"Please, be strong, shining armor!" cried a voice in the deepest reaches of his mind. "You must not loose hope! And you must not give up your existence! Only you have the strength to fight this evil - and only you can expel it! You must be strong! For all our sake's, you must be strong!"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
After what felt like ages, Shining Armor groggily woke up. Feeling horrible in ways he had never thought were possible before. Yet he was still able to notice something.....peculiar: namely, he was being elevated above a tub of the Changeling's love substance, while he was held and tied up by his wrists and ankles. His clothes had been reduced to tatters, exposing his well-toned, athletic form. Yet his body was also still covered in those black splotches. And his mind felt like it had just been placed in a cake-mix, and battered senselessly. Even so, he was able to observe his surroundings, and see where everyone was. To his surprise, a number of changelings were positioned around him, alongside several crystal ponies. Each of them had horns glowing, and seemed to be transferring their crystal magic to the tub, respectively. And there, standing in front of him was Sunburst. The empire's crystaller was currently examining one of the books he had acquired, trying to get as much info as he could. It was the sound of Shining Armor stirring that drew his attention.
"Prince Armor?" he asked happily, running up to the side of the tub with a gentle smile. "Oh, thank Celestia! I was afraid we'd lost you, despite what we were doing! It's good to see you're alright.......mostly."
"S-sunburst?" Shining asked weakly. It was hard for him to speak at this time, but he still had enough strength to do so. He only wished he had the strength to forget what he had done - everything Sombra had made him do. Like the affliction he was under, only pain, and misery fell over him as he recalled everything that led up to shattering the crystal heart. Including everypony who had tried to fight him. "Oh, no!" he said weakly, but with clear worry in his tone. "Cadence.......Thorax.......Flash! Are they-?"
"They're alright, your highness." Sunburst tried to assure Shining. "The worst that happened were a couple of bruises. They're fine now, i promise."
While that info had given some relief, Shining was still concerned for the ponies, and Changeling in question. "Where......where are they?"
"Right here, Shining." came the sweet, compassionate tone of Cadence. Turning to the direction he had heard her, he looked to see her approaching with Thorax, and Flash Sentry on both her sides as they approached him. "But we also brought some help, too." Though he was at first confused, her indication behind her showed him 4 other ponies had apparently shown up: it was none other than the Royal Sisters, Celestia and Luna, his dear sister, Twilight, and her former student, Starlight Glimmer. All of them looked equally concerned for him, yet none moreso that Twilight. Yet she managed to hold together, knowing full well what was happening.
"I am so sorry we had to meet once again under such circumstances, Shining Armor." Celestia said with sympathy. "I only wish we could have known about this sooner: then perhaps we could have done something to prevent it."
"Perhaps we should have arrived earlier than intended." Luna added. "Then we may have been able to save the crystal heart from this act of deception." she finished with bitterness.
"Princess Luna, please." Twilight said reassuringly. "Nopony could have known this would happen. Otherwise, we probably could-"
But her speech was suddenly cut off by the sound of low sobbing. Everyone looked, and saw that it was coming from Shining Armor, most surprisingly. And to be honest, it was a hard sight to see. Shining had always been considered a pillar of strength - one that rarely gave into such an act without good reason. And here, he was releasing what all could here was sorrow in his voice as his body shook. It was most disheartening, to say the least. Especially for his family, who got as close to him as possible, standing next to Sunburst who looked to them sadly.
"S-shining?" Twilight said, in a low, sad voice. "BBBFF?" she said, hoping that her sweet nickname for him would get him to finally respond. It seemed to work - though his next words, spoken in a low, broken voice didn't help matters.
"I'm so sorry, Twily - ALL of you! I'm so sorry i got you involved in this! It's all my fault this happened! Just like everything is my fault!"
The group each looked to each other in confusion. None quite understood what he was talking about. None knew what was supposedly his fault. But it was clearly breaking him from within. And Twilight couldn't stand to see him like this. "Shiny: whatever you think you did, it wasn't your fault. You jus-"
"Just what? Just continued proving how worthless i really am? How much Equestria would be better off without me? How all of YOU would be better off without me? 'Cause if that's so, then you're right."
"Don't say things like that!" Cadence exclaimed, tears in her own eyes from listening to Shining Armor verbally abuse himself so. "You're not worthless! How could you even say things like this? Why would ever think we'd be better off without you?" But Shining said nothing, and just lowered his head in shame as he silently wept. This only urged cadence to keep on trying. "Shining, please! I don't know what that monster did to make you like this...but you can't keep your feelings from us! I made the mistake of not making sure you were alright - and now all this has happened! I'm to blame for what's happening to you now, so if there's a way i can stop Sombra from destroying you, then by faust i'm GOING to do it! But i can't unless you tell me everything that's wrong: it might be what's letting this happen! Please!" She cried out.
And Shining breathed deeply as he tried settling down. If there was one thing he hated more than anything, it was seeing his love cry like that. It hurt more than whatever Sombra was doing to him, and he couldn't let it stand. As much as he wished he didn't have to, he knew he couldn't hold it in any longer: he was too weak to do it, anyway. So he finally gave him, and laid bare his feelings.
"I........i couldn't protect you, Cadence." he said in despair.
"What?" Cadence said, not understanding.
"All my life, from the moment i received my cutie mark, i always knew what my destiny was: to protect those who can't protect themselves. To be the shining knight, and a guardian to the innocent, and the ones i love. It's what i was always meant to do, because it was what i always loved to do. Keeping other ponies - or other creatures - safe from harm always made me feel good. Like i truly had a purpose. That my life had meaning. And then......" he paused, looking to Cadence as a sad smile crossed his face. "You came into my life, and became something else to cherish - something more than i could ever have dreamed of: a loving wife, and the mother of my beautiful, baby alicorn of a daughter. Then my life had even more meaning to it because i had something new to always protect. Something to treasure all of my life." Then his smile went away. "But what good does it do me if i can't even protect those i love when they needed me the most? When an impostor abducted you, took your place, and brainwashed me into thinking it WAS you."
Cadence felt a sour feeling in her heart as she remembered that day: her own wedding day, no less. What was supposed to be the happiest day of her life became a twisted guessing game as the Changeling Queen kidnapped her, locked her away in the canterlot caverns, and then took her place. It was a frightening experience for her at the time. Yet the thoughts of Shining Armor were what kept her from going insane down there. She was only thankful Twilight saved her, and helped set everything right. But now, as she saw her own husband, dangling in the air as he began pouring his heart, and soul out.......maybe things hadn't truly been set right.
"All the while you were left in the deepest caverns of the city: alone, cold, and probably terrified beyond belief. I didn't pay attention to the signs Chrysalis left by mistake - and in the end, it probably forced you to suffer so much. I screwed up horribly in ways i can never forgive. Yet that doesn't even come close to how badly i screwed up....with
my own, baby sister.........my LSBFF."
Now it was Twilight's turn to feel bad on account of what she knew Shining was about to bring up. "You tried to warn my, Twily: you tried to warn me that there was something badly wrong with Cadence.......and i didn't even bother listening. I just thought you were being a jealous little filly, and i-...i-.......oh, twilight, i'm so sorry!" he cried aloud. "I'm so sorry for what i did to you! I was just so-so...so angry, and i-....i hurt you. I cast you out of my own wedding - i practically disowned you! How could i have done something so horrible to my own sister?!" Fresh new tears fell from his eyes. "I'm your older brother - "big brother best friend forever", as you like to say. And yet, when i came down to it........i disgraced myself as a brother - and as a best friend. I promised i would never hurt you in any way........any yet i probably hurt you most of all. I'm a horrible pony in every sense of the word because i never even apologized for what i did! I'm so.....so horrible!"
"No you're not, Shining!" Twilight defended, trying hard not to let her emotions get the better of her. "That wasn't your fault: I was the one who barged in on the wedding recital without any proof, or evidence to prove Cadence was evil! I acted like a little filly - of course i would seem like i was just being jealous. But i already forgave you for that, Shining: i never held you responsible, and neither did Cadence!"
"She's right, Shining." Cadence said, feeling hopeful they could reach him. "It was Chrysalis' magic that made you that way: that influenced you to do what you did. But don't you remember? It was thanks to you that we stopped the Changelings back then. Without our love, they would have taken Canterlot. You can't keep blaming yourself for what happened that day: you were as much a victim of Chrysalis as anypony else."
Sadly, though, their hopes had been dashed when Shining shook his head, and said, "You're wrong, Cadence - Chrysalis didn't make me do any of that." Confusion came over the mares as they looked to each other. Both unsure as to what he meant this time. However, he was quick to explain himself. "All she did was make me faithful, and devoted to her as you. Everything i said to Twilight before she completely took me over? That was all me. I let my own anger, and frustrations out. I let myself turn on my own sister. And I'M the one who acted so cruelly to her when she was only trying to help me. I should have listened to you. I should have just listened to you!"
"Stop saying that! It wasn't your fault: she fooled everypony!" Twilight said desperately.
"Everypony except you, Twily."
Twilight was taken aback by that statement.
"You were the only one who noticed Cadence was acting differently. And don't you remember when you tried to talk to me about it? In private, and in my home? But then that-.....that filthy bug-witch called me away, and you saw me getting zapped by her magic. Funny thing was that, as much as i thought it was a healing spell - i never felt any better after she cast it: it was like a small reprieve. Either way, Twily, you saw what others were too blind to see............what I was too blind to see. I was a fool, and it almost cost us Canterlot - all of equestria, because i couldn't do the one thing i earned my cutie mark for."
"Shiny...." Twilight said sadly, with the others also feeling for the crystal prince as he continued.
"And let's not forget all my other blunders: King Sombra, Discord and Tirek.........and again with the Changelings. I tried as hard as i could - tried as hard as i can to be the knight i always trained myself to be. To defend an empire, and ponies as part of my sworn duty. And look at what happened: i end up crippled by Sombra, humiliated by that demonic, magic-draining fiend........and again outsmarted by the Changelings. And it was worse this time because it wasn't just my wife i couldn't save..........but my own daughter. My baby flurry. My greatest treasure.......and i failed to protect her! Instead, we were ALL saved by Starlight, Trixie, Discord, and Thorax: former enemies of equestria! And one of whom.............i still didn't fully trust."
Thorax was a little startled when he heard that last part. But even moreso, he was confused. "Shining Armor? What do you mean by that?" he asked nervously, with Shining turning his head away in shame.
"It's like i said: even after Spike, and Twilight, and even Cadence vouched for you-" he hesitated for a moment. He knew what his next words would make Thorax feel. There was a chance his trust in him would be shaken......and even broken. But he couldn't keep it a secret anymore. He had already revealed so much already. "I still didn't trust you. What Chrysalis did..........i can never forgive her for it. She hurt me in ways i never want to go through again." When he said this, his voice had quivered hard as a memory came to pass. But one that he had no wish to talk about. Though Cadence seemed to notice. "So my belief in Changelings only being love-sucking, pony-stealing, mind-destroying monsters was cemented. For spike's sake, i WANTED to believe you weren't here to hurt us........but i just couldn't let go of my hate for Chrysalis. So i put up a facade of trust, because i knew it would be expected of me. But deep down, i always believed the worst about you. I deliberately expected you to do something only a changeling could do - just so i'd have an excuse to take you out."
And indeed, Thorax seemed saddened, and uncomfortable from the revelation. He had a feeling Shining might have still mistrusted him based on the emotions he always picked up around him during his time in the empire. But now he knew exactly how deep such a well went: and he was sad that, even after he did his best to be friends with all, Shining would never give him that full benefit. However, things changed when Shining let out a deep, remorseful sigh as he continued.
"But then you went and did what a part of me would never expect: after abandoning the changelings to look for something they never cared for, you risked your own life going back there to save every-pony they abducted - including me. It was thanks to Starlight AND you that we were saved. But you didn't just save us: you literally proved a Changeling can Change in more than one way. You finally earned your deepest wish, Thorax.........and all i could feel afterwards was guilt for thinking the worst of you. As both captain, and prince, it's my duty not only to protect: but to also keep an open-mind, and never simply assume you know everything about something. And i did just that with you. I've never felt more ashamed of myself than i do now. I'm not-......i'm not worthy of being a captain. Or a prince.........or a husband, and father. I failed my sister, the princesses i was charged with protecting - including my wife - my subjects, and-..........and those i'm supposed to call friend. I'm not good enough for anything. I don't deserve anyponies forgiveness.............and i don't deserve the love that's been wasted on me for so long."
"THAT'S NOT TRUE!" Cadence shouted, in a level that would rival that of Luna's own RCV(Royal Canterlot Voice). She garnered everyone's surprised attention as she faced her husband. And the tears were strong in her eyes as she challenged what he said. "Every pony is deserving of forgiveness, and love! It's a part of what makes life worth living for. And i am not going to stand by, and let you destroy yourself like this!"
"But, Cadence-"
"NO! You're unfairly blaming yourself for things beyond your control! Yes, two of the villains you mentioned seemed to beat you with ease: but that was only because they were on a level that rivaled even an alicorn! Nopony could expect a solitary unicorn to defeat such a nightmarish force all by himself! But the fact that you still tried to stand against them showed your character, and just how brave and strong you are! Even hopelessly outmatched, you stood your ground till the last second! And the Changelings back when they were evil took everypony by surprise: none of us expected them to attack when they did. Even Celestia, and Luna, and they're the princesses of the sun and moon!"
"She's right, Shining!" Thorax tried to add. "And.........even though it hurt to hear it, i don't hate you for mistrusting me. I know what Chrysalis did was awful. Anypony who goes through that is sure to have some kind of bad psychological effect: it's only natural. But the fact that you do regret it shows you aren't above forgiveness. Despite the distrust, you still let me stay here. I'll always be grateful to you for that, and i'll still never let you regret it. That's why i forgive you."
Even Celestia said, "Even the mightiest of warriors can face adversity at times.......and even a ruler can make mistakes. Luna, and i have had our share of shortcomings and mistakes." She then gave a glance to her sister. "Some more personal than others. But what's important is that we do not allow them to define who we are. It is our better deeds which outweigh the worst. If you only remain focused on the dark, you will never see the light."
Twilight finally said, "None of us have ever held you responsible for the things you said, shining. You might not be perfect.........but nopony is. We all mistakes: but learning from them helps us to become better ponies. So you don't have to keep beating yourself up anymore. Whatever this darkness is that's trying to take you, you don't have to let it control you. We don't hate you, shining: we love you. And we forgive you."
All of the words of his friends, and family cut deeply through Shining Armor like a sharp blade. Hearing them all say these things was not something he was prepared for. He figured that they would agree with everything he said, given how badly they pulled open old wounds. But instead of telling him what the darkness WANTED him to hear, they instead told him what he NEEDED to hear. And knowing that they still loved him despite his shortcomings, and failures was more than he could ask for. He wanted so desperately to accept it: to say how much he loved them, and how happy he was for them to be there for him. But just as he was about to speak, the feelings of pain, and sorrow tore right through him again. And once again, he was forced to forget everything they said as the black splotches grew in size, inch by inch. And one thing came to mind which would challenge everything these ponies, and changeling, had said to him.
"Maybe you can forgive me...........but how could i ever forgive myself for causing you all some level of pain? How can i forgive myself for allowing this evil to take control? For-" he briefly choked as he recalled what he did. "For killing an innocent pony, and allowing Sombra to shatter the Crystal heart after almost killing all of you? Now the crystal empire is doomed........and it's all my fault. I'm just sorry i got you all involved in this. I'm sorry for all of it!"
He then started groaning, and yelling in pain - much to the ponies panic - as he felt the corruption from before threaten to take him over again. Working fast, Sunburst took a large spoon, and poured the love gel on top of Shining Armor's head. And both Changeling and Crystal Pony, amped up their spells to boost its effects. It seemed to work as Shining was no longer shouting in pain. But the black spots still continued growing. This did little to alleviate the worries of those who loved him.
"Sunburst? Is he-?" Cadence asked desperately.
"He's alright, princess." Sunburst reassured her. "But.......it looks like this spell is even worse than i initially thought."
"What do you mean?" Starlight said, coming up to Sunburst. "What's even happening to him?"
"Well, honestly, it's a bit sketchy, but i managed to find references to a magical affliction similar to this one." Sunburst then flipped the pages over to one of significance. "According to the tome of magical afflictions, this is something akin to a parasitic-symbiosis spell."
"Parasitic-symbiosis?" Cadence asked, not liking the sound of that.
"A spell in which a spiritual force forcefully inhabits the body of another pony. Apparently, as the spell goes on, the spirit perfectly merges with the body of its host. But the down side is that it results in the ponies body being converted into a new vessel. Overtime, the parasite keeps drawing strength from them, and eventually changes the body into its own - forever."
"What about.........the host pony? What happens to them?" Thorax asked nervously. However, a bleak expression from Sunburst gave him the answer he wasn't sure he wanted, but still received. And it left a chill down his spine. Yet he wasn't the only one as Luna herself considered how similar this was to her own corruption. But it seems that this was on a far different scale. "So, King Sombra.......it seems your wickedness truly knows no bounds." She said aloud.
"How did King Sombra even do all of this?" Starlight asked. "From what i heard from Spike, he was blown to bits by the crystal heart. So how could he take over Shining Armor?"
"King Sombra is not a foe to be trifled with, Starlight Glimmer." Princess Luna said, with a hint of contempt. "He is a cunning, and resourceful fiend who always plans ahead for many situations. And he holds no regard for the lives of others if they can be of some use to him. And in the end, his manipulations, and tenacity is greater than even Discord, and Chrysalis. This is how he came nearly close to reclaiming the empire the last time."
"And it doesn't help that he's apparently part of an ancient, and powerful race of shadow-ponies known as the Umbrum." Twilight revealed. "All they require is hatred, and fear to sustain them, and they can probably survive mostly everything. But," She then turned to Shining Armor. "It still doesn't explain how he got into Shining Armor."
"And i don't think it matters in the long run." Sunburst said grimly. "While looking through the archives, i also found a record of cases like this: where spirits of darkness possessed ponies to make them into their new bodies, and wreak havoc on the world. The umbrum seemed to be the same........and if what princess Twilight says is true, then it looks like King Sombra learned how to do the same trick."
Cadence made an audible gasp as her eyes widened in realization. "Then, that means ......."
"Shining Armor is being consumed by living darkness: the kind which is devouring him in mind, body, and soul. Are you listening, Shining?" Sunburst asked to the prone form of the prince. Though it was troublesome, he managed to raise his head to look at Sunburst. Though it already seemed his spirit was fading, and fast. "That's another reason you can't forgive yourself.......and why you probably keep being so negative about everything, and filled with sorrow, and despair. Is this how you feel right now?"
"Y-.....yes." Shining said in a low voice, as his head lowered once again.
"It's because Sombra is trying to break your spirit. He's plaguing you with your deepest regrets - your inner pain. All of your fears, and hate: he's using it all against you. He's become a living infection that's trying to assimilate you. The more despair you feel, the stronger he grows. He's keeping you in this state to salt the meat, so to speak. He wants to destroy you in every way possible before he makes your body his."
Shining looked to Sunburst once again, fully understanding what he was talking about. And in his eyes, there was a desperate plea. The kind that none of the other ponies had seen in him before. "Please......help me." Sunburst actually shushed him as he pours more of the substance over his head.
"We're doing what we can to slow down the corruption. I figured the Changelings physical supply of love magic would manage to suppress Sombra's control, when combined with the crystal ponies AND Changeling's magic. But it's just a means of delay. Even with the crystal heart, it was already shown this is not something to be dealt with easily."
"But you can help him, right?" Twilight asked, sounding hopeful. "There's a way to save him?"
"Actually, yes there is - but it's not that simple." Sunburst said, looking through another one of the books. "This is a spiritual spell: one based in the realm of the soul. That's why no spell we know, or even an outside magic can expel it. Sombra has become one with the inner darkness inside Shining Armor. And the only force that can triumph over Darkness is Light. It basically comes down to being a battle of wills. Which means that only Shining Armor's will can hope to cast out Sombra before it's too late. He needs to find the inner strength within to win."
"I........i can't." Shining said, his voice sounding even more strained than before. "I'm too weak - you have.......to help me."
"I'm sorry, Shining." Sunburst said sadly. "But it's like i said: it's a battle of wills, and fighting inner demons. Sombra is an infection now: and the sickness he brings is one only you can truly cure. You need to be strong. Only the light within you can defeat him."
"I...........can't. You......need to.....you........" Suddenly, just as Shining raised up to look at Sunburst one last time, in a matter of seconds, the terrifying visage of Sombra from before returned, causing panic to rise again in many of the crystal ponies.
"YOU WORTHLESS, INSIGNIFICANT SPECK! I'LL KILL YOU DEAD, AND THEN EAT YOU FOR DINNER, YOU BOOKWORM! I'LL DO THE SAME TO ALL IN THIS WORTHLESS EMPIRE: I'LL EAT EVERY LAST LIVING SOUL! DRIVE YOU MAD WITH FEAR, AND THEN KILL YOU ALL! FEAST UPON YOUR FLESH AS I FEED UPON YOUR FEARS! I'LL DEVOUR YOU ALL JUST AS I HAVE CONSUMED THE SO-CALLED CRYSTAL PRINCE! BAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAH!!!"
Everypony stood on edge at this terrifying display as the rest of the blackness completely began to engulf Shining's body. All the guards, the other 3 princesses, and Starlight, prepared for a possible fight. The only one who wasn't poised for a fight was Cadence herself. Instead, she seemed as if she were coming to grips with a harsh reality, and struggling to deal with it as tears once more filled her eyes. Was it truly too late? Have they really lost Shining Armor? Was this truly what it felt like to fail, and lose something precious, and dear?
But then, something inside Cadence snapped. Her sorrow filled expression turned to one she rarely ever used: one of anger. It had at last reached the point where she was finally sick of standing by as her husband suffered. She would no longer have it. And her horn began to charge up as she approached the shadow king.
"I'm done with you, Sombra." She said in an angry tone, which only seemed to grow as time went on. "All you've ever done is lie, deceive, enslave, manipulate, and hurt all around you. You caused my crystal ponies endless suffering for your own sick, twisted ambition. But worst of all: you tried to take my Shining Armor away from me! You convinced him that he has no meaning in existence, and that his life has no value. You tortured him in ways that may never truly be undone. And you tried to take him away from his daughter. Now you've finally crossed the line, Sombra. And now i'm going to ensure that you're not only evicted from Shining: but that you NEVER see the light of day again!"
She then unleashed her most powerful love spell onto King Sombra's form. Like all the times she ever used it before, it floated behind Sombra's head before the two, bubbly halves joined as one, and cast the spell over the dark creature. Yet he did not feel any hint of love inside him. And instead, he just laughed at what he assumed was the crystal princess' last ditch effort.
"Was that truly your final effort, Crystal Princess? Or have you forgotten that i am the embodiment of hate, and fear? The antithesis of love. Your spells have no effect on one whose heart is blacker than the night, itself."
"Who said it was for you?" Cadence said with a smirk, as Sombra's eyes widened in realization. But her smirk went away as she once more worried for her husband.
"That was the best i could do: please let my gift help you to save yourself, Shining. For my sake, and Twilights.........and for Flurry Heart."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It was so dark in here. And not a single speck of light could be found in this vast, but empty expanse. None save for the one that came from a small colt of a boy. Curled up in a fetal position on the cold, dark floor. His eyes closed as the darkness hovered around him. The darkness scared him - terrified him. He hated every moment he spent within it. And he hated the horrible voice which spoke to him all the time.
He felt so small.
So frail.
So weak.
"I can't do it." Shining Armor said, trapped in the dark. "I hate being alone. I can't do it alone - i don't want to be alone!"
And yet you are alone. You have nothing - for you are nothing. Simply a speck in the darkness. A candlelight that refuses to die. You only prolong your suffering in this meaningless existence. All you have to do is submit - give in to the Darkness, and you will be free. Free of the pain, and misery of your life. Why should you bother to struggle? I am the only one you can rely on. There is noone in all the world that cares for you.
"That's where you're wrong - there IS someone. And she's with him right now."
That voice again. It had finally come back to him, again. Only this time, its presence was even stronger. In fact, he could swear that he felt something warm, and soft wrapping around him in a gentle embrace. However, he soon realized something WAS holding him. And when he looked, he saw it was a familiar, and welcoming form.
"Cadence?"
"Yes, Shining. Don't ever believe what that monster tells you. You are NOT alone. You never have been, and you never will be."
"But....how are you here?"
"I'm always here, within you - just like you're always within me. Love and Hope are powerful forces: they bind us together, and join us together. They are the forces that drives us, and give us purpose. It's what we fight with when all else is lost. And i never gave up hope that our love would stay strong. Thanks to it, you can always find me here, in your heart. And it's here where we'll make our stand. I only ever defended you once when you've done so for me more times than i can remember. Now it's time for me to help you again."
"How? I don't even have the strength to believe anymore. There's no hope for me anymore."
"Yes there is. Hope is all around you: in many shapes, and forms. Especially in those you've befriended. Now their hope is what will help you see this through to the end. They believe in you.......just as i do."
"But.........i wasn't able to protect you - any of you. I failed so many times before. And all i seem to do is fail."
"That's not true, Shining. Sombra twisted your mind to pain, and misery. He sought out your doubts, and fears because he knew that he couldn't beat you otherwise. He used what you fear most, and plagued you with your failures to weaken you from within. But you seemed to forget all the good that you've done - all those who have grown to care for you as much as i do, Shining. You have to understand that the evil forces victories are NOT your failures alone. You don't have to bear the burden of the whole world. Noone blames you for anything. If anything, we forgive you, even now. All you need to do is find the strength to forgive yourself."
Shining's eyes clenched shut as he thought about what Cadence said. "But.......what if i only fail again? What if i fail to do the duty i was chosen to do - that i cherish doing? What do i do, then?"
Cadence smiled as she held him closer to her. "Then you do what any pony does when they stumble, and fall: pick yourself back up, and keep moving forward. I love you, Shining Armor. More than anypony in the world, i love you more than anything. And it's because of who you are, not WHAT you are: and you are honest, brave, strong, loyal, devoted, passionate, and not afraid to be silly. You care deeply for all those around you, and fight as hard as you can to protect them because you care so. That's why you were still hesitant to trust Thorax: you just wanted to keep your family safe. It's not evil to want to keep your loved ones safe, so long as you don't let anger, and hate blind you. All Sombra has done is fed you lies, and made you doubt yourself. But you can't lose faith. You CAN win. You ARE strong. And you ARE loved. Everypony out there gives you their blessing, and their faith. They believe in you, Prince Shining Armor. Are you going to let it go to waste?"
Every single word struck with the strength of truth. All he's ever wanted was to protect others around him with all his strength. So whenever he was unable to stand against previous threats, or even made certain mistakes, he counted it as a personal failure. All because he cares for all others. But it seems that all this time he had forgotten one thing - something Sombra himself tried to hide many times already: that there were others who cared for him just as much. His sister, Twilight, his surrogate brother, Spike, his mother and father, Cadence, and now Flurry Heart. And yet, as he looked back, he now realized that they were no longer the only ones whom had formed a bond of friendship with him. Twilight's own friends, the Royal Guard of Canterlot, The Crystal Ponies, Sunburst and in turn Starlight Glimmer, Flash Sentry, Thorax, the new Changelings..........and even Princess' Celestia, and Luna. They were all a part of his life, and considered him as closely a part of theirs, as well. They respected, and cherished him. Saw him as someone to care for, and even admire. And also to look to for leadership, and guidance, in the case of the Royal Guard, and ponies, of Canterlot and The Crystal Empire. All this time, he was forced to believe his life was meaningless, and that he mattered to none. Now he understood how wrong that was. And now it was time to put an end to this terrible facade. With dedication, and ferocity in his eyes, Shining Armor stood up with determination, he gave Cadence his answer.
"No. I won't. It's time to end this - and i could use my lovely wife's help to do it."
Cadence smiled happily as she stood, and gave him her hands. A bright blue light began to shine off of her as her magic began to join with him. Just as she herself vanished, she gave one final request to her husband.
"Go get 'em, honey. Show him how powerful love really is!"
And in a flash of light, Shining Armor had regained his mature age. However, now he was decked out in his royal guard armor. And there, before him, was a ray of light, shining like a beacon in the darkness. This was the light that shined within him: brought forth by his return of spirit, and the love of his wife. Now he was finally ready to use it to set things right. His eyes narrowed in determination as he grasped the light, and it formed into a single sword. He raised it up........and then swung it downwards. It cut through the darkness like a piece of fabric. And in that instance, the world of black became a nexus of shimmering lights, and sapphire blue space. As he observed, it was as if he were standing in the most beautiful expanse of outer space itself: the lights shining like millions of stars. The ground on which he stood was reminiscent of a galaxy. This was when Shining understood that this was what his soul truly looked like: and it truly was a beautiful sight to behold. However, there was someone who didn't seem to care, nor were they thrilled to see it. And he soon noticed the remaining blackness beginning to form into a bipedal shape. One of grey armor, darker-grey skin/fur, a long, flowing red cape with a white trim, a blood-red curved horn part of a devilish crown, and crimson, red and green eyes glaring hatred into Shining Armor. And the prince new all too well who this dark warrior was.
"King Sombra."
"How dare you." Sombra snarled in anger. "How DARE YOU resist me?!"
"Oh, i dare, Sombra!" Shining said back. "Because you made the mistake of crossing me. And what's more, you thought you could get away with what you've done to me. And yet, while i can admit: i almost did buy into the things you said - i won't ever let that happen again!"
"And why is that?"
"Because now i remember that i'm not alone. I've got the love, and magic of friendship on my side. And with it, i'm gonna send you right back out onto the curb where you belong!" Shining proclaimed, swinging his sword of light around, ready for battle.
"How interesting." Sombra said, before calling forth another version of the blade he used to shatter the crystal heart. "But also idiotic, Then come forth, and show me the level of strength your pathetic love, and friendship has to offer!"
Without wasting a second, Shining immediately rushed Sombra with a loud battle cry. And after leaping at him, the duel began. Both Shining, and Sombra delivered a series of well executed blade strikes worthy of skilled warriors. They swished, thrusted, parried, and struck their blades in a spectacular show of skill, and strength. However, it seemed a mite evident that Sombra may have had more experience in the field of combat. For Shining was the one doing most of the striking. And yet Sombra was able to parry every blow thrown at him. In time, he delivered a solid kick to Shining's torso which sent him careening backwards.
"Spare yourself the further pain, and humiliation, boy! I have already consumed much fear from you, as well as my slaves. Soon i will take control of your body - and then the empire itself. Followed by Equestria."
Shining got back up to his feet, and readied to fight. "Never! So long as i stand, and can still fight: you will never have control of the empire! You have no right to it, and you never will. Your actions only prove that you can never rule the empire again!" He then attacked Sombra once again. He struck from the left, right, right, left, and right, with Sombra parrying again. Sombra went on the offensive as he swung his blade at Shining. But the crystal prince managed to either block, or evade the blows. And in an overswing, he managed to nick Sombra in the leg. He did not take well to that, and swiftly grabbed Shining by his arm, punched him in the torso, and then threw him to the side.
"And who are you to proclaim such a thing?" he shouted, as he attacked Shining again. "You are only a consort: royalty through marriage alone. You did not earn your royal status: it was handed to you on a silver platter! I claimed the title of king with my own power. I transformed the empire into a dominion that others fear, and respect! I proved myself worthy of being a true ruler! What could an insolent whelp like you ever know of such a thing?"
"I may not have been born royalty: but i definitely know that you don't earn your title through force, or through enslavement! Being a ruler isn't about forcing others to bow before you, and bow to your every whim out of fear: it's about protecting those under your charge. By leading them through example: guiding them, and ensuring they remain safe. And you have to earn their respect. You don't deserve any of those things after what you put the crystal ponies through!"
"WRONG!!!"
Sombra pushed back Shining Armor, before rushing in to deliver a series of solid hits that managed to incapacitate Shining. Before he could even recover, Sombra grabbed him by the throat, and heaved him off the ground into the air. And right now, he was completely at the shadow king's mercy.
"Those ponies you are so willing to protect are not as innocent as you care to believe: it is because of them i became what i am. All that i did to them was simple retribution. And a means of showing them where their rightful place in life is: beneath the heel of their betters. And i am a spirit of Hate, and Fear. Superior to the Crystal Ponies. To rule over them is my right, and privilege. Their power is a resource to be used as i see fit. They belong to me, and me alone. And no living being in the world - not you, not the princesses, not that dragon filth, and most certainly not the crystal wretch you call a wife - has the power to change any of that!"
"There's.....more to it than you think, Sombra!" Shining strained to say, as he struggled in Sombra's grip. "Being a ruler isn't about power, respect, OR recognition. It's about serving your subjects, and earning their devotion and respect. A responsibility to never be taken lightly."
"Respect has nothing to do with it." Sombra sneered. "Like you, the empire, and all who live within it is MINE............forever."
But finally, Shining had enough. And his eyes began glowing with a bright light, as did the rest of his body. With a shout, he let loose a burst of light, and pushed back Sombra, who recoiled in pain and surprise. He then once more drew his blade of light, as he prepared for the next round.
"Sorry to disappoint you, Sombra: but forever doesn't last as long as we all like to think." He, and Sombra then reengaged in their sword dual, with both being quite equal at first. However, as Shining's form continued to glow with inner light, it became clear that the odds were turning against Sombra now. Shining's speed had increased, and Sombra found it harder to defend. Eventually, he ended up getting slashed across the chest as he roared out in pain. Shining then delivered some punches, and kicks which dealt with Sombra quite well. The shadow king began to grow desperate when it seemed victory would be lost. Backing up, he attempted to encircle shining with his onyx crystals, but they did little to ensnare him, thanks to his shield. Even when Sombra transformed himself into a mass of shadow, and fired his dark magic at him, the shield held strong. The power of his, and Cadance's love once again proved stronger than the evil which threatened them. And after making a dart-roll towards the base of Sombra's form, Shining slashed at it with his blade, cutting through it, and even causing it to burn from the power of the light, and love the blade was made from. He kept hacking away at it, until it began shrinking down into smaller forms that began spreading around him. And these clusters of shadows formed into variations of Sombra. In desperate fury, they attempted to try, and overwhelm him with their numbers. But Shining didn't falter in the slightest. And instead, cut down every last shadow until only one remained. But even at such odds, Sombra would not give up so easily, and roared in fury as he fired dark magic. Shining's spell once more reflected it, and he slowly approached the umbrum king. And no matter how hard Sombra tried, Shining didn't halt his advance. There was a fierce fire in his eyes that couldn't be extinguished. He was determined to put an end to this once, and for all.
"How? How can you do this? After i broke your spirit? How do you win when there is no hope?"
"There's always hope, Sombra. You made me forget that for a while, but i'll never let it happen again. Because i'm stronger than you know."
And with a swing of his blade, he cleaved the shadow in two. And in a dark puff, it vanished completely. The whole realm suddenly began to turn pure white as Shining began to wake up.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
On the outside, Sombra's form began to fracture, and crack. Cries of his own anguish, and pain began filling his lips as the reality of what happened set in: he had lost the battle for the soul. And now he had been ejected from his host. And in mere moments, his screams gave way to Shining Armor's yell as the outer shell that had been King Sombra exploded. The pieces themselves scattered across the courtyard, littering the area. Some of the pieces actually fell into the tub, and dissolved from the liquid love's touch. And Shining Armor himself had broken loose of his bonds, and fell into the tub itself. He began panting profusely as he recovered from the ordeal. The struggle, and everything else he went through was rough, and exhausting. But as he looked up, he was greeted with a sight that made it all worth while: the smiling, and happy faces of his friends, and family, who had stuck by him through all of this havoc. He truly couldn't asked for anypony better to help him save his life. And now at last, it was finally over, and King Sombra was no more.
It would seem.
to be continued