Previously on My Little Pony: Ren’s Adventures In Equestria…
“…What are you doing?”
“So I guess they weren’t kidding that you were amazing with your analytical psychology skills.”
“Been trapped?”
“No…it’s more like because I live with the Umbrum Army in their world for a very long time. Time is very different there than here in Equestria.”
“Having faith in some guy you know for many years…”
“Strange, I don’t remember being told that. I don’t think you have the rights to tell us…unless you’re lying to yourself.”
“Man…that was crazy…I thought I was toast back there…”
“Good point, but how are we gonna open it?”
“I know…but I am planning to tell them all soon…probably after this crisis…”
“Oh, finally be quiet you numbskull!”
“He’s not! Sombra is good inside! I know he is!”
“I am afraid she won’t be speaking for the moment…”
“So something is happening up there with the others…”
“No….Hope…?”
“No way…”
“So…you’re Radiant Hope?” I questioned with a shocked look before scratching the back of my head. “Well…to be honest, I…don’t even know you. I’m sorry if we never met, Hope.”
“Hope…why are you here?” Sombra questioned, glaring at her. “I…thought you were gone for good. Why are you here?! I…I thought you never wanted to see me again after you betrayed and left me! Why now?!”
“…You are such an idiot, you know that Sombra?” Okay, that was not what I was expecting to hear out of her voice.
“W-What?!” Sombra exclaimed, widening his eyes in shock. “That voice…Rabia?!”
“So you do know him?” Nicole questioned. “I guess it would make sense considering that you two are Umbrums.”
“So wait…who is this ‘Rabia’ guy?” Kodi asked, which I shrugged.
“I mean…we don’t even know whose Rabia is.” I shrugged.
“Rabia…” Rantaro looked at him, glaring directly at Hope.
“Rabia…what are you doing? Why are you taking control of Hope?” Sombra questioned.
“Oh nothing. She’s just serving her role as my little puppet.” Hope smirked evilly.
“As…a puppet?” I questioned. “Wait…what do you mean?”
“He means brainwashing her, obviously.” Rantaro rolled his eyes. “It should’ve been obvious the moment he said it. Then again…we did witness it earlier before you and Sombra showed up.”
“See? That human gets it, boy.” Hope chuckled darkly. “The time has come to finally released us from our prison and I could work well using her body as a new vessel for me to stand with Father.”
“Father…?” Spike asked.
“What do you mean?” Sombra questioned. “This wasn’t part of the plan.”
“You still don’t get it, do you?” Hope raised a brow before shaking her head. “You’re so stupid Sombra that it makes me wonder why I chose you to infiltrate the Crystal Empire all by yourself. You’re just a mistake considering that you started a relationship with this stupid pony.”
“What?” Sombra widened his eyes and looked at her with a shocked and bewildered look.
“You are just a failure due to starting a friendship with her. If you just remember your role, then maybe you could have released us way earlier, even during your reign of terror. You completely abandoned us.” Hope explained, sneering at Sombra.
“You…I haven’t abandoned my kind. It’s just that…” Sombra grits his teeth angrily.
“Just what? That you could have taken over Equestria all to yourself, but you couldn’t at all because your arrogance allowed you to be beaten by those princesses thousands of years ago.” Hope scoffed before adding “You’re just a tool for your arrogance. Why else do you think Father released you from your prison in the first place?”
“What do you mean?” Sombra questioned.
“It doesn’t matter…because now…” Before long, she placed the Crystal Heart into the lock as it slowly begin shining. “It is time for the Umbrum Army to rise from the ashes to destroy all of Equestria!”
“Oh no…” Rantaro muttered.
Soon, the locked began shaking all crazily before a bright glow blinded us all and soon we heard something explode right in our eyes before uncovering our eyes to see the lock was destroyed, and for the Crystal Heart…it looked pretty dark than it’s usual colorful aura like I saw before.
“No…what did you do?!” I exclaimed in shock.
“The Crystal Heart lost all of its power…it’s no use to us anymore.” Hope cruelly smirked at us before we heard something banging in the door.
“Did you guys hear that…? Or was that me?” Spike asked in worried.
“Nope, we definitely heard that.” Rantaro put a hand on his hat with a grim look.
“Everyone…we need to go now.” Nicole called. “If we stand around here, we’ll get killed by those Umbrum.”
“Wait, I can’t leave Sombra nor the Crystal Heart alone.” I pointed out.
“Sorry kid, but we got no choice!” Rantaro exclaimed before we heard the banging from the giant doors kept making more louder sounds. “And that is our cue to leave!”
Rantaro immediately took his leave with Spike, Gizmo, and Nicole following after him. As Kodi began to take his leave, I remained still and didn’t go, casting a worried look towards Sombra.
He was just confused by all of this and didn’t want to say. There was so many questions that I even needed to ask, but even so…Sombra looks so lost that I can’t help but feel bad for him.
“Hope…” Sombra muttered before glaring coldly at the brainwashed Hope. “Rabia…I don’t know why you’re doing this, but release Hope. She has nothing to do with any of this.”
“Oh, but she does have everything to do. Her role will be completed as a new empress for us to rule over Equestria while you’ll just disappear.” Hope grinned evilly before the doors burst opened, revealing many shadow-like ponies breaking out, but they looked like zombies to me. Oh my Celestia, they really looked crazy looking.
Though they don’t seemed to be like the ones that me, Luna, Mason, and Jamie faced in that underground mining cave back then. They look…way different from them.
“Grr! How dare you?!” Sombra screamed. “If anyone will rule Equestria, it shall be me! I don’t need the Umbrum Army nor Father, I will destroy you all myself!”
“Sombra wait!” I rushed over, ignoring the calls from my friend.
“Ren! No!” Kodi called, chasing after me before the Umbrum Army let out loud roars before chasing down towards Sombra.
“Hey wait!” Spike shouted, running towards us with a serious look, trying to stop us till….
“AHHHHHHHHHH!” Sombra screamed, his horn glowing bright green as me and Kodiak raced over to stop him till we saw the Umbrum Army heading its way towards us and before that…
A bright flash swept us up and…that was it. I couldn’t see what was happening. I felt like…I was empty…
Rantaro’s POV
“Kid!”
That was the last thing he heard before being taken away by that dark tornado along with Sombra and Kodiak. Those Umbrums formed together to a giant tornado while Radiant Hope laughed maniacally at it before we last sight of her through that dark tornado of Umbrums.
“Rantaro! We need to go!” Well you don’t have to me twice, girl! Let’s get the hell out of here! Well…that kid’s gone but we need to get going!
“Wait, what about Ren and Kodiak?!” Spike exclaimed. “We can’t just abandoned them!”
“They’re already gone! Let’s just go!” I quickly grabbed Spike and Nicole before we began running down the stairs of this floor before arriving to some dark room but there was no exit around here.
“W-What is this place?” Nicole questioned before turning to Spike. “Spike…you somehow came to that room along with Kodiak and Gizmo, right? Do you know the way out?”
“Y-Yeah! Follow me!” Spike immediately began running straight through the wall, disappearing right in the minute.
“Huh…don’t see that every day.” I commented bluntly.
“A dark wall…how interesting…” Nicole muttered.
“You can think of that later! Let’s just get the hell out of here!” I exclaimed, pulling her arm as we crossed over the dark wall before closing our eyes. If this is just some cheap crappy magic trick with us hitting the wall instead of going over it, I’ll be happy to sue anyone. Who knows? I could always make a quick buck at court…Nah, probably not. I wouldn’t do that…or will I?
…Huh…I feel fine. Not a smack in the face from that wall. I guess he was telling the truth. We reopened our eyes, finding ourselves in a long hallway.
“Huh, what do you know? It actually worked.” I commented.
“Come on you guys! Let’s get out of here!” Spike shouted, just a mile away from us before me and Nicole began running after him before catching up with him.
“Spike! You know the way out! You need to try and run towards the exit of this place as fast as you can!” Nicole called out.
“Right!” Spike shouted back as we began to run through the hall for what felt like hours, but really…it was more like ten minutes or so, and what’s worse is that Hurricane Umbrum is right behind us!
“Watch out!” Spike warned, pointing over to the walls as some shadow-like hands popping right out of the walls.
“What the?” Nicole exclaimed, widening her eyes a bit. “What the heck are these?”
“Who cares?! Let’s get out of here!” I yelled out, grabbing her hand and Spike’s claws as we raced through the halls, avoiding the giant shadow hands like jumping over them, side-stepping, and other things that I won’t describe because it will be a waste of time for me to explain it all.
“AH!” I looked back and saw Nicole’s left leg getting grabbed by one of the hands, prompting me to narrow my eyes before taking out my Tazer Gun before shocking it, causing it to let go of her while she took some small breaths.
“You okay?” I asked, raising my hand to her. Nicole looked at me with a slightly bewildered look before nodding.
“Come on! They’re coming!” Spike shouted, running ahead of us through the dark dead end corner. We looked back and saw multiple Umbrums heading our way. We both immediately ran off before going through the walls and arrived back to an all-so familiar tunnel.
“This tunnel…” Nicole muttered. “This is the same tunnel form where we explored.”
“Yeah, we can think of that later! Now let’s get the hell out of here!” Without no hesitation, we immediately ran away through the dark tunnels of the place as we saw many Umbrums chasing after the three of us.
“The entrance should be over there!” Spike pointed over to the left of the hall, which we immediately headed over and kept running till we saw the outside of this place.
“Keep running towards it!” Nicole shouted, catching me off-guard. Well this is the first time I’m hearing her shout like this. Huh…letting out your emotions, eh Ms. Psychologist?
So, we kept increasing more of our pace before we finally the light from the door before finally jumping out of there, finding ourselves back inside of the Crystal Palace.
“We’re back…” I sighed in relief before we heard the many loud shouts coming from the tunnel, revealing to be the Umbrum Army.
“Quick! Close it!” Spike shouted as Gizmo quickly hopped out of my hat and immediately slid the portrait back to the way it was as it slowly begins closing. As it was near to close, one of the Umbrum’s hooves popped out of there and grunted on trying to break free from the door.
“Ah! It’s trying to get out!” Spike screamed out.
“Well in that case…Rantaro?” Nicole called, looking at me with furrow brows.
“You read my mind.” I smirked before looking down at Spike and quickly grabbed it.
“W-Wait, what are you-?!” Before long, I stretched him out and forced a lot o green flames from his body and shot at the hoof of the Umbrum, causing it to hiss before backing away as the mechanism door closed shut.
“That was a close one…” I sighed before putting Spike down. He began coughing up violently before glaring at me. I gave him a nonchalant shrug and said “What? You’re still alive. Get used to it.”
“…I hate you.” Spike grumbled.
“I hate you too.” I smirked, earning a dirty look from the small dragon.
“Guys…we need to get going.” Nicole stated sternly.
“What?” Spike asked. “What do you mean?”
“That door won’t stop them! We need to race outside and get the others to let them know about this.” Nicole explained before we heard the walls banging hard, hearing more loud groaning.
Jeez, these guys are acting like zombies.
“But wait…what about Ren and Kodiak?! We need to go-” Nicole shook her head and said “I am afraid that isn’t possible now. I’m not sure what happened, but I’m sure we can find a way.”
“I hate to say it, but she’s got a point so it looks like we need to get out of here for now.” I nodded before we saw the doors banging even harder. “Probably like right now.”
“But-” Oh for god’s sake! I quickly grabbed the reptile’s arms and quickly ran out of the room along with Nicole by my side as the walls began breaking more and more. Okay, I have had enough wasting enough time! Let’s get outside and warn the others!
Well…let’s just hope that they aren’t busy with whatever they’re doing!
…Oh who am I kidding? They definitely are. That’s obvious, enough.
Meanwhile
Kaede’s POV
I fired a couple of arrows straight at the giant Ursa Major, shooting at its head but it deflected them back.
“Watch out!” Applejack warned, noticing the Ursa Major’s claws glowing dark before slamming down towards us. Me and Applejack jumped out of the way before it could came and hit us.
Phew…if we stood there any longer, then we would’ve been dead!
“Really? Is that the best you gotten?” We look up to Void, who was still in the air with his arms crossed. “If so, then your hope is not strong at all. If you think you can fight it off like that, then you’re useless.”
I gritted my teeth before glaring at Void.
“You don’t know that! I don’t know who you are creep, but we aren’t giving up that easily!” I yelled out, glaring at the masked figure. Seriously, what’s his problem?!
“She’s right…but woo-wee…am I exhausted…” Applejack panted before we heard the Ursa Major letting out a massive roar at us, creating a powerful shockwave that blasted us back on the ground.
I dropped my bow and arrow in the process as I slowly looked up and saw the Shadow Ursa Major glaring down at us.
“So it would seem that you can’t defeat it then…how disappointing.” Void sighed. “So boring…so disappointing…so…hopeless…”
“W-What?” I coughed before slowly getting up, helping Applejack stand back on her own hooves. I glared at Void before shouting “You don’t know anything…! We can win by working together!”
“How pitiful…why bother forging bonds? Trying to use bonds as a way to hide away your fears.” W-What? Where is he going on with this?
“What’s he talking about?” Applejack asked, raising a brow at me.
“I don’t know…” I shrugged.
“Dear Kaede…I meant that you’re afraid of being useless.” I slowly widened my eyes in fear. H-How does he know…? “You wish to be useful, want to fulfill your mother’s wish, and by taking those multiple jobs back then, you wanted to be useful and that’s your greatest weakness. You feel as though that if nobody needs your help, you’ll feel lonely and feel like your life has no meaning.”
I began biting my lower lip as my pupils shrank.
Everything he said up to this point…is true. I mean, that’s what I always feel but I don’t want anyone to find that out.
“Is this…true Kay?” Applejack asked, looking at me with a surprised look. I slightly looked away, not responding to her question.
“Oh? But it is true, I can smell that she’s afraid to admit and will probably deny her true self.” Void scoffed. “It’s just shows that humans and ponies aren’t special and why they devoid of creating ‘true hope’.”
Void begins cackling an evil laugh while the Shadow Ursa Major approached us, ready to finish us off.
“….” I grew silent and didn’t say I word. I know that it is true. I wanted to be useful for people, which I why I still lived with my stepfamily. I mean, sure they didn’t like me and used me as their slave, I just wanted to fulfill my mom’s wish to help anyone and that I promised…which is why I shared my generosity to them. I didn’t mind what jobs or clubs I partake, it was not just a way to avoid mostly my stepfamily but a way to make myself feel…included in anyone.
I devoted myself to give people help. I gave my generosity to those I worked for because I want to help others while my friends helped me. It was an act…of generosity.
Before long, a shock appeared and made the creature back away from us, much to our surprise before we looked back and saw some familiar faces.
“Did we miss anything?” No way…! Rantaro? Spike? And Nicole?!
“Where in Equestria have you three been?!” Applejack exclaimed.
“We have some…delay that we needed to go through.” Nicole explained, adjusting her glasses before furrowing her brows. “But right now, we need to be prepared.”
“What? Why?” I asked in confusion.
“Let’s just say that we might get some company.” Rantaro answered before snapping his fingers at me. “By the way, who’s your new friend in the air?”
We all looked back and saw Void, who kept his gaze down at us. Jeez…this guy is just so creepy.
“Whoa…what in Equestria?!” Spike exclaimed. “Okay, what’s been happening while we were away?!”
“It’s a long story…” Applejack sighed. “Basically, it’s this figure who calls himself ‘Void’.”
“Void?” Nicole questioned before she and Rantaro looked upwards at him and in just five seconds, they flinched and placed hands on their heads.
“H-Hey, are you fellas okay?” Applejack asked in concerned.
“W-We’re fine…” Rantaro scoffed, shaking his head. “Jeez…what’s going on?”
“Ah…Rantaro Wilde, the famed broker from the blackmarket.” Void chuckled before turning to Nicole, and the way it looked from his mask, it almost looked like…he was sneering at her. “…Dr. Nicole Bonnie.”
“What?” Nicole raised a brow.
“What’s wrong Nikki?” I asked.
“I….don’t know. I can’t know what he’s feeling right now, but I do know one thing…” She furrowed her brows at the creepy dark figure in the air and commented “He’s full of insanity…”
“Well…this is quite a reunion, doctor.” Nicole looked at him with a raised brow, probably puzzled. Now what is he talking about? “Oh well…you already forgotten about me now, but it doesn’t matter to me at all. What matters is creating the ‘true hope’ in the future…but you all just had to be in the way.”
“Sorry, it’s what we do.” Rantaro winked before turning to me and Applejack. “By the way, you…red hair.”
“Huh? Me?” I called.
“Who’s the only red hair around here?” Well he’s not wrong there but he doesn’t have to be rude about it. And also, is he trying to rile me up by taunting my red hair? “Now listen…who gives a crap what he says?”
“Huh?” I asked in confusion.
“We arrived here the moment we heard him talking.” Rantaro explained.
“Yes…and Ms. Ross.” Nicole turned to me with a calm and solemn look. “Please don’t back down for things such as that. You have those ponies and the others by your side, and no matter the motive, you are…reliable no matter what. Whether you have the job to do it, you have the support to encourage everyone.”
I stared at them with a surprised look. Are they…trying to support me? Well that was unexpected of them, especially for Rantaro but…I guess not.
“…Oh, and I’ll go and check up on Rainbow Dash at the secret place. I’ll go after them.” I stared at Nicole with a shocked look before she began taking her leave.
“I honestly still shocked that she can see through me.” I said with a surprised look.
“Trust me, even I am and I still don’t know why.” Applejack blinked.
“Umm…how about we talk more and address the giant dark Ursa Major?!” Spike exclaimed, pointing behind us. We looked back and saw the Shadow Ursa Major shaking its head from the shock it took from Rantaro’s Tazer-gun.
“Hmm…it took so long to recover from that? How disappointing even for you.” Rantaro chuckled with a cheeky grin, looking at Void.
“Oh…did I bore you?” Void chuckled, folding his arms. “Sorry…I was just interested in her ‘pep’ talk, that’s all. Which is why I made my creature stand still till it was over.”
“Stand still?” Spike questioned.
“I can control these beasts since I am their master and father.” Okay…that is just weird and creepy from the way he said. “I can easily make them do what I want….it is just one step to make this world be bathed in ‘true hope’.”
“What ‘true hope’?!” Applejack growled. “What in tarnation are you going on about?!”
“It’s best not to think about it…” I sighed. “Besides, like Nikki said, he’s full of insanity.”
“Good point…” Applejack nodded before glaring at the monster.
“Well…looks like I’m stuck with ya, huh? Fine…let’s just call this ‘support’ of mine on the house.” Rantaro smirked, taking out his Tazer-gun.
“W-Well…maybe I may be weak, but I can still fight on!” Spike shouted, standing between us.
“Yeah…” I nodded, clenching my fists.
“Hold it…” Rantaro threw something in my hands, which made me gasp.
“My bow and arrow….but how?” I turned to him with a bewildered look.
“I’m just that sneaky to get things that easily.” Rantaro smirked. “Now then…do you wanna keep on fighting for your friends or just want to wuss out like a coward?”
I gave him a scolding look along with a pout before glaring back at the creature, who roared straight at our faces.
No way am I gonna lose….maybe that Void guy knows my fear. I’m afraid that nobody will find use for me and abandoned me, but I made new friends with them and no matter if I work as a fashion designer with Rarity, and give them my support on the sidelines, I will keep on fighting for my friends.
Meanwhile
Mason’s POV
I can’t believe it! Ren! Why would he do that?! Go straight to that portal when tackling Sombra along with the Crystal Heart…what was he thinking?! What can I do now?!
“Hey! What’s going on?!” But first, I need to get Twilight out of there! Recovering from what I experienced a while ago, I quickly went over to the black crystal pillars that surrounded Twilight as she was barely breathing in there!
“Hold on! I’m gonna get you out of there!” I exclaimed before I began using my bamboo pole to break through the crystals. “Come on…!”
“Mason, I told you to just leave me behind!” Twilight yelled out.
“No! I won’t leave you behind!” I exclaimed, attempting to pry and break apart of the crystals.
“But what about the Crystal Heart?! You and Ren should-”
“Ren’s gone! He and King Sombra just disappeared out of sight when the former tried to stop him, but they both gotten suck into a portal King Sombra made, even with the Crystal Heart!” I explained, which upsetted Twilight once more.
“WHAT?!” Twilight shouted, causing me to wince before sighing.
“I’m sorry for letting you down! The least I can do to make up is breaking you out of there!” I shouted, trying to break down the crystals, but no matter what I did is that, it kept regenerating! At this rate, I’ll break her out!
“I told you Mason! You just need to leave me and go back and save Ren!” Twilight shouted. “Just leave me and save the Crystal Empire!”
“Twilight…I am not leaving.” I stated sternly. “I made a promise to your brother and I intend to keep it. I won’t let anyone get hurt and I trust Ren that he’ll be fine. He is our leader, apparently. So…I will believe in our leader and I know that I won’t break a promise to your brother!”
I’m not sure if Twilight was upset or shocked by my answer, but I have no time! The Crystal Empire is still under siege from the darkness that is spreading across the kingdom and very much soon, the Crystal Empire! Right now, we need to save Twilight no matter what!
“Alright…fine…” I heard her sigh, almost as if she was accepting defeat. “Man…you are so stubborn…I wonder how a bodyguard like you could possibly be this stubborn.”
I couldn’t help but smile at that little joke of hers before replying “Well…that’s just how I am. Stubborn but loyal.”
“I see…Hey wait, I think I got something!” Hm? What is it now? “Alright Mason…when you see me arrive right next to you, I need you to quickly grab me and jump down from the tower.”
“Huh?!” I didn’t hold back my bewilderment at that. Why would she come up with that?!
“Just trust me on this one!” Twilight insisted. Jeez, and they call me stubborn.
“…Very well.” I nodded and waited up for her. I just hope she has enough magic to transport herself out of there.
Soon, ten seconds past and in an instant, she appeared right next to me.
“Ah-Ha!” Twilight grinned before we heard the sirens turned on again. Not waiting for her to say anything, I quickly grabbed her by the torso and carried her over my shoulders before quickly jumping out of the tower, avoiding getting trapped in those black crystal-like pillars before falling down from the sky.
The wind brushed through my face, my scarf was blowing hard as we fell straight down from the sky. Before we could hit the ground, Twilight’s horn started glowing, but was flickering as we were wrapped around in a pink aura and slowly stopped, safely landing on the ground before I placed Twilight back on the ground.
I let out a heavy sigh and placed my hands on my knees, sweating all nervous. Man…I’ll admit that it was so scary…
“Phew…we actually did it…!” Twilight grinned weakly before coughing weakly. “Man…am I exhausted…?”
“I’ll say…” I coughed before noticing some dark clouds surrounding the empire. “Oh no…Jamie’s barrier is nearly weakening!”
“I should have known…” Twilight frowned. “Jamie…”
I noticed that she was getting so worried, and I can understand why she’s feeling like this. She loves Jamie after seeing the true self of his back at the Canterlot invasion.
“Don’t worry…I know that he’ll do alright. Just have faith in him.” I assured with a soft smile.
“Yeah…” Twilight nodded before remembering something. “Oh right! About Ren, is he really…?”
“Yeah…there was this strange bright light that appeared out of nowhere that blinded and distracted King Sombra enough for Ren to be able to move again and tackled Sombra along with the Crystal Heart through that strange portal they went through. I’m not sure what happened, but the moment they were gone, I was able to move again.” I explained the situation to her, leaving her speechless.
“No way…does this mean that we failed?” Twilight muttered, feeling guilty.
“Don’t feel bad Twilight, we’ll be able to find it. This is Ren, I’m sure he knows what he’s doing.”
Hopefully…he may be capable to defend himself with that Hacking Gun…but he’s still a kid, so I’m worried. It was my responsibility to protect him and Twilight, and I blew it…
BOOM!
“What?!” I exclaimed, looking around in shock before noticing something coming out of the palace. Before long, multiple shadow-like demons started pouring out of the palace either through the windows and doors.
“No way! What’s happening?!” Twilight gasped. “What are those things?!”
“Not sure…” I shook my head before narrowing my eyes. “But we got no time! Right now, we need to make sure that the others are alright! Right now!”
“O-Okay!” Twilight nodded before we began heading out.
“Just stay close to me, okay?” I warned her with a cautious and stern look, which she nodded. I’m not sure what these things are, but I know one thing…!
I need to hurry over to Carrie and the others as fast as I can!
“Look out!” Twilight warned as we saw some of those monsters coming towards us. Strange, they look almost like the ones I fought in the cavern a month ago, but the strangest part is that…they looked more realistic and creepy-like now.
They started charging towards us till I managed to take them down with my bamboo pole by twirling around and knocking them down, causing them to disperse.
“Standing around here is too dangerous! We need to find the others as soon as possible!” Twilight exclaimed.
“Yeah, if we can know where they went.” If they noticed those dark clouds, they sure to at least try to hide or protect the Crystal Ponies from these demons!
“AHHHHHHH!” Huh?!
“Wait…Rainbow Dash…?!” Twilight gasped.
“That sounded like it came over there!” I pointed to a nearby house, which seemed to be a bit bigger than most of the houses here in the Crystal Empire.
“Quick! She might be in trouble!” Twilight exclaimed as we immediately rushed to hurry and see what was happening.
“Rainbow Dash…” I muttered, showing a concern look on my face. I’m not sure what’s going on, but I can tell that she’s in pain! Did those shadow monsters get to her?! If so, then we really need to save everyone! I won’t let them down!
10 Minutes Earlier
Nicole’s POV
Okay…it looks like they’re still fighting on against that shadow Ursa Major. I’m not sure what’s happening, but I have a feeling that they can handle.
Though, that Void creature…I don’t know why, but the moment I saw him, I have this strange sense of familiarity. Hmm….how strange.
Plus…that doctor part. I may be a psychologist and while I may have experience with medical knowledge when I was busy reading some books about the subjects of pharmaceutical and health-bringing, it’s still odd that he would call me like that.
And that tone of voice…it sounded like it was disgust and anger. Interesting…and while I couldn’t tell what I was seeing due to the mask, I know one emotion he’s feeling…
…He’s filled with malice and insanity.
“Hm?” I began hearing some muttering before looking over to one of the houses.
I walked over to the door and knocked on it, and in five seconds, it slowly opened…in its own. Hmm…is this a trick? Oh well, I guess I can enter and-
“YAHHHHHH!” And that’s what caught me a little off-guard as I slightly widened my eyes and saw about a triple dozen of Crystal Ponies, either adult or child, inside and holding onto each other in fear.
“Nikki?!” Hm? Ah, that sweet little voice…
“You’re here!” I was soon hugged by the legs by none other than Carrie, who was smiling happily to see me while I smiled softly and nodded before I was introduced to as Rarity, Fluttershy, and Pinkie Pie, along with Jack over by the back corner, who was holding onto a struggling Rainbow Dash.
“Oh thank Celestia that you’re here Nicole!” Rarity sighed in relief. “In what good Equestria happened to you?!”
“You really had us worried that I thought you guys were gone…” Fluttershy looked at me with a worried look before smiling softly at me. “I’m glad that you’re okay.”
“Thank you.” I nodded.
“So what happened to you? And where’s Rantaro?” Carrie asked curiously.
“He’s with Kaede and Applejack along with Spike.” I explained, much to their surprise while the Crystal Ponies murmured to each other.
“He’s out there helping…Kaede and Applejack?! Along with Spikey-wikey?!” Rarity gasped before fainting on the ground.
“Wow…I thought he was gonna run off like he doesn’t care except for a price.” Pinkie blinked in surprise. “I wonder if that last chapter really gave him some character development…Nah!”
….I am not going to comment or question. It would be too impossible to understand her ‘Pinkie-logic’ at all…
“So Nicole…Umm…where were you?” Fluttershy asked.
“I shall explain that when this is over. Right now…” I glanced over at Jack, who was holding onto Rainbow Dash. Hm…Ah!
“…What’s going on with Rainbow Dash?” I quickly walked past the group and came upon Rainbow Dash and Jack.
“I don’t know! She was acting like that since that black masked weirdo touched her and done something to make her see something!” Jack exclaimed, holding onto her tight in a bearhug as she continued to move and struggle around.
I looked over at her eyes, seeing it all green with red pupils as it showed off some purple aura.
“All of them…all of my friends are gone…I’m all alone! AHHHHHHH!” Rainbow Dash screamed, causing everypony in the house to cover their ears in pain.
“She’s been acting like this ever since! We don’t know why but she looks like she’s in pain.” Fluttershy explained, rubbing her foreleg in worried. “I-I want to help her, but she doesn’t listen.”
Soon, she begins sniffling and exclaimed “Why…?! If I just stayed by their sides, then none of this would have happened! I was too slow to save them!”
“….Wait…” I slowly widened my eyes and examined her. This emotion…it’s just like before with Diamond Tiara! Her mind is filled with dark thoughts and is suicidal! This is bad!
“She really needs help and we need to find out what’s going on with her.” I quickly said, looking at Jack with a serious look. “We need to make her relax before she might try something.”
“I know but no matter what, Skittles won’t just shut up!” Jack yelled out before we heard a loud explosion, causing us all to scream and hold onto each other, excluding me of course.
“W-What was that?” Carrie asked, holding onto Rarity, who was hugging her back to comfort her.
“I do not know, but I just hope that wasn’t from our friends. Ooh…” Rarity gulped.
“Or possibly Rainbow Dash about to bolt to the door!” Pinkie pointed out, revealing Rainbow Dash getting out of Jack’s grip from the explosion before she tried flying straight outside till Pinkie slammed the door shut…
“OW!” Rainbow Dash flinched before slowly falling down onto the floor as Jack slowly gotten back up and looked at her with a shocked look.
“Skittles!”
“Jack! Stop her before she tries to kill herself!” I stated quickly, which Jack nodded before grabbing her and putting her back in his bearhug position.
“Let go of me! I need to die! I need to die to see my friends again! That way…I…I…AHHHHHHHHHHHH!”
This emotion….I cannot describe it…it’s filled with so much with dark thoughts to kill herself. Did this Void do this to her…? But why…? What is he…?
“SHADDUP!” Jack shouted, shutting Rainbow Dash up and having everypony stare at them in shock. Jack hugged her tightly while gritting his teeth.
Hmm….his face is showing anger…and regret?
“Listen…Just stop…we’re here. I don’t care what that bastard did to you to make you think like that? You didn’t let us down…we aren’t dead…we’re still here.” Jack spoken, darkening his face a bit before gazing at Rainbow Dash’s eyes. “Look at me…! Look at my damn eyes Skittles! You aren’t alone…you didn’t let us down or anything! Do you think we give up that easily and die?! Hell no! We’re still alive and kicking butt than ever! So stop whining! Besides, this isn’t you! You would never act like this! You would rather keep going and never give up! So stop this crazy nonsense of you wanting to kill yourself and remember who you are! Please…! Stop it right now, Rainbow Dash!”
His emotions…it’s filled with emotions that contradicts his emotions. Hmm…I guess there are a few things that we can see from his grouchy attitude.
Soon, I noticed Jack’s cheeks glowing a bit, along with his hands glowing a bit, much to our surprise and in just five minutes, Rainbow Dash’s eyes returned back to their normal color.
“Ugh…what just happened? What am I…doing here?” Rainbow Dash groggily asked before noticing that Jack was holding on her. “What the?!”
“Sup.” Jack greeted before getting kicked in the gut by Rainbow’s foreleg. “Ow! The hell Skittles?!”
“W-What the hay, dude?!” Rainbow shouted, glaring at him while she stretched her back and flapped her wings for a moment before flying up and glared at him straight in the eyes. “I am not that type of mare to easily get hugged by a guy like you!”
“Yeah well, says the chick who was saying how much she wanted to die!” Jack scoffed, confusing Rainbow Dash.
“What?” She asked.
“Oh! You kept talking and talking all over about ‘how we were gone’ and ‘Oh how much I want to die’! Stuff like that!” Pinkie explained with a grin.
“Okay, you definitely lost me there and plus, what are we doing here?” Rainbow Dash questioned, noticing that we were inside of the house along with the Crystal Ponies. “And why is all of the Crystal Ponies in here?”
“They gotten scared and hid in there from those monsters outside.” Carrie explained. “You, Jack, Applejack, and Kaede all tried to fight off those monsters till Jack came in here with you wailing around. You scared me, Rainbow Dash.”
“I-I did?” Rainbow Dash asked in surprise, which Carrie nodded. She rubbed the back of her head sheepishly before saying “Oh…I’m sorry. I…I didn’t mean to scare ya, squirt.”
“You can start apologizing to me…” Jack growled, rubbing his gut. “God…you kick so hard like a horse.”
“Wait…” I spoken up, raising a brow at Rainbow Dash suspiciously. “Rainbow Dash…do you not remember anything?”
“Well all I know is fighting off the monsters till we encounter-” She soon let out a gasp before gritting her teeth angrily. “Oh! That guy! He done something to me and then I…I remember somehow being back in Ponyville and I saw everyone…”
She gritted her teeth and turned her head away, hesitant to keep going on.
“What? What is it Rainbow Dash? Speak up darling.” Rarity pleaded.
“You guys…were all gone.” Rainbow Dash finished her sentence.
“What are you talking about Rainbow Dash? We’re all here silly!” Pinkie grinned happily. “I mean, we probably were having a party.”
“A party?” Carrie asked curiously.
“Yeah! I mean, that’s where everypony were probably doing in her dream, right?”
…No comment on what she thinks. Her head…is filled with things that I do not wish to go through or even talk about.
“No…not that kind of gone…” Rainbow Dash shook her head, her face showed how pale she was turning. “You guys…I saw…you all laying on the ground and not moving…”
“N-Not moving?!” Fluttershy squeaked in fear.
“Damn…” Jack muttered, looking at Rainbow Dash in shock.
“Maybe we were sleeping?” Pinkie suggested.
“No…that wasn’t it…” Rarity turned pale upon hearing that. “Oh dear…”
“Yeah…and I…I…” Rainbow began shaking in fear, prompting Carrie to walk over and hug her. “W-What the?”
“Don’t worry Rainbow Dash, like Jack said, you still got us. You’re not alone!” Carrie smiled happily.
“Huh? What?” Rainbow Dash glanced at Jack, who was coughing sheepishly while avoiding eye-contact.
“Yeah! Jack really said some nice things and even called you by your real name.” Carrie smiled happily.
“S-Shut it brat! Stop that!” Jack exclaimed.
“Jack…” I turned to him with a blank look and bluntly commented “Your face is red.”
“W-What?!” Jack shouted in shock.
“Are you feeling alright Jack…?” Fluttershy asked curiously.
“Shut up!” Jack exclaimed.
“Whoa dude…since when were you the type to say stuff like what Carrie says?” Rainbow Dash raised a brow before cheekily grinning at him. “Don’t tell me that the big bad biker gang leader fatso is growing soft.”
“Mm…maybe…so what?” Jacks scoffed, trying his best to hide away his blushing but was failing miserably.
“Ooh! Is this a new shipping? I smell some shipping!” Pinkie giggled.
“Shipping?” Carrie asked curiously.
“I’ll tell you when your older, Carrie.” Rarity assured before smiling at Jack. “But I must say Jack Yamaki, despite your vulgar attitude, I guess you can really be nice when you want to.”
“S-Shut up! Why are you guys keep grilling me like that?!” Jack yelled out.
I couldn’t help but grin at him. Strange, I guess I can see why those two are close. They’re too stubborn.
Suddenly…the door slammed opened, revealing two familiar friends of ours.
“What’s going on?!”
“Big brother!” Carrie rushed out of Rarity’s hooves before hugging the leg of her favorite brother.
“Mason!” Rarity rushed over and leaped into Mason’s arms, hugging his chest.
“C-Carrie? Rarity?!” Mason gasped before smiling over them. “You guys are all right!”
“Fluttershy! Pinkie Pie! Carrie! Rarity! Jack! and Nicole!” Twilight rushes in with an excited look on her face, feeling happy to see them here. “I thought you guys were out there and getting attacked by those shadows!”
“Ha, like those damn things can touch us.” Jack smirked before rubbing the back of his head. “Well…maybe Skittles, but ya know…”
“S-Shut up!” Rainbow Dash growled angrily at him.
“I’m so relieved to see you all hear…” Rarity sighed in relief before looking at Mason. “Also Mason…”
“Hm? Yes Rarity?” Mason blinked in confusion before getting slapped in the face real hard, leaving a red shaped hoof mark on the left cheek.
“Don’t you ever worry me like that ever again! Do you honestly know how scared I was when that thing we confronted came out of nowhere and tried to hurt us and invaded the Crystal Empire, I was so honestly so scared that something terribly happened to you, Ren, and Twilight!”
Mason blinked in shock before sighing and shaking his head with a soft smile.
“Point given…” Mason chuckled.
“Damn dude, you alright?” Jack asked in surprise.
“…Yeah. This isn’t my first time.” Mason admitted.
I can easily tell judging by your reaction.
“Twilight? Mason?” Fluttershy called, surprised to see here. “Wait…where’s Ren?”
Mason turned grim hearing that, along with Twilight.
“We gotten ourselves in a scuffle and to put in short, Ren disappeared to somewhere to who-knows-where.” Mason explained, shocking the whole group.
“W-What?!” Fluttershy gasped.
“I’m sorry…I let you all down.” Mason sighed, leaning against while Carrie and Rarity looked at him with concern. “I was frozen in shock, quite literally and Ren somehow managed to stop Sombra from stealing the Crystal Heart.”
“What?! Sombra?!” The Crystal Ponies screamed in fear, hugging against each other.
“So Sombra stole the Crystal heart while Ren tried to stop him but gotten captured too?! What the hay?!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed, growling a bit.
“Yes, but I just hope he’s alright…” Twilight sighed.
“Well…I know Ren is strong…” Fluttershy softly smiled before frowning a bit. “I…just hope t-that Sombra doesn’t hurt him.”
I frowned and looked away, not saying a word to them. It’s best not to do anything and end up making them all depress. If so, then I can guess that they’ll be upset and/or more depressed.
Although…there is that certain yet small chance that Ren and Kodiak is still alive, along with Sombra and Radiant Hope.
“So what now?” Jack questioned before letting out a yawn. “Kaede, Rantaro, and Spike are back there fighting off that giant shadow bear monster.”
“Wait WHAT?!” Twilight shouted, causing Jack to sweat-dropped and asked “Did I say that too soon?”
“Definitely.” Mason face-palmed before sternly glaring at him. “And what do you mean Rantaro, Spike, and Kaede are out there fighting off some bear monster?! Is it like one of those pony-like shadows out there?!”
That last part gotten my attention as I turned to Mason with narrowed eyes.
“Pony-like…shadows?” I questioned before realizing what he was saying. “Wait…what’s going on out there?”
“Some weird monsters came out there and swarmed around the empire from out of the palace.” Twilight answered before frowning worriedly. “I just hope Jamie, Shining, and Cadence will be alright.”
“Yes, we even encountered those monsters out there and managed to beat them before coming here.” Mason explained with a serious look.
“Tell me…where these things called the Umbrum Army?” I questioned, confusing the gang while shocking the citizens back there.
“The Umbrum?” Rarity questioned.
“The Umbrum?!” The Crystal Ponies shrieked in fear.
Hmm…I see. So they know about the Umbrum Army too. Guess that Radiant Hope wasn’t the only one, huh…makes sense.
“Wait, Umbrum? What do you mean?” Jack questioned.
“Don’t look at me! I don’t know even know about it!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed, holding her hooves in the air.
“But nobody was looking at you.” Carrie reminded.
“Tell me…” I turned to the Crystal Ponies, who was still holding onto each other in fear. “Do you all know about the Umbrum Army?”
“B-But how…how do you know about them?” A young mare asked.
“…You’re hesitating.” The young mare looked at me with a confused look as I sternly stated “You guys are trying to make us not want to see the truth, but if you don’t tell us…then we all die and possibly all of Equestria might be destroyed if you all refuse to tell us all.”
“B-But…!”
“Just shut the hell up!” Jack stepped in, his belly jiggling a bit with each step before glaring harshly at the Crystal Ponies, making the small fillies to run into their parent’s hooves. “Look at you wimps! Just backing away ‘cause you’re afraid at what we might do! I bet because of your cowardliness that made Sombra control you all when he took over the Crystal Empire!”
“Jack, stop!” Mason warned.
“No! Fudge this!” Jack scoffed before glaring back at the Crystal Ponies. “If you really are tough then fight on you wimps now! Just frigging tell us this instant or else!”
“Jack! Calm down!” Twilight shushed him, stepping in front of him. “I understand your anger, but right now-”
“Well what I’m saying is from my own damn head!” Jack yelled. “These guys are just too trustworthy and too gentle to even step up or even fight against Sombra, so if they really want to be strong then they need to toughen up like the nerd!”
Despite his rudeness, he makes a good point. Jamie started improving his attitude more lately and started acting a bit confidant ever since we defeated the Changelings. I guess he improved due to Jack and Mason’s…training.
“….While I may dislike Jack’s attitude, he…might have a point.” Mason sighed, stepping up next to Jack. “The Crystal Ponies are very sensitive, but because they’re too gentle and too friendly, they make easy targets. Why else has King Sombra took control of them? If they just stood up for themselves like Jamie, then maybe they could have fought against him…Though I understand their reasons…”
“You guys…” Twilight sighed.
“Hold it…” Hm? We all turned around and saw an elderly male Crystal pony walking towards us. “I…shall tell you the story.”
Everypony, except us, gasped in shock.
“So…you’ll tell us?” Mason questioned.
“Umm…excuse me?” Fluttershy called, looking at her with a curious look. “But…do you know something about this ‘Umbrum Army’?”
“….They’re those monsters that Mason and Twilight talked about, right?” I questioned, which the elderly Crystal Pony nodded.
“Yes…those beings. The ‘Umbrum Army’ are said to be manipulative and cruel monsters. They’re very violent, but also very intelligent. They do not care about love nor friendship or anything that we ponies cares about. They were wicked, evil, destroying everything in their sight.”
I see…well that perfectly describes them. The moment I saw them…I felt so overwhelm. I felt…so afraid. I never would have imagined to feel that horror…all they seemed to care about killing others…killing everything…no remorse…no care…no love…nothing. Just an empty emotion but malice…but…that same goes for Void, filled with malice and insanity…
“I see…so…how long have they been know? And how do you all know about this?” Twilight questioned.
“We’ve known for this since our ancestors discovered this place. When they discovered a mysterious door, a strange description appeared on a stone tablet that was around the Crystal Empire that described about the Umbrum and the warning of what might happened if they came out of there.” Hmm…a strange description on a stone rock…Hmm…that is curious.
“Really? We didn’t come across that when we first came here.” Rarity explained.
“Well that’s because the author didn’t mention it till now, duh.” Pinkie stated, sticking her tongue out a bit. We all stated at her with a confused look before shaking our heads.
“So…what did it say…?” Fluttershy asked in worried.
“Well what I told you about the Umbrum is basically a similar thing on the stone tablet, but it mentioned that if that lock was opened, then the world would fall into darkness.” She answered. “At least…that’s what I said. It is said that the key made of the hope and light from all that could unlock it.”
“A key made of the hope and from all that could unlock it…?” I muttered before remembering Radiant Hope using the Crystal Heart. “Could it be the Crystal Heart?”
“Mm-hmm…” The majority of the Crystal Ponies nodded as the elderly continued on with her story.
“Yes…our ancestors and soon everypony here in the empire realized that it was the moment we read it and saw the shape of it in the secret underground.”
“So…this giant door is actually where these terrible Umbrum creatures came from?!” Rarity gasped.
“Yes.” She nodded. “Through that giant door that is hidden through the deepest part of the Crystal Castle, it’s a portal that leads to the Real of the Umbrums, and they can fool you with their illusions, but while so, if a speck of light shined in that dark world, they would be revealed of their true identities.”
“I see.” I nodded. “So that’s why…”
“Nicole? Is something wrong?” Mason asked.
“…No, it’s nothing.” I assured before turning to the elderly. “Now then…may I ask something?”
“Yes dearie?” The elderly looked at me curiously.
“About that lock…do you know who sealed it?” I questioned, but all I received was her shaking her head in response.
“….No, I’m afraid not. We assumed that it might’ve been our ancestors, or even Princess Amore when she and the first Crystal Ponies to create the Crystal Empire from the many beautiful crystals that they discovered around from where we are today. So no, we do not know who created that door in that secret underground passageway nor who made that lock or it appeared, but we know that it was made with good intentions to keep the Umbrum Army away.”
“…I see then.” I nodded. “Thank you.”
“So wait…I’m a little confused…” Jack scratched the back of his head, causing the others to sigh.
“She means that they knew about the Umbrum Army for a very long time from stories from their ancestors, which they learned from this stone tablet that’s somewhere around the empire.” Twilight explained. “But strange…if so, then that lock…and you said that the Crystal Heart might be this key you talked about?”
“Yes…” The elderly smiled softly.
“But then wait…if so, then how did the Crystal Heart appeared? I thought that it was created by you Crystal Ponies or even made by King Sombra?” Rarity asked.
“No…according to our ancestors’ stories, they founded the Crystal Heart in a lone stone pedestal to protect the land that we live in today from the harsh blizzards.” The elderly explained.
“Really…?” Now that’s interesting…What could it all-
“Whoa…you created that?”
“Well duh…using the small crystals that we each used to create that lock, we’re able to create this special item to have it represent that hope still exists.”
“I see…so that thing will be here? But…what would happen if anyone discovers it S____?”
“Heehee! Don’t you worry! I have this strange feeling that someone will discover it and use it to have those who see it use the power of their hearts to power it up through the hope, trust, and the magic of friendship to keep it going.”
“Well that’s frigging great…”
“Wow…it’s really beautiful S___!”
“Thanks…C___! With this…maybe there is hope in our world…”
“Ugh…” I groaned, touching my forehead. Another memory…? No…I realized that there were multiple people in it.
“Tch!”
“Ugh!”
Hm? I looked over and saw Mason and Jack wincing and placing their hands on their foreheads.
“Big brother! Are you-” Before long, Carrie groaned and placed a hand on her head, frowning.
“What’s wrong with you guys?” Twilight asked.
“Did you guys get ice-cream headaches?” Pinkie asked, tilting her head.
“So…it’s coming back to you guys.” I stated, feeling a bit awe and surprised to see them like this.
“W-What?” Mason asked, his right eye closing while he was trying to get rid of the headache.
“You all are remembering a slight part of our lost memories.” I clarified, surprising the others while the Crystal Ponies grew confused by that.
“Wait, are you guys remembering anything?!” Twilight asked.
“Any per chance that you remember something before being brought over to our world?” Rarity asked.
“Just…a little…but all I heard were some voices…” Jack groaned.
“Yeah…but I’m not sure why that appeared…” Carrie frowned worriedly.
“Yes…what kind of memory was that?” Mason groaned.
While nobody noticed, I remained as calm as I could, but I surely recognized those voices but that static on what we were gonna call but it keeps getting cut from what we’re trying to say. But…it’s too soon to jump to conclusions.
When this is all over, I’ll confirm this with everyone.
“Are you all feeling alright?” Rarity questioned.
“If you want, you all can rest up…not that I don’t mind…” Fluttershy muttered.
“And sleep through all the craziness that’s happening out there, no thanks.” Jack scoffed.
“So those ‘Umbrum’ came out of the giant door from the inside of the Crystal Empire? I guess that explains…but I fear that Jamie might be in trouble…” Twilight muttered.
“Me too…” Mason nodded. “I wish to see how Shining, Cadence, and Jamie are doing.”
“Yeah, same here.” Twilight formed a determined look. “We need to go over to them!”
“But Twilight darling, what about Kaede, Spikey-wikey, and…Rantaro?” Rarity questioned.
“Oh yeah…that is a problem…” Twilight sighed, rubbing her hoof on the head.
“How about this? Let the Crystal Ponies wimps help fight off those things out there along with helping the others.” The Crystal Ponies all widened their eyes upon hearing their suggestion before they all repeatedly shook their heads.
“Come on, why can’t you help us pretty please?!” Pinkie begged.
“I’m sorry…but we can’t!” A young adult pony gulped. “W-We’ll all die the moment we stepped out of there by those Umbrums and that giant monster your friends are facing.”
“So what?!” Jack scoffed.
“For once, fatty’s right.” Rainbow Dash nodded. “You all need to stop making excuses and keep fighting on! Besides, how can you even be so sure when you guys never fought against the Umbrum Army in the first place?! Nor that giant monster outside!”
“Yeah!” Jack nodded. “Our friends have already split and ain’t gonna let anyone die in my damn hands! These guys are fighting to protect you all and here you all are, whining around like babies! The small fillies I understand but you adults are ridiculous!”
“W-Well even so-” Jack made a harsh glare towards the one Crystal Pony who spoken up and once he made contact with his glare, he made a sheepish smile and silently sat back down.
“While I may have to disregard for their rudeness, they have a point…” Mason walked over with a serious look. “You all need to step up for yourselves.”
“Yes…I want to go and help my friends too…” Fluttershy nodded in agreement. “I mean…I want to help Ren as much as I can…and I know that wherever he is…I’ll be sure to fight for him. I stayed here to protect you all along with the rest of my friends, so…can you pretty please help out?”
“Yeah! Please!” Carrie pleaded.
These guys…they really have faith in the Crystal Ponies and I must say…that they do seemed to have faith, I’ll admit.
“They’re right. All of my friends are right, you guys.” Twilight stepped up with a serious look on her face. “I was sent here to save the Crystal Empire from King Sombra, but now all of this is happening and I can’t help but feel guilty for not doing anything right. We lost the Crystal Heart and I mean the real Crystal Heart…”
The Crystal Ponies gasped while we stood behind Twilight, looking at her as she continued on.
“But…it’s not too late. I won’t let the Crystal Empire down that easily and neither should any of you too! In fact, I can’t do this all alone. I mean, I have my friends by my side…” She turned to us with a smile while the others smiled too while I continued to listen what she got to say.
“You guys care about this place, right? Then you need to stand up against King Sombra, the Umbrum Army, and that weird thing you all told me about. I know this is hard…but…even if I failed this test, I would still be happy that I can at least be there to protect everyone and have my friends by my side. Besides…it’s just a test. There’s always next time.”
Huh…that was quite an interesting speech and there could be the distinct possibility that they would feel motivated by it.
“…O-Okay.” A lone Crystal Pony stepped out of the crowd with a determined and serious look. “I…I want to do something…but I was so scared to fight on…”
“Really?!” Twilight asked in surprise.
“Yeah…I want to do something too…” A young mare stepped in as well. “I too want to fight…and I want to at least try my very best.”
Soon, a whole number of the Crystal Ponies began joining in, wishing to try their best.
“Yay! It worked!” Pinkie exclaimed happily. “Now the revolution can finally begin!”
“What revolution?” Fluttershy asked. “Weren’t we just having them help us fight against the scary monsters outside?”
“Yeah, I don’t really see it.” Carrie agreed.
“Well more importantly, I’m glad that you’re all happy to hear. Though someone need to keep an eye on the fillies.” Mason stated, looking over to see some parents holding onto their children to keep them safe from danger.
“Then why not you stay here Mason?” Twilight offered.
“Me?” Mason asked in confusion.
“Of course you can, Mason darling.” Rarity brightened up on that idea. “And don’t worry, we’ll be sure to fight against those horrible monsters.”
“But I made a promise to protect you all and even Twilight.” Mason stated. “What if-”
“Don’t worry, I’ll be alright.” Twilight assured. “In fact, why not you and Rarity stay here to keep everyone safe? Why not that?”
“Hmm…I see your point.” Mason nodded. “You’re quite talented Twilight so I won’t doubt your skills. Just please be safe, okay?”
“I’ll be fine.” Twilight nodded.
“Well of course. I’ll stay here and protect the others from harm along with Mason and Carrie.” Rarity smiled.
“Me too.” I spoken up, gaining the others’ attention. “I’m not sure how I’ll be, but I’ll stay here to safe cover.”
“Okay!” Twilight nodded. “And I’ll try to infiltrate the castle to find Jamie and the others.”
“In the meantime, we better get ready.” Rainbow Dash grinned cockily, along with Jack.
“Hell yeah Skittles, it’s time for a battle.” Jack cracked his knuckles while the Crystal Ponies that decided to join in the fight cheered alongside them.
“But umm…do you think Ren will be alright?” Fluttershy asked in worried.
“Relax Flutters, you can go and sleep with him once this is all over.” Fluttershy blushed madly before sighing “Okay…”
“What does she mean, big brother? Rarity?” Carrie asks curiously, which made the two widened their eyes before looking at each other and gulped.
“We’ll tell you when you’re older.” They both answered.
“Okay.” Carrie nodded.
“Okay…is everyone ready?” Twilight called, which everyone shouted ‘YEAH’ in response. Twilight smiled at them before walking over to the door. “Alright…let’s go everypony! We’ve got some friends to save!”
With that, she slammed the door opened and rushed out, along with Jack, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, the Crystal Ponies, and Pinkie Pie who shouted “The revolution is nigh!”
They were surrounded by many Umbrum, but the Crystal Ponies managed to find some weapons from around the crowd which consists of pots, pans, brooms, and other househould appliances. I guess that’s what they could all fine…Well these guys seemed to not be the type for fighting, but now they realized that their kind-nature is what made them easy targets for Sombra to take over the kingdom, but I guess that’s it.
With that, I immediately shut the door closed for them to fight against the Umbrum, hearing some loud cries and cheers while some Crystal Ponies who stayed behind snuggled against their loved ones.
“I just hope they’re all right…” Rarity muttered.
“So Rarity, why did you choose to stay here with us?” Mason questioned.
“Huh? O-Oh…umm…” Rarity coughed sheepishly. “Well…I am not sure if I could be useful in a fight.”
“But you’re really great at fighting like big brother back in Canterlot.” Carrie reminded. “But I understand why. It’s ‘unlady-like’, right?”
Rarity giggled and patted her on the head before saying “Exactly Carrie darling.”
“Well…I couldn’t because I’m not good at fighting either.” I sighed, taking off my glasses and cleaning them off. I can’t find my iPad either so that’s useless to collect some data to learn more about these things.
“Well, while I may understand your reasons…I am not sure what to do now.” Mason sighed. “I made a promise to Shining Armor to protect Twilight from harm when we were going after the Crystal Heart, but it would seemed that became a let-down.”
“Mason darling…it’s okay.” Rarity assured.
“But even so, I made a promise and I broke it.” Mason looked away with a sad gaze casted on his face.
He’s really depressed about something mere as that. Ah yes, he’s very loyal to us as a friend and due to his job as a bodyguard if I remember correctly.
“But you technically aren’t.” Rarity shook her head and looked at Mason straight in the eyes with a serious look. “You are fulfilling her wish by letting her go out there and help see her brother, Jamie, and Princess Cadence. Being loyal doesn’t mean that you should listen to what one person tells you, but to listen to others and how you stick up to them. Being loyal is being able to put others before yourself and stick with them in good times and bad. You trust us, right?”
“Well…yes.” Mason nodded.
“And you allowed Twilight to go out and see Jamie and the others because you trust her. That’s what it means to be loyal, almost like Rainbow Dash. Despite her…uncouth behavior, she always supports us and trusts us and never leaves us behind. While being loyal doesn’t just mean that you should listen to just one person you trust, but the many friends who trust you and who you trust in the very end.”
“She’s right big brother! I believed in you that you can do it and I know that you can still do it!” Carrie smiled happily, holding her brother’s hand.
“Carrie…Rarity…” Mason looked between in surprise before smiling softly and nodded. “I think I understand what you both are trying to say.”
“It was my pleasure.” Rarity giggled, her cheeks turning red while the audience in the background either smiled or sighed happily at them.
Hmm…the both of them are feeling the same emotion. The emotion…of sexual attachment, or in other case…deep romance. I never went on a date and even so, I’m too busy with my work to do things like that.
Suddenly, we all stopped talking as we heard a scream. A banshee-like scream which I instantly knew what it was.
“W-What was that?” Carrie hugged both Rarity and Mason tightly in fear while the two tried to soothe her and calm her down.
We all remained silent and immediately headed over to the back room of the house. We all kept silent till I noticed a hatch on the basement floor…Hmm…
“Guys…hide in there.” I pointed down towards the hatch.
“A hatch?!” Mason blinked in surprise.
“Oh, I remember seeing that! We didn’t even think about hiding down in there.” Rarity said before groaning a bit. “Well for me because it might messed up my mane.”
“Well I’m sorry Lady Rarity, but we need to hurry.” Mason quickly opened the hatch and gestured the Crystal Ponies to hide in there, which they did.
“L-Lady Rarity?” Rarity’s face turned bright red upon hearing what he called her. “N-No need for formalities Mason, darling.”
“R-Right…please excuse me for that, Lady…I-I mean Rarity.” Mason coughed sheepishly while Carrie giggled at the two.
“You two…that was the last of them.” I called, much to their confusion before noticing the last Crystal Pony entering the hatch before we started hearing some banging at the door.
“I-Is that them…?” Carrie asked in fear.
“Carrie…get inside.” Mason called, which Carrie hesitated to do before nodding and headed down, alongside Rarity and soon he went next. “Let’s go Nicole!”
I nodded before slowly heading down till…
I saw myself around in a lab and saw a bunch of scientists working on something as several were crowding around a lone rock trapped in a glass capsule. That rock…No, a meteorite. Hmm…and it’s dark black…what is that?
“…Huh?” What was that? Do I…know that rock? And why was I in that lab?
“Nicole!” Mason hissed, causing me to look down at them. “Hurry before they find you!”
I heard the intensity of the banging going real hard, causing me to nod before climbing down the ladder and shutting it, putting myself alone in the darkness with the others by my side.
“Nicole, what’s wrong?” Carrie asked curiously. “You took so long to come down here.”
I didn’t respond back as I was in deep thought. What could it mean? Maybe…that rock…hmm…
“Nicole? Is there something wrong?” Mason asked, looking at me with a stern yet concern look.
“…I am sorry, but I’ll tell you later. Right now…we need to be quiet.” I shushed them. “Please forgive me if I’m being rude.”
“H-Huh…? Sure thing…” Mason nodded while the rest of us backed away towards the wall and kept quiet.
I just hope the others are fairly doing well…
Later
Third Person P.O.V.
Back at the ruined Crystal Faire, Kaede begins shooting some arrows at the bear’s eyes, causing it to roar in pain before Rantaro came over and shock it with his Tazer-gun, straight at its chest, stunning it.
“Take this ya dirty varmint!” Applejack narrowed her eyes before charging over towards its leg and apple-bucking it on the right knee, causing it to collapse straight down on the floor and slowly began disappearing.
“Alright! We got him!” Spike grinned, pumping his fist in the air.
“Hm…It appears that I underestimate you humans…” Void hummed, tapping his arm.
“Heh…yeah, you really messed up, did ya?” Rantaro grinned before shrugging. “Man…and here I was, trying to make some dough by finding anything valuable here in this ancient kingdom till I have to come here and help these two girls out for free. Man…that is so unlike me.”
“Well either way Rantaro, I still have to thank you for saving us.” Kaede thanked with a soft smile.
“Yeah, maybe you aren’t such a bad fella, after all.” Applejack grinned, only to receive a scoff from him.
“Yeah yeah, whatever.” Kaede frowned while Applejack shook her head.
“Really? Well…we just started. After all…” Void’s left eye visor begins glowing darkly in a crimson color. “The main cast has finally arrived.”
“What?” Kaede asked before they heard some load groaning as the three turned around and saw a storm cloud of Umbrums heading out of the Crystal Castle and surrounded around the skies of the empire, mainly at Void.
“MWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!” Void begins laughing maniacally, upsetting the trio.
“What’s so funny, varmint?!” Applejack demanded.
“Oh…it’s just my precious creations. They came to see their ‘Father’ and help him destroy you all…!” Void explained as many Umbrums formed a giant cloud that surrounded him while the others widened their eyes in shock, except for Rantaro.
“Now that’s just unfair…” Rantaro blankly stated.
“’Unfair’? Well…many fights are always unfair, and that leads for others to kill each other and betray.” Void retorted.
“What’s this got to deal with anything?” Kaede questioned, readying her bow.
“That’s the point. These ponies don’t know anything about the magic of friendship or ‘true hope’ at all. Due to their different personalities, it’s what makes the world imperfect. I am that savior that can bring that dream into reality.” Void explained.
“Yes…indeed!” Soon, a lone Umbrum, which seemed a lot bigger than the other Umbrums stood next to Void before it bowed to him. “And I thank you for finally making your return against those meddlesome creatures that tried to interfere with our works of taking over Equestria, Father.”
“The pleasure is all mine, Rabia.” Void chuckled. “You are my child, and I can’t help but appreciate on a job well done unlike that arrogant Sombra who completely abandoned you all after taking over the Crystal Empire. This was a choice of mistake for him to ever be the one to infiltrate the Crystal Empire.”
“Yes, I know but he is long taken care of along with that boy and his dog, including Hope.” Rabia explained while the other three grew confused on what they were talking about.
“W-What is that thing?” Kaede questioned. “And hold on, ‘that boy and his dog’? Is he talking about Ren and Kodiak?”
“I think so…Wait…” Applejack narrowed their eyes at Void and Rabia. “What is this about them? Why are you bringing them?”
“Are you curious? They’re gone. They’re now trapped within us all.”
“W-What…?!” Kaede exclaimed in fear.
“Oh…right…did we not mentioned that before?” Spike chuckled nervously.
“Ah…I see now. So he’s not dead.” Rantaro muttered. “Even the dog, your precious king, and Hope are trapped inside of that dark cloud of Umbrums, huh?”
“Why are you taking this nonchalantly?!” Applejack demanded, glaring at Rantaro. “Ren and Kodiak are probably captured by those things and you’re just acting like it’s-”
“If you let me finish and stop jumping to conclusions…” Rantaro gave her a scary look with his face looking a bit darkened with his pupils shrinking a bit with a blank look which seemed to shut Applejack up. “They’re not dead, probably. They might still be alive.”
“B-But…how can be so sure?!” Kaede questioned. “I mean, Ren and Kodiak might be well dead!”
“Well probably…” Rantaro shrugs nonchalantly. “But how can we be so sure? They could be lying to you guys right now.”
“Huh?” The two looked at him with confusion, prompting him to sigh in annoyance.
“They could be lying about Ren and Kodiak dead. If you two know that boy and his mutt, then they wouldn’t be taken down that easily.” Rantaro reminded.
“Well…I guess when you put it like that…” Kaede muttered. “I guess…”
“Hmph! So you all are gonna take word from a liar like myself! You saw what I done to them, human, so don’t try to weasel your way out of this one!” Rabia scoffed.
“Wait what?!” Applejack widened her eyes.
“Yeah, so what if I saw it?” Rantaro grinned, shrugging in the process. “It didn’t look like he was dead, including that mutt, Hope, and Sombra.”
“Rantaro, you’re really confusing us right now…” Kaede sighed.
“Well I did see what happened, but…I just don’t know if they’re really alive or not.” Spike shrugged.
“But it doesn’t matter now!” Void sighed, already getting bored right now. “What matters is destroying you all and making sure that none of you stand in my way of creating ‘true hope’.”
“Not if we got something to do with it!”
“Huh?” Applejack blinked.
“Was that…Jack?” Kaede called.
Rantaro turned back before a smiled enter his face upon gazing at what he was seeing.
“Well what do you know? Looks like our main cast has finally arrived.” The two girls looked at him before turning back and widened their eyes upon seeing Jack walking over with a big mallet in his hands, along with Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie, including many Crystal Ponies who either held scared, confidant, and determined looks.
“Jack?!” Kaede gasped.
“Pinkie Pie? Fluttershy?! What are you all doing here?!” Applejack asked.
“What does it look? We came here to kick some shadow butt.” Jack smugly grinned. “And don’t worry, we got your back.”
“All of us got your back.” Rainbow Dash added, folding her arms with a grin. “And trust me when I say that I’ll take care of this guy. I’m waiting for Round Two for our fight.”
“Which you lost in five seconds and started crying.” Jack scoffed, earning an annoyed look from her.
“W-Well…I’m sure…I can help out…I think…” Fluttershy nodded, shivering a bit in fear.
“And I’ll blast away them!” Pinkie demonstrated by pushing a big party cannon and shooting some confetti out of it, including a giant cake which landed on one of the Umbrum’s head, causing it to fall down and crashed down into the ground.
“…Okay, that’s been proven to be a useful weapon.” Rantaro bluntly commented.
“And the rest of them are willing to fight for what’s right!” Jack grinned, pointing over to the rest of the Crystal Ponies, who cheered loudly while raising their makeshift weapons.
“But I thought those guys were too scared to even fight against this ‘Void’ guy or even his shadow monsters?” Kaede asked before turning to the crowd and raised her hands in the air before saying “No offense.”
The Crystal Ponies either sheepishly chuckled, smiled, or just shrugged.
“Well we managed to get their crystal butts out of their hiding places and make them fight alongside us.” Jack smugly stated. “And now…”
Jack glared towards Void and Rabia, including the rest of the Umbrum Army.
“Well guess what you freak shows? I ain’t leaving this place till you bastards are done for. Now get ready…”
“Yeah! Get ready you freakshows because you’re going to be answering to my face!” Rainbow gloated.
Kaede couldn’t help but smiled at everyone, happy to hear that they would fight with her by her side.
“Phew…about time that I needed back up.” Kaede giggles with a soft smile.
“So they think that just cause they have an army that they can take us down? How stupid of these ponies!” Rabia scoffed. “Father…we shall eliminate these pests that dare try to harm you.”
“Why thank you Rabia…” Void chuckled before glaring down at the gang at the ruined Crystal Faire. “Now then…this is where a true battle shall be held. Get ready to be destroyed…”
“We’ll see who’s talking once we take you down.” Jack scoffed.
“Heh, looks like you finally became useful for once.” Rantaro commented bluntly.
“Shaddup.” Jack hissed.
“Well…I guess we really do need the help.” Applejack grinned.
“Yeah!” Kaede nodded before glaring towards the giant dark cloud of Umbrums, Void, and Rabia. “And we won’t lose…!”
“Yeah…this time…!” Spike grinned determinedly before turning to Fluttershy and whispered “Oh yeah…and how’s Rarity?”
“Oh…she’s back at the house with Mason, Carrie, Nicole, and some other Crystal ponies.” Fluttershy answered.
“Oh…I see. Gotcha. That’s a relief.” Spike sighed in relief. “Well at least they’re alright. If anything bad were to happened to Rarity, Mason, Carrie, Nicole or any of my friends, then I would never forgive myself…but at least I can still fight for them like what we’re about to do!”
Soon, Spike snapped right out of his thoughts as the Umbrum Army was glaring towards them, ready to attack at any time.
The gang all glared towards them, waiting for anything for a call. And in just at that moment…
“Now everypony…! Charge!”
One of the Crystal Ponies yelled out as everyone charged towards the Umbrum Army, who stormed down into like a hurricane as the two sides prepared to fight while Kaede ready her bow, ready to shoot down her enemies as the battle for the Crystal Empire has just began.
Meanwhile
While everyone was in battle, Twilight managed to sneak in through inside of the Crystal Castle by taking the back entrance that she managed to find and slowly crawled around, trying to avoid getting hurt by the Umbrum Army.
“Alright Twilight, they should be at the balcony. I just hope they’re alright…” Twilight said to herself. “But there’s the possibility that I might get caught by them, or maybe even get killed in the process and I am talking to myself, aren’t I?”
Twilight shook her head before she proceeded to head out to find her way towards the throne room, unaware that some shadows were staring straight at her from behind.
As she walks through the halls, hiding away from the back of the walls from the Umbrum. As she walks around the place in stealth, some of the Umbrum snuck up against her and soon attacked her.
“Ah-!” And that was the last sound she shouted before falling unconscious.
Somewhere in the throne room, Jamie was nearly conscious from using all of his energy to push back the force that Shining had to helped him out. He, Jamie, and Cadance were in the back of the throne room, hiding away from the Umbrum Army. After they blasted right out of the tunnels and started pouring right out of the Crystal Castle to swarm around the kingdom, they immediately had to hide behind a small secret room in the throne room which was behind the throne.
The room wasn’t that big at all, and there was barely anything there except for a few dustbunnies, but it was the most best place they could find to keep themselves from being caught by the Umbrum.
“Shining…I’m so tired…” Cadance whined.
“I’m sorry…I let you down…” Jamie coughed, laying on Shining’s back.
“It’s alright you guys, you did your best.” Shining assured before taking a peek out of the door, seeing many Umbrums around the throne room. “Although…this is bad. If we aren’t careful enough, we could end up getting caught.”
Shining looked at his horn and attempted to use his magic, but the black crystals that surrounded from the tips of it were blocking it, preventing him from even doing anything other than using his hooves for violence.
“So…when did you two find this room…?” Jamie asked curiously.
“It was during when we finally came to the empire and explored the castle for the first time that we found this room.” Shining explained. “The best part is that it’s soundproof.”
“Really?” Jamie asked in surprise.
“Yeah…” Cadance nodded before coughing a bit. “But…even so, it’s best to keep quiet for those things outside to not come out.”
“Yeah…” Jamie gulped, peeking out the door to see some of the Umbrum out there, searching out for the three.
“It was a good thing that the moment we saw those things racing out of the castle, we instantly knew that we needed to hide till Shining showed me that secret room behind the throne room.” Jamie thought, sweating down. “But those things…these might be the Umbrum Princess Celestia and Luna talked about. But I thought they were sealed away for good. But if they’re here…”
“It’s my fault…” Jamie sighed sadly, slowly getting out of Shining’s back and leaning against the wall. “If I just kept the barrier up for a little while, then those…things…wouldn’t have come and attacked us before we locked ourselves inside here.”
“Don’t blame yourself Jamie.” Shining assured. “You shouldn’t be doubting yourself. After all, you’re using magic for the first time, right?”
“R-Right…sorry.” Jamie apologized, wiping a sweat off his brow before looking at his hands. “But man…I never would have imagined that I would use magic in the first place.”
“Must’ve came from the same time those cutie-marks appeared.” Shining pointed to his cheeks, which made Jamie blushed a bit.
“H-Hey…! It’s not like I asked for this!” Jamie exclaimed before sighing “You know…this is still all shocking to me. For me to use magic to create such a large barrier. I never would have imagined as a novelist and author such as myself would do something like that.”
“Well…maybe you’re special Jamie.” Cadance smiled weakly at him.
“I don’t want to boast, but I guess I am special in a way due to writing many novels and books about mysteries.” Jamie shrugs. “But either way…I just hope that Twilight is alright…along with Ren and Mason.”
“I’m sure they’re alright.” Shining smiled softly before deciding to tease him about it. “What’s wrong? You worry that my sister might get hurt?”
“H-Huh?! Well…I was just curious, that’s all!” Jamie blushed.
“Heh heh, don’t worry.” Shining assured, slugging him in the arm.
“Ow…” Jamie muttered, rubbing his right arm bashfully.
“So…how are you two getting along?” Shining asked curiously.
“Shining…” Princess Cadance raised a brow.
“Don’t worry…it’s nothing personal.” Shining chuckled. “Besides…while we’re in here safe and sound, we might as well talk.”
“O-Oh…well…” Jamie smiled softly. “We’ve been acting like our normal selves, really. Nothing personal. It’s not like I’m planning on marrying her because that would be completely ridiculous considering that we just met for several months and so!”
“Ha ha, no need to worry.” Shining winked before making a suspicious look. “But you know…I would be taken by surprise if you really married her out of the unexpected.”
“N-No…I would never.” Jamie shake his head before stating “But didn’t you do that too? You just told her about you and Princess Cadance’s wedding like out of the blue the day we started setting it up.”
“…Huh, touche.” Shining shrugged.
“Heh heh…it’s only been a month, but it feels like a long time.” Cadance chuckled.
“Yeah, I’ll say.” Shining smiled before frowning.
“Something wrong?” Jamie asked, breathing slowly but he was slowly recovering.
“Well…it’s just that…I can’t help but feel like Twily is still mad of me.” Shining sighed.
“Is…this because of what happened?” Jamie guessed, which made Shining winced before nodding.
“Yeah…I sided with the enemy through that disguise of her and I felt like a loser when I remembered what I said to her…” Shining looked down sadly. “I really hurt Twily’s feelings.”
“Hey…you don’t have to feel sad…” Jamie muttered, rubbing his arm bashfully before slowly getting off his feet. “I mean…she told me that she forgave you, and she felt guilty for letting her superstition get the better of her. She should at least stayed calm and not do anything rash, so the fault was on her…well, that’s what she said.”
“Really?” Shining asked in surprise, looking at Jamie.
“Yeah…she still cares about you and still thinks about you. I know that…I would know about sibling relationship by experience.” Jamie softly smiled.
“Oh, so do you have a sibling…?” Cadance asked curiously.
“Yes…24 sisters, to be exact.” That caught both Shining and Cadance off-guard upon hearing that till Jamie added “And don’t worry…most of them are half-sisters, foster, or even step.”
“Oh, I see…” Shining chuckled, scratching the back of his head sheepishly. “It must be nice having siblings, huh?”
“Yes…especially since they care about you.” Jamie sadly frowned. “It’s just that…I never had a good childhood…the only ones who ever cared me were my sisters. I…I really missed them…and I sometimes wonder if they’re looking for me right now.”
“Jamie…” Cadance frowned soflty before coughing a bit.
“Come on, you wouldn’t know that for sure.” Shining stated. “I mean, you said that they love you right, so wouldn’t they be thinking of you and could possibly be looking for you right now?”
“Maybe but…” Shining walked over to Jamie with a stern look.
“Jamie…stop that. Doubting yourself isn’t a good thing. I would know because I doubted myself of ever joining the Royal Guard Academy because I would miss my sister a lot, but…” Shining softly smiled. “But Twily gave me the courage to continue on and I was happy to ever become Captain of the Royal Guard.”
“And you said that Twilight might’ve been upset with you…” Cadance teased with a weak smile, causing Shining to cough sheepishly while Jamie softly smiled at the two.
“I see your point, and…thank you.” Jamie smiled.
“Anytime.” Shining nodded. “Oh, and one more thing…”
“Huh?” Jamie looked at him with a confused look before seeing the serious look on his face.
“If…anything ever happens to me…take good care of Twily, please?” Jamie blinked in shock, seeing the look he was giving them. Before long, Jamie gulped and nodded in understanding.
“Hey…are they still out there?” Cadance asked curiously.
“Beats me.” Shining shrugged before turning to Jamie. “Hey Jamie, do you mind if you gone and check it out?”
“Sure thing.” Jamie nodded before he walked over and peeked out of the door before slowly widening his eyes in horror upon seeing who was in there.
“T-T-Twilight?!” Jamie exclaimed in shock.
Shining and Cadance froze before peeking out from the secret door and widened their eyes upon seeing Twilight being dragged in with a chain wrapped around her neck while the Umbrum that captured her brought her over, one of them holding the end of the chain.
“Let go of me…!” Twilight hissed, trying to break from the chain, but the Umbrum tugged the chain, causing her to fall on the floor.
“Quiet you! You have no right to speak!” The Umbrum glared at her, upsetting Jamie, Shining, and Cadance.
“Twilight!”
“Twily!”
Jamie, Shining Armor, and Cadance rushed out from the secret room before rushing over and stepped in between Twilight.
“Guys?! What are you…?!” Twilight gasped.
“So you little cretins decided to come out, huh? Well then…” The Umbrum growled. “Prepare to die…!”
“Twily, stand back!” Shining called, glaring straight at the Umbrums.
“But you guys…I’m sorry…” Twilight apologized. “I tried to come over and…”
“Don’t blame yourself, Twilight.” Jamie assured before glaring at the Umbrum with a serious look. “I won’t let these guys hurt you anymore. Now let go of her!”
“What’s the point? She’s our prisoner now.” The Umbrum laughed, along with his other comrades.
“You…!” Jamie exclaimed. “How could you?!”
“Because we feel like it. Exactly like how father would like it!” One of the Umbrums laughed manically.
“You think this is fun?” Jamie asked, glaring at them. “What’s wrong with you guys?”
“That’s life. We can manipulate life as much as we want to others no matter what. Who cares what we do. It’s your fault that you all have to be born. You all don’t understand the true meaning of hope or even friendship at all.” One of the Umbrums scoffed.
“You monsters!” Cadance shouted.
“You’re gonna pay for this for hurting my Twily!” Shining growled.
“And what can you do? You’re nothing without your magic!” The Umbrums laughed, causing Jamie to clench his fists in anger.
“I…have been listening to you all go on and on…” Jamie glares at them before shouting “Just shut your goddamn mouth, you frigging monsters!”
Soon, his eyes glowed dark blue along with his cutie-marks before holding his hand out, making the remaining Umbrum that captured Twilight to float in the air.
“W-What the?!” One of the Umbrum screeched before everyone in the throne room turned to Jamie, who looked at them with a serious look before closing his palm, causing the Umbrum to explode in a cloud of dust.
“Whoa!” Shining exclaimed.
“J-Jamie…!” Twilight widened her eyes in shock before the chain around her neck disappeared. She felt relief before seeing Jamie collapsed on the floor, falling on his knees. “Jamie!”
Twilight, Shining, and Cadance rushes over to his side and helped him out.
“Are you okay?!” Cadance asked in concern.
“Y-Yeah….I think so.” Jamie coughed. “W-What just happened?”
“Are you kidding?! You just somehow made them float in the air and destroy them in one move!” Shining Armor pointed out.
“Jamie…that was amazing! Never in my life as a Unicorn witnessed such magical powers!” Twilight complimented, earning a blush from the blue-haired boy.
“O-Oh…i-it was nothing Twilight.” Jamie smiled softly before earning a confused look. “S-So wait…I did all that?”
“You didn’t even realize that?” Shining asked in surprise before punching him in the shoulder. “I gotta say, I probably should not mess with you when you’re angry.”
“Huh…” Jamie looked at his hands with a surprise look, opening and closing his palms. “I…guess I’m slowly recovering much of this new power I had.”
“I’ll say!” Twilight smiled.
“Wait…Twilight, what are you doing here? And where’s Mason and Ren?” Cadance asked in concern.
“Mason stayed behind to protect the rest of the citizens from those Umbrums.” Twilight explained.
“Huh? How do you know about the Umbrums?” Jamie asked in surprise.
“Some old mare told me about it…Wait, how do you know about the Umbrums?” Twilight questioned, earning confused looks from Shining and Cadance.
“U-Umm…well…” Before long, more Umbrums appeared from the shadows of the throne room.
“Dang it! They gotten us surrounded!” Shining hissed.
“Well I guess we have no choice but to fight, right?” Cadance asked.
“B-But Cadance…” Shining tried to reason with her, but she shook her head with a soft smile.
“Don’t worry…I’ve been recovering very slowly while Jamie took my role from me, so I gained a little bit of my magic.” Cadance assured.
“And I managed to have some magic left in me!” Twilight grinned. “So what if we’re surrounded? It was my fault to coming here when I knew the danger here.”
“Same here…” Jamie nodded with a serious look. “I…will try to fight as much as I can.”
“You guys…” Shining groaned before smiling at them. “Fine…I guess I got no choice then, huh?”
“No.” They answered bluntly.
“Thought so…” Shining shrugged.
“Right…” Jamie nodded before clenching on his fists. “I’m ready now…”
The Umbrum all hissed at them as they charged at the four, who prepared to fight back at them.
“This time…I won’t run away!” Jamie thought with a determined and confidant look as they prepared to fight off more Umbrums that entered the throne room.
Meanwhile
Ren’s P.O.V.
…..Ugh….man…my head….
….Huh?
What in the…? Am I still blacked out? Why is the entire room all blacked out?
Huh? Wait…am I floating in mid-air on my back?
“Hey…hey…hey…hey…” H-Huh? I looked around the place but there was nothing around. Oh crap-baskets, am I hearing things?
“Hey…hey…hey!” Okay, who keeps saying that? “Hey you…can you…hear me…?”
Suddenly, a faint speck of light soon floated down towards me, causing me to gasp in surprise. Whoa, where have I seen this from before?
“Those Umbrums…those shadows you fought…they were made by Void…the being that’s been watching you all for a long time…is attacking your friends…”
“Huh?” I asked in surprise.
“Don’t worry…you can still save them…you each have the power to fight against Void and his shadow monsters.” Huh? Is that true? What power? There’s something in each of us? And…who’s this Void? And…why does his name sound so familiar?
“Your powers…grew weak…and I’m still not here…but…I’ll be sure to see you all again…But…you…can…still…fight on…Use…the power…of the…heart…to…save…your…friends…”
I blinked in confusion before the speck of light starting glowing into…
“The Crystal Heart?” I sputtered out, seeing it right before my eyes. So wait…was that voice telling me from inside of the heart, or…?
“The Crystal Heart….a heart made from the hope and light of all…can be use to defeat Void and the Umbrums.” The voice spoken, the speck of light swirling around me.
“Really?” I asked curiously. “But…didn’t it power drain? How can I use it?”
“Find your remaining friends…and they’ll help you bring some light into it…”
“Huh…okay.” I nodded before checking my surroundings. “So…where am I exactly?”
“You are inside the Umbrum.” Wait what?! I’m inside of those shadow things that Celeste and Lulu told me about?! Well…this isn’t good. Wait…I think I remember a bit of trying to save Sombra and his friend, Hope, along with Kodiak but…we gotten attacked by a hurricane filled with Umbrum and then…I blacked out.
So I’ve been inside of them for who knows how long? Huh…freaky.
“I’m…sorry…my power….is weakening….I’m…afraid…I…won’t…talk to you…any longer…” The voice started acting static-y, almost like the communication between us is about to get cut-off. “Please…hurry…the fate…of Equestria…to prevent…the Great Fall…again…will soon…come…”
“Hey wait!” I called, but the voice gave no response. “Hello?!…Voice?! Are you still there?!”
…….
……Aaaaand now, it’s gone. That speck of light disappeared in a flash. So it’s just me and this Crystal Heart. Hmm…but what can I do? Hm? Oh hey, I still got my Hacking Gun.
I took it out from my pants and looked at with a curious look before letting out a small nod. I know what I must do.
I need to find them around this place before it’s too late. I just hope my friends are doing just fine. Now….where can I go first?
Well…I guess I can try finding a way out of here…
I slowly began falling down from mid-air and landed on the ground. Huh…it’s really weird standing on a blackless ground when you find yourself in a creepy place with nothing but darkness around you.
With the Crystal Heart in my hands, I’m sure I can find a way to get out of here and place it in the pedestal in time as well as trying to find a way to power it back on.
I looked around, wondering which where I should go. Suddenly, I heard a faint voice…one that I was all too familiar…
“Help…me…”
“Ah! Kodiak!” I gasped before immediately turning around, seeing a portal behind me. That sounds like he’s coming out from there, I have to go and save him!
I quickly held my Hacking Gun up close to my face before quickly running straight into the portal as blinding darkness wrapped around me, causing me to close my eyes and cover my face with my arms before uncovering them before noticing my surroundings.
“What am I doing back inside the Crystal Castle?” I asked, finding myself in the throne room. I don’t get it…why here? Wait…that’s in the air.
“Kodi…?” I called, seeing him floating on his back but…his whole body looked nearly dead. Almost as if it was fading away in existence.
I’m not sure what’s going on, but I need to find a way to help him as soon as I can!
Suddenly, a bunch of Umbrums appeared out of nowhere and slowly descended towards Kodiak, causing me to gasp before glaring at them.
“Hey! Leave my friend alone!” I shouted, gaining their attention.
They hissed at me before charging towards me.
I quickly took out my Hacking Gun before firing some ‘Break’ bullets at them.
“Break!” I shouted, shooting straight at them before they made contact of it and gotten blown up. The remaining Umbrums tried to bite me or even tried to tackle me, but I kept dodging it before changing the dial before using another ‘Truth’ bullet.
“Link!” I shouted, shooting the ‘Link’ bullet at one of the Umbrums, but once it made contact, it didn’t work.
“What? It didn’t work? I don’t understand…!” I shouted, blinking in shock before getting tackled by one of the Umbrums as it tried to bite. I widened my eyes in shock and tried to reach for my Hacking Gun while avoiding getting bitten by it.
Soon enough, I managed to finally grabbed my Hacking Gun before aiming it straight at its head.
“Okay! Take this! Break!” I shot a ‘Break’ bullet straight at its head, causing it to disperse. The two remaining Umbrums charged again but I changed the dial again. “Now! Burn!”
I shot multiple ‘Burn’ bullets at the two, causing them to each burn into ashes before dispersing. I let out a smile that I managed to take them down before seeing Kodiak, who was still floating in the air unconsciously.
Before long, a strange creature appeared before him that was a lot different from the rest of the Umbrum. This one nearly looked like he was half-pony and half-human, carrying a large scythe in his hoof-like hands. It’s whole appearance was dark black with a tint of gray just like the rest of the Umbrum, but its eyes were glowing yellow.
“….Oh…my…god…” I muttered with widened eyes as it slowly descended towards Kodiak, raising its scythe. Oh crap-baksets! It’s going to kill him!
“Hey! Leave him alone!” I raised my Hacking Gun straight at him before shooting a ‘Paralyze’ bullet at it, nearly paralyzing it’s entire body. It hissed angrily at me before breaking out of the effects before charging towards me with the scythe in hands…I mean, hooves…I mean…well…
“AH!” I shrieked before ducking from the attack and immediately ran off, trying my best to avoid getting sliced in half by that thing. It let out a loud roar and tried killing me, letting down its scythe once more but I managed to use a ‘Break’ bullet straight at its chest, nearly fazing it as it felt distracted by that attack of mine.
“Okay! Burn!” I shot multiple ‘Burn’ Bullets straight at its chest, nearly making it go down till it managed to create a powerful shock-wave to drive me away as I fell down on my back, dropping my Hacking Gun in the process.
Oh come on! Again?!
Suddenly, that giant scythe wielding monster noticed me collapsing before attempting to finally kill me, but I rolled to the right to avoid getting hit before immediately running past him and went back to get my Hacking Gun, but the monster started tailing me and tried to kill slice me, but I managed to dodge roll out of that and finally grabbed my Hacking Gun before aiming at it.
“Break!” I fired the final shot, and this one was really powerful to finally take it down before it began disappearing and faded away. I let out a heavy pant and nearly fell on my butt, trying to catch my breath before standing back up and headed towards for Kodiak, who was slowly fallng down on the ground till I caught him.
“Kodiak! You okay boy!?” I asked in concern, shaking him a few times before noticing his tail twitching a bit as he slowly woken up.
“Ugh…what just happened?” Kodi muttered, looking around in confusion before noticing me. “Ren!”
Before long, he tackled and pinned me to the ground before he begins licking my face, causing me to laugh before shouting “Kodiak! Hey! Okay! Down boy!”
“Sorry.” Kodi apologized before getting off of me as I lifted myself up. I then smiled towards him before petting him on the head, causing him to pant happily before giving me one last lick to the face.
“Well I’m glad to see you at least boy.” I chuckled before standing back up as he asked “I’ll say, but…what are we doing here in the throne room?”
“That’s what I’m wondering.” I replied, shrugging before noticing a faint glow from the Crystal Heart. I took it out of my sweater pockets and looked at it, seeing it slowly turning a bit blue. “Huh? The Crystal Heart?”
“Whoa…it’s glowing a bit!” Kodi pointed out, sniffing it a bit. “But…I thought that it was drained out of its magic once that pony placed it inside that lock.”
“Yeah…but why now?” I wondered before noticing a portal appearing in front of us. “Huh?”
“Whoa, what is that?” Kodi asked in awe.
“That looks like a portal.” I answered before I walked towards it. “Hey Kodi…do you wanna come?”
“Are you kidding? Of course! You can’t leave me here!” Kodi barked, causing me to wince a bit before smiling nervously at him and replied “Right…sorry. It was stupid of me to ask.”
“Well…I understand where you’re going with this, but no matter.” Kodi walked next to me before looking straight at the portal. “So…do we go in or…?”
“Well yeah…” I shrugged before slowly placing my hand inside of it and soon went through it with Kodiak following me as the two of us soon embraced through the blind darkness once more, and I finally find myself in…
“Huh…?” I called, finding ourselves in the Crystal Faire. “What are we doing out here?”
“What are we doing out here? And…where’s everypony?” Kodi wondered, looking around the place before something caught our eyes. “What the?!”
Before long, we saw a purple coated azure mane colored pony floating in the air, unconscious while she laid on her back.
“Hey…isn’t that Hope?” I blinked in confusion before we walked over to her. “Did she get send here within the Umbrums as well?”
“Wait…’within the Umbrums’?” Kodi asked.
“Oh…well, you see…we’re inside of the Umbrums.” I explained, shocking him.
“Wait what?! We’ve been eaten alive by them?!” Kodi gaped.
“Well…I’m not sure about that, but it’s more like we’re trapped within them.” I shrugged before scratching the back of my head. “I don’t know how this works…”
Before belong, multiple Umbrums appeared around her and attempted to kill her. However, I noticed that one of them was more darker than the rest of them. Hmm…seeing these things just reminded me those creepy horses from Rise of the Guardians. Only except they’re more deadly…
“Whoa! It’s those same monsters that escaped from the doors!” Kodi shouted in shock, gaining the rest of the Umbrums. “Oops…”
“Don’t worry Kodiak, we’ll be fine.” I assured with a soft smile before taking out my Hacking Gun and handed him the Crystal Heart by placing it on his back. “Just get the Crystal Heart out of here before they might try to get it.”
“Okay!” Kodi nodded before racing out of there as I aimed by Hacking Gun at them.
“Alright…Break!” I shot multiple Break Bullets straight at them, eliminating one of the monsters before the five of them charged towards them. I quickly turned the dial before using…
“Knock-Back!” I shot a powerful wind blow, blowing them away before they crashed into the ground. I then switched the dial and aimed straight at one of the Umbrums. “Burn!”
I fired some ‘Burn’ bullets, causing it to burn before fading away while the other four slowly gotten up. The darker Umbrum let out a roar, forcing the other three to charge towards me.
“Oh yeah? Paralyze!” I fired a ‘Paralyze’ bullet at the remaining three, shocking them before they exploded into small bits of dust. The darker Umbrum let out a monstrous roar before charging at me.
I aimed straight at it before shooting some ‘Break’ bullets at it, but it kept dodging before tackling me and sending me flying off across the floor. I managed to get back up before that thing started flying straight towards me.
“Link…!” I shouted, firing a heart-shaped bullet towards them, but the bullet was destroyed by that Umbrum once it made contact with it.
I don’t understand! Why is the ‘Link’ bullet not working on these guys?! I feel like that this is a slight error!
I quickly rolled to the left, avoiding getting crushed by its hooves as I immediately stood up and attempted to escaped from that thing. I quickly ran across the area, avoiding getting attacked by that darker Umbrum.
I immediately climbed on top of one of the booths and began jumping across with each of the booths while the darker Umbrum kept destroying everything in its path. I managed to jump down back from the ground and quickly headed back to where Hope and Kodiak were, and that monster were chasing him.
“Ren! Shoot it!” Kodi yelled.
“I-I’m trying…!” I shouted back before taking out my Hacking Gun and shooting some ‘Break’ bullets, but it kept dodging it and attempted to bite me. However, I began dodge-rolling before managing to get past it and aimed for its face.
“Paralyze!” I shouted, shooting an electrical bullet at it, causing it freeze in shock. “Got you! Now….take this! Break!”
I shot a Break bullet straight at its face, causing it fall down and collapsed on its back before it slowly began fading away.
Phew…finally…gotcha…
“You did it Ren! You finally beat it!” Kodi laughed, running towards me as I fell on my butt and tried to catch my breath while Kodi nuzzled me. I let out a small smile and chuckled before we saw Hope slowly falling from mid-air and landed on the ground softly.
“Hope!” I shouted, quickly getting back up and helped her up. “Are you okay…?”
“Ngh…” Hope slowly opened her eyes and once she did…she squinted her eyes and said “Sombra….?”
“No…I’m not Sombra. I’m Ren. Ren Loodan.” I corrected her with a soft smile.
“Huh?!” She gasped before immediately getting out of my hands and looked at me fearfully. “W-Who are you…?! And…where am I?”
“Well…remember when we got swept up by those Umbrums?” I questioned. “Well…we’re inside of them.”
“What?!” Hope gasped with widened eyes before placing her hooves on her head with a slightly panicky look on her face. “No no no, this can’t be happening! Then…it really was a trap! I really fell for their lies!”
“Hey hey, calm down. Don’t feel bad.” I assured with a soft grin. “We’ll get out of here.”
“But…why?” Hope questioned, confusing me. “Why save me then…? I mean…do you even know who I am?”
“Well Sombra told me your name when we first saw you when I reunited with my friends.” I explained. “So yeah.”
“I see your point…but why bother helping me? I’m your enemy.” Hope stated sadly before getting back up and looked around the area. “Wait…this place…”
“Do you recognize it?” Kodi asked, walking over to her with a worried look.
“…This is where me and Sombra would go every year whenever the Crystal Faire took place.” Hope explained, looking around in some of the booths that weren’t destroyed by that monster. “…So…did he do this? Is this a way to just toy with me even more?”
“Hope…” I walked over to her with a concern look and asked “Did…something happened?”
“Yeah…I remember a time where Sombra and I would come here, have fun, him getting sick and me tending to his illness. I always loved it…I loved being around him as his friend. Well…his first friend to be exact.”
So…Sombra was an outcast at the time during his time here in the Crystal Empire? I’m starting to see that now.
“Sombra…I’m sorry…” Hope sniffled, looking down sadly. “It’s all my fault….if I hadn’t found the Umbrum’s world, then I wouldn’t fall for their tricks and be used as their puppet…”
“Hey, don’t feel bad. You didn’t know.” I assured, placing a hand on her shoulder but she swatted it away and glared at me.
“What would you know?! You never saw me there! All my life that I’ve been used by Rabia and the rest of the Umbrums to have me released them to Equestria! But after learning about their true nature and everything about Sombra…I know that it was all a lie! I…I….It’s all my fault…!”
Hope begins to let out tears, like she was holding them back all along. I think I’m beginning to understand her…
“Hope…I know that we just met…but you don’t have to cry.” I stated, which made her look at me with tears still flowing down her eyes.
“And why can’t I cry?! All I just wanted to help Sombra and bring him back! I wanted to save and bring back the Sombra I used to know and love! I…I wanted to see him…! And it’s all thanks to my naivety that I let this happened…!” Hope cried out.
“Hope…” Kodi muttered.
I stared at her for a good while before smiling softly and walking over to her and gave her a soft hug, which caught her by surprise.
“You don’t have to keep crying. I’m sure we can find a way to help your friend unlike what they told you.” I said with a soft smile.
“But…why? Why are you willing to help me? You barely even know me.” Hope stated.
“True…but you looked like you were feeling upset and sad at the same time, and besides…I know that it wasn’t your fault. People and ponies like you needs some kindness to sympathize with them.” I smiled before we ended our hug. “Besides, I had doubts of Sombra of ever being pure evil too. I mean, after what Princess Celestia and Luna told me and Jamie about the Crystal Empire and King Sombra, I couldn’t help but wonder why he was so evil and wanted to take over the empire. Since we never gotten a clarification for that, I knew that I needed to find out for myself.”
“Huh?” Hope stared at me with a shocked look. “You…had some faith that Sombra might’ve been not necessarily evil.”
“Yeah…and I’m gonna try to help him. Even villains need some sympathy…well maybe pure evil villains too, but you know.” I shrugged.
“….Thank you.” Hope smiled softly.
“It’s nothing…I just wanna help you. I know that you’re just misunderstood, so I’m sure we can find a way to help you and Sombra.” I nodded before noticing the Crystal Heart started glowing a bit brighter than usual. “Whoa…some of its light is being restored…”
“What?” Hope stared at the Crystal Heart with a surprised look before another portal appeared before us. “A portal…but…where will this lead us?”
“Don’t worry. I’m sure I know where this one will lead…and I think we need to be ready…” I gulped before we slowly began making our way towards it.
“Are you sure Ren?” Kodi asked in worried.
I gave my pal a soft smile before nodding.
“Don’t worry, I’m sure we’ll be alright.” I assured before turning to Hope. “Say Hope…do you wanna come with us?”
“Huh?” Hope looked at me with bewilderment as I smiled and let out my hand towards her.
“Well?” I chuckled.
Hope just stared at me before smiling softly and nodded before grabbing my hand with her hoof.
“Right…let’s go.” Hope nodded before we began walking into the portal. “…For Sombra.”
She really must care for Sombra and I can understand that feeling. I want to protect my friends no matter what, and that’ll be something I’ll be able to do with everyone by my side.
I’m not alone…I have everyone with me and I know that we can succeed. We may be here in Equestria, but…our friends and families are waiting for me. My sister, my brother, mom, and dad are hoping that I’ll be home and that I promised. I won’t let them down…
Soon, darkness soon blinded us all as we waited for it to be over once we crossed towards the portal before finding ourselves…
“What?” Hope asked in surprise, finding us nowhere but inside of what looks like an orphanage. “This is…!”
“Do you know this place Hope?” Kodi asked, sniffing around the place.
“This is…the orphanage! The place where me and Sombra met!” Hope gasped. “But…why here?”
“I don’t know…does it mean something?” I wondered before noticing someone right in front of us. “Wait….is that…?!”
“Sombra?!” Hope gasped.
He was right there, standing while his back was turned. Strange…I would imagine that he would be floating in mid-air while sleeping like Kodiak and Hope. So…why is he standing around like that?
Suddenly, I heard Kodiak growling towards him.
“Is there something wrong Kodiak?” I asked in confusion.
“There’s something off about him…I smell something off about him…” Kodi replied, glaring towards Sombra. Huh? Wait, is there something wrong with him?
“Sombra!” Before any of us could respond, Hope ran towards Sombra with a hopeful look on her face as she tried to reach for him, but the moment he turned around…
“Crystal…heart…” Oh my god…
“….Sombra?” Hope’s eyes slowly widened as her pupils shrank in fear upon seeing Sombra’s face. His eyes looked completely dead but showed off those green scary eyes of his.
Jeez…he looks like a zombie and reminds me of that character…You know, just thinking of that game is just making me regret of ever watching the series. Like seriously, it was so messed up…! Why would I even watch it?! Well…it’s my own fault for ever watching so gory as Corpse Party…Dammit, now I’m starting to remember the-
“GIVE ME MY CRYSTAL HEART!” Sombra roared before his horn started glowing, shooting Hope away with a powerful beam as she slid down through the ground and landed near me.
“Hope!” Me and Kodi yelled, racing to her aide as she slowly gotten up and winced from the pain.
“S-Sombra…what’s wrong?” Hope asked weakly. “Why…did you…?”
“It’s…my…destiny…my destiny…to destroy all life in this world…” Oh god…he’s really gone insane!
“Hope…Kodiak…you two need to hide.” The two looked at me with surprised looks as I held a serious expression on my face and said “You two need to hide like, right now. Whatever’s happening to Sombra is making him not feel like himself.”
Well sure, I mean, he’s evil but the look at his face tells me that he’s being controlled by those guys who trapped us in here.
“W-What? No…let me-”
“I’m sorry Hope, but you have to trust me.” I remarked, cutting her off. “Right now, Sombra won’t listen to us and isn’t even respond back to us so it looks like we have no choice but to fight…but I don’t want to see you two get hurt like how you already are, Hope.”
“But-”
“I’m sorry…but trust me on this one.” I smiled softly and nodded to her. “Don’t worry…I’ll be sure to get you back the Sombra you knew and love as a friend.”
Hope looked at me with her mouth gaped before it formed into a smile and nodded. With that, I handed her the Crystal Heart and said “Keep it safe.”
“Okay.” Hope nodded.
Don’t worry, I trust her with it. I believe in her.
“Okay, good luck Ren!” Kodi gestured Hope to follow him as the two ran off and headed to the sidelines while I stood there in front of Sombra, who glared at me as his eyes glowed fiercer than ever.
I readied my Hacking Gun as the two of us prepared to have a clash between with each other.
A battle between my hopes and his despair…
“Crystal Heart…I need it…I need it to complete my mission to destroy all life in Equestria….IT’S MY DESTINY!”
Sombra let out a loud yell as the whole ground started turning distorted with many cracks on the ground and the sky turning red with me looking at him with a surprise look before he looked at me with a sadistic and cruel smile.
“My destiny….MY DESTINY!”
Well…this might take a while.
To Be Continued