Applejack and Flash had reached Fluttershy's house. Just as they were about to knock, there was a scream behind the door. "Fluttershy!" yelled both of them. Flash kicked down the door. Applejack rushed in but was confronted by two shadow figures. They manifested into the shape of a pony. Fluttershy cowered in fear. Flash jumped into action. So did Applejack. But, as they tried to kick the shadows, they disappeared into the air. Flash looked around. "Get Fluttershy!" he yelled. Applejack nodded and helped Fluttershy up. The two of them made for the door. Once the two were out, Flash made his way to the door. But suddenly, one of the shadows stood between him and the exit. The door shut unable to be opened. Applejack kicked at the door. It didn't budge. "Hold on Flash!" yelled Applejack.

        The shadow circled Flash. Flash followed its path. "Who are you?" Flash asked. No response. The shadow's eyes glowed red. It dashed forward towards Flash. He barely had enough time to react. But luck was on his side. He stepped to his side. He threw a kick out, but the shadow's reflexes were swift. It stepped back and took a lunge toward him. It knocked him into the wall smashing a few objects. Flash got up slowly and called out again, "Who are you?" This time, there was a reply, it's voice was deep and menacing.

        "We are but a messenger of the King of Shadows..."

        "King of Shadows? What do you mean- Wait a minute..."

        "Yes. Our king, King Sombra."

        "Well, what's your message then? Speak!"

        "This message isn't done by words. It is done by action!"

        The second shadow pony appeared. It fell hurdling towards Flash. It held a black spike. Flash had barely enough time to move. The blade had still cut the side of his neck. He let out a yelp. He dashed toward the shadow holding the blade. Just as he was about to strike, it had vanished. Flash turned to find the other had gone too. He sighed with relief. He checked he wound to find out surprisingly there was no blood. He walked over to the mirror to check. The cut was still there but was healed. He shrugged and proceeded to the door. "But my critters are in there!" yelled Fluttershy.

        "Now hold on there sugarcube, Flash'll take care of the shadow things," said Applejack.

Flash opened the door. Fluttershy dashed into the room nearly knocking over Flash. Applejack gave a slight giggle. She looked up to see Flash's scar. "Flash! You got a scar on yer neck," said Applejack.

"It's fine. It stopped bleeding. Well it never bled actually," replied Flash Sentry.

        "What do you mean?"

        "It literally didn't bleed. After I got grazed a bit by a sword of some sort. It just healed."

        "Hmm. That's a bit odd. We should check on Fluttershy. She was mighty afraid her little pets weren't hiding."

        "I never saw any of them. So they must've hid well. But didn't she have larger animals?"

        "True."

        Applejack and Flash Sentry walked back into the house to find Fluttershy surrounded by many animals. Everything seemed fine now. "Is everything okay Flutterhy?" asked Flash.

        "Oh yes. Everything is okay. My bigger furry friends are outside hiding. Good thing we practiced like this. It was in case of a break-in."

        "I honestly doubt there'd be a break-in here, other than this one. Anyways, let's head off to Canterlot."

        "And our means of getting there?" asked Applejack.

        "Oh," said Flash. "I actually hadn't thought of that... Taxi I guess?"

        Everypony groaned.

        "Did you insert the black blood?" asked King Sombra.

"Yes, my liege," replied the two shadow ponies.

"Good. Now begone."

Both ponies vanished into thin air. Sombra thought out loud, "Now that the blood has been inserted, I will be able to speak with him directly. He will also be vulnerable at this state. My plans are accelerating faster than I had suspected. Soon, Twilight shall be as strong as I. I should check on her."

King Sombra walked out of his room. Darkness filled his castle halls. He walked down them, nopony in sight. As he continued down the hall, the castle began to look like the Canterlot Castle. The pictures that were strewn across the room were only pictures of Sombra. The windows were also closed.

        He opened the doors to the courtyard. The skies were grey. Crystal pony servants marched with chains around their necks while shadow figures stood behind them. Twilight was outside using her dark magic. She blasted at a concrete wall. Smashing it little by little. "Ah, there you are," said King Sombra. "How is your dark magic practice?"

        "Great, master," replied Twilight.

        "Remember my student, address me as Sombra."

        "Yes, master. I mean Sombra..."

        "Is there something wrong?"

        "I don't know... I just feel... Sad..."

        "Hmm..."

        King Sombra walked away towards his castle. He began to think. There is still a small piece of harmony left in her. I must speed up the ritual. He entered his castle. King Sombra then walked down the dark hall that lead to the alchemy room. There was an actually pony who stood next to a large caldron. He was a grey pony with a potion as a cutie mark. His mane was a black fauxhawk. "How long will it take to finish the ritual?" asked King Sombra.

         "The elapsed time would be at least two months," said the grey pony.

         King Sombra growled. "No! The process must be sped up! I do not want Flash Sentry or anyone else to interfere with my plan!"

         "Y-yes sir..."

         Sombra gave a snicker. "He won't be able to make it."