//------------------------------// // Episode one: Windiegos?! Oh No! part one // Story: Obsidian Legacy: Sombra // by Raven Shadow //------------------------------// The object that rested in the clearing resembled a broken unicorn's horn, the shadows seemed dance around it, swirling, for it seemed to emanate the very essence of hatred itself. The winds pick up, darkness has fallen over the Everfree Forest. The animals fled the area surrounding the object as their fear grew. From the object a deep, dark, and insidious chuckle rose what felt like the very depths of Tartarus. This chuckle struck the hearts of even the bravest of Manticores and Timberwolves alike. The chuckle coming from the object sounded like even Tartarus bowed before it's dark will. Midnight black crystals sprouted from the grass not even two inches away. The chuckle became distorted into a malevolent laugh as the crystals grew centimeter by centimeter. My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic Obsidian Legacy: Sombra Episode One: Windiegos?! Oh no! The sun had made it's way to the peak of it's rotation. The birds flew from tree to tree, singing their sweet little songs. A blue bird landed on a low hanging branch above six very important mares. Each one of these mares had saved the Kingdom of Equestria three times, even going to the far north to save the Crystal Empire from a dark king. They even reformed the embodiment of chaos. Their names were simple and no hassle to learn: Fluttershy, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, and Twilight Sparkle. Yes these mares were responsible for their great deeds. At the moment they currently discussing the matter of how to spend the day. Ideas were drawn up by the book mare herself; Twilight, many of those ideas were scratched of the list. ------------ "Okay girls what about another fashion show for Rarity?" The newest princess asked to her friends. "I'm sure if we don't go overboard like last time we could have a lot of fun." "As much as I would love to design more fabulously created dresses, I just do not have inspiration. I haven't had inspiration for a week now!" The pristine white unicorn exclaimed. Rarity wasn't lying either, her work did stop with nothing to inspire her for more. Her Boutique sold many dresses and suits to many mares and stallions who sought out finer clothing. Her customers ranged from the common pony to the high class elites of Canterlot. "I wish I could darlings, believe me, I wish I could. Well I shouldn't complain, after the last order to Sapphire Shores I really didn't need to work for awhile." "Never mind then. Applejack do you have any ideas?" The purple Alicorn asked sweetly to her country friend. "Can't say ah do Twi. Big Mac got everything covered fer me." The farm pony smiled with a slight chuckle to the thought of her brother working hard for losing the bet to his baby sister. "Well not after tha bet." "That was priceless!" laughed the cocky Rainbow Dash with her trademark grin. With joyful memories of the bet and a glad heart, her laughter grew into a fit of gasping for air. "Still the look on his face when I was there, it was too much for me!" The fit of laughter soon became a booming chorus as Applejack joined in. Twilight just giggled imagining the look on poor Big Mac's face, he must have been shocked. The young Alicorn turned back to the rest of the girls for any ideas how to spend the day. Her eyes drifted back towards the list that held many suggestions of activities for the group to appeal each of them. A slight tap on Twilight's shoulder snapped her out of her thoughts, the hoof was butter yellow. Fluttershy was the one trying to get Twilight's attention, and succeeded in her endeavor. "Well um we could go to the spa, I mean if that's okay with everypony else that is." The timid and bashful pegasus added, her sweet soft voice barely above a whisper over the laughing fit not two feet away. The timid pegasus did suggest something that they might all enjoy, Twilight did begin to think it over. The idea did sound like a very promising to the Alicorn, she would have to get the fit of giggles to stop though. "Hey girls, why not the spa? I think today would be a great chance to relax after the whole coronation fiasco." The lavender Alicorn smiled to her shy friend who returned with a warm hearted one herself. The pair stopped, Rainbow Dash was the first to speak up. "Why the spa? I don't like when ponies touch my hooves!" The cyan mare stated with a grim tone. This was true, Rainbow Dash wasn't like most mares, she always wanted to be independent from many things normal mares do. "I think that is an excellent idea! Why Fluttershy and myself haven't been there for, what was it now, two weeks?" Came the soothing voice of Rarity, her mind's gears could be seen turning as she thought of the spa. She gladly jumped at the offer. Applejack nodded slowly at the idea, normally she would have a counter about working but with Big Mac working... Why not? Applejack knew she wouldn't mind to unwind for the day, after all she did earn it. Her answer came in a wide smile with a gracious "Yes". Pinkie Pie exploded into a mass of confetti, only to pop out of a small bushel of leaves over head. Her smile only grew as she thought of a 'spa party'. "Well then girls, we have a day to relax for ourselves then." Twilight spoke with a small grin at the thought of having her sore wings massaged. To feel the muscles being worked to relieve the amassed tension held inside. The small grin took on a massive dopey and wide smile, a small strand of drool hung from her lips. "Well what are we waiting for? I say let's go!" "Ugh, fine." "Yaaaaaaaaay! Do you think the spa could handle one of my parties?" "Ah'm sure gonna enjoy this." "Lotus and Aloe will be pleased to see more customers. As I will be pleased after the mud bath." "I should tell Angel that I'll be at the spa today..." --------(Canterlot streets)----- The sun showed everypony it was very much indeed summer, but the wind proclaimed a very different story. A extremely cold front somehow moved towards the city from the peaks of the mountain, with the scent of winter. To say it was cold was an extreme understatement, the winds tossed the chilled air about as if it were a enormous ball. Many ponies stayed indoors to escape the nearly frozen airways that danced about outside. Those whose jobs were the most important daily activity braved the icy gusts. One was a miss Twinkleshine. Her employer did not like allowing his employees more than three days off every month. Her mind was afoot with thoughts of a better work place, and to fight the cold that settled on the capital of Equestria. A long drawn out wail pulled Twinkleshine out of her thoughts. It sounded so much like a pony in pain. Again the mournful wail ripped through the massive gale force. Her sensitive ears caught the sound again, but it came from above her. The soft violet eyes drifted towards the sky, they were greeted with ghostly forms streaking across the blue sky with gusto. Her pupils shrank as her eyes widen at the sight of these entities that swarmed, numbering at the very least of a hundred or so. Twinkleshine turned a full one hundred eighty degrees, speeding directly for the palace of the princesses. Her hooves smashed along any flowers or small shrubbery in her path, her instincts yelling in full panic of the situation. Again the wails reached her ears as she tore through the streets. The mournful tune was all Twinkleshine could hear, her heart raced a mile a minute as the castle gates were in sight. Just a little farther and home free! One of the ghostly figures swooped down just a hair's length away from the frightened mare, Twinkleshine could feel the air grow colder as it passed overhead. With a reckless pace she cleared the stairs with a single bound. Now Twinkleshine opened the grand doors slowly, using all of her strength to push. Her hooves barely touched the marble surface as she sped to the throne room. Twenty feet away from her destination, ten feet, five more... Strong forelegs held her in place. The frightened mare felt a scream rising in her throat, Twinkleshine opened her mouth to allow her loud beautiful voice screech her terror, she felt a hoof close jaw gently but forcibly. Twinkleshine's eyes shot about the room searching for her captor. "Shhh, thou shalt not scream or create any sudden noises. Windeigos are woven to cries of thou's terror." Came a soft yet stern voice, a voice that shed the fear from Twinkleshine. The young mare calmed at the sound of that comforting voice, it rang like her mother's. Twinkleshine's head turned to face who spoke to her. There stood Princess Luna with a unusual calm aura surrounding her. Her most commanding aspect was her eyes, they demanded respect as well as gave it. Princess Luna was kind in her own way, she always wanted to help her subjects. "Those... those are Windiegos?!" Twinkleshine's voice no louder than a church mouse's squeak. Another voice came from the back corner of the room, one more motherly than Luna's. "Yes, they somehow returned. I fear this may be too much for our guards. Luna please send a letter to Twilight and her friends about the situation. I must monitor this closely." The eldest Alicorn spoke calmly with a warm smile, but her eyes gave away what was fear for her subjects. The concerned tone permeated the grand room, each pony inside wore a grim face. "I hope this doesn't get any more problematic for our subjects Luna." ----------(Ponyvile)---------- "Okay girls today is our day, let's just have fun and-" Was all the lavender Alicorn could say before came the very familiar voice of a young drake interrupted. "TWILIGHT! Twilight! Princess Luna sent a letter for you and the rest of the girls!" His skimpy legs looked as though they could buckle at any moment. Twilight snatched the item from Spike, her eyes scanned the parchment for every little detail. Her pupils shrank incredibly as she worked her way through the scroll. "Girls, spa day has been canceled. Canterlot has Windiegos terrorizing the populace. The letter also states we are going to the Crystal Empire, the historians in Canterlot can't find anything on the Windiegos to stop them!" Twilight's voice rose an octave as she finished summing up the scroll's contents for her friends. "Well let's get going!" To the rest of the mane six all they saw of their friend was a bright purple streak flash down the road, leaving the parchment still dangling in the air with a very confused drake. "Then there is no time to lose girls! I simply must pack my things." Rarity said before zipping off to her homestead with a dust outline where she was she stood. All eyes went to the young drake still standing with a dumb struck look plastered on his face. He snapped back to reality once he felt all eyes on him. "Oh no I'm not helping her this time. She packs to much for this dragon, so have fun with that girls!" And he too was gone in the blink of an eye. -------(Thirty minutes later)--- The six young mares and the drake sat at the train station awaiting the next train for the grand Crystal Empire. Most had a simple carrying case for scarfs and the odd book for the train ride, except for Rarity who had six very expensive bags with her. Bags that Spike carried for the mare who enthralled him, even with his barely audible groans and comments, he carried them without cursing Rarity's name once. "So how long will the train take?! It's been like... five minutes now!" Complained the speed demon of a mare. Patience was a virtue lost on Rainbow Dash, always felt the need for speed and the rush that flying gave her. "Just give it time darling, one must not expect everything to just be ready when you so desire. Although that would be nice." Rarity held most of her chuckle in, allowing herself a small giggle in the most dignified manner of course. Her comment earned a sigh from most of the group. Seeing as the train wouldn't be arriving any sooner, the alabaster unicorn took her seat with grace befitting of a lady. Fluttershy sat quietly, humming a sweet and beautiful melody. Her serene tune put Rainbow Dash at ease relatively quick. She sat with her eyes closed just content to allow herself to think of all the animals she helped over the weeks and months previously. Off in the distance the clock tower struck three, each of the girls held their heads up at the final bell rung. The sound of the train came in clearly, the steam engine working hard to reach it's destination on schedule. Each of our heroes sighed happily as their wait was over, that is all except Spike who had the daunting task of Rarity's bags. Twilight held their tickets to the ticket taker, he smiled and waved them to board the train. The young Alicorn helped her friends with their bags, as well with Spike as he struggled with all the luggage. With a simple smile he shrugged because of the task he signed up for. "Hey Twilight." His voice came as a whisper so the rest of the girls could hear what he was about to say. "What do you think would be the perfect gift for Rarity? I've already given her my fire ruby, I'm out of ideas!" "Oh Spike just be yourself and just ask her already. You're not six anymore. We've already celebrated your eighteenth birthday, ask her and she might just say yes." Being a surrogate mother was a joy that Twilight would never want to give up. Watching "her" boy grow up was some of the best memories she had, ever since she hatched him, she always cared for him. Even during their younger days they acted like siblings. "But Twilight I'm still small! What if something happens to her and I can't protect her?!" "Spike. That day with the Diamond Dogs wasn't your fault. I've told you every day since then you did the right thing. Don't worry about a thing, you two grew closer since then and I believe you have a chance. Before you ask if she rejects you, just remember there are other mares who like you." Twilight spoke calmly to ease the young dragon's mind. Much to her surprise it did work, Spike mellowed quickly after having his worries put down. Twilight smiled at him with eyes that said 'Give it a shot', Spike only nodded before adding his two cents. "After this nice nap I'm going to have." "Well that doesn't sound like a bad idea." Twilight's voice raised back to it's normal volume. As she moved to grab the pillows from the storage compartment above them she felt a soft thud on her seat, Spike had crashed right there on the seat like a light being turned off. "Have a good nap." Before Twilight laid next to her surrogate son she kissed his forehead, earning a soft mumble from the drake. Slowly her eyes shut, darkness closing her vision. Soon she too was asleep. ----(Twilight's dream)----- The Princess of Friendship walked in a vast group of ponies going here and there, to and fro. She reckoned that this is what Manehattan looked like during rush hour. Ponies were leaving shops and businesses quickly. In the distance the young princess could see Princess Celestia and Princess Luna as they strolled through the streets on some kind of royal duty or another. Twilight waved to her co-princesses only to be ignored. "Well that's weird normally they would wave back, maybe they didn't see me. Yeah that's it!" With a flash the young Alicorn teleported next to the older two. Again she tried to get their attention, but nothing seemed to be working. The situation made young Twilight a little peeved at her mentor and one of her friends. With a small but noticeable bump to the solar princess's side Twilight would sure to get her attention. But no they continued onwards without so much as a acknowledgement to the now smoldering princess. Twilight grew furious as her mind tried to draw up a conclusion to this problem. Only one thing popped into her mind to gain their attention. "HEY YOU JERKS!" As soon as the words left her mouth she immediately shut it. Twilight felt ashamed for calling her fellow princesses jerks. But it did succeed in gain their attention. "Oh look sister it's your failed student, why did you grant her Alicornhood?" The darker coloured of the two spoke harshly. "I do not know why I did, but I can clearly see I made a mistake in doing so. Twilight you may have wings but you are certainly not a princess, therefore we strip you of your crown and banish you. Don't think this isn't all your fault, you let him go. He is out there because of YOU!" A mad chorus rose out the streets and buildings. Each voice sounded like a thousand cries of pain and anger writhing in the shadows, some came as a cry of terror and others broke through with anguished rage. Twilight felt each of the voices crash against her ear drums with extreme volume. Her forehooves covered her ears to shield herself, her eyes shut tightly with tears flowing freely. Twilight knew this couldn't be true, with every fiber of her being she knew. Yet it felt so right, this felt right to the Alicorn hiding underneath her own hooves. Twilight could feel the knot forming in her stomach as the voices slowly became one. "We hate you! You gave him a passage right to us! This is your fault!" They shouted in unison with a fury that shook the very city. As they chanted their mantra Twilight felt herself move, as though her body was on autopilot. Slowly she opened her eyes to find the chorus had stopped, dying from a whisper that grew over the harsh cries. In the very center of the street was THE door. The very same door that she had bested when she and her friends went to the Crystal Empire the first time. The door was slightly open, black wisps snaked along the edges with desire for something. The young princess stepped closer with an extreme caution, surveying the wisps move on their own accord. They twirled about with a strange longing for something, each of the ends seemed to look for the same item. Twilight felt the fur on the back of her neck rise as a cold rush of air hit her, the only way to describe the sensation that crept through her being was terrifying. Each step closer made the blackened wisps move slower, as if they were calmed by her presence just standing near. Again she took another step, the wisps had fully come to a stop. With a a hoof reaching towards the door, the young princess braced herself for anything possible. The door relented as her hoof pulled it open, everything that the door hid had now been exposed. The last glimpses of light flickered in and out, the darkness swam all around the young Alicorn. A bright flash shot through the darkness, illuminating everything around her. Her eyes scanned the new area, she recognized it as the Crystal Empire. But everything seemed older and much more somber, even the mood of the palace felt this way. Twilight took a few seconds to search the room she was in for any useful knowledge. "Why haven't they made it back yet?! MY family are out there!" That voice sounded so familiar to the young Alicorn, the deep grounded voice she heard only a few years ago. Sombra! "Sombra, please calm down. I'm sure they are just fine staying a little longer in the Equestrian land, so many sights to see and what not." "Three weeks?! Three entire weeks to see the same things we have here?! Something is wrong I can feel it uncle." Sombra's voice held a generous amount of care for his family even though he worried for them. The doors slammed open, in stepped Sombra as well as his uncle, if Twilight heard correctly. This Sombra looked so very different to the one she had fought. Dark bags shadowed his eyes, his face proclaimed he hadn't slept for days. Twilight watched the two like a hawk as they made their way to the window, Sombra still physically larger than his uncle slumped with worry. Sombra's worry over his family had taken a extreme toll on his form, even with his own head bowed low, Twilight could hear the stallion's low voice crack with sorrow. Even his appearance reeked of of misery: his royal cape had deep stains trailing the edges, his mane was completely tangled, and his eyes were red from lack of sleep. In short he was a mess. Twilight had never heard or seen of Sombra like this even from his former slaves, she soaked in every detail about the broken stallion who stood on the edge of sanity. His eyes were normal, no reptilian slit eyes, just normal pony eyes filled to the brim with tears wanting to spill forth. "Send a letter to the Princesses of Equestria, I want to know if my family are still there." Sombra's voice cracked again, his breathing became ragged as he forced the last word out. The tears spilled forth freely as a fountain would. "Yes Sombra I will." With that his uncle vanished. Sombra stay motionless as a statue while the world around his shape distorted and changed. As the new scene came into view Twilight stole a glance around, she was still in the same room. Her eyes were drawn back to Sombra. He never moved. His body became more than filthy, his mane no longer held any shine in it nor did his coat. His deep red eyes stayed locked on a certain spot on the wall before him, his royal wardrobe was nothing more than shreds of cloth at his hooves. Twilight moved closer to him with extreme caution. Sitting down right in front of the broken stallion, Twilight now saw only despair on his features. "Sombra! Sombra! The letter is here!" The voice of his uncle echoed loudly through the halls. His form sped right past the room his nephew was in, Obsidian Lake backed in the hallway. "Oh there you are, well we got our reply from the Princesses. Here you should be the one who opens the letter." Sombra barely acknowledged his uncle as his magic wrapped around the letter. The seal broke with ease, the letter was laid upon the table with care for the broken Sombra to read. Twilight watched his every move as carefully as she possibly could, noting every detail on the face of the soon to be King. "Our deepest apologies, but during our summit we never saw nor heard your family. Obsidian Lance and the rest of his company did not show, we believed they simply did not want to be apart of the summit. We share our deepest sympathies for you and hope you may find your loved ones. Sincerely Yours Princess Celestia and Princess Luna." Obsidian Lake's ears were laid flat on his head as the letter was read aloud. He moved forward to comfort his nephew during his time of need. Lake bowed his head low as he moved to his nephew. Sombra's magic crumpled the paper, his eyes shut tight at the news holding back tears of fear and rage. He bowed his head for a moment. He turned to a guard stationed outside the door with renewed purpose. "You there! Bring all available units under my command, search land, sea, and sky. Look everywhere! Leave no stone unturned, search every kingdom: Griffon, Dragon, Caribou, Zebra, search everywhere! Leave no river unwaded, cloud unchecked, and mountain climbed! Find them! Find them NOW!" The entire room shook as Sombra roared his orders, even the windows shook from the force of his voice. Twilight cowed at the sound of his voice rolling through the palace, this seemed like the Sombra she knew at least in part. She began to question herself about where his family disappeared to, surely this couldn't be the same Equestria. Surely this former Equestria could never be this unjust and this un-unified,Twilight was sure of it. Twilight had been wrong before, the scene was certainly proving her wrong now. The voices became muffled as Twilight's view slowly drifted back into darkness. New sounds greeted her ears, female voices that sounded pleased about something. Only then did Twilight realised she was waking up from the dream world. Slowly her head lifted to be greeted with the Crystal Empire just outside of her window.