Everypony stared at the Cutie Mark Crusaders until Applejack broke the ice.
“Applebloom, haven’t ah told yah and yer friends that it’s rude to spy on ponies?”
“We’re awful sorry sis, but we just wanted to see who caused all that hubbub, so we headed on over here as soon as we woke up. We heard everything, and now that we know Clark is a friend, we’re glad we came.”
Sweetie Belle chimed in.
“Clark hasn’t earned his Cutie Mark yet.”
Scootaloo continued.
“Which means…”
The three shouted at once.
“IT’S CUTIE MARK CRUSADERS TIME!”
The ones who knew them just smiled indulgently, but Clark and the ones who didn’t know them were just confused.
“What?”
Apple Bloom addressed him.
“We’re the Cutie Mark Crusaders. It’s our duty to help other ponies learn what their purpose and special talent is and earn their Cutie Marks!”
The ponies who didn't know them nodded in understanding while Clark widened his eyes and looked at his bare flank.
“Oh right, how does that work again?”
Sweetie Belle walked up and answered.
“When you discover your special talent and calling in life, the Cutie Mark just appears on your flanks.”
Scootaloo took over.
“Yeah, but you can’t rush it. We learned that the hard way.”
“Oh? How did you three get yours? What do they mean?”
Apple Bloom presented her flank proudly.
“We got ours at the same time, when we all agreed to try to help everypony else earn or understand their Cutie Marks!”
“So you chose to help others move forward with their lives and careers? How noble. It would be an honor to learn from you.”
He bowed his head to them. The CMC beamed while the others looked on with pride until Celestia cleared her throat.
“Let us continue this discussion with breakfast.”
Everypony agreed that was a good idea.
Their rather large group moved to the dining room. Clark was glad they had foods he was familiar with such as bread and fruit. He raised an eyebrow at seeing Spike being served gemstones, but shrugged and continued eating. As they ate, everypony traded Cutie Mark stories. They also told Clark about how they stopped Doomsday with the Crystal Heart and about the Windigos. Cadence sent a messenger over to Miss Cheerilee’s class to inform them where the CMC were and that they were all right.
As they finished, Daring Do suddenly remembered something.
“Didn’t Doomsday have a Cutie Mark?”
Trixie gasped.
“You’re right, he did!”
As the others digested this, Clark turned to the pair.
“Really? Can you describe it?”
Trixie searched her memory and answered.
“There was a body cell straight out of a biology book, and a cloud shaped like a mushroom.”
Clark sighed.
“Yeah, that makes sense. Doomsday was created in a lab to be the ultimate survivor. Some even call him the Ultimate Life-Form. As long as at least one cell in his body lives, he lives. He’s now in me, so he’ll live as long as I live.”
Maud and Fluttershy both put a comforting hoof on his shoulders, but he held his head up high.
“I’m fine. It’s something I’ve literally had to live with for a very long time. Now, the mushroom cloud represents the aftermath of a very powerful explosion. Fitting for a guy who hates everything that lives and wants to destroy it all.”
Luna approached with a reassuring smile.
“Perhaps with time, we may discover a spell that can free you of him.”
Twilight got excited.
“I’ll do research once we get back to the Castle of the Two Sisters.”
Clark chuckled.
“I’ll wish you luck. Maybe you can indeed find a way even when Billy couldn't after over a thousand years. It is a whole new world after all.”
Rainbow Dash scoffed.
“Oh please. If anypony could figure out how to solve a problem with magic, it's Princess Egghead over here.”
Twilight gently smacked Rainbow in embarrassment.
Scootaloo addressed Clark.
“So, do you have any idea what your special talent could be? Here's a hint, most of the time, it's unique and something you do that just feels right.”
“Unique? Hmm, that will be tricky. If I were younger, I would probably say it's either my powers or my dedication to protect others. The thing is, almost all of my friends and family do the same thing. My family members have my abilities and more. Heh, I suppose this was what Vartox meant when he said I had forgotten what makes me me because I am stumped.”
Now that everypony finished eating, the table was cleared and Celestia faced Clark.
“Do not worry. Searching for a Cutie Mark is a journey of self-discovery, and it will always be worthwhile. As you have chosen to live in this world, you have all the time to find it.”
“Wow, thank you.”
“Now, I get the notion that there are many citizens here who are fearful and confused about all that has happened. You will have to face them.”
Shining Armor looked worried.
“Are you sure that is wise?”
“Concealing him will accomplish nothing except to increase everypony’s paranoia. We need to let them know that he is not the same as Doomsday, and that he is a friend.”
Clark sighed and steeled himself.
“I am ready.”
Trixie floated over his saddlebags. She had taken the liberty of returning his wrapped up cape to it earlier.
“You might want this back.”
“Oh, thank you.”
She placed them on his waist.
Maud indicated the jacket she was wearing over her dress.
“I should return this.”
“It looks so good on you, but very well.”
With the help of Rarity’s telekinesis, Maud removed the jacket and Clark donned it. Rarity examined it again. She regretted not having any of her equipment with her, for she desired very much to mend the minor tears the jacket had accumulated over the past few days.
“Pray tell, what does the ‘S’ stand for, darling?”
“It’s not an ‘S’. This is the personal symbol of my family. It symbolizes our House Words: ‘Hope To Be Better Than Before’.”
“How intriguing.”
Flash Sentry flew over and held up the katana Trixie had given him.
“I suppose I should return Dawnbreak now.”
“Wait, how did you know it's name? I never mentioned it out loud.”
“I can read kanji.”
“Impressive. Keep it for now. I’ll look less scary to the citizens without a weapon on me.”
“Very well.”
Flash attached it back to his waist.
The rather large group stepped outside the palace, where they were met by Miss Cheerilee and her class. Cheerilee marched up to the CMC with an upset look on her face.
“How could you leave the hotel without even telling us where you had gone!?”
The three instantly looked crestfallen and bowed their heads. They spoke as one.
“We're sorry, Miss Cheerilee.”
Rarity threw an aside to the others.
“They've grown so much, yet they still have a lot to learn.”
They all nodded in understanding.
As a majority of the population gathered in the courtyard outside the palace, Cadence stepped forward and addressed them.
“Everypony, please listen. We know what had happened yesterday was very frightening, but be assured that you are safe now. This stallion before me is Clark. He was the monster who attacked us yesterday.”
Several drew back in fear, but she merely gestured at them to stop and they did. That was how much they loved their Princess.
“Do not be alarmed. He was under a curse that transformed him, but the Crystal Heart reversed it. He wishes to be our friend. Please give him a chance.”
Slowly but surely, the Crystal Ponies and the tourists approached him. He took a deep breath and spoke.
“I am truly sorry for everything that happened here yesterday. I swear I will do my best to make reparations.”
Pinkie Pie suddenly jumped on his back. This time, despite being surprised, he didn't freak out.
“Now turn those frowns upside down! We're all friends now, and the best thing to do is mingle!”
Twilight laughed.
“That's Pinkie for you.”
Everypony indeed mingled and started having fun. Daring Do discussed her archeology career with Blueblood, Rainbow Dash, Scootaloo and anypony else who cared to listen. Trixie talked about magic with Twilight and she quickly taught Twilight Clark’s healing spell. The rest of the group went with Clark into the crowd and they all started to get to know each other. Celestia and Luna noted that starting with Pinkie Pie, more and more ponies were becoming ageless as a result of becoming friends with Clark.
Clark looked around at this land of crystal and sighed wistfully. It was so beautiful, and reminded him of his home, the Fortress of Solitude. However, he walked to the side, hanging his head. Maud followed him.
“What's wrong?”
“This land and its inhabitants are wonderful, but I have to admit I miss my old home. My old friends. Maud, I truly care for you, but I can't help but miss Maxima.”
He looked to the side and saw a hole in the crystal ground. His eyes widened in horror and he dashed over to it.
“Oh no, oh no!”
Maud followed him.
“What is it?”
“I can remember the battle you all had against Doomsday. He bled here.”
“So?”
“All of these crystals are supercharged with magical energy. By feeding on it and and the crystal itself for raw materials, the blood could eventually regenerate into a new Doomsday!”
He frantically scanned the hole and surroundings with his X-Ray and microscopic vision, but was surprised to find no trace of the blood.
“Where’s the blood? Where’s the blood!?”
He searched his memory.
“Oh, I see, the Crystal Heart’s power destroyed it. Damn, I'm going crazy with worry.”
He struggled to calm down and get his breathing under control, then she hugged him.
“Everything will be okay. I promise.”
Their faces moved toward each other, but before their lips could make contact, they looked up when they heard Pinkie give a startled cry.
Everypony looked in concern as Pinkie hung in midair and shook uncontrollably before dropping down. Maud frowned.
“Oh great.”
“What was that?”
“Pinkie has the ability to sense danger. Based on that, this is going to be a doozy.”
Pinkie pulled a megaphone out of nowhere and shouted into it.
“Everypony, be careful! Something is coming!”
Everypony looked around, then they saw a snowstorm entering the city, with horse-like shapes inside it.
Cadence facehoofed and spoke in a jaded and annoyed voice.
“The Windigos are back? Don’t worry everypony, I’ll prep the Crystal Heart again.”
She charged her magic and prepared to fire it at the pedestal where the artifact was displayed, floating in midair. Suddenly, Clark heard an incoming projectile.
“Princess, look out!”
He darted forth and pushed her out of the way of a dark magical blast that came from the sky. When it hit the ground, the explosion was surprisingly tiny, but then a platform the size of a small cottage emerged from the ground, made of black crystal. Before any of them could react, another blast fired at the Crystal Heart and it was completely covered in a black crystal box.
As the snowstorm spread throughout the city, blocking out the sun and spreading snow and ice everywhere, a huge mass of shadow descended from the sky and landed on the platform, then formed into a huge, dark grey Unicorn with a pitch black mane and a red horn. He wore armor, a crown, and a regal, red cape that seemed to be lined with white fur.
“A pity my first strike missed, but it is great to be back!”
All present who knew who he was gasped in horror and the Crystal Ponies were panicking. Celestia stepped forth.
“King Sombra! How can you be back!?”
He looked down on them all and sneered.
“Ah sweet Celestia, it is nostalgic to see you again after over a thousand years. I’ll be glad to explain, after THIS!!!”
He unleashed a wave of dark magic that spread out in every direction. It was so fast that even Clark couldn’t do anything about it. Once it had passed, everypony and one dragon in the Crystal Empire was wearing a collar and shackles made of black crystal. The ones with horns had black crystal capping them, and the ones with wings had them bound as well, causing a few like Rainbow Dash to drop to the ground with a thud. Several Crystal Ponies started screaming in despair.
As they all struggled, Luna cried out.
“I don’t understand. Why couldn’t my magic counter this?”
Sombra laughed.
“Because little pretender, you may rule the night, but I rule everything!”
“Oh yeah? You don’t rule me!”
With a grunt, Clark shattered all his bonds. He was pleased to see Maud and Applejack breaking free as well. He broke a few ponies free, like Cheerilee and a few Crystal Ponies, then instructed them to free the others. Inspired, the Alicorns present used their natural strength to break free as well. Soon, everypony in the general area was free, and the Crystal Ponies were all freeing each other, keeping them busy, calm, and out of harm’s way for the moment.
“I don’t know who you are, but I already don’t like you. You’re going down.”
Sombra gave a mild look of surprise before straightening up.
“Heh. Impressive, but don’t get ahead of yourself. You may be powerful, but do you really think a Blank Flank such as yourself can actually do anything significant against me, King Sombra?”
“Your flank’s looking a bit blank as well, buddy.”
“Ha ha ha! Fool! My special talent is DARKNESS!!! By the way, why don’t you do us all a favor and turn back into that hideous monster. Maybe that way this will actually be interesting.”
Shocked, Clark, who had been about to attack, nearly lost his balance. The others were stunned into silence as well.
“H-How?”
“Oh yes, I know all about your little curse. How do you think I got here!?”
Shining Armor growled.
“What are you talking about!?”
“All those moons ago when your wife and that little dragon brat stopped my first return with the Crystal Heart, I was blown to bits. All that was left of me was my horn, which was buried in the snow. During my original reign I made myself immortal, but I was so weak, only able to remain conscious for moments at a time. With nopony nearby to gather negative emotions from so that I could regenerate, I could have remained buried indefinitely. That all changed yesterday when a monster passed by. One with a bottomless level of hatred and rage. One that could entice our little friends the Windigos to come out of hiding. Just him passing by me for a few moments supercharged me beyond anything I had even experienced, making me even more powerful than the Princesses! What did you call him? Oh yes, Doomsday. Quite a fitting name, because this is the end of your old world order and the beginning of mine. I really should thank you, because your sins were the bedrock of my return!”
Clark could hear several Crystal Ponies muttering in fear and even blaming him for what was happening, but he tuned them out.
“If it’s true that my presence in this world helped you return, then you’re just another mistake I have to correct.”
“Your biggest mistake is thinking you can actually stop me. Your best chance at survival would be to turn back into Doomsday, but that would only work in my favor as well.”
“You are a fool if you think you can defeat Doomsday.”
“Oh please. He’ll never be able to kill me. His mere presence will power me and the Windigos up even further, until I am able to dominate him and make him my instrument.”
Twilight interrupted.
“Wait a minute. Why aren’t the Windigos targeting you? I may not be skilled in emotion based magic, but I can tell you are the greatest source of negative emotions right now.”
“Ha ha ha! Simple. These creatures are sentient. I was able to work a deal with them. They work for me, and they have all the hatred and anger they want. Plain and simple. They’ll be very happy if Doomsday comes back.”
Clark looked around at the creatures creating the snowstorm, then back to Sombra.
“Too bad, because I’m not turning back anytime soon.”
“Don’t be too sure. Remember what he said?”
He formed a javelin of black crystal, which floated in midair, then looked past Clark.
“Once you die, I will be free forever!”
Clark watched in horror as Sombra fired the javelin straight at Maud at incredible speeds. He attempted to rush over and push her out of the way, but the ice and snow that was accumulating caused him to slip. He tried to shoot it out of the air with his heat vision, but missed. Just as it was about to impale Maud, Flash Sentry swooped in at super speed and sliced the projectile in half with Dawnbreak.
“Don’t count us out yet, Sombra.”
Relieved, everypony thanked him, while Sombra grunted in annoyance.
“Just doing my job. I should be thanking you, Clark, for letting me hold on to this. It’s really sharp. Now let’s all take care of this guy.”
Seething at Flash’s remark, Sombra retorted.
“Take care of this!”
The crystal platform he was standing on flashed with dark energy, and everypony and dragon screamed as they started seeing their greatest fears.
Clark saw Doomsday, in humanoid form, smashing everyone he knew, human and pony alike. But then he saw Doomsday killing Lois, Mary, and Maxima, and saw something was wrong with this picture.
“That never happened!”
Clark unleashed his heat vision on Sombra, who blocked it with a black crystal barrier. It disrupted his concentration enough to break his fear spell, freeing the others, who caught their breath.
Several shuddered, while Applejack spoke for all of them.
“Ah never want to go through all that again.”
Clark grunted.
“Agreed.”
Sombra started taking potshots at all of them with both blasts and black crystal projectiles, though mostly aiming at Maud. The snow and ice was hampering Clark’s speed, and the Windigos restored it if he tried to melt it. Without his ability to fly, Clark could not do much except dodge and destroy the projectiles with his heat vision, as several black crystal walls that grew out of the ground prevented him from simply charging at Sombra. He learned this painfully when he tried to punch through one, only to get cut when it sprouted spikes. Trying to destroy the walls with heat vision resulted in them repairing themselves. He knew trying to leap over them would only result in Sombra blasting him out of the air.
Flash slashed through several more projectiles and Shining Armor shielded the others with his barriers. Trixie tried casting illusory copies of themselves and making themselves invisible, but Sombra boasted he wrote the book on such spells and easily dispelled them. Spike tried eating through the black crystals, but they quickly made him sick to his stomach and he fainted. Rarity quickly carried him over to the class and they tended to him. Fluttershy couldn't do much except dodge and tend to the wounded.
The Princesses all flew into action, but found Sombra’s boast that feeding on Doomsday’s rage had made him more powerful was not an empty one. They were quickly beaten back and encased in black crystal again, though were quickly freed. Shining Armor tried to get to Cadence so that they could unleash their love attack like they did against the Changelings and Windigos, but they could not reach each other because of all the attacks. Rainbow Dash, Flash Sentry, Daring Do, and a few members of the Royal Guard tried to get around Sombra to reach and free the Crystal Heart, but there were too many black crystal defenses. Twilight couldn’t teleport to it because the presence of the black crystals prevented it.
Maud decided she had had enough.
“Trixie! Give me the Aegis of Gaia!”
Realizing her plan, Trixie pulled it out of her enchanted pockets and threw it to her. She immediately equipped it to her waist, and watched in fascination as her body was coated in a thin layer of diamond. As she expected, the black crystals were not on the same scale of hardness as diamond, so the projectiles bounced off.
“Clark! You don’t have to worry about me anymore!”
Seeing what she had done, Clark smiled in admiration. Together, they charged Sombra, smashing through his barriers. Before they could reach him, a black crystal spike pierced Clark’s right leg. He collapsed, screaming in pain and cursing his weakness to magic.
“Clark!”
Before Maud could tend to him, Sombra lifted her into the air with his telekinesis. Without the ability to fly, her strength was useless.
“Sis, no!”
Pinkie pulled out her party cannon and blasted Sombra with it, but he blocked the blast, then trapped everypony in shackles and collars again.
“My dear, your end will herald a new beginning.”
He tried to pull the Aegis of Gaia off her with his telekinesis, but she quickly put her front hooves over it and fought with all her strength, knowing that without it, he would be able to kill her instantly.
“I won’t let you!”
Pinkie fought her bonds with all her strength, and managed to break them a little. Applejack broke free and broke some of the others free, before trying to charge, only to be stopped by the black crystal defenses. The Princesses started to break free, but everypony was startled when a white beam hit Sombra, briefly stunning him, though he didn’t drop Maud.
“Who dares!?”
“I dare. Now let her go!”
It was Prince Blueblood. He had managed to dodge the shackling spell the second time it was used by jumping into a ditch. Sombra laughed.
“What? Do you think you can do anything? You’re not an Alicorn, or even a wizard! I’ve seen all of your darkest fears and I know everything about you. You’re just some spoiled brat!”
“I’m better than I was before! Looks like you don’t know everything about me! And you know what? Screw Alicorns! Screw wizards! And SCREW YOU!”
He fired a massive beam at Sombra, who coolly sidestepped it.
“Useless.”
“Wait for it.”
“What?”
The beam bounced off the reflective crystal wall of the palace and nailed Sombra in the back, knocking him off his platform and to the ground. With his concentration disrupted, Maud dropped harmlessly to the ground. Now that he was open, Rainbow Dash, who was freed from the shackles, flew up and unleashed the Sonic Rainboom, using all that speed to tackle him. He was sent flying, but he quickly returned to his shadow form and used it to reform on the platform.
The citizens were all cheering from that display, but were silenced when Sombra roared.
“ENOUGH!!!”
He pumped out more magic, and the platform grew into a tower, higher than even the palace. The citizens were terrified again, especially when he started raining down blasts and black crystal projectiles. The heroes worked overtime to protect them. Diamond Tiara attempted to lead her class and several citizens to safety with her talent of leadership.
Clark had managed to pull the spike out of his leg, and Trixie augmented his natural healing with her healing spell, which he was thankful for as there was no sunlight.
Blueblood’s words had resonated with him, as they resembled his House Words. Suddenly, memories surged through him, of all the times in his life he had made things better than before, even before he had even learned of his origins and House Words. How he had saved his childhood friend Pete Ross from bullies and then taught him how to fight. How he had helped Jimmy Olsen to be brave. How he had trained his son in both the sword and how to farm and take care of others. How he had helped Vartox be a worthy husband to Diana. How he had taught Mae and their children how to master the Solar Pulse after he had discovered it. How he had become a teacher to the new recruits of the Legion of Superheroes. How he had convinced Dr. Caballeron’s hired thugs to quit a life of crime. How he had convinced the ponies around him to free themselves and each other from the shackles. He remembered the Cutie Mark Crusaders’ words, and knew he had found what made him unique.
Despite his depleted power from the blocked out sun, he destroyed all the projectiles at once with his heat vision. Everypony was shocked, especially Sombra.
“I remember what my purpose is. It's not just about helping and protecting others. All my life, I wanted to be awesome… and to inspire others to be as awesome as me.”
In an instant, he involuntarily unleashed a more powerful than normal Solar Pulse, surrounding his entire body in heat and light and concealing him from view for a few seconds. When everypony could see him again, they were amazed at the little addition. He looked at his flank and saw the symbol of the House of El, except it was made of flames. He chuckled.
“How appropriate.”
He felt an advanced awareness about himself and realized his true powers had been restored. With a sense of nostalgia, he closed his eyes, crouched, and braced his right hoof against the ground. He could feel energy flowing through him, then moving under him. Everypony, even Sombra, looked on in awe as pebbles and rubble around him started to levitate. Then Clark opened his eyes and everything around him abruptly dropped to the ground. He smiled, then slowly rose into the air.
As the ponies around him stared in amazement and started talking amongst themselves, Sombra was beyond shocked.
“How can this be!? You don't have wings, or even a horn!”
Instead of answering, Clark simply flew up to him at super speed. In an instant, Clark was in front of him, then delivered an uppercut, launching Sombra off the tower and into the sky. Clark flew after him, then punched him again, sending Sombra flying horizontally. Clark flew forward, punching him again and again, trying to knock him out of the city. Suddenly, just as Clark was about to punch him again, Sombra converted to his shadow form and flew away. Sombra returned to the top of his crystal tower and returned to his pony form. He didn’t even have a scratch on him.
Clark landed back near the others, then picked up a rock and threw it at mach speed. Sombra merely ducked and the rock punched a hole in his cape when his motion made his cape fly up. The cape instantly repaired itself and Sombra laughed, shouting down at them.
“Is this all you can do? Just crude brute force? Pathetic.”
Some of the Crystal Ponies started screaming that it was hopeless. Sombra smiled as his powers grew. Clark noticed and realized what was happening.
He’s like the polar opposite of Chrysalis, and his ability to feed on all of our negative emotions is giving him too much of an advantage.
Clark looked up at the snowy clouds and realized what he had to do. He figured if he timed it right, he had just enough stored power to do it.
“I’m just getting started.”
Clark unleashed a Solar Pulse. Then he did it again and again, continuously. Soon, his body became so hot that the snow around him melted and the air around him was filling with steam. Several ponies came as close to him as they dared, eager for some relief against the cold. Irritated, Sombra fired a blast at him, but the heat created a mirage and made him miss. The ponies drew back when Clark became surrounded by a massive aura of fire, and the crystal ground beneath him started melting. He levitated a few inches off the ground to keep from sinking into it.
“What!? What the Tartarus are you doing!?”
“Proving just why I could inspire all in my domain to point and say, ‘Look! Up in the sky!’ ”
Clark slowly inhaled all of that fire, with everypony looking on in awe. He then launched his super breath upwards, unleashing a huge stream of fire, which reached and passed through the clouds. At first, it seemed to do nothing, but then the clouds abruptly parted, letting the noon sun shine down. Sombra hissed and briefly shielded his eyes, while the Windigos retreated. Clark basked in the sun’s strengthening rays, and was amused when several ponies cheered and indeed pointed up and called out.
“Look! Up in the sky!”
Sombra growled, both at this display of power and the fact that everypony was feeling hope again, reducing the negative emotions he could absorb and driving the Windigos away. He flared up his magic, attracting the Windigos back and causing some of the storm clouds to return, though the sun still shone.
“Damn you. I am King Sombra, Rightful Ruler of the Crystal Empire, Shadow King, King of the Monsters! Who the Tartarus do you think you are!?”
“Before I answer that, I want to take you down in style. Trixie?”
She stepped forward.
“Umm. Yes?”
“Inside my saddlebags is a red cape. Please attach it to my jacket’s collar. It’s a bit awkward to do it without hands or telekinesis.”
Wait, that’s what that was? I thought it was a blanket.
Nonetheless, she set her surprise aside and probed his saddlebags with her telekinesis until she found his cape. Taking note at the fact it had a symbol very similar to his Cutie Mark and the symbol on his jacket, except it was red and yellow, she gingerly attached the two clasps to his jacket’s collar. Although the sun was shining, the windigos’ magic snowstorm was still active, so there was still wind for his cape to blow behind him majestically.
“Ah, much better.”
He turned to the evil king. In a way, they were similar yet opposites. They were both large and had red capes and black manes, but Sombra’s regalia and horn were contrasted by Clark’s bare head and simple jacket and saddlebags.
“To answer your question, I have many names, but for now, I am Clark Kent, King of Almerac. This land and its inhabitants are now under my protection.”