Now then; How should I say this... The main reason why the series hasn't been updating recently is because of the horrible writers' block I've been stuck in since the end of the school year. The second reason is that now that school's over, a large majority of the ideas I do have - ones that likely wouldn't fit in the series in the first place - have been going into a collab story I've been writing recently. Last of all, this specific story is beginning to turn out just like the stories I canceled. It's become dark, very dark by my own standards. Seeing as how I dislike writing dark stories, I've slowed my pace for chapter updates, instead focusing on short one-shots and that one collab, in which it's become near impossible for it to ever turn out the same way this did. With three people working actively on the story, myself included, whenever someone writes something others dislike, we hold sort of a "vote" to decide whether or not it should stay in the story. Either way, as I've said, I've been growing rather distant from this specific series, and sooner or later, I may turn this story itself into a collab as well, in order to ensure updates for the readers, and at the same time, still be able to keep it to the storyline.
Celestia shot up in her bed yet again, panting and dripping with sweat. It had become the new norm for her to wake in the dark of night, especially with the new voice that seemed to always irritate her when she slept.
"Luna?" Celestia mumbled, "Luna, come here please. I've had another one of those horrid dreams."
Luna silently paced from her station to Celestia, and entered her sister's mind once more.
"I've been waiting for you..."
"Who... what?"
"Luna. Princess of the Night. You were once fearsome. Powerful. And yet, you were as elegant as a rose petal."
Luna paused, stunned by the words spoken from the unseen entity.
"And who are you?"
A dark fog began setting over Luna's vision, growing in intensity as it collected into a figure.
Luna gasped in shock, and immediately snapped at the figure. "Sombra. So we meet once more. What have you done to my sister?"
As the fog began receding, it revealed not a single figure, but two figures: Sombra, and Celestia.
Sombra let out a low, intimidating cackle. "Ah, Luna, Luna, Luna. What have you gotten yourself into?"
Luna rushed towards Celestia and began tearing away at the dark smoke binding her. Turning towards Sombra, she growled, "Let go of my sister."
"That, I will not do," began Sombra as he shoved Luna aside, "I have... plans for her."
"What sort of 'plans' do you speak of, fiend?"
Sombra chuckled. "I see what you're trying to do there, Luna. It's rather obvious."
Sombra lunged upwards, transforming into his shadow self, before diving straight towards Luna.
"Luna!" Shouted Celestia as she struggled in the smoke, "No..."
The Princess of the Night lay unconscious in the void, Sombra slowly circling her.
"As I was saying," he continued, "You were searching for power, Luna. In the act of protecting your sister, you were attempting to bring your image up, rise through the ranks, y'know what I mean?"
Luna continued to lay in her static position, clearly out cold, and-- "Wait a sec... this is a dream..."
Suddenly, in a fit of rage, Luna pounced on Sombra, furiously swiping at his face.
"ARAGH!" Wailed Sombra, surprised at the outburst. He grasped Luna by the mane with his magic, and flung her out of the mental battlescene.
Luna suddenly jerked back from her sister.
"Sister," she whispered, "Tia, wake up. TIA!"
Beside Celestia, a small pinprick of light formed. Silently, unbeknownst to Luna, it began to take on the shape of a body...