"Now that Canterlot is fully under my control, the next step is the Crystal Empire." Sombra said. "And I am a stallion of my word; no harm will come to your brother and sister-in-law." He added.

"They do have a child, but I'm hoping you'll spare her too." Twilight said.

"They must have hidden said child from me when I was there..." Sombra admitted.

"Actually my niece ended up staying at my castle in Ponyville." Twilight admitted.

"Clever...but I suppose I'll spare her life too. After all, the mind of a child can be more easily corrupted." Sombra said, grinning evilly.

"Things don't feel right..." Shining Armor said. "First we discover that Flash Sentry committed Suicide, and now there's been no word from Equestria." He added.

"Shining please; you worry too much for your sister sometimes. Yet, I can't help but share your worry this time." Cadence said. "Something feels wrong. I just know it does." She added. Flurry Heart shifted uncomfortably in Cadence's hooves.

"Even Flurry Heart seems to feel that something is wrong." Shining Armor said. Suddenly, a wounded crystal soldier began to limp his way in.

"What happened?" Cadence asked.

"It was...Sombra...he...he..." The soldier soon passed out from his injuries.

"But how did he survive getting blasted by the elements of harmony? That makes no sense!" Shining Armor said.

"Unless...he managed to get away from the blast at the last second..." Cadence said, before gulping.

"That is NOT good..." Shining Armor said. "Seems I was right to worry after all." He added.

"For once, I'm glad you were worrying." Cadence said.

Sombra's forces were relentless; and Shining Armor had no idea just how his forces got so strong in the first place.

"There's not much time. Take Flurry Heart and get out of here!" Shining Armor said to his wife.

"I understand. I love you." Cadence said and grabbed her daughter.

"I love you too." Shining Armor said. Cadence began flying off. her back was turned when the doors to the room were opened and a certain somepony was in Shining Armor's view. "! N-no way...it can't be..." Shining Armor said.

...

The only thing Cadence heard after that was an evil feminine laugh. Despite this, Cadence continued to fly away before she was suddenly tackled to the ground by four different dark alicorns. Cadence gasped once she recognized one of them.

"That...explains a lot but still..." Cadence said. Sombra soon approached her.

"An effective strategy your husband had, it's just a pity that I was ready for it. Thanks in part to my own wife." Sombra said, grinning evilly.

"You...you corrupted Auntie Luna...didn't you?" Cadence asked.

"Bah. Why would I dare waste my time with one whose not even related to Radiant Dawn?" Sombra said. "Imagine my surprise when I found out a little something about your Twilight Sparkle. Being dead has it's advantages for several things after all." He added.

"What...do you mean?" Cadence said.

"Here's a fun fact: Twilight Sparkle is the great great great great great great great great great great grandaughter of Radiant Hope. Bet you didn't know that, did you?" Sombra asked.

"What's that got to do with..." Cadence said before Twilight suddenly popped in with a teleport spell. "...No..." Cadence said.

"Hello sister of mine." Twilight said, smirking evilly.

"You corrupted Twilight...oh...oh celestia..." Cadence said.

"Funny thing is, I heard she was going to take over for Princess Celestia. But where would that end up? Now that Twilight is an Alicorn, she's immortal. And it wouldn't have taken long once all her friends as well as Spike were dead for her to start to hold an anger in her heart. And while I may be someone who you call evil; I am not heartless. Now Twilight will be with her friends forever more." Sombra said, grinning evilly.

"How...could you...Twilight would never..." Cadence tried to argue.

"The future is never set in stone." Twilight said. "It always fluctuates. Even if that requires that evil win sometimes." Twilight said.

Cadence couldn't help but shed tears as Sombra began to brainwash her.

Far away, outside of Equestria, a certain Draconiquis was moping.

"What have I done?" Discord asked no one in particular.

Author's Note

I know this chapter is shorter then the others so far, but I couldn't find enough context with what I wanted to do next that wouldn't make things seem like I was rushing things. It's worth noting that at this time, none of the villains that Discord brought together; this being Sombra, Tirek, Chrysalis, and Cozy Glow; know that Grogar was Discord in disguise. So please, keep that in mind for later.