Path of Redemption

"Ah it's good to be back." Twilight said as she, Spike, and Sombra entered the Golden Oak Library. Night has fallen since them and the rest of the elements of harmony had returned to Ponyville. "And this time it's actually the real thing." Twilight said.

"Hoo." An owl perched nerby said before flying down to Twilight Sparkle.

"I missed you too, Owlicious." Twilight said, nuzzling her pet owl.

"Huh. You have an owl for a pet. For some reason, that just fits you to a T." Sombra said.

"Hoo?" Owlicious seemingly asked.

"Who? Twilight of course." Sombra said.

"Silly Sombra, Owlicious was asking you who you were. Owlicious, this is Sombra, my husband. Sombra, this is Owlicious, my pet Owl." Twilight said.

"Hoo." Owlicious said.

"I thought Fluttershy was the only pony who could understand animals." Sombra said.

"I've picked up a few things~" Twilight said with a smile on her face.

"Boy, with how big you've gotten Twilight, we're going to need a bigger bed in the attic." Spike said, calling from upstairs. "Especially more so if Sombra plans on sleeping together with you. Which, I'm going to guess he is." Spike said.

"A good rest does sound good. Normally, I'd be up reading but I think after all that time away from home, a nice rest in the bed I'm familiar with sounds good." Twilight said heading upstairs.

"Hoo." Owlicious said.

"Seriously?" Sombra asked Owlicious.

"Don't bother Sombra. Trust me." Spike said and started heading into his own bed. Sombra rolled his eyes and joined Twilight in bed.

The next day, Twilight stretched as she left bed though Sombra was already up if him standing over her waiting for her to wake up was any indication of that. The sight caused Twilight to giggle.

"So, how was your first night in an actual bed for a change?" Twilight asked Sombra.

"Surprisingly pleasant. Though I miss the bed I had when I had taken over the Crystal Empire." Sombra said.

"Well Mayor Mare was thinking of adding some additions to the library for me before I left. I suppose I should go talk with her about those if she's still planning on doing them." Twilight said.

"Sounds like a plan." Sombra said. "It's good that you managed to learn how to fly while we were away." He added.

"I'm glad as well." Twilight said. "Huh? Wait something is up..." She noted, as she noticed a few black vines growing outside.

"I have a feeling that's not normal..." Sombra said.

"Yeah, I already sent a letter to Princess Celestia about it." Spike said. "Didn't want to wait after all." He added. Suddenly a golden chest appeared.

"What's that?" Sombra asked. Twilight opened it and revealed the elements of Harmony. Though hers was still somewhat broken.

"The elements of Harmony. I'm going to guess Celestia sent these to me and my friends because something is going on." Twilight said.

"I see. Do you think they'll work considering yours is still broken?" Sombra asked.

"I have a feeling that there's something besides using them that me and my friends will have to do." Twilight said. She grabbed the elements just in time for her friends to arrive.

"Looks like someone's two steps ahead." Rainbow Dash said.

"Yer not even one day back and already there's a bit of a crisis." Applejack said. "Seems the Everfree forest is invadin' Ponyville." She said.

"That old place. I'm surprised the sisters haven't destroyed the place." Sombra noted.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"The place was created long before I first took over the crystal empire. From what little information I know of, the place was created when a surge of black magic suddenly burst forth from where the forest is now." Sombra said.

"Huh. I wonder what caused that of all things." Twilight noted.

"So, I'm guessing this invasion is the forest trying to retake territory." Rainbow Dash said.

"Beats me. The forest should not be coming to life like this. It's magics are far too dormant for this." Sombra noted. "But I smell magic in these vines. They reek of chaos magic." He noted.

"Discord? But isn't he taking currently taking a vacation elsewhere?" Rarity asked Fluttershy.

"Yes. He told me he was off taking a vacation elsewhere." Fluttershy said.

"Well this is not good. I don't know if I can summon him right now." Twilight said.

"Let's focus on how we can stop this infestation first, then deal with Discord later." Rainbow Dash said.

"Right." Twilight said.

"Perhaps we should check the forest for what's going on." Sombra suggested. Pinkie Pie suddenly came out of nowhere and gasped.

"That's what I was thinking! Are you a mind reader Somby?" Pinkie Pie asked.

"...The buck?" Sombra asked, confused by the pink pony's sudden appearance.

"It's Pinkie Pie; don't question it." Rainbow Dash said.

"Right. Let's just head out." Sombra said.

Now that Sombra's magic was on their side, the elements were glad for it as with both him and Twilight using their Dark Magic spells, they were cutting through the obsticles like a knife through butter. Soon the group found a tree that was turning black.

"What is this thing? I have a feeling this is where those elements of yours came from." Sombra said.

"You may be on to something." Twilight said. Suddenly, vines dragging Celestia and Luna were in the vacinity.

"T-twilight. Hurry...return the elements to the Tree of Harmony." Celestia said.

"Right." Twilight said and she and the girls did so. The element of magic fully restored in the process which healed the tree and got rid of the vines.

"That was close..." Luna admitted.

"I think right now, the power of the elements is keeping those vines at bay. If the elements must be used again, they can't be removed for long periods of time." Sombra said, using his magic to read the ground.

"I'm getting that reading too." Twilight noted. A chest with six locks appeared. "I wonder what that is?" Twilight said, approuching the chest.

"Six locks for six keys." Luna noted.

"I've never seen anything like this." Sombra noted, eyeing the chest. "But something must be inside, right?" He asked.

"That's how chests work." Rainbow Dash said.

"I have no idea what is inside. But I have a feeling it is not a mystery you will be solving alone." Celestia said to Twilight. The purple alicorn smiled.

"I think you may be right." Twilight said.