//------------------------------//
// Chapter 4: Light Our Darkest Hour 
// Story: Crystal Empire (Reboot) 
// by Shadow Master 
//------------------------------//

At the Crystal Castle's balcony, Princess Cadance struggled in holding her force-field shield dome much longer. Shining Armor looked concern as there was nothing he can do but watch the event due to his horn being corrupted. Autumn Gem brought two glasses of water for her leaders to drink.

Golden Heart have arrived at the scene as he turned and looked at Autumn Gem. She shook her head in concern. He sighed in disbelief.

"This isn't good," Golden Heart said in concern. He looked outside as he found the shield blinked for few times like it's losing the energy. He hissed in concern, "Twilight, hurry. I don't know how long Cadance can keep up with this."

"Psst!" The voice called. Golden Heart and Autumn Gem turned to their back as they found a familiar cloaked warrior hidden behind the curtains. They both approached to the stranger. She spoke in concern, "Bad news. Umbrum and Sombra are using their Dark Crystal Magic! They're trying to weaken the shield!"

"No..." Autumn Gem said in concern, "Is there anywhere I can help and bring Sombra back?"

The stranger sighed, "There is a way. But be ready for it, Autumn."

"How?"

"Just follow my lead. Everything will be fine, I promised."

Autumn Gem was still unsure and concern before nodded in understanding, "Okay. I'll follow your lead. I hope you're right about bringing him back."

The stranger smiled, "We'll get him back. I promised."





King Sombra and King Umbreon were still waiting outside of Crystal Empire's Force-Field Shield Dome. They waited patiently and calmly as they witnessed their corrupted dark crystals extended the shadows while forming more of crystals. They both smirked darkly and evilly.

"We're close, brother. Very close." King Umbreon said calmly and proudly, "We'll take what is rightfully ours."

King Sombra hummed while nodded in agreement, "Yes. But we should also deal with Sparkle as well. She managed to escape the Door of Fear. She's truly an enemy not to be underestimated."

"Don't worry. We'll deal with her. After all, she's still got affected by her nightmare spell. She won't escape it that easily."

"Yes, you're right about it. She won't. And I've seen it too. And to be honest, compare her fears of failure to her true nightmare of being lust all-powered Alicorn, the latter is better."

"I agree. She would be great use as our general and herald."

"Yes. She will be..."





Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy were entertaining the Crystal Ponies by playing a jousting against each other. While the daredevil enjoyed it a lot, the shy one doesn't as she got beaten and knocked out by her. Nevertheless, they've to do it to keep the Crystal Ponies distracted from noticing and realizing that King Sombra and King Umbreon attacking the castle especially buying Twilight Sparkle and her friends some time to find the real Crystal Heart. 

However, as all ponies were busy with entertainment, they failed to realize the cities o Crystal Empire slowly transformed into a more corrupted and darker version.





Twilight Sparkle and her team continued climbing up the stairs endlessly as they have yet reached the top. And at the same time, they all panted heavily and tiredly. They stopped at once as they were all exhausted to move. They all dropped to the ground hard.

"I am so tired," Ben Valorheart exclaimed in shock and annoyance.

"Keep going! We don't have much time," Strikespell said dryly and darkly.

Ben Valorheart groaned, "I know that. We're doing out best, knucklehead! We're just so tired."

Strikespell sighed in annoyance, "And you think I don't?" He scoffed, "Real funny, idiot."

Spike panted heavily, "What if this is just more of his magic?" Everyone looked at him. He continued, "He makes a door that leads to your worst nightmare. Why not a staircase that goes on forever?"

Thinking of Spike's suggestion, Twilight Sparkle took a closer look on bottom and top stairs. She then have some thoughts about it carefully. She gasped as she has the idea now.

"Everyone hold on to me," Twilight Sparkle ordered firmly.

Unsure and concern of what Twilight Sparkle was planning, the boys decided to go with it. Strikespell and Ben Valorheart held her by sides while Spike was onto of her. With everyone holding her tightly, Twilight Sparkle used her magic on herself and her friends. They all shifted upside down from stairs to its bottom slides-like.

As they landed on it, they slide straight down or rather up in reaching to the top. And at the same time, they all screamed in surprise and wildly.





At the Crystal Empire cities, Mane Five struggled in entertaining and keeping Crystal Ponies happy for much longer. One by one building, they slowly turned into darker and corrupted version. This caused the locals panicked in fear while heading to the altar, wanting to see the Crystal Heart, Applejack struggled in begging and keeping them away from it.

Rarity approached to Applejack as she whispered in concern, "I am running out of weaving materials for the traditional crafts booth!"

"We gotta do everything we can to keep this thing goin'." Applejack said in concern. 

The cowgirl turned and looked up to the balcony. She found Princess Cadance grew weaker and tired especially the shield keeps on blinking like its power almost out. 

Applejack hissed in concern, "The Princess isn't lookin' so good. I can't imagine her magic is gonna last much longer. It's gonna be fine. These ponies are gonna power up that Crystal Heart when the time comes, and we won't be needin' her magic anyway."

"I sure hope that time comes soon!" Pinkie Pie said in concern as she was playing a juggling of fluggerhorns while standing still on the giant ball, "Even I can't keep this party going forever!"

Her back hoof got slipped, causing Pinkie Pie to lose her balance and fell to the ground. And at the same time, the ball thrown straight on the cloak of crafted Crystal Heart out. This caused Applejack and Rarity in shock. The stone dropped to the ground hard as it revealed to the Crystal Ponies public now. And they were in shock and concern of what they were looking at.

Crystal Arrow gasped, "This isn't the Crystal Heart."

Rarity laughed nervously, "Oh, of course it isn't. The real one is–"

Applejack interrupted, "On its way!"

Rarity hissed as she whispered to her best friend, "I was going to say 'being polished' to buy us some more time?"

Applejack gulped, "Oops."

EVIL LAUGHTERS! Crystal Ponies gasped and screamed in fear as they heard of their tyrant kings' voice especially their city building transforming and the force-field shield is losing its power. They all chatted and exclaimed in shock and concern about it.





Twilight Sparkle's team screamed and cheered excitedly as they continued sliding down the long slides. They're almost to the top.

"This is the dumbest idea you ever come up with, Sparkle!" Strikespell exclaimed in annoyance and anger.

"Put a sock to it!" Ben Valorheart exclaimed in annoyance. He chuckled happily, "Twilight, this is awesome! I've always want to ride on roller-coaster or water park slides. But this is the best! How did you do it?!"

Twilight Sparkle smiled, "I actually studied gravity spells, thinking it might be on my test! Turns out I was prepared for this! Wooo-hooo!"

After a long sliding down, Twilight Sparkle and her friends got out of it. They all magically turn upside down as they slammed and dropped to the ground hard. They all laughed happily and enjoyably.

Twilight Sparkle sighed, "We've made it. I should have done that the first try."

"But that was... Fun.." Strikespell commented in surprise. He turned and found Ben Valorheart looking at him. He groaned, "What?!"

"I saw it," Ben Valorheart commented.

"What?!"

"You actually enjoy the fun. For a stoic and serious pony like you, you actually like it."

"Na'ah! Not true!"

"Don't lie to me, buddy!"

"I'm serious! Knock it off before I'd kill you!"

"Just say 'Yes, I enjoy it'. You're just like us, your majesty. You should learn to enjoy it. It made you loose your stress."

"Would you just shut the hell up, moron?! Honestly I should have kill you before you grown up to be an annoying brat!"

"Keep telling yourself, big guy..."

"Guys!" Spike cried. Everyone turned and looked at him. He pointed at the front of his direction, "We've found it!"

As his friends looked up, they all gasped in surprise and shock. They were all looking at the crystallized heart-shaped. They knew one thing. They finally found it - the real Crystal Heart! They all turned and looked at Twilight Sparkle, who began approaching it while looking excited and happy. She's gonna pass the test.

And just before she could touch the Crystal Heart, Twilight Sparkle stepped on the giant star on giant circle, which caused a loud siren while blinking darkly. This not only surprised her and her friends, but also two tyrant kings.





King Sombra and King Umbreon gasped in shock and concern, upon feeling and sensing the alarm went off. They both groaned in anger.

"Damn them!" King Umbreon cursed angrily as he had his horn glowed darkly, "They had the Crystal Heart! We must stop them now!"

King Sombra hissed and nodded in agreement while glowed his horn, "I'll deal with it. And this time, I'll ensure her to join our forces now!"

"Are you sure, brother? The Princess's shield is still blocking and preventing us entering!"

"Maybe. But now her power is weakening, this allowed me to teleport and deal with her. Activate our final trap! Capture her now!"

King Umbreon nodded as he used his Dark Magic in activating final trap while King Sombra summoned a portal. The older one entered it before disappeared. They younger one finished his spells as he continued attacking the shield.





"What's going on?!" Ben Valorheart asked in concern.

Strikespell hissed, "Twilight must have accidentally trigger the alarm. Twilight, get out of there now! It's a final trap!"

Heard of what Strikespell had said, Twilight Sparkle has to think quickly before she could get trapped. Unable to think straight, she quickly pushed the Crystal Heart out before her whole body got coiled and trapped by a giant darken crystals-like serpent around her. She groaned and moaned in pain as she was unable to escape.

Ben Valorheart gasped, "Noooooooo!"

"We're too late," Strikespell said in concern. Ben Valorheart summoned his Master Sword as he was about to break the crystals. The Prince of Imperial Phoenix Kingdom grabbed the young one while exclaimed in anger, "Don't be a fool!"

"But Twilight-!"

"Think first before you act! We have to find and defeat Sombra or Umbreon! They're the only ones that can unlock her prison!"

"I hate it when you're right," Ben Valorheart sighed as he turned to Twilight Sparkle, "Are you okay?!"

Twilight Sparkle groaned in pain while struggled, "I'm fine! The Heart... Where's the Crystal–"

"Here! It rolled over to me when you dropped it!" Spike exclaimed in concern while looking at Crystal Heart rolling towards him. He gasped upon noticing the tower's chamber is filled with more corrupted shards. He hissed, "They're breaking through! Twilight, you've gotta get out of there!"

Twilight Sparkle groaned in pain as she tried to use her magic. And unfortunately, it failed her. She groaned in frustration.

"NO! I can't get out!" Twilight Sparkle exclaimed in frustration, "How could I have been so foolish? I was just so eager to get it! Then when I saw what was going on outside, I..."

Ben Valorheart held her head while looking at her, "Twilight, this isn't your fault. None of us knew. But we will get you out!"

Spike nodded in agreement, "You have to get out of there, Twilight! You have to be the one who brings the Heart to Princess Cadance! If you don't, you'll fail Celestia's test!"

"Sombra and Umbreon are already attacking the Empire. They could reach the Crystal Ponies at any moment..." Strikespell exclaimed in anger, "Everyone will died in vain if we don't get the heart tho altar in time! We have to go now!"

"I am not leaving without her!" Ben Valorheart exclaimed in anger, "I almost lost her!"

"There are times we have to make some sacrifices to save millions. There isn't much time. we'll come back to her, once we get it to altar!"

"She could died when we come back! I'm not gonna take that risk! I would never do that! Not on my watch!"

"You're a fool! You're gonna get us all killed!"

"You're a jerk and selfish! You'd never care for anyone but the mission especially sacrificing so many innocents to complete your goal!"

"At least, I know what must come first! Put your duty before feelings!"

"Never! I'm not going! And I won't abandon who I really am!"

"Fool!"

"Jerk!"

Both Strikespell and Ben Valorheart continued argued, Spike pleaded and begged them to stop arguing. While three boys continued their argument, Twilight Sparkle was thinking of what Strikespell has said. She knew he was right about it. And as much as she wanted to pass the test, she has to abandoned it and save the lives.

Twilight Sparkle turned to Spike, "Spike, get the Crystal Heart to the Faire." She turned to both Strikespell and Ben Valorheart, "Go with him! Get him there now!"

Ben Valorheart and Spike were about to argue, Twilight Sparkle screamed, "There's no time! Go! Gooooo! Now!"

Upset to abandon the very mother he loved, Spike obeyed as he grabbed the Crystal Heart at once. Strikespell levitated and had him on his back. They both trotted off at once. They jumped off the edge. Spike screamed in fear while Strikespell remained firm as they both dived straight down. And at the same time, the prince used Dual Blades in piercing on the second tower's crystallized walls while holding them tight.

As Spike held tight on the white unicorn, Strikespell continued jumping down while pierced and her his dual blades on the walls as they both began descending to the ground. But at the same time, they have to deal with corrupted crystals. And thanks to his strength and skills, Strikespell slashed and destroyed them while running and climbing down the castler's walls.

Twilight Sparkle turned to Ben Valorheart, "Ben, go!"

"No! I'm not leaving without you!" Ben Valorheart protested.

"How romantic," The dark voice spoke. Both Twilight Sparkle and Ben Valorheart found a portal as King Sombra emerged with his fleshling body. He chuckled, "At last, we meet face-to-face..."





At the Crystal Castle's balcony, Applejack and Rarity struggled in calming worried and feared Crystal Ponies. Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash were helping Shining Armor in taking care of Princess Cadance, who is almost losing her strength and magic of upholding the shield. Autumn Gem looked worry and concern of it while both Golden Heart and the mysterious stranger remained calm and firm.

Both Golden Heart and his friend gasped in surprise like they sensed something shocking and surprisingly. They both turned and looked at each other. They nodded in agreement. They turned to Autumn Gem.

"It is time," Golden Heart said firmly, "We must stop Sombra now! Can you do it?"

Autumn Gem hissed, "I could try."

"Then, let's go now," The mysterious stranger exclaimed firmly, "Time is wasting!"

Golden Heart and his team quickly left the balcony as they headed off to find and stop King Sombra at once.

However, with her last breathe, Princess Cadance was exhausted and lost her strength in keeping her magic on. The force-field shield dome dropped down. Crystal Empire has been engulfed and turned into a corrupted and darker version now. 

King Umbreon roared proudly as he entered the Crystal Empire, scared and shocked Crystal Ponies. They all screamed and chatted in fear upon looking at his appearance again after a thousand years.

King Umbreon chuckled evilly and darkly, "I'm back..."





On the Crystal Empire's top castle, Ben Valorheart confronted King Sombra before. The young pony armed with Master Sword while the tyrant king armed with his Umbrum Sword. Twilight Sparkle remained trapped within the cone prison.

"The Master Sword? How did you come across with the legendary sword?!" King Sombra demanded in anger.

Ben Valorheart scoffed, "Why don't you find out yourself?"

"No matter. I can take care of you," King Sombra said darkly, "And then, I'll deal with her. She'll become our personal general and slave!"

Ben Valorheart groaned, "Over my dead body!"

Ben Valorheart charged as he swung his Master Sword at King Sombra, who blocked and deflected the attacks for five times. And just before young prince could do anything, the tyrant king levitated him and thrown straight to the edge of tower.

Twilight Sparkle gasped, "Beeeeeeeen!"

"It's over now..." King Sombra said darkly and dryly as he approached Ben struggling getting up to the tower, "Time to finish this..."

And just King Sombra could thrust his sword, he was blocked by Golden Heart, who deflected the sword. Both of them swung their blades against each other for few times. As they have clash briefly, they departed it. Golden Heart kicked King Sombra off in knocking straight on the walls. King Sombra groaned in anger as he was about to attack until...

"Sombra, stop!"

King Sombra turned to his back as he found the mysterious stranger and especially Autumn Gem is among them, stood before them. Golden Heart grabbed and brought Ben Valorheart up.

"Autumn Gem..." King Sombra said in surprise.

"Sombra, stop this now! Turn back now! Come home, please!" Autumn Gem pleaded.

"No! I've come too far for this! These Crystal Ponies will pay for what they have to me and my brother! Our brethren will be freed! And soon, Equestria will be ours!"

"Is this what you really want?! To become a monster?!"

"Yes! That's what they want to be! And so, I accepted it!"

"But do you wanted to be?! Because the Sombra I know and love would become a knight to defend his real home and ponies than the lying monsters! That's the pony I want him back!"

"Autumn Gem," King Sombra asked in shock and surprise. He has some thoughts for the moment. He groaned in anger, "It is too late for me to go back now! Nopony loves a monster!"

"I do!" Autumn Gem shouted in anger and pain. King Sombra was stunned. She sobbed tearfully, "Please, come home now! I beg of you! There's good in you."

King Sombra roared in anger, "I'm Umbrum Pony! I have no goodness!"

King Sombra screamed in anger as he charged and attacked Autumn Gem at once. He was about to thrust his sword at her down. Ben Valorheart, Golden Heart and mysterious stranger charged and must stop him. Twilight Sparkle pleaded King Sombra from killing her. But it is too later as King Sombra is close and ready to kill her...





Strikespell and Spike continued climbing down on the crystallized towers. The dragon called his friends. They turned and looked at him on the top of castle's towers. They all gasped in surprise and shock.

"We've got the Crystal Heart!" Spike shouted happily.

Strikespell groaned as he continued getting down, "Hold on tight!"

"That is mine! Return it to me now!" King Umbreon exclaimed in anger as he formed his body and summoned the extending crystal shards out from the ground. He groaned in anger, "I won't let you win!"

Strikespell groaned, "That's makes two of us!"

Spike gasped, "Strikespell, don't!"

Strikespell ignored as he jumped off the castle's walls. He and Spike dived down as he charged straight at King Umbreon, who armed with his twin blades while being lifted up by the extending crystal shards.

Seeing their friends diving and charging at his enemy, their friends cried and shouted in concern. Shining Armor woke Princess Cadance up at once. As she opened her eyes a bit, she noticed the event with concern looks. She opened her wings up in ready to fly.

Both King Umbreon and Strikespell were both close and ready to battle while Spike screamed for help. Shining Armor thrown Princess Cadance straight at them. Closing to her target, Strikespell noticed her. He levitated and thrown the dragon to her. Thus, she got him and flew straight back to the altar. And at the same time, Strikespell jumped and brought King Umbreon straight down while beating each other off hard.

Landed on the ground hard, both Strikespell and King Umbreon engaged and battled with each other fiercely and violently through sword fighting. Princess Cadance and Spike arrived at the altar, where Crystal Ponies awed in amazement and surprise as they even called her 'The Crystal Princess'.

Princess Cadance looked at the Crystal Ponies, "The Crystal Heart has returned. Use the light and love within you to ensure that King Sombra does not."

Princess Cadance levitated and placed Crystal Heart on the altar, which held it tight by two crystals from top and bottom. Seeing Crystal Heart returned to its rightful place, Crystal Ponies have been re-energized and bowed down to the ground firmly. The ground slowly formed a powerful cyan glowing light as it spreading across the Crystal Empire.

Managed to knock and bring King Umbreon down, Strikespell held him down hard. They both felt the light glowing as they turned and looked at it. They gasped in surprise.

"No... No! Stop!" King Umbreon exclaimed in anger.

Strikespell grunted, "It's over, Umbreon! Your reign ends today!" 

As the Crystal Empire was lighted up, its energy source flow straight to the spinning Crystal Heart. With it being energized in full power, Crystal Heart unleashed and spread its power across Crystal Empire. Most of the ponies have been affected by its power as they all crystallized and became very formal including Mane Five, Shining Armor, Princess Cadance and even Strikespell. The corrupted shards got blasted and broken to pieces off from Crystal Empire;





The Crystal Heart also affected Twilight Sparkle and her friends from the Crystal Castle's tower especially King Sombra, who missed in hitting Autumn Gem but land his sword on the ground. They all glowed brightly. The tyrant king sighed ind defeat.

"So they done it? This Darkness shall come to an end. Whatever happens now I will accept my fate... Autumn Gem... Forgive me..."





And as for King Umbreon, his body began cracking. He gasped and screamed in pain. He broken to pieces. He is gone.

As Crystal Castle's tower glowed brightly and colorfully, it blasted up to the sky, where it created and spreading a colorful aura lights across the Equestria while blasting dark clouds off. The ponies including Princess Celestia and Princess Luna, across Equestria, were in surprise and shock but happy with it...





Princess Cadance brought both Spike and Strikespell to balcony as they regrouped with the rest of their friends. They all cheered wildly and happily. However, Spike wasn't as he was looking up at the tower. He was worried for Twilight Sparkle since she didn't finish her mission and felt she failed at it.

On the tower, Ben Valorheart was hugging Twilight Sparkle as they were both alright and safe from danger now.

Twilight Sparkle sighed, "Good job, Spike."

"Sombra?!" Autumn Gem asked as she and her friends approached and looked at the defeated and injured King Sombra with holes on him. She gasped before cried, "Sombra! Sooombrrrrraaaaaa!"

Prepare for the Conclusion...

Review and Suggest...