Within the mare known as Twilight Sparkle, there is a darkness that wishes to raise her up high as Empress of Equestria. But where did this darkness come from and why is it so set upon Twilight?
She's perfect, absolutely perfect. Or I once thought that, Princess Celestia was my world, my idol, my role model, but once Queen Chrysalis defeated her with such ease I began to doubt this world's current Alicorns and rulers. If the powerful Celestia couldn't defend her own ponies, what does that say about the rest of us? As the newest Alicorn to come into being; I fear for us all. Then a voice spoke to me...
If they can't protect your friends and those closest to you...shouldn't you?
Something lurks in the shadows, they search for me, and I fear...I search for them.
In a small house on the outskirts of Canterlot Castle, a unicorn filly lay seemingly asleep in her bed surrounded by two older unicorns, by the names of; Night Light and Twilight Velvet.
The young filly-no more than 6 years old-gave out a raspy breath, catching the attention both grim, saddened parents. Velvet rubbed a gentle hoof across the filly's mane, while her husband stood up slowly
“We have tried everything I can think of Night, we're losing her.” Velvet let a tear slide down her cheek.
“...Have we?” Night Light pleaded to his wife, not wishing to say what was the sorrowful truth.
Nodding, Velvet replied. “Light magick was our best bet and yet...”She broke down sobbing into the bed sheets. “Oh m-my p-p-poor filly...Twilight”
Earlier that day, was the opening entrance exams for Princess Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns. Both of them were proud of their daughter, Twilight Sparkle for getting accepted into the school, all that was left was the last exam. Their daughter was-obviously-nervous in front the questioning gaze of the judges. A dragon egg was brought in, all Twilight had to do was levitate the egg a foot or more, so the judges could examine her potential and magic prowess.
Twilight tried multiple times to bring forth her magic, but only a few pathetic sparks came out. Velvet Night Light noticed the frustration and worried looks their daughter gave them. But the egg refused to rise, mostly due to the natural resistance such eggs had to magic, and Twilight's own nervousness.
Heaving a sigh Twilight said quietly. “I'm sorry for wasting your time.” And slowly made her way past the egg.
Velvet, went to comfort her when suddenly a huge magical shock wave made Twilight yelp. Her magic exploded outwards, and fired bolts of uncontrolled power everywhere, turning parents into cacti, levitating the judges around the room, and causing the dragon to hatch and grow into a fully grown drake.
Pure, adulterated magic surrounded Twilight, while cracks and fractures appearing on her small horn. Twilight screamed at the top of her lungs, and all she could feel was pain in her skull.
Than when she felt her world couldn't have gotten any worse, she heard a snapping sound where her horn was, Twilight cried out once more before blacking out completely.
Once the spells cast by Twilight's magic flare immediately ended, Velvet regained her bearings and shook her head while frantically looking around for Twilight. Velvet noticed Princess Celestia herself cradling her daughter in one her long, graceful forelegs, then dashed to them.
“Princess Celestia! My daughter is she alright!?” She couldn't see Twilight's face with the Princess's leg in way.
“Miss Velvet, please calm yourself, I assure you she is...fine.” Velvet could hear the solemn and grimness of her voice.
“Fine? How fine is she!? Please let me see her face!” Velvet tried to peer over Celestia's leg several times but the princess was adamant to not reveal Twilight's fate.
“You will not like what your about to see Velvet. So please calm yourself first okay?” Celestia pleaded with the panicking unicorn.
Taking several deep breathes to calm herself, Twilight Velvet recomposed her body the best she could. “I'm sorry, forgive me.”
“It's alright. Now, steel yourself for this, I fear what you will see will hurt.” Ever-so-slowly Celestia laid Twilight on the floor so Velvet could see for herself.
Velvet gasped, it was worse than she could ever imagined. Twilight's horn was gone. Only a short stub was left of it and blood dripped from Twilight's skull.
“N-n-no, sh-she can't be...” Tears flowed down her cheeks as Night Light came up beside her with equally hurt expression.
“Your daughter is still alive-” They breathed a short sigh of relief. “-but she has been...magically c-crippled.” Velvet could hear the shudder in Celestia's voice.
“What!? B-b-but she just-just...just” Velvet broke down entirely while sobbing uncontrollably into Twilight's fur.
Night Light asked the princess if she could do anything for Twilight, but she solemnly said there was nothing she could do about Twilight's shattered horn. Twilight was taken to the castle hospital, Princess Celestia herself called upon her best medic team to see if they could anything, again they were sadly incapable of saving Twilight's horn.
An hour later, the doctor gave them his diagnoses.
Their daughter wasn't going to make it.
So they quietly went back home and put Twilight into her bed.
“...Dear there is one option...” Velvet looked up and gaze over her shoulder to Night Light.
“W-what?” She questioned him.
Night Light left the room for a minute, when he came back he had a black book with red trimmings along the edges. “This.” He laid the book down across the bed sheets in front of his wife, and turned a few pages.
Looking over the pages, Velvet's eyes widen with horror. “You...you can't be serious Light. This spell is Dark Magick.”
“I know. But it's the only other spell I know that will keep Twilight from Death's doorstep.” Night Light said while straightening Twilight's blankets.
“Ar-are you absolutely certain? Is there no other way?” She stammered, gazing over Twilight's sleeping form.
Night Light nodded and hugged his wife. “For Twilight, she doesn't deserve to die.”
“Y-you're right. But you know what this type of spell requires right?” Velvet gazed right into Night Light's eyes.
Sighing, Night Light again nodded.” It needs the life force of two ponies to work fully.”
“So we'll-”
“Die in the casting process, yes. It's an ugly spell. But for our only daughter, I'm willing to go through with it.” He suddenly stood up and lit his horn with dark magic.
“Curse these spells and the ones who gave these books to us.” Twilight Velvet began filling her own horn with dark magic. “What about what happens after we complete this spell? We can't just leave her alone here.”
“I already called the Royal Guard, the spell will cause a small explosion, it's harmless, don't worry.” Night Light reassured her, than locked his horn with his wife's.
“Good, th-that's good.” Tears began flowing from them both.
“She'll b-be fine in the castle without us. Twilight's a strong filly.” Night Light couldn't hold back his sobs anymore while more he channeled more magic into the spell.
“We love you Twilight. Be a good filly, eat right...”
“Brush your teeth every day and night...”
“Learn more spells...”
“Behave around the princess Twilight...”
Black and purple arcs of magic wrapped around Twilight's gasping form as she slept.
“I'm scared Light.” Velvet whimpered as she closed her eyes and nuzzled her husband's chest.
“I know...I know.” He whispered.
More and more magic filled the air as the spell was completed and both grieving parents wept for their young daughter.
...
...
...
“Goodbye Twilight...We love you.”
Loud explosions could be heard by the guards approaching the Sparkle residence. At first they were confused by it and then the second explosion was singled out by a bright light coming from one the windows on the second floor.
“Get moving! Quickly!” Ordered the stallion guard in the front.
“Sir!”
All five guard ponies dashed through front door and realizing there was no one on the first floor, they ran up the stairs.
“Nopony in the Master Bedroom sir!”
“Keep searching!” After about ten minutes they found something they were not ready for.
“Sir! We found Miss Twilight Velvet, Sir Night Light and their Daughter!”
“I'm coming!” The captain trotted into the bedroom down the hall.
“They're not breathing, they have no pulse!”
“What? No...” Shaking his head he asked. “How's the Filly?” He cringed internally.
“Alive sir. But her horn is...”
“Is?”
“No longer broken sir”
“Than...” The captain gazed over the forms of the Twilight's parents. “oh Celestia...”
Princess Celestia frowned at the report on her desk. “They don't give up do they?” Over the last two months, a mysterious group of ponies and other species, began to raid several of the smaller towns across Equestria's borders. Celestia sent her best soldiers to deal with the issue, while she took care of the refugees coming into Canterlot.
“I'm afraid not Princess. Two-hundred and twenty four ponies have escaped the raids. No serious injuries, Your Majesty.” Reported the scout stallion before the Princess's desk.
Nodding, Celestia replied. “Very good, Golden Shield. You're dismissed.” Giving the stallion a warm smile, she waved him out.
“Princess.” Said the scout before bowing and stepping out the door.
After shutting the door close with her magic, Princess Celestia sighed before standing up and shelving the report on a nearby shelf. Celestia made her way to the balcony outside her office. “Hmm?” Humming to herself, Celestia noticed a little lavender filly reading a book upon on the benches in her private garden. “Oh, it's Twilight.” The sight of her new student always brought a smile to the sun mare's face.
Celestia took Twilight as her personal student a year after the young filly's parents passed away. Twilight was very depressed, and wouldn't come out of her room in the Astronomy Tower, if she wasn't crying her eyes out she was attempting to get closer to the princess. 'It's funny, I became Twilight's second mother soon after I began teaching her. Even though she lost her parents, I'm glad to have her around so much.'
Taking a deep breath Celestia called out. “Twilight! Are you ready for today's lesson!?”
Twilight jumped, accidentally knocking the book she was reading onto the ground. “Um...y-yes Princess! I-I'll be right there!” Twilight picked the book up with her magic, and ran down the castle corridors.
Twilight made a mad dash down the multiple hallways and staircases within the castle. Running past guards and maids, Twilight crashed into a taller, white coated, colt.
“Hey! Watch where you're going, you uncouth mare!” Growled the older pony, as he disentangled himself from Twilight.
“S-s-sorry, Blueblood.” Twilight stammered.
“That's Prince Blueblood, to you Sparkle.” Replied Blueblood. “Besides, where are you going in such a hurry?” He raised an disapproving eyebrow at the shivering Twilight.
“U-um...Princess Celestia has a lesson for me today. So I-I did not want to keep her waiting.”
“I see.” Clearing his throat Blueblood, stood up tall. “Well you better hurry up then, the Princess doesn't have all day.” Blueblood walked past her as she began running again.
“Th-thank you!” Twilight said as she made her way up another staircase.
After a moment of complete silence, Blueblood looked both ways and went into a hidden door at the end of the hallway. He reached into his shirt and pulled out a black crystal and smashed it beneath his hooves.
A dark, hollowing sound filled his ears as an apparition of a cloaked pony came into view. “Have you found her yet, child?”
“I believe I have, her name is Twilight Sparkle of the-”
“-Sparkle lineage. Hmm...I should've figured it would be their child.” The cloaked pony rubbed their chin in thought.
“If I may ask something?” Blueblood asked as he shifted in place.
“You may.”
“What do I get out of helping in...whatever it is you are planning?”
“Power, as I have previously stated from our last meeting.”
“And how do I know that I can trust you to keep your word? And also that no harm will come to my Aunt?” Blueblood pointedly demanded, as he glowered at the apparition.
“You have my absolute word that no harm will come to your Princess. We, of the Cult of the Dark Arts never go back on our promises.” The dark pony bowed his entire body in compose.
Blueblood glared at him for a couple moments before asking. “What is the name of this Goddess you revere so much, just so we're clear. 'Cause remember, that it was because of my help that you even got any of your followers into Canterlot in the first place.”
The cloaked stallion rose up to his full height, eyes aglow with deep power.
Both Princess and Student stand, surrounded by the dead bodies of Celestia's guards and a large group of cloaked beings, most of them ponies.
“Hand over the mare, Sun Alicorn.” Demanded the cloaked pony in front of the group.
Narrowing her eyes Celestia said. “Never. I don't know what you want with my student, but I refuse to stand aside and let you take her.” Celestia prepared an offensive spell in case of an attack by the unknown ponies.
Chuckling the group's leader raised an armoured hoof. “Please Celestia, we don't wish harm you, or your student.” The cloaked mare to his left brandished a crossbow. “But we will, if we must.”
Celestia felt Twilight gripping her left hind leg in fear, and with a determined snort she summoned a golden barrier around herself and Twilight. “I think not.”
“Have it your way.” He waved to the others as they began to creep closer to the pair.
Celestia did not budge. She stood resolute as the group closed in on her. Celestia reached out with her magic to teleport away with Twilight, but her spell died out. 'Hmm, a Anti-Teleport ward, clever, but not enough to stop an Alicorn.' Smirking, Princess Celestia easily shattered the ward and tossed her barrier directly through the approaching beings.
“Damn!” Yelled the mare with the crossbow as the barrier smacked her across the room.
'Now!' Celestia teleported herself and Twilight into another wing of the castle.
Breathing a sigh of relief, Celestia levitated her student onto her back. “Are you okay Twilight?” Celestia asked while unfolding her wings around Twilight.
“...I-I'm okay, but who were they Princess?”
'Should I tell her? Yes, but not yet, not until she's old enough to understand their acts.' Celestia thought with a grimace. “A group of bad ponies, but do not worry I'll protect you.” Twilight hugged Celestia's neck as the princess trotted down the hallway, her horn at the ready.
Celestia ran down several corridors, passing by a cult member or gold armoured guard every now and then. Eventually she reached the castle courtyard, only to be stopped by two fully armoured beings before her. 'Oh no, the Cult's Dark Knights.'
The Knight on the left stepped forward. “Surrender now.” He ordered with a gruff tone. “This is as far you go.”
Celestia opened her mouth to tell him off, but the other Knight beat her to it. “Oh put a sock in it Reaper, she's not going anywhere.” Celestia noticed the Knight on the left was clearly a Griffon, while the other was a Pegasus.
“Blaze I swear to Penumbra, if you don't shut up I'll just have to have you for dinner tonight.”
The Pegasus named 'Blaze' merely rolled her eyes while pointing a halberd at Celestia. “Anyway, what this dunce meant to say was; hand over the Purple One.”
Twilight felt a shiver go up her spine at the mention of 'Penumbra' but furiously shook head and yelled. “Stay away from the Princess and leave us alone y-you...idiots!” Twilight finished lamely.
The armoured Pegasus just laughed uproariously while her companion menacingly stepped forward again. “Oh really? And just what is a little foal like you going to do to stop us?” He glared at Twilight with a dark smile.
Gulping Twilight jumped to the ground off the protesting Celestia. “Twilight don't. They're much to dangerous.” The princess eased her student back with a hoof, but Twilight jumped above it. “N-No Twilight!”
“Princess do you trust me?”
“Twilight I-”
“Please answer me.” Twilight pleaded.
Celestia hesitated. “Twi-”
“Do. You. Trust. Me?” Twilight asked again, tapping her hoof on the princess's torque for emphasize.
After a moment of deliberation Celestia replied. “Of course I do Twilight. With all my heart.” She said with a gentle smile.
Twilight smiled back, steeled herself and turned back to the two Knights. “I'm Princess Celestia's Protege! Twilight Sparkle!”
“Oh she has some bark to her small frame Reaper!” Laughed Blaze. “Should you do the honors or shall I?”
“I shall, don't want to accidentally kill her after all.” With that Reaper drew a short scythe from his armoured back. “Better hold your ground Twilight Sparkle.”
“I will.” Twilight growled as she charged her horn.
With a yell the Dark Knight banked left as he swung his scythe at Twilight.
Time seemed to stop for Twilight as the sharp weapon shattered upon contact with Twilight's barrier. Dropping the shield Twilight grabbed the blade with her magic than tossed it back at the griffon. He grabbed it right before it slashed his arm. “Pff, that it? I was expecting a little than that.” He somehow fixed the scythe with some sort of strange magic Twilight had never seen before. “Heheh, confusing how a griffon like me can use magic isn't it?” Grinning he charged again.
Twilight grimaced and brought her magic up again...but something unexpected happened. She heard an unfamiliar voice in her mind...
'He is nothing to you Twilight. Nothing but an insect, meant to be crushed by your fury.'
Blinking Twilight asked out loud. “Who's there?”
Reaper stopped mid-charge and balked at her. 'Impossible... already?'
The voice's tone was warm and inviting to Twilight's ears. 'A friend. Now are you going to let those two harm you or your teacher?'
“Never! I'll stop them!” Twilight searched for the voice, but failed to see anyone else in the courtyard.
'Than do it Twilight.'
Celestia watched the entire scene, but kept her focus on her student. 'What was that icy feeling I felt just now? And who is Twilight talking to?' She reacted just in time to notice Twilight's hooves leave the ground as her body began to glow with a purple glow. 'A magic flare!? Here!?'
Twilight's eyes snapped open, glowing pure white.
“Agh! Reaper move you fool!” Blaze grabbed the terror stricken griffon just as Twilight pointed her horn at them.
“You will not harm Celestia!!” An immense amount of magic engulfed Twilight's horn.
Both Knights attempted to fly away as their fellow cultists teleported into the courtyard. “Run! You foo-” Blaze was cut of by a massive beam of black and purple energy swallowed her and her companions.
“Leave!!” Twilight's yell boomed throughout the area while she unleashed her magic upon the cultists and blasted them far away from Canterlot.
“We'll return Sun Alicorn!!” Screamed the armoured griffon.
Panting, Twilight collapsed against Celestia as she returned to normal. “A-are they gone Princess?”
“Yes Twilight...now rest, it's over.” The awed Princess soothed as she nuzzled Twilight's neck.
“O-okay...” Twilight fell right asleep as Celestia gazed at her with a worried look.
The Gates of Tartarus lay dormant, locked by the powerful Magics of an unknown, forgotten ruler of long times past. Just outside the mighty gates, a great three-headed dog known as Cerberus, guards the unholy gate from outside forces and to keep the beings locked within Tartarus itself from escaping.
Cerberus had long forgotten how long he had protected these gates, ever since his master perished over a millennium ago. Still his devotion to his fallen master remains intact, even over the decay of time.
The Guardian of the Gate had only ever opened the gates for the present rulers of the land, the Immortal Alicorn Sisters: Princess Celestia of the Sun and Princess Luna of the Moon. For Cerberus' master was also an Alicorn, so he had also sworn to serve only Alicorns who rule Equestria or Tartarus.
The Princesses have brought many to Tartarus' gates, such as; the Magic Thief Centaur by the name of Tirek, and the infamous Demon Pegasus Morak.
Cerberus had not seen either Princess ever since the Nightmare Rebellion. He heard about the lunar princess's downfall from a passing militia of mercenaries that just so happened to come to close to the gates, so Cerberus was forced to scare them off. The cowards didn't even put a good fight for the bored guardian.
...
...
...
Time passed and still nothing worth of Cerberus' attention came to pass. Until a shady group of cloaked ponies and other beings strode up to Cerberus with an unknown purpose. Cerberus glared at them and stood to his full height while growling. As if he'd let these halfwits come anywhere near his master's home.
The tallest of the beings came forward and the withdrew their hood to reveal their formerly concealed face. Cerberus recognized the creature before him as a Kirin, by their reptilian scales, forelegs, neck, head, followed by a furred equine lower half.
“We do not mean you or your late master any disrespect Great Guardian.” Cerberus' middle head merely raised an eyebrow. “We are Cult of the Dark Arts.”
Cerberus took a closer look at their robes and cloaks and noticed a very familiar symbol; Two great black dragon wings encircling a purple draconic eye, with a tall black horn pointing up on top of the eye. All three head's eyes widened in disbelief. It was his master Penumbra's symbol.
“Yes, we are a group devoted to our Goddess Penumbra, also the ruler of Tartarus.” The Kirin smiled ecstatically.
For the first time in years, Cerberus spoke. “If thee are so inclined to whole-fully serve my master's interest. Thee may, but thou must understand. My master has left this world over a millennium ago. Brought down by her own flesh and blood.” Cerberus responded with a sorrow filled expression.
“I am very aware of the sad details symbolizing our Goddess's defeat. But what you don't seem to be aware of is the prophecy of her return.” The Kirin nodded to the robed stallion and mare on either side of him.
They both gently laid an old scroll before Cerberus's feet. “At your leisure Great Guardian.” Both of cultists said before bowing and backing away from Cerberus.
Cerberus remarked the scroll before carefully unfurling it. Within the scroll was a short prophetic sentence; “On the fourth year of Magic's ascension, a forgotten ruler of Shadow and Darkness will awaken and bring about the demonic realm's glory once more.”
“I see. But why are thou here telling me this?” Cerberus asked.
The Kirin smiled again. “We would like access to our Goddess's abode to bring about this prophecy and get ready for her Liege's future return, Great Guardian. And I'm sure you miss your Master as much as we do”
Cerberus contemplated this. He dearly missed his master Penumbra and these cultists seemed devoted to her completely. But he needed more proof than just robes, promises and prophecies. “Give me proof of your devotion to Penumbra, The Alicorn of Tartarus.”
“A flesh sacrifice than?” The Kirin asked. Cerberus nodded. “Than as leader of The Cult of the Dark Arts, I'll shall show my devotion to The Goddess on our behalf.” He than reached into his cloak and pulled out a long jagged knife. Raising his left arm he sliced right through it with the knife. The blade cut cleanly and straight through the flesh, as blood gushed out and tendons limply hung from where his left fore arm once was. The two robed ponies from before, rushed to his aid and swiftly closed and bandaged the useless limb. The Kirin didn't even flinch or scream in pain.
“Is this enough for our Goddess, Guardian?”
“Very well then.” Cerberus turned around then began to slowly opened the gates to Tartarus. “It's been years since anyone has stepped into my master's home. Don't. Break. Anything.”
After Cerberus gave him one last glare the cult leader bowed in repose. “But of course.”
Soon after they left and Cerberus locked the gates once more, returning with new found hope for his Master.
Today was the day of the Summer Sun Celebration. That much Twilight Sparkle was very aware of, even if it was being held in a small town known as Ponyville. The town itself wasn't very impressive, just a simple farming town with various businesses such as; a fashion boutique, a rather impressive farm on the town's outskirts by even Twilight's standards, a market for tourists and the like, and several other stores like a bakery, a dentist's office, and a spa run by two Earth Pony sisters, ect.
Twilight herself was to stay in Ponyville's Golden Oaks Library to oversee the Summer Sun Celebration. Twilight was curious as to why she was personally overseeing the celebration, so she went to ask Princess Celestia. What the Princess said was along the lines of “Go make some friends, enjoy yourself and for your own sake, don't worry yourself over Nightmare Moon's return.”
Celestia said she would handle her deranged sister herself. Twilight wasn't so sure about that, even with all of the Royal Guard under prep for the Nightmare's inevitable return. But although the Princess said this, Celestia gave Twilight instructions on finding the fabled Elements of Harmony should she fail to stop her sister. Twilight understood but one question still nagged at her mind...
“What does any of this have to do with me making friends?” Twilight asked in utter confusion. The unicorn was currently in her tower packing her things for the trip to Ponyville. Twilight only packed the essentials like her toothbrush, an extra blanket, books to read of course, and a few inkwells and parchments for letters.
Spike, Twilight's dragon assistant came up to her with a few books on constellations of the night sky. “Well I think it could do you some good Twilight. You're always here in the castle reading books these days, you should get out more.”
“And I keep telling you Spike, I don't need friends it's just another distraction from my studies.” Twilight stated taking the books Spike brought over and shoved them in her travel bag. “I highly doubt Equestria's safety relies in such a non-material thing.”
Spike looked at her with a disapproving look. “Really Twilight that excuse again?” He said crossing his arms and shaking his head.
“It's not an excuse, it's a logical fact. Friendship is a vague concept that could be better taught from a dictionary. I should know, I have five volumes.” Twilight proudly levitated said book volumes over her assistant's head.
Spike merely rolled his eyes and zipped up Twilight's travel bag, while the mage re-shelved the books. The pair left the room, Spike holding the bag while on Twilight's back. They made their way down several winding stairs that led into the castle's main lobby, and out into the courtyard where the carriage to take Twilight to Ponyville sat. On the way, Twilight admired the beautifully made stain-glass windows that lined the courtyard. Two years ago Princess Celestia ordered to have the castle courtyard domed with a circular roof due to the Cult's most recent attempt to kidnap Twilight.
To say the Princess was scared for her faithful student would be an understatement.
“Miss Sparkle?” A stone faced Royal Guard asked as Twilight and Spike trotted up to the chariot.
“That's me.” Twilight answered. Spike jumped off her back and gave Twilight's bag to one of other guards.
“We've been ordered by Princess Celestia to accompany you, during both on your way to Ponyville and during your stay there.” The other three guards nodded their consent.
“Really? May I ask why exactly?” Twilight hasn't forgotten the Cult's previous attempts in kidnapping her, but they haven't been seen for over a year.
“Her Highness, is still worried about the Cult of the Dark Arts, Miss Sparkle. So we are here to protect you in case of an attack.” The guard joined the other Pegasus stallions and attached themselves to the chariots reins. “If you would, Miss Sparkle. We shall take you to Ponyville right away.”
Twilight nodded, then turned to Spike to give him a hug. “I'll see you later Spike. You remember what to do right?” She asked him.
“Yeah, send you a report if anything happens here in Canterlot via my flame.” Twilight hopped into the chariot.
“Yes. So make sure you keep me up to date alright?” When Spike nodded the chariot took off with Twilight in tow. “Bye Spike!”
“See ya Twilight!” Once the chariot was a small dot in the distance, Spike went back into the castle.
A white coated Unicorn, knocked on the Golden Oaks Library's door. The mare waited for about two minutes until an elderly Earth Pony opened the door. “Oh Miss Rarity. What can I do for you?” Said the old Librarian as the Unicorn named Rarity Belle elegantly trotted in.
“I just came to check on you Golden Mural, and to see how your packing was coming along and all that.” Rarity smiled gently at Mural.
“I'm just fine deary, just a few more books to re-shelve for the new Librarian coming to town soon.” The earth mare slowly made her way to a shelf and placed a couple books onto it.
Rarity carefully watched Mural for a moment and quickly put the remaining books along the shelves. “Don't you worry darling, I'll handle it. You can take a breather.”
“Aw, that's so sweet of you. I'm afraid these old bones make it a bit too difficult to haul these large tomes around so much.” Golden Mural slowly laid upon a cushion in the center of the library.
“By the way who was the new librarian going to be?” Rarity asked after finishing with the books and sat next to Mural.
“Hmm? Oh, some Unicorn from Canterlot. I think her name was Twilight something. Ehm...The Princess's letter is on the table beside you there.” Mural gestured with an ear to the said table.
Rarity levitated the parchment over to herself and studied what was written. “Hmm? A Miss Twilight Sparkle. Odd, I know I have heard of her before... Oh! No wonder I have, she is the Princess's star pupil.” She chuckled with stars in her eyes. “And I bet she knows a lot of influential ponies in Canterlot besides the Princess!”
The retiring librarian gave her a raised eyebrow. “Don't be scaring her now.”
Rarity shook her head. “Hmm? Oh right sorry Mural. To be honest, I've always wanted a friend from Canterlot. Since so many Ponyville ponies are-” Mural narrowed her eyes slightly. “-down to earth! That was it. Heheh. Anyway darling there just aren't many ponies here I can chat with about the high life and such.”
Mural snickered. “I'm just pulling your leg deary.” The older mare lightly tapped Rarity's shoulder.
“Oh, haha. Laugh it up.” Rarity gave the room a once over than stood up. “Well I should go, the Celebration isn't too off after all.” Rarity flipped her curled purple mane and made for the door. “You'll be there right Mural?”
“Wouldn't miss it for the world deary.” She elderly, yellow coated mare opened the door for Rarity.
“Thank you, Mural. It will be Grand, if I have any say in the matter!” Rarity proclaimed as the door closed behind her.
Behind the closed door, Golden Mural smiled sadly, a hidden door creaked open a bit. A black cloak dangled though the crack. A symbol of two great black dragon wings encircling a purple draconic eye, with a tall black horn pointing up on top of the eye were along the cloak's back. “Wouldn't miss it for the world...good luck young ones.”
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ “Landing in Ponyville, Miss Sparkle.” One of the guards declared as they pulled into Ponyville's town square.
Twilight nodded wordlessly, she was anxious about Celestia facing Nightmare Moon. Not that she doubted the Princess's power or anything. Twilight just wanted to be there backing her up. Sighing, Twilight hopped off the chariot as it landed. “Okay, first stop-” Pulling out a list of stops she needed to make for the celebration, Twilight read. “-Sweet Apple Acres.”
The trip to the farm took about fifteen minutes-Twilight counted-to make approximately, Twilight's guards in tow. An old red barn sat in the distance, white picket fences surrounded most the establishment, and more trees than Twilight had ever seen covered the majority of the land.
Twilight gawked at the mere number of trees the farm had. 'Well, I definitely know where Celestia gets her cider from now.' She thought with slight amusement. 'Even if she never tells anypony.' Chuckling, Twilight trotted over to a muscular, orange, Earth Pony mare who was bucking an apple tree nearby. “Hello, there! I'm Twilight Sparkle, here to oversee the Summer Sun Celebration.” Twilight greeted.
The mare turned to Twilight with a friendly grin. “Well howdy do Miss Twilight! Ah'm Applejack!” The orange mare grabbed Twilight's hoof and shook it wildly.
'OW! She sure is strong.' Twilight grimaced, and withdrew her sore hoof. “Um, you're in charge of the food correct?”
“Yup! Come on over and Ah'll show ya.”
-15 Minutes Later-
“Urgh...” Twilight groaned after leaving Applejack's farm. Twilight and two of her unfortunate guards were sat at a table and almost force fed by the Apple family's baking. Five apple fritters, three pies and nine candy apples later, Twilight and those two guards's stomachs were about ready to burst. “I don't want to see another apple as long as I live.” She groaned, the two guards grunted their agreement.
Twilight bumped into something while her eyes were closed. “Huh?” In front of her was a wall of pink. Twilight backed up, her guards instinctively surrounded Twilight protectively.
No, not a wall, a pink Earth Pony was who she bumped into. The guards felt uncomfortable around this mare for some reason. “Hi! I'm Pinkie Pie!”
Twilight gazed at her guards and spoke to other mare. “Hello, I'm Twilight Sparkle-” She heard a loud gasp from Pinkie Pie, and her jaw hit the ground as the earth pony somehow floated in mid-air for a total of five seconds. “How-” She was about to ask but the mare zipped away in a cloud of dust. “Well. That happened. Shall we?” The guards fell back in line behind Twilight as she led the way to the Town Hall. All of them were wide eyed for once.
Twilight use to her magic to open the door into the Town Hall, then called out. “Hello? I'm here to oversee the preparations for the Summer Sun Celebration.” Twilight noticed another Unicorn enter the room, this mare had a white coat and curled purple mane and tail and three diamonds for a cutie mark.
“Ah, so you're the new Librarian then?” The white mare asked.
Twilight nodded. “Only for a while, so what's your name Miss...?”
Clearing her throat the other mare answered. “Rarity. Rarity Belle darling. And you must be Twilight Sparkle?”
“Hmm-hmm. So are you the pony who's in charge of decorations?” Looking at the various decor around the Town Hall, Twilight was rather impressed. “This is gorgeous.”
“Why thank you darling, I must concur this is some of my best interior designs.” Rarity prided herself.
“I agree. Well I should continue my overseeing of the celebration Rarity.” Twilight turned to leave, but Rarity trotted in front of her. “Um, yes?”
“I know you're from Canterlot Twilight, so I was wondering if you would like to stop by my boutique later and chat for a bit?” Rarity smiled gently.
Twilight considered her request for a moment. “Like as...friends?” She squeaked.
“Hmm. Oh yes if you don't mind. Nopony here in Ponyville quite understands my taste of the upper class.”
Twilight smiled weakly and nervously made her way out the door. “I'll...think about it.”
“Alright then. See you later Miss Twilight.” Rarity waved.
Twilight rushed past her guards, much to their annoyance, so they pursued her. Trotting into the park, Twilight heard music from over a bush. Following the sound, she saw a group of birds on a tree while two pegasi mares chatted beneath them. The left one had sky-blue coat and a rainbow mane and tail, while the other one had a pink mane and tail followed by a soft yellow coat. The blue one had rainbow, coloured thunderbolt cutie mark and the second mare had three, pink butterflies.
“Hello!” Twilight called out.
The yellow mare “eeped” then hid behind the tree. Her friend merely rolled her eyes and dragged her back out to greet Twilight. “Come on Fluttershy say hello.” She urged the yellow pegasus.
“U-um, hi I'm Fluttershy...” Fluttershy softly said.
Twilight couldn't hear her. “Could you speak a little louder I didn't catch that.”
When Fluttershy didn't answer, her rainbow maned friend spoke up. “Sorry her name is Fluttershy, and she is very...well..shy.” She shrugged. “I'm Rainbow Dash! The fastest pony in Equestria.!” Rainbow proclaimed, puffing out her chest proudly.
Twilight almost scoffed at that, but kept her thoughts to herself. She looked at her list again and saw both their on it. “Ah, here you are. The weather manager and music instructor?”
“Fluttershy here is in charge of music, and I clear the skies.” Rainbow Dash said.
Twilight gazed up and saw plenty of clouds still about. “The sky is still cloudy.”
“Yeah, yeah I'll take of it in a bit, gotta practice my moves for the Wonderbolts, who are coming to the celebration this year.”
“The Wonderbolts? Oh you mean the professional stunt team. Well they would never let somepony who can't even keep the sky clear for a day into their group.” Twilight challenged.
Rainbow Dash grinned. “Oh yeah? I could clear this sky in Ten. Seconds. Flat.” She flared her wings.
“Prove it.”
-Ten Seconds Later-
Rainbow Dash laughed at Twilight's wide eyed face. “Told you so!”
Twilight furiously shook her head and took a step back. “Wow. Okay you proved me wrong.” Fluttershy laughed quietly at Twilight's face before returning to her bird choir. Rainbow Dash waved to Twilight as she left the park.
“Okay then, well that's done let's head to the Library.” The guards nodded.
Entering the Golden Oaks Library was uneventful, Twilight's guards stood outside while Twilight greeted the elder mare inside. The Earth Pony mare had a dull yellow coat, a greying brown mane and tail, green eyes and a gold plaque for a cutie mark.
“Indeed deary, I'm very old after all.” Mural laughed. “You're the new Librarian now.”
“What? No, no I'm not staying in Ponyville. I'm just staying here until the Celebration's over.”
“Oh, is that so? ...Oh well I guess I'll have to find a new librarian than.” Mural frowned.
Twilight grimaced. “Sorry, I'll help you find a replacement tomorrow, if that helps.”
The elderly mare smiled a bit. 'Can she really be?' “I would love that.”
Twilight smiled and brought in her bags after grabbing them in her magic from a guard outside. “Well how about we get started?”
Later that day Pinkie Pie appeared with the whole of Ponyville at the library to party Twilight's arrival.
...
...
...
Twilight knocked herself out.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ -Night of the Celebration-
Twilight paced in place, it was time for Princess Celestia to raise the sun. She got a message from Spike telling her Celestia left the castle with a small battalion of guards an hour ago. 'Oh I hope nothing bad happens.' Twilight feared Nightmare Moon's return, she just hoped Celestia defeated her.
The mayor of Ponyville, an Earth Pony as well, stood on the podium. “Mares and Gentlecolts! We are gathered here today to celebrate the Summer Sun Celebration!” Mayor Mare declared.
Twilight winced at the noise the other ponies made, she was never one for loud noises. Especially large groups of ponies. The mayor continued her speech with everypony's excited attention, sans Twilight who didn't stop her pacing. Eventually Fluttershy and her bird choir began the song Twilight heard earlier that day, snapping her out of her pacing and out most attention on the balcony where Celestia was supposed to appear.
“I have very bad feeling about this.” Twilight whispered to herself.
'Twilight relax, whatever happens you'll be able to handle it.' That warm, smoothing voice said.
'Are you sure? Nightmare's an Alicorn, I can't beat an Alicorn by myself.' Twilight frowned.
'Don't think like that Mistress, you're not alone in this. I'm here.'
Twilight couldn't counter that. So she straightened her posture and glared as everypony else suddenly gasped. A dark blue mist appeared on the balcony and a tall, onyx coated Alicorn smirked at the crowd. 'Nightmare Moon.'
“Oh my beloved subjects, it's been so long since I've seen you're Precious. Sun-loving. Faces.” Nightmare sneered.
“Hey! What have you've done with our Princess!” Rainbow Dash flew at Nightmare Moon, but Applejack held her tail with her mouth.
“Whoa there Rainbow!”
Nightmare Moon chuckled. “Why, am I not royal enough for you? Don't you know who I am?” She leveled a glare at Rainbow.
Pinkie Pie started to ramble various names about Nightmare before Applejack silenced her by stuffing a cupcake in her mouth. “Mhp! Hmpmhh!”
Nightmare came up to poor Fluttershy and asked. “Does my crown no longer count, now that I've been imprisoned for a Thousand Years?” Fluttershy squeaked and hid behind Applejack. Nightmare Moon's starry mane gripped Rarity's chin and continued. “Do you not recall my legend? Did you not recall the signs!?”
Twilight chose this time to speak up. “I did! And I know who you are! You're Celestia's Sister and also known as the Mare in the Moon!” Gasps of disbelief were heard all around.
“Well, well, well somepony who remembers me.” When Nightmare Moon placed her gaze upon Twilight, her breathe caught in her throat. Nightmare Moon used her Mage Sight and what she saw shocked her. 'She can't be alive! I saw her die!' She shook her head and opted the best smirk she could. “Than you also know why I'm here.”
Twilight saw Nightmare's scared expression before she smirked again. 'What was that about? No I must focus!' You're here to bring Eternal Night aren't you!?”
Nightmare Moon struggled to keep her rising fear concealed behind her dark smirk. “Remember this day little ponies, for it was your last. From this moment forth, the Night. Will last. Forever!!” She laughed at the ponies' frightened faces.
“Cease her only she knows where the Princess is!” Mayor Mare ordered Twilight's guards.
Three of the guards flew at Nightmare Moon while the fourth one stood protectively in front of Twilight. “Stay back, you FOALS!!” Nightmare's eyes glowed white and she zapped the stallions out of the air with a fast lightning spell. 'I'll deal with that lavender mare later.' Nightmare thought as she turned into mist and flew out the door leading outside.
Rainbow Dash broke free off Applejack and pursued Nightmare Moon through the air. “Come back here coward!!”
Nightmare in her mist form glared invisibly and shot off toward the Everfree Forest. 'Now to dispose of the Elements of Harmony!'
-Later at the Golden Oaks Library-
Twilight finally let her panic show as she ran full speed toward the library to search for the 'Elements of Harmony' book that Celestia told her could be found. “This is terrible! Princess Celestia lost! And now her deranged sister is now free to wreak havoc!” Twilight practically tore each and every book haphazardly on the ground to look for the elusive book. “Where is it!? Where is it!?”
“Is this what you're looking for Twilight?” Said an familiar voice from behind Twilight.
She spun around and Golden Mural was there with the book in her hooves. “Yes-” Twilight almost missed the black cloak Mural was wearing. “Mural? What are you wearing?” Twilight cautiously asked.
“Never mind that now. Here's the book deary.” Mural tossed the book over to her. Twilight caught it in her magic. “We will meet again Twilight Sparkle.” Mural raised her left hoof, her glowing hoof.
“Wait-” Twilight ran at her, but Mural vanished in a flash of black and purple light. “-a second...” Shaking her head, Twilight ran outside and into an orange mare.
“Oof! Careful there sugarcube! Where are you going in such a hurry?” Applejack asked, helping Twilight to her hooves.
“Celestia! Elements! Nightmare! Everfree! Help!” Twilight frantically wailed, until a blue hoof in the forehead by Rainbow Dash snapped her out of it. “Ow!”
“Calm down there bookworm! We're here to help!” Rainbow said.
“What? No, no I can't ask that! It's dangerous.” Twilight sped past them towards the Everfree.
“Darling hold on!” Rarity called out chasing Twilight with Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, and Fluttershy following.
Twilight dashed into the forest with the other mares, unawares of a group of black cloaked beings watching them from afar.
-Soon after several ordeals in the forest-
A decrepit old castle lay before the six mares. The Castle of the Royal Pony Sisters. Twilight had never been here before, so it's dreary interior frightened her just a smidge. “So where are these Elements you mentioned Twilight?” Rainbow asked the bookish mare. “I mean they are here right?”
“Yes...they're supposed to be somewhere...in...here...aha! There they are!” Twilight eagerly proclaimed as she approached a stone dais with multiple stone spheres upon it. “These girls, are the fabled Elements of Harmony who were said to have banished Nightmare Moon to the Moon a thousand years ago.”
“Okay so how do we activate them exactly?” Rarity curiously asked tapping the closest stone near her.
“The book said something about a spark would allow the final element to be revealed. So bring them here so I can check them quickly.” Twilight nodded to Fluttershy and Rainbow, who in turn began to carefully grab and lower the Elements to Twilight's hooves. “This might take a bit girls, I have to focus.”
“Come on ya'll let's give her some privacy to work. We'll be jus' outside there if ya'll need us Twilight!” Applejack yelled as the other four made their way out following the farmer mare.
Twilight laid before the Elements, and charged up her horn. But she failed to notice the blue mist flowing around the stones. When she heard the loud whipping sound of wind, Twilight's eyes snapped open. “The Elements!” Not wanting to lose the only means of defeating Nightmare Moon, Twilight jumped into the swirling blue cyclone and vanished.
...
...
...
Twilight reappeared inside another room coughing. “Ugh.” She looked up and saw Nightmare Moon with her back to her. The Elements of Harmony laying around Nightmare as she growled at them.
Nightmare heard Twilight's coughing and turned around. “You! So you followed me after all.” She snorted disgustedly. 'I'll kill you now before you can return fully.'
Twilight stood up and glared at Nightmare. “Hoof those over Nightmare!”
“Oh I don't think so little foal.” Nightmare uncomfortably declared.
Twilight stamped a hoof twice. “Than I'll have to take them by force.”
“You're kidding. You're kidding right?” Nightmare Moon narrowed her eyes at Twilight.
Twilight lit her horn and charged Nightmare. Nightmare Moon followed suit and ran at her, planning to gorge Twilight with her sharp horn. Twilight fired a beam of purple energy at Nightmare, followed by a precise teleport behind the dark Alicorn. Nightmare brought up a dark energy shield which easily deflected the beam and turned back to Twilight unleashed her own beam spells at Twilight.
“Ugh!” Twilight teleported again, barely avoiding the beams. Then proceeded a gravity spell under Nightmare's hooves, which caused the dark mare to noisily slam against the ceiling.
'That's it Twilight! Keep it up!' The voice within Twilight's mind cheered.
Nightmare Moon screamed and undid the spell and flew at Twilight with her horn pointed right at her. “DIE!!”
Twilight jump/teleported on Nightmare's back, surprising her and then bucked the dark mare's head with her hind hooves. “That's for Celestia!” Then she teleported again, before Nightmare hit the floor.
Nightmare Moon groaned. “Damn you!”
Twilight jumped to where the Elements were and lit her horn. “Come on! Come on!”
Nightmare stood up and warped over to Twilight and stones as Twilight was blown away by the Elements. “Ah!” Twilight yelled.
Nightmare growled. “No! No!”
The Elements glowed for a moment before going out completely. Twilight's eyes became pinpricks. “Where's the sixth Element!?” She screamed.
Nightmare laughed as she slammed her hooves on the ground and shattered the Elements into useless shards. “That was your best plan wasn't it?” She laughed again. “You little foal, thinking you could Nightmare Moon herself! It's over!”
Before Twilight could lose hope, voices called out her name from behind her. 'The others!' She felt something spark within her soul at that moment. 'The Elements! I get it now!' Twilight turned back to Nightmare Moon once the other mares came up beside her.
Nightmare's face became a horrified one once Twilight began her triumphant speech. 'How is this possible!? Why would they activate for her!?' Nightmare turned on her Mage Sight and she couldn't believe her eyes. A glowing dark silhouette of a very tall pony stood where Twilight stood. 'She came back. She came back!!' A rainbow coloured beam of energy appeared around the mares and blasted toward Nightmare.
She could only scream one line before she was engulfed in rainbow light.
Princess Celestia was acting strangely these days, that much Twilight Sparkle noticed since coming to Canterlot with her friends; Fluttershy, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Pinkie Pie and of course Twilight's number one assistant Spike.
Twilight was rather excited even with the Princess's odd behavior. Her old fillyhood friend Cadence, today was her coronation. Cadence was once Twilight's foal-sitter during her days in Canterlot, before Twilight moved to Ponyville.
“Oh, this is such an exciting day!” Twilight exclaimed with a spring in her step.
“Yeah, yeah Twilight, we heard you say that for the past 5 hours!” Rainbow complained while flying over Twilight.
“Come on Dashie, Twilight's just happy to see an old friend of hers!” Pinkie Pie happily said.
'I think Cadence is a great friend, Mistress.' Said the voice within Twilight's mind.
'Of course! If somepony thought a mare who spreads love like Cadence does, was a prissy mare, I'd buck them myself!' Twilight internally laughed, not wanting her friends think went crazy again due to talking to herself in public.
The others were either too busy chatting about Canterlot's peoples and businesses or -in Fluttershy's case hiding behind Applejack-, to really pay attention to Twilight's excited rant.
They spent another half-hour wandering through the busy streets, until arriving at the castle. Twilight noticed she aimlessly trotted into the palace's domed courtyard. 'This place...is where I.'
'Something wrong?'
'Hmm? No, I'm fine. It's just that we haven't seen or heard anything from those Cultists for over 2 years. It's troubling that they've been so inactive lately.' Twilight opened her eyes and saw she was falling behind. “Hey wait up girls!”
'You believe they're waiting for something then?' The voice asked curiously.
'Yeah, I guess it's something like that.' The mage caught up to the other mares and trotted beside an awed Rarity. “Hey Rarity?” Twilight asked.
Snapping out of her thoughts, Rarity looked at Twilight. “What is it darling?”
“I was just wandering if you ever finished your dress for Cadence.”
Rarity put on a proud smile and stood up a little straighter, while keeping her pace with Twilight. “Indeed, I have. It'll look great on your old foal-sitter.”
“Is there any chance that anypony could see it?” Twilight asked hopefully.
Rarity chuckled merrily. “Oh, I can't do that darling. It's a surprise for Cadence.” She rolled her eyes at Twilight's big purple eyes and pouty look. “Sorry, that won't work on me Twilight. Sweetie has overused that look on me multiple times before, so it no longer affects me.”
Sighing, Twilight said. “Well it was worth a shot.” She suddenly laughed and Rarity followed suit. _______________________________________________________________________________________
-An hour later-
Twilight was in her old room in the observation tower, brushing strands and knots out her mane. 'Ugh, this is what I get for sleeping upside down on the train. How did that happen anyway?'
'I believe it was a joke of your friend Rainbow Dash, Mistress.'
'...I bet it was, I'll ask her later. Um, while we're here alone for now. Can I ask something?'
'But of course Mistress, I am but your humble servant.'
'...Right. Well, why haven't you told me your name yet? It's really hard not knowing what your called, when I need you sometimes.'
'Soon, I promise...no I swear I will tell you when the proper time comes, Mistress.' The voice vowed.
Twilight sighed again, this was the very same excuse the voice used whenever Twilight asked for it's name. Only a few things were clear; the voice was devoted to Twilight, it had a mare's voice, and whenever they met in Twilight's dream-scape the voice would appear as a black silhouette with pupiless, glowing white eyes. 'Fine, shall we go see Celestia now?'
'If that is what you wish Twilight.' The voice said.
Placing the brush back into the drawer, Twilight magicked the door open and made her way to the throne room.
The white marble walls of the palace hallways were swarming with various nobles, maids and guards. Twilight wasn't one for crowds, so she teleported halfway there, scaring the guards guarding the throne room doors. “Halt-!” One was about to say, but upon seeing Twilight he merely groaned and let the tension lose from his muscles. “Miss Sparkle, would you please remember that Teleportation is not allowed inside the castle walls?'” He grunted.
Realizing her mistake, Twilight bowed her head slightly. “Sorry about that. Um, is my mo- *ahem* I mean is the Princess available?” She mentally scolded herself for almost calling Celestia her Mother, even though the princess was, legally.
“Not currently, her Highness is free for another hour, until she has to see to the upcoming coronation.” The right guard stoically responded.
Twilight nodded as they opened the doors for her. Trotting in, Twilight could see Celestia on her gold throne with her eyes closed. 'She seems rather serene when she's like that. Don't you agree?' The voice didn't answer. 'Hey you asleep in there?'
'What? Oh!? Sorry Mistress! I was lost in my thoughts.' The voice frantically said.
Twilight nodded sympathetically. She turned to the Princess and saw a scowl on her face. 'Why is she scowling?' But the look vanished as soon as it appeared. 'Oh I hope I didn't do anything wrong. Maybe I should've told her I'd be coming to see her beforehoof.' Sweating, Twilight bowed. “U-um Princess Celestia?”
The Princess opened her eyes and gazed at Twilight. “Oh, what is it Twilight Sparkle?” She asked politely.
'...' The voice murmured something quietly.
“I wanted to see you. Is that alright Princess?” Twilight asked nervously.
Celestia didn't answer right away, she seemed to be gazing into nothing. After a moment she regained focus and addressed Twilight formally, which made Twilight blink in confusion. “We can chat for a while I suppose, Twilight Sparkle.”
Blinking again, Twilight shuffled on her hooves even more nervously. “O-okay.”
They simply chatted about Cadence's coronation, various lessons Twilight's learned over the past month, and even the castle security to Twilight's confusion once again. “A shield? Well I could produce one I guess.”
“For how long you suppose?” Celestia asked curiously.
Twilight looked at the floor in thought. 'That's odd why would she need to know about that? I already sent her my report on shields three months ago. Maybe she just forgot, Princess duties and all that.' She furrowed her brow and said. “For at least a day or two, I think. Why?”
Celestia smiled. “Just wondering my faithful student.”
'Mistress, something is amiss here.'
'I feel it too, but whatever it is can't be too serious. Unless it's the Cultists.' Twilight wasn't too sure she believed that thought, but shrugged it off. “I-I should head to see Cadence, Princess Celestia.”
“See that you do Twilight. Wouldn't want her to have cold feet now would we?" Twilight nodded and left the chamber.
After the door closed, Celestia smiled. 'Heheh too easy.” _____________________________________________________________________________________
-Later-
'I don't like this Mistress.'
Twilight trotted into the ballroom where the rest of her friends were conversing. The meeting with Celestia was unusual and cold. Twilight did not like either of these things. 'I know, but I can't place what's wrong exactly. Maybe it's this coronation thing for Cadence?'
'Maybe.'
Twilight frowned as she reached her friends. “Hey girls.”
Pinkie Pie was the first to say anything. “Oh! There you are Twilight-” Pinkie noticed Twilight's frown. “Are you okay? You look like you swallowed a bad muffin.”
Applejack spoke up next. “Yeah, are ya' alright Twi?” When Twilight lowered her head, Applejack and the others dropped what they were doing and asked similar questions.
“Well...” She told them about the Princess's odd behavior and how their chat went. “...and when she asked about my shielding prowess, she had this look on her face that I've never seen before. Almost like she wanted something else other than wanting to spend time with me.” Twilight sniffled.
Rarity seemed thoughtful, Applejack and Pinkie Pie hugged Twilight, while Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash considered what they just heard. “So what do you think Flutters'? Anything come to mind?” Rainbow asked expectantly.
Fluttershy seemed scared to say anything. Eventually she answered. “W-well the guards weren't exactly um...f-friendly to me in the garden earlier. Besides e-even the animals were avoiding them, which is a bit odd to say the least. A-at least that's what I think.” She pawed the floor with a hoof as Rainbow scratched the back of her neck.
“What could be up anyway? About an hour ago, I was flying-you know practicing for the Wonderbolts and all that-anyway I saw a couple guards being really mean to a small filly who was lost.” Rainbow Dash growled at the thought.
“U-Um did you do anything about it?” Fluttershy asked.
“Totally! I flew in there, knocked their helmets together, grabbed the filly and flew her to her mom. Of course, I was waaay to fast for them slowpokes to see my face when nabbed the filly!” Rainbow laughed. “But really, I mean I can understand them for being a bit on edge due to the coronation and all, but being mean to a filly like that was going way to far.”
Fluttershy nodded, than she and Rainbow turned back to the others. “So you alright Twilight?”
“Yeah, although I wish I knew what was going on with the Princess...” Twilight suddenly remembered something important. “Oh, no! I forgot to go see Cadence!” She took off running. “I'll meet you girls later!” Twilight yelled dashing down the hall and around a corner.
“Come on everypony we have a coronation to plan!” Pinkie Pie cheered. 'Be careful Twilight.' _______________________________________________________________________________________
-Somewhere beneath Canterlot-
“Where am I?” Somepony asked in the darkness. “Hello? Anypony there?”
The cavern she was in was dark, crystals were embedded in walls all over the whatever chamber she awoke in. Strange magic floated around her body, soothing the wounds she received from her attackers. Groaning she attempted to stand up, but her left hoof slip on a puddle of water and the mare landed roughly on her side. “Tch!” She bit her tongue to fight against the pain.
She wasn't supposed to be here, she was supposed to be having tea with her adopted daughter and faithful student, and planning for her niece's coronation ceremony. Having a great time, meeting her student's new friends from Ponyville. She was due to be there for the both of them; her daughter and niece, and her redeemed sister Luna. Princess Celestia stomped her hoof in anger and frustration. Someone attacked and filly-napped her after she raised the sun this morning, a group of own personal guard for Faust's sake! “They looked like my personal guard at first, until I shredded their illusion.” Celestia was angry with herself for letting her guard down, even after she sensed something was amiss with their natural magick. It was green instead her guard's usual blue colour.
Celestia crawled along the nearest wall, than accidentally slipped and plummeted into the dark abyss. She hit several jagged rocks and heard a loud cracking sound when she hit the ground. Her left left leg was broken. “Damn!” Celestia grunted in pain, while sitting up the best she could. She tried to summon up her magick but felt something interrupting the flow in her horn. “Oh great, a magick dampener ring.” So magick was not an option. Maybe a hoof? Celestia reached up with her unhurt foreleg and attempted to remove the ring, but the cursed thing wouldn't budge.
She tried her wings next, but they too were bound with something. Turning her head see what it was, Celestia shut her eyes tight when she noticed her wings were covered with a green goo of some sort. “That's just gross.”
...
...
...
The magick in the air suddenly changed as Celestia felt the flow change its course. She limped in the direction of the flow, Celestia didn't know, why but she felt drawn to whatever laid beyond the threshold. What she saw next made her inhale sharply. Embedded in the far wall was gigantic glowing blue crystal that took up the entire cavern wall, in which all the magick flowed into.
“What is this?” Celestia wondered, while limping ever closer to the crystal wall. The thing was huge, it took up the entire wall, which was about three stories high at least. Blue crystal veins pulsated along the other walls and floor, pure magick flowing through them ever-so-slowly. Runes were sketched into the next to where she stood and Celestia tried to make out what was written. “It's no good, it's too dark down here, and without my magick...” Celestia shook her head in sadness. “Oh Twilight, please be alright. You too Cadence.” Sniffling slightly, Celestia sat on her bruised haunches and gazed at the glowing crystal.
She did not see it at first due to the darkness, but when the glow lit up suddenly, Celestia could make out a figure within the giant crystal. “More surprises, is seems.” Celestia sighed. She narrowed her eyes to get a better look.
The figure was a Pony, a mare, by the looks of it. Celestia carefully crawled across the ground, minding her broken left leg, and looked closer. She could make out a very long, translucent blue horn -it seemed to be made of crystal also-, four very long slender legs, a pure white coat, she couldn't see the eyes since the eye lids were closed, two gigantic crystal-like feathered wings, followed by a crystal-like mane and tail. Celestia gasped in fright. 'I know this mare!! But, this is where she was all this time!?'
“I-It can't be. But there's no mistaking that glowing blue crystal cutie mark. She's...She's...She's...”
...
...
...
A beautiful, yet regal and soothing voice spoke within Celestia's mind. And it filled her with fear.
“Ah, hello there Celestia hehehe. It's been sometime hasn't it?” ___________________________________________________________________________________
-The Coronation-
Twilight glared at the white Alicorn from the corner of her vision. Cadence's coronation sent smoothly, everypony cheered her name, tossed her roses and other such flowers, Twilight's friends were somewhere in the crowd of ponies and Twilight sang a special song for Cadence; written by Twilight and Pinkie Pie. There was cake in the ballroom which Cadence was given a large potion of, she only ate about half of it before falling headfirst into it, much to Twilight's amusement.
But that was not what made Twilight glare like she did, earlier each of her friends were being led away one by one. By shady guards no less. Twilight and the voice in her mind agreed something bad was going down. So Twilight followed each and every one of them and attacked each of the guards with a stun spell, she was terrified at first at how easy she did so, especially with how her demeanor did not change when taking out the guards. A while back, Princess Luna taught Twilight how to use the Mage Sight spell, so Twilight used it on the shady guards and found that they weren't even ponies to begin with. They were some sort of pony-sized insects with a black carapace, thin but strong bug wings, pupiless blue eyes, a curved black horn atop their heads and holed legs.
Twilight had never seen these creatures before, but swore she read something about them in a book. So Twilight used Mage Sight to see what “Celestia” really was. It was another one of the odd insects, but much bigger, the chitin on it's back was green, two green dragonic eyes and holed legs, mane and tail.
The thought of somepony harming her mentor and taking her place, made Twilight's blood boil. But she wasn't stupid enough to attack the shape-shifting impostor with those fake guards in the room, Twilight was also aware of the exhaustion she was feeling keeping her shield up around Canterlot for so long. The spell took a lot of her, it's not the first shield she had ever cast of course, but the exhaustion Twilight felt only spurred her on to reveal the impostor.
The “Princess” said something but Twilight was too preoccupied with her thoughts to hear what was said.
'What do you wish to do Mistress?' The voice asked.
'Just wait for now. Until her guards are gone. I have Pinkie Pie and the others outside creating a ruckus.' Twilight said with unusual confidence. 'Once they're gone...I'll crush her.' Twilight's eyes glowed a deadly hue of purple.
'Mistress...' The voice sounded awed.
A loud boom could be heard from outside. 'That would be Pinkie's party cannon.' The boom was followed by a shrieking wail. 'Nice Rarity.' Twilight mentally grinned like a fiend. A stampede outside the open doors rushed by the panicked guards. 'I had Fluttershy tell the animals in Celestia's private garden to run through the palace, but without breaking anything. I also had Rainbow look around for the actual royal guard.' The ruckus had the intended effect. The guards in the room were ordered by the impostor to see what was happening.
“Twilight Sparkle you too.” Ordered “Celestia”.
“...Oh I don't think I will Princess.” Twilight shut and locked the doors with a powerful ward and dropped the shield around Canterlot. 'Phew, that took it's toll on my magick reserves.' Twilight turned to the fake Alicorn with a toothy grin.
“You dare deny your Princess? Remember who raised and taught you Twilight Sparkle.” The impostor sharply scolded Twilight.
“Oh yes, Princess Celestia did indeed raise me. But...it was not you.” Unbeknownst to Twilight her own magick was beginning to change from light purple to dark violet than to almost black once she lit her horn with magick.
“What? That's ridiculous! I am Celestia the Harbinger of the Sun! And your Princess!” The fake one yelled starting to panic.
Twilight laughed darkly. “I don't think so Bug Bitch. I can see right through that disguise of yours now.” Twilight's horn blasted the impostor and shredded her disguise. “Oh my, you're uglier up close.”
“So you saw through me, big deal.” The black insect-queen smiled showing her pointed canines. “I am Queen Chrysalis of the Changelings, little pony. And I have you out-matched.” She lifted a holed hoof and over two dozen other changelings revealed themselves. “I'm afraid you precious princess won't ever see the light again.” They closed in on Twilight.
Twilight raised a hoof pretending to muffle a yawn. “Is this it? It'll take more than this too beat me.” Twilight realized her behavior was not normal for her at all, did not care at the moment.
Chrysalis was gawking at the unicorn before her, not believing was Twilight was saying or doing in the face of death. 'Is she insane?! I could kill her at any given moment with the wave of my hoof!' The Queen lit her jagged horn and ordered her drones to attack.
Before they reached Twilight, the doors burst open and the real Princess Celestia charged in and stomped two drones beneath her hooves. “Twilight you alright!?” She quickly wrapped Twilight with a wing and hugged her tightly.
Twilight's eyes went wide with shock and she lost her deadly demeanor. She teared up and wrapped her hooves around Celestia's neck. 'Celestia's okay. My mom is okay...' She cried mentally.
Celestia carefully pried Twilight off of her and placed her crying student behind her. “I'll take it from here Twilight.” She unfurled her powerful wings and gazed at Chrysalis. “So you're the who one tried to take my kingdom from me and my Sister and even threatened my little ponies.” She fumed looking at Twilight for a second.
Chrysalis rolled her eyes. “Well I'll finish what I started. Kill them!” The drones charged again.
Celestia captured three of them in her telekinesis than smashed them into the opposite wall. Six more dive-bombed her, to that she raised a shield, caused it to rotate rapidly counter-clockwise, and shredded the incoming changelings to pieces. The remaining drones hesitated, just a enough time for Celestia to incinerate them the well timed ball of plasma.
When only two were left, Chrysalis fired a beam straight at Celestia. The Princess countered with her own beam. The two were equally matched much to Celestia's shock. “You didn't think I just sat here all the time did you? I bathed in the love your ponies had for you, and it made me even more powerful!” The Queen mocked.
Celestia went to use more magick to overpower her, but Chrysalis acted first and pushed Celestia's beam back before the Princess could react. This resulted in Celestia taking a head shot of green magick to her forehead and blasted her over Twilight's prone form and into the hallway wall. Several of Celestia's real guard ran to Celestia, having been freed by Rainbow Dash from the dungeons.
“Princess!”
“Your Highness!”
“Princess Celestia!”
They all cried out while Twilight stayed seemingly cemented to the floor. She didn't even notice as Princess Luna barged in past the guards. “Sister wake up!”
Chrysalis laughed maniacally. “Their love was even stronger than I thought. It had made me even powerful than even Celestia!”
Twilight's mane and tail suddenly turned jet black.
Thump-thump
The pink and purple streaks in her mane and tail, turned another shade of purple and seemed to flow like water.
Thump-thump
Her pupils narrowed into slits like a dragon's.
Thump-thump
Her star-burst cutie mark's white stars turned completely black .
Thump-thump
Letting out a primal scream, Twilight's magick exploded around her and she launched herself at Chrysalis and through a stain-glass window to the streets below.
“Aghh!!” The Queen screamed as she felt Twilight rip her wings out of their sockets and crashed onto the cobblestone road.
“Bitch!! How dare you harm Celestia!!!” Twilight picked the changeling up in her magick and flung her sharply into a nearby pillar. “I'll rip you apart for this!!”
Chrysalis blasted Twilight as she stood up. “I don't know how you took that form, but a little Unicorn like you can't defeat me!” With her wings gone, Chrysalis had to fight on the ground.
Twilight instantly recovered and tossed several sharp stain-glass shards at her nemesis.
The Queen narrowly avoided being gouged by most of the shards but one sliced her right foreleg. “Damn!” she yelled dodging even more sharp glass.
Teleporting, Twilight appeared on the wall above Chrysalis and summoned lightning to cook the changeling. “Grah!” Three struck down and zapped Chrysalis into the ground. Twilight jumped down and blasted Chrysalis through the wall and into the domed courtyard.
“How is this possible?” She grunted, her legs refusing to move now.
Twilight placed her forehooves on the ruined wall and glared at the Queen. “This is where your scheme and life come to an end Chrysalis.” Her horn charged up with dark magick as she moved to where Chrysalis lay immobile.
“What are you-AGH!” The Queen screeched as Twilight began to stomp on her carapace, cracking it in several spots.
“Monsters like you don't deserve mercy.” Twilight said coldly as she continued to brutally crush Chrysalis into the ground. “Not even my mercy.”
...
...
...
“Ugh! S-stop p-p-please...” Chrysalis gasped in pain.
“Why?” Twilight stopped. “Why should I? You tried to kill me, usurp Celestia's throne, attempted to kill Celestia herself, hurt my friends, and brainwash Cadence.” She lifted a hoof and rubbed a bleeding spot in Chrysalis' chitin, causing the changeling to wince. “What's wrong? Does it hurt?” She pressed harder making Chrysalis yelp.
“Y-yes! Please n-no more! I beg you...”
“I think you need another dose of pain.” Twilight raised her hoof to strike again, but several voices stopped her.
Celestia, Luna, Cadence, over three dozen guards, Twilight's friends, and groups of bystanders watched with horrified looks as Twilight stood over Chrysalis's bloody and defeated form.
“Sugarcube...” Applejack took a hesitant step forward.
“Twilight, just step away from her, please.” Luna pleaded.
“My Faithful Student, don't do it I beg you. Don't stoop to her level, especially since she's begging for her life.” Celestia carefully stepped over to Twilight.
“But she-!” Twilight was interrupted by Celestia's wing slowly pushing her off of Chrysalis.
“I know Twilight, I know. Come on, she'll be dealt with and put into the dungeons for now. Alright?” Celestia gazed into Twilight draconic eyes. The sight scared her to no end, but she did not back away from her adopted daughter.
“I...I...A-alright.” Twilight finally gave up and let Celestia lead her back into the palace while Chrysalis was put on gurney and brought to the medical wing of the castle.
Twilight's friends hesitantly followed after Celetia and Twilight. Luna and Cadence made the crowd withdraw.
Chrysalis growled in defeat even as her pain doubled. “What have we gotten ourselves into?”
Twilight glared at her never-changing reflection in the mirror. She half expected it to change the moment she tore her eyes from it, so she blinked...nope still the same. Twilight's eyes had returned back to their usual round pupils, rather than the creepy dragon eyes the day Twilight attacked the Changeling Queen. The problem was, Twilight had no memory of ever assaulting Chrysalis, but she was well aware of her current physical appearence. Her once blue with purple and pink high-lighted mane, was now black with a flowing purple streak down the middle, the same could be said about her tail.
The dark maned mare, asked her friends about what had had happened a week ago but they refused to say anything. Princess Celestia was much the same, the only difference was that Celestia hugged Twilight tightly every time Twilight brought it up...
Sighing, Twilight ran a hoof through her mane, it felt strangely...right, like it was meant to be this way. That's something she couldn't explain. Twilight had attempted to dye her mane back to being blue, but the dye harmlessly dripped to the floor much to her chagrin.
Her magick also has seemed to have changed, whenever Twilight used it the glow was a near black colour. Yesterday, Twilight levitated a book on hair dye, nothing happened at first but after about five minutes of taking in the information, the book abruptly and literally melted in Twilight's magical grasp. That made Twilight yelp in fright and caused Celestia to once again hug Twilight.
Twilight at first loved the attention, but after being squeezed for the fifteenth time, she calmly declined any further embraces.
That wasn't the end of the odd changes to Twilight. Her temper had become more vocal and even the littlest of things irritated Twilight to no end. Such as the maid who came in yesterday to bring Twilight's dinner, retreated sharply when Twilight barked at her for being a few minutes late, despite the fact that Twilight's private tower had a very long staircase. Twilight had also picked up a strange hobby for armour design and crafting, she went down to the smithy in Canterlot Palace and asked to use various metals the smithy wasn't using. A gorgeous but intimidating silver-grey helmet currently sat on Twilight's bed, shaped to fit her head comfortably. The helm's design wasn't something Twilight had read from a book or learned from the smithy, it just came to her naturally, once one part was finished something in the back of her mind gave her another design part for the helmet.
The voice within Twilight's mind was also confused about where all of this information was coming from, but it had it's own suspicions.
Twilight turned and stared at the intricate piece of armour, looking over it's finished form. A hole on top for a Unicorn's horn with even a horn-guard protecting the front, two open spots for the ears of a pony, chain-mail with movable neck braces attached to the base and top of the neck section which wrapped all around the throat. The only odd (even though the whole idea of making her own armour was odd in and of itself) part of the helm was the portion that would cover the snout and muzzle, which was much too long for Twilight's face, it had strange looking runes along it's sides and two long protrusions of metal facing downward. The dual metal protrusions themselves looked like over-sized, flat fangs.
Nopony else had seen the helmet yet besides Spike, who was currently downstairs in the throne room with Celestia.
“What is happening to me? This cannot be normal development for a Unicorn of my age. Randomly picking up hobbies I didn't even have a week ago, being nasty to the maids and guards for being even a little late? I mean what the buck!” Twilight rubbed the bridge of her muzzle feeling a headache coming on.
She did not understand anything of what was going on, Twilight had Celestia ask the Archmage is they could do a magick scan, but something was interrupting the flow of magick around Twilight's body. The Archmage gave up after an hour or so trying to regulate Twilight's magick flow, she stomped of cursing her incapability. That scene made Twilight giggle despite the current situation.
She heard the door open and in came Princess Celestia with Spike in tow, trotting up to Twilight with a motherly smile. “How are you doing Twilight?” Celestia asked.
Twilight slipped the helmet under her pillows before Celestia could see it. “Fine. Just fine. Why do you ask?” Twilight knew they were worried, but she didn't want to add anymore of it to the pile.
“I'm just making sure you're okay. Your friends were wondering if you would come see them today.” Celestia sat on her haunches in front of Twilight, while Spike made himself scarce by entering the library portion of the tower.
“Would that be okay even with my-” Twilight used a hoof to gaze at her new black mane. “-new looks?” She sighed.
Celestia looked over her student/daughter and nodded cheerfully. “Of course my faithful student. You have just been cooped up in this tower hiding from prying eyes.” She petted Twilight's mane softly.
“W-well I didn't want scare anypony.” Twilight said.
“Hmm. Has your cutie mark turned back Twilight?” Celestia moved her head to the side to look at Twilight's mark.
Twilight nodded. “Yes, but the white star in the middle hasn't, it's still black.” She pointedly avoided looking at her tainted cutie mark.
Celestia felt that icy chill going down her spine again. 'Again? That feeling seems familiar, but from where and when?' The princess had been having a sense of euphoria ever since the day Twilight blasted those Dark Knights and their cult fellows out of Canterlot, which still scared Celestia to this day. A week ago, Celestia met that crystallized Alicorn beneath Canterlot after Chrysalis trapped Celestia down there. The pearl-white mare knew the crystal Alicorn, but her name escaped Celestia's memory.
Celestia shook that thought process away, and noticed Twilight had a far-away look on her face. “Twilight?”
“Uh? Wha?” Twilight's eyes regained their focus. “Sorry princess , I was thinking about something.” Twilight said as she stood up. “Can we go now? I think I've kept the girls waiting long enough.”
Celestia also stood and smiled brightly. “Of course Twilight.” She made her way to the door.
'Mistress, I think Celestia is aware of me.' The voice whimpered.
Twilight wished she could nuzzle the voice in her head, if just to sooth her fear of Celestia. Twilight still had no clue why the voice was scared of the beloved Princess of the Sun. 'Relax Echo, Princess Celestia is the most kind and caring pony in all of Equestria. She would never harm you, even if she found out about you.' Twilight reassured the voice she fondly named 'Echo'.
Echo smiled despite not being seen. 'You named me? Even though I have not yet told you my name?' She asked.
'If you don't like it, I could always-'
'No, no Mistress I love it! Echo sounds perfect, thank you.'
Twilight trotted alongside Celestia and smiled again. 'You're welcome Echo, and please just call me Twilight.'
'Alright Mist-ehm I mean Twilight.' Echo laid down mentally and fell asleep. ___________________________________________________________________________________________
-Somewhere in the Everfree Forest-
Two figures stood across from each other, one dressed in a white robe with a crystal trim along the edges, while the other wore a hooded black cloak, encrusted with the Cult of the Dark Arts emblem upon the back. “So, have you found your estranged Goddess yet?” Asked the white robed stallion.
“That we have, we have known who she was ever since that first raid at Canterlot.” The cloaked one laughed in a elderly female voice.
The stallion chanted something in a quiet voice as he held up a hoof prayer. “Your blasphemous deeds stain this green land known as Equestria.” He snort in discontempt.
Growling the mare stomped a hoof. “Well your holy order isn't so clean as it claims. What, with that massacre across the ocean in the Minotaur lands.” She smirked as he clenched his teeth together.
“Hmph...they deserved such a sacred ritual since they stole our Goddess's most sacred relic. Our pure hearts cleansed them of their sins.” He put up the same hoof again in prayer.
The mare backed away as if she was slapped. “Relic you say? Which one exactly?” She asked.
“One that should never be touched by mortal hooves or hands alike.” The stallion lit his horn and summoned hoof-sized crystal. He carefully carved the delicate stone into a thin almond shape. “We are also aware of Penumbra's inevitable return to this world. But-” He stopped when the mare glared at him.
“Do not speak of our dark Goddess, in such a tone usurper. The Great Alicorn of Tartarus is the only true Goddess of Equestria.” The cloaked mare growled.
He continued regardless. “But, our Order has grown strong over the years cultist. So our Queen will return to her throne before Penumbra revives.”
Armoured hoof-steps could be heard by both ponies, and a black armoured, bat-winged Unicorn calmly trotted in. “Evening gents.” The armour clad pony greeted.
“Nocte, Good to see you.” The mare smiled.
Nocte lowered a graceful bat wing and bowed low. “Why thank you Golden Mural.”
“A Dark Knight? Here?” The white robed stallion demanded.
“Heh.” Dark Knights were the elite group amongst the Cult of the Dark Arts. They were specially trained with dark magick and combat, there were five knights currently; a Griffon, an Earth Pony, two bat-winged Unicorns, and a Pegasus. Nocte Wing-Nocte for short-was one of the two bat Unicorns, he was also the shortest of the Dark Knights. He did not let such a fact get in his way of being a deadly combatant against the Cult's foes though.
Nocte began as a low ranking guard for the cult leader, he personally hated Kirin but did what he was told. The reason for his hatred, was due to an earlier confrontation in his life,when a gang of Kirin ambushed Nocte's father wanting his bits. Nocte was only twelve at the time, so he could only watch as his father was brutally beaten until the Kirin grew bored of it and left. They crawled home at a slow pace, until his father collapse outside of an abandoned factory. They rested and waited until Nocte's mother suddenly showed up exiting the building. She was wearing a cloak of the Cult of the Dark Arts, to say Nocte was shocked was an understatement. She saved his father's life and converted her son and husband into the Cult. The rest is history.
The white robed unicorn gulped nervously. “Care to elaborate about our Great Goddess some more?” Nocte asked with a fanged smile.
“N-No that's enough for today.” He prayed silently as he left.
Both cultists stood there for a while as they watched the robed stallion disappear into the underbrush...until they broke into laughter. “D-Did you see his face?! Priceless!” Nocte guffawed.
Mural merely chuckled the best she could in her old age. “Yes. I agree, the poor young colt wouldn't dare insult Empress Penumbra in the presence of one her Dark Knights eh?”
Nocte nodded. “Indeed, now shall we do what we came here to do, before we were so rudely interrupted?”
The two left the clearing, and made their way into the ruined castle across the gorge. The castle was in a sorry state of decay, the crumbling stone walls had seen better days, vines ran through the crevices of the stone masonry barely holding the structure together. Moonlight from Luna's moon shone down on them as each of the dark ponies trotted down a hallway and into the castle proper.
Golden Mural's wrinkled hooves clacked quietly on the cobblestone floor, her long black cloak dragged behind her as she admired the unbroken stone walls. She flicked her greying tail as she gazed at Nocte, the dark armoured stallion was silent, keeping a stoic gaze ahead in case of predators. “This place is as quiet as it normally is.” Mural pointed out.
Nodding, Nocte said. “Ever since The Nightmare was destroyed, the animals and various other wildlife have avoided this place.” He momentarily looked out of the broken window beside and into the distance. “Well, except for the plants of course, they thrive in most of the nooks and crannies.” Nocte chuckled.
“Plants eh, deary?” Mural kept her pace, slow and steady.
“What? Plants are good are great for the ecosystem. I even heard Empress Penumbra herself made the very plants we eat in Tartarus when she was younger.” Nocte defended himself playfully.
The old mare rolled her eyes as the pair entered ruined throne room. “Truly? Oh, these old ears never can quite hear such wondrous rumors correctly.” She rubbed her left ear in a mocking motion.
Nocte sighed, he never quite understood Golden Mural, old as they both were. “Back to the topic at hoof. Avec wanted us to find a crystal in the depths of this castle. You have our directions?” He asked, turning to his companion.
“Hmph.” Mural huffed and pulled a scroll out of her cloak. “Yes, yes I have it right here...there should be a hidden switch near the solar throne that opens a secret door somewhere.” She read each written passage of writing with gusto, and to make sure she did not misread anything.
Nocte flew up to the mentioned throne, and used a hoof to feel anything that resembled a switch mechanism. “No. Nope. That's not it...aha!” He felt a loose brick behind the throne and pushed forward. A loud grinding sound filled as the lunar throne on the dias came forward a foot than slid to right, revealing a hidden stairway.
Mural came up to the open stairway and looked down into it's dreary abyss, which seemed to absorb the light entering it. “Hmm, guess this would be it, Nocte deary.” She stated making her way into the dark.
Nocte just followed her lead, not wanting to be left behind. The staircase was dark, very dark. No light could be seen at the bottom. If there was a bottom, that is. Nocte wasn't afraid of the dark by any means, but rather liked being able to see where he was going, he silently cursed himself for not learning a night vision spell like his fellow Dark Knights did. At the time all he wanted to learn was combat spells and illusion magic, so he skipped the spells such as Night Vision and Mage Sight, which was one Princess Luna herself created.
Mural giggled when Nocte blindly smacked his armoured muzzle into the wall. “Careful.” Mural herself already knew the night vision spell by heart, so she had no trouble traversing the darkness around them.
Eventually the staircase ended into a wide open room. Mural lit a torch on the wall next to her with a purple flame, Nocte came up behind her and breathed a sigh of relief at finally being able to see again.
“You rely on your vision a bit too much deary.” Mural pointed out.
“What's the point of not seeing where one's enemy is, if you can't tell where the fool is?” Nocte grumbled.
“Sight isn't everything in a fight you know.” Mural sighed, than looked around the room, wanting to find a door, Nocte followed suit. Both ponies checked the walls for any sign of door or anything resembling one, Mural tapped the floor, and wall finding unfortunately finding nothing of interest. Nocte merely rounded the room, turning his head to and fro, with his ears standing erect.
...
...
...
He heard a noise that sounded like distant lightning, emanating from the longest point in the chamber. “Hey, do you hear that Mural?” He asked while nimbly gliding across the room.
Mural came up beside him and pointed her ears toward the sound. “Mhmhm, yes I do. Sounds like thunder.”
Nocte lit his horn and felt around the wall with his magick. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary at first, until he felt a portion of wall glow with a dark blue hue and slide to side revealing another hidden room. He grinned. 'Clever.' He stayed put as Mural went forward and into the room.
On a pedestal in center of the circular chamber, hovered a glowing translucent angular crystal, electric bolts zapped the walls and wrapped themselves around the five-foot tall gem. “What a beautiful crystal.” Mural turned around and kicked the pedestal causing it to tilt side to side. She kicked it harder and it toppled right over, and the crystal fell down right in front of Mural's hooves. She dodged a few scattered bolts that flew at her, the earth mare may have been over three-hundred years old, but that didn't mean she couldn't be nimble like a seven year old filly. 'Three-hundred or not, thanks to this Dark Magick that flows through my veins I'll probably last another century or so.' Chuckling she swiftly grabbed the crystal and jumped over another large bolt that threatened to fry her like a french fry.
Nocte sat there, just watching the old mare nimbly avoiding the electric bolts of energy with slight sense of envy. 'Jeez, even without my armour, even I can't move like that.' He sharply turned his head away in slight disgust. He couldn't hold it for long, as Mural already past him by, crystal in tow.
“Now that we have it, why do you think Avec wants it anyway?” Mural curious asked.
Nocte shrugged off his negative feelings and whipped out a short sword. “Dunno, I'll ask him when we deliver this strange crystal.” He swung the blade downward which opened a rift portal to Tartarus. “Ladies first.” Nocte gracefully bowed with a playful smile.
Mural shook her head with a glint of mirth in her eye as she crossed the thresh hold. “Thank you kind sir.”
Nocte stood up and gazed at the now empty room than tossed in an oddly shaped rock. “Good riddance, to any souls who enter here.” He chuckled darkly as he stepped into the portal than proceeded to close it.
The rock glowed a bright red as wisps of dark magick engulfed the chamber. Several pentagram shaped ritual circles appeared on the walls, the floor and in midair, as a constant hum filled the air. A grunting growl came from nowhere as huge black beast prowled into the room, ready to tear apart any unfortunate creature who stumbled upon the hidden stair. ________________________________________________________________________________________
-Ponyville, The Next Day-
A knock came to the Golden Oaks Library door, which in turn caught Spike's attention. He looked up from the comic book he was reading and looked at calender pinned into the nearby wall. 'Huh? Who could that be, the library is closed today.' Spike placed the comic on the center coffee table and jogged over to the door. Opening it, his eyes caught the visage of a white robed unicorn before him. “Um, the library is closed today...” He cautiously started, something about this pony did not sit well with him.
“Good evening sir.” The unicorn was a mare Spike noticed. “I'm a preacher for the Holy Church of Crystal. And would like to extend an offer for the owner of this establishment.” She flipped her gold-rimmed hood down and smiled benevolently.
Spike felt an unnatural calmness overtake his senses as the white coated mare looked upon him. “U-um Twilight isn't here today she's in Canterlot.” He automatically responded.
She smiled. “That's alright young drake, would you kindly give her this when she comes back?” The mare reached into robes and pulled out a small gem. Spike gave a nod, than slowly reached for the gem. He licked his lips absentmindedly as he held the shiny gem. The giggled, her voice sounding like hearths warming bells to Spike's ears. “No, no young one, that is not something a dragon of your age would find very tasty I'm afraid.” She gently ruffled his head spines.
Spike melted at her touch, he couldn't help himself. Something about this mare gave off an air of gentleness and comfort only a mother would. Spike looked at her features a little more closely; she had a vibrant pearl-white coat, a white mane with light-pink highlights, her cutie mark was concealed underneath her white and gold robe, her eyes were also golden yellow. What really caught Spike's attention though, was the fact that the mare was about as tall as Princess Cadence.
Spike shook his head to clear his thoughts. “Heheh.” He chuckled nervously to the smiling mare, her gorgeous appearance rivaling that of Rarity's. “So, anything else I could do for you? Some tea perhaps or...” Spike trailed off.
“Hmm? Oh, ha ha. That's alright. I-” The kind mare was cut off as a rainbow blur landed in front of her.
“Hold on there! Who are you Miss Prissy?” Rainbow Dash raised an suspicious eyebrow at her.
The mare smiled again. “Oh hello there, Miss Rainbow Dash yes?” She asked.
Rainbow gawked at her. “That's me alright. Who's asking?” She kept her tone somewhat accusing.
“I have just heard about many of your accomplishments Miss Dash.” She continued smiling while reaching out a hoof.
Rainbow Dash waited a moment, before shaking the mare's hoof hesitantly. The Pegasus instantly felt an overwhelming calmness overtake her, that freaked Rainbow out, so she pulled her hoof away sharply. 'The buck was that!?' She shreaked mentally backing away from the other mare.
“Sorry, is something wrong?” The mare was genuinely confused as to why Rainbow Dash acted like she did, so she put her hoof back down and gazed sadly at the chromatic mare.
Rainbow coughed awkwardly and forced a smile. “N-nothing, just thought I saw another Changeling behind you.” She pointed at something, for which the preacher turned to see what she meant. While she was distracted Rainbow leaned down to Spike. “Psst, did she touch you at all? I got a really creepy feeling when we shook hooves.” She shivered.
“Y-yeah, I got this sense of...of, well I dunno some kind of feeling of motherly comfort, I guess you could call it.” Spike replied, rubbing his head spines from where the preacher pet him.
“Same here.” Rainbow glanced at the mare, who was smiling at them again.
“Well I didn't see any Changelings but I met a nice Owl who flew into the library, Miss Dash. I haven't quite introduced myself have I?” At Rainbow's nod she greeted them again. “Hello, I'm Crysta Feather. A wandering preacher for the Holy Church of Crystal. Also known across Equestria as the Holy Order of the Goddesses.” She raised a hoof in prayer. “I've come to bring our good faith to the citizens of Ponyville.”
Rainbow scuffed a hoof in impatience. “Oh really?” Rainbow Dash refused to believe that this mare was in Ponyville for any type of “good faith” since she had never seen or heard of the church Crysta spoke of. And mostly because she was still a little spooked due to the feeling she had when she shook hooves with the taller mare.
Crysta frowned, she still couldn't understand why Rainbow Dash was being so apprehensive and cautious around her. 'Nopony has ever acted like this before, especially after I've given them a small blessing of mine.' She took a step closer to Spike and Rainbow and gave them a gentle smile. “Please, don't be alarmed Miss Dash and young Spike. I have no sinful agenda that would cause any misfortune to befall either of you.” Crysta reached over to rub Spike's head spines again.
Spike caught her hoof with his claw, and shook his head. “Look, since you were here initially for Twilight, and since you already gave me this letter to her.” Crysta lowered her head. “Uh...d-don't worry, I'll make sure Twilight gets this as soon as possible.” Spike brushed her hoof which brought a small smile to Crysta.
“You're very kind.”
“Hey you're embarrassing me.” They shared a laugh, which made Rainbow groan.
“Look, if you're done here would ya kindly get going?” Rainbow asked.
“Oh, you're right. My friends will be expecting me.” Crysta raised a hoof in prayer. “May the Crystal Goddess watch over you both this day.” Nodding, Crysta left the duo to their own devices. She paused mid-step and looked over her shoulder. “If you ever wish to speak to me or my fellow preachers, you can find us at the hotel we're staying in over the course of the week. I believe it was called the Harmony Inn or something.” She giggled. “Well, see you.” Crysta resumed her walk, and disappeared into a crowd of ponies traversing the road.
Rainbow Dash and Spike watched the Unicorn leave, wondering the same thing. “Twilight has to know about this.” Spike whispered. ______________________________________________________________________________________
-Canterlot-
“Echo, why do I look like this still? I already checked my body several times for signs of magickal contamination...and still nothing out of the ordinary.” Twilight placed a hoof on a pony-sized mirror that sat on the floor.
Echo mentally wilted at Twilight's confused frown, not sure exactly what to say. 'Twilight...' She began catching Twilight's attention. 'Do you really wish to know the truth behind this transformation?' Echo asked, the reason for Twilight's new form was something Echo previously withheld from her and wished to keep it that way. Unless her host ordered it out of her.
Twilight let out an exhausted sigh. “I...I don't know, something within me wants to know the truth immediately, but the other wishes to keep it hidden and out of thought.” She tore her gaze away from the mirror. “It's giving me a headache Echo. I have had these episodes five times already since that cult attacked Canterlot a few years back, and it's only getting worse.” Twilight let out another deep sigh.
Echo was quiet for a moment as she contemplated the thoughts going through Twilight's mind. Fifteen minutes passed by, until she spoke up again. 'To be truthful Twilight, I know exactly what's happening within you but I'll only say anything if you really wish to know.' Echo let her proclamation set into Twilight's mind.
The lavender mare sat on her haunches. “Ye-” She stopped herself. “Should I ask? Is it really that important?” Twilight looked upon the purple portion of her tail, the flowing strands of hair waved without moving an inch. The strange hairs captured Twilight's scientific curiously at first, but when she went to lop off a bit of the purple strands, the scissors failed to even cut the hairs. Twilight grit her teeth in frustration than took her tail in her mouth and proceeded to chew it.
Echo laughed softly at the amusing sight of her Mistress acting like a filly again. 'It's alright Twilight. Take your time, we have plenty of it.'
Soothed by Echo's words, Twilight placed a hoof on her chest and practiced a breathing technique Cadence taught her when she was a filly. 'In and out, In and out' She recited mentally while taking a couple relaxing breathes. “Okay...Echo please tell me what's going on with me.” Twilight pleaded anxiously but with a steady voice.
'...As you wish Mistress Twilight. There is a power deep within the depths of your soul, so to speak.' Echo began.
Twilight tilted her head in question. “Power? What kind of power?”
'A dark-but not evil-power that has been asleep for most of your life, has begun to awaken. It started when I first spoke to you Twilight and had grown over time. The black mane and tail you have right now are a sign that your true power will soon reveal itself.' Echo gave Twilight the short version of what she knew not wanting to go into detail unless Twilight asked. 'It's your magic through and through Mistress, it's always been yours even from the day you were born...that includes your previous...' She softly said.
Twilight couldn't hear what Echo said after her pause but shrugged in disinterest. “Is it dangerous at all? Because I remember last week during the Changeling attack, that I had an episode and blacked out. When I awoke I was in the med-wing of the palace with Princess Celestia at my bedside. She looked relieved that I was okay but when I asked about Chrysalis, her eyes widened and merely hugged me back to sleep. I was so tired that day.” Twilight rubbed her right foreleg in content remembering Celestia's warm embrace despite the situation they were previously in. “And my eyes, once I finally saw them in a mirror...” She shivered as a mental image of her creepy reptilian pupils appeared in the forefront of her mind.
'Were they really that bad?' Echo asked with worry in her voice.
“Well...they seemed to radiate a deep well of power, that very much reminded me of the eyes of Nightmare Moon.” Twilight pinched the bridge of her nose in slight disgust.
'Mistress, the Nightmare was merely a deranged Princess Luna filled with jealousy and hatred.' Echo reminded.
“Yes yes, I know that but...Echo I'm curious. Do you remember anything about where this magick came from exactly?” Twilight made her way over to her bed and pulled the helmet out from under the pillow she hid earlier that day.
'No I'm afraid not, I can't recall anything from before. I spent my early years within the confines of your subconscious unable to speak a word to you. I attempted several times but it was a fruitless endeavor.' Echo grumbled.
“I thought it was weird how you suddenly just popped up that day the cultists attacked Canterlot. Any thought there?” Twilight turned the over-sized helm around lazily in her magical aura, inspecting it.
'From what I can speculate, I felt an overpowering sense fullness and purpose the moment you confronted those two knights. I could tell you were scared so I gave you a confidence boost to the best of my ability Mistress.' She silently prided herself with her devotion to Twilight.
“That's...comforting and all but I know for a fact that things and ponies don't just appear out thin air without some sort of reason.” The gears in Twilight's mind began to turn as she pictured various reasons for Echo's sudden appearance several years ago.
Since Echo resided in Twilight's subconscious she had a full view of every scenario her host came up with. Some scenarios were less than pleasant, especially the one which included Twilight being forcefully possessed by an outside force. That one made Echo cower a bit. 'M-Mistress...?'
“Oh! I'm sorry about that Echo!” Twilight shook her head to dispatch the images that frightened her companion. “I have a bad habit of over-thinking things.” She gave an apologetic smile reminding herself how sensitive Echo was.
'I-I really hope I'm n-not some sort of parasite.' Echo sniffled, wishing she could actually shed liquid tears.
Twilight hopped on the bed and lowered her head over her forelegs. “Don't you worry Echo, I know you're not a parasite you are a close friend of mine and nothing will change that.” Twilight smiled when she heard Echo stop sniffling.
'Th-thank you Twilight.'
...
...
...
Unbeknownst to the pair, Princess Celestia peeked through an opening in Twilight's doorway with a worried expression. Celestia left the throne room after settling a dispute between Blueblood and Fancy Pants, the latter accused Blueblood of conspiracy with the Cult of the Dark Arts. Blueblood was taken aback at the accusation, fuming he readily denied all contact with the shady cult.
Celestia couldn't keep her regal smile and motherly gaze over the entire court for very long, because she was shocked once Fancy Pants revealed a sealed contract that had Blueblood's signature along with the Cult's emblem upon the bottom of the parchment. The upstart prince fumed and gaped at the sight of the supposed contract that would spell doom for his reputation as a Prince. Even though the title was mostly self-entitled.
The contract promised massive political power for Blueblood if he secretly let in the Cultists and two Dark Knights. How they said he would gain such power over Equestria's government was after the resurrection of the Cult's dark goddess. Short story was; after she was brought back the Cult would attack Canterlot in full force and attempt to overthrow the Diarchy. Luna chose this time to step into the chamber and laughed at the idea of the Cult defeating either Celestia or herself in battle.
Princess Celestia agreed with her sister, but sternly reminded Luna to not underestimate the cult's Dark Knights and addressed the court about Twilight's involvement with the group. Luna shut her mouth, and quietly sworn nothing would harm the lavender mare since the two of them were friends after the incident of last Nightmare Night.
Blueblood ran, but before he could bolt through the doors, five guards jumped the traitor and pinned him to the marble floor. The room grew silent as Celestia steeped up to her nephew, her eyes glistening in the light. She couldn't believe what she seeing, somepony she called family. Her own nephew even! Betrayed her, Equestria, especially Twilight, for his own personal gain, sure he was a bit arrogant and uptight but the thought of him actually putting his fellow ponies in mortal danger broke Celestia's heart and made her blood boil to no end. “You...how could you do such a thing?” She questioned.
Blueblood merely growled at her and spat at her hooves. “That damn mare was always more important than me. I was only taking out the trash.” For the first time in ages, Celestia felt her anger blow over and she noisily smacked Blueblood across his muzzle. The ponies in the room gasped at the sight and Celestia left them to their own devices and set out to check on Twilight.
And now here she was seeing Twilight talking to herself. That icy chill went through her spine once again as she watched Twilight about to fall asleep, she decided to step in. “Twilight.”
Twilight's ears pricked up as she noticed Princess Celestia call out to her. “Oh, yes Princess? Need something?”
Taking a deep breath Celestia said. “Twilight, my Faithful Student we need to talk.”
“Twilight, I am sorry, but you are not to leave Canterlot for the foreseeable future.” Princess Celestia stated, shocking Twilight to being fully awake.
“What!?” Twilight bounded out of her bed and stood before Celestia. “Wh-why!?” She pleaded.
“I'm so sorry, but with the recent happenings I just can't let you be in harm's way any longer. Equestria is no longer safe Twilight.” Celestia sat in front of her student, as a sad smile formed.
“Wa-wait you don't mean that I'm dang-” Twilight stuttered before Celestia cut her off with a panicked yell.
“No! No, Twilight you are not a danger! Don't you ever think that!” Celestia hollered, shoving a firm hoof into Twilight's open mouth. “It's only for a while Twilight, until we can flush out the Cultists who are hiding in Ponyville.”
“What about my friends and their families?” Twilight nervously asked.
“Both Luna's and my royal guards will watch over them and the town while we try to figure out what's happening to you alright?” Celestia reassured as she nuzzled Twilight's cheek.
Celestia's gentle nuzzle calmed the purple Unicorn's nervous demeanor slightly as she relaxed. Twilight felt safe around the Princess, as she normally did whenever her nerves got the better of her. But as Twilight thought about it, this hug did not feel as comforting as they usually did. She turned her head slightly to gaze upon Celestia's face, but what she saw was not what Twilight expected.
The Princess' pupils were reduced to tiny pinpricks and sweat beaded down her face. Twilight struggled to free herself of Celestia's vice grip, the princess was strong like an Earth Pony due to her being an Alicorn, so breaking free of her hug was not an easy task. Eventually Twilight decided to just teleport and reappear on the other side of the room, away from Celestia. “Princess what's wrong with you?” Twilight coughed and gasped to catch her breath from being almost choked.
Celestia lunged at Twilight and attempted to grab her again but Twilight ducked and ran into the hallway. “Twilight!?”
“Princess, what are you doing!?” Twilight screamed as Celestia once again lunged at her. Twilight vanished with a flash of purple and ran down the corridor below. 'Why did she do that!?' She thought as she heard rumbling from above her.
A hole appeared in the ceiling as Celestia broke through it and ran at Twilight, horn aglow. “Come back Twilight!” She yelled.
Twilight panicked and teleported into the garden outside the window beside her. 'Something is not right here! I have to run!' She nodded to herself and bolted into the hedge-maze before her hoping to throw Celestia off her trail. She heard a loud boom as Celestia destroyed the castle wall. Twilight noticed several royal guards chasing after Celestia before she landed on the ground.
Princess Celestia saw a flash of purple disappear behind a wall of green and proceeded to follow. 'I can't stop my body for some reason!' Celestia's body was moving of its own accord much to her sheer terror. She felt her magick build up in her horn as she burned hedge after hedge to catch up to Twilight. 'Run Twilight!' She attempted to seize control of her body but something was forcefully blocking her. 'Damn! What is doing this!?' She redoubled her efforts as her body pursued the unicorn.
Twilight panted as she ran as fast she could, she could feel Celestia's immense magical presence behind her but she refused to give up. 'Echo can you tell what's wrong with Celestia!?' She demanded as she jumped over a burning hedge-wall.
'I'll try Twilight!' Echo said with determination. She spread out her awareness so she could do a magical scan of the Princess' body, Celestia was getting closer so Echo had to be quick. Or she would have if everything around them was not starting to blur.'Mistress something is happening!'
Suddenly all three ponies found themselves in their embrace in Twilight's room again. Celestia gasped, released Twilight, and fell to her haunches. “T-Twilight? What...” She blinked, then blinked again to see if she was imagining things, but Twilight still stood in front of her with an expression as shocked as hers was.
“Princess, did you see what I did just now?” Twilight winced as Celestia nodded silently. Turning on her heel, Twilight bolted to the window sill and her widened in horror. “Celestia look!” She yelled as she pointed a hoof out the window.
Celestia trotted to the window and peeked her head out to see what Twilight meant, she gasped at what she saw. The entire hedge-maze was frozen in solid crystal unlike anything of what either Twilight or herself just experienced of whatever just happened. She turned her head to her student as Twilight did the same to her. “Twilight...I'm sorry about not being able to properly protect you from danger.” She whispered, not wanting to turn away. “Hmm...stay here I'll check it out.” At Twilight's slow nod, Celestia unfurled her wings and flew out the open window. She gracefully glided onto the crystallized grass below her and looked around with her eyes only. “What happened here, that vision seemed so real.”
She began to trek through the field to look for any sign of magick residue that might help explain things. “What could have caused this?” Celestia used her magick to break off a shard of the crystals protruding out the ground and examined it. “Eh? I recognize this type of magick.” Narrowing her eyes, Celestia whispered. “There's only two beings in Equestria capable of Crystal Magick now, but both of them have been sealed away...” She gasped. “Wait a minute, just a moment ago, me and Twilight had a vision of some sort. Could it have been our worst fears right now?” Celestia grit her teeth in anger. “King Sombra. So that's it.”
Celestia turned her gaze toward a rather large crystal in the center of the field, which was floating on it's own. “Huh, what's this? It looks like the crystal I have in the throne room.” She took a step forward, but stopped when a protective barrier suddenly surrounded the crystal. Celestia raised an eyebrow. “Either it's protecting itself or someone else is here.” Turning her head, the Princess looked around to see if anyone else was in the area.
“Princess!” Celestia turned around to see two guards and Twilight running towards her.
“Twilight? What's wrong? I thought I told you to stay put.” Celestia questioned with concern.
Twilight scuffed a hoof across the crystallized ground. “I'm sorry Princess but these two asked me where you were, so I led them to you.”
“Your Highness, we have a report from Northern Equestria!” The left guard reported.
“A report? Let's hear it.” Celestia said as she wrapped Twilight in a protective wing.
“It seems a large structure has appeared out of thin air. Several smaller buildings also appeared alongside it. From what we can gather, a northern patrol that happened to be in the area at the time, saw an entire city come out from a sub-space of sorts.” The other guard finished.
It took Celestia a moment to register what she just heard. But after a moment's thought she suddenly remembered a past event that led to the disappearance of an entire empire. 'The Crystal Empire has returned? Than there's no mistaking what has just transpired between Twilight and I.' She closed her eyes in deep thought.
Twilight watched Celestia close her eyes but couldn't quite figure out what the Princess was thinking. 'Just what is happening today? First that freaky vision I had of Celestia attacking me than this crystal coming out of nowhere. And all of this happened in only a few minutes, talk about fast acting.' Twilight furrowed her brow as Celestia opened her eyes and the Princess looked at her directly.
“Twilight, there is something I want your friends to do for me on my behalf.” Celestia wrapped Twilight with her wing more tightly.
“Eh? Like what Princess?” Twilight asked curiously.
Celestia put on a stern face. “I want them to go north...to the Crystal Empire.” She stated.
Twilight tilted her head. “W-wait, just them?” She asked wearily.
“Come inside, I'll explain everything.” Princess Celestia nodded to her guards as they fell in line behind the Princess and her student. __________________________________________________________________
-3 Hours Later-
Spike groaned as he and Twilight's friends rode the Friendship Express train to the north of Equestria for a mission of the utmost importance. 'Poor Twilight, having to sit and wait in Canterlot while the rest of us journey to Celestia knows where.' The dragon closed his eyes and sighed with agitation. Spike , Fluttershy, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Applejack and Pinkie Pie were called to Canterlot by the summons of Princess Celestia in order to investigate the recently returned Crystal Empire. Not alone of course, as Princess Cadence left the city two hours before they did, along with a small garrison of guards.
One such guard-by the name of Flare Wing-stood stoically at the back of the train car. Spike was seated nearest to Flare and he lazily eyed the guard few times out of sheer boredom. The stallion was young for a lieutenant, his coat was a fiery red with a ragged yellow mane and tail, he was a few inches taller than Rainbow Dash. Flare Wing was also a Pegasus, his cutie mark was a crystal sword wreathed in flames, akin to his name.
'This guy is a joke, flinches at every little sound he hears...how'd he become a lieutenant anyway? Besides today, I've never seen him before.' Spike asked himself as Flare Wing nearly face-planted due to the train car hitting a rough portion of track.
“Um, why are you looking at me like that?” Flare asked as he regained his footing.
“No reason really. I'm just curious as to why I have never seen your face before.” Spike replied.
“Oh that.” Flare's eyes shifted side to side for few moments as he contemplated what to say next. After a while he continued. “Could you please keep this a secret?” He asked pleadingly.
Spike tilted his head in question. “I guess I could.” He turned around to face the stallion directly.
“Thanks.” Flare nodded his head. “Well normally this would be a breach of protocol, but I managed to pull some strings in order to get my superior to allow me to accompany you guys. I'm the Lieutenant of the Princess's Royal Guard, so I'm supposed to be here right now but I really wanted to see the Crystal Empire for myself.” He gestured to the window with a hoof. “Well that's the short bit, Princess Celestia actually doesn't know I'm here right now.” Flare closed his eyes, and smiled sheepishly as he scratched the back of his head.
Spike folded his arms. “Wait, wait, wait you left the palace without the Princess's permission?” He accused pointedly.
“Please don't tell anyone, I could lose my job for pulling something like this.” Flare sat down with a thump.
Spike raised an eyebrow and stared at him for a moment, than turned around and waved an arm nonchalantly. “Alright, alright, we're on a mission here and we need all the help we can get.” Spike grinned fiercely as his confidence rose. 'Well if Twilight isn't here to take charge this time, I'll take the ranges in her place. Hee, maybe I'll get a trophy for doing a job, ooh or better yet, a huge pile of gems.' He licked his lips at the thought.
Flare nodded slowly and sighed in relief. “Phew...I guess I'll be fine from here on out. Just as long as none of those Cultists show up anywhere.” He winced. “Or the Princesses themselves.” _________________________________________________________________________
-Storage Cabin-
A large box toppled over as a figure emerged from underneath it. A purple hoof snatched one of the cloth tarps covering the empty boxes and than wrapped the cloth around the figure's body. 'That wasn't easy, good thing I've been working on my stun spells, or I wouldn't have ever gotten past those guards.' Twilight reminded herself as she tip-hoofed her way over to the door. 'Oh I hope the Princess isn't too mad with me.' She bit her lip in minor fear.
'If what you said about her is true Mistress Twilight, I doubt she would punish you too badly.' Echo mentally shrugged.
“Tch, would you please stop referring to me as 'Mistress', it's really uncomfortable.” Lifting a hoof, Twilight patted herself clean of dust and slowly made her way past the multiple boxes and crates littering the cabin. After magically removing some wooden crates out of her way, Twilight peered through the cabin door's window. “Hmm nopony in the car right now.” She mused.
Echo frowned, not very pleased at the aspect of not calling Twilight her Mistress. As she had no body of her own, she couldn't physically interact with Twilight which left a gaping hole in her heart. Echo for the most part, wanted to be there for Twilight whenever she was feeling down and had no one else to turn to. Sure they could always talk things out, but there are only so many things that can be expressed through words that a comforting hug wouldn't be able to sooth.
The black-maned mare slipped into the empty train car and solemnly sat on one of the seats next to the window. “What am I doing Echo?” Twilight asked as she laid her head upon her crossed fore-legs.
Echo blinked-mentally-in confusion until she noticed Twilight's inner turmoil. 'What do you mean Twilight?' She asked.
“Oh I don't know...at first I would have never even questioned Princess Celestia's word, but lately I've started losing my faith in her. I don't even recall when I've began to feel this way.” Twilight wiped a stray tear that unknowingly streaked down her cheek. “I'm so confused Echo, Celestia was always my world ever since that...horrible day all those years ago.” A sob escaped Twilight as she remembered her dead parents.
An image of Night Light and Twilight Velvet appeared before Echo as she felt a pang of sadness from Twilight that attempted overwhelm her. She struggled to not break down into her own painful sobs. 'Oh Twilight...a-are you alright?' She asked in a small voice.
After regaining control over her emotions, Twilight wiped her eyes with a hoof as she sat up straight. “Y-yeah I'm fine. It's just that I'm taking a huge risk of angering Celestia by leaving Canterlot without her permission.” Twilight muttered with a wince.
'As I said before Twilight, I don't believe Princess Celestia would actually punish you severely. After all you just want to protect your friends right?' Echo asked briskly.
Twilight twirled a loose strand of hair that dangled in front of her face as she contemplated what Echo said. “...I guess you're right Echo, I'm not a foal anymore I don't need Celestia's permission for everything I do.” Twilight replied as she moved into a more comfortable position on the seat by laying down.
Hearing this, Echo if she had an actual head, would have felt a devious grin cross her face. 'You're very right Mistress.' She said not noticing the mental grin.
The lavender mare folded the cloth she was wearing over her head like a hood, than closed her eyes for a quick nap. “Echo, would you please keep an eye out for me? I'm going to take a short rest before we arrive.” Twilight asked before almost falling into slumber.
'Of course Mistress, whatever you ask.' Echo promised before expanding her awareness around the train car in case of intruders. 'No one shall awake my Mistress while she slumbers, as long as I'm here.' _______________________________________________________________________
-The Crystal Empire, 2 hours later-
After a restful sleep in the back train car and carefully exiting the train all together, Twilight Sparkle made her way over to the market square of the Crystal Empire to see if she could find a way into the large Crystal Palace within the city. The light sound of her hooves clinking on the crystal street was all Twilight heard as she paced around the plaza. 'There's nopony here...than again if what Princess Celestia said about this place was true...' Twilight mused as she trotted underneath a large structure that -to what Twilight guessed- must of been the Crystal Palace. 'For some reason this place looks...familiar somehow.
'How so?' Echo asked as Twilight shoved open one of the doors into the Palace.
'I don't know exactly, it just feels like I've been here before.' Twilight rubbed her chin in thought as she leisurely strode the hall.
The walls and floors were completely made of solid crystal that gave off a shiny gleam whenever Celestia's sun shone the windows at the right angle. Tapestries of long forgotten ages hung proudly from the ceiling as Twilight past them, one such tapestry caught Twilight's attention. It wasn't too different front the others along the crystal hallway, the edges had a crystalline border that gave off a sheen like flowing water. But what really captured the unicorn's attention were the four figures displayed in the center of the tapestry, four tall ponies with both horns and wings. The first two Twilight easily defined as being Celestia and Luna, the only difference was that Celestia had a light pink mane and tail, the other two Alicorns were mares Twilight had never seen before. They were separated by a veil of black crystals on either side of the tapestry and away from both the images of the Royal Pony Sisters, the one on the left side had a pure black coat and dragon wings meanwhile her counterpart had a pearly white coat like Celestia's but her wings were huge compared to Celestia's.
Twilight felt a pinch of pain whenever she looked at the dragon-winged Alicorn, as she gazed closer at the image she could tell the mare's eyes were that of a dragon's as well. She ripped the tapestry from the ceiling, folded it neatly, than stuffed it into her saddlebags for later research. Twilight wasn't sure what compelled her to steal one of the tapestries, but at the moment she didn't care.
She heard hoof steps coming down the far-side of the hallway, so Twilight bolted into a nearby closet to avoid being spotted. A dainty voice echoed down the hall as five ponies trotted past the supply closet Twilight was hiding in. “These crystal walls are so divine!” Rarity gushed as the others -minus Fluttershy- rolled their eyes at the fashionista.
“Rarity, we're not here to window shop you know.” Rainbow Dash explained as she hovered above the other mares.
“Oh come on Rainbow Dash, you have to admit that the Crystal Empire is gorgeous!” Rarity pouted slightly. “Right Fluttershy darling?” She said turning to look at her shy friend.
Fluttershy hid behind her mane as gazed worriedly at Rarity. “Oh...I-I guess...it's very lovely.” She said in a quiet voice.
Applejack and Pinkie Pie were unusually quiet as they neared the front,Pinkie's mane was deflated slightly and Applejack kept shuffling her hooves in a nervous dance. Twilight frowned at this as her friends passed by, she felt bad about having them fulfill Celestia's mission on her behalf and due to the fact that she came to Crystal Empire without anypony's knowledge. But nevertheless Twilight was determined to see things through to the end, whatever the cost...almost.
Once Twilight's friends were out of earshot, she made her way out of the closet and tip-hoofed down the opposite hallway. A few meters down the hall Twilight noticed a couple of ponies that appeared to be made of crystal much to her surprise. 'So this is what Celestia meant by Crystal Ponies, although I didn't think she meant they were literally made of crystal.' Twilight was fascinated by the prospect of actually studying these ponies, but was stopped when she took notice of how down these ponies looked, almost like the spark of life was drained from them. They had bags under their eyes and barely reacted when Twilight accidentally bumped into one of them. “Oh, I'm so sorry about that miss.” She apologized.
The mare merely looked at Twilight and shrugged halfheartedly as she passed by. “Um...it's okay...” She tiredly replied.
Twilight watched her go and blinked in confusion. “That was...interesting.” She muttered as she trotted up a nearby staircase. She passed by a few more ponies -maids of the Palace Twilight figured- but they gave her little more than glance before looking forward again. Shaking her head, Twilight entered onto a large balcony overlooking the Southwest portion of the Empire. “Now where would this King Sombra guy be?” She thought as she squinted her eyes over into the distance. Since the Empire was situated in the center of Northern Equestria its borders were covered in a thick sheet of snow and ice as far as the eye could see. At the moment that's all Twilight could make out as she rubbed the bridge of her muzzle. “Celestia made it sound like he was a major threat to whole of Equestria if he took over the Empire again, but so far I'm not seeing any sign of him.”
Hearing some ruckus from below, Twilight peered over the railing and saw her friends running to and fro talking to every crystal pony they could find. “Info gathering I'd assume.” She guessed as she trotted back inside. After searching the palace for any sorts of her own clues, Twilight entered the throne room and saw Princess Cadence with her horn aglow. “Cadence?” She whispered.
The pink Alicorn gazed up from her hooves and smiled when she noticed Twilight trotting towards her. “Oh Twilight, you're here after all.” Cadence stood up with a small stumble but Twilight caught her mid-tumble in her magical aura. “Sorry, I'm a bit weak from keeping this shield up for this long.” She grunted as a spark of magick fell from her horn.
“I figured as much...here I brought some energy crystals from the mines under Canterlot. And don't ask me how I managed to get them, I'll just say it wasn't an easy task.” Twilight chuckled cheerily as she levitated seven hoof-sized glowing pink gems from her saddle bags.
“You seem quite happy about being in dangerous situations Twilight.” Cadence said with concern as she sat back in the throne. “And thanks.” She smiled with a thankful expression.
“Well, I don't feel as nervous about things as I used to.” Twilight sat down beside Cadence. “Except maybe disappointing Princess Celestia.” She added with a blush.
“I'm sure that's due to her literally being your mom now right?” Cadence asked as she wrapped a wing around Twilight.
Chucking nervously, Twilight leaned against Cadence. “Most likely.”
The two shared a sisterly embrace, just enjoying each others presence before Twilight spoke. “Anyway Cadence, these crystals hold magick energy within them, you know just in case you begin to run low on you're own magick well.” She explained while gesturing to the pile of gems.
“And again thank you Twilight, but I have to ask, did Celestia let you come here with your friends? 'Cause I heard she wanted you to stay in Canterlot until those cultist jerks were dealt with.” Cadence furrowed her brow in question.
“N-no she didn't I came here on my own volition.” Twilight mumbled with a firm tone.
Cadence raised an eyebrow. “Twilight, you have never went against her wishes before.”
“Well I'm a grown mare I don't need her to look after everything I do.” Twilight growled.
The other mare flinched back at Twilight's tone. “T-Twilight?” She whimpered.
Blinking, Twilight shook her head and hugged Cadence tightly. “Sorry about that I haven't been quite myself lately.” She stood up and began a trek back to the entrance of the throne room. “I...I'll see you later Cadence.” Twilight hurriedly said as she exited.
Cadence frowned with even more concern. “Oh Twilight.” ________________________________________________________________________________
-Market Square-
Crysta gleefully gazed over the foodstuffs before her; crystal crepes made with crystal berries, crystal pies, several glittering crystal apples and a warm smile from the Crystal Pony shopkeeper. When Crysta heard that the Crystal Empire had returned up north she was ecstatic. She left her group back in Ponyville -after letting them know before hoof- and took the train up north to see the glittering city herself. After arriving, Crysta cantered into the market first and decided to buy some souvenirs for her group back in Ponyville. Soon her satchel was halfway full of small trinkets and a few antiques. Her favourite was a globe made of several different gems that represented each continent and every major country.
Currently she was buying some delicious looking crystal deserts. “Thank you so very much miss.” Crysta thanked and smiled gratefully to the crystal mare before her.
“It was my pleasure Miss Feather, we don't get that many kind ponies like you around here these days.” The shopkeeper pointed out than returned the smile and perked up a bit, her coat regaining some of its luster. “It's so nice to have a follower of our late Queen here to spread her beliefs.”
“Yes.” Crysta agreed and put a hoof up in prayer. “May the Crystal One shine upon you this day.” She prayed before thanking the shopkeeper and continuing on to the Crystal Palace. Everywhere Crysta went the Crystal Ponies began to regain the shiny luster to the coats after she chatted with them, which made Crysta very happy. 'This is amazing, I had no idea that my blessing could have such a wonderful affect on others to such a degree.' She cheered with a bounce in her step. “But I hope he doesn't show up and ruin these wonderful ponies' lives again.” Crysta mused as she sat against one of the pillars supporting the palace.
The white and pink maned mare gazed toward one of the palace doors and saw a black-maned pony covered with a gray cloth wrapped around themselves as they snuck out of the palace. Her gaze hardened. 'Isn't that one of the cultists?' Crysta was never very fond of the Cult of the Dark Arts but she understood their own beliefs about how the world should be. But as she looked closer at the pony coming toward her, her features softened. 'No, that would be Twilight Sparkle, the Sun Goddess' protege. I wonder if she got our message?' She asked herself thoughtfully as Twilight passed her. “Miss Sparkle?”
Twilight jumped when she heard somepony call her name. “Um ye-yes?” She carefully asked as she turned around to see who had spoken to her.
“Ah it is you Miss Sparkle.” Crysta greeted Twilight and held out a hoof.
Twilight took her hoof and shook it with as much gusto as she could muster. “That is me, but who are you? I don't think we have met before.” She questioned as she lowered her hoof.
“Right, I'm Crysta Feather of the Holy Church of Crystal. I couldn't find you back in Ponyville so I left a message crystal with your young dragon assistant. Did you receive it?”
Twiight shook her head. “No I'm afraid there has not been any mail entering Canterlot Castle as of late due to Princess Celestia's intervening.” She explained with slight irritation.
“I see, well since you're right here in front of me I could give you the message in person.” Crysta smiled softly.
“What is it exactly? I have heard of the Church before since Celestia speaks highly of them.” Twilight pinched the bridge of her muzzle again as a headache started to form.
Sensing this somehow, Crysta put a comforting hoof on Twilight's shoulder and let her blessing loose a bit. “Feel better?” She asked gently.
“Hmm yeah, I do. I don't know what you did just now but thanks.” Twilight thanked Crysta as her headache went away almost as fast as it came.
“It's nothing really, just a blessing I received from the Church to help sooth the pains and worries of others. I never quite understood it completely but I'm glad to have such a gift.” Crysta rubbed a leg as her cheeks took on pink hue.
Twilight looked over the taller mare and looked away when she felt her cheeks flush. 'Oh my, she's quite...pretty.' She shuffled uncomfortably as she regained some of her composure. “S-so what kind of message again?”
“Our Matriarch wanted to meet the Elements of Harmony personally and to extend an offer of friendship between us.” Crysta put on a benevolent smile as her right hoof glowed and extended it to Twilight.
“Really?” Twilight asked, bewildered. At Crysta's nod, they once more shook hooves. Twilight felt a gentle wave of magical energy wash over her body as her nervous tension melted away. When it settled, Twilight felt like a million bits so she smiled brightly and hugged Crysta ecstatically.
Crysta was shocked at the sudden display of friendly affection at first but returned the hug nevertheless. 'This is...nice. Even though I'm in the Church as one of it's head preachers, I don't have many friends. But this simple hug sure is comforting.' She thought as they broke the embrace.
“Ahem, sorry about that I don't know what came over me suddenly.” Twilight apologized sheepishly.
“Oh no, no need to apologize, I appreciate the gesture Miss Sparkle.” Crysta quickly replied.
“Hmm, well I should be going now. World saving stuff and-eh other stuff.” Twilight stammered as she bolted down the road in a panicked hurry.
Crysta merely smiled and giggled as she headed inside of the Palace.
...
...
...
A dark shadow gazed inward from outside the barrier and laughed ominously at its impending return.
The longer Twilight stayed in the Empire the more she she experienced a feeling of nostalgia. She bumped into her friends half-way the through the day and explained her reasoning for secretly following them. They all were understanding, but Applejack gave Twilight a fixed look almost like she could tell she was lying when Twilight told them Princess Celestia allowed her to follow them.
After they left Twilight bolted into the throne room, thankfully Cadence had already left for the balcony with Twilight's friends. An hour or so ago Twilight searched through the Empire's public library, and after chatting with a oddly confused librarian, Twilight had found a peculiar book of sorts. She had asked around and after several failed attempts to gain info from the amnesic ponies, Twilight had enough and used a powerful memory spell on the crystal ponies -after asking them for permission of course- she had found out the stallion known as King Sombra had placed a memory curse upon the citizens.
Somehow Twilight had managed to break the curse temporarily on a small number of crystal ponies, so she quickly magically scanned through their memories and had found out about a relic known as the Crystal Heart which Sombra had hidden somewhere in the Empire. Twilight had recounted that Sombra would have hidden it where he could access it quickly. Than she remembered the Crystal Throne room.
Currently she was scouring said throne room for a secret room or panel, anywhere King Sombra could placed it without anypony noticing. After about an hour of fruitless searching, Twilight groaned and fell on her back. “This is pointless, there is no crevice, no locked box, no hidden panel in a bookcase, just no, nothing...NOTHING!!” She screeched jumping to her hooves again, stomping all the way.
Twilight clenched a hoof in anger as she glared at the crystalline chamber with a look that could melt rock. 'What...what's happening to me!? Usually I'd be panicking or skimming through books for answers but all I feel is pure anger.' She began to hyperventilate as her anger continued to rise. 'I must calm myself! I could hurt somepony should they come in here!' Placing a fore hoof to her chest, Twilight began a breathing exercise Cadence had taught her. 'In, out, in, out,...in...out.' Her breathing steadied as she regained her some of her composure. “Okay, there must be something in this room that could point to me to where the Crystal Heart is.” She glanced around and saw something she hadn't noticed before. A tall slender crystal sat at the top of the throne's back rest that seemed to beckon to her.
“That looks a lot like the one Celestia showed us.” Twilight pondered for a moment and racked her mind for the strange the Princess had used on the crystal. “...S-she used Dark Magic didn't she?” Something pulsed within her as she felt her magic activate itself and a dark violet beam rushed towards the crystal. “Wha?” Twilight backtracked as a large shadow erupted from the crystal and hit the floor revealing a spiraling staircase that led deep into the palace below.
She stared at it and took a tentative step on the first stair, it seemed to go on forever into the abyss. Twilight gulped as she trotted down another step, being careful not to trip on her own hooves accidentally. Fifteen minutes down the dark staircase, Twilight was beginning have doubts. She began sensing tremendous amounts of magic outside to the east rising in power. 'Ugh, Dark Magic not good, King Sombra must be starting his attempt on reclaiming the Empire.'
Twilight bolted down the stair as fast as she dared, but an slight nook in one of the incoming stairs sent Twilight tumbling head over hooves down the remaining length. Luckily she cast a levitation spell just before she hit the floor and landed on her stomach with an echoing thump. “Oww...” Twilight groaned as she stood up again. ...
...
...
There was a singular door at the bottom of the stairs which stood directly in Twilight's sight, she eyed it with a curious look. A black jewel was embedded on the door's top arch, while a series of crystals bordered the wooden door itself. Twilight saw the door's handle and gave it a tug with her magic, the door shuddered and zipped around the chamber and stopped directly behind her. Growling, Twilight attempted to grip the knob but the door once again moved around and stopped in the spot Twilight first saw it. “This is getting annoying.” She huffed as she let go of her magic and trotted to door hesitantly.
“If magic won't work then...” Twilight mused gripping the knob with her hoof and pulling the door open to...
Nothing. Just the crystal wall behind it. Twilight slumped as she felt an even more powerful wave of dark magic rising in the east. “Confound it! I wish Spike was here! This place just likes to mess with me doesn't it?” Twilight left eye began to twitch. “Just like everything else around here! First; Celestia said I was unfit for saving the Crystal Empire! Second; I'm being effected by magic that's not even my own! And Thirdly; the way things are going Celestia is going to be very upset that I disobeyed her wishes and King Sombra will reclaim the Empire!” Twilight felt Echo's concern rise within her she lit her horn with a dark purple hue.
'Mistress! The magic within you is reacting to your sudden surge of emotions!' Echo whimpered.
“I don't care! I am tired of things no longer making sense around me Echo!” Twilight yelled than channeled even more magic into her horn unleashed it upon the the open door, causing it to explode and a blinding white light pored into the room. Screaming in pure adrenalin, Twilight rushed into the light and felt her senses overwhelmed by the intense glare. She clamped her eyelids shut as she ran, she could feel her internal magic cascading around her body and lashing out at something. Twilight opened her right eye and no longer was she being assaulted by bright light but rather she found herself at the bottom of another staircase, this one being made out of some sort of white-ish crystal. “What in Celestia's name...” Twilight muttered as glanced over the edge of the stair and noticed that it lacked any kind of bottom. “Eh?” She stuttered and whirled around to find that the door she came through vanished.
“Wha-but-how did-NO FREAKING WAY!!” She rushed to the wall and placed her hooves to find any sign of the door. But found none. “Great so I'm stuck here. Just perfect.” Twilight growled as she made her way up the staircase hoping for some form of exit.
...Little pony...
Twilight stopped when she heard a distant voice. “Was that you Echo? If it was, it wasn't very funny.”
Echo fidgeted mentally. 'Fraid not Twilight. I heard it too.'
Twilight continued up the stairs. “Are you sure?” She asked quietly.
'Mmmhmm' Echo affirmed.
“Okay but keep your guard up, I don't want anything to sneak up on us.” Twilight lit her horn, preparing for an attack.
...Little pony...who are you?...
The mysterious voice had a feminine tone to it, but sounded gruff and raspy. Twilight merely sneered ahead, deciding to not answer it.
She could a half-hearted laugh echo through the endless expanse but still refused to answer.
...you are merely...a container...for the magic you...carry...
Twilight grit her teeth when she felt a sliver of pain in her chest.
...Ignoring me than?...Understandable...
Echo felt Twilight tense up and stop mid stride. “Cut it out whoever you are!”
...Now that wasn't...very nice...little pony...
Ignoring the voice for a moment Twilight noticed that the staircase did not seem to have end anyway she went.
...You won't be...able to find me...that way...
Twilight glanced up and a thought hit her. She cast the gravity spell she used on Nightmare Moon during the Summer Sun Celebration on herself, flew upward and slid down the reverse side of the staircase. Despite herself Twilight couldn't help but let out a squeal of excitement as she slid down.
...Clever...little pony...yes...this way...come to me...
Twilight and Echo snorted at the voice and continued up the staircase -now slide- as they finally reached the top and landed rather roughly upon the crystal landing. “Ack...again. Now where are we?”
'Looks like the palace's roof.' Echo guessed thoughtfully.
“Let's hope...so” Twilight regained her footing and saw something spinning in the air. “There's the Heart!” She exclaimed before looking out to the east and witnessed the barrier protecting the Empire fade away and a black fog moved in. “Sombra!” ______________________________________________________________________________________________
-Outskirts of the Crystal Empire-
Sombra couldn't hold in a loud booming laugh as he quickly rushed towards the almost defenseless Empire. His Empire. “At last!” A crystal mare galloped away from the city -not looking where she was going- in hope of escaping Sombra's wrath. Unfortunately King Sombra erected a crystal right in her path and she smacked head first into it causing him to chuckle darkly.
“Eek! King Sombra!” The poor mare whimpered.
Rising up, Sombra let his huge shadowy mass encompass the Empire. “My Cryssstal Ssssslavvves.” He hissed while corrupting buildings and roaring at the other Crystal Ponies.
“Hey!” A voice shouted in his direction.
He turned head around and saw rainbow maned Pegasus mare flying at him. Sombra laughed as he raised a tendril and fired several shards of black crystal toward her.
Rainbow Dash banked left avoiding the shards than flew right through the shadow tendril, severing it from Sombra's body. She grinned at Sombra's surprised expression. “Ha! I am Rainbow Dash! Future Wonder Bolt and The Element of Loyalty!” She exclaimed before taking off again in a rainbow blur.
Sombra growled in irritation. “Element of Loyalty huh? We'll see about that!” Sombra lit his horn and unleashed multiple blasts of dark magick at his prismatic foe.
Rainbow made a U-turn, did a barrel role around two beams and narrowly avoided getting hit by the last two beams. “Whoo-hoo!! Come on slow poke you can do better than that!” She challenged with a snark.
Forming a dark dome around Rainbow Dash, King Sombra laughed. “Slow am I? Let's see if you escape being crushed like bug you are!” He replied before slowly collapsing the sphere around his captive.
Rainbow hovered in midair. “Aw damn it all I can't see anything in here!” She cursed.
“Hahaha! This short fight was amusing while it lasted 'Loyalty', but goodbye now.” Sombra grinned vicously.
Rainbow Dash thought quickly before remembering a trick she used on a manticore a year ago. “Might as well see what works.” She rolled her wings in their sockets around to steady herself for what she was about to do. “Nopony beats the Dash!” Rainbow hollered before flying around in a circle rapidly. _______________________________________________________________________________________
-Crystal Spire-
Twilight watched the whole scene from her perch atop the spire with a worried frown. “As fast as Rainbow Dash is, King Sombra is still made of pure shadow so she won't be able to hold him back forever.” She turned around to the Crystal Heart and examined it. “If only I had asked Princess Luna on how to cast her Mage Sight spell.” She shook her head and trotted to the Heart.
...Yes little pony...
Twilight stopped a few feet from her goal at sound of the voice. 'Ignore it Mistress Twilight.' Echo said urging her on. Twilight paused. Something about all of this just did not add up. She craned her head over to her saddle bags and pulled out the tapestry from earlier and gazed over it's contents.
...That tapestry...belongs to me...
“Shut up for a second!” Twilight snapped than look upon the tall dragon winged Alicorn depicted on the cloth. 'Something about her seems vaguely familiar...'
“Miss Twilight?” Somepony asked curiously.
Forced away from her thoughts Twilight lowered the tapestry and noticed the tall Unicorn Crysta Feather coming out from the staircase. “How did you get here?” She asked dumbfounded.
...Ah...a devoted follower...of mine...
Crysta looked side to side frantically in search of the mysterious voice. “Miss Twilight did you hear that?”
“Nope.” Twilight's impatience was wearing thin at this point, from all the stress she accumulated over the day, her rising agitation of not knowing exactly what the magic within her was doing, and her own nervousness of actually disobeying Princess Celestia by coming to the Crystal Empire. 'That's it!' She rushed toward the Heart and attempted to pluck it out the air. The moment she stepped the center of the spire a magical alarm went off below her. “Now what!?” Twilight screamed.
-Sombra-
King Sombra felt something trigger the alarm system protecting the Crystal Heart so he unleashed a wave of dark magic and sent it toward the Palace just before the dome collapsing on Rainbow Dash burst open and the mare flew to safety. “Heheh not for long.” Sombra grinned as he gave chase. ___________________________________________________________________________________________________
-Crystal Spire-
Twilight felt the floor rumble before a wave a dark magic passed over her and black crystals popped out and sealed her inside with the Crystal Heart. “No!” Panicking, Twilight clutched the Heart close to her chest and quickly cast her teleportation spell to escape. The spell failed and she found herself imprisoned again.
“Miss Twilight are you alright?!” Crysta asked her voice slightly muffled by the crystals.
“Does it look like I am?!” Screeched Twilight.
...Sombra did...this with...dark magic...
'I can see that.' Twilight replied mentally. She raised up on her hind legs and kicked the crystals with her fore legs. Echo was about to ask why, but Twilight stopped her. 'If I were to fire a magic bolt in here it would ricochet off the crystal and might hit me.'
After several more kicks Twilight felt winded, so she sat on haunches. “This isn't working. There has to be a way out...” Twilight pinched her nose in irritation. Screams could be heard from down below as Sombra terrorized and attacked Twilight's friends, which fueled her anger even more.
...If you stay in here...you're friends...will either be...slaves or dead...by the hooves...of Sombra...
Crysta blasted at the enclosing black crystals with her considerable magic pool. “Miss Twilight, I can't hold off Sombra's magic forever! Please do something! You are the Element of Magic yes!?” A crystal tendril tore at her white robe before she smashed it to bits.
“Damn, fine!” Twilight charged up her own horn, surrounded herself with a sphere of pure mana than forced it outward against the dark crystals imprisoning her. At first they stood unmoved until Twilight released even more magic and considerable cracks began to appear in the crystal. The sturdy black crystals stubbornly refused to break apart regardless of much magic Twilight let out. More screams echoed up toward the spire as Twilight's ire begin to rise.
“You'll never get out there mare!” Sombra in his shadow form leered overhead of the mares as he grinned madly.
Twilight frowned as she felt the exertion on her magic begin to wear down the crystal around her. “No more.” She whispered before feeling the other magic deep within her soul flare up and wash over her like a waterfall. The magic spun out of her body like a tsunami, Twilight screamed as she felt her bones and muscles begin to stretch themselves for some Celestia knows reason.
Outside Crysta and Sombra witness a bright purple glow emanate from inside Twilight's prison. More and more cracks protruded from the crystal as it shuddered. Crysta was the first to move so she dashed back down the stairs while King Sombra narrowed his eyes in suspicion.
...It's time...little mare...
Sombra couldn't hear the voice so when the crystal prison he trapped Twilight within exploded outwards and actually scarred his shadowy body, his eyes went wide. “Wha-what sorcery is this!?” He yelled with rage.
...hahaha...it's over now...little Sombra...hahaha...
Twilight emerged from the smoke and flying crystals with a sweep of a black, feathered bat-like wing. The tip of the wing had a bat-like membrane while the edges and the part protruding from her back was entirely feathered. A long, sharp, spiral-less black horn adorned Twilight's head as her dragon-like eyes glowed a deadly deep purple. Twilight stood at roughly Princess Luna's height now but the majority of her coat remained her usual lavender.
Sombra gaped at her sudden transformation and prepared a spell and wrapped Twilight's body with several tendrils. “I do not know how you took that form mare, but prepare to DIE!” Sombra squeezed with all of his might and sent black lightning bolts along his tendrils to finish Twilight off.
...Poor fool...
“...Is that all you have?” A sultry female voice asked.
“What?” Sombra snarled.
“I was seriously expecting more from the mighty and terrifying King Sombra. But it seems I have overestimated your power.” The female voice continued.
“Do not patronize me foal!” The dark king roared as he squeezed more.
Lightning and thunder boomed from the skies as dark clouds began to blot out the sun. Sombra looked up and realized too late that it was not him who was causing the strange weather. That moment was all Twilight needed. She lashed out at the tendrils with her own lightning, which in turn caused them to vanish. “SPIKE!!” Twilight magically tossed the Heart over the toward where she knew the dragon was at that moment.
Hearing his name being called Spike quickly looked up and a shining heart shaped gem falling toward him. “Whoa!?!” Spike gasped before speeding towards it and jumping up to catch the Heart before it hit the ground. With a grunt Spike carefully landed on the ground with the gem firmly in his grasp. “This is...but wait who threw it? It sounded somewhat like Twilight's voice...” Seeing the other Elements of Harmony a block down, Spike rushed over to them; Crystal Heart in claw. “Hey you guys! I have the Crystal Heart I think!” He panted.
The mares turned to him, Pinkie Pie was the first to speak up. “Hey! Great job Spikey! Now we can save all the nice Crystally Ponies!” She exclaimed while hugging Spike excitedly.
“Yea-yeah!” He gasped out from Pinkie's strong hug.
“Alright Pinkie Pie darling, you can let him down now.” Rarity quipped.
“Okey-dokey!” Pinkie said as she dropped a gasping Spike.
“Gack! Fresh air!” Spike gasped.
“Oh my you okay Spike?” Fluttershy quietly said helping him to his feet.
“Hmm...” While the others were tending to Spike and chatting to each other, Applejack was watching the dark clouds swirl around Sombra's shadowy form and the Palace's Spire. “Ah wish Ah new what was goin' on up ther'.” Beside her Rainbow Dash narrowed eyes when she saw a familiar looking lavender speck atop the spire.
-Crystal Spire-
“What have you done mare!?” Sombra yelled straight to Twilight's scowling face.
“I am stopping you. Simple as that.” Twilight replied while she flexed her new wings. She wasn't quite sure how they appeared like they did but at moment Twilight didn't care. “I recommend giving up right now before I unleash real pain upon you Sombra.”
He laughed loudly. “Me? King Sombra surrender to the likes of you? You're a fool than!” He rushed forward meaning to smother and suffocate Twilight with his shadows.
Twiligh flared her new wings out and bolted up into the air and pummeled Sombra with magic bolts. After that she avoided his tendrils they as shot at her, Twilight expertly chopped off each and every one that came her way. As the tendrils were regrowing Twilight flew away from the tower daring Sombra to give chase.
“Get back here mare!!” Sombra charged at high speed toward his fleeing foe.
Twilight grinned grimly, twirled around in mid air, wrapped her wings around herself and waited. Sombra smiled triumphantly, thinking Twilight had given up and opened his huge jaws in order to swallow her whole. “I'll enjoy adding your magic power to my own!!”
Time seemed to stop before Twilight as she opened her glowing purple eyes just as King Sombra got too close. “It's over foolish Unicorn.” Snapping her wings wide open, Twilight screamed like a banshee and let lose a jet of powerful magic right in between Sombra's eyes.
The scream assaulted Sombra's ears and the magical jet hit him like getting bucked by an over-powered Earth Pony. He reeled back in pain and collapsed into the streets below. “But how?” Sombra demanded weakly as he noticed a pink Alicorn approaching.
Twilight gazed coolly at Sombra as her old-sitter gathered the Crystal Ponies to her side and proceeded to place the Crystal Heart in it's awaiting pedestal below the palace. Then her vision cleared as one would awake from a bad dream, and her eyes widened in shock. “How did I do that?” She questioned herself in fear as she flew back towards Ponyville. “And these strange wings! How did I get these!?” Parts of her manes began to spring up as she felt an all too familiar panic attack rise within her. “What is this!?!” Twilight yelled as the Crystal Heart activated and lit up the entire Empire behind her.
Crash landing in the Everfree, knocked the wind out of Twilight as she tiredly ground to a halt from fleeing the Crystal Empire. Her new found stature and recently acquired half-feathered/half draconic wings, made it difficult to move about through the dense forest canopy. She practiced deep, labored breathes as she attempted to steady her rapid heart beat, its constant thumping causing Twilight to hold her head in minor pain. She cursed herself mentally for running away without anypony's knowledge. 'I guess this is it then.'
Twilight stood up, and grunted as she felt cold rain drops soaking her entire coat. She cast a glance to her freakish looking wings. “This day just keeps getting better and better.” She whispered, trotting under a particularly low hanging tree. “Echo, you there?” Twilight asked, wanting some company even in her unusual state of being.
When Echo didn't answer, Twilight pinched her muzzle. “Come on, I know you're there.” Silence. Twilight probed her mind for signs of the comforting voice, only to find no sign of her. “Echo?...Great, she's gone too...” Twilight's face took on a downcast look. “Celestia is most likely furious with me, my friends are probably being awarded something for saving the Empire...I'm not the same anymore...Argh!!” She flared her wings in agitation. “Nothing makes sense anymore!” Twilight screeched while massiaging her temples with her hooves.
Around her the forest was quiet, despite the down pore of rain water. She regarded the many trees surrounding the area, noticing so few animals within the confines the hallowed parts of the pines. A lone squirrel passed by the purple mare, and flinched in fear of her mere presence before bolting up a distant tree. Twilight glared at its retreating form. “...So, animals are scared of me now too.” She sat back against the tree, being careful not to clip her wings on a sharp branch. Twilight's anger stayed with her all night as stared blankly forward with an heated expression.
“I can't go back like this, everypony would think I'm going to become a Nightmare.” Twilight worriedly said as she closed her eyes. She did not dare to use any magic, unless she wanted Celestia to feel her magical aura and come running to her location. The thought of Princess Celestia's disappointed expression filled her with dread. “Oh, I am such a fool...I should have just stayed in Canterlot and listened. Like I was supposed to in the first place.” Twilight pawed the ground with a hoof as she felt hot angry tears threaten to fall.
Twilight than remembered something the mysterious voice said in the Empire.
...you are merely...a container...for the magic you...carry...
She wiped her eyes clear of tears and crossed her much longer legs in worry. “Anyway, I know Echo said the magic within me was beginning to awaken, or something like that...” She let out a grunt. “But why me!?”
'Because Mistress Twilight, that power is what they want.' Echo suddenly explained as she appeared before Twilight. Echo's current form looked like Twilight, albeit completely black, and her eyes were a solid white with no pupils.
“Echo? Wh-where were you!?” Twilight stood up angrily, and glared at apparition.
Echo smiled knowingly. 'I was merely sleeping Mistress, but please don't interrupt me right now. I have regained some of my memories about our current predicament.' Seeing Twilight sit down again, Echo continued. 'Firstly Mistress, I have gained the ability to appear before you, as I currently am. It seems the sudden power surge throughout your soul has invigorated me.' Twilight flexed her new wings nervously. 'Secondly, King Sombra is no more, the Crystal Heart outright annihilated him. His entire being was expunged and purified by Princess Cadence and the Crystal Ponies.'
“How do you know this Echo?” Twilight asked wanting more than a simple report.
Echo grinned at Twilight's stern look. 'As you were retreating, I took the liberty of my new ability and witnessed the whole incident as it played out. Continuing on though Mistress. Thirdly, as you have guessed most likely, the body you have currently is due to the magick within you, and it's half-way awakened now. Three more surges should awaken it fully Twilight, and that is when your fate will be sealed.' Echo took a frightened step back as Twilight, took a steady step forward.
“And what exactly, do you mean by that Echo?” Twilight asked evenly as she rounded on the small, scared apparition.
'I-I merely meant that y-your destiny will be before you, whatever it may be Mistress.' Echo stuttered until she was almost nose to nose with Twilight.
Narrowing her eyes, Twilight stood up as tall as her wobbly legs would allow her. “Go on.” She ordered.
Echo nodded quickly. 'My fourth point, the voice you heard in the tower was emitting from the Crystal Heart, but even I don't know who it was, Mistress. At this point, I would agree that it was not anyone you knew.' The apparition gulped nervously. 'Fifthly, I have sensed movement to the north of our location, several cloaked beings have surrounded us but have not moved for hours.' Echo lowered her head as she finished, noticing Twilight's panicked expression. 'Not to worry Mistress, I have placed a barrier ward around us to keep the cultists out. They're only watching us right now.'
“Quite true, Shade.” A deep male voice spoke out from beyond the barrier.
Twilight spun around, and saw a Kirin with two antlers proudly protruding from its head as he smiled at her. “A Kirin? Here in Equestria?” She dumbly asked.
“Ah, yes. My name is Avec, the leader of the Cult of the Dark Arts. Pleasure to make your acquaintance, Miss Sparkle.” Avec greeted as he held out a scaled claw to Twilight. “We have been dying to meet you in person.”
Twilight lit her horn in caution. “I bet you were. Don't be surprised if I'm just a little apprehensive with you cultists.” She took a defensive stance as more cloaked forms appeared from the underbrush.
Avec kept smiling. “We understand completely, what with the several kidnapping attempts over the years. You see, we need you for something very important.” Twilight's horn became brighter as her anxiety rose. “Don't be like that now. We know all about that Dark Magic within that frail frame of yours Miss Sparkle.”
Echo growled darkly at him. 'Mistress Twilight just defeated Sombra by herself, do not think you'd fare any better.' The apparition warned.
Some of the cultists winced from hearing Sombra's name, Avec continued smiling. “That fellow was a lost cause. Powerful yes, but weak minded. There was no way he could control the Dark Magic he was blessed with.” He huffed at the thought of the deceased king. “Unlike you Miss Sparkle.”
Twilight blinked owlishly for a moment, before curling her lips downward. “Beings like you disgust me. He may have been a villain, but Sombra was still a pony his magic merely corrupted his mind. I could tell just by looking at him, his thirst for power consumed him.”
“Yes well, regardless, you are the one we need for our ritual.” Avec than smiled with wicked glee, as his fellow cultists closed in on Twilight and Echo. “That flimsy ward isn't enough to hold us back, we have had hundreds of years to perfect and master the Dark Magic our Goddess gifted us with.” Lifting a claw he effortlessly shattered the barrier. “Capture her for the revival ritual.” He pointed at Twilight as the other cultists rushed her.
Twilight couldn't move or cast magic as the cultists blasted her with stunning spells imbued with dark magic. “Agh!” She yelled as her face hit the ground.
'Mistress!!' Echo rushed around and weakly fended off the attacking cultists.
Avec watched as Echo's barriers fell one by one. “Foolish Shade, you are too weak to defend the both of you. Ah, at long last, the prophecy will soon come true.” He reached into his cloak and pulled out a strange crystal. “Our Goddess Penumbra will soon rise again.” He whispered, before rushing in with his own magic at the ready.
Uselessly flapping her wings Twilight tried to catch the air, but the cultists refused to let her even move a little. 'No! Damn it! I can't let them catch me now! Celestia said they were hiding near Ponyville, and that's why she said to stay in Canterlot...I...I oh Mom, forgive me please!'
Echo's last barrier dissolved as Echo too began to fade away. 'S-sorry Mistress, your last battle with Sombra weakened you too much, so I don't have anymore strength left to...stop...them...' Echo couldn't finish what she was about to say as entire form disappeared.
“Echo...” Twilight pleaded as Avec and his followers surrounded her.
The cult leader smiled viciously. “Sorry about your Shade, Miss Sparkle, but I'm afraid she was a liability. Now you will come with us, seeing as you have no way fighting us now-”He was roughly blasted away by a beam of pure moonlight as several bat-winged ponies flew in. “-Ack! It's Princess Luna! Stop her!” Avec painfully growled.
Luna and several of her Night Guard hurled themselves at the cultists. Luna turned to Twilight and gasped. “Twilight Sparkle, what has happened to you?” She gaped at Twilight's new form as she helped the weakened mare to her hooves.
Twilight looked away. “It's a long story. But Princess Luna, how did you find me?” She asked as the three of guards felled and captured the cultists.
Closing her mouth, Luna blasted Avec back as he charged her. “One moment Twilight.”
Avec glared at Luna. “So the Fallen One has showed herself at last. It's been a while Nightmare Moon.” He said condescendingly. “How's your sister's shadow?”
“That was a long time ago Avec, a mistake I will never make again I promise.” Luna returned his glare and took up a defensive stance at his remaining followers. She looked at Twilight, noticing her confusion. She mouthed 'later' and looked back at the mad Kirin. “I suggest you surrender now, and face your punishment.”
Avec dropped his glare and raised a claw to inspect it. “That won't happen, our ritual must be completed soon. Not that a failure like you would understand.” He grinned at Luna's hateful look.
“How dare you insult me, you monst-!” Luna closed her mouth before she could finish.
“Nice save Miss Monster, but we really don't wish to delay our destiny.” Avec's grin turned malicious as he summoned dark magic into his claw and petrified the nearest guards into stone. Luna's eyes snapped open in alert while she ordered the other guards form up. “Those fools won't stop us from taking the mare with us for our ritual, Nightmare Moon.” He crept closer to the group.
Luna was about to retort a threat back, but was interrupted by an irate Twilight. “Luna, don't listen to that half-bred lizard.” Twilight struggled to stand on her hooves, but her anger was giving her all the strength she needed at the moment. Her draconic pupils bore into Avec's own like heated coals. “You really should stop, Avec or you're going to get hurt.”
The grinning Kirin merely laughed. “I mean no disrespect Miss Sparkle, you're powerful. Very powerful, but you are only a newbie when it comes to our Goddess' Dark Magic.” He wreathed his single claw in black flames as he took up a stance on two legs.
'Mistress?' Echo weakly let out as she woke up.
Internally Twilight was shaking in fear. She knew that in her current state, that there was no way she could stop Avec's attack. 'Echo, do you know what kind of magic that is?' She questioned quickly. Echo remained quiet. 'Echo?' Twilight tried again in panic.
Wind whistled around them as Avec's spell gained power. Without warning he dove at Luna with his sparking claw aiming to claim her throat. Two of Luna's Night Guards brought their shields up and deflected the blow, Avec recoiled then jumped right over them. Luna saw the blade hidden in his cloak, so she conjured up a light-blue barrier around herself and Twilight, which in turn stopped his dagger cold. “Damn traitor...” He muttered under his breathe, before leaping back from a sharp spear wielded by a night guard.
The Moon Goddess charged him with her horn pointed at his black heart. Side-stepping, Avec bull rushed Luna's side with his sharp antlers. “You're far too soft now Nightmare, life in that light-filled palace of your sister's has made you weak.” Avec lifted his claw and pelted her with bolts of black fire.
“You know nothing.” Luna flapped her wings and flew into the air, while her remaining guards circled Avec. “I have left that dark aspect of my life in the past. It no longer has any hold over me.” She proudly exclaimed. 'Never again.'
“Things like that can never just be forgotten Nightmare.” Avec narrowly dodged being gutted like a dead fish by Luna's horn again. A guard came up behind him with a spear pointed once more at his throat, he rolled his eyes at the attempt and bashed the guard with his scaled forehead. The pony barreled over, but refused to be knocked out. Avec grit his teeth in frustration and grabbed the guard's spear, he and the guard charged at each other once more. A couple more guards flew directly at Avec but soon found themselves hitting open air.
“Where did he go?!” One asked while scanning the forest underbrush.
The other two readied their weapons before the left one was speared clean through his chest by a shadowy Avec. “Gotcha.” He chuckled with glee while turning to the other shocked guard. “What, cat got your tongue?” He asked giddily.
Twilight stared at the dead stallion with a terrified expression. Sure she had seen dead ponies before, but she knew that night guard personally. 'No...what will Silva think? A-and their young foal? Damn, why now? Why am I so weak, when I need to be strong?!' She screamed in her mind. Avec continued his slaughter of Luna's guards and caught a brief look of horror on said mare's face before rage took over.
“That's it, Avec! You're going back to Tartarus where you belong!!” Luna cursed him while unleashing a powerful beam of pure moonlight from her horn.
After lopping off the head of a nearby guard, Avec glared at the beam speeding towards him. There was only two guards left, but Avec decided they weren't worth his time and shrouded himself with a shadowy barrier. Luna's beam slammed into his shield full force, causing it to crack in several places.
“My guards get back, I'll finish him myself!” Princess Luna yelled with a determined look. Her opponent summoned five small spheres of black flame, and sent them careening into her own shield. 'If he thinks it will be that easy...' She readied another spell while concentrating and trees around her, a thick thread of light-blue magic cascaded into the trees and brought them to life. Several gnarled branches reached down at Avec's barrier and wrapped themselves around it, lifting the Kirin and the barrier high into the air. 'I've got you this time, Avec.'
Avec tapped his barrier finding it turning against him. 'So, she wishes to drain me of my magic.' He grinned. Using a clawed finger, he drew a pentagram symbol into the barrier while Luna's magic flowed through it.
Luna felt a strange pinch of something flowing through her magical aura, but couldn't quite tell what it was until she looked Avec square in the eyes. She recognized that look. 'Oh no, what could he be possibly be up to?'
“It's been fun Moon Princess! But I'm afraid, I'll have to cut our reunion short.” Hearing this, Luna sent a pulse into the branches urging them to crush the life out of Avec. The Kirin laughed and vanished from the barrier all together, his voice whispered through the trees with one message before fading away as well. “Before I go, I'll leave this memory you so desperately left behind. Hahahahaaa!!”
Luna clutched her head in pain, as the branches returned to normal and her magic evaporated into the air. 'No! Not that memory, it hurts too much!' The remaining guards sped to their pained monarch in concern. Twilight also weakly limped towards Luna in confusion. The Moon Princess caught Twilight's gaze, the lavender mare's rippling purple dragon eyes brought up a longing Luna had thought she had suppressed long ago. 'No, not now. Please not now, she died ages ago by her own kin. There was nothing left of her. Bu-but how can Twilight Sparkle have the same eyes as her?' Luna wanted to cast her Mage Sight spell, but she was afraid of what she would discover. 'I couldn't bare to...' A memory of a deep black coat passed by her mind's eye. '...see her again, not after so long. Avec is to blame for this, I never should have trusted him in the first place.'
“Your Highness, please we must gather the dead and return to Canterlot before dawn.” The guard on Luna's left reminded.
Luna nodded slowly, blinking away mournful tears. “Do so, Twilight Sparkle w-we must go now, Celestia is most worried.” She held out a wing to help Twilight steady herself, but tensed when she noticed Twilight's new height. “W-we are glad thou art safe.” She stuttered.
Twilight blinked slowly. Was Luna stammering? “Alright, I need to speak with her anyway. She's probably not very happy with me right now...” She eventually felt a day's worth of exhaustion catch up with her, so Twilight promptly collapsed on Luna's side.
Rain pelted Luna's coat as she hefted Twilight onto her back and into her chariot. She waited for her two remaining guards to call up another group of her sister's guard, most likely to collect the bodies themselves. 'All of you will be remembered for your noble service to the crown.' Luna promised before her chariot was flown into the dark sky. She watched Twilight closely, her feeling of longing wasn't directed to the purple mare face, as it was drawn to her new wings and horn. She turned away sharply, reprimanding herself for ogling her sister's student. 'What's wrong with me?! Twilight is not Her! They have nothing in common, besides...my beloved died long ago.'
Luna sighed, she was always the more emotional of the two Alicorn sisters. 'One of the reasons I became Nightmare Moon.' She looked down again at the sleeping Twilight, suddenly wanting to gaze into those deep violet draconic eyes once more. But she repressed the feeling under her hoof and locked it away the best she could. 'No, it was the reason I became Nightmare Moon.' Twilight shivered when a cold draft of wind blew though the chariot. Seeing this, Luna draped a hesitant wing over her. “You know Twilight...” Luna told the sleeping mare. “...It was thanks to you that I was freed of the Nightmare and my hatred for my sister. If it wasn't for you and your friends, I would still be trapped within that darkness and Equestria would be under Nightmare Moon's Eternal Night.” She smiled softly.
-Canterlot-
The chariot landed in Canterlot an hour later, Luna thanked her guards before lifting Twilight onto her back and heading inside the palace through a side gate. Beside her, Luna levitated Twilight's saddle bags in her aura, she was curious about the odd piece of cloth poking out from one of the flaps. So she carefully took it out and unrolled it, what it showed brought more tears to her eyes. 'Twilight, where did you get this? It depicts Celestia and I, but it also depicts them...' Luna paused in front of Celestia's bedroom door and traced a hoof over the image of the dragon-winged Alicorn. “Oh, Penny...I miss your presence so much.” She drew her watery eyes over the image of the mare opposite of the dragon-winged alicorn, and her eyes filled with hate. 'I don't care if you were close friends with Celestia, I'll never forgive you for what you did to Her.'
A loud creaking sound interrupted her thoughts as her elder sister peaked her head out. “Luna, you're back.” Celestia said with a sleepy yawn, but Luna could see the deep bags under her eyes. “Did you find Twilight? Please tell me you did. I've been so worried about her.” She asked hurriedly despite her exhaustion.
“Yes sister, I have her here on my back. But you should ready yourself for what you're about to see.” When Celestia smiled in relief, Luna lowered her wings covering Twilight. Celestia's smile dropped into a look of terror.
“Lu-Luna, wh-what happened to her?” Celestia felt a pang of fear overtake her, as she gave Twilight a motherly nuzzle. “Sister, lay her on my bed.” She gently directed as she closed her bedroom door. Luna carefully lowered Twilight onto Celestia's queen-sized matress and felt that feeling of longing rise up again. Celestia came up beside her. “Do you know what caused this?” The solar princess asked.
Luna shook her head in regret. “I'm ashamed to say that I haven't a clue, sister.”
“Have you tried Mage Sight?” Celestia pressed, her voice tinged with worry.
The lunar princess froze. She had been hesitant to use that spell, she refused to acknowledge that Twilight had any connection to the dark Alicorn. 'I-I-I couldn't possibly tell Celestia that I believe Twilight could be related to Her of all ponies. They never really liked each other in the past.' Luna frowned at the thought, not wanting a repeat of their last argument. “I have not.”
“Why not? It could reveal the reason behind Twilight's transformation.” Celestia glanced at Twilight.
“I-I don't think it would be wise, Celestia.” Luna took a step back when her sister leveled a small glare at her.
“Luna, you're the only one who can use the spell at the moment. I'm very worried about Twilight, so please, just cast the spell and find out what's really wrong with my student.” Celestia's stern gaze softened slightly when she noticed Luna's nervousness. “Please, Lulu, for me?”
Luna swallowed hard and lit her horn, readying her Mage Sight spell. 'I'm going to regret this...' Throwing caution to the wind, she cast the spell, her eyes glowing an eerie blue. She expanded her magic outward through Celestia too, so they both could see Twilight's aura.
What they saw, shocked them both to their very cores.
-Badlands-
A lone, large black spire stood proudly along the ridge of a mountain range as changeling drones of several hues buzzed to and fro. The full moon shone through the crevices and skylights of the spire, and into the central room where four large changelings sat around a circular table made of solid obsidian.
These particular changelings were four of the five ruling queens of their kind, sans Chrysalis due to her current imprisonment in Canterlot. One of them stood up with a huff. “Chrysalis, that fool, did she really think that her half-baked plan would work?” Her multi-toned voice carried through the cavernous chamber, which caught the attention of her fellow queens. Queen Aphelia, the largest of the group, had a fiery red mane and tail that resembled (ironically) flames and hung loosely along her shoulders. As with all queens, Aphelia had almond-shaped pupils, but her eyes were sea blue in colour. Her carapace was dark grey with light-red chitin covering her back and stomach. Aphelia had less holes in her body unlike most Changelings, and she wore a small gold crown around her horn signifying her as a Queen. Her horn was as long as a Princess Celestia's, but was curved upward like King Sombra's. “We all warned her what would happen if she was caught, and look where she is now.” She sat down exasperated.
The blue maned Changeling Queen, by the name of Physia, sat back in her chair tiredly. “Then why don't we send someone to save her? I'm sure that we could bargain with the Sun Queen for her release, she's too nice for her own good.” Physia's chitin was the same shade of dark blue as her mane and tail, her glowing blue eyes had a piercing quality to them that would make even the bravest of warriors freeze up in fear. Her carapace had was lined with holes, and was black in colour, and on her head sat a fluted horn.
The next queen to speak up, had an unusual white body with a green mane and tail. Her forest green chitin was her most striking feature, since it was adorned with several chains of jewelry of various hues. She carried no crown upon her head, but chose a golden circlet as her choice of royal regalia. Queen Jellisa's insect wings buzzed in irritation. “I'd say just leave her be.” She stated.
Aphelia gave the white changeling a questioning glance. “Really now, Jellisa? You were the one who supported Chrysalis' campaign the most. After all...it was thanks to her mother that you became a Queen in the first place.” She smirked when Jellisa glared at her.
“Be that as it may, Chrysalis failed to take over Equestria horribly.” She paused for a moment. “I mean really? Defeated by a little Unicorn. How unbecoming of a Changeling Queen.” Jellisa remarked as she swirled her champagne glass around in her magic.
Physia rolled her eyes as Aphelia and Jellisa began bickering. She coiled her mane around her hoof, deciding to straighten it while watching the most quiet of the Queens. She had her eyes closed currently, and seemed to be meditating. “Silence? What do you sense this time?” Physia asked.
Queen Silence. She was eldest of the Changeling race, the first to become whole. She was unfortunately blind at birth, but she had a heightened sense of things. So she could feel the magical auras of others, be they Changeling, Pony, Zebra, Minotaur etc. Her carapace was the colour of ashen grey, while her chitin and mane was a faded yellow. Silence didn't talk much, so getting an answer out of her was almost like talking to a wall. “Dark Magic, immensely powerful dark magic.” She answered curtly.
That gained the attention of the other two Queens, promptly ending their bickering. “Where?” Aphelia pressed, her curiosity piqued.
The ashen grey Changeling Queen remained silent.
Jellisa cleared her throat while gesturing a hoof for her to go on. Despite been blind, Silence spoke up as if she saw Jellisa's holed hoof. “It was coming from the Crystal Empire, but suddenly moved to over where I believe Canterlot presides.” Silence moved her head and pointed a hoof in the direction of Equestria's Capitol. “I believe it to be the Dark Mother's aura, if only at a much lower level than usual.”
The other three Changeling Queen smiled devilishly. “That could mean, Avec was right about his prophecy. Our Dark Mother Penumbra, is returning.” Aphelia laughed.
-Canterlot, The Next Day-
“Alert the Guard! All of them!” Princess Celestia ordered as she made her way through Canterlot Palace. Twilight had awoken abruptly last night, and began screaming bloody murder. Which had led to her suddenly flying out the window and into the night, unfortunately Luna had been unable to catch the lavender mare but could sense that she was still in the city. “Twilight, where did you go my little pony?” Celestia was frightfully scared of what she saw the night before, when Luna used her Mage Sight spell and peered into Twilight's magical aura. 'I...it just can't be. Why does Twilight have Her magic?' She suppressed a whimper. “I can't let this get to me, I have ruled Equestria for over a millennium. And with Luna back, things will not end like they did before.”
After Nightmare Moon was banished, Princess Celestia was deep in regret over her sister's downfall for well over a century. Ruling the country on her own was not easy for the solar Alicorn, she had made several plans for Luna's eventual return. A few failed here and there, mainly the ones involving a certain Unicorn mare named Sunset Shimmer and a magical mirror. Celestia made sure to keep the mirror under heavy security if her former student ever returned. Sunset was like a daughter to Celestia, before Twilight came around and lost her parents. 'The two most likely would have been great friends.' Celestia thought with a frown.
Celestia was so lost in her thoughts, that she almost ran into her sister in the hallway. “Celestia! You scared me!” Luna exclaimed taking a step back.
“Hmm? Oh, sorry Lulu. I was just thinking.” Celestia sighed.
“Is it about...Twilight?” Luna guessed, already knowing the answer. Celestia nodded sadly. “I won't ask you to not worry sister, cause I'm concerned about her too.”
Celestia bit her lip, not wanting to burden her sister anymore than she had last night. She knew her sister was fully capable of handling herself, but when it came to a matter involving the Alicorn of Tartarus? Celestia did not want to remember the time she and Penumbra last spoke, it would drive Luna to tears again. “Luna.” She said gaining her sister's attention. "I promise, I will not allow a tragedy like what happened over three thousand years ago, to occur again. They both were important to us, albeit in different ways of course.” Luna chuckled a little at that.
Luna was about to say something but was interrupted by a Royal Guard that trotted up to them. Both Princesses steeled themselves, and adopted their usual regal masks. “We have found Twilight Sparkle, your Majesties.” He saluted briskly.
“Lieutenant Flare Wing.” Celestia nodded to the stallion. “Where has my faithful student gone?” She asked with hint of concern.
“We found her in an abandoned warehouse in the eastern district. But we were unable to get to her directly, there's some sort of barrier ward surrounding her and she seemed to be in pain.” Flare Wing winced.
Both Princesses' eyes widened, fearing the same thing. “Lead the way, quickly.” Celestia ordered.
The lieutenant saluted crisply, then turned around soon followed by the princesses. They swiftly passed by several buildings in the market district, ponies bowed their heads in reverence to their princesses as they trotted down the cobblestone street. Celestia's face tightened in a deep frown as she bit her lip in worry, but smartly slipped in her usual kind demeanor that was known across Equestria.
Luna was another matter entirely. Her mood was turning sour at the thought of Avec and his Cult wanting to sacrifice her sister's student/daughter for their sick religion. But then again, as much she hated what would happen to Twilight, the chance that she could be reunited with Penumbra brought a grim smile to her face. 'But regardless, we can't let any harm come to Twilight, she does not deserve any of this.' She ruffled her wings as they came to a stop before a rather large metal warehouse.
Normally the warehouses were filled with crates and had winding labyrinth-like passages in between them. But this particular one had most of its numerous boxes turned over and half wrecked by a powerfully dark wind cascading up and down the walls. A burst of energy blasted a nearby crate straight at Luna, but was caught in a golden aura by Celestia. “Be careful! Whatever has hold over Twilight, clearly doesn't want anyone near her!” She shouted over the booming noise.
Flare Wing and several of his subordinates took formation around the princesses as they carefully approached the center of the chaos. Celestia and Luna took notice of a swirling mass of darkness that towered over them like a fierce Manticore. Another blast of energy forced the platoon of guards back a few feet, but the Alicorn sisters stood their ground. “Twilight! Are you in there?!” Celestia yelled as she approached, with Luna close behind her.
A cold voice answered her. “Stay away from my Mistress, Celestia.”
Princess Celestia felt a familiar shiver go down her spine. “I know this feeling...” Celestia narrowed her eyes at the mass of darkness. “So, are you the reason for what's been happening to Twilight?” She demanded.
The voice giggled darkly. “Maybe, maybe not.” Its tone took on a creepy foal-like guise.
Luna growled. “Foul creature! You will release Twilight Sparkle immediately, or you will face our wrath!” She charged up her horn as her sister did the same.
Two white eyes opened up from the mass followed by a gleaming white mouth. A black head shaped like Twilight's formed and grinned savagely. “My mistress is sleeping, and I shall not allow anything to disturb her.”
Both princesses glared furiously at the mass of darkness. “Twilight is no ones mistress and you will release her from whatever hold you have over her.” Celestia stepped forward.
“Neither of you understand the true importance of Mistress Twilight.” It hissed. Long thin shadowy tendrils sprung out of the mass, reaching for their horns. “Hand over your Alicorn Magic, my Mistress needs more power!”
Celestia and Luna conjured up two barriers of opposite power, which deflected the tendrils. The black mass recoiled in pain causing something within itself to scream. Celestia strode forward after it. “Lieutenant! Encompass the area with a triple-max barrier ward, to ensure that the creature doesn't escape!”
Flare Wing snapped to and turned to the Unicorn guards in his platoon. “You heard the Princess, get those wards up!” Several of the stallions saluted then took up positions around the outside of the warehouse. After a moment or so, a light-blue dome surrounded the building with the creature, Flare Wing, five guards and the Princesses inside. “Barrier ward is up, Your Highnesses!”
Celestia nodded without turning away from the mass before Luna and herself. The creature unleashed a blast of darkness upon her shield, but she withstood it easily. 'Whatever has Twilight, is not as powerful as it seems.' Hearing its growl of impatience, Celestia flared her wings and flew around it, hovering just behind the mass. “Listen to me, whatever you are. You will release Twilight Sparkle and give yourself up.” Celestia did her best to peer into the dark sphere, trying to catch a glimpse of Twilight.
Luna on the other hand, was staring directly into the creature's featureless white eyes. “You heard my sister, do as told and maybe we shall see fit that no harm comes to you.” If the thing made any suspicious movements, Luna would pulverize it in a heartbeat. 'Celestia needs time to look for an opening. Guess I'll be the distraction.'
The creature's grin widened to an unnatural size. “I think not, Princess. I may not have the power to outright to defeat either of you, but I am able to sap you of your Magic!” It lunged forward, intent on entangling the lunar princess in its tendrils.
Luna jumped out of its reach, slashed two of its tendrils to bits then conjured up a sword made of solid moonlight. One tendril attacked her from the right, Luna performed a somersault in midair and cut the shadowy appendage in two. Raising her head up, Luna parried several more incoming attacks hacking each tendril into pieces. Using her left wing, she smacked another tendril away from her horn, while slashing another with her blade.
She rose her sword above her head, charged head first into the creature's smug face which caused to howl in pain. “Irritating little-” It never finished as Luna swiftly decapitated its head, before flying back several feet.
“Hmm, what was that? I couldn't hear you over the sound of your head being severed.” Luna banked left as a stray tendril attempted to whip her face. “You're becoming quite sloppy, creature.”
The dark mass rounded on Luna, while its still grinning head reattached itself. “If this form isn't enough for you, than...how about THIS!?” The spherical mass shuddered before withdrawing its tendrils and head. For a moment it didn't move, Celestia took a chance and hammered the creature with a beam of pure sunlight, the mass than morphed its body inward taking on a more serpentine shape.
Celestia poured more magic into the beam, just as she was about to pull back when the mass turned into a flying serpent, she saw a shred of lavender within the writhing mass of darkness. 'Twilight!'
Two long fangs protruded from the creature's maw as it became solid again. It breached the ceiling with its head, flew outside, then noisily collided with the barrier the guards had set up. Letting a out roar, it rammed the barrier repeatedly just as the Princesses, Flare Wing and his remaining Pegasi pursued it.
-Twilight-
“It hurts...it hurts so much...” Twilight moaned as she floated within a sea of black. “My...my chest is on fire...” A sharp pain ran through her body as she drifted seamlessly. She felt as if a blade had pierced her chest and heart, but she couldn't move. “I can't feel my body, t-the pain is too much...”
Only Twilight's eyes remained functional as she gazed about fruitlessly searching for whatever was causing the pain in her chest. A shard of crystal passed over her field of vision. It was flawless,opaque and eerily familiar. “Another feeling of deja-vu. Geh...” Another spike of pain as multiple other crystals appeared before Twilight. “I can't see anything except these crystals and darkness...ngh it hurts. What is this pain?” Suddenly Twilight began to regain feeling in her fore hooves. She struggled to turn her limbs into view and what she saw was...not a lavender coat, but a midnight black one. “Wh-what happened to my legs?” She looked further down her torso, once feeling came back to her neck. “W-was my body always this large?” She looked up, deep into the abyss above her, where some kind of glowing purple symbol hovered. “A Pentagram. Not good, then that must mean I'm under some sort of dark spell.”
Her hooves fell to her sides causing ripples across the expansive sea of black, the glow of the crystals her only source of light. Twilight attempted to turn over, as her hind legs slowly became responsive. After finally finding purchase on her feet, Twilight stood up with some difficulty. She winced when another jolt of pain surged through her chest. “Damn...” Taking a deep breath, Twilight steadied herself and looked at her chest. A large, pulsating, glowing white scar sat in the middle of Twilight's chest and ran down to right above her belly. “Where did THAT come from?” Panic filled her voice as brought a hoof to the scar.
She stumbled backwards as her wings stood up in alarm... “Wait, WINGS!?” Twilight snapped her head to her back, where two gigantic dragon wings sat proudly behind her shoulders. Despite their huge size (given that they would be much too large for even Princess Celestia of all ponies)Twilight barely felt any weight coming from them. “They're so majestic...gah what am I saying!? I'm a small lavender Unicorn! Not some kind of huge dragon-winged one!” She began to unconsciously flap her wings frantically.
“Ohnonononono!!” Twilight caught sight her reflection in one of the crystal circling around her. While her coat was currently pitch back; her relection's was her natural lavender, no wings adorned her back, and her legs were definitely not longer than they should be. She licked her lips in disbelief and felt that every one of her teeth were serrated.
“Mistress, this is your true self. You merely forgot about it. Lost sight of your past.” Echo's voice reverberated across the void.
Twilight shook her head rapidly. “No! This is not me!” She dropped to the semi-solid sea of black with thud. “I am not Her! I am not Penumbra!” She screamed in defiance.
“Don't deny what you know to be true, Twilight!” Echo appeared before her, an almost exact replica of Twilight but completely black with white eyes. “Only you could possibly possess the might of the Goddess of Darkness! The Alicorn of Tartarus!” Echo punctuated each word while tapping a hoof to Twilight's scarred chest. “Where do you think this scar came from?! Things like this don't just appear Mistress!”
Twilight's eyes went frantic, as she glared at Echo. “You! Are! WRONG!!” She unleashed a powerful wave of energy, knocking Echo onto her back. “I am Twilight Sparkle! NOT some evil Alicorn of the past!!” Her glare hardened as Echo backed away in fear. “Is this what you wanted, Echo!? To make me into some sort of monster!?! You will pay for your insolence!!” She lit her much longer horn in rage.
Echo's eyes widened in terror.“Wait, wait Mistress! Please, please show mercy! I didn't mean it like that!”Her vision went blank as the mindscape became engulfed in a dark violet explosion.
-Outside-
Princesses Celestia and Luna tightened their magical grip on the dark serpent as it began writhe suddenly. “Sister, something is happening to it!” Luna shouted over the creature's roaring.
“Everypony, take cover!” Celestia tackled her sister as barreled into the warehouse.
The shadowy serpent coiled around itself, while beams of purple light burst through cracks appearing across its body. “NOO! Mistress! Don't!” Echo screamed as her body exploded apart and Twilight fell to the ground half-awake.
Flare Wing made to catch her, but stopped dead in his tracks as Princess Celestia rocketed past him and intercepted Twilight's fall. “Twilight? Twilight, can you hear me my little pony?” Celestia asked worriedly.
Twilight blinked open an eye as Luna approached then answered. “P-Princess? Please...help me... this darkness hurts so much.” She croaked.
“Don't worry Twilight, Luna and I will use our magick to seal away that cursed Dark Magic within you.” Celestia smiled reassuringly.
The exhausted unicorn smiled at them both. “Th-thank you, I don't...want to lose...sight of who I am...” With one last look at the rising sun, Twilight drifted into a blissful, dreamless sleep.
The Crystal Ponies were unhappy. That much was clear to Princess Cadence as she strolled through the newly freed Empire. She couldn't find out why none of her new subjects seemed glad after Sombra's defeat. Sure they thanked Cadence and Twilight's friends, but whenever she asked a crystal pony a question about their unhappiness they would ask: 'Where is our beloved Queen?'. 'Queen? I knew the Empire was ruled by King Sombra in the past, and about a previous Unicorn Princess before him. But nothing about a pony with the title of Queen.'
Cadence paused when a distraught group of Crystal Ponies gazed at her sadly, before shaking their heads and left the plaza. She frowned as she passed a couple of her crystal guards and entered the palace. The castle was empty besides the few maids and chefs slowly wandering the halls. Cadence could do nothing than sigh at their gloomy expressions. 'I wish there was something I could do for them.' Entering the Throne Room, the pink alicorn turned her gazed toward the new tapestries adorning the walls. All of them depicted a tall white Alicorn rearing up on her hind legs, surrounded by several smaller ponies smiling and bowing in reverence. 'Is that her? Strange. The only white alicorn I've ever seen was Aunt Celestia. And she and Luna never speak about their early lives much.'
Her thoughts turned to the Preacher trotting beside her. “Crysta Feather, was it?” She asked turning around and sitting down on the throne.
The white Unicorn nodded, then smiled serenely. “Yes Princess, the Holy Church of Crystal wishes to extend a hoof in friendship, we mainly just want to open up connections between us.”
Despite Crysta's kindness and warm smile, Cadence couldn't help but be suspicious of her. She had been a witness to the Preacher's “Blessing” when she used it on several of the Crystal Ponies. They had actual smiles on their faces after the encounter, later Crysta asked Cadence if she wanted to be “blessed” as well, which she politely declined.
Crysta's smile wilted for a moment at Cadence's frown, but it rose up again. “Once a proper agreement has been established, we can go about gaining you your own Blessing, Your Highness.”
“Why exactly? If you don't mind elaborating a bit for me.” Cadence questioned.
“Well, Princess Celestia has already been blessed by our Matriarch, Princess Luna has yet to accept our offer of course. You see, it's an old custom of ours to give Blessings to the rulers we bring into our religion. The Crystal Goddess began the practice after founding the Empire and asserting her own foothold in Northern Equestria.” Crysta smiled with glee.
Cadence nodded. “So she began your religion then?” She raised an eyebrow. 'Maybe this “Crystal Goddess” was what the crystal ponies meant by their 'beloved queen?''
“The Holy One, has created many cathedrals for our Order, Princess. Now about that proposition of ours...” Crysta smiled serenely.
-Frozen North-
A shadowy mass moved into a desolate cavern to escape the blistering cold snow. “Damn them...” King Sombra growled weakly as he manifested back into his pony form. “Damn Elements...damn Alicorns...” He placed a grey hoof along the wall and pulled himself up. He couldn't believe this, him, King Sombra, the true ruler of the Crystal Empire. For years he plotted his revenge over his defeat by the hooves of the Royal Sisters, the thought made him cringe in disgust.
A long black tendril snapped on the ground to gain his attention. He shook with terror. “Yyyyyoouuu failed agggaaiinn.”IT rasped.
“You did not tell me about another ALICORN!” Despite his fear, Sombra glared at the writhing mass darkness. “And I thought Penumbra was dead!” His curved horn glowed darkly.
“Weee do not cccaarree for your ...squabbles...”IT coiled around his shaking body with its shapeless mass. “Weee gave you freedom...we gave you power, and you failed us...”IT grabbed his legs and held him upside down.
“Gahh! No! No please!! I won't fail next time!!” Sombra begged as his body began to loose strength.
“Weee know you won't, because there won't beeeee a next time.”IT hissed angrily as it began suck the life out of Sombra.
“So, this is how you treat your...underlings.” Sombra gasped as he lost control of his limbs.
“Weee have waited faarrrr too long puppet. Besides, befooorree long, Penumbra will return.” A large angular head emerged before Sombra's, several rows of long sharp teeth threatened to bite his head off. Sombra recoiled. This...this thing wasn't like any creature he had ever encountered before in his long life. No definite form, only blackness. Only its head was ever exactly the same. Five long protrusions sprouted from the top and sides of its head. “Reettuurrnn our power to us Sombra and never come back.”IT opened its maw wide as Sombra screamed, struggling to break free.
“St-stay, stay back monster!!” He failed to raise his hooves before IT lumbered over him and chomped his whole top half down its gullet. Sombra's screams were cut short as his body was noisily swallowed by the creature.
Blood dripped down its jaw, as it grabbed the pony's lower half and swallowed it whole. “These equines are perfect, their magic is like nothing weee have ever tasted.” IT hissed. The creature silently moved to the entrance of the cave and watched the distant Crystal Empire with its five blood red eyes. The middle eye blinked when a white polar bear pass its cave, the animal growled as it reached the creature's cave.
“RAWR!!” The bear roared at the intruder of its territory.
IT cocked its to the side, gazing at the angry animal. Bears and other such animals always acted like it was the enemy, which it was of course, but the creature was not intimated. IT merely let out a booming roar that sent the bear into a tree, snapping it right in half. The creature crept out of its cave, looking left and right for anymore beings that might challenge it.
IT formed a pair of long dagger-like claws and hovered over the landscape, while spreading its terrible influence everywhere it touched. IT did not chuckle or gloat about its own power, however it did stalk forward and quickly engulfed the polar bear into its mass of blackness. “Sombra may have failed us...but weee will have that cccrryyysstaall heart and all of its ponies.” The creature hissed as it made its way toward the Empire.
-Meanwhile-
Twilight's friends were worried. They had met Twilight before she suddenly vanished, Rainbow Dash, repeatedly swore she saw Twilight battling King Sombra atop the Crystal Spire, but the others were just not convinced that their lavender friend would fight the mad king on her own. Especially without her Element of Harmony.
Rainbow huffed as she followed her friends into their private cabin at the back of the Friendship Express. “Come. ON. Girls. It was totally Twilight I saw up there flinging wicked magick spells at Sombra.” She argued as she sat down across from Applejack and Rarity. “Who else do we know with a purple coat?”
Applejack raised an eyebrow. “How about Miss Cheerilee?”
Rainbow face-hoofed. Right. Scootaloo's school teacher. “Okay fine. But I still know what I saw the other day. Besides, why else would Twilight just vanish without telling us?” She asked while crossing her fore-hooves across her chest.
“Darling, Princess Cadence already told us that Twilight is in Canterlot as we speak.” Rarity reminded the brash Pegasus. “Princess Celestia, sent a letter detailing that Twilight is safe and sound with her and Princess Luna in the castle. Or did you forget already?”
Rainbow Dash grit her teeth in frustration. “I know about all that already! But we didn't even see Twilight leave or anything, no royal chariot, no white or blue Alicorns wandering around.” She let out a breath of exasperation. “Geez, even Spike hasn't even received a single letter from Twilight herself, and he's worried sick about her.”
Spike, hearing his name, sighed deeply. “It's okay Rainbow, I'm sure Twi has her reasons. Besides she's stronger than she looks.” There was also that red Pegasus stallion that had been assigned to them, but he had returned to Canterlot shortly after Twilight apparently. 'That guy was really weird too, considering what he kept saying about this Church he went to.' Spike pondered.
The train started down the track and into the light blizzard surrounding the Empire. An hour or two passed by without anything untoward happening, that was until the train suddenly halted jostling its passengers. “What in the hay?” Applejack said startled.
The train engineer stepped in. “Sorry for the delay, but there seems to be a blockage along the tracks in front of us. Don't worry we'll soon have it taken care of.” He nodded apologetically before leaving the cabin. The mares and dragon looked out the window curiously.
Then they heard a terrified yell. “MONSTER! It's a monster!! Everypony run to safety!!” Someone screamed. The girls swiftly landed on their hooves, except Fluttershy who was hiding underneath her seat. The train shook roughly, rocking everypony within which caused them to fall onto their sides. Rainbow Dash and Applejack were the first to regain their bearings. “Spike, you and the others stay here, me and Dash are gonna check it out.” Before Spike could say anything the two mares ran busted through the back door of the cabin and into the mild blizzard. Pinkie Pie and Rarity continued looking out the window in case Rainbow and Applejack needed help.
Outside, the two mares bolted to the front of the train, and saw a giant black ...thing. They couldn't describe it. Whatever it was, the thing grabbed the conductor and held him over its huge toothy mouth. Rainbow Dash was the first to act, so she flew right at the stallion and nabbed him before the thing ate him whole. “I gotcha! Don't worry!” She yelled before setting him down far away from the shadowy thing. “What the buck is that thing!?”
“Dash!” Applejack called out as the creature engulfed the front part of the train. “We gotta stop it, before it gets to the others!” Rainbow Dash nodded quickly as she took off into the air above it.
The thing attempted to grab Applejack, but the orange mare expertly jumped right over its arm and bucked it. “Whoa!?” She slipped right through its body like it wasn't even there. Rainbow saw this and flew right at thing's face, unfortunately she also passed through its ethereal body mass.
She plowed right into the snow shaking like a scared foal. For some reason she felt...Empty and hopeless. “W-w-what in Celestia's n-n-name?” She stammered.
Applejack didn't fare much better. Her whole body felt paralyzed when she made contact with the thing. She couldn't explain it. The creature towered over her than roughly punched her away into a snow bank.
Rarity and Pinkie ran outside toward their friends. “Pinkie, we have to get out here!” Rarity yelled as she dragged Applejack's unconscious body the others while Spike dragged Fluttershy out of the train.
“Okie-dokie!” Pinkie placed Rainbow on her back and galloped towards Rarity.
“Quickly you guys, before that thing gets us!” Spike yelled. They ran in a group as the creature made chase.
“Weee are not a thing! We are death!”IT screeched only a few yards away.
-Canterlot 2 Days Later -
“That's what you girls saw?” Asked the still recovering Twilight Sparkle from the bed within her tower room. Her friends sat around her mattress telling her of their terrifying encounter.
“Honest sugarcube. We have no idea what tha' creature was exactly.” Applejack shook her head.
Rainbow Dash shivered. “It was so creepy, when I tried decking it's head I felt this horrible feeling of being less than awesome.”
“Dash looked like she was gonna go all grey, like when Discord cursed us.” Rarity recalled from her fainting sofa, as Fluttershy shifted nervously beside her. “Even Fluttershy lost her nerve when it tried devouring Rainbow.” She stroked the yellow mare's back gently.
Fluttershy meeped when everyone's attention was directed her way. “M-My stare didn't even do anything to the monster. I-I know for a fact that it wasn't an animal.”
Twilight studied her friends. They were badly stricken with fear of the thing that attacked their train. Whatever IT was. From what they told her so far, the creature pursued them through the tundra until they reached the Empire's barrier, which luckily prevented the thing from entering the city. It merely howled in pain and vanished into the air. Later on, a large platoon of Royal Guards came over with a chariot and took them home safely, the creature never showed again after that.
Rainbow Dash and Applejack were the most affected by the horror. Something about a horrid feeling of emptiness and self-loathing when they touched it, they said the feeling went away after entering the barrier and as soon as the thing disappeared. Princess Celestia and Luna sent a contingent of both of their guards to scour the Frozen North for any sign of the creature in case it shows its hideous face again.
They spoke for a while longer before Luna entered the room. “Sorry my friends, but my sister wishes to speak to Twilight in her chambers.” Luna smiled slowly at Twilight's draconic eyes, despite sealing the Dark Magick deep within the lavender mare. Twilight still retained those rippling violet eyes and even the wings, thankfully the wings were much smaller and bore only feathers.
Regardless though, Twilight's friends were shocked to find out their friend ascended to an Alicorn suddenly, Rainbow was ecstatic to have the chance to teach someone how to fly, of course. Celestia and herself just refrained from telling them how Twilight ascended exactly. “It's rather important.”
Twilight rose from her bed and approached Luna. “I'll be back later girls, you can tell me the rest when I come back.” The others nodded as the Alicorns left.
Closing the door, Luna wrapped a wing around Twilight. Twilight looked at her. “Um, you're still recovering Twilight, I-I'm just making sure you don't collapse again.” Luna stuttered as they traversed the hall.
“It's okay Luna, I appreciate it.” Twilight gave a small smile of her own. Much to her relief, her body returned to its normal height and colours, except her eyes.
They arrived shortly at Celestia's chambers, and opened the doors. Celestia was sitting patiently in front of the fireplace unadorned by her regalia. “Good to see you again Twilight. Are you feeling better?” Celestia asked as her student and sister sat across from her.
Twilight frowned. “I can stand at least, but being a Alicorn is strange...or it should be strange. I haven't felt this whole before.” She shrugged. “The Dark Magick hasn't acted up ever since you sealed it away.”
Celestia could see her sister biting her lip, a look of longing in her eyes as she gazed at Twilight. She laid a wing over Luna, rubbing her back in comfort. Luna leaned back and sighed deeply, smiling at her sister. Celestia returned the smile before looking to her student. “Any voices in your mind, or dark dreams at all?” She asked concerned.
Twilight's ears perked up. “None. I haven't heard Echo's voice since that day..., honestly though I feel horrible for how I treated her.” Twilight's eyes fell as she recalled Echo's pained screams. “She only wanted to help me and I...” She sniffled.
Luna's eyes hardened. “Twilight, while the shade may have meant well for you, she attempted to steal our Alicorn magick. Forcefully.” When Twilight wilted, Luna's voice softened. “We were afraid for you Twilight, you are a my...my-” Luna trailed off, not wanting to let her choked feelings show.
“Your what?” Twilight sniffled, looking directly at the lunar princess.
Luna turned her head. “N-no never mind my lo-” She clamped her mouth shut, Luna felt her sister's wing stiffen at her side.
Twilight stood up. “Luna?” Her beautiful draconic eyes peered into Luna's.
Luna forced herself to not leap at the purple mare, those eyes of hers were mesmerizing. Her guilt for passing up her memories of Penumbra weighed her down. 'Would she ever forgive me for that? Penny took betrayal far worse than I ever did.' Even now she could see wisps of black wrapping around Twilight like a shroud. 'Our seal will not hold forever, She will return eventually. It's inevitable.'
Twilight took a step forward, her face an expression of confusion. “Is something wrong Princess Luna?” She saw Celestia give her sister a quick nuzzle before stepping out of the room.
Luna rose to her hooves and gazed down at Twilight. “Listen Twilight. There's something you need to know.” Twilight nodded slowly as Luna gulped. “A-A long time ago, my sister and I met two other Alicorns like ourselves. This was before Discord came into power and before King Sombra surfaced.” The lunar mare exhaled deeply and magicked over a cup of tea. “They were older than us, both of them were unlike any pony we have ever met.” Luna took a seat on a velvet cushion near the window, Twilight following and sitting on another cushion across from her. “Diamanda and Penumbra. Those were their names, Alicorns of Crystal and Darkness Incarnate respectfully. Celestia became close friends with Diamanda almost a day after we met them, while Penumbra and myself were walking on eggshells around each other.” She took a shuddering sip of her tea as Twilight's wings twitched.
“Why are you telling me this?” Twilight questioned, wanting a clear answer.
“Because you have a right to know why the Cult is so set on you for Penumbra's return.” Luna explained taking another long sip of tea. “Anyhow, P-Penumbra and her sister had recently lost their home to something from beyond, and had to escape on their own. We met them purely by chance in the Badlands during a sandstorm. Please, don't ask me what we were doing out there.” Luna halted Twilight's raised hoof and unanswered question. “You may talk to my sister about it later.” Clearing her throat Luna continued. “Soon after, Diamanda took us to her home up north, she introduced us to her 'children'.” She waved her hooves around with a huff. “My sister was ecstatic of course, me not so much the third day was when Penumbra finally spoke and tried to get rid of me and my sister.” A wistful smile crossed her lips. “She stole and hid all the food inside the cavern and blamed us for the theft, it almost worked until my sister found a orange stain on Penumbra's coat. She snorted and said that wasn't enough evidence.” Luna laughed. “Later, we all found the food in her chambers while she was attempting to eat the evidence.”
Celestia returned with a tray of light snacks in her aura. “Luna, Twilight, I have something.” She lowered the tray between them. “Now where are we?”
Luna levitated a biscuit than nibbled it. “We were just talking about Penny's attempt at getting rid of us.”
“Ah.” Was Celestia's response before she sat beside Luna. “Shall I?” At Luna's nod she looked at Twilight. “Penumbra, was a very aggressive mare. I saw it in her eyes everyday, her distrust of us was obvious even to her twin. Diamanda was the opposite of her, she welcomed us with open hooves and gave us shelter.” A warm smile crossed her muzzle. “She sang you know, Twilight. Her voice was melodious like a wind chime. At the time we were just young mares, so she sang us both to sleep, since you know...” Celestia suddenly found the floor more interesting.
“Are you okay, Princess?” Twilight asked with worry.
Luna sighed. “The history books know nothing of our true origins, Twilight.” Twilight gave her a curious look. “We were orphans, Tia and I, our parents were mortal ponies as were we. Our Ascension into Alicorns was not until sometime after Discord appeared.”
“Diamanda and Penumbra, helped us locate the Elements of Harmony so we could defeat Discord, neither of them expected us to become Alicorns along the way. They departed soon after we turned Discord to stone.” Celestia closed her eyes as she took a breath. “It was a rough century for us both, ponies were still quarreling with each other, the griffons and dragons threatened to invade multiple times.” She sighed deeply. “Than came a stallion named King Sombra.”
“I'll explain sister.” Luna rubbed her sister's back as Celestia nodded. “We learned that Penumbra had taken on a student, by the name of Sombra, who was especially skilled with her Dark Magic.” The younger princess laid down and gazed solemnly at Twilight. “He even found a way to combine both Penny's and Diamanda's types of magic together. With terrible results. The powerful magic drove him mad, and gave him a strange obsession with Diamanda's crystals. He took over the Crystal Empire, which Diamanda ruled at the time while she was away in another country, so we had to deal with it ourselves. Penumbra actually decided to assist us, with her army and our Elements we defeated Sombra and sealed him away deep beneath the ice.”
The sisters laid together with Twilight as she looked with a worried expression. “Sorry, but I still don't get what any of this has to do with me.” She rubbed a hoof over her fetlock.
Celestia cleared her throat. “This is difficult for us to say Twilight.”
Luna shuddered as her gaze filled with longing once again. “T-Twilight, as you slept during the first night you were here...we used my Mage Sight spell on you.” Her hoof reached for Twilight instinctively.
The purple mare gasped. “You did? Why?”
...
...
...
Both sisters stood up slowly and spoke together. “We believe you, Twilight Sparkle, are the reincarnation of Penumbra, The Alicorn of Tartarus.”
Twilight cringed as she slept, the pain in her chest returned in full force. It felt like someone was digging a knife into her, and turning it slowly. How she remained asleep was anypony's guess.
Deep within her psyche, a nightmare...or more likely, a memory ran itself in silence. She couldn't make out the blurry scene before her, specks of white and dark blue swam in her vision. 'Wha...who is that? Ugh, it hurts...' Her sense of vision improved somewhat, Twilight could make out translucent object of some sort below her neck. She squinted her eyes. 'C-crystal?...wait it's not on me it's...' Her vision cleared. 'It...It's stabbed inside of me!' The pain she felt doubled in intensity. 'Ma-make it stop! It hurts so much!!'
She heard somepony scream in horror. “PENNY!!” Twilight turned her head the best she could, Luna was hovering in front of her. “My love, no! Please don't die on me!” The lunar princess sobbed uncontrollably as she held Twilight's head up with her hooves.
Twilight felt her mouth move on its own. “Luwa, d-don't cry...I implore you.” She saw a jet-black hoof, reach up and rub Luna's cheek. 'T-that's not mine...it's Penumbra's.'
“Th-that's not how y-you say my n-name, Penny. Don't move, I can still save y-you.” Luna stomped weakly on the crystal spike that had impaled the darker alicorn. “Co-come on, break. Break! BREAK!!” The crystalline spike didn't even chip.
'This is...' Penumbra coughed as blood poured down her lips. “I-it's no use, Luwa. Dia's magic is too powerful for you alone to overcome. I'm a-afriad it's the end for me.” Twilight felt her gaze meet Luna's own. “I-I wasn't myself...” The dark-grey chest armor Penumbra wore, split in two as blood flowed down the magical crystal.
“Sister she's not going to make it!” Twilight couldn't see the solar alicorn, but she could easily make out the heartbroken tone in her voice from afar. “...Luna-wait Diamanda come back!” She could hear the sound of wings flapping in the distance as her vision became blurry once more.
Hooves wrapped around her neck as Luna came closer. “You can't leave me, please!”
-Luna's Chamber-
Princess Luna wailed as she slept in her queen-sized mattress. The soundproof wards of her bedroom kept the guard posted outside from barging in as she wept. “Oh, oh Penny, you can't die!”
Before her was Penumbra's impaled form, her life blood seeping slowly out. “Too late for me...my Moon. Please just accept one request...before I-” The darker alicorn coughed up more blood as Luna held her tight.
“Don't speak. I can, no, I WILL save you.” She lit horn, as she let the full force of her moon flow through her body. “This won't be the end for you!” Her tears flowed down her face as she felt the moon's magic within her fail. “No! Please no!”
Penumbra smiled wryly. “You have exhausted your magic, Luwa.” She shut her eyes as a look of anger crossed her shuddering form. “I...I wasn't strong enough against that...that-” Another bloody coughing fit racked her throat. “Forget it then. Luwa, listen.”
Luna desperately kissed Penumbra, not caring if her coat was covered in her blood. “Don't leave me. Please. We had so much planned...” She whispered.
Penumbra rested her forehead on Luna's. “I hate this too Luna.” She looked into Luna's eyes. “But, don't forget me okay? Th-that's all I ask...” Her voice became quiet.
“Penny?...Penny!?” Luna nuzzled her lover's neck.
“Stop yelling, stupid filly.” Penumbra whispered. “Don't you ever forget about me, alright?” She asked softly. Her wings lost their strength and fell to her sides. “Time's up...Luwa.”
-Twilight-
Twilight tensed as foreign feelings overpowered her sense of pain. “Time's up, Luwa.” She whimpered in Penumbra's voice.
She could feel Luna continue her efforts at shattering the crystal, pointless as it was. “We. Promised. To. Never. Be. Apart!!” Luna screamed, as she fell to face to face with Twilight/Penumbra. “Penny...”
Penumbra grunted as Twilight felt her body grow cold. “I-I said to not c-cry, Luna.” Her eyes closed.
-Luna-
Luna stood finally, her face covered with tears. “I-I promise.” Penumbra let out a small smile as she went limp, her eyes closed forever. The lunar mare screamed her beloved's name as Penumbra's body vanished into nothing. Troops of dark creatures hurried out of the castle as they heard her primal scream, their armor glinting in the moonlight as they passed below. Luna's head dropped in pain, her windpipe aching from the strain. “Curse that crystal witch. How dare she take my beloved from me?”
She clenched her eyes shut, as she flew into the Everfree Palace. “...”
...
...
...
“Luna?” She heard a voice call out.
Luna snapped her head up and glared furiously at the foolish pony who had dared call her by her first name. 'Only Penny may call me by that na-' She paused staring at the pacing purple mare. “Tw-Twilight?”
-The Holy Church of Crystal-
Crysta Feather trotted merrily down the beautifully decorated corridor. Pony statues made of finely carved crystal doted the white marble hallway, their robed heads bowed in reverence. Glowing blue crystal markings lined the walls as the white mare made her way across the threshold and into a grand circular chamber filled to the brim with ponies of all hues. Crysta chuckled lightly. 'The Elder Counsel. These old folks never seem to lighten up, even with all of the Matriarch's attempts.' She coughed politely which caught the attention of the elder mares and stallions. “My duty is complete, Elder Counsel.” She raised a hoof in prayer.
Each of them also raised their hooves in prayer, none more so than the Matriarch herself. “Well done my apprentice.” Her voice was like wind chimes and as soft as silk. “I take it Princess Mi Amore Cadenza accepted our offer than?” Beneath her white hood and robe, a very light blue muzzle smiled gently.
Crysta smiled broadly. “Oh yes, Matriarch. It took some convincing on my part, but the young princess eventually came around.” Around her, the most of the Elders sighed in relief. “We have a mutual bond between us and the Crystal Empire, at last.”
There were cheers all around, every pony in the chamber -besides the Matriarch and Crysta- exchanged pats on the back and friendly hugs, until the Matriarch lifted a hoof for silence. “This is very good news, Crysta.” The white unicorn trotted around the table and sat on the Matriarch's right. “Now, is everypony aware of the next phase in our plan?” The Elders nodded, as the Matriarch's smile grew. “Great. Since the Crystal Heart has been secured, we can begin our own search for our missing Crystal Goddess.” Many of the ponies grinned in excitement. “We have one piece already, as I'm sure you're aware.” She gestured to Crysta with a golden shoe.
Crysta giggled quietly as the Matriarch went on. 'I still can't believe they chose me as the Goddess's personal Acolyte. A year in, and already they're praising me...' She sighed inwardly. 'I wish they didn't though, we're supposed to be equal here after all. Maybe Matriarch Lulamoon, could convince them. Hmm.' Her internal musing was cut short at the sound of the Elders leaving, their many hooves literally shaking the ground with their steps.
The Matriarch's robe flowed seamlessly as she helped Crysta to her hooves. “You really shouldn't fall asleep during meeting hours, my apprentice. It's very rude.” Her face was stern, but her tone betrayed her as a friendly chuckle escaped. “Excuse my manners, Crysta. But did you enjoy your stay in the Crystal Empire?”
“I did! Our crystal cousins weren't doing so well after they returned. So I used my Blessing a bit to help them feel better.” She frowned, her hoof scrapped along the floor. “We're alone right?” Crysta asked, as a concerned look joined her frown.
The Matriarch closed her eyes for a moment, before looking directly at Crysta. “We are. What is it Crysta? Did you mean report something else?” She placed a blue hoof over Crysta's shoulders as they made their way down another hall and toward her chamber.
“I did not want the Elders to panic, but...” The Matriarch brought her closer. “I saw it, Matriarch. With my own two eyes, Twilight Sparkle took on the likeness of Penumbra.” She shuddered at the memory of the purple mare reigning Tartarus over King Sombra.
Entering the Matriarch's room, both mares sat next to each other on a velvet couch placed behind a circular wooden table. Matriarch Lulamoon was silent for a good five minutes before speaking in a hushed whisper. “I suspected as much. The cult's dark goddess is regaining her power faster than I had anticipated. It won't be much longer until she fully revives.” She summoned a paper and quill from her night stand. “I want you to deliver a message to the Sun Princess.” Matriarch Lulamoon began writing.
Crysta looked apprehensive. She had met Princess Celestia on multiple occasions, the first was for a Blessing the Church wanted to give her, the second was...less than friendly. Despite her good intentions, she said the wrong thing about the recently returned Princess Luna and earned herself a near death glare from the evening Alicorn's elder sister. Crysta loathed to return to the palace so soon, but the faith in her beliefs overpowered her fear. “If that's what you need of me, Matriarch.” She bowed her head.
“Oh, don't look so serious, Crysta. I only want you to give this letter to Princess Celestia.” The Matriarch snorted dismissively. Crysta looked up with a confused expression. “What's in this missive is private, for Princess Celestia's eyes only.” She folded the parchment and slipped it delicately into an envelope, then sealed it with a wax stamp. “Here, you might want to hurry. It's rather urgent.”
Crysta gathered her wits, than lit her horn to grab the mysterious letter. “Right. Well, I'll see you later, Matriarch.” Crysta smiled the best she could as she left, closing the door behind her.
Matriarch Lulamoon sighed gustily. “We're running out of time. I can only hope Crysta realizes her true role in all of this.”
-Deep Beneath Canterlot-
Countless numbers of crystals moved about the cavern as a gigantic crystal embedded in the wall glowed softly. The blue crystal itself attached several long strands of energy among the hoard, like a spider's web.
“Time is straining, my sister. Like a well oiled machine, it continues to tick on for their kind. But time never seems to touch us, for we are Alicorns of the highest caliber, ageless as the green earth we trot on.” An elegant voice spoke from within the crystal, its tone warm but calculating. “My children suffered at the hooves of a mad usurper, while I attended to other matters. My first daughter blown to pieces. My Empire banished into nothing.” A white equine head broke through the crystalline surface with nary a crack. “My own sister lost to madness. For all of my great power, she was lost to me. Death called to her like a sick fledgling, wanting her presence.” Her eye lids opened to reveal a pair of mournful blue draconic eyes.
“The world is unfair to all, even to us immortals. Time takes away many things; loved ones, places, feelings lost to eternity, a being's own sanity. Only crystal ever remains flawless, its shining brilliance, opaque, translucent...ever beautiful.” Signs of madness infected her tone as she went on. “And I am its Mistress, ever remaining here to spread its beauty. Unfortunately, it seems I'm missing pieces of myself.”
Crystal haphazardly fell to the ground as a tall white form landed gracefully. Her maneless head glanced around slowly. “My sister is out there, somewhere. She needs me, as all living things do.” Diamanda stretched her overly large crystalline wings with a contented sigh. “My Pegasus magic has returned to me, but it will take time before I am whole once again.” She gazed up at her currently useless crystal horn which sat upon her forehead. “It has either been stolen, or has had itself reincarnated into a host body. Either way, I need it back in order for my-” A tremor interrupted her thoughts as the cave shook, causing a stalactite to fall towards the mare. “Tch.”
She easily side-stepped the pointed rock as it loudly impacted the ground, which in turn kicked up debris and shattered crystal. “A short time back, and already the world is attempting to kill me.” Diamanda chuckled briefly as she stepped around her would-be assassin. “Hmm. Must be an omen.”
...
...
...
She stopped before an ornate door made completely of wood. “Now who would have left a door all the way down here?” She went to twist the door knob with her magic, but she felt nothing in her horn. “Oh right, no Unicorn magick. With my current abilities, I would be hard pressed to open it.” Diamanda thought for a moment, before a devious grin crept onto her muzzle. “The door looks well used, due to the fresh hoof prints upon its surface. I'll have to wait til someone comes by, then I'll 'convince' them to help me.” Despite her warm tone, one could have easily made out the almost predatory glint that passed her eyes.
-Luna's Chamber-
Twilight shifted nervously. Princess Luna had brought her to her chambers abruptly after their rather...awkward encounter in the dreamscape. The sharp pain in her chest returned in full force. Twilight regretfully forced herself to realize that the phantom pain was caused by that crystal spike that had pierced her body back when she was Penumbra. Even the white scar from her last encounter with Echo, had actually appeared on her chest and down her abdomen. 'I'm doomed, aren't I?'
The last few days were something almost out a nightmare for Twilight. Her building anxiety, crossed with a feeling of dread, and a strange warm sensation in her chest whenever Luna was near, terrified the young alicorn. 'At least nopony -besides the princesses- know about my recent ascension.' “The nobility would certainly be in an uproar about a new Empress in their midst...the vermin.” Her thought process grinded to a halt. “What did I just-” Her wings sprung up. Twilight whipped her head around as her primary feathers darkened to a jet black. “N-no, it can't be breaking so soon!”
In her panic, Twilight gripped several of the offending feathers in her mouth and ripped them out with a tug of her neck. 'OW!' She screamed internally, while spitting the black feathers out. Twilight bit her lip, holding back a loud wail.
Luna witnessed her charge's desperate attempts at ridding the dark feathers with a demure frown. 'Twilight is Penny. Albeit in a new body and personality, but even those are being over-shadowed by Penny's aggressive nature.' She shook her head. 'So, this is the reason for my infatuation with her, ever since we first met that day in the old castle.' Luna calmly strode over to Twilight, gifting her with a fond smile. “It's alright Twilight. You know, I'm rather relieved that it was you who was the reincarnation of Penumbra, and not some random pony I've never met.”
Twilight for her part, sighed as she watched her removed primaries regrow almost immediately. She caught Luna's gaze and felt that warm feeling again. “I feel lost Luna. Like I'm not supposed to be here, and this Penumbra mare is. Every day is becoming a challenge for me, from my random bouts of anger, to my increasing obsession with making armor. There's an overly large helmet under my mattress, and some metal greaves.” Twilight relished in Luna's presence as both mares trotted onto the balcony.
The moon princess giggled for a moment as she sat beside the younger alicorn. “Yes, that was one of Penny's hobbies back then. She hoof-made her own armor, even though her many blacksmiths begged of her to let them do the dirty work.” Luna closed her eyes as the memories came back to her, despite the surge of pain in her heart. 'No Luna, Twilight is not Penny...yet...oh what am I doing?! It's been so many centuries since we last embraced, and my heart belongs to Her and Her alone.' For all intents and purposes, Luna wanted nothing more than to hold Twilight in her wings, like when they were just Penny and Luwa. Her wing opened as her eyes wavered in the moonlight. She felt a familiar tug on her psyche.
Twilight tensed as Luna's wings wrapped around her shoulders. Her breathing hitched and became laboured. 'The Dark Magic it's...it's breaking out. I can't stop myself!' Her horn grew three times its normal length as her wings spread out into gigantic draconic ones. “Luwa...” She breathed in a voice not her own. With half-lidded eyes, she drew closer to Luna's muzzle as her mind screamed at her. 'Stop! You must stop... You don't know what you're doing!' The voice faded away into the recesses of her mind.
Luna pushed Twilight down onto the floor of the balcony, her own pupils narrowing into slits. “You're back...Penny.”
-Celestia-
The white mare startled as she felt a massive burst of dark energy cast through her bed chamber. She recognized it immediately. “But that was our strongest seal! Not even Sombra would have been able to break it so easily in such a short amount of time!”
The princess sprang to her hooves and busted down her doors, which startled the poor guards outside. “To my sister's chambers, quickly!” The guards nodded as they rushed head long into the corridor.
-Tartarus-
“You understand, don't you? Why this has to be done?” Avec asked with a large smile on his face.
“Oh, I understand perfectly. You want the non-believers removed, including the princesses who imprisoned me here.” A raspy voice answered back with a weak cough. “With my powers, they would be nothing to me.”
Avec rubbed his scaly chin. “Quite so. You just need steal their magic and hand it over to us for Our Goddess.”
...
...
...
Tirek grinned with malice. “A fine bargain for freedom. Fine Cultist, the Alicorn Magick shall be yours. But Equestria is mine. I'm going to show those fools, just who they imprisoned.” Avec removed the lock from his cell freeing Tirek at last. “I will make them pay dearly, and make them watch as their precious kingdom burns.”
Celestia ran head first into her sister's bedroom to a terrifying sight. Luna sat with look of pure bliss on her face as a much larger mare bit into her neck with long fangs. Both pony's wings were wrapped around the other's shoulders. The larger mare's coat was pitch-black, a spiral-less horn sat upon her head, her two giant wings were those of a dragon. 'P-Penumbra...oh no, I was too late.' The guard ponies behind Celestia galloped into the room and surrounded the couple with their spears.
“V-Vampony! Release Princess Luna at o-once!” One ordered, the others nodding their agreement.
The solar diarch set her jaw, as she lit her horn. 'Must I banish her from this plane, is that my only choice? Twilight's soul is shrouded in Penumbra's darkness.' She flared her wings. “Gentle stallions, keep her from escaping!” Celestia stepped closer to the entangled huddled pair.
Penumbra opened her draconic eyes. “Luwa is mine. She is my mate.” The dark alicorn stood up, softly letting Luna drop to the floor. “Back away from us if you value your lives.” Darkness and magic filled the air as she let her power be known.
The ponies tensed themselves as their sense of danger rose. Celestia felt beads of sweat drop from her brow. She knew if she made any sudden movement to take her sister from Penumbra's wing, it could mean harm for her loyal guards. The dark mare didn't seem to recognize her, if her tense posture was to be believed.
Penumbra nuzzled Luna's cheek, as she levitated Luna onto her back. “I don't know who you ponies are, but you best leave us be.” She swung her head up, her black and rippling purple mane cascading down her shoulders. Baring her fangs, Penumbra raised up on her hind legs and let out a dragon-like roar.
The guards narrowed their eyes with a wince as Princess Celestia stepped between them. “We won't harm you or Luna.” She nodded her head to her guards for them to stand down which the stallions complied with a moment of hesitation. “You have my word.”
The black alicorn glared hatefully. “Lies! All of them!” With that Penumbra and Luna vanished in a burst of violet magic which sent the guard ponies reeling in all directions.
-Canterlot Castle Lobby, the Next Day-
Crysta Feather trotted down the hall leading to the throne room, hoping to get an audience with the sun princess. The castle was almost near empty as Day Court was postponed for unknown reasons. Crysta had a message to deliver and nothing would stand in her way, guard or otherwise.
Crysta could tell something was amiss within the walls of Canterlot Castle. She had yet to see more than one or two of the servant ponies stationed about the palace. She frowned as she passed yet another empty room. 'There's traces of Dark Magic everywhere. Twilight Sparkle...' Shaking her head she let out a tired sigh. “Excuse me, I'm here to see the Sun Goddess. Is Her Majesty in?” She politely asked one of the maids.
Before Crysta was a forest green Earth Pony mare with a pink mane and golden tones mixed in, she had a gold band wrapped around her right ear. “Sorry madam, but the Princess left the palace an hour ago.”
“She did? Do you know where the Princess went exactly?”
“You'll have to ask the Seneschal for that, madam.” The maid said straightening out her clothes.
“Really? Hmm, I'll do just that. Thank you.” Crysta gave her a warm smile before heading to the Seneschal's office directly left of the castle throne room. The hall leading to the office portion of the palace was a bustle of activity. Various petitioners were being hounded by a small platoon of Celestia's Solar Guard. 'Must be due to the Sun Goddess' absence.' She sighed. “The Princess needs this letter from the Matriarch, but I have no idea how I'm supposed to get by this crowd.” Glancing to her left, Crysta noticed a particular red pegasus stallion who seemed very out of place. “Hey, I know him...Flare Wing! Over here! It's me, Crysta!” She called over the loud racket.
Flare flinched at the sound of his name being said and turned around, noticing the tall white mare. “O-Oh, hi Crysta long time no see.” He took wing and landed next to her. “What are you up to? More Acolyte business?” He asked curiously.
“Yeah, I have a letter for the Sun Princess. Matriarch Lulamoon said it was urgent.” Crysta stared at the crowd with an unsure look. “I don't suppose you know where the Princess is currently Flare?” She gave him her best puppy dog eyes.
Despite her being taller then Flare, he couldn't resist those watery eyes of hers. “U-Um I guess I could tell you her location. But this is important info s-so no yapping about it to a-anypony.” He tried sounding stern, but it came out as a stammer.
The white unicorn nodded. “You have my word, Flare.” She gave him a warm look. 'Poor guy, he's been in the guard for a year now, but he's still a nervous wreck.'
Flare blushed as Crysta smiled. 'Gah, she sure is beautiful...' He shook his head to clear away the blush. “The Princess is currently in Ponyville, looking for something...I think. Nopony really knows why Princess Celestia is in the town right now. But we think it might have something to do with the Elements of Harmony.” He gave her the short version, figuring Crysta wouldn't like the news about Penumbra's return. “I could deliver that message to the Princ-” He stopped himself short when he noticed Crysta bolting down the hall. “H-Hey wait up Crysta!!” Not wanting to be left behind, Flare took off after her.
-Dodge City Ruins-
A group of dark-grey Changelings buzzed through the recently evacuated town as their red-maned Queen took a deep calming breath to settle her nerves. Glancing to her left, Queen Aphelia took in the sights of the ruined buildings with a calculating stare. 'Just what was he looking for here? That insipid Cultist.' Much to her frustration, the Kirin named Avec decimated most of the once quiet city in search of ...something ten years ago. Which made her task of finding a long forgotten cave (which had several collapsed buildings covering it by the way) all the more difficult.
There was also a high-level of dark magic polluting the air, making it dangerous for any normal pony to step anywhere near the town. Aphelia sighed as one of her drones sharply flew away from a falling wall. “Anything yet?” She asked through the hivemind.
“No sign of the cavern on the north end, My Queen.”
“Same here.”
“We haven't even found any bones of the deceased, Your Highness.”
“Keep searching.” She ordered out-loud with another sigh. '...Whatever Avec was looking for, did he really need to completely tear down this place?' Aphelia may not care much about the ponies of Equestria as a whole but she was very against brutally murdering innocents unlike the twisted cult leader. Despite her hive's alliance with the Cult of the Dark Arts, she absolutely despised their methods of keeping the Dark Mother's teachings alive. Even though she was no stranger to hurting the more annoying ones. Signs of the group's previous activities laid scattered about the former city in the form of spray painted pentagrams on the walls, followed by an odd symbol which Aphelia wasn't able to make heads or tails of.
The changeling queen trotted up to the strange marking as her drones buzzed around looking for the hidden cave. The symbol depicted two large dragon wings embracing a crescent moon within a black splotch which was most odd. As if to answer her thoughts a piercing ringing sound reverberated through her ears causing them pin against her skull. “Ack! What is that?!”
Several of the drones dropped to the ground in pain as the sound reached a higher pitch and a portal opened above and deposited two ponies to the cold hard ground. Queen Aphelia glared at the portal as it vanished along with the horrible sound. Once the ringing in her ears lowered to a mere throb in her head, the changeling queen opened up the hivemind. “Is everyone okay?” Various murmurs of acknowledgment and 'Yes, My Queen!' reached her mind as she carefully approached the ponies.
...
...
...
Twilight grunted as she sluggishly sat up from prone position on the ground. She opened her eyes and found Luna hugging her as she cried. “Princess L-Luna?”
Luna snapped her head up and looked at Twilight's draconic eyes. “Oh, my love...” The princess whispered as she rubbed a hoof over the side of her neck where Twilight noticed a rather obvious bite mark.
“P-Princess you're bleeding!” Twilight jumped to her hooves in a panic flinging Luna onto her back roughly.
“Ow...”
“Oh, sorry Luna!”
“No no, it's quite alright Twilight.”
“Here let me...”
“Twilight my love, I'm fine really.”
“...Princess we really shou-wait your what?” Twilight stopped what she was doing and peered at Luna.
“'My Love', that's what.” Luna smiled gently as she stood up and looked into Twilight's eyes again.
Twilight took a step back as the princess leaned down for a kiss. Luna stumbled forward in confusion watching the lavender mare back away. “Twilight, what's wrong?” She asked with a hurt tone in her voice.
'She tried to kiss me! What's going on?!' Twilight screamed internally. She flapped her wings in fright and bolted away from the concerned princess. 'I have to get away! This can't be real!'
“Come back, Twilight! What did I do!?” She heard Luna take off after her, the princess' much larger wings helping her quickly catch up.
“Stay away, Luna! Please-” She was interrupted by a large dark-grey wall taking up most of her vision. “Gah!” Twilight and the body of grey tumbled into a heap of limbs.
“Get off pony!” Aphelia yelled gripping Twilight with her magic then tossing her aside.
Twilight noisily crashed through a wooden wall as she heard a loud pop in her wing. “Ahhh!” She cried as her wing dislocated.
Luna's eyes widened in alarm as she watched her new-found love get writhe in pain. “Twilight!” The lunar princess dashed over to Twilight and looked her over. Her normally purple wings were tinted black from the tips and almost all the way down to Twilight's back. Unfortunately, the hard landing knocked Twilight's left wing out of its socket so the limb was bent at an odd angle. “Don't worry I'll fix your wing, Twilight.” Summoning her blue magic Luna carefully turned Twilight onto her belly and focused on her injured wing. “This is going to hurt, my love. So please bare with me.” She said nuzzling Twilight's cheek.
Twilight bit back a scream as her wing was enveloped by Luna's magic and forcefully shoved back into its socket.
“Ponies...” Sounds of buzzing filled the air as the mares gazed back toward the gaping hole in the wall. “I'm surprised you aren't being affected by the corrupted magic in the air.” Aphelia grinned. “Well, well, look who it is. The Princess of the Night, Nightmare Moon.” She gave a shallow bow.
Luna stood to her full height and glared at the large changeling queen. “How dare you harm Twilight.” She seethed.
Aphelia's eyes widened as she got a better look at the mare who crashed into her. 'I-It's her. The one Avec spoke of...oh how delightful!' Her eyes narrowed in on Twilight as her drones surrounded them with but a thought through the hivemind. “The Vessel. We found her.”
Luna backed up standing directly over Twilight then used her Mage Sight. 'This changeling Queen isn't like Chrysalis if her magic anything to go by.' Even if she was an Alicorn, Luna knew she couldn't defeat the changeling queen AND her drones in her current state, even worse was the fact that Twilight's magic was very unstable at present. 'She's in no condition to use her powers right now, so what can I do?'
Aphelia chuckled. “You've certainly saved me the trouble of finding her.” Luna's horn lit up in response. “Eh. Sorry for throwing her like that.” She rubbed the back of her head in embarrassment. “She surprised me.” She laughed again as Luna stared at the changeling in slight confusion.
“What?” She lowered herself over Twilight protectively.
Aphelia sighed. “Let me try again, Princess Nightmare. Ahem. I am the Changeling Queen, Aphelia of the Burning Wood.” She reached out a holed hoof in greeting.
“You'd better start explaining the reason for your presence here, Changeling.” Luna stated.
As the two sized each other up, Twilight bit her lip in anxiety as her now pointed teeth drew small drops of blood which made her yelp. 'Ow. Now what?' She drew her tongue over her serrated teeth. 'Okay, note to self: don't go biting my upper lip anymore.' She lifted the blackened wing Luna had set back into it's socket and realized the pain was no longer there. 'At least it doesn't hurt anymore.'
The Changeling Queen looked amused. “Again, I apologize for harming the little alicorn. But out of mere curiosity. How did the two of you get here like you did just now?” She tilted her head.
“Obviously we telepor-” Luna stopped herself short when she felt Twilight scramble out from beneath her and glare dangerously at Aphelia.
“Hey! We're not telling anything to the likes of you insect.” The tips of her tail and mane began to darken slightly as her anger rose at the sight of a familiar looking enemy. “Your kind attacked our home, brain washed several of our guards, tried to harm several of my friends.” She stalked toward the much larger changeling. “And worst of all...” She stood almost nose to nose with Aphelia even as the other changelings buzzed in alert. “Impersonated and almost killed my beloved mentor!!! My Mother!!”
Aphelia for her part gaped at Twilight as she hovered directly in front of her. “The one responsible for that invasion was that fool Chrysalis! Not me, Dark Mother! I swear!” She slapped a holed hoof over her mouth as she caught onto what she just called the violet mare. 'Those eyes of hers are just like the Dark Mother's!'
Twilight's voice took on a dark tone as more and more of her mane and tail turned black once more. “I don't care who's fault it was! No one harms my family! EVER!”
Thump-thump.
Thump-thump.
Thump-thump.
'Mistress...?'
Twilight's horn was brimming with uncontrolled magic as her rage slammed each and every changeling into the ground with force. Causing the insectoid equines to cry out painfully, but after hearing that quiet yet soothing voice of Echo's, Twilight let go of her magic in shock. “Echo!?”
'Um, yes?' Echo sounded terribly unsure of herself.
“Where are you!? Why are you here!? I was absolutely sure I destroyed you!” Twilight shouted in disbelief.
'...You did, Mistress Twilight. But as long as you draw breath so shall I. I exist for the sole purpose of serving you...'
Twilight began to shake with anger, but reeled it in before she made another mistake under her previous self's influence. “You lied to me.”
Seeing all of this, Luna sidled up against Twilight's side and wrapped a comforting wing around her. “She's back isn't she, Twilight?” It wasn't a question but a statement as the smaller mare nodded slowly. “Shall I send it away?”
'W-What? Send me away? B-But I...' Echo recoiled as she materialized a meter or so away from the groaning changelings.
Twilight glared hatefully at the shade as Luna looked between them. “I know what you are Echo. You are a construct created by Penumbra in the case of her death. Meant to inhabit the minds of those who were next in line to be the reincarnation of Penumbra. You truly are nothing more than a parasite.” Her anger left her as feelings of betrayal settled in her gut. “I can't believe I trusted you for all of these years. I thought you were my friend, the sister I never had, or...” She trailed off as thoughts of Diamanda entered her mind. “Or at least as a sister who wouldn't betray me. Like Diamanda.”
At the mention of the crystal alicorn's name everyone but Twilight felt a shiver go down their spines. 'N-No! I didn't mean to hurt or lie to you Twilight! Especially not like Her!' Echo sobbed as she took a step forward only to be stopped by the dark grey hoof of Aphelia.
Aphelia despite being bruised in several places narrowed her eyes at the alicorns before turning around and staring directly into the open woods in the distance. “I'd hate to cut our wonderful reunion short ladies, but we have uninvited visitors.” She pointed a holed hoof toward a fast approaching group of black robed beings. Twilight and Luna felt a very familiar presence coming toward them as they also looked to the group with widened eyes.
“There's no escaping this time, Miss Sparkle.” Avec grinned as he pulled back his hood and revealed his scaled face. “Ah yes, good work Queen Aphelia for locating them for us.” He snapped a claw and four imposing armoured cultists stepped forward. “Me and the Dark Knights will take it from here.”
Aphelia glared at him. “You followed me didn't you?”
The Kirin just chuckled. “I know you and the other queens felt that disturbance earlier. It was Our Dark Goddess' magical signature, so I merely followed it but I couldn't quite grasp where it landed. Until now.” The Dark Knights closed in them. “Anyway, capture the Vessel but spare the alicorn, and kill the rest I'm sure the centaur will bring us Luna's magic in due time. We need time to prepare.”
“Centaur?” Luna muttered before her pupils shrank into pinpricks. “Oh no, you released Tirek didn't you?!”
Avec rolled his eyes. “What if I did? It's not like he's on his way to Canterlot as we speak.” He laughed as Luna's expresssion changed from panic into outright terror. “Oh you didn't know that? Too bad, but if you leave now you could possibly stop him from draining everypony dry of their magic...including your precious sister.”
Luna stood shockstock-still as she felt her blood run cold and didn't notice Twilight getting ensnared by magic and pulled away from her side. “LUNA! Let me go!!”
'Mistress!!'
That snapped her out of her stupor. “Release her!” Luna ran toward Twilight as she lit horn. But before she could unleash her wrath upon Avec and his followers, the four Dark Knights surrounded her all sides with their weapons at the ready. She made to fly above them but found herself pinned down by the two largest knights.
“You're facing magical exhaustion at this point, princess.” Avec grinned. “I can feel it, your weakness. It's clear as day, Miss Twilight here drained you last night.” He pointed at the now dry bite mark on Luna's neck. “Did you forget that your lover, Our Goddess, drank blood like a Vampony?”
Luna growled as she forced the two Knights off with her wings sending them hurtling into to opposite buildings. “I did not.” The other two Dark Knights didn't move even as their fellows flew back into formation.
“Good then you're aware that with your current abilities, especially since the moon has long since set, that you couldn't possibly take us all on yourself?” Avec smugly challenged the moon princess.
Twilight watched as Luna begrudgingly nodded her head in defeat. “No! Luna, please don't leave me he-mmhfhff!!” She was cut off by a cultist who gagged her with a piece of cloth who wrapped another around her entire muzzle to keep her quiet. In retaliation, Twilight lit her horn and blasted her assailant's face with a beam of magic, causing them to yell in pain. Avec snapped his claws again as a small band formed around her horn cutting off her magic. “Mmhhhffhhgh!”
Luna grit her teeth in frustration and anger as her wings fluttered in anxiety. 'Celestia needs to be warned, but my Twilight needs my help!' As her horn lit again the Dark Knights formed a line blocking her view of Twilight.
“Not so fast, Nightmare.” Avec taunted as he drew a dagger and placed it under Twilight's neck. “One wrong move and she dies. We don't need her alive to revive Our Dark Goddess.” His grin turned outright malicious. “Well, what's it gonna be?”
Luna drew a shuddering breath. “Celestia, I need my sister for this.” She whispered. “I'll go, but mark my words. If you harm her in any way it's gonna be your head on a stake.” She backed away as Twilight thrashed around her eyes brimming with tears. “I swear Twilight, I'll return! And with my sister behind me!” She turned around blasted into the sky as fast she could in her weakened state. 'I swear I'll save you!'
Aphelia and Echo watched as the princess disappeared into the distance then their hated gazes toward Avec. “Do you realize what you have done, Avec!?” Aphelia screamed.
The cult leader waved a claw dismissively. “By the time she returns it will be too late. Besides, you two should be jumping for joy that Our Goddess will soon be with us once more.”
'Not like this!' Echo looked to the silently sobbing Twilight.
“Hmph.” Snorting, Avec snapped his claws which sent the cultists and Dark Knights into oblivion. “I was bluffing also.”
Aphelia blinked. “Physical Constructs? Those were just made from your magic?!”
Avec grinned. “Of course. The others are currently too busy setting up the ritual, spells like these take time as you know.” He withdrew the blade from Twilight throat and sheathed it within his robe. “Now come, we have business to attend to.” He levitated Twilight over then bound her wings and legs with rope. “Don't worry it will all be over soon, Miss Sparkle.” Avec laughed at Twilight's glistening face.
Echo made to charge at him to make him stop hurting Twilight, but once again Aphelia stopped her with a hoof. “Soon little shade, we just have to stall the ritual until Alicorns get here.” The changeling queen whispered as they briskly followed after the twisted Kirin.
-Canterlot-
“Avec has Twilight!?”
“Sister we must hurry! They're going to kill her!”
“Not if I have anything to say about it! Gather everypony we can, Lieutenant Flare Wing!”
“R-Right!”
The palace was in absolute chaos. Princess Luna returned breathing heavily and utterly spent, with the news that Twilight had taken by the cult leader Avec. When Celestia saw her being carried by several guard stallions and to the infirmary, she panicked. Luna was covered in dirt and bruises, suffering from blood loss and magical exhaustion. The blood loss was mostly from the bite mark on her neck from when Penumbra-turned-Twilight bit her the previous night.
Despite her worn out state, Luna told her sister everything that occurred in Dodge City which was why Princess Celestia was currently on her to Ponyville to gather Twilight's friends and the Elements of Harmony.
Luna laid in her bed chambers worrying and praying to her mother for Twilight's and her sister's safety. For she knew just how deceptive and twisted Avec was first hand. Luna despised that Kirin with all her being, she may have created the Nightmare from her own jealousy and hate, but she had it under control until Avec forcefully removed her memories of her time with Penumbra and unleashed the creature. 'It was foalish thought, I never should have even considered having my memories taken away...' She kicked herself mentally.
She looked at the I.V. Drip attached to her left foreleg and the various other beeping machines standing on both sides of her bed with slight irritation. Luna knew they were necessary due to her low blood count but she wanted nothing more right now than to rescue Twilight and destroy Avec. As she was though she couldn't even more a single limb. 'This wouldn't take so long if my Moon was up.'
The lunar mare could feel her anxiety rising every minute she spent in that bed.
If Celestia didn't make it in time...
And if Avec succeeded in reviving Penumbra...
Twilight Sparkle would die.
Her eyes bolted wide open. She couldn't let that happen. She couldn't let her love perish like she did before...
“NO! NOOOO!!”
Blackness filled the chamber as a harrowing screech echoed.
The moon rose.
-Ponyville-
Princesses Celestia and Cadence stood on the outskirts of the town Twilight now called home. A firm, grim line adorned Celestia's muzzle as she watched her guards batter fruitlessly against a Dark Magic barrier surrounding the center of Ponyville. Their weapons and magic harmlessly bouncing off the dark purple shell. She could make out several cultists within the barrier. 'Channelers...perfect.' To her right sat Cadence as she attempted to calm Twilight's friends, while Spike was assisting the Solar guard with his fire breath.
They had arrived as soon as that barrier went up and engulfed the entirety of center Ponyville. The ponies who could not escape were soon captured by the Cult and locked up in Town Hall. From what Celestia had gathered from the Bearers and the local guard; was that the cult had shown up out of nowhere and started attacking ponies then had set the barrier up soon after. There was no big announcement by the cult's leader or by his various races of followers.
By how fast everything had been set up Celestia could of easily gathered that Cult had been here in Ponyville for far longer than she had previously speculated. “Right under my nose this whole time.” She snorted with a grimace. “How careless of me.”
Avec grinned as his fellow cultists tied a struggling Twilight to an sacrificial altar. “Please, stop making a fuss Miss Sparkle, your body will soon be the vessel for our Beloved Dark Goddess.”
“Buck you!” Twilight yelled as she glared daggers at the Kirin. At first she was terrified and in the pits of despair when Luna left as the cultists took her away. But now she felt a familiar anger well up inside her scarred chest.
“Hmph.” He snorted as two more ropes were wrapped Twilight's fore-hooves and tied to the base of the altar. “It'll be a painful experience yes, but by the end you'll be in a painless slumber.” He stroked Twilight's cheek with a claw. “Don't worry the process is quite simple. Once the circle is complete, we'll open a portal to the spirit realm and draw our Goddess' soul back here.” Twilight stopped glaring. “See this mark on your chest? We're going to slice it open and let your blood pour into each of the pools below you.” Her eyes widened in terror as he circled her. “Once you're on your death rows, we'll draw Empress Penumbra's soul into your body and the ritual will be complete.”
Twilight felt her blood freeze in her veins. Avec laughed uproariously at her expression. “Yes, you'll die but our Goddess will live once again. You're just a mere vessel for our Goddess' magic after all, you're expendable. Hehhehehaahahahaaaa!!!” He continued laughing.
...
...
...
“SOMEPONY! ANYPONY!! HELP ME!!!” Twilight screamed.
Avec watched on as the ritual circle was at last finished around the altar where Twilight lay, mortal terror in her eyes. 'It's almost time.' He raised his curved dagger to inspect its heavily decorated blade. 'Our plan is about to begin...' He thought as the other cultists took their places around the altar.
Twilight took several deep panicked breaths, she could no longer move and her rope bindings were beginning to hurt. Already she could see her hooves turning blue due to how tight the ropes were. Her magic was blocked off thanks to the metal inhibitor on her horn, so she couldn't even teleport away from this nightmare. She grit her razor sharp teeth as she felt a sob coming on. 'I-I can't escape. I can hear Celestia outside with my friends and her guards...' The cultists began to chant in a language Twilight couldn't even begin to understand. 'Is this it? Is this how it ends?'
The Kirin Avec stood on his hind legs and called out. “Today is the day of the rebirth of this nation's true Ruler and Goddess!!” He spread his arms out. “Today the Diarchy dies! Today the light of Day perishes!”
The four Dark Knights took point around the perimeter. The black Griffon named Reaper gazed about with mild disinterest. “There he goes again.” He rolled his eyes as Avec went on. “Always the dramatic one.”
Blaze, a dark grey coated Pegasus chuckled with glee. “I think it's warranted, Reaper. We've waited centuries for this day, and finally it's at hand.” She flexed her wrist blades in anticipation.
The other two Knights remained silent as Avec continued with his long winded speech. The two of them turned their heads away from the now helplessly flailing Twilight Sparkle, the soon-to-be gruesome act too much for their eyes. Blaze peered at the Earth Mare across from her. “Oh, come on Mural it's just blood and some necromancer mumbo-jumbo. Nothing too ugly for Dark Knights like us.” She laughed. Golden Mural ignored her loud-mouthed fellow and shook her head.
Noct Wing, a Unicorn with bat-wings spoke up with disdain. “We are about to sacrifice an innocent, Blaze. It's not something you just forget you know.”
The pegasus smirked. “She may be innocent Nocty, but she has Our Goddess' magic within her. She should be honored that she's dying for the greater good.” Noct narrowed his eyes from behind his helm as Avec fell silent.
“Now my brothers and sisters of the Cult of the Dark Arts. Let us begin!” Avec shouted with a manic glint in his eye.
“Bust it down! We're running out of time!” Princess Celestia charged her horn then unleashed another bolt against the damnable barrier standing between her and her faithful student. 'Twilight, I refuse to let you die by the claws of that monster!' Celestia channeled her power over the sun through her entire being hoping its might would destroy the wretched construct.
Once she gained enough energy she let loose another-albeit more powerful- bolt against the dark purple wall. The two forces clashed, one trying retain its strength while other attempted to penetrate its opponent with the sun's wrath. Celestia's bolt pressed forward causing the barrier bend inward slightly, which caught the breath of several ponies watching...until the golden bolt dissipated into nothing. “What!?” Yelled Celestia in bewilderment. “How!? That's not possible...” She trailed off as she noticed how dark it suddenly was despite it being midday.
“Princess Celestia! The Sun!” Rainbow Dash pointed at the sky.
“Wha-” The princess looked up and gasped. Where her warm sun once gazed down, sat the cool dark moon of her sister. “The Moon is up. But Luna is much too weak to raise it, unless...” She summoned her magic again finding her connection to Solaris much weaker than it should be. “N-No, Luna.”
A laughing sound called her attention to the barrier again. A black armoured Pegasus was on her back and pointing at the Sun Princess with a mocking face. “Oh, what's wrong Sun Princess? Did your ball of light abandon you? Ha!” Blaze laughed.
Rainbow growled in anger. “Don't mock our Princess!” She raised her wings and stood snout to snout with the Dark Knight. “Why don't you come out here and say that!”
“I don't think so Rainbow Crash. But you're welcome to come in here and fight! That is, if you can!” Laughing, Blaze turned away and joined the other Knights.
Rainbow Dash was fuming, but Celestia raised a wing stem any further yelling. “We must break this barrier somehow first, Rainbow Dash!” Rainbow grunted in agreement as her friends surrounded her.
Celestia closed her eyes in concentration. 'My magic is weaker at night, but I should be able to make a crack in this barrier with the right spell. And I have a feeling Luna is going to be here much sooner than I thought.' She could already feel her sister's magical signature rising in strength from where she currently stood.
Channeling her magic again, Celestia opened her eyes with determination. “Hang in there Twilight.”
Twilight warily eyed her captors as they chanted and circled around her like a pack of hungry hyenas. 'Princess hurry, please! I don't want to die!' She felt even more tears well in her eyes. 'I only recently began to make new friends here in Ponyville and now they're going to be taken away from me! I don't want to die! I promised Mom and Dad at their graves that I would live the life they wanted for me!' She noticed with dawning horror that Avec was standing over her with a dagger raised. She struggled against her bonds with even more ferocity. 'I-I-I don't w-want to d-die!!' She cried mentally.
Avec's smile was full of malice. “And now Miss Sparkle. Your death! For Penumbra's life!!” He brought the blade down.
“PRINCESS!!!” Twilight screamed.
A earth shattering boom rocked the ground as the barrier suddenly shattered into tiny fragments. “Who dares interrupt our ceremo-!?” Avec was noisily blasted by a beam of pure moonlight, which sent him flying into the doors of Town Hall.
“GET YOUR FILTHY CLAWS OFF OF HER!!” Somepony shouted in the Royal Canterlot Voice.
Twilight turned her head as best as she could in shock and watched as Princess Luna stood over her. “L-Luna?” She asked in a quiet whimper.
Luna didn't hear her as she punched, kicked, blasted and knocked the panicking cultists into the dirt and into the sides of buildings. Each with a sick sounding 'crack'. “YOU LITTLE FOALS DON'T KNOW WHO ARE BUCKING WITH!!” Luna said with a booming voice.
“Nightmare!” Avec yelled as he teleported in Luna's face. “You will not interfere!!” He landed a balled fist into Luna's side sending her tumbling several feet away. “Continue the ritual! Dark Knights, deal with the usurpers!” He ripped off his robe, climbed on top of the altar and began chanting.
“Yes, My Lord!” The Knights called out and charged to the approaching Element Bearers, Celestia, and both Solar and Lunar guard.
Luna quickly got to her hooves just as Reaper was upon her. The griffon swung his scythe at the neck, which she caught in between her teeth. Reaper pushed forward to force the lunar mare back. Luna didn't even budge. Furiously, she twisted her neck around and hurled the griffon into a nearby wall. She proceeded to charge him with her horn lowered, once he hit the ground.
Reaper flapped his wings as Luna ran under him, he then gripped her back legs with his talons and slammed her into the ground. Luna yelped in pain as felt the blade of the scythe under her neck again. “This time I'm taking your head!” Reaper yelled as he pulled his blade toward her soft throat.
Luna vanished before his blade could tear into her flesh and appeared above him with her own sword gripped in her magic. “Yah!” She swung down.
Reaper responded by jumping back, letting her blade dig itself into the dirt. The gazed at each other once more before clanging their blades together as sparks flew.
Meanwhile, Celestia was facing off against Golden Mural and Blaze. Several of her guards were already defeated by the vastly more powerful Dark Knights and only Lieutenant Flare Wing and herself were still standing. The Princess raised a barrier as Blaze's wrist blades slashes into it. “Come on Princess, you have to be tougher than your pathetic excuse for a guard!” Blaze taunted as she drew a few feet.
Celestia side stepped a quick flurry of attacks from Mural as Blaze continued her taunting and lighting fast reflexes. She swiped her left wing out, caught one of Blaze's wrist blades within her primaries catching the Knight off guard, and sending Blaze tumbling face first into the gilded shoe of her back hoof.
Blaze cried out as she felt her nose break and fell to her side in a heap. Golden Mural sighed as the Princess dove over them and summoned another golden barrier. “Poor form Blaze. Your didn't even get one good hit in and already you're on the ground.” 'We're not the right warriors for this, the princesses would defeat us with ease.'
“S-shhhuguught uuupppppPP!” Blaze groaned as she held her busted muzzle.
Celestia decided to run past the Knights and pressed on toward the still captured Twilight, but her guard remained up.
Golden Mural raised her short sword to interfere but decided against it. “We lost the moment the other Alicorns got involved.” She drug beat up form of Blaze away from the frenzy. “Live to fight another day and all that deary.”
Applejack and the others were running toward Twilight until Noct got in their way with his sword raised. “Outta the way!” Rainbow Dash demanded.
“'Fraid not missy. Avec ordered us not to let anyone interfere with the ritual. And I highly doubt civilians like you could possibly stand a chance against me.” He smirked.
“Wanna bet?” Applejack stood on her hind legs and slammed her front hooves together.
Before he could respond, Reaper was sent flying into his vision. “Tch.” Moving fast, Noct spread his wings and hooves and caught the griffon in midair. They two knights staggered backward as Luna landed some feet away.
Luna lit her horn, grunting with exertion as she felt her strength waver. 'I can't keep this up for much longer, the energy boost I got from the moon is almost spent.' She thought with mild irritation. “STAND ASIDE!!” She charged them again.
Noct threw Reaper to the side and ran forward meeting Luna head on. Until a voice called out which caused them both to look toward the altar.
'Mistress Twilight! She's having a flare!' Echo appeared out of nowhere along with Aphelia as they collided with Avec sending them into a heap ten meters away.
Luna took the distraction as an opportunity to bash the hilt of her sword across the back of Noct's armored head rendering him unconscious. Nodding to herself, she swept past her sister as the solar princess arrived on the scene.
Twilight could feel her magic burning from within her as the remaining cultists continued chanting, despite the fact that Avec was out of commission for the moment. 'I...I-I...c-can't control it...' Her eyes snapped open in a blinding white light. 'N-No! A magical flare! If I l-lose control..' Her horn lit up and shattered the metal ring around it. “I...but I just...wanted...to be...happy...”
BOOM
The ritual circle around the altar liquidized and the object and Twilight began to sink into a black and purple pool. The cultists around the pool gasped in surprise and backed away as Luna reached the edge. “Twilight! Hold on!” Celestia soon joined her sister and two of them flew across the pool to reach Twilight.
The lavender mare felt her heart race as her back hooves slipped into the dark pool. 'It's so cold...' The liquid felt like ice water almost, but with a sense of warmness within it. 'But so warm...strange.'
Time seemed to stop as the Alicorn sisters were knocked aside by a black figure. 'My Mistress is awakening, don't get in the way!' The dark form of Echo ordered as she pinned them both to the ground.
Twilight's friends attempted the same only to be captured within a green aura. “Sorry Ponies, but same goes for you as well.” Aphelia nodded with a grim smile. Rainbow opened her mouth to scream at the queen but a drone clamped her muzzle shut with its own magic.
Twilight watched as her friends and family were subdued, her heart screamed at her to help them but her magic was out of control. So she could nothing but sit and watch as the pool closer and closer to her head.
It reached her shoulders.
'This isn't right...'
Soon her neck was engulfed.
'I'm supposed to be Twilight Sparkle...'
The cold but warm liquid reached her muzzle.
'Help me...please...'
It rushed down her throat as she breathed.
'Princess?....Luna?...Girls?'
Her heart stopped.
'Don't leave me alone...'
Her eyes closed as her entire body vanished beneath the surface.
Luna and Celestia threw off their would-be captor. “Twilight! No!” Both of them yelled in unison as they searched the black and purple pool for signs of the little mare. “Sister where did she go!? I can't see her!” Luna questioned scanning the pool.
Tears fell from Celestia's eyes as she fell to her side in anguish. “W-We failed her. I failed her.” She whispered.
“Tia, don't talk like that!” Luna prodded the liquid with her magic.
...
...
...
Thump-thump
Thump-thump
Thump-thump
Thump-thump
Splash!!
The sisters gazed up as a large pitch-black hoof breached the surface of the pool. “It-It...” Celestia stammered as the hoof lowered back into the pool only to be replaced by two much larger dragon wings and a black equine head.
The mare's eyes opened to reveal two rippling draconic eyes, and a very long spiral-less black horn. The pony opened her muzzle to let out a dragon-like roar, sending everypony nearby several feet back. She flapped her wings to escape the pool as it closed below her. Luna and Celestia rose back to their hooves and began to breathe heavily as the mare gazed at them in confusion.
Penumbra looked to her left and watched as the cultists bowed deeply before her in reverence and even a small hint of fear. “Where am I? What happened...?” Her eyes widened in anger once Avec came into view. “You!” The Kirin snapped his head up as Penumbra stalked towards him, her much larger form caused him to cower slightly. She gripped him her powerful aura. “You attempted to murder me didn't you?” She asked menacingly.
“W-What my Goddess?” Avec clawed at his throat as he felt his wind pipe getting constricted.
“You. Tried. To. Kill. Me.” Her gaze narrowed. “That clear enough for you?!” She smacked him across the head with a hoof which snapped one of his antlers clean off.
“Ahhh!!” Avec screamed in pain.
“...” Penumbra growled a bit then tossed the kirin across the plaza. She trembled a bit before turning back to the celestial sisters. “...Luna? What are you...? Ack!” She felt a sharp pain in her head. “What was I doing?” She noticed Celestia. “Princess? Gah! No! Celestia...you...and Dia.” Celestia turned away.
'Oh Mistress! You're back!' Echo cheered as dashed toward Penumbra.
The dark mare squinted her eyes upon seeing Echo. “Oh, it is you.” She slumped to her side. “I don't feel all too well, Echo. Take me...home...” Penumbra passed out on the ground with loud thud.
'Mistress Penumbra!'
As the cultists and changelings gathered around the newly revived Penumbra, Luna and Celestia snapped out of their stupor and glanced at each other. Celestia spoke up first. “Luna, are you alright?” She asked with a soft smile.
Luna opened her mouth to speak but stopped herself when she realized she wasn't sure whether to be relieved or saddened. Sure, Penumbra was back and alive again, but what about Twilight? Did she still exist somewhere deep within the dark Alicorn? Or was her friend long gone and completely erased from the world? Luna found herself crying suddenly, and the tears wouldn't stop. “I-I don't know T-Tia.” Whimpering, Luna leaned against her sister's warm coat. “I don't know anymore...” With that she fell asleep.
Celestia nuzzled her sister as she lifted onto her back. “Good night Lulu.” She narrowed gaze on Avec as he attempted to escape. “Lieutenant, arrest him.”
Flare Wing gulped under the furious gaze of his monarch then pulled out a magic inhibitor ring and placed it around the twisted Kirin's neck, cutting off his chances of getting away again.
Avec grinned as he was dragged toward the princess. “I may have been wrong, but I still succeeded in reviving Our Goddess.” He laughed sadistically.
Celestia stamped her hoof lightly not wanting awaken her sister. “Lieutenant.”
Flare nodded in understanding and clonked Avec over the head effectively knocking him out cold.
Celestia then sighed and looked at the recovering guard ponies, unfortunately three lost their lives against the Dark Knights but most were merely bruised or suffering from minor wounds. 'Avec faces an uncertain future. I know Luna will want him publicly executed, but it's been outlawed for over four hundred years, so he'll likely face a life sentence.' She cleared her throat to catch the attention of Twilight's friends. “We're taking the cult's leader into custody. We'll call for a medical team to see to your wounds.” Her eyes fell upon Penumbra's sleeping form. “...Twilight” She whispered.
As Princess Celestia took Luna into the Golden Oaks Library, Echo nuzzled up against Penumbra's long neck. 'She's back, Twilight has at last awakened to her true self.'
“I bet you're glad now aren't you, shade?” Aphelia smirked softly.
Echo angled her head so she could see the Changeling Queen. 'It's been centuries since I had last seen Mistress Penumbra.'
Aphelia gave her a puzzled expression. “And what of the lavender one? Doesn't she matter?” She asked with a stern frown.
'Of course she does! Mistress Twilight and Mistress Penumbra are one and the same! Avec got it wrong when he said Twilight was just a vessel. She IS Penumbra! Body and soul!' Echo ranted as she gestured with her hooves much to the changeling's amusement.
“Well I knew that bit. All of us Queens -except Chrysalis- knew about how the Dark Mother's reincarnation worked.” Aphelia tilted her head in thought. “I just wonder how that failure of a Queen is holding up right now.”
'I'm sure she's fine, but can we maybe get the Mistress home like she wanted? She's exhausted from her ordeal.' Echo stood up as the Changeling Queen trotted over
Aphelia hesitated, she couldn't in her mind actually touch Penumbra without there some sort of divine punishment. 'Will the Dark Mother smite me for laying my hooves on her person?' She bit her lip and shivered at the thought. The cultists seemed to agree with her thought process, as they too gave each other wary glances.
As they contemplated what to do next, Applejack fretted with her hat as eyed the cultists. 'The Princess didn't even pay them any attention as she took that slime ball Avec away.' The farmer even took notice of the missing presence of the cult's Dark Knights. 'They're gone too.' She mused not taking into account that Fluttershy had passed her, trotting carefully toward Penumbra.
The demure mare was very worried about Twilight and her new form. Penumbra's black coat reminded her strongly of Nightmare Moon, but regardless of that, her mane and tail remained largely the same, only with a deep purple colouring and a ripple-like texture. The hair actually seemed to flow like Celestia's and Luna's but remained motionless. Penumbra's cutie mark was obscured by her over-sized dragon wings, which were now laying haphazardly to her sides. “Um, c-could I please take a-a look at her, to check f-for any injuries?” Fluttershy asked with a delicate tone.
Aphelia and Echo turned around to look at the butter yellow pegasus, Aphelia adopted a plastered grin as the shade nodded to Fluttershy. 'Sure, go right ahead Fluttershy.'
Fluttershy was slightly taken aback by Echo's shadowy body but smiled. “Thank you.” She moved past the shade and looked over Penumbra. The dark mare for the most part was unharmed, only that huge glowing white scar along her chest and belly stood out amid the black. “I'll be quick.”
As Fluttershy checked Penumbra for any wounds that needed medical attention, the cultists murmured among themselves. Some were mortified that she had the audacity to lay her hooves on their beloved Goddess, but a fierce glare from Aphelia silenced them.
...
...
...
Penumbra stirred. Fluttershy yelped as the dark mare's wing whipped out and almost clipped her chin with a claw. “Ugh...” Groggily opening her eyes, Penumbra pushed herself back into consciousness.
The yellow mare backed from Penumbra as the dark alicorn turned to half-glare at her. “Who are you, little pegasus?” She asked with a hint of suspicion.
“Twilight?...Don't you recognize me?” Fluttershy asked nervously.
Penumbra raised an eyebrow. “No, I don't.” She walked passed her heading for the cultists.
Fluttershy couldn't believe her ears as she watched Penumbra trot away. Tears spilled down her face. “T-Twilight...b-but we're your f-friends.”
Penumbra ignored her whimpering and wracked sobs as her other friends crowded around the crying pegasus, Rainbow Dash glared at her as she passed. “Twilight you...”
Echo and Aphelia quietly followed after their Goddess, each being silent not wanting to incur her wrath. Penumbra flexed a wing and wrapped it around her barrel. “My...er...ponies?” The cultists prostrated themselves before her hooves. Penumbra for some reason felt uncomfortable being bowed to. 'I ruled Tartarus for over a millennium, this shouldn't be so strange to me.' She shook her head, confusion riddled her mind. She did not recognize any of her surroundings, the various ponies around her gave her looks of fear and reverence. 'Except for that yellow one.' She glanced at Fluttershy for a brief second before turning away.
She was whole, all together, alive, which baffled her to no end. 'I can't be alive, D-Dia she...'
“Our goddess?”
A voice pulled her from her reverie. “Goddess? I am not a...” She trailed off at their looks of awe. “...I am Penumbra, the Alicorn of Tartarus.” Again another name sat at the edge of her tongue, but she just couldn't recall what that name was. “Are you followers of mine?”
The cultist at the front of the group pulled back her hood revealing her aged yellow fur. “We are the Cult of the Dark Arts, Your Eminence. My name is Golden Mural, a Dark Knight.”
Behind her Penumbra could hear several gasps as Golden spoke. “Then you study my work into Dark Magic?”
Golden Mural nodded with a small smile. “Yes, My Goddess. But not just Ponies; Vamponies, Griffons, Minotaurs, Changelings-” She tilted her head toward Aphelia. “-and other creatures of the dark.”
Penumbra felt humbled by this, but a question burned in her mind. “Interesting, but...” She closed her eyes. “What of my sister Diamanda, is she alive?”
At this, all of the assembled cultists cringed at the name. Golden spoke up. “The Traitor is gone, dead from the world, Your Eminence.”
Penumbra felt a surge of anger flow through her, demanding she hurt this little foal for calling her beloved sister 'Traitor'. But the memory of being run through with a crystal made her wince. 'Dia did kill me.' She put a hoof over the pulsating white scar across her chest. “I understand. Now, what of my mate?” Penumbra asked recalling Luna's tear soaked face from the memory.
Golden Mural looked to the library the Princesses entered not too long ago. “The Night Mare was carried into that library, by the Sun Goddess.”
Penumbra started her trek toward the Golden Oaks Library, her heart began beating faster at the thought of seeing her beloved again. Images sprang into her clouded mind, blurry images of ponies and the names places she can't recall, even her own body felt unusual. She felt out of place, this village she was in was a mystery to her, and those ponies claiming to be her 'friends'. 'What a joke, I've never needed friends before...' A pain went through her chest. 'My friends...No! Just what is wrong with me?!' She stopped before the library's front porch then stamped a hoof in agitation.
Sister...
Penumbra stood up straight at the sound of somepony's voice. 'Th-that voice.'
You're back....dear sister...
“...Where are you Dia?” Penumbra asked worried about her sister's well being. 'Even if she did kill me...' Anger rolled inside of her, but she clamped it down with sheer force of will.
Not anywhere you...can reach...me...
“Speak sense sister, I'm still very confused about when and where I am.”
I am...but a mere...piece of...myself...
“...” Penumbra shook her head.
Find me...a focus...crystal...the ones...we used as...children...
“Diamanda sister, you are not making any sense...ah!” Another headache pulsed through her head. More blurry images appeared before her, feelings of want, of attention, and of love reverberated across her body. 'Luwa...'
Sister...find me...and I'll...help you find...yourself once...again...
The voice trailed off then faded away into nothing, adding much to Penumbra's alarm and even more confusion. She refocused on her earlier task and knocked on the library door pushing the thoughts of Diamanda to took the back of her mind for later. Five minutes passed without any reaction from the inside leading her to think that maybe Luna and her sister already left for some reason or another. But she could still feel their Alicorn magics within the structure. “I'm coming in, it is my library...huh?” Upon entering the building, a sense of nostalgia hit her like an angry Ursa Major.
The lobby of the Golden Oaks Library was lit, books covered the walls from floor to ceiling all meticulously organized. A particular book caught her attention as she browsed the shelves, Elements of Harmony: A Reference Guide. A glow from across the room drew her eyes away from the book. Six gems inlaid in gold sat within a glass case near the staircase; five necklaces and a tiara with a starburst gem. “Why are those here!?” She stomped over to the case containing the Elements. “There's no doubt that these are the Elements of Harmony. But why would these be in backwater tow-”
“Twilight?”
Penumbra turned to her left to finding Celestia standing on the staircase watching her with caution and a hint of fear. “Celestia?” Both stared at each other unsure of what to say next.
Celestia trotted down the last few steps. “Luna is asleep in your room.”
“My room? Celestia, I don't live here...do I?” She gave the alabaster mare a confused look. “To be honest, I'm wondering why you're here.”
Celestia smiled sadly. 'So she isn't Twilight.' Secretly, Celestia was afraid of Penumbra's return for fear that she would lose her adopted daughter only after having her for so many years. “Penumbra, I'm sorry for not being there when you awoke, but Luna needed somewhere to rest.” She sighed. “...You have been dead for over well over a thousand years, Penumbra.”
That caught Penumbra's utmost attention. “What?”
Celestia nodded. “Surely you remember how you died?” Penumbra nodded once. “You're in possession of my student and...adopted daughter, Twilight Sparkle.” The darker mare's eyes widened. “That's who you really are, Penumbra.” She stepped closer.
Penumbra laughed at her. “You must be joking, Celestia.” She spotted a few books spread across a table then began reshelving them while keeping her eyes on the sun princess.
“Then how do you explain your sudden revival? Look at your mark, it is not the same as it was back then.” Celestia pointed a hoof at Penumbra's flank.
Penumbra raised an eyebrow and angled her head over to check her cutie mark. “It-it...” She stammered staring her mark, which was half a purple starburst and half a purple pentagram crossed over each other diagonally and glowing ominously. She raised a black hoof and stared at it in shock. “I have been reincarnated. I didn't think it was possible, for an Alicorn such as I especially since I...” Something flashed in her eyes making her rippling eyes glow for a moment. “I'm...I'm...”
“Penumbra, what's wrong?” Celestia wrapped her wings as gently as she could around Penumbra's trembling form.
“I'm a monster!!” Penumbra/Twilight screamed at the top of her lungs. “I-I killed all those poor souls!”
Celestia only gripped her tighter. “No, no it wasn't your fault, Penumbra.”
“Yes it was! I knew it, I am Darkness Incarnate! It was right the whole time!” Memories flooded her mind, and she unable to stop them from overflowing. “You saw it, Celestia!”
“I know, but Starswirl's death wasn't truly your doing. But what do you mean by 'It was right'?” The princess put her forehead on top of Penumbra's in a show of compassion.
“The being who made me-”
She was cut off by two doors slamming and five mares (and one dragon) trotted in, which was soon followed by Princess Luna stepping down the staircase Celestia came down earlier. Penumbra was now on the floor holding her head in her hooves cringing in pain, while Celestia rubbed her back with a wing.
“Twilight!”
“Penny!”
All six ponies and Spike galloped over to the two large alicorns. “Her mind is very unstable right now, both sides of her soul are battling for dominance.” Celestia explained as held the pained alicorn in her hooves.
Luna seemed reluctant to approach her revived lover, the lunar princess was well aware of what would happen if Penumbra found out about her memory wipe. 'She made me promise to never forget about her, but I went and broke that promise. She would feel betrayed.' Like her sister, a small part of Luna was afraid of what Twilight's former self would do once was she was resurrected. Between the two of them it would be easy to subdue Penumbra, but neither of them wanted actually to harm her, especially since she was still Twilight in there somewhere. 'She's both my mate and my best friend, I couldn't imagine hurting either of them.'
Penumbra shakily stood up with Celestia helping keeping her steady. “I'm so sorry for not recognizing you, Fluttershy.” The yellow mare smiled at that. “But the rest of you, you'll have to forgive me. I have no recollection of who you mortals are...ngh!” She slammed her eyes shut when another spasm of pain shuddered down her spine. Her long purple mane fell across her face, hiding her right eye from view. “My memories are blurry at best, Avec's ritual did something to me, but I'm not sure what yet.” She frowned miserably.
Celestia looked to her sister as she anxiously shifted from hoof to hoof. “Luna, why don't you come over here and say something?” She motioned with a hoof.
Penumbra and Luna turned and stared at each other. Penumbra, despite the pain wanted nothing more than to embrace her mate, but she saw something in Luna's eyes that made her hesitate to do so. Luna on the other hoof, was already walking towards her with a nervous smile on her muzzle. “It...It's good to see you a-again Penny.”
The darker mare lowered her head, breaking eye contact. “I'm not so sure, Luwa.” A pulse of magic flowed over the group, causing the non-immortal beings in the room to shiver. “Ah, there it is.”
Celestia rubbed Penumbra's mane in a soothing motion. “The Aura of Fear.”
Applejack and the other mares traded looks then turned to Celestia. “Aura of what now?” The farm mare asked confusedly.
Celestia laid both of her alabaster wings over Luna's and Penumbra's backs before answering. “It's something that Penumbra has, that all Alicorns have, an Aura. Hers is the Aura of Fear, which-”
“-causes others to be instinctively afraid of me.” Penumbra finished.
Celestia sighed but nodded. “Yes. Me and my sister have our own; mine being the Aura of Maternity.”
“While mine is the Aura of Youth.” Luna added as she pressed into her sister's warmth.
Rarity nodded in understanding. “That would make sense at least.”
“...” Penumbra shrugged off the wing and trotted to the door. “I should leave now, I've overstayed my welcome.” The Element bearers blocked her way. “What are you doing?”
“Sorry sugarcube, but you're one of us.” Applejack replied with a determined look.
“Yeah, we're not letting ya leave just like that.” Rainbow crossed her hooves across her chest while she hovered.
Rarity and Pinkie Pie had similar expressions of shared fear but refused to move. “I may not know who you four are, but you shouldn't have any reason to stop me.” They shook their heads. “I need to leave, you're not safe around me.” Another shake. “Why not?!”
“Twilight, you may have changed but you're still our friend.” Rarity huffed.
Penumbra felt her hackles rise. “There's that word again. I am not your friend! I know who Fluttershy is, but not why I know her!” The other alicorns moved to intervene but were stopped by a raised claw from Spike, who shook his head.
“We've been through a lot Twilight we're not gonna turn our backs on you just like that.” Rainbow said squaring her shoulders.
“...My name is not Twilight!!” Her horn flared. “It is Penumbra!”
It was obvious to the Alicorn sisters that the situation was devolving into a dangerous one. Penumbra's mental tolerance was very unstable, and she was easy to anger. At any moment she could let her weakened, but still considerable power out and badly harm someone. The argument was getting more heated with Twilight's friends speaking up but were countered by Penumbra's defiant personality.
...
...
...
“Enough, you foalish mares! Whatever bond we had before is gone! If I felt any sense of companionship with you five, I would've realized it by now. But since that isn't the case, you should just leave me be!” Without warning Penumbra's spiral-less horn flared with a blinding darkness and the five smaller mares vanished from inside the library.
“Penny, what did you do?!” Luna shrieked.
Penumbra didn't bother with a response, instead the dark mare trotted outside and slammed the door leaving two shocked princesses and one baby dragon.
“Spike, go find Fluttershy and the others, me and my sister will talk to Twi...I mean Penumbra.” Celestia said heading for the door, beckoning her sister to follow.
Luna bolted out the door, surprising Celestia. “Come sister! I will not let my mate leave me again!”
Sighing, Celestia nodded exiting the house. “We'll be back later, Spike.”
The dragon shifted from foot to foot before shaking his head and waddling out the door.
The white alicorn sat waiting patiently for the door to open.“This door has to open eventually.” An unknown amount of time had passed ever since she was freed from her prison, but there were still no signs of movement from the entrance to the cave. “I can feel my sister's power, she has finally awakened. That's very good.” Diamanda chuckled. “My dear sister Penumbra, we shall be reunited soon.”
Hours passed by as she sat there waiting. Waiting for something or somepony to open the only exit from the mines. Every now and again a spark of Dark Magic would flare within her magical awareness. 'Sister must be agitated.' Diamanda smirked as she stood up and knocked on the door a few times.
The door knob turned, catching her attention. The door opened swiftly but no one came out to greet her presence, only a single dull purple crystal slid out to her hooves before the door slammed closed. “...”Diamanda opened her mouth to say something but thought better of it. 'Hmm, someone gave me a focus crystal.' With nary a thought, the white alicorn drug the gem over to herself with a hoof, her smirk widening.
“Let's see if I still have it.”Diamanda channeled what magic she had left into the crystal as it slowly began floating in the air. “Good, time to see what I have been missing.”
-Friendship Express-
Crysta Feather couldn't wait any longer, Matriarch Lulamoon had said it was an urgent letter and waiting for hours on end for the Sun Goddess wasn't cutting it. So here she was on the train heading for Ponyville, where an evil cult and a revived Dark Goddess were. “At least Flare will be there.” She let out a sigh.
Word had spread quickly across the church that Penumbra had risen again and now the many of the church officials had left to bite the head off of the snake so to speak. “Without Our Crystal Goddess to help us, how will we ever put a stop to the Dark One?” She grasped the small necklace hanging around her neck. “O Goddess, lend me strength...” Crysta whispered in prayer.
With her eyes closed and nopony else in the car with her, she never even noticed the strange glow emitting from the pendent until a sharp pain in her head caused her to gasp. “W-What the...?” Crysta looked down to see her necklace levitating before her with a mysterious light. “Who-”
'Do you need assistance my dear pony?'
Crysta gasped as the pain increased. “W-Who are y-you?” She asked with a pained stutter.
'Me? You should know who I am little one.' The gentle but ominous voice laughed.
Crysta clutched her head as the voice became louder. “Y-You can't be...”
'Yes...' The voice cooed.
“Y-You just can't be h-her.” Crysta went to summon her magic but her horn fizzled out before she could cast any spells. 'Mind Magic...' She groaned mentally.
'I am Her. I am Diamanda, the Alicorn of Crystal.' Diamanda now had full access to Crysta's memories so she helped herself. 'Ah, so you know who my sister has reincarnated as, this “Twilight Sparkle.”'
Crysta abruptly stood without her knowledge. “What are you doing?!”
'Relax...let me handle this...' Diamanda said with in a soothing tone but with a hint of malice.
Crysta fought back with all of her will as felt her consciousness fading. “I will not be controlled by you...you fake.”
Diamanda giggled. 'I am who I say I am, little one. You will know soon.'
Crysta felt her voice lose strength. “I-I can't...”
'Sleep, my dear Acolyte, let me take care of everything.'
“No...” With one last word, Crysta fell unconscious.
Diamanda wasted no time in taking complete control of Crysta's body. “...” She tested her new limbs. “A bit shorter than I'm used to but no great loss.” She mused with Crysta's voice. “So this is where my Unicorn Magic went.” She gazed at the necklace. “I wonder how it got here...no matter I have a sister to meet.” She readjusted the robe the unicorn was wearing and stood before the train door.
The train continued chugging along before coming to a complete stop in Ponyville. Diamanda stepped off the train and onto the platform, it was still very much night as Luna and Celestia still had to raise and lower their charges. Diamanda trotted through the town passing by night-going ponies and even some grey Changelings.'Interesting...'
As she rounded a corner a large group of black-robed ponies and various others were crowded around the Town Hall. 'My sister's cult.'She slowly approached the crowd wanting a better look.
...
...
...
Princess Celestia paced around the inside of Town Hall as her sister conversed with Mayor Mare about the situation. Penumbra sat off to the side eyeing Luna the whole time, her former friends had tried talking to her again but had no such luck tearing her gaze away from the lunar alicorn. Poor Fluttershy wasn't here as she was in her cottage probably crying from the rebuke with Penumbra.
They had talked before coming here but the pegasus went into hysterics and ran out crying, much to Celestia's dismay. Out of all of Twilight's friends, the shy pegasus was taking it the hardest. The others weren't much better.
Penumbra was flat out ignoring everypony as she stared at Luna, Celestia noted that the black alicorn was also writing on a piece of parchment taking notes of something. 'Twilight...' Even if she looked and acted different from her faithful student, Penumbra still had those little habits of Twilight's. 'She's still in there somewhere, after all.' A small smile graced her lips.
Meanwhile, Luna finished explaining things to Mayor Mare than turned around to find Penumbra staring directly into her eyes. The darker mare was writing something down in her notes but when she caught Luna's notice the quill she was using snapped in two. “Ah!” Penumbra jolted up as if waking from a bad dream. “Again? Ugh...”
Luna just chuckled at Penumbra's indignant face before trotting over to her. “Penny, you really shouldn't use so much force when writing, these quills aren't indestructible you know.”
Penumbra rolled her eyes. “I can see that, Luwa. These frail things can't seem to handle my power.” She eyed the pile of broken quills to her left with a critical eye before sighing miserably. “I'm still confused by all of this, those mortals and Celestia claim I'm another pony. And I'm supposed to be dead.”
Luna frowned. “You aren't happy to see me again? Or are you disappointed to be among the living once more?”
Penumbra leaned back feeling insulted. “Never! I'm only shocked Luna! My instincts are screaming at me that I don't belong here, but at the same time I feel almost nostalgic by this town.” The black alicorn stood up. “Sorry to drop all of this before we had any chance to really talk.” Penumbra apologized closing her eyes.
Luna smiled softly while nuzzling Penumbra's soft coat with smelled of books and parchment. 'Maybe the two of them aren't so different.' She thought with a tinkering laugh.
A knocking from outside snapped everypony's attention to the entrance. Mayor Mare blinked. “I knew I said for everypony to stay out unless it was for an emergency.” She groaned before the door was pushed open despite being locked and a cloaked white unicorn trotted inside.
“Princesses.”
It was such a simple statement. One that they had heard countless times, by delegates, nobles, dignitaries and various other rulers. But when that word came out of the white mare, all three alicorns felt an chill go up their spines. Celestia was the first to answer. “You're Crysta Feather, right?” She asked shakily.
...Diamanda inwardly grinned. “Yes, my Princess.” She bowed her head a little. “I have a message from the Matriarch. It's urgent.” She reached into her robe and pulled out a scroll. 'It wouldn't be wise to break character just yet.'
Celestia took the letter into her aura, breaking the seal then unrolling it. “...Tirek.” She hastily tossed the letter to Luna before vanishing in a burst of golden energy.
Penumbra peered over Luna's shoulder. “A Centaur? What is one doing in Equestria?”
Luna grit her teeth. “I completely forgot about him.” With that she rolled the scroll back up and gave it back to 'Crysta'. “He was a Centaur who along with his brother, wanted to steal Equestrian magic some years before your death Penny. Luckily his brother became friends with us and turned on him, so we sealed him away in Tartarus.” She turned to her lover. “It was deep in the catacombs where we imprisoned him.”
Penumbra raised an eyebrow. “You did this without my knowledge or permission?”
“We had no choice! He was too dangerous to leave in Equestria where he could just steal more magic and escape within the first the week or so.” Luna started pacing.
'Crysta' bowed to Luna. “Seems so, Goddess of the Moon.” 'Not that any of you have to worry about him, yet.'
Penumbra eyed the white mare as she left the building. 'I can't shake the feeling of something being wrong with that mare.'
-Everfree Forest-
Tirek grunted as he worked his way toward the old decrepit castle. Truthfully he wanted to head straight to Ponyville and steal the Alicorn magic, but in his current state he truly was no match for his former jailers. “This putrid place will have to do until I regain my strength.” He laid his weary body down on the cold stone floor. “Damn lizard.” He cursed under his breath, having been freed by a Kirin was one thing but being demanded to steal the alicorn magic only to hand it over to the odd cult?
“Hah, they're fools if they think I would let something so powerful escape my grasp. I'll use the very power they wish to harness and destroy them with it.” He grinned as he closed his eyes.
...
...
...
Bang
A loud noise caught his attention. “What now?” He stood up looking around til he took notice a black mass move by his peripheral vision. “Hmm?” His horns lit up with magic.
“...food...must...feed...”
Tirek raised his hands reading the shadows movements. “Who's there!?”
“Centaur...little...food...not...fit...”
Tirek watched as a equine-like creature made of smoky shadows stepped out from behind a pillar. “What? Penumbra hmm?”
The creature stared at Tirek in mild interest. “...not...the...orange...pony...or...Sombra...dead...”
“Sombra? You know the Mad King?” This thing couldn't possibly be the mare darkness despite its eerie appearence.
“Devoured...magic...allowed...form...restore...” Two huge black wings spread from its back as it approached Tirek.
The centaur took a step back in alarm as the thing eyed his horns with its beady red eyes. “No way creature, this is my magic.” He took up a threatening pose even though he was aware of his weakened state.
The creature stopped. “...you...are...not...prey...” A long pointed horn formed on its head. “Devour...living...dead...you...” Two black arms fell from its sides and rolled toward Tirek's feet. “No...longer...need...where...light?” It asked circling him.
Tirek raised an eyebrow at the creature before speaking. “Light? What light are talking about?” He kept his feeble magic at the ready in case the thing meant to attack.
“...Heart...must...devour...” The creature hissed settling down on the ground next to Tirek's camp.
Tirek purposefully glared at the shadowy being. 'It must mean the Crystal Heart...hmm.' He stroked his beard in contemplation. 'I might be able to use this to my advantage...they won't suspect it.' He chuckled. “Listen.” The thing looked at him as it stood again, it was easily the height on an fully grown alicorn much to its obvious appearance. But still it merely seemed to Tirek as a form it preferred over all. “Are you referring to the relic of the Crystal Empire?”
“...yessss...magic...sustain...ours...” Its form rippled, its horn and wings vanishing away for a moment before solidifying again. “Barrier...repels...ussss...hurts...ussss...” Its wings flapped in what seemed to be anger. “...sister...created...harmful...to...usss...”
“I see.” Tirek grinned at the creature. “Mind telling me what you are exactly?” He said with mild curiosity despite all the plans going through his head.
“Do...not...know...” Even after devouring Sombra, the thing seemed to have lost its ability of coherent speech. “Sombra...know...much...not...enough...” The creature 'huffed' as it sat down.
More movement to his left tore Tirek's eyes away from the creature as even more shadowy figures surrounded the chamber. The centaur abruptly called his magic forward in alarm. “More of you?”
The thing glared at its smaller companions who surely backed away. “They...not...like...ussss...lessers...”
Tirek eyed the strange creatures as they scampered to larger one and began to suckle its belly. 'What depths of Tartarus did this thing crawl out of?' He soon noticed that the little shadows eerily resembled pony fillies and colts, but the creatures lacked any form in their lower torso area. Tendrils of blackness instead of legs. Tirek felt repulsed by this creature's continued presence, but he wasn't one to let a chance like this pass him by.
Eventually the creature's 'foals' vanished into its body leaving the two of them alone once more. “Part...of...ussss...only...purpose...” Tirek nodded once before staring into its eyes. “...Tirek...”
“How did you-”
“...help...ussss...assist...ussss...need...food...magic...” The thing stood up again before heading away from Tirek and into the wilderness of the Everfree Forest.
Tirek stood motionless for a moment before chasing after it grinning all the way. “I don't know what you are, creature. But you're my ticket to revenge.”
-Ponyville 2 Hours Later-
Princess Celestia had returned an hour ago to a slumbering Penumbra and Luna in the Golden Oaks Library. Luna was wrapped up in Penumbra's rather large wing almost completely concealed from Celestia's view.
The solar princess sighed. “It's a shame I have to wake them up...but first.” She quietly trotted over to the sleeping pair nudging Luna with a gilded hoof. “Luna.”
Luna stirred with a mumble. “Mmm...not there Penny...”
Celestia's eyes widened for a second before she smiled. “Luna, sister I need to speak to you.”
Slowly, Luna's eyes opened as she rose to the waking world. “Wha...Tia?” Celestia nodded as her little sister rose under Penumbra's wing. “What is it?” Luna stared at her sister when a thought crossed her mind. “...Did you find Tirek?!” She asked in a loud whisper.
“...No, at least not yet.” Celestia gazed over at Penumbra ensuring the dark mare was still asleep. “Luna, I will deal with Tirek personally for now. I need you to do handle something for me in the meantime.” She looked into Luna's eyes with a thin smile.
Luna nodded in confusion. “Of course, sister. But what exactly?”
Taking a deep breath Celestia turned her head over to the sleeping Penumbra. “...I want you to go with Penumbra back to Tartarus. In her current state, she will unable to protect herself and may cause unintended harm to those she once called friends.”
Luna watched her lover twitch an ear. “But wouldn't it be better if she stayed in the castle with all of us?”
Celestia shook her head. “Despite everything it's safer for her there right now. She has her followers...but I don't trust them enough to not try anything sinister considering what they did in the past under Avec's leadership.” She turned to her sister. “You are only one she trusts, Luna.” She said remembering Penumbra's earlier words when she awoke the second time...
“Celestia! You're in league with my twisted sister aren't you!? Why does looking at you hurt so much? Princ-Celestia, just what am I!? Why am I crying again!? ...Mummy...”
Celestia repressed a sob. 'My beloved student is still in there somewhere. I can feel her presence even now, behind all of Penumbra's Darkness. Somewhere, my daughter still exists.'
Luna looked at her with an odd expression. “...She's my lover Celly, even if Twilight is also your daughter.” The lunar princess cringed internally. 'Ngh, now that's an odd thought...luckily the two of us aren't blood relatives.'
Celestia wiped a stray tear from her eye. “Yes...I suppose so.”
...
...
...
Penumbra groaned as she awoke to the sound of the princesses talking. 'Urg, would they be quiet a moment I'm trying to sleep.'
...Sure, I'll help you Fluttershy...
The dark alicorn opened an eye finding the other mares quietly talking with each other. 'Luwa...' She caught Celestia's attention. '...Tia...Sister? Um, Mom? Oh, I don't know anymore, waking up in this era is driving me mad. I'm still hearing voices and it's not them.'
...Rarity...Rarity!...RARITY!...
She stood up and began walking over to them. “Celestia, I'm sorry for...you know...exploding at you.” Penumbra lowered her head with a sigh.
...Pinkie, do you know how to...
Celestia gave her a comforting smile. “It's alright. I understand you're still confused right now.”
Penumbra nodded. “...Still I shouldn't have yelled like that. I thought I learned how to control my anger all those years ago...” The dark mare suddenly glared at her. “Regardless Celestia, what became of my sister?”
Luna and Celestia exchanged worried looks before turning to back to Penumbra. Celestia spoke first. “We're not actually certain of what happened to her after your...” She felt her throat clench, but a small nod from Penumbra gave her the confidence to continue. “...She disappeared.” Celestia sat down prompting the other alicorns to do the same. “She's a strong pony Penumbra you know that.”
Penumbra flexed her wings in impatience. “Strong? That's debatable. Dia, was never a violent mare, she always preferred dealing with problems in a peaceful manner.” Penumbra's gaze fell to the floor.
Luna spoke up finding the look on her revived lover's face concerning. “Penny, we know.” She smiled as she got up and sat beside Penumbra. “We don't think she's dead, have faith.” She reassured leaning in and kissing the dark mare's fore head. Despite her words, Luna still held a certain hatred for the crystal alicorn.
Celestia watched them with a slight frown. 'This reminds me of the old days, of when we we're all living together before...' She shook her head with a sigh. “Yes, we do believe Diamanda is alive somewhere since we can still feel her magic but...” Celestia shivered. “It feels tainted somehow, like it's been compressed by something.”
Penumbra raised her head at that. “Tainted?” She whispered.
Celestia nodded. “It's not an evil presence by any means, but it feels very uncomfortable whenever I go looking for it.” She rose to her hooves. “In any case, Penumbra I asked Luna to go with you to Tartarus.”
Penumbra gawked at her. “What? From what you have told me, my home has been used as a prison for the past millennium! I don't know if it's safe for Luna there!” She jumped to her hooves, knocking Luna unto her side.
Celestia smiled. “Being the master of such a place, I'm sure you wouldn't let anything to her correct?” Penumbra gave her a confused look. “I won't be sending you alone, I'm sure my sister will lend you a battalion of her own guards for extra protection.”
Luna chewed her lip. 'Now I get it, Penumbra's magic will replenish faster in her own realm than it will anywhere else.'
Penumbra levitated Luna back onto her hooves. “I don't know about this, but fine.” She pouted adorably.
Celestia's eyes widened for a moment before she regained her composure. 'That pout is just like Twilight's.' Smiling she nodded. “I'll set up the arrangement for your departure, but for tonight let's rest okay?”
Penumbra turned to Luna who trotted past her over to Celestia. “You have a plan sister?”
“That I do sister, that I do.” She said before trotting out the door.
-Canterlot Dungeons-
Avec smiled as he sat in his cell. The guards had paid no expense in keeping him from escaping, since there must have been at least half a dozen wards cutting off his magic and movements. He was currently in a straight jacket due to him almost attempting to attack his jailers. 'Little fools, they have no idea what's coming.' He chuckled darkly.
-Castle Gardens-
A large pink gem hovered ominously over the crystallized portion of the gardens. Sparks of blue circled around it, the sun had just set to make way for the night and the moonlight shined over the gem causing it to glisten.
Now
Without warning, the crystals at it's base began to spread out, the grass beneath them being consumed entirely. Soon it was covering the hedges nearby, followed by the trees, flowers, rose bushes, even some unfortunate animals were turned to crystal as it crawled over their bodies.
Princess Cadence was watching the sky as the sun lowered over the horizon and the moon came up soon after. The pink mare heard the sound of animal screeches and guard yelling which made her spin around to see a wave a bluish crystal making its way over to her position. “What in Faust's name?!” She yelled before taking to the air.
The crystal poured over the ledge surprising a few maids who were about to be consumed before Cadence levitated them out of the way. “Send a message to Princess Celestia quickly!” The maids nodded before turning on the dot toward the garden's exit.
Cadence flew over the spreading crystal glaring at with a withering gaze. “I have to stop it somehow.” With a quick flap, Cadence landed near the crystal heading for the castle. She waited a moment as the crystal got closer and closer before creating a blue barrier over it stopping the crystal in its tracks. Cadence saw the blue magic sparking around her barrier, which seemed to be looking for a weakness. “Hmm, somepony is definitely controlling this crystal.
Before long a group of unicorn guards came rushing into the gardens led by their Captain. “Captain Ocean Crest, set up your strongest shield, we must contain this crystal before it endangers the city!”
“Yes, Your Highness!” In no time flat the guards summoned their magic and cast a barrier encompassing the entire section of where the crystal was spreading. As the openings closed and the crystal could no longer move, Cadence let a breath she didn't know she was holding in.
“Set up a perimeter and create guard rounds, we don't want it to break free and wreak anymore havoc.” The princess commanded as she made final preparations around the barrier, ensuring it wouldn't break. The ponies around her saluted and began carrying out her orders. Cadence sighed. “Something tells me this is not going to be good day.”
-Everfree Forest-
Tirek followed behind the creature with a sense of satisfaction, he had already drained number of animals of what magic they had and he felt almost new again. 'Heheh, I barely even had to lift a finger and this creature practically gift wraps the magic for me.'
“Almost...there centaur...” The creature rasped as it stopped before an opening to a cave. “Ursa...within...”
Tirek chuckled for a moment. “You must be joking, you plan on taking on a fully grown Ursa Major?” He crossed his arms under his cloak. “Those will tear you apart.”
“Star beasts...are...of...no...worry...to...usss...” It raised its wings and flew into the cavern's depths leaving Tirek by himself.
Tapping his cleft hoof, Tirek waited for a while...
...
...
...
Ten minutes passed, and still with no sign from the shadowy being, Tirek turned around planning on leaving. “Aw well, it was an interesting creature.” He smirked as he left the area.
A loud thud stopped him causing Tirek to spin around. “What in the world?” His question was answered by his strange companion stepping out of the cave with a new look. Before it was merely a black being that was equine in shape and mimicking the body of an alicorn. Now though, it still had the body of an alicorn but its body was very feminine in shape mostly due to its long snout and shapely rump, which Tirek now found even stranger. Stars twinkled all over its black coat along with wispy waves of darkness cascading down its body like a dress.
Tirek clicked his tongue. “Impressive.”
The creature giggled. “I appreciate it.” It said in a very silky voice much to Tirek's shock.
“You can speak properly now?” Tirek asked as it sauntered past him in a fluid motion.
“Oh yes, and you may call me Umbra.” It said without looking back at him. “I didn't kill the Ursa. I just fed off of its magic which happened to have actual stars within it.”
The centaur shrugged. “We're going to get along very well then, Umbra.”
Umbra ignored him and continued onward. “I am looking for my other half.”
“Oh?” Tirek took notice of how a long white mane began to form from its head as it spoke, even though it lacked an actual mouth. “Other half?”
“My false half.” Umbra responded.
Animals avoided the creature as it walked but they merely growled at Tirek who in turn growled back. Tirek continued watching the newly christened Umbra as he noticed how its wings were beginning to look more like clawed dragon wings. 'Coincidence? Hmm, I'd like to think so.' He smirked to himself. “Would that other half of yours happen to be named, Penumbra?”
The creature didn't even flinch at his question. “No.” It answered simply.
Now Tirek frowned in confusion. “Aren't you a pony?” He felt that he just had ask.
“No. We are many, but only one. I am Umbra, the other is Lux.” It said in a tone being similar to monotone. “But I am different now.” Umbra giggled. “We part ways here centaur.” Tirek nodded his head as they reached the edge of the forest.
The Ghastly Gorge laid before them as the creature turned to Tirek. “I am not whole yet. Return here when your errands are finished.”Before he could speak Umbra vanished into the darkness of the forest leaving him alone once more.
“...Hmpf. Ordering me around like that, how interesting.” Tirek grinned as he eyed the city some miles away. “I shall start there then.” Laughing, Tirek began making his way over to the city of Las Pegasus.
Diamanda trotted elegantly through the streets of Ponyville as the various ponies around town began going into their homes for the night. 'Don't worry my dears, I'll take care of you.' She mused to herself.
Despite being trapped and nearly powerless within the mines, Diamanda had plans. She had Crysta's body course, but only for so long as she had magic to spare. 'Hmm, I only have an hour or so until my magic runs dry.' Sighing, she powered up her borrowed horn and teleported across town and into a hotel room she had commandeered for herself. “...You're a good little mare, Crysta. So, I'll leave you for today.” Closing her eyes as she climbed into the bed before her, Diamanda cut off her link to Crysta's mind and erased any memories of her forced take over. 'Wouldn't do for her to think less of me.' She chuckled.
-Crystal Mines-
Stretching her body, Diamanda lifted herself from the floor and gazed at the door only to find three ponies in white robes in prayer before her. “And you are?” She asked curiously.
“We are but your loyal servants, O Goddess.” The pony in front said in awe as she stood up revealing her light-blue coat. “I apologize profusely for Iron Mural's disrespectful behavior, Your Grace.” She leveled a steely gaze at the light-grey stallion to her right, who in turn lowered himself to the ground even further.
Diamanda raised a crystalline hoof which made the church ponies bow again. “I understand little one, the focus gem he gave to me was very helpful.” She smiled in benevolence.
Matriarch Lulamoon stood up. “Your Holiness is too kind.” She lowered her head a bit. 'If only my daughter was here to meet our Goddess.'
Diamanda internally smirked. 'Lovely creatures aren't they? They're perfect for my Blessing.' With a nod of her head Diamanda stepped forward. “I wish to leave this place.” The ponies bowed once more before leading the way.
“How did you find me, my loyal ponies? I was very sure I secreted myself away where no one would find me.” Diamanda asked after a short time.
The Matriarch perked up at this. “It wasn't easy...but it turns out Iron here was keeping tabs on you and your whereabouts all by himself, Your Holiness.” She said glaring at the stallion again. “I still cannot believe you would keep such information to yourself...especially for all of these years.”
Iron Mural shrunk under her gaze. “...I-I...I...”
Diamanda raised an elegant eyebrow at that. 'Greed...that won't do...' Her gaze became cold suddenly, making the stallion quake in fear.
...
...
...
Eventually, the group reached the surface at the base of the Canterhorn, within what seemed to be a wooden shack of some sort. Diamanda looked around noticing all of the strange dolls and statues spread throughout the room. The objects were all in her liking, which brought a wry grin to her face.
The Matriarch bowed her head as she spoke. “This is Iron Mural's abode...” Iron gulped as he took in his Goddess' cold stare.
“...You must purify yourself of this...sinful act.” Diamanda said as she trotted slowly toward the terrified Pegasus.
“B-But I...” Iron stuttered.
Matriarch Lulamoon and the other pony bowed their heads not wanting to incur the wrath of their Goddess.
Diamanda's draconic eyes began to glow. “It's not good to harbor such thoughts, little one...” Her voice was smooth like silk, but there was a sort of madness to her tone that made every other pony shiver.
Iron Mural fell to his rear as he felt his thoughts muddle and become foggier. “I...I...will not...can not.” He began.
Diamanda smiled gently at the stallion as he fell unconscious. “That's better...dream a pure sunset, as beautiful as a flawless crystal.” She turned to her other followers who were looking at her in awe. “This is my power.” She stated before looking to the door. “Leave this one here for now, I wish to know what has become of my Empire.”
The Matriarch shook her head. “O-Of course, my Goddess.” With a wave of her horn, she opened the door and followed the alicorn outside and into the crisp, night air.
Diamanda took a long deep breath of fresh air. “It has been so long since I have seen the world...” She said taking to the air and performing several moves that would make the Wonderbolts jealous.
The Matriarch watched as her Goddess flew around without a care in the world, but she knew better than to think that. 'Her Holiness seems very against negative actions...she's just as the old stories say.' She smiled in content as she watched Diamanda land on a tree branch.
Diamanda folded her crystal wings to her sides as she watched Luna's moon slowly make its way across the sky. “We will soon meet in person, Luna, Celestia,...sister.” She smirked. “Time to begin soon.” She looked down to her followers. “Summon your ponies, Matriarch Lulamoon, than join me in the Crystal Empire.” She ordered gently before flying into the sky, leaving the two ponies to carry out her orders.
Diamanda flapped her huge crystal wings as she headed to her former empire, hoping her ponies still remembered her. “They need me as does all of this land.” She muttered to herself as she passed over the edge of the Everfree Forest. “From what my loyal Acolyte's memories have shown me, that corrupted student of my sister's was sealed beneath the ice by Celly and Luna.” Diamanda of course knew all about Sombra's hostile takeover of her beautiful Empire and his eventual defeat, but what she didn't know was how he managed to combine both her's and Penumbra's magic types together. “How? How was that possible? Despite being blood-sisters our magics were not meant to mix together is such a fashion...”
She laughed as she flew passed a pair of sleeping ponies on the side of a road. “His greed and avarice destroyed him in the end...pitiful creature.” Diamanda shook her head in disgust. “We Alicorns are the pinnacle of ponykind, no being like him could possibly understand our power.”
The Crystal Empire was now in sight, so Diamanda sped up wanting to get there before a certain pink alicorn that she could now sense was starting a teleport.“...Mi Amore Cadenza.” She smiled genuinely.“It will be great to see my daughter's heir.”
-The Crystal Empire, 1 Hour later-
Cadence paced in the throne room as soon as she returned from Canterlot. 'I get why Celestia wanted me to come back after she explained what became of Twily...' She sighed tiredly. 'But none of this makes sense!' With a groan she looked out the window to see all of her new subjects out and about with large smiles on their faces. 'They were so depressed only yesterday, and now they're suddenly a suns and smiles? I'm glad they no longer look miserable, but stuff like this doesn't just happen overnight!'
Cadence looked over at the guard's similar but much more subtle grins and shook her head. 'I hope that mare from the Church didn't force this.'
The throne room's door swung open with a bang, startling Cadence who turned to see a crystal pony run up to her with a bow. “Your Majesty! She has returned!”
Cadence's wings shivered in anticipation. “Who did? Princess Celestia?” She asked in a confused tone.
The mare before her shook her head. “It was Queen-”
“Hello my dear Granddaughter.” A silky voice called out from the open doors.
Cadence froze at the sound of the unknown voice. “Huh? Who are you?” She looked behind the ecstatic crystal mare to find a huge white Alicorn approaching her. She felt her blood run cold at the sight the other alicorn's deep blue draconic eyes. 'It can't be...'
Diamanda trotted into the chamber with an elegant gait, smiling all the way. “Why it's me, Diamanda. You're Grandmother.” As she neared the fear stricken pink alicorn, her crystal hooves made barely a sound on the plush blue carpet leading to the throne.
Cadence took a step back as Diamanda passed her by and took a seat on the throne. “You're dead...you're supposed to be dead.” Most wouldn't know it, but Cadence was much older than ponies knew, she was even around the day when her grandmother fled the Empire never to be seen again for hundreds of years. Despite everything her aunt's said and what her own mother mentioned, Cadence always felt uncomfortable around the Crystal Alicorn.
Diamanda sighed in content as she got comfortable on her old throne. “It's good to be home.” She fixed her gaze on Cadence. “Why so quiet, my dear? Did you not miss me?” She smiled.
Taking a deep breath to steady her heart, Cadence nodded her head once. “...Very much so Grandmother.” She said with her teeth clenched.
The tall white mare smiled benevolently. “I certainly missed you, Cadenza.” She flapped her crystal wings then folded them to her sides. “Come here.” Diamanda spread her fore legs open.
Cadence hesitantly walked over to her and into Diamanda's welcoming legs. She felt goosebumps go up her spine at the feeling of Diamanda's cold touch, her fur felt like ice, and her hooves were not much better. 'She's so c-cold!' Cadence thought with a shiver.
Diamanda watched her shiver with a frown. “Do you still dislike my hugs?”
Cadence felt her heart race. “N-no, I'm f-fine...I j-just have a-a cold...” She faked a sneeze.
Diamanda released her from the embrace. “I see.” She smirked. “Why don't to your chambers and rest for a while, I have some business to take care of.”
Cadence nodded before taking off from the throne room in a panic. 'Celestia must know about this!'
Diamanda sighed against her throne. 'I'm spent, I used too much magic trying to get through the barrier.' She snorted. 'Why was it trying to keep me out? I am the one who created this Empire and its ponies.'
As the day progressed, ponies all across the Empire entered and exited Diamanda's palace wanting to greet and prostrate themselves to their Queen. Diamanda sat at her throne with a welcoming smile the entire time, blessing various children and elderly as they filed into the chamber. 'How beautiful. Their energy has returned.' With the Heart pulsating below and the Crystal Ponies coats regaining their lustre, Diamanda felt her powers return to her slowly, but surely.
Cadence never returned to the throne room, much to Diamanda's displeasure. 'Hmm, she's avoiding me.' Her granddaughter was known for avoiding her during her previous reign but... 'She'll come around.' She thought with a chuckle.
Diamanda spread her wings quieting down her subjects. “I'm afraid that is all I have time for my little ones.” The crystal ponies bowed once more before leaving with slight hesitation. As soon as the doors closed Diamanda let out as small laugh. “Hahhh.” She rested against the back of her throne with a sag.
“I should rest. It's been a long day.” With that Diamanda closed her eyes and entered the realm of sleep.
-Ponyville-
Aphelia watched as the various robed cultists were placed in chains and taken away to Canterlot by Princess Celestia's guard. She sighed. “I knew this would happen.”
'It had to be done, there are laws in place.' Echo reminded the changeling queen from beside her. 'They assaulted a Princess after all.'
Aphelia gave her a blank look. “You act like you never attacked one of them before.”
The shade gave her a nervous grin. 'Right...'
The grey changeling shook her head. “You and Avec were wrong after all...it's funny really.” Echo merely huffed and gazed at the ground. “All that time searching for a way to revive the Dark Mother, and all it really took was time.”
Both non-ponies watched as Princess Luna and their Empress trotted through town toward the direction of Tartarus. “Guess we'll be leaving in a minute here. Have you made up with the Dark Mother yet?” Aphelia asked the shade as they made their way over.
Echo shook her head. 'No actually. It seems her anger at me from before her revival is still there. She refuses to speak to me.'
Aphelia laughed. “Well you did try to harm her loved ones!”
Echo cringed at that. 'I was only doing what I thought was best for my Mistress...' She mumbled.
The changeling queen pulled on Echo's ear with her magic playfully. “Oh cheer up! With the Dark Mother once more whole we can begin our plans.” She smiled at Echo's brightened look.
'I suppose you're right about that, Queen Aphelia. The time of Empress Penumbra is just around the corner after all.' Echo said as the pair caught up to the group leaving Ponyville. 'Once the Mistress' magic has returned in full...it will truly begin.'
-The Crystal Empire-
Princess Cadence tip-hooved out of palace as the Crystal Guards made their rounds. Just an hour ago she realized her Grandmother had still not fallen asleep even though her eyes were closed at the time, and was current at the top of the Crystal Spire doing...something. 'Ever since she miraculously returned the patrols around here have doubled. I hope I'm wrong about this hunch of mine.' She thought with a shudder.
Not that Diamanda acted different to the public or anything, but her recent actions had set off alarm bells in Cadence's mind. Something about her grandmother just seemed...wrong. In the past, she would usually hold feasts for all of the castle and spend hours outside chatting with her subjects, even after she had just returned from a lengthy mission to another country. And her touch was just so...cold. 'That cannot be normal. Sure her hooves are made of actual crystal, including her wings, but her hugs were always so comforting and warm, so similar to Celestia's.'
Stamp, stamp, stamp.
Cadence halted at the sound of metal encased hooves hitting the ground as a nearby sentry passed by her location. 'Damn.' She ducked around the side out of a building.
Stamp, stamp, stamp...
The guard trotted away without noticing Cadence's presence. 'I hate sneaking around my own ponies, but if they saw me they would bring me back and Diamanda would know.' The pink alicorn eyed the empty street looking around for other guards. 'Here's my chance.' Spreading her wings, Cadence took over to the rooftops and cast a camouflage spell just in case.
...
...
...
Cadence landed near the twin pillars of crystal, acting as the Empire's main entrance and folded her wings to her sides. Outside the barrier the storm was quiet and unmoving as Cadence carefully stepped through it. No alarms were set off by her presence but she was buffeted by the icy chill in the air and snow slowly falling across her coat. 'As cold as this is, it's nothing like Grandmother's.'
Finally outside the barrier and out of Diamanda's magic zone, Cadence lit her horn and let out a pulse of magic toward the direction of Canterlot. '...Please, please answer Aunty.'
A minute or so passed as Cadence stood there waiting for a response.
Ding!
A pulse of solar magic answered back. 'Cadence? What's wrong? I heard your distress signal.' Princess Celestia's voice sounded in her mind.
Cadence let out a relieved sigh. “Aunty Celestia...we have a situation in the Empire you probably won't believe.”
'A situation?'
“It's Her, Celestia. Diamanda is back...” Cadence said with a shiver.
'...' For a moment Celestia was silent over the line before she responded in a confused tone. 'What did you say, Cadence?'
“She's back in the Crystal Empire, Diamanda just showed up out of nowhere and took over.” Cadence took a deep steadying breath before continuing. “Even the guards won't listen to me. She had me confined to my room after we had an argument, if you could call it that.” Cadence flapped her wings in distress as the memory of the last hour came to her mind.
'Cadence, are you absolutely sure it was Her, and not one of Sombra's illusions?' Celestia asked.
“We already cleared the castle of any remaining traps after his defeat, and that was definitely Diamanda. There was no way anypony could imitate her so well.” Cadence said as she looked back to the Spire, blu-ish light occasionally brightening up the sky. “I can still feel the heart, she's doing something to it, but Diamanda has blocked off the area where it was being held in the plaza.”
'...'
“Aunty?”
'...'
“Celestia?!”
'...Run.'
“What?” Cadence's eyes widened.
'You must get away from there, Cadence! It's hard to tell exactly, I can feel the taint in her magic getting stronger.' Celestia sounded panicked so Cadence lit her horn a bit more to feel the magic coming from the Spire...
Boom!
Before she could get a proper look a large beam of blue energy exploded from the top of the Spire feeling exactly like Diamanda's magic. “What in Faust's name!?” Cadence yelled as she took a step back in shock.
'Cadence! Mi Amore Cadenza! You have to get away from that place!' Celestia yelled over the mental link.
“But the ponies! I can't just abandon them!”
'I know. Do not worry we will save them from whatever is wrong with Diamanda, but you must leave for now!'
Cadence watched as the magical might of her Grandmother pierced the clouds lighting the black sky with an ominous light. “Forgive me.” She whispered before taking off into the sky.
-The Crystal Spire-
Diamanda panted as she finally released her magic into the aether. “That should do.” She grinned as she witnessed the fruit of labor. At the very edges of the barrier protecting the Empire, crystal began to form a dome over the barrier itself as an extra security measure. “My Granddaughter left...shame I thought she would see things my way.” Diamanda chuckled as she turned toward the staircase beginning her trek back to her throne room.
With her magic almost fully restored, Diamanda could at last begin the task she set out for herself during her self-imprisonment within the mines. “I still need my unicorn magic.” Diamanda's crystal hooves rang throughout the staircase as she contemplated her situation. “Hmm...”
Once she reached the throne room and sealed the passage to the spire, Diamanda stopped and drag a hoof across the floor with a small smirk. “What's this?” There were traces of dark magic along the carpet leading up to her throne which sparked Diamanda's curiosity. “How interesting seems like my sister's former apprentice was looking for something.” Trotting up to her throne Diamanda tapped the chair in a rhythmic pattern, the throne creaked for a moment before moving backward revealing a set of regalia. Diamanda chuckled. “I don't understand why Sombra would want my regalia, I don't think it would fit his pitiful frame.” With a wing, Diamanda pulled out a crystal helmet.
The helmet was finely shaped to fit Diamanda's large alicorn frame and was almost identical in shape to her sister's. The same couldn't be said for the other pieces of her regalia, each was made of crystal but was eerily similar in shape to Nightmare Moon's armour. “They changed form again...” Diamanda removed the rest of the armour regalia from under her throne before it moved back into place.
The crystal alicorn slipped her hooves into the shoes as she felt the enchantments move through her legs causing a content sigh to escape her. Diamanda tapped each shoe against the floor listening to the soft clang they made.
Diamanda eyed the chest plate watching it as light streaming in through the windows glittered off of its surface. With a grin, Diamanda used her wings to place the plate around her neck hearing a familiar chiming sound as the spells attached to the regalia activated. “Lovely.”
She sat on her haunches lifting the helmet with her hooves bringing it to eye level. “Thus it begins again.” She intoned placing the helmet over her head.
With a rush, a wave of powerful magics bombarded the chamber, crystals rose from the floor in random locations around Diamanda's body. “They will be here soon...” Breathing in, Diamanda whistled calling for something. A familiar chirping sound rang out as a white and blue bird flew in from somewhere and landed on Diamanda's raised foreleg. “Amrita, I have a task for you.” The icy Phoenix raised her head. “I need you to fly to Ponyville and bring my Acolyte to me. Her name is Crysta Feather.” The bird flapped her wings and nodded before taking off through an open window. Diamanda nodded to herself as she sat on her throne and waited.
-Ponyville-
Penumbra growled as she moved through the town. 'These ponies are aggravating!' She yelled internally as the flash of cameras and loud questions filled her vision. It was finally dawn as she and Luna made their way out of Ponyville heading for Tartarus, but before they could even step outside of the town groups of paparazzi and news ponies assaulted her personal space. It was only thanks to Luna's wing wrapped around her barrel and her gentle reassurances that Penumbra hadn't blasted the irritating creatures into the next life. 'If it wasn't for my sweet Luwa, you would all be dead at my hooves.' She didn't really mean that but she felt tempted to punish them regardless.
“Princess! Are you aware that your current affair with what ponies think to be the Nightmare reborn could lead to the return of Eternal Night!?” One called out bringing a deep growling sound from Penumbra.
Luna herself felt a vein in her head pulse at the reporter's rude question. “No, she is not the Nightmare. Penumbra is not and never was a Nightmare, that was merely a title I wore when I returned.”
“Blackmare Moon! Are you truly a fillyfooler!?” Another asked Penumbra almost shoving a mic near her face.
Penumbra's large wings flared in anger. “What did you call me, you insipid foal!?” The term wasn't lost on her but the constant stream of insulting questions was beginning to truly grate on her nerves. The various reporters had dubbed her 'Blackmare Moon' due to her appearance and even that seemed offensive to the mare of darkness. “If you keep this up I will imprison each and every one of you inside Tartarus for the rest of your lives!”
The ponies gasped and backed away in sudden fear as Penumbra bared her razor sharp teeth. A few of the braver reporters stood forward still asking questions, followed by another who thought Penumbra could not do so without being sued. Luna looked at Celestia with a pleading look, her sister nodded once before trotting forward and clearing her throat to catch the ponies' attention. “I'm afraid the time for questions is over, so each of you please leave for now, I'll answer any remaining questions you may still have.” Princess Celestia smiled benevolently.
The group hesitantly backed away and bowed halfheartedly and left the scene but not before snapping a few more photos. Luna sighed in relief while Penumbra continued glaring at the ponies as they hid behind bushes and houses. “How do you put up with those mortals?!” Penumbra let her magic fade away as she passed Celestia and trotted across the bridge leading out of town.
Celestia chuckled. “Years of patience and a smile.” Luna rolled her eyes at that.
Penumbra grumbled cutely as she folded her wings back to her sides. “As soon as I return home I am making a law to forbid any form of 'reporting' or 'news'.” Both princesses looked at each other and giggled slightly.
Celestia held her smile before she felt a tingle in the back of her mind. 'Oh, it's Cadence.' She lifted a wing and patted Penumbra's back. “I'll be right back, it seems like Cadence needs help.” The other alicorns looked at her as she trotted away.
Off to the side, Twilight's friends watched. Fluttershy was no longer crying but her eyes showed an unusual hardness to them. “...” She mumbled something before dashing over to Penumbra much to the others' confusion. “Twilight.”
Penumbra twitched an ear in Fluttershy's direction as she turned to her. “You again? What do you want now?” The alicorn frowned as the yellow mare refused to back away from her glare.
“I know that you do not remember us, but we are still your friends Twilight.” Fluttershy said as she stood in front of the much larger mare.
Penumbra swiped a lock of purple mane out of her face. “I know your name little pegasus, but I already told you I do not know anything about you.” The dark mare was sick of this guessing game. “As I have told you before I have no intention of becoming 'friends' with you mares or anypony.” Penumbra stated coldly.
Fluttershy felt her eyes water again but she refused to back down or let them fall. “You don't mean that. I'm the Element of Kindness, and I can tell you're just confused and scared by everything.”
Luna stayed just behind her lover with her horn lit in case Penumbra reacted rashly.
Penumbra's left eye twitched. “What?”
The little pegasus kept her gaze as her other friends gave her looks of concern and apprehension. “I understand. I know what it feels like to be afraid of those around you.” She smiled softly.
“I am not afraid!” Penumbra got right in Fluttershy's face. “I am the Alicorn of Tartarus! Darkness Incarnate! One of the first monsters! Don't think you would understand anything about such things!” As her anger rose so did the Aura of Fear she gave off, causing Fluttershy to shiver.
Fluttershy felt her smile fall slightly before she took a step back. “...I do.” She said with a heartfelt nervous look.
Penumbra faltered as she took in the look the other mare was giving her. 'What is this mare!? Why doesn't she cower!?'
Everypony should be shown kindness sometime in their lives.
Penumbra shook her head at the sudden appearance of an unknown memory. She turned away reaching out for Luna in a panic. “G-Get away from me!” She demanded quietly.
Fluttershy let her smile fall as Luna hugged Penumbra to herself. “...Even if you forget about us or spurn our friendship, we will always be here for you Twilight.” She said in her normal tone.
Penumbra took several deep breaths and waited a good long while before gazing at Fluttershy once again. “...Then...prove it to me. Prove to me how strong your so called 'friendship' is.”
A hopeful look came over Fluttershy's face as similar smiles showed on her friends' muzzles. “Okay.” She gave Penumbra one more smile before joining Applejack and the others.
Luna nuzzled her mate affectionately. “Well done, Penny. I knew you would come around.”
Penumbra grumbled a bit as she nuzzled back. “Whatever, Luwa. But this had better be worth it.”
-Crystal Empire-
The ice phoenix Amrita flew through the snowy plains of the Frozen North at the command of her owner even though she realized something was worrying about Diamanda's behavior.
The crystal barrier now covering the Empire and keeping outsiders out. Locking Cadence in her own room like a prisoner and now the summons for this Crysta mare in Ponyville.
Even Amrita's mate who was once at Diamanda's constantly couldn't explain the alicorn's bizarre attitude. Diamanda's voice was soft but full of malice, her touch wasn't warm anymore and her eyes gave a sense of foreboding whenever they looked at you...
...
...
...
“Is that you, Lux?” A deep silky voice called out from somewhere in the blizzard.
Amrita refused to stop but caught sight of a deep black figure moving in the distance among the endless white.
“No?” A shadowy hoof reached out smacking the bird into the snow. “Hmm, another animal.”
Amrita looked up seeing a mouth-less equine head peering at her from above. “Squawk!” She flew back into the air and pelted Umbra with small icicles in warning.
The creature merely narrowed its eyes in amusement. “Cute, but you're not who I'm looking for.” Amrita charged at Umbra. “Oh?” Before the phoenix rammed into Umbra, the creature burst into black smoke and vanished from the plain. “Maybe next time, little thing.” It laughed before going silent.
Amrita felt her feathers shiver as a feeling of despair rolled over her then disappeared a second later. The bird looked around again before taking off for Ponyville again thinking about what that thing was.
-Ponyille-
Spike paced as he kept an eye on the Elements of Harmony, their gems would glow occasionally then putter out then a little later glow again but more brightly. Currently the only Element not to glow at all was Twilight's Element of Magic, it was pitch black. The other elements were constantly attempting -from what Spike could tell- to pierce the black aura emanating from the tiara but to no avail. “I have a feeling this has something to do with Twilight's new appearance.” Spike mumbled as he planted himself into the chair that sat before the Elements.
The door opened and Princess Celestia and even Cadence stepped in much to Spike's surprise. Cadence's mane was disheveled while her coat was halfway frozen and her eyes looked panicked. “Um, what's happened now?” He asked nervously.
Celestia had a stoney look across her muzzle. “Spike, give my sister this letter, only she'll understand what's inside.” She levitated over a scroll to which Spike grabbed confusedly. “Take it to her quickly.”
Spike eyed the scroll before nodding once and running out the door. Celestia sighed tiredly as she closed the door with her back hoof. “Things are getting progressively worse.”
Cadence nodded at that. “But I don't understand how did you know about Diamanda being alive?”
The solar princess took a seat at the center table followed by Cadence. “I never told anypony about this but...you have aright to know now that the situation has taken a turn for the worst.” She took a deep breath. “During Chrysalis' attempt at stealing the throne from me, she left me in the caverns beneath Canterlot by myself.” She began.
Cadence gestured with a hoof. “You already told everypony about that...”
“I know. But what I did not say was...I wasn't as alone as I thought I was.” Celestia fixed her gaze to the table. She heard her niece gasp. “She was there. She spoke to me. Taunted me. Welcomed me even... She wasn't the same though. The Diamanda I once knew was long gone, replaced by something terrifying.” She looked up. “I wrote about my entire experience in the scroll I gave Spike. At first I thought it was a dream, Because I awoke sometime later and found my self alone near the cavern exit.”
Cadence's eyebrows rose. “My Grandmother was an expert in the field of mind magic, far surpassing anything Sombra or Chrysalis could conjure up...” She felt a shudder down her spine.
“Precisely. It turns out Diamanda used her powers on me to make me forget about the conversation we had, I remember talking to her but not the exact words we spoke of.” Celestia closed her eyes.
“You think she's up to something?”
“Yes. But with Tirek loose in Equestria and still no word about his location I'm afraid we'll have to set aside the Diamanda situation right now until we deal with Tirek.” She opened her eyes and looked at Cadence. “Luna will take care of Twi- I mean Penumbra. While we do what we can ourselves.” At Cadence's nod both mares stood back up heading for the exit.
Crysta groaned as she awoke from her slumber. “Wh-where am I?” She looked around the hotel room. “This isn't the train car, how did I get here?”
There was a scratching sound at the window to her right, where she spotted a white and blue bird looking right at her. “A-an Ice Phoenix?” Climbing to her hooves, Crysta trotted over to the window and opened it with her magic...which caused the entire window to blow apart. “Ah!” She and the bird jumped away. “H-How did that happen? My magic isn't that powerful!” Crysta looked at her horn only to find it seemingly made of crystal. “...My horn!”
The phoenix flew in squawking at her to look up. Crysta gazed away from her horn. “W-What?” The Phoenix rolled its eyes at her confused expression and chirped. The unicorn stepped closer to which the bird flew onto her back. “What are yo-AH!” She was suddenly engulfed by a bright light.
Without warning she landed on her back roughly which ripped her cloak from her body and skid across the floor. “Ow...” She turn to land a small glare at the phoenix before her breath was taken from her at the sight of a large white alicorn before her.
Diamanda smiled at her from her throne. “Hello my dear. I am Diamanda.”
Crysta bolted to her hooves and bowed as low as she could. “Goddess of Crystal!”
“Yes. Come to me, little one.” Diamanda eyed the unicorn's horn with hidden excitement.
Crysta slowly and carefully made her way over to Diamanda's throne, the guards within the chamber paid her little attention. Once she made it, Diamanda reached out a hoof to pat her head. “So you are my new Acolyte? You're quite beautiful, little one.” Crysta blushed. “No need to be afraid I won't harm you.” Diamanda nuzzled her and whispered in her ear. “Now I have something for you to do for me.”
Crysta froze at the cold touch of Diamanda's fur. “W-What is it?” She stammered.
Diamanda's voice was husky. “Release your magic.”
Crysta looked confused and hesitant as she remembered what happened earlier. “Are you sure? I-I couldn't control it a few minutes ago.”
Diamanda looked her straight in the eye. “Trust me.” Her gaze was hypnotizing. Literally.
Crysta backed up without thought and channeled the magic through her horn again, as with before it exploded outward but Diamanda could only grin as she stood up leveled her own horn at the wild magic. Crysta felt an intense pain coming from her horn as magic poured out in waves. 'It hurts!'
Diamanda laughed as the light-blue magic coming from the unicorn's horn began to twist its way toward her horn. “To be whole again!” She lifted her head as more and more magic was absorbed into her body.
After five or six minutes had passed Crysta stopped screaming and fell to her side unconscious, while Diamanda laughed at the top of her lungs. “Hahahhahahaa!!” The guards around her fidgeted in place but said nothing about the disturbing scene before them. Once her fit died down Diamanda looked at Crysta benevolently. “You were a great help, little one. I thank you.” She nodded to her guards. “Take her to the visitor's quarters.” A couple guards nodded quickly before one scooped the unicorn onto his fellow's back and they left the chamber. Once that was done, Diamanda focused inward and summoned the magic into her horn. “Perfect.” She trotted back to her throne. “Ready the Empire for the eventual arrival of my fellow Alicorns, I wish for it to be presentable for when they arrive.” Diamanda sighed contentedly.
As they left Ponyville, Penumbra felt a sense of loss as she gazed back. '...Hmm.' She tensed as Luna laid a wing across her back. “Luwa...”
Luna gave her a pleasant look. “You seemed sad.” She said nuzzling her mate's cheek.
Penumbra blushed without meaning to. “I-I'm not sad! Just confused.” She muttered quietly. Her wings were slack against her sides as she walked side by side with Luna down the dirt road. They were accompanied by Luna's night guard, half a dozen followed behind and ahead of the pair.
Aphelia, her drones and Echo were out of sight, most likely keeping a watch out for threats. Penumbra wasn't all that concerned about an attack on her person given her close contact with Luna gave her a sense of empowerment. “This era -from what you have told me- isn't the same.”
The lunar princess nodded. “Equestria has changed so much ever since you...passed away.” She looked at Penumbra seeing her wince.
“It's alright.” Penumbra sighed.
“Penny, how are you really?”
“Fine.”
“...”
“...I'm fine...”
“Penny.”
“Alright!” Penumbra huffed stopping in the middle of the road, causing the others to stop also. “The truth is I have been having these flashes of pony's faces and voices in my mind, appearing at random.” She rubbed her forehead with a hoof.
“Must be the memories of when you were Twilight.” Luna looked away for a moment then back to Penumbra who was giving her a rough expression. “What?”
“Luna, I am not Twilight Sparkle.” She said with a stern tone. “Or...” She frowned. “I don't think I am.” She finished in a softer voice before starting down the trail again.
Behind them, Echo came into Fluttershy's view. 'Hello Fluttershy.' The shade greeted.
“Oh...you're Echo right?” Fluttershy asked in a quiet voice.
The shade nodded. 'Yeah, I'm Mistress Penumbra's servant.'
The yellow mare was slightly taken aback by Echo's shadowy form once again, but she held her fear in check. “If I-I may...why do you look that way? I-I mean if it's okay that I ask.”
Echo's pure white eyes seemed to shimmer. 'My Mistress made me this way. To assist in her revival.' She looked ahead over to where Penumbra was chatting with Princess Luna. 'Although I think she hates me now.' Echo lowered her head.
Seeing the shade's distress, Fluttershy hesitantly laid a wing across her back. “I don't think she does.” Echo tilted her head. “I mean she just s-seems confused by everything, Twilight would usually act a little out of it sometimes.”
'...Yeah.' Echo leaned against Fluttershy, much to her surprise. 'Without her I fear I would just vanish.'
“Vanish?” Fluttershy asked.
'I'm not an actual pony. I'm a mere shade created by my Mistress, made from her own darkness. Made to serve her forever.' She cringed. 'But I may have lost even that.'
...
...
...
The day passed much the same as the group trekked their way to the gates of Tartarus. Celestia's sun shone overhead, bathing everything in it's warmth, Penumbra felt her strength wane in the excessive light. 'My home.' She looked back at her mate. “Luna.”
Luna nuzzled her neck. “Hmm?”
“We're here.” Penumbra stood to her full height while raising her wings full mast. The group all stopped before the monolithic gates embedded into the side of a mountain before them. Faded murals stylized after Penumbra were painted on both sides of the doors. “My home...of an era far in the past.”
Luna was about to say something but howl from beside the gates cut her off. “Master!” Cerberus called out as the great dog bounded over to his revived master.
Penumbra smiled. “It has been a long time.” She said petting one of his heads. “...How are things in Tartarus?”
“Not all is well Master. A prisoner escaped the prison the other Alicorns made.” Cerberus growled.
“A Centuar?”
“You know then Master?”
Penumbra looked at Luna then back to Cerberus. “Yes.”
“It was that cult I allowed passage once, they released the one called Tirek, then disappeared shortly after.” All three heads shook side to side. “I'm just happy you have returned.” Cerberus licked her face.
Penumbra nodded as she used her magic to clean her face of slobber. “I am too.” She gestured to the gate with her eyes.
The dog stood back and stepped to the side to allow them passage. With one more look at her loyal beast, Penumbra wrapped her magic around the door.
A loud wind tunnel blasted into their faces making Penumbra shield herself and Luna with her wings. “Home-” A foul smell caught her nose. “Sweet home.” Narrowing her eyes, she glared ahead as she took her first step into depths of Tartarus.
-Canterlot-
A group of black cloaked ponies moved through the dark alleyways making sure to avoid any of the city guard. “It's not much farther.” One whispered as they neared a slate grey building serving as a prison.
“Cross?” Another asked.
“What is it?”
“I don't see Meadow anywhere.”
Cross looked over from his vantage point studying the prison, until he noticed a green mare trotting to the prison's gate. “There she is, okay wait for the signal.”
The cultists took point in the alley as the mare beckoned the prison guards over for a word. Only one of them took the bait as the others stayed back to keep watch.
Cross grit his teeth. “This way, we're breaking the boss out regardless of what dangers we'll face. For the Dark Goddess!”
“For the Dark Goddess!” They all chanted as snuck along the fence bordering the prison waiting for their opportunity.
-Tartarus-
The first thing Luna noticed was the heat, Penumbra's realm was always hotter than anywhere in Equestria but it had a certain atmosphere that spoke of her mate's personality. She trotted beside the black alicorn with their group of ponies and Changelings.
The second thing she found was the darkness literally pouring out of Penumbra's shadow and the environment around them. Luna could feel it coiling around her possessively, their special talents were similar despite the difference in their origins. Luna knew for the most part that Penumbra didn't hate her talent but the Aura of Fear she gave off was very unwanted, even if she couldn't help it. Deep within, Luna could feel something reacting to the darkness Penumbra gave off. 'Begone, I want nothing to do with you.'
The Nightmare chuckled. 'I am not here to harm you, Luna.'
Luna narrowed her eyes. 'I have no need of you anymore. Penny has returned.'
'Yes, but what of poor Twilight? Are you just gonna let her vanish forever?'
'What? No! She's my friend and my...love.' She wilted.
Nightmare remained silent for a moment. 'But what are going to do, Luna? They can't remain separate forever, one day you'll have accept that.'
'You are merely a fragment of what you once were Nightmare Moon, born of my hatred and jealousy.'
'Perhaps. But it was you who gave up the memories of your love. I merely exist to bring your true desires to light.' Nightmare purred.
'Enough! Begone!' Luna screamed internally.
Nightmare did as told but not before saying. 'The day you weaken, I will resurface and claim her as my own.'
Luna scowled as the Nightmare went silent. 'No you won't.' Luna's right eye turned draconic without her realizing it, but she noticed Penumbra gazing back at her as they encountered a dead end. “What is it, my love?” Luna asked.
“...Nothing.” Was all Penumbra said as she lit her horn. Around her Changelings were buzzing in excitement, Fluttershy was huddling close to Echo who draped a shadowy wing across her shoulders in comfort. Penumbra herself felt the magic in the rock wall respond by creating a path before them leading to somewhere almost no one expected to find in a place like Tartarus. “Home at last.” The dark mare sighed as she stepped into the open wall.
Luna was broken from her awed look as a great weight fell directly on top of her. “What in mother's name?”
Penumbra looked back at her with a small scowl. “What are you doing here?!”
Luna looked up and saw one of Penumbra's former friends in what looked to be her own guard armour. “You are Rainbow Dash, correct?”
The prismatic Pegasus, smirked with her trademark look. “Aw come on, as if I would leave Fluttershy all alone in a dank place like this...wha!?” Rainbow turned her head over a bit and saw what looked to be a cloudless grey sky overhead. “I thought this was Tartarus!You know the place where evil things are supposed to linger and eat whoever comes down here.”
Penumbra huffed. “It stinks a little near the entrance where Cerberus was, but this IS my home you know.” She said as she continued trotting the direction of huge castle in the distance. Rainbow Dash gaped at her for a split second before shaking her head and flying after the group.
The black alicorn took in her former castle with a forlorn look. 'Exactly how I left it but...something feels alien about it.' She looked back at Fluttershy from the corner of her eye. 'It is my home, but it doesn't feel like home.' The stone and rock beneath their hooves gave way to lush green grass. 'Despite my talent, I never liked bleak and damp places.' Her stomach growled. “Um...”
Luna laughed. “Seems like you're hungry.”
Penumbra gave her a sideways look as she blushed, her black coat not helping conceal it. “If what my followers have told me the castle kitchen should still be intact.” She licked her serrated teeth. “Follow me.” With a flash of her horn Penumbra teleported everyone in front of the castle entrance.
The dark alicorn pushed open the obsidian doors with her magic, causing a loud creaking sound. Luna's ears pushed back against her skull as she followed her mate, but when she took in the inner castle walls she smiled. 'I haven't been here in forever.' The foyer was brightly lit with torches which had purple flames burning merrily.
She heard Penumbra breath in deeply. She turned to her. “Glad to be home Penny?” She asked.
Penumbra fell silent as she trotted through the chamber, she studied the many statues lined along the room each depicting two ponies: Penumbra and Luna embraced in various ways. She blushed lightly. 'I forgot about these.' She looked back at Luna with a bashful grin.
Luna felt her own cheeks flush. “We really should be heading to the dining room, my love.” She ran past Penumbra trotting to one of the staircases on either side of the foyer.
Penumbra shook her head as she followed walking past the marble statues. Fluttershy and Echo stayed together near the entrance as Aphelia's changelings buzzed past them heading for different chambers within the castle. The pegasus hid behind her mane as Aphelia herself passed by. 'There's nothing to be afraid of, Fluttershy. This is the safest place in Tartarus.' Echo told her reassuringly. Fluttershy just nodded as the door closed behind them thanks to Luna's bat ponies.
Meanwhile, Penumbra opened the door to the dinner hall, there was a very long table at which Luna sat with a tray of food stuffs. Penumbra looked left and right. “Where are the servants?”
Luna spoke up as she gestured to the plate beside her. “They're here, just...” She swallowed looking up at Penumbra. “Not among the living.”
A cool breeze shot past Penumbra. “Mistress.” A voice called out as bright red draconic eyes opened in a dark corner.
The dark mare looked around her noticing more ponies emerging from the shadows. 'Vamponies.' She licked her own fangs as they bowed to her.
“Empress Penumbra, welcome back Mistress.” They all said in unison.
“...Rise.” They did as commanded. “You all survived?” Penumbra asked incredulously.
“We looked after the castle until the day you returned to us, Mistress.” The tallest vampony explained as she bowed her head again. “Your cultists also came here some time ago. But we denied them entrance to the castle regardless of their pleads.”
Penumbra watched as Fluttershy, Echo and Aphelia trotted into the room. “I see, what did they say their purpose was?”
The tall vampony rose her head with a small smile. “They said they were here to serve you. Their leader, Avec-” Penumbra felt her hackles rise. “-explained they were going to revive you, and give you the other alicorn magic.”
Luna stopped and placed down her fork, her voice even. “What?”
The vampony mare went on. “Mistress, they wished to make you ruler of all of the land above. Empress of Ponykind. The other Alicorns at your beck and call.”
Penumbra flared her wings in fury as her voice boomed. “AT MY BECK AND CALL!!??” She slammed her hoof down with force causing cracks beneath her. “WAS THAT AVEC'S PLAN!? HE WOULD HARM MY BELOVED AND STEAL HER POWER!?” She yelled using her own version of the Royal Canterlot Voice.
The vampony used to her Mistress' explosive episodes, merely nodded her head. “He was fanatic about the whole affair, he kept going on and on about how you would conquer Equestria for the 'Dark Cause'.”
Penumbra saw Luna come up to her side. “Dark Cause? What is that?” The Lunar Alicorn questioned with a raised eyebrow.
“My takeover of Equestria using the Nightmare.” She heard everyone besides the vamponies gasp. “I...never told you this Luna but I let my Nightmare take control of me before my death.” Luna backed away in shock as Penumbra's eyes shrunk to pinpricks. “It was my fault Starswirl died Luna, you saw me kill him in cold blood. The Nightmare I let out was worse than any evil I have ever encountered...besides the one that destroyed Our home.”
Oh no, Nightmare Moon!
Another flash of memory passed her mind as she turned to Luna whose eyes were now draconic as well. “Luwa...your eyes!” Penumbra whispered as she dropped to her haunches.
You little foal, thinking you could defeat ME!
Crush them, Penumbra! Make them scream!
Two more memories made themselves known as pain throbbed in Penumbra's skull. Luna rushed forward to embrace her with her wings. “I'm a monster Luwa...I let it take over in my rage.”
Luna looked into her eyes. “That's what confuses me, Penny. Why did you attack us in the first place?” She asked softly.
Penumbra tried to look away but Luna's hooves kept her in place. After a moment of hesitation she sighed gustily. “That's the thing, Luna.” She said using Luna's actual name. “I let the Nightmare take me, because I feared for my home.” Penumbra felt Luna's hooves fall to the floor.
“What do you mean?” Luna asked as she stood up and brought Penumbra to her hooves.
Penumbra began pacing as she levitated her plate of greens over. “I never told you this, but Dia's Crystal World is dead.” Luna opened her mouth to say something but Penumbra continued. “It just died, so I believed Tartarus would die out as well. There are many who called this place home, the same as me.” She looked up. “The fear grew with each passing day and night, my Aura of Fear began to affect even myself as I had lost control of it a few times.”
“It wasn't long until my Nightmare spoke to me, it spoke of grandeur and safety in Equestria. And yes I did think about coming to you and Celestia about my fears, but the Nightmare had convinced me that you would not care, since you had not visited in over a year.” Penumbra growled. “What a foal I was! After it tricked me, it took over my body we gathered my force and attacked the Everfree castle! Which ended with me killing poor Starswirl and my own death!” Hot tears dropped from her cheeks. “What's wrong with me, Luwa? The Nightmare is gone now, but I'm still the same monster tha-”
She was cut off by Luna who lunged at her with a kiss right to her muzzle. “Don't finish that sentence! You are not a monster!”
“But I-” Another kiss.
“No! If anyone is it's me, I...I...” Luna bit her lip.
Penumbra frowned as she nuzzled her beloved. “What is it, Luwa?”
Luna placed her muzzle into Penumbra's purple mane and whispered. “I forgot you. I gave Avec my memories of our time together.” Penumbra fell silent. “Th-the pain of losing you was too much, so I also gave into my Nightmare and rid myself of my memories of you.”
Silence fell over the dining room as Penumbra's wings fell to her sides, her expression one of pained shock. “You...you forgot me?” Her was laced with accusation as she backed away from Luna.
Luna braced herself. She dreaded sharing this with her mate, but she had a right to know considering that she bared everything herself. “I'm sorry, Penny...I-I couldn't deal with the pain so I decided to forget altogether. I became Nightmare Moon and tried to shroud the land in Eternal Night. I killed ponies too, Penny.”
...
...
...
Luna expected a number of reactions: Penumbra yelling at her telling her to never come see her again, being hit across the face with a hoof, her staying silent and walking away entirely,and even dissolving their relationship.
What she got though was completely unexpected, as she felt strong, warm forelegs wrapping around her neck as Penumbra also placed her large wings around them both in a cocoon of warmth. Luna gazed up at Penumbra's weak smile. “Luna, you're not to blame for that. I should have been stronger...so you wouldn't have had to experience such pain.” They nuzzled each other.
“Oh, Penny.” Luna whispered in relief as she returned the embrace.
“You're my mate, Luwa. But you are my...” Penumbra hesitated. “My friend first and foremost.” By the entrance, Fluttershy smiled.
“Friend?” Eyes wide, Luna looked up and for just a moment saw not the dark eyes of Penumbra, but the caring, understanding gaze of Twilight Sparkle. “Twilight?”
Penumbra blinked as a warm feeling sprang in her chest, she put a hoof up to the white scar feeling it pulse with a feeling of both warmth and cold. “I-I don't know Luwa. Am I?” She asked quietly.
Luna smiled with joy. 'There's hope, real true hope, Tia.' Suddenly both their stomachs growled again, causing them to chuckle. “Maybe we should finish eating first?”
Penumbra released Luna and stood up. “My servants, start the feast.” The vamponies stood to attention and all of them left for the kitchen.
-Las Pegasus-
Queen Physia stood next to Queen Silence as they witnessed Tirek leaving the city, stronger than when he entered. Their drones buzzed around them making sure to stay clear of the Centaur's sight. “He's cleared out this city, he'll most likely head for Ponyville next.” Silence said as she adjusted the blindfold over her eyes.
Physia yawned. “You would think he would go farther away from the alicorns.”
“He's grown stronger. His pride is his weakness, I foresee his demise.” Silence buzzed her wings.
“Demise, eh?” Physia sat down.
“Yes. I see crystals, blood, a grotesque grin.” She flashed her fangs. “Tirek will not live much longer, even if he doesn't see it himself.” Silence turned to her companion. “We leave.”
Physia sighed as she followed her fellow Queen into the sky.
-Canterlot 3 Days Later-
Celestia ordered guards left and right, and had even called upon the border guards to locate Tirek in haste as there was no time to lose. The centaur was seen heading to Ponyville sometime ago, but he had vanished after he had seen the number of soldiers protecting the town. The solar monarch was getting more worried as the day went by and night fell, courtesy of her sister.
Luna had sent a bat pony to Canterlot with a letter saying that she and Penumbra had checked the catacombs for any clues,but the only clue they found was a dead pony wearing the cloak of Penumbra's cult and a broken lock. Celestia had also put a stop to a failed break-out at the prison that housed the cult's leader, Avec. The Kirin had merely grinned sadistically at Celestia until her view of him was blocked by the iron door to his cell and his fellow cultists placed in other cells.
Celestia hated being cruel to her little ponies, but she had no choice in the matter here. The Cult was much too dangerous.
Currently she was in the throne room talking with the minister of defense. Cadence was off elsewhere, doing her own duties as Princess and also frustrated and afraid of what her Grandmother was doing to the Crystal Ponies.
Tirek was still nowhere to be found, despite the guard's best attempts. Celestia knew he wasn't in any of the towns nearby, although some of them have been drain of their magic by him.
The defense minister bowed as he left, bringing a sigh from Celestia. 'Where could Tirek have gone?'
Ponyville was well guarded, Las Pegasus was recently found hit by the centaur, so she knew Tirek was getting stronger every second that passed.
'He must be stopped or he could take everypony's magic!'
...
...
...
'Hello, Celestia.'
“Hmm?” Celestia looked from her desk as a voice spoke out from somewhere.
'Looking for Tirek are you? I might happen to know where he is.'
Celestia froze at the sound of Diamanda's voice. 'Diamanda.' She steeled her expression.
'If you come to the Crystal Empire I would be happy to tell you where Tirek may be.' Diamanda laughed through their mental link. 'I'm sure you haven't forgotten our little encounter in the mines.'
Celestia stood up from her chair. “You know where he is?”
'Oh yes, but if you wish to know, you come to me first. No exceptions.'
Celestia looked out her window with a narrowed gaze. “...Alright, I'll see you soon.” She said as the link broke leaving the sun princess alone once again.
Why are we here? I thought we were going after Tirek?
...There's something I need to know.
But you said it yourself, Tirek needed to be dealt with first.
...
Celestia?
...I was doing just that, but she called to me.
Diamanda?
Yes, she said she knew his exact whereabouts and my guards haven't found him yet. Tirek is a major threat I must find him before he grows too strong. And Diamanda is still a dear friend of mine.
...Aunty
Celestia and Cadence, stood before the crystal barrier protecting the empire. “Cadence, your thoughts?”
Cadence looked over to her aunt with a fearful look despite the battalion of guards at their sides. “Not much to say. But...she scares me.”
Celestia wrapped a wing around her. “Be strong. Diamanda is a lot of things but she wouldn't harm anyone.” 'I hope...'
The younger princess wasn't so sure. 'Dainty. That's how most ponies would describe her, but the feeling of her presence has changed so drastically.' Cadence touched the crystal, feeling its intense cold. 'This isn't normal, something is very wrong here.'
Chink
An opening appeared as a few of the crystals shifted out of the way as if beckoning the Alicorns. Celestia was the first to step forward.
Cadence hesitated. Celestia who was usually so composed and regal, was acting on impulse more these days. 'Just what did Diamanda do to her in the mines?' She was forced out of her thoughts by Celestia who was giving her a weary look. “Oh sorry!” She said before following the elder alicorn.
The crystal closed behind them as they passed through both barriers with ease. An eerie blue light covered the Empire, the crystal ponies wore smiles as wide as Pinkie's. The Spire was as magnificent as always but the princesses neared where the Heart was they gasped in surprise. “The...The Crystal Heart where is it?” Cadence stammered.
Celestia felt her magic respond to something in the air.
Ah, Celestia you have returned. I await you in the throne room, come take your time I eagerly await your presence.
The door to their side opened up. “This way Cadence, but stay behind me.” Celestia took a deep breath before entering the palace, Cadence not too far behind her.
...
...
...
The halls were empty except for the occasional crystal guard, Celestia's own guard formed a circle around their rulers keeping an eye on their surroundings. Both alicorns were silent the entire time neither of them willing to let their guard down regardless of the peaceful quiet.
Celestia could feel Diamanda's tainted magic from every corner of the building and it only got stronger the further they trotted toward the throne room.
Cadence could feel it too but she refused to let it consume her thoughts. 'Whatever is wrong with my Grandmother, we'll be able to handle it...' Despite her words, Cadence still felt wholly creeped out by the dense magic.
“The Queen is waiting for you, but she insists that your entourage remain here during the meeting.” A Crystal Mare said as she eyed them before the open door leading to the Throne.
Celestia eyed her back, taking in her giddy posture. 'Hmm.' “Alright, Captain.” Her guards saluted as they took positions along the hallway. With a nod Celestia trotted through the door and stared into Diamanda's draconic eyes.
Diamanda grinned as she stood up and raised a hoof slightly. “Welcome fellow Alicorns to MY Crystal Empire.” She said before slamming the door shut with her magic.
Celestia unfurled her wings. “...Diamanda.”
“Celestia.” Diamanda responded.
The solar mare felt her legs tense as she sized up Diamanda. “You haven't changed much.”
Diamanda stepped down from her throne. “As have you, but your power is very different from last we met.”
Celestia stepped closer. “Times change Diamanda.”
Diamanda copied her movements until both mares stood mere inches from each other. “How you have grown, Celestia. I'm surprised truly, when we met in the mines I couldn't actually see your face.” She leaned forward. “Have you come to take up my offer?”
Celestia frowned at Diamanda's grinning face. “No, I am here for the information on Tirek's location. You claimed to know of him.”
Diamanda leaned closer touching her helmeted forehead to Celestia's. “I do. But he is of no actual concern of mine.”
Celestia felt the need to gape but stopped herself. “What do you mean?”
The crystal queen laughed. “The Centaur is a fool Celestia. In his greed for the magic of Equestria he is blind to all...even me.” She stepped back and began circling Celestia like a predator. “I will tell you of his location, but first I want to make sure you're up to the challenge of dealing with him.”
Celestia, sensing danger summoned her magic and glared at Diamanda as she stopped directly in front of her. “And how are you going to do that?” She had a feeling that something was horribly wrong with Diamanda, but her close proximity and the cold aura she gave off proved it.
“Why are you so antagonized by me, Celestia? We're friends aren't we?” Diamanda leaned forward. “...Don't you love me?” She whispered with a enticing grin.
Celestia merely smiled. “You know my answer to that question already, Diamanda.” She gently pushed the other mare away with a hoof.
Both alicorns stared at each other for a long moment neither giving an inch, until Diamanda shook her head and walked back to her throne. “...” She sat down, then removed her helmet. “You sure have changed, little Tia.” Celestia's feathers bristled as the room became suddenly cold. “While our sisters were off gallivanting in their courtship, we were left to our own devices.”
Celestia looked at Cadence for a moment before looking back to the shuddering form of Diamanda. “We are friends, Diamanda.” Celestia said taking a step back.
“Friends...is that right? We couldn't be more? Celestia, my little ones need me, my...home needed me...” Diamanda whimpered as she looked away.
Celestia flinched. 'How fragile is she?'
“My Penumbra had your sister as her mate, I asked you to be mine once as well but you turned me down...” Diamanda turned her head back to the other alicorns. “Tirek was in Las Pegasus...but as I said before you need not worry yourself over him.”
Cadence and Celestia suddenly found themselves trapped within as crystals formed over the doors and windows effectively sealing them within. “What is going on?” Cadence asked alarmingly as she powered up her horn.
Celestia had a similar thought. “Diamanda?”
Diamanda abruptly stood up. “You can feel it can't you? My sister has returned to Tartarus, so I have nothing restricting me now.”
“Restricting?” Celestia surrounded herself and Cadence within a barrier.
“There is always some truth to everything we do as Alicorns, Celly.” Diamanda's horn began to glow. “I failed my own sister as her rage took over, I failed my own little ones.” She gazed up in remembrance.
Cadence glared at her grandmother. “Celestia please tell me you have an escape route.”
The elder alicorn gave her niece a weak grin. “Only one. The staircase leading down below us.” She said as she flared her majestic wings. Cadence looked down.
Diamanda snapped her gaze cold gaze toward Celestia. “I won't fail this time, Celestia. I called you here so we could join together. Tirek won't stand a chance against both of us.” She lunged at Celestia. “Together!”
Celestia teleported herself around Diamanda as Cadence took the air. 'The taint is getting stronger! So this is why.' She thought sadly. She now understood the reason for the taint in Diamanda's magic, some time ago she had compared it to the taint that had corrupted her sister which led to her becoming Nightmare Moon. 'Why did this happen? She was so sweet and kind to everypony.' Flashes of Penumbra's death sprang to her mind as she locked horns with Diamanda. In her eyes, Celestia could see the madness, the cold malice hiding her blue draconic pupils. 'Dia...'
Cadence watched as the two battled for dominance, but something else also caught her attention which were the crystal guards. “They aren't moving at all.”
Diamanda grinned madly at Celestia as she pushed her back. “Be fair Celestia...”
Celestia dodged as a lone spike of crystal nearly impaled her forelegs. “Diamanda how has this happened to you? You knew about the reincarnation of us alicorns! Do you still blame yourself for Penumbra's death!?” Celestia demanded as she locked she horns with Diamanda again.
Diamanda's eyes glossed over for a moment at the mention of her sister's demise before they hardened. “It was unavoidable.” She growled as she forced Celestia onto her side and attempted to bring her hooves down.
Celestia raised another shield stopping Diamanda's armoured hooves from hitting her abdomen. “...Cadence find a way to break a way out! I'll keep her busy!” She ordered as she jumped back to her hooves and tackled Diamanda to the floor.
Cadence snapped out of her stupor and quickly got to work on the crystal blocking the door, she could make out the sounds of fighting outside of the throne room as well. “We need to leave!”
Diamanda grunted as she flapped her wings uselessly against the floor trying to get away from Celestia. “Stop fighting me, Celestia. The true evil is out there! It's everywhere...”
Celestia hit the ceiling when Diamanda blasted her with magic. Thankfully being an alicorn had saved her from any real damage but the pain was still there. She noticed more spikes of crystal rushing toward her, so she teleported again as they hit the roof.
Diamanda felt her left eye twitch as her grin became a frown. “You are stronger.”
“I spent the last thousand years ruling and protecting Equestria by myself.” The white alicorns stood apart from each other both glaring at the other. “Diamanda, what are you doing?”
“Doing what must be done. I can see the sins, all of them. I can see the weight you carry the same one I do.” Diamanda charged once more but Celestia was ready for her this time.
“I will stop you, Diamanda...even if you are a Nightmare.” Celestia breathed deep and lit her horn.
It went terribly. Despite Diamanda being weaker than she once was, her skill with crystals was nothing to scoff at. Celestia found herself trapped within a triangular prison made of four crystals, her horn was also covered with a crystal cone which cut off her magic. 'How could I have underestimated her?' She had been in this situation before when Chrysalis had sealed her within the Crystal Mines, but here before a grinning mad Diamanda...
Diamanda was panting, her magic almost spent due to her fight with the other alicorns. “Powerful, you are something else Celestia. I underestimated your power.” Her sweat froze as her it touched her coat. “You as well, my granddaughter.” Diamanda nuzzled Cadence's unconscious face.
Diamanda trotted over to Celestia's prison. “Your flying skills are greater than mine...” She flexed her great crystal wings. “But enough about that. Why do you fight me, Celestia?” She asked as her chest plate split in two and fell to the floor, revealing multiple scorch marks across her chest due to Celestia's magic.
Celestia stood stoically, her composure not lost even though she was otherwise trapped. “...Nightmare.”
Diamanda raised an eyebrow. “Me?” She grinned. “No, I have not succumbed, if that's what you believe.”
“...”
Diamanda reached in her hoof phasing through the crystal as if it wasn't there, and cupped Celestia's cheek. Her cold touch causing the solar mare to shiver. “Tirek is in Canterlot now. My loyal ponies have kept a close eye on him for some time now.” Celestia's eyes widened in panic. “Do not worry, you will be strong enough to face him. Tirek went there to steal your magic.” Diamanda leaned in placing her lips near Celestia's. “I won't let him harm Our little ones any further.”
Backing away, Celestia smacked Diamanda's hoof away. “Stop, Diamanda. You know what we agreed.”
Diamanda chuckled as she set her hoof back on the floor. “I do, even though I wish for us to be one.” She turned away. The room flashed away as they reappeared atop the Spire, looking out into the empire. “...The world is in turmoil, Celestia.”
Celestia put a hoof on the crystal. 'Luna, Twilight...'
“I seek to rectify this...chaos. This impurity that has ravaged Our world.” Diamanda intoned as she stamped a hoof.
Celestia centered herself reaching deep within for her connection with the sun.
“I can see how the ponies have been affected.” Diamanda flared her wings. “They will be cleansed.”
There. The sun was calling out to her, it could feel her warring emotions. Celestia felt a warmth fill her weary body as her strength returned.
“No, not just the ponies, all living things.” Celestia heard the madness in Diamanda's voice. “I spent over a thousand years in a prison of my own making, guilt ridden over killing my own sister. You merely sealed yours within the moon, mine perished.” Diamanda circled back to Celestia. “...My world is dead, Celestia. It never had hope, even with all my power.”
Celestia gazed into Diamanda's crazed eyes. “Your world? What are you talking about?”
“Like your Sun or Luna's Moon even my sister's dark underworld. Mine was a beautiful place, made of flawless crystal, even the very beings it housed...until it fell into decay.” Diamanda's grin widened to an unnatural size. “I won't let it happen here too.”
Celestia had heard enough. Diamanda was clearly no longer her old friend, and had given into her own insanity. But she had something else to do first as she saw Cadence crawling up the stair at the corner of her eye. 'We know where Tirek is, but Diamanda is just as dangerous as Discord.' Her magic radiated out from her body as the heat became too much for the crystal around her.
“With you by my side, We can succeed. We will succeed.” Diamanda's eyes began to glow.“Together.”
Celestia slammed her eyelids together and released her magic blasting the crystal apart and sending Diamanda into a pillar. “No!” She grabbed Cadence in her magic. “The guards!?”
Cadence nodded quickly. “They're waiting near the border!”
With that Celestia launched into the air with a single powerful flap. Diamanda weakly climbed to her feet, the impact making her dizzy. “Celestia!”
The princess ignored her and flew away from the Spire in haste heading for the crystal barrier. “What about that?!” Cadence yelled over the wind.
Celestia's mane burst into flames. “Let me worry about that!” A beam of concentrated plasma hit the barrier melting a large hole through it. “Tirek first! Then we'll gather my sister and Penumbra!” Celestia took notice of her guards heading through the gap she created behind her, right as the crystal reformed.
“Whatever Diamanda is planning...we will be ready.” Celestia declared even as her eyes let out a small bluish glow that went unnoticed.
-Tartarus-
Penumbra and Luna snuggled in the larger mare's bed chamber upon several plush cushions. Penumbra carefully extracted her fangs from Luna's neck. “Thank you, Luwa.” She nuzzled her neck while licking the blood away.
Luna giggled as her mate's tongue tickled her neck. “I don't mind, love.” She whispered as she watched the flames flicker in the fireplace. The dark mare winced as her scar pulsed. “It still hurts doesn't it?”
“Dia left her mark.” Penumbra put a hoof to her chest over the glowing white scar. “A permanent mark it seems. Even if I have a new body.”
I don't have time for friends, Spike.
'Another flash of memory.' Penumbra leaned more into Luna. “Luwa...just who am I? This Twilight Sparkle they speak of, or Penumbra?”
“I cannot tell you, it's something you must find out for yourself.” Luna held Penumbra's face close so they could look into each other's eyes. “How are your sessions with Fluttershy going?”
Penumbra sighed. “Well enough I suppose. She surely is suited for the Element of Kindness.” She looked out the window. “Memories. Not ones I recognize just...appear from time to time.” She smiled at Luna. “Speaking of which, Luwa. Would you like to visit that place?”
Luna tilted her head before recognition filled her eyes. “Oh...” She blushed. “Where we first...confessed.”
Penumbra stood up and trotted to the open balcony. “Yes, I figured it would clear our heads.” Luna followed her into the air as the pair flew close together. Penumbra lead as they passed over the rolling green hills of the dark mare's world. They grey sky above shone with an otherworldly light, bathing them in a warm glow.
Luna looked up noticing how her sister's sun was visible even in this realm. Then she figured the possibility of her moon shining during the night. 'Nightmare Moon's influence must have extended to here as well, before we were banished.' Luna could feel the moon's current position above Equestria signalling it being night there. Tartarus was clearly of a different time frame than Equestria.
A half hour passed as the pair landed within a open glade. Pink lilies and moon flowers surrounded them. “It hasn't changed at all.” Penumbra whispered as she sniffed a moon flower.
Luna took a few steps forward and sat down. 'This place...' She smiled as she took in the marvellous scent of the meadow.
Penumbra gazed over her shoulder. 'Luna is my one and only. It was her who was pulled me out of that dark pit of despair all those years ago.' She looked up smiling. “This place sure brings back memories.”
Luna started gazing back to her mate. “Yes, it does.” She layed down on her belly. “How did it go again? My minds a little fuzzy.”
Neither mare looked at the other as they gathered their thoughts. Penumbra broke the silence after a peaceful ten minutes had passed. “I was here calling out and cursing if you recall.” She chuckled wistfully.
“Yes, something about 'bone headed imbeciles'.” Luna responded with a soft smile.
“Your use of the Royal We was cute back then.” The dark mare flicked her tail. “You told me of your own troubles, despite my hostility. You even welcomed my grievances.”
Luna rolled her eyes. “Mine we're just as bad. By my mother, even my mane was unkempt and unruly at the time.”
Penumbra sat down. “That's an understatement, the wind was horrible that day. You came here and found me yelling to myself, and than started yelling about how ponies weren't paying you enough attention and treating you like a child.”
“Of course. But then you looked at me and told me how childish I was being.”
They both went like this over a time, both recalling memories both sweet and bitter and all without looking at each other even once.
...
...
...
Luna stood and flew onto Penumbra's back, startling the black mare. “Luwa?”
“I missed you. So much.” Luna wrapped her hooves around Penumbra's neck taking in her scent.
Penumbra lowered herself down to her belly and nuzzled Luna. “I am so sorry for leaving you like that.” She whispered.
“I already forgave you, it's not your fault after all. It's...” Luna tightened her grip. “That witch you have for a sister.” She growled hatefully.
Penumbra said nothing for a moment before sighing. “You hate her?”
“I can't help it, Penny. It was her who...killed you.” Luna used her feathers to rub upon Penumbra's wings.
Penumbra frowned. “I...” Her words failed her.
Luna hugged her mate tighter. “I don't wish to lose you again.” She whispered longingly as Penumbra hugged her back.
-The Crystal Spire-
Diamanda gazed out from her spire as the unicorn fidgeted on her hooves beside her. “A world of crystal, a beautiful one , a world free of war, no pain and suffering. A perfect utopia.” The alicorn turned and walked to the center of the spire.
Crysta's face fell in concern as she looked over shoulder. “I-I don't know my queen.” She stuttered.
Diamanda summoned the Crystal Heart levitating it in her magical aura. “Don't be scared my dear Crysta, all will come to light...soon.” She grinned coldly. “Celestia may have turned down my offer, but even she will join me in the end.” She heard the voice within the Heart scream. “Whether she wants to or not.”
A wisp of dark magic caught her attention as ponies in black cloaks started fleeing the spire in a hurry due to one of their number gasping. Diamanda flared her wings. “You lot!” Golden Mural shed her cloak and raised a wall of black crystal similar to Sombra's to block Diamanda's advance. The alicorn lowered her horn and shattered the barrier with ease. “You will not escape me...”
Golden Mural panicked. “Buck!” Diamanda trapped her within a pyramid of crystal so she couldn't escape.
Diamanda flew off after the flying cultists. “Traitors of a false belief!” She yelled as she pelted the pegasi out of the air with her magic.
Golden Mural watched in horror as her fellows were incapacitated one by one. The earth mare gathered up what magic she could and tried forcing the crystal apart but it was no use. “What is this? I feel...weaker.” She looked to find her legs were turning into crystal. “What!?”
The white alicorn's crystal pony guards soon came helping her capture the cultists. “Bring each of them to me.” She herself pinned one the cloaked cultists under her hoof. “I will purify you.” Diamanda grinned before tearing the cloak off. “A Griffon?”
Reaper reached for his scythe and lodged its blade into the alicorn's side causing her to scream. “Nice try, witch!” He kicked her off with force sending the alicorn crashing into a building.
As he stood back up, Diamanda flew back into view with the scythe stuck into her abdomen and blood pouring down her side. She frowned. “...” Using a wing Diamanda ripped the weapon out, her blood splattering on the street.
Reaper gaped. “That should've killed you!” He took a step back when Diamanda's draconic eyes narrowed at him.
“On a normal pony, yes. It would have.” Diamanda flared her large wings. “But I am an Alicorn. You can't kill me with weapons like this.” With a powerful swipe of her wing, Diamanda threw the scythe at Reaper with frightening speed.
The black Griffon barely managed to avoid the weapon gorging his throat by jumping to the side as it embedded itself into a wall. “Damn!”
Diamanda grinned cruelly and stamped a hoof. “I would run, child.”
Before Reaper could react, several extremely sharp crystals burst from the ground. “Whoa!” He flew back but one of the crystals buried itself into his left wing. “Gaahhh!” He fell to the ground in a heap groaning in pain.
Diamanda's horn glowed. “Soon you will feel no pain.” She drew closer.
Reaper glared at her and spat in her direction. “Buck you!”
Diamanda sneered at his tone. “You disgust me...” She raised a crystal above his head. “Atone for your sins in your next life.” The crystal descended...
Only for it to be lodged in someone else. Reaper's eyes went wide as Golden Mural stood above him, the crystal sticking through her chest and back. “R-Run...Reaper...warn the Empress...” She coughed as blood dripped down her throat.
Diamanda stood stock still as Reaper nodded and bolted away. “...” A particularly painful memory flashed through her mind. 'Sister...' She stared at Golden Mural with the crystal pierced through her chest. “...I killed her...”
Golden fell as the crystal retracted back into the ground. She glared up at the alicorn. “Crystal Witch...”
Diamanda began laughing hysterically. “Hahahahahhahaa!!! I killed a pony! Again!” The dying pony looked at her in growing confusion. “Why do you looked so surprised?” The air went cold as her grin widened. “Killing my sister was absolutely horrifying for me, but killing a mortal pony is not something I would have ever done. Not a second time...” Diamanda stood there unmoving for a full minute before shaking her head. “...Hmm, I have an idea...stay still.”
Golden Mural shook in terror as another crystal appeared and stabbed her back. The pain was excruciating, she looked down to her already crystallized hooves as they crystal spread further up her body. “W-What are...y-you...” She croaked.
Diamanda merely laughed as she flew back into the air. “I have not captured all of your fellows, some escaped...”
Golden Mural felt her eyes close as her visioned darkened. “...Twilight Sparkle...you are our only...hope...forgive me my Empress.” She intoned before blacking out.
Tirek laughed as powerless ponies ran away from him in terror at having their magic drained. The centaur was now two stories tall and heading for the palace, searching for the princesses. 'Soon their magic will be mine, foolish equines should've kept me imprisoned within their goddess' prison.' He gathered his powerful magic between his black horns then unleashed a destructive blast. “Flee in terror!!.” He laughed with evil glee.
Several meters behind the centaur, a group of white armoured ponies dressed in battle robes took up places around the city. Waiting for Tirek to make one wrong move. “Wait for the Matriarch's signal.” One of them whispered. The others nodded before heading to their designated points around the city. “Let's hope the beast doesn't notice our trap before it's complete.”
-Celestia-
The two princesses and their group of guards reached the gates of Canterlot within a few hours after fateful encounter in the Crystal Empire, thanks to Celestia's powerful magic. But now the sun princess found herself breathing heavily from her exertion. “Ready yourselves for battle...” Celestia panted. “I have already told the other guard battalions of Tirek's attack.” Celestia stated to Cadence who had opened her mouth. “I sent a telepathic message to Luna also, she'll be here within the hour. Now.” Celestia opened her wings to bask in her Sun's warm light.
Cadence looked away from the bright light. 'Celestia is surely a powerful alicorn...is she certain she can't take Tirek on herself?' The pink princess shook her head. 'She's been acting even stranger ever since we escaped from Diamanda.' Cadence had a thought about Celestia's recent behaviour, she was acting more than just reckless but her aunt was even displaying less and less empathy for her own guards. 'What is happening to her?'
“Cadence. Stand back...something is coming...” Celestia flew over the gates and into city to get a better look... “What is this!?”
Cadence snapped her head up at the shout and flew up also.
...
...
...
Canterlot was a halfway frozen in solid crystal. “What happened!?” Cadence nearly lost her balance as she also noticed Tirek in the distance who was nearly covered in crystal as well.
“Damn equines!” Tirek shouted as he sent a beam of magic to the church knights, but his attack was sloppy which made it irritatingly easy for the ponies to evade. “Stop dodging and die already!!” Tirek was in a rage at this point as he struggled to keep his crystallized body moving. “You are not strong enough to defeat me!!”
Celestia landed on a rooftop. “I wonder if this was a part of her plan?” Her fiery mane waved about as her magic returned. The blue glow in her eyes brightened as her pupils narrowed into slits.
Tirek eventually managed to snatch one of the annoying ponies around him with a hand. “Die!” Magic flared from his horns and headed for the captured pony...
Until Celestia intervened.
The sun princess teleported the pony away from the battlefield before the beam could hit him, then with a twist of her horn Celestia knocked Tirek off his hooves with a devastating blast of plasma.
“Agghhhh!!” Tirek smashed into a group of buildings that crumbled beneath his massive bulk. “Well, well if isn't Princess Celestia.” Tirek smirked as he stood back up.
“...” Celestia gave him a cold stare. “Tirek, stop this. Don't you remember our previous encounter?”
The centaur chuckled. “Oh, I do Celestia. But this will not be like last time, this day I will have your magic!” He charged at her.
Time seemed to slow for Celestia as Tirek rushed at her, she took note of Cadence hurrying around gathering as many civilians as she could alongside her faithful guards. 'Get them out of here, Cadence. While I deal with Tirek, hopefully my sister and Penumbra will be here soon.' She ducked out of the way from Tirek's charge. “Have you gotten slow, Tirek? Or has age finally caught up with you?” She taunted with slight mirth.
The centaur changed his course and unleashed another beam at her which she easily evaded. “How dare you, equine!” Using his fists, Tirek punched against Celestia's barrier but it refused to yield against his might. “What the!?”He questioned with shock clear on his face.
Celestia was surprised also but when she went to say something, Diamanda's voice rang through her mind.
'You will have the strength to face him. Together, nothing can stand in our way, Tia.'
A loud boom sounded behind her as Celestia turned her head to see a massive pillar of crystal rise up out of the ground. Avec grinned at her from within it. “Good evening, Princess!” He welcomed as he bowed his head gracefully even as Tirek and Celestia turned their full attention to him.
“Are you trying to steal my victory!?” Tirek demanded as he stepped forward.
Avec shook his head. “Oh not at all. I merely wanted to watch you destroy each other since this land is doomed anyway.”
Celestia's mane and tail seemed to burn hotter at his remark. “...” She watched as Avec revealed the gem from the gardens. “What are doing with that?”
“Taking it. It's only the first step to Utopia after all.” Avec said before vanishing with the gem in hand.
Celestia searched the area with her magic but was interrupted by Tirek who had punched her barrier with his fist. “Pay attention, Princess!” He sneered. 'I don't understand why that cultist was here, but I'll deal with him and his pitiful cult later.' Celestia within her barrier span through the air for a moment before she caught her balance. “You know, it was rather considerate of those cultists to free me from that prison you and your sister subjected me to.” He charged at her again.
Celestia nimbly evaded his dual horns than clasped her hooves around one of them. “Hnng!”
Tirek felt his entire bulk being lifted from the ground one moment, than he smashed face-first into the street below. “Keep trying, princess.” He grunted.
With a powerful flap, Celestia launched higher into the air gathering energy within her horn. “You have vastly underestimated me, Tirek.” Her draconic eyes narrowed at him as she looked down.
“I have more power than you could ever have, equine!” Tirek shouted as he sent another beam at her in rage.
The beam was sloppy at best, so Celestia easily dodged to the side. “This way!”
Tirek slammed his hooves, anger surging through him from the taunt. . “Get back here, and give me what I came for!” He lunged at her.
The princess ignored him, while avoiding more of his rage induced magic. 'He's panicking...' She saw some miles away two flashes of darkness. 'They're here!' Celestia circled Tirek and summoned golden chains of magic to restrain the centaur.
“As if these feeble things could-” He suddenly found himself swarmed by dozens of Vamponies and dark grey Changeling drones. “Dark World creatures!?” He attempted to shake them off but Celestia's chains held firm.
“Back to Tartarus with you!” Luna shouted as she wrapped more of her own chains around him.
Penumbra stayed outside of the city, staring at the crystals that had engulfed most of the buildings and even some unfortunate ponies. 'Dia did this, didn't she?' Tirek unleashed some more blasts of energy in the background, but Penumbra was busy studying the spell matrices.
Celestia flew overhead, her brilliant sun not affecting the nocturnal vamponies below. “Penumbra must be protecting them somehow.” She knew the sun wouldn't harm them but their natural abilities would be incredibly hindered.
'Be quick, Celestia. Or you will miss your chance.' Diamanda's voice whispered within her mind.
Celestia twitched as her teeth grew into fangs. 'No, the Nightmare is breaking out! Diamanda!'
'Do not fight it. You need that strength to defeat him.'
'Nightmares are not something you can mess with.' Celestia pressed as she forced Diamanda from her mind and refocused on the fight.
With his limbs held down by magical chains, Tirek decided to take their magic since they were close enough. “Too bad for you!” He opened his mouth.
“Luna!” Penumbra shouted.
The lunar princess was immediately teleported far way from Tirek's magic range. Penumbra grit her teeth. 'That's it!' She formed a cone of hard magic in front of her than bullet dove at Tirek's head which snapped one of his horns in half. She grinned at his cry of pain. “No one touches my mate, except for me!” This brought a hot blush to Luna's cheeks.
Tirek struggled to break free of his bonds, his anger rising. “Damn you all!” Despite all of the magic he had stolen even that wasn't enough to overpower the alicorns. 'Just how powerful are they!?' He gazed into each of the mare's eyes to find them all slitted like a dragon's. 'Is this?...No, how's that possible?!' He felt a new wave a terror course through him.
Penumbra shivered as a wave of icy cold and warmth passed over her body.
We will reign, Penumbra! We cannot let Tartarus fall into ruin like our sister's world!
I first realized it when I learned how much I cared about all of you. More and more flashes of memory sprang to her as she opened a portal to Tartarus. 'Perhaps I can begin to right my wrongs, in this life.'
Tirek's chains began pulling him toward the portal, his form shrunk as the chains themselves also drained the magic he stole. “No!” He yelled in defiance. 'Nightmares! That's what they really are! I thought they were only legends!'
-Avec-
The kirin smacked into an apple tree after his successful escape from Canterlot, but the mass teleport took a lot out of him. “They have gotten better in making anti-magic fields in the past few centuries.” Avec picked up the gem he stole from the gardens. “This is the last one.”
“Avec?” A handful of cultists that had got away from the guards in Ponyville appeared from behind the trees of Sweet Apple Acres.
“Good. Some of you weren't captured. Help me up.” Two of the griffon cultists hoisted his arms over their shoulders. “We need to hurry to the Crystal Empire.”
“The Empire? But that's where the Crystal Queen is!” A pony said in alarm.
“...Exactly.” Avec grinned as the other cultists' eyes glowed an eerie blue, except for the lone pony. “Don't forget whom you serve, Trixie Lulamoon. Your soul belongs to the Crystal Goddess.”
Trixie flipped off her hood. “The Great and Powerful Trixie, belongs to nopony but herself!” She squared her jaw as the others began stepping toward her. “Trixie, was foalish for following you in the first place!”
“You can't leave us, Trixie. You signed an oath.” Avec glared.
Trixie huffed at that. “I beg to differ.” She reached into her cloak and tossed a smoke bomb at them. “Trixie never comes unprepared! Aha!” She swiftly dashed away as they coughed.
Avec watched as Trixie disappeared from sight with a growl. “She's heading to the Matriarch. We must leave now and warn the Queen.”
-Crystal Empire-
Diamanda meditated on her throne surrounded by the cultists trapped in crystal, before her levitated four to five similar looking pink gems. Each emitted the familiar glow of her magic as she used them to watch the event in Canterlot with her mind's eye. “Hmm...Avec is on his way, Tirek has been defeated. Heh, I'm surprised my sister didn't kill the brute.” A servant mare laid a small glass near her hooves. "Thank you, little one.”The mare smiled as she left, happy to be of service.
“You treat them well; despite your plans.” An icy voice whispered from above her throne.
The white alicorn opened her eyes and glanced up at the large ice Phoenix perched on the backrest. ]“Oh, Lux. Have you finished your errands?” She asked politely.
“Quite. Seems like Umbra is on the move. I personally think she is luring something or someone, since the centaur no longer has any use.” Lux shrugged.
"Things are progressing faster than I thought.” Diamanda sighed gustily. ]“I'm getting closer to my goal.” She climbed to her hooves and headed for the hallway. “Lux, come.” The phoenix nodded its head at her gentle tone.
“Aren't you all easy going and confident in yourself. The Nightmares are being released after all.” Lux said as he landed on her back.
Diamanda chuckled. “They will not escape from their mental bonds just yet, since it's not what I have planned. They are merely a means to an end.” Crystal ponies bowed to her as she passed them by. “Nightmares are a fabrication of our thoughts and emotions, they seek to fulfill our deepest desires. Penumbra's perished when she died...” She wrangled in her boiling emotions. “I know Celestia and Luna have their own Nightmares still intact, but have them under tight seals.”
Lux watched the scenery pass by as they wandered deeper and deeper into the palace. “Ah.” He chuckled a bit. “I know these darkly lit hallways are pretty and all, but is this truly where you were heading?”
Diamanda stopped to look around before continuing on. “I am exhausted from all of this spell work. I will be heading for bed, Lux.” She pulled open a door at the end of the hallway.
“Well then, I shall take my leave for now, Diamanda. Have a good rest!” Lux flew out an open window as Diamanda trotted into her personal chambers.
And there stood a pitch black mare with a translucent, flowing white mane, arrogantly smiling at her. “Diamanda...” Umbra greeted.
Diamanda adopted a cold smile and trotted right before the faux alicorn. “The Heart is mine, Umbra.” She forced.
The dark creature backed away with a slightly panicked look before it straightened its features. “Oh, I'm not here for that.” It giggled nervously. “Just wanted to see you up and about after all of these years.”
Diamanda flared her large crystal wings to emphasize her size. “I am just fine, Umbra.”She backed Umbra into the balcony railing. “Weren't you busy with that foolish centaur?”The alicorn questioned as she rose an eyebrow.
Umbra fluttered its wings at Diamanda's icy look. “Oh, he was sort of...defeated and imprisoned once again.” It grinned back.
"I know that. But what was the purpose of you staying so close to him?” Diamanda pressed a cold hoof against the smaller being's chest.
Umbra chuckled at that. “Could you blame me? He was giving off enormous amounts of destructive energy, I crave that type of magic!” Umbra hollered with a blissed out look.
Diamanda closed her eyes and gestured with her head for the creature to leave. “Do what you want.”She replied with a huff as Umbra vanished in a puff of black energy. Diamanda summoned the Crystal Heart gazing into its reflective surface.
...Don't....do this...
Diamanda grinned madly at the voice. “Oh, and what are you going to do about it? You have no power to speak of. This world is corrupted, disfigured, unclean, drenched in despair.”She pressed the Heart against the glass of her window. “Even my own little ones are tainted by this world's chaos and I can't let it fester any longer.”The voice within the heart screamed as Diamanda sealed it within a chest.
...You are not...yourself...she needs...the real...you...
"What nonsense are you spouting? Everyone needs me, and I am the real me. There is no other, Diamanda!” She yelled as her grin grew.
...Your pain...you must accept...it...you must...
]"Don't speak to me of pain, I am all too aware of it.” Diamanda shook her head in agitation.
...Please...they need...the real you...Diamanda...who loves...who feels...who does not...harm others...
For just a moment, Diamanda hesitated and considered the Heart's words. 'Maybe...' She closed her eyes in remembrance of her world. “No. I am too deep into this to give up now.” She stepped over to the window. [i]“I could not stop here, even if I wanted to.”
The Crystal Heart wept, unable to understand why Diamanda refused its heartfelt words.
...You are...going to destroy...yourself...and everything...you care about...you cannot...trust either Lux...or Umbra...
Diamanda snorted. “They serve my purposes, they serve me.”
...You...foolish...mare...you do not...remember what they...truly are...
Then the Heart fell silent.
Diamanda ignored the heart once more not wanting to listen its warnings.“Before I go to sleep...I should...” Diamanda fought against her fatigue as she remembered a particular pony she greatly missed almost as much as her fellow alicorns. “This can't wait any longer...” She whispered before leaving the room.
-Canterlot-
Penumbra clapped her hooves together to close the portal to Tartarus after Tirek was once more imprisoned within its depths. “That is that.” She saw Luna and Celestia flying over. “Nice spell work, Tirek will not be coming back a second time.”
Luna smirked. “Of course, Penny. Would you have expected anything less from us?” She nudged her sister who smiled back.
“The two of you really saved me and Equestria from Tirek, I thank you.” She bowed her head.
Luna gestured to Celestia's flaming mane. “Before anything else, sister what about your mane? You seem yourself but you're showing signs of corruption, are you alright?”
The white princess recoiled. “What? Do I not look alright to you?” Celestia huffed uncharacteristically.
Luna and Penumbra shared a look. “It's a simple question, Celestia. No need to get offended.” Penumbra replied.
Celestia blinked as she shook her head. “I'm sorry...I'm not sure what came over me.” The alicorns looked to each other in concern. “Let's talk about this at a later time, we need to ensure that our ponies are safe.” The darker mares nodded after a moment and they all set off after the evacuees.
...
...
...
Celestia and Luna sat in the throne talking with the numerous ministers. “The damage done by Tirek was quite extensive, your highnesses. It will take some time and resources to repair everything...” The Minister of Finance explained.
Penumbra was busy trying not to stand out, her black coat made the task nearly impossible. 'Maybe I should change my coat colour, everypony is avoiding me as usual.'
Sometime later in the night, with every able body out and about repairing the damage to the city of Canterlot, Penumbra wandered away from the main hall of the palace. She trotted around aimlessly until she came across a strangely familiar oak door guarded by a pair a Solar Guards. “This room...” She mumbled.
“Ma'am? Do you have some business here?” The stallion on the left asked somewhat uneasily due to her appearance.
Penumbra raised her wings in response. “I am Empress Penumbra of Tartarus, and I will be spoken to with proper respect!” She glared at them.
The guards saluted her in quick succession. “Apologies, Your Majesty!”
They still had not opened the door for her. “Well?” Penumbra tapped a hoof.
The stallions started then swiftly opened the door for her to which she nodded curtly and stepped in with a regal gait. She actually found Luna waiting for her inside with a small book and a helmet floating in her levitation field. “Luwa?” Penumbra asked as the door closed behind her.
“Oh there you are, Penny. I have to talk to you about my sister and Diamanda.” Luna walked down the staircase leading to the upper floor of Penumbra's old tower from when she was Twilight. “And your servant...Echo.” Luna gestured with a wing as the shade stepped out from behind her.
Instantly Penumbra glared at Echo which made the much smaller being shiver in anxiety. “What is she doing here?” Penumbra growled.
Luna laid a hoof on Echo's shoulder in a reassuring manner. “I have spoken with her. And I have come to a understanding regarding her attack against me and my sister.” She still did not truly trust the shade and she still had not forgotten Echo's attempt at stealing her magic, but she knew better than judge a book by its cover.
Despite her words, Penumbra continued to glower at Echo. “She attempted to kill you, Luna! Including your sister! No servant of mine should ever be able to harm you.” She took a threatening step forward.
Luna had a determined look on her face as she placed herself between the two of them. “Penumbra, please. I have spoken to her and she is deeply ashamed for what she has done. Echo was even willing to take whatever punishment we gave out if we were so inclined.”
“You should.” Penumbra peered over Luna at the trembling Echo. “Fine, I will hear you out. But your reasons better be good, Echo.” She warned as she sat down.
-Diamanda-
The white alicorn gently placed a tiny red/black crystal atop a large pile of similar ones in the center of the floor. Diamanda was currently deep within the basement levels of her royal palace inside of a domed room. Runes of all sorts surrounded her and the pile of crystals, ponies dressed in white and gold robes wielding gold adorned staffs also stood around the room chanting in some ancient dialect.
Lux soon flew into the chamber, circled a few times around Diamanda's head then deposited another crystal into the pile. “This would be the last one, Diamanda. I just hope you know how to reverse the spell.” Lux said with concern.
Diamanda snorted gustily. “I may be tired, but my special talent IS Crystals.” She glanced at the crystal 'statues' of ponies that had fallen to her judgment. “Turning these interlopers into their now pure state heavily suggests how good I am at it.”
The bird rolled its eyes at her. “I never said you were bad at it, you have just been trapped in a prison of your own making. Thus, I only voiced my concern for your supposed faulty memory.”
"Quips like that are a sin you realize.”Diamanda snarked back.
Lux chirped.
Diamanda frowned.
The ice pheonix hopped back as Diamanda lit her horn and began her spell. “In any case, I need my daughter back.”
“The second unicorn you need...well I'll keep looking for the last one. There are lots of ponies to cover after all.” After giving his farewells, Lux flew back up the stairs.
"With my daughter returned, Cadance will surely...”Diamanda closed her eyes. “...time for you to awaken.” She smiled.
