Equestria's biggest, baddest, most stair-obsessed tyrant has returned, and he's got plans.

That is until destiny strikes, and our king runs into a bubbly young hippogriff with whom he's surprised he actually shares something in common.

The unlikely duo set off to discover only the best stairs in all the land, and may just learn a thing or two about themselves along the way.

Twilight seeks out Sombra's horn after his defeat to study it but quickly finds herself studying with him once she finds the horn. Despite Sombra safely residing inside his own horn, Twilight learns that he is slowly dying.

How will Twilight behave once she learned of Sombra's fate?

The original cover art was done by a friend of mine, Ablaze Emblemier.

The redone cover art was drawn and colored by, Elu.

Thank you both Ablaze and Elu.

This story is a submission to the Dear Love: A Beautiful Discord writing contest.

Twilight receives a unexpected visitor in her dreams. Meaning no harm, all he wishes is to tell his side of the story.

King Sombra is now the ruler of the Crystal Empire. His first order of business? Stairs.

In a feat of jealous rage, King Sombra kidnapped Princess Skyla from her crystal cradle, and took her to a faraway land. She was supposed to be his twisted legacy, his way to reclaim the Crystal Empire, a mere tool to exact his vengeance on the Crystal Princess. She was never meant to become his daughter.

"Hey, Grogar sir, don't you think we should try to get everyone to work together? Perhaps by playing a game or something?"

"Like what?"

"Golly, there has to be something you like to do! You could try to introduce the rest of us to it!"

And then Grogar remembered a game he used to play in his youth...

Join us as we watch Grogar's League of Villainous Evildoers attempt a tabletop RPG.

Keywii_Cookies55 is responsible for this because he created the cover image.

Twilight, my Faithful Student, my friend, if there is anypony that can create a world of Harmony, true Harmony, it is you.

More than a thousand years ago, my sister and I sought to create a perfect world, a world ruled by Harmony. A world free of evil. We were powerful and believed ourselves above the laws that governed this world. But this world is governed by the laws of Magic, and Magic, it seems, demands balance.

Where there is Light, there is Darkness.
Where there is Order, there is Chaos.
For there to be Love, there must be Hate.
For every Dream, there is a Nightmare.
Each begets the other.

And like boiling water over a fire, each can extinguish the other.

I should not have been surprised when the day came that the evil I had to fight was my own sister. It was the world restoring the balance we so foalishly ignored.

Perhaps, it is for this balance that I now stay my hoof. I have chosen to have you,Twilight Sparkle, act in my stead as the evils I thought vanquished, inevitably return to Equestria. It is in hopes that you may learn this balance, that you may learn from my mistakes. It is not something I alone can teach you, when I myself still understand so little. It is why I must now rely on the help of an old nemesis.

He intends to take you away, my protégé, and make you his own. You must not succumb to his influence. Yet if you are to learn the balance that is at the essences of all things, it will be through him. For the future of Equestria and for the sake of Friendship, you must prevail.

I hope that some day you can forgive me.

Quality control is an important cornerstone of any organization, and magical castles full of Pony Princesses are no exception. When Luna and Celestia read the suggestions given to them by their staff however, the result is most certainly not better efficiency and satisfaction.

EDIT: Featured 10/24/17! Thank you all!
EDIT: Featured at #1 10/24/17! Awesome, I'm glad you're all enjoying!

Princess Celestia is very concerned about Equestrians’ lack of visits to their primary care physician, and Twilight and her friends are happy to help out on a public health campaign by filming a documentary about their visit to the doctor.

Thing is, they might not be the best ponies for a health campaign...

EDIT: Heyyyy, Featured #2 9/18! Thanks a bunch!
EDIT: Number one same day- glad you all enjoyed!
EDIT: Late Nite 9/20- lmao how is this still at #1
EDIT: Finally off number 1 but it took to 9/21. Actually means a bunch that everyone liked this silly little story :D

The shifts on Princess Luna's night guard can be long and boring, but tonight Princess Luna invites you in to play a game.

EDIT: Non-mature feature box day of posting, 11/11/19!