--- More than a thousand years ago. ---
King Sombra leaned forward from his black crystal throne and sighed. “Why is it taking so long?” He glanced at the royal enchanter at his side.
Sweat broke over the subordinate unicorn. “There is always a possibility that, er, our prisoner just doesn’t possess the information we seek.” With raised eyebrows, the enchanter met King Sombra’s eyes then quickly lowered his head and clenched his teeth.
“What are you babbling about? She’s confirmed to be the leader of the rebellion. If she doesn’t know the location of the last resistance terrorist cell, then nopony does!”
The enchanter swallowed audibly. “Perhaps, your interrogator just needs more time with her. The new method of interrogation might be faster, in principle, but nothing is instantaneous. If nothing went awry, you should have the information you seek.”
“Argh! The underground movement has surely caught wind of her capture by now. If we don’t get that information soon, they’ll clear their sanctuary and new terrorist cells will spawn by the next full moon.” Sombra struck a hoof against the armrest of the throne.
The enchanter instinctively took a step back. “The old methods would probably take even longer. The defiant mare is a stubborn one. Trying the new method was a reasonable risk.”
“There are no risks. My army is countless and ready to invade on the moment’s notice. My rule cannot be challenged. I just need the location.” Sombra repeatedly tapped his forehooves together then looked at the enchanter with just one eye. “The only reason I agreed to your methods, was because I was led to believe they would be prompt! Yet, it seems to me that you lack understanding of what ‘prompt’ means. The word ‘prompt’ does not involve me waiting!”
The enchanter’s ears flopped. “I’m sure there is a valid reason for the delay—”
“Excuses are never valid, and I shall suffer them not!”
“My—” the subordinate's voice broke “—my King...”
“Enough! I tire of lingering. While you make me sit on my royal plot, the resistance could be dispersing from their holes, digging new ones.” King Sombra hit a hoof against the armrest. “I shall investigate this failure myself!” He abruptly stood up from the throne and walked toward the crystal hallway.
The enchanter held his breath as the dark figure walked past him. No matter how many years of servitude, he would never get used to King Sombra’s intimidating presence. “I assure you, master. My interrogation method is 100% reliable when it works.”
“Come with me, enchanter! I swear, if my interrogator requires your lesson on activating a simple crystal, he’s in for a serious demotion of rank.”
“The activation process was never a problem...” the enchanter whispered as he dragged himself to the hallway after King Sombra.
“You did fix the amulet, right?”
The enchanter gasped. “But of course, my lord. It is much more stable than the earlier version...”
King Sombra stopped in his tracks and stared down his enchanter who struggled to keep up the pace. “Are you telling me there are still stability issues with the amulet? Your instructions were to stabilize the effects! Have you failed me?” King Sombra struck a hoof on the crystal floor. “Ugh! We don’t have time for this!” He turned to the stairs and walked down toward the dungeons.
The enchanter wheezily caught his breath before explaining, “The inherent features of the crystal are not static in nature. It’s that very property that allows the spell to work. I managed to successfully counter the majority of the detrimental effects, but the spell itself can not be made more stable...”
“I allowed you a decade of research, countless test subjects and all the equipment you asked for. You claimed you’d make it work, yet the amulet still isn’t working properly, is it?”
“Well, the thing is—”
“The ponies who use it can still go bat-shit insane, is that what you’re trying to say? For your sake, it better not be!” Sombra kicked open the door to the holding cell. “Interrogator, report!”
When the door to the cell opened, the pony inside dropped on all four hooves. “I’m fine. Hi-hi” He looked at the bloody mess beside him. “More than fine. Tehee. As fine as a butterfly! But she’s so quiet...” He poked at the motionless, red hurdle on the floor.
“Well...” The enchanter swallowed aloud. “Obviously, there is still some chance of permanent mental disfiguration, but, perhaps, with some more research, I could, to some extent, counter the—”
Sombra turned his head to him. “If you can’t honor your word to me, why should I honor your life?”
The enchanter gasped. “My king...”
“Guards!” King Sombra yelled.
“Master, I beg of you...” He fell on his haunches. “Have mercy...”
Two armored stallions burst in the holding cell.
“Mercy is wasted on the pathetic weaklings.” King Sombra uttered through gritted teeth. “There is no room for imbeciles in My Crystal Kingdom.”
The enchanter looked up at his king. “Please, no...”
“Show this failure to the lower cells,” Sombra spoke firmly. “We’ll make an example of him at dawn.” He telekinetically ripped the amulet off the interrogator's neck.
“Uuu, pretty!” the interrogator responded as he hoofed in the air at the floating object flying away from him.
Sombra sighed and accelerated the necklace at the guard closest to him. “Dispose of this useless piece of trash.”
“My life’s work!” the enchanter cried out.
The guard stopped the flying necklace with his face then caught the piece of jewelry with a hoof just before it hit the floor. “Yes, master,” he stammered and shoved the necklace under his armor. “Your highness shall never lay thine eyes on it again.” A grin snuck onto his face. “I shall take care of it.”
King Sombra nodded to himself. “My old methods of interrogation worked far better. To Tartarus with ‘progress’.” He thumped out of the cell, leaving the guards to poke freely at the crying mess on the floor.