When Shadows Rise And Light Dims

It is a warm day in Northern Equus. As far as Tuesdays go, not a very interesting one for most creatures; warm and muggy but not the kind where you feel like collapsing throughout. Besides its newfound multi-racial status, Equestria is adapting very well to suddenly having what were a load of enemy species inside its borders. Besides the more conservative factions in Canterlot throwing a daily hissy fit, ponies have adjusted very well and the School of Friendship has likely has a lot to do with that. Overall, Equestria’s a fresh and happy place once again with a few hundred new residents and more on the way. A new utopia, not seen since Equestria’s golden age that ended with Nightmare Moon.

All has been overseen ostensibly by Princess Celestia and Princess Luna but both are mere figureheads; symbols and duds. In spite of their rule over Equestria, the power that makes Equestria so strong is in a “lesser” Princess and her confidantes. The true, unifying power and strength behind their rule comes comes from Princess Twilight Sparkle and her friends. Now, realising their redundancy, they plan to step down and be replaced by Twilight and her friends as a ruling government. Besides hiccups and the sabotage attempt made on the recent Summer Sun Celebration, all are poised for the upcoming exchange of power. However, the troubles for Equestria are far from over and it will be some time before it can properly enjoy its newfound prosperity. In fact, they are all about to enter a whole new dark age; one unlike any it has ever seen before. One only glimpsed in a alternate timeline accidentally created when a once enemy inadvertently tried to destroy all they ever held dear. And this dark time starts… With a simple message.

The lands to the north of Canterlot, The Friendship Express

“Did ya see what I did, Twi?” Rainbow Dash boxes the air. “Did you see it? I WHOOPED HIS FLANK!”

Twilight rolls her eyes fondly. “No you didn’t, Dash. You wrestled and won. Well done.”

Dash folds her hooves and frowns. “Yeah? Well, I still won! Beat that!”

Twilight fights back a giggle. “Whatever you say, Dash. Whatever you say.”

Dash pouts. “Darn well better believe it! I won fair and square!” She stops showboating for a moment though. “Seriously though? We were called because of a hoofboxing tournament?!”

Twilight rubs her head. “I know, I know. These problems keep getting more and more minor.” She gazes at her Cutie Mark. “Maybe there’s just not notable friendship problems to deal with anymore. At this rate, we won’t have any to deal with.”

Dash grins. “Darn right we wo-“ She blinks as a familiarly marked scroll materialises. “Huh? Uh, Twi? You expecting a letter from Celestia today?”

Twilight shakes her head. “No but we’d better read it. There’s got to be trouble.” Dash nodds and Twilight lovingly unfurls the scroll to read aloud.

Dear Twilight and Rainbow Dash,
I’m sorry if this message reaches you at a bad time. I hope your friendship mission went well. Dash glances at Twilight in confusion and her Alicorn friend shrugs before continuing. I’m sorry if you wanted to return to Ponyvile but something has come up in the Crystal Empire that requires your attention. You and Rainbow Dash are the closest but we’ll send your friends if you need them. We don’t know what the problem is yet but it seems important. Please keep us informed.
Your friend,
Celestia

Rainbow Dash blinks a few times but then smirks. “Cadance and Shining having trouble, you think?”

Twilight shrugs. “Maybe? I know Cadance has sounded stressed in her letters recently. Just assumed it was because of Flurry and the rebuild after Sombra.”

Dash nods, scowling. “Did you ever figure out how he came back? Don’t want his ugly puss showing up again.”

Twilight shakes her head. “Maybe he can just come back ever now and again and it just takes time?”

Dash throws back her head on the seats and groans. “Great, that’s exactly what we need. That freak and turning our friends against us every few years.”

Twilight snickers. “Aren’t you the great and powerful Rainbow Dash? I thought you never worried about anything.”

Dash glares at her friend who can’t quite hide her grin. “Hey, I am cool but…” She huffs. “Just don’t like seeing them like that, y'know? Not nice.” Her eyes narrow. “And hey, that’s Trixie’s catchphrase!”

Twilight giggles, forcing herself not to laugh. “Okay Dash, whatever you say. If you need me, just shout. I’m getting the conductor to turn the train around.”

Dash shoves her playfully. “Me, need you? She scoffs and waves a hoof dismissively. “Please! Yeah, right Twi.” Twilight walks away, giggling violently as Dash rests her head on the seat cushions. “Aaah…” She stretches out her wings as best she can and lies down to have another of her signature naps. In fact, that is her very plan indeed but her mind first drifts to the idea of what could be happening in the Empire. Had better not be you, Sombra. Got sick of your manure last time. If it is you, I’ll look forward to stomping your flank myself.

An hour and a half later, the Crystal Empire’s station

“AAAAAAGH!” Rainbow Dash stretches her wings out and feels every muscle in them pop. “Feels good tah get out of that cramped carriage, huh Twi?” She blinks at the silence that greets her. “Twi?”

“Huh?” Twilight looks up from yet another of her many, many checklists. “Yeah Dash, it’s great. I liked the buffet too.”

Dash rolls her eyes. “What’re you doing that’s so important anyway?” She rudely glances over the Alicorn’s shoulder. “Uh, Twi? Why're you writing about cabbages?”

Twilight giggles. “Preeeeetty…” She pokes Dash’s mane.

Dssh raises an eyebrow. “Oooookaaaaaayyy…” She glances around. Guess she really does have sleeping problems again. She shakes her head. “Maybe you should have a lay down, Twi. Before you-“ Thunk. “Pass out.” She sighs. “Now what?”

“Excuse me?”

Rainbow Dash turns to see a shining silver Pegasus mare with a shiny black mane streaked through with an arctic blue. Her eyes though… Her eyes seem to stare into her soul but they’re accompanied by a friendly enough smile. “Hi?”

The mare smiles slightly more warmly. “I see you and your friend have been having some problems?” She giggles. “Need a hoof?”

Dash sighs. “Yeah, Twi’s been pulling an all-nighter again. Seriously, just because it’s a friendship problem, doesn’t mean she should freak out this badly. It was so easy in the end!”

The mare nods. “Things often are, aren’t they?” She clears her throat. “Like I was saying, need a hoof?”

Dash huffs. “Don’t think so but thanks fo-“ Twilight slid off her back. “Didn’t know Alicorns were so heavy. Thought it was easier to lift her before.”

The mare shrugs. “They’ve a load more magic than other ponies. Must make them weighty.”

Dash snickers into her hoof. “Probably. Just look at Celestia and Luna!”

The two share a snicker before the mare’s eyes widen. “Wait…” Her eyes dart over Dash in shock. “Are you Rainbow Dash?!”

Dash rubs a hoof on her chest and grins. “That’s my name, don’t wear it out.” She blinks as the mare begins bouncing up and down. “Uhhhh, you ok-“

“EEEEEEEEEEE!” The mare bounces up and down, clapping her hooves excitedly. “I’m meeting a hero! I’m meeting a hero!” She gasps. “Where am the others?! They can’t be too far behind, right?!”

Dash sighs. “Just us, Princess Celestia sent us to investigate something strange going on since we were on our way home anyway. The others ain’t comin unless we need them.”

The mare pours. “Ooooooh… I was so looking forward to seeing them!” Her face lights up. “Oh, I’m Silver Shard by the way! I’m like your biggest fan ever since you saved me during King Sombra’s return! BOTH times!”

Dash bumps her in the wither. “Hey, it was no sweat. Old shadow face didn’t stand a chance.” A shadow passes over Silver’s face. “You okay?”

Silver rubs the back of her neck. “Yeah… It’s just…” Her head drops and she shuts her eyes. “It’s nothing.”

Dash raises an eyebrow. “Silv-“

Silver suddenly perks up. “That reminds me! I was going to ask if I could help get Princess Twilight somewhere other than…” She snickers. “The floor.”

Dash blinks at the sudden change in topic but smirks. “Hey, she’s fallen asleep weirder places before. The roof, atop Sweet Apple Acres' barn, the bathtub, that one time at the Castle of the Twin Sisters, both times Sombra caught her in a fear spell, atop a bookcase.”

Silver giggles. “Does sound pretty silly.”

Dash chuckles. “You bet it does.” Her eyes narrow in a wider smirk. “Hey, between you and me, she always claims to hate sleeping on clouds due to her ‘Unicorn birth’ or something but I once caught her napping on one.”

Silver sniggers. “Think it’s those Pegasus instincts I hear so much about?”

Dash shrugs. “Maybe, probably, dunno. Never had the heart to tell her I saw her, just waiting for the right time.” She shakes her head with another chuckle. “Anyway, don’t want her to wake up with a bad back whenever. Sure you wanna help out?”

Silver giggles as she snaps a salute. “Ready and waiting!”

Dash nods, grunts and heaves Twilight back onto her back. “Just get her other end, makes sure she doesn’t slip.”

Silver nods and gets Twilight’s head on her back, trying not to squee at having one of her six heroes relying on her. “Ready?!”

Dash nods with a smile. “Ready.” With that, and a newfound spring in her step, the two new friends quickly but carefully and safely make their way towards the Crystal Palace.

A short time later, the Crystal Palace’s throne room

With her friend safely under guard in her designated room, and Silver having left promising to return tonight, Rainbow Dash breathes a heavy sigh of relief. One less problem to deal with. Just… The biggest now. She huffs. “Well, no use bellyaching around here.”

Dash nods to the Guard who goes inside and checks with his superiors before returning. “They’re ready for you.” Dash nods her thanks and enters.

Despite the absolute Tartarus it went through five months ago, the Crystal Palace’s throne room has recovered well. Sure, there are still a fair share of Sombra’s crystals they haven’t managed to get out yet and a scar around the base of the throne but otherwise; you’d never be able to tell. Having not seen the royals in a while too, Dash releases a breath she didn’t know she was holding to see Princess Mi Amore Cadenza and Prince Shining Armour are fine. “Princess.”

Cadance smiles as Dash just nods respectfully instead of bowing. “Rainbow Dash.”

Dash returns the warm grin. “How’s Flurry?”

Cadance rolls her eyes like only a mother can. “Probably running Sunburst ragged again. She seems to have gotten it into her head that the spell Starlight and him used to turn into foals was a good idea.”

Rainbow Dash snickers. “Figures.”

Shining chuckles with an equally warm grin but the glances around. “No offence Dash but where’s Twiley? Celestia said you were both coming.”

Dash huffs. “Twi passed out when we got off the train. Had to carry her to her room.” She rolls her eyes fondly as Shining splutters and makes to run out. “Relax, she’s just been run off her hooves the last few days. First, had to help her fly for her coronation flight. Then she had another… Twilightism whilst thinking about leaving us behind despite the council idea. And then, just as she put her head down, she gets a summons about a Friendship Problem just to the south of here.”

Shining nods, slightly relieved. “But she’s otherwise fine, right?”

Dash sighs and rubs her forehead. “It’s just been a hard few days. She’ll be fine after some shut-eye. Got problems though, so here I am.”

Cadance sighs, visibly relieved. “And we’re glad for it. We’ve been having… Problems lately and we thought it would not get through.”

Dash frowns. “Why?”

Cadance clops her hooves with an air of nervousness. "Follow me."

Rainbow Dash nods, unaware that this merely begins the first in a long chain of events that may very well change the face of Equus itself. Unknowingly, Cadance has begun a downward spiral that will may very well end in the darkest day in the Crystal Empire since Sombra’s banishing a thousand years ago. It may even be worse for, not so far away, a dark ritual is unfolding.

The Arctic North, ???

Deep inside a cave, its existence long lost to history, one can find an extremely strange sight. Instead of being empty and dusty like one would expect, or even inhabited by a wild animal, the inside is instead occupied by what heavily resembles a lab. A very old fashioned lab filled with books of Old Equestrian and devices straight of a Geiger Counter novella but definitely more “organised chaos” than “existential horror” (unless your name happens to be Twilight Sparkle). Sat amongst the mental menagerie of maddening maladies sits a mid-sized pony in a winter blue cloak that completely obscures her features. It’s so tight and thick that it’s impossible to even tell what race she is but her tone says it all.

” A hint of Cerberus’ Claw…” She drops it into a potion she’s been making. “The eye of a Cockatrice…” Plop. “The tail of a Dragon...” She pulls it from her bag and in it goes. “The heart of a Timberwolf.” She doesn’t even flinch at the splinters it gives her. “And now, one final ingredient.”

The mare eyes the book but suddenly begins shaking before bursting out laughing; possessing no mirth in the completely monotone voice. “What do you know?” She looks up, two icy blue orbs glowing from within. “The mane of the mare who beat him.”