"Deep down, you secretly wish that I didn't exist."

"Don't say that," Rarity managed through her tears. "Please don't..."

"I hate you."

"Sweetie Belle, please-..."

"I HATE YOU!"

"Sweetie..."

"YOU'RE VAIN, POMPOUS, AND USELESS! YOU JUST DRAG EVERYONE DOWN!"

"BEGONE!"

The room faded to black, replaced instead with a scintillating blue glow. In place of Sweetie Belle, Princess Luna was there, rubbing a gentle hoof on Rarity's back.

"Sh, it's okay. It's not real."

"I'm...I'm a terrible sister," Rarity sniffled.

Luna shook her head. "No you're not. That wasn't Sweetie Belle. Do not mistake her hateful bile for personal insight. Your sister loves and looks up to you. Believe me, I know a thing or two about the topic."

Rarity took a deep breath. "Could we please leave?"

"Yes, let's."

~*~

A quaint little cottage lay just outside of Ponyville, a place of happiness and warmth to all who visited it, courtesy of its owner. At least, that is the way it's supposed to be. The lush, green grass was replaced with red-brown clumps of dead foliage, the soil black and tar-like, in terms of both appearance and consistency. A ring of gnarled, claw-like trees sprouted around the cottage, giving it the impression of an old fortress comprised of wooden stakes. There was no singing, no bird chirps, or any signs of merriment.

Inside, Fluttershy was cowering with her back against the front door, a legion of glowing red eyes all trained on the terrified pegasus.

"You know me! You don't want to hurt me....right?"

She was surrounded by a semi-circle of snarling beasts, all warped versions of her beloved animals. For whatever reason, none of them seemed to be able to understand her. They all advanced, all of them, from the smallest chipmunk to the largest bear, all baring their teeth or flexing their claws, eyes full of empty savagery. Even Angel, her most beloved bunny, was not immune to the sudden spell of madness that'd overtaken the others, his ears flat against his skull, back lowered and teeth full on display in an act of aggression. Slowly, the circle contracted.

"Please don't hurt me! I love you all!"

All at once, the hordes of beasts charged. Fluttershy screamed and clamped her eyes shut, unable to witness her own demise by her cuddly friends. Seconds passed and yet, no sounds of tearing flesh. Fluttershy dared to open one eye, then the other. The animals were all frozen in mid-charge, as if petrified in time.

"Wh-...?"

Princess Luna phased through the nearby wall and placed a wing around Fluttershy.

"Are you alright?"

Fluttershy gulped and nodded. "Y-yes. I think so."

"Good." Princess Luna beamed warmly at her. "Then let us join the others."

~*~

"And here's the last one."

"Fluttershy!" Everyone cheered and gathered around the new arrival.

"Oh, hi everyone. Are you all okay?"

Each one of them traded an uncertain glance.

Applejack cleared her throat. "Ah think so. Sure was terrifyin'."

"Not for me, it wasn't!" Rainbow Dash said boisterously. "I was dreaming that I was fighting a....an endless army of super-changelings! Yeah, they were twenty feet tall and could spit acid. Oh, and they all shoot fire balls out of their eyes and had giant stingers."

"Riiiiight. A-anyway," Rarity turned to the princesses. "What's next for us?"

Princess Celestia looked uncertain. "Well, I think we should execute a plan of attack before we take on Midnight. But first, we need to find Sombra's nightmare and wake him up."

"Easier said than done, sister."

Luna was peering into a dream-orb with a mixture of both fascination and puzzlement.

"Luna, what's wrong?"

Turning to all of them, she held up the orb.

"Sombra isn't trapped in a nightmare. He's trapped inside of a dream."

For the Stallion Who Has Everything

"My crystal slaves..."
"Yer not foolin' anypony! Yer pure evil!"
"How come you always find me?"
"Because you insisted that I should stop letting you win, remember?"
"You're beautiful Celestia, inside and out. Any stallion noble or poor would be proud to call you his wife."
"My brother's dead. I don't know who you are."
"Haven't you been listening? It's because I love you, you idiot."

Gradually, Sombra's eyes flickered open and he slowly sat up, the blurriness subsiding as his vision focused on his surroundings. The interior of his bedroom was made up of dark oak paneling, great tapestries lining the walls like battle flags. Carved wooden pillars and crisscrossing beams were strewn about the room, each one meticulously covered in spiraling etchings of ponies and beasts. A small stone hearth sat in the room's center, the fire having long gone out. Rising from the bed, Sombra removed the fur blankets and stretched, prepared to start his day.

A soft nicker from his left side drew attention to a mare-shaped lump beneath the covers and a dark sapphire, purple and raspberry-colored mane came into view. Sombra chuckled and kissed the scalp that it belonged to, grinning with satisfaction as a slumbering face was revealed. It was a young unicorn mare, the fairest in all the village...and all the world, in his opinion. Her name was Twilight Sparkle, and they'd first met when he found her lost and half-frozen during the land's worst blizzard in decades. As she'd been an orphan and, shockingly enough, not particularly well-liked by her peers, she agreed to stay with him and from then on, she'd always been at his side.

Although she was not an umbrum, she had adapted to their lifestyle fairly quickly, though still even to this day retained reservations about the more violent aspects of their culture. Eventually, her sweet nature, intelligence, beauty and charm won everypony over and she was declared an official member of the village. Twilight had even beguiled Sombra into making her his wife and their lives were truly never the same again. Staring warmly down at her, Sombra leaned down and kissed her cheek, causing her to smile in her sleep. Wrapping a dire bear fur cloak around his shoulders, Sombra quietly exited the room and made his way down the hall as silently as he could.

A red aura surrounded a nearby door and Sombra gently opened it, discovering the slumbering forms of the two foals within. He still couldn't believe he'd been blessed thus far: made the chieftain of his village, married to the love of his life, and father to two incredible children. If anything ever happened to any of them...well, he dared not to consider his options should such a dark day ever come to pass. Shutting the door once again, Sombra made his way past a few stationed guards, who bowed their heads in respect, and entered the front exterior of the building. The early morning air was crisp, the wind lightly whipping his mane and cloak around.

As Sombra stared out at his domain, he couldn't help but feel as though something was amiss though he hadn't the faintest notion of what that something could be. So far, the neighboring crystal ponies kept their distance, engaging in occasional trading but still respecting the boundaries of the umbrums' land. The Kingdom of the Three Tribes rarely ventured out into the Frozen North and when they did, it was usually a band of merchants or a royal envoy wishing to discuss business with the Crystal Empire. The past few winters were bearable and the other umbrum villages scattered across Equestria had not bothered with inter-tribal conflict for the last few years. So what was it that kept the chieftain feeling so at unease?

"Enjoying the view?"

Sombra snorted and turned slightly to find Twilight enter the left side of his vision. She was garbed in a linen long dress and thick wool cloak to protect her significantly thinner coat from the frigid climate. Despite this, she never once complained about the cold, not even during her early days in the Frozen North, back when it was blatantly obvious that she was freezing her flank off. Now she was a umbrum all but in name. Words could not describe the pride that swelled in Sombra's chest.

"I just needed some fresh air," Sombra smiled and placed a foreleg around Twilight.

"Sombra." He locked eyes with her. "What's wrong?"

She always could read me like one of her books.

He exhaled deeply through his nostrils. "I don't know. It just...feels as though there's something missing, almost as though I've been living a life that is not my own."

"You've been having those dreams again?"

Sombra nodded. "I can't really remember them but they seem so real."

Twilight sighed and rested her head against him. "We all have dreams like those. I was dreaming that I was stuck back in the snow storm, only this time you and your hunting party didn't find me. The point is, I think you should focus on what's real, on what's right in front of you."

She was, as per usual, correct in her assessment. Twelve years of marriage and Sombra still found himself in awe of Twilight's wisdom. He chuckled warmly and rubbed his muzzle against Twilight's, eliciting a soft coo from the mare. The smell of lavender wafted into Sombra's nostrils as he took in her natural scent. It was how a mare was supposed to smell.

"Are you ever wrong, my love?"

Twilight giggled sheepishly, "Well, there was that one time I told you that that snowbank looked stable enough to stand on."

The stallion snorted. "As I recall, it was situated over a trench and it took you two minutes just to locate and unbury my head."

"And at least I got to warm you up." Twilight smooched the end of Sombra's nose and wagged her eyebrows.

"That you did."

Sombra gazed into those violet orbs he adored so much, his chest inflamed by the love he felt for the one he trusted and adored most in the world. Gently, he pressed his lips to hers, enjoying their light texture against his own. Some light movement in the distance caused Sombra to peer past Twilight and at what appeared to be a wavy, pony-shaped silhouette. Taller than the average pony, it possessed both a horn and wings, the mane long and curling in the breeze like a banner.

"Sombra." The voice was feminine in pitch and tone and despite the garbled quality, it sounded...strangely familiar. "Wake up. This isn't real..."

Who is that? And why do I know that voice?

"Sombra...!"

"Sombra?"

The stallion snapped his attention back to Twilight.

"Hmm?"

Head cocked, Twilight raised an inquisitive eyebrow. "Are you alright? You just sort of...froze."

The strange mare was gone.

"I'm sorry," Sombra answered apologetically. "I must be more tired than I thought."

Twilight smirked and nodded understandably. "It's alright, just try to get your full night's sleep. We do need our chieftain alert and awake." She turned and gestured towards the hall. "Come on, breakfast will be served shortly and I'm sure the children will want the first thing that they see when they awake is their father."

Sluggishly, Sombra followed her inside, pausing briefly to once more inspect the spot where the mare once stood. Shrugging, he shut the door behind him and soon forgot the issue.

~*~

"Morning Father!"

Sombra turned and was soon tackled by two foals, a colt and filly respectively. Bearing the full brunt of their affectionate assault, he chuckled and spun them around, listening with glee at their collective laughter. At ten-and-two, Agnar was the elder of the duo, a skinny light gray colt that possessed his mother's violet eyes and purple mane. Little Gyda, a seven-year-old filly, instead took after her father: black mane, red eyes, and a more bulky frame. Nevertheless, they were both precious in Sombra's eyes.

"Good morning, my treasures!" Sombra greeted them, holding them both tightly to his chest. "Now then, go and get breakfast. Your father has his daily tasks to perform."

Agnar nodded and took Gyda by the hoof. "Come on, Gyda. Let's go get us some cabbage stew and sourdough!"

"Yum! Bye bye, Father!"

Waving them off, Sombra soon found Twilight leaning against a beam, the widest of grins on her face.

"Something amusing, Beloved?"

Twilight sauntered over to him and wrapped her forelegs around him.

"Just you. There's never a day that any of us don't know how much you love us."

Sombra lightly kissed Twilight's brow. "I just want to show you all how much you mean to me."

"I love you."

"I love you too. More than anything."

~*~

Sombra's daily route took him through the village, greeting each and every denizen he passed. It was much warmer than it'd been earlier that morning and for that, Sombra was thankful. The dins of hammers on steel brought him to the blacksmith's forge and a smile stretched from ear to ear as he caught glimpse of an old stallion dunking a steaming horseshoe into a bucket of water. Despite his age, Weland was still hard at work, managing to keep up with and even outpacing his younger contemporaries. His white mane and beard still had streaks of black peppered through them and his body still rippled with muscle, a testament to his many years of back-breaking labor in the forge.

"Father."

Weland set down his hammer and bowed. "My lord."

"There's no need for ceremony with me."

"Nonetheless, you are the chieftain," the old stallion smirked. "My son the chieftain."

Sombra's smile drooped as he let out a sigh. "This isn't just a social visit. I wanted to ask you something."

Weland cocked a bushy brow. "Oh? Walk with me then."

The two followed the trail up towards a small hill, once used as a look-out point but now mostly used as a quiet out-of-the-way spot for talks such as these. Once they were certain that they were away from prying eyes and ears, they took a seat on the crude stone bench and briefly allowed silence to dominate their discussion. Weland waited patiently for his son to gather his thoughts, as it would grant him the ability to properly convey what was worrying him.

"Father, lately I've been plagued by these...bizarre dreams."

"Dreams you say? Go on."

Sombra steepled his toes together. "Scraps of memories, really. Memories of a life not my own. Of betrayal, death, scorn, and everlasting hatred. But also hope and new love."

Weland stroked his beard. "It sounds like your typical dream nonsense. Why, just the other night, I dreamt that I was a dancing carrot performing for a crowd of hawks all wearing fur hats."

"And earlier, I thought I saw an alicorn. And I heard her say my name."

"Did you now? And what did this alicorn look like?"

Sombra's ears drooped. "I'm not sure. It was more of a shape, really."

Weland snorted and clapped Sombra on the back. "You see? I think it was just a case of your tired brain coming up with something. I'm sure Twilight has already told you this but you need more sleep, lad."

Though still unconvinced, Sombra nodded. "Thanks Father."

"Any time, son. Now, if you don't mind, they need me back at the forge."

~*~

Soft, gentle humming drew Sombra towards the village well, where an older mare sat magically guiding a large needle through a half-completed blanket. Persephone, Sombra's mother, was still very much a beautiful mare, her ebony mane decorated with streaks of silver-gray hair. She remained with her back straight and head up high, a picture perfect representation of dignity and grace. Stopping in mid-stitch, Persephone smiled warmly at Sombra and patted the spot beside her. He obeyed without resistance.

"It's truly an honor that you'd take time out of your day to sit with an old mare."

Sombra immediately recognized her joking tone and responded, "Time can wait. A son has a duty to his mother."

"You always were such a sweet colt." A hoof caressed Sombra's cheek. "What troubles you so?"

"I just...I feel as though every time that I see you will be the last."

Persephone beamed at him. "You worry too much. I'm old but I'm not that old. Is it the crystal ponies? Dear one, they have not bothered us thusly and will continue to hide behind their glittering walls."

"And what of the alicorns?"

"They are cowards; big mouthed and spineless. They hurl their insults and commands like spoiled children and yet, the rest of Equestria keeps on living without them. A dying breed desperate for their glory days."

Sombra tenderly held Persephone's hoof between his own. "Perhaps you're right. I could just be worrying for naught."

"Never think that," Persephone said softly. "You are chieftain. It's your duty to worry about your subjects, just as it is mine to worry for my child and grandchildren. Just banish those thoughts that would plague you unjustly and focus on the real worries. Alright?"

And though Sombra nodded and held her tightly, he remained skeptical.

~*~

The main hall was alive with the sounds of clattering silverware and clunking of mead horns, the overlapping excited chatter and raucous laughter almost deafening. Umbrum warriors swapped tales and bawdy jokes, accompanied by arm movements and hoof-pounding on the tables' surfaces. Music cascaded through the hall, a procession of fiddles, flutes, drums, horns, and harps constructing a rhythm for the merriment at work. A roaring fire blazed within the center of the hall, the flames reflecting the festive energy of the hall's participants. Atop an oaken dais, there sat the chieftain and wife in twin thrones of pine, joined by Weland, Persephone, Agnar, and Gyda.

Twilight looked the part of a chieftain's wife: red underdress, blue outerdress, a mantle of dire bear fur held in place with golden tortoise shell-shaped brooches, golden necklaces, and a silver crown. Sombra, meanwhile, was garbed in a thick black wool cloak with an ice-warg fur mantle, sky-blue tunic, silver and iron beads in his mane, and a silver crown inlaid with golden interlocking beasts. These were the faces of the community, the ultimate in authority, and yet, they never gave off the impression of callousness or aloofness. They reached for one another's hooves and held them as they beheld the small kingdom they ruled over. As the ale poured and the music played, Sombra inhaled and for the first time that day, felt secure in both his position and his life.

The double doors swung open, the crashing interrupting the festivities and all at once, a hush filled the hall. Six umbrum guards led a trio of newcomers inside at spear-point. All of the males gathered in the hall rose to their hooves, knives and axes at the ready as the party was led up to the dais. One of the guards, a heavily scarred veteran, pointed his spear on the floor and bowed.

"My lord, these trespassers appeared on the west side of the village. They requested an audience with you."

A baby dragon nervously fidgeted with his claws, green eyes darting between Sombra and the spears still raised towards him and his companions. It'd been some time since Sombra had seen a dragon, having slain one and mounted its hide above his bed but never had he seen a hatchling. Beside the dragon was an orange earth pony, a brown hat of some kind atop her head, her gaze one of defiance. It was the third, however, that garnered the most attention. It was an alicorn, dark blue in color, a semi-transparent mane of glittering stars swirling from her scalp.

"Who are you and what do you want?" Sombra demanded.

The alicorn stepped forward. "You are going to find this incredible to believe..."

Author's Note

Both the name of this chapter and the basis comes from "For the Man Who Has Everything," a DC Comics storyline adapted into the episode of the same name from Justice League Unlimited. And which the show Supergirl totally didn't rip-off.

For the Stallion Who Has Nothing

Princess Luna ripped herself out of the dream-sphere and gasped, fighting to bring air back into her lungs. Never before had a dream actively fought her before and this frightened her. Midnight's magic was stronger than she'd feared and if the dark alicorn was capable of this, then what other kind of forbidden magic could she be able to conjure up? Ponies believe, rather erroneously, that Luna builds the dreams in which they experience their greatest joys or their worst fears. The truth was, she merely acted as a vanguard against nightmares; she didn't construct dreams, as that was left to the individual dreamers.

Midnight, however, not only built and entrapped Twilight's friends in oneiric-based prisons but had also gone out of her way to create a dream-world for Sombra, a place where the umbrum could live out his fondest desires. Luna didn't know what was crueler: to trap someone with their darkest fears or to give them everything they want and convince them that it's real. What Luna did know was that it was a perversion of everything she stood for and that Midnight needed to be stopped. The others crowded around her, bombarding her with questions and inquiries as to her current status. Shooing the others away, Princess Celestia gathered Luna into her wings.

"Back up, everypony, please. Give her room." Celestia peered down at Luna cautiously. "Are you alright?"

"I think so." Gently pushing Celestia's wings away, Luna reclaimed her footing. "I tried to pierce the veil of the dream world and speak to Sombra directly but it's fighting me."

"What do ya mean, 'fightin' ya'?"

"Whenever I enter a dream, I am entering a doorway into the subconscious mind of another. In that moment, the dreamer is convinced of the genuine nature of their environment. This dream, however, seems to be built on conscious thought. At first, I thought it was merely a result of Midnight's doing but now I see that Sombra is so beguiled by the fantasy world created for him that his mind is battling all attempts at preventing reality from upsetting the illusion."

Rarity tapped her chin. "So what you're saying is, Sombra knows he's in a dream?"

"At least on some kind of level. He is...aware that something is wrong but is instead choosing to ignore the signs, if only to maintain the false reality."

"That's lame!" Rainbow Dash spectated. "So what if it's nice to dream? He has to grow up and get back to real life."

"It's not easy for everypony." They all turned to Spike. "I mean, the appeal of a dream is to be someone you're not. A better someone, someone that you can be proud of." His eyes quickly darted over to Rarity. "And others can be too."

Fluttershy nodded. "Well, he does bring up a good point. From what Twilight's told us, Sombra hasn't exactly had the easiest life. M-maybe, deep down, he resents himself and what he's done."

"Which is why he needs someone to go in there and convince him of the truth," Celestia advised. "I'll go."

"Sister, with all due respect, you're the last pony Sombra would want to see. Besides, he needs an oneiromancer that can bring him out of it. I will go." From Luna's tone and posture, it wasn't up for debate.

"Ah'll go too," Applejack announced. "Yah need somepony t' watch yer back. 'Sides, Honesty is mah thing an' Sombra's gonna need a dose o' honesty if he's gonna snap outta it."

Luna smiled proudly. "Excellent thinking. Now, I believe one more should do, as I don't think I will be able to properly protect more than that and take care of whatever is in there."

Spike raised a hand. "I volunteer."

"Spikey, no!"

Rainbow darted in front of the dragon, her wings unfurled. "Rarity's right. If anything, I should go."

The drake crossed his arms defiantly. "No, I'm going."

Celestia shook her head. "Absolutely not. I'm not going to stand back and allow you to-..."

"Leave him be." Luna stared Celestia down, turning her sight to Spike. "It's his choice. He's earned it."

With a sigh, Spike balled up his fists. "Look, I know I'm not strong, or fast, but what I am is someone that's not going to just stand around and let the rest of you risk your lives. I really think that I can help. If you let me."

The Lunar Princess' pride couldn't have been more prevalent. "Very well then. Follow me."

~*~

The trio soon found themselves in the Frozen North, yet despite the whooshing of wind and the falling snow around them, none of them felt even in the slightest chilly. This told Luna that Midnight, despite her devious ingenuity, had failed to make the faux world one-hundred percent realistic, instead settling on merely being convincing enough to make Sombra want to stay but not to completely fool him. Whether this was due to haste or some sort of enticement, Luna wasn't certain but did have to admit it at least looked nice. She could make out the shimmering spires of the Crystal Empire in the distance, glittering like cut diamonds in the sunlight. The question of how Midnight knew such details briefly played out in Luna's mind until she remembered that it was due to them sharing the same body and thus, same experiences.

That is a disturbing thought.

"Ah think Ah see it!"

Narrowing her gaze, Luna followed Applejack's outstretched hoof. Past a series of ditches and small hills, there lay what appeared to be a settlement sitting atop a large mound of stone and snow. Trails of smoke seeped from the huts' roofs, almost acting as a signal to the three travelers.

Hnefaleikarinn...Giant's Fist...

"Dravite Hill," Luna unknowingly whispered aloud.

"Princess Luna, are you okay?"

Luna found Spike's eyes peering worriedly up at her.

"I am, Spike. Come, let us finish our task."

The three began their journey towards the mound, all of them filled with trepidation at whatever lied in wait for them in the so-called "village." As the snow beneath their hooves and feet was nothing more than window-dressing, there were no crunching sounds nor the familiar sensation of cold wetness in the frogs or between the toes. If not for the miles of whiteness stretching out before them, none of the trio would've believed that they were supposed to be in a tundra. Conversely, Spike politely declined Applejack's offer of a ride, instead electing to walk alongside the two mares. Perhaps it was to convince both them and himself that they were right to have allowed him to tag along.

Possibly an hour or so passed before the outskirts of the Dravite Hill Village was within their immediate vicinity. A small stone wall, approximately chest-height for the average pony, raced around the village's border. Beyond that, a collection of wooden A-frame huts of varying sizes encircled the property, ranging from residential homes to small shops. Luna watched the simulated denizens with mild curiosity, taking note of their shared features: thick-furred dark coats ranging from an ash-gray to a jet-black hue, black manes, curved horns and red eyes. The stallions wore cloaks and tunics, occasionally along with trousers and fur hats, while the mares were dressed in underdresses, apron-like overdresses, and knotted kerchiefs.

"Wow, Midnight's really outdone herself, huh?" Applejack asked.

"Indeed." Luna watched a small group of foals playing tag, shrieking with delight as one plump colt attempted to catch the others, nearly swatting a petite filly. "It's almost beautiful in a way. Yet also-..."

"Umm, l-ladies?"

They both turned to Spike only to find the dragon frozen in place, a pair of spears criss-crossing to enclose around his neck in a scissor-like fashion. Their owners, initially a pair of amorphous shadows, materialized into two armored umbrum guards. Three more shadows popped up around Luna and Applejack, spears aimed right at their chests as they too were soon revealed to be umbrums. A fourth shadow appeared directly in front of the princess, coalescing into a scarred stallion with one milky eye. He leveled his own spear at Luna, the tip of the metal head pointed right at her nose.

"Care to explain what you're doing here?"

Waving the end of her wing to Applejack in a downward motion, Luna stared at the scarred stallion defiantly.

"We seek audience with your leader. It is of dire importance."

The guards shared quick confused glances before their apparent captain spoke.

"Is that so?" He studied Luna's face for a moment before giving her a crooked-toothed smirk. "Would you look at this, strákar! She's got a spine, doesn't she?"

The others chuckled, though kept both their eyes and their spears trained on the newcomers.

"Very well then. Follow us, please."

Forming a careful formation around the travelers, two on each side and one in both front and back, the guards prodded and pushed the trio into the village, guiding them past almost awestruck bystanders and up to the longhouse. The largest building in the village, it was a long wooden structure with a slightly rounded roof, a fence of pillars surrounding the exterior like sentries. A pair of beams crowned the top of the front entrance, their surfaces carved into the shapes of two yowling beasts, possibly serpents or even dragons. Magically wresting the large front doors wide, the three were met by the sounds and sights of a large banquet as sweet, lively music poured out into the open air. Herding them inside in a less-than-gentle fashion, Luna immediately felt the ambiance take on a much cooler feel, the music and festivities having both abruptly fallen silent at their arrival.

Scores of red eyes, filled with either curiosity, scorn, or sardonic amusement, soon tracked every step Luna, Spike, and Applejack had taken. The mares muttered in their native tongue while the stallions reached for their swords, axes, or whatever weapon was nearby. At the end of the grand hall, there was a raised dais of oak, upon which a group of ponies were situated. In two intricately carved thrones, there sat a purple unicorn mare, her foreleg interlocked with Sombra's, the two of them dressed liked royalty. The party came to a halt and the scarred warrior bowed respectfully.

"My lord, these trespassers appeared on the west side of the village. They requested an audience with you."

Studying each of the three, Sombra finally locked eyes with Luna and she could see the recognition behind those orbs. And yet it appeared foggy, like one trying to recall the name of a classmate they'd not seen in decades. He then leaned forward slightly and spoke in an authoritative manner:

"Who are you and what do you want?"

Nopony tried to stop Luna as she approached the foot of the dais. She swallowed and then stated, "You are going to find this incredible to believe but we know each other. Myself, my companions and you."

Sombra fixed her with a stony glance. "Is that so?"

"I am Princess Luna, daughter of Queen Concordia and sister to Princess Celestia."

One of Sombra's eyes twinged slightly. "These names mean nothing to me."

"Well they should." Applejack muscled her way past the guards. "Princess Celestia is th' ruler o' Equestria an' yer ex-wife." A chorus of laughter and obnoxious chatter filled the background but she ignored them. "Ya were orphaned at uh young age an' taken in by th' king an' queen o' th' Crystal Empire an' raised as their son."

One of Sombra's hooves dug into the throne's arm. "That is ludicrous. I've never even set hoof inside of the Crystal Empire."

"Yes, ya have," Applejack insisted. "After ya found out th' truth about yer kind, ya took over, enslaved th' crystal ponies, an' tried t' wage war on Equestria. That is, until Princess Luna here an' Princess Celestia showed up an' banished ya fer a thousand years."

Sombra bared his noticeably normal pony teeth at her. "Now you're just delusional! I've never-..."

"Don't ya remember? We're friends wi' Twilight!"

Hearing her name, Twilight stared blankly at Applejack. "I've never seen this mare before in my life."

"Not ya! Th' real Twilight! Th' one that's bein' controlled by Nightmare Moon, or Midnight Sparkle!"

"Sombra," Luna interjected. "None of this is real. You are literally living in a fantasy. This is a dream built especially for you but you need to wake up now."

"Please Sombra!" Spike begged. "Midnight is going to destroy Equestria unless we stop her and we need your help!"

The chieftain was on his hooves. "I've heard enough of this drivel! Guards, escort these...fools out of here. Just be thankful I'm being so merciful."

Spears raised, the umbrum guards began corralling the trio and leading them towards the exit.

"Sombra! It is not too late! Midnight must be stopped!"

Luna's words were left with scoffing laughter as the doors slammed shut.

~*~

The hall remained quiet long after the foreigners' departure, until one of the musicians took to his flute and resumed playing. The others joined in shortly, filling the hall with joyful tunes once more, leading to the revelers reluctantly returning to their merriment. Sombra, however, had been more than spooked by the three's visit and left the hall without a word to anyone. He found himself stumbling down an empty corridor, one forehoof skidding along the wall as his hindlegs felt as though they were ready to give up. He swore, no begged, that the allegations were false but found it harder and harder to refute them, flashes of what could only be memories flooding his head.

Screams tore through the air, accompanied by the rapid tolling of the village bell and the shouts of stallions barking orders. Fires burned brightly, consuming the huts like an angry beast...

"No..."

"Mama!" Young Sombra squealed, searching for his mother as umbrums charged past him.

"Sombra!" A young mare yanked him off of the ground and clutched him to her chest. "We have to go!" The colt's eyes widened with fear as arrows soared through the air...

"Stop it!" Sombra's head felt as though in was in a vice. "It's not true!"

"Advance!" A cadre of armored crystal ponies marched forward, mowing down anypony and everypony in their wake. From over his mother's shoulder, Sombra watched the carnage with undivided attention, his eyes taking in the full scope of the horror unfolding around him...

Slumping against the wall, Sombra fought the urge to vomit, instead electing to choke back the feeling, his throat becoming raw from the effort. More moments flashed before his eyes, both good and bad, pain and joy wrapped in one package. He drew his hoof from the wall. There had been no texture from the wood, nor smell. The floors were the same, as was his clothing and the ale from the banquet had no taste. Had it always been like that?

This...this is real! I know it...

"This isn't a dream..."

Sombra's reassurance sounded empty, even to himself.

~*~

Glancing behind her, Luna found the longhouse once more flooded with music and laughter. They may've failed to fully convince Sombra of his predicament but there was doubt, both in his eyes and voice, and doubt was a powerful tool. Much like a seed, once planted, doubt slowly grows into a tree of distrust and by then it's too late to ignore. Time may be a factor in the waking realm but in dreams, it was a nonissue and Luna knew that she would eventually reach him. She had to.

"Princess Luna!" Applejack shouted.

It was then that she noticed it.

One of the guards had flickered, albeit briefly.

Puffing out her wings, Luna knocked a guard aside and clocked another one right on the snout with a back-kick.

"Remember, they aren't real!"

Taking a cue, Applejack ducked and thrust both hindlegs out, sending a helpless guard flying backwards. The stallion that'd been struck by Luna's wing rose, only to receive the gift of a rather nasty uppercut by the orange farm mare. Drawing in a deep breath, Spike exhaled a hot burst of fire, scorching the ground around one guard and setting another aflame. The burning guard fled from the chaos and vanished in a puff of smoke. Luna beckoned the others to follow her.

"Come, to the mead hall!"

Yes, there was a chance.

~*~

"Sombra?! What's happened!"

Twilight rushed to Sombra's aid, telekinetically lifting him up and wrapping her forelegs around his barrel. Her face was etched with worry at seeing him like this.

Sombra lifted his head up and stared owlishly at her. "Twilight, I...the massacre. I remember it..."

"'Massacre'? What mass-..."

"The massacre! The crystal ponies invading the village...everything burning!"

"Calm down, you're not making sense."

The mare's embrace did nothing; it was like being hugged by smoke. She lacked warmth, substance, or even a smell. Sombra pulled himself away, spooked and a tad taken aback.

"This...this isn't real, is it?"

"Sombra-..."

Seizing Twilight by the shoulders, Sombra screamed, "Tell me this is real!"

Twilight shoved Sombra back. "Of course this is real! Are you going to place the words of strangers over those of your wife?!"

Twilight sat across from him in a large dining hall, though she had a pair of feathered wings at her side. Her mane was gathered up into an intricately-braided side-bun. Garbed in a dark pink, silver-trimmed dress, she was nothing short of miraculous. No stallion alive was luckier than he was at that moment

"The Golden Horseshoe..." It was their first date...sort of. "It was meant to be a fact-gathering mission, yet I couldn't help myself."

Her velvety soft lips tasted of wild elderberries, a light whimper escaping her mouth as they shared their first kiss.

"Sombra, return to the banquet. You just need some to enjoy the party."

He stared at the mare he called his wife and discovered an expression of fear adorning her features. Despite the fact that he was currently questioning both reality and his own sanity, he had an urge to assuage her worries. Taking a deep breath, Sombra adopted a more relaxed veneer and nodded.

"Yes...yes, you're right. Come."

Grasping her by the foreleg, they made their way back to the main hall. By then, the celebration was in full swing, though there was something decidedly off. The song that the band had been playing was the exact same one from an hour ago. Turning a blind eye, Sombra took his seat back on the dais just in time for a young mare to fill his drinking horn. He peered down at the golden liquid and took a sip before setting the horn aside altogether.

It tastes bland. No substance to it.

He found Weland chatting with Persephone, the two sitting cheek-to-cheek as they laughed and whispered to one another. A bored Agnar pushed the Brussels sprouts around on his plate, one cheek shoved against his hoof. Sombra found himself empathizing with the colt, even if only one of them was genuinely capable of experiencing such an emotion. He then watched Gyda cheerfully shovel her food into her mouth before staring up and him and grinning. A weak smile appeared on his own face before he returned to staring ahead, a dull pain throbbing in his chest.

Cadence stood at Sombra's bedside, gently smiling at the stallion.

"I'm just so happy to see you."

"Me too. I'm glad you're okay," the mare replied sweetly.

"This...this isn't right," Sombra hissed aloud.

"Sombra?"

Ignoring Twilight, Sombra rose from his throne as if in a trance and stumbled down the dais. The band commenced playing, though their instruments no longer produced any music. Ponies laughed and chattered, their mouths emitting nary a sound but still carrying as though there was nothing amiss. Gradually, one by one, the mead hall's occupants vanishing into thin air. A growl escaped Sombra's mouth, his skull assaulted by a splitting migraine, the hall spinning like a carousel.

Wave after wave of memories crashed against the forefront of Sombra's conscious mind, each recollection resulting in another fracture in the walls of the mead hall. He remembered everything following the crystal pony attack and his subsequent adoption by their monarchs, from his foalhood and re-discovery of his true identity to his training with Grimoire and his multi-species coalition bent on conquering Equestria. Then came his millennia-long banishment, death, and return, second exposure to the Elements of Harmony and the temporary removal of his magic, resulting in a year-long imprisonment beneath Canterlot Castle. Twilight-the real Twilight-and her efforts to befriend him, eventually blossoming into romance and a sense of renewed trust in another. The interactions with the other members of Twilight's merry band, ranging from gleeful acceptance to cool indifference, as well as Celestia's repeated attempts to win back his affections, their battle above and in Canterlot, and his decision to spare her life.

"It's not real...none of it is..."

Spiderweb-esque cracks split the walls in a series of loud rips, flooding the room in several beams of white-blue light.

The double doors burst open and the visitors from before raced into the room though they didn't register on Sombra's radar. Instead, his attention was focused on the dais, where all of the members of his "family" were erect and solemn, the only ones left in the mead hall. He raced towards them, stumbled and righted himself, no longer concerned by their status of existence. Tripping over an inclined chair, Sombra landed hard onto the floor, coughing in pain and clutching one hindleg. He then rose and finally made it halfway up the dais, where Weland nodded at him in a respectful manner.

"I love you, son. Be well." He then bowed his head and faded in a stream of dust.

"Father!"

Blinking back tears, Persephone reached out for Sombra, grazing his cheek.

"Mother-..."

"Don't say 'goodbye,' Dearest One," she smiled with a hint of sorrow before she too disintegrated.

Gathering his wife and children, Sombra clutched them tightly, practically fusing them to his chest with how he held them. He now knew of both lives, of Sombra the Shadow King, a despicable tyrant and master of the forbidden arts, and Sombra the Chieftain, beloved leader, devoted husband, and loving father. His embrace tightened, as did the pain in his chest, his heart aching more than it had in a long time.

"Don't...don't leave me," Sombra huffed, no longer able to fight the oncoming tears.

"Father, you have to let us go," Agnar pleaded, strands of his mane converting into loose particles.

"We love you, Father," Gyda sniffled. "But no more fairy tales. Time to wake up."

"Shut up! Just hold on!" He looked to Twilight, who gave him a bittersweet smile.

"You don't need us anymore. You never did."

"Stop, please..."

Slowly, they unraveled, their physical forms flaking off and fluttering away in the nonexistent breeze. Sombra tried in vain to grab at their remains, his hooves snatching and clutching dust. Throwing back his head, he howled in anguish, the surroundings shattering into a million pieces to reveal the blue-black void that'd dwelt beneath them. The umbrum too had begun to transform, his gray horn had transitioned into scarlet while both of his top canines curled into razor-sharp fangs. His royal attire metamorphosed into his cape and armor, leaving him resembling his waking self.

He collapsed onto his forehooves and hocks, his breaths loud and laborious as his tears plop-plopped to the ground. Silence invaded the dream-world; there was nothing that either he, Luna, Applejack, or Spike could say. After an indeterminable time had passed, Sombra raised one hoof and smacked the ground, followed by another and another. His tempo increased as he rained blow after blow upon the ground. Applejack stepped forward, only for Luna to unfurl a wing in front of her and shake her head as if to say, "Leave him be."

The assault died down, leaving Sombra exhausted and beyond the point of caring whether or not he felt better.

He didn't want to recover.

The pain was all he had left of them.

~*~

Spike and the others watched the display of grief and it was only after Sombra's attack on the ground ceased that Spike realized that he'd been holding his breath. He'd read Twilight's account of the emotional agony the former tyrant had experienced but it was only now that, after witnessing it, did he understand. Sombra got to live his perfect life, even if it'd all been a lie, but the lie was so powerful that it might as well have been the truth. Spike looked to his companions and found that they too failed to keep their eyes dry. The stillness had been so prolonged that when Sombra spoke, they all almost missed it:

"Why? Why couldn't you let me have this?" None of them knew exactly who it was that he was addressing so they remained silent. "Have I not suffered enough?" Then louder: "HAVEN'T I SUFFERED ENOUGH?!"

He then lowered his head and said nothing else. Studying both Luna and Applejack, Spike inhaled and slowly made his way over to Sombra. Sombra said or did nothing when Spike finally appeared directly behind him.

"S...Sombra? Listen, you might not believe this but..." The umbrum's head turned slightly, a soft green glow emitting from one tear-releasing eye. "...I know what you're feeling right now, at least a little. I know what it's like to wish that your life turned out differently, to be someone else. You hate being where you are and maybe even who you are and you find it so much better to just dream of being someone better than you are." Sombra rotated more of his body so that he almost faced Spike. "I understand completely. But the thing is, if you spend all your time just dreaming about being better, then you never get the chance to actually be better."

The green vanished from Sombra's eyes, revealing them to be both dismal and surprised.

"How? What's even the point? I have nothing. I am nothing."

Spike dared to take a step closer. "That's not true. You have Twilight, the real Twilight and right now, she's in danger. All of Equestria is in danger unless we don't stop Midnight." He raised a claw palm-up. "You don't have to be alone, Sombra. You could make a friend right now. Just take the leap."

Leaning forward, Sombra inspected the proffered claw as if it were a bear trap. His eyes glanced back and forth between it and its owner before his own hoof mechanically raised. Very carefully, he placed it over Spike's own tiny appendage and allowed it to make contact, almost as if he were touching a glass figurine. Then, without a hint of his usual sardonic nature, he smiled at Spike and the two shook on it.

"Very well then," Sombra grunted and wiped his eyes, rising to his full height. "I will help Twilight and Equestria. I will help my friend." He then added darkly, "We will annihilate Midnight and show her the consequences of her actions."

"That was beautiful...until ya added that," Applejack muttered.

"Agreed." Luna opened a portal behind her. "Let us return to the others. We have work to do."

Crystal Clear

Tapping one slippered hoof against the crystalline floor, Princess Cadence stared anxiously out one of the throne room window, her cup of hot cocoa completely forgotten amidst the snowstorm of worry swirling around inside the princess' mind. Earlier, she'd received word that Twilight had been possessed by the same darkness that once afflicted Aunt Luna, resulting in her transformation into "Midnight Sparkle" and terrorizing Ponyville. The others, with the aid of Sombra, had successfully driven the darkness out of Twilight and that Celestia and Luna were on their way to assess the situation, promising to report back with their findings. However, three hours had passed since then and yet still no word from her mother or her aunt. Despite Shining Armor's assurances that everything was fine, Cadence couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong and that the conflict was far from over.

She arose from her seat and paced to the center of the room, stopping to face the blue and violet amethyst throne. Following her parents' battle in Canterlot, an event she'd heard about and regarded with a mixture of both dread and fascination, Cadence had not seen Sombra in months and his letters were few and far between. Whenever she spoke to Twilight about this, her sister-in-law was reticent on the matter, preferring either one- to two-word answers or changing the subject entirely. In fact, Twilight's behavior had become exceedingly off since Sombra's disappearance, and she wasn't the only one to notice. Celestia voiced her own concerns about her former student's moodiness and anti-social behavior, clearly just as apprehensive as Cadence was, if not more.

"Caddy, is everything okay?"

Shining Armor soon strode onto the throne room, adorning his full royal guard regalia as he'd just returned from a training drill with his troops. Purple, golden-edged armor contrasted perfectly with his snow-white coat, giving him an appearance of strength and regality. He always looked so handsome in his armor, reminding Cadence of the stories about brave knights rescuing princesses that she loved as a filly. She never would've guessed that she would eventually get to live out that fantasy. Shining removed his plumed helmet and cradled it in one foreleg.

Cadence nodded. "Yes Shiny, it's just that I'm a bit worried. Neither Princess Celestia or Luna has sent word back. I wrote to Canterlot but they've yet to return."

"It's probably nothing." Shining lovingly guided Cadence into an embrace. "I wouldn't worry too much on it."

Cadence smiled, nuzzling into Shining's neck. "Maybe you're right. Maybe everything's fine."

"Oh honey, you have no idea how wrong you are."

They both gasped, jerking their heads in the direction of the mocking feminine voice. From behind a crystalline pillar, a mare traipsed boldly towards them, a bemused smirk stretching from ear to ear as she studied them. She looked like...

"Twiley?"

The mare let out a titter. "Afraid not, Shiny. The name is Midnight Sparkle, formerly Nightmare Moon, and your new queen. You should be honored."

"What did you do to my sister?!" Shining growled.

"Oh calm down! She's still in here." Midnight tapped her temple. "Just barely." She then turned her attention to Cadence and her eyes widened. "You look so much like Mother. It's so eerie..."

Cadence could pick up on the trace amounts of longing in her. "Your mother...?"

"Yes, Queen Concordia. I'm your Aunt Midnight."

"W-what?"

"Surprised" didn't even begin to cover the emotions that'd registered in Cadence's mind. She wasn't aware that Celestia and Luna had a third sister, as neither of them had never mentioned it nor was it in any of the history books or genealogical records she'd browsed. Then again, it was only a year ago that Cadence first learned of her true origins as Celestia's firstborn child so she wasn't entirely shocked at the existence of an unknown family member. She quickly shelved her concerns for later; there were bigger concerns occurring at the moment, such as the fact that her sister-in-law was currently the host for what she assumed to be a malevolent force. Midnight's aura read of subdued anger so it would be wise to remain calm and try not to antagonize her.

Midnight then waved a hoof dismissively. "But enough of the pleasantries. I didn't come here to merely reminisce on the past."

"What is it that you want, Midnight?" Cadence carefully asked, choosing a more diplomatic approach.

Midnight smirked. "I want the Crystal Heart. Hoof it over and nopony gets hurt."

"The Crystal Heart? But you must know that without it's protective magic, the Crystal Empire would be swallowed up by the Frozen North."

The dark alicorn merely stared at her. "Do I look like somepony that cares? My request is more than reasonable so I suggest that you comply while I'm being civil." Her pupils vanished behind walls of cyan energy. "Trust me, you wouldn't like me when I'm angry."

"You're not getting that heart," Cadence uttered with finality, horn ablaze and wings spread outward.

A cyan glow from Midnight's horn illuminated her smirking countenance.

"I was hoping that you'd say that."

Cadence crouched down low, her chest nearly touching the floor, a wave of heat causing her back to sweat. She bounded upward to evade a secondary energy beam, the blast carving through the floor as though it were a knife through butter. Erecting a barrier, Shining Armor deflected some of the debris, gathering the material up and tossing the crystalline shards right back at the assailant. Midnight lifted a glowing wing up, shielding herself from Shining's attack and returning fire with a magic missile. The missile split, one half glancing off of Shining's hastily-summoned barrier while the other just barely missed Cadence's head, instead tearing a chunk out of a nearby pillar.

Conjuring a large cyan claw, Midnight grasped Shining in it and yanked him forward so that they were nearly muzzle-to-muzzle.

"Twilight, I know you're in there!" Shining Armor pleaded through his grunts. "Please fight it!"

"There is no Twilight. There is only Midnight!"

Finishing her letter, Cadence hurriedly sent it away. "Shiny!"

Midnight sneered, "Give me the Crystal Heart." The fingers of the claw tightened, extorting a pained groan from Shining. "Or I'll snap him like a toothpick." A series of cracking sounds accompanied Shining's gasps, sounds that put Cadence's teeth on edge. "Go on, see if I'm bluffing."

"Let him go!"

"After you give me the heart!"

What could Cadence do? She would not sacrifice Shining Armor, her husband and true love; that was not or ever would be an option. There was no way in Tartarus that she could ever give the Crystal Heart over to this madmare. Neither choice was even remotely acceptable but she had to do something and do it quickly. And then, it hit her.

"Please, stop this. You don't-..."

"...-Have to do this? Yes, yes, I know. Goddess, you sound so predictable. Oh look, you're even doing the teary-eyed, pouty-lip look. Bah, disgusting!"

Cadence whimpered, taking a timid step forward. "But why? Why are you doing this?"

A shrill, almost insane chortle echoed throughout the throne room. Midnight glanced at Cadence in utter disbelief. "Isn't that the million-bit question? Do you know what separates a mere royal from a queen? The love of her subjects. That, my little niece, is the true source of Celestia's power."

Midnight strolled around towards Cadence, the claw keeping Shining hostage floating beside her.

"They raised her up to godhood status, fed her the belief that she is above everypony. Their love and admiration gives her the power to stay in control. I want what she and everypony, even the lowest of commoners have: love. Such a simple concept, one creatures great and small experience every day and yet, one that has eluded me for eons. But this day, I will finally have it. Just you wait-..."

A flash of cornflower blue shot past Midnight, bounced off of the wall, and struck her in the back, forcing her to release her hold on Shining. Dropped onto his hooves, he turned and fired a bolt of his own, hitting the alicorn in the stomach and sending her flying across the room. Midnight's wings shot open, creating drag that slowed her down, her hooves skidding along the floor until she came to a stop. The royal couple unleashed a barrage on her but this time she was prepared, activating a magic wall that stopped all of their attacks. She chuckled aloud, a cruel almost mocking noise.

"You sly minx! You got me monologuing!"

The floor shook and little ripples vibrated through the crystal surface. The room began to shift, only for Cadence to realize that both she and Shining were actually sinking into a shimmering liquid that used to be the floor beneath their hooves. No matter how hard they twisted their bodies or jerked their limbs, the liquid refused to release them, clinging to them in thick globs of an elastic, glue-like consistency. Beating her wings, Cadence haltingly began to rise, only for the liquid to wretch her back into the pool. Soon, the pair found themselves up to their necks when the floor hardened and reverted back into its crystalline composition.

"Now then," Midnight said in a business-esque tone. "I believe you were going to give me the Crystal Heart."

"Absolutely not!" Shining declared. "I'd sooner die than give it to you-ah!"

Midnight's aura squeezed Shining's neck, rendering him unable to speak.

"Now that can be arranged, 'Shiny'!"

"You..."

Both Midnight and Shining Armor turned towards a shaking Cadence, her eyes shut and face clenched in an expression of extreme concentration. They both watched as she growled and her eyes flicked open, revealing black pupils with maroon irises surrounded by crimson eye-shadow. A deep rumbling groan thundered throughout the throne room, the entire castle's foundation shaking as though struck by an immense earthquake. Cadence's mane stood on end, the violet, rose, and pale gold locks transforming into a cloud of shimmering light ceriseish gray dust. When she addressed Midnight, it was in a booming delivery punctuated by a mouthful of sharp teeth:

"You don't know...WHO YOU ARE MESSING WITH!"

The floor around Cadence crackled and heaved, exploding outward in a concussive burst, showering Midnight in crystal shards that would've cut her to ribbons if she hadn't used her magic-coated wing to bat the pieces away. An eerie stillness saturated the room as the pink alicorn descended onto the floor, her light rose-colored body wrapped in a crimson aura. The aura withdrew from around Cadence's form, retreating into the long, spear-like horn atop her brow. Freeing Shining from his imprisonment, Cadence tenderly caressed his cheek with a wing before turning her ire towards the intruder. Gone was the sweet and serene Princess of Love, replaced instead with passion incarnate.

"As I said before, Midnight, you're not getting that heart."

Midnight's lips curled into a sneer. "Let's agree to disagree. Now show me what you're made of!"

~*~

The portal closed behind the band of nine as they found themselves once again in Ponyville. Their collective ordeals inside the dream-world were harrowing but they came out of it stronger and more determined to end Midnight's reign and freeing Twilight from her clutches. The town was in near-pristine shape, shocking considering recent events and it was only through the terrified and bewildered gazes of its residents that indicated that anything was amiss. Speaking of which, it wasn't long before the group was swarmed by ponies, their attention focused squarely on the princesses as they noisily jabbered and hurled questions. Celestia and Luna tried to calm the crowd down but their fears only made them more restless, all of them pushing and shoving each other to try to get to the Royal Sisters.

A burst of purple and green flames erupted skyward, startling the crowd and causing them to leap backwards, bestowing the ennead with a wide berth. Sombra gave the crowd a quick, irritated sweeping glance before jerking his head towards Celestia. The mare shook her head in disapproval and then cleared her throat, sliding back into her royal mindset.

"Citizens of Ponyville, thank you all for your patience. I know many of you are confused. The truth is, the same darkness that created Nightmare Moon has returned and this time, it has taken Princess Twilight." Everypony gasped at this revelation, a low wave of murmurs flowing amidst the crowd. "This 'Midnight Sparkle' must be stopped and I want to assure you that we are doing everything in our power to contain the situation. Now, can anypony tell us where Midnight Sparkle is?"

An earth pony stallion raised a hoof and stepped forward. He wore a green bowtie and had the image of an hourglass adorning his flank. "Yes, I heard her, well, talking to herself. She said that she was in the mood for some sightseeing and decided to visit the Crystal Empire. Apparently, she has relatives there?"

"Thank you, Time Turner. As for the rest of you, I want to let each and every one of you know that my sister and I are in the process of detaining this criminal so please remain calm and carry on. That is all."

Gradually, the crowd dispersed, leaving Celestia and the others to discuss things without so many prying eyes.

"The true task will be to separate Midnight from Twilight. Sombra, can you-...?"

The dark unicorn looked as though he'd aged ten years in a matter of hours; his experiences in the dream-world must've hit him harder than any of them had known. He was lightly stomping his forehoof on a patch of tall grass, then passing his hoof through it back and forth as if playing with the texture. At first glance, one might be mistaken that he was watching the grass' movements but no, instead he were peering through the grass, his eyes focused on it with an almost uncomfortable intensity. Thanks to the dream orb, everypony had seen what happened and had all made the conscious choice to leave him be. Applejack lightly patted his shoulder.

"Sombra?"

He turned slowly to look at Applejack, his gaze faraway. "Yes?"

"Are ya...feelin' alright?"

"I am. Thank you for asking." His tone was wrong, coming off far too soft, like that of a sleepwalker. He then smiled at her with a mite degree of appreciation. "Truly. Thank you."

"Are you sure?" Spike asked gently. "You can tell us if something's wrong."

"I'm sure, Spike." A more serious expression dominated Sombra's features as he peered past them and directly at Celestia. "Now then, what's going on?"

Celestia was in the process of doing a double-take. "I...I was just wondering if you were familiar with banishing spells or exorcism rites?"

"I have some experience. In this instance, we're going to need to infiltrate Midnight's mind."

Luna spoke up, "As mind magic is more your forte, we'll leave that task to you. Celestia and I will create a diversion, splitting Midnight's focus and allowing you easier access to her unguarded mind."

Sombra merely nodded and stared off into space.

Celestia turned to Rainbow Dash. "I need you, Spike, Applejack, and Pinkie to collect the Elements from the Tree of Harmony." She waved her horn over the pegasus and her compatriots. "That is a return spell. It will take at least fifteen minutes to activate so be prepared to meet us at the Crystal Empire."

"You've got it, Princess!"

A flash of golden light and the four were gone.

"Goddess-speed. Gather around, everypony."

Forming a circle, Celestia and Luna charged up their horns, a reverberating hum whistling through the air as the wind rippled and whipped around everypony. Raw magic tangibly seeped into the air. Grass and dirt were tore up and spun around them like a gyroscope. The sisters then crossed their appendages, this action generating an orb of intense gold and blue energy, blinding everypony who witnessed it. Once the light dissipated, the place where the group once stood was empty, leaving a smoldering patch of grass in their wake.

~*~

Rainbow Dash heaved out a tired sigh, eager to get this whole mess over and done with. She wanted her friend back and for things to get back to normal, or at least quiet until the next cataclysmic, near-end-of-the-world event. Maybe she'd get to take a nap after kicking Midnight's flank to the moon and back. A nap and some cider.

She glanced at her companions-Spike, Applejack, and Pinkie-and nodded lightly, happy to have been split into Team B by Princess Celestia. Things had gotten a little too heavy back in the dream world, what with Sombra's little meltdown, and she needed to be away from the ex-tyrant in order to get her thoughts in order. Thanks to the dream orb-thingy, everypony had witnessed what had happened in his dream, including his second life and emotional breakdown. Rainbow herself didn't know what to say or think, so she'd elected to put as much space between her and the umbrum as possible. The truth was, she was still wary of Sombra but seeing him so distraught like that made him look like an actual pony and this had her second-guessing herself.

Maybe he wasn't so bad after-

"Look! We're here, we're here!"

Pinkie's exaltation snapped Rainbow out of her thoughts and for that, she was grateful. After all, she was a doer, not a thinker, a mare of action and daring. She left the pondering and nerd-think to Twilight, or at least, she did until Nightmare Moon, or "Midnight Sparkle" returned in their lives. It left a sizable hole in the team and Rainbow swore that this end would soon. One way or another, the nightmare would end for real.

"About time. Let's grab the Elements and head over to the Crystal Empire."

"Ah agree wi' ya double, Sugarcube."

The Tree of Harmony was an enigma whose true power and origins eluded them, the crystalline structure so old and mysterious that even Celestia and Luna lacked even the tinniest clue as to where it came from or what it even did. Apparently it was a living organism, an embodiment of Harmony itself and displayed a will of its own, such as when it aided the gang against Lord Tirek with that deus ex machina box. Just being within a few feet of the Tree filled everyone present with a sense of wonderment and inner peace, almost as if coming home after being away for months. Rainbow was aware that she wasn't the calmest and most rational of ponies but the inexplicable warmth that the Tree generated filled her with a sense of collectiveness that she normally lacked. As she collected the Elements on the upper branches, each gem that fell into her hooves was another weight lifted off of her shoulders.

"I'm all done here!"

"Me too!"

Applejack shifted so that Spike could slide off of her back. "We're good. Let's get goin'-...tarnation!"

A brilliant pillar of multi-hued light erupted in the Tree's center, accompanied by a warbling-whistling tone that resonated in both the forest and in the quartet's souls. The light stretched outward, gradually taking on a scintillating pony shape. Tall and thin, the pony was a magenta cloud with a blue interior, filled with waves of twinkling white and golden sparks, giving it the impression of being a miniature galaxy. From its head and hindquarters there flowed impossibly long strands of pink, purple, and dark blue hair, billowing as if caught in a hurricane. It gazed at the group with golden-orange orbs of intense light that were somehow soothing and gentle.

"Greetings everyone," the pony stated warmly in a mare's voice, carrying with it the tone of being a long-lost mother or grandmother. "We don't have much time and yet there is much to be done."

Applejack was the first to speak. "Who...what are ya?"

"I am the manifestation of the Tree of Harmony itself. You may call me 'Harmony,' if you are so inclined."

"So wait, you're the Tree of Harmony?" Pinkie asked.

"Indeed I am, Pinkamena. But there isn't any time for explanations. You are soon to be called to join Celestia and the others to battle Midnight Sparkle once again. This time, however, you shall be victorious."

"But how?" Rainbow shook her head in despair. "The Elements didn't beat Nightmare completely the last two times so what makes this time any different?"

Harmony flashed her a maternal smile. "Now that you have brought the missing piece, this time, you will have the power of ALL the Elements at your side."

"'Missing piece'? What's that?"

Harmony held a hoof outward frog-up past Applejack. "Come forward, Spike the Dragon."

"SPIKE?!"

They all regarded each other with confusion.

Spike pointed at himself. "Me?"

"Yes, Spike. For you see, as powerful as the bond between the Royal Sisters was and is, as well as the bond with your friends, you were all missing a key component of harmony, and thus, friendship: The Element of EMPATHY. Without empathy, there cannot be kind words, the want to create laughter or the drive to stick by your friends. In order to forge the bonds between everyone, there must first be the ability to look beyond oneself and consider the feelings of those around you."

MEANWHILE, BACK IN PONYVILLE....

Deep beneath the Castle of Friendship, a stone orb began to rattle and shift in the soil, desperately tunneling its way out of its confinement. During his little greed-fueled binge, Spike had unwittingly confiscated an orb from the Castle of the Two Sisters and subsequently forgotten to return it. Fast forward to the Golden Oak Library's destruction at the hands of Lord Tirek, where the orb had been unintentionally shoved and buried into the ground like a seed, laying dormant and awaiting the day until it was called upon. That day, it appears, has arrived. Burning with ancient magic, the orb dug itself through miles of dirt and propelled itself through the air, ready to meet its bearer.

BACK INSIDE THE EVERFREE FOREST...

There was a distant whistling before a gray orb whizzed through the air and jerked to a halt, floating in mid-air right in front of an incredulous Spike. The orb's surface cracked and rumbled, crumbling away to reveal a blazing golden radiance. Encompassed in a similar glow, Spike was lifted into the air and the object flew to his neck, fastening itself in place with a golden collar. The luminescence subsided, exposing a golden-yellow gem affixed to the collar, this one in the shape of a heart. Spike floated back down to terra firma, marveling at his new accessory.

"Ah...Ah don't believe it..."

"Spike...? He was an Element Bearer this whole time...?"

"Oooh...pretty..."

"Now you are ready," Harmony beamed, just as a golden-white flash appeared around the ponies and dragon. "Good luck, my friends."

The quartet disappeared, leaving Harmony by herself.

"My own end draws near. I only hope you are prepared for when it comes," she stated ominously, fading once more to rejoin the Tree.

Author's Note

Merry Christmas (Hearth's Warming) to you all!

Battle for the Crystal Heart Part I

The gold and blue sphere burst into existence, carving a deep, bowl-shaped crevasse into the snow-covered hill while a flurry of white powder exploded outward like a storm-wave. The sphere faded, exposing the quintet to the shrieking, biting winds of the Frozen North. Below them, the Crystal Empire lay before the group as pristine and shimmering, a sunlight-glittered utopia within the icy barren wasteland. Princess Celestia shivered, unaccustomed to the cold, and cast a quick heat spell on herself, Luna, Rarity and Fluttershy, a chorus of gratified sighs directed towards her. She would've done the same for Sombra except his thicker coat and tough exterior-both literal and figurative-rendered him more resistant to the rigid temperature.

"Let us get going," Princess Luna announced and Celestia couldn't agree more.

"Yes, let's."

The group commenced their trek towards the Crystal Empire, the gales swatting at the ponies as if they were gnats. Thankfully, the winds died down enough so that conversation was no longer a challenge but nopony had anything to say. Luna, Rarity, and Fluttershy were no doubt focused on the forthcoming battle and Celestia didn't blame them. Sombra, meanwhile, had long since crawled into himself, austerely marching forward ten paces ahead from the others with the blankest of expressions on his face. Though he retained a consistent mask of cool indifference, his hollow, frankly haunted eyes told a different story, one that everypony present was unwillingly aware of.

Celestia cantered up closely alongside Sombra, hoping to break his stony countenance.

"Sombra? Are you...alright?"

"Why wouldn't I be?" Came his terse reply and not waiting for a response, Sombra trotted away, his walls strongly built up once more. Celestia halted in place and despite both the heat spell and Luna's consolatory wing around her, the Solar Princess felt frozen to her core. In spite of everything they'd been through and the animosity that still burned between them, Celestia hated seeing Sombra suffer and only wished that he'd confide in her as he used to. She'd come to terms with the fact that their time as lovers was over but she'd hoped to be his friend, as far-fetched as it now seemed.

Simultaneously, there was a solitary question blazing within Sombra's mind:

Am I going insane....again?

Following their return back to the waking world, Sombra could not help but wonder if he was still dreaming or if he'd even been awake at all. Now there were two lives diverging within his cranium, the life of the lone-surviving umbrum and former ruler of the Crystal Empire, and that of the beloved chieftain, husband and father. He was almost certain that the latter was the result of Midnight Sparkle's machinations, though the former was far more drama-laden and distressful. Perhaps the chieftain reality was so enticing that he only wanted to believe in it, as opposed to the reality that he was stuck with? No, it was a ninety-nine percent probability that he was awake now.

He stared down at his hooves and twisted one in the snow, feeling the cold, wetness of the powder against his flesh. A chilling breeze swept across his face, combed through his mane like an icy claw. A whirlwind of flurries danced nearby and Sombra was reminded of playing in the snow with Garnet as well as with Agnar and Gydda. He closed his eyes, shifting through both memories, calling to mind the details behind each one, such as the smells and textures, hoping to decipher which was real or false. Garnet's scent, her laughter, it was all too vivid to have been fabricated.

There were things that neither Luna, or by extension Midnight-formerly-known-as-Nightmare, could not and should not have known about. Growing up in the Crystal Empire was one of those things.

A shout from behind drew Sombra's attention to the flash of golden energy. Celestia's return teleportation spell was a relatively simple one, designed to follow the energy trace of a previously-used charm and to essentially piggyback off of it, bringing the subject to the caster's location. From out of the glow, Pinkie Pie, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, and Spike appeared in view and it didn't take them long to charge over to the rest of the group. All of them shared in hugs and how-are-you's, typical clingy, emotional behavior coming from today's breed of ponies. Sombra, of course, kept his distance, merely giving each of them a nod of acknowledgment. He wasn't ready for socialization just yet.

It was intriguing to hear the newcomers trade their collected experience whilst retrieving the Elements of Harmony, each one taking turns describing their ordeal. Apparently, the Tree of Harmony manifested itself a more animate form and revealed Spike as the previously-unknown seventh missing element, that of empathy. This came as a genuine surprise to everypony else, Celestia and Luna especially given their status as former Element bearers. The two sisters did confirm that they'd felt something was missing when using the Elements but until this moment hadn't the slightest idea as to what that could be. Now they had a chance to save Twilight and end Midnight once and for all.

I just hope we're not too late.

~*~

The Crystal Palace was in complete pandemonium. Servants fled through the doors and piled out into the streets as the sounds of conflict rumbled behind them. All they knew for certain was that an intruder had attacked the royal couple and was currently locked in combat with Princess Cadence, as evidenced by the booming and flashes of magic. They'd collectively agreed to vacate the premises immediately, not one of them, not even the most curious of spectators wished to stay behind to bear witness to the devastation currently in progress. Only a fool would remain in the vicinity of a battle between two alicorns.

Other crystal ponies discontinued their normal routines to beleaguer the servants with questions, such as to the state of their sovereigns or the identity of the miscreant. An explosion rang out, blowing away a section of one of the castle's pillars, showing the streets in ivory debris. Their inquiries put on halt, they adhered to their survival instincts and readily fled to safety away from the destruction. This, however, didn't prevent them from watching as two blurs of cyan and deep magenta whizzed out of the destroyed spire. One resembled Princess Twilight, only more malevolent, and the other a very agitated and dark-looking Princess Cadence.

"It's over, Midnight! Surrender now and I might guarantee you a fair trial!"

The purple alicorn cackled. "Oh, how very generous of you, Amore! Here's what I think of your 'fair trial'!"

Teleporting away, Midnight reappeared higher up above her previous position and bombarded Cadence with a series of spinning crescents, all of which she managed to deflect with a protective bubble. She grunted and rapidly expanded the bubble outward, creating an omni-directional explosion. Smirking, Midnight responded by teleporting through the explosion and then, whipping her head back, collected some of the kinetic energy and hurled it back at her foe. Soaring past the energy wave, Cadence released a spiral of blasts that disconnected to form five separate beams. An unperturbed Midnight merely hovered before a portal appeared in front of her and swallowed up the beams while a second portal spat them back out at Cadence.

Instinctively, Cadence raised a last-minute shield and the volley of beams merely glanced off of the shield. Having anticipated this, Midnight telekinetically summoned a large claw and slammed it against the shield, its talons gripping around the energy construct and tugging it away. A secondary claw swatted Cadence out of the air like an insect, the impact sending Cadence spiraling towards the ground and skidding to a stop. The world was spinning, a faint ringing in her ears. Weakly, she attempted to rise, only for her limbs to give out, all of the power draining her as she reverted back to her normal appearance.

She'd tapped into the darker aspects of her magic and while this had allowed her to withstand Midnight's initial onslaught, it was nothing more than a momentary surge of power. As both a young alicorn and the Princess of Love, Cadence was unaccustomed to combat, with offensive spell-work being more Twilight's forte and it showed. True, her alicorn status granted her more raw magical potential but did that really when compared to a being that had the shared knowledge and experience of two alicorns? All she was doing was delaying the inevitable and now, she was burnt out and defenseless. Cadence lifted her head up and through the fog of pain, she spotted the Crystal Heart shimmering only a few feet away from her.

A yelp burst out of Cadence's mouth at the sharp agony of a hoof smashing into the center of her back.

"Oh, you did so well, Caddie," Midnight cooed. "But you never stood a chance."

Cadence could feel her skin crawl as Midnight lowered her head down and whispered into her ear:

"You know, just between us mares, I always wondered about that time Queen Chrysalis pretended to be you. Do you think Shining Armor was always mind controlled? Or did he fall for the disguise? Did he ever touch her?"

Cadence snarled and tried to rise, to make her tormentor pay for such spiteful, false words, only for Midnight's hoof to apply more pressure.

"I mean, an older mare must have some tricks that an eager young stud would love to learn."

It was a fear Cadence had developed ever since the wedding but one she dared not voice to anypony, not even Shining and one that kept her up many a night.

"Sh-shut up!" Cadence couldn't stop the onrush of tears. "He didn't...he wouldn't..."

Midnight let out a derisive sneer. "Oh? Did he tell you that? And you were foolish enough to believe him. Do you imagine he ever thinks about Chrysalis when he's with you, pretending it's her that he's kissing? Just secretly praying for her return?"

"Stop it!"

Lifting up her hoof, Midnight strode past Cadence, her every step bringing her closer to the Crystal Heart.

"W-why?"

Midnight, who was just within reach of the heart, turned towards Cadence.

"You don't have to do this. Love is meant to be given freely and shared. Otherwise, it isn't love. What you want...it won't be real love."

The look that Midnight gave her transitioned from cold to remorseful. She then turned back towards the heart and said pitifully, "It'd be real to me."

"Don't...please..."

Midnight reached for the heart with a trembling foreleg.

"It'd be the only love I'd ever know."

The warmth that the heart gave off was incredible, the love inside it reinvigorating.

"Midnight Sparkle!"

It was the Royal Canterlot Voice.

The crowd dispersed to make way for Princesses Celestia and Luna and the five other Element bearers.

"Step away from the Crystal Heart now!"

"No..."

Glaring at the interlopers with intense animosity, Midnight declared,

"Then come and claim it!"

Princess Luna fired a magic blast at Midnight, which she deftly defended against, swiping it away with her horn. Just when she was internally gloating at the Lunar Princess' sloppy and rather poorly telegraphed attack, she realized too late that it was merely a diversion when a golden aura surrounded the Crystal Heart and it vanished. Princess Celestia triumphantly cradled the heart under a wing, a coy grin appearing on her ivory face, accompanied by a double eyebrow bounce.

"No!"

Midnight stamped her front legs down, cracking the crystalline surface beneath her hooves. Energy seeped through the rapidly spreading fissures, walls of light bursting through the ground with a series of booms, the air humming with power. Shapes appeared within the walls and once the energy subsided, they were revealed to be eight-foot-tall snow golems, their blue ice and snow-speckled bodies flowing with dark magic. Each one chittered and yowled through mouthfuls of crystalline teeth, their broad forms lined with blade-like protrusions of ice. Midnight raised a hoof and pointed at the gang.

"That heart is mine! Destroy them all!"

Without missing a beat, the golems collectively roared and leapt forward, a few of them even tucking themselves into balls and rolling towards the group like giant armadillos. Splitting up, everypony fled from the giant spheres, all driven by a desire to neither be crushed flat or diced up by the snow constructs. A golem leapt up and threw its arms out to bear-hug Rainbow Dash only to swipe at air. Having eluded her attacker's grasp, she made a sharp turn and looped back around for a high-speed kick letting out a battle-cry as her leg made contact. Unfortunately, rather than slice through the golem, instead Rainbow's leg merely became lodged into the golem's snowy hide and this gave it the opening it needed.

Releasing the pegasus, the golem smacked her with a back-hand, sending her hurtling away and colliding right into Applejack. The two rolled and collapsed into a pained heap, both of them too much in pain to even attempt to stand up. Shaking her head, Rainbow blinked and found herself almost muzzle-to-muzzle with the farm-mare, her emerald eyes enlarged with shock.

"Uh, heh-heh, s-sorry AJ."

"It's, erm, fine, Dashie. No sweat."

Neither one of them moved until Applejack cleared her throat, her cheeks inflamed.

"Dash, do ya think tha' ya could...?"

"Oh yeah, right! I'll just..."

"Jus' get offa me, yeah..."

"Yeah..."

The two dusted themselves off avoiding eye contact, both of them blushing profusely.

"Right, so-ahem!-their hides are too thick for punching or kicking. Any suggestions?"

A loud roar alerted them to the advancing golem heading their way.

Applejack rubbed her forehead. "Wha' we need is uh way t' break through tha' hide o' theirs." She looked around for a possible inspiration then smiled. "Wha' do ya think o' tha'?"

Rainbow followed Applejack's gaze and returned her grin. "I think that'll do nicely..."

~*~

The golem stomped around to where it'd last seen the rainbow-pony and glared around at the scene, confused as to where its prey went. Weren't the two ponies right there?

"Hey you!"

It turned around and found the rainbow-pony lazily flapping around in front of a cafe. She then smirked and suddenly ducked, and it was then that the golem came face-to-face with a large hose held up by the orange-pony. Twisting a lever, the orange-pony grunted as a stream of boiling dark brown liquid burst out of the hose and struck the golem. It howled at in pain, the liquid burning through its hide and pooling around its feet. Slowly, the golem found the world shrinking.

"Looks like things are gettin' warmed up!" Orange-pony quipped.

The golem's howled one last time before it vanished beneath the scalding liquid.

~*~

Once the golem had turned into a puddle, Applejack turned off of the hose and tossed it aside.

"Whew, glad tha's done!"

Rainbow hovered near a sign that read: "HOT CHOCOLATE SPECIAL-BUY ONE, GET ONE HALF OFF!"

"Yeah, I don't think he's getting back up any time soon!"

The two then looked at one another awkwardly.

"So..."

"'So...?'"

Rainbow rolled her eyes. "Really? 'Looks like things are getting warmed up?'"

"Oh Ah'm sorry, wha' would ya said instead?"

"'Now's not the time to have a meltdown!' or, 'Hot chocolate is served!'"

"Eh..."

"What?!" Rainbow joined Applejack on the ground. "Oh come on! My one-liners are always awesome!"

"Eenope!"

"Whatever, you're just one-liner-challenged."

"Am not!"

"Yes you are!"

"Am...not!"

"YES!"

"NO!"

They stopped when they found that Pinkie Pie had somehow wound up on top of a rolling golem, jogging on her hindlegs while keeping her forelegs crossed as she whizzed by.

"Hey, you guys going to kiss now?!"

They both blushed and stared into each other's eyes...before commencing with their argument.

"Yer one-liners ain't all tha'!"

"Yes they are!"

"Ain't!"

Battle for the Crystal Heart Part II

Celestia evaded Midnight's energy bolts and teleported the Crystal Heart over to Luna, diving towards her opponent and releasing some blasts of her own. A wall of cyan blue projected up around Midnight, stopping the blasts in place and redirecting them back at their caster. Celestia was more than ready, deflecting two of the ricocheting blasts and dodging the last, corkscrewing gracefully through the air to evade Midnight's onslaught. The dark alicorn spread her wings and gave a flap hard enough to fracture the ground beneath her, rocketing up to meet Celestia with a hateful fire burning behind her glowing eyes. Familial ties meant nothing; they were simply and purely enemies.

Magic flowed from Midnight's horn to her throat, swirling waves rippling across her larynx and taking a deep breath, she unleashed an ear-splitting shriek high enough to shatter glass. Celestia winced at the thunderous noise and clamped her hooves over her ears, finding the pitch akin to a thousand rusty nails being dragged across a thousand chalkboards. Rings of energy burst free from Midnight's open mouth, speeding towards Celestia and striking her in the chest, completely knocking the wind out of her. The collision sent her spiraling head-over-hoof like a pony-shaped arrow and smashing through a nearby tower, a last-minute shielding charm preventing every bone in her body from being ground into dust. Still, it did nothing to assuage the high-pitched, staticky ringing in Celestia's ears or the pounding migraine assaulting her poor head from that sonic-based attack and despite the pain, she had to give Midnight points for the creativity.

Meanwhile, Luna was fending off attacks by Midnight, bobbing and weaving between buildings in a high-speed pursuit through the city, evading magic bolts from the infuriated mare. Here she was trying to keep her dead, previously unknown twin sister, who was forcibly inhabiting the body of one of her friends, from snatching the Crystal Heart and using it to create an army of brain-washed love-zombies. If it were any other circumstance, Luna would be scoffing at the ridiculousness of such a notion but this was far from an appropriate time for laughter. Instead, she clutched the heart tighter against her chest and turned onto her back to return fire, hoping to hit Midnight at least once in her cruel face. That happened to be that of her friend Twilight's but then again, it wasn't as though she was in a position to consider semantics.

"Give me the heart, Luna! You're only making it worse on yourself!"

Making it worse? How could it get any worse?!

Luna ducked to avoid smacking her noggin against an outstretched sign.

"Bite me!"

Midnight's glare was furious enough to sour milk.

Why, in the name of her ancestors, did she say that?!

Before Luna could properly regret the ill-advised comeback, Celestia sped out of seemingly nowhere, a crackling, fiery corona blazing around her body. Making a sharp turn, Luna touched hoof onto terra firma and watched her sister slam into Midnight, creating an explosive surge of flame and light. She couldn't stay to watch the aftermath, not when she had a powerful relic to protect. She broke into a gallop, stopping here and there to survey the city and decide on a course of action, since she couldn't just keep the Crystal Heart with her and risk it falling into Midnight's hooves. Happening upon a confectionery shop, Luna spotted some rock candy in the window and an idea quickly took root.

~*~

Celestia soon caught sight of Midnight pursuing Luna and this got her blood boiling. She'd always considered herself a rational mare and the public knew of their Sun Monarch as a serene and even-tempered individual, the very picture of blissful grace and calmness. However, deep down, she had an explosive temper, one that only came out on rare occasions, such as in the heat of battle or, in this instance, when somepony was threatening her baby sister. Solar magic surged through Celestia's body, surrounding her in an aura of flames and kinetic energy that she'd dubbed, "the Phoenix Tackle." Rocketing through the city, Celestia charged up her attack and was granted a slice of satisfaction at seeing Midnight's bewildered expression right before the point of impact.

A bubble of blue light and flames accompanied the subsequent detonation, the collision forming a titanic conflagration that rarely ever left the other opponent standing. This, in turn, created a shock-wave that tore through the air and blew out the windows of several neighboring buildings and homes, much to the distress and awe of the crystal ponies witnessing the struggle. The blaring eruption was louder than the largest dragon's roar, a sound that could be heard all throughout the Crystal Empire and by the time Celestia herself had recovered, it was over and done with. Those who bore witness to the full might of the Phoenix Tackle described it as being a lot like watching a shooting star: once you saw it, you would never forget it and you'd be forever out of luck should you miss it.

In the Crystal Empire's central plaza, a sizable crater had formed, at least thirteen feet in diameter and shaped like a spoon, presumably from Midnight's impact back to earth. Celestia soared down and landed a few feet away, observing the damage that she'd unintentionally caused and thanked Faust that the damage was so minuscule than what it could've been. The last time she'd employed the Phoenix Tackle was seven-hundred-and-seventy-five years ago, during a particularly nasty disagreement with an exceptionally vicious and enormous Dragon Lord. He'd refused to stop kidnapping random ponies and serving them deep-fried so Celestia had to get tough in order to get her point across. To make a long story short, the new Dragon Lord steadily agreed that pony-eating was hereby illegal in the Dragon Lands and the arrangement was still maintained to this very day, along with Celestia's promise to only use the attack sparingly.

Celestia's musings were interrupted when a hoof smashed through the rubble, followed by a groaning mare that shook dust and debris off of herself. Midnight coughed and stared gimlets at Celestia, whose jaw dropped in disbelief as the purple alicorn wretched herself out of the crater. To say that Celestia was in shock would be the understatement of the century. Not just anypony could withstand the full brunt of the Phoenix Tackle's might and yet here was one such individual. Apart from her pride, Midnight had managed to survive the explosive display of the Princess of the Sun's power relatively unscathed, though evidently very annoyed by the assault.

"That hurt," Midnight scowled and flapped one wing, inspecting it for breaks. "Nice try though."

Oh horseapples...

"Now if you're done playing, give me the Crystal Heart." Midnight smirked then telekinetically seized a random crystal pony mare and held her up in front of her like a shield. "Do it and she lives."

"Stop!"

Luna appeared grasping the Crystal Heart, one hoof held out.

"If I give this to you, the mare goes free."

"Luna, what are you doing?!" Celestia demanded through gritted teeth.

"Of course," Midnight beamed, her eyes hungrily taking in the sight of the gem. "Give it here."

Giving Celestia an apologetic glance, Luna levitated the heart over to Midnight, who tossed the mare aside and took hold of the Crystal Heart in her wings with an odd sort of reverence.

"Finally. At least one of you has...the common sense to..." Midnight peered closely at the heart and sniffed. "What is...?" She sniffed again. "Is that...blueberry?"

A cornflower-blue flash of light clocked Midnight on the back of her head, sending the Crystal Heart spinning like a Frisbee and smashing against a newspaper kiosk. Before she could let out a confused query, Princess Cadence nailed her with another magical bolt, this time in the side while Luna delivered a beam that knocked the dark alicorn off of her hooves. Not wishing to be left out, Celestia lifted Midnight up twenty feet and smashed her against the dirt. Then again. Luna shook her head and gave the downed mare a cheeky grin.

"Brittle Bright's Rock Candy. The best that the Crystal Empire has to offer."

"Nicely done, sister," Celestia beamed before rushing over to Cadence's side. "Are you alright?"

Cadence waved her mother off. "I'm alright. It's nothing, really."

"It doesn't look like nothing. You need to see a doctor-..."

A whirlwind of swirling orbs were jettisoned and pelted the three mares, slamming into them in rapid succession. Each orb delivered a stinging sensation upon contact, the feeling akin to being stung by an entire hive of flash bees. Amidst the whirlwind, Midnight was standing on her hindlegs, horn and eyes glowing brightly as she issued a harsh yell. Celestia tried to focus, to block out the pain but it was too intense and she found herself barely able to keep herself upright. Luna and Cadence weren't faring much better, dragging themselves along the ground, their bodies covered in nasty welts.

"I'm through playing!" Midnight screeched, the storm of orbs vanishing. She yanked Celestia up and glared into her eyes. "I want the Crystal Heart! Tell me where it is!"

"I don't...know..."

Midnight readied one foreleg for a back-hoof when Luna painfully stammered:

"Sh-she's telling...the t...truth...."

Shoving Celestia onto the ground, Midnight prowled towards Luna.

"So where is it?"

"Aunt Luna..."

Luna placed a hoof over Cadence's and managed a weak smile. "It's going to be alright, Cadence."

Midnight's aura gripped Luna around the neck and hoisted her up.

"Where...is...it?"

~*~

"Remind me again why we can't just use the Elements of Harmony on Midnight?"

Sombra peered back at Rainbow Dash.

"The reason is twofold: firstly, given the Elements' rather unpredictable nature, we have no idea if they will free Twilight from Midnight's influence or banish her to another dimension. Secondly, chances are we might just be repeating the same course as last time. The Elements banish Midnight, leaving her weakened but still existent, and she will simply regain her strength and seek out another host. We have to stop the eidolon here and now."

To Sombra's utter surprise, Rainbow didn't react in the way he'd come to expect from the hot-headed pegasus, anticipating a bitter retort or complaint. No, instead, Rainbow merely nodded and focused her attention on a nearby cloud. Puzzled, Sombra was half-tempted to ask her about her strange behavior but ultimately decided that he didn't care enough to investigate. Whatever kept her occupied from being a nuisance allowed Sombra to properly keep his mind set on the task at hoof, the knowledge of mind infiltration steadily returning to him. The absence of Rainbow Dash-induced agitation was simply an additional perk that Sombra was all too happy to accept.

He was still feeling a bit wonky after his ordeal in the dream realm but was thankfully lucid enough to recollect his training under Grimoire, particularly the usage of psychomancy. Maleficium was the study of suffering and what brought about more pain than the everyday struggles of the mind? Psychomancy was an umbrella term describing magic involving the mind: illusion casting, hypnosis, mind control, thought reading, and oneiromancy, the last of which was the rarest of the arts and not even Sombra was versed in it. He did, however, have experience with most other forms, including mind probing, which was what he was going to utilize in order to rescue Twilight. This would not end like last time, with Twilight still being enslaved and Midnight making Sombra look like a fool.

Once the group had arrived at the Crystal Empire's gates, Sombra and Spike split from the rest of the team, finding a safe place to hide and conduct the ritual while still being within earshot of the confrontation. They needed to be ready in case anything should go awry and in their collected experiences, events rarely ever played out according precisely to plan. As Sombra prepared the ritual, drawing a magic circle in chalk and lighting candles while chanting in another tongue, Spike peeked out from behind the corner of the bakery. Midnight Sparkle was ready to seize the Crystal Heart when Princesses Celestia and Luna, along with Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, Applejack, Rarity and Rainbow Dash, confronted the dark alicorn. Midnight, evidently displeased at the interruption, howled at them in the Royal Canterlot Voice before stomping a hoof down and summoning a collection of snow-golems to chase everypony else around.

"Spike, I need you back in the circle."

The dragon obeyed, stepping into the chalk drawing as the assorted collection of sigils began to glow, burning with magic that visibly seeped into the air. The two were lifted off of the ground and before Spike knew it, streams of dark blue mist curled around the pair of them.

"Hold on," Sombra told him, though the vocal warning did little to prepare the drake. Spike couldn't recall if the scream he'd let out actually happened or was purely inside his own head as the duo were violently yanked and propelled into nothingness.

Journey to the Center of Twilight's Mind

"Free falling" was the closest approximation that Spike could use to describe the feeling that he was experiencing now. Free falling while also having pins and needles all over his inert form. Sure, he'd fallen through the air before but this was different. For starters, it was like skydiving yet while also reclining, somehow plummeting and laying on a level surface. He was mobile, yet immobile, falling but staying in place.

"Spike, are you alright?"

The dragon blinked. His previous sensation of weightlessness had just evaporated, replaced with the feeling of his own two feet on solid ground. Sombra was gently touching his shoulder, his expression oddly worrisome. The Shadow King was usually icy or stoic but now he was concerned, fearful even.

Spike's legs wobbled though he remained stationary. "I think so. Are we...inside Twilight's head?"

"Yes and no. 'We' aren't actually here. In reality, our bodies are back in the Crystal Empire. What you see and feel is a kind of cerebral projection, a representation of your physical form. This space"-Sombra gestured with a sweep of his foreleg-"Is a manifestation of the inner workings of Twilight's subconscious mind."

"So...psychic stuff. Got it."

They stood in what looked to be an exact replica of Canterlot, down to the cracks in the buildings and sidewalks. The sky was a deep, black-purple void and thick blankets of fog rolled above the ground, seeping through the streets like poisonous fumes. In spite of this, the throngs of ponies didn't appear to notice, merely going about their day as if nothing was amiss. As the pair made their way down the street, Spike noticed the distinct lack of ambient noise; no birds, wind, or even the sound of their respective feet and hooves against the concrete. A severe chill ran down Spike's back, though it was difficult to tell if that was from his body back in the physical world or a sign of his own dread.

"Who are all these ponies They're not real, right?"

"No, just recollections. This level appears to be Twilight's subconscious mind, a space of random clutter."

"How do you know all this?" Spike asked, intrigued by the stallion's familiarity on the subject.

Sombra's focus remained ahead. "It was part of my dark magic training. It's known as psychomancy, or 'mind magic.' One of the techniques you learn is to infiltrate the mind of another, to exploit their inner most thoughts and memories."

"That sounds horrible!"

"It was necessary for me to progress with my training. Back then, no price was too steep to pay."

Judging by his tone, Sombra wasn't quite keen on sharing details of his life with his companion and Spike could understand his reticence. Even though he'd accepted Spike's invitation of friendship, that didn't mean that he was ready to tell him everything about his past. And Spike, while curious in general, was certain that he didn't want to know. Reading Twilight's notes had taught him things he regretted learning about the ex-king and anything worse would send him screaming in terror.

"Spike," Sombra stated after a prolonged lapse of silence. "What was the most important place in Canterlot to Twilight? Where would she go if she had the choice?"

It didn't require a second thought. "The Library of Magic. Her parents used to take her there all the time."

"Good. Take me there but walk, don't run." Sombra keenly stared around him, as though keeping vigil against an unseen presence. "I don't know how much time we have."

"Until what?"

Sombra didn't answer, instead gently nudging Spike forward. They continued on in silence until they reached the Library of Magic, or at least its simulated twin. The area nearby was surprisingly sparse, as if the faux-ponies avoided the building and its surroundings. Sombra pulled one door open, took a peek around, and gestured for Spike to join him. Unlike the rest of "Canterlot," the library was vacant.

"Good, we're alone. We haven't been detected yet."

"Detected? By who?"

Sombra turned away from one of the windows. "Twilight and Midnight's minds are converging, molding into one consciousness. Even if neither of them are fully aware of our presence, deep down, they will feel as though something is wrong and their subconscious minds will seek out the intruders."

"So what do we do?"

"Keep moving, try to get to the core of Twilight's conscious mind and pull her out." Sombra began sifting through books on a nearby shelf. "Let's see...no, no, no. Where would we find the complete works of Star Swirl the Bearded?"

Spike turned back the clock in his head, recalling the amount of times he and Twilight visited the real library. "They would be in...'The Great Classics' section. Eight...zero-eight-point two."

Finding the appropriate section, it didn't take long for Spike to locate the collection of volumes penned by the famous wizard. The more he ruminated on it, the funnier it became. He hadn't thought about his visits to the Library of Magic in quite some time and yet, he could remember specific details as if they'd happened just the other day. Twilight would curl up in a chair with one of the astoundingly-boring tomes, a cup of tea on the nearby table and her Number One Assistant sitting on the floor beside her with a comic. He wished things could go back to such a time of simplicity, back when the biggest threat to his life was one of Twilight's famous panic attacks.

He soon located a particular book and pointed it out. "That one there!"

Sombra levitated the thick, olive-colored book from off of the top shelf and down to his and Spike's level. "'Star Swirl's Concise Guide to Practical Arcana'? I remember when this first came out. The old codger even sullied the front page with his obnoxiously large signature. Come to think of it, I might still have it tucked away somewhere."

"Wait, you not only have a first edition of one of Star Swirl the Bearded's books but he also signed it? Wow, Twilight would have a literal heart attack if she ever got her hooves on one of those."

"Gods forbid. So this is her favorite of his works?"

Sombra carefully flipped the cover open and a silver and golden-white radiance burst free from the pages, flooding the room with its roaring brilliance. When the overwhelmingly bright light faded, the two found themselves in Ponyville, only it was a monochromatic nightmare with starch whites and oily blacks dominating the color scheme. Spike stepped in something and realized that it was ink running down the edges of every piece of matter. He stuck his tongue out and hastily wiped his foot off on some grass, jumping as a series of ink lines joined together to form a tree.

"What's with all the ink? And the black and white?"

Sombra looked around, humming as he did so. "If Canterlot was just mind-clutter and the library the doorway to her intellectual side, I think this is meant to represent her creativity. Like a blank canvas, it's simply waiting to be painted."

"I guess? I mean Ponyville is where most of her best ideas came from. That town sure did more for her than I thought," Spike remarked. "Hey look, the Golden Oaks Library! It's actually here!"

Sombra watched Spike race towards the tree and calmly followed. "Why wouldn't it be? It's a part of her recollection."

Spike stopped and turned. "Huh? Didn't you know? When Lord Tirek attacked, he destroyed the library."

"He...did?" Sombra lowered his gaze for a moment. "Twilight never told me," he said softly. "Perhaps that's partly why Midnight was able to feed as she has been. Twilight loved this place."

The library had been a huge part of Twilight's life and to hear of its destruction was disheartening.

"I heard talk that she received a new castle. A big crystal one."

"Yeah, it was a gift from the Tree of Harmony."

"The Tree...of course it was." Sombra decided not to question it. "Come, time is of the essence."

Standing on his tippy-toes, Spike turned the front door's knob and like before, there was a blinding light and they were once beamed from one location to another. Spots danced before Spike's eyes and he rubbed at them; sure, they weren't his real "eyes" but the compulsion remained nevertheless. This time, they'd been transported into the center of a wooden room carved into the interior of a great oak tree, a series of bookshelves stuffed full of books lining the walls. Floral designs were chiseled into the surface of the walls and stairs leading up to the second-level sleeping area. There, huddled on the bed, was a purple-colored mare, her eyes clamped shut and her face contorted in pain.

"Twilight? Twilight!"

Spike scampered up the steps to reach his friend, only to smack right into a previously-unseen rippling wall of energy. Sombra quickly joined the young drake as he banged his fists against the force field.

"Twilight!"

"Twilight!" Sombra joined in. "Snap out of it! We're here!"

Slowly fluttering her heavy-lidded eyes open, Twilight languidly lifted her head. Her coat was a paler shade of its usual hue, her mane hanging dully across one side of her face. With her thin frame and muted colors, she resembled a terminally ill patient instead of a healthy young mare.

"Spike...?" Her harsh, almost gravelly voice was barely above a whisper. "Sombra...?"

Sombra pressed his hoof against the wall. "Oh sweetheart, what has she done to you?"

Although both his expression and tone were tender, he was shaking with barely-contained rage.

"Twilight, it's us. It's really us." Spike blinked away the mist gathering in his eyes. "We came to save you."

"Save...?" Twilight's head swayed from side to side like the branches of a weeping willow. "It's too late...for me," she wheezed. "It's over. Midnight has won."

"You can't seriously believe that." Sombra was aghast. "Not you. You can't give up!"

"Sombra's right! You can't quit! Not now!"

Twilight turned her body away from them moodily. "Why not? I'm-I'm just too...too weak..."

"No, no you're not!" Sombra roared, only for Spike to give him an elbow-nudge. "Twilight, listen to me. You are not weak. You're one of the strongest ponies I've ever known. You taught me that life is worth living."

One of Twilight's ears swiveled but she remained where she was.

"He's right," Spike said softly. "You mean so much to so many. What about Princess Cadence or Shining Armor? Without you, nopony would've known about Queen Chrysalis' plot. You helped turn Nightmare Moon back into Princess Luna, you united the others against Discord even when things looked hopeless and you stood up to Lord Tirek all on your own. You've saved Equestria time and time again and this time won't be any different."

"More importantly," Sombra added solemnly. "You've saved those in it. Like me." Twilight shifted herself so that she was facing them again. "Everyone else saw a monster but you...you saw me. That's who you are: a mare who looks at problems and fixes them, no matter if others think they're impossible. Who else but you could've finished one of Starswirl the Bearded's spells and singlehoofedly fought against the power of the Alicorn Amulet?"

Spike folded his hands. "Don't you see? You're our hero, Twilight."

A small smile found its way onto her face before vanishing. "But...how do I get out of here? Midnight is just too strong."

"Midnight may've taken control of your body but this is your mind," Sombra exclaimed. "And you're the smartest mare I know so I believe you can fight back! Take control and force her out!"

"Fight it, Twilight!" Spike agreed. "I know things look bleak but I believe in you too!"

Twilight grunted as she rose, only to fall flat on her face. She huffed and despite the wobbling of her legs, finally managed to stand. Drawing in a deep, echoing breath, she closed her eyes and focused, spreading out her pitiful, emaciated wings. Little sparks of raspberry energy leapt across the room, gathering into her horn while she grunted from the exertion. Slowly, Twilight began to float in mid-air.

"Don't stop! You're doing it!" Sombra shouted.

"Come on, you can do it!" Spike whooped.

A swirling vortex of light gathered at the tip of Twilight's horn and her eyes shot open, filled with a shimmering white glow. Her wings regrew their feathers and her coat regained its luster as her body ripped the magic from the nearby surroundings and plunged the world into darkness, illuminated only by the exuberance of the alicorn's aura. Within the darkness, a thousand eyes popped into existence, followed by the chattering of a legion of unseen mouths. Teeth gnashed in the void but none of them dared move any closer.

"It's time to end this!" Twilight proclaimed and released her pent-up magic, turning the dark world into pure white.

~*~

Back in the Crystal Empire, the remaining princesses had lost. Battered and weakened, they lay in the streets, unable to move or right against their adversary. Princess Celestia found that she couldn't even lift her head up and from the looks of both Luna and Cadence, they too were feeling the massive fatigue she felt, as though being awake for the last few weeks. How was this possible? Magic-based exhaustion was commonplace in arcane duels but alicorns had greater thaumaturgical stamina, allowing them to last hours longer than a unicorn and yet all three of them were weak. And Midnight Sparkle looked as though she hadn't even broken a sweat.

Not even Celestia's strongest attack-the dreaded Phoenix Tackle-had done even the slightest bit of damage. She might as well have thrown a pillow at Midnight for all the good that it did. True, Midnight had the combined knowledge of both Luna and Twilight but how could she withstand a combined attack from three alicorns? It'd been some time since Celestia felt genuine fear and now it'd come in the form of her former student, infected by an enemy from the past thought permanently beaten. Once Equestria's sole defender, Celestia could only watch impotently as Midnight yanked Luna up by the throat with her magic.

"Where...is...it?"

Before Luna could stammer out an answer, Midnight winced and slapped a hoof to her face.

"What...what is...is thiiiis?"

She shook her head and faced Luna once more, only for her to release a cry of agony, her aura around Luna fading and dropping the Night Princess onto the ground. Midnight gripped her face with her hooves, veins pulsating on her forehead and temples. She bucked and growled, shrieking and pounding her hindhooves against the cobblestone in frustration. The feeling of immense exhaustion soon faded though none of the princesses could make a move. The other Element bearers froze as they entered the scene, trying to comprehend what it was that they were witnessing.

A demonic howl tore through Midnight's throat as a fissure of brilliant raspberry light crackled down her cheek and a secondary face peeled away from her own, this one resembling and sounding like Twilight. Screaming like a newborn exiting the womb, the Twilight head tore itself out of the fissure and forced Midnight to rear up onto her hindlegs as a grayish mulberry foreleg appeared alongside her own right one, followed closely by its twin. The light intensified with every new body part that revealed itself and before long, Twilight Sparkle managed to tug herself free and collapse onto the ground, visibly drained by her ordeal. Meanwhile, the light completely engulfed Midnight, transforming her into a glowing ovoid of flickering luminescence, the surface of the quasi-egg shape stretching and molding.

"Twilight!"

Rainbow Dash was the first to reach her, cradling her head as the others soon surrounded her.

"Is she...?"

Celestia shook her head. "No, merely exhausted. We should move her-..."

"Sister!"

They all followed Luna's hoof to the ovoid, which soon cracked in a flood of scintillating magic. From out of the quickly-dissipating shell pieces, a mare promptly emerged, her feathered wings popping open with an audible flick. She stood nearly at the same height as Celestia, her dark purple coat dotted with little star-like configurations. Her flowing mane swirled freely in the breeze and was double the size of her body, a swirling mass of violet and dark blue streaks containing a series of glittering constellations. On the mare's flank, a cutie mark flashed into existence: two shooting stars forming a ring around a seven-pointed star, all three objects held within the embrace of a crescent moon.

The new alicorn's eyes shot open, unveiling two light sapphire orbs with silver star-shaped pupils that were as cold and distant as the night sky. She peered around at everypony and a cruel smile touched her lips.

"You're too late. I've taken what I've can from the filly and now...I'm reborn."

At the Stroke of Midnight

There was a brilliant white flash and Spike found himself hurtling through a pillar of darkness and clouds of writhing light particles. Hitting an invisible wall, he awoke back in the Crystal Empire with a deep gasp, jerkily yanking himself forward into a sitting position. His head rocked around atop his neck, eyes glancing in multiple directions while his equilibrium worked overtime to correct itself. Digging his claws into the earth, Spike remained stationary long enough for the vertigo to subside, his double vision clearing enough to where he caught a glimpse of Sombra awakening, the stallion lifting himself on trembling limbs and groaning aloud. A series of pops and cracks accompanied his jerky movements.

"Við skegg föður míns...ugh." Sombra shook his head, dark mane tumbling around his face before peering at his draconic companion. "Are you alright, Spike?"

Raising a claw to answer, Spike suddenly felt something punching his innards and he rolled over, wincing as he emptied the contents of his stomach. Two minutes later, and he was empty though the queasiness sadly remained. He stared down at the mess curiously.

When did I have carrots?

"Don't get discouraged."

Spike turned his head upward to find Sombra standing next to him.

"The same thing happened my first time mind-probing too."

"Right...thanks." Dusting off his knees, Spike hauled himself to one foot, his other leg fully asleep. "I'll just..."

He quickly lost his balance, nearly falling face-first into the ground when a red aura caught him and held him in place. Unsurprisingly, the glow around Sombra's horn served as confirmation as to the reason he was currently suspended. Spike chuckled awkwardly and gave Sombra a thumb's up.

"Heh, th-thanks."

One corner of Sombra's mouth tilted upward in a half-smirk.

"Anytime."

His expression darkened. "Now come on, let's join the others. This isn't over yet."

~*~

Midnight drew in a prolonged inhale through her nostrils and exhaled it loudly.

"Oh now this is exquisite," she grinned and then tapped her chin with a hoof inquisitively, eyes drifting downward to examine the new limb. Shaking her head slightly, she continued on her train of thought.

"Now where was I? Where was...? Oh! I remember..."

A coil of crackling dark blue energy slithered around Princess Luna's throat and she was slowly dragged once more into the air.

"...You were going to tell me where you hid the Crystal Heart."

"Midnight..." Luna gasped.

"Aunt Luna!" Princess Cadence wept.

"Stop it!" Princess Celestia shouted weakly. "Leave her alone!"

Midnight whirled on Celestia. "You're in no position to order me around, Tia. Now be silent, or I'll start removing your teeth, one at a time." Her gaze darted to the Element Bearers, who were all still crowded around the unconscious Twilight. "And the rest of you better not try anything funny or it's good night forever to your precious Princess Luna."

Not one of them made a move.

"Good. Now tell me where you hid it! Where is the Crystal Heart?!"

"...c-candy shop...behind..." Luna wheezed. "...behind counter of...r-rock candy station..."

The energy dissipated and Luna was dropped unceremoniously like a sack of potatoes.

"Was that so hard?" Midnight smirked sinisterly. "Thank you ever so much, sister."

Lightly kissing Luna's brow, she then addressed the others: "And thank you all for being so accommodating. I'll remember this when I'm queen-..."

A cone-shaped mass of bubbling black and purple energy slammed into Midnight, tossing her a block away and into the side of a house hard enough to leave a cobweb of cracks in the structure's surface. Before she could comprehend what was going on, a black aura gripped her, squeezed, and launched her back towards her starting point. Two blasts soon followed: one sending her flying into the air and the second actually arching down to smash her into the ground. All heads turned to find a smoke-like mass snaking over to the fallen alicorn, a pair of green eyes burning within. To no one's surprise, the mass melted away to reveal a very agitated looking Sombra, purple vapor trailing from around his eyes as he shot Midnight a startling death glare.

"Sombra?" Midnight slowly rose and gave her wings a quick beat. "Sombra, dear, what are you doing here? How are you here?"

"Thanks to them, I managed to break free of your little spell," he declared venomously. "You trapped me in a false reality, gave me things I could never have, preyed on my hopes and dreams."

"Ah, ah, ah, aren't you forgetting something?" Although Midnight's voice was level, her expression, along with the bead of sweat that ran down her temple, betrayed her nervousness. "I wasn't the one that freed you from Slumberland." She pointed at the group of ponies watching the proceedings. "You were living out your fantasies until they dragged you out of it, they forced you back into the fray. Meanwhile, I was the one who gave you everything you ever wanted. If anything, you should direct your grievances towards them."

Sombra's ireful gaze never wavered, crimson eyes narrowing at her. "No...you condemned me to a torture worse than death. What I had...it was and never could be real. To think, I found someone crueler and more devious than I."

Midnight sighed, "You know, I was actually beginning to like you. Oh well."

Torrents of light shot from Midnight's horn, pelting her foe, who had reverted once more to his shadow form, the magic beams harmlessly flying past him as he wove his way past them. Any holes that'd managed to puncture the shape instantaneously repaired themselves before it reformed itself into Sombra's regular pony form. Planting a foreleg on the ground, Sombra conjured a shadow that snaked towards Midnight and a series of tendrils erupted upward, grabbing at the mare's torso, wings, horn, and muzzle. Undaunted, Midnight released several arches of light that formed a giant cage around her before spinning like a top, eviscerating the tendrils and sending them back to their master. Sombra responded with a massive magical blast that scraped across the ground and crashed point-blank into Midnight, covering the nearby land in a thick layer of smoke.

Once the smoke cleared, however, Midnight stood unscathed, the attack failing to make any perceptible damage.

"Well that was disappointing," she remarked glibly.

How? How could she be able to withstand such attacks without even a scratch?

Reaching out with his senses, Sombra detected the subtle usage of dark magic hanging like a cloud around Midnight. It was a technique, one old yet effective, the kind he never learned but was familiar with and kicked himself for not recognizing it earlier. Despite his rage, he had to give her credit for utilizing it in such a useful way. Drawing in the thaumaturgical energy around him, Sombra released it in a large dome, pushing it past the dark alicorn and drawing it back into his horn. With his de-cloaking charm in effect, the spell could be seen as plain as day, much to the horror of everyone in attendance.

Wriggling, semi-transparent appendages flowed from out of Midnight's chest, reaching out over the battlefield like many pulsating serpents and plunged deep into each princess. Summoning an elongated black blade from out of his shadow, Sombra swiftly hacked through the tentacles in one slice, letting them disengage from their host and sputter on the ground before vanishing in pops of mist. As if awakening from a coma, Celestia, Luna, and Cadence each staggered to their hooves, regaining their previously lost vitality. Celestia patted her chest where the tendril once lapped at her flesh like a leech.

"What was that?"

"Very old, very potent maleficium," Sombra explained, somewhat impressed by Midnight's ingenuity. "The Vita Furantur hex, if I'm not mistaken. By feeding on your collective life forces, Midnight was able to reverse any and all damage that she took while keeping you three weak and defenseless."

Something darted towards Sombra and it was only through his split-second dodge that he managed to evade the barbed projectile, one of the edges managing to cut through his left cheek before sailing past him and embedding itself into the ground. Ignoring the wetness seeping down his neck, Sombra turned to find Midnight launching herself in the air, an array of similar spears spinning around her beating wings in interlocking rings.

"Before I was merely angry. Now I'm furious!"

The spears rained down upon everyone, spurring them to separate and seek cover. Rainbow Dash hefted Spike and Twilight beneath each armpit as she zoomed beneath a slanting piece of crystalline debris and waited out the storm. Applejack spun and kicked at the spears, shattering them with her earth pony strength while Pinkie Pie dodged several in an odd, jerky kind of movement that resembled dancing. Rarity deflected some with a raised barrier, a move mimicked by the princesses. Fluttershy wove past the blades raining down on her when her hoof caught in a small hole and she faceplanted into the path of oncoming projectiles.

"FLUTTERSHY!" Rainbow screamed.

The yellow pegasus clamped her eyes shut and held her forelegs out, only to notice the lack of body-piercing agony. Reopening her eyes, she found Sombra standing over her with a kite shield formed out of red energy protecting them both. Dissipating the shield, Sombra peered down at Fluttershy.

"Are you alright?"

"Uh-huh..."

"Good."

Vanishing in a cloud of smoky darkness, Sombra reappeared in front of Midnight, his black aura keeping him afloat. His eyes were pure green and twin hazes of purple flowed around the edges.

"You're going to pay for that," he growled.

"Make me," she challenged.

"Gladly," a third voice jumped in, followed by a beam of golden light that narrowly missed Midnight's head.

Celestia soon joined the battle, followed closely by Luna and Cadence, their horns emitting magical rays that exploded around Midnight. Gold, black, light blue, and dark blue pillars assaulted her from all sides and apart from a small grimace, she showed no signs of negative reaction from the onslaught. Diving, weaving, flipping, Midnight evaded what attacks she could and deflected the rest, now forced to go on the offensive against her four assailants. Aside from the thrill of battle, Midnight, in a twisted sort of way, relished the attention that they were giving her. After more than a millennia of being trapped in another's body, she was finally her own mare, receiving recognition that she'd longed for, even if it meant being as hated and feared as she was.

Besides, she knew something they didn't.

~*~

Back on the ground, Spike and the other ponies were congregating, watching the battle unfolding above them with a mix of awe and trepidation. It wasn't every day that they were privy to a full display of the princesses' abilities in a combat scenario and despite the circumstances, they were all a bit titillated by the event. Spike, like the foals of Equestria, had grown up hearing stories of Princess Celestia as a warrior but to actually witness it, along with the normally sweet Princess Cadence and the elusive Princess Luna, was a truly remarkable experience. And then there was Sombra, the one-time despot and villain, now fighting for Equestria's freedom. The irony was not lost on the drake, though he was more concerned with the welfare of the princesses and his new friend.

Huh. King Sombra is my friend. That'll take some getting used to.

Spike then noticed that both he and Twilight were still held tightly in the crooks of Rainbow's forelegs.

"Hey Rainbow? Could you let us down now?"

Her snapped down in confusion, almost as if she'd forgotten all about them.

"Oh, r-right."

Allowing Spike to wriggle free, Rainbow and Applejack gently laid Twilight onto the ground, being certain to cradle her head. It pained Spike beyond words to see his sister-figure like this and wished that she'd just wake up already.

"What's wrong with her?" Rarity inquired.

"Yeah, she looks really, really bad," Pinkie pointed out sadly.

"Sombra and I managed to help Twilight get control of her body back but she's still out."

"Uh, Spike? If that's th' case, then ain't she supposed t' be gettin' better?"

Applejack brought up a good point. The unconscious alicorn's pallor had gone to a grayish violet, her chest rising and falling with aching deliberateness, expelling little huffs of strained breath. But wait, Twilight had broken free of Midnight's hold over her and expelled her from her body, so why did she still look so frail? She should be awake and healthy by now!

As if reading Spike's thoughts, Twilight let out a moan and slowly blinked her eyes open. The pupils, once bright and full of life, were now dull and listless, like a dying octogenarian's. She turned her head over and released a hacking cough, shivering as she did so. Smacking her lips, she smiled weakly up at Spike.

"Spike..."

She turned her head to glance at the others.

"Girls...it's so nice to see you all."

"It's nice to see you too, Darling."

"Darn tootin', Sugarcube."

"Are you alright?"

Twilight nodded at Fluttershy. "I think so. I'm just...very tired."

Rolling over, Twilight began to stand, only to collapse onto her belly. With some aid from Applejack and Rainbow, she was on her hooves, albeit using the two like a pair of crutches.

"Wh-where is Midnight?"

Spike pointed a claw at the sky.

"We need to end this. Now."

Darkest Night, Brightest Dawn

It'd been too long since Princess Luna had enjoyed a good fight. In the old days, it wasn't uncommon for a fight to break out every ten minutes or so, whether they were a duel to defend the honor of oneself or a loved one or a simple good ol' fashioned brawl for the sake of it. And Luna reveled in it. During her reeducation on modern Equestrian etiquette, however, Luna had been thrown for a loop when she discovered how much the times truly had changed. Now, if somepony bumped into you on the street or used a derogatory remark, you couldn't knock them flat out without being arrested on the spot. Although pleased with many of the changes brought about within the past millennium, the restriction on violence made Luna's rare moments of free time, well, frankly speaking, boring.

This, however, was not even close to what she wanted.

Luna, much like any normal pony, desired many things for herself. One such desire was recognition for being the Princess of the Night and Guardian of the Dream Realm rather than just as the revered Princess Celestia's sister. Granted, she'd been accepted back into society but despite the best efforts of Celestia and Twilight Sparkle, she still felt like an outsider in her own home. Sometimes it was as if she wasn't merely Princess Luna but rather one of the Royal Sisters. She understood that her absence meant that her sister had to pick up the slack for the both of them and thusly became Equestria's almost-deified public figure and defender but it didn't mean that she wasn't in the least bit jealous of that fact.

A smaller, more simple desire was to be given the chance to bludgeon a foe with a war-hammer without being reprimanded. The thing about wish fulfillment was that sometimes Fate, gods, goddesses, et cetera, had a really wicked sense of humor. To that end, Luna received her wish for a worthy battle befitting a warrior of her caliber, albeit in the form of her newly-discovered dead twin sister. Who was also a powerful and megalomaniacal enchantress Tartarus-bent on conquering the land. And subjecting the inhabitants into loving and obeying her via the magic of the Crystal Heart.

Sometimes...I hate my life.

Shaking off the metaphorical dust, Luna leapt into action, joining Celestia and Cadence, along with their former foe Sombra, in battling Midnight for the freedom of Equestria. Conjuring a pair of arming swords, she attacked one of Midnight's shields while Sombra hacked away at the other with an ebony battle-ax, the green glow of his eyes burning intensely. Cadence was keeping a telekinetic hold on Midnight's left hind leg, straining with the effort of attempting to wrangle her. The young mare was not a combative spell caster, due to both her upbringing during peace times and her position as the Princess of Love. Luna supposed that Cadence could've used her love magic to pacify Midnight but then again, the latter had thus proved herself incapable of feeling anything other than contempt and cruelty so that idea went out the proverbial window.

Celestia sent out a length of golden rope that ensnared Midnight's right foreleg and coiled around her barrel. Uttering a snarling grunt, Midnight combined her two shields, the constructs swirling to create a large bubble around her before expelling it outward in a multi-directional shock-wave. Celestia and Luna had managed to enact their barriers just in the nick of time so it was only a slight nudge for them. Cadence would've taken the full brunt of the blast if not for Sombra, who'd managed to convert into a shadowy cloud and zip over to her side, a black wall keeping the pair of them safe. While Midnight was distracted, Luna took the opportunity to land a hit on her, striking her in the stomach and followed it up with a one-two combo on her right and left cheeks respectively.

Following her sister's lead, Celestia unleashed a continuous double-pronged stream from her horn, knocking Midnight right into Luna's beam, assaulting her on two fronts. Throughout the whole ordeal, Luna was conflicted by her dueling animosity and admiration for the mare's combat prowess but she was a warrior and warriors had no use for such emotions whilst deep in the thick of battle. She shoved her thoughts to the side, concentrating on keeping Midnight's attention focused on her and Celestia. A black claw wrapped around Midnight's torso while a bubbling aura seized her around the throat. Cadence joined Sombra, her own blue magic creating a series of chains around her wings and limbs.

From elsewhere, the combatants heard:

"Now!"

Six glowing mares ascended into the air, a corona of white light surrounding them. Midnight, recognizing the familiar formation, thrashed and struggled against her captors like a wild beast but they all held fast in spite of her frenzied motions.

"No, no! Let me go! Not agaaaaaaain!"

A geyser of rainbow-colored energy leapt out of the sextet and struck the dark alicorn, wrenching a cry of anguish out of her. Luna, followed by her compatriots, relinquished their hold on Midnight, allowing the Elements of Harmony to do their job and purging Equestria of the villainess. The force of the impact sent Midnight slamming into the ground, the mare's screams refusing to abate as the kaleidoscopic beam ensnared her within a swirling helix. Luna frowned at this display.

Why aren't the Elements working? Something should've happened by now.

Just then, Spike levitated towards the six bearers, the golden heart-shaped gem radiating a powerful luminescence of its own.

A new Element?!

Gilded light erupted from Spike, the pillar joining its brethren and wrapping around Midnight. Now powered by a seventh Element, the rainbow beam transfigured into an egg-shaped structure, cutting off Midnight's protestations. Their task complete, the Elements depowered and allowed their bearers to touch down on solid earth. Luna soon joined the ponies and dragon, along with Celestia, Cadence and Sombra. Together, they all stared puzzled at the swirling, iridescent ovoid.

"So what is it?" Applejack questioned.

"It looks like...an egg?" Pinkie ventured, equally confused.

"What do we do-...?"

Rainbow's inquiry was cut off, a low rumbling emitted from the egg before it cracked and exploded.

Everyone shut their eyes and reopened them once the brilliance subsided. In place of Midnight, they found a unicorn filly curled up in the fetal position. Her coat was a dark purple, her mane black with violet and dark Persian-blue streams. With a light moan, she opened her eyes, revealing twin orbs of light sapphire. Slowly, the filly stumbled to her hooves in little rocking motions.

"Is that...Midnight?" Rarity asked in disbelief.

"It's Midnight as she really is," Twilight replied cryptically. "The real Midnight."

Something patted Luna on the foreleg and she found Spike staring up at her expectantly.

"You should go over to her."

She looked down at the drake, then over at the filly.

"What...what would I even say?"

Spike smiled warmly. "Say what comes from your heart."

Sighing, Luna reluctantly made her way over to the filly, still wary of her foe even in her diminutive state.

"Midnight..."

Hearing her name, the filly spun around and aimed her horn at the newcomer, the appendage draped in a cover of brilliant mulberry light.

"What do you want?" Midnight demanded, her eyes filling up with tears. "Haven't you taken enough from me?"

Luna stopped in mid-step. Twilight's words finally made sense. This wasn't some terrifying enemy to Equestria. This was just a hurt little filly lashing out at a world she thought had done her wrong.

"Midnight, please stop. I'm not going to hurt you."

"Stay back!"

Undaunted, Luna continued her stride until she was directly in front of Midnight. The filly's breaths came out in short, ragged bursts. Plopping down, Luna took a seat and studied her twin sister.

"Why do you want to hurt me so badly?"

"'Why'? You're asking why?!" Midnight shrieked incredulously. She sniffled, "Because it's not fair! How come you, and everypony else, gets a chance at life? How come I'm the one that doesn't get to be happy?" Midnight's horn powered down, tears tumbling down her cheeks. "I didn't do anything wrong," she resumed, all traces of anger vacating her voice. "I was being punished for something but I didn't do anything!" Her weeping intensified. "I just wanted to live."

Luna nodded, then peered back at Spike. He smiled and made a shooing motion.

She lightly patted Midnight on the back, the motion causing the filly to jump.

"Wh-what are you doing?!"

"Shhh, it's alright." Luna leaned over and drew Midnight into her embrace.

"No! Let me go!" The filly growled, squirming in Luna's grasp. She kept at it until finally going limp, even nuzzling her face into Luna's chest. "This...it's so...warm."

"It's called, 'a hug.'"

"'A hug...' it's nice..."

It then dawned on Luna that Midnight had never experienced affection before. Perhaps her animosity was due to never knowing what love and kindness felt like and thus she lashed out. Luna drew back so that she could observe Midnight, whose features had softened greatly. Perhaps this could've all been avoided if she'd tried to talk to Nightmare/Midnight, to befriend her and hear her side of things instead of fighting her. Perhaps, she could've even convinced her to abandon her plans of domination.

"Midnight, I'm sorry for what happened to you. You didn't deserve it and I didn't want it. If I could've switched places with you, so that you lived instead of me, I would've made it so."

Midnight sniffled. "Do you mean it?"

"I do...my sister."

One of Midnight's hooves turned white, then transparent before vanishing altogether.

Luna gasped in horror. "What's happening?!" She jerked her head around. "What is this?!"

"An eidolon is a spirit of wrath and vengeance," Sombra answered solemnly. "Her anger was the only thing keeping her tethered to this realm. Without it, she has no reason to be here."

"Well, you have to do something!" Luna pleaded. "Please, somepony do something!"

More and more of Midnight continued to dematerialize. "Thank you, Luna. F-for being there..."

"Midnight, don't, stop!"

"He's coming. I felt his evil back at the castle," Midnight wheezed.

"Who's coming?" Midnight didn't answer; she was fading fast, now only reduced to a head. Luna shook her head, feeling her eyes fill up with tears. "Midnight?"

The filly peered up at Luna through half-closed lids. "It doesn't...it doesn't hurt...anymore..."

With that, Midnight was gone.

A New Day

The next few weeks crawled by at a snail's pace. A confrontation with some megalomaniacal threat was nothing new in Equestria and it never took long for things to return for what passed as normal but this was different. Midnight had tested everyone and hurt them in ways that not even Queen Chrysalis, Lord Tirek, King Sombra, or even Discord had. The effects of her machinations would continue to ripple down in the lives of everyone involved for quite some time, perhaps even for the rest of their lives. Some wounds took more time to heal and even though scars faded, the memories of their origin remained as fresh as the day that they were earned.

A gentle breeze ruffled Luna's fur as she gazed down at the simple stone that'd been erected in the Royal Garden. Bearing only the name "Midnight," it was planted amongst some roses and far enough away so that the average visitor couldn't stop to gawk at it. After departing from the Crystal Empire, Luna had some minor surgery performed and the surgeons discovered the remains of an absorbed twin, exactly where Midnight said she'd be located. They found a skull no bigger than a squirrel's, along with some teeth, part of a spinal column, a foreleg, and a spleen. This was what was buried beneath the headstone and though it wasn't much, Luna felt as though it was enough to give her would-be twin some peace.

Twilight's nightmares, the very menaces that had been tormenting her for months, faded with Midnight and for that, Luna was grateful. However, this didn't mean that Ms. Sparkle wasn't still haunted by these recent events. Although she didn't talk about it, Luna suspected that part of Midnight remained in Twilight, her memories and perhaps even her rage still infected her. Sombra had fled the premises sometime after Midnight's departure, though this was the least of anyone's concerns for the moment. He'd suffered his own tribulations and needed time to sort through them.

Once the sun had been lowered and the moon raised, Luna found sleep was evading her like a plague and returned to the headstone once more. She wondered what life would've been like had Midnight been born. Would Luna have remained as Princess of the Night for the millennium she'd been away? What would have Midnight's role been? Could she have helped Luna keep a lid on her envy towards Celestia and ensured that the two remained the Elements' bearers?

She sighed. Perhaps the what-if's and could-have-been's were insignificant in the grand scheme. The past had been written and the future still lingered in the horizon. Out of the corner of her eye, Luna spotted a shadow moving towards her. She didn't move a muscle as it assumed an equine form and stood right beside her. Grinning, she kept her gaze forward as she greeted the newcomer.

"I was wondering if you were going to appear or not."

Sombra looked down at the headstone. "Good to see I can still keep you on your toes."

"Where have you been? I've tried to contact you."

"Around," he answered simply.

Luna would've asked what he meant by that but she decided to drop it. Truth was, she missed Sombra. Once upon a time, she loved him as a brother and wished to reform a connection with him. Now, however, was not the time nor the place. For what seemed to be hours, the two stood in total silence and when Sombra finally spoke, Luna leapt suddenly at his abruptness.

"You know, it's funny," he began, gaze still fixed on the headstone. "In a strange way, I have to thank Midnight."

Luna turned her head, eyebrow raised queerly at the statement.

"I'd almost forgotten my parents' faces, the sound of their voices. She gave me that back."

"Maybe she recognized that you too suffered and some part of her wanted to help you."

"Maybe..." Sombra then turned to face Luna. "Do you remember Midnight's parting words?"

"About 'he is coming'? Yes?"

Sombra faced the headstone once more. "All signs point to something major heading our way. The rise in criminal activity, strange weather patterns, the return of old foes. I've felt the increase in dark magic. Haven't you felt it?"

A chill ran down Luna's spine. "Yes. A reawakening. Tia has felt the same thing. What could it mean?"

"Midnight was merely a harbinger of things to come. Whatever it is, it will be here soon." Sombra, whether it was consciously or subconsciously, moved in closer towards her. "You all need to prepare."

"You aided us against Midnight. Help us with this new threat, whatever it is."

Sombra moved away. "I only helped you for selfish reasons, nothing more. I'm not going to come running every time there's an issue."

Luna couldn't contain the smirk that worked its way onto her face. "You are so transparent."

Sombra glared at her. "You think you know me?"

"You're not exactly complicated. Despite the show you put on, you care. Not just about Twilight, but her friends as well. I think that deep down, you want to do the right thing. You want acceptance."

Sombra's gaze narrowed. "Think what you will, princess. This isn't my fight."

The air whipped around them and Sombra disappeared in a ball of inky blackness.

"No, but it may very well soon be..."

~*~

Once Celestia's sun dipped beneath the skyline, Ponyville's citizens commenced with their celebration. After their disastrous attempt at throwing a Twilight appreciation party, Pinkie Pie convinced them all to try again, so they threw a We-Love-You-Twilight-Sparkle-Part-Two party. And this time, it was a resounding success. No monsters, no strange magical occurrences, just laughter and merriment. DJ Pone-3 worked her magic on a killer beat while everypony danced and drank cider, courtesy of the Apple clan. That is, almost everypony.

Twilight sat off to the side, watching the festivity around her, despite being the guest of honor. While she greatly appreciated the gesture, she just wasn't in a party-mood. The whole experience with Midnight had affected her far more than anyone could've imagined and despite her friends' care for her well-being, she needed some space to cope with recent events. She smiled and waved whenever somepony said hi and gratefully accepted some cider when Applejack offered it. She even humorously listened as Spike regaled some ponies of his heroics as the newly-appointed Element of Empathy.

I swear, if Spike's head gets any bigger, it will block out the moon.

"Hello Twilight."

Her ear swiveled at the sound of a very familiar voice and turned to look at the speaker. It was Sombra, garbed in his usual black patchwork cloak, a bandage applied to his left cheek from where Midnight's spear had nicked him. He smiled somewhat uneasily at her, as though he were afraid that his presence was somehow unwanted. This, of course, was far from the truth in Twilight's eyes.

"Sombra?" She held a hoof out then placed it on Sombra's chest to confirm, yes, he was physically there and not a mental projection. "I...I'm so glad to see you!" Tackling him, Twilight wrapped her forelegs around him and snuggled into his coat. Chuckling, Sombra returned the gesture, albeit with much more delicateness. "Where were you? You didn't return my letters."

Sombra's grin, which had widened greatly, soon drooped. "I...I'm sorry. I needed some alone time."

Reaching into a saddlebag, he magically withdrew some bound envelopes. "I received every single one. When I heard about the party, I decided to visit you in person." He soon replaced the envelopes and stroked Twilight's mane lovingly. "How are you?"

It would've been easy to lie but one look into those crimson eyes and Twilight couldn't resist spilling her guts. "I'm trying to hang in there. Even though Midnight is gone, I still...feel her. Her anger, her memories." She sighed. "I still feel so guilty over everything I said and did."

"It wasn't your fault. It was Midnight-..."

"But it was my body, my voice! Every time they look at me, that's what my friends will remember."

Sombra held Twilight close, air exhaled through his nostrils. "Do your friends blame you?"

"Well, no-..."

"Did they forgive you?"

"Yes, but-..."

"But nothing. Your friends don't blame you and neither do I. The only one that does is you and you shouldn't."

"I...you're right. It's just hard. Between the new castle and everything recent, it's just too much."

Gently, Sombra's lips found Twilight's cheek. "If anyone can do it, you can."

Twilight soon found herself grinning like a schoolfilly. "Th-thanks. Listen, why don't you stay and join the party?"

Sombra backed away, throwing her face partially into shadow. "I don't think that's a good idea, Twilight. I appreciate the offer, really, I do, but I highly doubt that my presence would be acceptable."

"I don't think that."

Pinkie joined them, followed by Rarity, Fluttershy, Applejack, Rainbow, and Spike.

"Ya did help us wi' savin' Twilight," Applejack observed.

"And you did help us stop the grootslang from destroying Ponyville," Rarity reminded them. "...even if we did have to twist your hoof to do it," she added.

"You left the dream world Midnight created for you." Spike smiled up at Sombra. "You could've stayed, but you didn't."

"Yeah, that was kind of cool," Rainbow said nonchalantly. "Not that cool but a little."

Fluttershy brought her hooves up in a pleading motion. "Would you please consider joining us?"

"It'll be fun! We can eat cake, play Pin the Tail on the Pony, dance, eat cake..."

"Darling, you said 'eat cake' twice."

Pinkie shrugged towards Rarity. "There's no such thing as too much cake."

Sombra, meanwhile, was studying them curiously. "You all actually want me here?"

"Why not?" Spike held up an open claw. "You're our friend, right?"

Twilight nodded at Sombra approvingly and he reached over to grab Spike's claw.

"I suppose...I am."

"In that case..." Rarity brought out a blue box, took off the lid, and withdrew a crimson cloak "I made this for you, to replace that," she shivered. "Piece of garbage you've been insistently parading around in."

Taking foal-like steps, Sombra approached Rarity, his eyes squarely focused on the levitating fabric.

"You made this...for me?"

"Think of it as a thank you gift for helping us."

Tenderly, he took the cloak in his hooves, tracing over the material and examining it as though it were made out of gold. "I...I don't know know what to say." He bowed his head. "Thank you."

"My pleasure, darling."

Shedding out of his old cloak, Sombra threw it to the side and wrapped himself in his new, pristine one, admiring the way it felt against his skin and how it flapped in the air.

"Smashing, isn't it? Besides, crimson is more your color."

"It certainly is," Twilight sighed, resting her head on Sombra's shoulder.

Rainbow looked as though she was going to vomit. "Bleh! Enough of this touchy-feely stuff. There's a party going on!"

"Whoo, party!"

"Yeehaw!"

"Yay!"

Just then, there was a white explosion and Discord appeared, dressed in a Hawaiian shirt and sunglasses, a pair of suitcases floating next to him. He pulled down his sunglasses and peered around.

"Ooh, nice party. What did I miss?"

Prologue

Darkness. That was all that Twilight Sparkle knew. Complete and utter pitch blackness that numbed the senses and gave the impression of timelessness. She was floating in a void, blind and immobile and yet, there came with it an odd sense of warmth and safety. Her heart pounded in her ears, followed by little kicks and jerks from her limbs. This was her home, where she belonged. For now.

Fluttering her eyes open, Twilight could make out little streaks of light poured in, illuminating her surroundings. She could see a fleshy coil of rope flowing from her navel, tethering her to her wet abode. She was inside the womb! Amazingly, the mare, or filly, was unsurprised at this revelation, instead merely shimmying to her left to find a more comfortable position. Her environment jostled and she concluded that Mother was shifting around as well.

She heard voices and recognized them as belonging to her parents but could not yet comprehend them. Mother laughed at something Father said and this filled Twilight with joy at their mirth. Father and Mother really loved each other. Something flowed into her umbilical cord, causing the filly to conclude that Mother was eating and judging from the creamy-sweet taste, it was peaches. As of late, Mother had a craving for peaches and Twilight was in absolute paradise.

A movement out of the corner of her eye had Twilight turning in place to see what the commotion was. It was her womb-mate, a unicorn filly like her, only larger. A shiver ran down Twilight's spine at the sight of her twin. She knew she loved Mother and Father but her sister....she filled her with dread. As the months passed, the twin became healthier and stronger while Twilight weakened, feeling herself shrinking more and more with every passing moment.

The twin's eyes shot open and Twilight felt an unfathomable terror. She watched the other filly loom over her, mouth slowly opening and closing like a steel trap. Suddenly, Twilight felt an ache in her bones, her skin constricting around her. Her limbs bent and shriveled up, becoming twisted caricatures of themselves. She was crumpling in on herself meanwhile her twin was growing, filling out and fattening up as Twilight grew smaller and smaller.

She opened her mouth to scream, to beg her twin to stop feeding, that they were sisters and there was plenty of room for both of them. It was to no avail as the other filly continued to suck Twilight dry, bringing her closer and closer into her embrace. Twilight swam and kicked but she was too feeble at this point to put up a fight. She felt herself being crushed against her twin's side, not merely slamming against it but MERGING with it until she was pulled inside. The last thing that she saw before disappearing into her twin's form was the look of cold triumph on her face.

~*~

A scream tore from Twilight's mouth. She flailed and kicked on the bed, her eyes shooting open and gazing around at her surroundings in a panicky daze. Once she'd confirmed that she was in her bedroom, she gingerly sat up and wiped the sweat from her brow, blinking away the last of the nightmare. Her chest, once heavily heaving in an attempt to force air back into her lungs, was now slowing to a crawl as her breathing returned to normal. Twilight released a steady exhale.

Her bedroom door slammed open, revealing a very distressed Spike.

"Are you alright?! I heard screaming!"

Twilight nodded, "I'm fine, Spike. I just woke up."

The dragon crawled up onto the bed. "Was it another nightmare?" He asked tenderly.

She nodded. Ever since Sombra's last visit, Twilight had been having trouble sleeping. At first, it was just trouble staying asleep and she chalked it up to the excitement of the events in Canterlot also while missing her now-fugitive coltfriend. As the months passed, however, it became much worse, devolving into horrible nightmares involving being devoured while in the womb, like the one she just experienced. According to her research into dream symbolism, it appeared that fetal absorption symbolized the dreamer's own fear of being overtaken by a side that they've been repressing or are feeling overwhelmed by something in their lives.

"You should talk to Princess Celestia about it."

Twilight shook her head. "It's nothing. Just bad dreams. Everypony gets them."

Spike stood up on the bed. "Not almost every night, Twi! Something's wrong!"

"If something was really wrong, Princess Luna would've shown up and fixed the problem. It's not a big deal."

"But Twilight-..."

"I'm fine, Spike!"

It came off much harsher than she meant.

"I'm so sorry! I don't know what came over me."

Twilight smiled as Spike laid a claw on her shoulder.

"It's okay," he said softly. "You've been under a lot of stress and you haven't been sleeping well."

Pulling Spike into a one-limbed embrace, Twilight gently nuzzled her cheek against his own.

"It's still no excuse. You're just looking out for me."

"Don't worry about it," Spike hummed happily. "I'll bring you some warm milk and hopefully you'll get some shut-eye."

"Okay."

As Spike was closing the door, Twilight stated, "I love you, Spike."

The drake turned and smiled widely. "I love you too, Twilight. I'll be right back."

The door closed, leaving Twilight alone once more in the darkness. She gently settled onto her side facing away from the door and let out a sigh. Unbeknownst to the alicorn, for only the briefest moment, her pupils shrank to pinpricks while a pale, light grayish cyan glow encapsulated her scleras.

It was almost Midnight.

Meanwhile...

Night had staked its claim over the skies of Manehattan, drenching the metropolis in star-studded blackness, courtesy of the younger of Equestria's two diarchs. Princess Luna's moon shone brightly like a silver sphere, its pale rays aiding in lighting the way of the city's nighttime denizens as they went about their business, both law-abiding and illicit. While the upper part of Manehattan was a centerpiece of architectural grandeur and the epitome of societal glamour, the lower part of the city was a crime-ridden cesspool, home to some of the nastiest miscreants in all of Equestria. Thieves, drug peddlers, weapons smugglers, they could all be found here. And this wretched hive of scum and villainy was the current residence of one of Equestria's most wanted.

A lone figure stood perched atop the roof of a brick tenant building, his black cloak snapping and fluttering around him in the cool breeze. Burning red eyes peaked beneath his cowl, scanning the layout of the city as if searching for something. Sombra sucked air in from his nostrils before exhaling it out of his mouth. His journey had taken him to Manehattan, a place he'd only heard about from books and the descriptions of Twilight Sparkle during their many conversations. It had piqued his interest and he decided to inspect it for himself. After a thousand years trapped in the Frozen North, plus another year locked deep in the dungeons of Canterlot Castle, Sombra had indeed missed out on much history and culture, so decided to see what the modern age had to offer for him.

So far....eh.

Following his battle with Princess Celestia, Sombra fled far from the capitol, both to put as much distance between him and that god's-forsaken place and to plan his next move without interruption. After winding up in Griffonstone, he slowly made his way up to Saddle Arabia, Japone, Englope and Spaneighn.

He was meditating in the mountains of Chineigh when he heard about Lord Tirek's attempt to steal all of the magic in Equestria and his subsequent defeat by Twilight Sparkle and the others. A part of him wanted to speed back there to see if Twilight was okay but Sombra squashed those feelings. He couldn't run back there every time there was a problem which, given the recent outbreak of villainous attacks and strange magical occurrences, would mean that he'd be getting one Tartarus of an exercise. Besides, Twilight was a grown mare, as well as a princess and the Element of Magic. If anypony could take care themselves, it was her. Seeing as how Sombra was number one on Equestria's Most Wanted, now was the time for laying low.

Down below him, a trio of ponies emerged from a nearby theater, an earth pony stallion, a unicorn mare and an earth pony colt, a family by the looks of it. The father laid a hoof on his son's shoulder and gently shook him while the mother wiped the colt's cheek with a hoofkerchief. Such a heartwarming sight stirred emotions inside of Sombra, feelings of loneliness and longing for such a gift as they had. He shook his head. Something like a wife and a foal wasn't meant for him. Normalcy was a luxury some had and some didn't.

A shabby-looking unicorn stallion in a flat cap and frayed coat followed closely behind them, his shifty little eyes carefully tracking them as they blissfully chattered amongst themselves. The family turned the corner and walked down an alleyway and after half a minute, the stallion followed them. Sombra's eyes seeped purple mist, his nostrils flaring hot air. Every part of him screamed not to get involved, that it wasn't his business. It wasn't until the stallion pulled out a knife that Sombra decided to make it his business.

~*~

"Fork over your bits and nopony gets hurt!"

It was a line that Repeat Offender had uttered dozens of times, always with the same gruff, no-nonsense authority ever since he was thirteen. The knife was positioned at the pegasus mare's throat via a lime-green aura while she tightly held her brat to her chest. Her husband, a scrawny mustachioed earth pony was sweating profusely. He held his jittery hooves up.

"J-just don't hurt my family," he shakily pleaded, something that Repeat had heard plenty of times.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah, the bits, now!"

The earth pony complied, slowly taking his bit-pouch out of his jacket one-hoofed and slowly holding it out in front of him. Repeat couldn't help but snort. Ever since he'd marked them, he knew they'd be an easy target. Weak, spineless, no heroics. Just the way he liked them.

He reached out for the pouch with his hoof when he noticed that the earth pony was staring fearfully but not at the stallion with a knife pointed at his wife. The mare and colt were also staring wide-eyed and slack-jawed at something. The terror that they'd showed him was nothing compared to whatever held their attention now.

"What? What is...?"

Unknowingly to the mugger, a second shadow had risen from the one belonging to the alleyway's single lamppost. It rose upward, bending and twisting into a vaguely pony-esque shape, two glowing green orbs appearing in the center of its nondescript face. Repeat turned just as a dark tendril shot from the shadow, coiling around his barrel and slamming him to the pavement, causing his knife to clatter harmlessly to the ground. The shadow then looked at the family.

"Go now. The colt shouldn't see this," the shadow hissed.

Without any hesitation or qualms, the three fled from the scene at full speed. Once they were safely out of view, the shadow turned its attention back towards its captive. Repeat could feel his heart being squeezed in a grip of terror, his very blood running ice cold. He'd been to juvie and prison, seeing horrible atrocities committed by the scum of society but it wasn't until this very moment that he had ever known true fear. He let out a shriek as the tendril tightened around him and began pulling him towards the shape.

"No, no! You're not real! You're not real!"

The shadow's maw opened wide.

"You're not reeeeeeal!"

Darkness swallowed him up and he fell screaming at full volume into the void.

~*~

From his vantage point in the shadows, Sombra watched the uniformed officers pull the bound and screeching unicorn up off his back and haul him into the police station. He could hear the crook jabbering about a shadow trying to eat him and one of the officers taking about too much "dreamdust," whatever that was. As much as Sombra wanted to make the mugger suffer, he was trying to turn over a new leaf. "Trying" being the key word. The Elements of Harmony, Twilight in particular, had rubbed off him somewhat and rather than execute the miscreant, he merely spooked him a bit before dropping him off for the authorities to deal with.

Once the glass doors shut behind the officers, Sombra pulled his hood up and slowly trotted away. He hadn't intended on coming back to Equestria to act as some kind of vigilante but he'd been forced into that brief position. Still, helping that family out and punishing the wicked had felt actually really good. Maybe he could keep helping ponies. Putting that possible consideration on hold for now, he silently slipped past a nearby diner and vanished once more into the night.

A Chink in the Armor

Soundlessly, Midnight crept through the castle's ruins, its make-up permanently ingrained into her brain, allowing her to effortlessly navigate her way through the darkness and debris. The air was thick with dust and mold, along with...something else. She couldn't put her hoof on what it was per se, only that it had nothing to do with the remnants of dark magic still lingering to the foundation. The Everfree Forest was a nexus point for maleficium, every rock, plant, tree and beast oozing with sorcery most foul, which was unsurprising given that it was once the site for the nightmare city of Tambelon. Upon Grogar the Cruel's banishment, the city vanished but the dark magic surrounding it seeped into the nearby land, eventually creating the Everfree that everypony knew of and rightfully feared.

No, what resonated within Midnight were emotions that she couldn't quite identify, a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach that made her chest ache and almost brought a tear to her eye. She passed through the halls, memories flooding her mind of the time spent there with Princesses Celestia and Luna, talking, laughing, running giddily like fillies. This was her home-

No, this was their home, not mine! They weren't even aware that I existed!

Twilight's voice rattled around in her skull. "So you knew them?"

Oh yes, she'd forgotten about her passenger.

"'Knew them'?" Midnight snorted. "Yes, we were connected. And still are."

"How so?"

Midnight rolled her eyes. "You know, for as smart as you are, you're a real simpleton sometimes. Think back to your nightmares. The clues are all there."

Twilight gasped and Midnight had to smirk at the bewilderment she exuded. "That's...that's not possible."

"Oh, but it is! By right, this land should belong to me. Instead, Princess Two-Face and Princess Weak-Will are in charge. Well, it won't matter. Soon, I will rule Equestria. In place of a princess, they shall have a QUEEN! All SHALL love me and DESPAIR!"

"You can't force others to love you!"

"Yes, I can!" Midnight screeched in an almost petulant tone. "And they will! They will worship me, just as they do Celestia! The teeming pathetic masses will bow and grovel at my hooves, rip each other to bits just to get even a fleeting glimpse of my majesty!"

"What then?"

Midnight paused, thrown slightly off by the simple yet piercing question.

"After you've conquered Equestria and forced everypony to be your subjects, what then?"

The truth was, she had no idea.

"It doesn't matter. Once the throne is mine, all the pieces will fall into place."

Twilight didn't answer her, making Midnight twinge with fury.

"Nothing to say, bookworm?! You dare insult a goddess and future queen with your inane inquiries and now you can't even muster up a response?"

A minute passed and then, a quiet but resolute counter:

"You're no goddess and you will never sit in the throne. My friends will stop you."

Her anger receding, Midnight found herself smirking at the young mare's absolutism.

"Your band of misfits? Oh, don't worry about them. I have something SPECIAL in mind for them."

Finished with her stroll down memory lane, Midnight exited the castle and trekked deeper into the Everfree, ignoring the howls of the native fauna. The ancient forest held no fear for her, having been long-since purged herself of the troublesome emotion and yet, there was was undeniably sinister about the expansive area. She developed quick glimpses of an ominous figure, a silhouette of a horned being with red eyes accompanied by the tolling of some great bell. The visions passed and Midnight continued on her way, guided to her intended destination by a kind of nudge in the back of her skull. Grogar may be gone but his influence remained and she intended to take full advantage of it.

Burning away a briar patch of purple spiked vines, she entered a small clearing in the forest and inhaled, taking in the stench of the corrupted earth. In lieu of conversation, Twilight had resorted to once more try breaking the mental barrier but Midnight was ahead of her now, strengthening it to prevent further mishaps. This was her body now and she had no intention of parting with it now or ever. She conjured a massive gust of wind to sweep away the dirt and reveal the bronze-colored vault underneath it, shuddering at the raw power that it exuded.

Pressing her horn to the insignia at the center, Midnight poured her magic into it, the vault glowing cyan as energy ebbed throughout it, illuminated the ancient symbols carved into the metal. A series of high-pitched, rusted squeaks echoed in the air, soon followed by several booming clicks. She hopped-flew away from the vault to witness the door slowly revolve until it receded entirely, revealing pitch blackness. Midnight's ears twitched at the sound of splashing as something stirred deep within the vault. Two pink-purple orbs flashed in the abyss accompanied by a hissing roar.

"W-what is that thing?"

The creature rose above Midnight, casting its shadow over her.

"That, my dear Twilight, is the special gift for your friends."

~*~

One, two, three, four...one, two, three, four...

Spike mentally counted out his hoof-steps, careful to ensure he didn't trip over his toes or drop the old mare slung over his back. He was surprised somewhat at being able to support Rarity's weight for the past twenty minutes without rest but then considered the fact that she was much lighter than she used to be and he was in a body designed to bear weight. Looking over at Applejack, he was a little assuaged at his difficulties by observing her own strange gait, a kind of stumbling, bow-legged amble. It would be hilarious in any other circumstances if it wasn't for the fact that their friend was possessed by an angry spirit that was Tartarus-bent on conquering Equestria. Spike's eyes snapped over to their guide, who was busy following the map that Zecora gave them for their journey through the Everfree.

"How much longer until we get there?" Rainbow asked sullenly.

"About another half-hour," Sombra replied still facing forward.

"Are ya sure she's at th' castle?"

Sombra looked down at Applejack. "No, but seeing as how the Castle of the Royal Sisters was her base of operations last time, it's plausible that she's there now."

"You know Sombra, you should really do something about your wardrobe," Rarity muttered. "Black is so last season and look at it! It's a miracle that it's managed to hold itself together. It looks like homeless pony gauche!"

"'Gauche'?"

"It means she doesn't like it," Rainbow added in smugly.

The cloak was a faded black with a large red-brown stain on the left shoulder and a series of smaller stains littering the hood. The edges of the cloak were frayed and torn, the material crudely stitched together with a few patches replacing entire sections. Holes, scorch marks and water stains rounded out the damage; in short, the cloak had been through Tartarus. Sombra held up an edge and shrugged.

"I'll get a new one later. My clothing isn't exactly a high priority."

Fluttershy giggled and waved her hooves in Sombra's direction.

"I think Flutterfoal likes it," Pinkie nodded.

It was a tad eerie how she walked instead of bounced.

"Good for her," Sombra dryly answered, returning once more to the map.

"Ya know, ya'd be a lot more easier t' be around if ya were a might bit more pleasant."

"AJ's right," Spike agreed. "Working together means acting, um..."

"Cordial?" Rarity offered up.

"Right."

Sombra lowered the map, his expression one of slight annoyance. "I didn't come here to be pleasant, cordial or friendly. I'm here to help banish the eidolon from Twilight, not have a tea party with you."

"A tea party sounds like fun," Pinkie droned before a knee-high table appeared next to them, complete with a checkered table cloth, tea pot, china cups, saucers and plates stacked with cookies. "Voila. That's Germane for 'tea time.'"

"It really isn't, Darling."

"Look, I really think-..."

Sombra was interrupted when a booming, raspy-trumpeting ripped through the air. In the distance, there were various splitting and cracking sounds reverberated throughout the forest, followed closely by several treetops vanishing as the trees collapsed with a parade of thuds.

"What in tarnation was that?"

"Whatever it is," Spike gulped. "It's heading for Ponyville!"

They all gasped and made a hard turn, rushing straight in the direction of Ponyville when Spike skidded to a stop.

"Sombra, what are you waiting for? Let's go!"

Sombra merely cocked one brow.

"Why?"

"'Why'? Wha do ya mean, 'why'? Ponyville's in trouble!"

Sombra remained where he was. "You asked me for help regarding the eidolon. Saving Ponyville wasn't part of the agreement."

Flutterfoal's hooves flew to her chubby cheeks, a loud gasp escaping her lips.

Rarity's jaw dropped. "How...can you be so obtuse?"

"Yeah, help us out you jerk!" Rainbow demanded.

Applejack raised her hands. "Alright everypony, let's jus' relax." She turned to Sombra, her hands clasped together in front of her beseechingly. "Ah know we ain't exactly friends er nothin,' but ya gotta do somethin'. Ya may not have any ties t' Ponyville but we do. An' ya know who else does? Twilight. If she lost it, she'd be crushed. Please...help us."

Whether it was her desperate pleading and appealing to Sombra's pony side or her name-drop of his marefriend, the umbrum slowly nodded and stared in the direction of Ponyville.

"Alright, fine. We'll go save Ponyville."

"Then there's no time to lose," Pinkie pointed quasi-dramatically while standing on her hindlegs.

Placing Applejack on his back, Sombra once again took up the task of leading them. They followed a series of striations in the dirt, noting their comparability to snake tracks, only much much larger and deeper. Trees were completely uprooted and split in half, once more adding to the conclusion that something big and strong was on its way to the small town. Keeping up a solid pace, they soon arrived on the border between the Everfree Forest and Ponyville. Digging their collective hooves into the dirt, they swerved to a stop and stared in awe at the colossus just a few feet away.

It resembled a large, grayish-brown serpent with black splotches along its thick hide, golden rings lining its forty-foot body. The head, however, while snake-like in appearance, possessed a pachyderm's trunk with two sets of tusks on either side of its mouth. Large, curved fangs jutted from its upper jaw and a pair of elephant legs poked out from the upper half of its body. The creature's underbelly glittered in the sunlight; upon closer inspection, the source was a cluster of diamonds coating the softer surface like armor. A sizable multifaceted green gem rested in between its large pink-purple eyes, which soon narrowed at the group as its forked tongue slid out of its maw.

"I don't believe it," Sombra breathed. "It's a grootslang."

The creature bellowed and flipped open a leathery cobra's hood that brought to mind a pair of elephant ears.

"We should run. Now!"

No sooner had Sombra said this when something slimy hurtled towards them, splattering on the ground and exploding in a semi-liquid mass. The grootslang spat more slimeballs at them, each one narrowly hitting their mark as the group scurried to avoid them.

"Sombra, explanation now!" Applejack yelped.

"It's a creature known as a grootslang. They're supposed to be extinct!"

Rainbow huffed, "Tell him that!"

A glob exploded near Pinkie, who stood by curiously at the steaming heap.

"What is this? I think I should touch it."

"Pinkie, don't!"

Whipping out its tail, the grootslang fired several diamonds at the slime, striking it and sparking a roaring fire that threw Pinkie backwards. Sitting upright, she put out a small fire on the pit of her curlicue and fled, having taken nearly being incinerated as a learning experience. The group huddled behind a small hill while the grootslang, satisfied that it chase off its foes, slithered on ahead, making a beeline for the place with all of the yummy ponies. Spike gulped, his chest burning as he heaved in several breaths. He gently set Rarity down and looked to Sombra inquisitively.

"So how do we stop that thing?"

Sombra paused and after a brief moment of deliberation, replied, "I once read somewhere that a grootslang's power rests in the gem on its forehead. If we can somehow remove the gem, we might just pacify it."

"'Might'? You mean you don't know?!"

He glared at Rainbow. "I've never actually seen one of these in the flesh, so excuse me if I'm not an expert."

Rarity patted Sombra's foreleg. "Just tell us what to do."

"Its skin is too thick for conventional attacks. It has the advantage of speed and durability and that exploding slime is designed to keep enemies at bay. However, they're just simple creatures, possessing no concept of strategy."

"So we'll jus' have t' outthink it?"

"Precisely. Spike, take Rarity to safety-..."

The unicorn wobbled as she stood up, using a nearby branch as a makeshift walking stick. "That just won't do. I am not staying out of this fight."

Sombra held out a foreleg. "You'd just get in the way. You're too old-..."

"I don't care. Ponyville is my home too and I have just as much to lose as the rest of you."

Sombra's skepticism gave way to a half-smirk. "Very well then. Spike, protect Rarity while she assaults the front. Applejack and I will attack the grootslang from the sides. Rainbow Dash, do you think you can get Fluttershy to use the Stare?"

"I'm...uh...not sure." She stared down at Flutterfoal, who gave her a reassuring nod. "Okay, I guess so."

"What about me?" Pinkie leapt into the middle of the circle. Despite her animated movements, her face and voice were devoid of any kind of excitement.

"Do you have access to a party cannon?"

"Is Gummy the most adorable-est pet ever?"

Sombra had heard mention of the alligator but had never actually seen him. "...Yes?"

"Then yes."

"You'll bring up the rear. We need to keep its attention divided. Ready?"

Everyone nodded.

"Good."

Teleporting to the grootslang's left side, Sombra fired a continuous stream of energy at its flank, drawing a rattling shriek from the chimeric nightmare. It opened its jaws to release another torrent of slime when Applejack belched a plume of fire at its right side. Rarity fired several bolts at its chest, the octogenarian resting up against Spike while he pelted the creature with large rocks. Pinkie soon joined in the assault, her party cannon roaring and hitting the serpent's back with blasts of confetti. Under attack from all sides, the grootslang thrashed its diamond-encrusted tail wildly around in a blind attempt to crush just one of its assailants before several shadowy tendrils took a hold of it.

"Now Rainbow!"

Hearing her cue, Rainbow held Flutterfoal up like a javelin, lining her up whilst aiming at the grootslang's forehead gem. With a yell, she swung her foreleg forward and tossed the filly with all of her might. Flutterfoal soared through the air and, using her wings to stabilize her descent, landed on the creature's snout. Summoning all of her strength, Flutterfoal released the full might of the Stare on the grootslang, its eyes shooting open in unblinking terror. Two black clawed hands atop elongated arms reached up, one wrapping around Flutterfoal's barrel, the other seizing the gem and yanking it free.

Emitting an ear-splitting roar, the grootslang wove to and fro before toppling over, its shadow falling upon Rainbow. She screamed and closed her eyes, only for something to wrench her away before the beast slammed into the ground, a low moan escaping its maw. Opening her eyes, Rainbow turned just in time to see one of Sombra's tendrils retreat back into his body. Her friends gathered around her, giving her hugs and pats on the back but her eyes never left his.

The pegasus stared saucer-eyed at him and then pointed.

"You just saved my life..."

Sombra merely retained his uncommitted expression. "Don't read too much into it," he coolly stated and walked past her. He then briefly turned and said, "But you're welcome."

Perhaps it was a trick of the light but Rainbow could've sworn that he smirked.

Epilogue: Watcher in the Darkness

"Whew, this party is off the chain!" Pinkie cheered, bobbing and weaving to the music.

"Yeah, what she said," Rainbow agreed, guzzling down some cider. "Could I have another?"

"Anytime ya want, Sugarcube," Applejack beamed as she slid another mug over.

Twilight and Sombra, meanwhile, were enjoying a slow-dance in the corner.

"Great party, right?"

Sombra smiled and kissed her. "The best."

The image in the crystal ball went to white, reverting back into an orange eye with a vertical slit pupil. A set of red and yellow eyes glinted in the dimly lit cavern, their owner as grim as the bleak surroundings. Although Midnight Sparkle failed miserably in her mission, it didn't mean that she was incapable of accomplishing anything. No, she didn't conquer Equestria but she did push Twilight Sparkle and her friends mentally, test them in a way their other foes didn't. This brought a smile to the ram's lips as he ambled past the crystal ball's pedestal and climbed the steps towards the inner sanctum of the fortress.

The clacking of his cloven hooves against the aging stone floors were the only sounds one might gleam within the sullen halls. More than a thousand years ago, Tambelon was the seat of power in the land now known as Equestria, a kingdom known rather fittingly as "the Nightmare City". He was a king, an emperor, the supreme ruler over a land of weak and frightened subjects, their fear fueling him. If he stopped and listened long enough, he could almost swear that he could still hear the screams of those unfortunate enough to find themselves within Tambelon's walls. After all, the pursuit of arcane knowledge required test subjects and the denizens of this territory were more than adequate.

Yes, those were the days...

And then came the day the Three Equine Tribes arrived on his shores. The fun only increased!

"Cruel," they called him. "Mad," they whispered. Oh, the titles they bestowed upon him! The Horned One, the Necromancer, Dread-King, Lord of Agony and Despair, the Father of Monsters. Whenever his bell rang, they flocked towards their caves and huts and huddled together, praying and begging for him to pass them over. That only increased his desire to explore the depths of their terror.

Until the day that he was utterly humiliated and defeated.

His smile vanished, replaced by a malicious scowl. That loathsome Gusty the Great led an army of yellow-bellied unicorns against him and his hoards of fiendish creations. Rows of hydras, chimeras, manticores, and other horrific behemoths conjured up by him and him alone. The unicorns tossed themselves at his forces, daring to attack him directly so he swatted them aside like buzzing insects. Then, while he was reveling in the mayhem and carnage, Gusty snatched his bell and made off with it, fleeing like a thief in the night.

Then, with her equally despicable partner Clover the Clever, she enacted a ritual to banish him and for centuries, he rotted in his empty fortress, powerless and alone. It was only through his strong will that he evaded madness from the isolation, formulating plans for his inevitable return. Using the Eye of Arimaspi, he bore witness to the coming ages, learning as much as he could about the advancement of magic since his time. What caught his attention, however, were the heroes of the modern Equestrian age, these "Element bearers." Six ponies, and now, a dragon hatchling, were single-hoofedly protecting the realm against threats far more powerful than them.

He soon reached an iron door and beyond that, a circular room whose walls and pillars were scrawled with ancient glyphs. Book-lined shelves were stacked along its perimeter, each one containing knowledge long since lost and written in tongues no longer spoken. Many strange and terrible relics stood atop spiked pedestals, each one more wicked than the last. The whole room hummed with foul eldritch magic, the walls literally whispering dark and unknowable things. It was here that the darkest and most forbidden of maleficium was practiced in the land.

The Sanctum Tenebrae.

He considered each and every victory awarded to the Element bearers. They'd overcome the might of a dark alicorn not once but twice, the last draconequus, who was now the embodiment of chaos itself, a magic-stealing centaur, a hoard of changelings, and an exceptionally powerful umbrum warlock. That last one was interesting as the umbrum returned from the dead, a feat only accomplished by a very rare and select few and was now...what? Their friend, their ally? And he's the significant other of one of them, an alicorn and princess of friendship of all things.

The ram stroked his beard in contemplation. How could he turn this to his advantage? Concentrating, he watched as a black and yellow aura surrounded a nearby battle-ax and began to slowly lift it off of its stand. It then unexpectedly dropped and clattered to the floor, causing the ram to curse aloud in a tongue not heard since the fall of old Alicornia. His magic was not yet restored to its full potential.

So then, he would just to continue with his current plan: watch and wait. A thousand years had passed and he'd retained his levelheadedness. How much longer could it take? A few measly months? A couple of insignificant years? By then, the Element bearers or their princesses won't know what they're up against until its too late.

If friendship was truly the glue that held the ponies together, then perhaps he should put it to a durability test. Break them physically, mentally, and emotionally, stomp out their hope and wide-eyed optimism, see if their precious friendship can weather the coming storm. He selected a particular book off of its lectern and flipped through it, coming across a picture of a very particular bell, his hoof caressing the image. Soon, very soon, they would be finally reunited and all will bow before him as they did during his glorious reign of misery.

Equestria will once more tremble at the name of Grogar.