//------------------------------// // Dark Discoveries in Lands of White. // Story: Echoes of Sombra // by Random_User //------------------------------// Chapter 1: Dark Discoveries in Lands of White Celestia read over the letter one more time. Dark artifacts were always a concern but to have one found near the Crystal Empire, so soon after its return, was troubling. Luna walked into Celestia’s private chambers and frowned at the worried expression of her sister. “Celestia, what is bothering you so?” Celestia turned to Luna and levitated the letter to her. “It appears the Crystal Empire may face another threat. This time the danger stems from a dark magic artifact that Shining and Cadence cannot destroy.” Celestia looked out a window, deep in thought. “Whatever the thing is, it gives off a malignant aura and no pony has dared to touch it.” Luna’s read over the letter and then shook her head. “Those poor ponies have suffered enough.” Celestia nodded in agreement. “I sent for you so I can prepare you for a few things before my departure.” Celestia noticed the despondent look that had come over Luna and stopped in mid thought. “Did I say something to upset you?” Luna looked up at Celestia, her dark eyes filled with an inner fire. “I had to stand aside for Twilight Sparkle the last time that the Crystal Empire was in peril. I do not wish to do so again.” Luna’s wings unfurled as her emotions mounted. “I could not help our ponies since my return and I feel I am not fulfilling my duty to our ponies. Let me go in your stead. Allow me this opportunity to do more than chase away nightmares.” Celestia gave Luna a fragile smile. “I can understand your feelings. but I cannot say I like the thought of you heading into danger. You have just returned to us. I do not want to risk losing you again.” Luna’s expression softened at Celestia’s words. “You will not lose me. I will be cautious dealing with this threat. If something reveals itself to be more than I can handle I will send for you.” Luna hugged Celestia around her neck. “I need this sister. Let me aid our kingdom this time.” Celestia returned the hug, and nodded. “Since it means that much to you, you can go. I would feel more comfortable if you took two of the guard with you.” Luna's voice revealed her slight annoyance, as she replied, “I would travel faster alone.” Celestia pulled from Luna’s embrace. “I know, but do this for me. The threat is not too imminent, so I would rather take a little more time and take every precaution.” “May I choose who the guards shall be?” Celestia nodded. “Choose from either my guard or yours.” Luna smiled, her eagerness plain to see. “Thank you. We will be cautious and we will not fail.” ***** Bracing Voice looked over at his lunar guard counterpart and wondered where the stallion’s mind had wandered to. The pegasus had not said a dozen words since they had gotten on the train and he did not seem to be eager to. There was not an unfriendly air about him, he seem lost in thought. Voice walked over to the pegasus and extended a hoof. “Excuse me. I haven’t introduced myself, I’m Bracing Voice.” The pegasus turned his head, smiled, and shook Voice’s hoof. “Sorry about that, I’m Deft Quill. I didn’t mean to ignore you, but I have a lot on my mind. Considering what we're heading towards, getting lost in thought may not be the best thing for me to do.” Voice grinned back. “I’ve been there. What's on your mind?” Quill's face shown with pride. “My wife, Morning Mist, and I are expecting. We're having twins." “Congratulations! Are they your first?” Quill nodded. “They were a surprise. We had planned to wait until I was out of the guard. I wouldn’t change a thing though.” Luna opened the door to the car and joined them. “The conductor believes we are still hours out from the Crystal Empire.” She gave them a smirk. “You do not have to be in your armor. I doubt we will be attacked while aboard the train. You may take it off.” Quill and Voice shook their heads. Quill explained: “Your highness, we are on duty till this danger has passed. It is part of our oaths to remain prepared for any threat and that requires that we remain in our armor.” Voice nodded in agreement. Luna sighed, but smiled. “It is assuring to know I have chosen two ponies that take their duties to heart.” Voice bowed to Luna. “Princess, I do not mean to appear to second guess you, but why did you choose us? Neither of us are warriors.” Luna put a hoof on Voice’s shoulder. “Do not judge yourself by your martial prowess. This situation calls for traits beyond combat skills.” She gestured to Quill, with her other hoof. “Quill and I have known each other for a while, and his endurance flying is unmatched.” Quill puffed himself up a little at her complement. “If we get into a difficult situation and I cannot send a message to Celestia, Quill could make the flight back to Canterlot. Celestia recommended you accomoany us.” Voice’s eyes widened. “ Celestia recommended me? Why? I can't have done nothing that would have gotten her attention.” “Truth be told, she did not take notice of you at first.” Voice's expression fell. "Oh." Luna gave Voice an encouraging smile. “Shining Armor, however, did notice you. His notes on your ability to boost the morale of your fellow guards caught Celestia’s attention. She has kept a watch on your career and told me of your talent.” Luna met Voice's eyes, as she continued, “If luck is with us, this matter could will be resolved in hours. If not, the process could take weeks. Having a pony who can keep ponies' spirits up during a difficult, uncertain time is vital.” Voice’s confidence returned. “Thank you, your highness.” ***** The train pulled into the Empire station. Luna, Quill, and Voice stepped off and took a moment to stretch their travel weary limbs. Quill extended his wings to their fullest. “That was something, how the snow gave way to this warmth. It was easy to tell we were getting close.” Luna tensed and looked around. “Something is wrong. Cadence and Shining Armor were to meet us here.” A voice called from down the station, “Your highness!” The three turned to see an older crystal pony running down the walkway. The aged stallion slid to a stop, and bowed to Luna. “Your highness, there has be a degradation in the condition of the artifact. It is extending its powers towards ponies. To what end, we don't know.” Luna’s expression darkened. “You may rise. Is the artifact contained?” The pony nodded, causing shimmering patterns of light to pass through his orange body. “Princess Cadence and Shining Armor have the thing well contained behind a barrier. They do not seem to pressed as they were when they kept Sombra out of the Empire.” Luna turned towards the palace. “We will not dawdle on our way there. Forgive me, I have not even asked your name.” “My name is Structured Thought, your highness. I am the head archivist for the Crystal Empire. Have been for some time, if you take into account our time of our absence.” Luna gave him an unreadable look. “You should.” Thought paled. “Forgive me, your highness." He bowed low to her. "My joke was in poor taste.” Luna waved his words off with a hoof. “I assure you, I did not take offense. My own ‘absence’ was not as horrible as some have made it out to be. I am not sensitive about the subject. I would be more than happy to discuss it with you after we deal with this threat.” Thought nodded. “I would very much like to, but first things first. Your highness, and good guards, please follow me.” The group garnered a good deal of attention as they made their way down the street. Seeing either lunar guards or royal guards in the Empire was rare. To see one of each accompanying Princess Luna was extraordinaire. For the pegasus and unicorn of the group the trip through the streets of the city was far too short. The crystalline architecture, the smell of new foods, and the crystal ponies walking the street fascinated them. Voice smiled as he looked at the numerous vendors' stalls and store fronts. “I could spend a week here just wandering the city.” Quill pointed a hoof towards the sky. “I've heard if you fly above the city you can tell that it's laid out in a geometric design. Once you know what the pattern is it's supposed to make it impossible to get lost.” Thought grinned at them. “I would love to show you two the city. It is an amazing place to live. I've heard Canterlot caught up with us in splendor. It's a running joke around here that it took Canterlot a thousand years to do it.” Luna had a look of nostalgia. “The city is as I remembered it. The Empire has always been a place of beauty. It saddened me that, over time, the memory of the Empire so that ponies no longer dreamed of it. It was always pleasant to see the city during my stay on the moon.” Quill's ears perked up in concern at Luna's words. “You were conscious, all that time you were on the moon? I didn't realize that. That must have been horrible.” Luna gave a rich laugh. “No, Quill, it was not horrible. It was much like being in a deep, calming meditation, where time had little meaning. I could still reach out to ponies dreams. While I did not have the power to help ponies during their sleep, I watched and learned that ponies loved my nights. Those visions helped me overcome the powers that had ensnared me.” Voice let out a relieved sigh, loud enough to get Luna to turn her head in his direction. He blushed. “Sorry, your highness, but the thought of being trapped, with no sensory input, scares me. I can't even think of facing that for a thousand years.” “My sister would never have done such a thing.” The palace loomed over them, as they made their way towards it. As they entered Thought trotted ahead a few steps. He then turned back to them and, with no small amount of pride, bowed and said, “Welcome to the place of the Crystal Empire, home to princess Cadence and prince Shining Armor.” Voice gave a short laugh. “I will never get used to hearing 'prince' attached to Shining Armor. I can't see the same pony that taught me combat spells and drilled me as a prince. I think he would miss all the yelling.” “There are days, when I miss it. Keeping a kingdom in order is a lot tougher than training recruits,” Shining's voice replied. Shining Armor stepped into the entry hall from a side entrance. His horn glowed as he maintained the shielding spell around the artifact. Quill bowed. Voice saluted, then halfway completed a bow, and then again saluted. “Captain, I'm not sure how to greet you. The old habits are still there.” Shining laughed and shook Voice's hoof. “Either way is fine. I was glad to learn you were the one that was coming, from the royal guard.” Luna made a curt noise. “While this is all very pleasant, we should focus on the task at hoof. I would hate to see you and Cadence suffer having to maintain a barrier any longer than you have to.” Shining grunted at himself. “That is my fault. I ordered the thing brought here. When it got into the palace, it reacted to the Crystal Heart and seemed to wake up.” Luna's eyes narrowed. “It seemed to react to the Heart? Tell me what happened.” Shining looked towards the throne room, where the Heart was displayed. “It seemed to want to reach out toward the Heart. When Cadence and I shielded the heart, the artifact reached out towards us. We threw a barrier around the thing and stopped it before it hurt anypony. It hasn't given us any trouble after that.” “Any magical artifact that exhibits intelligence should be treated with great care. Has anypony an idea of what the thing could be?” Luna turned her head towards Thought, when she noticed that he tensed at the question. Thought cleared his throat. “If I may be as so bold, I may have the answer. In fact, the reason I was late in greeting you is that I was working out what the artifact is. I believe it's Sombra's horn.” Shining shook his head in stern denial. “That's impossible. Sombra was destroyed by the Crystal Heart. I saw it with my own eyes.” A kind voice came from the same entrance that Shining had used. “Shining, we only saw Sombra's body destroyed. There were several  accounts that there was something thrown a good distance by the wave of power that ended Sombra. I think we know what that thing was now. It's a wonder we didn't recognize it sooner.” Quill and Voice bowed, as Cadence entered the hall. She smiled at the two of them. “Please rise, and thank you both for coming.” She turned to Luna and gave her a hug. “Thank you too, Luna, for coming to help us.” Luna returned the hug. “I think you have the situation under control. I am sure you would have neutralized the threat, even without my help.” Shining smiled. “I'm glad we didn't have to test that theory.” His expression darkened. “I hate to think any part of that despicable creature is still around.” Thought wilted a little. “I hate that King Sombra's legacy has become so tainted. He was a good king, a fine stallion, and a friend of mine, until he reached for too much power.” Luna's face showed a touch of tenderness. “He was a good friend. It was very difficult for Celestia and me to battle with him. I know, all too well, what happens when dark powers gain control over a pony.” Cadence motioned for the group to follow her. “This way, I’m sure you would like to see the horn itself.” She led them down into the lower parts of the castle and into a storage room. The group stayed a respectable distance from the barrier, and examined the horn where it rested on a small table. The horn's crimson red was in stark contrast with the white cloth it lay on. The horn's distinctive curve marked it as differing from any other unicorn horn in Equestria. Shining nodded to an internal voice. “I can't deny it now, having looked at it again. It is Sombra's horn.” Luna strode around the barrier. Her horn lit with power as she examined the remnant of Sombra. “There is something there that has intelligence. It's seeking to get out and gain power. That must be why it reached for the Crystal heart. The Heart is the largest source of pure power for quite a distance.” Luna stopped as she completed her circle around the barrier. “This could be very tricky. I plan to step into the barrier. If anything untoward occurs, get a message to Celestia. Quill, I'm counting on you for that.” Quill snapped to attention. “I will not fail you, your highness.” Luna nodded to him and then stepped into the barrier. The artifact lashed a tendril of dark power towards her. She deflected it with ease. She put her own barrier around herself. “I would have thought it would have been stronger than that. That concerns me; its appearing to lack power could be a ruse.” Voice watched in awe as Luna cast a series of spells. She probed the crystal's structure, and its composition, while maintaining her own protection. “That is amazing. Casting one spell is hard enough, but to do what she is doing is astounding.” Cadence shushed him. “I'm sure she appreciates the praise, but don't distract her.” Luna did not look their way, as she said, “There is no need for concern. I am not doing anything vigorous. That is about to change, and the battle shall begin. Prepare yourselves. If anything goes wrong, you know what to do.” Luna slid her hooves into a wider stance, braced herself, and dropped her protective spell. The artifact did not hesitate, and lashed at her again. The tendril struck her, and gripped, but seemed to have no effect. Luna's eyes glowed with power as the struggle continued. “Oh yes, I know this taint all too well.” The artifact seemed to realize its predicament as Luna overwhelmed it. It lashed out another tendril, and attacked the barrier that Shining and Cadence were maintaining. Luna's eyes widened. “Run! It's redirecting my magic!” Her warning came too late. With a hissing crack of power the barrier fell. Dark tendrils lashed out, and ponies fell. Cadence bore a lash of dark magic, but her magic was enough to hold back the corrupting touch. Shining's training kicked in, and he avoided the attack. He established his own defenses, and then coordinated his power with Cadence. The pair soon reestablished the barrier around the artifact. Luna raged. Fending off the artifact's attacks, she backed out of the reformed circle of protection. She ran to the fallen forms of the three ponies. “No! No! This is not happening!” She knelt down, and pulled Quill to her. Tears of relief wet her cheeks as she discovered that he was still alive. She checked the others. Her voice trembled when she told Cadance and Shining, “They are still with us.” Shining looked stunned . “What happened?” Luna looked towards the horn, seething with anger. “It made a superb play. When it realized that I was about to destroy it, it redirected enough of my powers to breach the barrier, and pull more power to itself in the form of these three ponies. It would have taken you two, had you two not resisted it as you did. Whatever is in that horn, it is more intelligent than I thought.” Shining nodded with grim determination. “Then let's end this. We'll destroy the thing, and grind whatever pieces left over into powder.” Cadence shook her head. “We cannot. These ponies' minds are now in the crystal.” Shining's attention snapped to her. “Are you all right? I thought I saw you get touched, but I didn't know it had tried to do something like that.” He pulled his wife to him and rocked her. Luna commanded, “Both of you, hold still.” She used her magic to search them both. “You're both free of taint. You should be fine.” She laid Quill back on the stone floor and then arranged Voice and Thought into more comfortable positions. After standing, Luna closed her eyes and took a deep breath. “Send a message to Celestia. Tell her what has happened. Have cots brought down and keep these ponies as comfortable as you can. Do not move them from this room. Maintain the barrier and let no pony near it.” Opening her eyes, Luna strode towards the barrier. Shining saluted. “Yes, your highness.” Cadence asked, “What are you going to do?” Luna looked back at her. “I shall get our ponies back. Even if I must be send to the moon again afterwards, or it kills me, I swear I will get them back.” Luna stepped into the barrier, allowed a dark tendril to latch onto her, and collapsed to the floor.