//------------------------------// // The King Returns // Story: My New Life In Equestria // by MaxBeezy //------------------------------// Canterlot Castle. Home of Princess Celestia and her sister, Princess Luna. They have been seldom seen by the Equestrian folk for the past couple of months. Some have said that they had fallen ill, and didn’t want to get anypony else sick. Others say that the reasons are far more dire. In truth, they were investigating a series of mysterious events throughout the world. Strange storms and black fog inch closer and closer to the city of Canterlot. Most ponies have called it a travelling storm, the Princesses think it is something else entirely. Somepony, or something is heading for them, and will arrive at any moment. And it had to happen on a wedding day. Matt stands in front of a tall mirror in his house, wrestling with the tie on his suit for the wedding. It is a mixture of fancy and country, just like he suggested to Pinkie the day she showed him ideas. From an angle, it looks like any standard suit, but with boots, spurs, a cowboy hat, and a sheriff’s badge; though instead of sheriff, it says ‘Groom’ on it. Matt’s own personal touch. It looks perfect, but that dang tie is still not fixed. “Having trouble?” a voice asked. Matt turns to see Trixie, wearing a bridesmaid’s dress. “Hey Trix,” he smiles, “I’m having a difficult time with this tie. I almost wish Rarity just made it a clip on.” “Let Trixie help.” she walks to him. Her horn glows, and his tie gains a life of its own, beginning the process of getting tied. “Still doing the third person thing, huh?” “It comes and goes.” “Still can’t believe they allowed you to be a bridesmaid.” “Actually, I’m a Groomsmaid. I’m more your friend, than they are mine.” Trixie chuckles, “You needed an extra pony on your side, anyway.” The knot is done. Trixie stands back to marvel at her work. “Ah, I see that I’m good for something." “Thanks.” Matt turns and looks at Trixie’s work; he is most pleased. “Wow, very nice.” he looks back at her with a smirk, “So how’s it working out with Shining Armor and Cadance? I heard what you guys did in Las Pegasus.” “Yeah, we’re not on speaking terms…yet. I see them looking at me sometimes, though. I think they’re coming around.” The front door opens; Spike, Shining Armor, Big Mac, and Donut Joe all come pouring in, happy as can be that the day has finally arrived. “Matt! Today's the big…” Shining Armor freezes at the sight of Trixie, “…day.” He gulps in nervousness. The others snicker at his reaction. “Hey there…Captain.” Trixie trots over to him, seductively so. Matt is barely able to contain his sniggering. “You know…” she whispers, “The Great and Powerful Trixie been waiting to re-do the night we shared together…with your wife.” “I…um…I….” Shining Armor is sweating profusely, his whole body turning bright red. “I’m going to…have to talk too Cadance…” “Go ahead.” Trixie breathes out the words. She puts a hoof on this neck, running it across his chest. “Trixie is sure she will say yes.” “Uhh…I…I GOT TO GO!!!” Shining Armor explodes out of the room, as the rest explode into out of control hysterics, Trixie included. “You are something else, girl!” Donut Joe says, “You think about being an actress?” “Trixie has dabbled in it every now and again. Perhaps she is more inclined to do so, now that stripping is out of the question.” “I don’t know, you probably need something to fall back on…” Big Mac elbows Donut Joe in annoyance. “Argh, what?” Big Mac glares, as if he knows what he’s doing. “Yeah yeah, I know, I’m with Rarity. I wasn’t flirting; I was just complimenting her skills. Don’t be so sensitive all the time, Mac.” “If acting doesn’t work out, Trixie is still a Magician.” she poofs a small rose out of thin air, placing it onto Matt’s cowboy hat. “If I’m not mistaken, you have a mare to marry.” Applejack stands in her room at Sweet Apple Acres, staring at her dress in the mirror. It’s everything she imagined it would be. Rarity even put in a veil to fit with her classic hat. There is nothing about the dress that isn’t perfect to her. The barn next door has been transformed into a makeshift chapel, thanks to the combined efforts of Pinkie, Big Mac, and a few other helping hooves around town. The stage is set for a dream wedding. However, the bride is currently shaking in her boots. “Ah can’t breathe.” she says, “I’m so nervous.” Twilight and the others, including Princess Cadance, stand in the room with her, wearing lovely bridesmaid dresses. The lavender colored bookworm walks over to her cowpony friend, placing a hoof on her back, trying to get her to calm down. “Just be calm, AJ. You’ll do fine.” “How can I be calm? I’m getting married today! Oh, sweet Celesita I can’t think straight! What if I mess up the vows? What if I trip and fall? Goodness, I think I forgot mah husband’s name! Oh wait, it’s Matt. Phew.” A pause. It’s not working. “I’m still panickin’!” Rarity grabs Applejack by the shoulders and shakes her around. “Snap out of it, Applejack! You need to take a series of breaths, and stop being so panicky! It’s very unladylike!” “Okay…” she takes a deep breath, “Okay…I’ll try.” Slowly, she breathes in and out, attempting to calm down from her gargantuan panic attack. She averts her eyes to Princess Cadance, somepony who has gone through something like this. “Was it like this on your weddin’ day?” “Considering that I spent most of it in a dark crystal cave? No.” Then again…maybe not. “I mean before that.” “Well, before that I was a nervous wreck. I couldn’t find the right dress, the catering was all wrong, and…” She sees that what she is saying isn’t helping one bit. “Oops.” “Alright, alright.” Applejack thinks of something else, “Tell me…what it was like walking down the aisle.” “That’s easy…” Cadance looks up, having a mini-flashback to that magical moment in time. Her voice becoming more dreamlike, as she talks, “Walking down that aisle was a moment I would never forget. Even after all the craziness of that day, I was still nervous. But then, I looked into Shining Armor’s eyes, and everything just…disappeared. The nervousness, the thoughts of Chrysalis, all I could think about at that point in time was Shining Armor. Just by looking at him, I knew everything was going to be alright, and that I was going to spend the rest of my life with my special somepony.” Shining Armor bursts into the room; face still bright red, still sweating profusely. “Cadance! We have to talk!” “No Shining Armor, we are NOT sleeping with Trixie again!” “Come oooooooonnnnnnn!!!!!” he begs and whines like a spoiled foal. “No!” “Darn it!” he slams the door, galloping off in disappointment. “How is that goin’ by the way?” Applejack asks her. “Urgh. Of all the things he ended up remembering about Las Pegasus, it’s what we did with Trixie. I can’t believe you allowed her to be on Matt’s side of the altar, after what he told you about her.” “Aw, don’t be like that, Cadance. They’re friends.” “Friends don’t give each other lap dances.” “Shoot, Cadance, it was all in good fun.” Applejack chuckles, “She was just doin’ her job, and it didn’t mean nothin’. Besides, he needed an extra pony on his side.” “Really AJ,” Cadance shakes her head, “you’re far too trusting.” “You just don’t know Matt as well as I do.” Applejack turns back to the mirror, inspecting the dress. Still perfect. “How do I look, girls?” They all look at her, calculating their thoughts into one definite opinion. “You look ready.” Twilight concludes. The rest nod in agreement. “Okay…let’s do this. The guest will be arrivin' soon, so we better get to it.” Princess Celesita paces through her study, working on some kind of mysertious project, hidden away in a small metal box. She has been working on this for the past couple of months; a wedding present for the bride and groom. The door opens, and Luna walks in, impatient with her sister’s busywork. “Dear Sister.” Luna says sternly, “We are going to be late for the wedding.” “I’m sorry , Luna. But I want to have this done before we leave.” “It’s going to have to wait. The wedding is going to start in an hour.” Celestia sighs with frustration. Even with all the time she has spent on this gift, it wasn’t going to be ready in time. She closes up the box, disappointed with herself. “Okay Sister, we can go.” The two royal sister walk to the courtyard, wearing the best southern attire they can muster. They knew exactly what kind of wedding they were getting into, and the usual royal jewels and crowns weren’t going to cut it. Before they could step into their chariot, and odd wind blows past them.It feels like a storm is coming… “Strange…” Luna remarked, “A storm had not been scheduled for today.” “You’re right. It’s supposed to be next week. What in Equestria is…” A THUNDERCRACK nearly deafens their ears, as a lightning strike pierces Canterlot Castle like it was made of paper! The Princesses eyes widen as they see massive black clouds looming over the castle. An all too familiar feel rushes over the both of them. “Luna! Get the unicorn guards! Make a protective bubble over the castle!” Luna nods, taking off back inside. Celestia looks back up at the ominous cloud. “So…you have returned…” The clouds expand; making their way over to Sweet Apple Acres. The skies are darkening, and everypony in the vicinity has taken notice. Applejack and the others scurry outside, as the winds pick up. Their dresses flowing aimlessly at the strong breeze. “What in the hay is goin’ on?” Applejack wonders. “There’s not supposed to be a storm today!” Rainbow Dash says, “I would know!” The clouds rumble, a sinister noise protrudes from them. It sounds like…laughter...very evil laughter. “Whatever this is…I don’t like.” exclaims Pinkie Pie. “So….” a scary, but familiar voice says, “I have found you…good.” SMASH! The center of the storm builds, and zooms right onto the ground, creating a small crater in its wake. The ponies stand back in shock and fright at this diabolical evil. Slowly, the smoke and fog from the impact dissipates, and the ponies can make out a lone figure in the center of the crater. He is dark grey, wearing silver armor, green eyes, a black flowing mane, and a red horn. Their eyes go wide…they know who stands before them; somepony who should have been destroyed long ago. “King Sombra?!” Cadance yells in surprise, “We destroyed you!” The King laughs at her incorrect assessment. Lightning strikes behind him, silhouetting his threatening dark figure, lighting his dark green eyes. He looks at his prey like a predator, licking his chops, savoring the meal to come. He has waited for this day for years, and now it has finally come; the day where he takes his vengeance upon those who tried to destroy him. “Ha!” the King guffaws, “Did you really think blowing me to bits was going to stop me?! You have failed to understand; as long as a part of me remains, I will always be around!” he taps his horn, “This is what you missed, my dear, and now you will pay for your stupidity.” “No!” Twilight intervenes, “We stopped you before, we can do it again, right girls?!” They nod, positioning themselves for battle. Sombra find this sight amusing. He doesn’t know whether to attack now, or laugh at them…and then attack. “So be it…” he growls. The latter it is. He explodes in a cloud of darkness, rapidly sweeping past the ponies like they were only a minor inconvenience. One by one, he knocks them down; they are powerless against him, even with their combined strength. Applejack is thrown into a tree, Pinkie into a wagon, Fluttershy into Rarity, and so on. It’s not a battle, it’s an unmerciful beatdown, and Sombra is reveling in it. Cadance charges, but it is no use. He engulfs her in his cloud, and in a quick flash of light, throws her to the ground, black crystals covering her horn. She attempts to deliver a power blast of magic, but all that comes out is an ineffective spurt. Sombra stands over her, victorious, and about the reap the fruits of his labor. “As you can see, my Princess; my powers have gotten stronger since we last met. I may not be able to penetrate your crystal kingdom yet, but since you are here, I can indulge myself with some sweet sweet vengeance!” “RAHHH!!!!” a voice calls out behind Sombra. It’s Shining Armor! He tackles the King down, pummeling him with his hooves. “Get away from my wife!” He appears to be winning, but appearances can be deceiving. A smoke trail wraps around Shining Armor’s neck, pulling him away from Sombra, who can only laugh at the Captain’s feeble attempts to save his wife. “FOOL!” he roars. Shining Armor is raised into the air, and slammed multiple times into the ground, dropping him on the final slam. He struggles to get back up, but the pain overtakes him. He falls over, knocked out cold. “That was only a mild irritation…at best.” “Shining Armor!” both Cadance at Twilight yell. Sombra shoots an evil look at them. “Did you seriously think he was going to stop me? After all we’ve been through, my dear, I hoped you would have gotten much smarter. Now…where was I?” he taps a hoof to his chin, until he remembers, “Oh yes, I was about to kill you, wasn’t I?” Cadance tries to crawl away, but Somber slams a hoof down on her. She yelps in pain. “Stop squirming Princess! This will only hurt for a second. Actually…it will hurt for a FEW seconds.” She closes her eyes, waiting for the moment. A moment…that is stopped at the last possible second. Sombra wanted a lot of things during his existence of a life. Power, crystals, the death of his enemies, ruling an entire world under his silver sheathed hoof, the standard things an evil being such as himself would want. The one thing he never wanted out of life, aside from being defeated, was a wooden chair to the face, but that’s what he got. SMACK! Sombra is hit on the side of his face! He falls down hard, grunting in pain and annoyance at this new development. He looks to see his assailant, and it’s none other than Matt, now holding a shattered chair in this hands. “What the?” Sombra stares at him with confusion, but also curiosity, “And who are you?” “The name’s Matt, and you just ruined my wedding day.” Applejack and the others gradually regain consciousness, watching the action through their blurred eyes. “Matt…” Applejack groans, “Don’t…fight him…” He cannot hear her pleas. Donut Joe, Big Mac, Spike, and Trixie arrive at the scene, looking over the damage the King has caused. “Tend to the others.” Matt tells him, “I’m going to have a word with The Horse in Black here.” Sombra doesn’t have much time to react to this creature giving out orders. In all his years in Equestria, he has never seen a being such as Matt before. The others go to their respective companions/siblings/other, helping them out. The King stands, staring down his attacker. He examines nearly every inch of him, watching his stance and movements. He is almost repulsed by his appearance, but the other side of him remains interested in what this...thing is. “And what, pray tell, is a Matt?” the King snarls out the question with disdain. “I’m a human. The only one here. So you’re forgiven if you haven’t seen anything like me before.” “You hit me. Do you not fear me?” “Actually, I’m more pissed off than anything. So, what’s going to be, giant smoke monster? You going to leave, or am I going to have to get another chair?” “Heh” Sombra chuckles at this man's bravery, “You are truly an interesting one. I think I’ll have fun killing you.” Matt charges at the King with all his might! A burst of black cloud shoots out of the King’s side, and grabs Matt like a clenched hand. He cannot move, the grip is too tight; he can barely even breathe. Sombra floats over to him, looking over every inch of him, watching him squirm like a mouse being squeezed by a snake. He laughs with delight. “You do not show fear, but I bet you hide it well, Human. What is it, are you truly afraid of?” his eyes glow a bright green, as a beam shoots into Matt’s forehead. His eyes become green, as he pauses, frozen by time. Within the depths of Matt’s mind, he stands alone in a white void. All that is around him is utter brightness. He is still wearing his normal clothes, but everything about where he is, is off. “Where am I?” “We’re in your mind.” Sombra materializes besides him. “Do not worry, I cannot physically hurt you here. Outside is a different story.” “What are you doing to me?” “I’m here to find what you fear most.” “Get…out of my head!” Matt violently shakes his head around, but Sombra refuses to leave his mind. “No. This is always the fun part.” A scene appears in an instant, showing Applejack, sitting in the middle of a field, beckoning Matt to come over to her. The King looks over at Matt’s smiling face; the truth clicking in his mind. Sombra chortles in response to this romantic setting. “Oh my, how precious. The human has fallen for a pony. Tell me, is this the mare that you are marrying?” he laughs some more. “She looks much better in the tree I threw her in.” Matt runs at him, but he goes right through him. “Hold on now, I’m not finished yet. Go to her. I bet she wants to tell you something.” Matt glares at Sombra, but there is nothing he can do; not in his mind. He cautiously walks up to Applejack, a smirk on his face as he approached. It all feels so real to him. The breeze in his hair, the smell of the grass. It's almost like he's really there, and Applejack is really standing right in front of him. Soon, her look of love turns into a look of hatred, as she pushes him away from her. “Get away from me!” she yells. “AJ? What’s the matter?” “Get it through your thick skull! Ah never loved you! Ya can just go on home, and leave me alone!” “AJ! You don’t mean that!” Tears well up in his eyes. “Of course ah do! Who would love a horrible being such as yourself?! Ah was only doing it out of pity! I can’t take it anymore!” “Applejack!” he calls to her, but it’s no use. She runs off, leaving him alone. “Applejack!” He goes to his friends, one by one, they turn their backs on him. A state of panic overwhelms him. The feeling of being alone overtakes his mind. The white scene that was there before, is now consumed by darkness. The dark shadow of Princess Celestia looms over him with malevolent intentions. “Celestia! What’s happening?” “We do not find you useful anymore, Matt. We are sending you back.” “No! I don’t want to go back!” “That is not for you to decide.” Celesita’s horn glows, ready to send Matt back home. “Celestia! Please! I’ll do anything! Don’t send me back, I beg you!” “It is done.” “NOOOO!” A bright flash of light takes over his vision. Back outside of Matt’s head, Sombra is laughing in hysterics, watching tears flow from Matt’s eyes, as the vision affects his emotions. “This is just too funny!” he screams in amusement, “On the outside, he acts all big and tough, but he’s just a sad little foal on the inside, afraid of being alone! How utterly predictable! It disgusts me! No matter, his death will be quick, so I can end his insufferable misery.” He bares his fangs, ready for a strike. “Matt! NO!” Applejack cries out to him. Somehow, Matt can hear her cries through the void of sadness that he is experiencing. He fights the vision that lies before him, snapping out of it. Sombra is interested to see how far he will go before giving up. But that moment isn’t going to come. Suddenly, the green glow on Matt’s eyes completely disappears, revealing two angry eyes. “Curious…” Sombra says. POW! Matt socks Sombra in the jaw, hurting him. Before he can give out another, Sombra grabs him by the arm, lifting him into the air. “Perhaps I won’t kill you today, human. You are…interesting. However…” The tendrils of smoke come out of the clouds, finding their way to the ponies on the ground. In a series of snaps, they are all grabbed, and taken to the skies. Matt reaches out for Applejack, as she is being carried away. “NO! APPLEJACK!” “MATT!” she screams, as she and her friends are consumed by the black cloud. “Don’t worry, I won’t kill them…yet. As long as the Princesses give me what I want, I will let them go, no harm, no fowl. If they don’t, heh well...I will take my time killing them. I’ll have my fun, and then I will take their lives slowly and painfully.” “You harm them, I’ll kill you. Do you hear me you piece of shit?! I WILL KILL YOU!!!” The rage in Matt’s eyes makes the King giddy in anticipation. “Oooohhh, I just cannot wait to see you again. Ta-ta.” He raises Matt in the air even higher, and in a quick and abrupt motion, throws him into the barn! He crashes through, landing in a pile of hay, but it’s not enough to prevent him from falling into unconsciousness. “Apple…jack….” was all he could say, before blacking out. An hour passes, the storm continues to be as strong as ever. Before more time could be wasted, a familiar figure lands on the ground. Her holed hooves scratch at the surface of the crater Sombra made. She sniffs the ground, sensing his presence. Queen Chrysalis knows of this King. “There’s a strong essence of magic in the ground. He must have landed here…but why?” she looks to her loyal subjects, “Search the area, find anypony still alive.” They nod, and search the premises. “Why did you come here, Sombra?” “My Queen!” a Changeling calls out from inside the barn, “We found someone!” “Someone?” Chrysalis rushes inside, noticing the place has been decoration to be some kind of wedding chapel. That question would have to wait, as she spots the writhing body of Matt on the pile of hay. “Matt?” she says; it has been awhile since their meeting months ago. She kneels down, and presses on his shoulder. His eyes snap open, groaning in pain, holding onto his shoulder. He looks to the Queen, and instantly recognizes her. “Chrysalis? What are you doing here?” “I could ask you the same thing.” Matt gets up, an extra struggle for him, due to the pain in his arm. Chrysalis takes notice. “Are you injured?” “I think my arm is dislocated, I need…” he is interrupted by the sudden magic from Chrysalis’ horn. His arm is lifted and with a quick POP, he is better…ish. He holds his shoulder for a very different reason now. “OWWWW!!!!” he shouts, “A little warning next time, okay Chrysalis?” “No time for warnings; what happened here?” “I don’t know. Some smoke stallion came out of the skies. He took…” his memory comes back. “Applejack!” He runs past the Queen looking to the skies, remembering what had happened to her and the others. Looking on the ground, he spots her veiled hat. It must have fallen off of her when she was being taken away. "The stallion you speak of is King Sombra. He is a dark and powerful warlord." He kneels down, picking up the hat, holding gently, turning it over to see a lock of Applejacks hair inside. He picks it out, staring at it. "Where did he take them?" Matt asks. "I do not know. We only just arrived." He stares at the locks with sadness, and then...anger. Quickly, he folds the hat in half and puts it in his back pocket, turning back to the Queen. “We have to go to the Princesses.” “What? We?” Chrysalis steps back, “No no no, the Princesses and I didn’t leave off on the best circumstances.” “You have to take me to them. You can fly! We’ll be there before you know it.” “If you think I’m going to let you ride me…” “Call it payback.” “This is different! And don’t mention that in front of my subjects…” They look over to see the Changelings snickering with amusement. “Look, this smoke guy took my friends…and my wife. I have to know if there’s some way to save them, please!” His eyes tear at the thought of losing his friends, but most of all, the thought of losing Applejack. Chrysalis rolls her eyes. As heartless as Changelings seem to be, they are anything but. “Sometimes, I hate having emotions…but you’re still not going to ride me. Subjects!” the Changelings stand at attention. “Take the human. We’re going to Canterlot.” In a matter of minutes, the Changelings, with Matt being carried by their teeth, arrive outside of the magical bubble surrounding Canterlot Castle. Chrysalis commands her army to stand back, which they do so with no arguments. They let go of Matt, leaving a couple garish holes in his suit. He’s not too happy about that, but there are more important things at stake than the condition of his attire. The Queen and the human walk towards the bubble, neither knowing what to expect. “So, who is the lucky mare?” “Applejack.” “Applejack? Huh. Never knew cowponies were your thing.” “Neither did I.” “HALT!!!” a Guard from the inside of the bubble shouts, “What are you doing here, Changeling?” “We are here to see the Princesses. Let us pass.” “Like Tartarus I will! Go back to where you came from, beast!” “Oh come now….” she leans down, batting her eyelashes at the Guard, “Certainly there is something I can do to let you open that bubble just a teensy weensy little bit.” Before anything could come of her attempts at seducing the now sweating Guard, Princess Celestia and Luna land in front of Chrysalis and Matt. The two Princesses look at them both, surprised to see one, but not the other. “Queen Chrysalis…” Celestia smirks, “I wondered when you would show your face again. Were you trying to seduce my guard, again?” “Yeah, and I would have gotten away with it too, if it weren’t for your meddling self.” “Let them in.” Celestia commands. “B-But, Princess!” “Now.” A section of the bubble opens, allowing passage for Matt and Chrysalis. The Queen continues to have a stare-down with Celestia, years of history running through their thoughts. “If we didn’t share a common foe, I would have you locked away in the dungeon.” “You would like that, wouldn’t you Celestia? Seeing me tied in chains, you’d be able to come visit me every day. Just like old times.” Matt looks back and forth between the Princess and the Queen. He’s trying to figure out whether they are going to fight, or make out. He shakes his head rapidly, effectively taking any thoughts from his head. “Okay! Stop!” he shouts. The two are broken from their stare down, and look down at the yelling human. “This is all very interesting, but can you please tell me what is out there?!” “Yes, of course.” Celestia looks back at Chrysalis, “We’ll talk about this later.” “I’m sure we will.” “Follow me.” They are led into the throne room of the castle. Of all the rooms Matt has been to, this was the most beautiful. It was a massive place, with glass murals of the ponies taking on the evils of the world. He was so caught up with the design and architecture, he almost missed out on Celestia’s little story time. “Chrysalis is already aware of King Sombra, but you deserve to know about him as well, Matt.” “Stallion made of pure evil, right?” “Yes. He was a unicorn with a heart as black as night. He attempted to rule over the Crystal Empire, but he was overpowered, and banished to the icy north. Unfortunately, he put a curse on the empire, sealing it from pony eyes for a thousand years. The empire eventually returned, but so did he. With the help of Cadance, along with Twilight and her friends, Sombra was destroyed, never to be seen again…or so we thought.” Celestia looks up at the mural. Matt looks up and notices at the center of the mural, is spike, holding up a crystal heart. “Why is Spike on there?” “He helped out too.” Celestia brushes that fact over, "However, a piece of him must have survived in the blast, and he has returned. What happened out there, Matt?" "He ambushed Twilight and the others. I tried to stop him, but...he was strong. Like he could control the dark clouds that surrounded him; able to make it take physical form." "Then he has regained his powers." Chrysalis concludes. "He knocked out Shining Armor, and disabled Cadance's powers. He went through everypony like they were nothing. I hadn't seen anything like it in all my time here!" "We hoped that you never would." said Celestia, "What did he say to you, when you encountered him? “He told me that he will return our friends, if you give him what he wants." Celestia pauses; she has a good idea of what Sombra wants. She hides her true emotion of terror on her face. "What was he talking about?” “I wish I knew…” she lies. “OH…I believe you do, Princess!” Sombra’s voice echoes through the room. Suddenly, the beautiful murals shatter into millions of pieces, everypony dodging the shards, as the black smoke pours inside the room. Everypony and Matt stand back, avoiding stepping on any rogue shards of painted glass. The smoke billows about the room, flowing every which way, before forming into the center, where is slowly transforms into the physical being that is Sombra. Once his physical form his complete, he looks upon the mixed emotions of fright and anger from the ponies and man that are looking at him. The evil King smiles with glee, the light reflecting on his perfectly chiseled fangs. “You really need better security. Your guards were so easy to dispatch, your shield so simple to destroy. Frankly, Princess. I’m insulted that you think so low of me.” “Sombra.” Luna glares at him with hatred. “Luna? Is that you?” he can hardly recognize her, “My goodness, look at you. You have truly grown into a fine young mare. As young as 2000 years can be. Perhaps when this is all over, you can be my personal mistress." "I would never join you." she shoots him an angered look. "There are ways to make you join me, I can assure you." he chuckles, turning his attention to Matt. “Ah! You're up and about already? Fascinating, you are a resilient one. I never doubt my instincts. By the way, your bride wouldn’t stop calling your name, as I locked her away in my cell! You should have seen her, it was positively precious.” Matt is about to step forward for another fight, but Chrysalis pushes him back. Sombra is surprised by the Queen’s behavior. “Ah, my darling Queen Chrysalis, just tell me what are you doing? Do you actually care for this creature?” “No. You’re just not worth the punch.” “But...I think you do." he sees the Queen keep her straight face. He can see right through her cold exterior. "What happened to the Queen that I knew? The one that wanted to enslave all of Equestria? The one with all the fire in her heart?” “This world will be mine…in time. But you will not be allowed in it.” Sombra becomes smoke yet again, flying fast to Chrysalis, getting uncomfortably close to her face. The others are pushed back by Sombra’s force. Sombra opens his mouth, letting out a subdued growl, breathing hard on her neck, baring a terrifying smile. He can see the sweat dripping down her face. He scoffs in disappointment at her reaction to him. “I don’t believe you, my Queen. You were strong, uncompromising, and tantalizingly beautiful. Now you have gotten soft…weak…that weakness really makes me so…agitated.” he growls the last word in her ear, “Tell me, why the change of heart?" "What do you mean? My heart has not changed course. I will take over this kingd..." "YOU'RE LYING!" he roars, "You have had many opportunities to take this world down, many blind spots, many openings, but you did not take a single one, your hoof remained held. Back when I once knew you, your army could take down entire cities with a single command, yet here you are, standing before me, pathetic and weak! What is the matter, my Queen? Why are you now so anemic in your desires?” He watches her eyes closely, looking for any possible movement. It comes, he sees in her reflection Princess Celestia. He gasps in both horror and laughter. “I don’t believe it! The Changeling Queen has fallen for the Princess!” he laughs in her face, as a tear rolls down her cheek. Celestia looks upon the Queen with a look of shock and surprise. "Chrysalis?" Celestia says in disbelief. "Princess..." Chrysalis softly mutters. With another growl, Sombra, using his smoke, wraps a trail around her neck, squeezing it, choking her. “I should force the life out of you, for your ineptitude!” “STOP!” shouts Celestia. "Let her go, Sombra!" His grip gets tighter; any further and he could break her neck. "LET HER GO!!!" Reluctantly, he lets go of her, shooting his attention to the Princess. Chrysalis falls to the floor, gasping for air. Matt goes to her side, helping her. Sombra glides to Celestia, wrapping his smoky self around her. “Celestia…Celestia…what am I going to do with you? So pretty…so flawless…so…intoxicating.” he watches the Princess shudder at his words. He puts a hoof onto her hip, caressing it with an eerie amount of affection. “You know, if no one was around, I wouldn’t hesitate to take you here, right now.” his slimy tongue slithers out of his mouth, licking Celestia’s face and neck. "Just think of all the things I can do for you, all the things I can do to you..." She winces, trying not to act weak, but it is not working. “You’re a monster…” she whispers at him. "Come now my dear, we are all monsters, when you get right to it. I am merely just one of many in this world, I just happen to have your complete and undivided attention." “Just tell us why you are here.” “Ah, yes of course. Where are my manners?” He floats away from the group, landing at a safe distance. “We’re not here to talk about me. Actually…we ARE here to talk about me.” He laughs. “As you well know, I am held off from taking over my true prize; The Crystal Kingdom. No matter how much power I have amassed since my untimely near destruction, I still cannot break that blasted shield. But…I know what can.” “The Elements of Harmony…” Luna figures it out. “Very good. Extra points for you.” he grins, “The elements are what I need to break through the barrier. Give them to me, and I will let your precious ponies go.” "And what do you plan to do, once you have the Elements?" Asks Luna. "Isn't it obvious? I will break the barrier protecting the Crystal Kingdom, and rule as I once did...with an iron hoof." He looks down at his armored hoof. "Well...silver hoof, but you get the idea." “You can forget it, Sombra. The elements stay with us.” Celestia stands with defiance. "You are willing to sacrifice your loyal subjects, for some meaningless pieces of jewelry? I'm sure they would love to hear that." "They will die, before giving you what you want." "Princess!" Matt yells to her. "Silence!" she glares at him. Sombra looks at the beings before him, about to unleash a storm of rage upon them. But, the King holds back any potential attack. Instead, he lets out a chuckle, before walking towards them at a slow and steady pace, the air of intimidation still running high in his attitude. “That’s the way it goes, huh? You are as stubborn as you ever were. Fine, be that way. I’ll tell you what will happen if you don’t give them to me. I will take your precious ponies, and I will do things to them that will make your stomach churn. It will be slow, it will be painful, and I will continue to do it, until they beg me for a quick death, which I will gladly give them, after doing it over and over and over again, until there is nothing left but blood and MUSH! And when I am done with them, I will come back here, and do the same to you three at the same time a thousand times over! And once that is over, when you are nothing but a quivering mass, I will take this world for myself, and there is nopony that can stop me!" He shouts his last words to them, as he stops in his tracks, growling with anger. Everypony stands frozen in fear. He grins an evil grin, pleased at their reactions. "That is my bargain with you, Princess. It would be wise that you adhere to my demands. You have one hour to think it over. Every hour after that, I will take one of your precious subjects to my chambers...” he looks at Matt, "Starting with your beautiful bride." "If you even touch her..." "You'll what? Kill me? Maim me? Empty threats for a weakling such as you. You come to me, and I will give you a glorious death, right in front of your beloved; and then, I'll do as I please with her." he flashes a friendly smile. "Ta-ta." He dissipates into smoke, and flies off into the stormy skies. The Queen and Princesses stand in fear at his words. Only Matt stands with rage in his eyes. He looks at the others; it is a sight that Matt cannot believe. “You’re just going to let him say all that?” “He’s more powerful than we have anticipated." Luna says, her hooves shaking. "So what? You're the Princesses of Equestria!" he looks at Chrysalis, "And you're the Queen of the Changelings! You are all powerful!" "This is different. He has somehow amassed enough strength to dispatch Celestia's guards, destroy her shields; this is nothing like we faced before!" "But isn't this what you guys are prepared for? You fight against the odds, and beat the bad guys!" "You don't get it, Matt!" Luna yells, "You saw what he can do! There’s nothing that can stop him!” “No…there is.” Celestia’s eyes become determined. She walks to a doorway, accessed only by her horn. She unlocks the door with her magic, and inside lies a chest, with the symbol for the Elements of Harmony. “Matt…these are the elements.” She opens the chest, showing all six elements. Five are necklaces, while the last is a crown. They are exquisitely crafted, something that amazes Matt. “Wow…” he says under his breath, “They’re beautiful.” “They are…and you will be the one to take them.” “What?” he is snapped out of his wonderment, and into a state of panic. “Where?” “To where King Sombra resides.” “You can’t be serious! You’re going to give in to his demands?!” “No. You are taking these elements to the ones that can use them. You know of who I speak.” “Of course I do. So, I should just take the box, to who knows where?” “No. The elements will guide you to their true users, and you will not be carrying the box…you will wear them.” “Excuse me?” Matt backs up, “They’re pretty, but I’m not going to wear necklaces and a big crown thingy.” “I had a feeling you would say that.” she smirks. Her horn glows, taking the elements out of the box, and into the air. "Lucky for you, I thought of a solution." Slowly, they spin around one another, before going faster and faster; Matt can’t even keep up with their speed. With a blinding flash, Matt sees that the elements have been bonded into one necklace, showing the symbols of all six elements on it. “There you are. All six elements, made whole. Once you find your friends, the elements will separate, and only they can defeat King Sombra.” Matt takes the necklace. He is about to put it on… “Wait…” she stops him, “Once you put on the necklace, you will experience unnatural power. You will be strong, you will be fast, but make no mistake, though the thought may be tempting, you cannot defeat the King on your own. Twilight and her friends MUST be the ones to deliver the killing blow.” “No pressure, right?” Matt jokes, “Okay, here goes nothing.” He carefully puts the necklace on, tucking it under his shirt collar. He stands there, waiting for something to happen. Nothing. “Huh, I don’t feel any different.” He stands there for a bit longer, he feels something. “Wait...” The Princesses and Queen watch him with interest. Surely, he starts to shiver like he is cold, but then he groans, like he’s in pain. He collapses to the ground, eyes shut, clutching his chest, trying to get the necklace off. “No! Leave it on, Matt!” “I can’t! It hurts!” “I know! You have to wait through it!” “AHHHH!!!” he screams, his chest feels like it’s on fire. “Get it off me!” “Just a little longer, you’re almost there!” Matt glows a bright red, the other stand back in amazement. The power is too much for him. He writhes and screams in utter agony. There is not much more he can take. He feels like he can die at any moment. Is this it? Is this how it ends? “I…I can’t!” “Breathe Matt! Just breathe!” The pain is overwhelming, he screams even louder. "Matt! Think of Applejack!" Celestia calls out. In an instant, his mind is flooded with memories of his time with Applejack. He thinks back to the day where they first met, where she kicked him in the face, where she comforted him when he was down. The first time he went to her farm, and all the times since then. Their first kiss, the first time they made love, when he proposed. Every single moment he spent with her was a happy memory. The pain inside hime subsides, he no longer screams, he no longer moves. His breaths become normal, the red around him disappears. All he is doing...is laying there...seemlingly motionless. The Princesses and Queen look at one another, unsure of what to do. "Matt?" Chrysalis asks. His eyes snap open, revealing two glowing white eyes. He is still very much alive. It is time.