//------------------------------//
// The Shadow King Strikes Back 
// Story: A shining Knight and The Dark King 
// by kahnac 
//------------------------------//

Somewhere, a crystal pony had been relaxing in his home. One of his house's curtains were drawn so that he could better be able to relax on his sofa. Then suddenly, something came smashing through the window: something which looked like a black clawed hand. The pony panicked for a moment, but found that there was no home invasion taking place: the hand had grabbed hold of the curtain, and ripped it off its hinges to wrap around a white-furred pony, who covered his whole body, including his muzzle, only revealing the left side of his face before he ran, almost staggering, away. Yet this was not the most perplexing thing to the pony. What was strange, and at the same time terrifying, was that, for a brief moment, he could have sworn that pony was pitch-black with a blood red horn.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Back at the palace, the festivities had been going over very well. The re-introduction of the Changeling race had gone over very well, and now those who wished to enjoy the festival itself either did, or went home afterwards. And the changelings were having the most splendid time of their lives. From watching crystal jousting for the first time, to enjoying the many numerous foods of the crystal ponies, along with the games, to also enjoying the games that had been set up. But most of all was the fact that they were able to converse and intermingle with the crystal ponies so well. Before there was a bit of nervousness, and skepticism from the shape-shifting race: but the empire's welcome ceremony put that all to rest. Not the two present leaders were conversing together.

"It really is wonderful what you've done with this place, Princess Cadence." Thorax said happily. "It's even shinier, and prettier than i remember it."

"Well, today is a special day, Thorax." she replied pleasantly. "We wanted to make sure the empire looked as presentable as possible for you, and your swarm. I'm just glad things went alot smoother than they did with Miss. Harshwhinny."

THorax looked to Cadence with a bit of confusion. "Who's Miss Harshwhinny? She doesn't sound all that nice."

"Actually, she's not all that bad.........though she can come off as a bit stuffy. But basically, she's the inspector for the Equestria Games that picks places to host said games. Last games, the empire won the candidacy."

"Ooooh!" Thorax said, with a hint of excitement. "That sounds like it was pretty cool!"

"Oh, it was - though let's just say things got a bit nuts at the time because of a.....misunderstanding?"

Thorax's ear tilted. "What kind of misunderstanding?"

"It's a long story: i'll tell you about it later."

Thorax just nodded before saying, "So, any idea where Shining Armor is? I was really hoping he'd be here too so we could show him our gift of appreciation."

At the mention of Shining Armor, Cadence grew a concerned expression. Though she did her best to mellow it down for Thorax's sake. Something Sunburst picked up on rather quickly, and moved in to take charge of. "Uh, h-he's, um.....oh, right! He's doing a last minute patrol of the empire! Almost forgot for a second, but.h-he'll be back." he nervously smiled.

Thorax gave him a concerned look as he asked, "Are you sure?"

"Yep." Sunburst said quickly.

"But....when do you think he'll be back."

"He already is." Came the familiar voice of Shining Armor - though it sounded strained. All 3 looked in a certain direction, and sure enough, he was right there, walking slowly towards them. Though strangely enough, he was covered completely in a curtain of some kind. Only the left side of his face was visible. Cadence, and Sunburst were equally confused, and concerned about this. But before either of them could interact with him, Thorax excitedly came in to say hi.

"Shining Armor!" he exclaimed happily. "It's so cool to see you! I was afraid you would be too caught up with your work, but i guess things went faster than expected, huh?" Shining Armor didn't say anything to him. But Thorax ignored that, and continued. "Anyway, there's something i wanna show you. It's something we at the hive have been working on for a long time. And even though it's taken a loooooong time, we finally made it. Check it out!"

 He pointed his hoof over to a stage, where the welcoming ceremony undoubtedly took place. But leaning against the base of the stage, were six large glowing changeling cocoons. Inside each one was a white pink substance which seemed to sparkle, and glitter in the same way as Crystal ponies and their magic do when at their peak. "Since the crystal empire was the first place that willingly showed me love, and friendship, "Thorax said, sounding nostalgic, "I figured i should return the favor, and give some back! We found out we could transfer some of our own natural love substance, and turn it into a liquid form. Not just that, but after some testing with a few willing ponies, we learned that it's a good source for healing liquids. It helps heal certain injuries, and it gives all kinds of creatures a positive charge of emotions. Basically, gives them a euphoric feeling, and helps calm the senses. Since the Crystal Empire is all about love, i thought you guys could make good use of it. Since you've got those spa's, and i think you guys use potions, and stuff, i think. It's been a while, so-"

"Princess Cadence!" Suddenly, in came Flash Sentry, with a few guards who had just come back from their mission. "We've looked all over the empire, but we still can't find any trace of-" then he noticed the pony in the cloak, and recognized him. "Prince Shining Armor! You made it back! Thank Celestia you're all right. We were real worried about you, and-" A low, guttural growling, and some kind of hardening sound coming from Shining Armor silence the lieutenant. In fact, now everyone was feeling hints of confusion, and concern.

"S-Shining Armor?" Thorax asked gingerly. "You seem tense about something. And your emotions smell.....out of whack. Are-.....are you alright?"

"I........." Shining began, struggling as hard as he could to talk. Trying his hardest to resist one final time. But it was no use. He couldn't say anything short of a single word. "I-..." His eye closed hard, and another tear fell from his eye as he braced himself. He knew what was about to happen - and he was powerless to stop it. Just as he'd always been. Just as he always will be.

"S-shiny?" Cadence said, her tone sounding worried, and pleading.

It was at this moment when everything went mad: bit by bit, the curtain had been reduced to shreds by black, bladed tendrils which shot through it like the fragile thing it was. Every part of him was finally revealed. And what they all saw had made them gasp in fright, and their expressions to widen in horror. For Shining Armor no longer stood in that spot: in his place was a creature that looked like a pony, yet it was not. Wearing Shining's now tattered clothes, its exposed body was black as night, and seemed to be made of shadow, and smoke. Its hands seemed to be made of long, slender claws capable of cutting through anything. It was literally two-faced: except for the same place which revealed Shining Armor's eye, and part of his face. The rest of it was dull, and dark-grey with a streak of black going down the snout. On its forehead where Shining Armor's horn stood was now a curved, blood-red horn surging with dark magic. And its right eye glowed bright green with the pupil still dragon-like, but glowing bright red as purple smoke whisped out of the side. Its mane, or what they could figure was mane, was as black as the rest of its body, and flowed like it was made of liquid - same as its tail. And a pair of jagged spikes shout out of each shoulder. Once the reveal was complete, the creature let out a horrid, and evil laugh which echoed across the empire itself. Those who stood, saw, and heard this were already intimidated, especially thanks to an aura of fear which was apparently being released. But for the crystal ponies, and even Cadence herself, only true terror crossed them as they easily recognized this figure. However, it was what he said next which only confirmed their worst fears having come true.

"I AM KING SOMBRA: THE RIGHTFUL LORD, AND MASTER OF THE CRYSTAL EMPIRE! AND I HAVE SLAIN THE ONE YOU CALL SHINING ARMOR! THROUGH HIM I LIVE ONCE AGAIN! AND I HAVE COME TO RECLAIM WHAT IS MINE: AFTER I SHATTER THE CRYSTAL HEART, AND PURGE THE EMPIRE IN ICE, AND SNOW!"

With ponies and changelings gasping - or in the case of several crystal ponies, also running away - King Sombra leaped over Thorax, Cadence, and Sunburst (who still had Flurry Heart in a crib next to him, though now she was crying), and made his way over to the crystal heart. Seeing this, Flash was very quick to respond.

"Crystal Guard: don't let him near the heart!"

"Yes sir!" All said before rushing to attack. This prompted Thorax himself to take action.

"Come on, everyone! Let's help them out!" And Thorax, with many of the changelings, and even Pharynx, rushed beside the crystal guards. Sombra himself was so focused on the heart he didn't even acknowledge them before it was too late. Before he could even respond, he was punched, kicked, and slapped with spear ends before being thrown back. However, he got up REAL quick, and righted himself back up. He looked around to see himself surrounded by Ponies, and Changelings alike. Yet he was not intimidated in the slightest, and even seemed to grin in amusement.

"So it IS true: the fearsome Changelings have transformed upon opening their hearts to love. How interesting." He then saw Flash, having drawn his sword. With a devious smirk, he aimed his hand towards the pegasus, and opened it. Next thing Flash knew, he felt a powerful force pull on his sword. And in moments, he let it slip from his grasp as it flew into Sombra's hand. After that, black tendrils wrapped around the blade, and transformed it into a long, jagged, purple sword which glowed with dark magic, and had a demonic handle that resembled a bunch of horns. Once ha had that, Sombra began cracking the bones in his body as he said, "Either way, now is the perfect opportunity for me to let loose," then his head twisted in a full 360 degree angle, cracking as it did, "And reassert my dominance over my sssssssslaves!"

Although they were fearful, the pony guard, and the Changelings refused to stand down. They knew much was at stake, and the empire's safety rested with them. Just as Flash was given a spear to replace his lost sword, however, Sombra made his attack. Launching into the group, he began slashing, and striking at pony, and changeling alike in a display of impressive combat maneuvers, both in physical, and with the blade. As hard as they tried, none of them could truly stand against him. Several of them had already been rendered unconscious by his assault. Seeing that they were getting nowhere, Flash ordered the soldiers to back off, with Thorax doing the same. The Changelings, and Ponies did so, and made some breathing space between Sombra, and them. However, it was at this moment when Cadence herself, along with a nervous Sunburst, stepped forward, much to Flash's concern.

"Your highness, stay back! It's too dangerous for you to-"

"I'm fine, Lieutenant Flash." she said with a hint of anger. Her focus was then turned on the shadow fiend standing in front of the garrison itself. Seeing her made Sombra especially scowl in disgust. "So, we finally meet again, crystal princess."

"That's assuming you think i even know who you are." She said, faking a sense of forgetfulness.

"I'm most surprised you could even forget me........after i had cursed your beloved husband, and drove you to the point of overexertion before i could reclaim MY empire! At least, if not for that insolent brat they call a dragon ......and you."

Cadence's eyes narrowed. "It IS you. How is it possible? The love and light of the empire, along with the crystal heart should have destroyed you for good, Sombra!"

He smirked as he said, "As i told your prince before: evil such as mine cannot die so easily."

"What did you do to my husband?!" Cadence shouted in anger.

"Rest assured, your beloved still lives - as a prisoner within me."

"What do you mean?" Thorax asked.

"It's quite simple, insect: like a parasite, i infested Shining Armor's body with my essence. Then, over the course of the day, i subjected him to his own feelings of doubt, fear, anger and hate: amplified by my mere presence. Yet it was these feelings of his which has provided me sustenance and strength - the strength to slowly, but surely entrap his body, and convert it into my own."

A gasp of horror could be heard from Cadence, who was now more fearful for Shining Armor than she had ever been.

"He made it so easy with the amount of guilt he held inside. And now, the change is almost complete. Soon i will convert this body into my new vessel: permanently extinguishing the life of your precious crystal prince."

Flash glared hard at the tyrant before declaring, "No way in all of tartarus are you destroying my captain and prince, freak! I'll take you out myself before that happens!"

"Me, too!" Thorax said, as well. "Noone hurts any of my friends, and walks away!" he practically growled, surprising some of his fellow changelings a bit. But they knew they shouldn't be surprised, given how deeply Thorax cared for all. Sadly, such threats had no effect on Sombra.

"You have no say in the matter. And it is already done. Now all i need do is shatter the crystal heart, and ensure that the only thing which can defeat me is gone forever!"

"But that's insane!" Sunburst exclaimed. "You can't destroy the Crystal Heart! Its magic is the only thing protecting this place from the Frozen North itself! If you destroy it, you'll end up killing us all!"

But Sunburst's concerns were met with cruel laughter, as Sombra said, "Do you take me for a novice, crystaller? I know of the heart's protective spell, and the repercussions of its destruction. Which is why i won't destroy it: i am going to simply shatter it. Or do you think i do not know how to perform that same reconstitution spell you cast when that brat of an alicorn shattered it?"

Hearing this actually shocked everypony there, as they had no idea how Sombra could have known about that incident.

"Oh, yes: i have been keeping an eye on recent events, so i am aware of everything. It's only a shame that you do not know the scale of my magical knowledge. I know how to perform the spell you cast. And what's more: after the raging storms of the north begin to lay waste to the empire, and drown this city in terror, i will ensure they remain as it does so. The fear they will produce shall elevate my strength to a level that will surpass ALL the alicorns. When that happens, as i cast the spell, a fragment of my own essence will be used as a conduit. And as i have done with your consort, it will infect, and corrupt the crystal heart: transforming it into a source of hatred and fear. In doing so, it will be bound to me - merging its power with my own - and making me into a force of godlike power. Nothing will then stop me from corrupting all of equestria. And then.........THE WOOOORLD!!! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAH!"

"That's what you think! So long as i am princess of the crystal empire, and the keeper of love, you will never perform such evil!" Cadence proudly proclaimed, as her horn and hands began to glow. "And i think it's time you got out of my husband - RIGHT NOW!" She then targeted her magic towards the crystal heart, allowing her love magic to empower the influence of the heart. The crystal ponies sensed this influential power, and knew they were needed. Channeling their own love, and light, they sent it directly into the Crystal Heart, empowering it so that it may protect the empire once again. It spun at its incredible speed, before it unleashed its wave of love magic. Changing every pony there into a crystal pony who wasn't, and giving the changeling's a potent, magical boost they had never had before. Sombra, meanwhile, grew rather fearful as he saw the wave begin to come over him. He yelled as he felt the magic of the heart strike him...........but nothing else.

In fact, once the heart had completed its spell, he saw that he was indeed still standing, and unharmed. And as expected, the ponies had grown horrified when their greatest defense had failed. A knowing smile crossed Sombra's hideous face as he spoke. "Yes! It is exactly as i thought would happen! Now not even the crystal heart can harm me as i am!"

"But how?" Cadence questioned incredulously. "The love, and magic of the empire should have been enough! It worked before!"

"Indeed it did..........back when i was an umbrum in pony form! In my old body, i was still susceptible to the heart's power. But now i am becoming full pony as i take your precious prince's form. My power remains, but i now have the flesh of a true pony. I am the culmination of Umbrum, AND Equestrian in perfect unison. The heart CANNOT destroy me! And as he is now, that insolent fool, Shining Armor, no longer has the strength of will to cast me out of his body. Victory is mine!!!"

Yet just as every pony began to loose hope, something about what Sombra said made something click in Sunburst's mind. And it made him think of something that may in fact help them out. Then he finally got an idea. "Princess Cadence, i think i have a solution! I'll take Flurry Heart somewhere safe first, but i'll comeback with some things which might help out! Try and hold out as long as possible!" Though she was understandably confused, she agreed, and let Sunburst do as he requested. He took Flurry Heart, and ran back into the castle. The rest of the pony guard, and the Changelings stood ready to fight with the princess.

"Already one of your own has fled, Crystal Princess." Sombra mused mockingly. "Are you sure you do not wish to follow his example? It may spare you from your fate a little longer."

"In your dreams!" Cadence said, as she fired a beam of magic at the shadow king. Though he was quick to reflect it with his blade. "So be it, then."  And he began to approach them again. This time, however, the changelings were ready with another attack: and began firing beams of their own magic at sombra, with any unicorns present doing the same. Yet with flawless accuracy, and bolstered by his magic, Sombra was able to reflect every blast that came his way in a series of swings, and twirls. Some he sent back to their owners. Yet still they persisted in their attack. So now, Sombra would also be ready with an attack of his own. He charged up his fist, and thrust it into the ground. A wave of dark magic washed toward the changelings, and ponies - before erupting into pillars of onyx spikes which almost impaled them. Many were simply knocked aside, while others were able to fly away. It was here Sombra made his move as he summoned red lightning from his sword, and fired it at the armored pegasi.

Many of them dropped tot he ground like flies, while some were fortunate. The changelings again resumed their attack, only for Sombra to erect a shield this time. None of the changeling's beams could penetrate his shield. And so, they were forced to move in to attack again. This time, though, some of them tried using their shape-shifting to their advantage by turning into different animals - mythical or otherwise. Sadly, they would find this as futile as everything else they did: since all of their fear and anger-based strikes against the dark king only fueled him further. And thus gave him the power to do something TRULY incrediible. With a surge of immense dark power, he trapped every changeling, and pony soldier that charged him in a magical hold. And he did so without so much as a strain. He then used his power to place all of them in a spell akin to that of the door of fear Twilight and Spike once faced: all of them trapped in an illusion of their worst fears. And all of them incapacitated as a result. This only left Princess Cadence, Flash Sentry, and Thorax to fight.

"Okay, that's it!" Thorax said angrily. "Now i'm REALLY mad!" He then transformed into a bear, beating his chest, and then roaring furiously. He charged King Sombra like a mad bull, intent on roughing him up quite alot - though with the hopes to not hurt Shining Armor in the process.......IF he was still alive. Sadly, Sombra never gave him the chance. Just as soon as Thorax got close, Sombra ducked beneath, grabbed his neck, and used his momentum to spin him around, and then up into the air. Sombra then fired a violet beam at him while in the air. When he came back down, Thorax had crashed into the grown encased in a violet crystal, with a surprised look on his face. Now only Flash Sentry, and Princess Cadence remained. And as he set his sights upon them, Flash's glare hardened, and he readied for a fight. Much to Sombra's amusement.

"Over a dozen trained fighters, and shape-shifters combined - and you think YOU can succeed where they failed?"

"Odds might not look too good. But you better believe i'll still try! I'll stop you, no matter what it takes."

"So will i!" Cadence said, standing beside Flash. "I won't let you take my Shining Armor from me."

"He is already mine, princess. Just as the empire itself will be soon. If you truly wish to stop me...........the only way is to destroy me."

"Never!" she yelled.

"Why not? His existence is worthless, anyway. And he would wish for you to do what is necessary to ensure the safety of the empire. His life has no meaning, so it is better to remove it completely. It's not as if anypony else will miss him when he's gone."

"Stop talking about him like that!" Cadence demanded. "You have no right to say who is worthless, or unfitting to live! No life matters to you anyway! So who are you to try, and say such trash?"

"One who has been into the inner recesses of the consort's mind, and see all of his inner-most fears, and doubts. As much as you wish otherwise, he hold his life nowhere near the same regard as you do. His failures far outweigh his accomplishments, and nothing he has ever done will ever amount to anything. This is the only thing he knows, and the only thing he believes."

"STOP LYING!" Cadence shouted, firing her strongest beam of love magic at Sombra. To her horror, it blasted a hole right through sombra's body. And when it did, it wasn't sombra's scream that came out: but Shining Armor's. As her eyes shrank down to pin-pricks, she watched as Sombra's body fell down to the ground, and he fell seemingly lifelessly on his back.

"No! Shining!" She screamed as she ran over to his body. She knelt beside him, with the side of the face that belonged to Shining Armor. His eyes was closed, and she feared the worst. Tears fell from her eyes as she picked up his hand, and brought it up to her face. How horrible it was for her: in her own anger, she had struck down the one pony she had loved. She had botched up any chance of saving him. And now.....Flurry was without a father, and Cadence was without her one, and only love.

"S-Shining." she sobbed silently. "I'm so.....so sorry!"

"Not as sorry as you WILL be!"

To her surprise, the hand she had held suddenly jolted, and grabbed her around the neck. When she looked, both Shining Armor AND King Sombra's eyes opened again. Only Shining's was filled with sadness, and remorse. As Sombra rose back up, the hole in his chest swiftly closed back up. And when he smiled that arrogant smile again, she realized she had been played. "That's the interesting thing about anger and hate: when used right, they can be devastating weapons. But when used foolishly, and alongside sentimentality - they only lead to ruination. Now i see why you married the consort: you're as weak, and pathetic as he is, so you can relate to him."

"Let her go!" Flash ordered, before attempting to charge Sombra. But with a look of disinterest, Sombra snapped his fingers, and an aerinth crystal trapped Flash in place. Try as he may, there was no way for him to break free. And with him taken care of, Cadence was the last one left: and she was completely at his mercy.

"Again i find myself so close to ending it all in an instant. Like a twig, i could so easily snap your neck, and end your insignificant life. It would so easy. Far too easy............which is why i won't."  While still trapped in his strong grip, Cadence was still able to give him a confused glare. But then he gave her a solid punch to the gut that knocked the wind out of her. He then dropped her like dead weight, levitated his corrupted blade, and then walked over to the Crystal Heart. "I have learned that to break the spirit of another is to truly destroy them. Your shining armor proved this already. But for you? The destruction of your only hope is enough to break you. Now say goodbye to your precious heart as you once knew it to be!"

As Cadence struggled to catch her breath, she watched in despair as King Sombra raised his blade up above his head, and prepared to shatter the Crystal Heart. All around, Crystal ponies and Changelings who didn't fight watched in terror as Sombra prepared to obtain his victory. Cadence, Flash, and even Thorax watched on in helplessness, cursing themselves for not being strong enough to stop him. He swung down...........but then stopped. His arms began shaking as Sombra struggled to move. To the surprise, and relief of those watching, Shining Armor WAS still in there. And he was desperately fighting to regain control. He had already done enough: he would not let Sombra destroy the empire.

But sadly, this was a battle of wills: and Sombra had done far too much damage to Shining's spirit already. His strength already began to wane, and Sombra began to regain control. Shining struggled as hard as he could, doing everything he could to fight. But when he realized he just couldn't do it, another tear fell from his eye as he closed it. He had failed once again. He just could bare to watch what happened next.

SLASH!

Sombra struck the heart with intense speed. Though at first, nothing really seemed to happen, and the heart kept spinning around, and around. But then suddenly, it halted in place. Followed by a clear line cut right across the side. This was followed by the heart cracking, and crumbling. Then, right before everyone's eyes: the Crystal Heart shattered once again. As King Sombra bellowed in triumphant laughter, the heads of the Empire's protectors fell. They had well, and truly failed. And now, all hope had been lost.

However, what happened next stunned everyone. "Um, excuse me?" came a voice from behind Sombra. Surprised, he looked back to see Sunburst with a narrowed expression. And before he could even do anything, Sunburst smashed his face with some kind of shimmering, blue potion in powder form. Sombra then suddenly began coughing, and hacking as the potion began taking effect on him, much to his confusion, to which Sunburst enlightened. "In case you're wondering: yes, that's a powerful sleeping powder i just hit you with. A little something from Princess Luna. Guaranteed to put any pony to sleep within minutes. And seeing as how you said you were truly part pony now, well......." he let that sink in, as Sombra understood fully. Even so, he refused to let this go unabated. Turning back towards the smaller pony, Sombra raised up his blade, and got ready to cut him down. But he was far too late, and it dropped out of his hand, reverting back to normal as Sombra lost control. As the body began to crumble to the ground, everyone's shock turned to sadness as Shining Armor, for just a brief moment, right before losing consciousness, said one last thing with true misery, sorrow, and remorse.

"Forgive me."

Once he was out, Sunburst went over to help up cadence. It was at this point, she noticed he had a satchel with several books inside. But immediately he used his magic to levitate them all, and began skimming through them until he found something he was looking for. "Ah, here we are! Uh, Princess Cadence? Seeing as how you're currently the only one adept at magic, i think you should try these spells. This one will free Flash Sentry," he explained, pointing to a spell in one book, "And this should let Thorax loose." he finished, pointing at another. Examining both closely, she nodded as she prepared to cast the spells. While she wasn't as good at magic as ponies like Twilight, she could manage enough to perform these spells.

First, her horn ignited in a bright light, as did her eyes. And from it, a light washed over Flash, and caused the black crystal trapping him to crumble, and crack away into nothing. Letting him fall to the ground for a moment before getting back up. She then turned to Thorax, who was still locked in that violet crystal, reexamining the other spell Sunburst had shown her. Another beam of white light shot forth, and struck the crystal. It began to fracture, before shattering completely, releasing Thorax as he reverted to his real form. Though he was a little unnerved by the experience.

"Oh, Jeez! That was.......super-freaky! I couldn't move, but i could still see, and breathe somehow! What kind of psychotic nutcase would make a spell like that?!"

"Iiiiii think it'd be better if i didn't tell you." Sunburst said, before turning to the other Changelings, and guards. "Let's not forget about them."

"I got it." Cadence said, already knowing how to undo the spell they were under. Her horn ignited with her typical magic, and she began casting her love spells over all of them. This spell proved the antithesis of the fear spell, and before anyone knew it, all of the changelings and ponies were awake.

Sadly, nopony had time to relax, even with the Sombra/Shining hybrid now unconscious. As expected, following the shattering of the Crystal Heart, the dreaded blizzards of the Frozen North were rolling in once again. Only this time, Cadence wasn't about to give it leeway, and erected the every same shield she used to defend against King Sombra the first time. The spell did its work, and shielded the city from the storm. However, it was already beginning to put a strain on her.

"This is really bad!" Thorax said, sounding worried. "What are we gonna do?"

"The only thing i can think of right now: i'll send a letter to the Princesses, and see if they can make it here on the double, before things get worse!" Sunburst said.

"But what about Capta-....prince Shining Armor?" Flash said. Concern for his idol, and respected leader evident. Upon mentioning him, the group looked down on Shining/Sombra's unconscious form. All of them more than worried for the crystal prince's condition. Sunburst began looking through another book he had picked up, and began rummaging through it, before doing the same to another. After giving the blackened pony, and Princess Cadence, a concerned look, he formulated a plan.

"Thorax: you said those gel sacs contained the love you changelings had, right? Like, the actual, literal love of Changelings?"

"Uh, y-yeah, i did." Thorax answered, seeming a little confused. "Why do you ask."

"Because i think it might be the key to helping Shining Armor. Flash?"

"What is it?"

"Could you bring a giant, wooden basket, and four large metal poles? And have your guard bring as many of the crystal ponies here as they can."

"Yeah, i can do that. But what exactly are you planning?"

Sunburst then cast a worried glance back upon Shining Armor/Sombra.

"To see if we can help Shining Armor fight the Dark Infection inside himself......... before we loose him forever."