> A Shadow Falls
>  by Passion_Breeze
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Black News
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Knock, knock, knock
Three slight raps on the door awoke Passion Breeze from his deep slumber. He’d been dreaming, albeit restlessly. His 21st birthday was next Tuesday, five short days, and with it came nervousness for the duties he would undertake as the youngest member of the Black Fleet, Canterlot’s elite covert ops unit. His fiery red mane was disheveled and the sleep in his eyes had dried thick atop the long blonde lashes he could never keep in check. While his proportions were nothing to gawk at by most standards of equestrian beauty if one were to look closely they would see through the intentionally unkempt sunset orange coat and unbrushed tail and find a hint of royalty in his rippling muscles and deceptively folded wings. His mother was none other than Princess Celestia herself. Before Luna’s banishment the princess had been a raving flirt though most didn’t know it and bore a child to a young pegasus captain in the fleet. Of course, such debauchery of royal blood couldn’t ever be public so few knew of Passion’s gleaming heritage. Royal alicorn blood had given him his rippling body but a mix of common blood had left him merely another pegasus though his eight foot wings belied the majesty in his veins. His cutie mark, covered by his night blue uniform, also showed his lineage. On his flank rested a golden sun sprouting two fiery wings and a white heart.
“Come in, Valorie.” Passion called, dawning his leather cuirass and rebrading his mane. “What’s the agenda today?”
“Formation with the fleet at o’ eight-hundred and a meeting for your coronation rehearsal at noon. Also I have a message from your cousin to meet her at Princess Twilight’s palace in Ponyville. She requested I inform you that it is a matter of some urgency.” 
Valorie was a young unicorn mare with a light cyan coat and an indistinct white dot as a cutie mark. Her talent was specialization in illusionary magic and though she’d never admit it, many of her family were mere traveling magicians. One of them, a blue unicorn with a wand and moon cutie mark, had actually gotten her a job in the palace through her connections with one of the princesses. Her cousin refused to disclose which of the royalty she shared such admirable relations with and merely blushed and stuttered when pried about the subject. She’d been hand maiden to princess Twilight before Passion had taken a particular liking to the young mare.
“Cadance?” quarried the sleepy pegasus as he dawned a dark cloak and a pair of twin blades that latched comfortably to his wings. “I thought she was in the mountains up north discussing a treaty with the legion. When did she return?”
“Some time last night, Milord. She stopped in to speak with the sisters and left within the hour.” Valorie bowed as Passion walked by her through the door.
“Well, make sure to apologize to Flash for me since i’ll be predisposed this afternoon. For that matter cancel my meetings for the week. I plan to be in Ponyville for a few days.” Passion stopped and turned before exiting the room entirely. “and I thought I told you not to call me that. I’m no heir to the throne.”

“Cadance!” Twilight shouted gleefully as the double doors swung open. Most of the council, as the locals affectionately called the six mares presiding over the small equestrian town, were out on official business around equestria. Only Twilight and Rainbow Dash remained as even Spike had accompanied a small envoy to the fire lands to witness the birth of a new dragon prince. “Sunshine, Sun-“
“I’m sorry Twilight, there’s no time.” Cadence sighed striding into the center of the throne room with her husband and three guards in tow. “I haven’t come on happy terms exactly.”
“What’s wrong?” The two mares asked, sitting straight in their thrones. 
“Is it about the legion? Did the negotiations fail?” Twilight was suddenly all business. Last year she’d met a young pegasus who claimed that he himself was the fastest flier in Equestria. After a race with Rainbow Dash it’d been revealed that he was actually a deserter changeling. Once Twilight and the others rescued the two from an exploding volcano he’d informed them that the legion was in desperate need of solace after their defeat in Canterlot. Their home had been over run by parasitic spiders from the east and they’d been forced to travel to and fro in search of food. Cadance had been sent to negotiate a trade. The changelings would reside within the empire and find sustenance in the natural energy radiating from the crystal heart in exchange for the use of their incredibly diverse military power.
“No, Twilight. The negotiations were successful and the legion is being housed in the caverns under the crystal city.” Seating herself in one of three unmarked thrones at the rear of the room Cadance lowered her voice so only those present could hear. “The news I have is far more severe, i’m afraid. When Shining Armor and I were investigating the caves in the north range we found something.”
“Spiders?” Rainbow Dash whispered shakily, gripping the edges of her crystalline chair.
“Yes, but more than that. Chrysalis showed us to the great hall where the newborns are kept until they hatch. When we got there we heard voices echoing down the corridor we’d just left but no one was there. Only shadows from the faint light inside the tunnels.”
“What are you saying?” Stammered the violet princess. “You heard talking shadows?”
“Not only that, when we turned to leave, three out of five of the queen’s guards had simply… vanished…”
“Wait a second.” Rainbow Dash interjected. “Ponies don’t just vanish. Not even changelings. That’s just crazy talk.”
“Are you saying we’re lying to you?” Shining spoke up quickly, shooting down the cyan pegasus’ allegations.
“Well, no, but-“
“So what do you think happened to them?” Twilight asked, shushing her overzealous friend.
“Aunt Tia thinks it may have been the spiders but that just doesn’t feel right and Luna agrees.” said Cadance. “but I think it’s more than that. There was something about those caves that seems wrong and Chrysalis agrees with me.”
“What do you think it was?” asked Twilight, falling incredibly silent.
Shining Armor put a soft hoof on the loving princess’ shoulder as he spoke. “We think it was… him.”
“Who?”
“Sombra…”

“That’s ridiculous!” Passion shouted, slamming a hoof onto the table between the two royalty. “Sombra’s dead and gone. You saw what happened just as well as I did.”
“Watch your tone, Passion.” Shining Armor muttered from the balcony outside the library.
“No, Shining, he’s right, we all saw it.” Said Cadance. “That still doesn’t explain the caves and it seems like his style.”
“Look, Cadance, the only piece of him left is that retched horn and the fleet’s been watching it twenty four, seven. I know.” Passion laughed sarcastically, brushing a lock of his mane from his face. “I’m on that retched detail.”
“Is there any way?”
“Of course not. The black fleet is the best… Period. Luna trains each member personally and we make up Celestia’s personal detail. That horn is still in the catacombs, guaranteed.”
The sun was setting low over the horizon behind Canterlot and the wind blew harshly through the bay windows leading to the balcony. Shadows in the library cast eery shapes onto the three ponies’ faces and the candle light flickered in the breeze. A commotion could be heard from the village below as the Summer Sun celebration’s first night kicked up. This year’s festivities would take place here in Ponyville and it would last the whole five days. This year would be special for multiple reasons. Four princesses now occupied Equestria’s borders along with the allied force of the Changeling Legion from the north. Luna’s two thousandth birthday would be on the third day of the festival and Passion’s own birthday along with Celestia’s would be on the Summer Equinox this year. Also, since Shining Armor would be resigning from Captain of The Canterlot Guard his replacement, a young golden stallion, who is rumored to have connections to the youngest princess would be dropping from Cadance’s personal guard to take his place. This meant that, along with Passion’s promotion to Captain of The Black Fleet three new medal’s were being celebrated along with the new status of six mares from Ponyville and a treaty with the second most powerful nation on the continent. In short a lot of changes were in progress and Passion was in the middle of them.
“Look Cadance, It’s the Summer Sun. No one in their right mind would try to enter the catacombs without special permission this week. Albeit Sombra wasn’t exactly sane, but if it makes you feel better, i’ll double the detail this week and after the festival i’ll make a full investigation into those caves.”
“Thank you, cousin.”
“We appreciate it, Passion.” Shining stated warmly as he closed the doors, shutting out the growing cacophony from below.
“Don’t mention it. Now if you’ll excuse me I have some private business to tend to.” Out of his saddle bags, Passion pulled a black sheet of parchment and a silver quill that wrote in ink only readable by members of the fleet under moonlight. He scribbled quickly on the dark paper and sealed the letter in a white ribbon. “These are the orders to increase the security detail in the catacombs beneath Canterlot. Bring them to Valorie and tell her their for Night Quill. I’ll see you both at Luna’s honor gala. If you need to reach me before then, let Valorie know. She’ll be able to contact me.”
“Passion?”
“Yes, Cadance?”
“Forgive me asking but..." She stopped and considered her words for a moment, finding no better way to ask. "Where do you go every night?”
Passion stopped and stood silent inside the doorway. His cloak fluttered ominously in the breeze let in when he opened the giant doors and he sighed before pulling the hood over his face. “If I told you that it wouldn’t be private would it?
With that he exited the library, shutting the door quietly and trotting out into the crowd gathering in the small village.

Passion stepped out onto the balcony of the dingy bar on the edge of Ponyville. The view here was the second best in town. If one were to stand just at the edge of the wooden platform they could see over the trees to sweet apple acres in the northwest, glimpse Cloudsdale and the Rainbow Fields in the southeast and see the entirety of the equestrian capitol in the mountains to the northeast. A wooden stairway led to the roof where one could see all of Ponyville as well, with the new palace in the southern corner of the small village. Even with this spactacular view the whole area was entirely secluded by decorative shrubs lining the bannister all around. Passion could see all around but no one could see the him or the second occupant in the private space. Locking the white painted door behind him he walked to the railing facing the main stage erected across the square from Sugarcube Corner and rested his hooves next to a pair of sky blue ones that looked unusually frail next to his own.
“You have no idea how hard it was to get Twilight to send Fluttershy to Cloudsdale instead of me. I would have been back tomorrow anyway but then we wouldn’t have been able to get any privacy.”
“The things we do for love, huh?”
Rainbow Dash sidled closer to the tall orange stallion, laying a deep kiss on his lips. Her wings shivered as Passion returned the kiss. They stood still enjoying the peace of that simple bond for a moment before breaking apart and looking softly into each other’s eyes.
“You made me wait. I don’t like waiting.”
“Don’t you ever take a break, Rainbow?” Passion muttered, staring out at the celebrations below. The streets of Ponyville were lit by lanterns hanging from every corner and window on every building below. The shining fireflies swung in the breeze as chattering ponies from every corner of Equestria filled the cobblestone streets. Cheerful music blared from the inns and taverns and streamers hung over the throng as multicolored beads and alcohol floated through the crowd. It was a hectic and chaotic swath of color and vibrance that rarely ran so purely in Passion’s life. 
The Black Fleet rarely saw daylight, instead doing their work in the shadows and under the stars on the darkest nights. Light and color rarely graced a Black Fleet operative’s eyes and instead their vision was stained by blood and filth on most days. As beautiful as Equestria looked from the outside, there is always an ugly underbelly to match even the most pure society. This is where Passion did his life’s work flushing out the scum of the land, and also why he’d fallen in love with the colorful, rainbow mained mare next to him. She practically embodied the beauty and fervor of equestrian life.
“Never.”
“Aww, that’s not true.” Passion chuckled quietly. “I saw you standing there. You look so beautiful like that. Just relaxed and care free.”
“Oh gawd.” Dash giggled. “Don’t go getting all sappy on me, mister dark and brooding.”
“Pfft. Whatever, Rainbow. Come on. The concerts starting in an hour. Lemme buy you a drink.”
The two pegasi walked back into the dimly lit bar and sat at the counter where a rosy, wine colored earth pony stood mixing different ales and tonics. “What can I get you two love birds, huh?” The saucy mare said, eyeing the blue pegasus sarcastically as she put a hoof to her face. “I Just got a new bottle of premium tequila from the crystal city. Three hundred bits a pop can you believe that? The legion brought it from the mountains with them. They say it’s distilled in the rock beds under the caves. It's twenty percent alcohol and it tastes like moon water and lemon grass.”
“Sounds perfect, Berry.” Passion laughed nudging Rainbow and slapping forty bits on the counter. “We’ll take two on the rocks and a bottle of Saddle Arabia brandy.”
“Well, look at you big spender.” Said Berry Punch, swiping the bits off the counter as she filled two shot glasses with ice and a thick, dark green liquid that smelled like rain water and mountain air.
“Trying to impress me, Passion?” Rainbow laughed as she clinked her glass against his and filled a cup with the sweet red wine that had just been placed on the counter.
“I might be.” Quipped Passion, downing the green drink in a single gulp. “Damn, that is good.
“So,” The fire maned stallion began, filling his own glass and turning to face the small dining floor in the tiny tavern. The candles burned low and the music and chatter outside floated softly in through the tiny windows alight with magical signs reading Berry Punch’s Wine and distillery. “did Spitfire ever get back to you about the show tomorrow?”
“Yeah, actually she did.” Replied Rainbow as she sipped at the sweet, strawberry flavored wine. “I’m making a guest appearance with them. Twilight and I have a whole routine set up to open the show.”
“You’re going to do a routine with the princess?”
“Spitfire is opening a new section of the Wonderbolts. It’s a Junior fliers’ corps that’s going to open all of their shows and she wants me and Lightning Dust to lead them. Tomorrow we make the announcement and she wants Twilight to be a part of it.”
“That’s great!”
Rainbow Dash took another sip from her glass before refilling it and staring out the door to the crowded street. “I’m not so sure. Lightning is a great flier, maybe even on par with the rest of us, but she’s a total hot head and likes to start trouble.”
Passion chuckled softly, earning a deadly stare from the blue pegasus. “Sorry, I know what you mean. Her and that griffin friend of yours started some trouble at the palace last month. They lost a bet to one of my pegasi and I had to break up a big fight. Lightning kicked Firefly in the muzzle and Gilda tried to claw Shade’s face off.”
Rainbow giggled at the thought of a griffin claw deep in Passion’s second lieutenant. She was an agile flier but she was also scrawny as a twig. Gilda would have ripped her good but Shade’s not one to go down easy. She got drunk at a bar in Canterlot once and took down three bouncers with nothing but a bar stool and an ice cube. “That must have been a sight.”
“Not really. Gilda ended up breaking the bar in half.”
Rainbow raised an eye brow at such a ridiculous notion.
“Literally”
“yeah,” Laughed Rainbow. “Sounds like Gilda. Anyway, what about you. I heard your getting your promotion tuesday.”
“I am.” Muttered Passion. “It’s just a formality really. Celestia’s just being diplomatic and giving the ponies something else to talk about. It’s all a big joke if you ask me.”
“Passion the celebration is a big deal.”
Passion lit a cigarette off of one of the bar candles and ordered an ale before speaking again, his face dark and brooding. “Tia’s just riding out the high every pony has from all the excitement lately. These ponies have no idea what’s really going on out there beyond our borders. I do. I’ve seen it.”
“And?”
“It’s not good Rainbow. I bet they didn’t tell you on the news what really happened to the legion. Why they had to move into the crystal caverns?”
“Yeah, a cave in when the empire rose up in the east.”
Passion sighed and pulled on his cigarette. “Typical Celestia, lying to everyone all at once. The caves are overrun by shadow leach spiders. Dirty bloodsuckers with legs. There’s talk of war in Saddle Arabia and the griffons are planning to defect to the wyverns in the far west. There are rumors of windigo’s in the north and now... Now Cadance thinks Sombra is coming back…”
“That’s ridiculous!” Rainbow gasped, recoiling on her stool. 
“That’s what I said.” Passion replied with a dark spark in his eye. “It is ridiculous but for some reason every time I tell myself that it sounds less convincing. I’ve doubled security in the catacombs under Canterlot but those caves aren’t entirely mapped out… What if i’m wrong, Rainbow?”
Rainbow Dash sighed and lifted Passions muzzle with her hoof. “Look, you’re about to be captain of the fleet. Whether that’s formal or not your ops respect you and that’s because you deserve it. So the caves aren’t entirely mapped out. So Cadance GUESSES Sombra’s coming back. So WHAT, Passion? You’re the captain for a reason so don’t worry. You’ll do fine. Don’t worry.”
“Thanks, Bow.” Passion sighed putting out his cigarette and downing the last of his ale. “I owe you.”
“Yeah, yeah. Come on it’s time for the concert.” Rainbow hopped agilely off her stool and shook out her mane. “and don’t call me Bow in public.”
> A Treacherous Warning
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	The double doors to the main hall opened slowly to reveal a grim sight. Changeling eggs lay broken along the walls and small black spiders rummaged through the remains. The green glow of incandescent moss lit the blue star shaped markings on the huge arachnid’s backs as they fed on the carcasses of the deceased  fledglings. Not two months ago this hall had been a sight of grandeur, though on most the beauty of the changeling nation was lost in fear. By nature the changeling legion itself was no less a parasite than the eight legged creatures who’d driven them out. Their society however was no less advanced than that of Equestria. The legion was a culture of trade and heartfelt camaraderie. Every night great feasts would take place in these halls. Games of strength and skill would bring an audience of millions to the underwater caves every summer and the queen would entertain them all as her military’s innumerable force would take to the stages under the riverbeds deep beneath the giant mountain range. Once the changelings were an empire. Then a darker power laid it’s eyes upon their home and brought death and sorrow to the legion, driving them into the wilds to rome homeless.
Sombra, or a shadow of his true self, drifted meekly into the hall, his dark aura scattering the leaching creatures like roaches. His ghostly steps blew glowing egg shell and blue, mottled blood across the dark stone floor. He laughed shakily before wheezing and losing yet more of his dull grey coat. His form now was a ghastly one, his body held in tact by a strange, grey smoke that leaked eerily from numerous holes in his ravaged body. A large hole set just above his eyes glowed a poisonous purple and noticing a painful itch he flicked a small insect from it with his right hoof. This caused a crimson trickle to leak from the gash as his left eye began to twitch nervously.
“Curse that wretched wench of a princess.” Sombra muttered, coughing up a black oily fluid and doubling over to rest on one knee. “Before this is all said and done i’ll see her and that entire race drown in blood and bile.”
“Have the equestrian scum wounded you so deeply, Sombra?” A voice called from behind the throne at the end of the hall. The sound of that voice made the unicorn king, or what was left of him, recoil in pain. Like diamonds drug over hot coals and cold steel it made his blood boil and freeze and his brain melt under acid all at once. Sombra once thought himself the most terrifying beast in existence, but after the empire vanished and he was cast under the earth itself he’d found something. Rather it had found him. A glimmer of what Sombra knew was true evil, it had invaded his mind like molten nails being driven through his skull and he was at once brought to his knees. The pain was unreal. Not the kind to be forgotten but the kind his mind couldn’t comprehend enough to recreate in memory. Once the dark unicorn thought he had surely died and fallen into hades itself he remembered hearing that voice. It beckoned to him like a grave beckons to a lost soul. With his kingdom lost and his body ravaged by the alicorn sisters Sombra had wandered the deepest depths without purpose. It gave him a purpose. Sombra’s life, or what remained of it since that day, was an embodiment of death itself, for his mission was to bring death and ferry the souls to this thing that had found him half dead. In return he was given a shadow of the sweetness of life. It was all he could ask and the only choice he had.
“This is the second time you’ve crawled before me in your wretched state.” The voice laughed, a freezing cold gripping Sombra’s already chilled heart. “Fate has brought me a sorrowful servant this age. How could you be so weak and helpless and yet claim a title like king? You’re hardly fit to be a slave! I should drop you dead where you lay, worm.”
“My apologies, master. I have failed you.” Sombra whispered, bowing to the empty throne.
“You’ve done more than that you pathetic pile of wreaking equestrian waste!!!” The bellow shook the caverns and what remained of the leach spiders scuttled out of the hall and the great stone doors slammed shut. A wind like a hurricane had burst from the throne and Sombra shut his eyes in fear of the punishment he knew awaited him if he were to choose his words here poorly. “You’re not fit to be a slave! You’re not fit to live! I ought to consume you here and now!”
In an instant Sombra could see a multitude of forms sitting upon the crumbling throne. For a moment it was an enormous spider with blood dripping from it’s gaping maw and the wreak of rotting corpses. Then it was a gargantuan dragon with black flames wreathing it’s four heads and organs pierced on it’s smoky scales. Next it had become a wisp of smoke with the souls of the dead screaming from inside it’s murky depths. Finally Sombra caught a glimpse of what might be this evil’s true form. It was not solid and he only saw it in his mind. He saw the castles of equestria crumbling as blood and oil and screaming bodies flowed from its doors. He saw the skies of the earth alight with black fire and dark magic and the sun exploding to devour the moon. He glimpsed the ground opening as all manor of unspeakable abominations scrambled from the depths of hades itself and laid waste to all that is good on this forsaken world. This power that spoke in Sombra’s mind was no living soul. It was pain. It was fear and death and above all… it was the ever approaching end of the world.
As Sombra glimpsed the demon’s plans he felt his mind exploding and his heart shriveling to dust. A vacuum sucked the air from his lungs and continued to pull after they’d emptied. His body was lit ablaze from the inside out and his screams were snatched by the cacophony of his own blood rushing from his throat and his bones creaking and snapping viciously. Through it all he could still hear that voice.
“I told you what would happen if you failed me you filth.” Now the voice was a painful whisper in Sombra’s ruined mind. It was barely a premonition of legible understanding and more a painful grip of his thoughts as they scurried to understand this evil will. “I could bring you pain like no torturer in Tartarus could dream on the wildest of nights. I could ruin your soul and destroy you…”
Suddenly the pain and torture ceased and Sombra’s vision returned, his body unscathed. His mind could no longer comprehend the memory of that awful pain. Only the fear of experiencing it again remained along with the scar on his soul. “What would you have me do, master?” Sombra groaned in his guttural drawl.
“You’re failure was beyond mention in that crystalline city of dogs, Sombra.” You’ve left me with few choices. As you know, dark magic has its few limits or I would already have crushed this world into oblivion. Not only that but your stupidity has alerted Celestia to your return, though she would wish to deny it. Forget the thorn. You’ve already ruined the chance of retrieving it…”
“I could-“
“SILENCE!” The ground shook yet again and Sombra’s ruined maw slammed shut as if it had been sewn, his teeth grinding and shattering with agonizing force. “I want you to deliver a message. Celestia and that bastard son of hers are enjoying the anniversary of their birth on the same day this year and all of Equestria along with half the Legion will attend the celebration. I want you to make an impression… Canterlot will make for a fine seat of power.”

The opening concert in Ponyville ended with a true finale as Vinyl and Octavia, the resident superstar musicians, battled on stage and the crowd partied out the night. A haze of splendor  and merriment had overtaken the town and the party wasn’t slowing down. A young changeling with long blue wings stepped from the throng and trotted happily toward the palace to the south. The ponies of Equestria had accepted the legion with open arms, by some stroke of odd kindness, and the slim pony noted giddily the mercy they’d received. His mother the queen had been a fool to attempt an invasion instead of trying for peaceful union with the colorful ponies here. Such was the way of the legion, though. Not that the changelings were uncivilized but they were raised to fight tooth and nail for what they had. Most races inherently dispised them and that was cycle not easily broken. 
Pushing the crystal doors open slowly, the young changeling entered the front hall slowly, shifting his form to something a bit more acceptable by equestrian standards. His coat turned a spring green and his twisted horn shrunk and rounded to be covered by a thick brown mane. Changelings couldn’t recreate cutie marks, instead when they were old enough they inherited a unique pony form they wore almost constantly in public, yet their flanks remained bare to identify them as members of the legion. His eyes shown bright green emitting a light that allowed him to see in the darkness of the castle.
“Prince Swift Wind.” Twilight called from the balcony leading to the great library. “I’m glad you came.”
Twilight’s mane had been graded into a more royal style and her coat shone from her recent trip to the spa. Most ponies only knew her as a giddy book worm with an overblown case of obsessive compulsive disorder. She was prone to these tendencies but when the young princess wanted she could exude royalty down to the core. She’d been one of the first to hold conference with Chrysalis’ ambassadors and had become the mane envoy to the legion along with her sister-in-law. “Is the legion settling in nicely?”
“The caves below Crystal City were a perfect choice, your majesty.” Swift Wind stated stiffly, stepping onto the shining stairs wearily. His voice was sharp and sounded as though insect wings were flapping softly in his throat. There was a high-pitched drone behind his smooth cadence. The overall effect of changeling speech left one with a giddy pleasure and yet a sinister chill. “Your people have been most gracious to us.”
Twilight laughed quietly to herself. “Well, Swift, this is just Ponyville. You might find the air a bit chillier up in Canterlot or Manehatten.”
“I would imagine so. Mother sends her regards, your majesty.”
“You don’t have to call me that.” Said Twilight, swinging open the doors to the library and lighting a candle with her magic. “Anyhoof, the studies you’ve requested are all here. If you don’t mind me asking, what are you trying to find? I’ve read all of these and I might be able to help you find the books you want.”
“I’m sure you could, Princess, but that won’t be necessary.”
“As you wish. Enjoy your stay.” With that Twilight exited the palace to rejoin the festivities outside.
Swift Wind walked determinedly between the rows of shelves in the palace library. He already knew where the material he sought would be. Turning left into an aisle between two tall book cases he plucked out a small, leather-bound journal. Written on the cover in green ink were the words Complete Compendium of Arachnids and other Venomous Creatures of The East. Striding back to the table in the center of the vast library he flipped the book open to a page depicting two large black and blue spiders. Their bodies were covered in thin white hairs and on their backs rested a large blue star. At the sight of them Swift Wind shuddered and squeezed his eyes shut before reading aloud.
“Shadow Leach Spiders are among the most deadly and yet most elusive arachnids known today. They live primarily in dark, damp places such as mountain caves or deep cellars and grow to sizes relatable to full grown stallions when food is plentiful. In the case of scarcity or during long treks from one habitat to another they can magically shrink to no larger than a drop of water to limit their need for sustenance. Their food source is the most unique trait of this particular arachnid as they feed off of latent magic. This has made them a serious threat to Equestrian society as the magic one might use to drive them out will instead cause them to grow and eventually become large enough to attack large creatures such as dragons. Shadow Leach Spiders have even been blamed for the deaths of Alicorns and the downfall of the Alicorn home land Skyhoof. However, no proof exists of that claim.”
“A bit late to be reading about spiders isn’t it?”
Swift Wind leapt back from the table as a large scaled creature appeared laying on top of it. His entire body wasn’t scaled though for he appeared to be a garbled mix of multiple creatures. “You really should forget about those caves if you know what’s good for you. Those retched parasites will be the least of your worries if you go back there, believe me.”
“Who are you? And why were you spying on me?”
“Spying? Ha! I never do such things and especially not in Twilight Sparkle’s new palace. Wouldn’t be very friendly of me would it?” The draconiquos cackled grinning wickedly. “For that matter don’t pretend you don’t know who I am, Sombra. Posing as a changeling prince is a mighty conspicuous move if I do say so myself…”
The green stallion’s coat sizzled off to reveal the young changeling again before finally shifting to show the unicorn king himself. “So you saw through me, Discord… I would expect as much from you.”
“Yes, well we were partners at one point were we not?”
“If you’d like to call it that.” The unicorn king laughed, spilling blood and oil onto the floor. “Just because we were all doing HIS dirty work at the same time doesn’t exactly make us partners.”
“Oh don’t be so glum Sombra.” Discord sighed flashing behind Sombra and digging a finger into a hole in his side. The king grimaced as smoke poured from his wound onto the floor. “Besides, as I remember you and miss Moody Moon were quite close.”
“HA! Don’t speak to me of that Alicorn turn coat. If she’d have done her job and struck her prancing princess sister down that night you and I wouldn’t be standing here arguing semantics in an equestrian palace during a gawdy festival.” Sombra swung at the chaos god missing by an inch as he teleported back to the table. 
A large book rested in Discord’s hand depicting two alicorns on the front. “True,” He agreed, “but your sister Chrysalis also wouldn’t have been driven out of her home if you had stuck with us and you might be in one piece.”
“He’s too strong Discord.” Sombra rebuked, turning to toss open the doors to the balcony. “The plan wouldn’t have worked. I simply chose the winning side.”
“Yes and look how that turned out for you.” Discord was suddenly walking across the balcony and he stopped to hold the book open to the wounded king. The pages he held showed Sombra’s demise in the crystal empire over a thousand years earlier at the hands of Luna and Celestia. “They’ve already written you off in their books as an old bed time story to scare their foals into doing all their chores. What are you planning to do Sombra? You’ve become a slave to the very power you sought to control. I told you all along he’d defeat you in the end.”
“I”m taking my rightful place on the throne of Equestria. With his magic flowing in my body not even you and all your gifts could stop me.”
“Oh psshaw!” Discord laughed sarcastically. “Try to take the capitol. In your shape you wouldn’t have a flank to set on the throne when you got there. Knowing him he’d slaughter you before you could touch that sweet golden chair you covet so dearly”
“We’ll see Discord.” Sombra growled, snatching the book and lowering it into a metal saddlebag on his side. “Now leave me be. You and I have no business tonight and I hear you have a yellow pegasus friend to go frolic with or whatever it is these dreadful creatures have you doing.”
In an instant the black unicorn was gone and Discord was left standing at the balcony alone. “What game are you playing at this time, Sombra?” Discord asked no pony in particular. “Anywho, nothing good ever comes from dabbling in black magic. I believe it’s time I pay a visit to an old friend…”

Night Shade stood guard outside the relic room in the Canterlot caves, preening her wings as she strove to drive off her own boredom. The air was damp and musty and the crystals lining the stone walls gave off little light. Shade was used to seeing in the dark, however and the scurrying of hooves dressed in metal was not lost on her trained ears. Plucking a broken feather from her long, thin wings she stood low and flared them to the sides. The sharpened blades attached to them shone menacingly in the reflections on the gilded doors behind her. The sound of metal on stone died as the approaching pony halted in his smoky tracks.
“This is what counts as increased security in Canterlot?” a wheezing voice called from the shadows. “You ponies have grown soft in my absence.”
“Sombra.” Shade whispered to the dark, her voice steady even in it’s high pitched growl. She’d risen through the ranks of the black fleet quickly, demonstrating unmatched prowess in airborne combat. She was small by most standards but used it to her advantage. Her size made her quick and hard to catch and her cutie mark, a black dagger under a shining moon, showed her talent for silent killing. “We thought you might come here. The thorn is gone and your filthy magic with it.”
“A precaution I figured your captain would take.” Laughed Sombra as he stepped slowly from the Shadows and into the night blue lieutenant’s view. “As it stands I did not come to retrieve an old relic. I came to deliver a message.”
“What message?”
At once ten pony sized arachnids appeared surrounding the tiny pegasus. Their fangs glinted in the low light as their legs scraped on the stone and crystal. Blood dripped from their gaping maws, a clear hint to a recent feed. Sombra laughed as a small show of fear played across Night Shade’s scarred face. “You seam afraid little pony. Don’t be. You have a mission to complete for me. Tell your captain I have a present for him tomorrow… One he’ll surely appreciate.”

The ponies of Equestria stood with bated breath as Celestia mounted the main stage in ponyville. Her hair blew softly though no breeze blew that morning. Her gold clad hooves clicked sharply as her wings spread over the audience. Magic radiated from her body and her voice was amplified over the massive crowd as she spoke. “My subjects…” She spoke, the crowd roaring approval of their sovereign ruler. “My friends… The past years have been riddled with turmoil and strife. Many evils have played their hand at our shining country. Many sorrows have played at our hearts and strained our faith in each other. Among us, a proud few have protected us from these evils, putting their lives on the line for us. Chief among them, a young unicorn from the capitol has shown great courage before the evils of the world.”
Once again the crowd cheered, their voices deafening and drowning out even Celestia’s own. Twilight Sparkle stepped from behind her mentor as the crowd roared even louder. Holding her head high she stood behind the tall, white alicorn.
“Twilight Sparkle,” Celestia hushed the crowd and turned to face the small alicorn princess. “Your acts of bravery and loyalty to your friends have touched the hearts of many. You’ve more than earned the crown and throne you’ve been given. I speak for all when I praise your achievements.”
The crowd managed to roar even louder in the growing light. Twilight stood blushing on the stage as her friends joined her. “You’ve all earned your place in the new palace here in Ponyville and in our hearts.
“This year we also praise another who has more than earned his place among us.” From behind the stage another young pony stepped into the light. Passion’s wings spread wide even outshining Celestia’s. A fact he found quite gratifying. “Passion Breeze. For your unwavering service to all the ponies of Equestria, we bestow upon you a great honor. We celebrate your twenty first birthday with your promotion to leadership over the most proficient warriors in Equestria.”
The ponies were silent now. Though none of them knew Passion’s true identity they knew his name. The young captain who’d led the defense against the changeling legion the past year. The brave pegasus who drove the windigos back to the north last winter. The list went on and on and the audience stood in reverence as he took his place at his mother’s side.
“The Black Fleet will do well under your guidance. Fight well, stay strong and fly sure.
“With the passing of spring, we’ve also gained a new ally. What was once our enemy has become a dear friend.”
Next a black pony clad in green made her way onto the crowded stage. Her blue mane shone iridescent in the twilight and her wings buzzed softly.
“Chrysalis, queen of the changeling legion. We welcome you and your people with open arms. Long live our allegiance to the sun.”
Suddenly the ground began to shake and the sky darkened. The ponies shrunk back in fear as a wind like a hurricane ripped through the small town. In the distance a bright light like fire shone from Canterlot and a menacing voice plaid over the cowering crowd.
“Have you grown so naive, Princess?” As enormous spiders poured from behind the stage a black pony clad in dark, silver armor stepped up to stand before them. Screams ran through the crowd and Celestia shouted for calm. “you’ve forgotten there is stronger power than sunlight in this world. You’ve grown weak in my absence.”
“Sombra!” The princess shouted over the gale like winds. “what are you doing here!?”
“Oh don’t be so dramatic, princess.” Sombra laughed, his eyes gleaming green as he batted away two royal guards. “You believe that something as puny as Cadance’s crystal magic could cast me out? You’re a fool!”
Twilight leapt suddenly from her place at the edge of the stage and pounced on the unicorn king, knocking him to the ground and resting on top of him. With her horn glowing bright she drove a beam of magic through his chest, causing him to scream in frustration.
“Ignorant worm!” He yelled, tossing her aside and pinning her with his magic. The crowd had fallen silent and Sombra stood towering now over Celestia. With a single swing of his metal clad hooves he knocked her to the ground before the stage, snapping one of her giant wings. “You’ve become ssenile if you think that foal is such a powerful weapon that you could hide behind her in safety, Celestia!” He roared, drawing the crowd to silence as his army of spiders spun black webs over the village, melting through bricks and wood. “What happened to the proud queen who fought with bravery against the evils of the world! You’ve become a deceiver and a tyrant, denying your bastard son his right to the throne and forcing your grand daughter to do your dirty work. Your line has become a laughable series of lies!”
“No, Sombra!”
“Yes, Celestia.” Sombra laughed, sneering down at her. “You’re subjects deserve to know the treachery of their ruler. Bearing a half pegasus son to the founder of your pet fleet and hiding him from the light for over a millennia. Convincing your grand daughter that she’s of common blood and forcing her into harm’s way time and again. Banishing your sister to a desolate rock after forcing her out of marriage with a unicorn king. Telling your daughter her parents died fighting that king while you adopt her as your niece. Adopting foreign rule into your home to coveer a love affair with a changeling queen. Where will your treacheries end, Celestia?”
As he spoke magical images plaid behind him for all to see. Images of Celestia and Chrysalis in private locations. Depictions of her holding a newborn Twilight in her hooves in a Canterlot hospital. A warped video of her striking her sister as she and Sombra sat together in an old palace in the Everfree forest.
“You preach of friendship and love Celestia.” Sombra cackled as thunder roared in the sky. “Yet your house falls to ruin at your own hooves so you can bask in false glory. The time is approaching that you will atone for these sins. HE is returning for you. In six months time this land will crumble under the heal of my master. Rejoice in the guilt of knowing that your kingdom will fall for your treason.”
“You don’t mean?” Celestia’s voice wavered in fear at the thought of Sombra’s warnings. In her memory she felt pain at the touch of the demon who bore her. Her skin crawled as she felt her forebear’s touch on her face.
“Your magic, and your time, are simply borrowed Celestia. He’s coming back for you from the Shadows.  Mortalitas has returned to take back his throne.”
With a single crack of lightning that shattered the ground Sombra and his army of parasites vanished. Celestia lay mortified on the ground as Sombra’s voice blew on the dying wind. “Tell them, Celestia. You’re the daughter of the demon king… not fit for rule or love….”