The Lesser Evil

Blank Page felt like he was being held to reality by the thinnest of threads. Everything felt like a fever dream the only thing he felt was for sure real was clutched tight to his chest. His brown ragged cloak obscured his body and cargo. He dare not loosen his grip on the precious item for fear of breaking or losing it in his delirious state. Therefore he wobbled his way on three legs through the crowd around the viewing area for the crystal heart. Sakira was pressed against his side comforting him and holding him up when his coughing fits grew too strong. He knew he should be resting and attempting to find comfort in his last hours. However he had done so much already, he had to see it through. Sakira guided him to his position in front of a pair of guards, with a quick kiss on his cheek she left to go to her place as well. The whole thing had to work like a clock, each player a gear, and all the gears needed to be in position and perform their duties to the letter. The gong of the palace clock signaling the afternoon hour was the que, Page couldn’t be quite sure which hour it was anymore. The air shaked and vibrated as one of the most important hours was announced to the world. The pair Guard’s in front of Blank Page nodded and moved aside to let him pass. A pair of guards to the far left were attacked by Dust Snowfall and Sakira, while another pair to the right were distracted by a barreling Red Peyote. Blank Page took each step realizing the history he was making. The crowd was far too distracted to see him approaching the crystal heart, It was unaware of the significance of what he held in his hooves. Unwrapping the Dark heart from under the earthy cloak, he knew he was changing the fate of the world and focused with grim determination on what may very well be the last act of his life. Blank Page felt time slow down every breath seemed to take an eternity as he forced the dark heart into position. The sky above the city turned into a storm circling the palace plaza the black clouds filled with lightning as if nature itself was attempting to stop their plans and strike him down. In a brilliant white flash a thunderbolt slammed into the frail Stallion. Blank Page ceased to exist in the world around him as all the life and color of existence was swapped out for a void that stretched for all eternity.

Limbo was an existence that in many regards was worse then the hellscape of tartarus it was absolutely nothing. Existing in the nothingness was akin to lighting a match in a fridge. The energy of existence being pulled away from its source and divided evenly over an infinite amount of space until it all balanced out. Here Blank Page found himself not entirely alone, before him a black sludge of remnants giggled to itself. ”Wobbly” it giggled to itself unaware of the new arrival.

“Hello?” Blank page managed to croak out before another coughing fit took him. He had to watch in abject horror as his body convulsed, coughing uncontrollably as the thing stood up and faced him. Sombra king of all monsters couldn’t honestly be called a pony anymore, being blown to smithereens twice had taken its toll. Barely an outline of what he once was, he was a black sludge only identifiable by color, horn shape and purple smoke filled eyes. His degradation was so great even a good portion of his skull appeared to be missing. Blank Page felt his stomach churn and despair fill his soul. “No, no no no no no! You were supposed to save us! There… There’s almost none of you left! How… How are we supposed to bring you back?”

“Back… Me? But of course. But how are you supposed to bring me back? You are barely alive as it is. “ Sombra said, seemingly somewhat aware of the situation. “Perhaps if we had some sssssstairs… no that wouldn’t work. There is only enough power between us to bring only one pony back…”

Blank Page cradled his face in his hooves. Why was he doing this, if it had been anyone else they would have made this work? By entrusting him to finish the Job he started he had failed them all.

“That’s it!” Sombra shouted triumphant. “Only one pony can come back. Servant!, I need your body, so little of mine remains. I need your tongue, I am so hungry. Most importantly I need your mind, I only have half.” Sombra Laughed to himself manically.

Blank Page held back for a moment. “Okay, but you have to promise… to protect the empire.”

“No enemy shall ever step into the crystal city ever again. I can promise you that.” Sombra spoke his voice now far more lucid. The mad king outstretched his hoof and Blank page willingly took it.

Radiant Hope peered over the crowd staring at the crater made by the lightning. There was so much commotion before but now it was as if the whole world was holding its breath. Slowly the pony in the epicenter stood tall and let the brown hood of the cloak drop revealing the dark features of King Sombra himself. With a voice that shook the heavens Sombra shouted into the sky. “Spiritis! Vis! Imperium!” He was back. Her king, her childhood friend, her love was back at last. Black magic from the surrounding fields poured into the city, empowering Sombra even more, bending many of the ponies in the city briefly to his will. Today was the last day of the reign of Princess Cadence.