//------------------------------// // Things got much worse // Story: War of the Villains // by AntiBronyBenSwolo //------------------------------// King Sombra tried to open his eyes, but couldn't. He had been destroyed once more, this time by the Elements of Harmony. He couldn't believe what was happening. Grogar was right. He underestimated the Princess of Friendship, and it cost him. His pride was truly shattered. He felt he was no longer worthy of another resurrection. Then, suddenly, he felt his strength returning. Strong enough that he opened his eyes once more and looked around. He was revived in Grogar's lair once more. "Hello again, King Sombra." Grogar announced, sitting at his crystal ball. "Grogar. I don't understand. I was destroyed once more. I underestimated the Elements, and it cost me my life, and yet you resurrect me again?" Sombra asked the former Emperor of Equestria. "It is nice to see you humbled yourself, Sombra. I was about to leave you as an example to the others to gain their loyalty, but I'm afraid we've been...compromised." Grogar explained, raising Sombra's eyebrow. "Compromised? Care to explain?" Sombra asked Grogar, as Grogar waved his hooves at his crystal ball, drawing Sombra closer to the vision it has to present. The ponies formerly mind controlled by Sombra's magic have been aching, as if they had slept for a hundred years. Princess Twilight Sparkle and her friends searched around to see if they could find their friends and family. "There you are, Darling!" Rarity exclaimed as she gave a large hug to her sister, Sweetie Belle. "Applejack? How'd we get in Canterlot?" Applebloom asked Applejack as the two sisters hugged each other and Big Mac. Rainbow Dash swooped down and snatched Scootalo from the crowd. "Found you." Rainbow Dash quipped as they hugged each other. Twilight Sparkle flew around the still recovering crowds to see if she could find her closest friends caught in the spell. "Spike? Starlight? Where are you?" Twilight called out, hoping to find them soon. She flew down to Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy, who were helping others get back to their families. "Have you seen Spike and Starlight yet?" Twilight asked Pinkie. "We haven't found them yet." Pinkie informed Twilight, letting her ears down. Twilight followed. "Don't worry Twilight. We'll find them." Fluttershy reassured Twilight. "Thanks. I just hope we can find them..." Twilight said before a blood-curdling scream can be heard by the entire crowd. "...soon?" Twilight finished. She flew over to the source of the scream and couldn't believe her eyes. She saw Spike on a rooftop, held against his will by a young boy, no older than 13, telekinetically holding Starlight in the air by her throat, practically choking her. The boy had a pale blue coat, practically zombie-like, had a black, messy mane, and matching tail, and wore a strange looking jumpsuit that made him look like an edgy Deviantart OC. Even more peculiar about this strange pony is that he was a pegasus, not a unicorn, and was somehow using telekinesis to threaten Starlight. "I was wondering how long it would take for you to find this." The pony sarcastically taunted, chuckling at Twilight. "Is this another one of Sombra's schemes?" Twilight asked, trying to get answers. The pony just rolled his eyes and scoffed. "Please, I have nothing to do with that chump. In fact, I forgot that guy was a thing before I got here." The strange pony remarked. "Then who are you? What do you want?" Twilight continued, readying her horn to attack the strange pony. "Well, if I must. My name is Lightning Bug, and I come to take over Equestria with my own team of villains." Lightning Bug explained. "Well, it was nice to meet you, but please, let go of my friends." Twilight roared at Lightning Bug, who only smirked at the princess' attempt at intimidation. "Very poor choice of words." Lightning Bug laughed as he threw Starlight far into one direction and Spike in the opposite. The clock was ticking for her, as she headed off to rescue Starlight from an impending fall. Twilight didn't even bother choosing, because she trusted Rainbow Dash would rescue Spike if she went to catch Starlight. Faster and faster Twilight flew, closer and closer to catching Starlight. Or at least, it seemed. Without warning, Twilight's eyes flickered, as she could no longer see Starlight or the ground she could end up landing on. She had mysteriously gone blind. She kept on flying in hopes she would find Starlight either way. Until, though Twilight couldn't see it, some lightning came from out of the sky and hit Twilight in the back, rendering her unconscious. Both Twilight and Starlight hurdled to the ground together, both seething with pain, as another strange pony walked up to the Princess and Starlight. Twilight's eyes started returning to normal, but not before passing out completely. The last thing she saw of the pony was a pale tan coat with dark brown hair, a light blue shirt, purple pants, some black shoes, and glowing white eyes. The strange pony stared at Starlight, causing him to disappear before his eyes. He smiled, and disappeared himself, leaving Twilight unconscious and alone. Meanwhile, Rainbow Dash rushed over and caught Spike in midair. Spike was breathing heavily, after being launched high up and held hostage from a crazy pre-teen. "Hey, thanks Rainbow." Spike said, holding on tight despite the fact he could fly. "Don't mention it." Rainbow Dash chuckled, as they floated to the ground safely. "I wouldn't thank her yet." a deep male voice called out from behind. The figure threw a cracked crown at Rainbow Dash, causing her to bleed a little, and otherwise knock her out cold. Spike was in shock. He was already held captive once by Sombra and another by Lightning Bug, and if he wasn't careful, it looks like it would have to be three times. The cracked crown boomeranged back to its master, a large male stallion with a tan coat, a blonde-ish mane, tail and some scruff on his face, and wore a mostly Scottish outfit, as well as his peculiar crown. "Honestly, there's no use in resisting Spike. Come with me willingly, and you'll live." the figure demanded. "OK, fine! Just don't hurt me or my friends!" Spike whimpered, as the figure took Spikes hand. "I knew you'd make the right choice." The stallion remarked, before calling out to the sky. "We've got the dragon! Take us out of here, Mr. Brine." The figure called out before Spike vanished similar to Starlight did before. The figure let out a mad cackle before disappearing himself. "They...they didn't put up much of a fight." Sombra commented as the two finished viewing their vision of the transpired events. "The Elements, or these new enemies?" Grogar asked Sombra, they both took some time to process the new threat. "Both of them. The Elements tried their feeble tricks and failed, however this...child...was practically playing with them. His allies caught them by surprise, and quickly beat them." Sombra commented. "And if we're not careful, we could end up the same way." Grogar warned. "I've already warned the others. I prepared a dorm for you. Go, and rest. I'll try to concoct a plan to face both the Elements and this new threat." Grogar instructed as Sombra headed off, while Grogar stared into his crystal ball, hoping for an idea to come to him soon.