//------------------------------// // Evil Lurks // Story: My Glory // by Eclipse Guardian //------------------------------// -Crystal Mines- The white alicorn sat waiting patiently for the door to open.“This door has to open eventually.” An unknown amount of time had passed ever since she was freed from her prison, but there were still no signs of movement from the entrance to the cave. “I can feel my sister's power, she has finally awakened. That's very good.” Diamanda chuckled. “My dear sister Penumbra, we shall be reunited soon.” Hours passed by as she sat there waiting. Waiting for something or somepony to open the only exit from the mines. Every now and again a spark of Dark Magic would flare within her magical awareness. 'Sister must be agitated.' Diamanda smirked as she stood up and knocked on the door a few times. The door knob turned, catching her attention. The door opened swiftly but no one came out to greet her presence, only a single dull purple crystal slid out to her hooves before the door slammed closed. “...” Diamanda opened her mouth to say something but thought better of it. 'Hmm, someone gave me a focus crystal.' With nary a thought, the white alicorn drug the gem over to herself with a hoof, her smirk widening. “Let's see if I still have it.” Diamanda channeled what magic she had left into the crystal as it slowly began floating in the air. “Good, time to see what I have been missing.” -Friendship Express- Crysta Feather couldn't wait any longer, Matriarch Lulamoon had said it was an urgent letter and waiting for hours on end for the Sun Goddess wasn't cutting it. So here she was on the train heading for Ponyville, where an evil cult and a revived Dark Goddess were. “At least Flare will be there.” She let out a sigh. Word had spread quickly across the church that Penumbra had risen again and now the many of the church officials had left to bite the head off of the snake so to speak. “Without Our Crystal Goddess to help us, how will we ever put a stop to the Dark One?” She grasped the small necklace hanging around her neck. “O Goddess, lend me strength...” Crysta whispered in prayer. With her eyes closed and nopony else in the car with her, she never even noticed the strange glow emitting from the pendent until a sharp pain in her head caused her to gasp. “W-What the...?” Crysta looked down to see her necklace levitating before her with a mysterious light. “Who-” 'Do you need assistance my dear pony?' Crysta gasped as the pain increased. “W-Who are y-you?” She asked with a pained stutter. 'Me? You should know who I am little one.' The gentle but ominous voice laughed. Crysta clutched her head as the voice became louder. “Y-You can't be...” 'Yes...' The voice cooed. “Y-You just can't be h-her.” Crysta went to summon her magic but her horn fizzled out before she could cast any spells. 'Mind Magic...' She groaned mentally. 'I am Her. I am Diamanda, the Alicorn of Crystal.' Diamanda now had full access to Crysta's memories so she helped herself. 'Ah, so you know who my sister has reincarnated as, this “Twilight Sparkle.”' Crysta abruptly stood without her knowledge. “What are you doing?!” 'Relax...let me handle this...' Diamanda said with in a soothing tone but with a hint of malice. Crysta fought back with all of her will as felt her consciousness fading. “I will not be controlled by you...you fake.” Diamanda giggled. 'I am who I say I am, little one. You will know soon.' Crysta felt her voice lose strength. “I-I can't...” 'Sleep, my dear Acolyte, let me take care of everything.' “No...” With one last word, Crysta fell unconscious. Diamanda wasted no time in taking complete control of Crysta's body. “...” She tested her new limbs. “A bit shorter than I'm used to but no great loss.” She mused with Crysta's voice. “So this is where my Unicorn Magic went.” She gazed at the necklace. “I wonder how it got here...no matter I have a sister to meet.” She readjusted the robe the unicorn was wearing and stood before the train door. The train continued chugging along before coming to a complete stop in Ponyville. Diamanda stepped off the train and onto the platform, it was still very much night as Luna and Celestia still had to raise and lower their charges. Diamanda trotted through the town passing by night-going ponies and even some grey Changelings. 'Interesting...' As she rounded a corner a large group of black-robed ponies and various others were crowded around the Town Hall. 'My sister's cult.' She slowly approached the crowd wanting a better look. ... ... ... Princess Celestia paced around the inside of Town Hall as her sister conversed with Mayor Mare about the situation. Penumbra sat off to the side eyeing Luna the whole time, her former friends had tried talking to her again but had no such luck tearing her gaze away from the lunar alicorn. Poor Fluttershy wasn't here as she was in her cottage probably crying from the rebuke with Penumbra. They had talked before coming here but the pegasus went into hysterics and ran out crying, much to Celestia's dismay. Out of all of Twilight's friends, the shy pegasus was taking it the hardest. The others weren't much better. Penumbra was flat out ignoring everypony as she stared at Luna, Celestia noted that the black alicorn was also writing on a piece of parchment taking notes of something. 'Twilight...' Even if she looked and acted different from her faithful student, Penumbra still had those little habits of Twilight's. 'She's still in there somewhere, after all.' A small smile graced her lips. Meanwhile, Luna finished explaining things to Mayor Mare than turned around to find Penumbra staring directly into her eyes. The darker mare was writing something down in her notes but when she caught Luna's notice the quill she was using snapped in two. “Ah!” Penumbra jolted up as if waking from a bad dream. “Again? Ugh...” Luna just chuckled at Penumbra's indignant face before trotting over to her. “Penny, you really shouldn't use so much force when writing, these quills aren't indestructible you know.” Penumbra rolled her eyes. “I can see that, Luwa. These frail things can't seem to handle my power.” She eyed the pile of broken quills to her left with a critical eye before sighing miserably. “I'm still confused by all of this, those mortals and Celestia claim I'm another pony. And I'm supposed to be dead.” Luna frowned. “You aren't happy to see me again? Or are you disappointed to be among the living once more?” Penumbra leaned back feeling insulted. “Never! I'm only shocked Luna! My instincts are screaming at me that I don't belong here, but at the same time I feel almost nostalgic by this town.” The black alicorn stood up. “Sorry to drop all of this before we had any chance to really talk.” Penumbra apologized closing her eyes. Luna smiled softly while nuzzling Penumbra's soft coat with smelled of books and parchment. 'Maybe the two of them aren't so different.' She thought with a tinkering laugh. A knocking from outside snapped everypony's attention to the entrance. Mayor Mare blinked. “I knew I said for everypony to stay out unless it was for an emergency.” She groaned before the door was pushed open despite being locked and a cloaked white unicorn trotted inside. “Princesses.” It was such a simple statement. One that they had heard countless times, by delegates, nobles, dignitaries and various other rulers. But when that word came out of the white mare, all three alicorns felt an chill go up their spines. Celestia was the first to answer. “You're Crysta Feather, right?” She asked shakily. ...Diamanda inwardly grinned. “Yes, my Princess.” She bowed her head a little. “I have a message from the Matriarch. It's urgent.” She reached into her robe and pulled out a scroll. 'It wouldn't be wise to break character just yet.' Celestia took the letter into her aura, breaking the seal then unrolling it. “...Tirek.” She hastily tossed the letter to Luna before vanishing in a burst of golden energy. Penumbra peered over Luna's shoulder. “A Centaur? What is one doing in Equestria?” Luna grit her teeth. “I completely forgot about him.” With that she rolled the scroll back up and gave it back to 'Crysta'. “He was a Centaur who along with his brother, wanted to steal Equestrian magic some years before your death Penny. Luckily his brother became friends with us and turned on him, so we sealed him away in Tartarus.” She turned to her lover. “It was deep in the catacombs where we imprisoned him.” Penumbra raised an eyebrow. “You did this without my knowledge or permission?” “We had no choice! He was too dangerous to leave in Equestria where he could just steal more magic and escape within the first the week or so.” Luna started pacing. 'Crysta' bowed to Luna. “Seems so, Goddess of the Moon.” 'Not that any of you have to worry about him, yet.' Penumbra eyed the white mare as she left the building. 'I can't shake the feeling of something being wrong with that mare.' -Everfree Forest- Tirek grunted as he worked his way toward the old decrepit castle. Truthfully he wanted to head straight to Ponyville and steal the Alicorn magic, but in his current state he truly was no match for his former jailers. “This putrid place will have to do until I regain my strength.” He laid his weary body down on the cold stone floor. “Damn lizard.” He cursed under his breath, having been freed by a Kirin was one thing but being demanded to steal the alicorn magic only to hand it over to the odd cult? “Hah, they're fools if they think I would let something so powerful escape my grasp. I'll use the very power they wish to harness and destroy them with it.” He grinned as he closed his eyes. ... ... ... Bang A loud noise caught his attention. “What now?” He stood up looking around til he took notice a black mass move by his peripheral vision. “Hmm?” His horns lit up with magic. “...food...must...feed...” Tirek raised his hands reading the shadows movements. “Who's there!?” “Centaur...little...food...not...fit...” Tirek watched as a equine-like creature made of smoky shadows stepped out from behind a pillar. “What? Penumbra hmm?” The creature stared at Tirek in mild interest. “...not...the...orange...pony...or...Sombra...dead...” “Sombra? You know the Mad King?” This thing couldn't possibly be the mare darkness despite its eerie appearence. “Devoured...magic...allowed...form...restore...” Two huge black wings spread from its back as it approached Tirek. The centaur took a step back in alarm as the thing eyed his horns with its beady red eyes. “No way creature, this is my magic.” He took up a threatening pose even though he was aware of his weakened state. The creature stopped. “...you...are...not...prey...” A long pointed horn formed on its head. “Devour...living...dead...you...” Two black arms fell from its sides and rolled toward Tirek's feet. “No...longer...need...where...light?” It asked circling him. Tirek raised an eyebrow at the creature before speaking. “Light? What light are talking about?” He kept his feeble magic at the ready in case the thing meant to attack. “...Heart...must...devour...” The creature hissed settling down on the ground next to Tirek's camp. Tirek purposefully glared at the shadowy being. 'It must mean the Crystal Heart...hmm.' He stroked his beard in contemplation. 'I might be able to use this to my advantage...they won't suspect it.' He chuckled. “Listen.” The thing looked at him as it stood again, it was easily the height on an fully grown alicorn much to its obvious appearance. But still it merely seemed to Tirek as a form it preferred over all. “Are you referring to the relic of the Crystal Empire?” “...yessss...magic...sustain...ours...” Its form rippled, its horn and wings vanishing away for a moment before solidifying again. “Barrier...repels...ussss...hurts...ussss...” Its wings flapped in what seemed to be anger. “...sister...created...harmful...to...usss...” “I see.” Tirek grinned at the creature. “Mind telling me what you are exactly?” He said with mild curiosity despite all the plans going through his head. “Do...not...know...” Even after devouring Sombra, the thing seemed to have lost its ability of coherent speech. “Sombra...know...much...not...enough...” The creature 'huffed' as it sat down. More movement to his left tore Tirek's eyes away from the creature as even more shadowy figures surrounded the chamber. The centaur abruptly called his magic forward in alarm. “More of you?” The thing glared at its smaller companions who surely backed away. “They...not...like...ussss...lessers...” Tirek eyed the strange creatures as they scampered to larger one and began to suckle its belly. 'What depths of Tartarus did this thing crawl out of?' He soon noticed that the little shadows eerily resembled pony fillies and colts, but the creatures lacked any form in their lower torso area. Tendrils of blackness instead of legs. Tirek felt repulsed by this creature's continued presence, but he wasn't one to let a chance like this pass him by. Eventually the creature's 'foals' vanished into its body leaving the two of them alone once more. “Part...of...ussss...only...purpose...” Tirek nodded once before staring into its eyes. “...Tirek...” “How did you-” “...help...ussss...assist...ussss...need...food...magic...” The thing stood up again before heading away from Tirek and into the wilderness of the Everfree Forest. Tirek stood motionless for a moment before chasing after it grinning all the way. “I don't know what you are, creature. But you're my ticket to revenge.” -Ponyville 2 Hours Later- Princess Celestia had returned an hour ago to a slumbering Penumbra and Luna in the Golden Oaks Library. Luna was wrapped up in Penumbra's rather large wing almost completely concealed from Celestia's view. The solar princess sighed. “It's a shame I have to wake them up...but first.” She quietly trotted over to the sleeping pair nudging Luna with a gilded hoof. “Luna.” Luna stirred with a mumble. “Mmm...not there Penny...” Celestia's eyes widened for a second before she smiled. “Luna, sister I need to speak to you.” Slowly, Luna's eyes opened as she rose to the waking world. “Wha...Tia?” Celestia nodded as her little sister rose under Penumbra's wing. “What is it?” Luna stared at her sister when a thought crossed her mind. “...Did you find Tirek?!” She asked in a loud whisper. “...No, at least not yet.” Celestia gazed over at Penumbra ensuring the dark mare was still asleep. “Luna, I will deal with Tirek personally for now. I need you to do handle something for me in the meantime.” She looked into Luna's eyes with a thin smile. Luna nodded in confusion. “Of course, sister. But what exactly?” Taking a deep breath Celestia turned her head over to the sleeping Penumbra. “...I want you to go with Penumbra back to Tartarus. In her current state, she will unable to protect herself and may cause unintended harm to those she once called friends.” Luna watched her lover twitch an ear. “But wouldn't it be better if she stayed in the castle with all of us?” Celestia shook her head. “Despite everything it's safer for her there right now. She has her followers...but I don't trust them enough to not try anything sinister considering what they did in the past under Avec's leadership.” She turned to her sister. “You are only one she trusts, Luna.” She said remembering Penumbra's earlier words when she awoke the second time... “Celestia! You're in league with my twisted sister aren't you!? Why does looking at you hurt so much? Princ-Celestia, just what am I!? Why am I crying again!? ...Mummy...” Celestia repressed a sob. 'My beloved student is still in there somewhere. I can feel her presence even now, behind all of Penumbra's Darkness. Somewhere, my daughter still exists.' Luna looked at her with an odd expression. “...She's my lover Celly, even if Twilight is also your daughter.” The lunar princess cringed internally. 'Ngh, now that's an odd thought...luckily the two of us aren't blood relatives.' Celestia wiped a stray tear from her eye. “Yes...I suppose so.” ... ... ... Penumbra groaned as she awoke to the sound of the princesses talking. 'Urg, would they be quiet a moment I'm trying to sleep.' ...Sure, I'll help you Fluttershy... The dark alicorn opened an eye finding the other mares quietly talking with each other. 'Luwa...' She caught Celestia's attention. '...Tia...Sister? Um, Mom? Oh, I don't know anymore, waking up in this era is driving me mad. I'm still hearing voices and it's not them.' ...Rarity...Rarity!...RARITY!... She stood up and began walking over to them. “Celestia, I'm sorry for...you know...exploding at you.” Penumbra lowered her head with a sigh. ...Pinkie, do you know how to... Celestia gave her a comforting smile. “It's alright. I understand you're still confused right now.” Penumbra nodded. “...Still I shouldn't have yelled like that. I thought I learned how to control my anger all those years ago...” The dark mare suddenly glared at her. “Regardless Celestia, what became of my sister?” Luna and Celestia exchanged worried looks before turning to back to Penumbra. Celestia spoke first. “We're not actually certain of what happened to her after your...” She felt her throat clench, but a small nod from Penumbra gave her the confidence to continue. “...She disappeared.” Celestia sat down prompting the other alicorns to do the same. “She's a strong pony Penumbra you know that.” Penumbra flexed her wings in impatience. “Strong? That's debatable. Dia, was never a violent mare, she always preferred dealing with problems in a peaceful manner.” Penumbra's gaze fell to the floor. Luna spoke up finding the look on her revived lover's face concerning. “Penny, we know.” She smiled as she got up and sat beside Penumbra. “We don't think she's dead, have faith.” She reassured leaning in and kissing the dark mare's fore head. Despite her words, Luna still held a certain hatred for the crystal alicorn. Celestia watched them with a slight frown. 'This reminds me of the old days, of when we we're all living together before...' She shook her head with a sigh. “Yes, we do believe Diamanda is alive somewhere since we can still feel her magic but...” Celestia shivered. “It feels tainted somehow, like it's been compressed by something.” Penumbra raised her head at that. “Tainted?” She whispered. Celestia nodded. “It's not an evil presence by any means, but it feels very uncomfortable whenever I go looking for it.” She rose to her hooves. “In any case, Penumbra I asked Luna to go with you to Tartarus.” Penumbra gawked at her. “What? From what you have told me, my home has been used as a prison for the past millennium! I don't know if it's safe for Luna there!” She jumped to her hooves, knocking Luna unto her side. Celestia smiled. “Being the master of such a place, I'm sure you wouldn't let anything to her correct?” Penumbra gave her a confused look. “I won't be sending you alone, I'm sure my sister will lend you a battalion of her own guards for extra protection.” Luna chewed her lip. 'Now I get it, Penumbra's magic will replenish faster in her own realm than it will anywhere else.' Penumbra levitated Luna back onto her hooves. “I don't know about this, but fine.” She pouted adorably. Celestia's eyes widened for a moment before she regained her composure. 'That pout is just like Twilight's.' Smiling she nodded. “I'll set up the arrangement for your departure, but for tonight let's rest okay?” Penumbra turned to Luna who trotted past her over to Celestia. “You have a plan sister?” “That I do sister, that I do.” She said before trotting out the door. -Canterlot Dungeons- Avec smiled as he sat in his cell. The guards had paid no expense in keeping him from escaping, since there must have been at least half a dozen wards cutting off his magic and movements. He was currently in a straight jacket due to him almost attempting to attack his jailers. 'Little fools, they have no idea what's coming.' He chuckled darkly. -Castle Gardens- A large pink gem hovered ominously over the crystallized portion of the gardens. Sparks of blue circled around it, the sun had just set to make way for the night and the moonlight shined over the gem causing it to glisten. Now Without warning, the crystals at it's base began to spread out, the grass beneath them being consumed entirely. Soon it was covering the hedges nearby, followed by the trees, flowers, rose bushes, even some unfortunate animals were turned to crystal as it crawled over their bodies. Princess Cadence was watching the sky as the sun lowered over the horizon and the moon came up soon after. The pink mare heard the sound of animal screeches and guard yelling which made her spin around to see a wave a bluish crystal making its way over to her position. “What in Faust's name?!” She yelled before taking to the air. The crystal poured over the ledge surprising a few maids who were about to be consumed before Cadence levitated them out of the way. “Send a message to Princess Celestia quickly!” The maids nodded before turning on the dot toward the garden's exit. Cadence flew over the spreading crystal glaring at with a withering gaze. “I have to stop it somehow.” With a quick flap, Cadence landed near the crystal heading for the castle. She waited a moment as the crystal got closer and closer before creating a blue barrier over it stopping the crystal in its tracks. Cadence saw the blue magic sparking around her barrier, which seemed to be looking for a weakness. “Hmm, somepony is definitely controlling this crystal. Before long a group of unicorn guards came rushing into the gardens led by their Captain. “Captain Ocean Crest, set up your strongest shield, we must contain this crystal before it endangers the city!” “Yes, Your Highness!” In no time flat the guards summoned their magic and cast a barrier encompassing the entire section of where the crystal was spreading. As the openings closed and the crystal could no longer move, Cadence let a breath she didn't know she was holding in. “Set up a perimeter and create guard rounds, we don't want it to break free and wreak anymore havoc.” The princess commanded as she made final preparations around the barrier, ensuring it wouldn't break. The ponies around her saluted and began carrying out her orders. Cadence sighed. “Something tells me this is not going to be good day.” -Everfree Forest- Tirek followed behind the creature with a sense of satisfaction, he had already drained number of animals of what magic they had and he felt almost new again. 'Heheh, I barely even had to lift a finger and this creature practically gift wraps the magic for me.' “Almost...there centaur...” The creature rasped as it stopped before an opening to a cave. “Ursa...within...” Tirek chuckled for a moment. “You must be joking, you plan on taking on a fully grown Ursa Major?” He crossed his arms under his cloak. “Those will tear you apart.” “Star beasts...are...of...no...worry...to...usss...” It raised its wings and flew into the cavern's depths leaving Tirek by himself. Tapping his cleft hoof, Tirek waited for a while... ... ... ... Ten minutes passed, and still with no sign from the shadowy being, Tirek turned around planning on leaving. “Aw well, it was an interesting creature.” He smirked as he left the area. A loud thud stopped him causing Tirek to spin around. “What in the world?” His question was answered by his strange companion stepping out of the cave with a new look. Before it was merely a black being that was equine in shape and mimicking the body of an alicorn. Now though, it still had the body of an alicorn but its body was very feminine in shape mostly due to its long snout and shapely rump, which Tirek now found even stranger. Stars twinkled all over its black coat along with wispy waves of darkness cascading down its body like a dress. Tirek clicked his tongue. “Impressive.” The creature giggled. “I appreciate it.” It said in a very silky voice much to Tirek's shock. “You can speak properly now?” Tirek asked as it sauntered past him in a fluid motion. “Oh yes, and you may call me Umbra.” It said without looking back at him. “I didn't kill the Ursa. I just fed off of its magic which happened to have actual stars within it.” The centaur shrugged. “We're going to get along very well then, Umbra.” Umbra ignored him and continued onward. “I am looking for my other half.” “Oh?” Tirek took notice of how a long white mane began to form from its head as it spoke, even though it lacked an actual mouth. “Other half?” “My false half.” Umbra responded. Animals avoided the creature as it walked but they merely growled at Tirek who in turn growled back. Tirek continued watching the newly christened Umbra as he noticed how its wings were beginning to look more like clawed dragon wings. 'Coincidence? Hmm, I'd like to think so.' He smirked to himself. “Would that other half of yours happen to be named, Penumbra?” The creature didn't even flinch at his question. “No.” It answered simply. Now Tirek frowned in confusion. “Aren't you a pony?” He felt that he just had ask. “No. We are many, but only one. I am Umbra, the other is Lux.” It said in a tone being similar to monotone. “But I am different now.” Umbra giggled. “We part ways here centaur.” Tirek nodded his head as they reached the edge of the forest. The Ghastly Gorge laid before them as the creature turned to Tirek. “I am not whole yet. Return here when your errands are finished.” Before he could speak Umbra vanished into the darkness of the forest leaving him alone once more. “...Hmpf. Ordering me around like that, how interesting.” Tirek grinned as he eyed the city some miles away. “I shall start there then.” Laughing, Tirek began making his way over to the city of Las Pegasus.