//------------------------------// // Time Troubles part 3 Sombraverse: The Dark Pony of War // Story: Within The Nightmare: Side Stories from the Living Nightmare universe // by Autum Breeze //------------------------------// Part 3 The Dark Pony of War ___________________________________________________________ “With Sombra’s forces being reported several miles due est, placing platoons on the south-eastern and north-eastern areas will give cover to all sides, lessening chances of a surprise assault,” the general said, her eyes trained on the map of the area. Turning to her lieutenant, a grey maned Earth Pony with a scar across his mouth. “Be sure to inform Captain Dash and Shining Armour as to the likelyhood of the attack. We cannot allow Sombra’s forces even the slightest edge.” The stallion nodded, taking a sheet of paper levitated in the mare’s magic, before saluting. “At once, General Sparkle.” She watched him go through her good eye. Twilight Sparkle had changed a lot since the time of the war. Back when she had failed to get into Celestia’s School for Gifted Unicorns as a filly, she had done her best to prove herself as a capable unicorn in other ways. Though she never exceeded her magical limits, her mind became her greatest tool. She had studied science to the point it quivered in her wake, coming up with new theories and possibilities of application, both magical and non-magical. When the war started, she was drafted in as an aid, having no fighting experience. This did not mean she hadn’t had to fight. The eye patch over her left eye, along with the scar visible past the patch, were proof of that. During a raid of the camp she’d been stationed in at the time, she had come to the aid of a young orange Pegasus who’d been cornered by one of Sombra’s soldiers. In saving the filly, she’d lost her eye, but had gained a drive to fight more than ever. However, though she was not suited to being on the front lines, Twilight had proven herself a strong tactician in aiding the camp with removing the incursion. Shortly after, she’d been made a strategist, quickly moving in the ranks to General. All battles she had a hoof in had been a success. “Any word from Canterlot Fortress?” the general asked another solider, this one a unicorn wearing an eye patch. He nodded, saluting. “Mi Amore Cadenza requests that she not be left out of the battle, expressing her desire to aid in the war.” The purple unicorn shook her head. “Cadance is pregnant with an Alicorn foal. We cannot risk any harm coming to her or the infant. With Celestia on the front lines, we must keep a contingency plan in case she falls in battle. With her gone, Cadance and her foal will be the only ones with enough power to raise the sun and moon. My sister-in-law understands this, even if she keeps insisting on leaving the safety of the fortress.” “General!” General Sparkle looked up away from the pony she’d been speaking with as a young orange Pegasus with a short cut mane and tail galloped through the tent flap, stopping and saluting to her. “What is it, Scootaloo?” the unicorn asked, her eye focusing through her rectangular spectacles. The filly was the same one Twilight had lost her eye to save. The young pony had since that day dedicated herself to the general’s services, putting her all in, despite her age. She was a number one assistant General Sparkle could've asked for and served to the best of her abilities. If it were a more peaceful time, Twilight Sparkle might have been amused at the idea and seen it as flattering. But, these were not peaceful times. If the filly wanted to follow her example, that was fine. Another strong soldier for the war could always turn the tide. Scootaloo lowered her hoof. “Reports of an unidentified flying object approaching from south-west at high speeds, ma’am.” The general frowned. “The south-west? I don’t recall anything being stationed in that direction. Could it be a trick by the enemy?” “Unsure, General,” the filly replied, shaking her head. “But it’s approaching fast. If it’s a Pegasus, they’re moving faster than the average.” “Any specifics?” General Sparkle, levitated over a list, ready to jot down any details as to get an idea as to what was coming their way. Time was of the essence to determine if it was friend or foe. “All that has been identified is that it’s black, ma’am.” Twilight's brow furrowed. Black. That wasn’t a good omen. Very few times had anything black been spotted coming towards any of the Equestrian Forces had proven to be anything but enemy hostiles since when the war began. When it wasn't Sombra's forces, it was Changelings. Whilst they're invasion had been ill-timed with the war happening shortly after, they'd had to flee. Equestria hadn't even had a chance to fix all the problems the three day enslavement under the Changelings before word of the Crystal Empire and Sombra had reached the princesses. Changelings were still proving a problem, though they mostly just caused small problems with a loss of soldiers. True, such loses were big in the long run, but, for the most part, the Changelings were a hindrance to the war efforts at best, though, on occasion, they did accidentally cause a shift in Equestria's favour during a battle. But, if this was flying at a high speed... The only logical answer was a Pegasus, as, even disguised as pegasi, Changeling wings were not designed for speed like Pegasus wings were, but what kind of Pegasus was black that could move at such speeds? Time proved less short than Twilight’s keen mind had estimated, for the sound of yelling from outside indicated whatever was coming their way was too close to be ignored now. Hurrying out the tent, with Scootaloo right on her tail, General Sparkle stood with several guards at her side as the black object flew towards them, growing bigger at an alarmingly fast rate. Twilight bit her lip. There was no time to form a blockade. No time to evacuate. They would all have to face whatever this unknown was without preparation. Suddenly, the objected aimed down and smashed into the snow-covered ground. However, it did not stop. Earth and rock flew high into the air as whatever it was surged through the ground, it’s target clearly them. They all braced themselves, Scootaloo flaring her wings and hunching down, ready to fight alongside her commanding general. However, just inches from in front of them, whatever had barrelled through the ground upon impacted stopped. They all stood in silence, waiting for the dust shaken up by the mass movement of dirt settled. When their vision was clear, they all stared at the long groove that had been carved into the ground, stretching several hundred feet back from the sight of impact. Whatever had slammed into the ground had burrowed so deep there was a giant crater in front of them where the groove ended. Several soldiers moved forward, spears at the ready as they neared the crater. Suddenly, there was a flash of dark-blue light and a field of what looked like stars shot out from the hole, flying up into the sky and coming together, taking the shape of a small pony, maybe a year or two younger than Scootaloo. When it solidified, they all got a good look at what had crashed in front of their base. They all stared in confused an uncertainty. It was a filly, definitely a year or so younger than Scootaloo. Her fur was a pure black and her Cutie Mark was of a blue crescent moon in front of a blue splotch. Something was very different about her compared to Scootaloo, though. She had not only black wings, but a horn. She was an Alicorn. The idea that another Alicorn could even exist was enough to stun anypony, but they were all held by her gaze. Her eyes were turquoise, yet, what should have been the whites of her eyes were a lighter blue. As for her pupils, that were slitted, like a dragon’s. However, t appearance was not what held them all in shock. It was the look in her eyes. There was anger and sorrow and a drive for revenge. The filly landed in front of them, the soldiers moving to stand close to the General in case they needed to leap into action. The filly surveyed each of the soldiers with the eye of one unimpressed. “If these are your soldiers, no wonder the war has not been won yet.” Twilight’s eyes narrowed. The filly spoke in a tone no pony her age should even understand. In a way, it was almost like hearing Princess Celestia when she and the princess had worked together on a battle plan and had spoken to the troupes. Only, this filly was so young, hearing her speak in such a way made Twilight realize even more just how much this war had effected even the younger generations. The filly’s eyes fell on the general and she blinked in surprise, before her expression became as it had been before. “Who is in charge around here?” General Sparkle stepped forward. “That would be me.” She narrowed her eyes. “Just who are you and what are you doing here?” The filly’s lips curled into a snarl. “Learning all I can to take revenge on the monster that took my mother.” ___________________________________________________________ “Keep up the attack, ponies of Equestria!” Princess Celestia shouted over the sounds of battle. “We cannot allow the enemy the chance to move forward!” Suddenly, four of Sombra’s soldiers came out from the snow, surrounding her. Her horn flared and a dome of white magic pushed out from around her, forcing them all back, knocking them out cold. As she glanced at each of her downed attackers, she felt the air movment behind her. Glancing back, she saw another of Sombra’s forces had snuck up behind and was aiming a sword at her neck. She didn’t have enough time to charge a spell and knock them away— At that instant, Celestia sensed a surge of magic that somehow felt familiar, before the sound of an energy beam being fired reached her ears, followed a split-second after a beam of blue energy slammed into the soldier who’d been about to end her, sending them tumbling away. Looking up in the direction of the beam, she saw and flash of black shoot across the sky, heading further into the battle, before she recognized the aura. “Luna...?” she whispered, her eyes widening. “But... no, but... how...?” “It’s a long story!” The white Alicorn turned as a flash of purple light blinded her, fading to show a lavender mare standing over several more soldiers from Sombra’s forces. Celestia’s eyes widened at the sight of the mare. It... it looked like General Twilight Sparkle, expect, her injuries were gone and... she was an Alicorn. “Yeah,” the purple Alicorn said, nodding. “Explinations later, Princess. Right now we need to get ready to help your niece when the time is right.” Celestia gaped. Niece?! ___________________________________________________________ As Lieutenants Pinkamena and Maud Pie saluted to her after saving her from being crushed by a massive boulder, Captain Rainbow Dash nodded, before flying back into the air to further the fight. “Your wing!” Captain Dash turned in confusion, which only grew when she saw the pony flying nearby. She was a filly, who was staring in horror at Dash’s prosthetic wing. However, before Dash could question this further, despite now noticing the horn on the filly’s head, the filly’s eyes narrowed, filling with rage as she turn and shot through the sky towards Sombra’s forces, screaming, “SOMBRA!” “Captain!” Dash turned to see Commander Lightning Dust soar over, concern and confusion on her face. “Did I just see an Alicorn filly charge of screaming Sombra’s name in rage?” “So I’m not the only one going mad,” Dash nodded, looking the direction the filly had gone. “Who in Equestria was that?” “No idea,” Dash frowned in the direction the filly had gone. “Whoever she was, she clearly has it in for Sombra.” “She needs to get in line,” Lightning growled, before shooting down from the sky towards several Crystal Pony soldiers, Dash right behind her. ___________________________________________________________ Sombra cackled from atop the dark crystals he’d just grown from the ground as he looked down on the battle. It was glorious. At the rate this battle was going, he would soon push Equestria even further back, gaining that much more of his rightful kingdom. His destiny would soon be realized. The dark pony of war was destined to end the greatest battle in the world’s history and rise above all others. When he was but a young stallion, he had come across a book that had foretold of a great warrior, a pony with a coat as black as coal who would rise up and defeat its enemy. He knew he was that warrior, it becoming clear after reading through the pages and casting the spell that would show him the path. What had happened after was a little blurry, but he remembered finding himself amongst the snow and ice, feeling a power coursing through him, more powerful than he could have ever dreamed. With this new power, he had set out to fufil the prophecy. Sure the Alicorn Sisters had stalled him for a thousand years, but now the future was coming to pass. Soon, Princess Celestia’s little rebellion would crumble and he would stand triumphant as the King of all. Nothing would stop him now. Nothing could ever even hope to— “SOMBRAAAAA!” The dark unicorn turned, with only enough time to see a blur of black shooting across the sky, aimed right at him, before he was impacted and soared off his crystal perch, whatever had hit him pressing hard. Gaining his bearings as best he could, his eyes widened. It was a foal, a little foal and she was glaring at him with a murderous look in her eyes. Eyes that he had only ever seen once before, and the realization shocked him so much it gave the filly the chance to slam him into the ground, before flying back up into the sky, her horn charging with an immense surge of magic. Quickly getting a hold of himself, he charge his own horn, firing a blast at the foal. She dodged, but lost her focus, her horn’s charge dying down. Sombra glared up at the filly, his eyes narrowed. “How?” he growled. “How are you even alive? I took you life with my own hooves?!” “You took my mother’s life, not mine!” the filly screeched, her eyes blazing with hate. “And you’ll pay with your own!” The filly turned into a field of stars and shoot down. Sombra moved out of the way, but was grazed as the cloud shoot past, just managing to get his side. He skidded in the snow, snarling, both in anger and pain. Somehow, the cloud had singed right through his armour, piercing the skin. “We fought once before, you beast!” the filly snarled as she retook a physical form. “This time you won’t get off so easily!” He snarled, charging his horn and firing a blast of Dark Magic in the filly’s direction. She turned back into a cloud of stars, dodging around it with ease and shot forward, slamming into him. The two soared across the ground, leaving a groove in the snow as they went. Soldiers on both sides had to move out of the way as they to moved in a firce struggle. How can she possibly be so powerful like this!? the unicorn thought angrily as they stopped moving and separated, both standing off against the other. Even if Celestia managed to bring back the darker version of her sister, how is she so powerful in that state? And what in darkness did she mean by I took her mother’s life? By now the battle had died down. Once it had become clear Sombra was actually fighting somepony and that pony was holding their own, all had slowed to see just what was happening. Now, in the quiet chilled air, Sombra and the filly faced each other, pacing in a circle, the filly’s dragon-like eyes showing nothing but murderous contempt for him as she glared at him. “So, little filly,” Sombra said as they paced, genuinely curious, and using the calm to learn more of his enemy, “just who are you and why do you wish my death?” The filly snarled. “I am Princess Stellar Nova and you murdered my mother in your attempts to conquer my home! Now, I’m going to pay you back.” He furrowed his brow slightly, then smirked. “Your mother? Hmm. I cannot remember all the mares who’s my forces have taken since the war began. Might I inquire whom she was? So many mare have died, after all.” The filly growled. “Oh, you know her. You personally ended her life, forcing my Aunt to take on the duty she was forced to for a thousand years!” Sombra blinked, confused... before dawning came to him, causing him pause. It was all the filly needed. She shot forward, her horn charging quicker than he’d ever seen a horn charge with magic before, firing a blast of magic that slammed into him, sending him rocketing through the air. She shot into the sky, a scream of bloody murder escaping her mouth as she zoomed into the sky. Sombra recovered from the shock and attack and turned himself midair, aiming his horn. “NOW, PRINCESS!” Sombra’s head turned in time to notice two others in the air around him. One was Celestia herself, but the other was another Alicorn he’d never seen before. Two more Alicorns, along with Celestia? What the in the name of Tartarus was going on?! He didn’t have time to think as both Alicorns fired surges of magic at him. Stuck in midair, he couldn’t avoid them, and was slammed by the blasts, sending him back towards the ground, and right in range of the black Alicorn who’d said she was Princess Luna’s daughter. As Sombra watched in shock, his mind still working whilst his body tried to recover from the double spells he’d been hit by, he noticed something he hadn’t fully paid attention to before. The filly... her coat was black. She was a black pony. His mind locked up as a thought occurred to him, one that had never once entered his mind since reading the prophecy of The Black Pony of War. Could... could he have been wrong? Was he not the pony spoken of in the prophecy... but this filly? His thoughts were focused back on the present when he felt the filly’s fist connect with his chest, a surge of magic flowing from it, shuddering into his body, before he plummeted to the ground, smashing into the snow-covered Earth. The force of his impact caused the nearby snow and upper soil to rise in an arch from the point of contact, pushing anything away as he drove deeper and deeper into the ground. When the dust cleared, Sombra lay at the bottom of the ten metre wide and ten feet deep hole that had been created. “Look at the all powerful King Sombra, now.” He opened his eyes, seeing the filly was standing on his stomach, her hate glare in her eyes. He smirked. “Go ahead,” he said as the full weight of it all sunk in. “Finish me, Dark Pony of War.”