Disclaimer: I don't own My Little Pony

Queen Chrysalis stared awestruck at Sombra. A look of confusion was plastered on her face. Chrysalis pondered if her minions where simply playing a trick on her.

"It looks like you've seen a ghost." said Sombra.

"King Sombra is dead." stated Chrysalis.

"Tales of my death have been greatly exaggerated." chuckled Sombra.

"How can I be certain you are the real Sombra?" asked Chrysalis.

"I know." answered Sombra.

"Please explain." said Chrysalis perplexed.

"Do you recall when the Changeling Queen of a millennium ago visited the Crystal Empire?" asked Sombra.

"No." answered Chrysalis.

"It's a shame. Because she followed me to my chambers and we had a grand night." replied Sombra.

"Bite your tongue!" snapped Chrysalis.

"Awe, it seems like you got to her." came a familiar voice.

Moments later, Twilight Sparkle trotted up and joined Sombra.

"You!" exclaimed Chrysalis.

"So you have met." mused Sombra.

"She abducted Cadence then transformed into her and almost married Shining Armor. I was suspicious of her so she sent me to the crystal caverns below Canterlot. I found the real Cadence and we escaped then exposed Chrysalis. Cadence freed Shining Armor from her spell and they dispelled her as well a the other Changelings." explained Twilight.

"I should strike you down right now." said Chrysalis seething.

"Twilight Sparkle has been freed from Celestia's lies. She is now my student." said Sombra.

"Exactly master." said Twilight.

Chrysalis let out an annoyed grunt.

"Just let me know why you are here." demanded Chrysalis annoyed.

"We have come for your assistance." said Sombra.

Chrysalis raised her eyebrow intrigued.

"Continue." said Chrysalis.

"First, we must know you will not betray us." said Twilight coldly.

"I am not foolish enough to do that." replied Chrysalis.

Twilight glared clearly still not trusting her.

"I have no reason to betray you." stated Chrysalis.

"That will do for now." said Sombra.

Twilight rolled her eyes accepting this.

"I wish to regain my empire. Cadence and Shining Armor have no right on my throne." said Sombra.

"If you did, then would you turn on us?" asked Chrysalis.

"Not if we are allies." answered Sombra.

"You must want something." said Twilight.

"My children and I are starving. We must find love to feed on and you can help us." said Chrysalis.

"Why do you need us?" asked Twilight.

"Love will run dry like any other food source. That is why we attempted to capture Canterlot." answered Chrysalis.

"There will surly be elderly and ill ponies in the Crystal Empire. Plus, once I regain my throne I will reopen the crystal mines and certainly ponies will get injured on occasion." mused Sombra.

"That would work perfectly." replied Chrysalis.

"But, we need something from you." noted Sombra.

"Anything." said Chrysalis.

"My forces have been depleted and I face the entire Crystal Imperial Army now under the command of those Equestrian puppets. I need your children to infiltrate their ranks to operate as a fifth column. They may feed off the love of civilians if need be." explained Sombra.

Chrysalis waited for a moment as she weighed the proposal.

"Are we sure we can trust her?" asked Twilight, in a whisper.

"Yes." answered Sombra, in a whisper.

"I accept the terms of our agreement." stated Chrysalis.

"Excellent." replied Sombra pleased.

In Ponyville, it was life to usual. Celestia's sun shone brightly in the sky as ponies went about their business. Life had moved on, but nopony had forgotten Twilight. Golden Oaks Library had been placed back under the temporary jurisdiction of Mayor Mare and a makeshift memorial to Twilight had been established by Derpy. By now, all of Ponyville had contributed. Rarity had just visited the memorial and returned to Carousel Boutique when she noticed somepony waiting for her.

"Oh hello Applejack." said Rarity.

"Hey Rares." replied the farm pony.

The two lovers shared a quick kiss.

"So to what do I own the pleasure?" asked Rarity.

"I had a break and wanted to visit my marefriend." answered Applejack.

"Sorry I am tardy." replied Rarity, "I was..."

Rarity trailed off with a hint of sadness in her voice.

"You visited the memorial." sighed Applejack.

"Yes." admitted Rarity.

"I went this morning. It's gotten quite big." said Applejack.

"Derpy did a fantastic job." said Rarity impressed.

"Eeyup." agreed Applejack.

"I heard Pinkie gave her and Dinky all the free muffins they could eat for a day to thank them." noted Rarity.

"I'm sure they took Pinkie up on that offer." said Applejack.

The two ponies shared a lighthearted laugh.

"Well, I must be back to work." said the fashionista.

Applejack thought or a moment.

"How have you been doin'?" asked the farm pony.

"I've tried burying myself in my work." answered Rarity.

"I've been doing the same." admitted Applejack.

"How are the others?" asked Rarity concerned.

"Fluttershy and Pinkie are hanging in there." answered Applejack.

Applejack let out a sigh.

"I'm worried about Rainbow though." confessed Applejack.

"She does seem to be bottling up her emotions." noted Rarity.

"I guess she don't see weak." replied Applejack.

"I'll talk to Fluttershy. She can get through to Rainbow." said Rarity.

Rarity bit her lip for a moment.

"How are you doing, Applejack?" asked Rarity concerned.

"I'm fine. I've been through this before." answered Applejack.

Rarity winced slightly at this.

"I am sorry. I did not mean to reopen old wounds." said Rarity regretful.

"It's fine Rares." replied Applejack shaking her head.

A moment of silence followed this.

"Have you cried yet?" asked Rarity.

"I don't show my emotions." answered Applejack.

"It is not healthy to bottle your emotions." noted Rarity concerned.

"I'm fine Rarity. I always handle situations like this." scoffed Applejack.

"Applejack, that is really not healthy for you." said Rarity more concerned.

"No offense, but I don't need ya telling me how to handle myself." said Applejack irked.

"I do not wish to tell you how to live. I am merely concerned for your well being." countered Rarity.

"I can handle myself fine! I hung together when my parents died!" cried Applejack.

Applejack stopped as tears welled in her eyes.

"Oh darling." said Rarity, feeling bad.

Rarity walked over and embraced Applejack.

"Let it all out." said Rarity softly.

"I just can't lost anypony else I care about." sobbed Applejack.

Applejack sobbed for several minutes before finally stopping.

"Thanks Rarity. I appreciate it." said Applejack, rubbing her eyes.

"It is no problem dear." replied Rarity.

The two shared a kiss.

In Canterlot, Princess Celestia was seated on her throne. She had finished another cession of Day Court and was moments from lowering the sun. Before she lowered the sun, Celestia decided to treat herself to a piece of chocolate cake. As she finished eating, Luna walked into the throne room and snickered upon seeing her sister.

"Enjoying more cake, my sister." giggled Luna.

"I have decided this cake will take control of day to day government affairs!" declared Celestia.

The two sisters shared a laugh.

"It seems your mood has lifted." noted Luna happily.

"I've been doing something and you are correct: I cannot simply mope about all day." said Celestia.

"I am pleased to hear that." replied Luna.

"That is why I plan to form an expeditionary force to find Twilight." said Celestia.

Luna raised her eyebrow.

"I see." said Luna surprised.

"Why did you sound like that?" asked Celestia.

"I did not expect this from you." answered Luna.

"I will do anything to save my pupil." replied Celestia.

"Will this be a military campaign?" asked Luna.

"Yes." answered Celestia.

"You have my full support, but I am unsure of the aristocracy." said Luna.

"I do not care what think of this. I will use all the royal power I have to ensure this expedition occurs." said Celestia.

"I will stand by you if required." said Luna.

Celestia smiled warmly at this.

"Thank you sister. The expedition will begin searching the Hayseed Swamps." replied Celestia.

"Understandable." said Luna.

"I must lower the moon now." said Celestia.

"I will go ahead of you." said Luna.

Suddenly, Philomena flew over and joined Celestia.

"I will find Twilight. I am glad she didn't go through that damn portal." said Celestia.

The next day is business as usual in the Crystal Empire. At the palace, Shining Armor was attempting to perform his duties as best as possible while his mind simply couldn't help bu wander to his sister. He was with Cadence at the moment when a member of the royal guard charged in.

"Your majesties, we have a visitor." said Flash Sentry, panting.

"Listen, right now is not a good time." replied Shinning sternly.

"We should hear him out." said Cadence.

"I am not in the mood." said Shining.

"I know you miss Twilight..." began Cadence.

"Your highness, Twilight Sparkle is here." said Flash.

Shinning became overcome by anger and stomped a hoof on the ground.

"Do not joke about that!" cried Shining.

"He's not." came a familiar voice.

The two royal looked over to see a disheveled Twilight Sparkle in the doorway.

"Twily!" cried Shinning.

Shinning galloped over and embraced his sister.

"Flash, please give us time." requested Cadence.

Shinning Armor and Twilight walked over to the throne while Flash left closing the door behind him. Cadence walked down and embraced Twilight.

Sunshine, sunshine, ladybugs awake. Clap your hooves and do a little shake

Cadence and Twilight laughed after their song.

"Twilight, what happened?" asked Shinning.

"It is a long story." answered Twilight.

Twilight mused for a moment.

"Actually, can you two keep me coming here a secret?" asked Twilight.

Shinning Armor and Cadence gave each other a glance.

"Why?" asked Shinning.

"I kind of blew up a bit at everypony." answered Twilight, "I feel pretty guilty."

"If you want, then we'll respect your wishes." replied Shinning.

"How did you do?" asked Cadence worried.

"I lived in the woods for a while making my way here slowly." answered Twilight.

Twilight waited patiently looking at Cadence and Shinning Armor.

"You poor thing. It must have been so hard." said Cadence sorrowfully.

Twilight fought the urge to smirk knowing her lie worked.

"We'll get you a room and you can write to Princess Celestia when you're right." said Shinning Armor.

"I'm sure Aunty is worried sick about you." added Cadence.

"I feel so bad about what I did." sniffled Twilight.

Shinning Armor went over and embraced his sister.

"Twily, I cannot image how hard things have been." said Shinning sympathetically.

"It's all my fault." whimpered Twilight.

Cadence joined Shinning Armor in embracing Twilight.

"Don't say that Twilight." said Cadence.

"I love you so much." said Twilight.

Still embracing Twilight, neither Shinning or Cadence noticed the devilish smirk on her face.

Author's Notes:

A/N: That's where we'll end this chapter. The conversation with Chrysalis and the general alliance was inspired by a story called "A Somber Year" by Crazybird101. It is on and is a Twilight x Sombra story. I might not support that ship, but the story is really good and I recommend it. Next time, we continue onward as Sombra's plan comes together. Please review.