//------------------------------//
// 144. God 
// Story: Short Shorts 
// by Coranth 
//------------------------------//

It was over.

King Sombra and his armies had won.

Helpless, all Celestia and Luna could do was look on in despair as the mad King stood before the Tree of Harmony. With but a thought, the dark Unicorn King cast a spell, creating a magical projection of himself that all ponies across Equestria could see... and then he began to speak as all quailed in fear... "Ponies of Equestria! I stand before the Great Tree of Harmony. Chosen by destiny to receive the powers of Equestria! This inevitable moment will transpire before your eyes, even as your so-called Princesses themselves bear witness to it." 

Even as he spoke, it was happening, the power of the Tree of Harmony was already flowing through the Tyrant King, and he welcomed it, embraced it with open hooves. "Now. I, Sombra, am Master of Equestria!" The King cried. "Yes! Yes... I feel it, the power... fills me. Yes, I feel the virtues within me! I am... I am a part of Harmony! Its energy flows... flows through me." As the power of the Tree filled the King and he bent it to his unyielding will, Sombra laughed darkly, happily. "Of what consequence are you now, Princesses? This planet, these ponies - They are nothing to me - the Tree of Harmony is power, pure, unstoppable power - and I am that force, I am that power! Kneel before your master..."

Glaring at him defiantly, Celestia and Luna refused.

"Fools!" Sombra snarled. "You are no longer my equals! I am more than pony, more than life! I... am... a... god!" And with those words, the Tree of Harmony split down the middle as King Sombra finished absorbing its power - the power of Equestria itself - his body and regalia changing in a brilliant flare of light. He stood before them now, huge, hulking, rippling with muscle, black armor barely containing his new form, an elaborate helm upon his head.

"Now. You... will... kneel!" Sombra cried, beams of pure power, black as pitch, lancing from his eyes to strike the Princesses. 

As the beams struck their bodies, Celestia and Luna howled in agony.

"KNEEL!" Sombra bellowed, hoof outstretched towards them as he blasted them again.