//------------------------------//
//  Chapter 5 
// Story: The Pale Prince 
// by Dark_Knight 
//------------------------------//

	Evidently, Celestia wasn't kidding when she said that all of Equis' leaders were going to visit the party anyways.

Death was somewhat surprised at some of the creatures; he had already meet with the Minotaur chief, Theseus, the Pharaoh of Zebrica, Trotenkhoman, and the Griffin Emperor, Metalbeak (which, apparently, was the title given to him after a rival of his challenged his right to the throne tore the Emperor's beak off, he still one, but now Metalbeak wears a customized helmet so that others don't stare at the spot where his top beak once was).

Death was wandering around until he found Luna conversing with a Rhino that he didn't quite catch the name to before the heralding trumpets blared, which surprised all the royals somewhat, as all the leaders that were invited were here, with the exception of the Alpha Dragon, Paarthurnax, who was in the middle of a civil war with his older brother, Alduin, over who should lead. Before the announcer could introduce who the mysterious dignitary was, the doors to the grand hall burst open, and everyone gasped, while the Royal Sisters glared at who it was.

Four ponies, who had extremely dull coats that at one time shined brighter than the stars (Crystal Ponies, Death theorized) were chained to some sort of carriage, which was laid with fine silks and cushions that were almost as black as the heart of the pony riding it, and even though he never saw any depictions or paintings of him, Death knew who this was.

He was an ashen-grey Unicorn, his coat several shades darker than the Rider's, with blood red eyes and was wearing some sort of armor with a cape and crown that went over his long, crimson, dagger-like horn; like Death's, the stallion's mane and tail licked off his body like a black flame, but, instead of all his teeth being sharp, it was just the canines.

This, the former Horseman realized, was King Sombra of the Crystal Empire. But what also got Death's, along with everybody else's attention, was the chain wrapped around the Mad King's hoof, which lead down to attach itself to a collar, like a leash, which chained what appeared to be a... bug?

It had the build of a female child, as well as a pony, but what made everyone stare was how it looked like a bug, complete with insectoid wings and what appeared to be a carapace, which was covered with cuts and bruises, revealing that it was regular skin and fur, it also had holes in its' hooves, but those looked more biological, as if the creature was born with them. two fangs protruded from its mouth, and had a long, silky green mane and tail, it also had a jagged horn protruding from its-no- HER head. Death realized that whatever this was, it was a filly, and he could tell that she had to be no more than five or six years old in the Time of Man, and her cheeks were matted with tears long-since shed.

And that poor excuse for a living being obviously brought her here to impress the nobles' and Royalty, more specifically Luna, and it made Death pissed to no end. But, before he could confront the King, the carriage stopped, and the ponies chained to it were forced onto their front legs as Sombra climbed out, pulling the filly with him.

"Fellow leaders' of Equis!", he called, "I, King Sombra, rightful ruler of the Crystal Empire, have arrived to show to you a wondrous creature that was found trying to steal MY Crystal Heart!"

He gestured to the mysterious pony that was collared, who flinched at the movement, fear showing in her green, snake-pupilled eyes. The king smiled sadistically at the act, obviously enjoying the creature's fear of him.

"I order you, Slave, show them your power.," ordered Sombra, to which the filly complied and immediately transformed as green flames danced around her body, completely encasing her before the flames died down, revealing an exact duplicate of Metalbeak, with the exception of lacking the Emperor's custom helmet, revealing the cracked shell that remains of the top of his beak.

The leaders all gasped, with the exception of Celestia, who walked up to the captive as the latter transformed back to her original form, the Solar Diarch's eyes wide in wonder.

"Tell Us, King Sombra," Celestia asked, "where hast thou found it?"

That was most likely Death's least favorite word describing an organic, sentient creature:It. The word was always used as a derogatory term, meant to convince the one being called that a feeling of misery, that they're not normal.

And Celestia didn't even seem to care as she questioned the very pony she so hated the previous night; while the other leaders, Luna included, seemed to be shocked and disgusted by the pink-maned Alicorn's use of the term. But before the Unicorn could indulge the Alicorn's curiosity, the little filly seemed to regain some sort of courage, as with another flash of green fire she transformed into what looked like a complete carbon copy of King Sombra.

Well... excluding how instead of armor, the clone was wearing undergarments, his coat was urine-colored, his horn was flopping uselessly this way and that, and his eyes were crossed. All of the royals laughed at the humor, including Death, who was lightly chuckling; Sombra and Celestia however, were shocked and appalled at the behavior.

"FOOLISH CREATURE!!!", bellowed the Mad King, his horn glowing, which in turn sent a spark of dark magic down the chain and into the filly's collar, shocking her and causing the disguise to drop. "I let you live, feed you, give you the honor of being shown to gods! And this is how you repay me?!", Sombra raised his hoof to hit the poor thing, before in a flash of purple light, the only thing in front of the Shadow King was an empty collar, and the filly cowering behind a grey Alicorn stallion, who-- while wearing a mask of indifference-- any fool could see the fury in his eyes.

"So...", said the Pale Rider, the ice in his voice causing even Theseus to shiver. "This is how creatures of "Peace" and "Harmony" live their gospel? By enslaving a defenseless child-- one of thine own ilk-- and threatening her with death?"

Sombra was enraged by this, how DARE this pretender act like he is more powerful? King Sombra can raise both the sun and moon with his dark magic and crystal power source, this pony is nothing.

"You will give it back!"

"No."

"Return it to me or suffer!"

Death just rolled his eyes at the colt and craned his neck down towards the bug-like pony. "Art thou alright?", the filly just answered with a quiet nod. The former Nephillim then summoned a Thestral guard and had the filly taken to the baths to be cleaned, then to the guest quarters he and Despair were using to rest and be fed. After a nod from Luna to signal that her male counterpart's will was to be done, the guard gently lifted the child onto his back and trotted out of the throne room.

As soon as the doors slammed close, Death turned to Sombra. "You know, if you want HER back, thou couldst always challenge me to a duel?"

The king pondered this for a moment, before agreeing.