//------------------------------// // Reawakening // Story: The Prince of Shadows // by Antydeth //------------------------------// "TREMBLE BEFORE ME WEAKLINGS! I AM YOUR RECKONING! I WILL MAKE YOUR ANCESTORS REGRET THEY WERE EVER BRED!" I am in no way proud to admit that these were the first words that left my mouth when I manifested into my physical form for the first time since my defeat at the hands of the cursed young princesses - Twilight Sparkle and Mi Amore Cadenza. In my defense, the feeling of being whole and solid once again overwhelmed me and the dwendling anger and contempt in my consciousness went wild. It reminded me a little of my days as a young colt. Whenever I'd get excited about something, I'd shout profanities. All of my peers believed I was out of my mind. They weren't entirely wrong...but, as an astute king exceling in the art of war, like many small kingdoms, I did conquer myself as well, or in simpler words - I learnt how to keep a straight face at all times. Despite what others might think, an oppressive tyrant does have to keep up appearances, much like those pampous princesses in Canterlot. One slip of the tongue and your subjects might start getting it in their heads that you are showing weakness, which in turn could lead to some disastrous conflicts. Of course, I never had any remorse whenever I crushed their little rebellions, but still...I'd rather rule over a grand kingdom than a ghost town. Ah, perhaps I've been going on this nostalgic trip for too long. Let's get back to where I left off. My body solidified into it's original form. There weren't any altercations to my form, though I did feel...limited. Clearly whoever has summoned me from the void beyond wasn't competent enough to restore me to my true self! Ah, no matter...It was still better than being stuck in that miserable hell of absolute nothingness. As my crimson evil eyes examined my current vicinity, I noticed three unfamiliar figures standing and glaring at me, magic glowing and wings flapping nervously, from the lower floor of the...cave? Indeed, I was in a cave... Ugh! Why did it have to be a dirty old smelling cave?! You know what, nevermind...I don't have to concern myself with such trivial nuisances. ...Still, I wish it'd been the elder princess' old castle. Could've made for an ironic twist! Now, back to the fools moronic enough to dare glare at me like that. I flashed the trio my classic fanged grin. The two bigger creatures were barely deterred. A changeling and a centaur. Hmph...that explained the audacity in their demeanor. At least the little pegasus had the common sense to appear frightened, though the emotion seemed a little...faux. "King Sombra, you have returned? Why did you summon us?" I snorted. "Little insect, if I was the one who summoned you, it wouldn't have been in a dirty old stinking lair such as this," I retorted haughtily and scrunched my nose in disgust. "What did you just call me?! I am Chrysalis! QUEEN Chrysalis! The most powerful of the changeling race and you will treat me with proper respect!" My brows slightly rose and despite my rising ire, I was smirking. This one had fire in her. And she was also a queen. These features were pleasing for a renowned being such as I. Still, I had to assert my dominance. "An insect is still an insect is still an insect, regardless of their rank. In Equastria, there's only one hierarchy that applies. Me, the nefarious Sombra at the top, with the alicorn princess being close rivals. Everypony else is a minion or vermin." The look of absolute loathing that the changeling queen gave me was hilarious, and I even managed to offend that haggard centaur, too! Their horns glowed with their magic, a clear sign of opposition. I chuckled and my shadow aura flared out in excited waves of hollow flames, lifting my cloak up. I didn't mind a little 'morning excercise' before I took on the princesses. It was at that moment of escalation that our TRUE summoner decided to reveal himself. "ENOUGH!" The voice was strong, old and gruff. Rings of dark yellow and black magic trapped the four of us in place and cancelled our own magic output. 'This is troubling,' I thought. I couldn't move nor could I use any of my magic to break this spell. An old ram with blue fur and bells dangling from it's thick neck. Like me, the ram had twisted red eyes. His pose and demeanor was also that of an ancient tyrant vanished and seeking revenge, too. "It was I!" I wondered who this fellow was...Was it perhaps the infamous Grogar I've heard stories about when I was a colt? The tyrannical 'Father of monsters', the first emperor and the 'mean old ram with the many bells'? "You may call me - GROGAR!" Yes, I do stand correct. And who said a tyrant isn't an excellent judge of character? Though it was so obvious, I nearly had the inclination to roll my eyes at the other three's gasps. We were released from the binding spell and each of us sighed with slight relief. We gathered around the table at the center of the cave, where Grogar now sat, magic ball in hooves. "Grogar? As in the first emperor of Equastria Grogar? THAT Grogar?" asked the changeling. "I thought you were a legend. Like one of those scaredy tales ponies tell their misbehaving foals." the centaur added with just as much disbelief. "Indeed, he was a tale told to young ponies to keep them from being 'rude to one another', at least during my time. It's not much of a surprise that he turned out be real in the end." I said, rubbing my kingly composure right in their faces, which earned me a pair of glares and a side glance from Grogar. "Yes! Not only did I summon you and not only am I very real, but with your aid, I will also be the one to rid Equestria of Twilight Sparkles and her friends!" Oh...Well, wasn't this interesting? I might've made a huge misunderstanding, because no way was this the real Grogar. His motivation just didn't make sense to me. An ancient monster such as him would not give a crap about Twilight Sparkles and her tag-alongs. I speak from personal experience, being an ancient monster myself. Though I was wary of Cadance and Shinning Armor, they were never my main targets. They were just obstacles to my ambitions. It might be a little far-fetched, but if my defeats have taught me anything it's that it was a good idea to always be cautious. By the time I finished my dilemma, I had missed many parts of the conversation and bickering Grogar had with those three fiends. I only tuned back in to hear: "I suggest nothing. I demand that you join me and together Equestria will be ours!" I grunted, irritated by the notion. Me, the KING of the Shadows and the master of Fear, holding hands with these fools on an enthusiastic conquest? Well, that didn't sound bad if I got to make the pretty little changeling mad...still, it was laughable! This imposter should've known that I wasn't going to take his offer. EVER. ...Yes...I would've never taken his offer... Maybe that's exactly what he was counting on! So, not only could he be an imposter, he could also be a double agent for the princesses! I couldn't be sure, but I knew I had to play my cards right or I might get myself destroyed again sooner than I could anticipate. I made a slightly hasty decision at that moment which would end up benefiting me in the long run. "I don't do ours. I only do mine!" It wasn't a rational plan, but then again...When did any of my plans make sense?