Author's Note

I hope you guys like this chapter I tried to make it a little bit more serious, but don't really know did I manage to do that XD

Cultist

Emporium of Crystal Empire

Couple Hours Ago

After leaving the palace Rarity and Applejack were escorted into a carriage that took them to the middle of the largest Emporium of the Empire. Upon arriving and stopping the carriage Applejack and Rarity exited the carriage
"Thank you darlings. We'll be okay from here on. You two can wait here and have some lunch." Rarity said to the two guards that were escorting them. Guards just gave nods and left Rarity and Applejack.

Walking past many different shops in search of materials for her project Rarity looked into the windows of many different jewelry and clothing stores. After visiting many different stores and buying certain materials Rarity had multiple bags of gems, clothing, and other materials.
"Rarity? How much do you need to create these clothes?" Applejack asked while carrying some of the bags.
"Almost darling. There is one shop where we should visit and then we are ready to leave." While walking in front of Applejack guiding her towards the last shop.
"Okay then. So where are we headed then?" Applejack asked following Rarity's lead.
"Oh it's a wonderful and steamy shop. Princess Cadance told me she and Shining get their "equipment" there." Rarity continued talking and shortly after they arrived in front of the shop which had darkened windows that made it impossible to see inside. The name of the shop "Bound Crystal" was artistically written on the signboard above the entrance door. Before following Rarity into the store Applejack had an odd feeling in her neck it felt like someone was watching her.

Entering into the store and silently following Rarity there was a unicorn crystal pony mare on the counter reading some books. They stopped at the counter and Rarity cleared her throat to talk.
"Excuse me, miss? My name is Rarity and we require some help." Rarity said to the clerk. The clerk placed down her book and looked at her new customers.
"Oh you must be the one Miss Cadance told me about. You can call me Moon Heart, how may I help you? Searching for something special to spice the action in the bedroom with your special somepony?" the Crystal pony named Moon Heart asked while having a teasing smile on her face.

Applejack just stood there silently and lets Rarity handle the situation. "Oh I and my friend here are searching for some restrains. Our master would be so happy." Rarity answers having a grin on her face.
"Well now we can help with that come follow me you two. We got some equipment for naughty slaves like you." Moon Heart said and lead Rarity and Applejack into a part of the shop which had different kinds of restrains.
"So is there anything special you are searching for? Maybe some collars and leashes? Some bounding devices?" Moon Heart asked.
Rarity took a book from her bag and showed a page from it to Moon Heart.
"I have done some designing and we need some collars and leashes that fit this design" Rarity said and Moon Heart just gave a smile and collected a couple of boxes from the shelves and showed them to Rarity.
"I'm sure your master would appreciate these on you two." Moon Heart said and opened it showing a golden chain leash and a dark purple leather collar decorated with green crystals and had O ring on it for the leash.
"That looks fabulous. I'm sure our master likes these. I'd take ten of them." Rarity answered and Moon Heart took ten boxes with her and walked with them to the counter.

Walking towards the counter the mares walked past a weird-looking pony who was dressed in a red robe and looked like some monk. Shrugging their shoulders Rarity and Applejack followed the clerk to the counter.
"How much do we owe you, darling?" Rarity asks and starts to get her purse but is stopped by Moon Heart.
"No need to pay miss Rarity. Princess Cadance said that she would take care of the bill. She said that heroes of empire deserve a small gift." Moon Heart explained and packed their purchases into the magical box which shrank down.
"There, simple dispell spell and you can return it into its original size. Now was there anything else I might help you with?" Moon Heart asked.

Before Rarity managed to answer the robed pony jumped on Rarity and had her head on a firm lock in his arms.
"One bearer of Element of Harmony is surely a fine sacrifice for the king's return." Said the robed pony and started to drag Rarity out and revealed his horn from under his robe's hood.
"Don't try anything you two and you may walk out of this alive." the pony said while Rarity tried her best to free herself from his grasp with her magic but her captor quickly placed an inhibitor ring on her horn.
"Not so fast honey. Can't let you escape so easy." The robed unicorn said and started to try to drag Rarity outside the shop.
"Not so fast mister!" Moon Heart yelled and cast a magic beam towards the captor who raised a shield to fight against his attacker. Moon Heart pressed her attack trying her best to overcome the attacker's shield, but slowly and surely the captor was moving towards the exit.
"Your magic isn't strong enough to destroy a shield of an acolyte of chaos." the captor taunted, but had made a big mistake.

When the magic casting started between the two unicorns Applejack knew she had to help somehow but she shouldn't go near that raw arcane energy. A lightbulb lit over her head and she returned to the room where they got their little toys. After a fast search Applejack found boxes of strong shibari robes and let out a chuckle.
"Ah never would have guessed that I use sex toys to catch an angry bull." she commented to herself untied certain knots so the shibari was one long rope lasso now. Returning to the room she saw that this crazy pony was almost out of the shop, but Moon Heart was pressing the attack so the captor was distracted. Giving his shibari lasso a few swings over her head and threw it towards the captor.
"Yehaaw!" Applejack yelled.
The captor heard this and turned his head towards it, but it was too late for him. Lasso was around her neck and with great strength, Applejack pulled on the rope and brought this crazy monk to the ground making his head hit the floor knocking him out.

Both Applejack and Moon Heart dashed to Rarity's side helping to remove the ring from her horn and placed it to this crazy monk's horn blocking his magic while Applejack tied him up.
"You okay sugar cube? Nothing broken?" Applejack asked worried about her friend's health.
Letting out a sigh Rarity turned to Applejack. "I'm okay Applejack. Thank you for the rescue." Rarity said and gave warm smile to her friend who in turn smiled back.
"Who was that? How crazy you must be to capture a pony in a broad daylight?" Moon Heart asked while taking a look at the knocked-out unicorn.
"Ah have no idea. Perhaps he is related that problem Twilight was summoned here." Applejack answered, but didn't say anything about Sombra's possible return, not wanting to spread panic.
"Perhaps we should take the ruffian with us to the palace. The princesses might want to question him if this is related to our problem." Rarity said.
"Are you two going to be okay?" Moon Heart asked.
"Don't worry darling we are okay. Just a little shaken." Rarity answers.
"It takes more than one bull to take me down. Could you help me Rarity? We need to take him to guards and get to the palace." Applejack said.

Rarity nodded and used her magic to levitate the pony up. "Thank you for the help and the toys Moon Heart. We will tell Princess how helpful you were. Take care darling" Rarity said and a bright smile formed on Moon Heart's face and she just thanked the two mares who left with an unconscious attacker on their tow. Walking back towards the carriage they both got many looks towards them and a couple of ponies even asked why they had a tied pony with them. Explaining the situation multiple times was getting on both of their nerves.

The two guards Shining had sent with Rarity and Applejack were waiting by the cart bored out of their mind.
"I'm bored! How long can those two shop around? It's been like two hours already!" one of them whined.
"Can you shut up already. We got ordered to do this and that's what we do. Oh look there they are and they have..." the other guard fell silent seeing a tied-up unicorn behind the two mares. Both of the guards gave questioning looks towards Rarity and Applejack.
"We need to take this ruffian to the castle. He jumped on us and he might have information regarding our visit with other princesses." Applejack answered and lifted the pony from Rarity's magic placing him into the carriage.
The guards gave a look to each other and then back towards Applejack. "You two are element bearers so we trust you for now. Come we must depart and report this to Prince Armor." Said older guard who got ready to pull the carriage waiting for the two element bearers to enter. Entering into the carriage and feeling it start to move Rarity looked towards Applejack.
"Applejack darling. Why would this stallion try and capture me? I barely know anyone from this magnificent city." Rarity asked while pondering her own question.

Applejack looked back and answered. "I have no idea sugercube. All we can hope is that princesses get him to talk."
finishing her talk they could hear a pained groan next to them.
"Wha... What happened?" the cultist asked while trying to touch his head, but couldn't. Noticing and feeling his hands were tied behind his back. And then there was the ring on his horn which meant no casting.
"Well... This is bad. High Priest isn't going to like this at all." the cultist talked to himself.
"Welcome back to the waking world ruffian." Rarity said with a hint of disdain in her voice.
"Take it slow and easy or my fist knocks you out again." Applejack said clearly angry.
"I guess it was stupid of me to try and catch one of the element bearers alone. So what do you want to know?" The cultist said to the two of them.

Applejack and Rarity looked at each other and then Rarity began. "First of who you are and you willingly give us the details about this Sombra situation?" Rarity finished her question.
The cultist let out a shilling laugh before answering. "Oh it doesn't matter if I tell you or not. You are too late to stop what is to come. Even if I didn't capture you as a sacrifice there are loyal members who will willingly give their life for a chance to resurrect the king. Capturing one bearer would have made it easier for our true king to capture all of Equestria." the cultist explained clearly enjoying the chance to inflict fear to his enemies.
"I hate to break it, but that isn't going to happen. You see we know little something about this god of yours and he ain't someone you should be following. Also, we got Spike who seems to be this Champion of Draco and according to our dragon friends he can deal with you and your god." Applejack explained which made the cultist sit in silence for a long time until Applejack spoke again.
"What's the matter? Cat got your tongue?" Applejack taunted the cultist.
"It doesn't matter even if you speak the truth about this champion. You are already too late. Take me to your precious princesses. I have played my part." cultist answered and withdrew back into the corner in silence.
"Miss Rarity! Miss Applejack! We are almost at the palace." One of the guards yelled.
"Thank you, darling. It seems we might get some answers soon." Rarity said and Applejack just gave a nod to her. The rest of the journey was made in silence.

Crystal Palace

Back to the present

Celestia the princess of the sun stood in front of the cultist and gave an angry stare towards the cultist.
"Is it true? Are you part of the group that took Sombra's bones from his last resting place?" Celestia asked her body starting to radiate heat even more. While the cultist cowered little but tried to speak with confidence.
"I am. And your false rule is at its end. Our king will return with our god's blessing and there is no chance you can stop us." the cultist talked with a little stutter in his voice. Cadance walked next to her aunt.
"Auntie, might I suggest not to fry our only lead alive?" Cadance said to Celestia and turned towards the cultist.
"I'm sorry about aunties' burst of anger. But I'm sure you know deep in your heart that this is wrong. Might I get your name?" Cadance asked giving motherly smile to the cultist.

"I... Sky Arrow. My name is Sky Arrow." cultist answered.
"Tell me Sky Arrow. Why? Why are you doing this?" Cadance asked never once dropping her smile.
"The reasons don't matter! I want to get justice for the crimes your aunt did to my family!" Sky Arrow said and pointed towards Celestia.
Celestia was clearly confused and her anger washed away from her face. "Me? What did I do to you? I haven't met you before this day." Celestia answered.
"The war against King Sombra. Your armies killed my father and my mother died to her grief when we returned upon learning his death. I know he was controlled, but you saved so many from Sombra's control so why not my father!" Sky Arrow yelled anger boiling over his reason.
Celestia was looking towards the floor clearly ashamed. "I'm sorry. We learned about the possibility of releasing them from his control late into the war. If there would be any chance to travel in time and make it right I would do it but I can't. You are among one of the many ponies I failed during that time. I humbly beg your forgiveness." Celestia said bowing down towards the floor.

Seeing the princess of the sun bowing before him made a small amount of Sky Arrow's anger dissipate but not all of it. Cadance continued her questioning. "Sky Arrow. I don't know how it feels to lose one's mother and father, but I'm sure they didn't want you to take this path. I don't know how long you have known auntie. But I can assure you she always has the welfare of her ponies in her mind. She would never take a life unless it was the very last option." Cadance explained.
A small amount of anger was vanishing from Sky Arrow's face. "But... The voice of Exitium promised justice for me and my parents back after we resurrect our king." Sky Arrow said. Hearing this Eris was one to speak next.
"The voice you heard is my grandpa. And I'm sorry to break this to you. But grandpa doesn't have that kind of power. Resurrecting the dead takes some serious power and usually, that power requires to sacrifice a living pony." Eris explained.
"But... Why would it say something like that? Why make promises that it can't keep? And how do you know" Sky Arrow was clearly distraught
Eris walked towards the "I'm sure he promised many things to your other fellow cultists. All the grand things he promised were lies. My grandpa cares only about himself and his freedom. You and your cult are only tools for him to achieve his goals. My guess is that he could use Sombra again as a temporary vessel to wreak havoc in the mortal plane." Eris explained.
Cadance continued. "Sky Arrow. You are our only hope to stop anything this Exitium is planning. Please help us to make this right again and I can promise your possible punishment is lenient." Cadance finished.

Sky Arrow was deep in thought. Going through a mental battle with his past and current self. His mother was always a peace-loving mare who cheered him to do the right thing. His father always pointed out how he should help others any way he could. Together they were a family who loved each other. All the good times returned to his mind before he spoke up again. "I... I'm sorry mom, dad. I failed you. I did exactly the opposite you two reached me to do." Sky Arrow said to himself while small tears were let out of his eyes.
Eris conjured a piece of paper into her hands. And offered it to Sky Arrow. "There there. You wouldn't be the first one he has fooled. But you can help us to stop whatever he is planning."
"I don't know If I can forget what you did to my father Celestia. But my parents wouldn't want me to do this. I'll tell you anything you want to hear, but I fear we might be late." Sky Arrow said and looked towards Celestia.
"Again I'm sorry. I'll do anything in my power to help you get through your pain Sky Arrow. Now please tell us all you know about this resurrection." Celestia said.

Sky Arrow took a deep breath before he began to explain. "Our plan was to resurrect Sombra as Exitium told us to do. The spell we are supposed to use requires a blood sacrifice to resurrect the body. The spirit of Sombra was delivered to us by the chosen champion of Exitium so that takes care of the part of retrieving the soul of the dead. The resurrection is supposed to be done today at midnight so we have only a couple of hours of time. I can show you the key entrances to our secret hiding place, but we must act quickly if we want to stop anything that Exitium has planned."
Shining took a place next to his wife. "We need the best on this one. We can take a small company of soldiers to wait at the entrances Sky Arrow shows us to capture anyone who tries to escape. I'll lead the assault team myself. We could use the power of the princesses at our side. There is no telling what kind of powers these cultists can use."
"Of course Captain Armor I and my sister will lend you our strength." Luna said and Celestia nodded in approval.
"You can count us in too." Said Twilight while Spike, Ember, Rarity, and Applejack gave all nods towards Shining.

"I... Twily I know you want to help, but have you ever used a sword or any weapon?" Shining asked little concerned about his little sister. Twilight conjured a purple ethereal blade from nothing into her hand.
"I might not be as good as you, but you should know that dad and mom both gave me some special training after my ascension to a princess." Twilight said and took a couple of slashes at the air with her ethereal blade.
"Alright Twily I get it you can come but you'll have to follow my exact rules. I tell you to run you run. Got that?" Shining asked with a commanding tone of a big brother and a captain.
"Aye aye captain Armor" Twilight answered saluting her B.B.B.F.F playfully who in turn let out an irritated sigh.
"So where is this meeting place of your cult?" Spike asked looking a little intrigued about this situation.
"I need a map tho show it to you." Twilight summoned a map and placed it in front of Sky Arrow. Who in turn placed his hand into the outskirts of the Crystal Empire near Crystal Mountains.
"Here is the place we meet. There is an ancient temple that is in ruins. That temple was dedicated to Exitium. Our cult rebuild the underground halls and hid the entrances. We must make haste if we want to stop him." Sky Arrow said.
"We can teleport ourselves there but we still might need the help of soldiers." Celestia said.
Shining wrote something into paper and gave it to one of the guards standing at the door. "Take this to the commanding officer at barracks now soldier!" Shining ordered and the guard rushed towards the barracks.
Celestia and Luna concentrated and different kinds of armors and weapons appeared on Luna and Celestia. "Now we are equipped to meet our adversary. Gather around and we all shall travel to this temple." Luna said and started to charge another spell with Celestia.

Celestia's Armor
Luna's Armor

When Cadance tried to walk into the circle she was stopped by Shining. "Oh no you don't. You have to stay here. You are the ruler of Crystal Empire and I can't let you walk into danger." Shining said.
Cadance was clearly angry at the comment. "Shining Armor! I'm not some pretty flower to be kept locked in a glass cage. You know how good I am with a sword and with magic. I am coming with you to help." Cadance said anger clear in her voice.
Shining just smiled. "You are also my wife and a mother of our foal. If something happens to us I don't want Flurry to grow up without both of his parents. It's my duty to protect you both so please stay behind and protect Flurry. I know I don't have authority over you, but please do this for Flurry." Shining said smiling and pleading with his wife at the same time.
Cadence rolled her eyes anger disappearing from them. "Arghhh... Fine! But if I don't hear anything from any of you in the next hour I'll be coming for your sorry ass!" Cadence said in a loud voice and gave a quick smack to her husband's rump.
Shining gave a laugh and a quick kiss to his wife. "Of course Princess." Shining answered and was caught in another kiss. After getting free from the kiss Shining walked back towards the group. All of the ponies and dragons laughed a little. Celestia was first to say anything. "I see my niece has you on a tight leash Captain Armor." Celestia said playfully.
"Hey she is a scary mare when she wants to be. And I love her too much to disappoint her." Shining answered.
A big "Awww" sound was heard from the group around.
"True love indeed. Now hold on your insides this might feel a little weird again." Luna said and in a flash of light, the group disappeared only a small trace of magic hanging in the air was left where the group stood.

"You really think I wouldn't be at your side and help you." Cadance said to herself and lit her horn. Bright pink battle regalia similar to that of Celestia with her cutie mark appeared on her and staff to focus her magic on her left hand.
"This feels a little bit too tight on the chest but I think I can manage. Shining will have a heart attack when I get there." With a flash of pink magic Cadance disappeared from the throne room too following her husband.