Following the return of the Crystal Empire, Twilight begins some intensive research into the history of the Empire and its late king. Modern historians know next to nothing about the enigmatic dark mage. Who was he? Did he have family? Loved ones?
The answers to those questions changes everything the Element of Magic knows about herself, and in doing so catches the attention of a shadow that yet clings to the frailty of life...
Cover art made by Skijarama!
Reading can be found here.
Edited by RC2101_Copey.
Featured on 20/10/2018.
Russian Translation: Here
Chapters (31)
Exemplary work as usual can't wait to see how this pans out.
*this story gets added to Fallen Heroes and Corruption*
*sees King Sombra tag*
WELP
I'm with you now
Reminds me somewhat of Gravemind’s speech. If that was international and keeps up, I am going to like this characterization of Sombra a lot.
9242535
It was very intentional.
Hm...if this is gonna go like i think it will, then Twi is sorta gonna be in a Archaon the everchosen situation, where her heritage from someone very corrupt and "evil" will rear its head down the line and possibly haunt her, depending on how the story will go for better or worse. Infact, history has a habit of repeating itself, and the road to hell is paved with good intentions. Although with her being an alicorn, things can easily become much more dire than just a mere unicorn turning bad. Tracking this, interesting start and good writing. Til the next chapter then!
Calling it: Twilight is descendant of King Sombra.
9243033
Most likely.
But yeah, great prose, definitely following.
Nice Gravemind reference, and I love how you put in that one bit from Fall of the Crystal Empire!
You had my curiosity, but now you have my attention...
Did you reference the title from “God’s Not Dead : A Light In The Darkness “ ? That would have been amazing. I really like the story so far!
So don’t stop writing.
~Ara
9243250
That and/or it turns out those artifacts she was supposed to destroy? She finds them endlessly fascinating, keeps a few "just for research purposes," ends up communing with Sombra's preserved spirit and turning her castle all black and sinister, and has to be talked down by her friends.
This is a good fucking story.
I guess you could say she's a Sparkle in the Darkle
Haven't read yet. Allow me to hazard a guess:
Is Twilight Sombra's descendant in this story?
What will the update schedule be for this story, if there is one..?
9248601
Every Saturday, since it replaces Change: Avia.
And so it begins! Have been waiting for this since you mentioned it in that blog post awhile back, can't wait to see more, is definitely a wonderful start!
9248645
What length will this story be? Like the same as the first two Change books?
What season does this story take place?
9252963
Around thirty-one chapters. So a little under half the length of a normal Change book.
9252966
During Season 3 for the first couple chapters, then a small time skip of a couple months to just after the Season 4 opener.
...I don't buy Shadow Flare's identity. He's just too similar to Twilight. Something's not right with him.
9255495
Maybe a long lost distant cousin if we’re going on the idea that she’s related to sombra
9255536
I can confirm that Shadow Flare is not related to Twilight in any way.
Given your other Twilight stories, I have a feeling what Twilight's connection will be in this story. I also know this will be one helluva ride.
Certainly not about to complain about the length!
Well, that shadow's going to make things difficult. Guessing Twilight is one of Sombra's descendants?
9255495
'Shadow' has tended to be a name associated with opponents/enemies in MLP. Tempest Shadow, Shadowbolts, the Pony of Shadows... and 'Sombra' is another word for shadow, he turns into shadow, and in the comics he's actually a living shadow. Plus Twilight's been stalked and attacked by an actual shadow in this fic. Theoretically, Shadow Flare might be a complete red herring of a name, but I wouldn't bet on it. Not to mention that in the little chat he and Twilight have, his exact words don't necessarily nail down that he was an apprentice of the guard, just an apprentice. His friends got the helmet; he didn't. His friends were outside city limits when he wasn't. In fact, everypony who could confirm his identity died a thousand years ago...
(I'd also consider it a 50/50 chance that Twilight is descended from Sombra. Unicorn, powerful, dark (ish) color scheme, able to learn/handle/cast dark magic, weird shadow-thing considers her a perfect candidate. Hmm.)
9255650
...Shadow Flare was the unicorn researcher who claimed to be a classmate of Twilight when she was taking classes in Celestia's School. The guard's name was Crystal Shield.
9255650
I think you're getting Crystal Shield and Shadow Flare mixed up...
9255559
Ok
Thanks
2,000 /= 6,000? Hmm... could've fooled me... Oh well, I'm happy either way. An enjoyable chapter with a lot of setup, I can't believe I have to wait a week for more!
9255701
Ah, fair enough, yes.
This is incredible. Continue on please
You went down in a large group for a reason!
She didn't think of telling anyone that a shadow fused into her horn?
9269989
Sombra made sure she didn't remember that.
9269989
She forgot it had happened the moment she awoke from the attack.
Well, shit...
Ooooh crap....
Princess Blueblood? Strangle that Stallion? I think there was a typo somewhere there unless Blueblood decided to become fabulous.
Also, more Gravemind references!
9270079
The kind who is not planning what you believe he is.
9270075
Uh... not in this chapter, no. I mean, the gravemind vibe IS intentional, but there were no specific lines used in this chapter uttered by that giant parasite.
9270137
Sounds very similar to how he was dissing Arbiter. If that wasn’t intentional, then, *shrugs* certainly sounds like something he would say. My favorite thing about Gravemind was his speech patterns, and as Sombra does seem to give somewhat similar vibes I’m going to love how he talks in this.
What evil lurks in the hearts of men? The Shadow knows.
I have a feeling that this is the worst thing you could say to Twilight at the moment.
...oh crap.
I love it. Snarklestia a bestia.
Given how populations work, it is likely sombra has millions of direct descendants. I remember reading somewhere that something like 25% of Europe are direct descendants of Genghis Khan (or someone from that era, maybe a king or something).
Then again, the universe seems to have twilight at the centre of all of its plans, so it’s so surprise she would be special. (Or maybe it’s just that she just happens to be the first direct descendantto come into contact, that seems more plausible)
9270602
You will get your answers to that... eventually.
Also, Genghis Khan had a lot of children. Like... a whole fucking lot. Who also had a lot. They liked to have kids.
9270602
I’d imagine being a unicorn is a major requirement, and one who’s special talent is magic. Also, it’s only a thousand years and Sombra only had one kid, so it’s not that unimaginable that he wouldn’t have that many living descendants. The shadow also took specific note of her, so I’m guessing there are other requirements, probably a mind that could appreciate knowledge, even dark knowledge, and be possible to corrupt; which is why Shining Armor is out.
However, I could imagine something like what happened in Castlevania: Dawn and Aria of Sorrow happening here with there being other descendants who try to take Sombra’s legacy and become his heir instead.
I may regret this comment later, but...
This almost seems like a concept you and Skijiarma would use for an idiocyverse fic...
Also, looks like Twilight is going to finally meet a version of Sombra who has more than like... 7 lines? That are only laughter and menacing ways to say crystals...
Oh well! Til next week, keep it up