//------------------------------// // King Sombra: Cold Hearted Defeat Part 1 // Story: The Ancient Guardians // by autobotfan15 //------------------------------// King Sombra grinned from his balcony as many crystal ponies lined up in chains. His plan to take over the empire after it's returned worked. Now he was willing to expand his kingdom beyond his border and takeover the world with hatred and fear. The only obstacles he sees so far are the two sisters. But he has enough confidence to defeat them. He got up to enter his castle to find some of the crystal ponies were being forced into armor and helmets. The helmets had a special crystal that can corrupt the minds of the wearer to blindly follow the orders of the king. Once the helmets are on the struggling stops. He looked out to see the weather outside the dome looking worst. He imagined he would have to lift the dome to set out his new army soon. Until then the dome would not only keep him warm but to keep out any unwanted visitors. He went inside to the dungeons to see his prisoners. "You know if you're willing to put on the helmets ill gladly let you out of here." "No chance Sombra!" Snapped Twilight Sparkle. "That's King Sombra to you Failure!" Twilight winced at that name. She was sent here as part of a special test and she couldn't save an empire. All it took was the shattering of the crystal heart to cement her failure. She wished she couldn't see Princess Celestia as she could imagine her disappointment. Her sister in law Cadence stepped up. "Don't you dare insult her. She's a far better pony than you will ever be." "We'll see about that Cadenza, when my army goes to Canterlot." He said as he left. The sound of a door closing was soon followed by sniffling and sobbing. Spike the dragon was immediately by her side trying to comfort her. Her other friends soon followed they were lucky to be in the same cell. Too bad they couldn't break it. "Don't worry sugarcube we'll get out of here." Said Applejack. "Yeah and kick Sombra's flank to Tartarus." Said Rainbow Dash. Twilight smiled but deep down she was losing hope and prayed for a miracle. =============== Meanwhile outside the empire beyond the snow there was a forest. Within the trees a pair of eyes looked out from them and glanced towards the dome and the tall structures. Out the forest came two bipedal creatures. They had antlers like a deer, jaws similar to a wolf and claws that were sharp. They both looked to each other and spoke in raspy voices. "Was that there before?" "No, that wasn't there a few days ago. I was here hunting." "I don't know about you Fafnir but that city might have a suitable feast." said the female one. Fafnir the male beast raised a claw stopping his friend. "Careful Diya we don't know what they're like. The least we can do is warn our tribe and keep a close eye. We don't want to start the same conflict that forced our kind into exile centuries ago." "Fine but there better be hostiles worth eating in there." Said Diya. ================= Meanwhile in Canterlot Castle Princess Celestia grew worried for her student she was hoping to see her back soon or at least get a letter from her about the progress. Suddenly the doors opened to reveal a guard and her sister. "Any word from the Crystal Empire?" "No your Majesty but we believe your student and your niece have been captured." Explained the guard. "And according to our reconnaissance troops he is making a mind controlled army." Said Luna. Celestia eyes widened as her mind was boggled with questions. The most important one being was her student alright. The guard cleared his throat. "There's more we looked towards a wooded area and we have reason to believe not only the empire came back but we also feared 'they' have returned." Celestia paled as Luna looked confused. "No it's impossible...No creature can survive in the cold like that." "Sister whose they?" asked Luna "Luna remember how our mentor called the flying ghost horses windigos?" "Yeah?" "Guard leave us. I want to give Luna a secret I should've given her on her return." The guard left leaving the two sisters in private. Whatever Celestia had to share with Luna would most likely shock her.