The news spread quickly throughout the kingdom, and soon people began to gather in droves outside the palace walls, mourning the loss of their beloved king and offering their support for the grieving queen. The air was heavy with despair and grief as preparations for the somber ceremony commenced.

King Astor laid upon his funeral pyre ready for his final send off. The people of Astroloria came out to pay respects to their king. Celestia’s family, her father, her mother joined Luna in coming to pay respects and support Celestia. Even the rulers of other Kingdom came to pay respect. They had even all made Sombra the number 1 fugitive in their kingdom’s also yet still he was nowhere to be seen. None of that mattered to Celestia right now.

“Loyal subjects of Astroloria and royal for neighboring kingdoms thank you for coming. Today we are saying goodbye to my husband King Astor, the third of Astroloia. Who was poisoned by a guard on our wedding day. Which was also the day I learned I was with his child.”

Luna couldn't help but nearly laugh as her sister suddenly revealed her pregnancy to everyone during Astor's funeral eulogy.

“And thanks to the efforts of Astroloia and her allies we will find Sombra and bring him to justice. So the King can be avenged and everyone can sleep safer at night.” Celestia said finishing her eulogy.

With that Celestia watched as her husband’s funeral pyre was pushed out onto the water by guards. Celestia with tears in her eyes picked up a bow and an arrow and after notching the bow and lighting the arrow’s tip. Celestia whispered goodbye as she fired the arrow into the prye setting it ablaze. After the funeral months passed with no sign of Sombra and eventually Celestia turned her attention to her child on the third day and the second month of the new year at 1:43 pm Queen Celestia gave birth to her daughter Princess Twilight.

The announcement of the birth of the Princess was made by Áedán and the people were delighted to hear the good news. Everyone was happy. Except for Sombra who was using magic to hide in the crowd. When the crowd dispersed Sombra returned to the secret hidden chamber he had on the outskirts of Astroloia. He returned to normal and began planning to get rid of both the Queen and this new Princess.

As the years passed, Princess Twilight grew into a bright and curious child, the spitting image of her late father with her mother's kind heart. Queen Celestia, still mourning the loss of her beloved Astor, poured all her love and attention into raising their daughter. The kingdom of Astroloria slowly began to heal, though the memory of their fallen king remained etched in the hearts of its people.

Unbeknownst to the royal family, Sombra had been biding his time, meticulously planning his revenge. He had spent years studying ancient, forbidden magic, growing stronger in the shadows. On the eve of Princess Twilight's fifth birthday, Sombra put his sinister plan into motion.

Under the cover of night, he slipped into the palace grounds, his dark magic concealing him from the guards' watchful eyes. As he crept through the corridors, Sombra's heart raced with anticipation. Years of waiting had led to this moment. He could almost taste the sweet victory that awaited him.

The palace was quiet, save for the occasional creak of armor as guards patrolled the halls. Sombra moved like a phantom, his footsteps silent on the polished marble floors. He made his way toward the royal chambers, where he knew the young princess slept.

Just as he reached for the ornate door handle, a voice rang out behind him. "Stop right there!"

Sombra whirled around to find Luna, Celestia's sister, standing at the end of the hallway. Her eyes blazed with fury as she raised her hands, crackling with magical energy.

"I knew you'd return someday, you monster," Luna snarled. "But I won't let you hurt my sister or my niece.”

“Then you will have to die too.” Sombra said, lunging at Luna with his sword.

Their swords clashed Sombra knew this would draw attention so he tried to end it quickly but this mistake and Luna slashed his left eye with gushed blood everywhere. Sombra howled with the pain so his vision halved and with no alternative Sombra used magic to help him escape. Luna quickly alerted everyone but Sombra was gone again even though they followed the trail of blood he was leaving he managed to escape. Celestia demanded more guards and convinced a frightened and confused Twilight to stay with her for the night in her room like when she was a baby.

As dawn broke over Astroloria, the palace was in a state of high alert. Guards patrolled every corridor, their armor glinting in the early morning light. Queen Celestia sat on her bed, cradling a still-trembling Princess Twilight in her arms, her eyes red-rimmed from a sleepless night.

"Mama, why did that bad man want to hurt me?" Twilight asked, her voice small and frightened.

Celestia stroked her daughter's hair, her heart aching. "Some people, my darling, have darkness in their hearts. But I promise you, I will never let anyone harm you."

A soft knock at the door made them both jump. Luna entered, her face drawn with exhaustion and worry. "Sister, we've doubled the guards and strengthened the magical barriers around the palace. There's no sign of Sombra, but we're still searching."

“Auntie Luna, I'm scared.”

“Don’t worry Twilight nothing will happen to you so long as your mother and I are here.” Luna said. Twilight hugged her aunt tightly. But what was meant to only be one night would soon turn into two years by Celestia who feared even letting Twilight sleep in her own bed.

Author's Note

A shorter chapter but we will soon be getting into the meat of things.