//------------------------------//
// Chapter 24: Brutal Honesty 
// Story: A Somber Tale: FIENDship is Magic 
// by Maltrazz 
//------------------------------//

"That's a darn good question, now ain't it?" Applejack asked as she caught up with Twilight and Sombra.

"A-Applejack! How l-long have you been there?" Twilight asked nervously, her mind racing for an excuse.

"Long enough, I imagine," Sombra said grimly.

"You're darn right," Applejack agreed. "Ah thought you might've been lying to us, King Sombra, but Ah didn't think Twilight was in on it." Rounding on her friend she said. "What were ya thinking, Twilight? What if he'd tried to enslave Ponyville like he did the Crystal Empire?"

"It was only his horn that I brought back! Discord was the one to give him a body again," Twilight said defensively. "Besides, if he was going to do something evil, he's had plenty of time."

"Something evil like corrupting Princess Celestia's student with Dark Magic? And who gave him that time?" Applejack asked pointedly, staring into Twilight's green-glowing eyes. "Besides, how do ya think Princess Celestia's going to react when she finds out the truth about him?" The earth pony mare punctuated her point by jabbing a hoof in Sombra's direction. "And even if she forgives ya, what about Princess Luna? How will your brother and Princess Cadance feel when they find out ya hid the return of the worst villain in the history of the Crystal Empire from them?"

Twilight wilted under her friend's verbal barrage, as she was forced to acknowledge all the thoughts she had been trying to avoid until she had adequate solutions for them. Before she could come up with a reply, Sombra spoke up. "Pardon the interruption, but this is a conversation that can take place later, as our current mission is of a much more urgent nature. Or is my return - or rather the discovery of my return - a more pressing issue than the imminent collapse of two dimensions? A collapse that I have every interest in preventing, as it threatens me as much as anypony else."

Applejack frowned but nodded to concede his point.

"I promise to explain everything and give you girls nothing but the truth this time, just as soon as Sombra and I defeat Celestia and Luna," Twilight assured her friend. After a moments pause she added, "...Wow, that was definitely something I never thought I'd say."

"I do not believe that you are helping our case, Twilight," Sombra said, although he was unable to suppress a grin as he spoke.

Blushing in embarrassment, his student just glared back at him.

“Well, then, we’d better get going, shouldn’t we?” Applejack pointed out.

“Right,” Twilight said, turning to continue towards Ponyville, only to whirl back around just as fast. “Wait, what do you mean ‘we’? You need to go back with the others where it’s safe!”

“If ya think Ah’m letting ya two out of my sight before Ah get some answers, then you’ve got another thing coming!” Applejack replied stubbornly.

Suddenly, Sombra stepped between the two, looking down at the earth pony. “Tell me something, Miss Applejack. Do you think yourself capable of standing against the might of a Dark Magic wielding alicorn?”

“W-What do ya mean?” She asked in turn.

“I mean that we are going to face TWO such beings,” Sombra explained. “I understand you are a pony who appreciates honesty before tact, so let me be blunt. While my power is not what it once was, I have been studying Dark Magic and its combat applications for over a thousand years. Twilight, while still having much to learn, has proven to be a natural with Dark Magic and has the raw power to rival that of an alicorn. It is quite likely that we will be able to at least deal with one if not both of the Two Sisters of this world but not if we are distracted keeping you safe. And if they should use you as a hostage? Do you really think Twilight would be able to put her own safety or even the fate of two worlds before the wellbeing of one of her best friends?”

At that, Applejack glanced toward Twilight and saw her friend give her a sheepish smile in agreement with the stallion’s words. “The whole reason I learned Dark Magic was so that I could keep you girls safe,” Twilight said. “After what happened with Discord – the first time, I mean – and Chrysalis both times, I wanted to keep you girls out of harm’s way.”

In that moment, Applejack was able to see past the glowing eyes and deceptions to see the well-meaning but awkward and oft overly controlling unicorn she had come to call a friend. “Despite all this, ya really haven’t changed, have ya Twi?” Applejack asked rhetorically with a shake of her head. Turning to Sombra, she went on, “Look, ya said yourself that even with both of ya, ya might only be able to take down one of them, right? So, wouldn’t it be best to have somepony to go get help if things go wrong?”

“Even in the worst case scenario, it is unlikely that both of us would fall. If necessary, I should be able to stall the Two Sisters long enough for Twilight to escape. Still…” Sombra paused and glanced towards his student, “I suppose even the best laid plans can go awry in the most unexpected of ways.” To Twilight, he said, “Judging by how they ignored the two of us earlier, it would seem that the Two Sisters of this world have not learned to Sense Magic, despite their power. Even if they have, earth ponies are difficult to sense without concentrating due to their low levels of magical energy, as you learned just a few moments ago. As long as she stayed out of sight, having an extra pair of eyes and ears might not be a bad idea.”

“But… Fine,” Twilight conceded. “Just promise that you won’t get involved in the fighting, no matter what happens, okay, Applejack?”

“Alright,” Applejack agreed. “Now, let’s go see if all these secrets you’ve been keeping has been worth it.”





As they skirted Ponyville on their way towards the Everfree Forest and the Castle of the Two Sisters, Sombra hid himself under the hood of his cloak, lest one of the residents recognize him and decide to warn one of the alicorns.

Just as they were about to head away from the village, a familiar voice called out, “Applejack, there you are!”

Turning in surprise, the young mare in question saw none other than her brother and grandmother approaching, the latter having been the one to call out. However, they looked different than she remembered, Granny Smith bedecked with jewelry and Big Mac wearing a top hat and sporting a goatee.

As the pair drew closer, Granny Smith went on, “Applejack, dear, whatever happened to your bandanna? It made you look like a regular bandit, quite intimidating. Ah, good evening to you as well, Miss Sparkle.” Glancing towards the cloaked figure she added. “And who is this?”

“Uh, just a friend of mine,” Twilight said quickly. “Applejack was just helping, uh, escort us. It has gotten rather dangerous around of late.”

“Indeed, indeed. Well, you know I don’t mind you taking outside jobs, Applejack, just make sure the Family gets a cut,” the elderly mare replied. “Which reminds me, the Cakes are late on their protection money. Be a dear and stop by their shop tomorrow. A few ruined batches of sweets ought to remind them which family runs this town.”

“Wha-” Applejack started to protest before Twilight jabbed her in the side.

“They’re evil in this world, remember?” Twilight whispered to her friend.

Eyes widening in understanding, Applejack grimaced and said “Uh, right, sure. Whatever ya say, Granny.”

“Glad to hear it. You young ones have a good night now!” That said, the pair began to walk back toward the village.

“Okay, the sooner we can go home, the better,” Applejack said.

“Just be glad you did not run into yourself,” Sombra replied.

“Come on, let’s get moving before anypony else recognizes us,” Twilight added, the group moving off once more.

As they entered the Everfree Forest, rather than the dark and twisted trees of their own world, they were greeted by a pleasant wood, lit by the pleasant glow of fireflies and serenaded by the music of birds and insects. Rather than the overgrown and hazardous path they had followed before, the trip to the castle passed smoothly down a well-kept cobblestone road.

The castle itself was equally well maintained, although no less dark and threatening than the one they remembered. The only lights within the flickering of a candle in an upper window. Even as their eyes were drawn to it, a cloud of red shadow passed over the accompanying balcony, accompanied by Celestia’s voice.

“Stay to the shadows!”

“I know!” Came Luna’s voice from the red cloud as it headed in the same direction the trio had just come from. “You’re probably a pestering big sister in both worlds. Yeesh.”

“Fascinating,” Sombra said. “It would seem that they have discovered a way to use Shadowform without it effecting their speech. It’s almost a shame that we have to defeat them. Just think about all that could be learned about Dark Magic by comparing the differences in its application between the two worlds?”

“Not now, Sombra, she’s headed towards our friends!” Twilight protested.

“Relax, my dear student,” the former tyrant replied. “If nothing else, my counterpart in this world has proven himself adept at protecting those near him. Your friends should be fine. In fact, this is quite fortuitous, as it give us the opportunity to deal with the Two Sisters separately, significantly increasing our odds of success.”

“I… I suppose you’re right,” Twilight reluctantly agreed.

“Indeed,” Sombra said with a grin which only widened as they approached the castle gates. “It has been far too long since I last had the opportunity to cut loose.”

Two guards stood outside the gates. As the trio approached, one called out, “Halt! Who goes-?”

Only to be cut off abruptly as Sombra and Twilight Crystallized the pair of them nearly in unison. A second blast of magic from Sombra crystallized the gate itself and a third shattered it a moment later.

Twilight and Sombra swept through the gateway, the guards in the courtyard swiftly meeting the same fate as the pair before. Applejack trailed after them, frowning at the Crystallized ponies, but saying nothing for the moment.

As the last of the guards was dealt with, the sound of wings was heard above as Celestia’s voice rang out, “What is the meaning of this!?”

As the alicorn landed, Sombra threw back his hood and greeted her, “Hello, Celestia. You have no idea how long I have been looking forward to this.”

Glancing back, Twilight saw Applejack ducking back outside the gate, staying true to her word. Fortunately, Celestia had not noticed, being distracted by the stallion before her.

“Sombra!?” The alicorn said in surprise. “No, your mane is different… And you,” she glanced at Twilight, “I’ve seen you around Ponyville but your eyes were different…” Suddenly, she smiled. “I see now. My other self sent some help from her world, didn’t she?” Eyes on Sombra once more, she said, “My, my, and here I thought our dear king couldn’t look any better but you wear Dark Magic well.”

“Oh, and what do you mean by that?” Sombra asked as he began to circle around her to put him and Twilight on opposite sides.

Completely ignoring the unicorn mare, Celestia began to saunter towards Sombra. “Why, exactly what I say. I have nearly everything a queen could wish for. Everything except a handsome and powerful king.”

“Is that so,” Sombra replied as he waited for a suitable opening. “I cannot say that I am in the habit of sharing rulership. Especially not between three.”

“Are you referring to my sister? Consider her dealt with,” Celestia said, her smile twisting into a smirk. “She amused me for a time but has long since outlived her usefulness.” Raising a hoof to stroke Sombra cheek, she added, “I’m more than willing to trade up, as it were.”

Pretending to close his eye in thought, Sombra left them cracked and glanced towards Twilight to see if she was ready to strike. However, he hesitated at an unexpected sight. The green glow that had suffused her eyes ever since the incident with Chrysalis had been replaced by an unusual teal glow.





When Sombra began to circle around the alicorn, Twilight immediately caught on to what he was doing and positioned herself behind her. Flanking was one of the most basic of tactics but one that was usually effective against outnumbered foes.

However, a frown spread across her features as she listened to Celestia’s words.

She makes a convincing argument, especially when he’s on the verge of being exposed.

‘He wouldn’t betray me. Not after everything that’s happened,’ Twilight thought. ‘…Right?’

Not if we stop her. We were the one to find him. The one to free him. He is our teacher, not anypony else’s. He’s ours! Are you just going to stand there and let her steal him away from us?

As Celestia stroked Sombra’s cheek, Twilight felt an unbridled fury flood her mind. She flung herself forward as her frown twisted into a snarl. “Get your filthy hooves off him!”

Twisting around, Celestia fired off a beam of magic, obviously having been expecting the attack… only for her eyes to widen in shock as Twilight shifted into Shadowform and simply parted around the attack. Lashing out, tendrils of purple shadow wrapped around the alicorn’s legs and wings, preventing her escape. An uncharacteristically cruel smirk twisted Twilight’s smoky features as another tendril of shadow wrapped around Celestia’s horn… and pulled.

A rush likely nothing else Twilight had ever experienced flooded her mind as the alicorn’s magic flooded her body.

Celestia let out a cry of pain and shock as she felt her magic being forcibly stripped from her.

After what might have been hours or merely moments, Twilight could not tell, Celestia fell limply to the ground as Twilight shifted back to her natural form. Glancing at the insensate alicorn, she saw Celestia’s eyes staring blankly in shock, only the slight rise and fall of her chest showing that she was still alive.

Twilight suddenly felt lightheaded as the rush of magic faded and her eyes flickered back to the green glow that had become normal for her. “What… Did I just…” A moment later she cried out as pain flooded her body.

“Twilight!” Sombra shouted as he rushed to her side. “Are you alright?”

“My magic… It feels like it’s trying to burst out of me…” As if to punctuate her words, her shadow began to writhe and her mane and tail flowed as if in a nonexistent breeze for a moment.

“Tartarus, I had not considered this,” Sombra muttered. Taking a moment to bind the fallen alicorn with crystal chains, he called out, “Applejack! We need to get Twilight back to the portal immediately!” As the earth pony rushed over, he turned back to Twilight and asked, “Can you hold on long enough for us to get you back?”

“I… I think so…” Twilight said, through grit teeth… teeth that seemed a bit more pointed than they had been before.

“You just absorbed an alicorn’s worth of magic,” Sombra explained. “Your body is not used to containing that much power. Were you an alicorn yourself, it might be easier for you to adapt but as a unicorn, we need to release it safely or you might vaporize everything in a hundred paces.” Seeing her look of worry, he smiled gently and went on, “Do not worry, I have a plan, but we need to get you back to the portal in order for it to work.”

“Sister, I have news- SISTER!”

Sombra tensed as he looked up to see Luna diving towards them. However, it was Celestia who stopped her.

“Beware, Luna!” The defeated alicorn called out as she struggled back to her hooves. “These ponies wield Dark Magic beyond anything we have seen, you stand no chance on your own. Fly north, seek out Cadance! She owes us her empire and her army will help you avenge me.”

“Sister…” Luna visibly ground her teeth as she glared at the ponies responsible for her sister’s defeat. Seeing Sombra glare right back, she turned to leave, calling out as she did, “You will pay for this! I swear you shall pay for this humiliation! Be strong, Sister, for I swear I shall return!”

“You… you have to stop her…” Twilight muttered weakly.

“No, you are my priority, Twilight,” Sombra replied. “We can deal with her once you have recovered.” Turning to Applejack, he said, “We need to hurry back to Canterlot. The Sombra of this world can send guards to collect Celestia later.”





Meanwhile, in the nearby town of Ponyville, a familiar group of ponies was playing cards.

"Go fish." Rarity said in a bored tone, looking at her cards as she brushed a lock of her bedraggled hair from her eyes.

"Anypony else have a bad feeling about something?" Rainbow Dash asked as she cowered in her bed, listening to the sounds of battle from outside.

"I do." Pinkamena Pie replied sadly. "I'm glad we decided to stay inside. It looks nuts out there!" Outside the window, flashes of light had filled the sky and the sounds of combat had been heard coming from the Castle of the Two Sisters. "I hope nopony was expecting to see us pop up in some convoluted storyline today."

Twilight rolled her eyes as she adjusted her glasses. Setting down her cards, Twilight moved to the door, saying, "You girls keep on playing, I'm going to try and figure out what is going on out there."

"Better you than me," Fluttershy said snidely.

Twilight had just reached the door when a wave of pain and magic seemed to burst from somewhere deep inside her, her mind flood by a laughing voice that sounded eerily like her own…