//------------------------------// // Sombra and Hope // Story: The New World | The Fall of the Crystal empire // by Escalator //------------------------------// The story started off as a mysterious one... It all started the day the two met, Radiant Hope was an orphan who was born without any parents and was under the care of the Crystal City Orphanage. One day she met Sombra who had no clue about his past or his parents, although we do not believe he was born at all, but rather created. Sombra and Hope had spent their childhood together for ages before an incident that nearly killed Sombra occurred in the day known as the Crystal Faire. Sombra nearly vanished in his teenage years before being saved from Radiant Hope which on that day she earned her cutie Mark, but when she received the letter Sombra ran away, and came back to slay Mi Amore and take over the Crystal Empire. End of Story "And now it would seem that he is preparing to wage war on your country Mr. President," Celestia finished, leaving Andrew Jackson stoked on this strange matter... "Is this just a simplified story? And who is this Radiant Hope?" Old Hickory asked. "That would be me, sir," Radiant Hope presented herself in the room. "She was friends with Sombra, she came here for us to help him," "Help?.. Him? The one that's about to wage a war and potentially waste thousands of lives? Help him? I see why President Jefferson called your species crazy!" "As much as you might want to believe... Luna, please take her somewhere," Celestia insisted, to which Luna nodded. "Come along young one," Luna assisted, in Hope came along with the night princess leaving Andrew Jackson and Celestia alone. Celestia sighed and looked at the president. "We can't help him, President," "Hm?" "After receiving reports from our scouts Sombra is not a pony, but a shadow being from the race of Umbrum," Celestia informed, making Old Hickory aggravated. "Umbrum? What the absolute hell is that!" "The Umbrum is a shadow race, once former rulers of what would be known as the Crystal Empire, long ago banished thanks to the Crystal Heart, it wasn't long ago when me, my sister, and Princess Mi Amore created it, it serves as the only object between the Umbrum's presence and the Ponies of Equestria way of life, and now it would seem that the Umbrum has created it's own champion, somehow..." "So? Just bomb 'em the hell that's the American way, hell! We got bombers capable of leveling cities might as well!" " According to Mi Amore during the first encounter with these beings, they are susceptible to light, although we can't tell if they would dissipate upon contact with a human-made bullet or not, nonetheless, Sombra cannot be helped, even if we could," Celestia informed. "Huh... I guess I can add either Liars or Treacherous to Jefferson's gravestone..." " Mr. President we can't reform something this high level of evil, either he goes down, or this world does." "Well, nothing to say about lying to a foal-minded mare," Old Hickory added. "I wish I could say this to her, but she seemed so... Confident that he can change-" "HA!!!" laughed the president. "Listen, if he is willing to wage war I can understand the lie (kinda) but sooner or later you will have to break the news to her eventually, it's not the matter of when, it's the matter of who will or what tells her, and if not sooner, one day it's going to bite you in the cake eating ass of yours! mark my words, Princess!" Celestia puffed upon hearing the President's warning, he spoke it and he meant it, and knowing some presidents they tend to get aggravated when they do not get their way, except for George Washington, who knew exactly how to run a country, though in a sad shame that he had stepped down after 16 years Celestia has tried to be friendly as she was with the first President, but all she got was dominance and superiority, it made her wonder why she even allowed the humans the freedom to govern in the first place. "I will see about heeding it but for now... We have work to do." Moskva, the Northern Colony Rodinik people were minding their business as usual, with people driving the latest Federation exported vehicles, and some of the ethnics having their usual sun bath whenever they can get one in the cold conditions. However, this all abruptly stopped when lines of Crystal Empire troops marched through the streets stomping their hooves to assert dominance, although the population has no idea about Sombra's takeover, they have noticed a quick change in policies recently, being the uniforms, the aggressiveness from the Colonial brigades, and the recent rumors of prisoners being either conscripted or executed inside of the jails. And with that, the uniforms had intimidated the civilians. But not those who are armed. Not with the medieval items. But with guns and ammo. Somewhere underground Moskva is a resistance network that had been up to date with international events, and when the leaders of this rebellion heard about the death of Mi Amore and the reign of Sombra back home, they started worrying, if not aggravated. And so on that night, the men held a meeting to decide what the best course of action would be. "So to summarize, Sombra has murdered if not slaughtered Princess Mi Amore, and technically single-handedly mind controlled if not defeated the entire castle royal guard, is that what I'm hearing?" Asked General Zhukov. "Yes sir, that is correct, it's even being publically announced by the newspaper and everything, even on the front pages that our men had to smuggle." "Smuggle?" "Yes sir... Apparently, the authorities announced that due to "maintenance" they've decided to shut down the border." "Maintenance? On the American border?" Asked Zhukov. "What do you think sir?" "What do I think? I think we're heading to a fucking war that's what we'll think! And if that asshole of a ruler thinks he can topple the government he-he'll... He'll be overrun..." "Sir?" "Quiet General Parskla! I'm thinking!" The general thought about the power in the military between the Crystal Empire and America, although one side may use magic he has noticed the recent invention of the tank and the plane, the DH-4 fighter bi-plane, and the M2 Stuart tank. overall however the Americans have advanced a bit with their technological advancements to the point of almost being unstoppable, but... "What do we have on the army movements?" Zhokov asked. "Currently most of the city garrison is heading to the border..." Replied General Karniav. "Hm... Most of it ey... General Parskla! General Kirov! Prepare the East and Northwest companies! When you receive my word begin operation Zero!" Zhukov ordered, making the generals surprised at this sudden jolt of orders. "Sir?" "You heard me, for now, conduct Phase One of Operation Zero as planned and start collecting weapons and conscripting the well-able men! Gentlemen! The time has come, and every moment that is wasted in this Creator Forsakened room is a second closer to this war that is about to break out! Now let's show the world what we're capable of!" The meeting of the generals was adjourned and the resistance commanders reported to their divisions and would prepare to execute Phase 1. Now's the matter of Phase 2 before the final phase...