King Onyx ran a hoof along the banister of his balcony. Part of him admired his own ingenuity – tearing down the hive and building a crystal palace in its place was no small feat, and it would have taken even the most skilled Canterlot architects decades to complete such a grand, opulent palace of dark crystal. With the more creative member of his Nightfall guard assisting, it had taken him only eleven months. Part of him admired their quick work, and the rest of him wanted to slam his hoof onto the banister and smash it to pieces. 'It can be better.'
Lost in his thoughts, Onyx barely heard his advisor's words. "...cape will be ready soon, my lord. Red velvet with spotted trim, as you requested."
Onyx rested his hoof on the ground. The armor wrapped around it clicked heavily on the smooth crystal floor. His voice was flat and weary, more of a rumble than a vocalization. "Thank you, Storm." He looked over his shoulder to the bowing unicorn before him. "But as I have requested, please forego the formalities when we are alone."
Storm Break, clad in his flowing green robes, stood and stared for a moment. "Yes, On–" He stopped himself. "I… hope you don't mind if I use your real name, then."
"Please do." Onyx looked back out into the expansive wastes before him. He imagined running east to the border of his land, the Bluebell River. He imagined jumping in and returning to Equestria, the water washing away everything he had become. And he imagined using it all as a ruse to win back the trust of a foolish princess. "Though I'm not convinced that stallion exists anymore."
"Onyx," Storm said firmly, joining him at the banister. Storm craned his neck to attempt eye contact, even as Onyx's gaze remained unbroken. "You are not Sombra. Taking his name to rally the Changelings to your cause was a stroke of genius, but you are still you." Tentatively, he set a hoof on Onyx's shoulder. "No old story about your soul or your mind or any part of you is going to change that."
Onyx slowly shook his head, the movements almost undetectable. "It already has."
Storm looked to the horizon as well. "We can still call a truce with Equestria. I'm sure your aunt will welcome you ba–"
"No!" Onyx roared. He threw his hooves onto the banister and leaned forward, precariously setting his body weight on the crystal beam. "This has nothing to do with choices, Storm," he grumbled, his voice taking on a low, gritty tone. "This desire, this longing… To conquer the greatest ruler in Equestria is the ambrosia that drives me, sears me to my bones. I long to have that sweet victory on lips. I want it." He clenched his teeth. "I need it. More than air, and more than life. I must become better, become the greatest conqueror the world has ever known. And I must do it quickly." He relaxed his face, and his voice became more gentle. "Else I risk a drawn-out war that claims the lives of a thousand-thousand innocents. Sombra is consuming me. Perhaps he already has, but I know that he will not blink in the face of all the world's pain."
"But Onyx, victory can only be achieved through careful planning and strategy. Why do you insist on laying siege with such a small regiment?"
"Because Celestia will do what she always does – send her champions to do her dirty work for her. I will need every changeling and pony I can get to defend the palace, and I need enough soldiers I can trust to maintain order while I am away." He turned his head to Storm Break. "Which is why you shall remain here. Celestia will not violate the terms of our treaty. If I am unsuccessful, the residents here will not be harmed."
"But that treaty excluded the leadership!" Storm inched closer. "My friend, I fear what will become of you should you fail."
Onyx backed away from the edge of his balcony. "And I fear what will become of the world should I succeed."
A dusty breeze blew through the parapets and up to the high tower where the two of them sat. Neither said a word as they gazed eastward, the sun setting behind him.
As twilight enveloped the land and a chill began taking hold, Storm Break spoke up, though the words tasted like ash in his mouth. "There is one other order of business."
"Yes?" Onyx whispered, still staring out into the desert wasteland.
"Our spies have…" Storm coughed into his hoof. "They report that Prince Noble Shield is to be wed early next month."
Onyx quickly spun around to his advisor. His eyes opened wide, gleaming in the failing light, and he realized he'd forgotten what it felt like to smile. "W-was there an invitation?"
Storm Break took half a step back and averted his gaze. He chuckled awkwardly. "Heh heh. My king… Onyx, we are on the brink of war with Equestria. I doubt even the princesses have the political clout to extend such an invitation, regardless of their wishes. Regardless of how much they all miss you."
"Oh." Onyx's head drooped, and he cast his gaze to the floor. "Yes. Of course."
"There will likely be extra guards, but the council recommends you take the opportunity to sneak in and begin your assault while the populace is distracted."
Onyx's mane billowed in the cold wind. "And what did you tell them?"
Storm gave him a weak smile. "That you would never even consider it."
Onyx drew a shaky breath. "Thank you," he sighed. "You are dismissed."
Without another word, Storm Break bowed low and slowly traipsed through the large doors and into the castle.
Onyx waited until the sound of hoofsteps had faded completely. When all that remained was himself and the night, he reached up and ran a hoof through his mane. His hoof knocked against his iron crown, and he lamented how easily he had grown used the acquisition of power. His limbs felt heavy, and his mind felt clouded, and even as peaceful as the night was becoming as the buzzing of changeling wings died down, the black fire in his chest raged on, and his madness continued whispering thoughts of conquest into his mind.
But for just a moment, his thoughts cleared, and he spoke aloud to the night. "Dear, sweet Auntie, I pray that you can stop me." He turned his head one final time to the east.
And there, on the balcony, Onyx wept alone, humming a familiar wedding tune.