It has been a rough couple of days. The Shadowbolt Camp is still on lockdown, despite Tirek being defeated by the Elements of Harmony, Lightning Dust wrote in her journal. Me and Sky Striker shared stories, why and how we became Shadowbolts. I still have yet to know how Nightshade became a Shadowbolt, but I think with enough time, she will trust me, like Sky Striker does. It was really nice of him to share his backstory with me, he sure is a good friend. There is one thing, however, that caught my attention. Sky Striker said his father was looking for a Pure Shadowbolt. Perhaps that's what my initiation is, to see if I am a Pure Shadowbolt like Sky Striker and Nightshade. Then I can get back at that Rainbow Bitch for taking everything from me... Lightning closed the journal and put it back on her shelf. "Princess Cinch said today the Camp would go off of lockdown" Lightning thought to herself.
"Hey Lightning, come on!" Sky Striker said, then walked to the doorway of the barracks. "Princess Cinch wants us to see her, she says it's about your initiation"
"Ok, I'm coming," Lightning said smiling, then realized what she was doing and tried to hide the smile before Sky Striker could see anything.
"You ok? You seem...different," Sky Striker said.
"I'm fine. I'm just glad I don't have to spend another day in lockdown, that's all," Lightning said, making up an excuse.
"You and me both," Sky-Striker said. He stood next to Nightshade who looked in Lightning’s barracks.
"Sweet Celestia, Dust...your barracks is a mess." Nightshade said.
"Well, you have your barracks and I have mine, and I would appreciate if you would not comment about my barracks, Nightshade," Lightning said aggressively.
"Ugh whatever, let's just go and see what Cinch wants," Nightshade said, then left the doorway and flew to Cinch’s throne room, and Sky Striker and Lightning soon followed.
Cinch’s Throne Room
As the three entered the throne room, Lightning felt that something was off. The room was dark, she could barely see anypony, and the room was cold, like the Crystal Snowlands had blown into the room itself.
"Princess Cinch?" she called out. "Are you here?"
"Yes I am," Cinch said, "and someone has decided to pay us a visit as well." Black smoke started to engulf the room, andLightning saw them: huge green and purple eyes, staring at the three of them.
"King Sombra!" Lightning said, then she, Nightshade, and Sky Striker bowed before him.
"Rise, my fateful warriors," King Sombra said, his voice cold, and could give a filly nightmares for a week. "So, these are the last three descendants of my Shadowbolts?"
"Yes, master." She walked over to Sky Striker. "I give you Sky Striker, descendant of Storm Striker." Sombra then took his natural pony form; he was tall, grey with a moving black mane, and his armor made him larger and bulkier than most stallions.
"I sense great strength in you, Sky Striker. It would be wise, however, to keep an eye on your companions," Sombra said, a smile forming on his face.
"Yes King Sombra, I will take these orders to my grave," Sky Striker said. King Sombra moved to Nightshade.
"You must be the descendant of Shadowstriker. You should be proud to be a descendant of my second lieutenant," King Sombra said.
"Yes, my king. I take my family name most seriously," Nightshade said.
"Be careful of your dedications, for sometimes even the right intentions can lead to one's destruction," King Sombra said. He then walked over to Lightning Dust. He stopped and examined the pegasus. "You must be Lightning Dust. My pupil tells me of your dedication..." King Sombra said.
"Yes my lord, I only wish to prove myself worthy, so I may get revenge on the one that did me wrong," Lightning said.
"How interesting King Sombra said "Your descendant Thunder Dust joined the Shadowbolts for the same reason. He was one of my best warriors, though that same reason he joined ultimately led to his downfall." He ten looked at Nightshade and then back to Lightning Dust. "However, some things were beyond his control, for after my Second Lieutenant....was lost....he let his power go to his head."
"My lord, I will not let my heritage nor my wish of vengeance get in the way of your destiny," Lightning said. King Sombra walked over to Cinch, whispered something in her ear, and turned back to the three.
"In three years time, I will return to lead you all into battle against Celestia and Equestria," Sombra said. "Cinch will continue training you three until that day, but be warned: not all Shadowbolts make it out of this place alive, for if any of you betray my command or Cinch’s you will be sentenced to Death." Then, just as he got here, he turned back into a smoke monster and disappeared into the air.
"Cinch ma’am, if I may ask, why has our leader paid us a visit?" Sky Striker asked.
"Our leader wanted to see who would be leading our army in the coming battle," Cinch said. "And it seems he has also given you all gifts."
"Gifts?" Nightshade said. "Since when does King Sombra, lord of darkness and slaver of crystal ponies, give out gifts?"
"These gifts are not that type," Cinch said, glaring at Nightshade. "These gifts are of wisdom that may help you in the future, and for some of you, I would suggest you take it as if your life depended on it." She walked back to her desk. "You three may leave."
As the three ponies left the room they all had questions on their minds.
"What did Sombra mean by keeping an eye on my companions?" Sky Striker thought.
"How could my intentions can lead to somepony’s destruction?" Nightshade thought, eyeing Cinch as she left the door.
"Sombra said my descendants’ reason for joining the Shadowbolts ultimately led to his downfall, but...how?" Lightning thought. She looked up at the moon, thinking to herself. "What does the future hold for me?"