The Great Crystal War, five years of death and destruction is finally at its end. In a bold sneak attack, a small detachment of the Equestrian army's elite assaulted the very capital of the Crystal Empire. This was only made possible by one pony on the inside, only known as the King's Shadow, King Sombra's elite enforcer, assassin, saboteur, and apprentice.
As Equestria's forces besieged the city, the King's Shadow confronted his master and only barely succeeded in defeating the dark King, or so they believed. As Sombra was dying, he cast a spell and escaped through a magical mirror. The King's Shadow jumped through the mirror after his master to finish him off, only to suddenly find himself back in Equestria. But things were...different in this Equestria.

This story begins in an alternate world when the Crystal Empire returns and King Sombra takes over. The story will take place four years after season 3 The Crystal Empire-Part 1 and Part 2 episodes but will diverge from canon after the season 5 finale. (Thorax and the redeemed changelings will be present, but with some changes to fit the storyline.)
I'm an aspiring author and this is the first story I've actually concentrated on writing. At least five years were spent idly brainstorming (and working through my own confidence) before it got here. I hope it gets a good reception, and please enjoy!

I made the cover art in google drawings, it is temporary. In the future hopefully, a better one will take its place. (gore tag is for mentions of blood and bleeding so don't worry, no doom-level stuff)