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// Prologue 
// Story: Where There is Shadow 
// by firesoxs 
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	King Sombra felt his power within the citadel increase. He looked toward his former palace to see the inverted bowl of blue disintegrate. At first it began to flicker then holes appeared in its surface gradually widening as it appeared to burn away, ribbons of light forced their way though the openings and heat could be felt from within the barrier. The dark shadow rushed forward billowing clouds of black smoke and leaving jagged dagger like crystals in his wake. Soon there would be no more warmth, no happiness, and no hope.

The crystal ponies ran in all directions to escape the asphyxiating cloud. Some ran into their houses, other towards the castle in hopes that they would find protection, and still others ran into the wind and swirling snow, opting to brave the unforgiving elements rather than face the horrors that surly awaited them. King Sombra cornered a group of cowering ponies taunting them with memories of slavery and torment. He relished the despair and abject horror of his victims every scream making him more powerful. This was the advantage of the curse he had put the Empire under, his thousand year absence was just a blur to them, in their minds he might as well have been gone only days, making their terror all the more savory.

It was at this moment that a small voice shouted, “Hey up hear! I’ve got the crystal heart!” King Sombra stood stalk still, petrified as those words echoed through his mind. How could somepony get to the crystal heart? The only way to find the secret entrance to his tower was by using dark magic, something that most ponies would choose death over. He also had trap doors that unless first disabled would show the one who opened them visions of their greatest fear. Even if they had made it past all this he had one last line of defense that would leave whoever discovered the crystal heart trapped in his tower along with the horrid object. As he looked toward the source of the voice he realized with horror that it was indeed true, there near the top of the tower was a small purple dragon holding the one thing that could defeat him. “That is mine!” shouted King Sombra with a growl as he dove into the earth. Cracks formed along the ground as black crystals forced their way through it, soon giving way to massive crystal spires reaching skyward. The force of this event shook the very foundations of the castle knocking the would be hero from his perch along with his precious cargo.

“I should have destroyed that vile thing while I had the chance!” Sombra thought as he ascended. Using all the power he could muster Sombra took his physical form readying himself to catch the falling crystal along with its currier. King Sombra licked his lips with anticipation not only at the thought of finally being rid of the crystal heart, but also at his anticipation for the pain he would inflict on the ones who dared to defy him. He was so close now that he could see the terror in the young dragon’s eyes. Sombra grinned, a devils grin, as he stretched out his hoof to take hold of his prize. It was so close now mere inches from his grasp he had won, and then both the crystal heart and the dragon were gone! Gone! 


King Sombra looked to see the princess Cadence flying past with his quarry in her possession. How had she gotten there? Moments ago she could barley stand, how could she muster the strength to fly? As she soared over those gathered on the ground King Sombra could see the hope of his subjects rekindle. The coats of the crystal ponies retuned to their former glory, shining brighter than they had in millennia cutting through the gloom of his shadows. As the light grew Sombras power diminished shadows melted, black crystals became dust, and the cold was banished. Sombra powerless and no longer able to keep his form was torn asunder and scattered in every direction. Only his horn remained, flung into the cold and unforgiving tundra.