Son of Sombra - Journey of a Demon Alicorn

by Prince Star Fall

Prologue - Under Your Hoof

In the beautiful land of Equestria, long ago, there stood the Crystal Empire, a place one could quite literally call its own kingdom, with buildings made of pure crystal, surrounding the main attraction – a towering behemoth of a crystal skyscraper, the tallest of all, that literally cuts into the sky. Even the citizens were crystallized, their bodies glistening wherever they went. It’s a wonderful thing to know that such a kingdom stands even today. However, its early history is also one that intrigues many, and it’s that very same history that inspired an annual ceremony that involves a shining crystal heart.
It was eons in the past. No, even further than that. Before you and I had ever existed as a twinkling in our mother’s eyes. Yes, it was ages ago when the Crystal Empire was ruled by a king whose heard was blackened by darkness. He was King Sombra, a ruling unicorn who was at one with the darkness inside his heart. His evil was, in fact, great enough to challenge the authority of Princess Celestia and her younger sister, Princess Luna. From there, a battle as destructive as any war ensued, but eventually the true rulers of Equestria had emerged the victors. It was then that King Sombra had become nothing more than a mere shadowy mist, banished from Equestria and cast away as an enemy, and, as time passed, a shadow of a memory in everyponies minds. Today, thanks to the powerful magic of Shining Armor and his wife, Princess Cadence, who both preside as the Empire’s rulers, protect it and the Crystal Heart with their lives.
Very few knew, however, of the existence of King Sombra’s first son, Prince Ostrath. Believe it or not, he indeed had a son – in fact, two sons, but this story is about his first – with his own control over the darkness. Even the few who knew of Prince Ostrath’s existence knew very little about him. Contrary to all popular belief, the Prince was half-unicorn, half-changeling – his mother was a changeling, originally a mere worker bee for Queen Chrysalis’s army, but later on a disguised commoner amongst the crystal ponies. Unlike the others, she knew what was best for life as a whole. With this sense of goodness in her heart, she made sure that her son would not turn out like his father. To assure this, she used her own magic to shatter his horn, fracturing it and leaving it half-complete, then scattering the fragments all across the land in the hopes that they would never be found or brought together. He could still use it for casting magic, but the overpowering mix of changeling blood and darkness would not be able to consume him… the unspeakable acts of destruction that would result from their coming together… it was hard to imagine for the Changeling Queen. Before King Sombra’s end, the Prince’s mother ran away for fear of prosecution to the moon – or worse, the sun. No word on her return or being has been spoken of since.
As for the young Prince Ostrath, he stayed with his father, being raised to rule a city or even, someday, a kingdom – with an iron hoof like no other. Through their time together, the Prince learned much, but he was always curious as to why he would have to rule in that way…

“Believe me, son; there will come a day when you and you alone must step up to take charge. When that day comes, you must hold on to that power, and use it to let everypony else know their place.”
“But I still don’t understand why it must be with hate and disregard for others.”
“My foolish Prince… the world is full of those who will take anything and everything from you unless you act. Despite what anypony will tell you, you have to earn your place by force. They may say it’s through respect and honor, but they’re all full of it. No matter what, my son, take it all for yourself, and keep the rest under your hoof.”
“But father-“
“UNDER. YOUR. HOOF.”
The King knew that he was lying through his sharp teeth about how everypony was a liar, a thief, a cheater, full of all the evils of the world, but he didn’t care. Those were his rules to live by, and they would be the only truths that Prince Ostrath would live by for much of his life ahead. However, under separate orders from the Prince’s mother, the Changeling Queen, and his father, a peculiar old pony under a raggedy brown cloak would tag along with the Prince as a guide, in wake of the King’s final battle among the living.
“North Star!”
“Yes, my King?” the old voice spoke, echoing towards the King, who stood on a balcony overlooking the Crystal Empire. He watched the horizon, waiting as Princess Celestia and Luna swiftly approached from afar.
“I have one last favor to ask of you.”
“Anything, my king.”
“Take my son away.”
“M-my king… what are you-“
“You heard me, you old fool! Take the Prince far away from here. Anywhere. I sense a storm of epic proportions approaching… and I’ll be a part of it.”
“And y-you want me to-“
“Must I repeat myself!?” From this, a silence came between the two, stretching on for what felt like ages. The King soon continued. “I cannot fully trust myself to survive against two other powerful beings. That’s why I want you to get out of here, and take Prince Ostrath with you.”
The old pony stood there, slightly in shock that his King would order him to completely abandon him, and so he begged the question. “But, my King, why would you order me to just leave you alone to deal with the Princesses? You know very well I can be of some help!”
The King roared furiously back at him, “You will be of more help to me by leaving at ONCE!” The old pony was now in fear, not so much for his own life, but for the Kings; that he knew that he would perish in the battle to come brought frightening thoughts. “I want both of you gone. Anywhere but here, or in the sights of the Princesses. When you are out there in seclusion, guide my son in my ways. Show him what it takes to rule as I have. Show him how dark this world can be to him – and what power he already has.” At this, the King smiled evilly, for he knew very well what dark magic and power that lay within his son untapped. He then noticed that the old man – his most loyal captured subject – was still standing there, burdened by the sudden abandonment of his master, his ruler, his captain. “Why do you stand there, North Star? You know what they will do to me and my son when it’s all over! GO!!!”
Without any further hesitation, the old pony ran out, trying to keep his emotions in check as he ran up a long flight of a crystal stairway to the Prince’s room. A sweet voice suddenly called out to him.

“…North Star…”

The cloaked elder turned around to see the changeling Queen, her head down in a sense of depression.
“Does something trouble you, my Queen?” North Star asked.
She paused a bit, allowing North Star to take in her solemnity. “You’re going to take my son away, are you?”
Now the old pony was sure that the Queen was troubled, as well, for he also paused on this sad truth. “…I’m afraid so. Orders from the King himself.”
This time, the Queen took her time to think these words over. “…If you both must go… then please look after him with good intentions.”
Again, the old pony was shocked, this time by the Queen not trying to take her son herself. “M-my Queen?”
"If King Sombra wants you to take Prince Ostrath away, then at least teach him some worthwhile virtues."
At this, North Star had to ponder. He had close ties to the King, not only from being selected as his right-hoof pony, but because King Sombra had confided in him on several occasions. Through those small moments, they had essentially become secretive friends, but were otherwise Master and Servant, respectively. On the other hoof, however, he, too, knew what was best, because he was a father himself until he had been taken away from his family who resided in a small village near Neighagra Falls. Despite this tragedy, North Star managed to find a companion with his enslaver. Plus, he found comfort with the Queen’s company. After much thought, North Star finally spoke up. “I won’t let you down, my Queen.”
The Queen teared up and smiled at this, saying, “Thank you” ever so softly. However, North Star could not help but be concerned for the Queens well-being. “But what of you, Queen? What are you going to do?”
“I’m going to run away, as well – but in my own direction.”
“…I’m guessing the Prince may not be able to see his mother again.”
The Queen looked down with shame. “No. Probably not ever.”
“I see…” This was another truth that both North Star and Prince Ostrath would have to eventually face, and the pain of the thought showed in North Star’s face.
“I wish you great luck, North Star. Celestia watch over you. Both of you, and in good hopes.”
Immediately, the changeling Queen ran out of the Crystal Tower, heartbroken, crying. North Star reached a hoof towards her and almost willed himself to call out for her, but he knew that time was imperative. What got him going even more was when he heard the King yelling outside the castle. “I’ll fight you both! YOU WON’T TAKE MY KINGDOM AWAY FROM ME SO EASILY!!”
From this, the old pony was sure that time was shortening itself for the King – and possibly himself, with the Princesses of Equestria just outside in the midst of combat. North Star quickly climbed the final flights of stairs into Prince Ostrath’s room, a small children’s room, lit up by natural light from the outside world, shining inside magnificently.
When North Star came running in, the young Prince was watching the battle outside through his window, with neither a look of delight nor dissatisfaction. From his angle, however, he could only see his father rambling about, firing off dark bolts of thunder and dodging various spells that could only come from the Princesses. A moment later, the Prince broke from his gaze to look at North Star, standing at the doorway.
“Prince Ostrath, we must make our leave now.”
“I have to leave?”
“Yes, your father has orders for me to take you away from here.”
“My father wants me to leave? But I want to stay and watch him!”
“It’s not up to you, I’m afraid. We must go now!”
“How come I cannot stay? He’s trained me for years for something just like this, and now he expects me to just up and escape like a coward!?”
North Star had to muster up all of his courage to forcibly shout out the words at the Prince. “Your father doesn’t think he will make it out of facing the Princesses! He doesn’t want you in his position or any place worse!”
The young Prince froze right there, knowing that his father wanted him far away from home. For the past few years of his life, he had indeed been training to fight and rule at his father’s side, cutting away at training dummies made of hay, rope, and cloth with a blade attached to a chain wrapped tightly around his arm – or when all other options were exhausted, with his claws, which were a genetic mutation that came as a result of being half-changeling – and barking orders at less-dignified members of the kingdom. Combat was hardly a problem for Prince Ostrath; the real issue was in giving commands to those who ranked beneath royalty. The Prince, at first, found it quite difficult to yell at anypony without feeling guilty about treating the others horribly and considering what was going through their heads.
Before the Prince could dwell on it further, he found himself being pulled away from the window, out of his room and down the crystal stairs. North Star was already half dragging the Prince with him downwards as the entire castle began to shake; the battle was climaxing to dangerous heights.
“But where will we go?” The Prince asked. “I must know!”
“I don’t know,” replied North Star.” Anywhere but here!”
“Then what will we do?”
North Star had to think and run at the same time with this question rushing through his head like the blood through his veins. Yet he was simultaneously distracted by the falling pieces of crystals and the powerful noises of high-level magic being fired off from both sides. He was sure that this battle would be one written for the history books, if not written by him!

Suddenly, the destruction outside gave him an idea – one which he hoped he would not regret.

“Training.”
“Training? For what?”
“For the rest of your life.” On that very note, the two were outside of the castle, exiting the kingdom on a journey for new salvation. For King Sombra, his fate was already sealed, and thus he would come crashing down.

But in the case of the Warrior-Prince Ostrath, his fate had only just begun.