“Where are all my quills? Brbrbr.” Twilight stuttered nervously as she run around her library, until she found them and throws them at Spike, who was ready with a bag and caught it; although the quills pierced it. Twilight then moved to the bookshelves. “No, no, no, no, no...ugh! I need the Magical Compendium volumes one through thirty six! Where is it?”

Zelgius watched as she found the humongous book she was looking for and then dropped it on the little dragon.

It was a few days since the incident and the ponies were actually hoping to relax but, the ruler of Equestria decided now to give Twilight some kind of test. And so, Zelgius, Rainbow, Fluttershy, Rarity and Applejack watched; some worried, some amused, and some irritated, as their nearly hysteric by now friend was preparing herself for the test before she would go to the train station.

“Flash cards!” she suddenly exclaimed, and run towards her desk “I should make some flashcards. Spike, I'm gonna need you to quiz me.” the unicorn said, throwing the dragon that just now managed to crawl back from under the book ridiculous amount of paper cards. “On everything, everything I've ever learned. Ever-” Twilight paused and scratched her chin. “That isn't going to be enough cards.”

Twilight started to look for more cards, and Spike came up to her. “Twilight, calm down. It's just a test.”

“Just a test?” Twilight asked quietly, glancing at her assistant, before she lunged at him and shouted: “Just a test!? Princess Celestia wants to give me some kind of exam and you're trying to tell me to calm down because it's just a test?!”

As she continued to scream at the baby dragon, she advanced at him, causing Spike to back away. Once Twilight stopped, demanding an answer; Spike grabbed a nearby cushion and a helmet, trying to soften the blow everypony knew was coming to him.

“Uh...Yes.” Spike said.

Twilight’s horn began to shine with power causing Zelgius to raise an eyebrow beneath his helmet.

“Ah'd say she's handling things pretty well,” Applejack concluded, both she and Rarity smirking, “considerin'.”

Before Zelgius could speak, he was interrupted by Twilight who yelled. “Aaaahhhh!” There was flash of purple blocking everypony vision.

Twenty minutes later, after Twilight finished packing and library was back to normal, they all went to the train station. Though each pony was slightly covered in black marks. Twilight was looking at them with a sheepishly look.

“Are you sure you don’t want us to go as well?” Rarity asked their nervously pacing friend.

“Oh, yes, I’m sure.” Twilight replied, as she stopped murmuring something, most likely magic-related. “The Princess isn’t expecting me for four hours, so Spike and I will first drop by my parent’s first, and then go to the castle. You can come by the next train, after I...” she was about to say ‘either fail or pass’, but being so nervous, she couldn’t bring herself to say it.

Zelgius walked forward placing his hand on Twilight causing her to look at him. “Be calm maiden. Clear your mind and look to the task at hand without doubting yourself.” Twilight blushed again at being called maiden but took deep breathes.

“Feel better?” Zelgius asked.

“Yes, thanks...” Twilight began, far more calm and collected than she was since the moment Celestia’s letter appeared.

“You are going to do great.” he told her.

“Yeah, ya’re obviously gonna pass.” Applejack agreed.

“Duh,” Pinkie Pie said. “And once you do, we’re gonna have a party to Celebrate!”

“Just do your best, Twilight.” said Rarity

“Of course she’s going to do her best; this is Twilight we’re talking about.” Rainbow Dash stated.

“Thanks everypony.” Twilight smiled hearing all of them cheer her. “See you soon.”

With that said, she and Spike stepped on the train. The others stood at the station, and as the train soon moved, they started waving after her even though they were going to see each other in few hours.

Zelgius turned to see the ponies smirking at him. “What?”

“Maiden Darling?” Rarity asked smiling. Zelgius didn’t say a word.

“Well I will see you all when the train comes. Toodles!”

The poneis said their farewells leaving Zelgius to stare at where Twilight and Spike left. “Maiden Darling?” Rarity voice spoke out.

“What did she mean by that?”

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

“And don’t worry, just do your best.” Twilight Velvet told her daughter as she hugged her.

“Thanks, Mom, Dad.” Twilight replied nervously. “Are you sure you don’t want me to come later?”

“Yes, go celebrate with your friends.” Night Light said, smiling as if he was certain she was going to pass. “We will both be at work until evening, anyway.”

“Okay.” the lavender unicorn muttered, now even more nervous, seeing how much faith her parents had in her. “Bye, I’ll try to come home more often.”

“Bye.”

She and Spike waved back as they began trotting through the streets of Canterlot, armed with a saddlebag full of quills, books and scrolls.Towards the castle.Towards the test.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Zelgius stood with his arms crossed as he and the girls rode the train while not nearly as long as the one the girls  took seemed to lengthen as they wanted to hear how their friend passed.

“We’re...” Pinkie Pie, who sat closest to the window, said. “HERE!”

The moment she said that, the train slowed down and then stopped. Zelgius  and everypony else rose up from their seats and marched toward exit, besides Pinkie, who for some reason headed towards the one on the other side of cart with Zelgius taking a glance at her.

He however heard Applejack shout. “Twilight!” Applejack suddenly exclaimed from outside of the train. “Did you pass?”

Zelgius stepped outside the train to see Dash fly quickly and  joined the rest of the group in congratulating the lavender unicorn. Zelgius then noticed noticed the expression she bore once Applejack released her from hug.

“What happened?” he wondered at the sight of uncertainty and slight fear on her face. “She couldn’t possibly fail...”

“Are we gonna celebrate your awesomeness with Princess Celestia?” Pinkie Pie interrupted his thoughts as she strolled into the station with her Party Cannon, aiming it at the sky and firing the confetti while she bounced up.

“Not quite.”

Twilight voice, which returned to her usual tone, had a strange effect on both Pinkie and the Cannon, as they both receded to their previous positions.

Zelgius glanced at her but then turned his attention to Twilight who spoke. “We're going to the Crystal Empire!”

“Crystal what now?”

Zelgius heard a noise and turned to see a Royal Guard. “Twilight Sparkle?” the Guard asked, and once Twilight nodded, he continued: “We’ve arranged a train to carry you, Zelgius and everypony accompanying you back to Ponyville and then to the old station up north, near Crystal Empire’s borders. If you all would follow me, please...”

“Of course.” Twilight replied. “Come on, everypony, I will explain everything on the way.”

The group began to follow him while Zelgius mind wandered.”Crystal empire?”

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Twilight thought she was nervous before, when Celestia asked her through the letter to come to Canterlot for an important test. She thought she was nervous when everypony expressed their faith that she would pass. She was wrong. Nothing could compare to the nervousness at the thought of being responsible of finding a way to protect an entire empire. The unicorn took few more deep breaths as she sat in the express train with her friends. Now that they knew what this was about, they were all serious, and tried to discuss what exactly was Twilight supposed to do in Crystal Empire. Zelgius had his arms crossed as he listened.

Most of their suggestions resolved around her casting some spell that would protect the empire.

“That wouldn’t make any sense.” Twilight told them repeatedly. “My brother’s protection spell is the strongest one there is, and Princess Cadance is an alicorn; if this was about casting spells, she could do that.”

“Then what could it be?” asked Rarity.

She didn’t know, and that scared her. “Ar’ya okay, sugarcube?” Applejack asked her, most likely alarmed by the breaths she took.

“I just don’t understand why Princess Celestia trusts that I will succeed!” Twilight exclaimed. “I expected about a thousand different things that could be on my test, but not this!”

“Calm yourself maiden.” Twilight turned her attention to Zelgius retorting. “Easy for you to say! You don’t have a test!’ She quickly cover her mouth with her hoofs while her and everypony eyes were wide.

“Zelgius I,.” He cut off. ““It is a mistake to underestimate yourself as it is to overestimate yourself.” Zelgius told her. “False modesty is as bad as false pride. Know exactly what you are capable of at any moment, and act accordingly, as any other path is folly—and could be deadly in battle. The Princess trusts you for she knows you are capable of figuring this out. This test is as much about proving it to yourself as it is about proving this to Celestia and everypony else.”

As Twilight listened to his words; she had found herself... calming down. She quickly thought about what Zelgius exactly said, about underestimating your own capabilities, and knowing what she could do and acting accordingly. The lavender unicorn went over in her head about what she was able off: she knew tons of spell, some easy and funny, other complicated and dangerous. She was smart, very smart, being able to come up with plan and answer for almost every trouble she encountered.

“Besides...you have your friends and me. As well as Princess Cadence and Prince Shining Armor..” Twilight looked to see her friends smiling at her which caused her to smile.

The train stopped shortly after that, and all of them went into the blinding blizzard.

“Ha! And you all made fun of me for packing so many scarves.” Rarity said triumphantly as the other mares tried to shield themselves from the snow and wind, while she was less affected by it thanks to the pink scarf she was wearing. Zelgius wrapped his cape around himself but noticed Twilight shivering and pulled into his cape causing her to blush.

“Twilight!”

“Shining Armor?” the lavender unicorn asked who gazed into the snowstorm. Pulling away from Zelgius.

From within the blizzard, a big white figure appeared, whose face was hidden beneath the cold protecting gear he was wearing; but the unicorn took it off as his sister and their friends came into view.

“Twily! You made it!” Shining Armor exclaimed happily, and soon, the two siblings were hugging each other. It didn’t last long, however, and once they stood apart, the stallion became serious. “We better get moving. There are things out here we really don't want to run into after dark.”

Zelgius stepped forward looking at Shining Armor. “Prince.”

“Zelgius!” Shining said as he raised a hoof to him. Zelgius stared at the hoof then looked at Shining. “What am I supposed to do?” Shining dropped his hoof muttering never mind.

“We need to go.”

“Brother why are you in such a hurry?”

“Let's just say the empire...” Shining Armor began, and glanced back to put more pressure on his next words. “Isn’t the only thing that's returned.”

The group made their way through the blizzard. “Something keeps trying to get in!” her brother said as Twilight and her friends followed him. “We think it's the unicorn king who originally cursed the place.”

“But Princess Celestia said I was being sent here to find a way to protect the empire!” she pointed out, confused. “If King Sombra can't get in, then it must already be protected.”

“How far away is the Crystal Empire, Captain?” Zelgius asked all of the sudden, causing few ponies including Twilight, to glance at him. As he stopped.

Twilight listened to her brother reply:

“It’s not far now.” the tone in which he said that sounded surprised, most likely wondering how come the other stallion called him by his rank. “Why do you ask?”

“Make sure they all get there.” Zelgius said, not replying to his question. “Don’t worry about me, I’ll follow shortly.”

“Wha-” Shining Armor asked, not the only one confused here, but The Black Knight cut him off.

“He’s coming.”

The very next second after he said that; a terrifying roar sounded all around them.

The ponies  frantically looked around for the noise. Twilight spared Zelgius a glance, curious as to where he was looking. Before she had a chance to ask what happened, he jumped to the front, with his sword in hand and swung a magic slash at...

Words could not describe what Twilight saw, the best what came to her mind was that it was some kind of shadow-like smoke thing, with glowing red-green eyes that burned with purple flames.

“King Sombra...” the unicorn realised with a jolt, fighting off the urge to run away in the opposite direction.

The slash hit Sombra causing him to let out a yell of pain. Zelgius brought his sword up and stood in his stance. He quickly glanced at the group. “RUN!” He shouted as he brought his sword up blocking a smoke tentacle that was swung at him.

Everypony, Twilight included, snapped out of their dazes and listened to what the Knight told them. While she hated that they were leaving him like this - and suspected that Rainbow must be feeling even worse, on account of the ‘never leaving pony behind’ policy - she knew that Zelgius had the best chance of coming out of that unharmed, and that he would soon follow them. She couldn't help but look backwards at him. ‘Zelgius’

Sombra threw another shadow tentacle which was blocked with Zelgius struggling as he was being pushed back, his armored boots slid across the snow. “You will not harm them.” Sombra laughed which was filled with dark power.

Zelgius felt himself sent flying as shadows swat him. Zelgius stood up, only to step to the side and swung down at the shadow that had pierced the ground. The sword cut through the shadow causing Sombra to let another scream of pain. Zelgius stood there glaring at Sombra beneath his helmet. Sombra growled only to be hit by a magical beam in the face causing another yell of pain. Zelgius glanced to his side to see Shining Armor who smiled at him. “Couldn’t let you have all the fun!” Zelgius smirked as he looked back at Sombra.

Sombra let out a roar as he sent shadows at the two. Zelgius cut down the shadows that got close to them while Shining blocked and shot them with magical beams. Zelgius stabbed a shadow and looked up to see Sombra shadows gathering but Zelgius also saw a shine of gold. He looked towards Shining. “Captain!” Shining looked towards him then looked up to the shadows that were falling down on him.

Zelgius ran towards him as Shining cast a bubble shield. Sombra struck the shield causing Shining to fall to his knees. Zelgius saw the shine of something and jumped in front of Shining.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Twilight panted as they stopped on the other side of the barrier, her run hardened by the weight of the baby dragon on her back.

“Everypony okay?” she asked her friends, and listened to their confirmation.

All of them were out of breath, but none of them hurt. Twilight was about sigh with relief, but then the sound of crossing barrier sounded twice more, and she turned around to see Zelgius holding her brother with one hand and the other one holding his sword. Zelgius lowered him to the ground causing Twilight eyes to widen.

“Oh no, Shining Armor, your horn!” she exclaimed as she run up to her brother  whose horn was covered in something resembling small crystals at the end. Twilight watched as her brother tried to cast a spell, only to fail.

“Oh no, it must be blocking his ability to use magic!” Twilight realised, panicking. To her, magic was almost like air, to be deprived of it…

“I’m fine Twilight.”

Twilight opened her mouth to say something but was cut off by her brother. “I’m fine sis. It was thanks to Zelgius though. He jumped in front of me.” The group looked over to Zelgius who sheathed his sword. That was when they noticed he had lost his red cape. The group walked over towards him.

“Way to go pardner!” Applejack shouted causing the others to shout their own thanks. Twilight watched Zelgius but became worried when he fell to his knee.

“Whoa man!” Dash shouted.

Twilight walked up to Zelgius with a worried look. “You need rest.” Zelgius didn’t say a word. The group worried looks became terror when they saw red stuff dripping down his back and through his helmet. They didn’t need to be doctors to know that it was blood.

“Zelgius!” The group weren’t sure what to do.

“What do we do?! What do we do!?”

“Stop.” The group stopped to see Zelgius standing back to his feet ignoring their protests. “I’m fine. It was just a scratch. Besides we need to hurry to the princess.”

“No yah don’t pardner!” Applejack spoke as she stepped in front of Zelgius. “Yah need to see a doctor.”

Zelgius shook his head. “Will you stop being stubborn and let us help you!” Zelgius still tried to walk past them until he stopped and sighed. “I promise I am ok.”

The group opened their mouths to speak but closed them as Zelgius walked past them. “I thought Applejack was stubborn.” Dash commented causing the farm pony to glare at her.

“It's gorgeous! Absolutely gorgeous!” Rarity’s voice interrupted his thoughts.

The group looked up in annoyance, and realized that they reached the crystal castle, which seemed to be bigger and more magnificent up-close. It appeared like a spire and was supported by four columns, which also served for entrances, as the main part of the castle was above the ground.

“There are no words!” the fashionista added after she finished making incoherent mumbling.

“Focus, Rarity.” Applejack brought her back to reality. “We're here to help Twilight, not admire the scenery.

“Eh, I don't see what the big deal is.” Rainbow, who was passing by them, added nonchalantly.

“Another old...!” Rarity spoke in disbelieve and pressed on Rainbow (quite literally): “Have you lost your mind? Look at the magni-”

She stopped notice when Dash started laughing, followed by Applejack, with whom she bumped hooves.

“Very funny…” Rarity said after few seconds, once she realized that the cyan mare has been merely pulling a joke on her. The group walked into the throne room to see…

“Cadance!” Twilight exclaimed happily at the sight of her old foalsitter.

The Princess, who was sitting on a throne made of crystal, had her head lowered; she glanced up and immediately brightened, as she trotted over to meet her.

“Sunshine, sunshine, ladybugs awake. Clap your hooves and do a little shake!” they recited and both laughed once they finished they greeting but Cadance shook as if her head hurt, and the light around her horn almost faded.

“One of these days we need to get together when the fate of Equestria or lives of ponies aren't hanging in the balance.” Cadance said once the seizure ended, and then sighed.

It then hit Twilight that she wasn’t looking well. She had bags under her eyes as if she didn’t sleep for days, and appeared to be dead tired.

“Are you okay?” the lavender unicorn asked, despite seeing that she was not.

“Cadance has been able to use her magic to spread love and light.” Shining Armor replied for his wife, as he trotted to stand by her side. “That seems to be what is protecting it. But she hasn't slept, barely eats. I want to help her, but my protection spell has been countered by King Sombra.”

“It's alright Shining Armor, I'm fine.” Cadance said in, trying and failing to convince anypony.

“She's not fine. She can't go on like this forever, and if her magic were to fade… well, you saw what's out there waiting for that to happen.”

Yes, Twilight saw. A terrible monster that was powerful enough to be of trouble for both her brother and…..she glanced over at Zelgius who had his arms crossed as he stared outside towards where Sombra was.

“Zelgius...nice to see you again.” Cadence spoke with difficulty.

“Save your strength Princess.”

“We need to find a way to stop Sombra!” Shining shouted.

“That's why we're here.” Twilight said, dispelling the fear she felt as she recalled King Sombra, and trying to sound confident.

“Why we're all here.” Applejack added, as she and the rest of her friends trotted over and nodded.

“Any idea where we should start?” Twilight asked her brother, knowing that the time was precious.

“Well,” Shining Armor began, “with Cadance putting all her strength into keeping her spell going, and me trying to keep an eye on signs of trouble in the arctic, we haven't been able to gather much information from the Crystal Ponies.”

“Crystal Ponies?” Rarity erupted at the thought, and then laughed in ecstasy, pulling her hair. “Hahaha, there are Crystal Ponies?!

She then realized the stares everypony was giving her, as if she lost her mind and tried to recover while looking dignified.

“Umm, hmm. Please continue.”

Twilight shook her head and glanced at Shining Armor, inclining him to speak. She knew that it was no use prying on his thoughts now, and besides, she had more important things to do.

“But we have to believe one of them knows how we can protect the empire without having to use Cadance's magic.” her brother finished the thought he started before Rarity interrupted him.

It then hit her.

“A research paper!” shouted Twilight.

“Huh?” Shining Armor asked, but she wasn’t listening anymore.

“That must be part of my test; to gather information from the Crystal Ponies and deliver it to you!” she added, pointing at her brother. “This is gonna be great! I love research papers!”

Her friends begun to muttering something between themselves, but Twilight wasn’t paying attention, as she is too engrossed in her thoughts. If they all would spread out through the empire, and ask all the crystal ponies about a way to protect the empire, and then would compare notes. ‘Yes that could work’ Twilight thought. She couldn’t help but glance at Zelgius in worry.

“First we need to keep this contained and not cause the crystal ponies to worry.” Zelgius spoke causing the group glanced at him.

“How do you expect that?” Twilight asked only for Zelgius to walk towards the doors. “Hey where do you think you going?”

Zelgius turned and stared at them. “I’m going to look around. I have a feeling Sombra is planning something.” With that said, he turned and walked out.

The group stared at the spot he had stood before Dash spoke up. “Anypony have any ideas?”

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

“The last page of the book mentioned a crystal heart as the faire centerpiece, so I used my magic to cut one out of a crystal block.” Twilight replied to Applejack’s question, looking proudly at her work.

“Nice work, Twi. Think we're ready to get this faire up and runnin',” said Applejack.

Twilight nodded and, just to be sure, she took another glance at the book they found in the library and compared with the tents and booths they just finished setting up, each featuring a traditional product or event. Everything looked fine.

“Okay then, Pinkie Pie and I will go to Cadance and Shining Armor, and then I’ll announce the beginning of the Faire.” she told everypony. “The rest of you, make sure the crystal ponies have a good time.” The group stopped when they heard music.

“Huh, I guess this is some sort of side effects of the Sombra’s reign.” Zelgius commented. “That, and the amnesia from earlier. Either way, it seems that the Crystal Faire is working.” Zelgius watched from a distance only to hear Dash voice behind him.

“Of course it is what did you expect? Anyway, for now, let’s mingle between them and see to it that they have fun with the rest of activities, before we’ll show them main event.”

Having said that, Rainbow flew  the way to join the rest of her friends, she spotted the first crystal pony she asked for information, and headed towards her.

“We totally nailed it, right?” Dash asked her happily.

The crystal pony moved on, probably wanting to see more of the activities. Rainbow followed her, eager for some conversation.

“Must be feeling a lot of love and unity about now!”

She flew for a while, before she realized that the other pony stopped by the food stand.

“Gonna have some grub, huh?” Rainbow asked once she caught up. ”What are you thinking? Crystal Empire berry pie? Maybe some crystal corn-on-the-cob!”

She turned back with the cob, only to see that the crystal pony was gone.

“What is with these ponies?!” the cyan mare asked aloud, confused.

Zelgius stared at her then he heard hoofsteps and turned to see Twilight. “I just discovered something.” The way she spoke Zelgius knew it was something.

Few moments later, he, Twilight and Rainbow joined Cadance and Shining Armor up on the royal balcony, while Applejack was left with the fake Heart to make sure none of the Crystal Ponies discovered it wasn’t the authentic one.

“I didn't know it was an actual relic!” the lavender unicorn said as she frantically turned the pages of the book. “The book didn't mention anything about the crystal ponies powering the heart!”

She stopped at the end, where, to everypony’s shock, there were few scraps of paper, marking the spot where a page once was.

“There was a page missing...” Twilight voiced what each of them thought, “how did I not notice?!”

“It's alright, Twilight.” Princess Cadance told her, in attempt to comfort her, but what happened next did the opposite.

Cadence fell.

Shining Armor was quick to grab her before she hit the ground, exhausted after the long time of keeping the shield around town, which now was disappearing.  Zelgius drew his sword causing everypony to look at him. “What are you doing!?” Twilight shouted.

Zelgius glanced at them all but answered. “I’m going to hold Sombra off….or kill him.”

“You can’t! He’s too strong!” Twilight shouted. Zelgius stared at her.

“Sombra plans to conquer this land or destroy it. I won’t let it happen.” They watched as he began to walk outside where there were screams of terror.

“Zelgius!” He didn't listen as he walked out the doors heading towards where the shadows were. Twilight watched her friends run in. “We have a problem.” Dash spoke.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Zelgius walked toward the shadow that gathered where there were ponies but had fled. He stopped and stared into as there was laughter. “So you have come to die.”

Zelgius didn’t speak but instead pointed his sword at Sombra who laughed. Zelgius eyes narrowed as he watched the shadows transformed into a humanoid figure with glowing red eyes. He wore armor that covered his entire body except his face. He had his long red cape, with spike sticking out of his back.

What Zelgius saw in his hand caused his eyes to widen.‘That sword!’ Zelgius thought as he stared a  large golden sword with a black hilt that he once had. A name came to his mind as he stared at the sword. ‘Ragnell.’

“Die!” Without waiting for Zelgius to be ready, Sombra rushed at him swinging the sword which Zelgius parried as he swung his own attack which Sombra parried as well.

Zelgius attempted to slash him then from left, right, and then stab him, all from below, but Sombra  perfectly deflected all the blows before he went on offensive himself. Zelgius was pressed back, but was unharmed, as the strikes that were aimed at him were all too known to him for some reason. He easily dodged the first two, and then prepared to block the next swing, as he wondered how they would compete in strength.

As the two blades clashed by the next strike, causing sparks to fly of the metal of the blades . The two pressed against each other but neither were able to gain an upperhand on the other. The two pushed each other away but they quickly swung their blades sending magic slash that collided with each other sending an explosion across the area.

Zelgius glared from beneath his helmet at Sombra who was laughing. “Seems I need more power!”

Zelgius watched with wide eyes as he opened his mouth, then Zelgius saw blue orbs appearing from beneath the ground going but were being pulled into Sombra mouth, making Zelgius realize what they were as he heard the screams and yells of horror. ‘He’s absorbing the souls of those who died under his rule.’ Zelgius thought with anger.

Sombra form began to change, with his body bulging as it looked like something was coming out of it. “Behold my true form! Had I used against those true then I would have not lost...but now…” Sombra trailed smiling as his body began to change more rapidly. “You get to see it….then die!”

Zelgius watched as Sombra body burst open, spraying blood everywhere as something stood with blood dripping down it’s body. (Watch 0:32 to 1:01 then from 1:21 to 1:41)

As it stood there Zelgius looked to the sky to see it had changed colors to yellow skies instead of blue. There was lightning striking across the sky as well. Zelgius glanced back to Sombra only to be sent flying by a hand swat.

“Now don't y'all worry your pretty little crystal heads!” Applejack said as she and the rest stood on the royal balcony above the sea of crystal ponies that, in the contrary to what she said, were quite worried. While behind Shining Armor was hugging Princess Cadance who somehow still supporting her spell, despite her clear exhaustion. “The real Crystal Heart will be here any second!”

“I don't know if they believe you...” Rarity, who stood next to her near the balcony edge, told her in hushed tone.

“No buck!” crossed Applejack’s mind.

“Don't know if Ah believe me...” she whispered politely instead, mindful of manners.

They both heard ponies gasp behind them suddenly and once they turned their head, they witnessed to their terror as Cadance’s horn stopped glowing, and she herself passed out.

“Oh no...” somepony whispered as they looked around the barrier that protected them from an evil unicorn king disappeared, revealing yellow skies instead of blue. There was lightning striking across the sky as well.

“Not good.” Dash commented causing the group to glare at her. Before they said anything they were cut off by a crash and looked to see Zelgius laying a crater.

“Zelgius!” Everypony yelled as he stood up. Zelgius glanced up to them but turned to look somewhere else. The group heard screams, causing them to look only to gasp.

“What in tarnation is that thing!?” Applejack yelled.

The thing they stared at, had blood dripping down it’s body. The thing had Ragnell in it’s right bony hand that had fire around it. The thing was like a skeleton with it’s organs showing causing the ponies to step back in fear. It was looking down at the ground then slowly looked up. The ponies watched as fire appeared in its eyes sockets. The thing let out a roar causing the ponies to shake in fear as well as it skeleton form became covered in fire.

Zelgius narrowed his eyes at Sombra true form. “You have let yourself become that corrupt Sombra?”

The ponies heard Zelgius causing their eyes to widen. “That’s Sombra!?”

Sombra let out a dark chuckle. “Power is everything in this world. Though I could use someone as strong as you. Join me and you shall have all you desire.” Sombra spoke as he held out a hand.

The ponies watched with wide eyes as Zelgius walked forward to him. “Zelgius don’t!” Shining yelled with the others shouting their own. When Zelgius was within arm distance he swung his blade slicing into Sombra arm drawing blood. Sombra stared at him with a neutral look before it turn to anger. “Then you die!” The two swung their sword at each other sending a shockwave around them as well as sparks.

The two swung their blades at each other with neither able to gain a advantage over the other, as they parried each other blows. Sombra jumped back, summoning fire in his left hand then pointed at Zelgius shooting out fire with dark crystals coming from the ground. Zelgius picked his blade up and swung down sending a magic slash that cut out the spell. Zelgius quickly brought his sword up blocking Sombra attack as he jumped through the fire.

The two pushed against each other. Zelgius became confused when he saw Sombra smile. Zelgius felt himself surrounded by shadows. “Where is this place?”

“I will never be good enough.” Zelgius eyes widened when he heard that voice.

“Twilight!” He turned and saw her but she was laying down crying with glowing dark eyes.”No.”

He walked towards her but she didn’t see him as he kneeled down. “Maiden this a dream wake up.”

He saw she didn’t hear him. “Maiden….you're stronger than this.”

“You can not save her.” Sombra voice spoke out from the darkness causing Zelgius to stand with his sword readied. “She will burn!” Fire appeared, surrounding the two. Zelgius watched as it came close to them.

Zelgius glanced at Twilight then rubbed her cheek with his hand. “Maiden wake up.” Twilight eyes snapped open as the shadow disappeared bringing Zelgius to stare at Sombra who had a shocked look on his face.

“How could.” He was cut off by Zelgius armored fist slamming into his face causing him to stumble back. Sombra had a shocked look on his face as he felt pain. “Impossible.”

Sombra glanced up only to block a swing from Zelgius but stumbled back as he was punched. Sombra stared at Zelgius who walked towards him and for the first time Sombra felt fear.

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“Twilight? Twilight! Twiliiiight!” she heard Spike shout her name as he came closer, but didn’t react, trying to figure what just happened and why was she in Canterlot a moment ago...

... all while brushing her cheek for some reason.

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“Get him Zelgius!” The group had cheered for Zelgius who was beating back Sombra.

‘How is this possible!? A moment ago he couldn’t stand against me!’ Sombra thought as parried another blow from Zelgius.

Sombra still smiled as he saw a mare a few feet away from him. Zelgius eyes widened as he saw Sombra raised his hand towards a mare.

“You coward!” Zelgius ran towards the mare and pushed her out of the way Everypony, Shining Armor included, gasped in terror as dark crystal spikes pierced Zelgius chest and arms, and lifted up his body several meters into the air, so now they almost were on the same level.

“No... it can’t be...” was all Shining Armor could think off as he continued to stare at Knight’s limp body. “Zelgius...”

Shining Armor remembered how he helped him during his and Cadance’s wedding, how he saved Twilight, how he saved his own life just few hours ago...

And now, he was dead.

The Captain could hear sobs of the mares around him, besides his wife who was still unconscious, as well as many more from below; along gasps of terror, coming from the crystal ponies. And he found that there were no words that could be possibly said now. The only thing he could do was grieve along them.

Before however he allowed any tears to appear in his eyes, Shining Armor heard something he didn’t expect: laughter. And at once he realized to whom it belong to.

He was here. His head formed from the smoke and shadow that approached the castle, turning most of the crystals in his wake into dark, twisted versions of them. Shining Armor gnashed his teeth in anger at the sight of one responsible for everything - starting with exhaustion of his wife, and ending with the death of his friend - but before he could name him, somepony else did.

“King Sombra...” stuttered a mare among the crowd, who stood the closest to him, maybe trying earlier to see if she could help Zelgius in any way or see if he was alive.

Shining Armor burned with rage at the sound of this... murderer chuckling arrogantly at the sound of terror in her voice. By then, he made his decision. The Captain of the Royal Guard did not care that he couldn’t use magic, or that Sombra bested Zelgius. If that Knight fought to the end; then so would he.

“My crystal slaves...” that monster said as he gazed at the row of ponies, while Shining Armor was about to turn around to make his way downstairs, when...They all heard Sombra let out a yell of pain.

They let out cheers though when they saw Zelgius standing on top of the crystal without a scratch on him. “How are you still alive!?” Sombra shouted at Zelgius who jumped down, landing on is armored boot staring at Sombra who face was bleeding from the magic slash.

“It ends.” Zelgius spoke softly but Sombra still felt the power behind it.

Zelgius raised his sword at Sombra. “You die this day Sombra!” With that said he sprinted at Sombra causing the two to exchange blows again.

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Twilight and Spike had watched Zelgius speech as well as when he was impaled by crystals. ‘Zelgius’ Twilight thought.

“Hold on to me.” she told the baby dragon as she put him on her back. “We cannot let Zelgius have all the glory to himself, right?”

To her delight, Spike grinned happily.

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Zelgius swung at Sombra who blocked it pushing back against. The two pressed their blades against each other. Zelgius pressed down causing the blade to fall out of his hand stabbing into the ground. Sombra quickly summoned a spell that wrapped around Zelgius neck choking him.

“I am going to kill you…..so…….bucking…..slow!”

Zelgius felt his vision blackening but quickly regained his vision when he heard a voice.

“Hey!”

“Huh?” Zelgius thought, feeling a slight pressure being taken off from his neck.

“Up here! I got the Crystal Heart!”

“Spike!” he realized, delighted that his sacrifice wouldn’t be in vain, as he noticed another sound: and angry roar.

“That is mine!” Sombra growled.

The force that was about to kill him disappeared and  Zelgius gasped for air as he hit the ground. Realizing that the fallen unicorn probably went after the Heart.

“It’s going to be alright.” he thought, feeling his consciousness slip away. “Spike’s got the Crystal Heart, and they can use it to...” Zelgius trailed off as he realized what he just thought, and felt himself steered back awake. “Why does Spike have it? Twilight was the one who was supposed to do that. She wouldn’t risk failing Celestia’s test, unless... unless... she was...”

Fear, much stronger that he ever felt, gripped his heart as he imagined Twilight dead. From that thought came hatred.

“I WILL KILL YOU!!!”

That was all what was in his mind as he got up from the ground and chased after Sombra with his sword in hand while picking up Ragnell with his other. That bastard was atop a giant black crystal that was rising There was only one thing that he could see right now: the monster that took the life of the one that mattered to him the most. The Knight managed to notice, however, that his enemy became corporeal. Zelgius  realized that the glittering thing must be the Crystal Heart, who by just being at this distance restored his body. Zelgius glanced down at Ragnell. He picked it up and threw it like a spear. Time slowed down as Sombra approached Spike who was falling. When he was near a blur went past him as well as Ragnell piercing his chest. Sombra glanced down at it, then tossed it aside causing it to land into the ground.

“Behold the crystal Princess!” A crystal pony shouted as Cadence landed on the fake breaking it.

“The crystal heart has returned, use the love and light inside you so Sombra does not!” The ponies smiled as the crystal heart causing the ponies to glow, while Sombra had a look of fear as the glowing intensified. Zelgius watched as a blast of something cover everything turning it into crystal including himself.

“AAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!” Zelgius looked up to see Sombra yelling in pain then there was a flash.

Zelgius looked around to see the sky had returned to normal as well as the ponies. He made his way over to the group who came down.

“I’m glad that’s over!” Rarity sighed dramatically causing everypony to shaked their heads but smiled.

“This means a party!”

“This...is...not over!” The ponies let out screams as Sombra appeared again though he layed on the ground in pain. Shining picked up a sword and held it over Sombra.

“You don’t have the guts to kill me!” Shining hesitated then lowered his sword.

“You ponies may imprison me but I shall return more powerful!” Sombra laughed as he slowly stood to his hooves.

Before anypony could say anything they heard armored footsteps and saw Zelgius standing in front of Sombra who simply laughed at him. You can’t strike me down either!” Sombra laughed.

Zelgius stared at him but then swung his sword slicing through Sombra neck causing his eyes to widen even as his head fell from his body. The ponies eyes widened as the body stood there before falling over, which caused them to stare at Zelgius whose sword was covered in blood. Next Chapter: Chapter 7 Estimated time remaining: 55 Minutes