Once again, the hooded unicorn was in her secret room. Once more, the symbols had been drawn on the floor and the candles lit. Soon everything was in place and ready for the ritual once again.

The mare stopped, bringing a hoof to her head as she felt it throb. There was a pulse of something dark behind her eyes.

"I know!" she shouted out loud. "I'm working on it! Just give me a minute to get everything set up and I'll be able to talk to him." She glared at the corner, baring her teeth.

After several seconds passed, she let out a huff and looked away, returning her attention to the center of the room. Her horn began to glow as she used her magic. She began to speak in a low, rolling chant as she collected her power, the aura around her horn growing larger and brighter.

With an audible popping sound, the magic and the candles went out. Everything turned black.

From the center of the room, green eyes began to glow. There was a deep growl as the darkness shifted, taking on the outline of King Sombra.

"You wished to speak with me, my king?" the hooded unicorn asked as she gave a bow.

"Indeed," the shadow of King Sombra responded. "Are you aware of what happened in Cloudsdale?"

"Somewhat," she answered. "There was a story about the place in the newspaper after we were hit by some sort of weird, rainbow colored explosion. I assume it has something to do with The Elements of Harmony."

"Correct." He let out a hum. "It seems the bearers are more powerful and competent than I had been hoping. I had been hoping to stop them before getting one, let alone two."

"There are still three stones left," the unicorn mare stated, "Besides, even if they do get them all, they still have to figure out how to get the sixth."

"Be that as it may, I do not wish to be defeated by The Elements again. I am going to need to resort to more drastic measures. As such, I have an assignment for you."

"An assignment?"

"Correct," King Sombra replied. "Have you heard of The Alicorn Amulet?"

The hooded unicorn thought a moment, rubbing at her chin.

"It..." she said slowly, "it sounds familiar." She thought a moment longer. "I can recognize the name, but vaguely."

The eyes vanished as the darkness shifted and swirled. Where the facial features of Sombra had been, a talisman appeared. The main part was a downward pointing triangle with a diamond cut red gemstone in the center. On top, was the head of a unicorn, and at the ends were wings spread out wide.

"The Alicorn Amulet," Sombra's voice explained, "was an item of magic I created before my reign. It was supposed to increase the power of the wearer, which it did."

The amulet disappeared, reverting to King Sombra's eyes and mouth.

"It also had a tendency to..." he thought a moment, "...let us say influence the wearer more toward my way of thinking.

"Should the amulet still exist, it would be quite useful in our endeavors."

"So you want me to see if I can find this amulet of yours?" the hooded unicorn asked.

"Correct," Sombra confirmed, "and possibly a unicorn to wear it that can be controlled."

"What?!" she shouted. "I thought you said that it would increase the power of the wearer."

"I did," Sombra snarled. "I also said that it would influence the wearer's personality. You would be of no use to me if you were to become paranoid and enraged." His gaze narrowed. "Although... perhaps I should seek a new unicorn to serve me. One that is able to take orders without questioning my authority."

"No!" the unicorn mare cried out before collecting herself. "I mean. No, my lord. I will do as you wish." The words became a growl as she glared at the shadowy form in front of her.

"Excellent." Sombra grinned. "We will also need other unicorns. Those who are willing to serve us loyally once we have taken control."

"I may know of one already," the hooded unicorn stated.

"Good," Sombra purred. With another pop, the shadows vanished and the room returned to normal.

With a sigh of annoyance, the unicorn mare pulled the hood down to reveal a fiery red and yellow mane.

"Way to go, Sunset Shimmer," she growled. "Having to kowtow to that pompous arrogant blowhard of a relic. Somepony should just... just..."

She let out a groan. First of annoyance, then of discomfort. Sunset Shimmer brought her hoof to her head once more, rubbing it as she felt the throb again.

"I know!" she shouted, glaring at the corner again. "You don't need to keep reminding me."

She continued to stare, one ear twitching as if she were listening for something.

"Yes," she said with a sigh, "I remember. That's the main reason I'm helping him. Otherwise I would just let those Elements take care of him and be done with it."

Her eyes narrowed as she listened. She raised a hoof up to her chin, rubbing it.

"I suppose that's true. Although I would prefer to learn about them a little more directly.

"No. I don't mean fight them... not yet at least. I would just prefer more direct information. Maybe observe them in action myself.

"That's easy for you to say. After all, what's a few more years -- or another pony's lifetime for that matter -- for something that's waited for millenia already?"

Sunset Shimmer let out one more sigh as she rubbed her head again.

"Forget it. Let's just get out of here already."

Her horn lit up as she unleashed a burst of magic. One by one, the candles puffed out. With that done, Sunset Shimmer, left.

Author's Notes:

Not relevant to the rest of this chapter, but should hopefully be relevant later in the series.

Also adding a little bit of personal head canon into this. I know it may not be probable, but considering the color and affect, I believe that King Sombra actually created The Alicorn Amulet.