'...You're going to have to explain that when we have more time,' Twilight said telepathically. 'Anyway, I just wanted to let you know I had arrived. We know Chrysalis has some sort of trap in place, so I'll need to stay focused on things here until I'm done. I'll make sure to contact you as soon as she's dealt with.'
'Very wise,' came Sombra's response. 'I shall ensure the situation here is under control by the time you return. Although, I must admit that I never expected to enjoy myself this much while helping others.'
Twilight let a smile spread across her face as she returned to the task ahead of her. Looming above her and her friends was the twisted castle where Queen Chrysalis awaited them with her hostages and changeling army. Twilight looked at her friends and her smile grew. Chrysalis had used tricks and monsters to harass them every step of the journey but to no avail. Twilight's Dark Magic had let her detect the Changelings and see through their tricks, as well as making short work of the beasts they crossed paths with. As a result, she and her friends were all unharmed and in high spirits, ready to face the Changeling Queen and rescue the three captured fillies.
"We have to hurry," Twilight said to the group. "The Secretariat Comet will be passing overhead soon."
"And that's when the magical surge happens?" Applejack clarified.
"Yes, although, technically, it's already started," Twilight explained. "The Secretariat Comet radiates magical energy that empowers the creatures of Equestria as it passes overhead. However, when it passes through the Horse Head Nebula over Equestria it will be the biggest astrological conjunction in millennia and the magical surge will reach it's peak when that happens. Fortunately, the surge should taper off rather quickly after that, according to Som- er, something I read."
"I-I don't suppose we can just wait until after the Changelings' power surge wears off?" Fluttershy asked.
"This is Chrysalis we're talkin' about," Applejack said firmly. "She left Twilight and Princess Cadance ta starve underneath Canterlot. There's no tellin' what she'll do ta my sister and her friends if we don't make her deadline."
As they approached the entrance to the castle, Fluttershy whispered, "The whole place looks abandoned... Maybe they all left?"
"I called this back in Ponyville," Rainbow Dash replied. "A trap!"
"Doesn't she have a whole army?" Applejack asked rhetorically. "Ah know Twilight captured some of them in Ponyville, but where the hay is everypony else?"
"They have to be inside the castle," Rarity insisted. "There's no way she would bring us here and be gone!"
"Oh! Oh!" Pinkie Pie piped up, "I bet they're all waiting for us right behind the front door! Thousands of Changelings, ready and waiting, poised to strike!"
"Gee, I wonder why that makes me want to open the door less," Rarity said, shooting an annoyed look at her hyperactive friend.
"Th-Thousands?" Fluttershy repeated in a terrified whisper.
Before any more could be said, the front door of the castle began to creak slowly open. Exchanging nervous glances, the six mares crept inside, only to freeze at what they saw.
Stairs. Not just going up and down, but stairs going sideways and backwards and upside-down, as well, each leading to a different doorway. It was like some sort of optical illusion brought to life, stairways and doors existing at impossible angles.
"Wow, under attack by stairs," Rainbow Dash said, wide-eyed. "I can feel my head hurting already."
The others' attention was drawn when Twilight let out a pained groan. Rubbing her horn with one hoof, she said, "There's so much Dark Magic in this place, it's like the air's filled with it. We need to be extra careful from here on out."
As if to confirm her words, Chrysalis' voice suddenly echoed throughout the castle, "Open the doors, little ponies. Behind one you will find me! However, the others all have a vast array of surprises for you!"
"Stick together girls," Twilight said. "It'll take longer, but with all the Dark Magic in this place, I won't be able to tell if somepony get's replaced by a Changeling."
One by one, they worked their way through the doors, opening them, only to slam each in the face of one of a myriad of horrifying creatures. Finally, Twilight opened one, only to find a barrier of Dark Magic.
A voice started to emanate from the barrier, but by that point, Twilight was far to irritated by the delay to listen. Thrusting her horn into the barrier, Twilight closed her eyes in concentration and simply pulled, drawing the magic out of it and into herself. Opening her eyes, now glowing with Dark Magic, Twilight gazed into the room beyond.
In the middle of the room was Queen Chrysalis, standing over the three kidnapped fillies who were enveloped in a Changeling cocoon. Behind her stood the rest of the Changelings. While Pinkie Pie's estimate may have been an exaggeration, the army was still dozens, if not hundreds, strong, far outnumbering the group of ponies.
"Apple Bloom!" Applejack called out upon spotting her trapped sister. Glaring at Chrysalis, she demanded, "Let her out of there now, Queeny!"
"Sweetie Belle! We're coming for you!" Rarity called out as well.
While the two fillies grinned at the sight of their sisters, Scootaloo looked down and mumbled, "It must be nice to have a big sister..."
Knowing things would not get resolved so peacefully, Twilight still gave the Changeling Queen one last chance. "Okay Chrysalis, we're here. We made it before your deadline. Now, hoof them over... or else."
"Or else what?" Chrysalis sneered. "You'll do to me what you did to my children in Ponyville? After that, you're lucky these three are still unharmed. I had half a mind to simply leave you their drained husks as punishment. As it is, I have been thinking of how I should punish you, and after watching you for the last three days, I think I have just the thing." Chrysalis' horn began glowing as she suddenly aimed it right at the imprisoned fillies. "Surrender yourself, Twilight, or I will seal this cocoon so that nothing can get in or out... even air."
"Ya wouldn't dare!" Applejack shouted, tensing up along with the rest of her friends.
For Twilight, however, the ultimatum was the final straw. Firing a blast of Dark Magic at the Changeling Queen, it was only when Chrysalis grinned and immediately counterattacked that Twilight realised she had been goaded. Nor did she understand what was wrong until their attacks collided and Chrysalis' magic tore through hers. Eyes widening in shock, something Sombra had said popped into her mind.
"You've seen the raw power that Dark Magic can bring to bear, but brute force was never its intended purpose. Light Magic will always be able to overpower Dark Magic in a fair fight."
Chrysalis' attack struck Twilight directly, sending her crashing back into the wall. As her minions swarmed Twilight's friends, Chrysalis stalked towards the fallen unicorn. "What's the matter? Didn't know about Dark Magic's little weakness?" The Changeling Queen taunted. "Dark Magic is quite dangerous, but only if the being wielding it is incredibly powerful or uses it cleverly."
"How..." Twilight gasped as she struggled back to her hooves. "You're a creature of Dark Magic..."
"Oh, so a unicorn can use Dark Magic, but a Changeling can't use Light Magic?" Chrysalis scoffed. "What kind of Queen would I make for the Changeling race if I couldn't use the magic of the ponies we impersonate?" Slamming Twilight into the wall again with another burst of magic, Chrysalis stood over her with a sinister grin. "As fun as this has been, I think it's time to end this. And after I finish you off, I think I'll have your little friends for dessert. And the best part is, you lost your advantage because of your own arrogance. Goodbye, Twilight Sparkle."
As her enemy prepared for one final attack, Twilight's mind was awhirl. 'Is this the end? My friends, I have to save my friends... And Sombra, will he go back to the way he was before? What will happen to Equestria if nopony knows he returned? I can't die here... I can't...'
I won't die.
Sombra grinned as he listened to the celebration going on outside the castle. The Secretariat Comet was already passing overhead and the magical surged would recede by the morning, returning the cockatrices to normal. Proceeding to the throne room, he found Spike already explaining what happened in Ponyville to the princesses. He stepped into the room, intending to contribute to the conversation when something stopped him short.
I won't die.
'Twilight?' Sombra asked telepathically. The voice in his mind had definitely been hers but something had sounded off.
However, the response he received was not in the form of words. Conflicting emotions flooded his mind. Terror and eagerness. Excitement and sorrow. Fury and joy. And throughout it all, a splitting pain that had him pressing his forehooves to his head.
"Black Knight, are you alright?"
As the pain subsided, Sombra looked up to see Spike and the princess standing over him, looking worried. Pushing himself back to his hooves, he said shortly, "Twilight is in trouble."
"What do you mean?" Spike asked worriedly. "Did something new happen?"
Turning Sombra galloped out of the room, saying, "She's facing Chrysalis and something went wrong. We need to get to her aid immediately."
Swooping down in front of him Celestia said "Stop and think, Black Knight. There's no way of knowing for certain that anything has gone wrong, and even if it had, you'd never reach her in time by hoof."
"She and I share a telepathic link created by Dark Magic. I know she's in trouble," Sombra insisted. "We have to reach her as soon as possible."
"A telepathic link?" Luna mumbled, gaining a thoughtful expression.
Frowning, Celestia nodded. "I can reach her fastest by air, and I can take Spike with me. Luna, you and Black Knight wait here, just in case anything else happens to the city while I'm gone."
"But-!" Sombra tried to protest.
"I'll bring Twilight back safe, I promise," Celestia said, before scooping up Spike and taking off.
Watching her fly off, Sombra gritted his teeth in frustration at his helplessness in the situation. "Twilight..." He whispered. "Please be safe."
Just saw what updated, got excited.
Saw the title, said the word "Ah."
I'm going to read it now, lets see if Twily turns to the dark side...
Yeah they are gonna arrive to find one dead changeling queen...
Also:
Did Sombra just figure out he actually gives a shit?
7270147 I've been looking forward to writing this chapter and the next. Now you see why.
7270154 So I see. Related to one of your comments last chapter, I assume dark magic is kinda like the dark side in Star Wars. The turn can happen in an instant, the person can snap in but a moment.
I think that just happened to Twilight.
7270154
WITCH OF VOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOID!!!
7270174 A natural assumption, given all the Star Wars references I've made. In this case, however, Skulduggery Pleasant would be a more apt comparison.
Gotta love Darquesse.
7270229 Just searched up Darquesse and I have to honestly say... I think that may be even worse
7270284 Yup. In case you didn't see it, I got a picture done in anticipation.
http://maltrazz.deviantart.com/art/There-s-a-Monster-In-All-of-Us-607500110
Sombra and Luna, wonder what the two will get up to.
7270314 Honestly, not much. Sombra will be too worried about Twilight to cause any mischief and Luna will be busy overseeing repairs to Canterlot, until Celestia returns.
7270295 Celestia's in for a shock when she shows up...
And judging by the eyes I'm guessing her 'other' self is Midnight from friendship games?
7270352 Basically. 'If it ain't broke, don't fix it'. Or in this case, perhaps 'if it's already broke, no need to break it again' might be more accurate.
So ... short ... and that cliffhanger ... you are a cruel person.
I know that writing a quality chapter (and story) takes time ... but come on ... give us something to munch upon.
Please 2k+ words chapter ... some of us need our fanfic... fix ... and it so hard to find good quality work this days.
Keep on the good work.... just more please.
7270377 My chapters usually are at least 2k words, and this one was only 100 short of that. I didn't feel 100 more words was worth ruining one of my beloved cliffhangers. And I do so love those!
7270386
That's fair I guess ... and I do feel entertained. None the less you are a cruel person to toy with your readers like that.
Hope you will have more free time on your hands in near future so you write more ... meanwhile I will go look up some of your other stories...
Best of luck.
7270398 No promises, but I've been looking forward to the next chapter for a while, so hopefully it won't take too long.
A comedy tag, ok. This story had its moments but never thought it would get that tag. I can see the drama tag, but if anything I thought you might and a dark tag in later chapters, which I kinda hope happens.
7270435 I have more comedy planned, especially between this arc and the next.
Hmm, perhaps you're right about the dark tag... Eh, better safe than sorry I suppose, with some of the stuff I have planned.
Just got into this story, and I love it! You deserve a like and favourite!
Can't wait for more!
7270655 Not quite. In this story, positive emotion can fuel Dark Magic as well... theoretically. With such emotions, however, one has to overcome the mental block of looking at Dark Magic as 'evil', due to its appearance and reputation, rather than just another form of magic,
Think of it like the Force; Light and Dark. Not Good and Evil, but more Focus and Emotion.
7270711 oh? I never said any of them were evil. Righteous fury and sadistic hatred, passion and ego, confidence and arrogance. None of the Infernal elements are innately evil, simply viewed that way. I had thought you knew that, hence the compliment.
7270777 My mistake. In my experience, 'infernal' tends to relate to demons. Hence, evil.
7270810 Indeed it is, however do you think all done in the name of Temperance, justice or obedience has been angelic? All things have sway, nothing is truly rigid, this is the nature of the world.
7270839 Fair enough.
Looks like twilight has fallen on the age of Harmony...
7270896 Bu-dum *tish*
7270915 All will have fun when Forward drops the pun!
7270976 But you know what comes a bit after the fall of twilight?
The Midnight Hour.
7271003 And Celestia best beware,
For the Night is Dark... and Full of Terrors...
I am most interested to see what comes off this. you have my full attention.
7271015
WE MUST HOLD THE DOOR!!!
7271233 It is time my changlings. CHARGE! Attack with all your might! Show them they are nothing compared to the swarm!
Wretched cliffhanger, a pox upon thee!
Yanno, if Twilight murders any of her friends I'm going to hate you.
7271413 I'll tell you this much; in this story, Sombra and the Main 6 are safe. I make no promises about any other being.
7271307
Avast thee, Kingslayer!!! Show me not thy incestuous flairs!!
SO MUCH YES! I'm not easily excited for stories. But this story? Sir, you've me on edge and craving for an update!
7270347
Oh fiddlesticks. I suppose I will have to wait and see what happens next.
Why did Celestia bring Spike with her? Wouldn't it make more sense if he stayed? He can send and get messages from Celestia after all.
It also seems unlikely that Celestia would put him in danger.
Amazing chapter!!!
7272189 Agreed. And while the comics are often considered only semi-canon, the fact that such a backstory came from an official source gave me plenty of potential to work with.
7272202 Mostly because he was the only one she could take, and she knew how worried he would be about Twilight. Not to mention, Spike as a tendency to save the day when least expected.
7272233 Darkmagicshipping?
7272247 Yeah, but it was the only way I could think of to ponify the name, at the time.
7272416 That's actually a really good angle! Heh, you should write it as an alternate universe story
7272275 Indeed! Glad you recognized it!
7272416 Now, see, if they had done that, it would have felt much less like she was ripping off Sombra's backstory.
Awwww... Poor Scootaloo.
7272531 Perhaps, but I'm not that confident in my writing skills. And besides,what I described would be the only thing that was different, all other parts to do with Starlight would be the same - I was just looking at her canon actions, and coming up with a better explanation for them, in regards to her backstory.
7272691
Confidence does go a long way towards creating good stories, but we all start somewhere - especially when they aren't that good yet. Look at how awkward we all start out when we learn to walk and a baby doesn't stop just because it falls. It struggles on with the love and encouragement of it's parents =)
You have good ideas, though and that counts for a lot. You would probably be really good collaborating with someone who is already experienced at writing =D