The moon is shrouded by a veil of thin, gray clouds, and the icy air hangs over the outskirts of Foalington. Not a creature stirred and not a single gust of wind blew against the frosty grass as a group of nine cloaked figures approached a mansion built into the side of a hill. The light shines through the shutters like thin beacons and the thick smoke puffing from the chimney bleeds into the sky, where it dissipates into nothing.

The nine figures' tattered cloaks drag across the grass, leaving a trail of frozen footprints and freezing the air around them. When they reach the circular door, the leader raises his armored glove made of sharp, black metal and politely knocks on the door.

“Who is it?” calls a stallion from the other side.

None of them answer. The cloaked leader knocks again. This time with less patience.

“Who is it!?” says the stallion, now clearly annoyed.

The cloaked figure decides he does not want to waste any more time, so he does the next best thing. He kicks the door right off of its hinges and sends the shattered wood skidding and bouncing across the floor. The occupants, Filthy Rich and Diamond Tiara, shriek and leap up from the dinner table, knocking over their chairs and spilling their drinks in the process.

“Filthy Rich,” hisses the leader, his raspy voice distorted like a voice in the wind as it marches towards the stallion in question with his eight partners in tow.

Filthy Rich stammers and backs up while Diamond Tiara shrinks behind him, shaking and whimpering. The candles blow out in their abode and frost spreads from underneath the nine intruders as they stare at the two pale foalings with their completely shrouded faces.

“You have done business with Purity Smith, and she has something we want,” continues the leader.

“Then-then go to her, you-you scoundrel!” shouts Filthy Rich in pathetic defiance, shivering with frost growing on his brown fur.

The leader marches forward an grabs Filthy Rich by his neck and slams him against the wall. Diamond Tiara screams and tries to make an escape, but is grabbed by another cloaked figure and thrown to the ground. She cries out in pain when the assailant stomps on her back with his sharp boot, easily slicing through her expensive dress and ripping her skin.

“DIAMOND!” yells Filthy Rich

“Where is Purity Smith's estate?” says the leader, his grip now tightening around Filthy Rich's neck.

“Down south! Past the river! It is the last one past the mill!” cries Filthy Rich.

“Thank you, foaling.”

Quicker than a blink, the air around the disguised figure's hand freezes, and a jagged, ice blade erupts from his glove, nailing Filthy Rich's head to the wall. He easily pulls his hand out from the ice blade and steps back, marveling at how the blade goes through Filthy Rich's chin and out the back of his head. He takes another step back when the body slides off and crumbles to the floor with a growing pool of blood, and he looks at Diamond Tiara when she starts screaming and sobbing. The cloaked figure holding her hostage quickly silences her by nailing her to the floor using his own ice blade to stab her through her heart. Seconds later, the murderer yanks out the blade and steps away, leaving her pool of blood to engulf the red dots and creep around his armored boots.

“What is next, Starswirl?” asks the one who killed Diamond Tiara.

The leader starts towards the exit, adjusting his sharp glove along the way. “Nothing has changed, Medallion. We will find the Amulet, and kill the one who has it.”

At the local pub, foalings sit around the tables for their special cliques. One clump has the sailors and builders; another has the farmers and chefs; another has the high maintenance; and everything in between has the loners. Apple Bloom is currently sitting in a lonely position at a small table in the back of the pub, wearing her usual plaid shirt and overalls with dark bags under her eyes.

Apple Bloom's ears barely pick up the happy chatter of the groups as her fingers glide over the smooth surface of the Amulet. The Amulet has a metallic hum that appears every time she rubs it, and she knows it is talking to her somehow. Every night, for the past six months since Twilight left, she has been studying the odd item every chance she gets, and she always hear it whisper her name. And today is no different.

“Apple Bloom,” whispers the Amulet.

Apple Bloom's ear twitches, and she barely lifts her eyes from the trinket as her heart thumps in her ears, slow and steady, like hellish drums. Her hand unconsciously grips the Amulet tighter as she warily watches the patrons cling their mugs and shout praises while others gorge their food with broad smiles.

“Come to me.”

Apple Bloom looks around the room. Everything seems to be stretching and breaking into lines as the light from the candles and fireplace grow and morph into green. Her hand shakes, but still she watches as the green flames consume everything.

“Abandon them.”

“Abandon?” whimpers Apple Bloom, her body now shaking and her breathing shallow as tears roll down her cheeks.

The patrons and pub break into ashy flakes and are consumed by the green flames as a single black dot appears in the middle of the fire wall. The dot grows and stretches like a reptilian pupil, and the flames swirl around it. The Eye grows and the pupil contracts, like a predator seeing its prey, and Apple Bloom can only watch helplessly as the Eye grows larger.

“Return what is not yours.”

“Where?” asks Apple Bloom, her voice cracking and face becoming drenched as tears bleed from her bloodshot, puffy eyes.

Then a hand clamps down on her shoulder and Apple Bloom shrieks and jumps in her chair, releasing the Amulet in the process. Pipsqueak also yells and jumps back, quickly retracting his hand, and the Eye disappears, allowing everything to return to normal.

Apple Bloom stares at Pipsqueak with bulged eyes and deep, ragged breaths as beads of sweat chill her neck and forehead. She places her hand over her racing heart to keep it from thumping in her ears, and Pipsqueak takes another step back, fidgeting nervously.

“I-I'm sorry, Apple Bloom. I didn't mean to scare you,” says Pipsqueak quickly over a spontaneous roar of laughter.

Apple Bloom glances at the patrons, swallowing a large amount of air to calm herself down before looking at Pipsqueak again. “It's okay. I guess I have been a little jumpy, lately.”

“You actually do look pretty sick.”

Apple Bloom carefully slides the Amulet into her pocket as she rubs some crust from her eyes. “I haven't been sleeping well ever since Granny left. I guess I'm just worried.”

Pipsqueak looks at her for a moment before taking a deep breath and sitting across from her. Apple Bloom looks at him quizzically, but doesn't say anything to question why he did that.

“Well, she did disappear in front of everypony and wasn't seen since. I'd be worried, too, if my mum or dad did that,” says Pipsqueak. There is a moment of awkward silence before he speaks again. “Would you care to join me and the others? You look awfully lonely and sad over here.”

Apple Bloom looks past Pipsqueak and sees Button Mash sitting with Truffle Shuffle and Twist. Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle are there, too, but it looks like they are arguing about something while the others watch with amused smiles.

Apple Bloom forces a thin smile and looks back Pipsqueak. “It's okay, Pipsqueak, I actually need to head on home. I'm pretty tired and have a lot of work to do tomorrow.”

“Are you sure? Not even a drink or two of cider before you go?”

Pipsqueak flashes a nervous smile and Apple Bloom returns it with a genuine one of her own, even if it is small and tired.

“I'm sure. Enjoy your night, okay?” says Apple Bloom.

She gets up and pats Pipsqueak on the shoulder, smiling just a bit wider when she feels him tense and see his cheeks burn from her touch, then she trudges out of the pub.

Apple Bloom takes her time walking back home, attempting to enjoy the warm night and beautiful stars. Such a night would be easier to enjoy if she didn't have the spiders crawling up and down her back with the idea that she is being watches.

Apple Bloom's eyes glide along the looming trees and dim houses of Greenhill, waiting to see what shadowy figure will come out to kill her. She wants to hold the Amulet, too, but remembers that last time she held on to it too tight the Burning Eye appeared. She does not want to see that again, and a part of her wonders if Granny Smith ever saw anything like that with all of her years holding the Amulet. To keep herself from clutching the strange object, she brings her hands to her chest and rubs them together, still watching her surroundings and pausing when she hears footsteps behind her.

She turns around and sees an elderly couple walk behind her, giggling about something, and she continues watching them until they walk out of sight. Apple Bloom sighs with relief and starts walking again.

It takes her about fifteen minutes to reach her home, and she reaches for her keys, freezing when she thinks she hears some branches shift. Apple Bloom looks behind her and to her sides, heart now beating quicker, and she swallows and unlocks her door when she sees nothing. But right as she opens the door, someone jumps out from what seems like thin air and hooks his muscular arms around her waist while clamping his clawed hands over her muzzle.

Apple Bloom's eyes snap wide open and her scream is reduced to a loud muffle as she is pulled away from her door so fast that her world becomes a blur. When they come to a stop, she sees Twilight run past Spike and stand between them and the door, face scrunched with a fierce determination to protect in her eyes.

“Fos, kaló se sas! Spáste ton Skoteinó!” bellows Twilight. She claps her hands together, and from between them and her horn comes a purple burst of magic that creates a semi-transparent bubble.

The spell quickly engulfs the three of them and Granny Smith's manor, but when the translucent barrier reaches them, the Burning Eye appears in Apple Bloom's mind with a great pain. Tears are brought to her eyes as hot talons rip into her brain and scratch behind her eyes.

Spike gently lowers her to the ground as she whimpers and rubs her head. Seconds later, she slowly opens her eyes, barely seeing her world through the teary haze. She feels Spike rubbing her shoulder and asking her if she is okay, but she ignores him and keeps her focus on Twilight, who is slumped against the rounded doorway. Like Apple Bloom, she appears to be in pain and is rubbing her head and has her eyes closed

“Do you have the Amulet?” asks Twilight between her labored breaths with one eye opened to look at Apple Bloom.

Apple Bloom sniffles and nods, and wordlessly she pulls the Amulet out of her pocket to show Twilight, confused about the duo's antics. Spike looks between the Amulet and Twilight, and the unicorn takes a ragged breath before she stands all the way up.

“There's no one else. Let's get inside,” she says.

Spike ushers Apple Bloom inside, and as soon as both mares are in the abode, he scans the area one last time before shutting and locking the door.

The house is dark, but that is quickly changed when Twilight shoots a fireball into the fireplace, instantly creating a flame that would be pleasant to look at if everyone wasn't so terrified at the moment.

“Toss the Amulet into the fire,” orders Twilight.

Apple Bloom balks at Twilight. “What? Why?”

“Just do it!”

Apple Bloom jumps and throws the onyx colored jewelery into the flames, and the flames instantly become green and shoot out in all directions, licking the floor, walls and ceiling. Apple Bloom shrieks and jumps back with Spike and Twilight extends her hand in a defensive reflex to put up a purple shield that covers the three of them. The green flames roll around the small shield like burning oil, and Apple Bloom's jaw drops and she clutches Spike's waist and shrinks behind him when a black slit forms above them, creating a reptilian eye in the flames.

The dark slit narrows and speaks into their minds in a long drawn out whisper. “I see you.”

The flames pulsate with the eye, and Apple Bloom's world breaks apart in burning flakes to reveal a world behind it. A world filled with a blood red sky covered by a veil of black clouds, and all around her are mangled corpses lying and burnt trees and skeletons of homes and shops. Everything is covered in snow that reflects the red in the sky. Apple Bloom is too afraid to move, and she looks at her arm when she feels something clamping around her.

Her eyes widen and her heartbeats and breathing become heavy as her tears and sweat freeze on her coat for the sight before her. On her arm is a layer of ice that is digging into her arm like claws, and they curve inside, ripping past her sleeve and shredding her skin as they hook inside, drawing a profuse amount of blood that freezes before it falls to the snow.

Apple Bloom shrieks in pain and drops to her knees as she tries to get the ice off. Her fingers claw uselessly at it, and the ice grows into a hand, then into an arm, and when Apple Bloom's arm is covered in a shell of frozen blood, the ice turns into a body with glowing green eyes in its head.

All the air is sucked out of her lungs and the ice demon snatches her by her throat and lifts her up, still keeping its claws hooked into her arm and its frozen fingers digging into her throat, drawing more blood. The ice making up the head sprouts a maw, and it opens wide to display jagged teeth and a swirling mix of green and purple haze in the back of its throat.

“Return what is not yours,” orders the abomination, his voice echoing in Apple Bloom's mind like it is her own thoughts giving her demands.

Apple Bloom shivers and her throat closes as her eyes freeze, and the monster's eyes narrow while its grip tightens around her throat. And just when Apple Bloom thinks the creature is going to kill her, Twilight's voice echoes in the air, and there comes a strong whoosh of wind and everything disappears into a dark silence. Seconds later, Apple Bloom cracks an eye open, breathing labored and sweat clinging to her, and sees that the flames have died down to a more normal level. They are still green, and their explosive growth has left everything around them charred, but now they are flickering peacefully.

Apple Bloom looks at the Amulet and sees that it is pulsating green, and she looks at Twilight and sees that she is pale and still has her hand extended, but no longer has her shield up. She also notices that Spike has a tight grip on her shoulders, and when she lifts her eyes, she sees that the drake's eyes are about ready to pop from his head from how large they are.

“What... What was that?” asks Apple Bloom between her panting when she looks at Twilight again.

Twilight takes a deep breath, runs her trembling fingers through her mane, then looks at Apple Bloom with worry. “We need to talk.”

A few minutes later, Twilight and Apple Bloom are sitting in the kitchen with a steaming cup of tea in their hands, even though they are too stressed to take a sip. Spike is sitting not too far from them, scrunched up in one of Granny Smith's easy chairs with his blade angled to the floor and his whetstone gliding over its sleek blade.

In between them, with nothing else on the table besides the cups of tea, is the Amulet of the King. Its red ruby has a faint glow to it and the dark magic radiating from it sends a shiver up Apple Bloom's spine.

“I didn't want to believe it, and I exhausted every option to disprove its return,” begins Twilight shamefully, her gaze fixated on the cursed object. “But I cannot deny this any longer. This is the Amulet of the King. Forged by King Sombra with the aid of Queen Nightmare Moon in the fires of Mount Dread. It was taken by Starswirl from Sombra's own corpse at the Mountain's slopes during the last battle of the Nightmare War and lost for centuries after his passing.”

“Then Granny found it,” says Apple Bloom softly, her eyes also having trouble breaking away from the Amulet's siren qualities as the weight of the situation eases itself on her shoulders, slowly suffocating her thoughts with terror.

Twilight nods. “In a cave that belonged to a creature named Gloomy.” When Apple Bloom looks up in question, the unicorn continues speaking. “The Amulet remained with Purity in a state of slumber, and in turn, she was able to delay her aging and remain somewhat unaffected by its dark influences.”

There is a moment where the mares do not share a word. Only the metallic slides of whetstone on steel from Spike's hobby to the crackling flames provide any noise, and it only adds to the tension in the air.

“But,” starts Twilight with a heavy sigh, “now the greatest threat to Equestria has returned. The forces of Sombra are rebuilding in the Frozen North. The Amulet has awoken. It has heard its master's call.”

“But that's impossible!” shouts Apple Bloom frightfully. “Sombra was killed! His head was cut off, wasn't it? How's anypony s'possed ta live after somethin' like that!?”

Just then, the room dims and the wind screams past the window, making Spike pause his sharpening and glance cautiously at the window. The two mares also look out the window, and when their lungs become heavy like the air has suddenly turned to stone, they look back at the Amulet. Apple Bloom's heart thumps in her ears and she has to gulp for air while Twilight remains stern and stares at the object defiantly. Seconds later, the terrible wind stops, the light resumes, and the air becomes light as it should be. With that, Twilight looks back at Apple Bloom, her demeanor and expression heavy with worry.

“Sombra's body was destroyed, but he has bound his spirit -his very life- to the Amulet, and the Amulet survived,” says Twilight grimly. “It is only a matter of time before Sombra's forces regain their former strength and bring darkness back to Equestria. And all he needs to make his victory absolute is this.”

Twilight taps at the table just before the Amulet without breaking eye contact from Apple Bloom.

“Sombra cannot get the Amulet. We must keep it away from him, no matter the costs,” finishes Twilight, her tone as dark as before.

Apple Bloom's eyes narrow and a flare of determination burns through her veins as she snatches up the Amulet and hurries to the study, eyes darting around in search for a suitable place to hide it. Twilight and Spike follow close behind her, watching and dreading what else they must tell her.

“Okay, then we'll just put it away somewhere safe,” says Apple Bloom with shaky confidence. “We'll hide it somewhere where nopony can find it and we'll never say a word about it ever again!”

Apple Bloom pauses and looks at the Amulet again when it whispers to her a warning that she is certain no one but her can hear. She swallows a lump in her throat and tightens her grip on it, feeling its dark magic bleed into her and make her skin crawl as she turns to face Twilight and Spike, pale with worry.

“No pony knows it's here, do they?” asks Apple Bloom, her voice quivering. When she gets only silence as a response, she steps forward, shaking even more. “Do they, Twilight?”

Spike and Twilight exchange looks before the unicorns sighs heavily and kneels down to grip Apple Bloom's shoulders, eyes burdened with fear and regret.

“I'm not sure,” she says quietly. “We can only assume that Sombra knows that it is here and will be coming to get it very soon.” Twilight tightens her grip on Apple Bloom's shoulder and says in a heavy tone: “Apple Bloom, you must leave Greenhill tonight.”

Tears swell in Apple Bloom's eyes and she swallows a rocky lump in her throat before nodding in understanding and moving to pack up her things. She is quick in stuffing her travel pack with clothing and Twilight levitates an assortment of food and cookware her way, which she yanks out of the air and puts them in the appropriate spot. The whole time the two mares are packing, Spike keeps his eyes on the study window, watching with predatory intensity as his hand rubs the hilt of his blade.

“Where should I go?” asks Apple Bloom while clipping a pan to the side of her travel pack.

“Go to Breeze and meet me and Spike at Kulmsy K's,” says Twilight hastily.

“Meet you? Where are you going?”

“I need some advice. Dark magic is not my specialty, but there is a wizard who has done extensive research into it. She'll know what to do with the Amulet.”

Apple Bloom nods and grabs a walking stick that Twilight hands to her.

“Also, don't go by Apple Bloom any more or refer to Purity or Granny Smith. You'll need another name for the road. Which reminds me, stay off the road and travel only by night,” continues Twilight.

Apple Bloom thinks for a moment before suggesting: “I could go by Honeycrisp?”

“Good enough. And if for some reason me and Spike are not there or do not send any word of our whereabouts within the next three weeks, leave with Shining Armor to Armonia.”

“Who?”

Twilight pauses for a second. “Shining Armor... My brother...”

“Ya never said ya had a brother.”

Twilight blinks. “Oh. Well, he's a big unicorn. White coat, blue mane with different shades and blue eyes. He will more than likely be drunk and look like a hobo if you meet him, but you can trust him.”

Apple Bloom is about to say something about that, but Spike's nostrils flare and lifts his fingers to his lips, motioning for silence. Twilight looks at him worryingly as she guides Apple Bloom to the ground, and Spike tilts his head towards the window, slowly drawing his sword from its sheath.

Twilight nods and grabs her sword's hilt as well, using her magic to cover it in a purple glow as she pulls it out. At first there is silence, but once the leaves outside the study window rustle, Apple Bloom tenses and bites down on her hand to stifle the terrified whimper while the other two inch closer, each taking a different side.

Once by the window, the rustling resumes and Twilight pushes the window open while Spike launches his hand out and grabs his target with a very terrified yelp satisfying to his ears. Spike then yanks the sneaky fiend out of their spot, right through the window as if they had been nothing more than a pillow, and slams them down on the table. The table shakes as he slams the intruder -which just happens to be a foaling- down on it and smoke pours past his exposed fangs as he growls over her whimpers. She kicks her legs and tries to pry his hand off, but that only encourages him to clamp harder around her neck and bring his blade closer to her face. She stops moving and making noise when it is touching her rounded nose.

“Who are you! Who sent you! Start talking, NOW!” orders Spike viciously.

It doesn't take Apple Bloom a second to realize who Spike has grabbed and slammed on her table.

“Spike, that's Twist!” cries Apple Bloom frantically as she pushes the dragon away. He reluctantly releases his captive and Apple Bloom helps Twist up, and together they brush twigs and leaves off of her clothes. When that is done, Apple Bloom glares at Spike. “That was rude!”

“No, what was rude was her eavesdropping,” says Twilight as she puts her weapon away and frowns at the awkward foaling.

“I wasn't eavesdropping, Twilight, honest,” says Twist shakily as she pushes her fingers together. “I was just delivering candy to Apple Bloom when I saw a strange light and I came to investigate.”

Apple Bloom face palms and Twilight raises a brow while Spike shakes his head. Twist flashes a nervous smile and begins walking backwards, hands clapping together as they go back and forth in exaggerated swings.

“But I didn't see anything strange, so have a good night everypony, and, Apple Bloom, I'll see you for breakfast tomorrow,” says Twist anxiously as she backs up, oblivious to Spike making his way behind her.

Though, when her back bumps into spike, she freezes and lifts her head up to meet the taller drake's eyes. The purple dragon then releases a low, throaty growl and she yelps and scampers towards Apple Bloom. Once behind Apple Bloom, Twist shrinks back, shivering with fright and the redheaded foaling glares at Spike again.

“Twist, what exactly did you hear?” says Twilight sternly.

Twist gulps and Spike steps forward, snorting flame from his nostrils and through his fangs.

“SPEAK!” roars the dragon, making everyone jump. When Twilight turns to him, looking slightly annoyed, his ferocious look melts into an apologetic smile. “Sorry.”

Twilight shakes her head and turns back to Twist, who is now trembling and whimpering in her spot. “Tell us everything you heard, and don't leave anything out. I'll know if you do.”

“I don't think it was anything important. There was the whole amulet thing, something about a headless king and the end of the world. Average things. Can I go home now?”

“No.” Twilight steps forward and leans towards the foaling like a mother preparing to punish a child, making both foalings retreat a couple of steps. “I'm going to get some use out of you.”

Author's Notes:

Inspiration and motivation are wonderful things. So is speed typing.

Anyway's if you will be so kind as to post your thoughts on this chapter (likes, dislikes, etc.), that would be great!