Not much is known about the creatures known as the Umbrum. They are living shadows, creatures that feed on fear, tied in with dark magic and King Sombra. But how are they related exactly?

A tale from early day Equestria explaining where the Umbrum came from.

Set before the Crystal Empire episodes, Equestria is in a state of chaos. When the Mane 6 find a small portal deep within the Everfree Forest, Celestia decides to go in herself, bringing her loyal phoenix Philomena with her. There, she is transported back to the past and the Crystal Empire, finding someone she'd only heard about in legends to help.

This story is a sequel to MLDC Origins: The Guardian of The Green

"I was once the greatest of knights in the kingdom, I served our Queen Amore faithfully and without question. I had the love of a woman, who was my friend through childhood. I also had the privilege to learn of magic under the great Starswirl. However, I destroyed all of it, in succumbing to the darkness, used as a weapon to hurt those I loved!"

"As punishment, I was cursed, to forever live, and to forever be bound to a demon...this is how it all began."

This story is a sequel to Are. You. SERIOUS?!?!?!

After the fiasco with Discord, Chance is once again reunited with his old friends, Celestia and Luna. Reconnecting with them was all well and good, however it is during his visit with the royal sisters where Chance is forced to come to grips with the harsh and bitter truth of the things that have come to pass since his slumber.

Tagged as AU because [REDACTED]. Nahh, just kidding. Because character death.

In its earliest years, the Crystal Empire was no stranger to threats. Chief among these was the umbrum, a race of ancient shadow-beasts that stalked the arctic wastes. Seemingly born of pure malice, they took great pleasure in tormenting the crystal ponies—destroying their homes and breaking their spirits for fun. And as the Empire grew in both size and prominence, these attacks only became more abundant.

Princess Amore did everything in her power to keep the umbrum at bay. And by using her magic in combination with the Crystal Heart, she was largely successful. But against such overwhelming and unrelenting darkness, even she was pushed to her limits. And the umbrum were growing more cunning by the day. Eventually, something had to give.

Now faced with the darkest days the Crystal Empire has yet seen, Princess Amore will be put to the ultimate test. Against a hatred as old as the wind, can the love of a single pony really make a difference?

Written for FanOfMostEverything's contest: Imposing Sovereigns II. My chosen prompt was "Princess Amore/War."

Sombra, Prince of the Crystal Empire and the adoptive son of Queen Amore, returns home after a long and hard fought war against the ancient Black Dragons and is eager to continue the budding romance that has started to flower between him and the radiant Princess Celestia of the southern kingdom of Equestria.

However, when he returns home he is swept up by a prophecy given to him by the Crystal Heart. A prophecy that foretells the doom of all he loves at the hooves of the Umbra. And so Sombra sets off once more into the wastes to confront this foe, determined to save his Empire and the mare he loves before it's too late.

Little does he know, he's playing right into fate's hooves.

In Limbo, a Gardener cultivates a place of peace for a Lost Princess.

An entry into the May Pairings Contest 2022.

This story is a sequel to Meet The Sparkles

Twilight and her Advanced Projects team face Discord. And he may have finally met his match. Yet the Lord of Chaos has an ace to play: he knows Twilight's new friends better than they realize. And also how to get rid of them... by showing her it's for the best, really...

For more of this series, see: Who Needs Enemies -- Part II

And also check out the entire series, beginning with Not Exactly Friends.

Sombra and Radiant Hope ventured through every crevice of Equestria to gather the missing pieces of Princess Amore. One day, Sombra discovered the final piece and the return of their loving Princess was nigh.

But what waits for Amore in a world that no longer feels like her own. What purpose could she serve when all of it has been relinquished? And what could she possibly do when she does not understand who exactly she is?

Progress: 03/20

Next: Chapter 4, The Shadow

Art Cover commissioned by Doodle-Mark

Same continuity as The Queen of the Dark.

No pony deserves to be alone and forgotten.

Entry to the Thousand Words Story Contest.