That was a strange day for ponies; first of all, the sun of their beloved Princess were much more colder than usual, and the sky was gray and lifeless; creating an atmosphere of sadness and uneasiness, since all the ponies knew that Celestia’s mood directly influenced the weather. What was going on?

Then, the Princesses’ behavior were erratic and mysterious. Then, several rumors started to came from palace; like the Princesses ordered to build a mausoleum in the middle of their garden to bury an unknown pony; and Discord and even Chrysalis assisted to the ceremony. Sadness and tension were expanding all over the kingdom; since nopony understood what was going on.
But at twilight, the Princesses decided to explain things to their little ponies, they deserved to know after all.
All the ponies gathered around the Castle expecting the speech, waiting for an explanation. And then their rulers came, seeming to feel terrible at that times. Both Celestia and Luna had their eyes red of so much crying, but trying to stand firm for their people. Celestia sighed and began, controlling herself for not to cry:

“My little ponies” she started in a deep cold voice. “As all you know, a few months ago we announced the happy return of our lost parents… Generals White Nightmare and Dark Moon. But, today I have devastating news”

Grinding her teeth and letting escape some tears she continued:

“Yesterday we found who our parents truly are. We’re the daughters of two merciless cold-blooded killers; sadistic murderers who don’t hesitate to force a young girl to see how her mother were killed; and then force the same young girl to dig a tomb for her mother and another one for herself. Yesterday the spirits known as the Windigos came here to ask us to bring our parents to be judged for their crimes; and that visit ended in tragedy when my mother finished the life of one of them showing that all that they told us was true. They’re the kind of monsters who kill because they think is fun”

The crowd started to mumble in horror, what was going on?
Celestia nodded, still crying.

“I’m afraid that’s the truth, that’s why they were imprisoned, because they’re not only truly evil; but monstrously powerful; I suppose you all remember my fight with my father, right? Still, we have to stay together in order to protect Equestria from them, I don’t care if they’re my parents; their horrible crime shouldn’t be forgiven. That’s why I’m offering a reward for the one who can provide us information that help us to capture them once and for all”

Luna nodded and approached to the crowd too:

“And from me, I only have a simple royal command: from now on, the name Nightmare Moon is a major taboo. During the dark days when I chose that dark form and that name from me; I somehow felt that it was a direct connection with pure darkness, and yesterday I found I was right. Now I know why I chose that name: because I mixed the two names of the two cruelest monsters of all creation; those sadistic monsters who I have the misfortune to call my parents. Because of that, from now on Nightmare Night is officially cancelled and I’ll change it for the Night of the New Moon; there will be no difference, but I want to dissociate myself of that soulless beings”

And the Princesses walked back to the Castle, leaving the astonished crowd exchanging all kind of comments and concern looks. Then, several posters appeared all over Equestria with a drawing of the two generals and one single word: “WANTED”

In one of Equestrias’s most hidden alleys; two ponies, one white unicorn and a dark blue Pegasus, dressed in black hoods took one of the bounties. The white unicorn sobbed.

“Damn Flames. I swear, the dragon will pay for this. Put our daughters against us, unforgivable”
Dark Moon placed his hoof on his wife’s shoulder.

“Your anger won’t give us back Celly and Luna; but it can give us the satisfaction of revenge, my dear. Just concentrate in broke the Everfree Barrier and then you can torture the Dragon King all you want. Just be patient my beloved, since the beginning we both knew this wasn’t our place”

White Nightmare cleaned her tears and nodded. Of course they knew revenge won’t gave them back their daughters’ love, but still they could go with a last satisfaction. Yeah, Flames would pay, with much more than his immortal life.

“Welcome; Candace, Shining Armor” greeted Celestia to the rulers of the Crystal Empire.
Both of them bowed to her.

“I already started to mobilize my troops” announced Shining Armor, the captain of the Crystal Guard. “If they put a single hoof on the Empire, our warriors will stop them in no time. Don’t worry, we won’t allow to any murderer walk free on our lands”
Celestia nodded.

“Thank you Shining, but remember to keep the communications open with the Solar Guard. I even named your old second in command, Master Sword as the new Captain to make the relations easier. He and his new second in command Hylian Shield will be glad to cooperate with you one more time”

“And me and my second in command Flash Sentry will be happy to cooperate with them” confirmed Shining Armor.

Celestia nodded pleased, but Chrysalis walked to them a little concern.

“Those two won’t kill any pony, I know that, but still they have a tremendous power and you’ll need much more than friendship to stop them” said the Queen. “You better prepare yourself Shining Armor, they are in their own league, and I seriously doubt you can defeat them even if you have all the soldiers under your command”

Candace furiously looked at Chrysalis.

“What are you doing here, Chrysalis?”

“Celestia and I decided to forget about the past and concentrate in the current situation. I offer you my apologies for my actions and offer you my friendship; if you accept it. If you don’t, at least keep the hostility at minimum during this forced cooperation, okay? We have a common enemy, a very powerful one and we need to work together”

Celestia nodded:

“I know that you two had problems in the past, but Chrysalis is right this time. Besides, if someone deserves to help us to bring those two to justice, is her. If it wasn’t for Discord, she would die that day”

The chaos spirit sighed.

“If only I could save her mother too”
Chrysalis raised her hoof asking for silence.

“Let’s not talk about it, okay? It was pretty horrible to see that all over again so please, I don’t want your mercy, I don’t need it. Now, what about if we concentrate on the next move of the monsters?”

They all agreed and walked to a private room ready to discuss about the matter. The reunion included the six rulers of Equestria, the Elements of Harmony, Discord and Chrysalis, they were about to start when Spike arrived running.

“Spike, this is an important reunion” said Twilight. “Why don’t you go play or go read your comics?”
Spike lent her the letter.

“Is from King Flames, he asked me to be his official representative in this reunion. I’ll be sending through letters the points we should discuss”

Twilight looked at her mentor and lover, who nodded.

“Flames have all the right to do it. Take a chair and join us Spike”

The dragon obeyed and Luna began presenting the first point:

“Okay, right now we have a great menace between hooves. Generals White Nightmare and Dark Moon swore revenge. That could be a
problem so we better give some protection to those whose lives were threatened by them. Chrysalis, maybe…”

“Believe me Equestrian, we all know how to defend ourselves. Besides we have an advantage: after Flames sealed them in the Nowhere, he, Zikmu, Discord and I created a magic Barrier to prevent the ponies to leave their territory: the Everfree Forest. If a pony put a single hoof beyond the half of the forest; it’ll mean its instant death. Not even them are powerful enough to broke that seal”

“And also we increase the power of the seal every ten years or every time any of us find a new defensive spell” added Discord.

Spike wrote all down and sent the letter to Flames. A minute later he received the answer:

“My King ask how much they know about Equestrian History”

“How much?” Asked Twilight. “Well, a lot; since they woke up in the hospital they have being spending their time reading. Especially General Dark Moon. Anyway, who much does Flames know about Equestrian history”

“A lot” said Discord. “We’ve being in touch since the Pony Wars”

Spike sent the letter and the answer came in less than a minute:

“Sombra, do they know what happened to him?” read out loud Spike.
The Royal Family nodded at the time Chrysalis paled.

“NO, no, no, no NO! You! Do you recharged the Crystal Heart?” She asked Candace urgently.

The pink alicorn nodded.

“As always, why? Does it matter?”
Chrysalis nodded breathing very agitated.

“Of course it matters! Sombra was Death Ride’s most faithful student; a young gifted unicorn who entertained crowds with his cheap trick; always assuring that he defeated a dragon easily”

“Remember somepony?” Asked Rainbow Dash.

Chrysalis grinned her teeth.

“To prove the truth of his words, Death Ride sent a dragon slave to young Sombra; and that didn’t end well for the poor reptile. Impressed by his skill, Death Ride began to train him in magic; and with the pass of the days Sombra proved to be one of the greatest magicians of all time; but he wasn’t satisfied since he wasn’t immortal. So in order to live forever, he destroyed his body keeping the astral form we all know and hate”

Discord and Chrysalis exchanged a concern look:

“White Nightmare is a master in combat magic but Sombra is an expert in invocation, curses and general spells” explained Discord. “If somepony can help them to destroy the Everfree Forest that’s him. And believe me when I tell you that King Sombra will do anything for Dark
Moon”

“And why is that?” Asked Luna.

“Because Sombra used to have a huge crush in White Nightmare” began to explain Chrysalis. “He always was behind her trying to be her perfect gentlecolt, and also showing her his skills with the hope that White eventually fell for him. But one day he discovered that the mare of his dreams was already married and of course Sombra never took defeat too well”

“One day he challenged Dark Moon to a fight for the love of White Nightmare” continued Discord. “And unfortunately for the poor bastard, Dark Moon accepted the challenge. Since that day, Sombra is terrified of Dark Moon; and as soon as he saw him, turn from a powerful tyrant into a coward mouse”

“But getting back to the main subject, we better concentrate on the Crystal Heart. That power maintains Sombra sealed and we better keep it that way. Luckily for us, those two’s heart is so rotten than they’ll never be able to touch the thing”
Celestia nodded sadly. How bad was to know that her own parents were so evil than they’ll never be able to touch the purest power in Equestria as the Crystal Heart and the Elements of Harmony? But that was no time to concern about such things, right now they had to create a plan.

And of course Spike took note of everything that happened that night and sent it all to King Flames.

On his Palace, the old and wise Dragon King lent the letter to Zikmu.

“And what do you think? I told you they’ll be on our side” smiled the dragon. “Right now they’re preparing themselves to stop the murderers before it’s too late”

The Supreme Witch Doctor of all Zebras closed her eyes lost in her thoughts.

“Their reasoning is correct” said Zikmu after a while. “But we better make a plan of our own. The ponies are not the same they used to be and they don’t know how to fight. If we really want to stop the monsters be better prepare our own troops, don’t you think? The ponies alone will never be able to stop this”

Flames agreed and sent a last letter to the young Spike.

Spike burped the last letter and gave it to Chrysalis.

“This one is addressed to you. Good night”

Author's Notes:

So the end is near (the story’s end I mean) I hope you liked the chapter and wait for the next one, the one that will decide the murderer’s fate