After a fight with Twilight Sparkle, Spike needs some time away. Time away from ponies, and the problems they bring.

Ever since she stopped Sombra and saved the Crystal Empire, Twilight Sparkle has taken an interest in dark magic. Princess Celestia catches wind of her student's interests, and tells her exactly why dark magic is not to be trifled with.

Image was used with permission.

It is a dark time for Equestria. Rumours are circulating about conflict forming between the Princesses, rumours which soon turn out to be true when the moon doesn't set one day. It quickly becomes apparent that one Princess has turned on the other, but no one is sure who has done what, or who the enemy is.

Panic occurs quickly, sides are swiftly taken and loyalties are questioned as ponies start to take up arms against one another in support of their chosen ruler.

Now ponies loyal to Celestia and Luna are ready to charge at one another, some out of loyalty, some out of bravery, and some because it's what they were told to do. Right now they are just waiting, since neither particularly wants to make the first move.

This is not an action story! Much more of a calm before the storm sort of thing.
From the p.o.v. of a nameless pony. Contains profanity.

Applejack and Pinkie Pie don't mind looking up to see Fluttershy flying in the sky,
or knowing that Rainbow Dash can rest on soft, fluffy, comfortable pillows while they can't,
or seeing bright, flashing lights that blind and burn their eyes when Twilight perform spells,
or knowing that Rarity can carry things and teleport without lifting a hoof while THEY need to lift THEIR hooves to do that.
Nope, they don't mind knowing that they can't do those things. Not one bit.

But when Discord get's rid of their friend's wings and horns before they head into a maze, and he doesn't take ANYTHING away from them, and their friends freak out, knowing they can't do those things now.
The two earth ponies start realizing some things.
Some very, VERY, VERY interesting things.

Celestia and Luna. The Princesses of Equestria. Both kind, intelligent, and loving. They grew, they suffered, they fought, and they lost. But perhaps worst of all, they lost each other.

Nightmare moon wasn't what most of Equestria thought she was, nor is their beloved princess, for their pasts have been lost to a thousand years of history.

While visiting his sister Twilight at her home in Ponyville, Shining Armor is accidentally transformed into a little, blank flanked filly. In order to hide her mistake while she tries to find a solution, Shining Armor must live as Twilight's little cousin Gleaming Shield. Things get worse when the Cutie Mark Crusaders meet the new filly and decide she needs to join their group in their adventures around town.

Thanks to DDRMASTERM for taking the time to edit the story

For over a hundred years, Princess Celestia has taken the time to read a few letters that some fillies and colts send her at the end of each school year. Most of the letters bring a smile to her face; there's nothing like the wondering, wonderful mind of a child after all.

This stories is redone and continued in: The Student of Sun and Shadow

King Sombra's attempt to reconquer the Crystal Empire may have been thwarted, and he himself cast back into the shadows, but it will take more that that to stop a being who endured a 1000 year of imprisonment in ice and darkness. Especially now that he has set his sights on a new conquest. Twilight Sparkle's effort to save the Crystal Empire may have gone unrecognized, but not by Sombra. She has earned his interest, and his admiration. The implications of which Twilight fails to appreciate. And will regret.

This story was inspired by the fan comic A Somber Meeting by Omny87

Now with a dramatic reading by AShadowOfCygnus!

Sombra.
The name that makes ponies everywhere tremble.
The name that is the definition of cruelty.
The name that strikes fear into the hearts of all that hear it.
And that's really all that anypony can say. Ponies everywhere wonder what really goes on inside the head of the legendary crystal tyrant. What dreams and thoughts of malice could possibly sustain such cruelty?

What actually goes on inside Sombra's head might surprise everypony...

A big thanks to the amazing Mickeymonster for letting me use the cover art. Check it out here!

It's been a rough five months working for Suri Polomare. At first Coco thought she was just a bit demanding, but once Fashion Week came around her boss reveals how nasty she really is. When she hears about Suri's awful scheme to steal the trophy from Rarity, Coco snaps.

She snaps hard.

Now with a Youtube reading by TheCaptainSand - Scarlett Blade

Second Youtube reading by Visualpony Thenarrator