This story is a sequel to The War in Heaven

At the edge of the Irenton Dominion, deep within the Great Void, an ancient evil stirs.

Sunless-Halo-of-Penumbra, once scholar of Equestria, former student of Emperor Nicholas, faces another threat, one even greater than the Great Light. Joined by allies old and new, the next stage of her great, universe spanning trial begins.

Penumbra finds herself even further entangled in the cosmic web of deceit and intrigue that Emperor Nicholas had left in his wake. From being at the front-lines of one man's violent, long, and possibly deranged - though he himself would deny it - quest for freedom, now Penumbra must contend with all the rubble that quest left behind. Around every corner may lie danger and perhaps it would simply be easier to step back and let someone else deal with it - for once.

What to do, when only you can save the universe?

Though it is advised to read the prequel - The War in Heaven - first, it is not required. Firstly, because the content of this story can be understood using only the content within it; secondly, The War in Heaven is not very good and is in dire need of a rewrite, which I will get to soon.

The Battle of the Two Sisters is over, and with it, Luna's Rebellion, its leader banished to the Moon by the Elements of Harmony. Her opponent's army shattered, its leaders all but gone and its greatest warriors either dead or in flight, Princess Celestia's position looks secure.

To the north, however, a threat remains. King Sombra of the Crystal Empire, beloved by his subjects, had declared for and fought alongside Luna during her rebellion. Now, he moves desperately to secure his city and its inhabitants, with the wrath of Celestia's army hot on his heels.

The fate of an entire nation hangs in the balance. Though Celestia was known in peace for her adherence to kindness and harmony, there is no telling the rage and hatred that Luna's Rebellion had unleashed. The Battle of the Two Sisters is over, but the Battle of the Crystal Empire is just beginning.

Only one thing is certain: Celestia's wrath will crash upon the Crystal Empire like a great wave and brutality will become the defining feature of the solidifcation of her reign - for there is no mercy under the Black Sun.

Equestria, despite its peaceful nature, has become the most important planet at the centre of the most vital war in the history of the Omniverse. Upon this most important planet, unbeknownst to herself, is the most important creature living, one who will shape the history of the War in Heaven.

Twilight and her friends will know pain, fear, and war. All of reality will be ripped from its foundations, as the greatest war in history is fought.

My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic and all of the trademarks that come with it are property of Hasbro.

CW: Death, Violence, surgical descriptions

The Battle for Mars rages above the planet, so when there is a flash of purple light on the bridge of an Imperial Dreadnought it is ignored. The light deposits Twilight Sparkle onto the ship's bridge who gets to observe first hand the final moments of the climactic battle.