Diablo III: Fall of Equestria

The harsh wind roared across the snowscape, making communication nearly impossible. Nyx seemed unaffected by the wind and snow, so the ponies followed stoically behind. The clouds covered the sky in a thick gray haze that allowed very little sunlight to shine through. To make things even more difficult, the sun was setting. Both unicorns lit their horns to try and light the way, and to keep from getting lost.

The featureless landscape and constant wind made Sunset’s brain start to go numb. The act of placing one hoof in front of the other and following in Nyx’s footsteps became almost mechanical. How long had they been walking? Nyx never actually said how far they had landed from the boarder of the Crystal Empire. Did Nyx even know where she was going? How could she see in this weather? Sunset’s legs started to feel heavy, making it hard to walk. The cold was seeping deep into her bones and she shivered. Sunset slowed down, causing Starlight to bump into her. She looked up and panic started to set in when she didn’t see Nyx.

Fear raced through Sunset’s heart and she started to run, hoping to catch up to Nyx or at least follow her footprints. She quickly tired and slowed to a stop to catch her breath. Sunset looked around frantically and her heart dropped. The wind and snow had erased Nyx’s footsteps. Sunset wanted to cry. Nyx had abandoned them and now they were lost. Tears started to form in her eyes and Sunset quickly blinked them away, not wanting her eyelids to freeze, or fog up her goggles. She felt a nudge at her side and turned to see Starlight awkwardly trying to give her a hug. This made Sunset feel a tiny bit better. Her horn lit up and an orange bubble appeared around them, blocking the snow and wind. “Are we lost?” Starlight spoke up, pulling her mask down.

“Seems that way,” Sunset replied with a weak smile. Before Starlight could reply, a blinking blue light caught Sunset’s attention. “What’s that?” she pointed.

Starlight frowned as the light seemed to be blinking in a pattern. “Well, it can’t be any worse than here,” she said and Sunset agreed. Feeling a surge of energy, the two unicorns bounded across the snow in pursuit of the blinking light. Before long, an enormous black shaped appeared out of the snow, and the blue light winked out.

As they drew closer, the black shape turned into a large door, made from black crystal. A smaller door opened and two stallions dressed in heavy black armor stepped out. What unsettled Sunset the most about their appearance was the green glowing eyes of their helmets. One of the guards lowered a spear at Sunset. “State your name and purpose of business,” he said and an oddly mechanical voice.

Before Sunset could speak, Starlight interrupted. “Excuse me good sirs, but my sister and I became lost while traveling in the storm. Tell me, is the Crystal Empire?”

“Indeed it is,” the guard replied.

Starlight pushed her goggles up and gave her best puppy eyes. “Could you please let us in out of the storm? We would very much appreciate it if you point us in the direction of the nearest inn.”

The guard however, was unfazed. “First you two will come with us,” he said, pointing his spear at Starlight. “All visitors to the Empire will be questioned and searched.” He turned back to the door they had come through. His partner none too gently prodded Sunset and Starlight to follow. As they passed through the door, it closed behind them with a loud BANG. After the ceaseless howling of the wind, the sudden silence was almost deafening.

The guard’s metal boots clacked on the floor, echoing loudly in the hallway. Torches on the wall offered both light and some heat, to Sunset and Starlight’s relief. The guard opened a door and showed them inside. Once they were in, he shut and locked the door behind him. The room had no windows, but they could hear the guard’s footsteps disappear down the hall.

Sunset and Starlight shared a worried look. “It wasn’t like this the last time I was here,” Starlight said.

“Did you see those guards?” Sunset asked, pulling down her hood. “There was something off about them.”

“I noticed it too,” Starlight said, looking around the room. In the center was a simple wooden table with chairs. There was no visible light source, but the room was well-lit. And very warm, Starlight noticed. She unzipped her snowsuit and let out a sigh of relief.

“We should probably come up with a cover story,” Sunset said, peeling herself out of her own suit.

“What did you have in mind?” Starlight asked. Before Sunset could answer, the door opened loudly, startling both of them. In walked in a pony that caught both of their attention. Her coat was midnight blue with a mane to match. Her eyes were a vibrant gold color that contrasted with her dark coloring. She wore a white shirt, black vest and black tie. What really caught the unicorn’s attention was her wings. Instead of feathers, her wings were a leathery texture with a single claw protruding at the joint. Her ears were much bigger than a normal, and two little fangs were barely visible on her muzzle. Sunset and Starlight could only watch as this pony sauntered across the room, oozing confidence. Noticing the looks she was getting, she smirked and sat down in one of the chairs. “Please be seated.” Her voice was smooth and husky, with a layer of sexiness.

Sunset and Starlight finished stripping out of their snowsuits and cautiously sat at the table across from the stranger. Starlight found her voice first. “You’re a-“

“-Bat-pony?” Sunset finished.

The bat-pony laughed with a hissing sound. “Are you surprised?” she asked.

“Well yeah,” Starlight said. “Bat-ponies are pretty rare.”

“But not so rare that you haven’t heard of us,” the bat-pony replied. She crossed her hooves on the table and said, “My name is Onyxia, and I am here to determine the purpose of your visit to the Crystal Empire.”

Sunset and Starlight shared a quick look. “You see, my sister…Sunbeam…and I were traveling to Canterlot when we got lost in the storm,” Starlight said.

Onyxia shook her head and tsked. “Aww, you poor things. It’s a wonder you didn’t freeze to death.”

Sunset nodded. “Fortunately, we stumbled across the Crystal Empire.”

Onyxia hummed to herself. “The Empire is rather large to simply ‘stumble upon.’” She gave a little shrug. “It does happen to sit along a major road between Canterlot and the rest of the North, so I guess it isn’t improbable.”

Sunset and Starlight relaxed a tiny bit. It was hard to tell but Onyxia seemed to be buying their story. “Um, if it isn’t too much trouble, would it be possible for us to find a place to stay for the night?” Sunset asked. “I know this is sudden and it is getting late. We will be on our way in the morning.”

Onyxia shook her head. “Unfortunately, I can’t do that.”

Starlight felt dread creeping into her stomach. “Which part?”

Onyxia gave her a sideways look. “Of course you can stay, but you will not be permitted to leave.”

“And why not?” Sunset asked with a frown.

“Why, it’s simply too dangerous,” Onyxia replied. “By your own admission, you nearly perished on your way here. What kind of host would we be if we allowed travelers out into the deadly storm?” She looked almost hurt, and Starlight immediately felt bad. “Oh I didn’t mean it like that,” she quickly tried to cover, but Onyxia moved on. “You will be permitted to stay in a refugee status,” she said, pulling out papers and setting them on the table. “Just sign these forms and you will be free to go.”

Starlight read over the paper and frowned. “What does this mean? ‘Sedition and treasonous behavior will not be tolerated and is punishable by confinement up to one year?’”

“Exactly what it sounds like,” Onyxia cooed.

Sunset narrowed her eyes. “And Princess Cadance is okay with this?” At the mention of Cadence’s name, Onyxia’s fur bristled and her smile faltered. “We do not mention the Usurper’s name,” she cautioned.

This took Sunset and Starlight by surprise. “Usurper? Then who is the ruler of the Crystal Empire?” Starlight asked.

“King Sombra, of course,” Onyxia answered, rather matter-of-factly.

“SOMBRA?!?” Starlight and Sunset shouted. They looked at each other in confusion. “But, I thought-“ Sunset started.

“That Sombra was missing!” Starlight quickly interrupted. “When did he return?”

Onyxia narrowed her eyes and looked between the two unicorns. Sunset and Starlight smiled nervously and began to sweat under the intense scrutiny. Onyxia leaned forward slowly and asked, “Just where did you say you were from?”

“We didn’t,” Starlight replied with a frown.

“My sister Pixie Dust and I are world travelers,” Sunset explained. “I apologize for our rudeness, but news travels slowly.”

“Indeed,” Onyxia replied, not quite convinced. “When King Sombra returned from exile with the Crystal Empire just over five years ago, he was defeated and cast out by the Usurper and those meddling ponies known as the Elements of Harmony. King Sombra was so weakened, it has taken until now to restore his power. He finally made his triumphant return, overthrew the Usurper, and took his rightful place on the Crystal Throne.”

“And when did King Sombra return?” Starlight repeated.

Onyxia smiled. “Just one month ago yesterday.”

Sunset and Starlight’s eyes went wide. Starlight recovered her wits first and said, “Thank you for informing us. As my sister said, we are travelers and news travels slowly. We will endeavor not to make this mistake again.”

“Of course,” Onyxia replied with a smile. She gathered the papers and looked them over. “Everything is in order I see. Again, welcome to the Crystal Empire. We hope you enjoy your stay.”

Onyxia let them out of the room and down the hallway. When they reached the end, she opened the door and stepped through. Sunset and Starlight’s mouths fell open.

The Crystal Empire had become a totalitarian nightmare. Jagged black crystals littered the ground everywhere and grew on most of the buildings. Crags of black crystal burst out of the ground, towering over most of the buildings. Most disturbing of all, the crystal tower that once housed the Crystal Heart had been smashed to bits. In its place stood an enormous statue of King Sombra. His face was carved in an eternal scowl as his gaze looked to the horizon in the direction of Equestria and Canterlot. Guards wearing the same black armor and disturbing helmets patrolled the streets. Banners with Sombra’s symbol draped from streetlights and fluttered in the breeze. Behind them, an enormous wall stretched to the horizon in either direction. Was Sombra trying to keep ponies out or keep them in? Oddly enough, there didn’t seem to be citizen ponies out and about. “Where is everypony?” Starlight asked.

“Tucked away at home for curfew,” Onyxia explained.

The storm still raged, but it was considerably lessened inside the Empire’s borders. The white snow contrasted eerily with the black crystal. Sunset noticed the statue of Sombra was oddly free of snow. Must have some kind of enchantment, Sunset thought. Onyxia led them down the quiet streets. The Crystal Empire held a sizeable population, but with nopony outside or on the streets, it was downright spooky.

Onyxia stopped before a nondescript stone building. She knocked on the door twice and a little viewport opened, revealing two tired looking eyes. The door opened and Onyxia led them inside. Sunset and Starlight looked around while Onyxia talked to the clerk. The lobby was clean and the décor was very plain. Sunset noticed a distinct lack of color or personality. It wasn’t bad by any stretch of the means, but very utilitarian in its execution. “Given your current refugee status, your arrangements have been taken care of,” Onyxia said with an easy smile. “Come. I will show you to your room.”

Both Sunset and Starlight thought this was very strange. Why would a customs agent, at least that’s what Onyxia appeared to be, go so far out of her way for them? Sunset doubted it was out of the kindness of her heart. Starlight caught on to Sunset’s thinking and carefully readied her horn, just in case. Onyxia took them upstairs and down the hall to their room. She gave them a sultry smile and opened the door. “After you.”

Sunset steeled herself and carefully went inside. Her senses were on high alert and she discretely cast a Reveal All spell to check for hidden surprises. Onyxia entered after Starlight and shut the door behind her. When it clicked shut and locked, Starlight quickly turned on Onyxia, but the bat-pony suddenly appeared at her side and whispered, “Cast a privacy spell.”

Taken aback, Starlight’s current spell fizzled out and it took a second for Onyxia’s words to sink in. She then cast the requested spell and the entire room took on a slightly turquoise glow.

“All right, who are you really?” Sunset asked, turning on Onyxia. “Why the sudden interest in us?”

Onyxia hissed with laughter. “Such untrustworthy ponies! Is this what Celestia is teaching you these days?”

“Celestia isn’t much for teaching anymore,” Starlight frowned.

Onyxia’s face fell and she became serious. “I am aware. Her increased persecution of my kind and my Mistress is proof of this.”

Something about Onyxia’s statement caused the wheels in Sunset’s mind to turn. “Bat-ponies? Mistress?” Her eyes lit up. “Of course! You’re one of Princess Luna’s!”

Onyxia grinned, prominently showing her fangs. “Indeed. I am a loyal servant to the Mistress of the Night.”

“What are you doing here in the Empire?” Starlight asked.

“This is my assignment,” Onyxia explained. “Since Sombra returned and the storm set in, it has become difficult to maintain contact.”

“How did you know to expect us?” Sunset asked.

Onyxia walked to a chair and sat down. “Before Sombra, before the storm, before the current troubles, myself and the others were told by the Mistress to aid you in any way possible, and to be on the lookout for the one called Nyx.”

Starlight and Sunset gasped in surprise. “You know her? Is she here?” Sunset asked.

Onyxia shook her head. “I have not seen her, but I expect she is nearby.” She motioned for them to sit and they did so. “I have a message to share from the Mistress.”

Sunset and Starlight stared intently as Onyxia spoke. “She says, ‘My little ponies, I deeply regret having to place this burden upon you. Your journey will be difficult and dangerous. Trust in yourselves, trust in each other, and trust in me. Most of all, have faith in Nyx. You may feel otherwise, but know that I went to her for help. I give you my word she can be trusted. I wish with all my heart to be with you, but my responsibility is to Equestria and all pony kind. Be strong, my little ponies.’” Onyxia closed her eyes and bowed her head. “You should be honored that the Mistress has so much faith in you. I might be a little jealous.”

Listening to Onyxia’s soothing voice made Sunset and Starlight realize just how tired they were. The adrenaline finally wore off and the events of the day caught up with them. Onyxia noticed they were barely staying awake. “Sleep. Catch your rest. I will be in contact tomorrow.” Before she left, Onyxia looked back over her shoulder and winked. “Good night ponies. May the Mistress bless you with sweet dreams.”

Sunset stared at the door long after Onyxia left. It was hard to believe it had only been two days since she came through the portal. So much had happened, it felt like much longer. She looked to Starlight, who was dozing in her chair. Sunset quietly picked her up in her telekinesis and tucked her into bed. Sunset crawled into her own bed and was out before her head hit the pillow.