//------------------------------//
// Chapter 11: Preparation 
// Story: Sombra's Triumphant Return 
// by GrandSpellcaster 
//------------------------------//

	Sombra was manipulating a few crystals when a normal hived changeling burst through the open window of his throne room, "Forgive the intrusion but my queen has urgent news for you Sombra" The changeling said then breathed heavily.
"How in the darkest pit of Tartarus did you get here without being shot down?" Sombra asked sounding extremely bored with the situation. 
"My queen has learned that the armies of Equestria have mounted against you!" The changeling said frantically.
Sombra blinked, "Well it's about time, it's been at least a month since I took over and there just now mobilizing. Perhaps I overestimated them." 
"Why are you not worried about this, the princesses will be leading the army and you know how bad it was that time."
"You dare speak out of tone with me, i could kill you right now and Chrysalis would never know it was me!"
"Off all the thing to be worried about you worry about my tone?!" the changeling was perplexed toe say the least.
"Armies are easy it is the Alicorns that will cause trouble, and I've got a plan for them." Sombra explained starting to messing with the crystals again.
"But there less then two days away!" The changeling shouted.
Sombra's eyes went wide and he crushed the crystals with his magic, "Why didn't you open with that!?!" He yelled and raised a hoof to smack the changeling, then thought better of it and lowered his hoof. He was breathing heavily. "Leave now before I do something you'll regret!"
The changeling lifted off and flew back out the window. "Twilight!!" Sombra called for his apprentice.
She entered the doorway a few moments later and bowed, "Yes Master, what would you have me do?" 
"Your old Master has finally mobilized her forces, they will be here in two days. You must prepare yourself for this confrontation my apprentice." 
"Yes master, what will you do in the meantime?"
"I will be preparing for the oncoming battle and I will win this time." with that he dismissed Twilight and went to the border of the empire to raise a makeshift wall out of crystals. it took a lot out of him. He knew he needed to be ready for the alicorns so he delegated the rest of the preparations to the three unicorns and Mirid.



"Something's going on up there" Rainbow Dash said to Pearlspar.
"There preparing for war" Pearlspar said looking up. 
"How do you know that?" 
"They did this last time" She paused, "We have to tell the prince if he can get the mine to revolt in the middle of the battle we might be a helpful asset to the invading forces.
The two of them made their way to Shining Armor's 'study' and found that they weren't the only one's who thought to tell him, several other crystal ponied were there.
Shining Armor was giving orders like he used to, "Tell level 1 to snag the keys no matter what the cost, level three to weaponize the mining equipment, and someone please find me a helmet to wear because I'm in full commander mode and I need a helmet."
"Shining! What do you want us to do?" Rainbow Dash asked.
"Once the two of you are freed from your shackles I need you to preform a Sonic Rainboom above the Crystal Empire." 
"Why?" 
"It'll be a beacon of hope for the Crystal Ponies and it'll allow you to make it to the princesses without needing to dodge the anti-air weaponry. Once you find the princesses tell them that I'm here and I'm to be considered a secondary target, make sure you inform them of the slave revolt that will be happening here."
"Got it. And her?" Rainbow Dash asked gesturing towards Pearlspar. 
"I'll be helping with the revolt Rainbow." Pearlspar answered for Shining. She had just lied to one of the few ponies who trusted her after learning exactly who she was and Pearlspar felt horrible for it. The truth was she was going to try to talk some sense into her husband. 
Shining looked at her as though to say you sure you want to lie about this? And Pearlspar simply nodded her head.
"OK so we all know our parts? Get some rest, the invasion could be tomorrow, or ten days from now, and we need to be ready." With that all of the ponies left the room.
Shining sat at his makeshift desk and took out another scrap of paper and wrote a quick note on it. If your reading this then you took it of my body, If you serve Sombra then go to Tartarus. However, if you serve the princesses then could you please get word to my wife, Princess Cadence, I don't want her thinking I'll be coming home if I won't be. Tell her I love her.
With that done he folded it up and slipped it under his shackles, war was upon him and he was ready.