(Taurus, Forbidden Forest, Obsidian/ Tainted Soul’s P.O.V)

I arrived in the forest outside the city of Neighnam, the place where Dark Beasts resided to wait for unsuspecting victims. As soon as I started to look around and through the dead trees, I saw several leering eyes staring at me. Most of them were just waiting for me to make a run for the city nearby, but when I didn’t, one of the beasts became impatient and leaped out at me to take me down, but I moved out of the way while blasting a hole through its head with my magic. The dead beast collapsed onto the ground and turned into a black mist. “I’m your new master now.” I said as I summoned my Dark Magic to show them that I was a master of the Dark Arts, and I haven’t lost myself to the corruption of Dark Magic. Several beasts bowed their heads in respect, acknowledging my dominance over them. Apparently the beasts were once ponies that studied Dark Magic up until the point their research made them change into mindless beasts that will only obey a master that can control Dark Magic without turning into a beast themselves. As I looked upon my army of Dark Beasts I saw that most were wolf-like creatures, but others looked like abominations comprised of several different creatures fused together. “It seems that the more research some ponies did, the more malformed they became in the end.” I thought to myself as I saw one beast that looked like a giant hound with purple sparks coming from its hide. “Heh, those ponies in the Crystal Empire won’t know what hit them when these gruesome beasts show up at their door. Best of all the Royals will be devoured and I’ll take the throne!” I cackled madly at the thought of watching Princess Cadence screaming in terror at her family and herself being mauled by a pack of Dark Beasts.

“What have I gotten myself into?” I thought sadly not wanting to harm anypony. “I need to stop him before everything goes south quickly.” I tried to think of something, anything to stop Soul from conquering the Empire I once grew up in. As I watched Soul using my body to gather these dark abominations, I knew that these beasts would end up slaughtering thousands without mercy or regret. “I have to warn them somehow, or they’re never going to know until it’s too late!” I thought franticly trying to think of a way to send some sort of message that trouble was coming. “I got it.” I said as I tried to use the telepathy spell to get Randablitz. “Randy are you there?” I asked hoping he would respond. “Yeah. Where are you? I just got back to Ponyville with Oasis and Luna, we ran into Minuette and Roseluck earlier and they told us that they’ve been searching for you.” He said in a worried tone. Before I could respond, I felt Soul trying to severe the spell. “Please.... Crystal.... Empire… You guys… Here… Now!” Was all I could say before the spell was cut. “Even if they went, that just gives me an advantage to get rid of more enemies in a single attack, you’ve just doomed your friends to their deaths.” Soul said to me before turning his attention to his army. I felt ashamed and felt like I were to blame for this. “Now my pets, we begin our conquest to rule over Equestria!” Soul shouted proudly, earning various growls, snarls and roars from the Dark Beasts. “I will open a portal and we’ll arrive outside the Crystal Empire during the Twilight hours, when night falls we lay waste to the pathetic kingdom and claim it in my glory, if any guards try to stop you, then do what you wish with them, but leave me the Royals!” Soul said as he was summoning a lot of Dark Magic from the area to create a massive portal for his entire army to be teleported with him to the frozen wastes outside the Crystal Empire.

(Ponyville, 3rd P.O.V)

Randablitz was really worried, from the sound of Obsidian’s voice he looked at Oasis. “Oasis go get the troops, we need to move out, now.” He said with a grim expression on his face. “Luna go get Twilight, her friends, and your sister, and meet us in the Crystal Empire, we have to defend it from some sort of threat.” He said as he lightly kissed Luna on her cheek. “Ok, love, just be careful.” Luna said with an anxious expression. “I will, just remember we need all the help we can get.” Randablitz said as he and Oasis left Luna to find the Mane 6.

Oasis ran over to the castle to find all her soldiers and mobilize them for the operation ahead. After she found her soldiers, she had to give them a mission briefing. “Listen up troops, we’re going back to the Crystal Empire to defend it from a possible hostile army, comprised of what exactly, we don’t know, but whatever it is, it’s not friendly.” Oasis said with a stern look on her face as she briefed her troops of the situation. “Ma’am, permission to move out?” One of the officers saluted and asked. “Commander, I’m giving you the direct order to board the next train bound for the Crystal Empire, so you don’t need my permission at this point.” Oasis said with a slight smile. “Yes Ma’am, Alright troops let’s move!” The Commander shouted as the troops fell in behind him and headed for the train station. Meanwhile outside of town, Twilight and her friends, including Roseluck and Minuette were enjoying a lovely outing in the hills nearby Ponyville. Luna suddenly appeared in the middle of their picnic. “Luna, what’s the big idea?” Twilight asked with a slightly angered expression. “I apologize for intruding, but it seems as if an evil presence is preparing to attack the Crystal Empire and we need to go and inform my sister of this and leave as soon as possible.” Luna explained.

“An evil presence? Is King Sombra returning for another take over?” Twilight asked with slight fear from remembering how close he was at reclaiming the Empire if it weren’t for Spike. “I don’t know, but Randablitz got a message from Obsidian saying that the Crystal Empire is in danger, from what we don’t know, but we must act quickly in order to stop it.” Luna said with a determined expression. “If Obsidian is in trouble we want to help too.” Roseluck said she and Minuette had stern looks on their faces. “Agreed, we made a promise that we’d help one another and that’s what we’re going to do.” Minuette agreed as they tried to sneak their way to the train station. “Fine, but you two will have to speak to Oasis about weapons and armor, The Canterlot Armed Forces won’t have time to make the two of you anything.” Luna said to Minuette and Roseluck as she teleported back to Canterlot to inform Celestia.

“Alright girls, let’s go and save the Empire.” Twilight said as her friends who responded with determined expressions and a mad dash towards the station to the Crystal Kingdom. The group of friends met up with Oasis and her troops. “Hey Oasis, Minuette and Rose need weapons and armor, do you have anything to spare?” Twilight asked with a sheepish smile. “Why absolutely, we always keep spares. Troops, suit them up.” She replied and ordered her troops. “Ma’am, yes ma’am!” Four soldiers said as they saluted their general. It didn’t take less than five minutes for the ponies to be suited in the same armor and weapons as the other soldiers and Rarity adored the design even if she looked as if she were going to war. “This does meet my expectations, do you mind if I keep this after this is all over?” Rarity asked with a pleading smile. “You can keep it, now select your trick weapon and firearm, everypony has one. I use my Evergloom pistol, and my sword as my weapon set. Your weapons depend on what style you prefer, do you want magic and skill, strength and skill with firearms, all skill, all strength, all firearms and draining weapons, or all magic, it all depends on the user.” Oasis said as the troops wheeled in several weapon crates. Rarity picked the whip cane and pistol. Twilight picked the saw spear and pistol. Applejack picked the Holy Greatsword and cannon. Fluttershy picked the whip cane and blunderbuss. Rainbow picked the buzzsaw and blunderbuss. Pinkie picked the Gravehammer and her party cannon. Minuette picked the katana and Evergloom pistol. Roseluck picked the Holy Greatsword and blunderbuss.” With all of their selections made they boarded the train and went on to save the Crystal Kingdom.

(Crystal Empire, Cadence’s P.O.V)

After we returned from our little vacation in Ponyville, it was nice to return to the Empire so we can watch over our subjects and take care of Strong Spirit. I heard the sound of my son’s crying coming from his nursery. I leapt from my throne in the middle of court to care for my son, since Shining was busy with training the new recruits. “Shh, shh, Strong, it’s okay mommy’s here.” I said soothingly. Strong Spirit just wouldn’t stop crying even after I sang him his favorite lullabye, I was truly at a loss. Then a thought came to my mind. “You sense something is wrong don’t you?” I asked him as he started to stop his wailing. “It’s okay mommy’s here my sweet baby.” I said as I gave him a kiss on his forehead. He giggled a bit as I placed him into his mobile cradle so I could have him with me in case he started crying again. I heard the sound of a train whistle coming from the station. “I’m not expecting any visitors, what’s going on?” I asked myself. I leapt down from the Palace balcony and flew off to the train station while making sure I don’t startle Strong Spirit. The doors of the passenger sections opened and revealed Randablitz, Oasis, Minuette, Roseluck, Twilight and her friends, and Randablitz’s troops all wearing combat armor and carried weapons with them. “What’s going on?” I asked in a worried tone. “Obsidian told us to come here, because the Empire is in danger, from what we don’t know, but we came prepared.” Randablitz said with a stern look on his face. “Oh, well I think Spirit sensed something as well, but I don’t know what’s going to happen, but we will keep them out with the power of the Heart and Shining’s shield spell.” I tried to reassure them.

Randabitz looked at me skeptically. “Cadence I hate to be disrespectful, but Shining’s shield spell and the power of the Heart aren’t going to be enough to keep this evil presence out seeing as it seems to feel familiar to me.” Randablitz said with a look of shock on his face. “What is it then?” I asked somewhat terrified of his reply. “It’s the Dark Beasts.” He said with an angered expression. “What are Dark Beasts exactly?” Twilight asked. “Dark Beasts used to be ponies who studied Dark Magic to the point their sense of self and physical being completely changed into abominations that only exist in the darkness, and they follow anypony that can command Dark Magic and hasn’t transformed.” He said with a grim expression. “How do we stop them?” I asked with a determined look. “We fight and slaughter them until they return to the abyss from whence they came!” He exclaimed making his troops pump their hooves in agreement. “Alright, do what you can to defend this Empire and if you see the leader, take him prisoner and we’ll deal with him/her afterwards.” I said with a serious expression. “We’ll try, because Dark Beasts usually hunt in packs, and when the alpha is disposed of they’ll just scatter, with this type of scenario, they won’t back down until the leader is out of commission.” Oasis stated matter-of-factly. “Alright let me go inform Shining.” I said as I flew back towards the palace and landed in the middle of the training yard. “Shining we need to prepare our defenses now, Randablitz, Oasis, his troops, and our friends are here armed to the teeth ready to defend us from creatures called Dark Beasts, and I also have no idea what they look like and no, we don’t know who, or what is controlling them, the best we can do is fight them off.” I said as I flew back inside and placed my only son into his cradle and kissed his forehead. “Sleep tight my little prince, mommy loves you.” I said as I went to the palace armory to retrieve my gear.

(Outskirts of Crystal Empire, Soul/Obsidian’s P.O.V)

The sky has darkened and the beginning of the night was upon us. It was time to invade that lovey-dovey kingdom. “Now my pets, go and feast on their flesh and bones, but remember the royals are mine!” I said with an evil grin as my monstrous army rushed towards the city. The army wasted no time for a full assault, but it wasn’t for about thirty seconds when some were killed mysteriously. I looked to see that the Empire had set up an ambush and a well played one too. I signaled my army to split off in three groups, one to continue to the Empire, another to hit the right defenses, and the final to hit the ambushes. After one of the groups moved to kill off the defenders, I heard the sound of somepony shouting orders to disperse, engage targets, and retreat. “What are they up to? Whatever it is, I got to play the game of strategy.” I said to myself as I began pondering at a new battle tactic. My thoughts were interrupted by the sound of a cannon being fired. “What was that?!” I asked myself in a surprised tone. I turned to see some pink pony’s cannon fired a blast of pellets with enough force to actually do damage to the beasts. “How can that pony use that?!” I angrily asked as I saw a beast turn into black smoke after the cannon’s projectile nail it square in the face with its munition. I saw that this plan was not working and if it keeps up, I won’t have a strong enough force to secure Equestria. “Time to take matters into my own hooves.” I said as I transformed into a massive cloud of shadow and charged toward the battlefield to wipe out the defenders.

“These aren’t Crystal Guards, so these must be Randablitz’s soldiers.” I said as I strode past them confident that I killed them. “Ha, simpletons, thinking that a small squad of troops could stop my advance. But, that does mean a larger force will still await my arrival.” I chuckled and then thought about what could be waiting for us. “Come my pets, let not this small set back stop our conquest.” I sounded inspirational to them and they followed me towards the Empire’s borders. “Stay alert, and don’t be afraid to chow on civilians, they’ll give you the meat you deserve.” I said with a sinister grin making them drool in hunger.

(Crystal Kingdom, 3rd P.O.V)

With the outer defenses down, Soul and his army had reached the borders of the Empire unaware of the heavier defenses within the Empire and all the civilians were inside of their homes to stay safe from the dangers. Randablitz stood next to Oasis waiting for the threat to emerge. “Okay everypony, get into your positions and lure some of the enemy forces towards you and have your partner flank them. Hit them hard, fast, and leave no survivors.” Randablitz said with a stern expression. Everypony nodded and ran in groups of two to three and hid in the various alleys and side streets to avoid being seen. Outside the protection shield to the Empire, The dark beasts stood at attention to their master. Even with a few losses, They still had strength and numbers to conquer. Soul wasted no time and with a large bolt of dark magic, the shield cracked and dispersed into pieces, exposing the Empire for invasion. “Now go, but stay in groups, I’ll go for the heart then the throne.” Soul ordered as the beasts ran in to begin their chaos as Soul himself used the shadows around the Empire to his advantage. Applejack and her partner, Rainbow Dash found a group of five Dark Beasts and were pretty surprised at their size and appearance. “Aw c’mon we can take ‘em!” Rainbow whispered. “R.D., we can’t just rush in there, we need to have a plan.” Applejack said as she observed the behavior of the beasts. “I got one, do ya have any random stones?” Rainbow asked. “Yeah Why?” The farmer asked. “We’re gonna get one to come over here, and hopefully not attract the others.” Rainbow said as she took the random pebble and threw it at one of the Dark Beasts, hitting it in the left hind leg. The Dark Beast looked at the direction of where the pebble originated and snarled as it headed for a dark alleyway. Rainbow hit the beast with her buzzsaw mace and caused it to turn into black smoke. Applejack smiled at this idea. “Let’s do it again, but I wanna have a go.” She said as she threw a pebble. Another beast walked right into the same trap its companion did and had Applejacks greatsword smashed through its head. This continued three more times and their group was eradicated, so they moved on to go find out if their friends needed their help.

Rarity and Fluttershy were patrolling one of the side streets and saw a group of three beasts looking for somepony to eat. “They haven’t noticed us, we have the element of surprise.” Rarity whispered and cocked her pistol, took aim and shot one of the beasts getting the whole group’s attention. Both mares switched their canes into their whip forms and lashed the beasts until they dropped dead. “I really don’t like this, but it is for the greater good.” Fluttershy said as a single tear left her eye. She did feel sorry for the pony who condemned themselves to becoming such a monster. “Don’t worry darling, at least their suffering is over.” Rarity said compassionately and patted Fluttershy’s back. Back with the main group of beasts, they began to pick up a sense that something wasn’t right. Soul noticed this and looked back at one of his beasts sniffing the ground. Soul looked down to see the ground covered in a black substance and his eyes lit up in realization of what it was. “Scatter, it’s an oil trap!” He shouted making the group leap in every direction as Roseluck shot her gun from a distance and ignited the oil killing a few beasts, but not enough to be a significant dent in their forces. “These pests really trapped the place.” Soul said trying to think of a new strategy and decided to do something that would hopefully break their fighting spirits.

Back with a few beasts who managed to find a few crystal ponies to dine on were about to dine on their first meal in possible decades. The ponies also had their foal with them and they screamed in terror at the beasts, but were surrounded by them, until two metallic projectiles hit them causing them to turn their attention to their assailants, it was Oasis and Randablitz. The two of them ran straight for the beasts and sliced right through their hides, saving the ponies, who were still cowering in fear. “It’s okay. Do you live around here? If you tell us where you live, we’ll escort you home, no harm will come to you.” Oasis said soothingly. The mare looked up at one of her saviors and kissed her hoof. “Thank you so much, we live just down the street, please, get us there!” She whined. “Alright, follow us.” Randablitz said as he escorted the family to safety. Pinkie and Twilight were stalking three beasts that were trying to bust down a door trying to eat the ponies inside. Pinkie looked over to find some kind of plan of attack to somehow engage the dark beasts. “Twilight, you take one on the left I take right.” Pinkie said to Twilight who nodded and shot a bolt of magic and hit the beast on the left in it hindquarters causing it to yelp in pain. The other two saw this attack and charged to engage Twilight. “Pinkie I need help!” Twilight said as she backed away from the other two. Pinkie responded by blasting the other two with her party cannon killing one, then she charged forward and slashed the beast twice with her sword, then smashed it with her hammer. Twilight hacked and slashed her beast and then extended her saw spear and stabbed the beast, killing it. “Great job, let’s regroup with the others for what the next phase of the plan is.” Twilight said as Pinkie nodded and ran off back to the others.

(Canterlot Castle, 3rd P.O.V)

Luna was really upset that her sister was busy with court. Her lovers and friends were counting on her help, with that in mind she threw caution to the wind and bursted through the doors and went into the throne room, interrupting Celestia’s Day Court. “Luna, you know how important this court is!” Celestia frowned at her sister’s action. “Forgive my intrusion sister, but while these nobles are prattling on, the Crystal Empire is possibly under attack from a dark army!” Luna retorted with a frown of her own. “Has King Sombra returned?” Celestia looked at her still maintaining a frown on her face. “Apparently, it’s worse, this army is comprised of creatures called Dark Beasts. These creatures used to be ponies who studied dark magic until they transformed into hideous beasts, who leads them I don’t know, but we need to leave with some troops now!” Luna responded as Celestia’s face then turned into horror. “Citizens of this court, a new matter has been brought to my attention and I must go, Meeting adjourned.” Celestia announced as the ponies did not even question what was happening and left. “Luna, mobilize the troops, We’ve got an Empire to save.” Celestia turned to her sister. “Thank you sister, again I really am sorry about intruding on Day Court, but my friends need me more.” Luna said with some tears escaping her eyes. “I know you had good intentions, but our friends are in danger and this far more important.” Celestia comforted Luna and the two left to mobilize their troops and suit up in the same armor they used to defeat Sombra the first time. Luna used her magic to summon Starkiller to her and tied it to her hip and smiled. “Are you ready to confront the darkness Sister?” Luna asked her sister. “Let’s do this.” Celestia responded as they rang for their their elite troops.

They arrived outside the Empire and saw a group of Randablitz’s troops lying on the ground unconscious. Luna was shocked at the sight of this and she ran over to them. “Are you alright?” She asked the leader of the group as he started to awaken. “Ugh, yeah we’re alright, we managed to stay out long enough to let them go unto the city.” The leader said. Luna was horrified when she heard the beasts had entered the city limits. “I sense Randablitz had a plan for this.” Celestia said with a likely hunch. “It’s a strategy we’ve always used, allow the beasts into the city and engage the beasts in a more condensed setting, rather than in the open where the beasts can gang up on you.” The group leader said with a smug grin. “Sounds like Randy alright.” Luna sighed with a slight blush. “Enough talk our comrades need us, and hopefully those eight mares as well as the Prince and the General have cleared most of the beasts, but be warned, according to our sources, the more that a pony would study the Dark Arts, the more malformed they became when they finally transformed.” The group leader said with a worried expression. “Let’s go sister.” Celestia said with determination. “Right, we will face these monstrosities head on and never look back!” Luna shouted earning cheers and war cries from the troops that now followed the two sisters into the city.

Back in the main base of operations, Randablitz and the rest of the troops were rallied to make the final attack to defeat the Dark Beasts. “Excellent work everypony, but it seems that the beasts we all encountered were all the common form, the more intelligent ones are with the leader of this sorry excuse for an invasion, all we need is one final effort to stop this plot for domination in its tracks.” He said, but noticed that three major ponies weren’t accounted for: Shining, Cadence, and Strong Spirit. “Randablitz, the troops are marching to the castle and we’ve spotted Luna and Celestia’s forces arriving here.” Oasis informed her Prince. “Excellent, let’s meet up with them and get the bottom of this, the faster we solve this little mystery, the sooner we can celebrate the fact that nopony died tonight.” Randablitz said as he opened his wings and took flight. At the castle’s base entrance, a few more developed Dark Beasts were on guard to protect the entrance and the Heart to stop anypony who tries to get to their master inside. Luna and Celestia caught a glimpse of what they were going to be fighting and they didn’t like it one bit. The beasts were enormous, looked more skeletal, and had purple sparks emanating from their hides. “Luna, please tell me this is all a bad dream and we’re actually at home.” Celestia said with a look of absolute terror. “I’m afraid you’re not dreaming, these things are real, and they’re much more intelligent than the others.” Randablitz said as he landed behind the two sisters startling them.

“So what do we do?” Celestia asked. “Simple, since there are multiple beasts, we need to lure one of them and fight just one at a time, but just one of these is hard to deal with because of the wide swipes and electrical area of effect attacks too.” Randablitz said as he looked at the Spark Beast. The beasts saw the attackers and went into a defensive posture and began sparking up their electrical charges. “Well they see us now the fight begins, just remember to dodge towards them, if you try to dodge away from them, you’ll get hit for sure.” Randablitz said as he looked at the beasts. They began to use an electric breath to try and ground the airborne alicorns so they can be more effective with their claws and other abilities. “Don’t try to get airborne, that’ll be suicide, just fight them head on and dodge them at the right time, then strike.” Oasis said as she and the rest of the troops arrived to help out their friends. “Good to know, I wish we could’ve known that earlier.” Celestia said while rubbing her head. The alicorns and pegasi dove in on the beasts at a fast speed for the beasts to make an effective attack. One beast however was able to snap a bite at one of the attacker’s wings. The wing was nearly torn from its socket and would be a permanent injury if she didn’t get medical attention. “you need to stop, or you may never be able to fly again soldier.” Luna said as she slashed one of the beasts in order to knock its electricity off and stabbed it in the head, and twisted her blade so the wound wouldn’t close. “Yes ma’am.” The pegasus said as one of Randablitz’s soldiers assisted the pegasus move its wing back into place and used a healing potion. As Luna had killed one another blasted a bolt of electricity at her paralyzing her painfully as the other wolf helped fend off the other attackers. “Luna! You will not touch my sister, you foul Beasts!” Celestia shouted in anger as she summoned her magic and created a sphere of light as bright as the sun which killed all of the remaining beasts. With the beasts defeated, Celestia dispersed her spell and raced to Luna to assist in any way she could. “Luna, are you alright?” Celestia asked with worrying eyes. “I’m fine, a bit shaken, but fine.” Luna said with a smile. Randablitz and Oasis raced over to Luna and gave her some loving nuzzles. “I’m so glad you’re okay.” Oasis said with a smile.

“Um, I hate to spoil your moment, but we have a situation?” A soldier reported to Randablitz. “How could we have missed this, the Crystal Heart is missing!” He yelled out angry at his own lack of foresight. “It’s not your fault Randablitz, besides I know one place where we could find it.” Twilight said as she looked at the castle. “Of course it has to be in the castle. I wonder who could’ve taken it?” Rainbow Dash said with a sarcastic tone. “I wouldn’t make sarcasm like this Miss Dash, If it is Sombra behind all this, he is clever with his plans.” Celestia told Rainbow remembering how it was difficult to face him a thousand years back. “Right, sorry Princess.” Rainbow said as they went inside the castle cautiously. “Well, let’s go and stop whoever it is behind this.” Oasis said as she helped Luna to her feet. They went inside and went into the throne room and found that it had been changed with dark crystal walls and tapestries with a small gray circle with two red curved spires on opposite sides. What was even more shocking was the statues of Shining Armor, Cadence and a crying Strong Spirit encased in stone in the middle of the room. “We know you’re here you foul, disgusting creature! Come out and show yourself!” Luna shouted in her Royal Canterlot Voice. All they got in response was laughter from a disembodied voice that sounded familiar.

“Hahaha, At last we meet face-to-face.” As a black shadow mass emerged from behind the throne and two green eyes appeared with one having a scar and a blurred red eye with the purple smoke emitting from it. “Obsidian, how could you do this?” Roseluck said as she was tearing up. “I had to have a little push from somepony to realize that I should be the Empire’s rightful king I was sworn to become, now all it takes is to ask for you and Minuette to join me and we can rule together.” He smiled as he emerged into his physical form with the armor he always desired to wear. “Never!” Minuette shouted as she smacked him in the face with her hoof. Unfortunately it did nothing as she felt like she had hit a plate of iron. “Well then, if you do not wish to join me, perhaps you’ll join the others with a similar fate.” Soul said as he revealed the Crystal Heart in his magic. “I know Obsidian loves me and Minuette, and he would never do this, not after everything that happened. What have you done with him?!” Roseluck asked in angry tone. “Well, it seems the mare is quick to figure it out, I’m quite impressed. I happen to be King Sombra’s tantibus, Tainted Soul. You remember that spell don’t you Luna?” He looked smugly at Luna. “Luna what is he talking about?” Celestia asked. “She didn’t tell you? Oh that’s simply dreadful since I thought all sisters told each other everything.” Soul said mockingly and acting dramatic. “I created the Tantibus to punish myself for my wrongdoings, even if you all forgave me for what I’ve done, I couldn’t forgive myself, so I decided to intentionally make my dreams nightmares.” Luna said as tears freely streamed from her eyes. “Well then, as cute as this all is, I will offer one last chance for you all to join me and I will show mercy on Obsidian and this precious heart.” Soul offered as he looked at everypony with no changes to his expression.

“We’ll never surrender to a tyrant who possesses our friend, you will fall and this kingdom will be saved by the one you’re oppressing!” Minuette shouted after she managed to get some feeling back in her hoof. Everypony else nodded in agreement. Soul however turned his grin into a more disapproving look. “If that’s how you all feel, then I guess I have one last thing to do.” He closed his eyes for a second and blasted a massive amount of dark magic at the Heart causing it to corrupt from the light and love magic to be powered by hate. “Time to finish you all!” He laughed as he then felt a headache erupting into his head. He kneeled down for a moment before he had finally fell to the ground unconscious. “What’s happening to him?” Roseluck asked through her sobs. “Woah woah woah, HEY!” A voice shouted that took everypony’s attention. “Obsidian? Is that really you?” Twilight asked with curiosity. “Wrong!” The voice shouted angrily as a shadow had formed over Obsidian’s body. “The unicorn had somehow banished me out of his mind, You win today, but know this. A darkness will emerge, someday in the future everything and everypony you care about will fall! Til then I’ll be watching you all. Hahahaha.” Soul warned the ponies and disappeared.

(Crystal Palace, Obsidian’s P.O.V)

After defeating Soul out of my head, it felt great to have control of my own body again. I slowly opened my eyes and found I still had one good eye. “Uh what happened?” I asked as I tried to rise to my hooves. “You were possessed by an evil entity, also one of your eyes is out, let me fix that, now hold still.” Randablitz said as he activated his magic and I saw the filmy look of my other eye start to become just as clear as my other one. “Wow, thanks, but what about my scar?” I asked as I looked at my reflection in the floor and looked at my scar. “I think you should keep it, I think it makes you look tough, and sexy.” Roseluck said with a smile. “Well, I thank you for the compliment, but I really think somepony had better un statue those three.” I pointed at the statues of Cadence, Shining, and Strong Spirit. Celestia and Luna combined their magic to free the statued family and the first thing that happens afterwards was a bolt of magic to the eye that Randy had just healed. “Aw Come on!” I shouted as I covered it once more. “Ugh, hold still, lemme see your eye.” Randablitz said with an exasperated sigh. “No, I deserved it, Shining thought I was Soul. Can’t blame him though.” I said as the purple smoke returned pouring out of my newly damaged eye. “Too bad, you’re not that monster, you’re you.” Celestia said as she healed my eye again. “Thanks, again.” I said with a fearful look as I faced Shining, Cadence, and Strong Spirit. “Look, I know that you thought I was Tainted Soul, but believe me when I say that I never wanted any of this, I just wanted to keep those I cared about safe.” I said with a sorrowful expression. “Can you ever forgive me?” I looked up and saw an angry expression on Shining that King Sombra would be proud of. Cadence looked at me with a look of sympathy. “Shiny, I can see in his heart that he never wanted this, that entity was just too strong for him to break free from, so I don’t blame him, since he wasn’t himself to begin with.” She said as she winked at me. Shining took a moment to process this, but still maintained an angry expression. “Only for you I would forgive him, but that doesn’t mean I trust him and I’m only doing this for scaring Strong Spirit.” Shining then did something I would only hate once more than me trying to convince Chrysalis to marry Sombra at the last Crystal Ball. Shooting a beam of magic into my good- non scarred eye. “WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS TO ME FATE?!” I screamed to get answers why the universe hates me so. “Shiny! How dare you, that’s it you’re sleeping on the couch for the next week!” Cadence said as she scolded her husband. Luna healed my eye and I went back to my two mares. Celestia and Twilight even found a spell to reverse the effects of the Crystal Heart.

“I’m so sorry you two, I understand if you want to leave me.” I said remorsefully and disassembled my armor. Roseluck and Minuette both nuzzled me lovingly. “Why would we leave the stallion that gave us the best night of our lives, and keep the armor, it looks good, do you like ours?” Minuette asked. “I do, but I have reached a decision just now.” I said “I’ve decided to give up on my dream of becoming a king. I want to stop chasing a silly colt’s dream and live in the real world with you two.” I said with a genuine smile as I tore down the Symbols of Sombra tapestries. “Live your life the way you want.” Randy said from behind me as I turned around. “And I don’t suppose you have two mares who also want their war-hero back?” I said in return trying to hide a smirk on my face. “Touche. Now let’s go celebrate our victory.” He retorted with a smile.

After the heart was replaced back onto its original position, the crystal ponies used the light and love within them to activate the heart once more. As the heart absorbed the magic it spun rapidly and released a burst of energy that extended throughout the Empire to reverse all the evil magic. I was scared however since I had dark magic residing within me I could be just another piece of evil magic to be wiped out. “Hey, are you okay?” Twilight asked with a worried expression. “No, it’s just this is the first time in years have I seen the Crystal Heart activate, but I’m just scared that since I have the same amount of dark magic as Sombra, I’ll just be wiped out.” I said as I seemed ready to accept the cruel joke fate has for me. Cadence then came over to me. “You’re not like Sombra, he had no love in him, that’s why he was eradicated, but you have love in you, so you won’t be destroyed, but purified.” She said with a gentle smile. “Thank you, but it’s been so long since I could ever remember myself without dark magic, purifying would be nice, but it would somehow feel as if you were taking a part of me that made me unique.” I responded reflecting on how Dark magic had helped me defeat Sombra. “You used it to help others instead of yourself, so you get to keep it, it’ll just be like normal magic for you, plus I’ve heard that Minuette and Roseluck secretly loved the purple smoke coming from your eyes and that scar.” Cadence said as she whispered the last part in my ear. “Thank you Princess.” Was all I said as the magic rushed through us and I found myself looking like a crystal pony. It felt good seeing through their eyes how it was like to become all crystal like. I looked over to Minuette and Roseluck, and I felt my jaw hit the ground in awe at how beautiful they were in their crystal forms. Minuette’s mane was in a bun, and Roseluck’s was in a beautiful ponytail.

“Wow, you two could make fashion models weep in despair.” I said still spellbound by their crystal forms. They only blushed at the compliment as the light and love magic was released to restore the Empire to it’s former glory. Shortly after, the effects wore off and we all returned to normal, but the only nagging fear is that Soul is out there somewhere and when he returns, we’ll be ready.

Author's Notes:

Hello Ponies and Bronies, Obsidian here to say another Story Arc completed, Now I was planning on a 3rd and final arc, but depending on your opinions to keep the story going, I'll be more than happy to. Give us some feedback for improvements and always a thanks to Randablitz for editing.

Be sure to Like, Comment, Favorite, and Follow me and Randablitz and til next time, I'll talk to you all later.