The Iron Pony: Harder than Diamonds

A pink alicorn paced around the crystalline throne room, while her white unicorn husband sat calmly nearby. She would bite her lip occasionally, as if wanting to say something but couldn't find the words. After what felt like a millennia, she spoke.

"Maybe I asked too much of her? " she supposed. "She's already done so much."

"Celestia will always send help, Cadence. She is your aunt." the unicorn assured his wife.

As if on cue, a small scroll appeared in a burst of yellow sunlight. Shining Armor caught it with his magic and broke the seal.

"We'll make it though this, Cadence. I just know it." the prince assured, beginning to pour over the contents of the scroll. After a few long minutes, his face resembled something caught between confusion and amusement.

Princess Cadence raised an inquiring eyebrow. "Good news?"

"Great news!" her husband exclaimed, "Celestia is sending supplies to us by train! And Luna suggested some Technology too!"

"We can't use those things. Nopony knows how those pegasus war machines work." she pointed out.

"Luna commissioned a pegasus that does. Her scroll says he's an old friend of mine."

"Who could possibly be experienced in that advanced level of technology?"

A dark unicorn stallion sat in a dim room decorated with grey and black crystals. He was dressed in a near-complete set of equally dark armor, missing only the helm. A blood-red velvet cape was hung about his massive shoulders.

"How soon will my kingdom be ready for the taking?" he demanded in a booming voice to a silhouette in the corner.

"In approximately a month's time, your Highness, based on current estimates." a calm mare's voice answered.

"A MONTH?!" he thundered.

"Yes, King Sombra. The reinforcements sent by Equestria set us back a few weeks. It did nothing more than replenish their ranks. After we squash them, bringing down the shield should be easier than riding thermal currents."

Sombra didn't quite grasp the analogy, but assumed it meant there wasn't going to be any problems.

"Excellent. Although, I feel the Crystal-ponies should be punished for their insolence." He stamped his huge hoof, sprouting shadowy crystals about the chamber. "Starve them. Cut off their railroad supplies. Make them beg for my...salvation."

"It will be done." The mysterious mare affirmed before leaving the chamber.

"Are you sure it was necessary to send him, Sister?" A cream alicorn asked her dusk blue sibling. "He wasn't exactly keen on assisting us."

"He wasn't keen on assisting you, dear Celestia." The younger alicorn responded, a little snobbily. "Nevertheless, if what we suspect is true, then this pegasus is the only hope our niece has."

"And when he finds out?" Princess Celestia inquired.

Princess Luna smirked mischieviously. "We shall see in time..."