Dark Libra

The Crystal Empire was home of Princess Cadence and Prince Shining Armor. Even in the dead of night with fresh snow falling, Cassius could see the shimmer from the massive city. He could see how somepony like Sombra could like such a place. It screamed riches and power. From his vantage point on a snow covered hill, Cassius saw many sentries on duty, guards were constantly on patrol and a barrier was up around the entire Kingdom.

"So they must have gotten word of me. I hope Sombra is even worth this trouble, after all banishment isn't an easy thing to undo." Cassius muttered to himself.

The question remained on his mind. How to enter without causing an alarm to go off? Then it hit him harder then the frost on his numb skin. Ace can get in if he wanders over and collapses from hypothermia. With that plan Cassius used the shadows to hide his appearance. A trick he could personally thank Sombra for teaching him later. After everything was in place Cassius had only one problem. A cutie mark had to be made or he risked being discovered like he was at the Changeling Kingdom. He thought about it and chose a simple image, it was broken quill in a puddle of ink. If he was asked about it he would tell somepony he was a horror writer looking for inspiration in the frozen outskirts of the Crystal Empire. He trotted down the hill and just barely out of view for the sentry. Now he had to once again play his part and do it right this time.

***********************************************

Two tan sentries in gold barding stood guard alongside each other. One was a unicorn trying to place a piece of his barding that had gotten loose back. The other was a pegasus who was watching the horizon. The moon was up and snow was falling making it hard but possible to see at long distances.

The one playing with his barding had gotten it back in place when the pegasus that stood by him asked pointing into the night horizon, "Hay Spring, do you see that in the distance?"

Spring Bash strained his eyes to see past one hundred and fifty feet. Sure enough he saw an outline something slowly moving towards them. The snowfall was playing hell with his vision, gradually the outline gave way to the faded image of a cold pony.

"Hey what are you doing out here at this time of night?"
Spring Bash called through the cool night air.

The pony looked in their direction and started to hurry to them before falling in the snow.

"Come on Spring Bash, we need to help him. Signal for the medics inside to open a hole and get him inside." said the Brown pegasus that stood by Spring Bash.

Spring Bash nodded and sent a magical flare as red as blood into the sky. It detonated only half way up the barrier after it was fired. The dome of magic flickered briefly and a small portion opened, moments later two pegasi flew through with a stretcher.

"What is wrong Cadet Spring Bash?" one of the medical pegasi with a captains pin in his hat asked.

"Cadet Haven is flying to a pony that collapsed in the snow. He needs medical treatment and a warm place sir." Spring Bash said with a salute to the veteran medic.

The two pegasi grabbed the stretcher and flew in the direction Haven had gone. They only flew about one hundred feet or so before they saw him walking with the pony's foreleg over his shoulder.

"Cadet Haven, we will take him from here. You go back to your post." Called the lead medic as he got Ace to the stretcher then flew him inside the barrier.

As he was carried passed the barrier, Ace immediately noticed the cold feeling was gone. He looked around to see not a single flake of snow was on the ground. The moon was at its highest and the stars were all visible. He wondered how this was possible to see when snow was falling outside. Looking over to the middle aged pegasus that held the end with his head he could see a pin on his hat. It held a captain's rank insignia on it. The ponies of Equestria where getting desperate if they had to give CO ranks to medical teams he thought. The medic must have sensed his stare, because he looked down to meet his gaze.

The captain looked back ahead and with a scowl and asked, "What were you doing out there son? Its cold as hay and you could have died. What's your name?"

Ace shivered and slowly replied through chattering teeth, "I'm Ace Gray-feather, I was looking for some inspiration to write my next novel. I'm a traveling writer from Cloudsdale."

The captain thought a moment then said, "A novelist ay, your kind has always been known to do stupid things for the sake of a good read. What do you write?"

Shivering Ace replied, "Horror. My latest work was going to be of a world where Celestia was killed by a force beyond even her control and Princess Luna took power. She was going to be haunted by her sister's presence for years before Equestria fell to ruins and she was the cause of it all of it through her madness."

The captain looked at him with surprise, "Well that is an interesting sort of book. I wish you luck with it Ace."

They flew to a hospital that was located only blocks from the Castle. Inside the receptionist had called in some doctors to meet them in the lobby before Ace had arrived. They had him lay on a bed that was brought in. Soon after a nurse wheeled him into an empty room somewhere on the third floor. From there they started to check and treat him for hypothermia. Only an hour of treatment and then he was left alone to rest. Cassius had to play Ace for a while and lay in boredom before he was to be discharged from the hospital. If he didn't want to alert anypony of himself he had to stay there. He mentally cursed at himself for not coming up with a plan to get out sooner. At this rate he was going to be stuck for a few hours. Ace was going to have to stay up through the morning.

****************************************************

Shining Armor was looking over battle plans Sereen had left for him. The Crystal Empire was going to be a waypoint for new recruits from all over. They already had obtained some dragons and well over half of the griffins. The buffalos were willing to help and Cloudsdale was sending in an air force. Manhattan was making supplies and weapons for the upcoming war. Ponies from all over the world were flooding in to help defend the Sun Goddess. Shining Armor had also gotten word that most of the dragons had joined The Lost Night as they called themselves. Seven hydras had been seen heading to what was known the Changeling Kingdom followed by the diamond dogs and some cockatrice. Even packs of timberwolves have been seen leaving the Everfree Forest and migrating to the Kingdom as well. The last letter he had received from one of his messengers made him uneasy. The letter stated that a flight commander had spotted a gray pegasus with a stream of shadows flying toward the Crystal Empire. After receiving this information from a scroll via teleportation delivery spell. He had strengthened the barrier to prevent him from breaching it. If Cassius wanted in, Shining Armor wanted him out. He was waiting for Sereen to give him good news when his captain of the guard, walked in.

He saluted and said, "Your highness, I have received a report that Cadet's Spring Bash and Haven found a near frozen pony outside the barrier. They called a medical team and he is recovering in the hospital."

Shining Armor looked from his reports and to his captain. He gave him a look of unease and walked to him.

"What did he look like captain, what is his name and why is he there?" asked Shining Armor.

The captain dropped the salute and placed a hoof over his mane and scratched, "He is a gray pegasus with a black mane and tail, he has a broken quill in a puddle of ink as a cutie mark. I think his name is Ace Gray-Feather and he is currently in the hospital resting from near hypothermia."

Shining Armor felt a slight sense of relief from the news then asked, "What was he doing out there at this time on night?"

"The doctors told me he is a traveling writer and was wandering in the outskirts earlier but got lost in the snow." The captain reported.

A faint sigh of relief left Shining Armor before he said, "Keep an eye on him and make sure he is alright. I want an escort with him at all times captain."

The captain saluted and walked out leaving Shining Armor to his reports. He walked over to the wooden desk that was covered in papers. Shining Armor continued to scan the documents while the worry of this new threat loomed overhead.
The whole thing made him uneasy but at least he could protect the crystal ponies from the growing darkness.

**************************************************************

Two days had passed before a very annoyed grey pegasus was finally discharged from the Crystal Empire hospital. Ace had to fill out paperwork and was followed by guards to a hotel. Prince Shining Armor had decided to give him escort and pay for temporary logging. This made him slightly worried that Shining Armor knew who he really was and was waiting for his moment to strike. After checking in to his room Ace decided to go to the library to learn the recent history about the Crystal Empire for his novel. Or that is what he told the guards that followed him.
The guards escorted their guest straight there. Along the way he took in the sights of the crystal ponies. Although a little annoyed at the sun for causing his night eyes some discomfort he stuck through it and looked on. Just because he was on a conquest didn't mean he wasn't allowed to take in the sights. As they passed several buildings Ace saw the castle towering over all.
The sight made him think of how much of a fight this place could put up when he came to take it. Most of Celestia's new recruits were trained and stationed here. Everything went through this monument of power. The barrier was another perk but it was the work of Shining Armor or Princess Cadence. When they took it Chrysalis or Sombra would have to maintain a new barrier. Without realizing it Ace's walk was over and he was at his destination.

"Sir, we have arrived." said a white earth pony in gold barding.

Ace looked over to see a large building in front of him before saying with a smile, "Thank you sirs. I will take my leave to do some research in the history of your lovely Empire."

The same guard retorted, "We are to follow you everywhere. Prince Shining Armor's orders."

With a sigh of frustration Ace replied, "Very well. Come along, but you are going to help me then."

They entered the large doors of the grand library. Books lined massive shelves for as far as the eye could see. There was an upper and lower floor. The upper floor held the books and the lower had tables so ponies could read and study. Ace walked over to the librarian who sat behind a desk reading a relatively new book.

"Excuse me ma'am? I'd Like to know where your books on King Sombra would be." Ace asked as he tapped a hoof on the desk to get her attention.

An aged mare looked up to him with a sweet smile and replied, "Is there anything in particular you are looking for?"

Thinking a moment he said, "I would like a book in his defeat. I am writing a novel and I wanted to use him as the main villain."

The librarian smile brightened, "Well that's very nice. So which defeat do you want a book on?"

Ace looked puzzled, "Which defeat? Wasn't he only beaten once?"

The librarian's smile slightly dropped and she began, "Oh heavens no. He returned about a year ago, but was killed by the bearers of the Elements of Harmony, Prince Shining Armor, and Princess Cadence. Now his first defeat was by..."

"I will take the book on the second defeat please." Ace interrupted quickly.

The librarian looked startled then passed the book she was reading, "This is the one. You can go to the lower floor and read it, but please bring it back up here when you are done."

Ace nodded and grabbed a bookmark from a tray that held many cheap cardboard bookmarks and placed it in, marking the page she was on. He then hurried to a table and began to read the fate of Sombra. Picking a seat near a large window he sat there for hours taking in all the book had to offer. He learned that Sombra had been turned to crystal and shattered. This meant the only way to get him back was to contact the eternal heard, something Cassius was not going to do. This unfortunate turn of events would be devastating, but it only meant Cassius had more power with every tipping of the scale. Ace looked out the large window to see the sun had fallen and his escort was asleep in chairs next to some books on the subject he had asked them to read, except one. It looked like a foals book that had the title Cupcakes with a cartoony version of Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash on it. Cassius disregarded it and looked back to the doors of the library. Since Sombra was now lost, Ace could leave and Cassius could strike. He grabbed the book and quietly returned it to the empty librarians desk and walked out. Cassius dispelled the shadows dropping his disguise then flew to the roof of the large library and gazed at the castle. From his point of view, he saw the faint glow of a spell being used on a balcony on the high tower of the castle. The one that held up the barrier was watching the city and Cassius intended to give them a show.

****************************************************

Shining armor looked down on the sleeping city with bags under his eyes. He was strengthening the barrier before he went to bed so it would last the night without him needing to be awake to keep it up. He looked to Cadence who was already fast asleep in their bed. He smiled at his lover and thought he was the luckiest unicorn in all of Equestria. Feeling confident Shining Armor removed his barding and placed it on a unicorn shaped manikin and slipped into his bed.
Soon after he drifted into the comfort of sleep. In the dream world he was having a lovely picnic in the gardens of Canterlot with Cadence and his sister Twilight. They were all having a good time, the sun was shining and birds were singing. Without warning his loving dream made a turn for the worst when changelings started to fall through the heavens and into the garden around them. He tried to speak, but found himself unable to get the air out to form words of any kind. The changelings were surrounding them now and Twilight created a shield big enough for all of them and Cadence's horn was glowing with an attack spell. Shining Armor joined them and charged an attack spell of his own. He waited for the changelings to make the first move but they just stood in place, keeping them pinned inside the shield. Shining Armor saw some of them move as a black misted figure approached. From its appearance Shining Armor could only guess this was Cassius.

With his toothy smile Cassius said, "Well isn't this nice. I came her to release Sombra from banishment. Then I learn he was already released and killed. You know, its hard to find good allies when the ones I used last time are either dead or have changed sides over the years.
So, I'm going to make you wish you were dead Prince Shining Armor, just like him."

Cassius walked over to the shield still smiling and tapped it with his hoof. The shadows slowly left it and engulfed the shield at a rapid pace until the protective bubble was as black as night itself. The half orb shook then shattered in an instant, as it did the changelings sprung into action. They tackled Shining armor and grabbed Cadence and Twilight separating all three of them. Cassius walked over to the two mares as they struggled to get free from their captors. He approached Twilight first and looked over to Shining armor.

A shadow blade formed a his hoof and he said with a chuckle, "You know its kinda funny. She gave me so much kindness and I killed her. I did it to try to even out the problem with the world.
I will regret doing it and even cry for her when I snap out of this and the balance of everything it equalized. But for now..."

Cassius hugged the dream Twilight and stabbed her through the stomach, twisting the dagger to cause as much pain as possible. From his view Shining Armor could see every little ounce of pain on his little sisters face and hear the screams. She passed out with a river of blood flowing from her opened wound on her stomach as the changelings that held her up let go. She fell to the ground with a thud and a pool of blood formed around her staining the grass below.

Suddenly Shining Armor found his voice and yelled, "You sick monster!"

Cassius stepped away from the body covered in crimson blood and walked over to Cadence then responded, "Yes, a very sick monster indeed. Now Shining Armor lets see how much she bleeds."

Cassius raised the hoof with the shadow blade into the air just above dream Cadence. Behind him a blast of magic sent changelings flying in all directions and Cassius felt something he hadn't in over 1000 years. His smile vanished and a look of true pain filled its place. He looked to his hoof and the shadow blade had been dispelled. His gaze fell to a bloody spike protruding from his abdomen. Without warning it glowed and a concussive blast erupted with blood and bits of flesh flying out of him. Cassius dropped to the ground with is multi colored eyes glazing over and a puddle of blood forming. The changelings fled and vanished from the dream upon seeing their leader fall. Cadence ran over to Shining Armor in tears to find him gladly embracing her as he looked to Twilight lay motionless next to Cassius on the ground.

"Are you alright Cadence? Did they hurt you?" He asked as he stared at the sight of his sister and her killer.

The pink Alicorn only sobbed and held him tighter. Shining Armor rubbed her back in an attempt comfort her.

"Touching, now let me be the first to say. That hurt like hell." Cassius said as he got up.

The startled unicorn froze as Cadence, Twilight, and everything around the two faded. Cassius turned to Shining Armor with his smile back on his face. The hole still remained and he could see through it. Cassius laughed as he placed a hoof through the large hole and out the other end. The psychotic pegasus was enjoying the new battle wound.

"Now Prince Shining Armor, if this was real that might have actually killed me. I give you an A for effort but a F for execution. Emphasis on execution, but my time playing with you is up because somepony is on her way to a nightmare and I can't have her track me. So I will be seeing you very soon." Cassius said with a gleam of hate in his eyes as his smile faded then vanished along with him leaving shining armor in the same darkness Cassius was in.

Shining Armor awoke in a cold sweat. He looked over and saw Cadence laying in the bed with a smile on her sweet face. He realized his enemy had slipped into his dream and made it a horrific nightmare. He was now determined to keep the barrier up at all times. Cassius was not going to win this fight using fear. Shining Armor was going to fight to his dying breath to protect everypony close to him.