The train ride to The Crystal Empire for the most part was uneventful. Santhal meditated mostly while the others talked strategy and what to do once they arrived. After they came up with a plan of action Twilight decided to use the extra time they had to get to know Santhal better.
“Umm Santhal.”
“Yes.”
“I was wondering, could you tell us more about your master?” Santhal broke his meditation and got into a normal sitting position.
“I suppose I should start from the beginning. He was born under the name Veradun and was raised by an adoptive father on Dromund Kaas. Sometime in his youth, a female Twi’lek servant on his father’s estate committed a minor offense.”
“What’s a Twi’lek?”
“It’s the name of a species just like I call myself human and you call yourselves ponies. But getting back to what I was saying, although the offense itself was meaningless to him he killed the woman to prove that he was capable of doing so and showed a strong sensitivity to the Force. His father was impressed and thought he would make a great asset to The Empire so he was sent to the Sith Academy to begin his training.”
“Your master sounds like a savage brute,” said Rarity.
“If you think that is bad then you’re not going to like what comes later. After he graduated he became selected as an apprentice by the pureblood Sith Master Vindican. After becoming an apprentice he changed his name to Malgus. On a trip to the Outer Rim world of Geonosis, Malgus discovered a young Twi’lek slave girl by the name of Eleena Daru. Upon seeing that Daru was abused and physically beaten by her owner, he killed her master and took her as his own. Although she remained his slave, the two became lovers and eventually came to treat each other as husband and wife, despite some of The Empire’s anti-alien policies. They fought in many battles together.”
“Perhaps he does have some redeeming qualities,” said Cadence.
“Yes well anyway, then the Great Galactic War started with the invasion of Korriban. Malgus and his master Vindican lead the attack and landed in a Republic space station, confronting two Jedi by the names of Kao Cen Darach and his padawan Satele Shan trying to escape. The battle was fierce but Satele managed to make a break for it while her master held them off so she could escape. Even though he was out numbered Darach managed to deliver a fatal blow to Vindican, but Malgus struck back and killed the Jedi. Afterwards he found his master still clinging to life but ultimately finished him off for failing to stop the other Jedi from escaping.”
“He killed his mentor, just like that,” said Luna.
“My master does not tolerate failure. After that he was given the title of Sith Lord and became Darth Malgus. The war raged for many years as I have already told you. I became his apprentice during the final years of the war and have served him faithfully even though we tend to disagree on certain matters from time to time. It was during the final days of the war during the sacking of Coruscant the capital world of The Republic that something happened that had a profound impact on my master. After the battle a Jedi knight by the name of Aryn Leneer learned that Malgus killed her master and wanted to avenge him. She learned of Malgus’s relationship with Daru and tried to kill her but couldn’t go through with it. Malgus arrived and defeated Aryn, he then spared her live for showing Daru mercy and allowed her to flee. Unfortunately he realized that Daru was a point of weakness in his live. So long as she was around others could exploit that weakness and use her against him. He could not allow that.”
“So what happened to her?” said Fluttershy.
Santhal looked down knowing they wouldn’t like the answer. “…He killed her.” The others gasped.
“But-but they loved each other, didn’t they?” said Rarity.
“They did. I felt my master’s pain for a while after that and he was in terrible pain. But in the end he claims that by freeing himself of her he became stronger for it. Me personally, I don’t think that I could bring myself to kill that which I love most no matter what the gain could be.”
Celestia heard the sincerity in his words. Perhaps Santhal is not as bad I first thought.
“That just makes you a better person then him in the end,” said Twilight.
“Perhaps. After that the Treaty of Coruscant was sighed, ending the war. Malgus then led and organized expeditions into the unknown regions to expand The Empire’s influence. That how I came to be here.”
“By influence do you mean conquest?” said Celestia.
“Not necessarily, as I said before so long as we stay on good terms you should have nothing to worry about.” The more Celetia heard his reassurances the less she believed them.
“So why don’t you tell us about your life,” said Twilight. Just then the train wheels screeched as it pulled into the station.
“That is a conversation for another time. Let’s disembark.” They exited the train and the others were shocked, Sombra had beaten them there. The city’s buildings had turned black and jagged, while the Crystal Palace was like a black spire piecing the sky. Snow fell with piercing winds to complement the scene before them. “It appears we’re a little late.” Just then a group of border patrol guards can into view and they rush towards Santhal and the others.
The guards stopped a few feet away from them. “In the name of King Sombra you’re all under arrest. Come quietly or we will use lethal force.”
From the looks of them diplomacy was off the table. Santhal began to reach for his lightsabers when Twilight stopped him.
“They’re probably under King Sombra’s control and not acting of their own free will. They don’t deserve to die because of that.”
“Very well, I’ll handle this.”
Santhal then extended his hand towards them. They began acting timid and some started to cry and/or shake uncontrollably while others backed away slowly. Then they dropped their weapons and fled screaming, some had even pissed themselves.
“What did you do?” said Celestia.
“I used the Force to instill fear into their minds until they were so terrified they fled without a fight. But mind tricks like that only affect the weak minded so the rest of you should have nothing to worry about.” Celestia gave a disapproving look. “Don’t worry they’ll be back to normal in no time. Would you rather I had used lethal force and cut them down?”
“…No,” she said grudgingly. “But that doesn’t justify your actions.”
“Look we can discuss this later. We’re here to save The Crystal Empire are we not?”
“Yeah so let’s go kick King Sombra’s flank,” said Dash as she flew toward the city, only to bounce off a barrier surrounding it. “What the hay!?”
“There appears to be a shield around the city,” said Twilight.
“Really, what was your first clue?” said Dash. Twilight gave Dash a little look.
“So, how we gittin inside?” The princesses started thinking on that and so did Santhal. Then he got an idea.
“I have a theory.” He then closed his eyes and concentrated while clenching his fists.
“What are you doing?” said Twilight.
“Focusing, summoning my anger, my hatred.”
Then his eyes opened and the others noticed the change in color. His iris had turned yellow with red around the rim. He then sprinted towards the barrier and managed to pass through much to everyponies surprise. He stopped once inside and a couple moments later his eyes turned back to normal.
“How did you get in?” said Luna.
“I thought back to my vision and the information you gave me about the heart. From what you told me the Crystal Heart is powered from positive emotions to keep out the bad. If that’s true then should Sombra manage to corrupt the heart like in my vision it would be powered by negative emotions to keep out the good. So all I had to do was call upon the dark side to aid me and I passed through. All you need to do to get through is call upon it as well.”
“We will not!” said Celestia.
“Then it appears that I am on my own for the time being. I’ll try to lower the shield and not have all the fun.” He said with a smile.
“Remember the guards are probably under Sombra’s control so try not to hurt them if at all possible,” said Cadence.
“I’ll try to keep that in mind.” Santhal then started to leave.
“Wait!” said Twilight. Santhal turned around and looked at her with an eyebrow raised. “I’m coming with.”
“Twilight no you can’t. Dark magic is not to be toyed with,” said Celestia.
“Celestia there’s something I need to tell you. When I first arrived to The Crystal Empire and went looking for the Crystal Heart there came a point where I had to use a little dark magic in order to continue my search. I actually got the idea from the demonstration you gave in the throne room. So I think it’s justifiable in this situation. Besides somepony should accompany him.”
“I am capable of taking care of myself.”
“And I know the layout of the city.”
“Hmm very well, but as long as it’s only you. We have a better chance of staying unnoticed the fewer of us there are.”
“What do you say Celestia?”
*sigh* “Very well, I can allow it just this once.”
Twilight closed her eyes and concentrated, a moment later she opened them and they were red and green with purple mist. Santhal was intrigued to learn that pony eyes change too when tapping into the dark side, although theirs looked different then his. Twilight moved forward and with some resistance managed to pass through. Her eyes changed back.
“Alright let’s get going, I didn’t exactly come prepared for this kind of weather, so the sooner we get this over with the better.”
And with that the two began to make their way into the city.