//------------------------------// // Cordetta of lies // Story: Empress of Flame 2: Flickering Flame // by Pathious //------------------------------// Empress being in cooperation with Adagio was nothing but bad news for Equestria. Sunset Shimmer could feel the hate that Empress was feeling. Deep down she could feel something else coming from Empress. While Empress was in control Sunset was very much there. She could see everything that happened while she was out. Unfortunately this time Sunset was in a dream like state. This allowed Empress to torment her with whatever terrible dream she wanted Sunset to see. Sunset looked around her; all she could see was darkness. She looked to her right and then to her left. When sunset looked forward again she saw twilight standing in the darkness. Sunset knew she was dreaming. She on the other hand had never seen Twilight in one of the dreams she had. Twilight was in human form. “Twilight I’m over here~!” Sunset shouted to her. Twilight did not answer her. Twilight only looked up with tears in her eyes. Twilight was crying. Sunset hadn’t noticed it right away but Twilight had a red colored hand on her shoulder. The hand was of none other than Empress. Sunset started to run towards Twilight, Empress now fully visible standing behind Twilight. “Noo, no, no Sunset I wouldn’t come any closer. After all you won’t be able to help her.” Empress let out a small chuckle “Empress let her go. Why do you want everything I want?” Sunset was both upset and confused. Tears started to form in the vibrant cyan eyes that were staring into the dark halos of Empress’s eyes. “Sunset Shimmer I’m only showing you my plan. This one will benefit us both.” Empress’s usual misty eyes now had a solid looking blue that was glowing around them. Empress caressed Twilights cheek as she turned the dream entities head towards her. Empress slowly press her dark red lips against twilights mulberry colored lips. All of Twilights veins started to glow as Empress held the kiss against Twilight. Sunset saw Twilights skin turn to a slightly darker shade of purple. The same cyan halos around Empresses eyes transferred over to Twilight’s eyes. A Glowing horn shot out of Twilights forehead as massive angelic yet dark wings sprouted from the shoulder blades of Miss Sparkle. Lastly flame engulfed the two of them momentarily. When the fire cleared Sunset saw only Twilight in a form she had never seen. Empress stood behind Sunset Shimmer. She placed a hand on her shoulder slowly. “Meet Midnight Sparkle our Soon to be.” Empress started to laugh. Her laugh echoing around sunset. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Twilight was pacing the halls of Canterlot. Equestria was having heavy magical shifts since her and Celestia last saw Empress. Twilight knew she wasn’t dead for this exact reason. The thought of her still being alive was only making Celestia more and more impatient. She was becoming noticeably scared now. Twilight couldn’t stand to see her teacher in such peril. Twilight had never expected this to happen. She had always hoped Sunset would return. She hoped that she would come back asking for guidance and help. Obviously this is not what had happened. Twilight and Luna had been in charge of keeping Celestia from breaking down and sending her militia out on Equestria in search of Empress. Luna and Twilight had the same concerns. They were scared for Celestias stability. Twilight was also concerned about what would happen If Empress returned in the castle again. After being stabbed in the side by a spear, there was no doubt she would be out for blood. “Princess Twilight~!” a guard started to run down the hall. “There is a problem at the front gate. Citizens are trying to storm the castle.. The sky….. It’s gone black~!” The guard turned and ran for the entrance of the castle. He looked back as if asking for Twilight to follow. Thunder could be heard as Twilight started to run after the guard. Her hooves clapping against the hard floor of the castle, they quickly made it to the entrance. Screams were heard from outside. Those screams quickly and suddenly stopped. Twilight looked concerned. “Open the door at once…What is going on out there~!” Twilight for once raised her voice while entering command mode. The guard nodded and slowly opened the door. Once the door was open a crack, a head poked through. It was the Empress of flame. She had red makeup around her eyes as she looked at Twilight. “I’ve come to speak with the princesses, on matters that will decide the fate of Equestria.” Empress said with a soft smile on her face. She was there to negotiate. Twilight’s heart was skipping many beats as she saw empress. She was both scared and star-struck. “You may come in.” Twilight said before any other pony could respond. “We will negotiate.” Twilight gave a nervous smile back to Empress. The guard now opened the door all the way. Empress walked in all the way her pony head looking around. “Anypony going to spear me before the nights end?” Empress chuckled“Empress what did you do to the ponies screaming outside?” Twilight questioned for she hoped she had not brought harm to them. “Don’t worry dear princess. They merely have their mouths zipped.” Empress’s dark halo like eyes flashed and the screams returned. “I’m not a monster Twilight.” Empress chuckled as she waited for twilight to lead her to where they could discuss what needed to be discussed. “F-follow me E-empress, I suppose we have allot to talk about." Twilight looked out one of the windows in the sky. The sky was black with a cyan array of light flowing through the black clouds. “On our walk there I’d like to know if you are the cause of our skies current look.” Twilight said. Her hooves were shaking. She hadn’t been near Empress since before the portal exploded. “Of course…Who else could create such a piece of work?” Empress said rather casually as her massive demon wings were folded at her slim sides. “What happened to wishing you were good instead?” Twilight stopped walking as her wings slowly spread. Empress stopped in her tracks remembering the song she had helped sing before she and sunset sacrificed themselves for Equestria. “Being good got me stabbed in the side with a spear. Sunset and I were merely regenerating up there. Celestia only saw us as evil so she was bent on destroying what she feared~!” Empress stomped her right hoof as her wings began to spread. Empress slowly let out a singing note. “Another day, another waste of my heart, It only beats when it wants to.” Empress lowered her head. “I’ve done what I can to try and change but no matter what I do the world seems to hate me.” Twilight saw this as an opportunity to switch empress’s mind set. Twilight put a hoof on her shoulder and started to sing. “We all make mistakes it’s what we do. There nothing more I can ask of you. We both messed up so don’t give up there is good in you.” Twilight sang softly. “If that were true what would you do? After all that I’ve done to you. I broke your heart I burned two worlds. What makes you think I can change?” Empress slowly folded her wings as she was starting to forget what Adagio had sent her here to do. “The past the past don’t let it tell you how to be. Your yourself” “You’ve pushed me one to many times. I don’t think I can take it. I know you think your special but honey you aren’t nothing.” Empress said as her demonic wings started to spread again. “You want change you want me gone. Have precious little sunset under your wing. You won’t control you want power. Sorry honey but not today.” Empress let magic flow through her horn. The magic shot out and almost hit Twilight in the chest. Instead of hitting her it ricochet off a golden magical shield. This shield was being projected by none other than Celestia. “So you’ve returned dear Empress. Leave young twilight alone.” Celestia said as she was slowly walking in Twilights direction. “If it isn’t miss murder.” Empress said as she slowly turned towards Celestia. A deep chested purr escaped Empress’s throat. “I’m surprised you would have the nerve to label me as such. Empress you are not in power here. If your only purpose is to cause havoc here, your power will hinder against that of the power of love and Friendship.” Celestia said as she narrowed her gaze at Empress. Empress let more magic flow through her horn. A black mist slowly started to form around her eyes. “I wouldn’t bet on it. You barely won a battle against me last time. It TOOK THREE ALICORNS TO OVERPOWER ME~!” Empress said as she could feel her own anger ready to burst out of her.