Disclaimer: I don't own My Little Pony

The bitter cold wind howled outside as Twilight followed Sombra. The dark king led her down a tunnel deep into the bowels of the mountain. They finally reached the a small area tuckered away between a tight passage. Twilight saw an old blanket on the ground lying near a rock which Sombra was using as his makeshift bed.

"You shall sleep here with me." said Sombra.

"Understood." replied Twilight.

Twilight took a moment.

"If you want to speak then go ahead." said Sobra softly.

"Master...how did you survive?" asked Twilight.

"My horn survived the Crystal Heart. I used a regeneration spell to recover." answered Sombra.

"That makes sense." replied Twilight.

"You may have heard I have a fondness of crystals." noted Sombra.

"Indeed." said Twilight.

"My dark magic is strengthened by crystals. It absorbs their properties." explained Sombra.

"Of course. That explains why you rule the Crystal Empire." said Twilight, nodding.

"I was born here." replied Sombra.

"I should have figured." said Twilight,with slight disappointment.

"There is no need to be down. You are truly the most brilliant unicorn I've met." said Sombra.

"Thank you master." said Twilight grinning.

"Will you miss Equestria?" asked Sombra cautiously.

"No." answered Twilight firmly.

A pleased grin came across Sombra's face.

"My "friends" were against me, the Princess was keeping me down, my own brother didn't even tell me he was getting married." ranted Twilight.

"I'm sorry Twilight. Nopony deserves that." replied Sombra, with remorse.

"I only need you." stated Twilight.

"Exactly." agreed Sombra.

"Master, I am sorry." said Twilight disappointed.

"For what?" asked Sombra curious.

"I was responsible for your defeat. Had I know the truth you showed me...I never would have helped find the Crystal Heart." answered Twilight.

"I cannot blame you. You were fooled by Celestia at the time." replied Sombra.

A faint smile came to Twilight's face.

"But, if you wish to make amends for your loss...I have a way." proposed Sobra.

"I will do anything!" declared Twilight.

"I have no intention of staying cooped up here for the rest of my life. I am plotting to regain my throne and you will help me." explained Sombra.

"My brother and sister-in-law rule the Crystal Empire now." noted Twilight.

"They are merely figureheads. The one proud Crystal Empire has been reduced to an Equestrian puppet state." stated Sombra bitterly.

"And I was just a pawn in Celestia's game." spat Twilight.

Twilight thought for a moment.

"Shinning Armor and Cadence are just as guilty." decided Twilight.

Twilight stomped her hoof on the ground.

"I will do it." stated the lavender unicorn.

"Excellent. You're relationship with those fraudulent pretenders will work perfectly." replied Sombra grinning.

"Anything for you...master." said Twilight bowing.

"Please know you are not my subordinate, you are my apprentice." stated Sombra.

"Thank you master. I am most honored." said Twilight, proudly.

Twilight got back up an looked toward her master.

"Master, I have a question." said Twilight.

"Go head." said Sobra.

"How will you and I overthrow Shinning Armor and Cadence?" asked Twilight.

Sombra let out a chuckle at this.

"I have already planned for that." answered Sombra smugly.

Miles away it was seemingly business as usual in the Crystal Empire. Cadence had established a day court, inspired by Celestia, allowing civilians to air their concerns. Day court had just finished and Cadence decided to head to the master bedroom to relax. There, she found a distraught Shining Armor lying under the covers.

"Feeling any better Shining?" asked Cadence sympathetically.

"No." answered Shining.

"I know you're upset about Twilight. I am too." replied Cadence.

"She's my little sister. I should have been there for her." said Shining guilty.

"You couldn't. We have an empire to rule." noted Cadence.

"Screw this empire! I never should have left Equestria!" snapped Shining.

"If we stayed in Equestria the citizens of the Crystal Empire would still be under Sombra's rule." said Cadence.

"Somepony else could have ruled the Crystal Empire." replied Shining.

"I'm the Crystal Princess. There was no other option." said Cadence.

"I know, but...I just feel like if we where there for Twily..." began Shining.

Shining was unable to finish and winced.

"You can't blame yourself Shining." replied Cadence.

The two married ponies nuzzled.

"Do...you think she will be okay?" asked Shining.

Cadence chuckled a bit at this.

"Don't forget we're talking about Twilight." answered Cadence.

Shining chucked a bit himself.

"You're right. She's a strong pony." agreed Shining.

Shining took a moment to think.

"A little bit." answered Shining.

"Good to hear." replied cadence.

The two royals turned toward the window. The once clear skies had become gray and gloomy.

"The weather has really take a turn for the worse." noted Cadence.

"It's too ominous." added Shining concerned.

Meanwhile, a dark cloud hung over Ponyvlle. This was as Rainbow dash was currently too preoccupied to move the clouds. Another pegasus could have done the same, but their mood was just as sour. In fact, all of Ponyville was feeling like this right now. Spike and the remained of the Mane 6 - obviously sans Twilight - gathered at Golden Oaks Library.

"Twilight's still not back." noted Pinkie, mane deflated.

"No." confirmed Spike yawning.

"Have you had trouble sleeping?" asked Fluttershy.

"Yeah. I've been staying up late hoping Twilight would return." answered Spike.

"Why don't you and Owlowiscious come stat Carousel Boutique until Twilight returns." offered Rarity.

Spike smiled as he shook his head back and forth.

"I appreciate the offer, but I want to wait here. I want to see Twilight as soon as she returns." replied Spike.

"That's really cool." said Rainbow.

"She's been like a big sister to me. It's the least I could do." shrugged Spike.

"Don't worry Spike. Twilight will come back sure enough." said Applejack.

"If only we realized what was going on." sighed Fluttershy sadly.

"Hey, don't get down Fluttershy." said Rainbow.

"We did try and help her. So did Princess Celestia." noted Pinkie.

"Not to mention it did appear that Twilight had returned to her normal self after the incident at Wonderbolts Academy." added Rarity.

"Then she regressed." noted Fluttershy.

A moment of silence followed this.

"We can't beat ourselves up over this!" declared Rainbow.

"She's right darlings. Twilight - the real Twilight - wouldn't want us to mope like this." agreed Rarity.

"You're right. It's just...losing somepony close to you..." replied Applejack trailing off.

Rarity trotted over to Applejack.

"I know this must be hard considering you lost your parents. But, far not for I promise we get Twilight back." said Rarity.

"Thanks Rares." said Applejack, with a faint smile.

The two ponies shared a kiss.

"Aww." said Fluttershy and Pinkie in unison.

"Can we get back to business?" asked Rainbow.

"Dash is right. We gotta focus." agreed Applejack.

"But what can we do?" asked Fluttershy.

"Yeah. We don't even know where Twilight is." added Pinkie.

"Spikey-Wikey, have you heard from the Princess?" asked Rarity.

"Yeah. She has no clue where Twilight is." answered Spike.

"Let's focus on what to do when we find Twilight." proposed Applejack.

"I think we should just remind her we are friends and try and through to the real Twilight." suggested Rarity.

"Yeah. Twilight's gotta be there somewhere." added Rainbow.

"What about the dark magic?" asked Spike concerned.

"Princess Celestia can totally take care of that." answered Pinkie.

"If Princess Celestia can't help Twilight, nopony can." said Rainbow.

"Fluttershy, how is Discord doing?" asked Rarrity cautiously.

"He's been with Princess Celestia since the incident." answered Fluttershy.

"Who cares how Discord is doing?" scoffed Rainbow.

"Discord was hurt and really scared!" cried Fluttershy.

Rainbow let out a sigh.

"I love your caring nature." admitted Rainbow.

"Can we focus please?" asked Spike.

"Spike's right." answered Applejack.

"But, I thought we solved that issue." said Pinkie confused.

"Spikey-Wikey, I know that you're worried about Twilight. But, you need not fret. We shall save Twilight yet." said Rarity.

"Thanks Rarity. That means a lot coming from you." replied Spike.

Rarity wrapped a hoof around Spike hugging him for thirty seconds before breaking.

"It's gettin' late now. I think it's time we all hit the hay." proposed Applejack.

"Yeah." agreed the others.

In Canterlot, it was business as usually at the Royal Palace. Day Court had just ended and Celestia sat on her throne. The weight of the currently situation weighed heavily on her mind. After a knock, the doors to the throne room opened and a dark colored alicorn entered.

"Luna, what are you doing awake this early?" asked Celestia surprised.

"I wished to see how you were doing Tia." answered Luna.

"I am okay Lulu. You need not worry." replied Celestia.

"Please do not lie to me sister." requested Luna.

Celestia let out a sigh.

"You know me too well." admitted the Princess of the Sun.

"You are worried about Twilight Sparkle." noted the Princess of the Night.

"Is...there any update?" asked Celestia.

Luna sadly shook her head back and forth.

"I am afraid not sister." said Luna.

"I see." said Celestia sadly.

Luna teleported over to her sister's side.

"Celestia, please do not blame yourself." requested Luna.

"I am her teacher Luna. I should have paid more attention to her situation." said Celestia.

"You did try to help her." noted Luna.

"I did not do enough! If I did then she would be here!" snapped Celestia.

"Twilight was overcome by dark magic." stated Luna.

"I could have helped her. I should have noticed something earlier." said Celestia sadly.

"You cannot blame yourself. That will do no good." stated Luna.

"You're right Luna." sighed Celestia.

"Why don't you rest. I can lower the sun for you." proposed Luna.

"Thank you sister." replied Celestia.

Celestia got up and walked off.

"I will help you Twilight. I will never lose another pupil." thought Celestia.

The night came and went giving way to another day. In he Changeling Kingdom, it was another normal day as the Changelings went about heir business. The Changeling Kingdom consisted of a massive green hive which he Changelings live in save a few guards outside. In the center of the hive, sat a throne and on that throne sat Queen Chrysalis.

"My Queen!" exclaimed a Changeling.

The Changeling raced over and bowed before its queen.

"This better be important." said Chrysalis coldly.

"We have visitors, my queen." said the Changeling.

"What do they want?" asked Chrysalis uninterested.

"They want to speak you." answered the Changeling.

"I figured that. I want to know the reason they wish to talk to me." replied Chrysalis irritated.

"They won't tell us. They only want to talk to you." said he Changeling.

Chrysalis rolled her eyes.

"Bring them to me." ordered Chrysalis.

"Yes my queen." replied he Changeling.

The Changeling quickly left to get the visitors.

"My queen, we are ready to defend you." said one of the guards.

"Of course you are." said Chrysalis.

The Changeling returned with the visitors. Chrysalis almost gasped as she saw the first one.

"Hello Queen Chrysalis. It is nice to see you again." said Somba.

Author's Notes:

A/N: There is where we'll end this chapter. Next time, the conversation between Chrysalis and Sombra plus more. Please review.