With King Sombra! Basically the first chapter to that multi-one-shot fic I published on Fanfiction had any version of Stardust endured through the alternate realities Starlight had unwittingly created from the interferences from the S5 finale of the show. Enjoy!

The dark, ill-healthy dungeons were filled with whimpers and pleas, prisoners of war and innocents alike locked like caged animals guarded by obedient slaves, prisoners themselves to the servitude of a deranged King. Stallions, mares and children alike huddled together or by themselves as, one by one, they were pulled from their cells with force to become like the guards fitted with those black unnerving helmets; proof of their enforced loyalty to a ruler no one would ever truly acknowledge with respect, much less royalty.

Thus why they must be forced to obey their King.

"No! No you can't do this!" Things only worsened, fellow prisoners nearby flinching in collective horror, sorrow and sympathy to the colt being dragged away from the pleading couple to serve their new King.

"Mommy! Daddy!"

"Let him go, take me instead!"

"He's our only son! Please...!" The wide-eyed child was just as tearful if not more than his outstretched parents, the latter's watching their flesh and blood to be removed of his innocence for some sickening tyrant. Captured soldiers either growled in outrage or looked away in shame as they saw/heard the commotion.

But snapped their heads back in either surprise or puzzlement upon the sudden of a mechanized groan, the guard gripping the limb of the crying child collapsing to a heap as the child foal suddenly disappeared by a rainbow blur. The stunned prisoners's surprise shifted to shock at a sudden gust of wing and golden energy speeding by the cages, the guards snapping their heads only to be greeted by said golden wave carrying to the other side of the dungeon, knocking them into painful heaps on the ground.

All in the blur of five seconds.

Three ponies, not counting the saved child resting atop one of their backs, strode into the corridor of cages with purpose, to the shock and growing hope on a great majority recognizing one of the ponies. "Here you go kid!" The blue pegasus with metallic implants to her wings and a scar above one eye cracked a sporting grin as she entered the only open cage, reuniting the tearful kid with their immensely relieved parents. "Never should be separated from family."

"It's Captain Rainbow Dash!"

"I thought she disappeared after the Third Battle of Manehatten!"

"She's come to save us all!"

One of the ponies accompanying the famed pegasus was a purple unicorn adorned in a dark brown cloak, only her stern but youthful face, tail and lower limbs revealed. The mare in question magically picked up the keys from the knocked out guard and set out to release all the gratified that was going on, the third equine grabbed the edges of the helmet controlling the first guard and pulled tightly, ripping off metal with little difficulty. That prompted stunned and awed gasps form the observing prisoners. The golden Earth Pony, in his dark blue cape and intense hazel eyes, continued that action with the remaining guards currently down for the count.

"Is that who I think it is?"

"The Twilight Warrior...?!"

"I thought he was a myth!"

"Everypony, we're moving out ASAP!" The purple unicorn called out after opening the last cage door, helping anyone in need of support moving their legs. She turned briskly to the freed soldiers. "Help carry the guards. Time is short." There was an authoritative edge to her tone, the released white pegasi knowing immediately better than to argue.

The golden Earth Pony nodded to the blue pegasus, who looked back to the gathered crowd. "Listen up, we've cleared a path, and we're getting you all out of here before anypony notices we're gone! Today this war will be over! Today, King Sombra's going down with the rear-kicking he deserves!"

"Everypony form a neat and organized line! We can't be panicking right now, so we'll need everyone to remain calm and support each other out of here." Then, the purple unicorn turned to the golden warrior in the wartorn cape. "After we escort these ponies out, Pinkie and Maud should have gotten out with Sombra's precious treasure. We'll execute the next part of the plan- Huh?"

Twilight Sparkle was cut off by the Earth Pony striding over as she spoke, firmly but not roughly grasping her chin with his hoof and whispering with intense passion. "I love you, Twilight." And the mare was taken by surprise from the unexpected display of affection, but deeply returned the meaningful kiss with yearning and feelings she recuperated for this stallion who saved her life long ago, and gave her a purpose to fight. Once the romantic gesture ended, prompting the many 'awws' of some prisoners and the eye-rolling fondness of Rainbow Dash, Twilight's half-lidded eyes barely noticed the hoof to her chest glowing before it was too late.

"No, wait, Jack-!"

The mare collapsed gracefully into his limbs, and Rainbow took the initiative. "She's gonna be real mad at you for this." Rainbow noted matter-of-factly as she hoisted the sleeping unicorn onto her back.

"She'll be mad but she'll still be alive." And nodded forward. "Honour fighting with you Captain, now get going. I have a tyrant to overthrow."

As the warrior turned to leave the through the other doorway, Rainbow turned to the watchers. "You heard him! Let's go!" As the soldiers led the march out, the blue pegasus took one last glance where the stallion exited, whispering with a tinge of worry, but much more respect. "Good luck you reckless stubborn pony..." And followed after the others, an unconscious Twilight in tow.

The Dark King hardly seemed fazed by the doors flying open and two of his elite guards thrown through, landing ungracefully onto the carpet in swift defeat. The throne room was coated in darkness, light from the outside world barely pouring through, dark blue fire lit from the torches decorating the walls. King Sombra watched with intense gleaming bloody eyes at the golden warrior with dark brown hair, tail, full beard and narrowed blue-green eyes marched into the room without fear.

At least, on the outside. "I can smell your reluctance from within." The King observed, slowly rising from his comfortable throne to confront the frowning intruder, appraising the younger stallion with a mocking grin. "I have long awaited this meeting... Human." Despite the jab, there was actual respect in the unicorn's voice regarding this nuisance over the years. "You have proven to be a thorn in my side for a long time. And yet, I cannot help but respect your fighting spirit. You fear me, but you choose to confront me. Alone. But that has always been your way, hasn't it, Twilight Warrior?"

The other stallion made no response, mentally preparing himself for the struggle ahead.

"Although, word has spread that you have gained a little follower of late; a unicorn who chases after your tail like a desperate mutt." Sombra grinned darkly. "Tell me, who is she to you?" No answer but the small grimace, which the tyrant caught, prompting his sickening chuckle. "Hmhmhmhm, I see. And the famed Captain Dash recently joined your battles too. Strange, considering her loyalty to that cretin Celestia, and your open distaste for that Princess."

"I'm not fighting for her." The golden stallion finally replied, removing his dark blue cape to reveal the glitting yet damaged battle armour beneath. "I'm fighting for all the lives you are both harming with this tedious war."

Sombra chuckled again, slowly descending from the throne in casual indifference. "Truly a shame you remain so blissfully ignorant to the workings of this world. Equestria desires my rule, you know."

"I'm sure." Was the dry response.

"Order would be non-existent without my laws upholding it." Sombra proceeded to explain, smugness veiled by a factual malicious tone. "Without fear, the weak will spread disharmony, and would never reach their full potential."

"They wouldn't feel happiness either, nor what it means to have fun, or friendship." The Twilight Warrior retorted. "You don't want what's best for Equestria; you just crave to have everything run for your own benefits!"

"And what is the crisis there?" Sombra inquired with a dark smirk. "After all, I, King Sombra, have the right..." Red eyes flared, the torches' light thinning from his might. "And the power to see my dreams accomplished."

The Earth Pony cracked a tiny, challenging grin. "Such a shame you'll be stopped before that dream ever comes true. It's time we end this for good, Sombra."

"I agree child." The King rose to full height, sharp teeth baring as he prepared for the thrill of battle. The King of Fear versus the Warrior of Hope. "It is time I rid my kingdom of this persistent nuisance sticking in matters he doesn't belong." That said, a black, deadly scythe emerged from the King's side, pointing down at the unflinching yellow pony's direction, whose eyes only narrowed along with Sombra's. "You should have realized now that any effort will be futile. My power grows from the Crystal Heart."

"The object that grants life to this empire?"

"Indeed."

"That you've hidden so well?"

"Perhaps."

"Whch I've destroyed before I got here?"

"I..." Silence, before Sombra growled irritably. "You lie child."

"Don't believe me, check." Eyeing him warily, Sombra magically wielded the scythe to defend him as his eyes closed briefly, in concentration. The Warrior couldn't resist smirking at said eyes snapping open in abject horror and outrage, the King releasing a vicious snarl before leaping onto the ground he stood. The Warrior's cape was removed in the meantime, falling victim to the vengeful King and his slicing weapon, the golden pony dodging left, right, up and down from the barrage of attacks by the enraged tyrant.

Until he felt himself backed against the wall, the King pinning him by the neck with the blunt of his scythe. In anger, Sombra exclaimed with intense hate.

"You have destroyed everything!"

"You destroyed my friends."

Sombra had no time to process the meaning behind those words before a kick to his chest reeled him back, red eyes glaring at hazel orbs now shifting to a bright gold. Both knew, after today, neither were leaving this battle unharmed.

Twilight could only watch in silent horror at the dark castle crashing down on itself from the struggle within, Rainbow and Pinkie's firm grasps keeping her from hurrying back to the kingdom to save the stallion she had grown to care for more than anypony else still aside, foolishly doing battle alone against the dreaded Dark King and about to perish with the rest of the kingdom because of it. Observing the conflict from the cliffs above the Empire, the freed citizens and prisoner alike could only watch as a kingdom that was home to most of them fell with the tall castle, destroying plenty of homes and stores that have resided with their families for countless years.

As the last rubble fell, the vibrations from the ground ceasing by the castle's doomed descent, everyone could only watch with solemn expressions. Except for Twilight, whom was collapsed on the ground after the mares released her with unashamed tears, sorrow and agony croaking from her throat and eyes as Commander Shining, her brother, comforted her with a remorseful expression. He personally hadn't known the pony who became a bane to both sides of the war, but despite such, that stallion had save Shining's sister and helped her overcome her isolation and depression.

And the white stallion will forever be grateful for that, his own loyalty to Princess Celestia be darned.

"Someone's coming out of the rubble."

The ponies mourning for both their former kingdom and the fallen warrior within snapped their heads up by Maud Pie's flat observation, including a stunned Twilight. Indeed, though the survivor was a blur from this distance, somepony was emerging out of the ruins of the destroyed castle, and Twilight found herself skidding down the hill a second later, refusing to believe her warrior was gone yet, not if there was a chance! Rainbow, Pinkie, Maud and Shining were in hot pursuit.

And very soon, the entire crowd followed.

Twilight's breathing was shallow, her expression torn between hope and distraught, praying to Celestia the stallion she loved was alive and well. The pony who survived the battle carefully leapt down from the rubble, keeling over then in pain. Hazel eyes slowly looked upwards to meet Twilight's widened orbs, tears of a different sort leaking from the mare's eyes at the sight of her warrior being alive and well.

For the most part.

Without awaiting any delays, Twilight leapt forward and clutched the stallion's waste tightly, happily crying into his fur in relief and utter content. The Twilight Warrior grimaced in pain, but slowly returned the gesture in his own relief. "Are you alright love...?" Twilight sniffed at that, pulling back with an uncertain before- "Ow!"

"You idiot!"

"Ow!"

"Reckless!"

"Hey!"

"Completely irresponsible!"

"Twilight, I'm in my own pain here-!"

"Utterly insufferable!"

"Come on love-!"

"If you weren't already in pain I'd have done much worse." The unicorn seethed, despite her smaller stature, and Stardust, for all his time shaped and honed by warfare, found himself shrinking back. An angry Twilight was more frightening than anything Sombra could ever pull. And then, the unicorn embraced her love tightly again, having no intention on letting go anytime soon. Patting her hair with a tender expression, he looked from Twilight to her bemused-watching brother and the rest. "There are ponies still trapped in the rubble. We should get them out."

Shining nodded, recalling those orders to his troops as they immediately got to work around the rest of the kingdom. Meanwhile, the citizens of the Empire approached the two ponies with Rainbow, Pinkie, Maud and Shining in tow, the freed Equestrians performing an action that took the couple by utter surprise.

One by one, the entire kingdom bowed. And the other four followed, all regarding the Twilight Warrior who bested the fallen King with complete and utter admiration and respect. "Brave Warrior." One pony inquired. "Tell us your name."

He shared an incredulous glance with Twilight, before awkwardly replying, "Uh... Jack." The tearful unicorn giggled, finding the times he's taken off-guard to be hopelessly endearing.

At that answer, the other stallion nodded and called over his soldier. "Hail the slayer of the Dark Tyrant! All hail King Jack!"

"All hail King Jack!"

"...Huh."

Twilight smiled ludicrously at the repeated phrase the entire crowd resonated, including the soldiers to Celestia. "Looks like they've already chosen their new ruler..."

"King Jack..." A wry, teasing grin. "Kinda rolls off the tongue in a way." Before looking serious again and adding, "You know what else does?"

Twilight looked up at him, and Jack- King Jack looked down at the mare wrapped around him with a warm, yet tired smile.

"Queen Twilight."

Followed with a heavy blush, and Shining tried not to look super annoyed as his own sister and the rogue warrior shared a passionate moment of intimacy.