Things have been going smoothly. Sombra is building up his kingdom, the Royal Guard is growing in numbers, the crystal ponies are looking more and more like the crystal ponies I remember, and most of the Equestrian cities have been or are currently being established. Nothing but smooth sailing from here on out...ha ha ha. Yeah right.

With all that's happened lately, some good has come out of recent events. Celestia and Luna learned how to control the sun and the moon. Just like the old days. The pegasi are operating and maintaining the weather. Just like the old days. And pony social classes are already showing themselves. Just like...wait. I'm describing things as if somepony else is reading my thoughts.

...

Nah.

Speaking of the two sisters, they have been on my tail ever since the meeting with their mother. I'm able to divert their attention away from Sombra, but his power is growing too rapidly. It wouldn't be long before they would set their sights on him. I could keep the focus on them, but this is a part of history that must repeat itself. Letting go of Sombra for the second time, willingly for that matter, is proving to be a test of will.

One thing I've never bothered to learn is acting. I might want to hurry with that so I don't raise any suspicion when the time comes for a performance.

"There you are."

I stand on a cliff overlooking the Crystal Empire. Or is it the Diamond Empire. Those two always confused me. Good thing I have a signal to look for before I swoop in to 'help' Lord Sombra. That doesn't sound right. I'll just stick with Sombra. What's taking so long anyway? If it wasn't for this coat of fur, then I might have frozen already.

The Signal! I spread my wings and fly down to the castle and just like she said it would be, the castle was swallowed whole by the ground. Not just the castle but the rest of the empire as well. I could sense a very powerful spell at work. I heard Sombra was good, but I didn't think he could invent a curse on the fly. Once everything was calm, I landed on the ground and 'stumbled' with a less than graceful landing.

"Sombra...SOMBRA!"

"So, thou decided to show thyself" It was Luna. She was standing next to Celestia. I hope I don't have to fight them.

"What do you want now?"

"We want to eradicate your kind." She was getting ready to stab me with her spear. I flinched more out of reflex than rehearsal.

"Luna! Stop!"

"Why should we, sister?"

"We've already lost one battle today. There's no need to waste another. Especially to somepony we can be reform."

"Reformed?" I ask in absolute questionable disbelief to the white alicorn.

"We were sent to Equus with one goal. Now our goals have multiplied tenfold, a new objective being the reformation of any creature infected with dark magic." Celestia sounds like a real bore.

"What makes you think I'll join you? You just killed my king."

"Thy must not have been a dark magic user for long. Sombra is defeated but not dead. It is unfortunate to say that he has cursed the entire empire to the same fate."

"Y-you mean-"

"Yes. We can help you both become better ponies if you'd let us. All you need to do is accept our aid." Celestia held out a hoof, but I shrunk back slightly. My face the essence of worry and indecision. "I see you need time to think. Please take as long as you need. You know where to find us if you seek further guidance." The older of the two sisters took off in flight.

"If we were you then we'd take our sister up on that offer. We wouldn't be so kind." Ooo, I see what she means by having a dark side.

With a flap of her dark blue wings, the younger sister followed behind. A moment later, I hear a set of hoof steps walking toward me and a lavender alicorn came into view. We both smiled at each other.

"That was almost too easy." A green flame enveloped me leaving the original Twilight to watch as I revert to my true form.

I turn around in haste, startled at the sound of somepony who snuck up on me. I almost can't believe my eye's. There stood three changelings, two average drones and one queen, a queen I knew far too well.

"Hello, Twilight."

...

"I was told you came from the future. If that is correct I-"

I cut her off from her speech by teleporting to her in a hug. It obviously threw her off guard since she stopped talking. After a moment she put one hoof around me as well. After a few seconds, I was able to gather myself and take a few steps back.

"Sorry, I'm not sure what came over me.

"That's perfectly alright. It answers a few things I wanted to ask you."

"Such as?"

"You showed affection for me like no other has. The love I gathered from you can only mean you've known me for quite some time and didn't mind changelings. You know me on a personal level that much is true but as deep as that love goes I don't quite know yet. In the future I'm either one incredibly old and frail changeling, or you grant me the request I came here for."

"You got all that from a hug?"

"I see you don't know changelings that well, I'll have to correct that in the future." I roll my eyes at her statement.

"So what is it you came here for?"

"Like you don't already know."

"Humor me. It is my first time going through Equestrian history on a personal level."

"Very well. I wish to become immortal. To become the queen of the changelings forever."

"Immortality. Is that all?"

"So it's not difficult for you."

"Not at all. To be honest, it's all a matter of stopping your body clock, so you stop aging. Simple. But..."

"I didn't expect this kind of favor to come without a price. Name your wish, and I shall do my very best to grant it."

"In exchange for making you immortal, you are to answer to me. Your hive will still take orders from you, and you will be able to operate however you see fit, but you and the hive as a whole will be servants of the Dark Lord Twilight Sparkle. If I say investigate a pony, you will investigate. If I say impersonate, you will impersonate. Understood?"

"Of course."

"So you and your hive are going to be at my beck and call, just like that?"

"As I've said, you must know me on a personal level so whatever you want from us isn't something we can't do. Now, what is it you request?"

At this, she bows to me, and the other two changelings follow suit. Interesting, she's never bowed to me before. I find this quite bizarre. She's my friend in the future, but of course, she doesn't know this. If I don't stop this now, it'll go on for who knows how long.

"Stop that." She looks up at me. "As flattered as I am to have another bow to me, it doesn't suit you."

"Very well. Now I believe you said something about impersonating somepony."

The two creatures left standing a changeling queen and me. We began to laugh at the previous events.

"That was all too easy. It"s like those two have never seen my kind before. Are you sure the sisters become great rulers in the future" Chrysalis asks.

"Yes. Celestia and Luna don't know how to counter changelings yet but they will in time. It's best you lay low for now and keep watch over Equestria. You can acquire a fair bit of love from the ponies that live there."

"Mmm. I think I'll take you up on that offer. But first, you still owe me something."

"Immortality it is. Whatever you do, don't use your magic to fight back. It could backfire and kill you."

"Wait-what?"

Before Chrysi could react, I morphed into my shadow form and charged straight into her. I overwhelmed her in mere moments but didn't start the process until she stopped projecting magic into her horn. If I started before that, the backlash of magic would be fatal.

First I needed to halt the aging process. To do this, I adjust her brain chemistry so her cells would still renew and die but wouldn't grow any further. Next was to remove her soul from the time stream. Everypony is connected to it in spirit as part of the circle of life. It's just a balance the universe uses to make sure nothing lasts forever. The spell to disconnect her is similar to how I became an alicorn but modified for use on a changeling.

Finally, I had to fortify her body and mind to withstand the endless years of abuse they would have taken. A mortal body can only take so much punishment before it starts to break down and a mind can only hold so much knowledge or memories before the host goes insane. With these fortifications, Chrysi won't have any problems throughout her rule as queen.

With the final step of the spell complete and her body drained of energy, I lowered the unconscious changeling on the snowy ground. Returning to my physical form, I took a pause to admire my hoofywork. Guess it's time to address the group of ponies behind me.

"Are you going to stand there all day or are you going to introduce yourselves?"

"Apologies, Queen Twilight. We didn't want to disturb you while you were casting a spell."

"Quite alright" I face them directly, and they bow before me. The ponies in question was a group of ten unicorns with hooded cloaks. "Do carry on."

"We are King Sombra's disciples. He taught us the ways of dark magic before giving us a mission to find you before his tragic end."

"No doubt he wants me to keep the dark magic lineage alive while he's gone. Very well. I'll be your mentor until Sombra's return."

"What!" The group stands up in shock. "You mean King Sombra isn't dead?"

"Far from it. Sombra is alive, albeit in a very small way. You, on the other hoof, might not be alive to see his return" I have no memory of any group of dark magic users. Whatever happens to them I have to make sure they stay alive. "For now we must leave this place, and make sure to grab Chrysalis. A changeling can't survive for long in weather like this."

We'll need a place to stay, one that's away from the prying eyes of other ponies.

It was some months later, and my small army has established a base in which we can operate from. I have my own private room, I have plenty of free time to conduct experiments, I barely have to teach or manage the dark magic disciples, and I have the two sisters fooled. This setup I've got is almost too perfect. Reminds me of the saying 'if something's too good to be true it probably is.' I just have to keep my guard up.

Star's, I'm late for my lesson with Celestia. I have to gather my things quickly. It's come to my attention that I would never have been late before the whole dark magic thing. Odd. Anyway, it takes me a moment to teleport into the castle. I had to sneak around since none of the guards knew who I was. If I were spotted, Celestia would have a lot of explaining to do. Before I could make it to the sun goddess's room-

"Ahem." I jumped in surprise at this. Spinning around I'm greeted by the sun herself. "You're late."

"Y-yes well I-I was just getting some-," she let out a sigh.

"Never mind that. I have already begun rearranging my schedule to accommodate your tardiness. Why haven't you cast your illusion spell yet?"

"Oh yeah, right" I said a small blush of embarrassment. Now I look like an average unicorn that hasn't been 'corrupted' by dark magic. "So what do you have planned for today's lesson?"

"It's not so much a lesson as it is a study for the both of us."

"What do you mean by that?"

"Walk with me, Twilight."

She leads me down the halls of the castle. I must say, this place looks so much better now. Not just the halls, but every room we pass by is decorated in the same, by unique, night and day theme. Half deep night blue and half bright sunny yellow. Banners of the sun and moon hang on their respective sides as well as different colored torches which by themselves emit a blue and yellow flame. You'd think the two would clash with each other, but the angles and length of the torches made the lighting work perfectly. Even the guards are sporting blue and yellow armor. I'll have to make this castle my vacation home when the time comes. Oh buck, she's talking to me again.

"I'm sorry, could you start over. I didn't catch that" She gives me a disappointed look and starts again.

"In short we are still researching the magic of the Elements of Harmony. One thing we have found is that the six elements each represent a trait of harmony. Three of the traits we have been able to decipher are Loyalty, Kindness, and Honesty."

"Interesting, you learned all that already?"

"For now yes. But since you're from the future I was hoping you could tell us more."

"Oh no, I'm already messing with the past enough by becoming your student. Who knows what would happen if I said anything about the elements before the proper time."

"Thou sounds like a traitor to us." Both Celestia and I look forward to see Luna glaring at me. At some point, we made it to the throne room where the elements were on some stand in the center of the chamber. "It would be wise if all information was brought forward to solidify thee as earnest and trustworthy."

"Trust works two ways, and right now I don't feel like you're very trusting to me."

"Why thou has-"

"Luna that's enough! Twilight, we talked about this!" There goes Tia scolding us again.

"Sorry, I can't help it. Strife is a big part of dark magic which, might I remind you, has been a big part of my life for years."

"Twilight, I'm trying to be understanding here, but I need some give or else this reformation won't work."

"I'll try harder." I say with a defeated sign.

"Thank you. And you Luna-"

"Us? We are not the ones trying to work on a failing project."

"Luna, that is uncalled for."

"So is this conversation. We are leaving." Yes. My ambient magic is infecting her just like I planned. I wouldn't be surprised if the night princess started to manipulate others into the creatures of nightmares I know of in the future.

"Don't mind her. Running a new kingdom can be stressful on a pony."

"It's ok; I'm used to being shunned by others."

"Not here you won't be. Trust me; we'll get you back in loving spirits in no time." The sympathy card. Works every time with her.

I can feel it. The transformation from light to dark is complete. Nightmare Moon is born. The feeling of nightly evil is heavy in the air, and the battle for Equestria's rule will begin shortly. I have to get ready for this show, after all, an event like this only happens once in a lifetime. One of my top students enters my room.

"Master Twilight, I sense a disturbance in the air. Was that you?"

"No Shade, it's from a dear friend of mine. I've finally infected her, and now I'm going to reap my rewards. Would you like to come with me."

"It would be an honor, my queen."

"Get close to me I'm about to teleport."

I teleport us to a cloud a thousand hooves above the castle while also casting a cloud walking spell on my pupil and a zoom enhancement spell on our eyes. We could see everything now.

Below us, Nightmare Moon was finishing up her transformation of the forest around them. Dammit, I knew I missed Luna's turn to the dark side, but it's still a memory I can live without. The real part was about to begin.

"Master Twilight-"

"We're alone. There's no need to be formal. And make it quick I have to see this."

"As you wish...Twilight...What is it you plan to gain from this?"

"The pleasure of watching Celestia's grief as it's born for the first time. It's moments like this that make the long wait worthwhile."

My pupil, Shade mumbled something but I wasn't paying attention. What I was truly focused on was the scene down below. By the look of things Nightmare Moon was finished with her corruption of the forest around her. I can see all the creatures from the future breathe life for the first time. Timber wolves, hydras, manticores, thestrals, and so much more. The Royal Guard ponies are going to have their hooves full with this deadly line of offenders.

The Royal Guard tripled their offensive numbers but when the nightmarish creatures begin attacking they would do little to thin the number of monsters. Nightmare Moon, on the other hoof, flew straight for the castle. Straight for Celestia. Once the solar sister faces down her lunar opposite they talk for a moment. At least I believe they were talking. After their round of chatter the fighting begins. Nightmare Moon was the first to strike putting Celestia on a strong defensive.

The initial clash of the sisters was amazing. The shockwave that irrupted spread as far as I could see. It almost knocked me off the cloud I was sitting on. Oh how I wish I was down there, in the middle of the two goddesses both attacking and defending, but I had to stand my ground. To get through this I had to be on Celestia's side. Looking down at the battle didn't assure me of the outcome I wanted.

This is getting worse and worse the more the battle continues. Nightmare Moon is using deadly force but Celestia isn't. What a time to be sentimental. She's going to get herself killed this way. Celestia's not even near the Elements. How is she supposed to win if she won't banish her sister? Maybe she can't. Or maybe she's preventing herself from even thinking of that possibility. No choice, I have to join the fight after all.

"Shade stay here, I have to...Shade?" I look over the edge of the cloud and spot his body on the ground, limp and unmoving. Guess the shockwave was enough to push him off the cloud. "What a waste of potential. If you couldn't even save yourself then you deserve that." Time to be a hero.

I descend at a rapid speed that would make Rainbow Dash impressed. I go to the only place I thought the Elements would still be located, the Throne Room. I rip the floor apart and grab the six jewels in my magic then teleport near Celestia's magic signature. Sunbutt was on the ground in defeat as Nightmare Moon was prematurely celebrating with an evil laugh. This is why evil never wins, because they always stop to do the laugh. Well that or reveal their plans.

"Celestia!" Both alicorns look to me. "Catch!"

I throw the Elements to her as Nightmare Moon swoops down to stop us. I can see the instinct in Celestia's eyes. There was no emotion, only a single desperate fight or flight response. Before I can comprehend what was happening, a blinding light emits with a powerful explosion sending me hurtling backwards. I think I hit a wall but was to dazed to realize. I take in my surroundings once I'm able to gather myself.

Celestia is crying, the Mare in the Moon was visible, and the elements were scattered on the floor. I dare myself to walk up to the white alicorn. No! I should make sure things outside are okay first. Scanning around the castle with my magic revealed a...manageable situation. To my surprise almost all of Nightmare Moon's creatures were retreating. Now was a good a time as any.

"Celestia?" Nothing. Come on Twilight. Get Celestia on your side. So what if you're the one who provided the Elements to Celestia. So what if you're corrupted by dark magic. So what if see's the main reason the alicorn sister were separated for a thousand years. Celestia needs comfort...however fake it might be. "Celestia I-"

"Leave me be." Celestia forced out before she could choke back the words.

This isn't good. She needs to know I'm with her to the end, even if I'm secretly against her. If I go it'll start another downwards spiral into anger and betrayal. I must swallow my pride.

Stepping forward I cuddled up next to the crying alicorn. Celestia flinches back in surprise. She was about to protest, probably in anger, but I cut her off in time. I wrap my wing around her and was able to snuggle up against her further. Reluctantly, she accepts the embrace. I can feel a small heat rise into my cheeks...and my heart. Damn, I have to leave but I can't, Not when Celestia needs me. Am I getting soft?

"I-I have to t-tent to my kingdom." Celestia starts as she leaves me on the ground. "I ha-have to...be a pr-prince-ess to the...ponies-"

"No." Celestia had a delayed reaction to my rejection. "I'll take care of things for now."

"B-but ho-"

Before she can say anything I use my dark magic to shapeshift into a perfect copy of my former teacher. Celestia looks to me in shock. She was about to speak again but I had to shut her down before thoughts of rebuttal they could form. It'll be fun to send the almighty goddess to her room.

"Celestia," I say in her own voice, "go rest up. There's no way you can be a proper leader in your current condition. I'll see to Equestria in your stead until you're up to the task again."

"B-but-"

I had enough arguing, or talking while watching her stand there heart broken, so I teleport her to her chambers. All I had to do was reorganize the guard and reassure the ponies of the situation. Easy...right?

"The first meeting of the Dark Magic Alliance will commence. Would anyone like to start things off?" I say to my subordinates.

All the major leaders of the alliance have gathered for the first time in an official meeting located in the dungeons of the Castle of the Two Sisters. I look around to the others seeing who will speak up first.

"I'd like to start, if you don't mind?" Queen Chrysalis of the Changelings asks. "You once said that you'll need us for something that you never specified. I'd like to know what that entails."

"You can't be serious?" Space Rift, the current leader of the Dark Magic Cultists, asks in a condescending tone. "Even if our future queen came from said future, there's still no way to predict when to plan out a coup."

"Space, stow your mouth when you don't have the floor. Yes, Chrysalis, It's about time I told you." I direct her attention to the scale model of Equestria on the table we were surrounding. More specifically, the model of the newly built Canterlot. "In time there will be a marriage between a princess and a member of the royal guard. Before the ceremony you'll send a threat to the castle so that we can test their reaction and defenses."

"I see. That'll do for now. I will be able to focus training my changelings for the upcoming event."

"I'm all for thinking ahead but preparing for an event a few centuries ahead of time seems like overkill." I'm still not sure how Space is the leader of the cult. His magic abilities might be the best yet, but he's dumber than a bag of rocks. Chryssi shows him up again by revealing her intellect.

"There are many things that we must prepare for. Infiltrating the guard, replacing key leaders with changelings, continue to perfect the art of espionage, and gather every piece of information associated with an event like this one."

"Do you have anything else you'd like to say, Space Rift?" I ask with a bit of annoyed, anger.

"...No, my queen." Defeat present in his voice.

"Darkstalker. Torch. You two have been awfully quiet thus far. Do you want to add anything?"

My newest allies, Darkstalker, leader of the renegade thestrals, and Torch, soon to be the new Dragon Lord, were keeping to themselves.

"I'M ONLY HERE BECAUSE YOU PROMISED ME THAT YOU'D HELP ME BECOME LORD OF DRAGONS! UNLESS YOU WANT TO DISCUSS HOW EXACTLY YOU ARE GOING TO HELP THEN I HAVE NOTHING ELSE TO SAY!"

"..."

We were all a little shaken from his reply. I already knew how loud he spoke but it seems like the stone environment of the dungeon enhanced the volume several times. It was another moment before I gathered myself.

"Ok? What about you Darkstalker?"

"Before we continue I want to make my feelings very clear. Us thestrals that joined are dedicated to the return of Nightmare Moon. As we understand the situation it was you who 'persuaded' Luna to change, am I right?"

"Yes that was me." New as a species and to the world and they already know something as secret as that? They are good.

"We will stand with you as long as you mean to bring her back in the future."

"I mean to do just that so you need not worry. If no one has anything else to voice then I'll move to the first piece of business. Torch, I'll be ready to help you in three months time. I need to take a vacation from Celestia anyway."

"THAT'S GOOD TO HEAR!"

"Um...yes. I must make one thing clear, I don't care what happens to the current dragon lord but I require those closest to him to be spared."

"WHY WOULD A LITTLE PONY LIKE YOURSELF NEED DRAGONS? NORMALLY PONIES OF ANY STRENGTH OR SKILL ARE NO MATCH FOR A DRAGON!"

"I need them for some experiments. Nothing you need to know about." I had to rub my ears to try and stifle the headache that was beginning to develop. Torch was about to talk again but I wasn't going to let that happen. "You'll have the dragon throne! Unless you have something else you really want to say then you may speak!" My response was a nod in agreement.

"Very well. Darkstalker, I won't have need of you for a long time. For now you'll need to hide yourselves from everyone. Do you have a place to do that?"

"We have a settlement in the caverns of Ghastly Gorge."

"In the years to come, there will be pony cities and town around the gorge. Will you be able to keep yourselves hidden?"

"We will. A few dead ponies, a rumor of deadly creatures, and soon no creature will want to go near that place."

"Sounds good to me. Space Rift, according to my records, the cult is continuing to grow their skills at a steady pace. I have nothing for you, just make sure to keep on the current path."

"Understood, my Queen."

"Finally, you Chrysalis. Hmmm...the attack isn't until farther into the future so we'll get together later on the details on the attack."

"As you wish. But are we still on for tea this weekend?" The Changeling Queen asks me.

"Of course." I see a razed eyebrow from the corner of my peripheral vision. "What's the matter Darkstalker, jealous?"

"I just didn't expect you to socialize with any of us, you being an immortal and all."

"I did make her immortal as well. She is in my future so I'm going to preserve her. Are you looking to be immortal as well?"

"No thanks. I'd rather live my life as I am now."

"Fine with me. I believe that was the last thing on the agenda so it's time to finish things here. If no one has any last minute comments..."

Nothing

"Then I declare the first meeting of the Dark Magic Alliance over."

This is ridiculous. It's been over five years and Celestia just sits in her tower staring at the moon. I've had to impersonate that bitch for most of those five years and it's starting to give me an identity crisis. I didn't think I'd have to make the big reveal but now I have no choice. If I don't, Celestia will go down in history as the worst ruler in Equestria.

I walk up to the those elegant doors that is engraved with the emblem of the sun and knocked.

"Celestia? Are you in there?" Nothing. "Who am I kidding? Of course you're in there. I'm coming in."

I enter the room and shut the door behind me. There she is, on the balcony that overlooks the city but with her head tilted up to the moon. At least she isn't crying anymore. Makes you wonder how long they have actually been alive if she can't get over the heartbreak of losing her sister. I sit next to Celestia and let the cool night air settle for a moment.

"Your sister's not dead." Oh! Okay! So that got her attention but my last week's fake attempted suicide barely got a glance?

"What?"

"Luna isn't dead. She's very much alive and will return in a thousand years."

"Why didn't you mention this before!?"

"Because it's part of the future! I've told you more than once that mentioning things before their time came is dangerous but," I take a breath to calm myself, "You haven't returned to the Celestia I know so I had to say something before the future changes for the worst."

The air was still and thick with emotion. Or maybe that was my worry of changing the future again, who knows. I wait sitting next to Celestia for her mind to realize what I sai-Aaaahhh! Hugging! Why!

"Thank you, Twilight! Thank you so much!"

"You can thank me without the hugging!"

"Sorry." Reluctantly, she let me go. "I have to be honest, I thought you gave me to tools to kill my sister this whole time. I had almost lost hope in you as a pony but I really should have known better. You did come from the future after all. "New tears began to flow freely. Only this time I knew they were tears of joy. "A thousand years? Did I hear that right?"

"On the longest day in the thousandth year, the stars will aid in her escape."

"Sounds like you read that in a book."

"I did. A book that was written by you." Realization dawned on me as I said those words. Celestia knew what was going to happen because somepony told her about it. I told her. I turn my head to her. She's looking back at me with a face I knew meant understanding. "It seems I do have to tell you about the future."

"I agree. Do you know what you need to tell me?"

"I do. It all starts with a book from Starswirl the Bearded...and a sonic rainboom."