> Dark Star of Shadows
>  by Super Ponyman
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Chapter 1: The Return of The Shadow King
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

(4 Years Ago...)
Cold...

All he felt was cold...

Then again, he was in the Frozen North, well at least what was left of him. 

A sharp red horn protruded from the ground, slender as the stem of a wildflower but sharper than any knife. 

This was all that was left of one of the most threatening and powerful villains that has ever walked the face of Equestria. The Shadow King, King Sombra. 

The horn began to glow bright red and violently shake back and forth, almost as if it was possessed, which it kind of was. 

All of a sudden, the howling winds of the north were pierced by an explosion of dark magic, a shadow erupted from the stub of a Horn, this shadow took the form of a large stallion. It filled in the volume as King Sombra's body was reformed, with his dark grey armor and wicked crown still on him. It looked as if he was completely unharmed, His eyes opened, revealing red pupils and green backgrounds for them. His lips pulled back, revealing his sharp teeth that were fit for his evil and wicked ways. King Sombra spoke to himself in a voice that sounded deeper than the abyss.

"It's so good to be back... I was getting tired of sitting in the snowy wasteland. Did the princesses really think that they could have beaten me for good? Hah!"

Sombra looked around, all he could see is snow and ice. 

"I could not have been that long... The Crystal Empire should be here." he said, pointing below him. he rubbed his temples 

"Where am I? All I remember was a bright flash of light and..." now realizing what happened to him. He screamed into the wind, 

"ARRGGH! How! How could I have been so naive! I should have prepared for somepony to actually defeat me. I could have possessed their body if they killed mine, but I didn't think that they would actually succeed in using the Crystal Heart against me. I sealed it away with Dark Magic! So, only I could access it! Was someone else able to use Dark Magic? Maybe there weren't enough stairs and fear doors? I should have destroyed that infernal heart when I had the chance all those years ago..."

Sombra roared and sent a beam of dark magic towards a large boulder, shattering it into pebbles. 

He roared and screamed, stomping his hooves into the snow, he was not happy that he had lost... Twice!

"Calm down, Sombra... Smashing rocks isn't going to get me my empire back, Let's just see where I am first." 

He conjured up a Black Crystal that sparked to life and generated a holographic map, revealing his location. The Crystal Empire was nowhere to be found. He was a few kilometers from the Shatterback Glacier, a large river of ice that carved a canyon through the Shatterback mountains, which was hundreds of kilometers from The Crystal Empire. He scowled and started to gallop south towards what was once his city, his RIGHTFUL EMPIRE. 

Sombra stopped and growled to himself, "Great Job Sombra, you let yourself lose to a bunch of fillies, and in anti-climatic fashion nonetheless. I was expecting a final battle between me and those brats, but what happened? I lost! To a freaking tiny dragon!"

Sombra pointed to the horizon, dark smoke emanating from his eyes. 

"When I reach the city, I will make sure to slaughter anypony in my way to MY CASTLE! Then, I'll kill those pathetic excuses for Royalty and bring MY EMPIRE back underneath my hoof." 

King Sombra laughed as he entered his Shadow Form, but stopped suddenly. "Actually, maybe that's not the best idea now... if I made my presence known I would only be destroyed again by that infernal Crystal Heart, I'm going to make a mental note to shatter that thing when I take back my empire."

Sombra reverted back to his pony form, when an idea popped into the Kings head

He said to himself "I know! I'll build up my strength again, create a fortress for myself to attack from, and take over The Crystal Empire again! But, why stop there? If I can absorb enough dark magic, I could possibly take over ALL OF EQUESTRIA!"

King Sombra laughed, drowning out the wind with his voice. 

"I think the Shatterback Mountains will work nicely as my new home." He transformed into his shadow form and sped off towards the mountain range. 

After a days travel by shadow form, he finally arrived at Mount Nevermore, the tallest mountain in the Frozen North. King Sombra began to use his dark magic to carve out the side of the mountain, forging the mountain rock into grand walls, turning the frozen ice that once coated the peak into glass for the windows, and twisting his dark crystals into towers. 

"Yes, this is coming together nicely. Soon, my new castle will be built, Castle... Nevermore." The Dark King said to himself, not noticing the bright light growing in size in the distance. 

King Sombra was about to put finishing touches on his castle when the earth shook with a large rumble, followed up by a gigantic explosion. King Sombra had to put up a barrier to withstand the force of the blast, he could feel the heat of the blast inside his shield. when he deactivated his shield, the mountain behind to him was completely gone! All that was left of it was piles of rubble and a large smoldering crater, with a single pony laying in the crater. 

"What the hell is that?" King Sombra went into his shadow form and flew down to the crater. The pony he saw stood up and slammed his hooves into the rock, screaming. 

"Why! Why did I have to be given these powers... all they do is destroy everything I touch." 

King Sombra tripped slightly in view of the mysterious ponies vision and he was promptly blasted a good 30 feet away by a fire ball send flying from this pony's horn.

King Sombra felt a evil idea creeping into his mind, "this pony shows incredible strength if he was able to destroy a mountain that easily, and knock me backwards off my hooves... with enough training he could..." Sombra ducked out of the way of a blast of magic that decimated the rocks behind him, carving a large trail of blast damage from the point of origin to the target.

"Show yourself! Show yourself you coward!" Shouted the strange pony.

King Sombra reformed in front of the pony, kicking him to the ground and said, 

"Well... That was quite the impressive display you did... I can help you improve upon that if you want." 

The pony hopped to his hooves and backed up, entering a defensive stance. "Stay back, I'm warning you. I am not a pony you want to mess with!" Said the pony, trying to be intimidating. 

King Sombra only chuckled, "Seriously? Are you trying to scare me? You're doing a poor job of it." 

The pony fixed his posture and said, "Do... do you really think you can help me?!" 

King Sombra whispered into the young pony's ear "I'll do more than help you, I can give you powers beyond your wildest dreams. The powers of Dark Magic, I can sense it in you." 

The pony dropped to his knees in front of Sombra, "I accept! thank you so much! I'll do anything to tame my powers!" 

The Shadow King said to the pony, "fine, I will help you, but you must become my student and serve me, That's my price." 

The young pony responded, "As you wish, my King." 

King Sombra led the young pony into his castle, grinning wickedly. He said to himself,  

"Oh yes, now I have an ally against the Princesses, he will prove of great use to me, but now I must bide my time and wait for him to be ready. Once he is ready, I will take what is mine!" 

"This time... I will be ready for war. The Crystal Empire, Equestria, all will be under my hooves for all time!"

King Sombra laughed, deep and disturbing, as he shut the massive doors of his new castle.

"Just you wait Equestria, A Shadow is coming, and it will swallow this land!"

Meanwhile in the town of Ponyville, Twilight Sparkle, the student of Princess Celestia, was having a nightmare. 

She was in Canterlot, All around her, the houses and stores were on fire. She heard ponies screaming in agony, desperately trying to flee from the raging inferno. 

"Sweet Celestia! The town's on fire!" Twilight shook her head, No! This isn't real, none of this is real! It's just a nightmare!"

She heard a voice in the flames, "Oh this is very real Twilight Sparkle, this is a glimpse into the future. Equestria, burned to a crisp." 

Twilight looked in the voices direction, she saw the outline of a pony, coated in fire. It spoke to her again, "Your World will BURN!" 

Twilight woke screaming and sweating profusely. Her assistant, Spike, was startled so much he fell Out of his bed. 

"Twilight! What's wrong?! You ok there?" Spike said, rushing over to his friend.  

Twilight Sparkle shook her head, "I... had a nightmare, everything was on fire."

Spike patted his friend on the back, "it's ok Twilight, everyone gets nightmares." He said with a kind look in his eyes, "Come on, I'll make you breakfast." 

Twilight Sparkle took some deep breaths and wiped her forehead, "Yeah, just a nightmare..."
> Chapter 2: the Princesses Greatest Fear
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

(Present Day) 

Twilight Sparkle was bored, really, really bored... despite being a pony of intelligence, even she had a point where her brain just shut off. 

Being an Alicorn and princess was amazing. she was respected, she had her own castle, however she had responsibility to her ponies. That included sitting in on a meeting on where the next grain field should be put. 

"So, Princess Celestia. I proposed that the new grain field will be dug next to Sweet Apple Acres!" Said Lord Frilly Frock. 

Twilight sighed and thought to herself,  "Sweet Celestia, end this already..." Celestia shot her a disappointed look, "Sorry." Twilight shrunk back into her chair. 

After what felt like hours, the meeting ended, Twilight Sparkle and Celestia exited the grand meeting hall. Celestia was the first to talk, 

"Listen Twilight, I was very aware of your boredom during the meeting, trust me." Celestia sighed, "you were not alone, I need a spa day. Why don't You, Rarity, and I get together for a Spa Day this weekend?"

Twilight hugged her mentor, "Of Course! I was thinking the same thing myself, not the idea of a spa day with you, but something... else." Twilight was as red as Big Macintosh. 

Celestia rolled her eyes, "I didn't mean that Twilight, it would be a relaxing day of fun. No debates, no meetings, nothing. Now, I'm going to speak with Luna. Apparently we have a special guest today. But, you have to be back in Ponyville." Celestia said with tiredness in her voice.

Twilight Sparkle nodded, "ok! I will see you this weekend Princess-, I mean Celestia!" The white alicorn smiled.

Celestia finally returned to the throne room, Luna was tapping her hooves, obviously impatient.

"What took you so long! It's nearly sundown, you got to lower the sun you know." Luna said with slight annoyance in her voice. 

Celestia responded, "Ok, give me a second. I'll go lower the sun so you can raise the moon. You know we have a special guest from the Frozen North coming today." 

Luna looked confused, "I wasn't aware of that. When did you find out about this?" 

Celestia replied in a confused tone, "I got a letter this morning. now that I'm thinking about it, it does seem a bit out of the ordinary. I sent Twilight Sparkle home, she seemed to be exhausted from today."

Luna smirked, "you're just trying to keep her away from the tough decisions, am I right?"

Celestia blushed, embarrassed. "Yeah, she isn't ready for things like this. Now, let's see who this visitor is, shall we?" 

About an hour after sunset, a pair of stallions wearing dark cloaks bearing an unknown royal crest walked in. 

The lead one spoke first, "good evening your graces, my associate and I represent the Black Ice tribe. We have come with important news." 

Celestia asked the stallion, "and what would that news be? Surely it would be good news." 

Luna looked on with worry, she spoke to herself. "There is something wrong with those ponies, darkness shrouds them." Celestia could see the worried look on Luna's face, she sensed great evil. 

Celestia asked the lead pony, "Who is your lord exactly?"

The pony in back if the Leader responded, "One of your old friends, Princess. He is here right now." 

The lead pony spoke in a deep, threatening voice. "Hello again Princess, I AM BACK FOR REVENGE!" 

Within an instant, the lead pony and the pony to his side were engulfed in a beam of black energy, revealing the lead pony to be none other that the Shadow King, King Sombra! 

Celestia and Luna stood back, eyes wide and filled with terror. "This isn't possible. We saw you shatter into pieces! You were dead! How are you back?!" 

Sombra laughed and bowed, "Oh sweet and innocent Celestia, did you really think that I was gone for good? Good cannot exist without bad, you know..." Sombra hissed out. 

Luna was the first to arm herself for battle, "Leave here Sombra! You are not welcome in Equestria!" 

King Sombra just smiled, showing his sharp teeth. "Oh I'm not here to kill you, I'm here to congratulate the new Alicorn. Where would the little one be?" 

Celestia opened fire with a blast of magic, Sombra blocked it with little effort. "You will not go after Twilight Sparkle, she is my student." Celestia said, trying to be intimidate the dark stallion.

King Sombra's gaze softened. "Well, I just so happen to have a surprise for you. I took a page out of your book and got myself a student as well." 

The hooded unicorn behind Sombra stepped forwards, "may I introduce to you, my prized and cherished student, and your killer, DARK STAR!"

King Sombra backed up and the hooded unicorn stepped forwards, all Celestia could see was his Jet Black horn and bright red eyes, which seemed to emitting smoke. "Dark Star, do me a huge favor and kill them. I have a princess to find, a kingdom to conquer, and a Throne to reclaim. Dark Star, erase them!" 

Dark Star nodded and said in an emotionless tone, "As you command King Sombra." 

With that, King Sombra transformed into his shadow form and dashed towards Ponyville. Celestia and Luna tried to block him, but were slammed with a burst of magic.

"You are going to be fighting me, you will feel my wrath." 

Dark Star began to pace in a circle, Celestia and Luna mimicked his movements.

"TASTE THIS!" Dark Star opened the battle with a blast of Red Lightning bolts, Celestia and Luna blocked them, but they hit the walls and carpet, leaving dark scorch marks. Luna blasted a ball of bright blue energy and Celestia flared her wings and sent a gust of wind out towards the dark Unicorn. Almost instantly, Dark Star put up a shield and the attacks were blocked perfectly.

"You think that I did not see this coming? My king has prepared me for this battle for four long years... I'm not going to mess up now!" Dark Star shouted as he sent a volley of fire balls towards Luna. Celestia shielded her sister and retaliated with a swarm of light Arrows. Luna assisted with a ball of explosive magic. The two attacks collided with Dark Star, slamming him into the wall, leaving a visible crater, but he still got up and staggered to his feet. Celestia took this opportunity to unleash a stream of light to assault his head. The impact ripped the hood off the pony, revealing his face. 

Dark Star was jet black with a scarlet mane akin to fire. He has several cuts underneath his eyes and chin. His eyes were emanating the smoke of Dark Magic, 

Luna looked to her sister and said, "I think Sombra is using his magic to control him! Instead of attacking his body, attack his mind!"

Celestia nodded and locked eyes with Dark Star. Dark Star squirmed and clutched his head, screaming as he fell backwards, the dark magic leaving his eyes. 

When he got up, Celestia and Luna bound him to the floor with magic chains. 

Dark Star looked confused and said in a drunken state, "what... where... what happened?" 

Celestia grabbed his head with her hooves, "WHO ARE YOU TO ATTACK THE PRINCESSES OF EQUESTRIA! HAVE YOU NO RESPECT!" She shouted in the Royal Canterlot voice.

Luna pulled her sister back and said in a much calmer tone, "I'm sorry about that, but who are you and why did you attack us?"

Dark Star replied in a growling tone, "What do you mean I Attacked you? All I remember is King Sombra telling me that we were headed to Canterlot, then everything went black." 

Luna sensed sincerity in his voice, "He must have used a mind control spell on you. However, You are still in deep trouble for attacking us. Surrender. NOW." Luna began to raise her voice. 

Dark Star began to narrow his eyes and bear his teeth, "Stop it, Stop telling me to surrender."

Celestia noticed the air was starting to heat up drastically, "Luna, get back! Quickly!" Celestia shouted as she pulled Luna next to her. 

Dark Star started to struggle and snarl, and snapped the magic chains apart! 

"Sombra betrayed me... he promised that I could rule by his side... HE LIED TO ME!"  

Luna began to notice Dark Star's mane and fur starting to glow. 

"I'll kill him! I WILL KILL HIM AND EVERYTHING HE CREATED!" Dark Star roared. Then, His horn started to glow and fire erupted from his mane and tail, transforming it into moving fire. His fur turned from jet black to bright red instantly and his eyes filled up with bright orange fire. 

Celestia and Luna had to put up a shield to protect themselves from the sheer heat and magic discharge. 

Dark Star raised his front hooves and screamed, "But First, I'LL BURN YOU TO ASHES!"

Dark Star slammed down his hooves, and a massive explosion of fire went off, causing the throne room to explode, Celestia and Luna were slammed into the back of thier shields as they watched as the Throne Room burned. 

Dark Star ran off, leaving firey hoofprints. 

Luna looked to her sister and said, "Sister, you know where he is going don't you?"

Celestia nodded with a worried expression. "He is heading to Ponyville... chasing after King Sombra. He is extremely powerful, if he could destroy our shields..." 

Luna finished her sentence.
"Then he could possibly wipe out Ponyville completely." 

Dark Star ran recklessly down the road, leaving tracks of fire and ash wherever he ran.

"I got to find this Alicorn before Sombra does... maybe he or she can help me destroy King Sombra.

An idea popped into the fiery stallions mind. "Yes, that's what I'll do, I'll persuade this Alicorn into sheltering me, getting him/her to teach me magic, and I will use that magic to destroy King Sombra! Perfect, now don't you worry little Alicorn, I am no longer Dark Star..."

"Your hero, Burning Star, is coming to save you..."
> Chapter 3: Fire in the Darkness
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

(The Canterlot Train Station)

King Sombra rushed though the skies above Canterlot, he had to make it to the train station before the sun rose. if the sun rose, his shadow form would be destroyed by the bright light of Princess Celestia's star. 

Sombra growled, "Damn it! Of all the times that wretched princess could raise her glorified light bulb, it had to be now." 

The Shadow King descended to the train platform and grabbed the conductor, locking eyes with him. "Listen closely, you are to take me to Ponyville, and leave all other passengers here." 

The conductor slowly nodded, and shouted "Train to Ponyville! All aboard!"

King Sombra smirked, "The princesses would never expect me to go by train... they would think I would fly to Ponyville with my Shadow Form. but, I will sneak into the town unseen and find the Alicorn tonight!"

King Sombra laughed, shanking the car with his voice. "Just you wait, Alicorn. You are going to LOVE dealing with me..."

(Equestrian Highway, Path to Ponyville)

Burning Star ran down the dirt roads that led outside of Canterlot, he knew where he was going, but it was now broad daylight, Celestia would scramble the guards on him soon! 

The Fiery Unicorn shrugged, "So what if she swarms the guards on me, they will all fall to my magic. after all, if I can blow apart the throne room of the princesses castle, then taking on a few guards is going to be a piece of cake for me..." 

Right on cue, a pair of soldiers ran out of the trees, spears out. 

"Halt! You are under arrest for attempting to kill Princess Celestia and Princess Luna, come quietly and we will not harm you, much." 

Ten more soldiers stepped out of the trees and into the clearing, all of them were wearing armor and carrying spears. "You have ten seconds to surrender or we will attack you." 

Burning Star looked around him, he spoke to himself,

"there are twelve guards on me... they each came out of the trees, portably to surround me so I could be slain by the ranged attackers hidden in the underbrush..." 

Burning Star spoke to the lead guard that threatened him, "A decent trap, if you were trying to catch a everyday pony."

the fiery unicorn's mane and tail began to ignite again, "BUT I AM NO EVERYDAY PONY!" he shouted as his horn began to glow. 

"Taste this! Fire Blast!" Burning Star unleashed a stream of red hot fire, hitting 5 guards square in the chest, knocking them into a tree and snapping it in half. 

The guards got up and ran for their lives as Burning Star took a step forwards, eyes ablaze with flames. 

"come on you idiots! lets rumble!" he said as he generated a broadsword made of magic fire and lunged at the remaining guards, they rushed forwards. Burning Star smiled as he swung his broadsword upwards, disarming the guards of their spears, they then fled. the magic users hidden in the bushes began to open fire with multiple lasers of magic. 

Burning Star didn't even move as he set up a ring of fire around him, incinerating the attacks. 

"You cant hide from my flames!" the fire unicorn yelled as he caused the ring of fire to rapidly expand. Within seconds, the bushes where the other soldiers were burned up, sending them running for thier lives as well. Burning Star was busy floating when a guard smashed him in the head with his hooves. The Fire Unicorn turned around and grabbed his attacker by the legs using his magic, he then slammed him on the ground before flinging him into the sky. 

After watching the guard land in the trees, Burning Star smirked, "What imbeciles. Thinking that they could go up against me..." 

he paused for a bit, "I bet the princesses are losing their patience now. They must be true idiots to think that a simple squad of soldiers could stop..."

Burning Star walked out onto a dirt road and his eyes went wide with amazement. Hundreds of soldiers from all species of pony were standing in his way. 

The Fire Unicorn smiled, "This is going to be fun!" As he Charged down the army. All through the day and into the night. the smoke and ashes rained down. The battle was a lost cause, and Burning Star stepped over the charred corpses that covered the road.

(Twilight Sparkle's Castle, Ponyville)

King Sombra exited the train and thanked the conductor, before picking up the entire thing and tossing it off the tracks, where it landed with a large crash. It was nighttime, all ponies would be asleep. 

"This is too easy, the village has no guards, no walls, no fortifications of any kind. How has this place not been destroyed yet?" King Sombra said to himself

"but, onto different matters. Time to find the New Alicorn... I will break its mind and transform it into my Weapon against Celestia and Luna. No one can stop me now..."

with that, King Sombra transformed into his shadow form and sped towards the greatest source of magic he could find, a small castle made of crystal. 

He wondered why it was small, "Shouldn't the castle of a Royal Alicorn be large and imposing, not... this." He growled to himself pointing at it with his currently nonexistent hoof. 

Sombra transformed back into his pony form and grasped the door handle, it opened effortlessly. 

"Why leave your door open during the night? Are you really that confident in your skill?" King Sombra muttered to himself as he trotted into the castle. He saw a group of thrones, each bearing a symbol of something. 

"Are there multiple Alicorns here? That would be... perfect. The more the merrier" Sombra said, slightly raising his voice before hearing a growl from upstairs while walking up them. 

As he entered what could be the Alicorn's bedroom He raised his eyebrows in slight bewilderment, next to the Alicorn's bed slept a baby dragon. 

Sombra breathed slowly, trying to step around the tiny monster. He knew full well what dragons could do,

"you have a pet dragon, you must be very strong in order to tame that... beast." Sombra edged closer to the bed and squinted, as he could not use his horn to light up the room, what he saw he was taken aback by. 

It was a Alicorn Mare, probably no older than his student Dark Star, she was lavender colored, and had a bright purple mane and tail with a pink stripe running down the sides, King Sombra put his hooves over his mouth to prevent himself from laughing.

So he screamed in laughter in his head, "THIS IS THE POWERFUL ALICORN I WAS PROMISED! She is but a filly..." King Sombra smiled his trademark evil smile,

"But, that makes this so much easier..."

he read the name on her dress that was hanging on the hangers in her closet.

"Twilight Sparkle... oh how scary." he said as he touched his horn to hers, entering her mind.

"Prepare to face me, Twilight Sparkle."

Twilight Sparkle stood in a throne room of a castle, she was looking around, all she saw was darkness. 

"Hello?" Twilight said in a confused and slightly frightened tone.

"Somepony? Anypony there?" Her voice echoed back to her, then a deep baritone voice pierced the darkness. 

"So, we meet at last..." Twilight Sparkle stepped back as a plume of black smoke emerged from the black iron throne. "Twilight Sparkle." Said King Sombra, letting his voice echo in the room. 

Twilight Sparkle stepped back in horror, eyes wide with terror as the feared Shadow King, Sombra, appeared and sat on his throne. Staring at her as if she were a stack of freshly made Hay Fries. 

She finally squeaked out a response, "how? How are you back?! I saw the Crystal Heart shatter you to pieces..."

Twilight grabbed her head, rubbing her eyes. "This is just a bad dream, a flashback, nothing more!" 

King Sombra smiled, showing his sharp teeth. Twilight Sparkle knew that smile, those teeth could tear her chest open. "I assure you princess, this is no bad dream." 

Suddenly, Sombra charged up to Twilight Sparkle and stared into her eyes with his, his eyes bleeding Purple smoke and sickly green in color.

"What do you want Sombra? Surely you have caused enough destruction and spread enough fear, why come to visit me in my dreams?" 

Sombra laughed, deep and scary. "Why do you assume that I am here to cause trouble for you? I am also here to congratulate you as well, I never thought you could become an Alicorn..."

"Stay back you monster!" Twilight took a few steps back, trying to look brave by flaring her wings out the way her friend Rainbow Dash did. 

King Sombra chuckled, "If you plan on trying to intimidate me Princess, it will not work. I am the embodiment of Fear and terror, you cannot scare me..." King Sombra said as he stepped closer to Twilight, she could feel his breath against her fur. 

Twilight looked at him. He was massive, taller than Big Macintosh, and nearly as tall as Princess Celestia. She looked like an ant compared to him, and he knew that. 

"Why did you come to my dreams? Go haunt somepony else's dreams!" Twilight waved her hoof and turned around, going towards the door and what she could assume the light of day. When Sombra stepped in front of her. 

"I've come for you for one reason Princess, you would prove useful in my future endeavors, you're quite a rare breed."

Twilight looked even more scared and confused, "What do you mean?" Sombra put his steel-toed hoof against Twilight's horn.

"What I mean is that you are both an Alicorn, which was already a accomplishment for you, but you can use dark magic..." King Sombra leaned in and touched his horn to Twilight's horn. Immediately, a dark haze began to fill Twilight's eyes,

"And I am a dark magic Trainer that you will be practicing with for a long time..."

Twilight Sparkle was wise enough to notice what Sombra was doing, he was trying to brainwash her!

"Don't try it King Sombra! I... I... uh," Twilight Sparkle's normally purple eyes turned green. 

"Become my slave, Twilight Sparkle!" King Sombra roared as his shadow form began to engulf her in reality. She was losing the battle for her free will. 

Burning Star wasted no time finding the home of the Alicorn, it was a castle about a quarter the size of Sombra's Castle Nevermore. He didn't even knock, he just blasted down the door. 

This woke up Twilight's number one assistant, Spike. He heard the crash of the large doors splintering and ran downstairs, seeing the large unicorn standing in the meeting room looking at the Cutie Mark Map, history books and records of previous battles and incidents strewn about everywhere. 

Spike put on the bravest face he could an shouted at the large pony. "Hey! Who do think you are trying to break into the home of Princess Twilight Sparkle!?"

Burning Star turned around an roared, "Out of my way, Dragon!"

Spike was flung out the door arches by Burning Star's magic, and he rushed upstairs, only to see the shadowy form of Sombra standing over his prize, The Alicorn. 

King Sombra disconnected from Twilight's horn and turned around to see Burning Star standing in the doorway looking angrier than a bull. Twilight woke up from her trance just to see A jet black unicorn toss Sombra out the window with his horn.

Twilight heard her savior say to her, "You ok?" 

Twilight slowly nodded, noticing that her savior was glowing slightly. Burning Star jumped out after Sombra, hoping to find him. 

Sombra went invisible and ran for the shadows, he knew that he was running low on dark magic. 

"I'll retreat for now..." Burning Star started off towards the Everfree Forest, knowing that the Alicorn would follow him. 

Twilight shouted, "wait! Who are you?!" Twilight shouted out her window. 

then she noticed words scorched in still burning fire carved into the ground. She also saw fiery hoof prints in the ground.

"Catch me if you can, Alicorn!"

Your Savior,
Burning Star
> Chapter 4: Apple Farm Intruder
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Burning Star ran through the woods, mouth in a smirk and eyes filled with satisfaction.

"Come on Alicorn... follow the trail I left for you..." Burning Star said as he left a trail of magic fire that only Twilight would be able to see, he may of hated being taught under King Sombra, but he did follow through on his promises and taught him about great powers, including how to use Dark Magic. Burning Star looked to the horizon, Dawn was starting to break, 

He knew that the Princesses could see him again. "I better find shelter." 

He was not looking where he was going when he spotted a barn in the distance, he was running too fast to stop in time. 

"Oh Craaaaap!" He said as he smashed through the barn door, landing in crates full of apples.

Burning Star shook his mane free of the crushed apples and broken pieces of wood. 

"Well this works, I guess."

His crash caused a noise that caused the birds in the tree to flee in terror. It also got the attention of a tall earth pony out plowing the fields. That pony's name was Big Macintosh.

"What was that?" He said, before noticing the large hole in the barn door. Big Macintosh shook his head and ran over. "Please don't be Timberwolves." 

Big Mac reached the barn door, it had a hole Larger than him in it, "Oh please don't be dem timberwolves. Or it could be Fluttershy going all batty again. Because I really would not want to face that nightmare again." He said as he peered into the barn, noticing the broken crates and carts of apples.

"Hello? Anypony in here? Ah'm not going to hurt you." Big Mac saw the pile of apples rustle, he stepped closer. "Come on out." 

The apple pile shuddered, and out popped a jet black unicorn stallion. he looked kind of threatening, with the combination of black fur with scarlet mane and tail. Big Mac looked at him, he was huge, possibly the size of Princess Luna. 

Burning Star popped out of the apple pile and landed with a thud, he stared down the stallion, he was very large for an earth pony, and muscular. That was probably a result of working in the fields that he rushed by. His own muscles were a result of rigorous training and combat with his mentor... well... ex-mentor King Sombra, but they were more lean and flexible than the Earth Pony in front of him.

"Who are you and what are ya doin in my barn?" The earth pony said with a combination of determination and slight fear. 

"Who are you?" Burning Star asked the earth pony.

"I'm Big Macintosh Apple, a member of the Apple family, and your tresspassin on our farm."

Burning Star looked visibly agitated, "My name is Burning Star. What do you mean trespassing? I'm looking for shelter, and I accidentally crashed into your barn." 

Big Macintosh noticed the rudeness in Burning Star's voice, "Listen here ya unicorn. I'm a pretty understandin stallion, but you can't just barge into our barn and smash our apples. You better leave before I make you leave." He said in a determined tone, which made Burning Star laugh.

"If you're trying to intimidate me, you impudent pest... it won't work, I've seen things that could make you faint from the sheer terror. Besides, what's a simple earth pony going to do to me?" Burning Star mocked, before ducking as a crate flew over his head. 

Big Macintosh lost his patience, he would not take this anymore. So, He bucked a crate full of apples at the Unicorn. Burning Star ducked and rushed him, horn out, eyes full of rage. Big Macintosh turned around raised his front hooves, stopping Burning Star cold.

"Sorry pal, I've dealt with things much stronger than you!" Burning Star sneered as he shoved harder, causing Big Macintosh to skid back.

"So have I!" He was trying to throw Big Mac off balance so he could stomp on his chest to knock the wind out of him. 

Big Mac did the thing he wanted and shoved him into the floor and pressed his hooves on him, "You can't beat me in strength pal!" 

Burning Star roared in his face, "Well you just made as big mistake Big Macintosh." 

Big Mac yowled in pain as Burning Star lit his mane and tail on fire, then whipped him with his tail. 

The large stallion ran away, tail on fire, letting Burning Star get away, only to be stopped by the element on honesty, Applejack.

"Hey! You have a lot of nerve hurting my brother!" Applejack slammed her back legs into Burning Star's skull, causing a raging headache.

"Really? There's more of you Apples?! Faust on high, I don't have time for this, MOVE YOU BITCH!!!" Burning Star roared as he used his magic to throw Applejack into the air like a rag doll, then he ran off. But before he left, he carved another message in fire on the side of the barn. 

"You're friends are wasting my time, Alicorn! Hurry up."

Your Savior,
Burning Star

Twilight arrived at Sweet Apple Acres only to see both Big Mac and Applejack limping, thier bodies covered in dark bruises. Twilight Sparkle ran over to them and helped them to stand. 

"Applejack! Big Mac! What happened?!" Twilight yelled in nervousness. 

Applejack responded, "We are ok Sugarcube, just ran into a unicorn that kicked out flanks hard..." 

Big Mac spoke next, "Eeyup... he was covered in fire too, like some sorta demon right from Tartarus."

Twilight frowned, "I thought he was a good pony, I guess not." She said in a worried tone, then she noticed another message written in Fire and a trail of fiery hoof prints, only she could see the flame writing all over the ground. 

She read out loud, "Your Friends are wasting my time, Alicorn. Hurry up!" 

Applejack grabbed her friends shoulder, "You know this is a trap sugarcube, I don't have to be a Unicorn to see that." 

Twilight Sparkle shook her head, "I have to confront him, his actions make no sense. First he saves me from a nightmare, then he beats your flanks into the dirt. I have find out why." 

Applejack gave her a worried smile, "be careful Twi." 

Twilight Sparkle gave Applejack a kind smile as she ran off into the woods, "Don't worry Applejack, I will. I'll make sure he... fixes your barn." 

(Castle of the Two Sisters, Main Room)

Twilight Sparkle ran through the forest, following the fire hoof prints. She gasped when she saw where they led, into the Castle of the Two Sisters, 

"Why in Equestria would he come here of all places?" She said as she walked in, not knowing that the person she was trailing was right behind her. She heard a voice, rough and powerful. 

"Because, what's a good chase, without an awesome ending?" Said Burning Star as he leaned in, breathing on Twilight's neck. 

She turned around to see Burning Star's massive form, his bright blue eyes filled with strength. 

"Why did you hurt my friends? You saved me earlier from King Sombra. Or are you just part of his plot to enslave me? Who are you?" Twilight said, trying to be brave in the face of the massive black unicorn.

Burning Star walked in front of her and leaned to where his horn was touching hers, "Your friends were in my way, Alicorn... I am Burning Star, Unicorn of flames and ex-student to King Sombra. I brought you here to find out if you were brave enough to leave the safety of your castle to come find a dangerous unicorn like me... and you were and I'm honestly surprised." Said Burning Star as he gave her a sly smile.

Twilight Sparkle glared at him, "what gives you the right to hurt my friends? Also, You're not even an Alicorn, yet how are you able to use that level of magic so easily?" 

Burning Star laughed, "Although I despise King Sombra, you learn a lot about magic when you are his student, its the same relationship between Sombra and I as it is between you and Princess Celestia. The only difference between you and me is, I do not have an unhealthy obsession with my teacher."

Twilight shouted at her opponent, "I am not obsessed with Celestia!" 

Burning Star smile began to grow. "Then why are you getting so mad when I insult her? You are a princess now, Twilight Sparkle, you do not need her anymore." 

Twilight Sparkle stepped back and charged her horn up. "You will not insult her anymore!

Burning Star also charged his horn up, "You wish to battle me?" 

Twilight Sparkle shouted back at her opposition, "if it makes you shut up, then Yes!" 

"SO BE IT!"
> Chapter 5: The Fires of Betrayal and Battle!
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

(Castle Nevermore, Home of King Sombra) 

Castle Nevermore was huge, almost twice the size of the Canterlot Castle. It was made of dark gray basalt and black crystal, perfectly reflecting the rulers personality. 

Said ruler was not happy at the moment, he had just lost his one of his family members and student Dark Star...

King Sombra flung a large rock off the mountain cliff into the snow with his magic. He was clearly frustrated about the issue of losing Dark Star/Burning Star, so his advisor, Nocturne, tried to ease his anger.

"Don't get yourself too mad my king, you can't win all the time." Nocturne said, before she was picked up by Sombra's Magic as well and tossed inside. 

King Sombra roared, shaking the walls of his massive castle, "This isn't possible! My mind control spell was flawless! HOW THE BUCK DID CELESTIA AND LUNA BREAK IT!" King Sombra's eyes burned with hatred and Dark Magic. 

Nocturne put a hoof on her kings horn and said, "Princess Luna must have reversed it somehow, which is unfortunate, but lashing out at your student now is only going to waste your energy. Go get some rest my king, you look exhausted." 

King Sombra was admittedly... very tired, having spent all his energy establishing a shared dream with Twilight Sparkle, shielding himself from the influence of Princess Luna, and transforming into his Shadow Form over and over. 

King Sombra grasped Nocturne's face and said to his advisor, "You are wise beyond your age Nocturne. I am greatful that I brought you back from the dead."

Nocturne gave King Sombra an almost motherly look, "Can I ask you a question your highness?" 

Sombra turned around to answer, "Yes, what is it?" 

"Why are you "really" going after Twilight Sparkle?" 

King Sombra looked away, suddenly finding great interest in the ceiling. "Uh... Well, She is extremely powerful Alicorn and can use dark magic. Does that answer your question?"

Nocturne walked over to her king, "While that may be true, I think we both know why you are after Twilight Sparkle." King Sombra visibly blushed, smiling sheepishly.

"Are you implying that I like her?" King Sombra said as his face went bright red.

Nocturne nodded, "Well... yes. I've seen what she looks like, she is quite beautiful, and she is a princess after all."

"Tha-that is not the reason why I am after her! What would have given you that reason?!" Sombra said, embarrassment in his voice and his face practically glowing red.

"You are currently the only real king in all of Equestria. You are also the oldest living Bachelor in the world, I think It would be very apparent as to why you want her to be your slave..." 

King Sombra huffed, "How dare you imply that I have some sort of affection towards her! My heart is still as black as night!" He said as he pounded his chest.

Nocturne sighed, "While that may be true, I feel as if something has changed about you, my king."

"I only want her for her magic, nothing more! I'm going to bed. Wake me when it is nightfall again." With that, King Sombra stomped off to his room.

Nocturne simply sighed again, "As you wish my king." 

(Castle of The Two Sisters, Everfree Forest)

The old ruins of Celestia and Luna's castle were quite a sight to behold, they held many secrets and was living history of a time before Canterlot and Equestria. The battle between Nightmare Moon and Celestia took place here, and now another battle is beginning between the students of two opposite teachers. 

Princess Twilight Sparkle the Alicorn, student of Princess Celestia.  

And Burning Star, the powerful fire unicorn, student of King Sombra. 

Burning Star smirked, his head held high, "You still want to fight me Twilight Sparkle? If you lose, I will kill you, you know."

Twilight Sparkle shuddered at the thought of death, but stood her ground, "I'm not backing down. If I win, you surrender to me, Burning Star."

Burning Star bared his teeth and said, "Then give me all you got, Element of Magic!"

His mane and tail ignited into fire as his horn glowed with red energy, and his fur glowed bright red. His eyes were filled with flames, ready to annihilate this Alicorn. 

Twilight Sparkle ignited her horn and flared her wings, even if she could not stun Burning Star, she could certainly beat and batter him to make him cool off and listen to reason.

Burning Star led off the battle with a swarm of Fireballs that erupted from his horn, Twilight countered with a blast of pink lightning. The two attacks collided midair, sending up a large cloud of smoke as well as shockwave that rattled the old walls of the castle. 

Burning Star continued his attack with a spiraling blast of fire from his horn. Twilight shielded the attack, but she could feel the intense heat from the flames even inside her shield. 

Twilight Sparkle was about to drop her shield and counter, but she had to pull it up again as Burning Star rammed headfirst into it with his hooves thrust forward, her shield broke and the impact sent her flying across the room. 

Twilight Sparkle shouted, "You know, you are quite strong, for a unicorn." She Attacked with a purple laser beam of magic, which Burning Star blocked with a wall of fire. 

Burning Star smiled, "Same to you, but you are no where near as strong as me, but I'm still impressed Twilight Sparkle, Celestia taught you how to defend yourself pretty well, but yet you don't try to attack me with anything lethal. Then again, Celestia never taught you those spells, did she?" 

Twilight Sparkle snorted like a real horse and said to her opponent, "At least my teacher didn't enslave an entire empire! King Sombra is Evil! He is nothing like Celestia!" 

Burning Star responded in a truly scary tone, sending a chill down the Alicorn's spine.

"Really now? She is nothing like my mentor?" He stepped forward, eyes, mane, and tail ablaze. Twilight Sparkle backed up, her flank hitting the old stone wall. 

Burning Star hissed, "Let me list a few things that may make you see Celestia in a more educated light. Yes, She assembled Equestria and defeated Discord and the monsters. That was a good thing, but the results were not what should have happened. Ponies looked to her and Luna as gods, but a kingdom is not built by two ponies." 

He edged closer to her face, "You see, a true kingdom is built by carpenters, soldiers, doctors, and teachers. It is NOT built by someone who thinks that they can do anything with thier power, that Twilight, is what is called a Dictator. Somepony who controls absolute power, something you do not have, power over the ponies of Ponyville and every other town and city across Equestria."

Burning Star's horn was touching hers, she could feel him breathing his hot breath on her face. 

Burning Star continued to speak, "Princess or not, Celestia has done some very nasty things. Let's see..."

Twilight backed away as a wall of fire erupted from the ground. It began to play back Historical events using the dancing flames representing ponies.  

"Celestia's first mistake was when banished her own sister Luna to the moon when she could not defeat her as Nightmare Moon, leaving you and friends to deal with her when she returned. No doubt she was too scared to deal with her sister, she has no backbone Twilight."

An recreation of the scene where Celestia sent Luna to the moon appeared, Twilight started to tear up a bit. She was seeing some of her teachers worst moments. 

Burning Star whipped his horn, causing the wall of fire to change appearance "She drove the changelings to near extinction, when she probably knew that they were starving. Now that is just cruelty incarnate, isn't it? Leaving a race to starve to death? If I were her, I would have killed them all to spare them the trouble..."

A recreation of Queen Chrysalis being flung out of Canterlot appeared.

"And worst of all, she sent you and your friends to contend with my previous mentor, King Sombra, while she sat on her flank eating cake and tricking you into believing that defeating Sombra was a test to earn your Alicornhood, trust me, you could of had it at any time you wanted. I should know, I can sense the powerful magic coming off you."

The final image played out, King Sombra being shattered into pieces by the Crystal Heart. 

Twilight Sparkle folded her ears back, trying to ignore Burning Star's words. "You're doing this just because you hate the princesses!" She shouted, causing Burning Star to back up, and smile even wider. 

He spoke again, silencing the Alicorn, "Quiet! Do you know what greatest thing she has done is, Twilight Sparkle? She has convinced Equestria that she is a fair and caring ruler, what about the griffons? What about the Buffalo? She has made her statement very clear Twilight, she does not care for them in the least... why are they left In poverty while the Ponies flourish under her rule? Because of her greatest similarity between my former mentor and your mentor is this..."

Burning Star inhaled, preparing to release the final nail in the coffin, the final phrase to break Twilight's mind. "The reason for that is because of one thing, who would stand against someone who could torch the land with the sun? Who could fight someone who could drown your armies by just adjusting the moon a bit? No one, Twilight. Celestia is similar to King Sombra in one very obvious way, they both are rulers that rule by FEAR."

He ended his rant with a quick flick of his hair, sending flames dancing in the air. 

Twilight Sparkle backed away from him, then screamed in anger. "DONT MOCK MY TEACHER!" She slammed Burning Star with the full force of a magic laser that blew the stained glass windows out and left a giant crater in the wall.

Burning Star slowly go up, "Well... huff... well played, I did not see that coming, 
Well done Twilight Sparkle. I surrender to you, I've shown you my side of the story, Now show me yours, so I can compare who is really right." He said as he bowed his head, before collapsing to the floor unconscious.

Twilight sat there, stunned. This Unicorn had been able to shatter her perspective of reality so much that it made her rethink everything. 

She curled up into a ball next to the large unicorn's body and cried softly, 

"Celestia's the good pony, not a villain, right?" She said over and over, quietly sobbing to herself as the moon rose and a group of shadows settled over them.
> Chapter 6: Kindling Burning Star's Friendship
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

(Twilight Sparkle's castle, Twilight's bedroom.)

Twilight Sparkle slowly opened her eyes, all of her friends were sitting beside her with worried expressions on thier faces. Twilight tried to move, but everything hurt. 

"Easy there sugarcube, you got into one hell of a literal firefight against that unicorn. You are lucky to be alive, when we found you you were nearly dead. The entire place was engulfed in flames." Applejack said, clearly worried about Twilight.

Rainbow Dash chimed in, "Yeah! You scared us Twi, I thought you wouldn't wake up again. I was... worried about you." Twilight could see the blush of embarrassment on Dashie's face. 

Twilight Sparkle sat up and asked her friends, "Where is the unicorn that was laying next to me?"

Fluttershy responded in her signature quiet voice, "We locked him in the Canterlot Dungeon today, if that's ok with you..." 

Twilight nodded, "That's fine Fluttershy, I would like to see him when I'm done recovering."

Suddenly, a note appeared out of thin air, it was sealed with Celestia's royal seal. 

Twilight broke the seal and read the message out loud

"Dear Twilight Sparkle and friends,"

"I have grave news. The unicorn known as Burning Star has broken free from the dungeon a few hours ago, he is armed with magic and extremely dangerous. Be careful my student."

Everypony was in shock, many of them stood there jaws hanging open. 

Rarity was the first to speak,
"But, But, That's Impossible! Canterlot Dungeon is extremely hard to escape, how did he get out so easily?" 

Twilight Sparkle said to her friends, "I'm not finished reading, everpony."

Twilight began to read the rest, 

"As of right now, Luna and I have suspicions that he will try to run back to the Frozen North, to King Sombra's new fortress, Castle Nevermore. But, he could be heading back to Ponyville, if he is, I've sent my personal guards to your castle." If they cannot beat him, you have my permission to end his existence as quickly as you can.

Love,
Celestia

Rainbow Dash slammed her hoof on the nightstand, knocking over Twilight's lamp. 

"Great! Just bucking Perfect! We manage to lock up the most powerful unicorn we have ever met, and he just breaks out of prison the next day!" She said, flaring her wings. 

Applejack put a calming hoof on her friends shoulder, "There ain't nothing we can do. We have to wait until he shows up a-gain. Until then, we better get the Elements of Harmony ready."

Rarity started to walk downstairs, "all this talk of prisoners and fire unicorns has made me stressed out, I'm going to take a shower girls." 

Rarity began to head downstairs, she passed by Pinkie Pie, who was sleeping on the couch, when she heard somepony singing, 

"I see and fear no evil, black writings on the wall. Unleash a million faces, and one by one they fall." 

Rarity moved slowly towards the bathroom. "Hello?" 

She heard more singing,

"A black hearted evil, a brave hearted hero. I am all, I am all, I am..." 

Rarity inched closer, trying to hear who it was. It sounded masculine and deep, but with a hint of sophistication.

"Go ahead try to see through me, do it if you dare. One step forward, two step back now."

Rarity opened the door and saw a shadow behind the curtains to the shower. The heat in the room was high. 

"Do it, do it, do it, Do It!"

She grasped the curtains with her magic and ripped them open, she immediately blushed furiously. 

Burning Star, the prisoner that she helped lock up, was in Twilight's bathroom and taking a shower, he noticed and turned towards her. 

Rarity drank in the physique of Burning Star, he was built like Big Macintosh, and stood taller than him. His jet black fur hid lean and strong muscles. His bright red mane and tail was ungroomed and rugged, probably from not washing it. 

"Heya. I needed a shower, so I came here. You ok?" 

Rarity screamed and was red with embarrassment. "Oh my... Sweet Celestia, I'm so sorry!" 

Burning Star looked confused and said to himself, "What's her problem? Has she never seen a stallion like me before? Oh well... her loss. Such a shame, she was pretty looking."

He closed the door again and pulled the shower curtains back into place and started to sing again.

"Can you see all of me? Walk into my Mystery, step in inside and hold on for dear life! Do you remember me? capture you, or set you free? I am all of, I am all of me!"

Rarity rushed upstairs to Twilight's Room and screamed, "BURNING STAR IS IN THE CASTLE BATHROOM!" 

Everyone jumped up and ran downstairs, only to see Burning Star wrapped in a red robe sitting on the couch, drinking soda. He was sitting next to Pinkie Pie's sleeping body. 

Burning Star smirked and said, "Hello again, Twilight Sparkle. You miss me, or did the little diva there tell you where I was?"

Burning Star pointed to Rarity, making her huff in frustration. 

"What are you doing here and how did you get out of prison?!" Twilight screamed at the top of her lungs, startling Fluttershy and waking the pink party pony up from her nap. 

"Hi guys! Why do you all look angry?" She turned around to see Burning Star's smiling face. "Hey! Your the pony that came and sat next to me. You helped me fall asleep. How did you do that?" Pinkie said with her usual happiness.

Burning Star just said, "You looked tired, so I helped you fall asleep." 

Burning Star turned towards Twilight Sparkle and snickered, "You left your door unlocked, a very unwise choice since I was coming to meet you again. I broke out of prison by using my Fire powers to melt the window bars, then I snuck out and melted my cuffs. You got to tell Princess Celestia to buff up her security. Oh yeah, speaking of security..." 

Burning Star pulled five guards out of the closet. "I believe these mooks are yours. These guards must be the worst security ever, I effortlessly blew them away with a Fire Bomb attack. I hope next time I get some semblance of challenge.

He shoved the guards forwards, Twilight untied them from their chains. They got up, and ran for thier lives. Twilight Sparkle shot her intruder a angry glare. 

"You actually had the guts to come back to the same people that locked you up? You're not too bright are you?" Rainbow Dash said, flying close to his face, her magenta eyes staring into his dark blue ones. 

Burning Star took another sip of his soda and stood up, smiling at the cyan Pegasus. "You're not too bright either... lowering your guard in front of a powerful Unicorn." He said as he used his magic to freeze her in place, before slamming her into the ceiling, then into to the ground. 

"Nopony touches my friend Dashie!" Applejack said as she slammed Burning Star with her back legs, staggering him back. 

He shook his head in pain. "Wow, you got a mean rear kick Applejack... not many things can hurt me." 

Twilight Sparkle grabbed the fiery unicorn with her magic before he torched the place. "Ok that's enough! Why are you actually here Burning Star?" 

Her intruder sat down and took a sip of his soda, "Like I said yesterday before I collapsed from exhaustion, you heard my view of the world, now I want to learn your side." 

He opened one of the bags on the side of his cloak and pulled out a raven feather quill and a large black book. 

"What is that?" Twilight asked, before seeing the title. 

"The Complete Guide to the Races of Equestria." I was writing it earlier."

Her eyes went wide, "You're writing a book! That's why you want to learn about friendship! What are you writing this book for exactly?" 

Burning Star answered, slightly unnerved by Twilight's excitement, "So that when Equestria finally collapses and destroys itself, the ponies of the future will know about all the races and cultures that existed in the past."

Burning Star sighed and continued his sentence, "Before I became a student of King Sombra, I wanted to help other ponies understand the world around them, so that they are not confused and wander about aimlessly."

Rainbow Dash looked confused, "Why would we wander around aimlessly?" 

Burning Star laughed, loud and proud. "If you actually paid attention "Dashie" you would know why. But apparently you don't care about whose flanks you Kick, do you? No, you do not huh? Guess I would expect it from a Pegasus like you, always having your head in the clouds..."

Rainbow Dash gave Burning Star a venomous stare, Twilight pushed Burning Star and Dashie apart. 

"Listen you two! I understand why you don't like each other right now. But this isn't the time to fight. If Burning Star wants to be taught the magic of friendship I say let him!" Twilight said, in the Royal Canterlot voice. 

Burning Star smiled and thought to himself, "it seems that the little Alicorn has some authority after all..."

Twilight Sparkle and her friends sat down in their respective seats, while Burning Star stood beside Twilight, a smirk on his face. He knew he had won, the promise of writing a book had made Twilight ignore telling her friends about his history and the conversation he had with her a little while ago...

"Ok, all in favor of giving Burning Star friendship lessons raise thier hoof" Twilight said, three hooves rose. Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, and Rarity. 

"All opposed?" Two hooves and one scaly hand rose. Applejack, Spike and Rainbow Dash

Burning Star thought in his head, "It appears as we do not have a majority. How typical... you cannot enforce your power, even on your friends."

He turned towards Twilight, "Well? You're the deciding vote Twilight, What do you say? You want to give me another chance?"

Twilight raised her hoof, "I vote in favor, as long as you trade us information on King Sombra's powers and stuff." 

Burning Star nodded his head, "Sure. I'll gladly trade information on him. After all, it would seem only fair." 

He leaned in on the group, "As long as you can keep a secret from Celestia, that is..." 

Twilight Sparkle inquiried more, "How big of a secret are we talking?" 

Burning Star leaned in, "I don't want her to find out that I'm here. Ok? I'd hate to burn all of you to cinders..."

Pinkie Pie smiled, "Sure thing! We all keep a secret right everypony?"

Everybody nodded towards Burning Star.

"Your secret is safe with us!"
> Chapter 7: Day 1, The Element of Kindness
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

(Twilight Sparkle's Castle, Grand Library)

The library was always Twilight's favorite thing in the castle, after all, she lived in one as her home before she became an alicorn. It held hundreds books of varied genres. Twilight Sparkle loved books with a passion, it was a borderline obsession by now. 

However, when Burning Star mentioned that he was writing a book on the various species in Equestria, she was positively giddy. But, she still had suspicions about her new unicorn student. 

Twilight Sparkle woke up suddenly, it was still dark outside. She looked at her clock, "5:30 am... gosh it's early. I'll just go back to sleep..."

Just as Twilight was about to fall back asleep, she noticed a light coming from downstairs. 

Twilight Sparkle yawned, "Who in Equestria would be up this early? The sun isn't even up yet... *yawn"

Twilight got up and walked downstairs, she opened her eyes a little bit to see Burning Star sitting on his flank, watching the fire and reading a book. 

It was their Friendship Journal, he was on the page where Twilight had finished Starswirl's spell and became an Alicorn...

"What are you *yawn doing up this early Burning Star? The sun isn't even up... don't you need sleep too?" Twilight yawned, wiping her eyes. 

Burning Star turned around and said to the princess, "Oh... I didn't realize I woke you Twilight Sparkle. I do need sleep, but this is the time that I would wake up to start my training with my mentor." He put the book back on the shelf, "I also liked watching the sun rise. You want to join me?" He said, eyes filled with regret. 

Burning Star put his book back in his bag and moved towards the window Twilight Sparkle sat down next to him and said, "You seem upset Burning Star, what's the matter? Can I help?" 

Burning Star looked at the young Alicorn and said in a depressed tone, "I was just thinking about the other day, I am... sorry that I said all those nasty things to you..." 

Twilight Sparkle put her hoof on his back and smiled, "It's ok. I forgive you, I just don't understand why you said them. You seem to have a grudge larger than a mountain against Celestia and Luna. Do you want to tell me why you do?" 

Burning Star shook his head, "Not now, maybe later today. I don't think I should ruin the sunrise with my stories."

Twilight nodded her head and put her wing around Burning Star's body. A few moments later, the sun began to rise.

"Don't worry, I'll help you..."

(Road to Fluttershy's home, Outskirts of Ponyville)

Burning Star walked behind Twilight, a small grin on his face. He was honestly excited to go learn from Fluttershy. After all, it's not every day you meet with one of the bearers of elements of harmony.

Then again, it's not every day you can convince an ALICORN to trust you, even after beating her to a pulp...

Twilight Sparkle looked behind her, Burning Star was writing in his personal book with his raven feather pen.

"Day 1 of Friendship Lessons."

"I am going with the Alicorn mare known as Princess Twilight Sparkle to learn about the magic of friendship from Fluttershy, the element of kindness. I have heard that she is rather timid, so I will try not to appear dark and scary around her. Maybe, one day when I have the trust of all of the elements of harmony, I'll reveal that I'm..."

Twilight Sparkle yelled to her new student, "Hurry Up! We don't have all day Burning Star!" 

Burning Star put his pen and journal away, and ran after Twilight. He stopped and said to her, "So, when we are done learning about the magic of friendship, I would like to get together with your friends for a party. You want to come?" 

Twilight Sparkle smiled, "Sure! I can get Pinkie Pie to plan it for you. She is the primer party pony after all."

Burning Star smiled, "I'll talk to her about it when we get to her lesson. For now, I want to focus on today. Somepony once said,  Carpe Diem!

(Fluttershy's Cottage, Outskirts of Everfree Forest)

Burning Star stood behind Twilight as she knocked on the door. Twilight called out, "Fluttershy! We are here!" 

She turned around, "Now, behave yourself, and try not to look so scary."

The two ponies heard a distant "coming." and Burning Star tried to smile out of happiness, not his trademark menacing smirk. 

Burning Star stood behind Twilight as Fluttershy opened the door, "Oh, hello Twilight, is he h-here now?" The cream colored Pegasus said, trying to stay calm. 

Twilight Sparkle stepped aside as she said, "Yes. I believe you have not been properly introduced. This is Burning Star. He will be learning about kindness from you today."

Fluttershy looked up and her light blue eyes shrunk to pinpricks, she shook with fear. Burning Star was huge and intimidating, with his jet black fur, dark blue eyes, and red and orange mane. 

"Oh my... hello there..." Fluttershy said, shaking in her hooves. 

Burning Star bent down and said in the nicest voice he could. "Hello Fluttershy, you don't need to be scared of me, you know. I'm not so scary."

Fluttershy walked inside and said, "o-ok. So today I am going to teach you about what kindness is, would you like some tea?" 

Burning Star walked inside, banging his head on the top of the doorway. "Do you have ginseng tea? Because that would be great." 

Fluttershy responded quietly, "I think I do. Give me a minute..." she was stopped by Burning Star.

"I'll get it, I asked for it. You don't have to make it, I know how to make tea." He said, walking into the kitchen. He noticed the teapot was already on the stove. 

Burning Star opened the cupboard to get the tea bags, he saw ginseng and took it out, humming to himself. He lifted the teapot lid to put the teabags in, and out popped a face that said to Burning Star.

"Thanks! You have no idea how cramped it is in there. Oh! Who are you?"

"What the hell!" Burning Star yelled as he fell backwards, startled by the weird creature. He shouted into the living room. "FLUTTERSHY! SOME... THING IS IN YOUR TEA POT!" 

That... thing appeared in front of him and said, "Excuse me? I am not a thing, I Am Discord," Discord put on a suit and tie, "the spirit of chaos and disharmony! You are being very rude calling me a thing." 

Discord was about to say something else when he ducked out of the way of a fireball that flew out the window and exploded, which knocked over some trees. 

Twilight ran in to see Discord floating above a very angry Burning Star, Discord teleported outside. "Okay pal, I'm sorry I spooked you." A halo appeared over his head. "I won't do it again." 

Burning Star went outside and snorted, "You're Discord! Last time I heard about you from my mentor you were still a garden ornament. I mean seriously, who would trust you?"

Discord shot back, "yeah, last time I heard about your mentor he was in pieces. Yes, I know about you Burning Star. You're the..." 

Both Burning Star and Discord were cut off by Fluttershy screaming, "What is wrong with you two?!" 

Burning Star go up and walked over to her, "Sorry Fluttershy, i let my temper get the better of me." 

He walked over to Discord, "I'm sorry Discord, I didn't know you were in there and my instincts took over." 

Discord teleported to Burning Star and patted him on the back, "Apology accepted. I'm sorry for scaring you, I could of gotten myself incinerated." 

Twilight Sparkle dragged Burning Star into the house again, Fluttershy looked at her draconequess friend. "That wasnt very nice of you Discord, why did you do that?" 

Discord lowered his head in shame. "I heard that someone was coming to be friends with you and I got a bit jealous." 

Twilight Sparkle sat Burning Star down on the couch and gave him a venomous stare. "You were supposed to behave yourself today! Why did you try to attack Discord!" 

Burning Star just said, "Let's drop this subject for now. I need to study kindness today, so please don't bring this up?" 

Twilight Sparkle snorted, "Fine... but you and I are going to talk later!" 

After everything calmed down, Fluttershy sat in her chair, trying to explain to Burning Star the foundations of kindness. 

"You see, kindness is when to try to be as nice as you can, no matter what." She said, her eyes fixed firmly on Burning Star's deep blue ones. 

"So Fluttershy, what was the kindnest thing you have ever done?" He asked

The cream colored Pegasus pointed to Discord, who was sleeping on the ceiling. "Reforming him, no matter how much chaos he created for me, I kept trying. Look at him now, he has finally started to understand friendship truly. Burning Star, did you have any friends growing up?" 

The black unicorn's eyes dropped, "I did... but they are gone now. They... all left a few years ago. Up until now, you have been the only people to show genuine friendship to me." 

Burning Star stood up and grabbed Fluttershy's hooves and said in a amazed tone, "Fluttershy, I think you are a lot stronger than you know. Not many ponies can sit in the same room as me and not run for their lives. I bet underneath that timid personality is a will harder than the hardest diamond. That is a true privilege not given to everypony... you will need it in the battles to come."

Fluttershy blushed, "th-thank you. You're pretty kind for saying that." 

Twilight Sparkle motioned for Burning Star to leave, "I've got to go, remember this Fluttershy. Burning Star gave Fluttershy a hug and whispered into her ear, "True courage is the Resistance of fear, mastery of fear, not the absence of fear." 

With that, Burning Star exited the cottage and started to walk next to Twilight, a small grin on her face. 

Burning Star finally asked, "So how did I do?" 

The purple Alicorn gave him a hug, "You passed with flying colors. Not many ponies can make Fluttershy blush from complements that hard." 

He sighed, "I'm just doing what I gotta do. You wanted to talk later right?" 

Twilight Sparkle nodded, "Yes. I want to find out why King Sombra picked you as his student." 

Burning Star gave the Alicorn next to him a smirk. 

"As you wish, Princess Twilight Sparkle."
> Chapter 8: Celestia's Paranoia/Luna's Dream Walk
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

(Canterlot Castle, Celestia's Bedroom)

Princess Celestia paced back and forth, her eyes filled with worry. Her sister, Luna, watched her with worry as well.

"Oh lulu, I should have seen this coming. Now, not only is King Sombra back, but his student Burning Star escaped and still out there." Celestia said, gripping a glass of wine. "I should have just killed him when Twilight's friends left. That way, we would only have King Sombra to deal with, and not a fire-spewing Unicorn that can wipe Equestria out!"  

Luna was shocked by her sisters words, "Sister, you realize that Burning Star is smart enough to see that destroying Equestria isn't the wisest idea." 

Celestia went out to the balcony, preparing to lower the sun. 

Luna gave Celestia a big hug, "It will be ok Sister. Twilight Sparkle and her friends are more than strong enough to defeat Burning Star. After all, he is just a unicorn."

Celestia's eyes turned serious, "A unicorn that was able to shatter our shields, destroy half the castle, and escape from prison very easily. I hate to admit it, but King Sombra picked a good student. He also seems to know Dark Magic like his teacher..."

"I am aware that he has incredible strength, but he cannot run forever. He'll have to stop eventually, when he does, I'll kill him for you." 

Celestia shook her head, "No. You will need all the strength you can get of King Sombra decides to invade, I'll look for him tomorrow morning." 

Suddenly, Celestia's mouth turned into a large smile. She pointed at her sister.

"Or, you find where he is in the dream realm, and I'll go destroy him when you pinpoint his location." Celestia said with unnerving enthusiasm. 

Luna was startled by her sister asking her that. "Sister! You know that I cannot invade another pony's dreams unless they are having a nightmare. Why would you even consider that?!" She said with true worry in her voice. 

Celestia looked Luna straight in the eyes, "we have to find him before he reaches Twilight!"

Luna slowly backed away, "why do you think that he would go after Twilight?" 

Celestia spoke in a crazed voice, "because she's young and doesn't know about Burning Star's true power." 

Luna sighed, "ok! I'll go find him. But if this doesn't work, this is on you Celestia."

Celestia just sat there, with fear in her eyes. "Heaven help us if Burning Star actually finds Twilight Sparkle..."

Luna stepped out on to the balcony and began to enter the dream realm, "Don't worry sister, I'll find him before he finds Twilight." Luna said before disappearing into darkness

(The Dream Realm, Main Chamber)

The Dream Realm was always an unusual place, But Luna liked it that way. she flew through the empty void of the space between minds, looking for Burning Star's Dream. 

She flew past the dreams of hundreds of ponies. From Big Macintosh to Derpy Hooves, but did not see Burning Star's anywhere. 

Luna spoke in her head, "where is his dream? There is nothing here!" She saw a speck of black in the distance and sighed in relief. "There!"

Luna flew closer to the dream of her Fiery Unicorn target and bounced off the bubble. there was some sort of shield protecting it. 

She shook her head, "Ok. Let's try that again." Luna said as she dived face first into the shield, this time breaking through. 

(Burning Star's Dream) 

Luna landed on a black floor, all around her was darkness. She tried to brighten the room with the light of her horn, but all she saw was more darkness. 

"Burning Star! I command you to show yourself! You can't avoid me, you know." Luna said, hearing her voice echo. 

"Show yourself! You know that I can drag your consciousness to me, so come on out now!" She said, raising her voice. 

All of a sudden, she heard a voice from behind her. 

"Took you long enough Luna..."

Startled, Luna fell forwards as Burning Star laughed his head off. She got up, staring Burning Star down. He returned the stare Luna was giving him, his mane and tail ablaze with fire, lighting up the void to reveal they were standing in the middle of a castle, The Canterlot Castle!

He then said to Luna, "I'm surprised it took you this long to find me... you're skill with Magic must be weakening." 

Luna extended her wings and reared up, trying to intimidate her Fire Unicorn opponent. "Where are you hiding Burning Star? Tell me and I will try to convince Celestia to not destroy you." 

He simply rolled his eyes, "Destroy me? Hah! Do you think I fear the wrath of the Princess of the Sun?" 

He stomped his hoof down, causing the ground to shake. "I DON'T." He started to pace back and forth in front of Luna. 

He smirked and said, "I'm surprised that you would come alone, Luna. I expected Celestia to turn up as well..." 

"You would be wise to fear her, Fire Stallion! She could smite you down in an instant!" Luna roared, trying her best to appear in a position of authority over Burning Star. 

Her opponent just smirked, "You can't scare me Luna. My training has made me immune to fear, you can't frighten me into revealing my location. So, what do you want?" 

Luna scowled, clearly annoyed because of her opponents carefree nature right now. She walked up to him and said, "Do you not understand the seriousness of you situation? You are a felon on the run, how do you think your story is going to end?"

Burning Star sat on his flanks, "Well.. my best outcome is hopefully Sombra's corpse underneath a butt load of magic barriers. Or, with you two giving me a medal for helping you destroy him. Does that answer your question?" He said, stretching his front hooves. 

Princess Luna looked him with great anger, she pressed her hoof on his black furred chest and said, "Why would Celestia and I give you a medal?! What do you have that is that is worth the qualities of being a Equestria-renowned hero?" 

Burning Star leaned in, letting his horn touch hers, "Because..." he let his words hang there for a minute, 

"I know King Sombra's plan, where his castle is, and much more about him. Including his plans for Twilight Sparkle." 

Luna stepped back in disbelief, "That seems very far fetched, King Sombra would never reveal his plans to you..."

Burning Star interrupted, "Princess Luna, he was my teacher. He always kept me informed, considering I was always by his side when we were on a campaign to conquer the villages in the Frozen North. He was like a father to me, but he was not my real father..." Burning Star began to heat up, causing Luna to step back.

"Are you ok Burning Star? Because your... smoking." Luna said, seeing the fire on her hosts mane and tail growning in strength.

"HE BETRAYED ME WHEN HE FOUND OUT THAT TWILIGHT WAS AN ALICORN! He said that Twilight would outdo me in every way..." Burning Star said as he stomped and thrashed around. "I was Furious! But, that wasn't the only reason why he wanted Twilight over me." Burning Star caused a ball of fire to appear on his hoof.

Luna looked on with curiosity as the ball of fire extinguished, revealing a crown similar to King Sombra's. but, it looked much more feminine and sleek and had the infamous Alicorn Amulet on its peak. It was a crown very similar to the Element of Magic, but it looked... evil and dark.

Luna stepped back and said in a truly shocked tone, "is that what I think it is? Is that a..."

Burning Star answered her question before she could finish "it's a queen's crown, fit for King Sombra's newest scheme, corrupting Twilight Sparkle and turning her into his" he inhaled and said in the best impression of the Royal Canterlot voice "Queen of Shadows!" 

Luna saw tears running down the black unicorn's cheeks as he collapsed to the ground, crying like a filly. she walked up to him and said, "I... I don't know what to say Burning Star, I did not know this until now. Is he really going through with that plan?" 

Burning Star said through his sobs, "yes... he is. So before you decide the  fate of my life with Celestia, maybe you should here my side."

Luna asked the big question now, "Where at you hiding though?"

Burning Star answered, with true kindness in his voice. "Where you would look last, Luna?" 

Luna left the fire unicorn's dream, still thinking about Burning Star's statement on King Sombra. Celestia was sleeping in her bed.

"Queen of Shadows... so the dark king needs a queen. This could make everything very dangerous." Luna said, looking to Celestia's sleeping body, "I'll tell her in the morning..."

Luna still had Burning Star's hint as to where he was hiding "where would I look last..." the answer came to him, and she froze with fear. 

"Heaven help Twilight Sparkle, for she harbors a force so powerful, it could determine the fate of this world. Now his choices matter..."

"Will Burning Star save us? Or will he let us burn?"
> Chapter 9: Day 2, The Element of Laughter
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

(Twilight Sparkle's castle, Burning Star's room) 

Twilight Sparkle woke up early again, she heard Burning Star walking about in his room, and the sounds of hooves hitting something hard followed by a loud crack. She inched closer to the door and opened it slowly, Burning Star was standing in front of a large stone. Holding his front hoof in front of his head, just above the stone. 

Twilight Sparkle sat motionless as Burning Star raised his hoof high over his head, and brought it down hard, shattering the stone into pebbles with a loud crushing sound that shook the room. Twilight looked around, there were stones everywhere, and pebbles strewn about, probably because of Burning Star smashing the rocks. She gasped.

Could somepony be really that strong?

It was clear that he heard Twilight's gasp from the door because he said next, "Enjoy the show Twilight Sparkle?" 

Twilight blushed in embarrassment and walked into his room. She saw that he put his smashing stones away and picked up a broom with his magic and began to sweep up the dust and pebbles. He then walked out to the balcony and dumped them over the edge. He was wearing his cloak on his back still. "You want to watch the sunrise with me Twilight?" 

"You said you would tell me about your past a little. I'd like to hear about it now." She said, sitting next to him. 

He sighed, "I did promise to tell you about myself, so here it goes."

Burning Star's horn lit up, and a pit of fire appeared. Twilight looked into it, seeing a pony playing in a field of grass. 

Burning Star explained to his Alicorn friend. "I was born in a small farming village called Firebrand Village. It was known only for one thing. A rare plant called Flare Grass, but that little plant made us very rich."

"What's Flare Grass?" Twilight asked, leaning close.

Burning Star responded, "Flare Grass is was and still is, a key component in the creation of one of the most terrifying weapons ever to be used, Romane Fire. A sticky red jelly that on its own is harmless. But if you light it on fire, it could kill anypony."

Twilight took out a Notebook and began writing Burning Star's words down, "but isn't Romane Fire illegal now?" 

Burning Star nodded his head, "Tes. It is, but it was only made illegal a few years ago by one pony. Princess Celestia..." he said as he narrowed his eyes, "Due to that decision, My village became a target of raids by Canterlot's soldiers, The Changelings, even the Crystal Empire, everybody wanted what was left of the Romane Fire we had in our storehouses." 

Twilight saw her unicorn companion tear up, "We had no choice, we had to defend ourselves. Eventually, an army of changelings attacked our home, draining the love from our people, leaving them drained and emotionally damaged husks." Burning Star's mane and tail caught fire. 

Twilight stepped back so she would not get burned, as Fire erupted from Burning Star's eyes. "And when the ponies of my village asked for help for Celestia, we recieved NOTHING. That is why I have a grudge against Celestia and Luna... they could have destroyed the Changelings, but they did nothing..." 

Twilight watched as her student cried into his hooves. The fire on his body extinguished, and she put his wing around him. "Shh... its ok Burning Star." She said, trying to console her Fire Unicon companion, then an idea popped into her head.

She said to him in a excited tone, "I know who we can go to cheer you up! Pinkie Pie! No one can stay sad around her!"  

Burning Star got up and wiped his eyes, "ok... give me a minute to get ready." 

Twilight Sparkle sat down next to Burning Star, wrapping her wing around him as they watched the sun come up. 

(Sugarcube Corner, Ponyville) 

Burning Star walked behind Twilight Sparkle, writing down an entry into his journal. 

"Day 2, The Element of Laughter"

"One Friendship lesson down! Soon, I will visit the element of laughter. I'm guessing that Twilight planned this when she heard about my past. She is pretty smart, maybe she'll figure out that I'm a..."

Twilight Sparkle yelled back to Burning Star "Will you hurry up!" 

Burning Star responded, "coming Twilight!" 

He put his raven feather pen and journal away, and ran up to Twilight. He then said to her, "Twilight, can I ask you a question?"

Twilight Sparkle responded, "sure, what is it?" 

"Why hasn't somepony taking romantic interest in you?"

Twilight blushed furiously and said In Shock, "Excuse Me!?"

Burning Star laughed, "I'm just saying, if you married a prince you would become a queen, putting you above Celestia and Luna in terms of authority. You would be able to command them around." 

Twilight shook her head, "No! Why would you even ask that!" She blushed even harder.

Burning Star just smirked, "because I've seen some of the more handsome ponies looking at you. You don't have to be embarrassed about this Twilight. You are quite beautiful you know. Especially your purple eyes..."

Twilight Sparkle was red in the face, and she finally squeaked out a response. "Th-th-Thanks Burning Star..." 

The two finally arrived at Sugarcube Corner, within seconds of approaching the door, a pink blur dashed out and tackled Burning Star. 

"I heard you coming to learn about laughter from me today! Yay! I'll go inside and get everything ready. Come in when you can!" Pinkie Pie said, bouncing inside. 

Burning Star got up and shook his mane and tail free of dirt. "Well she is certainly... interesting to say the least. I've met some weird things in my travels, but she takes the cake."

Pinkie Pie stood behind the counter, eager to get started. She said with her hooves leaning on the countertop. "So what to you want to know about laughter colt friend? Hm?" Her mane was poofy and bounced up and down. 

Burning Star sat down and said to his bubbly pink teacher. "Actually, I know what laughter is Pinkie Pie, its giving people a happy feeling and putting a smile on thier face."

Pinkie Pie put her hoof on Burning Star's horn and said, "So why did you come here silly?" 

Burning Star got up and said, "I wanted to eat here. So, can you take my order?"

Twilight's jaw dropped to the floor, her right eye twitching. She got up from her seat and pinned Burning Star against the wall. "Then why are you here then if you already know about what laughter?!" 

Burning Star pushed Twilight away and said, "I wanted a snack, and I wanted to demonstrate something to you two." 

Pinkie Pie came out with a pen and paper. "What can I get you Burning Star?" 

Burning Star leaned in and whispered into her ear, "Do you happen to have... Chocolate and Peanut Butter Ice Cream Cake?" 

Pinkie Pie smiled, "of course! Give me a second..." 

Pinkie sped into the kitchen, and then reappeared one second later. "Here ya go!" She handed him a large plate of Peanut Butter and Chocolate Ice Cream Cake.

Burning Star looked honestly shocked, "but I thought that... what... what just happened?" He said, eyes wide and sweating.

Twilight Sparkle put a hoof on her companion's head and said, "That's just Pinkie Pie for you. We don't really question it anymore." 

Burning Star looked at the plate of Ice Cream Cake in front of him and slammed his face into it, chomping and slurping it into his mouth. He finally finished and said, "Ok! Now to show you my demonstration."

Burning Star grabbed a jar out of his bags, it was filled with a green powder. 

Pinkie Pie looked at it and asked, "what is that? A special type of sugar?" 

Burning Star shook his head, "nope."
He picked it up with his magic. "This is called Changeling Dust. I invented it, I often invent things when I have spare time."

Twilight Sparkle looked on with curiosity in her eyes. "What does it do exactly?" 

Burning Star opened it up and said, "it can allow non-changelings to assume the appearance of other ponies, like the changelings do. All I have to do is eat it for it to work." 

Twilight had a pen and paper in her hand, "so, this is what you use to disguise yourself and your ex-mentor." 

Burning Star added, "Or... I can use it for this!" He closed his eyes and said, "Twilight Sparkle!" 

Suddenly, Burning Star was engulfed in green fire, and when it disappeared, a perfect copy of Twilight Sparkle was standing in front of Pinkie Pie!

Pinkie Pie laughed, "Look Twilight! It's you! Hahahaha!" 

The fake Twilight Sparkle said, "I'm constantly trying to impress my teacher Celestia! Even though I'm SO much stronger than her." This put a frown on Twilight's face

"Oooh! Do me!" Pinkie Pie said, with a smile wide as the horizon on her face.

"Ok! Pinkie Pie!" Burning Star said, becoming engulfed in green fire again, and transformed into the pink earth pony. 

He then said in Pinkie Pie's voice "Hi I'm Pinkie Pie! I'm the premier party pony!" 

The real Pinkie Pie was laughing like a madpony, "oooh! Do Rarity!"

Burning Star nodded and said, "Rarity!" He was transformed into a white-furred unicorn with a purple, well-kept mane. "Oh darling, your in desperate need of a spa day Twilight. I'll do you a favor and set up a date for you." 

Pinkie Pie was laughing so hard ponies outside could here her, Burning Star said "Ok. Now watch me really impress you. Nightmare Moon!" When the green flames went away, the terrifying form of Nightmare Moon stood before the two mares. 

"Remember this day ponies for it was your last. This night will last FOREVER!" Burning Star said, mocking Nightmare Moon's voice. 

Pinkie Pie was blue in the face from laughing so hard. Twilight was also laughing pretty hard, wheezing for air. 

Burning Star inhaled and said, "Give me a challenge." 

Twilight Sparkle said, "Princess Celestia! Do her!" 

Burning Star transformed into Princess Celestia, and said in her voice "All I do is lift and lower the sun everyday. I have a difficult day, smiling and being adored by everypony."

Twilight was rolling on the floor, laughing harder and harder. 

He then said, "Watch this! Queen Chrysalis!" After the flames settled, a perfect copy of the Changeling Queen stood before them. 

"My subjects are starving, and they feed off of love. I know! I'll brainwash Shining Armor and take over Equestria using my changeling army!" 

Twilight Sparkle got up and put on a straight face and said, "How about this, King Sombra." 

Pinkie Pie stopped for a minute, 
"King Sombra?"

Burning Star stopped for a minute as well. 
"King Sombra? You sure about that?"

Twilight Sparkle stood her ground and said, "yes. King Sombra."

Burning Star gulped and said, "King Sombra..." when the flames disappeared, a perfect imitation of The Shadow King stood before them. Pinkie Pie and Twilight stood back in fear. 

Then, the king made a funny face, and Burning Star dropped his disguise, laughing his flanks off.

"I couldn't! I couldn't do it anymore! It's too good!" 

Pinkie Pie and Twilight were laughing again, Pinkie Pie was turning purple from laughing so hard. Twilight was turning blue, and Burning Star was turning pink from laughing. 

Eventually, the two ponies said goodnight to Pinkie Pie as they left the Sugarcube Corner. 

"Well i think that I passed this lesson... hehehe." Burning Star said, trying to stop giggling.

"Twilight gave him a nod and said, "yep. Passed with a perfect score again. You may have a future as a stand-up comedian." 

Burning Star put a hoof on Twilight's mane, "I can't do stand up Twilight. I would leave everypony rolling in the aisles." 

With that, the pair of ponies walked back to Twilight's castle as the moon rose. Somepony looking on from the outside could have sworn they saw that Burning Star and Twilight Sparkle were holding hooves.
> Chapter 10: Shadow Armor
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

(Castle Nevermore, Throne Chamber)

King Sombra sat in his throne, an entire sandwich in his magic grasp. Nocturne had dropped off the daily Shadow Guard reports.

He said to himself through the chewing, "What is with these guards? I swear they are more incompetent than Princess Celestia's soldiers."

Nocturne walked in with a massive stack of papers on her back, she slipped them off in front of her king.

"Here are the rest of the complaints from the guard commander my king. And before you ask, no, these are not the last of these." Nocturne said, stepping back as King Sombra got up and ignited his horn.

King Sombra growled and blasted the stack of papers with a bolt of dark magic, leaving them a pile of ashes.

"For buck's sake Nocturne! How many of these wretched things do I have to read?" 

Nocturne backed away slowly and said, "you still have 3,745 military complaints to address, my king." 

King Sombra roared in anger, "This would not be a problem if my head commander wasn't bucking retarded... the little idiot can't even quell a rebellion."

Nocturne looked at her king and said, "Yes. It it truly unfortunate that such a mighty king like you, must be surrounded by idiots. Perhaps you need a better commander." 

King Sombra sat back down on his throne, facehoofing. "Of course I need a better commander Nocturne. But slaves don't make for good leaders, well except you."  

Nocturne blushed a bit, "Thank you for the compliment my king, I only wish to help you in any way I can."

Sombra narrowed his eyes and said, "I've ran out of ideas, why is it so HARD to get competent leadership?The strongest military leader I've ever gone up against is that wretched Shining Armor, But he would never join my side! I need someone like him to lead my forces into battle..." 

Nocturne put her hoof on her kings hoof and said, "Well if you want a commander like Shining Armor why don't you just make one?" 

Suddenly, an idea popped into the Shadow King's head, he rushed over to Nocturne and grabbed her face with his hooves. "What did you say?" 

Nocturne repeated her statement, "well if you want a commander like Shining Armor why don't you just make one?" She looked confused.

King Sombra smiled, "THATS IT! I'll just make a commander like Shining Armor to lead my armies. Nocturne, you are a bucking genius!" 

Nocturne blushed, "thank you your highness. It is my job to advise you on certain things." 

King Sombra went into the storage room, then came back with a hood and cloak as well as a jar. 

He said to his advisor, "Here! Take this cloak and travel to the Crystal empire. Get me a shard of Shining Armor's horn, and a piece of his hair. Meanwhile, I'll go get myself ready for the spell we need to preform." 

King Sombra was practically pushing Nocturne out the door. "Go! Hurry! The sooner I get these materials the better. I'll transport you there via my Shadow Form." 

With that, King Sombra transformed him and Nocturne into shadow form and flew out into the frozen north. Eventually after a few days, they reached the outskirts of the Crystal Empire. 

(The Crystal Empire)

King Sombra and Nocturne reverted back to thier pony forms and Sombra said to his advisor, "so, here's the plan Nocturne. You are going to infiltrate the Crystal Empire under the cover of night, get to the Crystal Castle, find Shining Armor's and Princess Cadence's Bedroom, and cut off a part of Shining Armor's mane and a small piece of his horn. I'll be waiting for you outside in that storehouse." 

King Sombra pulled out the cloak he was carrying, there was a variety of gadgets and weapons inside. Such as climbing rope, sleeping darts with a blowpipe, flashbangs, and two knives. "You'll need these." 

Nocturne nodded and took the cloak, "I won't come back until I have that hair and horn sample."

Sombra turned into shadow and said, "I know you won't disappoint me Nocturne." 

Nocturne threw the climbing rope over the wall and climbed up onto the wall walkway. She saw multiple guards coming, and Nocturne ran into a nearby tower. When the guards turned the corner and entered the tower, Nocturne fell from the ceiling and hit them in the back of the head, knocking them out. She then jumped out onto the roof of a house, and jumped from rooftop to rooftop towards the Crystal Castle. 

(Crystal Castle, Royal Bedroom)

Nocturne Arrived at the bottom of the Crystal Castle's tower. She said in her head, "This is too easy."

Nocturne pulled out a pair of climbing gloves, and started to ascend the tower wall. A few minutes later, she reached the balcony, the door was already open. 

"This has got to be the worst security ever. I don't know why King Sombra was so worried about." She said, walking slowly into the room and approaching the Bed, Shining Armor was sleeping peacefully. 

Nocturne pulled out a knife and leaned in to cut a piece of Shining Armor's mane, it came off easily. The cloaked pony put the mane sample in the jar she had in her bag. 

Nocturne went to his horn to scrape a piece off, but stopped dead as Shining Armor turned in his sleep. Nocturne sighed softly and chipped a piece of Shining Armor's horn off, placing it in the jar before sealing it and walking back to the open balcony. She looked back on her work. 

Shining Armor was still sleeping like a filly!

Just as she was about to exit, Nocturne bumped into somepony, knocking her to her flanks. The other intruder looked at Nocturne and Nocturne saw a sight that she thought would never come back. Before her stood the Changeling Queen Chrysalis!

Both Chrysalis and Nocturne freaked out, waking Shining Armor. Who then shouted out, "Guards!"

Queen Chrysalis said to her black-clad opponent, "So! Another ruler is trying to take my Shining Armor before me. I'll show you who is more deserving of his love." 

Chrysalis unleashed a storm of energy balls, Nocturne ran past the queen's onslaught and slid down the rope she still had left. 

Nocturne ran as fast she could, dodging guards that were alerted by the shouting. Eventually, she jumped over the barriers and ran into the Storehouse where King Sombra was waiting. 

"Did you get the samples?" He said, hearing the voices from outside.

Nocturne replied in a nervous voice, "YES! Let's get our flanks out of here!"

King Sombra transformed himself and Nocturne into Shadow, and flew out of the storehouse.

(Castle Nevermore, King Sombra's Ritual Room)

King Sombra and Nocturne walked downstairs into the basement of the castle, Sombra was smiling his evil grin, knowing full well what he was going to do. 

The pair stopped in front of a pair of levers, "Nocturne! Pull the lever!" 

Nocturne pulled the lever and King Sombra fell down a trapdoor, "Wrong Lever Nocturne!!!!" He screamed before a large thud was heard.

King Sombra walked up the staircase that led downstairs into the dungeon torture chambers, "this is the third time this week this has happened! I have to put a massive label on this thing that only I can see." He said, tail slightly singed.

Nocturne pulled the other lever and the wall opened up, revealing a large room with a pit of green slime in it. 

"My king, I have two questions. One, what the hell is that stuff? And two, are you really sure this is a good idea?" 

King Sombra looked at his advisor and said, "That is a pool of pure Dark Magic, and yes, this is a brilliant idea!" 

Nocturne moved towards a large pillar with different symbols on it as King Sombra dropped the jar containing Shining Armor's mane and horn shard into it. 

The Shadow King began the spell, "Dark Magic, lend me your power! Let me create a evil servant from these offerings, and bring him to life!" 

King Sombra laughed as the green aura of dark magic filled his eyes, purple smoke billowing out of his eyes as he shot a beam of black lightning into the pool. 

Nocturne stood back and held onto the ground as the purple smoke emanating from the pool was turning into a raging tornado. King Sombra was standing there, laughing evilly.

"NOCTURNE! NOW!"

Nocturne activated the pillar and a torrent of dark magic smoke was absorbed into the pillar. Then everything went black!

When the smoke cleared, King Sombra lit up his horn to see what happened, in the middle of the hole where the pool of magic was, was a unicorn stallion. It shuddered and opened its eyes. 

King Sombra ran into the pit and said to his new creation, "rise my new military commander..."

The new stallion said in a voice slightly deeper than Shining Armor, "who are you? What am I?" 

King Sombra smiled and said, "I am king Sombra, your Leader and King. You are a commander in my military." 

The stallion nodded his head, "yes. That sounds about right... what is my purpose?

King Sombra said in his evil voice, "You are my Weapon against the light, you are the dark sword that destroys everything good in the world. Do you have a name for yourself?" 

Suddenly the Stallion's eyes narrowed and he said, "I am the Military Commander of King Sombra! My name is..." 

he ignited his horn and a cutie Mark of a razor sword appeared on his flank, "SHADOW ARMOR!"

Nocturne looked on with fear at Shadow Armor's form, he was covered in steel gray fur, which was covering up lean and powerful muscles. His Wild, unkept mane was blood red and had shades of dark green in it. His eyes were crimson, and were filled with Dark Magic. 

King Sombra laughed and said, "soon my Knight in Shadow Armor, I will send you on a mission for me." 

Shadow Armor snarled a response, "What is it master?"

King Sombra took out a photo of a pony and showed it to his new minion. "I want you to find this pony and bring it to me, ALIVE."

Shadow Armor bared his teeth, "and what should I do if anyone gets in my way?"

King Sombra whispered into his dark knight's ear. "Kill Them."

Shadow Armor smiled and said, "as you command my king!" With that, Shadow Armor ran up the stairs with the picture in his mouth. The picture was of Twilight Sparkle!

Nocturne was terrified. She ran off to her quarters and began to write quickly.

"Dear Princess Celestia and Luna, 

"This is Nocturne, The personal advisor to King Sombra. Before you toss this letter into the trash, I have something to tell you..."

"I bring grave news! King Sombra has unleashed a terrible monster on Equestria. It wears the face of Prince  Shining Armor, and it is hunting Twilight Sparkle."

"He plans to capture Twilight and bring her back to Sombra's castle in the Frozen North. Send all the best guards you have to Twilight's home. Trust me on this one, I may work for King Sombra, but I am not a liar."

"From, 
Nocturne."

With that, Nocturne used King Sombra's scroll sender and sent the message to Princess Celestia. 

"If Celestia cannot defeat him, then heaven help us..."
> Chapter 11: Day 3, Element of Generosity
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

(Twilight Sparkle's Castle, Basement) 

Twilight Sparkle woke up again, this time hearing a loud buzzing sound followed by several banging noises. She knew Burning Star was the source of it and walked downstairs, her mane was a mess. She followed the sounds into the basement, and knocked on the door. 

"Burning Star! Knock it off! It's 4:30 in the morning." Twilight said, putting her hooves to her ears, trying to block out the ear-piercing noise. 

The screeching sound stopped, and Burning Star opened the door, he was wearing welding goggles. 

"Oh, sorry about that Twilight. I was working on my gift I was going to give to the Cutie Mark Crusaders... You need something?" 

Twilight Sparkle let curiosity get the better of her as she asked, "Can I see what you're working on in there?" 

Burning Star looked perplexed, "You want to see my inventions? Are you sure about that Twilight? Some of the stuff in here is pretty dangerous."

Twilight puffed out her chest and said, "I'm an Alicorn princess," she walked inside. "I think I can handle anything that... you... have."

Those words died in her mouth as a rack with a dragon skeleton was hanging in front of her, his teeth were as long as Twilight was tall. All around her, there were pieces of technology strewn on the wall and floor.

She gasped out and said, "how did you get ALL of this down here without me noticing?" 

Burning Star said in the most smug tone he could, "I have my ways Twilight... I have my ways..." 

Twilight Sparkle looked on the rack up against the wall, there was a cover on something obviously made of some sort of metal. Burning Star wrapped it up in thick rope with his magic and brought a large freight cart out. He then picked up the gifts with his magic and lowered them into the cart. He then cast a teleportation spell and it landed outside. 

Twilight Sparkle asked her companion, "sooooo, what are those gifts exactly?" 

Burning Star gave Twilight Sparkle a smug grin, "you see soon enough, I recall that you asked me about how I came to be King Sombra's student yes?"

Twilight nodded and pulled out a pen and paper, "yes. Are you ready to tell me more about your past? You left off at Romane Fire being taken from your village."

Burning Star inhaled, "Yes. Groups from all sides wanted the last of the Romane Fire. But, we wouldn't give up without a fight. My parents assembled a rebellion and we fought back against the Changelings. The battle was long and there were many casualties on both sides. I even went hoof to hoof with their Queen!" 

Burning Star's mane was about to ignite, so Twilight stepped back. "But the queen did something that made me who I am today... she killed my parents right in front of me." 

Twilight stopped writing as tears started to well up in her eyes. "So what happened afterwards?" 

Burning Star's face contorted into a angry grimace. "That's when IT happened..."

Twilight Sparkle asked her now flaming unicorn companion, "It?" 

Burning Star turned towards the sky and pointed his horn skyward, Twilight took cover as Burning Star inhaled. 

"MY FIRE POWERS FINALLY BLOSSOMED!" He roared as he blasted a giant beam of fire into the air, which detonated mid air and caused a noise that probably woke up everyone in the entire kingdom. 

Burning Star stepped forward with his mane ablaze, "I felt as if I was reborn! I was so full of hatred and anger towards the Changeling Queen, that I lashed out with a blast of fire so intense it incinerated everything in front of it, including the entire village and all the Changelings that Attacked my village. I killed them all without mercy!"

He lifted his horn, eyes full of fire. "And then tore out the Changeling Queen's heart with my horn and smashed it under my hoof!"

Burning Star finally calmed down, his blue eyes welling up with tears, "then... the townsfolk made me the monster. They drove me out and I wandered the wilderness on my own."

Twilight asked her companion, "how old were you when this happened?" 

Burning Star put his head on Twilight Sparkle's shoulder, "I was 18 years old..." 

Twilight Sparkle put her wing around her acquaintance and dried his tears, "it's ok Burning Star... I'm sorry you lost your parents, they must have loved you a lot." 

Burning Star got up and took a deep breath, "They did... thanks Twilight Sparkle... you're the best friend I've ever had." 

(Carousel Boutique, Ponyville)

Burning Star was once again, writing in his notebook with his raven feather pen.

"Day 3"

"After laughing my flanks off with Pinkie Pie yesterday... I'm off to see Rarity, the element of generosity. I remember her, she was the one who walked in on me taking a shower. Hopefully, she did not see my back, then she would know that I'm a..."

Twilight Sparkle pulled on Burning Star's ear, "will you hurry up! Jeez, it feels as if you keep lagging behind me to prevent me from seeing what you're writing." 

To Burning Star, The carousel boutique was a cute little building, with its ribbons and banners on the outside of it, although it was nothing compared to Twilight's castle, it certainly showed that Rarity was a wealthy pony.

Twilight Sparkle opened the door to the dress shop and called out, "Rarity! You here?" 

Burning Star stepped in and was immediately ambushed by three fillies hiding among the dress racks. "Gah!" He said as They jumped on him and tackled him to the ground. 

"Did we get him good?" Said The runt Pegasus known as Scootaloo.

"Yep look at him, he's positively petrified." Said the young unicorn known as Sweetie Belle

"I dare say he's scared senseless. But, why is he glowing?" Said the young earth pony Apple Bloom. 

Twilight Sparkle grabbed the three young ponies before Burning Star ignited his mane and tail.

Burning Star went outside to literally blow off steam, when he returned he approached the fillies and said, "i don't like surprises... I really don't like surprises." 

Rarity entered the main lobby and greeted Twilight warmly, "Twilight darling! Good to see you." She looked over and saw Burning Star standing outside, There were gifts on a cart out there. 

Burning Star saw Rarity come outside to check out what he was towing to the door. Rarity said in a serious tone, "oh... its you." 

Burning Star smirked and said to the alabaster Unicorn, "you enjoy the Show the other day, Rarity?" 

He was rewarded with a slap to the face. 

Rarity huffed out a response. "Oh how rude! To think that I would actually enjoy such a sight of such... vulgarity." 

Burning Star smiled, "anyways... I came to learn about generosity and I came prepared." 

Rarity walked over to the cart and asked, "Dear. What is in here exactly?" 

Burning Star replied in a kind tone, "a few gifts for the Cutie Mark Crusaders. Where are the little fillies?" 

Rarity shouted inside, "Sweetie Belle! Scootaloo! Apple Bloom! Burning Star has some gifts for you!"

Within seconds, the Three little ponies rushed out the door and stopped in front of Burning Star. 

Burning Star picked up a box wrapped in a red ribbon and gave it to Apple Bloom. "Here you go, a box of Crystal Apple Seeds as well as a guide as to how to plant them. These things are really tasty, they also make really strong cider, even Rainbow Dash would keel over from the cider these things can be turned into." 

Apple Bloom gave Burning Star's leg a hug, "Thanks Mister! Maybe your not as bad as the rumors say..." 

Burning Star leaned in and asked, "Rumors?" 

Apple Bloom nodded, "yep. Some ponies said that you destroyed the path leading to the Everfree Forest as well as smashed the Ponyville gate. That wasn't you?" 

Burning Star shook his head, then moved on to Sweetie Belle, "I wanted to give you this Sweetie Belle." He said as he pulled a bag out of the freight cart and gave it to her. "This is a bag of Firebrand Gems from my home, we had tons of these lying around so I wanted to give them to you."

Sweetie Belle Looked into the bag and saw a small pile of red-orange gems. She smiled with glee, "thanks Mr Burning Star!" 

Scootaloo walked up to Burning Star and said, "what about me?" 

Burning Star said to the little Pegasus, "unfortunately I don't have my gift for you here. Its back at the castle."

Scootaloo bent down and went into a running position, "I will race you there!" 

Burning Star went into the same position and the two sprinted off towards Twilight's Castle.

Rarity walked over to Twilight and said, "He certainly is learning fast. I'm impressed darling. You're teaching this fire unicorn to cool it." 

She leaned in closer to Twilight's face, "I think he also "likes" you." 

Twilight blushed, "well... I wouldn't say that yet! But, there are hints that he does. I'm just not sure that he is ready to admit it yet..."

(Twilight's Castle, Backyard)

Scootaloo reached the backyard first, Burning Star close behind her. She saw a large metal rack with a cover over it. When Burning Star caught up she said, "what is that?" 

Burning Star walked over to the metal rack and grabbed the cover. "Well I heard that you can't fly because your wings aren't growing correctly. So, i decided that my gift to you would be extra special. Well I thought that I could lend a hoof. Since you're all giving me back my life. I would repay you..."

Scootaloo was practically smiling ear to ear, "What's under the sheet? What do you mean you can fix my wings?"  

Burning Star grabbed the cover and pulled it off the rack, revealing a pair of metallic plates. "By giving you back the skies!" 

Scootaloo's jaw dropped and her eyes went wide, sitting in front of her was a pair of metallic wings! 

"A-a-are those wings for me!" She said, eyes wide.

Burning Star unhooked the wings, there appeared to be metal needles attached to the bottom of the wing shafts. "These are still experimental, but these are wings that were crafted to allow other ponies other than Pegasi and Alicorns, to fly. It's called the Magitek Aerial Movement Augments, or M.A.M.A for short." 

Scootaloo looked confused, "so, how are these going to let me fly?"

Burning Star said with some concern in his voice, "if you let me, I will augment these to your existing wing nerves and the magitek wire will attach them to your spine. You'll be able to control them as if they were actual natural wings! But, it's going to hurt a lot. You sure you want to do this?" 

Scootaloo turned to Burning Star and said, "yes! I want to fly. I wanted to fly for so long and now you're saying that these metal wings can let me fly? I'll do it!" 

Burning Star winced, realizing what he was about to do, he saw Twilight and Rarity as well as Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle run up to him. 

Rarity said in a worried tone, "what are you doing to Scootaloo?" 

She looked at the metal wings in Burning Star's magic grasp, "what are those?" 

Burning Star said with pride, "these are magitek wings, they would let non-Pegasi fly, but I modified them for Scootaloo. She was just about ready to let me implant them when you showed up."

Twilight Sparkle pushed Burning Star backwards, "What! Implant! Like these things are going to dig into Scootaloo's flesh?! That sounds painful!"

Burning Star nodded, "yes. Extremely painful, but they will work. Are you ready Scootaloo?" 

The orange pegasus nodded, putting on a brace face, "if I have to go through extreme pain to be able to fly, so be it."

Burning Star lifted the wings over Scootaloo's wing stubs and closed his eyes as he shoved them into the wing stubs. 

Scootaloo contorted in agony as the Magitek dug under her skin and into her flesh. She was crying from the pain. Rarity tried to go help, but Burning Star blocked her.

"No! If we stop now, Scootaloo could be paralyzed! We need to keep going!"

The magitek wings fit tight over Scootaloo's stubs as they sat limp and Scootaloo collapsed, before struggling to her feet. 

Burning Star asked the orange pegasus, "You ok Scootaloo?"

Scootaloo tried to flap her wings, they went up and down, smoothly and fluidly. Twilight's jaw was on the floor, she couldn't believe it. 

Burning Star approached Scootaloo and said carefully, "now I need to run a few tests to see if they are properly coupled to your spine, so don't move..."

Scootaloo was overjoyed that she had wings and she said while flapping for takeoff, "ALRIGHT!" Scootaloo said, taking off with a burst of wind. 

She dashed in and out of the clouds, "this is awesome! This is amazing! I can fly! I can actually fly!" 

Burning Star smiled and said to Rarity, "did I pass?"

Rarity said, tears in her eyes, "you got a perfect score." 

With that, Burning Star gave her a hug, and then walked towards the door of the castle. 

Twilight asked him, "where are you going?!"

Burning Star responded, "I'm going to bed. I'm bushed..."

Twilight laughed and watched Scootaloo do loops and dives before landing in front of her, her new magitek wings folded up as if they were real. 

Scootaloo said to Twilight and her friends, "I'm going to go flying some more! I'll see you in the morning!"

Twilight Sparkle walked inside after saying goodbye to Rarity and the other fillies, she caught Burning Star looking at Scootaloo from his balcony. 

Twilight said to her very kind, very generous companion, "you did good Burning Star... you did good."

Burning Star turned towards Twilight and said, "I know. But you're the one who taught me..." 

Suddenly, Twilight got a full on kiss from Burning Star! He then left the balcony and went into the bathroom to take a shower. Twilight Sparkle just stood there, stunned.

"Uh... thanks Burning Star... oooh..." Twilight said, blushing hard enough for her face to be confused with Big Macintosh's.
> Chapter 12: Shadow of the Sun!
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

(Canterlot Castle, Grand Balcony)

Luna was worried sick, it has been days since Celestia spoke to her about something other than Burning Star or Twilight Sparkle. And even then, she always brought the conversation back to the two ponies she obsessed over. 

Celestia wasn't well, she still raised the sun every morning and addressed her subjects routinely, but she seemed more cold, more unfeeling every day that passed. Dignitaries were uneasy around the formerly friendly and happy princess of the sun. 

Luna finally got the guts to ask Celestia, "Sister, are you feeling well? You have not touched your food in minutes." 

Celestia looked at her sister with the eyes of a pony that had seen true terror, before looking at her food and chowing down. 

Luna looked at Celestia, seeing the state she was in, her mane had lost most of its luster, it still flowed like it usually did, but it looked faded. Celestia's normally cheerful grin was replaced by a stone faced expression you would see on some punk ponies that hung out around the taverns. Her wings looked faded as well, as she hadn't paid much attention to grooming herself to look presentable. 

Luna walked over to her sister and said in a calming voice, "Sister? Is something wrong? 

Celestia nodded her head, putting her hooves to the side of her face and saying, "Oh lulu... I've just been thinking about Twilight. I've been seeing visions of a flaming pony torching all of Equestria. That has to be Burning Star, I'm sure of it!" 

Luna said to her sister, "I am sure they are just nightmares. You haven't been taking care of yourself, and you look exhausted. Why don't you go to bed early, I'll take care of the rest of your duties for tonight." 

Celestia yawned out a response, "Ok Luna... you know best when it comes to nightly duties. I'll see you in the morning."

Luna sat on her sisters throne, pondering whether or not to tell her where Burning Star was. What would Celestia do? 

Would she kill him? 

Would she banish him and reprimand Twilight? 

She didn't know. 

"I have to speak with Burning Star in the dream realm again, maybe he can come in and resolve this issue." Luna said as she closed her eyes and entered the dream realm.

(The Dream Realm, Burning Star's Dream)

Luna appeared once again in a black void, she shouted into the darkness. "Burning Star! Where are you?" 

She felt hot breath behind her and turned around, she saw nothing. Luna turned back to facing forward, and saw Burning Star up in her face.

"Boo." He said, smiling a wicked smile.

Luna fell on her flanks as Burning Star stood in front of her, laughing his head off. 

Luna said in her most calm voice possible, "Why must you do that constantly!"

Burning Star leaned in and said, "Because I can, Luna. Also, its funny to see you freak out like that, it really tickles my fancy."

Luna rolled her eyes, and said to him. "You know it's getting really hard lying to my sister that I don't know where you are, you're going to have to confront her eventually."

Burning Star smirked, "Maybe, I'll think about it Luna. So, did you want to see what I've been doing recently?" 

Luna smiled, "I saw your show at Pinkie Pie's place, that made me laugh so hard I nearly wet myself! How did you get that Changeling Dust anyways?" 

Burning Star shrugged, "I once had a friend who was a changeling, she gave it to me as a reward for doing her a favor, I stopped an angry mob from killing her, even though she did nothing wrong. Let's just say they didn't like the idea of being incinerated by a walking torch..."

Luna looked confused, "I thought you disliked Changelings immensely."

Burning Star nodded, "I do now... but she was... different. She made me happy, and I gave her love."

Burning Star's dream world sparked to life and showed a flashback to him giving Scootaloo the Magitek wings, "I did something good today Luna. I helped a Young Pegasus runt who would never fly due to her wings being too small, by giving her wings that were fitting for her."

Luna shed a tear as she watched Scootaloo take off for the first time, seeing how happy she was. "I must agree with you on that one, you did something that only a close friend would do. But I'm guessing you know why I'm here yes?" 

Burning Star nodded and pulled a letter out of his cloak pockets, "Yes. You were wondering about this huh?" 

He opened it, "This is letter from King Sombra's Advisor, an earth pony called Nocturne. She said that King Sombra has released a psychotic pony named Shadow Armor to hunt down Twilight Sparkle."

Luna looked both confused and shocked, "What is Shadow Armor?" 

Burning Star responded, "Apparently he is an evil clone of Shining Armor, how cliche to make an evil doppelgänger... But I should have figured that he would do this... He needed to create somepony to lead his army and he needed Twilight on his side, and who better to bring her to his side than somepony Twilight trusts?" 

Luna picked up the letter and read it for herself, before dropping it to the ground. "This is terrible! If my sister saw this she would..."

Burning Star cut in, "Let me guess... Her fragile state of mind that I unintentionally caused, would snap and she would become something that couldn't be stopped. You would have to put her down for good, Luna. And I know what that feels like, losing your friends to your rage and insanity. I've experienced it before, and I do not want to experience it again."

Luna grabbed Burning Star's cloak and tugged on it, "By the way, What's under this thing? You have gone through a lot of trouble to hide whatever is under here."

Burning Star pried the moon princess's hoof off of his cloak and said, "Don't touch that! I will unveil my secret in due time. For now, I recommend that you try your best to keep Celestia away from anything relating to King Sombra, Twilight, and me. Heaven help us if she snapped and burns the kingdom to the ground." 

Luna sensed a great evil approaching in the real world, she said to her Fire Unicorn Acquaintance "You feel that Burning Star?"

Burning Star shuddered, "Yep! That's the energy of Dark Magic alright! This Shadow Armor must be close, you should get back to reality and defeat him before Celestia sees him." 

Luna looked at Burning Star and said goodbye before leaving the dream realm, arming herself in the armor that her evil side Nightmare Moon wore. 

She said with determination in her voice, "You won't harm anypony you dark imitation!"

Shadow Armor had snuck into Celestia's bedroom, he figured that this would be where Twilight would be, as she was a princess and lived in a castle. 

He opened the balcony window and slipped in, generating a brutal spiked sword from dark magic. He cursed under his own breath when he saw the crest of a sun instead of Twilight's purple Star above the bed.

"Damn! Wrong Castle." 

Shadow Armor ripped the covers off of Celestia's sleeping form, "This must be Princess Celestia, as King Sombra told me of her... I guess I'll settle with killing the princess of the sun then... King Sombra should be able to defeat the princess of the moon easily." 

Celestia obviously heard him and woke up just as Shadow Armor was going to slit her throat. She blasted him off and knocked him through the door, landing in the hallway. She flew out, the fire of hatred in her eyes. 

"Assassin! You dare to attack me, the princess of the Sun!" Celestia roared in the Royal Canterlot voice. 

Shadow Armor's eyes began to glow green as chunks of the floor were ripped free, he roared back "Die Princess of the Sun! I am Shadow Armor, dark knight of the Shadow King!" as he sent the chunks of the floor flying towards the White Alicorn. 

Celestia blocked his onslaught of attacks with a red shield, before charging and slamming him through the wall into the rebuilt Throne room. Now it had to be rebuilt... again.

She screamed at the dark copy of Twilight's brother. "You die first imposter!" As she blasted him with a laser beam of pure plasma. 

Shadow Armor put a shield up, but it broke and his body skidded across the floor. He looked up, seeing Celestia's mane and tail on fire, eyes red with rage! 

Celestia roared sending the loose objects in the room flying, "I am not going to stand idly by as Equestria loses order! If they won't worship me, then they will FEAR ME!"

Luna rushed into her sisters bedroom, seeing the hole in the walls and floor. She ran back to the throne room and saw her worst nightmare.

Before her stood a White Alicorn mare coated in fire. Her eyes burned with hate and fury, she wore red spiked armor and had a crimson red crown atop her head. Her eyes had turned bright yellow as well...



Shadow Armor looked on with fear as the Fire-coated Alicorn stepped forward and lifted him into the air with her magic. 

The Alicorn roared, "If King Sombra wants a war, then he will get one, he will not face Celestia, no no, he will face me! DAYBREAKER!"

Shadow Armor looked terrified as Daybreaker snarled in his face, "Now get out of my sight you dark copy!" 

With that, Daybreaker threw the Dark Unicorn through the front door of the castle and clear over the horizon. 

Daybreaker turned around and said to Luna. "Oh, There you are Sister. Hello Luna! Do you like the new and improved me? I'm better prettier, and more powerful than ever before!"

Daybreaker smiled a wicked smile, "Why haven't I thought of this before? Equestria needs authority, and I am able to dish out my authority upon those ungrateful ponies. so if you step out of line Luna or try to get in my way... I'll banish you to the moon again, and let you rot there until the end of time!" 

Daybreaker laughed an insane and mad laugh before flying out the door, heading towards the Crystal Empire. 

Luna feared for the safety of the Kingdom, and summoned a scroll, and addressed it to Burning Star. 

"Dear Burning Star,"

"You were right! My sister has lost her mind! She has transformed into a demonic Alicorn known as Daybreaker! I'll explain it more if you allow me to come to Twilight's castle personally. Until then, be careful out there, who knows what Daybreaker would do to Ponyville if she found out you were there. She would probably torch the town and everything around it, until she knew you were dead."

"Signed,"
Princess Luna"

She wrapped the scroll up and sealed it before sending it to Burning Star. 

She sat down on her bed and cried into her pillow.

"Oh sister, I hope that i will not have to destroy you or banish you, please let you come to your senses."
> Chapter 13: Day 4, the Element of Loyalty
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

(Castle Nevermore, King Sombra's Bedchamber)

King Sombra was sitting on the edge of his bed, looking frustrated. He heard of Shadow Armor's defeat at the hooves of Celestia and he was taking out his aggression on his chair. 

Nocturne walked in to see her king throw his chair out the window, then hearing a crash as it fell to pieces when it hit the side of the mountain. 

King Sombra stomped around the room, "Argh! I ask my new servant to do one thing, and he screws up." Sombra said, "Granted, it was Celestia. so I should not be so harsh on him..."

Nocturne gave the King a newspaper, saying "My king, you may want to look at this."

King Sombra opened up the newspaper and began to read, Nocturne was about to leave the room to go get some more coffee for King Sombra, when he asked her. "Nocturne? Why does this pony look familiar?"

Nocturne picked up the newspaper and opened it up. Inside was a picture of an white Alicorn, it had flames coming out the top of its head and tail. 

She responded, "I would have said that is your student Burning Star due to the Fire coming off him, but then I saw the wings and fur color."

King Sombra looked closer at the picture, "It kind of looks like Celestia... if Celestia lost her mind and went all Nightmare Moon like her sister did..."

Nocturne cut in, "If Celestia went into something similar to Nightmare Moon, what would she be called exactly?"

Suddenly, the giant doors at the front of the throne room flew open, and Shadow Armor limped in, bleeding from his head and side. 

He said in a pained voice loud enough for King Sombra to hear, "Daybreaker... her name is Daybreaker. I'm sorry my king, I've failed you."

Nocturne noticed the shadowy knight was bleeding and ran over to him, "Shadow Armor! Your hurt. Who did this to you?" 

King Sombra noticed that Shadow Armor was in the room and said, "Shadow Armor! How did you lose to Celestia?!" 

He saw the wounds on his military commander's body and immediately lowered his voice, "Oh... that doesn't look good." 

King Sombra whistled and a pair of servants appeared, "Take Shadow Armor to the Infirmary quickly! Don't let him die or you'll be dead soon after!" 

With that, Shadow Armor said to his king, "Daybreaker is too strong my king, if you go after her, she will kill you to."

King Sombra put a hoof on Shadow Armor's head, "I know that, tend to your wounds, I'll deal with this later."

The two servants led the Black knight to the infirmary, then Nocturne looked at her king in shock. 

"What do mean "later", my king? Isn't the situation at hand more important?" 

King Sombra shot his advisor a deadly glare. "No, I've got to find a way to gain an advantage over Celestia and Luna... tell me Nocturne, other than Twilight Sparkle or her infuriating brother, who is the most Combat ready pony in Ponyville?"

Nocturne thought for a moment, then said, "Not many of the elements of harmony can fight effectively, but I would probably pick Rainbow Dash. Though, I've never really seen her fight anypony."

King Sombra smiled, "Anything else you can tell me about her? Where she lives? what Does she like?" 

Nocturne said, trying to not slap King Sombra because he was being obsessive again,  "She is a Pegasus, my king. She probably lives in Cloudsdale. She boasts that she is the fastest flier in all of Equestria." 

King Sombra didn't need to hear anymore and transformed into his Shadow Form. 

He said, "Fastest Flier in Equestria? Bull crap, my old Pegasus captain Thunder Fury was the fastest, not this multicolored mess."

"I will blend in as a storm cloud. Pegasi are known to change the weather around Equestria, so a storm cloud out of nowhere would certainly cause her to come right to me..." 

Nocturne gave King Sombra some advice, "Don't draw too much attention to yourself! Just brainwash the mare and get out of there!" 

King Sombra nodded and flew out the window, heading towards Cloudsdale, 

"Soon I will catch this little Pegasus and turn her into my slave... and no one can stop me."

King Sombra laughed, and sped off towards the Cloud City.

(Twilight Sparkle's Castle, Twilight's room) 

Twilight Sparkle woke slowly, she heard no loud noises, no cracking of stone, nothing. She got up and looked into Burning Star's room. He looked as if he was still sleeping. 

Twilight sighed, "Finally... he's getting some rest. Thank Celestia..." 

Twilight walked over to his bed and saw a little note on it. She read it, 

"Dear Twilight Sparkle,

"I left you this note for when you woke up, I've gone to Cloudsdale on my own to learn about Loyalty from your friend Rainbow Dash."

I apologize in advance if I snap her in two because she really, REALLY, bugs me. I'm fine with a little pride... but she can be ridiculous sometimes."

I also brought Scootaloo with me, I figured that Rainbow Dash could see my work as a demonstration of loyalty."

"With love, 
Burning Star."

Twilight crumpled the note in her magical grasp and screamed,  Letting it echo throughout the castle.

"BURNING STAR!"

(Equestrian Sky) 

Rainbow Dash flew through the skies, blazing past the clouds above Ponyville and punching holes in the clouds as she looped and dove in the air. "Oh Yeah! My day off! I wonder what I'll do today... maybe go to Sweet Apple Acres and get some fresh Cider? Head to Rarity's place and see what she's doing?" 

Rainbow Dash yawned, "Or I could just nap back at home..." she said as she blasted towards her home, not noticing the large greyish thundercloud in front of her. 

She stopped dead and looked at it confused, "Huh? That's strange, there was no Thunderstorms scheduled for today... I guess it's just a stray cloud." 

Rainbow Dash sped off, and the grey cloud began following her.

Rainbow Dash turned around, seeing the Cloud behind her, "Is that cloud following me? Clouds don't have brains, right?" 

She flew forwards, the cloud mimicking her movements. The Cyan sweared that she saw a evil face on the cloud before it lit up with lightning. 

Rainbow Dash shrieked, "Holy crap! it's a evil cloud! I'm outta here." 

She booked it for the back window of her home, then the cloud grabbed her and pulled her into darkness. 

(Cloudsdale, Rainbow Dash's house)

Burning Star arrived at the house of the supposed "Fastest Flier in Equestria" and knocked on the door. 

"Hello? Rainbow Dash? You home? I did not come ALL the way up here to wait around all day."

Scootaloo walked over to him and said, "She's probably sleeping, Pegasi sleep during the hot hours of the day."

Burning Star facehoofed, then pulled out his raven feather pen and his notebook 

"Day 4, The Element of Loyalty"

"Yesterday was my best demonstration of friendship when I visited Rarity, I gave the three fillies known as Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo (aka the Cutie Mark Crusaders) gifts. I know that I was kind of bribing them, but I don't care, I passed."

I gave Apple Bloom a box full of Crystal Apple seeds, I gave Sweetie Belle a bag full of Firebrand Gems from my hometown. But my best gift was for Scootaloo, I finally made good use of the magitek wings I found! thanks to my help, Scootaloo now can fly with great ease, and she seems much happier because of it. Maybe one day I'll show her that I'm a..."

Scootaloo tugged on Burning Star's Tail, "Burning Star? Do you see that ominous cloud above us?"

Burning Star put away his writing materials and looked up, he ignited his horn and said, "Scootaloo! Get out of here! I don't want you getting hurt."

Scootaloo nodded and flew off, leaving contrails of air as she flew through the skies faster than anypony had seen before. 

Burning Star narrowed his eyes as the dark cloud flew away and down to the ground, he knew who it was and he teleported down. 

"Alright Shadow King! Let's see what you got!"

(???) 

Rainbow Dash awoke in her cloud bed, it was pitch black outside. "Ugh, did Celestia forget to raise the sun or something?" 

Rainbow Dash said, shaking her head. She hovered into her living room and sat on her couch. She tried to reach for a light, but she found none. 

Rainbow Dash flew outside, all she saw was a black void. "Weird... I wonder if I'm dreaming? Do I normally dream of black abysses?"

All of a sudden, a deep voice pierced the darkness. "Oh i assure you Rainbow Dash..." 

Rainbow Dash turned around and her face went from soft cyan to stark white with fear. She backed up and fell on her flanks.

Before her stood a dark stallion she never thought would be seen again, King Sombra!  

"This is no Dream!" The dark king said, causing Rainbow Dash to scream. 

Rainbow Dash put on a brave face and said, "King Sombra! That's impossible! You're Dead! I saw you shatter into pieces thanks to the Crystal Heart."

King Sombra said in a scary tone, "Did you really think that the Crystal Heart actually destroyed me for good? You must be joking. A pony of my strength, destroyed by that weak artifact? Hah!"

The Shadow King laughed, sending chills down the normally brave Pegasus's spine. 

"But I'm here for you, my sweet Rainbow Dash. You're the fastest flier in Equestria. And, I've heard you are quite the fighter as well..."

Rainbow Dash raised an eyebrow, "Go on..."

King Sombra knew what he was doing, he was playing on Rainbow Dash's Ego in order to get her to drop her guard. 

He seized the opportunity and lunged at Rainbow Dash, locking eyes with her. "I can help you become faster, stronger, and all you have to do is become my slave... what do you say?"

Rainbow Dash was struggling to look away from King Sombra, she knew what he was doing. 

She wasn't as magically knowledgeable as Twilight Sparkle, but she knew of mind control spells. "Stop it! I'm no ones slave!"

King Sombra whispered into the cyan Pegasus's ear, "i know little mare, you will only be MY slave..."

Suddenly, a bright light blew away the darkness around King Sombra as Burning Star blasted a stream of fire at his ex mentor, knocking him to the ground. 

King Sombra got up and roared at his former student, "YOU! YOU BETRAYED ME! After all I've given you! You stab me in the back?!"

Burning Star spat back with his own venomous tone, "Excuse Me?! I betrayed you?! You betrayed me when you picked Twilight over me! Was my magical expertise not enough for you?!"

Rainbow Dash flapped her wings and struggled to hover in the air, she looked confused as the two unicorns shouted at each other. 

King Sombra blasted a bolt of black lightning at Burning Star, "I treated you like my son! I trained you, raised you, gave you these amazing abilities."

Burning Star blocked and blasted King Sombra with a stream of red lighting bolts. "While you did do that, You were planning on killing me when you transformed Twilight into your "Queen of Shadows." Don't lie to me, you never loved me..."

King Sombra unleashed a shockwave that knocked Rainbow Dash and Burning Star down, "ENOUGH! I'll kill you both now, since my plan failed. If I can't have this one, no one will!"

The Dark king created a giant executioner axe and swung it high over his head. 

"DIE!"

As Burning Star was about to meet a gruesome end, a silver and orange blur dived out of the sky spinning like a drill.

Rainbow Dash looked up at King Sombra as the silver and orange blur, dived out of the sky.

it was Scootaloo?! 

The orange Pegasus collided with King Sombra, a audible roar was heard as the Pegasus's metal wings acted like sharp Blades as they slashed through Sombra's armor and cut into his skin. 

King Sombra sank to his knees as blood poured out of deep cuts on his left side, he screamed at the orange Pegasus.

"Not bad, I see that you have gotten some wings now... I must say you really hurt me. But I'll be back for you Little Mares..." He said as he entered his shadow form and fled the scene. 

Rainbow Dash got to her feet, seeing her biggest fan standing in front of her with silver wings of metal, a look of seriousness on her face.

The cyan Pegasus said in disbelief, "Scoots? Is that you?"

Scootaloo nodded and wiped the dark red blood off the metal feathers on her wings with her hooves. 

She walked over to Rainbow Dash and said, "Look Rainbow Dash! I've got Wings! Real wings now! Well there not natural wings like yours, but I can fly now! Look!" 

Scootaloo took off with a gust of wind, doing loops and dives before landing with a bang, sending Rainbow Dash flying.

Rainbow Dash rushed over to Scootaloo and hugged her with her wings and hooves, "Oh Scootaloo... who gave these to you?" 

The orange Pegasus pointed to the jet black unicorn, "Burning Star did! He gave me some Magitek Wings, now I can fly really fast like you!"

Rainbow Dash lifted Burning Star to his feet and said, "Is this true? You gave these to Scoots?" 

Burning Star said weakly, "Yeah. I figured I would give her the skies back to her, since I'm supposed to be generous... does this mean I passed the loyalty test?" 

Rainbow Dash hugged Burning Star and cried tears of joy into his shoulder, "yeah... you passed. And you have my thanks for saving my life."

Burning Star hugged the cyan Pegasus back, "I'm just trying to be a good friend... I don't need praise for doing my job."

With that, Scootaloo flew off into the sunset like a true hero, Rainbow Dash took off after her.

"I'll tell Twilight that you passed! See ya later!"

Burning Star sighed, "Only one left... and this is going to be tough." 

With that, he teleported back to Twilight's castle, before collapsing on the doorstep, Twilight saw her student hurt and run outside. 

She said to him, "Where were you?! What happened?!"

Burning Star said, wincing in pain, "I'm sorry I left without your permission Twilight... but i needed to face Rainbow Dash alone. Unfortunately for the both of us, King Sombra showed up and tried to corrupt her as well. I managed to distract him long enough for Scootaloo to land a clean blow to his left side, carving him up like a Hearth's Warming eve Turkey. He escaped though..." 

Twilight Sparkle lifted him up and saw the cuts and burns on his body, "You're hurt pretty badly, I need to tend to your wounds quickly."

Burning Star leaned up to Twilight's face and kissed her full on the lips! 

"Thanks Twilight, you're the best..."

Twilight Sparkle blushed, "I... I... know that."

With that said, Twilight carried her wounded friend inside and closed the door and did the logical thing, she locked the door.
> Chapter 14: Wrath of the Sun Empress!
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

(Castle Nevermore, King Sombra's Throne Room)

Nocturne paced back and forth nervously, she had gotten a note from one of King Sombra's Spies in Equestria, Her king had been badly wounded. 

Nocturne said to herself, "Please come back to me, my king..."

Shadow Armor stood beside her, wounds fully healed, thanks to a healing factor King Sombra gave him. 

He put a hoof on Nocturne's back and said, "King Sombra will return, and he will be fine Nocturne. If he could go hoof to hoof with Celestia and Luna 1000 years ago, he can certainly survive a beating from a Pegasus."

King Sombra transformed back into his Pony form, and knocked on the door before yelling in pain, "Nocturne! Help me..."

Nocturne heard the voice of her king and opened the door to find him on his knees, bleeding from the left side and scarred across the face. 

"My king! You're hurt badly! What happened?!

King Sombra replied and coughed up blood, "I went up against my old student and I nearly beat him, before a Pegasus with metal wings dived out of the sky and sliced me open for dinner... I'm lucky I put up a shield before any critical damage was done."

Shadow Armor ran over as well, he uses his magic to scan Sombra's body. 

He then gritted his teeth and said, "Judging from your wounds my king, if you didn't put up that shield you would had been eviscerated." 

Nocturne cringed at that fact before Shadow Armor said that, she helped pry King Sombra's chest armor off, it fell into two perfectly sliced pieces. There was blood matted to his dark gray fur. 

Nocturne finally said in a shaky voice. "My King, while we have the tools to heal Shadow Armor, your his wounds were much less severe, I'm afraid that the only place that is equipped to handle this is The Crystal Empire."

King Sombra growled, "Hah! That aggravating Prince Shining Armor and that love drunk princess Cadence would never help me, They would let me die."

Shadow Armor ignited his horn and prepared a teleportation spell, 

"Then I will kill them as well."

Nocturne put bandages around King Sombra's chest to try and hold off the bleeding for now, and Shadow Armor teleported the three to the Crystal Castle's front gate. 

Immediately, the guards spotted King Sombra and yelled for reinforcements. 

They opened the gate and came out, spears pointed at the three. "I'd never thought I would see the day that King Sombra would return, you're under arrest!"

The Black Knight gritted his teeth, "This is a waste of my time. Out of my way." Shadow Armor blasted the both of them with a shockwave, and then turned his horn towards the giant crystal wood door. He noticed a bright red light off in the distance, he cursed under his breath. 

"This Prince Shining Armor has to be as powerful as they say, because if he isn't... this kingdom will burn..."

(The Crystal Castle, Main Throne Room)

Shining Armor and Princess Cadence were talking with one of the delegates, Shining was obviously bored out of his mind. He was still on edge about a few nights ago, and Queen Chrysalis's intrusion didn't help at all.

Cadence poked Shining with her horn, "Hey! Pay attention Shining. This is important, apparently there is a sudden drought in the southern villages."

All of a sudden, the giant crystal doors were blown open as a Steel Gray Unicorn followed by a Dark blue earth pony who was carrying a familiar dark gray unicorn stallion rushed into the throne room. The Royal Guards rushed the intruders, but were blown back by a shockwave from Steel Gray Unicorn's horn.

Shining Armor got up and shouted, "What's the meaning of this?!" 

He noticed the face of the Shadow King, King Sombra, he was laying on the back of the earth pony mare. The earth pony laid King Sombra on the floor, he tried to stand, but collapsed in pain.

"Who the hell are you?" Shining said as he stared at the Steel Gray unicorn in armor. 

Shadow Armor glared back at his original source. 

"My name is Shadow Armor, I'm the military commander of the mighty King Sombra, and the superior version of you."

Shining Armor snarled, "You're a faker!"

Shadow Armor spat back, frustration in his voice, "Faker? I think you're the fake Shining Armor around here. Your comparing yourself to me? Hah! You're not even good enough to be my fake!"

Shining Armor snorted like a actual horse and charged down his mortal enemy. 

"I'll make you eat those words!" He said, fury in his eyes. 

Shadow Armor rushed his look-alike, "you won't even get the chance!" The two unicorns locked horns, trying to overpower the other. 

Shining Armor was forced back. He fired a blue laser beam of magic, Shadow Armor countered with a dark purple one. 

Shadow Armor snarled, "Not Bad, for and imposter. But I'm still better."

Shining Armor charged Shadow Armor again, He was stopped by a dark green shield of vines.

Cadence looked closely, he looked like a copy of Shining Armor, except... evil and dark. 

Shining Armor looked at his mortal enemy with contempt, he had bandages around his chest and dark red blood leaked from them, he stopped in front of him, then kicked him in the wound, causing the King to get up and growl in pain.

"So! I never thought I'd see the day you would return Sombra! I should have sent soldiers out looking for anything related to you and destroy it."

Cadence looked on as Shining and Sombra stared each other down.

Four years apart had done nothing to lessen the hatred between the two.

Sombra growled, "When did you become so sadistic, Shining Armor? As much as I hate you... I require aid. I'm badly wounded and my servants don't know how to help."

Shining Armor rolled his eyes, "So what! Once you're healed, you'll just try to take over again. Why should I help you?"

Shadow Armor put his hoof on Shining Armor's chest, "Because we bring grave news, you idiot."

Cadence stepped forwards and blocked Her husband from responding. 

"What do you mean by grave news exactly?"

Nocturne stepped forward and said, "A fiery monster is coming to the Crystal Empire. She is hell bent on destroying my king, and she looks very familiar to your precious princess of the sun."

Cadence raised an eyebrow, "What do you mean exactly?"

King Sombra got up and said in the most authoritative tone he could, "You will not talk out of turn, Princess. I am the King!"

Shining Armor screamed at King Sombra, pure anger in his voice.

"NOT HERE!! You are Not king here, and you will never will be king here again!"

Shadow Armor sighed, "Can we please focus on the main issue at hand? A fiery she-beast is heading towards the Crystal Empire right now and we are arguing over who rules the Crystal Empire. Well there is not going to be an Empire if we do not stop her!"

Shadow Armor held out a hoof, "Let's put aside our grudges for now and defeat this monster before she torches the land. You understand me, correct?"

Shadow Armor then turned to Cadence, he sighed. 

He couldn't believe he was lowering himself to the concept of "Negotiation"

"Princess of Love, please get Sombra out of here, he is in no condition to fight."

Cadence nodded and dragged King Sombra towards the rightmost door and pulled him though the hallway.

Shining Armor groaned and shook Shadow Armor's hoof, "Fine. Where is this monster anyways?"

Shadow Armor said with slight edge to his voice, "We still have a little time before she-"

Suddenly, the window above the door burst open and a Fire-covered Alicorn flew in, landing with a fiery crash, Shadow Armor and Shining Amor put up their shields to protect themselves. 

When the fires died, The two unicorns saw the fiery she-Beast, it looked like Princess Celestia! 

Shining Armor looked on with fear, "P-Princess C-Celestia? Is that you?" 

Shining Armor approached the flaming Alicorn, she smiled and ignited her horn.

Shadow Armor grabbed Shining Armor with his magic and dragged him back as the Alicorn unleashed a red laser that tore through the ground. 

Daybreaker smilied and said, "Hello Shining Armor. It is me Celestia! But, I go by Daybreaker now. I'm better, prettier, and more powerful than ever."

Daybreaker walked closer to Shining Armor. "Tell me, Shining. Where's you wife, Cadence? I want to show her who is really in charge here."

Shadow Armor blasted Daybreaker with a bolt of Purple Lightning, "That's none of your concern Daybreaker! Leave now before this gets ugly!" 

Shining Armor saw the fury in Daybreaker's eyes, "Celestia, what happened to you? You were fine the other day..."

Daybreaker flew over to Shining and grabbed his face with her hoof, a soft smile on her face. 

"Nothing's wrong my dear, I just realized that I haven't been exercising my power over this land. So, I decided that I don't need you and Cadence anymore. In fact, I don't need anypony anymore."

Shining Armor felt as if his heart was crushed, "What? What do you mean you don't need us anymore??"

Daybreaker stared at the white unicorn and said in a smug tone, noticing Shadow Armor standing next to Shining Armor.

"I see that you've met your copy Shadow Armor... at least he puts up a fight when he has to, unlike you.. You just put up shields and hide behind them like a coward."

Shining Armor began to cry, "Im not a coward!" 

Shadow Armor scowled at his copy, "Pull yourself together Shining Armor! This isn't Celestia saying this! This is Daybreaker, so stand tall and fight!" 

Daybreaker decided to pour more salt on the wound.

"And, you know what the best part is? Cadence only married you so that she can have a husband. You are nothing more than a figurehead for MY empire! In truth, Chrysalis should have been your wife, at least you would have been useful as her source of FOOD!"

Shadow Armor shouted at Daybreaker, "Chrysalis wasn't only trying to marry Shining Armor because she needed to feed her subjects! She was marrying him because she loved him!"

Daybreaker looked at the Dark Unicorn, a look of bewilderment on her face, "Shadow Armor, you were mortal enemies with Shining Armor and now your best buds? What's gotten into you?"

Shadow Armor blasted Daybreaker with a beam of green energy, which bored through her. 

"Because I'm not Shadow Armor!" 

green fire engulfed Shadow Armor, revealing Queen Chrysalis! 

Shining Armor stared blankly at the Changeling Queen.

"What are you doing here?!"

Chrysalis walked over to Shining Armor and said, "I saw that bright fireball headed your way, and I wanted to help out."

Shining Armor asked, Did you really mean it when you said you loved me not just because you needed to feed your changelings?"

Chrysalis kissed Shining Armor, "Every word is true."

Daybreaker roared in agony as a hole the size of a grapefruit was carved into her chest, it would heal eventually thanks to her healing abilities, but it would take time.

Daybreaker roared in fury, "Queen Chrysalis! I should have known that you would have come to Shining Armor's aid! I guess you obsession with the little idiot actually paid off. I'll make sure I'll destroy your race first!" 

Shining Armor looked around, "Then where is the real Shadow Armor?"

Daybreaker was hit from behind by a beam of Purple Lighting, causing her to crash into the ceiling.

Shadow Armor cried out, "Right Here! Thanks for the assist Queen Chrysalis."

Shining Armor looked confused, "Hold on. I thought you didn't like anything other than King Sombra?"

Shadow Armor answered his question, "I may be a nasty pony, but I still have standards, That includes... Ugh... working together with you, Shining Armor." 

Daybreaker struggled to fly, she said between painful gasps of air. "This isn't over! I'll be back, and I'll destroy everything you care about!" 

She laughed like a maniac and flew off, dodging various bursts of green energy balls.

Chrysalis attempted to take off after her, but Shining Armor stopped her. 

"No. you're currently the only one that's been able to severely injure her, don't do anything foolish."

Shadow Armor nodded, "I have to agree with my inferior copy, you'll get yourself killed." 

Chrysalis looked at Shining Armor, "I'll... get going now."

Shining Armor grabbed the Changeling Queen's hoof, "No, we need you here. I need you here."

Shining Armor pulled her close and kissed her! 

Shadow Armor did the logical thing and turned away, but a slight smile was on his face. 

"So, The Changeling Queen takes the White Knight after all, how unbearably cliché. Fate eventually pushed the two together despite what others thought was forbidden."

Shadow Armor turned his head towards Equestria, "Let's see if the Princess of Friendship and the Ruler of Fire respond to the Empress of the Sun's wrath."
> Chapter 15: Day 5, Element of Honesty
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

(Canterlot Castle, Luna's Room)

Luna was exhausted, ever since Celestia went Daybreaker, she has been rasing both the sun and moon on her own, and keeping watch over Twilight Sparkle and everpony in the Kingdom. Ponies everywhere were terrified of leaving thier homes, even the Royal Guard refused to mobilize. 

Luna yawned, it was nighttime now.

"I need to speak with Burning Star in the dream realm, Maybe he can lend me a hand..." 

Luna heard a familiar voice in her room.

"Or, you can speak to me face to face."

Luna turned around to see Burning Star standing on the Balcony, a concerned look on his face. 

He said to the princess of the moon, "Greetings Luna. I decided to meet you face to face because Daybreaker takes priority over my own fears."

Luna ran over to him and hugged him, wrapping her wings around him.

"Thank Faust you're here! You could not have come at a more urgent time."

Burning Star stopped hugging and walked towards the mirror in Luna's Room. 

"Luna..." He said in a somber tone, something was obviously bothering him.

"Do you think I'm a danger to Equestria because I was King Sombra's student?" 

Luna shook her head, "Not really, you seem to be able to handle yourself well in a fight. We made need that in the near future with Daybreaker AND King Sombra running amok." 

Burning Star walked over to Luna and said, in a sad, depressed tone 

"I'm sorry I attacked you when King Sombra brought me here... i didn't know what I was doing." Burning Star began to well up with tears.

Luna held his face with her hooves, "Don't cry Burning Star. It's not your fault, King Sombra was using you."

Burning Star sniffed up his tears and said, "I've got to learn honesty from Applejack tomorrow, I broke her barn and hurt her brother... I can't face them on my own." 

Luna gave the fire unicorn a small smile and put her hoof on his chest.

"You will do fine, Burning Star. If I know anything about Applejack, is that she can forgive and forget. If you can repay her with some hard work, she will forgive you."

Burning Star cleared his throat, "now then, onto more pressing matters. Daybreaker is extremely dangerous, we cannot act without care. So, I called in a favor..."

Luna was just about to ask when a earthquake hit the castle, followed by a cracking of the earth. The floor shook as a familiar Red Minotaur clawed its way out of the ground. 

Luna backed up in fear as the Magic Stealing Minotaur known as Lord Tirek appeared and roared, shaking the castle. 

Triek stomped his way up to Luna and roared in her face.

"LUNA!!! Do you know how crowded it's getting down in Tartarus! I should just take your magic now since you've done piss-all to stop this Daybreaker."

Luna scooted around Tirek and grabbed Burning Star's throat, she screamed in Burning Star's face.

"WHY WOULD YOU FREE TIREK YOU IDIOT!"

Burning Star rubbed his ears and said, "I said I called in a favor, he is my favor. Tirek, I believe you have met Princess Luna?"

Tirek snorted out a response, "Yes I have, she gave that runt Twilight Sparkle the magic to stop me from claiming my rightful throne as a GOD!" 

Luna got up and slammed headfirst into Tirek's face, roaring at him 

"I will drag you bovine ass to Tartarus if I have to do it myself!" 

Tirek was about to charge his magic to obliterate the Moon Princess once and for all, When he collapsed in pain. 

Burning Star grabbed the nose ring Tirek wore, and said "Listen here Tirek, we go back pretty far, so I'm going to say this to both of you."

Burning Star spoke in his speech voice "If Daybreaker reaches a city like Manehattan or Filliydephia, there would be untold destruction and hundreds, maybe even thousands more lives would be lost... We have to work together, put aside the concept of friend and foe and stop her from destroying everything and every world, including Tartarus!" 

Tirek backed down, "Fine. I'll work with you, so long as I get to be ruler of Tartarus and not that stupid mutt!" 

Burning Star started to walk out the door, an annoyed look on his face. "Now you two better make up and calm down."

He pointed at Luna and Tirek. "Start talking about a plan to best Daybreaker WITHOUT killing her. I've got an appointment with Honesty and a secret to tell." 

Burning Star walked up to Tirek and used his magic to levitate the tile he was standing on, 

"Tirek, when you're done taking with Luna, go apologize to Twilight Sparkle about destroying her home, or I'll make sure you won't get jack shit." 

Tirek nodded and snorted, "FINE."

Burning Star reminded Tirek, "Don't steal any magic old friend."

Tirek looked back on his friend, "Ok, old friend."

(Sweet Apple Acres, Applejacks home)

Applejack woke up early every day to start her day of bucking apples, making cider, and various other things as well as fixing the barn that Burning Star broke.

When she stepped outside she saw the barn was completely fixed.

She thought to herself, "Did Big Mac already fix the barn?"

She looked out into the fields, they were perfectly plowed. 

"I guess he also plowed this mornin, he works fast."

Applejack saw that there were baskets full of apples and barrels full of cider sitting outside the barn.

"What in tarnation is goin on here?"

Applejack saw that all of your chores were done for the day, even the weeds were pulled and grass was trimmed. She saw somepony's shadow over her, she turned around to see the imposing figure of Burning Star bearing down on her like a Timber Wolf. 

Applejack fell backwards into her flanks as Burning Star said, "I heard you like a hard working pony. So, I did all your chores for the day so that you can relax and get everypony together."

Applejack stared slack-jawed as Burning Star still continued to stand over her. 

He said finally, "You just going to sit there looking like an idiot?"

Applejack got up and said, "You did... all this... how?"

Burning Star smirked and said, "My mentor trained me physically as well as magically." 

He slumped down and Applejack caught him. "I'm very tired..." 

Applejack said to her Fire Unicorn companion, "I can see that. I reckon You worked yourself to the bone, because wanted to apologize to me?"

Burning Star nodded, "yeah. Sorry about that. My instincts were kicking in. The instinct to defend myself against anything threatening." 

Applejack set Burning Star down on a chair on her porch.

"I have ain't never asked you hot stuff, but who is your mentor exactly? You talk about him as if he was one of the powers that be or somethin'."

Burning Star leaned in close, "I'll tell you all when everypony gets here. For now, I need some quiet."

Burning Star pulled out his notebook and raven feather pen and started to write.

"Day 5, the Element of Honesty."

"Final Element to win over! Today is the day I reveal all to the elements of harmony... and hope they don't kill me. I'm nervous, but I promised myself and my family that I would be going to the afterlife with a clear conscience. Tonight's the night to reveal that I'm an..."

Applejack poked Burning Star in the head.

"Here comes everypony, I don't see Twilight though...

"where is the little sugarcube?"

(Twilight Sparkle's Castle, Twilight's Room)

Twilight Sparkle woke slowly, seeing another note from Burning Star, this time stuck to her face. 

She ripped it off her mane and read it, 

"Dear Twilight Sparkle,

"I left early today without you because I needed some alone time. I needed to talk with Luna and an old friend. In fact, he should be visiting you soon, just don't freak out when he arrives."

"Love, 
Burning Star" 

Twilight Sparkle yawned and grabbed the window shutters, "why would I freak out at seeing an old friend of Burning Star..." 

Those words died in her mouth and Twilight went pale as the face of the destroyer of her home stared her down from outside the window.

"Hey, Ive come to talk..."

It was Tirek!

Twilight screamed and shut the shutters, Tirek knocked on the side of Twilight's castle. 

"C'mon Twilight Sparkle! I know you're in there! Come out and face me like a real princess would!" Tirek stared in the window above the front door. 

Twilight Sparkle threw open the door, and stood her ground.

"How did you escape from Tartarus! We blasted you with all our might and you look as if you haven't been wounded at all!"

Tirek grabbed Twilight by the tail and lifted her up to his face. He opened his mouth.

"Before you jump to the obvious conclusion that I'm here to kill you... hear me out for once." 

Tirek was huge, nearly as tall as Twilight's castle. However, he looked... worried.

"So what happens if I choose to hear you out Tirek?"

Tirek let go of Twilight and she took flight, hovering in front of Tirek's face. 

Tirek said in his booming voice, "Burning Star called on me for a favor... so don't kill him for it."

Twilight Sparkle looked confused and angry, "what do you mean he called on you for a favor?!"

Tirek stepped back, accidentally crushing a few dozen trees.

"He's probably my only friend Twilight Sparkle. Did he not tell you this?"

Twilight Sparkle heard the bell from Sweet Apple Acres, and she zipped off.

Tirek followed her, crushing more trees as he walked. "Hey wait! I wasn't finished with you!"

Burning Star stood tapping his good waiting for Twilight to arrive, then he said. 

"Well it appears as if Twilight isn't coming. I guess I can tell you one secret about me."

Almost on cue, Tirek stomped into view, with Twilight flying in front of him. The ponies screamed in terror.

"YOU'RE FRIENDS WITH TIREK!"

Burning Star shrugged, "He's an old friend of mine. We got to know each other when he was sent back to Tartarus. I was studying the demons there when I ran into Tirek, we became close friends over a few weeks."

Twilight landed in front of Burning Star, "Why didn't you tell me you were friends with Tirek! He nearly destroyed Equestria!"

Burning Star put a hoof over her mouth and said, "Tirek's not such a bad guy when you get to know him,  He was jealous of you all for having magic while he had none." 

Tirek sat next to Fluttershy, the cream colored Pegasus nearly wet herself as the giant Minotaur Demon sat down with a loud crash. 

Applejack asked Burning Star the big question, "So what's under the cloak, hot stuff?"

Rarity leaned In close, "yes. I was wondering the same thing, actually."

Fluttershy said to the Fire Unicorn, "yes. Can you please show us? If that's ok with you..."

Rainbow Dash smiled with anticipation, "Yeah! Show us!"

Pinkie Pie bounced up and down in excitement, "Tell us! Tell us! Tell us!"

Twilight Sparkle said with curiosity, "its about time you spill the beans Burning Star."

Burning Star looked at all of the ponies and Tirek, he then asked them, "Promise you won't freak out?"

The ponies all said, "ok, show us!"

Tirek gave a small nod. "Fine."

Burning Star began to undo his cloak and threw it off, he said with power in his voice. "Behold!"

"Sweet Celestia..."
> Chapter 16: Behold the Ultimate Power!
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

(Sweet Apple Acres)

"Sweet Celestia..." Twilight said, eyes wide with amazement

"O-oh my..." Stammered Fluttershy, 

"Well I'll be..." said Applejack, rubbing her eyes. 

"Holy s--t..." said Rainbow Dash, still staring

Everypony and Tirek stared slack-jawed at Burning Star. 

he had taken off his cloak, and on his back were  a pair of large black Wings!

Burning Star looked around, confused that nopony and Minotaur was speaking. 

"Sweet Celestia, I haven't stretched these things in days... Well, what do you think?" He said, stretching his wings out, showing the sheer immensity of Burning Star's wings. 

Unlike Twilight's wings which were smooth and elegant, Burning Star's wings were rough and strong, probably from years of secret use before and while King Sombra took him in as a student. They probably were about 6-7 feet in length. 

Tirek was the first one to say a complete sentence. 

"Well, this certainly is a surprise... I'm impressed Burning Star. You were an Alicorn this entire time?"

Tirek stomped over and looked closer at his friends wings. "How did you get these?"

Burning Star answered his Question.

"I... had these since I was born. Ponies ether teased me, and when they saw my wings they bowed before me. I didn't know why me having wings made me so important." 

Burning Star stood there, preening his wings when Twilight Sparkle finally squeaked out a sentence 

"You're... You're... You're an..."

The Fire Alicorn finished her sentence, snickering a bit.

"An Alicorn? Yes, that's what I am... does that change your opinion of me, Twilight? It also explains why I'm so much stronger than a unicorn." 

Burning Star walked up to her and put his wings out to show Twilight the size, they were longer than Celestia's.

Maybe that was because he was a stallion? They tend to be a lot stockier than mares.

She looked at them, noticing that while the wing limbs themselves were jet black like the rest of his fur, the feathers were colored red, orange, and yellow, and shined bright when the light of the sun passed through them, like they were made of crystallized fire.

Rainbow Dash flew into the air and dashed towards the Alicorn Stallion, amazement in her eyes.

"So this is what you've been hiding? I must say this is awesome, seeing that there are Alicorn STALLIONS as well."

Burning Star shrugged, "Hey, if there are Alicorn mares, why would there not be Alicorn Stallions? How would the species reproduce?" 

Rarity walked up to him and stared into the feathers, they were prettier than the brightest diamond. 

"Darling... these are beautiful... why have you been hiding these from us?"

Burning Star bent his head and said, "Because I thought that you would all treat me like you treat every other Alicorn you meet, like Royalty. Where I come from, royals weren't allowed to socialize with the commoners... they were treated like fragile glass statues."

Pinkie Pie bounced over to him and put one of her front hooves on his nose.

"No silly! We don't treat Twilight like snobby royal nobles, so why should we treat you any different than any other pony?"

Burning Star looked at Twilight, a smirk on his face as he wrapped one of his massive wings around her, making Twilight blush.

"What's the matter, Twilight? You look as red as me when I ignite my mane. Do you see something you like?" He said, knowing that Twilight saw something she liked about him.

Burning Star stretched both his wings out, and swung them downward, sending him straight up into the sky like a Arrow. 

After going above the clouds, He then turned downwards and dived though the air, landing with a resounding boom that knocked everypony off their feet and staggering even Tirek's massive form backwards. 

Burning Star took off again, this time hovering mid air, "Come on Twilight, you want to go flying with me?" 

Twilight took flight as well, and hovered next to him. Rainbow Dash took off, "Try to catch me Burning Star!" 

Burning Star, a smile on his face, gladly accepted the challenge and dashed after the so called "Fastest Flier in Equestria" to possibly take her title. He left red embers behind him as he dashed across the sky, tailing the cyan Pegasus.

Tirek did something he never thought he'd do, he smiled. Not an evil one, but a kind one. 

"Good for you Burning Star..."

Suddenly, Tirek heard a booming noise and saw something fast approaching him, he charged his magic, but the orange and silver blur dashed over him, cutting his horns off! 

"What the hell was that! It looked like a sword just cut through air and-"

Tirek reached up to his head, his horns were not there. "My horns! No!"

"Woooo! Aw Yeah!"

It was Scootaloo, and she was singing to the world as she flew past Ponyville.

Flying around at the speed of sound! Got places to go, gotta follow my rainbow."

She breezed past Ponyville, sending loose objects flying. She broke the glass windows on the older houses.

"Can't stick around gotta keep moving on! Guess what lies ahead, only one way to find out!"

Scootaloo dived into the streets of Canterlot, sending a powerful breeze across the city. Luna looked outside and saw Scootaloo screaming across the sky at supersonic speeds, Luna estimated that she was probably traveling at Mach 2.

"Just keep on moving ahead, no time for guessing, follow my plan instead! Trusting in what you can't see, take my hoof I'll set you free!"

Scootaloo reached Cloudsdale, and cut through several clouds with her wings, sending thunderbolts raining down to the ground.

"Follow Me! Set me Free! Trust me and we will escape from the city!

Scootaloo somehow reached The Crystal Empire, cutting though the snow clouds above the city.

"I'll make it through, follow me. Follow me, set me free. Trust me and we will escape from the city. I'll make it through, prove it to you."

Scootaloo finally hit Mach 3.

"Follow Me! Oh Yeah!"

King Sombra was out of his hospital bed and standing on the long balcony, enjoying his coffee and silently thanking Cadence for helping to save him from certain death. 

Then, a strong breeze blew by his face and the little filly that caused him so much trouble cut his Coffee cup in half, causing the hot liquid to pour onto his bandages, He yowled in pain and Cadence grabbed him. 

Scootaloo noticed a multicolored blur next to her, it was Rainbow Dash! She was flapping her wins as hard as she could to keep up with Scootaloo, Scootaloo saw a black and red blur pull up next to her as well. 

It was Burning Star?!

Rainbow Dash told Scootaloo, "Sweet Celestia you are Fast Scoots! I'm barely keeping up with you while you look as you aren't even breaking a sweat!"

Burning Star smiled at Rainbow Dadh and said, "Magitek is also known to enhance the users body functions, Scootaloo can fly at these insane speeds as if it were a walk in the park. But, let's see if you can keep up with me!" 

With a loud boom, Burning Star ignited his Wings and took off like a rocket, a five pointed star of fire trailing him. Rainbow Dash sprinted after him, while Scootaloo dashed after her hero.

"Wait for me Dashie! I'm coming for you!"

(Sweet Apple Acres, The Barn)

Meanwhile, Tirek and Twilight Sparkle were having a long talk, a really important talk.

Tirek grunted out, "You know Twilight, I'm not lying when I say that my friend Burning Star really likes you."

Twilight turned red, "What makes you think that? Why are you even asking me this Tirek?! Mind your own business!"

Tirek laughed, "it seems that the Princess of Friendship loves the Ruler of Fire... I'm glad that you share the same feelings that he does."

Twilight Sparkle blasted Tirek in the ear, "Shut up! It's not your business to take interest in my life. What are you trying to avoid?"

Tirek leaned in close, "it appears that your teacher has gone off the deep end, Twilight Sparkle. I believe you have heard about Daybreaker, yes?"

Twilight Sparkle's eyes shrunk to pinpricks, "Wait... you mean that's really Celestia attacking those innocent ponies? That's a lie! Celestia would never do that!"

Tirek snorted, "Why do you think Burning Star called me in to deal with this? I can absorb magic remember? He proposed that if I can suck Daybreaker's form out of Celestia, we could possibly destroy her and save your mentor's life... hopefully."

Twilight began to well up with tears, "what do you mean hopefully?" 

Tirek narrowed his yellow eyes, "Celestia could die from the removal of Daybreaker. It's a very likely possibility that if it doesn't succeed, you and Burning Star will have to put her down permanently..."

Twilight cried, and Tirek did the most unexpected thing, he lowered his massive hand and wiped Twilight's tears away, "Just remember, Burning Star will always love you. And I'm starting to warm up to the idea of this good guy thing myself... it feels good to be good for once."

Twilight Sparkle put her hoof on his arm. "Yeah I know that it feels good to be he good pony, or in your case Minotaur/Centaur."

Triek picked up Twilight and placed her on his head. "Let's just watch the sunset, Twilight Sparkle... I don't see the sun down in Tartarus you know?"

Twilight smiled, "Sure. Tirek, You stay and watch the sunset with me."
> Chapter 17: Black Hearts can Love, too...
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

(The Crystal Castle, Hospital Wing)

King Sombra sat on the side of his bed with his eyes closed. He was practicing one of the most ancient and difficult magic spells, The ability of Foreseeing The Future. He learned this ability when he studied under his father, King Da'irko. A pony he HATED so much.

King Sombra didn't notice Princess Cadence walk in, she walked over to King Sombra with a syringe.

King Sombra recoiled away in fear, Which prompted Shadow Armor to grab Cadence with his magic and slam her to the wall. 

Shadow Armor generated a Serrated Knife and held it to her throat, the tooth-covered blade inches from her jugular vein. "You attempt to take the life of My king! Die Princess of Love!"

Cadence smacked Shadow Armor with her hoof, sending him skidding backwards. She pinned the dark knight down with her magic and yelled at him, "HEY! I was just going to take a blood sample from him! Why are you so intent on keeping him safe?!"

Cadence realized that this was King Sombra she was talking about, the most hated and wanted pony in existence, and she said "Sombra, I need to take a blood sample from you. Is that ok?"

King Sombra sent a bolt of lightning at Cadence, backing away in terror, "Get that thing away from me! I don't like those things!"

Cadence raised a eyebrow, "You don't like shots? Why don't you like shots?"

King Sombra got up and cleared his throat, "I have bad memories of shots, Princess... My father was... very fond using them... especially on me."

Cadence walked over and asked, "What are you getting at Sombra?"

King Sombra generated a black crystal up from the ground and projected a hologram from it. "My father was the sadistic King Da'irko."

Cadence was surprised, "your father was King Da'irko?! As in THE King Da'irko?!"

King Sombra frowned, "You talk about him with such high regard... you know about the atrocities that were committed by him?"

Cadence nodded, "Yes. I'm sorry about responding that way, I'm just surprised that sompony like him would even have a son."

Sombra narrowed his eyes, they filled with Dark Magic, "He wasn't biased with his treatment of his subjects, he treated me the same way. I was experimented on. tortured for days, even weeks without end. Although it shattered my body, it sharpened my mind to such a point that I finally had the common sense to end his life..."

Cadence gasped, "You killed your own father! How could you live with yourself afterwards?"

King Sombra put a hoof over her mouth, "He deserved it... and Quiet! I'm not finished with the story!" Sombra swung his horn, changing the scenery. 

King Sombra snarled out, "I learned then a valuable lesson that I wished to teach to anypony I met."

King Sombra yelled out in rage and smashed the crystal. "That Family doesn't matter, THEY WILL ALWAYS BETRAY YOU!" 

Cadence shed a tear for somepony she never thought she would. Cadence then walked up to Sombra, and wrapped her pink wings around him. 

She said in a soothing tone, "Its ok Sombra. Is just a shame you don't share a loving relationship like Shining and me."

King Sombra gave her a evil smile and locked eyes with her, "oh really? You think that Shining wants to be with you, Cadence?" 

His eyes glowed, and Cadence's filled with the sickly green King Sombra's eyes had normally. His Sharp red horn touched her smooth pink one, He said, "Allow me to show you the truth about Shining Armor!" 

Cadence felt as if she had been separated from her body, then she saw a sight that made her heart sink.

Queen Chrysalis, the Changeling Queen and her worst nightmare, was making out with Shining Armor! Her Shining Armor!

King Sombra smirked, "Its funny how fate works isn't it Cadence? You are the Princess of Love, yet your husband loves another... how ironic that you're the representation of love, yet Shining Armor ends up with the one that takes love away."

Cadence snarled at King Sombra, "This isn't true! Shining would never love Chrysalis after what she did to him! She probably did the same exact thing!"

King Sombra changed the scene, and Cadence's gaze turned from disbelief to sorrow.

Shining Armor and Queen Chrysalis were doing... certain things on Her Bed! HER BED! 

King Sombra showed Cadence Shining Armor's face, there was no hypnotized look in his eyes, there was a look of love, love for a being that she thought didn't deserve any love at all.

King Sombra and returned to the plane of reality, And King Sombra noticed tears in Cadence's eyes.

Cadence broke down in tears, before crying out in pain. "NO! How can he love her more than me!"

King Sombra whispered into her ear, "you feel that Princess? You feel that pain, that's your love slowly and painfully withering away, and being replaced with HATE! I can provide release of that hatred, if you join me of course..." 

he decided to pour more salt on the wound, "in all honesty, My servant Shadow Armor would be better suited for you. He has power, authority, and cunning. And Unlike Shining Armor, he listens to anypony that can dominate his will."

Cadence looked up towards King Sombra's face, he had Dark Magic in his eyes, and a grin that inadvertently revealed his intentions. He was going to use this vision as a way to turn her to his side so that he could dominate her as his personal Dark Alicorn. 

Cadence smiled, "I know what your trying to do Sombra! You're trying to use this as a way to transform me into one of your personal lap ponies!"

King Sombra swallowed hard, he said "What do you mean?" He knew he had been caught. 

Cadence flipped the topic on its head, "You see Sombra, I knew of Chrysalis's love for Shining Armor ever since she tried to marry him. It wasn't just a desire to feed her subjects, it was pure and true love!"

King Sombra's eyes returned to normal and shrank to pinpricks, "W-What are you saying?? How long have You known about this?"

Cadence smiled, "I sensed Chrysalis's presence a few weeks ago, we met in secret and talked about Shining Armor's Destiny... I knew that fate would propel him to be with Queen Chrysalis, and I wept for days afterwards. Then, she said to me a few words that will ring true forever!"

King Sombra was pinned up against the wall. Cadence was speaking with great authority, "she said, "Love is not just an attraction and desire to live with somepony, Love is the feeling that you will do anything and everything for the ones you care about."

King Sombra noticed Shadow Armor standing a few steps away from Cadence, his eyes Closed. 

King Sombra shouted to his servant, "Shadow Armor! Help me! I'm under attack!"

Shadow Armor opened his eyes, walked over to Cadence and smirked, "I refuse Sombra! Candence is right, love can do anything, even warm my black heart. Black hearts can love too..."

"I created you! I can also destroy you too! King Sombra ignited his horn, intending to crush his creation's heart. Shadow Armor didn't even flinch. 

He tried again,

Nothing.

He tried again,

Nothing.

King Sombra looked confused, "You should be dead right now! Why are you not dead!"

King Sombra heard a scream from Nocturne, then her body went limp.

Shadow Armor used his magic to pick up the Body of his Advisor Nocturne, there was a very large stitch in her chest, he lowered his chain mail shirt, there was a large stitch in his chest too.

The Shadow King's heart sank, "NOCTURNE! No!" He tried to lunge at Cadence, but a sharp sword was pressed to his throat by Shadow Armor. 

King Sombra finally spoke, nearly speechless. "B-b-b-but how?" 

Shadow Armor put a hoof around Cadence's horn. "Cadence managed, through great difficulty and danger, carved the black heart from my chest and swapped it with Nocturne's normal heart, which was not tied to your magic. We have been planning this from the very beginning I met with Cadence..."


Cadence smirked and threw Sombra across the room, "Congrats Sombra, you just killed your assistant."

King Sombra roared and unleashed the full fury of his Dark Magic on Cadence, she shielded it barely and Shadow Armor shouted, "DO IT NOW!"

Shining Armor and Queen Chrysalis burst through the window above Sombra's bed and unleashed beams of Light Blue and Green Magic energy, staggering the Shadow King backwards towards the open balcony, he tried to transform into his shadow form, but he couldn't, the sun was coming up. Damn, they timed this perfectly!

The three ponies and one changeling combined thier beams together, forming a giant ball of white light. King Sombra looked terrified!

Cadence shouted, "ALL TOGETHER NOW!"

The three ponies and one changeling shouted in unison, 

"LIGHT ONSLAUGHT!"

King Sombra shouted out, "NOT THIS AGAIN!" As he flew out the balcony door and was flung far over the horizon. 

The three ponies and changeling collapsed, wheezing and panting. Shining Armor was the first to get up, 

He lifted everyone to their feet and said, "WE DID IT!"

Cadence screamed in glee, "YES! THE CRYSTAL EMPIRE IS SAVED!"

Chrysalis smiled, eyes full of true joy, "WE WON!"

Shadow Armor gave a legitimate happy smile, "I guess we did win. Well done everypony..." 

His face went back to his normal brooding expression, "But we still have to deal with Daybreaker now. I propose that we meet up with Your sister, Shining Armor, to discuss our next move, and this time we will make our move as one group."

Shining Armor stick out his hoof, "Sure thing Shadow Armor, may I?"

Shadow Armor shook Shining Armor's hoof. Shining Armor said, "Its good to have friends isn't it?"

Shadow Armor looked around, seeing an Alicorn, A Changeling Queen, and his Copy. 

Shadow Armor then said in a clear as day voice, 

"Yeah, I guess it does feel nice... to have friends."

(Castle Nevermore)

King Sombra was flung back to his Castle, slamming through the dark crystal wall and landing with a large and painful boom.

He struggled to get up, cursing under his breath. "Well Shit... I didn't see that coming..."

King Sombra looked around, his castle was in ruins, the walls looked like Swiss cheese, the door was blown off its hinges, everything was either shattered, smashed, or burnt to a crisp. 

King Sombra said to himself, "What the Buck happened here? Who could of done this much damage?"

A voice called out from the darkness near his throne, "That would be..." the torches on the walls ignited, revealing the terrifying form of a fiery white Alicorn. It was Daybreaker, and she was sitting on his throne! 

"ME!" She finished, before laughing like a madpony. King Sombra just stared at her, utterly speechless. Daybreaker returned the stare, neither pony said anything for a good five minutes.

Daybreaker finally broke the silence. "Are you going to say something or are you just to awestruck by my beauty?" She said in a smug tone.

King Sombra got up and walked closer, he said in a slightly annoyed voice. "How did you get in here? I blocked off the castle with a magic barrier." 

Daybreaker laughed, "that pathetic excuse for a shield was supposed to prevent me from getting in? You have really lost your touch..."

King Sombra was blocked by a wall of fire. "Not too close, Sombra dear... I know about your abilities to... mentally persuade other ponies." 

She dropped the wall of fire and walked closer to him, and whispered into his ear. "Well it won't work on me..." she playfully booped him on the nose before giggling like a little filly. 

King Sombra has felt many feelings in his long life, he never imagined fear would be one of them. Not the type of fear that results from receiving pain, the type of fear that can turn entire armies into cowards. The same fear that was being instilled upon him by the Fiery Alicorn's dreadful gaze. 

King Sombra swallowed hard and said, "I-I-I am not afraid of you... you are still that weak Princess Celestia." he lied though his teeth, and Daybreaker knew it. 

She cupped his face with her hoof and said, "No need to feign bravery Sombra Dear, I know you're terrified of me. You're not sure what I'm going to do to you, and it's scaring you to death, isn't it?" 

King Sombra nodded, visibly shaking in his metal greaves, and Daybreaker's face twisted into a flirty grin. "I originally came here to kill you... which I may still do." King Sombra's eyes shrank to pinpricks.

"But, I believe I've got a better idea."

Daybreaker lay across his throne, "Here's the plan Sombra, dear. We both share something in common, we both wish to rule Equestria... I propose that we work together! It will be great!" Daybreaker said, staring down King Sombra, observing all his features. Strong legs, thick muscles, and a smile that could both melt the heart of any mare, or scare the buck out of any stallion. 

King Sombra worked up the courage to say, "I'll never join you! I can't rule Equestria if it's burnt to ash! I would have to rebuild it, and I'm lacking on the whole slave labor department."

Daybreaker laughed, "oh I'm not asking you Sombra, dear." She touched her horn to his, and Sombra felt a tingling feeling in his head. 

"I'm telling you..."

Daybreaker then kissed King Sombra full on the lips! When they pulled back, Daybreaker smiled as King Sombra's eyes filled with orange light, before his red slit pupils were surrounded by orange flames. He was completely hypnotized!

Daybreaker laughed and said, "Kneel before me..."

Sombra fought for control of his body, but he still knelt before Daybreaker, and she smiled. 

Good boy..." she said, then she got up and walked towards King Sombra's Room. 

"Now serve your Empress!"

King Sombra's conscience struggled to take control of his body again, but Daybreaker's spell was too strong. 

King Sombra walked into the room to see Daybreaker laying down on his bed...

and shut the door.
> Chapter 18: United! We! Stand!
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

(Canterlot Castle, Main Courtyard)

Luna sat in her seat, waiting for Twilight Sparkle to show up, she had a letter in her hand addressed to her, it was from The Crystal Empire. Luna tapped her hoof on her seat arm, anxious as hell.

Some of the generals started to mumble to each other, Luna could hear them perfectly 

"Where is Celestia?"
"Why is she giving the orders?"
"We need Celestia, not her..."

"She should have stayed on the moon..."

One of the generals spoke just loud enough to attract the ears of a Red Earth Pony Stallion, that general was hit square in the head with a left hook from a hoof that could stop a carriage. 

Big Mac walked over to Luna and said, "he ain't gon' bother you no more princess Luna." 

Big Macintosh looked around, "Anypony else say somentin' nasty about Princess Luna and I'll know, and you'll be sorry you ever said it." The rest of the generals were silent.

Big Mac was dressed in the Armor of the Lunar Guard, he had Crescent shaped Captians Bars on his shoulder pads. Luna steadied her captain's hoof. 

Originally, Big Mac came to Canterlot to see what all the fuss was about. He wandered into a sparring match, and beat everypony easily. Luna noticed his strength and made him captain, since he kind of sent the previous one flying twenty feet into the air and out the window.

Princess Luna saw a group of ponies in the distance, it was The Main Six, Tirek, and Discord, minus Burning Star. 

Twilight Sparkle flew up to Luna and gave her a hug, Luna asked the lavender Alicorn, "Where is Burning Star? I thought he was with you?"

Twilight Sparkle looked skyward, "He is on his way, Oh here he is. Stand back everypony!" Everypony backed up as a red light filled the sky.

Luna looked up as a fireball descended from the sky in the shape of a pony. It landed with a crash that sent many of the tables and chairs flying. When the dust cleared, Luna saw Burning Star standing there, with giant black wings on his back! 

Rainbow Dash shouted out, "Now that's an entrance!"

She said in a shocked voice, "Burning Star? Is that you?"

The Black Alicorn nodded, "Yep. This was my secret, Luna. You surprised?"

Luna shook her head to make sure she wasn't dreaming, and then said "In the name of Faust, how did you get these?"

Burning Star answered her question as he stretched his wings, "I was born with these wings. They really are impressive, aren't they?"

Luna walked over and touched the wing rods. they weren't soft fur like Twilight's or her's, they were covered in rough fur and Luna could see the strong muscles underneath. 

Some of the generals bowed, others kneeled, and some saluted Burning Star. 

He said, "Greetings Generals and Politicians of Equestria, I am Burning Star, the Black Alicorn of Fire, I have come before you to say that I am going to be assisting Princess Luna when the time comes to go to war, which is fast approaching."

He continued, flaring out his wings to show them his strength and power, "I am sure you have all heard rumors of the Shadow King, King Sombra being alive and well. Let me put those rumors to rest, they are true."

Many of the politicians and generals gasped in shock. Burning Star put out a wing, motioning to sit down. "Be silent, everypony. That isn't the main issue here." 

He put his front legs on the podium that was set up for Luna and said, "I'm sure you have heard about the recent string of attacks and destruction caused by a White Alicorn going by the name of Daybreaker, yes?"

General Thunderhooves The Pegasus got up and said, "Yeah, we have. Do you know anything about her?"

Burning Star spoke into the Microphone, "Yes I do, Daybreaker is none other than Princess Celestia herself! The reason I know this is because a unicorn known as Starlight Glimmer told me of the time Celestia and Luna switched Cutie Marks..."

Many of the ponies gasped, While the main six looked on with shock. Had Celestia gone nuts! 

Applejack spoke up, "What do ya mean that Princess Celestia is Daybreaker? Celestia ain't evil!"

Twilight Sparkle spoke next, tears visible in her eyes. "Unfortunately Burning Star is right, Princess Celestia is Daybreaker. In order to deal with her effectively, He called in an old friend of his."

The generals then looked up and saw Tirek's massive shadow looming over them. He said in his booming voice, "Greetings Ponies. it is I, Lord Tirek. I'm Burning Star's Weapon against Daybreaker, I am not here for anypony else. Trust me..."

Many of the generals stared up in shock, "Why have you let Tirek escape from Tartarus! Surely you have heard of his ability to steal magic!"

Burning Star nodded, "Yes, I have. But that ability will come in handy during the inevitable fight against Daybreaker and King Sombra." 

He flew into the air, giving him a good view of the ponies below him. "If anypony can stop Daybreaker and King Sombra, its us! Now go to your soldiers and tell them to prepare for war. King Sombra will likely be bringing an army, We have to be ready for that, and any other situation he can throw at us."

Luna handed Burning Star a letter, "This came in this morning, Burning Star. It's addressed to Twilight Sparkle, its from the Crystal Empire." 

Burning Star picked up the paper, then said his conclusion, "Thank you for your time." 

He walked off the stage and towards Twilight's friends. They began to leave, while the generals and politicians began to deliberate between each other. 

Pinkie Pie ran up to Burning Star and gave him a hug, "that was a super duper speech Burning Star! I bet that those nasty meanies Daybreaker and King Sombra are shaking in their hooves. Especially Sombra, you were his former student right? I guess you'll be fighting fire with Fire."

Burning Star looked at Pinkie Pie with a deadpan stare, "Really? A pun?"

Rarity gave him a friendly grin. "Yes Darling. You may have a future in public speaking when this dreadful battle is over and done with." 

(Twilight Sparkle's Castle, Friendship Map room)

Everypony and Triek was standing or sitting down as Twilight stood in front of them. Triek had to shrink down to fit inside the Castle.

Twilight opened the letter and read it aloud, 

"Dear Twilight Sparkle, 

"This is your brother Shining Armor, I am writing this letter to announce that Cadence and I are coming to visit to discuss this Daybreaker and King Sombra matter. Earlier this month, King Sombra showed up, and soon afterwards Daybreaker. I fought hard to defeat her, and I won, but Daybreaker escaped."

Twilight continued, not hearing the knocking on the door. 

"I am bringing a few guests with me. You and your friends are to treat them well, ok? If we all work together, we can destroy King Sombra and return Celestia back to normal!"

"Love your BBBFF, 
Shining Armor"

Burning Star looked at Tirek and said, "Do not engage in combat Tirek, or I'll send you back to Tartarus!"

Tirek sighed, "Fine."

Suddenly, a knock was heard on the doors, and Twilight saw her brother Shining Armor and Princess Cadence walk in, they were flanked by a steel gray stallion that looked like Shining Armor and QUEEN CHRYSALIS! Queen Chrysalis was holding hooves with Shining Armor.

Twilight Sparkle sat there, jaw on the floor. So did the rest of her friends, except Burning Star, he simply stared, wide eyed at the Changeling Queen. 

Shining Armor walked up to Twilight and said, "Your wondering why I'm holding hooves with Queen Chrysalis, huh?"

Rainbow Dash tackled Chrysalis to the ground, pinning her to the floor. "WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING HERE! I thought we sent you packing twice now! What did you do to Shining Armor!"

Chrysalis threw Rainbow Dash off her and snarled, "What makes you think I did anything to anypony?!"

Shining Armor walked up to Twilight and said, "Twily! its nice to see you again."

Twilight Sparkle gave her brother a weird glance, "why did you bring Queen Chrysalis here exactly?"

Chrysalis got up and sat next to Burning Star, since he was the only one not snarling and glaring at her. 

Shining Armor motioned to everypony to relax, "Listen up. Queen Chrysalis saved my life and helped us repel Daybreaker... Alongside that pony." 

Shining Armor pointed at Shadow Armor "everypony, this is..."

Shadow Armor walked up to Twilight and interrupted Shining, "I'm Shadow Armor. I was created by King Sombra as a way to capture you Twilight Sparkle. But, seeing you know, I could never injure such a pretty face..." Shadow Armor picked up Twilight's right hoof and kissed it. 

The Lavender Alicorn blushed, "Well... If we are all ready to discuss our plans, let's settle this."

Hours passed, Ponies outside of the castle waited to hear from their princesses and leaders. This was a big deal, Equestria had never had a real big war before...

Burning Star exited the castle first, he stood up to announce the decision. "We will take on Daybreaker and King Sombra!"

Twilight sat in her throne, with Burning Star right next to her. Around the table sat ponies, Changeling, centaur/minotaur, and dragon. She looked on the now-named "Concil of Free Equestria" and was filled with pride.

Burning Star began to speak, "Ok... So let's go over the plan for the future."

He pointed to Chrysalis, "Queen Chrysalis, gather all the changeling hives together and tear up the land, if we can swamp them with rough terrain and barren villages, we can slow their march to a crawl." 

He then pointed to Tirek, "Tirek, you and your forces will help separate King Sombra from Daybreaker, so we can deal with them one at a time."

Twilight Sparkle spoke next, "Luna. Send out the word to every village in Daybreaker and King Sombra's path to clear out. We can't allow civilians to take the brunt of the onslaught." 

Burning Star spoke next, "When Daybreaker and King Sombra arrive, we will all fight as one." 

He put his hoof in to the middle of the table, "All in! Who is with me?"

Tirek put his massive hand in, "I'm going, this is a danger to everyone, including me."

Chrysalis put her hole-filled hoof in, "I'm coming as well... I won't let my children be slaughtered at the hands of those two monsters..."

Everypony put thier hooves in and said all together, "United! We! Stand!

Burning Star spoke in a triumphant tone, "Now, let's go get cider! Go and Drink up my friends, for tomorrow we dance with death!"

(Sweet Apple Acres, The Cider Bar)

Twilight Sparkle sat at a table, nursing her forth mug of Cider. Burning Star sat next to her, drinking his cider as well. 

He said to her, "What are you drinking to forget?"

Twilight put down her mug and said, "I just realized that I'm going to be fighting my mentor and she will try to kill me, no matter how much I would plead with her, she would kill me."

Burning Star took another slurp from his mug and said, "Your not alone in that feeling, King Sombra was my mentor as well... You once asked about my name, Twilight Sparkle. Burning Star is not my real Name."

Rainbow Dash was competing with Shadow Armor to see how strong he was at hoof-wrestling, she got an answer when Shadow Armor slammed her through the table.

Queen Chrysalis and Princess Cadence were laughing, talking about the times gone by when they were enemies, they were suprised that they shared so much in common. 

Triek was hoof-wrestling with Applejack, and he was suprised that Applejack won. Fluttershy was singing alongside Discord. Luna was out on the floor, completely drunk. 

Burning Star grabbed Twilight and teleported with her home. "Come now, You need sleep Twilight."

Twilight was snapped out of spacing out by Burning Star saying, "Twilight! That's your fourth one, don't you think you had too much."

Twilight slowly said, "Hey *hic, you say too much. Well I say not enough..."

Burning Star pulled the mug away from her, Twilight spoke slowly again, "Hey. *hic, give that back. I'm *hic not finished with it yet."

Burning Star shook his head, "Twilight you're drunk." He took her to her room and opened the door.

Twilight Sparkle got up, shut the door behind him, and replied in a lustful, yet still drunk tone. "And you're sexy..." she fell down on her bed, and used her magic to bring Burning Star down with her. 

Burning Star knew what was coming and locked the door and shut the windows. 

He said in his head, "It is finally
happening, she needed to be drunk, but its finally happening!" 

Luna, being the Princess of the Night, saw this and went red in the face. 

"O-oh dear. I should not be looking at this..."
> Chapter 19: Endgame, Part 1: Showdown with Shadows
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

(Twilight Sparkle's Castle, Twilight's Bedroom)

Twilight Sparkle awoke with a burning pain in her stomach and a throbbing pain in her head, almost as if the moon was dropped on her. 

"Oooh... my head... what happened last night..." she moaned in pain, clutching her head. She reached for the clock on the left side of the bed, but she touched something soft. 

Twilight Sparkle looked closer, she saw a pair of black wings, they were wrapped around her chest. Burning Star got up and said groggily, "Morning Twilight... You sure know how to show somepony a good time huh... I have a huge cramp in my wings."

Twilight Sparkle felt the sudden realization of what happened last night hit her and hit her HARD! She asked Burning Star, "Uh Burning Star? Did we..."

Burning Star cut her off, "Yes."

Twilight felt a blush on her face, "and you agreed to..."

He cut her off again, "Yeah."

Twilight's entire face turned bright red. "So that's why your in..."

Burning Star pulled his wing out from underneath her and put a hoof to her mouth. "Instead of stammering out words and half sentences, let me just say it Twilight, we had sex." 

Twilight Sparkle's eyes shrank to pinpricks as she looked at Burning Star. He had a smug grin on his face, he knew that he was thinking something inappropriate. 

He finally opened his Mouth, "what's the matter Twilight? First time with a Stallion? Because I've done it plenty..."

Burning Star received a large slap to the face that knocked him off the bed, Twilight got up and stomped downstairs for breakfast. 

Burning Star had a smile that could win an award for the most smug smile ever, "What a Shame, she was so good too..."

Burning Star sat on the other side of the long dining room table, everypony else got up as well and were sitting in their chairs. Spike was serving waffles with honey and apple juice, NOT cider.

Burning Star got up and said in his speech voice, "I think now that we are all working together that I should reveal why I'm really doing this." 

Tirek nodded, dropping his fork. "Yeah! I have a feeling you're still hiding something from us. So spit it out already!"

Rarity put her hoof on Tirek's shoulder to try and calm him, and he sat down. 

Burning Star continued, "I should come clean about who I really am."

Burning Star stood up, still speaking. "My name "Burning Star" isn't actually my true name, its a title I made for myself to intimidate other ponies. I mean it makes sense as well, my cutie Mark is a five pointed star made out of fire."

Applejack asked the obvious question, "Then what's your real Name then?"

Burning Star announced in a booming voice, mimicking the Royal Canterlot voice. "After doing some research, I stumbled upon something big. My full name is Dawn Sol Star, son of Fire Pan the unicorn and Shining Wings the Pegasus, and last descendant of King Da'irko, the first king of Equestria." 

Burning Star walked over to Twilight Sparkle, "My heritage makes me the original pony meant to rule Equestria. If Celestia and Luna were not the rulers, I would be considered a prince of the Old Equestria Royal Family."

Cadence spoke up, "Wait. Did you say King Da'irko?"

Burning Star nodded, "Yes. Why do you ask Cadence?"

Cadence got up and announced to the table, "that means that you are also the living descendant of King Sombra as well!"

Everypony's jaw dropped to the floor. Shadow Armor got up and bowed before Dawn Star, "My King... I will fight for you."

Everypony else got up and bowed as well. Dawn Star was confused, "Why are they all bowing to me?"

Everypony heard a voice in their minds, "Yes! I thought that you were my descendant!"

Applejack noticed its voice tone, "Where Are you King Sombra?!"

Everypony freaked out, then they all heard the voice of the Shadow King again. 

"Excuse me, I'm being terribly rude. I'm in your heads, everypony."

Twilight Sparkle questioned King Sombra's voice, "How did you get into our heads?"

King Sombra's voice said in a worried tone, "Unfortunately for everypony, Daybreaker has used a spell to take control of my body. So I did the only logical thing, I used my magic to spectate my consciousness from my body and I infiltrated all your minds. Do not worry, I am not here to take control of your minds."

Fluttershy cringed, "w-what do you mean Daybreaker controls your body?"

King Sombra cleared his nonexistent throat, "She used what is called "Ultimate Hypnosis" on my body. So, I came here to inform you about something."

Dawn Star asked King Sombra's voice, "What?"

King Sombra said to everypony, "Go to the Crystal Castle, I have a surprise to show you all."

The group nodded, and Twilight Sparkle and Dawn Star teleported everypony to the Crystal Empire.

(Crystal Castle, Throne Room)

When everypony rematerialized, King Sombra's voice spoke up, "Ok. Dawn Star, use your magic to lift up the throne."

Dawn Star nodded, and grabbed the throne with his magic. It lifted as if it was a sheet of paper, revealing a set of stairs.

"Ok, everypony head down there, that's where my secret is."

When everypony reached the bottom of the stairs, they reached a door, Twilight Sparkle opened the door and everypony gasped in Awe.

It was a large cavern filled with glowing blue crystals, along the walls were sets of armor, weapons, what looked like Magitek wings, everything. 

King Sombra said, "this is my secret armory, I built it for ponies that proved themselves worthy to take me on, and now it's yours."

Rarity said, "Well what do we do with all this?"

Dawn Star walked in front of everypony and said, "We arm ourselves for battle. Suit Up!"

Within a few minutes, everypony was heading towards racks of armor and weapons. They began to put it on, and it began to grow or shrink to fit the pony's size. 

When everypony returned from the armory, they were decked out in sets of armor and some carried weapons with them.

Rarity wore a pair of Crystalline Shoulder pads and a Dark Purple Armor Cap.

Applejack had Hoof-fighting Bandages around her hooves, as well as a leather tunic bearing red and green markings

Fluttershy wore light metal armor that had a pair of Magitek wings attached to them. She bore a multicolored symbol on her front hooves. It was Discord mimicking a tattoo. 

Pinkie Pie had light metal armor on as well, but it was very pink. She had small party cannons on her back.

Rainbow Dash wore Sleek Dark Blue Armor that complimented her Rainbow-Colored Mane, she also had a Pair of Magitek wings.

Shining Armor and Shadow Armor both wore the exact same set of armor, but Shadow Armor's plate armor was dyed Silver and Red compared to Shining Armor's Purple and Gold. Shining Armor carried a sword at his side while Shadow Armor carried a Black Crystal Double Axe.

Cadence wore Pink and Gold body armor, with a Heart shaped chest guard, she carried a Spear with her. 

Chrysalis wore Black plate armor with Forest Green Highlights running up the legs. Below her eyes was a band of green war paint.

Tirek had the hardest time fining armor, but he eventually settled on a set of heavy black and red plate armor. It had a helmet that had holes for his horns and he carried a massive club with him.

Twilight exited last, she wore dark purple plate armor with golden highlights and carried a halberd with her. She asked everypony, "We all suited up?" They all nodded.

Rainbow Dash asked Twilight, "Where's Dawn Star?"

They heard King Sombra's voice, "He's taking a while because he has a special set of gear."

Suddenly, Dawn Star flew out of the stairwell. Everypony looked up and stepped back in awe.

Dawn Star wore what looked like King Sombra's armor, it had the neck guard, Metal Greaves, Chest Guard, and Helmet. But instead of Silver with Blood Red highlights, it was bright orange with blue highlights. He had tribal markings running down the sides of his body, reaching under his eyes and down to his hooves, bearing the resemblance to flames. He wore wing guards with what looked like exhaust ports on them, presumably because his Fire powers would be trapped in his armor.

Dawn Star broke the silence and said, "Alright. We all ready for battle?"

Everypony nodded, and Dawn Star flung open the door, he saw a dark cloud off in the distance. It smashed through the wall surrounding the Crystal Empires main city and began to race up the streets towards the castle. "There's King Sombra..."

Dawn Star looked to the air and saw a bright red fireball above the dark cloud. "And there is Daybreaker..." 

Everypony heard King Sombra's mind voice, "Alright now, we have to stop my body from destroying this city."

Dawn Star sounded the charge with a loud roar, and he began to fly down the stairs. Everypony else followed him, hearing him singing something, in fact they heard it in their minds.

Dawn Star sung out, "I can't do this alone. Even though I am strong! Need something more than me, somepony to push me to victory!"

Everypony felt a sudden wave of determination wash over them, they wanted to work together to fight Sombra and his forces.

They heard more lyrics, "Let's see what we can do. Together! Me and You! Can't be afraid to try. Kiss your fears goodbye!"

They finally collided with the first wave of King Sombra's soldiers, everypony immediately began fighting, still hearing Dawn Star signing. 

"No looking back! You and I are on the attack. Full speed ahead! Running to the Sunset!"

Tirek crushed a group of soldiers with his club before vaporizing another 3 dozen with the Magic blast from his horns. 

He then said with pride, "Such a different feeling!"

Chrysalis blasted Acid out of her horn, melting the black crystal soldiers. She then sung in her echoing voice. "Both of us believing."

The voice of King Sombra then sung in a deep voice, "That we can make it better."

Twilight Sparkle finally smashed through the front lines and was face to face with King Sombra's body. He had eyes filled with orange light and was carrying a Black Crystal Scythe. Dawn Star landed next to her, drawing his Weapon, a massive Single-edged sword. 

King Sombra's body spoke in the voice of Daybreaker. "So! You dare to stand against me?"

Twilight Sparkle stepped forward, "Yes. I will fight for friendship, for freedom, for Equestria!"

Daybreaker roared, "So be it, I will make your deaths very painful!" 

King Sombra's body lunged at Twilight Sparkle. Dawn Star slammed his blade into King Sombra's back, cutting a deep gash into his armor.

Dawn Star roared out the next verse, "TOGETHER!" As everypony charged down King Sombra, determined to strike him down.

He continued, "We can show the world what we can do! your next to me and I'm next to you. Push me on though until the battles Won!"

Tirek smashed King Sombra with his club, while Chrysalis blasted a storm of magic missiles. Both these attacks collided with King Sombra, sending him flying. 

Dawn Star took a blow from King Sombra's scythe, cutting his helmet. Although he was in pain, he still kept singing. 

"No one's going to give nothing to us! Into each other we put our trust!"

Shining Armor and Shadow Armor unleashed beams of magic to pierce King Sombra's body. The two knights sung out, "STANDING UNITED, AFTER THE FIGHT!"

Dawn Star began to finish up the Song, "all alone, we will never be! All of us, are holding the key!"

Twilight Sparkle chimed in, "We see today! A world we couldn't see..."

Dawn Star unleashed a storm of fire upon King Sombra. "Everypony, Now!"

The Main Six pummeled King Sombra with Attack after attack after attack, they then heard King Sombra's voice in thier head. "Ok! I can get back into my body!"

King Sombra's body jerked back and forth as his eyes turned back to normal, he stood up and said "Well done Everypony."

Daybreaker screamed, clearly not amused by King Sombra getting his body back and losing the battle. 

"You! You! YOU INSUFFERABLE PONIES! I'll kill you all!" 

She pointed at Twilight Sparkle and Dawn Star, "STARTING WITH YOU TWO!" 

Daybreaker dived down the two alicorns, horn extended and eyes full of rage, she fired a beam of Magic that rocketed through the air at Twilight's body. Twilight Sparkle couldn't get out of the way, then something blocked the attack. 

Twilight heard a pained grunt as Tirek stepped in front of the Attack, he collapsed in pain as Twilight saw a large hole in his chest. 

Daybreaker fired again at Dawn Star, this time much faster. 

King Sombra shouted out, "NO!" King Sombra blocked the attack by diving in front of the blast. Both Tirek and King Sombra were lying on the ground, large holes in thier chests. 

Daybreaker laughed, "Oh this is just perfect! The two most powerful villains to ever walk Equestria, before me of course, just sacrificed thier lives for the heroes." 

She slowly clapped her hooves together, "How Pathetic..."

Daybreaker flew off, "Ta-ta Ponies! I'm off to claim what is rightfully MINE!" She laughed and sped off, leaving King Sombra and Tirek lying on the ground dying. 

Dawn Star looked down on his ancestor and said, tears in his eyes, "Sombra... no. Why did you save me?"

King Sombra reached up and said, pain In his voice, "because I had to. I figured If I could do something good for once, then maybe I'll be remembered differently... You're safe right?" 

Dawn Star sat, holding his mentor, "Yes. I'm safe thanks to you..."

Twilight ran over to Tirek, tears in her eyes, "TIREK! NO!"

Tirek his hand out and said to Twilight Sparkle, "I agree with Sombra... I thought that if I did one good deed, then maybe I'll be remembered as a hero... I guess I did good, right?"

Twilight grasped Tirek's hand, "Yeah... you did good."

Tirek took a last breath, and then died in front of Twilight Sparkle. She cried into his chest. Dawn Star pulled her away and said, "May Faust guide him to the heavens."

King Sombra called Twilight, Dawn Star, and everypony else over "I have something to say to all of you... I have chosen to leave my possessions to all of you." 

King Sombra turned towards Fluttershy, "To you Fluttershy, I leave my grimoire on the beasts and monsters of Equestria. May it prove useful to you." A large book appeared out of nowhere and landed next to Flutthershy. 

"T-thank you..." she said, trying to look brave.

He turned next to Rarity, "To you, I leave the spell to unlock the doors of my vaults. Use the riches wisely..." a scroll appeared 

"Thank You King Sombra." Said Rarity, trying not to cry.

He turned next to Applejack, "To you, Farmer. I leave my land, grow your apples and prosper there..." 

A piece of paper with a map of King Sombra's land appeared

Applejack tipped her hat and said, "thanks partner..."

He looked towards Pinkie Pie, "To you, I leave my vast array of recipes from the Royal Kitchen, turn your little shop into a chain restaurant." A book popped in with a cooking pot on the cover.

Pinkie's hair was drooped over, "Okay..."

King Sombra turned to Rainbow Dash, "to you I leave my Scythe, may you become a true hero..." 

King Sombra levitated his Scythe towards Rainbow Dash.

Rainbow Dash was on the ground with her head bowed, "Thanks King. You aren't that bad after all..."

He finally got to Twilight, "To you, Twilight Sparkle. I leave you the spell to unlock my archives, there you will find spellbooks that will teach you the fundamentals of Dark Magic and how to control it properly." 

A scroll popped in Front of Twilight, "Thank you King Sombra... I will use this well." She said, bowing her head.

He got up on his feet and limped over to Dawn Star, he then whispered to him. 

"To you, my student. I leave you my greatest gift..." Dawn Star looked on with sadness, his mentor was dying. 

King Sombra reached up to his head, and took off his crown. Everypony looked on in shock

He then said, "I, King Sombra of the Crystal Empire. Being of Sound mind and sound body, crown you, Dawn Star, King of Castle Nevermore. May your rule be fair and just... Long live the king..."

King Sombra collapsed to the ground, and died. 

Dawn Star wept, so did the others. They had lost both Sombra and Tirek. 

He then said, sorrow in his voice

"Before I say goodbye to you... one more last fist bump..."
> Chapter 20: Endgame, Part 2: Dance with Daybreaker!
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

(The Crystal Empire, The Train to Equestria.)

Dawn Star sat on the train to Equestria, more determined than ever. He was not going to let anypony else die when Daybreaker gets to Canterlot, although he had no clue how to defeat her. 

Twilight Sparkle sat next to him and said, "Uh, Dawn Star. Are you ok?"

Dawn Star sighed, "I just saw my mentor and friend die in front of me. I'm also now king apparently, so no I'm not ok. What do you want?"

Twilight Sparkle put a hoof on Dawn Star's back, he and everypony had shed their armor and weapons, they were going in under the cover of nightfall, and the sound of rusling clothes would give them away. 

Twilight said in a comforting voice, "They will always be with us Dawn Star, even if they are dead. You know that right?" 

Rainbow Dash flew over to her Fire Alicorn friend, "Yeah, cheer up Dawn Star. Daybreaker is all alone now. We can beat her, I know we can!"

Applejack winked at Dawn Star, "Yeah! Daybreaker is as beat as a rattlesnake without teeth. We can beat her if we all work as a team."

Rarity said to him, "We will win darling. Besides, Daybreaker may boast that she is pretty, but all that red and white is hard on the eyes." 

Fluttershy gave Dawn Star a weak smile, "Yeah. She will lose because we have the magic of friendship!"

Pinkie Pie gave Dawn Star a big grin, "Yeah! That big fire-covered meanie is going down!" 

Dawn Star looked around at the Main Six, and said, "Well thanks for the support everypony. I feel a little better." 

Dawn Star turned to Twilight and said, "but I'm still trying to figure out why Daybreaker keeps going after everypony close to you. It's like she is actually trying to destroy your family and everypony close to you."

Twilight Sparkle looked at Dawn Star, confused, "What do you mean?"

Dawn Star took out a journal, "Ok. Example 1, Every time Daybreaker attacks it's always in areas with a member of your family or somepony you and your friends helped... First she went after Starlight Glimmer's village, as Starlight Glimmer was the one who saw Daybreaker first when she switched Luna and Celestia's cutie marks. Starlight was also your student during her lessons in friendship. Thus, Daybreaker would attack Starlight. Then, she attacked Shining Armor because he has a personal connection with you since he is your brother." 

Dawn Star paced back and forth, "Then she killed Tirek and King Sombra, who both had encountered you before and you beat them, almost as if she was trying to prove that she is superior to you. Don't these events seem connected somehow?" 

Twilight Sparkle nodded, "Yeah they do, but who would go through all that trouble to get at me?" 

Dawn Star put his book away and said, "I don't know Twilight, I've read through the history of you and your friends. However, When I looked for the entry where Starlight encountered Daybreaker in her nightmare, the page was torn out. Almost as if somepony took the page and ran off. Rather interesting to say the least..."

Applejack said, "Everypony, do y'all remember Trixie? She had a pretty big grudge against you Sugarcube." 

Dawn Star raised an eyebrow, "Who the hell is Trixie?"

Twilight elaborated, "Trixie is a stage magician who tried to surpass me in magical abilities when I was just a unicorn. She eventually gained access to the Alicorn Amulet, an artifact of immeasurable power, at the cost of the user becoming evil and vindictive. She still lost though..." 

Dawn Star eyes went wide, "Really? I'm impressed by her ambition, but she still failed. Pity..."

Rainbow Dash spoke up, "Yeah! But Trixie has been missing for a long time, and the only way she reached that level of power was with the Alicorn Amulet, and that was thrown out a long while ago." 

Fluttershy chimed in quietly, "It could be Starlight Glimmer trying to flex her power, but that doesn't seem likely... Starlight was reformed, so she can't be Daybreaker."

"Whoever it is, she seems to really really dislike Celestia." Pinkie Pie chimed in, smiling and bouncing up and down.

Twilight Sparkle shook her head, "Argh! The only one I can think of that doesn't like Celestia and interacted with Starlight Glimmer is..." 

A dreadful thought just blew into her head, sending chills down her spine. She looked out into the distance and saw a fireball heading for Canterlot.

"Oh Sweet Celestia, Daybreaker is nearly at Canterlot!"

The train came to a screeching halt as it stopped at Ponyville first, they saw a shadow in the distance. 

Twilight Sparkle was the first pony to ask, "Who is that?"

The shadow got closer, it was Spike, he had grown pretty large and he was carrying somepony over his shoulder. 

Dawn Star looked at the pony, he recognized it immediately from the bright white coat. 

He shouted out, "HOLY CRAP THATS CELESTIA!" 

Everypony stared at the body of the sun princess in shock, "CELESTIA!" 

The princess got up and slumped over on Spike's shoulder, "Ugh. Twilight... and Burning Star. You are a sight for sore eyes."

Twilight Sparkle asked Celestia, "So if your not Daybreaker, than who is?!" 

Celestia got up and said, "Twilight, there is only one pony who has that level of hatred for me and Equestria..."

Twilight gasped, 

"Oh my Faust it's her..."

(Canterlot Castle, Throne Room)

Princess Luna stood stalwart, looking forwards and waiting for Daybreaker to arrive. She said to herself, "I'm going to have to do a lot of explaining to everypony later... but this seems like the only way."

Luna took a deep breath and stepped into the moonlight, feeling a dark force cover her again. Luna's fur became pitch black, her eyes became reptilian, and her body increased in size. 

Where Luna once stood, the Mare in the Moon known as Nightmare Moon now stood! 

Luna inhaled as she felt the moonlight on her fur, she had to do this or Daybreaker would destroy this world. Nightmare Moon spoke, feeling her voice grow deeper. "I am going to need to explain a lot later, but let's do this..." 

Nightmare Moon faded into shadows, if Sombra could do it, so could she.

Daybreaker crashed though the door of the castle, she said in a teasing voice. "Oh Sister... where are you? I'm back for my throne, and your head on a spike!" 

Daybreaker heard a voice from the shadows, "Daybreaker! I have returned to defeat you!" 

Daybreaker looked around, and saw a shadow take shape on the throne. Upon HER throne sat Nightmare Moon! 

"Well well, you have returned to you better form Luna. You are much more beautiful in this form than your previous one." 

Nightmare Moon spoke, "Really, you are trying to flatter me with my beauty? Daybreaker... I'm still Luna under this form. And unlike you, I still retain my sanity." 

Daybreaker reared up and ignited her horn, "I do not care what form you take, I do not care how many soldiers you throw at me, I WILL DESTROY THIS KINGDOM!"

Nightmare Moon's gaze softened, "Celestia, I know you're in there. Please, come back to me..."

Daybreaker just laughed, "Luna! Don't you see? I want to do this! This is what I'm supposed to be. Im supposed to rule by fear, it's the only way to get respect from Anypony." 

Nightmare Moon blasted Daybreaker with a wave of darkness, "I know about Fear! I've distributed and received fear. You only impose it on others because you lack any authority over this world." 

Daybreaker unleashed all Tartarus on Nightmare Moon, pinning her against the wall. "No Luna! You are wrong! Fear is what makes us strong. Fear and lies!" 

Nightmare Moon braced for the end, when Daybreaker was hit by a blast of red lightning. 

It was Dawn Star! 

"You will not hurt her anymore Daybreaker!" Dawn Star yelled, flaring his wings and igniting his mane and tail. 

Twilight Sparkle stood behind Dawn Star, eyes full of rage. "How dare you harm Luna!" 

Daybreaker stared down her attacker, "you wish to face me alone? Hah! You won't last ten seconds against me Burning Star. Besides, Twilight wouldn't strike down her own teacher."

A beak of golden energy hit Daybreaker in the back, "You're not Me!" Said Celestia, limping in behind Daybreaker.

Luna ran over to her sister, "Oh Celestia! I knew that you weren't her!" Luna reverted back from Nightmare Moon to herself and gave her sister a hug, tears flowing down her cheeks. 

Twilight Sparkle stepped forwards, speaking in the Royal Canterlot voice, "Listen up Daybreaker! You are all alone now, so surrender and we will not harm you, much."

Dawn Star pushed Twilight behind him, and said in his speech voice, "Now that I know you're not Celestia, this will make this so much easier for me."

Daybreaker snarled, "What?! No! I had this all planned out! I was going to win, not you!" 

Twilight Sparkle tackled Daybreaker to the ground, she began to ignite her horn, "You are not Daybreaker! Your not even an Alicorn!" 

Twilight fired her magic point blank at Daybreaker's head. The White fire covered Alicorn skidded backwards, her body seemed to be flickering. 

Twilight Sparkle stood tall as the form of Daybreaker disappeared, revealing the real mastermind.

In the place of Daybreaker stood a beige colored unicorn with a red and yellow mane resembling flames. She had a cutie Mark of a blazing sun on her flank. She had a look of pure rage on her face.

Before them stood Celestia's first student and exiled unicorn, Sunset Shimmer!

Twilight Sparkle said, eyes full of strength. "I should have known it was you! You couldn't just let this grudge go, huh Sunset Shimmer?! I guess some ponies never change."

Dawn Star looked confused, "Who is Sunset Shimmer exactly?"

Twilight Sparkle explained to Dawn Star, "Sunset Shimmer was Princess Celestia's student before me. She was very powerful, but when she didn't get what she desired as quickly as she wanted, she turned cruel and dishonest, eventually abandoning her studies to pursue her own path. She hated me and Celestia so much for taking me as a student afterward. She came back one day and took my element of magic, My friends and I followed her and were warped to another world. We attempted to reform her on that world, and she did come around..."

Twilight sneered at Sunset, "But I guess all of it was a farce after all, huh?" 

Dawn Star began to put two and two together, "Ok I'm starting to see, that makes sense... she would lock up Celestia and take her place, use Daybreaker as a way to destroy Celestia's image, and then use the sense of fear to destroy Equestria and take over while she tried to dispose of you, Twilight Sparkle..." 

Sunset Shimmer screamed and unleashed a storm of fire in all directions. "You forgot about me! because you wanted Twilight Sparkle over me since she was stronger! You took away this world from me, now I want it destroyed!"

Dawn Star shielded The Princesses from Sunset's Fire Storm. He then fired back with a beam of red energy. It hit Sunset in the chest and staggered her backwards. 

Sunset Shimmer teleported past Dawn Star and smashed him over the head with her hind legs, knocking him out. She then smacked Twilight with her hooves. She was intent on destroying her replacement.

Twilight Sparkle fell to the floor from Sunsets strike, she said. "What is your deal Sunset?! I thought you were content with your life back there. I thought you changed!" 

"Are you kidding me? I'd never change even if Celestia accepted me as her Student. I never wanted to be there! Celestia forgot about me and replaced me with you!" Sunset screamed in Twilight's face, before jumping back and firing a bolt of energy, Twilight shielded it with great difficulty.

Twilight Sparkle responded, "You left! She didn't abandon you!"

Sunset continued to attack, "I was supposed to be Celestia's student!" She fired another bolt of energy, Twilight blocked again, but she was wearing thin. 

"I was supposed to be the bearer of the Element of Magic!" Sunset screamed, unleashing a beam or red energy, Twilight began to sweat, trying to block Sunset's attacks. 

"I was supposed to be an Alicorn and the princess of friendship! You deserve none of this you egg-head!" Sunset finally broke Twilight's shield and blasted her with all she had. 

"NOW I WILL TAKE WHAT IS RIGHTFULLY MINE! Die Twilight Sparkle!" 

Sunset charged a giant beam of fire, then fired it at Twilight. 

Suddenly, the beam was blocked by none other than Dawn Star, who stood his ground against the angry Unicorn Mare. 

Dawn Star spoke in a fearsome voice. "So, all of this. All the death, all the bloodshed, all the destruction. All of this because you were jealous of Twilight Sparkle? How desperate are you?"

He put his hoof up, pointing at her. "You are responsible for what happened to you, Sunset! You chose to be unruly and it cost you your status as student of Princess Celestia, this is on you... you can't blame anypony else for your own arrogance and deception, and you have to face the consequences of your actions!"

He said in a voice that intimidated even Celestia. "You will not harm Twilight Sparkle." 

Sunset Shimmer winced in pain as a black hoof hit her in the chest. She backed up and blasted him, he deflected it.

He punched her again, this time sending her flying across the room. He said in a booming voice, "You will not harm The Princesses!"

Sunset smacked him in the face over and over, he didn't even budge. Dawn Star pinned Sunset against the wall with his horn against her throat. 

He roared in her face, "YOU WILL NOT HARM ANYPONY AND YOU WILL NEVER HARM ANYPONY EVER AGAIN!"

Dawn Star slammed his hoof against the Unicorn's face, leaving a crater against the wall from the impact. He finally stopped smashing her face into the wall. She was unconscious, and her face and body was covered in bruises.

Dawn Star finally said, "So say I, King Dawn Star, the desendant of King Da'irko, and rightful ruler of Equestria..." 

Dawn Star picked up the unconscious Unicorns body and looked over to Celestia, "Now instead of sending her to a different dimension, lock her up."

Celestia felt the words he said ring in her head, "Dawn Star... you mean your the "last living descendant of King Da'irko and rightful ruler of Equestria?" 

Twilight Sparkle nodded, "yep. He is, he's not lying either, it's written in the history books. Everypony knows, including me."

Luna and Celestia stood in shock as Dawn Star flared his wings out, they broke through the sheet he wore over his back and folded to his sides.

Celestia walked over to Dawn Star and said, "You are an Alicorn? How?"

Dawn Star simply said, "I had these wings since I was born..."

The rest of the main six showed up and saw Dawn Star standing over the Unicorn known as Sunset Shimmer... they all stood there in shock. 

Applejack was the first to speak up, "So Daybreaker was never real?"

Dawn Star shook his head, "No, it was an illusionary image. This was all a desperate attempt by this mare known as Sunset Shimmer. I can't believe that you all offered her a chance and she accepted it, then she stabbed you in the back... all because she was jealous of Twilight Sparkle... how pathetic." 

Rarity said with a huff, "Hmph, after giving her a chance to be good, she betrays us. How disgusting."

Rainbow Dash looked on with disappointment, she said "Sunset Shimmer... what a jerk."

Luna asked the obvious question, "so what are we going to do with her?" 

Dawn Star walked towards Celestia and said, "As rightful king, I propose that we lock her up in a place where she will never bother anypony ever again... say, Tartarus?"

Celestia nodded, "Yes. I think that would be fitting punishment for her."

Sunset regained consciousness and said out of fear, "Wait, what? You can't lock me up, I'm the rightful student of Princess Celestia."

Twilight Sparkle walked over to her and said, "Not you're not! You are not her student, and you will never be her student again!" 

She then smacked Sunset in the face, knocking her out again.

Twilight sighed, "That felt good."

Dawn Star said to Celestia and Luna, "Considering that I'm the descendant of the Old Equestria Royal Family, does that make me king?"

Celestia and Luna nodded, "I guess it does, do you want to be king?"

Dawn Star shrugged, "Well, Yeah. I think you two deserve a rest from all the politics of royalty. Don't you think?"

Twilight Sparkle was about to bow and leave, then Dawn Star stepped in front of her. "Twilight, I've thought hard about this... I need a queen." 

He bent down, "would you be my queen?"

Twilight Sparkle teared up, "Of course! I'll be your queen!"

Celestia cut in, "then its settled. We will have a coronation next month That should give you all enough time to prepare a dress, write vows, etc."

Dawn Star then said, "Great! I'll prepare for the coronation. See you in a month Twilight!"

Twilight Sparkle went red in the face, "Y-y-yeah. See you in a month..."
> Epilogue: The Marriage of Dawn and Dusk
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

(One Month Later...)

(Twilight Sparkle's Castle, Twilight's Room)

Twilight Sparkle and her friends sat discussing the last few weeks with her friends.

Applejack spoke up, "Well the last few weeks have sure been eventful, Sugarcube. We met Burning Star/Dawn Star, King Sombra returned, Dawn Star revealed himself to be an Alicorn, the kingdom almost fell to the wrath of Daybreaker, and we all found out it was Sunset Shimmer who was pretending to be Daybreaker!" 

She was writing in the Friendship Journal, listing all the past events that happened. 

"So in conclusion, Daybreaker was revealed to be the Unicorn known as Sunset Shimmer. She was defeated and captured by Dawn Star, she awaits her sentence, she may likely be sentenced to life In prison for her actions."

She then titled it, "The Daybreaker Incident, The Rise of Dawn Star."

Rarity tugged on Twilight's tail, "Darling, put that book away. You can catalog all the events later. Today's your coronation day!"

Fluttershy nodded, "Yeah, you gotta be ready Twilight. Today is your big day..."

Twilight put the book back on its shelf, "Alright girls, I'll stop. I know I need to get ready for the coronation, but I'm not sure I'm I'm ready to be Queen yet..."

Rainbow Dash gave Twilight a playful punch on the shoulder, "Don't Worry Twilight! Everything's going to be fine."

Pinkie Pie chimed in, "I made the coronation super duper special! I invited all our friends to it because it's a big day for you and Dawn Star."

Twilight Sparkle smiled, "Yeah... it is a big day for me."

Cadence walked in and saw Twilight in her dress she wore to her coronation as a princess, she looked beautiful.

"Oh Twilight, you look stunning. We need to get to the Castle of the Two Sisters though, and we need to hurry!"

Twilight Sparkle looked at the clock, it was almost 3 pm! the Wedding was at Sunset!

"Sweet Celestia! Let's go everypony!"

The mares rushed out of the castle, heading towards the Castle of the Two Sisters. 

(Castle Nevermore, King Sombra's Old Bedroom)

Meanwhile on the other side of Equestria, Dawn Star was getting ready as well. He had selected Shining Armor and Shadow Armor as his groomsmen, and Discord was helping with the attire Dawn Star was going to wear.

Shining Armor said, clearly annoyed. "Will you hurry up! It's nearly 3 pm and you're not even dressed yet."

Dawn Star said from behind the bathroom door, "I'm not going until I'm perfect!"

Shadow Armor scowled, "Stop rushing him Shining Armor... it takes a lot of work to look good for a coronation. You should know that, you are the prince of the Crystal Empire after all..."

Discord opened the door, he was wearing an orange suit and tie. He stepped aside and said, "May I present to you... Dawn Star!"

Dawn Star walked out, he was wearing a red and black sash across his chest, which was covered with a white and red suit. His wings were shining, since he preened them recently. He looked very handsome!

Shadow Armor unexpectedly clapped his hooves, "You look great. Now let's go!"

The Three Stallions and Draconequess raced out the door towards the Everfree Forest.

(Castle of the Two Sisters, Main Courtyard.)

Dawn Star arrived first at the castle, and rushed up the stairs to the altar. Celestia and Luna were standing at the altar, looking relieved.

"Thank Faust you are here. Where is Twilight Sparkle?"

Twilight Sparkle flew into view and landed on the altar, Dawn Star thought she looked beautiful in her dress. 

Celestia signaled for everypony to rise, she then said. "Ladies and Gentleponies, we are gathered here today to celebrate the coronation of Dawn Star and Twilight Sparkle as King and Queen."

Celestia turned to Twilight first, "Princess Twilight Sparkle, Do you promise to rule Equestria with a fair and just hoof, to defend it when it is in danger, and to rule until the end of your days?" 

Twilight Sparkle bowed and said, "I will."

Luna turned to Dawn Star, "And do you, Dawn Star, descendant of the Old Equestrian Royal Family, promise to rule Equestria with a fair and just hoof, to defend it when it is in danger, and to rule until the end of your days?" 

Dawn Star said, "Yes, I will."

Celestia picked up Twilight's Crown and put it on her head, "Then I crown you, Queen Twilight Sparkle. May your reign be fair and just."

Luna picked up the crown that once belonged to King Sombra and placed it on Dawn Star's head. "Then I crown thee, King Dawn Star. May your reign be fair and just."

Everypony cheered and bowed, and a few shed tears. 

Then Dawn Star said to the crowd, "Listen ponies of Equestria. While this is a joyous day, it is also a somber one as well. Many ponies lost their lives to the monster known as Daybreaker. But Daybreaker wasn't Celestia at all... it was a disguise made by Celestia's former Student, the Unicorn known as Sunset Shimmer. I propose that monument is constructed to honor the ponies who lost thier lives."

Twilight Sparkle cut in, "I second that. We must remember our dead, and know that they gave their lives to stop the violence."

Dawn Star put a hoof on Twilight's back, "I need to go do something, I'll be back tonight."

(Tartarus)

Sunset Shimmer woke up, she was in a holding cell. She had a magic suppressor on her horn. 

Dawn Star was standing near the door to the cell, he was wearing his crown. He said to her. "I'm so ashamed of you. I may not know you well Sunset, but I know real evil when I see it."

Sunset Shimmer lunged at Dawn Star, by was jerked back by the chains around her legs, she said in anger.

"You shouldn't talk, You rotten Alicorn, you betrayed your mentor as well!"

Dawn Star corrected her, "No. He betrayed me when he thought that Twilight was a better student, and she technically was, but she wouldn't last a day under King Sombra. She was... fragile and weak willed, while I was strong and determined."

Sunset snarled, "You don't deserve her, all you deserve is death. If anypony finds out that you are also the descendant of King Sombra, they will destroy you..."

Dawn Star shrugged, "So what if they do? Everypony knows that I'm different from him, I was willing to change, I accepted the fact that I was wrong and that even I had my limits... you just wanted more power. And if anypony tries to end me, they will meet with a very HOT grave."

Sunset screamed, "I will escape here you know!"

Dawn Star said, his face inches from hers. "Even if you do escape, you step one hoof out into Equestria, and you're dead. You can run to the ends of the country, I'll find you, and I'll kill you. Now, sit here in your silent cell with only your mind and voice to listen to!"

Dawn Star locked the cell door and said one last thing, "Sunset Shimmer, I will let you out if you tell me the answer to this Question. Why did you lose?"

Sunset screamed at him, "Go to hell..."

Dawn Star smirked, "Sorry, that's the wrong answer. And also, you are already in Hell. Goodbye..."

He then teleported back to Twilight's castle.

(Twilight's Castle, Throne Room) 

Dawn Star teleported back to see Twilight sitting on her throne, she looked happy.

"Hello Twilight, you enjoy being Queen yet? I just got back from telling our prisoner what's going to happen if she tries to escape."

Twilight put a wing around Dawn Star, "You know you got to tell me how you do those speeches one day." 

Dawn Star simply said, "They just come naturally to me. So, anything exciting happen today?"

Twilight put her hoof behind her back, "Yeah, somepony close to you is going to be a father."

Dawn Star raised an eyebrow, "Really? Who is it?"

Twilight pulled out a little stick with a positive sign on it, "You! Of course!"

Dawn Star stepped back, eyes full of terror, he inhaled. "Uh... uaaah." 

He ran towards the window. "AAAAHAHAh!"

Twilight pulled him back with her magic, "Man up! Even you can handle one child."

Dawn Star thought in the back of his head, "If only she knew..."

He then said, hooves on his face, 

"I've got a lot of explaining to do..."