Dark Horse: A My Little Pony Story

"All right, everypony, are we ready for my last song?" Pixie Dust asked the crowd.

A wave of disappointed murmurs passed through the crowd.

"I know, I know," Pixie dust apologized. "I'm sorry. But, don't worry, I saved a crowd pleaser for last. I hope you all enjoy it."

The live band began to strike up a charming melody that flooded the dance floor. Pixie Dust held the microphone in her hooves and began to sing her final song of the night.

Save your last dance for me

As the lights begin to dim

Show me all the right steps

Save me from the cage I'm in

"How are we gonna get on the stage?" Prose asked Chorus as they headed towards the main dance floor.

"I don't know yet," Chorus admitted. "Any ideas?"

Ginger Blush, Savoir Fare, and Prose all followed Chorus over the red carpets and checkered floors.

"Well, we could really use some sort of distraction, something that really catches everypony's attention," Prose suggested.

As soon as Prose finished that sentence, a slight tremor began to rumble the floors of the event hall. It was almost unnoticeable, but it began to catch the attention of a couple of the gala attendees.

"Like that?" Ginger Blush asked.

As Ginger Blush finished that sentence, the lights in the room began to flicker. The ponies looked up to find a shadowy fog lowering down from the ceiling. It seemed King Sombra was taking action. The ominous shadows plaguing the hall did not go unnoticed. Ponies all around the dance floor tilted their heads upward as the shadows fell floorward. Disturbed and scared mumblings disrupted the mood, capturing everypony's attention.

"Like that," Prose confirmed.

The live music stopped as the musicians took notice of the events as well. The haunting silence was chilling. The only sounds left now were the hushed, frightened discussions between the ponies who were partying moments ago. A booming, echoing voice sounded out from the shadows above.

"Hello, everypony. I hope you're all enjoying your evening. Please pardon this interruption," Sombra's voice sounded out across the crowd.. "If you'd all kindly stay where you are, I'll be commandeering this gala momentarily."

The ponies' quiet voices quickly escalated into panicked cries as Sombra threatened them. The panicking ponies rushed away from the dance floor, heading towards hallways, exits, or anywhere they could get away.

"I thought I told you ponies to stay where you were," Sombra taunted.

The ground began to violently shake, mimicking an intense earthquake. The tiles in the floor began to crack and crumble. Suddenly, enormous, sharp, pitch black crystals began to shoot up from the floor. The hallways and exits were blocked by towering, shadowy crystals. Ponies began to scream in terror.

"Is now a good time to try to take over the stage?" Ginger Blush asked her friends.

"Yea, I think so," Prose said.

Chorus led the group towards the stage, where Pixie Dust still stood, petrified by King Sombra. The ponies awkwardly climbed and clamored up onto the stage, fumbling with their fancy outfits. They stood up on the stage, brushed themselves off, and headed towards the microphones and instruments.

"You ponies are still here?" King Sombra's voice boomed directly towards the stage.

Chorus, Prose, Ginger Blush, and Savoir Fare all turned around in fear, worried their plan might be foiled before it even began.

"And just what do you think you four are doing?" Sombra called out across the room, his voice clearly audible over the chaotic noise of the crying crowd. He stood near the back-center of the dancefloor, untouchable.

Chorus shakily stepped forward, ready to defend his friends if necessary.

"We were just going to play one final number. You know, before you end the party," he spoke, trembling.

"I don't think we have room on the setlist for you," Sombra maliciously jested. "I might have to cut it short."

Sombra began to charge down the dance floor, heading straight for the stage. As he ran, his physical pony-like form dissolved away, replaced by his shadowy, gaseous form. He dashed closer and closer, floating through the air with ease. The ponies backed up instinctively, bracing for impact as Sombra neared. He maniacally laughed as he lunged closer and closer. The ponies closed their eyes as they accepted their fates.

"ACK!" Sombra grunted.

The ponies opened their eyes to see Sombra trapped behind a pink, sparkling barrier. It was a familiar magic to the group, it almost looked like the magic of-

"Keep going!" Twilight Sparkle's voice encouraged loudly from the crowd of screaming ponies.

Chorus, Prose, and Ginger Blush tried to spot their friend, but she remained hidden. That was probably for the best, because Sombra's next goal immediately became to track down Princess Twilight Sparkle.

"Twilight! I know you're in here! You know it's just a matter of time before I find you. Why don't you just come out now?" Sombra threatened.

"Over here!" a voice called out. It wasn't Twilight Sparkle. A blue pegasus in a stunning dress flew above the crowd. Rainbow Dash taunted King Sombra, intending to distract him.

"No, over here!" Pinkie Pie bounced and bopped around the crowd.

King Sombra was visibly frustrated, diverting his attention away from Chorus, Prose, Ginger Blush, and Savoir Fare. He chased after Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash as Applejack and Rarity began to corral groups of ponies to safe corners of the room. Fluttershy kindly calmed the raging ponies, offering relaxing thoughts and assuring them of their safety. Twilight and her friends were buying time. With a sparkling pink barrier around them, Chorus turned back to face his friends, ready to put his plan into motion.

"Are we ready?" Chorus asked the group.

His friends nodded back with confidence.

"Savoir, you find a guitar. Ginger, a triangle. I'll take the piano," Prose orchestrated. "Chorus, are you ready to sing?"

"Yes, but I think we're going to need all the help we can get," Chorus spoke. He walked upstage to a trembling, quaking Pixie Dust, hiding near the back of the stage.

"Hi, Pixie Dust. Big fan," Chorus greeted.

"What is going on!?" world famous singer Pixie Dust asked.

"King Sombra is trying to destroy the Grand Galloping Gala and take over the world, I think," Chorus explained.

Pixie Dust's jaw dropped. Ginger Blush stepped over to Chorus and Pixie Dust.

"I know it's a lot, but we could really use your help," she kindly asked.

Pixie Dust stared blankly between Chorus and Ginger Blush.

"Just take a backup microphone. I'll help you from there," Chorus instructed.

Pixie Dust stared blankly into Chorus's eyes.

"Now, please!" Chorus pleaded with a big smile.

Pixie Dust nodded and quickly took a place at a backup microphone.

Chorus stepped up to his place at the lead microphone, taking a deep breath. Prose took a seat at the grand piano. Prose picked up a triangle that was miraculously part of the set of instruments on the stage. Savoir Fare propped a guitar up in his arms, ready to play. Chorus concentrated the magic in his horn, envisioning exactly the spell he wanted to cast. A burst of magic shined out of his horn, enchanting the instruments around him. Prose, Ginger Blush, and Savoir Fare began to magically play a cohesive melody together, all as one. The chords and tone of the music sounded like the start of a sad, powerful ballad. Chorus enchanted Pixie Dust's microphone, making sure she was ready to harmonize with him when he needed it. Chorus looked back at Prose. She nodded confidently towards him, encouraging him to start. He looked towards Ginger Blush. She nodded too, mouthing encouraging words his way: We've got this.

Chorus took a deep breath and turned toward the microphone, ready to attempt to save the world with his friends (again). He opened his mouth and began to sing.

I've seen the light inside of you

Even if you deny it

You can find your way back home

It's not too late to try it

As Chorus finished his first stanza, magic began to brew within his horn. His spell was underway. King Sombra raged outside of the barrier, chasing down Rainbow Dash. Sombra shot a shadowy blast her way, which to everypony's dismay, took hold. Rainbow Dash dropped out of the air and onto the ground, frozen into a black, crystalline statue. Chorus gasped in horror at the sight, and returned to his song, eager to stop more damage before it could occur.

Destiny's a path you choose

Not a game you only lose

The future's never set in stone

It's always up to you

Pinkie Pie stopped in her tracks and gaped in horror at Rainbow Dash's frozen statue. Sombra jumped on the opportunity and aimed his magic directly towards Pinkie. As the shadowy mist faded away from her, a crystal statue remained in her place. The ponies were falling fast. Chorus launched into the chorus of the song, knowing it had resonate deeply with Sombra.

You've fallen down

Quite a treacherous slope

If you can be the heart

Then I can be the hope

The chorus stewed up powerful magic in Chorus's horn, but it didn't feel like enough. He knew they had to double down with a second verse. He knew it would cost them time, but if this spell didn't succeed on the first try, he was almost certain they wouldn't have a chance to do it a second time. He turned back to his band, picking up his hoof and rotating it in a circle, indicating they should keep going. He also motioned his hoof upward, urging them to really bring it. He turned back to the microphone and began the second verse.

I've seen the ups and downs of you

All the times that you cried

I saw the magic break in you

On the day your music died

Sombra tracked down Rarity and cornered her, subsequently creating a brand new pony statue. Rarity's fearful expression was locked into place by dark magic. The band felt like they were watching their time dwindle before them. Chorus leaped into the next stanza, hyper aware of how little time he had left.

I know this is not the end

It's just a wound to mend

Maybe all that broke you

Was only ever meant to bend

Applejack put up quite a fight, but Sombra's raging magic was difficult to outmaneuver. Applejack fell victim to petrification, joining her friends as a crystal statue.

You've fallen down

Quite a treacherous slope

If you can be the heart

Then I can be the hope

I'm holding out my hand

And throwing down a rope

If you can be the heart

Then I can be the hope

Chorus finished the second chorus and felt a wave of worry wash over him. It still wasn't enough. He turned back to his band.

"We need a bridge!" he called out.

"I don't think we have time!" Prose shouted back over the music.

"We have to try!" Chorus pleaded.

Ginger Blush looked confidently at Chorus. "We trust you, Chorus! Bring it home!"

Chorus turned back to the microphone. The music raged around him, beautifully decorating the atmosphere.

Don't hide from the light

It only wants to heal you

The darkness that you hide behind

Does nothing but conceal you

As the bridge sounded out, Fluttershy fell victim to Sombra's grasp. Fluttershy's crystal statue joined the ranks of her friends'. Her horrified expression hauntingly stared up into space, trapped in place. Twilight Sparkle was their last remaining hope. If she was taken out, her protective shield would be taken out as well, exposing the band to King Sombra. Chorus powered through the last half of the bridge.

Shadows haunt your nightmares

The ghosts of when you cared

The pain that keeps you scared

Is only keeping you impaired

You've fallen down

Quite a treacherous slope

If you can be the heart

Then I can be the hope

As Chorus began the final chorus, he witnessed Sombra lock onto a target. Twilight. The alicorn was spotted amongst the crowd, her glowing horn giving her away. As Sombra approached her, she locked eyes with Chorus across the room. Chorus watched as her apologetic eyes were frozen into place by King Sombra's dark magic. Twilight's magic promptly faded around the band, leaving them at the mercy of King Sombra. Chorus's eyes widened in undeniable fear as Sombra turned towards the stage. Sombra began to charge towards the stage. Chorus had to finish his song now.

I'm holding out my hand

And throwing down a rope

If you can be the heart

Then I can be the hope

Sombra arrived at the stage. His shadowy figure clouded everypony's vision, frightening them to their cores. Sombra's sharp, scary red horn began to glow with dark magic. He was about to add them to his statue collection. Chorus pulled his mic off of the stand and backed up to join his friends. They continued to play their instruments, waiting for Chorus to finish the song. Chorus looked at his band, proud to finish his last lyrics amongst them.

If you can be the heart

Then I can be the hope

Chorus began to levitate off of the ground, his eyes aglow. Prose followed suit, levitating off of her piano bench, entangled in Chorus's magic spell. Ginger Blush's triangle dropped to the ground as she joined her friends in the air. Savoir Fare and Pixie Dust rose to meet them, joining them on either side of their trio. Sombra watched as their song manifested into magic before him. His anger raged inside of him, manifesting into a shadowy dark magic spell aimed straight towards the magical band. As the spell reached the fivesome, A ball of blinding pink light engulfed Chorus's horn, spreading rapidly to encase the entire group.

The glowing pink orb stopped any shadow magic that came for them, reflecting it with ease. It began to vibrate and shake around the ponies. It shrank inwards for a small moment, collecting an enormous amount of magic energy. In an instant, the magic pink orb exploded, covering the entire event hall in an absolutely dazzling, blinding light. Sombra was taken aback by the blast, knocked away from the stage and onto the floor.

As the light faded from the room, Chorus, Prose, Ginger Blush, Savoir Fare, and Pixie Dust gently descended back onto the stage floor.

"Did we do it?" Ginger Blush asked out into the speechless room.

A soft grumbling could be faintly heard by the ponies. In the center of the room, a black-furred unicorn laid weakly. A defeated King Sombra put his hoof onto the ground and pushed himself up off of the floor. His legs wobbled and shook beneath him. As he opened his eyes and faced the stage, the ponies could see his menacing red horn had regressed back into its normal, black, unicorn-like state. His evil, villainous red eyes had regressed into a charming green. His eyes lasered in on the stage as he began to rapidly sprint towards it. Frightened cries sounded out from the surrounding crowds, fearing his change in appearance did not signify a change in his mind.

"What do we do? I thought we helped him!" Prose shouted.

Chorus, Prose, Ginger Blush, Savoir Fare, and Pixie Dust all took battle stances, ready to face off against Sombra again if they had to. Sombra effortlessly bounded across the dance floor and leaped up onto the stage. He raced straight towards Chorus and grabbed him in his hooves.

"Chorus!" Ginger Blush cried in fear.

Before anypony could attack Sombra or defend Chorus, Sombra pulled Chorus's face into his, locking his lips onto Chorus's, kissing him.