“Xeron!!!!”

When the name was said, Xeron’s helmet lit up red and he exploded forward with the jump pack, a deafening wail leaving his helmet. Sombra, caught off by the change still, was grabbed by Xeron’s claw and slammed into the wall. He gasped for air, the moment he crashed into the wall, the stone breaking from the force. “What <gasp>… Are you?” He demanded, glaring into the emotionless helmet.

Xeron’s grip slowly tightened, the claws forcing blood out from the dark unicorn’s coat. “I am Xeron, of the VIII Astartes Legion, the Night Lords. And Sombra…. I come for YOU!” He exclaimed, throwing Sombra into a nearby column, holding both arms out, claws extended. “Prepare yourself, to feel what true terror is!” Without another word, Xeron’s jump pack came back to life, and he leapt towards Sombra! Ready to rip him apart with his claws.

Sombra quickly got out of the way, making the oncoming Raptor claw destroy the column’s base. “You think just because your body changes, you stand a chance now!?” The dark unicorn yelled, shadow tendrils appearing from the ground. “Have you forgotten? I am King Sombra, and Master of Dark Magic!” With that, the tendrils lashed out at him, going for what they could.
“I’ve killed stronger foes.” Xeron said, dodging the attacks with unexpected grace and skill. Each time a tendril missed, the Night Raptor got even closer to Sombra. “You’ll have to do more than fancy magic tricks, to bring down a Night Lord’s First Company Night Raptor!” When he got too close, Sombra summoned his crystal scythe and tried to keep Xeron at a distance. All he could do, was parry the claws and swipe when he could.

The Mane Six were amazed at what they were watching right now. Xeron is actually going one on one with Sombra, and keeping the dark unicorn on the defensive. “W-What is this guy? He makes fighting Sombra look so easy.” Rainbow Dash said, the others nodding.

“And his speed, I don’t think the Wonderbolts could react that quickly.” Rarity noted, when Sombra used a black crystal, Xeron simply flew up the last second and landed back down on to said crystal, charging towards at his prey.

“Yeah! And did you see how he attacked Sombra at first?” Pinkie Pie said, bouncing. “He was all like ‘I am Xeron, and I come for you, Sombra!’.” She tried to mimic Xeron’s deep, metallic, voice but needed more work. “Before throwing him like a cupcake!”

Celestia just watched the fight, including when Sombra tried to use smaller crystal to slow Xeron down. To the group’s surprise, the Night Raptor just shrugged them off like they were raindrops on a pony’s coat! She just watched, while the two dueled, ever vigilant for any signs of Xeron going out of control.

“Enough of this farce!” Sombra yelled, using his magic to send Xeron back. “If I cannot harm you directly, I’ll do so indirectly!” The dark unicorn suddenly charged Twilight, his scythe ready to cleave the youngest Princess in two.

When he was about to swing, Xeron used his jump pack to get in the way, taking Sombra’s scythe into his side. “Bad…. Move.” He grunted, suddenly grabbing him by the throat and flying up. Midflight, he released the dark unicorn, only to drop back down and taking him into his talons. “Never underestimate the lengths a Night Lord will go, just to achieve victory!” Sombra gave off a defiant yell, as they fell and crashed… The floor becoming a cracked crater where they were.

“Now THAT was cool! He actually made a crater in the floor!” Rainbow Dash said, gawking at the sheer force required to do such a thing.

Celestia was wide eyed, shocked at what just happened. “Xeron! Get out of there!” She yelled, the Night Raptor looking up. “The floor wasn’t designed to resist such force!”

At that moment, the ground suddenly sank some, the cracks expanding further out. Xeron prepared to fly away, when a crystal scythe flew up and rammed into the left turbine. Sombra began to laugh. “If I’m going down, you’re coming with me!” He said, just as the floor collapsed under them, both combatants falling to the darkness.

“Xeron!” Everyone yelled, rushing towards the hole’s edge, only to be stopped when it suddenly got bigger. “W-What are we going to d-do?” Fluttershy asked, looking at everypony.

“Well, duh! We go in and get him!” Rainbow Dash said, flying up and prepared to fly down.

“We can’t just fly down there, Rainbow Dash!” Twilight said, looking down and seeing the crystals shining. “These are the Crystal Caves… We’ll get lost trying to find him.”

“Actually, worse than that, Twilight.” Celestia said, looking into the hole. “There is a portion known as the Caverns of Crystal Spirits. A much larger cave that extends for miles down.” She gave a sigh, frowning. “And Sombra destroyed his only means of getting back.”

The group started to talk about ways they could help, only to have the idea shot down. All except Twilight, who continued to stare into the dark hole. “He would come after me, if I was in this situation…” She thought, closing her eyes tightly. “He cared so much for me, that he actually hid his true nature. He even admitted that he wanted that normal life… No matter what, Xeron is still Night Claw.” That was when the realization hit her, a smile appearing on her face, her eyes giving a thoughtful gaze. “That’s right… Xeron is Night Claw, and Night Claw is Xeron. No matter how he looks, my feelings will not change.”

With that, the youngest Princess flew into the hole, her horn lighting the way. Twilight ignored the protests everyone gave, even as they faded into quiet echoes.

Xeron slammed on to the ground, Sombra not too far from him. The Night Raptor slowly got up, groaning with each movement, while holding his wound. “Damnit… I have no idea where I am, and that bastard damaged my jump pack.” He thought, looking at his claws, to see fresh blood on them. “And it seems my wound is having a hard time closing.”

“It seems…. The two of us will finish our fight alone, without an audience.” Sombra said, getting up and facing the Night Raptor. “Something tells me, I’ll have the advantage now.” The crystal scythe suddenly appearing, the dark unicorn taking an aggressive stance.

“By the Night Haunter’s claws, will you just die already!?” Xeron said, in an annoyed tone, before pressing the detach button on his chest. Steam erupted from the jump pack, quickly ejecting from his body, and revealing the iconic backpack of Astartes, Night Lords version. Xeron slowly took an aggressive stance of his own, claws extending. “You want to dance, then com on… I’ll teach you some new moves.”

The young Princess sped through the caverns, the magic of her horn being her only light. “Where could he be?” She thought, flying through the weaving formations and any spots they could have fallen in to. “And how far could they actually fall? I mean, seriously!”

When her horn flashed over a few white crystals, they began to sparkle. This caused Twilight to stop, and look at the abnormality, knowing most crystals didn’t do that. Before she knew it, more crystals started to shine until it seemed like they formed a trail. It spun until a small opening, the rock forming a ramp, appeared.

“Are these crystals… Showing me the way?” She asked herself, the crystals starting to blink down the way. “Well, I’ve heard of stranger things happening.” Without another thought, Twilight followed the trail of crystals, hoping they would lead her to Xeron.

Within moments of flying into the opening, Twilight could hear the sounds of metal clashing with something. This caused her to mind to race about what could be happening, her wings making flapping even faster. The further she went down the cavern, the louder things got and the sounds of struggle filling the air. When she rounded the corner, Twilight saw Sombra and Xeron fighting within an open area of the cavern, dimly lit by the crystals.

One thing she quickly noticed, both fighters were bleeding badly, to the point some of the ground was covered in small pools of blood. “I have to do something… Without his jump pack, Xeron’s fighting ability has been halved.” She thought, looking around the cavern and trying to find an advantage for the Night Raptor. “Dark room… Barely any lighting… That’s it!” She suddenly smirked. “Hey, Sombra!”

The two looked, surprised to hear a third voice. “What? How did she-AAGGH!” Sombra yelled, suddenly being blinded by a lighting spell focused directly at his face.

Xeron saw what happened, and took the chance. “I warned you!” He yelled, his right hand’s claw ramming underneath Sombra, and into his ribcage. The Night Raptor lifted the defenseless dark unicorn off the ground, and used his other claws to rip Sombra’s right foreleg clean off. His screams of agony filled the cavern, even as Xeron threw his mangled body to the darkness.

“You did it, Xeron!” Twilight said, flying up to him, a smile on her face. “You defeated Sombra!”

The Night Raptor’s breathing was becoming heavy, blood still flowing from his wounds. “Not without… Your help, Twilight… Good thinking on the… Lights, haha. Only a real… Night Lord would have tried of that under handed… Trick.” He said, between breaths, while looking at his claws, covered in his own blood.

“Well… I was trying to think like you would…” She admitted, blushing at his compliment. “Now then, I think I know the way out of here.” Twilight looked back the way she came. “We can take it slow, since your-“ She was stopped by the sound of a loud thud. “Xeron?” Twilight looked behind her, to see the Night Raptor laying on the ground. “Xeron!”

Twilight quickly flew over to him, seeing the bleeding hasn’t stopped. “I-I’m ok, Twilight. J-Just tired, is all.” Xeron said, looking towards the panicked alicorn.

“No, no, no… Don’t go to sleep, Xeron.” Twilight warned, tears falling from her eyes. “You’ll die if you do.”

Xeron just looked at her, his helmet preventing any emotion from being shown. Though, Twilight’s tears made it seem like his helmet was also crying. “Twilight…” Her ears perked up, before she looked at his visor. “Help me take my helmet off.” He asked.

“W-Why?” Twilight asked, wiping some of the tears away.

“B-Because, I want to see you… With the eyes I was born with on Nostramo.” He answered, looking up at her, remaining motionless.

Twilight gave a slow nod. “O-Ok.” She reached her hooves towards his helmet, looking around the edges. “How do I take it off?” She asked.

“Under the breather, chin of the helmet. There is a button that’ll release the mag lock seals… Once it releases, you can just slide it off.” Xeron instructed, Twilight following what he told her. When the mag lock released, the hissing startled her for a moment but she silently removed the helmet. Xeron’s long, raven black, hair fell out of the helmet before his pale skin was seen. Twilight only saw a few minor scars, and actual handsome features of his face. The thing that caught most of her attention, was his pure black eyes… “Ah… There you are.” He reached up, placing a claw against her cheek. “Now that I really see you… I can’t help but see how beautiful you are. The sight of my helmet, and Celestia’s magic, doesn’t compare to this.”

Twilight nuzzled into his claw, smiling at the comment. “The same goes for you, Xeron… Though, the pony version of you had its own charm.” She retorted, causing the two of them to laugh a little. But, when his claw dropped suddenly, and she noticed his eyes were closed, her tears returned. “X-Xeron?” Twilight stuttered, shaking him a little, and watched the drops of tears on his still face. She frowned, leaned in and actually kissed his lips… Her eyes closed. She back away, slightly, before whispering. “Don’t go…”

A laugh echoed through the caverns, causing Twilight to look up, searching for the source. “So, he was the first to die? Looks like I came out on top, after all.” The voice said.

“Impossible… T-That can’t be!” Twilight said, in disbelief.

“Oh, it is very possible, Princess.” Sombra slowly stepped into the light, the leg Xeron tore off replaced with a black crystal version. All across the dark unicorn’s body, his injuries were sealed with black crystals. “I wouldn’t be a King, if I wasn’t tenacious.”

Twilight did her best to cover Xeron, despite him being so large, to protect him from Sombra. “I won’t let you touch him!” She yelled, magic appearing around her horn.

Sombra began to laugh. “And who is going to stop me, ‘Princess’?” A wicked grin appeared on his face. “Even in this state, I am still far stronger than you!” Tendrils started to appear, whipping around, before their ends turned into spear-like forms. “Prepare to die, Twilight Sparkle!”

Twilight charged her horn, but she knew Sombra was right. The tyrant was a very powerful unicorn. He was able to go toe to toe with both Princess Celestia and Luna at full strength. Despite him being so weak, she could sense the magic within him and how powerful he still was. “I can’t let him harm Xeron… I will not!” She mentally screamed, as the tendrils leapt towards her.

The crystals around them suddenly exploded with light! Blinding the two completely, the tendrils disappearing from sight. When they both opened their eyes, the two noticed they were no longer within the Caverns of Crystal Spirits. It was some sort of dark room, with three large windows on one end letting in the light. There was a large storm raging just outside, the rain pelting the glass shield. At the center window’s base, they could make out the silhouette of a throne, and someone leaning on its right arm. Judging by the size of the throne, whoever it was… They were huge.

A flash of lighting suddenly lit the entire room up, Twilight’s eyes going wide the moment she caught a glimpse of who it was in the chair. His eyes were darker than Xeron’s, his features smoother and somewhat older. His hair went down past his shoulders, even covering his forehead. His armor looked like that of a Night Lord, but it looked far stronger… Like it was built for someone extremely important to the Legion. The being had an unamused look on his face, bored almost.

The flash died down, allowing the room to become dark once more. “Who dares enter my domain?” A voice whispered, the two assuming it belonged to the being they just saw. “Be quick, for my patience wears thin.”

Sombra growled at the being’s tone. “I am King Sombra, weakling! Master of Dark Magic and rightful Ruler of the Crystal Empire!” He shouted, not caring how he sounded. “Show your respect!”

The being began to laugh at his words. “Cute.” He said, Twilight suddenly feeling a chill rush down her spine… She knew he was staring at her now. “And you, precious?”

“T-Twilight Sparkle… Ehm, Princess Twilight Sparkle. O-Of Equestria.” She said, trying to keep her body over Xeron.

“Twilight Sparkle…. How precious.” He chuckled again, the sounds of metal grasping stone soon followed. “I know of you, Princess… Though, the male? Not so much.” Sombra growled at the statement again, before turning his attention towards Twilight.

“No matter, I’ll finished what I started!” His scythe suddenly appeared, and the dark unicorn lunged at Twilight! However, his intent was interrupted by a large guardian spear and a golden sword. Sombra quickly backed off, spotting the two Night Lords staring him down… Protecting both Twilight and Xeron. “W-What?”

“Sevatar… Soul Hunter… Thank you for such quick reactions, my sons.” The being said, the room slowly becoming brighter, as he stood up and began to walk down from the throne. “Now then, Princess Sparkle… I have heard of you before, many, many, years ago.” He continued, walking up to the alicorn mare. Sombra, who was surprised about the fact two more Night Lords appeared, more intimidating than Xeron, and blocked him.

“W-What?” Twilight said, looking up at him. “W-Who are you?” She asked.

The being tilted his head, giving her a confused look. “You don’t know? Did you not get the book?” He asked her.

Twilight’s eyes widen at the comment. “B-But that book was about other ponies… X-Xeron said it wasn’t real.”

He began to laugh at her reply. “Ah, yes, Celestia must have made it friendlier to her world. But, regardless, there is some merit to it.” He suddenly gave a bow to her, giving a fanged grin. “I am Night Haunter, Konrad Curze, Lord of the Night Lords Legion.”