Thud! Crack!

“Yo Rocky a hand, hoof or whatever over here?!” Jai shouted from down the hall.

“You’ll have to go alone, I cannot leave my men!” Rockhoof shouted back at him. Jai groaned as he turned on his heels and sprinted. Something would go wrong when he was trying to sleep. He should have known better than to relax. Why did Celestia and Luna have to leave due to official duties within their own kingdoms?

CRASH!

Glass shattered around him as he ran through the upper halls of the castle. Shadows emerged shortly after from all sides of him as he ran and ran.

“Yo Sombra! Jackass what the hell is all of this?” Jai asked, as he ducked a knife. Sombra's incorporeal form floated next to him as he ran, scowling at the shadows around him.

“The traitors are making their move. They are probably after Princess Amorè-” Sombra said. Jai after hearing that only sprinted harder through the corridors. Why did Celestia and Luna have to leave yesterday?

“I’ll be damned if I let them have their way, any other info you got?” Jai asked, rounding the final corner towards Amorè’s room. Sombra simply shrugged as the human banged on the doors.

“Yo! Amorè! Are you ok there? It's me Jai!” The human shouted. No response from the other side. The shadows he’d avoided had caught up with him. They slowly rose from ink black pools on the ground. The ink black Umbrum materialized around him as the human looked from left to right.

“What isss this…Thing?” one hissed as it tilted its head looking at him.

“A hairless minotaur perhaps?” Another chimed in.

“This place has sunk so low as to let this roam the halls. Maybe the generals will have use for him” The center one said scoffing. Jai had gotten very, very sick of being called everything but a person.

“Ya know I was going to find Amorè, but now I’m a little upset,” Jai said. He readied a spell in his left hand as the shadows screamed and charged him.

“Dead or alive! It matters not brethren!” One said as it slashed at Jai with shadow magic. The human raised his left hand and grabbed the magic.

“My turn,” Jai said. Lifting his other hand the hallway was illuminated in a gold light. Banshee shrieks filled the area as the shadows dissipated in the light. After a few moments the human turned to the door behind him and broke it down.

“Amorè! Jesus this is a pain,” Jai said. His arms ached from the skirmish seconds ago. Practical use of magic was a lot different than training. Especially when his life was in danger. Searching the room, Jai found no signs of any life.

As he approached the window he looked out to see the empire. Beneath the dark of night was a blazing fire spreading through the streets. Ponies running from the shadows, screams of pain and terror echoed were faintly heard, but felt. Shattered ponies lay in pieces which caused a brief wave of nausea to overtake Jai.

“Not how I envisioned my evening going, now where the hell is she?” The human groaned. As he did so he looked out the window again and saw a flash of brilliant white light from the roof.

“Found ya,” Jai said, smiling as he turned and looked for the stairs that led up.

Amorè was less than pleased about how the events were unfolding before her. Even that wasn’t doing justice to how she felt. However she didn’t have time to process her emotions at the moment. Before she could do so and help her citizens she needed to deal with the ponies, no, the monsters before her.

“How could you do such a thing to such innocent ponies!” she screamed at the 2 figures in front of her. 1 tall and lanky shadow took a stable form and laughed at the princess. It was a maroon red mare with pitch black mane and emerald green eyes.

“You go and have some fun, I’ll deal with her hun,” The maroon mare said. The other figure sank into the shadows and began to retreat.

“You’re not going anywhere!,” Amorè exclaimed, shooting magic from her horn at the mare in front of her. The magic dissipated just before reaching her and scattered around the rooftop creating a barrier.

“Oh my. Nero dear, I guess we shall have to work together first,” The mare said, sighing. The shadow slowly took a more stable form next to the mare. The brilliant green coat and electric blue mane matched his blue eyes.

“Well…there is plenty of fun to be had later so might as well, Flora dear” Nero said.

“Despicable that you would invade and hurt these poor ponies” Amorè said, her voice strained and cracking. She needed to detain these two and help her citizens, and fast. From the looks of it the fires in the streets were spreading fast, and the shadows were closing in.

“On and on about the ponies. Please we aren’t going to hurt them all.” Flora spat, sarcastically.

“That is true dear, we do need workers for when the rest of us get here. Makes rebuilding easier” Nero said, smirking. Amorè’s eyes twitched hearing the two in front of her mock and threaten her ponies.

“I will make you regret those words one way or another” Amorè said, through gritted teeth. She began firing large clusters of magic one after another. Nero and Flora laughed as they effortlessly dodged and weaved through each spell. Amorè after a few minutes knew she was going to have to think of something and quick, for her ponies sake.

“Just had to be a day when it was cold as hell,” Jai complained, as he climbed the ladder towards the rooftops. He had been up here on occasion with Amorè and Celestia for sunrise and a picnic breakfast but not much else. He wasn’t too sure if Amorè was even up here but he needed to find her.

Whizz! BOOM!

Jai braced himself on the ladder as it shook. Stone and crystal debris fell around him as he continued up. Jai heard another loud crack before he flung the hatch open and pulled himself up. Jai didn’t like what he saw before, not one bit. He cared about the crystal ponies as they had been nice to him. However, for one reason or another seeing Amorè hurt, pissed him off more than anything.

“Oh, did your pet finally come to find you Princess?” Nero mocked. Amorè was lying on the ground with the green stallion's hoof on her face.

“Oh my I’m sure Queen Primrose would love it!” Flora exclaimed in mock excitement. Jai could have cared less what they were saying about him. He really didn’t hear them at all as he made eye contact with Nero.

“Your hoof. Move it.” Jai mumbled.

“HUH? Say something? Or are you scared pet?” Nero asked, beginning to laugh.

“Now.” Jai said, sternly. Nero slowly stopped laughing when he noticed that it was getting warmer. In the middle of the winter in the north, the temperature was rising.

“Neat trick pet! Any other tricks this fake princess taught y-” Flora mocked before she jumped out of the way. Jai raised his left hand and opened his balled fist. Before Nero could say anything else he followed suit in diving out of the way. Crescent arcs of gold magic flew as he walked towards Amorè.

“This isn’t hide and seek Amorè, you have ponies to save,” Jai said, kneeling down. Amorè tried not to but giggled. Which she immediately regretted as she coughed up blood from her previous engagement.

“It's Princess Amorè and they are with the ponies behind this” She said weakly. Jai nodded slowly trying to stay rational. Not an easy ask by any means but he did it, even if it was a great struggle.

“Thank you sherlock glad we figured that out after they beat you up, I’ll be back” Jai said. He took off his jean jacket and folded it under her head. Nero and Flora just stood on guard as they watched the human get up.

“I don’t know you or what the hell you want but…” Jai paused as he gathered magic and charged the ponies in front of him.

“I don’t like when people touch what's mine,” He said, annoyed. He didn’t know why he said that, but he did. Throwing a flurry of punches and kicks imbued with magic he fought the two to a standstill. However Flora and Nero had the upper hand in stamina that much was apparent the more they fought. The warmth the magic emitted earlier slowly dissipated along with the length of the fight.

“Awww what's wrong? Out of shape pet?” Nero said, landing a kick to the back of Jai’s legs causing him to stumble.

“Why ask the obvious dear? I’m sure we can walk him after we summon our queen,” Flora said. Jai had no clue what they were talking about but they were right. He was no trained soldier, even if he did work out and spar with the crystal guard. His starting point for training was far off from most. The difference in experience with magic and in combat was painfully obvious with his bruised sides and legs.

“I wish rocky was a better teacher,” Jai grumbled. He couldn’t quite replicate the spell he used when he was angry. Frankly he didn’t even know if he could, with the state he was in. His arms burned from the magic running hot on his skin, his muscles ached as the magic channels in his body were forced to work harder than they had been.

“What are you doing? Boy kill them all, here… let. me. ₕᴱₗᴾ ʸₒᵁ,” Sombra’s voice boomed in Jai’s skull.

“Get. Out!” Jai screamed, falling to the ground.

“And now it’s scared, Adorable. Pitiful but adorable,” Flora said, finding her place next to Nero as they watched the human writhed in pain on the ground. Jai’s head felt as though it was splitting open, his shoulder blades felt as though someone was pulling hooks from them.

“Just… Give. In boy. Y̶̓͛Ou͛̓͝ a͍̯͢R͙̉̎e͟n̩̬͂’̤T g̓͋o̗͓͡Odͫ eͯnÖ̪́ͥU̢̓̉g̥h͛͋̂ o̭͚n y͉̪̐oƯ͌r̖̯ o̜̠͔ẅ̢̼́N̘!” Sombra said, his voice echoing in the human's head. Sombra smiled as he looked on at the human as he squirmed on the ground. He internally jumped for joy as he watched the humans' magic once gold and silver start to run pitch black.

“Ngh, stop…you… asshat,” Jai said, in between pants of exhaustion and pain. He slowly pushed himself up. Everything hurt, and Sombras influence was still in his mind.

“Nero dear, I think it's time we end this. It’s talking to itself and we need to help our queen descend,” Flora said. Nero nodded in agreement, but before he could move a wave of shadow magic washed over him. He trembled in fear as he felt a presence he had thought to be gone.

“S-s-so,” Nero stuttered as he stood frozen in place.

“Nero honey, what are you waiting on,” Flora asked.

“It’s Sombra! That's his magic! That thing is him!” Nero shouted, panicked from what he felt. The shadow magic seemed to stick to the ground and cling to the two the magic was directed at.

“Nero, sweetie, Queen Primrose killed him. So get over there so we can open the wa-” Flora paused as another wave of shadow magic washed over her. It was suffocating, the way in clung to her coat. As the magic in the air and it entered her lungs she felt an involuntary panic start to set in.

“No way what? That I’m back~” Sombra said. Flora and Nero looked at the human in front of them in a panic. The deep sinister voice of their former king frightened them. Amorè could only struggle to keep her consciousness as the voice of the stallion driven out reverberated in her head.

“Noo-” Amorè croaked. She couldn’t believe that the situation before her was going from bad to hopeless right before her eyes. The once soft and caring beautiful grey eyes Amorè grew to love, now burned red and green with spite.

“YES!~” Sombra screamed in extasy. He hadn’t felt this alive since he ruled over the Umbrum. He could truly feel the cold air, the pain of his bruised ribs, the blood in his mouth. He was ALIVE again and he was going to keep it that way.

“Now where was I… Ah yes,” Sombra said. With a wave of his arm, Nero and Flora fell over clutching their throats.

“P-please” They pleaded, as Sombra let out a deep laugh and ignored them. Walking over to Amorè he knelt down and grinned.

“I am going to take what is mine, Princess,” Sombra said. Amorè hated hearing Sombra’s voice come from the human’s mouth.

“G-give him b-back,” Amorè stammered, unable to get up. Sombra laughed once again as he then made his way over to Flora and Nero.

“Betrayers, tell your queen that I am back, and that I am coming for her,” he said scowling, as he lifted his hand once again using his magic to push them off the roof.

“N-No-” Amorè said softly. She had failed to protect her ponies, her kingdom, and worst of all…him. A tear fell from Amorè’s eyes as she watched Sombra walk away from her towards the ledge. As the tear fell, the sky illuminated in a blinding flash of gold.

“Oh you brat, this isn’t why I had you sent here," An old raspy voice said.

“Who would dare to-” Sombra said, turning around to be met by an elderly unicorn wearing torn clothes similar to Jai’s.

“I would, but you wouldn’t know me. Youngin’ if yer’ listening I’m pretty peeved right now” The old man complained. He was more than peeved really, he had given Jai his magic, his heirloom, and the means to prevent this and yet everything was wrong.

“Sage Varos? Is t-that you?” Amorè croaked, slightly lifting her head.

“Aye it is me, it seems I am late. Neither the sun or moon in sight either. Hmm suppose I will have put a bandaid on this” Varos said, sighing.

“I know not who you are but-” Sombra stopped mid sentence. He felt as though he was being pulled backwards. When he turned his head he saw, Home.

“This should be a good lesson for the boy. Amorè I’m sorry but this is all I can do for you and for him,” Varos said, as a magic hand dragged Jai and Sombra into the land of the Umbrum. The portal closed behind them as they fell into the shadows.

“Why, why, why!” Amorè shouted, her voice hoarse.

“Couldn’t I do anything,” She cried out.

“This is my fault, I should have given him a hint for the ring sooner, sadly traversing dimensions is more difficult than expected.” Varos said, shaking his head and sitting by Amorè. The two stayed in silence for a moment. Then snow started to fall, the screams died down, and Amorè slowly got up.

“How is he getting back?” Amorè asked, whipping tears from her face. Varos said nothing for a moment.

“That is up to him and his ability to pull himself together. I can only send those creatures away, not summon them.” Varos said. Amorè took a deep breath and steeled herself.

“Then I will find a way to just summon him. No matter how long it takes. No matter what” Amorè said. Looking out over the crystal empire the snow fall had begun to put out the smaller fires. Her guards were helping the injured and reorganizing. However her focus was simple: find him and bring him home.

“ ‘mine’ is what he said. And his I will be.” Amorè mumbled, making her way down the ladder and into the castle.

“What happened to her!” Celestia’s voice echoed in the library.

“It seems the spell went wrong and she is…well” Quill heart said dejectedly. Ever since the human had disappeared the castle wasn’t the same. Amorè had been more reserved, she smiled less, and was in public less.

“How come we can’t undo this?” Luna said, walking in a circle. All three were stunned at what they saw. The Crystal princess encased in technicolor crystal.

“You know what this means right sister?” Luna said looking somberly at her Celestia who nodded.

“Your majesties what does this mean fo-” Quill heart was cut off. Celestia used her magic to put the librarian to sleep and sighed.

“It seems that the crystal empire will be away for quite some time.” Celestia said, shaking her head. Without a ruler to power the crystal heart, the entire kingdom would lose its lifeline. The entirety of the empire would become a barren wasteland of snow and crystal devoid of any signs of life soon.

“How long do you think it will remain this way?” Luna asked.

“Hmm, my guess is until the boy comes back,” Varos said, slowly approaching the two.

“And that is how long?” Celestia asked. Varos sighed but did not answer.

“ I simply suggest you leave, and take care of Equestria. I would hate for you to be in harm's way after the heart loses power” Varos said leaving the library. He could only hope the human could overcome himself and the shadow king. For the sake of Amorè, and for the sake of stopping Primrose from returning.

Author's Note

Our boy is GONE! For now... This chapter is one I will probably edit the details of soon. Either way I hope you beautiful sons of guns enjoy! I love you guys and thanks for the support writing this! Stay blessed!