A few days after the Canterlot Wedding
“So my mission is to go to this empire which has been gone for a thousand years. Just to keep an eye out for a tyrannical king. Correct?” Anon said as he stood in front of Celestia and Luna as they gave him a rundown on his latest assignment.
“That is correct. We have already organized a way for you to get too the empire to save you some time.” Luna said getting a thankful nod from Anon.
“And if the mad king Sombra is there?”
“You have permission to deal with him however you see fit.” Celestia said getting another nod from Anon.
“Good to hear.” Anon said before turning to the throne room doors. “If you’ll excuse me Princesses I have to go get ready.” With that said Anon was gone.
“So this seems like a fun way to spend our weekend.” Alpha said from his place at Anon’s side as Anon left the throne room.
“Well it’s more exciting then how I used to spend my weekends on Earth.” Anon said a small smile coming to his lips at the memories. “Spent the days either at work or sitting on my rear watching TV. Good times.”
“Sounds like it.” Alpha replied. “So what are we taking with us?”
“For one we’re wearing the good old hunter’s garb.” Anon said as the duo rounded a corner coming into the hall where Anon’s suite resided.
“So prepping for snowy fights?” Alpha said as the duo made their way into Anon’s room.
“Not entirely. When Celestia told me about the Crystal Empire she said that it had a force field around it that kept the snow and cold from the frozen north out of the city.”
“So the hunter’s garb’s for looking cool then?” Alpha asked getting a chuckle from Anon as the duo entered Anon’s armory.
“If that’s the reason you want to go with I won’t stop you.” Anon replied before putting on the hunter’s garb. “Now then what to pick for a weapon?” Anon asked looking at his array of weaponry.
“Well you aren’t going to be short on choices that’s for certain.” Alpha said as Anon’s gaze drifted too his numerous one handed weapons, ranging from curved blades, long swords, short swords, daggers, axes and a few one handed katanas.
“Good point.” Anon replied his gaze moving to his two handed weapons rack. Which held weapons such as great swords, battle axes, war hammers and two handed katanas. “Maybe something more ranged.” Anon muttered as his gaze fell to his range of bows and crossbows before falling on the hunk of metal that was resting on his weapon workbench.
“So then not going to be taking your little pet project?” Alpha asked hovering over the desk to examine the hunk of metal and wood that Anon called the ‘Hunter’s Blunderbuss’.
“Nope, it’s still in the middle of being made.” Anon said before he felt somepony’s gaze on his back. “Morning Luna.” Anon greeted giving a small bow to Luna. “I would’ve thought you’d still be in the throne room.”
“I came to see you before you went.” Luna said before nuzzling Anon’s side. “Anon, there’s something that I haven’t told you about Sombra. You and Tia.” Luna sighed.
“And what would that be?” Anon asked kneeling down to Luna’s level as he ran a hand across her right cheek.
“When Celestia and I went to confront Sombra he managed to trap Tia in a small prison of black crystals which he can summon up whenever he wishes. He then began to tell me about how I was always in my sister’s shadow, how no pony enjoyed my night how they enjoyed my sister’s day. These words corrupted me and caused me to change. I changed into a weak version of Nightmare Moon. Through this transformation I managed to defeat Sombra but his words kept an affect on me even after him and the Crystal Empire disappeared. These words led to me becoming the Nightmare.” Once Luna has said this she buried her head into Anon’s chest wrapping her hooves around his mid section.
“So he’s the reason you became Nightmare Moon?” Anon asked getting Luna to give him a nod. “Got it.” Anon said before standing up and making his way to a weapons rack that held his special and sometimes unorthodox weapons. “Time I introduce this King Sombra to my cleaver.” At this Anon pulled off a weapon he liked to call ‘The Saw Cleaver’.
“You can’t be serious.” Alpha said.
“I am. Sombra won’t know what hit him.” Anon replied flashing a toothy grin. “Won’t know at all.”
“Well then I shall leave you be.” Luna said before placing her fore-hooves on Anon’s chest. “Just be careful alright.” She said before giving him a kiss.
“You know I will.” Anon said before his eye began to give off a light glow. “Now if you’ll excuse me I have a train to catch.” With that said Luna removed her hooves before Anon was gone in a flash.
“So then we got a whole train to ourselves.” Alpha said as he and Anon appeared in the train that would take them to the Crystal Empire. “What to do?”
“Well I don’t know about you.” Anon said before moving to one of the lounges that ponies would sit on. “But I’m going to have a nice nap.”
“Heh doubt you’re going to get much of a nap.” Alpha said as he looked out one of the train’s windows. “For some reason Twilight and her friends are getting on the train.”
“Okay then.” Anon said before stretching himself out. “Twilight knows not to wake me.” Anon said before pulling his hat down over his face. “Wake me when we get close to the Empire.”
“Sure thing.” Alpha replied before losing Anon to the realm of sleep.
A few hours later
“Get up we got about half an hour till the Empire.” Alpha’s voice said as it rang throughout Anon’s head. “Also another thing don’t go launching yourself up.”
‘Why?’ Anon thought as he slowly woke up. When opened his eyes he saw the sleeping form of Twilight on his stomach. “You could’ve just told me about Twi y’know.” Anon said before noticing that he and Twi weren’t alone. “Hello, hello.” Anon greeted the other Elements of Harmony as they watched Anon slowly sit up moving Twilight to rest in his lap.
“Hello dear.” The unicorn that Anon recalled as Rarity greeted giving a small wave. “Sorry about Twilight she had already fallen asleep before we realized what had happened. And none of us wanted to wake her.”
“Hope that didn’t disturb yer nap Sugarcube.” The earth pony called Applejack said.
“Nah it’s no trouble. Sort of got used to being her pillow whenever she’d stay up late studying as a filly.” Anon said a small smile gracing his lips at the memory. His expression then turned to one of seriousness as he realized whose company he was in. “So then, which of you has questions to ask me first?”
“What are you?” The rainbow maned pegasus named Rainbow Dash asked getting a glare from the yellow coated pegasus named Fluttershy.
“Rainbow! You can’t just go asking somepony that!” Fluttershy said but losing her serious composure it being replaced with one of slight shock as Anon let out a small laugh.
“Well it’s a good thing I’m not a pony then.” Anon said as he ran a hand through Twilight’s mane getting a small purr from the mare. “But to answer your question Rainbow, I’m a human. I come from another world, I was pulled into Equestria a thousand years ago.”
“Wowie zowie!” The pink earth mare Pinkie Pie exclaimed. “Does that make you as old as the princesses?”
“Nope. Still a thousand years behind Princess Luna. Got no clue how far behind Celestia I am.”
“Okay then.” Applejack said. “Now for my question. How exactly do you know Twilight?”
“Well to tell you that I have to tell you that for the last thousand years I have been in service to the Princesses. Now I’m guessing Twilight’s told you how she became Princess Celestia’s student?” Anon asked getting a nod from the mares. “Good. Well I came to know her as Celestia decided to assign me to keep an eye on Twilight. Mainly because of something that happened a few days after she had become Celestia’s student.”
“And what would that be darling?” Rarity asked getting a grim look from Anon.
“You really want to know?” Anon asked getting a round of nods from the mares. “Okay then. It was about 14 years ago, a few of the noble families of Canterlot didn’t like the idea of some filly who had no nobility in her blood becoming Celestia’s student. But those families knew that they couldn’t do anything about it without incurring the wrath of Celestia. But there was one family a really snobbish and hard headed family by the name of Flame Wings, that had decided to try something.”
“What they did was something they’d regret for their lives. They decided to kidnap Twilight.” Anon said grimly getting gasps of shock from the mane six. “After finishing her lessons with Celestia one afternoon Twilight decided to make her way home instead of waiting for her brother. On her way home she got grabbed by a few mercenaries that the Flame Wings had hired. Later that evening Shining had arrived at his parent’s house saying that he had made a mess of the guard’s barracks accidentally so he wanted to see Twilight and apologize for not walking her home as he had to stay back and clean the mess. His parents said that Twilight hadn’t arrived home. It was then a brick came flying through their living room window, on the brick was a note that read, ‘We have taken your daughter. On the other side of this note are our demands for her safe return and where to deliver our demands.’”
“What were their demands?” Rarity asked.
“Simple they wanted their family to have an equal level of power as Celestia within the Canterlot nobility. But they had made one mistake they had taken Celestia’s student. A student that I had become fast friends with.” Anon explained giving a toothy grin. “What happened next was that Twilight’s family came to Celestia to tell her what had happened. Celestia then told them that she had someone ready to get Twilight back. Me.”
“Just you?” Pinkie asked.
“Yes, just me.” Anon nodded. “Shining then stated that he wished to come with me as it was his fault that Twilight walked home alone. I told him if he tagged along Twilight may get hurt. I then asked Twilight’s parents where they had asked to deliver their demands. Once I had gotten that bit of information I told them to stay in the castle whilst I go get their daughter.”
“What happened next?” Dash asked getting another toothy grin from Anon.
“Well let’s say this. I became the focus of their nightmares for the rest of their lives.” Anon said getting a gasp of shock from Fluttershy.
“What’d you do to them?” Dash asked.
“Simple. I made them regret kidnapping Twilight. I either made them pass out from fear or from pain.” Anon said cracking his knuckles to emphasize his point. “Quite a few of them ended up in Canterlot hospital’s emergency room luckily Twilight never saw any of the fighting as the kidnappers decided to put a sack over her head. After I had returned Twilight to the castle I took a squad of Lunar Guard and a warrant for arrest to the estate of the Fire Wings. When we kicked down the door the nobles tried to run but in the end it was useless. But a house full of criminals wasn’t the only thing that we found when we raided the estate, we also found a lot of criminal activity that when presented to the courts lost them their nobility.”
“Whoa.” Dash said a look of shock on her face.
“Since then I’ve been like a father to her and Spike.” Anon said getting a nod from the mares.
“Hey Rarity I’m sorry to say but they don’t have any of that water you asked me to get you.” The voice of Spike said from the other side of the carriage his voice coming to a halt once he saw Anon. “ANON!” He exclaimed before running over to Anon and taking a seat next to him.
“Huh wazhappening?” The sleepy voice of Twilight said from Anon’s lap.
“Good one Spike.” Anon said giving Spike a look of disappointment.
“Sorry didn’t realize she was asleep.” Spike said.
“Hey Twily.” Anon said seeing Twilight look up with him a warm smile on her lips.
“Hey Anon. Sorry for using you like a pillow.” Twilight said as she stretched herself out.
“No problem Twilight.” Anon said as he ran a hand through her mane getting a quiet purr from her.
It was then the cabin was filled with a cyan flash of light. “We’re here.” Alpha said as he appeared in from the flash of light.
“Got it.” Anon said as the train came to a stop. “Twilight you would you mind hopping off my lap?”
“Oh yeah sorry.” Twilight said. Once she jumped off Anon reached up to the overhead compartment and pulled out his cleaver.
“Okay then, let’s get going.” Anon said before making his way out of the train Alpha close behind him.
When Anon stepped out of the train he was thankful he decided to wear the Hunter’s Garb as it seemed he had stepped out into a snowstorm. How the train driver had known that the platform was here was beyond Anon’s comprehension. “Where’s Shining!” The voice of Twilight called out over the snowstorm as the train began to pull out of the station.
“Over here sis!” The voice of Shining Armor called out as a figure wrapped in heavy winter gear approached the group. “Paladin good to see you and Alpha.”
“Good to see you as well Captain.” Anon replied. “Didn’t know we’d be arriving in the middle of a snow storm.”
“Yeah the damned thing sort of crept up on us.” Shining said before looking to the rest of the group. “Now then let’s get you to the Empire before we freeze to death.”
“Then lead the way.” Anon said getting a nod from Shining. “So Shining, you know why I’m here correct?”
“Yes. And before you ask he is here.” Shining said his mood turning sour.
“Who’s he?!” Twilight called out as the snow storm picked up slightly.
“King Sombra.” Shining said before seeing something out of the corner of his eye that caused him to freeze in place. “Oh buck me.”
“What?” Anon asked following Shining’s gaze to see a large cloud of black smoke billowing towards the group. “Everyone run!”
“FOLLOW ME!” Shining yelled out as the group began to run away from the smoke. “HEAD TOWARDS THE SHIELD!” At this a light blue dome appeared off in the distance.
‘Alpha you still with us?’ Anon thought having lost sight of Alpha as soon as the storm had picked up.
“Yeah I’m here.” Alpha replied his mouth giving off the cyan glow of plasma. “Ready and raring to go.”
“Good to hear.” Anon replied before a scream of pain filled his ears.
“SHINING!” Twilight screamed out as Shining fell to the ground his horn giving off a purple glow from where a blast of magic had struck it.
“Keep running!” Anon yelled out to the group as he made a 180 before running over to Shining’s unconscious form.
“Ah fresh slaves.” A grim and deathly voice said from all around Anon as the black smoke surrounded him, Alpha and Shining. “Although I must say I’ve never seen something like you before. But no matter a slave is a slave.”
“Sorry buddy but I’m the exception. NOW ALPHA!” Anon called out as Alpha let loose the plasma that he had been holding.
Once Alpha released the plasma from his maw two sounds filled the air around the duo. The first was the sound of a large magical blast being released. The second sound was a bloodcurdling scream that was released from the cloud of black smoke.
“C’mon Shining, not letting you die today.” Anon said as he picked Shining up and ran through the hole in the smoke that Alpha had made. “Some covering fire if you could Alpha!” Anon yelled to the skull which had decided to hover a few feet in front of him as he shot out smaller blasts of plasma at the cloud of smoke. “Alpha keep up we’re almost there!” Anon yelled before diving through the shield Alpha close behind him.
“AHHHH!” The cloud screamed as it collided with the shield. After a few seconds a face appeared in the cloud of smoke. Sombra’s face if Anon’s guess was correct. When the face let out what seemed to be a dark chuckle it disappeared back into the snowstorm.
“SHINING!” Twilight exclaimed running over to her unconscious brother. “Shining? Oh please be alright.”
“He’ll be fine Twi.” Anon said placing a hand on her withers. “Although the crystals coming out of his horn may be a concern.” Anon said noticing black crystals begin to sprout out of Shining’s horn.
“Urgh. What in Tartarus?” Shining groaned as he slowly woke up. “Twilight?”
“Shining! Thank goodness you’re alright.” Twilight exclaimed hugging Shining.
“Shining you okay?” Anon asked kneeling down to look the stallion in the eyes.
“Yeah.” Shining said rubbing his forehead. “A small headache but nothing too bad.”
“Trying using your magic.” Anon said getting a nod from Shining. It was then Shining’s magical aura began to flow through his horn before dissipating when it came into contact with one of the black crystals. “Seems whatever Sombra hit you with is keeping you from using your magic.”
“You can’t be serious.” Shining asked dumbfounded getting a grim nod from Anon. “C’mon we need to get to Cadance than.” Shining said getting back onto his hooves before walking off towards the city of the Crystal Empire.
“So Shining, when exactly did Sombra decide to make himself known?” Anon asked as he and the group of ponies followed Shining.
“About a day after Cadance and I arrived. We knew something was wrong when the Crystal Ponies cowered in fear at his appearance. I managed to force him out by creating an expanding shield which threw him out of the Empire.” Shining explained as the group made their way through the outskirts of the Crystal Empire. “Ever since then he’s been trying to break the shield and get in.”
“How’s Cadance?” Twilight asked getting a sigh from Shining.
“Not well. She’s been reinforcing the shield that’s around the Empire to keep Sombra out. With him being a constant threat she hasn’t gotten the chance to rest.”
With that said the group arrived at what Anon could guess to be the main palace of the Crystal Empire. “I’m guessing this is the Crystal Palace?” Anon asked getting a nod from Shining. “Nice place.”
“I guess so.” Shining said before gesturing to one of the columns that held the palace up. “This way.”
After being led by Shining through the Crystal Palace, Anon and the rest of the group arrived in the throne room where they were greeted by a tired Cadance.
“Twilight!” Cadance exclaimed tiredly before running to Twilight as they performed their ladybug dance. “How’ve you been?” Cadance asked before finding herself fall to the fall from dizziness.
“You okay Cadance?” Anon asked catching her before she hit the ground in a field of light blue magic.
“Just a bit tired Anon.” Cadance said tiredness lacing her voice.
“How long have you been reinforcing the Empire’s shield?” Anon asked.
“Ever since Shiny forced Sombra out.”
“Well in that case you can stop reinforcing it. I’ll take care of it.” Anon said before casting a gaze to Alpha. “Well what are you waiting for?”
“Gimme a sec. It’s been a while since we’ve done something like this.” Alpha replied before rotating himself so he was looking directly at the ceiling. After a few seconds a beam of light shot from his open mouth passing through the roof before it hit the Empire’s shield.
“Now you can stop reinforcing the shield Cadance.” Anon said getting a tired nod from the mare.
“Thanks Anon.” Cadance said with a small smile.
“Well I had to do something. Celestia would kill me if I let you get a migraine
from constantly maintaining that shield.” Anon said getting a chuckle from the mare. “Now then Shining. I want you to take Cadance to her room and ensure she gets some rest. Twilight, me and the others will look for a solution to our Sombra problem. That understood Captain?”
“Yes sir.” Shining saluted before helping Cadance to her hooves. “C’mon dear let’s get you some rest.”
It was as Shining left the room Anon turned his gaze to a guard that was stationed at the throne room doors. “Guard.” Anon said catching the stallion’s attention. “You wouldn’t happen to know where the Palace’s library is?”
“This way sir.” The stallion said before leading the group out of the throne room.
“You gonna be okay here Alpha?” Anon asked Alpha.
“Yeah I’ll be fine just gotta keep pouring magic into a giant shield. No biggie.” Alpha responded as Anon made his way out after the group of ponies.
“So Anon what exactly are we gonna be looking for?” Spike asked as the group was lead to the library.
“Figure out how to get rid of Sombra and figure out how to fix the Crystal Ponies.” Anon said getting a look of confusion from the drake and ponies of the group.
“Why do we have to fix them dear? They seem alright.” Rarity asked.
“Didn’t you notice o the way to the Palace how the Crystal Ponies seemed to be in a confused state. Almost as if they didn’t know how to go about their everyday life.” Anon explained as the group came to a door with the words library engraved into it. “Thank you guard.” Anon said getting a look of confusion from the guard.
“I’m a guard?” He said before looking to his spear. “When’d I get this?”
“How about you go have a rest.” Anon said getting a nod from the guard. “See what I mean.” Anon said to the group once the guard had left.
“Whoa.” Twilight breathed out as Anon pushed open the door to the library her eyes being filled to the brim with a look of pure excitement.
“Calm down Twi. You’ll get plenty of time to read them when we deal with Sombra.” Anon said placing a hand on her withers. “Okay then. Twi how about you and your friends start looking for ways to beat Sombra while Spike and I go ask the librarian if she knows anything.”
“Seems there isn’t a librarian.” Spike said once he and Anon walked over to the reception desk of the library.
“How about you ring the bell.” Anon said gesturing to a small silver bell.
“Yes. How may I help you?” A grey coated mare with a light blue mane and tail asked popping up from behind the desk once Spike had rung the bell.
“You wouldn’t happen to have any books on any ancient artifacts that call the Crystal Empire their home Miss?” Anon asked.
“Miss Ruby Quill.” The mare responded before pulling out a small ledger. “Artifacts where are those.” She said looking through the ledger. “Ah here we go. Artifacts will be located in the A section of column 26.” Ruby said pointing down the line of bookshelves.
“Thank you Miss.” Spike said as he and Anon made their way off. “Hey Anon why ask about artifacts? Why not just ask about ways to beat Sombra?”
“Because Spike if the ponies fear Sombra then going around and asking about him won’t help.” Anon explained as they arrived at column 26’s A section. “Now then where would the book be?” Anon asked aloud before catching sight of a book located on top of the column’s shelf. “Why does it gotta be on the top shelf.” Anon muttered before two black tendrils emerged from under the cloak that draped his back.
“What the?” Spike asked as the tendrils raised Anon up to the book. Once Anon had grabbed the book the tendrils lowered him back to the ground before disappearing back under the cloak.
“What’s up Spike?” Anon asked noticing the drake’s look of shock. “Never seen Shadowmancy before?”
“I’ve heard of it from Twilight. But she always said it was dark magic.” Spike said as Anon began to flip through the pages of the book.
“Spike you’re a smart dragon you should know there’s no such thing as dark or light magic. It’s only classified as dark magic because evil ponies have given it a bad name.” Anon explained before finding something in the book that caught his eye. “Well then let’s go see the others.” Anon said before making his way to a table that Twilight had commandeered for herself. “Find anything?”
“Yeah we did.” Twilight said. “Fluttershy found some information about something called the Crystal Fair which would power an artifact called the Crystal Heart.”
“Well guess what Spike and I just found.” Anon said before placing the book on the desk in front of Twilight.
“Information on the Crystal Heart?!” Twilight exclaimed before reading through the pages of information.
“So Twi. What’s the book say about the Crystal Heart?” Applejack asked.
“Well it gives a brief history saying it was made by the Empire’s first ruler as a way of keeping the Empire safe from the snowstorms that ravage the frozen north but this ability can only happen if the Heart is in the Empire. It also says that when placed upon it’s pedestal at the bottom of the Crystal Palace and is powered by the Crystal ponies love then it can repel any evil.” Twilight explained.
“So that’s how we kick Sombra’s flank!” Dash exclaimed.
“That’s one way to beat him.” Anon said. “Unfortunately we don’t know where the Heart is.”
“Hey Twi what if we performed this Crystal Fair?” Pinkie asked. “Maybe if we raise the Crystal Ponies spirits then maybe we’ll be able to find the Heart.”
“Good point Miss Pie.” Anon said getting a grin from the mare. “If we manage to power the Heart we should be able to find it.”
“Well seems we got a plan.” Twilight said getting a round of nods. “So then let’s go get working on the Fair.” Twilight said as the group stood up from the table.
“Hey Twi, Spike, you don’t mind staying back at the Palace and helping me with locating the Heart.” Anon said.
“No problem Anon.” Twilight said before turning to the other Elements of Harmony. “That’s if you girls don’t have a problem with that.”
“Of course not darling.” Rarity said. “You three do your thing we’ll be fine.” She continued before the group made their way out of the library.
“C’mon you two let’s get searching.” Anon said giving Spike and Twilight a smile as they left the library.
“So Anon, where do we start on our search?” Spike asked.
“Probably around the Palace.” Anon said as the trio walked through the halls. “If I was Sombra I’d be either destroying the thing that can defeat me or keep it close to keep an eye on it.” Anon explained. “And seeing as how the Empire isn’t buried under a heap of snow then it stands to reason that the Heart is still within the Empire.”
“Good point. So where in the Palace should we start looking?” Twilight asked.
“Best guess is to start with Sombra’s old room.” Anon said before rounding a corner running into Shining Armor. “Sorry about that Shining.”
“No problem Anon.” Shining said shaking his head slightly from the collision with Anon’s gut.
“Hey Shiny, you wouldn’t happen to know where Sombra’s old room is?” Twilight asked getting a look of grim confusion from Shining.
“Why do you ask?” Shining asked gesturing for the trio to follow him.
“We believe Sombra may have been in possession of an ancient artifact that can beat him.” Anon explained.
“Well then hopefully you’ll find something.” Shining said as they group came to face a dark crystalline door. “Last time I came in here I was forced out by a blast of dark magic.”
“Got it.” Anon said before walking in front of the ponies and drake to stand in front of the door. “Stay here.” Anon said an outstretched hand pointing to the trio. With that said a cyan dome covered the trio before Anon raised a hand to the door.
As soon as Anon’s hand touched the dark door handles he felt a darkness sweep over him. “ANON!” Anon heard Twilight exclaim as his vision filled with a darkness as he fell onto a knee.
After a few moments the darkness lifted from Anon’s vision. But what was shown to Anon was something that made him wish that his vision was still clouded by darkness. “Oh shit.” Anon muttered as he took in his surroundings of the ruined throne room of the Everfree Castle.
“Well. Well. Well.” An all too familiar voice filled the room as a dark cloud with a blue tint formed in front of Anon. “Look who we have here.”
“What the hell is going on?!” Anon exclaimed as Nightmare Moon walked out of the smoke.
“Simple you’re living a nightmare.” Nightmare Moon said flashing a wicked grin.
“Then I guess it’s time to turn this bad dream into something good.” Anon said before rushing Nightmare Moon.
“Hahahaha.” Nightmare said flapping her wings to fly above Anon’s head. “You think that you can hurt me?” She taunted before firing a dark blue beam into Anon’s back sending him to the ground. “Want to know something interesting?” Nightmare asked.
“If it isn’t how to kick your flank I’m not interested.” Anon said before letting out a groan as Nightmare sent a hoof into his back.
“No it isn’t anything like that dear.” Nightmare said in an all too soothing voice. “It’s the secret of how I took over Luna’s body. The secret is that you deciding to take more missions from Celestia made Luna think that you were getting closer to her. This was the final piece of hay that broke the camels back as you have said.” Nightmare said before letting out a gasp of surprise.
“Y’know what Nightmare Bitch I’ve gotten sick of this conversation.” Anon said as a tendril of darkness sent Nightmare Moon careening into the air, the tendril tightening around her chest. “Now then you tell me what the hell is going on here. Or else I will be crushing your damned ribs to the point you’ll be coughing up bone dust whilst I rip you apart.” Anon growled.
“Hahahaha.” A dark sinister voice said filling the room as Nightmare disappeared into a black cloud. “You’re a feisty one creature. All the more fun for me when I break your spirit.”
“So then I’m to guess this is your doing Sombra?” Anon asked gesturing to the room.
“Ah a smart creature as swell as a feisty one.” The dark voice said before Sombra appeared a short distance in front of Anon.
“Sorry but I’m tiring of this charade.” Anon said turning away from Sombra having felt a wave of magic wash over him.
“ANON!” Twilight’s voice rand throughout the room.
“Sorry but that’s my ride.” Anon said as Sombra slowly dissipated. “See you soon.”
“ANON!” Twilight yelled out again as Anon’s vision was changed from the decrepit throne room to the hall in front of Sombra’s room. “Anon are you alright?” Twilight asked when she saw Anon slowly rose from his trance.
“I’m fine.” Anon said as he got back to his feet. “Just wasn’t expecting a damned illusion.”
“Good to hear you’re okay Anon.” Twilight said nuzzling his side. “So how do we get in there?” Twilight asked looking to the door.
“Easy.” Anon said raising a hand to the door. “I destroy it.” With that said a spark of magic flew out of his hand destroying the door. “You two stay out here.” Anon said to Spike and Twilight. “Shining if you want to come in it’s up to you.” Anon said as he walked by Shining
“I’m coming.” Shining said following Anon into the room. What greeted them was something that they had both expected of a tyrant king’s bedroom. Lush furnishings were spread across the room, these furnishings ranged from dressers, drawers, cabinets and a large bed all of them having the color of blood red on them in some form. “Think Sombra’s favorite color is red?” Shining asked.
“And by the looks of it his favorite pony was himself.” Anon said pointing to a giant self portrait of himself hanging over the head of his bed.
“Seems like it.” Shining said before moving to one of the room’s cabinets. “And it seems like he had some sort of thing for capes.” Shining said as he found that the cabinet led to a large walk in wardrobe filled with capes.
“Seems like it.” Anon said poking his head over Shining’s shoulder his left eye glowing the whole time. “Seems like the heart isn’t here.”
“You sure?” Shining asked.
“I’m sure. The thing’s a magical artifact that would be giving off a heap of magic that I can’t detect in here.”
“Fair enough.” Shining said before seeing Anon raise a hand over his left eye letting out a small groan. “You alright?”
“Yeah. Just getting a damned headache. Ever since we opened up his room he’s been smashing the crap out of my shield and I’m getting real annoyed.” Anon said making his way out of the room Shining close behind him.
“You guys find anything?” Twilight asked.
“Nothing. You and Spike are going to have to keep searching.” Anon replied kneeling down to Twilight’s level. “Good luck, I’m going to go distract and hopefully beat him.”
“Good luck Anon.” Twilight said giving Anon a small hug. With that said and done Anon rose back to his feet before disappearing in a flash of light.
A few moments later base of Crystal Palace
“Cadance? What are you doing here?” Anon asked as he appeared at the base of the palace.
“I heard about the Crystal Fair that Twilight’s friends had put together.” Cadance explained. “What are you doing here?”
“Dealing with a pest.” Anon said turning to look at a black form that was constantly pounding against the shield. “Twilight and Spike are busy looking for the Crystal Heart.”
“Got it.” Cadance nodded. “Good luck and be safe.” Cadance said giving Anon a small hug.
“Of course.” Anon said before making his way towards the black form only to find himself stopped by the Elements of Harmony stepping in front of him. “Yes?”
“And where do you think you’re going buddy?” Dash asked.
“Going to kick Sombra’s flank.” Anon said before side stepping the group.
“Well you ain’t going alone.” Applejack said getting a shake of the head from Anon.
“And you would recommend you come with me?” Anon asked getting a nod from all the mares except Fluttershy. “And to that I say no you’re not coming with me.”
“And why would that be?” Dash asked. “We know how to fight.”
“No you don’t.” Anon said continuing to move away from the group. “You’re too valuable to the future of Equestria to be risking your lives. Besides I’m not going alone.” With that said Alpha appeared next to Anon.
“Well in that case be careful dear.” Rarity said getting a nod from Anon as he walked off.
“So what’s the plan?” Alpha asked floating next to Anon.
“We relieve Sombra’s body of it’s head.” Anon said before giving a glance to Alpha. “You stop generating the shield?”
Before Anon could get an answer a loud shattering sound could be heard. “I didn’t stop generating the shield only stopped reinforcing it.” Alpha replied. “Also we got a guest.” Alpha said looking to the dark cloud that was billowing towards them.
“Great.” Anon said turning to the smoke readying The Saw Cleaver. “You don’t mind getting him to stop do you?”
“How would I get him to stop?” Alpha asked.
“Blast his ass.” Anon said before feeling the boiling plasma from Alpha’s blast brush over his right shoulder.
Before the plasma beam could connect with the cloud a dark crystal sprouted from the ground blocking the blast. “Son of a bitch.” Alpha cursed.
“Screw this.” Anon muttered before raising a hand to the smoke. “STOP!” Anon yelled sending a blast of lightning towards the smoke causing it to let out a scream of pain before coming to a stop in front of Anon. “You gonna step out from your cloud or not?”
“Bold request.” The voice of Sombra said before the smoke disappeared from around his body. “It shall be your last!” Sombra yelled before raising a black scythe with a red trim to it’s blade.
“Nice try.” Anon said taking a small leap back from the upward swing Sombra sent towards him. “Now it’s my turn.” Anon said before swinging his cleaver towards Sombra, unfortunately his swing was cut short by Sombra’s scythe.
“Nice try.” Sombra said with a smirk before spinning his scythe sending Anon’s cleaver flying into the air.
“Blast!” Anon called out as he leapt away from Sombra as Alpha appeared in his place firing a small beam into the tyrant king destroying the scythe. “Good work.” Anon said catching his cleaver as it fell back to the earth.
“ENOUGH!” Sombra yelled out making a black crystal erupt from the ground hitting the bottom of Alpha’s bony form sending Alpha careening into the air. “I tire of these games.” Sombra said before summoning two tendrils of shadow from under his cape. He then sent these two tendrils towards Anon.
“Screw you.” Anon said before back flipping away from the tendrils.
“So tell me how exactly is my dear Luna? Or should I say my dear Nightmare.” Sombra said as he continued to send the two tendrils after Anon.
“Oh now you’re dead.” Anon said before disappearing in a flash of light reappearing in front of Sombra.
“AHHH!” Sombra exclaimed as Anon’s cleaver sliced through Sombra’s chest causing blood to seep from the scar. What came next was an uneasy silence as Sombra raised a hoof to his wound. After raising his hoof in front of his eyes to inspect the blood he brought his scythe back into the battle as it stabbed into Anon’s side. “Fool.” Sombra spat as Anon felt the dark blade of the scythe plunge into his side. “You should know never to get too close to your opponent. Especially when they have a weapon they can summon whenever they wish.”
“Shit.” Anon muttered as he stepped back from Sombra the scythe still within his side.
“Damned fool.” Sombra said as Anon fell to the ground. “Now then if I may take my scythe back.” Sombra said his magic wrapping around the scythe’s handle before giving it a pull getting a groan of pain from Anon. “Hmm seems to be caught on something. Probably a rib. No matter just need a little more force.” Sombra continued before pausing to look at the Crystal Palace. “Seems I have to go. Count yourself lucky that somepony has found the Heart.” With that said Sombra formed back into his smoke form before making his way towards the Palace.
“Argh buck.” Anon said letting out a groan as he tried to sit up only to find the scythe still in his side. “Buck me.”
“No thanks.” Alpha said as he appeared in front of Anon. “You alright?”
“I’m fine. Chase after Sombra make sure he doesn’t get the heart.” Anon said before feeling a massive blast shake the earth and he could see a wave of magic cascade across the sky. “What the…” Anon said before noticing a black object that looked like Sombra’s horn be flung across the sky. “Alpha.”
“Yeah I saw it.” Alpha said before speeding off towards the horn.
“Man he better hurry up.” Anon said looking down to his side to see the scythe still sticking out of his side. “Buck it.” Anon said before summoning up a shadowy tendril getting it to wrap around the scythe’s handle before pulling it out. “AHHHH! FUCK!” Anon yelled out as he could’ve sworn he heard a rib snap in two. As the tendrils threw the scythe away Anon could see is disappear into a small cloud of smoke.
“You okay?” Alpha asked as he returned with Sombra’s horn clutched in his jaw.
“Peachy.” Anon said before spitting up a bit of blood. “Just peachy.”
“Okay.” Alpha said before having a small bag float in front of his face. “Want the horn in here?” Alpha asked getting a nod from Anon. “Got it.”
“So Sombra’s dead?” Anon asked getting a nod from Alpha. “Good.” Anon said before propping himself into a better sitting position. “So you gonna close the wound or not?”
“And how would I do that?” Alpha asked as he looked down at the hole in Anon’s side.
“How do you think?” Anon asked getting a slow nod from Alpha as he began to heat up his maw with a small ball of plasma.
“Might want to bite down on something.” Alpha asked as he slowly floated down over Anon’s wound.
“Just get it done. Like a band-aid rip it off as quick as possible.” Anon said before Alpha let his plasma seal the hole in Anon’s side. “ARGH!”
“I told you to bite onto something.” Alpha said.
“Well I had nothing to bite on.” Anon replied before gesturing for Alpha to hover closer to him. “Give me a hand up will you.”
“Sure.” Alpha said before transforming into his wolf form and moving in front of Anon. When he was in position Anon fell onto his back. “Now what?”
“Back to the Palace.” Anon said moving himself so that he was sitting on Alpha’s back instead of being slumped over it.
“ANON?!” The voice of Cadance called out as she appeared along with Shining, Spike, Twilight and the Elements of Harmony. “Anon!”
“Yes?” Anon said as the group made their way over to him.
“Are you okay?” Twilight asked before seeing the sealed wound in his side. “What happened?”
“Sombra.” Anon said. “All I can say is thanks to you two finding the Heart I’m still alive.” He said to Spike and Twilight.
“Yeah well couldn’t have done it if you didn’t distract him.” Spike said. “All I did was return the Heart to it’s rightful place.”
“Well then I guess credit for Sombra’s defeat falls to Spike.” Anon said with a chuckle before turning to Cadance. “No credit for me thanks. All of it goes to Spike.”
“Got it Anon.” Cadance said with a smile. “Now let’s get you to the Palace’s infirmary.” Cadance said getting a slow nod from Anon as the group made their way back to the palace.