//------------------------------// // Chapter 19: Sad But True // Story: The Pony Who Embraced The Darkness // by Zurvan //------------------------------// Chapter 19: Sad but True Lord Umbra growls and kicks at the nearest thing to him. “They have the bucking spirit of chaos on their side!” He growls, then stomps his front hooves causing shadow magic to ripple across the floor.. “Greaves!” Lieutenant Greaves steps out of the shadows. “You summoned me Master?” “Is my army ready?” “Nearly 2000 undead are ready to march at your command Master.” “Good, get them moving, you’re going to attack Canterlot.” Greaves bows. “Do you have a specific target in mind?” “Celestia’s castle.” Umbra replies. “You’re to find and kill Twilight Sparkle.” “Of course Master. We will do what we can, but I fear we won’t make it in as we are.” “You’re not going alone.” “What do you mean Master?” “You’re taking Onyx.” “That will increase the odds dramatically.” “Onyx and the soldiers will create the distractions, you’ll go kill Twilight.” “That has a good possibility of working.” “Then move out.” “I will tell Onyx immediately.” Greaves replies. “Then I’ll get the army moving.” “Move fast, there isn’t much time.” “Yes, Master.” =====Crystal Empire===== The train pulls up to the Crystal Empire and Ash and Sweetie step off. “The Crystal Empire is so beautiful.” Sweetie says. “We like to think so.” Princess Cadance says. “Princess Cadance!” Sweetie says as she runs up to Cadance and hugs her. “Sweetie Belle!” Cadance says as she hugs her. “I’m so glad to see you two.” “You just saw us at Scoots and Silver’s wedding a little over a week ago.” Sweetie says. “Yes, and I think it’s time I told you things you should’ve been told then.” Cadance says. “But first, let’s get you to the castle, some of the things I have to tell you aren’t public knowledge yet.” The three of them walk the streets of the Crystal Empire. “I notice that everypony is being very nice to us, is that because you’re with us?” Sweetie asks. “Oh no, it’s the Crystal Heart.” Cadance answers. “The love of the Empire powers the Crystal Heart, and in return it makes all of the citizens feel even more loved. So every citizen tries to make everypony feel loved so that the Heart will be more powerful.” “That’s just amazing.” Sweetie says. “Do you think while we’re here we’ll have time to examine the Heart?” Ash asks. “That depends on many things.” Cadance says as they enter the castle and she leads them to her quarters and casts a spell. “A privacy spell in your own castle?” Ash asks surprised. “Walls have ears in a place like this.” Cadance says. “Now I suggest you both sit. You may not like some of what I have to tell you.” Ash and Sweetie both sit. “We’re ready your Majesty.” Ash says. Cadance sighs. “There’s no easy way to tell you this, but Twilight was attacked at the Peace summit, and gravely injured. We don’t know what happened to her guard, but we assume the worst.” Ash immediately launches onto his hooves. “Why didn’t you stop us after the wedding and tell us?” “What would you have done?” Cadance asks. “We’d have come back to Ponyville immediately.” Ash answers. “I’d have ordered more guards from Canterlot, without Twilight surely somepony was going to try something.” Cadance looks at her hooves ashamed. “About that.” “What… what happened?” “Several ponies were abducted, and several additional attempts were made.” “What do you mean several ponies were abducted?” “Well…” Cadance hesitates as she looks at Sweetie Belle, then when she sees Sweetie notice she looks away. Sweetie gasps. “They have my sister, don’t they?” Cadance nods. “I’m afraid so.” “NO!” Sweetie sobs. Ash hugs her. “Who else?” “Twilight’s student Trixie, and a mare named Coco Pommel.” “Twilight can’t be too happy about that.” “Twilight's not conscious.” Ash sighs. “Let me get this straight. Twilight is injured, and unconscious, has been for some time and I’m just finding out now that other ponies have been ponynapped?” “Pretty much.” “We need to go home. I need my armor and I need a set for Sweetie.” “For me?” Sweetie asks. “For her?” Cadance asks at the same time. “That’s right, Sweetie can track Rarity.” Ash says. “No I can’t.” “Yes, actually you can.” Cadance says. “But the only magical compass that would let you do so is locked up in Canterlot.” “Magical compass?” Sweetie asks. “An enchanted compass, that in a unicorn’s magical grasp can be used to find a blood relative of theirs.” Cadance answers. “Though I’m curious as to where Ash heard of them, as they are extremely rare. “I have the other one in my belongings. The fortress I was raised in had several magical items, I retrieved as many as I could.” “You have the other one?” Cadance looks at him surprised. “Starswirl the bearded himself made those two compasses, and gave them to Luna and Celestia. Luna’s was assumed lost when she was banished.” “How do you think a fortress run my lunar guards ended up with it?” Ash grins. Cadance sighs. “Of course, that makes sense. Your fortress was erased from all records, I had wondered why. Now I understand, Luna was using your fortress to store magical items.” “That’s correct.” “Why didn’t you turn them over?” Sweetie asks. Ash grins. “Because they legally belong to me now. Luna turned over all items inside of the fortress to me as I was the last living guard that had served there.” “She must of forgot that such a rare item was in there!” Cadance jumps. “I’ll tell you what Princess, I’m a good sport. You write Luna and tell her what item I have. IF she says she wants it back she can have it back AFTER we use it to find Sweetie’s sister.” “Fine.” Cadance huffs. “Let’s get you to the Crystal Heart, by using it’s magic I can create a set of crystal armor for Sweetie.” “You’re going to give me armor so I can help find my sister?” Sweetie asks surprised. “That’s not all I’m giving you.” Cadance says as she opens up a door to see Shinning armor in his full battle regalia. “I’m sending my husband and some soldiers with you. I’m declaring war on these ponynappers.”