//------------------------------// // Chapter 20: Let Them Eat Cake // Story: Dancing With The Shadows // by Vocal Sweets //------------------------------// Six months later... Decorations hung throughout the Canterlot castle. Luna, Amaris, Celestia and Discord were planning on celebrating Tiberius’s 19th Birthday.  “I can’t believe you’re nineteen Tibby.” Amaris said.  “You’re never going to drop that old nickname huh Amaris?” Tiberius chuckles.  “It’s not everyday your son celebrates his nineteenth birthday.” Discord said. “Exactly.” Celestia said, smiling.  “Is this all that is going to be here? Just us and a few of the royal guards and maids?” Tiberius asked.  “It’s a rather small get together.” Luna chides.  “But what about the ones who are waiting outside of the gates that can come in right?” Amaris asked, looking out the window.  “I’d rather not risk it.” Celestia mutters.  “Come on Mother! It's my birthday. I don’t mind having a few unknown guests here.” Tiberius said.  “Come on Tia, let the boy have his fun just for today.” Discord said.  Celestia sighs. “Alright. Guard open the doors.” Celestia announces.  “Yes your highness.” The guard said, and opens the doors.  Pools of ponies from Canterlot came through the doors. “Now this is more like a party!” Tiberius grins.  The cake was decorated with the design of Canterlot castle and Tiberius face on the base of it.  “Oooo this looks delicious.” Amaris said.  “Now are you ready to make a wish sweetie?” Celestia said.  “Today is already perfect, but I can think of one thing I want to wish for.” Tiberius said, closing his eyes. He was about to blow out his candles when a cold wind swept through the castle.  “What tha-“ Tiberius said.  “Swell party! I’m guessing my invitation got lost in the mail?” Came a familiar voice.  The crowd split apart to reveal Twilight, however it didn’t really look like Twilight appearance wise.  She had dark purple fur, her mane was long and flowing much like Celestia except the ends were black and shadow like, her teeth were sharp like canine teeth, her wings were razored sharp, her eyes were ruby red and glowing with purple mist coming from them and her horn was curved and had a crimson ting to it much like a familiar foe Celestia and Luna fought all those years ago.  The crowd's eyes widened unable to process that this was truly Twilight, their once beloved Princess of Friendship was now somepony not even beyond recognizing.  “I think for the next party I would like to have at least some input on the guest list.” Tiberius said, looking at Amaris.  Twilight dragged a sword at her side, it screeched and caused sparks across the tile floor. Everyone downfolded their ears at the screeching sound. “If you don’t mind, I think I’ll just help me to a slice of this cake.” Twilight said, her tone nonchalant.  “What is she doing? Why is she over here now? Is she here to apologize? Or is she here for a fight? She is probably here for a fight.” One of the guards said, putting popcorn in his mouth.  “Shhh!” Luna said.  “It’s-“ Celestia sighs. “Twilight? Where have you been?”  “Helping myself you might say. It’s about time I helped myself don’t you think?” Twilight chides.  She sliced a piece of cake off.  “I think she wants to fight.” The guard whispered to Luna.  “Shut it.” Luna said. Two twin girls who looked to be around the age of 9 were running into the foyer of the castle giggling. “Happy Birthday Bubby!” One of them shouts, her voice full of giddiness.  “Yeah happy-“ the other one stopped and looked at the atmosphere they were both in and quickly got quiet.  Twilight looks at the girls, who were clutching onto each other in fear then down at the cake and notices Tiberius face, she looks straight at Tiberius. She gives a sarcastic laugh. “Oh ho! And it seems and it seems you have been busy! What? You decided to finally be father of the year Discord?” She asked.  “You leave my children out of this.” Discord said.  “Oh look who decided to start being the protective father now! Everypony please give him a round of applause.” Twilight said, her tone lacing with sarcasm.  Nopony moves.  “Hey you leave my Father alone.” Tiberius said.  “Yeah meanie!” The twins shouted in unison.  “Oh hon if you knew what kind of Father he really is you wouldn’t be calling him that.” Twilight said.  “What do you want Twilight?” Celestia asked, her tone icy.  “Want? Yeah we both have things the other wants isn’t that right Celestia… Which brings me to why I am here. I want you to give me the Elements.” Twilight said. “I wouldn’t do that. The Elements have the power to wield by Twilight and her friends, but with Twilight as an alicorn she can wield them all on her own and will do Celestia knows what to them.” Discord said, standing beside Celestia.  “Stay out of this Discord! Little miss Sunshine here can think for herself hmm?” Twilight snaps.  “Twilight I don’t think this is a wise decision you know yourself that the Elements-“ Celestia said.  “Oh I know! It’s hard to make decisions on your own. When the only friends you have left are ex-villains and a bunch of children who have no idea what type of pony you truly are.” Twilight said.  “Hey, we are not ex-villains!” Luna shouts, defensive.  “Technically you are.” Amaris said.  “Amaris sweetie be quite your not helping.” Luna mutters.  “Oh and it seems Luna has been busy herself as well and with a changeling no less. Who did you mess around with this time Luna?” Twilight said.  “Listen here you-“ Luna said, but Discord zips his sister-in-laws mouth closed before she says anything worse.  She looks at the royal family, the back at Celestia. “You give me the Elements and I’ll leave Canterlot and all of Equestria in fact in peace.” Twilight said. Nopony said a word. “Fine. I’ll give you some time to think about it.” She throws the plate in Luna’s direction, she catches it with her aura. “Enjoy your party, Tiberius.” Twilight said, before turning around and walking away.  Dead silence throughout the room. “Just to be clear because I think this is important I did not wish for that.” Tiberius said.  *** “We can’t give Twilight the Elements.” Celestia said.  “Hey I agree if we do Equestria is doomed. But on the upside, she did say she would leave Equestria in peace. So you know 50/50.”  Discord said.  “I wonder what Twilight has been doing since she’s been gone?” Luna wonders.  “Reading, Betrayal.” Tiberius said.  “A bunch of reading about betrayal.” Amaris said.  “Okay so if we can’t let Twilight have the Elements, because you know Equestria would be doomed. Then where are they?” Tiberius asked.  “That’s the thing. They’re at the Tree of Harmony, but Celestia and I are not connected to the Elements anymore.” Luna said.  “And with Harmonia coordination coming up I fear that it may have to be cancelled. I don’t want something to happen to her on my account. I’ll make a letter to Spike. This is for Harmonia’s own safety as well for all of Equestria. Who knows what Twilight’s plan is with the use of those Elements.” Celestia said, looking out the window as she brought the quill and parchment and began to write.  *** Sombra and Stormy turn to look at Twilight. “Where have you been?” Sombra asked.  “Out and about. I had to go and take care of some business.” Twilight mused.  “What businesses?” Stormy asked.  “You’re to stay in a child’s place, Stormy. None of this concerns you.” Twilight snaps.  Stormy was about to say something, but prefers that staying silent might be her best option at the moment. “... Mother? Why don’t we go down there?” Stormy asked, looking out from the Crystal Mountains only to spot a gleaming city below them.  “That’s the Crystal Empire. And you must never go there.” Twilight said, her voice stern.  “But…” Stormy mutters.  “My dear, you’ll understand one day. Let’s just say for now that nopony is meant to be trusted.” Twilight said, before turning back inside the mountain. “You’re mother knows what’s best for you, she's only trying to protect you, you know that right?” Sombra asked.  “Yeah, but I feel like I’m a prisoner in my own home.” Stormy complains.  “Besides why are we living in a castle anyways?” Stormy question.  Sombra sighs. “This is the Crystal Mountains. It may not be luxurious as a castle but it will suffice for now. Stormy, you’re precious to us and we would be devastated if something were to happen to you.” He said, patting her head.   “Well I’m dying of boredom. Does that count to make you two devioustated enough?” Stormy asked her tone blunt.  “Nice try, but not convincing enough.” Sombra mused. “Look, you’re mother and I will be back within 3 to 4 days. We have to meet an old friend of ours and we can’t risk taking you with us.” Sombra explains.  “No fair! You and mother get to go on all the interesting adventures while I’m stuck here!” Stormy complains, her hooves folded across her chest.  “We won’t be gone for long I promise. In the meantime your mother is sending over a foalsitter to watch you.” Sombra said.  “But father, I’m 8 ½ years old. I can take care of myself.” Stormy said.  “8 ½ or not, you’re still our precious crystal. And one day you’ll be future heir to our throne. You are a Princess after all.” Sombra said, nuzzling his daughter.  “Now, we have to go, you’re sitter while we are gone will be very soon.” Sombra said, before leaving.  *** “Rosetta Stone at your service, your highness, and my aren’t you a bundle of darkness and joy.” Said the foalsitter, who pinched Stormy cheeks.  Stormy recoiled in the process. “Okay let’s get two things straight: 1.) I despise anyone touching me, unless you’re my mother or father.  And 2.) Your giddiness and overall attitude makes me want to vomit.” Stormy said, her eyes narrowed at the mare.  Rosetta lightly giggles. “You’re a big jokester huh? How about we play a game?” She asked.  “Can we play outside?” Stormy asked her tone hopefully.  “Sorry, your mother and father said no.” Rosetta stated.  Stormy pouted. “Don’t pout. We can still have tons of fun here.” She beams.  Stormy then thought of a spell that Sombra taught her awhile back a vanquished spell. The spell lasted for at least 24 hours, but 1-2 days if done correctly.  “.... sure let’s play a game.” Stormy said as a sinister smile crept on her lips.  “Hide and go seek to be exact. However, you hide and I’ll seek.” Stormy said, with her horn ignited. “Alright, see if you can-“ Rosetta said, but she didn’t get to finish her sentence.  Stormy blasted the spell at the Earth pony, sending her to Celestia knowing where because honestly she didn’t care.  Stormy was alone, listening to the howling cold breeze from the Crystal Mountains nip at her fur, she shivered slightly but quickly became accustomed to it. She took a step out of the cave before questioning if she should head back inside.  Stormy shook any logical thoughts from her mind, she loved and obeyed her mother’s every command and her father’s wishes, but this is something that she felt like she needed to do.  She soft snow, crunched beneath her hoofs. “.... now let’s see what this Crystal Empire is all about.” She said, looking out at the city, before descending into the bustling city wide streets.  *** Sombra and Twilight were at the catacombs underneath the hills of Canterlot, an old underground study room, meant for Starswirl a decade ago. "So this is where the old fool resides, at the final push of his breath..." Sombra wipes the dust off of the tables that were aligned, he chuckled to himself, he then looked at Twilight who was standing next to the doorway. "Would you imagine the possible damages we can commit to Equestria...with you alongside me..." He said he moved towards Twilight, twisting the elements around him and her. "We can become even stronger than any weakling..." He said, looking at her with a sultry gaze. "Well for starters Sombra, I want to know why we're here instead of enslaving Equestria to it's hooves, I want the ponies that fear us, bow before us!" Twilight demanded her evil husband, Sombra smirked at her as he gave a look of reassurance. "My dear, time will come to that, for now we must rally the all powerful..." Sombra said as he levitated the Elements to Twilights bag, Twilight zipped the bag closed to keep the elements safe. "As of now, I must visit with an old friend..." Sombra said about leaving the long underground catacombs, leaving Twilight to wait. "And who would this "pony" be...you better not be cheating on me now, my king..." Twilight said, teasing his evil husband. "Not this time my love...I would never replace you, for now we take matters into our own hooves, wait here..." Sombra said leaving the catacombs, Twilight was left to wait, but she has a weird feeling in her. Sombra makes his way down the long hallway. His hooves echoed off the cold stone floor. He illuminates his horn, making another passage appear, as he walks through. "It's about time you came." Came a familiar voice. "I thought you wouldn't come to our reunion, Chrysalis..." Chrysalis was guarded by two heavily armoured Changelings, chains wrapped around them and their body buff and big. "I also thought you wouldn't make it here, you know as they say, the early bird catches the worm...or rather eats it entirely..." Sombra laughs at his own statement, he summoned two Shadow figures behind him. "I believe you called me here for a reason Sombra...and what would that be..." Chrysalis said, moving in between her guards, she now appears in front of Sombra, her head held high. "Well you see, I am in need of assistance, from you of course and your lovely, Swiss cheese army......" Sombra's gaze reflected upon Chrysalis's eyes, he circled around Chrysalis, looking at the guards. "Your army is of great use to me, and with you leading among it, I want you to be the backbone of my little "plan"..." He said with a harsh tone giving a smirk to Chrysalis. "And what is this brilliant plan of yours anyway, Sombra." Asks Chrysalis. "We haven't teamed up together in eons, since we last did something like this?”  Sombra said, his tone nonchalant. "Besides I'm simply asking you a favor." He gives a sly smile to her. "And what may that be?" She asks, slightly skeptical. "Imagine Equestria under our control, with my "wife" and you the three of us will show Equestria that they are not safe from us..." His tone angry and nonchalant, he circled around Chrysalis and the Guards, still looking at them with interest. "You will make a great left hoof mare for me, you with an army and my wife with a deadly thought..." He looked at Chrysalis, a deadly glare in his eyes, he walked towards her. "I want Equestria to bow down to us, this is my plan, to rule over the weak!" He said, his eyes glowing.  Chrysalis held a sincere, but devious look on her face. "What's in it for me?" She asks.  "You can finally have your revenge on Starlight Glimmer." He said, giving her a sly grin.  Chrysalis thought for a moment, before responding. “Alright. What’s the plan?” she asked. *** Twilight paces back and forth, her patience wearing thin. "Ugh! Where could he be? What's taking him so long!" Twilight mutters to herself. Sombra walks in the study room, his eyes illuminated with power, he slammed the door shut, the cracks formed. "You were waiting for me I see." Sombra said, chuckling at her. She nuzzles her brainwashed wife, giving her a deadly gaze. "Of course! What took you so long anyways?" Asked Twilight. "Oh some meeting with an old friend, nothing to be of concern here." Sombra said, levitating the bag filled with the elements of Harmony to him. "I see you are curious, I know you want to know more, so ask away dear." He gave her wife a deadly smirk. "What was this meeting about exactly?" Twilight asks, curiosity getting the best of her. "Well, you and I are gonna rule the world you see...and without protection, we cannot achieve that, I know you want the power, revenge on those who hurt you and I know you want glory." Sombra said, going near Twilight's face, his look calm and dark. "I just want protection, for our sake, so I called in a familiar face..." Sombra said, tying the knot of the bag where the Elements are kept. Twilight thought for a moment. "You are correct, my King." She said she gave a kiss to Sombra. "But the next meeting you have, I'm coming with you." Twilight said. "Of course you are, after all, I want them to see how lovely you are, how changed you have become." Sombra kisses her wife back, he smirks at her as he laid the bag down. "Now, we must continue with our plans, we have much to do..."  Twilight follows Sombra out of the room. And they both made their way back to the Crystal Mountains. *** 3 days later…  Twilight stretched her wings out exhausted from the 3 to 4 days of travel they did, meeting all of Sombra’s old friends had really put the word “friendship” to the test.  “After that long meeting for what felt like ever! I am so ready to be home and curl up with just you.” Twilight said, giving Sombra a sly smirk.  “After we get Stormy situated into bed right?” Sombra asked.  “.... of course. Just feels like forever since we have had any alone time.” Twilight said.  “Understandable. However, I hope Stormy doesn’t believe that we have abandoned her.” Mutters Sombra.  “Come on, my king she is much too smart to believe in that besides she has her foalsitter to keep her company.” Twilight said.  *** Back at the Crystal Mountains, Rosetta paces back and forth in the den.  “..... I can’t believe she vanished! How was I a fool to even consider playing a game with her!” Rosetta mutters to herself.  “The King and Queen will banish me for sure! Or worse!” Rosetta eyes shrunk to pin pricks.  “Stormy! We’re home!” Called Twilight from the caves entrance.  “Stormy?” Sombra questions.  “Rosetta? Where’s our daughter?” Twilight asked.  “Good question! Now let me ask one.” Rosetta said.     “Hypothetical speaking there's this queen… But she's not an alicorn… No! No, they aren’t kin to a royal bloodline... yeesh.” Rosetta explains.  Sombra looked at Rosetta amused. “Definitely not a queen or king. And, uh... uh... their daughter, um, say... vanished.” Rosetta gave the two a grim expression.    “Stormy is gone?” Twilight bellows.  “Where did she go?!” Sombra demands.  “I- I don’t know.” Rosetta said, stuttering.  Twilight walks past the bickering pair and looks out at the Crystal Empire, the sun casting dawn like rays that almost turned into night over the Empire.  “I think I have a pretty good idea.” She mutters, her teeth bared.