Starswirl the Bearded was sitting in his own personal library, reading his books and trying to uncover more spells. I must learn more if I am to become an alicorn He thought to himself. He put down the book he was currently reading to start reading another one. Thats when he noticed a book with a black cover. "Whats this?" Starswirl said, looking curiously at it. "I never noticed this book before." He used his magic to levitate it to him and read the title aloud. "Dark Magic And Spells." he read. He thought this book sounded dangerous, and put it down to continue his studies. After a while, however, his curiousity got the best of him, and he began to read. The book spoke about how dark magic can be used to create powerful spells, or enhance weaker ones. I'm going to ask Princess Celestia about this. he thought, wanting an explanation on what he read. Dear Princess Celestia he thought as he wrote I have recently read about dark magic. I would like an explanation on it's properties and it's properties and it's nature. Starswirl used his magic to send the letter. "I hope this dark magic isn't too dangerous." Starswirl said to himself, continueing his studies.
After a couple of days, Celestia sent a letter to Starswirl. Starswirl read aloud "Be warned. Dark magic has incredible power, but can corrupt your mind and body depending on what the magic is used on. Now, I humbly request you continue your studies on the magic of friendship." Starswirl grunted, crumbled the letter with his magic, and threw it out. "The magic of friendship." he said with disbelief "Friendship has no magic, no purpose, no...... power." Starswirl paused and remembered the book. "Princess Celestia did say something about Dark magic having incredible power. But I may go insane. Unless..." Starswirl then cast a spell on himself to protect him from any mind alterations. Starswirl read upon a spell that could fire a beam of concussive force, and destroy whatever it touches. He made himself a target and readied himself. Starswirl summoned the Dark magic, not worrying about the consequences, thinking the spell he had cast before protected him. His eyes glowed green, his horn sparked with the magic, and a beam was launched that disintegrated the target. Starswirl stood amazed. "Excellent." Starswirl said, his eyes flashed green for a second as he said it.
Weeks passed, and Starswirl practiced using the Dark magic. More and more, the power corrputed his mind, as he learned new spells. He eventually began to get sick of practicing on normal targets. "I need test subjects. Real, living ones." Starswirl said to himself. He began to test his spells on things like mice and rabbits, ranging from transformation, to disinegration. Soon enough, Starswirl needed stronger test subjects. He began to kidnap and test on members of the royal guard. "Celestia doesn't know what she's talking about." Starswirl said "This magic is incredible! Friendship be damned!"
Princess Celestia noticed Starswirl wasn't paying attention to his studies, and a massive decrease in guards. She sent for Starswirl to be presented to her. After a day or 2 Starswirl arrived in the throne room. "Yes, Princess Celestia?" Starswirl said, bowing to show manners. "You sent for me?"
"Yes, Starswirl." Princess Celestia said "I haven't seen a report on your studies as of late."
"My apologies, Princess." Starswirl said, trying to apologize "I have been..... busy practicing new spells."
"What kind of spells?" Celestia asked, suspicious.
Starswirl got slightly nervous. "Transformation spells, teleportation, all of that." he said, trying to make the situation better. Celestia's horn glowed a yellow hue as she cast a spell that scanned Starswirl's magic, to see if there was any imperfections, since Celestia thought Starswirl was lying to her. Starswirls aura was a green, purple and red hue, that jerked and spiked, like lighting.
"Starswirl" Celestia said, with a tone of slight anger "Have you been using the Dark magic I have forbidden you from using?"
Starswirl tried to speak, but Celestia's beaming eyes forced him to tell the truth. He inhaled, then exhaled. "Yes, Princess Celestia." Starswirl said, in a rather nasty tone. "Yes I have, and in the time I have been using it, it has given me more power then your precious friendship. I have had it with these nonsensical studies, and I have had it with you, your highness! And in case you're wondering, the missing guards are either small rodents, or dust in the wind." Starswirl then shot Celestia a crazed smirk. Needless to say, Celestia was stunned. Starswirl ran out of the throne room, and into his personal library. The remaining guards chased after him, but Celestia called them off.
"No." Celestia said "He'll learn the consequences for his actions soon enough."
"But your majesty" one of the guards said "He has committed mass murder. He has reduced the royal guard to a mere fraction of what it was."
"I know." Celestia said calmly "And he will pay dearly for it. One way......or another."
"I need a way to gain more power!" Starswirl said, desperately seeking more power for himself. He looked in the book with Dark magic spells and found an energy absorbtion spell. "Perfect! Now I just need a power source to drain!" Starswirl shouted, as he looked in his archives for any sources of power. He found an article about the Crystal Heart, and how it holds immeasurable power in it. "Crystals." Starswirl said, quite threatening, his eyes glowing green for a split second. He grabbed enough provisions to last him the trip, and made his way to the Crystal Empire.
After about 2 months of searching, Starswirl made it to the Crystal Empire. Starswirl ran in and took a look around. He was amazed by the sights of everything, and by the Crystal Ponies. He rudely walked up to one of the Crystal Ponies and asked "Where's the Crystal Heart?"
The Crystal Pony said "In the middle of the town" and pointed in that direction.
Once Starswirl got there, he took a stance, and powered up his magic. His eyes glowed green, his horn sparked and crackled. Some Crystal Ponies noticed Starswirl, and thought he was going to destroy the Crystal Heart. They tried to stop him, but he just blasted them all. Half had become rats, ferrets, rabbits and squirrels, while the other half simply became ash. Starswirl laughed evily as he finally finished preparing the spell, and fired on the Crystal Heart. Starswirl's hate filled magic, combined with the Crystal Heart's love, set off a chain reaction. A white beam traveled from the green red and purple beam Starswirl shot, and hit Starswirl. He screamed in pain as his body flashed white. Finally, a shockwave shot through the Crystal Empire. All the Crystal Ponies made their way to the Crystal Heart, and noticed a stallion on the floor, in a star gilded robe. Starswirl stood up and faced the Crystal Ponies. He was no longer Starswirl. His horn was red, and curved. His tail and mane became black, while his coat was a dark shade of grey. His eyes were red, and he looked at the Crystal Ponies. They murmured and whispered about who this mysterious stallion was. "SILENCE!!!" Starswirl shouted at the top of his lungs. Everypony silenced, for fear of what this unicorn could do to them. Starswirl saw his reflection on the crystal floor. He felt power coursing through his veins. He was a new stallion. He decided to adopt a new identity. He ripped of his robe, took off his hat and stomped on it, and shouted "CITIZENS OF THE CRYSTAL EMPIRE!!! MEET YOUR NEW RULER!!! ME, KING SOMBRA!!!!!" The Crystal Ponies bowed, because they were afraid for their lives. Starswirl laughed evilly, knowing that he was no longer Celestia's pet and student, but a ruler. A king.