//------------------------------// // Chapter 17: Too Late For Me // Story: Dancing With The Shadows // by Vocal Sweets //------------------------------// Celestia races down the halls, looking for her sister and husband. “Discord, Luna!” she calls out, her tone was frantic and worried. After the letter that she had received, she couldn’t help but feel like all of this was her fault. “Discord, Luna!” she calls out once again.  Luna bumps into her sister filled with distress, she quickly stands up. "What's happening Tia? Is there an international crisis on our hooves?" She says, her tone exhausted and tired from running, she wipes the dust off of her hoofs.  Luna pants, trying to catch her breath, she then takes a moment to relax and look at her frantic sister. "Now tell me what's wrong." She said as she finally relaxed, looking at her sister with concern. Discord appeared beside Luna, “What’s wrong?” He asked, concerned for his wife.  Discord takes the letter from Celestia, Discord read the first half of the note, Discord's eyes were filled with tears, as he saw what was written on the letter. "What is it? Is it something wrong?" Luna questioned Discord, she then turned her attention to Celestia, her eyes filled with tears, she then turned her attention to Discord. "It's something worse than that..." He crumpled the note and he teleported out of the Castle, Luna's eyes widened at the sight. "Where is he off to this time!" She questions her sister. Celestia teleports out as well, leaving Luna frustrated and angry, she opens the note and her eyes widened, she quickly goes to the throne room alerting the royal guards. “Guards!” She commands.  *** Twilight lost count of how long she had been held captive here, but if she had to guess it would have been moons. She also hated to admit it, but Sombra hasn't been all that horrible to her. He has his days sure, but he wasn't that cruel. Twilight looks around her chamber. Sombra emerges from the shadows. Sombra circled around Twilight like he always does, Sombra wickedly grinning at Twilight, and turned his attention to her cage. "You truly are a keeper, for surviving this long in my sanctuary, yet you resist my love for you, how is that Ms Sparkle?" He questions Twilight with a wicked grin on his face. Twilight looks at her capture. "Because I don't have feelings for you!" She narrows her eyes at him. "But... I gave you everything you desire. What more do you want?" He questions the young Alicorn. "I want my freedom." She explains. "And I gave that to you, but as for seeing your loving daughter?" He said with a wicked expression on Sombra's face, he neared Twilight's face in-between the bars "You will never see Harmonia again, because you're going to be, what I always dreamed about..." He laughed at Twilight as he backed off from the cage. Twilight eyes widened with fear as tears aligned her eyes. Fear swept through her body like a tornado. "Let's see how you like it, when hatred surges through you..." The Chambers lights opened up, revealing Crystal's alignment at the cage, dark magic surging from each crystal. "Soon your friends will fear you, your ex-husband will fear you, and soon, your daughter will fear you, with this magic I can make you into my own kin, my own wife..." He said, grinning wickedly.  He pauses for a moment thinking. "You know you should be grateful that I'm trying to make you happy! Such a shame that all this would've gone smoothly if you didn't resist..." He cackles at Twilight. Twilight tried her best to blast the darkened crystals, but failed as her magic backfired on her. Fear still swept through her. She felt like panicking, her eyes darted around the room, trying to find another way of escaping, but she was stuck, for the first time in forever she had no plan in mind. "I want you to yell, cry in front of me, begging me to stop this from ever happening to you, because this will be the last time that you'll be seeing the light of day...My Queen..." He laughed as he illuminated the Crystal's, all of the electric current now strikes the cage, electrocuting Twilight painfully. Twilight clenched her teeth, her head throbbing from the amount of pain she was receiving. Tears streamed down her face. Mixed with anguish, fear and hurt. "These "friends" of yours will soon cower in fear, your daughter will even coward and fear you..." He laughed as he could imagine the daughter's torment. He felt the Intruders coming nearer, but he was calm. "Everyone you cared and loved, will succumb to your hate...and fear..." Sombra said, his voice sly and coy.  *** The mane 5 followed the trail that leads to a solid door, the flooring were cobblestone bricks that were leading to the temple, everyone stopped running. "What's the hold up, Twilight needs us!" Rainbow Dash said to Starlight, her tone was filled with worry. Starlight tried to figure out how to open the door, "Hang on, give me a moment!" Discord looked behind them seeing a horde headed their way. "WE DON'T HAVE A MOMENT!"  Discord yells as he moves everyone aside, Discord snaps his fingers that opened the solid door, everyone went inside as Discord shut the door tightly, The creatures were pounding the solid door. Sunset painted, catching her breath, she then looked at the group, everyone was panting from exhaustion. "How is everypony?"  All of them replied "We're fine."  Starlight continued forward, following the prints that led to a staircase headed downstairs, the halls were slightly illuminated by dimly lit candles that lead them to alcoves and hallways. They slowly reached the chamber where they saw a cage in the middle, revealing a pony inside. Everyone held their position as Starlight went forward. ***  Twilight screams in pain, trying her best to hang on to what little sanity she had left. The children and Mane 5, along with Discord, Shining and the Princesses. They all witness the horrific scene being played before them.  “Twilight!” They shout in unison, worried for their friend.  “Mom!” Harmonia said, who was equally worried.  Twilight couldn’t hear the sound of anypony shouting her name. She fell upon deaf ears, the only sound was the sound of a constant buzzing and electrical shock.   Discord and others ran towards the cage, but did not dare to get too close. In the midst of all of this Sombra was lurking in the shadows.  "Ah, you all arrived, so nice of you to join our little family together..." Echoes a voice.  "Release her, Now!" Both Starlight and Sunset said in unison.  Sombra appears out of the lurking shadows as he stands beside Twilight’s cage, and gives a grin at the group. He stops the electromagnetic shock, to let Twilight breathe.  Twilight stood her ground, standing there staring at the cold metal ground as tears fell from her eyes.  "I hope your travels weren’t bothersome..." He soothes.  “Besides you’re just in time for the show to begin.” Sombra said, gazing at the Mane 5 and the kids. The King of Shadows especially had his eyes on Harmonia as a wicked and satisfied look was displayed on his face towards her.  He turned his attention back to Twilight, who was still wincing in pain. She let out a blood-curdling scream. He walks towards them slowly, with his scythe levitated by his magic, as he drags the blade on to the ground. He hits the blade on the forcefield around the cage, he grins at Starlight, giving a slight chuckle. "Remove this forcefield so I can kick your flank back to wherever you came from!" Starlight yells.  "Don't make me laugh mortal, I am making her beautiful, can't you see?" Sombra asked.  Sombra hits the side of the cage with the blade of the Scythe, startling Twilight-who jumps in fear.  “And trust me it’s to die for.” Sombra said, smirking.  “Why if it isn’t my old two foes Celestia and Luna. Come to witness your greatest fear?” Sombra asked, smirking at the two.  "Let her go Sombra! It's time you face Equestrian Justice! She doesn’t deserve this torture.” Celestia said, her tone rather determined.  “Oh yeah? Then why did you two drive her to the brink of her own insanity and downfall in the first place? Besides take a look in the mirror Princess, did you give her justice...” Sombra questioned.  Celestia said nothing, but gave a cold stare at her foe. However, he was right about one thing, if none of this happened maybe they wouldn’t be where they are now. Sombra moves his eyes over to Discord, Sombra let’s on a malicious but satisfied grin.  Starlight, stepped through looking at King Sombra with hatred in her eyes, her horn charged as well.  “You’re going to give us Twilight back, whether you like it or not. I’m not sure why you even need Twilight in the first place or what twisted and sick game you are playing, but it stops now!” Starlight yelled, her tone pissed.   “Let my sister go!” Shining said, his eyes narrowed at Sombra as his sword was drawn.  “Oh I would not be so quick to pull that sword, Prince.” Sombra warns.  Shining moves his eyes from him to his sister. “Just hang in there Twily.” Shining said.  “Gah! I’m trying!” Twilight said, her teeth bared, as her head throbbing from the amount of pain she was receiving. Tears streamed down her face. Mixed with anguish, fear and hurt. Her head throbs, worse than it ever has before. She couldn't speak, being shocked really took the power of her words and her own process of thinking. She screamed out in pain. Everything ached on her and through her with her head bothering her the most. Twilight lays down, her body weak, she cried out for her friends, her eyes changing slowly like Sombra's. "Please, STOP THIS!" Twilight pleads, but Sombra didn't listen, Twilight stood up automatically, her body changing, her fur changing as well as her eyes.  "Now, you'll feel what I feel..." Sombra laughs at Twilight as she tried to resist the change. Twilight gasped for air, as tears streamed down her face. “N-no….” she whimpers, trying to resist for as long as she needs to. "Are you going to give up now Twilight Sparkle, or should I amp the pain even more..." He laughed as he turned up the currency of the electricity that's hitting the cage. However, Twilight’s teeth were beard and were slowly beginning to sharpen. As her head continued to pound, the emotions that she never wished to feel she actually felt: hate and fear as they slowly crept into her mind.  “This is your last warning.” Starlight threatens, her horn charged with power.  The others tried to ram the force field down, even Harmonia and Discord tried to use their chaotic magic, but to no avail nothing worked.  “Please just hang in there mom.” Harmonia said.  Twilight laid on the ground her breathing getting heavier- as tears streamed down her face, her head continued to pound, like a headache, but far worse. “You know your mom is a powerful alicorn right little one? Well your about to witness how powerful she can really be.” Sombra snears.  Harmonia eyes widen at her mother’s wings- larger than her own- piercing through the electromagnetic bars breaking the metal pieces.  Confetti Pop was shaking in her hooves, as she held out a cross- from Celestia knows where she got it from.  “Confetti put the cross way.” Mutters Cotton Berry.  Confetti nervously shook her head no.  Twilight screams once more, as Sombra lets out  a victorious laughter. He lets down the forcefield surrounding both Twilight and himself.  Sombra laughs maliciously, knowing that he has won.  He also lets down Twilight’s cage-preparing her to destroy the ponies she once cared so deeply about. Without second guessing herself, Starlight suddenly lunged for Twilight as she grabbed her and tossed her to the hard cobblestone wall-pinning her down.  “What do you think you are doing?!” Sombra asked.  “Saving our princess from you!” Starlight seethed.  “Just hang in there a little long Twi.” Starlight begs.  “Gah!” Twilight growls, as her breathing rapidly.  “Aunt Starlight! Hurry!” Harmonia cries out.  Without a second thought, Starlight ignites her horn, casting her spell into Twilight’s horn and memory- hoping to erase the dark magic that was brought by Sombra.  “Please work.” Starlight mutters.  Minutes later, Twilight blinked, slightly confused as Starlight helped her up, but she felt dizzy, as she started to stand on all fours.  “Now to deal with you.” Starlight said, her teeth bared looking at Sombra.  Sombra scoffed. “And what is an incompetent, power hungry unicorn going to do exactly? Twilight only chose you because she felt sorry for you. She never wanted to be your friend in the first place.” Sombra said, smirking at Starlight.  Starlight’s eyes widened, without thinking she released a large burst of energy at Sombra, her aura enveloped him into nothing, but smoke and shadow-like wisps. Twilight looks at her family and friends, unsure of what to say. I mean besides the fact that Starlight just obliterated Sombra into nothingness.  “Twilight? Are you alright?” Shining asked, worried for his sister.  “Yeah I’m fi-Fine.” Twilight managed to muster up, before she felt lightheaded and felt her body drain- before she knew it she laid on the ground unconscious.  “Twilight?” Shining said, worried.  “Mom?” Harmonia said, tears brimming her eyes.  “She must have fainted from the aftershock of what happened.” Starlight said, still examining Twilight’s unconscious state.  “Well we can’t leave her here. Come on, let's all go home.” Tempest said.  *** Twilight jerked out of her sleep, beads of sweat poured down her face. She looked around her surroundings as the bright light of Celestia’s sun streamed through her curtains.  She didn’t recall much of what happened the other night, besides witnessing the fact that Starlight obliterated Sombra before passing out.  Sombra.  Wherever he was, she just hoped he wasn’t too badly hurt.  Wait… why was she even thinking about him? Sombra put her through hell for months! Now that she was saved was she glad to be home?  “.... what is wrong with me?” Twilight thought.  *** “Good morning, Twilight!” Starlight said, her tone cheerful.  “Whoa! Did you get any sleep last night?” Starlight asked, taking in Twilight's ragged appearance.  “I’m fine, Starlight. It was just a bad dream I had last night. That somehow keeps recurring.” Twilight mutters.  “Maybe you should see Princess Luna about this. She can help.” Starlight suggested.  “I said I’m fine.” Twilight said, gritting her teeth.  For a quick second, Starlight could have sworn she saw something flash in Twilight’s eyes. However, she decided that maybe it was just a trick of the lighting in the room.  “Okay, no need to get defensive.” Starlight mutters.  Twilight huffs. “Sorry,” she mutters. “I just didn’t get much sleep once again last night that’s all.”  Starlight thinks for a moment. “I’m sure Zecora has a sleep remedy to help. Maybe you should go and see her.” She suggested.  “Maybe you're right, Starlight.” Twilight said.  “Just looking out for you is all.” Starlight said, her tone chipper. *** "Ah! You must be Princess Twilight! What a pleasure to met you!" Zillia said. "You must be Zillia, Zecora's daughter." Twilight said, softly smiling at her. "Indeed I am! What can I do for you?" She asked. "Is your mother around?" Twilight asked, looking inside Zecora's hut. "I'm sorry Princess, but you just missed her." Zillia said, looking at Twilight. "Shoot..." Twilight mutters. "But... may be I can help. What seems to be the problem?" Zillia asked, willing to try her best to help Twilight. "I was in need of a remedy," Twilight sighed. "Since my friends have saved me from Sombra.... I've been having these... disturbing nightmares." "Oh yes... I've heard about your captivity. I am so sorry that happened to you Princess." Zillia said. "It.... It's fine." Twilight mutters. Zillia walks over to a tall shelf that holds Zecora's potions. "A sleep remedy that you need, is that so? Let's see... I'm sure my mother has something like that here." Zillia said, turning her attention to the elixirs and remedies that Zecora had whipped up over the years. "Here we go Princess!" Zillia said, handing Twilight a midnight blue liquid filled bottle. Twilight held the viral in her aura. "Just take one teaspoon and you should rest peacefully tonight." Ziliia explains, softly smiling at her. Twilight nods. "Thank you." she said, and made her exit. ***   The air in the Everfree forest felt more dense than usual and oddly foggy.  A light mist covered the forest ground, but as Twilight was making her way to Zecora’s hut. She couldn’t help but think what her dream could  even mean.  Five months, five months since she has been saved. Five months since Sombra has been destroyed.  The atmosphere felt heavy and moist and for some strange reason Twilight felt as if somepony had been watching her. She scanned the environment around her before looking down at the misty ground at her hooves.  Twilight noticed that her shadow on the forest ground was moveable.  Moveable? But shadows don’t move on their own.  A soft, but chilling breeze swept through the air, making the Everfree even creepier than it usually is.  “Who’s there?” Twilight calls out.  “Missing somepony already, Dear?” A familiar voice asked.  That voice. The one that has been torturing her for months on in.  “Sombra?” Twilight called out.  Sombra appeared out of her shadow. He looks at her, a sly look on his face.  “The one and only.” He said, smirking at her.  “Why are you here?” Twilight asked, her tone icier than she intended to be.  “Why I came back for you of course.” Sombra said. “Five months. I thought Starlight destroyed you for five straight months” Twilight said.  “Like I’d let some wanna be Twilight Sparkle destroy the King of Shadows.” Sombra scoff.  “Besides I know you still loathe those who wronged you and you want your revenge on them. Do you not?” Sombra asked.  Twilight said nothing, but stared at him. Her eyes slightly narrowed.  “You don’t have to say anything. I can see it in your eyes you know. You can tell a lot of how somepony feels from their eyes. Call it a hidden emotion.” Sombra said.  Twilight rolled her eyes. “I have been trying to accept the terms that Celestia and Discord will forever be together. Nothing will ever change that.” She mutters.  Her eyes started to tear up at the thought of those tears, She began to softly sniffle a bit.  “And I have come to terms that you can change that. I have been buying time, waiting for the right moment to strike again and now that you’re alone I- I mean we- can take our revenge on those who have wronged us. I know you want to.” Sombra smirks.  Twilight backs up, unsure of where this was going.  “We can do this the easy way or the hard way.” Sombra said. Twilight furrowed her eyebrows, opening her mouth about to speak.  “Which if you ask me. You don’t have much of a choice.” Sombra said, giving her a wicked grin.  *** Harmonia happily made her way down the hallway, everything was perfect and back to normal. Twilight promised her that she will spend the day today practicing magic and her upcoming coordination.  Harmonia made her way to her mother’s library.  “Hey mom! Did you forget we have-” Harmonia said, but stopped short when she realized Twilight wasn’t there.  “Huh?” Harmonia scanned the room. She noticed her aunt was organizing some of Twilight’s books.  “Hey Aunt Starlight. Have you seen mom?” Harmonia asked.  “She went to see Zecora. However, that was hours ago. She should have been back by now.” Starlight said.  “You don’t think that-” Harmonia started.  “That Sombra is back? Sweetie, I highly doubt that. Besides it’s been five months since your mom has been back.” Starlight said, ruffling her niece’s mane.  *** Bright light illuminated the grounds where both Sombra and Twilight stood, or well where Twilight was caged and Sombra stood.  “Where am I?” Twilight asked, fear laced in her voice.  Then she remembered she was back where she was months ago. Back in her hell hole of a prison.  “Why? Doesn’t this scene look awfully familiar?” Sombra smirks.  “Let me go!” Twilight shouts, blasting at the black crystals only for them to retract back at her.  “Not until I get what I want and what you deserve.” Sombra smirks.  “Besides my plan was almost completed before that Glim Glam messed everything up and  evaporated me.” Sombra sneared.  “It’s Starlight Glimmer.” Twilight corrects.  “Whatever! Now that there are no interruptions I can finally fulfill my desire. What I’ve always wanted you to be: My Queen.” Sombra smirks. “Please hurry girls.” Twilight thought. *** The doors to the Castle of Friendship swing open to reveal Spike, a worried expression wore on his face.  “Starlight! Harmony!” Spike calls throughout the castle.  Starlight and Harmonia hurries down the hallway to be met by Spike. “Hey Spike!” Starlight greets.  “Is everything okay, Uncle Spike?” Harmonia asked, noticing his expression.  Spike didn’t say anything, but shoved the letter in front of Starlight and Harmonia.  Starlight grabs the letter from him in her aura and looks over it. Her expression was white as a ghost and her eyes went wide. “But I don’t understand? I vanished him. How is he back?!” Starlight asked, speechless and rather confused.  “Apparently you didn’t vanish him well enough.” Spike mutters.  Starlight narrows her eyes at him before focusing her attention back on Harmonia. “Harmonia gather your friends, I’ll get the girls, Spike you send a letter to the Princesses looks like this battle isn’t over yet.” Starlight said, before looking back down at the letter.  ***  “What do you mean he’s back?” Ophelia asked.  “I mean he’s back and he’s captured my mom once again.” Harmonia said.  “But I thought Starlight evaporated him.” Illusion asked.  “What does he even want with your mom anyways?” Meadow Bliss asked.  “Does it look like I know.” Harmonia said, her tone sarcastic.  “We need to warn the Princesses then.” Prism said. “Starlight’s taken care of it.” Harmonia said.  “Can we not have a break from fighting bad guys for one day?” Cotton Berry asked.  “Apparently not. Guess we might as well be the next saviors of Equestria.” HoneyCrisp stated. “Guys, we need to go.” Harmonia said, before hurrying off to the castle to meet back with the others.  “Ugh! Here we go again! Right back to square one!” Confetti Pop groans.  “I think she’s had enough of fighting villains for a day.” mumbles Cotton Berry.  “You think?! I mean geez we have to fight him again?? What is this, an audio drama?" Confetti asked, galloping after them.  *** “What do you mean Twilight is missing again? Glim Glam evaporated that would be king.” Discord said, looking over Celestia’s shoulder at the letter.  “Well it looks like he’s back and we need to go before he actually masters whatever plan he has this time for Twilight.” Luna said.