Chapter 3

Twilights mind began to reel. “But I thought Cadences barrier was keeping Sombra out? If you’re him how can you be speaking to me?”

“The barrier is keeping my spirit at bay, my will is another matter. During my reign I became attuned to the crystals that make up the structure of the palace. Through these I am able to project my thoughts into your mind.”

“That’s incredible!” cried Twilight, having momentarily forgotten why she was there. “I had no idea that ponies could become attuned to crystals! Does this only apply to Unicorns or can all…”

“Twilight.” The voice said calmly.

Twilight caught herself as she realized that she was being distracted from the task at hoof and blushed slightly.

The voice of Sombra continued. “I will be more than happy to explain to you how they work after we secure the Crystal Heart.”

“How much farther to the Crystal Heart?” Twilight asked once again focused.

Even as she finished her sentence she found herself no longer at the bottom of a stair case but on top of a grand tower overlooking the entirety of the Crystal City. Gazing down Twilight could see that the fair was still going strong despite the fact that the barrier, once reaching past the outskirts of the city was flickering and slowly shrinking as Cadences power waned. Even as she watched the barrier pulsed one last time then disappeared.

“Th…The barriers down!”

The voice of Sombra hissed loudly. “Yesssss!”

In the distance the black fog returned and began to swirl around quickly becoming thicker and thicker as it moved rapidly towards the city. The fog congealed into a large grey face with a red horn that vaguely resembled that of a Unicorn. Just as it was about to cross into the outskirts of the city there was a flash as the barrier rose up from the ground, cutting off the fog as well as a piece of its horn before encasing the city once more.

“Rawahhhhhh!” cried the voice.

“Sombra!”

Sombra’s voice gradually lowed from a roar to a low growl. “No need to worry my dear. This will work to our advantage. Thanks to the barrier a piece of myself is now on the inside. It will begin to spread my influence across the city, further weakening the magic keeping me at bay.”

“What can I do to help?” asked Twilight.”

“I want you to remain here. The barrier will soon fall of its own accord and when it does I will be ready.” As if to emphasize his point the barrier flickered rapidly before returning to normal.

As Twilight gazed at the barrier she involuntarily shuddered as a thought struck her.

“Sombra?” she said with slight dread.

“What is it my dear?”

Looking down from the barrier, Twilight took a deep breath. “What will happen to Cadance?”

“The Alicorn cannot be allowed to escape, were she to rejoin the others our task would become even more difficult.”

Twilight’s voice began to quaver. “Wh..what are you going to do to her?”

“I would see her pay for the crimes committed by the others of her race yet….” Sombra paused as Twilight fought back tears. “No harm will come to her, as she is already weakened and will pose no threat” Twilight sighed loudly at this news but Sombra continued. “However we cannot allow her to leave here, the Alicorn must be captured.”

“How will we do that? Cadance may be weak but she’s also protected by my brother Shining Armor. Even without his magic he will do everything he can to keep her safe”

“Ah yes, the Unicorn that hunted me in the wastes. He is powerful indeed, the spell I used to block his magic will not last much longer and I fear with my influence spread across the city I will not be able to subdue him a second time.”

Twilight racked her brain for a solution and thanks to her weeks of study she found one. “We can seal the palace!” She exclaimed. “I read about a complex locking spell last week that is almost impossible to unlock unless you’re the one who locked it. That will keep Cadance and Shining Armor from getting away before you can get here.”

Sombra remained silent as he seemed to consider Twilight’s words. “That would suffice but I know the spell you speak of, it takes a great deal of energy to successfully cast. I do not doubt your abilities but I will not allow you to endanger yourself by attempting this alone.”

Twilights eyes flashed with anger as her voice rose. “What else can we do? You said it yourself, the barriers keeping your spirit out, even after that’s gone you’re not sure if you can stop Shining Armor a second time. I want to help you and I can do that by casting the spell, so let me cast the spell!” she finished angrily.

“My dear.” Sombra said soothingly. “I wasn’t finished speaking yet. I don’t want you to attempt this alone but you are far from alone. Turn around.”

For the first time since arriving on top of the tower, Twilight realized that there was a faint sound coming from behind her. Turning slowly around she was met with a beautiful sight. A shaft of pure white light shone down from a hidden source in the roof of the tower. Within this light, floating inches above a pedestal and spinning slowly was the Crystal Heart. The details of the heart that Twilight read about did not do it justice. I was perfectly cut, every line and edge was flawless and unlike the one she herself had carved from crystal the genuine Crystal Heart was a rich Aquamarine blue.

Drawn forward by sheer awe, Twilight approached the Crystal Heart. As she drew closer the faint sound grew louder and clearer until standing mere inches away Twilight realized that it was a heartbeat, coming from the Crystal Heart. Reaching out with her hoof Twilight gently touch the surface of the crystal.

There was a blinding flash and a searing pain that traveled down her hoof into the rest of her body. She tried to pull away but was unable to move, her body paralyzed by the searing pain. She wanted to cry out but her mouth would not obey her, her ears were filled with a mighty roar that dulled the pain in her body. After what felt like an eternity of torment, everything stopped. The roar died down along with the pain in her body and lastly her eyes regained their sight.

Finally able to move Twilight jumped back but was unsteady on her hoofs and merely fell backwards unto her side. Laying on the ground underneath the Crystal Heart, bathed in sweat Twilight felt alive.

“This is incredible!” Twilight exclaimed. “I’ve never felt this great before in my life!”

Rolling over and jumping to her hooves, Twilight was brimming with energy. All former pain and exhaustion was gone, as if it never existed.

“That is just a small taste of the power contained within the Crystal Heart, merely touching it is enough to boost your magic tenfold.”

“Now my dear Twilight.” Sombra continued. “I have no qualms about you casting Tarson’s Cosmic Lock on the palace.”

Turning from the Crystal Heart, Twilight closed her eyes and mentally prepared herself. Once she had gathered her thoughts she turned all her will power towards the spell. Her horn began to glow with a dull purple glow that slowly built up to a blinding ball of energy. Once the incantation was finished Twilight released the energy, casting the spell. Up in the tower nothing seemed to have happened but down below all through he palace, doors and windows were slamming shut and locking themselves.

Twilight braced herself for the wave of exhaustion that always accompanied casting complex spells but was surprised to feel nothing. “That was even more complex than when I gave Rarity wings and then I could barely stand after casting that. If just touching the heart gave me that much power then…”

“All in due time Twilight.” Sombra said interrupting her train of thought.

“Oh yeah.” Said Twilight. “You can read my mind”

Before Sombra could reply the barrier started to flicker once again before disappearing all together.

“Finally!” hissed Sombra

As Twilight watched the black fog rose up once more and began to flood into the city.

“Prepare for my arrival!”