Everypony watched in bewilderment at the sight of three alicorn princes stuffing their faces like there was no tomorrow. As promised, Shining Armor had ordered a banquet and the chefs had prepared quite a spread. Which was disappearing at a rapid pace into the mouths, down the gullets, and finding rest in the bellies of the three princes, as they chewed, guzzled, swallowed, and belched, not sparing a thought of what a sight they must appear.
Finally she couldn't take it anymore as Rarity spoke up, "YOUR MAJESTIES! With all due respect, such a blatant lack of manners at the dinner table is simply inexcusable! Why, I've lost my own appetite just looking at you three."
The three of them looked up from their plates or bowls, their cheeks stuffed like chipmunks, until they all made very apparent swallows evident by the GULP sounds they all made, the food vanishing down their throats, and looking at their family and friends as though they'd only just noticed they were there with them at the table. Then Sombra stifled a burp behind his hoof, to Rarity's aggravation, so Celestia came to her husband's rescue.
"Now, Rarity, the three of them all just expended considerable mana from that last contest. It's perfectly understandable they'd be so famished."
"But Your Highness!" Rarity couldn't believe that Princess Celestia of all ponies would overlook such vulgarity, and then Blueblood spoke up.
"Rarity! I'm sure after a long day of putting together some ensembles at the boutique you found yourself feeling rather peckish."
"Well, I- Um- That is..." Rarity most certainly could recall several occasions whereafter she'd worked for extended periods to stitch, needle, and thread the most fantabulous garments she'd helped herself to a wholeheartedly nutritious meal.
"Hold on, Midnight, Shining Armor, and Prince Sombra are eating so much because they used a lot of magic?" Sweetie Belle asked.
"Uh-huh! That's because unicorns have a more concentrated thau...ma...turgical system," Twinken answered, sounding the word out to make sure he pronounced it right, "Twilight explained to me that unicorns' need food to fuel their magic, just like we need food to fuel our bodies too! A unicorn who uses a lot of magic in a short time needs to eat lots of food afterwards, because his magic is restored first before the body gets the energy it needs from the food the unicorn eats."
The rest of the Crusaders went 'Ohhhh' in understanding, that some of the older ponies chuckled, and then Midnight spoke up after wiping his mouth.
"While we're engaging in dinner conversation, there's something I want to discuss about the duel. Master? Shining Armor? Cadance? Don't take this the wrong way, but... Well, I want to go all out in this duel, to really see what I'm made of, but..."
He and Sombra shared a knowing look, "There's no way the empire's dinky little stadium can handle a bout between two alicorns without... collateral damage, and harming the populace."
"That is indeed a considerable risk, my young apprentice," nodded Sombra before he gave a sneaky smirk, "were this any other city."
"What do you mean, Sombra?" asked Cadance, suddenly curious by Sombra's words.
"When I founded this empire, I wanted to make it as strong and defensible as possible," explained the former ruler of the Crystal Empire. "The citadel was the first stronghold, but its main purpose was to serve as the royal palace. Have none of you ever noticed the design of the Crystal Empire?"
Everypony shared looks, failing to understand, when Celestia spoke up, "Would it perchance relate to how the main streets of the empire form a shape similar to that of a snowflake?"
"It does indeed, my love," Sombra loved that brilliant mind inside that beautiful head. "The main streets of the empire, along with the roads outlining its whole, all of it forms a magic circle."
Twilight, Midnight, Shining Armor, Cadance, Luna, and even Blueblood, Rarity, and Twinken all gaped at Sombra as though he'd grown a second head while Celestia simply smiled in marvel of her husband.
"A-a... a magic circle...?!" Twilight was shocked.
"The entire city?!?!" Midnight and Shining Armor were both blown.
"...Is that even possible?" Luna looked at Cadance, Blueblood, and Rarity whose expressions matched her own.
"Wicked...!" Twinken smiled in reverent awe of Sombra.
"I don't get it, what's this about a magic circle and the city?" asked Soarin.
"Soarin! A magic circle is a magical art where you command the magical effects of choice spells to affect anything within a designated radius!" Twilight explained as the full scope of what she'd just learned began to settle in her mind.
"And a magic circle that expands the width of an entire city?! With the proper knowledge, spell, and power... your spell could affect anything and anyone within the city!"
"Your knowledge of the arcane never ceases to amaze me, dear Twilight," chuckled Sombra, which made Twilight blush a bit at the compliment. "It is true, the city and the magic circle upon which it is built are all under the influence of one who knows how to wield its power. However, creating the magic circle was only half the work, for even with the knowledge and experience I alone did not have the power sufficient to do what I needed to insure the safety of my old subjects.
"Which led me to create what I would regard as my magnum opus - The Crystal Heart! As you are all aware, it is through the Crystal Heart that the love and hope of the crystal ponies is spread throughout the empire. What you do not know is that the main roads that make up the magic circle, which are used day after day by the crystal ponies, siphons the positive energy that comes from their good spirits, and draws that energy into the Crystal Heart, at the very center of the Crystal Empire.
"Think of the Empire as a body and the Crystal Heart as an actual heart. The main streets that spread throughout the city and form the magic circle are the nervous system and veins and the crystal ponies are like the blood cells, providing the necessary energy that keeps the Crystal Heart 'pumping', as it were. The Heart is imbued with spells and enchantments all purported to protect the Crystal Empire, such as the Thermal Barrier which protects the empire from the blistering cold of the Frozen North."
"I always wondered how you managed to create a thriving society out here in these frigid wastes," Celestia smiled at Sombra, "I had my theories, but could never confirm any of them until I heard it straight from your mouth."
"As fascinating as all of this is," Blueblood spoke up, "what does it have to do with the duel between you and Midnight? It's supposed to begin at 5pm, which is just over an hour from now."
Sombra looked to Shining Armor and Cadance, "This is no longer my empire, I have accepted that. Which is why I will ask the two of you whether you will allow for my suggestion. I propose, in order for Midnight and I to make the most of our impending clash without endangering the citizens or damage to the city, I place over the entire empire a Spatial Barrier."
The rest of the alicorns gaped at Sombra with expressions incredulous but the rest of the ponies in attendance were confused, so Rainbow Dash asked, "And.... what is a... special barrier?"
"Not 'special', Rainbow Dash, a Spatial Barrier," corrected Luna before she explained, "There is magic and study that delves into the mysteries of Time, all of which are prohibited to all but the most capable and trusted of wizards, but the arts that explore the concept of Space in a magical perspective are... Well, not quite as dangerous but can be as mysterious all the same."
"A Spatial Barrier, everypony," Sombra explained, "is a type of barrier that covers a limited radius. From the outside, it would look like a transparent dome with the environment it contains still visible, but within is where it gets complicated. The environment contained within the Spatial Barrier is... copied, I suppose one could call it that. The original environment and its copy are both contained in the barrier, but while the barrier is active it is the copied environment that you see inside. You could almost say... it is another place but the same place."
"I think I understand what you're saying," Midnight marveled at his master's brilliance, "You're proposing to create a Spatial Barrier over the Crystal Empire by using the Crystal Heart and the city's magic circle to expand the barrier's area of effect in order to fully copy the city in which you and I can have our duel."
"That is the idea," Sombra nodded, "I can tweak the magic so that while you and I will be transported to the Copied Environment everyone else will still be in the true Crystal Empire, able to watch without fear of getting caught in our skirmish."
"So... if you and Midnight are the only ones in the copied empire," Twilight had to ask, "what about us? And everyone else? Are you really sure that nothing will go wrong?"
"Once the barrier is erected, Midnight and I will be existing in the Copied Empire while all of you will be in the true Empire," Sombra assured, "Midnight and I will be like ghosts to you. You'll be able to see and hear us but you won't be able to touch us. Meanwhile, Midnight and I will be the only ones in the copy and to us, it'll be as if we are the only living souls in the entire city."
"That sounds a little scary..." Button Mash shivered at the idea of being in a place as big as the empire yet being totally alone.
"It is up to the both of you," Sombra gave Shining Armor and Cadance a respectful look, "I give you my word nopony will be harmed by the Spatial Barrier nor will any harm come to the city, and that will be all I use the Heart for. But if you are uncomfortable with this idea, I understand."
Shining Armor and Cadance shared a look of consideration but both smiled away their misgivings, and Cadance nodded to Sombra, "This will surely be a duel to remember."
"Excellent! Then if one of you would accompany me to the Heart, I will prepare the barrier," Sombra stood up from the table, Shining Armor as well, and they both left the dining room.
"In the meantime," Celestia stood up as well, "there is someone I must speak with. If you will all excuse me."
Firestorm sat quietly in one of the private rooms in the Crystal Castle overlooking the street below. He sat in a large chair with his left hoof being held up with a large orb of water and three smaller orbs spinning around it. His eyes were closed as his horn continued to glow.
“You can come over,” he said to the figure standing behind him.
“I see your skills are still as sharp as ever,” the regal voice of Princess Celestia said as she came over, bringing a chess set with her.
“I am the Duke of Defense and Security for a reason,” he said as the princess summoned herself a sofa to comfortably lay upon. Between them, a small table was pulled over and the chess set was placed upon it.
“Have you given what I said any thought?” she asked as she began her first move. Without even looking one of Firestorm's pieces moved in turn.
“I have, prin-” Firestorm began to say.
“Storm it's just us here, so you can just call me Celestia.”
“If that is what you wish, Celestia,” he obliged as the game between them looked as if it was playing itself, “and yes, I have.”
She watched quietly as she brought a cup of tea up to her lips waiting for him to continue.
“I've already gotten all of the files ready for whoever wins the Trinity Cup. They will know everything.”
“And what about the other-”
“That's in progress right now,” he quickly assured.
“I see,” she said before a few minutes silence dragged on between the two of them. “Who do you think is going to win?”
“That is difficult to say. Especially when I know both of them well enough to recognize both of their strengths. The match is nigh, they are both most certainly preparing to give it their all. It's going to be interesting, to say the least,” Firestorm grinned deviously. “Especially when Midnight knows one of the most important rules of being an apprentice.”
“Oh? And what's that?” Celestia asked with a smile on her muzzle.
Before Firestorm said anything, three things happened. First, the water floating above Firestorm's left hoof disappeared. The second was the sound of something embedding itself into the wall that was followed by a gasp. Thirdly the mare that had tried to sneak her way into the room found herself pinned a hoof off the floor by the hood of her cloak. Which was pinned to the wall by a large shard of ice that had embedded itself moments before. He turned and looked at the dark midnight greyish blue unicorn mare with a dust-grey mane and tail that was both shortly cropped.
“The Master never teaches everything to their students,” he clarifed, leaning over to look at the mare. His once blazing blue eyes were now a vibrant red and reptilian, like that of a dragon.
“Isn't that right Nightling?”
His horn began to glow again as the spike was pulled out of the wall and floated back over to his left hoof.
“Yes... Master.” Nightling cast her gaze down as she slowly trotted over to sit to the left of her Master.
“I see you have picked up another apprentice,” Celestia observed, not even fazed by what had just happened.
“This one shows promise,” Firestorm looked over at Nightling. “She is two years into her training before I allow her to join the guard.”
“Another Elementalist I assume?”
“Yes, not as much as I was at that age. But she shows promise, she just needs to learn to work on her stealth. Especially to prevent those that can feel the air in the room feel her presence as well,” he added flatly before cracking his neck lightly.
“Does she know why your eyes are like that?” Celestia commented before taking herself another sip of tea as the chess pieces were returned to their starting positions to begin another game.
Firestorm looked at the princess for a few moments before he closed his eyes as he let his magic wash over them. When he opened them again, they had returned back to their previously blue and regular shape that most were familiar with.
“Nightling, learn this well. Sometimes, lessons require a sacrifice that you may not be prepared for. Others may seem like a blessing... but are curses in disguise. Choose your lessons well,” Firestorm spoke heavily while turning to look out the window as the normally happy-looking stallion held a stone visage on his face that spoke volumes to his apprentice.
“Yes... Master," Nightling responded with a small bow.
“He is correct, Nightling, both Princess Twilight Sparkle and Prince Midnight can attest to this,” Celestia added, her tone the parental blend of emphasis and encouragement.
“As for your next task, Nightling,” Firestorm said as a letter flew from his side over to her. “Deliver this to Prince Midnight without being noticed.”
“Yes, Master,” she said taking it in her own silver aura and parted from the room.
“You know that is very unfair to do to her. Midnight was trained by-” Celestia comment before seeing Firestorm's look. “Ah, a lesson. I suppose they will learn it with time.”
“Any word about him?” Firestorm finally decided to ask the one question that plagued his mind after all this time.
“Sadly no, with the changeling's attack, most of the searches were put on hold.”
Firestorm sighed quietly before looking at her.
“Do you think it's about time I talk to Princess Luna's apprentice?” he asked quietly, she looked up to the war-worn stallion before her. Out of most of the dukes that had to take up the mantle of the Duke of defense and security. Firestorm was one of the few that knew both sides of the struggle and that had helped him make his choices in office.
“I think that would be wise. When he disappeared you were the one of the few remaining ties Midnight had left to him. Now with Twinken being Luna's pupil, I think it would do him a world of good for the little one to know of some of his exploits,” she said looking out the window to see ponies, griffons, dragons, and many other races milling about on the street below.
Firestorm slowly turned to match her view before the final pieces fell in their game. Leaving the only two left on the board was the black knight and the king.
The atmosphere was heavy as Master and Apprentice looked upon each other with respect in their smiles and the spirit of competition burning in their eyes. They stood in the vomitorium, the cheers ringing just outside, and a small team of pegasus ponies holding cameras standing behind them. Everything was ready.
Right before the duel began, Sombra would cast the spell that would set up the Spatial Barrier, transporting Midnight and himself to the copied version of the city while everypony else would remain in the true reality. The team of camera-ponies would be following Midnight and Sombra closely (in the real city) to insure that not one moment of the action would be missed. They had no need to worry about being so close to the action as the two combatants would be alone in the alternate reality of the city, but still perceivable to the eyes and ears of everyone in the real world.
"I have waited for this chance for over a thousand years," Midnight spoke first, "ever since you became my mentor, to my past self, as well as to my current self. I have endeavored to be a worthy scion of my lineage, a worthy son of your bloodline."
Chuckling, Sombra replied, "You achieved that ambition long ago. Regardless of what results of this clash between us, I am honored to be your forefather."
Then Sombra surprised Midnight by pulling the younger alicorn into a strong and warm hug. The kind of hug Midnight had not felt ever since his father left him and Twinken, the bittersweet feeling filling him up as he reciprocated the gesture. When the hug ended, Sombra gave Midnight a bold smirk, "But don't except me to go easy on you."
"I won't give you the luxury," Midnight retorted, the two of them sharing a laugh. But before they stepped out into the twilight of the evening hours, Midnight asked, "What of the barrier?"
"It is all set," Sombra assured, "once Spike begins the duel, I will light the proverbial fuse and the Crystal Heart will do the rest... Are you ready?"
"Heh, like you even need to ask..." Midnight held out his foreleg with the gesture meaning "After you", and Sombra chuckled as he stepped forward into the light.
As they made their way out into the field, their faces displayed on the jumbotron, as the cheers turned to roars, that quickly quieted when Spike made himself known.
"The time has come, everypony, every griffon, every zebra, minotaur, drake, dog, yak, it is time, everyone!" announced Spike as he gestured Midnight and Sombra to step forward to the middle of the field.
"You will all bear witness to what will definitely be... the Duel of the Century!! Prince versus prince. Alicorn versus alicorn! Master versus Apprentice! Both have shown their stuff in the Trinity Cup and here they stand, but like any competition victory can belong to only one."
Midnight and Sombra faced each other, several yards of distance between them, their eyes meeting in bold gaze, their ears listening as Spike went on, "Citizens of the Crystal Empire, and its visitors! Be assured that whatever happens next, no harm will come to any one of you nor to this great city. By the magic of the Crystal Heart, our two finalists will be free to duel without fear of harming anyone. Your Majesties, the time is now! Be advised, the rules forbid dark magic, and the duel will end when one or the other can no longer continue or if he surrenders. So all I have to ask is...
"Are. You... READY?!"
Both princes responded by lighting up their horns, spreading their wings, and rearing up to flail their forelegs and stamp the ground with eager hooves.
"THEN LET THE DUEL.... BEGIN!!!"
Sombra started by casting the spell he had promised, and as he had already established the connection the Crystal Heart, it worked within the city's magic circle. The Heart flared with life as the magic of the spell drew in the power of the crystal ponies' high spirits, and the power rose up through the castle, lines lighting up along the facets of the castle walls, until it reached the apex and lit up brighter than a lighthouse before a stormy night!
The magic launched upward, making contact with the Thermal Barrier, adding the magic of the Spatial Barrier along with it! The mana spread out long the dome in a form of cascading light and a phantom shroud of glowing power descended upon the city. As this power made contact with the physical, for a moment or two, towers, buildings, walls, all appeared distorted before they became clear again. Then it reached the stadium, and everypony in the stands and box seats, they appeared to flicker like static before they vanished, as if fading out of existence.
Midnight looked up towards the royal box and his eyes met Twilight's, as she looked on with a mix of belief in him, as well as a little worry. He smiled and whispered a few words that were carried to her by his magic just before she was removed from the Spatial Barrier.
Believe in me.
And then they were alone. The entire stadium empty, the city as silent as a tomb. No distant chatters, no hoof steps, not even the tweeting of birds. Only the soft whispers of an evening breeze.
"Heh, Button Mash was right," Midnight commented before looking back to his master, "this is a little creepy."
"They are still here," Sombra assured with a shrug, "it is we who are somewhere else, so to speak."
"My head tells me that, it's my nerves that are fooled by what appears in contrast to what is," chuckled the sapphire blue alicorn, before narrowing his eyes and bearing his fangs with an eager smirk.
"So! How do you wanna do this?"
"Hmm?"
"Magic? Weapons? Or good ol' fashioned hooficuffs. The whole city is our arena and we should make the most of it. The only no-no here is dark magic."
"You are correct," Sombra considered it a moment when movement caught his eyes and he saw Midnight charging straight at him, his brows furrowed with resolution. Chuckling, he thought, So he decides to start things by getting physical? Well, I'll be happy to ob- Wait... Why can't I hear his-
An explosion of pain caught Sombra on the right side of the head as he felt something take him in his grasp, and send him up, over and hurtling into the stadium wall! Despite being literally thrown for the loop, Sombra managed to right his position and catch himself with all four hooves on the wall, the force barely aching his hooves, as he leapt down and saw Midnight gazing up at him from the field below.
He didn't teleport, I never took my eyes off him, Sombra thought, so then...!!
With a closer look, Sombra noticed Midnight's mane give off a shadowy wisp, and then he looked to see an image of Midnight behind the real one just fading away in barely noticeable sparkles of magic.
I see! Aloud, he said with a smirk, "Midnight. That was vicious, deceitful, and underhooved... Well played!"
Everypony had watched the duel begin, at first nothing happened as the two alicorns seemed to exchange words, but nopony could really understand what had happened after Midnight had made the first move.
In the royal box, Midnight's friends were all flabbergasted as Rainbow asked the question the whole stadium was wondering, "What the hell just happened?!"
"Midnight charged and then... he attacked Sombra from the side," Twilight responded but her tone was equally confused, "I don't know how he did it though! He didn't teleport! It's almost as if for a few moments there were two of him!"
"There weren't."
Everypony looked up to see Luna, who looked impressed, "What we thought was Midnight making the first move wasn't Midnight at all. It was a Semblance, an illusion of Midnight. As for Midnight himself, nopony noticed it, partly because of how it's getting dark, but I did. Midnight was in shadow the whole time. I wager from the moment he stepped into the field up until he attacked Sombra from the side.
"As soon as his Semblance made the first move, Midnight, disguised as his own shadow, quickly moved to the side, making sure to rise out of the shadow in Sombra's blind spot, and as Sombra was focused on the Semblance of Midnight he never saw the real Midnight coming. It's actually a brilliant move!"
"Ah dunno, sounds kinda lowdown t' me," Applejack looked back out onto the field, a look of disapproval in her eyes as they fell upon Midnight.
"The only rule here is no dark magic and the duel goes on until one is no longer able to continue or submits," Celestia clarified, "otherwise? Anything goes."
"I'm a little surprised, Sombra looks like he took what Midnight just gave him in stride," Soarin commented, "he doesn't even look like he's shaken or hurt."
"That's because they're using a mana technique," Shining Armor explained, "it's called Arcane Armor, one of several disciplines taught in Mana Wielding. Believe it or not, it's something even earth ponies and pegasi can learn to do!"
"Get out!" Thunderlane looked up at Shining Armor, the others looking equally as incredulous.
"It's true, everypony," Celestia laughed at their expressions a little, "All ponies have magic, and with the proper training and determination, even earth ponies and pegasi can learn to wield theirs in ways they don't typically do.
"Right now, Sombra and Midnight are using their mana in a defensive manner called Arcane Armor. Think of it as armor that protects the body from harm by a constant cloak of magic covering their bodies, almost like a second skin, absorbing the damage they take up to a limited degree. It's a mandatory skill to learn for ponies in the Royal Guard. It's not easy to learn but once mastered, Arcane Armor can save your life."
With a single flap of his wings, Sombra propelled himself out onto the field, rejoining his apprentice so that they could continue. They sized each other up somewhat, before the dark gray alicorn said, "Maybe it's just nostalgia, but I'm thinking next we try something a little... old school, but with a twist."
"Oh? Pray tell," Midnight sounded intrigued.
Then, to Midnight's surprise, Sombra's form seemed to darken until he looked like a living mass of darkness in alicorn shape, until the shape rose up on its hind hooves, the wings disappeared, the tail shortened in length, the front hooves split into fingered hands, the horn retracted into the head while two longhorns appeared from the sides, and then the form brightened up somewhat while regaining detail.
Sombra had shapeshifted into a minotaur of impressive musculature, his lower half covered with fur as black as his mane while his torso, shoulders, arms, and face retained his normal gray, arms and chest rippling with muscle. Then shadowy smoke briefly engulfed his torso before quickly dissipating, revealing pauldrons on his shoulders, a cuirass over his chest, and vambraces on his forearms.
He then waved his hands, drawing shadows that gave off a crystal-like shimmer towards him. From those shadows did appear a very familiar scythe along with a large somewhat kite-shaped shield with concave edges and an emblem in the likeness of Sombra's red crystal cluster cutie-mark. He grasped the scythe by its handle in his right hand while hoisting the large shield onto his left arm, and snorted with fervor as he then gave an expectant look to Midnight.
He got the idea and smirked as he flapped his wings to rise up into the air, but instead of flying, his horn lit up with a hazy mist as silvery light came down, drawn to Midnight as it engulfed him, becoming brighter and brighter until only the faint outline of his form could barely be seen within the light. The shape reformed, the wings vanishing, the tail retracting in length yet becoming bushy, and his horn vanished as well.
The light then went out like mist as Midnight dropped to the ground, having shapeshifted into a Sirian Dog resembling a husky, garbed with a leather vest and arm bands. His fur was mostly black with sapphire blue fur on his chest, paws, and tipping his tail before it became a dark blue that darkened into black. He was a head shorter than Sombra's minotaur form and not as bulky. His stature was leaner yet noticeably sturdy.
Standing up on his hindpaws, Midnight then reached out with both of his forepaws, grasping something in front of him, before pulling his paws sideways to conjure a pair of silver-glowing swords! Both were single-edged, the longer blade in his right paw curved slightly, while the shorter blade held in a reverse-grip in his left was straight. A katana and a ninjato. The blades' steel gave off a beautiful reflection in the light.
"Well, well! Those are some very interesting swords," Luna commented.
"I know, those aren't your average blades," Celestia agreed, "Those are solid Lunargent!"
"What's Lunargent?" Twinken looked up at his teacher, some of the others as well, "Is that what Midnight's swords are made of?"
"Indeed, my pupil, and weapons or even armor of solid lunargent are very rare," Luna explained, "Lunargent is a spell-forged metal that requires the purest of silver and energy from the full of the moonlight. The process is a well-guarded secret because it yields a metal that can be forged into amazing armaments that draw power from the moon, just like lunar ponies, who are the ones who discovered how to make it through experimental blacksmithing and magic metallurgy. But that's not all they can do..."
"Well, don't leave us in suspense!" Rarity wasn't normally partial to these sorts of competitions but the excitement was getting to her.
"Just wait and see," Luna returned her attention the field, "I'm certain you're about to find out."
The minotaur and the dog faced each other, again daring the other to make the first move, while gripping their weapons with with hands and paws they normally did not have. Manipulation shoes worked just fine but they did not have the sort of dexterity and grip as having actual hands and fingers.
Sombra knew Midnight's swords were not of common make and that was why he was hesitant to go first, and kept his large shield ready and his scythe held out. He had defense, a longer reach whereas Midnight had greater speed and maneuverability. But his scythe and shield were not of common make either, as Midnight would soon discover.
Finally, Midnight lunged forward and immediately Sombra raised his shield as Midnight hacked and slashed, growling and grunting with ruthless fervor! Sparks flew as metal scraped against metal but Sombra barely moved from his position, taking only a few steps back from Midnight's assault when he feinted a forward lunge of his shield but then immediately lashed out with his scythe!
Midnight quickly responded by crossing his blades defensively and suddenly putting a considerable distance between himself and his master, magic flowing under his feet!
"Whoa! How did Midnight move like that?!" Soarin gaped in shock, "It was like for a moment he had super speed or something!
"That is Freeflow," Cadance answered, "It's another Mana Wielding technique, similar to Arcane Armor. But instead of defense its purpose is to improve one's speed and agility The user concentrates a flow of mana to their feet, which momentarily boosts their physical movements, allowing them to traverse their surroundings with incredible ease and uncanny speed! They can move across the ground without taking a step, glide through the air by jumping from a height or even off a wall, and many other maneuvers."
"I so gotta learn that!!" Rainbow Dash geeked out at how awesome this technique was!
Right as Midnight halted his Freeflow, he saw Sombra charge forward in a run, his scythe raised. Midnight reacted accordingly, his swords up to intercept the attack-
*RAM/"BAUGH!"*
It was another feint! Sombra rammed the lower edge of his shield into Midnight's mid-section, throwing him back several yards, and as Midnight got his bearings Sombra charged again, shield raised this time. Growling, Midnight concentrated his mana into his swords, which glowed turquoise blue along the blades' edges, as he used Freeflow to accelerate his lunge forward, and Sombra hesitated just long enough for Midnight to stab both swords forward!
However, Sombra angled his shield just so, causing the attack to deflect to Sombra's left, and Midnight zoomed past his master in a black and blue blur, quickly jumping and flipping through the air, and landed on his paws, and quickly turning around to face Sombra, who looked amused.
"Impressive technique! This duel hasn't gone on for very long and yet already I can tell you are a skilled warrior."
"Well, your style is nothing to sneeze at either, including the way you wielded your shield. Especially just now..."
"How so?"
"...You deflected my attack rather than stand up against it. While I'm fairly certain that shield is of sturdy make, I'm getting the impression you weren't certain your shield would withstand my attack head-on. So rather than absorb you chose to deflect. Am I wrong?"
Sombra chuckled, "You have great observation, even in the thick of battle! But don't start thinking victory is in reach just yet."
"Then come get me..." Midnight challenged, baring his fangs with zest, his swords at the ready.
For a few moments more, neither of them moved... until they both charged, Midnight's blades scraping against Sombra's shield as he tried to dance around Sombra's defense. But Sombra stayed on the move too, Freeflowing left and right, leading Midnight on a chase while keeping his shield raised and bashing away Midnight's swords with his scythe whenever he got too close to getting around Sombra, which forced Midnight to step back to avoid the long reach of the scythe before he lunged back in again.
Faster... faster!! Midnight thought as he hacked, deflected, slashed, blocked, stabbed, dodged, his blood pounding in his ears as he continued his offensive all the while pushing himself to move faster, faster than Sombra could react, the sparks flying with every clash of metal.
"UrrrgghhAAAUUGH!!!"
Midnight thrust his katana forward and Sombra barely moved his head out of the way, only to feel a slight stinging below his left eye and he realized Midnight had drawn blood. The distraction was enough for Midnight to charge his swords again and hammer at Sombra's shield, forcing him back a step with each blow!
With an upward swing of his crossed blades, Midnight forced Sombra's shield out of the way, creating an opening, I've got you!!
Rotating his whole body to give his next strike more force, Midnight swung his katana overhead from his left, and brought right down upon Sombra-
*PHOOOSH*
DAMN IT! Midnight realized his error. Though blinded by the shadow, he sensed Sombra reform behind him, that obsidian scythe raised!
*SLA-SPLISH*
"AUGH!!" Midnight fell down onto all fours, dropping his swords, as his blood spilled.
"MIDNIGHT!!!" Twilight and Twinken cried out in alarm, the colt tearing up at the sight of his brother's blood.
"It's alright," Celestia assured them, "It's not as bad as it looks. Midnight's Arcane Armor protected him from most of the damage."
"But I thought- Th- the armor-" Twinken looked up at Celestia, his breath shaky, unable to get out his next word.
"Arcane Armor protects the user by limiting the damage taken to a degree," Luna clarified, "it doesn't protect you from the damage completely, and the user still feels pain. How much damage or how little depends on several factors, but we can assure you it's not as bad as it looks."
"Look, he's already healed himself," Cadance pointed out, and they all could see the cut on Midnight's back closing up as a wisp of mana ran up its length like a zipper.
"Another of those techniques?" Rarity asked.
"It is, but not the most reliable," Shining Armor answered, "Recovery requires concentration and more mana, plus you can only use it to heal from minor wounds, like scratches, cuts, bruises, anything more serious requires more mana consumption. If you use it too much, you use up your mana even quicker, and that's asking for trouble."
The pain had receded but Midnight panted as he held himself up with his front paws, hearing Sombra nearby.
"Were it not for your Arcane Armor, that wound could have been more serious, even though I held back the force of my swing," Sombra looked at his apprentice, a mixture of emotions in him.
"...If you no longer wish to continue, I will under-"
Suddenly, Midnight flexed the claws on his paw... and a black circle suddenly expanded, Sombra almost panicking as he leapt away but dropping his shield in his rush. He landed several yards away from Midnight, who reached into the blackness he'd created and pulled out an impressive bow that looked as though it were made of obsidian glass!
Drawing back the bowstring, he took aim at Sombra while mana collected at the point of his grip, and an arrow made of mana manifested before Midnight fired! As the arrow flew, it divided into a full volley of arrows, and were zooming straight for Sombra... who quickly waved his scythe, a large crystal erupting from the ground to shield him, each arrow impacting with surprising force, causing several cracks before they dissipated.
"Phew! Well, that was unexpec- ARGH!!" Sombra fell to one knee, as he felt something get him in the shoulder, and he turned to see Midnight there, his bow drawn and another magic arrow ready.
The two alicorns glared at each other, as Sombra reverted to his alicorn form in a haze of shadow, using the energy he'd been using to maintain that form to absorb the mana of Midnight's arrow and heal his wound. Midnight returned to his alicorn form too... except he'd added dragon-like features to his body!
His forehooves had become dragon claws, still clutching his bow and his fetlocks covered with thick scales, his tail had thickened at the dock, with soft scales like on Spike's belly on the underside with a reptilian frill tipped the end, his wings were no longer feathered but like the membranous wings of a bat, and growing out the sides of his head, just behind his ears, were a thick pair of dark gray horns, and the pupils of his turquoise eyes had narrowed into reptilian slits.
"I see you still have plenty of fight in you," Sombra stood up to his full height, scythe held in his magic, "which means... the fun continues!"
Sombra roared as he lashed out his scythe, and large shards of crystal were flung straight at Midnight, who gasped and dodged the first shard, only for the next to shatter his bow! Growling, he gave Sombra the stink eye before taking flight, and Sombra went after him.
"Now where're they off to?" Applejack questioned as the two duelists fled the arena, the pegasi camera team going after them, as they kept a view of the action on the jumbotron for everyone to see.
"My guess is, Midnight's looking for some kind of field advantage," commented Shining Armor.
"Midnight looks so cool!" Button smiled big as the jumbo-tron showed the dragon-like form Midnight had taken on. "It's like got some super-awesome power-up!"
"Sister, did you once say that Midnight had a teacher in dragon magic?" Luna asked.
"He did, and she taught him well," nodded Celestia, as they watched the duel go on.
At some point, Sombra had forced Midnight to land on the rampart walkway of the Crystal Empire's main garrison. Running along the wall, Midnight made sure to get a distance from his pursuing teacher before turning around, taking a deep breath, and launching blazing blue fireball at the dark gray alicorn. It landed at Sombra's hooves, creating an explosion while Sombra flapped to get airborne and swung his scythe again, sending more crystal shards at Midnight, who leapt back to dodge them, Sombra landing back on the wall. They squared off again, Sombra swinging his scythe to throw more crystal shards, some Midnight dodged, others he blocked with the scales on his forelegs, before blasting another fireball at Sombra, who somersaulted forward to dodge it, before launching a few more shards at his apprentice, all the while pushing Midnight closer and closer to the edge.
Midnight dodged the first two but almost didn't block the third, which distracted him long enough for Sombra to try a different tactic.
The dark alicorn swung his scythe to the far right, a shard flying out but directed by Sombra's will to curve its trajectory right towards Midnight... who caught it in his claws without even looking!
Sombra blinked in surprise at what he'd just witnessed, as Midnight stood up straight while examining the shard before it burned over in his mana, transmuting into a white lotus as Midnight sniffed it casually, "Impressive, my master... But I hope that's not the full extent of your abilities."
"I have only begun to show you what I am capable of, my very young apprentice," Sombra smirked as he poured his mana into his scythe preparing for his next attack.
"Good! For as my father once taught me... Expect the unexpected!" Midnight then deliberately stepped back to drop off the edge, and silence followed.
...
...
...
Any moment now, he'll fly up and try to sneak-attack me again... Sombra thought as he kept his scythe ready, his eyes darting left and right.
"ROOOOOOAAAAAAARRRRRRGGGHHH!!!!!"
Sombra flinched at the ferocity of that roar, as it was heard by every living creature in all the empire... and a massive form rose up, giant wings unfurling, to reveal a blue dragon!!!
The colors were clue enough but it was the fact it had Midnight's cutie-mark that confirmed it - Midnight had shapeshifted into this majestic monster!! He stood well over three stories tall, his form was more slender than most adult dragons and his neck wasn't as long. But his body was still heavily-muscled and strong, and his tail lashed out like a fearsome whip, leveling a nearby tower with a careless swing. His scales were the same dark blue as the highlight of his mane in pony form while the scales on his underside were sapphire blue, his horns, claws, and spines were black, as well as the membranes of his wings, he had frill-like ears in front of the bases of his two large horns, and he still had his black mane with the dark blue highlight. He snarled as his mouth opened, revealing dozens of fangs a hoof long before the inside lit up as a blistering blue fireball launched at Sombra!
The dark alicorn quickly ran along the wall, dodging the volley of blazes before leaping high into the air with a flap of his wings, and heaving a mighty swing of his scythe in mid-air!
Instead of a shard, a red energy blade flew towards the blue dragon, who quickly ducked and soared out before coming back around, his predatory gaze locked onto Sombra.
Thinking quickly, Sombra concentrated his power onto his scythe, reshaping it into a mighty lance, and as Midnight soared straight at him like a fearsome storm on the rise, Sombra imbued more magic into the lance, and raised it while casting a spell!
"Fugere super alas a Draco!!!"
Sombra roared as he gave a heaving throw, and the lance soared as the phantom-like form of a red dragon appeared around it, wings spread, its fangs bared at the blue dragon who growled in hesitation as he attempted to halt mid-air, only for the red energy dragon to engulf him! The blue dragon roared as he felt his mighty form burn away as he fell to the street below, a loud crash hidden by a haze of dust and smoke.
Taking flight, Sombra flew over until he was directly above the crash-site, waiting for the dust to settle while his horn glowed, sensing for any magical fluctuations or casting of spells. As his eyes wandered over the dust cloud, searching for any sign of his apprentice, the stretching moments caused him to think, He has vanished...
"Where's Midnight?" Twilight whispered aloud.
"is he okay?" Twinken worried.
"Curious..." Blueblood watched the jumbo-tron screen that all eyes had turned to, as half of it displayed his uncle still searching for Midnight, the other showing the dust cloud enshrouding the crash site.
"Even though Midnight is hidden amongst all that debris floating in the air, Sombra should still be able to sense him, yet... Could Midnight be hiding his mystical force?"
Twilight looked at Blueblood, intrigued by his theory before pondering it, "...Well, it does make sense. Except Midnight has a lot of magical power, and you can't keep power of that level hidden for very long from someone who knows how to look for it."
"Why not?" Twinken looked between Twilight and Blueblood, "What's so hard about hiding your mystical force?"
"It's..." Blueblood considered a moment before he thought of a good explanation, "Think of hiding your mystical force like holding your breath, but much-much more difficult to do for an extended period of time, and equally as uncomfortable. You can ease the strain by releasing your mystical force little by little overtime but that increases the risk of being detected."
"Hmm, sounds like this one time Ah was holdin' in a fart while rehearsin' with th' Pony Tones," Big Mac commented, which spurred a few naughty giggles from the other stallions, Rainbow, Pinkie, and colts while Twilight, Luna, Rarity, Cadance, and even Fluttershy looked appalled. Celestia hid her amusement well, keeping her gaze on the screen.
The air was beginning to settle, but Sombra's nerves were not. With his kind of power, there's no way he could hide his mystical force for this long! What am I missing here...!!!
Why didn't he realize it sooner?! Sombra dove down into the crash site, and looked around, seeing a house had been demolished, a road broken, but even as the dust cloud was clearing up, it hid the fact that there was plenty of shade under the darkening sky.
He wasn't hiding his mystical force... He turned to shadow and slipped away! Sombra felt like such a fool, to have forgotten that a pony with shadow magic could hide their mystical force simply by turning into shadow. It was one of the most subtle yet powerful advantages of Shadow Magic! On guard, Sombra looked around and flared his sensory spell to maximum strength.
So then where did he go? Is he still near or has he fled to another part of the city?
His answer came in the form of dozens of tendrils of shadowstuff giving off a faint blue glow rising out of the shaded areas, moving like undulating ribbons underwater, almost entrancing by the slow yet graceful dance of their motions.
He's trying to confuse me, Sombra looked around, trying to determine from where Midnight would strike, when he felt something ensnare his hind leg! "Oh no..."
Immediately after, Sombra screamed as the tendril of shadow swung him around and around and around (he held in his still-digesting lunch) before he was thrown skyward! The force of the throw caused Sombra to spin rapidly as he ascended, making it difficult to level out and extend his wings, but right as he managed to succeed, he heard a sudden rush of air behind him-
*THWOK*
Even from the stadium, everypony could hear the descending whistle of something falling-
*CRASH*
And the inevitable crash caused everyone to flinch and go "Oooooohh...."
Sitting himself up, Sombra cricked his neck as his dazed mind struggled to register whatever had just happened.
"Okay.... ooOOOOOWWWWWWW."
*THUD/SSSSHHHhhhhh...*
Groaning through the aches in his back and shoulders, feeling a throb where he got pulverized, and coughed as dust got in his face, actually feeling a little intimidated by whatever Midnight had for him next. As the dust settled, a large shape stepped forward, and Sombra swore he felt tremors in the ground from every step, and he looked up to see...
Midnight!
Except... Now Midnight was positively HUGE. Even stranger, his horn and wings were gone, and his body was gargantuan-sized, even taller than Sombra himself! Midnight's form was hulking in muscle but not bulky and awkward, his hooves were bigger than wagon wheels, his mane was a little mussed and he now had sideburns extending down the sides of his face, and his eyes were fixed on Sombra with an expression that absolutely said 'stonefaced'.
"Midnight...?" Sombra groaned as he stood up and found himself craning his neck just a little, looking up at his apprentice. "What did you...?!"
"Like I said, master..." Midnight responded with a voice that sounded like the rumbling of the earth as he pulled a hoof back, "Expect the unexpected."
He sensed it too late as Midnight concentrated his mana into his hoof, which gave a brief glow, before Midnight punched Sombra in the face with the force of a meteor!
"Ooh...!" Cheese flinched at what they'd all just seen on the jumbo-tron, "He's gonna be feeling that till next year!"
"What in Equestria has Midnight turned himself into now?!" Rarity was enjoying the duel but not where it got barbaric like what they'd just witnessed.
"No horn, no wings, Ah'm guessin' he's an earth pony now but..." Applejack marveled at the statuesque physique Midnight was now sporting, "He's bigger an' stronger than any earth pony Ah've ever seen!"
"Eeyup..." Big Mac had to agree, even though it stuck in his craw.
"Hmm, it seems to me that Midnight has converted the whole of his magical power into earth pony magic," Celestia theorized, "but since he's normally an alicorn, well... My best guess is, Midnight has transformed himself into the alicorn equivalent of an earth pony!"
"My stars! The inherent strength and resilience of an earth pony augmented to the level of power that equates an alicorn?!" Luna's mind was all but blown before she got giddy like a fan-filly, "In this living moment Midnight must be the strongest earth pony alive!!!"
"As awesome as that sounds, I'm not sure whether that's really good or really bad for Sombra," Thunderlane pointed at the screen.
"Ughhh..." Sombra clutched his aching jaw, carefully running his tongue over his teeth and sighing with relief when he felt none loose or knocked out. Looking up, he saw he'd been launched down several city blocks, damaging the crystal pavement here and there, like a destructive game of 'skip the rock'. He concentrated his magic across his aching body, dulling the pain of his bruises but the blows he'd taken to his shoulder and jaw still bothered him.
He'd have to tough it out. Standing up, he looked down the way he'd come, and whispered:
"Oculus Aquilae..."
The spell concentrated Sombra's eyes, which allowed him to mimic the eagle-like sight of pegasi, and he saw Midnight, still a a behemoth of a pony, taking his time as he walked down the street in the direction he'd punched Sombra, the streets splintering and shivering with his every quaking step.
"Oh Midnight... If you think you're the first earth pony to throw his muscle around in my presence..." Sombra looked around and saw some primo crystal that would be good working materials.
His horn lit up, enveloping the crystals around him, and, directed by his will and intention, they floated up and surrounded him like celestial bodies orbiting the sun, as one by one, they attached themselves to Sombra's body, reshaping to fit onto wherever they were placed. His magic held all the pieces together, like magnetism keeping metal in place, and in no time at all, Sombra had clad himself in magic crystal armor!
The whole getup was cobalt blue, like Sombra's crown, regalia, and hoofboots while his red magic, mimicking the form of chain mail, coated him underneath it all. Sharp shards of crystal were positioned at the tips of his primary feathers on his wings, which had protective coverings over the limbs, and his face was completely concealed in a helmet with a visor to see through. It also added a few hooves of height and some mass to Sombra's form, and floating at his left was another shield while at his right floated a hammer of solid crystal, all reinforced with his magic.
"You're in for a surprise!"
Sombra crouched down before taking a mighty leap into the air, and dove straight towards Midnight, hammer raised, and Midnight, quickly noticing his master's imminent approach, raised his hoof again, concentrated his mana and punched forward, intercepting the swing of Sombra's hammer!
The resulting clash created a shockwave of power that blew away entire buildings, and damaged the highest point of the crystal castle!
It also had the side-effect of forcing the two combatants apart, which Sombra took advantage of by taking to the air, and then concentrating power to the crystals floating at the tips of his primary feathers. That power was unleashed in a spread of lasers that all zeroed in on Midnight. He raised a foreleg to shield his face but nothing else, as the lasers pelted him with concussive fury. But Midnight simply shook it off and then positioned himself before a nearby boulder of crystal and with the skill honed by working at Sweet Apple Acres bucked the boulder, causing it to soar like a comet towards Sombra, who actually 'YIPE'd as he ever so barely managed to dodge it, although he felt the wind it brushed him with by its passing.
That was all the distraction Midnight needed, as he bucked more albeit smaller clusters of crystal towards Sombra. He dodged the first two, but the rest pelted him like lobs of hail. If it weren't for Sombra's magically-reinforced crystal armor, he was certain the places where he'd been hit would have broken bones. The barrage ceased and Sombra quickly took advantage by diving to the street and zooming a few hooves above the ground to Midnight, pummeling into him in a full-body tackle, but it only succeeded in pushing Midnight back a yard or two, and Sombra felt his ears ring as he slumped down onto his back.
It's like hitting a mountain...! he thought in daze before he felt Midnight grab him and looked to see his apprentice give him a brutish smirk, "Uh-oh..."
"Eesh!"
"Ouch..."
"Ooh!"
"Yikes!"
"That's gonna leave a mark!"
"Eeyup."
Everypony watched the jumbo-tron as Midnight had grabbed Sombra and was thrashing him about, like a colt tossing around a rag doll.
A statue was totaled as Sombra was thrown through it, and landed in a pile of rubble. Groaning as he waited for the hammers to stop pounding the proverbial anvil that was his head, he sat up and grumbled, "That's it... No more mister nice master!"
Sombra kicked off the ground, wings flared, as he willed several house-sized chunks of crystal to levitate, and willed them to hurl right at Midnight. Midnight rose up on his hind legs and punched every single one into dust, which gave Sombra just the cover he needed. He dove into shadow, pulling a similar tactic Midnight did at the start of their duel, and as the dust cleared, Midnight looked around for his master, when he felt someone tap him on the shoulder. Turning around, he saw Sombra, no longer clad in his crystal armor, as he'd converted its entirety into a gauntlet around his hoof, all the while pulling his face back into a smirk.
"Oh boy..." Midnight sighed before scrunching his eyes shut.
*Ka-POOOOOWWWWWWWMMMMMM*
Even with his incredible durability, the force of Sombra's uppercut sent Midnight hurtling skyward and smacking right into the ceiling of the barrier containing the city. For a moment or two he stuck to it before gravity took its toll on Midnight's heavier form and he fell straight down into a crashing heap, but thankfully, it was in one of the crop fields, so it was... a little softer, but not much. Sitting up as he rubbed his aching jaw, Midnight's form glowed as he shrunk down, his horn and wings returning, as he thought, I suppose I had that coming...
Looking around, he noticed the field of crystal berries and a nearby water tower, and then his horn felt the rush of Sombra approaching. Thinking quickly, Midnight took flight towards the water tower, and telekinetically tore away the top, revealing the water inside. Waving his forelegs in conjunction with his will, the water heeded his command and rose up, a liquid serpent dripping as it flowed along Midnight's will and became a whirling halo of water!
Once Sombra had arrived, Midnight quickly span around, his ring of water accelerating as orbs of water parted from the ring of water, and zeroed in on Sombra. The older alicorn wasn't worried although getting soaked while still clad in his crystal armor was an unwelcome sensation. But then he suddenly felt cold and realized Midnight was willing the water he'd splashed Sombra with to freeze!
Thinking quickly, Sombra rotated his whole body, the armor parting from him, and he willed each piece to compress into solid spheres of crystal, and launched them at Midnight like cannonballs!
Midnight let himself drop to the ground, his ring of water following, as he punched the soil, and a wall of solid rock suddenly rose up, and immediately Midnight's water coated it and froze, adding solid ice to the wall, Sombra's crystal cannonballs burying themselves into it. They tore off a chunk or two along the edges, but the rest held.
"So now it's a battle of the natural elements?" Sombra called out to his apprentice. He stamped his hoof, a spike of rock rising out, and it broke away from its base before floating in front of Sombra.
"As alicorns, we are connected to all four, whereas unicorns can only connect with one, and the earth ponies and pegasi have all but forgotten how their respective connections to the earth and sky gave them sway over those elements. Tell me, my apprentice, did you ever determine which element you were in tune with before you became an alicorn? I did, long ago, and it should be no surprise I mastered the element of... Earth!"
The rock rotated as it compressed, Sombra's energy giving rise to heat, and the earth matter reached the melting point, its exposure to open air feeding it oxygen, as the earth matter became a swirling mass of molten hot lava! Maintaining its cohesion and stone-melting temperature, as he shaped it into a disc, and launched it right at the center of Midnight's wall!
His hooves on the ground, allowed Sombra to sense Midnight's movements whenever he touched the ground as well, and he felt the pressure on the earth beneath Midnight disappear, and immediately knew his apprentice had taken flight before he even saw Midnight rise up from behind the wall, trails of water rising up in his wake, as he concentrated a spark to the tip of his horn, igniting a tongue of flame that roared right for Sombra. Sombra responded by willing his lava disc to cut through the flaming fury, right towards Midnight!
Using the last of his water, Midnight doused the lava disc, the sudden soak creating a thick haze of steam, and the disc of lava cooling and solidifying just enough for Midnight to break it with a lash of his hoof without harm to himself. He dropped but kept aloft over the field of crystal berries, and willed the water in all of them to drain out for his use, leaving the whole crop dead and dry. Looking up at his apprentice, Sombra couldn't help but feel proud at the sight of him, surrounded by globes and ribbons of flowing water, orbiting around him like a dance of the cosmos as Midnight confirmed his earlier question.
"Water... When I was seven, I fell into a canal. My parents hadn't taught me to swim yet, so you can imagine that I panicked. I came so very close to drowning as the current swept me away, and even had I not then the water spout I was being dragged to by the current would have dropped me out over the mountainside. That was only the first of my share of near-death experiences, but the fear, the desire to live, and the refusal to give in, it allowed me to tap into that connection to the closest element around me, the element that should have resulted in my death.
"Somehow, I wanted the water to just stop, and I must have somehow enforced my will. The current stopped carrying me, keeping me in place as the rest rushed past. I needed to breathe, and the water carried me up to the surface. I wanted to get out, and then the water held me up and placed me onto the edge of the canal, and I was saved... My father was a little disappointed to find my elemental affinity was Water, but he made sure to get me started on the basics of Hydromancy. Let me show you how far I've come in mastering the adaptation of Water!!"
Midnight lashed his foreleg outward, directing a torrent of water straight for Sombra! He smirked and stamped his hoof to bring up a boulder to shield him, and his satisfaction at seeing the water splash outwards once it impacted with the boulder was quickly washed away as the water zeroed in on him from all sides, striking him dead-center of his chest. The force of the blow sent Sombra head over hooves, rolling through the dirt and dead crops, barely able to roll back onto his hooves when he heard the familiar flurry of flames behind him, and quickly leapt skyward, willing the air to lift him faster before the flame Midnight had thrown torched the spot where his master had been.
He turned to see Midnight was parting the orbs of water around him into smaller orbs before he launched them at Sombra. he ducked and weaved, feeling one get his tail, a second on his wing, but it was the sudden freezing over on those spots that surprised him! He looked to see orbs had not dispersed from the impact but had suddenly frozen completely, disrupting Sombra's flapping while the one on his tail ruined his balance! Growling, he willed the ice to liquefy, and set the air around him ablaze and directed the fury to enclose around Midnight. The sapphire alicorn responded by rotating his whole body, calling upon the air to surround him, creating a tornado!
The suction and air currents pulled Sombra's fire along with them, setting the tornado itself on fire... while Midnight took a straight drop down to the ground, landing perfectly on his hooves, as Sombra came down to join him, and they held another standoff as Sombra asked, "You mentioned your father was disappointed to learn your affinity was Water; what was he hoping for?"
Midnight raised an incredulous brow, "Really? Midnight Blaze? Ignitus Enflame?"
"Fire...But why would your fath- WHOA!!" Sombra lowered his guard so he hadn't sensed the spike of stone coming up from his side and was only barely able to dodge it.
He then noticed Midnight rear up and then stomp his forehooves to the ground, several large stones rising up. Midnight furrowed his brows, concentrating the stones to shrink and compress their density, before he launched them with the speed of arrows at Sombra, who growled before raising his hoof... and the stones flew apart into sand and dust!
But then Midnight directed the wind and the dust to fly straight into Sombra's eyes, causing him to cry out in alarm as he was blinded!
Midnight flew up, willing the water he still carried in his power to surround Sombra, splitting apart into cords of water that quickly froze over into whole spears of solid ice! They launched, only for a cluster of crystal to rise up and protect Sombra, the ice spears shattering upon impact, as Sombra called out, "I might be blinded but you're outnumbered!"
Then Midnight noticed dozens of crystal spikes erupting from the ground, their facets all flashing before each spike of crystal seemed to ripple like water as they each reshaped into basic equine form.
Crystal golems... Midnight landed in the middle, the golems all turning their attention to him, as Midnight stood tall and unconcerned of these constructs. Remembering the spells he'd learned after studying one of his favorite legends, Midnight concentrated, a flurry of mana dancing around him before ribbons of turquoise rose up, each in the likeness of an oriental dragon!
The golems charged Midnight, only for his mana dragons to slither about the air, their energy conflicting with the mana that was animating the golems, which made them wary of the energy dragons as they tried to get around them to attack Midnight. He noticed Sombra had exited his crystal cluster and his eyes were clearing up, and then willed his energy dragons to lash out and ensnare each golem, the conflicting magicks creating a flux that canceled them all out!
The energy dragons faded like mist while the crystal golems crumbled to crystal dust, as Sombra stepped forward, "Most impressive, I actually expected you to fight my golems directly."
"One of the lessons I've taken to heart in my life, master," Midnight responded as he called on the remaining wisps of the magic he'd used to create his energy dragons, "is to be creative!"
He willed the wisps together into an orb of mana that quickly launched itself towards Sombra, who rose up his wings and lit his horn to counter... only for the orb to vanish into the ground nearby him.
"What the-" was all Sombra got out before giant vine-like roots and tendrils suddenly grew out of the soil, and ensnared Sombra. He struggled to free himself, even trying to turn to shadow, only to feel an unpleasant irritation and he remained solid as the vines completely engulfed him.
Midnight smirked... only to feel the ground shake and gasped as spikes of sharp crystal pierced out from the prison of vines, and each spike quickly rotated like drills, tearing the roots up as a flash of power blew the rest away. Midnight covered his eyes with a wing when he heard multiple thud sounds around him and as the light dimmed, he saw the crystal spikes had all flown out and pierced into the ground, one had missed him by a yard, and standing there was Sombra yet again.
"Creativity is indeed a valued concept, Midnight," Sombra lit up his horn and again each spike of crystal lit up as they rippled like liquid and turned into another platoon of crystal golems.
"But, as they say in this time, 'if it ain't broke don't fix it'."
"Well then, allow me to rectify that," Midnight quickly dodged a crystal golem that tried to attack him from his blind spot, and whirled about, shattering the golem with a well-placed kick to its chest.
"Attack," Sombra commanded with a soft voice, and his little army swarmed after Midnight.
Dodging the next attacker, Midnight leapt up and used his wings to push himself through the air to distance himself from the main force. Upon landing, he extended his wings and willed the shadows underneath them to extend and solidify into blades, as well as cover the backs of his wings with solid shadow. Another golem leapt at Midnight, its hoof turning into a mace-like weapon, and Midnight easily knocked it aside with a swat of his wing, and then stabbed it through its center with the shadow blade at the end of his other wing, hitting a weak point that caused cracks to spread throughout the golem, rendering it useless.
More golems attacks, and each of them fell to Midnight's blades, as well as his hooves, his shadow-protected wings also working as shields, and more and more golems rose up out of the ground, all the while Sombra looked on. He willed his golems to attack one at a time, or multiple golems at once, tried using some as distractions or bait, but whatever tactic he implemented Midnight always countered with superior skill, speed, and vigilance. He couldn't help but softly smile like a proud father, but he soon noticed Midnight was slowing down just a little, but there were a couple close-calls that made it more apparent.
Midnight was getting tired, and as he felt his magic wane with every passing moment Sombra knew so was he.
He willed his golems to retreat, and as Midnight watched them fall back, he turned his eyes to his mentor, and Sombra stepped forward, "This duel has been exciting but at the rate we're going, we're going to pass out from exhaustion. So i say... it's time to draw the curtain on this duel."
"...Draw the curtain, huh? Very well, then down the curtain will come," Midnight enshrouded himself with shadow, his form barely seeable before it appeared as though Midnight absorbed the shadows, and long sharp ribbons extended from various points on his body, writhing like snakes.
"And we'll finish this in the stadium, but first..."
Midnight reared back his head as he took a deep breath... and SCREAMED.
His sonic-scream rang throughout the city, the sonic vibrations and concussive sound wave wreaking havoc on the city made of crystal. Almost immediately, the smaller structures shattered to bits while the larger structures, like the castle, splintered and cracked. Sombra's crystal golems were easily blown to dust and away while Sombra covered his ears to protect his hearing, though it barely did any good.
Finally Midnight stopped, and silence befell them both. They stood there staring at each other, Sombra waiting for the ringing in his ears to stop, neither of them so much as glancing at the crystal castle as the damage caused it to give out and topple in a resounding crash. Willing his mana to heal his ears just a little, Sombra sighed in relief to hear clearly, before saying, "In the stadium? So be it..."
Sombra too extended a shroud of shadows around himself, Midnight releasing his own, as the both of them rose, their physical forms gone but their faces still seeable, as they charged each other, like a pair of shadowy serpents, and they clashed, like a pair of storms, energy crackling between their smoky forms, as they rose up and over towards the stadium!
As the two combatants returned to the stadium, bringing with them a vast and imperceptible shroud of shadow that engulfed everything, everypony in the real Crystal Empire was crying out in alarm, some had screamed at the sight of the castle crumbling, and having watched the damage to the city they'd all thought that this had gone too far. Cadance and Shining Armor both had to assure everypony that nothing was wrong and all damage to the city would be undone once the duel was over.
They didn't bother explaining about the Spatial Barrier as it was too long and elaborate to explain, and not everypony would understand the difference between the fact that they were in the real city while the two combatants were duking it out in an alternate version of the empire. The panic and trepidation began to cease a little as the shadowy fog began to clear, and everypony saw Midnight and Sombra right back where it had all began.
Only this time, they were both panting, clearly tired, and although they'd been able to heal most of their wounds, they both obviously had injuries that would have to be looked at once this was over.
"You can feel it, can't you...?" Sombra panted as he held Midnight's gaze, "So can I. This is just about over."
"Yes it is," Midnight agreed as he closed his eyes and reflected on his father's lessons, a mixture of emotions boiling inside. He missed his father but he also resented him. He loved his master as a second father, but even though there was a part of him that wished he could, Sombra could never fill the hole in his heart that Ignitus left behind all those years ago.
"My mana's low, but I got enough for this next attack, one I didn't want to resort to, but here we are..."
Before Sombra could ask what Midnight was talking about, Midnight furrowed his brows, gritted his teeth, and concentrated, willing the ground beneath him to rise!
A pillar of earth and stone rose up, carrying Midnight higher and higher until he stood above the stadium itself, and he then willed the pillar to reshape, turning into some kind of ramp, before he amplified his voice for all to hear.
"I apologize for the dramatic flare but I need this ramp to pull off my final trump card. It's a technique that has been passed down in my family, the House of Obsidian, for almost a thousand years!"
Celestia and Shining Armor both gasped as the latter whispered, "...Is he really gonna do it?"
"Do what? What is Midnight talking about?" Luna inquired.
"...It's a magical battle technique that has been passed down from father to son in the Obsidian bloodline," Celestia explained, "and it can only be done by a Master Pryomancer, a fire wizard. It is among the most powerful fighting techniques I have ever seen, but I've never seen Midnight do it."
"Ah take it his pa taught him this move yer talkin' about," Big Mac presumed.
"He did, and Ignitus Enflame was the greatest Pyromancer of his time," Shining Armor confirmed, "Part of why is that he was taught by a dragon sorceress, the same dragon sorceress who taught Midnight dragon magic. I asked him about the technique once back when I was training with Midnight, but... Well, he kept most of the details vague, but he did say that the technique places an enormous amount of strain on the pony using it, it needs a lot of mana, and it's dangerous to get wrong, both to the user and to anyone or anything around him!"
"And Midnight called it his final trump card," Luna realized, "so for him, this will be all or nothing. This duel is just about to end..."
Twilight felt her heart beat painfully, as though something were squeezing it as it struggled to get free, and she looked up towards Midnight, who appeared to be concentrating. She felt someone press up to her, and saw it was Twinken, who looked worried but also smiled up at her.
"He can do it!"
This little colt's smile, the warmth she felt from him, Twilight felt the pressure in her chest fade, not completely, but still. She smiled back at Twinken, and then wrapped her wing around him, thankful for what he'd done, and then said, "Let's believe in your big brother together."
Twinken nodded as they both looked on at Midnight.
On the field, as he looked up the pillar and ramp his apprentice had risen from the ground, Sombra felt his horn shiver as it sensed power. Real power. And it was gathering at that high point where his pupil stood, and he determined something about whatever Midnight was planning to do next.
Fire... His father wanted for his elemental affinity to be Fire, he thought. So perhaps that's what this technique involves, a technique that has been passed down through his lineage. Well... as honored as I am to merit its use, I'm not just going to stand here and take it!
Sombra had learned much ever since he'd been reunited with Celestia after Midnight (as his past self) freed him of the evil that had turned him into a monster. Among the subjects he'd delved into had been science, especially the modern periodic table. Among those chemical elements, one of them had just the right properties he needed for his strategy.
He stood where he was, serene in his concentration as he focused upon a point right in front of him, his building of power more subtle than Midnight's as the sapphire blue alicorn was enshrouded in a blaze of mana that behaved like fire! His very mane waved like tongues of flame and gave off embers of power. He had the power, now it was time to use it.
"This is it! One way or another, my master, this ends now!!!" Midnight went over the edge of the pillar, and ran!
He ran with all his might, gravity aiding in his building acceleration, the intensity of his flames rising in heat! He was almost to the bottom, at the curve of the ramp, when he shouted, "Behold the burning fire of my bloodline!
Cito Agmine Inferno!!!!!!"
Midnight leapt from the ramp and in mid-air he somersaulted, his speed causing him to spin at an incredible velocity! The fire span along with him, his horn creating a razor sharp edge, transforming Midnight into a spinning disc of fiery fury!! His physical form was all but unseeable within the burning wheel of power, smoldering trails of the air itself burning shrouding him as he became a shooting star aimed straight for Sombra!
Sensing the end was imminent, Sombra opened his eyes, having completed his spell, a singular point of pure glowing energy floating right in front of him... and he charged to meet Midnight head-on!
"Incredible...!" Luna whispered as they all witnessed the impending clash.
"KICK BUTT MIDNIIIIIIGGGGHHHTTTT!!!!!!!" Soarin, Thunderlane, Cheese Sandwich, Pinkie Pie, Applejack, and Rainbow Dash all cried out.
"Wait... what's that energy Sombra has in front of him?!" Twinken noticed it, and although it didn't seem like much it was for that very reason he suddenly felt afraid for his brother!
"That's...!" Twilight realized in horror as she saw it. She'd taken all kinds of chemistry and alchemy classes and studies to the point where she could recognize almost any chemical element, and the energy of what Sombra was racing towards to meet Midnight was... Hydrogen!!!
In her panicking realization, Twilight forgot that Midnight could not hear her, as she rose up and screamed, "MIDNIGHT, LOOK OOOOOUUUUUTTTT!!!!!"
The resulting clash was like nopony in that stadium had ever seen before. The moment when Midnight's fire technique made contact with Sombra's point of hydrogen... There was a blinding light that nopony could see through, and for a few moments in that harsh and blinding light there was silence.
When the light dimmed, the silence was washed away by the smoldering cracks and hisses of fire, and everypony looked on in utter shock to see the field had been completely torched, looking like scorched earth. Not a single blade of grass had survived, patches of dirt smoldering, plumes of smoke rising here and there.
But miraculously, there they stood.
Just like they had when all of this began.
Only this time, everypony could see it was all but over, as the two alicorn princes, with parts of their coats burned, some of their feathers singed, were heaving and shaking, struggling to stand, all the while maintaining eye contact. Every part of their body hurt. Aches, bruises, burns, a cut here and there bleeding, they wheezed from the blistering air and smoky rank of burning earth, and yet neither of them were giving in.
But they had to. The both of them knew they had nothing left, it was only their sheer and stubborn wills keeping them on their shaking hooves... but then, Midnight began to walk forward. His head pounded, his hooves cried out for mercy, but he forced himself to approach Sombra, who stood his ground, unsure what Midnight was going to do next. Nor did he care, because he'd given his all, and just wanted it to be over, and yet...
Why do I still stand...? he thought and then Midnight stood only a yard from him, looking up into his master's eyes.
They both panted and wheezed, their legs and withers shaking in pain, and the moment they shared right then and there they would carry for the rest of their lives. And then...
"Congratulations. You wi..."
And then he fell over as the other collapsed onto his haunches.
It was over, and the ending of the duel triggered the dispelling of the Spatial Barrier. Everypony watched in amazement as everything became as it was before. The damaged city, the burnt field, all of it vanished as the true Crystal Empire returned, completely unharmed and intact, as Spike stepped forward.
"Fillies and gentlecolts, visitors from near and far, I am proud to be here in this moment to announce the winner of this duel and of the Trinity Cup, give it up, for PRINCE SOMBRA!!!!"
After all the excitement in the stadium, the two combatants were quickly taken to the hospital wing of the crystal castle for medical attention. Midnight spent the whole night getting patched up, a few stitches, mana transfusions, bandaged here and there, and once the doctors were satisfied they left Midnight in a hospital bed, and assured everyone, especially Twilight and Twinken, that after a good night's sleep, he'd be walking tomorrow but he would be under doctor's orders to take it easy for about a week. Even so, the mare and colt both insisted on staying with Midnight while he slept.
Sombra was given the same treatment, and even though he wasn't as serious as Midnight, the doctors insisted that Sombra avoid strenuous activities and take a week or two off for rest and relaxation. Sombra had been reluctant to agree but his wife assured the doctors she would make sure he was well rested, and started him off by having him spend a session at the Crystal Spa.
On a whim, Sombra decided to try the crystal mud bath, which felt more like gel than mud. But he could not deny the soothing sensation it had on his sore muscles, and now that things had calmed down, and he had this moment to himself, Sombra realized something else.
I won, which means... If I accept the offer, Celestia will make me War Chief. Should I accept? I misused power once and that resulted in the greatest shame of my life. But... there's a part of me that wants to accept. I suppose it might come from not wanting to let her down, or... is it something else?
He was so deep into his thoughts that Sombra didn't notice her until she had immersed herself into the crystal mud bath and leaned against him. Feeling her warmth, grateful to have it, he looked to his wife, noticing she'd rolled up her mane into a bun, hair sticks holding it all in place, and had removed her royal ware. She smiled at him, a smile he returned and welcomed her lips when they pressed up to his. He welcomed every moment in her presence, treasured every touch, and when their lips parted and they looked into each other's eyes, he saw the best of himself looking right back in the reflection of those soft pools of pinkish-purple.
"Congratulations, my champion."
"Thank you, my beloved, I... Well, it was... it was really something!"
"Indeed, it was," Celestia chuckled, "the both of you battled well and hard, and you both gave it your all. It was an honor and a privilege to witness the both of you dueling to your very best."
"Thank you, Tia, I..." Sombra looked a little down.
"Is something wrong?"
"i... I just feel a little conflicted right now. I'm proud to have battled such a worthy opponent but I feel a little bad in defeating my pupil. Not to mention.... Well, the position you brought up before the duel."
"I see what you mean. Granted, I've never dueled against Twilight, only encouraged her to learn, as I could never have the heart to face her in the way you and Midnight did. Though, I suppose it's a stallion thing..." she gave her husband a teasing glance, which he avoided meeting, spurring a giggle from her, "In some way, I'm actually glad you won, and not Midnight. Not because I'm your wife, but because as far as he's come Midnight still has so much to learn, and failure is a far greater teacher than success. If only Twilight could realize that... Ahem, anyway! ...When I think about it, if he had won, I am fairly certain Midnight would have turned down the offer I am giving you.
"His reasons are several, most of them within reason, but if word got out that he'd turned the offer down it would reflect badly on him. Even so, the position would have been a constant hindrance to Midnight's work in the Brotherhood, and that could only have led to trouble. I am certain Shining Armor could fulfill the role well enough but his duties and his place in Equestria are here in the Crystal Empire. There's only so much we can give of ourselves to our subjects, but we still have an obligation to ourselves and our loved ones."
"...How did you do it?" Sombra asked, Celestia giving him a solemn look, as he asked again, "How did you rule this whole nation on your own for a thousand years? I feel so ashamed of how I turned out, and perhaps my own actions played a part in what became of Luna. But for a thousand years you were alone! Because of my actions, you were alone for all that time, with so few friends to turn to for comfort and support. Even after all that's happened... I still can't believe I am here, not just back here in my old empire but here period!"
Sombra began to shed tears as he went on, "I still find myself in moments where I look around and realize I'm not somewhere dark and cold and alone, and-and... The memories! The pain! Oh Celestia, I-I don't know what I-"
Celestia wrapped her hooves around her husband and pulled him to her breast, resting her cheek on top of his head, giving him gentle shushes to calm him down, as he struggled to dry his tears and then she spoke softly, "It was hard... Oh Sombra, it was so hard. I was alone, even when I was surrounded by a nation of subjects who adored and relied upon me. Despite my doubts however, I kept moving forward, and I can't tell you of the countless times where I doubted myself, questioned if the decisions I was making were the right ones or if they would turn out so horribly wrong.
"Yes, I had friends, dear and trusted confidantes to whom I could open up and reveal my true self, my hidden vulnerabilities, and I was grateful to have them. They gave me love and support through their friendship and had it not been for them I most certainly would never have carried on as long as I did before my sister was returned to me. But like you said, they were few. For just like everypony else, they faded away by the unfeeling passage of time. It was painful to watch them come and go with the passing of the centuries, but without each and everyone of them I don't think I would have carried enough strength to make it through it all. You are not the only one who has made mistakes though, my love. Our mentor, Star Swirl, made mistakes. You made mistakes. Luna made mistakes, and I most certainly have made so many mistakes, monumental ones that yielded such consequences they still haunt my dreams to this day. My thousand years of rule alone were not perfect, and don't you dare think otherwise. Despite what most ponies say and have said over the ages, I am not perfect, despite the unspoken demand of my subjects that I should be.
"Sometimes, it is not the forgiveness of others that is the hardest thing to achieve, Sombra, but the forgiveness of ourselves."
She gently pulled up Sombra's tear-stained face so he would look into her eyes as she said, "You have suffered long enough, you have more than made amends, Sombra... It's time to let go. I forgave you a long time ago, and your old subjects have forgiven you too! Maybe not all of them, but didn't it feel so good to see that little filly come up to you? No fear in her eyes, no resentment, no judgement, only a forgiving and welcoming smile. It's good that you have felt this burden weigh down on your heart, but you need not bear it any longer. It's time for a new start, and I'm not saying that as your wife, but as another pony. Because the pony I'm looking at right here and now, he's my hero!"
And just like that, it was gone!
The weight that had dragged him down ever since he had returned to this pony before him after he'd been freed of the darkness, the guilt he had carried, the shame that had haunted his waking moments, it all just floated away! Sombra stood up, looking at his wife with awe, her looking up at him with that soft smile... He pulled her up to him and kissed her. He kissed her and she kissed him, they held each other, leaned against each other on their hind hooves, until one of them lost their balance and they fell over, splashing some of the crystal mud, but neither of them cared.
One of the spa ponies overheard the splashing and came around the corner to bring a towel... only to stifle am 'EEP' and quickly hide back behind the corner, as she'd glimpsed things beginning to grow... intimate.
As they prepared for make love, Sombra looked upon his wife, this goddess, the radiant warmth of the sun in equine form, before he whispered, "I love you, Celestia."
"I love you more," Celestia replied with a loving tease.
"I love you most," Sombra chuckled as he sat down in the crystal mud bath and pulled his wife closer.