Claws of Equestria

"Hm…yes…you are perfect," King Sombra hissed as his demonic shadow figure cloaked over Maximus, Brutus and Ziggy.

His shadow like figure was as dark as night. His shadow was so dark that it could have falsely terminated the existence of Maximus, Brutus and Ziggy if it wasn't for the red glowing light that traced around their mechanical bodies. However, being mindless and enslaved machines, they did not feel an inch of fear unlike the Crystal ponies when they were first enslaved. King Sombra did enjoy watching their pathetic little faces squirm under his dominating power. The hopelessness that reflected through their eyes was enjoyable for the black hearted unicorn. When their heads glared up to his dominating authority, with the lack of hope that they would ever be free, it always sketched a venomous smile across his face. But that was all taken away from him. The mighty combined power of the two Alicorns, Princess Celestia and Princess Luna, was more than enough to defeat King Sombra and abolish him into the Artic North where he had been hiding ever since. Adding insult to injury, with the help of Princess Cadance, Shining Armor and the Elements of Harmony, his very slaves were able to defeat him from his second attempt to conquer the Crystal Empire.

But not this time…this time he would have his revenge!

King Sombra's shadow appearance lowered until his menacing eyes pried upon the small six legged spider, Ziggy. The acute robot spider stood motionless as if he did not recognise the existence of his new master and leader. Nevertheless, King Sombra released a jolly but evil chuckle as he eyed the small spider. Something so small but yet so mischievous and sneaky was pleasurable for King Sombra to think about.

"You, my little pet, have a very important mission," King Sombra started as he turned his head towards the left side of the dimly lit red room. A small robotic movement sound echoed throughout the shadows. From the little sounds that followed them, it did not sound as threatening as did the CLAWs when they marched into battle.

Being banished the first time from the Crystal Empire, and sentenced towards the freezing Artic North, King Sombra was left homeless and helpless. The power of Princess Celestia and Princess Luna had left him weak but not helpless. He used what strength he had left to create a small shelter that protected him from the harsh blizzards of the Artic North. From that point on, when his magic had fully restored, he turned his small shelter into a fortress where his personal headquarters would be located. The very room that he and all his robotic slaves were standing in was the giant throne room where, once all of Equestria kneeled down at his hooves, he would take control of everything around Equestria.

King Sombra eyed the dimly red shadows hidden behind the cloak of blackness. Little robotic 'patter' sounds echoed around the room before a small robotic spider revealed itself. The corrupted unicorn smiled in glee as the second spider made its way towards Maximus.

"This is Zaggy," King Sombra stated as Zaggy leaped on top of Maximus to join its counterpart, Ziggy.

Zaggy was almost completely identical as Ziggy. However, Zaggy's appearance was different to Ziggy's as his armour was brown and had eight legs instead of six. Their size was equally matched but Zaggy possessed an army camouflage instead of a completely dark appearance. Both robotic spiders shared the same electronic Taser device that would come in handy for the task they were about to receive.

"You two have a very important mission!" King Sombra stated with a deadly tone. "If I am to rule not only the Crystal Empire, but the whole of Equestria then there are a couple of 'issues' that need to be dealt with."

King Sombra's eyes shun a hideous green colour as they reflected into the small robotic camera of Ziggy and Zaggy. The image of not one, not two, but three Alicorns transferred to their memory bank. They were easily identified as Princess Celestia, Luna and Cadance.

"Easily, the power of Princess Celestia, Luna and Cadance combined together could destroy everything I have planned," King Sombra started after transferring the targets to the two miniscule spiders," It's your important role to find all three when they are not together. Princess Celestia and Luna should be simple, but Cadance will prove to be more of a challenge since she is married to the Captain of the Royal Guards, Shining Armor. You might have to wait, but for now you must simply paralyse Celestia and Luna."

King Sombra wondered to himself on what he would do with the Princesses once they were paralysed, beaten and captured by his CLAW army. At most, he wanted to make them watch their very loyal subjects suffer under his enslavement. Have her watch in pain and fear as every stallion, mare and foal was subjected towards chains and forced to work for the rest of their pathetic lives. Better yet, what if she was forced to watch the ones she kept so close to her be purposely tortured and killed in front of her? How would she feel knowing that she had failed to protect all of her subjects and Equestria? The rhetorical questions tickled King Sombra with glee and excitement. The thoughts of watching his enemies suffer at his hooves were more than what he needed in motivation and confidence that he would soon rule all of Equestria.

"Now my spider slaves," King Sombra hissed as he morphed back into his shadow figure," I can send you on the outskirts of Canterlot but not inside the castle itself. Knowing an Alicorn, they would feel a magical disturbance in the atmosphere if I was to send you straight inside the castle. You will have to make your own way into the building and outsmart any guards that may be positioned around the castle."

The same black aura that had rescued Maximus and Brutus from their assured destruction slowly enveloped itself around Ziggy and Zaggy. They slowly started to hover into the air whilst the black aura started to spin faster and faster around them. King Sombra let out one last laugh for them to acknowledge.

"Remember, find the princesses and paralyse them. Do not disappoint me!" With a roar, King Sombra unleashed his magical transportation spell and a bright red light flashed for a few seconds. When the hideous spell died down, Ziggy and Zaggy's presence was no more.

They were gone. King Sombra unleashed a venomous laugh!

"Now then," King Sombra hissed as he circled around Maximus and Brutus, "We need talk about the mission I have the pair of you involving the Elements of Harmony!"

OXO

The sound of a chariot being pulled slowly rolled along the pathway that led towards Canterlot. It was a beautiful golden chariot that stretched wide enough to fit at least four ponies inside. The wheels glittered with red, white and green emeralds and the overall figure twinkled from the small white diamonds warped all over it. Its beauty was unique and could easily be recognised by all the inhabitants across Equestria as a special chariot of importance and they would know that figures within it were very important and special. The overall appearance of the chariot was priceless and fit for royalty. And within the chariot were royal figures that were happy to be in each other's presence.

The married couple, holding each other in their hooves, happily looked out of their chariot at the beautiful landscape that led to the prosperous city of Canterlot and the Canterlot castle. From time to time, they would cuddle each other and exchange kisses on the nose or lips as the day was beautiful, young and exciting. Why wouldn't the happily married couple, Princess Cadance and Shining Armor, exchange their love on such a fine and spectacular day? The mood settled easily for the undying feeling of love between Cadance and her husband and they did not want it to end anytime soon.

The sun was shining, the wind was gentle and friendly, the animals sung with delight, and the flowers blossomed with glee. The day was perfect. Cadance couldn't feel anymore happier than what she was feeling right now. It was almost exactly the same as the time when she and Shining Armor had married. The wonderful feelings that day were almost matched with the feelings of today. There was nothing that could spoil her mood.

Better yet, what made the day more spectacular was the fact that Twilight Sparkle had invited Princess Cadance to join her and her friends in a day at the spa. A day with Twilight was like a special gift for Cadance. Cadance hoped that it would be just like old times where they could bond and be together. It was also a good chance for her and Twilight to catch up on each other and find out what they have been up to. When Twilight grew a little too old for a foal sitter, Cadance had not seen her until her wedding day in Canterlot where they met in one of Chrysalis's green crystal prisons. Thanks to Twilight, she was able to free Cadance and save her wedding by foiling the Queen Changling's plans. Seeing her for the first time where the fate of Equestria wasn't at stake would was much better for the princess. Talking with Twilight, and the rest of the Elements of Harmony, was the part of the day that Cadance looked most forward to. The day seemed too good to be true for the young Princess of love. She sighed happily as she leaned slightly on her husband's neck who in return rubbed his cheek on her snout in response. She shut her eyes whilst she enjoyed the relaxing ride into Canterlot.

As the chariot slowly progressed towards Canterlot, a sudden bump from a hole in the ground awoke Cadance from her fantasy world. The married couple were startled, but only for a few seconds did they worry about what had happened since they were about to enter Canterlot once more.

However, during the small shock, two small spider figures had jumped on the back of the chariot and crawled underneath it. The bottom of the carriage let off a small red glow as Ziggy and Zaggy patiently waited for the chariot to stop outside the Canterlot castle.