//------------------------------// // The Fall // Story: The Darkness Of The Twilight // by FrozenInTime //------------------------------// It was moments like these in which Twilight wished she could travel back in time, so she could right her wrongs. Sadly, those were the desperate dreams of a mare running for her life. Twilight was running alongside the rest of her friends away from the once beautiful Crystal Empire with Cadence and Shining Armor trailing not far behind. Already, Sombra's corruption was working its way to the edge of the city at frightening speed. Their escape plan was simple: reach the train station, board the closest train, and return to Equestria as soon as possible to inform the princesses of their failure. However, black crystals jutted up from the ground before they could reach their destination, blocking their path. A cold chill crept up Twilight's spine, the chill one felt when they knew they were being watched. Twilight knew who was behind her. She knew they'd been caught. She didn't want to see, to believe the truth, but he was faster than they were, and she had no choice. Slowly, she turned to face reality. She saw Sombra slowly approaching them, a smug grin on his face as if he'd already won. Twilight wanted to fight that reality, but she knew it was true. Sombra had won, and the blame rested solely on her shoulders. Sombra had been faster than her, and he got to the Crystal Heart before she could. Because of her pride, an entire civilization, a race, would pay the price. Shame and despair ruled Twilight's heart. How foolish could she have been? Due to her inability to let others help, an entire civilization would be enslaved under a dark ruler. She had the chance to do what was right; she could have let Spike take the Crystal Heart and bring it back to Cadence, but instead she foolishly tried to do everything herself. She looked back at her friends, brother and sister-in-law. None of them looked back at her. They all stared at the approaching armored stallion with expressions ranging from anger to despair. She had failed them as well, and unlike the crystal ponies, her hubris may have cost them the ultimate price. "No," she thought. "I won't let them suffer for my mistake!" She shook her head to clear it, and with a renewed determination in her eyes, she glared at the approaching black figure that was Sombra with a fury, a dark ferocity she forgot she had inside her. "Rainbow, Fluttershy" she barked. "Start flying the others over to the other side of the crystal barrier. I'll buy you time to do it!" She didn't even turn to look at them. There were no doubts in her mind that they would obey her orders, but she also knew they would be hesitant to leave her alone. Despite her failures, it was she they looked to for leadership in times like these. What she didn't expect was for Applejack, of all ponies, to voice their concerns. The longer they stood there, the less time they had to escape. "Hold up, Sugarcube. You don't expect us to just let you face 'im all by yourself, now do you!?" The question was rhetorical, and it was apparent that Applejack intended to stay; however, before Twilight could attempt to dissuade her, someone else answered for her. "Don't worry! There's no way I'd let my little sister face such danger alone," Shining Armor, her brother, reassured as he walked to stand beside Twilight. Even though his magic had been disabled when Sombra cursed his horn, he would stand with his sister if it meant protecting her friends, and by extension, his friends and his wife. Twilight knew she should have expected Shining Armor to come and help her, though she had prayed he would not. He would be at a severe disadvantage without the use of his magic. She looked back at Shining Armor with uncertainty and fear. After all, he was still cursed, and painfully so by the looks of things; the dark crystals jutting from his horn weren't receding. She took a deep breath to steady her nerves. She knew that it was impossible to try changing her brother's mind once he was set on a path he deemed righteous, so instead she nodded in agreement, though reluctantly still. "Please dear, don't do this. You can't even use your magic right now!" the weak voice of Cadence pleaded behind Shining Armor as she embraced him from behind in fear that if she was to let him go he would disappear forever. Shining Armor reciprocated her feelings by touching their horns together and squeezing one of her hooves with his own reassuringly in an attempt to soothe her fear of losing him. "Cadence, I have to do this. Twilight saved our lives at the wedding, and I owe her the same. I let her down the last time she needed my help, and I won't make that mistake again," Shining Armor said as he remembered the events of his wedding and how everything went to Tartarus because he wouldn't listen to or help Twilight. "I'll stand beside her and fight to buy you time to get to safety. Go get help. I'll be alright," He said with resolution as he let go of Cadence and took a step toward Sombra. "Okay Shining, but come back to me; promise me this!" Cadence pleaded as tears ran down her face. "I promise. Now go; start flying the others over already." Shining Armor said as he looked back at Cadence, then at Rainbow and Fluttershy. That prompted the former Pegasus to salute sharply and the latter to nod meekly. They each picked up one of their friends, and Cadence picked up Spike. They flew off, leaving Shining Armor and Twilight to fight Sombra alone. As Cadence's hooves left the ground, a deep chuckle emanated from Sombra, which demanded their attention in an instant. Without warning, he sent a black ball of dark magic hurtling toward Shining Armor. He'd apparently been charging it up as the group discussed their plan. Just before hitting the stallion, the spell dissipated against a hastily placed shield. Shining whipped his head around to see his sister's horn glowing in a magenta aura. She had narrowly saved his life by placing that shield. After a second more, the thing shattered. Her magic could only do so much on such short notice. "Woah! Thanks Twily, that's twice I owe you now," Shining Armor exclaimed as he looked Twilight over, wanting to ensure that she was alright, herself. "You're my BBBFF. I will always have your back," Twilight said with a cheeky grin, which rapidly returned to her earlier frown as her gaze settled back onto Sombra. For his part Sombra just chuckled in amusement upon seeing the purple mare's defiance. It would be a good way for him to exercise, after all someone doesn't spend a thousand and a half years locked away in cold exile without getting... rusty. After a quick study of Shining Armor, Sombra dismissed him completely, deciding he posed little threat without the use of his magic. He instead began to charge a more powerful blast meant for Twilight. However, he was surprised out of the attack as Shining came at him with an upward vertical strike with his sword, meant to cut Sombra's head through the center. It was all Sombra could do to summon his own sword of black crystal and hold it up in his magical grasp, barely deflecting the blow before the sword pierced his flesh. With a grunt, Sombra managed to shove Shining several meters back, surprisingly strong, even for a stallion of his size. Shining Armor slid back into place beside his sister. Leaning in to her ear, he hastily whispered, "Twily, I need you to start charging up for the most powerful spell you know. I'll distract him in the meantime." "Okay, but be careful Shiny. I won't be able to help you while I'm getting this ready," Twilight explained nervously. Her eyes let on just how worried she was as she cast her gaze upon him. "Come on Twilight! Show that big meanie who's boss!" Came the exited voice of Pinkie Pie. Looking back at her friend, Twilight couldn't help but smile. Pinkie was jumping up and down, a pair of pom-poms on her hooves. No matter what, her friends would always be there for her. "Unless I mess up here." She looked back to her brother and gulped. Shining nodded at Twilight, giving her a reassuring smile as big brothers always do. He once again launched himself at Sombra, his sword in mouth. He swung the sword horizontally from left to right, attempting to gut the dark king. Unfortunately, his actions were slower without the use of his magic, and Sombra saw this second attack coming. He was more than ready for the white knight this time. In the blink of an eye, the swords collided, clashing and sparking as they ground together in an impressive show of force. The stallions jumped back, parting from one another as neither managed to break through their opponent's defenses. Sombra smirked smugly at the unicorn, and Shining Armor stared back with determination, a calm expression of stone which held no fear, a testament to his time in battle. This time, it was Sombra who took the offensive. He lunged at Shining Armor for a downward strike that Shining easily dodged to the side. So caught up in plans for a counter-attack, Shining Armor left himself wide open for Sombra to continue his assault. The dark king thrust his sword at Shining armor's side. A mere moment before the unicorn was impaled, he was pulled away by an arcane force, a magenta aura carrying him to safety. He'd been sloppy, and his imminent danger had broken his sister's concentration. "Thanks little sis," Shining said, sighing in relief. Had that blow hit, Shining would surely have met his end. "Be more careful next time, Shiny. I won't be able to save you every time," Twilight warned, as she continued to concentrate on building up the spell she intended to end Sombra with. The spell must have been powerful, as it was clear that simply preparing it was taking a toll on her body. Sweat fell to the ground below as it dripped in beads from her body. Meanwhile Sombra was taking his time to watch and study the pair that stood before him. As he had thought, the white stallion was nothing more than a hindrance, but the purple mare was something else entirely. He could feel the magical energy building up around her, and it would have been terrifying to him if he did not already possess such strength, bestowed upon him when he acquired the Crystal Heart. How one could produce such power without an artifact though was beyond him. Guessing what she had in store for him, Sombra cast an invisible shield around himself, a barrier against magic of such high caliber. When Sombra was busy casting the spell, Shining Armor took the opportunity to strike, but Sombra heard him as he charged. His spell was long finished before Shining got within range. Sombra prepared to cast a second spell which would incapacitate the white stallion long enough for him to attack with a deadly blow without resistance. As Shining saw Sombra's horn enveloped in its dark light, he tried to send a magic bolt to cancel the flow of magic, but remembered too late that he had lost the use of his magic as long as Sombra's curse remained. He had no choice but to continue his charge unprotected now, too close to stop. Sombra's horn emitted a blinding magical light. Shining slid across the ground as he battled his momentum to stop, shielding his eyes with a hoof as well. As the light dissipated, Shining reopened his eyes just in time to react as Sombra stabbed in his direction, straight for his heart. His training in the Royal Guard allowed him just enough skill and experience to save his life. He quickly parried Sombra's sword to the side. Unfortunately, he was incapable of completely deviating the sword from its course at such close range, and the sword pierced his right shoulder instead, coming out the other side with savage force. Shining Armor cried out in pain, dropping the sword from his mouth. The blood was already pouring from his wound and pooling on the ground below. The sword held in place was all that kept him from dying of blood loss. As he felt Sombra begin to pull his sword away, Shining grabbed the blade painfully with a hoof, grunting as it dug into the flesh of his fetlock. With his other hoof, he punched Sombra in the jaw with as much force as he could muster in his current condition. The blow wasn't strong enough to do Sombra any actual harm, but it did surprise him, and that alone made him let go of his sword with his magical grip and stumble back a few steps. Twilight heard Shining's cry of pain, as well as a collective gasp from her friends as they watched from the other side of the barrier, and instantly opened her eyes, careful not to break the concentration she held on her spell. Surveying the scene, she saw Shining Armor standing in a small pool of blood, a black sword through his shoulder. Sombra sat upon his haunches just a few meters away, rubbing his muzzle as if he'd been hit. He most likely had been, but obviously not before trading a much deadlier blow for it. In her concern for her brother, Twilight nearly lost control over her spell, but her years of study under Celestia's tutelage allowed her to calm her mind in time to save her progress. Already, Sombra was advancing once more upon Shining Armor. Her brother was helpless, sitting on his haunches and breathing heavily, doing all he could do to stop the bleeding. She knew the spell wasn't ready, but she had to use it, lest her brother be slain. With a gentle sigh, she let her magic go. A massive, magenta beam shot from her horn toward Sombra, lightning bolting from it in all directions. Sombra, for his part, could not believe the audacity of this stallion. For such an impudent foal to lay a hoof on him, there would be no mercy. Nay, the stallion would die by the Sword of the Dark King Sombra! This was the end. Just as Sombra had approached Shining once more, and his magic had set about pulling his sword from the unicorn's shoulder, something caught his attention out of the corner of his eye. Turning his head completely, he saw the spell hurtling toward him at ungodly speed. It was more powerful than he had expected, and his shield would possibly do little in the way of protection. He had no time to brace himself or strengthen the barrier before the blast hit him square in the chest. The beam threw Sombra back, carrying him through the air into some unfortunate soul's home. Twilight jumped in child-like joy, surprised that the unfinished spell had such a satisfying effect; however, the moment died soon after it started when she remembered her brother was in need of immediate medical attention. As fast as she could, she ran to Shining's side to assess the damage the sword had inflicted. To say she was shocked by the severity of the wound would have been paramount to saying that Pinkie was a little talkative. She was, in fact, horrified. Her eyes widened and jaw dropped in terror at the wound before her. Shining's foreleg was nearly severed by the sword, as its massive width was almost enough to cut it clean off. Twilight surmised that if Shining could move his leg, any attempt to do so would undoubtedly be painful and risk severing the limb completely. Shaking herself from the shock-induced catatonic state she'd found herself in, Twilight assessed the wound more closely to determine what she could do to save her brother. Knowing that any more blood loss could result in death, she cast a stasis spell on the shoulder to stop the bleeding altogether before pulling the sword from it; however, the wound would need to be cauterized and stitched together on each side soon, or the damage could be irreparable. Unfortunately, the spell used for the cauterization of wounds required highly focused magic to be built up within the horn, causing a white hot heat. It was advanced magic that couldn't be done quickly. She needed to get her brother and her friends out of the Crystal Empire first. She could operate on the train. Shining smiled at Twilight as she treated his wound, happy that he'd been able to distract Sombra long enough for Twilight's spell to take effect. Just as he was about to congratulate her on a job well done, he caught something from the corner of his eye. It wasn't anything more than a twinkling of black and green from the center of the dust cloud surrounding Sombra's body, but Shining Armor knew that was trouble. Instinctively, he utilized his good leg to push his sister to the ground and out of harm's way. Unfortunately, he had no time to save himself. Just as Twilight hit the ground, a sharp pain shot through Shining Armor's chest. Slowly looking down at himself, he could see several black crystals had embedded themselves in his chest. His vision grew blurry, the sounds around him muffled. He could just barely make out the screams of terror from his sister and wife before losing consciousness. His seemingly lifeless body slumped down to the ground. Twilight was in disbelief as the events played over and over in her head. This couldn't have happened. Sombra had been defeated! He was dead! Shining had to be alive. She screamed in terror and pain. Her sobs were met with clouded vision as the tears welled up in her eyes and fell upon her brother's body below. It wasn't long before she composed herself. She looked back up in Sombra's direction with a fiery hatred in her eyes. She saw Sombra approaching from the settling dust, completely unscathed from the spell that had sent him flying into a building. Twilight's cries became those of rage as her mane and tail became roaring flames. Her fur began to pale to a bright white, and her eyes began to glow a bright crimson. In her fry, Twilight's horn discharged all of her magic at Sombra, but this was no spell. This was raw, magical energy meant to completely obliterate all traces of the Dark King from existence. She wanted to disintegrate Sombra. Sombra smirked as he saw the rage and sorrow he'd caused Twilight. This was the source of his power: fear, hatred, rage. It warmed his heart to feel such power surging through him. The moment didn't last long, however, as his smirk deteriorated into an expression of shock as an even larger burst of magic came hurtling toward him. It was too quick to evade, and the wall of magic collided with him, sending him once again into the rubble of the same house he crashed into not a moment ago. This time, his barrier was not enough to protect him completely, and he cried out as several of his ribs broke under the pressure. Large bruises began forming on his back as he was thrust against the previously undamaged wall on the far end of the house. Shakily, he rose to his hooves. He hurt all over, and his head was spinning both from the raw magic infiltrating his mind and the sheer force at which he'd been hit. Meanwhile Twilight slumped to the ground, panting hard and completely exhausted, with her magical reserve at a critical low. With a glance in Shining Armor's direction, relief washed over her. He was still breathing, though his respirations were agonizing. He would surely die if not treated soon, but he was still alive, and that alone gave Twilight hope that he could survive, that they all could survive. She returned her gaze to where she'd once more sent Sombra flying through the air in the hope that he'd be gone, disintegrated under the full force of her magical might, only to have that hope crushed as she watched him emerge from the dust once more, only injured as if he'd lost a common scrap. She knew that this time it was over. She could not defeat him, nor did she have the power to try again. She was exhausted both physically and magically. Looking to her friends, she could make out the faint shape of Rainbow Dash in the distance, obviously on her side of the barrier once more. The magic Twilight had emitted had caused the billowing dust to even surround herself. Twilight understood what Rainbow needed her to do. She smiled faintly, and with the last of her strength, she took Shining Armor in her magical hold and hurled him at the oncoming Rainbow Dash. The last thing she saw was Rainbow Dash catching her brother before she fell to the ground. She had done it. She bought time for all of her friends to escape. Her vision grew dark, and she lost consciousness. Once he emerged from the heavier dust cloud, Sombra's dark expression deepened as he saw that blasted purple mare had used her magic to send the white stallion to safety. However, his mood improved when he watched the unicorn slump unconsciously to the ground. His muzzle broke out into a wicked grin. This was just what he wanted. The mare had proven herself to be a magical prodigy, and he would enjoy nothing more than breaking her into the perfect tool of destruction. With that thought in mind he approached Twilight Sparkle, limping to close the short distance between them. He levitated her up and onto his back and began to make his way back to his castle where he would place her in his new dungeon. As he approached it, the castle began to change, reverting back into the dark, black towers he'd known and loved. Now the process could begin. --------------------------------------------------- Rainbow was surprised to see Shining Armor being hurled so carelessly at her through the air, but at least she saw him before he had time to collide with her, and so she had time to position herself so that he landed safely on her back, just under her wings. From that position, she could carry him to safety. She didn't have the strength to carry both Twilight and Shining, and that meant she didn't have time to survey the situation. She needed to get Shining over the barrier so that she could come back for Twilight. She hadn't even thought to assess Shining Armor, though she felt something run across her back. Once she arrived at the edge of the city though, the gasp of her friends and Cadence made her look down at Shining Armor for the first time, and only now realizing how injured he was. His blood had been what she felt, trickling down her body slowly. Something was still stopping him from bleeding too much. Shocked at just how badly he'd been beaten, she lowered him onto the ground. Immediately, Cadence broke from the group, running to the unconscious form of her husband. She knelt beside him with tears streaming down her face as she looked him over more closely to assess the damage done to him. When she saw him for the first time, within Rainbow's arms, she thought he was dead, but to her relief, and to the relief of the others, he was breathing, although it was shallow. No, he wasn't dead, but he was dying. "If Shining Armor is in such a condition, what happened to Twilight?" Cadence demanded as she looked up from Shining Armor to Rainbow Dash with bloodshot, worried eyes. Her tears fell from her face onto her husband below as she looked up at his savior. "I don't know" Rainbow answered, unsure of herself. "I could barely see a thing, and he was falling through the air. Twilight must have thrown him at me or something! I didn't stay long enough to check on what happened to her after that big explosion she caused," Rainbow explained, he fear for her friend's safety clearly written across her face. "I-I gotta' go! Don't worry, I'm going right back in there to get her!" With that, she bolted away, ready to help Twilight in her battle with Sombra; however, she had no way of knowing that the battle had long since finished. Rainbow Dash was too late, and Sombra had been the victor, taking Twilight as his prize. When she arrived on the scene, Rainbow Dash saw only rubble and a house in shambles. Crystal ponies were emerging from their homes in terrified curiosity, but there were no signs of their dark king or Twilight anywhere. "Where the hay are you Twilight?" Rainbow called out, scanning the battlefield once more for any sign of her friend but coming up empty handed just as before. Rainbow didn't want to believe that Twilight, of all ponies, could have lost to Sombra, but if they were both gone, that could only mean one thing. Sombra had defeated her. It was painful for Rainbow to even think, but here she was living that reality. She flew over the entire area, scanning it twice, three times, and a fourth time. Still, no sign of them. She landed at the location of the battle, Shining's blood still fresh on the ground. Her worry turned to rage as she turned and punched the crystal barrier, leaving a few small cracks as well as bloodying her hoof. Twilight was gone, and there was nothing she could do... A tear ran down Rainbow's cheek, and with a pained sigh, she flew back to let the others hear the upsetting news. They were anxiously awaiting her return. When she landed, they were each surprised to see that she was alone. She was swarmed by frantic questions from her friends. "Where is Twilight?" "What happened to Sombra?" "Why is Twilight not with you?" "Did we win?" "Should we go back?" "Is Twilight alright?" Rainbow's brow twitched angrily at the barrage of questions. Taking a deep breath to ready herself, she shouted, "ENOUGH!" The group quieted down, but it was at that time that Cadence stood up, stepping away from her husband for the time being to approach Rainbow Dash cautiously. As calm and collected as can be, she asked a single question in a gentle voice, scared what the answer may be. "Rainbow, Where is my little sister?" There was a dark, icy twinge of fear in her voice as she spoke those words. Looking dejectedly to the side with her head hanging down in shame at having left her friend behind, Rainbow shuddered in her failure. She could have stayed and fought, but she'd left Twilight to fend for herself. "I don't know, Cadence. I'm sorry. I looked everywhere, but I couldn't find her. I think Sombra took her. I think... he won." Not one of them said a word as the crushing reality of what Rainbow had just said crashed down upon them. It rocked them to the core. Twilight Sparkle, personal student to Princess Celestia and magical prodigy, had been defeated. Pinkie's hair deflated as Fluttershy and Spike began to cry, hugging each other tight. Applejack took off her hat and looked away with a grimace. She wanted to stay, to fight for Twilight, but she knew where that course of action would lead. What help could they be in their current condition. They would only suffer more casualties. "Ah think we should leave now, girls." Applejack piped in, the only one to speak since Rainbow Dash. She sounded disgusted with herself, but this was the only course of action: live to fight another day. "Whoa, whoa, AJ! We can't just leave Twilight like this! She needs our help right now!" Rainbow answered incredulously. She couldn't believe Applejack would suggest leaving a friend in peril such as this. "And how do y'all expect us ta do that, Sugarcube? Look at us; we’re not fighters, an' even if we were, Cadence is exhausted and Shining is out for the count." Applejack explained. Rainbow scoffed. She didn't want to admit it, but she knew Applejack was right. She couldn't see any positive solution to this, no matter how she looked at it. She felt responsible for all this. She could have helped. Twilight could have been saved, but instead she had abandoned her friend. Now she was at the complete mercy of King Sombra, and there was nothing any of them could do about it. Defeated, Rainbow asked, "What are you suggesting we do then, AJ?" ''Ah'm suggesting that we go back to Canterlot, inform the princess' of what happened, and then come back to save Twilight with help," she answered. "Applejack is right, Rainbow," Cadence pitched in as she stood by Applejack With her husband at her hooves, she looked down at him and ran a hoof through his mane. It wasn't easy being a princess, but for the sake of others she had to appear strong, and right now supporting Applejack's decision was for the best of the group, especially for Shining Armor. "We have to warn Aunt Celestia and Aunt Luna if we want to have even the slightest chance to save Twilight. We could have the entire Royal Guard backing us." Rarity was staying strong for the others, murmuring gentle encouragements to Fluttershy and Pinkie to calm them, despite having a hard time coping with the situation herself. She felt it would be selfish of her to let that pain be known when the others still needed help. Something else though, or lack thereof rather, began to worry her to no end. She began to pace, looking this way and that, but no matter how hard she looked, there was no trace of Spike. "Girls!" she cried out. Her call went unnoticed, unanswered, and so she repeated herself, louder this time. This earned her the attention of the entire group. "Where is Spike? Has anypony seen Spikey?" That was the million bit question. Where was Spike? As the others starting looking around, they stopped talking, stopped crying or sniveling, and they all began to hear it. It was the sound of sobbing in the distance. Rarity was the first to hear the sound, and as she approached the crystal barrier, the sobbing grew louder. When she peered around a large piece of black crystal jutting from the ground, she finally found Spike, sobbing as he clung to the barrier and peered inside. "Spikey! there you are, Darling! Please, we have to leave now, before that ruffian Sombra gets back." The words fell on deaf ears. Spike was broken, the news that Twilight had been captured putting him in such a state that he was shut away from the world. She pulled him up and away in her magical grip, but he began to thrash and scream, fighting to get back to Twilight. It pained Rarity to see him like that, but she kept on. They needed to leave. Once the group was reassembled, they passed through the barrier into the empty tundra that surrounded the Crystal Empire, and made their way to the train station. Shining Armor was draped across the backs of both Applejack and Pinkie Pie, and Rarity continued to hold Spike. He fought against her magic the entire way to the train station, kicking and screaming for Twilight. From there, they bought tickets to Canterlot, where they would approach the princesses with the grave news of their failure. Cadence just prayed that there would be a doctor on board.