Hopper was visiting Cadance in the crystal kingdom, but Cadance wasn't there. Dark crystals had surronded him in darkness, and he heard the voice of a stallion calling him.

"Cloud Hopper, come here. Follow my voice, I can help you." called the voice, sweet as honey. Compelled and mesmerized, Hopper was entranced by the voice and followed it deeper into the darkness. Soon, he saw a brilliant red flame eminating only a few yard from where Hopper was. Illuminated in the background, was a roughly male figure. Hopper galloped towards it. When he was close enough, he saw the kingdom's old tyrant. There before him, stood King Sombra. He grinned at the colt, revealing his semi sharp teeth.

"Welcome! I am here to reveal you as my heir. I am willing to teach you all my darkest secrets of dark magic, but you will have to pledge your alligence to your father." explained the dark unicorn. Hopper looked at him, and them looked back at himself. He was no longer a combination of blue and white, but black and red.

"What have you done to me?" he cried fearfully. Sombra trotted over to his son's side, and put a hoof over his shoulder.

"I've given you your true form. Don't you know? I am your real father, and Rainbow Dash isn't really your mother. An ancient force of darkness named Crimson Tide is. Follow me, I can give you powers beyond belief. I, no we, can make you stronger than Celestia herself!" replied King Sombra. Hopper looked over to his left side at the feeling of another hoof on his flank.

"Hopper, don't you think it's time to be with us?" asked a brilliant red earth pony. Her eyes shone back at him, perfectly black. He looked at both of his self proclaimed parents, Crimson Tide and King Sombra.

"Hopper, it's time to wake up to your true self." said King Sombra. Hopper then felt his mother shaking his shoulder.

"Hopper, wake up." commanded Crimson Tide.

"Hopper, wake up!"

Hopper leapt out of bed, finding himself in the freezing cold living room. His mother was standing there, holding up her hooves in the universal 'calm down' sign.

"What the hay is going on?" his mother demanded. He took a few calming breaths, and almost began telling Rainbow Dash about his dreams. Almost.

"You're not my mother! King Sombra told me so! He's my father, and Crimson Tide is my mother!" he shouted before galloping out of the house into broad daylight. With tears running down his face, Hopper bought red and black dye. He gallopped all the way to the edge of the Everfree Forest, and then dyed his fur exactly like in the dream. His mane was now completely black with only edged red, and his body now resembled the night of blood clouds. Even his horn was blood red. He quickly retrieved all his money from his ever present wallet, and counted out the exact ammount of bits to go to the crystal kingdom. He left everything else at the edge of the forest, and headed straight for the Ponyville train station. Lucky for him, the train was already there for him. His mother was nowhere in sight. He boarded the train and sat at the very back of the train, hoping nopony would notice or recognize him.

"Nopony could recognize me in my true form, Midnight Blood." he thought to himself. He decided it was best to try and stay awake on the five hour train ride, so he wouldn't be accidentally sent back to Ponyville. As soon as the crystal kingdom was in sight, he powered up his horn to pull the emergency break beside another unicorn. The train screeched to a stop, and Hopper made a quick escape from the back train exit. He didn't even bother to look back at the poor unicorn he'd gotten into trouble, he just pushed onward towards the dark crystal cave in the far distance.

The crystal cave was only another mile away, just a little further and Hopper could be reunited with his true father! His heart was racing from excitement as well as exaustion. As he reached the cave entrance, Hopper saw the red light once more. It made him push on through his exaustion. The crimson ball lead him deeper and deeper into the cave. Soon, it stopped, hovering just above him. Noticing this, Hopper copied the light's movements.

"Sit down, my son. I know you have traveled far. For that I am proud." said King Sombra as he appeared out of the darkness. Hopper greatfully obeyed his father, and found the ground was cold and hard. He dared not complain, because he wanted to how his father that he had strength and self control.

"Yes, father. As you wish." he replied. His darker coat let him blend into the cave's background, like a predator waiting to strike. Sombra circled his son, taking note of his new appearance.

"I see that you have found your true form, Midnight Blood." noted the dark unicorn, his tone showing acceptance to his son's new name.

"Yes father, I am ready to become your heir. Nothing will be able to defeat us." vowed the young stallion. With a grin, Sombra powered up his horn, and a red light enveloped Hopper and his father's horn. Hopper felt himself changing, becoming more powerful, and it was the best feeling ever.

With a loud crash, King Sombra lost his focus, and the magic stopped flowing.

"Don't you dare lay another hoof on my son!" shouted Rainbow Dash, flying in and tackling the evil unicorn. Behind her, Princess Twilight Sparkle trotted out. King Sombra fought back. Hard. He pinned Rainbow Dash down with his magic, while putting his dark magic into Hopper. Hopper felt the most powerful than he ever had before, and he bucked Twilight in her chest. She flew backwards before hitting a wall.

"My son, your dark powers are complete! Fight these stupid mares with me, and rejoice!" Sombra told his son. He stepped on a cyan pegasus's right wing, effectively breaking it. Princess Twilight picked herself up, and powered up her horn, aiming at the occupied King Sombra. Hopper saw this, and powered up his own horn. Negative energy surronded it, and he began a magic battle with the princess of magic. Another beam of light appeared, bright like the sun, and it attacked Hopper as well. Power like that could only come from Princess Celestia.

"Father, I need you assistance!" he shouted.

"All you needed to do was ask." replied the unicorn as he combined his magic with his son's.

"Hopper, don't forget your dear mother." called Crimson Tide. She infused her ghostly essence with their magic. The princesses were slowly becoming weaker, and they all knew it. Just when they were almost defeated, two more beams of light joined in. One was pink, while the other was purple. All the princesses had arrived, and were fighting the dark family. The magic struggle lasted for what seemed to be hours, but in the end, Midnight Blood and his parents were defeated. King Sombra and Crimson Tide couldn't escape. The princesses captured them, and took in the unconcious Cloud Hopper. Princess Celestia looked at his coat and mane. She used her magic to change it back to the blue and white it was before.

"Rainbow Dash! Are you okay?" asked Twilight worriedly, picking up her friend with magic carefully. A small groan let Twilight know that she was alive, and the group quickly began their journey back to Canterlot. Next Chapter: Chapter 4 Estimated time remaining: 8 Minutes