The next morning.

Everypony was waking up. They've spent a whole night in the abandoned tower, and it wasn't uncomfortable. Andromalius provided them warmth with his fire, and guarded them both physically and spiritually — no evil dared do disturb the sleep of ponies.

As everyone woke up, Seran appeared, walking up the stairs to the group. He looked rather tired and had a few burns.

"Andromalius," he addressed the hell stallion. "The sword's ready. Come down to see it."

Andromalius nodded, and followed the incubus to the lower floor where the forge was at.

"Well," Seran spoke while walking. "That was a rather hard one... I've never worked with that kind of steel before. After making some mistakes, and a few broken blades later, I finally managed to do a good sword that is just perfect for you. You should see it for yourself."

"I hope it is as you say." Andromalius replied. "Inanna said you're the best."

"No braggin' here, but she's right." Seran chuckled. "I am the best there. Though, I doubt I'm the best here, as in "on the Surface". So, I don't really know whether my sword qualifies as good by the Surface's standards. Not many ponies have wet dreams that are connected to the making of swords." he chuckled again.

"Certainly." the hell stallion replied with his own chuckle. "I don't know if I should ask, but... Did you and Rainbow Dash do anything of a nature I'm sure you've figured out already?"

"Well, she has the looks, and, honestly saying, she has shown some interest in me and the other way around, too... But I am here on business. Though, I'm looking forward to seeing her again." the incubus winked. "But... why are you asking?" he stopped walking. "Well, I know you're a ruler, and that means you're always serious, right?"

"I am a living being just like you, with more or less the same brain." Andromalius replied. "Besides, I'm still not used to be called lord. It makes me feel old and... official. Yes, something like that."

"Oh." Seran blinked. "You're... an unusual ruler."

"I am not going to act arrogant." the hell stallion replied. "Even if my father is very... unusual, so to say, it gives me nothing. Being a child of a powerful person can't make anyone wiser or smarter than others by default.

"First of all, if someone told me half a year ago that I'm going to become a ruler of demons, I would laugh at it and say that it's impossible. I wasn't special back then, I had a life that wasn't even close to what I have today. Though, I can now see my father tried to prepare me for it in a way... And yet the change was sudden and I wasn't even willing to make it, but I made it through to this day.

"Being the son of godly being didn't give me it. Sure, it gave me physical strength and magical power. However, it didn't make me as a person, it didn't form my personal character and traits. So, putting aside my lineage, I can say I am no different than you, Seran." Andromalius ended his speech. "Anyone can and may be whomever they want as long as they work hard on achieving it."

"Maybe you're right." Seran frowned. "But it's the first time I hear someone say things like what you've just said."

"Just keep that in mind."

***

"So," Seran spoke as he showed the sword to Andromalius. "This is the greatsword I and Rainbow Dash made for you. The blade has a shape of flame to provide more armor penetration capability and to add more sturdiness to the blade so it doesn't break easily. Other than that, there is no difference from other greatswords besides the size of the blade. The blade is much thinner than many others that I've made... It's because the steel I used was always too light and had to be sized up to be able to as much as leave a scratch."

"So, that is why the one sword I saw earlier was thick?" Andromalius asked with interest.

"Indeed." Seran nodded. "I had to readjust everything: my methods, for one... Though, I suppose the result is worth it." he handed the sword to Andromalius. "Also, I wasn't able to make a scabbard for the sword. I didn't find any material that would suffice."

"It's no problem." the hell stallion replied. "I've already figured out how to store such items... The Alicorn Amulet is a very useful thing."

With a small flash of light, the sword disappeared.

"So," Andromalius cleared his throat. "Thank you."

***

After Seran was sent back to Hell, Andromalius went searching for Rainbow Dash, whom he didn't notice in the forge. As it turned out, she was sleeping on one of the crates in the far end of the room.

The hell stallion shook her gently, waking her up.

"Uh?" Rainbow Dash muttered, blinking slowly. "Aw, no, I fell asleep!" she stood up. "Ugh!"

"No damage done. Besides, you needed rest." Andromalius replied. "Do you feel rested? We have a long way ahead of us."

"Well, I could take a small nap of another couple of hours, but I think I'm okay." the pegasus answered. "When're we leaving?"

"As soon as everyone's ready."

Rainbow Dash looked around, noticing that something became different.

"Where is Seran?" she asked.

"He went back to where I summoned him from." Andromalius replied. "Though, I suppose you'll be able to see him as soon as I finish my task."

"Alright. Let's get going, then."

***

Some time later.

The group was ascending the stairs when Andromalius felt something isn't right. He stopped, earning a few surprised glances.

"Be ready for anything." he said. Something in his voice said that there should be no questions asked.

Andromalius, carefully as ever, went up the stairs and opened the door. To his surprise, it was very dark outside the tower. But what surprised him the most was the sickly orange sky that was blotted with black clouds.

Suddenly, he got a very fast-growing feeling of danger. Before it reached its peak, the hell stallion cast a teleportation spell on everyone except himself.

And then the darkness swallowed him whole.

"It is the first time I see a reaction this quick." an ominous deep voice greeted Andromalius as he tried to see his surroundings. Everything around him was completely black. "It seemeth thou art lucky today, Andromalius."

"Sombra." the hell stallion half-whispered half-growled.

"It is I indeed." Sombra replied with a chuckle.

Everything became less dark, and finally Andromalius was able to perceive the surroundings. It was a twisted hall made of dark-gray crystal.

"Welcome to my world." Sombra said. "World of fear."

"What do you need?" Andromalius narrowed his eyes, looking around for the unicorn.

"Isn't it obvious that I want thee and thy little ponies out of my way?" the king of shadows growled. "Thou managedst to teleport them out of my reach in time. Otherwise, all of them would be experiencing their deepest fears... For the rest of their lives. They would lie there outside, slowly freezing to death... Even the Elements can do nothing against the forces of the Frozen North."

"I will find you and I will end you." the hell stallion stated. "You will not harm anyone anymore."

"Find me? Ha!" Sombra laughed. "This is my creation, and I am in control here! I shall slowly make thou go insane until there is nothing but nightmares thou seest.

"There is nothing thou canst do... Unless thou art ready to face thyself." he chuckled darkly. "And I have yet to see anyone who is not afraid of their darkest depths."

"If you are so keen on killing me," Andromalius quirked a brow. "Why not do it right here right now?"

"Maybe." Sombra chuckled.

Suddenly, something made of shadows jumped in front of Andromalius and hit him full-force, sending him stumbling a few steps back, and yet unhurt. The Alicorn Amulet was glowing.

"It isn't working." the dark unicorn grumbled. "That artefact thou hast... It preventeth me from killing thee by my usual way."

"But nothing prevents me from killing you." Andromalius noted. "I will come for you and make sure you'll hurt no one ever again."

"We'll see..." Sombra replied darkly.

The feeling of something lingering in the air disappeared, leaving only the empty and cold hallway.

Andromalius warily looked around. Noticing nothing dangerous, he started slowly walking through the hallway. He was ready for anything.

As he walked, nothing appeared or disappeared. Everything was deadly silent, not even the clop of hooves could be heard. The hallways seemed endless. But Andromalius walked, having nothing else to choose.

Meanwhile at the Canterlot Castle, the throne room.

Princesses Celestia and Luna were sitting on her throne, waiting for the court to begin. The room was completely empty save for them, a couple of guards, and the secretary.

Suddenly, a group of seven appeared out of thin air with a flash of light. Hey were surprised as much as those who were in the throne room.

"Oh no, Andromalius!" Twilight exclaimed, then shook her head. Noticing the princesses, she said: "He is in trouble!"

"What happened?" Luna stood up with worrying eyes.

"Tell that the court is cancelled." Celestia said to a nearby guard. Turning to the lavender unicorn, she said: "Tell us what happened."

"Well, after spending a night in the abandoned tower, we prepared to move." Twilight explained quickly. "We were almost out of the tower when he said he felt something. He opened the door to the outside, and... We're here. It happened so fast!"

"I no longer feel him." Inanna frowned. "He... He might be..." a tear rolled down her cheek. "I don't even want to think about it!" she exclaimed. "He is just... not here! He always was, and now!..."

"Please, calm down." Luna said, shaking. "I— I know it is bad, but we don't know anything yet... Th— though, we must move right now."

"Don't return. Mortally dangerous." a small thought appeared in Inanna's head. "Bring no one, too dangerous. I will make it."

"I... I think I just received a message from him." Inanna said. "He... he says no one must return." she looked into Luna's eyes. "He said that it is mortally dangerous there."

"But what if he dies?!" Luna's voice rose. "We just sit here and do nothing, that is what we're supposed to do?"

"Luna, it's as hard for you as it is for me." Inanna replied, stepping closer. "But trust me. Please, don't do anything he said not to! We can't risk."

"And can we risk his life?" Luna asked angrily.

"Will it make anything better if we go there and get ourselves killed?" Inanna reasoned. "P-please, just listen! We should trust him!"

"I don't like this one bit." Luna exhaled shakily. "But I suppose you're right. All we can do is wait."

Andromalius was still walking through the hallway. However, there was something disturbing. It smelled of pain and death. Sometimes he could swear he heard muffled screams and cries.

"Thou canst not win." Sombra stated. "Surrender, and maybe I shall make thy death less painful and quicker."

Andromalius remained silent, refraining from answering.

"Dost thou think thou canst complete thy task and live happily ever after?" the dark unicorn taunted. "I know what thou art up to. Thou canst not do it."

The hell stallion ignored him.

"Many who crossed my way died in the most painful agony." Sombra kept talking. "Thou dost not have the Elements, thou canst not do anything. Thy only hope is very far away now, isn't it? Thou hast destroyed thy own survival chances. Thou reducedest them to zero."

Andromalius came to a fork. There were two corridors he could choose from.

"Ah, here thou art. Tough choice, isn't it?" Sombra asked. "For the sake of surprise, I shall not tell thee what lies ahead."

Andromalius went left, walking slowly and warily, looking out for danger. He was extremely careful.

The corridor shifted slightly, turning from one sharp shape into another. The reflections that could be seen on the crystals were twisted into something way darker. Andromalius saw himself there, and quickly turned away. He didn't like what he saw.

Some time later, he came to a big dome-like hall. There was even less lighting in there, everything was very dark. And there was a barely noticeable figure in the center of the room.

"Let me help thee see." Sombra chuckled, and the hall was lighted.

In the center of the room, Natura Stella was sitting. Her white fur had blood stains on it, many scars and open wounds covered her body. Her mouth was bloody, her horn was broken, and her eyes were completely white. As she saw Andromalius, she raised from the ground, growling; her movements were unreal, broken.

"Dost thou remember that unicorn thou ledst through my land?" Sombra asked. "Here she is. Becoming what thou seest before thyself is her greatest fear. A walking corpse with an endless and unsatisfiable hunger for flesh and blood... I wonder where did she get that idea from."

"It is not real." Andromalius replied, watching Natura warily as she shambled slowly to him.

"In a sense, it is. Besides, doth it change anything for thee?" the dark unicorn chuckled. "Thou diest here, thou diest there. And may thy death be as painful as possible. Killed by thy friend... This is something I want to see."

Suddenly, Natura lunged at Andromalius, nearly reaching him with her sharp teeth. He jumped out of the way, avoiding her. Using his magic, he threw her across the room, eliciting a cry of pain which made him cringe.

"What if the damage I do to her here is done to her back in Canterlot?" he wondered, watching her get up and shamble to him with determination. "I cannot hurt her, I don't know the consequences."

"Canst thou kill thy friend? She hath trust in thee... Shalt thou break her how thou wantest to break me?" Sombra taunted. "It maketh everything even more interesting, dost not thou think?"

As Natura lunged again, Andromalius teleported out of the way.

"Until thou killest her, there is no way out." the fear master added.

Andromalius shook his head, then teleported back to the entrance. He used his magic to blow up a part of the ceiling, making it fall down and close the way. Natura pounded on the obstruction, trying to break through it, growling and screaming.

"Thou thinkest thou hast outsmarted me? Ha! This is only the beginning!" Sombra laughed. "Thou still hast the second way... It is much more interesting."

Andromalius frowned, and then started walking back towards the fork. His steps were accompanied by Natura's terrifying growls, which made the hell stallion even more nervous than before, made his blood chill.

As he turned to the other path, Sombra spoke yet again.

"Thou thinkest thou shalt succeed." he asked. "'Tis but a delusion, pony."

"That is one dangerous pony you've chosen to deal with, Sombra." Andromalius replied with a slight growl in his voice.

"Thou art not intimidating." Sombra snorted. "Stop it, do not embarrass thyself trying to make me fear thee. It is useless."

"This is not intimidation. It is a warning." the hell stallion explained. "You shouldn't have done what you did."

"Thou art at my mercy here in my world. Thy words have no power here." Sombra replied. "Thou art just as free as a slave. Thou art bound to my bidding... If I want thee to remain here, thou shalt stay."

"We'll see." Andromalius replied, walking.

As he walked, he often looked around. The strange shapes that resembled broken figures, a play of light that made the crystal look alive, the reflections that fooled his eyes, everything was playing against him, trying to make him feel afraid. And he was — he has never seen anything like that before. He wasn't ready, and yet he didn't panic. He knew that panic is what Sombra wants him to do, and he didn't plan on giving him the pleasure.

Instead, with tremendous determination, Andromalius walked. He was going to end this.

"...Sombra isn't to be underestimated." Celestia spoke to the ponies that gathered around her. "He isn't stupid. Yes, sometimes anger and hate blind him, but it is rare. Mostly, he relies on his dark powers which he uses with great mastery."

"And how do we defeat him?" Inanna asked.

"It's a hard task to accomplish." Celestia replied. "The only way my sister and I managed to do it was using the Elements. Though, Sombra wasn't destroyed, merely imprisoned in the ice. Knowing him, he would break out sooner or later. The Elements are powerful, but my sister and I are no longer their bearers. They don't listen to us nor to our spells. Thus, we are completely unable to do anything."

"But we have the Elements. Wouldn't we be able to do this?" Twilight Sparkle asked.

"That battle we had with Sombra was hard." Luna spoke. "He almost had Tia under his control... And alicorns are most resistant to that kind of magic he used. We can't send you. None of you is an alicorn, and that means Sombra will not just take you under control — he may be able to end you." she sighed shakily. "Perpetual nightmares that become your life isn't something you want. Many have tried to fight Sombra, and found themselves trapped in his dimension."

"Dimension?" Twilight asked.

"He has created a world of torture, fear, and pain." Celestia explained. "I have seen it from the inside... He can shape it how he wants it to be. I've seen many greatest fears of many ponies... Including mine. I can almost call it a collection — a sick, disgusting collection of worst possible things that shouldn't exist. They are his ultimate weapon. And only strong-willed may survive there... I've seen a couple of ponies that fought bravely. But I'm afraid to say that I've never seen them again after that. Maybe they still fight, maybe they've fallen. I tried to save them, but his grip is too firm. Even in his weakened state, he was able to deny me."

"Will this happen to Andromalius?" Inanna asked.

"I hope not." Celestia frowned. "But I can't say anything for certain. As far as I know, his will is strong, he is filled with determination. But Sombra is a worthy opponent. His powers are great... Though, I have faith in Andromalius. I believe he will come out of that alive and well."

"There is no way out." Sombra said, irritating the hell stallion.

"You should shut up." he retorted. "Repeating something to me won't make me believe it."

"I'm informing thee of a fact."

Andromalius snorted, not bothering to reply. He knew that his words could be used against him, and he wasn't going to let that happen.

"What, lost thy nerve?" Sombra chuckled.

Instead of saying anything, the hell stallion ignored him, just staring ahead.

Suddenly, the corridor turned into a big hall that had no ceiling. Instead, there was the sickly orange sky, blotted with black clouds that emitted red lightnings. And everything quickly filled up with sounds — a dark thunderstorm raged. The winds were howling, the lightnings were striking the ground frequently.

A loud roar sounded from above, followed by an animalistic growl. Descending from the sky, a dragon of black crystal came: it's red eyes filled with hatred. It opened its mouth and spat a fireball at the hell stallion.

Andromalius dodged it and summoned a giant fist that hit the dragon, shattering a few crystal scales. The dragon growled in pain, retreating.

"It seemeth thou'st learned new tricks." Sombra's voice came, booming in the air. "But I have more."

Suddenly, the dragon dived and flew at a great speed towards the demon. Andromalius evaded the hit by teleporting just in time. Summoning another fist, he struck at the dragon full-force, shattering the most of its tail, sending the dragon tumbling. The fist continued moving and grabbed the dragon by the tail, and ripped it off. The dragon screamed in agonizing pain but managed to get up in the sky, and yet barely holding itself.

As it opened its mouth to spit another fireball, the hell stallion sent a beam of hellfire into its mouth, blowing up the dragon from the inside. The chunks of crystal fell down to the ground, shattering upon impact, and turning into smoke.

A sound of clapping echoed through the air.

"Well struck, pony." Sombra said. "Thou hast won this fight."

"It takes more than one crystal dragon to kill me." Andromalius replied. "You should have used azure ones."

"What?" Sombra asked, puzzled by the statement.

Chuckling to himself, Andromalius went forward, and still not letting his guard down. The fight with the dragon was rather easy for him, and that didn't convince him that everything else will be as easy.

"Explain what thou'st just said." Sombra demanded. "Is it something about dragons I don't know?"

"Yes, it is. And no, I won't explain anything to you." Andromalius replied.

"I shall get all the answers from thee once thou art defeated." the fear master snorted. "I shan't waste my time convicning thee while there are many quicker methods of... persuasion."

***

As Andromalius walked through another hallway, he noticed a strange sound. Among the deadly silence, breath could be heard. A breath of a living being.

As he came to a sharp turn, he saw a pony. It was a unicorn stallion. He looked rather young... And very bad — he was awfully skinny, to the point when his ribs could be seen. He had short white fur, blue mane and tail, and lighter blue eyes. His cutie mark was obstructed by armor — a very damaged one — that he wore. His eyes showed madness, drool dripped from his mouth. His magic was holding a sword, one that was in a very poor condition. One of his ears was torn and twisted.

As Andromalius warily approached the stallion, the latter noticed him. His eyes widened, and he made a battle stance, holding the sword in front of himself.

"Ugh, when this will end?!" he shouted, slowly retreating, not taking the insane eyes off Andromalius. "Damn thee, Sombra! Thou... thou... Argh!"

"He might be just an illusion." Andromalius thought. "And if he is, the illusion is very accurate."

"I am not your enemy." Andromalius spoke quietly.

"Argh, lies!" the stallion retorted. "Dost thou expect me to believe it, Sombra?! Thou shalt never take me!"

"Look at that pony." Sombra spoke, and yet the insane stallion didn't seem to notice it. "Completely broken, and yet fighting... I have some respect for him. To endure almost a thousand years. He is one of the first I kindly let stay here indefinitely. It's a surprise to me that he didn't give up as most. But, as thou canst clearly see, he is completely insane by now. I don't think it is a surprise to thee."

"Stay back!" the insane stallion yelled. "Thou shalt not get me! Thou shalt not get me!"

"As if you aren't another of his creations." Andromalius replied.

"Me?! No, I'm not... Or maybe... No, stop trying to fool me, make me loose focus!" the stallion shook his head, almost tripping over. "I am not his, thou art his!" he yelled.

"Toying with his poor soul is the best way of entertaining myself I have since my imprisonment." Sombra said. "He was a stick up the backside... Until I brought him here. Now, he is just one of my numerous toys."

Andromalius took a note that there may be more survivors and that they may be just as insane.

"Hm... Insanity is, basically, frenzy. Or mind control... Which can be dispelled by a certain spell I know." he thought. "I should cast it first, and then cast another spell that will prevent further interference with his mind. Perhaps it will help me."

Andromalius lighted his horn, recited the spell in his head, and cast it on a mad stallion. He blinked in surprise, his eyes clearing of madness. Then, Andromalius cast another spell.

"I... Uh..." the stallion muttered, looking around. "Everything is so... clear. To me. Uh..." he said quietly, the. looked at Andromalius. "Didst thou do it? I feel so... alive. As if all pressure on me... gone."

"We must work together to get out of here." Andromalius stated. "What is your name?"

"Thou talkest strange." the stallion replied. "My name is... Ugh... Ngh... Will. My name is Will. Thine?"

"Andromalius." the hell stallion introduced himself.

"Glad to meet thee." Will moved closer and outstretched his hoof for a hoof bump. After bumping hooves, he said: "I thank thee. Be it not thou, I would still be... In that awful state. So many years... Here. I've not seen anypony real for so long. How many years?"

"About a thousand." Andromalius answered.

"Too much..." Will sighed. "And thou? How much time?"

"About a few hours at max." the hell stallion replied. "I'm not going to spend much time here, though. I will destroy Sombra and this sick world."

"By thy looks, thou art capable." Will scratched his chin. "I've never seen anypony like thou. Art thou even a pony?"

"Partly." Andromalius replied. "Though, it doesn't matter. We must get out of here."

"Both of you are free to try." the malicious voice of Sombra appeared. "Even if you are both sane now, it won't make this easier for you. You shall fall."

"I highly doubt it." Andromalius snorted, and then addressed Will. "Let's go. We have a lot ahead of us."

Author's Notes:

A little change to the dark... The first real challenge for Andromalius. Also, more about Sombra and his nature... And I'm not going to make him the villain that is a villain because he just loves doing evil. I hope you don't expect me to do overused childish cliché stuff that make everyone's eyes roll?

Not going to say anything else. See you in the next chapter!