//------------------------------// // Preparation // Story: Awakened // by King Sombra11 //------------------------------// In the midst of the now shadowed crystal empire King Sombra stood on a dark jagged looking crystal spire, gazing down with glee as the crystal ponies solemnly made their way to his mines shackled and chained. "Excellent, soon all of Equestria shall be mine!" he said smugly. But a minor nuisance had to be dealt with first. Princess Celestia and Luna had foolishly declared war upon his nation of misery and pain. While formidable themselves he truly worried about the elements of harmony. The only offensive Equestrian weapon truly capable of subduing him for good. Perhaps it could even destroy him! The very thought made Sombra tremble with anger, He roared at the sky in pure rage while the ponies below trembled in fear. They themselves had long learned to fear his wrath. Now when they dared to look up all they could see was an inky mass of writhing darkness. Emerald eyes with blood red irises stared out at them while the concentration of pure evil poured out of the eyes. "Somepony will pay!" Sombra exclaimed as the inky darkness reached forward, enveloping a young foal. All the crystal ponies heard as they shut their eyes and cowered where the long and dreadful screams of King Sombra's new plaything. Far away in Ponyville spike lay on the floor groaning as he continually received the princess's messages. "spike" shouted twilight as she came through the door "where are..." her sentence never ended as she took in spikes prone form and the pile of scrolls around him. "spike what happened?" she gasped as yet another scroll was sent into the pile. "so many messages" spike groaned clutching his small little dragon stomach. Finally the messages stopped. levitating one up and unfurling it with her magic, Twilight began to read soon she dropped the scroll with a horrified gasp. "what is it twilight? what is it?" spike moaned still feeling the after effects of the princess's constant messaging. "Spike send the princess a letter that I have received her warning and will return to Canterlot immediately" twilight said. "what is it twilight?!?" spike questioned once more. "King Sombra has returned to Equestria and only the elements of harmony may be able to stop him." twilight replied although she didn't mention the part aabout the possible reforming of King Sombra as she didn't want to worry spike further. Soon twilight was standing at ponyville's train station. With her stood all of her best friends. Also together they made the bearers of the elements of harmony. Applejack was honesty, Rainbow dash represented loyalty, Rarity represented generosity while fluttershy represented kindness. Pinkie pie represented laughter and finally twilight represented the most powerful of all elements magic. They all paid the standard fee of ten bits and clambered onto the train. All ponies where talking at once. "we are going to kick some serious butt!" rainbow dash was saying while rarity complained about the minimum space area for her luggage. "I mean really twilight couldn't we have gotten a bigger carriage?" she asked. "oh shove a hoof in it rarity" said applejack while she pulled her hat down over her eyes. "its gunna be a looong trip, and I don't wanna hear you complaining through it" "Oh pish posh darling I wouldn't dream of disturbing your beauty sleep" replied rarity with a devious glint in her eyes. "Girls please keep our goal in mind" twilight interrupted. At once the rest of the group fell silent except from pinkie pie who was humming a tune to herself. "we are to make our way to Canterlot and prepare an offensive strike against King Sombra, However" she continued as her friends ears perked up with newfound interest. "we have been told to investigate the possibility of reforming him and..." twilight got no further as rainbow dash burst out "WHAT?!?" she cried. "what in tarnation?!?" exclaimed applejack. "what would ever entertain that train of thought twilight?" asked rarity "QUEIT" shouted twilight only pinkie pie had said nothing just carried on humming her tune to herself. "this is the personal request from princess Celestisa" the other ponies fell silent. "Any thing is capable of being reformed and turning to the light, ANYTHING!" the last word was said with more force almost as if she was trying to convince herself of her own philosophy. As the train began to pull out all the ponies settled down for the long ride to Canterlot. In the Crystal empire King Sombra had decided to assemble his forces. Standing on his balcony overlooking his army he smugly thought of his excelling ability to turn even the most pure hearted pony into a depraved creature of darkness, that would fight to the death for his lord and master. "My lord" Sombra turned at the voice of his trusted second in command. Akula. A fearsome crystal pony who had earned his respect through his inability to kneel before his master. Eventually Sombra offered the hardened pony a place at his side, of course Akula had accepted. "what is it?" Sombra growled. "The legion is ready for you sire" Akula's gaze was steely and unflinching. "very well" Sombra said "let it commence". Turning to face his legion of darkness, Sombra began to address them. "My faithful subjects" he began "long have I realised you from the idealism of happiness and love, long have you stood by my side in battle and waged war upon our enemies. LONG HAVE YOU AND YOUR PREDECESSORS STOOD BY ME AND HAVE REMAINED LOYAL" this last part was roared at his army so he could be heard over the frenzied battle tinged cheers of the soldiers! "GO NOW MY WARRIORS, PREPARE FOR SOON YOU SHALL BATHE IN THEIR BLOOD AND LISTEN TO THEIR DYING SCREAMS!" Sombra paused as he drank in the delicious scent of hatred, it practically oozed out of his soldiers. He watched as the ponies all clad in crystal armour the colour of obsidian marched off to prepare for battle. "oh what a glorious day" He crowed as the army began to disappear in the distance.