The following takes place between 7:00am and 8:00am

Just as Jack gave them the test results, they stood still in shock. Spike looked the paper, he wanted to check if it's accurate. "He's right."

"Twilight's still a unicorn? How?" Applejack asked.

Celestia arrived, feeling better after raising the sun. Luna shifted her head to her sister's arrival. "You better asked her."

Twilight rushed over with despair in her eyes. "Princess Celestia, why am I not an alicorn?"

Celestia didn't understand. Jack showed her the results sheet. "Even though your student's a princess, she's still a unicorn. Not even her wings can counter that."

Celestia struggled to explain.

"You're saying I got these wings for nothing?" remarked Twilight.

"You're still a princess. Nothing can change that," reminded Rainbow Dash.

"Twilight wasn't part of royalty. She's born a regular unicorn. Celestia and her sister are part of the royal family. They have the same lifespan as any alicorn. A unicorn that changed to an alicorn is still a unicorn on the inside."

"It's like decorating an old house. Sure it looks pretty, but it's still an old house. Spike gave his best on giving a laymen's term.

It didn't help Twilight much. She understood that finishing that unfinished spell wasn't done for nothing, and she's rewarded in the end. Being struck down by the devastating news, placed her in a secluded spot.

7:05am

Phi and Chi became consumed by the energy. They have the same eyes as the king's. Brave Lance had to call in reinforcements. He placed the horn in a secured container.

A team of armoured equines surrounded Phi and Chi, heavily armed and not afraid to shoot. The pair's eyes glowed exactly like Sombra's. They believed they're all powerful.

"We actually have the power of King Sombra." Phi's already filled with ecstasy.

Chi tested his new strength on the ponies. "Exactly as described."

All the ponies surrounding Chi and Phi were on the floor, injured and disarmed. Brave Lance spotted Dark Spear, he signalled him to hide. They waited for the right moment. Phi and Chi aimed their horns at each other. Both changelings fell back from each of their blasts. Two more added to the body count.

"How's that possible?" asked Dark Spear.

"It's like what's left of Sombra's power, rejected both changelings after entering their bodies."

Dark Spear went to the injured ponies. Some were unconscious, others gratefully injured. He contacted medical services.

Brave Lance wanted to know more of King Sombra's power. Dark Spear was also interested. "We must go to the Crystal Empire for answers."

7:23am

The library was one of the priorities. It's seemed unlike any resident of the Crystal Empire, will keep any record of their ruler. Finding a trace became difficult. They continued looking anything on the rise of King Sombra. All they could find was his family history, it didn't provide useful information.

Dark Spear opened a drawer. A cloud of dust puffed in his eyes. He looked at old manuscripts. He placed each paper across the desk.

They explained back before Sombra took the throne, a black crystal emerged from the snow. A scout found a baby unicorn lying next to it. He took him back to the Crystal Empire. Before the scout could put him up for adoption, the king and queen at the time, wanted to have the unicorn as their child. They slowly learned he possessed powers no unicorn can handle. The royal guards found the crystal years later. They also discovered Sombra coming to it every so often; before and after his adopted parents died.

The manuscripts ended at the moment before Sombra took full reign.

"It's this crystal that Sombra's born from that gave him those powers. It's likely Phi and Chi died because it rejected them, for not being born from the shadows."

"Yet we still don't know who the leader of Sect is."

They've been searching for the leader and still haven't been able to ID him. No matter how many times they try, he keeps evading them.

Brave Lance found a scrap of paper with a message: Look for the black crystal outside of the Crystal Empire. Wait there so we'll meet up.

7:36am

They searched the outskirts. The weather changed immediately after they entered. A heavy blizzard became a challenge. Snow prevented them from moving quickly. They had to shield their eyes; a single snowflake can hurt an eye. Finding the crystal couldn't be more difficult. Not knowing the actual location made it worse. It's like Mother Nature's stopping them.

A wave of energy shook their spines. They turned to the direction of the source. A black irregularly-shaped can be seen from afar. It's the crystal they're looking for.

Once they stopped, the energy emitting was at its strongest. Dark Spear and Brave Lance stood close together, so they can share body heat.

Hooded figures wearing goggles, scarves, and coats came forward. They managed to move through the storm with ease.

"Did you get the note?" one them shouted.

"Dark Spear of ESCT. This is Brave Lance."

"Sorry we had to meet out here. We didn't think a storm would be coming." He handed them coats and googles. "The name's Bright Iris."

Bright Iris is a skilled agent of ESCT. One of the few crystal ponies to become one of the top members.

"Weren't you that crystal pony who worked undercover as a college professor?" asked Brave Lance.

"Back during the scares."

"Scares?" Dark Spear asked.

"Some pranksters were creating monsters at the school, scaring every pony. They didn't cause much damage," Brave Lance explained.

One of Bright Iris' partners scouted behind, searching for any followers.

"What Sect are planning is using Sombra's horn. We believe they're going to harness that power as part of the scheme in ruling Equestria. That power's unstable in the wrong hooves. Especially unskilled hooves."

He's right. After seeing Phi and Chi's demise, there's nothing denying that.

A black shadow emerged from the crystal. Bright Iris pushed Brave and Dark back, to avoid getting touched. Just as they were going to retreat, the shadow slowly formed in the shape of King Sombra.