Diablo III: Fall of Equestria

Deep underground, the dungeon of the Crystal Empire was full of ponies that had displeased or defied King Sombra in some way. Most were former nobles who tried to hold on to their titles, only to lose them and have their lands repurposed by Sombra. Even then, there is a place in the dungeon reserved for special prisoners, and right now, he was the only occupant. His mane was greasy and matted down to his head, and his pristine white coat was hidden under layers of grime and filth. Tiny black crystals spotted his horn, preventing him from using any magic. The cell wasn’t well-lit, so he couldn’t see how pathetic he had become. Dark circles ringed his eyes, displaying his exhaustion. Ghostly green flames covered his eyes, showing him horrors from the darkest corner of his mind. Shining Armor was at his breaking point, physically and emotionally. If he closed his eyes, the visions and nightmares plagued his mind, driving him to madness. Staying awake to avoid the dreams was no solution, but his sleep depraved mind didn’t care.

He was separated from his family. He didn’t know if they were even still alive. Celestia and Luna had forsaken them. Twilight was nowhere to be found. Discord couldn’t be counted on in the best of times. His cell was cold, and it slowly seeped into his bones. Nothing he did would keep him warm. He hadn’t been fed in some time and he couldn’t remember the last time he had a drink of water.

When Sombra returned, he tried to fight back. They all did. They all failed. Sombra was different this time, stronger, meaner. As Prince and Captain of the Guard, Shining Armor tried to rally his troops. He failed. He tried to maintain the barrier around the Kingdom to keep Sombra out. He failed. He tried to keep his family safe. He failed. In a last ditch effort, he tried to fight Sombra one-on-one. He failed. Shining was a failure and he knew it.

Two lights appeared in the dark, one ice blue and the other burning red. In his delirious state, Shining couldn’t tell if he was hallucinating again. What new nightmares would his mind visit upon him this time?

“So. This is where you find yourself,” a raspy mechanical voice said. “What are you going to do about it?”

Shining blinked slowly, trying to focus his eyes. The shadows shifted in the dim light, revealing a cloaked figure. The two mismatched eyes glowed from deep within the hood. He couldn’t be sure, but it looked like one of those Humans Twilight talked about. He tried to speak, but his mouth felt like sand and his tongue was thick and heavy.

“Poor Shining Armor. You married a Princess. Does that make you a Prince, or nothing more than a Royal Consort?” the shadow person said.

Shining wasn’t sure, but he thought he had just been insulted. “How does it feel to know that you, a big and strong unicorn stallion, were completely useless? Again. A poor side character attached to another side character?” the shadow asked. “Your only claim to fame is your sister and wife are Princesses. At least you can take solace in knowing they are both as useless as you are. Perhaps it runs in the family?”

Something stirred deep in Shining’s heart. It was a strange sensation. At first, he didn’t know what it was. Soon his chest began to burn and he realized this was an emotion called Anger.

“What does Cadance see in you?” the shadow asked as it slowly circled the room. “Why did she agree to marry a nobody like you? That’s what you are, isn’t it?”

“S…st…stop,” Shining croaked. His throat and voice hurt after not being used for so long.

“Or what? Are you going to hurt me?” the shadow asked. “You are pathetic. You let Chrysalis nearly trick you into marrying her, and did nothing to stop Sombra. Not once, but TWICE!”

The green in Shining’s eyes faded away and was replaced by his growing anger. “I said stop!”

“You are WEAK!” the shadow said, stopping in front of him. “What kind of man can’t protect his own family? Are you even a man, or a coward who hides behind his wife?”

“SHUT UP!” Shining roared. He tried to cast a spell, but the black crystals stuck in his horn caused it to short circuit. The shadow slapped Shining across the face, momentarily stunning him. “You’re awake now. Good.”

Shining forced his tired body to stand up and glared at the shadow. His exhaustion made it hard to focus properly. “I don’t appreciate the things you said.”

“Why, because it’s true?” the shadow shot back. “Here in Equestria, mares vastly outnumber stallions. Women are in charge, and women hold all of the power and make all of the decisions. It’s only natural to feel marginalized and left out. Why would Cadance ever need you, except to make babies?” Shining had no answer. “Because she loves you. In this crazy place, where Friendship is actual Magic, love is the deepest and truest form of friendship. You chose her and she chose you.” The shadow leaned back and repeated, “So. Here you are. What are you going to do about it?”

Shining’s mind was reeling from the shadow’s words. “What CAN I do? Like you say, I’m locked up in this cell. I don’t know where my wife is, where my child is, I don’t know what happened to my sister.”

The shadow got right in Shining’s face. He didn’t flinch or back away. Good. “What do you WANT to do?” the shadow asked softly.

Shining narrowed his eyes. “First, I want to get out of this cell. Next, I want to find my wife. Then, I want to punch Sombra so hard, his ancestors and descendants will feel it,” he growled.

The shadow leaned back. “Good. That is the answer I hoped was inside you.” A hand appeared, holding a key. “There are two options. Either sit here and wait to be rescued.” Shining snorted loudly in disgust. “Or take this key.” As Shining reached for the key, the shadow’s fist closed. “If you do this, your safety cannot be guaranteed. You are angry, yes, but you need to be smart. You can’t help Cadance if you are dead.” The shadow offered the key to Shining and he took it. “Start acting like the Captain of the Guard and the stallion Cadance fell in love with. Show her that you are, her Prince Shining Armor.” The shadow melted back into the darkness, leaving Shining alone.

He looked down at the key in his hoof. He wanted so badly to rush out and find his family, but the shadow was right. He was exhausted and had no magic. For the first time in a while, Shining Armor’s mind was clear. He knew what he had to do and he had some idea of how to do it. But first, he needed to sleep. He lay down on the pile of straw and closed his eyes. The nightmares did not come.